Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962, Part 59

Author: Westford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: Westford (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 1048

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962 > Part 59

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).

Glaucoma Screening:

Five (5) towns participated in a joint Glaucoma Screening Program. 203 persons availed themselves of this service. Nine (9) referrals were made to Specialists for further evaluation. Three (3) previously unsuspected and one (1) old case of Glaucoma were picked up in this Clinic.

Middlesex County Sanatorium TB Clinic: (For M.C. towns only)

This Clinic, which is held bi-monthly at the Community Memo- rial Hospital, Ayer, was attended by 235 persons. 190 X-Rays were taken and 49 Tuberculin Tests and 17 Doctor's examinations were per- formed.

November of this year saw a shift in the emphasis of this Clinic from Diagnostic and Consultation to Screening and X-Ray follow- up. This is in conjunction with the Sanatorium's plan to centralize services and strengthen the out-patient department at the Hospital. The Sanatorium Physician, formerly present at every session, will at- tend only if an unusually large number of patients require his serv- ices. Otherwise, persons requiring more extensive evaluation than a chest X-Ray or Tuberculin Test will be referred to the Sanatorium.

Communicable Diseases :

plete.

Communicable Disease reporting still continues to be incom- There were reported throughout the District the following:

Chicken Pox. 164

Measles

235

German Measles 88

Infectious Hepatitis 7

Mumps

136

Meningitis.

Scarlet Fever.

Sept. Sore Throat . .

Whooping Cough.

. .

Pneumonia

Pneumonitis

Psittacosis 1

Dog Bites 179

Cat Bites.

Rat Bites.

Squirrel Bites 4

Monkey Bite 1

Impetigo

Pneumonia with Asthma and Trench Mouth.

Salmonellosis.

Meningococcemia.

The above report covers our activities for 1961. We look forward to continued service during the coming year.

BARBARA GANEM, M.D., M. P.H.

Horse Bite

REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

During the year 1961, the Development and Industrial Commission made a second attempt to assess as accurately as possible, the poten- tial development of industry in Westford. The following conditions were evaluated:

(a) completion of a portion of the outer belt at Route 495;

(b) statements by government officials that further comple- tion of Route 495 would probably be accomplished in the next five to seven years ;

(c) opinions of real estate brokers and developers which seemed to indicate further large scale industrial devel- opment between three to five years away.

With these facts in hand, the Development and Industrial Commis- sión has (a) constantly striven to promote and have rezoned more prop- erty to industry, (b) evaluated other towns and developed a criteria useful in planning for the needs of industry, (c) initiated formal groundwork for the development of a brochure "The Westford Story" for publication in mid-1962, and (d) participated actively in the Marlbor- ough meeting for the agitation for extending Route 495, and the North Middlesex Industrial Council (a cooperative plan of promoting the greater Lowell area for industrial development).

Contacts have been made to the Commission during the year. Nego- tiations are still in progress. Further developments cannot be dis- closed at this time.

More definite action can be taken after the brochure is in the appropriate hands and these leads produce enthusiastic interested parties.

Erling Mostue, Chairman Elizabeth K. Beyer, Secretary Henry A. Beyer J. William Blythe Robert V. Cassidy Gerald J. Christoun J. Alfred Dumont John W. Loney, Jr. William E. Robinson DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Appointed by the Board of Selectmen, under Chapter 40 Section 8c of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the Conservation Commission con- sists of the following Westford residents:

Bryant R. Chaplin, Chairman 3 years

Harry B. Lamb, Secretary 3 years

John F. Gagnon 2 years

Alexander M. Woznac 2 years

Ralph W. Brewer 1 year

The Commission held its organizational meeting at the Town Hall October 24, 1961, at which officers were elected and meeting procedure established. Meetings are monthly and town residents are invited to visit the meetings and to offer their suggestions at any time as to how the Commission can best serve the interests of the town and its residents in the conservation of natural resources, scenic values, open spaces, watersheds and other factors whose preservation will con- tinue to make Westford an attractive, healthy and desirable town in which to live.

Although the Commission was able to hold only three meetings, since it existed for only three months during the year, it has begun work on a natural resources index of the town, has begun plans to con- duct an informational survey of the town residents relative to their desires and recommendations, has met with representatives of other town boards concerned with use of natural resources and has studied various aspects relating to gravel and soil removal within the town.

The Commission can purchase, or receive by gift, in the name of the town, land or water areas for conservation purposes. The Commis- sion feels that any funds needed for purchase or improvement of such areas in the future can best be sought at Special Town Meetings with full opportunity for all to study any specific proposal. Under Chap- ter 40 Section 5 of the General Laws, the town can appropriate a sum annually up to one-twentieth of one per cent of its assessed evalua- tion, such sums to be accumulated from year to year in a Conservation Fund and expended as needed.

Any land acquisitions must be approved individually by the Selectmen. Under the terms of Chapter 40 Section 8c and Chapter 132A Sections 2B and 2D, such acquisitions by the Town Conservation Com- mission may be reimbursed by the Commonwealth up to one-half of the cost of the project, and such acquisitions must be preserved for the conservation purposes for which originally acquired.

Signed/For The Conservation Commission Harry B. Lamb, Secretary Bryant R. Chaplin, Chairman

REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE

Toward the end of the year the Committee was reorganized due to the resignation of two of its members, namely, William E. Wright and Carroll J. Rollins. During their years of service a great deal was accomplished in the development of the Town Forest on Forge Village Road and it now stands as a good example of what a Town Forest should be.

Two new members were appointed by the Selectmen toward the end of the year.

The Town has about 500 acres of woodland in several parts of the town and your Committee expects to map and classify these tracts so as to make them as useful to the town as possible. The 60 acre tract that borders Hart's Pond will especially receive their attention dur- ing 1962 so as to bring out its possibilities as a conservation and recreation area and establish the status of a so called right of way that has been built by abutters across the property without the con- sent of the town.

Allister F. MacDougall Kenneth A. Wilson Florian Woitowicz TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE

REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS

We have put on a good strip of hot topping in the Tadmuck Divi- sion of Fairview, cleaned up around the old tombs, pulled out the brush and ivy, pointed up the walls and sowed new grass seed. Also, the tool house has been shingled and fixed up in general.

A new Riding Mower was purchased last year and turned out to be a much needed machine. All the rain we had made a lot of grass cutting.

This year we intend to oil all the old roads in the old East Di- vision, which are very much in need of it, and we hope to make the yards more attractive every year.

Walter L. Blanchard, Chairman Albert A. Hildreth Matthew A. Elliott BOARD OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS

REPORT OF RECREATION COMMISSION

The Programs of the Recreation Commission have enjoyed fine prog- ress this past year. Among these are Small Fry Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Tennis, Junior Basketball, Girls Softball, Adult Softball League and Adult Physical Education Program (Men and women) .

The Westford Small Fry League consists of 13 Teams for boys 8 thru 12 years of age; 5 Senior Teams of boys 11 thru 12; 8 Junior Teams of boys 8 thru 10. Two Hundred (200) boys were included in this Program during the summer vacation months. No boy in Westford is re- fused or cut from playing in this League if he desires to play. The winning teams in each division were awarded individual trophies.

Babe Ruth Baseball enjoyed a fine season this past summer. This Program is for boys who have graduated from the Small Fry League - ages are 13 thru 15 years. Four (4) teams played in the Westford Babe Ruth League and one (1) team played in the Nashoba Babe Ruth League which consists of teams from surrounding Towns. Seventy five (75) boys participate in this summer Program.

Junior Basketball is very popular during the winter season at the beautiful Westford Academy Gym. One Hundred Fifty (150) boys - Grade 4 thru 8 - participate in a fine supervised program.

A Girls Summer Program which includes Softball, Volleyball and Handball, is very successful during the summer vacation months.

Tennis Tournaments, supervised by the Recreation Commission, have proved very popular with adult men and women of Town. The success of this Program has called for a much expanded program for next year, which will include the young people in Town as well as the adults.

The Adult Physical Education Program is in full swing at the Westford Academy Gym during the winter months. This is a "Keep Fit" Program for the adult men and women of Town. Women participate on Tuesday nights and the men on Thursday.

The Adult Softball League is played during the summer months. The men of this League enjoy many evenings of relaxation during the summer months.

The members of the Recreation Commission would like to thank the Team Managers, Coaches, Instructors, Program Directors, Umpires, Referees and anyone connected with the Recreation Programs in Town of Westford who have helped in making a success of this expanding Program.

Harry V. Smith Albert H. Forty Charles A. Robinson Philip C. Cook Waldo S. Leedberg Earle A. Cronan Gene M. Barretto RECREATION COMMISSION

REPORT OF THE TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE

In 1961 the Town came into possession of 2 parcels of Land. The approximate cost to the Town was $300.00. One parcel was sold for $200.00.

The Town now owns 21 Parcels. Information concerning this Land may be obtained from any member of the Committee.

The Tax Title Account contains 26 Parcels which will accrue to the Town when they are cleared in the Land Court.

Herford N. Elliott Roger H. Hildreth Carroll J. Rollins

TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE

REPORT OF WESTFORD 4-H CLUBS

In behalf of the Westford 4-H Clubs, the 4-H Town Committee wishes to thank the Town for its support this past year. We have bought many needed Craft Supplies and a Jig Saw for one of the Wood- working Clubs.

We continue to have a great interest from the youth in Town for Club work. In fact, we are the second highest in the County in Clubs and enrollment, namely, 10 Clubs and 100 members. If we had only more adult Leaders we could then expand our Program.

We are not asking financial help for the ensuing year as we feel we are efficiently equipped for the present.

4-Hily Evelyn K. Brown 4-H TOWN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

The appointed members held a meeting and John J. Barretto was elected Chairman. The other two members are Everett A. Scott and Edward F. Harrington. John P. McDermott and Denis Maguire serve as Alternates.

The general policy was to have a Public Hearing about once a month with as many Appeals as were available at the time. There were six Hearings with ten Appeals. All Appeals were granted.

The Appeals were classified as follows:

Conversion of a single family dwelling 1 Buildings too near Street and Lot lines 7 Lots with less than the required frontage 2

An attempt was made to give serious consideration to all phases of each Appeal. Best interests of the Town, rights of abutters and consideration for the welfare of the petitioners, were all factors in the several decisions.

John J. Barretto, Chairman Everett A. Scott Edward F. Harrington BOARD OF APPEALS

TRANSFERS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE RESERVE

Snow and Ice Removal.

$ 3,400.00

Interest on Revenue Loans.

1,032.56

Tax Collector.

111.72

Town House. .

91.01

Printing Town Reports .. . .

50.07

Commemorate Memorial Day. .

35.24

Map Cabinet - Assessors.

44.00

Enforcement of Zoning. ... 37.25

$ 4,801.85

Lawrence S. Johnston, Chairman John J. Barretto

Helen S. Chace Herbert C. Decato Albert G. Forty Viateur A. Ricard

Peter Sechovich

F. Stanley Smith Nicholas Sudak, Jr. WESTFORD FINANCE COMMITTEE

TOWN OF WESTFORD

WARRANT

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Middlesex, ss.

To the Constable of the Town of Westford, in said County,

GREETINGS :

You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth afore- said, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections, and also in Town affairs, to meet at their several polling places, viz:

PRECINCT 1 Town Hall, Westford Center

PRECINCT 2 Healy Legion Hall, Graniteville

PRECINCT 3 New Nabnasset School, Brookside

PRECINCT 4 Murray Hall, Forge Village

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1962

being the first Monday in said month, at 12:00 o'clock noon for the following purposes :

To bring in their votes for the following officers:

FOR FIVE YEARS One Member of the Planning Board

FOR THREE YEARS

One Selectman

One Assessor

One Treasurer-Collector

Two Members of the School Committee

One Member of the Board of Public Welfare

Two Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library

One Member of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners

One Member of the Board of Public Health

One Member of the Board of Water Commissioners

One Constable

FOR ONE YEAR One Tree Warden

and also to act upon the following matter:

QUESTION NO. 1

"Shall chapter thirty-two B of the General Laws, authorizing any county, city, town or district to provide a plan of group life insur- ance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and group general or blanket hospital, surgical and medical insurance for cer- tain persons in the service of such county, city, town or district and their dependents, be accepted by this town?"

YES

(Summary and purpose of the law to be acted upon, as determined by the Town Counsel) :

After acceptance of this law by the town, the Selectmen purchase policies for the types of insurance described in the above question. All town employees are automatically insured, but any employee may choose not to be insured. Fifty percent of the insurance premiums are paid by the employee by deduction from his salary, wages, or compensa- tion, fifty percent of the premiums are paid by the town. The coverage on each employee is as follows: $2,000 Group Life Insurance; $2,000 Group Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance; (the coverage for Hospital, Surgical and Medical Benefits are determined by the State Employees Group Insurance Commission). After an employee retires, the life insurance coverage is reduced fifty percent; the hospital, sur- gical and medical benefits are continued; the employee then pays the entire premium.

All on one ballot.

The polls will be open from 12:00 o'clock noon to 8:00 P.M .; and to meet in Westford Academy at Westford Center on the following

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1962

at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act upon the fol- lowing Articles, viz:

ARTICLE 1. To hear the reports of Town Officers and Committees; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 2. To fix the salary and compensation of all elected officers of the Town, provide for a Reserve Fund, and to determine what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate, including ap- propriation from any available funds, to defray all departmental and incidental charges, expenses and outlays of the Town, including debt and interest, for the ensuing year, and for paying unpaid bills of previous years.

ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to further amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning from a Resi- dence B District to a Business District two parcels of land situated in Nabnasset, belonging to Clifford H. McGee, Jr. and Barbara Ann McGee, being shown as Parcel A and Parcel B on a plan entitled "Sub- division Plan of Land in Westford, Mass., belonging to John J. and d Edna S. Macleod, dated February 1961, Richard L. McGlinchey, Surveyor"; containing, according to said plan, 62,826 square feet of land, more or less; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to become a member of the Lowell Regional Planning District pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40B of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to further amend it Protective By-Law by striking out the sixth sentence of paragraph 1 of SECTION 9, which now reads as follows: - If the Board of Health neither approves nor disapproves a written application for approval of such sanitary system within ten days of the receipt thereof by the Board of Health, it shall be presumed that such approval has been pro- cured, and the Selectmen may then issue a permit for such construction

- - and inserting in place thereof the following new or alteration. - sentence: If the Board of Health neither approves nor disap- proves a written application for approval of such sanitary system within ten days of the receipt thereof by the Board of Health, the Selectmen may then issue a permit for such construction or alteration without such approval .; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to appoint the Planning Board as its agent to acquire options for the purchase of land for municipal use, including, without limiting the generality of the fore- going, parks, municipal buildings and wild life refuges, and to raise and appropriate, or transfer from any available funds, the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of acquiring such options and for defraying incidental expenses incurred in connection therewith, said sum to be under the supervision of and to be expended by the Planning Board; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highways; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highways Maintenance; or act in rela- tion thereto.

ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Eleven Thousand ($11,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to be deposited in and become a part of the Stabilization Fund created under Article 19 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting of 1961; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Six Hundred Thirty-Six ($636.00) Dollars, or some othe sum, for the purpose of paying the cost of all labor and materials in connection with the construction of a new platform, steps, roof and handrails at the entrance of the Police Office in the Town Hall; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate, or transfer from any available funds, the sum of Four Thousand ($4,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of defraying all expenses incidental to the repair of the bridge on Broadway in Graniteville; or act in relation thereto.

100

ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate, or transfer from any available funds, the sum of Eighty-Eight Hundred Fifty ($8850.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to meet the Town's share of the cost of continuing Chapter 90 Highway Construc- tion, contingent upon the State and County contributing to the cost thereof; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Seventeen Hundred Sixty ($1760.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing two new snow plows for the Highway Department, said purchases to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Forty-Five Hundred ($4500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a new dump truck for the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize said Board to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to one of the trucks now being used by said Department and to apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new truck; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of paying the annual rental of a new Street Sweeper under the terms of a rental-purchase agreement to be executed by the Town; said agreement to be executed and said sum to be expended by the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate, or transfer from any available funds, a sum of money for the Highway Equipment Account and, in addition, to transfer the sum of Eight Thousand ($8,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, from the High- way Machinery Fund to said Highway Equipment Account; or act in re- lation thereto.

ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate a sufficient sum of money for the purchase of a new sprayer for the Moth Department; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate a sufficient sum of money for the purchase of two new cruisers for the Police Department, said purchases to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize said Board to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the cruisers now being used by said Department and to apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new cruisers; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to extend its water mains and water supply system in Nabnasset in and along a portion of Sycamore Road (750 feet), Endmoor Road (1150 feet) and Lake Shore Drive South (125 feet), the total cost of said extension to be paid in advance by the takers to be served thereby; and for the purpose afore- said, to appropriate the sum of Seventy-Four Hundred ($7400.00) Dol-

101

lars, or some other sum, from the Account entitled "Water Extension Deposits"; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to extend its water mains and water supply system in and along a portion of Concord Road and a portion of Howard Road, the total cost of said extension to be paid in advance by the takers to be served thereby; and for the pur- pose aforesaid, to appropriate the sum of Thirty-Seven Thousand ($37,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, from the Account entitled "Water Extension Deposits"; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate or transfer from any available funds, the sum of Six Hundred Fifty ($650.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purchase of furniture and equipment for the Treasurer-Collector's Office, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Treasurer-Collector; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to further amend its By-Laws by adding after SECTION 9 of ARTICLE I, the following new Sec- tion:

"SECTION 10. No vote taken at an Annual or Special Town Meeting, or at an adjourned session of any such meeting, shall be reconsidered at any adjourned session of such meeting, except upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the meeting assembled."

or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to renew the lease of quarters at Nabnasset in which one of the fire trucks is stationed, and raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for rent of said quarters; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Six Hundred Forty-Five ($645.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to reset and repair the base of the flag pole on the Town Common in Westford Center; or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and direct the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Committee whose function and duty shall be to investigate the advisability of building a new firehouse in Nabnasset, to determine the availability of a site for any such firehouse and to procure any and all other facts and information in connection therewith, said Committee to report its findings and recom- mendations to the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting or, in its dis- cretion, at any Special Meeting held prior thereto; or act in rela- tion thereto.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962, Part 59

Author: Westford (Mass.) Publication date: 1956 Publisher: Westford (Mass.) Number of Pages: 1048

Author: Westford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: Westford (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 1048