Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-21
REPORT INSPECTION
FAIRFIELD TOWN FARM

The State Board OF Charities and
Corrections has made public the fol-
lowing report OF an inspection Of the
Falrfeld Town farm made August II,
1929:
Administration 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 Show
hogan 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 Overseers OF Poor was in
August 1922.
lnmates-One woman IS. Two
men. one under so and one over CO.
one ia helpless, has TO he dressed,
and is great care. cross and irri-
table. The woman has a 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 do
not seem to care to read very much.
No separation Of sexes. Bathing
one" n week
VI tho present time, inmates sitting
room IS used by the man who is I'M
''I1 TO go up and down stairs but
''h room is comfortable with rugs
ara they do not care to use a common
- ng room. They have few WISH
tors.
The food is COOKED by the matron
nj carried TO the inmates dining
iuom where it is served individually.
10 is well cooked and they have
plenty OF milk TO drink.
The farm has homclille atmos-
ph"fe, seeming like one large family.
zach bed has white spread and all
NE 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 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 a sink off
from their kitchen where the work is
done. separately from the superjn
tcndents.
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-Nvater sup
ply IL from a cistern in the cellar and
~ 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.
Santation-Wall cemented cellar
unfortunately there is a spring To-
Gated somewhere under the cellar
floor and at certain seasons of the
year. the cellar 10 quite wet
Earth closets are used, one for the
inmates and for family use.
They have three cows, a calf, II
hens and one pig.
Recent improvements - Cemented
cellar has been finished since last in
spection.
Buildings and grounds-This farm
In situated on a cross road ana has q
very pleasant view OF the surround
ing towns. The buildings and grounds
are neat and attractive. 1t seems to
he under good management and
everything about the place was neat
and in good order.
Recommendations and suggestions
Running water In 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 Of in
spection.