USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1914 > Part 10
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VACATION SCHOOLS.
As has been the custom during the past four summers, vaca- tion schools were maintained for five weeks in the Russell, Crosby and Locke Schools, beginning July 6, 1914. To dwell upon the work accomplished and the benefits resulting to grade pupils attending these schools would be but to repeat what has been stated in previous reports regarding the usefulness of the vaca- tion school; nevertheless additional benefit could doubtless be derived therefrom if a class for High School pupils who had failed in some subjects could be organized next summer. Doubtless many failures could thereby be made into successes, and pupils
135
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
who leave school now because of discouraging conditions would remain to graduate.
JUNIOR HIGH OR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
The probability that the new High School building being erected on the Schouler Court site will be finished in season for occupancy at the beginning of the school year in September brings us to a consideration of how best to utilize the present High School building. That the present. building must be used to relieve the congestion in the grammar grades is inevitable, but how that use may be best availed of is another question. Doubt- less the problem will be solved for the present at least, by the establishment of a Junior High School, that is, a school where all the eighth and ninth grades in the Town can be segregated. The drawbacks attending such an arrangement are to be found principally in the fact that many pupils of these grades will be com- pelled to travel considerable distances to reach the school, and this, of course, will entail some hardship upon those pupils living at the extremities of the town. The School Committee believes, however, that these pupils are of a sufficient age to travel the distances with safety and without detriment to their physical well-being, and that the advantages to be derived from attend- ance at such a school are:
First. That better teaching will result from departmental organization, each teacher being required to teach one or at most two subjects, thereby becoming an expert therein, instead of being compelled as at present to spread herself over a variety of subjects with the result of decreased efficiency in each.
Second. That a better articulation with the High School will be possible.
Third. That a better grouping of pupils according to ability can be secured.
Fourth. That it will be more economical, inasmuch as it will be necessary to equip but one or two rooms with maps, reference books and other apparatus for the teaching of a subject whereas at the present time a duplication of equipment for the teaching of all subjects is found in each building wherever these grades are assembled.
136
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Fifth. Modern languages could be begun at the age of twelve, instead of two or three years later as at present, an undertaking which is without a doubt to be recommended.
For a more complete discussion of the advantages to be derived from the establishment of such an Intermediate or Junior High School, those interested are referred to the Superintendent's report, where this subject is carefully treated.
EXPENDITURES AND APPROPRIATIONS.
The rapid and steady increase in our school population, already referred to, has called for the appropriation each year of a sum considerably in excess of the amount appropriated the preceding year, the school appropriation being by far the largest item of expense borne by the Town. Nevertheless, the readiness of the citizens of the Town to annually vote the appropriation requested is a gratifying testimonial to that spirit which has always actuated our citizens in their determination that Arlington shall not lag in those essentials necessary to its existence as one of the ideal communities of the Commonwealth.
The appropriation for the maintenance of schools and the upkeep of school buildings for 1914 was $90,850.00; of this sum the amount required for teachers' salaries alone amounted to $76,231.97, the balance of the appropriation being required to meet the cost of fuel, books and supplies, furnishings, apparatus, and other expenses, including tuition. By careful management. your committee has been able to live within the appropriation. It is inevitable, however, that a still further material increase in the appropriation will be necessary this year, due in part to the increase in the number of pupils which we must always anticipate and provide for and which will necessitate in the grades the em- ployment of at least three additional teachers, including one prin- cipal for the present High School building, and assistants in the Manual Training, Drawing and other departments, in part to the additional expenses incident to the opening of the new High School and the maintenance of the building, calling for at least two addi- tional High School teachers, the employment of an extra janitor and such other expenses as may be incident to the establishment of new courses. In addition to these increased expenditures, we are faced with the further fact that the maximum salaries of our
137
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
grade teachers must be advanced if we are to hold and maintain the present standard of efficiency in our schools. During the fall a committee composed of one representative from each grade in the several schools of the Town, waited upon each member of the Committee and presented facts and figures which compelled your Committee to consider favorably an increase in the maxi- mum salaries of these teachers. Their case was well presented in a petition filed with the School Committee, and signed by fifty teachers. The petition reads as follows:
"We, the teachers of Arlington, request that the maximum salary be increased for the following reasons:
"1. Salaries have not kept pace with the increased cost of living. Since receiving our last increase, board has advanced from one to two dollars a week in Arlington and those forced to pay board during the summer find the rates are much higher in other places than in times past.
"2. The Teachers' Retirement Fund, while it provides for the future, reduces our present income. Five per cent of our salary is now deducted, while the rate may be increased legally to seven per cent.
"3. The adjoining cities and towns, with two exceptions, pay larger salaries than Arlington.
Belmont,
$700
Lexington,
700
700
Winchester,
750
800
Medford,
750
800
Somerville,
800
800
$800
Cambridge,
1008
1068
"4. The fact that we have to compete in every way with cities and towns of the Metropolitan District, in most of which larger salaries are paid:
I- VI. $750
VII-VIII. $775
IX.
Malden,
Chelsea,
800
850
Everett,
700
800
$800
Watertown,
700
750
Newton,
1050
1050
Brookline,
900
1000
1000
I-VI. $700
VII-VIII.
IX.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
"5. A larger maximum would attract and hold the best teachers. There are twenty-three new teachers in Town this year. It is ap- parent that the standard of the schools cannot be kept up with one-fourth of the teaching force new to the work each year.
"6. The good effect on the school resulting from the teacher's ability to work with a contented mind, because freed from nervous anxiety about the necessities of life, and some adequate provision for old age. Under the most favorable conditions some teachers can save a little, many are unable to save anything.
"7. It is acknowledged, and we are proud of the fact, that our schools rank very high. Maintaining this high standard neces- sitates great strain mentally and physically. This can only be offset by proper rest and recreation during vacations, which, with our present salary we feel we cannot afford to take.
" Therefore we, the undersigned, respectfully request that the maximum salary be increased to $800, beginning January 1, 1915."
In order that there may be no deterioration in the quality and high standing of our school system, and to provide for the additional expenses due to the necessities above enumerated, your com- mittee believes that an appropriation of not less than $97,000 will be required for the year 1915. While this may seem large, it will not exceed the annual increase of the school appropriation by more than $2000, and it is difficult to see how a smaller appro- priation will be at all adequate.
REPAIRS OF BUILDINGS AND CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.
Previous reports of your Committee have called attention to the fact that the six school buildings in the Town alone represent an investment of more than $400,000, while the annual appropri- ation for the repairs of school buildings has been for many years, until the year 1914, $1000, the appropriation for that purpose in 1914 being $1200. This sum must appeal to every citizen at all conversant with the care of buildings as totally inadequate to provide for the natural deterioration of so much property, which deterioration is materially increased by the wear and tear inci- dent to the use to which they are devoted, to wit: the accom- modation of nearly 3000 school children. It seems to your Committee that too much emphasis cannot be laid upon the
139
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
necessity of increasing the appropriation to be used for this purpose.
GENERAL CONDITIONS.
In closing, your Committee desires to emphasize its conviction that, notwithstanding the fact that certain causes, such as double sessions and the employment of a large contingent of new teachers have operated to a certain extent disadvantageously to the schools, nevertheless the general tone and quality of the schools have not been impaired. That this is due largely to the high ideals and untiring devotion which animates principals and teachers alike cannot be gainsaid. It is a fact that our schools occupy a position and standing among the schools of the State of which we may justly be proud, and this position having been attained only at the price of ceaseless endeavor on the part of those directly responsible for the condition of the schools, it is the abounding duty and privilege of citizens and school authorities alike to urge and insist that the well-merited reputation of the schools of Arlington shall continue and endure.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON F. TUPPER, Chairman of School Committee.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1914.
The Board, consisting of Dr. Laurence L. Peirce, Dr. Guy E. Sanger and Alfred H. Knowles, held its first meeting March 16, 1914, at which time Mr. Knowles having been re-elected for a term of three years, was sworn to the faithful performance of his duties by the Town Clerk.
The Board were of the opinion that a permanent clerk should be appointed who should be on duty during business hours. The Town Clerk who had performed the duties of clerk for the past three years resigned at this time, and John E. Robinson was appointed Clerk.
Dr. Peirce was re-elected Chairman.
The sanitary condition of the Town is as good, if not somewhat better, than for many years, all complaints being thoroughly investigated and adjusted.
We respectfully submit for your consideration the following reports of the various branches of this department.
BACTERIOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
This important adjunct to the Town has continued to demon- strate its value during the past year.
On June 1, 1914, Dr. Merrill E. Champion resigned his position as Bacteriologist and Physician to the Board. Dr. Champion had always been conscientious and efficient in his work, and the Board accepted his resignation with regret. On June 22, 1914, Dr. Ezekiel Pratt was appointed to the above position and has rendered very efficient services.
Specimens will be received at the laboratory at the Town Hall daily, at any time, and they will be examined and reported upon the morning following their reception.
Outfits for specimens to be examined for tuberculosis, diphtheria, and typhoid fever; and diphtheria anti-toxin, vaccine lymph and
140
141
BOARD OF HEALTH
nitrate of silver solution may be obtained at the laboratory and at the following places:
Perham's Pharmacy, Arlington Center; Emus Pharmacy, Ar- lington Heights; Angus Pharmacy, corner Winter Street and Massachusetts Avenue.
After the specimen is collected it must be taken to the labora- tory at the Town Hall. For further detail in regard to the labora- tory, see report of Dr. Pratt.
BOARD OF INFANTS.
Six parties, whose applications were first approved by this Board, have been licensed by the State Board of Charity to board infants in this Town, under the provisions of Chapter 83 of the Revised Laws of 1902. There are still, however, numerous parties in the Town who are boarding one infant, thereby under the pres- ent law, avoiding the necessity of local inspection as to Sanitary arrangements. This matter is being investigated by the State Board of Charity.
PERMITS.
The record of permits to keep cows, swine, goats and hens, and to collect grease is as follows:
Cows: Twelve applications were received for permits to keep fifty-six cows, all of which were granted.
Hens: Two hundred and fourteen applications for permits to keep 9312 hens were received, all of which were granted after hearings in several cases.
Ducks: Eight applications were received for permits to keep 101 ducks, all of which were granted.
Swine: Seven applications were received for permits to keep 222 swine, all of which were granted.
Grease: Four applications were received for permits for four teams to collect grease. Four permits were granted. The fee is two dollars for each team.
One hundred and three permits were also issued at this office to haul offal through the streets of the Town.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
On May 6, 1914, this Board adjudged the following list of dis- eases as dangerous to the public health and also adopted the fol-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
lowing quarantine rules relative to persons suffering with con- tagious or infectious diseases:
Diseases adjudged dangerous to the public health. It is adjudged that the diseases known as actinomycosis, anterior poliomyelitis, Asiatic cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis, diphtheria, glanders, leprosy, malignant pustule, measles, German measles, ophthalmia neonatorum, plague, pellagra, scarlet fever, smallpox, tetanus, trachoma, trichinosis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, typhus fever, varicella, whooping cough, yellow fever, erysipelas, pneumonia, rabies, tonsillitis*, and mumps*, those marked by star being des- ignated by local regulation, are infectious or contagious and are dangerous to the public health and safety, and may be contracted from persons or apartments, or at funerals of persons dying from these diseases, and that the following provisions of this Chapter are necessary for the public health and safety in regard to said diseases.
QUARANTINE OF PERSONS SUFFERING WITH CONTAGIOUS OR INFECTIOUS DISEASES, OR THOSE EXPOSED TO SUCH DISEASES.
DIPHTHERIA. Patient: Until nose and throat are clear and two successive cultures at three (3) day intervals have been obtained from both nose and throat; the last culture to be taken by some person designated by the Board of Health. Other children: Until one (1) week has elapsed since last exposure, unless immunized by anti-toxin, and after two (2) successive negative cultures from both nose and throat. Other members of family: May attend to business after one (1) negative culture, unless engaged in the hand- ling of food.
SCARLET FEVER. Patient: Quarantined for a minimum period of five (5) weeks; and thereafter during persistence of lesions of nose, throat, ears or skin. Other children: Until one (1) week has elapsed since last exposure, unless immunized by previous attack of the disease. Other members of family: May attend to business, unless engaged in the handling of food.
MEASLES. Patient: Quarantined until ten (10) days have elapsed since beginning of eruption. Other children: Excluded from school for two (2) weeks from date of last exposure, unless previously immunized by an attack of the disease. Other members of family: Allowed to attend to business.
143
BOARD OF HEALTH
GERMAN MEASLES. Patient: Isolated for seven (7) days after appearance of eruption. Other children: Not excluded from school. Other members of family: May attend to business.
CHICKEN-POX. Patient: Shall be isolated during presence of skin or mouth lesions. Other children: Excluded for three (3) weeks after last exposure to the disease unless immunized by pre- vious attack of the disease. Other members of family: May at- tend to business.
WHOOPING COUGH. Patient: Shall be isolated for a minimum period of three (3) weeks and thereafter as long as the paroxysmal stage persists. Other children: Excluded from school until two (2) weeks have elapsed since last exposure unless immunized by previous attack of the disease. Other members of family: May attend to business.
MUMPS. Patient: Isolated for three (3) weeks. Other chil- dren: Excluded from school for two (2) week's from last exposure unless previously immunized by an attack of the disease. Other members of family: May attend to business.
TYPHOID FEVER. Patient: Isolated until recovery and until urine and feces are free from bacilli. Other children: Excluded from school for two (2) weeks from last exposure unless immunized by previous attack or by typhoid vaccine. Other members of family: May continue at their usual occupations except those engaged in handling food.
OPHTHALMIA. Patient: Isolated until purulent discharge has disappeared and two (2) successive cultures negative for gonococci at twenty-four (24) hours' interval have been obtained.
The care of contagious diseases occurring in this Town is fast becoming a serious problem. The cost for the care of these cases during the past year was $2582.04 as compared with $950 for the previous year. All cases from this Town are sent to the Somerville Contagious Hospital. The cost of the treatment of these diseases is a difficult one to determine and to estimate and on account of the above fact and with last year's expenditures as a criterion this Board are strongly of the opinion that a contagious disease account be established against which all such charges should be entered.
144
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
COLLECTION OF ASHES AND OFFAL.
On January 1, 1914, the Board of Health assumed charge of the collection of ashes and offal and appointed William H. Bradley as Superintendent.
During the past year, under the direction of Mr. Bradley, the work of this department has been carried on at a reduction in cost and an increase in efficiency to the Town.
The present equipment of the department consists of one double and three single offal wagons; one double and two single ash carts, and one paper wagon. Men and horses are furnished by the Highway Division. The cost of horse hire for the past year was reduced from $1.75 per day to $1.55 per day, making a reduction for the year of $375, thus allowing the department the above amount extra for working capital over the preceding year.
During the year there have been collected and hauled to the various dumps 4260 single cart loads of ashes. With very few exceptions the collections have been made on the designated days and very few complaints have been received relative to this part of the work.
Late in the season the privilege of collecting junk from the dumps was awarded to a contractor in consideration for the level- ling off and keeping same in proper condition. This arrangement makes a net saving to the Town of approximately $500 per year. The location of the dumps enters largely into the cost of collecting the ashes and while the dumps at the present time are as centrally located as possible, the same will not be true in the near future.
During the past year 942 wagon loads of paper and other refuse matter were collected. The expense of this collection would be materially decreased if householders and others would conform to the rule of the department which is that all paper and other combustible matter be tied in compact bundles, which would facili- tate the handling of such matter.
In the collection of offal, more or less complaints are received, some reasonable, others unreasonable, and still others unavoidable without incurring considerable additional expense to the depart- ment. To meet emergencies occasioned by holidays or extra heavy collections, another wagon is needed.
A new contract was entered into this year for the sale of the
145
BOARD OF HEALTH
offal, the contract price being $1260 per annum as compared with $950 under the previous contract.
Below is given a classified table of the different features of the work together with the cost thereof:
Offal.
Labor $3,800.85
Horses $1,330.60
Total $5,131.45 6,027.04
Ashes .
4,436.98
1,590.06
New carts.
492.50
Repairs and supplies
157.27
$11,808.26
Unexpended balance.
191.74
NUISANCES.
A record of nuisances abated during the year, in compliance with notices issued by the Board, or under the Board's direction, is presented in the following table:
Complaints investigated and causes removed:
Cellars, water in.
3
Cellars, filthy
1
Cesspools, removed
4
Cesspools, cleaned .
8
Factories, unsanitary
1
Garbage thrown in yards.
2
Manure heaps, foul odors from
3
Plumbing, unsanitary .
7
Privy vaults, foul odors from.
5
Roosters annoying neighbors
1
Rubbish on vacant land.
13
Stables offensive.
2
Tenements filthy
1
Tenements unsanitary
2
Unclassified .
15
Yards filthy
1
Total . 69
In addition to the above, many nuisances have been abated on verbal notice from the agent, without action by the Board.
$12,000.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
INSPECTORS APPOINTED.
On April 1, 1914, the following appointments were made by the Board, to serve for the year ending March 31, 1915:
Inspector of Plumbing, George W. Day (under Civil Service); Inspector of Milk, Dr. Laurence L. Peirce; Inspector of Slaughter- ing and markets, Dr. William T. McCarty; Fumigator, Charles T. Hartwell; Sanitary Inspector, William H. Bradley; Bacteriologist, Dr. Ezekiel Pratt; Physician to the Board, Dr. Ezekiel Pratt.
The Board desires to record its appreciation of the efficient services rendered by these Inspectors during the past year.
LAURENCE L. PEIRCE, M.D.V.,
GUY E. SANGER, M.D., ALFRED H. KNOWLES,
Board of Health.
VITAL STATISTICS 1914.
Population (estimated):
By school enrollment
13875
Crude birth rate
21.2
Crude death rate
11.8
Total number of deaths from all causes, exclusive of still-births 16.4
Number of still-births 15
279
Note. Still-births are excluded from all the above figures.
DEATHS BY SEXES (Still-Births excluded).
Number of deaths of males
75
Number of deaths of females
89
Number of deaths of unknown
00
DEATHS BY AGES (Still-Births excluded).
Total
Male
Female
Deaths of persons under one year
28
16
12
From 1 to 2 years
3
1
2
From 2 to 3 years
2
0
2
From 3 to 4 years
2
1
1
From 4 to 5 years
0
0.
0
From 5 to 9 years
3
2
1
Total number of births, exclusive of still-births
147
BOARD OF HEALTH
Total
Male
Female
From 10 to 14 years
0
0
0
From 15 to 19 years
1
0
1
From 20 to 24 years
5
2
3
From 25 to 29 years
6
1
5
From 30 to 34 years
4
3
1
From 35 to 39 years
6
1
5
From 40 to 44 years
5
1
4
From 45 to 49 years
6
2
4
From 50 to 54 years
5
4
1
From 55 to 59 years
14
5
9
From 60 to 64 years
14
7
7
From 65 to 69 years
9
3
6
From 70 to 74 years
14
9
5
From 75 to 79 years
21
11
10
From 80 to 84 years
7
1
6
From 85 to 89 years
6
4
2
From 90 to 94 years
3
1
2
From 95 to 99 years
0
0
0
Total
164
75
89
Note. For names of persons dying see report of Town Clerk.
DEATHS BY MONTHS (Still-Births excluded).
1914
1913
January
19
14
February
12
14
March
28
14
April
12
15
May
10
16
June
9
15
July
18
10
August
9
10
September
10
12
October
14
9
November
13
12
December
10
19
Total
164
160
Still-births
15
12
Total
179
172
148
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CAUSES OF DEATH (Still-Births excluded).
All cases, total
Male
75
Female
89
All ages
Male
164 Female
Measles
1
0
1
Erysipelas
1
1
0
Septicemia
2
2
0
Tuberculosis of Lungs
7
2
5
Tuberculous Meningitis
2
2
0
Carcinoma of Stomach
1
0
1
Carcinoma of Intestines
1
0
1
Carcinoma of Uterus
3
0
3
Carcinoma of Breast
1
0
1
Carcinoma of Prostate Gland
1
1
0
Carcinoma of Inanition
1
0
1
Appendicitis
1
1
0
Cerebral Meningitis
5
.1
4
Cerebral Hemorrhage
5
1
4
Hematomyelia
1
1
0
Hemiplegia
1
0
1
Mitral Insufficiency
4
2
2
Aortic Insufficiency
1
0
1
Valvular Heart Disease
3
1
2
Chronic Endocarditis
3
3
0
Myocarditis
3
2
1
Angina Pectoris
3
2
1
Arterio Sclerosis
6
3
3
Acute Bronchitis
3
1
2
Oedema of Lungs
1
0
1
Tuberculosis of Larynx
1
1
0
Meningitis
1
0
1
Diabetic Coma
1
0
1
Infantile Paralysis
1
1
0
Broncho-pneumonia
11
6
5
Pneumonia
1
1
0
Lobar Pneumonia
12
4
8
-
Hypostatic Pneumonia
2
0
2
164
1
BOARD OF HEALTH
149
All ages
Male
Female
Chronic Intestinal Indigestion
1
1
0
Terminal Mania
1
0
1
La Grippe
2
1
1
Enteritis (under two years)
5
4
1
Ulcerative ileo-colitis
1
0
1
Delirium Tremens
1
1
0
Acute Intestinal Obstruction
3
1
2
Acute Nephritis
3
1
2
Chronic Nephritis
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