USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1938 > Part 14
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Again-I recommend the installation of an additional twelve-inch water line from the pumping station in South Attleboro to Highland Avenue. There is only one supply line for South Attleboro and should it become necessary to close this line for any emergency, the entire south end would be without its water supply.
Equipment Recommendations : A one-half ton pick-up truck to replace a 1931 Ford pick-up truck. The old truck is used continually for miscellaneous work and has served its usefulness. Its maintenance cost is high and it cannot be depended upon; therefore, I recommend its replacement as soon as possible .
The meter division of the water department has never had the proper equip- ment for the testing of meters. The water meters are the only medium the city has for measuring the amount of water each consumer uses, which in turn directly determines the income to the city from its water distribution. At the present time there are far too many meters of the old type which invaribly record less water than is actually consumed. As a result of this condition the city's income is considerably less than it should be. Also an inequality exists between consumers having new, efficient meters and those having old, under-rating meters.
There are two procedures which should be followed to eliminate these un- desirable conditions. The first, of course, is to replace all the old type meters with the new type, which if done immediately would represent a large sum of money. Undoubtedly this could not be done, but a sum of $2,500.00 should be set aside each year for a turn-over for this purpose. This figure is arrived at in the following manner: there are approximately 4,000 meters in use at the present time, and assuming the average life of each meter to be 20 years, the number to be replaced each year would be 200 meters at a cost of $10.00 each, a total of $2,- 000.00. Then each year there are approximately 50 new additional services installed which would require a sum of $500.00 for meters. Therefore, the total
209
ANNUAL REPORT
amount each year would be $2,500.00 for new meters. Secondly, the department should have modern, accurate meter testing equipment, making it possible to test meters more quickly and accurately than with the inadequate apparatus now in use. In the past year part of the necessary equipment was purchased; however, it is still necessary to purchase a meter testing bench with its accom- panying appurtenances, the cost of which would be approximately $200.00. I recommend the immediate purchase of this equipment as the added income to the city for one year would be substantially more than the cost for the above item.
PUMPING STATION
During the year the pumping station and its various units have been operated economically and every effort made to give the community a satisfactory water supply. The treating and aerating equipment have been entirely satisfactory and periodically this department conducts tests to assure the public of the best quality of water. Check-ups are also made of power consumption and costs of pumping to obtain for the city maximum economic operation.
If adequate storage were provided by the building of a second standpipe all pumping could be done at night on the low off peak rate. The money saved would, in part at least, pay for the interest on the investment. As pointed out previously in this report a second standpipe would insure us uninterrupted service against any possible failure of our present structure and enable us to clean any repair either one without resorting to continuous pumping, a costly procedure.
Recommendations: We have an approved project for the improvement of the gounds surrounding the pumping station and particularly to excavate the silt from the low area between the two Bowler wells and refill with gravel. I recommend the excavation of the silt and refilling of the area, also certain other improvements around the station.
The house adjacent to the pumping station is owned by the City and houses the chief engineer of the pumping station in order that he may be available in any emergency. The hurricane did some damage to the outside of the house, however this damage to shingles and clapboards has been repaired. The inside of the house is in very poor condition as there have been very few, if any, im- provements made for many years. I recommend that an appropriation be made to paint the exterior, refinish the interior, and make necessary changes, including obsolete plumbing and electric wiring, for the improvement of the property.
In closing this brief report of the Pumping Station, the Public Works Depart- ment wishes to report with pardonable pride the production of our fine water made possible through the installation of the new treatment plant, new pumps, new electrical power and the renovation of the pumping station. Many delega- tions and individuals have already inspected the new set-up at the Pumping Station and we extend a cordial invitation to all interested.
210
ANNUAL REPORT
PUMPING RECORDS-1938 Electric and Snow Pumps-South Attleboro Station Totals per Month
Month
Hours Pumping
Gallons Coal Con- Pumped sumed lbs.
Vent. Meter
K. W. Used
January.
216 hrs. 35 min.
28,150*
33,143,000
36,110
February
200 hrs. 10 min.
25,250*
30,446,000
33,190
March.
232 hrs. 15 min.
22,930*
35,248,000
38,440
April .
221 hrs. 55 min.
18,550*
34,469,000
37,191
May
245 hrs. 5 min.
16,500*
38,452,000
41,430
June
234 hrs. 10 min.
11,750*
36,399,000
39,250
July.
226 hrs. 10 min.
2,000*
34,880,000
37,830
August
247 hrs. 25 min.
38,161,000
41,250
September (Electric
Pump)
165 hrs. 15 min.
₹ 32,900
25,355,000
27,500
(Snow Pump)
104 hrs. 35 min.
9,314,000
October.
230 hrs.
13,055*
34,715,000
37,820
November
216 hrs. 25 min.
15,400*
33,145,000*
35,870
December
217 hrs. 15 min.
21,900*
33,189,000
35,910
Totals for year
2757 hrs. 15 min.
208,385
416,916,000
441,791
*Coal used for heating purposes only.
Wading River not run-water used at that plant was for flushing out line and wells.
PUMPING RECORDS-1938 Electric and Snow Pumps-South Attleboro Station Daily Averages per Month
Month
Hours Pumping
Coal Consumed lbs.
Gallons Pumped Venturi Meter
K. W. Used
January.
.6 hrs. 59 min.
908
1,069,129
1,165
February
7 hrs. 9 min.
902
1,087,357
1,185
March.
7 hrs. 29 min.
740
1,137,032
1,240
April
7 hrs. 22 min.
618
1,148,966
1,240
May
7 hrs. 54 min.
532
1,240,387
1,336
June
7 hrs. 48 min.
392
1,213,300
1,308
July
7 hrs. 18 min.
286
1,125,161
1,220
August.
7 hrs. 59 min.
1,231,000
1,331
September
Electric Pump &
7 hrs. 31 min.
-
1,152,500
1,250
Snow Pump
13 hrs. 4 min.
1,164,250
October.
7 hrs. 25 min.
421
1,119,839
1,220
November
7 hrs. 13 min.
513
1,104,833
1,196
December
7 hrs.
703
1,070,613
1,158
Daily averages for year 8 hrs. 31 min.
672
1,238,697
1,237
1371
-
COMPARATIVE YEARLY RAINFALL REPORT 1933-1938
Month
1933
1934
1935
1937
Rain
Snow
Rain
Snow
Rain
Snow
Rain
1936 Snow
Rain
Snow
Rain
1938 Snow
January .
2.12"
0.50"
3.89"
0.25"
5.82"
24.50"
7.07""
14.75"
4.38"
2.50"
3.92"
19.00"
February
3.55"
17.25"
3.30"
25.00"
2.96"
10.75"
3.81"
13.00"
1.94"
1.91"
11.75"
March
6.51"
9.00"
4.25"
9.50"
1.53"
0.50"
7.26"
2.50"
3.92"
3.25"
1.41"
0.25"
April . .
6.00"
1.50"
4.06"
5.06"
4.16"
5.41"
1.40"
May ..
2.98"
3.62"
2.20"
1.97"
3.51"
4.38"
June. .
2.68"
3.88""
5.41"
2.60"
4.41"
8.50"
July .
1.77"
1.56"
5.21"
4.21"
1.16"
9.59"
August.
2.76"
3.07"
3.94"
3.09"
6.93"
2.19"
September.
8.74"
4.60"
2.86"
6.96"
4.12"
5.99"
October.
3.22"
3.20"
0.61"
2.14"
3.76"
3.15"
November
1.12''
5.75"
4.00"
5.65"
7.00"
1.12"
3.00"
6.70"
3.61"
7.50"
December
3.66"
13.50"
3.36"
3.25""
0.80"
1.50"
9.96"
3.61"
4.75"
2.98"
2.50"
TOTALS.
.45.14" 47.50" 42.79" 38.00" 42.05"
44.25" 54.35" 33.25" 49.85"
10.50" 49.03"
41.00"
ANNUAL REPORT
211
212
ANNUAL REPORT
NEW SERVICES AND REPLACEMENTS
Following are charts giving the costs and other petinent data relative to the placing of new services and replacements of old services.
New Services-1938
Size
Number
Length in Feet
Cost-Main Cost-Street Line to Street Line to House
Total Cost
3-4 inch
*33
1513'
$722.29
$354.22
$1,076.51
1 inch
10
464' 8"
238.11
131.20
369.31
1 1-4 inch
** 2
63' 6"
65.45
24.85
90.30
1 1-2 inch
2
210' 6"
57.73
81.65
139.38
2 inch
1
36' 6"
75.08
33.09
108.17
6 inch
1
13'
Fire Service
127.18
127.18
*24-1" Services charged to W-Services
9-1" Services charged to W. P. A. Main Line Extension
** 1-1 1-4 " Service charged to W. P. A. Main Line Extension
1-1 1-4" Service charged to W .- Services
Service Replacements-1938
Size
Number
Length in Feet
Cost-Main Cost-Street to Street Line
Line to House
Total Cost
3-4 inch
** 18
*A-13 *C-5
390' 4"
$369.91
$56.94
$426.85
1 inch
*** 12
*B-2
160'S"
211.82
39.13
250.95
1 1-4 inch
**** 2
*C-1
47' 6"
40.57
22.60
63.17
1 1-2 inch
2
*C-1
57'
56.18
31.04
87.22
*A-Services replaced from main to street line.
*B-Services replaced from street line to house.
*C-Services replaced from main to house.
** 11-3-4" Service Replacements charged to W-Services.
1-3-4" Service Replacement charged to W. P. A. Main Line Extension.
6-3-4" Service Replacements charged to Thacher St. Reconstruction. *** 5-1" Service Replacements charged to W Services.
4-1" Service Replacements charged to W. P. A. Main Line Extension
2-1" Service Replacements charged to Bellmore St. Reconstruction.
1-1" Serivce Replacement charged to Thacher St. Reconstruction.
**** 1-1 1-4" Service Replacement charged to W-Services.
1-1 1-4" Service Replacement charged to Thacher St. Reconstruction.
1938 MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS (Charged to W-Main Line Extension)
Street Location
6" Pipe
Gardner Avenue 128' 6"
Norfolk Row . 241'
Westgate Street. 185'
Total
554' 6""
*A-10
*A-1
*A-1
213
ANNUAL REPORT
1938 MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS (Charged to W. P. A. Main Line Extensions)
Baltic Street.
48'
Collins Street.
139' 6"
County Street .
998'
Cross Street
237' 8"
Dale Avenue.
338' 9"
Deantown Road
320' 3"
Hillside Avenue.
200'
Linden Street.
216' 6"
Norton Street.
165' 2"
Park Place (Replacement)
424'
Prospect Avenue (Replacement)
415'
Steere Street.
436'
Wilmarth Street
2591' 9"
Total
6530' 7"
1938 MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS (Charged to Special Accounts)
Bellmore Street (Replacement)
447' 6"
Davis Avenue (Replacement)
680' 6"
Prince Street 247' 6"
Total
1375' 6"
TOTAL: 1938 Main Line Extensions.
8460' 7"
EXPENDITURES 1938-PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Charges to December 31, 1938
General Administration
Superintendent's Salary
$3,500.00
Asst. Engineers' Salaries, Rodman, etc. .
9,928.27
Clerical Labor
4,642 84
Engineering Supplies
160.82
Office Supplies.
132.96
Insurance .
35.32
Supt. Auto Maint.
50.71
Rent.
840.00
Light
26.19
Telephone
105.80
Incidentals.
48.20
$ 19,471.11
Highway Division
Resurfacing
5,090.64
Drains.
1,858.32
Street Sweeping
796.61
Street Patching
3,887. 03
Street Cleaning
1,679.93
Sidewalk Maintenance.
731.04
Equipment, Maint. and Repair
191.48
Road Rollers .
563.66
Auto Maintenance
917.55
214
ANNUAL REPORT
Road Oil and Tar.
2,052.15
Bridges, Fences and Culverts.
1,341.66
Crushers.
529.89
Ten Mile River and Thacher Brook.
66.58
Insurance.
724.13
Vacations .
384.17
Signs, Clock and Numbers
279.51
Incidentals.
39.65
Snow and Ice.
7,311.24
Sidewalks and Curbing
507.86
28,953.10
New Equipment
6,000.00
Street Lighting
30,217.39
Water Division
Maintenance Payroll
8,054.91
Maintenance Material
1,519.80
New Meters.
1,024.64
Services
1,710.65
Shop and Barn.
642.69
Maintenance of Buildings
132.40
Main Line Maintenance.
976.05
Auto Operation
1,185.51
Insurance
1,492.23
Taxes.
315.02
Incidentals
47.23
17,101.13
Main Line Extension
1,000.30
Pine Road Water Main Line Extension
91.65
W. P. A. Main Line Extension
11,857.82
W. P. A. Project No. 30616.
7,584.56
Pumping Station Division
Payroll.
5,862.64
Fuel.
443.90
Oil.
32.69
Pumps
129.70
Boilers
103.69
Cleaning Filter Beds.
330.46
Care of Equipment, Grounds and Beds.
259.89
Phone .
123.16
Incidentals.
21.90
Chemicals.
329.08
Electric Power and Light
8,306.35
15,943.46
South Attleboro Pumping Station Renovation
350.54
Sewer Division
Filter Beds.
1,855.69
Repair and Care of Sewers.
354.72
2,210.41
Maple Street Sewer Extension W. P. A.
78.41
Mary Street Sewer
1,128.03
Rifle Range
209.35
215
ANNUAL REPORT
Cleaning Ten Mile River.
186.52
Newport Avenue Wall Construction
136.90
Hebronville Guard Fence
162.15
South Avenue Reconstruction
11,191.34
North Main Street Construction (Simmons' Crossing to Holden Street)
3,821.33
County Street Pavement Construction
825.55
Repair of Standpipe.
1,530.66
Bellemore Street Reconstruction
1,456.71
Clifton Street Relocation and Drainage.
5.00
W. P. A. Road Improvement.
48,769.40
W. P. A. Sidewalks and Curbing Project.
4,495.67
W. P. A. Wading River Project.
300.00
Park and Maple Street Drainage
220.15
Thacher Street Reconstruction.
13,545.42
Mendon Road Drainage.
150.00
Wall Street Garage.
400.00
Ten Mile River Control Project.
500.00
Repair to Wall Street Garage.
1,812.61
Dennis Street-Ten Mile River Drainage Project.
500.06
Highway Fund-Chap. 500-Acts of 1938.
11,301.73
$243,508.46
216
ANNUAL REPORT
Dan O'Connell Sealer of Weights and Measures
Sealer of Weights and Measures
February 23, 1939. Attleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Weights and Measures Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 193S.
Ad- justed 8
Sealed
Not Con- Sealed demned
Platform over 5,000 lbs.
11
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs.
31
77
Counter 100 lbs. or over
8
37
Beam 100 lbs. or over.
1
6
1
Spring 100 lbs. or over.
2
14
1
1
Spring under 100 lbs.
43
146
1
3
Computing under 100 lbs.
41
95
2
Prescription
3
1
Jewelers'
1
2
Avoirdupois
13
458
Apothecary
37
Metric.
41
Troy
8
Liquid 1 gal. or less
66
3
Oil Jars
33
Dry
5
Meters 1 in. Inlet
89
155
Meters over 1 in. Inlet.
9
31
Gasoline Pumps
4
23
4
Yard Sticks.
18
Total
249
1287
9
11
Sealing fees collected and turned over to City Treasurer
$230.50
To His Honor, the Mayor and Municipal Council,
Counter under 100 lbs
2
1
20
Liquid over 1 gal.
217
ANNUAL REPORT
Special City Licenses
14@ $25.00. $350.00 15 @ $5.00. 75.00
14 Plates @ $ .50. 7.00
Reweighings of butter, confectionery, nuts, peas, beans, bread, onions, coal in bags, kindling wood and coal in transit to schools, homes and factories were made.
The 50 Gallon Fuel Oil Testing Tank is an important addition to the Depart- ment and appreciated by fuel oil dealers.
In cooperation with the State Department the egg supply coming in and going out of the city was checked with State Inspector William Bradley.
Respectfully submitted, DAN O'CONNELL,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
218
ANNUAL REPORT
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer Librarian
Report of Attleboro Public Library
January 16, 1939.
To His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council:
The Trustees of the Attleborough Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial, submit herewith their annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1938, and enclose a copy of the Librarian's report.
The number of volumes on file in the Library as of December 31st, 1938, total 44,570, together with a large picture collection, talking book records and miscellaneous panphlets and magazines. The total circulation during the year was 140,230 volumes, 131 talking book records and 2,000 pictures.
As the branches circulate nearly 40% of the total volume it is becoming imperative that more adequate facilities be provided for this work if it is to be continued with any degree of efficiency, as the drain on the main library both as to staff members and book material tends to weaken both ends.
We have made no major improvements or repairs to the building this year except to paint the children's room and install an awning on the windows at the rear of the main stacks which has saved the books in that location from sun burn and also has helped to lessen the glare. Two new steel filing cabinets were in- stalled to take the place of the old wooden ones which had become inadequate. These new files should provide ample space for some time to come.
Much assistance is given to the business interests of the city by way of looking up source material, designs, translations of foreign mail and a great deal of reference work. The work of the library does not stop at the mere circula- tion of books.
The talking book records and the machine have been of great benefit and help to the blind in our community and while the circulation of 131 does not in itself seem large this amount will increase as soon as we are able to afford a larger and more varied selection of the talking book records. We are most grateful to all who have helped us in this work and especially to those who have loaned their cars for the delivery of the machine.
This department of the city work is most fortu nate in having a staff of workers whose interest and graciousness have extended a service to its people far in excess of their monetary compensation and the trustees wish to record their sincere appreciation to them for such wholehearted cooperation and helpfulness.
We are aware and appreciate the public clamor for more books and for a larger number of the current "best sellers" and we are stretching our book appro- priation to its utmost. We do hope however, and look ahead to that time when we can more satisfactorily supply the desires of our people.
To the countless number of people who have donated books, magazines, and flowers the library department is most grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Trustees, Attleboro Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial Ethel H. Barden, Secretary.
219
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Trustees:
A STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For information and recreation the Public Library offers to the people of Attleboro a collection of 44,570 books, approximately 75,000 pictures and 5,000 pamphlets and 179 magazines. The people of Attleboro withdrew for home use in 1938, books, pamphlets and magazines to the number of 140,230 items, plus over 2,000 pictures and 131 talking book records, which is an increase of nearly 14,000 volumes over the previous year.
Contrary to general opinion, new titles form but a small proportion of the total number of books withdrawn. The total number of additions for the year was 3,538, and nearly one-half of these were duplicates or replacements. As to type, 30.3% were books of non-fiction with literature, the fine arts, and material on practical arts and technology ranking as given.
Of the total number of books borrowed, slightly under 40% were loaned from the branches. These branch libraries at Dodgeville School, Hebronville Community Cottage, South Attleboro Village, and Washington School all report an unusually busy year with increasing demands for a share of current titles and the need for providing more adequate material for reference use.
A six months trial of a two day per week schedule for South Attleboro Village has proved highly successful and the volume of work at Washington School has made it necessary to send two assistants to that branch. The use of the collection and the requests for information will warrant extending the service to two days per week if the library is to provide anything approximating adequate service in this district.
The Children's Librarian reports increasing contacts with the public schools, with more class room deposits and the need for some provision for giving more attention to parents and teachers seeking consultation on books for boys and girls.
The mere number of items loaned is of course not a criterion of the quality of library service which a community receives, but it does serve to account for the necessity of a larger staff and more adequate budget provision for binding and replacement.
Three months is the average life of a new book before repair becomes im- perative if the book is to be ret ained for further use. And once rebound, the life of the book is extended for 5 to 30 years depending upon its use. Consequentlye increasing circulation requires larger binding appropriations. Provided stitches are not broken, books are repaired at the Library by girls working on an N. Y. A. project. Were it not for the N. Y. A. help, hundreds of volumes would have to be withdrawn from circulation permanently as the salary budget is quite inadequate to take care of any but the most urgent tasks of salvaging worn and damaged items.
In the matter of physical upkeep of the building, there were no major repairs with the exception of repainting the Children's Room and the refinishing to prevent further cracking of window sills and tables in the reading room. Worn out chair tips were replaced and an awning purchased for the large window in the rear of the stacks. Aside from the increased comfort afforded by this protection from glare, the blistering of books located near the windows will be prevented and the paper and bindings will not disintegrate so rapidly as formerly.
Only one item of equipment was added and the cost was met from invested funds. Two steel filing cabinets replaced the wooden cases which were filled to overflowing. The steel cases provided for ample filing space for at least twelve years, and the wooden cases were transferred for use in other parts of the building.
In regard to personnel, that factor which determines the degree to which any institution functions successfully, the Attleboro Library has been exceedingly
220
ANNUAL REPORT
fortunate. Despite salary scales, which have been low even for library salaries, a staff of alert and conscientious workers has sought to handle multiple duties, and at the same time striven to increase their professional and business knowledge and skill by studies and activities of a wide range. With changing duties due to resignations and the necessity of meeting demands for specialized reference service, it has been found wise to draw up a formal schedule of qualifications and duties. This schedule of qualifications, based on similar schemes used in other libraries and an outline of the Massachusetts Flanning Board, was adopted by the trustees in December 1938. The plan provides a basis for promotion of present staff members and outlines requirements that must be met by future appointees. It's aim is to establish a method of assignment and differentiation of tasks accord- ing to personal and educational qualifications which will result in a library service that will be able to meet more adequately the changing and amplyfing interests of the community.
The past year has been strenuous for both staff and library users. The staff members have struggled under totally inadequate salaries and a multiplicity of duties which left no time or energy to become familiar with the very items --- books-on which they were expected to keep informed. These extra duties were largely due to resignations which left places that could not be filled with the funds available. Those who used the library have had to get along as best they might with emergency assistants unfamiliar with the book collection or routine procedures. Furthermore, the demands for certain titles of books have been so great that borrowers were often obliged to wait from three to eight months before copies were available. Readers at the branches seldom had access to any current titles whatsoever. Yet more books were added than in any previous year, and nearly 800 duplicate titles were added to the adult collection.
Through the courtesy and generosity of individual borrowers and organiza- tions, many items that would otherwise not have been attainable were presented for public use. Gifts of books and magazines have been of particular help to hospital and branch services, but extra copies at the main library have also been welcome. To all who have shared time or services, money, flowers, or books, the library is deeply appreciative.
In a summary of the year's activities there have been some accomplishments' some errors, and many plans for making the Attleboro Public Library and its services a stimulating and cooperative factor in the community. To the staff is due much credit for hard work combined with loyal efforts in making adjust- ments to oftimes irritating and discouraging circumstances. To the trustees who have been patient with the errors and kindly and helpful in counsel, this report of the library's activities is,
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer, Librarian.
THE LIBRARY SERVES THE CITY
Service at
Material Loaned
Central Library.
84,387 Volumes
Dodgeville School. 4,878 Volumes
Hebronville Community Cottage.
6,401 Volumes
South Attleboro Village.
8,587 Volumes
Washington Street School.
23,607 Volumes
Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
3,654 Volumes
Schools and Summer Camps. 8,716 Volumes
Total
. 140,230 Volumes
Classified Report
Additions to Collection
Philosophy and Religion.
1,111
Books Purchased. 3184
Adult. .2154
Education, Economics, Sociology
4640
Books donated. 354
Juvenile. .1384
Natural and Applied Science. 5446
Fine Arts and Music.
3,568
3538
3538
Literature and Language.
5,655
History and Biography .
4,909
Travel.
3,513
Duplicates and Replace-
Adult Fiction
59,995
ments 1678
Juvenile Fiction .
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