1967-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOARD OF HEALTH Arlington and Woburn. The clinic was the initial force which stimulated Head Start pro- grams in this area. Treatment of the emotionally disturbed children, guidance for their parents and consultation to others in the community concerned with children and their problems, con- tinue to be the main purposes of the clinic. The clinic staff of ten is also involved in an extensive training and teaching program both within the clinic and in the community. This year the clinic became a full active member of the American Association of Psychiatric Clinics for Children, a designation granted only to those clinics whose staff meets rather stringent requirements of training and whose work is judged to be of high quality. The increase in the detection of rabies in small ground animals in Massachusetts has led the town veterinarian to initiate a "spot- checking" program in such animals as skunks, bats, etc., besides the usual quarantining of dogs. Residents are urged to report all animal bites, and when a wild animal is involved to save the fresh carcass for labora- tory testing to be done at the State Wasserman Laboratory in Jamaica Plain. The rabies clinic conducted by the town veterinarian has proven to be the most ef- fective means of controlling rabies. A modified live -virus vaccine is now being used and will provide dogs innoculated an effective immunity for two years. Plans by the board of health are now being made to replace the annual May clinic for rabies immunization with two separate clinics; one in the Spring, the other in late Fall with the addition of one Satur- day as a clinic day. The burning of leaves as regulated by the air pollution committee proved effective in the control of odor and smoke this Fall. This committee continues to meet on a regular basis and will from time to time make suggestions to home owners and businessmen on methods of controlling air pollution in residential areas. The board is pleased with the success and steady growth of membership of the senior citizens group which was organized in 1965 under their sponsorship. Mr. McQuillan, representative and organizer of this group, has been discussing plans to include in the health department's established programs additional services geared to the senior citizen. Environmental Health and Sanitation During the past year regular inspections were made of all facilities licensed by the board of health to assure that the terms and conditions of the permits issued by the board were complied with. Violations were brought to the attention of the parties concerned and corrective action was initiated with their cooperation. License renewal is based on previ- ous satisfactory experience which in most cases justifies continued approval. In accordance with the general laws licenses may be revoked at any time under emer- gency conditions which affect the public health and after the permiters have been granted a hearing for repeated and continued violations. We have adopted a procedure that requires that all persons making applications for Five Year Trends in the Health Department 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 Personal Services 10,642.38 11,114.45 11,612.50 12,445.00 13,732.17 Expenses 11,163.33 11,418.41 9,756.96 7,820.07 10,747.33 Staff as of Dec. 31 2 2 2 2 2 29