Town annual report of Chelmsford 1944, Part 9

Author:
Publication date: 1944
Publisher: Town of Chelmsford
Number of Pages: 190


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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