USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 3
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The Aid to Dependent Children Program, under Chapter 415, Acts of 1946, it is mandatory to allow the budgetary standard rec- ommended by the State Department of Public Welfare. As of De- cember 31, 1947, nineteen cases were active, representing forty-four children. Seven cases were added during the year and seven cases were closed. No application rejected, and one applicant withdrew her application.
The amount expended in 1947 for the Aid to Dependent Children Program was $21,641.81, reimbursements were $14,108.05, net cost to town $7,533.76.
The following table shows the number of persons aided, ex- penditures, reimbursements, and net cost to the town in all cate- gories supervised by the Board of Public Welfare.
General Relief 120
Aid to Dep. Children 63
Old Age Assistance 234
No. Persons
Total Expenses Reimbursements
$27,483.75
$21,641.81
$128,109.01
7,717.54
14,108.05
102,940.03
Net Cost to Town
19,766.21
7,533.76
25,168.98
Respectfully submitted HERMAS LIPPE, Chairman MARIE E. LARIVIERE,Clerk OVIDE DESROSIERS, 3rd Member H.H. Michon, Agent Bureau of Old Age Assistance
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OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance herewith submits its annual report.
On January 1, 1947, two hundred and eleven aged citizens were receiving Old Age Assistance, as of December 31, 1947, two hundred and thirty-four were aided. Sixty-two cases were added during the year, thirty-nine cases were closed, three cases rejected, and two applicants withdrew their applications.
Total expenditures were $128,109.01, reimbursements were $102,940.03, net cost to town $25,168.98 or $9.24 per month for each recipient aided.
According to Chapter 118A, of the General Laws, which pro- vides adequate assistance to Old Age Assistance recipients, the State Department of Public Welfare revised in 1947 the Standards of Assistance in conformity with the high cost of living. As allowances granted are mandatory by law, all cases were revised to meet these new standards.
Respectfully submitted
HERMAS LIPPE, Chairman MARIE E. LARIVIERE, Clerk OVIDE DESROSIERS, 3rd Member
H. H. MICHON, Agent Bureau of Old Age Assistance
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
We hereby submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1947.
Problems concerning the welfare of 126 children in 48 families in the Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton area were referred to the Department during 1947. A carry-over from 1946 of active prob- lems concerning 191 children in 63 families made a total of 317 children in 111 families handled by the Department during the year. Complete services were rendered 188 children in 69 families and the cases discharged, leaving a balance December 31, 1947 of 129 children in 42 families.
Counseling and supervisory service rendered was of many and varied types, including 27 boarding camp placements as well as assistance to District and Probate Courts, School Departments and other agencies.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAS LIPPE, Chairman Child Welfare Services EDITH R. CUSHING, Child Welfare Worker
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
To the citizens of the Town of Southbridge: I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1947:
VITAL STATISTICS
Total number of births registered 625
Total number of deaths registered 194
Total number of marriages recorded
299
Marriage intentions recorded 272
MISCELLANEOUS LICENSES RECORDED
Auctioneers
5
Bowling and Poll
6
Garages
116
Gasoline
34
Junk
9
Peddlers
16
Amount paid to Town Treasurer
$313.00
DOG LICENSES ISSUED
Number of licenses:
Males
642
Females
85
Spayed Females
199
Kennel
3
Total licenses issued
929
Amount paid to Town Treasurer
$1,981.20
SPORTING LICENSES RECORDED
Resident Citizens' Fishing Licenses
1,009
Resident Citizens' Hunting Licenses 367
Resident Citizens' Sporting Licenses 556
Resident Citizens Women's & Minors' Fish. Lics. 354
Resident Citizens' Trapping License
1
Non-Resident Citizens' Fishing Licenses
17
Resident Citizens' Trapping Licenses
19
Non-Resident Citizens' Fishing Licenses
5
Non-Resident Citizens' Hunting Licenses Duplicates 18
Number of licenses issued 2,352
Amount paid to Division of Fisheries and Game $4,647.25
The following licenses were issued FREE.
Resident Citizens' Sporting & Trapping Licenses 65
Resident Citizens' Old Age Assist. Fish. Licenses 15
Resident Military or Naval Ser. Sport. Licenses 11
Total number of licenses issued 2,443
LIST OF JURORS DRAWN BY SELECTMEN, 1947 Cloutier, Armand of 400 Main St.
Pratt, Willis of 700 Woodstock Rd.
Pezzetti, John of 7 Glover St.
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5
Kurposka, Mitchell of 65 Crystal St. St. Martin, Arsene of 23 Chapin St. Ziu, Thomas of 46 Morris St. Talbot, Ernest of 34 Hamilton St. Beaupre, Alonzo of 31/2 Twinehurst Place Renaud, Israel of 173 Cliff St. Parent, Joseph C. of 348 Hamilton St. Fontaine, Hermingilde of 86 Chestnut St.
Girard, Wilfred of 222 Mechanic St.
Renaud, George of 149 Mill St.
Gaumond, Harvey W. of 141 Everett St. Boulanger, Alfred of 149 Charlton St.
Allard, Ernest G. of 83 Elm St.
Lemire, Napoleon of 30 Taft St.
O'Shaughnessy, John H., Sr. of 164 Hamilton St.
Blanchette, Omer of 40 Cross St.
Paul, Wilfred of 45 Union St.
Monaco, James of 115 North St. Holton, Frank B. of Lebanon Rd.
McDonald, Laurent of 20 Wardwell Ct.
Pasaj, Alphonse of 36 Plimpton St.
Chamberlain, Leopold of 43 Lebanon St.
Fontaine, Alpha of Amidown Dist.
Loranger, Edward of 127 Pleasant St.
Fleed, Henry of 300 Hamilton St.
Varin, Raymond of 110 Mechanic St.
St. Martin, George of 28 Coombs St.
MEETINGS HELD DURING 1947
1-Annual Election of Town Officers March 3rd
2-Recount for Selectmen March12th
3-Special Town Meeting July 1st
4-Special Town Meeting September22 nd
5-Special Town Meeting December 22nd
Respectfully submitted CLARE P. BOYER, Town Clerk
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Southbridge:
The Board of Health met on March 6th, and organized as follows: Raymond F. Haling, M. D., Chairman; Ernest Tetreault, Clerk; Robert W. De Jordy, D. S. C., Publicity Director. Twelve reg- ular and four special meetings were held during the year.
From a preliminary survey of food and drink establishments, made by the district sanitary officer, assisted by our own inspector, we found that the percent of average sanitary efficiency was less than 45%, with only four of these business places meeting all re- quirements. In order to raise the standard and eliminate as much as possible the health hazards concerned with poorly handled food, the Board of Health decided, with the cooperation of the State Department of Health, to have a course of six lectures for the training of food handlers. Over three hundred and fifty attendance cards were distributed to owners and personnel of food establish- ments. Personal contact between our inspector and owners was also resorted to in an endeavor to stimulate an interest in the ob- jectives of the proposed course. Considering the attendance was less than five per cent, the Board feels that this very aptly empha- sizes the fact that the complacent and haphazard way of the past must be replaced by more exact standards in food handling. In order to maintain a program of this kind, it will nesessitate perio- dic inspections and tests.
Although the Board of Health has always had charge of the garbage disposal, we find in many communities that this function has been transferred to other departments, since the collection itself is not directly concerned with health. It is the opinion of the Board that some of the funds allotted this project could be used to better advantage in promoting health education and services, such as in- creasing the personnel of the department so that more time may be devoted to field work.
Numerous complaints come to this office during the year; many do not pertain to health, but are nuisances causing ill feeling between neighbors. The complaints concerning domestic animals and poultry are continuously increasing. The conflict in most in- stances arises from the allotment of locations in restricted areas. Insofar as the Zoning by-laws are not too clear on this matter, it is impossible for the Board of Health to definitely settle these dis- putes or grant permits without a certificate of occupancy.
The local ruling for the pasteurization of milk sold in this community became effective April 1st. This measure is most im- portant in the prevention of milk-borne diseases. Our routine test- ing and analyzing of milk is for the purpose of assisting milk dealers and producers to maintain proper standards.
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This year it was necessary for the Board of Health to enforce recommendations made by the State authorities concerning pol- luted areas in the vicinity of the swimming pool. Inasmuch as the elimination of the source of pollution comes under our jurisdic- tion, a certain fund was transferred to this department to care for same.
In conclusion, the members of the Board of Health wish to state that every effort was made to fulfill their obligation to the community in promoting health and sanitation. We thank all who have co-operated with our appointed officers.
Respectfully submitted RAYMOND F. HALING, M. D. ROBERT DeJORDY, D. S. C. ERNEST TETREAULT
To the Board of Health
Southbridge, Massachusetts
The following is the report of examinations in the Parochial Schools for the year ending December 31, 1947.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
Total children examined
179
Defects requiring notices
71
Carious Teeth
55
Enlarged Tonsils
45
Tonsils removed (corrected defect)
11
Ears (Cerumen)
5
Eyes corrected with glasses
10
Infected Eye-lid
1
Cervical Glands
2
Skin (Acne)
4
Heart
1
STE. JEANNE d'ARC SCHOOL
Total children examined
325
Defects requiring notices
93
Carious Teeth
78
Enlarged Tonsils
67
Tonsils removed (Defect corrected)
24
Ears (Cerumen)
15
Eyes
2
Eyes corrected with glasses
15
Skin (Acne)
4
Impetigo
1
Cervical glands
6
Heart condition
3
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL
Total children examined
555
Defects requiring notices
159
..: +44 --
Carious Teeth Enlarged Tonsils Tonsils removed (Defect corrected) Ears (Cerumen)
137
91 24
6
Eye squint
2
Eyes corrected with glasses
11
11
2
10
2
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND F. HALING, M. D. Parochial School Physician
REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL PODIATRIST To the Honorable Board of Health
Dear Sirs:
Herewith I submit my report as Board of Health Podiatrist for the year ending December 31, 1947.
A total of 1102 children were examined in the three Parochial Schools and 165 of these children were found to have defective feet. The parents of these children were sent a notice calling their attention to these defects.
It is gratifying to note a decrase in the number of ailing feet this year for the first time since this program was inaugurated. This shows an awareness on the part of the parents, to the importance of good foot health and the necessity for correcting defects at an early age.
Following is a tabulation of defects found during the examina- tions:
Anidrosis
2
Bromidrosis
1
Crebro-Spastic palsy
1
Allergic Dermatitis
1
Acute Dermatitis
4
Chronic Dermatitis
2
Depresed Anterior Arch
9
Flatfoot acquired
21
Flatfoot congenital
7
Acute Epidermophytosis
2
Chronic Epidermophytosis
3
Hallux Valgus
2
Heloma Durum
17
Hyperhidrosis
13
Impetigo
1
Infected Heel
1
Knock Knees
6
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Skin (Acne) Impetigo Cervical glands Heart
Follicular Dermatitis
Pronated Foot
14
Overlapping Toes
4
Underlapping Toes 5
Onychomadesis
1
Onychomycosis
1
Polydactylism
1
Pes Cavus
1
Pes Planus
2
Retracted Toes
15
Tylosis Plantar
6
Verruccae 4
Weakfeet 17
I wish to thank Miss Houle, the Board of Health Nurse, the Sisters of the Schools and all who have helped make this program a success. Their co-operation and good will have made working with them a pleasure.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT W. DeJORDY, D. S. C.
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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, 1947.
TUBERCULOSIS CLINIC
On the third Wednesday of every month, specialists from the Rutland State Sanitorium conduct a chest clinic in the Board of Health rooms in the Town Hall. Patients are referred by written request from the Board of Health, Doctors, Welfare departments and Supervisors of Child Guardianship. Each person is examined and X-rayed; the findings and recommendations sent to their own physician. The X-ray is the most valuable aid in pulmonary tuber- culosis because it often shows disease long before it has developed far enough to be detected in any other way. Physical examination is most likely to be useful if the disease is advanced, or in non- pulmonary forms.
The ex-sanatoria patients find the clinic convenient in fol- lowing their routine check-up, also for the contacts in the house- hold.
Two hundred and thirty-eight were examined-representing thirteen towns and twenty-six physicians.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
Our annual Toxoid clinic for immunization of diphtheria started March 25th, and was concluded May 27th. During this pe- riod, one hundred and sixty-two children received three doses of Toxoid, three weeks apart.
Due to the increased amount of diphtheria in the state, it was considered advisable to further protect with a booster dose of toxoid, all children immunized more than three years ago. Since so many parents requested this service for their children, it was necessary to hold these clinics in the following schools: Eastford Road, Marcy Street, West Street, Charlton Street, Notre Dame, St. Mary's and Ste. Jeanne d'Arc.
Four hundred and ninety-seven children received a booster dose of toxoid.
DENTAL CLINIC
Beginning in October and continuing through May, the dental clinic is opened on Mondays and Tuesdays from nine to eleven-thirty. The first grade pupils in the parochial and public schools with the necessary permit are admitted at the beginning of the year, in an attempt to start as many as possible with good teeth and regular dental habits. Six year molars and fissures are filled and temporary teeth extracted when necesstry. The second, third and forth grade pupils report on scheduled time, while emergen- cies in the selected grades are always admitted.
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pupils report on scheduled time, while emergencies in the selected grades are always admitted.
The teachers, parents and pupils greatly appreciate this service, and those concerned have noticed a vast improvement in oral hygiene among school children. Although we care for a small percent of the total school population, we endeavor to teach each pupil who attends the clinic, the real value of a wholesome mouth in the maintenance of good health.
Number of children who reported to clinic 584
Number of extractions
10
Number of fillings 180
Number of cleanings
551
Number entitled to certificates
300
PRE-SCHOOL CLINIC
According to the recommendations of the State Department of Public Health, the Board of Health, in co-operation with the school department, held four clinics in June. The first two were for regis- tration, in order to give the parents an opportunity to have their children's medical history recorded, and to discuss any social or behavior problem that might handicap them in their school work. The last two for their physical examination by the school and Board of Health physicians and the dentist serving in the dental clinic. One hundred and one attended the clinics.
One thousand and fifty-nine parochial school children were examined by the school physician, assisted by the nurse. All defects noted were recorded and reported to the parents.
For the last few years, the State and local Health authorities feel that these examinations are inadequate, so this year, an act to improve the standards of the physical examinations of school children has been presented by Dr. Moore, for 1948 Legislative recommendations. This bill would enable physicians to give each school child a more thorough physical examination.
A hearing test was conducted in Notre Dame School with the 4C audiometer, for all pupils beginning with the third grade. The 4C audiometer test is a detection process-it screens out those whose hearing is open to suspicion by accurately recording the amount of hearing loss.
Since the success of these tests depends a great deal on the silence of the immediate environment, it is necessary to do this work in a separate room. Groups of twenty were tested at the same time. Children who failed to record numbers below a certain level had to take a second test.
The Lions Club provides a mid-morning milk lunch for fifty- three parochial school children. The parents of these children ap- preciate this gesture, and I herewith wish to express their sincere thanks.
Five girls, four were contacts to tuberculosis and one under- weight, spent eight weeks at the Sterling Health Camp. During that time they lived according to a carefully planned schedule, so
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that they may have eleven hours of unbroken rest. The camp is maintained by the sale of Christmas seals. Funds from this source are also used to supply a nurse to assist at the consultation clinic.
Communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health were quarantined and placarded according to local requirements. Visits were made to each case and instructions given to prevent the of the disease.
At this time, I wish to thank the members of the Nurses' Aide Corps for services rendered in the clinic, also any other organiza- tion or individual who assisted in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
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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 herewith submit the follow- ing list of contagious diseases reported to this office during the past year.
Anterior Poliomyelitis 2 Chicken Pox 43
Dog-bite
23 German Measles 6
Malaria
1 Measles 8
Scarlet Fever
14 Paratyphoid 2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
4 Other Forms Tuberculosis 2
Whooping Cough
5 Lobar Pneumonia 1
Total 111
List of deaths in Town, for which this office has issued permits for burial.
DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease 16 Coronary Sclerosis 3
Chronic Myocarditis
1 Coronary Thrombosis 22
Congestive Heart Failure
5 Hypertensive Heart Disease and Auricular Fibrillation
1
Coronary Heart Disease
1 Auricular Fibrillation 1
Coronary Occlusion
5 Rheumatic Heart Disease 1
Myocardial Infarct 4
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Cerebral Apoplexy
4 Cerebral Thrombosis with Hemoplegia 1
Cerebral Embolism
1 Cerebral Vascular Thrombosis 1
Cerebral Hemorrhage
13 Hodgkins Disease 1
Cerebral Thrombosis 4
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Adenocarcinoma of Lungs
3 Hypostatic pneumonia 1
Atelectasis of Lungs
2 Metastic Carcinoma of left lung Carcinoma of Lungs 1
Bronchopneumonia
4 Pulmonary Hemorrhage 1 Lobar Pneumonia 1
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Acute Liver Failure
1 Chronic Glomerular Nephritis 1
Adenocarcinoma of descending Colon
1 Diabetes Mellitus 2
Carcinoma of Intestine
5 Diarrhea 1
Carcinoma of Kidney
1 Intestinal Obstruction 1
Carcinoma of Pancreas
1 Mesenteric Thrombosis 4
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Carcinoma of Stomach
1 Perforation of Colon Gen- eralized Peritonitis 1
DISEASES OF THE GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM
Adenocarcinoma of Cervix of Uteri Carcinoma of Prostate
Septicemia-Kidney and
2 Bladder infection 1
1 Tuberculosis of Bladder 1
ALL OTHER DISEASES
Carcinoma of Eye with Me- tastis
Peritonitis 1
1 Pulmonary Atelectasis
1
Cardio-Vascular Renal Disease 2 Stillborn 14
Lympho-sarcoma
1 Sudden deaths presumably
Prematurity
2 Coronary Thrombosis 4
ACCIDENTAL
Asphyxiation due to inhalation of milk
Fracture of ribs with perfora-
1 tion of left lung 1
Asphyxiation from inspiration
Suicide by gunshot 1
of vomitus
1
Asphyxiation by strangulation 1 Suicide-Hemorrhage abdom-
Extensive burns of body, face
and neck renal failure 1
inal gunshot 1
Respectfully submitted, MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
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REPORT OF THE FOOD INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health
Gentlemen:
During last January, upon the request of your Board, Mr. Theodore Shepardson, the South-Central District Sanitary Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, assisted by your own inspector, made a sanitary survey of the eating and drinking establishments of Southbridge.
The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the present restau- rant sanitation program, and to make recommendations for ex- panding and improving this program. A similar survey was made in January of 1944, but no written report with all details was ever submitted by the state department to your Board, except the sani- tary ratings of the places visited.
In the interval between 1944 and 1947, your Board has adopted the recommended regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health governing eating and drinking establishments.
In the survey of January 1947, Mr. Shepardson and your in- spector found, that out of the twenty-three items of sanitation listed on the score sheet which added up to a total of 100%, the fifty estab- fishments we visited, rated an average of 60% in compliance, com- pared to 48% in the 1944 survey.
It must be realized that the regulations your Board has adopted are the minimum requirements necessary for the protection of the patronizing public, and an average of 90% or more, would have indicated a reasonable compliance to these regulations. Instead, we found that only two items were fully complied with, but these par- ticular items did not reflect any direct credit on the owners of these establishments.
In an endeavor to raise the sanitary standards of these places, your Board inaugurated a series of three illustrated lectures for the benefit of food and drink handlers, from April 21st, through April 25th.
Four articles of publicity were written for publication in our local newspaper, and we distributed more than 350 attendance cards to the owners and other personnel of these establishments upon the expectancy that at least one hundred of these people would realize their responsibilities to the public and make an effort to improve their sanitation methods.
The attendance to these lectures, after three years of talk, recommendations, inspections, consultations and publicity, not to mention the number of bacterial tests made, reached the following astonishing, not to say humiliating, total:
Attended one lecture
18 persons
Attended two lectures
10 persons
Attended all three lectures
8 persons
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This was after we had received in March, a detailed report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regarding the results of the January survey, giving us an average score of 60%. Considering the comparatively small number of those who attended all three lectures and saw the pictures, which, by the way, were not as dry and dull as would be expected, and contemplating the large amount of sanitation work yet remaining to be done, your inspector wished to call your attention to some of the most outstanding and glaring facts about these surveys and reports.
For instance, all establishments still show a 100% violation as to toilet facilities, all being without self-closing doors and hand- washing signs, even after three years of discussions on this item alone.
Item 8, which is Lavatory Facilities, had 39 violations, which comprised of no hand-washing convenience other than the dish- washing sink. Others lacked soap or sanitary towels. The import- ance of the personal cleanliness of food and drink handlers cannot be too strongly emphasized, and the use of hand-washing facilities and sanitary towels is an elementary essential to this end.
Bacterial treatment had 47 violations, or 94% of the fifty establishments visited had food containers, utensils or equipment which were not clean or had not been subjected to bacterial treat- ment.
On the other hand, we found that all establishments purchased wholesome foods, but the credit for this item should go to the storekeepers.
All establishments also had a safe public water supply entering the building, all due credit to the Southbridge Water Works, but in too many places very little was done by the personnel to make sure this supply remained safe and sanitary.
Any patron of our eating and drinking places can see for himself what yet remains to be done. From January to October 1st, the state department of Public Health conducted surveys in sixty- seven communities outside of Boston, including Southbridge, in which only ten of these localities received a sanitary rating of 80%, or more, with Southbrodge rating 60%.
While our rating for this 1947 survey shows a slight improve- ment over 1944, the improvement is not really significant. There is much to be done before Southbridge will have a satisfactory restaurant sanitation program. The adoption of a strict set of regulations is a practically useless step, unless accompanied by an active inspectional and educational program.
The recommendations made by the state department of Public Health, as submitted in its report of March 19th, should be fol- lowed out before anyone may expect to raise the sanitary standards of our eating and drinking establishments.
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