1900
Note: The Annual Town Reports for 1900 through 1909 covered events during the years 1899 through 1908. This was adjusted by the Town starting in 1914 so the report year matches the year covered.
Annual Town Meeting March 26, 1900
Article 23.
At the request of Henry S. Perham, to see if the town will
take measures to provide better protection against fires, appropriate money for
the same, or act in relation thereto. (The results of this vote are reported in
the 1901 Annual Report.)
|
Firewards |
Forest Firewards |
1901
Annual Town Meeting March 26, 1900
Under Article 23.
At the request of Henry S. Perham, to see if the town
will take measures to provide better protection against fires, appropriate money
for the same, or act in relation thereto:
Voted, that the sum of $500 be
appropriated for the purchase of Johnson's or other similar pumps, and pails,
and chemicals, if thought expedient, to be distributed as follows: One or more
to be placed in each of the buildings belonging to the town, and at other places
where needed, upon the payment of one dollar by the applicant. All pumps to be
the property of the town and subject to the regulations of the fire wards; and
that the purchase be referred to a committee of five to be appointed by the
Moderator.
The Moderator appointed as said committee Joseph E. Warren, Henry S. Perham,
George F. Snow, Preston L. Piggott, Frank C. Byam.
Miscellaneous Expenses
FIRE APPARATUS:
Standard Extract Co., 24 extracts and charges $324 00
National Mfg. Co., 50 Johnson pumps $162.50
Bartlett & Dow, pails $11.46
Total $497.96
|
Firewards |
Forest Firewards |
1902
Annual Town Meeting March 25, 1901
Under Article 26.
At the request of Henry S. Perham and others, to see if the town will
appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars to provide additional fire apparatus,
or act in relation thereto:
Voted, to dismiss Article 26, relating to additional fire apparatus.
Annual Report of the Firewards, 1901
Mar. 9. L. Schultz's ice house burned; amount of damage $1,500.00.
Apr. 27. Silver & Gay Machine Shop burned; amount of damage $16,000. 64 Men fought this fire:
| George C. Moore John O'Connor George Stetson Charles P: Holt Clarence DeRoehn Michael Kinch Michael Shea William J. Shea Henry O. Miner John Callahan Edgar Dixon William P. Dunigan Frank McCluskey Dennis McCluskey James J. McCluskey Michael J. Layden Robert Moore John H. Davis George Lumbert James Briggs L. A. Mosier Perley Constantino John T. McMahon Patrick T. McMahon Michael J. Gallagher Jeremiah O'Connor William H. Corrigan Charles F. Scribner Fred Cully Clifford A. Moore Walter A. Leigh |
Henry Leake Stephen Ward Fred Vinal John E. Holmes John E. Hogan Owen F. McGrath A. B. Magnant John Larkin Patrick Hoyt Mark McGrath Ed. Keyes Patrick Raybald John B. Morrill Michael J. Walsh A. Coburn Frank Hall Owen F. McNally Philip A. McEnaney N. F. Spaulding Robert B. Scribner Robert B. Polley Carl Spaulding Lester Hall William J. Quigley Fred Downs Frank Foote William Adams Ed. Silver Otis Wheeler Arthur Wheeler Archie L. Rogers Frank Merrill Winifred Larkin |
GEO. C. MOORE, Fireward.
(Chelmsford Public Library Collection)
(Chelmsford Public Library Collection)
(Chelmsford Public Library Collection)
Apr. 28. Forest fire on land of heirs of F. J. Adams & Abbott: Number of acres burned, 75; number of cords wood burned, 125; valued at $1.75 per acre, $218.15.
Apr. 29. Fire on land of Louis Schultz and Albert Snow: Number of acres burned, 4.
May 12. Fire on land of J. E. Warren and L. Spaulding. Damage to Mr. Warren $10.00.
May 25. Boston ice houses at North Chelmsford burned. Amount damage $25,000.00.
June 3. House on Boston road, owned by Co-operative Bank, Lowell. Damage $500.00.
June 4. Fire on land of G. M. Wright. Number of acres burned, 35; cords of wood burned, 35; valued at $1.75 per cord, $61.25.
June 13. Fire on land of W. E. Potter, of Lowell & Abbott, heirs, (Boston). Number of acres burned, 100; damage, $500.
July 1. Fire off Princeton Street, on land of Percy Parker (Lowell).
July 24. Cottage house and barn, corner Billerica and Wilson streets, Chelmsford Centre, burned: Loss on house, $40.00; loss on barn, $280.00.
Sept. 20. Fire on land of heirs of Daniel Gage, near Baptist Pond.
Oct. 20. Fire on land of D. C. Perham. Number of acres burned, 2 1/2. Amount of damage $5.00.
Oct. 24. Barn on road from Chelmsford to Lowell, owned by H. Lacombe. Loss on building, $300.
Oct. 30. Fire on Ingham place, on Lowell road. Number of acres burned, 1; some old timbers, loss, $10.00.
Dec. 2. Fire on land of A. B. Woodworth of Lowell. Number of acres burned, 10.
Dec. 10. House owned by Geo. E. Spaulding burned; loss, $375.00.
| MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES: | ||
| One pair blankets for fire truck | $5.00 | |
| G. Thomas Parkhurst, printing | 4.75 | |
| H. C. Greene, damage on wagon | 12.25 | |
| Joseph Wilson, washing truck | .75 | |
| G. M. Wright, repairs on buggy at Dutton fire | 2.00 | |
| O. Perham at Dutton fire | .65 | |
| G. M. Wright, reloading chemicals | .75 | |
| W. Randall, repairs on pumps | .75 | |
| Joseph Wilson, cleaning truck | 1.50 | |
| Waldo Parkhurst, 2 barrels | 1.00 | |
| S. Blaisdell, 5 barrel heads | 2.50 | |
| G. M. Wright, work on barrels | 3.00 | |
| G. M. Wright, care of truck | 1.50 | |
| Melvin Walker, as fireward | 2.00 | |
| As forest fireward | 1.00 | |
| Warren Berry, as fireward | 1.50 | |
| Services and expenses as secretary | 5.00 | |
| Miscellaneous total | $36.40 | |
| Expense of fighting fires | $140.81 | |
| LOSSES: | ||
| Total acres burned over during the year | 232 | |
| Estimated damage | $586.25 | |
| 250 cords wood burned | 160.00 | |
| Loss on wood | 280.00 | |
| Loss on buildings and contents | 24,995.00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary of Fireward.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards John P. Eaton Melvin Walker George M. Wright Walter B. Emerson Fred A. Hazen John O'Connor (fireward only) George C. Moore |
Charles F. Scribner William J. Quigley John Marinel, Jr. Warren Berry Charles Finnick, Jr. Abram A. Sherman George O. Spaulding Frank C. Byam |
1903
Annual Town Meeting March 24, 1902
Article 20.
At the request of Henry S. Perham and others, to see if the
town will appropriate a sum of money to provide additional facilities for the
Firewards, or act in relation thereto:
Voted, that the sum of $250 be
raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing additional facilities for
the firewards.
Article 29.
At the request of Geo. C. Moore and others, to see if the
town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of
extending water pipes in the North Village for better protection against fire.
Beginning at the junction of Cottage Row and Princeton Street, so called,
running northerly to a point at junction of Nashua. Dunstable and West
Chelmsford Roads; beginning at the first named junction, running westerly along
Washington Street as far as Canal Street, now called; beginning at a hydrant, at
or near the office of Silver & Gay's Machine Shop, on Princeton Street, now
called, running easterly along said street about nineteen hundred feet, or act
in relation thereto:
Voted, to raise and appropriate the sum of $800 for
the purpose of extending water pipes in the North Village, for better protection
against fire.
Annual Report of the Firewards, 1902
Mar. 24. Fire at North Chelmsford on Gray farm. Number of acres burned, 3.
Mar. 26. Grass fire on Butterfield farm at North Chelmsford. Number of acres burned, 3.
Mar. 27. Fire on land of A. B. Adams, F. Hutchinson, W. Hill. Amount of damage, $25.00. Cause unknown.
April 4. Grass fire on land of Mr. Hutchinson. Number of acres burned, 3.
April 19. Fire on land of O. Simpson heirs; located on road from Dunstable to Groton. Number of acres burned, 1.
April 25. Fire on Sprout land, owned by James Carr, on Billerica Road. Number of acres burned, 5.
April 28. Fire on land of C. W. S. Adams at North Chelmsford. Number of acres burned, 30. Amount of damage, $10.
April 29. Fire on land of Adams, Bowers, Sampson, Edwards, Simpson, DeCarterett, Blodgett, et al. Incendiary. Number of acres burned, 300. Damage, 100 cords of wood, $200.00; 100 M. standing lumber, $1000.00; 1000 cords of standing wood, $1000.00; 25 M. oak plank, 25 M. pine plank $1000.00.
April 29. Fire on land of Adams & Whitney. Number of acres burned, 25.
April 29. Fire on woodland on Concord road owned by Sweetser Heirs. Number of acres burned, 5. Damage $10. Cause; sparks from mill.
May 5. Fire at East Chelmsford.
May 12. Fire on woodlot, owned by G. M. Wright.
May 15. Fire on Short Estate. Number of acres 1 burned, 4.
May 20.Fire on land of Proctor. Number of acres burned, 20 ; amount of damage, $500.
May 24. Fire on John Ward Estate buildings. Damage: loss on contents, $300 ; damage on buildings, $1300. Cause, struck by lightning.
May 29. Fire on land of F. A. Hazen. Number of acres burned, 2. Cause, spark from mill; damage, 50 cords of wood owned by G. M. Wright, $100.
May 31. Fire on land of F. A. Hazen. Cause, spark from mill. Damage, 10 cords wood, $20; to logs, $15.
June 8. Fire at Mrs. Whittier's barn. Damage, loss on building, $200; contents, $25. Cause unknown.
June 9. Forest fire at West Chelmsford. Number of acres burned, 6; owned by Proctor; damage, 50 cords of wood, $100.
June 17. Forest fire at West Chelmsford. Number of acres burned, 2; damage, slight.
June 28. Fire on land of F. A. Hazen. Number of acres burned, 6. Cause, spark from mill; damage, 75 cords of wood owned by G. M. Wright, $200.
Oct. 25. Fire on land of F. L. Fletcher, Number acres burned, 2. Damage, $15.00.
| EXPENSES OF THE FIRE WARDS: | ||
| G. E, Martindale, ladder truck | $41.00 | |
| Ervin Blaisdell, ladder truck | 9.00 | |
| Ervin Blaisdell, barrel covers | 4.00 | |
| 9.00 | ||
| Warren Berry, painting truck | 11.00 | |
| Warren Berry, pails for truck | 13.50 | |
| H. B. Shattuck & Son, axe, bar and hook | 3.60 | |
| Melvin Walker, water barrels | 7.00 | |
| National Manufacturing Co., pumps, etc. | 115.46 | |
| LOSSES: | ||
| 417 acres of woodland burned, damage | $560.00 | |
| 150 M. lumber | 2,015.00 | |
| 1,310 cords wood | 1,670.00 | |
| Loss on buildings | 1,500.00 | |
| Loss on contents | 325.00 | |
| Total amount damage | $5,970 00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards George M. Wright Melvin Walker Elmer E. Hildreth Walter B. Emerson Fred A. Hazen John O'Connor (fireward only) George C. Moore Charles F. Scribner |
William J. Quigley John Marinel, Jr. Warren Berry Charles Finnick, Jr. Abram A. Sherman George O. Spaulding Frank C. Byam Frank E. Bickford |
1904
Annual Report of the Firewards, 1903
Mar. 18. Fire on land of Gray and Butterfield. Amount of damage, slight. Cause, sparks from engine.
Mar. 20. Fire on land of H. A. Miller and J. F. Parker Number of acres burned, 10. Amount of damage, $10. Cause, burning brush.
April 19. Fire on land of M. McMahon. Number acres burned, 17. Amount of damage, $250. Cause, sparks from engine.
April 21. Fire on land of A. B. Adams. Number acres burned, 4. Damage, slight.
April 23. Fire near Leach's Pond, North Chelmsford. Number acres burned, 20.
April 24. Fire on land of F. R. Rix and Mrs. Bunce. Number acres burned, 3J. Cause, sparks from engine.
April 25. Fire on land of F. A. Russell. Number acres burned, 1 1/2.
April 24-25. Fire on land of Dr. Verge. Number acres burned 25.
April 26. Fire on land of Jas. P. Dunnigan. Number acres burned, 8. Amount damage, $100.
April 26. Fire on land of F. Donegan and P. T. McMahon. Number acres burned, 6. Amount damage, $50.
April 29. Fire on land of P. Parker, M. Harrington, P. Hogan and E. Fallon. Number acres burned, 6. Amount of damage, $100.
April 29. Fire on land of J. A. Parkhurst. Number acres burned, 5.
April 29. Fire on land of P. Parker. Number acres burned, 5. Amount damage, $100.
April 30, May 1. Fire on land of W. C. Edwards and 9 others. Reported by F. C. Scribner. Number acres burned, 2300. Amount of damage, $5000.
April 30, May 1. Fire on land of W. C. Edwards, P. Parker and others. Number acres burned, 150.
April 29-30, May 1. Chelmsford Foundry Co.
May 1. Fire on land of F. R. Rix. Number acres burned, 1. Amount damage, $5. Cause, spark from engine.
May 3. Fire on land of R. Penniman. Number acres burned, 3. Amount damage, $15. Cause, spark from engine.
May 8. Fire on land of C. E. A. Bartlett estate. Number acres burned, 1. Amount damage, $5.
May 9. Fire on land of Geo. C. Moore. Number acres burned, 2.
May 10. Fire on land of Geo. C. Moore. Number acres burned, 3.
May 16. Fire of Chemical building, West Chelmsford. Cause, incendiary.
May 16. Fire on land of Dr. Virgin. Number acres burned, 5.
May 18. Fire on land of J. P. Dunnigan. Number acres burned, 50. Cause, incendiary.
May 22. Fire on land of Pratt Rendering Co. Number acres burned, 20. Amount damage, $300. Cause, spark from engine.
May 23. Fire on land of Dr. Virgin. Number acres burned, 5.
May 24, 25, 26. Fire on land of T. Sheehan, J. Daley, Proctor and Parker. Number acres burned, 150. Cause, incendiary. Amount damage: sprout land, $120; 40 cords wood, $80.
May 24, 25, 26, 27. Fire on land of P. Savage, O. Spaulding, J. Daly, E. Richardson and others. Number acres burned, 800, Amount damage, $4000.
May 25. Fire on land of D. Gage estate. Number acres burned, 10. Damage, wood burned, $100.
May 26. Fire on land of Mr. Leland. Number of acres burned, 2. Amount damage, $5.
June 3. Fire on land of C. Barron. Number acres burned, 5. Cause, spark from engine.
July 4. Fire of house, barn and contents of Mrs. Minot Bean. Amount of damage, $5000.
July 4. Fire of Baptist Church (Centre), Amount damage, $100.
Cause, sparks from Bean fire.
(Chelmsford Historical Society Collection)
Aug. 23. Fire on land of Oscar Spaulding.
Sept. 13, 14. Fire on land of Richardson estate. Number acres burned, 15. Amount of damage, $50.
Sept. 19. Fire of house of Albert Snow. Amount of damage, $800. Cause, defective chimney.
Oct. 30. Fire of barn of Mrs. N. Hoyt. Amount damage, $400.
Nov. 1. Fire on land J. P. Riley, E. Reed and J. Parkhurst estate. Number acres burned, 5 1/2. Amount damage, $15.
Nov. 2. Fire of Win. Fay's barn. Amount damage, $800. Cause, overturned lantern.
Nov. 13. Slight fire on meadow of R. W. Dix.
Dec. 18. Fire on grass land of D. E. Atwood. Cause, sparks from engine.
| EXPENSES: | ||
| Total on account of Fire Wards | $1,014.56 | |
| Wm. C. Edwards, lumber, etc., ladder house, West | 13.17 | |
| Geo. H. Smith, painting ladder house, West | 5.00 | |
| E. H. Blaisdell, repairs on fire truck, Centre | 4.50 | |
| LOSSES: | ||
| Total number acres burned | 3613 | |
| Total amount damage to woodland | $10,225.00 | |
| Number cords wood burned | 400 | |
| Loss on wood | 1,130.00 | |
| Loss on buildings and contents | 7,000.0 | |
| Total loss | $18,355.00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary Fire Wards.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards George M. Wright Melvin Walker Elmer E. Hildreth Walter B. Emerson Fred A. Hazen John O'Connor (fireward only) George C. Moore Charles F. Scribner William J. Quigley |
John Marinel, Jr. Warren Berry Charles Finnick, Jr. Abram A. Sherman George O. Spaulding Frank C. Byam Frank E. Bickford Fred M. Brown Isaac H. Knight |
1905
Annual Report of the Fire Wards, 1904
March 25. Grass fire on land of A. Woodworth.
March 31. Grass fire on land of Thos. Gray.
April 19. Fire on land of A. Woodworth. Number of acres burned, 8. Cause, sparks from engine.
April 23. Fire on land of Mr. Fletcher. Number of acres burned, 2. Cause, set by boys.
April 24. Fire on land of N. B. Edwards, Jacob Drake heirs and others. Number of acres burned, 200.
May 5. Fire on land of J. P. Emerson. Number of acres burned, 1. Cause, sparks from engine.
May 6. Fire on land of Robarge and Riley. Number of acres burned, 3.
May 9. Barn and contents owned by Sweetser. Amount of damage, $200.
May 23. Fire on land of A. Woodworth.
May 29. Fire on land of Mrs. Ella Jarvis. Number of acres burned, 15. Amount of damage, 25 cords of wood at $2 per cord, $50.00. Cause, sparks from portable mill.
June 10. Dwelling house owned by Geo. Gray. Amount of damage on buildings, $1,200. Loss on furniture, $600. Cause unknown.
July 9. Fire on land of W. C. Edwards. Number of acres burned, 2. Amount of damage, 8 cords of wood at $2.50, $20.00.
July 9. Brush fire near Hart Pond.
Oct. 17. Fire on land of W. S. Parker. Number of acres burned, 10.
Oct. 25. Fire on land of H. S. Perham and A. B. Adams. Number of acres burned, 20. Amount of damage, $20.
Oct. 31. Fire on land of F. R. Rix. Number of acres burned, 4. Amount of damage, $5. Cause, spark from engine.
Nov. 2. Fake alarm.
Nov. 4. House and barn owned by E. F. Dorr. Loss, $3,000.
Nov. 7. Fire on N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Cause, sparks from engine.
Nov. 12. Fire on land of A. M. Warren, D. Gage estate, and Edward Spaulding. Number of acres burned, 100. Amount of damage, $100.
Nov. 17. Fire on land of W. S. Parker. Number of acres burned, 10.
Jan. 30, 1905. Investigating fire.
| EXPENSES: | |||
| Total expense of Fire Dept | $155.12 | ||
| LOSSES: | |||
| Total number of acres burned | 425 | ||
| Amount of damage to wood land | $195.00 | ||
| Number cords wood burned | 33 | ||
| Loss on wood | 70.00 | ||
| Loss on buildings and contents | 4,800.00 | ||
| Total loss | $5,065 00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards Melvin Walker Walter B. Emerson Fred A. Hazen Warren Berry Charles Finnick, Jr. Abram H. Sherman George O. Spaulding |
Frank C. Byam Fred M. Brown Isaac Knight George C. Moore (fireward only) John O. Connor (fireward only) William J. Quigley (fireward only) John Marinel, Jr. (forest fireward only) Thomas Sheehan (forest fireward only) George M. Wright. |
1906
Annual Report of the Fire Wards, 1905
March 31. Fire on land of A. M. Warren. Number of acres burned, 10.
April 1. Fire on land of Chas. Sweetser Estate. Number of acres burned, 5. Cause, garden fire.
April 1. Fire reported by F. A. Hazen. Number of acres burned, 50. Caused by camp-fire.
April 2. Fire on Boston road.
April 3. Fire on land of J. A. Parkhurst, Henry Mason, H. A. Engsholm and G. C. Moore. Number of acres burned, 4. Amount of damage, lot of lumber, $100.00. Cause, spark from B. & M. engine.
April 4. Fire on land of J. M. Fletcher.
April 5. Fire on land of Gray & Butterfield. Cause, spark from engine.
April 7. Chimney fire at Chas. Sweetser's place.
April 9. Fire on land of Wm. Manning. Number of acres burned, 15.
April 9. Fire on land of J. P. Emerson.
April 9. Fire on land of J. P. Emerson.
April 10. Grass fire.
April 10. Fire on land of Howard Adams. Cause, spark from engine. Amount burned, 1-2 acre.
April 15. Fire on land of Harry B. Emerson estate. Amount burned, 1 acre. Damage, $5.00.
April 19. Fire on land of Mr. Coburn.
April 19. Fire on land of D. Gage Est. Number of acres burned, 50.
April 19. Fire reported by A. A. Sherman.
April 19. Fire on land of George F. Leach. Number of acres burned, 15. Amount of damage, $25 00.
April 20. Fire on land of Harry B. Emerson Estate. Number of acres burned, 1.
April 23. Fire on land of W C. Edwards, David Leduc and Robert Jeffroy. Number of acres burned, 10. Amount of damage, $10.00.
April 24. Fire on land of C. W. S. Adams' heirs.
April 24. Fire on land of C. W. S. Adams' heirs. Number of acres burned, 10. Amount of damage, $60.00.
April 25. Fire on land of P. T. McMahon. Number of acres burned, 3. Amount of damage, $5.00.
April 30. Fire on land of C. W. S. Adams1 heirs. Number of acres burned. 10. Amount of damage, $10.00.
April 30. Fire on Groton road.
April 30. Fire on land of P. T. Mc- Mahon. Number of acres burned, 60. Amount of damage, $70.00.
May 1. Fire on land of Dr. F. R. Rix.
May 1. Fire on land of DeCarterett and Blodget heirs.
May 1. Fire on land of P. T. McMahon. Number of acres burned, 6. Damage, 4 cords wood, $8.00. Cause, sparks from engine.
May 1. Fire on land of J. A. Parkhurst and W. C. Edwards. Number of acres burned, 3. Amount of damage $10 00. Cause, spark from engine.
May 1. Fire on land of Parker, Potter, J. Bowers, Blodgett and DeCarterett. Number of acres burned, 12.
May 8. Fire on land of Mr. Woodworth.
May 8. Fire on land of Sweetser & Day. Number of acres burned, 1-2 acre. Cause, spark from engine.
May 10. Fire on land of Dr. Rix and Miss Bunce. Number of acres burned, 2. Cause, spark from engine.
May 11. Fire on land of P. J. Riley. Number of acres burned, 50. Amount of damage, $50.00.
May 23. Fire on land of C. Randall. Number of acres burned, 50. Amount of damage, $50.00.
May 23. Fire on land of Mr. Randlett. Number of acres burned, 50.
May 24, 25, 26. Fire on land of Proctor Lumber Co. Number of acres burned, 125. Amount of damage, $175.00.
May 25, 26, 27. Fire on land of Procter Lumber Co. Number of acres burned, 200. Amount of damage, 102 cords of wood at $2.00, $204.00.
May 26. Fire on land of Arthur Warren. Number of acres burned, 1.
May 28 and 29. Fire on land of D. Gage Estate, J. A. Bartlett and Geo. Spaulding. Number of acres burned, 100. Amount of damage, $1,000.00.
May 30. House owned by Mr. Pasho. Amount of damage, $2,500.
June 17. Fire on land of John Mclntire. Number of acres burned, 5. Amount of damage, $10. 00.
Oct. 16. Fire on land of F. A. Russell. Cause, set by boys.
Oct. 21. Fire on land of A. P. Adams. Number of acres burned, 1, Cause, set by boys.
Oct. 25. House and barn of A. M. Warren. Damage, $6,000.00.
Nov. 8. House of A. B. Adams. Damage, $800.00. Cause, defective chimney.
Nov. 23. House and barn of W. B. Emerson. Amount of damage, $4,000.00.
Feb. 12, 1906. Ice house owned by John Marinel. Amount of damage, $2,500.00.
| EXPENSES: | |
| Total expense of Fire Department | S486.05 |
| LOSSES: | |
| Total number of acres burned | 852 |
| Amount of damage to wood land | $1480.00 |
| Number of cords of wood burned | 106 |
| Loss on wood and lumber | 312.00 |
| Loss on buildings and content | 158.00 |
| Total loss | $17,592.00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards Warren Berry Abram H. Sherman Frank C. Byam George O. Spaulding Ralph P. Adams Pliney C. Bliss Dennis J. Sheehan John P. Upton |
Firewards only William J. Quigley John O'Connor. |
1907
Annual Town Meeting March 26, 1906
Under Article 12.
It was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of two
hundred dollars to be paid to the Firemen's Relief Association of Lowell in
recognition of the services of the Lowell Fire Department in Chelmsford.
Annual Report of the Fire Wards, 1906
April 20. Fire on land of D. Samuel Virgin. Number of acres burned (Five) 5. Cause, unknown.
April 29. Fire on land of Boston Ice Co. Number of acres burned (Fifty) 50. Cause, unknown.
April 29. Fire on land of Boston Ice Co. Number of acres burned (Fifteen) 15. Amount of damage, $15. Cause, unknown.
May 1. Fire on land of Whitman & Pratt. Number of acres burned (Twenty-five) 25.
May 1. Fire on land of T. P. Sheehan and A. M. Blaisdell. Number of acres burned (Twenty-five) 25. Damage, $25.
May 14. Fire on land of Arthur Dutton, Geo. A. Byam and A. B. Adams. Number of acres burned (Twenty) 20. Amount damage, $75.
May 18 and 19. Fire on land of W. B. Emerson. Number of acres burned (Twelve) 12. Amount damage, $200.
May 2."). Fire on land of Geo. Smith. Number of acres burned (Seven) 7. Cause, spark from engine.
Sept. 14 and 15. Fire on land of A. L. Brooks. Cause, spark from engine.
Oct. 8. Barn of Geo. Parker burned. Loss, $1,500.
| EXPENSES: | |
| Warren Berry, services | $5.00 |
| Station No. 1 | 24.90 |
| Station No. 2 | 6.80 |
| Station No. 3 | 20.40 |
| Station No. 4 | 4.10 |
| Station No. 5 | 23.75 |
| Total expense of Fire Department | S84.95 |
| LOSSES: | |
| Total number of acres burned | 149 |
| Amount damage to wood land | $115.00 |
| Loss on buildings | 1,500.00 |
| Total loss | $1,615.00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary.
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards Warren Berry Frank C. Byam Pliney C. Bliss Denis J Sheehan Fred L. Fletcher |
James J. Hackett James W. Stevens John E. Hogan William J. Quigley John O'Connor George O. Spaulding |
(Courtesy of Paul McGovern)
1908
Annual Town Meeting March 25, 1907
Under Article 23.
It was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of
fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) to be paid to North Chelmsford Fire District
for hydrant service for the current year. 132 voted in favor and 123 opposed.
Special Town Meeting November 9, 1907
Under Article 2.
It was voted that the Town borrow the sum of eight
hundred dollars ($800) on a promissory note for that amount, to be signed in its
name and behalf by the Town Treasurer, payable in two installments of four
hundred dollars each in one and two years from date thereof, with interest at a
rate not exceeding five per cent per annum, payable semiannually. Such note to
be countersigned by the Selectmen, and the proceeds used to pay for the purchase
of a fire wagon and equipment of same for the North Chelmsford Fire Dept. to be
purchased by the Town for fire purposes, and that the ownership will be and
remain in the name of the Town of Chelmsford. A standing vote was taken, and 110
voted in the affirmative and 29 in the negative. It, was also voted to authorize
the Town Treasurer to pay over this sum to John O'Connor, treasurer of the North
Chelmsford Fire Commissioners.
Special Report
By vote of the Town for fire apparatus in North, village, $800 was appropriated, and the following apparatus has been purchased :
| 1,000 ft. 2 1/2 inch hose, Uncle Sam brand, of Eureka Fire Hose Co. | $550.00 | ||
| 1 hose wagon | 200.00 | ||
| 4 Underwriters' chemicals and nozzles | 50.00 | ||
| Total: | $800.00 |
JOHN O'CONNOR,
Treasurer,
North Chelmsford Fire Commission
Annual Report of Fire Wards, 1907
April 6. Fire on land of A. M. Blaisdell and P. McMahon. Number of acres burned, 2. Cause, sparks from engine.
April 7. Fire on land of C. W, Potter. Number of acres burned, 20. Damage, $50.
April 20. Fire on land of Oscar Spaulding. Number of acres burned, 2. Cause, burning of brush by moth brigade.
April 20. Fire on land of Percy Parker.
April 21. Fire on land of Boston Ice Co, Number of acres burned, 15.
April 21. Fire on land of M. Barron.
April 22. Fire on land of Joseph Bowers. Number of acres burned, 75. Cause, incendiary.
April 30. Fire on land of A. L. Brooks
May 15. Fire near Rendering Works, North Chelmsford. Number of acres burned, 25. Damage, $50.
May 29. Fire on land of William Proctor and Drake heirs. Number of acres burned, 40. Damage, $100.
June 11. Fire on land of J. P. Emerson. Number of acres burned, 1. Cause, sparks from engine.
June 28. Fighting fire.
August 10. Fire on Proctor wood lot.
Sept. 7. Fire on land of M. Roake. Number of acres burned, 2.
Nov. 4. Fire on land of N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Number of acres burned, 1. Cause, spark from engine.
Nov. 18. Fire on land of H. C. Sweetser. Number of acres burned, 2.
Jan. 18, 1908. Fire on land of D. E. Atwood Number of acres burned, 5. Cause, sparks from engine.
| EXPENSES: | ||
| Total expense of Fire Department | $169.00 | |
| LOSSES: | ||
| Total number of acres burned | 190 | |
| Total amount damage as reported | $200.00 |
WARREN BERRY,
Secretary.
Appraisal of Chelmsford Centre Fire Apparatus, February 29, 1908
| 1 Hook and ladder truck | $300.00 | |
| 1 30-foot extension ladder | 20.00 | |
| 1 24-foot ladder | 3.00 | |
| 1 20-foot ladder | 2.00 | |
| 1 12-foot ladder | 1.00 | |
| 30-foot ladder | 3.00 | |
| 1 Pole for truck | 6.00 | |
| 1 Wagon jack | 1.00 | |
| 1 Protective wagon | 165.00 | |
| 2 13-foot extension ladders | 10.00 | |
| 6 Hand chemicals | 75.00 | |
| 2 Dozen galvanized pails | 4.80 | |
| 6 Round pointed shovels | 2.50 | |
| 2 Dozen Johnson's pumps | 36.00 | |
| 3 Dozen water cans | 3.50 | |
| 2 Crowbars | 1.50 | |
| 2 Axes | 2.00 | |
| 1 Dozen leather buckets | 2.40 | |
| 2 50-foot ropes | 3.00 | |
| 3 Horse blankets | 10.00 | |
| 2 Lanterns | .30 | |
| 1 Wire hose basket | 3.00 | |
| 1 Deming force pump | 5.00 | |
| 100 Feet 1-inch rubber hose | 15.00 | |
| 30 Feet 2-inch rubber hose | 5.00 |
|
Firewards and Forest Firewards Charles D. Worden Fred Chandler John O'Connor James J. Hackett Warren Berry Frank C. Byam |
Ralph P. Adams Fred L. Fletcher Arthur C. Barton George O. Spaulding James W. Stevens John P. Upton |
1909
Annual Town Meeting March 23, 1908
Under Article 10.
Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
twelve hundred dollars ($1200.) for the purchase of fire apparatus for the use
of the Chelmsford Centre Fire Department, the money to be expended under the
direction of a committee of three, consisting of Walter Perham, Herbert C.
Sweetser and Herbert E. Ellis.
Under Article 20.
Voted that the Town borrow the sum of fifteen hundred
dollars on one promissory note for that amount, to be signed in its name and
behalf by the Town Treasurer, payable in three installments of five hundred
dollars each in one, two and three years from date thereof, with interest at a
rate not exceeding five per cent per annum payable semi-annually. Such notes to
be countersigned by the Selectmen and the proceeds used for the erection of a
firehouse, so called, at North Chelmsford, same to be the property of the Town,
the money to be used under the direction of the Fire Commissioners of the North
Village. 252 votes in favor and none opposed.
It was also voted that none of this money be available until a suitable lease or
title to land upon which to place the building had been secured by the Town. The
vote was 116 in favor and 95 opposed.
Under Article 22.
Voted that the Town 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.
Special Town Meeting, May 16, 1908
Under Article 2.
It was voted that all action under this Article be by
ballot and the check list used. It was then moved: " That the fire-house, so
called, to be built pursuant to a previous vote of the Town under the direction
of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Chelmsford Fire District, be
located upon a strip of land at North Chelmsford having a frontage of thirty-one
feet on Washington Street and running back the whole depth of the lot recently
conveyed to the Town by Frederick G. Salmon, and being the most westerly portion
thereof, and that the said Fire District shall have, until otherwise voted by
the Town, the use and occupancy of said strip of land for the necessary, proper
and convenient purpose of a fire department. The Board of Selectmen are hereby
authorized to determine the exact limits of the division line between said strip
of land and the remaining portion of said Salmon lot, and to have the same
marked, if they deem it advisable, by suitable bounds. " Remarks in opposition
to the measure were heard from Royal S. Ripley of the North village and Herbert
E. Ellis, a member of the School Committee.
Upon a motion to proceed to ballot, ballots were distributed upon which the
following question was printed: " Shall the Town of Chelmsford locate a
fire-house on the schoolhouse grounds in North Chelmsford, as provided in
Article 2 of the Warrant of May 16, 1908 ? " There were " Yes " and " No "
ballots, and the vote resulted in the defeat of the measure. 57 voted in the
affirmative and 95 in the negative.
Special Town Meeting, December 7, 1908
Under Article 2.
A motion to lay the Article on the table until the
regular annual Town meeting was defeated by a tie vote. It was then voted that
the Town borrow the sum of four hundred dollars ($400.) on a promissory note for
that amount, payable in two annual payments of $200 each, to be signed in its
name and behalf by the Town Treasurer, with interest at a rate not exceeding
five per cent per annum, payable semi-annually. Such note to be countersigned by
the Selectmen, and the proceeds used to pay for the Miner land, in Mount
Pleasant Street, North Chelmsford, said lot of land containing 6,187 square feet
of land, and being lot number two as surveyed by Smith & Brooks, Dec. 20, 1905.
Said lot to be used as a site for the erection of the new fire-house. Also voted
that the Selectmen be authorized to purchase the lot.
Property Appraisal of Fire Department (Centre)
| Fire engine and hose | 700.00 | |
| Hose wagon | 165.00 | |
| Fire truck | 300.00 | |
| 10 hand chemicals | 125.00 | |
| 600 ft. hose | 329.00 | |
| 2 harnesses | 70.00 | |
| 15 pails | 3.75 | |
| 6 shovels | 3.00 | |
| 2 axes | 1.50 | |
| 8 Johnson hand pumps | 12.00 | |
| 50 canisters | 2.50 | |
| 6 lanterns | 6.00 | |
| 4 blankets | 12.00 | |
| 1/2 dozen coats, pairs boots and hats, each | 35.00 | |
| carboy acid | 5.00 | |
| 1 stove | 14.00 | |
| 1 clock | 3.75 | |
| 4 tables | 6.00 | |
| 1 chain fall | 8.50 | |
| 1 pair pulley blocks | 2.75 | |
| 3 brooms | 1.00 | |
| 4 window screens | 1.40 | |
| 1 duster | .35 | |
| 1 snow shovel | .25 | |
| 1 dust pan | .15 | |
| 1 coal hod | .35 | |
| 2 harness hangers, etc | 9.00 | |
| Curtains and fixtures | 7.50 | |
| Total: | $1,824.75 |
Property Appraisal of North Chelmsford Fire Department
| 1000 ft. 2 1/2 in. hose | 550.00 | |
| 1 wagon | 200.00 | |
| 1 hose reel | 30.00 | |
| Underwriters chemicals | 43.00 | |
| 2 steel bars | 1.68 | |
| 1 doz. Tabor spanners | 1.68 | |
| 150 ft. 3/4 in. rope | 3.70 | |
| Firehouse lot | 400.00 | |
| Total: | $1,230.06 |
Report of the Forest Warden
Owing to the unusually dry weather prevailing during the greater part of the year, the number of forest and grass fires was unusually large. A number might have been avoided by the exercise of ordinary caution.
Permits have been granted as required by law, on application to the Forest Wardens, to set fires for the purpose of clearing land. Several persons in disregard of this law have set brush fires and left them without proper care. The result has been that these fires have escaped from their control and have caused quite an expense to subdue, besides the damage to adjoining property.
A number of fires were clearly of incendiary origin. Several have been caused by sparks from engines on the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
During the fall when the very dry conditions prevailed and the chestnut pickers were out in great numbers, causing damage to trees and danger from fire, the Forest Wardens kept as close watch as possible and probably prevented a number of fires.
Brush fires are a source of very great expense to the Town, and every precaution should be taken to guard against them.. We therefore recommend the adoption by the Town of Secs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Chap. 209 of the Acts of 1908, entitled: An act to provide for the protection of forest or sprout land from fire.
March 27, 1907. Eight acres of wood land burned. Damage $50. Property owned by Charles Sweetser Estate, Albert Snow and Louis Snow. Caused by a fire left unnoticed.
March 23, 1908 . Two acres of grass land. Damage slight. Land owned by James P. Emerson. Caused by sparks from engine.
April 6, 1908. Small barn containing cow and hay. Property of Thomas Stuart. Fire started by six year old boy.
April 6, 1908. A false alarm at Golden Cove.
April 9, 1908. Two acres burned. No damage. Owner not known, cause not known.
April 16, 1908. Ten acres burned. Slight damage. Owned by A. B. Adams Estate. Cause not known.
April 17, 1908. False alarm on Lowell road, the fire was over the line.
April 17, 1908. Over one hundred acres of young growth oak owned by J. E. Warren, Fiske Estate, John McDonough and H. Riley. Cause unknown
April 18, 1908. Ten acres burned. Owned by Leslie Franklin. Caused by unwatched fire burning over pasture land.
May 1, 1908. Fifteen acres burned. Damage slight. Owned by Whitman and Pratt.
April 12, 1908. Five acres burned. Slight damage. Land the property of Mr. Swan.
April 21, 1908. Two acres burned. Slight damage. Estate of John Byam. Caused by sparks from engine.
April 30, 1908. Two acres burned. Slight damage. Property of James Stearns. Cause unknown.
May 6, 1908. Ten acres burned. Damage $100. Property of Peter Riley of Lowell. Cause of fire not known.
May 6, 1908. Twenty-three acres of brush land. Burned at request of Charles W. Tucker under the direction of the Forest Warden, R. P. Adams.
May 8, 1908. Chimney fire at Mrs. M. Hatch's residence. Very little damage. Property of Mrs. Hatch. Caused by overheated stove.
May 8, 1908. Fire in wood lot. Owner not known.
May 11, 1988. Five acres burned. Damage slight. Property owned by Geo. Coburn of Lowell. Caused by sparks from engine.
May, 14, 1908. Chimney fire in dwelling house. Owned by E. C. Perham. Damage to household goods about $25.
July 12, 1908. Four acres burned, $100. damage. Peat meadow owned by Wm. Noel. Caused by brush fire unwatched. The fire assuming a dangerous nature, the Centre Fire Department was called.
July 12, 1908. Two acres burned. Property of Mr. Barron. Fire started by boys.
July 15, 1908. Same place as on 12th. caused by boys.
July 16, 1908. Six acres of pasture land. Property of James P. Emerson and George Coburn. Slight damage. Caused by sparks from engine.
July 17, 1908. Two acres of peat swamp land. Damage slight. Owned by George Coburn. Caused by sparks from engine.
August 2, 1908. One acre burned. Slight damage. Owner not known. Fire caused by berry pickers.
Sept. 4, 1908. One acre swamp land. Slight damage. Property of A. Pasche. Caused by dropping match in hay by unknown party.
Sept. 17, 1908. Two acres wood land. Slight damage. Caused by sparks from engine. Property of James P. Emerson.
September 18, 1908. One acre, shrub land. Slightly damage. Caused by sparks from engine. Property of J. P. Emerson.
Sept 27, 1908. Two acres wood land. Property of Fred A. Hazen.
September 28, 1908. Two acres of wood land. Owner unknown. Damage $200.
September 30, 1908. One quarter acre of shrub land and Peat meadow. No damage. Cause by sparks from engine. Property of J. P. Emerson.
October 6, 1908. One acre of shrub land. Slight damage. Caused by sparks from engine. Property of J. P. Emerson.
October 6, 1908. Two acres of wood land. Damage $100. Caused by unknown person dropping lighted match.
October 10, 1908. Three acres of meadow land. No damage. Caused by fishermen. Property of Mrs. M. Farlan.
October 22, 1908. Seven acres scrub land on Steadman St. Slight damage. Cause not known.
October 16, 1908. Three acres woodland. Owner unknown. Damage about $75. Cause unknown.
October 17, 1908. One acre wood land. Slight damage. Cause not known. Property of J. P. Emerson.
October 18, 1908. Ten acres wood land. Property of J. P. Emerson and Dutton Estate.
October 19, 1908. One acre grass and scrubland. No damage. Cause not known. Property of J. P. Emerson.
October 24, 1908. Fire on Chestnut Hill near house of J. C. Sheehan. Started October 18, and was not considered safe until October 22, it being necessary to watch it continually. Damage was quite heavy and extended over several estates.
October 18, 1908. Hill.
November 1, 1908. Golden Cove section. No damage. Caused by sparks from engine. Property of J. P. Emerson.
November 7, 1908. Twenty-five acres. Slight damage. Property of Manning and Lampson.
September 25, 1908. Fire on hand of E. Paignon.
September 28, 1908. Same place as on the 25th.
October 17, 1908. Fire on Noel and Johnson's land.
October 18, 1908. Fire on Johnson's land.
October 17, 1908. Fire on side of iioad next to land of Mr. Farrell.
November 7, 1908. Twenty acres grass land and wood lot. Property of Thompson and Manning. Cause not known.
December 3, 1908. Tool house of Boston Ice Co. Spontaneous combustion. House and contents valued $500.
January 8, 1909. Fire in house occupied by Michael M. Kennedy. Damage $500. Cause unknown. Property of L. J. Hauver.
January 19, 1909. Fire in mill of Geo. C. Moore. Fire started in picker house and the entire mill was destroyed.
Total Expenses: $588.20
RALPH P. ADAMS, Forest Warden.
FRED CHANDLER, Secretary.
Report of the Chelmsford Centre Fire Department
We respectfully submit the first annual report of the Chelmsford Centre Fire Department for the year ending Feb. 28, 1909.
Organization — Chief , Ralph P. Adams; 1st Lieutenant,. Arthur E. Barton; 2nd Lieutenant, Charles D. Worden; Clerk and Treasurer, Fred Chandler; Steward, Fred LaVigne.
(Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)
The apparatus now in use consists of one Howe Combination Engine, one Hook and Ladder Truck, and one Combination Hose Wagon, with 800 feet of C. C. C. 2 inch hose made by the C. Callahan Hose Co.
The Combination Hose Wagon is so arranged that the hose can be raised by falls from the wagon in a few seconds,, thereby making a wagon suitable for brush fire work. The expense of this feature as well as furniture and fittings for the firehouse has been borne by the boys of the department.
We wish to thank Mr. George M. Wright for the harness hangers and other work he has done for us free of charge.
During the year the department was called to four fires in dwellings or other buildings:
- April 6. Barn of Thomas Sheehan, total loss.
- May 8. Chimney fire at Mrs. Hatches, no damage.
- May 14. Chimney fire at E. C. Perham's cottage, slight damage.
- January 8. House fire at L. J. Hauver's house occupied by Michael McNulty, damage about $500.
The fire alarm arrangements at present are: the bell on the Unitarian Church for the house fires. The whistle on the Chelmsford Spring Co's factory is used by permission of Mr. C. G. Armstrong for brush fires.
Practice by squads and as a department working together, has helped to make the discipline and efficiency of the department fairly satisfactory.
The greater part of our work has been fighting wood and grass land fires.
The officers have investigated the water supply in the village and have learned the best means of using this supply in case of fire. We invite the citizens of Chelmsford to visit our fire station, and we will be pleased to explain our methods and apparatus to all.
RALPH P. ADAMS, Chief.
FRED CHANDLER, Secretary.
|
Engineers of Firewards at Centre Chelmsford Centre Fire Department |
Firewards and Forest Firewards |