USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1904-1909 > Part 25
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$1124 92
RECOMMENDATIONS OF SELECTMEN FOR 1908
The following is a list of appropriations recommended by the Selectmen :
Almshouse expenses,
$4000 00
Repairs on Almshouse,
500 00
Relief out of Almshouse,
3300 00
Soldiers' Relief,
1000 00
State Aid,
2250 00
Snow,
1000 00
Horses and Drivers,
4600 00
Highways and Bridges,
3500 00
Also St. Railroad tax, amount received for use of teams and street sprinkling,
Town Hall, 1600 00
Sidewalks, (250.00 to be spent under better-
ment act) unexpended balance to be turned into treasury,
1000 00
Macadam,
3000 00
Fire Department,
4000 00
Printing and Stationary,
I200 00
Miscellaneous,
2500 00
Police,
3000 00
Street Lighting,
5250 00
Memorial Day,
275 00
Insurance,
900 00
Public Dump,
50 00
Interest,
15000 00
State Tax,
9000 00
County' Tax,
8000 00
Amount carried forward,
$74925 00
105
Amount brought forward,
$74925 00
Hay Scales,
75 00
Tree Warden,
3000 00
Park Commissioners,
1000 00
Town Officers,
6500 00
Public Works, Water Dept.,
Construction,
2062 27
Maintenance,
7500 00
Sinking Funds,
750 00
Redemption of Bonds, (water)
6000 00
Sewer Department,
Maintenance,
1300 00
Sinking Funds,
4000 00
School House Bond,
4000 00
Schools,
31000 00
School-books and supplies,
2000 00
School Houses,
4600 00
Spring Grove Cemetery,
700 00
(and receipts for sale lots)
Library Memorial Hall,
500 00
$149912 27
H. M. EAMES, WALTER S. DONALD, SAMUEL H. BAILEY, Assessors of Andover.
a
RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE, 1908
The following is a list of appropriations recommended by the Finance Committee, for the year 1908:
Almshouse expense,
$4000 00
Repairs on almshouse,
500 00
Relief out of almshouse,
3300 00
Soldiers' relief,
1000 00
State Aid,
2250 00
Removing Snow,
1000 00
Horses and Drivers,
4600 00
Highways and bridges,
3500 00
Also St. railroad tax, amount received
for use of teams and Street sprinkling. Town Hall,
1500 00
Sidewalks,
1000 00
(250 to be spent under the betterment act.) Unexpended balance to be turned into treasury.
ยท Macadam,
3000 00
Fire department,
4000 00
Printing and stationery,
I200 00
Miscellaneous,
2500 00
Police Department,
3000 00
Street Lighting,
5250 00
Memorial Day,
275 00
Insurance,
900 00
Public Dump,
50 00
Interest,
15000 00
State Tax,
9000 00
Amount carried forward,
$66825 00
107
Amount brought forward,
$66825 00
County Tax,
8000 00
Hay Scales,
75 00
Tree Warden,
2500 00
Park Commissioners,
1000 00
Town Officers,
6500 00
Public Works-water department:
Construction,
$2062 27
Maintenance,
7500 00
Sinking Funds,
750 00
10312 27
Sewer Department :
Maintenance,
$1300 00
Sinking funds,
4000 00
5300. 00
Water Bond,
6000 00
School-house bond,
4000 00
Schools,
31000 00
School-houses,
4600 00
School books and supplies,
2000 00
Spring Grove cemetery, and receipts of sale of lots,
500 00
Memorial Hall :
Library, 500 00
Total appropriation recommended, $149112 27
BERNARD M. ALLEN
J. NEWTON COLE
THOMAS E. ALLEN
JOHN H. FLINT
J. WARREN BERRY PATRICK J. SCOTT ARTHUR BLISS PERLEY F. GILBERT
BARNETT ROGERS
FRANK H. HARDY
WILLIAM J. BURNS
JOHN H. CAMPION
ALEXANDER LAMONT ANDREW McTERNEN
DAVID SHAW
Finance Committee.
-
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, SS: To either of the Constables of the Town of Andover.
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachuestts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Andover qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet and assemble in the Town House, in said Andover, on Monday, the second day of March, 1908, at six o'clock, A.M., to act on the following articles :
Article Ist .- To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2nd .- To choose Town Clerk, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, three members of the Board of Selectmen, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, three members of the Board of Assessors, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, one member of the Board of Health for three years, three members of the School Committee, for three years, one Trustee of Memorial Hall Library for seven years, one Park Commissioner for three years, two members of the Board of of Public Works for three years, one Tree Warden for one year, three Auditors of Accounts for one year, three Constables for one year, one Highway Surveyor for one year, one Trustee of Cornell Fund, for three years, one Trustee of Punchard Free School for two years, to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. H. H. Tyer, Fence Viewers, Field Drivers, Surveyors of Lumber, Fire Wards, a Pound Keeper, and any other officers the town may determine to choose.
Article 3rd .- To take action on the following question, "Shall License be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"
109
Article 4th .- To determine what sums of money shall be appro- priated for Schools, School-houses, School-books and Supplies, Highways and Bridges, Macadamized Roads, Sidewalks, Remov- ing Snow, Horses and Drivers, Street Lighting, Town Officers, Police, Public Works (Maintenance, Construction, and Sinking Funds), Fire Department (Maintenance and Fire Alarm), Town House, Almshouse, Repairs on Almshouse, State Aid, Relief out of Almshouse, Soldiers' Relief, State Tax, County Tax, Interest on Bonds, Funds and Notes, Redemption of Water Bonds, and School-house Bonds, Printing and Stationery, Miscellaneous, Memorial Day, Insurance, Spring Grove Cemetery, Hay Scales, Park Commission, Tree Warden, Public Dump, and other town charges and expenses.
Article 5th .- To see if the Town will accept the gift of Five Hundred dollars ($500.00) made by the will of the late Varnum Lincoln.
Article 6th .- To see of the Town will vote to use the old road- way running from Andover Street to the rear of the Bradlee School as an approach to said School, on petition of Colver J. Stone and others.
Article 7th .- To see if the Town will vote to construct a side- walk on Lowell Street from the property of Mr. William M. Wood to the property of Mr. Edward W. Burtt, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of Frank H. Hardy and others.
Article 8th .- To see if the Town will vote to purchase a suitable piece of land for a playstead in Ballardvale, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of Howell F. Wilson and others.
Article 9th .- To see if the Town will vote to relocate Upland Road at its junction with Summer Street, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of William H. Welch and others.
110
Article Ioth .- To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Public Works to lay a water main from the corner of Osgood Road and Dascomb Road to the residence of Elizabeth Curtis on Dascomb Road, on petition of W. E. Curtis and others.
Article IIth .- To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Public Works to construct a sewer on Walnut Avenue, from Maple Avenue to Walcott Avenue, and on Wolcott Avenue from Walnut Avenue to Elm Street, and assess betterments upon the estates benefitted, in accordance with the plan adopted by the Board of Public Works, Feb. 5th, 1908, on petition of David S. Lindsay and others.
Article 12th .- To see if the Town will establish and maintain an electric light on Morton street near the house of James H. Connelly, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of James H. Connelly and others.
Article 13th .- To see if the town will establish and maintain an arc electric light at the junction of Corbett with Poor street and Magnolia avenue, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of Joseph W. Poor and others.
Article 14th .- To see if the Town will establish and maintain an electric light on Cuba Street about midway between Shawsheen Road and Red Spring Road and appropriate a sum of money therefor, on petition of John Schofield and others.
Article 15th .- To see what action the Town will take in regard to procuring new seats for the Town Hall.
Article 16th .- To act upon the report of the Town Officers .
Article 17th .- To fix the pay of the Firemen for the ensuing year.
Article 18th .- To determine the method of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year.
111
Article 19th .- To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations.
Article 20th .- To authorize the Town Treasurer to hire money for the use of the Town in anticipation of taxes for the current year, upon the approval of the Selectmen .
Article 21st .- To determine the amount of money to be raise 1 by taxation the ensuing year.
Article 22nd .- To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Selectmen at the time and place of meeting.
Given under our hands at Andover this eighteenth day of February, in the year one thousand nine hundred and eight.
H. M. EAMES, WALTER S. DONALD, SAMUEL H. BAILEY,
Selectmen of Andover.
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
-
THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
In presenting the annual report of the Trustees for 1907 there seems to be very little to add to the comprehensive report of the Librarian, which we cordially commend to your attention.
A large and increasing number of our townspeople have en- joyed the benefits of the changes therein mentioned. Probably few realize that they are indebted to Mrs. Coburn's legacy, and to the generosity of her brother, our late President, Joseph W. Smith, Esq., for these advances along modern lines of library work. Partially offsetting this additional income for the support of the library, the Town has paid this year only 4 per cent interest on the Memorial Hall note of $20000.00 in place of the 6 per cent which it has heretofore paid, thus making our total income $400.00 less than we supposed we should have to carry on the work under the new conditions.
To provide for this, and also for the purchase of additional books as recommended in the Librarian's report we have asked the Town for an appropriation of $500.00.
Mention has already been made of the death of our late Pres- ident, Joseph W. Smith, Esq. The following minute has been spread upon our records :-
"Mr. Joseph W. Smith, our beloved President having passed away on November 14th, we desire to place on record our warm appreciation of the long and faithful service rendered by him to the Memorial Hall Library.
"It was to him that his honored father, Mr. John Smith, wrote in 1870 the letter from Dresden proposing the project of a "Mem- orial Hall" for Andover, which should also be a public library and reading room, and pledging a large sum toward carrying it out- a fund to which Mr. Smith himself afterward subscribed liberally. He was elected by the town one of the original trustees, was
113
chosen by the Board, March 30, 1872, its first president, and by successive annual re-elections has continued to hold the office, con- tributing not only his genial presence at our meetings but his counsel and help during all these thirty-five years. Never has his interest seemed greater than in these last two years of his feeble- ness when, though unable to meet with us in person, he has made at various times generous provision for special needs, as for the binding of newspaper files containing the current history of the civil war, and for refurnishing and decorating the library, thus adding greatly to its attractiveness, as well as to the convenience of its patrons.
"We mourn that we shall see his face and hear his cheery voice in our meetings no more, but rejoice that his life was spared to witness the constantly increasing usefulness and helpfulness to the whole community of the institution whose interests lay so near his heart."
Respectfully submitted,
E. KENDALL JENKINS, FRANCIS H. JOHNSON, JOSEPH A. SMART, C. C. CARPENTER, FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL, JOHN ALDEN, GEORGE F. SMITH,
Trustees.
ANDOVER, MASS., Feb. II, 1908.
114
Frederic S. Boutwell, Treasurer of Trustees of Memorial
RECEIPTS
Balance from last year,
$1165 02
Income from investments,
2664 II
Dog tax,
784 48
Individual gifts,
1030 36
Lt. Gov. Phillips Charitable Donation Female Teachers' Fund,
2000 00
Lt. Gov. Phillips Charitable Donation Fund,
1339 90
Balance from Coburn bequest,
42 25
Sundry items, 44 5I
$9070 63
FUNDS
General Fund,
$20000 00
Coburn Fund,
25000 00
Byers Fund,
10000 00
Cornell Fund (per.)
5000 00
Cornell Fund (pur.)
2700 00
Taylor Fund,
500 00
W. C. T. U.,
100 00
Lt. Gov. Phillips Donation Funds,
3200 00
Cash,
312 18
$66812 18
115
Hall Library, in account with the Town of Andover, Mass.
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and service,
$1533 08
Janitor and cleaning,
629 15
Fuel and lighting,
411 16
Furniture and supplies,
825 95
Repairs,
814 77
Insurance,
345 90
Books,
650 76
Periodicals and newspapers,
148 10
Bookbinding,
151 95
Investments,
3206 75
Sundries,
40 88
Cash,
312 18
$9070 63
-
Invested as follows :
Town Notes,
$25,000 00
Bangor & Aroostook, 4S,
11,000 00
Boston Elevated, 4S,
10,000 00
Boston & Maine, 4S,
2,000 00
Boston & Elevated, 4 I-2S,
1,000 00
Savings Banks,
13,500 00
Mortgage,
4,000 00
Cash,
312 18
$66,812 18
Examined and verified
E. KENDALL JENKINS JOS. A. SMART
Auditors.
116
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library.
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the annual report of the library for the year ending December 31, 1907.
With the first of January a new registration was begun and a new loan sytem installed, a simple system which has worked perfectly and to the apparent satisfaction of the public as well as the library force. All children over ten years of age were allowed to have cards, their application blanks being indorsed by both teacher and parent. In the case of some exceptionally bright children under ten, a card has been granted upon a written request from the teacher. All the chil- dren's books were put upon open shelves in the main reading room, and the children were allowed free access to them, a privilege which has been greatly appreciated. At the same time all the shelves were opened to adult visitors, with a consequent increase in the amount of non-fiction issued for home use. The new books have been placed in an open case available for examination, while books of special tem- porary interest have been arranged in small cases under bulletin boards calling attention to them.
During the summer the privilege of keeping for several weeks, books not in especial demand, was granted, and an extra card for non- fiction, issued to all grown people upon request. The latter privilege was afterwards made a permanent one, and has been extended to the High School scholars.
Through the generosity of the late president of the Board of Trustees, Joseph W. Smith, the library interior was repainted, the woodwork refinished, a new system of lighting installed, a floor cov- ering laid, and the old worn furniture replaced by modern chairs and tables; completely transforming the reading room. It is doubtful if any one of the many benefactions of Mr. Smith as regards the Memo- rial Hall, has ever been more appreciated than this gift to the people of Andover. There have been a number of other gifts to the library; an addition, from the Trustees of Phillips Academy, to the Phillips fund for the purchase of religious and ethical books; and, under the will of Samuel Phillips, the gift of another fund, the income of which is to be expended for educational works for the benefit of the female teachers of Andover. Mrs. Joseph W. Smith has presented to the library, a valuable collection of large plates, entitled "Beauties and Curiositites of Engraving". There have also been several anony- mous gifts of money for the purchase of children's books, and dona-
117
tions of books and pamphlets from different sources as may be seen in the list of gifts to the library.
The work with the schools has been most encouraging, the super- intendent and teachers co-operating most cordially with the library in efforts to teach the children the true use of books. The reference use has greatly increased, the resources of the library as a storehouse of information being recognized, not only by the schools, but by the clubs and the churches. Special efforts were made to provide for the winter's work of the different departments of the Tuesday and November Clubs, reading lists being compiled, and additional books purchased for their use. The needs of Sunday school teachers have also been considered, and the Phillips fund makes it possible to pro- vide for them with unusual generosity. At the beginning of the winter, a list of library books helpful for church and Sunday school workers, was compiled, and a copy given to each church. During the year, a number of special lists and bulletins have been posted at intervals upon the bulletin boards. Special shelves are set apart for different teachers who may there reserve books for the use of their classes. The purchase, in the fall, of duplicate copies of the required reading for the Punchard school, was one of the most appreciated decisions of the board.
The work of reorganization has been carried on throughout the year, progressing steadily, though slowly, since the greatly increased use of the library leaves only mornings available for this work. Practically all the books on the lower floor of the library are now equipped for the new loan system. No systematic revision of the card catalogue has as yet been attempted. Catalogues of any de- scription are of less importance when the shelves of a library are open, since people find it pleasanter and more satisfactory to examine the books, or to ask the librarian, than to depend upon mechanical lists. Eventually the catalogue will be put into shape.
The library has recently entered into communication with the Woman's Education Association of Boston, and has had from them, one travelling library on Venice, with its accompanying photographs. The association owns a number of these collections, which it lends to any Massachusetts library upon payment of freight charges in one direction. In this way, a library to a great extent, may temporarily increase its resources upon any special subject.
During November and December, Miss Twichell has told Thanks- giving and Christmas stories to the children. They have come in different groups of ten each, the groups composed of boys and girls about the same age. This story hour has been very successful, and has given the children great pleasure, as well as inspiration to read for themselves. An abridged form of Dickens' Christmas Carol was read one evening in Christmas week to a number of the older boys
.
118
who have left school. It is hoped to continue this story-telling throughout the winter. The only place which can be used for it is the reference room, and there is always the chance of its being needed for its original purpose while stories are being told. One of the greatest needs of the library is a separate room for the children, and it is to be hoped that before many years, since so much has already been done by private benefactors, this urgent need may be recognized by the town.
No mention is made in the list of gifts to the library of the many flowers which have been brought during the year, but they have added greatly to the attractiveness of the reading room, and have given pleasure to many people. All the plants which are now in the library, are either gifts or loans.
From the appended statistics may be seen the increased use of the library during the past year. Its patrons are appreciative of the open shelves, of the new books, and of Mr. Smith's generosity in making the reading room so attractive. The registration shows a good proportion of the town's population. The increase in circulation, 10,767 more books than were issued in 1906, is in itself, indisputable testimony as to the place that the library is taking in the community. This increased use means larger binding bills, more frequent replace- ment of books, and larger book bills, for the people have a right to expect the prompt purchase of a reasonable number of the new pub- lications. More new books have been added this year than last, many of them having been purchased at greatly reduced prices, advantage being taken of special sales and clearances of stock, while some per- fectly new books have been obtained at very low rates from second hand catalogues. There are so many demands upon a library for books, that it is necessary to make every effort to buy judiciously and at the lowest price.
It is especially desirable during the coming year, to weed out the antiquated scientific books on the shelves, and to replace them by up-to-date volumes which may be of real practical assistance to the business men of the community, to the workmen in mills and shops, and to the students in the textile schools. The library in a town like Andover should have a working collection of books on textile industries. There is no doubt that technical and scientific books would be widely used, but such works are expensive, and the book fund of the library is limited. In order to fill some evident needs for the coming year, it seems almost a necessity that there should be an addition to the fund for the purchase of books. It may not be possible in the immediate future, for a special children's room to be forthcoming, but it does not seem unreasonable to hope that there may shortly be more money for books, so that the library may not
119
fail in its earnest endeavor to respond satisfactorily to every legiti- mate call upon its resources.
Respectfully submitted, EDNA A. BROWN. Librarian.
Statistics of the Library
1906
1907
Number of books issued for home use,
17,968
28,715
Books sent to districts,
1316
I473
Percentage of fiction issued,
69
Percentage of non-fiction,
3I
Registration, Jan. 1-Dec. 31,
1757
Cards cancelled, removals, etc.
78
Actual cards in use,
1679
Pamphlets added,
295
Total number of pamphlets in library (estimated)
9095
Books added by purchase,
871
Books added by gift,
129
Total accessions,
1000
Volumes withdrawn from library
356
Total number of volumes in the library (estimated)
18736
Volumes rebound,
188
Volumes bound, (periodicals)
93
Books and Pamphlets Given to Memorial Hall Library, 1907
Abbot Academy.
I
Bancroft, C. K.
I
Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
I
Boston Public Library.
2
Boutwell, F. S.
I
Cambridge Public Library.
I
Canada .- Supt. of Immigration.
I
Carnegie Library, Nashville, Tenn.
I
Carpenter, Mrs. C. C.
I
Carpenter, J. B.
I
Cole, J. N.
I
Congressional Library.
3
5
Cornell University.
I
Coudert, G. F. R.
I
120
Durand, W. Y. Flint, Mrs. N. F.
I
G. A. R. Post 99.
3 3
Fall River Public Library.
I
Forbes Library, Northampton.
I
Interstate Commerce Commission.
I
Jamestown Exposition.
I
John Crerar Library, Chicago.
I
Lake Mohonk Conference.
2
Louisiana Geological Survey.
I
Marvin, F. R.
5
Mass .- Agricultural Exper. Station.
I
Mass .- Free Library Comm.
I
Mass .- Labor Bureau.
IO
Mass .- Sec. of Commonwealth.
32
4
Mass .- State Board of Charity.
I
I
Mass .- State Board of Insanity.
I
Mass .- State Library.
I
I
Mass. - Trustees of Public Reservations.
I
Mass. Institute of Technology.
3
Mass. Nautical Training School.
2
Mass. Volunteer Infantry .- Reg. 19.
I
Mills, M. B.
6
National First Aid Association.
I
Newton, (Mass.) Free Library.
I
North Andover Village Improvement Society.
2
Palmer, Corwin.
12
Palmer, Rev. Frederic.
I
I
Prevost, Florence.
3
Providence Public Library.
I
Robinson, Mrs. F. S.
I
Simmons College, Boston.
I
Smith, J. W.
2
Smithsonian Institution.
5
9
Somerville, (Mass.) Public Library.
I
Stevens, M. T., children of.
I
Taylor, J. P.
32
Taylor, Mrs. J. P.
2
Treat, J. H.
I
University of Nashville, Tenn.
I
U. S .- Census Bureau.
8
20
U. S .- Comm. of Education.
7
U. S .- Dept. of Agriculture.
I
29
I
Southwick, J. A.
98
121
U. S .- Dept. of Interior.
I
7
U. S .- Forestry Service.
32
U. S .- Geological Survey.
I
36
U. S .- Supt. of Documents.
4
6
Usher, E. P.
I
Uxbridge, Mass.
I
Washington and Lee University.
I
Willis, Pauline.
3
Women's Relief Corps, Mass.
2
Worcester, (Mass.) Public Library.
I
15I
295
List of Periodicals and Newspapers Taken for the Reading Room
American monthly review of re- views
Masters in art. Nation.
Atlantic monthly.
National geographic magazine.
Blackwood's magazine.
New England magazine. North American review.
Catholic world.
Outing. Outlook.
Christian Endeavor world, (gift).
Popular mechanics.
Congressional record, (gift)
Popular science monthly.
Contemporary review.
Public libraries.
Cornhill magazine.
Putnam's monthly.
Country life in America.
Craftsman.
Readers' guide to periodic lit- erature
Cumulative book index.
St. Nicholas.
Edinburgh review.
Scientific American.
Elementary school teacher.
Official gazette. (gift).
Engineering magazine. Forum.
World's work.
Garden magazine. (gift).
Youth's companion.
Harper's bazar.
Andover Townsman.
Harper's magazine.
Boston daily Advertiser.
Harper's weekly.
Boston evening Transcript.
House beautiful. (gift).
Boston Herald.
International studio. (gift).
Boston Journal.
Ladies' home journal.
Boston Post.
Library journal. Literary digest,
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