USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 12
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375.00
Contents of Attic
60.00
Canned Goods and Empty Jars
280.00
Provisions
130.00
Potatoes
215.00
Blankets, Sheets, and Towels
130.00
Dry Goods
85.00
Stock and Farm Equipment
$ 7,462.55
Household Equipment
2,300.00
JOHN E. REGAN. FRED R. BLODGETT, MARYGEN SOCHA.
70
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board organized for the year 1943 with William L. Wall, Chairman, Samuel A. Richards, Secretary, and Reginald Blowey re- elected as third member.
The W. P. A. Surplus Commodities were discontinued in February, 1943 at the Infirmary as the case load did not warrant this service any longer.
As a result of the new legislation passed in 1943 for Old Age Assistance, many changes were made in administrative procedures. The new act provided that individual assistance payments should be determined in accordance with budgetary standards established by the State Department. Each case was adjusted to determine need, and payments were made accordingly.
The case load did not increase to a great extent in 1943 remaining much the same as the previous year.
Respectfully,
WILLIAM L. WALL
SAMUEL A. RICHARDS REGINALD BLOWEY
Board of Public Welfare.
71
INFIRMARY CREDITS
Milk $ 3,592.95
Eggs
522.83
Potatoes
66.45
Corn
27.50
Beans
4.00
Asparagus
62.70
Other Vegetables
11.45
Hay
67.00
Fowl
84.80
Hogs
513.45
Beef
40.00
Bags
23.84
Wood
36.00
Ensilage
26.00
Calves
76.00
Teaming
362.60
Sawing Wood
5.00
U. S. Treasury
2.27
Boar and Bull Service
17.50
Eastern States Farmers Exchange
.76
Telephone
.35
Use of Harvester
9.00
Board of Inmates
1,012.95
-
$ 6,565.40
Use of Truck-W. P. A. $ 15.00
Wood
28.00
Board and Care of Inmates
2,944.00
32 Meals to Men in Lockup
16.00
Clothing, Tobacco, Medical
310.97
$ 3.313.97
$ 9,879.37
.72
INFIRMARY DEBITS
Superintendent's Wages
$ 1,288.00
Other Employees
801.00
Provisions
1,307.71
Dry Goods and Clothing
133.50
Eye Glasses
6.00
Medical
85.50
Tobacco
91.97
Newspaper
11.25
Ice
133.35
Telephone
56.90
Soap
25.95
Burial ...
100.00
Gas and Electricity
142.27
Fuel
300.02
Gasoline
203.85
Grain
2,780.91
Garbage
102.90
Sawdust
16.05
Milling Lumber
12.49
Egg Boxes
15.38
Butchering and Curing Meat
12.85
Fertilizer
108.86
Seed
69.00
Pasturing
46.00
Blacksmith
21.50
Veterinary
17.50
Pullets
46.88
Truck Insurance
41.27
Supplies
167.67
Repairs
177.11
Painting
65.25
Boiler Inspection
10.00
Water Bill
89.98
Appraisors
15.00
Miscellaneous
19.65
$ 8,523.52
73
MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
This is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service in the town of Westford for 1943.
Because of war conditions, the Staff of the Extension Service had to devote a great deal of time this year to overhead organization work pertaining to machinery rationing, food distribution orders, farm labor and other regulations, as issued by our Government, and establishing the number of war units on certain farms for Selective Service Boards. An attempt was made to see to it that these regulations were explained and applied to local conditions.
Westford poultrymen have been sent information on price ceilings, the feed situation and other emergency policies; also, they have been sent circular material on up-to-date production practices. They have been advised concerning keeping records, improving ranges, disease control and reducing wastes. Several have been visited concerning specific problems. Mr. Harry Ingalls was the president of the Mid- dlesex County Poultry Association.
Dairy farmers received information on improvement of hay land and pastures by liming and fertilization. Through visits farmers were encouraged to add alfalfa to their seeding mixtures. Reseeding of run out tillable pastures was urged on some farms.
Assistance was given in every way possible in solving the critical labor situation experienced during the harvesting of apples.
Assistance was given the community in organizing Victory Garden programs for the various villages. The Westford Grange cooperated fully in the development of a garden and canning program.
Mrs. George Heathcote was chairman of the Women's Extension Group of Parker Village, meeting in the Community House. The food demonstrations were planned to help homemakers feed their family well under wartime rationing and shortages. "The School Lunch," "Good Homemade Bread" and "Meat Extenders" were the subjects of the demonstrations. Three showings of the Christmas Kit, which included practical gift suggestions, were held in different sections of the town.
74
Two canning demonstrations gave practical help to both begin- ners and experienced canners.
There were forty-seven girls and seventy-three boys enrolled in 4-H club activities-canning, gardening, poultry, dairy, pig and handi- craft.
Mrs. Clifford Johnson was town chairman and also leader of the girls' clothing club. Other leaders were Miss Eleanor Murphy, Cloth- ing; Mrs. Willard Moore, Canning and Garden; Peter Perry, Handi- craft and Garden; Warren Nixon, Poultry; Daniel C. Staples, Garden and Jack Skinner, Handicraft.
The clothing club held a supper and Exhibit at the home of their leader in early June and the canning club exhibited their products at the Grange Fair in October.
Edwin Nixon was awarded $5.00 for being fifth in the County Poultry Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Society for Promot- ing Agriculture. He was also a member of the County Junior Poultry Judging Team which placed third at the Boston Poultry Show.
Several boys and girls attend Camp Middlesex.
Bobby Budge represented Hood H at Camp Middlesex candlelight service.
MRS. WARREN NIXON, Director.
75
REPORT OF THE WESTFORD COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
During the year 1943 we have followed along to a certain degree the suggestions of the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety. Our Town was included in several practice blackouts and these were carried out very successfully and without confusion, the Townspeople co-operating to the fullest extent. ,
The Wardens, the Firemen and Auxiliary Firemen. Police and Auxiliary Police have retained their interest in this Public Safety work and have responded splendidly when called upon. Quite a number who were enrolled in this work have been taken into the service of the U. S. A.
A telephone extension from the Report Center in the Town Hall to the home of Mrs. Hilda Bosworth has been installed so that now we do not have to man the Report Center. Mrs. Bosworth very obligingly offered to take the calls in this way and this resulted in a big relief to the Committee and to the people who previously had given very generously of their time to man the Report Center.
The Report Center is still continued and in the event of a black out or warning signals the Personnel will report there.
Mr. Morris A. Hall, Chairman of Salvage Committee arranged for two collections of tin during the year and the Committee had these drives well organized and the Townspeople again responded splen- didly and the results obtained were most satisfactory.
The Salvage Committee is now planning for a collection of waste paper and magazines during January and a collection of clothing for February.
Much good work has been accomplished during the year by the Women of the Town, several classes in home nursing being held in different parts of the town besides continuing their outstanding work in the making of surgical dressings, sewing, knitting, etc.
In regard to our expense for the year 1944 we feel now that it will be very moderate. We therefore are asking for the unexpended balance of the year 1943 and no additional amount. 'the principal item being for telephones for Report Center and Observation Tower and for heat for the Tower.
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR.
Chairman.
76
REPORT OF THE WHITNEY PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
The activities of this committee the past year have been confined chiefly to the usual supervision of the grounds, the immediate care of which has been in the efficient hands of Mr. John S. Peterson.
The weight of the severe ice storms of last winter broke down the baseball backstop on the playground. This caused unforseen and considerable expense in order to restore it to its original condition and usefulness.
During the year we increased the hourly wage of the caretaker to conforni to the rate paid to other Town employees in similar situa- tions.
As supervisor also of the Whitney Shade Tree Fund expenditures, this committee reports that quite a bit of pruning and cutting was done by the Tree Warden last spring and summer of trees on Depot Street.
Further care should be given to these trees during the coming season.
JOHN FISHER,
CHARLES L. HILDRETH,
MORRIS A. HALL,
Whitney Playground Committee
77
-
REPORT OF WESTFORD WATER COMPANY
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
Balance January 1, 1943
$182,807.22
Additions during the year 1943
00.00
$182,807.22
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FROM JANUARY 1, 1943 TO DECEMBER 31, 1943
RECEIPTS
Hydrants
$ 2,940.00
Public Buildings, Playgrounds, etc.
389.32
Subscribers
16,834.78
Interest, etc.
162.03
Service
8.00
$ 20,334.13
EXPENSES
Wages and Salaries $ 4,622.96
Expense Account and Supplies
1,328.99
Electric Power and Light
1,657.76
Taxes
3,794.37
Depreciation
3,318.93
Service
158.64 $ 14,881.65
Net Gain for the year ending December 31, 1943
$ 5,452.48
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR,
Treasurer.
Westford, Mass.,
January 19, 1944.
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 West- ford Water Company to December 31st, 1943, and of the Receipts and Expenditures from January 1, 1943 to December 31, 1943, before me. FREDERIC A. SNOW,
Notary Public.
78
WESTFORD RATIONING BOARD 332
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1943
Reporting the activities of the War Price and Rationing Board for 1943, we saw pretty much a continuation of what was started in 1942.
After two years of operation the different panels function in a well-organized manner.
During 1943 price control was the last panel to be added to the board. This panel consists of Albert J. Burne, Michael Mosscrop, and Henry J. Stepinski. The other panels which continue to function have their work divided as follows: Fuel oil panel, James L. Knowlton, William E. Wright, Oliver A. Reeves; Food panel, Moses L. Fecteau, Frederick O. Baker; Tire panel, Edward T. Hanley, John Fisher, Albert J. Burne, Michael Mosscrop, and Henry J. Stepinski; Gasoline panel, Edward T. Hanley, John Fisher, William E. Wright, Oliver A. Reeves, and James L. Knowlton; Rubber Boots, Bicycles and Type- writers are passed on by the board as a whole.
Messrs Albert A. Hildreth and William Kavanagh have acted as agents to the Price Control Panel in visiting stores and checking on prices and have been most helpful.
During 1943 Mr. Victor G. Doucette, one of the three original members of the board, entered the Armed Forces of Our Country. His faithful services are much missed by the remaining members of the board.
1
Mr. Victor Daley has recently been appointed as a member under the heading of Community Service. His duties will be to keep in touch with various activities and changes of the board and to keep the public informed of such changes in the rules and regulations.
The Board meets every Tuesday evening, and anybody desiring to confer with any of the members of the various panels are very welcome at this time.
The clerical force, Mrs. Hilda I. Bosworth and Miss Blanche J. Wilk, devote their entire time to this work, while Mrs. Freda S. Pres-
79
cott and Miss Gwendolyn M. Walker come in and help out during emergencies. The high school . have also been very helpful and cooperative at the various registrations, while Miss Jennie M. Fergu- son was especially generous of her time during summer vacation working many hours in getting out the fuel oil rations for the present winter season.
We appreciate very much the cooperation and helpful attitude of the townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD T. HANLEY
JOHN FISHER
WILLIAM E. WRIGHT
OLIVER A. REEVES
JAMES L. KNOWLTON
MOSES L. FECTEAU
FREDERICK O. BAKER
ALBERT J. BURNE
MICHAEL MOSSCROP
HENRY J. STEPINSKI
80
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
The Westford Cemetery Commissioners submit the following report for the year ending 1943.
Cemetery Perpetual Care Bequests amounting to $26,100.00 have been drawn from the banks and put into "G" bonds with the exception of three accounts which are still in the bank awaiting a sufficient amount to put into a $500 "G" bond. Interest on "G" bonds is 212% payable semi-annually and run for twelve years. Accumulated interest is in the bank.
We would like to take this opportunity to explain to the Public that, while we have taken in this year $420 in cemetery lot care. $248 for grave digging, $S for sale of the hearse and $8.40 as a refund. this money, under the law. has to be turned back into the Treasury. and cannot be used in meeting our yearly expenses. Therefore, all labor, etc. has to come out of our appropriation.
On account of the shortage of labor and the increased price of same we endeavored to do the best we could under the circumstances. There are quite a number who have failed to pay for their lot care and if they would come forward with same it would be of great assist- ance.
To economize on printing and paper during the war emergency we are omitting a list of cemetery lot care and cemetery perpetual care bequests. Anything concerning same will be found at the Town Hall.
SEBASTIAN B. WATSON, Chairman FRED R. BLODGETT AXEL G. LUNDBERG
Cemetery Commissioners
81
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee has held the customary meetings and given all the articles in the warrant careful consideration and recommended the appropriation of the various sums as tabulated below:
Voted and Transfrd. 1942
Amount Expended
Amt. Asked for 1944
Recom- mended
Article Appropriation
General Government:
Selectmen
$ 750.00
$ 709.23
$ 750.00
$ 750.00
License Expense
75.00
75.00
75.00
75.00
Town Treasurer
1,250.00
1,223.30
1,650.00
1,650.00
Town Accountant
975.00
971.72
975.00
975.00
Assessors
1,200.00
1,150.55
1,400.00
1,400.00
Tax Collector
1,750.00
1,650.00
1,750.00
1,750.00
Town Counsel
Tax Title Expense
200.00
200.00
200.00
200.00
Town Clerk
300.00
95.96
500.00
500.00
Election and Registration
700.10
590.97
1,300.00
1,300.00
Town Hall:
General Expense
2,500.00
2,300.33
2,500.00
2,500.00
Police Department:
General Expense
6,375.00
6,083.18
6,375.00
6.375.00
Road Marking
350.00
349.10
400.00
150.00
Fire Department:
General Expense
4,885.86
4,885.86
4,500.00
4,000.00
Permanent Man
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
1
.
Article Appropriation
Voted and Transfrd. 7942
Amount Expended
Amt. Asked for 1944
Recom- mended
Hydrants
3,350.00
3,290.00
3,350.00
3,350.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
125.00
109.95
125.00
125.00
Forest Fires
75.00
75.00
75.00
75.00
Town Forest
1,000.00
995.95
1,000.00
1,000.00
Tree Warden
100.00
100.00
100.00
Moth Department
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
Street Lights
900.00
900.00
900.00
900.00
Finance Committee Reserve Fund
6,930.00
6,930.00
6,930.00
6,930.00
Outstanding Bills
3,000.00
1,724.98
3,000.00
3,000.00
Middlesex County TB Hospital
1,088.42
1,088.42
1,500.00
1,500.00
Whitney Playground
2,250.00
1,232.52
1,403.78
1,403.78
Band Concerts
300.00
408.21
300.00
300.00
Rationing
400.00
400.00
400.00
Contributary Retirement Service
1,700.00
1,638.15
1,200.00
1,200.00
Middlesex County Extension
93.75
93.75
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
$193,768.78
State and County Taxes
12,000.00
Estimated Receipts
$205.768.78
1
85,000.00
To be Raised by Taxation
$120,768.78
ART. 4. The Finance Committee recommends this article. ART. 5. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 6. The Finance Committee recommends this article. ART. 7. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 8. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 9. The Finance Committee does not recommend this article. ART. 10. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 11. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 12. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 13. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 14. The Finance Committee does not recommend this article.
ART. 15.
The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 16. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
.
ART. 17. The Finance Committee recommends this article. ART. 18. The Finance Committee does not recommend this article. ART. 19. The Finance Committee does not recommend this article.
ART. 20. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 21. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
ART. 22. The Finance Committee recommends this article.
If the above recommendations of the Finance Committee are adhered to the tax rate will approximate $34.00 per thousand dollars of valuation. For every appropriation increase of $1,000.00 the tax rate will increase approximately 28c.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. WRIGHT, Chairman P. HENRY HARRINGTON W. OTIS DAY E. KENT ALLEN HERFORD N. ELLIOTT EVERETT SCOTT
Finance Committee.
TOWN OF WESTFORD WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss
To the Constables 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 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. Donnelly's Store, Brookside.
Precinct 4. Abbot Hall, Forge ,Village.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1944
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 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 the Public Library
One Member of the Board of Health
One Town Treasurer
One Tax Collector
For One Year
One Moderator One Constable One Tree Warden All on one ballot.
86
ART. 1. To hear reports of Town Officers and Committees; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 2. To determine the salary and compensation of elected officers and officials as provided by law.
ART. 3. To appropriate money to meet the costs and expenses of the following departments, officers and purposes:
1. General Government.
2. Town Hall.
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. Department 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. Compensation Insurance.
24. Fire Insurance.
25. General Loans.
26. Interest on General Loans.
27. Interest on Revenue Loans.
28. Cemeteries.
29. Street Lights.
30. Finance Committee Reserve Fund.
31. Unpaid bills of previous years.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one
87
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; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will 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 judg- ment it is advisable so to do; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum of money for the purpose of paying the County of Mid- dlesex as required by law, the Town's share of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300) Dollars, or some other sum, for the care of the Whitney Playground; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer to the account en- titled Excess and Deficiency Account the unexpended balance of the sum appropriated at the annual meeting February 16, 1942, for the purposes set forth in Chapter 81 of the General Laws, and also to transfer to said Account the unexpended balance of the appropriations of prior years for the purpose of carrying on Fed- eral and State Projects commonly called W. P. A. Projects; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred ($400) Dollars or some other sum, for Band Concerts during the current year; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will vote to rescind that portion of the vote Under Article 15 of the Warrant for the annual meeting Feb- ruary 17, 1941, relating to the housing and use of the Town Spray- er and that said Town Sprayer be placed under the supervision and control of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of defraying the salaries and expenses of the Ration Board, the said sum to be expended under the direction of the Westford Ration Roard; or act in re- lation thereto.
88
ART. 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a certain sum of money from the Machinery Fund to the Highway Equipment Account; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action, relating to additional street lights, taken under Article 22 of the Warrant for the annual meeting February 16, 1942; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to install seven (7) additional lights on Tyngsborough Road; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sunı of Ninety-Three and 75/100 ($93.75) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of paying into the Contributory Retirement System the Town's portion of the amount which would have been paid into said Retirement System by former Westford teachers who are now in the military or naval service, all as provided in Section 9 of Chapter 708 of the Acts of 1941, as amended by Chap- ter 419 of the Acts of 1943; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of purchasing and can- celling outstanding notes of the Town representing the balance due on the Frost School Loan, so called; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of three or more persons for the purpose of investigating the advisability of the enactment of new By-Laws, said committee to report its findings and conclusions at the next annual town meeting; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 1 of Article 1 of the By-Laws, as amended. by striking out the same and adopt- ing in place thereof the following by-laws:
The annual meeting for the election of Town Officers shall be held on the second Monday of February in each year. The polls shall re- main open from 6:30 in the forenoon until 4:00 o'clock in the after- noon. All business except the election of such officers and the de- termination of such matters as by law or the vote of the town are re- quired to be elected or determined by ballot shall be considered after one o'clock on the second Saturday following.
89
ART. 19. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4 of Article 1 of the By-Laws by striking out the same and adopting in place thereof the following by-law:
At any Town meeting held for the transaction of Town business, no action shall be considered legal unless there is a quorum present of thirty-five or more legal voters. No person whose name is not on the list of voters shall be admitted to the floor of the hall, except those who may be invited by the meeting assembled. It shall be the spe- cial duty of the police and election officers'to enforce this law by use of the check list; but the same shall not apply to the state election, primaries or meetings for the election of Town officers, or to be con- strued to prohibit press reporters from such admission. The Moder- ator shall determine the bounds of the floor of the hall.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten ($10) Dollars and elect a Director, under the provis- ions of Sections 40 to 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws, as amended; or act in relation thereto.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift made to it during the year 1943 by the Solomon Hines Fund, Inc .; or act in relation thereto.
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