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1959
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REPORT
Ince Der mal com piz
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31.1959
SOME FACTS ABOUT CHELMSFORD
*Chelmsford is located in North Middlesex County and was incor- porated as a town in 1655.
*Chelmsford has a population estimated at 15,000.
$Chelmsford, both from an industrial development standpoint and as a place to live, has an ideal location, being located on both Route 3 and Route 110 super-highways (the latter under construction) ; it is a half-hour drive from Boston and Logan airport; 10 minutes away from Route 128 and Bedford airport; five miles from down-town Lowell and in the heart of an area which can provide the professional and experienced men and women capable of staffing nearly any type of modern industry.
*Chelmsford has a modern school system with a 1200-pupil high school just opened, and two new elementary schools opened within the past decade.
*Chelmsford also has modern police and fire departments, providing the best possible protection for its people; it has an efficient highway department which has an enviable record for its highway maintenance and its snow-plowing; and it provides town garbage and rubbish collec- tion.
"In addition to its new schools, Chelmsford has two new fire sta- tions equipped with the best of apparatus and equipment and with a complete radio system of its own; its police department has its own two-way radio system and three cruisers in constant operation; and its highway department is housed in a headquarters opened for use within the past six months.
*Chelmsford's homes range from old, historical dwellings to the most ultra-modern. Its buildings are controlled by adequate building laws and by a complete set of zoning laws revised within the past four years to meet the needs of today.
*Chelmsford has 10 churches located in all sections to meet the re- ligious needs of all the people.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town of Chelmsford
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1959
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
This Book Printed By The Billerica Publishing Co., Inc. 24
3
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
TOWN OFFICIALS
ELECTED TOWN OFFICIALS Moderator Vernon R. Fletcher (Term expires 1960) Town Clerk Charlotte P. DeWolf (Term expires 1960) Assistant Town Clerk Louise M. Greig (Term expires March 1, 1960)
Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare
Robert F. McAndrew
Raymond J. Greenwood
Edgar P. George
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Treasurer and Tax Collector Walter R. Wilkins, Jr. (Term expires 1960) Board of Assessors
John J. Dunigan
Claude A. Harvey
Warren
Wright
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Tree Warden Myles J. Hogan (Term expires 1960) Board of Health
Edmund J. Welch
Oliver A. Reeves
William R. Greenwood
School Committee
Henrick R. Johnson
Arthur S. Russell
Harold E. Clayton, Jr.
Park Commissioners
Arthur L. Bennett
Term expires 1960
Bradford O. Emerson (Resigned 3/3/59)
Term expires 1961
David P. Ramsey - appointed until election 1960
Ralph E. House
Term expires 1962
Arthur J. Colmer Arne R. Olsen Frank H. Hardy
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Trustees of Public Libraries
Raymond S. Kroll Terms expire 1960
June C. Worthley
Ethel Booth Terms expire 1961
Eustace B. Fiske
Terms expire 1962
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Cemetery Commissioners
Roger P. Welch Marjorie B. Scoboria
4
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
Sinking Fund Commissioners
Eustace B. Fiske
Term expires 1960
Harold A. Fraser
Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
Daniel E. Walker
Planning Board
Charles D. Harrington
Term expires 1960
Harold E. Clayton, Jr. (Resigned 1959)
Term expires 1961
Arthur L. Bennett - Appointed until 1960 election
Allan A. Ludwig
Term expires 1961
Claude J. Harvey
Term expires 1962
Harold J. Pearson
Term expires 1962
George R. Dupee
Term expires 1963
Bradford O. Emerson
Term expires 1964
Constable Ralph J. Pedersen (Term expires 1960) Varney Playground Commissioners
Rudolph T. Hansen John W. Dixon Bernard F. McGovern
Term expires 1960
Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962
APPOINTED TOWN OFFICIALS Town Accountant Lewis I. Hilton (Term expires 1960) Board of Selectmen Recording Clerk Alfred H. Coburn (Term expires 1960) Financial Clerk Frances B. Cummings (Term expires 1960) Finance Committee
Hans H. Schliebus. Chairman Carleton J. Lombard Richard T. McDermott
John W. McNally
William W. Edge
Frederick C. Field Edward S. Marshall
Term expires 4/30/61 Term expires 4/30/6/1 Term expires 4/30/61 Term expires 4/30/61
Term expires 4/30/61 Term expires 8/31/61 Term expires 8/31/61
Superintendent of Streets Frederick R. Greenwood (Term expires 1960) Chief of Police Ralph J. Hulslander Inspector of Animals Dr. Winslow E. Merrill (Term expires 1960) Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam Registrars of Voters
Dorothy Borrows Edward T. Brick John J. Carr Charlotte P. DeWolf
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1962 Ex-Officio
5
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
Town Counsel John H. Valentine (Term expires March, 1960) ( Resigned effective December 31, 1959) Vernon R. Fletcher (Appointed January 1, 1960) Janitors of Public Halls
Thomas M. Elliott ( Resigned 10/24/59) Center Town Hall
John W. Carruthers (Appointed 10/25/59) Center Town Hall North Town Hall
Joseph L. Larocque
Sealer of Weights and Measures Anthony C. Ferreira (Term expires 1960) Superintendent of Burials of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors Cortlandt J. Burkinshaw ( Term expires 1960) Dog Officer Frank Wojtas ( Term expires 1960) Welfare Investigator Civil Service Arthur Cooke Slaughtering Inspector Hubert R. Scoble (Term expires August 11, 1960) Agent of the Board of Health John F. Teehan (Term expires August 11, 1960) School Nurses Helen M. Jewett Jessie M. Groves (Terms expire 1960) Building Inspector
Joseph G. Demers (Term expires 1960) Wire Inspector Harold M. Tucke, Jr. (Term expires 1960) Milk Inspector John F. Teehan (Term expires 1960) Plumbing Inspector George E. Gagnon (Civil Service) Town Forest Committee
Martin K. Bovey Robert E. Picken Edward B. Russell
Term expires March, 1960 Term expires March, 1961 Term expires March, 1962
Board of Health Physicians Raymond J. Horan Benjamin J. Blechman (Terms expire 1960) Moth Superintendent Myles J. Hogan (Term expires 1960)
6
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
Zoning Appeal Board
Willis E. Buckingham
Term expires 1960
Charles Egerton
Term expires 1961
Louis L. Hannaford
Term expires 1962
Paul W. O'Neil
Term expires 1963
Richard B. Carr
Term expires 1964
Alternates
Eliot W. Remick
James O. Robinson
Term expires 1960 Term expires 1960
George Archer John J. McNulty
George F. Waite
Alfred H. Coburn
Robert M. Hood
Honor Roll Committee (Terms expire 1960) George R. Dixon Thomas E. Firth, Jr.
Civil Defense Committee ( Terms expire 1960) William Edge Charles Koulas
Bertram T. Needham
Veterans' Agent Terrence O'Rourke (Term expires 1960) Constable Ralph J. Hulslander (Term expires December, 1960)
Memorial Day Committee (Terms expire 1960) Post 212
Norman LaRock
Clarence H. Dane John N. Leonard
Post 313
Donald Rafferty
B. C. Smith Post 366
Joseph Sadowski
Arthur E. Morrell
Thomas E. Firth, Jr.
Charles J. O'Neil
Personnel Board
Roger W. Boyd, Chairman Term expires October 28, 1961
John J. Kenney
Term expires September 20, 1961 Term expires September 20, 1961
Industrial Commission
Leslie H. Adams (Resigned 10/59)
Term expires 1960
Claude J. Harvey (Resigned 6/4/59)
Term expires 1960
Carl A. E. Peterson (Resigned 6/18/59)
Term expires 1960
Arthur F. Haley (Appointed 9/10/59) Term expires 1960
Bertram T. Needham (Appointed 9/10/59)
Term expires 1960
Albert E. Walker (Appointed 10/29/59)
Term expires 1960
Arthur B. Worthley, Jr.
Terni expires 1960
Forrest E. Dupee
Howard Humphrey
Gerald J. Lannan
Fence Viewers (Terms expire 1960)
Thomas E. Firth, Jr.
Reginald Furness
Weighers of Merchandise (Terms expire 1960)
Term expires 1961 Term expires 1961 Term expires 1961
J. Henry Duffy Frederick W. Knox Francis J. Sakalinski Mederic Tousignant
John J. Hehir James W. Coughlin Elfstrom V. Johnson Edgar Theriault
Armand O. Gagne
Veterans Emergency Committee (Terms expire 1960) Joseph Sadowski
Perry Snow
7
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
--
BOARD OF SELECTMEN Robert F. McAndrew, Chairman
Raymond J. Greenwood Edgar P. George
Chelmsford ended its 304th year with many changes worthy of note. This Town Report accents these changes and reflects a new look through a streamlining process begun in 1958.
Another change readily visible to the people of the Town is the relocation of homes and highways. In the Centre and Westlands sections the new Route 110 will pass over North Road and Chelmsford Street, resulting in many dislocations of property and changing the face of the land. In the North area, relocation of Main Street and removal of homes shows the advent of the new U. S. Highway 3, the second of two major roads intersecting in the Town. With anticipated zoning changes for industry, a brighter picture, taxwise, should result.
We regretfully accepted the resignation of Judge John H. Valentine as Town Counsel. Judge Valentine served the Town in many ways for more than 30 years.
On June 8, the new High School was dedicated. We are very proud of this latest addition to our educational system. It has immeasurably relaxed the overcrowded conditions in the schools. Very favorable com- ment has been received from visitors to the new High School who plan new schools in their own communities.
Increased demands on the Board and continued growth of adminis- trative problems of the Town government marked the passing of 1959. In an effort to offer more meeting time to the public and to expedite routine town affairs, the Board increased its meetings to a regular weekly basis. Except for the summer months, meetings are now held every Thursday evening.
8
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
These meetings, which are always open to the public, constitute only a small measure of the time being devoted to the administration of town affairs. Answering complaints, conducting investigations, reviewing highway problems, meeting with other governing boards, and many other functions are increasing the requirements of the Board.
Although immediate needs do not demand it, eventually the Town as well as the Board will be better served by establishing an Executive Secretary. This position, which would be a full time post, would provide people with an active on-the-job administrator and, at the same time, would provide a more efficient and organized control of town affairs by the Board. This is somewhat comparable to the Town Manager form of government, which has been proposed on occasion, but would not vest the same degree of responsibility in this position, leaving the basic Town government in its present form.
Chelmsford's building boom continued at an unprecedented pace and shows no signs of decreasing. This, of course, creates the usual demands on school expansion. Less noticeable, but just as certain, the growth of our small town to a small city increases demands on other services. While some of the new building is establishing excellent roads and good drainage, even these develop additional highway maintenance needs. Trash collections, highway repairs, snow removal, and related services grow as do the needs for more police and fire protection.
The Highway Department garage was constructed in 1959 and is now in use. This has improved working conditions immeasurably, created much better repair facilities, and should contribute considerably to the longevity of the highway equipment.
Chelmsford's Police and Fire Departments both continue to serve the town well. Both forces have grown but, even now, need further ex- pansion to keep pace with the increased needs. The Police Department has at least four men on duty at all times, using three cruisers to con- tinually patrol the town's highways. The Fire Department is housed pri- marily in two new stations in Centre and North. New equipment operates out of both of these stations with full time protection of permanent per- sonnel. Excellent radio facilities aid both of these departments.
Currently, fire equipment is also housed in West, South and East. These stations, which are manned by volunteer firefighters, will ultimately create another administrative problem. Volunteer firefighters serve a very important purpose in the town but are becoming less available as the town continues to develop into a city atmosphere. Increased mainten- ance costs and manning of these stations or a greater concentration of manpower and equipment in the central stations will be the eventual alternatives.
With the increased demands on town services, the Board has also witnessed the growing pains being imposed on present Town Hall facilities. Offices which house the Welfare Department, Planning Board, Industrial Development Commission, Personnel Board, Board of Appeals, Finance Committee, Building Inspector as well as the Selectmen now occupy both
9
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
sides of the upper Hall. The Board of Assessors is currently working in cramped quarters which are inadequate to such an extent as to ser- iously hamper their activities. Some expansion is anticipated in the lower Hall to alleviate this situation. The Board also contemplates having the stage in the upper Hall removed and building additional offices in this area.
The degree of improvising of the Hall facilities is nearly exhausted. There is certainly no immediate need for further corrective action but proper planning clearly indicates that the Town will some day be faced with the problem of building a Town Office building. The Board is con- stantly alert to the need to hold the tax structure at the lowest possible level, and, therefore, is reluctant to even admit the ultimate need for better office facilities. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the early purchase of the private property between the present Hall and Center Fire Sta- tion should be seriously considered since our present available space would be inadequate for the construction of a new office building.
A need for engineering advice and controls from an outside and impartial service is immediately evident. Increased building has placed an increased burden on existing roads. Streets which were once wide enough for casual travel are now mere paths for the heavy traffic flow. Thus, there is a need for engineering advice and services on the High- way Department. As a quiet country town, Chelmsford could afford the luxury of draining surface water down streets to lower levels and re- leasing the water at these points. Now street drainage is a subject of discussion, study, or complaint at nearly every meeting. Subdivisions should be under the alert control of a sound engineering office. Again the Board is unwilling to immediately establish a full time Town Engineer but suggests a compromise of hiring an outside engineering firm on a con- sulting basis.
On several occasions, homeowners have expressed dissatisfaction over conditions that they did not know existed upon purchase of their particular property. As a means of protection to such purchasers, to the Board, and to the construction companies themselves, we are urging the adoption of an occupancy permit as a means of control. This would merely mean a coordination of the Health Inspector, Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, and Wire Inspector activities on a check-off form which would assure maximum clearance before new houses could be occupied. Such a procedure would not impose any hardship on most of the new housing in town and should not be confused with an attempt to restrict or reduce building; it would merely insure the meeting of all regulations before getting a final stamp of approval.
Chelmsford is a good town. It has new schools and a good school system. Police, Fire, and Highway Departments work well together in everyone's interests. Each of these departments has excellent equip- ment. Industrial developments have not materialized to any great degree and little can be anticipated during the mammoth highway construction program currently underway in Chelmsford. In the meantime, every
10
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
effort is being made to provide the best possible service and continue to retain a controllable tax rate.
During the past decade we have seen Chelmsford grow from a com- fortable village to a thriving town nearly reaching city potentials. This, of necessity, has gradually reduced the theory of government by friendly gesture and verbal assurance to one of increased regulations and impar- tial decisions. This Board, like its predecessors, has enjoyed its ability to administer some town affairs on a friendly personal basis. As we continue to grow, however, the governing of town affairs must become more devoid of this feature as the administration of a business of this magnitude demands the critical and impartial attention of the govern- ing authorities.
The Board has enjoyed serving you in 1959. We hope that our efforts have met with your approval. We thank you for your patience and indulgence during the past year.
11
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
It was with regret that the Board of Selectmen accepted the resignation of Judge John H. Valentine as town counsel late in December.
The resignation brought to an end, temporarily at least, a period of much more than a score of years in public life in the interests, either in whole or in part, of Chelmsford.
It was in 1935 that John H. Valentine took office as a representative in the General Court from the 11th district, and he continued to serve in the House until 1948, when he became an associate justice in the Lowell District court.
He served as town counsel for many years and also as town moderator from 1951 to 1954 and has played an import- ant role in the political and civic life of the community for the greater part of his life.
12
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
CHELMSFORD INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Forrest E. Dupee, Chairman
Gerald N. Lannan Howard Humphrey Arthur B. Worthley, Jr.
Bertram V. Needham Arthur W. Haley Albert Walker
1959
The Industrial Commission of the Town of Chelmsford is dedicated to the purpose of securing clean and desirable light industry for our Town's employment and economic needs. Although such industry might not immediately reduce taxes, it would certainly tend to stabilize them over the future.
Resignations and changes on the Commissions have now been filled. The full board meets regularly to consider Chelmsford's needs and its many selling features. The vast highway program now underway, the proximity to Lowell's labor market, ready access to industrialized Route 128, modern educational systems, churches, modern police and fire pro- tection, and sound town government all contribute to the desirability of locating in Chelmsford.
Many contacts have been made with firms expressing some desire to relocate in a suburban area. One new firm is being located on the site of the old railroad station in North. Another plans to build a new factory on Billerica Road in early spring.
A public relations program has been undertaken. Members of the Commission are addressing various service clubs, women's organizations and civic gatherings in an effort to acquaint local people with the pro- blems in this undertaking. The selling of Chelmsford is not confined to a few, specifically appointed for this purpose, but actually every resident is a potential salesman.
Representatives of two of the largest land developing and industrial management concerns in New England have been contacted. They showed polite but restrained interest.
Available sites appeared to be overpriced for their. interests. High- way construction work is not yet sufficiently advanced to enhance big de- velopments in their opinion. It appeared that vast holdings along Route 128, which they still held, served as a deterrent in their immediate plan- ning for Chelmsford.
While this may serve as a temporary note of pessimism, the Com- mission feels strongly that upon completion of the local highway network, Routes 110 and 3, as well as the Lowell Connector, a more favorable
13
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
picture should be presented. The advent of the large restaurant and motel in the hub of this traffic area seems to support this thinking.
Inquiries about some available sites have occasionally placed the Commission in a difficult position. Certain parcels of land seemingly undergo appreciable changes in value immediately upon interrogation by a prosepctive purchaser. Negotiations are, of course, a necessity in any such purchase but realistic prices must be established and a degree of consistency maintained if clients are to retain any great degree of enthusiasm.
The Commission's budget of $500 seemed insufficient to warrant its expenditures with any hopes of accomplishment. Consequently, most of it has been returned to the Excess and Deficiency account.
A consultant firm was asked to set a price on their services for the professional development of the town's industrial possibilities. Their proposed fee of more than $13,000 closed this approach to our problem.
The Commission does feel that a new and professional brochure selling Chelmsford might be beneficial to our interests. Erection of a few Industrial Site signs might also bring results. We are, therefore, re- questing $3500 to be used as prudently as possible in advertising our town's many features.
In closing this report the Commission wishes to reaffirm its feeling of Chelmsford's excellent land sites and improving transportation facilities as a boon to future industrial growth. We ask, again, the cooperation and salesmanship of the town residents in promoting our industrial growth in an effort to stabilize our present tax structure.
14
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
TOWN CLERK Charlotte P. DeWolfe
It is required that the Town Clerk keep a record of each notice of a definitive plan of land which is presented to her by the developer. After plans have been approved by the Planning Board, a copy of same is filed with the Town Clerk.
The Appeal Board must notify the Town Clerk of all hearings proposed and also notify her of the disposition of said appeals. Botli items are on permanent record in the Town Clerk's office.
She is responsible for the conduct of all elections and the tally of the vote.
She issues marriage, hunting, fishing and dog licenses as well as birth, marriage and death certificates. For all of these licenses, the Clerk collects a fee. The fees are turned over to the Town Treasury once a month.
The Town Clerk issues registrations of Gasoline Storage Licenses.
She also acts as Clerk of the Board of Registrars and Clerk for the Cemetery Commissioners. All Cemetery Records are in the custody of the Town Clerk who issues new deeds and bills lot owners for the Annual Care each year.
The Town Clerk's office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for your convenience.
LICENSES etc.
Year
Sporting Licenses
Dog Licenses Kennels
Marriage Intentions
Mortgages, etc. Recortled
1940
285
587
1
98
109
1950
475
1027
13
118
190
1955
808
1201
11
115
349
1959
892
1283
11
94
684
Births
Deaths
Year
to Residents
Marriages
of Residents
1940
125
100
113
1950
185
143
106
1955
251
141
130
1959
*319
*122
*126
* Incomplete
The Town Clerk is the Recorder for the Town of Chelmsford. She keeps records as required by the General Court. As "Official Re- cord" Keeper, she records all births, marriages and deaths, personal property mortgages, business certificates, tax lien, bills of sale, etc., detailed records of the proceedings at all Town Meetings and she holds copies of all Town Deeds. She maintains a file of Street Acceptances and the plans therefor.
15
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
JURORS DRAWN
1
Jan.
10, 1958
27
Jan.
5, 1959
2
Feb.
13, 1958
28
Jan.
5, 1959
3
Feb.
13, 1958
29
Jan.
30, 1959
4
Feb.
13, 1958
30
Jan.
30, 1959
5
Feb.
13, 1958
31
Jan.
30, 1959
6
Mar.
6, 1958
32
Jan.
30, 1959
7
Mar.
6, 1958
33
Mar.
5, 1959
9
Mar.
6, 1958
35
Mar.
19, 1959
10
Apr.
8, 1958
36
Mar.
19, 1959
11
Apr.
8, 1958
37
Mar
19, 1959
12
Apr.
8, 1958
38
Apr.
16, 1959
13
May
2, 1958
39
Apr.
30, 1959
14
May
16, 1958
40
Apr.
30, 1959
15
July
25, 1958
41
July
29, 1959
16
July
25, 1958
42
July
29, 1959
17
Sept.
2, 1958
43
Aug.
28, 1959
18
Sept.
2, 1958
44
Aug.
28, 1959
19
Sept.
2, 1958
45
Sept.
24, 1959
20
Odt.
22, 1958
46
Sept
24, 1959
21
Oct.
22, 1958
47
Nov.
5, 1959
22
Oct.
22,
1958
48
Nov.
12, 1959
23
Oct.
22, 1958
49
Dec.
2, 1959
24
Oct.
22, 1958
50
Dec.
2, 1959
25
Oct. 30, 1958
51
Dec.
10, 1959
26
Oct.
30, 1958
JURY LIST FOR THE TOWN OF CHELMSFORD Established: September 19, 1957
Abrahamson, Robert 27 Edgelawn Ave., North . Milk Sales
Adie, Richard D.
1
Juniper St.
Printer
Allard, Alfred J.
7
Warren Avenue
Retired
Angluin, David
11
Jensen Street
Attendant
51 Archer, George S. 118
Boston Road
Manager
Ballanger, F. Edwin
15
Cottage Row, North. . Mill Worker
Barris, Arthur
12 Columbia St., North. . Supervisor
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