USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1921 > Part 5
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The equipment of Districts No. 1, No. 2, No. 5 is each housed in property owned by the town.
The equipment of Districts No. 3 and No. 4 is each housed in rented property.
Districts No. 1 and No. 2 each have a permanent man who cares for the equipment and property a certain number of hours each day and is subject to call and service if emergency arises during 24 hours of the day, for each of the seven days per week.
A local fire fighting organization has been established in each district, each with its proper officers and regular and call men trained by practice to its duties.
Each local organization is part of the component whole-the Chelmsford Fire Department-and is subject to the statutes of the Commonwealth and the printed rules and regulations established by this board of engineers.
The district chiefs of each company are appointed annually by the Board of Engineers on or before May 15, to hold office until the following May 1, or until their successors are appointed, unless sooner removed by said Board of Engineers.
The district chiefs appointed by us during our term of office to date, are :
District No. 1, Walter S. Fletcher, Chelmsford Centre.
District No. 2, Joseph D. Ryan, North Chelmsford.
District No. 3, Elmer Trull, West Chelmsford.
District No. 4, Henry Quinn, East Chelmsford.
District No. 5, William E. Belleville, South Chelmsford.
At present our plan for emergency fire alarms comprises the use of church bells at the Centre. North and South villages. West Chelmsford and East Chelmsford companies have, by public subscription, raised funds and installed an electric siren fire alarm in each respective village. We hope to see a system of electric fire alarm gradually and prudently established throughout the town.
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The establishment of this equipped and organized department should place the property of our citizens in a higher insurance classification, which will mean lower insurance rates and save the tax payers more than the cost of the equipment and the maintenance of the department.
The buildings owned by the town where the fire equipment is housed will require some slight necessary repairs. Some time in the future the need of improved buildings for the department equipment and organizations will require attention.
Since our appointment to this board the department has been called to fifteen fires, classified as follows : Six automobile fires in the streets and highways, seven building fires, one bridge fire, one lumber pile fire.
The total loss by these fires was about $7,740.00. The value of property endangered was about $38,775.00.
Emergency instruction cards giving instructions what to do and how to notify their company in event of fires in District No. 3 have been printed and distributed to each family by the West Chelmsford organization of that district.
We hope to have similar instruction cards printed and distributed in each of the other districts, advising their inhabitants what to do and how to get prompt assistance from their respective companies in event of need.
While this department is to a certain extent subject to the statutes of the Commonwealth it is essentially a volunteer department, and some of its reliability and service depends upon the business management by a Board of Engineers. Much also depends upon the loyalty and service of the citizen members of the several companies constituting the depart- ment. Service and sacrifice are elements of the highest type of citizenship.
We recommend for another year the policy of a Board of Fire Engineers.
Respectfully submitted,
ARNOLD C. PERHAM, LOREN J. ELLINWOOD, JOHN E. HOGAN,
Board of Fire Engineers.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Tested and sealed 164 scales.
Condemned 2 scales.
Sealed 412 weights, adjusted 6.
Sealed 16 gasoline pumps, condemned 1.
Sealed 11 oil and 4 molasses pumps.
Sealed 69 liquid measures, condemned 4.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. AIKEN,
Sealer.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Chelmsford, Mass., January 1, 1922.
Board of Selectmen-Gentlemen :
During the past year there have not been any cases of glanders among horses, although two investigations were made of suspected cases.
The annual inspection of cattle, sheep and swine was made early in the year. 205 stables were inspected, which contained 873 dairy cows, 261 young cattle, 21 bulls, 381 swine, 2 oxen, 2 goats and 3 sheep. 32 cows, 1 bull and 1 yearling were quarantined and all except 3 cows were afterward condemned because affected with tuberculosis.
Seven persons have been bitten by dogs and the dogs afterward killed or quarantined for observation for rabies. Two positive cases of rabies have occurred very recently and all animals known to have been bitten or been in contact with the rabid dogs have been killed or quarantined.
All stray unlicensed dogs should be killed and the muzzle order which is in effect until March 10 must be rigidly adhered to, as the outbreak of rabies is more serious than most people realize.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Chelmsford, Mass., January 2, 1922.
Board of Health :
Gentlemen :-
The following number of animals have been slaughtered by licensed butchers, owners on their own premises and inspected by me.
252 cattle ; 965 calves ; 1,239 hogs ; 1,198 sheep.
Condemned : 7 cattle ; 6 calves ; 8 hogs : And approximately 400 pounds of meat for various reasons.
All inspections have been reported to the State authorities as required.
Respectfully submitted,
W. S. HALL,
Inspector
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
The Cemetery Commissioners submit their annual report. The different cemeteries have had their usual good care during the year. Forefathers has been improved by the filling in of several sunken graves. Pine Ridge has had several new lots staked out.
Hart Pond Cemetery has had its usual good care.
Riverside has had a few large trees cut down and new lots made. West Chelmsford Cemetery has been kept in good condition.
The November ice storm did considerable damage to the trees, which will be taken care of.
We recommend that more money be appropriated this year.
C. F. SCRIBNER, B. C. DEAN, R. P. ADAMS,
Commissioners.
REPORT OF APPRAISERS
Personal Property at Town Farm $ 1,491.25
Household Goods at Town Farm. 438.86
$ 1,930.11
Highway Department
12,019.10
Moth Department
916.00
Centre Fire Department.
5,884.75
North Fire Department
6,793.50
South Fire Department
1,683.10
Westlands Fire Department
404.00
West Fire Department
2,168.90
East Fire Department
1,785.80
Weights and Measures
150.00
$ 33,735.26
A detailed list is on file in the Accountant's Office.
EMILE E. PAIGNON, JOHN F. PARKER, ALBERT H. DAVIS,
Appraisers.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Record of diseases dangerous to the public health reported to the Board of Health :
2 cases of chicken pox.
9 cases of diphtheria.
8 cases of dog bite.
4 cases of measles.
3 cases of mumps.
2 cases of scarlet fever.
3 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.
1 case of typhoid fever.
Respectfully submitted,
CURTIS A. AIKEN, ABBOTT L. EMERY, A. SAMUEL GUSTAFSON,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Chelmsford, Mass., Jan. 5, 1922.
Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
In the past year, the expense of extinguishing forest fires has been somewhat greater than in other years, owing to the fact that there were 118 fires, as compared to only 55 for the year 1920.
There were 20 fires caused by sparks from locomotives, which were extinguished by the forest warden or his deputies, for which the Railroads will reimburse the town about $30.00.
Of the appropriations of $500 and $250, there is a balance which reverts to the town of $131.06, which compares favorably with other years and makes the average cost per fire $5.23 for 1921, against $7.60 for 1920.
The law in regard to permits is, that a permit to start a fire in the open air is required after the first day of MARCH and from then until the first day of December.
The slash law now in effect requires that all slash resulting from cut- ting shall be removed at least 40 feet back from edge of cutting and forty feet back from edge of any road or highway.
H. M. STURTEVANT,
Forest Warden.
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Report of the Trustees of the Adams Library
The Board met at the Library on February 19th, at 2.30 P. M. The officers for last year were re-elected, as follows :- Chairman, Albert H. Davis; Secretary, Edwin R. Clark; Treasurer, Wilson Waters; Purchasing Committee. Mrs. Edwin R. Clark; Librarians, Misses Katherine and Margaret Hall; Committee to Approve Bills, Albert H. Davis and Edwin R. Clark : Prudential Committee, Wilson Waters and Otis P. Wheeler ;. Committee on Periodicals and Oversight of Library, Albert H. Davis, Wilson Waters and Miss Frances Clark.
At a later meeting. Miss Florence Ellis was appointed assistant librarian. and Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hall and Miss Dorothy Hall have assisted in the work.
The salary of the librarians has been increased to $500 and there will be need to double it, with the expectation of keeping the Library open some part of every day.
There is imperative need for an experienced librarian who can give the whole time enthusiastically to the work, which demands more labor outside of library hours than can now be given to it. This is said in no way to detract from the praise due to those now in charge, who have the entire confidence and commendation of the Trustees. The cataloguing and classification of books. as well as the entire working system, needs to be reduced to modern methods.
The following experience of a librarian in a Western town is not unparalleled in our Eastern institutions.
A librarian's life is not a dreary one spent monotonously in the must of many dusty tomes "of forgotten lore," as many generally suppose. Her real task. at times, is to suppress the laughter that bubbles up when someone innocently asks. as an instance, for "The Ravings of Edgar Allen Poe" when. of course. they really want "The Raven."
Among many requests for books which one library worker has pre- served are these.
"Little Women" by Mrs. Al Scott.
"Her" by Rider Haggard.
Someone asked for " 'John Bunyan' by the pilgrim."
"Lorna Doone" became "Dora Deen," possibly corrupted from
Doraldine.
"Cruel is the Grave" is the title of one book which, when asked for. becomes "Wicked as a Graveyard."
Someone also, asked vaguely for a poem by Longfellow "which means hay." That was a poser until the librarian finally decided that what was wanted was "Excelsior."
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One high school student asked innocently for "Shakespeare's latest." A request came for "Tales of Shakespeare's Lambs."
No less ludicrous was the request for a copy of Lew Wallace's "Her Ben."
"The Swiss Family of Mrs. Robinson" was requested.
"Innocency Abroad," by Mark Twain, was wanted.
Another inquiry was for Kipling's "Light That Went Out."
The taste of Kansas could not escape from "The Leavenworth Case," for it was requested under the name of "The Atchison Case ! ! "
One request of unconscious synicism was for "He Fell in Love with His Own Wife."
A slight mixture was apparent in "The Scarlet Letters," by Mark Twain.
Shakespeare was misrepresented by "King Liar" and "The Turning of the Screw."
The "Hoosier Schoolmaster" succumbed to the influence of modern movie titles and became "Who's Your Schoolmaster?"
Perhaps the most humorous experience of this librarian was to listen to the statement of the woman who said : "I've been told that 'Mary, Queen of Scots, is such a good book.' She was imprisoned in the temple in Paris. There are so few lives of ladies in the catalogue !"
The number of books in the Library is. 11,777
The circulation for the year has been. 17,847
New books added, including bound magazines. 256
To replace worn out books. 27
Received by gift 16
Magazines bound-volumes
13
Number of new borrowers. 180
Names of donors of books :
Miss Frances E. Andrews.
Mrs. John Parker. 10
Rev. Wilson Waters
The Librarians report $29.85 balance on hand received from fines. and $28.89 has been spent for desk supplies and incidentals.
The circulation, of course, varies somewhat from year to year, which is due to sundry causes not necessary to enumerate. The reading room has been well patronized and the general work of the Library has pro- gressed satisfactorily. But, as stated in the last report, all expenses con- nected with the operation of the Library, with its increasing service and usefulness, have necessarily been much greater during the last few years, and the enlarged appropriation by the Town last year, which was not only inost welcome but absolutely necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Library, is still much too small to make the Library what it ought to be as an efficient element in the education of the public. A very notice- able increase in the demand for good books on the part of young people augers well for the future. The Trustees, through their efficient pur- chasing committee, have been able this year to place on our shelves a good number of the best books for young folks, also a number of finely illustrated
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books by experts on old furniture, old samplers, old pewter, on gardens and art, as well as more technical works, with the usual percentage of the latest fiction by the best writers. They are also gradually completing the sets of standard authors
The Joseph Warren Fund now amounts to $1,257.82.
The Adams Emerson Fund now amounts to $172.59.
The Serlina G. Richardson Fund now amounts to $253.48. No money has been drawn from these funds during the year.
FRANCES CLARK, OTIS P. WHEELER, ALBERT H. DAVIS, WILSON WATERS, EDWIN R. CLARK, A. HEADY PARK,
Trustees.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand, December 31, 1920.
$ 4.50
Received from the Town Treasurer. 2,000.00
.
$2,004.50
EXPENDITURES
Books
$ 638.95
Librarian's Salary
466.67
Fuel
250.25
Gas
110.29
Care of building and grounds.
101.39
Binding
91.43
Furnishings
123.2.
Periodicals
103.95
Printing
65.00
Water
12.00
Transportation of books to South Chelmsford.
20.00
Transportation of books to West Chelmsford.
17.00
Postage
1.58
Balance on hand. . .
2.74
$2,004.50
WILSON WATERS,
Treasurer.
·
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North Chelmsford Library Corporation
REPORT OF TRUSTEES.
In order to comply with the requirements of the Town Authorities, this report is submitted in advance of the regular meeting of the North Chelmsford Library Corporation, which takes place on Wednesday evening. January 11th. at which time, reports will be made and officers elected.
We have examined into the activities of our Library for the current year, and find that the business is quite satisfactory.
We have increased the circulation of books by almost 20%, having loaned 24,875 volumes, notwithstanding the fact we were forced to omit a number of sessions on account of the absence of light. We did open 149 times, but for a month or more the sessions were very short, as it was necessary to conduct them during the daylight period.
Subscribers list has been revised and now contains 831 names, of which 75 were new this year and 489 are considered active. We added 175 new books' during the year, making a total of 8,451 on hand at the present time, and rebound 349 volumes.
Particular attention was paid to reading matter required by High School pupils, and the list as secured from the school authorities was practically filled. so we now have nearly all books required for this purpose.
Again this year, we must take this opportunity to publicly thank Miss Emma Brown of West Chelmsford for the most satisfactory and special attention given to borrowers of that portion of the town. Through her efforts, and by the co-operation of the Librarian we are now circulating approximately 2.600 books in the West Village, the active subscribers numbering 33.
Careful perusal of figures given in this report should readily convince the citizens of the Town that the proper conduct of our North Chelmsford Library is a business in itself, and it is our desire to regulate the operation of the Library to the entire satisfaction of the people whom we served ; but in order to do so. we must have sufficient funds.
In our application for an appropriation for the coming year, we stated our desires, and set forth what we hope are satisfactory reasons in support of our request. We wish to have our Librarian devote her entire time to the affairs of the Library, and close study of library detail convinces us that, with a circulation of 25,000 books, every minute can be properly occupied. We wish to open one more day in the week, and further hope to be able to make satisfactory and equitable arrangements to cover the West Village, all of which cannot be done with the present allotment of funds.
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The Library building was painted two coats during the summer, and the grounds were considerably improved, adding much to its general appearance.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY T. RIPLEY, H. ELLEN SARGENT, SARAH E. SHELDON,
Trustees.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand, December 31, 1921.
$ 12.05
Town appropriation
1,200.00
Receipts 27.25
$1,239.30
EXPENDITURES
Librarian
$ 300.00
Assistant and janitor
115.92
Light
42.40
Fuel
123.00
Books
228.01
Repairs
17.20
Printing
21.32
Supplies
53.31
Bindery
100.00
Painting Library building.
125.00
Curb and grading.
84.20
Transporting books to West Chelmsford.
17.00
Miscellaneous
5.50
$1,232.86
Balance on hand.
6.44
$1.239.30
STEWART MACKAY, Treasurer.
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REPORT OF DEMONSTRATION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS IN CHELMSFORD
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1921.
An appropriation of $200 was made at the annual town meeting for demonstration work, under the direction of the Middlesex County Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics. Following is a report of the work done by this organization in the town of Chelmsford.
The Agricultural Agent made 2S farm calls and conducted a dairy barn meeting and entension school, both of which were well attended. An alfalfa tour was arranged for the men interested in growing that crop, and one to demonstrate the value of growing sunflowers for silage. He spoke at three meetings of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society which were well at- tended by farmers. There were four field demonstrations carried on during the summer on pasture fertilization. the use of lime, seed corn and alfafa growing.
The Home Demonstration Agent conducted a one-day extension school and organized and assisted at frequent intervals a clothing efficiency group among the women. Many household account books were distributed during the year.
At a program meeting held in December, plans were made for the coming year for an extension school, two pruning demonstrations. a barn meeting, poultry culling demonstration and a fertilizer demonstration. There were also requests for several field demonstrations.
The Home Demonstration Agent will plan several meetings with the women to discuss problems of nutrition and household management.
The Bureau stands ready to organize boys' and girls' club work in the Town whenever funds are made available for that purpose.
FRED D. GRIGGS,
Managing Director.
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Warrant for Annual Town Meeting
FEBRUARY 6, 1922 AND FEBRUARY 13, 1922.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Middlesex, ss.
To Fred I. Vinal, a Constable of the Town of Chelmsford :
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid you are hereby required to notify and warn the legal voters of said Chelmsford to meet in their several Polling Places, viz: Precinct 1, Town Hall, Chelmsford Centre. Precinct 2. Town Hall, North Chelmsford ; Precinct 3, Historical Hali. West Chelmsford; Precinct 4, School House, East Chelmsford; on Monday, the sixth day of February, 1922, being the first Monday in said month, at 12 o'clock noon, for the following purposes :
To bring in their votes for the following officers : Moderator for 1 year, 1 Selectman for 3 years. 1 Overseer of the Poor for 3 years, 1 Assessor for 3 years. Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for 1 year. 1 Member of Board of Health for 3 years, 1 Member of Board of Health for 1 year, 1 Constable for 1 year, 1 School Committeeman for 3 years, 2 Trustees of Adams Library for 3 years, Tree Warden for 1 year. 1 Sinking Fund Com- missioner for 3 years, 1 Cemetery Commissioner for 3 years, 1 Park Com- missioner for 3 years, all on one ballot, and to vote on the following question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of certain non-intoxicat- ing beverages in this town?"
( The polls will be open from 12 M. to 8 P. M.)
And to meet in the Town Hall at Chelmsford Centre on the following Monday, the thirteenth day of February, 1922, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act upon the following Articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose all other Town officers necessary to be chosen by hand vote; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 2. To hear reports of Town officers and committees; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 3. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray Town charges for the current year.
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to act as its agent in any suit or suits which may arise during the current year; also in such other matters as may arise requiring in their judgment the action of such agent, and to employ counsel therefor.
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ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to contract with the Lowell Electric Light Corporation at the prevailing price per light. for twelve lights in addition to the number previously contracted for, said lights to be distributed along the following public ways, viz: Four lights on Carlisle Road; three lights on Parkhurst Road; three lights on Brick Kiln Road; one light on Boston Road between Carlisle Road and Russell's Mills. Road ; one light on Holmes Street; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 7. In the event of affirmative action under the preceding article, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for additional electric lights; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will appropriate from money already in the hands of the Treasurer a sum not exceeding Eighteen Hundred Dollars with which to meet unpaid bills of 1921; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Dollars, or some other amount, and elect a director of demonstration work in agriculture and home economics, the money to be expended by, and the director to serve in co-opera- tion with, the County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture and Home Economics, under the provisions of Chapter 128 of the General Laws and any amendments thereof ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to borrow a sum not exceeding Twelve Thousand Dollars, or what other sum, for the purpose of constructing the Acton Road, or any and what part thereof, two- thirds of the expense to be borne equally by the Commonwealth and the County of Middlesex ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will accept and allow Harvard Street at the North Village, as laid out by the Selectmen on January 7. 1922 as described in their report duly filed in the Town Clerk's office and shown on the plan therein referred to; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, or what other sum, for the repair and grading of Holt Street; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars, or what other sum, for the pur- pose of continuing construction of the Boston Road; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be determined at the meeting for the purpose of repairing and improving Parkhurst Road and Smith Avenue, or either of them ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be determined at the meeting, to cover the expense of the trimming and preservation of the public shade trees injured by the recent ice storm; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Dollars, or what other sum, for the purpose of grading the grounds at the new school building at the Westlands; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars, or what other sum, for the purpose of constructing a retaining wall at the West Chelms- ford School grounds; or act in relation thereto. ·
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars, or what other sum, to continue the grading of the Play Ground at the High School; or act in relation thereto.
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