Town of Newton annual report 1882-1883, Part 7

Author: Newton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Newton (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 836


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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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