P.D. 123 23 



and this credit had been refused up to this year. Changed conditions 

 now make the financing of this project possible. The construction prob- 

 lems involved are simple. However, to avoid a long and expensive dike 

 just inside the state line, the plan contemplated using the highway em- 

 bankment just over the line in New Hampshire. This has greatly com- 

 plicated the legal status of the structure. The War Department, several 

 departments in both States and the County of Essex have to be brought 

 into agreement. It is expected that these agreements will be completed 

 in time to allow construction to start in the spring of 1928. 



Reclamation Districts 



1. Assabet River, Westboro and Northboro. The first preliminary 

 part of this project was finished in 1926. Owners who had their land pre- 

 pared obtained very fine crops during 1927. Plans for extending the work 

 were considered but have not yet been put into execution. 



2. Bear Meadoiv, Whitmayi. Work on this project has been extended 

 through cooperation with the town authorities. The town purchased and 

 drained Hobart's Pond at the upper end of the project and did consider- 

 able work on clearing the channel of the river through the district. The 

 most important matter remaining to be worked out is the care of crude 

 sewage which is delivered through a town ditch in the west side of the 

 project. 



3. Cutter Swamp, Arlington. This project came to a standstill during 

 the spring over the proposed assessment roll. Suggestions for changes 

 and extensions to cover the construction of a highway to reach the build- 

 ings on the edges of the district were made by the Board, but so far no 

 action has been taken by the District. 



4. Green Harbor, Marshfield. Construction on this project was fin- 

 ished in 1925. A small amount of maintenance is carried on each year. 

 Matters related to the financing were handled by the Board during the 

 year and arrangements made for paying to the county the district's por- 

 tion of the construction expense. 



5. Milford, Milford. This project was finished in 1926 to the extent 

 of the original plans. These called for clearing the channel of the Charlfes 

 River to carry ordinary high water but not floods. The flood of Novem- 

 ber 1927 only just topped the banks and little damage would have resulted 

 if the rubbish in the dumps along Center Street had been confined. Ex- 

 tending this work is under contemplation. 



6. Wapping, Deerfield. There has been no construction here this year 

 although plans for extension are being considered. 



Inactive Projects 

 None of the inactive projects have developed during the year. 



New Projects 

 One new petition has been received by the Board from Tewksbury. 

 Several other inquiries were received. Assistance was given on drainage 

 matters in Lexington, Hubbardston and Scituate. 



FLOODS 



Floods have been given considerable attention this year. The Reclama- 

 tion Law provides the necessary legal machinery, both for the proper 

 study of floods in the State and for planning, organizing, and construc- 

 tion of works for flood prevention. Lack of funds has so' far prevented 

 all but the most casual study of different localities for this purpose ; but, 

 given the necessary appropriation, no. other legal machinery need be 

 created for handling such protection. Some details of the law could be 

 changed to advantage, but without change, a very great deal may be ac- 

 complished. In August the attention of the Mayor and Chamber of Com- 

 merce of Northampton was directed to the flood danger there and the 

 availablility of the Reclamation Law for protection was explained. In 



