USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1910 > Part 4
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Our heaviest single expense came this year in the removal of snow from sidewalks and highways, caused by three heavy snowstorms, which caused the heaviest expense for this pur- pose for a great many years. The cost for the work was over seven hundred and thirty-six ($736) dollars. Outside of the above special named, some heavy lines of railings on sides of roads throughout various sections of the highways were ne- cessary because of the unsafe conditions found there. We purchased to replenish worn-out tools, a fair lot of shovels, bars, etc., also a much needed derrick for heavy stone work. Outside of the upkeep of our teams and road men, the ex- penses were practically the same as other years.
In the matter of housing our teams and stabling the horses, your Commissioners feel satisfied that the change made last year was to the advantage of the town, inasmuch as there are none others to occupy the premises, and there is
80
plenty of room for all our horses, carts, sleds, and all other property belonging to the highway work. The cost for rent of same is less than twenty-five dollars ($25) per year. This low rent comes from the sale of manure made and letting some little convenience to one of the neighbors, which sum deducted from the very reasonable rent charged ($5.00 per month), brings the rent down as named above. Furthermore, the situation of the stable is more suitable for sending out the teams earlier in the morning, being able to send in any di- rection much easier and nearer than from the Poor Farm stable, where formerly kept. Lastly, having this stable saves much expense, because the teams can remain here the year round, instead of being obliged to hire stable-room in other parts of the town when sent there to do long-time work.
In the matter of guide boards and signs, we must not forget to say that your Commissioners have made this a special matter, and have purchased signs made of metal, which promise to be more durable and lasting than the wooden ones. Some ten or more of these have been placed where needed, and others will follow when required.
All in all, we feel as though the work coming to us as Highway Commissioners had, on the whole, been satisfactory to most all concerned. No very serious complaints from reli- able sources; no accidents occurred from dangerous roadways or sidewalks. The only complaint of bad roadway was made through the R. F. D. carrier to the U. S. Post Master General, who notified us that this report had been made, and a request from him to look the matter over at our earliest convenience. This has been done, and we expect no further trouble from that source.
In closing our report, we have to mention that our super- intendent-Mr. Higgins-met with a severe accident while at work repairing waterways near the Tyngsboro line, last Oct. 4th, in which his leg was badly broken, and up to the present time has been unable to report for duty; but the prospects are that, as soon as the ice and snow goes, we shall have his valuable services again. While regretting the loss of his services, we were very fortunate in having as one of the
81
working force a good man in the person of M. McKennedy, who has been a good substitute and who has most favorably performed the duties of superintendent since Mr. Higgins' accident.
Thanking the general public for their kind and courteous treatment during the year,
We are,
Most respectfully, ROYAL S. RIPLEY, J. ADAMS BARTLETT, GEO. P. MANSFIELD,
Commissioners.
52
Report on Street Lights
The Selectmen submit the following report :
There are now in the Town of Chelmsford 327 lights, located as follows:
Centre Village
45 gas arc lights. 36 oil lights.
North Village
66 electric lights. 31 gas arc lights. 54 oil lights.
East Village
10 electric lights. 14 oil lights.
West Village 40 oil lights.
South Village
31 oil lights.
E. T. ADAMS,
Chairman of Selectmen.
83
Report of the Forest Warden
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
My report as Forest Warden is as follows :
During the past year my deputies and I have been called to about thirty-five fires.
The damage that could be estimated amounted to about fifteen hundred dollars, with a large damage to sprout land which could not be estimated.
We have had to call the Chelmsford Centre Fire Dep- artment several times and have found it prompt and efficient.
My deputies have been very faithful in their work, although handicapped by a lack of apparatus to work with.
State Forester F. W. Rane has requested that all towns appropriate money to buy apparatus for use of the Forest Wardens.
I have reported all fires to the State Forester and in Nov- ember, 1909, attended a meeting of Forest Wardens at Boston, where I learned a great deal about what was being done in other towns.
Following is a list of fires :
DATE
WARDEN
LAND OWNED BY
No. ACRES
DAMAGE
CAUSE
COST
Mar. 27
A. E. Barton.
R. P. Dutton.
ĮBrush Fire.
$3.20
Apr.
2
A. E. Barton.
Mr. Downs
.30
5
A. E. Barton.
Mrs. Wood
Boys
2.00
11
A. E. Barton ...
J. Loiselle
3
$15.00
6.20
13
J. Marinel
G. C. Moore
25
Railroad . . . Railroad .
4.10
18
F. Fletcher
G. C. Moore
22
W. Hannaford
J. P. Emerson .
50.00
2.70
25
F. Fletcher ..
40
100 00
Smoking.
7.80
May
2
A. E. Barton
O. Spaulding
25
Smoking .
21 65
8
W. Hannaford .
J. Loiselle .
3
6 00
1.65
12
A. E. Barton.
M. Bachelder
10.00
1.10
13
E. R. Parker.
G. Penniman
2
.40
15
J. Marinel
Mary Ready
2
Smoking .
3 40
16
J. Marinel
C. W. Adams
2
Smoking .
2 90
25
J. Marinel
J. P. Dunigan
10
Railroad
3.20
26
J Marinel
C. M. Potter
30
1,000.00
Smoking.
10 10
30
W. Parlee .
Coburn Estate
12
June
2
J Marinel
J. J. Shaw
3
Smoking
5.40
3
J. Marinel
T. Lahey . ..
30
200.00
Smoking
8.20
July
9
A. E. Barton
R. P. Perham and
J. R. Parkhurst
6
Boys
49.35
10
A. E. Barton.
M. Roache ..
Smoking .
.60
.
21.60
F. Dutton ..
2.40
84
Aug. 3
F. Fletcher
A. Gaudette . .
15
$25 00
Smoking .. ....
$2.00
31
F. Fletcher
W. E. Potter.
20
Smoking.
2.50
31
Geo. Spaulding
Boston Ice Co
Railroad .
2 20
Sept. 1
Geo. Spaulding
Adams Estate
.60
Dr. Virgin
50
Camp Fire.
5 10
Adams Estate .
3
4.40
4
J. Marinel .
C. M. Potter
50
Camp Fire.
28.80
4
F. Fletcher
15
2.50
6
Geo. Spaulding
C. Adams. ..
4 15
6
J. Marinel
C. J. Willsted.
1
25.00
Incendiary.
2.90
Oct.
19
A. E. Barton
P. P. Perham
1
Boys
1.00
Nov. 19
A. E. Barton.
B. Scannell .
Railroad
2.10
Dec. 24
A. E. Barton.
W. Manning ..
10
Boys
5.20
85
258
Respectfully, 75.70
A. E. BARTON,
Forest Warden.
3 J. Marinel
3
F. Fletcher
Report of the Cemetery Commissioners
TO THE VOTERS OF CHELMSFORD:
The Cemetery Commissioners present to you their annual report for your consideration.
The work of caring for the cemeteries the past year has been in charge of the following superintendents: J. Roland Parkhurst of Forefathers and Pine Ridge, James S. Wotton of Riverside, A. F. Whidden of the West, and Charles O. Robbins of Hart Pond. Through their earnest efforts and hearty co-operation with the Commissioners, a good standard of efficiency has been maintained throughout all.
We are pleased to see the increasing interest shown by individual lot owners in the care of lots, and in order to still further increase this interest, the town must care for the adjacent avenues and paths.
Caretakers of the modern cemeteries tell us to be sure and discourage curbing around a lot and corner posts that project above the surface of the ground. These, with other recommendations, are strongly endorsed by your Commission- ers. The new work of grading and graveling the drives in Riverside and Forefathers cemeteries, planned last year, was not started, but it is the intention of the Commissioners to do this work as soon in the spring as it is advisable.
The unsightly knoll at the west of the receiving tomb has been greatly improved by grading and sodding the same, and placing shrubbery in the most advantageous places. This work was done by P. Lynch of Lowell. The Commissioners appreciate the suggestions and interest taken by Mr. E. R. Clark in this matter.
87
We have graveled the main drive in Hart Pond cemetery and some of the paths. This has made a decided improve- ment in that section of the cemetery. We were fortunate that we were able to secure the services of Mr. Robbins for this work, and feel that by his interest in the cemetery, greater improvements will be made the coming year.
There has been six perpetual care lots added the past year, making a total of forty-seven.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES F. SCRIBNER, CHARLES A. HOLT, WM. H. HALL, Clerk.
Report of Superintendent of Moth Work
March 1st, 1909, found this department cleaning brown- tail nests from the shade trees, and also creosoting the nests of the gypsy moths.
Nearly 25,000 burlaps were placed on the trees through- out the town and turned during the spring and summer.
Spraying with arsenate of lead was confined to the heavy gypsy colonies.
We were ordered to stop work Aug. 1st, and did not start again until Dec. 1st, making a lay-off of four months
There will be great improvements in the town this coming spring and summer, as the U. S. forces are now at work, and this means the cleaning up of a number of woodland roads one hundred feet on each side of the highway. A power sprayer is promised us by the state. The gypsy moth has made great headway; there will be several hundred of the woodland trees stripped during June and July. Egg parasites have been planted in several locations.
Private owners are taking hold of the work and cleaning up the brush and rubbish about the walls and fences. Old apple trees are being cut and used for fuel.
Spraying with arsenate of lead for all leaf-eating insects is one of the best things to do, and can be done at a small expense.
M. A. BEAN,
Supt. of Moth Dept.
Report of Tree Warden
The work of this department was confined to the planting of shade trees, spraying for the elm leaf beetle and pruning of large elms at the North and Centre villages.
One hundred shade trees were planted in the spring of 1909.
The elm leaf beetle had made such headway that I was obliged to spray with arsenate of lead the elms in each of our villages The expense has made this department over-run its appropriation. If you wish to have this department carry on the work of planting of shade trees, pruning of trees on our main roads and spraying for the elm leaf beetle, the appropri- ation should be increased to four hundred dollars.
M. A. BEAN,
Tree Warden.
Report on Town Bounds
The Selectmen have perambulated the town lines the past year and found all bounds in good condition, except two : one located between Chelmsford, Billerica and Carlisle was in bad condition ; it was near a small stream and the water had un- earthed it. As the land was ledgy, we replaced it with a new one ten inches square, five feet above the ground. to conform with the law, in a cement foundation, at the cost of twenty- two dollars and fifty cents ($22.50), each town sharing the expense equally. The other one was between Chelmsford and Westford; it was a mile or more in the woods and was sup- ported by stones piled around it, but we concluded to let it remain so, as it was such a difficult place to reach.
E. T. ADAMS,
Chairman of Selectmen.
91
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
Work of Sealer of Weights and Measures for year ending March 1st, 1910.
.
Total tests made. . 4,905
Liquid measures sealed 15
Liquid measures condemned 1
Dry measures sealed 31
Dry measures condemned.
1
Milk bottles sealed
2,807
Milk bottles condemned
17
Total scales sealed
138
Total weights.
1.897
Weights adjusted
17
Scales adjusted
4
Paid-
C. A. Aiken, for services $68 10
Falls & Burkinshaw, supplies 80
E. T. Adams, supplies 1 15
John Hargraves, R. I., supplies 2 00
Express and postage 45
W. &. L. E. Grisley 4 25
W. H. Wilder, supplies 1 00
G. M. Wright, repairs 25
$78.00
Received for fees for sealing scales 49 10
92
I have visited all places of business and tested all scales, weights and measures, and found all in general good condition and all trying to live up to the law.
We have to report to the State on Nov. 15th of each year and to the town on March 1st of each year, so that we must keep our books so as to compare with reports. We will have less work on milk bottles from now on, for the manufacturers must seal and mark the bottles made after October, 1909, as the law was passed in that month, but that does not hinder the Sealer making tests of them, and in fact he is re- quired to do so just the same.
C. A. AIKEN,
Sealer.
Report of Inspector of Meats and Provisions
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Meats and Provisions for the year ending February 1, 1910. Meat prod- ucing animals have been slaughtered and duly inspected as follows:
Cows. 877
Veals
1,011
Hogs
1,397
Sheep
18
Goats
4
Condemned
Cows
35
Veals
45
Hogs
15
For the benefit of any who may be unfamiliar with the law and desire to kill and sell the whole or a part of their own animals, I will state that any person not engaged in the slaughtering business may slaughter such animals upon his own premises not in a slaughter house without a license there- for, providing that there is an inspector present during such slaughtering. The inspector will stamp the carcass if it is fit for food. Do not let unlicensed butchers kill your animals for you.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Inspector.
Report of Inspector of Animals
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
My annual report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending February 1, 1910, is as follows:
Number of stables inspected 200
Number of cattle inspected. 1,182
Number of hogs and pigs inspected. 430
Number of sheep inspected
95
Number of goats inspected . 1
Number of cattle brought into town from other states 86
Of this number 56 were killed for beef, the other 30 I quarantined and afterwards released 26 of them. The other four have been condemned.
EMILE E. PAIGNON,
Inspector of Animals.
Report of Board of Health
February 1, 1910.
BOARD OF HEALTH, CHELMSFORD, MASS.
Gentlemen :
I beg to submit the following report :
During the year 1909 the following have been reported :
Typhoid Fever 2
Scarlet Fever 5
Measles
83
Some nuisances have been investigated.
Respectfully,
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA, Agent of Board of Health,
Precinct 1.
96
GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF HEALTHI:
My annual report as Agent of Board of Health, Precincts Nos. 2 and 3, is as follows :
Measles 10
Membraneous Croup 2
Diphtheria 1
Scarlet Fever 1
The co-operation of the people in enforcing the health laws is desired.
Many are indifferent and careless when their own family or household is involved. They seem to think the laws are made for their neighbors.
When mothers know their children have been exposed to contagious diseases, they should keep them from school and all public places until the danger is passed. When members of the family are still under quarantine the other members of the family should use every precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. The statutes require all cases of tuberculosis to be reported to the Board of Health. This town has been slow to observe this law.
Persons afflicted with this disease ought to be willing to have their cases reported and render all the assistance possible to prevent the spread of this plague.
F. E. VARNEY, M. D.
CHARLES F. DEVINE,
Chairman Board of Health.
List of Jurors, 1909
Allard, Edward J. Engineer
Adams, Eben T
. Grocer
Billson, George
Stonecutter
Bean, Minot A. Tree Warden
Bemis, Benjamin C. Mason
Bliss, Pliny C. . Farmer
Dix, R. Wilson Contractor
Durgin, George A.
Farmer
Dunn, Thomas J. Farmer
Davis, Albert H. Farmer
Day, George W. Grain Dealer
Dunigan, James P Coal Dealer
Elliott, George S. Carpenter
Emerson, Arthur I. Photographer
Finnigan, John
Iron Worker
Holt, Almon W. . Carpenter Holt, Charles A. Retired Harrington, John E. Insurance Agent
Howard, Henry E.
Mechanic
Knight, Isaac H. Plumber
Lapham, Edgar B. Farmer
Lyons, Charles . Farmer
Martin, Frank P. Operative
Monahan, John J .. Contractor McManomin, John F. Grocer McNally, Owen F. Moulder
McMahon, Patrick T.
Merchant
Marinel, Walter N Mechanic Noel, Jean B .. . Farmer
Naylor, Samuel Salesman
98
Ogley, Samuel Overseer
O'Neil, George F. Overseer
Parker, Edward F Farmer
Phillips, James B. Farmer
Quigley, William J
Overseer
Quinn, John P. . Merchant
Reardon, Daniel A.
Coal Dealer
Reed, Arthur E.
Wheelwright
Russell, Fred A.
Farmer
Scoboria, John P.
. Carpenter
Scribner, Charles F.
Postmaster
Smith, Thomas
. Farmer
Stetson, George Overseer
Sheehan, William J.
. Farmer
Upton, John P.
Carpenter
Ward, James W ..
Wire Worker
Worden, Charles D. Engineer
AGGREGATE OF APPROPRIATIONS, RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
ACCOUNTS
Appropriations and Receipts
Expenditures
Surplus
Deficit
Teaching, Care and Fuel.
$19,000 00
$19,221 98
$221 98
Superintendent
937 50
1,279 98
342 48
Tuition of State Children . .
165 50
$165 50
State Treasurer, Account of Superintendent and Teachers.
937 50
937 50
Tuition from Surrounding Towns.
47 50
47 50
Sale of Books .
85 39
85 39
Dog Licenses
580 61
580 61
Incidentals
275 00
301 71
26 71
Transportation
1,100 00
1,206 51
106 51
Apparatus. .
50 00
57 95
7 95
Furniture and Repairs :
1,300 00
739 95
560 05
Text Books and Supplies
1,300 00
1,394 34
94 34
Medical Inspection .
300 00
300 00
Highways . .
5,000 00
Receipts
2,073 14
8,080 02
1,006 88
100
Support of Poor
2,000 00
Receipts
1,859 25
3,396 25
463 00
Repair of Public Buildings.
300 00
476 18
176 18
Street Lighting
4,000 00
4,612 25
612 25
Miscellaneous Expenses
1,000 00
Receipts
174 33
3,029 99
1.855 66
Moth Work
1,635 35
Receipts
2,969 24
4,564 89
39 70
Officers and Committees
4,000 00
4,566 68
566 68
Enforcement of Liquor Law.
300 00
Receipts
150 00
109 00
341 00
Care and Improvement of Cemeteries Receipts
191 00
881 78
90 78
Collection and Abatement of Taxes
700 00
1,103 81
403 81
Loans and Interest
7,460 03
7,460 09
06
Indigent Soldiers and Sailors .
300 00
434 71
134 71
Princeton Street Bridge.
1,571 12
1,571 12
Sealers of Weights and Measures
200 00
78 00
122 00
Cattle Inspection
100 00
110 00
10 00
..
.
600 00
Care of Village Clock .
$30 00
$30 00
Adams Library .
800 00
800 00
North Village Library
400 00
400 00
State and Military Aid Receipts.
1,354 20
1,522 00
$167 80
Tree Warden. .
200 00
189 30
$10 10
Sinking Fund ..
200 00
200 00
Meat Inspection
350 00
363 45
13 45
500 00
Widening and Straightening Golden Cove Road Receipts
50 00
550 00
North Village Hydrant Service.
1,500 00
1,500 00
Memorial Day.
25 00
17 00
8 00
Flag Pole
25 00
75 00
50 00
Firemen's Relief Association, Lowell
150 00
150 00
Insurance on School Buildings
500 04
500 04
Curbing Adams Library .
500 00
490 79
9 21
1,656 10
$68,746 66 4,674 21
$73,420 87
$3,370 16 4,674 21
$8,044 37
Net Deficit. ..
$73,420 87
$73,420 87
$8,044 37
$8,044 37
Appropriations. Receipts.
$58,109 00
Expenditures Deficit.
$73,420 87
10,637 66
4,674 21
$68,746 66
$68,746 66
JOHN J. DUNN, D. FRANK SMALL,
EBEN T. ADAMS, WILBUR E. LAPHAM, CHARLES F. DEVINE, Selectmen.
101
Fire House, North Village
1,656 10
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and the
Superintendent of Schools
of the
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD
for the
School Year Ending February 28th, 1910
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1909-1910
GEORGE F. WHITE -
Term expires 1910
JOHN J. MONAHAN Term expires 1911
HERBERT E. ELLIS
Term expires 1912
1
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ARTHUR P. BRIGGS
Report of the School Committee 1909-1910
In accordance with law, the School Committee submits the following report :
Your School Committee has had a very busy year. It has seemed to us at times that we had met about every condition that might present itself in school work; but the next week brought something new, which would no sooner be disposed of than some other equally important problem came up for immediate solution. How well we have met these conditions and solved the problems, we will leave to you to decide, simply asking that you, before making your decision, fully understand the conditions and also keep in mind that personal interests cannot be satisfied unless they are found to be also for the interests of the greater number.
TEACHERS
Our teachers have done good work : the old teachers keep- ing well up to their usual high standard, and the new ones proving that the good recommendations they brought us were in keeping with their ability.
We said in our last report : " In order to obtain efficient and experienced teachers, it is necessary to pay fair wages, and while we have endeavored to keep our expenditures as nearly as possible within the amount appropriated, we have deemed it advisable and just to increase slightly the remunera- tion of some of our teaching force." Although this policy was carried out, we, at the beginning of school in September,
106
found it necessary for us to fill several vacancies, caused by teachers resigning to take positions paying higher salaries. How much longer it will be necessary for us to continue this policy we cannot tell, but the salaries now being paid are not in keeping with the cost of training we expect our teachers to have had and the present high cost of living. You will find further information along this line in a tabulated list in the Superintendent's report, showing what some of our neighbors are doing. Chelmsford is not paying the lowest salaries, neither is she by any means paying the highest.
Miss Agnes Naylor, Principal of the West Chelmsford school, resigned during the Christmas vacation. Sickness in her immediate family made it impossible for her to attend to her school duties further. With her resignation, Chelmsford lost one of the best teachers she has ever had. She not only did carefully and conscientiously all that was required of her to do, but kept in mind at all times the fact that she was fitting the boys and the girls for citizenship, developing and teaching them in such a manner that, when they went out into the world, they were better men and better women for having attended her school.
We hope the fall will find her back in her old place, and the Committee has already notified her that they much prefer to consider her on a leave of absence than accept her resig- nation.
SUPERINTENDENT
At the close of the last school year, Supt. F. L. Kendall resigned after serving you in that capacity for eleven years, and Arthur P. Briggs of Winchester was elected to fill the vacancy. We selected Mr. Briggs from a large field of can- didates after making most searching investigations, and feel that we have been amply rewarded for our trouble. The work he has done and is doing is commendable. The schools are all working harmoniously under a well-organized plan, and much good must necessarily follow.
107
You will remember that, one year ago, we did not know if the State Board of Education would allow us to unite with other towns in the employment of a superintendent or not, from the fact that we are no longer under their direct control, while the towns helping to make such a union are. It was decided, however, that it would be satisfactory to the State for us to continue our union with Carlisle and Dunstable. This has been done and on the same basis as last year, viz., Chelmsford has the services of the Superintendent eight-tenths of his time and pays eight-tenths of his salary, Dunstable and Carlisle each having one-tenth of his time and paying one-tenth of his salary.
NEW BUILDINGS
At the North village more room is urgently required and must be provided. Your Committee has given this matter of more school room at the North much thought and consider- ation; some of the Committee believe it wise to add four rooms to the present building, others of the Committee be- lieve it best to build a new four-room building in the vicinity of Highland Avenue. Something should be done at once, and your Committee feel that whichever plan is selected by the citizens, no mistake will be made, as it appears to be inevit- able that in the near future the North village, if it continues its present rate of growth, will require not only an addition to the present building, but also a new building near Highland Avenue and a new building between the present school and the Tyngsboro line.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
It is the intention of your Committee to devote a reason- able sum of money each year to the up-keep of school build- ings and grounds; so far as the buildings are concerned, this policy is an absolute necessity if they are to be kept from falling into decay. As for the grounds, the object lesson con-
108
veyed to pupils and others by observing well - kept school grounds is of far greater economical value than the money spent in their maintenance.
Several of the school buildings need painting outside, the Centre and West schools particularly. The East and South buildings also need attention. At the North village, the old school building and its furniture need renovating, and at North Row a new floor is required.
The grounds at the North school should be graded, following as far as possible the general scheme outlined for the Committee by Smith & Brooks, Civil Engineers. At the Centre, additional play-room should be acquired and the lot graded so as to be suitable for the children. Your Committee has repeatedly called attention to the need of more playground at this place, and something should be done without undue delay to put an end to the present disgraceful state of affairs.
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