USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1958-1959 > Part 5
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Streets Constructed under Betterments:
(Available funds $60, 000) Expenditure $53, 000)
Oakridge Circle 1850 ft.
Patricia Circle 400 ft.
Wing Road 750 ft.
Walker Street 450 ft.
Kiernan Avenue 800 ft. Marcus Road 2350 ft. (1800 finishe
Dell Drive 450 ft. Shady Lane Drive 600 ft. ( 300 finishe (culvert installed)
Streets Constructed under Chapter 718 - started in 1957 and finished in 1958 (Available funds $14, 787) (Expenditure $14, 700)
Meadow Lane 400 ft.
Kelley Road 950 ft.
Chandler Street 350 ft.
Fairmeadow Road:
(Special appropriation $18, 000) (Expenditure to date $9, 500)
All trees, stumps, brush, boulders, subsoil and mud removed. . . . graveled and graded. ... 1500 ft. of drainage and six catch basins to be installed in 1959. . street will be finished.
Play Area - rear of Swain School and Library:
Trees and brush were cut. .... fill hauled in from various jobs and spread ..... cost $350.
56
Parking Area - Middlesex Avenue, N. Wilmington
(Available Funds $500) (Expenditure $5500)
Entire area excavated ..... in some sections the mud and peat were 4 ft to 5 ft. deep. ... 200 cu. yds of boulders hauled away ..... several were too large to load and will have to be blasted ..... several pieces of ledge must be removed if the parking lot is to be finished ..... a large area was graveled, graded and sur - face treated with asphalt, back-covered with stone, and rolled. All the loam was hauled to the cemetery.
Miscellaneous expenditures:
Silver Lake Beach (hired equipment)
600.00
Patching
1,084.00
Camp Forty Acres (Boy Scout Camp)
250. 00
Drainage
3,432.00
Special equip. and poison for brush control
600.00
Town Dump
240.00
Street signs, traffic signs and post
936.00
Tree removal
2,000.00
Town pit (stripping)
420.00
Chapter 81 and Highway Expense Account - Salary & Wages
Seal with RC5 and stone cover:
Cost
Cost
Adams St.
3/10 mi.
$340. 00
Jacquith Rd.
2/10 mi.
$321.00
Adelaide St.
1/10 mi.
184. 00
Judith Rd.
1/10 mi.
230.00
Aldrich Rd.
5/10 mi.
638.00
Kendall St.
4/10 mi.
505.00
Birchwood Rd.
3/10 mi.
603. 00
Lake Street
2/10 mi.
195.00
Boutwell St.
3/10 mi.
320. 00
Middlesex Ave.
3/10 mi.
824.00
Bridge Lane
2/10 mi.
Nickerson Ave.
2/10 mi.
122.00
corner at Main St. cut & graveled
772. 00
Oak Street
1/10 mi.
85.00
Brand Ave.
4/10 mi.
414.00
Oakdale Road
4/10 mi.
773.00
Burt Road
4/10 mi.
355. 00
Parker St.
4/10 mi.
509.00
Butters Row
4/10 mi.
330. 00
Philips Ave.
3/10 mi.
315.00
Cedar St.
800 ft.
105. 00
Pineview Rd.
1/10 mi.
114.00
Central St.
1/10 mi.
154.00
Roman Way
3/10 mi.
Chestnut St.
4/10 mi.
also - dangerous corner eliminated
1087.00
also - 2 fences
1084. 00
Roosevelt Rd.
3/10 mi.
272.00
Clark St.
4/10 mi.
349.00
Shady Lane Drive
5/10 mi.
573.00
Cunningham St.
3/10 mi.
285.00
Sprucewood Rd.
1/10 mi.
249.00
Dorchester St.
4/10 mi.
492.00
Strout Avenue
3/10 mi.
396.00
Essex St.
3/10 mi.
344.00
Swain Road
4/10 mi.
398.00
Faulkner Rd.
4/10 mi.
480. 00
Suncrest Ave.
3/10 mi.
596.00
Federal St.
6/10 mi.
759.00
Taplin Ave.
3/10 mi.
353.00
Glen Road
4/10 mi.
323. 00
Union Street
3/10 mi.
368.00
Harden St.
1/10 mi.
255.00
Westdale Ave.
2/10 mi.
142.00
Harris St.
2/10 mi.
220.00
Wild Avenue
3/10 mi.
383. 00
Hopkins St.
4/10 mi.
321.00
Wildwood Street
1 3/10 mi.
1768.00
Construction and Surface Treated:
Andover St.
5/10 mi.
North St.
5/10 mi.
1570.00
also - one catch basin
3600. 00
Williams Ave.
1/10 mi.
939.00
Brentwood Ave.
3/10 mi.
1052. 00
Woburn Street
1 2/10 mi.
3289.00
Jones Ave.
1/10 mi.
663. 00
Pinewood Rd.
4/10 mi.
565.00
Central Ave.
2/10 mi.
150.00
Wilmington Meinoral Library
---
Carter Lane: - 2800 ft ...... a major construction job, trees, stumps, boulders, subsoil and brush removed. graveled and graded. . . . not finished. .... poles had to be moved in order to get a 24-ft. traveled way. $5,800.
57
Laurel Ave.
1/10 mi ..... mix in place with asphalt and pea gravel and roll
$ 520. 01
Linda Road 200 ft ..... excavate subsoil, remove ledge and gravel ..... 3/10 mi. seal with RC5 and stone cover
1,903. 01
Lockwood Rd.
3/10 mi ..... seal with MC3 and sand cover .....
248.01
West Street
9/10 mi .. .... part seal, part mix and culvert
1,426. 01
The following expenditures include items such as new fences, repaired fences, curbing, patching brush cutting and burning, drainage, shoulder widening, street signs, etc.
Miscellaneous expenditures:
Ballardvale Street
$426. 00
Lawrence Court
36. 00
Border Avenue
280.00
Lawrence Street
46. 00
Broad Street
270.00
Liberty Street
110. 00
Burlington Ave.
72. 00
Lincoln Street
324. 0(
Concord Street
42.00
McDonald Road
335. 0(
Cook Avenue
425.00
Middlesex Avenue
96. 00
Dunton Road
672. 00
Morse Avenue
85. 0(
Eames Street
827.00
Moth Building
15.0
Fay Street
352. 00
Nassau Avenue
34. 0(
Forrest St.
75.00
Nichols Street
477. 0(
Garden Court
110.00
Oakwood Road
255. 0(
Grant Street
80.00
Pershing Street
30. 0(
Grove Avenue
40.00
Salem Street
100.00
Hathaway Road
20.00
Shawsheen Ave.
262.0(
High Street
40.00
Suncrest Ave.
132. 0(
Highland Street
235.00
Wilson Street
55. 00
Due to the severe cold in the month of December, three jobs had to be closed because of frost, and they will be finished in 1959.
All the highway equipment is in good condition. One truck was purchased in 1947 and should be replaced at a cost of about $6500. Much of the equipment has to remain outdoors as the garage is definitel too small. It was constructed in 1947 when the town owned two trucks, roller, Ford coupe and a Cletrac tractor. A suitable building should be constructed in 1959 to house all town owned equipment with quarters for the men and an office for the superintendent. At present the roller is stored in Woburn under poor conditions. The garage itself should be at least 150 ft. x 50 ft. I realize that we need new schools, but by the same token a new highway garage is a must ..... it cannot be put off any longer.
At this time I wish to take the opportunity to thank the various department heads for their co- operation and publicly state that it has been a pleasure to work with the past and present Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen.
O
Highway Department Crew reconstructs Park Street
58
board of health
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HEALTH AGENT & SANITARIAN Patrick A. Thibeau
In the year 1958, community health programs relating to communicable disease control, public health nursing, environmental sanitation and laboratory were continued and in some stressed. The importance of a laboratory, as an example was clearly demonstrated this year when a total of 1, 651 tests were performed as compared to 785 in 1957 for a net gain of 210% over that year. With the intensified mass polio innoculation having been completed in 1957, a sustaining program for children between six months and one year was in- stituted this year. The number of reported cases of communicable diseases remained about the same as in the previous years; with the exception of two diagnosed cases of whooping cough. From what could be deter - mined, neither child had received its immunization doses.
The year 1958 saw the completion of the first Wilmington health code started five years previously. The code has been modernized to meet changing conditions but has certain protective features to prevent possible hardships. The Board of Health is indebted to all those who collaborated with its promulgation and especially to those previous Board of Health members who were instrumental in its enactment. Copies of the code book may be obtained from the Town Clerk.
An organizational change within the Board of Health was made this year with the election of Mr. A. C. Walker as Chairman.
A resume of the activities carried on this year is as follows:
A. Communicable Disease Control
I. Immunization Clinics
Four clinics were held this year for pre-school children. Innoculations were against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). A booster clinic was also held for any pre- school child up to the age of six who had been previously innumized.
Children innoculated at clinics 50
Children who completed series of three doses 33
Children who received booster doses 27
Library
Wilmington Memoria !!
59
II. Polio Innoculation Clinics
The mass polio innoculation program having been completed in the previous two years when 9600 doses were given and 53 clinics held, and acting in compliance with state requirements, clinics were held only for those children under one year of age who had not received any previous innoculations.
Total Number of Innoculations given
330
Total Number of Clinics held
4
Number of Physicians Supplied with Vaccine
2
Age Distribution of Innoculations and their Number - Public Clinic
1 st
2 nd
3rd
Under 5
74
87
169
5 through 9
0
0
3
III. Anti-Rabies Clinic
As in the four previous years, an anti-rabies clinic was held in May. Gardiner Lester, D. V. M. was the attending veterinarian. A total of 399 dogs received their anti-rabies innoculations.
B. Public Health Nursing
Nursing visits for year 1958
743
Fees collected for visits $441
This phase of the public health nurse's program includes all services connected with the care of the sick. It's purpose is to offer skilled nursing care, under the direction and guidance of a physician, to those persons requiring such service in the home; to give instructions in the care of the sick, in the prevention of disease and in the promotion of health. This service is available to any individual living in the Town of Wilmington.
Health Services: A total of 184 visits were made in the interest of child and adult health. These visits include prenatal, postnatal, premature, infant, child and adult health. The purpose of this service is to help families formulate plans for the promotion and protection of their own health and well being and to acquaint them with facilities and resources whereby they might carry out these plans.
Late in the fall a survey was started to determine what health services would best serve the needs of the community. At the present time, the Board of Health does not have adequate space to carry out its aims, but it is hoped when adequate housing has been provided that the results of this surve will help to determine just what health service will best serve the needs of the community.
Child Care Agencies and Nursing Homes: The licensing and supervision of agencies giving day care to children under seven years of age is the responsibility of the local Board of Health. The local Board must approve the application of a Nursing Home before a license is granted by the State Department of Public Health. Ten inspections were made in regard to these agencies.
60
Tuberculosis Report of 1958
Total Number Active Cases in Register 18
Total Number Cases Hospitalized
2
New Cases Reported
1
Number of Diagnosed Tuberculosis cases visited
21
Total Number of Visits made to diagnosed cases 82
Total Number of Visits (suspects, cases, contacts)
188
Number of Visits made to North Reading State Sanatorium 17
Number of Visits made to Essex County Sanatorium 8
C. Environmental Sanitation
The Board of Health carried on various functions in at least seven branches of sanitation, namely; water, milk, sewage, refuse disposal, housing and recreational area sanitation.
I. Water Sanitation
Number of wells inspected 30
Found satisfactory Found contaminated 11
19
Owners of the wells that were contaminated or poorly constructed were advised in the methods necessary to render the water safe for drinking and culinary purposes. A number were able to be thus corrected. Homes serviced by wells should have the supply inspected and analyzed once a year as a safety precaution. The Board of Health will perform this service without charge or obligation to the owner of any property located in the Town.
II. Milk Sanitation
Licensed Dairies Pasteurization Plants Inspected 17
21
Samples of Milk and Cream Analyzed 307
The quality of milk sold in Wilmington has increased to such a point that 99. 4 % of the total laboratory tests ran showed compliance with local and state requirements. This in a great part is due to the dairymen themselves, but also reflects the fact that vigilance and regulatory pro- cedures affords maximum protection to the public. The range distribution of 307 samples of milk and cream analyzed gave the following:
Milk and Flavored Milk Drinks*
0 - 500 colonies
6 Samples
68 Samples 501 - 1,000 colonies 1,001 - 5,000 colonies 109 Samples 5,001 - 10, 000 colonies 13 Samples
10,001 - 15, 000 colonies 6 Samples
15, 001 or over colonies
7 Samples
Cream All Grades*
35 Samples
0 - 1,000 colonies 1,001 - 5,000 colonies 5,001 - 10, 000 colonies 14 Samples 10,001 - 20, 000 colonies 4 Samples
41 Samples
20,001 - 40, 000 colonies 40, 001 or over colonies
1 Sample 3 Samples
*Massachusetts Department of Public Health standards for milk and flavored milk drinks are 10, 000 colonies or less per sample; cream grades allow 40, 000 colonies or less.
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Wilintnuton Memorial Library
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III. Food Sanitation
Restaurants Inspected
15
Soda Fountains
7
Bakeries 5
Grocery Stores 26
Mobile Canteens 12
Ice Cream Manufacturing Establishments 3
School Cafeterias 8
Industrial Cafeterias 2
Utensils used by the public were periodically tested for bacterial content to determine the efficiency of dishwashing and handling. The purpose of this was to discover and prevent the transmission of diseases through these utensils.
IV. Sewage Disposal Sanitation
Applications for sewerage permits
178
Sewerage permits granted:
Older dwellings 14
New dwellings 148
Commercial Establishments
6
Industries 2
Other 2
Sewerage systems inspected and approved 155
Lots restricted for building 1
Lots on which restrictions removed 1
In addition, two subdivisions of land containing 50 lots were presented to the Board of Health for approval. Twenty-two of these lots were found to be unsuitable at the time of the sanitary survey and were restricted for building purposes. Restrictions placed previously on twenty- six lots were removed when the developer fulfilled the requirements of the Board of Health.
V. Refuse Disposal
Garbage collections and disposal of refuse although more properly belonging in a public works budget have been a function of the Board of Health for the last few years. The total cost of such operations last year accounted for $19, 450. 00 or 67% of the total Board of Health budget.
Inquiries concerning garbage collections should be made to this office. There is no immediate prospect for rubbish collections as such activity is apparently being satisfactorily conducted by private collectors.
On the first of the year, the Town Dump will be relocated at another site. The operation carrie on will be a sanitary land-fill as opposed to the current burning method as presently employed. This will be the trenching, compacting and burying of rubbish. With two licensed and acceptable dumping sites in the Town, the Board of Health feels by annual open, competitive bidding, it car. and will obtain a dump at the lowest possible cost to the Town. This year, Two Thousand - Dollars ($2, 000) was thus saved.
VI, Recreational Area Sanitation
Sanitation of the two recreational areas in the Town - Camp Forty Acres and Silver Lake - fall within the jurisdiction of the Board of Health. At Camp Forty Acres, the construction of the well, privies and bathing area and refuse disposal must be annually inspected and approved.
62
Inspections conducted at the Camp this year and analysis of the water supply showed it was operating in accordance with the requirements of the Board of Health.
The situation at Silver Lake this year was somewhat different. During the bathing season, it was necessary to make water analysis twice a week for a total of 258 tests. This was because for the first time in four years, analyses showed water of high bacterial counts after the week- ends. In the mid-week samples, the bacterial count dropped sharply indicating the fact that although contamination was high on weekends, the lake was able to assimilate, reduce and stabilize the bacteria content quickly after a few days of rest. The Board of Health was there - fore reluctant to initiate action to close the lake provided the same situation continued as it did throughout the summer. This necessitated a considerable amount of laboratory work and con- stant vigilance. A bacterial survey conducted at Silver Lake this year gave the following results:
Date
M. P. N. * 17
Date
M. P. N. * 1 300
6/23/58
22
7/23/58
490
6/30/58
3500
7/28/58
330
7/ 2/58
3500
7/30/58
230
7/ 7/58
3500
8/ 4/58
3500
7/ 9/58
700
8/ 6/58
1100
7/14/58
3500
8/12/58
330
-
*M. P. N. represents the number of intestinal bacteria of the coliform family found in 100 c. c. of water.
VII. Housing Sanitation
A number of dwellings were repaired, remodeled or torn down as a result of the housing inspection program.
Occupied Dwellings
Unoccupied Dwellings
Inspected
7
Inspected
3
Condemned
7
Condemned
3
No. violations found
1
No. violations
1
Vacated
3
Violations corrected
4
VIII. Nuisance Complaints
In the period, seventy-three complaints were received and investigated.
Complaint
No.
Abated
Sewage
25
22
Dumping
14
11
Unprotected wells, excavations, etc.
9
8
Animals
5
5
Abandoned ice box
1
1
Housing
8
6
Inadequate heat
2
1
Stagnant water, odors, etc.
3
3
Inadequate or unsafe water
2
1
Rodents
4
4
Milk
1
1
Not of public health significance
4
63
6/16/58
7/16/58
IX. Miscellaneous Inspections
Piggeries
19
Recreational Camps 2
Stables
12
Public Rest Rooms 6
Town Dump
3
D. Laboratory
A total of 1, 651 bacteriological and chemical analyses were made this year on water, milk and multi-used food utensils (glasses, forks, plates, etc. ) by the Health Agent.
No.
Satisfactory
% Satisfactory
Milk & Cream
894
845
99. 4
Private wells
371
244
65. 7
Camp Forty Acres Well
8
8
100. 0
Silver Lake
258
208
80. 6
Restaurant utensils
53
38
71. 7
Schools:
1/2 pt. school milk
42
42
100.0
Cafeteria utensils
25
22
88.0
E. Permits and Licenses
Permits and licenses were issued by the Board of Health after investigation and inspection.
Piggery Licenses
14
Refuse transportation permits
37
Child care centres
4
Wholesale manufacture of ice cream
1
Retail manufacture of ice cream
1
Anti-freeze permits
8
Funeral Directing
3
Stable licenses
9
Food permits
55
Milk Dairy licenses
21
Milk Store licenses
20
Oleomargarine licenses
13
Dump licenses
2
Camp license
1
Sewerage permits
172
Conclusion: The Board of Health is most grateful for the aid rendered to it by the various town departments but especially must express its thanks to Wilmington Congregational Church, St. Thomas of Villanova Parish and the American Legion for the use of their facilities and halls in conducting the polio anc immunization clinics. Without their cooperation and kindness, it would not have been possible to offer this protection to the children of Wilmington. Last but not least, the Board of Health is most indebted to those ladies who gave of their time and energy to make these clinics a success.
64
inspector of animals
Dog bites reported
85
Dogs showing physical signs of rabies
0
Animals submitted to laboratory for examination
0
(All biting animals were quarantined for the period of time prescribed by law. )
Animals quarantined
12
Animals released from quarantine
12
Dogs released from interstate shipment
0
Laboratory report: Positive Negative
0
Premises keeping domestic animals inspected
48
Cattle inspected
122
Horses inspected
55
Swine inspected
4015
Goats inspected
11
Sheep inspected
12
Cattle released from interstate shipment
0
Cattle reacting to the tuberculin test
0
All special work assigned to me by the Department of Livestock Disease Control and the Board of Health was attended to promptly.
dog officer
Dog Licenses
1053
Kennels ...... $50.00
1
25.00
0
10.00
2
Dogs Confined
297
Complaints covered
536
Dogs destroyed
197
Dogs disposed of
260
Dogs killed by cars
63
Resident calls for licenses
319
0
65
board of public welfare
Board of Public Welfare: left to right, Anna M. Low, Florence Balkus, Maurice D. O'Neil, Chairman, and Patrick Ring, Agent
The Wilmington Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits its report for the year 1958.
Legislation, both Federal and State, required this Agency to furnish more services and expend larger sums of money in 1958 than ever before, and this trend is on the increase. All Legislation (Public Assistance) that was approved during 1958 will affect the appropriation for 1959 - plus any possible 1959 Legislation.
The appropriations requested for the various categories under the supervision of this Board are purely estimates, as it is impossible to determine the needs of the Department at this time.
The various categories of assistance under the local Board of Public Welfare are - Aid to Depend ent Children, Disability Assistance, Old Age Assistance and General Relief. A general breakdown of the se categories are as follows:
Public Welfare:
During 1958 there were 37 families aided under this type of assistance, with a total expenditure ( $9, 134. 06. Some of these cases aided have recently moved to Wilmington from other towns and cities, and therefore aid granted will be reimbursed. This town had to reimburse other towns and cities for assistance granted to Wilmington settled cases for families living in other communities, also. This Board must call t your attention that during 1958 this country went through a slight recession, which had an effect upon our appropriation and expenditures. There has been a gradual increase in this type of assistance, partly due to the population shift. This Department operates around the economic conditions of the country. For exampl when a person is laid off, due to lack of work, he signs for Unemployment Compensation. He must wait three weeks for his first check, and this Agency usually carries this family for that period of time, if there is no other resource or income.
Aid to Dependent Children:
During 1958, fifty-nine children of twenty-two different families were aided, with a total expendi. ture of $29, 286. 57 under this program. The costs of this type of assistance were shared by the Federal, State and local community. This program has increased over the years, even over the efforts of local Agen
66
Police and Courts to find and prosecute the deserting parent. There have been recoveries and reimbur se - ments made to this account by the Federal and State, and by deserting parents, who are under Court order to contribute towards the support of their families.
Disability Assistance:
During 1958, fifteen cases received a grant from this Board under this particular type of assist-
ance. The total expenditure for this category amounted to $13, 317. 44. The Federal, State and local also participated financially in this program.
Old Age Assistance:
The local Bureau of Old Age Assistance has aided 117 cases during 1958, at a total cost of $90, 714. 87. This program - as all others - is on the increase, partly due to the increase and shift in popu- lation. This Bureau reimbursed other communities a total of $1, 920. 33 for caring for Wilmington settled cases during 1958. The costs of this program were shared by the Federal, State and local government. Wilmington received money from other cities and towns during the year for caring for settled cases from these other communities. It is expected that costs of this program will increase because of (a) hospital rates, (b) high medical expenses, such as drugs, (c) Nursing Home rates, (d) cost of living, (e) Amendments to the present Medical Care Plan, (f) State Legislative and Congressional broadening of this benefit, (g) plus 1959 Legislation pending before both branches of government, State and Federal.
This report would be incomplete unless the local Agency expresses its heartfelt thanks and appre - ciation to the local Fire Department for the prompt and courteous service it has extended and shown in trans - porting the recipients of this Agency to and from Nursing Homes and Hospitals. Also, to the Fire Depart- ment, Knights of Columbus, the employees of Avco, the Community Fund and Wilmington taxi men are due a great deal of thanks from the Board of Public Welfare for the many favors done and granting of Christmas baskets to those in need.
Administration:
This covers all expenditures of the Board to administer the four categories. The Federal and State government does not participate in the administration of Public Welfare, but does in the other three categories. Federal reimbursement is based on home visits and all contacts with cases in the office.
The Social Security Act requires all employees of this Board to be under Civil Service, and the salaries of the employees must conform to the Civil Service Compensation Plan (minimum). Mr. A. Ring became the permanent Welfare Agent on January 15, 1958; he previously had been acting on a provisional appointment, pending the results of the Civil Service examination that was held on June 30, 1957. As yet, the local Agency has been unable to secure a permanent, full time Social Worker, but it expects to have one in the very near future, as this is a Federal and State requirement. On January 8, 1959, Mrs. Anna Low of Woburn Street, Wilmington, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the local Board, by the Town Manager. Mrs. Miriam Sullivan of Lake Street, Wilmington, is the Agency's Senior Clerk and Stenographer.
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