Town annual report of Chelmsford 1930, Part 8

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Publication date: 1930
Publisher: Town of Chelmsford
Number of Pages: 230


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Fifty dollars, collected for licenses, were paid to the Town Treasurer.


The average daily consumption of milk was 2,104 quarts. Two hundred and seventy-five dairy farms supply milk to Chelmsford. Nine distributors sell pasteurized milk, eleven sell raw milk, most of it from tuberculin tested cows. Three distributors sell both pasteurized and raw.


There were 362 chemical, 326 bacterial, and 192 sediment samples examined from distributors. The highest bacterial sample was 360,000; the lowest was none per cubic centimeter.


There were 414 chemical, 556 bacterial, 329 sediment, and 807 tempera- ture samples examined from producers.


There were 204 milk plant inspections and 584 dairy farm inspections.


Respectfully submitted, M. F. MASTER, B.S. in Chem.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


January 1, 1931.


To the Board of Health, Chelmsford, Mass.


Gentlemen :


Following is report of animals slaughtered by licensed butchers or by owners on their own premises and inspected by me during the year 1930 :


Cattle 459 Hogs 653


Calves 575 Sheep 5


Of these were condemned :


Cattle


27


Hogs 1


Calves 14


and 500 lbs. of meat, more or less. All inspections have been reported to the State authorities.


Respectfully submitted, ALBERT S. PARK, Inspector of Slaughtering.


117


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MARKETS


January 1, 1931.


To the Board of Health, Chelmsford, Mass.


Gentlemen :


During the year 1930 I have made 121 calls on markets and butcher carts throughout the town.


Conditions generally have been very good, although some poultry, meat and sausage had to be destroyed.


Respectfully submitted, ALBERT S. PARK, Inspector of Markets.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


December 31, 1930.


Board of Selectmen :


In accordance with Section 19 of Chapter 129 of the General Laws, an inspection of all neat cattle, sheep and swine within this town was ordered by the State Division of Animal Industry to be completed before March 1, 1930.


There were 194 stables in which were kept 815 cows, 21 bulls, 216 young cattle, 266 swine, 6 sheep and 8 goats. Four cows were quarantined, suspected of having tuberculosis, one was killed, one died in quarantine and the others were released.


As shown by the above report the total number of neat cattle is 1,052. This shows the decrease to be slight, as the average for the past 12 years was 1,090.


The number of swine shows a decrease front last year. No cases of hog cholera were reported during the year.


Reported dog bites necessitated the inspection of 36 dogs, 17 of which were quarantined for a period of two weeks and then released, no cases of rabies having developed.


Another dog, which fortunately had bitten no one, developed a positive case of rabies and was killed.


Many cattle owners have had their herds tested, thereby co-operating in the campaign of tuberculosis eradication. Twenty-four herds have received the first test during the year. These contained 208 head, of which number 190 reacted and were slaughtered.


There are at the present time 39 herds under state and federal super- vision. This represents about 41 per cent of the cattle in town.


Any cattle owner who is interested in having this test applied to his herd can secure the necessary papers and information from his inspector.


Under permit, 30 cows and one bull have been shipped from other states to Chelmsford for dairy and breeding purposes. All have been identified and released on arrival.


ARNOLD C. PERHAM,


Inspector of Animals.


118


COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE REPORT


The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Exten- sion Service as developed in the Town of Chelmsford for the year 1930.


Considerable interest was manifested by the farmers this year in the Extension Service work. Among the dairymen two meetings were held, one on dairy regulations and the production of quality milk and another on pasture improvement and the dairy outlook. For the fruit growers three meetings were held, largely on pruning and spraying methods and disease control. Forty-five farm visits were made on request to assist with individual problems. Judges were furnished at the local Grange fair.


Among the homemakers two groups were interested, one in the Center and one in West Chelmsford. A series of meetings on vegetable preparation were carried on and in addition to those attending the information was passed on to over 200 other homemakers. In West Chelmsford the ladies were also interested in the improvement of home grounds and held a series of meetings for the development of this work. Home visits were made by specialists from the Market Garden Field Station and suggestions given on the care and development of lawns, shrubs and flowers.


In Boys' and Girls' 4-H club work 140 were enrolled in the garden, food, clothing and poultry clubs. In addition, 49 boys were enrolled at the Train- ing School in North Chelmsford. Fred Holt, Stacy Kresnecki, Mrs. Ernest Ferron, Mrs. Joshua Machon, Julia Joulas, Mrs. Lucia Norton, Mrs. Harry Welch, Mrs. Eva Dobson, Mr. Louis Forest, Mrs. Charles Fielding, and Mrs. E. Dyer Harris served as local leaders. Julia Koulas won third prize in the garden contest conducted by the Middlesex North Agricultural Society and was condidate for state garden championship. Ralph House, Frank Benton, Rosa Santos, Mary Miskell and John Dean were awarded a two-day trip to the Massachusetts Agricultural College for outstanding club work. Two local clubs won ribbons for 100 per cent attendance at the Lowell 4-H Club rally. The Thimble Club also won a special prize for winning first in the song contest and the Highland School Clothing Club won a special ribbon for putting on the best stunt. These were won in competition with 32 other clubs.


Eight educational motion picture shows were given to a total audience of 2,721.


A campaign to eradicate rats from farm and home buildings was carried on on a country-wide basis and a great many of the poison baits were distributed in Chelmsford.


Many local people took part in the several country-wide meetings held during the year, such as the county picnic at Wayside Inn, Sudbury, and the Homemakers' Day at Lexington.


PERLEY W. KIMBALL, Town Director.


January 5, 1931.


119


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS


December 31, 1930.


To the Board of Selectmen, Chelmsford, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen :


The Cemetery Commissioners beg to submit the following report for year ending December 31, 1930 :


Forefathers, the Town's oldest cemetery, has received its usual good care. The gates have been painted, also the slate slabs in section near church have been straightened up during the past season. A number of perpetual care lots have been regraded and rounded into first class shape.


Pine Ridge each year shows a marked improvement. For a few years a newly laid out cemetery fails to show any progress as far as beautifying is concerned, but this cemetery has passed that period now and we feel that Pine Ridge, in coming years, is going to become Chelmsford's most beautiful and best located cemetery.


Hart Pond, all old section, which, after a number of years, was all regraded and seeded, has been kept mowed with lawn mower all the season. By old section we are referring to that part that was first used as a church yard, where there are no records as to lot owners. New sections, the paths are being filled in with loam as fast as possible and seeded. Our object is to get park system so there will be only drives and walks that are needed, which will make a much neater appearance and more work will be accomplished.


Riverside, at north village, has received its usual good care this season. This is one of the Town's larger cemeteries; the greater part of it is located on a hill side which of course makes it attractive but more difficult to care for. We have a new set of blue prints of this cemetery drawn up this year.


West Cemetery, as usual, has been most attractively kept this year and the appearance is always remarkably good. There have been a number of large shade trees, also shrub and evergreens set out by some of the lot owners, all which lead to make it a spot of beauty. The fence has also been repaired and painted.


Fairview we were not allowed to do anything in this year (1930) as it is a state law that no money be spent in any town cemetery having less than ten occupied lots and this cemetery has but six. The money which was appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting for this cemetery is turned back into the Town Treasury and not used for work or material in any other cemetery.


Interments for 1930 as follows: Forefathers 7, Pine Ridge 4, Hart Pond 4, West 8, Riverside 12, Fairview 1, making a total of 26.


120


At this time we wish to thank the superintendents of our cemeteries for the interest they take and the effort put into their work to make our cemeteries as good in appearance and efficient as any of our surrounding towns, also the lot owners who come and take care of their lots or have the superintendent give them annual care, as all these lines of cooperation lead to make the cemeteries of Chelmsford places of beauty. We the Cemetery Commissioners see each year many improvements in all the cemeteries.


Respectfully submitted,


ARTHUR O. WHEELER, BAYARD C. DEAN, C. WESLEY LYONS,


Commissioners.


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FLAG POLE AT SO .- CHELMSFORD


The Committee elected at the Annual Town Meeting to investigate the question of a new flag pole to be erected at South Chelmsford. Recommend that a steel pole be purchased and that the sum of $500.00 be appropriated for that purpose.


SIDNEY E. DUPEE, WILBER E. LAPHAM, EMILE E. PAIGNON.


REPORT OF WAR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of Chelmsford, Massachusetts :


Your Committee appointed by the Moderator of the Annual Town Meeting held February 10, 1930, at which time under Article 15 of the Town Warrant it was voted to appoint a committee to recommend to the voters the manner of erecting a suitable Soldiers Monument for the Vet- erans of Chelmsford, hereby make the following report :


First-To Whom Dedicated


Your Committee voted to ask the citizens to erect a monument and dedicate it to the Citizens of Chelmsford who were engaged in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and the World War.


Second-Kind of Monument to be erected


It was unanimously voted by your Committee to recommend the erec- tion of a Memorial Flag Pole with a base constructed of granite, with bronze ornamentation and three bronze tablets, one for each of the above named Wars. The flag pole to be made of steel and so constructed that it can be raised and lowered at will or the so-called collapsible type, the foundation to be cement protected by a metal curb bar.


121


Third-Location


Your Committee recommend that the Memorial Flag Pole be erected at the easterly end of the Common in the Center of Chelmsford in the place of, and on the site of the present wooden flag pole.


Fourth-Summary


Your Committee being without funds were unable to cause any plans to be made from which they could arrive at the actual cost of the proposed Monument but being aided by a sketch hastily made for which no expense was involved they were able to determine that it would be necessary to raise and appropriate the sum of $5000 to properly carry out the intent of Article 15 in the Town Warrant of February 10, 1930.


Therefore your Committee recommend that the articles contained in the Warrant of the Annual Town Meeting of. 1930 be adopted.


Respectfully submitted, F. A. P. COBURN, GEORGE W. PETERSON, WILHELM T. JOHNSON.


REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE


To the Selectmen of the Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts :


Under the date of February 18, 1930, the Town Clerk of the Town of Chelmsford issued notices to George W. Peterson, Fred F. Wiggin, and Arthur Cooke, that at a recent meeting of the Board of Selectmen they had been appointed members of the Memorial Day Committee.


At the annual Town Meeting the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) was appropriated for the observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1930; this amount being an increase of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) over the appropriations of previous years.


Inasmuch as the Town of Chelmsford had been incorporated two hun- dred and seventy-five years and had throughout the history of the three hundred years since the incorporation of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts as a separate State, the citizens of Chelmsford had taken an honorable part in all the wars of this United States of America and had also been distinguished in their relationships with the Indians in this section of the Colony, your Committee considered it fitting that the celebration of Memorial Day be one of simple recognition of the part Chelmsford soldiers had taken to defend the rights and traditions of the citizenship of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


An effort was made not to depart from the customary befitting exer- cises that have become almost a tradition in themselves, but by adding a series of tableaux on the Common in the center of the Town to the memory of Chelmsford soldiers who have given so much to the Town and its citizens, would become more lasting in the minds of Chelmsford people both old and young.


122


In order to carry out our plans it was necessary to ask both individuals and organizations to give much time and effort to the successful conclusion of the exercises, which met with a hearty response and to each one who took part the Committee and we believe the townspeople are very grateful.


The expenses in some ways were larger than they would be under ordinary conditions and in some respects the cost was not as much as we had appropriated, the total expense amounting to Four Hundred and Eleven Dollars and Thirty-eight Cents ($411.38). The celebration of Memorial Day this year developed the necessity for an increased appropriation in the years to come even though there is but little change if any in the programme of past years, and we believe the citizens will gladly grant such a request. Signed GEORGE W. PETERSON, Chairman, FRED F. WIGGIN, ARTHUR COOKE,


Members of the Committee.


123


Report of Committee on Investigating Water Supply


To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford


Pursuant to Article 28 at the last Annual Town Meeting a com- mittee appointed consisting of R. W. Barris, J. C. Monahan, Emile Paignon, Harold Petterson, Harry L. Shedd and George Gagnon herewith submit their report.


Your Committee have made extensive investigations into the problems of supplying water to the other parts of the Town, such as East Chelmsford, West Chelmsford, South Chelmsford and Mill Road, in fact all parts of the Town not now supplied. Our finding in these places showed a very desired demand for some sort of a supply. It was very distinct that a careful study should be made of the present and the future for the best welfare of the Town and your Committee felt that in order to make their report complete, insofar as engineering experts were concerned, secured the services of Metcalf & Eddy, outstanding engineers in water supplies, they to make careful study of existing conditions, probable supplies, and estimate costs. Their report is published in the annual report and follows the report of this Committee. We sincerely wish the citizens will carefully read their findings.


INVESTIGATION OF THE SEVERAL DISTRICTS


Centre District. This district is fortunate in having a very fine supply for a great many years to come. It is in good financial standing, having been able to find revenue in its sales of water to meet all current expenses for the years of 1929 and 1930 without assessment of a water tax. There is still some question as the New England Fire Underwriters test on hydrants, but we understand that the District has requested this Board to make another test correcting any error, that is questioned in their previous test.


North District. Our findings are that this system is good, meeting all the requirements of the Underwriters in hydrant tests. The quality of the water is not as good as others. This water by analysis of the State Board of Health and of Metcalf & Eddy show that the supply is deteriorating and to be approaching the quality of water to be found in Newfield Pond. That the capacity of the wells has been reached and any greater demand on the supply will have to be undertaken elsewhere. Inasmuch as the water is not of the best quality the feeling among the majority of this district is, that they are willing to associate with what they possess.


124


East District. From information given this is the largest community in the State without a source of water supply. This district is approximately one square mile containing 185 homes, in places quite compact. The density of the families relying on their own wells has overtaxed their supply, per- haps to the extent of pollution. There are now at the present time several families relying on their neighbors. This district is fast developing, ap- proaching the Westlands district in its rapid growth. The supply at the East Grade School is far from satisfactory, both in quality and quantity. In 1920 the Town spent a large sum of money in a driven well which has proved unsatisfactory and shows there is no desirable supply. With a com- munity as thickly settled as East, with a mere fire protection, the citizens are justified in their demands for hydrant protection.


South District. Investigations here find the water in and around the Square of inferior quality. In 1927 considerable confusion was placed on the residents of this district by the Board of Health condemning several wells, resulting in a demand on the Town for a new public well. By analysis the water found in this new well was found passable, still not of good quality. There are at this time several families using this water for domestic purpose. There was a great demand here for hydrant service.


West District. This district like the others feels the periods of drought. A few of the residents obtain their supply from Brookside. There is a demand here for hydrant service.


Mill Road District. There seems to be a sufficient supply of water here, and the demand is mostly for hydrant service.


ADVISABILITY OF A MUNICIPAL SYSTEM AND RECOMMENDATIONS


Your Committee, not able to complete a full report, ask for further time, and that this report be accepted as a work of progress.


R. W. BARRIS GEORGE E. GAGNON J. C. MONAHAN HAROLD C. PETTERSON EMILE PAIGNON HARRY L. SHEDD


125


Engineer's Report


Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts Committee on Advisability of Installing Municipal Water Plant Chelmsford, Massachusetts


Gentlemen :


In accordance with your authorization of April 7, 1930, we have made an investigation of the water problems of the Town of Chelmsford, with special reference to the advisability of installing a municipal water plant, and present herewith our report, containing our findings and recommendations including the estimated cost of construction.


In preparing this report we have given consideration to the existing and available sources of water and to the distribution mains required to make this water available, together with an examination and study of storage facilities required. Our investigation has also included a study of existing reports, records of water consumption and driven well pumping tests. We have examined also the data on flow tests made by the New England Insur- ance Exchange and have made use of analyses made by the State Depart- ment of Health.


POPULATION


Future requirements for water supply are dependent, among other factors, upon the number of persons creating the demand. A forecast of future population is therefore essential to the determination of the future rate of demand. Table 1 shows the figures for the population of Chelmsford as determined by the several federal and state censuses since 1765, together with the rate of growth for each 5-year period after 1850.


126


TABLE 1. Population of Chelmsford from Federal and State Censuses


Increase in 5 Years


Year


Population


Number


Per Cent


1765


1,012


1776


1,341


1790


1,144


1800


1,290


1810


1,396


1820


1,535


1830


1,387


1840


1,697


1850


2,097


1855


2,140


43


2.1


1860


2,291


151


7.1


1865


2,291


0


0


1870


2,374


83


3.6


1875


2,372


2


0.8


1880


2,553


181


7.6


1885


2,304


249


9.8


1890


2,695


391


17.0


1895


3,162


467


17.3


1900


3,984


822


26.0


1905


4,254


270


6.8


1910


5,010


756


17.8


1915


5,182


172


3.4


1920


5,682


500


9.7


1925


6,573


891


15.7


Fig. 1 is a graphical representation of these figures and also shows a forecast of the future growth of the Town. As a guide to judgment certain other Massachusetts cities and towns, now somewhat larger than Chelmsford, have been selected and their population data plotted. The curves are drawn through a common point at 7300 population, the estimated present population of Chelmsford, so that the trend of growth of these cities and towns can be compared with the past growth of Chelmsford, both before and after they reached 7300, as an aid in determining future tendencies.


The growth of Chelmsford in the past corresponds to about the average rate of the other communities studied. Communities which lie adjacent to large cities enjoy a corresponding increase in population, and the percentage rate of growth may well exceed that of the city itself, due to a general movement of the population toward the suburbs where conditions are more favorable to residential development. The trend of growth of Chelmsford within the last ten years, would appear to indicate a somewhat slower rate of growth than that of Arlington, Norwood and West Springfield. The rapid growth of Arlington was doubtless due to the construction of the Cambridge subway from Boston, with the attendant advantages of rapid transit. Certain parts of Chelmsford, especially East Chelmsford and the Westlands district, have experienced a recent rapid growth due to the formation of a new residential district convenient to both Lowell and Chelmsford Center. Other parts of the Town have only slightly increased in population.


127


FIG. 1


1


LEGEND


14


NORWOOD


ARLINGTON


W. SPRINGFIELD


WOBURN


PALMER -


12


ATHOL


STONEHAM -X


NORWOOD


ARLINGTON


PALMER


10


POPULATION IN THOUSANDS


8


ATHOL


STONEHAM


X


6


CHELMSFORD


4


0


2


1905


1910


1920


1930


1940


1950


1960


0


CHELMSFORD , MASS.


GROWTH OF SEVERAL MASSACHUSETTS CITIES AND TOWNS AND ESTIMATED FUTURE POPULATION OF CHELMSFORD


MAY, 1930 METCALF E' EDDY ENGINEERS BOSTON, MASS.


128


WOBURY


>


-


W_SPRINGFIELD


ESTIMATED FUTURE CHELMSFORD


YEARS (APPLY ONLY TO


CHELMSFORD )


The curve shown in heavy dashes has been determined upon as the forecast of the future growth of Chelmsford.


Table 2 shows the predicted future population in tabular form as taken from the curve, together with the corresponding increase for each 5-year period.


TABLE 2-Forecast of Future Population of Chelmsford


Increase in 5 Years


Year


Population


Number


Per Cent


1930


7,300


700


10.6


1935


8,000


700


9:6


1940


8,800


800


10.0


1945


9,650


850


9.7


1950


10,500


850


8.8


1955


11,250


750


7.1


1960


12,000


750


6.7


WATER CONSUMPTION AND FUTURE DEMAND


The quantity of water required to supply the estimated future population can best be determined by the study of existing records of past requirements in Chelmsford. Such data are available in the North Chelmsford Fire District and in Chelmsford Center but not in other parts of the Town where water is obtained from individual private wells. It is necessary therefore that allowances for future water consumption be fixed largely by judgment.


Consumption in North Chelmsford Fire District. Table 3 indicates the average quantity of water pumped per day during the period from 1925 to 1929, inclusive. The records do not show the population served by this district, but it has been estimated as lying at present between 2,000 and 2,500 persons. The indicated 1929 average per capita consumption of water in the district would therefore vary between 31 and 39 g. p. d. (gallons per day ).


Consumption in Chelmsford Water District. Table 4 indicates the quantity of water pumped from 1914 to 1929, inclusive, in the Chelmsford Water District. The population of Chelmsford Center and Westlands served in 1929 was 2,140 persons with an indicated per capita consumption of 54.2 g. p. d. The average consumption for the last five years has been about 49 gal. per capita per day, representing a steady increase from 26.3 gal. in 1916.


TABLE 3. Quantity of Water Pumped in the North Chelmsford Fire District


Period


Total gal. per year


Average gal. per month


Average g.p.d.


June 1924 through May 1925


26,276,496


2,189,708


72,677


June 1925


May 1926


27,863,454


2,321,954


76,330


June 1926


May 1927


30,050,995


2,504,249


82,304


June 1927


6


May 1928


27,472,458


2,289,371


75,061


June 1928


66 May 1929


28,823,945


2,401,995


78,969


129


TABLE 4. Quantity of Water Pumped in Chemsford Water District


Total


Average


Average


Year


gal. per year


gal. per month


g.p.d.


1914


11,247,000


938,000


30,800


1915


9,708,000


808,000


26,600


1916


10,259,000


854,000


28,100


1917


12,450,000


1,037,000


34,100


1918


15,547,000


1,295,000


42,600


1919




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