USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1924 > Part 9
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One Constable for one year.
One School Committeeman for three years.
Two Trustees of Adams Library for three years.
Tree Warden for one year.
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One Insurance Fund Commissioner for three years.
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
One Park Commissioner for three years.
all on one ballot, and to vote on the following question : "Shall license be granted for the sale of certain non- intoxicating 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 NINTH DAY of FEBRUARY, 1925, at 9.30 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act upon the following articles, viz:
Article 1. To hear reports of Town officers and com- mittees; or act in relation thereto.
Article 2. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray Town charges for current year.
Article 3. 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.
Article 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to ap- propriate from money already in the hands of the Treas- urer a sum not exceeding Five Thousand Seventy-five and 80-100 Dollars ($5,075.80) with which to meet un- paid bills of 1919 to 1924, inclusive; or act in relation thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to contract with the Lowell Electric Light
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Corporation to install new eighty candle power hydrogen gas-filled lamps in place of the present forty candle power lamps at an increased price of one dollar per light per year, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum to meet the expense thereof; or act in relation thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to contract wih the Lowell Electric Light Corporation at the then prevailing price per light for the following additional lights, and will raise and appropriate sufficient money to meet the expense thereof, viz:
Ten lights on Richardson Road ;
One light on Newfield Street midway between Man- sur and Adams streets.
Two lights on Sherman street;
One light at corner of Glenn avenue and Chelms- ford street ;
Five lights on Maple Road ;
Six lights on Chestnut Hill Road ;
Five lights on Pine Hill Road ;
Twelve lights on Elm Road ;
Three lights on Old Westford Road;
Three lights on Sprague avenue ;
Two lights on Stedman street; Four lights on Dalton Road ;
One light on Westford sreet near Dalton Road;
Three lights on Moore street ;
Five lights on Smith street; Two lights on Park Road ;
Ten lights on Old Westford Road ;
Nine lights on Westford Road;
Four lights on Hunt Road ;
One light on Harvard street;
or act in relation thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000), or what other sum, for the purpose of continuing con-
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struction of the Boston Road and the Acton Road, and of repairing the Riverneck Road, the Carlisle-Concord Road, and the Billerica Road, two-thirds of the expense to be borne equally by the Commonwealth and the County of Middlesex; or act in relation thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to purchase two new trucks for the Highway Department, and to turn in two old trucks belonging to the Town as part payment therefor, and will raise and appropriate or borrow the sum of Seven Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($7,30.00), or what other sum, to be used to pay the balance of the purchase price for such new trucks; or act in relation thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars with which to reimburse James R. Gookin, Special Constable of the Town, for expenses incurred in defending himself in two actions brought against him, one by Joseph Robi- taille and the other by Delima Levesque, in connection with an automobile accident at North Chelmsford; or act in relation thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to appoint two regular police officers for duty in the town; or act in relation thereto.
Article 12. In case of affirmative action under the preceding article, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) or what other sum, with which to pay the sal- aries of such police officers; or act in relation thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred and Ten Dol- lars ($610) or what other sum, with which to purchase two motorcycles for use of the Police Department; or act in relation thereto.
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Article 14. To hear and act upon the report of the Special Committee appointed under Article 8 of the warrant for a special Town meeting held on Monday, May 19, 1924, for the purpose among other things of obtaining tentative plans and specifications for a new grammar school building at the Centre Village, and also for remodelling the present school building at the Centre Village, and to report the cost of a new school building and a suitable site therefor and the estimated cost of remodelling the present school building and procuring additional adjoining land for playground purposes; or act in relation thereto.
Article 15. In the event of affirmative action under the preceding article, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or borrow a sufficient sum with which to build and equip, or remodel and equip, as the case may be, a grammar school at the Centre Village,) and purchase a site or additional land, as the sase may be, therefor; or act in relation thereto.
Article 16. In the event of affirmaive action under Article 13, to see if the Town will appoint a committee for the purpose of building or remodelling a grammar school at the Centre Village, as the case may be, and procuring the land for a site for such new building, or additional land in connection with the present school building, and additional equipment; or act in relation thereto.
Article 17. To hear and act upon the report of the Committee appointed under Article 36 of the war- rant for the Annual Meeting of the year 1924 to investi- gate and report their recommendations as to the pur- chase of land for additional fire house sites; or act in relation thereto.
Article 18. In the event of affirmative action as to the purchase of land under the preceding article, to
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see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or borrow a sufficient sum of money with which to purchase such land for a fire house site; or act in relation thereto.
Article 19. In the event of affirmative action as to the purchase of land under Article 16, to see if the Town will appoint a committee to purchase such land and see that the Town obtains a proper title to the same ; or act in relation thereto.
Article 20. In the event that the Town shall vote under Article 13 to build a new grammar school house at the Centre Village, to see if the Town will vote that the present grammar school building at the Centre Vil- lage shall be used for a fire house and placed at the disposal of the Fire Department; or act in relation thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700) for the purpose of grading the Park, so-called, at the Westlands acquired by gift from Walter Perham and through seizure by eminent domain; or act in rela- tion thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50), or what other sum, with which to meet the expense of placing a suitable tablet on the George R. Quessy School at West Chelmsford; or act in relation thereto.
Aricle 23. To see if the Town will vote to elect annually by official ballot "A Town Counsel," the said Town Counsel to be a registered voter in the town of Chelmsford and a member of the Massachusetts Bar; or act in relation thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to investigate the matter of insuring all Town
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buildings, such committee to report at any special meet- ing held after July 1, 1925; or act in relation thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to increase its insurance fund and that the Treasurer of such fund shall be placed under bonds at the expense of the Town; or act in relation thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum with which to meet its proportionate part of the expense for counsel and other- wise of being represented at the hearings now pending before the Board of Public Utilities relative to increase of telephone rates; or act in relation thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to sell at such price as they may think for the best interests of the Town, and in the name and behalf of the Town convey a certain lot of land situated in the northerly part of Chelmsford on the Groton Road, com- monly known as the sand bank; or act in relation thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred and Five Dol- lars, or what other sum, with which to purchase for the Highway Department two additional beacons; or act in relation thereto.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750), or what other sum, for the following purposes : To construct a retaining wall at the Prince- ton Street School playgrounds at the Norh Village as follows: Beginning at the southerly end of the present wall on Gay street and continuing the said wall in the same direction for a distance of about sixty-nine feet ; thence in a westerly direction about sixty-five feet; and also to grade the said school playgrounds; or act in re- lation thereto.
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Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, or what other sum, with which to gravel Brick Kiln Road; or act in relation thereto.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, or what other sum with which to repair Evergreen street; or act in relation thereto.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or borrow the sum of Three Thousand Dollars, or what other sum, for the purpose of grading the grounds at the East Chelmsford Grammar School, furnishing the same with suitable cement walks and other cement work, and enclosing the lot with a fence; or act in relation thereto.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate any, and if any, what sum of money to cover the expense of cutting the brush on the Richard- son Road, North Chelmsford or act in relation thereto.
Article 34. To see if the Town will accept and al- low Coolidge street as laid out by the Selectmen on Jan. 15, 1925, and shown by their report duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto.
Article 35. To see if the Town will accept and al- low Harding street as laid out by the Selectmen on Jan. 15, 1925, and shown by their report duly filed in the of- fice of the Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto.
Article 36. To see if he Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars, ($1,500.00), or what other sum, for the purpose of im- proving and extending the fire alarm system and equip- ment of the Town; or act in relation thereto.
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Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to pur- chase an additional chemical truck for the Fire Depart- ment to be located at East Chelmsford, and will authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to turn in the present chem- ical truck belonging to the Town now located there, and will raise and appropriate or borrow the sum of Thirty- two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($3,250.00), or what other sum, with which to pay the balance of the purchase price for such new truck; or act in relation thereto.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) or some other amount and elect a director, the money to be expended by and the director to serve in cooperation with the Middlesex County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture in the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service, under the provisions of Sec- tions 40 and 45, Chapter 128, General Laws of Massa- chusetts; or act in relation thereto.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($320.00), or what other sum, for the purpose of repairing, grading and oiling Holt street, and the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Dollars ($130.00), or what other sum, for the purpose of repairing, grading and oiling Washnigton street from Ripley street to Holt street; or act in relation thereto.
Article 40. To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to report at the next annual Town meeting rela- tive to the Town Forest Act, so-called, as provided in Acts of 1913, Chapter 564, entitled "An Act relative to Public Domain ;" or act in relation thereto.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred and Seventy- five Dollars ($575.00) for State Aid; or act in relation thereto.
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Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to ap- propriate from money already in the hands of the Treas- urer a sum not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) to be used as a Reserve Fund at the discre- tion of the Finance Committee, as provided in General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 6; or act in relation thereto.
AND YOU ARE DIRECTED to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Postoffices in the Centre of the town, South Chelmsford, North Chelms- ford, and West Chelmsford, and at the School House, East Chelmsford, and at the Golden Cove School House, Westlands, seven days at least before the time appointed for holding the first meeting aforesaid.
WILLIAM E. BELLEVILLE, GEORGE RIGBY, GEORGE W. DAY, Selectmen of Chelmsford.
A true copy. Attest : FRED I. VINAL,
Constable of the Town of Chelmsford.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OF CHELMSFORD, MASS.
For the School Year Ending December 31,
1924
SCHOOL COMMMITTEE
Frank J. Lupien, Chairman and Secretary . Term expires 1926
Herbert Waterhouse. . Term expires 1925
Charles H. Clough Term expires 1927
ADDRESSES OF COMMITTEE
Frank J. Lupien, Residence Chelmsford Center ..... Tel. Lowell 2852-M Herbert Waterhouse, Residence North Chelmsford ... Tel. Lowell 4995-R Charles H. Clough, Residence Chelmsford Center .... Tel. Lowell 5957- J
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Charles H. Walker, Superintendent, Residence, Chelmsford Center, Tel. Lowell 3444-J.
Office, High School, Chelmsford Center
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Arthur G. Scoboria, M. D., Res., Chelmsford Center, Tel. Lowell, 4767-\V Fred E. Varney, M. D., Residence, North Chelmsford. Tel. Lowell 7021-W
SCHOOL NURSE
Miss Mary E. Sheehan, R. N., Residence, Chelsford Center, Tel. Lowell 2997-M.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
Charles L. Petrie, Residence. Chelmsford Center, Tel. Lowell 6113-MI Edward Fallon, Residence, North Chelmsford.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1925-26.
Winter Term-Dec. 29, 1924, to April 3, 1925-14 weeks.
Spring Term-April 13, 1925, to June 26, 1925-11 weeks. Fall Term-Sept. 8, 1925, to Dec. 18, 1925-15 weeks.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Jan. 1, Feb. 22, April 19, May 30, Oct. 12, Thanksgiving and the day following.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Fire Whistle, 3 blasts, repeated once at 7.15, no session, in schools for day. Fire Whistle, 3 blasts, repeated once at 11.15, one session for grades, closing at 12 noon.
128
.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Your committee herewith submits its report to the citizens of Chelmsford for the year ending Dec. 31, 1924.
Your committee feels that the year 1924 has been a very successful one; both from a financial and educational point of view.
We were very fortunate in retaining all of our elementary teachers but three. In the High School four vacancies occurred, and the com- mittee was very fortunate in securing four teachers who are filling, in a very creditable manner, the positions made vacant by their prede- cessors.
Our superintendent has kept in close touch with the work done in all of our schools. Splendid co-operation has been manifested by all concerned in the educational system, and welfare of our schools.
Our "Parent-Teachers Associations" in the various sections of the Town have shown an unusual interest in our school affairs, and have co-operated in a very wholesome manner with all the school faculties, and School Committee.
Perhaps a brief summary of their wonderful work would not be amiss at this time.
In the Center hot lunches have been served to a large number of children. Playground apparatus was also installed on the common.
At North Chelmsford hot lunches have been served to the children; also at West Chelmsford.
In the South Village the Association is still in its infancy, but good work is being planned for the future.
At the East Village, on the night that the Association was formed. they voted to buy a piano for the new East School. Within a few days the piano was installed in the building. This, in brief, only shows what can be done for the welfare of the schools, by the parent's co-operation.
During the year 1923 your committee started a repair and improve- ment program for all the school property in all sections of the Town. During the past year we carried it on very extensively, so much so, that practically all of our money for upkeep and repairs was exhausted. The sum of $4,600.00 is a very trivial amount to care for a quarter of a million dollars' worth of school property. If the citizens will visit the schools they will readily see what has been done with their money. Following is a brief outline of what has been done:
The Highland Avenue School at North Chelmsford was thoroughly renovated in the interior. It was painted, shellaced, varnished, floors oiled, new doors and other minor repairs.
Chimney and other repairs were carried on at the Old Princeton Street School. The ventillating system at the New Princeton Street School was overhauled, basements painted and other incidental repairs.
In anticipating changes at the Center Grade School, only the most essential repairs were made as the committee did not deem it wise to spend a great deal of money until something definite was done, relative to changing the school house facilities there.
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At the High School the top of the coal pocket was unearthed, and covered with waterproof cement. and regraded to prevent further leak- age of water into the boiler room. A new cement walk leading to the main entrance was laid, and also a cement drive for the coal truck to back up onto to unload the coal. A chain fence was also set up at the High School. to prevent night parking, and also to prevent cutting up the lawn. As to the interior of the building, it suffices to say that "Charlie Robbins" is on the job, and that is enough. If you want to see one of the best kept schools in Massachusetts, go there at any time and see for yourself. Your committee hopes that the town will see fit in the near future, and as soon as conditions will allow, to finish the work on the playgrounds in the rear of the High School.
At the Westlands School the chimney was raised four feet to elimi- nate the gas nuisance. The cement shaft through which the cinders were removed, was raised to prevent water from running into the boiler room, a nuisance which has existed since the building was built.
At the South Row School the grounds about the building were plowed, graded and seeded. A new heavy wire fence was built on two sides of the school property, the remaining two sides to be completed this year.
For many years the only water that the occupants of that building had was that which was brought in pails, and very often hecame stag- nant and unfit for drinking purposes. Your committee installed a water system in the building, and also a dry well to care for the waste water.
At South Chelmsford minor repairs were made.
At West Chelmsford the building was painted on the exterior. The interior will be renovated during the summer vacation.
One of the out buildings at the West was consumed by fire, and a temporary building was erected in its place at a minimum cost, hoping that the town will see fit to do away with the out buildings, and in- stall a flush toilet system inside the building. We also installed a "Duro Water System" at West Chelmsford to replace the old obsolete system that was only a source of expense to the town.
When the schools reopen in September every school building in the town will be in first class condition; and if a regular improvement pro- gram is carried on each year, it can be done at a reduced cost to the town.
For the past two years your committee has expended a large por- tion of its money for books and supplies, especially the past year.
If we wish to have our children well fitted when they leave our schools. we must give them the best educational tools to work with; therefore we have spared none of our money available for that purpose, to give them the very best.
We are adding to our High School reference library each year, and we invite you to go and see what we have accomplished. Mr. Alden and Mr. Walker are very keenly interested, and more valuable books will be added to the library during the year.
The schools in the town are now so well equipped with text and reference books that the committee was able to make a reduction in the amount asked in their budget for books and supplies. We hope to be able to do the same next year.
The heating systems in some of our schools are very inadequate and expensive. The business houses that deal in heating systems must have found the Town of Chelmsford a very good customer; judging by the number of heating units installed in the different school buildings. At the Center Grade School, there are four heating units where two should suffice. At West Chelmsford we have three that do not give
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good results where one good steam boiler should be sufficient. At South Chelmsford we have two heating units for two rooms, where one should do the work. It is hoped by the committee that the town will see fit to take one building at a time, and change the heating systems so that they will be more adequate and more economical to maintain. The same condition also prevails at North Chelmsford. Five heat- ing units in the two Princeton Street Schools.
At the last annual Town meeting your committee was voted the sum of $4,600.00 to purchase a new school truck.
After interviewing the leading motor truck dealers, the proposition set forth by the "Federal Motor Co." made the strongest appeal to the committee, and consequently a "Federal Motor Bus" was purchased, which has given excellent results thus far.
A great deal more could be included in this report, but if you will kindly read the reports of our school superintendent, and that of our High School Principal along with this one, we feel that you will have a thorough knowledge of what has been, and what should be done for the best interests of the schools of Chelmsford.
Thanking all of the citizens for their past loyal co-operation, and anticipating the same in the future. We remain,
Very respectfully yours,
FRANK J. LUPIEN, HERBERT WATERHOUSE, CHARLES H. CLOUGH,
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Expenditures 1924
Amounts
Totals
1-ADMINISTRATION:
Expenses School Committee.
Expenses Attendance Officers.
$ 552.69
$ 552.69
Expenses School Census
Expenses Supt.'s Office
Superintendent
3,000.00
3,000.00
$ 3,552.69
2-INSTRUCTION:
Teachers Salaries:
High
$ 15,010.42
Elementary
39,405.16
Supervisors
2,600.00
57,015.58
Books and Supplies:
High
1,421.77
Elementary
3,497.99
4.919.76
$ 61,935.34
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3-OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE:
Janitors:
High
$ 1,280.00
Elementary
4,908.00
6,188.00
Janitors Supplies :
High
246.54
Elementary
97.26
343.80
Fuel:
High
1,206.80
Elementary
4.671.89
5,878.69
Water, Light and Power
924.81
924.81
Repairs and Expenses
High
1,279.94
Elementary
3,156.50
4,436.44
$ 17,771.74
4-AUXILIARIES:
Transportation :
High
$ 3,659.67
Elementary
4,619.23
8,278.90
School Nurse
250.80
250.80
Salary School Nurse.
1,200.00
1,200.00
Supplies School Nurse.
193.43
193.43
Salaries School Physicians.
400.00
400.00
5-OUTLAYS:
New Equipment
$ 1,227.39
$ 1,227.39
New Federal Truck
4,570.00
4,570.00
-
$ 5,797.39
5-OTHER PAYMENTS:
** Insurance
$ 487.80
$ 487.80
*Vocational School
2,516.00
2,516.00
$ 3,003.80
Total Expenditures
$102,384.09
*Law requires Selectmen to pay this.
** Paid by Selectmen from Insurance Fund.
RECEIPTS 1924
Appropriation, (Feb. 1924) $ 97,700.00
Refunds (During 1924)
48.00
Appropriation for New Truck.
4.600.00
Received from Dog Tax
1,027.42
Reimbursement for Tuition Paid at Lowell Vocational School,
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