USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1937-1941 > Part 22
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The activities of the department have been carried on during the year, by the appointed officers, as efficiently as possible, and we wish to thank all who have co-operated with them.
Respectfully submitted,
ARMAND O. DeGRENIER, D. M. D. Chairman
WILLIAM E. LANGEVIN, M. D. HERVEY DESMARAIS, D. D. S.
87
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Health
Dear Sirs : -
As agent of the Board of Health, I hereby submit the following list of contagious diseases reported to this office during the past year.
Chicken Pox 7 Fox Bite 1
Lobar Pneumonia 14
Measles 268
Scarlet Fever 5 Pulmonary Tuberculosis 4
Mumps
5 Undulant Fever 2
Suppurative Conjuncti-
Whooping Cough 17
vities
1 Dog Bite 23
Total
347
List of deaths in Town for which this office has issued permits for burial.
DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Acute Cardiac Dilation 2 Heart Block 1
Arterio sclerotic Heart 7 Hypertensive Heart 1
Arteriosclerotic gangrene
Myocardial Degeneration 4
of right foot
1 Mitral Regurgitation and
Bacterial Endocarditis _ 2 aortic stenosis 2
Cardiac Decompensation 1 Pernicious Anemia 1
88
Coronary Occlusion 11 Pulmonary Embolism _ 2
Coronary Heart Disease 1 Purpura Hemorrhagica 1
Coronary Sclerosic 1 Toxic Endocarditis 1
Coronary Thrombosis _ 7 Valvular Heart Disease 1
Congestive Heart Disease 2 Rheumatic Heart 1
Chronic Myocarditis -
6
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Acute Bronchitis
1
Hypostatic Pneumonia
3
Atelectasis of Lungs
2
Influenza
1
Bronchial Asthma
1
Lobar Pneumonia
4
Bronchial Pneumonia
3
Carcinoma of Lung
1
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Adenocarcinoma of
Pancreas
Adenocarcinoma of
Stomach
Biliary Cirrhosis
Cancer of Caecum
Cancer of descending
colon
4
Cancer of Liver 1
1
Cancer of Stomach
5
Carcinoma of Sigmoid
1
1 Cirrhosis of Liver 1
1 Diabetic Coma 1
1
Diabetes Mellitus
2
Intestinal Obstruction _
1
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Cerebral Apoplexy 2 Cerebral Hemorrhage _ 1.
Cerebral Embolism 1 Cerebral Thrombosis
Tumor of Frontal Lobes of Brain 1
89
DISEASES OF THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
Carcinoma of left Breast 1 Nephritis 1
Carcinoma of Prostate 1 Uremia 2
ALL OTHERS
Cardio-renal vascular
Prematurity 4
disease 3
Septicemia
1
Multiple Sclerosis
1 Still-born
11
Peritoneal Shock
1 Suicide
1
ACCIDENTAL
Carbon Monoxide
Fracture of left Femur 2
Poisoning 1
Fracture of Spine 1
Burns of chest and Face
1 Fracture of Skull 5
Drowning
1 Poisoning by Illumin-
Lead Poisoning
1 ating Gas
1
Total
158
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
90
Report of ANNUAL PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF THE ELEMENTARY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL CHILDREN
To the Board of Health
Southbridge, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The results of the annual inspection of pupils in the elementary grades are distributed as follows :
ST. MARY'S School
Total children examined
158
Defects requiring notices
35
Tabulation of Defects
Carious teeth
31
Faulty posture
3
Hypertrophied tonsils _
42
Skin defects
2
Scalp disease 9
Discharging ears
2
Diseased heart
1
Deviated septum
2
STE. JEANNE d'ARC School
Total children examined
399
Defects requiring notices
112
Tabulations of Defects
Carious teeth 125
Deviated septum 1
Diseased tonsils 119
Spine defects
3
Scalp defects
14
Feet impaired
1
91
Heart defects 5 Speech impairment 1
Skin disease
5 Bronchial asthma 1
Ear defects
8 Faulty posture
6
Eye defects
6 Nervous defects
2
Englarged glands
3
NOTRE DAME School
Total children examined
519
Defects requiring notices 84
Tabulations of All Defects Noted :
Carious teeth 100
Nasal defects 4
Defective tonsils
84
Eye impairment 3
Scalp defect
20
Enlarged glands 6
Heart defect 2
Spine defect 2
Faulty posture 14
Feet defects
1
Skin defect
5 Speech impairment 1
Discharging ears
10 Lack of vaccination 3
Of the above defects many are of a very minor na- ture. These notwithstanding it may be said that the general state of health among the above children is at a high stand- ard. It is hoped that with continued dental education and improved economic conditions dental defects will soon be reduced to a minimum. Pre-school examinations together with a gratifying response from parents of children of school age, have led to an ever increasing improvement in the removal of diseased tonsils.
At this time may we acknowledge with deep gratitude the kind cooperation of the Sisters of the various schools as well as the valuable assistance of Miss Houle in the carry- ing out of these examinations and in the tabulation of our findings.
Wm. E. LANGEVIN, M. D.
92
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health
Dear Sirs :-
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Tuberculosis Clinics ---
Our consultation clinics have been held according to schedule, in the Town Hall, the third Wednesday of each month. Patients are sent to this clinic with a re- quest from their physician for x-ray and examination. The findings often assist the physician to confirm his di- agnosis and check contacts in the incipient stage. A hun- dred and ninety-two patients received this service, repre- senting fifteen towns and twenty-four physicians.
The State Department of Public Health recommend- ed a reclassification clinic, to re-examine and x-ray old tuberculosis cases, in order to give them an opportunity to find out whether or not, they are completely cured cases. Mrs. Anna Welch, from the State Department of Public Health checked with this office the list of report- ed tuberculosis in the community. Then the Board of Health nurse made individual visits to each person on the selected list, explaining the purpose of the re-classifi- cation clinic, and made arrangements for attendance at the clinic. Twenty-three persons reported and were re- corded as follows-nine were free from tuberculosis,- ten were placed on an inactive list, and four were recom- mended to continue to be under periodic supervision.
Pre-School Clinics
The Board of Health physician and dentists exam- ined fifty-three children in the pre-school clinics, held in June. This check-up often saves loss of school time later, and gives the beginner a better start. Parents ac-
93
company their children and whenever necessary are ty-nine. Eighteen received dental certificates having no defects, and twenty-five signed permits to have their children receive toxoid in the Fall clinics, for the pre- vention of diphtheria.
Diphtheria Immunization Clinics-
Seventy-six pre-school and one hundred school children were given injections of toxoid in a series of three doses, three weeks apart. Immunity as indicated by a negative schick test usually develops within three months, and may be expected to persist for at least sev- eral years. The pre-school child is especially susceptible and should be immunized before he enters school.
Dental Clinics-
Service of paramount importance is rendered by the dental clinics in the correction of defects, and as a part of health education. The physical examination of the school children, always reveals a large number of re- medial dental defects. Although our program is limited to prophylaxis, filling six year molars, and the extraction of deciduous teeth, the results have been gratifying.
The clinics are held Monday and Tuesday morning be- ginning October first, to June first. Local dentists are on given recommendations as to the correction of defects. The following physical findings were listed-defects of the throat twenty-one,-enlarged glands six-defect of the ear two,-eruption on face one,-carious teeth twen- duty each serving one month.
Number of children who reported to clinic 515
Number of extractions 72
Number of fillings 191
Number of cleanings 376
Number of children who received certificates 225
Children in the elementary grades of the parochial schools, were examined by the school physician, assisted
94
by the nurse. These routine physical examinations take place each year, as soon as possible, after school opens in the Fall. The purpose is to note the general health, to detect symptoms of contagious disease, and on the whole to check the growth and well being of the child since his last examination. Good appearance, an increase in height and weight, usually finds a child normal physical- ly. Parents are advised of all defects found and urged to follow recommendations.
Two boys, contacts to cases of tuberculosis spent eight weeks, at the Sterling Health Camp. A daily rout- ine well planned, kept them busy physically and mental- ly. They gained weight and thoroughly enjoyed their vacation. The sale of Christmas Tuberculosis seals, maintains this camp, and furnishes the service of a nurse to assist at the tuberculosis consultation clinic once per month. Tuberculosis teaching units supplied from the same source, were distributed by the Worcester County Health Association to the parochial school teachers, to be used in conjunction with their health education pro- gram.
Many cases of measles occurred this year during the months of March and April. Fortunately very few de- veloped complications, and no deaths were recorded. Through the schools and the local newspapers the par- ents were advised by the Board of Health as to the prop- er procedure for the protection of their children. Other communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health were quarantined and placarded, according to local re- quirements. Visits were made and instructions given concerning necessary precautions.
At this time I wish to thank all organizations and individuals who have co-operated and assisted in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
95
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
Plumbing work, this year, has exceeded that of pre- vious years in the number of permits granted and fixtures installed. All of the shops have kept busy most of the time, very little of the work having been performed by outside plumbers.
In comparing the plumbing regulations and the prices for work done here with other cities and towns, we are proud to say that our rules are more modern, in that our work is much more simplified, and our prices, while not the lowest, are considerably lower than other places with a population greater than ours. Therefore, home owners have very little to gain by having their plumbing done by outside firms.
During the year ending on December 31, 1940, we have accomplished the following work :
Permits Granted 530
Number of Inspections 905
Water Tests 148
New Fixtures Installed 1762
Old Fixtures Installed or Relocated 57
Total 3402
Unfinished Jobs 25
Water Closets 318
Lavatories 317
Bath Tubs
242
96
Kitchen Sinks 191
Laundry Trays 44
Sink and Tray Combinations 120
Hot Water Tanks 235
Automatic Water Heaters 19
Gas Water Heaters 127
Indirect Water Heaters 11
Furnace Coils and Coal Water Heaters 22
Oil Water Heaters
22
Tankless Water Heaters
37
Water Piping Jobs
48
Taco Water Heaters
4
Oil Burner Coils
30
Water Softeners
1
Urinals
7
Shower Pans
21
Drinking Fountains
2
Water Pumps
7
Beer Dispensers
2
Water Coolers
1
Washing Machines
11
Glass Washers
3
Septic Tanks
17
Air Conditioning Units
1
Soda Fountains
3
Repairs and Miscellaneous 40
I wish to thank the members of your Board, and also Miss Houle, your Agent, and all the plumbers and home owners for their co-operation and good will throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. CHAGNON Inspector of Plumbing.
97
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To he Honorable Board of Health
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Milk Inspector after my first full year on duty.
The following Licenses to sell Milk have been issued to :
Peddlers or Vehicles (Dealers) 44
Stores, Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes, Lunch Count- ers, etc. 80
Oleomargarine
18
Ice Cream Mfrs. 2
I have also visited and inspected the following dairy farms and plants whose milk or cream is sold in South- bridge, and who are not inspected by any other town or city.
Brimfield
1 Sturbridge 9
No. Brookfield
1 Thompson, Conn. 1
Charlton 14
Union, Conn. 1
Dudley 8 Woodstock, Conn. 2
Holland
1
East Woodstock, Conn.
1
Southbridge
27
No. Woodstock, Conn ._ 1
Total No. of Dairies & Milk Plants Inspected 67
Total No. of Inspections at these places 96
Miles of Travel 1387
98
With the approval of your Board, I am preparing a Milk Testing and Analyzing room in our Town Hall, which, I expect, will be ready to operate on or before March 15.
As you know, I am taking a short course at Massa- chusetts State College in Amherst, and will be prepared to carry on tests of milk for Fats, Solids, Sediment, Acid- ity, Mastitis, and also the Breed method of bacteria count. When completed, our small laboratory will en- able us to carry on the routine control of milk and its products to your satisfaction, and also that of all the dairymen selling milk in our town.
At the present time, there are four (4) pasteurizing plants operating within Southbridge, and moreover, some dealers are having all or part of their milk pasteur- ized by other plants.
Between 8,000 and 8,500 quarts of milk, and 125 to 150 quarts of cream are sold daily in Southbridge, 60 to 65% of which is pasteurized. Dairy farmers within Southbridge only produce about 25% of the milk and cream sold in this community, the rest of the supply having to be imported from out of town dairy farms. There is a splendid opportunity for local farmers to in- crease their plants and produce more milk and cream, for the market is already here.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. CHAGNON, Milk Inspector,
99
REPORT OF FOOD INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
This year, as usual, I have inspected all establishments where food and drinks are sold, and have been quite pleased with the extensive remodeling that has been done in a large number of these places.
The dispensers of food and drinks in our community may well take pride in their establishments, as they com- pare very favorably with those of other towns and cities.
In the course of the year, I have visited the following :
Markets and Other Stores 76
Restaurants and Lunch Counters 39
Soda Fountains 12
Dairies and Milk Plants 28
Hotels and Cafes 29
Bakeries
9
Bottling Works
1
Ice Cream Manufacturers 2
I wish to thank the owners of these establishments for their co-operation, and I am sure their customers must be pleased to patronize them in preference to buying out of town.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. CHAGNON
Food Inspector.
100
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Slaughter- ing for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Number of carcasses of beef inspected 33
Number of carcasses of veal inspected 173
Number of carcasses of hog inspected 182
Number of carcasses of sheep inspected 33
421
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY S. AUCOIN, Inspector of Slaughtering
101
Report of Engineering Department
Feb. 6, 1941
The Board of Selectmen :
Southbridge, Mass.
Sirs :
The Town Engineer in making his report for 1940 submits the following comments on progress made by the Town in several branches of construction during that year.
SIDEWALKS
The W. P. A. forces maintained a sidewalk construc- tion gang throughout the summer and fall under a con- tinuing project which has been in operation three sea- sons. 2601 feet in length of sidewalk with curb and gutter were completed in 1940. The Town pays all the expense for this work except the cost of labor which is borne by the Federal Government. Under this plan the sidewalks cost the Town about half what they would if done by contract entirely at the Town's expense.
STREETS
During 1940 the Town, by accepting new streets, took upon itself the maintenance of 4530 feet of new roadway. During the same time the Town laid new sur- facing of a more or less permanent nature on a length of 3080 feet. Although the length of new streets accepted was greater than that of the average for a year these figures show no progress toward the goal of a hard sur- face on every street.
102
COUNTRY ROADS
Very little has been done on our country roads in the past several years. They are in a large part still too narrow, ill drained and unsurfaced. However, during 1940 two of our worst pieces of road have been im- proved. The very bad turn on Lebanon Hill has been corrected with 1,750 feet of new road built to regular lines and hard surfaced.
Breakneck Road has been widened over a distance of 3,300 feet so that it now can be well cleared after a heavy snow storm. The usable roadway before widening was in some places not more than nine feet wide. The work done in 1940 was the beginning of a project to re- build the road as far as the Dennison cross road. We hope this can be done in 1941.
State and county assistance to towns in building through roads (usually referred to as "chapter ninety work") was withdrawn in 1940. This assistance has been restored for work in 1941 and should lead to one or two miles of good road this year.
WATERWAYS
The Town has been fortunate in securing aid from the State in doing some of the work on our streams made necessary by the flood of 1938. The principal work was done on Mckinstry Brook. The waterway was doubled in width. Two new bridges, one on Pleasant St. and one on Mill St., were built, and the culvert built by the South- ern New England R. R. was removed. All this work has been done at the expense of the State except the rebuild- ing drains at the bridge sites which cost the Town $776.00
The State also cleared and dredged the portion of the Quinebaug River between the Big Pond dam and Main St. and are now engaged in clearing the river bed between Lensdale and Sandersdale.
The most urgent need on the River now is widening where it is crossed by the Dudley Hill road at Sanders- dale. So long as this is not done most of the work which
103
has been done on the river in this section will be useless in case of a severe flood. The work here will include the building of a new bridge with wider span and if the State does not continue their aid to this extent the Town should undertake the work as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted, J. G. CLARKE,
Town Engineer
.
105
REPORT OF AN AUDIT
OF THE
ACCOUNTS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1940
TEL
ASS.
.
EYE OF THE COMMONWE
Made in Accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws
107
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION Division of Accounts
State House, Boston
February 13, 1941
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Wesley K. Cole, Chairman Southbridge, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Southbridge for the year ending December 31, 1940, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL Director of Accounts
TNW :O-MC
109
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of South- bridge for the year ending December 31, 1940, and sub- mit the following report thereon :
The final transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collections, were ex- amined and checked.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked in detail. The ledger was analyzed, the appropriation accounts being checked to the town meeting records of appropriations and transfers voted, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1940.
The balance sheet indicates that the town is in good financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the collector's records of payments to the treasurer, with the records in the sev- eral departments in which charges originated or in which money was collected for the town, and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The recorded disbursements were compared
110
with the warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's books.
The cash book footings were verified, the cash on hand on January, 9, 1941, was proved by actual count, and the bank balances were reconciled with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the can- celled securities on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the several trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the in- come being proved and the withdrawals verified.
The tax title deeds on hand were examined and list- ed, the amounts transferred from the several levies to the tax title account being verified and the tax titles as listed being checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
It was noted that the checks for salaries and wages due employees of the police, fire and school departments are being turned over to certain employees of these de- partments for delivery to those entitled to the payments. It is urged that all checks be either distributed by the treasurer to the payees or mailed to them by him when- ever personal delivery is impractical, since no person other than the treasurer or his duly appointed assistant has the legal authority to make payments in behalf of the town.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked in detail. The commitments of taxes were compared with the warrants issued by the board of assessors, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements grant- ed, the recorded collections were checked with the pay- ments to the treasurer as recorded on the treasurer's and
111
the accountant's books, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the controlling accounts.
Verification of the outstanding taxes was made by sending notices to a number of persons whose names ap- peared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that a number of poll taxes and motor vehicle excise taxes totalling about $85 have been collected by a deputy collector and have not been properly reported and paid over to the collector. From the remaining replies, however, it would appear that the outstanding accounts as now listed are correct.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the se- lectmen, town clerk, and the health department were ex- amined and checked, and the payments to the State and the town were verified.
The charges for the rental of municipal buildings were checked and verified, and the recorded receipts were proved with the payments to the treasurer.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the books and accounts of the sealer of weights and measures, and of the police, fire, highway, public welfare, school, li- brary and cemetery departments were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were veri- fied.
During the audit, cooperation was extended by all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE
Assistant Director of Accounts
HBD:MC
112
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance January 1, 1940,
$136,393.23
1,280,840.56
Receipts,
$1,417,233.79
Payments per war-
rants,
$1,187,556.47
Balance December 31, 1940,
229,677.32
$1,417,233.79
Balance January 1, 1941, $229,677.32
Receipts January
1
to 9, 1941,
27,061.46
$256,738.78
Payments per war- rants January 1 to 9, 1941, $20,210.93
Balance January 9, 1941:
Second National Bank, Boston, per check book and statement, $125,294.25
Peoples National Bank, South- bridge, per check register, 3,673.45
Southbridge Na- tional Bank, per check register, 96,978.79
Southbridge Na- tional Bank, North- ern District Ele- mentary School Project, per check
C
113
register and state- ment,
369.58
Cash in office, verified, 10,211.78
236,527.85
$256,738.78
PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK, SOUTHBRIDGE Balance January 9, 1941, per statement, $9,854.93
Balance January 9, 1941, per
check register,
$3,673.45
Outstanding checks January 9,
1941, per list, 6,181.48
$9,854.93
SOUTHBRIDGE NATIONAL BANK
Balance January 9, 1941, per
statement, $112,988.73
Balance January 9, 1941, per check register, $96,978.79
Outstanding checks January 9,
1941, per list, 16,009.94
$112,988.73
SECOND NATIONAL BANK, BOSTON COUPON ACCOUNT
Balance January 9, 1941, per statement, $390.00
Outstanding coupons January 9,
1941, 39 @ $10.00, $390.00
RECONCILIATION OF COLLECTOR'S CASH Cash balances Jan-
uary 9, 1941, per tables :
Taxes :
Levy of 1938, $2.49
Levy of 1939, 455.60
Levy of 1940, 2,534.88
114
Motor vehicle excise taxes :
Levy of 1940,
65.11
Sewer assessments added to taxes 1940,
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