Bill MacMillan was an active participant in Westford Town Affairs.
By James VanBever
Whether it was running a benefit “Penny Sale” at the American Legion Hall to benefit Hose Company # 2, conducting a rabies clinic, organizing a town blood drive, overseeing a membership campaign for the Westford Academy Boosters, organizing the Sportsmen’s Club fishing derby, or holding a youth safety course at the Westford Sportsmen’s Club, Bill MacMillan was always at the forefront.
William C. MacMillan was born in Groton, Massachusetts on May 26, 1921 and moved to Westford as a young man. He served in the U.S.Navy, during WWII, Bill’s service to the town of Westford was truly remarkable. His main occupation was as Dog Officer which he served for 37 years. But he also served as a lieutenant on the Westford Fire Department, reserve police officer, chairman and five term member of the Board of Welfare, town constable, building and stable inspector, and member of the Westford Housing Authority.
His organizational memberships and awards were equally impressive: Mr. MacMillan was a lifetime member and past president of the Westford Kiwanis and was named “Kiwanian of the Year” in 1995. He was a member and past president of the Westford Sportsmen’s Club, lifetime member of American Legion Post 159, member of the Franco American Club, Chelmsford Elks, Eastern Connecticut and Middlesex County Police Association and member and past president of the Central Massachusetts Police Association.
As Dog Officer, Bill often had a thankless job. Upon MacMillan’s retirement, Animal Inspector and future Dog Officer Judy Bassett called the job “the most thankless, no win job the town offers.” Bassett went on to say that “If you do your job everyone hates you and if you don’t do your job, everyone still hates you.” But Bassett had nothing but admiration for Bill MacMillan, “Bill always took excellent care of the dogs. The pound that he built behind the town garage on Beacon Street is one of the nicest facilities I have seen,” said Bassett. MacMillan, along with Aubrey Acker and Keith Kiberd, constructed the dog pound at no cost to the town. Ms. Bassett also said of MacMillan, that “Whoever the new dog officer is, he won’t do half the job that Bill did.”
Upon his retirement, Bill reflected on his 37 years as Dog Officer: “The position of Dog Officer is one of the most serious positions in town. I had all the calls pertaining to dogs. This included disputes between neighbors. If people do not like their neighbors, they complain about their dogs.” Mr. McMillan also stated that “people often disparage the role of a dog caretaker, but he is providing a service that is providing a sizable amount of revenue for the town “through license fees and fines”.
On one occasion in November, 1985, a Westford woman had a broken furnace at her home. When the repairman came to her house, he discovered a dead dog under her front porch and would not repair the furnace until the dead animal was removed. Unsure what to do, the woman contacted the Town Hall and was told that Albert Picking, the former Agent for Dead Animals, had retired, and the position had not been filled. She then contacted the Board of Health chairman, Dr. Charles Colburn, who attempted to help the resident.
Dr. Colburn tried to contact the new Dog Officer, Judy Bassett, but she was out of town. Colburn then contacted the retired Bill MacMillan, who also tried to find someone to remove the dead canine. He had no luck, so true to his volunteer spirit to the town, Mr. MacMillan went to the woman’s home and removed the animal himself. The lady was then able to get her furnace repaired before winter set in. After the incident was over, Dr. Colburn recommended that the Board of Selectmen send a letter of recommendation to Bill MacMillan for “his big heart and generosity” in coming to a resident’s aid.” Of course, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to send the letter to the deserving former Dog Officer.
Another example of Bill’s dedication to the care of dogs occurred when he saved a dog from burning to death. The incident was told by former Fire Chief “Yogi” Rogers at Mr. MacMillan’s retirement party attended by four hundred people at the Spear House in Lowell. Yogi recalled that:
“I couldn’t believe what I saw, Bill coming out of the burning building holding the dog in his arms trying to revive the dog by performing CPR. After a few minutes, the dog started to respond and finally started to breathe on its own.”
During Bill MacMillan’s service to the town of Westford, he always put the interest of the town and its people first. Some of the policies that he carried out (such as the dog leash laws) were not always popular. But in the end, the policies were carried out for the safety of the town and the wellbeing of the animals.
Bill MacMillan died in Westford in 2000.
Sources:
“Westford”, Lowell Sun, December 2, 1957, p. 15.
Ibid. “Westford”, March 27, 1958, p, 20.
Ibid. “Graniteville Benefit Fair,” February 24, 1958, p. 7.
Ibid. “Rabies Clinic Tomorrow,” June 2, 1961, p. 14.
Ibid. “New Police Associations Offices,” January 28, 1965, p. 51.
Ibid. Westford. “Membership Drive Success”, October 31, 1967, p. 10.
Ibid. “Westford Youth Committee to Open Center Saturday”, January 13, 1069, p. 19.
Ibid. “New Westford pound to be open Saturday.” January 24, 1975, p. 13.
“Police, Fireman Sponsor Good Neighbor Blood Bank”, Westford Eagle, January 29, 1970, p. 1.
Ibid. “Sportsman’s Safety Course at Nashoba Technical High”, April 8, 1971, p. 4.
Ibid. “Former Dog Officer helps homeowner in distress”, November 21, 1985, p. 1.
Ibid, “37 Years of No Respect”, Judith Glidden and Gail Ferney, September 25, 1986, p. 1.
Ibid, “Blossoms float by in Springtime fleet”, May 17, 1989, p. 17.