USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1941 > Part 7
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We have rendered every assistance possible to the Forest Fire Warden, and have extinguished a number of grass and brush fires.
We are planning for and hope to have in operation some day a tower for the drying of hose which will add greatly to the life of the fire hose.
We regret having to record the resignation of Harry L. Shedd the Chair- man of the Board and Chief of the Department for many years.
During this time he has diligently and devotedly given his time and labor and due to his rare judgement and foresight has been responsible for the highly efficient condition of the Department at the present time.
His loss will be keenly felt by his associates and the Town officers as well as all the men of the Department and in his administration he has set up a standard that has brought credit to the Town and honor to himself.
We extend to our Police Department our hearty appreciation for their gererous assistance whenever it was required and to all others who have co-operated when needed.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry L. Shedd. Jchn W. Dixon. John M. Komp.
Board of Fire Engineers.
69
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
TO THE VOTERS OF CHELMSFORD, CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.
GREETINGS :
The Park Commissioners submit their report as follows:
This Board met early in 1941 and organized with Claude Harvey as Chairman, Walter Merrill as Secretary and John Reedy as its third member.
The' care of the Parks this year was divided up with John Reedy having the North, Claude Harvey the South, West and Westlands and Walter Merrill having the Center.
We have carried on the care and upkeep of the Public Parks much the same as in past years, the money appropriated for our department has been wholly used for that purpose.
We strongly recommend that this department be given a sufficient in- crease at the next Town Meeting to allow us to purchase stone curbing to inclose the oval plot at the junction of Main and School Streets in West Chelmsford and along the Westerly side of H.S.Perham Park at the Westlands.
At this time we wish to thank the townspeople and police for their help and cooperation with us in carrying on the work which was placed in our hands by vote of the town and hope that the work has been carried on according to their wishes.
Respectfully submitted, Claude A. Harvey, Chairman. Walter H. Morrill, Secretary. John J. Reedy.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Adams Library organized for 1941 with the following officers:
Chairman. .. Mr. Edward B. Russell.
Secretary .Miss Miriam E. Warren. Treasurer Rev. Charles W. Henry.
Mrs. Ida A. Jefts was reappointed librarian, Mrs. G.W.Peterson, assistant librarian and Miss Edith Alcorn assistant in the childrens room.
In August the Board suffered the loss by death of an esteemed member, Miss Lottie L. Snow who had served for seventeen years.Mrs. Frederic Snow has since been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Miss Edith Alcorn tendered her resignation in September, but the Board has been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Vivian Todd, a student at the Lowell Teachers College.
Among the gifts to the library during the year are two pictures donated by Miss Susan Emerson, one, the work of her brother, Arthur I. Emerson, well known photo- grapher and artist.
The appearance of the library has been improved by the painting of all exterior woodwork, the light over the main entrance, damaged by the hurricane, has been repaired and replaced.
Edward B. Russell. Rev. Charles W. Henry. Fred W. Park. Frances Clark. Mrs. Frederic Snow. Miriam E. Warren.
70
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
Circulation for 1941 14,412
Fiction .. 10203
Non Fiction 3447
Magazine 762
Books sent to East Chelmsford. 1,012
Books sent to South Chelmsford ... 335
Magazines sent to South Chelmsford. 6
Books sont to West Chelmsford. .1,013
Magazines sent to West Chelmsford. 33
New borrowers .. 131 5 Books borrowed from Div.of Public Libraries.
New books purchased
244
Books rebound. 131
Handed Treasurer for fines received. ·$79.13
Handed Treasurer for books lost and destroyed. 2.50
Handed Treasurer for one Chelmsford History. 5.00
Gift of Books from Rev. C.W.Henry, Miss Lottie Snow, Miss G.H. Shurtleff, Mr. William Kittredge.
Respectfully submitted,
Ida A. Jefts, Librarian.
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TREASURER.
In account with Trustees of Adams Library. 1941
Jan .1 .... Balance on hand. $60.70
Received from Library Fines (Dec. 1940-Nov. 1941). 78.54
Received from sale, History of Chelmsford. 5.00
Received from Garden Club. 20.00
Received from Chelmsford Historical Society. 4.00
Received for books destroyed .. 1.50
Received from Aaron George Fund, Cemetery care 30.10 Received from City Institution for Savings(Int.withdrawn )90.00 Received from Central Institution for Savings" 60.00 Received credit Periodical Apportionment .50
Total receipts.
$350.34
1941 Expenditures:
To Town Treasurer: Library fines. $.78.54
To Town Treasurer: History of Chelmsford. 5.90
To Town Treasurer: Books destroyed .. 1.50
To Mrs. Jefts, Librarian: Office incidentals. 5.00
To Charles E.Laurnt Co :Books. 148.17
To J.C.Schrwtz :Books. 9.85
To Encyclopedin Britannica year book. 10.00
To Chester Flavellscare Aaron George Lot. 24.10
To Sears Roebuck Co. those etc. 7.90
To Vivian Todd, Library Assistant(Nov-Dec). 4.38
Total expenditures. $294.44
Dec. 31. Balance on hand(Union Old Lowell National Bank) 55.90
$350.34
Charles W. Henry, Treasurer.
71
REPORT OF SOLDIERS' RELIEF AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is a report of money expended during the year 1941 for needy veterans and their dependants in the Town of Chelmsford, showing expenditures by months.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF
No, of cases
No. of Persons
Amount
January.
14
53
$ 448.00
February.
14
53
460.29
March.
17
63
562.27
April.
13
44
372.67
May
11
36
345.30
June
9
26
260.60
July.
9
26
235.50
August
9
22
241.75
September
9
19
217.68
October
10
23
251.00
November.
7
15
219.12
December
10
22
365.95
$3980.13
MILITARY AID
Amount expended
Reimbursement received during year 1941
January
$ 55.00
Comm. of Mass.
.$ 273.75
February
66.00
March.
100.00
April.
120.00
May
120.00
June
120.00
July
112.50
August
105.00
September
105.00
October.
105.00
November
105.00
December
105.00
$1218.50
STATE AID
Amount expended
January
$
February.
March
April
May.
June
1
1
July
August
I
1
September
October
20.00
November.
December
10,00
$ 30.00
1
1
I
1
Respectfully submitted, Leonard S. MacEtroy-Agent
m
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare:
It is with pleasure I submit the report of the Department of Pub- lic Welfare for the year 1941.
In addition I am offering the following table of comparisons in the three major categories of relief between 1941 and 1940:
WELFARE
No. of Families
No, Single Cases
1941
1940
1941
1940
January
28
39
18
18
February
24
51
14
20
March.
36
60
19
23
April
29
54
15
22
May.
21
54
15
29
June
13
61
14
26
July
14
58
16
25
August
10
59
16
22
September
10
42
16
18
October.
18
48
17
23
November.
16
31
17
19
December
19
26
16
16
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
No. of cases added from pre-
No. of cases closed during month
No. of cases receiving OAA during month
1941
1940
1941
1940
1941
1940
December, 1940
7
7
4
4
210
196
February
1
3
3
3
208
196
March
3
5
2
0
209
201
April
6
1
3
212
204
May
2
1
0
216
206
June
5
5
3
215
208
July
7
3
211
208
August
0
214
208
September
0
3
4
0
210
211
November
3
1
3
4
210
208
December
2
2
4
3
209
207
42
45
41
31
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
No. of cases added from
No. of cases closed during month
No. of cases receiving ADC during month
1941
1940
1941
1940
1941
1940
December, 1940
12
January , 1941
1
0
0
0
13
13
February
1
0
2
0
12
13
March
1
0
1
O
12
13
April
0
0
0
0
12
13
May
1
0
0
0
13
13
June
0
0
1
13
12
July
2
0
1
13
13
1
6
8
208
208
October
6
previous months
207
January, 1941
vious months
73
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
No. of cases added from previous months
No. of cases closed during month
No. of cases receiving ADC during month
1941
1940
1941
1940
1941
1940
August
O
O
0
O
13
13
September
1
0
O
O
14
13
October
O
O
O
O
14
13
November
1
1
O
0
15
14
December
0
0
1
2
14
12
The total cost of all aid for 1941 within the Department of Public Welfare was as follows: figures given do not include Federal Grants which were expended as received:
1941
1940
Balance un- expended 1941
Welfare, including other
$
$
$
cities and towns ..
15,621.27
27,468.93
78.73
Old Age Assistance.
39,080.26
36,292.73
119.74
Aid to Dependent Children
5.430.32
6,293.92
669.68
$60,131.85
$70,055.58
$868.15
Reimbursements received by the Town Treasurer during 1941 are given in comparison to those received in 1940:
1941
1940
Relief.
$ 11,267.98
$ 10,229.19
Old Age Assistance.
23,594.67
21,925.11
Aid to Dependent Children.
2,599.65
3,494.08
$ 37,462.30
$ 35,648.38
Outstanding accounts as of January 15, 1942 were as follows:
Welfare
OAA
Boston.
$ 55.83
Lawrence
$ 41.85
Malden ...
12.00
Mass. (Comm. of)
322.00
Revere.
26.00
Somerville.
190.00
Westford.
5.00
$375.85
$276.83
$ 652.68
A great change took place throughout the year 1941 which saw private industry absorbing nearly all employable men as a result of the national defense program, which was later followed by the outbreak of war in December, 1941.
As was to be expected, welfare cost dropped to a very low level which decrease should continue during 1942.
We must expect a large increase in Old Age Assistance for the coming year, due to legislation passed in 1941 by the State legis- lature, which becomes effective April 30, 1942. In brief it calls for an increase in payments to many of our recipients and also ex- empts all children from contributing to support, whose incomes fall below a certain standard set up by the State Department, depending upon the number of dependants the son or daughter may have.
I respectfully refer you to my report of last year, wherein I commented on the proposed change in the Old Age Assistance law,
74
ment be made. The vacancy will be filled as the result of the Election. The Board of Health feels that the town has lost a valuable man in the resignation of Mr. Knapp. He assumed his duties as a member of this department with the spec- ifio intent of safeguarding the health of every man, woman and child within the confines of the town, and to this end he did his job extremely well. At this time, we wish Mr Knapp every success and good health in his new field of endeavor.
Early in the month of May a group of citizens from the Westlands section of the town, appeared before us in a special meeting, armed with complaints relative to the Westlands Dump. As a result of this meeting the Board decided to close the dump and to re-locate it elsewhere. This action was no sooner put into effect, when a hue and cry went up from a large number of residents residing in other parts of this section, as well as in the Centre. This necessitated further action by the Board and after conferences with various departments, it was decided that the dump would be enclosed with a high fence of wire, a single entrance made available and an increase in wages to the caretaker, with new duties levied upon him as to the keeping of the dump in a more sanitary condition, We feel at this time that the situation has greatly improved over its former state, and we shall welcome any further complaints, should it lapse to its previous condition.
The North Chelmsford dump which was put into a suitable condition two years ago is not being used for the purpose intended due to the fact that it is located too far away from the thickly settled districts. Instead, rubbish and waste are being strewn along the streets, vacant parcels of land, and most anywhere that is convenient for those who are committing this act. All this is brought to your attention again because it is a serious problem. Y.ur Board of Health endeavor ed to correct this situation at the annual meeting of the townspeople held last March, but met with defeat at the hands of the Finance Commission and a few others. But this problem still exists and sooner or later this town will shoulder the ex- pense of collection of rubbish etc. This money will be well and wisely spent and aside from the fact that a service will be rendered to the taxpayers, an un- sightly and unhealthful menace will have been corrected. We feel that this matter cannot be taken care of in any other way. We could paper the walls of the lower town hall with written complaints of people asking what they are going to do with their garbage and rubbish. We should refer them to those people who know all the answers, but have yet to come forward with any sensible solution. We are open to suggestions.
The department handles its finances well during the year. We were forced to ask for an additional few hundred dollars for dump care. The number of cases in the various state sanatoriums have been greatly reduced, thereby effecting a large saving in our aid account. We received the usual amounts of money from the grant- ing of licenses, etc.
The Board has been called on numberless times during the year on complaints, . etc. and we feel that we have settled differences and difficulties to everyones satisfaction where concerned.
We would call your attention to the report of our agent on further matters pertaining to this department.
During the course of the year, we were informed by an act of the State Leg- islature, the Office of Inspector of Plumbing would be placed under Civil Service. The Board of Health insisted that any applicant for this position must have his domicile within the confines of the town. Heretofore this office has been filled by an out of town resident.
We have held several conferences with state and County officials, pertaining to matters of Public Health in this town, and we again extend an invitation to any resident to attend our meetings, or to offer suggestions whereby we may serve you
77
better as members of your Board of Health.
To those officials of other departments for their co-operation with us dur- ing the year, we extend our thanks.
Respectfully submitted, Raymond H. Greenwood Donald C. Knapp Edmund J. Welch Chelmsford Board of Health
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT AND SCHOOL NURSE
Mr Raymond Greenwood, Chairman
Board of Health, Chelmsford, Mass.
Deer Sir s:
Following are the diagnosed contagious diseases reported for the year 19h1. (A case is not recognized as being diagnosed unless seen by a physician.)
Chicken Pox 10
Measles
6
Mumps
4
Paratyphoid B. Case 1
Typhus Fever 1
Scarlet Fever
1
Pulmonary T.B.
1
Pneumonia, Lobar
4
Dog Bite.
18
Whooping Cough 6
At this time I would like to refer the parents to the laws relating to Pub- lic Health. "A householder who knows or has cause to believe that a person in his family or house, is infected with a disease dangerous to the public health, should give notice thereof to the board of health of the town where such householde dwells, unless a physician is in attendance. This is necessary in order to pre- vent the spread of communicable diseases, and cooperation in this matter is re- quested. Every sick child should be thought of as suffering from a communicable disease until it is proved otherwise. The parents should not permit their child- ren, if sick, to attend school and play with others until it is certain there is no danger of spreading a disease.
Children who have been absent five days or more must have a certificate from the school physician.
In May, 1941 diphtheria immunization clinics were held at the Center Town Hall with the school physicians Dr. Arthur G. Scoboria and Dr. George E. Carriel in charge.
The number of pre-school children immunized ...... 24 The number of school children immunized ..... .. 88
I hope that parents will plan to have their children immunized against diphtheria if they have not already done so. Latest statistics show that one of every seven children under five years of age taken sick with Diphtheria dies.
A dental clinic has been held at some school on each Wednesday of the school year, until May 31, 1941 when Dr. Charles Farrington resigned his position as school dentist.
78
All pupils have been given a physical examination by the school physicians, Dr. Arthur G. Scoboria and Dr. J. E. Boucher. The boys in the football team and the boys and girls joining the basketball teams were given rigid examinations.
A Meeting of a temporary health council was held in the lower town hall in regards to the continuing of Well Child Conferences in the town. Dr. Robert Archibald and Miss Gertrude Martin from the state department were present at this meeting. It was decided, however, not to continue them for the present.
The report of the school tuberculosis clinic is as follows: Number of children recommended for follow up in 19/1 ... 15
Number of children under care of private physician. 4 Number of children discharged from clinic. 4 Number of children taken to Waltham for examination 7 Report of Adult Clinic:
Number of homes visited. 45
Number of patients taken to Waltham 15
Following is a report of school activities:
Number of visits to classrooms 522
Personal Hygiene and Health Talks .160
Sanitary Inspections in schools 94
Consultations with parents 460
Consultations with pupils. 380
Pupils sent or taken to physicians
Transportation to hospitals. .325
First Aid Treatments. 584 Absentees at home visited or contacted. 504
Excluded from school as suspicious cases of commm- icable diseases including ringworm, pediculosis and others.
150 Pupils taken home because of illness 75
The Report of Union Church Fund:
Receipts. Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1941 $14.78
Balance on hand Nov. 1, 1941. 14.67
Total Receipts $29.45
Expenditures
Food. 8.00
Clothing .. 2.00
Dental Work 4.50
Total Expenditures $14.50
Balance or hand, Dec. 31, 1941 14.95
Total $29.45
I would like to thank the Garden Club, Commmity Reading Circle for their contribution of toys and the various P.T.A. organizations for their loyal support. I should like to thank those persons who have donated used clothing from time to time. If there are any people who would be able to volunteer their services in transporting cases to Waltham, clinics etc. or could give some time to typing health material, I feel it would be of great value to the tom. The national emergency has made this even more apparent than before.
In closing I wish to thank the members of the Board of Health for their assistance. I also wish to thank the various officials of the other departments with whom I have come in contact for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina N. Simpson, R.N.
School Nurse and
Agent of the Board of Health
79
ANNUAL REPORT
Milk Inspection Division
To the Honorable Board of Health Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present the report of the Milk Inspection Division for the year ending December 31, 1941.
624 samples of milk were examined for Total Solids and Fats; 581 for Bacter- ial content; 564 for Sediment; 486 by the Phosphatase Test. The average Total Solids for Milk-Pasteurized was 12.87%; Fat 3.96%; Grade A Pasteurized, Total Sol- ids 15.45%; Fat 4.27%; Milk-Raw, Total Solids 12.66%; Fat 3.86%. The median bac- terial average was 7000 colonies per cubic centimeter. 93.62% of the Phosphatase tests were negative, 6.38% were positive. Of the Sediments examined, 81.09% were good; 12.34% were fair; 6.57% were unsatisfactory.
166 samples of cream were examined. The average percent fat was, Light Cream 21.33%; Heavy Cream 37.68%. The median bacterial average was 20,000 colonies per cubic centimeter. 151 samples were negative, 15 were positive when tested by the Phosphatase Test.
There were approximately 2338 quarts of milk; 170 quarts of cream; 20 Quarts of skimmed milk; 20 quarts of buttermilk consumed daily. 85.75% of the milk we.s sold as pasteurized; 14.25% as raw; 22.49% at wholesale; 77.51% at retail; 21.0Lg. as wholesale pasteurized; 1.45% as wholesale raw; 64.71% retail pasteurized; 12.80% retail raw; 1.24% Grade A Pasteurized.
342 Dairy Farms were listed as supplying the Town with milk. 326 were ins- pected and scored; 16 were not approved on the first visit, one was excluded. 678 Samples of milk from Producers were examined for total solids, fat, bacterial content, and sediment, prior to pasteurization. 160 milk plant inspections were made.
32 wagon licenses were issued to milk Dealers. 8 stores were registered to sell Oleomargarine, and 39 licensed to sell milk. 3 Milk Plants were licensed to Pasteurize milk.
Sixty nine dollars and fifty cents, received from license fees, were paid to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, Melvin F. Master Inspector of Milk
ANNUAL REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Chelmsford, Mass. Dec. 30, 1941
Board of Health Chelmsford, Ma.38.
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of the plumbing work done for the year ending December 22, 1941.
80
Whole number of applications for permits to do plumbing ... 143 New House8 57
Old Houses 86
Total
Inspections 334
Tests 135
Total 769
The following is a list of the various plumbing fixtures installed: Water Closets
Lavatories
Bath Tubs 163
.109 Wash Trays 66
Sinks .. 139
Range Boilers
29
Shower Baths
6
Glass Washers
3
Floor Dreina 7
Dish Washers
· 1
Rain Leaders
2
Bath Traps
1
Defective Drains Repaired.
2
Drinking Fountains
4
Grease Traps
3
Scoop Vats.
2
Bar Drainer. 1
Washing Machines 3
Refrigerator.
1
Slop Sinks.
2
Treps Replaced
7
Total
737
Respectfully submitted Charles N. Midwood
Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Jan. 1, 1942
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 1941.
Cattle. 51
Calves
106
Hogs.
4,66
Sheep
27
Of these were condemned :
Cattle
1
Calves
4
Hog8
13
176
Urinals 10
81
All inspections have been reported to the state authorities.
Respectfully submitted W. C. Gale Inspector of Slaughtering
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MARKETS
Jan. 1, 1942
To the Board of Health Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen:
During the year 1941 I have called on markets, butcher and fish carts and found them in Ajil Condition although a few pounds of meat had to be destroyed.
Respectfully submitted, W. C. Gale Inspector of Markets
*******
MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTE'ISJON SERVICE REPORT
The following is a report of some of the activities of the Middlesex County Extension Service in the town of Chelmsford during the year 1941:
Dairy farmers within the town were assisted during the year with pasture im- provement, liming and reseeding meetings, better methods for growing legumes and with general milk marketing problems.Andrew Boumil, Theodore Emerson and Edwin Warren are members of the County Herd Improvement Association. Many of the local fruit growers participated in the twilight meetings held at various farms through out the county. Through farm visits and with correspondence, farmers were helped with their general orchard problems.A pruning demonstration was held at the farm of Fred Russell.Mr. Russell has also been very prominent among the beekeepers of the county and has done some excellent work toward developing pollen and nectar producing plants.
Ninety-six boys and girls were enrolled in club work during the year.Mr. and Mrs. Percy Beardsley headed up the club work for the town along with the follow- ing leaders : Miss Barbara Noon, Miss Pearl Koulas, Mrs. William Pontefract, Mrs. Henry Pratt, Miss Julia Koulas, Mr. Kenneth Reid, "r. T.W. Emerson, Mr.W.G. Hamon, Mr. V. John Rikkola, Mr. Robert Riley. In the spring a fine exhibit was held and a program given at the Town Hall and in the fall another exhibit was put on at the Grange Fair. Pearl Koulas was awarded fourth prize in the garden contest conducted by the Middlesex North Agricultural Society. Others receiving prizes were Robert Riley, Marjorie Riley and William Helleur.
Chelmsford took an active part in financing the establishment of the 4-H camp at Ashby.
A.F .MacDougall Director.
82
REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Herewith is submitted the Annual Report of the Town Accountant in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 624, Section 7 of the Revised Laws.
All transfers made and shown in this report were authorized by vote of the Finance Committee or by vote in Town Meeting.
RECEIPTS
General Revenue TAXES
CURRENT YEAR:
Pol
$4,498.00
Personal Estate.
20,417.68
Real Estate
165,501.80
$190,417.48
PREVIOUS YEARS :
Poll.
$ 410.00
Personal Estate.
2,341.20
Real Estate.
57,822.14
$ 60,573.34
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX:
Motor Excise Tax, 1941
$22,372.29
Motor Excise Tax, Previous Years
531.00
$ 22,903.29
TAX TITLE REDEMPTION:
Tax Title Redemption
$ 2,478.04
Tax Possessions
85.00
FROM THE STATE:
Veterans' Exemption
$ 18.56
Income Tax 1941.
29,877.91
Corporation Tax, Business.
19,584.18
Corporation Tax, Gas, Electric, and Water
2,362. 04
Total from State
$ 51,842.69
GRANTS AND GIFTS
FROM COUNTY:
Dog Licenses.
1,095.99
Chapter 90, Highway Maintenance. 3,563.31
Chapter 90, Highway Construction.
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