USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > Town of Eastham Annual Report 1962-1965 > Part 28
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I hereby submit my report of the duties and activities of the Police Department of the Town of Eastham.
1. PATROL DUTIES:
Covering the entire town the year round. 48,799 miles driven by the Police Cruiser. Approximately 3,000 miles driven by other cars used in Police Work.
From March 1 to December 31 the cruiser was in patrol operation for at least 20 hours per day.
2. PARKING AREAS:
Parking cars at all large Town Hall Functions. Attending to parking at churches and other places where improper street parking would create a traffic hazard.
3. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND
VIOLATIONS :
License and or Registration referred
to Registry for action 236
Written Warnings issued 17
Motor Vehicle accidents investigated 36
Minor accidents 26
Motor vehicle accidents with personal injuries 42
Motor vehicle court cases
48
Operating under influence of liquor 1 --
Operating so as to endanger 5
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Drunk 8
Minors having liquor in car
2
Unregistered and uninsured vehicle
5
Operating after suspension
1
Speeding
S
Not stopping for school bus
1
Arrests as a result of motor vehicle violations 21
Unauthorized use of Motor vehicle
1
Attaching plates 3
Abandoned car 1
No inspection
1
Equipment checked as defective or illegal 64
Fatal 1
4. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS:
Total number of complaints and investigations 1,142
Breaking and entering 5
Malicious destruction of property minor 5
Larceny over $100.00 1
Larceny under $100.00
4
Prowler complaints
4
Drunk arrests 20
Dog Complaints
14
Dogs killed by cars
8
Arrests
10
Defraud, forging checks
1
Lascivious act before minor female
1
Hunting complaints
6
Lost persons
4
Summons served
69
Sudden death
4
Trip to Taunton Hospital
1
5. ROUTINE DUTIES :
Assists to other police departments 28
Assisted by other police departments 33
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Messages delivered to and from residents and summer visitors 112
Pistol permits issued 19
Gunsmiths and dealer licenses issued 3
Permits for beach parties 31
Permits for fishermen after midnight 271
Inspection of unoccupied dwellings
Bicycle Registrations 144
A rapidly growing community most often pays for growth in the inevitable expansion of municipal services. By necessity, the police department is one of the first services to be effected. This year's budget includes an item of expense that will permit placing a second officer in the cruiser during the night time hours. The type of patrol activity encountered during the late evening and early morning hours has caused the two man patrol to become policy in most Cape towns. I solicit your favorable consid- eration in this matter.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the officers of this department, to the Select- men and the town officials, and to the residents of this town for their wonderful help and cooperation. It has been a pleasure working for them and with them. Any recom- mendations that may make this a better Police Department will be sincerely appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFRED J. KNOWLES Chief of Police
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REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR
To the Selectmen and Taxpayers of Eastham :
Since my appointment in April, 1965, I have endeavor- ed to educate myself to the duties of this new position and in so doing, have found it a great deal more in- volved and complicated than is generally realized by the public. However, with the help of Robert Williams, our local Sector Director, I feel progress is being made for Eastham.
Eight monthly sector meetings were attended at the Sector Office in South Dennis. Two other trips were made to Taunton to our Sector Civil Defense Surplus Supply Dump. The first trip was with representatives of the Fire and Police Departments, while the second was with repre- sentatives of the Maintenance Department and Recreation Committee.
In the course of duties, a dump truck was discovered on Nantucket and subsequently purchased through Civil Defense for one hundred and twenty eight dollars. This truck is now in use by the Highway Department. We are also in the process of reactivating our C. D. generator at the Town Hall.
In conclusion, I feel Civil Defense is a necessary adjunct to the Town of Eastham, but we have been limited financially. It is my hope that the Town will find a larger budget justifiable, in light of the expense, necessary to a proper job.
Respectfully submitted
ARMAND E. LAJOIE Civil Defense Director
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BOARD OF REGISTRARS
To the Board of Selectmen :
Number of registered voters January 1, 1965 973 Removed from voting list because of death or moved to other towns 59
Added to voting list by registration 68
Total number of registered voters January 1. 1966 982
Enrolled totals :
Republicans 436 Men 468
Democrats 96
Women 514
Independents 450
Any female who has married during the year must re-register in her married name as her maiden name is automatically removed from the voting list on January 1st following her marriage.
Meetings for registration of voters are held at stated times during the year. Notices for the meetings are posted in the Post Offices and the Town Hall and are also adver- tised in the newspapers. Residents may also register any week day, except Saturdays, at the office of the Town Clerk during regular office hours.
Respectfully Submitted,
AURORE V. KING, Charman ELEANOR P. MILLS CONSTANCE L. CUNNINGHAM Board of Registrars
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REPORT OF THE SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
To the Board of Selectmen :
The following is a conservative estimate of shellfish harvested in the Town of Eastham waters in 1965.
Quahaugs 7,000 Bushels
Clams 500 Bushels
Estimated value, $30,000.00
There were no scallops this year and very few mussels. One hundred twenty nine bushels of quahaugs were planted in the Salt Pond and River to supplement the natural supply in those areas.
Respectfully submitted, LLOYD A. MAYO Shellfish Constable
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REPORT OF THE VETERANS' AGENT
This has been an exceptionally busy year for the Veterans' Services Department of your Town and, in some cases. a relatively expensive one. Hospital rates, nursing home rates, the cost of drugs and medical care continue to increase as medical technology continues to succeed in staving off what used to be fatal illnesses and, through surgery, prolonging life-most worthy objectives, however costly. Thanks to a healthy economy, this has not been concurrent with high assistance outlays for either tem- porary or chronic unemployment. With the cooperation of local, state and federal agencies, many veterans and their dependents have been able to secure and hold gainful employment, thus easing the tax burden on all of us, in- chiding our veterans.
The year 1966 will see the start of what is popularly known as Medicare. It is too early to say what its effect will be but it is to be hoped that it will both ease the burden upon our towns and will substantially ease the problems of those veterans and others who are ill and over 65.
My thanks to the Selectmen and their staffs to State officials. and to the V. A. Personnel, and to the veterans who make every effort to help themselves and their fam- ilies. in the same spirit with which they served and now serve their country.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS P. BURLING Veterans' Agent
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WELFARE WORKER'S REPORT
To the Board of Selectmen:
During 1965 the cases under the different categories of assistance have not changed perceptively. In December of 1965 there were 21 cases under Old Age Assistance and this has not varied much in the past three years. Medical Assistance for the Aged varies from month to month. Disability Assistance has had the same number, 2 cases, for the past year. Previous to that there was only one case. Aid to Families with Dependent Children also varies more or less due to contributions from husbands and recipients earning their own income.
The amount expended for medicals in 1963 was $15,363.97 in 1964 was $20,602.43 and in 1965 was $25,986.45. This shows a decided increase in the cost of medicals due in good part to the increased daily rates in hospitals and nursing homes. These rates are due to increase in the com- ing year.
The amount of Social Security and Pensions received by Welfare Recipients amount to $16,431.00 yearly. This is taken from the grants and greatly aids in decreasing our Welfare expenditure.
Medicare is due to come into effect during 1966 and we shall see how much this decreases our Medical expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
DORRICE M. MAYO Welfare Worker
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Residents and Taxpayers of Eastham:
As its major project for 1965 the Board of Health has concentrated on methods to improve the operation of the Town Disposal area and to the control of vermin in this area.
To prevent wind-blown dispersal of light rubbish, fencing was erected at the rubbish dump. Different ar- rangements were tried and the one now in operation seems to be the most effective. Throughout the summer months systematic bulldozing and burning operations were carried on by the personnel of the Town Maintenance Department when their services could be spared from other operations. It would appear that there will be a need this coming summer for the services of a full time man. This man would be able to control areas of dumping, the destruction of combustibles and edible refuse and, in general, keep the area as tidy as one can expect the dump to be.
The vermin condition has been combated by poison, being distributed by the Board of Health, by shooting, and now by the services of a professional exterminator on a monthly fee basis. As there are, of course, many underground hide-outs for rats under the filled areas of the dump, it is extremely difficult to kill all of them. If the program of constant burning of edible refuse is carried out, this should rob the rats of their food supply and thus discourage them.
Investigation of trash disposal by the sanitary land fill system was made and it is felt that the cost of this
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method is probably more than the Town can afford. To stem off this expensive operation, funds are included in the Town Dump budget to provide for a new well and pump. This should better enable us to control burning, and also to wet down loose papers and so control them. We do appreciate the effort made by the townspeople and our summer visitors in helping keep the dump clean.
The brush dump has not presented any major problem this year. Dumping of junk cars has been prohibited in this and all other areas. As all deposits in the brush dump are combustible, the brush dump has been burned regu- larly and thus kept in good condition.
The Board of Health has also made a regular in- spection of proposed subdivisions in regard to sanitary disposal conditions and has issued permits for sewage dis- posal. and has authorized the Building Inspector to super- viso these installations.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT J. ERICKSON, Chairman LUTHER P. SMITH FRED G. LaPIANA, JR. Board of Health
Page 105
REPORT OF THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY HEALTH DEPT. 1965
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Eastham
I wish to submit this report of the Barnstable County Health Department for the year 1965.
This department in cooperation with the Barnstable County Associated Boards of Health, Barnstable District Medical Society, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Vaccination Project has initiated a county- wide immunization program against diseases for which reliable vaccines are available.
We are conducting an intensive educational program for the professionals and the community. We are recom- mending every family see their family doctor and get the necessary protection for each family member. There have been meetings for the professionals; radio, newspaper pub- licity and distribution of special educational materials through the schools and our local supermarkets for the community. Starting in September most all schools have offered the necessary and recommended booster immuni- zations to the entering fifth and tenth grade children. Some towns have offered tetanus immunization to the adults. The next step is to get all the pre-school children adequately protected. The objective of the Barnstable County Immunization Committee is to make adequate im- munization a part of each citizen's medical health super- vision.
In December, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has made available a limited supply of measles vaccine for needy children from 9 months through 5 years. The vaccine is stored in the Barnstable County Health Department and can be requested by the Boards of Health,
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Boards of Welfare, and Well Child Clinics for their needy children.
This department in cooperation with the Cape Cod Camp Fire Organization brought Dr. William Lynch, Bos- ton, an authority on family education, to meet with parents. This was a highly successful conference attended by some 250 parents from all over the County.
The coordinated effort of the Barnstable County Hos- pital, Barnstable County Public Health Association, Boards of Health, Public Health Nurses, and this department, has resulted in a successful and workable follow-up program in Tuberculosis Control.
Members of the staff continue to take an active part in community health activities. Mr. Decoteau and Mr. Tateosian have participated in the "Man Power Training" school for Cooks in Hyannis and special programs for cafeteria workers in the Bourne-Sandwich-Mashpee school union. Miss Howes is serving as Secretary to the Cape Cod Community Council. This is the organization recom- mended by the 1957-58 Harvard Survey of Barnstable County Health needs. Miss Susich is especially active on the professional advisory boards of the Barnstable County Mental Health Association, Homemaker's Service and Barnstable Council on Aging.
In order to do a good job we believe professional growth is essential for each worker. To attain this, it is necessary to keep abreast of all changes in the field of public health practice. The workers in this department have attended their professional association meetings and seminars, Massachusetts Public Health Association pro- grams, National Association Conventions for sanitarians and Public Health.
The county budget does not allow for out-of-state travel and the National Convention costs were taken care of by the individual staff members attending. Mr. Tateo- sian was privileged to attend a week's seminar in Cincin- nati. with all expenses paid by the Barnstable County
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Public Health Association. Miss Susich attended a three day seminar on "Communications in Public Health" con- dueted by Northeastern University and sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
I would be remiss not to share with you a concern for some outstanding needs :
1. The upgrading of salaries for all professional and office staff. The social worker vacancy has existed since August 1964 because of low salary. Qualified professional workers are in short supply and an adequate salary is an important requirement.
2. The need to interpret that the estimated popula- tion increases in Barnstable County will necessitate more qualified professional workers and properly trained and supervised aides in all phases of public health.
3. The need for extended preventive psychiatric ser- vices for children and a program for adults. Our adults must still travel to Boston for limited out-patient treatment.
4. The need for a social case work service for the family with social problems.
5. The need to prepare the community for the new medicare program for the senior citizens. We have much to learn and it is difficult to predict how we shall be affected.
November 15, 1965, Ruth Crocker Giovanazi resigned as Principal Clerk after 22 years and 4 months of devoted service.
Personnel as of December 31, 1965
Mary Susich R.N., B.S., M.P.H .- County Health Officer
Ruth Alvezi Junior Clerk and Stenographer
Alice Dalzell Public Health Dental Hygienist Leo Decoteau B.A., R.S., -- Public Health Sanitarian Rita DeSiata Senior Clerk and Stenographer Esther G. Howes R.N., M.N., M.S. B.A .-- Nursing
Education Director
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Gershen Rosenblum Ph.D .-- Clinical Psychologist (part time)
Richard Sturtevant B.S., R.S., M.Sc .-- Public Health Sanitarian
Edward H. Tateosian B.S., R.S .-- Public Health Sanitarian
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
During 1965 the department continued the inspection of all eating and drinking establishments and carried out laboratory tests in conjunction with the inspections. As predicted last year the number of eating establishments has increased and the work load is being felt by this de- partment especially during the summer months.
The Cape along with the rest of New England felt the effects of the current drought. Several instances occur- red where private wells went dry, and wells adjacent to salt water bays became saline. In most cases wells were either relocated or driven deeper in order to obtain water. Public water supplies experienced a shortage but in the most critical cases it was due to inadequate pumping and storage facilities.
With the rapid growth of this resort area we are putting extreme demands on our national resources. Motels, sub-divisions, restaurants and other facilities are even in- creasing, all putting a demand on the land for water and sewage disposal. Boards of Health should become more and more active in the planning and control of this develop- ment in order to prevent future public health problems. Once again we urge all Towns to consider a well planned land acquisition program for future water supply, sewage disposal and refuse disposal use.
Other activities in environmental sanitation included inspection of Day Care Centers, Recreational Camps, Fam- ily Type Camp Grounds, shellfish areas, bathing beaches, and related laboratory tests.
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NURSING SERVICE
This year current data on the qualifications and per- sonnel practices for public health nurses in Barnstable County has been reviewed in line with the "Recommended Employment Standards for Professional Nurses," a guide newly published by the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Proposed increases in salary scales and re-affirmation of their plans to employ qualified staff were made by two public health nurse agencies and help has been given to those agencies which have done cost studies.
Intensive orientation as to the role of the school nurse was given to two newly employed nurses who had not had previous preparation or experience. Contact has been made with three of the School Superintendents and with selectmen from three towns, and letters sent to some others, with respect to the role of the public health nurse and the need for continued growth and education.
Instruction has been given to public health nurses in the management of salmonellosis and in tuberculosis nurs- ing. As a co-chairman of the Nursing Services Directors Committee of Barnstable County, the planning and con- ducting of programs for registered nurses and for licensed practical nurses has centered on rehabilitation nursing and respiratory diseases. Through participation in Case Con- ferences, nurses in Eastham, Falmouth and Harwich are learning to strengthen their services and to work with other professional persons in complex family situations.
Some direct services continue to be given to patients and their families. Applications, appointments, and trans- portation arrangements, for the local clinic of the State Crippled Children's Program are handled. Many inquiries are received indicating the need for help from a social or health agency, situations are cleared with local agencies, and referrals made here and elsewhere. Home visits are made according to the need where there is no nursing service yet, such as in Brewster; these visits might be
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for premature home evaluations and for epidemiological follow-up.
A new responsibility this year has been to share in approving the Day Care Services; a part of this yearly inspection includes evaluation of plans for handling ill- ness and emergencies and the protection of children.
It is easy to see that many activities which are re- lated to nursing consume a great deal of time. The direct supervision of school and town nurses needs to be developed in a more organized manner with provisions for adequate planning and evaluating. This whole service is difficult to implement because of lack of direct line authority.
As a whole, the community needs to have a better understanding of the functions of a public health nurse in community health services.
DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICE
The year of 1965 was a busy one including both direct service and educational work. Due to the fast growing population of the schools, it was not possible to include quite as many of the towns in direct service. However, Just as many children received the topical fluoride appli- cation as in the past years.
The topical fluoride program was carried out in the towns of Orleans, Brewster, Chatham and Dennis. A toothbrushing pilot study was done in Barnstable in con- junction with the State Division of Dental Health and the Forsyth Dental Center. This consisted of a concentrated tooth brushing effort on a selected group of children to improve toothbrushing practices and oral hygiene stand- ards. The results were very gratifying and indicated that proper toothbrushing methods and education lowered the oral hygiene index considerably and might be one of the important methods of lowering the high caries incidence in children.
During the summer months, fluoride clinics were held in the towns of Orleans and Eastham for pre-school children who would be entering school in the fall. Well
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child Conferences were attended in Sandwich, Truro and Wellfleet. These clinics and conferences are important both from the educational standpoint and direct service. They offer the opportunity to contact the parent and to impress upon the parent the importance of the child visiting the dentist at an early age and the importance of good oral hygiene practices. Also during the summer months we participated in the program Head Start in the Barnstable School System.
Dental Health Week, February 7 through the 13th was devoted to dental health education of the public. It in- cluded radio interviews, newspaper articles, T.V. spot an- nouncements and classroom and assembly programs. Much of this education was carried on through the year.
In May of 1965, the hygienists on Cape Cod organized the Cape Cod District Hygienists' Association for the pur- pose of the following: to assist in promoting the art and science of dental hygiene, elevate and sustain the pro- fessional character and education of dental hygienists, promote mutual improvement, disseminate knowledge of oral hygiene; enlighten and direct public opinion in rela- tion to oral hygiene and dental prophylaxis and to safe- guard the common interest of the dental profession.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
ADMINISTRATIVE
Miles Travelled
54,355
Individuals Interviewed 2,458
Meetings Attended
551
Lectures and Talks
31
Attendance 839
IMMUNIZATIONS
Smallpox Vaccination
129
Diphtheria Immunizations
208
Tetanus Immunizations
224
Pertussis Immunizations
208
Poliomyelitis Trivalent Vaccine
804
Flu Immunizations
127
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INFANT AND SCHOOL HYGIENE
Inspections by Dental Hygienist 887
Children Given Fluorine Prophylaxis 765
Total Fluorine Treatments 765
Tooth Brushing Program
172
Oral Hygiene Index
227
Weighing and Measuring
101
Program Head Start (Visits) 2
Hearing Testing
164
Vision Testing 117
CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Individuals Admitted to Nursing Service 264
Visits to Crippled Children's Clinic 542
GENERAL SANITATION
New Premises Registered for Supervision
Water Supplies, Sewage Nuisances
726
Camps
38
Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches Housing
15
Field Visits
Water Supplies
616
Sewage Disposal
754
Schools
17
Camps
42
Rodent Control
8
Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches
95
Housing
13
Subdivisions
11
Day Care
25
New Establishments Registered for Supervision
Restaurants
521
Markets
52
Dairy Farms
2
Pasteurizing Plants
2
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102
Field Visits Restaurants 1172
Laboratory Specimens
Water Supplies (Bacteriological) 472
Water Supplies (Chemical) 258
Swimming Pool Waters
2
Bathing Beach Waters
192
Food Handling Utensils
767
CASES OF REPORTABLE DISEASES
Animal Bites
326
Chicken Pox
92
Encephalitis, Infectious
1
German Measles
25
Measles
124
Mumps
21
Salmonella Infections
2
Scarlet Fever
3
Gonorrhea 19
Syphilis 21
Respectfully submitted,
MARY SUSICH
County Health Officer
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REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION
To the Board of Selectmen :
Our Summer Recreation Program, as usual, was very successful under the guidance of Mr. Leo Miller, Director and Miss Gail Strathdee, his assistant.
The attendance this past year showed a decrease of 31 children. The decrease shows in the number of summer visitors that registered at the playground. As always dur- ing the month of July the attendance ran high with the girls averaging 28-30 every day and the boys averaging 40 a day. A slight decrease in attendance was apparent in August. The total children attending the summer play- ground was 78 boys and 69 girls.
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