Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960, Part 31

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 654


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 31


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45


SECTION 3. PLUMBING


3.1 A safe and adequate supply of water from a source ap- proved by the board of health shall be piped into each dwelling.


3.2 Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to water and sewer systems approved by the board of health.


3.3 Every dwelling shall be provided with such number of water closets, lavatories, bathtubs or showers as the board of health may require but in no case less than one water closet, lava- tory, bathtub or shower for each dwelling unit. In lodging houses and dormitories there shall be provided a minimum of one water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower for every eight persons or part thereof. All plumbing fixtures shall be properly connected to water and sewer systems approved by the board of health.


27


3.4 Every kitchen sink, lavatory and bathtub or shower required by these min mum standards shall be properly connected to both hot and cold water lines.


3.5 Every dwelling shall have supplied water-heating facili- ties which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condit.on, are properly connected with the hot water lines required under the provisions of Subsection 3.4 of Section 3 of these minimum standards, and are capable of heating water to such a temperature and in sufficient quantity to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lava- tory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.


3.6 The water closet and bathtub or shower compartment for each dwelling unit or lodging house shall be accessible from with- in the building without passing through any part of any other dwelling unit or lodging unit; and such water closet or bathtub or shower compartment shall be separated from all other rooms by walls or partitions that afford privacy.


3.7 No privy shall be constructed or continued in use except by written permission from the board of health. No privy shall be located less than 30 feet from any building used for sleeping or eating, or from any lot line or street. No privy shall be a source of pollution of any water supply or stream.


3.8 Where connection to a public sewer is not practicable, a dwelling shall be served by cesspools, septic tanks or other means of subsurface disposal of sewage, which shall be approved by the board of health and maintained by the owner to the satisfaction of the board of health.


3.9 All plumbing shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstruction.


3.10 Every sink, tub, shower, toilet, or other plumbing fixture in a building used for habitation shall be provided with a proper and unobstructed drain which discharges into a sewerage system outside the building, and said fixtures and drains shall be main- tained by the owner in a sanitary working condition at all times.


SECTION 4. GARBAGE AND RUBBISH


4.1 Garbage or other organic waste shall be stored in water- tight receptacles of metal or other approved material and provided with tight-fitting covers. Sufficient receptacles shall be provided for the maximum needs of the occupants of the dwelling. Mechan- ical d'sposal or incineration of garbage may be permitted, provided that such mechanical disposal or incineration methods are specifi- cally approved by the board of health. Receptacles for garbage shall be provided in accordance with Subsection 8.8 of Section 8 of these standards.


4.2 Rubbish or other inorganic waste shall be stored in receptacles of metal or other approved material. Sufficient recep- tacles shall be provided to take care of the maximum needs of


28


the occupants of the dwelling. Incineration of rubbish may be permitted, provided that such incineration methods are approved by the board of health. Receptacles for rubbish shall be provided in accordance with Subsection 8.8 of Section 8 of these standards.


SECTION 5. LIGHT, VENTILATION, HEATING AND EGRESS


5.1 Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window or skylight area measured between stops, for every habit- able room shall be 10 per cent of the floor area of such room. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than 3 feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face d rectly to the outdoors and shall not be included as con- tributing to the required minimum total window area.


5.2 Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can be easily opened. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45 per cent of the minimum window area or minimum skylight area, as re- quired in Subsection 5.1 of Section 5 of these minimum standards, except where there is supplied some other dev ce affording ade- quate ventilation and approved by the board of health.


5.3 Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall be well lighted and ventilated. Three foot candles of light (three lumens per square foot) shall be provided by either natural or artificial means and shall be available at all times. Such lights shall be measured 36 inches from the floor at the center of the room. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall have at least one window or skylight which can be easily opened. The total openable window area shall be equal to at least forty-five per cent of the minimum window area or minimum skylight area as required in Subsection 5.1 of Section 5 of these minimum standards. Such window area requirements of this section may be waived provided that there is an installed mechanical ventila- tion system approved by the board of health.


5.4 Where there is electric service available from power lines which are not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every habitable room shall contain at least two separate wall type electric convenience outlets, or one such convenience outlet and one ceiling or wall type electric light fixture. Every such outlet and fixture shall be properly installed, shall be main- tained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a safe manner. No temporary wiring shall be used except extension cords which run directly from portable electrical fixtures to convenience outlets, and which do not lie under rugs or other floor coverings, nor extend through doorways, transoms or other openings through structural elements.


5.5 Every portion of any interior passageway or staircase common to two or more families in a building used for human habitation shall be illuminated naturally or artificially at all


29


times with an illumination of at east two lumens per square foot (2 foot candles) in the darkest portion of the normally traveled stairs and passageways. Such means of illumination in dwellings occupied by three families or less may be controlled by switches that may be turned on as needed.


5.6 Every means of egress from a dwelling unit or a lodging unit shall be safe and unobstructed.


5.7 Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and water closet compartments lo- cated therein to a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit under ordinary minimum winter conditions. The temperature shall be read at a height of three feet above floor level at the center of the room. Such heating equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the applicable regulations of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety.


5.8 Space heaters, except electrical, shall be properly vented to a chimney or duct leading to outdoors.


SECTION 6. MAINTENANCE


6.1 Every foundation, floor,, wall, ceiling, door, window, roof or other part of a dwelling shall be kept in good repair and capable of the use intended by its design.


6.2 Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every stairway having three or more steps shall be properly bannistered and safely balustraded.


6.3 Railings or parapets shall be provided around porches that are higher than thirty inches above ground level, balconies, roofs used for egress or tenancy purposes and/or similar places. Such protective railings or parapets shall be properly balustered and be not less than three feet in height.


6.4 Every roof, wall, window, exterior door and hatchway shall be free from holes or leaks that would permit the entrance of water within a dwelling and be a cause of dampness.


6.5 Every foundation, floor and wall shall be free from chronic dampness.


6.6 Every dwelling shall be free from rodents or vermin. Rodent or vermin extermination and rodent proofing and vermin proofing may be required by the board of health. Rodent and vermin extermination shall be carried out in accordance with Subsection 8.9 of Section 8 of these minimum standards.


30


6.7 Every dwelling shall be clean and free from garbage or rubbish. When a dwelling or dwelling unit is not reasonably clean or free from garbage or rubbish, the board of health may cause the responsible person in accordance with the provisions of Subsections 8.3 through 8.9 inclusive of Section 8 of these minimum standards to put the dwelling or dwelling unit in a cleanly condition.


6.8 When a wall or ceiling within a dwelling has deteriorated so as to provide a harborage for rodents or vermin, or such wall or ceiling has become seriously stained or soiled, the board of health may order the owner to clean, repair, paint, whitewash or paper such walls or ceilings. Nothing in this standard shall be so construed as to place upon the non-resident owner respon- sibilities for cleanliness contained in Subsection 8.5 of these minimum standards.


6.9 Every water closet compartment floor and bathroom floor shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.


SECTION 7. SPACE, USE AND OCCUPANCY


7.1 Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant thereof and at least 100 additional square feet of floor space for every additional occupant thereof, the floor space to be caluculated on the basis of total habitable room area.


7.2 In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall con- tain at least 70 square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in every lodging unit every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall con- tain at least 80 square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 60 square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof.


7.3 At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet; and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than 5 feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.


7.4 No room in a dwelling may be used for sleeping if the floor level of the room is lower than three and one-half feet below the average grade of the ground adjacent to and within 15 feet of the exterior walls of the room.


31


7.5 A room located below the level of the ground but with the floor level less than three and one-half feet below the average grade of the ground adjacent to and within 15 feet of the exterior walls of the room may be used for sleeping upon the written permission of the board of health and provided that the walls and floor thereof in contact with the earth have been damp-proofed in accordance with a method approved by the board of health; and provided that the windows thereof are at least 15 feet from the nearest building or wall.


7.6 No temporary housing shall be used without the written permission of the board of health.


SECTION 8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS


8.1 No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under these mini- mum standards to be removed from or shut off from or discon- tinued from any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emer- gencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the board of health. In the event that any service or utility which the owner or operator has agreed to supply is discontinued the owner or operator shall take immediate steps to cause the restoration of such service or utility.


8.2 The owner of a dwelling located in an area found by the board of health to be infested by rats, insects or other vermin shall carry out such rat stoppage, vermin proofing or other means of preventing or remedying such infestations of said dwellings as may be required by the board of health.


8.3 No owner shall occupy or let to an occupant any vacant dwelling unit or lodging unit unless it is clean and sanitary.


8.4 Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling or lodging units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof.


8.5 Every occupant of a dwelling shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling which he occupies and controls.


8.6 Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall dispose of all his rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the rubbish containers required by Subsection 4.2 of Section 4 of these minimum standards.


32


8.7 Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall dispose of all his garbage and any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents, by placing it in the garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage receptacles required by Subsection 4.1 of Section 4 of these minimum standards.


8.8 It shall be the responsibility of an occupant of a dwelling unit to furnish such garbage and rubbish storage receptacles as are necessary within the dwelling unit. In dwellings containing no more than three dwelling units, it shall be the responsibility of the occupant of a dwelling unit to furnish such additional storage receptacles outside of the dwelling unit as are needed for the storage of garbage and rubbish until removal from the premises. In dwellings containing four or more dwelling units, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to furnish such recep- tacle outside of the dwelling units as are needed for the storage of garbage and rubbish until removal from the premises.


8.9 Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwell- ing unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwith- standing the foregoing provisions of this Subsection, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a rat-proof or reasonably insect-proof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling, or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the respon- sibility of the owner.


8.10 Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumb- ing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof.


8.11 The owner shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of Subsection 3.9 of Section 3 and the lighting equip- ment provisions of Subsection 5.5 of Section 5 of these minimum standards.


SECTION 9. PENALTY, CONFLICT, PARTIAL INVALIDITY AND VARIANCE


9.1 The penalty for violation of any provision of these min- imum standards shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 128F of Chapter 111 of the General Laws as amended.


33


9.2 In any case where a provision of these minimum stand- ards is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety, or health law of the Commonwealth or of this municipality existing at the time of publication of these standards, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health and safety of the people shall prevail.


9.3 If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word of these minimum standards should be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such decision shall not affect the remain- ing portions of these standards, which shall remain in full force and effect; and to this end the provisions of these standards are hereby declared to be severable.


9.4 The board of health may vary the application of any provision of these minimum standards to any particular case when in its opinion the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice, provided that the decision of the board of health shall not conflict with the spirit of any provision of these minimum standards. Such a variance granted by the board of health shall be in writing.


CHAPTER XIV


Day Nurseries Standards


The Board of Health of Wilbraham, in accordance with au- thority granted in Chapter 111, Section 60 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, Tercentenary Edition 1932, has adopted cer- tain standards for Day Nurseries within the Town. Although these standards are considered to be minimum requirements, proof of substantial compliance, satisfactory to the Board of Health will justify issuance or renewal of a Day Nursery license. The standards adopted are as follows:


1. One adult person should be in charge of not more than ten children. Children should never be left without an adult in attendance.


2. Every center should have a physician who shall be re- sponsible for the health program. All personnel should be exam- ined for tuberculosis by an x-ray of the chest before starting to work, by an approved laboratory, and subsequent x-ray at least every three years. Evidence of active tuberculosis in such x-ray should exclude such person from work in a Day Nursery.


3. All personnel conducting Day Nurseries should be ap- proved by the Board of Health with reference to health and social behavior.


34


4. Age of admission shall be over thirty-two months. Handi- capped cihldren needing special care should not be admitted unless the staff includes a person especially trained and experienced to take care of them.


5. Housekeeping activities such as washing, dusting or sweeping should not be done during the time children are in the Nursery.


6. No child should be admitted to the Nursery until a phy- sician's certificate has been obtained stating child is free from communicable diseases, has been or is in the process of being im- munized against small pox, whooping cough diphtheria and tetanus and is physically able to benefit from the attendance at a Day Nursery.


7. Each child should be inspected by the person in charge of the Day Nursery for symptoms of colds, sore throat, inflam- mation of the eyes, fever, rash, or diarrhea and if any are found, child should not be admitted to the Nursery and should be iso- lated until satisfactory means for his transportation home shall be made available. A room and bed should be provided for the isolation of ill children until transportation to their homes can be provided.


8. When a child is absent because of illness for five days or more, a physician's certificate for readmission should be re- quired.


9. Treatment of injuries in the center should be limited to first aid procedures as recommended by the Nursery physician. The parents should be informed the same day as the injury occurs.


10. When milk is served, it should be pasteurized. All food served and the method of serving shall meet with the approval of the Board of Health.


11. Records of each child shall be kept available for in- spection and shall meet with the approval of the Board of Health.


12. Location of the Day Nursery should not be above the 2nd floor. The basement floor should not be more than three feet below ground level and should be well lighted and dry to the satisfaction of the Board of Health.


13. The floor area should meet the approval of the Board of Health. A minimum of thirty-five cubic feet per child is recom- mended.


14. Sufficient fire escapes and fire extinguishers shall be maintained to protect the children at all times and should be clearly marked.


35


15. Sanitation in the kitchen should meet the approval of the Board of Health.


16. Toilet facilities shall meet the approval of the Board of Health for number, size, cleanliness and location.


17. The outdoor play area should be adequate for the num- ber of children using it. It should be free from accident hazards and exposed to sunlight. Play equipment should be free of hazards and approved by the Board of Health. The Board of Health may require that the outdoor play area be fenced.


18. There should be a telephone available in the home or nearby.


19. Adequate first aid equipment should be maintained and stored safely.


20. Safe drinking water shall be available at all times.


21. Should a condition arise about the Day Nursery or its operation that is not covered by the above regulations, the person in charge of the Day Nursery shall consult with the Board of Health and its decision shall be final.


Adopted by the Board of Health of the Town of Wilbraham, February 12, 1958.


ROGER T. HINTZE


JESSE L. RICE


RICHARD L. DANFORTH


Wilbraham Board of Health


-


WILBRAHAM ANNUAL REPORT


959


-


-


Entrance to Minnechaug Regional High School


NOVEMBER 3;1959-The final opening of the valve allowing natural gas (all the way from Texas)


November 3, 1959 was a noteworthy day in the history of Wilbraham. At a ceremony attended by Town officials and officials of the Springfield Gas Light Co., the supply of gas to serve Wilbraham was turned on, thereby enabling the Town in the future to be "cooking with gas" literally as well as figuratively.


This marked the first time since 1916 that the utility company had extended its service to a new community. The availability of gas will be an asset to Wilbraham not only for homeowner's who prefer this type of fuel but also as an attraction to industries which require it in their operation.


ANNUAL REPORT


WILBRAHAM MASSACHUSETTS


WIL


O


N


T


INCORPORATED


1763.


MA


TS.


AS


1


SAC


1959


All photographs in this report by Howard Bogue, local photographer


Table of Contents


Page


Page


Aid to Agriculture


45,83


Aid to Dependent Children


83


Aid to Disabled 83


Animal Inspector


39


Appointed Town Officers


5


Assessors


34,83


Auditor


79


Balance Sheet


74


Bi-Centennial


98


Board of Health


38,84


Building Inspector


44,84


Cemeteries


84


Civil Defense


46, 84


Comparative Annual Exp.


60


Dead Wood


85


Dental Clinic


85


Dog Officer


39


Elected Town Officers


4


Election Expense


85


Finance Committee


59


Fire Department


42, 85


Forest Warden


43,86


Garbage Collection


86


General Relief


87


Governmental Districts


3


Hampden-Wilbraham Regional


School District


23


Highways


87


Insurance and Bonding


91


Interest


91


Jury List


71


Legal Appropriation


92


Library


36,92


Memorial Day


92


Mosquito Control


92


Old Age Assistance


93


Parks


93


Pest Control


93


Planning Board


35,94


Playgrounds


45,94


Police Department


40,94


Printing Town Reports


94


Registrar


95


Reserve Fund


95


Retirement Account


102


Road Machinery Operation


95


Sanitary Sewer


96


School Bonds and Interest


97


School Committee


12,96


School Survey Report


31


Sealer of Weights and Measures


39


Selectmen


7,97


Slaughtering Inspector


39


Stabilization Fund


98


Street Lights


98


Town Clerk


80,98


Town Collector


81,98


Town Meeting -


March 14, 1959


48


Town Meeting


June 10, 1959


58


Town Office and Building


Maintenance


99


Town Officers' and


Employees' Salaries


99


Town Treasurer


77, 100


Treasurer's Trust Fund


79


Tree Warden


100


Veterans' Benefits


100


Warrant - March 12, 1960 ..


63


Water Department


33,101


Governmental Districts and Representatives for the Town of Wilbraham


Second Congressional District Seventh Councillor District Worcester and Hampden Senatorial District First Hampden Representative District


United States Senators


John F. Kennedy, Boston Leverett Saltonstall, Dover




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.