Waushakum Lake and Ice houses

Thanks to Steve Leacu, "Ashland Directions

February 2014

Everyone knows there are quite a few bodies of water in Ashland. We have visited the reservoirs, ponds, and rivers but today I would like to focus on the lake on the Framingham side of town. Lake Waushakum is probably more of a Framingham treasure, but we here in Ashland have our opinions and fond memories too. You have to live somewhere off of East Union Street, or along Route 126 by Waushakum Avenue to be close enough to the lake to have true bragging rights, but everyone I know has a story about the lake.

According to Laurie Evans-Daly and David C. Gordon from their book “Images of America Framingham,” Waushakum is derived from the Algonquin word Washakamaug, meaning “eel–fishing place.” Cited by their research, eels were a particular favorite of the local Nipmuc Indians. The lake itself is about 90 acres in size which probably classifies it as a pond. Most references I see online, including some from the DCR list it as a lake, while others say it’s a pond. Pick your poison I guess.

In the summer time, Lake Waushakum is a favorite spot to go swimming or to lie on the beach. Being a fresh water body it does have its drawbacks though. With all the fertilizers that used in the surrounding community, the lake is a breeding spot for algae and other vegetation. To deal with this, both Ashland and Framingham have applied for grants from the Mass DEP to try to mitigate the problem. The thought was to create rain gardens along the roads abutting the lake. The design of these gardens would filter some of the runoff that comes naturally from the area around the lake. Apparently, they were partially successful. In 2008 the DEP awarded $98,500.00 (split evenly) to Ashland and Framingham to begin this process.

Another problem is e-coli. Framingham evaluates the e-coli level every year and decides whether to open or close its beaches to swimmers. The lake is regularly monitored, and occasionally the beaches are closed until the levels fall below the state limit of 235 Colony Forming Units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water. I’m not sure if I would like to be in the water even with those levels, but if the state says it’s safe I guess it’s OK. Now what about the alligator that was allegedly sighted in 2008? Channel 7 News reported that a 15-year old boy claimed to see a 6 foot alligator. Local officials set traps for the animal, but nothing was caught. Let’s see: Algae, choking vegetation, e-coli, and alligators. I think I’ll spend my summers avoiding sharks at Horseneck Beach.

That was the summers. What about the winters? Other than ice fishing, the biggest industry was harvesting the ice. Before refrigeration, the icebox was the only way to preserve food. In addition, it was necessary to have it available all year long. Enter the Ice industry. Naturally, the best place to cut and store large amounts of ice was as close to the source as possible. Lake Waushakum had its compliment of icehouses. The Boston Ice Company packed 40,000 pounds of ice in six icehouses in the early 1900s. Ice was cut in the winter and stored in the houses where the walls were lined with two feet of sawdust. Sawdust was also placed between the layers of ice, and hay was put on top of the stacks. All this to act as a natural insulator. Sounds like a safe operation, but research shows that these icehouses burned on a regular basis. Boston Ice Company lost all six of its icehouses in a fire in 1909. Even with the presence of ice, the hay and sawdust occasionally caught fire. The heat generated would melt the ice until it turned into steam, which in turn would pressurize the buildings to point where they would explode. It was a $50,000 loss for Boston Ice Company. Fortunately, they were insured.

Another ice company along Nipmuc Avenue was the Fair Ice Company. Walter Nicolas from Framingham worked for the Fair family. Walter remembers cutting and stacking 200 pound blocks of ice for Fair, and delivering it to the Framingham area. He mentioned Cushing Hospital as one of their biggest customers. He delivered the ice in a 21/2 ton early ’40s truck with two by fours jammed between the body and springs to keep the truck from bottoming out. That must have been a sight. I’m sure the finest from the Framingham Police Department are still shaking their heads. And coming as no surprise, the Fair Ice Company burned to the ground in the mid forties.

A third ice company, Cove Ice Company, was located on Cove Avenue. They operated in the same manor as the Boston Ice Company and Fair Ice. Guess what happened to them?

Good thing ice isn’t flammable.

Steve Leacu for "Ashland Directions"
February 2014

1912: Families working at home for Dennison Manufacturing

Dennison Manufacturing Company expanded from Boston and opened its Framingham factory in 1897. Known as the "Tag Makers," the company sold Handy Boxes "containing a collection of articles which are in constant use in the home," such as shipping tags, key tags, marking tags, rubber bands, paper clips, and gummed labels, at a cost per box of $2. Dennison's in Framingham followed its Boston factory practice of sending out work to homes close by the factory. Dennison was the largest employer in Framingham. The following pictures were taken in 1912. They show entire families on Coburn Street assembling tags for Dennison's. Photographs and captions by Lewis Wickes Hine who, beginning 1908, became the photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC).

November 1912. South Framingham, Massachusetts. "Home of Rufine Morini, 6 Coburn Street. Two mothers, three children 10, 8 and 6 years old, working on tags for Dennison. Children anemic. Make $10 (more or less) a month. Witness, F.A. Smith." Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. (Library of Congress archive)

Home of Desiderio Cella, 11 Coburn Street, So. Framingham, Mass. Children - 13, 12, 10, 8, 7 years old working on tags in dirty room with macaroni all spread out on table being cut. Tag tying going on at same table. Washing also in dirty kitchen. South Framingham, Massachusetts, November 1912. Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine (Library of Congress archive)

Family of David H. Goodman, cor. Coburn and Mellen Streets, South Framingham, Mass. Mother and two children, 14 yrs. and 10 yrs. old, working on tags for Dennison factory. One boy, 12 yrs. old, sick abed in next room. Father, umbrella mender. This family has made $50 a month, average $25 to $35. House not well kept. Witness F.A. Smith. Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. (Library of Congress archive)

About the photographer

In 1904, Lewis Wickes Hine photographed immigrants on Ellis Island, as well as at the tenements and sweatshops where they lived and worked. In 1911, he was hired by the National Child Labor Committee to record child labor conditions, and he produced appalling pictures of exploited children. During World War I, Hines worked as a photographer with the Red Cross and later photographed the construction of the Empire State Building. He died on November 3, 1940, in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

For more information about Lewis Hine




Additional Hine photographs (click on photo)

Child Labor in America 1908-1912 through the lens of Lewis Hine

A bit of Southside History: Waushakum Farm

Edward Lewis Sturtevant (1842-1898) and Waushakum Farm – Framingham farmer, botanist, physician and author, was one of the giants of his time in the science of agriculture. In 1867, E. Lewis Sturtevant together with his brothers, Joseph N. Sturtevant and Thomas L. Sturtevant purchased 200 acres at Waushakum Pond in South Framingham, Massachusetts. The farm soon became famous, under the name “Waushakum Farm,” for a series of brilliant experiments in agriculture.

Framingham Hospital and Training School for Nurses

In September of 1890, a group of civic minded residents petitioned the General Court of the Commonwealth to start a hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts, in part influenced and approved due to the increased use of the railroad that ran through the city.

A gift of $5,000 was made in memory of Adolf Merriam, which spurred simultaneous efforts by a group of individuals – primarily women, who were the forerunners of the Framingham Hospital Aid Association – for the establishment of an emergency ward and independent training school for nurses. Their combined efforts culminated in 1893 when the Sturtevant House, which was located on Winthrop Street, opened its doors as Framingham Hospital and became the only public medical facility in Framingham.

Within four years funds were obtained to start a new hospital building on Evergreen Street, where physicians formed a medical staff organization, establishing rules and regulations governing the practice of medicine. They submitted a request for “an X-Ray apparatus” which was considered very progressive at the time, even for hospitals in larger cities.

In 1912, Dr. Herbert O. Brenner left the Framingham Hospital on Evergreen Street to start his own hospital, The Union Avenue Hospital and also opened a school of nursing in 1913. In 1925, the Framingham & Union Avenue Hospitals were merged successfully to become Framingham Union Hospital. A 1927 ground breaking ceremony, attended by over 3000 guests, was held for the soon-to-be new Framingham Union Hospital facility. The combined nursing schools flourished, supported in part by the Hospital Aid Association. During WWII, they began the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Program, from which many graduates joined the armed forces.

In 1948, the U.S. Congress chose Framingham, Massachusetts and therefore Framingham Union Hospital as the location for its long-term cardiovascular research study. The Framingham Heart Study, which started with 5,209 adult subjects from Framingham, continues today, and is the longest longitudinal cardiovascular study in the United States. Much of what is “common knowledge” surrounding heart disease, such as the effects of exercise, diet and everyday medications like aspirin on heart disease is based on data collected during this study. It has received much attention from medical professionals as well has the popular media, and has been featured on “60 Minutes” and in People Magazine.

Throughout the second half of the last century, Framingham Union Hospital continued to grow, responding to the needs of Framingham and surrounding communities. In 1980, a 50,000 square foot addition was added, and the Cancer Care Center opened in 1986. In 1991, the new Women’s and Newborn unit opened, followed by the MetroWest Cardiac Center. Expansion and investment in technology has continued into the 21st century, most recently in 2018 with the addition of robotic technology and 3D mammography.

How it's done in Framingham

Conflict of Interest in government

A Conflict of Interest arises when a public official is called upon to make decisions related to matters in which the official has a personal interest. That interest can be personal or financial.

Exposing and preventing potential conflicts of interest is an important step in ensuring that decisions made by government officials are based on what is best for the public.

While conflicts of interest can take many forms, they are particularly prevalent in government hiring, procurement/contracting and campaign finance.

In hiring, nepotism and patronage present a conflict of interest. Hiring friends and family based on connection to power rather than their ability to perform the job not only undermines the public trust, but also leads to a work force that lacks the skills for the job. In government contracting, procurement standards that promote competitive bidding are vital to preventing bid-rigging and awarding contracts based on relationships. Financing campaigns can also present conflicts of interest in which public officials are more beholden to donors than to constituent.

Framingham Policy of Ethical Conduct: https://www.framinghamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21382/Ethics

Transparency in government

from the Press Office of the United States Government 2015

Barack Obama: "My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government.  We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.

"Government should be transparent.  Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing.  Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness

Accountability: An essential part of good government

Accountability, responsibility and transparency are some of the vital building blocks of good government. Government officials should serve the public interest, not act for personal gain. Citizens must be able to monitor their government, expose potential conflicts of interest and hold public officials accountable.

Vital building blocks of good government

The Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Law regulate what public documents citizens can obtain and how to acquire them. The Acts also dictate the public process governments must follow when they hold meetings.

Accountability in Government

Accountability ensures actions and decisions taken by public officials are subject to oversight so as to guarantee that government initiatives meet their stated objectives and respond to the needs of the community they are meant to be benefiting, thereby contributing to better governance and poverty reduction.


What is Accountability?

Broadly speaking, accountability exists when there is a relationship where an individual or body, and the performance of tasks or functions by that individual or body, are subject to another’s oversight, direction or request that they provide information or justification for their actions.

The concept of accountability involves two distinct stages: answerability and enforcement. Answerability refers to the obligation of the government, its agencies and public officials to provide information about their decisions and actions and to justify them to the public and those institutions of accountability tasked with providing oversight. Enforcement suggests that the public or the institution responsible for accountability can sanction the offending party or remedy the contravening behavior. As such, different institutions of accountability might be responsible for either or both of these stages.

Why is Accountability Important in Government?

Evaluating the ongoing effectiveness of public officials or public bodies ensures that they are performing to their full potential, providing value for money in the provision of public services, instilling confidence in the government and being responsive to the community they are meant to be serving.

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Comment:  

     Democracy and Good Government require accountability, and accountability requires transparency...
     The Freedom of Information Act should be administered with a clear presumption: "In the face of doubt, openness prevails...  "Non-disclosure should never be based on an effort to protect the personal interests of Government officials at the expense of those they are supposed to serve...
     The presumption of disclosure also means that agencies should take affirmative steps to make information public. They should not wait for specific requests from the public... Disclosure should be timely...

Excerpts from the United State Freedom of Information Act