REPORT OF THE STATE RECLAMATION BOARD 



The members of the Board for 1929 were: Mr. Gordon Hutcbins, Chair- 

 man, representing the Department of Health; Mr. Richard K. Hale of the 

 Department of Public Works and Mr. L. B. Boston, Secretary, representing 

 the Department of Agriculture. 



During this year very little was accomplished by any of the existing or 

 prospective districts. The Cutter Swamp District, Arlington, has made no 

 progress towards going on with its work or towards meeting its obligations. 



The Assabet River District has desired to proceed with lowering the river 

 channel, but has so far been prevented by a conflict of authority as to collec- 

 tion of its assessments for this work. The district desires to proceed as soon 

 as the money is available. 



The Salisbury District prepared its plan and a preliminary assessment 

 roll. Difficulties in determining the ownership of a portion of the district 

 has required a search of deed records that is not yet completed. It is the 

 intention of the proprietors to proceed with construction as soon as owner- 

 ship can be sufficiently determined. Examination of several features relat- 

 ing to the proposed construction has been made by the Board during the 

 year. 



A few questions relative to the Green Harbor, INIilford, and Cherry Rum 

 Brook Districts have been referred to the Board and answered. 



A petition from the Town of Framingham relative to the clearing of Beaver 

 Brook and adjacent drainage areas in Sherborn and Natick was heard and 

 returned for the signatures of individual owners. The matter was dropped. 



Assistance on drainage was given the State Reformatory for Women, 

 Sherborn, in Blackstone and Millville. 



The mosquito control problem occupied most of the attention of the Board 

 during the year. After the passage of the so-called mosquito amendment 

 to the Reclamation Law (Chapter 288, Acts of 1929) there were several 

 calls for assistance. Infested spots in Waltham, Boxfbrd and Ipswich were 

 inspected early in the spring. Cohasset and Scituate had appropriated 

 money for such control. Both towns were examined somewhat in detail 

 and advice given as to methods of control for this year. Gloucester also 

 requested advice, which was given. 



The first petition received for mosquito control survey came from the 

 Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the commissioners of Barnstable 

 County. The Board therefore decided to make a survey of the Cape cov- 

 ering such other places as petitioned as far as possible with the funds avail- 

 able. Mr. Robert W. Wales, entomologist, was employed, and with Mr. 

 P. M. Churchill, the Board's consulting engineer, the work was carried out. 



