USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1896-1901 > Part 3
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8 70
W. W. Johnson, 3,440 lbs. coal .
11 00
J. A. Healy, 3,000 lbs. coal
9 38
George Drew, repairs.
2 00
Brass checks, hooks, etc .. for clothes rack .. 7 20
Floor wax
5 00
Chloride of lime 65
$204 84
INCOME OF TOWN HOUSE.
Rent of armory from State $175 00
Rent of building. 165 35
$340 35
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Paid by orders. See Board of Health report $79 55 $79 55
PUBLIC BURIAL GROUNDS.
Paid by orders. See Commissioners' report $406 31 $406 31
SOLDIERS' RELIEF. As Authorized by Chapter 447, Acts of 1890.
James A. Graham from Feb. 1, 1896, to Feb. 1,1897 $120 00 13 00
J. W. Mitchell, 2 tons coal for J. A. Graham G. A. Hood, from Oct. 1, 1896, to Feb. 1, 1897 16 00
Town of Leominster, relief of William H. T. Nichols 40 00
$189 00
37
S. H. Fletcher, time and expense investigat- ing case of J. A. Graham. . . $5 00
S. H. Fletcher, time and expense investigat- ing case of William H. T. Nichols . .... 4 00
$9 00
MILITARY AID TO INDIGENT SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. As Authorized by Chapter 279, Acts of 1894.
From Jan.1, 1896, to Jan. 1, 1897 . $270 00 $270 00
STATE AID TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' FAMILIES. As Authorized by Chapter 301, Acts of 1894.
From Jan. 1, 1896, to Jan. 1. 1897. $980 00 $980 00
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid by order Veteran Association ... $50 00 $50 00 Appropriation, $50.
FOREST FIRES.
The following fires have occurred during the year and estimated damage :
No. of acres estimated.
Damage.
Apr. 14. Forest fire in the south-east part of the town, owners of land : Wm. M. Vose.
12
$25 00
H Maria Blaisdell Rebecca Sweetser
10
30 00
15
30 00
May 14. Forest fire near Westford depot, owners of land : Heywood and Fletcher.
1
5 00
May 18. Forest fire near house of C. R. P. Decatur, owners of land : C. R. P. Decatur Josiah Walker.
7
10 00
12
10 00
C. R. P. Decatur, 25 cords of wood.
40 00
46₺
$150 00
OTHER FIRES.
Sept. 8. Dwelling house and contents, owned by Hon. J. Varnum Fletcher, on his old home- stead. Estimated loss on house . . $4,800 00
Estimated loss on contents . 1,200 00
Insurance, $3,900.
$6,000 00
38
J. Willard Fletcher, occupant of dwelling, loss on furniture, $400. No insurance.
Investigation on cause of fire was made by the State Fire Marshal, but nothing of an incendiary character could be discovered.
The expense of subduing these fires has been paid under the approval of the Fire Wardens and Forest Fire Wards, as follows :
Edward Prescott, Forest Fire Ward, time
and expense. $10 00
Geo. W. Heywood, Forest Fire Ward, time and expense. 5 00
J. Henry Decatur, Decatur fire
3 00
A. B. Polley, Decatur fire
3 00
J. A. Healy and others, Decatur fire. ... 17 05
J. A. Healy, near B. & M. R. R. 1 50
W. M. Vose and others, south-east part of town. 3 60
$43 15
J. V. FLETCHER DWELLING.
A. B Gould $2 00
W. H. Johnson 2 00
H. H. Mills 2 00
$6 00
GENERAL EXPENSES.
John M. Fletcher, postage for mailing town
$25 10
reports, etc. ... 2 55
C. E. Whidden, express on town reports .... P. McGlinchy, injury to horse on highway F. N. Tolles, services on MeGlinchy's horse Heywood & Burbeck, lumber.
35 00
6 00
4 59
P. Savage, lot of chestnut posts.
20 48
W. J. Gould, shoeing horses, repairs of road machine, etc.
69 91
Fred L. Fletcher, repairs of cavalry target .. Lawrence Duffy, damage to horse and wagon on highway ..
12 00
Cash, for express and postage for town officers
17 25
Food for election officers, March
2 37
2 Sections for road machine.
8 50
Shovels, rakes, lanterns, scythes, snaths, castings for plow, and feed bags for road department ..
20 40
Stationery, rubber bands, etc, for town officers 3 98
7 00
1 gravel screen
Amount carried forward.
$239 38
4 25
39
Amount brought forward. $239 38
New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.,
use of telephone for town officers and
library committee.
26 88
James Forgie & Son, 1 pair double har- nesses with collars
65 50
B. H. Brow, rent of land for cavalry range, 1895-96. . 15 00
N. L. Tuttle, repair of road machine, new stone drag, etc.
14 00
Wright & Fletcher, nails, paint and sundries as per bill . 24 95
E H. Keyes, repair of cavalry target. · John H. Blood, injury to person on highway
21 00
Book for recording mortgages, etc.
6 00
L. C. Dane, repair of wagon
2 00
N. B. Blood, repair of wagon 4 15
25
Food for election officers, November. 3 03
W. J. Sleeper, M. D., returning 30 births, 1896, under Chap. 158. Acts of 1883 .. . J. W. Godfrey. M. D., returning 2 births, under Chapter 158, Acts of 1883 . G. A. Harlow, M. D., returning 3 births, under Chap. 158, Acts of 1883.
50
75
W. H. Bennett, M. D., returning 8 births, under Chap. 158, Acts of 1883 2 00
$512 89
TOWN COMMON.
Ai Bicknell, cleaning common $3 50
Ai Bicknell, tarring trees 1 50
J. T. Colburn, spraying trees
2 00
Tar, brush and paper
3 58
$10 58
THE ARMY WORM.
In the Fall the army worm made its appearance on several farms in town and on account of its destructive work, we deemed it advisable to see what could be done to stop its ravages and save the crops of our farmers.
Hungarian and millet seemed to be a favorite resort for them. Many remedies were suggested. None of them as yet, as far as we know, have proved effectual. Mr. Thomas H. Elliott had a field of millet literally covered with them and they were making their way on to the adjoining farms. To stop their progress we had a part of the field sprayed with kerosene oil and burned. The result was
80 00
Boston & Maine R. R., freight.
7 50
40
not very satisfactory on account of the green condition of . the millet, although it retarded their progress. Possibly some remedy may be discovered for their destruction before another year if they should appear in large numbers.
The following expense was incurred :
J. T. Colburn, labor $1 75 6 30
Oil used
$8 05
ROAD DEPARTMENT.
In the early Spring a number of washouts occurred and con- siderable expense was incurred in relaying a number of culverts. Many of these old stone culverts are getting in bad shape on account of the stones working loose, allowing the heavy rains to undermine them. Where practicable we have used sewer pipe in place of . stone, and find it is a much more substantial material than stone, as it allows a smooth passage for water and roots of trees do not work themselves into the drains. Gravel, with what stone chips were available, has been used largely to repair our roads as this material is the best for our soil.
A stone crusher would be of great value to crush the loose stones by the roadsides, as the material could be crushed near where it was to be used, thereby saving the expense of a long hanl.
Considerable railings have been put up during the year, but a good deal should be done another year to make safe embankments and culverts. We again call attention, as we did last year, about the town taking some action to discontinue some of these unused roads as public ways, thereby relieving the town from liability for accidents. We have inserted an article in the warrant for the annual meeting and the subject should be looked into carefully by a committee chosen from different parts of the town, to report to the town at the next annual meeting.
During the year 1895, a petition signed by the largest tax payers in the town was filed with the County Commissioners for that board to relocate and widen the streets in the centre of the town. A hearing was held at the town hall, and after a view by the Commissioners a survey was made and store bounds were estab- lished. A decree was issued by the Board last year for the town to carry out their order as provided by their survey and plan. Land damage has been awarded where encroachments have been made, and the town awarded the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500)
41
on completion of the work to the acceptance of the Commissioners. It will be necessary for the town to take some action upon it at the annual meeting, as it will be cheaper for the town to do the work than for the Commissioners, as the Statutes provide if a town re- fuses to take action on or before the time expires for completion of the work, the Commissioners are required. at their next meeting, that they shall cause the highway to be completed as soon as may be thereafter, and expenses and charges of completion of the same shall be paid out of the County treasury, and shall order notice thereof to be given the town that it is a delinquent, stating the sum that it is required to pay, and if the town does not pay the expense, in- terest at the rate of ten per cent. per year, from the time the sum is paid from the County treasury, shall be charged and collected.
An article has been inserted in the warrant for the action of the town.
In accordance with Chap. 98. Acts of 1889, Benjamin F. Day was appointed Superintendent of Streets. Under his supervision the following amounts have been expended :
FEBRUARY.
Wright & Fletcher, grain.
$14 55
Heywood & Fletcher, gravel
35 00
E. Case, labor .
26 25
Julian Wilkinson, labor
26 25
James Rapson, labor
26 25
E. C. Wood, labor.
25 50
B. F. Day, superintendent
31 50
Team.
42 00
$227 30
MARCH.
E. C. Wood, labor.
$23 00
B. F. Day, superintendent.
18 00
Team . .
22 00
E. Case, labor
13 13
W. W. Johnson, labor
1 85
James Rapson, labor
11 97
Frank Newell, labor.
8 62
Julian Wilkinson, labor
13 75
Wright & Fletcher, grain
10 75
$123 07
42
APRIL.
G. F Carkin, labor. $17 50
J. H. Connell, labor
16 50
Julian Wilkinson, labor 36 00
Charles Jackson, labor. 37 14
E. Case, labor.
36 00
James Rapson, labor.
36 00
J. H. Read, gravel
1 00
Waldo Bros., drain pipe.
68 93
B. F. Day, superintendent
45 00
Team .
60 00
Wright & Fletcher, grain. 17 55 ..
$371 62
MAY.
Thomas Whigham, labor
$1 50
Robert O'Dell, labor.
16 50
Charles Jackson, labor
29 85
Thomas Ledwith, labor
8 25
E. Case, labor
36 00
A. Healy, labor.
8 25
James Rapson, labor.
36 00
Julian Wilkinson, labor
36 00
W. W. Parker, labor.
30 75
B. F. Day, superintendent
45 00
Team ..
60 00
H. V. Hildreth, labor and team .
22 00
Wright & Fletcher, grain.
11 60
.
$341 70
JUNE.
Powder and fuse
$ 6 35
Wright & Fletcher, grain
13 70
H. V. Hildreth, stone .
18 00
B. F. Day, superintendent
45 00
Team
60 00
James Rapson, labor
36 00
E. Case, labor.
36 00
H. W. Tarbell, labor
14 00
Frank Moran, labor.
37 24
Julian Wilkinson, labor
36 00
W. W. Parker, labor
33 00
$335 29
JULY.
Thos. Whigham, labor
$33 00
F. W. Davis, labor
6 00
Julian Wilkinson, labor
34 50
Amount carried forward $73 50
.
43
Amount brought forward. $73 50
Frank Moran, labor.
37 71
James Rapson, labor
34 50
Hiram Leland, labor.
6 00
W. W. Jonson, labor
2 00
E. Case, labor.
24 00
Wright & Fletcher, grain
8 75
B. F. Day, superintendent . .
45 00
Team .
. .
60 00
L. J. Marden, grain.
12 99
$304 45
AUGUST.
N. J. Decatur, 4,075 lbs. hay .
$20 38
Wright & Fletcher, grain
10 35
L. J. Marden, grain .
5 16
B. F. Day, superintendent.
45 00
Team
65 00
F. W. Davis, labor
24 00
James Rapson, labor
36 38
Thos Whigham, labor
28 50
Fred Dane, labor
28 50
Julian Wilkinson, labor.
39 00
E. Case, labor. ..
37 50
Frank Moran, labor
37 71
Joseph Gould, labor.
10 95
W. H. H. Burbeck, labor
14 60
$403 03
SEPTEMBER.
Wright & Fletcher, grain. .
$14 80
J. T. Colburn, 4400 lbs. hay
42 10
Alvan Fisher, gravel.
14 00
Waldo Bros , drain pipe
33 00
B. & M. R. R., freight.
3 89
B. F. Day, 4188 lbs. hay
35 54
John Wayne, labor.
9 00
James Rapson, labor
34 50
Fred Dane, labor.
33 75
Thos. Whigham, labor
34 50
Julian Wilkinson, labor
33 00
Frank Moran, labor
37 14
E. Case, labor
33 00
B. F. Day, superintendent.
39 75
Team
58 75
·
.
$456 72
44
OCTOBER.
Wright & Fletcher, grain.
$13 85
B. F. Day, superintendent.
45 00
Team.
61 25
Thos. Whigham, labor
31 35
Fred Dane, labor
30 75
E. Case, labor
31 50
Julian Wilkinson, labor
36 75
James Rapson, labor
30 75
F. Seifer, labor
4 00
Frank Moran, labor
37 71
Victor Prescott, labor.
. .
3 00
Nelson L. Prescott, labor
3 00
$328 91
NOVEMBER.
Wright & Fletcher, grain.
$12 00
M. A. G. Smith, gravel .
5 00
B. F. Day, superintendent
34 50
Team ..
46 00
E. Case, labor
31 93
Nelson L. Prescott, labor
27 50
Victor Prescott, labor
27 50
James Rapson, labor
28 75
I. G. Hall, labor
1 35
R. E. Redding, labor
21 65
Julian Wilkinson. labor
34 50
Peter Dolan, labor
36 37
$307 05
DECEMBER.
Wright & Fletcher, grain.
$11 20
John O'Brien, gravel. .
4 50
S. A. Butterfield, gravel .
1 25
B. H. Brow, gravel.
2 50
C O'Brien, gravel
2 50
B. F. Dar, gravel. .
7 95
F. C. Hildreth, 1,430 lbs hay
14 50
Nelson L. Prescott, labor
12 50
Victor Prescott. labor
12 50
John Marinell, Jr., labor
26 50
C. R. P. Decatur, labor
16 40
Felch Brothers, labor
9 25
James Rapson, labor
12 50
Peter Dolan, labor
18 84
B. M. Fletcher. labor
3 90
B. F. Day, superintendent.
19 50
Team .
26 00
.
J. Wilkinson, labor .
19 50
$221 79
45
JANUARY.
H. A. Gurney, gravel. . $1 95
C. G. Sargent's Sons, planks, gratings, and labor. 7 33
J. Wilkinson, labor 21 25
Wright & Fletcher, grain
9 55
H. Mills, gravel .
1 70
B. F. Day, superintendent
26 25
Team
10 00
$78 03
$3,498 96
Appropriation, $3,500 ; unexpended balance, $1.04.
Schedule of property belonging to town for use of road depart- ment : 2 horses, 1 set heavy harnesses, 1 set old harnesses, 2 carts, 5 whiffletrees and chains, 1 evener and spreader, 1 spare horse collar, 2 blankets, 2 surcingles, 1 stone drag, 2 yokes, 1 road scraper, 2 wrenches, 1 wagon jack, 2 chains, 1 stone lifter, straps to lead harness and hånd splices to lead reins, 6 road rakes, 6 shovels, 1 manure fork, 1 hay fork, 2 plows, 11 blasting drills, 12 plugdrills, lot of shims and wedges, 1 bush snath. 2 bush scythes, 2 axes, 1 trimming saw, 2 halters, 2 lanterns, 1 oil can, 1 tool box, 1 large hoe, 3 picks, 4 iron bars, 1 hand hammer, 2 striking hammers, 1 stone hammer, 1 drill spoon, 1 curry comb, 2 horse brushes, 2 gravel screens.
GRADE CROSSINGS.
During the past year we called the attention of the New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. to the dangerous grade crossings in town, one at Carlisle station, one at Hood's crossing, and one at Sweetser's crossing. Upon notice from the Selectmen, the R. R ( o. at once complied with our request to place some safeguard at these places, and have erected electric bells to warn people of the ap- proach of trains, which will be of much benefit to the public.
BREAKING OUT ROADS ON ACCOUNT OF SNOW.
DISTRICT NO 1.
Geo. F. Carkin and others, as per biils. ... $4 60 $4 60
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Samuel Taylor and others, as per bills. . . $13 00
W. W. Johnson and others, as per bills. . . 8 40
21 40
46
DISTRICT NO. 3. S. H. Balch and others, as per bill. $2 55 2 55
DISTRICT NO. 4.
S. B. Wright and others, as per bills
$4 10
4 10
DISTRICT NO. 5.
A. E. Wilson and others, as per bills
$12 23
12 23
DISTRICT NO. 6.
A. J. Blaisdell, as per bill
$1 00
1 00
DISTRICT NO. 7.
J. P. Felch and others, as per bills
$10 95
10 95
DISTRICT NO. 8.
W. H. Decatur and others, as per bills. $10 92
C. F. Shugrue and others, as per bills. . ...
16 80
27 72
DISTRICT NO. 9.
H. E. Gould, as per bill.
$14 12
14 12
DISTRICT NO. 10.
H. V. Hildreth, as per bill
8 50
8 50
$107 17
FIRE APPARATUS.
6 shovels for Forge Village. $5 10
6 shovels for Graniteville 5 10
Shovels, ladeles and paint for Center. .. 8 30
$18 50
J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY BUILDING.
By order. See Committee's report. $4,992 30 $4,992 30
DEDICATION OF J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY BUILDING. By order. See Committee's report. $595 62 $595 62
47
ESTIMATES FOR YEAR 1897-98.
Highways. $3.000 00
Town debts and charges
3,500 00
Support of schools .
5,60) 00
Tuition of High School scholars
100 00
Support of poor
2,500 00
Text books and supplies for schools.
700 00
Library . . .
200 00
Public burial grounds.
250 00
$15,850 00
In making up the estimates for the amount of money to be raised for the coming year we have consulted the officers of the several departments for the purpose of economizing as much as possible without detriment to the requirements of the town, so as to reduce our tax rate. A reduction has been made in about all of the amounts asked for from the amounts raised last year. In the estimate for tuition of high school scholars the estimate is $100, on account of having an unexpended balance in 1895-96, amounting to $1,186, which is available for use the coming year (A more complete statement will be found in the School Committee's report.) Estimating the State and County tax on the same basis as last year, with the present valuation of the town, to raise the above amount of $15,850 the tax rate would be about $13.50 on $1,000.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER, GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, JULIAN A. CAMERON,
Selectmen of Westford.
Report of J. V. Fletcher Library Building Committee.
The committee on building the J. V. Fletcher Library submit the following report:
Received from Hon. J. Varnum Fletcher
of Belmont, Mass., donation .. .
$13,969 00
Paid William C. Edwards as per contra :t .. $13,280 00
Henry M. Francis, architect fees. . .. ,
689 00 13,969 00
EXPENSE OF TOWN.
Paid William C. Edwards, extra work ... . $ 481 97
B. C. Fisk, estimates on plans . 5 00
G. V. Upton, one furnace. 25 00
Brownell & Mason, one furnace, regis- ters, galvanized pipes and labor setting furnaces. 525 56
W. J. Gould, irons for brick work around furnaces . 67 85
Snead & Co., iron works for book stacks
1,412 00
Gilbert & Barker Mfg. Co., for one Springfield Gas Machine . 503 70 .. C. H. McKenney & Co., gas fixtures .. 151 05 Strauss Brothers, decorators . 300 00
Marshall & Crosby, furniture .
430 00
Sawyer, Walbridge & Briggs Co., chairs 98 60
Nashua Cement Sidewalk Co., cement-
ing cell ar and making sidewalk .. 280 00 Smith & Brooks, surveying. 10 00
H. W. Tarbell, grading about Library building
350 00
Chamberlain & Co., window shades ... 25 00 Chamberlain & Co., window screens .. 83 00 T. Costello & Co , plumbing. . . .... H. V. Hildreth, well cover and labor .. 32 71 James Hunt, whitewashing cellar and walls .. 20 00
11 04
Revere Rubber Co., rubber mats. .
25 00
Amount curried forward.
$4837 48
49
$4837 48
Amount brought forward.
Joseph Raymond,cleaning building and windows .
25 53
Ai Bicknell, care of building 31 67
C. E. Whidden, freight, express and cartage .
14 26
F. B. Tulis, labor.
75
Car fare for masons .
2 72
M. G. Luce, one record book
2 00
W. E. Frost, cards and boxes for minerals .
5 67
W. J. Sleeper, M. D., jars and bottles for specimens .
5 47
C. J. Raymond & Co., show cases and stands
66 75 $4,992 30
CREDIT.
By cash received from N. H. Wright, Town Treasurer $4,992 30
Appropriation $5,000.
Total cost of building, including furnishing, $18,961 30.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER,
GEORGE W. HEYWOOD,
JULIAN A. CAMERON,
WILLIAM E. FROST,
GEORGE T. DAY,
A. P. RICHARDSON,
W. J. SLEEPER,
H. V. HILDRETH,
Building Committee.
50
Report of the Dedication Committee
of J. V. Fletcher Library Building, June 4, 1896.
Paid Salem Cadet Band. $100 00
car fare for Band. 32 94
James Martin & Son for tents and man 84 34
freight on tent ... 4 68
for labor putting up tents, as per bills, 14 75 Howe Lumber Co., lumber for tables and platforms. 44 19
Heywood & Burbeck for lumber. ...
3 92
for labor building tables, platforms and teaming lumber and chairs, as per bills
46 09
for two half-tone cuts of Library Build- ing and dinner cards, as per bills, 13 50 Thompson & Hill, printing. 40 20
Dumas & Co., printing. 10 75
J. M. Fletcher, P. M., for postage ...
18 87
for teams and barges, as per bills ....
36 00
D. L. Page Co., 600 dinner tickets.
600 00
Chamberlain & Co., for flowers and ferns
8 00
Spinner & Carrick, care of clothing .. 3 00
F. E. Rollins, stenographer
18 12
W. E. Frost for cards. .
39
N. H. Wright, Town Treasurer, bal cash on hand. 6 88
$1,086 62
CREDIT.
By 466 dinner tickets sold.
$466 00
lumber sold. 25 00
cash received from Town Treasurer. .
595 62
$1,086 62
Expense of Dedication :
Cash received from Town Treasurer $595.62, less $6.88 paid over to Treasurer, $588.74; appropriation $600.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER,
GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, JULIAN A. CAMERON,
WILLIAM E. FROST,
GEORGE T. DAY,
A. P. RICHARDSON,
W. J. SLEEPER,
H. V. HILDRETH.
Committee on Dedication.
LIST OF JURORS, 1897.
The following names will be reported at the Annual Meeting in April, to be placed in the jury box, subject to revision by the Town :
NAMES.
OCCUPATION.
Wilford G. Blodgett,
Clerk.
Augustus Bunce,
Farmer.
W. H. H. Burbeck,
Laborer.
Quincy W. Day,
Farmer.
Jeremiah Desmond,
Farmer.
Frank C. Drew,
Farmer.
Elbert H. Flagg,
Farmer.
George M. Fletcher,
Farmer.
George W. Goode,
Author.
Horace E. Gould,
Farmer.
David L. Greig.
Carder.
Henry A. Gurney,
Farmer.
Frank C. Hildreth,
Farmer.
Frank H. Hildreth,
Farmer.
Edward H. Holt,
Laborer.
Samuel M. Hutchins,
Farmer.
French M. Morse,
Machinist.
Harry L. Nesmith,
Farmer.
Elmer E. Nutting,
Machinist.
Wilbert E. Parsons,
Teamster.
George H. Prescott,
Machinist.
Richard D. Prescott,
Farmer.
Nathan Prescott,
Painter.
Charles N. Richardson,
Farmer.
Ossian V. Robey, Frank B. Tulis,
Painter.
Leonard W. Wheeler,
Farmer.
Hiram Whitney,
Retired.
Granite Dealer.
Clerk.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER, GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, JULIAN A. CAMERON,
Selectmen of Westford
Hammett D. Wright, Walter C. Wright,
Carpenter.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
The officers of the Board of Health as constituted for the past year were Sherman H. Fletcher, Chairman, and Julian A. Cameron, Secretary.
The Board appointed Julian A. Cameron and John A. Healy agents for diseases and sanitary condition of the town ; Gilman J. Wright agent to issue burial permits. Albert P. Richardson and John A. Healy were licensed as undertakers.
During the past year our town has been afflicted with an epi- demic of measles, with a few cases of scarlet fever, typhoid fever and diphtheria.
In the late fall and winter measles were very prevalent in Graniteville and Forge Village, with a number of cases in other parts of the town.
The Board has endeavored to do all in its power to stop the spreading of these contagious diseases by means of quarantine and fumigation. Quarantine cards were posted on the affected houses notifying people of the prevailing disease so that they might be on their guard, to help prevent the spreading of the contagion. Disa- greeable as it was to those affi cted, our people are to be commended for their co-operation in sustaining the action of the Board.
Sickness is an expensive thing, and it has been the aim of the Board to do all in its power ot relieve our citizens from the expense that is entailed upon them in the care and treatment of the sick, as well as to protect the public from these unfortunate visitations.
The use of Antitoxin as an agent for the prevention and cure of diphtheria has come into general use and has been used with excellent results by our physicians.
In the several cases of typhoid fever no cause could be assigned for its appearance, as the surroundings where the patients were sick seemed free from anything of a typhoid nature.
A number of deaths have occurred from consumption, although our State Board has not as yet placed this disease among the infec-
53
tious or contagious diseases, but it is a question of considerable dis- cussion among the medical faculty. The Board of Health of New York City has designated it a contagious disease.
The Board of Health considers small-pox, varioloid, diphtheria, membraneous croup, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, measles, typhus fever, yellow fever and Asiatic cholera diseases dangerous to the public health within the meaning of Chapter 80 of the Public Statutes, and householders, as well as physicians, are required under the law to report to the Board diseases of a contagious or in- fectious character. Where physicians have been employed we have waived this requirement of householders to report, but if a physician is not employed the householder must report to the Board, as they are liable to a fine of $100 in not so doing.
The Board is required to send notice to the State Board of Health within 24 hours after a receipt of a notice of a case of con- tagious or infectious disease in town, otherwise the town will forfeit all claim it might have against the State.
The U. S. Government also asks for a monthly statement of diseases, with a record of the births and deaths.
During the past year we had a complaint of a sink drain flow- ing too near a well of water of an adjoining owner, used for domes- tic purposes. Upon investigation we decided that it was a nuisance and detrimental to the health of the family using the water. The owner of the building was notified to abate the nuisance, but refused to do so. A warrant was issued and served by a constable upon the owner, who at once remedied the trouble to our satisfaction.
The State Board of Health, in their manual of health laws, in referring to local Boards of Health say that " The Statutes impose upon Boards of Health the duty of protecting the people from those causes and influences which may injuriously affect their health." Mr. Justice Wells in delivering the opinion of the Court in the case of Salem v. Eastern Railroad Company, 98 Mass. 431, 433, says, refer- ring to local Boards of Health, "Their action is intended to be prompt and summary. They are clothed with extraordinary powers for the protection of the community from noxious influences affecting life and health ; and it is important that their proceedings should be de- layed as little as possible. Delay might defeat all beneficial results ; and the necessity of the case and the importance of the public in- terests at stake justify prompt action."
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