Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1941-1945, Part 14

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 840


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1941-1945 > Part 14


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3. Instruments and music purchased :


a. Nine musical instruments.


b. Rhythm instruments for all first and second grades.


c. Four books for the high school music library.


d. Set of large colored picture of symphonic instru- ments.


e. All vocal and instrumental music for the high school.


f. Forty-one symphonic and operatic records for the high school.


g. Development of a high school orchestra of 22 members.


h. Fourteen students receiving instrumental in- struction, our future material for the high school orchestra.


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i. Established annual spring music festival.


j. Six music stands for the high school orchestra.


k. Loan of six instruments to the school department by citizens of Acton.


1. A gift of a violin by Miss Julia McCarthy.


B. Recommendations


For a better functioning program on a higher level of musical instruction, I would like to present the following rec- ommendations for your consideration :


1. Replacement of music books in the lower grades.


2. Replacement of music books for Grades 7 and 8.


3. An appropriation of a sum annually for high school chorus and orchestra music.


4. Credit to high school students for outside music study. (Now in effect in East Bridgewater.)


5. Creation of a harmony and composition class as an advanced course of music appreciation.


6. An extra period for the high school orchestra and chorus.


7. An additional day of teaching in order to follow effec- tively the extended course of study from elementary grades to the high school.


The morale of all groups is excellent. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the Parent-Teacher Association for their loyal support of the high school orchestra.


The co-operation of the school department and the towns- people has contributed to the success of this program, and it has been appreciated.


Charles K. Yeremian


Art


High school art students have had an opportunity to develop creative ability and to improve their techniques. Ad- vanced problems in design, composition and color have been


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worked out as a basis for posters, layouts, illustrations and portraits. Several graduates have been sending back their work for criticism.


The elementary work has served to stimulate the imagi- nation through free expression. A new course of study for Grades 1-12 provides a transition from informal work in the grades to individual projects in high school.


Many Acton School posters have been awarded prizes by the Massachusetts S. P. C. A. and by the Acton Center Woman's Club. An exhibit was held in the high school in April. The Art Department provided the new Honor Roll of former students in the service, which hangs in the corridor.


Among the needs of the department are reference books, a special supply cabinet for large materials, and a spray gun. Students with special skill should have additional periods. Constance Russo


Home Economics Department


The Home Economics Department has had several changes this year. In September the lunch room was allotted surplus commodities by the government. This allowed for larger servings at the same price. A paid assistant helps in the lunch preparation and in cleaning-up after lunch. This is a great improvement as it gives the teacher more time for her classes and the classes more time for actual class work.


The penny milk program has been introduced into the high school as well as the elementary schools. Under this pro- gram the student pays only 1c. for a half-pint of milk. The balance is paid partly by the government and partly by a local sponsor. The high school milk is sponsored by the lunch room. This program is made possible for us because of the use of surplus commodities.


In the sewing classes the work is carried on as usual with the exeception of particular emphasis upon remodeling old


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garments. With much of our materials going into war uses it is important to be able to use outmoded clothes by making new ones from them.


Financial Report for 1942


Balance on hand, January 1, 1942


$ 11.03


Sales for 1942


1567.43


Expenses for 1942


$1567.17


Balance on hand, January 1, 1943


11.29


$1578.46 $1578.46


Rebecca Bartlett


Industrial Arts


In this present emergency when so much depends upon industry and our armed forces, it is necessary to train our youth to take their places in the long and hard struggle ahead. Shop courses are directly beneficial in the training of our boys and girls to be of service.


Grade 7 is an introductory course in which as many types of shop work as possible, or advisable, are given to act as a background for future shop courses. Some of the types are drawing, woodworking and metal working.


Grade 8 is an exploratory and discovery course in which the student with one year of shop work begins to see possibil- ities and design projects of his own. Electricity and light machine work are added to the seventh grade courses, which are continued. The electricity consists of bell wiring, wire splicing, extension cord construction and the making of one or more electrical projects. The machine work consists of learning the use and care of the less dangerous machines such as the drill press, scroll saw, and the lathe. Projects consist of electric lamps, small tables, what-not shelves and many other desirable objects.


Grade 9 begins with an extensive mechanical drawing course for the purpose of teaching the use of the instruments


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and equipment necessary to make a good working drawing. Following the drawing course is a course in home mechanics which teaches the student certain repair jobs that can be done about the home, such as faucet repair, care of windows and doors, and cement work. Three girls are enrolled.


Grade 10 introduces development drawing of sheet metal projects. This consists of the drawing of the flat pattern of such objects as cones, funnels, boxes, pipes, and many other things made of sheet metal. After the drawing of a project is completed, it is made, primarily for the purpose of teaching the use and care of sheet metal and the sheet metal equipment.


Grade 11 introduces machine or architectural drawing. The machine drawing consists of the drawing of metal objects that may be made or worked on, in the machine shop, such as spindles, pulleys and castings. The architectural drawing consists of the study of and drawing of house plans. Power machine work is emphasized and larger projects such as tables, book cases and metal lathe projects are made.


Grade 12 students choose any branch of shop work that they wish. Many times they select the type of work that they are preparing to follow as their vocation. Some types are electricity, machine shop, woodworking, and topographical and aircraft drawing. Two girls are taking this course.


Safety is stressed as of primary importance, and, to insure this, students are taught that they should never use a tool or a machine until they have been instructed as to its use and care. Each class is organized with a shop management plan in which the supervisor and other monitors are respon- sible to the instructor. This teaches them responsibility as well as aiding the safety program. All students are required to have an approved plan before a project may be started, thus saving time and material. Many students work in the shop during spare periods and after school.


Although the shop is fairly well equipped with tools and materials, any additional equipment would certainly pay


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dividends in the experience of those who take the shop course.


New books and magazines have been added to the shop library, thus aiding in the ever-broadening shop curriculum.


Recommendations for shop improvement :


1. Double period classes.


2. Improved lighting.


3. Additional power metal-working machines.


4. An improved metal lathe.


5. An improved grinder.


6. A blue printing machine.


7. Consideration of pre-induction training courses for juniors and seniors.


In closing, I wish to thank the school committee and the townspeople for the kind consideration and co-operation that I have received, and state that any suggestions for shop im- provement would be gladly received.


Wilbert Hayes


A strong spirit of co-operation exists in the entire school department and good morale is observed in all buildings. I want to thank the townspeople for their generous support and the school committee for its sympathetic consideration of school problems in a war year.


Respectfully submitted,


RICHARD B. GREENMAN, Superintendent of Schools.


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School Membership and Attendance


Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1942


Boys


Grade 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals


1 4 23 2


29


2


5 17 2


24


17


4


17


5


3 12 2 3


20


6


27


7


32


8


3 10


20


9


3 4 5 3


15


10


3 7


4


14


11


8 3


11


12


7 9 1


17


P. G.


1


1


250


3


583 1 8 10


4 1


6 13 8 7 16 7 1 1 5 2


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Girls


Grade 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals


1


3 25 3 1


32


2


5 14


19


3


7 13 3 1


24


4


1 419


24


5


9 14


3


26


6


7 13 4


24


7


4 12 1 1


18


8


6 14 3 2


25


9


8 16 7


31


10


9 10 1


20


11


3 13


5


21


12


10 10 1


1 22


286


Total, Boys and Girls


536


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Report of the School Physician


-


Mr. Richard B. Greenman Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts


Dear Sir:


I herewith submit my annual report as School Physician.


The yearly physical examinations were completed on November 10, 1942.


The pre-school and diphtheria clinics were held in May and June.


Extra examinations were held for those taking part in sports as part of physical training.


The general physical condition of the school population is good.


Respectfully submitted, E. A. MAYELL, M.D.


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Report of the School Nurse


Mr. Richard Greenman Superintendent of Schools


Acton, Massachusetts


Dear Sir:


I herewith submit my report as school nurse since my appointment September 1 until December 31. The annual school physicals show a marked improvement in our students since physical education has become a regular part of our school curriculum.


To date we have been quite free from communicable disease this year and hope to continue so.


Due to war conditions over which we have no control we are unable to have the dental clinic this year, but hope the work may be continued soon.


Statistical Report


Simple dressings 135


Pupils taken home ill 14


Pupils taken to dentist 3


Pupils taken to doctor from school .


4


Pupil inspections 480


School physicals with Dr. Mayell 530


Audiometer tests 524


Audiometer re-tests 98


At this time may I express my gratitude for your hearty co-operation and that of the teachers, and my appreciation for the support of the Parent-Teachers Association.


Respectfully submitted,


LILLIAN F. TAYLOR, R. N.


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ACTON HIGH SCHOOL Graduation Program Friday, June 12, 1942 High School Auditorium at 8:00 P. M.


Entrance March of Seniors "Pomp and Circumstance" Elgar


Invocation


The Reverend D. Edward O'Bryan


Salutatory and Essay


The Importance of Chemurgy Today" Virginia Godfrey


Girls' Glee Club "Cycle of Life" "Fly, Singing Bird"


Ronald-Cain Elgar


Essay-"The Power of Music"


Florence Lawson


Presentation of Class Gift Dorothy Curley President of Senior Class


Essay-"The Bottlnecks of War Industries" Geraldene Clapp


Valedictory


Helen Bjorklund


Class Song


Florence Lawson


Presentation of Awards


Supt. Richard B. Greenman


Presentation of Diplomas Miss Fannie E. Davis


Finale March-"Priests' March"


Mendelssohn


Reception to Graduates


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Graduates, 1942


Henry Eugene Bursaw,Jr. * Clare Brunswicke Howard *Helen Anna Bjorklund *Geraldene Clapp


Dorothy Marie Curley Michael Gibbons Curley Laura Blanche Diggs William Gerard Feely Kathryn Ellen Flagg Betsey Scott Flangan F. Maurice Foote Margaret Ellen Fraser * Virginia Claire Godfrey Barbara Mae Gowen Evelyn Esther Greene


*Florence Catherine Lawson George Waldo Livermore, Jr. Raymond McAvenia


Burton Atwood Merriam Muriel Blanche Pelley Edward Leonard Pendergast, J. Robert Williams Rimbach


Katherine Schofield Martha May Sheehan Paul Justin Sweeney


*Geraldine Lorinda Tracy Gladys Elaine Wamboldt


*Burton Howard Wayne


*Honor Students


Awards During Year :


Virginia Godfrey and George Livermore: American Legion Awards for best rank in Scholarship, Loyalty, and Achievement (Edwards-Quimby Post).


Helen Bjorklund: Washington-Franklin Medal for best records in American History (Massachusetts Society, Sons of the American Revolution.


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INDEX


Assessors


50


Board of Health 53


Cemetery Commissioners 45


Dog Officer


74


Elizabeth White Fund 59


Finance Committee 69


Fire Department


60


Forest Warden 61


Inspector of Animals 51


Middlesex County Extension Service 47


Moth Control


73


Sealer's Report 46


Selectmen's Report


13


State Election, November 3, 1942 26


Schools :


Budget for 1943 116


Graduation Program 136


Organization 109


School Committee 114


School Nurse 135


School Physician 134


Superintendent


119


Teachers


113


Special Town Meeting (Abstract), May 4, 1942 23


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Special Town Meeting (Abstract), Nov. 23, 1942 25


Superintendent of Streets 56


Librarian's Report 49


Tax Collector 63


Town Accountant 83


Town Clerk's Report 32


Births 33


Marriages 36


Deaths


40


Non-Resident Burials


41


Dog Licenses 43


Jury List (Revised) 1942 44


Town Forest Committee


62


Town Meeting (Abstract), March 9, 1942 15


Town Nurse


55


Town Officers


7


Treasurer's Report 75


Tree Warden 72


Trustees of Goodnow Fund


52


Police 58 Public Welfare 56


Warrant, Monday, March 1, 1943 3


Workmen's Compensation Agent 48


-----------


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


Several Official Boards


OF THE


TOWN OF ACTON


MASSACHUSETTS


ED.


-1735.


ACTON.


For the Year Ending December 31 1943


0


0


0


0


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


Several Official Boards


OF THE


TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS


ONE


1735.


^ACTON.


For the Year Ending December 31 1943


ITEM PRESS WAKEFIELD


-3-


TOWN WARRANT


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss


RATED


1735.


ACTON.


To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet in their respective pre- cincts, to wit:


Precinct 1-Town Hall, Acton Center


Precinct 2-Universalist Church, South Acton


Precinct 3-Woman's Club House, West Acton


at 12 o'clock noon, Monday, the sixth day of March, 1944, by posting a copy of this warrant by you attested, at each of the places as directed by vote of the town, seven days at least before the sixth day of March. To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers :


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Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, collector of taxes, one selectman for three years; one assessor for three years; one member of the board of public welfare for three years; four constables for one year; one cemetery commissioner for three years; two members of the school committee for three years; one member of the board of health for three years; one trustee Memorial Library for three years; one trustee Memorial Library for one year to fill vacancy ; and a tree warden.


The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock p. m.


You are further requested in the name of the Com- monwealth to notify the legal voters of said town of Acton, as aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall in said Acton, on Monday, the thirteenth day of March, at 7.30 o'clock, p. m., then and there to act on the following articles:


Article 1. To choose all necessary town officers and committees and fix salaries of all town officers.


Article 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers.


Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any committee chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.


Article 4. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several departments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.


Article 5. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the observance of Memo- rial Day.


Article 6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen,


-5-


to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1944, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.


Article 7. To see if the town will vote to raise and . appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the use of the Treasurer, to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer. The town will be reimbursed for the amount spent by the County of Mid- dlesex, or act anything thereon.


Article 8. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for the maintenance of Jones Community Field, South Acton, or act anything there- on.


Article 9. To see if the town will vote to transfer $750.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Ac- count, or act anything thereon.


Article 10. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 or any other sum to be used by the Town Forest Committee for the purpose of purchas- ing additional forest land or act anything thereon.


Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the work of the Post- War Public Works Committee, or act anything thereon.


Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150.00 for repairs to the town sprayer, or act anything thereon.


Article 13. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Public Welfare to employ a person from the Civil Service list for the administration of Old Age Assist- ance, Aid to Dependent Children and General Relief in Acton, or act anything thereon.


-6-


Article 14. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 to defray the necessary expenses of the person employed by the Board of Public Welfare in the administration of Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and General Relief, or act anything thereon.


Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 for power metal-working machines in the high school shop, as recommended in the report last year, or act anything thereon.


Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $277.88, as required by law, to be paid to the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board on account of teachers on leave of absence for military service, or act anything thereon.


Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 to install fluorescent light- ing fixtures in all elementary classrooms or act anything thereon.


Article18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 for a new high school roof covering or act anything thereon.


Article 19. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to have an annual audit of the various accounts of the town or act anything thereon.


Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1800.00 so that the Board of Health may renew the contract for the collection and disposal of garbage for the period of one year, or act anything thereon.


Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $375.00 for the installation of two overhead doors in the Acton Center Fire house and for the


-7-


painting of the Acton Center and South Acton Fire houses or act anything thereon.


Article 22. To see if the town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town of Acton, adopted on March 8, 1926, by adding at the end of Article 1 of Section 1, the follow- ing: The members of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Welfare, School Committee and the Board of Health, are to be equally represented from each of the three existing precincts, or act anything thereon.


Article 23. To see if the town will vote to appropri- ate the sum of $2000.00 from the Overlay Surplus as a Re- serve Fund or act anything thereon.


Article 24. To see if the town will appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the amount of the State's and County's allotments for Highways under Chapters 81 and 90, provided that the reimbursement from the State and County be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account or act anything thereon.


Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay the following unpaid bills for 1943 or do or act anything thereon.


Fire Department $208.30


Forest Fires


130.10


Snow Account 28.75


Board of Health


26.00


$393.15


And you are directed to serve this Warrant by post- ing attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by vote of the town.


Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant


-8-


with your doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the time of meeting as aforesaid.


Given under our hands at Acton this twelfth day of January, 1944.


ARTHUR W. LEE, GEORGE S. BRAMAN, Selectmen of Acton.


A true copy. Attest :


ROBERT G. WILLETT, Constable of Acton.


-9-


TOWN OFFICERS


Moderator Albert P. Durkee


Selectmen


George A. Morse


Town expires 1944


Arthur W. Lee


Term expires 1945


George S. Braman


Term expires 1946


Town Clerk Harlan E. Tuttle


Town Treasurer William Henry Soar


Assessors


Albert P. Durkee


Term expires 1944


Clare A. Milbery


Carl C. Flint


Term expires 1945 Term expires 1946


Collector of Taxes Carrie M. Durkee


Tree Warden James J. Knight


Board of Public Welfare


Raymond L. Hatch . Term expires 1944


Benjamin J. Ineson Term expires 1945


Mary M. Laffin . Term expires 1946


Constables


Samuel E. Knowlton


Ivar Peterson


Robert G. Willett Lawrence Roche


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Cemetery Commissioners


Harry E. Holt Term expires 1944


Ray L. Harris Term expires 1945


'Horace F. Tuttle


Term expires 1946


School Committee


Walter B. Stevens Term expires 1944


Margaret Fraser Term expires 1944


Richard A. Lowden . Term expires 1945


Robert C. Hall Term expires 1945


Waldo J. Flint Term expires 1946


Marion C. Reed Term expires 1946


Trustees of Memorial Library


J. Sidney White .Term expires 1944


Frank A. Merriam Term expires 1945


Horace F. Tuttle . Term expires 1946


Board of Health


Francis B. Whouley .Term expires 1944


Lowell H. Cram Term expires 1945


O. Lawrence Clark . Term expires 1946


Agent of Board of Health Ernest E. Allsopp


Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund


Clara L. Sawyer Term expires 1944


Waldo E. Whitcomb Term expires 1945


Charlotte Conant . Term expires 1946


Trustees of West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund


Arnold H. Perkins Term expires 1944 H. Stuart MacGregor Term expires 1945 James B. Wilson Term expires 1946


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Trustees of Acton Firemen's Relief Fund


Frederick T. Kennedy


Term expires 1944


Clarence Frost . Term expires 1945


Herbert Merriam Term expires 1946


Trustees of Goodnow Fund


Charles E. Smith Term expires 1944


Charlotte Conant


Term expires 1945


Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1946


APPOINTMENTS MADE BY SELECTMEN - 1943


Executive Clerk Virginia Milbery


Office : Town Hall Hours : 8 A. M. to 4 P. M.


Meetings : Board of Selectmen, Wednesday evenings at 7:30 Board of Public Welfare, Tuesday evenings at 7:00.


Finance Committee


W. Stuart Allen Alden C. Flagg


William T. Merriam


Henry E. Tolman Albert W. Locke Porter G. Jenks


Superintendent of Streets William C. Kazokas


Town Accountant


Howard L. Jones Term expires 1944


Registrars of Voters


James B. Wilson . Term expires 1944 William B. Feely Term expires 1945 James W. Coughlin . Term expires 1946


Harlan E. Tuttle . Ex-Officio


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Election Officers


Precinct I


Warden-Alice C. Duren


Clerk-James A. Wayne Inspector-Samuel E. Knowlton Inspector-Paul A. Coughlin


Deputy Warden-Gertrude M. O'Neil Deputy Clerk-Spencer H. Taylor Deputy Inspector-Ralph L. Rogers Deputy Inspector-Leo T. McCarthy Teller-Louisa N. Wood Teller-Mary L. FitzGibbon


Precinct II


Warden-Clarence Robbins Clerk-Grace J. Cullinane Inspector-Merle M. Hayward Inspector-Sophia Walsh Deputy Warden-Pauline Bursaw Deputy Clerk-Thomas M. Murray Deputy Inspector-Henry L. Capelle Deputy Inspector-Joseph H. Lemoine Teller-Marion L. Piper Teller-John J. Bradley


Precinct III


Warden-Fannie E. Davis Clerk-Charles A. Byron Inspector-Havelock J. Schnair Inspector-Mary M. Laffin Deputy Warden-Bertram D. Hall Deputy Clerk-Albert C. Gravlin Deputy Inspector-Harry E. Holt Deputy Inspector-Katherine M. Kinsley Teller-Margaret F. Leveroni Teller-Marion C. Reed


-13-


Fire Engineers


H. Stuart MacGregor, Chief Engineer Clarence Frost, Asst. Engineer-Precinct I David Clayton, Asst. Engineer-Precinct II Arno H. Perkins, Asst. Engineer-Precinct III


Cattle Inspector Ernest E. Allsopp


Forest Warden H. Stuart MacGregor


Dog Officer Arthur Fraser


Sealer of Weights and Measures Carl E. Anderson


Town Forest Committee


Clarence Frost Term expires 1944


James J. Knight Term expires 1945


Albert R. Jenks Term expires 1946


Surveyors of Wood and Lumber


Oliver D. Wood Charles E. Smith


Field Drivers


Norman E. Livermore Robert G. Willett


Norman L. Perkins


Superintendent of Moth Work James J. Knight


Police Officers * Michael Foley, Chief


Robert G. Willett Benjamin Sawyer Louis Leveroni Samuel Knowlton *Civil Service-Permanent




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