USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1952-1956 > Part 36
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To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Food Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1956:
This year, as usual, we carried on the customary routine inspections of bakeries, groceries and markets, as well as all eating and drinking establishments.
The conditions were mostly good, some establishments needed more attention than others and time was used up more in these places of business to try and bring them up to a better rating. All concerned were very cooperative.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR O. BALLARD, Food Inspector.
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Milk Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1956:
Number of Samples Collected 206
Tests for Butter Fats 206
No samples were below the legal standard of 3.35%.
Tests for Solids - Samples Tested 206
No samples were below the legal standard. Tests for Acidity - Samples Tested 132
Thirty samples were in the process of souring due to im- proper cooling.
Phosphatase Test - Samples Tested 111 All were found to be sufficiently pasteurized. Microscopic Bacteria Count 12
Mastitis Test (Microscopic Examinations of smears from suspected milk or cream cul- tures - Samples Examined 24
No samples were positive.
Number of Store and Vehicle Milk and Cream Licenses Granted 96
Number of Oleomargarine Registrations Granted 50
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Number of Pasteurization of Milk 3 Total Licenses and Registrations 149
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR O. BALLARD, Inspector of Milk.
*
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1956:
During the year, the following fixtures and appliances were installed:
Water Closets
221
Lavatories
206
Bath Tubs 103
Kitchen Sinks
141
Laundry Trays
12
Sink and Tray Combinations
13
Shower Stalls
18
Urinals
13
Waste Food Grinders
7
Clothes Washing Machines
47
Tankless Water Heaters
79
Gas, Oil, Electric Water Heaters
170
Range Boilers
18
Slop Sinks
2
Air Conditioning Units
7
Indirect Refrigerator Drains
7
Soda Fountains
5
Beauty Parlor Units
3
New Water Piping Jobs
11
Dishwashing Machines
9
Total number of Fixtures and Appliances 1,092
Number of Septic Tanks Installed 6
Number of Sewer Connections
12
Number of Permits Granted
417
Number of Inspections
1,023
Number of Water Tests
86
Number of Unfinished Jobs
8
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR O. BALLARD, Inspector of Plumbing.
40
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Dear Sirs:
The clerical work for the year 1956 included the tabula- tion of all deaths, all reported contagious diseases, the issuance of all licenses, recording the minutes of all regular and special meetings and necessary correspondence.
Weekly reports of contagious diseases were forwarded to the State Department of Public Health in Boston and Rutland, Mass.
There were, in 1956, 199 deaths, the principal killer being Coronary Thrombosis.
List of contagious diseases reported to this office:
Chicken Pox
94
Dog Bite
25
Poliomyelitis
1
Mumps
3
Whooping Cough
1
Salmononellosis
1
Tuberculosis
7
Scarlet Fever
37
Septic Sore Throat
1
Measles
1
Meningitis
1
Typhoid Fever
1
Total
182
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST TETREAULT, Agent.
REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Dear Sirs:
I hereby submit my report as Sanitary Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1956:
I received, during the year, 37 complaints; all were inves- tigated.
Permits and Licenses Issued:
Day School 2
Vapor Bath 1
Nursing Home 1
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Slaughter House 1
Funeral Director 6
Anti-Freeze 37
-
Total 48
Respectfully submitted, ERNEST TETREAULT, Sanitary Inspector.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Board of Health:
Dear Sirs:
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year ending December 31, 1956:
CLINICS
1. Dental:
The dental program was carried on for the benefit of the elementary school children in the first four grades and also for special cases in any other grade, for both public and parochial schools. Seventy-eight clinics were held. Six hundred and twelve reported. All had their teeth cleaned plus four hun- dred and fifty-one fillings.
2. Tuberculosis:
The State Department of Public Health sponsors T.B. clin- ics at the Worcester County Sanatorium at Boylston on Tues- days and Thursdays. Ninety-five reported either for diagnos- tic x-rays or for follow-up purposes as X-sanatorium patients or contacts.
In addition this year, the Central Worcester District sent the X-ray Mobile Unit to Southbridge for the routine chest X-rays of all school personnel in town as well as for those from surrounding towns. Two-hundred and forty-eight were X-rayed.
3. Pre-School Registration:
The annual registration of pre-school children took place in March, in the Mary E. Wells High School. Two hundred and ninety-three were registered. Two clinics were held at the Town Hall for those who wished to have their physical examina- tion performed by the school physicians.
4. Immunizations:
Eight clinics were held, four at Town Hall and one in each of the following schools: Notre Dame, Mary E. Wells, Sacred
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Heart and Eastford Road, for the inoculation of pre-school and school children against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping- Cough. Five hundred and fifty-seven were inoculated. Ninety- nine receiving the series of three injections and four hundred and fifty-eight, a booster dose.
5. Poliomyelitis:
Salk Polio Vaccine was provided free of charge for pre- schoolers, school children and teen-agers to age nineteen, as well as for pregnant women. All those eligible and reporting received two doses. Vaccine was also provided to the physi- cians for those wishing to receive the vaccine from their own doctor.
Clinics were held at the Town Hall and in all the schools. Thirty-four clinics in all. 2616 first injections and 3045 second injections were given at Board of Health Clinics.
A physical examination was given to the pupils of the pa- rochial schools by the Board of Health Physician. Grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 were examined, a total of six hundred and eight. As part of the health examination, pupils in grades two to eight were weighed and measured by school nurse.
A brief summary of other activities will suffice:
School Visits 205
Home Visits 66
Professional Office Visits 42
Pupils Interviewed 49
Conferences with Teachers
143
Conferences with Social Workers
and State Supervisors 24
Children Weighed and Measured 979
Conferences with Parents 42
Polio Registration Clinics 4
Vision Screening via Mass. Vision Test 1426
Retests 163
Inspection of Nursery Schools (2) Bi-annually
In-Service Program at St. Vincent's Hospital (Lectures on Poliomyelitis) 5
Crippled-Children's Clinic at Worc C. H. 1
Classes at Worcester State Teachers College (Principles and Practices of School
Health) 12
Course on Public Health at Simmons College 3 weeks
At this time I wish to thank all the organizations and per- sons who helped to make our health program a success.
Respectfully submitted,
RACHEL JOLICOEUR, R.N. Board of Health Nurse.
43
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The planning Board submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Subdivisions:
Conditional approval was granted to Lebanon Building Co. to develop a plot of land off Lebanon Hill.
Zone Changes:
A zone change was approved on Worcester Street, Mechan- ic Street and Olney Avenue.
This Board would like to suggest that any new business be required to have off the street parking for its employees and customers.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD M. WALSH, Chairman, JAMES J. FALLON, LEON F. LIVERNOIS, ROLAND S. PONTBRIAND, WILLIAM B. O'SHAUGHNESSY, Planning Board.
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the Citizens of Southbridge:
As Director of Veterans' Services I submit a brief report of the department's activities and services rendered for the year 1956.
Following the objectives of the department of past years, of prompt and efficient service, the year 1956 has disclosed an ever increasing demand for service as more and more veterans within the Town become acquainted with the work of this de- partment, requesting action and solution to their many prob- lems.
Throughout the year a conscientious effort was made to find the answers to the many questions asked. Whenever an answer was unknown, reference was made to the proper Fed- eral or State Authorities.
44
Inquiries about education, on the job training, compensa- tion, both service and non-service connected, insurance, loans, tax abatements, filing for state bonus, burial and hospitalization are handled by this department.
Of the 57 inquiries about hospitalization, 43 local veterans were admitted to Veterans Administration Hospitals and Hol- yoke Soldiers Home by arrangements with this department.
Deceased veterans for the year 1956 are as follows:
Spanish War 3
World War I 15
World War II 7
Korean War 2
A considerable amount of travel is necessary to aid veter- ans and their dependents and much paper work is involved in processing their claims against the Veterans Administration for pensions or compensations.
VETERANS' BENEFITS
Chapter 115, as amended by Chapter 584, Acts of 1946, con- tinues to claim the most attention. Under this Chapter, the State agrees to reimburse the Town for one-half of all aid granted. It is of interest to note that more and more applicants for Veterans' Benefits, who originally left Southbridge to enter the service, have scattered to other communities to live, but continue to have military settlement in Southbridge, which necessitates traveling further distances to check eligibility of the applicant.
During the year 1956 a total of 68 applications for Veterans' Benefits were processed and at the present time there are 90 cases of active recipients of funds.
For a detailed report of expenditures and reimbursements of this department, please refer to the report of the Town Ac- countant.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to all Town Depart- ments, Veterans Organizations and their Auxiliaries, the Elks and the various persons who wish to remain anonymous.
As Director I have done the best I know how and trust I may continue to serve the veterans of the town.
Respectfully submitted, ROLAND G. HETU, Director.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Board of Public Welfare met weekly at 7:30 P. M. The programs under the direction of the Board of Public Welfare are General Relief, Infirmary, Old Age Assistance, Aid to De- pendent Children and Disability Assistance.
General Relief:
There was an average of forty-nine cases aided per month at a cost of $48,839.47. Receipts from State and refunds totalled $4,108.54 making the net cost to the Town, $44,730.93 for the year 1956.
Infirmary:
Expenditures for the Infirmary amounted to $13,166.11. Re- ceipts amounted to $518.65, making the net cost to the Town, $12,647.46.
Old Age Assistance:
There was an average of three hundred and seven cases aided per month at a total cost of $254,392.26 for the year. Re- imbursements from Federal Grants, the Commonwealth, Cities and Towns, and refunds totalled $214,688.58 making the net cost to the Town $39,703.68.
Aid to Dependent Children:
The sum of $54,408.49 was expended for Aid to Dependent Children in 1956. The reimbursements from Federal Grants, the Commonwealth, and refunds from individuals amounted to $42,388.59. The net cost to the Town was $12,019.90 and we aided an average of 36 families per month during 1956.
Disability Assistance:
Twenty-two cases were aided during the year at a cost of $22,850.51. Reimbursements from the Federal Grants, the Com- monwealth, and refunds from individuals amounted to $17,- 487.74. The net cost to the Town was $5,362.77.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAS, LIPPE, Chairman, RAYMOND L. BOUCHER, Clerk, JOHN M. BEAUDRY, Third Member, LILIAN G. PROULX, Welfare Agent.
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REPORT OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF REVIEW FOR CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
In accordance with Section 9, Article 8, of the 1954 Town Warrant, the following is a report of the Advisory Board of Review for Classification and Compensation for the year 1956.
The Board January 1, 1956, consisted of Mario J. DeAngelis, Chairman, George W. Laughnane, Clerk, and Edgar A. Trem- blay. In June, Mrs. Marie LaRiviere was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George W. Laughnane. In December, due to the pressure of business, Mario DeAngelis resigned as Chairman, and was replaced by Edgar A. Tremblay. Mr. DeAngelis is now the third member of the Board.
Meetings were held regularly, each week, with the Se- lectmen, town officials, and department heads, on Classifica- tions, sick leave, adjustments, and other problems.
In accordance with Article 19, of the March 1956 Annual Town Meeting, the Board of Review met with the Sewer Com- missioners and the Engineer, for the firm of Hayden, Harding and Buchanan three times, to discuss the establishment of the Sewerage Treatment Plant Operation position. The Board recommended to the December 20, 1956 Town Meeting that this position be established as an S-8 Classification, with a salary range of $3,700.00 to $4,500.00.
From July through December this Board met twenty-four times with insurance representatives, Blue Cross, and other health insurance companies, Selectmen and town employees, in preparation for recommendation, that was made to the Town Meeting, Town Warrant of October 1, 1956, Article 14.
The new Contributory Group Life and Health Insurance, for the employees of the Town of Southbridge, was accepted, effective October 25, 1956. Blue Cross covers the health insur- ance, and the Boston Mutual, the Life and Accident Insurance.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR A. TREMBLAY, Chairman, MARIE E. LaRIVIERE, Clerk, MARIO J. DeANGELIS, Third Member.
47
DEPT. OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The year 1956 has been a busy one for your Department of Civil Defense.
We have maintained regular office hours every Monday night and almost every Saturday morning and our volunteer workers have been most faithful in their attendance and work.
It being the consensus of our staff we concentrated in 1956 to set up as complete a communication unit as possible. You will recall that during the August 1955 disaster the lack of communication was our biggest single handicap. Thus it is a pleasure to report that in the communications room in our con- trol center in the Town Hall, there are three transmitters and receivers; one that maintains direct contact with police, fire, highway and other Town departments; a unit that is tuned to the Sector Headquarters of MCDA and the other is our con- tact with all the R. A. C. E. S. operators throughout the area. In addition, we have four Gonset Communicators and four "walkie-talkies" which give us a mobile coverage that will handle most any situation. Also we have two transmitters and receivers with emergency generators so that sub-stations can be set up in the Flat and Globe sections and constant contact can be maintained at all times.
Emergency power being another major need, we have ob- tained two 12,000 watt generators; one to be a permanent in- stallation at the Town Hall to enable our Control Center to stay in operation and supply sufficient power to the other Town Departments so that they could function. The other 12,000 watt and a 2400 watt have been mounted on a trailer, with the small generator being removable. This combination will allow us to quickly get this power to the place of greatest need.
Throughout the year we have conducted such training pro- grams as possible and at present every Friday a group is being trained to operate the radio equipment.
Our Department's participation in Operation Alert was given an excellent rating by MCDA officials.
Staff officers have attended conferences and training ses- sions and have brought back reports and ideas that have enabled us to keep abreast of the problems and to pass on our informa- tion to the whole group.
We have not been able to completely staff every position three deep for 24-hour round the clock operation but we hope by Spring that this will have been accomplished.
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Two special items we would like to report about are the 200 Bed Portable Hospital which will be stored in Harrington House through the courtesy of the Board of Trustees of Harrington Hospital. This $50,000 unit will, if the need arises, operate as a separate unit to receive and give adequate care to the overflow cases from our existing hospital facilities. Five hundred dol- lars' worth of special radiological equipment will be available for our trained Radiological Officer who will in turn train some teams that will be ready for this work upon the occasion.
Our outstanding need is an adequately equipped Rescue Truck so that we may train six teams of 6 men each, in readi- ness for any emergency within our Town.
We must also complete the recruiting, training and equip- ping of our Warden Service so that we have complete Town coverage, street by street and block by block.
An inventory of equipment on hand December 31, 1956 shows that your Department of Civil Defense has a valuation of $13,108.11.
Administrative Section
$ 654.45
Communication Section
4,026.78
Engineering Section
2,767.00
Identification Section
234.49
Medical Section
3,951.00
Rescue Section
1,181.25
Welfare Section
293.14
The inventory does not include the 200 Bed Portable Hos- pital or the Radiological equipment, for while this was arranged for in December, delivery will be in January.
Our 1956 budget was $6,365.00 and our expenditures were $6,357.78.
I want to take this opportunity to extend my personal, and the official appreciation of the Department to all the FCDA and MCDA officials who were so helpful in the past year. Es- pecially do I want to thank Harold Rossi, Director of Area 3 and his staff officer, our Sector Director of 3C, George Constan- tine, also all the members of the Board of Selectmen, our Town Accountant, Mr. Caron, our Town Engineer, Mr. Racicot, and our Town Treasurer, Mr. Benoit. Finally my most sincere thanks to all the members of my staff and all the 90 volunteer members of the Southbridge Civil Defense Department, who without any fanfare have put in a full year's work to try to pre- pare themselves to protect and help our Town and all its towns- people in any emergency.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES R. McLAM, Director.
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1
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby sumbit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956:
The wiring permits issued were as follows:
New Buildings 41
Remodeling and Additions to Already Erected Buildings 36
Additions to Old Wiring
212
New Services 93
Oil Burners
83
Electric Ranges
46
Electric Hot Water Heaters
26
Dryers and Washers
74
Air Conditioners 65
55
Miscellaneous
106
Total Permits Issued 837
Inspections While Work is in Progress
560
Recommendations to Change Wiring 76
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR J. ENO, Inspector of Wires.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report of the Department of Weights and Measures, for the year 1956.
The amount of fees collected for the Town through this department was $388.30.
Not
Scales
Adjusted Sealed Sealed
Over 10,000 lbs.
4
100 to 5,000 lbs.
1 84
Under 100 lbs.
3
171
Weights
371
Disposals
50
Yard Sticks Liquid Measures Gas Meters Vehicle Meters
12
35
78
25
1
Freezer Cooler
1
4
782
Weighing and Inspections
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Bread
336
310
8
18
Butter
160
160
Confectionery
260
260
Dry Commodities
125
125
Flour
185
175
10
Fruits & Vegetables
145
100
10
35
Lard
50
50
Meats & Provisions
365
337
8
20
Potatoes
270
225
28
22
1896
1742
64
95
Other Inspections
Markings on Bread
336
Paper Cartons
5
Peddler's Licenses
12
Milk Jars
12
Oil Jars
30
Markings on Food Packages
729
1128
Respectfully submitted, G. R. LARIVIERE, Sealer.
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is our annual report on Recreation in the Town of Southbridge. The town recreation program is growing year by year, therefore this report is divided into four reports to achieve clarity. It is refreshing, at least, to see that the
51
example of the Town's Recreation Committee is beginning to inspire private groups to provide recreational activities in their areas. Community Chest Funds are available to these groups and we hope such activity will be expanded.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK P. SKINYON, General Chairman. ARMAND BELLERIVE, Co-Chairman.
*
REPORT OF THE HENRY STREET FIELD SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of the Recreation Committee:
Henry Street Field was used this past spring and summer by three Soft-Ball Leagues: Community League, Industrial League and the American Optical Softball League from early in the summer until late fall.
The attendance at the games varied from fifty to two hun- dred fans per game.
This field is being developed into an important recreation center for the town. The field is a combination Athletic Field and Playground. Highly spirited softball games are the com- petitive sports and on the playground phase we have twelve swings for small children, volley ball, basketball boards, sand boxes, four ping-pong tables, zelball, quoits and horseshoe courts. All of these activities are laid out and built with the thought of the not too competitive child activities in mind.
The field is under supervision from early evening until dark every day from early summer until late fall.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS BRUNELLE, Chairman, Henry Street Field. *
REPORT OF ALUMNI FIELD SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of the Recreation Committee:
This year Alumni Field was put into excellent condition early in the season and was in full swing throughout the sum- mer. The field was used for the school program of physical education every day school was in session from early spring until closing time in June. The two public high schools used the field for baseball practice and for games, as did Notre Dame High. The Parochial Grammar School League used the field for both practice and games throughout their schedule. The public grade schools practiced and played their games here. The grade schools used the field for their football practice and
52
games. A new softball area was used at the field throughout the summer by the Community Softball League, the Industrial Softball League and some independent teams.
The infield was repaired extensively and a masterful job done on the new softball area, the ugly banking beyond center field is now quite good looking. A new cyclone fence has been put up separating the field from town property and all equip- ment, apparatus, dugouts and housing was repainted during the past summer.
Respectfully submitted, LORENZO BEAUPRE, Chairman, Alumni Field Sub-Committee.
* *
REPORT OF DRESSER STREET FIELD SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of the Recreation Committee:
A definition of Town Recreation is as follows: "To pro- vide areas and facilities for all those who wish to participate in sports and all other forms of recreation." With this in mind, the Dresser Street Field Recreation Committee each year has tried to initiate new ideas to entice more youngsters to engage in these activities. We believe a youngster doing something he likes, will have no time to do something he should not do.
Dresser Street Field is open with a supervisor on the prem- ises from 8:00 A. M. to darkness every day from March 1st to the end of November.
Baseball starts on March 1st with the following organized leagues using the three diamonds.
Minor League Little League
Babe Ruth League
Mary E. Wells Varsity
Mary E. Wells Junior Varsity Cole Trade High School
Notre Dame School
Elementary Schools
Parochials Schools
During August a "Jimmy Fund" was played. Participating teams were WESO vs. Town Police and Fire Departments with a tremendous crowd supporting a worthy cause.
At the conclusion of school in June, organized basketball started, ending in a playoff series in the latter part of Septem- ber. These games are played under the lights in the evenings.
The cinder track was repaired with new cinders during the Summer and Cole Trade Cross-Country team made use of it in the Fall. Tantasqua Regional High School track team asked for the use of the track and this request was granted.
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In September an annual event was inaugurated. It was the Junior Olympic Games, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. This event was fashioned after the World Olympic Games that were held in Australia. Prizes were awarded to all winning participants. We, at Dresser Field, look forward to the 1957 Junior Olympic Games.
A Tennis Clinic for beginners was organized during the Summer with instructions given on Saturday mornings. Twenty-five enthusiastic youngsters signed up for this course and we hope next year to double this number and create great- er interest in this healthful sport.
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