USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 9
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Acting upon a request from the Board of Selectmen and also by direction of an article passed at a special town meet- ing in July 1957, we have been investigating the desirability of establishing the position of Executive Secretary to the Se- lectmen in the Town of Southbridge in accordance with Sec- tion 23. A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. To this end a special subcommittee of the Southbridge Public Improvement Committee consist- ing of Charles Havener as chairman, with Wesley Cole, Seaver Rice, Valmore Tetreault and Harold Peterson as members has been formed and is evaluating information available at the present time. This committee has no recommendation to make at the end of this year concerning whether or not this position is desirable but expects in the event some other party should introduce an Article into the Town Warrant to be able to make its position known prior to the annual town meeting in March of 1958.
An inventory of the equipment and facilities other than real estate property owned by the Town of Southbridge is in process and nearly completed. It is expected that the report on this inventory will be available by the end of 1957. In ad- dition to these items, the Southbridge Public Improvement Committee has under investigation matters pertaining to traf- fic flow in the business district of Southbridge, long range planning to insure adequacy of water supply as well as sew- age disposal, overall investigation of the layout of the Town Hall for most efficient operation, consideration of preparation of job analysis sheets for all town employees, whether elected or appointed, re-evaluation of the assessments of taxable prop- erty in the Town of Southbridge, and the possibility of re- taining a firm of consultants to aid us in the preparation of detailed extensive long range plans for the development of the Town of Southbridge, both from an operational position as well as from a physical position.
During the course of the year the Southbridge Public Im- provement Committee examined and approved an application of the Department of Public Welfare to exchange the office space with the Board of Health and thereby enlarge their fa- cilities. Approval of an appropriation to permit this change to take place was given by the citizens of the Town at the special Town Meeting in July and the change has been made. The Southbridge Public Improvement Committee also intro- duced a proposal for modification of traffic flow in the Town of Southbridge by suggesting that Central Street and Foster Street be made one-way streets. This proposal was turned down by the citizens of the Town of Southbridge at a special Town Meeting.
It is the hope of this Committee that our efforts which have resulted in some small decisions, specifically rental of
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the property at the corner of Goddard and Main Streets for an off-street parking lot at a cost to the Town consisting of the actual taxes on the property and the liability insurance to protect both the town and the property owner, and the purchase of a Public Address System with roving micro- phones for installation on a semi-permanent basis in the Town Hall for use at Town Meetings and other functions, are to the satisfaction of the citizens of the Town of Southbridge. You may be assured that this Committee will continue to cooper- ate with the Board of Selectmen and other Town Officials in an attempt to bring about improvements in the operation of the Town. We wish to express our appreciation to the various Town officials and other citizens of the Town who have co- operated with us in our efforts to date. We have learned a great deal concerning the manner in which we should ap- proach various problems associated with the operation of the Town and hope that the forthcoming year will make it pos- sible for us to make substantial recommendations to the Town. CLARENCE PELOQUIN, Chairman CHARLES HAVENER, Clerk JOSEPH SWIACKI
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Cemetery Committee met and organized on April 10, 1957. George W. Dumas was elected Chairman, Jesse Blackburn, Clerk, and Lectance Landry, third member. Seaver Rice was appointed as Superintendent.
During the months of April and May, our efforts were directed in making the cemetery look at its best for Memorial Day. Gravel roads were graded and smoothed. Sunken graves were filled in and seeded. Grave markers and monuments were straightened. Trees and shrubs were pruned, flower beds were planted and other necessary work was done so that the hundreds of people who visited Oak Ridge on this day saw a well kept cemetery.
For several years now, it has been the policy of the Ceme- tery Committee to use some of our funds for permanent black top roads. This year we decided that it was more economical to construct a double section every two years and to wait until 1958 for new construction.
The State has finished dredging Cohasse Brook which flows through the lower part of the cemetery. This will alle- viate a flood problem and help control the mosquito nuisance. The dredged land with additional fill can be used for new grave lots which will be needed in the near future as our present vacant burial space is about exhausted.
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It is also imperative that a new bridge spanning Cohasse Brook be erected as the construction crew, while dredging and widening the brook, took out the old bridge and failed to re- place it with a new one. The contract did not specify replace- ment. This bridge is necessary to get to a sand and gravel bank; also to gain access to the Cole forest area which in un- der Cemetery control and maintenance.
The Cemetery has deeded to the Town Police Department, a small circular plot of land near the Cohasse Street entrance. This plot will be used to erect a Memorial to the deceased members of the police force. Considerable work will be done by the Police Association to landscape and beautify this plot.
As usual, we experienced some damage by juvenile delin- quents and vandals, such as knocking over grave stones, rip- ping up water pipes and stealing flowers and flags from graves. This problem is a national one and the Massachusetts legisla- ture has enacted legislation making it a cause for a stiff jail sentence.
Several weeks ago, the caretaker was forced to resign on account of poor health. This employee had been engaged on a part yearly basis, working on salary from April through De- cember. The committee decided in the best interest of the cemetery that a full time working caretaker be engaged and this has been done. This move will increase our budget tempo- rarily but over an extended period it should prove more eco- nomical.
The Committee wishes to thank the Selectmen and all other Town officials for their courteous assistance in our prob- lems.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. DUMAS, JESSE A. BLACKBURN, LECTANCE LANDRY, Cemetery Committee.
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 1957.
On January 1, 1957 the Board consisted of Edgar A. Trem- blay, Chairman, Mrs. Marie LaRiviere, Clerk, and Mario J. DeAngelis. On March 11, 1957, Bernard A. Mason was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mario
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J. DeAngelis. On May 1, 1957, Vincent T. Walsh was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of Mrs. Marie LaRiviere.
The Board met frequently with the Selectmen and de- partment heads on Classifications, hours, rates and other prob- lems.
When the Griffenhagen Report was accepted by the town in 1954, minimum and maximum earnings, ranges were estab- lished for town positions. In 1957, the Board recommended and the voters approved a $200.00 increase, retroactive to January 1, 1957, to be added to the minimum and maximum of the existing rate ranges.
Increases within these ranges, for employees whose job performance merited them, were submitted by department heads and approved by the Board.
The Board also reviewed the salary portion of all depart- mental budgets for 1957, except the School Department.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR A. TREMBLAY, Chairman
BERNARD A. MASON, Clerk
VINCENT T. WALSH, Third Member
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I wish to submit the following report of the work accom- plished by the Engineering Department for the year 1957.
New Construction - Planned, Laid Out, Inspection
1. Sayles, High, and Glover Streets-Leo Construction Co.
2. Chapin St .- Leo Construction Co.
3. Hillside Road Sewer-Charles F. Chase
4. Alpine Drive-Highway Department
5. Cole Avenue-Highway Department
6. Westwood Parkway Sewer-Charles F. Chase
7. Temple Drive Sewer-Charles F. Chase
8. Bellevue Ave. Sewer-Charles F. Chase
New Streets Laid Out
Sunnyhill Drive Kim Drive
Blanchard Drive
Crestwood Drive
Street Bounds Set
Charlton St.
2 Sunnyhill & Lee Sts. 2
Roosevelt Drive
1 Cleveland Ave. 1
Jacobs Rd.
1 Plimpton St. 2
Hamilton St.
1 Brookside Rd.
1
Eastford Rd.
1 Violet Ave. 2
Fairview Ave.
2
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Surveys
Nuisance Brook Cohasse Brook Airport Proposed High School site
Topography on High St.
Henry St. Field
Dresser Memorial Park Hillside Road
Jennisson St. Mill St.
Roosevelt Drive
Langlois Ave.
Corner Worcester and Ran- dolph Sts.
Takings on Charlton St., Vinton St. and Brookside
Rd. bound points
Topography on Poplar St.
Investigations and Miscellaneous
1. Sewer blocked on Charlton St. at bridge
2. Plans for Welfare and Board of Health Departments
3. Check Ice jams at Westville and Russell-Harrington
4. Langlois Ave. Drain
5. Marcy Street Drain
6. Sewer Line on E. Main Street
7. 16 House Numbers
8. Located 12 Sewer Manholes
Leroy Briggs survey
9. 10. Check drain on Hartwell Street
11. Check drain at Athletic Field
12. Check location of gas line on East Main Street
Tie points at corner of Eastford Road and Dennison Drive Alumni Field soft ball diamond
13. 14. 15. Dresser Field Tennis Court 16. Check sewer on Durfee Street 17. Check break in sewer line on Glover Street
18.
Check lights at Charlton Street temporary bridge
19. Locate sewer on Bellevue Drive
20. 21.
Check broken sewer on Off Chestnut Street Check parking areas
22 Randolph Street foot bridge
Locate sewer line on Central Street
23. 24. Articles for Warrant
25. Check ice for skating
26. Thaw and threat of flood close 1st and 2nd Reservoirs
27. Sandbag canal at Southbridge Finishing Company 28. Brookside Road drain
Westwood Parkway extension Brookside Road Guelphwood Road
Sayles and Glover Sts.
Judith Ave.
Dresser Field
Glenwood St.
Henry St.
Blanchard Drive
Cole Ave.
Meadowbrook Rd. drain
Right of way from E. Main St. to Sewerage Disposal Plant
Topography on South St.
Topography on Oakes Ave.
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29. Woodycrest Street drain
30. Hamilton Street sewer grades
31. 5 Street lines
32. Proposed Armory site
33. River Street bridge sidewalk
34. Check drain on Worcester Street
35. Sidewalk opening at Mechanic Street Bridge
36. Check corner of Durfee and Dennison Streets
37. Drain on Dresser Field
38, Drain on Glover Street
39. Check drain on Mechanic Street
40. Glover Street catch basin
41. Investigate Paige Hill accident, Fiske Street, Charlton St.
42. Inspect Temple Drive Sewer
43. Check Lines on Temple Drive
44. Check sewer on Eastford Road
45. Stakes for curb at Lippe's corner
46. Check triangulation point (Farquar)
47. Bridge at Charlton Street bound points
The drop in construction work voted this year was offset by a great amount of work requested by various departments, especially by the Airport Commission.
This department has spent in 1957, 1360 man hours on air- port planning which represents $2,871.62 from departmental budget. 75% of this money will be reimbursed to the Town when and if this project is approved by State and Federal Agencies.
We also obtained from the Massachusetts Flood Relief Board an allocation of $3,775.00 for the furnishing, setting and Engineering work for 65 bounds at various bridge locations. The labor will be done by the Highway Department and the Engineering work will be done by the Engineering Depart- ment.
We have reconstructed at considerable expense, a major portion of our roads since 1945, and I wish to bring to your attention that many of these roads are beginning to need re- pairs, partially because of openings created by utility com- panies but mainly due to wear and tear. Roads are only semi- permanent and maintenance is bound to increase. As an ex- ample our Main Street, Woodstock Road, Mechanic and Wor- cester Streets.
I therefore recommend that a large portion of the main- tenance and oiling program money to be voted in 1958 be used to protect by timely maintenance the reconstructed roads, especially those named above.
Again this year, all work was done with the full coopera- tion of the Highway Department and the Board of Selectmen, which resulted in better work and a great saving to the Town of Southbridge.
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I wish to take this opportunity to thank the members of your Board and other Boards, Committees, and Departments for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY A. RACICOT, Town Engineer.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Board of Health met on March 9, 1957 and organized as follows: Dr. Raymond F. Haling, Chairman; Dr. Armand O. Degrenier, Clerk; and Mr. Henry E. Demers, Publicity Chair- man.
The Board made the following appointment, Ernest Te- treault, Agent; Mrs. Rachel Jolicoeur, Nurse; Arthur O. Bal- lard, Plumbing, Milk and Food Inspector and Alcide Fournier, Slaughtering and Animal Inspector.
Four new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were discov- ered during the year and eight patients received treatment in Sanatoria, contacts, suspicious cases and cases reported to us by the family physician are examined and X-rayed at the County Sanatorium.
The sum of $18,585.00 was appropriated for the year 1957. There is an unexpended balance of $2,350.95.
The sum of $782.13 has been paid to the Town Treasurer by the State in form of subsidy. The receipts from all other sources were $127.50 and the net cost for the General for this year was $15,424.42 or .90 per person.
During the year various Health meetings were attended by the Nurse, Board Members and the Agent.
We wish to thank all the Citizens who have cooperated and assisted the Department in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND F. HALING, M.D.
ARMAND O. DEGRENIER, D.M.D.
HENRY E. DEMERS, Ph.G.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH PHYSICIAN
To the Southbridge Board of Health: Gentlemen:
I hereby submit. my report on the results of the annual inspection of the elementary school children in the parochial schools.
St. Mary's School
Grade II - 36 pupils
Pupils with defects - 14
Enlarged tonsils 5
Cerumen in ears 1
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Braces on teeth 1 Teeth need attention 7
Grade IV -33 pupils
Pupils with defects - 14
Enlarged tonsils 4
Cerumen in ears 1
Braces on teeth
1
Teeth need attention
8
Grade VI -20 pupils
Pupils with defects- 8
Enlarged tonsils
2
Teeth need attention
5
Overweight
1
Grade VIII - 18 pupils
Pupils with defects - 12
Enlarged tonsils 2
Teeth need attention
6
Skin needs attention
3
Ear infection 1
Total examined 107
Notices sent to parents
24
Total defects listed
44
Notre Dame School
Grade II - 76 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils
16
Cervical adenopathy
1
Heart
1
Grade IV -76 pupils
Defects listed -
Tonsils removed 13
Enlarged tonsils
16
Teeth need attention 13
Skin-Eczema
2
Teeth-Braces
1
Cerumen in ears
1
Cervical adenopathy
1
Grade VI -81 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils 11
Cerumen in ears
1
Skin needs attention
1
Teeth need attention
21
Grade VIII - 67 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils 1
120
Eyes-squint
2
Cerumen in ears
1
Brace on spine Braces on teeth
1
Heart
1 2
Overweight
Skin needs attention
10
Teeth need attention
20
Cast for fractured arm 2
Total examined
300
Notices sent to parents
57
Total defects listed
93
Sacred Heart School
Grade II -25 pupils
Defects listed -
Teeth need attention
5
Tonsils removed
3
Enlarged tonsils
4
Grade IV -34 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils
4
Teeth need attention
14
Erbs Palsy
1
Overweight
1
Eyes
1
Grade VI -31 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils
7
Teeth need attention
12
Overweight
3
Eyes
2
Grade VIII - 31 pupils
Defects listed -
Enlarged tonsils
3
Teeth need attention
4
Teeth-braces
1
Skin-Acne
2
Cerumen in ears
4
Eyes
3
Overweight
1
Total examined
121
Notices sent to parents
18
Total defects listed 75
1
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND F. HALING, M.D.
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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, 1957.
I received during the year, 31 complaints; all were in- vestigated.
Permits and Licenses Issued
Day School 2
Vapor Bath
1
Nursing Home
1
Day Nursery
1
Funeral Director
6
Anti-Freeze
37
48
Respectfully submitted, ERNEST TETREAULT, Agent.
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH To the Honorable Board of Health:
Dear Sir:
The clerical work for the year 1957 included the tabula- tion of all deaths, all reported contagious diseases, the issu- ance of all licenses, recording the minutes of all regular and special meetings and necessary correspondence.
Weekly report of contagious diseases were forwarded to the State Department of Public Health in Boston and Rut- land, Mass.
There were in 1957, 189 deaths, again this year the prin- cipal killer being Coronary Thrombosis.
List of contagious diseases reported to this office.
Chicken Pox
13
Dog Bite
40
Mumps
22
Scarlet Fever
13
Measles
6
Tuberculosis
2
Total 96
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST TETREAULT,
Agent.
REPORT OF THE PODIATRIST
To the Board of Health Physician: Dear Sir:
Herewith I submit my report on the examination of the feet of the Parochial School children.
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Examination was made of the eighth, sixth, fourth and second grades in all the schools. Total examined: 536 children. Of this number, 218 were found to have foot conditions, and 79 of them, conditions of sufficient severity to warrant official notification to the parents advising them to seek treatment for their children.
Following is a classification of defects found in the ex- amination:
Postural problems 14
Skin disorders 41
Nail conditions 25
Orthopedic conditions
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Hygiene 24
I wish to acknowledge with thanks, the splendid coopera- tion and assistance of the Board of Health nurse, the school authorities and the parents.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT W. DeJORDY, D.S.C.
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
This is my report as animal inspector for the year ending Dec. 31, 1957.
I quarantined 32 dogs
I inspected 2 barns after spraying
I took census of all animals in the Town for the State and inspected all barns.
I checked ear tags on all cows transported and sold in Southbridge from out of State.
Respectfully submitted,
ALCIDE FOURNIER,
Animal 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, 1957.
CLINICS:
1. Dental:
The dental program was carried on for the benefit of the elementary school children in grades two, three and four, for both public and parochial schools. Sixty-three clinics were held and six hundred and nine reported for care. Five hun- dred had their teeth cleaned and four hundred and thirty-six teeth were filled. In addition this year a dental survey, by a State Dental Hygienist, was conducted in grades one to eight in two of the parochial schools with the third school to be taken care of during this school year. This survey is also
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being conducted in public schools. The rate of dental carries in school children was found to be very high and it is hoped that as the survey progresses and parents are reminded of the great need for dental care, dental carries will become one of the minor ills of our school population instead of the major one it now is.
2. Tuberculosis:
The State Department of Public Health sponsors T.B. clinics at the Worcester County Sanatorium at Boylston bi- weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Eighty-seven reported either for diagnostic x-rays or for follow-up purposes as X- Sanatorium patients or contacts. Two new cases were re- ported this year.
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 eighty-seven registered. A registration for those plan- ning to attend kindergarten at Sacred Heart School was held in the Board of Health offices. Forty-one reported at this registration. Two clinics for those who wished to have pre- school physicals performed by the school physicians were held in the Board of Health offices.
4. Immunizations:
a) Four clinics were held in the Town Hall for inocula- tion of pre-school and school children against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping-Cough. Four hundred and twenty were given a booster dose and one hundred and three were given the series of three injections at proper intervals.
b) Booster doses of Salk poliomyelitis vaccine were ad- ministered to pre-school and school children and also teen- agers to age nineteen. Vaccine was also provided to private physicians for those wishing to receive the vaccine from their own doctor. Twenty clinics were held either at the schools or in the Town Hall. A total of 2875 received boosters and 283 received either first or second injections or both.
c) This year, with the threat of Asian Flu, it was decided to follow State recommendations and give injections of Asiatic Influenza Vaccine to all municipal employees who wanted this protection. Three clinics. were held in the Board of Health offices and a total of two hundred and thirty-two were inocu- lated.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
A physical examination was given to the pupils of the parochial schools by the Board of Health physician. Grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 were examined, a total of five hundred and twen- ty. As part of the health examination, pupils in grades two to eight were weighed and measured by the school nurse.
Chiropody examinations were also given to the pupils in
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grades 2, 4, 6 and 8 by a Chiropodist. Details to be found in the Chiropodist's report. Notices of defects needing medical attention following both examinations were sent to the parents.
Other health activities can be summed up as follows:
School visits
228
Home visits (re T.B. pts. or other health problems)
73
Professional office visits
44
Pupils interviewed
90
Conferences with Teachers
154
Conferences with Social Workers and State Supervisors
53
Conferences with parents
226
Children weighed and measured
924
Vision Screening via Mass. Vision Test 657
Retests
47
Failures-notices sent to parents
32
Hearing tests
1297
Retests
115
Notices sent to parents
21
Inspection of Nursery Schools (3) .. 5 visits
Lecture-attended at St. Vincent's Hos- pital on Thoracic Surgery 1
Conferences at Worcester Youth Guid- ance Center 4
Lectures on Disaster Nursing 7
At this time I wish to thank all persons and organizations who helped in any way to make our Health Program a success.
Respectfully submitted,
RACHEL JOLICOEUR, R.N.,
Board of Health Nurse.
REPORT OF FOOD INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Food Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1957.
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 in order to help them meet the prescribed standards. All concerned were very cooperative.
We made 14 inspections of bakeries and we prevailed upon the owners to correct the few defects existing in their plants. Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR O. BALLARD, Food Inspector.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Honorable Board of Health: Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Milk Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Number of Samples Collected
194
Tests for Butter Fats
194
No samples were below the legal standard of 3.35%.
Tests for Solids - Samples Tested 194
No samples below the legal standard.
Tests for Acidity - Samples Tested 97
Ten samples were in the process of souring due to improper cooling.
Phosphatase Test - Samples Tested 112
All were found to be sufficiently pasteurized.
Microscopic Bacteria Count 23
Mastitis Test (Microscopic Examinations of smears from suspected milk or cream cultures, Samples Ex- amined 28
No samples positive.
Number of Store and Vehicle Milk and Cream Licenses Granted
78
Number of Oleomargarine Registrations Granted
38
Number of Pasteurization of Milk Licenses 3
Total Licenses and Registrations
119
Respectfully submitted,
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