USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1914-1919 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The following is its financial statement to January 1, 1918: Received from membership fees
$ 70.40
Received from donations
167.30
Received from various entertainments 671.02
Received 25% of Red Cross fund
1,507.00
$2,415.72
Expenditures to January 1, 1918
1,659.31
Balance on hand
$ 756.41
WORK SENT THE LOWELL CHAPTER RED CROSS FROM MAY 1, 1917 TO JANUARY 1, 1918.
Knitted Articles.
Sweaters
350
Socks, pairs
290
Wristers, pairs 200
Helmets 90
Handkerchiefs
100
Trench caps
120
Wash mits 100
Mufflers 60
Total 1,210
Hospital Articles. .
Pajamas, suits 175
Hospital sheets 214
Convalescence robes . . 15
Pillows 135
Surgical dressings 1,100
Bandages, all sorts 1,083
Total
2,822
Christmas bags, 68.
53
THE AMERICAN FUND FOR FRENCH WOUNDED WESTFORD BRANCH.
Systematic work commenced October 12, 1916 by the ap- pointment of Leaders Sarah W. Loker and E. Louise Crosby.
List of articles furnished to January 1, 1918:
Knitted Articles.
Hospital Articles.
Socks, pairs 148
Surgical dressings 11,363
Sweaters
47
Comfort pillows 344
Wash mits
165
Draw pads 53
Helmets
2
Comfort bags 7
Wristers, pairs
2
Eye bandages 34
Hospital socks, pairs. . 4
Total
364
Total 11,805
THE CANADIAN AND BRITISH RELIEF.
This Relief has been under the direction of Mrs. John C. Abbot during the last three years. A large amount of clothing has been sent. Mrs. Abbot has had charge of the young people who by their faithful and tireless work have been the means of furnishing many needed articles which have been very much appreciated by those who received them.
SUPPLIES FOR THE NAVY.
Supplies have been furnished very liberally in fitting out men with sweaters, etc., who were about to sail on vessels from the Navy Yard. Mrs. Julian A. Cameron had charge of this work.
In making this report I have endeavored to embrace every- thing pertaining to the war. I presume some things have been overlooked that might be of interest and if anyone finds any errors or omissions I would deem it a favor to let me know. I may have gone a little outside of the Public Safety Committee's duty in some instances but anything pertaining to the war will be of a historical value in the future.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER,
Secretary, Public Safety Committee.
54
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR FIRE HOUSE.
The committee appointed by the Town to reconstruct the old Academy into a Fire House, met at the Selectmen's room, Town Hall, on May 12th, all members being present.
Specifications for remodeling the old Academy were pre- sented and accepted.
Voted to advertise in Courier-Citizen for estimates on the same to run as follows: May 15, 18, 22, 25, 29. All bids to be opened at Selectmen's Room, Town Hall, on June 1st, at 8 o'clock p. In.
On June 1st, the meeting was called to order by the Chair- man, O. R. Spalding, and proceeded by receiving bids as adver- tised, for reconstructing old Academy into Fire House.
W. D. Edwards presented bid for $5,000.00.
P. Henry Harrington presented bid for $3,717.00.
The vote was then passed to meet again on June 5th at Selectmen's Room and to request P. Henry Harrington and Harry B. Prescott, architect, to be present.
On June 5th, we met at Selectmen's Room with all members present, also P. Henry Harrington and Harry B. Prescott.
Alterations in the specifications were made after which P. Henry Harrington agreed to do said work for the sum of $3,000.
Said work was awarded to Mr. Harrington, upon furnish- ing committee with written agreement to carry out contract. By rearranging our specifications to bring our expenditures within the limit of the appropriation of the town, it has left the building still incomplete, which will make it necessary for the town to make a further appropriation for finishing this work and grading the grounds of the same.
Mr. Harrington's work is very nearly completed with a few minor exceptions. He has been paid up to the present date $2,500.00. The balance $500.00 we still retain until contract is fully carried out.
O. R. SPALDING, S. B. WATSON,
H. V. HILDRETH,
R. PRESCOTT,
E. M. ABBOT,
Committee.
55
Board of Health.
The Board of Health respectfully submits the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1917.
We wish to state that owing to the unusual conditions that have arisen in this pernicious period, and our close proximity to Camp Devens, Westford has been associated with the nine other Towns of this District, all of which have been under the direct supervision of a Special Agent of the State Department of Health. A very thorough survey as regards the sanitation of these Towns has been made under his authority, and several complaints have been brought to the attention of this Board. In each case the Board has made prompt investigations, and informed the parties in question to put their property in a proper sanitary condition, and we believe, as no other complaint has come from the State Board, that every place has been attended to satisfactorily.
The Board of Health asks that all people residing in the Town co-operate with them, and report any nuisance that may prevail.
We wish also to caution the Teachers in the various schools, as heretofore, to take every precaution, and if any symptoms of contagious diseases come to their attention, to immediately notify the parents.
The number of contagious and infectious diseases for the
year is as follows :
Scarlet Fever
7
Diphtheria
2
Measles
7
Chicken Pox
7
Whooping Cough
1
German Measles
51
Typhoid Fever
2
Tuberculosis 2
56
ITEMS OF EXPENSE.
Frank L. Furbush, services as chairman $ 30.00
A. A. Hildreth, Agent. 34.00
North Reading State Sanitorium 4.57
C. B. Colburn Co., supplies 7.60
A. W. Brownell, supplies 2.00
O. V. Wells, M. D., services 13.00
City of Lowell 124.50
J. A. Healy & Son, cleaning Carkin vault 5.00
$220.67
FRANK L. FURBUSH, Chairman. SHERMAN FLETCHER, Secretary. OSCAR R. SPALDING.
57
WESTFORD WATER COMPANY.
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
1917.
Jan.
1 Balance
$89,369.29
Jan.
4 Transportation
S 10.00
Jan. 19 Labor
36.90
Feb. 27 Wiring 200.00
April 7 Lumber
45.00
April 21
Supplies
68.02
April 21 Hydrants
70.00
May
1 Lumber
240.41
May 8 Wiring
40.40
May
15 Teaming
6.00
June
4
Supplies
28.81
July
9 Pipe
242.98
July
13 Labor
77.50
July
13 Freight
1.34
Aug.
8 Labor
29.01
Sept.
4 Supplies
9.35
Sept. 13 Labor
22.54
Oct.
8 Supplies
5.55
Oct. 22 Lumber
8.45
Oct. 24 Supplies
64.06
Nov. 2 Supplies
15.40
Dec.
5 Supplies
19.22
Dec.
5 Supplies
2.00
$1,242.94
CR.
Feb. 16 Pipe
90.00
Cost of construction from Jan. 1, 1917 to Jan. 1, 1918
1,152.94
Total cost of construction to Jan. 1, 1918 . .
$90,522.23
58
A STATEMENT OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FROM JANUARY 1, 1917 TO JANUARY 1, 1918.
RECEIPTS.
Water Rates.
52 hydrants
$2,046.67
Town Hall
32.00
Library
28.00
Schools
222.00
Town Farm
50.00
Subscribers
7,179.49
$9,558.16 ·
EXPENSES.
Interest account net
$1,722.82
Taxes
202.13
Expense account
377.07
Fuel
100.52
Wages
1,700.00
Supplies
2.6.24
Electric power
1,212.56
Service connections
77.34
Insurance
124.81
$5,783.49
Net profit for the year ending Dec. 31, 1917 $3,774.67
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT, Treasurer.
MIDDLESEX, SS. WESTFORD, MASS., January 8, 1918.
Then personally appeared Charles O. Prescott and made oath that the above is a true statement of the cost of construction of the Westford Water Supply System to January 1, 1918, and of the receipts and expenditures of the Westford Water Company from January 1, 1917 to January 1, 1918, before me.
JOHN M. FLETCHER, Notary Public.
59
Tax Collector's Report.
TAXES REMAINING UNPAID JANUARY, 1918.
TAXES OF 1917.
Andrew Anderson
$ 25.29
Stephen Ayierski
2.00
Paul Babik 2.00
Henry Bechard 2.00
Agnes N. Beebe
2.46
Willard H. Beebe.
5.61
Daniel Beleda
2.00
Michael Beled
2.00
Gustave Bergstrom
2.00
James M. Brenne.
2.00
B. E. Brown
2.00
William Brunell
2.00
Axel Carlson
2.00
Joseph Carpenter
7.74
Peter Cincire
2.00
J. Henry Colburn
26.19
John Dashkevich
2.00
Mrs. C. R. P. Decatur
49.83
Percy W. Dickerman.
2.00
Fred Dupras
5.69
Harry N. Fletcher
175.39
John Frind
2.00
Eva Fuller, Lawton & Lawton.
15.17
Amount carried forward $341.37
60
Amount brought forward.
$341.37
William E. Green.
37.10
Wasil Griski
2.00
Patrick Haverland
2.00
Horace L. Heroux
2.00
John Hill
2.00
Albert Jenkins
2.00
Mark W. Jenkins.
3.23
Mrs. Mark W. Jenkins heirs.
25.59
Hanning Johnson
2.00
Oscar Johnson
2.00
William H. Johnson
2.00
Gregory Kisley
2.00
John Kisley
2.00
Joseph Kisley
2.00
Roy Knapp
2.00
Thomas Kulok
2.00
Joseph Lafrance
2.00
Edward McEnnes
2.00
Frank McMann
2.00
Anton Maher
2.00
Nicholas Marshall
2.00
Oscar Mattson
2.00
Walter J. Merritt heirs
18.04
· Robert Moore
2.00
William Moran
2.00
Felix Moratler
2.00
Joseph Murphy
2.00
Desire Nadeau
2.00
Ignace Naiehalski
2.00
Carl Nelson
2.00
Richard Nolan
2.00
Robert O'Dell
2.00
Louis Oliver
2.00
Amount carried forward. $483.33
61
Amount brought forward
$483.33
Lunda Olsen
2.00
Joseph Parisean
2.00
Mrs. Ella J. Perkins
8.20
Everett Pickering
2.00
Arthur B. Parrott
26.60
Charles H. Potter
6.56
George C. Potter
13.12
Joseph Provost
2.00
John D. Psarias
73.34
Fred L. Quimby
2.00
Thomas Rafferty
3.15
Francis E. Regnier
2.99
W. A. Robinson
2.00
Cerillo Salvatore
2.00
James M. Sargent
58.90
Michael Schavich
2.00
Roswell Shattuck
2.00
John Smollander
2.00
Valison Socorelis
22.14
Edwin Smollander
2.00
Edgar Steele
21.73
John Sullivan
2.00
Fletcher Symmes
7.74
James Velengas
44.73
Leo Viano
2.00
Elmer Vrooman
2.00
Charles A. Walker
43.46
Warren F. Waterman
2.00
Edmund Whitney
6.10
Sidney B. Wright
63.66
Walter W. Wyman
20.04
Amount carried forward. $935.79
62
NON-RESIDENTS.
Amount brought forward
Margaret Blake
$935.79 .99
Flora I. Day
11.48
Thomas W. Doyle
6.56
Harry A. Dutton
3.12
Miner H. A. Evans.
17.26
Mrs. Harriet S. Evans.
47.56
Henry J. Farrell and others
19.68
Moise Fontaine and others.
6.56
John B. Hally
1.64
Sylvanus E. Hinckley
47.97
Mrs. Elvira Leavett
2.63
Parsons & LeCam
.82
William H. Pickard
.33
Reed & Jeffrey
2.46
J. Frank Seavey
14.76
J. Frank Seavey & A. G. Thompson heirs
2.46
Willisted & Marinel
9.84
Collected since audit
213.35
$1,345.26
L. W. WHEELER, Tax Collector.
63
Report of Overseers of the Poor.
RECEIPTS OF THE TOWN FARM.
Milk
$2,392.86
Overseers Orders
575.03
Stock
853.00
Wood and Lumber
33.00
Hay
311.55
Poultry
38.32
Vegetables
48.04
Eggs
65.30
Rent
60.00
Team work
278.69
Grain bags
16.41
Apples
9.00
Miscellaneous
28.55
Fertilizer
10.00
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1917.
$4,719.75
47.71
$4,767.46
64
EXPENDITURES OF TOWN FARM.
Stock $ 821.00
Grain
1,377.91
Labor
700.63
Superintendent and Matron's salary
575.03
Provisions
252.51
Groceries
350.23
Fertilizer
20.00
Westford Water Co.
50.00
Water for Red House
10.00
Repairs
56.56
Traveling expenses
16.90
Milk mixer
10.00
Ice
45.15
Blacksmith work
31.75
Dr. Blaney
9.00
Veterinary
9.00
Baker
9.43
Telephone
28,88
Butter
51.09
Coal
133.55
House furnishings
27.81
Clothing, etc., for inmates
38.34
Miscellaneous
63.43
Fish
18.16
Fruit
25.12
Seeds and plants
15.80
$4,747.28
Cash balance on hand.
20.18
$4,767.46
65
Number of inmates during the year 7
Number of inmates Dec. 31st. 5
Number of tramps lodged and fed.
6
Number of prisoners put in lockup
20
One inmate died Oct. 17.
REPAIRS ON TOWN FARM HOUSE.
Stock $395.43
Labor 459.92
$855.35
PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF OUTDOOR POOR.
Paid City of Boston. $ 20.00
City of Marlboro. 37.34
J. Herbert Fletcher, Groceries, Chapter 763, Act 1913. 4.99
Conrad Richard, provisions, Chapter 763, Act 1913 9.90
Dr. O. V. Wells.
5.00
Dr. C. A. Blaney .
40.00
Henry .J. Healy, transportation. 9.00
Dr. D. J. Generales 15.00
Albert St. Cyr. 151.81
Under Provisions of Chapter 763, Acts 1913 722.00
Samuel . H. Balch, extra time and expenses 7.35
Samuel H. Balch, salary
10.00
Fred R. Blodgett, extra time and expenses 7.00
Fred R. Blodgett, salary.
10.00
Wesley O. Hawkes, extra time and expenses 20.39
Wesley O. Hawkes, salary.
20.00
Revenue stamps 3.00
$1,092.78
66
REIMBURSEMENTS.
Received from State Board of Charity $316.00
SUMMARY.
Payment on account of Outdoor Poor. $1,092.78
Reimbursements due 316.00
Net expense of Outdoor Poor $776.78
STATEMENT.
Drafts on Town Treasurer
$2,523.16
Town Farm Receipts 4,144.72
Cash in hands of Superintendent of Town Farm 47.71
$6,715.59
Payments on account of Outdoor Poor.
$1,092.78
Town Farm payments
4,747.28
Repairs on buildings
855.35
Cash on hand
20.18
$6,715.59
Drafts on Town Treasurer
$2,523.16
Reimbursements
316.00
$2,207.16
Net expense at Town Farm.
$1,457.91
Net expense of Outdoor Poor
776.78
$2,234.69
Town Farm receipts
$4,144.72
Cash on hand Jan., 1917
47.71
Cash received from Town Treasurer
575.03
$4,767.46
67
Town Farm payments
$4,172.25
Superintendent's salary 575.03
Cash on hand .Jan. 2, 1917
20.18
$4,767.46
SUMMARY.
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1916. $ 47.71
Cash received from Town Treasurer 575.03
Repairs
855.35
$1,478.09
Cash on hand Jan. 2, 1918
20.18
Net expense of Town Farm with repairs. $1,457.91
During the past year fire caught on roof of Town Farm house, estimated loss, $125.00.
Insurance Company demanded fire-proof shingles or better protection from sparks of passing trains. .
There has been paid to Town Treasurer on account of insurance $125.00; and on account of sale standing pine timber $2,875.00.
WESLEY O. HAWKES, Chairman, FRED R. BLODGETT, Secretary, SAMUEL H. BALCH,
Overseers of the Poor.
SCHEDULE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT TOWN FARM, DECEMBER 29, 1917.
Groceries $ 25.00
Canned fruit and jelly 56.20
Vegetables 43.00
Vinegar 17.00
Fire hose, nozzles and brackets. 75.00
Balance of personal property in house . .
818.90
10 cows and bull $1,055.00
1,2 ton oat straw 4.00
3 tons stock hay.
45.00
17 tons English hay
375.00
60 tons ensilage
480.00
Grain
41.00
Poultry
100.00
3 horses
600.00
1 two-horse dump cart.
47.50
1 two-horse wood wagon 40.00
1 two-horse sled 45.00
2 hay and farm wagons
65.00
2 Democrat wagons
23.00
1 mowing machine
20.00
1 hay tedder
5.00
1 horse rake.
17.00
1 sulky plow
20.00
Lumber 90.75
1 manure spreader
50.00
1 wheel harrow
18.00
1 smoothing harrow 10.00
1 spring tooth harrow
9.00
1 roller
18.00
Balance of personal property in barn and out buildings 509.50
$3,687.75
Total
$4,722.85 LEONARD W. WHEELER, FRED L. McCOY, GEORGE H. HARTFORD,
Appraisers.
$1,035.10
69
Tree Warden's Report.
The Tree Warden submits the following report :
During the past year my work has consisted of cutting brush along the roadside and corners. Having removed many dead trees, I find there are many more to be removed.
The new slash law should be known by every one in regard to putting brush on the roadside, as there is a fine for so doing.
H. L. NESMITH,
Tree Warden.
70
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures.
WESTFORD, MASS., January 8, 1918.
As Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Westford, I submit the following report for year 1917 :
Number of platform scales over 5,000 lbs. 7
Number of platform scales under 5,000 lbs. 50
Number of computing scales 4 All other scales 43
Total 104
Number of weights sealed 186
LIQUID MEASURES.
Number of liquid measures
8
Kerosene oil pumps 6
Gasoline pumps 6
Yard sticks 7
ALBERT A. HILDRETH,
Sealer.
71
Assessors' Report for Year 1917.
Value of buildings, April 1, 1917 $ 997,872.00
Value of land, April 1, 1917 736,193.00
Value of personal estate, April 1, 1917 601,540.00
Total $2,335,605.00
AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED.
Trustees of Public Library $ 1,000.00
Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds
250.00
Roads and bridges
6,500.00
Town debts and charges
7,500.00
Support of the poor
2,000.00
Support of public high school purposes. . .
15,973.75
Destruction of moths and elm tree beetles
1,100.00
Expense of Fire Department
450.00
Purchase of new hose for Fire Dept.
350.00
Construction of sidewalks 300.00
To commemorate Memorial Day 150.00
Distribution of books from Public Library 100.00 Compensation of Fish and Game Warden 50.00 Repairing and remodeling Old Academy 1,500.00 Lighting road from Westford to Brook- side Corner 270.00
$37,493.75
Electric lights
3,500.00
Hydrants
2,080.00
Notes and interest
3,300.00
County tax
3,018.48
Amount carried forward.
$49,392.23
72
Amount brought forward.
$49,392.23
State tax
6,600.00
State highway tax
990.00
Total
$56,982.23
Moth tax
$ 766.22
Excise tax, Lowell & Fitchburg St. Ry.
368.81
Income tax.
5,129.01
Addition tax
24.79
$6,488.83
Number of polls
832
" horses
344
1
66
COWS
733
66
neat cattle
295
66
sheep
16
66
66
swine
52
fowls
5,050
" dwelling houses
624
Acres of land
18,000
Tax on $100
$1.64
LIST OF TAXES ABATED, YEAR 1916.
I. W. and H. M. Hutchins $3.10
Henry S. Baker
3.10
Michael Carr
2.00
A. H. Larkin
1.55
Joseph Loiselle
3.88
Charles H. Albright
2.00
Samuel Belado
2.00
William P. Boyle
2.00
Rosaire Brule
2.00
Amount carried forward $21.63
73
Amount brought forward $21.63
John Buckley
2.00
Butler James 2.00
Robert Burnes
2.00
James Chapman
2.00
John Colan
2.00
Martin Cooget
2.00
Wasil Cooget
2.00
Frank Coughlin
2.00
John Conroy
2.00
Dola Cote.
2.00
Robert Curtis
2.00
William Davis
2.00
Joseph Deneswie.
2.00
Edward Denisovage
2.00
Nelson Dion
2.00
John Fobes'
2.00
Ernest Gould
2.00
Michael Gontug
2.00
Keneth Grig
2.00
B. Gulberg
2.00
John Gulberg
2.00
Carl Gulberg
2.00
Abraham Hanson
2.00
Michael Harbin
2.00
Stanley Hazmie
2.00
Jacob Helko.
2.00
George H. Hillock
2.31
Renit Jarvest .
2.00
Gregory Kistley
2.00
Wasil Kistley
2.00
Stanley Kritals
2.00
Henry F. Lambert
2.00
Luther Lawton, Jr.
2.00
Amount carried forward. $87.94
74
Amount brought forward. $87.94
Henry Lewis
2.00
Howard Lord. 2.00
Robert Marshall
2.00
Frank Nutting
2.00
Francis Oyodink
2.00
Stanley Parker
2.00
Anthony Pnokervi
2.00
Mrs. William Reed (Heirs)
.47
Albert Robeson
2.00
John Roshko
2.00
Joseph Susnovokt
2.00
Charles Savage
2.00
Michael Sullivan
2.00
Daniel Sullivan
2.00
Stanley Sullivan
2.00
Robert White
2.00
George Worden
2.39
Nichalus Worabey
2.00
Florbor Worabey
2.00
Fred R. Ames
.53
John M. Cahill
.78
Jessie P. Crook
.47
Muriel L. Avey
1.24
Wallace Dole
.47
H. E. Dexter
23
William W. French
1.40
James Graham
.93
Annie Higgins
2.33
Robert J. Hook
3.72
James A. Hunnwell
.47
Albert Jones
3.10
George H. Lovering
.78
John H. Roch
.47
Kate Schwartz
1.55
Ames Sharcn
.70
Emma E. Varnum
1.05
$145.02
75
ABATEMENTS FOR 1917.
Allen Smith $ 1.23
Nels Nelson 4.92
O. R. Spalding
24.60
Mrs. Adeline Buckshorn 37.38
Mrs. Henry Holt 18.20
J. Everett Woods 16.40
Catherine Hanley
16.40
Warren H. Blaisdell
12.30
Jacob Stanley 2.00
Western Union 1.02
Tony Palermo
2.00
Moses Hobson
3.28
D. A. Connell
1.64
Edward Ceylon
2.00
Anthony Pivirotto
2.00
Wasil Porzsilchink
2.00
Zalous Landry
2.00
Gregory Baskalo
2.00
Olando Foster
2.00
George Sanborn, Jr.
2.00
Seth W. Banister
2.00
Walter Beebe.
2.00
Arthur Blaisdell
2.00
Frank Blaisdell
2.00
Alex Brunelle.
2.00
Frank Charleton
2.00
Elmer Drohen
2.00
Gustaff Eliason
2.00
Mathew Elliott, Jr.
2.00
Jessie Heald
2.00
J. A. Hcaly, 3rd
2.00
Clarence A. Hildreth
4.46
Amount carried forward. $181.83
76
Amount brought forward. $181.83
Harold W. Hildreth
2.00
Leon F. Hildreth 2.00
Albert Hobson.
2.00
Frank C. Johnson
2.00
John O'Neil, Jr.
2.00
Robert Orr, Jr.
2.00
Joseph Pelky
2.00
Joseph Perkins
2.00
Frederic H. Picking
2.00
Marden Seavy
2.00
Daniel Sullivan
2.00
$203.83
J. W. FLETCHER, CHAS. D. COLBURN, J. AUSTIN HEALEY, Assessors of Westford.
77
Report of Engineers of the Fire Department.
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
At the first meeting of the Board the Engineers organized as follows :- Edward M. Abbot, Chief; John Edwards, Clerk; Alonzo H. Sutherland, Assistant Chief.
The Fire Companies have responded to fourteen alarms during the past year, eight chimney fires, two grass fires, thrce building fires, one truck fire, at which damage occurred as follows: Jan. 3rd. House owned by Benjamin Counter, Graniteville, rented and occupied by Conrad Richards. Value of building, $3,200. Insurance, $3,200. Damage, $70. Value of contents, $400. No damage to contents. The fire caught from a chimney on the second floor.
April. Barn and house occupied by George H. Smith, Acton Road. Value of barn, $50. Total loss. No insurance. Value of house, $100. Total loss. No insurance. Fire caught from a bonfire.
May 12th. Main building at the Town Farm. Fire on roof set by locomotive at 11.50 A. M. Value of building, $5,500. Damage, $125. Insurance, $3,800. Value of contents, $1,000.
Aug. 25th. Auto truck fire, Beaver Brook Road.
We have been fortunate in having few buildings or forest fires during the past year.
During the six summer months the various fire companies have drilled one night monthly but owing to the shortage of labor, the formation of the local company of the Mass. State Guard, and the additional crops each person tried to raise, the drills were not attended as well as usual.
The following new equipment has been added during the year :- 450 fect of hose, one shut-off nozzle, two hydrant gates, a stand for drying hose at Forge Village Fire House, three boxes carried under the fire wagons to hold extinguisher charges.
78
The fire engineers report the following hose at the various fire houses :- Westford, 1,400 feet good hose, 150 feet poor hose; Graniteville, 1,200 feet good hose, 150 feet poor hose; Forge Village, 1,320 feet good hose, 700 feet poor hose.
In looking over the expense account of the fire department you will notice that we have under-run our appropriation about $200. A number of bills contracted for were not sent in for payment in time to be payed in 1917. The Engineers, therefore ask that the unexpended balance be appropriated together with the sum of $450 for the coming year.
Because of our country being at war the Engineers feel that every one should economize in every way possible and for that reason are not recommending the appropriation of $350 for additional hose and supplies the coming year. We believe in keeping up our equipment but feel that this year the saving can be made without detrimental results.
The Engineers are glad to report that on December 31st the E. M. Abbot Hose Co. No. 1 were able to move into its new quarters, formerly the old Westford Academy, though to be sure these are still in a semi-finished state. We hope that the Town will vote the necessary money to complete this building.
During the past year the Chief has granted thirty permits to transport dynamite powder, etc., and seven permits to use dynamite powder, etc.
There has been complaints from time to time that as the firemen are paid only twenty-five cents an hour at fires and that without exception they are all making more than that in their own lines that the Town should increase the amount allowed. The Engineers therefore suggest that the rate per hour of the firemen be left with the Fire Companies to change to meet varying con- ditions.
EDWARD M. ABBOT, Chief. JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk. ALONZO SUTHERLAND, Asst. Chief. ALBERT R. CHOATE. FRANK FURBUSH.
79
Report of Forest Warden.
The past year has been a very bad one for fires, having thirty-four in all, some of which were very bad ones. Being so many it was, thought advisable to stop giving permits, so none were granted for a certain time, until after the dry time.
I have issued one hundred and fifty permits. A list of persons with whom hand fire extinguishers have been placed, and a list of fires are submitted herewith.
I recommend that an appropriation be made to buy fire extinguishers for the coming year.
H. L. NESMITH, Forest Warden.
80
LIST OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN WESTFORD,
1917.
No. 1 David Greig
No. 33
J. A. Healy, Dunstable Rd.
2 Geo. A. Drew
3 Eben Prescott
34
Westford Depot 66
4 Samuel Taylor 35
5 John Flynn
36
W. Green
6 J. Ellison
37
George Symmes
7 Charles Edwards
38
Geo. Kimball
66
39
Judson Sweetser
8 9 Walter Whidden 40
W. L. Butterworth
10
H. E. Fletcher
41
Everett Jarvis
11
42
C. M. Griffin
12
66
43
James Sullivan
13 66 66 66
44
W. Seifer
14 66 66
45 John O'Brien
16 Nat Whitney
47
A. Burnham
17 Graniteville Fire Dept.
48 49
N. Decatur
18
60
50
A. McDonald
19 James O'Brien, Provi- dence Rd.
51
Geo. Shaddick
20
W. Williams
52
A. A. Hildreth
21
Brookside Firehouse 66
54
Calvin Howard
22 23 West Graniteville
24 F. Banister 56
57
Otis Day
26 H. Wright
58
W. W. Johnson
27 Gilman Wright
59
Parkerville Firehouse
28 H. E. Gould
29 H. O. Keyes
30 J. M. Book
62
O. R. Spalding
31 Edw. Steele
63 Graniteville Firehouse
64 Goldsmith Conant
32 C. Shugrue
53
Albert Flagg
55 Jim Wilson
Alec McDougal
25 C. Couture
60 Warren Sweetser
61 Mabel Drew
D. Desmond
15 J. Lundberg
46 Alvin Blaisdell
81
No. 65 A. E. Loveless
No. 88
.J. Connell
66 Guy Decatur
89
Graniteville Hose Co. 66 66
67 A. E. Jordan 90
68 A. Dureault
91
C. Johnson Whidden Cor.
69 C. B. Wetmore
92
Westford Fire Co.
71 F. R. and C. A. Blodgett
94
66
66
72
O. R. Spalding
95
66
66
74
C. Wright -
97
66
66 60
75 W. Anderson
98
66
66
77
Fred McCoy
111
66
66
66
78
Geo. Hartford
112
79 J. W. Pyne
100
Forge Village Hose Co.
60
66
81 R. Prescott
102
82
F. Miller
103
60
66
83 James H. O'Brien
104
Frost School
84
Frank Hildreth
105
Geo. Irish
85 W. Pollock
107
W. Balzer-
86 Almon Vose
108
A. Polley
87
Charles Parker
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.