USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1920 > Part 1
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1920 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD
M
CHE
O
RD
LET THE CHILDREN GUARD
WHAT THE
SIRES
HAVE WON.
MASS
SLL
1655 CHỦ
Receipts and Expenditures
TOGETHER WITH THE
School Report and Report of the Trustees of the Adams Library
Year Ending December 31, 1920
COURIER-CITIZEN CO.
TRADES UNION COUNCIL
250 Market St., Lowell, Mass.
3
Officers of the Town of Chelmsford
Toun Clerk Edward J. Robbins
Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor
George W. Day .. Term expires 1923
William E. Belleville . Term expires 1922
James P. Dunigan
Term expires 1921
Assessors
Fred L. Fletcher. . Term expires 1923
Herbert C. Sweetser Term expires 1922
James P. Dunigan Term expires 1921
Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes Ervin W. Sweetser
Auditors
Gabriel Audoin
Garfield A. Davis
Albert A. Ludwig
Constable
George M. Wright
School Committee
Ulysses J. Lupien Term expires 1923
Herbert Waterhouse
.Term expires 1922
Charles H. Ellis.
. Term expires 1921
Trustees of Adams Library
Frances Clark
(Term expires 1923)
Edwin R. Clark
(Term expires 1922)
Albert H. Davis
(Term expires 1921)
Wilson Waters Otis P. Wheeler A. Heady Park
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Tree Warden Minot A. Bean
Sinking Fund Commissioners
William J. Quigley
Walter Perham
Term expires 1923 Term expires 1922
William H. Shedd
Term expires 1921
Cemetery Commissioners
Bayard C. Dean.
. Term expires 1923
James S. Byam (Deceased )
Term expires 1922
Charles F. Scribner
Term expires 1921
Park Commissioners
Patrick S. Ward.
. Term expires 1923
Arthur M. Warren
Term expires 1922
Fred L. Fletcher
Term expires 1921
Fence Viewers
James W. Stevens John H. Cogger Leonard Spaulding
Appraisers of Personal Property at Town Farm
Emile E. Paignon, Jr. John F. Parker
Walter B. Emerson
Weighers of Hay
S. Waldo Parkhurst
Henry H. Emerson
Frank E. Bickford
Frederick Tangley Myron A. Queen
John B. Emerson
Measurers of Wood
S. Waldo Parkhurst Fred Tangley Alvin H. Fletcher John Marinel, Jr.
Daniel A. Reardon
Francis O. Dutton
Frank E. Bickford
Harry L. Parkhurst
Myron A. Queen
Hosmer W. Sweetser
Surveyors of Lumber
Stewart Mackay E. Hamlin Russell Francis O. Dutton
J. F. Knight
Harry L. Parkhurst William E. Adams
Field Drivers
R. Wilson Dix
Thomas Murphy
F. Hamlin Russell
Finance Committee
John J. Monahan Herbert E. Ellis
Samuel Kershaw William H. Shedd
Wilbur E. Lapham
R. Wilson Dix Myron A. Queen Herbert C. Sweetser Alvin H. Fletcher
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APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
Town Counsel Frederick A. Fisher
Walter Perham
Superintendents of Burials A. F. Whidden George F. Cutler
Agents of the Board of Health Arthur G. Scoboria, Pre. 1 and 4
Registrars of Voters
Samuel Kershaw
Term expires 1923
James F. Leahey
Term expires 1922
Karl M. Perham.
Term expires 1921
Edward J. Robbins
Ex-Officio
Sealer of Weights and Measures Curtis A. Aiken
Superintendent of Town Farm Arthur Burnham
Matron of Town Farm Mrs. Arthur Burnham
Superintendent of Moth Work Walter Shepherd
Fish and Game Warden Charles F. Morse
Inspector of Animals Arnold C. Perham
Inspector of Meats and Slaughtering William S. Hall
Forest Fire Warden Arnold C. Perham
Superintendent of Streets Charles Forsythe
Janitors of Public Buildings
Owen Scollin
Curtis A. Aiken
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George C. Moore, Sr. George C. Moore, Jr. James Buchanan Owen Scollin Morton B. Wright
Special Police Officers (Not Subject to call) Thomas Jones John O'Brien
Thomas Burns
Charles O. Robbins
Curtis A. Aiken
Patrick J. Welch Patrick Haley
James McCluskey
John W. Robinson
Special Police Officers (Subject to call)
James R. Gookin
Charles F. Devine
George O. Spaulding
Isaac Knight
Weighors of Coal
Harry L. Parkhurst
Emma L. Parkhurst
Mrs. Frank E. Bickford
James P. Dunigan
John B. Emerson George X. Pope
James F. Leahey James Long James J. Hackett
James P. Dunigan
Weighers of Merchandise
George X. Pope
Paul McGregor
Halfred Foster
William Brown
Frederick Tangley Emma L. Parkhurst J. W. Richardson Wallace McDonald
Pearl T. Durrell John A. Burton
Surveyors of Lumber
E. A. Vondel Wallace McDonald
Emma B. Russell
Surveyors of Wood
Hosmer Sweetser Wallace McDonald
Ervin W. Sweetser Pearl T. Durrell
Surveyor of Sawdust Wallace McDonald
Mose St. Onge D. I. Selfridge
Special Constables Harold Selfridge John F. Miller Isaac Longden
Michael McPhillips
George Small Warren Wright
Herbert M. Sturtevant
Herbert A. Vickery
Frederick Tangley J. W. Richardson
Frank E. Bickford
John J. Dunigan
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Annual Town Meeting
February 2, 1920.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford qualified to vote in Town affairs held pursuant to Warrant at the Town Hall, Center Village, Monday, February 2, 1920 at 8 o'clock in the forenoon the following business was transacted to wit: The meeting was called to order and the Warrant read by the Town Clerk, Edward J. Robbins.
Under Article 1, to choose a Moderator, Walter Perham was unanimously elected, the check list being used and the oath of office was administered by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 2, relative to the election of Town Officers by the official ballot, the following Clerks and Tellers, previously appointed by the Selectmen, were sworn by the Town Clerk. Ballot Clerks : John H. Pratt, Daniel E. Haley. Tellers : John F. Parker, George A. McNulty, William J. Quigley, George Spaulding.
The ballot boxes were examined and found to be empty, the registers indicating zero. The ballots were then delivered to the ballot clerks by the Town Clerk, he taking their receipt therefor. The polls were opened at 8.15 A. M. and closed at 1.15 P. M. The ballots as counted were 534 and the check lists corresponding. 532 ballots were cast by male voters and 2 ballots were cast by female voters. During the canvass of the ballots the following business was transacted :
Under Article 3, the following officers were chosen by nomination from the floor.
Fence Viewers-James W. Stevens, John H. Cogger, Leonard Spaulding. Appraisers of Personal Property at Town Farm-Emile E. Paignon, Jr., John F. Parker, Walter B. Emerson.
Weighers of Hay-S. Waldo Parkhurst, Fred Tangley, Myron A. Queen, Frank E. Bickford, Henry H. Emerson, John B. Emerson.
Measurers of Wood-S. Waldo Parkhurst, Fred Tangley, Alvin H. Fletcher, John Marinel, Jr., Daniel A. Reardon, Frank E. Bickford, Myron A. Queen, Francis O. Dutton, Harry L. Parkhurst, Hosmer W. Sweetser.
Surveyors of Lumber-R. Wilson Dix, Myron A. Queen, Herbert C. Sweetser, Alvin H. Fletcher, Stewart Mackay, E. Hamlin Russell, Francis O. Dutton, J. F. Knight, Harry L. Parkhurst.
Field Drivers-R. Wilson Dix, Thomas Murphy, E. Hamlin Russell.
Finance Committee-John J. Monahan, Herbert E. Ellis, Samuel Kershaw, William H. Shedd, Wilbur E. Lapham.
Under Article 4, to hear reports of Town Officers and Committees. The report of the committee appointed to look into the matter of uniting the two water systems that no money was spent and no meetings held was .
S
accepted and the committee discharged. The committee appointed at the last Annual Town Meeting to take steps concerning memorials for Chelmsford service men reported that their work had not been completed and they were given further time.
Voted that the two thousand dollars appropriated last year for grading the athletic field at the new High School be re-appropriated together with the unexpended balance in the hands of the High School Building Committee, the whole amount to be used for improving the grounds at the New High School. The work to be in charge of the said Building Committee.
Several corrections in the printed report were made and it was voted to adopt the printed report as corrected.
Under Article 5, voted to appropriate from money already in the treasury the sum of $606.50 for coal contracted for during 1919 but not yet delivered. The Finance Committee reported the sums necessary in their judgment which, as amended, it was voted to raise and appropriate as follows :
Teachers, $41,380. Superintendent, $2,400. Janitors, $5,660. Fuel, $5,000. Transportation, $9,700. Administration, $825. Light and Power. $600. Miscellaneous, $1,000. Upkeep and Repairs, $3,000. Books and Supplies, $1.500 from Treasury and $4,500. New Equipment, $1.000. Health, $400. For general school purposes from Treasury, $819.03. Voted that the sum of Eleven Hundred Dollars be raised and appropriated for the Executive Department, the same to be expended in the following manner : Selectmen's Salaries, $1,100. Financial Department; Assessors' Salaries and Expenses, $1,600. Town Clerk's Salary, $300. Auditors' Salaries, $75. Appraisers' Salaries, $15. Legal Department, Town Counsel, $300. Election and Registration, Registrars' Salaries, $150. Election Expenses. $500. Public Protection Department. Board of Health Salaries, $55. Two Agents of Board Salaries, $100. Fire Department, $500. Police Department. $1,500. Forest Warden, $500. Tree Warden, $100. Game Warden. $50. Inspection Department, Meat Inspection, $700. Cattle Inspection. $200. Sealer of Weights and Measures, $150. Public Building Department. Janitor Service, 400. Fuel, Light and Water, $650. Repairs on roof, North Town Hall, painting North Town Hall, frost proofing toilet facilities at North Town Hall and repairing roofs at Town Farm Buildings, $3,000. Highway Department, Superintendent's Salary, $2,000. General Work, $4,500. Street Signs, $300. Acton St. from Bartlett St. to corner of Acton and High Sts., $1,200. Concord Road, $200. Boston Road, $500. Billerica Road, $500. River Neck Road, $500. Steadman St., $500. Westford Rd., near Dr. Varney's Farm, $300. West Chelmsford Village, $900. Brulette St., $250. Groton Road, $250. Dunstable Road, $100. Middlesex St., $2,000. Charities Department, Overseers of the Poor, Salaries, $115. Almhouse Poor, $4,000. Outside Poor, $3,000. Soldiers' Relief, $400. Libraries : Adams Library, $1,500. North Library, $1,000. Cemetery Department, Commissioners' Salaries, $90. Care and Improvement, $1,000. . Fence at West Cemetery, $850.
General-Public Parks, $500. Street Lighting, $8,154. Village Clock, $30. Memorial Day, $150. Insurance Fund (Sinking Fund), $500. Industrial School (Plus Receipts), $1,000. Treasurer's Bond, $220. Installation of System of Town Bookkeeping, $500. Miscellaneous, $1,500.
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Voted that the following amounts be appropriated from money already in the hands of the Town Treasurer :
Unpaid bills for 1919, Officers' Dept., $768.10.
Unpaid bills for 1919, Miscellaneous, $201.92.
Repair and Rebuild Road leading from West to North, $2,100.
Repair and Rebuild Center St. (East), $300.
Under this article it was voted that a committee be appointed to investigate water conditions at the schools at East and South, and to get estimates for installing systems and to report at a special meeting not later than May 15, 1920. Charles F. Devine, Walter K. Putney and James E. Alcorn were appointed upon this committee.
Under Article 6, voted that the Town hereby authorizes the Selectmen to act as its agent in any suit or suits which may arise during the current year, also in such other matters which may arise requiring in their judgment the action of such agent, and to employ counsel therefor.
Under Article 7, voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1920, and to issue a note or notes, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Under Article 8, voted that the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) be raised and appropriated to be paid the North Chelmsford Fire District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 9, voted that the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) be raised and appropriated to be paid the Chelmsford Water District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 10, voted that the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the purpose of buying road binder material, to be of tarvia or some other product.
Under Article 11, voted that the Town accept and allow Grove St. as laid out on October 10, 1919, as described in the Selectmen's report filed in the Town Clerk's Office on January 7, 1920, and shown on a plan therein referred to.
Under Article 12, voted that the Town accept and allow Perham Street as laid out on October 10, 1919, as described in the Selectmen's report filed in the Town Clerk's Office on January 7, 1920, and shown on a plan therein referred to.
Under Article 13, voted that the Town accept and allow Columbus Avenue as laid out on October 10, 1919, as described in the Selectmen's report filed in the Town Clerk's Office on January 7, 1920, and shown on a plan therein referred to.
Under Article 14, relative to what disposition the Town would make of the North Row School House, the article was indefinitely postponed.
Under Article 15, voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator, to prepare plans and get estimates for the erection of a four-room school building, and site for same at the Westlands and to report at a special town meeting to be held not later than May 15, 1920. Williston Carll, Josiah E. Marshall and Edwin L. Stearns were appointed on the committee.
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Under Article 16, voted that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding twelve thousand dollars at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, and to issue therefor five promissory notes each in the same principal sum, payable at the expiration of one, two, three, four and five years from the date thereof of each note to be signed by a majority of the Board of Selectmen. The proceeds to be used for the continuation of the construction of the North Road, so-called. The vote was unanimous.
Under Article 17, voted that the Assessors be instructed to make a re-valuation of the Real Estate of the Town and make a printed report and that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) be raised and appropriated for that purpose.
Under Article 18, voted that the Selectmen be authorized to contract with the Lowell Electric Light Corporation for thirty-seven lights in addition to the lights now existing, said lights to be distributed upon and along the following public ways, viz: two lights on River Neck Road; one light on Dalton Road ; one light on Westford Road, corner Chestnut Hill Road ; two lights on Robin's Hill Road ; six lights on Carlisle Road, southerly from Boston Road; seven lights on Locust and Robin's Hill Road; ten lights on Turnpike Road and eight lights on Boston Road.
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Under Article 19, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted by a rising vote :
Whereas, by the sudden and untimely death of Selectman D. Frank Small, the Town of Chelmsford has been deprived of a good man and faithful citizen ;
Resolved, That, while we bow to the inscrutable ways of Providence, we feel deeply the loss of a competent and high- minded official of this Town, who in all his years of service exhibited an integrity of purpose, a wisdom in judgment and a fairness in action which commended him to his colleagues in office and contributed much to the honor and welfare of the Town.
And Further Resolved, That the Town Clerk be directed to devote a page of the Town Records to the memory of Mr. Small, and a copy of these Resolutions be neatly engrossed and sent to the widow of our lamented townsman.
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Under Article 20, voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for demonstration work in agriculture and home economics, the money to be expended by, and the director to serve in co-operation with, the County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture of the Middlesex County Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics, under the provisions of Chapter 273, General Acts of 1918, and that the director be appointed by the Selectmen.
Under Article 21, voted that the public way leading from Littleton St. to Westford St. immediately in front of the First Congregational ( Unitarian) Church, be discontinued.
Under Article 22, voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars ($50) to purchase a flag for the South Village.
Under Article 23, voted that the salary of the Treasurer and Collector of Taxes be twelve hundred dollars ($1200) per year plus one hundred dollars ($100) for expenses, and that these amounts be raised and appropriated for this purpose.
Following the transaction of the foregoing business, the result of the official ballot for Town officers under Article 2 of this Warrant was declared · as follows :
For Selectman for three years-George W. Day, 403.
For Overscer of the Poor for three years-George W. Day, 387.
For Selectmen for one year-James P. Dunigan, 268; George Rigby, 200; Edward D. Tucke, 51.
For Overseer of the Poor for one year-James P. Dunigan, 254; George Rigby, 196; Edward D. Tucke, 53.
For Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for one year-Ervin W. Sweetser, 428.
For Assessor for three years-Fred L. Fletcher, 398.
For three Auditors for one year -- Gabriel Audoin, 379; Garfield A. Davis, 363; Albert A. Ludwig, 345.
For Constable for one year- George M. Wright, 414.
For School Committee for three years-Ulysses J. Lupien, 410.
For two Trustees of Adams Library for three years-Frances Clark, 385; Wilson Waters, 354.
For Tree Warden for one year-Minot A. Bean, 399.
For Sinking Fund Commissioner for Three Years-William J. Quigley, 410.
For Cemetery Commissioner for three years-Bayard C. Dean, 371. For Park Commissioner for three years-Patrick S. Ward, 412. Question on Licensing the Sale of Liquors-Yes, 146; No, 279. At 4.50 P. M., voted to dissolve the meeting.
WALTER PERHAM,
Moderator.
EDWARD J. ROBBINS,
Town Clerk.
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Special Town Meetings
May 14, 1920.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford qualified to vote in Town affairs, held pursuant to Warrant at the Town Hall, Center Village, Friday evening, May 14, 1920 at eight o'clock P. M., the following business was transacted to wit :
The meeting was called to order and the Warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 1, to choose a Moderator, Stewart Mackay was unanimously elected, the check list being used and the oath of office administered by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 2, voted that the Town appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars with which to pay the balance of salaries due the late D. Frank Small for services during the year 1919 as a Town Officer.
Under Article 3, a motion that the Town accept the provisions of Chapter 210 of the Acts of 1920 was defeated by a standing vote. 103 voted in favor and 115 opposed. Patrick S. Ward and Ulysses J. Lupien were chosen and sworn as tellers to determine the vote.
Under Article 4, a motion to establish precinct voting for the annual election of the Town officers and on the question of licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors was defeated on voice vote.
Under Article 5, voted that the Town raise and appropriate an additional sum of three thousand dollars for general highway purposes.
Under Article 6. voted that the Town authorize and direct the Board of Selectmen to purchase, as a part of the equipment of the Highway Department, two motor trucks of such capacity and make as they may approve, at a cost not to exceed in all the sum of nine thousand dollars, and that the Town raise and appropriate therefor the sum of thirteen hundred dollars and borrow the balance at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, and issue therefor five promissory notes each for the principal sum of one-fifth of the total amount borrowed, payable at the expiration of one, two, three, four and five years from the date thereof, such note or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Board of Selectmen. 231 voted in favor and none opposed.
Under Article 7, voted that the Selectmen be authorized to contract with the Lowell Electric Light Corporation for one additional light to be located on Bartlett Street.
Under Article S, voted that the Rev. E Ambrose Jenkins, Mark Ingham, and John J. Monahan be appointed a Committee to procure plans and specifications for a suitable monument to be placed upon the Common at North Chelmsford in memory of Egbert F. Tetley and Alberton W. Vinal,
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the two) men from Chelmsford who lost their lives in the military service of the United States during the World War, and report at some future Town meeting not later than the Annual Meeting of 1921.
Under Article 9, voted that the Town elect a Board of Health consisting of three members, as provided by law, at the next annual Town election, and so continuing from year to year until further action of the Town.
Under Article 10, relative to the purchase of land for the school-house site at the Westlands, the article was indefinitely postponed.
Under Article 11, relative to borrowing money for the erection of a new four-room school-house at the Westlands, the article was indefinitely postponed. It was voted that the matter be referred to a special committee consisting of the members of the Finance Committee and the School Committee and that they report at a meeting to be held within thirty days.
Under Article 12, the Committee appointed to investigate the water supply at the East Chelmsford School and at the South Chelmsford School reported the need of an appropriation for improving the existing conditions. It was voted to refer the matter back to the same committee, they to report at the next Town meeting.
Under Article 13, on an amended motion that the North Row School be reopened, the matter was left in the hands of a special committee consisting of the Finance Committee and the School Committee.
At 10.25 P. M., voted to dissolve the meeting.
STEWART MACKAY,
Moderator.
EDWARD J. ROBBINS,
Town Clerk.
June 11, 1920.
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Chelmsford qualified to vote in Town affairs, pursuant to Warrant at the Town Hall, Center Village, Friday evening, June 11, 1920 at eight o'clock P. M., the following business was transacted, to wit :
The meeting was called to order and the Warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 1, to choose a Moderator, Walter Perham was unanimously elected, the check list being used and the oath of office administered by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 2, a survey of school conditions and recommendations based thereon was presented to the meeting by the School Committee which survey was placed on file. It was voted under this article that a committee of three consisting of C. George Armstrong, Carroll Monahan, and John P. Scoboria be appointed to prepare plans and specifications for a twelve-room school building at the center and to report at the next Annual Town Meeting. Wilbur E. Lapham and Herbert E. Ellis were chosen and sworn as tellers and the vote as taken was 65 in favor and 5 opposed.
Under Article 3, a report of the committee appointed on May 14, 1920, to investigate and report on school conditions at the Westlands was presented. It was voted that the report be placed on file and the committee discharged.
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Under Article 4, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $4,500 for the purchase of a portable school-house, so-called, to be added to the present school building at Golden Cove.
Under Article 5, voted that the sum of $510 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of procuring plans and specifications for a four-room school building at the Westlands and that a building committee be appointed by the Selectmen to report at the next Annual Town Meeting.
Under Article 6, voted that the sum of $3,000 be raised and appropriated for the purchase of land now owned by J. Adams Bartlett adjoining the Curtin land for school purposes at the Westlands. The money to be spent by the building committee to be appointed.
Under Article 7, voted that the sum of $1,000 be raised and appropriated for additional school furniture. The same to be expended by the School Committee.
Under Article S, voted that the sum of $800 be raised and appropriated with which to pay the salary of additional teachers. The money to be expended by the School Committee.
Under Article 9, voted that the sum of $1,500 be raised and appropriated for the additional cost of fuel and janitor service at the Town Hall and at the Golden Cove School.
Under Article 10, relative to borrowing money for the purchase of a portable school-house, the purposes of the article were defeated. It was voted that the sense of the meeting be that the lower Town Hall at Chelmsford Center be used for school purposes.
Under Article 11, voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for the purpose of supplying the school-houses at East Chelmsford and South Chelmsford with water and that the money be expended by a committee to be appointed at this meeting with full powers. Harry Shedd, Wilbur E. Lapham and Joseph E. Warren were appointed upon this committee.
Under Article 12, relative to raising money for a bandstand on the Common at Chelmsford Center, the article was dismissed.
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