Town of Westford annual report 1937-1941, Part 13

Author: Westford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1937
Publisher: Westford (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 812


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1937-1941 > Part 13


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Interest


63.20


Expenses


Wages and Salaries


$ 3,680.55


Expense Account and Supplies


1,665.06


Electric Power and Light


1,698.73


Service Account


267.50


Taxes


3,033.49


Depreciation


2,836.83


Miscellaneous


477.52


$ 13,659.68


Net Gain for the year ending December 31, 1938


$ 579.97


WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, Treasurer.


Westford, Mass., January 20, 1939.


Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex, ss.


Then personally appeared, William R. Taylor, and made oath that the above is a true statement of the cost of construction of the Westford Water Company to January 1, 1939, and of the Receipts and Expend- itures from January 1, 1938 to January 1, 1939, before me.


PERRY T. SNOW,


Notary Public.


My Commission expires February 2, 1945.


$ 14,239.65


92


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE GAGE LAND


During the past year the most valuable Gage lots have been located and surveyed, but on account of the hurricane no work has been done this winter.


We would recommend that the group of men now surveying, should survey the smaller lots and make plans of the same.


Respectfully submitted,


OSCAR R. SPALDING


Gage Land Committee.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE TOWN FOREST


The older part of the forest was badly damaged by the hurricane. We understand the W. P. A. will trim the logs and burn the brush.


We recommend the fallen lumber be sold.


Respectfully submitted, OSCAR R. SPALDING WILLIAM E. WRIGHT EDWIN H. GOULD


Town Forest Committee.


93


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE WHITNEY PLAYGROUND


Your committee hereby presents the following report:


The grounds have been in charge of John Petersen for the last year and have been kept in good condition. The P. W. A. regraded and put new sod on some of the land and we also had some assistance from the N. Y. A. in caring for the grounds.


At the time of the hurricane in September considerable damage was done. Trees were blown over and had to be reset and some should be replaced. The damage done the tennis court will have to be repaired in the spring.


This last year the building for the tools has been painted and new paper put on the roof.


The backstop at the ball field has been rebuilt and new wire put up.


It was also necessary to purchase a power mower.


Owing to the hurricane damage, a higher labor wage and a lower rate of interest, the committee for the first time, have been obliged, this last year to ask the town for an appropriation which will have to be continued if the playground is to be kept in good condition.


For financial report see Town Accountant's report.


OSCAR R. SPALDING JOHN FISHER CHARLES L. HILDRETH


Whitney Playground Committee.


94


REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL


My appointment as Town Counsel for the year 1938 had hardly gone through before it was necessary to get a bill passed by the Mass. Legislature authorizing the Town of Westford to borrow $20,000 to alter the Frost School. Inasmuch as the time had expired for intro- ducing new bills, it became necessary first to obtain permission of the legislature to enter the bill late. This was finally obtained and then a hearing was held on the bill which was passed, The selectmen at- tended the hearings and were helpful in getting the bill passed.


The special committee appointed to supervise the alterations of the Frost School held meetings with the architect, builder and plumber who had been engaged to do the work. The contracts were approved as to form by the Town Counsel. The committee asked a ruling as to whether it was necessary to have the builder and plumber furnish bonds, the expense of which would be borne by the town. I advised that it was not necessary for the contractors to furnish bonds.


In the spring the case of Mathieu vs. Town of Westford was tried before a jury in Lowell. Mr. Mathieu who lives on Tyngsborough Road, Westford claimed damages for an acre of land that had been taken by the Town in the construction of the Tyngsborough Road. He also claimed damages to his barn on account of large rocks being hurled through the roof and side of his barn when the blasting was done as well as damages to his land and house through the diversion of water due to change of grade in the construction of the road. Mathieu wanted about $2,000. in damages. A majority of the selectmen were willing to pay two or three hundred dollars which they thought was fair. Mathieu refused to consider this offer with the result that after three days trial the jury brought in a verdict for the Town. Much credit should go to Road Commissioner Austin Healey and his helpers for the assistance in preparing the case and in testifying in court.


Before any new road construction goes through now, the abutting owners are forced to sign releases exempting the town for any liability for damages.


The case of Goldsberry vs. Town of Westford for damages caused on account of an automobile accident on the Littleton Road was dis- posed of favorably in the Worcester Supreme Court without the town paying any money.


95


A verdict of $977.33 was secured in the Ayer District Court against a resident of Chelmsford who had bought milk from the Town Infirmary six years ago. The milkman suffered heavy losses two years ago on ac- count of the flood and last September on account of the hurricane. The Court has ordered payments of five dollars a week but to date nothing has been paid. Waiting so long before starting to collect makes it prob- lematical how much can be realized. I would suggest in the future that after a few months at most these claims be turned over to the Town Counsel. No private individual would wait so long before starting legal action.


Rulings made by the Town Counsel on Insurance contracts showed that the Town had carried unnecessary insurance for years. This will result in a very material saving in the years to come.


The general use of the automobile has resulted in claims for injuries being brought against cities and towns in increasing numbers. An in- surance company realizes the importance of investigating accidents promptly and in having skilled physicians examine everyone making a claim for personal injuries. It is equally important for a town to pro- tect itself against excessive and fraudulent claims. To wait for five or six years before investigating claims is not the right procedure to follow and in the long run is bound to prove costly to the town. Every claim should be referred immediately to the Town Counsel with author- ity to investigate and to engage a physician competent to make a com- plete and careful physical examination which could be used in court provided legal action is taken.


A claim against the Town for $30,000 has just been brought by Fred- erick A. Raymond p. p. a. for alleged injuries sustained by his son in a clinic conducted in the town. If the Town Counsel is the last one to hear of a claim against the Town, naturally he is at a disadvantage in preparing his defense.


Every act of a Town official in conducting Town affairs must con- form strictly to the law. The act is either right or wrong. If there is any question, an opinion should be secured immediately from the Town Counsel. This will result in saving money and needless litigation.


A case was tried in the Middlesex Probate Court last week. The man was living in Nashua. He has been paying his wife $12.00 a week for the support of herself and two children. The town of Arlington had been contributing over $10.00 a week for a year to the support of the wife and children. The man was earning $200. a month. The court or- dered him to start paying $25.00 a week to his wife. This will result in a saving of over $500.00 a year to the town of Arlington. The court said it was unfair for the Town to carry the burden that belonged to the husband. I understand a committee in Arlington follows up these cases. I cite this case as one way in which possible savings can be made.


96


The Town Counsel has had to handle the details necessary to the acceptance of two new streets the past year as well as numerous confer- ences with the different boards, constant rulings of law which have re- quired visits to the State House and county commissioners. Much time has been spent in looking up the law.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE M. HEATHCOTE,


Town Counsel.


97


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NAMING STREETS AND ROADS


The Committee appointed by Roger H. Hildreth, Town Moderator, under a vote passed at the Annual Town Meeting held February 21, 1938, to bring in names for the new way laid out and accepted by the Town and other unnamed ways, after careful consideration make the following recommendations as to names and descriptions of the streets and roads hereinafter mentioned:


ABBOT STREET, from Pleasant Street to Pine Street.


WRIGHT LANE, from Hildreth Street southeasterly toward the house of Joseph Sullivan.


POLLEY ROAD, from Stony Brook Road northeasterly to Plain Road.


HUNT ROAD, from Francis Hill Road westerly to Chamberlin Road.


We would also recommend that the spelling of Francis Hill Road as established by vote of the Town on March 17, 1902, be changed to Frances Hill Road, that being the correct spelling according to the West- ford Town History.


There are two or three other short stretches of roads that remain unnamed but as we have not yet decided on suitable names for them we respectfully ask for further time in which to report our recommen- dations.


Note .- See Town Reports for years ending March 1, 1903 and De- cember 31, 1931 for names of streets and roads prior to this report.


EDMUND J. HUNT EDSON G. BOYNTON CHARLES L. HILDRETH


Committee.


98


REPORT OF THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION


To the Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Westford:


The Works Progress Administration has been carried on through- out the fiscal year. Projects begun the year before have been completed and new projects have been drawn up, approved and completed or will be completed within the next few months. Due to the increase in the number of men by State Headquarters the amount of material used, was increased. Thus making it necessary to add to the original appropria- tion. This was done at a special town meeting.


Over $50,000 of Federal funds and about $12,000 of Town funds have been expended in Westford this past year.


Since the hurricane all projects have been discontinued for the time being to give all attention possible to the clearing away of fire hazards due to the fallen trees. Together with the allotment made by State Headquarters of Westford men, several hundred men from Low- ell are helping to do this work and will remain here for some time. Every endeavor has been made by the Board of Selectmen to have our quota of men raised but it is impossible at present.


A project for the resetting of trees and repairing the damage of public property is under way.


A description of projects follows:


MOTH PROJECT: This project consisted of the creosoting of nests as well as spraying.


The former was principally on private property while the latter covered public property as well. The new town sprayer was used for this purpose and with the co-operation of the W. P. A. for labor all sec- tions of the town were covered with the result that there was a very noticeable decrease in infested areas over the previous year.


SIDE WALKS: Approximately two miles of Bituminus top side walks were built in various sections of the town, many of which were


99


built with granite curbing. It is hoped whenever possible that the walks will be used, thus lessening the danger of accidents. Catch basins were installed to better faciliate drainage.


PLAYGROUNDS: The tennis court at Nabnassett was completed and much repair work was done on the Whitney Playground.


CEMETERIES: The new section of Fairview Cemetery was laid out and graded. Over 4044 yards of fill had to be hauled in. The new granite ashlar wall previously built has been extended and when com- pleted will form two sides of the grounds. Due to the fact that the proj- ect has been much larger than anticipated when the land was purchased this project will not be completed until spring.


All cemeteries of the town were surveyed and new detailed maps were made of them in addition to a card index which catalogued all graves.


TOWN SURVEY: The project pertaining to a survey of the entire town was completed this year. The survey resulted in one large map of the town and another consisting of 24 sections with the latter to be used as a basis in a new project to aid the Board of Assessors. This project will give the correct location and description on the section maps of all property in the town and will accompany card catalogue of abstracts of all deeds.


SEWING PROJECT: The sewing project for the women has con- tinued throughout the year with very good results. Our sewing project in quality and production is second to none. It is impossible to have the quota of women raised.


Respectfully submitted,


H. W. HILDRETH


Sponsors' Agent.


REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE


The Finance Committee has held the customary meetings and given all the articles in the warrant careful consid- eration and recommended the appropriation of the various sums as tabulated below:


Article Appropriation


Voted 1938


Amount Expended


Amount Asked


Recom- mended


3-1 Selectmen


LA 550.00


$ 547.63


$ 550.00


$ 550.00


1 License Expense


60.00


48.23


60.00


60.00


1 Accountant


875.00


856.57


875.00


875.00


1 Treasurer


900.00


899.64


900.00


900.00


1 Assessors


1,200.00


1,193.27


1,200.00


1,200.00


1 Tax Collector


1,600.00


1,569.90


1,600.00


1,600.00


1 Town Counsel


200.00


200.00


200.00


200.00


1 Town Clerk


400.00


390.80


400.00


400.00


1 Registration and Election


1,100.00


947.22


1,100.00


1,000.00


2 Town Hall


1,600.00


1,600.00


1,600.00


1,600.00


3 Police Department


5,490.00


5,432.61


5,390.00


5,000.00


3 Safety Signs


100.00


41.40


100.00


50.00


4 Fire Department


3,500.00


3,298.52


3,500.00


3,500.00


5 Hydrants


3,115.00


3,115.00


3,115.00


3,115.00


6 Sealer


125.00


106.96


125.00


125.00


7 Game Warden


75.00


75.00


75.00


75.00


8 Forest Fires


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,000.00


9 Town Forest


75.00


100.00


100.00


10 Tree Warden


250.00


236.33


250.00


250.00


100


11 Moth Department


2,375.00


2,335.55


1,837.19


800.00


12 Health Department


4,450.00


2,982.21


4,450.00


3,500.00


12 Health Milk


375.00


364.05


375.00


375.00


13 Cattle Inspector


150.00


150.00


150.00


150.00


14 Snow and Ice Removal


4,000.00


3,982.56


4,000.00


4,000.00


14


Chapter 81 Roads


10,625.00


10,625.00


10,750.00


10,750.00


14


Chapter 90 Roads


3,000.00


3,000.00


3,000.00


3,000.00


14


Groton Road


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,000.00


14


Town Roads


1,500.00


1,128.40


1,500.00


1,500.00


15


Welfare Department


25,400.00


25,428.88


16,000.00


16,000.00


15


Mothers' Aid


4,000.00


3,365.88


5,000.00


5,000.00


15


Old Age Assistance


8,235.67


8,208.81


10,000.00


10,000.00


16


Soldiers' Benefits


6,000.00


6,763.53


5,000.00


5,000.00


17 Schools


66,000.00


63,761.50


66,000.00


66,000.00


Vocational Tuition


750.00


383.05


750.00


700.00


19


Library and Dog Licenses


2,400.00


2,384.99


2,400.00


2,000.00


20


Common


200.00


200.00


200.00


200.00


21


Memorial Day


250.00


250.00


250.00


250.00


22


Town Reports


525.00


507.40


600.00


600.00


23


Liability Insurance


1,500.00


1,393.48


1,500.00


1,500.00


24


Fire Insurance


3,554.00


3,550.36


1,600.00


1,600.00


25


General Loans


7,500.00


7,500.00


9,500.00


9,500.00


26


Interest on General Loans


1,547.87


1,547.87


1,400.97


1,400.97


27


Interest on Revenue Loans


500.00


188.53


300.00


300.00


28 Street Lights


6,876.00


6,015.05


6,858.00


6,858.00


29


Reserve Fund


4,000.00


4,000.00


4,000.00


4,000.00


30


Outstanding Bills


2,858.46


2,858.46


4,000.00


4,000.00


101


Voted 1938


Amount Expended


Amount Asked 127.97 10.00


Recom- mended 127.97 10.00 2,314.40


31 Overdrafts of 1938


4 Demonstration Work


10.00


6 Middlesex T. B. Hospital


4,001.58


4,001.58


2,314.40


8 Band Concerts


400.00


400.00


400.00


9 Guide Boards


100.00


83.83


100.00


100.00


10 Whitney Playground


600.00


600.00


300.00


300.00


11 W. P. A. Expenses


11,500.00


11,404.99


8,500.00


8,000.00


12 Extra Street Lights


117.00


13 Road Equipment


4,000.00


3,990.73


4,191.88


4,191.88


16 Cemeteries


1,600.00


1,600.00


2,200.00


2,200.00


17 Safety Council


100.00


18 Extra Hydants


70.00


70.00


100.00


100.00


19 Tax Title Expense .. State and County Taxes Estimated including short- age of 1938


25,000.00


25,000.00


Estimated Receipts


70,114.80


Amount to be raised by taxation


Valuation 1938-$3,649,440.00.


Under Article 7-


Which calls for $50.00 salary for Firemen, we do not recommend.


Under Article 8-


The matter of Band Concerts we leave to the descretion of the voters.


$219,806.35


$149.691.55


102


Under Article 12-


Relative to additional street lights, we do not recommend the additional street lights at this time. Under Article 17-


Relative to a Town Safety Counsel, we leave to the judgment of the voters.


If the above recommendations of the Finance Committee are followed at the Town Meeting, the tax rate will be approximately $41.00 per thousand. For every thousand dollar increase, the tax rate will increase approximately 35c per thousand.


Respectfully submitted,


OSCAR R. SPALDING P. HENRY HARRINGTON WILLIAM E. WRIGHT ROBERT PRESCOTT W. OTIS DAY JOHN B. GRAY


Finance Committee.


103


104


TOWN OF WESTFORD WARRANT


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, MIDDLESEX SS. To the Constable of the Town of Westford in said County: GREETING:


You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth afore said, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in elections, and also in Town Affairs, to meet at their several polling places, viz:


Precinct 1. Town Hall, Westford Center.


Precinct 2. Abbot Hall, Graniteville.


Precinct 3. Abbot Worsted Mill, Brookside.


Precinct 4. Abbot Hall, Forge Village.


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1939


being the Second Monday in said month, at 12:00 o'clock noon for the following purposes:


To bring in their votes for the following officers:


FOR THREE YEARS


One Town Clerk


One Selectman


One Member of the Board of Public Welfare


One Assessor


Two Members of the School Committee


One Member of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners


One Trustee of Public Library


One Member of Board of Health


FOR ONE YEAR


Moderator Constable Tree Warden


105


The polls will be open from 12:00 o'clock noon to 8 P. M., and to meet in the Town Hall at Westford Center on the following


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1939


at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz:


1st. To hear the reports of the Finance Committee, other Commit- tees, Boards and Officers.


2nd. To determine the salary and compensation of elected Officers and such Officers and Officials as provided by law.


3rd. To appropriate money to meet the cost and expenses of the fol- lowing departments, officers and purposes:


1. General Government.


2. Town Hall, including repairs caused by the hurricane.


3. Police Department.


4. Fire Department.


5. Hydrants.


6. Sealer of Weights and Measures.


7. Fish and Game Warden.


8. Forest Fires.


9. Town Forest.


10. Tree Warden.


11. Moth Department.


12. Health Department.


13. Cattle Inspector.


14 Highway Purposes.


15. Board of Public Welfare.


16. Soldiers' Benefits.


17. School Department.


18. Vocational Tuition.


19. Public Library.


20. Care of Common.


21. Commemoration of Memorial Day.


22. Publishing of Town Reports.


23. Liability Insurance.


24. Fire Insurance.


25. General Loans.


26. Interest on General Loans.


27. Interest on Revenue Loans.


28. Electric Lights.


29. Reserve Fund.


30. Bills outstanding December 31, 1938.


31. Overdrafts of 1938.


106


4th. To see if the Town will appropriate $10.00 and elect a Director under the provisions of Section 40-45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 166 of the Acts of 1932.


5th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year be- ginning January 1, 1939 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.


6th. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex as required by law on account of assess- ments levied on the Town for its share of the principal of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital Funding Loan, Act of 1932 bonds maturing in 1939, issued in compliance with Chapter 10, Acts of 1932, also for any other indebtedness in- curred and outstanding under said Chapter 10, also for the town's share of the cost and interest on said bonds due in 1939, also for the care, maintenance, and repair of said hospital for 1938, including interest on temporary notes issued therefor in accordance with sections of Chapter 111 of the General Laws applicable thereto, and including Chapter 400, Section 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, and for all other expenses in con- nection therewith, determine how money shall be raised, or in any way act thereon.


7th. To see if the Town will vote to all regular firemen a salary of $50.00 per year.


8th. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $400.00 for Band Concerts for the current year.


9th. To see if the Town will appropriate $100.00 for guideboards.


10th. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $300.00 for the care of the Whitney Playground.


11th. To see if the Town will appropriate money to meet the expenses incurred in connection with the W. P. A., or other similar projects.


12th. To see if the Town will vote to Install additional street lights as follows:


One or Pond St. One on Leland Road


107


Five on Dunstable Road Three on Hartford Road One on Main St., Westford, opposite Unitarian Church Two on Prescott St.


13th. To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate money to the Road Machinery Account.


14th. To hear the report of the Committee chosen at the last annual meeting to make a survey and examination of the land devised to the Town under the will of Martina A. Gage, and appropriate money therefor.


15th. To see if the Town will vote to sell and convey any of the land devised under the will of Martina A. Gage, or authorize the cutting and removal of any of the wood and timber thereon.


16th. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $2,200.00 for Cemeteries and authorize the purchase of a new mower at a sum not to exceed $400.00. Said amount to be charged against the appropriation for Cemeteries.


17th. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars to be expended by such Town Safety Council as may be created and appointed by the Board of Selectmen, for the pur- pose of making our highways more safe for travel thereon.


18th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Westford Water Company for two ad- ditional hydrants: one on Boston Road and one on Abbot Street. 19th. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $100.00 for Tax Title expenses.


And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up true and attested copies thereof at the Town Hall and each Post Ocffie in said Westford, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.


Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding the first meeting aforesaid.


Given under our hands this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty-nine.


ARTHUR M. WHITLEY, ARTHUR L. HEALY, CYRIL A. BLANEY,


Selectmen of Westford.


A true copy: Attest


..... Constable of Westford.


...


Annual Report


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


OF THE


TOWN of WESTFORD


OF


WESTF


TOWN


OR


D


INCORPO


1729. 0


RATED


SEP'T. 23


For the Year Ending December 31, 1938


110


ORGANIZATION-SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Edward Buckingham Term Expires 1941


James Mulligan


Term Expires 1941


Albert G. Forty Term Expires 1940


Mrs. Dorothy Chandler, Secretary Term Expires 1940


Eric Anderson, Chairman Term Expires 1939


George Gibbons


Term Expires 1939


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


Robert W. Barclay, Westford, Mass.


Tel. Residence 155


Office 133 Westford Academy Office Hours-By appointment


SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dwight W. Cowles, M. D., Graniteville, Mass. Tel. 70


SCHOOL NURSE


C. Veronica Meagher, R. N., Westford, Mass. Tel. Residence 185


Office 50-4 Town Hall


111


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Citizens of Westford:


I hereby submit my annual report as Chairman of the School Com- mittee for the year 1938.


There was one change in the personnel of our Committee this year, as James Mulligan was elected to succeed Edmund Whitney. Edward C. Buckingham was re-elected.


We are turning back to the Town over $2000. that was not used this year. The reasons for that amount being turned back are: money was saved on Bus Transportation, due to the hurricane; it was not necessary to hire a teacher for a mentally retarded class; the repair of drive- ways and painting of the William E. Frost School was delayed due to alterations.


During the summer of 1938 the William E. Frost School was ren- ovated; it was formerly a four-room building, and by eliminating the old heating and ventilating system, it was made into a six-room building, with a modern heating system. It now accomodates all elementary grades.




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