USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1951 > Part 6
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78
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
Paid to Town Treasurer $ 5,438.00
Abated by the Board of Assessors 1,120.00
Outstanding as per list December 31, 1951
24.00
$ 6,582.00
PERSONAL TAXES-1951
Committed by Board of Assessors Aug. 3, '51 ___ $ 48,138.00 Refunded after payment 4.80
$ 48,142.80
Paid to Town Treasurer $ 47,726.40
Abated by the Board of Assessors 36.00
Outstanding as per list December 31, 1951 380.40
$ 48,142.80
REAL ESTATE-1951
Committed by Board of Assessors Sept. 1, '51 .... $460,396.80
Committed by Board of Assessors Dec. 12, '51 224.40
.
Refunded after payment 2,325.60
$462,946.80
Paid to Town Treasurer $441,344.80
Abated by the Board of Assessors 12,519.20
Outstanding as per list December 31, 1951. 9,082.80
$462,946.80
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1950
Outstanding as per list January 1, 1951 $ 963.81
Committed by Board of Assessors Jan. 3, '51 613.08
Committed by Board of Assessors Jan. 5, '51 95.33
Committed by Board of Assessors Jan. 16, '51
86.73
Committed by Board of Assessors Nov. 20, '51 61.82
Refunded after payment 83.97
$
1,904.74
Paid to Town Treasurer $ 1,649.47
Abated by the Board of Assessors 255.27
$ 1,904.74
79
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1951
Commitment # 1 Jan. 25, 1951
$ 4,650.73
Commitment # 2 Feb. 12, 1951
4,269.17
Commitment # 3 Mar. 29, 1951 36,599.86
Commitment # 4 Apr. 18, 1951
4,883.10
Commitment # 5 May 18, 1951
4,179.97
Commitment # 6 June 22, 1951
4.999.02
Commitment # 7 July 17, 1951
2,675.21
Commitment 8 Sept. 6, 1951
2,281.72
Commitment # 9 Oct. 15, 1951
770.83
Commitment #10 Nov. 6, 1951
236.99
Commitment #11 Nov. 20, 1951
7,542.02
Commitment #12 Dec. 13, 1951
2,130.70
$ 75,219.32
Refunded after payment
$ 4,035.56
Overpaid
56.23
$ 79,311.11
Paid to Town Treasurer
$ 72,387.16
Abated by the Board of Assessors
4,787.45
Difference in Posting
.20
Outstanding as per list Dec. 31, 1951
2,136.30
$ 79,311.11
HAROLD C. PETTERSON
Jan. 2, 1952
Collector of Taxes
#
80
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
We submit herewith our Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1951.
TAX RATE $48.00 per $1,000.00
VALUE OF ASSESSED PROPERTY EXCLUDING DECEMBER ASSESSMENTS
Value' of Land excluding Buildings $1,846,000.00 Value of Buildings, excluding Land 7,745,600.00
Total value of Real Estate
$ 9,591,600.00
Value of Tangible Personal Estate
$1,002,875.00
Total value of Real and Personal Estate $10,594,475.00
VALUE OF ASSESSED PROPERTY, DECEMBER ASSESSMENTS
Real Estate
$
4,675.00
Personal Estate
none
VALUE OF ALL ASSESSED PROPERTY EXCEPTING AUTOMOBILES IN THE YEAR 1951
Value of Land, excluding Buildings
$1,850,675.00
Value of Buildings, excluding Land
7,745,600.00
Total value of Real Estate $ 9,596,275.00
Value of Tangible Personal Estate
$1,002,875.00
Total value of all assessed property excepting automobiles $10,599,150.00
TAXES COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR EXCLUDING DECEMBER ASSESSMENTS LEVY OF 1951
Tax on Real Estate
Tax on Personal Estate
$ 460,396.80
48,138.00
Poll Taxes, 3258 at $2.00 6,516.00
Total
$ 515,050.80
TAXES COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR DECEMBER ASSESSMENTS LEVY 1951
Tax on Real Estate
$
224.40
Tax on Personal Estate
.none
Tax on Polls, 19 @ $2.00
38.00
Total $ 262.40
15
81
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
ALL TAXES EXCEPTING AUTOMOBILE EXCISE COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR LEVY 1951
Tax on Real Estate
$
460,621.20
Tax on Personal Estate
48,133.00
Tax on Polls, 3277 at $2.00
6,554.00
Total of all Real Estate, Personal and Poll Taxes Committed to Collector in 1951 $ 515,313.20
1951 RECAPITULATION
Town Appropriations
(a) To be raised by taxation
$ 830,214.29
(b) To be taken from available funds
60,601.66
Debt and Interest Matured and Maturing
6,125.00
Deficits due to abatements in excess of
. overlay of prior years
1,925.43
State Tax and Assessments
1,805.60
County Tax and Assessments
26,433.68
Overlay of Current Year
14,056.72
Gross Amount to be raised $ 941,162.38
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Taxes
$ 65,421.01
Corporation Taxes
37,421.96
Old Age Tax (Meals), Chap. 64B, S 10
2,021.45
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
66,138.00
Licenses
8,170.00
Fines
224.00
Grants and Gifts
14,767.00
General Government
1,717.00
Protection of Persons and Property
157.00
Health and Sanitation
898.00
Highways
1,066.00
Charities
15,168.00
Old Age Assistance
85,160.00
Veterans' Benefits
6,988.00
Schools
3,114.00
Libraries
15.00
Cemeteries
2,291.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
2,898.15
Gas and Electric Franchise Tax
123.58
82
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Old Age Tax Meals 1,768.77
Total Estimated Receipts $ 315,527.92
Amount from Available Funds $ 110,601.66
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$
426,129.58
Net Amount to be raised by taxation on Polls and Property $ 515,032.80
Number of Polls, 3249 at $2.00 $ 6,498.00
Total Valuations :
Personal Property
$1,002,875.00
At Tax Rate of 48.00
48,138.00
Total Valuation:
Real Estate
9,591,600.00
At Tax Rate of 48.00 460,396.80
December Assessments
Total Valuations :
Personal Property
none
Total Valuations:
Real Estate
4,675.00
At Tax Rate of
48.00
224.40
Number of Polls, 28 at $2.00
56.00
Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property
$
515,313.20
ABATEMENTS OF POLL, PERSONAL AND REAL ESTATE TAXES IN 1951
LEVY OF 1950
Poll, none
Personal, none
Real Estate $ 288.87
Total
$ 288.87
LEVY OF 1951
Polls
$ 1,120.00
Personal
31.20
Real Estate
12,524.00
Total
$ 13,675.20
Number of Persons Assessed on Personal Estate Only 153
Number of Persons Assessed on Real
Estate Only
2822
83
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Number of Persons Assessed on Both Personal and Real
353
Total number of Persons Assessed
3,328
Number of Horses Assessed
74
Neat Cattle:
Cows
553
Yearling, Bulls, Heifers, etc.
1
Number of Swine Assessed
179
Number of Sheep Assessed
6
Number of Fowl Assessed
37,015
All Other Animals Assessed
77
Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed
2,743
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
13,253.08
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX OF 1951 COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR IN 1951
Number of Vehicles Assessed
4,277
Total Valuation of Vehicles Assessed
$ 1,858,220.00
Tax Committed to Collector
75,219.33
Excise Rate in year 1951-$46.85
LEVY OF 1950 COMMITTED TO COLLECTOR IN 1951
Number of Vehicles Assessed
125
Total Valuation of Vehicles Assessed
$
111,400.00
Tax Committed to Collector
795.14
Excise Rate in year 1950 - $44.16
ABATEMENTS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES Levy of 1950
$
255.17
Levy of 1951
4,833.59
EXEMPT PROPERTY 1951
Value of Land
$ 144,350.00
Value of Buildings 1,224,250.00
Total
$ 1,368,600.00
Area of Exempt Property
496.6 Acres
The regular meeting time of the Board of Assessors is on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month from 3:00 P. M. to 5:00 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN WRIGHT JOHN J. DUNIGAN CLAUDE A. HARVEY
84
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
To the Members of the Honorable Board of Public Welfare, Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford.
The following report of the Welfare Department is submitted:
The present staff of the Welfare office is as follows:
Quincy B. Park, Agent 0
Phyllis R. Brown, R. N., Social Worker
Priscilla S. Johnson, Clerk
Patricia A. Strombos, Clerk
Theodore W. Emerson, Chairman of Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
During the past year 114 applications for all forms of assistance as administered by this office were received and thoroughly investi- gated by the Agent or Social Worker.
Forty-six cases were found to be eligible for payment of aid from Old Age Assistance funds.
Eleven cases were approved for payment of aid from Aid to De- pendent Children fund.
Sixteen cases were transferred from General Relief rolls to newly authorized category of assistance designated as Disability Assistance.
Twenty-four applications for General Relief payments were ap- -4 proved.
Of total applications for all categories of assistance administered by this office, ninety-seven were approved and seventeen were denied for various reasons.
WELFARE
Case Load 1950-34 for 39 persons Case Load 1951-39 for 66 persons
Expended
1950
1951
Cash Grants
$16,206.47
$14,266.24
State Institutions
859.01
9,361.21
State Institutions
859.01
934.91
Other Cities and Towns
4,710.91
4,585.54
$26,909.27
$29,147.90
Comparisons of expenditures during past year and year previous shows an increase in amount of $2,238.63.
85
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
The major portion of this increased expenditure may be attributed to extensive hospitalization and illness by two recipients of this cat- egory of assistance. The total paid these two cases exceeded $2,700.00. A second reason for increased expenditures resulted from transfer of sixteen cases from General Relief to newly authorized category of as- sistance, namely, Disability Assistance which increases monthly grants to some extent. As will be noticed in requested appropriation for General Relief, our payments from General Relief funds will be con- siderably reduced this year due to the new program of assistance in which the town will, receive approximately 75% reimbursement from State and Federal funds.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
(Nov. & Dec.)
1950
1951
Case Load
None
16
Cash Grants
None
$1,253.45
This is a new category of assistance that was authorized as of November 1, 1951. At the present time we are aiding 16 cases and all but one have been transferred from General Relief rolls to this cat- egory.
As mentioned under welfare the reimbursement that is received from the Federal and State funds is expected to be 75% of total money expended. As this category of aid has only been approved since No- vember 1, 1951, it is very difficult to estimate, at this time, the amount of money required to administer this program or the number of per- sons who will be eligible to receive benefits.
Due to the re imbursable provisions of this category of assistance it is expected that the Town's share of total assistance rendered will considerably reduce the over all expenditure formerly paid from Gen- eral Relief funds.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expended
1950 $23,366.28
1951
$23,680.98
Case Load 1950-27 for 87 persons Case Load 1951-27 for 73 persons
It will be noticed that while case load remains constant for past year and previous year, persons aided have been reduced by fourteen. One reason is due to three parents having been transferred to Disability Assistance payroll, thereby making the other parent eligible for re- imbursement for the assistance given. A second reason is due to chil-
86
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
dren having reached age beyond which they are eligible or are em- ployed and are not being aided.
No general increase in this form of assistance is anticipated dur- ing present year.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expended
1950
1951
Cash Grants
$104,885.04
$121,355.52
Other Cities and Towns
2,608.66
Case Load
269
2,501.09 265
Despite a slightly decreased number of persons aided it is ex- pected that expenditures will be increased during this year due to changes in Old Age Assistance Laws.
Legislation enacted during 1951 has resulted in changes in Old Age Assistance Law which will result in increased expenditures in this form of assistance.
These changes are as follows:
Increase in the minimum monthly payments to person living alone from $65.00 to $75.00.
Increases to each person where living in family group from $45.00 to $55.00 each.
Increases in exemptions of legally liable children of recipients of this form of aid.
Increased rates allowable for convalenscent home care when re- quired.
Increase in costs of ownership or rent allowances.
Another major change in Old Age Assistance Law provides that a lien be placed on real estate owned by recipient who receives payment after Jan. 1, 1952, for amount of assistance rendered. Such lien not to be collectible however until such time as recipient or spouse is no longer eligible for assistance.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CUPBOARD
This is a program that will provide without charge any resident of the Town with medical equipment and sick room supplies necessary to their comfort while in their home.
This office has taken the initiative in formulating plans and of contacting various civic, social and fraternal organizations of the Town regarding the need for this service.
87
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
We are pleased to announce that while this program is in its in- fancy, the following articles are available to anyone in need:
1 Hospital Bed
2 Wheel Chairs
2 Infra Red Heat Lamps
1 Diathermy Treatment Machine
2 Pairs Crutches
It is hoped that the present stock of articles will be considerably enlarged through additional donations by various groups and indi- viduals who may wish to contribute toward this civic project.
To be of maximum benefit to those in need of this service it is hoped that the Medical Equipment Cupboard will be able to supply a greater variety of articles necessary in the sick room.
This service would welcome donations of toys, games, etc., for the use of children during convalescence or confinement due to communi- cable diseases. Such articles would be expendable and would require replacement at future date. Anyone interested in contributing towards the success of this program is invited to contact this office for more complete details.
In order not to conflict with the Medical Equipment Cupboard program, the members of the Board of Public Welfare have approved the purchase of three hospital beds. Previously hospital beds have been provided wherever needed upon a rental basis. It is expected that there will be a considerable saving effected by not having to pay rental charges.
At this time the Staff of the Welfare office would like to express their appreciation of the continued cooperation of all recipients of assistance. At various times very complicated problems have been presented and we all have found recipients most cooperative and willing and considerate in following the rules and regulations that this office is required to adhere to by State and Federal law.
This office would also like to express our appreciation to the Lions' Club and St. Vincent de Paul Society for their usual Christmas donations of Christmas baskets to numerous families throughout the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
QUINCY B. PARK,
Welfare Agent
88
REPORT OF THE CHELMSFORD LIBRARY TRUSTEES
REPORT OF THE CHELMSFORD LIBRARY TRUSTEES
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1951 the Chelmsford Library Trustees held twelve meetings. In March, the following officers and staff were elected:
'Chairman Mr. E. Wayne Jenkins
Secretary Miss Marjorie B. Scoboria
Treasurer Mr. Eustace B. Fiske
Purchasing Committee (Chm.) Mr. Howard Smith Miss Ethel Booth
Miss Bertha Whitworth
Mrs. Lester Ball
Mrs. Fred Laton
Librarians :
Adams Library Mrs. Lester Ball
Anna C. MacKay Memorial Library,
Miss Bertha Whitworth
Assistants :
- Adams Library
Mrs. Fred Laton
Mrs. William Pickles
Anna C. MacKay Memorial Library, Miss Anne Ballinger
Janitors :
Adams Library Mr. Richard Hoyle
:
Anna C. MacKay Memorial Library Mr. Thomas Roach
This year the Adams Library has been painted throughout, the floors resurfaced and rubber matting placed in the spots of most wear. When this was completed, the Trustees and Staff held open house on September 19, 1951, with a large number of townspeople attending. Many people availed themselves of the opportunity to express their appreciation of the improvements made in the Adams Library in the past few years. The Historical Society rooms were open for inspection during the evening with a record number of guests enjoying the exhibits.
Assisting the Trustees and Librarians were the following com- mittees: Refreshments, Mrs. John Crane, Chm., Mrs. Richard Kenyon, Mrs. J. Edward Cutcliffe, and Mrs. John H. Gardiner from the Mc- Farlin and Westlands Parent-Teacher Association; Flower Arrange- ments, Mrs. Arthur Gibbs, Chm., Mrs. Stephen Gleason, Mrs. James Grimm, Mrs. James Buzzell from the Chelmsford Garden Club; His- torical Society Hostesses, Miss Gertrude Roberts, Miss Frances Clark, Miss Eleanor Parkhurst.
89
REPORT OF THE CHELMSFORD LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees are gratified to find that more and more people are using the Anna C. MacKay Memorial Library. Making available more space for new books will be one of the projects for the near future. A placque reading, "In appreciation of the gift of Anna J. Brake towards the construction of the Anna C. Mackay Memorial Library, 1949" has been hung in the entrance hall.
During the summer, Mr. Otis Brown filled the vacancy left by the resignation of Mr. Richard Hoyle as janitor of the Adams Library, and in September, Mr. Joseph Geary took the position.
Exhibits in the Adams Library included Old Utensils by the Historical Society; The Story of Granite by Mrs. Lilla M. Dexter and the pupils of the fifth and sixth grades at the Quessy School; Hobbies by Mrs. Eva Dobson and the pupils of the sixth grade at the McFarlin School; Stamps and Old Covers by Mr. George Linton; Crafts by Miss Helen Haselton and Miss Emily Day and the members of the Sharon Art Center, Sharon, New Hampshire; Post Cards by Miss Judith Poland; Stamps, First Day Covers and Old Bills by Mr. Arnold Perham; Advertising Cards of the 1870's by Mr. George Perzel and Miss Marjorie B. Scoboria; Science Exhibit by Mr. John Bradley and his Science Classes at the High School, Orchids by Callie of Tyngs- boro; Christmas Exhibit by the pupils of the East Chelmsford School under the direction of Mrs. Jessie Brown, Miss Patricia Chandler, Mrs. Kathleen Coles and Miss Marion Mello; Antique Glass by Mr. Clyde Turner of Lowell.
The Trustees deeply appreciate the continued support of the townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE B. SCOBORIA,
Secretary.
90
REPORT OF TREASURER OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Chelmsford
ADAMS LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS
Name of Trust Fund
Principal New
Interest
Principal 12-31-51
Amos F. Adams Fund
$ 10,649.69
$
226.25 $ 10,875.94
George Fund
2,570.58
51.66
2,622.24
Adams Emerson Fund
228.20
4.58
232.78
Selina G. Richardson Fund
317.77
6.37
324.14
Joseph Warren Fund
1,024.36
20.58
1,044.94
Albert H. Davis Fund
341.79
8.59
350.38
Mary P. Proctor Fund
10,619.01
254.18
10,873.19
George Cemetery Fund
1,105.31
22.21
1,127.52
$ 26,856.71 None $ 594.42 $ 27,451.13
ANNA C. MACKAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS
Flint Fund
$
1,449.71 $
$
29.13 $ 1,478.84
Nathan B. Edwards Fund
706.17
14.19
720.36
Victor E. Edwards Fund
766.38
15.40
781.78
General Fund
338.30
10.95
10.26
359.51
Clement Fund-Estate of
Frederick B. Edwards.
384.77
895.71
1,280.48
$ 3,645.33 $ 10.95 $ 964.69
$ 4,620.97
Totals for all Trust Funds. $ 30,502.04 $ 10.95 $1,559.11 $ 32,072.10
Above you will find a list of the Trust Funds as of December 31, 1951 and the interest received during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) EUSTACE B. FISKE
Treasurer
1-1-51
Funds
91
REPORT OF ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
1
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my fourth annual report.
Some progress has been made during this past year. The circula- tion has increased noticeably. One reason for this is the greater use of library books in the schools. Another reason for this increase is the number of new residents of Chelmsford who have taken advantage of their library privileges.
Since the price of books, like so many other things, has increased, not quite so many could be purchased as in former years. We have been fortunate to have a number of books donated. The donors were Mrs. Edward Tebeau, Mr. George Axon, Mrs. Charles Holt, Dr. Robert Dutton of Wakefield, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Reed, Mrs. Edward G. Russell of East Chelmsford and Mrs. William Pickles. The Mac- millan Company and Think Magazine each donated a book.
Three classes from the McFarlin School, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Adams Library during 1951. They came prepared with pertinent questions to learn all that they could of the workings of their town library. One Brownie troop from the Westlands also made us a visit.
Open House in September was a very pleasant occasion. It gave the townspeople an opportunity to see the newly decorated interior of the building.
Book Week in November was observed by the usual display of new books. This is done to create interest among children and young people.
The statistics for the year 1951 follow:
Circulation :
Fiction
18,949
Non-fiction
7,006
Total
25,955
New books
540
New borrowers
227
In closing, I thank the Board of Trustees and all others who have cooperated with us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ADELAIDE W. BALL,
Librarian.
January, 1952
92
REPORT OF ANNA C. MACKAY LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE ANNA C. MACKAY LIBRARY LIBRARIAN
To the Board of Selectmen:
Sessions
308
Circulation:
Fiction
5,116
Non-Fiction
714
Magazines
1,212
7,042
New books added 287
A bronze placque in appreciation of the gift of Anna J. Brake towards the construction of the MacKay Library has been installed in the library.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA M. WHITWORTH,
Librarian.
93
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS ,
January 12, 1952.
Board of Selectmen, Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Great progress was made during the year in the long-range development program of the department, and if the program can be continued for a few years more, the Chelmsford Fire Department will rank with the best in Middlesex county, if not in the entire state.
During 1951, the fire alarm systems of North Chelmsford and West Chelmsford were linked, and an extension was made from the Center station to the East station to permit sounding of alarms in East from the Center, where the telephone switchboard is located.
In 1952, we are hoping to tie in the South alarm siren with the Center in the same manner as East now is tied in, and this will com- plete the long line extensions until such time as a central fire alarm system is installed. All of these lines will serve as part of a central system at that time.
Through the co-operation of the Civil Defense organization, a combination fire alarm-air raid warning whistle was installed in North Chelmsford, giving that section an adequate, modern audible alarm system.
During 1951 we also inaugurated an emergency service, utilizing a three-quarter ton pickup truck for which money was voted at the annual town meeting. This truck is equipped with radio, with fire- fighting and with emergency equipment and already has proven its value on many occasions. It gives the department an all-round emer- gency outfit which can be used at highway accidents, drownings or other non-fire emergencies without cutting down the fire-protection service in any of the five districts.
Also during 1951, the old Engine 4 at East Chelmsford was retired to reserve duty and was replaced with the former Engine 2 from North Chelmsford, after the latter had been repaired, repainted and modernized as much as possible. The reserve truck has been used on several occasions for non-fire work, such as pumping out Middlesex street in the area where lack of drainage resulted in minor floods after each heavy rain or thaw.
94
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
Great progress also has been made in welding the five districts into one unit with all working together for the common end - a better protection set-up for the entire town. .
The town experienced two serious fires during 1951 - the Emer- son barn fire and the Spurr home fire. At both of these fires the volunteer members of the department spent long hours with their companies and won the plaudits of spectators for their effective fire- fighting work. The members of the Board of Fire Engineers join in praising these men who give up their time, their sleep and sometimes their days work, in order to help the handful of regular firemen in the protection of lives and property in town.
Fires at the two town dumps continued in 1951 to be a source of great expense to the department, and the Engineers ask that steps be taken this year to properly police these dumps, to provide hydrant service at the North dump and other measures be taken to reduce the drain on fire department finances now caused by dump and dump- originated fires.
Under the mutual aid system, the Chelmsford fire department sent help to several towns in 1951 and called for and received help from Lowell, Tewksbury and Concord when it was needed.
Our big aim in 1952 is the construction of a simple fire station in the Center, to replace the antiquated, too small and poorly located shed now in use. As soon as the school department turns the Prince- ton street school buildings back to the town, we hope to secure one to be remodelled into a fire station for North Chelmsford, to provide town-owned housing for the apparatus there in place of the present rented housing.
In conclusion, we wish to express our thanks to the Board of Selectmen and to all other town officials and departments for the co- operation given us during the year.
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