Forest Warden

The Forest Warden is the town officer responsible for preventing and fighting forest and brush fires, under the state forest fire law of 1907, and may appoint deputy wardens and issue burning permits. Billerica first lists a Forest Warden among its town officers in the report for 1908-1909, when the office was held by Fire Engineer George C. Crosby. From 1912 it was held by Ernest N. Bartlett, a Fire Engineer and from 1918 Fire Chief, for more than thirty years (with Chief Engineer Mark E. Allen listed in 1917), and thereafter it went with the office of Fire Chief: Harry F. Waite, Paul H. Roper, acting chief Gerald M. Finnegan and Harry Martell Jr., who was appointed chief (Forest Warden) on September 12, 1972. After 1972 the town reports no longer list the Forest Warden as a separate office.

Sources: Billerica annual town reports 1909-1972 (lists of town officers and appointed officers).