USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1909 > Part 5
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This being the first year of existence of your Road Com- missioners, we do but expect that the " mantle of eternal fit-
106
ness " will fall as gracefully on our shoulders as we hope it will in the future. We have given our best efforts to the work, sparing neither time or energy in getting the best results for the money spent. We have tried our best to answer every call made on us by the many tax payers from all points of the Town for repairs needed in their locations, and we sincerely trust we have satisfied everyone who have made a demand on us by either doing the work at once or at our earliest con- venience.
It should be known that your Commissioners assume their duties under many trying conditions. While we cast no reflec- tions on those who preceeded us in road work, your Commis- sioners found long stretches of roads, namely : from Billerica lines, highway from North Chelmsford to Westford line on Groton Road, and from junction Groton and West Chelmsford roads to Westford line in West Chelmsford in a most danger- ous and unkept condition.
It required nearly the whole season for men and teams, with the constant attendance of Superintendent Higgins, to place them in satisfactory condition for general travel. We also found it necessary to complete the widening of the high- way, as ordered by the County Commissioner as far back as ten years ago (1898), at the Durant Estate on the Groton Road .
Taking these large jobs, and others that had to be done, the tax payers can easily see how little time your Commisioners had to properly attend to the more centrally located streets and sidewalks, especially within congested districts. But having, as we believe, repaired the above-named roads in a good and substantial manner, no such long needed repairs are in sight ; and we feel in the coming year the taxpayers will more plainly see the results of our work within our several villages by the improvement of our streets and sidewalks.
Your Commissioners find that especially heavy jobs can be done much cheaper by contract, giving a set price for the com- plete work to outside parties, than by our town men and teams,
107
and we earnestly recommend that hereafter the Town appro- priate set sums for such work.
In the above recommendations we have in mind the large amount of work done by contract on the road leading from the store near Dr. Howard's residence leading toward Lowell crossing over and beyond the said road crossing of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., and the widening of the highway at E. R. Durant estate at North Chelmsford. This work has been done to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and at a much less figure than we believe could have been done by our teams and labor.
We find two more large and somewhat especial road jobs that must or should be done this coming season, namely, the widening of highway running from Chelmsford street at Golden Cove to highway near the Chelmsford Poor Farm, this work having been ordered by the Middlesex County Commis- sioner some years ago, and never attended to until we were reminded of it by said County Commissioner late last year. So much work which we thought needed more than this should be done first, your Commissioners visited the County Commis- sioners and asked for further time in which this work should be done, which they gladly gave us, providing we would make entrance on same, which was done, and the balance of the work remains to be done this season.
The other work which must be done at an early date in order that the Town may escape a demand for damages from property owners abutting this highway, is the road running from the depot at West Chelmsford, B. & Maine R. R. up the hill near the residence of Geo. F. Snow. While this road is so far as the bed rock, and the sidewalks are concerned in very fair order, we find the road its whole distance, as described above, slopes all to one side and throws all water and material during heavy rains to one side, and fills land and sidewalk on that side to the great damage of owners of land on Southwest side. Inasmuch as it will be necessary to build a retaining wall on a large portion of this stretch and much filling to level up the road, we recommend that for these two jobs a special appropriation be made at the annual Town meeting for this
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work. Namely, four hundred and fifty dollars for the West Chelmsford end, and five hundred and fifty dollars for the Golden Cove end.
Our roads as a whole throughout the Town of Chelmsford will most favorably compare with any town roads in Middlesex County, they being well kept, perfectly free from under- brush and stones, water ways in good conditions, and as a whole safe to travel day or night.
For many years the number of miles of highway in Chelms- ford has been a bone of discussion among the old and young inhabitants, some claiming more than three hundred, others somewhat less number of miles. Your Commissioners felt it their duty to know, not only for their own benefit, but their duty to forever settle this mooted question for once and all, in order that this matter could go upon the official records of the Town, County and State as authentic. So your Commission- ers decided to officially measure all highways and streets within our own Town, all proper arrangements were made for cor- rectly doing the work.
Your Commissioners made arrangements with Mr. E. R. Robbins, Town Clerk, whose automobile was equipped with a cyclometer warranted perfect and reliable and adjusted to measure miles in fractions of 1-10.
On Oct. 14, 1908, a start was made from the R. R. crossing N. Y., N. H. & Hartford at Chelmsford Centre, and the first day was spent measuring in Chelmsford Centre and nearby portions of East and South Chelmsford. Our first day's total figured 54 7-10 miles.
On Oct. 21, 1908, we again took up the work taking in West and North Chelmsford, and all roads and streets left over from our first day's run. Our total for this day figured 37 1-10 miles, making a grand total of all roads and streets within the Town of Chelmsford 91 8-10 miles. That these figures are absolutely correct we can assure the public, for great pains we exercised in this important work. One member of the Com- missioners gave his whole attention to taking the total number of miles, while two members gave their attention to taking the length of each road'or street separately, while the Superintend-
109
ent of Highways gave the names of the roads and streets and assisted in many ways in proving up the total figures. When after all this was done and comparison of figures made by the whole Board together, it was found that no differences of any moment occurred in their measures, all showing that the num- ber of miles given above is absolutely correct, 91 8-10 miles.
We hereby attach the lengths of the many roads and streets. also giving the total number of miles in and about Chelmsford Centre, and total number of miles in North and West Chelmsford. -
The above work we not only considered necessary for the enlightenment of the general public, but it gave your Commis- sioners the needed opportunity to view and thoroughly ex- amine the conditions of every road and street with which we have to do with.
The longest road in Town is the road from Tyngsboro line through Chelmsford Centre to the Billerica line at the top of Stevens hill, 7 3-10 miles. Virtually the length of the Town.
The road from West Chelmsford to the Lowell line at Gorham street, East Chelmsford going, through the Centre is 6 4-10 miles.
The road from the Westford line to the Lowell line at East Chelmsford, via the Centre, is 5 7-10 miles. Virtually the width of the Town.
From the Centre to North Chelmsford at Tyngsboro line is 4 7-10 miles.
From the Billerica line to the Centre is 2 6-10 miles.
Gorham street from the Billerica line to Lowell line is 1 1-10 miles.
Chelmsford street from the Lowell line to the Post Office at the Centre is 1 8-10 miles.
The Syndicate road, so called, from the home of E. C. Perham to the Lowell road is 1 8-10 miles.
From Westford line by the Richardson road by E. F. Richardson's house to Lowell line is 2 9-10 miles.
,
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From the Lowell line to Westford line via the Centre and South Chelmsford by Hart Pond is 5 2-10 miles.
There are 1 2-10 miles on the homestead, so called, at Chelmsford Centre.
The road leading off the Butman road called Smith avenue, and Stedman street by the old Turnpike to Russell road is 4 miles.
The Dublin road, so called, East Chelmsford, from Billerica road to Gorham street is 1 mile.
The road from East Chelmsford at Lowell line to Chelms- ford Centre is 3 miles.
The road from Chelmsford Centre to Carlisle line via Carlisle road by W. Parker's is 2 6-10 miles.
From the Post Office South Chelmsford via Parrott hill to Ward's corner on Littom road is 1 3-10 miles.
From the Post Office South Chelmsford to Westford line by the "Pond plain " is 1 mile.
From the Carlisle line to the Post Office at South Chelms- ford by the house of E. Pargnon is 1 6-10 miles.
Locust street from Pasche corner on South Chelmsford road to Littleton road at Geo. A. Byam's corner is 1 mile.
The Acton road from Chelmsford Centre to Westford line via South Chelmsford is 3 4-10 miles.
From the Westford line via West Chelmsford to North Chelmsford is 2 3-10 miles.
The Vanons short roads at West Chelmsford by crooked spring road and rendering works measure 3 2-10 miles.
From Westford line by Westford street, to the road lead- ing from the Centre to North Chelmsford at foot of Dunn hill is 2 miles.
From the Westford line by the Groton road to the State highway at North Chelmsford measures 1-8 of a mile.
From Tyngsboro line to Lowell line to Middlesex street is 3 miles.
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The Dunigan road by Catholic Cemetery to State high- way is 1 mile.
There are 5 7-10 miles of short streets in the village of North Chelmsford.
The back road from the Lowell line near the house of Con Leary to the road leading from Chelmsford Centre to North Chelmsford is 6-10 of a mile.
In the village of North and West Chelmsford from the foot of Drum hill, so-called, including the road from Lowell line to Westford line are 24 miles of road.
In the villages of Chelmsford Centre, so-called, and East Chelmsford there are 67 8-10 miles.
In order to give the tax payers some idea of the money spent on different sections of our highways, we here submit the cost of same, but this cost does not include the many repairs of a less nature made all over the town roads.
Gorham Street, East Chelmsford $383 90
Westford Road, Westford line
180 50
Stevens Hill, Boston Road 201 15
West Chelmsford Road. 668 20
Groton Raod, North Chelmsford
939 60
Stedman Street
326 00
Perham Hill, West Chelmsford
134 20
Lowell Road, Chelmsford
287 90
$3,075 25
The guard rails on embankments at Chelmsford Centre, North Chelmsford, East Chelmsford and Dunstable road, the cost was as follows:
2,832 feet lumber, 186 posts, 40 days' labor. Total cost, $169.55.
In the above road work it required the labor of 280 days' work for double team, 513 days' work for man, and 1,695 double loads of gravel.
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We have made some changes in our team force, made nec- essary by the death of one horse and the disease of another one which made it unfit for service. One pair of good reliable horses were purchased for double team, and a single horse for cart service on special work. Outside of the above purchase no heavy outlay has been made.
We have the honor to submit herewith the total expenses of the Highway Commissioners for the year past (see Town Report), and in closing this our first report would say, we have turned aside from the old way of being "Penny Wise and Pound Foolish," in the matter of road work, and instead of doing just enough repairing of a road to make it passable for the time being, we have tried to make the work permanent and lasting, as we possibly could from the material at hand.
With the hope that our year's work has met the approba- tion of the public at large, and trusting we may be able to show in the near future that no mistake has been made where the present method of the care of roads and streets was en- trusted to a Highway Commissioner, we are
Very respectfully,
ROYAL S. RIPLEY, GEORGE P. MANSFIELD, J. ADAMS BARTLETT, Road Commissioners.
113
Report of the Cemetery Commission
The Cemetery Commissioners are pleased to present their annual report of the condition of the cemeteries under their charge.
No new work has been done at Riverside Cemetery during the past year because of lack of funds.
The water system introduced last year has been much appreciated by the lot owners.
Some new work must be done during the coming summer ; one new driveway must be surveyed and graveled. Mr. James S. Wotton has had charge during the past year.
We are pleased to note the excellent condition of the West Cemetery ; considerable new work has been done here in clearing the brush in both the old and new parts. By so doing, several new lots have been made which are valued from fifteen to twenty-five dollars each. This puts most of the old section in good condition. Mr. A. F. Whidden has had charge during the past year and his services are of great value to the Town in his present position as Superintendent.
No new work has been done at Hart Pond Cemetery the past year. Mr. Daniel P. Byam, who has held the position as Superintendent of this cemetery for nearly forty years, ten- dered his resignation to the Commission during the year. His record is a long and faithful one.
Mr. Chas. O. Robbins was choosen to fill the vacancy, and starts in with enthusiasm to make this cemetery as attractive as any in town. Mr. Robbins as well as the Commissioners would appreciate any suggestions from the lot owners in regard to the¿beautifying of the same.
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J. Roland Parkhurst has had charge of Forefathers and Pine Ridge Cemeteries during the year, and as in times past his work has been well and artistically done.
Extra work has been done this year on the Perpetual Care lots. Flower beds have been set out on or near many of the lots. Owing to the extreme dryness of the season extra work in watering the same had to be done.
Several new paths have been put in shape in Forefathers Cemetery, and the sod has been dug from one of the main driveways and will be graveled this spring.
Too much cannot be said in appreciation of the services of Mr. Parkhurst as Superintendent of these cemeteries.
Your Commissioners are pleased to see the increased in- quiries in regard to Perpetual Care, that care having been placed on six lots during the past year, making a total of forty-four.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. SCRIBNER,
CHARLES A. HOLT, WILLIAM H. HALL (Clerk).
115
Report of Superintendent of Moth Work
The moth work of the Town was under the supervision of G. B. B. Wright until the month of January, 1909, when he resigned, and since has been conducted by Mr. A. Bean under the orders of the Selectmen.
We are all familiar with the brown-tail moth, and the work of removing the nests from our shade trees under the direction of Mr. Wright has been brought to a point of efficiency which would be hard to duplicate. We have the assurance from officials at the insecting that the browntail parasite is already established within the borders of the Town.
It is very evident that the gypsy moth is advancing slowly, but surely, and the Town with its present spraying outfits will be unable to stop the progress of this insect.
Many worthless trees are being cut for wood, and the work of cleaning up is gradually assuming one of the regular duties of life.
E. T. ADAMS,
Superintendent pro tem.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT FOR SUPPRESSING THE GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS
BOSTON, MASS., Nov. 28, 1908.
E. T. ADAMS, Chairman,
Board of Selectmen, Chelmsford, Mass.
116
Dear Sir :-
Under the provisions of Chapter 381, Acts of 1905, with its several amendments, your town is authorized to ex- pend in the work of suppressing gypsy and brown-tail moths during the fiscal year ending November 30, 1909, the sum of $1,635.35. Of this amount you are required to expend $1,635.35 before receiving reimbursement from the State. Above this amount the State will reimburse you 100 per cent. if the work is performed to the satisfaction of this office, and upon the presentation of proper vouchers and pay rolls. This allotment is based upon the appropriation of $150,000 now available. Should the Legislature make an additional appro- priation for this work, a further allotment will be made.
You will note that by act of the Legislature the fiscal year of all State departments now closes on November 30. Kindly make provision for continuing the work against the moths to the amount above mentioned, and notify this office of your action in the matter.
Yours very truly,
A. H. KIRKLAND,
Superintendent.
.
117
Report of the Tree Warden
The work of the Tree Warden the past year has been largely confined to planting and spraying.
There were sixty (60) trees planted, and some of the elms at the Centre village which were infested with elm-leaf beetles were sprayed with good results.
The department is sadly handicapped by lack of spraying apparatus, and should the elm-leaf beetle be as plentiful this year as is prophesized, the small hand pumps available will be found wholly inadequate for the work. The Town is greatly in need of up-to-date facilities for insect warfare.
GEO. B. WRIGHT,
Tree Warden.
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
The Sealer of Weights and Measures has visited all the places of business in the Town and sealed all scales and meas- ures, and the work is steadily increasing. The laws that have been passed during the past year places more work and more responsibility on the Sealer.
In the month of November he must make a report to the State Sealer. He is obliged to visit all stores and make a weighing test, also to inspect all milk teams to see that the
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bottles are sealed, also to weigh some of the coal being trans- ported through the Town, and keep a record of the same.
The following work has been done during the past year :
21 liquid measures sealed. 3 liquid measures condemned.
17 Dry measures sealed. 2 yard measures sealed. 4290 milk bottles sealed.
188 milk bottles condemned.
Total number of tests made. 4,776
Total number of scales sealed. 57
Total number of scales condemned 3
Total number of weights sealed 195
Six scales and 58 weights were obliged to be adjusted.
Several loads of coal in transit were weighed, but no viola- tion of the law found.
M. A. BEAN,
Sealer.
A room has been fitted up in the basement of Town Hall for the Sealer of Weights and Measures, as there was no other room available.
E. T. ADAMS,
Chairman of Selectmen.
119
Report of Inspector of Animals
Gentlemen of Board of Selectmen:
My annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year end- ing Feb. 1, 1909, is as follows:
Number of stables inspected. 111
Number of cattle inspected . 884
Number of cattle quarantined and condemned 16
Number of dogs quarantined (on account of rabies) ... 9
Number of cattle quarantined and condemned (on ac- count of rabies). 3
71 cattle have been brought into town from other States; of these, I released 40 upon arrival, they having passed a satis- factory test before leaving the other States. The other 31 I have quarantined and afterward released 25 of them. The other 6 have been condemned.
EDWIN C. PERHAM,
Inspector of Animals.
120
Report of Inspector of Meats and Provisions
Gentlemen of theBoard of Health :
My fourth annual report as Inspector of Meats and Pro- visions for the year ending Feb. 1, 1909, is as follows :
1652 sides of beef inspected. 1147 veals inspected.
1806 hogs inspected.
2 sheep inspected.
1 goat inspected.
12 sides of beef condemned.
25 veals condemned. 1 hog condemned.
I have noticed during the past year that there is a marked decrease in the number of cattle affected with tuberculosis.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Inspector.
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Report of Board of Health
REPORT OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
January 1, 1908 to January 1, 1909
Diphtheria 5
Typhoid 1
Measles
?
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
3
A number of nuisances have been reported.
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA,
Agent of Board of Health,
Precinct 1.
Diphtheria
5
Scarlet Fever 14
Measles
3
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
1
The Whitman & Pratt Rendering Plant has been visited twice during the year. Several complaints have been made of disagree- able odors coming from the plant. The pollution of the brook which flows through the North village is evidently the cause of these odors. The management has been notified that this pollution must cease.
Again I ask our citizens to use more care in location and cleanliness of their heneries and water-closets.
A gratifying improvement has been made in the sanitary arrangement Fof our schoolhouses. Sewers at the North village are needed at once.
F. E. VARNEY, M. D.,
Agent, Precincts Nos. 2 and 3.
JOHN J. DUNN, Chairman Board of Health.
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List of Jurors
As PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN, JULY 1, 1908
Adams, Eben T. . Grocer
Allard, Edward J Engineer
Brown, Fred M. Carpenter
Bean, Minot A Clerk
Dix, R Wilson. Stone Contractor
Dunigan, James P. Coal Dealer
Dunn, Thomas J . .Farmer
Durgin, George A. Farmer
Emerson, Walter B . Farmer
Elliott, George S.
Carpenter
Foote, Frank G Merchant
Finnegan, John
.Iron Worker
Fallon, Edward Overseer
Grant, Arthur W Salesman
Holt, Almon W Carpenter Hodson, Fred M. Plumber
Holt, Charles A.
Real Estate
Harrington, John E.
Insurance Johnson, Olin C Salesman
Knight, Isaac H .
Plumber
Lapham, Edgar B
Farmer
Martin, Frank P
Operative
Monahan, John J. Contractor
McManomin, John F Grocer
McNally, Owen F Moulder
McMahon, Patrick T. Merchant
Noel, Jean B.
.Farmer
Ogley, Samuel
Overseer
123
Parker, Edward F Farmer
Phillips, James B. . Farmer
Park, Fred W. Farmer
Quigley, William J. . Overseer
Quinn, John P.
Merchant
Reardon, Daniel A
Coal Dealer
Reed, Arthur E.
Wheelwright
Russell, Fred A. .Farmer
Robbins, Charles O
.Farmer
Scoboria, John P.
. Carpenter
Scribner, Charles F.
Postmaster
Snow, Fred A Bookkeeper
Smith, Thomas . Farmer
Stetson, George
Overseer
Sweetser, Herbert C Merchant
Tuck, Edward Overseer
Upton, John P Merchant
Ward, James W Wire Worker
AGGREGATE OF APPROPRIATIONS, RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
ACCOUNTS
Appropriations and Receipts
Expenditures '
Surplus
Deficit
Teaching, Care and Fuel
$18,000 00
1
Receipts from State ..
937 50
Superintendent .
562 50
$2,091 84
On Account of Education of Children from State.
183 50
Tuition from Surrounding Towns
26 00
G. F. White, Damage.
2 00
2 00
Sale of Books
1 05
1 05
Dog Licenses.
597 84
597 84
Incidentals .
200 00
257 36
57 36
Transportation
1,000 00
1,061 05
61 05
Apparatus .
50 00
45 23
4 77
Furniture and Repairs
1,000 00
1,236 54
236 54
Text Books and Supplies.
1,100 00
1,088 49
11 51
Repairs and Grading, North.
350 00
343 00
7 00
Grading, East . .
100
00
99 93
07
Grading, West. .
300
00
245 90
54 10
Medical Inspection
300
00
300 00
Highways .
5,000 00
Receipts.
2,617 82
7,765 46
147 64
Support of Poor
1,800 00
Receipts
1,375 75
3,647 69
471 94
Repair of Public Buildings
800 00
604 38
195 62
Miscellaneous Expenses . .
1,500 00
Receipts .
7,143 09
9,696 54
1,053 45
Officers and Committees
3,300 00
4,263 61
963 61
Street Lighting
4,000 00
Receipts
20 57
3,875 85
144 72
Enforcement of Liquor Law
300 00
Receipts
100 00
389 96
10 04
Care and Improvement of Cemeteries.
500 00
· Receipts
104 00
627 64
23 64
Collection and Abatement of Taxes
700 00
965 43
265 43
Loans and Interests
6,162 08
Receipts
19 14
6,228 07
46 85
124
382 34
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors Receipts
300 00
399 16
5 81
105 00
State and Military Aid, Receipts
1,250 00
1,623 00
373 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures Receipts .
26 88
184 44
42 44
Fire Apparatus, Centre
1,200 00
1,186 10
13 90
Cattle Inspection .
100 00
150 00
50 00
Care of Village Clock.
30 00
30 00
Adams Library . ..
800 00
800 00
North Village Library .
400
00
400 00
Tree Warden
200 00
195 61
4 39
Insurance Sinking Fund
200 00
200 00
Meat Inspection
4 0 00
342 18
57 82
Curbing, Adams Library
500 00
500 00
Repairing Town Records. .
90 00
90 00
Grading South School.
600 00
593 88
6 12
Drainage, Lowell Road ..
1,800 00
1,801 40
1 40
North Chelmsford Hydrant Service
15 00 00
1,500 00
Memorial Day ...
100 00
111 27
11 27
Land Damage to Mrs. S. Eva Russell
50 00
50 00
Miner Lot, North
400 00
400 00
South Chelmsford School
1,866 45
2.005 02
138 57
North Chelmsford School, Plumbing.
2,000 00
1,826 16
173 84
North Chelmsford Fire-house ..
1,500 00
1,500 00
$75,771 17
$76,722 19
$8,333 07
$4,284 09
Net Deficit.
951 02
951 02
$76,722 19
$76,722 19
$4,284 09
$4,284 09
Appropriations Receipts . .
$61,948 53
Expenditures Deficit. .
$76,722 19
13,822 64
951 02
$75,771 17
$75,771 17
JOHN J. DUNN, D. FRANK SMALL,
EBEN T. ADAMS, WILBUR E. LAPHAM, CHARLES F. DEVINE, Selectmen.
125
200 00
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and the
Superintendent of Schools
of the
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD
For the School Year Ending Feb. 27, 1909
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