USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1937-1941 > Part 36
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Voted 60 to 20 to reconsider Article 7.
Article 7. Voted that the Town remodel the Lower Town Hall at an expense to the Town of not more than $900.00 and that the Select- men be authorized to write a W. P. A. project for the same and that a Committee, consisting of the Selectmen and three members of the Legion have charge of the remodelling.
Voted to lay Article 11 on the table.
Article 12. Voted to erect a new Fire House at Forge Village on land to be acquired and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 to meet the expenses in connection therewith.
A motion that the Town move the present Fire House at Forge Village and erect the same on Town owned land at Nabnasset, at an expense of not over $1,000.00, was lost.
Voted that a committee of nine be appointed to serve as a Building Committee as follows, the three members of the Board of Selectmen, the three Fire Engineers and three others at large appointed by the Moderator.
Article 11. Voted that the Town accept land in Forge Village for a Fire House under a deed from the Abbot Worsted Company, provided the Selectmen, Fire Engineers and the Abbot Worsted Company can come to an agreement on the location. The Abbot Worsted Company would deed this land to the Town with the understanding that in case, at any time, it was not used for Fire Department purposes the land would revert back to the Abbot Worsted Company.
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Article 13. Voted to install an Air Horn at the Westford Centre Fire House and appropriate the sum of $1,600.00 to meet the expenses of the same.
Article 15. Voted that the Town authorize the purchase of a used chassis and have the Town Sprayer mounted on the same; also to have the Sprayer housed in the Fire House and used for Fire purposes when not in use by the Moth Department. and appropriate the sum of $250.00 to meet the expenses thereof.
Article 16. Voted that the sum of $500.00 be appropriated and the Fire Engineers be authorized to appoint a man to take care of all the equipment at the Westford Fire Houses at a salary of $500.00 per year and free rent of the Fire House Cottage.
Article 17. Voted that the sum of $400.00 be appropriated for Band Concerts for the current year.
Article 18. Voted to dismiss this Article which was relative to appropriating $900.00 for telephone service for certain departments.
Article 19. Voted to accept the layout made by the Selectmen of the ways in Forge Village known as Pond and Bradford Streets on file in the Town Clerk's Office on petition of John J. Daley and eleven others. (These layouts were filed with the Town Clerk on February 3, 1938.)
Article 20. Voted to dismiss this Article which was relative to the acceptance of the layout made by the Selectmen of a way in Westford Centre, as the layout has not been filed with the Town Clerk.
Article 21. Voted to dismiss this Article which was relative to the acceptance of the layout made by the Selectmen of a way in Brook- side, commonly known as Coolidge Street, as the layout has not been filed with the Town Clerk.
Article 22. Voted that a committee of three, one to be appointed by the Selectmen, one by the land owner and one to be appointed by these two appointees, determine the land damages on Hildreth Street and report at the next Town Meeting.
Article 23. A motion to adopt the following By-Law, "No town officer receiving $125.00 or more, nor any company or corporation that a town officer or employee receiving $125.00 or more is affiliated with. shall sell materials or supplies to the Town, nor receive any compen- sation or commission for services rendered by him for the Town; nor receive any renumeration for any of his machinery or equipment used by the Town; except his official salary and fees allowed by law"; was lost.
30
Article 24. A motion that the Town adopt the following By-Law, "All purchases of materials or supplies exceeding the sum of $50.00 shall be based on competition" was lost.
Article 25. Voted to take up separately each Section of this Article relative to Building Law by-laws.
Voted 67 to 50 not to accept the first Section.
Voted to dismiss the remainder of this Article.
A unanimous vote of thanks was given the Committee who drew up the proposed by-laws.
Article 26. Voted unanimously to reconsider the vote under Item 19 of Article 3.
Voted that the year in this vote be changed from 1939 to 1940.
Article 27. Voted to accept the minutes of the meeting.
Article 28. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH,
Town Clerk
31
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MAY 5, 1941
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Monday, May 5, 1941, the following business was transacted :
Roger H. Hildreth, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order at eight o'clock P. M.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
Article 1. Voted to accept the written report of the Finance Com- mittee.
Under the vote passed under Article 22 of the Annual Town Meet- ing, the Selectmen appointed Herford W. Elliott, the land owners John F. Sullivan and Joseph Sullivan, appointed William R. Taylor and these two appointees appointed Roger H. Hildreth to serve as the Com- mittee, and this Conimittee recommended the appropriation of $400.00 for the payment of land damages on Hildreth Street.
Article 2. Voted to lay this Article on the table.
Article 3. Voted unanimously that the Town adopt the Federal Surplus Commodities Stamp Plan for distribution of surplus commodi- ties as it now is, or hereafter may be, operated in conjunction with the Federal Government, and that the sum of $750.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of installing and carrying on said Stamp Plan.
Article 4. Voted unanimously that the sum of $145.05 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of defraying a bill of the Town of Billerica.
Article 5. Voted that the sum of $1,550.00 be expended from the Highway Equipment Account for the purpose of purchasing an auto- mobile truck for the use of the Highway Department; said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 6. Voted that the sum of $250.00 be expended from the account entitled, "Department of Public Welfare" for the purpose of purchasing and installing in the Infirmary an electric milk cooling device; said purchase and installation to be made under the super- vision of the Board of Public Welfare.
Article 7. Voted that the sum of $1,200.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of defraying the cost of building a new fire house at Forge Village.
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Article 8. Voted that the Town accept Palermo Street, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 9. Voted that the Town do not accept Coolidge Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 10. Voted that the Town accept Coolidge Street in Forge Village, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 11. Voted that the Town do not accept Chestnut Street and Oak Street, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 12. Voted that the Town accept Orchard Street, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 13. Voted that the Town accept Pershing Street and Smith Street, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 14. Voted that the Town accept Bradford Street and Pond Street, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 15. Voted that the Town do not accept Tadmuck Hill, as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Article 16. Voted that the Town authorize the Selectmen to act as its agent in any suit or suits which may arise during the current year, with authority to settle and adjust claims or demands for or against the Town, and to employ counsel whenever in their judgment it is necessary.
Article 17. Voted that the sum of $1,500.00 be expended from the account entitled "W. P. A. Account" for the purpose of remodelling and repairing the lower Town Hall, and that a Committee consisting of the Selectmen and three members of the Legion have charge of the remodelling.
Article 18. Voted to dismiss this Article.
Article 2. Voted unanimously to take Article 2 from the table.
Voted that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying claims made against the Town for land damages resulting from the widening of Hildreth Street; the said sum to be paid
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only in the event that the plan of the taking by the County Commis- sioners be acceptable to the Committee appointed to consider this matter; and only in the further event that the State and County con- tribute $2,000.00 and $1,000.00 respectively.
Article 19. Voted to accept the minutes of the meeting.
Article 20. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, A True Record, Attest :
Town Clerk.
34
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JULY 7, 1941
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Monday, July 7, 1941, the following business was transacted :
Roger H. Hildreth, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order at eight o'clock P. M.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
A report of the Finance Committee was read.
Article 1. Voted unanimously that the sum of $3,500.00 be trans- ferred from the account entitled "Surplus," for the purpose of defray- ing expenses incurred in Fighting Forest Fires and for the purpose of running the Forest Fire Department for the balance of the year.
Article 2. Voted unanimously that the sum of $109.76 be trans- ferred from the account entitled, "Surplus," to the account entitled "Bills Outstanding December 31, 1940," for the purpose of defraying outstanding bills.
Article 3. Voted unanimously that the pay of the Highway Depart- ment employees be increased from the present rate of 50c per hour to the rate of 60c per hour.
Voted unanimously that the sum of $1,000.00 be transferred from the account entitled "Surplus," to the account entitled "Town Roads," for the purpose of defraying additional expenses to be incurred as a result of the granting of an increase in pay to the Highway Department employees.
Article 2. Voted to accept the minutes of the meeting.
Article 4. Voted to accept the minutes of the meeting.
CHARLES L. HILDRETH, A True Record, Attest :
Town Clerk.
35
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 22, 1941
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Westford, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, held at the Town House, Monday, December 22, 1941, the following business was transacted:
Roger H. Hildreth, Town Moderator, called the meeting to order at eight o'clock P. M.
It was voted to accept the report of the Finance Committee as read and that it be placed on file.
Article 1. Voted that the sum of $83.33 be transferred from the unexpended balance of money appropriated under Article 16 at the Annual Town Meeting, and the further sum of $62.23 be transferred from the account entitled "Fire Hose," and the further sum of $54.44 be transferred from the account entitled "Soldiers' Relief" to the account entitled "Fire Department General Expense," and that the sum of $500.00 be transferred from said "Soldiers' Relief" account as follows: $200.00 to account entitled "Vocational Tuition," $150.00 to the account entitled "W. P. A. Expense," and $150.00 to the account entitled "Forest Fire Department."
Article 2. Voted to accept the minutes of the meeting.
Article 3. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
A True Record, Attest : CHARLES L. HILDRETH,
Town Clerk.
30
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of Westford:
The Board organized at the beginning of the year with Arthur M. Whitley, Chairman; Arthur L. Healey, Secretary, and Cyril A. Blaney as the third member.
The reports of the various committees under our supervision are printed in this report.
The appointments were the same as the previous year, with no salary changes.
Due to increased employment in private industry the Soldiers' Benefits expenditures were greatly reduced.
By orders of State headquarters all W. P. A. projects were closed as of June 1st, except the School Lunch which continued throughout the year.
The Highway Department purchased a Ford as voted by the Town. All highway workers were increased from 50c per hour to 60c per hour. Due to the increase of prices the highway equipment account was reduced much more than usual.
The annual audit was made by the Director of Accounts and a copy of same is printed herein.
The town lines of Groton, Littleton, Acton and Tyngsboro were perambulated with the Selectmen of the various towns.
The new Fire House at Forge Village has been completed and turned over to the Fire Department.
All the insurance policies on the various Town buildings have been renewed and a policy of $7,000.00 has been placed on the new Fire House.
Signed, ARTHUR M. WHITLEY. ARTHUR L. HEALY, CYRIL A. BLANEY.
Selectmen.
37
REPORT OF THE STATE AUDITOR
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts, Department of Corporations and Taxation, State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the general accounts of the town of Westford from August 25, 1940, and the Tax Collector's accounts from February 21, 1941, the dates of the previous examinations, to September 6, 1941, and report thereon as follows:
The recorded financial transactions of the several departments re- ceiving or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for col- lection, were examined, checked, and verified by a comparison with the books of the Town Accountant and the Town Treasurer.
The books and accounts kept by the Town Accountant were exam- ined and checked. The receipts as recorded on the ledger were checked with the records of the several departments making payments to the Treasurer and with the Treasurer's books, while the recorded pay- ments were checked with the treasury warrants issued by the Select- men and with the Treasurer's cash book. The appropriations and transfers as recorded on the ledger were checked with the Town Clerk's records of town meetings, and with the Finance Committee's records of transfers from the reserve fund. A trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was pre- pared showing the financial condition of the town on September 6, 1941.
The computation of the tax rate for 1941 was examined and checked to the ledger accounts, and the classification book was found to be neatly and accurately kept.
The books and accounts of the Town Treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the payments were compared with the Selectmen's warrants authorizing the Treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash book additions were verified and the cash balance on September 6, 1941,
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was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconcilia- tion of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments made for maturing debt and interest were checked and compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust funds in the custody of the Town Treasurer were examined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being compared with the Treasurer's recorded receipts.
The records of tax titles were examined and reconciled with the tax books and with the Town Accountant's ledger, being further verified by comparison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
In listing the appropriations from the Town Clerk's records it was noted that the sum of $1,904.66 was appropriated at the 1941 annual town meeting for unpaid bills of 1940. In the future appro- priations for unpaid bills should be made in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 179, Acts of 1941.
The books and accounts of the Tax Collector were examined and checked. The poll, property, and motor vehicle excise taxes outstand- ing according to the previous examination were audited and all sub- sequent commitments were checked to the warrants for their col- lection. The payments to the Treasurer were checked to the Treasurer's cash book, the recorded abatements were compared with the Assessors' records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
The departmental accounts committed for collection were exam- ined and checked. The commitments were proved, the recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the Treasurer, the abate- ments were compared with the records in the departments authorized to grant them, and the outstanding accounts were listed and recon- ciled with the respective ledger accounts.
Verification of the correctness of the outstanding tax and depart- mental accounts were made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it would appear that the accounts. as listed, are correct.
The records of licenses issued by the Selectmen, Town Clerk, and Health Department were examined and checked, and the payments to the State and town were verified.
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In examining the Town Clerk's records of explosive and gasoline license renewals it was noted that the fees collected therefor are retained by the Town Clerk. It is recommended that in the future all such fees be turned into the town treasury as required by the provisions of Section 53, Chapter 44, General Laws.
The surety bonds of the town officials required by law to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of the Sealer of Weights and Measures, as well as of all other departments collecting money or committing bills for collection, were examined, the payments to the Treasurer being com- pared with the Treasurer's recorded receipts.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from the officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE,
HBD:FC
Assistant Director of Accounts.
40
TOWN OF WESTFORD Balance Sheet - September 6, 1941 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Assets
Liabilities and Reserves
Cash:
General
$ 41,443.35
Solomon M. Hyams Fund
622.83
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1937-Polls $ 26.00
Levy of 1938-Polls
30.00
State Tax and Assessments
12,389.23
County Tax
6,704.38
Polls
46.00
Property
325.20
Levy of 1940:
Solomon M. Hyams Fund-Gift
622.83
Polls
110.00
Property
11,910.52
Levy of 1941:
Road Machinery Fund
2,810.68
Polls
504.00
Highways-Chapter 500, Acts of 1938
187.45
Property
122,082.93
$135,034.65
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax :
Levy of 1938
$ 4.00
Levy of 1939
12.00
Levy of 1940
126.21
Levy of 1941
1,043.08
Aid
270.44
$ 1,185.29
Temporary Loans:
In Anticipation of Revenue 1941 $ 75,000.00 In Anticipation of Highway Re- imbursement 20,000.00
$ 95,000.00
Levy of 1939:
Metcalf Monument Fund Income. 24.36
Trailings 24.65
Federal Grants:
Old Age Assistance: Assistance 343.26
Aid to Dependent Children: Administration 63.84
$ 677.54
Tax Titles 4,276.25
Departmental:
Fire
$ 70.80
Health
128.00
Temporary Aid
2,939.84
Old Age Assistance
1,307.56
Levy of 1939
371.20
Infirmary
378.09
State Aid
390.00
Military Aid
532.50
Cemetery
250.00
Revenue Reserved Until Collected :
$ 6,013.48
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes $ 1,185.29
Tax Title
4,276.25
Departmental 6,013.48
$ 11,475.02
Estimated Receipts to be Collected
45,508.30
Surplus Revenue
25,174.81
$252,842.19
$252,842.19
Unexpended Appropriation Balances $ 93,927.21 Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus 1,467.92
Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: Levy of 1937 $ 26.00
Levy of 1938
30.00
Aid to Dependent Children 16.69
Levy of 1940
807.65
Levy of 1941
1,121.26
$
2,356.11
State Aid to Highways $ 13,758.04
County Aid to Highways
5,000.00
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
$ 22,400.00
Brookside School Loan
$ 1,500.00
Graniteville School Loan
3,000.00
Forge Village School Loan
2,000.00
Westford Academy Loan
2,900.00
Frost School Loan
13,000.00
$22,400.00
$22,400.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds-Cash and Securities:
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
$ 2,500.00
Principal
$ 52,569.19
Library Trust Funds 11,706.08
Income
6,922.42
Fletcher Library Lecture Fund 2,000.00
Whitney Playground Fund
10,000.00
Metcalf Monument Fund
2,000.0
Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery Fund.
1,413.11
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
22,950.00
$ 52,569.19
Whitney Shade Tree Fund Income .... $ 425.70
Library Trust Funds Income
458.69
Emily Fletcher Library Lecture Fund Income
883.03
Whitney Playground Fund Income ....
118.15
Metcalf Monument Fund Income
118.01
Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery Fund Income
7.06
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds In- come
4,911.78
$ 6,922.42
$ 59,491.61
$ 59,491.61
..
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
Gentlemen:
The following is the annual report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1941.
CHAPTER 81 AND GENERAL HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
The usual highway maintenance was carried out during the year. All oiled roads were patched when necessary, with bituminous mate- rials during the spring and summer months and this procedure was carried out into the late fall.
Many of the roads which were graveled during 1940 have been shaped, rolled and oiled.
The dangerous ledge on Beaver Brook road has been removed. With this removed the road has been widened to 24 ft. also graveled for about half a mile starting at Littleton Line.
The brush on main and side roads was cut and burned. Several bad corners were cut back to make roads safer. Many new metal cul- verts, catch basins and guard rails were installed.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
The usual Maintenance of Chapter 90 was carried out under the provisions of this allotment.
Several of the roads were given a coat of cut-back asphalt and . covered with 5/8 trap rock rolled in. This coating not only makes the road stand up better during the heavy traffic, but provides a good non-skid protective coating.
CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
On Groton Road the Town had allotment for new construction. The work began at junction of Tyngsboro and Groton Road extending in a westerly direction about 2,500 ft. finishing at hill below Fred Shugrue's residence.
The work consisted of cutting down hills, filling valleys and widening to 27 ft. with new gravel surfacing the entire length. It was also shaped, rolled, and treated with two applications of tar and covered with coarse sand.
Respectfully submitted,
J. AUSTIN HEALY,
Superintendent of Streets.
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Westford, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1941 for the Police Department.
Report to the Department of Correction has been made.
Arrests made
38
Assault and Battery
4
Abandoned autos
8
Auto violations
18
Auto accidents
17
Auto transfers
139
Auto registrations
14
Auto Licenses suspended
18
Auto Licenses revoked
11
Appeals case to Superior Court
6
Cases in Ayer Court
41
Civil and Criminal Cases in Superior Court
8
Collected for Dog Licenses
$
120.00
Collected for Sunday Licenses
$
50.00
Collected for Beer Licenses
$ 2,142.30
Cruelty to Children
4
Complaints against dog
42
Complaints against Minors
72
Complaints investigated cruelty to animals
12
Complaints of dead animals left on top of ground
4
Complaints on suspicious persons
28
Camps broken into
6
Dogs killed by automobiles
11
Dogs shot
9
Duty at public gathering
178
Dances
153
Driving under the influence of liquor
6
Driving so to endanger
5
Disturbance of the peace
14
Drunkenness
32
Driving without Licenses
6
Fruit Thieves
3
Family Disturbances
72
45
21
Fires Attended
Fines in Ayer Court $ 300.00
Funerals Attended
32
In Lockup at Town Farm
31
Idle and Disorderly
56
Investigations made
872
Jurors
5
Breaking and entering in the night time
12
Men taken to jail
9
Operating a motor vehicle without a license
4
Operating so as to endanger lives
7
Leaving scene after injury to property
2
Larceny Complaints
52
Lewd and Lascivious Cohabitation
2
Notices Posted
16
Public nuisances in beer places
118
Pedestrians struck by automobiles
4
Petty Complaints
876
Summonses and Notices served
79
Warrants served
14
Electric wires down streets
11
Lay watching in different places
32
Inspection of Camps weekly in the winter time
268
Malicious injury to property
1
Boys sent to Westboro
1
I want to report that the purchase of the new two-way radio equip- ment last year and the installation of the same in both police cars has added to the efficiency of the Police Department, and enabled the people of Westford to contact the police officers wherever and whenever they have occasion to. We were fortunate to get the radio equipment when we did, as the price on the same equipment has increased a great deal, and even then it is almost impossible to get.
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