USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1947 > Part 4
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Boiler Repairs-Park St. School:
Per contract
$1,170.00
$ 1,170.00
101
Elimination of Fire Hazards: Per contract $3,550.57
$ 3,550.57
Total for Education
$206,088.89
Young Men's Library Association
Per agreement
$4,000.00
$ 4,000.00
Park Deptment
Legion Field, Eager Playground and
Burleigh Park:
Labor
$2,763.80
Trucks
229.50
Lights
17.90
Sanding and Painting Bleachers
123.00
Excavating and grading
265.00
Purchase of Overnight Cabins
150.00
Spraying and removing trees
205.00
Tool house and Rest Room
267.94
Equipment and repairs
273.90
Athletic Supplies
163.82
Gas and Oil
13.43
Upkeep of grounds and Equipment 900.30
Incidentals 56.25
5,429.84 $
Veterans Service Center :
Salaries
$1,760.00
Janitor
222.00
Telephone
154.21
Equipment and Supplies
90.70
. 102
Postage
18.86
Travel
8.88
Subscriptions
10.50
$ 2,265.15
Veterans Benefits :
Agent
$1,560.00
Cash
12,177.82
Postage and Supplies
32.56
Travel
87.89
Printing
19.86
Light and Fuel
343.65
Groceries and Provisions
1,107.70
Board and Rent
555.00
Medical
1,706.93
Clothing
12.00
$ 17,603.41
Total for Veterans Benefits
$ 19,868.56
Cemetery Department
Care and Maintenance :
Secretary
$200.00
Labor
4,440.10
Trucks
324.26
Gravel and loam, seed, etc.
306.70
Tools and Equipment
416.52
Gas and Oil
24.94
Road Materials
458.50
Painting fence
430.25
Spraying, removing and trimming trees 447.00
Contract labor
733.11
103
Incidentals
15.04
$
7,796.42
Neglected Graves :
Care and Maintenance $300.00
$ 300.00
Total for Cemeteries
$8,096.42
Refunds :
On Poll and Real Estate Taxes $2,110.00
On M. V. Excise Taxes 232.34
On Revoked Alcoholic Licenses
260.00
2,602.34 $
Municipal Indebtedness :
Municipal Relief Loan
$3,000.00
$
3,000.00
Interest
On Maturing Debt :
Municipal Relief Loan $37.50
$
37.50
On Trust Funds :
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
$952.03
$
952.03
Total for Interest
$989.53
104
Agency and Trust
Withholding Tax:
Deductions $25,442.25
$ 25,442.25
Blue Cross and Blue Shield :
Deductions $940.40
$ 940.40
County Retirement :
Deductions $1,624.55
$ 1,624.55
Agency :
State Tax
$6,800.00
County Tax
12,537.69
Dog Licenses for County
1,724.00
State Parks and Reservations
407.59
State Audit
547.99
$ 22,017.27
Trust :
Cemetery perpetual care funds $2,775.00
$
2,775.00
Total for Agency and Trust
$52,799.47
Unclassified :
Animal Inspection $300.00
General Insurance
2,478.00
105
Workmen's Comp. Insurance
1,550.31
Memorial Day
390.13
Memorial Hall Repairs
255.17
Printing Town Reports
898.80
Wing Memorial Hospital
353.15
Base Map and Zoning by-law
1,800.00
Memorial Marker
199.57
Purchase of Town Dump
110.00
Development of Town Dump
389.75
Town Engineers
50.00
Plan Preparation-Grandstand
900.00
Plan Preparation-
High School Addition
3,915.00
$ 13,589.88
Grand Total
608,021.74
Cash on Hand December 31, 1947
398,500.26
$1,006,522.00
Non-Revenue Accounts
Trust Funds :
Cash and Securities $52,269.28 $ 951.28
Thompson Fund
Merrick Fund
850.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
50,468.00
$52,269.28 $52,269.28
106
BALANCE SHEET FOR 1947
Appropriations, Grants, Refunds and Transfers
Amounts Expended
Balance
Selectmen's Salary Acct. $1,600.00
$1,600.00
General Expenses
750.00
741.36
$ 8.64
"
Contingent
4,000.00
2,695.30
1,304.70
Auditing for 1947
180.00
90.00
90.00
Accounting
2,100.00
2,100.00
Assessor's Salary
2,400.00
2,400.00
., Clerk
1,820.00
1,820.00
"
General Expenses
1,000.00
1,000.00
Town Clerk's Salary
615.00
615.00
" Gen. Expenses 165.00
164.82
.18
" Bind. Records 50.00
50.00
Collector's Salary-
Previous years
570.00
380.00
190.00
1947
2,300.00
2,070.00
230.00
Collector's Clerk
1,456.00
1,456.00
Bond and other
expenses
895.00
887.22
7.78
Clerical hire
175.00
90.10
84.90
Treasurer's Salary
2,600.00
2,600.00
Clerical hire
400.00
325.00
75.00
expenses
855.00
848.12
6.88
Tax Title Foreclosures
80.25
31.50
48.75
Election and Registration 2,200.00
1,796.52
403.48
Law and Claim
1.950.00
1,861.35
88.65
License Commissioners
175.00
175.00
Town Offices
2,860.00
2,690.95
169.05
Town House
175.00
92.24
82.76
Town Dump
884.00
780.00
104.00
Chief of Police, Salary
3,600.00
3,600.00
Deputy of Police, Salary
2,940.00
2,940.00
Account
Bond and other
107
Appropriations, Grants, Refunds and Transfers
Amounts Expended
Balance
Account
Day Patrol, Salary
2,940.00
2,940.00
Extra Patrol, Salary
2,400.00
2,400.00
Night Patrol, Salary
4,380.00
4,380.00
Special Police, Salary
5,700.00
4,402.40
1,297.60
Chief's Office
375.00
272.68
102.32
Lockup
1,680.00
1,578.64
101.36
Chief's transportation
700.00
700.00
Extra car hire
300.00
153.00
147.00
Bicycle registrations
25.00
12.00
13.00
Police other expenses
400.00
380.85
19.15
Forest Warden's Dept.
13,000.00
10,440.82
2,559.18
Moth Suppression
1,500.00
1,395.78
104.22
Tree Department
1,500.00
1,499.50
.50
Sealer's Salary
690.00
690.00
Sealer's General expenses
160.00
152.67
7.33
Salaries, Board of Health
300.00
274.97
25.03
Salary of Clerk
220.00
220.00
Tuberculosis and
Contagious Diseases
3,719.14
2,019.67
1,699.47
Meat and Milk inspection
650.00
612.30
37.70
Vital Statistics
600.00
600.00
District Nurse
1,000.00
1,000.00
Highways
26,152.33
26,103.97
48.36
Sewers and Culverts
5,210.00
5,206.77
3.23
Sidewalks and curbing
2,000.00
1,735.37
264.63
Oiling Roads
6,000.00
5,999.98
.02
Chapter 90 Maintenance 3,000.00
2,994.66
5.34
Chapter 90 Construction 34,000.00 (High Street, "B")
27,592.58
6,407.42
Chapter 90 Construction 4,000.00
3,992.59
7.41
(No. Main Street, "A")
Chapter 90 Construction 1,600.00
1,169.95
430.05
(No. Main Street, "A")
108
Appropriations, Grants, Refunds and Transfers
Amounts
Account
Expended
Balance
130,000.00
Chap. 90 Construction 130,000.00 (Three Rivers Bridge)
Snow removal (1946 O.D.) 861.18
861.18
Snow removal (1947)
6,125.00
7,861.32
*1,736.32
(* $1,736.32 O.D.)
Street Repairs-
Bondsville Road
2,100.00
2,071.21
28.79
Water St., "A"
310.00
293.87
16.13
River Road, "D"
690.00
689.84
.16
Sewer, Griffin St., "D"
150.00
149.84
.16
Sewer, Salem St., "A"
300.00
281.78
18.22
Sewer, North St., "C"
1,525.00
469.38
1,055.62
Sidewalk, High St., "B"
2,000.00
1,992.12
7.88
Sidewalk, Main St., "D"
350.00
349.79
.21
1946 bill (R. E. Faulkner)
153.02
153.02
1946 bill
835.00
835.00
(Const. Equip. Co.)
Memorial Plots
668.00
667.76
.24
Street lighting
12,201.25
11,731.44
469.81
Public Welfare Dept .-
Support of poor
15,522.14
14,899.50
622.64
Town Physician
500.00
500.00
Salary, Jr. Clerk
226.00
226.00
Salary, Agent
330.00
330.00
Salaries of Board
600.00
600.00
Hydrant, Town infirmary
150.00
128.85
21.15
Supplies, repairs, etc.
850.00
847.10
2.90
(Infirmary)
Old Age Assistance-
Salaries of Board
600.00
600.00
Assistance
53,030.45
52,007.92
1,022.53.
Federal grant for administration
1,486.81
1,386.43
100.38.
Federal grant for aid 40,563.17
35,782.12
4,781.05
109
Appropriations, Grants, Refunds and Transfers
Amounts Expended
Balance
Account
Aid to Dependent Children-
Aid
6,980.00
6,765.19
214.81
Federal grant for
administration
399.44
316.14
83.30
Federal grant for aid
2,953.34
2,102.75
850.59
Veteran's Benefits
18,510.00
17,603.41
906.59
Veteran's Service Center 2,887.00
2,265.15
621.85
Burial of soldiers and
sailors
100.00
100.00
Education-
Support of schools
196,941.24 196,370.70
570.54
Adult alien education
1,500.00
1,499.20
.80
Trade School Tuition
2,500.00
2,498.42
1.58
Elimination of Fire
Hazards
4,180.29
3,550.57
629.72
Insulation, repairs,
Quaboag School
1,000.00
1,000.00
Repairs to heating sys-
tem, Park St. School 1,170.00
1,170.00
Medical, parochial and
private schools
300.00
147.12
152.88
Smith-Hughes Fund
163.94
163.94
Young Men's Library Association
4,000.00
4,000.00
Animal Inspection, salary
200.00
200.00
Animal Insp., expenses
100.00
100.00
Rent or lease of Public
Dump
50.00
50.00
General Insurance
2,478.00
2,478.00
Workmen's Comp. Ins.
1,550.31
1,550.31
Legion Field
6,000.00
5,429.84
570.16
W. P.A.
50.00
50.00
Purchase of Town Dump 1,400.00
110.00
1,290.00
110
Appropriations, Grants, Refunds and Transfers
Amounts
Account
Expended
Balance
Development of Town
Dump
1,290.00
389.75
900.25
Memorial Day
400.00
390.13
9.87
Planning Board
300.00
82.30
217.70
Repairs, Memorial Hall
500.00
255.17
244.83
Town Engineers
50.00
50.00
Town Reports
898.80
898.80
Wing Memo. Hosp. Fund
500.00
353.15
146.85
Base map and by-law
2,200.00
1,800.00
400.00
Memorial Marker
200.00
199.57
.43
Reserve Fund
14,000.00
13,970.31
29.69
Cemeteries
8,000.00
7,796.42
203.58
Care of neglected graves
300.00
300.00
Tool House, Oak Knoll
1,000.00
1,000.00
Maturing Debt
3,000.00
3,000.00
Int. on Maturing Debt
37.50
37.50
Int. on Temporary Loans
1.00
1.00
111
Trial Balance
DR.
CR.
Cash
$398,500.26
Taxes, 1946
111.33
Taxes, 1947
28,004.85
M. V. Excise Tax, 1946
88.79
M. V. Excise Tax, 1947
2,652.88
Tax Titles
31,985.75
Tax Possessions
1,230.93
Overlay, 1946
$398.30
Overlay, 1947
122.57
Overlay Reserve
19,684.42
Accounts Receivable :
Forest Fires
37.00
Board of Health
13.29
Highway
9.50
Public Welfare
4,123.28
Schools
648.80
Old Age Assistance
876.74
Aid to Dependent Children
1,021.81
Veterans' Benefits
5,884.85
Sdewalk and Curbing Assessment 97.74
State Aid to Highways-
Maintenance 1,000.00
State Aid to Highways-
Construction
84,497.81
County Aid to Highways- Maintenance
1,000.00
County Aid to Highways- Construction
35,748.92
Withholding Tax Deductions
2,786.10
112
DR. CR.
Blue Cross and Shield Deductions
105.15
Retirement Deductions
422.16
County Tax
3,060.87
Hampden County Tuber. Hosp. Assessment
286.47
State Parks and Reservations
150.59
Dog Licenses-Town Clerk
3.60
Sale of land account
2,950.00
Sale of Forest Lake School house
800.00
Sale of land at Palmer Center
2,630.00
Plan Preparation-High School
Addition
685.00
Plan Preparation-Grandstand, Legion Field
150.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Revenue
2,741.67
Tax Title Revenue
33,181.17
Fire District Tax Title Revenue
35.51
Due Treasurer, Fire Dist. No. 1
25.07
Due Treasurer, Fire Dist. No. 3
5.40
Departmental Revenue
12,615.27
State and County Aid to High- ways Revenue
122,246.73
Sidewalk and curbing assessment
97.74
Excess and Deficiency
243,919.73
Auditing
90.00
Collector's Salary, previous years
190.00
Collector's Salary, 1947
230.00
Forest Warden's Department
2,559.18
Chapter 90 Highway Construction
6,407.42
Chapter 90 Bridge Construction
130,000.00
Snow Removal
1,736.32
Chapter 90 Const. (No. Main St.)
430.05
North Street Sewer
1,055.62
Old Age Assistance, Federal Grant For Administration 100.38
113
DR. CR.
Old Age Assistance, Federal Grant For Aid
4,781.05
Aid to Dependent Children, Federal Grant for Administration
83.30
Aid to Dependent Children, Federal Grant for Aid Education :
850.59
Elimination of Fire Hazards Smith-Hughes Fund
163.94
Public Dump, Rent or Lease
50.00
Development of New Dump
900.25
Memorial Hall Repairs
244.83
Base Map and Zoning By-Law
400.00
Oak Knoll Tool House
1,000.00
Interest on Temporary Loans
1.00
$599,270.85
$599,270.85
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS J. LYNCH
Bookkeeper
629.72
114
Report of Young Men's Library Association
January 1, 1948
Circulation :
Main Library, Palmer 20,743
Bondsville
9,328
Three Rivers 5,347
Thorndike
6,404
The books owned by the Library are divided into the following classes :
Adult Fiction
7,835
Adult Non-Fiction
5,005
Reference 796
Juvenile Fiction
1,766
Juvenile Non-Fiction
861
We purchased 626 books at a cost of $1,083.41 and magazines, $95.40. After necessary discard of books worn out in circulation, we have for the use of our citi- zens 16,263 books in the foregoing classes. Our records show that 2,967 of our citizens are using our services. We believe that the needs for information, self-education and recreation are cared for both for the adult and the young so far as our finances permit.
We have endeavored to assist the schools by the pur- chase of books of reference needed by the pupils in the
115
course of their studies and recommended by the teachers.
The gift of the library of Orrin P. Allen was re- ceived and as soon as classified will be placed on the, shelves in our Library.
We received an additional gift of $2,500.00 from Andrew B. Rathbone, one of our Trustees, to be added to the Trust Fund, known as the Andrew B. Rathbone Trust, the income only to be used for Library purposes. All funds of this nature are held and administered by the Trustees of the Library in accord with the laws of this Commonwealth for their preservation. In making this gift Mr. Rathbone expressed the hope that it would help to interest people in the Association and in reading more about what this country means to them and the fruits of individual initiative which we all enjoy. We sincerely hope that others of our citizens will establish Trust Funds of this nature which will prove of incalculable benefit to all who make their homes in our town, now and in the future, and perpetuate their own names among those who are sincerely interested in its well being and growth.
While our expenses for fuel and books and other needs have increased, we are requesting an appropria- tion of $4,000.00, the same amount we received in 1947, with the hope that we may render a service that will be as satisfactory as possible under the growing expenses which our citizens personally and as a town are called upon to undergo.
CHARLES L. WAID, Librarian
1
116
YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year Ending December 31, 1947
RECEIPTS
Balance January 1, 1947
$99.83
Town of Palmer, Appropriation
4,000.00
Interest on Invested Funds
1,548.01
Fines and Miscellaneous
273.99
$5,921.83
DISBURSEMENTS
Salaries and Services
$4,020.96
Books and Magazines
1,202.28
Light, Heat and Telephone
451.13
Supplies and Repairs
72.84
Insurance Premiums and Miscel- laneous
173.68
Balance, December 31, 1947
.94
$5,921.83
Respectfully submitted, ALLEN F. DAVIS
Treasurer
The accounts of the Treasurer have been audited and approved by me this 19th day of January, 1948.
FREEMAN A. SMITH
Auditor
·
117
Report of Tree Warden
Amount appropriated Amount spent
$ 1,500.00
$ 1,499.50
Balance
$ .50
1947 was marked by the slow advance of the Dutch Elm disease throughout Western Massachusetts particu- larly the Boston area. Eight trees were known to have this disease in Palmer all of which were taken down and destroyed. Twenty other trees were taken down because of dangerous conditions, new building projects or having died from various causes. This included the four villages, most of them being on back or out in the country roads. The young trees which were planted several years ago on Park and North Main Streets in Palmer, and the com- mons in the villages were pruned and shaped. The trees in the four villages were sprayed in cooperation with the Moth Department. A number of new trees should be planted to replace ones taken down the past few years but the department has refrained from buying them be- cause of the excessive high cost. The severe lightning storm in July did considerable damage due to broken limbs and split trees. The bad wind storm of early Sept. also did a great amount of damage.
A Thought For The Year
It seems to me a good and deserving plan, to remem- ber each veteran who gave his life in this last war by
118
planting a tree for each one on the common in the village where he lived, placing a placque on each tree in memory of that veteran. This I will endeavor to do.
WALTER H. CAMBO
Tree Warden
119
Report of License Commissioners
January 20, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Palmer Palmer, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Listed below are the number and kind of Licenses issued by the Board during the year of 1947:
Common Victualers 42
All Alcoholic
Innholders
5
Clubs 5
Common Victualer
4
Common Victualer (Seasonal)
2
Package Goods Store (Seasonal) :
Package Goods Store 1
Drug Package Store 1
Clubs (Seasonal) 1
Druggist 3
Malt Beverages and Wine
Common Victualer · 3
Common Victualer (Seasonal) 1
Package Goods Store
2
One Day Permits
12
(Beer and Wine)
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH J. PAPUZENSKI, Clerk
120
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Selectmen and Citizens of Palmer:
The Park Commissioners herewith present their re- port for the year ending December 31, 1947 :
The use of the Town's parks by the townspeople has continued to increase during the past year. At Legion Field the baseball, softball and football games drew a larger attendance than ever before, as well as providing a considerably greater number of games. Several color- ful events were also staged and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the field by the people of the town.
A new power mower purchased last spring has aided greatly in the maintenance of the field and has made a substantial saving in work hours, substantially reducing our costs for additional labor. The bleachers have been sanded and repainted and the field and its equipment have been maintained in excellent condition. A considerable amount of work will be necessary to resurface the foot- ball field, which suffered considerably because of the dry weather last fall and the unusually heavy foot- ball schedule.
Eager Playground has been maintained in excellent condition and has been in constant use. The children's
121
merry-go-round installed last spring has proved a popu- lar addition to the playground equipment and the com- missioners plan to add to the facilities at the playground, as well as maintaining the present equipment in safe and sound condition.
One of the tennis courts, resurfaced last spring with a special type of clay, proved so successful that clay for two additional courts was secured last fall and the work of resurfacing has been commenced. We expect also to secure the material for resurfacing the three other courts during the coming year. All six courts have been in use throughout the season.
The skating rink was again flooded and frozen in time for the Christmas holidays and, as in former years, has proved very popular, providing a safe skating sur- face which is being used by children and adults from all parts of the town. The rink has also been occasionally used for hockey games whenever it could be done upon sufficient notice to avoid inconvenience or injury to the public, particularly having in mind the safety of the child- ren of town. The commissioners again express their thanks to Merrill L. Simonds Post, American Legion, for the use of the flood lights at the rink.
Attendance at Burleigh Park practically doubled this year, due largely to the completion of the swimming pool and the improvement of the park facilities. As many as 200 children at the pool per day was not unusual last sum- mer and the use of the park for picnic parties, outdoor lunches and restful recreation far exceeded any previous year. After the close of the season the pool was excava- ted to nearly twice its former size and a quantity of beach sand has been secured in anticipation of a new and larger bathing beach next year. With the cooperation of the Town highway department, the park entrance has been
122
enlarged and graded up to the level of North Main Street, eliminating a dangerous traffic hazard. The entrance will be surfaced and top-dressed early in 1948. The bath houses have also been moved to a permanent location and the commissioners plan to install toilet facilities, as well as a supply of drinking water for the convenience of the increasing number of townspeople who make use of Burleigh Park.
The need for toilet facilities at Legion Field and Eager Playground has been increasingly apparent, and foundations were laid last fall for a small building which, when completed next Spring, will not only provide toilets for both sexes, but will also provide long needed storage space for the park equipment throughout the winter months.
The commissioners again express their appreciation of the able and excellent service of our general caretaker, Carmine Russo, and thank the townspeople for their co- operation at all three of the Town's parks.
1947
Legion Field, Eager Playground and Burleigh Park
Appropriation
$6,000.00
Expenditures
Legion Field and Eager Playground :
Labor
$2,072.55
Truck hire
217.50
Power Mower 700.00
123
Power Mower Sulky
56.00
Lawn Sweeper
45.00
Equipment
259.52
Equipment Repairs
109.37
Paints and Brushes
46.55
Lumber
22.00
Gas and Oil
13.76
Clerical Services
35.00
Grass Seed, Lime and Fertilizer
70.00
Loam
7.50
Lights
30.62
Water Rent
8.53
Tool House & Toilet, (incomplete)
216.79
Sanding Bleachers
123.00
Taking down 6 Trees,
165.00
(storm damage)
$4,198.69
Burleigh Park :
Labor
$712.40
Truck Hire
37.50
Bath Houses (2)
150.00
Excavating Swimming Pool
160.00
Excavating and Grading Park Entrance and Moving Bath Houses 70.00
Spraying 40.00
Beach Sand 35.00
Benches 25.00
124
Miscellaneous Expenses
1.25
$1,231.15
$5,429.84
Balance
$
570.16
Legion Field Receipts
$ 402.50
Respectfully submitted,
ALLEN F. DAVIS
JAMES J. KANE
LADISLAS LAVIOLETTE
STANLEY G. WILK
Park Commissioners
125
Report of Forest Fire Warden
December 31, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1947, the report covering the worst fires threatening the Town of Palmer in its history.
Altogether we have had this past year 25 grass, brush and/or forest fires which up until the driest sea- son recorded in the State of Massachusetts in all its his- tory, we were able to bring under control with no serious danger to the Town.
In October your Forest Warden was appointed to serve on the Committee of the Governor on Fire Preven- tion and Fire Protection particularly on forest fires and fire Protection of Rural Areas. Two meetings were held by the Committee in Boston and one in Worcester. These meetings were all-day sessions and certain definite re- commendations were made by the Committee to the Gen- eral Meeting which was held at the time the Town of Palmer was threatened by two of the most serious forest fires in the Commonwealth. Needless to say your Ward- en was not able to attend the final meeting of this com- mittee but our report was read and accepted in full.
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During October we in Palmer experienced the ter- rifying and heartless task of trying to combat two major fires occuring in the Town at the same time and separated by a distance of approximately 10 miles. Perhaps the most difficult task of all was trying to maintain a con- stant supply of water to combat our first fire. Every drop of water used on the first fire was brought in by tank trucks which we were fortunate enough to obtain from two of our major oil companies and one from an independent dealer. At this first fire electric light and power transmission lines were threatened as well as a trunk line telephone cable. Had the light and power lines been destroyed five or six surrounding towns as well as Palmer would have been without light and power for per- haps two weeks until repairs could be made. This fire was a real threat to the welfare of every citizen and busi- ness in this area. Thanks to the fine cooperation of the surrounding towns and the State Forest Warden and others this fire was finally brought under control some days after its start.
Before the first fire was hardly a day old another and just as dangerous fire occurred near the village of Palmer and threatened all property from the Swift Plant south to the McNitt property near the Electric light plant. As this fire occurred our own men were exhausted from the back-breaking work they had had at the first fire and it was necessary to call for all possible assistance to hold this second fire from destroying real property. Over 2,000 men were used in combating these fires and fire equip- ment from most of our surrounding towns including the City of Springfield. The splendid cooperation of these towns with their men and apparatus is worthy of note by our citizens. Also used in combating these fires were the National Guard Units, Naval Reserve and Marine Reserve.
Needless to say equipment losses were heavy but no serious accidents occurred and not one piece of property
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such as homes or factories was destroyed. The struggle was beyond conception and one of the hardest tasks your warden has ever been confronted with.
This past year we were granted by the Federal Com- munications Commission a permit for our Mobile two-way radio. This radio provided our only communication with headquarters for any assistance of men and equipment we needed during these fires during the day-time only, as our Fire Lookout Towers were not and are not manned at night time. During the daytime we were able to main- tain contact but much time was lost in directing both manpower and equipment at night because of lack of communication with headquarters.
The cost of controlling these fires was a sizable sum but due to the public spirit of many of our citizens and businesses some thousands of dollars in services were ren- dered to the Town and this department gratis.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Heretofore we have relied in the main on being able to reach some natural source of water for application in controlling forest fires. Sometimes this has been feasible but for the most part fires seem to occur at places re- mote from possible sources of water. To operate effec- tively and control forest fires it is necessary that an ade- quate supply of water be available to combat such fires at their start. While 300 gallons of water is carried on our forest fire truck this is not a sufficient supply as we have learned from experience. To effectively control fires at the start I recommend that the Town purchase a 1,000 gallon tank truck equipped with booster pump and so fitted that portable pumps can take suction from it, and also carry more forest fire hose and hand tanks, at a cost of approximately $5,250.00.
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