USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1950-1954 > Part 31
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1,797.37
Library Trust Fund Addition
10,000.00
The report of the expenses of the Treasurer's Office and a de- tailed account of the New School Construction Fund, School and Water Bonds, Library Trust Funds, Scholarship Funds, Rehabili-
51
tation and Stabilization Funds, Federal Withholding Taxes and Plymouth County Retirement Deductions may be found in the Town Accountant's report.
Respectfully submitted,
ORVIS F. KINNEY Treasurer
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Following is a list by years of the unpaid Taxes and Water Rates as of December 31, 1953:
1952 Poll Taxes
$ 2.00
1952 Personal Taxes 35.70
1953 Poll Taxes
48.00
1953 Real Estate Taxes
23,317,93
1953 Personal Taxes
12,370.44
1953 Motor Vehicle Taxes
4,156.93
Total $39,931.00
Water Rates Unpaid
$3,270.69
Total gross collections 1953
$407,206.49
WALTER C. DUNBAR Tax Collector
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health has felt that, with the steady growth of the town, several health problems have arisen which can be con- trolled only by the institution of regulations. Such health regula- tions become effective when duly adopted by the Board and adver- tised once in a newspaper. This was done in two instances during
52
1953, relating to (1) Cesspools, Septic Tanks and Outdoor Privies, and (2) Domestic Livestock. These regulations are printed below.
Other reasonable health regulations may be adopted from time to time as the Board feeds the need of them.
WILLIAM W. NOYES ROGER H. BURRILL WARREN H. ANDERSON
Board of Health
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health of the Town of West Bridgewater acting under the authority of the General Laws and amendments and ad- ditions thereto, and by other power thereto enabling, and acting thereunder and in accordance therewith, have in the interest of and for the preservation of the Public Health, duly made and adopted the following rules and regulations:
Article I - Cesspools, Septic Tanks and Outdoor Privies Section 1. No cesspools, septic tank, permanent privy-vault, or other means of sewage disposal shall hereafter be constructed or in- stalled in this town until a permit has first been obtained from the Board of Health. Fee for such permit to be two dollars ($2.00).
Section 2. Such cesspool, septic tank, or permanent private privy shall not be permanently covered until a final inspection has been made by the Board of Health.
Section 3. All sewage disposal works hereafter constructed or in- stalled shall be of approved material and design and unless other- wise specified by the Board of Health shall be located not less than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, not less than twenty-five (25) feet from any stream, not less than twenty (20) feet from line of any street, court or passageway, and not less than ten (10) feet from line of adjoining lot; all measurements being taken from the nearest portion of the sewage disposal unit. Cesspools shall be pro- vided with a suitable eighteen (18) inches heavy cast iron remov- able cover and rim laid in cement. The cover of a cesspool shall be level with the finished grade of the lot. Overflow cesspools or leaches shall be located at least ten (10) feet from any existing cesspool or septic tank, measured from the outside circumference, and may be entirely covered by earth without removable cover.
53
Cesspools for a single dwelling, must have a minimum inside diam- eter of six (6) feet and a depth of at least six (6) feet below the intake flow pipe. They must be of approved material and design (field stone, cement blocks, cinder blocks or granite), properly laid with stone backing. The said wall with backing, shall be at least eighteen (18) inches thick. The pitch of flow pipe into the cesspool shall be at least one-quarter ( 1/4 ) inch per foot. The use of an abandoned well as a cesspool in areas where water supplies are obtained from the ground is hereby prohibited. All septic tanks hereafter constructed or installed shall have an effective capacity of at least 350 gallons and shall be constructed of approved material and accessible from the top. Each septic tank shall have at least one leach and must be constructed as described under overflow cesspools and leaches.
Section 4. The owner, occupant or other person or agent respon- sible for the construction of local sewage disposal unit shall have such construction inspected by the Board of Health or its agent before such construction is covered, and such covering shall be hereafter applied in a manner approved by the Board of Health.
Section 5. No permanent privy vault shall be constructed or maintained on premises which are connected with a public water supply. All privy vaults shall be constructed of approved material, shall be fly-proof; and unless otherwise specified shall be located not less than twenty (20) feet from any dwelling, nor less than twenty (20) feet from line of any street, court or passageway, all measurements being taken from nearest outer point of vault.
Section 6. Temporary privy vaults for the convenience of persons engaged in construction work may be erected or installed without a permit, but only under the following conditions. The vault must be at least two (2) feet in depth and must be so located as to cause no annoyance to persons residing in the vicinity. The owner, con- tractor, agent or person in charge of the premises shall cause the privy vault and the contents thereof to be treated and maintained in a sanitary manner, and immediately upon completion of the con- tract or work, the owner, contractor, agent or person in charge shall remove the privy, fill in the vault and leave the premises in a con- dition satisfactory to the Board of Health.
Section 7. No indoor toilet or water closet, except that which is provided with proper means of flushing with water at time of using,
54
shall be hereafter installed on any premises in this town. Where water is not available for flushing, indoor chemical toilets of ap- proved material and construction may be installed under special permit from the Board of Health if proper provision is made for the final disposal of the contents thereof.
Section 8. No person shall suffer any drain or cesspool on land of which he is the owner or occupant to leak, or be out of repair, or overflow upon the surface of the land. Whenever a water closet, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or drain becomes offensive or obstructed, the owner, agent or occupant of the premises shall cause same to be cleaned and made free or otherwise corrected.
Section 9. Every owner, occupant, or agent of premises in which there is any private sewer, drain, privy vault, septic tank or cess- pool shall keep the same in a sanitary condition and shall have every privy vault, septic tank and cesspool emptied and cleaned when necesary or at such times as ordered by the Board of Health. No privy vault, septic tank or cesspool shall be emptied except by such parties and in such manner as shall be especially authorized by the Board of Health. If the owner or occupant fails to comply with such order, the. Board of Health may cause the nuisance, source of filth, or cause of sickness to be removed, and all expense incurred thereby shall be paid by the person who caused or per- mitted the same, if he has had actual notice from the Board of Health of the existence thereof.
Section 10. The owner or other person or persons having control of any existing building or buildings hereafter erected or converted into one or more dwellings shall install or construct one (1) cess- pool or septic tank and leach for each apartment. Each septic tank or cesspool shall be not less than twenty-five (25) feet from the others.
Section 11. Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, who- ever violates any of the provisions of these regulations shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty dollars.
WILLIAM W. NOYES ROGER H. BURRILL WARREN H. ANDERSON Board of Health of West Bridgewater
October 13, 1953
55
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health of the Town of West Bridgewater acting under the authority of the General Laws and amendments and ad- ditions thereto, and by other power thereto enabling, and acting thereunder and in accordance therewith, have in the interest of and for the preservation of the Public Health, duly made and adopted the following rules and regulations:
Article II - Domestic Livestock
Section 1. No person shall keep within the limits of this town in any building or on any premises of which he may be the owner, les- see, tenant or occupant, any swine in excess of two in number, with- out a permit from the Board of Health. All such permits shall expire on December 31 annually, and may be revoked by the Board at any time for cause. Fee for such license to be $2.00.
Section 2. The owners or persons in control of any buildings or premises in which horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, rabbits or live fowl are kept shall keep the buildings clean and free from decaying food, filth, dirt and stagnant water. The buildings and pens shall be put in such condition of cleanliness as to meet the approval of the Board of Health. Litter in said buildings shall be deemed to be evidence of uncleanliness. An offensive odor shall also be deemed to be evidence of uncleanliness. Buildings and porches housing flocks of live fowl shall be so designed and constructed as to permit easy access for removal of manure and other filth. Such removal shall be accomplished frequently enough to avoid objectionable odors and excessive fly nuisance.
Section 3. Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, who- ever violates any of the above provisions of these regulations shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty dollars.
WILLIAM W. NOYES ROGER H. BURRILL WARREN H. ANDERSON Board of Health of West Bridgewater
October 26, 1953
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HEALTH OFFICER
The following cases were reported:
1953
1952
1951
Chicken Pox
32
3
4
Dog Bite
14
11
4
German Measles
2
9
0
Measles
0
56
21
Mumps
0
2
20
Scarlet Fever
0
2
5
Tuberculosis
3
-
-
Tuberculosis has not been included in this report during recent years.
It is of interest to note that the State Department of Public Health believes that only half of actual cases of communicable dis- eases are ever reported. Please report such diseases as soon as pos- sible to the Board of Health.
Standards of control of communicable diseases are being al- tered by the introduction of new methods, among them being anti- biotic therapy. Although antibiotics have limited value in certain cases, they definitely tend to control spread of disease in other cases.
Six calls were made in response to complaints regarding cess- pools.
One complaint was received regarding operation of a turkey farm.
Our new Health Regulations should assist us in correcting such complaints.
JOSEPH CALITRI, M.D.
Health Officer
57
Moderator's Committee on Public Health
Since making our report to the Town a year ago, the situation on public health legislation has changed. This committee was ap- pointed by the Moderator to study existing public health facilities in this town, and also to study the provisions of Chapter 662, Acts of 1949. This law, the so-called "Union Health Department Law," required that towns having a population of 35,000 or less must pro- vide public health services conforming to certain legal "Minimum Health Services" (which were outlined in our previous report). It provided that such towns could provide these services indepen- dently, or could join with other towns to form a Union Health Department. However, since it would obviously prove prohibitive in cost to most small towns to provide these services, it was in effect a law compelling such towns to join with each other in order to ful- fill the requirements of the law. This committee studied the pro- visions of this law carefully, and in order to be equipped to make any recommendation for action by the town, was engaged in con- tacting other town committees to see how such a union might be formed.
During the early part of 1953 this committee learned that a number of bills were introduced into the legislature, some of which would have amended the law to remove the compulsory feature; others to repeal the law in its entirety. The supporters of the old law argued that unless the towns were compelled to improve their public health services, they would not do so. The proponents of a new permissive law argued that it had already been demonstrated to the towns that there is need for improved public health services, and that the townspeople are intelligent and forward-looking enough to recognize this need. But they don't want to be pushed; they don't want to be told that they must do so-and-so by such- and-such a time, or else; that left to themselves and their own good judgment, the people will indeed make improvements in their public health services, but in their own way and in their own time.
This period of uncertainty as to what was going to happen to this legislation resulted in a "wait and see" attitude, and nothing
58
concrete could be accomplished. Finally, on July 1, 1953, Chapter 662 was repealed, and in its place a new law was enacted: Chapter 600, Acts of 1953. This new law differs from the old law in two major respects. First, it sets up no legal minimum health require- ments. And second, it is completely voluntary and purely permis- sive. It provides that municipalities may, if they wish, join with other towns to form what is called a "Regional Health District"; and since the purpose of this new law is the same as the old law - to promote better public health services - an incentive for form- ing such unions is offered by making available certain financial assistance from the commonwealth.
We now recommend further study of the public health situa- tion in our town, and a study of the provisions of this new law and how it may or may not benefit our town. We plan to continue our program of contacting other town committees to see if we may ben- efit from forming any sort of a union. The question has been asked, "Will a union with other towns work?" This committee found the answer when it visited the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health in Ayer in the fall of 1953. We spoke to the heads of various depart- ments and learned at first-hand how fourteen small towns have joined together for the past twenty-three years to provide them- selves with public health services such as no one of them could ever have afforded by themselves. It has worked for them, and the cost to each town has been very low.
While we are not concerned with costs at this time, since we are not now required by law to make any expenditures, it might be of interest to know that under the old law we would have had to provide a minimum of $1.00 per capita in the annual town budget for public health services as specified. This would have meant, ac- cording to the last census, $4,059.00 per year. Based on the last assessed valuation of $5,637,780.00, it would have meant $.71 per thousand on our tax rate. However, since public health services are already costing us about $.26 on the tax rate, it would have meant an addition of $.45 per thousand.
We plan to consult with other towns, not with a view to recom- mending any ambitious program which would involve any such expenditure as described above, but rather with a view to consider- ing a beginning toward an adequate public health program, being
59
fully aware of the present financial obligations of the town, and the additional financial obligations which it will probably face in the near future.
Respectfully submitted,
BEATRICE KLINE RUTH CASWELL CAROLINE PHILIPPART MARJORIE MACDONALD DOROTHY FREEMAN
ARTHUR STEPTOE LESTER HOWARD
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND SLAUGHTERING
The annual barn inspection of 1953 was made, and is as follows:
Barns inspected
53
Cattles
734
Heifers (2 year old)
100
Heifers (1 year old)
103
Bulls
16
Steers
1
Horses
25
Goats
21
Sheep
17
Swine
88
There were 5 visits for Interstate cattle inspection.
There have been 12 dogs quarantined for routine checkup for rabies after instances of dog bite.
Respectfully submitted,
O. PHILLIP PEARSON Inspector of Animals & Slaughtering
60
DOG OFFICER
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report of the work done by me as dog officer for the year 1953.
Number of rabbits killed 3
Number of dogs hit by cars 4
Number of chickens killed by dogs 37
Number of persons bitten by dogs 14
Number of goats killed by dogs 2
Number of stray dogs picked up 38
Number of calls answered
72
All dogs that we have a record of are licensed for 1953. There are several dogs that we have no record of that are not licensed and I am taking action against the owners as I come across them. The number of stray dogs is increasing every year and if everyone would take care in properly securing the tag on their dog's collar or get a new one for 25c from the Town Clerk if the tag is lost, I would be able to return many more dogs to their owners.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. DOWNS, JR.
Dog Officer
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
During the year 1953 the general tendency was toward a slightly lower case load and expenditure.
Expenditures were as follows:
Administration Aid
General Relief
882.43
4,706.50
Old Age Assistance
3,852.98
52,061.13
Aid to Dependent Children
503.36
5,399.00
61
Disability Assistance
335.75
2,463.85
5,574.52
64,630.48
1953 Receipts
2,602.10
54,115.29
2,972.42
10,515.19
CASE LOAD IN 1952 AND 1953
1952 - 98 cases including 137 persons 1953 - 93 cases including 143 persons
We are looking forward to changes in 1954:
1. A plan for Intensified Services to Aid to Depen- dent Children clients February 1, 1954.
2. State wide fee schedule, new methods of pay- ments and authorization procedures which will achieve uniformity throughout the State in the quantity and quality of medical care provided.
Board of Public Welfare
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman ROGER H. BURRILL WARREN H. ANDERSON
A. M. DEAN Welfare Agent
VETERANS SERVICE DEPARTMENT
The Veterans Service Department had a total of 29 cases dur- ing 1953, giving service to 33 adults and 21 children. The majority of these cases were for temporary aid due to sickness or unemploy- ment. Medical expense was extra heavy due to cases requiring hospital treatment.
One case was transferred to Brockton. Three cases were per- manently closed.
62
Several veterans and widows were given assistance in obtain- ing Federal pensions and in entering claims for medical treatment by the Veterans Administration.
A large percentage of families now have one or more veterans. This factor may result in the Veterans Service Department becom- ing the largest department of assistance in future years.
Respectfully, WILLIAM W. NOYES Veterans Agent
FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the West Bridgewater Fire Department for the year 1953.
PERSONNEL
One Chief, One Deputy Chief, Twenty-six members, One Alarm Operator, One Master Electrician, Five Deputy Forest Wardens.
APPARATUS
Combination No. 1. Chevrolet Truck with 600 gallon water tank. Front end pump, also small portable pump mounted on side, eight years old.
Engine No. 1. Seagrave Combination with 750 gallon pump built to specifications, one year old.
Engine No. 2. Buffalo Diamond T. Combination with 500 gallon pump, sixteen years old.
One E. & J. Resuscitator and one National cutting unit for emergency use.
One 2500 Watt U. S. Generator lighting plant. Complete for emergency use.
One twelve foot boat equipped, presented to the Department by the American Legion for emergency use.
63
One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Engine 1.
One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Engine 2.
One G. E. Mobile Radio Receiver and Transmitter mounted on Combination No. 1.
ALARMS ANSWERED
Automobiles, Trucks, and Tractors 6
Frame Buildings
24
False and No Fires
4
Aid Calls - Fires out of Town
3
Aid Calls - Worcester Cyclone Disaster
7
Dumps and Rubbish
5
Woodland and Grass (13 acres)
31
Haystacks
2
Electric Wires, Poles and Trees
3
Person Locked Out
2
Resuscitator Calls
2
Aid to Police, Automobile Accidents, and Lost Persons
5
Total Alarms Answered 94
In performing its duties in 1953 the Fire Apparatus has trav- eled 670 miles, operated pumps at fires for 123 hours, and laid 5,600 feet of booster hose, 10,150 feet of 11/8" Forestry hose, 2,350 feet of 11/2" hose, 2,050 feet of 21/2" hose, also raised a total of 298 feet of ladders.
BUILDING FIRES
Assessors Value of Buildings
$43,040.00
Insurance Carried on Same
59,400.00
Estimate Loss on Buildings
3,700.00
Insurance Paid on Same
4,225.00
CONTENTS IN BUILDING FIRES
Estimate Value of Contents $23,725.00
Insurance Carried on Same
27,650.00
Estimate Loss on Contents
1,460.00
Insurance Paid on Same
1,675.00
64
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires 837
Oil Burners and Oil Storage 229
Bottle Gas and Miscellaneous
91
During the year I have investigated ninety-eight complaints on various fire hazards, smoke scare, etc.
Bell Alarm and Whistle are tested daily at 7 P.M. except on Sundays.
INSPECTIONS
Inspections on Schools, Public Buildings and Private Enter- prises are made periodically. Recommendations of alterations in various buildings were made, and these are carried out. Also "No Smoking Signs" posted where required by Law.
Board of Fire Prevention Regulations Rules and Regulations of Department of Public Safety Chapter 148 - Section 10
It is required by law that any installation or alteration of fuel oil burners of any type shall not be made by any person or firm unless in possession of a certificate of competency.
No oil burner of any type, or oil tanks, shall be installed with- out first filing an application for permit with the head of the Fire Department.
After installation of oil burners and tanks, a completion cer- tificate must be filed with the head of the Fire Department for inspection work.
No person or firm shall use or store liquified petroleum gas (known as bottle gas) used for cooking and heating purposes, with- out first filing an application and obtaining a permit from the head of the Fire Department.
NOTICE
Permits must be obtained from the Fire Department for all open air fires.
65
ATTENTION
To keep your fire loss small, CALL YOUR FIRE DEPART- MENT IMMEDIATELY upon discovering a fire in a building, grass or woodland.
I wish to thank the Selectmen, Officers and members of the Department and all others who have helped in any way with the Department. I wish to thank the members of the Department who volunteered their services by staying nights with the lighting plant unit at the Worcester Cyclone Disaster.
The new Generator purchased this year proved to be of great value to the Department in night work for lights at fires and port- able saw at automobile accidents.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA
Chief
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Complaints
314
Investigations
434
Investigations with or for other departments
30
Investigations out of Town 17
Breaking, Entering in the night time and larceny 9
Larceny 2
Number of Arrests, 146 - Male 141; Female 5
CAUSES OF ARREST
Breaking, Entering in the night time and larceny
5
Larceny
5
Carrying Loaded Gun in Car
2
Non Support
4
Assault and Battery
1
Drunkenness
24
66
Disturbance
School Offender
Using car without authority
Operating under the influence
Operating so as to endanger
2
Attaching Registration Plates unlawfully
Operating unregistered car
Operating uninsured car
Vagrant
1
Setting fire without permit
3
Leaving scene of accident after causing property damage
1
Failing to stop on signal of officer
1
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Operating after suspension
4 5
No registration in possession
1
No Stickers
7 32
A.W.O.L. Military
1
Run away
1
Failing to slow
4
Failing to stop at stop sign
1
Failing to keep right
1
MISCELLANEOUS
Court Fines Imposed
$1270.00
Stolen property recovered
$2890.00
Fines reverting to the Town
70.00
Total amount of jail sentences imposed
9 months
Total probation periods
6 years
Cases dismissed
1
Not Guilty
2 21
Cases filed
Total amount of jail sentences, suspended
2 months
Person released
3
Missing persons
6
Missing persons located
6
Business Establishments doors and windows found open or unlocked 121
Street lights out reported 113
Emergency messages delivered 33
1
1 3 15 18
1 1
No license in possession
Speeding
67
Summons served from other departments
Fire calls
33 33
Fires reported by police
1
Arrest made out of Town
1
Times in Court
76
District Court
74
Superior Court
2
Road hazards reported
6
Escorts given
46
Aid to other departments ( accidents)
7
Persons burnt taken to Hospital
1
Persons dropped dead from heart condition
2
Persons taking own life
1
Persons sick taken to Hospital
4
Persons sick taken home
3
Persons sick taken to Doctor
3
Prisoners transported to Plymouth (House of Correction )
4
Prisoners transported back to Court from Plymouth
1
Dogs hit by cars
16
Dogs shot by police after being hit by car
7
Water leaks reported
1
Wires down and reported
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