USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 19
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1,403.78
Dog Licenses
488.40 $ 16,764.40
Refunds
Taxes
$ 53.33
Withholding
8,014.21
Sale Lots
30.00
Perpetual Care
1,950.00
Interest Monument
32.50
Interest Cemetery
743.00
$269,609.43
51
TOWN OF WESTFORD BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Cash on Hand and in Bank
......
$115,351.15
Accounts Receivable:
1943 Personal
$
36.72
1943 Real Estate ..
3,027.95
1944 Poll
24.00
1944 Real Estate
8,836.61
Department Accounts Receivable
2,224.85
1944 Personal
408.13
1944 Poll
24.00
1944 Excise
134.59 $ 12,468.00
Tax Title Account
$ 1,769.74
Departmental:
Temporary Aid
$ 1,212.05
Infirmary
455.78
Aid to Dep. Children
16.69
Old Age Assistance
....
298.33
Cemetery Department
125.00
World War II
152.00 $
2,259.85
Public Safety Committee ..
163.32
Cemetery Lots, Sales 30.15
E. & D. ..
96,353.57
..
634.62
Power Grader
5,750.00
Highway Equipment
1,448.75
Machinery Fund
2,559.00
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
9.77
State Aid to Highway
1,125.00
Whitney Playground Fund
47.60
Metcalf Monument Fund
5.21
State Aid to Highways
$ 1,903.53
Tax Title Revenue
$
1,829.86
Overlays:
1943
$ 592.31
1944
2,480.00 $ 3,072.31
Victory Tax
$ 1,093.17
Overlay reserve
2,212.30
Excise Tax Revenue
134.59
Loans-Anticipation Reimburse- ment 15,000.00
Tailings Account
58.20
Compensation Insurance
..
$133,752.27
$133,752.27
TRUST ACCOUNT
Trust Funds
........
$ 55,919.19
Library Funds
$ 12,706.08
E. F. Fletcher Lecture Fund
2,000.00
Whitney Playground Fund
10,000.00
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
2,500.00
Metcalf Monument Fund
1,300.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
26,000.00
Lyman Wilkins Cemetery
1,413.11
$55,919.19
$ 55,919.19
Income $ 9,785.79
Library Fund, Income
$ 644.88
E. F. Fletcher Lecture Fund Inc.
1,030.18
Whitney Playground Fund Inc.
598.03
Whitney Shade Tree Fund Inc.
466.85
Metcalf Monument Fund, Inc.
474.59
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund Inc.
6,470.38
Lyman Wilkins Cemetery Fund Inc.
100.88
..
$ 9,785.79
$ 9,785.79
Respectfully submitted,
GENEVIEVE A. HEALY,
Town Accountant.
REPORT OF STATE AUDITOR
TOWN OF WESTFORD BALANCE SHEET-JUNE 24, 1944 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash:
In banks and office
$ 46,581.04
Accounts Receivable:
Temporary Loans: In Anticipation of Highway Reimbursement $ 15,000.00
Taxes :
Levy of 1942:
Personal
$ 48.07
Overestimate 1943 - State
Property
2,354.65
Parks and Reservation Tax ....
5.05
Levy of 1943 :
Poll
36.00
Personal
174.32
Property
7,152.83
Levy of 1944:
Poll
1,518.00
11,283.87
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes:
Levy of 1943
73.35
Levy of 1944
1,173.03
1,246.38
Trust Fund Income :
Metcalf Monument Fund $ 14.46
Whitney Shade Tree 9.77
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Fund 17.50 41.73
Cemetery Sale of Lots and
Graves
30.00
Road Machinery Fund
1,338.00
Federal Tax Deductions 830.99 ..
Tax Titles
Departmental:
Temporary Aid $ 1,452.05
Aid to Dependent Children 16.69
Old Age Assistance 135.33
Military Aid
40.00
War Allowance
70.00
State Aid
30.00
Soldiers' Burials
100.00
Cemetery
252.00
2,096.07
State Aid to Highways
13,125.00
County Aid to Highways
3,000.00
Revenue of 1944
194,155.80
Overlays Reserved for
Abate-
ment of Taxes:
Levy of 1942 $ 277.63
Levy of 1943 821.07
1,098.70
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Tax $ 1,246.38
Tax Title
1,678.79
Departmental 2,096.07
State and County Aid to Highways 1,125.00 6,146.24
Surplus Revenue
76,410.58
$223,790.13
$223,790.13
Federal Grants: Aid to Dependent Children 1,028.75 .. Aid, Administration 87.84
Old Age Assistance
6,941.06
Unexpended Appropriations Bal-
ances 112,515.64
Tailings 58.20
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus 2,257.35
Less Estimated Receipts
Collected 49,655.02
$144,500.78
Underestimate 1943:
County Tax
$
278.20
..
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities:
Principal $ 55,769.19
Income
9,103.68
Whitney Shade Tree Fund $ 2,500.00
Library Trust Funds 12,706.08
Emily Fletcher Library Lecture Fund 2,000.00
Metcalf Monument Fund 1,300.00
Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery Fund
1,413.11
Whitney Playground Fund
10,000.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund ....
25,850.00
55,769.19
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
Income 574.98
Library Trust Fund Income
438.03
Emily Fletcher Library Fund
Income 985.24
Metcalf Monument Fund Income
471.19
Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery
Fund Income 82.65
Whitney Playground Fund
Income 449.26
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
Income
6,102.33
9,103.68
......
$ 64,872.87
$ 64,872.87
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1944:
The various companies responded to 56 alarms other than forest fires; namely, 12 chimney, 8 house, 3 barn, 1 bus, 2 truck, 1 dump, 1 auto, 2 false, 1 foundry, 1 cellar oilstove, 1 tree, 2 fireplace, 1 camp, 1 brooder house, 10 still alarms, 2 calls searching for lost children, and 7 out of town. 48 alarms for forest and grass fires were answered making a total of 104 calls.
While responding to an alarm one morning last April, the Forge Village truck was involved in an accident which caused serious injury to one of the men. He was not released from the hospital until approxi- mately the first of October. Due to the seriousness of the accident the expenses ran considerably over the amount covered by the insurance and we feel that the balance should be paid for by the town. Incident- ally, Group Accident Insurance is paid for by the men from their salary. This pays $500.00 hospital expenses and also pays a weekly salary of $25.00 for 104 weeks or until time of recovery if less than this time. We are pleased to say that this man is now fully recovered and was released by the physician Dec. 9th.
The installation of power brakes on the smaller trucks which are very necessary was started this year and was the only major repair to the equipment.
Due to the shortage of materials we feel that the appropriation for new fire hose should be abandoned for this year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND D. ROGERS HAROLD E. WRIGHT RICHARD W. HALL
57
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
As Tree Warden I have attended to the removal of many broken limbs from trees and also the clearing of dead trees from the roadside.
I still think it would be advisable to set out some Maple shade trees on Depot Street.
A great many of the trees are still in a poor condition because of broken limbs caused by high winds and winter storms. I would suggest an appropriation of $500.00 to take care of this work.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY L. NESMITH,
Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
DEPUTIES
Edmund D Rogers
Harold E. Wright
Richard W. Hall
Hubert V. Raymond
Reginald Blowey F. Everett Miller Thomas Curley Austin D. Fletcher
All fires this year were of a minor nature except one four hour fire on Chamberlin Road.
Permits must be obtained for all fires in the open unless there is snow on the ground.
The usual sum of $1000 is asked for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO R. LARKIN,
Forest Warden.
58
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Balance on hand January 1, 1944 $ 92,234.44
Total Receipts to December 31, 1944 292,726.24
$384,960.68
Balance on hand December 31, 1944
$115,351.15
Total payments to December 31, 1944
269,609.53
$384,960.68
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLOTTE P. GREIG,
Treasurer.
REPORT OF FISH AND GAME WARDEN
I hereby submit my annual report as Fish and Game Warden for the Town of Westford.
You will find listed below the fish and birds liberated in the Town of Westford, in 1944:
June 25- 9 Hen Pheasants.
Aug. 12-12 Hens-18 Cocks.
Aug. 4-Forge Pond-2015 Pond Fish.
Aug. 9-Keyes Pond-2015 Pond Fish.
Aug. 9-Nabnasset Pond-2015 Pond Fish.
Aug. 9-Long Sought For Pond-1200 Brook Trout, 4-5 inches.
I take this opportunity to thank each and everyone for the sincere co-operation you have accorded me.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND L. PROVOST,
Game Warden.
59
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
As Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Westford, I submit the following reports for 1944:
Number of Platform Scales over 5000 lbs. 3
Number of Platform Scales under 5000 1bs 32
Number of Counter Scales 13
Number of Spring Scales under 100 1bs. 18
Number of Spring Scales over 100 1bs.
4
Number of Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
8
Number of Weights Sealed
90
Number of Liquid Measures Sealed
5
Number of Gasoline Measuring Pumps Sealed 2
Number of Gasoline Meters Sealed 11
Number of Kerosene Pumps Sealed
2
Number of Oil Measuring Pumps Sealed 3
Number of Quantity Measures on Pumps
10
Total Sealed 201
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT A. HILDRETH,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
60
ASSESSORS' REPORT
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1944
Value of Buildings, January 1, 1944. $2,507.260.00
Value of Land, January 1, 1944 787,905.00
Value of Personal Property, January 1, 1944 ... 414,845.00
Total Valuation $3,710.010.00
APPROPRIATION FOR YEAR 1944
Annual Town Meeting February 21, 1944
$194,789.23
State Taxes
$ 9,299.63
County Taxes
7,254.57
1944 Overlay Fund
3,956.34
$ 20,510.54
Total Amount to be Raised
$215,299.77
Total Estimated Receipts
83,232.71
Total Amount to be Raised on Polls and
Property
$132,067.06
Total Excise Tax Committments $ 4,394.02
Tax Rate, $35.00 per Thousand.
Number of Polls
1,108
Number of Horses
55
Number of Cows
363
Number of Neat Cattle
126
Number of Swine
538
Number of Sheep
34
Number of Fowl
35,437
Number of Acres of Land
18,000
Number of Dwelling Houses
1,220
61
ABATEMENTS
Poll
Property
Excise
1942
$
$
332.53 $
1943
34.00
327.42
$ 75.45
1944
628.00
520.70
57.09
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. HARRINGTON
SAMUEL A. FLETCHER
January 1, 1945
Assessors of Westford.
62
REPORT OF THE TAX COLLECTOR
I herewith submit my report as Tax Collector for the Town of Westford for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Any questions in regard to the assessments of taxes should be presented to the Board of Assessors.
Outstanding Outstanding
Dec. 31, 1943
Dec. 31, 1944
1942 Warrant Dated June 28, 1942 Real Estate $
6,057.54
None
1942 Warrant Dated June 28, 1942 Personal Property
231.87
None
1942 Warrant Dated Dec. 21, 1942 Excise
2.00
None
1943 Warrant Dated May 20, 1943 Poll
86.00
None
1943 Warrant Dated Dec. 30, 1943 Poll
10.00
None
1943 Warrant Dated March 17, 1943 Excise
11.63
None
· 1943 Warrant Dated Nov. 26, 1943 Excise
634.57
None
1943 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1943 Excise
67.92
None
1943 Warrant Dated July 24, 1943 Real Estate
12,735.61
3,027.95
1943 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1943 Real Estate
442.98
None
1943 Warrant Dated July Property
24, 1943 Personal
443.52
36.72
1944 Warrant Dated May 8, 1944 Poll
2,216.00
22.00
1944 Warrant Dated May 5, 1944 Excise
2,937.39
2.00
1944 Warrant Dated Oct. 24, 1944 Excise
1,456.63
138.24
1944 Warrant Dated July Property
20, 1944 Personal
14,519.78
408.13
1944 Warrant Dated July 20, 1944 Real Estate
115,331.28
8,743.86
1944 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1944 Real Estate
223.13
92.75
Total Warrants
$157,417.85
Total Outstanding Dec. 31, 1944
$ 12,473.65
DAVID I. OLSSON,
Tax Collector.
63
1944 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1944 Poll
10.00
2.00
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Westford, Mass.
January 16, 1945
The Westford Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1944:
The Board of Health organized in March with Dwight W. Cowles, M. D., Chairman, Cyril A. Blaney, M. D., Secretary, and Ralph E. Cole, M. D. as the third member.
Early in the year, the Board voted to sponsor a series of Well-Child Conferences to be conducted by the State Department of Public Health. Eight of these Conferences have been held to date with the follow-up work being carried on by Mrs. Margaret Sudak, the visiting nurse.
The Board of Health has not purchased a new car since 1940 so consequently this car has proved to be a source of expense this past year. A motor job and general overhauling was done in the summer but the car is still continuing to give trouble. The members of this Board are now contemplating the purchase of a new car.
Dr. Glenn Estabrook resigned as School Dentist at the close of the school year in June and we have not been able to find another dentist to do this work, despite the fact that we have contacted both state and local dental associations and have advertised in the Lowell Sun.
The usual vaccination and diphtheria toxoid clinics were conducted early in the fall. The Board was very much pleased at the large number of children that attended the diphtheria clinics, over twice as many as last year.
In September, all the employees of the C. G. Sargent Sons, Corp., who so desired, were given a free chest X-ray. This program was financed by the Westford Seal Sale Committee.
The milk situation was carefully supervised by the Board and its agents.
Inspection of liquor establishments have been made and, as in past years, conditions were found to be good.
64
Owing to the fact we have had a patient at the Middlesex County Sanatorium for the entire year, we have a balance of only $71.60 to return to the Town.
The Board of Health has functioned well during the year receiving the fullest co-operation of all its members. Regular meetings have been held on the second Monday of every month and also several special meetings.
Respectfully submitted,
DWIGHT W. COWLES, M. D. CYRIL A. BLANEY, M. D. RALPH E. COLE, M. D.
65
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
January 15, 1945
Dr. Dwight W. Cowles Chairman, Board of Health Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the Public Health Nurse from January 1, to December 31, 1944:
Absentees from school visited in their homes 105
Children taken home from school because of illness 24
Children taken to school physician 18
Contagious disease cases visited
101
Nursing visits 178
792
Public Health Meetings attended 22
To Lowell General Hospital for treatment 11
To Lowell General Pediatric Clinic
5
To Lowell General Orthopedic Clinic
1
To St. Joseph's Hospital for treatment
1
To St. Joseph's Skin Clinic 15
To St. Joseph's Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
2
To St. John's Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
16
To St. John's Eye Clinic 37
To Crippled Children's Clinic, St. John's Hospital
8
To Speech Clinic, St. John's Hospital
6
To Hospitals for Tonsil and Adenoid Operations
20
To Physician's Optical Co.
7
To Dr. Brendan Leahey's Office for examination and treatment. 3
To Massachusetts General Hospital Arthritis Clinic.
1
To Middlesex County Sanatorium for X-rays and Examination
29
To Chest Clinic at the North Central Health District Office
2
To Frye and Crawford Drug Co. for truss treatment. 2
To Dr. John Lambert's Office for treatment .. 1
To Dr. Charles Coughlin, Chiropodist for treatment .. 1
1
To Massachusetts State Infirmary.
Brought home from Massachusetts State Infirmary 1
To Lowell Catholic Charitable Bureau 1
Dental Clinic for School Children held weekly at the Abbot
Hospital, Forge Village from January to June
66
Home visits
Board of Health Permits Issued.
Milk Speciments collected and taken to Laboratory.
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinics conducted by the Board of Health:
Number of innoculations, three injections each
40
Unfinished cases
5
Vaccinations 25
Contagious Diseases Reported to the Westford Board of Health:
Chicken Pox
17
Dog Bite
11
German
Measles
7
Measles
70
Mumps
2
Scarlet Fever
7
Gonorrhea
2
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY A. HEALY, R. N.
EXPENDITURES HEALTH DEPARTMENT-1944
Administration
Salaries and wages
$ 50.00
All other
34.75
Contagious Diseases
Medical
12.00
Reimbursement
45.00
Tuberculosis, Board and Treatment.
549.00
Nurse, Salary
1,470.00
Auto, Upkeep
520.96
Auto, Insurance
45.28
Dentist
216.00
Dental Supplies
14.08
Dump, Labor
212.00
. Milk, Inspections and Samples
54.00
Camp and Liquor Inspections
48.00
Vaccination and Diphtheria Toxoid Clinics
103.82
Rabies Serum and Medical Care of Dog Bites.
32.15
All other
44.00
Cattle Inspector
150.00
· Balance
$ 48.96
Refund on Insurance
22.64
Balance
$ 3,451.04
$ 71.60
67
RECEIPTS HEALTH DEPARTMENT-1944
Milk Dealers' Permits
$ 11.00
Oleomargarine Permits
2.50
Pasteurization Permits
10.00
Permit to Manufacture Ice Cream
5.00
Camp Licenses
2.00
$ 30.50
68
WESTFORD INFIRMARY APPRAISAL
1 Twenty-six Cords Manure
$ 156.00
2 One Manure Spreader 100.00
3 Two Horse Hay Rakes 45.00
4 One Sulky Plow 45.00
5 One Two Horse Disc Harrow
35.00
6 One Potato Digger
65.00
7 Four Wagons and Two Sleds
75.00
8 One Tip Cart
25.00
9 Lumber
160.00
10 One Drag (steel head)
8.00
11 One Lime Spreader
20.00
12 One Power Sprayer
60.00
13 One Two Horse Corn Planter
50.00
14 One Two Horse Cultivator
27.00
15 One Hay Tedder
25.00
16 One Tractor Harrow
55.00
17
One Spring Tooth Harrow
10.00
18 One Smoothing Harrow
3.00
19 One Seed Sower and Weeder
35.00
20 Two One Horse Cultivators
6.00
21 Two Walking Plows
15.00
22
One Two Horse Hoe
10.00
23
One Fordson Tractor
600.00
24 One Tractor Plow
100.00
25 One Tractor Pulley
30.00
26 One Tractor Cultivator
135.00
27 One Root Cutter
5.00
28 Blacksmith Tools
20.00
29
One Feed Cooker
5.00
30 One Galvanized Tank
5.00
31
One Saw Frame and Two Saws
25.00
32
Grindstone and Mowing Machine Grinder
15.00
33 One Gas Tank and Gasolene
14.00
34
One Two Horse Mowing Machine
40.00
35 Six Swine
140.00
36
Wood
300.00
37 150 Poultry
300.00
38 Milk Room Equipment
350.00
39 13 Cows
1,950.00
40
1 Bull
100.00
41 One Calf
35.00
42 40 Tons Ensilage
400.00
43 Grain
60.00
44 24 Grain Bags
2.40
69
45 One Corn Harvester
100.00
46 One Ensilage Cutter
125.00
47 Fertilizer 62.00
48 One-One Horse Corn Planter
15.00
49 One Motor Truck
300.00
50 Harness and Blankets
70.00
51 Two Horses
300.00
52 One Horse Hay Fork
25.00
53 Twenty Tons Hay
700.00
54 Chains, Eveners and Whiffletrees
35.00
55 Farm Tools
100.00
56 Block and Tackle
7.50
57 Snow Plow
5.00
58
One Extension and Three Stepladders
15.00
59 Three Chicken Crates
2.00
60 One Planet Junior Seeder
10.00
61 One Gas Stove
3.00
62 Two Cross Cut Saws
7.50
63 Carpenter's Tools
35.00
64 Garden Hose and Lawn Mower
12.00
65 Fire Hose and Nozzle
56.00
66 Work Shop Material
10.00
67 Brooder Equipment
15.00
68 One Electric Drill
30.00
69 Soft Coal
143.88
70 Milk Separator
65.00
71 Platform Scales
15.00
72 100 Gals. Fuel Oil
10.50
73 25 Gals. Motor Oil
20.00
HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT
Superintendents Furniture
$ 350.00
Kitchen and Pantry
675.00
Inmates Furniture
375.00
Contents of Attic
60.00
Canned Goods and Empty Jars
260.00
Provisions
200.00
Potatoes
150.00
Blankets, Sheets and Towels
130.00
Dry Goods
85.00
Stock and Farm Equipment
$ 7,955.78
Household Equipment
2,285.00
/
BENJAMIN A. PRESCOTT FRED R. BLODGETT SAUL J. GORDON
70
INFIRMARY DEBITS
Superintendent's Wages
$ 1,416.00
Other Employees
692.00
Provisions
1,436.84
Clothing
254.06
Household Supplies
36.49
Medical
104.30
Tobacco
95.61
Newspaper
9.00
Food Storage
25.56
Telephone
59.95
Ice
8.00
Gas and Electricity
168.40
Fuel
269.64
Garbage
40.59
Gasoline
157.90
Grain and Feed
3,417.40
Veterinary
28.50
Blacksmith
39.42
Curing meat and slaughtering
8.62
Fertilizer
9.60
Soil Conservation
13.21
Pasturing
39.00
Sawdust and Sawing logs
29.44
Truck Stamp
5.00
Truck Insurance
33.31
Radio and Radio repair
15.35
Eyeglasses
7.00
Supplies
220.03
Repairs
53.49
Water Bill
56.42
Seed
84.21
Wire
15.55
Carpentering
32.31
Horse rake
20.00
Cultivator
91.80
Appraisors
15.00
Miscellaneous
29.02
$ 9,038.02
INFIRMARY CREDITS
Milk
$ 4,088.54
Eggs
451.51
Potatoes
126.00
71
Asparagus
60.10
Corn
6.20
Poultry
135.68
Calves
67.00
Bags
36.35
Hay
31.00
Boar Service
4.00
Bull Service
4.00
Hogs
257.70
Teaming
390.20
Soil Conservation
14.17
United Co-operative Farmers, Refund
26.91
Wood
24.00
Use of Harvester
6.00
Snow Plow
8.00
Lowell Rendering
2.00
Board (Other Towns)
1,989.38
$ 7,728.74
Wood
$ 18.00
Inmates Board and Care
3,328.00
43 Meals to men in lock-up
21.50
Clothing, tobacco, medical
453.97
$ 3,821.47
$ 11,550.21
72
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board organized for the year 1944 with Samuel A. Richards, Chairman, Reginald Blowey, Secretary and William L. Wall re-elected as third member.
The case load on Aid to Dependent Children and Temporary Aid remained much the same as the previous year, but Old Age Assistance slightly decreased.
Many budgets had to be adjusted on Old Age Assistance to con- form with the law in regard to relative's contributions. The law requires sons and daughters to support parents to the extent that they are able. Most of the contributions were made voluntarily. However, when children failed to contribute the amounts required, court action had to be taken in order that the Town might be entitled to reimbursement. Several cases were taken from the rolls and others required much lower assistance payments after the parents received their contribution.
At the Infirmary there were eight inmates from town and six from out of town, for which we received eight dollars per week for room and board. The receipts this year for the farm showed a marked increase and there were no new improvements or changes made.
Respectfully,
SAMUEL A. RICHARDS
REGINALD BLOWEY
WILLIAM L. WALL
Board of Public Welfare.
73
REPORT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
Due to a shortage of manpower in the County Extension office a general report is given rather than a detailed report as has been done during previous years.
The Extension Service during 1944 turned over all its facilities to the war effort in the production and conservation of food and other factors necessary to help win the war. The County Trustees, Town Directors and Local leaders gave freely of their time in spite of the fact that most of them were fully occupied with other duties.
Under agriculture most of the time was spent in cooperation with Selective Service Boards in furnishing information relative to regis- trants employed on farms. This probably was the most important job of the year as the food production program would not continue unless the key men on our farms were retained.
Farm labor is probably the next important item, with the local director cooperating with the school system in helping to make available all the boys and girls within the town and any other avail- able people to help meet the extreme labor shortage on farms. The County office was instrumental in finding some outside available help and especially during the harvest season various types of help were obtained to harvest the crop.
General assistance was given in all production problems in order that the maximum amount of food could be produced.
Homemakers were assisted, especially in the conservation and preservation of food, a better understanding of wise use of ration points and food that had to be purchased along with greater use of home-grown foods. Good nutrition for the family was especially stressed in order that the health of the family could be maintained under war conditions. Clothing renovation and construction, re- finishing and upholstering furniture were all projects emphasized to help the homemaker carry on more efficiently under war conditions.
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With Boys and Girls' 4-H Club Work, it was difficult here to carry on due to lack of available volunteer leaders. Much credit, however, should go to the leaders who gave all their available time to help our boys and girls carry on with their various projects. The club members of your town were part of the 1,700,000 in the United States who helped 4-H earn the recognition of having made the largest contribution in the war effort of any of the youth organizations of the nation. Food Production, Food Preservation and Homemaking were the clubs given the greatest emphasis during the year.
MABEL M. NIXON,
Director.
REPORT OF WHITNEY PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
In its supervisory and direction capacity your Whitney Playground Committee has tried to perform its duties satisfactorily. The services of Mr. John S. Peterson were employed as usual to care for the lawns and shrubbery. His work has been efficient and painstaking.
Repainting of the flagpole 'called for an unexpected but necessary expenditure of $25.00. Additional care and expense was incurred in order to put the Tennis Court and ball grounds in proper shape.
In the coming fiscal year we will be required to meet some extra- ordinary expense for needed repairs to the lawn-cutting machinery, overhauling motor, etc. It is estimated that this will cost in the vicinity of $50.00
As supervisors of the Whitney Shade Tree Fund we have to report increased necessity for pruning and cutting of trees on Depot Street as a safety measure for protection of the public. This we have recommended to the Tree Warden who is responsible for the work.
JOHN FISHER, MORRIS A. HALL, CHARLES L. HILDRETH,
Whitney Playground Committee.
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REPORT OF THE WESTFORD COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
The year 1944 has required less activity on the part of our Committee than during the preceding two years.
As late as December 1944 we were requested by the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety to retain our Organization and be pre- pared to give service if an emergency should require it, and we are cooperating with this request.
We are maintaining the Report Center in the Town Hall and have retained one telephone and the extension to the home of Mrs. Hilda Bosworth who will take any emergency call from Lowell Control Center or from the Boston Headquarters and notify the local Air Raid Warden or local Chairman who in turn will summons in the different Division Chairmen to the Report Center.
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