USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1941 > Part 20
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A further help in reducing case cost was the action of the state department in clarifying its intention in the matter of allowable budgets,
253
so that the local social worker was better able to set up a uniform system of allowances and to show the recipient that enough assistance was being given to take care of the family when proper attention was given by the family to the specific items of the budget.
Being under federal participation as well as state reimbursement, the administration and recording in Aid to Dependent Children is re- plete with rules and regulations, fixed time limits for notification, filing of reports, submission of social data, furnishing of duly approved copies of all pay rolls, and in admission of new cases, the complete and offi- cial vital statistics of all members of the family. As federal grants and state payments depend entirely on the correct performance of these details it is easily seen that this work must be done by qualified persons. This was one of several reasons why the Social Security Board made it mandatory for the state to inaugurate a Civil Service Merit System for all local administrative employees, proper rating be- ing given only on successful passing of a Civil Service examination.
Old Age Assistance
Our case record in Old Age Assistance during 1941 has averaged about 12 cases higher than the previous year, month by month, through- out the year. From January to July we had a lull similar to that for the same period of 1940, with a rise in cases from then on. At the date of this writing there is not the activity of new case application that occurred during certain months of 1941. These variations in case intake intensity have occurred to some extent throughout the past several years, not only in Reading but in many other municipalities in the state. We have never found an administrator of Old Age Assis- ance who could give a reasonable explanation of this characteristic except in a few instances involving small towns where a case shift of half a dozen represented an appreciable percentage of a small case load.
As has happened many times before, we are confronted this year with extensive legislative enlargements, most of which go into effect May 1st, 1942. Of greatest importance is the increase in mandatory minimum monthly allowances. This is commonly misunderstood to mean increases of ten dollars a month, that is, the effect of raising the minimum from $30.00 a month to $40.00. Such is not the case however. Old Age recipients who live in what the State Department defines as a "family group" will not be affected at all. Man-and-wife cases, as well as brother-and-sister cases, have schedules which apply particularly to them and these are not based on a forty-dollar minimum. Some cases, where nursing care is required, are already receiving $40.00 or more. Also, the same deductions as heretofore, for shelter furnished by relatives, partial contributions by legally liable children, Old Age and Survivors' Benefits under the Social Security Laws, etc., are to
254
be computed in setting monthly allotments under the new law. Sur- veys and estimates we have made indicate an average case cost in- crease of some six dollars a month, a figure reasonably in agreement with estimates of other towns so far as they have been available.
With increased payments to recipients by local bureaus as required under the amended law there will be a corresponding increase in the reimbursement which the state will be called on to pay to the cit'es and towns, running in the aggregate into some millions. This appears to be creating an embarrassing situation for the State Department as it is not evident as yet that the revenue-producing clause in the new law -5 per cent tax on meals costing a dollar or more and 3 per cent addi- tional surtax on incomes-is going to provide the state with sufficient funds. Under war conditions it is difficult to devise other means of raising this additional money and we are informed that it is entirely possible the state may not be able to make reimbursement in full pro- portion to the cities and towns. It has been mentioned several times previously in these reports that misguided enthusiasm on the part of a certain group of legislative workers, (not to call them politicians), to play up this matter of continually increasing Old Age Assistance expenditures, even if done with good intention and purpose, might result in going so far that the taxpaying public will rebel and refuse to support any part of the program. Thus might be lost all the advan- tages which the old people have gained through social legislation since 1931. This coming year may well be the crucial test for this form of public assistance for the aged because it bids fair to show what limit of load the traffic will bear in this direction.
Administrative
As indicated in the first paragraph of this report, all welfare de- partment employees in the various cities and towns of Massachusetts whose duties required the administration of relief, or any part of the recording thereof, in any category coming under the National Social Security Act for purposes of federal reimbursement, were required to qualify for their several positions under an examination prepared, given, and marked by the Civil Service Department. The ratings result- ing from these examinations, conducted in September, 1940, and suc- cessfully passed by all our personnel, were not published until Septem- ber, 1941, but the Civil Service ratings obtained thereunder were made effective June 24th, 1941. It is naturally a source of satisfaction to your employees that the Board's policy of placing responsibility directly upon them for proper performance of the work of the department, with the implied assumption that the Board believes them capable, has been justified by the results of these examinations which were con- ducted wholly to determine fitness for the respective positions held by
255
incumbents. In filling future positions, because of vacancy, addition to the staff, or otherwise, it will be necessary to draw from persons duly qualified and on the Civil Service list or to arrange with the Civil Service for promotional examination of some member of our present force. The minimum salaries of the various positions classified have been fixed by Civil Service rules and some adjustment is mandatory under legal requirement as to minimum, regardless of any action the town departments as a whole may take in respect to salaries.
The office force wishes to express its appreciation for the Board's helpful consideration of the many questions brought to its attention and for the constructive nature of the criticism and suggestion which the Board has offered from time to time. The co-operative nature of the guidance of the elected Board and the working force which carries out its policies is surely advantageous to the townspeople for whom we work and whose best interests are the immediate concern of all of us.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD E. HARNDEN, Welfare Agent.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
December 31, 1941
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as dog officer to Dec. 31, 1941.
I have canvassed the town to see that all dogs were licensed. Unlicensed and strays have been found and disposed of as follows : 272 have been destroyed.
57 returned to owners.
36 hens destroyed by dogs.
553 complaints investigated. 21 dogs killed by autos.
3 dog owners have been prosecuted for keeping unlicensed dogs.
At this time I wish to thank the Police Department and the court for their assistance to me.
CHARLES H. MELENDY, Dog Officer
256
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Department for the Town of Reading for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Arrests for the Year 1941 - 344
Males, 337; Females, 7; Adults, 335; Minors 9; Residents, 130; Non Residents, 214; American Born, 311; Foreign Born, 33.
Causes of Arrests
Drunkenness, 96; Assault and Battery, 8; Non Support, 9; Lar- ceny, 6; Out of Town Warrants, 5; Insane, 4; Runaway, 4; Mutual Assault, 3; Delinquent Child, 3; Illegitimacy, 3; Breaking and Entering, Day Time, 2; Breaking and Entering, Night Time, 2; Indecent Ex- posure, 2; Keeping an Unlicensed Dog, 2; Larceny of an Automobile, 2; Larceny by Check, 2; Arrested on Orders of U. S. Military Authori- ties, 2; Threat to Commit Crime, 1; Murder, 1; Non-Payment of Fine, 1; Malicious Damage to Property, 1; Attempted Armed Robbery, 1; Armed Robbery, 1; Habitual Truancy, 1; Receiving Stolen Property, 1.
Automobile Violations
Speeding, 111; Failure to Stop at Stop Sign, 32; Operating Under the Influence of Liquor, 24; Operating So as to Endanger, 3; Leaving the Scene of an Accident, 2; Operating Without a License, 2; Operat- ing After Revocation, 1; Operating After Suspension, 1; Operating After License Expired, 1; Operating a Non-Registered Car, 1; Operat- ing a Non-Insured Car, 1; Attaching Stolen Plates, 1; Failure to Stop at Traffic Lights, 1. Total Arrests for the Year 1941, 344.
Disposition of Cases in Courts
Fined, 144; Filed, 64; Released, 56; Turned Over to Out of Town Officers, 17; House of Correction, 12; House of Correction, Suspended, 12; Not Guilty, 10; Continued for Disposition, 8; Worcester State Hos- pital, 4; Dismissed for Lack of Prosecution, 4; Dismissed, 5; Lyman School, 2; To U. S. Army Authorities, 2; Probation, 1; Filed Without a Finding, 1; Sherborn Reformatory for Women, 1; Death Penalty, 1. Total Cases Disposed of, 344.
Disposition of Persons Arrested
Persons Arrested and Cases Disposed of in Woburn District Court, 251; Persons Arrested and Cases Disposed of in Cambridge Superior
257
Court, 20; Persons Arrested and Released without Court Action, 56; Persons Arrested and Turned Over to Out of Town Officers, 17.
Amounts of Fines Imposed by Courts
91 Fines at $5.00 each, $450.00; 27 Fines at $10.00 each, $270.00; 1 Fine at $15.00, $15.00; 1 Fine at $20, $20.00; 2 Fines at $25.00, $50.00; 3 Fines at $35.00 each, $105.00; 15 Fines at $50.00 each, $750.00; 1 Fine at $75.00, $75.00; 3 Fines at $100.00 each, $300.00. Total Amount Result- ing from Fines Imposed by Court, Year 1941, $2,035.00.
Valuation of Properties Stolen and Recovered
Valuation of Properties Reported as Stolen in Reading $ 5,400.36 Valuation of Properties Recovered in Reading 4,377.25 Valuation of Properties Recovered for Out of Town Officers 4,660.00 1
Total Value of Properties Recovered, Year 1941 $ 9,037.25
Miscellaneous Services Rendered by the Police Department
The major items of police service are indicated in the foregoing tables, however, a wide variety of incidental services which occupy much of the department's time and attention is summarized as follows :
Cases investigated, 576; transient put ups, 47; buildings found open and secured, 195; cats and dogs shot and disposed of by officers, 25; special messages delivered after hours, 228; children reported lost, found and turned over to their parents, 25; windows found open and secured, 48; live wires found, guarded and reported, 9; street lights out and re- ported, 48; old persons found straying and returned to their homes, 16; defective streets and sidewalks reported, 57; summons delivered, 224; dead bodies cared for, 6; fires reported by officers, 15; vacant houses of people away inspected, 210; covered all fires.
Automobile Accidents
Total number of automobile accidents for year 1941, 140; Accidents involving property damage, 120; Accidents involving personal injury, 65; Persons injured and taken to doctors for medical treatment, 69.
Mileage on Automobile Units
Cruiser No. 1, a 1939 Plymouth Sedan travelled from January 1, 1941 to March 31, 1941, 7,641 miles. On March 31st this car was replaced by a 1941 Plymouth Tudor Sedan which has travelled from March 31, to December 31, 1941, 23,402 miles. Cruiser No. 2 has travelled 35,275 miles. The Packard has travelled 3,798 miles. The Police Ambulance
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has travelled 3,174 miles, making a total of 73,290 miles travelled by the various automotive units of the Police Department.
Police Ambulance Records
On March 1, 1941 it was voted by the Honorable Board of Select- men to charge for the use of the Police Ambulance, the result being as follows :
Received in payment for use of Ambulance and turned over to the Town Treasurer, $257.00.
During the year 1941, the police made the following trips with the ambulance :
Winchester Hospital, 39; Choate Memorial Hospital, Woburn, 26; St. John's Hospital, Lowell, 22; Mass. General Hospital, Boston, 20; Trips made within Town Limits, 13; Carney Hospital, Boston, 11; Mel- rose Hospital, 5; Mass Memorial Hospital, Boston, 4; Chelsea Soldier's Home, 4; New England Sanitarium, Stoneham, 3; Wakefield Conv. Home, 3; Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, 3; Boston City Hospi- tal, 2; Baker Memorial Hospital, Boston, 2; Stoneham Conv. Home, 2; Children's Hospital, Boston, 1; Malden Hospital, 1; Belmont Conv. Home, 1; Marine Hospital, Boston, 1; Women's Free Hospital, Brook- line, 1; Mattapan State Hospital, 1; Tewksbury State Infirmary, 1; Evans Hospital, Boston, 1; Worcester State Hospital, 1; Charlesgate Hospital, 1. Total trips made by Police Ambulance for year 1941, 169.
Recommendations
I recommend an increase of the permanent force by the appoint- ment of three regular officers.
Conclusion
At this time I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Judges of our District Court, the Clerks of our Court, our local Press, and all others who have assisted in promoting the welfare of this De- partment, also the members of this Department for what they have done.
Respectfully submitted, JEREMIAH CULLINANE, Chief of Police, Reading, Mass.
259
EIGHTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
The 1941 report of the Reading Fire Department is herein submit- ted :
Manual Force
The manual force consists of 9 permanent men, including the chief, and 23 call men.
Captain Owen McKenney, a member of the call force, retired Aug- ust first after over fifty years as a member of the department. He carries with him the best wishes of every member of the department.
Auxiliary Fire Service
An Auxiliary Fire Service has been organized. At the present there are 27 men who have received instructions under Deputy Chief O'Brien. These men are a valuable addition to the department. An addition of 23 men, to bring the number to 50 are to be instructed soon.
Apparatus
Engine 1, a 1,000 gal. per min. Seagrave pumping engine with a 100 gallon booster tank, purchased in 1934; Engine 3, a 600 gal. per min. Seagrave pumping engine with a 65 gallon booster tank, purchased 1929; Engine 4, a 1932 one and one half ton Chevrolet which carries a 65 gallon booster tank, 3,000 ft. of 11/2 inch hose and a 100 gal. per min. portable pump. This apparatus is used for grass and forest fires; Lad- der 1, a Seagrave 65 ft. Junior Aerial purchased in 1940, which carries 1000 ft. of 11/2 in. hose and a 100 gallon booster tank and a 200 gal. per min. pump. This truck was placed in commission January 20th this year and has proved the advantage of a ladder of this type. All of the above apparatus is stationed at the Central Fire Station, Pleasant St.
Engine 2, a Seagrave 400 gal. per min. pumping engine, purchased in 1926 is located in the Woburn Street Station.
Service Record
The department has responded to 104 bell alarms, 51 still, 249 tele- phone, and 27 service calls a total of 431 which is an increase of 133 over 1940.
260
Value of property endangered by fire
$146,920.00
Insurance on same
106,920.00
Loss by fire
20,021.81
Insurance paid
15,088.31
Uninsured loss
4,933.50
Feet of hose laid, 21/2 inch
31,900
11/2 inch
65,800
1 inch
2,350
3/4 inch
20,300
Feet of ladder raised
1,833
Booster tanks used
149
3 gallon soda and acid extinguishers
14
1 quart carbon-tetrachloride extinguishers
6
Foam extinguishers
2
Chimney fuzees
2
Hours engines pumped
10614
Calls for inhalator
3
Salvage covers spread
44
Hours lighting generator used
11
Search for missing persons
3
Recommendations
I recommend that the supply of both 21/2 inch and 11/2 inch hose be increased.
That in the line of defense preparation the number of fire hy- drants be increased and the dead ends of water mains be tied in where- ever possible. Also more fire cisterns should be constructed and the known old cisterns be put into condition to be of use if our water sup- ply should fail.
The permanent force should be increased by adding at least two men at the Engine 2 station, Woburn street.
Conclusion
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board for its co-opera- tion, the members of the department for the faithful performance of their duties, the employees of the Telephone Company for their valuable assistance in the transmission of emergency calls and all town depart- ments and persons who have assisted this department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF HUGH L. EAMES.
261
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1941.
The following underground conduits have been laid: High Street from Woodward Avenue to Lowell Street; Pleasant Street from Mid- dle to John; Willow Street 200 ft. west from Lowell; Hartshorn Street 150 ft. east of Lowell; Lowell Street 350 ft. from High Street.
Five boxes have been added to the system and I recommend that more boxes be added each year as the town has outgrown its present number of boxes.
There is need of a larger fire alarm switch board to allow more box circuits and placing the boxes now in pedestals on circuits separate from the overhead circuits.
The fire alarm battery should be moved from its present hazard- ous location in the attic of the central fire station.
I wish to thank the Honorable Board for their co-operation and all others who have assisted this department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF HUGH L. EAMES,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
The annual report of the Forest Warden is hereby submitted.
The department has responded to 219 grass and brush fires this year. This is an increase of 120 over 1940. Many were caused by de- fective or improper incinerators. There has been an increase in the number of incendiary fires.
The unusual dry condition of the woodlands resulted in many fires covering large areas before being brought under control.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 20th, a large fire which had its origin in Wilmington swept east through 100 Acre Meadow and the Town Forest. 22 fire departments fought this fire for 12 hours. Thous- ands of trees in the town forest were destroyed and only by hard work by firemen and civilian volunteers was this fire controlled without the loss of any buildings. At the same time an incendiary fire from Birch Meadow endangered residences on Forest Street, Whittier and Tenny- son Roads. Apparatus from other towns fought this fire. It was ne- cessary to keep hose lines at the 100 Acre Meadow fire for many days. Some hose was destroyed.
The Woman's Defense Corps, who established canteen service to carry food and coffee to the firemen, and the Auxiliary Police, who as-
262
sisted in controlling the heavy automobile traffic that for a time was a great hinderance to the movement of fire apparatus are deserving of great praise for the willing and untiring manner in which they per- formed their duties.
Many of the incendiary fires have been investigated by the Police and the State District Warden.
The Tree Warden's department has assisted at several fires.
I wish to thank all who have assisted this department.
Respectfully submitted, CHIEF HUGH L. EAMES, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen :
January 9, 1942
I hereby submit a building report for the year 1941. In the past year there were one hundred sixty-seven (167) permits granted and these are itemized as follows, with the estimated cost of same : 111 New Dwellings $373,900.00
22 New Garages
5,640.00
26 Alterations and Additions to All Types of Buildings
35,075.00
2 Gas Filling Stations
3,400.00
2 Super Markets 32,900.00
1 Telephone Carrier Repeater Station 5,000.00
2 Hen Houses 225.00
1 Tool House 200.00
Total Estimated Cost of All Building Construction $456,340.00 The sum of six-hundred forty-two ($642.00) dollars was received in fees for the above building permits.
There were five (5) buildings, due to their unsafe condition, taken down by order of the Building Inspector. These buildings were in such a dangerous condition that they were a tremendous fire hazard.
There were seven (7) more permits issued this year than last year and the estimated cost this year exceeded that of last year by sixty- three thousand, five hundred and thirty-nine ($63,539.00) dollars.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE H. SIDEBOTTOM, Building Inspector
263
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Number of Permits Granted
183
Number of Fixtures Installed
816
Bath Tubs
106
Lavatories
120
Closets
130
Sinks
98
Sink and Tray Combination
78
Two-part Trays
40
Boilers
60
Tankless Heaters 72
Stall Showers
10
Bath Showers
92
Refrigerator Chests
10
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID MARTIN,
Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Reading :
There were one hundred forty nine contagious diseases reported during the year 1941.
Chicken Pox
34
Dog Bite
51
Lobar Pneumonia
11
Scarlet Fever
25
Mumps
2
Septic Sore Throat
2
Influenza
1
Meningitis
1
German Measles
1
Measles
7
Tuberculosis
3
Whooping Cough
11
149
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Number of Deaths
Male
52
Female
45
8 were between
90 and 100
28 were between 80 and 90
20 were between 70 and 80
20 were between 60 and 70
5 were between
50 and
60
8 were between
40 and 50
3 were between
30 and 40
1 was between
1 and 20
1 was under
1 year
2 still births
Respectfully submitted,
E. M. HALLIGAN, M.D.
R. B. SHEPARDSON, M.D. C. F. ATKINSON
Board of Health
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
February 9, 1942.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1941.
On January 1, 1942 there were approximately 495 head of neat ani- mals in the town.
The number of animals inspected were :
Cattle 221
Swine 180
Goats
40
Sheep 54
There were 43 dogs and one cat quarantined for biting people and of this number, none were affected with the rabies.
Respectfully submitted,
BERNARD SCHIMPFKE, Inspector of Animals.
265
97
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND FOOD
'To the Honorable Board of Health,
Town of Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
The inspection of the milk supply of the Town of Reading for the year 1941, consisted of the analysis of samples of milk taken from the various dealers for its bacteria contents, also the percentages of fat and total solids and in the inspection of the dairies and conditions under which the milk was handled.
One hundred and eight samples were collected and analyzed and found to be satisfactory and eighteen dairy inspections made with good results.
The inspection of the food supply consisted in the inspection of the conditions under which food is handled and stored. Twenty- four inspections were made and in most cases conditions were found to be satisfactory. Six complaints were investigated and adjusted.
Respectfully submitted, CARL M. SMITH,
Inspector of Milk and Food.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
The following table shows all of the work completed by the De- partment of Weights and Measures in the Town of Reading for the years 1941.
As you will note this not only includes the testing and sealing of all weights, scales and measures, but also the weighing of many com- modities as put up for sale and also several inspections.
Work Performed from Jan. 1, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1941
Adjusted Sealed Condemned
1. Scales
Platform, over 1,000 1bs.
3
Platform, 100 to 5,000 1bs.
3
5
Counter, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
2
Counter, under 100 1bs.
2
13
Beam, under 100 lbs.
1
1
Spring, 100 to 5,000 1bs.
1
2
Spring, under 100 1bs.
9
15
1
Computing, under 100 1bs.
12
29
1
2. Weights
Avoirdupois
72
266
Adjusted Sealed Condemned
3. Volumetric Measures
Liquid Measures
3
Dry Measures
4
4. Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Gasoline Meter Systems
16
70
2
Grease Measuring Devices
2
14
5. Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
13
-
47
246
4
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities Sold or Put Up For Sale 1
Commodity
Total No. Tested
No. Correct
Incorrect Under Over
Beans, packaged
6
6
Bread
24
18
2
4
Butter
10
8
1
1
Coal (in paper bags)
6
3
1
2
Dry Commodities
38
32
2
4
Flour
4
3
1
0
Fruits and Vegetables
6
5
1
0
Ice
4
1
1
2
Meats and Provisions
8
7
1
Potatoes
16
8
2
6
122
91
11
20
Inspections Made
Paper and Fibre Cartons
1
Pedlers' Licenses
2
Markings of Bread
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