USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1943 > Part 1
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1
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE Receipts and Expenditures OF THE TOWN OF MILFORD
CONTAINING REPORTS OF THE
SELECTMEN
BOARD OF HEALTH
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
CHIEF OF POLICE
TREASURER
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
TAX COLLECTOR
ASSESSORS
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
DOG OFFICER
TOWN SOLICITOR
FIRE ENGINEERS
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
TREE WARDEN
PARK COMMISSIONERS
TOWN CLERK
FOR THE Year Ending December 31, 1943
CLARKE PRINTING CO. MILFORD, MASS.
1944
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
TOWN LIBRARY TRUSTEES
RETIREMENT BOARD
TRUSTEES OF VERNON GROVE CEMETERY
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
2
TOWN OF MILFORD
Incorporated 1780.
Population 1940 State Census, 15,367.
In Seventh Councillor District. Councillor, Michael J. O'Hara, Worcester.
In Third Congressional District. Congressman, Joseph Casey.
In Fourth Worcester Senatorial District. Senator, Charles N. Turner, Oxford.
In Tenth Worcester Representative District.
Representatives:
James F. Catusi, Milford.
Earle G. Crockett, Upton.
Number Registered Voters, Dec. 31, 1943.
Precinct 1
1456
Precinct 2 1432
Precinct 3 1510
Precinct 4 1458
Precinct 5
1450
Total
7306
3
TOWN OFFICERS, 1943
SELECTMEN
Patrick Carroll, Chairman
John H. Henderson Adam F. Diorio
Term expires 1944 Term expires 1944 Term expires 1944
TOWN CLERK (Clerk of Selectmen) Catherine L. Coyne 1 -
TOWN TREASURER, Benjamin J. Clancy
TAX COLLECTOR Cyril F. Kellett
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR J. Frank Cahill
ASSESSORS
William F. Clancy, Chairman Term expires 1945
Frederick A. Nealon Term expires 1946 John F. Maher Term expires 1944
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE.
Lyndhurst A. MacGregor, Chairman Term expires 1946
John J. Casey Term expires 1944
Edward Ferguson (Military Substitute)
James DiSabito Term expires 1945
BOARD OF HEALTH
Nicholas J. Capece, Chairman Term expires 1945 Frank Calzone Term expires 1946 Harris P. Tredeau Term expires 1944
4
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Alfred F. Martin, Chairman
Fred L. Roberti
George F. C. Cooper
Term expires 1945 Term expires 1944 Term expires 1946
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joseph V. Carey, Chairman
Term expires 1944
Myron Morey (Military Substitute)
Term expires 1944
Michael P. Visconti
Term expires 1945
Frederick T. Cahill, Jr., (Military Substitute) Term expires 1945
Mary E. A. Murray, (Military Substitute)
Thomas F. Davoren Term expires 1946
Joseph DiBattista
Term expires 1946
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Frederick H. Gould, Chairman
Term expires 1946
David I. Davoren
Term expires 1944
Robert L. Dillon
Term expires 1944
Frederick T. Cahill
Term expires 1946
Robert J. Cenedella
Term expires 1945
(Emilio A. Pighetti appointed to fill vacancy)
Paul F. Raftery Term expires 1945
TRUSTEES OF VERNON GROVE CEMETERY
Rodolph L. Roy, Chairman
Term expires 1945
Herbert S. Eldredge
Term expires 1944
Arthur L. Maynard Term expires 1944
Emerson Robinson Term expires 1946
Frank Roy Hixon
Term expires 1945
Herbert B. Hill (deceased)
Term expires 1946
(Fred E. Cook appointed to fill vacancy)
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Louis W. Benotti, Chairman Term expires 1945
Christopher C. Morcone Walter Fitzgerald (Military Substitute)
Term expires 1946
Term expires 1944
5
PLANNING BOARD
Francis J. Wallace
Ernest J. Bilsbury
Michael D. Ianzito
Term expires 1944 Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946
TREE WARDEN
Matthew P. Andreano
TOWN MODERATOR John T. McLoughlin
CONSTABLES
Antonio Bonina Henry G. Anderson
Charles H. Mattson
Officers Appointed by Selectmen TOWN COUNSEL William A. Murray
TOWN ACCOUNTANT (Classified under Civil Service) Michael J. Hannigan
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT John F. Adams Bernard M. Manion (Military Substitute)
INSPECTOR OF WIRES Matthew N. Niro
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
George W. Billings, Chairman William E. Moore
John J. Best Catherine L. Coyne (Ex-Officio)
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (Classified under Civil Service) Daniel J. O'Brien
6
JANITOR OF TOWN HALL AND LOCKUP KEEPER John J. O'Connor
JANITOR OF MEMORIAL HALL
Arthur L. Maynard BURIAL AGENT Vincent I. Dugan FENCE VIEWERS
Charles H. Kimball
John Tosches
FIELD DRIVER Peter Gallagher
DOG OFFICER Austin J. Davoren
CONSTABLES
John J. Moloney
P. Eugene Casey
Daniel M. O'Brien
William W. O'Brien
Raphael Marino
Charles H. Kimball
Antonio Renda
Charles J. Smith
Peter Fantasia
Lawrence Kearnan
Roland F. Milan
Frank J. Davoren William Marshall Joseph Renda
Lloyd W. Nelson Ernest Shunk
Charles Rebecchi
Kenneth M. Neal Harry G. Shattuck
Nathaniel Spindel
Rodolph L. Roy Arthur L. Maynard
Ralph I. Coombs Edward Rizoli
Nunziato DiVitto
Arthur L. Mabey
James H. Keane John L. Gillon Otis J. Julian
Ernest M. Smith Elmer Smith Leonardo DeCapua
George S. Edmonds
John J. O'Connor
Arthur E. Vesperi
Agostino Chianese Antonio Mongiat
Irving W. Joy George I. Spindel
Antonio Diotalevi Clement Moran
Edward Glennon
Austin J. Davoren
Gaetano Bonino
Henry De Boer
7
CHIEF OF POLICE (Classified under Civil Service) John J. Moloney PATROLMEN
Iginio A. Pantano
John C. Wilson
Charles F. McGowan (Service)
James J. Curley
Ernest L. Bagley
Frank J. Hynes
Ernest A. Lombardi
William R. Cenedella
William F. Fitzpatrick
Arthur Raymond Cross (Service) Bernard A. Hickey
Edward Rizoli, Military Substitute to fill place of Wm. F. Fitzpatrick.
John E. Allen, Military Substitute to fill place of Charles F. McGowan.
RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS (Classified as Police Officers under Civil Service) James P. Donlon (Service)
John J. McGrath
PUBLIC WEIGHERS AND WEIGHERS OF COAL
Ernest Gallerani Robert H. Curtiss
Joseph P. Shaughnessy
Harold Shaughnessy
Grace Doherty
Helen Morgan
Helen Shaughnessy
Harold M. Curtiss
W. Ramus Vitalini
Batista J. Vitalini
Philip P. Clarke
William St. George
Frank T. Ballou
Martin Clark
Elmer I. Goddard
Doris O'Brien
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK
Elmer I. Goddard
Louis Streeter
Batista J. Vitalini
Philip P. Clarke
Charles H. Brisson
Raymond Morey
W. Ramus Vitalini
Joseph P. Shaughnessy
Appointed by Director, Division of Animal Industry INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS Dr. Benjamin F. Hartman
8
Appointed by State Forester FOREST FIRE WARDEN John F. Adams Bernard M. Manion, Military Substitute
GYPSY MOTH SUPERINTENDENT Matthew P. Andreano
Board of Public Welfare (Classified Under Civil Service)
WELFARE AGENT William Dugan
CLERKS
Catherine McAvoy Rita C. Dalrymple, resigned Mary Hourihan
SOCIAL WORKER James L. Ahearn
TOWN PHYSICIAN John V. Gallagher
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TOWN FARM Grietsen Oosterman
Appointed by Board of Health
CLERK Frank Calzone
INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS Jeremiah Macchi
ASSISTANT INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS Dr. Benjamin F. Hartman
9
SANITARY INSPECTOR Walter H. Chapin
PHYSICIAN Francis H. Lally, M.D.
NURSE Alice Fitzpatrick
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING (Classified under Civil Service) Charles J. Ferrante
Appointed by Sewer Commissioners
SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS Alfred F. Martin Clerk, John L. Moschilli
Appointed by Park Commissioners
CLERK Frances C. Greene
Appointed by School Committee
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND SECRETARY
OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Frank C. Berry
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS John V. Gallagher, M.D. Joseph Lenares, M.D.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Arthur Vesperi
10
Appointed by Selectmen FINANCE COMMITTEE
James E. Birmingham
Term expires 1946
Alfred P. Henderson
Term expires 1946
Angus H. Mckenzie
Term expires 1946
Frank D. Murphy
Term expires 1946 Term expires 1946
Bennie Rosenfeld
¿Angelo Barbadoro
*John F. Curran
Term expires 1945 (deceased) Term expires 1945 (resigned)
Daniel F. Doherty
Term expires 1945
William W. O'Brien
Term expires 1945
Ray C. Howard
Term expires 1945
Timothy A. Hannigan Term expires 1944
Owen P. Keenan Term expires 1944
Bernard M. Manion Term expires 1944 (resigned) John T. O'Brien appointed to fill vacancy of Mr. Manion who resigned
Clarence E. Varney Term expires 1944
John C. Usher Term expires 1944
*John F. Curran appointed to fill vacancy. ¿Frank J. Moschilli appointed to fill vacancy.
11
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS QUALIFIED TO VOTE AT REPRESENTATIVE TOWN MEETINGS
Members at Large
Benotti, Louis W.
5 Mechanic Street
Billings, George W.
156 Congress Street
Cahill, J. Frank
67 School Street
Capece, Nicholas J.
8 West Street
Joseph V. Carey
15 So. High
Carroll, Patrick
235 Congress Street
Catusi, James F.
156 Congress Street
Clancy, William F.
34 Claflin Street
Coyne, Catherine L.
75 Congress Street
Diorio, Adam F.
35 Winter Street W. Pine Street Howard Street Howard Street
Hannigan, Timothy
Henderson, John H.
149 Purchase Street Pleasant Street Cedar Street
MacGregor, Lyndhurst A.
Martin, Alfred F.
19 Fruit Street
McLoughlin, John T.
26 Pearl Street
Murray, William A.
19 Grant Street
Roy, Rodolph L.
7 Richmond Avenue
PRECINCT 1. Term expires 1946
Ahearn, James L.
21 Purchase Street
Andreano, Clemente
10 Granite Street
Daniels, Fred M.
94 School Street
DeCesare, Paolo
44 Winter Street
Dewing, Carroll B.
9 Goodrich Court
Edmands, William R.
35 Winter Street
Egan, John H.
88 Spruce Street
Goddard, H. Nelson
7 Prentice Avenue
Grillo, Joseph J.
9 Clark Street
Mabey, Arthur
75 Pine Street
Marino, Raphael
27 Court Street
Casey, P. Eugene
30 Purchase Street
Clancey, Benjamin J.
145 West Street
Gould, Frederick H.
Hannigan, Michael J.
Kellett, Cyril F.
12
Peters, Abel J. Pyne, Henry M. Raftery, Paul F.
9 Pine Street 17 Lincoln Street 37 North Bow Street
PRECINCT 1. Term expires 1945
Bagley, Ernest L.
59 Congress Street
Cenedella, Robert J.
35 Congress Street
Chafetz, Coleman
92 Main Street
Cross, A. Raymond
37 No. Bow Street
Harris, Joseph B.
24 Court Square
Ianzito, Michael D.
13 Mechanic Street
King, Edward M.
41 Jefferson Street
O'Brien, John T.
69 School Street
Power, William L.
98 Spruce Street
Shea, Frank M.
55 Jefferson Street
Thomas, Frank H.
61 Congress Street
Timlege, Daniel W.
1 Prentice Avenue
Tredeau, Louis A.
33 Glines Avenue
Wallace, Gertrude A.
100 Spruce Street
PRECINCT 1. Term expires 1944
Andreano, David
10 Granite Street
Andreano, Mary P.
10 Granite Street
Bellantonio, William V.
16 Fayette Street 70 Pine Street
Carroll, Edw. C.
16 Court Square
DeLuzio, John H.
10 Granite Street
Diorio, Michael
35 Winter Street
Edwards, James F.
51 Pearl Street
Foncault, Richard
26 Jefferson Street 66 Pine Street
Hickey, Bernard A. Maher, John F.
12 Spring Street
Nealon, Robert T.
92 Spruce Street
O'Brien, Daniel J.
69 School Street
Pantano, Iginio A.
37 Summer Street
Bradley, John R.
13
PRECINCT 2. Term expires 1946
Calzone, Frank
17 Mt. Pleasant
Delmonte, Gaetano
8 Plains Street
DeLuca, Joseph L.
16 East Street
Ferigno, Anthony L.
79 Hayward Street
Ferigno, Fina G.
79 Hayward Street
Humes, Charles A.
11 Short Street
Hynes, Frank J. M.
9 Free Street
Iannitelli, Ernesto
61 E. Main Street
Palmieri, Angie M.
60 Beach Street
Palmieri, Vincenzo
60 Beach Street
Pighetti, Anthony
350 E. Main Street
Pighetti, Emilio A.
350 E. Main Street
Ricci, Pietro
17 East Street Cedar Street
PRECINCT 2. Term expires 1945
Abretti, Richard J.
Bega, Antonio
Canali, Ralph
37 Parkhurst Street
Comolli, Cesare C.
3 Carroll Street Beaver Street
D'Onofrio, Pasquale M.
13 Cedar Street
Gallerani, 'Alexander
10 Ferguson Street
Mongiat, Antonio
186 E. Main Street 13 East Street
Moschilli, John L.
157 East Main Street
O'Rourke, Edward B. Pasacane, John
22 Mt. Pleasant Street
Santoro, Cosmo
10 Florence Street
Santosuosso, Joseph
27 Fairview Rd.
Tamagni, Frank J.
350 East Main Street
PRECINCT 2. Term expires 1944
Anderson, Claus P.
275 E. Main Street
Andreola, Matteo
2 East Street
Barbadoro, Angelo
10 North Street
Bertorelli, Orlando L.
215 E. Main Street
Buscone, Louis J.
17 Jackson Street
Rosenfeld, Joseph
10 Hayward Street Birch Street
Cugini, Frank G.
14
Comolli, Frank
110 E. Main Street
Fertitta, William A.
51 E. Main Street
Grillo, Robert A.
64 Hayward Street
Karle, John
371 E. Main Street E. Main Street
Lucchini, Ambrogio L.
Morcone, Joseph
Montani, Edward
Pearson, Axel W.
Rizoli, Giovanni
119 E. Main Street
PRECINCT 3. Term expires 1946
Ahern, Martin B.
15 Franklin Street
Barry, Alfred E.
41 East Street
Bowen, Donald F.
25 Claflin Street
Burford, James H., Jr.
52 So. Main Street
Burns, Joseph P.
48 Forest Street
Consoletti, Benjamin A.
88 So. Main Street
DeLuzio, James D.
41 So. Bow Street
Johnson, Perley S.
50 So. Main Street
Morey, Myron
34 Fruit Street
O'Sullivan, J. Edmond
78 Grove Street
Sabatinelli, Guido
47 Franklin Street
Smethurst, Benjamin W.
36 Forest Street
Smith, William J.
38 Forest Street
Spencer, Abner
41 Grove Street
Tomaso, Biagio J.
17 Whitney Street
PRECINCT 3. Term expires 1945
Apicella, Michael F.
Casey, Joseph M.
Cooper, George F. C.
17 So. Bow Street
Hannigan, James E. 25 So. Cedar Street
Healey, Harry J. 61 So. Main Street
Hickey, John J. 27 So. Bow Street
Johnson, Bessie H.
38 So. Bow Street
Leonard, William H.
26 Franklin Street
McGowan, Charles F.
2 Grove Street
45 Grove Street
McGrath, James H.
44 So. Bow Street 24 Franklin Street
25 Main Street 7 Reade Street E. Main Street
15
Mullen, James E.
70 So. Bow Street
Murphy, John E.
10 Chapin Street
Wilson, John C.
Wood, Fred E.
Spencer, John E.
58 Fruit Street
PRECINCT 3. Term expires 1944
Barlow, John J.
53 Fruit Street
Birmingham, James E.
54 South Main Street
Burns, John S.
30 Franklin Street
Byron, John J.
80 Depot Street
Hachey, Michael J.
35 Fruit Street
Hannigan, Gerald J.
32 Depot Street
Kane, Edward F.
12 Chestnut Street
Lester, James B.
63 Grove Street
Manella, Joseph R.
29 Beach Ext.
Moloney, John J.
10 Orchard Street 251/2 Grove Street
Murphy, Harold V.
12 Hollis Street
O'Grady, Thomas M.
65 Depot Street
Renda, James P.
8 Charles Street
Williams, Chester F.
12 Claflin Street
PRECINCT 4. Term expires 1946
Boyer, Frank R.
18 Fruit Street
Crandall, Frederick L.
3 Otis Street
Curtin, Charles F.
16 Parker Hill
Dugan, Barbara P.
1 Otis Street
Dugan, Vincent I.
18 High Street
Fitzgerald, Walter L.
35 Water Street 8 Thayer Street 321 Main Street
Kavanagh, Joseph P.
11 Fruit Street
Lynch, Paul E.
305 Main
Manion, Bernard M.
82 West Street
McAvoy, Catharine L. McAvoy, Mary R.
9 Huntoon Slip 9 Huntoon Slip
Moore, George G.
34 Prospect
Flaherty, Morgan C.
Kavanagh, George F.
21 Forest Street 54 Claflin Street
Moore, William J.
16
PRECINCT 4.
Term expires 1945
Allen, Aubrey M.
23 West Street
Andreano, Matthew P.
49 Green Street
Burke, James W.
140 West Street
Cahill, James Burke
293 Main Street
Cahill, Frederick T., Jr.
8 Gibbon Avenue
Donlon, James F.
96 Prospect Heights
Grayson, George F.
16 Elm Street West Street
Jackson, John F.
Marshall, William J.
118 Spruce Street
O'Donnell, Philip A.
38 Thayer Street
Shedd, Walter J.
14 Water Street
PRECINCT 4. Term expires 1944
Alberto, Luigi
320 Main Street
Daigle, Alfred E.
11 Parker Hill Avenue
Doyle, James
21 Fruit Street
Dugan, William A.
1 Otis Street
Kavanagh, Francis J.
2 Fruit Street
Kavanagh, John H.
316 Main Street
Keenan, Bernard V. 24 Prospect Street
Lynch, John C. Jr.
305 Main Street
McAuliff, Gerald P. 94 Prospect Heights
Moran, Clement H.
16 Gibbon Avenue
O'Brien, William W.
31 Prospect Street
O'Connor, John E.
41 High Street
Read, Charles P.
24 West Street
Slattery, James T.
140 West Street
PRECINCT 5. Term expires 1946
Bragdon, Caroline G.
Highland Street
Consigli, Henry G.
Dillon, Margaret
Doherty, Daniel F. Eddy, Gayton M.
2 West Fountain Street
Iadarola, Albert J.
Kapatoes, Ernest K. Mattson, Charles H.
113 Purchase Street Highland Street
16 Westbrook Street
109 West Street Congress Street Silver Hill
17
Mckenzie, Angus H.
Morris, Luther
Prouty, Dwight H.
Rosen, David Scott, Herbert E.
Silver, Edward W.
231 Purchase Street 17 Walnut Street Highland Street 31 Pleasant Street W. Fountain Street W. Fountain Street
PRECINCT 5. Term expires 1945
Berry, Frank C.
84 High Street
Bradley, James W.
14 Madden Avenue
Cahill, James F.
7 West Maple Street
Collins, Francis W.
81 West Street
Corbett, Walter E.
3 West Walnut Street
Darney, Charles F.
45 W. Walnut Street
Doane, Walter B. 124 Congress Street
Henderson, Alfred P. Higgiston, James A.
145 Purchase Street 4 Fountain Street
Lindsey, Lester B.
26 W. Walnut Street
Lombardi, Ernest A.
31 Westbrook Street
Parker, Ralph E.
6 Dilla Street
Prouty, Eleanor M.
275 Highland Street
Usher, John C.
207 Congress Street
PRECINCT 5. Term expires 1944
Adams, James L.
151 Purchase Street
Adams, John F.
Bandy, Raymond E.
32 Grant Street Highland Street
Bickford, John W.
250 Purchase Street
Bilsbury, Ernest J.
45 West Street .
Callahan, William D.
171 Congress Street
D'Amelio, Joseph A.
253 Purchase Street
Gould, Charles W. 18 Grant Street
Griffith, Lester H.
233 Congress Street Silver Hill
Holmberg, Harry
Larson, Rudolph A.
243 Congress Street
Libbey, L. Blaine
32 Pleasant Street
Miller, Ira G.
3 W. Fountain Street
Murphy, Frank D.
455 Purchase Street
18
Annual Report of the Board of Selectmen
The Board organized on March 2, 1943 for the year. Patrick Carroll was unanimously re-elected Chairman, the remaining two members being John H. Henderson and Adam F. Diorio.
During the year the Works Progess Administration was terminated by the Federal Government. Federal aid for public projects had been in operation under C.W.A., E.R.A. and W.P.A. since 1933, and since that time Milford unemployed has received substantial contributions in the form of work relief. The closing down of the program found a sidewalk on Forest Street and sewerage installa- tion on Fountain Street incomplete. The jobs, however, were finished, the cost being met out of the unexpended balance in the appropriation for Tools and Maintenance, etc. for W.P.A. accounts.
The Selectmen having been authorized by vote of the Town to dispose of the W.P.A. equipment, it was dis- tributed to the Trade School, Tree Warden, Town Treas- urer, Town Clerk and Highway Surveyor, in accordance with their respective needs.
There remains on hand the unfinished work of the Assessors' Block Plan Project which includes sketches, plans and maps of a considerable part of the real estate assessed in Milford. They are unbound and in that con- dition are cumbersome and not of practical use. We ad- vise that they be bound together in suitable books and thus made available for use by the Assessors and the townspeople. To do this, an appropriation will be re- quired.
The need of repairs to the Town Hall tower came to a climax during the year when the State Building Inspec- tor issued a notice of its condition and ordered immediate attention to it. As can be seen, the tower tips or lists con- siderably in an easterly direction. An examination was
19
made by Wendell Phillips, a local architect wth much experience in the construction and repairing of large buildings, and he submitted a report of the work to be done. The Finance Committee transferred sufficient funds to at least start the project, and proposals for bids are being advertised to be opened January 25, 1944.
During the year the foundations of the Town Hall building were repaired; five dry wells were built on the Memorial Hall property, proposals on bids for new floors and painting in the library and outside repairs to the Memorial Hall building have been received, and the heating system was converted from oil to coal. A com- fort station in the North Purchase Fire House has been constructed. Because of the War no new road construc- tion or other public works, for which State aid is usually received, was attempted.
We cannot help calling the attention of the Police Department, as well as parents and school teachers who have children under their care, to the acts of vandalism which repeatedly occur with respect to the street signs. They are used as shinnypoles and trapezes, the signs bent and twisted, and in some instances taken away altogether. Neat, well-built street signs are a credit to the appearance of any town, as well as being of great public convenience in locating streets, places and homes. We recommend a continuation of the appropriation as it is the intention of the Selectmen to ultimately erect them at all street inter- sections and to keep those already up in good repair ..
One parcel of real estate owned by the Town as a result of tax title foreclusure was sold.
An Honor Roll was erected north of the Town Hall Building on which the names of all persons in the Armed Service are inscribed. New names are being constantly added.
In common with other cities and towns in the nation, Milford has contributed heavily to the present war in manpower, and in the number of men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces. The sacrifices which those engaged in active combat duty are making and the
20
risk to life and limb to which they are constantly ex- posed, stir within all of us the deepest emotions of sym- pathy and admiration. To their relatives the Selectmen, in behalf of the Town, wish to make this public acknowl- edgement of appreciation for their fortitude and patriotism in carrying on their daily tasks, even though loved ones have been separated and home life disarranged.
The Selectmen have continued the work of civilian defense and other matters incidental to the progress of the war in cooperation with the Federal and State Gov- ernments. The Defense Committee with its various offi- cials, sub-committees and divisions, have cotinued their ac- tivity throughout the year and to them is owed the thanks of the community for their time, effort and work rendered voluntarily and without pecuniary compensation.
During the year, seven members of the Rationing Board resigned, including the Chairman. The State Di- rector named a new Chairman from one of the remaining members of the local board. Under the regulations, the vacancies were filled by the State Director, upon recom- mndation made by the Chairman of the local Rationing Board, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and the Chairman of the Civilian Defense Committee.
Naturally, the existence of the present war has brought additional duties to the Board of Selectmen. Ap- pointments of military substitutes for official positions have been made by the Selectmen in conjunction with the Town Moderator, Town Treasurer and Town Clerk, as provided by Statute; and an increased number of ap- plications for relief and hospitalization from dependents of World War II veterans have been received and con- sidered.
At the request of the Governor, a municipal Post-war Public Works Program has been undertaken by the Select- men and a committee to formulate plans was named by them. Projects already under consideration include the completion of the Athletic Field at the Cedar Swamp Pond Development, retaining wall for the Town dump on Cedar Street opposite St. Mary's Cemetery for the pur- pose of keeping refuse and rubbish out of the Pond, and
21
acquisition of additional land adjacent thereto, renova- tion of the Town Hall building, the construction of addi- tional sidewalks which were left as part of the uncom- pleted program under W.P.A., improvements to Hayward Field Playground and establishment of other playgrounds. in the South End, Prospect Heights section and other parts of the Town. Citizens, taxpayers and other Town De- partments are invited to submit additional projects to the Clerk of the Selectmen which they may wish to have considered.
The Governor has also advised the setting up of a local Advisory Committee for rehabilitation of veterans of World War II on their return. The general purpose of this committee is to assist discharged Milford service men and women in obtaining medical care, employment or financial help if needed, and restoration to their civilian status. Representatives of all of the veterans organiza- tions in the Town have been invited to confer with the Selectmen relative to this work, one meeting having al- ready been held.
An allotment from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to apply on the tax rate 'of 1943 was obtained from the Division of Accounts. A substantial reserve was left to apply against future obligations. This has been made possible by the collection and liquidation of back taxes, and early consideration for collecting 1943 and prior taxes should be given by the Tax Collector before the ap- proval of the rate for 1944. The bonded debt of the Town was reduced $40,036.21.
No publication of the valuation of real and per- sonal estates in the Town has been made since 1937. Prior to that time, it had been the policy of the Town to publish the same every five years. We recommend that a valua- tion book covering the valuations of all real and personal estates in the Town be published under the jurisdiction of the Board of Assessors during 1944 and an appropriation made therefor.
The Selectmen have held many hearings on various matters during the year. Consultations have been had
22
with other departments and citizens relative to questions in which Town affairs were involved. All bills against the Town have been examined by the Selectmen before approval for payment, and meetings of the Selectmen have been held at least once each week to dispose of pub- lic business.
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK CARROLL, JOHN H. HENDERSON, ADAM F. DIORIO, Selectmen of Milford.
December 31, 1943.
23
Financial Report of the Town Clerk's Department and Departments Under Supervision of the Selectmen 1943
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