Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1937, Part 2

Author: Merrimac (Mass.)
Publication date: 1937
Publisher: Merrimac (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 158


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1937 > Part 2


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The method and form of reimbursements was explained fully last year in a section of the Public Welfare report and can be found in the 1936 Annual Town Report.


The total amount of money expended in Merrimac in 1937 for Old Age Assistance was $34,071.68. The amount received from the United States grants was $15,385.50 for old age recipients and $512.82 for administrative purpose; and $6,238.84 plus $94.00 from State reimbursements (for detail see Town Accountant report.)


At the last annual Town Meeting, the sum of $300.00 was voted as compensation for the members of the Merrimac Old Age Assist- ance Bureau, provided however that said compensation should be first paid from any available funds granted by the Federal Govern- ment for administrative purposes. The amount received for this pur- pose by the Town in 1937 was $512.82, hence all compensation of this Bureau during the year has been paid from Federal funds, and the $300.00 appropriated by the Town transferred for other town purposes. A bill is now pending before the Legislature which in towns


19


TOWN REPORT


of less than 2500 inhabitants, it will be unnecessary for a town to hire separate rooms for Old Age Assistance business, and that in such small towns the administrative and clerical work can be per- formed by the same person or persons irrespective of the total num- ber of cases. This bill filed by the Massachusetts Selectmen's Associa- tion has met with no objection from the State Old Age Assistance Bureau and seems assured of speedy passage, as it will save the towns a lot of extra expense of a full time supervisor, extra rental, light, fuel and equipment costs. On the basis of the least adminis- trative costs for separate quarters in Merrimac for the transaction of Old Age Assistance on the basis of 50-50 reciprocal costs as sched- uled in larger communities; in Merrimac it would cost annually over $1,000. for this work. Since February, 1937, the clerical work has again been increased by additional forms that have to be filed with the United States Federal Security Board and several additional checkups have to be made on the subject of verification and proof. As the Federal Grant for administrative purposes to Merrimac in 1938 will be about $600.00 we therefore suggest to the Finance Com- mittee that $500.00 of the amount thus received be authorized and allocated at the annual Town Meeting as compensation in 1938 for the members of the Old Age Assistance Bureau as this will pay for including the increased work and involve no actual tax levy on the part of the Town.


At the last annual Town Meeting the sum of $12,000.00 was appropriated for the purposes of Old Age Assistance. Owing to the increased number of cases, and delays in receipt of reimbursement grants it was necessary at special town meetings to transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from other departments for Old Age Assistance. The sum of $200.00 as refunds was also received during the year. On the basis of receipts and expenditures in 1937 for Old Age Assistance and probable increase we recommend an appropriation by the Town at the annual Town Meeting of $20,000.00 for Old Age Assistance. Of the amount spent by the Town, a reimbursement from the State should be had of at least sixty per cent, therefore it can be readily seen that if $20,000.00 is required by the Town in 1938 to finance Old Age Assistance costs, then about $12,000.00 will be eventually reimbursed by the State, so that with the receipt of nearly $20,000.00 from Federal Old Age Assistance Grants, the net cost to the Town


.


20


TOWN REPORT


should figure about $8,000.00 for 1938 or no more than the amount paid by the Town before the Federal Government contributed to the costs.


We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to all those who have co-operated with us during the year, and especially to the of- ficers and investigators of the Massachusetts Old Age Assistance Bureau and of the Federal Security Board.


The establishment of Old Age Assistance in Massachusetts and the recognition of this problem by the United States Government in the "Old Age Grants" sections of the National Security Act has un- doubtedly brought much happiness and a fuller sense of security to many thousands of aged persons living under the protection of the American flag. In an industrial and machine age, where most busi- ness is done on a speed basis and methods rapidly change, to those who cannot keep the pace and through age, though trained and equipped to the habits of other days, seek employment but can find no place to go; to these persons the Old Age Assistance Act has brought relief which can hardly be measured by written words.


Yesterday is gone! We are living today! This first duty of a government is to protect and provide for the security of its citizens. The National Security Act with its many provisions including the Old Age Assistance grants together with the Massachusetts Old Age Assistance Acts seek to do this. The just and equitable administra- tion of these acts is doing much to relieve the situation caused by the hand of time, unemployment, and a changing age.


Respectfully submitted,


FRED. T. HOPKINSON, ALBERT P. WADLEIGH, JOHN K. SARGENT,


Merrimac Bureau of Old Age Assistance.


21


TOWN REPORT


REPORT OF W.P.A. CO-ORDINATOR


To the Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:


The duties and functions of the office of W.P.A. Co-Ordinator are of such a varied nature, that in presenting this report it is deemed advisable to state not only what has been done during the year but also the methods and work required to secure the best results for the Town.


The principal purpose of a Co-Ordinator is to prepare or have prepared a sufficient number of projects in advance of the estimated relief load and quota of relief workers allowed by the Federal Gov- ernment so that the burden of public welfare expenses can be eased as much as possible from the costs imposed on the taxpayers of the Town.


This means that each project prepared must meet the rules and . requirements of the Federal Government in strict accordance with their methods or be subject to much revision and delay. It takes nearly two months to get a project approved after filing, going through the Salem, Cambridge, Boston and Washington offices, be- fore it can be even set up by the Finance Department for operation. Also that the projects in operation are subject to certain fixed rules which the Co-Ordinator must see are conformed to in co-operation with the W.P.A. engineers and supervisors. The Co-Ordinator must keep constantly in touch with the W.P.A. finance department to be sure that the funds to operate the project have been allocated and are available. If any work is done on local projects in excess of Fed- eral funds deposited for W.P.A. purposes the Town is liable, which situation if occuring, would be just too bad. Nearly all the financial details in the operation of these projects on the part of the expendi- itures by the Town are also supervised by the Co-Ordinator subject of course to the approval of the Selectmen.


In order to secure the continuous operation of projects in Merri- mac so as to prevent lapses of work and delays, I have been to the Salem, Cambridge or Boston W.P.A. offices about one day a week meeting and discussing and working with officials of these various


22


TOWN REPORT


divisions to get the quickest and best results in the simplest way. I can only bespeak my utmost appreciation of the courteous co- operative treatment that has been extended to me as the W.P.A. representative of the Selectmen for the people of Merrimac by all the officials and employees of the W.P.A. offices and especially to State Administrator Lt. Col. John J. McDonough and his associates.


It has helped considerably by also being W.P.A. Certifying Agent of the Merrimac Welfare Board (see Public Welfare report) to keep the projects and certification functioning closely together.


Until about April 1, 1937 the Government paid for truck hire on projects, and thereafter the cost had to be assumed by the Town. Also on new projects the percentage of contributions required of the Town is nearly twenty per cent of the total costs. The purchase of a new truck by the Town (see Selectmen report) was wholly for the purpose of reducing truck hire expenses.


In the absence of exact figures from the Federal Government it appears that in 1937 for W.P.A. work in Merrimac, the U. S. Gov- ernment contributed over $60,000.00 for labor pay rolls, over $3,- 000.00 for truck hire and material costs against an expenditure of $5,357.64 by the Town, employing from 70 to 100 persons continuous throughout the year.


Projects operated in Merrimac in 1937 were: Town Forest, Elimination of Moths, Roadside Beautification, Improvement of Locust Grove Cemetery, Sewing project, Distribution of Federal Commodities and Improvement of Farm to Market roads.


The costs to the Town as paid in 1937 were as follows:


Town Forest


$ 23.24


Elimination of Moths 45.83


Roadside Beautification 2.70


Improvement Locust Grove Cemetery


538.44


Sidewalk Construction


35.62


Sewing Unit 991.65


Commodity Distribution


565.84


23


TOWN REPORT


Farm to Market Roads Improvement 2,491.05


Cash Contribution for Commodity Administration 162.62


W.P.A. Administration, Transportation 169.98


Co-Ordinator Salary-1936 and 1937 330.67


(43 weeks at $7.69- 61 weeks, no salary)


$5,357.64


As a reservoir of projects there is still a large balance of al- located funds available on the Farm to Market project and the Moth Elimination project. There is still an approved balance of $25,000.00 for Cement Sidewalk labor costs if the Town can pay for materials, and $2,980.00 for Wood Cutting in the Town Forest when the State W.P.A. office permit. A new sewing project has been prepared and filed over a month ago and another Farm to Market project has been prepared and is about to be filed.


If the unemployment situation continues for many years and the Federal Government continues to extend aid, in towns of the small size of Merrimac it would seem that a long range program should be carefully planned and worked out, that is a type of project that would provide steady work for W.P.A. labor and be of perma- nent value to the town. It would seem that water extension services with hydrant installation, which as a project meets with the approval of the State W.P.A. office, should be given our careful consideration.


For instance if the Town could finance the material costs, I have been given assurance that a W.P.A. project can be approved, to extend water mains including hydrants through the Birch Meadow district, Merrimac Street from Locust Street to any designated point on Merrimac or Bridge Streets, installation of water extension or hydrant service on upper Church Street from Nichols to corner of Highland and Winter Streets or on any other streets as may be designated by the Town.


This subject of water service can well be considered at Town meeting if desired.


24


TOWN REPORT


During the existence of the E.R.A. the Federal Government paid weekly the costs of administration. I understand that in 1935 Mr. John K. Sargent as E.R.A. Administrator was paid $20.00 a week and his clerk, Mr. Harold Eastman about $24.00 a week. This repre- sents a cost of about $2,000.00 a year for administrative work. Since December, 1935, the Federal Government has paid nothing for this work, taking the position that. if a town wishes Federal aid it must pay its own administrative costs. Since December, 1935, now over two years I have performed the work as W.P.A. Co-Ordinator or Ad- ministrator and have received a total sum of $330.67 or an average of $3.18 a week: I make this statement only because it is evident that some citizens of the Town according to their remarks have no con- ception of this fact.


I have stated many times during the last thirty years that I am willing to serve the Town in any position commensurate with my means and ability: As W.P.A. Co-Ordinator and Certifying Agent of the Welfare Board I have exercised no favoritism having only one rule of fairness for all. Yet whoever performs these duties is the pivot of criticism of dissatisfied individuals. If the Town decides at the annual Town meeting to continue the offices of Co-Ordinator of W.P.A. or other Federal or State Relief projects for another year it should determine how and to what extent it wishes this work per- formed.


Respectfully submitted, ALBERT P. WADLEIGH,


Merrimac W.P.A. Co-Ordinator of Federal or other State Relief Projects.


IN MEMORIAM


GEORGE T. WALKER 1869 - 1937


Water Commissioner and Electric Light Commissioner 1907 - 1908 - 1918 - 1919 - 1920 - 1921 - 1922 - 1923


JOHN T. LOVETT 1849 - 1937


Last surviving Veteran of the Civil War (1861-1865) and member of The Grand Army of The Republic, who was a resident of Merrimac.


-


26


TOWN REPORT


APPROPRIATIONS MADE IN 1937


Moderator


$ 12.00


Selectmen (chairman)


450.00


Selectmen (clerk)


125.00


Selectmen (other member)


100.00


Selectmen's departmental expense


500.00


Public Welfare (chairman)


200.00


Public Welfare (clerk)


200.00


Public Welfare (other member)


100.00


Accountant


1,000.00


Accountant's expense


125.00


Treasurer


350.00


Treasurer's expense


450.00


Tax Collector 1937


800.00


Tax Collector 1936


351.39


Tax Collector 1935


216.98


Tax Collector 1934


43.67


Tax Collector 1933


5.91


Tax Collector's expense


600.00


Assessors (chairman)


275.00


Assessors (other two 187.50 each)


375.00


Assessors expense


200.00


Town Clerk (salary)


225.00


Town Clerk (expense)


50.00


Registrars of Voters


112.50


Town Hall (maintenance)


1,000.00


Town Hall (Janitor)


120.00


Town Hall (repairs)


100.00


Bonding Town Officers


280.00


Election Officers


120.00


Police Department


3,450.00


Fire Engineers


200.00


Fire Department


3,000.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


90.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures (expenses)


50.00


Inspector of Wiring


90.00


Inspector of Wiring (expense)


5.00


Dog Officer (fees)


100.00


27


TOWN REPORT


Moth Department


850.00


Forest Warden


150.00


Tree Warden


.


150.00


Town Forest


200.00


Board of Health


1,500.00


Public Health Nurse


1,150.00


Inspector of Animals


100.00


Inspector of Slaughtering


20.00


Inspector of Milk


20.00


Essex County T. B. Hospital


681.37


Highway Department and Chapter 81


5,500.00


Snow and Washouts


1,000.00


Sidewalks, Railings and Bridges


100.00


Rocks Bridge


950.00


Street Lights


2,728.27


State Aid


250.00


Public Welfare


21,000.00


Soldiers Relief


3,000.00


Mothers Aid


1,500.00


Old Age Assistance


12,000.00


School Committee (chairman)


50.00


School Committee (clerk)


75.00


School Committee (other member)


50.00


School Department


28,725.00


Public Library


900.00


Memorial Day (American Legion)


150.00


Vocational Education


100.00


Town Counsel (fees)


75.00


Lighting Town Buildings


575.64


Insurance


2,300.00


Reserve Fund


500.00


Interest


750.00


Cemeteries


1,000.00


Municipal Loan Note


3,600.00


Vital Statistics 1


75.00


Water in Town Buildings


305.73


Printing Town Reports


272.76


W.P.A. or other Federal or State Relief Projects


3,000.00


W.P.A. Co-Ordinator


400.00


28


TOWN REPORT


Compensation Old Age Assistance Bureau 300.00


Chapter 90 Road Maintenance 1,500.00


Water Installation on Playground 150.00


Purchase of Land for Town Forest


200.00


Improvement and Embellishment of Cemetery Lots


680.00


Extension Water Main on Liberty Street


238.30


Use on Public Dump, Mill Street


200.00


Water Service Westminister Road


553.54


Water Service Birch Meadow Road *


4,132.00


Playground Commission 50.00


Total $119,230.06


*State Emergency Board disallowed $ 553.54


** State Emergency Board disallowed 4,132.00


Total disallowed $ 4,685.54


$114,544.52


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen,


As Chief of the Police Department of the Town of Merrimac, I hereby submit the annual report of the Department for the year 1937.


The Department consists of a Chief and one patrolman on reg- ular duty, with Special Officers for duty as occasion requires.


During the year there was an increase in the number of auto- mobile accidents over the previous year.


There were 51 accidents reported, 26 being of a serious nature in which 49 people were injured and one killed, of the injured, 17 were operators of automobiles, 22 were passengers, and 10 were pedestrians.


29.


TOWN REPORT


The accidents not classed as serious, involve mostly property damage.


The records show that the hours between 4 and 6 p. m. are when the most accidents occurred, with the period from 2 to 4 p. m. as second.


In the group of serious accidents, only 6 were resident operators.


All bills of the Department have been paid and the year ended with a small balance.


Miscellaneous Business


Auto Accidents reported


51


Autos stolen and recovered here


1


Assistance to Other Police Departments


7


Assistance to Medical Examiner


4


Assistance to Fire Marshal


3


Complaints investigated


453


Doors and windows found open and secured


11


Dead bodies found


1


Days at District Court (chief)


64


Days attendance at Superior Court (chief)


2


Days attendance at Probate Court (chief)


1


Days attendance at District Court (night officer)


9


Days attendance at District Court (special officers)


6


Disturbances suppressed without arrest


20


Escorts furnished processions


5


Defects in sidewalks and streets reported


5


Headlight and Brake Inspections held


5


Injured and sick persons assisted


47


Lights furnished dangerous places


6


Fires discovered, alarm rang


2


Fires discovered, extinguished without alarm


2


Lost and runaway children, returned to parents


S


Messages delivered


51


Number of animals disposed of


31


Number of assignments of Officers


187


30


TOWN REPORT


1


Number of assignments of Officers to Hospital


1


Report of gas leaks


1


Street Lights reported out


43


Stray animals returned to owners


7


Value of property stolen


$351.00


Value of property recovered


191.00


Value of property reported lost


33.00


Value of property damaged


95.00


Wires down and reported


2


Number of Arrests for the Year


Male


103


Female


5


Resident


45


Non-resident


63


Charged as follows:


Assault and Battery


2


Drunk


22


Disturbance of the Peace


3


Delinquent Children


17


Insane


3


Larceny


3


Neglect of Child


2


Non-payment of Wages


1


Safekeeping


5


Violation of Immigration Laws


1


Violation of Shell Fishery Laws


1


Violation of Probation


3


Violation of Town By-Laws


1


Violation of Auto Laws


44


Disposed of as follows:


6 Continued.


33 Fined a total of $505.00.


12 For other Police Departments.


5 Filed.


31


TOWN REPORT


9 Received suspended sentence totaling 8 months and 10 days.


16 Released.


4 Committed to Institutions.


2 Dismissed.


1 Not Guilty.


8. Filed. Restitution to be made.


4 Probation.


8 Suspended sentences to Correctional Institutions.


I desire to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, His Honor, Judge Pettingell, the Associate Justices, Clerk of the District Court, the Probation Officer, the Officers of the Department and the citizens of the Town for their kindly co-operation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES P. DONAHUE,


Chief of Police.


INSPECTOR OF WIRES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


House and building inspections


131


Factory


2


Gas stations


8


Neon signs 10


Motors 4


Wiring found defective 16


Buildings rewired for safety 1


Entrances found too small and changed 4


Respectfully submitted,


I. G. BURBECK,


Inspector of Wires.


32


TOWN REPORT


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen:


. As Town Clerk of the Town of Merrimac, I hereby submit the annual report for the year 1937:


Births


Number of Births returned 33


Males


15


Females


18


Father, native born


29


Mother, native born


30


Father and Mother, both native born


28


Father and Mother, both foreign born


1


Mixed parentage


4


Marriages


Number of marriages recorded


36


First marriage of groom


32


First marriage of bride


31


Grooms, native born


32


Brides, native born


31


Grooms, foreign born


4


Brides, foreign born


5


Average age of groom


29 years, 1 month, 11 days


Average age of bride 26 years, 2 months, 1 day


Deaths


Number of deaths recorded


24


Males


13


Females


11


Under 5 years


2


Males, native born


9


33


TOWN REPORT


Females, native born


11


Males, foreign born


4


Females, foreign born


0


Of native parentage


9


Of mixed parentage


5


Average age 63 years, 9 months, 20 days


Oldest person


91 years, 5 months, 22 days


Licenses


Number of dogs licensed 102


Males 95


Females 7


Sporting licenses issued


111


Minors sporting licenses issued


17


Respectfully submitted, C. HOWARD PHILLIPS,


Town Clerk.


TREASURER'S REPORT


To the Citizens of Merrimac:


Interest rates on temporary loans continued low throughout the year and the interest account showed an unexpended balance of $296.22.


In September, 1937, the Town borrowed $3,000.00 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Chapter 49, Acts of 1933 which was enacted to enable towns to borrow on their tax titles.


This loan is being reduced monthly by payments to the State Treasurer of all redemption payments received during the month to- gether with such amounts as may be realized from the sale of fore- closed property.


Respectfully submitted,


ROY C. JOURNEAY,


Town Treasurer.


34


TOWN REPORT


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS


Citizens of Merrimac:


The Board of Assessors submit the following report for the year 1937.


Recapitulation


Town Appropriations


$118,044.52


Overlay deficit (1933 and 1934)


1,313.26


State Tax


3,105.00


Auditing Tax


33.90


Park and Reservation Tax


39.77


County Tax


2,536.62


County Tax, 1936 excess of estimates


26.50


Overlay


2,249.31


$127,348.88


Estimated Receipts


Income Tax


$ 8,433.29


Corporation Taxes


2,109.86


Reimbursement State Lands


11.30


Motor Vehicle Excise


2,421.12


Licenses


1,252.00


Fines


926.60


Special Assessments


138.20


General Government


715.00


Protection of Persons and Property


88.10


Health and Sanitation


1,029.70


Charities


11,149.37


Soldiers Benefits


360.00


Schools


4,376.21


Libraries


99.82


Cemeteries other than from Trust


Funds and Sale of Lots 457.00


Interest on Deposits


1,485.46


$ 35,053.03


35


TOWN REPORT


Available Funds Voted


Light Department $ 3,500.00


Tax Titles


3,000.00


Sale of. Lots


680.00


Transfers (Dec. 7, 1936)


3,500.00


Total Deductions $ 45,733.03


Net Amount Raised by Taxation $ 81,615.85


Tax on 657 Polls $ 1,314.00


Total Valuation $17,085.50. Tax Rate $47.00 $ 80,301.85


Abatements Made in 1937


On 1933 levy


248.00


On 1934 levy 2,587.64


On 1935 levy


1,654:15


On 1936 levy


263.20


On 1937 levy


1,784.20.


Table of Aggregates


Value of Real Estate


$1,612,630.00


Value of Personal Property


95,920.00


Number of Horses


45


Number of Cows


210


Neat Cattle other than Cows


34


Number of Fowl


1850


Number of Houses


716


Number of Land Acres


4840


Number of Motor Vehicles registered


728


Amount of Excise Tax committed $ 4,342.10


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE B. CROFUT, W. HAROLD WHITING, ROSCOE CHILD,


Assessors.


36


TOWN REPORT


REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES


1935


Real Estate, Personal, Poll, Moth and Water Liens ....


Dr.


Tax Warrant


$ 90,753.67


To interest and costs received 1,801.60


$ 92,555.27


Cr.


By cash paid Town Treasurer $ 80,072.15


By abatements


3,722.76


Tax title taken


3,016.61


Added to tax titles


4,281.75


By uncollected


1,462.00


-$ 92,555.27


1935


Motor Vehicle Excise


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 3,008.95


To interest and costs received


88.77


-$


3,097.72


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 2,754.41


By abatements


189.25


By uncollected


154.06 $ 3,097.72


TOWN REPORT 37


1936


Real Estate and Personal Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 87,981.63


361.93


$ 88,343.56


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 62,727.28


Added to tax titles


6,245.63


By abatements


3,444.88


By uncollected


15,925.77


$ 88,343.56-


1936


Poll


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 1,470.00


To interest received


5.36


-$ 1,475.36


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 979.36


By abatements


2.00


By uncollected


494.00


$ 1,475.36


1936


Moth


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 207.25 -$ 207.25


:


To interest and costs received


38


TOWN REPORT


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 130.40


By abatements


5.40


Added to tax title


7.55


By uncollected


63.90


207.25


1936


Motor Vehicle Excise


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 3,575.20


8.12


To interest received


-$


3,583.32


Cr.


By cash paid Town Treasurer $ 2,614.62


By abatements


187.63


By uncollected


781.07


$


3,583.32


1937


Real Estate, Personal and Moth


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 80,498.31


21.59


$ 80,519.90


Cr.


By cash paid Town Treasurer $ 45,193.29


By abatements


1,775.25


By uncollected


33,551.36


-$ 80,519.90


To interest received


39


TOWN REPORT


1937


Polls Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 1,336.00 -$ 1,336.00


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 676.00


By abatements


10.00


By uncollected


650.00 -$ 1,336.00


1937


Motor Vehicle Excise


Dr.


Tax Warrant $ 4,179.46


To interest received®


.06


$ 4,179.52


Cr.


By cash paid to Town Treasurer $ 2,526.91


By uncollected 1,535.25


By abatements


117.36 -$ 4,179.52


Respectfully submitted,


FRED C. TWOMBLY,


Tax Collector.


40


TOWN REPORT


PLAYGROUND COMMISSION REPORT


To the Citizens of Merrimac:


1


We are pleased to report the following improvements and activi- ties at the playgrounds during the past season. Town water service has been extended to the entrance and an up-to-date drinking foun- tain installed. The ball stop has been rewired and the back stop re- paired. Football goal posts were also erected. A line marking ma- chine has been purchased which can be used for either football or baseball. Several football games were played on the grounds which were enjoyed by a large number of fans. Camp-O-Ral was held here last spring with approximately 700 scouts in attendance. This at- tracted large crowds each day during camp. But few ball games were held here during the past season, we believe largely due to the loss of so many balls. Something should be done if possible to eliminate this loss so that this clean sport may continue for the enjoyment of our townspeople.




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