USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1926-1932 > Part 8
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Costs and Charges
$ 246.79
:
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES C. MARSHALL, Collector of Taxes.
51
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPRAISERS
The Board of Appraisers submit the following report:
Highway Department
January 1, 1928
$ 8,476.75
January 1, 1927
7,987.25
Net Gain
$ 489.50
Moth and Tree Warden Departments
January 1, 1928
$ 1,995.95
January 1, 1927
2,134.00
Net Loss $ 138.05
IRVING F. FRENCH WILLIAM K. KELLEY JOSEPH W. JORDAN
Board of Selectmen.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
By the Acts of 1927, Chapter 165 the name Overseers of the Poor shall hereafter be known as the Board of Public Welfare, but said change of name shall in no respect affect the rights, powers, duties or tenure of Office of said Overseers.
Number of Poor on Register 44
Mothers Aid Cases
2
One mother and three children, State case, reimbursed by Com- monwealth in full.
One mother and eight children reimbursed by Commonwealth one-third, by the City of Lowell, two-thirds.
Town settlements aided by other cities ..... 19
Town Cases 12
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING F. FRENCH WILLIAM H. KELLEY JOSEPH W. JORDAN Board of Public Welfare.
52
TABLE OF ESTIMATES FOR 1928
Street Lighting
$ 7,800.00
Incidentals
1,200:00
Highways
12,000.00
Schools
50,730.00
Library (Dog Tax)
750.00
Police
1,700.00
Stationery and Printing
750.00
Board of Health
700.00
Salaries
2,550.00
Park Commission
300.00
Tree Warden
250.00
Dept. Public Welfare
4,000.00
Fire Department
3,000.00
Town Hall
3,300.00
Assessors
1,650.00
Vocational School
1,200.00
Inspection of Meats and Animals
750.00
Aid, State and Military
800.00
Interest on Loans
2,800.00
Collection of Taxes
2,000.00
. .
53
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
To the Selectmen of the Town of Tewksbury, Tewksbury, Mass.,
Gentlemen:
Following is my report as Inspector of Meats and Provisions from January 1, 1927 to March 9, 1927:
Number of sides of beef inspected 268
Number of sides of beef condemned 4
Number of calves inspected 156
Number of calves condemned
2
Number of hogs inspected
130
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH CAMERON
INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
To the Selectmen Town of Tewksbury,
Gentlemen:
Following is my report from May 16th to December 31, 1927.
Sides of Beef
550
Calves
413
Sheep
23
Swine
334
Cattle Condemned
Sides of Beef
14
Sets of Lungs
36
Livers
14
Heads
12
Swine Condemned
Swine
8
Heads
14
Sets of Lungs
6
Livers
4
Calves Condemned
Calves
5
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS P. SAWYER.
54
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Selectmen of the Town of Tewksbury,
Tewksbury, Mass.,
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1927: :
Cows inspected
790
Young cattle inspected
127
Bulls inspected
20
Sheep inspected
4
Hogs inspected
392
Stables inspected
101
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH CAMERON
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Selectmen of the Town of Tewksbury,
Tewksbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Following is my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1927:
Platform scales over 5000 1bs.
3
Platform scales under 5000 1bs.
3
Computing scales
14
Spring scales
16
Liquid measures
18
Gasolene pumps
32
Kerosene pumps
11
Beam scales
1
Molasses pumps
2
Yard sticks
2
I have collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $27.53.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH CAMERON
55
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
As Tree Warden I submit the following:
During the past year brush was cut on the following streets with the mileage of same: Andover St. 1 mile, Trull St. 1.02 miles, Bailey Road, .02 mile, Kendell St. 1.06 miles, Maple St. . 06 mile, East St. 1 mile, Lowe St. . 05 mile, Shawsheen St. 4 miles, Foster St. 1.02 miles, Chandler St. 2.06 miles, Pleasant St. 1.01 miles, Whipple St. 2.05 miles, Park Ave. . 02 mile, Rogers St. 1.08 miles, Marston St. 1.02 miles Mar- shall St. . 05 mile, Cross St. . 06 mile, Pond St. . 07 mile. This makes a total of 221/2 miles cut and burnt to date which is more than half of the total mileage to be cut. I would recommend that money enough be appropriated to cut and burn brush on South 3 miles, Bridge St. . 03, Whipple St. 1.04, Astle St. . 08. French St. . 05 and the upper end of North St. about .06 of mile. Also the recutting of all streets that have been done the past two years. Trees which were considered danger- ous have been pruned or removed as far as our appropriation would allow.
Yours Respectfully,
HARRIS M. BRIGGS, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF AGENT FOR SUPPPRESSION OF GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTHS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
As Agent for the suppression of the Gypsy and Brown Tail moths I submit the following:
Gypsy moth conditions show a slight increase over last year both on street trees and in the woodlands. The Brown Tail moth in- festation is light and seems to be held in check by parasites. The usual spraying was done during the larvae season. Owing to large increase of Gypsy moths in neighboring towns considerable scouting was done in the woodlands. Am glad to report that very few colo- nies of any consequence were found and I think these can be checked with spraying.
Yours Respectfully,
HARRIS M. BRIGGS,
56
REPORT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen:
As agent of this department, the following is my report for the year ending December 31st, 1927:
Reportable Cases
Diseases
No. Cases
Deaths
Scarlet Fever
5
0
Diphtheria
5
Measles
4 0
Mumps
2
0
Chicken Pox
1 0
Tuberculosis
2
1
Pneumonia
4
1
Typhoid Fever
0
0
-
Total
23
1
The health condition has been average in its course the past year, our few outbreaks of contagious diseases have been quickly sur- rounded and stopped with relatively few cases. A few cases in volume house drainage, in the South part of our town, have been presented to us for investigation. These we have tried to correct, but as there have been no contaminations, that seemed to be account- able for any contagious diseases, we could not see our way clear to enforce too strict regulations as this would lead to some general system of drain of sewerage. This seemed impracticable, because of the large increase in taxes, which would result; and health condi- tions did not warrant that.
On account of the fact that one of our townsmen was receiving treatment for tuberculosis at a state sanitarium, we had a larger health expense than usual, so that the examination and giving of per- mits for the making and selling of milk in our town had to be de- ferred until the coming year. This is to be done so that our town will be in a position to quickly investigate and stop the spread of any disease, which might come through a milk supply and cause general contamination and disease.
I believe this survey should be done at the expense of the town and from the health appropriation, rather than levy any additional tax upon the farmer, as the benefit derived will be enjoyed by all milk users.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT M. LARRABEE,
Agent.
57
.
REPORT OF HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS
Board of Selectmen:
Tewksbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
We herewith submit our annual report for the year ending Dec- ember 31, 1927.
Before proceeding further, however, we wish to state that we endeavored to make this report as comprehensive as possible and outline the work in the various sections of the town during the past year.
The snow removal on Main Street (State Highway) has been a problem confronting your various highway officials for some time past. Last February, however, the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth loaned our department a ten foot Champion blade plow with truck attachment which was used effectively on this thoro- fare, and also on Andover Street as well as other important routes in the town. Since then, a new statute has been enacted whereby the State assumes all responsibility for the removal of snow and ice on its highways, and our Highway Department is no longer required to do this work.
Special Appropriation $1000.00
After carefully considering the various types and makes of road graders, and their advantageous points as regards their use in our town, we decided to purchase. an Adams No. 8 leaning wheel grader. This grader is designed to be used in connection with a five ton tractor. In the event of horses being used, it would require at least eight horses to operate successfully. It has been used during the past year both as a scarifier, grader, and snow remover, and has per- formed every operation successfully. The town is fortunate in hav- ing so valuable a piece of machinery.
Special Appropriation $2500.00
As soon as favorable weather conditions prevailed, an order was placed for cinders to be used on streets in South Tewksbury as pro- vided for in the special appropriation. We were able to purchase the cinders at the rate of one dollar per cubic yard delivered on any street designated by the Commissioners, and consequently were able
58
to purchase twenty-five hundred cubic yards. The cinders were used on Vernon Street, entire length; State Street, entire length; South Street, from a point near mud pond to Foster's Corner. Brown Street from South Street to a point near the Boogusch residence, and a por- tion of Shawsheen Street.
Cinders were also used on Trull Street, French Street, Astle Street, and Rogers Street, but these were purchased through our reg- ular appropriation. We recommend the use of cinders on muddy roads in the outlying sections, as they will not form into ruts in the spring or fall, and they make an excellent base for a good gravel road bed.
Dynamite Magazine
Previously, the Highway Department had no official place, other than the town barn, to store dynamite or other high explosives used by the department. As the amount of dynamite kept on hand usually averages around two hundred pounds, it was deemed advisable to construct a dynamite magazine as a safety measure. It has been erected off Whipple Road near the old gravel pit, and is constructed of cement blocks, with a reinforced concrete roof and sets well into the hillside. Explosive experts have informed us that it is second to none in this vicinity. When the state fire marshall ordered all dyna- mite in the town confiscated by the fire department during the Sacco- Vanzetti trouble it proved it's worth to the town as a storage place.
Special Appropriation $500.00
The work of lowering the grade, and rebuilding the culvert on East Street near the residence of Mr. Spaulding, was done by our own department, and is in accordance with the blue print specifications furnished us by the surveyors. A reinforced concrete pipe culvert, four feet in diameter has been installed, and will last for years. It is also easily accessible for cleaning, as -a man can walk through it. The portion of the street which was torn up for excavating has been patched with crushed stone and asphalt, and is in good shape. It is the intention of the Superintendent of Streets to erect a concrete wall on the northerly end of the culvert the coming season.
Special Appropriation $3000.00
Following the recommendation of the state engineer 45% asphal- tic road oil was used on all our roads the past year, except where re- pairs were made on macadam roads, in which case asphalt was used. The object of using this oil is to bind the surface, as this oil pene-
59
.
trates and binds. The coming year it is intended to apply 60% oil or tar and pea stone, which will give our main streets a good surface which will last for some time. Of course these streets, or portions of them, will have to be made smooth by scarifying and rolling be- fore this final treatment is applied.
The following streets were oiled, full widths, and as a binder in preparation for tar or heavy oil at approximately one half gallon to the square yard. North Street, from the railroad crossing near East Street to Andover Street; Pleasant Street, from Main Street to Whipple Road; Chandler Street, from East Street to Pine Street; Pine Street from Chandler Street to the residence of Lewis Small; Whipple Road, from French Street to the residence of Melvin Rogers, and from the Furtardo residence to Elmhurst Farm; Woburn Street, from the Lowell line to the entrance of the Lowell Fertilizer Works; Salem Road from Main Street to the Wilmington line. All of these streets were well covered with sand after being oiled, and were dragged frequently during the summer. Oil applied on all other streets was at the rate of approximately one quarter gallon to the square yard, and was intended principally as a dust layer.
Through the courtesy of the manager of the Lowell Fertilizer Works, we were able to obtain, without cost to the town, large quan- tities of screened pea stone which was used in mixing cold patch to repair holes in our oiled streets. With the use of this stone, we were able to obtain excellent results in this work.
The use of a power mixer would be a valuable aid to our de- partment for this work.
Streets Widened
The past year more attention was given to widening and straight- ening of our roads than to actual surface treatment. On Andover Street the grass growth was cut back from the macadam, and also from under the guard fence. North Street was widened practically the entire length. The grass growth ranging from two to six feet in width being removed from the edges of the street. The same is true of Whipple Road, Billerica Street, Pleasant Street Rogers Street, Salem Road, Shawsheen Street, Lake Street, Chandler Street, East Street, James Street, River Road, Marshall Street, Pine Street, and Maple Street.
Nearly every principal street in town was scarified, reshaped, and rolled. Oil was applied in whole or part of the thoroughfare depend- ing on conditions, and except in a few cases where the work was done so late, so as not to warrant the use of oil.
60
Andover Street
The condition of Andover Street caused our department much concern last spring, because of the rough condition of the surface.
When this road was built, it is evident that large boulders were not removed from the road bed. Consequently, these being within the frost area, are being upheaved each year, and thereby causing an unusually rough and dangerous surface. Tons of these were re- moved last summer with the aid of the five ton tractor, and the - places where they were removed filled with crushed stone which was penetrated with asphalt.
A large blind drain was constructed near Trull Street to take care of the water running from a spring at this point. Two more will have to be built the coming season to carry off the water from another spring nearby. The guard fence, which is by no means a small item was treated with creosote and painted with white lead to prevent deterioration and make it more visible especially at night.
Traffic markers in the form of white crosses were painted on the macadam at the various intersections, and these proved quite effec- tive and an aid to motorists in determining their close proximity to cross roads.
All our bridges, and one culvert were posted with good substan- tial signs, giving the safe load limit each will carry.
New guard fence was erected in many dangerous places, and in each case where new fence was erected the posts were treated with creosote, and the fence painted white. In cases where autos have damaged guard fence, a bill was mailed to the offending autoists for the full cost of replacing the same, as we do not believe that the town should suffer such losses. On Andover Street large portions of guard fence were destroyed in this manner last fall.
A portion of Bridge Street was closed last summer because of it's dangerous condition, and we recommend that it be closed and abandoned permanently by the town.
Through the co-operation of Chief Haines of the Fire Depart- ment in assigning Engine 2 to pump water for us, and Supt. of Streets Shanks of Chelmsford in loaning our department a root cutter and pipe cleaner which was operated by water pressure from a fire hose, we were able to flush the entire drainage system at Tewksbury Cen- ter. During the process of flushing, we discovered our main sewer pipe was broken under North Street and a gas main run through it. We believe this to be the principal cause of the water collecting on Pleasant Street in front of the town hall, as we have not had this occur since the obstruction was removed. The work of removing the trouble was done by the employees of the Lowell Gas Light Com- pany.
61
The two tractor snow plows were repainted with so-called federal orange and black paint for preservation purposes, and to make them more visible in a snow storm. The horse drawn plow was also painted with the same colors.
The culvert on East Street near the State Infirmary which had become blocked some time ago was reopened and cleaned. An ex- tension of fifty feet of ten inch tile sewer pipe was laid so as to carry both surface water, and that which ran through the culvert, thus eliminating an undesirable condition at this point.
On Bridge Street, we are confronted with a serious situation. The bridge over the Shawsheen River is in very dangerous condi- tion, and will either have to be closed or rebuilt in the near future. This bridge was condemned by our Superintendent of Streets in Sep- tember, and by the state bridge engineers in December. Both sup- porting walls have buckled, while the wooden supports have all de- cayed. We recommend that a new concrete structure be erected at this point.
The bridge on Mill Street will have to be replanked and strength- ened considerably, but the cost of this probably will not exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
A special study was made during the past year to obtain the cost of the various operations in the department, as we believe this to be of more value than to state the amount of work done or the amount of gravel placed on a certain street. The cost of using horse drawn equipment is exceedingly high, and the process slow. An immediate change is recommended, and it is hoped that the voters will look favorably on this recommendation.
As regards snow equipment the town is in dire need of a new tractor and snow plow,and unless this is forthcoming, the process of removing any large amount of snow will be slow and inconven- ience will result.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM I. BAILEY, Chairman JOHN T. GALE
Highway Commissioners of Tewksbury.
62
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
As Park Commissioners we submit the following report:
The common at the Centre has been exceptionally well kept as has been the plot at North Tewksbury. +
Repairs to the band stand that were so badly needed have been completed. (These included construction of cement posts, relaying of the floor, and painting of the entire structure.)
At the present time the Commission has on hand enough dress- ing to meet the needs of the common for the year 1928.
Another accomplishment of interest to all was the erection of a beautiful community Christmas Tree during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Commission at this time wishes to thank all who so kindly contributed their services in the erection of the temporary tree.
The Commission most heartily recommends the planting of a suitable tree to be decorated and lighted at each Christmas season. We recommend an appropriation of three hundred ($300.00) dollars.
Yours Respectfully,
EDITH A. FORISTALL CHARLES H. WENTWORTH HARRIS M. BRIGGS
Park Commissioners.
63
T
REPORT OF CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Tewksbury, Mass., January 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
As Chief of the Fire Department I herewith submit the following total number of fires attended:
Forest fires 31
House fires
7
Chimney fires 8
Automobile fires 1
False alarms 5
Out of town calls (Wilmington) 1
Total value of buildings and contents. Twelve thousand seventy- five dollars.
-
Damage, eleven thousand six hundred, seventy-five dollars.
Insurance paid. Ten thousand, one hundred and fifty dollars.
Personal property of the Fire Department, twelve thousand, seven hundred dollars.
Yours respectfully,
A. S. HAINES, Chief of Fire Department.
64
REPORT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
The town of Tewksbury appropriated $150.00 in support of the Middlesex County Extension Service, through the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, for 1927. Following is a report of the work accom- plished during the year.
In Agriculture the work this year was largely carried on by means of personal farm visits. Twenty-two such visits were made, and assistance given on orcharding, dairying, and field crops. Much local interest has been shown in the work of the Cow Test Associa- tion, and information gained from this organization has been of much value to the local dairymen.
A complete mailing list is maintained, and the timely notices on fruit growing, poultry, and gardening which were sent out were re- ceived by many Tewksbury citizens.
In Home-Making four different groups have been organized for the purpose of carrying on the Home Improvement program. These groups are located in Tewksbury Center, North Tewksbury, South Tewksbury, and West Tewksbury. One series of meetings was held for clothing and millinery work, and talks given on Convenient Kitch- ens, Child Feeding, and Food Selection.
The women of the town, under the leadership of Mrs. Harry Dawson, the Town Home-Making Chairman, held a reception for the County Home Demonstration Agents, and Boys and Girls 4-H Club Agents, at which time the program for the coming year was outlined.
In Boys and Girls 4-H Club Work forty-four were enrolled in the Lunch-Box, Garden, Poultry and Pig Clubs. Mrs. E. P. MacLaren served as local leader, and did an unusually fine piece of work.
Manuel Furtado was one of the county winners in the Garden Club Contest, and Harriet King received honorable mention in the Girls Room Beautiful Contest. Dorothy Foster, Lucy Kaulen, and Manuel Furtado were awarded a two day trip to the Masachusetts Agricultural College for outstanding club work.
An Achievement Club program was held in conjunction with the Extension Service educational motion pictures, at which time the boys and girls exhibited the results of this season's work and told of the benefits of 4-H Clnb Work.
A series of eight educational motion picture shows was given to a total attendance of 2,561.
In addition to the local work, many Tewksbury people attended the County Picnic, and the Annual Meeting of the Extension Service, held in Waltham; as well as the county-wide meetings in fruit grow- ing, poultry, and dairying which were made available to them.
65
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF TEWKSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Tewksbury Public Library respectfully sub- mit the following report:
The report of the Auditor will give in detail the expenditure of the Public Library.
The Trustees held monthly meetings during the year with the exception of July and August. At these meetings new books have been looked over and those books that were thought necessary to censor have been distributed among the Trustees for examination.
During the year there have been some excellent children's books added. They have been appreciated, judging by the large number of children now taking books from the Library.
There are unfortunately very few people of the town who care to read non-fiction books, but want the very latest fiction. As there are very few real good modern fiction books written it has been more difficult to secure books for the adult. The Trustees realize that for the Library in a small town, books must be purchased that the gen- eral public care to read, while in the larger places the best non-fiction can be purchased and enough people will read them to warrant their purchase. The Trustees do not feel that the purchase of expensive books is warranted when probably they would not be taken from the Library by more than three or four people during the year. This is greatly to be regretted as the Trustees would gladly purchase such books if the people want them. A library should furnish instruction as well as entertainment to be of greatest value.
As the voters all know the Library is very small. There is absolutely no room for reading tables. The magazines have to be piled four and five high on one small table. This is to be regretted as the circulation of magazines is not as large as could be hoped for, and would probably gain if there were ample space for the public to examine them. There is a children's table with three chairs and very often there are from ten to twelve children in the Library at one time. We would like to remind the voters of the town that the present quarters of the Library are very inadequate to supply the needs at the present time. The Trustees sincerely hope an effort will be made to have a more suitable place in the near future.
66
The Trustees would also like to mention the death of Mr. George E. Marshall who served on this board for twenty eight years. He was a faithful worker and gave his best advice for the welfare of the Library at all times.
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