1960
Annual Town Meeting March 14, 1960
UNDER ARTICLE 50:
Mr. Robert F. McAndrew moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum
of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the purpose of establishing a
Stabilization Fund under the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 5B of the General
Laws, for use in the purchasing of Fire Department Automotive equipment. It was
so voted unanimously.
Report of the Fire Department
The past year has been an extremely busy one for the Fire Department. With building and road construction continuing at full speed, we have had a great many new problems and responsibilities added to the ones which we customarily have and expect.
We responded to 388 calls this past year, and of this number, 45 were building fires, 110 were for brush or grass fires, and there were 43 calls for the resuscitators. The more homes we have, the more potential calls we can expect, and the new highways (Route 495) will bring more automobile fires and accidents.
No fire apparatus was purchased this past year, but a plan was adopted at the Town Meeting whereby a Stabilization Fund for the future replacement or purchase of fire apparatus was started, and it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000) Dollars to establish this fund.
The firefighters on their regular tour of duty took care of all the maintenance work necessary at all five fire stations. A great deal of work had to be done on our alarm system due to the new highway construction, and this was all completed just before the construction stopped for the winter. The entire cost of this work will be borne by the State, and the Town will be reimbursed for all bills incurred. All fire alarm boxes were painted and tested to be sure they were in working order.
In order to maintain our fire protection at its present level, the following recommendations should be carried out this year:
- The amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred ($7,500.) Dollars should be added to the Stabilization Fund which was started last year, for the replacement or purchase of fire department automotive equipment.
- Replace the Studebaker pickup truck.
- Purchase a 75' aerial ladder truck.
The following amounts of explosives of all classes stored in the Town of Chelmsford are: Magazine No. 1, 48,000 lbs; Magazine No. 2, 46,000 lbs.; Magazine No. 3, 2,300 lbs.
|
Fire Chief |
1961
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
Annual Town Meeting March 13, 1961
UNDER ARTICLE 16:
Mr. Raymond J. Greenwood moved that the Town vote to transfer from the
Stabilization Fund established under the provisions of Section 5B, Chapter 40 of
the General Laws, and by vote under Article 50 of the Annual Town Meeting of
March 21, 1960, for the purchase of Fire Department automotive equipment, the
sum of $2,575.00 for the purchase of a Station Wagon type of vehicle for the
Fire Department; said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of
Selectmen. It was voted unanimously.
Report of the Fire Department
This past year has been the most disastrous in the history of the Town as far as fire loss and major fires is concerned. We had four General Alarm fires during the year as follows: Godin's Store, Frontier Research, Molders Foundry and the DeAmicis Apartment Building.
All of these fires were of major proportion and the loss on each one was extremely heavy, but the courage and training of all firefighters both Permanent and Volunteer enables us to control these fires before they could spread to adjoining property, and I as Chief take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all connected with the Department for their fine cooperation during the past year.
A new Station Wagon to be used as a Chief's Car was delivered to us and the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000) Dollars was added to the Stabilization Fund.
A considerable amount of repair and maintenance work on all Five Stations as well as on the Fire Apparatus was accomplished this year, most of which was done by the regular firefighters on their tour of duty.
A great deal of work had to be done on our alarm system again this year because of continued highway construction, and this took a great amount of time for the men on duty to accomplish. During the year the State reimbursed the Town the sum of $2,135.25 for labor and bills incurred because of this road-building interfering with our Alarm System.
Again this year I have requested and earnestly urge the purchase of a 75' Aerial Ladder Truck. Space does not permit me to list all the advantages of this type of equipment, but I would like to point out that with the rapid growth of the Town, and with new Churches, Industrial Buildings, and Apartment Houses being built we need this truck not only for the fire fighting advantages it offers, but for the life saving features which we should no longer take a chance on doing without.
The following amounts of explosives of all classes stored in the Town of Chelmsford are: Magazine No. 1, 44,000 lbs.; Magazine No. 2, 42,000 lbs.; Magazine No. 3, 1,100 lbs.
|
Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam |
near Central Baptist Church (Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
1962
Annual Town Meeting March 12, 1962
UNDER ARTICLE 2:
Mr. John Kenney moved that the Town vote to amend the Personnel Wage and Salary
Administration By-Law in Section 19 subtitled, "Hours of Work Shall Be As
Follows", by striking out the language in paragraph III and inserting "For those
occupying positions designated 'Public Safety Occupations' and within the Fire
Department, forty-four (44) hours per week; Police Department, an average of
forty (40) hours per week, scheduled in such a manner as the Head of such
department may deem advisable." It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 16:
Mr. Ernest Byam moved that the Town vote to transfer from the Stabilization Fund
established under the provisions of Section 5B, Chapter 40, of the General Laws
and by vote under Article 50 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 21, 1960, the
sum of $17,000, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $22,482.94 for the
purchase of a 75' Aerial Ladder Truck type of vehicle for the Fire Department,
equipped as specified by the Fire Chief, said purchase to be made under the
supervision of the Board of Selectmen. It was so voted.
Special Town Meeting April 23, 1962
UNDER ARTICLE 4:
Mr. Ernest G. Byam moved that the Town vote to transfer from the Excess and
Deficiency Fund, the sum of $39,487.94 for the purchase of a 75' Aerial Ladder
Truck type of vehicle for the Fire Department, equipped as specified by the Fire
Chief, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
This was voted unanimously.
Report of the Fire Department
As the Town continues to grow, the demands on this department continue to become heavier, and more varied in nature. We are now called upon for services which formerly only a city department could supply. Fire prevention and inspections take more of our time each year, and together with the complaints which we must answer has developed into a major part of our work.
We continue to use our manpower to good advantage by maintaining all our equipment and our five stations, and also by doing our own clerical work, and extending and repairing our fire alarm system.
During 1962, a 75' Aerial Ladder Truck was delivered to us, and put into service immediately, thus bringing to a successful conclusion our efforts to secure this piece of equipment.
Recommendations for the future include a new pick-up truck to replace our old one which is 12 years old, and which I will request this year, and another permanently manned Fire Station which will be requested in the near future.
The following amounts of explosives of all classes stored in the Town of Chelmsford are: Magazine #1, 54,000 lbs., Magazine #2, 55,000 lbs., Magazine #3, 5,300 lbs.
|
Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam> |
1963
Annual Town Meeting March 11, 1963
UNDER ARTICLE 76:
Mr. Edward Marshall moved that the Town vote to transfer the sum of $18,158.10
now in the Fire Department Stabilization Fund established at the annual town
meeting in 1960, to the General Stabilization Fund established at the annual
town meeting held in 1952. It was voted unanimously.
Report of the Town Forest Committee
The Thanksgiving Ground Forest continues to get increased usage by young and old including Boy and Girl Scouts and Brownies. Hence, the bulk of your committee's efforts were in this forest. The thinning of young pines to prevent large areas being taken over by impenetrable stands of pine was continued, trails were improved, and, because of a forest fire, the trail from the water hole just south of the Great Rocks to the south end of Russell Mill Pond is being widened so that fire trucks will be able to reach the pond near the Carlisle line.
In 1962 we had a small fire near the pond. This year - in early October - we had a much larger and far more serious fire that started just south of the Great Rocks and swept rapidly south and east. Only the fast and effective work of the Fire Department kept the flames from sweeping through a very substantial part of the forest's forty-six acres. As it was, all but the very largest pines were destroyed on approximately six acres inside the forest and another six immediately to the south on land belonging to Edward B. Russell.
Report of the Fire Department
The past year has been an extremely busy one for this Department. We responded to a total of 732 requests for assistance during 1963 which was an increase of 179 over the previous year. A number of these calls were caused by the severe drought during the summer and fall. The situation during September and October was explosive and we were very fortunate not to have had more serious fires.
The people of Chelmsford were aware of this danger and are to be commended for their carefulness during the dry spell. The most serious fire at this time occurred at the Thanksgiving Ground Forest, where over 15 acres burned over, and was only then brought under control after hours of hard and dangerous work by your firefighters. This fire was not declared out for eight days, and had to be watched continually.
The Town Dump was another source of danger at this time, and only through the cooperation of Superintendent Fred Greenwood of the Highway Department and of Isadore Needham, the caretaker of the dump, were we able to prevent a very serious fire, and I take this opportunity to thank them both.
Two other very serious emergencies that occurred the past year was the Boston
and Maine train wreck and the fire at the Grossman Lumber Company, both of which
could have been much more serious and could have caused a much bigger loss than
they did.
Note: The Grossman Lumber Company had purchased the Proctor Lumber Company
business on Middlesex Street the same month this train wreck occurred.
Continued attention has been given to the work of fire prevention, it being one of the essential parts of our work. During the year, working in conjunction with the State and Town Building Inspector, inspections were made in all schools, churches and public buildings. Every three months throughout the year all convalescent and nursing homes were inspected to eliminate fire hazards.
Maintenance work on the fire alarm system consisted of general and emergency repairs, and pole changeovers. Approximately three miles of new wire was strung from the Center Station to the North Station, in order to tie the North circuit into the Center, and to enable us to sound the North whistle from the Center Station. This work was all done by the firefighters while on duty, in order to save the cost of letting the work out.
The firefighters on their regular tour of duty took care of all the maintenance work necessary at all five fire stations, and most of the apparatus repairs.
For this year I recommend that the Town vote to replace our pick-up truck which is now 13 years old, and for the immediate future I recommend that a permanently manned station should be considered so that we could have this ready by the end of 1966 at the latest.
The following amounts of explosives of all classes stored in the Town of Chelmsford are: Magazine #1, 21,500 lbs., Magazine #2, 22,570 lbs., Magazine #3, 2,500 lbs.
|
Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam |
1964
Annual Town Meeting March 9, 1964
UNDER ARTICLE 18:
Mr. Ernest Byam moves that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of
Three thousand four hundred ninety nine dollars ($3,499.00) for the purpose of
purchasing a 3/4 ton pick-up truck, for the Fire Department; said purchase to be
made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 19:
Mr. Ernest Byam moves that the Town vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, by
good and sufficient bill of sale, the 1951 Studebaker pickup now being used by
the Fire Department. It was so voted.
Report of the Fire Department
Building fire losses were low this year, and proves that Chelmsford people take pride in their homes, and try to keep them safe from fire.
Our thirteen year old pick-up truck was replaced with a new one and is much better suited to our needs. It is fitted up to be used as a fire alarm service truck, and also can be used to great advantage on brush and grass fires.
During this year we in the Fire Department and the townspeople suffered a great loss in the passing of our Deputy Chief. Raymond J. McGlinchey. The fact that his life was dedicated to the fire service will always be a tribute to his memory.
This year went into the record books as one of the driest in history, and the woodlands were extremely dangerous. Fires burned for days underground, and we had to keep a continual watch on all burned areas to be sure they did not get out of control from these underground fires.
Nursing Homes, schools and public buildings are continually inspected, and recommendations for safety are made to officials in charge.
Because of the necessity for lines of higher voltage, the electric utility company is continually putting in taller poles and this keeps us busy changing our fire alarm wires over to the new poles. We placed 5 new fire alarm boxes in service this year, and all boxes were painted and tested to be sure they were in working order.
For 1965 the department recommends that land be purchased for a new station, and a committee be appointed to draw up plans to be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting in 1966.
In order to keep our equipment up to standard we should trade in the station wagon in 1965 while the turn in value is at its peak, and in 1966 we should replace two old 500 G.P.M. Pumpers, which are obsolete, with one 1000 G.P.M. new Pumping Engine.
In Memoriam
Raymond J. McGlinchey, Deputy Chief of the Fire Department, died on November 8, 1964, in the performance of his duty. Deputy Chief McGlinchey served his country in the United States Marines in World War II, and when he was discharged from the Service in 1945 he was appointed as a regular firefighter. He rose in rank until in 1963 he was appointed Deputy Fire Chief.
Ernest G. Byam, Chief of the Fire Department, died on January 31, 1965. Chief Byam was first appointed a call firefighter in October, 1931. He was appointed a permanent fireman September 23, 1954, moving up through the ranks to become Chief on November 10, 1958. He was widely known and admired not only in Chelmsford but throughout the Middlesex County area and in state fire-fighting circles.
|
Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam |
1965
Annual Town Meeting March 8, 1965
UNDER ARTICLE 17:
Regarding the New Fire House in South Chelmsford (on the easterly side of Park
Road), Mr. Howard E. Humphrey moved that the Article be dismissed. It was so
voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 18:
Regarding committee for the New Fire house in South Chelmsford, Mr. Charles
Egerton moved that this article be dismissed. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 70:
Mr. Howard E. Humphrey moved that the Town vote to transfer from the Excess and
Deficiency Fund the sum of $2,374.00 for the purchase of a station wagon type
vehicle for the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision
of the Board of Selectmen. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 71:
Mr. Howard E. Humphrey moved that the Town vote to authorize the Selectmen to
sell by good and sufficient bill of sale the station wagon type of vehicle which
has been used by the Fire Department. It was so voted.
Special Town Meeting October 4, 1965
UNDER ARTICLE 8:
Chief Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to authorize the Selectmen to
transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account the sum of One Thousand One
Hundred ($1,100.00) Dollars, said sum to be used by the Selectmen to acquire by
purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise in fee simple, a certain parcel of land
situated of but not adjacent to Acton Road, supposed to belong to Royal Gardner,
said premises to be used as and for the site of a proposed new Fire Station and
to be added to contiguous premises now belonging to the Town situated on said
Acton Road, in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 14 and/or Chapter 79 of the
General Laws, both as most recently amended. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 9:
Chief Frederick Reid moved that in the event of an affirmative vote under
Article 8 that the Town vote to appoint a committee; said committee is to be
named by the Board of Selectmen consisting of five members one of whom shall be
the Fire Chief, for the purpose of proceeding with the preparation of plans and
specifications for the construction of a firehouse on the said described
premises. Said committee to report back to the next Annual Town Meeting and to
raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars for the use
of said committee. It was so voted.
Report of the Fire Department
This past year has been the most disastrous in the history of our town as far as fire loss and major fires are concerned and with the accidental death of our Chief, Ernest G. Byam, responding to a fire. The town and in particular the Fire Department suffered a great loss. His life was dedicated to the fire service and the work that he accomplished will always be a tribute to his memory.
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
two youths were apprehended when they returned to the scene (Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
(Chelmsford Historical Commission Archive)
This year we have modernized the fire alarm system by installing transistor units, doing away with the old type storage batteries and rectifiers; by adding 18 new street boxes and approximately 5 miles of new fire alarm wire. The Quessy School, McFarlin School addition and the new Junior High School were connected into the fire alarm system. All routine wire and maintenance work was done by the firefighters.
For 1966, the Department recommends that a new station be built on land purchased at the Special Town Meeting in October, 1965 and a 1000 G.P.M. pumper be purchased for the Central Station with the 750 G.P.M. pumper there now, going to the new proposed station in South.
|
Fire Chief Frederic H. Reid |
1966
Annual Town Meeting March 14, 1966
UNDER ARTICLE 16.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to transfer from the Stabilization
account the sum of Twenty-one Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-four ($21364.00)
Dollars and to raise and appropriate Six Thousand Ninety-nine ($6,099.00)
Dollars for the purchase of a pumping engine for the Fire Department, said
purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. It was so
voted. Yes 298, No 20.
UNDER ARTICLE 34.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to
transfer from Excess and Deficiency account the sum of Seventy-five Thousand
($75,000.00) Dollars for the purpose of constructing and originally equipping
and furnishing a fire station at South Chelmsford on land now owned by the Town.
It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 35.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to
appoint a South Chelmsford Fire Station Building Committee and to authorize it
to proceed with the construction of said project and to enter into all necessary
and proper contracts and agreements in respect thereto, and to do all other acts
necessary for constructing said project. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 36.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to
authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of the present South Chelmsford Fire
Station located on Acton Road and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight
Hundred ($800.00) Dollars for the removal of said building. It was so voted.
(Chelmsford Historical Society Collection)
Report of the Fire Department
The past year has been one of the most successful years in our Fire Department history with fire loss at a minimum, no loss of life or personal injury and with the ending of the drought our woods fires were way down from other years.
The people of Chelmsford with their good foresight in accepting the Boards' recommendation at the last annual town meeting, enabled us to add seven new men to man the new fire station in the South section of town which will be occupied in January of 1967. The new 1000 G.P.M. pumper authorized at the 1966 town meeting will also be delivered in January, thereby making it unnecessary for us to ask for any additional equipment for the coming year.
This 1966 Maxim S model semi-cab 1000 g.p.m. triple combination Pumper , Engine 1, was delivered to Center
A rotation of apparatus followed:
The previous Engine 1, a 1957 Maxim 750 g.p.m. Pumper, was re-designated Engine 5 and transferred to South
The previous Engine 5, a 1947 Studebaker 500 g.p.m. Pumper, was re-designated Engine 7 and transferred to North
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
Based on a previous study of the department it was advised that the position of fire lieutenant be abolished and two additional captains be appointed. This was submitted in our budget for 1966 and with the concurrence of the Board of Selectmen I made two appointments for the positions at the first of the year.
The firefighters on their regular tour of duty painted the North and East fire stations as well as making repairs and continued maintenance of all our stations.
Our fire alarm crew installed more than five miles of fire alarm wire and added over twenty fire alarm boxes to the system; all but five of which were paid for by the home developers and installed to Fire Department specifications, with savings to the town of thousands of dollars.
Quarterly inspections of all schools, convalescent and nursing homes were made and all necessary reports filed. Fire prevention will be our major goal in 1967 with plans to inspect all mercantile, industrial, church, garage and service station buildings with recommendations and suggestions being made to the owners and/or occupants. These inspections will be made by an engine company on duty which will be in radio contact with headquarters and in service at all times.
The department believes that in order to maintain a high level of fire protection, a plan whereby an amount is appropriated each year and placed in a fund for the future replacement of fire apparatus should be adopted.
|
Fire Chief Frederic H. Reid |
1967
Special Town Meeting June 3, 1967
UNDER ARTICLE 1.
Chief Frederick H. Reid moved the Town vote to
transfer from the "constructing and originally equipping and furnishing a fire
station at South Chelmsford" account, the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00)
Dollars to the Fire Department Building Repairs and Maintenance account for the
purpose of repairing the heating system at the North Fire Station. It was voted
unanimously.
Report of the Fire Station Building Committee
The Fire Station Building Committee, Raymond J. Greenwood, Chairman; Ralph E. House, Gerald R. Wallace, Howard J. Hall, Jr., and Fire Chief Frederick H. Reid submits a report of progress as follows:
Construction of the new Fire Station at South Chelmsford was begun in July of 1966. The building was substantially completed and occupied in January, 1967. The remaining work in no way hindered the operation of the Fire Department. It consisted mostly of grading, seeding, and covers for the heating elements. This work was completed by May of 1967, with the building then being accepted by the Committee.
(1995 photo, Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
The furnishings in the office of this station were donated by the Ernest G. Byam Memorial Fund in memory of the late Fire Chief Ernest G. Byam. The Committee wishes to express it's thanks at this time to the Memorial Fund Committee and all town officials and residents for their cooperation while this project was in progress.
Report of the Fire Department
The past year has been one of the most successful years in our Fire Department history with fire loss at a minimum, no loss of life or personal injury, and our woods fires were a great deal lower than other years. The town dump was a source of danger this year, as usual, and only through the cooperation of Superintendent Fred Greenwood of the Highway Department and of Isadore Needham, the caretaker of the dump, were we able to prevent more serious fires, and I take this opportunity to thank them both.
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
Because of the necessity for lines of higher voltage, the electric light company is continually putting in taller poles, and this keeps us busy changing our fire alarm wires over to the new poles. We placed 15 new fire alarm boxes in service this year.
We have been in our new Fire Station in the south section of town for almost a year now and we have been able to operate in a much more efficient manner than we were able to in the past, with permanent firefighters now stationed there around the clock. The new 1000 G.P.M. pumper was delivered in January and is in service at the Center Station with the 750 G.P.M. pumper that was there going to the new South Station.
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
In order to keep our equipment up to standard, we should trade in the station wagon in 1968, while the turn-in value is at its peak.
|
Fire Chief Deputy Fire Chief Captains |
Privates Thomas P. Miskell Robert K. Adams Arthur G. Anderson Robert A. Bennett Francis J. Conlin Thomas J. Curran James T. Cutter Bertrand E. Dixon Donald A. Drew Charles Ferreira James P. Flaherty Robert R. Gagnon Charles Galloway, Jr. |
Jack D. Hadley Paul D. Hayes Paul D. Henderson Robert L. Hughes Joseph F. Lynch Edward J. McGovern Harvey M. Miller Richard P. O'Neil Harold J. Pierce, Jr. James M. Spinney Gerald D. Tonks Donald A. Weber Peter T. Wetherbee Alvin F. Wetmore |
1968
Annual Town Meeting March 11, 1968
UNDER ARTICLE 23. Mr. S. Anthony DiCiero moved that the Town
vote to amend the Personnel Wage and Salary Classification and
Compensation Plan by adding thereto the following:
Section
25. Compensation for Academic Achievement.
- Any full time, permanent member of the Police Department who has earned and received an Associate of Science certificate in law enforcement from an accredited college or university shall be paid Two Hundred ($200) Dollars additional salary per year in his grade.
- Any full time, permanent member of the Fire Department who has earned and received an Associate of Science Certificate in Fire Science from an accredited college or university shall be paid be paid Two Hundred ($200) Dollars additional salary per year in his grade.
- Any full time, permanent member of the Police Department who has earned and received a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement from an accredited college shall receive Four Hundred ($400) Dollars additional salary per year in his grade. In the event, however, that the said member is already receiving additional compensation by virtue of having obtained as Associate of Science certificate, then he shall be entitled only to an additional Two Hundred ($200) Dollars, so that his total additional salary shall not be in excess of Four Hundred ($400) Dollars per year.
- No member of the Police or Fire Department shall be entitled to any of the above additional salary without the prior approval of the Personnel Board.
It was so voted, unanimously.
UNDER ARTICLE 36.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Four ($1,704) Dollars for the purchase of a 1968
DeLuxe four-door sedan type of vehicle for the Fire Department, said purchase to
be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. This motion failed.
UNDER ARTICLE 37.
Mr. Frederick Reid moved that the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell by good
and sufficient Bill of Sale the station wagon type of vehicle which has been
used by the Fire Department. This Article was dismissed.
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
Report of the Fire Department
The Town of Chelmsford continues to build at a rapid rate, and this in turn causes an increase in requests for assistance from the Fire Department. Upon comparing the records for the past ten years, they reveal that the number of calls requested of and responded to by your Fire Department have increased from 286 in 1958 to 854 in 1968.
For 1969, the Department recommends that a committee consisting of five members be appointed for the purpose of proceeding with the preparation of plans and specifications for the construction of a Fire Station in the west section of town. Also to replace a 1941 brush truck now in use at the North Station and a 1965 station wagon now being used by the Chief.
|
Fire Chief Deputy Fire Chief Captains |
Privates Thomas P. Miskell Robert K. Adams Arthur G. Anderson Robert A. Bennett Francis J. Conlin Thomas J. Curran James T. Cutter Bertrand E. Dixon Donald A. Drew Charles Ferreira James P. Flaherty Robert R. Gagnon Charles S. Galloway, Jr. |
Jack D. Hadley Paul D. Hayes Paul D. Henderson Robert L. Hughes Joseph F. Lynch Edward J. McGovern Harvey M. Miller Richard P. O'Neil Harold J. Pierce, Jr. James M. Spinney Gerald D. Tonks Donald A. Weber Peter T. Wetherbee Alvin F. Wetmore |
1969
Town Election March 3, 1969
Question:
Shall the Town of Chelmsford accept the provisions of Section
58D of the Chapter 48 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, as amended, as it
applies to the permanent members of the uniformed fire fighting force of the
Town of Chelmsford?
A fair and concise summary appears below:
Acceptance of the provisions of Section 58D would establish a forty-two (42)
hour work week for permanent members of the uniformed fire fighting force of the
Town of Chelmsford,
Results at the March 3 Town Election: Yes 1666, No 1274, Blanks 151
Annual Town Meeting March 10, 1969
UNDER ARTICLE 37.
Mr. Gerald Lannan moved that the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectman
to appoint a committee consisting of five (5) members, one of whom shall be the
Fire Chief, for the purpose of proceeding with the preparation of plans and
specifications for the construction of a firehouse in the West section of Town,
said committee to report back to next annual town meeting and to transfer the
sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500) Dollars for use of the said committee. It was so
voted.
Members appointed to this committee by the Board of Selectmen were: Fredrick H. Reid, Ralph E. House, Edward Hoyt, Eugene Gilet, and Peter R. Vennard.
Adjourned Town Meeting March 24, 1969
UNDER ARTICLE 38.
Mr. William Harvey moved that the Town vote to transfer from Stabilization Funds
the sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty-seven and 19/100 ($2,337.19)
Dollars for the purchase of a 1969 DeLuxe four door Sedan type vehicle for the
Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of
Selectmen. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 39.
Mr. Howard Humphrey moved that, in the event of an affirmative vote under the
preceding Article, the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell by good and
sufficient bill of sale the station wagon type vehicle which has been used by
the Fire Department. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 40.
Mr. Gerald Lannan moved that the Town vote to transfer from the Stabilization
Fund (Equipment) the sum of Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Five ($11,785.)
Dollars for the purchase of a new piece of fire apparatus, said apparatus to be
of the type commonly used for brush and grass fires, said purchase to be made
under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. It was so voted.
UNDER ARTICLE 41.
Mr. William Harvey moved that in the event of an affirmative vote under the
preceding article, the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell by good and
sufficient bill of sale the 1941 Chevrolet Brush Truck which has been used by
the Fire Department. It was so voted.
Report of the Board of Selectmen
The need for Labor Negotiations has been an important part of the business of this board during 1969. We have engaged the services of a Labor Relations Advisor, Mr. S. Anthony DiCiero, who has assisted us in many ways, and we are most grateful for his help. Meetings have been conducted with Negotiating Teams for both the Highway and Fire Department Employees and we have already reached a final agreement, acceptable to all parties,, for the Highway Employees. Negotiations are continuing with the Fire Department Employees.
Report of the Fire Department
With this fall being one of the wettest in history, the woodland fires were at a new low. Overall we responded to 33 more calls than in 1968 for a new record of 887 calls in one year.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention has this year enlarged its scope of operations. During Fire Prevention Week in October, a program in fire prevention was held for the women of the town. This included films on fire safety in the home and instruction in the proper use of fire extinguishers. This class was well received by all those who attended and we intend to conduct similar programs in the future.
Through the cooperation of the school department, fire safety films have been presented over closed circuit television to students in ail of our schools. These projects were in addition to inspecting all nursing homes and school buildings for fire safety every three months, plus a continuing program of inspection for all restaurants, mercantile outlets and manufacturing operations throughout the own. Fire safety films are available for showing to organizations in the town. Those interested in such a program are invited to make inquiry to the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
A new sedan was delivered in May and a new brush truck authorized at the 1969 Town Meeting will be delivered in the Spring of 1970, thereby making it unnecessary for us to ask for any additional equipment for the coming year.
Four new men were added to the department in 1969 giving us five men in the Center Station with two men in the North and two men in the South Stations around the clock.
It is our hope that the recommendations of a committee appointed for the purpose of proceeding with the preparation of plans and specifications for the construction of a fire station in the west section of town be accepted, enabling us to operate in a much more efficient manner than we have been able to in the past.
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Fire Chief Deputy Fire Chief Captains |
Privates Thomas P. Miskell Robert K. Adams Arthur G. Anderson Robert A. Bennett Francis J. Conlin Thomas J. Curran James T. Cutter Bertrand E. Dixon Donald A. Drew Philip Dube Charles Ferreira James P. Flaherty Robert R. Gagnon Terrence A. Goode Jack D. Hadley William Hadley |
Paul D. Hayes Paul D. Henderson Robert L. Hughes Joseph F. Lynch Emil A. Magiera Leo Martin Edward J. McGovern Harvey M. Miller Richard P. O'Neil Harold J. Pierce, Jr. Ronald J. Sawicki James M. Spinney Gerald D. Tonks Donald A. Weber Peter T. Wetherbee Alvin F. Wetmore |