HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-04-1542
BOARD .OF HEALTH MEETING
April 15, 1949
A regular meeting of the Board of Health was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building
on Friday, April 15 1949 at 3:00 P. M. Chairman
McQuillan, Messrs. Russell, Cosgrove and Lamont were
present. The Clerk was also present.
The Chairman explained, for the benefit of Dr.
Cosgrove, a new member of the Board, that the Board
of Health, after full consideration, decided to have
a full-time Health Inspector. In view of this, a
letter was written to the State Board of Health
inquiring as to where a properly trained man could
be obtained. The State advised the Board that
trained Sanitarians could be secured through the
office of Dr. Bradley of Amherst. The Board of Health
then wrote to Dr. Bradley and received the names of
three young men whom he recommended for this position.
The Board interviewed the three men and had more
or less decided upon Mr. Schlafman. However, before the
budget was approved by Town Meeting Mr. Schlafman took
a position with the United States Public Health Service.
The Board then asked for further applications and some
time ago the college recommended Richard F. Jackson.
Mr. Russell explained that this individual is a
graduate and has taken a f our -year course in Sanitary
Engineering and Public Health, and is highly recommend-
ed. He was interviewed by Mr. Russell and Mr. McQuillan
who practically committed themselves before they heard
anything about Mr. John J. Doheney who is now inter-
ested in securing this position.
Mr. Russell said that the Board is most anxious to
secure a young man who has been trained in new modern
methods of sanitation. The Board also desires an
individual who can set up a laboratory. However, Mr.
Doheney has apparently communicated with everyone he
knows in Lexington and feels qualified for the position.
Dr. Cosgrove reported that Mr. Doheney had been
to see him. The Doctor told him that he would see
what the Board had to say.
Mr. Russell explained that Mr. Doheney started,
as a young man, slaughtering animals in a very small
business. He claims to have built it up and obtained
government contracts for meat. He then thought he
would like to learn about meat and food inspections
and went to Dr. Farrand's School, New York. He took
a short course there and the letter from the university
states he was there in April of 1920 for one month.
The course consisted mostly of home reading with same
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lectures. Mr. Doheney then went to the New York City
Board of Health as a food and drug inspector. He held
this position for less than a year. He then went into
meat grading for hospitals under the Department of
Agriculture. From there he went into public health
service doing purchasing of supplies. He was transferred
to St..Louis, made a hospital out of a poor house. He
was then transferred to West Roxbury, to Ellis Island and
back to West Roxbury
Mr. Russell stated that there does not seem to be
much in his background that would qualify him as a
Health Sanitarian. He inquired as to why Mr. Doheney
was so anxious to secure this position and Mr. Doheney
told him that when his daughter had tuberculosis she
was admitted to the Middlesex County Sanatorium
through, the Town of Lexington and he would like to
do something for the town. He told Mr. Russell that
would like to have something to take up his time.
Mr. Russell stated that the Board should have an
individual who will take the job with the idea of
making a success of it. He explained that the Board
is practically committed to employing Mr. Jaokson.
Dr. Cosgrove said that he coula see nothing to
do but go along with lir. Jackson.
Mr. Lamont, part-time Health Inspector, met with
the Board and further discussion of the Sanitarian
was held over.
Mr. Lamont reported that the Middlesex County Mdsx. Cty.,
Sanatorium would like permission to keep from ten to San.
fifteen swine. The pen in which the swine will be kept Swine permit
is at the rear of the Catholic church, almost in Waltham.
He recommended that the permit be granted. The members
of the Board had no objections.
Mr. Russell reported that he met with the Board of
Selectmen at which time Mr. Lynch, Town Counsel, and Mr.
Lindstrom, Building and Plumbing Inspector, were present
and the subject of occupancy permits was discussed. He
outlined for Dr. Cosgrove the problem on School Street
of houses being occupied without the cesspool or septic
tanks having been approved. It was agreed at that meet-
ing that no plumbing is to be approved until the cesspools
or septic tanks have been approved by the Health Inspector.
Mr. Lamont agreed that this might be the best solution
to the problem.
The Chairman read a letter from Lawrence B. Hunt, 87
North Hancock Street with reference to the condition of
his cesspool. He stated in his letter t hat last fall,
due to a petition resulting from overflowing cesspools,
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an order for the installation of a sewer in North
Hancock Street was approved and recorded at the
Registry. One of the residents objected because
of his assessment and the construction was never
North started. Mr. Hunt stated that six weeks ago his
Hancock cesspool overflowed again and he had it cleaned out
Street and treated at a cost of $50. On April 12th the cess -
Sewer pool began to overflow again.
All members of the Board were in favor of writing
to the Selectmen and recommend that construction.of
the sewer in North Hancock Street be started immediately.
The Chairman read a letter from Donald B. Faulkner,
204 Woburn Street, registering a complaint about
excessive water next to his house.
Mr. Lamont stated that there is about fifteen
or eighteen inches of water in this location, but it
complaint usually dries up in June. He explained that it has
resulted from the construction of Woburn Street, but
that the water is clean and he does not believe there
is any health memace.
The Chairman asked how the situation could be
corrected and Mr. Lamont s aid that it could be filled
in, but would require about 1,000 yards of fill or a
drain could be constructed across Woburn Street.
The Clerk was instructed to write to the Supt.
of Publie Works stating that this appears to be a
problem which should come under his jurisdiction and
ask him to advise the Board as to what corrective
measures may be taken.
Mr. Lamont retired.
At 4:00 P. M. Mr. Richard F. Jackson, applicant for
the position of Sanitarian, met with the Board.
Health The Chairman.explained that the Board of Health
Sanitarian budget has been approved and Mr. Russell asked When Mr.
Appointed Jackson would -graduate. He replied that he would grad-
uate on June 6, 1949, and has most of his academic
credits for his Master's Decree. He Stated that he
now has a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
The Chairman asked if he would prefer to commence
his duties in June or July. He replied that if he were
appointed as of June 15th he could attend the Health
Association Meeting in an official capacity as a repre-
sentative from Lexington.
Mr. Jackson retired at 4:30 P. M.
Upon motion of Mr. Russell, seconded by Dr. Cosgrove,
it was unanimously voted to appoint Richard F. Jackson as
Health Sanitarian in the Town of --Lexington, effective
June 15, 1949, at the rate of $3tVS0. per year.
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The Clerk was instructed to write to the Board
of Selectmen and r equest permission to use the room
in the basement of use the Town Office Building, now Laboratory
known as the Sealer of Weights & Measures Office, as a
laboratory for the Health Sanitarian.
Letter was received from the State Department
of Public Health approving the nomination of Richard
R. Wiggins as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year
ending March 31, 1950.
The Board approved re -appointing Mr. Wiggins for
a period expiring June 15, 1949, at which time the
Health Sanitarian will assume his duties.
Slaughter
Inspector
Letter was received from the State Department of
Agriculture approving the nomination of Dr. John J.
Murphy as Inspector of Animals for the year ending
March 31, 1950.
Upon motion of Mr. Russell, seconded by Dr. Cosgrove,
it was voted to re -appoint Dr. Murphy as Inspector of
Animals for a term expiring March 31, 1950.
Letter was received from Dr. Kelley, District
Health Officer, Department of Public Health, requesting
that an inspection be made of the premises of Miss Eva
MacAuley, 20 Parker Street, Lexington. Application has
been filed for a Nursing Home.
The Clerk was instructed to ask the Public Welfare
Department to have an investigation made and report sub-
mitted.
Upon motion duly
approve the following
Swenson Brothers
Richard F. Rodenhiser
Albert F. Douglass
Alice M. McCarthy
Thomas M. Montague
Frederic R. Childs
Herbert M. Lawrence
Fuelite Natural Gas
Colonial Garage, Inc.
F. K. Jahason, Inc.
Peter McDonagh
made and seconded,
licenses;
210 Marrett Road
Allston
1844 Mass. Avenue
80 Bedford Street
25 Depot Square
409 Mass. Avenue
1777 Mass. Avenue
315 Marrett Road
1668 Mass. Avenue
39 Bedford Street
301 Mass. Avenue
it was voted to
Past. of Milk
Clean cesspools
Funeral Director
n n
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Alcohol
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Mr. Russell reported that he had conferred with the
Town Counsel about the problem of collecting money in
advance for the Manor Sewer connections. He was told by
the Town Counsel that the Board of Health has ordinances
and regulations whereby the Board is within its right
to designate a time when the connections must be completed
and hold the property owners to it.
Mr. Russell mentioned that it may be a hardship for
some individuals to pay for the connection in advance and
Sewer
Connect-
ions
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it was decided to write to the Selectmen and inquire
whether or not payments may be made over a period of five
years.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 P. M.
A true record, Attest:
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