USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1947 > Part 7
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As a temporary measure, to tide us over until this or a similar system can be installed, we have instructed all district chiefs to im- mediately call for assistance at any fire of any size, believing it to be far better to have too many companies at a fire than to have not enough.
We have purchased some much-needed equipment with the funds available this year, and hope to bring the equipment of each company up to a satisfactory level in 1948.
We also are planning to spruce up the various fire stations owned by the town by painting the interiors and doors.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
99
The Board decided not to ask for any new fire apparatus in 1948, but believed that, starting in 1949, replacement of present equipment will have to get under way.
Most of the equipment is from 12 to 21 years old, and even though these trucks are not in daily use, they are far from satisfactory in view of the steady growth of the town and the increasing demands upon them.
We are asking in 1948 for funds to establish a call company in Precinct 6, the Westlands.
This section is third largest in the town but it is without a fire company and must depend upon the Center. At present, if the Center company is at a fire and an alarm comes from the Westlands, help must be called from one of the more distant stations. If this ap- propriation is approved, arrangements will be made to have the spare truck at the Center respond, in such a case, and the Westlands com- . pany could man the truck and take over the task of fighting the fire. This situation might not arise once in a year-but it might arise often and could result in serious loss unless some provision such as this were made.
Centralization of the fire alarm systems is being studied at present, but it is impossible, in the short time this Board has been in existence, to secure all necessary data.
The Board reports with regret the retirement of Joseph G. Ryan as district chief in the North section after many years of faithful and conscientious service for the best interests of the town and the fire department. Succeeding him as district chief is Chandler Robinson, a member of the North company for several years.
The Board wishes at this time to express its thanks to the Board of Selectmen and to all others who have assisted it during the first three months of its term.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER EDWARDS, Chief. GILBERT PERHAM, Asst. Chief. SAMUEL PARKS RALPH KNIGHT GEORGE NOLD WILLIAM COLMER
C. D. HARRINGTON, Clerk.
Board of Fire Engineers.
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100
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Circulation for 1947:
Fiction
12,540
Non-fiction
2,743
Magazines
826
Total
16,109
.
Books sent to East Chelmsford
436
New borrowers
118
New books
694
Books borrowed from Div. of Public
Libraries, Boston 12
Two hundred sixty-eight of the new books added this year were gifts. Rev. and Mrs. Charles W. Henry gave many and so did Mrs. Walter J. E. Martel. Miss Harriet Bartlett gave a number. Miss Mar- jorie Scoboria, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Marshall and Mrs. E. Dyer Harris were other donors.
Had it not been for the books given to the library, the number of new books added this year would have been small. As I mentioned in my 1946 report, the cost of books is very high. It is up at least fifty per-cent and still climbing. With our very limited funds, we have not been able to purchase what we should.
I wish to express my personal thanks to Mrs. Frederick Burne who has so kindly given her services and the use of her home in order that we might make monthly deposits of books in West Chelmsford for the convenience of the residents in that section.
Monthly deposits are also made at the Westlands School.
I wish to thank the trustees for their cooperation and assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) ETHEL M. WRIGHT, Librarian.
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101
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TREASURER
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TREASURER
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Treasurer of the Adams Library for the year ending December 31, 1947:
RECEIPTS
Jan. 1, 1947 Balance on deposit in Middlesex County
National Bank $ 13.14
Received-Legacy from the Thomas P.
Proctor Estate 10,000.00
Total Receipts
$10,013.14
EXPENDITURES
National Geographic Society $ 4.25
Middlesex Cooperative Bank for ten (10) Paid-Up Shares 2,000.00
Union National Bank for four (4) U. S. Government Bonds 4,000.00
Sum on deposit in Central Savings Bank 4,000.00
Sum paid to the Town Treasurer 9.19
$10,013.14
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: EUSTACE B. FISKE, Treasurer.
102
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TRUSTEES
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TRUSTEES
During the year 1947, the Board of Trustees of the Adams Library . held eleven meetings instead of the required four. In March the follow- ing officers and staff members were elected:
Chairman Mr. Edward Russell
Secretary Miss Marjorie Scoboria
Treasurer Mr. Eustace Fiske
Prudential Committee Mr. E. Wayne Jenkins Mr. Eustace Fiske
Mr. George Hood, Jr.
Committee to approve bills
Mr. E. Wayne Jenkins Mr. Eustace Fiske
· Mr. George Hood, Jr.
Purchase of Books and Magazines Mrs. Lewis Johnson
Mr. E. Wayne Jenkins Miss Ethel Wright Miss Ethel Wright
Librarian
Assistant Librarians Mrs. George Peterson Mrs. Lester Ball
Janitor-until July 1, 1947 Mr. Harry Clayton
After the installation of an oil burner in the furnace a full-time janitor was no longer needed so on July 1, 1947, Mr. Thadde Ducharme was hired as a part-time janitor.
In order to increase service to the town and to make library hours more uniform, the hours were changed to Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. ånd 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 3:00 to 5:30 and 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. This increases the time the library is open by six hours each week.
Book deposits were sent during the year to the South Chelmsford School, the Westlands School, the East Chelmsford School, the High School and the home of Mrs. Frederick Burne in West Chelmsford.
It has been apparent to the Trustees for sometime that certain changes were necessary in the lighting and heating systems but it has been impossible to make any changes until this year. Early in the year the Selectmen granted the request of the Trustees for a street light in front of the library on Boston Road. This lights the approach to the building and eliminates dangerous dark places in the walk. The damaged lights at the entrance to George Memorial Hall have been repaired and new wiring installed. Fluorescent lighting has been in- stalled in the workroom, the children's room and the Historical Society Museum. An oil burner was installed in one of the furnaces. The Trustees hope to continue improving lighting and heating arrange- ments during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: MARJORIE B. SCOBORIA, Secretary.
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REPORT OF THE NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORP. 103
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NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION Report of the Librarian
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
As Librarian for the North Chelmsford Library, I wish to submit
the following report:
Sessions for the year
149
Circulation 8980 New Books added 358
During the month of January, a small floor Gas Heater was in- stalled, replacing the old coal stove. This has proven very satisfactory and inexpensive as it eliminates the services of a janitor, and heat is used only on the days the library is open.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA M. WHITWORTH, Librarian.
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION Treasurer's Report
RECEIPTS
EXPENDITURES
Balance on hand Jan. 1
Librarian's Salary $ 384.00
1947
$ 113.93
Assistant Librarian 98.80
Town Appropriation
1,200.00
Janitor
5.00
Drawn from Bank
195.75
Gas Heater
195.75
Wm. P. Proctor Co.
(Wood) 7.50
Magazines
21.59
Books
400.72
Gas
52.14
Dumas Co. (Book)
44.50
Lowell Electric Light
17.76
Norman Day (Switch
and labor) 3.00
Chester Flavell (Labor)
11.70
Alice Dinnigan (Labor)
4.00
Bank Service Charges
9.01
Miscellaneous
Supplies -
9.46
Insurance
198.84
$1,463.68
Balance on hand
46.00
$1,509.68
$1,509.68
Respectfully submitted
NELLIE L. SHAWCROSS,
Treasurer.
104
REPORT OF THE CHELMSFORD PLANNING BOARD
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHELMSFORD PLANNING BOARD
Four plans for land sub-divisions and the enlargement of another were accepted during the past year, all of which are located in the Westlands and Center sections of the town. Preliminary plans for two more sub-divisions have been submitted and it is expected that these will be completed in the spring.
Nearly all of the town officials who have duties which bring them in contact with the application of the town building code have come to the conclusion that this code should be revised. This is the opinion of the Board of Appeals, the Planning Board, the Building Inspector and the Board of Selectmen. To get this work of revision started, the Board of Selectmen asked the Board of Appeals and the Planning Board to meet with them and discuss the question and as a result of this meeting it was decided to go ahead with the work of revision. At a joint meeting of the Board of Appeals and the Planning Board a few days later, it was decided to select a smaller committee in order to expedite the work of revision. Two members from the Planning Board and three from the Board of Appeals were assigned this work. This group now has ready the proposed new building code and it is hoped that the voters of the town will show their desire to have an up-to-date building code by approving this new code as recommended by the committee.
A building code is a collection of legal requirements whose purpose is to protect the safety, health, morals and general welfare of those in and about the building. The code attempts to do this by establishing a series of requirements covering such topics as fire protection, strength of materials, light and ventilation, sanitation, exits and other matters which have been found to need regulation. If these restrictions do not recognize late developments in design and construction that have been found to be safe, they may cause unnecessary expense, prevent the free exercise of ingenuity in design and discourage the introduction of new materials and methods. To accomplish this pur- pose, building codes must be revised from time to time, and this is especially so, when there has been a pronounced change in the de- sign and type of buildings and in some of the materials used for their construction, as is the situation at the present time.
Due to the rapid growth of the town as shown by the construction of many new homes, and with it the increased demand for service to the public from local business, it is the opinion of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board that the areas zoned for business should be increased. At present we have under consideration this question and expect to be prepared to recommend to the voters certain changes in thse districts in the near future.
105
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
It has become increasingly evident that public parking areas are badly needed in both the North and Center sections of the town. The traffic congestion caused by many machines parked on both sides of the squares in these two sections create a hazard and often an un- necesary delay to the normal flow of traffic. To be of benefit to the public these areas must be near the shopping districts. The Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen are working on this problem and proposed public parking areas will be recommended to the voters of the town at the coming annual Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: HOWARD D. SMITH, Chairman.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM, Secretary.
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Cemetery Commissioners wish to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1947:
The cemeteries were, as a whole, in a very good condition this past year and were kept up all season.
We had the large oak tree at the entrance of Forefather's Cemetery on Westford Street removed at quite an expense to the department, as it was a menace to life and property. There should be a lot of tree work done in the Cemetery proper.
We again wish to call to the attention of the lot owners to their cemetery deeds which read "care of the lot is at their own expense."
Our thanks are extended to the lot owners for their interest and the superintendents of the various cemeteries for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
BAYARD C. DEAN WILLIAM BELLWOOD ARTHUR W. HOUSE Cemetery Commissioners.
106
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeals wishes to submit the following report of the year 1947:
The Board organized March 26, 1947 and Mr. George C. Hood, Jr. was elected chairman. The board met two or three times a month for the first few months. The volume of business was such that the board had to rule that they would meet every second Wednesday of the month, at which time all buiness would be transacted.
The Board has met in all, thirty-six times, and has held hearings on twenty-eight cases. Three were volutarily withdrawn at the time of the hearing and decisions have been made on the remaining twenty- five cases. One of our decisions, that of Lloyd DeBow, was over-ruled by the court.
At the request of this board, a joint meeting with the Planning Board was held to see what could be done about bringing the zoning and building laws up to date. It was decided to request the Board of Selectmen to insert an article in the Warrant for a Special Town Meet- ing, asking the voters to appoint a committee to do this work. At the request of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Appeals and Planning Board agreed to act as this committee.
These two boards selected a committee of their members to revise the building laws and after eight meetings presented a new group of building laws for the consideration of the Selectmen.
The Board wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and the Build- ing Inspector for their close cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD HARTLEY EDWARD V. WHALEN
WILLIAM MOCHRIE CLIFFORD M. BABSON, JR. FREDERICK BURNE
EVERETT T. REED Board of Appeals.
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I wish to submit the following report of the Building Department:
In the year 1947, 165 permits were issued for new buildings and general repairs. Of these permits, 104 were for new buildings. Respectfully submitted,
Signed: ARTHUR J. GAUTHIER, Building Inspector.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 107
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I wish to submit the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for 1947. In the performance of my duties, I have sealed or con- demned as follows:
4 Platform Scales over 10,000 lbs.
56 Platform Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2 Counter Scales, 100 lbs. or over.
10 Counter Scales under 100 lbs.
2 Beam Scales, 100 lbs. or over.
34 Spring Scales under 100 lbs.
24 Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
2 Personal Weighing Scales.
2 Prescription Scales.
33 Apothecary Weights.
20 Metric Weights.
60 Gasoline Measuring Pumps.
21 Oil Measuring Pumps.
12 Grease Measuring Pumps.
Money received from fees for same has been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, Signed: NORMAN E. MOCHRIE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The following report is submitted for the Milk Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1947. LICENSES GRANTED
Store Licenses 38
Vehicle Licenses 24
Pasteurization Licenses
2
Oleomargarine Licenses
17
Total Licenses Granted 81 Samples from all dealers were collected several times during the year and were analyzed at the Howard Laboratories at Amherst, Mass., and all were above the legal standard.
Milk and pasteurization plants were inspected several times during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: DANIEL E. HALEY, Milk Inspector.
108 REPORT OF THE SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF THE SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS INSURANCE SINKING FUND
Book No.
Amount
18370 Central Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. $ 4,603.59
99250 City Institution for Savings, Lowell, Mass. 12,187.74
105588 Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. 8,163.16
131298 Lowell Institution for Savings, Lowell, Mass. 3,183.96
16610 Merrimack River Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass 3,783.16
63051 Merrimack River Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. 4,595.74 /
$36,517.35
Series F United States War Savings Bonds Serial Numbers V 190,707, V 190,708, M 818,905, M 840,093, M 840,094, M 840,095, M 840,096, Present redemp- tion value 11,505.00
Total $48,022.35
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. LEAHEY, Chairman FRITZ H. PEARSON, Secretary WALTER PERHAM, Treasurer Sinking Fund Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is a report of my services as Dog Officer for the year 1947:
Dogs picked up 79
Dogs disposed of 61
Dogs called for by owners 18
In addition to the above, I disposed of fourteen dead dogs and thirty-seven dead cats picked up on the streets.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES BELLEVILLE, Dog Officer.
109
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
My 1947 report follows:
Upon orders received in November from the Division of Livestock Disease Control of the State Department of Agriculture and in ac- cordance with Section 19, Chapter 129 of the General Laws, a com- plete survey of all neat cattle, sheep, swine, etc. has been completed.
All cattle in stables not under State and Federal supervision for the eradication of tuberculosis have been reported to the above Divi- sion and tests will soon be applied to these cattle. No tuberculous cattle have been found as a result of recent tests. A year ago the sur- vey was ordered in December to be completed February 1, 1947 which was too late for the animal report. A tabulation of the animals found in the stables follows:
Year
Stables
Cows Heifers
Calves
Bulls Steers
Total
Feb. 1947
185
682
94
128
38
6
948
Dec. 1947
165
617
70
126
32
4
849
Year
Horses
Goats
Sheep
Swine
Feb. 1947
89
55
24
681
Dec. 1947
70
62
19
573
Inspection figures for the past forty years follow:
Year
Cattle
Swine
Sheep
Goats
Stables
1907
1075
152
1917
1178
248
1
7
232
1927
1130
340
2
4
209
1937
957
711
26
27
191
1947
849
573
19
62
165
Only stables containing cattle were inspected in 1907.
Thirty-two dogs that had bitten humans were quarantined, as required by law, for a two-week observation period and then released as no rabies developed.
Six other dog-bite cases were investigated in which the dog could not be found or whose owner was in another town in which case the proper official was notified. Do not kill your dog if he has bitten a human until you confer with your inspector of animals.
:
110
REPORT OF THE CONSTABLE
All dogs brought into this Commonwealth from any point outside thereof must be accompanied by a health certificate approved by the Livestock Official of the State of origin showing that they are free from all symptoms of infectious, contagious or communicable diseases; that they have not been exposed to rabies and if vaccinated the certifi- cate shall include the date of vaccination.
Eight cows and one bull came into town for dairy purposes from outside the State on permits and all were released as they were ac- companied by proper health certificates. Two other cows were quaran- tined until after satisfactory tests as they were not accompanied by health charts. One permit was issued and not used. All reports have been submitted to the State Department as required.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Inspector:
REPORT OF THE CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
As Constable for the Town of Chelmsford, I wish to submit the following report:
February:
Posted three warrants for the Chelmsford Water District.
Posted warrants in the six precincts for the Town Election and the Town Meeting.
March:
Picked one Juror.
April:
Picked three Jurors.
July:
Posted two warrants for the East Chelmsford Water District. September:
Picked two Jurors. .
Posted warrants in the six precincts for a Special Town Meeting. October: Picked three Jurors.
November:
Posted warrants in the six precincts for a Special Town Meeting. Picked three Jurors.
December:
Posted warrants in the six precincts for a Special Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) LAWRENCE W. CHUTE, Constable of Chelmsford.
111
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
During the year 1947 there were 165 calls for Forest or grass fires. Assistance was called from the following districts:
District 1
3
District 2 31
District 3
3
District 4
19
District 5
4
There were 1104 permits issued during the year but many of the calls were for fires started without any permit.
The Town received a refund in the amount of $46.90 from the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad for a fire caused by a train-one of the worst fires in the spring.
During the year the following equipment was bought:
1000 ft. 11/8" Forestry hose.
200 ft. 3/4" Booster hose.
12 Pump cans.
2 3/4" Fog Nozzles.
12 Fire Brooms.
2 Tires and Tubes for the truck.
1 Battery.
50 Gal. Wetting Agent.
The regular firemen responding to Forest Fire calls were paid at the same rate per hour as paid by the regular Fire Dept .- all others were paid $.75 per hour instead of the usual $.50.
With the cooperation of the State District Warden a number of slash conditions were investigated and remedied.
During the year there were many fires of suspicious origin. Two offenders were apprehended and under questioning, admitted setting the fires. After being properly reprimanded were turned over to the custody of their parents.
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112 REPORT MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
In 1947 there were only two real bad fire conditions: April and October. The latter was the most hazardous time in years and during that time there was a constant patrol as well as extra help on duty during the day for a period of about ten days. The fine cooperation between the Board of Fire Engineers and the Forest Warden was shown during this time when the South Chelmsford Fire Truck was made available to the Forestry Department.
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: ALLAN KIDDER, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE-1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and residents of the Town of Chelmsford.
The year 1947 still called for an all-out food production by farmers, as well as food conservation by homemakers. For this reason, efforts of the Extension Service during the year were largely on these factors, the production and conservation of food.
Dairymen in Chelmsford have taken an active interest in the Selective Breeding Association, with sixteen farmers as members. This Association has as its objective improvement in the production of dairy cattle. Dairy farmers were also interested in improving the quality of their roughage, labor-saving devices on the farm and the health of the herd.
Much time was spent with the poultrymen on the question of disease control as well as feeding and management problems.
The orchard men in the town were interested in the general fruit projects as developed in the county and participated in several of the twilight meetings that were held at various farms.
Mrs. Harry Pascall served as town homemaking chairman and meetings were held on Child Guidance, Home Furnishings and making Christmas Greens and home made Christmas gifts.
Several girls were interested in the 4-H Canning Club. There was also an agricultural club led by Mrs. Percy Beardsley and a clothing club led by Mary Mulcahy. Mary Mulcahy also served as councillor at Camp Middlesex and attended the State Junior Leaders' Camp at Amherst, Mass.
Respectfully submitted,
PERLEY W. KIMBALL.
113
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of the plumbing work done for the year ending December 31, 1947:
Number of applications submitted for permits to do plumbing:
Old Houses
57
New Houses
52
Total
109
Tests
93
Inspections
109
Total
202
The following is a list of the various plumbing fixtures installed:
Water Closets
105
Sinks
67
Lavatories
95
Wash Trays
7
Bath Tubs
71
Showers
9
Comb. Sink and Tray
20
Dish Washer
1
Clothes Washers
2
Urinals
2
Range Boiler
1
Repairs on Sewage
18
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Total
398
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: GEORGE E. GAGNON, Plumbing Inspector.
114
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
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To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
The board organized for the year 1947 with Raymond H. Green- wood as Chairman; Charles C. Farrington as Secretary; and Leonard S. MacElroy as third member.
The following appointments were made:
Miss Christina N. Simpson, Agent and School Nurse.
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