Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946, Part 26

Author: Westford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1942
Publisher: Westford (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 756


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 26


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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T. B. Hospital


1,429.62


Dog Licenses


604.40


$272.995.78


49


TOWN OF WESTFORD BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1945


GENERAL ACCOUNT


ASSETS


LIABILITIES


Cash :


Federal Tax Deductions


$


1,419.55


In banks and office


$117,745.33


Accounts Receivable :


Taxes :


Levy of 1945:


Poll $ 12.00


Personal 348.56


Real Estate


8,695.16 $ 9,055.72


Levy of 1944:


Real Estate $ 1,658.59 $ 1,658.59


Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes ..


$ 973.55


Tax Title Possessions


$ 1,432.44


Old Age Assistance


1,063.30


Tax Titles account


922.88


Trust Fund Income:


Metcalf Monument $ 5.21


Whitney Playground 29.82


Whitney Shade Tree


9.77


Cemetery


106.07


Burbeck Library


1,000.00 $ 1,150.87


Dog Taxes $ 8.40


Federal Grants:


Aid Dep. Children


$ 163.55


Compensation Insurance


$ 879.55


Departmental:


Temporary Aid $ 1,212.05


Board Health Car


$ 625.00


Aid Dep. Children 16.69


Snow Fighter 12,000.00


Old Age Assist.


89.11


Snow Plows 975.00


Military Aid


60.00


Power Grader


6,750.00


War Allowance


54.00


Highway Equipment 911.81


Machinery Fund


1,837.63 $ 23,099.44


Infirmary


747.97


Health


3.57


State-Highways


512.14 $


2,932.53


$


2,212.30


Overlays Reserved for


Abatement of Taxes


Levy of 1943 $ 489.71


Levy of 1944


2,476.59


Levy of 1945


623.41 $ 3,589.71


Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Tax .. . $ .. 973.55


Tax Title


2,109.62


Departmental 2,420.39


State-Highways 512.14 $ 6,015.70


Surplus Revenue


$ 95,077.49


$134,738.06


$134,738.06


Cemetery


237.00


Tailings


58.20


Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus


County Tax $ 17.02


Unexpended Appropriation Balances :


TRUST ACCOUNTS


Trust Funds, Cash & Securities: Principal $ 58,539.19


Whitney Shade Tree Fund. $ 2,500.00


Library Trust Funds 12,706.08


Income


9,709.36


Fred Burbeck Library. 1,000.00


Fletcher Lecture Fund. 2,000.00


Metcalf Monument 1,300.00


Wilkins Cemetery Funds


1,413.11


Whitney Playground Fund 10,000.00


Cemetery Perp. Care Fund .. 27,620.00 $ 58,539.19


Whitney Shade Tree Inc. .$ 644.65


Library Trust Fund Inc. 611.94


Fletcher Lecture Fund Inc. ..


775.80


Metcalf Monument Fund Inc.


514.26


Wilkins Fund Inc. 137.85


Whitney Playground Fund Inc.


524.42


Cemetery Perp. Care Fund Inc.


6,500.44 $ 9,709.36


$68,248.55


$68,248.55


REPORT OF STATE AUDITOR TOWN OF WESTFORD BALANCE SHEET - MAY 17, 1945


GENERAL ACCOUNTS


ASSETS


LIABILITIES AND RESERVES


Cash :


In Banks and Office


$ 72,052.03


Accounts Receivable : Taxes :


Levy of 1943:


Real Estate $ 1,193.76


Levy of 1944:


Poll 8.00


Personal


133.36


Real Estate


5,993.24


Levy of 1945:


Poll $ 2,126.00 $ 9,454.36


Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes :


Levy of 1944 $ 22.39


Levy of 1945


1,492.24 $ 1,514.63


Withholding Taxes


$


907.54


Due County :


Dog Licenses $ 272.40


Trust Fund Income :


Whitney Shade Tree Fund. ....... $


9.77


Metcalf Monument Fund ..


5.21 $ 14.98


Sale of Lots and Graves Fund .... 70.15


Road Machinery Fund


324.00


Tailings


58.20


Unexpended Federal Grants:


Aid to Dep. Children


..


$


316.40


Old Age Assistance 3,974.60 4,291.00


..


Tax Titles


1,974.38


Appropriation Balances


Departmental


Temporary Aid ..


$


1,212.05


Aid to Dep. Children 16.69


Military Aid


60.00


War Allowances


248.40


Old Age Assistance 1,872.48


Cemetery


297.00


3,706.62


Revenue Reserves Until Collected :


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.


......


$


1,514.63


Tax Title


1,974.38


Departmental


3,706.62


State & County Aid to Highway $ 15,525.00 $ 22,720.63


Less-Estimated Rec. collected ....


43,229.51 $159,439.05


Surplus Revenue


$ 81,728.00


$263,666.07


Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus


$147,746.06 2,212.30


Overlays Reserved for Abatements:


Levy of 1943


$


511.67


Levy® of 1944


2,809.14 $


3,320.81


State Aid to Highways


$ 12,825.00


County Aid to Highways ...


2,700.00


Revenue 1945


$202,668.56


$263,666.07


TRUST ACCOUNTS


Trust Funds, Cash & Securities: Principal $ 56,919.19


Income


10,060.71


Whitney Shade Tree Fund .. $ 2,500.00 Library Trust Funds 12,706.08


Emily Fletcher Library Lecture Fund 2,000.00


Whitney Playground Fund


10,000.00


Metcalf Monument Fund ..


1,300.00


Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery Fund


1,413.11


Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund ....


27,000.00 $ 56,919.19


Whitney Shade Tree Fund Income $ 621.26


Library Trust Fund Income ........ 621.31


Emily Fletcher Library Lecture


Fund Income 1,052.91


Whitney Playground Fund Inc ... 545.34


Metcalf Monument Fund Income 478.10


Lyman E. Wilkins Cemetery Fund Income


119.30


Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund


Income


6,622.49 $ 10,060.71


$66,979.90


$66,979.90


REPORT OF SELECTMEN


To the citizens of Westford:


The Board organized at the beginning of the year with Arthur M. Whitley, Chairman; Arthur L. Healy, Secretary, and Cyril A. Blaney, M.D., as the third member.


The Annual Audit was made by the Director of Accounts and a copy is printed herein.


The reports of the various departments and committees under our Supervision and jurisdiction are printed in this report.


A Photo Record Printer has been donated to the American Legion and they have granted Soldiers' Relief Department the use of it for making copies of discharges for the veterans or for any other work that may come up under the department.


In addition to the regular meetings special sessions were found necessary in order to discuss road construction, celebrations of V-E and V-J day, appropriations, articles for Town Warrant and other urgent business.


Signed:


Board of Selectmen


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


56


REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS


The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1945:


The various companies responded to 56 alarms other than forest fires; namely, 1 church, 9 chimney, 8 house, 3 barn, 1 ticket office, 1 depot, 2 pig pen, 1 box car, 1 paint vat, 1 oil burner, 1 flagpole, 1 truck, 4 automobile, 4 camp, 1 chicken coop, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 garage, 3 dump, 1 rubbish pile, 2 out of town, 4 false alarms, 3 blood donors. 39 alarms for forest and grass fires were answered making a total of 95 calls.


2500 ft. of new hose was purchased this year which is enough to allow for a change of load on each truck at regular intervals.


The cottage for the permanent man was redecorated inside when the new man came in and in the coming year it should be painted two coats on the outside.


Respectfully submitted,


EDMUND D. ROGERS HAROLD E. WRIGHT RICHARD W. HALL


57


REPORT OF FISH AND GAME WARDEN


I hereby submit my report as Fish and Game Warden for the Town of Westford.


The following were liberated during the year nineteen hundred and forty-five.


April 13-Long Sought For-Brook Trout-500 5"-9"


April 17-Nashoba-Brook Trout-600 6"-8" Snake Meadow-Brook Trout-300 6"-8" Long Sought For-Brook Trout-500 9"-11"


Anyone wishing information or help may reach me by calling my home.


I wish to thank all for their kind cooperation.


Respectfully submitmted


EDMUND L. PROVOST, Game Warden.


REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN


There were no serious fires this year.


Permits must be obtained for fires in the open unless there is snow on the ground.


The usual appropriation of $1,000.00 is asked for the coming year.


Respectfully submitted,


LEO R. LARKIN,


Forest Warden.


58


REPORT OF THE TAX COLLECTOR


-


I herewith submit my report as Tax Collector for the Town of Westford for the year ending December 31, 1945.


Any questions in regard to the assessments of taxes should be presented to the Board of Assessors.


Outstanding Outstanding Dec. 31, 1944 Dec. 31, 1945


1943 Warrant Dated July 24, 1943 Real Estate 3,027.95 None


1943 Warrant Dated July 24, 1943 Personal Property


36.72


None


1944 Warrant Dated May 8, 1944 Poll.


22.00


None


1944 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1944 Poll


2.00


None


1944 Warrant Dated May 5, 1944 Excise


2.00


None


1944 Warrant Dated Oct. 24, 1944 Excise.


138.24


None


1944 Warrant Dated July 20, 1944 Personal Property


408.13


None


1944 Warrant Dated July 20, 1944 Real Estate ....


8,743.86


1,658.39


1944 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1944 Real Estate ....


92.75


None


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945.


115.20


110.80


1945 Warrant Dated July 26, 1945 Personal Property


14,767.20


254.42


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945 Personal Property


122.76


102.96


1945 Warrant Dated May 2, 1945 Poll


2,270.00


None


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945 Poll.


16.00


12.00


1945 Warrant Dated May 2, 1945 Excise


1,755.19


None


1945 Warrant Dated Oct. 23, 1945 Excise.


136.93


22.00


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945 Excise


1,430.81


917.55


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945 Excise.


83.36


32.00


1945 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1945 Excise.


9.56


4.00


Total Warrants


151,642.62


Total Outstanding Dec. 31, 1945


11,698.48


DAVID I. OLSSON,


Tax Collector.


F


59


1945 Warrant Dated July 26, 1945 Real Estate


118,461.96


8,594.36


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH


The Westford Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1945:


The Board of Health organized in March with Cyril A. Blaney, M. D., Chairman, Dwight W. Cowles, M. D., Secretary, and Ralph E. Cole, M. D. as the third member.


Due to the shortage of dentists we have been unable to secure the services of a dentist to do the school clinic work this past year but we hope to have one in the spring.


The usual vaccination and diphtheria toxoid clinics were conducted in the fall.


In October a Community Chest X-ray Program was conducted by the Middlesex Health Association and the Westford Tuberculosis Committee in cooperation with the Board of Health. This Program was paid for by the Westford Tuberculosis Committee with funds obtained through the sale of Christmas Seals. Of the 218 people X-rayed 16 were referred to their own physicians for observation.


With the exception of Chicken Pox, we have had less contagious diseases reported this year than in 1944.


The milk situation has been carefully supervised by the Board and its agents.


Inspections of liquor establishments have been made and, as in past years, conditions were found to be good.


We have had two patients in the Middlesex County Sanatorium this past year; one was discharged in March, and the other patient, who was admitted in August, is still there.


At a special Town Meeting in December, it was voted to transfer $625 from the 1945 Health Department funds for the purpose of purchasing a new car for this department. An order has been placed with the Lowell Motor Sales and we expect to receive this car within the next few weeks. After subtracting this $625 from our unexpended balance, we have $185.81 to return to the Town.


The Board of Health has functioned well during the year receiving the fullest cooperation of all its members. Regular meetings have been held on the second Monday of each month.


Respectfully submitted,


CYRIL A. BLANEY, M.D., Chairman DWIGHT W. COWLES, M.D., Secretary RALPH E. COLE, M.D.


60


.


REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE


January 18, 1946


Dr. Cyril A. Blaney Chairman, Board of Health Westford, Massachusetts


Dear Sir:


Following is the report of the Public Health Nurse from January 1, to December 31, 1945:


Absentees from school visited in their homes. 127


Children taken home from school because of illness. 28


Children taken to school physician. 42


Contagious disease cases visited 63


Nursing visits


188


Home visits


681


To Lowell General Hospital for treatment


6


To Lowell General Pediatric Clinic 12


To Child Guidance Clinic at Lowell General


5


To St. John's Hospital for treatment


2


To St. John's Medical Clinic


4


To Crippled Children's Clinic at St. John's Hospital


12


To Speech Clinic at St. John's Hospital.


6


To St. John's Eye Clinic.


42


To Physician's Optical Co


9


To Hospitals for Tonsil and Adenoid Operations.


7


To Infantile Paralysis Clinic at Children's Hospital.


4


To Chest Clinic at North Central Health Office in Ayer


3


To Lowell Board of Health for chest X-ray.


1


To Middlesex County Sanatorium for X-ray's and Examination


33


To Middlesex County Sanatorium for Admission.


1


To Dr. John Lambert's office for treatment


1


To chiropodist for treatment. 2


Public Health Meetings Attended 11


Board of Health Permits Issued


Milk Specimens Collected and taken to Laboratory.


Diphtheria Toxoid Clinics conducted by the Board of Health:


Number of innoculations three injections each 17


Vaccinations


11


Assisted at Well-Child Conferences.


Assisted at Community X-raying Program-Number X-rayed 218


61


Contagious Diseases Reported to the Westford Board of Health:


Chicken Pox


47


Dog Bite 13


German Measles


3


Measles


3


Mumps


6


Scarlet Fever


1


Whooping Cough


9


Pulmonary Tuberculosis


2


Gonorrhea


2


Respectfully submitted,


DOROTHY HEALY, R.N.


EXPENDITURES HEALTH DEPARTMENT-1945


Administration


Salaries and Wages $ 65.00


All other 11.55


Contagious Diseases


Board and Treatment


12.29


Medicine and Medical attendance


3.44


Tuberculosis, Board and Treatment


300.00


Nurse, Salary


1470.00


Auto, Upkeep


273.57


Insurance


25.64


Used car stamp


5.00


Dump, Labor


234.70


Milk, Inspections and Samples


63.00


Camp and Liquor Inspections


54.00


Vaccination and Diptheria Toxoid Clinics.


100.00


Rabies Serum and Medical Care of Dog Bites


44.00


Board of Dog in Quarantine


14.00


All Other


13.00


Cattle Inspector


150.00


$2,689.19 $ 810.81


Balance


RECEIPTS HEALTH DEPARTMENT-1945


Milk Dealer's Permits $ 10.50


Oleomargarine Permits 4.00


Pasteurization Permits


10.00


Permit to Manufacture Ice Cream


5.00


Camp Licenses


2.00


$31.50


62


WESTFORD INFIRMARY APPRAISAL


1 Fifteen Cords Manure


$120.00


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


180.00


10 One Drag (steel head)


8.00


11 One Lime Spreader


20.00


12 One Power Sprayer 60.00


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 Seedsower 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 Ford 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 Moving Machine Grinder


15.00


33 One Gas Tank and Gasolene


28.00


34 One Two-Horse Mowing Machine


40.00


35 Four Swine


150.00


36 Wood


250.00


37 150 Poultry


300.00


38 Milk Room and Milking Equipment


650.00


39 Thirteen Cows


2200.00


40 One Bull


75.00


13 One Two-Horse Corn Planter


63


41 One Calf 35.00


42 One Heifer 75.00


43 One Bull calf 40.00


44 Forty Tons Ensilage 400.00


45 Grain


100.00


46 Twenty-four Grain Bags


6.00


47 One Corn Harvester


100.00


48


One Ensilage Cutter 125.00


49 One One-Horse Corn Planter


15.00


50 One Motor Truck


300.00


51 Harness and Blankets


70.00


52 Two Horses


300.00


53


One Horse Hay Fork


25.00


54 Twenty-two Tons Hay


660.00


55 Chains, Eveners and Whiffletrees


35.00


56 Farm Tools


100.00


57 Block and Tackle


7.50


58 Snow Plow


5.00


59


One Extension and Three Stepladders


15.00


60 One Planet Junior Seeder


10.00


61 Three Chicken Crates


2.00


62 One Gas Stove


3.00


63 Two Cross Cut Saws


7.50


64 Carpenter's Tools


35.00


65 Garden Hose and Lawn Mower


12.00


66


Fire Hose and Nozzle


56.00


67 Work Shop Material


10.00


68 One Electric Drill


30.00


69 Brooder Equipment


15.00


70 Soft Coal


169.71


71 Milk Separator


65.00


72 Platform Scales 15.00


73 100 Gals. Fuel Oil


10.50


74 15 Gals. Motor Oil


10.50


HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT


Superintendent's Furniture


350.00


Kitchen and Pantry


675.00


Inmates' Furniture


375.00


Contents of Attic


60.00


Canned Goods and Empty Jars


250.00


Provisions


200.00


64


Potatoes


140.00


Blankets, Sheets and Towels


130.00


Dry Goods


85.00


STOCK AND FARM EQUIPMENT


$8511.71


HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT


2265.00


ROBERT J. SPINNER FRED R. BLODGETT ANTHONY R. BOHENKO


INFIRMARY CREDITS


Milk


$4,873.62


Eggs


458.44


Calves


61.00


Hogs


84.00


Pigs


30.00


Fowl


83.00


Tomatoes


4.59


Potatoes


69.20


Beans


5.41


Heifer


110.00


Corn


21.05


Asparagras


48.15


Cash for Cow Trade


30.00


Bull Service


4.00


Silage


95.13


Teaming


395.85


Hay


70.00


Hay Rake


25.00


Newspaper Refund


1.50


Milk Refund


.34


Bags


38.97


Board-Other Towns


1,189.47


$7,708.72


Wood


$ 18.00


Board and Care 7 Inmates


2,912.00


67 Meals to men in lockup


33.50


Clothing, tobacco, medical


338.49


$3,301.99


$11,010.71


65


INFIRMARY DEBITS


Superintendent's Salary


$1,416.00


Employee's Wages


749.95


Provisions


1,403.10


Clothing and Dry Goods


199.05


Medical


72.50


Hospital


92.00


Tobacco


66.94


Household Supplies


54.99


Farm Supplies


207.65


Gas and Electricity


193.49


Fuel


66.94


Coal


200.74


Telephone


60.20


Newspaper


3.40


Garbage


6.00


Grain and Feed


3,210.75


Seeds


69.71


Fertilizer


64.54


Food Locker


31.00


Meat Storage, smoking and curing.


17.38


Slaughtering


7.50


Pasturing


39.00


Plucking and Dressing Fowl


11.50


Caponizing


6.00


Blacksmith


39.12


Veterinary


20.50


Milking Machine Equipment


160.00


Sawing and Planing


25.59


Sawdust


13.45


Water Heater


49.50


Boiler Repairs


58.00


Repairs


82.50


Gasoline and Oil


171.16


Truck Insurance and Stamp


36.31


Trucking


14.00


Balance Due on Horse


75.00


Westford Water Co.


99.23


Appraisors


15.00


Miscellaneous


3.74


$9,113.43


66


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


The Board organized for the year 1945 with Reginald Blowey, Chairman, William L. Wall, Secretary, and Samuel A. Richards re- elected as third member.


The number of cases on Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance have taken a slight drop from the previous year and Temporary Aid remained the same. A new law was enacted this year, amending the act which required children's support for dependent parents on Old Age Assistance. This law now provides for a higher exemption for children before they have a legal liability to support.


There were eleven inmates at the Infirmary during the year, four of these out of town boarders. No new improvements were necessary, and the recent appraisal showed the farm to be exceptionally well managed.


Respectfully,


REGINALD BLOWEY WILLIAM L. WALL SAMUEL A. RICHARDS


Board of Public Welfare


67


1945 TOWN REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE


During 1945, the same as previous war years, the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service was devoted to those projects which would help in the winning of the war.


The fact that Middlesex County farmers increased their production about one third over pre-war years is proof that everyone did his part in the food production program. Labor on farms was the critical factor in food production and a great deal of the time spent on finding labor and making it available. In addition to local help foreign labor was imported from Jamaica and Newfoundland and prisoners of war were used on market gardening and fruit farms.


Selective Service Boards cooperated fully in the whole program by trying to allow men to remain on farms who were absolutely essential. The Extension Service checked these farms and made reports to the local Selective Service Boards.


The usual assistance was given, such as assistance to Victory gardeners, sending out information on spray schedules for fruit growers and market gardeners and keeping farmers informed as to the regula- tions on farm equipment, price schedules, especially for eggs and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and help with any emergency cases upon personal request.


With the homemakers of the county, food preservation and con- servation in the home were the main projects. Information was given regarding successful methods of canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables as well as meats. Due to the severe shortage of clothing materials demonstrations were continued on clothing renovation, shortcuts in clothing construction and the maintenance of sewing machines. To help with general nutrition demonstrations were given in the best use of vegetables, cooking with a minimum amount of sugar and preparation of community meals.


Boys and girls were encouraged as usual to carry on 4-H Club work and developed such projects as food production, food preserv- ation, clothing construction and meal preparation. This work was made possible only by volunteer local leaders and the active interest of local committee members and parents.


68


Members of the Westford Agricultural Club led by Mrs. Willard Moore, who received $5.00 prizes from the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture were Lawrence and Murray Alcorn and George Fletcher in dairy projects: Lawrence Shea in Pig project and Edwin Nixon in poultry project. Edwin Nixon became a member of the North Middlesex Agricultural Society and received a $3.00 garden prize.


Mrs. Mary VanNorden and Mrs. Dorothy Mann of Nabnassett led a clothing project. Miss Esther Van Norden did a canning project and received first prizes at Boston Horticultural Hall, County Exhibit and Littleton Grange Exhibit.


The Middlesex County Extension Service shares with other organizations, farmers, homemakers, young people, as well as those organizations interested in agriculture, the satisfaction of knowing that during war years for the most part agricultural products of the area were available in sufficient amounts so that there was actually no food shortage in any town within the county.


(Signed) :


MRS. MABEL NIXON,


Town Director.


69


REPORT OF THE WESTFORD COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY


We respectfully submit herewith our last and final report.


With the war in its final stages the activities of our Committee were naturally lessened.


The Salvage Committee under the direction of Mr. Morris A. Hall, Chairman, continued its excellent work with four collections of paper and one of tin.


From the first to the last of our activities as a Committee the citizens have responded and assisted splendidly in the work and activities required of us by the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety and we wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for this cooperation.


There was rejoicing throughout the town when Germany surrend- ered on May 7, 1945 but when it was announced at about 7 o'clock P.M. on August 14, 1945 that Japan had surrendered enthusiasm and rejoicing ran high throughout the Town. Almost immediately Citizens from all parts of the Town assembled at Forge Village and led by the Abbot Worsted Company Band and the American Legion, other local organizations and the Townspeople paraded through the streets of Forge Village, Graniteville, Brookside and Westford Center, singing and cheering, happy that the war was over. Bells were rung and whistles were blown. On the following morning appropriate services were held in the several Churches in the Town. During the forenoon of August 16th another parade was formed and marched through the villages expressing joy over the ending of the war. On Saturday night August 18th a Victory Dance was held in Forge Village.


For many families there was a sadness, but everyone shared in the thankfulness that the worst war in all history was ended and in the hope that it was also the last war.


Westford Committee on Public Safety.


WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, Chairman.


70


REPORT OF WHITNEY PLAY GROUND COMMITTEE


Responsibility for the care and maintenance of the Whitney Play- ground, as vested in this committee, we trust has been properly fulfilled.


As in previous years the Committee has employed the services of Mr. John S. Peterson to care for the lawns and shrubbery, the tennis court and baseball grounds. His work has been efficient and has greatly contributed to making this the beauty spot of the town.


The financial record of the Committee is shown in the Town Accountants' report. As supervisors of the Whitney Shade Tree fund we have to report again this year the necessity for more pruning and spraying of the trees on Depot Street, for their better preservation and in the interest of public safety. This work is entirely within the province of the Tree Warden. Now that the war is over and labor likely to be more plentiful we hope he will be able to give the matter his attention.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN FISHER


MORRIS A. HALL


CHARLES L. HILDRETH


71


REPORT OF THE WESTFORD WATER COMPANY


CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT


Balance January 1, 1945


$191,074.40


Additions during year 1945


1,028.99


$192,103.39


Less Credits during year 1945.


573.00


STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FROM JANUARY 1, 1945 TO DECEMBER 31, 1945 RECEIPTS


Hydrants


$ 3,290.00


Public Buildings, Playgrounds, etc.


453.12


Subscribers


15,310.98


Interest, etc.


418.07


Service


50.16


Sundry Sales


32.50


EXPENSES


Wages and Salaries


$ 5,721.70


Expense Account and Supplies


1,900.55


Electric Power and Light.


1,947.38


Service


416.69


Taxes


4,184.85


Depreciation


3,405.30


Interest


126.73


$17,703.20


Net Gain for the year ending Dec. 31, 1945 $ 1,851.63


WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, Treasurer.


Westford, Mass., January 22, 1946


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 December 31, 1945 and of the Receipts and Expenditures from January 1, 1945 to December 31, 1945. WINTHROP W. SARGENT,


Notary Public.


72


$19,554.83


$191,530.39


FINAL REPORT OF THE WESTFORD RATIONING BOARD


Following the announcement that the war with Japan had ended, August 14, 1945, word was received by the members of the Rationing Board that the rationing of gasoline, fuel oil, and stoves would be discontinued on the following day, (as of noon, August 15, 1945). This left only tires and sugar to be rationed and these commodities were transferred to the Lowell Rationing Board. Price control had previously been transferred to this point.




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