USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 7
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The appropriation for Welfare for 1946 was $4,000, out of which $3,322.05 was spent, leaving a balance of $677.95. During 1946, we aided seven cases in Acton and five cases out of town with Acton settlements. At the present time, we are aiding six welfare cases, three of which are in Acton. For the out-of-town bills during the past year, we paid $1,547.12 while $1.774.93 was paid for the seven cases in Acton. In anticipation of bills which will be incurred during 1947, we find it necessary to ask for an appropriation of $4,500, which is $500 more than last year.
For Aid to Deperdent Children, we are asking an appro- priation of $3,500. This is an increase over last year of $1,000. During 1946. we aided five families having a total of twelve dependent children. Ou- present case load is three families with a total of eight children.
We are asking for $25.000 for Old Age Assistance for the coming year. This is an increase of $2,000 over last year's original appropriation. On January 1, 1946, our case load was 61 and on December 31, 1946, it was 68. During the entire year, 81 persons were aided under this category of assistance, 58 of these had Acton settlements, 11 with out-of-town settle- ments and 12 which were unsettled. Owing to the high cost of living, state budgetary standards were increased twice during the past year, making it necessary to increase the grants of most of the recipients of Old Age Assistance.
Your Board, desiring to give you an analysis of the ex- penditures for 1946, submits the following :
TEMPORARY AID
Paid to State on Acton settled cases . . $ 609.50 Paid to other places on Acton settled cases 937.62
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Paid to cases in Acton
1,774.93
$3,322.05
Estimated reimbursements :
from other towns
$1,271.07
from State
176.50
1,447.57
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton
$1,874.48
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Total expended
$2,497.57
Estimated Federal Grants $ 433.50
Estimated State reimbursement
832.53
1,266.03
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton $1,231.54
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Total expended $37,834.09
Estimated Federal Grants $15,414.12
Estimated State reimbursement 15,615.47
Estimated reimbursement from other
places 667.89
31,697.48
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton
$ 6.136.61
Appropriations recommended for 1947:
Old Age Assistance $25,000.00
Temporary Aid 4,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children 3,500.00
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN J. INESON, MARY M. LAFFIN, WALTER B. STEVENS, Board of Public Welfare.
136
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen
Acton, Massachusetts
I herewith submit my report for the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Arrests and prosecutions for the following offenses :
Operating without a license (M.V.) 7
Law of the road
1
Speeding 6
Operating so as to endanger 6
Failing to stop at Stop sign 9
Going away after causing damage to property . .
3
Operating under the influence of liquor
5
Drunkenness
18
Robbery
3
Assault with intent to murder
3
Breaking and Entering
4
Larceny of poultry
1
Assault and Battery
4
Assault
1
Incest
1
Disturbing the Peace
4
Receiving stolen property
3
Fish and Game violations
3
Default warrants 2
Delinquent children
2
Motor vehicle accident report :
Accidents reported 32
Occupants injured 46
Pedestrians injured 2
Persons killed in motor vehicle accidents 2
In addition to prosecutions for motor vehicle violations, six persons were reported to the Registrar and licenses were suspended.
One hundred seventy complaints were received and in- vestigated. Some of the more serious offenses are listed below :
137
Assault with intent to murder 1
Attempted holdup 1
Robbery while armed 1
B & E & Larcenv .
11
Attempted breaks
2
Indecent exposure
2
Larceny of automobile 1
Cars broken into and articles stolen 2
Obstructions placed on railroad tracks 1
Boys using .22 rifles, endangering lives
11
Malicious destruction of property 6
Assault & Battery
4
Larceny 9
In addition to complaints investigated, several hundred cars were stopped and warned for minor traffic violations and more than one hundred persons came to my home to have transfer blanks signed, report accidents, etc.
With the registration of motor vehicles at an all time high, we can look forward to an increase in our work again this year.
In closing, I would like to thank all those who assisted the department and your Chief during the past year and at this time to recommend that another permanent officer be appointed for your protection and further recommend that the call hours of your Chief be reduced from twenty-four hours to not more than twelve hours a day.
Traffic Lines & Markings :
Under a special appropriation, traffic lines were painted in all precincts of the town this year under the supervision of the Police Department. I feel that this work could best be done and should be done by the Street Department under the supervision of the Superintendent as it is in other towns and as specified under Article III, Section 1 of our Traffic Rules and Orders.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL FOLEY, Chief of Police
138
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE 1946
Because of the unusual season, fruit growers were inter- ested in the work carried on by the Extension Service along the lines of frost damage and its prevention; and in the newer orchard sprays checked the severe infestation of apple scab. Twilight orchard meetings were held in various parts of the county, which were of interest to many Acton fruit growers.
Cholera, a deadly poultry disease, was found in the town, and assistance given in getting it under control quickly before there was any spread to neighbors. Projects were developed of special interest to poultrymen, from the standpoint of better use of ranges, brooding and rearing and disease con- trol and sanitation. The monthly circular letter called "POULTRY NOTES" has been of general interest and has been sent to all interested poultrymen as well as radio talks and farm visits made upon request.
Among the dairy farmers, special emphasis was made in building up the Selective Breeding Association and the Herd Improvement Association.
In order to help the homemakers with the various food shortages occurring during the year, demonstrations and illustrated talks were given on the following subjects: When Meat is Scarce; Sugar-Saving Desserts; Use of Available Foods; Oil-Sparing Salad Dressings. Assistance was also given homemakers with their home sewing problems to help meet the high cost of ready-to-wear clothes. This included Short Cuts and Speed Tricks in clothing construction. Food preservation was a major summer activity and information was given on the best procedure to insure satisfaction in home canning and in the preparation of food for freezing.
4-H Club Work was carried on under the direction of the 4-H Committee, of which Edward W. Estabrook was chair- man. Clubs were: clothing, foods, knitting, crafts for girls; gardening, poultry and livestock for boys. Mrs. Frances Rich-
139
ards' clothing club members were all blue ribbon winners. Mrs. Edythe Bird had a left-handed knitters' club, which got considerable publicity throughout the state. Leaders of other clubs were Mrs. Seaward Spinney, Mrs. George Newton. Mrs. Kenneth Jewell, Miss Kathleen Sweeney and Miss Ann Horri- gan. Dawn Richards, Mimi Knipple, Marcia Reed, Barbara Allen and Janet Flagg were blue ribbon winners in the county dress revue. Caroline Gates and Kathleen Sweeney attended Junior Leaders' Camp at Amherst. Fred Richards was awarded a prize on his garden by the Middlesex North Agricultural Society, while Thomas Rooney was awarded $5.00 by the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture on his fine work in raising turkeys. An exhibit on winter activities was held in the spring.
REPORT OF TOWN NURSE
To the Board of Health
Acton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1946 -
Bedside calls 700
Pre-natal
120
Post-natal 108
Child welfare
290
Night calls 75
Eight patients were taken to the Middlesex County Sana- torium for X-ray and check-up. Ten to the Emerson Hospital for various causes.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN F. TAYLOR, R. N.
140
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
An appropriation of $1000 was made for this work. This money was used for emergency work such as removing dead, broken and dangerous trees. Seven hundred fifty dollars was used for labor while $250 was for expenses.
We have had several bad storms which have left our shade trees in very bad shape. There are 38 large trees which will have to be removed this coming year for the safety of the public. There are also a number of trees which should be cabled.
An appropriation of $250 was made for the replacement of shade trees. There were 53 new trees placed throughout the town. I suggest that the same appropriation of $250 be made for the same purpose this coming year.
Therefore, I recommend that an appropriation of $2000 be made for the care of the shade trees in 1947. Under a special article, I recommend that an appropriation of $250 be made for the replacement of shade trees throughout the town.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. KNIGHT, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
An appropriation of $1500 was made for moth work last year, of which the running expense was about $800 and
141
$700 for labor. This money was used for spraying through the town once for pest control and a second spray for pest control and elm leaf beetle through part of the town. The labor expense will be much greater this year if the work is to be done properly.
I therefore recommend that an appropriation of $1800 be made for the suppression of gypsy moth and the elm leaf beetle and for other work that should be done.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. KNIGHT, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton Gentlemen:
The Town Forest Committee herewith submits the fol- lowing report for the year 1946.
The committee wishes to report that we were unable to purchase additional forest land this year, and we feel that it will not be possible to purchase suitable land at a reasonable price until conditions are normal again.
Your town forest totals 71 acres, and although this land needs thinning and replanting, we recommend that this work be postponed until materials and labor can be secured at a more reasonable figure.
We recommend that the town leave the $500.00 appro- priated in 1945 for the committee to use for the purchase of additional land if the opportunity arises.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE A. FROST, Chairman JAMES J. KNIGHT ARNO H. PERKINS, Secretary
142 REPORT OF FENCE VIEWERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
Your committee on Fence Viewing for the Town of Acton has succeeded in helping to establish the location and erec- tion of two partition fences.
One between the Maynard Country Club and property of Michael Enneguess. Also one between the property occupied by Henry W. Bursaw and Hugh McGovern. Both of these partition fences have been installed to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. ESTABROOK ROBERT G. WILLETT LOUIS F. LEVERONI
Fence Viewers.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1946.
Number of dogs disposed of in accordance with law 45
Number of dogs reclaimed by owners in accordance with law 15 Number of calls answered for dog nuisance 85
Warnings to delinquent owners to get licenses 98 Appropriation $250.00
45 dogs at $3.00 for six days 135.00
45 dogs disposed of 45.00
I recommend the appropriation for the year 1947 be the same.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR FRASER
Dog Officer
143
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1946
We herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
The account of the town treasurer shows that during the past year the cemetery department has received and paid into the treasury the sum of $1310.50 itemized as follows :-
Annual care of lots
$ 462.50
Burials
547.00
Rental of lowering device
45.00
Sales of lots
210.00
Foundations
18.00
Miscellaneous
28.00
Total
$1,310.50
We ask that these receipts may be considered in making your appropriations for the current year.
We recommend an appropriation for the care of the ceme- ties the sum of $4100.00 for the year 1947.
We also recommend a special appropriation of $400.00 for the purchase of a power lawn mower, for this department. This mower is needed to replace one that was purchased in 1935 and is completely worn out and cannot be fixed.
There has been added to the perpetual care account the past year, in new accounts, the sum of $1725.00.
An itemized account of the expenditures for the care of the cemeteries will be found in the report of the town accountant.
We have prepared a schedule of the receipts and ex- penditures on account of each lot under perpetual care, in books kept for that purpose, which may be examined by persons interested.
HARRY E. HOLT RAY L. HARRIS HOWARD F. JONES Cemetery Commissioners.
144
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Your Forest Warden submits the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1946.
Total number brush and grass fires 74
This report shows a decided increase over previous years. but I think without a doubt that more than half of these fires are set intentionally and wish to state that, for the coming year at least, the State Forest Wardens and State Police will cover this territory and be on the lookout for fire bugs.
Following is a copy of the laws pertaining to setting fire in the open air :
G. L., c. 48, - 13. Setting of Fires in open air. No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time unless the ground is substantially covered with snow, except by written permission, covering a period not exceeding ten days from the date thereof, granted by the forest warden or chief of the fire department in cities and towns, or, in cities having such an official, the fire commis- sioner ; provided, the debris from fields, gardens and orchards, and leaves and rubbish from yards, may be burned on ploughed fields by the owners thereof, their agents or lessees, if such fire is at least two hundred feet from any sprout or forest land and at least fifty feet distant from any building and is properly attended until extinguished; and provided, further. that persons above the age of eighteen may set or maintain a fire for a reasonable purpose upon sandy land, or upon salt marshes or sandy or rocky beaches bordering on tide water, if the fire is enclosed within rocks, metal or other non- inflammable material. The forester may make rules and regu- lations relating to the granting and revocation of such permits binding throughout the commonwealth. Such rules and regu- lations shall take effect subject to section thirty-seven of chapter thirty, when approved by the governor and council. The forest wardens in towns and officials performing the duties of forest wardens in cities shall cause public notice to be given
.
145
of the provisions of this section and shall enforce the same. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be pun- ished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one month, or both.
We will have the new forest fire truck in operation for spring fires and I know that will help us a lot to keep the forest fires under control.
Respectfully submitted,
H. S. MacGREGOR Forest Warden
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF GOODNOW FUND
For the Year Ending December 31, 1946
INVESTMENTS
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank .. $ 465.54 U. S. War Bonds 3,000.00
$3,465.54
RECEIPTS
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank . . $ 9.30
U. S. War Bonds 75.00
$ 84.30
EXPENDITURES
Harlan E. Tuttle, Treasurer of the Evan- gelical Church in Acton $ 64.30
Town of Acton for care of Goodnow lot in
Woodlawn Cemetery 20.00
$ 84.30
CHARLES E. SMITH RALPH P. MARBLE HORACE F. TUTTLE Trustees of Goodnow Fund
146
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my report for the Fire Department for the year 1946.
Total number of alarms responded to are as follows:
Building 19
Automobile 8
Chimney 3
Emergency 3
Oil
2
False
3
38
The old and original pump at West Acton has become unsafe and unfit to use any longer. This pump was the first pumper the town bought, which was back in 1924, making it twenty-three years old. We have kept it in service as long as was possible, but now the time has come when it must be junked.
I would like to recommend replacing this pump with an emergency Service truck, equipped with flood lights, salvage blanket, rescue equipment and miscellaneous equipment, that cannot be carried on the other trucks, as they are over- loaded as it is.
I feel that if we had a truck of this kind, we could save a great deal more personal property and also, we would be equipped and ready, should an emergency arise.
Respectfully submitted,
H. S. MacGREGOR Chief of Fire Department
147
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton:
I herewith submit my report, concerning the work of the Highway Department, for the year 1946.
The regular maintenance and work of cleaning and patch- ing was carried on. Extensive brush cutting was done.
A considerable amount of work was done on drainage, including the construction of catch basins on Concord Road, Prospect Street, Summer Street and Central Street.
Five hundred feet of Bituminous Macadam Asphalt was put on Main Street. Twelve hundred feet will be done in the spring.
Various roads were surface treated.
High type pavement was put on Central, High, Stow, Hosmer, Main, Concord and River Streets.
A policy is being followed of installing high type sur- faces, in order that the maintenance will become less each year and an opportunity to cover the secondary roads, that hitherto we have been unable to improve.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL C. BERRY, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT
The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
There were two accidents reported to me during the past year; both were of a very minor nature.
Any person injured while working for the Town should report injury at once to the Compensation Agent.
HOWARD L. JONES Compensation Agent
148
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1946.
Barns visited
49
Cows
268
Bulls
13
Steers
12
Pigs
116
Sheep
2
Goats
16
Young cattle
59
Horses
24
Dog bites
13
Cat bite
1
Dogs quarantined
13
Cats quarantined
1
Rabies
0
As a whole, the barns and animals are in very good condition.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST E. ALLSOPP, Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES .
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report, as Sealer of Weights and Measures, for the year ending December 31, 1946.
During the year I sealed 351 weighing and measur- ing devices, 9 of that number had to be adjusted and 2 not being in use were not sealed.
149
The State Department of Standards loaned the equipment for measuring the Tank Truck Meter Systems as usual, thereby saving our merchants time and money by not having to go out of town to have this test made.
I wish to thank Americo Pareago of the Maynard and Acton Oil Company for his kind co-operation in helping me with the equipment.
The truck platform scales, of which there are six in all, are in excellent condition, one of that number had to be adjusted.
I found the merchants very co-operative and anxious to have their measuring devices accurate.
Sealing fees collected $71.47. The same was turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. ESTABROOK
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Annual Report of the School Department
. . . of the ...
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
RP
D
-
INCO
1735.
·ACTON
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1946
MURPHY & SNYDER * MAYNARD. MASS.
2
ORGANIZATION
School Committee
Mrs. Arthur Fraser, Chairman . Term expires 1947
Mrs. J. Henry Engman . Term expires 1947
Mr. Herman H. Gatchell Term expires 1948
Mr. Richard A. Lowden Term expires 1948
Mrs. G. Howard Reed Term expires 1949
Mr. Ralph B. Stearns Term expires 1949
Meetings of the School Committee
Regular meetings of the school committee are held the second Monday of each month in the high school at 8:00 p.m. Exceptions may be made during July and August.
Superintendent David C. Bowen Office-High School Building, Telephone 110
School Physician Ernest A. Mayell, M.D. East Acton, Telephone 345-3
School Nurse Mrs. Simon D. Taylor, R.N. North Acton, Telephone 33-22
Attendance Officer . George H. Charter West Acton, Telephone 110
Custodians :
High School, Tel. 110
George H. Charter
Center School, Tel. 86 W. Burton Harvey
South School, Tel. 445 Kenneth Harvey
West School, Tel. 105 Ernest G. Banks
3
Tentative Calendar for 1947
Monday, January 6-Schools Open Friday, February 21-Schools Close Monday, March 3-Schools Open Friday, April 18-Schools Close
Monday, April 28-Schools Open Friday, May 30-Holiday (Memorial Day)
Friday, June 6-Elementary Schools Close
Friday, June 13-High School Graduation Friday, June 20-High School Closes
School Year 1947-1948
September 3-High School Opens
September 8-Elementary schools open
October 31-Teachers' Convention
November 11-Holiday (Armistice Day)
November 27 and 28-Thanksgiving Recess
December 24-Schools close at noon
1948
January 5-Schools open February 20-Schools close
March 1-Schools open April 16-Schools close
April 26-Schools open
May 31-Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 11-Elementary schools close
June 11-High School Graduation June 18-High school closes
No School Signal-All Schools All Day
7:00 a.m., fire whistle in all precincts-2-2-2-2 7:00-8:00 a.m., radio announcements over WBZ and WEEI
4
STANDING RULES OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1. Admission to School (as amended by vote of the school committee November 2, 1943) .
Children shall not be admitted to the public schools unless they are five years, nine months of age on or before September 1. Ordinarily, entrance must come during the first two weeks of school. All children entering for the first time must present birth and vaccination certificates.
2. Excuses for Absence and Tardiness (as amended by vote of the school committee January, 1944).
Pupils are expected to attend school regularly except for . illness. They must present a written excuse signed by parent or guardian stating a definite reason for each absence or tardiness.
3. Detention
Pupils may be detained after school in the afternoon not longer than thirty minutes in the elementary schools and for a longer period in the high school.
4. Contagious Diseases, State Laws : Chapter 71, Section 55: Chapter 76, Section 15:
"A child from a household where a person is ill with smallpox, diptheria, scarlet fever, measles, or any other in- fectious or contagious disease, or from a household exposed to contagion from any such disease in another household, shall not attend any public school during such illness or exposure until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a cer- tificate from the local board of health, school physician, or from the attending physician, stating that danger of convey- ing such disease by such child has passed."
5
TEACHERS IN SERVICE as of January 1, 1947
Center School
*Dardana Berry (Mrs.) Prin.
1943 Framingham Normal Acton
Gertrude Braman (Mrs.)
1946 Fitchburg Normal Acton
Edith Hatch (Mrs.)
1945 Fitchburg Normal Acton
South School
Julia McCarthy, Prin.
1906 Fitchburg Normal So. Acton
Florence Merriam
1927 Fitchburg Normal So. Acton
Jessie Gemma (Mrs.)
1946 Fitchburg State Col.
Clinton
West School
*Carrie Wells (Mrs.) Prin.
1943 Fitchburg Normal So. Acton
1943 Fitchburg Normal Stow
Carolyn Douglas (Mrs.) B.S.E.
1940 Fitchburg State Col.
So. Acton
High School
David C. Bowen, Prin., B.S .; Ed.M.
William O'Connell, B.S.E.
Prin., Junior High School
Mary Emerson (Mrs.) B.S.
Mary Hogan, B.S.E.
Henry Hopkinson, L.L.B.
Ann Horrigan, A.B.
Marion Towne, A.B. Marjorie Greene, A.B. Richard Headstrom, B.S.
Maria Piermarini, B.A.
Alexander Kyrios, B.A .; M.Ed.
Patricia Deehan, A. B.
Ernest O. Wheeler
1946 Dartmouth College E Pepperell Harvard University 1945 Boston University Salem
1943 Univ. of New Hamp.
1945 Boston University
1930 Northeastern Law
1944 Regis College
1921 Smith College
1946 Emmanuel College 1946 M. I. T.
Dorchester Malden
Leominster
Lynn
Woburn
Berlin
Supervisors
Dorothy Toye (Mrs.) B.S.P.E. John Priske, A.B .; M.A.
1946 Boston University 1946 Tufts College 1946 Boston University
1946 Worcester P. I.
So. Acton Springfield W. Acton Arlington Concord
1343 B.U. Sargent College Lexington 1946 N. E. Conservatory Nashua, Truro College N. H. 1946 Museum of Fine Arts, Saugus
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