USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1944 > Part 9
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.70
From damaged and replaced books account
3.05
1944
Paid:
Town Treasurer :
Library Fines
3 90.66
Sale of Town Histories
6.00
Damaged books, etc, account
3.05
Union National Bank:
Monthly charges
2.52
Rent for safety deposit box
6.00
109
REPORT OF TREASURER OF ADALIS LIBRARY
Receipts Expenditures
Paid: (Cont)
Librarian, Office Incidentals
$ 5.00
National Geographic Magazine
3.50
United States News
4.00
E. Belle Adams: Magazines
81.60
Charles E. Lauriat Co: Books
27.47
Chester E. Flavell : Cemetery care c/o George Fund
8.00
Russell Lumber Co
20.60
G. C. Prince Co: Type Ribbon
.75
$336.03
$259.15
Balance on December 31, 1944
76.88
$336.03
$336.03
Charles W. Henry, Treasurer Adams Library
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
Circulation for 1944
Fiction
8,815
Non-Fiction
2,772
Magazines
684
Total
12,271
Books sent to East Chelmsford
852
Books sent to South Chelmsford.
141
Books sent to West Chelmsford.
791
Books sent to Westlands
280
New borrowers.
167
New books purchased.
307
Books rebound
50
Books borrowed from Div. of Public Libraries
7
Paid to Treasurer:
For rines
$ 89.70
Sale of Chelmsford Histories. 6.00
Books lost.
1.75
Books damaged and destroyed.
1.30
Sale of paper
.70
Gifts of books received from the following
Rev. C. W. Henry
Mrs. Carl Swanson Mr. William Kittredge
Respectfully submitted
Ida A. Jefts Librarian
110
NORTH-CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
TREASURER'S REPORT
Receipts
Expendi tures
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1944 $ 72.39
Town Appropriation 1200.00
Books
419.61
Insurance
224.39
Janitor
65.00
Electricity
18.58
Fuel
28.69
Chester Flavell(labor)
11.63
Miscellaneous
18.00
Bank service charge
5.48
Balance on hand
1212.33
$ 1272.39
$ 1272.39
Respectfully submitted, Nellie L. Shawcross Treasurer
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Sessions 101
Circulation
10334
New books added 340
We received a gift of three books from Miss Augusta Fiske.
Respectfully submitted,
1
Bertha M. Whitworth, Librarian
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending Dec. 31, 1944.
Number of Seals Tested and Sealed 116 Number of Weights Tested and Sealed 142
Number of Capacity Measures Tested and Sealed 26
Number of Automatic Measuring Devices Sealed 60
Total 344 Respectfully submitted, John B. Emerson.
111
Librarian's salary $ 335.00
Assistant Librarian 85.95
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Again this year, the problem of this Department has been to maintain our roads and hold the foundations in the best possible condition, requiring a con- stant treatment with Bituminous materials, although not rationed in quantity but in type and delivery, due to shortage of labor and war needs.
The following streets were treated:
Name
Lin. Ft.
Nam e
Lin. Ft.
Westford St
7500
Harding St
700
Crosby Lane
600
Stedman St
6711
Bartlett St
3260
Subway Ave
1118
High St
3117
Subway Ave. Ext
292
Adams Ave
700
Clinton Ave
800
Summer St
200
Maple Ave
619
Grove St
880
Jensen St
800
Plum St
325
Glen Ave
1662
Perham St
680
B Street
400
Worthen St
870
C Street
400
Academy St
450
Evergreen St
1387
Bridge St
2200
Woodbine St
400
Fairview St
916
Juniper St
566
Fletcher St
1454
Seneca Ave
681
Turnpike Rd
2580
Sylvan Ave
1090
Swain Rd
3113
Wildwood St
620
Larkin St
139
Dalton Rd
1700
James St
633
Manahan St
1050
John St
400
Miland Ave
600
Washington St
1500
Linwood St
700
Holt St
650
School St
2700
Coolidge St
630
Naylor St
680
Gay St
1020
Cemetery Rd
200
Cottage Row
380
Stearns St
945
Wright St
777
Manning Rd
2600
Newfield St
250
Aspen St
600
Shaw St
541
Clancy St
580
Mansur St
316
Dunstan Rd
650
Lake St
550
Marshall St
1000
Locke Rd
5000
Mill Road
4380
Davis Rd
1710
Proctor Rd
3800
Church St
400
Garrison Rd
3000
Quigley Ave
761
Maple St
2206
Beech St
650
Parkerville Rd
2600
Richardson Rd
5280
Park Road
5100
50432
53337
103,769 Lin. Ft. or 19.7 Total Miles
Streets Graveled:
Harding Street Canal Street Pine Hill Road
Pond Street Jordan Road Crooked Spring Road
Oak Street
112
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Boston Road
1500
Groton Road
3900
Riverneck Road
8000
Concord Road
8200
North Road
1250
10750
12100
22850 Lin. Ft. or 4.3 Total Miles treated
Drainage and Culverts
Surface drainage was laid out and placed in the following locations:
Adams Street
88' - 10" CCS pipe 9' - 8" CCS Pipe
3 Catch basins built
Carleton Avenue
46' - 10" CCS Pipe
1 Catch Basin
Sprague Avenue
47' - 8'1 VC
Removed and replaced
Stedman Street
18' - 8''
VC
Removed and replaced
Dalton Road
12' - 8" V C
Dunstan Road
Catch basins leaching
Ideal Street Dalton Road
All Catch Basins were cleaned, spring and fall to insure proper drainage. Cutting of brush was done throughout the Town on curves and at street inter- sections in order to promote safety in travel and eliminate traffic hazards.
Equipment
Trucks
Miles
Gas
Oil
B-6558
6713
977
621
B-6559
7243
1698
61
B-6560
11293
1589
99克
B-6561
8772
1455
155
34021
5719 gals.
378 qts.
All other equipment
1393
Total
7112 gals
May I at this time extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen and members of the other departments my sincere thanks and appreciation for their cooperation during the year,
Respectfully submitted, Timothy F. O'Sullivan Superintendent of Streets.
113
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is a report of the Chelmsford Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1944:
Department Roster
Chief -- Ralph J. Hulslander
Patrolmen -- Winslow P. George; Allan H. Adams
Special Police -- Leo Boucher; Raymond Harmon; Basil Larkin; Lawrence Chute; Fritz Pearson; Kenneth Reid; *Edward Miner; * Allan Kidder
Special School Police -- John Wrigley; George Marinel; Charles Campbell; Percy Robinson; Harold King; Roger Welsh; Elmer Crowell; Leo A. Loiselle
Special Election Police -- George Small
Policewoman -- Christina N. Simpson
Special Police Highway Department -- Timothy O'Sullivan
Special Police North Chelmsford Fire District -- Morton B. Wright; John Andrews
*Men in Service
Crimes Against Person
Assault and Battery
3
Total . ... .. 3
Crimes Against Property
Larceny.
Using Motor Vehicle Without Authority
1
Total . 8
Crimes Against Public Order
Drunkenness.
26
Driving under the influence of liquor
13
Driving so as to endanger.
2
Delinquency.
2
Motor Vehicle Laws Violating. 8
Non-Support.
3
Safe keeping.
7
Straggler from U.S. Navy.
1
Unnatural Act
1
Total 63
Grand Total
74
Dispositions
Committed to Worcester State Hospital
7
Committed to House of Correction
3
Discharged-Not Guilty
3 Guilty-Filed 5
Guilty-Fined
26
Probation
13
Returned to U.S. Navy
1
Released.
11
Restitution
4
No disposition 1
Total ..... 74
114
7
Miscellaneous
Auto licenses suspended.
62 Accidents investigated 53
Ambulance Cruiser calls. 9
Compaints received and answered. 1318
Total mileage covered by Cruisers
48762 Miles
Again this year the Police department together with the Auxiliary Police sponsored halloween parties in the six sections of the Town. The highest of praise is due to the many organizations and individuals who cooperated with us in making these parties a great success, and I wish at this time to extend my sincere- st thanks to all who in any way helped with these parties.
I wish to express my deep appreciation for the cooperation shown me by my fellow-officers, Miss Christina Simpson, policewoman and the Board of Selectmen.
We have completed our first year of Civil Service in the Police Department and I trust the townspeople have found what a great benefit this is. We have received the greatest of consideration and courtesy from the general public in the past, and hope that we shall continue to do so in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted, Ralph J. Hulslander Chief of Police
REPORT OF POLICE WOMAN
To Chief of Police, Ralph J. Hulslander :
I hereby submit a report of my duties as policewoman for the year 1944.
Cases investigated at request of police. . 7 Lectures in regard to behavior 28 Cases investigated upon complaint to police -. 14
woman Assisting officers-taking women to Worcester. 2
Visits to homes regarding various police 12 cases
Consultations with Chief of Police 30
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Chief and members of the force for their cooperation and assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina N. Simpson, R.N. Policewoman
115
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
For 1944
The planning board has devoted part of the time of several meetings to a study of post-war work and improvements, particularly that of sidewalks in the thickly settled sections of the town, also the improvement of a few of the narrow parts, and the dangerous curves on some of the town roads, and in this connection one conference was held with the highway superintendent. The building of perman- ent sidewalks is a difficult problem when all of its angles are considered in a broad meaning, for example, which side of the street to use, who should pay for the construction, and the relation of the sidewalk to the street grade, as many of our streets haven't been surveyed to give them a permanent grade.
A number of questions involving the application of the zoning law have been fully considered, and one conference held with the building inspector.
The board has also devoted some time to a study of the problems of zoning which have developed from time to time in other towns and cities of the Common- wealth, especially those requiring court decisions.
Because of the very limited amount of new building, not as many questions in regard to the application of the zoning law have developed, so we have made use of this time to be better prepared for the post-war period, when great activity is expected.
We suggest that any residents contemplating post-war land development pro- jects should apply to the secretary of the planning board for a printed copy of the sub-division of land requirements. All land sub-divisions for laying out house lots and proposed streets are subject to approval by the planning board.
Howard D. Smith Chairman
Arnold C. Perham Secretary
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Chelmsford
The year of 1944 was practically a continuous fire season with the exception of February when only one call for fire was registered. Of the 150 calls sent in the rest of the year, it was necessary to call assistance only 6 times, which pro- ves that the Forest Truck with the new pump can control the greater number of fires with the minimum of help as indicated in my report of 1942.
In every instance when it was necessary to call for additional help, simult- aneous fires occured, which always creates a condition of confusion, which allows one or more fires to gain too much start to be handled by one or two men.
All through the summer dry season large fires occurred in adjacent towns, and the fact that Chelmsford was spared any major fires, is due in part, I am sure, to the excellent cooperation of the Citizens, by burning only when proper conditions exist.
In return for granting me an increase in salary at the last annual Town Meet- ing I have removed the charges formerly made for storage and maintenance of the apparatus and equipment.
Valuable assistance from both the Police and Fire Departments has been rend-
ered whenever needed. The Police radio is very useful as a time saver and I
116
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
pe that the Forest truck will be provided with its own radio in the near future.
Respectfully submitted, H. M Sturtevant Forest Warden
REPORT OF BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
› the Honorable Board of Selectmen
ne ims ford, Mass.
Your Board of Fire Engineers consider the following paragraphs as important s anything printed in this Report and we ask you to please read them carefully.
A study of our Fire Department, and comparison with others in towns of like ize, shows that our fire protection is inadequate. Changes in equipment and per- onnel are needed. They cannot be made all at once, but a start should be made nis year, and continued until complete. To consider the problem intelligently ertain basic facts must be understood. Briefly they are:
Geographical set-up --- 22.5 square miles to cover, divided into 5 villages. Each has its own signal system, men & truck to handle building fires. A separate unit, under the Forest Warden, handles brush fires for the whole town. It has no signal system other than the telephone.
Water Supply --- Adequate. Most but not all sections covered.
Personnel --- Inadequate. Only two permanent men. No 24 hour coverage. Can't control volunteers who average only 3824 a week.
Quarters --- Inadequate.and inefficient. Can't house men for 24 hour cover- age. Rapid depreciation of equipment such as hose because of improper dry- ing facilities. Rents paid are dead loss to town, almost $800.00 a year. No central control.
We recommend the following changes listed in the order of their importance:
1. Two new fire houses, one in the No. Village & one in the Center. ith these as a start come:
A. Centralization of all equipment in modern plants with facilities for proper care, plus housing of personnel, plus room for expansion.
B. A large enough force of permanent men to insure 24 hour coverage by trained men.
C. A centralized signal system with one phone to a central dispatcher (now 5) for all calls, plus more alarm boxes as time goes on.
2. Extension of water to all sections within reason.
3. Replacement of obsolete trucks and home made equipment on a gradual basis.
Capital expenditures for buildings & heavy equipment can be handled on a long term basis without causing undue hardship. We have no desire to increase tax rates.
Our present set-up will remain inefficient and inadequate unless you the property owners and voters of the town are willing to cooperate with us your
117
REPORT OF BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
appointed engineers. We welcome suggestions and constructive criticism, but off the thought that we three men, having made a lengthy study of our department, an having compared it with others, as a group are bound to have more intimate know- ledre of its needs than anyone else. That is what we are appointed for. We ac- cept the responsibility however only so long as you the property owners and vote back us up.
A central control and signal system, in proper quarters, with a small well trained permanent force of men to steer our loyal volunteers, and man the trucks 24 hrs. a day is the answer to proper fire protection in Chelmsford. It also is probably the only thing that will allow us to continue the low rates of fire insurance we now enjoy. Which is better --- higher insurance rates with the pro- tection we now have, or the same or lower rates and a little higher tax but much better protection? The final cost is the same. It is for you to decide.
We have had inserted in the warrant a request for a sum of money to pay for plans for new fire houses, from which we can secure estimates to submit to you at a later date. This request should be granted.
******
We have the pleasure of submitting herewith the report of the Board of Fire Engineers for the year 1944
The Board was organized as follows :
John W. Dixon. Chief
Edward Hoyt ... Ass't Chief and clerk
Theo dore W. Reed. Ass't chief
The Board appointed the following District Chiefs
District No. 1 Wilhelm T. Johnson
District No. 2
Joseph D. Ryan
District No. 3
Walter Edwards
District No. 4
Henry G. Quinn
District No. 5 Sidney Dupee (Acting Chief)
The call for additional manpower for the armed services still continues to make itself felt in the department there being at the present time fourteen mem- bers of the Chelmsford Fire Department in the service of their country.
We regret having to record this year the deaths of two members of the depar ment, Silas Gauthier of the North Company and Eugene Crockett of the East Compan; These men have served the Town faithfully and our sympathy is extended to their families at this time.
The past year saw the Town once again being visited by a hurricane. The response of the men and auxiliary firemen to the emergency is to be commended, all of whom responded and remained on duty until morning without compensation. The alarm system was damaged considerably by falling trees and branches necessi- tating the replacing of many of the alarm wires both in North and Center.
The department has responded to a total of 61 alarms during the year which are classified as follows :- Building fires -- 25; Chimney fires -- 12; False alarm -- 6; Oil burners -- 5; Dumpfires -- 4; Brush fires -- 3 Automobile -- 3; Electric lig wires -- 1; Accidental death -- l; Drowning -- 1
118
REPORT OF BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
he response to these alarms by districts was as follows
District No 1 (Center) 36 District No 2 (North) 17 District No 4 (East). 5 District No 3 (West) 4 District No 5 (South) · 3
Included in the response to alarms by districts are four calls for aid to ther districts as follows : District No two -- 2; District No One -- 1 District o Four -- 1
We extend at this time our appreciation to the Police Department and all thers who have assisted the department in the performance of its duties.
Respectfully submitted
John W. Dixon Edward Hoyt . Theodore W. Reed
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
'o the Board of Selectmen
ientlemen :
The Cemetery Commissioners wish to submit the following report for the year nding December 31, 1944:
The cemeteries have been kept up to their usual par in spite of an unusually Iry season. No attempts were made at large improvements in any one cemetery, due mainly to the ever-increasing man power shortage.
This coming year, it is our intention to have trees set out in some of the Cemeteries to replace those lost in the hurricane and others where there is not iny shade.
We wish to thank the Superintendents for a job well done and also thank the lot owners for their interest.
Respectfully submitted,
Bayard C. Dean William Bellwood Arthur W. House
Cemetery Commissioner s
119
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The work of this department during the past year has progressed as usual under orders of the Division of Livestock Disease control of the State Depart- ment of Agriculture.
No reactors to the tuberculin tests of cattle have been reported.
4 head of cattle have been shipped into town from without the state and 3 of them were quarantined for Bangs disease as they were not accompanied by the necessary test napers. They were later released after satisfactory tests were completed.
Owners of cattle not under supervision for tuberculosis eradication are re- quested to notify the Animal Inspector.
There are 2 Cattle diseases which are of great importance and are the out- standing cause of losses in dairy production today; Bangs disease, and Mastitis. Government officials report that our milk production would be increased more than 20% if herds were free from Bangs disease. Mastitis is so serious that the Gov- ernment reports that it causes a loss of nearly 20 million dollars a year and that milk production could be stepped up at least 25% if Mastitis were eliminated. Cattle owners are advised to eliminate all animals affected with Bangs disease and see that all replacements are from healthy herds, free from the disease.
Good results are now being obtained by vaccinating animals from four to eight months of age in both clean and infected herds. Mastitis is an even more baffling disease to cope with than Bangs disease. This disease results in re- duced milk flow, often ruining the udders so that the cow. is of no further use. When affected cows have been located, they should be placed at the end of the milking line and milked last, so there will be no danger of the milker spreading the disease to other cows. It is recommended that a strip cup be used and if a cow shows abnormal milk, Mastitis should be suspected. Do not permit wet hand milking. Plenty of bedding should be used in order to avoid udder injuries and chilling in cold weather.
40 Dog bite cases have been investigated and 28 Dogs were placed in quar- antine for observation, later released as being free from rabies. All owners of dogs which have bitten humans are requested not to kill them until they have been seen and inspected by your Animal Inspector and he has advised as to the proper procedure.
I respectfully submit this my thirtieth annual report.
Arnold C. Perham, Inspector
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
NUMBER OF ANIMALS INSPECTED - 1944
Cattle
Veal
Hogs
Sheep
Goats
500
935
1802
400
62
5 Hogs and 8 Veal -Condemmed
Patrick H. Haley Inspector of Slaughtering
120
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To The Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
The Board of Health organized for the year with Raymond H. Greenwood as chair man, Harry L. Shedd, Jr. as secretary and B. Murtaugh Borrows as third member.
The appointments of the various Inspectors namely: Milk, Meat, Plumbing and Agent of the Board remain the same. They have performed their duties faithfully and the townspeople are fortunate in having these men serve their interests.
Miss Christina N. Simpson, R.N. who also serves as School Nurse as well as Agent of this board has worked diligently in the interests of the children of our schools. Despite the tremendous amount of work involved in taking care of eight schools the general health of all the children is nothing short of excellent .. She is to be commended for her untiring efforts in their behalf.
The usual routine business of the department was handled throughout the year We lived within the appropriation of our budget. We have been extremely fortunate in not having more than a few patients confined to the State Sanatorium at Walth- am thereby effecting a saving in our aid account.
The Board has been considering for some time the adoption of an article under which all slaughter houses within the confines of the town shall have their lic- ense fees raised, and upon each head of cattle to be slaughtered a certain tax fee shall be levied. This is a move by the State Department of Public Health and all cities and tovms are being urged to accept it. This will come before the voters at the annual meeting for consideration. The members of the Board urge its pass- age.
In conjunction with the above matter is an increase in salary for the Meat Inspector. An increase in license fees for the conduction of a slaughtering bus- iness will enable the Board to grant an increase in the Inspector's salary, who at the present time is underpaid considering the number of working hours he de- votes to this position. By the same measure the town will benefit financially by the adoption of this article.
The Board is also presenting at the annual meeting an article calling for an appropriation of money for the collection of garbage. At this writing bids are being received and an amount will be asked for to take care of this important mea- sure. The matter of garbage disposal in this town is serious and merits the pass- age of this article by the voters.
The Board of Health is at your service at all times and cordially invites you to attend our meetings which are open to the public.
Respectfully submitted
Raymond H. Greenwood B. Murtaugh Borrows Harry L. Shedd Jr.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE AND BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT
To the Board of Health Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Following are the diagnosed contagious diseases reported for the year 1944 Diptheria 2
Scarlet Fever 7
121
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE AND BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT
Epidemic Cerebro Spinal Meningitis .. 1 T.B. (pulmonary) 1 l'umps. 3 Dog Bite 14 Measles 57 Chi cken-pox. 20
It is advisable to have the Dr. if a person suspects he or she has a commun- icable disease.
Children absent from school five days or more must have a certificate of health from one of the school physicians. Since the war began we have had an increased mixed group of communicable diseases. Fortunately no serious epidemics resulted but many more investigations had to be made. Cooperation of the parents is asked in matters of quarantine and isolation.
In May 1944 a Diptheria immunization clinic was held. At the present time 750 children have been immunized at our clinics since May 1959. Parents are urg- ed to take this necessary precaution. They may have it done by their private phy sician also. Can you afford not to have your child immunized if an epidemic of Diptheria should strike?
It would be advisable to have a dental clinic provided the town would appro- priate a sum for this purpose. It is most important to keep one's teeth in good condition by visiting the dentist often.
All pupils have been given a physical examination by the school physicians, Dr. Arthur G. Scoboria and Dr. J. Edmund Boucher. Those students participating in football and basketball were given rigid examinations.
I conducted a Red Cross Home Nursing Course at West Chelmsford this year for parents. Number receiving Certificates -- 19
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