1910
Note: The Annual Town Reports for 1910 through 1913 covered events during the years 1909 through 1912. This was adjusted by the Town starting in 1914 so the report year matches the year covered.
Annual Town Meeting March 22, 1909
Under Article 4.
To hear reports of the Town Officers and Committees,
Rev. Wilson Waters reported for the Trustees of Adams Library concerning the
work of finishing the curbing of the library lot. He said the work was not yet
completed and it was voted to give the Trustees further time and to continue the
appropriation to carry on the work. Voted to give the Fire Commissioners of the
North Village further time in which to build a fire house and that the
appropriation be continued. H. E. Ellis for the School Committee, reported that
the result of the Committee's investigations for providing more playgrounds
would be outlined under an Article contained in the Warrant of this meeting.
After the correction of several typographical errors, it was voted to accept the
remainder of the Town Report as printed.
Under Article 13.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen
hundred dollars ($1,500.) to be paid to the North Chelmsford Fire District for
hydrant service for the current year. 81 voted in favor and 49 opposed.
Under Article 17.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred
and fifty dollars ($150.) to be paid to the Firemen's Relief Association of
Lowell, in recognition of the services of the Lowell Fire Department in
Chelmsford.
Report of the Forest Warden
During the past year my deputies and I have been called to about thirty-five fires. The damage that could be estimated amounted to about fifteen hundred dollars, with a large damage to sprout land which could not be estimated.
We have had to call the Chelmsford Centre Fire Department several times and have found it prompt and efficient. My deputies have been very faithful in their work, although handicapped by a lack of apparatus to work with.
State Forester F. W. Rane has requested that all towns appropriate money to buy apparatus for use of the Forest Wardens. I have reported all fires to the State Forester and in November. 1909, attended a meeting of Forest Wardens at Boston, where I learned a great deal about what was being done in other towns.
Following is a list of fires:
1911
Annual Town Meeting March 28, 1910
Under Article 15.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen
Hundred Dollars ($1500) to be paid to the North Chelmsford Fire District for
hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 21.
It was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of One Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($120) for the service of a janitor at the
North and Centre fire-houses.
Special Town Meeting May 28, 1910
Under Article 8.
It was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250) for the purpose of purchasing a fire
extinguisher and other apparatus for the use of the Town.
Report of the Forest Warden
During the past year my deputies and I have been called to about thirty-seven fires. The damage that could be estimated amounted to about two thousand dollars.
We have found our new Chemical Extinguishers very useful and effective.
I have reported all fires to the State Forester and submit to you the following list :
1912
Annual Town Meeting March 27, 1911
Under Article 9.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen
hundred dollars $1,500.00) to be paid the North Chelmsford Fire District for
hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 15.
Voted that a committee of three be appointed to
investigate and report at the next Annual Town Meeting in regard to the best
means of providing better fire protection in that part of the Town known as
Chelmsford Centre. Arthur M. Warren, George M. Wright and Edwin R. Clark were
chosen to serve as the committee.
Under Article 22.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
one hundred and twenty dollars ($120.00) for the service of a janitor at the
North and Centre Fire Houses.
Report of the Forest Warden
Since my appointment as Forest Warden early in November 1911 four small fires have been reported to me as follows:
- Oct. 14, one acre owned by S. McFarlin, caused by hunters, damage $10.00, cost $1.70 ; reported by A. C Perham.
- Oct. 28, three acres owned by E. J. Perham, caused by smokers, damage $20.00, reported by M. A. Bean, cost $7.00.
- Nov. 23, several small fires caused by engine sparks on land of F. Fiske and others, damage slight, cost $3.75, reported by A. E. Dutton.
- July 23, one half acre owned by C. A. Dutton, caused by smokers, damage $3.00, cost $1.10; reported by A. E. Dutton.
I feel that we are fortunate in having a Massachusetts forest fire lookout station located in our town, all fires will be reported as soon as observed to the nearest Deputy Warden, who in most cases will be enable to reach the fire before it has assumed very large proportions thereby being able to extinguish the same with but little help, thus lessening the damage as well as the expense to the Town.
Your attention is called to a change in the law regarding fires in the open air, permits now being required from March 1 to December 1, as set forth by Acts of 1908, chapter 209, section 1, as amended by chapter 244 Acts of 1911. Violation of the above Act is punishable by a fine of $100 or thirty days imprisonment or both.
More woodland owners should practice improvement, thinning of their woodlands, a few already doing so. Farmers will find this the most profitable way to cut their year's supply of wood. The State Forester stands ready at all times to examine and advise you as to the proper management of your woodlands with no expense to you except his car fare. If interested consult your Forest Warden.
The chestnut bark disease has not yet reached this town, the nearest infected points being Bedford and Harvard. This disease is spreading very fast and it is stated by good authority that practically all of the chestnut in Massachusetts is almost certain to die within comparatively few years unless some unforeseen condition comes to the rescue. All cases of this disease should be reported to the Forest Warden.
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Forest Fire Warden Arthur E. Barton (Resigned) Arnold C. Perham (Appointed) |
Deputy Wardens Arnold C. Perham Fred L. Fletcher Geo. O. Spalding J. Marinel J. R. Hackett R. E. Davis G. Garland Byam Wm. M. Parlee A. E. Dutton M. A. Bean |
Fire Wards Arthur House Arthur E. Barton Arnold C. Perham |
1913
Ford Model T Roadster to transport equipment to fires (Chelmsford Historical Society Collection)
Annual Town Meeting March 25, 1912
Under Article 4.
Voted to accept the Town Report as printed after some
typographical errors had been called to the attention of the meeting. ... The
committee appointed at the last Annual Town Meeting in regards to the best means
of providing better fire protection in that part of the Town known as Chelmsford
Centre, made two recommendations, one to be known as the report of the majority,
and the other to be known as the report of the minority of the Committee which
was as follows: That the matter be laid on the table for one year. That the
present committee be retained for that period with the added power to place an
article in a warrant calling for the creation of a fire district and the
issuance of town water bonds to cover the cost of constructing a complete water
plant for same capable of furnishing an abundant supply of water for fire and
domestic purposes.
Under Article 9.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00), to be paid to the North Chelmsford Fire
District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 25.
Voted to appropriate from money already in the
treasury, the sum of fifty dollars ($50) for the services of a janitor at the
North and Centre fire houses.
Special Town Meeting May 18, 1912
Under Article 3.
Voted that the Town appropriate the sum of fifty
dollars from money now in the treasury for the purpose of caring for the Town
property at the Chelmsford Centre Fire House.
Report of the Forest Warden
There has been a great reduction in the cost of fighting forest fires during the past year largely through the efforts of the fire observer on Robins Hill: the expense for the past year having been 60 percent less than the previous year.
Thirty-six forest fires have been extinguished, also we have rendered what help we could at about a dozen building and chimney fires where' in most cases the deputy wardens were the only ones present with fire-fighting apparatus. It would seem to be advisable for the town to purchase some fire extinguishers to be placed in the smaller villages in the town with a view to protecting buildings, for practically the only protection these villages now have is the equipment of the deputy forest wardens which is located with a view to protecting forest areas rather than buildings.
The eleven deputy wardens scattered through out are becoming more familiar with their work and I wish to thank them as well as the other town's people for their hearty cooperation during the past year.
About 300 permits were issued between March 1 and December 1 which is the time when permits are required for setting fires in the open air. All fires have been reported to the State Forester upon the blank provided for the purpose.
to transport equipment to fires (Chelmsford Historical Society Collection)
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Forest Warden Fire Wards Deputy Fire Ward |
Deputy Wardens John Marinel Fred L. Fletcher George Spalding Ralph P. Adams W. S. Holder James J. Hackett J. F. Parker Sidney Dupee W. H. Shedd George Byam Minot A. Bean Charles F. Devine |
Paid for fighting fires in 1912: V. L. Parkhurst, et al, fire warden .... 278.75 A. C. Perham, et al, fire warden .... 120.87 James Hackett, et al, fire warden .... 32.00 John Marinel, Jr., et al, fire warden .... 25.30 W. H. Shedd, et al, fire warden .... 19.10 Fred L. Fletcher, et al, fire warden .... 14.90 George O. Spaulding, labor at fire .... 11.50 Ralph P. Adams, labor at fire .... 8.90 W. S. Holder, labor at fire .... 6.28 C. F. Devine, labor at fire .... 3.70 J. F. Parker, labor at fire .... 3.20 Sidney Dupee, labor at fire .... 2.75 D. F. Small, labor at fire .... 1.90 E. G. Byam, labor at fire .... 1.75 M. A. Bean, labor at fire .... 1.65 |
1914
Annual Town Meeting March 23, 1914
Under Article 8.
Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of
fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.00) to be paid to the North Chelmsford
Fire District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 12.
Voted that the Town rescind so much of the
vote passed under Article 9 at the special Town meeting of Sept. 29,
1913, as authorized the borrowing of the sum of fifteen hundred dollars
($1,500.00) for the purchase of fire house equipment for the Chelmsford
Fire Department, and that the said sum of fifteen hundred dollars be
raised and appropriated to be used for the same purposes and upon the
same terms and conditions as are set forth at length in said vote of
Sept. 29.
Under Article 32.
Voted that the Town appropriate from money
already in the Treasury the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for
protection against fire in the East Village, said amount to be expended
under the direction of the Selectmen.
Under Article 34.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for janitor service at the fire houses
at the Centre and North Villages.
Special Town Meeting May 4, 1914
Under Article 7.
It was voted to raise and appropriate the sum
of six hundred dollars for fire hose and equipment, the same to be
located in that part of Chelmsford known as the Westlands.
Under Article 8.
Relative to the appropriation of the sum of
seven hundred dollars ($700) to purchase and install a Fire Signal
Apparatus at the Centre Village, the matter was referred to the next
annual Town Meeting.
Report of Selectmen
The Centre Town Hall needs shingling badly, and the old school house in South Chelmsford, in which the fire apparatus is kept should be painted.
Note: Auto Truck No. 5 in the foreground was not purchased until 1921
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
Report of the Forest Warden
During the past season the Forest Warden and Deputy Forest Wardens have extinguished 110 forest and grass fires, the greater portion of which were reported to us by the State Forest Fire Observer on Robins Hill. Fifty-nine of these fires were caused by locomotive sparks, 47 from various causes such as careless smoking, hunters, boys, etc., and the other 5 were auto and chimney fires at which the Deputy Wardens have rendered valuable assistance. With few exceptions the forest fires have been confined to very small areas, although in some cases such as bog fires, constant watch has been necessary to prevent them breaking out anew. It has cost $312.16 to extinguish the forest fires and the Town has received $194.18 from parties responsible for fires, thus leaving a net expense to the Town of $117.98. Over 300 permits to set fires in the open air have been issued during the past season.
Your attention is called to the new forest taxation law, its purpose being to increase the area of woodlands and prolong the life of trees. This act does not exempt timberland from paying its fair proportion of taxes but defers these taxes until the timber is cut at which time these accumulated taxes are taken in the form of a percentage of the stumpage value. This law is optional with the owner. If he desires its benefits he must apply to have his land registered by the Town Clerk. Registered land is not subject to ordinary taxation but is subject to three new taxes which do not amount to as much as the old tax. They are called the Forest Land Tax, Forest Commutation Tax, and Forest Product Tax. All registered land must pay the Forest Land Tax which is usually not assessed over eight or ten dollars an acre. The Commutation Tax is paid only on lots having wood large enough to cut when registered. The Forest Product Tax is paid when the wood or timber is cut and is a percentage of the stumpage value, from one to six per cent depending upon different conditions, such as length of time registered, etc.
There is also a new law Chapter 101, Acts of 1914, relative to disposal of slash or brush, following wood or lumber operations, a complete copy of which is printed below.
Law relating to Disposal of Slash or Brush following Wood or Lumber Operations:
1914, 101, Sect. 1. Every owner, tenant or occupant of land, and every owner of stumpage, who cuts or permits the cutting of wood or timber on woodland owned or occupied by him or on which he has acquired stumpage by purchase or otherwise, and which borders upon the woodland of another or upon a highway or railroad location, shall clear the land of the slash and brush wood then and there resulting from such cutting for such distance, not exceeding forty feet, from the woodland of such other person, highway or railroad location as the local forest warden shall determine, and within such time and in such manner as he shall determine.
Sect. 2. Any person who cuts or causes to be cut trees or brushes or undergrowth within the limits of any highway or public road shall dispose of the slash and brush wood then and there resulting from such cutting within such time and in such manner as the forest warden of the city or town wherein such cutting is done shall determine.
Sect. 3. Whoever neglects to comply with the directions of the forest warden with regard to the disposal of slash and brush, as provided in sections one and two of this act may be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars.
Sect. 4. This act shall take effect on the first day of January in the year nineteen hundred and fifteen.
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Forest Fire Warden Arnold C. Perham |
Deputy Fire Warden Walter S. Holder |
1915
Annual Town Meeting February 1, 1915
Under Article 8.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500.) to be paid the North Chelmsford
Fire District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 12.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of five hundred dollars ($500.) for the purchase of fire hose and
equipment for the North Chelmsford Fire Department.
Under Article 13.
Relative to a Fire Alarm Signal System for the
Center Village, the Article was dismissed.
Under Article 16.
Voted that the Board of Selectmen be
authorized at their discretion to let from time to time for social
purposes the upper room of the fire-house at North Chelmsford to such
persons and upon such terms as they may think advisable, the net rents
to be paid over by the Selectmen to the Town Treasurer.
Forest Warden's Report
During the year 1915 the Forest Warden and Deputy Forest Wardens have extinguished 108 forest and grass fires, the greater portion of which were reported by the State Forest Fire Observer on Robin Hill. Fifty-four of these fires were caused by railroad locomotive sparks and the other fifty-four were caused by sparks from burning buildings, careless smoking, hunters, boys and by unknown causes.
Sixty-two forest fires or an average of two fires every day, occurred in March - the month of high winds, which is a very unusual occurrence. The records show that only eight forest fires have taken place in the month of March during the past eight years.
The deputy wardens have also rendered assistance at eight auto and chimney fires.
The expense of maintaining this department, including all supplies, extinguishing all forest and grass fires, as well as the expense incurred at the auto and house fires, has been $539.65. The sum of $145.36 has been paid or is due the town by parties responsible for fires thus leaving the net expense $394.29.
About 325 permits have been issued to set fires in the open air between March 1 and December 1. Persons cutting wood, lumber or brush will find it much easier to comply with the law relative to the disposal of slash or brush during such cutting than to be required to dispose of it after cutting is completed. This law is printed in full in last year's town report.
Report of the Board of Chelmsford Centre Fire Engineers
The Fire Company was reorganized at the first meeting, April, 1915. The Company was made up of 15 active men, to receive $5. a year for practice, and 10 call men, making a Company of 25 men, all being paid for the time they served at fires. The 15 active men included the fire engineers, and they held their practice every two weeks when the weather was favorable, with better results than previous years.
The Company has responded to 22 alarms from March 9 to November 22, 1915; 10 bell alarms and 12 telephone calls. There were numerous chimney fires caused by unclean chimneys, which the owners should look after.
The cost of fighting fires from March 9 to November 22, 1915 was $233, of which $17.60 was paid by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company.
The Department is handicapped by having no alarm system, which it needs very much. Also in some cases it is hard work to find horses in town to draw the apparatus to fires. This causes delay and in a great many cases results in the loss of buildings. If the Department could have an automobile combination truck, which could be got up by the Department at a small cost, the outside surrounding districts would have far better fire protection.
The fire engineers made a general inspection of all public buildings of the town and made recommendations to the selectmen and school board of advisable changes for better fire protection.
The following fires have occurred :
- March 9. Chimney fire at W. S. Lupien's.
- March 15. Chimney fire at Harry Adams'.
- March 16. Barn burned at Fred Hazen's.
- March 28. House fires at William Hardy's and Hildreth's.
- March 30. William Roper house (2 alarm fire).
- March 31. J. P. Emerson's house, Fletcher St.
- April 3. Chimney fire at Joe Trembly's.
- April 3. Chimney fire at Leonard Spaulding's.
- April 10. Chimney fire at Mr. Barton's.
- April 11. Fire at Mrs. A. H. Smith's, High St., caused by sparks from railroad.
- June 2J. House and barn at A. H. Park's, South Chelmsford.
- June 2J. Fire at Sadie Redman's, South Chelmsford.
- July. New York, New Haven & Hartford, passenger car.
- Sept. 9. Chimney fire at Mr. Fisher's.
- Sept. II. Chimney fire at Trembly's.
- Sept. 12. Auto fire at Littleton St.
- Nov. 22. Chimney fire at J. P. Emerson's house, Fletcher St.
This report does not cover the fires which occurred in the North Chelmsford water district.
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Forest Fire Warden Deputy Fire Warden Fire Engineers |
Paid for fighting fires in 1915: Arnold C. Perham and 154 others, fire .... 246.69 Fred L. Fletcher and 33 others, fire .... 52.22 John Marinel, Jr., and 47 others, fire .... 35.18 W. S. Holder and 23 others, fire .... 24.05 George O. Spaulding and 11 others, fire .... 23.85 William Parlee and 11 others, fire .... 20.16 Sidney Dupee and 22 others, fire .... 13.60 Howard Swift and 9 others, fire .... 18.82 H. C. Shedd and 6 others, fire .... 7.20 James Hackett and 7 others, fire .... 6.45 J. F. Parker and 8 others, fire .... 8.30 Ralph Adams and 1 other, fire .... 4.46 William Johnson, fire .... 1.83 A. W. House .... 1.50 |
1916
Annual Town Meeting February 7, 1916
Under Article 8.
Relating to raising and appropriating money to be paid
the North Chelmsford Fire District for hydrant service, the article was
dismissed.
Under Article 13.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for protection against fire in the West Village
and other parts of the Town. The money to be expended under the direction of the
Selectmen.
Report of the Forest Warden
During the year 1916 the Forest Warden and Deputy Forest Wardens have extinguished thirty-five forest and grass fires the greater portion of which were reported by the State Forest Fire Observer on Robin Hill. Ten of these fires were caused by railroad locomotive sparks and the others by careless smoking, boys, hunters, etc.
A meeting was held in the town hall last March at which forest fires and forestry matters in general were discussed. It was called by the Forest Warden and attended by a State Deputy Fire Warden, Deputy Forest Wardens, Tree Warden and woodland owners.
According to forestry experts now working in this state a considerable value can be added to your woodlot by an intelligent handling of the growth therein. The following suggestions may help you bring this about.
Keep the area fully stocked. Cut out as fast as practical the poorer species such as red maple, grey birch, pine oak, and pitch pine and encourage the reproduction of better species as white pine, red oak, chestnut, ash and hard maple. So far as practical keep the stand uniform in size. Cut out the trees with large spreading crowns, such trees occupy sufficient space for several trees of better form. Cut out all mature and degenerating, trees or crooked or otherwise defective trees.
When the stand is so dense as to check the growth by crowding, thin lightly and often rather than heavy at long intervals. Do not thin so heavy that the crown will not close again in a year or so. So far as possible keep the forest floor shaded at all times. Guard against even the lightest ground at all times especially during dry seasons. Try to produce saw logs, telephone poles, railroad ties and fence posts etc. Cordwood as a rule is the most unprofitable disposition.
Report of the Chelmsford Centre Fire Engineers
In pursuance of our duties as Fire Engineers of the Town of Chelmsford, striving for better protection of lives and property against unnecessary and careless fires, we have made our second annual inspection of public buildings. We find the conditions in the buildings under your care to be fairly good.
The following recommendations and advisable changes are deemed by us to be necessary and we trust that you will endeavor to execute them:
- At the North Town Hall we found all the chemical extinguishers frozen solid; the janitor should be instructed that it is a part of his duties to prevent a recurrence.
- At the Centre Town Hall there should be another fire extinguisher.
- At the Town Farm house all unused and unneeded gas fixtures should be removed.
- If necessary to store ashes in the basement they should be enclosed by non-combustible material.
- There should be two more fire extinguishers at the Town Farm.
- Both Town Halls should have a galvanized iron barrel for storing all necessary light kindling material.
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Forest Warden Arnold C. Perham |
Deputy Fire Wardens Walter S. Holder George O. Spalding |
Fire Engineers Arnold C. Perham Arthur W. House |
1917
Annual Town Meeting February 5, 1917
Under Article 8.
Relating to raising and appropriating money to be paid
the North Chelmsford Fire District for hydrant service, the article was
dismissed.
Under Article 22.
Relative to the purchase of motor fire apparatus and
equipment, it was voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator
and to report at the next Town Meeting. The Moderator appointed to serve on this
committee: Arnold C. Perham, Patrick S. Ward and Wilbur E. Lapham.
Special Town Meeting May 31, 1917
Under Article 11.
Relative to the appropriation of money for the
purchase of motor fire apparatus, the matter was recommitted to the existing
committee to be reported at the next Annual Town Meeting. It was suggested that
the committee be increased to five members and C. Frank Butterfield and
Frederick A. Snow were appointed from the floor.
Report of the Forest Warden
During the year 1917 the Forest Warden and Deputy Forest Wardens have extinguished 46 forest and grass fires, the majority of which were reported by the State Forest Fire Observer on Robins Hill. Twenty of these fires were caused by railroad locomotive sparks and the others by careless smoking, hunters, boys, careless brush burning, etc.
The State Forester has recently purchased the summit of Robins Hill in the name of the Commonwealth which is fortunate indeed for Chelmsford, if sufficient money is raised to erect the proposed 75 foot observatory. The Towns in this vicinity are asked to raise and appropriate money sufficient to erect said tower. This town is asked for $300 as its share and I sincerely hope that the voters will see fit to vote this amount. The present tower was the first one erected in the state and was sort of an experiment to see if the erection of permanent towers was advisable. The value of such towers was soon evident and the state, with the help of adjoining towns, has established thirty such stations.
Since its erection the present tower has saved this town hundred of dollars annually in cost of extinguishing fires and damages that might have resulted therefrom. After a tower is erected the State pays all bills for maintaining the same. The proposed new tower will cost about $2,000 and will be of steel construction with a stair-way leading to the room at the top.
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
The Fire Engineers wish to submit the following report:
The Centre Fire Dept. has responded to eighteen alarms during the past year, all
but two were chimney fires. We wish to call the attention of the residents of
the town to see that their chimneys are clean and in good order as there will be
a lot of wood burned, a large share of it being green. All fires in the town
should be reported to the engineers so they can report to the State Police in
accordance with the state fire laws.
No person shall keep store, manufacture or sell explosives in a building or other structure without obtaining a license from the Selectmen and a permit from the Chief of the State Police or the Fire Engineers of the town.
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Forest Fire Warden Fire Engineers |
Paid for fighting fires in 1917: Arnold C. Perham, fire engineer and 39 others .... 103.53 H. W. Sweetser, fire engineer and 21 others .... 60.10 J. D. Ryan, fire engineer and 23 others .... 80.90 John Marinel, Jr., fire engineer and 23 others .... 30.56 A. W. House, fire engineer and 12 others .... 13.57 Walter Merrill, fire engineer and 7 others .... 11.45 Sidney Dupee, fire engineer and 9 others .... 12.85 Fred Merrill, fire engineer and 8 others .... 9.50 James P. Dunnigan, fire engineer and 5 others .... 5.60 Fred L. Fletcher, fire engineer and 8 others .... 5.90 George Shepherd, fire engineer .... 6.00 H. C. Shedd, fire engineer and 5 others .... 3.80 W. Parlee, fire engineer and 1 other .... 6.30 Ralph Adams, fire engineer and 5 others .... 2.70 W. Santamour, fire engineer .... 1.00 |
1918
Annual Town Meeting February 4, 1918
Under Article 9.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
three hundred dollars ($300) to be expended by the State Forester to help defray
the expense of erecting a forest fire observatory on Robin Hill in this town.
Under Article 10.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
three hundred seventy-five dollars ($375) to be paid the North Chelmsford Fire
District for hydrant service for the current year.
Under Article 18.
Relative to the appropriation of money for motor fire
apparatus for the Center Village, the article was dismissed.
Under Article 19.
Relative to the appropriation of money for the
purchase of motor fire apparatus for the North Village, the article was
dismissed.
Report of Forest Warden
During the year 1918 the Forest Warden and Deputy Forest Wardens have extinguished seventy-six forest and grass fires, the majority of which were reported by the State Forest Fire Observer on Robins Hill. Thirty of these fires were caused by railroad locomotive sparks and the others by careless smoking, boys, hunters, careless brush burning, etc. Five chimney fires and one auto fire were extinguished by the Deputy Wardens and valuable assistance was rendered at three building fires. Several extensive forest fires occurred last spring, due largely to the heavy growth of grass the previous year and the prevailing high winds. On May 8th, several large fires broke out in various parts of the town, one of which, the largest in town for several years, destroyed considerable cord wood and standing timber. This fire had to be guarded for three days until rain came.
The expense of maintaining this department during 1918, including all supplies and repairs, extinguishing forest and grass fires, as well as the expense incurred at chimney, auto and house fires, was $688.54, a sum somewhat larger than the average of recent years. The sum of $106.68 has been paid or is due the town by parties responsible for fires, thus leaving the net expense $581.86. The property of the Town in charge of the Forest Warden is the same as last year, except for the loss of one fire extinguisher and box of extra charges, which were consumed in a building fire. About 400 permits to set fires in the open air were issued between March 1 and December 1, 1918.
The new forest fire observatory erected on Robins Hill during the past summer is the highest and best of any within the Commonwealth. It is 70 feet high, 40 feet higher than the old tower which it replaces. It is 27 feet by 27 feet at the base and the four uprights are securely fastened to cement piers. The total weight of the structure is estimated at 12 tons and the location is on a 50 by 50 foot plot of land owned by the state at the summit of the hill with a right of way thereto.
Most of the towns in northern Middlesex benefitted by the tower contributed to the cost of erection. Chelmsford bore the largest share, $300, and the balance was paid by the state. The glass enclosed observation room on the new tower is ten by ten feet, and is in charge of Observer C. E. Blood, who will welcome all visitors who care to climb the winding stairs during the coming season. Because of conditions pertaining to the war, visitors were not allowed to visit the tower last season. The raising of money for lookout purposes on Robins Hill is not without precedent, for the Town raised and appropriated money to build a lookout house there in 1673, to discover and warn the people of approaching danger, probably from Indians. This new land mark on Robins Hill which replaces the older ones such as the lone pine tree, summit house, etc., is shown in the accompanying illustration.
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
The Fire Engineers wish to submit the following report: The Town has been very lucky in regard to fires the past year. The Center department had but three calls as a department but there were quite a number of chimney fires. We would like to call the attention of automobile owners as to housing their autos in barns, used as stables, or where hay is stored.
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Forest Fire Warden Fire Engineers |
Paid for fighting fires in 1918: A. C. Perham and 154 others .... 341.59 J. D. Ryan and 28 others .... 104.45 H. W. Sweetser and 21 others .... 95.19 F. L. Fletcher and 13 others .... 45.00 H. M. Sturtevant and 39 others .... 67.36 W. H. Merrill and 24 others .... 36.60 A. W. House and 27 others .... 34.95 S. Dupee and 11 others .... 25.52 F. W. Merrill and 19 others .... 25.00 V. L. Parkhurst and 7 others .... 21.20 E. G. Fay .... 25.20 H. C. Merrill .... 14.05 James J. Hackett and 14 others .... 8.42 H. C. Shedd and 7 others .... 7.15 Geo. C. Spaulding and 1 other .... 7.26 Win. Parlee and 5 others .... 9.50 R. P. Adams and 2 others .... 3.30 L. Gaudette .... 2.00 D. Frank Small and 2 others .... 1.85 |
1919
Annual Town Meeting February 3, 1919
Under Article 8.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) to be paid the North Chelmsford Fire
District for hydrant service for the current year.
Report of Forest Warden
During the year 1919, the Forest Warden and his deputies have extinguished sixty-seven forest and grass fires, the majority of which were reported by the State Observer on Robins Hill. Sixteen of these fires were caused by railroad locomotive sparks and the others by boys, hunters, careless smokers, etc. Five chimney fires were extinguished by the Deputy Wardens and they also rendered assistance at three building fires. The largest fire of the season was on August 5th, at the Carlisle town line. Considerable cord wood was destroyed and this fire had to be guarded for several days or until the next rain came.
The expense of maintaining this department during 1919, including all repairs and supplies, extinguishing forest and grass fires as well as the expense incurred at the house and chimney fires was $552.14 which is $136.40 less than last year. The sum of $36.62 is now due the Town by parties responsible for fires, thus leaving the net expense $515.52. The property of the Town in charge of the Forest Warden has recently been inspected and we find there is some need of repairs and some new tools will have to be purchased the coming year. The fire extinguishers which are scattered throughout the Town are for the use of any resident if occasion requires.
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
During the year 1919 the Centre Fire Department answered four bell alarms, three of which were for house fires and one for a grass fire, also two fires on dumps and surrounding woods and a large number of chimney fires. Some of these chimneys were in bad shape and we notified the owners and saw to it that they were repaired. We would like to call the attention of the people to the fact, that defective chimneys and the accumulation of rubbish cause about nine-tenths of the fires.
There was a great deal of confusion in regard to notifying the department in case of fire, so we had a notice put in the morning Courier-Citizen, telling what to do in case of fire. Below is a copy of the notice:
In case of fire, call by telephone the following, plainly giving name, location, whether grass or house fire:
Night- C. O. Rollins—Tel. 5204-W
- V. L. Parkhurst—Tel. 4026-R
- C. O. Rollins—Tel. 5204-W
- Chelmsford Garage—Tel. 5690
- Falls' Drug Store—Tel. 8703-R
- S. W. Parkhurst—Tel. 8703-M
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Forest Fire Warden Arnold C. Perham |
Fire Engineers Walter Fletcher Edgar G. Fay Wilhelm Johnson |
(Chelmsford Historical Society Collection)