USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1909 > Part 5
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The houses of Hose 3 and 4 ought to be painted on the outside this year ; also the house of Hose 2 on the inside.
We would recommend a pung for Hose No. 4.
The battery to the fire alarm system will have to be renewed this year.
We would recommend a fire alarm box at the corner of Tem- ple street and Summer avenue, which would cover a large amount of property which is not covered now.
85
In conclusion, we would thank the members of the Department and all who have in any way assisted the Department the past year, and especially the Boston & Northern Street Railway Co. for the free use of the current for charging the storage battery.
F. G. NICHOLS, Chief, 0. 0. ORDWAY, First Ass't, A. G. NICHOLS, Sec'y, Board of Engineers.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FIRES FOR THE YEAR 1909
Date
Box
Time
Owner
Occupant
Loss on Building
Ins. on Building
Ins. Paid
Loss on Ins. on Cont'ts
Ins. Paid
Cause
Jan.
1
24
5.00 a m
Jan.
1
45
· 10.09 pm
Jan.
8
Still
4.00 p m
Mrs. Higgins . . W. F. Goodale
W. F. Goodale.
$3,000 00
$44 00
Jan.
17
41
6.50 p m
Feb.
14
68
12.40 a m
M. E. Brande.
Mar.
5
63
7.12 pm
Congregational Society. .. Boston & Maine R. R.
None
Mar. 15
15
7.45 pm
George Gregory
$200 00
None
None
None
Mar. 18
32
8.30 a m
Mar.
19
64
[11.30 a m
Grass .
Mar.
19
18
5.45 p m
Grass .
Mar. Mar.
30
27
12.15 p m
Town of Reading.
Town of Reading
$1,500 00
$1,000 00
$1,000 00
31
33
11.15 p m
Apr.
1
23
11.35 a m
Apr.
5
33
3.30 pm
Apr.
6
38
12.05 p m .
Grass .
Apr. 6 Still
1.30 p m
Apr.
7
Still
3.30 pm
Brush
Apr.
7
48
4.40 p m .
Rail Road .
Apr. 12
33
1.30 p m
Apr. 12
35
4.30 p m
.
May 25
Still
6.45 pm
June 17
33
pm
None
None
June 26
32
12.03 p m
June 30
33
12.55 p m
July
5
38
1.00 a m
Chimney .
Aug. 16
61
6.35 pm
Charlotte Nokes.
Mrs. George Abbott
$225 00
$2,100 00
$225 00
$30 00
$1000 00
$30 00 Overheated Chimney
Sept. 13
64
4.48 pm
Nov.
9
33
2.23 a m
Mrs. Harriet Hartshorn ..
Grass ..
Nov. 20
46
5.45 pm
Dec. Dec.
5
28
6.50 p m 8.12 p m
E. H. Eames
None
None
Chimney False Alarm Chimney .
Dec. 31
Still
Frederick Bancroft
.
.
.
#
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
Brush
Rail Road Sleepers .
.
False Alarm ... Spark from Chimney False Alarm.
False Alarm.
None
None
None
None
Chimney ....
5
37
None
None
$387 00 Overheated Stove ... Oil Stove . $13 89 Spark from Chimney $33 00 Overheated Chimney
Martha Pippin
$420 00 Nonc None $44 00
$2,000 00
$420 00
$387 00 $1500 00 None $13 89 $33 00
$500 00 $1000 00
$1000 00
$87 00 Lamp Explosion ..
Rosa Cuneo
None
Congregational Society. .. $19,000 00 $16,000 00 $16,000 00
$3800 00 $4000 00 None
$35,000 Unknown
Mar. 12
Still
Overheated Stove. .. Grass .. . Unknown Grass .
Unknown .
Grass. Grass. Brush
.
#
Brush
....
$87 00
Cont'ts
George A. Bacon
Charles J. McIntire .
M. C. Morse .
Isaac Wyman
Grace J. Abbott ..
.
87
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation $5,500 00
Amount received from bill overpaid 93
Amount received from telephone tolls . 85
EXPENDED
F. G. Nichols, salary, chief engineer, 1909 $99 99
O. O. Ordway, salary, engineer, 1909 75 00
O. O. Ordway, repairs . 10 85
A. G. Nichols, salary, engineer, 1909 .
75 00
A. G. Nichols, salary, clerk, 1909 10 00
L. T. Eames, salary, engineer Steamer No. 1, to October 1, 1909 20 73
L. T. Eames, labor
1 00
M. J. Shannon, salary, assistant engineer, 1909
100 00
E. H. Crowe, Steward and Captain Hook and Ladder No. 1, 1909 .
120 00
E. H. Crowe, labor
2 25
Charles H. Heselton, steward, Hose No. 2, and extra labor, 1909 65 50
David Weston, steward, Hose No. 4, 1908 and 1909 60 00
Parker Nichols, steward, Hose No. 3, 1909 . 30 00
Parker Nichols, horse service, 1909 50 00
Geo. A. Shackford, horse service, 1909
64 39
H. G. Stock, horse service, 1909 .
517 45
John Stock, horse service, 1909 . 245 91
Geo. B. Griffiths, horse service, 1909 8 00
E. P. Bancroft, horse service and storage, 1909 89 50
Geo. F. Blanchard, horse service, 1909 42 50
Wm. C. McKinley, horse service, 1909 47 50
Chas. J. Haag, services as fireman, December 1, 1908, to November 30, 1909 60 25
Chas. J. Haag 27 50
Chas. C. Wright, services as fireman, 1909 . 20 82
88
A. E. Merrill, services as fireman, 1909 $37 50
J. F. Kenney, services as fireman, 1909 16 66
F. W. Davis, services as fireman . 37 50
C. C. Goodwin, services as fireman, 1909 16 66
C. C. Goodwin, labor 3 00
Chas. Storey, services as fireman, 1909 16 66
Geo. Baxter, services as fireman, 1909 20 00
Jos. Logan, services as fireman, 1909 30 00
J. J. O'Brien, services as fireman, 1909 25 00
H. L. Eames, services as fireman, 1909
30 00
H. L. Eames, labor
3 50
Webster Eames, services as fireman, 1909
8 33
A. W. Ells, services as fireman, 1909 41 66
F. B. Hunt, labor 2 00
L. W. Jordan, labor
2 00
International Power Co., labor and supplies
for engine . 158 00
Municipal Light Board
42 32
C. L. Martin Co. 37 15
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
50 12
W. Bancroft & Co.
58 77
Edwin C. Lewis, Inc.
8 92
A. E. Batchelder
2 50
Francis Bros.
4 61
F. H. Parker & Sons
2 43
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
5 00
W. F. Cook
4 00
J. J. Cameron
2 20
Boston Coupling Co.
4 63
J. J. Hogan
4 30
W. S. Cash & Co.
8 00
H. H. Esterbrook
1 50
T. C. Fife
29 45
H. K. Barnes
1 50
Charles Sullivan
8 00
F. Wallace
7 40
89
J. W. Austin
$ 9 45
Mrs. M. E. Brown
1 00
Reading Water Works
9 00
Charles H. Stinchfield
2 00
George H. Atkinson Co.
60
American Express Co.
50
Merrimac Chemical Co.
3 00
William H. Wightman
31 00
Pay roll
2,384 36
$5,016 32
FIRE ALARM
L. T. Eames, salary, Supt. Fire Alarm, 1909 $74 99
L. T. Eames, material and labor 59 90
F. G. Nichols, labor 77 50 ·
Thomas White, labor 37 50 .
O. O. Ordway, horse service and supplies
33 00
George B. Griffiths, horse service
3 00
R. E. Morton
5 00
R. D. Clapp
1 09
Morrison Merrill
6 25
A. E. Merrill 5 00
Gamewell Fire Alarm Tel. Co.
34 48
Boston Lumber Co.
27 00
Woburn Machine Co.
10 16
Francis Bros.
15 36
W. Bancroft & Co.
6 00
F. H. Parker & Sons .
5 22
American Express Company
55
T. C. Fife
35
E. C. Lewis, Inc.
87 89
Overdrawn .
4 78
$5,506 56 $5,506 56
90
FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSE
Appropriation
$600 00
EXPENDED
Boston Coupling Co.
$299 75
The C. C. C. Fire Hose Co.
298 12
Unexpended
2 13
$600 00
$600 00
t
NEW FLOOR IN HOOK AND LADDER ROOM
Appropriation
$150 00
EXPENDED
George A. Bowers
$25 55
H. R. Johnson
117 00
Unexpended
7 45
$150 00
$150 00
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
READING, JAN. 1, 1910.
To the Honorable Board of Fire Engineers of the Reading Fire Department :
I submit the following report : -
About one and one-half miles of old wire has been replaced by new.
About two miles of old wire must be replaced by new this year, and the elements in storage battery replaced by new.
LOCATION OF BOXES
13-Corner of Ash and Avon Sts.
15-Corner of Walnut St. and Summer Ave.
16-Main St., near South.
17-Prescott St., near Arlington.
18-Park Ave., corner of Minot St.
22-No session, High School House.
23-Corner of Woburn and Temple Sts.
24-Mineral St., corner of Hancock.
25 -- Prospect St., near King.
26-Hose 2 House, Woburn St.
27-Summer Ave., south of Prescott St.
28-West St., near W. A. Bancroft's.
29-Corner of West and King Sts.
32-Franklin St., opp. second house from Grove.
33-Lowell St., Commonwealth Rubber Co. Works.
34-Corner of Grove and Forest Sts.
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35-Corner of Main and Locust Sts.
36-Corner of Bancroft Ave. and Locust St.
37-Main St., near Brooks Nichols'.
38-Corner of Main and Forest Sts.
39-Corner of Franklin and Main Sts.
41-Corner of Village and Green Sts.
42- Corner of John and Haven Sts. 44-Corner of Salem and Pearl Sts.
45-Corner of Salem and Belmont Sts.
46-Corner of Charles and Pearl Sts.
47-Corner of Haverhill and Charles Sts. 48-Pine St., near Salem.
55-Reading Rubber Mills.
61-Corner of Main and Washington Sts.
62-Corner of Main and Haven Sts.
63-Woburn St., front of Congregational Church.
64-Central Fire Station.
65-Corner of Bancroft Ave. and Middlesex Ave.
67-Corner of High St. and Middlesex Ave.
68-Corner of Gould and Haven Sts.
LEONARD T. EAMES,
Supt. Fire Alarm.
-
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens : -
I herewith submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals.
The inspection of neat cattle, sheep and swine within our Town limits has been carried out in a thorough and impartial manner, reports completed and returns made as required by the Cattle Bureau.
The cattle showing evidence of having any disease of a contagious nature were quarantined, appraised, condemned and rendered. The places where such animals were kept were properly disinfected before other animals were allowed to replace them.
The public is awakening to the fact that a cleaner, healthier and better product is what is wanted, and the only way such product can be obtained is through the constant demand for more sanitary stables, milk rooms, receptacles, persons handling and mode of delivering products.
All these things call for more help and more expense, which consequently calls for an additional price for such products.
I feel justified in saying that our townspeople are not the kind to want things of an inferior quality just because it is cheap, but are willing to pay for the quality received. I think that one of the best ways for the people to find out what they are getting is to visit the several dairies supplying milk, and I venture to say they will be amply repaid, especially if they stop and consider the way milk was cared for years ago and the additional expense of today. Few would be willing to go back to the old products at the old prices but many will think that the price received is not enough even now.
The campaign of education is the best way of producing any change for the better; so let the good work go on and shortly things will be better than at present.
94
I wish to thank the people of our Town, especially the farmers and live-stock owners, for the courteous manner in which they have received and treated me, and the willingness with which they have carried out any suggestions made regarding better sanitation of their premises, even though many could not afford to make the necessary changes.
The slaughtering industry has grown so rapidly of late that it resembles a young Brighton or a Kansas City. Last year there were 2,476 head killed. In March, 1909, new laws were passed necessi- tating closer inspection, more time and more expense, which is a matter for considerable thought for the townspeople, and a matter which is likely to cause much comment until properly understood. I have, however, tried to do my best, and if the townspeople want a change, I am ready to withdraw.
Yours very truly,
C. H. PLAYDON, M.D.V., Inspector.
-
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen . -
GENTLEMEN : I have the honor to present the ninth annual report of the department of Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1909 : -
CORRECT
ADJ.
CD.
TOTAL
No. of scales over 5,000 lbs.
1
3
4
scales under 5,000 lbs.
3
15
18
small scales
23
25
48
computing scales
5
4
9
66 pan scales
7
4
11
66 family scales ‘
3
3
66 ice scales
4
2
6
66
steelyards
1
1
balances
2
2
4
weights
148
140
288
milk measures
6
1
7
wet measures
27
27
66
dry measures
57
1
58
66
yard sticks
11
11
66
milk and cream jars
12,214
39
12,253
Money received for sealing, $24.49.
There has been an increase of over three thousand bottles the past year.
In the year 1909 I have made eighty-eight inspections in the different departments.
Coal re-weighed, five times.
96
In closing, I wish to express my thanks to the merchants for the courtesy with which I have been received, and also to the town officials for their kind co-operation with me in my work.
Very respectfully, FRANK W. PARKER, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
1
REPORT OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
The general work in the Cemetery has been carefully carried on during the season, and we trust has been satisfactory to the citizens ; at least, we have tried to do it in a way that it should be.
We are sorry to be obliged to say that about one hundred and fifty dollars' worth of fall work had to be left undone because the appropriation gave out, but we thought it best to do so than over- run, though we are free to say it is, in our opinion, poor economy. No business man would think of doing that way.
The special appropriation for excavating new land in the Ceme- tery has been used for that purpose and, in consequence, we shall have sixty-six new and valuable lots which will be ready for sale early in the coming season. These lots have all got to be provided with bound stones, so we shall have to ask for an additional appro- priation of one hundred and fifty dollars for that purpose.
We have received for sale of lots this year one hundred and twenty-five dollars which has been paid to the Town Treasurer. It is the opinion of the board that we should have an appropriation of eleven hundred dollars for the general work in the Cemetery and one hundred and fifty dollars extra for the purchase of bound stones and placing the same.
We have received from the Interest Fund for perpetual care of lots, five hundred and forty-six dollars, and it has been expended for that purpose.
At this time we cannot refrain from again calling attention of the citizens to the necessity of providing perpetual care for their lots by depositing an amount with the Town Treasurer for that purpose.
Respectfully submitted by the Board of Trustees,
A. W. DANFORTH,
Superintendent and Secretary.
98
FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECEIPTS
Appropriation
$1,100 00
Cash for stone sold
50 00
Cash for rental of tomb
5 00
EXPENDED
Franklin Rubber Co.
$24 00
J. W. Manning
90 00
E. C. Metcalf
10 75
Weston & Emery
30 45
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
6 00
C. F. Dudley & Co.
146 65
American Agricultural Co.
31 40
Salary of Secretary
75 00
James A. Bancroft
25 75
O. O. Ordway
1 05
Francis Bros.
1 70
M. D. Jones
9 25
F. Wallace .
4 90
Labor and teams .
697 35
$1,154 25
Unexpended
75
$1,155 00 $1,155 00
SPECIAL
Appropriation for excavating and grad- ing new land in Cemetery
$1,200 00
June 5th, paid C. F. Dudley & Co.
$800 00
June 18th, paid C. F. Dudley & Co.
400 00
$1,200 00
$1,200 00
A. W. DANFORTH, Superintendent and Secretary.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Reading :-
During the year 1909, Town trees were fortunate; the damage borne from high winds and storms have been less than usual and the insect pests have been largely reduced. There is need of con- siderable trimming being done in some localities; dead branches should be removed as fast as they appear, both for the good of the tree and for public safety. The result of spraying the elm trees the past season was, I believe, on the whole, satisfactory, but did not seem to remedy every tree. A few trees showed the effects of feeding, while trees near by sprayed at the same time and from the same load of poison were protected. I can see no reason for this, and the only remedy would be a second application of poison.
A contribution of $15.00 was received from the Reading Woman's Club, which was used for tree planting.
The use of climbing-irons on street trees is much discussed, and many towns use them in their moth work. I believe the trees have enough to contend with without subjecting them to this abuse.
We are obliged to do considerable cutting when brown tail moths are numerous. With gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetle and leopard moth, electric light and telephone wires, I believe the use of climbing irons by the Moth Department, Electric Light Department and Telephone Company would result in immediate and continuous injury. Many say that spurs do not injure a rough bark tree, - elm, white oak, etc. I know that where climbing-irons are used on rough bark trees, soon maple, red oaks and all trees bear spur marks.
Therefore in the future, as long as I may have the care of Reading's trees (and I fully appreciate the honor), I wish it under- stood that the Reading Moth Department does not use climbing-
100
irons, and your Tree Warden does not allow them used by any one on Town trees.
I recommend an appropriation of three hundred and fifty ($350) dollars for work in the Tree Warden's Department.
In making this recommendation, I am anticipating the taking over of the elm leaf beetle pest by the State, and think this amount is needed for trimming work, regular and incidental expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
G. A. HUBBARD, Tree Warden.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$150 00
Received from Reading Woman's Club
15 00
EXPENDED
Labor
$160 65
Labor and teams
2 50
Unexpended
.
1 85
$165 00
$165 00
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Reading :-
I have the honor of submitting to you the annual report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1909.
Number of applications for permits to set fires in the open air, one hundred and twenty-nine.
HERBERT E. MCINTIRE,
Forest Warden.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$150 00
EXPENDED
H. E. McIntire, salary, Forest Warden, 1909 $20 00
J. N. Weston, salary, Deputy Forest Warden to April 30, 1909 15 00
Geo. F. Blanchard, salary, Deputy Forest Warden to Sept. 15, 1909 15 00
F. W. Davis, salary, Deputy Forest Warden to April 30, 1909 15 00
Henry Wright & Sons
16 50
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
8 10
T. C. Fife
2 55
J. W. Austin
4 50
W. F. Cook
2 50
O. O. Ordway
1 50
J. J. Cameron
1 80
Labor
130 50
Labor and teams
54 75
Overdrawn .
137 70
$287 70
$287 70
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading : --
The Board of Health herewith submits its annual report :
Number of contagious diseases reported, 67.
Diphtheria, 4; scarlet fever, 13; measles, 47; typhoid fever, 2 ; pulmonary tuberculosis, 1.
Deaths of contagious diseases, 3.
Deaths from all causes, 76.
Houses fumigated, 48.
Complaints received and investigated, 20.
A report in detail of the branch of plumbing and drains will be found in the report of the Inspector of Plumbing which is appended.
Most respectfully submitted,
CALVERT H. PLAYDON, Chairman,
GEORGE L. FLINT,
FREDERIC D. MERRILL, Secretary.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$600 00
Amount received from E. R. Wylie 5 20
EXPENDED
G. S. Tukey, salary, Inspector of Plumbing . $350 04 G. S. Tukey, fumigating 33 50 .
Elizabeth A. Smith, executrix, rent to July 15, 1909 67 50
103
Frank E. Benard, administrator, rent from July 15 to October 15, 1909
$22 50
C. W. McDougal, plumbing examiner, 1907 and 1908
10 00
W. Bancroft & Co.
10 90
American Express Company
7 90
F. H. Parker & Sons .
6 12
North Reading State Sanitorium
31 43
Borthwick Bros. .
20 25
International Chemical Co. .
16 80
City of Malden
20 00
Municipal Light Board
8 77
F. D. Merrill
1 00
E. D. Richmond, M.D.
1 50
E. M. Halligan, M.D. .
4 00
J. W. Jeffries
9 41
Geo. B. Griffiths .
1 50
Henry Shaw
3 20
O. P. Symonds & Sons
1 00
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
7 50
A. W. Danforth .
2 30
John Stock
1 00
W. C. Barrett
1 00
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
43 77
Overdrawn .
77 69
$682 89
$682 89
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Honorable, the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN :- The work in the Plumbing Department for the year ending December 31, 1909, was as follows :
Applications filed
113
Applications left over, 1908
6
Applications left over, 1909
4
Inspections and calls made
367
Number of fixtures set
437
Water closets set
96
Bowls set
74
Bath tubs set
67
Sinks set .
90
Butlers' sinks set
2
Wash trays set
107
Urinals set
1
Additions
3
Alterations
15
Repairs
2
Ventilations
2
Drip drains
2
Drans inspected
56
Several special inspections have been made at the request of the Board, and defects remedied.
REMARKS BY YOUR INSPECTOR AND AGENT
Acts and Resolves, 1909, Chapter 314: An Act to Authorize the Town of Reading to Construct a System of Sewerage.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows : The Town of Reading is hereby authorized to lay out, construct, maintain and operate a
105
system or systems of main drains and common sewers for a part or the whole of its territory, with such connections and other works as may be required for a system of sewage disposal, etc., etc.
Thanks to the persistency of your Board, and the active inter- est of a few of our far-sighted citizens who have seen the impor- tance of such a measure, the Town of Reading now has authority to solve a very perplexing problem in the center of the Town. Your Inspector believes, and believes strongly, that the above act should be put into immediate operation in and around the business center : the Act should not be put on the shelf to mould and must. The conditions in certain places near the center are wretched from a sanitary standpoint, and are a source of continuous trouble and ex- pense to their owners and occupants. The very frequent emptying of cesspools, the method of conveyance, and the disposal of the sewage, result in a continual digging at and fault-finding with your Board and me. People with super-sensitive noses actually wonder why we at the office cannot detect the various odors over the tele- phone.
I cannot comprehend why, when your Board has so often put the question before the people, both the Board and its ideas have been utterly ignored. Can it be that our people fail to realize that certain conditions are exceedingly dangerous from the health stand- point ? Let them ask any decent authority. Can it be the phantom bugbear of taxes? Do they not know that our most unhealthful nuisance, the cesspool, costs more to maintain (in the long run) than any sewer tax possibly could ? Let them consult some author- ity of their own choosing.
One of our most valuable helpers on this question has left us, but honored memories of his unselfish, intelligent work and wise counsel remain to cheer us on. I hope, and believe, that other public spirited citizens will be found to help us who are left to go on with the work. We who have homes, both large and small, outside the danger zone, should not be so selfish as to oppose a measure which is absolutely necessary to the welfare of all. Sup- pose an epidemic should break out in the center-this is no im-
106
possible supposition-should we not all suffer ? Gentlemen, it Is high time to act ! Close the door before the valued horse escapes and remove a dangerous nuisance before we spoil our reputation for being a healthful town. Act before death's head stares us in the face !
Are we not interested in this most vital of all local questions - local healthfulness ?
Should I be spared until May 1, 1910, I shall have served your Board seventeen years. During that time I have made numerous observations, and it seems to me : -
First : That the citizens of Reading are about as conversant with the trials and tribulations of the Board of Health, and have about as much knowledge of its work and responsibilities, as about the Town's expenses for the now celebrated Wellington Bridge, for the past few years (see Town Report for 1908, page 223.)
Second : That your Board with its serious responsibilities and ample authority, should not enlist financial public opinion to a greater degree ; knowing, as I do from personal observation, that you have rendered a thousand times greater service to the Town than the paltry sum of $25 per year would signify. Are our citizens aware that your salary is the most meagre of any board in Town? Are they aware also that your authority and responsibility are the greatest ?
Third : It seems to me that bills incurred wisely and legiti- mately, and approved by your Board, should be paid by the Select- men promptly, and not pigeon-holed for three months or more. These bills should be paid promptly so as to get the percentages off for cash, and to keep our credit good.
Fourth : It seems to me that your Inspector, being an officer appointed under State laws, should be of sufficient importance to be classed with other Town officers and receive his salary from the Town's appropriation for officer's salaries, rather than being paid out of an allowance for the Board of Health's incidentals to swell in the eyes of the people.
107
Permit me to quote from the State law :-
MASSACHUSETTS PLUMBING LAW
Chapter 103, Revised Laws, Section 5: "The Board of Health shall, and within three months from the passage of this Act, appoint one or more Inspectors of Plumbing, etc., who shall hold office until removed by said Board, etc., for cause which must be shown."
Again, Section 8: " Any city or town mentioned in Section 3 of this Act, refusing to comply with any of the provisions of this Act, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars to the use of the Common- wealth for every month during which such neglect may continue."
Moreover, the salary received by your Inspector, even with that he gets from Wakefield, is far from what it ought to be. It is hardly enough to keep the wolf from the door. My time is yours, night and day. I cannot engage in other work; my experience is at your service. Yet, the journeyman plumber commands more than I get. Boston pays her Inspectors $1,200 to $2,400 a year. I have to stand the same tests as they ; my work has to be as good under the law.
Where is the justice, where is the reason, in so great a difference between two experts as exists in the cases of the Superintendent of Schools and the Plumbing Inspector ? Can it be that education is better than health ?
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