USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1935 > Part 11
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During the month of July the law relative to residence in the Commonwealth to those entitled to Old Age Assistance was changed and as a result our case load in this particular Department increased from about 90 to 135 towards the end of the year. One-third of the expenditures of this Department are returned to the City from the Old Age Bureau in Boston for aid rendered. There is now pending before the Legislature a bill to lower the age requirement to 65.
144
ANNUAL REPORT
Expenditures for the City Infirmary were $8,087.52 As of December 31st there were 19 inmates, 16 men and 3 women. The weekly cost to maintain each inmate also matron and helper was $7.41. When it is taken into considera- tion that the majority of the inmates are old, sickly or bed-ridden and that for every 8 inmates at the Infirmary there should be one paid attendant and that same has been handled by Mrs. Hoyle with the aid of two or three inmates who are not paid for their services same speaks well for the operation of the City In- firmary. This Institution is used to handle and care for chronic illness as there is no place available to care for this class of people. For no other reason than this the expenses may appear to be slightly higher than ordinary. The horse was done away with as there was no apparent need for him at the Infirmary.
A detailed statement of receipts and expenditures for the year of the Public Welfare Department is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles A. Bowen Henry E. Wright Alfred H. Patterson Board of Public Welfare.
FINANCIAL REPORT-1935
Salaries, Almoner, 3 clerks, 2 visitors
$ 6,235.85
Administration-Other Expenses.
3,405.00
City Infirmary
8,100.00
Mothers' Aid.
10,802.00
Outside Relief
115,181.15
Old Age Assistance
34,241.50
Total Appropriations
177,965.50
Total Expenditures
177,057.06
Unexpended Balance $ 908.44
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATIONS
Administration-Salaries
Almoner .
1,800.00
Chief Clerk
955.39
1st Clerk
896.70
2nd Clerk
600.00
Visitor-1st .
1,186.68
Visitor-2nd.
797.08
Total Appropriations
6,235.85
Total Expenditures.
6,235.85
Balance.
.00
145
ANNUAL REPORT
Administration-Other Expenses
Appropriation
2,005.00
Additional Appr. Aug. 23, 1935.
900.00
Transferred from Old Age Account Nov. 19, 1935
500.00
Total Appropriation
3,405.00
Total Expenditures.
3,215.64
Balance
189.36
City Infirmary
Appropriation.
4,935.00
Additional Appr. Oct. 15, 1935.
1,065.00
Additional Appr. Dec. 10, 1935
700.00
Total Appropriation
6,700.00
Total Expenditures
6,687.52
Balance
12.48
City Infirmary-Salaries
Supt
900.00
Laborer
500.00
Total Appropriation
1,400.00
Total Expenditures
1,400.00
Balance
.00
Mothers' Aid
Appropriation .
10,790.00
Refunds
12.00
Total Appropriation
10,802.00
Total Expenditures.
10,527.79
274.21
Old Age Assistance
Appropriation .
20,700.00
Additional Appr. Aug. 23, 1935.
13,975.00
Refunds.
66.50
34,741.50
Transferred to Adm. Acct. Nov. 19, 1935
500.00
Total Appropriations
34,241.50
Total Expenditures
34,124.46
Balance
117.04
146
ANNUAL REPORT
Outside Relief
Appropriation.
97,500.00
Add'] Appr. Dec. 3, 1935
16,000.00
Refunds
1,681.15
Total Appropriations
115,181.15
Total Expenditures
114,865.80
Balance
315.35
DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES Administration-Other Expenses
Rent.
420.00
Light
29.11
'Phone
115.35
Office Supplies.
697.73
Auto Allowance (AJmoner)
360.00
Auto Allowance (Visitor)
360.00
Transportation (Mothers' Aid)
1.95
Transportation (Outside Relief)
1,231.50
Total Expended
3,215.64
CITY INFIRMARY
Medical
317.61
Food Supplies
4,624.44
Clothing
299.21
Fuel.
351.13
Light
140.59
'Phone
45.24
Other House Maint. and Oper.
485.68
Hay and Grain
141.40
Outbldgs. Maint. and Oper.
182.22
Burials
100.00
Total Expended.
6,687.52
Mothers' Aid
Weekly Cash
9,363.23
Supplies
557.15
Medical
106.41
Rent
501.00
Total Expended. 10,527.79
147
ANNUAL REPORT
Outside Relief
Weekly Cash
1,665.68
Clothing
5,553.68
Fuel. .
14,598.16
Rent, Board and Care
74,918.59
Medical.
12,318.12
Towns, Cities and Institutions.
4,722.57
Burials
1,089.00
Total Expended
114,865.80
Old Age Assistance
Weekly Cash
31,484.91
Medical.
656.85
Towns, Cities and Institutions.
700.10
Clothing
49.07
Fuel.
431.58
Burials
800.00
Transportation
1.95
Total Expended 34,124.46
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE IN 1935 IN PAYMENT OF 1934 BILLS
Outside Relief
Appropriation June 18, 1935
196.76
Expended.
196.76
Balance
.00
Old Age Assistance
Appropriation June 18, 1935.
4.00
Expended
4.00
Balance
.00
Bills Receivable
Committed 1935-
Cities and Towns
7,666.10
State.
36,657.52
TOTAL
44,323.62
Collected from-
Cities and Towns
6,005.48
State. .
33,566.78
TOTAL
39,572.26
Additional Receipts from State and Cities and Towns for Bills Committed in Previous Years. 3,608.27
Outstanding Bills December 1st, 1935 4,751.36
Total Number of Cases in 1935. .. 559 Individuals .2345
148
ANNUAL REPORT
CAUSES OF DEPENDENCY
Unemployment. 299
Insufficient Income
85
Desertion, Non-support.
4
Widows.
15
Old Age
135
Cripples
4
Blind .
1
Chronic Illness
4
Sickness.
12
559
FOOD COMMODITIES RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED
Butter
2,340 lbs.
Cabbage
750 lbs.
Cheese
2,200 lbs.
Hamburg (Canned)
13,950 lbs.
Milk (Evaporated)
62,640 oz.
Mutton (Canned)
5,400 lbs.
Potatoes
. 34,960 lbs.
Prunes
6,336 Jbs.
Rice.
4,176 lbs.
Roast Beef (Canned).
20,368 lbs.
Veal
33 bbls.
Clothing.
15,167 pieces
Mattress
255
149
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Board of Park Commissioners,
Gentlemen :
As Superintendent of the Park Department, I herewith submit my eleventh annual report for the year ending December 31, 1935.
During the year 1935 our main work was the completion of the walks, lily- pool, planting of rock garden, seeding, and finishing of the new plot in the Park; and the finishing of the Common improvements.
Walks of 200 cement stone steps from the walk in the oak grove next to the rock garden and from Memorial Avenue were laid to and around the lily-pool. The other walks in the new piece were covered with crushed stone. Evergreens that perished in last winter's cold weather were replaced.
During 1935 the Park has been the recipient of many fine donations. Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Sweet donated all the lilies, goldfish, tubs, aquatic plants, and scavengers for the Park lily-pool. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Baer donated a beautiful fountain statue for the center of the lily-pool, in memory of Mr. Baer's mother and father. Foxes were donated by Bristol Farms and the Service Station, corner Park and Maple Streets; a monkey was received from Elmer Lane; opossums from Louis Guillette; ducks from Mr. Chase, the game warden; and members of the Garden Club donated plants for the rock garden. For these donations the Park Commission and the Superintendent are very grateful.
Due to the fact that part of the backstop on the baseball field was placed on private property, by the consent of the owners, and now that the Department was notified by said owners this spring to remove the backstop from their property, is was moved back on Park land. By so doing it was necessary to get new 2 x 4 and new wire for the whole backstop at a cost of over $300.00. The bleachers were also repaired and painted.
The swimming pool was well patronized as usual and appreciated by the children during the seven weeks of supervision, July 1 to August 17. The pool was given a coat of cement paint in June to make it more sanitary for the children and also easier to keep clean.
The baseball games of the Manufacturers League were not as well attended this year as last year. However, we had more ball games played at the Park this year than ever before. Besides the big games and the organized playground games there were a lot of ball games played by boys that had no work and nothing to take up their mind, and we were glad to let them play whenever the field was available. Many times, as many as four games of baseball were played on the Park field in one day.
We have in the pine grove three fine horse-shoe courts where the young men had a chance to play and exercise away time, that otherwise would have hung heavy on their minds and made them forget, at least while they were playing the game, that they did not have any job.
The E. R. A. project No. 1216-B15-36; 2,000 cubic feet of stone wall and 600 square yards of cement walks and project No. 1216-B-15-58; tree trimming, spading, grading, and seeding, were completed and a great improvement to the City's center and Common.
150
ANNUAL REPORT
The flagpole and honor roll were painted. New seats and rubbish cans were placed on the Common at a total City appropriation of $1,378.40 for stone, cement, sand, gravel for filling and for cement work, loam, fertilizer, grass seed, 3,000 plants for railroad banking, rock garden, and three other flower beds. Labor was paid for by Federal grant of $2,425.20 for the above projects. After completion of the construction work the Department has tried hard to keep the Common, Railroad bank, and walks as good looking and clean as work and atten- tion could make it possible.
At this time I would like to make the following recommendations: A new zoo building and small greenhouse combined, with toilets and running water, hot and cold, as a W. P. A. project. Also, a W. P. A. project for painting all the buildings in the Park, inside and out, and a W. P. A. project for scarifying and resurfacing all the roads in the Park, but in order to do this the City's Public Works Department would have to furnish the steam roller and equipment, or the City hire same elsewhere.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Park Commissioners for their cooperation and support at all times, also, the Supervisors for their interest in the health and welfare of the children using the Park playgrounds.
Respectfully submitted,
J. E. Anderson, Park Superintendent.
CAPRON PLAYGROUND REPORT-1935
The playground serves the public in various ways, as a health builder, place for development of community spirit, chance for training in useful oc- cupations, and many others, but one of the greatest and most far reaching results of the supervised playground in this day of apparent lack of respect for law and order, is the effect on the delinquency record of the youth of the community. Statistics prove that juvenile delinquency and supervised playgrounds are in- compatible. Where cities have established the latter, the former condition has dropped from twenty-five to fifty percent or even more. In Attleboro, the Commissioners of Capron Park can justly feel proud that in the last ten years, at least, though there have been numerous juvenile court cases, none have been re- corded from Capron Park Playground during its active sessions. The adage of mischief being found for idle hands is as true today as of yore, and therefore the supervisors have tried to establish an activity program interesting to all ages and types.
The program for the older boys included baseball, football, handball, softball, volleyball, soccer, lawn tennis, paddle tennis, horsehsoes, track and field sports. Foremost of these sports was baseball. Games were played every day, sometimes both morning and afternoon. A series with the North Attleboro playgrounds was played at the end of the season with Attleboro winning one and breaking even in the other. The junior baseball league was made up of five teams, and the senior league consisted of four clubs. The winners were supposed to have been taken to Boston to see a big league game at the end of the season but suitable arrangements could not be made with the Red Sox management. The boys have been promised an early game next Summer. In tennis a junior team was selected and played several matches with outside teams. Much difficulty was experienced during the baseball season with lost balls over the backstop and in the pond.
151
ANNUAL REPORT
The older girls' sports program included volley ball, newcomb, simple track, lawn tennis, paddle tennis. In lawn tennis and in paddle tennis tournaments were held in boys' singles, girls' singles, and boys' doubles and girls' doubles. Prizes for the boys were donated by Mr. Graham Shields. The annual City champion- ships in men's singles and doubles were held as usual but the open tennis tourna- ment was eliminated.
The younger children, both boys and girls, had paddle tennis, many games of low organization, and of course the play with the excellent set-up of apparatus in the grove.
Another attraction for both boys and girls, and of all ages, was the Hunton pool. The pool was open under supervision three hours daily. From ten to eleven a. m. and open session was held for both boys and girls, with the girls' supervisor in charge while the boys' man conducted baseball on the diamond. From two to three o'clock the pool was closed to girls only with the girls' super- visor in charge. Then from three to four the boys held sway under the boys' leader. There was not a minute when the pool was open that a supervisor was not present. Inspection of children entering the pool was very strict. Swimming classes for all who wished them were given twice a week by Mr. Cooney. Over seventy-five boys and girls were taught to swim and received Red Cross swimmers buttons.
In connection with the pool, the installation of showers and toilets should be given immediate consideration. These two are the only conveniences really needed in order for Attleboro to have one of the best wading pools in the State. Sincere thanks are due Mr. Anderson and his men for their wonderful work in keeping the pool in such excellent condition. Late at night and early in the morning they worked and it was appreciated greatly by both the children and supervisors. Another interesting fact regarding the pool was the large number of very young children, under five, who attended.
Weenie roasts were held in the grove on Thursdays and were very popular, with many adults attending.
The activity which has suffered most from lack of finances, has been the work in handicraft. Formerly the parents could pav even a very small sum for materials and the City provided some for those unable to pay themselves. This last summer very little was done along this line because of inability to pay for the materials, even though they are bought at cost and wholesale prices. Some work was done in the reed baskets, reed and raphia, leather work, block printing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and paper construction work.
As in former years a leaders corps was organized, composed of five boys and five girls, chosen for excellence in helpfulness and leadership. The badges were provided by the Massachusetts Auto Rating and Safety Bureau.
The Attleboro Public Library provided books and magazines for the children, and for this the supervisors are grateful.
In closing the supervisors wish to thank the Commissioners for their splendid cooperation at all times, and in every enterprise attempted.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Ray Cooney Alma Hillman
152
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
January 22, 1936
To
Hon. Frank R. Sweet, Mayor and the Council of the City of Attleboro, Gentlemen:
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library, submit herewith their annual report for the year 1935 and enclose a copy of the Librarian's report.
Your Trustees have held regular meetings on the first Tuesday of each month during the year, except the months of July and August.
We can boast of no great achievements, but feel a sense of satisfaction that during this transition period we have managed to keep the work going with but few minor curtailments. The department is, without doubt building up an in- creasing respect in the community, reflected by the added requests for service from the business, professional and personal elements which make up our com- munity, as well as the many gifts which have been donated to us, not only by our own people but from friends outside our city.
Referring to the statistical portion of the Librarian's report, it is shown that comparatively few new titles were added to our list. It is our hope that we may build firmer and faster, that we may be better prepared to serve the com- munity more of the books which they need and desire; to be able to proudly say that at least this library fulfills its per capita demand. We are looking ahead to the time, perhaps this year of 1936, when a greater satisfaction may be felt by all who use the library that a desperate effort is being made to give them more books.
The staff and personnel have given most loyally of their time and efforts; we most gratefully acknowledge it. To all who have so generously contributed material and personal effort, we wish publicly to express our thanks.
Respectfully submitted, Board of Trustees, Attleboro Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial. Ethel H. Barden, Secretary.
153
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
The year 1935 for the Public Library, as for individuals, has been one of continued readjustment and revamping of services. No extension of activities was possible, and several customary services were curtailed. The hours of opening were lessened, the printing of lists of new additions was practically eliminated, the story hour for younger children was discontinued in the spring, and only those repairs that demanded immediate attention were made to the building. No new equipment was added. The lessening of the number of hours opened to the public and the cutting of purchase lists for new titles and duplicate copies have been the chief factors in a drop in the number of books circulated.
"Books needed" may seem an odd cry from an institution whose function it is to supply books, but paradoxically the Attleboro Public Library is in the position of a store without goods. The present book stock now totals 40,210 volumes, or less than two books per person in the city. Approximately one-fifth of the collection is composed of dictionaries, atlases, bound periodicals, en- cyclopedias and other books of reference; such material as is essential but which, because of its nature, is not available for circulation. Another fifth has reached a stage of shabbiness, which makes the books unfit for further use. This leaves only a trifle over 26,000 volumes to cover the needs of the city proper, Dodgeville, Hebronville, South Attleboro, the various schools and the Sturdy Hospital service.
A library, like a store which does not keep well-stocked with fresh, up-to-date goods, pays the penalty of diminishing service. Daily requests come that have to wait weeks or even months for fulfillment. During the past year 2,745 volumes were added to the collection, but 1,482 volumes were discarded because of wear, loss, or contagious diseases. The net gain of 1,262 is absorbed with one week's circulation. It is imperative, therefore, that a substantial increase be made in the book budget.
Aside from its recreative function, a library should act as a clearing house for information and wisdom of all races and of all times. There is demand for help in planning reading courses for persons who wish to follow through some particular line of study and there are continual requests for those taking formal courses outside of the city. Not only yesterday's facts but those of today and tomorrow must be available, and available without delay. The Attleboro Library cannot even partially fulfill its duty to the community without more books. The $3,700 requested for books in the budget will provide for some of the immediate temporary needs, but this amount would have to be doubled to take care of the replacement of worn-out items constantly in demand.
The book collection and the staff are inseparable in any consideration of a library's usefulness. An intelligent, alert and trained personnel to provide for the selection, classification, and arrangement of the collection, and to assist in its use, is essential. With the increase of complex duties, it is becoming necessary to consider a more definite system of grading of the staff, and likewise a basis of compensation which will relieve the discrepancy of a 15%-40% lower wage scale than is customary for libraries of similar size throughout the country.
In the survey of activities for the year the undramatic tasks should not be omitted. The clipping, mounting and filing of pictures, the clipping of news- papers and magazines, the ordering and filing of hundreds of government docu- ments and pamphlets are duties that never get into statistics, but nevertheless contribute to the resources which the library offers the community.
Resources are generally considered as tangibles, but there is another type which cannot be tabulated, but which is a potent factor in the life of both in- dividuals and institutions. This is the resource of friendliness and cooperation.
154
ANNUAL REPORT
The 385 gifts received during the year represent not only books added, but good will. Certain of these gifts were presented as memorials. The family of the late Dr. Charles A. Mooers presented a collection of books from his library. Mr. George Parmly Day of Yale University gave a group of publications of the Yale press in honor of the birthday of Mrs. Amelia Daggett Sheffield. The out- door bulletin and display case is the gift of Mr. Hayward Sweet in memory of his uncle Henry Lincoln Hayward. During the summer and fall, the library was made attractive by flowers shared from patron's gardens. For all those many expressions of interest and thoughtfullness the library expresses deep appre- ciation.
Each year finds the interests and the demands of the library users changing, and the changes add to the complexities of the work done by the staff. It be- comes, therefore, increasingly difficult to present the various duties and ac- complishments statistically. Such activities as may be so presented, are appended in the following tables together with financial statements.
Political, economic and social forces do not remain static. To be of worth to the city, the library must keep pace with the thoughts and ideals of a changing civilization. It is to be hoped that means of cooperation may be developed that will provide the support necessary to permit the library to fulfill in greater measure its functions in the intellectual growth of the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Lucille Palmer,
Librarian
The Public Library maintains :
1 central library
Branches at
Dodgeville
Hebronville
South Attleboro
Washington School
Service at Sturdy Hospital
Deposits at
Three camps Three schools
The Book Stock includes
40,210 volumes
Subscription to 165 magazines
Subscription to 10 newspapers Special collections of map, pamphlets and pictures
Titles added 1935
Adult fiction. 231
Adult non-fiction 953
Juvenile books 210
Volumes
Total new titles.
1,394
Duplicates and replacements
.1,311
Gifts. . .
385
Lost and withdrawn. 1,482
155
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT City of Attleboro
Receipts
Salaries
$ 9,927.56 4,646.65
Other expenses
$14,574.21
Disbursements Salaries.
9,927.56
Other expenses:
Books
$ 2,152.08
Fuel
447.75
Light
533.43
Phone
46.92
Building.
155.71
Bindery
463.84
Dodgeville.
21.05
Hebronville
70.96
South Attleboro
194.52
Washington
53.90
Printing
35.44
Postage
27.82
Insurance
27.50
Trucking
33.49
Carfares
8.60
Incidentals
373.59
4,646.60
14,574.16
Unexpended balance
.05
Invested Funds
Receipts
Balance January 1, 1935: Attleboro Trust Co. check-
ing account.
$ 2,126.09
Income from investments
5,905.09
$ 8,031.18
Disbursements
Books. .
$ 1,319.72
Binding and repair of books
279.34
Building repairs.
1,560.92
Fuel.
299.50
Payroll and part-time workers
1,068.81
Bond analysis, safe deposit box dues, check tax
47.38
Bond for treasurer.
50.00
Papers and magazines.
269.60
Miscellaneous library expense.
88.07
Electrolux
60.25
Audit
76.32
Light
732.73
5,852.64
$ 2,178.54
-
156
ANNUAL REPORT
Library Trustees
Edwin F. Leach, President Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Secretary Raymond F. Horton, Treasurer Miss Edith Claflin Mrs. Arthur Conro
Mrs. Charles Holden Dr. Frederick V. Murphy John R. Stevenson Hayward H. Sweet
The Staff
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer, Librarian Dorothy I. Hannaford, Cataloger Segrid Lindbeck, Senior Assistant Angela D. Bowen, Children's Librarian Muriel M. Hodson, Junior Assistant Evelyn M. Hoecke, Junior Assistant Alice M. Ingerson, Junior Assistant Muriel E. Westerberg, Junior Assistant
Part-time Assistants Bertha C. Bigney Barbara Hardaway *Alison Osterberg Kathleen M. Shaw-Cataloging Mrs. William M. Sturdy
*Resigned
157
ANNUAL REPORT
BOOKS CIRCULATED 1935
Each book represents approximately 1,000 books
Hebronville So. Attleboro Washington
Schools
Total
Central Adult 62497
Children's Room 20511
Dodgeville 4671
6090
9762
7312 Books Circulated
Hospital Service 3128
5476
119947
158
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of City Forester
Attleboro, Mass. March 3, 1936
To His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1935.
With the help of the E. R. A. I was able to destroy a large amount of gypsy moth eggs in the woods and along the country roads, the residential sections and shade trees were taken care of by my regular crew.
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