Town annual report of Chelmsford 1937, Part 6

Author:
Publication date: 1937
Publisher: Town of Chelmsford
Number of Pages: 202


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1937 > Part 6


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3


Attempt to Rape 2


6


CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY


Breaking and Entering and Larceny 2


Larceny


3


Larceny of Auto


2


Using Car Without Authority 1


8


CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER


Accosting Opposite Sex


1


Escape


3


Arrest on Capias


3


Arrest on Warrant 7


Drunkenness


22


92


Vagrant


1


Driving So as to Endanger


2


Lewdness


1


Driving under Influence


7


Motor Violations 256


Non Support


3


306


PERSONS ARRESTED DISPOSITIONS


Committed to Concord Reformatory


2


Committed to Worcester State Hospital


3


Committed to Westboro State Hospital


2


Committed to House of Correction


?


Committed to Shirley School


2


Probation


3


Released


7


Fined


18


Not Guilty


4


Cases Filed


1


Cases Pending


0


44


MISCELLANEOUS


Accidents Investigated


68


Total Mileage Covered by Police


29,405 Miles


Total Gallons of Gasoline Used 2010


I wish at this time to thank the Selectmen and my Brother Officers for their co-operation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


ARTHUR COOKE,


Chief of Police.


93


REPORT OF POLICE WOMAN


Mr. Arthur Cooke, Chief of Police


Dear Sir :


I hereby submit a report of my duties as policewoman without re- numeration for the year ending December, 1937 :


Cases investigated by request of Police 10


Cases investigated by request of S. P. C. C. 6


Cases investigated on account of complaints to Policewoman 28


Clinic Cases 7


Mothers reporting stealing by daughters 2


Wives reporting trouble with husband 11


Husbands reporting trouble with wife 5


Girls warned against solicting auto rides 14


Stubborn girls given advice, warning, and taken home 7


Visits to homes in interest of women and children 21


Parents advised about neglected children 5


Stayed with attempted suicide at hospital overnight, assisted officers with patients, taking her to Worcester following day 1


Assisted officers with patient to Westboro 1


Assisted in accident cases-rendered first aid 2


I wish at this time to thank the department for its co-operation dur- ing the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


MAE S. LEWIS, R. N.


Policewoman.


94


REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF CEMETERIES IN CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS


1937


To the Board of Selectmen : Chelmsford, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen :


The Cemetery Commissioners wish to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1937 :


Forefathers' Cemetery: This Cemetery is in very good condition. The slates have been properly adjusted and perpetual care lots have been regraded and seeded. There have been ten burials.


Pine Ridge Cemetery : There have been twenty-one burials and six lots sold. General condition of the Cemetery in very good shape. New lots have been laid out, roads have been graveled, and are now in ex- cellent condition.


Hart Pond Cemetery : There have been seven burials. New lots have been laid out, some graded, and hope to have more in another year. The fence posts have been eaten by termites and if this keeps on they will have to be replaced by iron posts. The trees have been trimmed. Several perpetual care lots have been reseeded.


Riverside Cemetery : The shade trees have been trimmed and a general cleaning has been made. Special care has been given to the per- petual care lots.


Fairview Cemetery: The front of this cemetery has been resur- veyed and staked off, making an addition of thirty lots. The grass has been cut often and the usual good care been given it.


West Cemetery: A general cleaning has been performed through- out the cemetery and lot owners have taken great interest in keeping the new section in good condition.


The Cemetery Commissioners and Superintendents take great pride in the upkep of the cemeteries and would like to have lot owners visit them more often.


Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR O. WHEELER, BAYARD C. DEAN, ARTHUR W. HOUSE,


Cemetery Commissioners, Town of Chelmsford


95


REPORT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH CHELMSFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY


North Chelmsford, Mass. December 15, 1937.


The Board of Directors of the North Chelmsford Public Library, submit the following report for the year ending December 15, 1937.


The Library has been opened 150 sessions Circulation for the year was 12952. New books added 358.


The room which has been recently opened for the children's room, has made quite a change in the appearance of our Library and is great- ly appreciated by our patrons.


Respectfully submitted,


ARTHUR O. WHEELER,


NELLIE L. SHAWCROSS, BERTHA A. SWAIN.


NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION


TREASURER'S REPORT


December 15, 1937.


RECEIPTS


Balance on hand January 1, 1937


$ 23.04


Town appropriation


1,200.00


Librarian's fines


5.00


$ 1,228.04


EXPENDITURES


Librarian's salary


$ 300.00


Assistant librarian and janitor


115.92


Assistant


50.22


Books


500.16


Magazines


18.00


96


Binding Books


31.10


Fuel


97.00


Lighting


15.96


Supplies and miscellaneous expenses


59.47


$ 1,187.83


Balance in treasury


40,21


$ 1,228.01


BERTHA M. WHITWORTH,


Treasurer


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY


The Board organized with Albert H. Davis as chairman, with Miriam E. Warren as secretary succeeding Mrs. Luella H. S. Clark and Frederick A. P. Fiske as treasurer. Mrs. Ida A. Jefts was re-ap- pointed librarian and Mrs. Aldegonde Peterson as assistant librarian. Edith Alcorn was appointed as assistant in the children's department. The Board held its meeting at the usual intervals.


ALBERT H. DAVIS,


LOTTIE L. SNOW,


FRED W. PARK, FRANCES CLARK, MIRIAM E. WARREN,


FREDERICK A. P. FISKE.


REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ADAMS LIBRARY


Jaunary 1, 1937 to December 31, 1937


Balance from last year


73.14


Rents from George Memorial Hall


20.00


Fines


10.83


Amount withdrawn from Trust Funds


225.00


$ 328.97


97


EXPENDITURES


Janitor


$ 29.17


Magazines


56.85


Books


138.03


Rent of Safe Deposit Box


5.50


Town of C-d for fines and rentals


30.83


Miscellaneous


5.75


$ 266.13


$ 266.13


Balance on hand


$ 62.84


F. A. P. FISKE,


Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Adams Library.


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT OF ADAMS LIBRARY


Circulation for 1937 :


Magazines


914


Non-Fiction


3,241


Fiction


13,119


Total


17,274


Books sent to West Chelmsford


1,362


Magazines sent to West Chelmsford


14


Books sent to South Chelmsford


890


Magazines sent to South Chelmsford


17


Books sent to East Chelmsford


1,924


Magazines sent to East Chelmsford


7


New Borrowers


218


Books borrowed from Division of Public Libraries


45


State Reading Certificates


114


New Books Purchased


454


Received for fines $ 59.73


Received from transient borrower


4.00


Received for books destroyed


1.80


Desk Supplies


$ 53.70


Refunded transient borrower


1.00


Balance handed Treasurer


10.83


$ 65.53 $ 65.53


Respectfully submitted,


IDA A. JEFTS,


Librarian.


98


REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN


December 31, 1937


Board of Selectmen, Chelmsford, Mass.


Gentlemen :


The annual report of the Forest Warden is respectfully submitted herewith.


Besides the District Chiefs of the Fire Department, the following were appointed Deputy Forest Wardens :


Herbert M. Sturtevant


Walter H. Merrill


Fred W. Merrill


Fred L. Fletcher


Spencer W. Chamberlin


Adam C. Zabierek


Ernest C. Soulis, (resigned)


Mark Norton (to fill vacancy)


Robert Henderson


During the past year we were called to extinguish one hundred and twenty-eight (128) forest and grass fires.


About three hundred (300 acres of land were burned over; most of this was scrub and grass land of no merchantable value.


Two small building were burned by fires caused from sparks from incinerators.


Several fires were of incendiary origin; others were caused by abandoned camp fires and careless discarded cigarettes.


Several small children were apprehended for starting fires, but no court action was taken. It was deemed' advisable to allow their par- ents to administer punishment.


It was estimated that about fifteen hundred (1500) permits were issued by this department during 1937.


Next year (1938) it will be necessary to have a permit to burn rub- bish and debries in an incinerator. Each incinerator will be inspected by the Forest Warden before a permit is issued.


99


All equipment, both in the care of deputies and at our headquarters was carefully tested and necessary repairs made.


Fine assistance and co-operation were rendered to this town by State Fire Warden Stone during the past year.


In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation to the Police De- partment, Fire Department and my Deputies for the fine co-operation they have extended me during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


GILBERT H. PERHAM,


Forest Warden.


100


MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION


The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service for the town of Chelmsford, during 1937.


Very active interest has been taken by the farmers of the town dur- ing the year in the work of the Extension Service. Among the poultry- men, forty-three farm visits were made upon request. These had to do largely with poultry diseases and management.


A culling and vaccination demonstration was held at the McHugh Farm. General information on marketing and poultry management was sent to seventy-seven different poultrymen.


A soil testing clinic was held at the Emerson Farm at which time Professor Ralph Donaldson from the State College was present.


In the State 300 Bushel Potato Contest, Mr. A. M. Blackie had a measured yield of 334 bushels per acre.


Individual farmers were assisted on dairy farm accounts, milk mar- keting, and rotation pastures.


Meetings held for Chelmsford fruit growers included an exhibit of apple scab by Doctor Boyd of the Massachusetts State College, and two mouse control demonstrations by the Biological Survey.


A farm meeting on market garden pests was held in July at the A. M. Blackie farm.


Specialists from the State College visited Chelmsford farms to ad- vise on fruit growing, market garden problems, and storage construc- tion. Timely information on pest control of fruits and vegetables was sent to all Chelmsford farmers from the Extension Service office.


Two groups of homemakers were enrolled in the Food Buying pro- ject and the Coat project. Representatives from these groups parti- cipated in the planning meetings held in the late Fall on the Conserva- tion of the Home program. A large number of women received the monthly Mothers' Service letters.


4-H Club work for the year was carried on under the chairman- ship of Perley Kimball and the following committee members: Mrs. Edward Fox, Mrs. Albert Riney, Mrs. Edward Norton, Mrs. Ernest Ferron, Mrs. Joshua Machon, Harry Hilyard, and Ralph E. House. The boys and girls were quite evenly enrolled in the clubs with forty-six girls


101


and forty-nine boys participating in the clothing, food, home furnish- ing, craft, handicraft, garden and poultry clubs.


Ten clubs had most excellent exhibits at a program held in the Town Hall. At this time pins were awarded to club members who had com- pleted their projects.


Poultry club boys, members of Teddy Zaberick's club, put on a demonstration at the Boston Poultry Show in January.


Chelmsford clubs were well represented at the mid-year 4-H Rally held in Lowell.


Peter McHugh, Stewart Bickford, Stephen, George and James Giras, Robert Riley, Stanley Winters, Robert Whitton, Dorothy Stewart and Edward Parlee won prizes in the Middlesex North Agricultural Society Contest.


PERLEY KIMBALL.


102


INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS REPORT


Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit my twenty-third annual report of the work done by this department during the year 1937 under the direction of the Di- vision of Livestock Disease Control, State Department of Agriculture.


The annual inspection of cattle, sheep, and swine was ordered during the latter part of the year and is now completed and a detailed report has been sent to the above Department.


There are 191 stables, 9 less than last year, in which are kept 771 dairy cows, 162 young cattle and 24 bulls a total of 957 head which is 14 less than last year. There is a decrease of 25 dairy cows an increase of 10 young cattle and one bull.


There are also 26 sheep, 27 goats and 711 swine.


Cattle and swine are distributed in the various precincts as follows :


Precinct


1


2


3 25


4 75 14


5 116


6


Total


Cows


401


125


29 771


Young cattle


85


34


3


18


8


162


Swine


296


90


6


222


27


70


711


All cattle in town are regularly tested by State and Federal in- spectors. Three cows in two different stables reacted to the test for tuberculosis, they were slaughtered and the stables were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.


There were 78 cows and one bull shipped into town from outside the State upon 33 permits issued by the State authorities, all were identified by description and tag numbers and released upon proof of satisfactory test charts and certificates showing that they came from accredited herds free from tuberculosis and also free from Bangs disease during the year previous to entry into this State.


One rabid dog came into town from a border town and killed a dog and a pig and then savagely attacked a man, this man and one other received the Pasteur treatment.


Thirteen dogs were quarantined as possible contact cases with this dog, none of these dogs developed rabies with the possible exception of one which escaped and was never seen again.


103


Thirty-five dog bite cases were reported and the dogs were re- strained for a period of observation but as no rabies developed all were released.


The heads of three dogs were taken to Boston for examination and only one was a positive case of rabies.


Persons desiring to ship cattle into town from outside this state should procure a permit to accompany the shipment and upon arrival should notify the Inspector of Animals.


ARNOLD C. PERHAM,


Inspector of Animals.


104


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF CHELMSFORD


Year Ending December 31, 1937


Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford :


The following is a report of the work done by this Board during the past year, with comment as to the reports of the various departments of this Board, namely, the Agent of the Board of Health, Plumbing In- spector, Inspector of Milk and Inspector of Meat and Slaughtering.


We feel that these branches function most efficiently, and ask the earnest co-operation of every citizen, property owner and householder in maintaining the high standard of Health in this community which exists today and which is the result of the untiring service of the exe- cutives of these departments.


In reading the report of our Agent, Mrs. Mae Lewis, kindly note the fact that Chelmsford rates second among Massachusetts towns in Dental Work Survey for perfect teeth for the year 1936. This enviable record is due to the unceasing vigilence of Mrs. Lewis and the capable work of Dr. Bernard Ritter, school dentist for the town.


To the Parent-Teacher Association through whose generous finan- cial assistance much of the dental work is made possible, this Board is deeply grateful.


One other matter which calls for consideration by parents of pre- school age children is the matter of the free clinics conducted for the prevention of communicable diseases. It is the earnest desire of this Board that parents avail themselves of the services of this clinic. They are held each spring for immunization against diphtheria, the announce- ment of the time and place is made in the local newspapers a clinic is held for all schools and free transportation is provided for those de- siring it.


Due to the increase of communicable diseases, we particularly stress the importance of taking advantage of this service. Our appropriation for "Aid," which is applicable to those afflicted with communicable disease has been greatly exceeded by demands for assistance. This is a matter over which this Board has no control. However, it would seem that preventative measures would lessen these demands.


To our Health Physicians, Dr. Arthur G. Scroborie and Dr. George E. Carriel, who have served the citizens of this community most effi-


105


ciently and generously, we are deeply grateful. Their work among the school children and in the various clinics is invaluable.


Before closing our report, the Board wishes to call your attention to a few pertinent rules taken from the Regulations of the Board of Health, and urge that every individual take upon himself the responsi- bility of observing these regulations.


By so doing, much money, time and civic pride will be saved the taxpayers of Chelmsford.


We quote in part, as follows from the Regulations of the Board of Health :


"No person shalll allow any sink or waste water to be turned into or upon any street, lane, gutter or sidewalk of the Town. Brooks, open drains, sluiceways upon premises within certain defined limits in the Town shall be kept free from such obstructions as permit the accumula- tion of stagnant water.


"No person shall deposit any tin cans or rubbish of any discription in any place within the Town, other than in a public dumping ground, or on premises owned or occupied by him, without a permit from the Board of Health.


"No person shall suffer any waste or stagnant water which is likely to become a nuisance, or offensive or dangerous to public health or re- main in any cellar or on any lot of land owned by him.


"No person shall deposit the contents of any cesspool or privy vault upon the surface of the ground unless the same is plowed under or otherwise covered within twenty-four hours.


"No person shall remove the contents of any cesspool, privy vault or drain from any premises between certain dates if desired without a per- init from the Board of Health.


The Board is continuously being called for nuisance caused by im- proper sewage disposal. For the protection of our citizens and for the good of public health in our several communities the Board has adopted "Rules and regulations" for the proper disposal of house sewage. Per- mits are issued for installations of this nature and the Regulations may be obtained from the Town Accountant who is the clerk of the Board of Health. The authority vested in us is taken from Section 3 of the "Rules and Regulations for Plumbing," adopted by the Town and the Board of Health in the year 1930.


"Section 3, the last sentence reads as follows: If a sewer is not available, the sewage shall be discharged into cesspool or septic tank and


106


cesspool or subsurface distribution system, THE PLANS OF WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH BEFORE CONNECTIONS IS MADE."


Respectfully submitted, JAMES KIBERD, Jr., Chairman. RAYMOND GREENWOOD, GEORGE MCNULTY.


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT


Mr. James Kiberd Chairman of Board of Health


Dear Sir :


The following is a report for the year ending December, 1937 :


As always, your agent endeavors to give the best in Public Health service, which includes nursing advice for control of communicable diseases of school and pre-school children. We try very hard to en- force quarantine, but it is sometimes difficult to check disease when parents will not co-operate by having a doctor diagnose an illness. On the day after school opened, two children were found to be in the disquamation period of Scarlet Fever! When contagion is reported by the doctor every child in the school to which the patient belongs is examined once a week for several weeks.


As is the custom, free clinics were held in early spring for im- munization against Diphtheria. Parents must realize more than ever the need of such treatment, for only recently three deaths resulted from not taking advantage of the opportunity to escape this dread disease. Announcement of time and place of clinics is made in local newspapers, and in all the schools; free transportation is provided by buses.


With parents' permission immunization is carried out as follows :


Diphtheria toxoid is given to children over six months and under twelve years of age; the older ones receive toxin anti-toxin. The former group does not require the Schick test, nevertheless plans are being made to give it to every child in early spring to determine whether immunity prevails. In spite of the extra work entailed, we think it is worthwhile, for our aim is to OBLITERATE DIPHTHERIA. I cannot urge parents too strongly to help us protect their children's


107


health. In October, 1937, toxoid was given to 189 children; toxin anti- toxin, to 9; 7 were reimunized.


Dr. Martin, the County school clinic doctor, was here in October to give the tuberculin test to the high school students and to contact children whose parents are either confined to a sanitorium or home. Fifty-four calls were made by your agent to obtain parents' consent to have the test made.


The report is as follows :


Children Tuberculin Tested :


School population-High school 466


Children tested for first time 222


Children previously tested 44 266


% Tested 59.6


Children reacting to test :


New Group


96


Previously tested group 37


133


% Reacting 50.0


Children X-Rayed :


Children X-Rayed for first time 95


Re-X-Ray Group


11 106


Children recommended for Examination


16


Children Examined


15


Observation cases


10


Negative cases (discharge)


6 16


X-Ray is given in the McFarlin Gym, but your agent made several trips to Waltham with pupils who were absent. Several children mostly underweights who have been examined by the State in previous years, are carried over for further examination. The children are given exam- ination by a State doctor and are discharged with instructions in regards to rest and diet, providing they are up to standard.


Following is a list of contagious diseases reported by physicians :


Scarlet Fever


15


German Measles


0


Measles 3


8


Pulmonary Tuberculosis


Chicken Pox 3


Lobar Pneumonia 4


108


Mumps


6


Diphtheria 3


Whooping Cough 31


Dogbite 9


Home visits-nursing instruction 286


Sanitary visits


62


Investigations


84


Pre-natal instructions


18


Several trips were made by your agent to Middlesex Sanitorium, North Reading, Tewksbury, and G. U. Clinics.


For the eighth consecutive year Dr. Ritter has continued his ex- cellent service as school dentist; he is in some school every Wednes- day from 9 until 3 during the entire school year. It is with his help and contributions from various Parent-Teacher Associations that Chelmsford is second among Massachusetts towns with a record of 93% of its children having perfect teeth.


Following is a report of dental work :


Examined by dentist 1144


High School


104


Estimates of dental work sent home


941


Children not needing care


382


Pre-school examined


40


Teeth treated


386


Teeth filled-permanent


945


Teeth filled-temporary


604


Teeth extracted-permanent


35


Teeth extracted-temporary 408


Teeth cleaned


964


Your agent is at present taking a course in Public Health Nursing given by Prof. Brase. I take every opportunity to attend whatever evening lectures possible. Dr. Archibald, the State Health Officer and Miss Martin, State Consultant were here many times.


I wish sincerely to thank the Board of Health and all others for their fine co-operation throughout the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


MAE S. LEWIS, R. N. Agent.


109


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


To the Board of Health Chelmsford, Mass.


January 1, 1938


Gentlemen :


I submit the following report of animals slaughtered by licensed butchers and owners at their premises. From January 1, 1937 to January 1, 1938, have been inspected by me.


Cattle


507


Calves


445


Hogs


198


Sheep


2781


Goats


5


Of these were condemned :


Cattle


7


Calves


14


Hogs


5


Sheep


8


All inspections have been reported to the State authorities.


Respectfully submitted,


W. C. GALE,


Inspector of Slaughtering.


REPORT OF MEAT INSPECTOR


January 1, 1938


To the Board of Health,


Chelmsford, Mass.


Gentlemen :


I submit the following report on markets, butcher and fish carts.


I have found them in good condition, although I have condemned 300 lbs. of meat and 60 pounds of fowl that had to be destroyed.


W. C. GALE,


Inspector of Meats


110


ANNUAL REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR


Chelmsford, Mass., January 3, 1938


Board of Health


Chelmsford, Mass.


Gentlemen :


The following is a report of the plumbing work done for the year ending December 31, 1937.


Whole number of applications for Permits to do Plumbing


79


New Houses


26


Old Houses


53


Total 79


167


Tests


70


Total Visits 237


The following is a list of the various plumbing fixtures installed :


Water Closets


105


Lavatories


92


Bath Tubs


76


Wash Trays


52


Sinks 77


Range Boilers


30


Urinals


2


Soda Fountain


1


Bar Drainer


1


Tumbler Washer


1


Grease Trap


1


Total 438


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES N. MIDWOOD,


Plumbing Inspector.


111


Inspections


MILK INSPECTOR'S REPORT


December 31, 1937. Chelmsford, Mass.


To the Honorable Board of Health


Gentlemen :


I have the honor to present the report of the Milk Inspection Divi- sion for the year ending December 31, 1937.


Thirty-nine stores and twenty-six dealers were licensed to sell milk; three milk plants to pateurize milk; eight stores were registered to sell Oleomargarine.


Sxty-six dollars and fifty cents, received from license fees, were paid to the Town Treasurer.


There were four hundred eleven dairy farms listed by dealers as sources of supply. Five hundred two dairy farms were inspected, ninety one being reinspections.


The average daily consumption of milk was two thousand seven hundred sixty quarts ; seventeen quarts of buttermilk; eight quarts of skimmed milk; eighty-three quarts of cream.




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