USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1882-1883 > Part 7
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George McQuesten & Co., lumber,
1,161 30
J. G. & N. G. Gooch,
287 61
Chapman Valve Man'f'g Co., valves, etc.,
670 25
Chadwick Lead Works, lead,
665 59
Boston & Albany Railroad, freight,
743 54
New York & New England Railroad, freight, 66 27
Waldo Bros., cement,
533 75
Smith & Glidden, brick,
501 25
John Cavanagh & Son, labor,
461 69
City Iron Foundry and Chain Works, . gate boxes, etc., 403 18
Estate of S. Goddard, land, 292 50
George A. Goodyear, powder and fuse,
191 75
Amounts carried forward, $37,601 22
$870,813 73
92
Amounts brought forward, $37,601 22 $870,813 73
Benj. S. Grush, services, etc., 174 50
E. Smead & Co., grain, 139 29
The Oakes Man'f'g Co., drinking foun- tains, 100 00
Kendall & Roberts, material and labor,
304 17
The Pettee Machine Works, material and labor, 149 56
Charles Scott, material and labor,
96 45
Milo Lucas, 66
40 40
M. S. Hodgson,
66
25 77
R. Curry,
15 50
J. D. Billings, 66 66
15 03
Isaac Smith, 66
66
6 00
P. Y. Hoseason, 66 66
4 00
A. B. Sparrow,
3 38
Timothy Stuart, labor, men and teams, 262 66
James E. Cahill, 66 66
5 25
F. H. Hunting, expressage, 27 15
F. Jones Express,
21 82
C. G. Perry, 66
3 30
A. F. Noyes, sundry cash expenses,
22 38
H. N. Hyde, Jr., “
4 30
Pulsometer Steam Pump Co., use of pump,
87 00 .
Hall Rubber Co., rubber boots,
37 68
W. J. Condon, tests, etc., 30 75
Thomas Mckinley, services inspecting pipe, 20 00
F. E. Hamblin, drain pipe, 19 03
Simpson Bros., concreting,
16 50
N. & W. Gas Light Co., coke,
15 00
Thomos Croker, labor, 10 00
James Hennesey, sand screen,
8 50
Dalton & Ingersoll, force pump,
7 00
Speare, Gregory & Co., oil,
6 56
Amounts carried forward,
$39,280 15
$870,813 73
93
Amounts brought forward, $39,280 15
$870,813 73
J. R. Mclaughlin, care of sick horse, 5 00
F. L. Thayer, prof. services, 3 00
Mrs. P. Sullivan, meals for laborers, 3 00
M. Hewitt, blacksmithing,
128 07
J. C. Farrar,
110 37
J. E. Keegan, 66
81 87
C. A. Cole, 66
63 16
A. Danforth, Agt., 66
56 44
J. McFadden, 66
44 58
P. A. Murray, 66
26 00
A. Peters, 66
23 57
B. F. Barlow, 66
11 99
Thomas Belger, 66
8 04
D. Harrington & Son, use of teams, 59 00
Stephen F. Cate, use of teams,
17 50
G. W. Bush,
6 00
Nonantum Stables,
4 00
G. M. Cooledge, hay,
23 99
R. M. Flint, 66
15 28
Conrad Decker,
12 60
John A. Newell,
12 27
A. R. Eaton, 66
8 47
G. W. & F. Smith, Iron Foundry, sup- plies, 110 82
Dodge, Gilbert & Co.,
supplies,
80 98
Henry N. Stone,
80 40
Parker & Gannett,
69 52
Howe & French,
66
63 44
T. J. Hartnett,
66
34 20
Sewall & Day Cordage Co.,
66
33 92
Boston Belting Co.,
66
29 28
G. Wadleigh,
23 44
Gould Packing Co.,
66
19 20
Jenkins Bros.,
66
18 38
L. N. Hatch,
66
17 45
Amounts carried forward,
$40,585 38
$870,813 73
94
Amounts brought forward, $40,585 38 $870,813 73 The American Fire Hose Man'f'g Co., supplies, 15 44
Joseph F. Paul,
supplies, 15 00
H. R. Worthington,
14 50
A. J. Wilkinson & Co.,
66
14 25
C. W. Morehouse,
6.
14 16
Bakers & Humphrey,
66
12 88
A. B. Franklin,
66
11 86
Chas. W. Traner & Co.,
66
9 75
Sabin & Page,
66
9 25
B. Billings,
66
7 50
Samuel May & Co.,
66
6 42
O. B. Leavitt,
66
4 40
Thomas C. Lothrop,
66
4 32
C. F. Eddy & Co.,
66
3 05
Sundry small bills,
19 03
Total, as per item No. 46 of expenses, $40,756 14
RECEIVED.
Rec'd from Warren Foun- dry and Machine Co., amount paid Boston & Albany Railroad,freight on iron pipe, $297 98
Rec'd from Warren Foun- dry and Machine Co., for overcharge on iron pipe, 75 00
Rec'd from Walworth M'f'g
Co., refund on bill of supplies, 7 24
Total, as per item No. 36 of receipts, 380 22
40,375 92
Total expenditure to Dec. 31, 1882,
$911,189 65
66
8 95
A. S. Morss,
95
SCHEDULE OF CITY PROPERTY, REAL AND PERSONAL.
Almshouse Department.
70 acres of land,
Buildings,
$7,000 00 8,000 00
Personal Property,
3,947 35
$18,947 35
' City Hall Department.
City Hall, furniture and fixtures, $50,000 00
City seal, 25 00
City stamps, 35 00
Reports, statutes and special laws,
300 00
Set of standard weights and meas-
ures,
100 00
Record books,
200 00
Book-cases, maps, etc.,
500 00
51,160 00
Cemetery Department.
Land in Newton Cemetery,
$2,000 00
Tomb,
800 00
2,800 00
City Engineering Department.
Two transits, $150 each,
$300 00
Three 100
300 00
Two levels, 120
240 00
Draughting materials,
126 00
Surveying
66
48 00
Tools,
12 00
Horse, wagon, etc.,
350 00
1,376 00
Amount carried forward,
$74,283 35
96
Amount brought forward, $74,283 35
Fire Department.
Steam Fire Engine House, No. 1 Engine
and apparatus, horses, furniture, stable and land, $19,000 00
Steam Fire Engine House,No. 2 Engine, apparatus, horses, land, etc., 25,000 00
Steam Fire Engine House,No. 3 Engine, apparatus, horses, furniture, stable, land, etc., 25,000 00
Hook & Ladder House, stable, land, horses, truck, reel, hose, etc., 22,000 00
Hose Station No. 5, stable, horse, hose, reel, etc., Auburndale, 6,400 00
Hose Station No. 6, stable, horse, hose, reel, etc., Lower Falls, 8,400 00
Hose Station No. 7, hose carriage, horse, hose, etc., Upper Falls, 7,000 00
Fire Alarm Telegraph, including team, etc., 20,000 00
132,800 00
Free Library Department.
Newton Free Library, building and
land,
$42,000 00
Books,
10,000 00
52,000 00
Gravel and Gravel Lands.
Land on Jewett Street, Ward 1, $2,000 00
66 California Street,
1, 6,600 00
66 66 Crafts Street, 2, 500 00
66 Chapel Street,
66
2, 100 00
66 Watertown Street, 2, 1,000 00
Amounts carried forward,
$10,200 00
$259,083 35
97
Amounts brought forward, Land on Faxon Street, 66 66
$10,200 00
$259,083 35
25,750 00
Highway Department.
1 steam road roller,
$6,000 00
21 cart horses, $225,
4,725 00
3 horses, $100,
300 00
2 horses for Superintendent of Streets,
375 00
25 double and single carts,
2,500 00
43 harnesses,
850 00
4 double sleds, $200,
800 00
2 stone crushers and houses,
4,000 00
2 stone wagons, wagon, carriage and sleigh, 525 00
Tools, chains, derricks, blankets, etc., 1 road scraper,
1,600 00
150 00
21,825 00
Lighting Department.
For 1,180 posts, lanterns, burners, etc., $10,
11,800 00
Amount carried forward,
$318,458 35
66
Walnut Street,
6,
300 00
Elliot Street,
66
5, 500 00
66
Parker Street, 66
5, 250 00
Land East of Oak Street,
Ward 5,
1,200 00
Land on Willow and Centre Streets, Ward 6,
500 00
Land on Florence Street,
Ward' 5,
800 00
Beacon Street,
"
6, 200 00
66 Homer Street,
"
6, 5,000 00
66
66
3, 2,000 00
66
60 66
66
3,
550 00
Gravel on Washington Street,
66
4, 1,000 00
66
66
4,
Ward 2,
200 00
2, 200 00
Auburndale Avenue,
Pine Street,
66
3, 1,200 00
3, 250 00
66
1,400 00
98
Amount brought forward,
$318,458 35
Police Department.
Station-house, building and land, North
Village, $4,000 00 50 00
Furniture and bedding,
1,050 00
Lock-up, furniture and bedding, Ward 1, 66
6, 1,575 00
Wagon and harness, 150 00
Horse, saddle and bridle,
200 00
125 00
15 pairs handcuffs, $3.75, 56 25
13 clubs, $2,
26 00
6 lanterns, $2.50,
15 00
16 badges,
100 00
15 parade clubs and belts, $3.50,
52 50
Blankets, 50 00
50 00
Furniture in station at City Hall,
75 00
7,574 75
School Department.
High School b'ld'gs, furniture and land, $57,000 00 Mason School-house, 66
49,100 00
Hyde
66
22,000 00
Prospect 66
66
66
6,000 00
Oak Hill,
66
12,000 00
Hamilton, 66
66
66 28,000 00
· Williams, 66
66
66 27,000 00
Pierce, 66
66
66
32,000 00
Davis, 66
66
66
13,000 00
Franklin 66
66
15,000 00
Claflin
66
66
66
31,900 00
Adams
6
66
22,000 00
Amounts carried forward,
$345,000 00
$326,032 80
Record books,
30,000 00
Prospect " No. 2, 66
99
Amounts brought forward, $345,000 00 Bigelow School-house, furniture and land, 34,000 00
$326,033 10
Underwood 66 66
24,000 00
Lincoln 66 ‹: 66 5,500 00
Jackson 66
14,000 00
School apparatus,
5,000 00
School-house lot on Pearl Street,
2,000 00
429,500 00
Water Department.
Building for pipe fittings, etc., stable and land, 3,500 00
3 horses, wagons, harness, etc., 500 00
$759,533 10
For cost of Water Works, see Water Construction Account.
9
Table Showing the Number of Polls, Real and Personal Estate of the City, Amount of Tax, Rate Per Cent., Appropriations, Etc., for Twenty-Two Years.
A. D.
Polls.
Real Estate.
Per- onal.
Total.
City, State and County Tax.
Rate.
Appropriations.
Houses.
1861.
2,056
$5,644,285 00'
$1,955,835 00
$7,600,120 00
$57,804 88
$7 20
$47,500 00
1,330
1862.
1,989
5,476,805 00
2,495,821 00
7,922,620 00
56,599 17
6 60
35,000 00
1,374
1863.
1,911
5,504,367 00
2,988,195 00
8,492,562 00
64,968 65
7 20
40,000 00
1,399
1864.
2,046
5,637,755 00
2,309,021 00
7,946,776 00
78,000 55
9 50
52,500 00
1,421
1865.
2,118
5,756,185 00
3,390,075 00
9,146,260 00
113,991 12
12 00
60,000. 00
1,438
1866.
2,297
6,394,835 00
4,560,724 00
10,955,559 00
114,149 59
10 00
75,000 00
1,491
1867.
2,438
7,227,285 00
4,995,127 00
12,222,412 00
153,990 88
12 20
95,000 00
1,552
1868.
2,736
9,104,567 00
5,366,602 00
14,441,169 00
193,208 88
13 00
160,000 00
1,671
1869.
2,937
10.288,610 00
5,634,266 00
15,922,876 00
188,990 46
11 50
150,000 00
1,826
1870.
3,055
11,407,070 00
6,330,922 00
17,737,992 00
222,514 71
12 20
185,000 00
2,077
1872.
3,420
15,792,950 00
8,463,904 00
24,256,854 00
334,314 87
13 50
291,050 00
2,392
1873.
3,659
18,446,275 00
7,537,775 00
25,984,050 00
384,089 84
14 50
333,300 00
2,523
1874.
3,917
20,032,800 00
8,048,645 00
28,081,445 00
372,893 53
13 00
320,000 00
2,657
1875.
4,089
21,073,495 00
7,882,374 00
28,955,869 00
399,085 46
13 50
351,000 00
2,876
1876.
4,334
21,128,120 00
7,072,845 00
28,200,965 00
392,201 13
13 60
350,004 99
3,004
1877.
4,045
20,007,025 00
6,627,488 00
26,634,513 . 00
370,319 38
13 60
402,200 00
3,057
1878.
3,882
18,604,105 00
6,408,825 00
25,012,930 00
352,942 43
13 80
378,400 00
3,150
1879.
4,010
17,456,655 00
6,330,697 00
23,787,352 00
326,959 64
13 40
367,850
00
3,178
1880.
4,132
17,718,270 00
7,481,830 00
25,200,100 00
361,139 40
14 00
388,525 00
3,214
1881.
4,336
18,238,510 00
8,169,763 00
26,408,273 00
379,434 18
14 00
416,505 00
3,257
1882.
4,502
18,930,485 00
7,450,233 00
26,380,718 00
383,633 00
14 20
423,930 00
3,310
1871.
3,199
12,770,420 00
6,615,593
00
19,386,013 00
223,521 32
11 20
185,000 00
2,220
100
101
TABLE
Showing Amount Paid for Support of Poor Out of Almshouse from 1851 to 1882, Inclusive.
1851
$138 56
1867
$1,268 08
1852
104 94
1868
1,464 53
1853
45 70
1869
.
2,019 28
1854
38 10
1870
2,197 41
1855
73 63
1871
3,713 39 .
1856.
135 49
1872
2,884 79 .
1857
204 96
1873
3,066 59
1858
387 61
1874
3,895 51
1859
358 25
1875
5,553 79
1860
500 81
1876
9,336 14
1861
757 14
1877
10,259 57
1862
781 50
1878
8,284 10
1863
632 27
1879
8,246 42
1864
605 02
1880
.
6,455 80
1865
870 77
1881
6,808 75
1866
643 72
1882
7,933 57
SALARIES OF CITY OFFICERS, 1883.
Mayor,
$1,000 00
City Clerk,*
2,000 00
City Treasurer and Collector,
2,700 00
Assistant Treasurer and Deputy Collector,
900 00
City Auditor,
2,000 00
City Solicitor,
1,000 00
Chairman of Assessors,
1,200 00
Two Assessors, each,
750 00
Assistant Assessors, each per day,
4 00
City Messenger,
1,100 00
Clerk of Common Council,
200 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
75 00
.
* After April 1, $1,800.
102
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Superintendent of Streets, two horses and carriage furnished, $1,400 00
City Engineer,
2,000 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chief of Department, team furnished, $1,400 00
Assistant Chief, 300 00
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph,
1,000 00
Three Engineers of Steamers, each,
950 00
Four Drivers of Steamers and Hook and Ladder Co., each, 750 00
Eight Foremen of Steamers and Hook and Ladder and Hose Co., each, 90 00
Eight Assistant Foremen and Clerks of Steamers and Hook and Ladder and Hose Co., each,
75 00
Fifty-eight hosemen and laddermen, each, 70 00
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
City Marshal, team furnished, $1,300 00
Sergeant of Police,
1,000 00
Two mounted policemen, each,
900 00
Ten policemen, each,
900 00
One policeman, 825 00
One policeman,
750 00
First year of service,
750 00
Second year of service,
825 00
Third and subsequent years,
900 00
103
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Seven Overseers of Poor, each,
$50 00
City Almoner and Clerk of Board,
700 00
Warden of Almshouse, 600 00
WATER DEPARTMENT.
Water Registrar, $1,800 00
Superintendent of Water Works, team furnished, 1,500 00
Inspector of Meters and Fixtures,
1,050 00
Engineer at Pumping Station, with house rent,
1,200 00
Fireman and Watchman, Pumping Station, with
house rent, 600 00
SCHOOLS.
Superintendent,
$2,700 00
One teacher,
2,800 00
Four teachers, at $1,900,
7,600 00
One teacher,
2,000 00
Three teachers, at $1,800,
5,400 00
Three teachers, at $1,500,
4,500 00
One teacher,
800 00
Three teachers, at $1,000,
3,000 00
One teacher,
950 00
One teacher,
900 00
Twelve teachers, at $750,
9,000 00
Forty teachers, at $600,
24,000 00
One teacher,
550 00
Five teachers, at $500,
2,500 00
One teacher,
400 00
Two teachers, at $300,
600 00
One teacher, 200 00
Secretary of School Committee,
300 00
104
Janitors.
One Janitor,
$650 00
626 00
540 00
66
425 00
400 00
66
300 00
275 00
Two Janitors, at $240,
480 00
One Janitor,
216 00
120 00
Two Janitors, at $96,
192 00
LIBRARY.
Librarian,
$1,000 00
Assistant Librarian,
600 00
Three assistants, each $400,
1,200 00
Janitor,
800 00
105
THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN NEWTON FOR THE YEAR 1882, are as follows : -
Births, 411
Marriages, 184
Deaths, 259
OVERSEERS' REPORT. 1882.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWTON, THE BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR RESPECTFULLY SUBMITS ITS ANNUAL REPORT.
The work of the department has been carried forward under the same general system as in previous years.
The year has been one of general business prosperity, with work during a large part of it for all who desired it.
The winter months bring the usual scarcity of out-door work, and the usual calls, both from the improvident who have not in summer laid up for winter, and also from those who are not able thus to provide.
With no prevailing sickness, there has been no unusual call for public aid. The ordinary calls for temporary aid have been some- what in excess of last year, and the current expenses, at the Insane Hospitals have been increased, notwithstanding the fact that some patients have been transferred from them to our Almshouse.
A large proportion of the outside temporary aid is called for by the families of widows and of those deserted by the father. These, in some cases, earn by their labor a considerable part of their sup- port, while in others they are able to do but little, and consequently draw heavily from the city.
The increased cost of most of the necessaries of life has caused an advance in the current expenses of the department during the year. It is always difficult to keep the amount of expense at a satis- factory figure, and at the same time to meet the demands of a just and humane policy. The lowest figure in expense is not the high- est aim of the Board. The aim is rather to promote the highest interests of the wards of the City without unreasonable expense on the one hand, or a parsimonious administration on the other.
Correspondence has been held with the superintendents of the several Insane Hospitals with reference to transferring to Newton
110
Almshouse such of our insane as they could recommend for removal. Taking only such as they have advised, we have transferred these, and shall continue this policy in the future so far as seems desirable.
The whole amount appropriated by the City Council for this department for the year 1882, was as follows :
Poor out of Almshouse, $7,500 00
Almshouse expenses and repairs,
3,500 00
Enlargement of Almshouse,
4,000 00
Additional and transfer,
900 00
Total, $15,900 00
The whole number of persons relieved out of Alms- house during the year, 355
220
Having settlement in other cities and towns,
63
Having no settlement,
72
The whole amount expended for relief of Poor out of Almshouse for the year is as follows :
Cash payments,
$491 38
Groceries,
1,541 89
Fuel,
972 81
Clothing,
14 14
Board,
276 03
Medical attendance,
341 25
Medicine,
100 99
Burials,
113 00
Feeding travellers,
45 40
Support of insane,
2,105 12
Paid other cities and towns,
861 56
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
20 00
Salary of Clerk and Almoner,
700 00
Salaries of Overseers,
350 00
Total expenditures,
$7,933 57
Receipts from the State, other cities and towns,
and friends of the relieved,
1,314 88
Net cost of Poor Out of Almshouse,
$6,618 69
Amount of appropriation,
$7,500 00
Balance of appropriation unexpended, net,
$881 31
Having legal settlement in Newton,
111
At a full meeting of the Board of Overseers held at the Alms- house March 7, 1882, after a general discussion of the condition and wants of the Almshouse department, the following vote was passed : " Voted, That the clerk cause an order to be introduced at the next meeting of the Common Council for an appropriation of $4,000, to be applied to the enlargement and repair of the Alms- house, and that he at that meeting give all necessary information and reasons for the appropriation." An order in accordance with this vote was introduced, and was passed by the City Council. Subsequent committees procured plans and specifications, and pro- ceeded with the work, which was completed in July.
The enlargement consists of an addition of two stories in height on the back of the building, extending its entire length of 100 feet, and 14 feet in width. This gives 14 feet additional length to the dining room and kitchen, an enlarged pantry and store room, and an enlarged and sunny men's sitting room. There are also hospi- tal rooms, a separation between the men's and women's apartments, and an entire rearrangement of bed rooms, giving a large propor- tion of single rooms.
The arrangement now consists of 18 small and 8 large bed rooms, 4 square hospital rooms, 1 cell room, men's sitting room, bath room, and enlarged pantry, kitchen, and dining room. The latter is also a commodious and useful apartment for religious meetings, which are held here during the summer, with preaching by the several pastors of the city.
The Warden's apartments remain as before with the exception of repairs. Rooms for bathing and water closet are reserved in this part but not yet furnished.
The building enlarged would have required a new furnace in con- nection with the two old ones, both of which needed repairs. As very favorable figures were secured for the enlargement, it was found that steam heating apparatus could be put in and be covered by the appropriation for enlargement. Consequently the old fur- naces were taken out, and steam works were put in by Mr. F. W. Foster of 90 Friend street, Boston. These works prove entirely satisfactory and most acceptable to the Warden's family, and to the inmates. The liability to accidental fires is greatly lessened by this change. The enlargement of the house was made in a sub- stantial and acceptable manner by Mr. Milo Lucas of West Newton.
112
In enlarging the house it was found necessary to move the wash house. This has been put in good order, furnaces rebuilt, cement floor laid, and good drain. These repairs would have been neces- sary if the building had not been moved. It became necessary also to remove a part of the long shed in the rear of the house. This has been attached to the barn, making a convenient wagon and store shed. The ample cellar gives a large wood room and the remainder is divided and used for meat, milk, fruit, vegetable, and boiler rooms.
A line of main water pipe has been laid from the street to the space in front of the house, where a hydrant is placed. This, with 200 feet of hose always attached and ready to run out, it is hoped, will render effective service in the earliest moments of a fire on the premises, should we be so unfortunate as to have such a visitation.
The barn is yearly filled to its full capacity, and it may soon be found necessary to extend it or dispose of a part of the hay crop in the field.
The business of the house and farm has been conducted with the usual efficiency and success by the Warden and his wife, with the aid of their son.
The inmates have enjoyed good general health, which testifies to the careful and proper treatment which they receive.
Single iron bedsteads have taken the place of the old and worn out wooden ones to a considerable extent.
The work of general repairs, which of necessity came in connec- tion with the enlargement, has caused the item for Almshouse expenses and repairs to exceed the appropriation, which was the same as in former years. There has been added to the equipment of the farm, a horse, cow, express wagon and hay tedder.
The drought of the summer prevented the receipts making as good a showing as was anticipated in the early part of the season, yet they are considerably in excess of the previous year.
The house and farm in their present condition and good man- agement deserve a visit from citizens interested in this department of City work. The house now is such in capacity and equipment that the Board can, as occasion requires, refuse aid excepting at the Almshouse. It has been impracticable in the past, from lack of accommodations, to do this in many cases where it seemed
113
desirable. Although the comforts at the Almshouse are complete, a refusal to aid except there, proves in many cases an end of calls for aid.
The whole number cared for at the Almshouse during all or part of the year is
52
Present number,
30
Average number for the year,
28
The whole amount appropriated for Almshouse expenses and repairs was $3,500 00
For enlargement of Almshouse,
4,000 00
Additional for repairs,
600 00
Transferred from Almshouse receipts,
300 00
Total appropriation and transfer,
$8,400 00
Expense and repairs with enlargement, 8,390 83
Balance unexpended,
$9 17
Amount received from sales of produce, wood,
board, etc.,
$1,843 51
Transferred to expenses and repairs,
300 00
Amount less transfer,
$1,543 51
Receipts deducted from whole expense,
$6,847 32
Net cost of poor out of Almshouse,
6,618 69
Total cost of Poor Department for the year, net, $13,466 01
Total appropriation with transfer for Poor Department,
$15,900 00
Unexpended balance of whole appropriation, net, $2,433 99
For the Overseers of the Poor,
NATHAN MOSMAN, Clerk.
February 1, 1883.
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT. 1882.
10
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER.
OFFICE OF THE HEALTH OFFICER, WEST NEWTON, Feb. 1, 1883.
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH :
Gentlemen :- The City has been highly favored during the past year by the absence of any general or prevailing sickness. Of diseases classed as dangerous to public health, only scattered and isolated cases have been reported. This must be attributed in part, at least, to favorable climatic influences ; for sources of danger still exist, and in an unfavorable season are liable to make a much larger showing in reported cases of sickness. A systematic inspection of the City would doubtless reveal the fact that danger often exists which is not reported to the Board of Health, and therefore not corrected.
The work of the Department opens an unlimited field for effort when in the judgment of the Board the time shall have arrived for enlarged operations and increased expense. The claim of danger to public health arising from imperfect or wrong sanitary arrange- ments is not theoretical and imaginary, but an existing reality wher- ever human beings dwell, and Newton is not an exception to the rule.
Work for arresting and preventing sickness in this direction will be always ready and endless. There are, no doubt, many dan- gerous wells still used for domestic purposes which should be dis- continued, but which can only be proved unsafe by chemical analysis. This, on a general scale, would involve large expense. The introduction of Newton water into dwellings should be urged in all practicable ways. So far as pure water is carried into houses for domestic uses, so far to a large extent is health and life insur- ance carried with it.
There is neglect in care of premises, and of sanitary laws con- cerning ventilation, drainage and plumbing ; also in the care of cesspools and privy vaults, which, in the ordinary workings of nature, will cause sickness, and often of obstinate and incurable character.
NEWION
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A large part of the City is of old construction, and, with its mistakes, is a legacy to the present generation that will require constant watching and working to control and keep in safe con- dition. Reported cases of unsafe premises and of dangerous diseases receive attention, and much discomfort and sickness is doubtless prevented by the operations of the Board.
In the early part of the year 1881, there were many cases of diphtheria reported from the tenement houses of the Newton Mills Corporation at Upper Falls. An examination showed the sanitary condition of the whole tenement property to be bad. The ground water was near the surface, being abundant in the shallow wells which were used as the common water supply. The privy vaults, probably well built originally, had become old and leaky. The house drainage had filled the soil to a large extent, so that by these several causes the springs, doubtless excellent originally, had, by fifty years' occupancy of the premises, become badly contami- nated, and unfit for domestic use.
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