The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-10-05
Report Inspection Fairfield TOVn Farm

The State Board of Charities and
Corrections has made public the fol-
lowing report of an inspection of the
Fairfield Town farm made August II,
1922:
Superintendent and
matron, Mr.. and Mrs. Rex Bridges
Experience since April 1922, although
Mr.. Bridges has been used to town
farm work, his father having been
the superintendent of the Skowhegan
Town farm for quite a few years.
Salary $500 per year
One man helps with chores.
Last inspection by a member of the
Board of Oyerseers of Poor was in
August 1922.
Inmates-0ne women rs. Two
men, one under 60 and one over 60
One is helpless, has to be dressed
and is a great care, cross and irri-
table. The woman has cancer
Total 3. Can accommodate 10 under
present conditions.
The inmates have a separate din
ing room and the table has an oil
cloth and sufficient crockery ware.
They have separate towels and drink
ing cups.
They have reading matter but dc
not seem to care to read very much
No separation of sexes. Bathing
once a week.
At the present time, inmates sitting
room is used by the man who is uR-
nh tn
each room is comfortable with rugs
and they do not care to use a common
sitting room. They have a few visi-
tors.
The food is cooked by the matron
and carried to the inmates dining
room where it is served individually
1t is we'll cooked and they have
plenty of milk to drink.
The farm has a homelike atmos-
pierre seeming like one large family
Each bed has a white spread and all
the rooms have muslin curtains at the
windows Each room has an iron
bed with mattress spring and plenty
of clothing and they are made up
with sheets and pillow slips, giving
each room a tidy appearance.
The home was clean and in order
throughout. No vermin of any kind
The windows are well screened and
no flies were seen.
The kitchens are conveniently ar
ranged. The inmates have sink off
from their kitchen where the work is
done, separately from the superin-
tendents.
Closets and refrigerator was in
good order, clean and sanitary. There
are no separate store rooms for bed
ding, but Mrs. Bridges uses one Of the
unused bed rooms for her bedding.
Card index is kept of the inmates
with the name, date of birth and rea-
son for dependency and what is
known of each inmate.
Water, heat and light,-Water sup
ply is from a cistern in the cellar and
is pumped into the sinks. A wood
furnace supplies the heat but some Of
the rooms are stated to be quite cold
in the winter. Fire extinguishers
throughout the house. There are
double windows for use in winter.
Kerosene lamps are used.
Sanitation-Wa cemented cellar,
unfortunately there is spring To-
Gated somewhere under the cellar
floor and at certain seasons OF the
year, the cellar Is quite wet.
Earth closets are used, one for the
and for family use.
They have three cows, calf, u
hens and oup niP
Recent ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
cellar has been finished since last In
spection.
Buildings and grouAds-This farm
is situated on a cross road and has u
very pleasant view OF the surround
ing towns. The buildings and grounds
are neat and attractive. 1t seems to
be under good management and
everything about the place was neat
and in good order.
Recommendation and suggestions
water b. the house. Bath
room. Window inmates toilet. Bet
ter heating facilities Better drain
age in the cellar as water was stand
ing in the drains on the day CT in
sDectiOn.