Town of Tewksbury annual report 1939-1944, Part 16

Author: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Publication date: 1939
Publisher: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 1076


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1939-1944 > Part 16


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During the past two years the State and County has not set up any fund for Chapter 90 Construction, but we feel almost certain that this year an allotment will be granted for this work to the various cities and towns. We are, therefore, asking that $3,000.00 be appropriated for 90 Construction work on North Street, provided the State contributes $6,000.00 and the County $3,000.00, making a total of $12,000.00. We believe, after taking this matter up with the State Engineers, that this amount will be sufficient to complete the construction on North Street from Livingston Street to Main Street.


CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE


The usual maintenance of Chapter 90 highways was carried out under the provisions of this allotment. All of our Chapter 90 streets are in excellent condition. East Street was given a coat of cut-back asphalt and pea gravel from the Andover-Tewksbury line towards Tewksbury Center, a distance of approximately 7,000 feet. Shawsheen Street was treated likewise from Record's residence to the Billerica line, a distance of approximately 6,000 feet. Pea Stone was used to cover the asphalt on Andover Street from the Andover-Tewksbury line towards North Street, a distance of approximately 3,000 feet. We be- lieve that this coating not only makes the road stand up better during the heavy traffic season, but provides a good non-skid protective coat- ing. All of the other streets, which our Chapter 90 Maintenance in- cludes, were bituminous treated.


127


CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE, ANDOVER STREET


We were very fortunate during the early part of October in securing a second allotment of $500 each, from the State and County to be matched with an equal sum of our own, which was used for the pur- pose of correcting the drainage problem on Andover Street, which has existed ever since the road was rebuilt a few years ago. Catch Basins were installed where we thought they would best prove their adequacy to take care of a large volume of water during the rainy seasons.


For a financial report of the department, we refer you to the auditor's report of highway expenditures.


In closing this report, our appreciation and thanks are extended to our Board of Selectmen, State and County officials, and engineers for their co-operation and untiring assistance.


Respectfully yours,


THOMAS P. SAWYER,


CHESTER M. ROPER, LOUIS O. BERUBE,


Road Commissioners cf Tewksbury.


DANIEL STERLING,


Superintendent of Streets.


128


In Memoriam WILBUR KENNETH FOSS Died July 16, 1940


Who Served as Assessor 1937 to 1940


ASSESSORS' REPORT


Value of land excluding Buildings Jan. 1, 1940


$ 854,473.00


Value of Buildings


2,028,485.00


Value of Personal Property 1,860,238.00


Value of Property December Assessment 5,000.00


Total Valuation for 1940


$4,748,196.00


Total Valuation for 1939


4,626,711.00


Gain in Valuation


121,485.00


TAX LEVY FOR 1940


State Tax


$ 11,200.00


State Parks


231.01


State Audit


788.02


12,218.03


County Tax


6,016.42


County Hospital


1,309.48


7,325.90


Overlays 1940


2,442.47


Deficit in Overlays


9.80


$ 21,996.20


TOWN APPROPRIATIONS


Schools


$ 59,919.00


Street Lighting


5,970.00


Incidentals


900.00


Highways


16,000.00


School Loan No. 1 and Interest


5,017.50


School Loan No. 2 and Interest


1,041.25


Library


1,250.00


Police


6,000.00


Stationery and Printing


1,150.00


Board of Health


2,500.00


Park Commission


300.00


Tree Warden


1,500.00


Fire Department


5,000.00


Dept. of Public Welfare


14,000.00


Aid to Dependent Children


4,000.00


Bureau of Old Age Assistance


9,500.00


Town Hall


3,800.00


129


Assessors


2,500.00


Vocational School


1,800.00


Inspection of Meat and Animals


600.00


Deficit in Welfare Charges


1,293.69


Police Officer at Schools


360.00


Clerk for Treasurer


500.00


Board of Registrars


650.00


Aid State and Military


2,500.00


Interest on Loans


500.00


Collection of Taxes


1,200.00


Municipal Insurance


1,500.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


225.00


Dog Officer


100.00


Maintenance of Legion Hall


125.00


Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths


1,500.00


Auditor


700.00


Town Clerk


750.00


Tax Collector


1,500.00


Selectmen


800.00


Election Officers


150.00


Road Commissioners


400.00


Land Court Expenses


250.00


W. P. A. Works


10,000.00


Town Treasurer


1,300.00


Maintenance Chapter 90


2,500.00


School Committee


225.00


Memorial Day


350.00


John T. Gale, Salary for 1938


100.00


Overdrafts


Dependent Children 1939


205.50


Welfare Dept. Accounts 1939


3,877.46


Police Dept. Accounts 1939


137.66


Fire Dept. Accounts 1939


241.55


Tax Appeal Case


601.00


Omission in 1938 Warrant


500.00


Middlesex County Extension Service


50.00


Fire Truck Chassis


1,500.00


Total Amount to be Raised


$ 201,335.81


ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS


Over Estimates on State Parks $ 32.53


Soldiers Benefits


90.00


Income Tax


14,532.54


Corporation Tax


2,782.77


Reimbursement State Owned Land


3,352.44


130


Motor Vehicle Excise


5,500.00


Licenses


2,400.00


Fines


50.00


Charities other than Federal Aid to Depend- ent Children 5,500.00


Old Age Assistance


7,000.00


General Government


4,120.00


Schools


2,500.00


Libraries


5.00


Interest on Taxes and Assessments


1,790.00


Veterans Exemption


47.54


Estimated Receipts from Gas Tax


8,996.39


Total


$ 58,699.21


Net Amount to be Raised on Property $ 140,398.60


Net Amount to be Raised on Polls


2,238.00


Total Amount to be Raised $ 142,636.60


AUTO EXCISE LEVY


Total Valuation on Automobiles


$ 259,120.00


Amount of Warrants to Collector


$ 7,352.85


Amount Taken as Estimated Revenue


5,500.00


Amount Abated


352.01


Balance


$ 1,500.84


TABLE OF AGGREGATES


Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed


1,135


Number of Acres of Land


11,551


Horses


63


Cows


723


Neat Cattle


98


Swine


346


Sheep


14


Fowl


11,425


Foxes


14


Persons Assessed


2,028


131


EXEMPTED PROPERTY


First Congregational Church $ 42,700.00


First Baptist Society


14,100.00


Oblate Fathers O. M. I.


33,300.00


Roman Catholic Archbishop


77,000.00


South Tewksbury M. E. Mission


5,500.00


Congregation Basai Shalon


2,250.00


Silver Lake Evangelical Association Inc.


17,000.00


Catholic Literary Association


2,250.00


Seraphic Seminary Mount St. Francis


500.00


Tewksbury Cemetery Corporation


11,400.00


Pine Hill Cemetery


1,000.00


Ladies Shawsheen Camping Club Assoc. Inc ..


500.00


Women's Home and Foreign Missionary So- ciety A. C. D. 100.00


Good Samaritans Missions Inc.


1,900.00


Lowell High Alumni Asso.


700.00


TOWN AND STATE PROPERTY EXEMPT


Fire Dept. and Legion Hall


$ 25,000.00


School


215,000.00


Public Library


12,000.00


Cemeteries


2,300.00


Highways Real and Personal


12,900.00


Public Parks


3,500.00


Scales


400.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures Equipment


1,500.00


Moth Department Equipment


1,700.00


Police Department


1,000.00


Land Reserved for Fire Protection


1,700.00


Town Hall


79,000.00


Property of Comm. of Mass. Chap. 59 Sec 5


Personal 300,000.00


Buildings


4,000,000.00


Respectfully submitted,


BUZZELL KING,


PERCY L. HAINES,


AUSTIN F. FRENCH,


Board of Assessors.


132


TEWKSBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT 1940


CYRIL L. BARKER, Chief


CHESTER E. BURGESS


ROSS SARGENT


JOHN GRANEY


DANIEL J. SHEEHAN


GEORGE M. HAZEL


DANIEL D. STERLING


LAWRENCE K. KELLEY


JOSEPH A. VIVIER


ARTHUR LA FLUER


HARRY P. WILEY


LAUCHIE McPHAIL


WILLIAM R. CARVER (Deceased)


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE


December 31, 1940


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the annual report of the Tewksbury Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1940:


Total number of arrests-102.


(M) (F)


Assault and battery


2


Larceny


2


Burglary


2


Breaking, entering and larceny, night time


2


Breaking, entering and larceny, day time ..


1 -


Drunkenness


81


Non-support


3


Absconding from State Infirmary


1


Violation of motor laws


7


Violation of illegitimate child act


1


Lewdness


2


Total 100 2 102


133


Disposition of cases:


Lowell District Court:


Guilty 81


Guilty and held for Superior Court .... 2


Not guilty 1


Dismissed for lack of prosecution ... 1


Released by Probation Officer 9


Committed to House of Correction or to State Farm 49


Fined 3


Placed on file or probation 33


Disposition pending 1


To State Hospital 1


Turned over to other Police Departments 6


Superior Court-Guilty and suspended sentence 2


Sessions District Court attended 98


Sessions Superior Court attended


4


Sessions Civil Court attended


13


Number telephone calls received at office


3109


Number telephone calls received at Chief's home


1162


Complaints received and investigated


481


Automobile accidents investigated


49


Messages delivered ....


42


Public functions policed


61


Funerals policed


11


Summons served


41


Dogs hit by automobiles


10


Private hearings held


13


Sudden deaths investigated


7


Investigated for and/or with other Departments


11


Doors, windows, etc., found open


11


State and/or Town Highway Departments notified of snow or ice on road surface


6


With agent of Humane Society


4


Persons admitted to Massachusetts State Infirmary


51


Transported for Welfare Department


6


Transported, to and/or from Hospital


7


Fires policed


4


Escaped patients of Boston State Hospital, captured and returned


1


Poles, wires down, street lights out, Lowell Electric notified


6


Lost animals


3


Messages delivered for Draft Board No. 11


7


Automobile transfers


71


134


Dog bite cases


12


Our School Patrol system is operating very successfully on its second year. Our records show no accidents involving any school chil- dren going to and from school during school hours. Again I express my appreciation to the teachers of our elementary schools for their interest shown in the carrying on of this patrol.


During the year a police officer has been on duty at the Foster School in the mornings, at noon recess and at afternoon dismissal. This procedure has slowed up the operation of vehicles for the pro- tection of the school children. I wish to stress strongly the importance of having sufficient funds to continue this service which has been so helpful.


I feel at this time it is proper for me to commend Officer Daniel Sheehan for his splendid work in policing the safety at the Foster School.


It will be observed that I am asking $6,500 for the Police Depart- ment this year. An article does not appear in the warrant for a spe- cial appropriation to pay the officer on duty at the Foster School, $350 of the above amount will be set aside for his services, so that actually there is an increase asked for in the Police Appropriation of $150.


I wish to extend my thanks to the Board of Selectmen and the Citizenry of Tewksbury for their co-operation extended to me. I wish to thank my brother officers for their loyal support and the efficient manner in which they performed their duties.


Respectfully submitted,


CYRIL L. BARKER,


Chief of Police.


-


135


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TEWKSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY


The trustees of the Public Library submit the following report: Details of expenditures will be found in the report of the auditor.


Regular monthly meetings have been held with the exception of July and August.


This year the detailed list of books has been omitted from the town report as this represents a saving in printing of from $50 to $60.


The trustees take this opportunity of thanking our capable libra- rian, Miss Abbie Blaisdell, and her assistants for their continued help and cooperation.


The magazine circulation has grown enormously and it is a satis- faction to note that our magazine list compares favorably with lists of much larger libraries. The report of the librarian shows that 906 books have been added.


It is hoped that the request for $1,300.00 found in the warrant together with money received from the dog licenses be granted.


Respectfully submitted,


MARIAN E. FRENCH, Secretary,


HARRY PRIESTLEY,


EDGAR SMITH,


RUTH W. SMITH,


DOROTHY FITZGERALD,


HAROLD J. PATTEN,


Trustees Public Library.


136


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT


To the Trustees of the Tewksbury Public Library:


The following report is respectfully submitted:


There is a marked increase in the circulation of books at the Li- brary. The increase is as follows: 927 volumes on Wednesday after- noons, 451 volumes on Wednesday evenings and 1,248 volumes on Saturdays.


The circulation of magazines remains about the same.


During the year books were borrowed from the State Library for study purposes.


The Library is open Wednesday afternoons from November till June from 1:45 to 4.


It is open Saturdays from 2 p. m. to 9 p. m. and Wednesday eve- nings from 7 to 8:30 except on Legal Holidays and during the annual vacation the last two Saturdays in August.


It was deemed advisable by the Board of Trustees to discontinue printing the list of books added during the year in the Town Report.


Nine hundred and six volumes were added during the year: Fiction, 471; Non-Fiction, 221; Juvenile, 214.


The co-operation of all patrons is requested in returning books and magazines when due.


CIRCULATION OF BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY


Wednesday Afternoons


Fiction


2011


Religion


4


History


14


Sociology


9


Literature


10


Science


15


Travel


23


Poetry


17


Arts


33


Philosophy


4


Biography


51


Total


2191


137


Wednesday Evenings


Fiction


3742


Religion


6


History


40


Sociology


18


Literature


13


Science


15


Travel


51


Poetry


9


Arts


74


Philosophy


3


Biography


60


Total


4031


Saturdays


Fiction


10,623


Religion


13


History


108


Sociology


48


Literature


14


Science


48


Travel


172


Poetry


48


Arts


151


Philosophy


30


Biography


144


Total


11,399


Wednesday and Saturdays, 17,621 Total Circulation


Library and Districts, 19,348


CIRCULATION OF BOOKS IN DISTRICTS


Wamesit


Fiction


562


Religion


History


Sociology


Literature


Science


Travel


Poetry


Arts


1


Philosophy


Biography


1


Total


564


Mrs. Randolph Fitzgerald


Fiction


585


Religion


5


History


10


Sociology


13


Literature


1


Science


2


Travel


21


Poetry


4


Arts


7


Philosophy


3


Biography


17


Total


668


Silver Lake Bakery


Fiction


495


Religion


History


Sociology


.. .


Literature


Science


Travel


Poetry


Arts


Philosophy


Biography


Total


495


Total Circulation in Districts 1,727


138


CIRCULATION OF MAGAZINES


American


82


Jack and Jill


33


American Boy


41


Ladies' Home Journal 45


American Cookery


34


Life 360


American Girl


35


McCall's


68


American Home


114


*National Geographic


122


Atlantic Monthly


28


Better Homes and


Gardens


91


*Popular Mechanics


126


*Child Life


95


*Reader's Digest


74


Children's Playmate


71


Scribner's


7


Consumer's Digest


13


Wee Wisdom 13


Cosmopolitan


57


Woman's Home


Good Housekeeping


87


Companion


43


Harper's


35


Others


16


House Beautiful


114


Hygeia


26


Total


1836


2 Copies.


ABBIE M. BLAISDELL,


Librarian.


139


Opportunity Pictorial Review


4


2


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


The year 1940 has been a very hard year on public funds in regard to Public Welfare.


Owing to poor business conditions and unemployment, the demand on Welfare during January, February and March was very heavy, 40% of the appropriation was used in these three months.


In April the reduction in quota on W. P. A. caused a large number of families to apply for Welfare Assistance and they were aided for nearly six months, at a period of the year which is normally lightest in demand upon welfare resources, this added load practically exhausted the appropriation making it necessary to call a Special Town Meeting for more funds.


October saw a marked increase in employment which continued into November and December with the result that in December we expended less than in any month during the year; coming at a time when the case load is usually the heaviest. This decline gives rise to the thought that 1941 will see more employment and naturally less aid will have to be given.


Tewksbury has not been alone in added Welfare costs. Our bills from other cities and towns for Tewksbury settled cases has shown a decided increase this past year.


Taking into consideration the rise in employment and the effect on business of the National Defense Program for the coming year, we are asking for an appropriation of less than last year, or $12,000.


The following is a recapitulation of the families and persons repre- sented, aided by the Welfare Department of this town for the year 1940:


Families Persons


Town settled cases aided in Tewksbury


57


180


Town settled cases aided by other cities and towns .... 17


65


Aided in Tewksbury, settled elsewhere or not settled ..


55


204


Hospitalization, members of above families


16


Hospitalization, cases receiving no other relief


10


10


Total


139


475


140


FINANCIAL STATEMENT


Welfare Appropriation


$ 13,000.00


Investigation Fund transferred to Direct


Welfare


1,000.00


Transferred to Welfare from Surplus Over-


lays


1,500.00


Total available


$ 15,500.00


Expended for Direct Relief


15,497.28


Balance


2.22


Received as Reimbursement for aid granted to cases with settle- ments elsewhere:


Town of North Andover


$ 208.00


Town of Billerica


62.26


Town of Lexington


16.00


Town of Tyngsboro


2.66


Town of Wilmington


401.01


City of Cambridge


6.17


City of Chelsea


267.27


City of Gloucester


13.50


City of Everett


302.30


City of Lowell


330.13


City of Malden


232.50


City of Medford


23.50


City of Melrose


21.00


Total from Cities and Towns


$ 1,886.30


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


3,082.43


Total receipts


4,968.73


There is due from the following sources :


Town of Billerica


$ 107.43


Town of Dracut


5.00


Town of North


Andover


113.00


Town of Wilminghton


82.54


City of Boston


235.53


City of Chelsea


340.87


City of Lawrence


54.00


City of Lowell


298.75


141


City of Malden


11.50


City of Medford 150.72


Total due from Cities and Towns $ 1,399.34


Estimated from the Commonwealth


1,181.91


Total due


2,581.25


REPORT OF AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN


At the present time there is a case load of nine families, repre- senting twenty-six persons aided under this division. The W. P. A. policy continues to be in favor of removing mothers eligible for this type of assistance from their work rolls, believing it to be to the chil- dren's advantage for the mother to be at home.


We anticipate an increase of three cases for the coming year. It is estimated that an appropriation of $3,500 will be necessary for the operation of this department.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT


ADC Appropriation, Town Funds


$ 4,000.00


Expended


3,988.92


Balance


$ 11.08


Aid to Dependent Children only:


Federal Funds carried forward from 1939


$ 11.21


Federal Funds received 1940


2,027.66


Total avaiable


2,038.87


Expended


1,338.00


Balance carried forward to 1941


$ 700.87


Administration only :


Federal Funds carried forward from 1939


$ 3.10


Federal Funds received 1940


37.08


Total available


40.18


Expended


40.18


No balance


Reimbursement from the Commonwealth of $1,676.71 was received under check dated January 2, 1941, and will be credit- ed as a 1941 receipt, balance of year estimated $927.08.


142


BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


The case load for this department on January 1, 1940 was fifty- six persons. During the year twenty-nine applications were received. Of these, twenty-seven were approved and two rejected. Nineteen cases were closed during the year by reason of death, removal to other cities and towns, or for other reasons, leaving a case load of sixty- four persons on December 31, 1940. There was a turnover of forty- eight cases for the year.


It is estimated that the town's share of expenses for 1941 will amount to $13,000, and that appropriation is requested.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT


Town appropriation, Old Age Assistance only $ 9,500.00


Transferred from Aid, State and Military ...... 600.00


Total available 10,100.00


Expended


10,098.54


Balance


$


1.46


Federal Funds carried forward from 1939


$ 1,174.23


Federal Grants, Old Age Assistance only


9,373.65


Total available


10,547.88


Expended


10,546.33


Balance carried forward to 1941


$ 1.55


Federal Grants, Administration only


$ 315.87


Expended


315.87


Reimbursements received:


Town of Arlington


$ 60.56


Town of Chelmsford


50.00


Town of Stoneham


70.83


Town of Wilmington


215.24


City of Lowell


48.58


City of Lynn


79.50


City of Malden


60.00


Total received, Cities and Towns


$ 584.71


Reimbursed by individuals 67.22


Received from Commonwealth ...


6,040.20


Total received


6,692.13


143


There is due from the following sources:


Town of Arlington


$ 46.90


City of Boston


251.81


City of Malden


35.00


City of Lowell


35.25


City of Lynn


35.00


City of Revere


35.67


Total due from Cities and Towns


$ 439.53


Estimated due from Commonwealth


4,479.93


Total due


4,919.46


The total cost to the Town for all forms of relief has been $29,584.74. We have succeeded in collecting from various sources $11,660.86 making a net cost of Aid to Dependent Children, Welfare, and Old Age Assistance of $17,923.88.


Respectfully submitted,


DUNCAN J. CAMERON, IRVING F. FRENCH, BERNARD H. GREENE.


144


TABLE OF ESTIMATES FOR 1941


Street Lighting


$ 6,000.00


Incidentals


1,000.00


Highways


17,000.00


Schools


60,225.00


Library (Dog Tax)


1,300.00


Police


6,500.00


Stationery and Printing


1,150.00


Board of Health


3,000.00


Park Commission


650.00


Tree Warden


1,500.00


Department of Public Welfare


12,000.00


Aid to Dependent Children (Plus Federal Grants)


3,500.00


Bureau of Old Age Assistance (Plus Federal Grants)


13,000.00


Fire Department


5,000.00


Town Hall


5,000.00


Assessors


2,300.00


Vocational School


800.00


Inspection of Meats and Animals


600.00


Aid, State and Military


2,500.00


Interest on Loans


250.00


Collection of Taxes


1,200.00


Municipal Insurance


1,500.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


225.00


Dog Officer


100.00


Maintenance, Legion Headquarters


125.00


Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths


1,500.00


Board of Registra


1,281.00


SALARY ACCOUNT


Auditor


$ 700.00


Town Clerk (exclusive of fees)


750.00


Tax Collector


1,500.00


Selectmen


800.00


Election Officers


100.00


School . Committee


225.00


Road Commissioners


400.00


Treasurer


1,300.00


145


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPRAISERS


Moth and Tree Warden Departments


January 1, 1941


$ 1,298.27


January 1, 1940 . 1,269.90


Net Gain


28.37


Highway Department


January 1, 1941


$ 11,535.75


January 1, 1940


10,499.25


Net Gain


1,056.50 -


WPA Property


1 Dodge Truck (1936) $ 250.00


1 Ford Truck (1935)


200.00


1 G. M. C. Truck (1935) 200.00


Sewing Machines and Equipment


250.00


Wheelbarrows


12.00


Axes, Shovels, Miscellaneous Tools


175.00


Office Equipment, Forms, etc.


35.00


1 Conant Loader


300.00


Total January 1, 1941


$ 1,437.00


Total January 1, 1940


992.00


Net Gain


$ 445.00


Respectfully submitted,


IRVING F. FRENCH,


BERNARD H. GREENE,


DUNCAN J. CAMERON,


Appraisers.


146


MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE


This is a report of work done in Tewksbury during 1940 by the Middlesex County Extension Service:


Farmers have been assisted through farm visits by the county agent in pasture improvement, emergency crops, milk market prob- lems, replacement cattle and farm program planning. The Robert Lacy farm is co operating with the soil conservation service in the project for erosion control and water conservation.


Progress has been made in the analysis of the State Infirmary dairy herd. The Melvin Rogers farm and the State Infirmary herd are in the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Mr. Victor Cluff is a member of the county dairy committee and vice-president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.


Poultrymen of Tewksbury were visited concerning their production problems. Several poultrymen of Tewksbury are keeping records in co-operation with the Extension Service.


Mr. M. D. Buchanan, Whipple Street, served on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Poultry Producers' Co-operative.


Spray schedules were sent to fruit growers before each spray, giving time of application and materials to use. Vegetable spray charts for the major crops were sent monthly during the growing sea- son to the vegetable growers. Several farm visits were made, giving personal information on the growers' crops. Several meetings were held throughout the growing season in neighboring towns where growers could obtain any requested information.


Mrs. Gertrude Rutledge was the chairman of 4-H Club work during the year. The leaders were Mrs. M. Hodgson, Roland Bourdon, Ralph Battles, George Maclaren, Miss Mable Smith, Mrs. K. Sunbury, Miss M. Catherina. There were twenty-three boys and sixty girls enrolled in the following projects: conservation, home furnishing, clothing, stamps, garden, and handicraft.


The exhibit was held at the High School in conjunction with the Parent-Teacher Association, and was well attended. Mr. George Farley, State Club Agent, was a guest. Blue ribbons and pins were awarded to club members by the club agents.


Mrs. M. Hodgson and Mrs. Gertrude Rutledge attended the 4-H Leaders' Camp at the State College.


James Chandler was awarded half expenses to County Camp on his excellent garden work. He also received a cash prize from the Middlesex North Agricultural Society. Mary Freitas won recognition on her formal flower garden.


147


REPORT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT


Chairman Greene and Members of the Tewksbury Board of Health:


I hereby make the following health report for the year ending December 31, 1940.


As is usually the case, when a contagious disease starts in this section of the state, we necessarily get our share of cases. This year we had to contend with measles. There were 70 cases reported and quarantined. Of the other reported diseases, diphtheria and scarlet fever are most feared. We were free of both. The former is being stamped out by preventative inoculation, as given in our clinics. I be- lieve after the coming year that our cases for inoculation will come almost entirely from the pre-school group. Here I must speak of the wonderful co-operation of Miss Haines, our School Nurse, in this Board of Health work. She has spent many days on her own time doing health work, such as preparing and mimeotyping several hun- dred notices to parents for signed permissions. She has followed these up, when parents procrastinated, has attended all clinics, supervised the sterilization of instruments and apparatus and the aseptic care of all arms before and after injection. This is a most important proce- dure in the safety and success of such work and this was truly Health Department work without compensation. Again, but as we say, "off the record," this nurse has collected warm clothes and footwear on her own time to distribute to some of our less fortunate children during the winter months. I believe the time she has spent not required by her position as School Nurse, but covering both welfare and health wants, has been invaluable to the welfare of our people. I am now making a recommendation to the Board of Health, that compensation to the extent of one day a week, outside of her school work, for forty weeks, amounting to $200.00, be included in our health appropriation for the coming year, and appoint Miss Haines for that work. This sug- gestion is made by your agent and is made without the suggestion or even the knowledge of this nurse.




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