USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 32
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tor. The interest and sincerity by the members of the company was very admirable.
The cooperation by all members of the Fire Department and the seriousness with which they assume their duties is greatly appreciated by the Engineers.
The Engineers also appreciate the very conscientious and capable work done by Mrs. St. Onge in handling the Fire Department Switch- board.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD N. LAMSON
CARL NYLUND HUBERT RAYMOND
LEO LARKIN FRANCIS MULLIGAN
Board of Fire Engineers.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Board of Health
Westford, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals from September 21 to December 31, 1955:
Number Inspected
Barns
64
Cows 2 years or older
346
Heifers 1 year to 2 years
45
Heifers under 1 year
42
Bulls
11
Steers
10
Pigs
1721
Horses
72
Sheep
10
Goats
15
Dog bites-8 visits
4
Reports to State
6
Respectfully submitted, KENNETH A. WILSON, Inspector of Animals
74
ASSESSOR'S REPORT
Year Ending December 31, 1955
Value of Buildings, January 1, 1955 $3,742,650.00
Value of Land, January 1, 1955
889,625.00
Value of Personal Property, January 1, 1955
654,735.00
Total Valuation, January 1, 1955 $5,287,010.00
Appropriations Annual Town Meeting, March 12, 1955 440,089.14
Appropriations Special Town Meeting, September 8, 1955 14,500.00
Amounts taken from Available Funds 84,896.04
Amounts taken from Overlay Surplus 1,115.42
Debt and Interest Charges for New School 58,240.00
State Taxes Including Underestimates of Previous Year 812.86
County Taxes Including Underestimates of Previous Year 17,365.02
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health 3,091.69
1955 Overlay Fund 8,069.00
Gross Amount to be Raised
603,873.65
Receipts Including Overestimates of Previous Year 189,339.92
Amount taken from Available Funds to Reduce Tax Rate
20,000.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds 283,853.05
Net Amount to be Raised on Polls and Property
320,020.60
Tax Rate $60.00 Per Thousand.
Additional Real Estate Commitments
64.20
Additional Poll Commitments
390.00
Total Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Commitments
48,343.14
Levy of 1954 $ 1,255.43
Levy of 1955 47,087.71
Number of Polls 1,533
Number of Horses 49
270
Number of Neat Cattle 124
Number of Swine 830
Number of Sheep
20
Number of Fowl
19,105
Number of All Others
147
Number of Acres of Land 18,000
Number of Dwellings
1,607
75
Number of Cows
ABATEMENTS
POLLS
PROPERTY
EXCISE
1936
$
$ 11.40
$
1937
11.04
1938
10.35
1939
12.00
1940
10.80
1953
64.87
1954
91.45
1955
582.00
6,325.50
440.64 2,554.00
Respectfully submitted,
CARROLL J. ROLLINS NORMAN K. NESMITH JOHN J. O'CONNELL
Assessors of Westford
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1955.
I have answered and acted on the following complaints: Unlicensed dogs September 1, 1955 161 Money collected and turned over to town clerk, $255.00 Dogs destroying poultry 1
Reports filed with County Commissioners for damage to poultry and livestock 3
Dogs molesting livestock
3
Stray dogs returned to owner
14
Stray dogs disposed of
16
Dogs struck by cars
9
Investigations and Complaints
43
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Chief John F. Sullivan, Sgt. John L. Connell and Charles L. Hildreth for their kind cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. O'CONNELL
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REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
I herewith submit my report as Tax Collector for the Town of West- ford for the year ending December 31, 1955.
Any questions in regard to the assessments of taxes should be pre- sented to the Board of Assessors.
Warrants Dated
Amounts
Outstanding. Dec. 31, 1955
May 23, 1953 Real Estate
$ 1,699.97
None
Dec. 18, 1953 Real Estate
5.10
None
June 1, 1954 Real Estate
15,162.92
$2,291.49
June 1, 1954 Real Estate
466.10
None
Dec. 17, 1954 Real Estate
29.50
None
June 1, 1954 Personal Property
1,026.99
None
Dec. 17, 1954 Personal Property
59.00
None
April 30, 1954 Poll
10.00
None
Dec. 7, 1954 Poll
8.00
None
May 19, 1954 Excise
34.15
None
June 21, 1954 Excise
47.32
None
July 19, 1954 Excise
82.11
None
Aug. 26, 1954 Excise
47.38
None
Sept. 20, 1954 Excise
34.14
None
Oct. 1, 1954 Excise
77.88
None
Oct. 11, 1954 Excise
149.08
None
Nov. 2, 1954 Excise
446.17
None
Nov. 12, 1954 Excise
970.68
None
Nov. 23, 1954 Excise
237.09
None
Dec. 7, 1954 Excise
540.25
None
Dec. 16, 1954 Excise
755.25
None
Dec. 27, 1954 Excise
269.05
None
1954 Excise Committed Jan. 3, 1955
1,061.85
None
1954 Excise Committed Jan. 14, 1955
116.65
None
1954 Excise Committed Jan. 28, 1955
43.22
None
1954 Excise Committed Feb. 10, 1955
33.71
None
May 20, 1955 Real Estate
277,936.50
16,906.80
June 14, 1955 Real Estate
57.00
None
Dec. 19, 1955 Real Estate
7.20
7.20
May 20, 1955 Personal Property
39,284.10
1,269.40
Mar. 3, 1955 Poll
2,676.00
2.00
July 20, 1955 Poll
382.00
4.00
Dec. 19, 1955 Poll
8.00
4.00
Feb. 3, 1955 Excise
1,245.70
50.70
Feb. 20, 1955 Excise
2,581.08
None
77
Mar. 9, 1955 Excise
1,989.52
.54
Mar. 31, 1955 Excise
9,590.59
None
May 16, 1955 Excise
14,258.86
42.70
June 10, 1955 Excise
2,614.47
None
July 20, 1955 Excise
4,018.61
87.00
July 28, 1955 Excise
3,215.91
78.73
Aug. 10, 1955 Excise
1,667.78
9.67
Sept. 8, 1955 Excise
2,412.91
89.40
Oct. 7, 1955 Excise
943.95
11.61
Nov. 21, 1955 Excise
2,548.33
505.79
Total
$390,852.07
Total Outstanding Dec. 31, 1955
$21,361.03
DAVID I. OLSSON, Tax Collector.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Westford, January 10, 1956
As Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Westford, I submit my report herewith as follows:
Number of Scales under 100 lbs. 27
Number of Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs. 36
Number of Scales 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
2
Number of Gasoline Meters
17
Number of Kerosene Pumps
2
Total
84
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT A. HILDRETH, Sealer
78
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Welfare Board granted assistance on an average monthly case- load in 1955 as follows: Old Age Assistance, 57 cases; Aid to Dependent Children, 13 cases; Disability Assistance, 10 cases; General Relief, 3 cases.
An Act authorizing transportation allowance to all recipients of Old Age Assistance, except those in Nursing Homes and Institutions, was passed in August 1955. This allowance amounted to $2.50 per month, to be effective January 1, 1956.
At the Westford Infirmary, new safety signals were installed as recommended by the Department of Public Safety.
We regret the passing of our Board Chairman, William L. Wall, on June 5, 1955. Mr. Wall had been a faithful member of the Board of Public Welfare since 1941.
Respectfully submitted,
REGINALD BLOWEY
SAMUEL A. RICHARDS
WILLIAM C. MacMILLAN Board of Public Welfare.
INFIRMARY DEBITS
Salaries-Superintendent and Matron
$ 1,903.92
Salaries-Employees
1,404.00
Provisions
1,889.14
Tobacco
53.36
Gas and Electricity
427.07
Food Locker
105.05
Fuel
471.97
Gasoline and Oil
630.98
Supplies
268.11
Grain and Feed
6,640.25
Middlesex County Retirement System
60.00
Telephone
289.58
Repairs
248.79
Slaughtering
16.00
Dry Goods and Clothing
88.41
Household Supplies
10.35
Veterinarian
49.50
Chickens
204.00
License Fee
25.00
79
Stone, Gravel, Concrete Mix
337.95
Apple Boxes
26.00
Truck Insurance
73.05
Westford Water Co.
141.85
Pasturing
25.00
Bathroom Fixtures
103.40
Baling Hay
279.00
Farm Bureau Dues
15.00
Deep Freezer
175.00
Breeding Fee
7.00
Dentist
6.00
Wool Waste
12.00
$15,986.73
INFIRMARY CREDITS
Milk
$ 5,310.40
Eggs
1,296.42
Cow and Calf
174.00
Bags
25.00
Telephone
76.00
Hens and Broilers
908.56
Squash
236.50
Potatoes
68.11
Hay
35.00
Manure
25.00
Tractor Work
74.00
Asparagus
11.00
Pigs
512.20
N. E. Milk Producers Dividend
9.58
Eastern States Dividend
81.28
Patients Board-Private
285.00
$ 9,128.05
Wood
$ 30.00
Meals in Lockup
14.00
Inmates' Board-Local
3,202.50
$ 3,246.50
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WESTFORD INFIRMARY APPRAISAL
January 21, 1956
STOCK AND FARM EQUIPMENT
1 Milk Room and Milking Equipment
$ 650.00
2 Eighteen Milking Cows
3,600.00
3 One Bull 175.00
4 One Little Bull
65.00
5 Five Heifers
300.00
6 Grain
205.73
7 65 Ton Hay
1,950.00
8 One Hay Fork, Hoist and Motor
200.00
9 One Hundred Tons Ensilage
1,200.00
10 Twenty-Five Grain Bags
3.75
11 Manure
650.00
12 Hay Loader
125.00
13 Manure Spreader
400.00
14 One-Horse Hay Rake
20.00
15 One Sulky Plow
10.00
16 One Two-Horse Disc Harrow
5.00
17 One Potato Digger
50.00
18 Wagon and Sled
5.00
19 One Tip Cart
10.00
20 Lumber
200.00
21 One Drag-Steel Head
15.00
22 One Lime Spreader
50.00
23 One Corn Planter
50.00
24 One Cultivator (Horse)
5.00
25 One Hay Tedder
25.00
26 One Tractor Harrow
225.00
27
One Smoothing Harrow
3.00
28 One Seed Sower and Weeder
25.00
29 Two One-Horse Cultivators
5.00
30 Two Walking Plows
5.00
31
One Two-Horse Hoe
5.00
32 One Ford Tractor
1,100.00
33 One Tractor Plow
175.00
34 One Tractor Pulley
40.00
35 One One-Horse Corn Planter
5.00
36 One New Ensilage Cutter
150.00
37 One Side Delivery Rake
125.00
38 One Motor Truck
900.00
39 Grindstone Motor and Scythe Grinder
30.00
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40 Fence Posts and Insulators 30.00
41 One Electric Fence Unit
20.00
42 Chains 20.00
43 Farm Tools
65.00
44 Block and Tackle
10.00
45 One Extension and Two Step Ladders
30.00
46 One Planet Junior Seeder
8.00
47 Two Cross Cut Saws
5.00
48 Carpenters Tools
15.00
49 One Electric Drill
35.00
50 Three Dusters
30.00
51 Platform Scales
20.00
52 Brooder Equipment
50.00
53 Blacksmith's Tools
25.00
54 One Saw Frame (Tractor)
40.00
55 Corn Harvester
50.00
56 Garden Hose and Lawn Mower
25.00
57 Fire Hose and Nozzle
10.00
58 One Gas Stove
1.00
59 Three Chicken Crates
5.00
60 Wooden Tank
10.00
61 Shavings and Sawdust
10.00
62 Fertilizer
10.00
63 Fuel Oil
11.20
64 Milk Separator
1.00
65 Three Wheel Barrows
15.00
66 Coal
160.00
67 Gas
60.00
68 One Two-Horse Mowing Machine
20.00
69 Wood
185.00
70 Swine
351.00
71 300 Laying Hens
600.00
72 Forty Roosters
100.00
73 One Two-Year-Old Heifer
100.00
74 Asbestos Roof Coating
20.00
75 Eighty-Three Pullets
206.75
76 One Kitchen Stove 5.00
HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT
1 Superintendent's Furniture $ 125.00
2 Kitchen and Pantry 950.00
3 Contents of Attic 25.00
4 Canned Goods and Empty Jars 220.00
5 Provisions 390.00
82
6 Potatoes and Vegetables
202.50
7 Dry Goods
300.00
8 Inmates' Furniture
1,750.00
9 Inmates' Dishes 95.00
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT H. PICKING RAYMOND S. WILSON MARYGAN SOCHA
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
We believe we have improved the looks of the Cemeteries during this past year by pulling out a lot of the high corner posts and markers and setting them down so we can run the lawn mowers over them saving a lot of time clipping around them. We expect to keep on with this work until we have all the Cemeteries cleaned up. We also urge all lot owners to put their lots under Perpetual Care as we will be compelled to raise the price before long.
Let us all try to make God's Acre where our loved ones sleep more sacred and beautiful.
Respectfully submitted,
AXEL G. LUNDBERG ALBERT A. HILDRETH FREDERICK SCHILL
83
REPORT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
A big event was held in Westford in late June when the Middlesex County Extension Service cooperated with the New York - New England Apple Institute and the Worcester County Extension Service. Fruit grow- ers from the area met at the Drew Fruit Farms to discuss all of their problems from pest control to publicizing and distributing the fine apple crop that was in the making. A large crowd attended.
Extension activities in the field of dairy and field crops included farm visits on critical problems, periodic circular letters to all farmers con- cerning timely advice and suggestions on production and management and area meetings throughout the county where Westford farmers could hear and discuss various agricultural topics.
REPORT OF WESTFORD 4-H FOR 1955
Westford has completed a very successful 4-H year. The Town Com- mittee is well organized, having twenty-three members including Parents, Club Leaders and Friends. Ruth Chamberlain and George Fletcher are now Assistant Town Chairmen to John F. Sanders, Mrs. Priscilla Hill is Town 4-H Secretary and Mrs. Frances Fletcher is Town 4-H Treasurer. Meetings are held regularly to guide the 4-H activties in town and town participation county wise.
There are eighteen Leaders, six Junior Leaders and one hundred and four members enrolled; a gain of twenty-eight members from last year. Clubs are operating in Dairy, Horse, Poultry, Rabbit, Sewing, Girls Crafts, Cooking, Gardening, Canning, Freezing, Woodcraft, Recreation, Bicycle Safety and Care and any boy or girl over ten years old is invited to join.
Thirty-nine boys and girls attended Camp Middlesex during the Sum- mer spending fifty-two weeks. Many of these received half week camper- ship awards for their achievements through the financial help of kind local friends and business, and the sale of 4-H cookies.
Junior Leader, Joyce Baker, went to Junior Leaders Training held at the University of Massachusetts, and Junior Leader, Donald Hildreth attended Junior Councilor Training at Worcester, and served in that ca- pacity at Camp Middlesex.
The Town is well represented in the County. Mrs. Edna Moore is a member of the Executive Committee of the Northern Section Leaders, Mr. Peter Perry is a member of the County Camp Directors and has been joined by Mr. John Aldrich, a new director. Mr. George Fletcher is on the Dairy Section of the County Fair, and John F. Sanders is a member of the County Advisory Council, on the County Fair Committee, and Chairman of the Fair Land Site Committee.
84
ACTIVITIES
Boosters Night which signals the start of the 4-H year was held October 7th, at the Town Hall, at which time plaques were presented to Mrs. Edna Moore for outstanding 4-H work, and to Mr. William R. Taylor for his help in the program, he also presents a yearly subscription to the National 4-H News to each Leader and Junior Leader. All clubs started immediately on their weekly or bi-monthly meetings for the year. Na- tional 4-H Week in March saw Westford's banquet held at the Unitarian Building of the United Church. National 4-H Sunday was observed at the Cathedral of the Pines at Rindge, N. H., and County 4-H Sunday at Camp Middlesex. The Town 4-H observance was held in conjunction with the Grange at the United Church.
Achievement Day was held April 21st at the Town Hall with all the clubs participating and exhibiting their achievements. Exhibits went to County Achievement Day in Lexington, May 7th, and to the County Fair in Concord, August 26th to 28th, with four animals in the Dairy Section, twelve poultry, and six rabbits going from Westford. Articles from the town also went to the Eastern States Exposition, and were also selected for display at the Stop and Shop 4-H Week display in Cambridge. 4-H members assisted by the Grange with their Fair put on many exhibits. Westford Leaders have helped in organizing clubs in neighboring towns.
Miss Jean Chamberlain won top honors in the County Dress Review and went to State Dress Review at Worcester. Though she did not win there she was chosen to go to State Club Congress in Boston for her achievements. Donald Hildreth was chosen to demonstrate chair caning at the County Office and at Eastern States Exposition.
Many rosettes, ribbons, and money prizes were won by our members, but most gratifying was the fact that they were a credit to the town at all these fairs and exhibitions. Window displays were set up in March in conjunction with National 4-H Week and the sewing display at the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Lowell won third place and a State award of three dollars.
The townspeople visited Camp Middlesex and kept in touch with the camping members throughout the Summer, especially enjoying the Candlelight Service. The members wrote thank you notes direct to the campership donors. The highlight of the 4-H year was the purchasing of land in Westford for the 4-H Center and Fair Grounds which will bring honor and prestige to the town.
The ($75.00) seventy-five dollars appropriated by the town to 4-H work was combined with funds earned by the members to purchase a much needed sewing machine. Club members are still working under dif- ficulties with borrowed machines and sincerely hope the townspeople will see fit to make another appropriation to 4-H this year.
85
Mrs. Hilda Bosworth, Town News Reporter, and The Lowell Sun Newspaper have co-operated to the full to make it a big 4-H year in Westford, and the thanks of the Town Chairman, Town Committee, Leaders, and members go to them, the Westford Grange sponsors of 4-H, and all the people of the town who helped to make it such a success.
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR,
Director
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Balance on hand January 1, 1955
$ 385,346.09
Total receipts to December 31, 1955 722,269.35
$1,107,615.44
Balance on hand December 31, 1955
$ 188,574.92
Total payments to December 31, 1955
919,040.52
$1,107,615.44
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLOTTE P. GREIG, Treasurer
REPORT OF CARETAKER OF WHITNEY PLAYGROUND FOR YEAR 1955
Care of Playground was carried on in same manner as in the past. More work will be carried on this year in the filling of numerous cave-in spots over the entire area. These holes make a dangerous con- dition for children at play. The area in grove at lower end of playground was reclaimed for use. This area, which is a beautiful spot, had not been in use for a number of years. It is my intention to build three cook-out pits and place three tables there so that more use can be made of this area for the enjoyment of all.
THOMAS CURLEY,
Caretaker.
86
REPORT OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
Dec. 31, 1955
Board of Selectmen Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
Beginning June 1, 1955 and ending December 31, 1955 I have issued 168 building permits classified as follows:
Houses
81
Cottages
10
Attached Garages
7
Garages
17
Additions
38
Alterations
3
Sheds
4
Business - Building
1
Bath House
1
Silo
1
Barn
1
Greenhouse
1
Tool House
1
Pump House
1
Stable
1
168
I hold receipts from the Treasurer for $91.00. The remaining 77 permits were issued with no fee at your direction.
My services cost $99.70 partly on an hourly basis and partly on a permit basis.
Am assuming that a fee will be charged for every permit in 1956. Permits Nos. 37 and 90 were not issued.
Respectfully submitted,
CARROLL J. ROLLINS, Agent for Selectmen.
87
REPORT OF WESTFORD WATER COMPANY
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
Balance January 1, 1955
$280,295.33
Additions during the year 1955
21,953.86
$302,249.19
INCOME STATEMENT January 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955 (Cash Basis)
RECEIPTS
Hydrants
$ 5,566.88
Public Buildings, Playgrounds, etc.
388.62
Subscribers
31,548.07
Installations
5,413.65
Miscellaneous
141.00
$ 43,058.22
EXPENSES
Wages and Salaries
$ 10,215.46
Expense Account and Supplies
5,610.77
Electric Power and Light
2,679.76
Installation
4,288.57
Taxes
9,982.21
Depreciation
5,902.20
$ 38,678.97
Net Operating Profit
$ 4,379.25
Less Interest on Loans
317.67
Net Gain for the year 1955
$ 4,061.58
February 4, 1956.
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, Treasurer.
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, 1955 and of the Receipts and Ex- penditures from January 1, 1955 to December 31, 1955, before me. PERRY T. SNOW, Notary Public. My Commission expires October 28, 1959.
88
HISTORY OF THE WESTFORD WATER COMPANY
Previous to 1903 the Town of Westford had a number of very dry years when water for cattle and household use had to be transported from various brooks. About twelve of the inhabitants of Westford Centre put in Artesian wells from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet deep but in almost every case the water was so rusty that it could not be used for drinking or the washing of clothes.
In 1907 Abiel J. Abbot, John C. Abbot, Julian A. Cameron, George T. Day, Edward Fisher, Sherman H. Fletcher, Frederick G. Sargent, Allan C. Sargent, Dr. Walter J. Sleeper and Oscar R. Spalding incorpo- rated the Westford Water Company. They, together with the Abbot Worsted Company, supplied most of the money. Money was scarce and borrowings were heavy but the Company was very fortunate in finding an almost inexhaustible supply of exceptionally fine water which at that time was pronounced first or second best in the State.
In 1909 there were 207 water takers, 8.16 miles of pipe had been laid and a total number of gallons pumped, 12,907,005. Edward T. Blake was the first President.
For many years no dividends were paid but earnings were used to pay off the bonds and notes and to make extensions and improve the property. Some years ago the Brookside system, that was put in by the Abbot Worsted Company to supply their mill and tenements together with a few others, was purchased.
The record of the Company has been outstanding. We have never been short of water either in the dry season or when many Towns had to reduce their supply due to hurricanes, ice storms or fires, and in the dry summers we have always given water to farmers and others outside the water districts when they were in short supply.
During the last few years there have been a large number of houses built within the water district as well as a number of new housing de- velopments. There are now almost twelve hundred takers. Because of the laws and rulings of Massachusetts and the Department of Public Utilities where privately owned companies were at a great disadvantage, it was deemed advisable to offer the Company for sale. In June we had an exceptionally good offer from an outside party but the Directors felt that it was for the best interests of the Town of Westford to acquire the Water Company.
On December 28, 1955, at a Special Town Meeting, the inhabitants of the Town of Westford voted to purchase the Westford Water Company for the sum of two hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars ($255,000.)
89
plus the outstanding liabilities of twenty-six thousand dollars. The Town in addition to the franchise would receive all land, buildings, water mains, hydrants, tools, truck and equipment and will also receive cash and bills receivable estimated between fifteen and seventeen thousand dollars.
During the forty-eight years the Company has operated there have only been five Presidents: namely, Edward T. Blake, George T. Day, up to 1918, John C. Abbot from 1918 to 1934, Herbert V. Hildreth 1934, and Edward M. Abbot from 1934 up to the present time. There have been two Treasurers and General Managers; namely, Charles O. Prescott and William R. Taylor and only two Superintendents, Alonzo H. Sutherland and Albert E. Mountain.
In closing I would like to mention the very loyal and excellent abil- ity of Albert E. Mountain, our Superintendent, and his Assistant Harold A. Fletcher, both of whom have given long hours without stint, and I would like to call particular attention to the outstanding services of William R. Taylor, our Treasurer and General Manager since 1927.
EDWARD M. ABBOT, President Westford Water Company
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
All real estate transactions in the town that require a new plan at the Registry of Deeds have to be passed on by the Planning Board in- dicating whether approval by the Planning Board is necessary or not. A substantial number of plans not requiring approval under the Sub- division Control Law were so signed during 1955.
Plans for one subdivision were approved and a bond given to the Town of Westford assuring the completion of the subdivision in ac- cordance with the Subdivision By-Laws.
The Board regrets the loss of one of its members, William L. Wall, who died June 5th, 1955. His counsel, advice and knowledge of the Town will be greatly missed.
E. KENT ALLEN, Chairman LEONARD F. BLOTT CHARLES M. ERWIN DENIS MAGUIRE
90
FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THE QUESTION OF ADDING CLASS- ROOMS TO NABNASSET SCHOOL
November 21, 1955
TO: Townspeople of Westford and The Board of Selectmen:
This committee, after various studies, conferences with the Mass. school building assistance commissioners offices in Boston and thorough local investigation, has arrived at the following convictions:
1. There seems to be no feasible, well projected plan for an addition to the present Nabnasset School because:
a) State aid would be denied on this type project.
b) The present structure does not readily lend itself to ECONOM- ICAL alterations within minimum safety requirements if this project were to be undertaken solely at the expense of the town.
c) Our thorough study revealed the need for a centralized grade school, a real need that will be apparent to the point of urgency by the time such a school could be built and readied for occu- pancy (est. 5 years.).
This committee is unanimous in RECOMMENDING that a new com- mittee be appointed immediately, vested with the same authority and the balance of money left in the present fund, to investigate the following:
a) A suitable location for the erection of a centralized grade school.
b) Architectural inquiries into the low cost type schoolhousing such as is now in operation in Natick, Mass.
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