USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1941-1945 > Part 24
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The trustees have signed orders to the treasurer for three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($375.00) for the year ending December 31, 1944.
These orders have been given after investigating and finding each person to be needy and worthy of help from this trust fund.
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO E. WHITCOMB, CLARA L. SAWYER, GRACE O. LEARS, Trustees of the Elizabeth White Fund.
-80-
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
-
1942 TOWN TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
Interest
$ 6,895.51 435.40
$ 7,330.91
Paid Treasurer
$ 7,264.17
Abated
65.32
Tax Titles
1.42
$ 7,330.91
1943 TOWN TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$18,315.86
Interest
307.65
$18,623.51
Paid Treasurer
$12,993.22
Tax Titles
1.42
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
5,628.87
$18,623.51
1944 TOWN TAX
Committed
$94,803.52
Interest
37.88
$94,841.40
Paid Treasurer
$78,259.22
Abated
918.75
Tax Titles
48.51
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
15,614.92
$94,841.40
-81-
1942 PERSONAL TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 461.15
Interest
31.65
$ 492.80
Paid Treasurer
$ 481.44
Abated
11.36
$ 492.80
1943 PERSONAL TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 1,050.96
Interest
16.80
$ 1,067.76
Paid Treasurer
$ 597.73
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
470.03
$ 1,067.76
1944 PERSONAL TAX
Committed
$13,121.40
Interest
4.92
$13,126.32
Paid Treasurer
$12,045.37
Abated
47.04
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
1,033.91
$13,126.32
1942 POLL TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 54.00
Interest
2.70
Cost
.. .6.30
$ 63.00
-82-
Paid Treasurer
$ 55.00
Abated
8.00
.
$ 63.00
· 1943 POLL TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 184.00
Interest
2.74
Cost
14.70
$ 201.44
Paid Treasurer
$* 129.44
Abated
46.00
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
26.00
$ 201.44
1944 POLL TAX
Committed
$ 1,926.00
Interest
.04
Cost
80.05
$ 1,934.09
Paid Treasurer
$ 1,204.09
Abated
586.00
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
144.00
$ 1,934.09
1942 EXCISE TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 417.71
Interest
25.67
$ 443.38
Paid Treasurer
$ 342.06
Abated
101.32
$ 443.38
-83-
1943 EXCISE TAX
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
$ 879.73
Committed Jan. 6, 1944
57.55
Interest
27.95
$ 965.23
Paid Treasurer
$ 790.35
Abated
57.33
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1944
117.55
$ 965.23
1944 EXCISE TAX
Committed
$ 4,655.25
Interest
1.39
$ 4,656.64
Paid Treasurer
$ 4,082.87
Abated
11.58
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
562.19
$ 4,656.64
SUMMARY OF COLLECTOR'S REPORT JANUARY 1, 1945
Total Debits
1942 Town Tax $ 7,330.91
1943 Town Tax
18,623.51
1944 Town Tax 94,841.40
1942 Personal Tax 492.80
1943 Personal Tax
1,067.76
1944 Personal Tax
13,126.32
1942 Poll Tax
63.00
1943 Poll Tax
.. 201.44
-84-
1944 Poll Tax 1,934.09
1942 Excise Tax
443.38
1943 Excise Tax 965.23
1944 Excise Tax
4,656.64
$143,746.48
Total Credits
Cash Paid Treasurer
$118,244.96
Abated
1,852.70
Tax Titles
5.1.35
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1945
23,597.47
$143,746.48
CARRIE M. DURKEE, Collector of Taxes.
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1944.
Number of dogs disposed of in accordance with law .. 42
Number of dogs reclaimed by owners in accordance with law 5
Number of calls answered for dog nuisance 73
Warnings to delinquent owners to get licenses 140
Summoned to court 1
Appropriation $200.00
42 dogs at $3.00 for six days 126.00
42 dogs disposed of 42.00-
Total
$168.00
-85-
Gentlemen : I recommend the appropriation for the year 1945 be $250.00.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR FRASER,
Dog Officer.
TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year Ending December 31, 1943
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Acton, Massachusetts :
I herewith submit my report for the year 1944.
Cash Balance, January 1, 1944 Receipts for 1944 :
$ 83,575.71
Received from State Treasurer :
Public Safety $ 845.79
Old Age Assistance, Federal .
14,289.28
Highways
6,164.87
Aid Dependent Children, Fed. 596.01
Tuition
1,386.39
Transportation
110.00
Old Age Assistance
11,799.82
Highway Fund, Chapter 569
6,906.60
Income Tax
15,842.00
Corporation Tax
16,876.60
Meal Tax
780.05
Reimbursement Loss of Taxes.
580.77
Aid Dependent Children
872.88
Vocational Education
39.06
Highways, Chapter 90
1,999.54
State Aid
327.50
$ 79,417.16
-86-
Received from Country Treasurer :
Dog Account, Refund $ 698.17
Highways 1,999.54
$ 2,697.71
Received from Carrie M. Durkee, Collector of Taxes :
Poll, 1942
$ 46.00
Personal, 1942
473.86
Excise, 1942
292.32
Town, 1942
6,828.77
Poll, 1943
112.00
Personal, 1943
580.93
Excise, 1943
762.40
Town, 1943
12,685.57
Poll, 1944
996.00
Personal, 1944
12,040.45
Excise, 1944
4,281.48
Town, 1944
78,221.34
Interest
896.54
Costs
27.30
$118,244.96
Miscellaneous Receipts :
Harlan E. Tuttle, Dog Licenses $ 934.40
Horace F. Tuttle, Lots sold Woodlawn
155.00
10.00
Wm. J. Gallagher, Sale Junk Town of Watertown, Old Age Assistance
220.33
Arthur F. Davis, Library Fines
75.19
Concord District Court, Fines
317.55
Elwin, Hollowell, Care of Lots
261.06
Selectmen, Licenses
26.00
Fred Kennedy, Care Lots
388.00
Fred Kennedy, Burials
513.00
Fred Kennedy, Lowering Device
78.00
Fred Kennedy, Miscellaneous . 58.00
-87-
Fred Kennedy, Sale of Lots, Mt. Hope 50.00
Fred Kennedy, Foundations ..
100.25
Board of Health, Licenses ... City of Cambridge, Old Age Assistance
41.00
Town of Acton, Mach. Acct. ..
796.25
Martha Greenwood, Burial
Expense
100.00
Board of Health, Nurse Services W. L. Marshall, Jr., Forest Fire 17.77
59.85
l'own of Boxboro, Welfare ... Boston and Maine R. R., Forest Fires
18.60
Harry Holt, Grange Rent
49.50
Harry Holt, Rent of Hall
491.00
Mathew Freeman, Machin-
ery Account
3.00
School Dept. Telephone Book Fines
23.39
Town of Westford, Schools
334.31
Town of Concord, Welfare . ..
540.75
Town of Boxboro, Schools ..
3,127.92
Town of Littleton, Old Age Assistance 49.41
Town of Wrentham, Old Age Assistance 156.31
Town of Marblehead, Old Age Assistance 63.43
Carl E. Anderson, Sealer Weights
63.32
City of Lynn, Old Age Assist. .
8.30
Michael Enneguess, Land Low Value
25.00
City of Boston, Schools 150.89 . Town of Swansea, Old Age Assistance 23.33
10.00
238.00
-88-
City of Lowell, Old Age Assist. 27.41 Chief of Police, Revolver
Permits 5.00
Chief of Police, Bicycle Regis. 13.25
City of Boston, Welfare 107.83
Town of Concord, Land Tax ..
25.12
Selectmen, Maps
1.00
Old Colony R. R. Tax Title
.
62.49
Old Colony R. R. Interest
11.04
Horace F. Tuttle, Library
Books
1.40
William Hellowell, Advertise- ment
1.28
Dewey Boatman, Advertise-
ment
1.28
James E. Kinsley, Advertise-
ment
1.28
Lester Sebastian, Advertise-
ment
1.28
James E. Barsi, Advertisement
1.28
Theron A. Lowden, Prem- Refund
104.92
Town of Ashland, Old Age Assistance
134.37
Carrie M. Durkee, Liens
41.00
Acton High School, Ind. Arts Shop
22.87
Transfer from Blanchard Fd. .
25.00
Transfer from Cemetery Fd. ..
1,509.22
Transfer from Susan Noyes Hosmer Fund
2,417.98
Transfer from Memorial Li-
brary Fund 200.00
Total Cash Receipts .... Cash Balance Jan. 1, 1944
$ 14,294.41 $214,654.24 83,575.71
Sum Total for 1944
$298,229.95
-89-
Payments in 1944: Selectmen's Orders
$199,809.58 State Taxes 4,838.06
$204,647.64
Cash Balance Dec. 31, 1944 . ..
$93,582.31
OUTSTANDING NOTES AND BONDS
High School Bond, due 1945 $ 1,000.00
High School Addition Notes, 164 to 176, due 1945 to 1957 13,000.00
Departmental Equipment Loan, notes 181
and 182 due 1945-1946 2,000.00
SUSAN NOYES HOSMER FUND Balance January 1, 1944 : Principal Fund $ 82,238.95
Unexpended Balance 1,968.85
$ 84,207.80
Received Interest for 1944
1,655.30
$ 85,863.10
Balance December 31, 1944: Bank Balances in Sav. Bank
$ 83,445.12
Transfer to Town Account 2,417.98
$ 85,863.10
CEMETERY FUND
Balance January 1, 1944 : Principal Fund . $ 46,312.21
Unexpended Balance 2,045.70
$ 48,357.91
Received for Perpetual Care
for 1944
2,425.00
Received Interest for 1944
886.00
$ 51,668.91
-90-
Balance December 31, 1944: Bank Balances in Sav. Banks . Transfer to Town Account ..
$ 50,159.69 1,509.22
$ 51,668.91
ELIZABETH WHITE FUND
Balance January 1, 1944 : Principal Fund . $ 25,000.00
Unexpended Balance 2,228.22
$ 27,228.22
Received Interest for 1944 .
562.53
$ 27,790.75
Balance December 31, 1944 : Bank Balances in Sav. Banks . Paid Trustees Orders for 1944
$ 27,415.75
375.00
$ 27,790.75
WILDE MEMORIAL LIBRARY FUND
Balance January 1, 1944: Principal Fund $ 14,262.47
Unexpended Balance 527.56
$ 14,790.03
Received Bequest to Fund . Received Interest for 1944
1,500.00 286.76
$ 16,576.79
Balance December 31, 1944: Bank Balances in Savings Bank Transfer to Town Account ..
$ 16,376.79
200.00
$ 16,576.79
-91-
GEORGIA E. WHITNEY FUND
Balance January 1, 1944: Principal Fund $ 14,073.70
Unexpended Balance 210.62
$ 14,284.32
Received Interest for 1944
293.58
$ 14,577.90
Balance December 31, 1944: Bank Balances in Sav. Banks.
$ 14,452.90
Paid Trustee's Orders for 1944
125.00
$ 14,577.90
LUKE BLANCHARD CEMETERY FUND
Balance January 1, 1944: Balance
$ 1,506.14
Received Interest for 1944 .
22.86
$ 1,529.00
Balance December 31, 1944 : Bank Balances in Sav. Banks Transfer to Town Account ...
$ 1,504.00
25.00
$ 1,529.00
CEMETERY SURPLUS
Balance January 1, 1944 : Balance . .
$ 1,065.07
Received Interest for 1944
18.71
$ 1,083.78
Balance December 31, 1944 : Balance in Savings Bank .
$ 1,083.78
:92-
WEST ACTON FIREMEN'S RELIEF FUND
Balance January 1, 1944 : Balance Received Interest for 1944 ...
$ 647.49
13.00
$ 660.49
Balance December 31, 1944:
Balance in Savings Bank
$ 660.49
ACTON FIREMEN'S RELIEF FUND
Balance January 1, 1944:
Principal Fund
$ 2,565.00
Unexpended Balance 208.09
$ 2,773.09
Received Donation to Fund ..
50.00
Company Salaries
230.00
Received Interest for 1944 ..
56.66
$ 3,109.75
Balance December 31, 1944:
Balance in Savings Bank .
..
$ 3,109.75
ACTON HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY FUND
Principal Fund
$ 1,500.00
Received Interest for 1944 . . 9.38
$ 1,509.38
Balance December 31, 1944:
Balance in Savings Bank .$ 1,509.38
Respectfully submitted
WM. HENRY SOAR,
Town Treasurer.
-93-
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
Your Committtees on Finance respectfully submits the following recommendations for the ensuing year:
Particular attention is called to the report of the Finance Committee for 1945.
While the Finance Committee has carefully considered the amounts and other articles asked for by the several departments and in each case has made its recommenda- tion thereon, they have particularly given attention to the manner in which this report is presented.
The reasons for the changes and itemization is in accordance with a plan followed by the many towns and recommended by the Association of Town Finance Com- mittees. Its aim and value being the authentic comparison with other towns according to valuation, population and per capita tax.
In the last year an unfortunate circumstance occurred, due to misunderstanding, in the installation of fluorescent lighting.
Due to dissatisfaction of the product furnished the School Committee incurred an overdraft to install fluores- cent lighting in four elementary school rooms instead of completing the installation of fluorescent lighting in all the elementary school rooms. This fact has made it neces- sary for the Selectmen to take certain actions in order to keep within the law.
The Finance Committee, recommends their action and a "yes" vote on all articles pertaining thereto, that the matter may be satisfactorily straightened, out and further recommend the $1,550.00 to finish the job as recommended by the School Committee and originally voted by the Town.
We do, however, call attention of all departments to the difficulties that have arisen, that future votes may be carefully read and the amount voted, not exceeded.
-94-
The Finance Committee would call attention to the budget as set forth under Education.
While the Finance Committee is in accord and recom- mend all that the School Committee asks, they feel that it is a mistake to include in the Educational budget such items as fluorescent lighting in the elementary schools and waterproofing north wall in high school, because such special items make too great a difference in the comparison of year by year.
The Finance Committee believe that such items as would materially make the general expenses of education fluctuate should be put under special articles in the town warrant as is the custom of every other department of the town and other towns.
Therefore be it moved and
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appropriated for several specific purposes hereinafter designated and that the same be expended only for the pur- poses under the direction of the respective boards, commit- tees, or officers of the town, as follows:
-
Recommended 1945
Item
Average Expended 1941-1943
Expended 1944
1
$ 28.00
$ 25.00
General Government, 4.9% of total Moderator Finance or Advisory Committee : Expenses Selectmen :
$ 25.00
2
10.00
10.00
200.00
Salaries and Wages
1,800.00
Expenses
100.00
Town Accountant :
5
536.00
650.00
6
30.00
39.42
Expenses
40.00
Treasurer :
7
540.00
650.00
8
199.00
196.31
9
1,000.00
1,000.00
10
290.00
170.85
Expenses
200.00
. .
11
880.00
1,458.33
Salaries and Wages
1,500.00
12
80.00
46.98
Expenses
75.00
Town Clerk:
13
188.00
200.00
Salaries and Wages
350.00
-95-
Salaries and Wages
650.00
Expenses
200.00
Collector:
Salaries and Wages
1,250.00
Salaries and Wages
650.00
3
1,737.00
1,881.77
4
97.00
91.31
Assessors :
14
223.00
152.07
15
404.00
709.00
550.00
16
203.00
393.80
300.00
1 .
17
$ 8,040.00
. :
18
752.00
876.54
19
3,768.00
1,970.17
·
20
Total Building and Grounds $ 3,700.00
Protection of Persons and Property 9% of total
Police :
21
1,800.00
Chief's Salaries
$ 1,800.00
22
300.00
Chief's War Bonus
300.00
23
409.70
Special Officers
400.00
24
823.51
Expenses including Cruiser
850.00
Fire Department: Salaries and Wages
1
1,900.00
26
5,009.00
1,425.22
Expenses
1,100.00
Fire Hydrants (Rental)
3,453.00
Forest Fires
1,200.00
Article No. 13
$1,000.00
-96-
25
1,418.00
1,892.80
27
3,444.00
3,453.00
28
971.20
Expenses Elections and Registration : Salaries and Wages Expenses
150.00
Total General Government Building and Grounds, 2.2% of total Salaries and Wages Expenses Article No. 11
$ 900.00
2,800.00
$1,000.00
29
200.00
200.00
30
16.00
15.55
Sealer of Weights and Measures: Salaries and Wages Expenses
200.00 15.00
Moth Department:
31
601.00
552.36
Salaries and Wages
700.00
32
549.00
642.16
Expenses
800.00
Tree Warden :
33
556.00
977.69
Salaries and Wages
700.00
34
146.00
423.04
Expenses
300.00
35
Town Forest Expense, Article No. 8
500.00
36
196.00
168.00
Dog Officer Expense, Article No. 6 Article No. 20 $250.00
-97-
37
Total Protection Persons and Property
$ 14,468.00
· Health and Sanitation : 3.6% of total Health :
38
2,944.00
3,652.16
Salaries and Wages
$ 3,650.00
39
324.00
531.29
Expenses
400.00
40
125.00
125.00
Inspection of Animals
125.00
Sanitation :
41
1,068.42
1,630.88
Garbage Disposal, Article 19
1,800.00
Total Health and Sanitation $ 5,975.00
250.00
42
416.00
757.80
Salaries and Wages
$ 900.00
43
775.00
442.20
Expenses
550.00
44
7,125.00
Chapter 81
7,125.00
45
2,840.33
Chapter 90
2,500.00
46
5,303.00
3,998.84
Snow Removal
5,000.00
47
3,821.00
3,350.40
Street Lighting
3,525.00
Article No. 10
$550.00
Article No. 21
$600.00
48
Total Highways
$ 19,600.00
Charities, 16.2% of total General Relief
49
432.00
613.34
Salaries and Wages
$ 625.00
50
3,566.00
4,365.99
4,000.00
51
97.02
Administration Expense, Article No. 12
100.00
52
17,827.81
20,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
53
2,287.00
1,908.20
Expenses
2,000.00
Total Charities
$ 26,725.00
-98 --
54
Highways: 11.9% of total
Old Age Assistance Expenses
Expenses
55 56
50.00
1,309.00
322.23
Veterans Benefits : 6.10% of total Salaries and Wages Expenses
$ 50.00 1,000.00
57
$ 1,050.00
58 59,285.00
58,997.78
59
$ 50,020.00
60
2,180.00
61
Mass. Teachers' Retirement Fund
217.50
62
General and Miscellaneous Expense and Supplies, including new Text Books Transportation
5,100.00
63
5,000.00
64
Vocational Education
100.00
65
Janitors' Supplies and Power
1,400.00
General Repairs and Outlays
1,950.00
Waterproofing North Wall High School
1,600.00
Article No. 15
$77.80
Article No. 16
$1,550.00
Libraries :
68
678.00
667.00
Salaries and Wages
700.00
69
957.00
537.70
Expenses
800.00
70
200.00
200.00
Books
200.00
Total Education
$ 69,267.50
-99 --
66
67
Total Veterans' Benefits Education : 42.2% of total Superintendent's, Principals' and Teachers' Salaries and Janitor Wages Fuel
71
72
209.00
79.56
73
Total Recreation Unclassified : 2.2% of total Miscellaneous Expenses
$ 200.00
74
218.00
224.00
75
362.00
343.00
Town Reports
400.00
76
256.00
235.49
Memorial Day, Article No. 4
250.00
77
689.00
600.00
Workman's Compensation
600.00
78
332.00
358.94
Committee on Public Safety
400.00
79
265.00
229.25
Surety Bonds
280.00
80
571.00
604.50
Rationing Board
1,300.00
81
Total Unclassified
$ 3,730.00
Cemeteries : 1.7% of total
82
2,836.00
2,049.80
83
730.00
393.37
84
Total Cemeteries
$ 2,800.00
Maturing Debt and Interest : 2% of total Maturing Debt
$ 3,000.00
-100-
85
3,000.00
Salaries and Wages Expenses Article No. 22
$ 2,400.00
400.00
$400.00
Recreation : 1/10% of total Playgrounds : Expense
$ 200.00
$ 500.00
250.75
Total Debt and Interest
$ 3,250.75
$158,806.25
89 90
Total Budget Recommendations Total recommended, Special Articles
5,427.80
91
Total, all recommendations
$164,234.05
Add estimated State Charges, County
Taxes, T. B. Hospital assessment, as- sessor's estimate of overlay, and all other amounts required by law to be raised
11,821.97
-101-
93
94
Grand total, Recommendations and Estimates Deductions to compute estimated tax rate; estimated receipts, income corporation, gasoline taxes, from State, motor vehicle excise and other local receipts from other sources than taxa- tion $61,431.51 Poll Taxes 1,926.00
$176,056.02
$ 63,357.51
320.00 22.50
Interest, Maturing Debt Interest, Temporary Loans
86 87 88
92
95
96
Estimated balance to be raised by a levy on local real estate and tangible per- sonal property, other than Motor Vehicles
Estimated tax rate based upon above recommendations, previous year's val- uations $33.50
$112,698.51
-102-
-103-
Articles 9 :
Recommend $200.00 for Post War Public Works Com- mittee.
Article 10:
Recommend $550.00 for repairing the town roller.
Article 11:
,
Recommend appropriating the sum of $1,000.00 for repairs Highway Department buildings.
Article 13 :
To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to purchase new hose and three (3) fire alarm boxes and installed or act anything thereon. Recommend $1,000.00.
Articles 15 :
Recommend $77.80 to pay balance due on fluorescent lighting.
Article 16:
Recommended the appropriation of $1,550.00 to com- plete fluorescent lighting in the elementary schools.
Article 20:
Recommend the appropriation of $250.00 to replace- ment of shade trees.
Article 21:
Recommend the sum of $600.00 be appropriated to purchase of a power tractor.
Article 22:
Recommend appropriation for $400.00 for a compres- sor for the Cemetery Department.
Article 30:
Recommend $500.00.
Article 32:
Recommend the sum of $3,000.00 be appropriated from the Overlay Surplus account for the Reserve Fund.
-104-
The sum of $1,809.87 was transferred in 1944 from the Reserve Fund to the following accounts :
Tree Warden $750.73
Building and Grounds 446.71
Aid to Dependent Children . . 175.00
Fire Department
325.00
General Government
112.43
$1,809.87
Precinct 1-Alden C. Flagg, W. Stuart Allen.
Precinct 2-Mrs. Pauline Bursaw, William T. Merriam.
Precinct 3-Albert W. Locke, Porter Jenks.
Finance Committee.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton:
I submit my report, concerning the work of the High- way Department, since my appointment April 17, 1944.
The regular maintainance work of cleaning, cutting brush and patching was carried on.
Eight miles of road received surface treatment. In addition, one and one-half miles of Main Street, was sur- faced with a mixed in place treatment. This consists of mixing trap rock pea stone with asphalt, forming a durable surface for heavy traffic.
Three unfinished projects were completed :
Esterbrook Road-widened, gravelled and surface treated.
Prospect Street-seal coat.
Arlington Street-construction of a catch basin and the laying of seventy-five feet of pipe connecting three catch basins. It is hoped that the drainage system laid out some time ago will be completed in the near future.
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Nashoba Road, at narrow end near Newtown Road, was widened, gravelled and surface treated.
During the summer a granite capstone broke at Cole's Brook, Hosmer Street. This was replaced with concrete and wheel guard. Due to narrowness of this road and di- rection in which the brook was following the edge of it for one hundred twenty-five feet, leaving stone wall holding road at this point in dangerous condition, an easement was obtained from the abutters and the course of the brook was changed.
Gravel was put on the sides of Concord Road at Ice Pond, in order to retain the stone wall which was falling out and in a dangerous situation. This project will be com- pleted in the spring.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL C. BERRY, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF WAR PRICE AND RATIONING BOARD
To the Citizens of Acton:
As your War Price and Rationing Board enters upon the fourth year of its duties on January 2, 1945, a brief report of its activities for the year 1944 is in order.
As a whole, the work has been largely stabilized, and of a routine nature; typewriters, bicycles and some types of stoves were taken from the rationed list of commodi- ties, but much more emphasis was, and, we are told, will increasingly be placed upon Price Control in an earnest effort to stop inflation, disastrous as it would be to all of us. Burdened, as the office always is, by the volume of reports required, in addition to our regular detail work, it became necessary for us to employ as additional aid, Miss Marjory
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J. McAdoo, whose duties are almost entirely those of price checking and Price Control. She has well supplemented our efficient and courteous staff of Miss Sonya Farley and Mrs. Beatrice Parsons.
Probably the most vexatious problem we have had to face the past year has been the shortage of tire quotas with which to fill your needs. For many months we have been some weeks behind in our efforts to keep your tire requirements satisfied, and we want to thank you sin- cerely for your patience in dealing with us in a problem out of our control. Mr. Allen G. Moody and Mr. Ralph W. Piper of the Tire Panel, have done a fine job and deserve a great deal of credit for their earnest and success- ful endeavors to solve the difficult problems involved.
Once again Mr. Howard Billings and Miss Clara L. Sawyer have given freely of their time and their intelli- gent ability in solving those problems of Fuel Oils and Food respectively, which were presented to them. Our volunteer workers, Mrs. Florence Fannon and Mrs. Con- stance Smith, have been extremely helpful, and we ap- preciate greatly the use of their needed and conscientious ability.
It is the sincere hope of the Board and its staff that the year 1945 will see at least some lightening of the rationing restrictions as a consequence of the hoped-for end of the grim European War. As always, we want you to know that the Board and its staff are ready and will- ing to assist you in any problems of rationing over which it has jurisdiction, and which perplex you. Please do not hesitate to bring them to us, and we will do our utmost to help you in every way possible. We have sincerely appre- ciated your patriotic co-operation with us over the past three trying war years, and thank you deeply for it.
Respectfully submitted for the Board,
WEBSTER S. BLANCHARD,
Chairman.
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REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton:
I herewith submit my annual report covering the financial transactions of the Town for the year ended De- cember 31, 1944.
Included is a detailed statement of the expenditures of each department, a tabulated record showing the ap- propriations, transfers, and balances as of December 31, 1944.
The last payment for the high school loan of $1,000.00 will be paid this year together with payments of $1,000.00 each on the high school addition notes and fire equipment notes. These payments will bring the total bonded debt of the Town to $13,000 at the end of 1945.
You will note by the balance sheet the excellent financial condition of the town as the year closed with surplus revenue of $94,297.95.
The amount due from the state and county for high- ways under Chapters 81 and 90 amounting to $3,499.30 will be credited to the Surplus Account as soon as payment is received.
I have audited the books of the Collector of Taxes and verified the cash on hand. I have audited the books of the Treasurer and verified the several trust funds in his custody. I have verified the funds in the custody of trustees.
HOWARD L. JONES,
Town Accountant.
Appropriations and Expenditures January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1944
General Government
A $
8,600.00
T
112.42
$ 8,712.42
Surety Bonds
A
280.00
229.25
50.75
Buildings and Grounds
A
2,400.00
T
446.71
2,846.71
Police
A
3,350.00
3,333.21
16.79
Fire Department
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