USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1945 > Part 6
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37
Accidents Investigated.
58
Ambulance Cruiser calls. 16
Complaints received and answered. 1335
Total mileage covered by cruisers .44,217 miles
65
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Again, as in the past few years, a series of very successful Halloween parties were held in the six sections of town for the children. These were in charge of the following organizations, which deserve the highest praise for work well done. They were assisted by the Auxiliary Police:
North Chelmsford Legion Women's Auxiliary; Chelmsford Center P.T.A. ; Westlands P.T.A .; East Chelmsford P.T.A .; West Chelmsford P.T.A. ; and South Chelmsford P.T.A.
I wish at this time to also express my appreciation to Mr. Timothy Ducharme and Mr. Roberts for donating the apples for the parties; also to all who made donations or in any way helped to make the parties such outstanding affairs. Each year many improvements are made in handling these parties and now they are well organized and are good examples of fine team work and are greatly beneficial to the Police department in controlling vandalism at this particular time of year
I trust that we may be able to continue this practice in the future.
I wish to thank my entire roster for their cooperation during the year and also the Board of Selectmen for their fine support.
Respectfully submitted, Ralph J. Hulslander Chief of Police
REPORT OF POLICEWOMAN
Mr. Ralph Hulslander, Chief of Police
Dear Sir : I hereby submit a report of my duties as policewoman for 1945.
Cases investigated at request of police 16
Lectures in regard to behavior 25
Cases investigated upon complaint to policewoman. 20
Assisted Officer taking patients to Worcester 2
Assisted officer investigating case at hospital. 1
Visits to homes in regard to various polioe cases 30
Consultation with Chief of Police 35
I wish to thank Chief Hulslander and members of the police force for their cooperation and assistance during the year 1945.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina N. Simpson, R.N. Policewoman
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :- CHELMSFORD, MASS.
We have the pleasure or submitting herewith the report of the Board of
66
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Fire Engineers for the year 1945.
The Board was organized as follows :
John W. Dixon, Chief Edward Hoyt, Assistant Chief and Clerk Theodore W. Reed, Assistant Chief
The Board reappointed the following District Chiefs:
District No. 1 (Center) -- Wilhelm T. Johnson
District No. 2 (North) Joseph D. Ryan
District No. 3 (West) -- Walter Edwards
District No. 4 (East) -- Henry G. Quinn
District No. 5 (South) -- Sidney Dupee (Acting Chief)
The roster of the Department has been strengthened by the return of sev- eral veterans from the armed services and the men of the Department and the Board welcome these men home again with their sincere thanks for a job well done.
The purchase of new equipment is still a problem. The return to pre- war production of fire equipment has not been as rapid as was hoped for, however, a new alarm box was purchased and installed near the Highland Avenue School in the North District.
The Department responded to a total of sixty-one alarms during the year classified as follows :
-
Building Fires 21 Automobile Fires- 24
Chimney- 9
Oil Burners- 6
Brush Fires- 5
Calls for inhalator- 3
Lumber- 1
False alarms -- 1
Aid to Billerica- 1
The response to these alarms by Districts was as follows :-
Distriot No. 1 (Center ) -- 32
Distriot No. 2 (North) -21
District No. 3 (West) . 1 District No. 4 (East) --- 8 District No. 5 (South) ---- 2
From the records of the Department the total insurance carried on build- ings and contents sustaining fire damage was $ 42,150.00 and the total amount of insurance paid on buildings and contents was $ 16,855.47
We regret having to announce the resignation of Distriot Chief Wilhelm T. Johnson who for thirty two years has been a member of the Department. During this term of service he has served as District Chief for twenty-five years. This is indeed a record of civic duty that will be difficult to equal and the Board at this time wishes to thank Mr. Johnson for his faithful attendance and interest in his duties.
The Board extends its thanks and appreciation to the Forest Warden for his cooperation in responding to building fires located outside the water district.
67
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Appreciation is also extended to the Police Department for the use of their radio communication in summoning additional men and apparatus when needed.
Board of Fire Engineers
John W. Dixon Edward Hoyt Theodore W. Reed.
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Circulation for 1945:
Fiction
11,817
Non-fiction
2,457
Magazines .740
15,014
Books sent to East Chelmsford.
832
Books sent to South Chelmsford.
31
Books sent to West Chelmsford.
807
New borrowers.
180
New books purchased.
396
Books rebound.
16
Books borrowed from Div. of Public Libraries, Boston
12
Gifts of books were received from the State of Massachusetts, ;Rev. Charles W. Henry, ; Miss Harriet Bartlett, ; Mrs. Arthur G. Scoboria; Mrs F.A. P. Fiske and Hon. Lewis Parkhurst.
Because there were so few borrowers, deliveries of books to South Chel- msford were stopped in April.
In November we started making monthly deposits of books at the Westlands and South Schools. By this method it is hoped to give the children an opportunity to use library books who otherwise might not have a chance to do so.
Last March a letter was received from Mr. F. G. Emmison, County Archi- vist of Essex County, whose office is in Chelmsford, England.
Mr. Emmison had seen a copy of Water's History of Chelmsford which had been sent at some previous time to Miss Hilda Greive, historian of Chelmsford, England. He asked for three copies of the history, one for the County Record Of- fice, one for the Chelmsford Library and one for his own library.
With the letter came a copy of a transcript of a "Survey of the Manor of Bishop in the northern part of Chelmsford, 1591."
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel M. Wright, Librarian
68
REPORT OF TREASURER OF ADAMS LIBRARY
1945 Receipts
Expenditures 1945
Jan. 1 Balance on hand in checking
aocount (Union Nat.Bank, Lowell $ 76.88
Paid Town Treas.
Rec'd from Library Fines
154.95
Library Fines.
$154.95
History of Chelmsford.
9.00
Chelms. Hist. sales .. 9.00
Replaced books.
1.25
Old book sale
13.46
Replaced magazines
.40
Replacements 1.65
Sale of old books
13.46
Bank charges on cheok- ing account. 3.40
= Chelmsford Historical Soc ..
4.00
Magazine Account .. ..
16.00
Return of Librarian's Allowance
5.00
Mrs.Bachelder, Postage
.69
Refund of Government Book cost. 1.50
Reo'd George Cemetery Fund. . . 9.25
Hist. to Eng.
2.10
Librarian's Office All-
owan ce
5.00
Miss Wright's Office
Allowance
5.00
Miss Wright: Gov Book
1.50
c/o George Cemetery
Lot ...
9.25
Miss Clark, pub.school
exhibit.
3.15
Hayne's Greenhouses ..
5.00
Mass.Lib.Assn Dues ...
5.00
1945 Total Receipts. $ 267.69
1945 Total Expenditures.$ 215.15 Bal. on Hand in Check Acct 52.54
$ 267.69
Respectfully submitted,
Charles W. Henry, Treasurer
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TRUSTEES
On March 1, 1945, the new librarian, Miss Ethel M. Wright assumed her duties at the library.
More books than usual have been purchased the past year and more than ever, they have been in circulation. With the hearty cooperation of the School authori- ties efforts were made to interest the school children in the use of the library. Mrs. Wilma Norton was appointed to direct the children's work on Saturdays. Mrs Andrew Peterson has taken charge of the children's department in the library.
The representative of the State Library Division, Miss Louise Jones, helped greatly in the development of the year's work. She came at the invitation of the trustees.
Miss Tright attended the Library Institute at Simmons College in July with the cooperation of the Trustees.
This year the heating plant has received attention, necessary repairs being made. It is evident that a new system will soon be needed.
The Trustees have met more often than at the stated times, since many
69
..
Rec'd from Garden Club
12.00
Miss Wright, Postage on
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TRUSTEES
matters have arisen for their consideration. On November Ist they accepted with sincere regret the resignation of Miss Frances Clark. She had been a Trustee for forty-two years and an important source in the library's directive concerns. A set of resolutions has been prepared, telling of our great appreciation of her services and this will be spread on the records.
With the consent of the Selectmen, Miss Marjorie Scoboria was appointed in her place to fill out her term of office ..
Sincerely submitted, For the Trustees
(Mrs) Lydwin Bachelder, Secretary
LIBRARIAN NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
Sessions for year
104
Circulation for year
10,160
New books added
315
Respectfully submitted,
Bertha M. Whitworth
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
Treasurer's Report
RECEIPTS
EXPEN DI TURES
Balance on Hand January 1, 1945 $ 60.06
Librarian's Salary
$ 335.00
Assistant Librarian
89.80
Town Appropriation
1200.00
Books
458.21
Janitor
80.00
Electric Light
18.73
Fuel
33.28
Chester Flavell (labor)
9.60
Binding Books
24.34
Bank Service
5.07
Miscellaneous
36.37
$1090.40
Balanoe on Hand
169.66
$1260.06
$1260.06
Respectfully submitted, Nellie L. Shawcross
70
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen :- Chelmsford, Mass.
The Cemetery Commissioners wish to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1945:
The cemeteries, with the exception of one or two, have been kept up to their usual par. No attempts were made at large improvements in any one cemetery, due to the shortage of laborers.
We wish to thank the Superintendents for their cooperation and also thank the lot owners for their interest.
Respectfully submitted,
Bayard C. Dean William Bellwood Arthur W. House
Cemetery Commissioners
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford;
Much time during the past year the planning board has devoted to special questions which have to do with the application of the zoning by-law.
There has been considerable demand for the construction of sidewalks in the settled portions of the town, and this subject was considered from its many angles, especially if permanent sidewalks were established. Very few of our streets have been surveyed and permanent grades established, and because of this only a more or loss temporary sidewalk should be built until the final grades are set. One meeting with the board of selectmen was held in the fall, at which meeting the subject of sidewalks was taken up, and many points having to do with them were talked over, such as where they were most needed, the type of top material best to use, width, probable cost per yard, all of which led to the conclusion that some sidewalks should be constructed the coming season, if money is appropriated for this work at the March meeting. One meeting with the superintendent of streets was held last spring, at which time the subject of construction of sidewalks was discussed. The planning board feel that some new sidewalks should be constructed each year in the thickly settled parts of the town, and thus provide more protect- ion from the rapidly moving traffic of the present day, especially those streets near the public schools, also the churches.
Preliminary plans for one new land sub-division have been submitted to the planning board during the past year, but the final plans are as yet not complete. Due to the great shortage of building material, and the even greater cost of the same, there will probably not be much new building during the coming season. From information received it seems that a simple four room cottage, or bungalow will cost about six thousand dollars to build under present conditions, and while there is plenty of money and credit available, the abnormal cost for construction at the present time and in the near future, is such, that the depreciation in value would be very great when real estate values gradually come back to normal in the next few years.
Arnold C. Perham Secretary
Howard D. Smith Chairman
71
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen
Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I wish to submit the following report of the building department.
In the year of 1945 57 Permits were issued for New Buildings and General Repairs. Seven of these were for New Homes.
Respectfully submitted Arthur J. Gau thier Building Inspector
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
For Year ending Deo. 31, 1945
I have tested and sealed 273 Scales, Weights, Gasoline and Oil pumps and grease measuring devices.
Respectfully submitted
John B. Emerson Sealer
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Seleotmen :
As dog officer of the town of Chelmsford, I wish to submit the following report:
Investigated complaints on dogs ..
.. 179
Reports of dog bites.
3
Poultry killed by dogs 28 Lost dogs returned to rightful owners 19
Stray dogs disposed of.
41
Inspection of dog kennels 2
In closing I wish to thank the members of the Police Department, Select- men and the owners of dogs for their cooperation and assistance during 1945.
1
Lawrence W. Chute
Dog Officer
72
REPORT OF THE CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
report:
As Constable for the Town of Chelmsford, I wish to submit the following 1945
Jan. 30. Posted six warrants for Town Election and Town Meeting.
Feb. 5. Posted three warrants for Center Water District
Aug. 10. Post two warrents for the East Chelmsford Water District
Nov. 26. Posted six warrants for Special Town Meeting.
.Deo. 5. Posted six warrants for Special Town Meeting.
Drawing and serving notices to Jurors
Civil
Criminal
Juror
Juror
Jan.
1
=
Dec.
2 "
April
3
E
July
3
n
Aug.
2
Oct.
3
Respectfully submitted
Lawrence W. Chute Constable of Chelmsford
REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
Insurance Sinking Fund
Book No.
105588
Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. $ 7,863.81
99250 City Instution for Savings, Lowell, Mass.
11,740.82
78370
Central Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. 4,423.98
131298
Lowell Institution for Savings. Lowell, Mass.
3,090.21
16610
Merrimack River Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass.
3,671.78
63051
Merrimack River Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass.
4,460.43
$ 35,251.03
Series F, U.S. War Bavings Bonds
Present redemption value
11,175.00
Total
$ 46,426.03
Respectfully submitted James F. Leahey, Chairman Fritz H. Pearson, Secretary Walter Perham, Treasurer
Maroh
3
Jan .
73
MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
During 1945, the same as previous war years, the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service was devoted to those projects which would help in the winning of the war.
The fact that Middlesex County farmers increased their production about one third over pre-war years is proof that everyone did his part in the food product- ion program. Labor on farms was the critical factor in food production and a gr- eat deal of the time was spent on finding labor and making it available. In add- ition to local help foreign labor was imported from Jamaica and Newfoundland and prisoners of war were used on market gardening and fruit farms.
Selective Service Boards cooperated fully in the whole program by trying to allow men to remain on farms who were absolutely essential. The Extension Service checked these farms and made reports to the local Selective Service Boards.
The usual assistance was given, such as assistance to Victory gardeners, sending out information on spray schedules for fruit growers and market gardeners and keeping farmers informed as to the regulations on farm equipment, price sched- ules, especially for eggs and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and help with any emergency cases upon personal request.
With the homemakers of the county, food preservation and conservation in the home were the main projects. Information was given regarding successful methods of canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables as well as meats. Due to the severe shortage of clothing materials demonstrations were continued on clothing renovation, shortcuts in clothing construction and the maintenance of sewing ma- chines. To help with general nutrition demonstrations were given in the best use of vegetables, cooking with a minimum amount of sugar and preparation of community meals.
Boys and girls were encouraged as usual to carry on 4-H Club work and devel- oped such projects as food production, food preservation, clothing construction and meal preparation. This work was made possible only by volunteer local leaders and the active interest of local committee members and parents.
The Middlesex County Extension Service shares with other organizations, farm- ers, homemakers, young people, as well as those organizations interested in agri- culture, the satisfaction of knowing that during war years for the most part ag- ricultural products of the area were available in sufficient amounts so that there was actually no food shortage in any town within the county.
Signed Perley W. Kimball Town Director
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : and Citizens of Chelmsford
The Forest fire conditions prevailing during 1945 were less hazardous than in any previous year for some time, with the exception of the early part through April 20th; during this period several fires were extinguished in various sec- tions of the town, that could easily have developed into extensive and expensive events.
Of 107 calls for the apparatus for the year only 45 of these required extra help, the others being handled by your Warden.
74
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
Not all of the appropriation for 1945 was used; there being a balance on December 15th of $ 291.26
Having need of several items of small equipment to replace those worn out and broken, it seemed advisable to expend most of this balance, and thereby making unnecessary any extra appropriation for the department this year.
This has been as follows:
Express on below
1.84
300 Ft. of 1-1/8 forestry hose
@ $ .40
$120.00
4 Soda Acid Extinguishers.
@ $10.80
43.20
3 22 gal. Pump tanks
@ $15.00
45.00
12 Shovels.
@ 2.00
24.00
Express on Pump tanks
.98
6 Fire Brooms
@ $ 1.50
9.00
$244.02
The remaining balance $47.24 returned to the Town.
Owing to the large numbers of incendiary fires in the Town in 1945 I think it advisable to include in this report a section of the Fire Laws, not generally known, which reads as follows :
Forest Trespass and Damage, etc.
G. L. c. 266-5. Setting Fire to Woodpile, etc. Whoever wilfully and maliciously burns or otherwise destroys or injures a pile or parcel of wood, boards, timber or other lumber, or any fence, bars or gate, or a stack of grain, hay or other vegetable product, or any vetatable produ- ct severed from the soil and not stacked or any standing tree, grain, grass or other standing product of the soil, or the soil itself, of another, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than one year.
At such times when necessary I have received excellent and prompt cooperation from all the various units of the Fire Department and the Police Department, also a few individuals who are always ready and able, day or night to assist in emerg- ency, namely: Mr Walter Edwards, Dist. Chief of West Chelmsford; Mr. Edward Hoyt, Asst. Engr. of Fire Dept and Dep. Warden Geo A. Parkhurst of the Centre.
Especially to the above mentioned and to all others who in any way helped to keep serious fires out of our Town, I extend my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted
H. M. Sturtevant Forest Warden
.
75
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The problem of this Department, this year, has been to main- tain our roads and hold the foundations in the best possible con- dition, requiring a constant treatment of Pituminous materials.
The following streets were treated:
Name
Lin. Ft.
Name
Lin. Ft.
Elm St
3300
Fillerica St
3650
Grandview Rd
2283
Prick Kiln Rd
5131
Marshall St
700
Main St
8085
Twiss Rd
800
Garrison Rd
4696
Sprague Ave
1300
Dunstable Rd
2240
Carleton Ave
855
Dartmouth St
433
Moore St
760
Harvard St
491
Richardson Rd
3000
Amherst St
473
Warren Ave
1950
Wightman St
438
Robin Hill Rd
3500
Sherman St
1560
Hunt Rd
5500
Adams St
400
Pine Hill Rd
300
Graniteville Rd
8000
Cypress St
466
Sunset Ave
1500
Woodbine St
300
Miland Ave
650
Woodlawn Ave
529
Linwood St
250
School St
5802
Golden Cove Rd
2460
Turnpike Rd
6050
Mission Rd
2600
Cross St
864
Woods St
600
6th Ave
350
Parkhurst Rd
3978
Carlisle St
3200
Dalton Rd
2250
Sylvan Ave
1350
Fern St
500
Wildwood St
621
Will Rd
4868
Streets Graveled
Davis Rd
Jordan Rd
Grandview Rd
Crooked Spring Rd
Parker Rd
Tadmuck Rd
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Riverneck Rd
2450
Old Westford Rd
4200
Groton Rd
1500
Poston Rd
1750
Acton Rd
2450
Drainage and Culverts
Surface drainage was laid out and placed in the following locations :
Grant Street
24' - 12" CCM Pipe
2 Catch Basins
76
9
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Coolidge Street 60' - 12" CCM Pipe
Acton Road 24 - 10" CCM Pipe
Boston Road
86 - 10" VC Pipe 1 Catch Basin
2 Catch Pasins leaching Tobin Ave
All Catch Pasins were cleaned, spring and fall to insure proper drainage .
Cutting of brush was done throughout the Town on curves and at street intersections in order to promote safety in travel and eliminate traffic hazards.
Pridge Repair
New stringers and deck at Cushing Place
New stringers and deck at Twiss Road.
Sidewalks
A program of sidewalk construction was started with Bitum- inous Concrete at Central Square and Middlesex Street.
Water Main at Westland Dump
Excavation and back fill for the extension and erection of hydrant.
May I at this time extend to the Honorable Poard of Select- men 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
77
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Annual Report of the School Committee
and The Superintendent of Schools Year ending December 31, 1945
To the Citizens of Chelmsford:
At the regular meeting of the Chelmsford School Committee held on January 16, 1946 it was voted to accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
From August 1, 1945 through December 31, 1945 the Chelmsford School Committee has held 20 regular meetings and numerous conferences. Discussion of athletic and educational programs, inspection and study of school buildings, and a study of School business management have been major considerations at these meetings. The School Committee has worked to improve the educational facilities and to enlarge the opportunities for education for the youth of our town. We feel that these re- sults are expected by the people, and are deserved by the school children. We also feel that these goals may be accomplished without undue tax burden.
The people of East Chelmsford, North Chelmsford and South Chelmsford have ex- pressed themselves as desirous of maintaining all schools in these parts of the town. Thus increases in the school budget have become necessary.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Superintendent of Schools and to his staff of principals, supervisors and teachers, and we wish to compliment Dr. Everett L. Handy, Superintendent of Schools, for his leadership and accomplish- ments. We solicit your close study of his first annual report.
Mrs. Marjorie M. Kiberd,
Chairman
Stephen G. Mansur
Bryant C. Emerson, Secretary
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Chelmsford, Massachusetts December 31, 1945
To the Chelmsford School Committee;
I am pleased to present this my first report of the Chelmsford Schools. The report is divided into the following major sections:
General Information
School Personnel
Projects and Problems
Special Reports
School Statistios
In presenting this record of our schools, I am not unmindful of the intelli-
78
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
gent leadership and continuous hard work of the School Committee under the direct- ion of its chairman, Mrs. Marjorie Kiberd, whose interest and effort have made it possible for me to carry out successfully a number of important educational dev - elopments. I am most grateful, too, for the splendid cooperation extended to me by Mr. George Wright, who retired as Superintendent of Schools, on July 31, 1945. Mr. Wright has always been kind, courteous, and considerate in telling me about conditions and problems in our schools. His counsel has bean invaluable to me.
The establishment of the lunchroom, the organization of curriculum committees, the development of our new physical education program, and the carrying out of other projects have required the efforts of many groups and individuals. I wish to ex- press my sincere appreciation to principals, teachers, students, janitors, par- ent-teacher groups, the Civic Committee, the Athletic Advisory Board, and citizens for their cooperation. In particular, I should like to thank principals and tea- chers for their willingness to sacrifice their time and to give their full efforts in order that these projects might be successful. Their interest and work on the curriculum committees has been especially valuable.
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