Turner's Public Spirit, February 19, 1921
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. Clarence Hildreth is reported quite sick with grip, complicated with an ear abscess.
“The board of selectmen met Monday evening and organized Sherman H. Fletcher, chairman,
Frank L. Furbush, secretary, and Harold W. Hildreth was appointed clerk. At a meeting
Wednesday evening the following appointments were made: chief of police, Harry E. Whitney
[sic, Whiting]; supt. of streets, Alec McDonald; town accountant, Harold W. Hildreth.
“The re-organized board of trade held a meeting Friday evening of last week in charge of the
president, William C. Roudenbush. A lively discussion of the articles in the town warrant was
the program for the evening. A luncheon of doughnuts, cheese and coffee was served at the close
of the meeting.
“The Julian A. Camerons went last week for a southern trip, going to Jamaica and other points
of interest.
“Miss Connors, the commercial teacher at the academy, has been detained at home this week
with sickness.
“The all-day Ladies’ Aid meeting for February was well attended at the home of Mrs. William
C. Roudenbush Thursday of last week. Bountiful social dinner at noon. A set of dish towels for
the vestry were out, hemmed and marked and other sewing accomplished and much routine
business transacted at the business session. There were 22 present….
“The matter has been favorable this winter for getting the large amount of apples in storage to
the Boston market. The trucks make their daily trips heavily loaded with boxes of apples.
“A call for help for a chimney fire at the A. B. M. Eastman home was sounded Tuesday at
about 11:30 in the forenoon. A quick response was made and the fire subdued after which the
chimney was cleaned out and the men with the fire truck and chemicals returned home.
“Town Meeting. Weather for the annual town meeting Monday proved threatening early, but
later was all that could be desired for a pleasant winter’s day to draw the voters to the town hall
for the annual transaction of the town’s business. There was the largest gathering in the town hall
for a long time, the attendance being estimated at fully 450.
“Last year’s town meeting recorded about sixty voters. Monday’s voting was done in the
lower town hall, but the afternoon session adjourned to the upper hall for the first time in the
town’s history of town meetings. Both the hall and gallery were well filled…. There were a
large number of women present to take an active and intelligent interest in the day’s affairs.
“Much interest was shown in the appropriations, as an unusually high tax rate is in prospect,
but some assurance was given that the high figure of $28 on a thousand might not be realized.
“There seemed to be one or two conscientious objectors to many of the articles of the warrant,
but as a rule the 43 articles were well considered and voted on with promptness. Hon. Herbert E.
Fletcher was the moderator and assisted by Alfred W. Hartford.
“Much interest centered on article 33: To see if the town will vote to appropriate or borrow
money for the construction of the Groton road with macadam pavement or other road material
under specifications approved by the division of highways. The pros and cons of this article
brought out much discussion and it simmered down to a matter of good business to vote in favor.
The vote stood 152 to 12, the town to appropriate $5000 and the state and county $5000 each.
“Art. 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $3000 for the purchase of a motor
hearse, was dismissed.
“Art. 20. To see if the town will appropriate money for the purpose of providing suitable
headquarters for Westford post of the A.L., and article 21, To see if the town will appropriate
money for the purchase of a stand of colors for Westford post of the Veteran Legion, and also
article 22, To see if the town will appropriate money for repairs and improvements of the cottage
in the fire house lot, located at Westford Center, were all acted upon favorably.
“Art. 31. To see what action the town will take toward establishing by-laws. This matter is to
be submitted to the selectmen and finance committee.
“About Town. Seth Banister has scarlet fever. Dr. Colburn and the town nurse are in
attendance and the house under quarantine. He is improving.
“Graniteville. Large numbers of voters both men and women attended the town meeting in
Westford center on last Monday. It was the largest meeting in the history of the town.”
Herbert Ellery Fletcher (1862-1956), founder of H. E. Fletcher & Co. granite dealers and
contractors, was moderator at the 1921 annual town meeting. Courtesy Photo / Mr. Fletcher’s
Find-A-Grave website.