School Closed Until October 20 to Check Scarlet Fever Epidemic
MILLTOWN, Oct. 10 A meeting of the Board of Health was convened last night, presided over by President William Kuhlthau, Jr., with Secretary J. M. Brindle, Health Inspector Dr. N. N. Forney, C. W. Waddington, C. P. Stelle, and Mayor Richter in attendance. The primary objective was to strategize steps to prevent the spread of the burgeoning scarlet fever epidemic within the borough, which currently reports nine cases.
It was deemed prudent to close the public school until Oct. 20, attributing the continuation of the school as a potential catalyst for the situation. The nine reported cases involve children attending the local school, with 89 absences yesterday due to fears related to the disease.
Despite recent closure and fumigation of the school, five new cases have emerged among school children, spanning various grades throughout the institution.
Residents of the Borough are urged to heed the following ordinance, adopted by the Board of Health last night:
“All patients suffering from scarlet fever, diphtheria, or smallpox shall be isolated with an attendant in one or more rooms. Neither patient nor attendant is to leave the room(s) until quarantine is lifted by the proper authorities. Should the attendant or patient need to leave said quarantined room(s), the entire house shall be quarantined, with no person permitted to leave or enter said house until quarantine is lifted by the proper authorities. Any person convicted of violating the above ordinance shall be subject to a penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100).”
“Resolved, That the Board of Health notifies the Board of Education to close the school until October 20 and that the inspector be ordered to fumigate the school twice during that period.”
The Board also mandated that churches and Sunday school rooms be fumigated.
Previously, it was customary for the sick room attendant to don a gown and dust cap when entering the patient’s room, removing these garments upon exit. However, it seems this custom was not adhered to as rigorously as it should be by some, prompting the Health Board’s action as outlined in the above resolution and ordinance.
Another meeting of the Board of Health is scheduled for next Thursday. The school is closed today. The board ordered the purchase of a gross of candles for fumigation purposes. Thus far, the cases are confined, with one exception, to North Milltown, almost within a circle of the school.
Borough Council Meeting
The regular monthly meeting of the Borough Council unfolded last evening, addressing several pivotal matters pertaining to the local community.
One of the key issues, the demarcation of the exact lines of Riva Avenue, was slated for resolution last night. However, in the absence of Engineer Fred Schneider of New Brunswick, no definitive action was taken. A previously issued notice, which prohibited Riva Avenue residents from installing any curbing or walks until the lines were established (issued approximately a year ago), was rescinded upon motion last night. C. P. Stelle, representing Engineer Schneider at last night’s meeting, stated that the Riva Avenue map would be ready any time after the upcoming Monday and would be presented at an adjourned meeting of the Council, scheduled for next Wednesday.
The sum of $275.00, representing the balance due on an appropriation made to the Sewer and Water Commission some time ago, was ordered to be paid last night. This amount pertains to the engineer’s expenses related to Milltown’s sewer and water proposition.
A request from the New York Telephone Company to attach wires to a pole on Riva Avenue was granted, with the proviso that the attachment shall be removed upon a thirty-day notice from the borough. Councilman Baurles reported that four more houses of the Michelin Tire Company have been connected to the lighting system, and the borough barn has also been equipped with electric lights.
The installation of a new 5 K. W. transformer in North Milltown was ordered. Although the well in the rear of the borough gym hall has been cleaned out, as per recent instructions of the Council, there remains an insufficient supply of water. No further action will be taken on the matter for the present.
During recent rainstorms, water has been damaging the gutter on Main Street, between Church Street and Ford Avenue. This issue was referred to the Street Committee, with the power to act. The Fire Committee was instructed to install boxes in the Fire Department for the safe housing of acids and related materials, ensuring a secure and organized storage solution.
The Collector’s report for the month was presented as follows:
- Balance from the last report: $3,646.00
- Licenses: $348.88
- Dog Registration: $1.00
- Total: $4,243.23
Expenditures for the month included:
- Adam Christ Barn: $735.00
- Public Service, Lights: $210.00
- Streets: $54.00
- C. Wagner, Insurance: $15.00
- Incidentals: $23.15
- Stanley & Patterson: $29.14
- Total Expenditures: $1,086.29
Balance: $3,156.94
Grand Total: $4,243.28
Grange Meeting Engages Local Interest
A notably engaging meeting of the local Grange unfolded in their rooms on Wednesday evening. The gathering was enriched with several musical selections and captivating readings, providing both entertainment and insightful moments for all attendees.
Councilman Miller and His Pumpkins
Councilman Miller shares that his pumpkins are fetching quite favorable prices this year. Interestingly, the demand is so robust that he has found himself rising as early as 2 o’clock in the morning to manage orders and inquiries. On a lighter note, some playful would-be free traders, under the guise of jest, attempted to take pumpkins, later confessing to the prank. Despite their offer to return the pumpkins, Miller stood firm, stating, “Nothing doing. You pay me $5, or you’ll see what you get.” Ultimately, he received the five-spot.
Delegates Appointed to the Epworth League Convention
The following delegates from the Epworth League have been appointed to attend the convention scheduled to commence on October 17th in Asbury Park: Jos. M. Crabiel, Rev. and Mrs. L. L. Hand, and Miss Mildred Stelle. The delegation is anticipated to represent the local league and engage in the convention’s proceedings.
Walters Council’s Barn Dance
Despite the inclement weather on Wednesday, approximately 25 to 30 farmers, accompanied by their delightful companions, made their way to Milltown Park to revel in the big, old-fashioned barn dance. The event was meticulously organized under the auspices of Charles L. Walters Council, No. 178, Jr. O. U. A. M.
Among the attendees were notable individuals from various locales:
- Brooklyn: Miss Gertrude Fehrer
- New Brunswick: Misses Carrie Kilbourn and Lena Line; Messrs. W. Britton, Stults, and John Lowe
- South Amboy: Peter Banks
- The Borough: Misses Rose Warnsdorfer, Lulu Baker, Florence Baker, Mae Lins, Barbara Heyl, Gertrude Barney, Anna Herman, Alma Kuhlthau, Anna Kublthau, Gertrude Kuhlthau, Minnie Lins, Pearl Evans, Lulu Wolff, Mabel Deiner, Evelyn Smith, Lena Line, and Mamie Bennewitz
Messrs. J. W. Lins, A. L. P. Kuhlthau, Edwin Brown, Wm. H. Crenning, Arthur Lins, Alfred Christ, Chas. Christ, Howard Evans, Winfield Fine, George Skewis, Carl Herman, S. B. Perry, Isaac Van Arsdale, Herman Fabrenholtz, John Dorp, Edwin Kuhlthau, Chris Kuhlthau Jr., Herbert Schaefer, Chester Okeson, Jackson Barraud, Miles Kuhlthau, J. A. Montgomery, John Gerland, and Reuben Hoelzer, along with Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Crenning, and Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Kuhlthau, also graced the event with their presence.
Past Councillors Convene at South River
Charles L. Walters Council, No. 178, Jr. O. U. A. M., dispatched a delegation of approximately twenty Past Councillors to attend the regular monthly meeting of the Past Councillors Association of Middlesex County. The meeting was held in the Council chambers of Riverside Council, No. 33, Jr. O. U. A. M., at South River, N.J., following their regular meeting last evening.
The delegation, having won the honor banner from Friendship Council of New Market at the previous meeting, aimed to retain it for another month by presenting a strong attendance at South River. An amateur vaudeville show, open to any Junior in the State of New Jersey, followed the meeting. The Entertainment Committee offered a prize of $5.00 for the best act rendered. Walters Council, having made an entry, anticipated bringing home the prize.
Atlantic City Convention
In their last meeting, Walters Council appointed a Committee of three to oversee the welfare of their members intending to attend the State Council Convention of the Jr. O. U. A. M., scheduled to be held on Young’s Steel Pier at Atlantic City on October 22nd and 23rd. An excursion, set to run from New Brunswick on October 22nd, is expected to draw a large delegation from Milltown to participate in the big parade. The Council has already offered to pay half the fare, providing members with an incentive to take advantage of the opportunity. The Committee consists of Geo. E. Crabiel, J. A. Montgomery, and A. L. Kuhlthau.
A number of borough residents attended the Tall Cedars ceremonial and banquet, held in the Masonic Temple at New Brunswick last evening.
Jackson Barraud, of Riva Avenue, found himself notably hoarse today after fervently rooting for the Athletics at the Polo Grounds yesterday.
For a full account of the Past Councillors Association of Jr. O. U. A. M., please refer to another column.