USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 4
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$ 915.69
$ 20,791.58
Refunds:
Taxes
$ 29.55
Excise Taxes
99.80
Tax Titles
2.32
$ 131.67
Total Balance Dec. 31, 1942
$378,633.24
70,863.83
$449,497.07
$110,000.00 9,500.00
61
TOWN OF WESTFORD BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Cash on Hand and in Banks
$ 70,863.83
Tax Title Revenue
$
4,104.95
Accounts Receivable :
Overlays :
1941 Poll Taxes
$ 4.00
1941
$ 882.36
1941 Personal & Real Estate Tax
7,020.08
1942
732.90
1942 Poll Taxes
114.00
$ 1,615.26
1942 Personal Taxes
633.78
Overlay Reserve
$
2,155.28
1942 Real Estate Taxes
17,826.10
Excise Tax Revenue
$ 539.53
1941 Excise Tax
16.44
Department of Accounts Revenue ..
$ 2,642.23
1942 Excise Tax
523.09
Loans in Anticipation of Reimburse- ment
$ 15,000.00
Tailings Account
32.40
Town Hall
180.00
Compensation Insurance
291.74
Fire Truck
3,682.02
Chapter 81 Roads
5,708.05
Infirmary
309.11
Power Grader
5,750.00
Aid to Dependent Children
16.69
Highway Equipment
365.45
Old Age Assistance
193.70
Machinery Fund
3,853.47
Military Aid
235.00
Federal Aid to Dependent Children ..
331.33
Burial of Deceased Soldiers
100.00
World War No. 2 Allowance
175.00
Administration
63.84
Federal Old Age Assistance
81.92
Federal Stamp Fund
750.00
State Aid to Highways $ 5,054.72
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
45.07
..
Fire Department
$ 39.68
Temporary Aid
1,220.05
$ 26,137.49
Tax Title Account
$ 4,104.95
Departmental:
.
$ 2,642.23
Federal Aid to Dependent Children
Cemetery Department
353.00
Overdrafts : Library, to be paid from funds $
7.81
Whitney Playground Fund
24.92
Metcalf Monument Fund
210.91
W. P. A. Lunch 1,086.81
Public Safety Committee 102.69
Cemetery Lots, Sales
30.00
E. & D. 60,163.16
$108,811.03
$108,811.03
DEBT ACCOUNT
Net Bonded Debt
$ 13,900.00
Graniteville School Loan $ 2,000.00
Westford Academy Loan
900.00
Frost School Loan
11,000.00
$ 13,900.00
$ 13,900.00
TRUST ACCOUNT
Trust Funds
$ 53,469.19
Library Funds
$ 11,706.08
E. F. Fletcher Lecture Fund
2,000.00
Whitney Playground Fund
10,000.00
Whitney Shade Tree Fund
2,500.00
Metcalf Monument Fund
2,000.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
2,385.00
Lyman Wilkins Cemetery Fund
1,413.11
$ 53,469.19
$ 53,469.19
Income
7,472.81 $
Library Fund, Income $ 203.96
E. F. Fletcher Lecture Fund Income 911.86
Whitney Playground Fund Income 339.41
Whitney Shade Tree Fund Income
506.86
Metcalf Monument Fund Income
201.28
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund Income 5,188.18
Lyman Wilkins Cemetery Fund Income
21.26
7,472.81
$ 7,472.81
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD W. HILDRETH Town Accountant
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1942.
The various companies responded to 43 alarms, other than forest fires; namely, 4 buildings, 17 chimney fires, 1 furnace, 2 oil burners, 3 brooder houses, 4 automobiles, 4 dump fires, 1 tractor, 1 box car, 1 gasoline tank, 1 out of town and 3 false alarms. 31 alarms for forest fires were answered making a total of 74 calls. In addition to fire alarms assistance was rendered in two drownings and rescuing a horse from a barn scuttle.
The following new equipment was purchased :
1. A new pumping engine complete with necessary equip- ment such as hose, nozzles, ladders, first aid equipment and necessary fittings.
2. A new portable lighting unit for various emergency uses.
ยท
3. A new body for the Chevrolet Chemical Truck, com- plete with pump and equipment. This unit should prove very valuable to the Town because it can carry approximately 500 gallons of water for use in the out- lying districts where no water is available for im- mediate use.
Due to War conditions the quality of hose now manufactured is so inferior that we do not feel it advisable to purchase any for the du- ration unless an extreme emergency arises. However, at the end of the war we advise that the purchase of new, good quality, hose be resumed at regular intervals.
We are proud to report that men have entered the armed services in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND ROGERS, HAROLD WRIGHT, RICHARD HALL.
65
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Board of Selectmen:
Dear Sirs:
I wish to report for the year 1942, that there were 31 Brush and Grass Fires, and five Dump Fires. Dump Fires cost the Town $160.00.
I issued 183 Fire Permits.
The usual appropriation of $1000, is asked for the year 1943.
Respectfully submitted.
LEO R. LARKIN.
Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
As usual my work has been removing dead trees from the roadside and removing broken limbs from others.
I would suggest that some maple trees be set out on Depot street.
The ice storm of December 28th, has left the trees in a bad condi- tion with loss of broken limbs which should be taken care of. I sug- gest the sum of $1200 be appropriated for taking care of theni.
Respectfully submitted.
HARRY L. NESMITH. Tree Warden.
66
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Westford, Mass., January 14, 1943.
Balance on hand January 1, 1942
$ 87,420.27
Total Receipts to December 31, 1942 $362,076.80
$449,497.07
Balance on hand December 31, 1942
$ 70,863.83
Total payments to December 31, 1942 $378,633.24
$449,497.07
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 year 1942.
The following fish and game were allotted to the Town of Westford.
July 29, 1942-Long Sought For Pond 1600 Trout
July 29, 1942-Snake Meadow 500 Trout
July 30, 1942-Keyes Pond 1200 Trout
Others liberated in brooks in town.
Pheasants (Adult) 20
If information is wanted or any complaints are to be investigated, people interested may get in touch with nie by letter or calling at my home.
I take pleasure in announcing no disturbing features and take this opportunity to thank each and everyone for the sincere coopera- tion you have accorded me.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND L. PROVOST,
Game Warden.
67
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
As Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Westford, I submit the following report for 1942.
Number of Platform Scales over 5000 lbs. 3
Number of Platform Scales under 5000 1bs. 33
Number of Counter Scales under 100 lbs. 14
Number of Spring Scales under 100 1bs.
19
Number of Spring Scales over 100 lbs. 13
Number of Computing Scales under 100 lbs. 11
Number of Weights Sealed 128
Number of Liquid Measures sealed
4
Number of Gasoline Measuring Pumps sealed
2
Number of Gasoline Meters sealed 18
Number of Kerosene Measuring Pumps sealed
7
Number of Oil Measuring Pumps 2
Number of Quantity Measures on pumps
9
Total sealed 263
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT A. HILDRETH,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
68
ASSESSORS' REPORT
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1942.
Value of Buildings, January 1, 1942 $2,507,560.00
Value of Land, January 1, 1942 779,710.00
Value of Personal Estate, January 1, 1942 406,515.00
Total Valuation $3,693,785.00
APPROPRIATIONS FOR YEAR 1942
Annual Town Meeting, February 16, 1942
$209,693.10
Special Town Meeting, July 7, 1941
4,609.76
Special Town Meeting, December 22, 1941
700.00
Total appropriated
$215,002.86
State Taxes
11,514.14
County Taxes
7,783.77
1942 Overlay Fund
1,494.74
Total amount to be raised
$235,795.51
Total estimated receipts
88,119.78
Total amount to be raised on polls and property
$147,675.73
Total Excise Tax Committments
$9,390.46
Tax Rate per Thousand. $39.40.
Number of Polls 1,070
Number of Horses 65
Number of Cows
349
Number of Neat Cattle
105
Number of Swine
342
Number of Sheep
37
Number of Fowl
27,952
Number of Acres of Land 18,000
Number of Dwelling Houses
1,210
69
ABATEMENTS
Poll
Property
Excise
1938
$ 2.00
1939
2.00
1940
16.00
$382.49
$ 12.00
1941
90.00
86.73
102.45
1942
344.00
417.84
301.29
--
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. HARRINGTON, SAMUEL A. FLETCHER, JOHN J. O'CONNELL,
Assessors of Westford.
January 6, 1943.
!
70
REPORT OF THE TAX COLLECTOR
I herewith submit my annual report as Tax Collector for the Town of Westford for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Any questions in regard to the assessments of taxes should be presented to the local Board of Assessors.
Amount Dec. 31, 1941
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1942
1937 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21, 1941. Poll Tax
$ 4.00
None
1938 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21, 1941, Poll Tax
4.00
None
1939 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21, 1941, Poll Tax
14.00
None
1939 Warrant Dated April 8. 1942, Poll Tax
2.00
None
1940 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21. 1941. Poll Tax
54.00
None
1940 Warrant Dated April 8, 1942, Poll Tax
2.00
None
1941 Warrant Dated April 1. 1941, Poll Tax
390.00
4.00
1941 Warrant Dated April 8, 1942. Poll Tax
2.00
None
1941 Warrant Dated Dec. 13, 1941, Poll Tax
10.00
None
1939 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21, 1941, Personal Property
140.00
None
1940 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21. 1941. Real Estate and Personal Property
6,388.70
None
1941 Warrant Dated June 20, 1941. Real Estate
19,371.43
6,701.43
1941 Warrant Dated Dec. 20, 1941, Real Estate ....
25.09
None
1941 Warrant Dated Dec. 30, 1941. Real Estate.
69.48
None
1941 Warrant Dated June 20. 1941. Personal Property
924.73
318.65
1940 Warrant Recommitted Dated Feb. 21, 1941 Excise
72.24
None
1941 Warrant Dated April 1. 1941. Excise.
68.15
None
1941 Warrant Dated June 29, 1941. Excise
49,12
None
1941 Warrant Dated Dec. 13. 1941. Excise
1,042.63
16.44
71
Amount of Outstanding Warrant Dec. 31. 1942
1942 Warrant Dated June 29, 1942, Poll Tax $
2,140.00
$ 110.00
1942 Warrant Dated Dec. 21, 1942, Poll Tax ....
4.00
4.00
1942 Warrant Dated June 28, 1942, Real Estate
129,518.92
17,750.25
1942 Warrant Dated Dec. 21. 1942, Real Estate
81.37
75.85
1942 Warrant Dated June 28, 1942, Personal Property
16,016.81
633.78
1942 Warrant Dated April 2, 1942, Excise
6,010.30
53.23
1942 Warrant Dated June 29, 1942, Excise.
2,647.21
48.68
1942 Warrant Dated Nov. 3, 1942, Excise
530.14
239.92
1942 Warrant Dated Dec. 21, 1942, Excise.
171.35
153.98
1942 Warrant Dated Dec. 21, 1942, Excise
31.28
27.28
Total Warrants
$ 185.784.95 $ 26,137.49
Total Outstanding Dec. 31 1942
DAVID I. OLSSON,
Tax Collector.
72
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Westford, Mass., January 18, 1943.
The Westford Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1942:
The Pre-School and School Clinics, consisting of Vaccination against Small-Pox and immunization against Diphtheria were held and were well attended. Many parents take advantage of this opportunity to immunize their children against these dread diseases.
The School Dental Clinic re-opened in March of this year, with Dr. Glenn D. Estabrook of Littleton, Mass., in charge. A routine oral ex- amination of all school children was made and notices of defects were sent home to their parents. Parental consents have been obtained and all pupils, who for one reason or another, cannot consult their family dentist are gladly treated at the Dental Clinic. Dr. Estabrook spends five hours a day, one day a week, at the Clinic, which is held in the Abbot Hospital in Forge Village.
Dr. John Lapham, Vet. was hired for the year by the Board to su- pervise all dairy farms.
An Anti-Rabitic Clinic was conducted by Dr. Lapham, but the pub- lic response was not as great as the Board would desire. We hope that many more persons will avail themselves of the opportunity to protect their pets from Rabies in 1943. This would be a great Public Health measure as it would protect the public from the seriousness of a bite from a Rabitic animal.
A Tuberculosis Patch Test Program which was financed by the Westford Seal Sale Committee, with the fullest cooperation of the Westford School Department was conducted by the Board, in all the schools. This offer was open to the public, including Pre-School children and Adults, resulting in 540 persons being tested. Of this number, there are 58 persons, who show positive re-actions and will receive a free chest X-Ray.
In that out of town people have taken advantage of our healthful location and have established certain large permanent camping sites,
73
for the summer months, which are attended by many thousands of chil- dren, it has been necessary for the Board to keep a careful watch on these properties, in order that the general health conditions may be kept at a high level.
The milk situation was very carefully supervised by the Board and its agents.
Inspection of Liquor Establishments have been made and condi- tions, on the whole, were found to be good.
The Board has temporarily adopted the rules and regulations of the State Department of Public Health, relative to Diseases dangerous to the Public Health.
The Board is glad to announce that a sum of money has been re- turned to the Treasury from our appropriation. We felt, at this time, that it would be better not to procure a new Board of Health car. al- though the present one is two years old.
The Board of Health has functioned well during the year receiving the fullest cooperation of all its members. Regular monthly meetings were held and also several special meetings.
Dr. RALPH K. COLEMAN, Chairman. Dr. DWIGHT W. COWLES, Secretary. Dr. CYRIL A. BLANEY.
74
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Dr. Ralph K. Coleman,
Chairman, Board of Health, Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the Public Health Nurse from January 1, to December 31, 1942:
Absentees from school visited in their homes 79
Children taken home from school because of illness 20
Child Welfare Visits 18
Contagious Disease Cases Visited 34
Dental Clinic for School Children held weekly at Hospital Forge Village
Dressing, First Aid, Massage, Hyperdermic Injections 80
Home Visits 81
Nursing Visits 78
Public Health Meetings attended 29
To Hospitals for Tonsil and Adenoid Operations 11
To Middlesex County Sanatorium for X-Rays 21
To Massachusetts General Hospital 2
To Lowell General Hospital for observation and treatment 4
To Lowell General Hospital Tumor Clinic 2
To St. John's Hospital Eye Clinic 6
To St. Joseph's Hospital for observation and treatment. 1
To School Physician's Office for treatment 8
To Chiropodist, Public Welfare Case
2
To Massachusetts State Infirmary, Public Welfare Case
1
Board of Health Permits Issued
Bacteriological Specimens sent to State Laboratory
Lunch Projects Visited
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinics conducted by Board of Health
Number of innoculations, three injections each 59
Unfinished Cases 6
Vaccinations 24
75
Contagious Diseases Reported to the Westford Board of Health
Chicken Pox
7
Dog Bite
11
German Measles
14
Lobar Pneumonia
5
Measles
4
Mumps
21
Scarlet Fever
14
Septic Sore Throat
1
Whooping Cough
43
Syphilis
1
Deaths from Contagious Diseases.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 1
Respectfully submitted,
VERONICA P. MEAGHER, R. N.,
Public Health Nurse.
76
WESTFORD INFIRMARY APPRAISAL
1 Two-Horse Cultivator $ 27.00
2 One Hay Tedder
25.00
3 One Horse Hay Rake 20.00
4 One Manure Spreader 85.00
5 One Sulky Plow
45.00
6 One Power Sprayer
60.00
7 One Lime Spreader
20.00
8 One Two-Horse Corn Planter
50.00
9 Twelve Cords Manure
96.00
10 Four Wagons and Two Sleds
75.00
11 One Tip Cart
25.00
12 One Tractor Harrow
40.00
13 One Spring Tooth Harrow
10.00
14 One Smoothing Harrow
3.00
15 One Fordson Tractor
600.00
16 One Tractor Pulley
30.00
17 One Tractor Plow
75.00
18 One Saw Frame and Two Saws
25.00
19 Two One Horse Cultivators
6.00
20 One Two-Horse Mowing Machine
40.00
21 Three Chicken Crates
2.00
22 One Two Horse Hoe
10.00
23 Two Walking Plows
15.00
24 One Two-Horse Disc Harrow
35.00
25 One Seed Sower and Weeder
35.00
26 One Drag Plank and Head
8.00
27 One Gas Tank and Gasolene
25.00
28 Lumber
75.00
30 One Root Cutter
5.00
31 Seventeen Swine
375.00
32 One Feed Cooker
5.00
33 One Galvanized Tank
5.00
34 Wood
350.00
36 Three Ladders and Four Stepladders
15.00
37 One Land Roller
10.00
38 Milk Room Equipment
130.00
39 Twelve Cows
1,600.00
40 One Bull
100.00
41 Three Heifers and One Calf
125.00
42 Two Horses 300.00
43 35 Tons Ensilage 315.00
77
35 170 Poultry
285.00
29 Blacksmith Forge and Tools
20.00
44 25 Tons Hay 575.00
45 One Motor Truck 300.00
46 Farm Tools 100.00
47 Chains, Eveners, and Whiffletrees 35.00
70.00
49 One Potato Digger
65.00
50 One Ensilage Cutter
125.00
51 One Corn Harvester
100.00
52 One One-Horse Corn Planter
15.00
53 One One-Horse Hay Fork
25.00
54 Grain
56.00
55 Fifty Grain Bags
5.00
56 Block and Tackle 7.50
57 One Planet Junior Seeder 10.00
58 One Gas Stove
3.00
59 Grindstone and Mowing Machine Grinder
15.00
60 30 Gallons Motor Oil
21.00
61 Two Cross-Cut Saws
7.50
62 Carpenter's Tools
35.00
63 Garden Hose and Lawn Mower
7.50
64 Fire Hose and Nozzle
56.00
65 Work Shop Materials
10.00
66 Brooder Equipment
15.00
67 One Electric Drill
30.00
68
12 Tons Soft Coal
120.00
69 Milk Separator
65.00
70 Platform Scales
15.00
71 75 Gallons of Fuel Oil
7.50
72 Three Bags Fertilizer
6.00
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
260.00
Provisions
100.00
Potatoes
125.00
Blankets, Sheets, and Towels
115.00
Dry Goods
35.00
Stock and Farm Equipment
7,204.00
Household Equipment
2,095.00
48 Harness and Blankets
CHARLES A. BLODGETT, ALBERT R. WALL, JOHN R. GREENE.
78
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board organized for the year 1942 with Reginald Blowey, Chairman, William L. Wall, Secretary, and Samuel A. Richards, newly- elected member.
The case load for Old Age Assistance increased throughout the year and grants to individuals were all adjusted to meet the rising cost of living. As there was no unemployment problem this year, the number on welfare was low.
At the Infirmary a new shed for housing farm machinery was built. The house and new slied were then painted. Four additional inmates were accepted from Chelmsford, making the total number of inmates fifteen during the year.
Respectfully,
REGINALD BLOWEY WILLIAM L. WALL SAMUEL A. RICHARDS
Board Public Welfare
79
INFIRMARY CREDITS
Milk
$ 3,201.46
Eggs
503.40
Potatoes
159.68
Corn
25.05
Turnips
6.00
Asparagus
57.35
Wood
26.50
Beef
75.00
Hay
30.00
Calves
48.00
Hogs
849.30
Poultry
81.72
Cattle
157.50
Bags
31.10
Trucking, W. P. A.
49.50
Teaming
116.25
Boar and Bull Service
22.50
Gasoline Refund
4.50
Soil Conservation
7.56
Use of Farm Implements
29.00
Outside Labor
4.00
Dividend-Eastern States Farmers
2.18
Board of Inmates
787.33
6,274.88
Use of Truck-W. P. A.
$ 120.00
Wood
40.00
Board and Care of Inmates
3,029.00
32 Meals to Men in Lockup
16.00
Clothing, Tobacco, Medical
392.28
-$ 3,597.28
$ 9,872.16
80
INFIRMARY DEBITS
Superintendent's Salary
$ 1,191.66
Employee's Wages
694.00
Provisions
1,455.60
Clothing and Dry Goods
200.91
Medical
100.75
Oil
67.57
Coal
173.95
Gas and Electricity
152.06
Telephone
59.30
Newspapers
6.72
Soap
11.55
Tobacco
90.62
Ice
79.86
Furniture
63.00
Grain and Feed
2,454.36
Garbage
99.19
Seed
41.81
Fertilizer
78.73
Pasturing
31.00
Curing and Dressing Hogs
9.22
Truck Insurance
44.50
Truck Stamp
5.00
Veterinary
36.75
Blacksmith
26.00
Gasoline
175.02
Pullets
40.00
Printing
15.00
Sawdust and Lumber
23.70
Newspaper Advertisements
3.16
Use of Farm Tools
5.00
Supplies
156.45
Repairs
97.38
Carpenter
61.94
Painting New Shed and Home
398.15
Westford Water Co.
83.82
Miscellaneous
6.64
-$
8,240.36
81
r
EXTENSION SERVICE IN THE TOWN OF WESTFORD IN THE YEAR 1942
The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service in the town of Westford in the year 1942.
Dairy farmers were advised on feeding dairy cattle, on improve- ment of pastures thru plowing, liming, fertilizing, and seeding with the addition of ladino clover. Some farmers were advised on fertilizing and liming and proper seed bed preparation for growing alfalfa. A meeting to discuss milk marketing problems was held in December with Professor E. W. Bell, State College, as the discussion leader. John Howard, Henry B. Wilder, and Edson J. Blaisdell cooperated in the alfalfa top dressing project. Cold Spring Farm is a member of the Middlesex County Herd Health Association.
A fruit meeting was held at Ben Drew's Farm to discuss the latest insect and disease control. A spray notice giving the insect and disease control recommendation was sent to all fruit growers. This aided the growers in producing one of the largest and cleanest crops on record. Many visits were made to aid growers in special insect, disease and cultural practices.
Poultrymen have been assisted in production and disease problems, and in record keeping through farm visits and circular material. Harry M. Ingalls has been president of the Middlesex County Poultry Associ- ation, in which many Westford poultrymen have been active.
Sixty-six people attended three meetings on food preservation where the latest methods on canning were demonstrated.
One hundred and three boys and girls were enrolled in 4-H Club Work and helped in the war effort in production and conservation by carrying on activities in canning, clothing, handicraft, conservation, dairy, poultry, and gardening. These clubs were under the supervision of the following leaders: Mrs. Clifford F. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Nixon, Peter Perry, Chester V. Sweatt, K. Merton Bozoian, Daniel C. Staples, Carlton Chamberlain, and Henry B. Stone. An achievement program and exhibit brought the winter season to a close. Garden and Canning members exhibited in store windows.
82
Six girls in Mrs. Willard Moore's club canned 681 jars of fruits and vegetables. Four attended Camp Middlesex at Ashby. Esther Moore was among the prize winners in the State Canning exhibit held at Massachusetts Horticultural Hall in Boston. Jack Downing and Law- rence Nixon won recognition in the Middlesex North Garden Contest, while David Burnham's garden record won him recognition in a County Contest. Edwin Nixon was awarded baby chicks on his fine record in the 4-H Egg Laying Contest.
Lawrence Nixon and Carlton Chamberlain acted as counselors at Camp Middlesex.
In the Cameron School Mr. Perry's Manual Training Club is buy- ing War Stamps 100 percent; the Girls Club is buying 90 percent; and, in the Frost School, which includes Mr. Bozoian's Conservation Club, Mrs. Clifford Johnson's Sewing Club and Warren Nixon's Poultry Club, they are buying 92 percent. This points towards victory.
MRS. WARREN M. NIXON.
83
REPORT OF THE WESTFORD COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
During the past year we have cooperated with the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety and worked along the lines they have sug- gested.
Several practice blackouts were held and it was very gratifying to see how smoothly and successfully these were carried out as to detail and with no confusion whatever.
The several division heads and their members, the Wardens, the Firemen and Auxiliary Firemen, Police and Auxiliary Policemen are to be commended for their good work, and we found the Townspeople most cooperative in these trial blackouts.
The blackout signals cannot be heard in all parts of the Town and to improve this situation we are arranging to install at Parkerville, at a small expense, a whistle offered by the Fire Engineers and also one at Nabnasset Lake.
The Report Center at the Town Hall, under the supervision of Chief Air Raid Warden, Allister F. MacDougall, is being operated as last year by volunteer service of the Townspeople and the American Legion is maintaining the Observation Post in the Tower of the Town Hall.
Mr. Roger K. Poole, Chairman of the Salvage Committee moved from town just before the start of the collection of Scrap Metal and Mr. Morris A. Hall was appointed in his place. The Townspeople re- sponded splendidly to a well organized collection campaign and about eighty or eighty-five tons of metal were collected.
Under the direction of the Red Cross, groups are meeting in differ- ent parts of the town to work on surgical dressings, so much needed, while other groups are sewing and knitting.
Much credit is due Mrs. Dorothy M. Sargent, Chairman of the Women's Division and her able assistants for instructing numerous classes in First Aid and Advanced Classes, not only in Westford, but also for assisting with the work in neighboring towns.
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The Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps under the direction of Lieut. Jessie Abbott have conducted classes which include Nutrition, Canteen Service, Chemical Warfare, Air Raid Precaution, Military Drill, etc.
We have endeavored to organize and make such preparations as would be necessary for the safety and protection of persons and prop- erty during any emergency.
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR,
Chairman.
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REPORT OF THE WHITNEY PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Full credit is given by this committee to Mr. John G. S. Peterson, whose care of the lawns and shrubbery around the playground has been painstaking and efficient. The frequent rains last spring and summer kept the lawns and surrounding shrubbery green and beau- tiful. It also made necessary more frequent cutting of the lawns. Young and old alike, in our community, may well be proud of this beautiful recreation park.
This committee is also expected to supervise the care of shade trees on Depot street, for which the Whitney Shade Tree Fund was set up.
It is the sole duty of the Tree Warden and his assistants to per- form the necessary work for the protection of the Trees.
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