USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1921-1925 > Part 23
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Article 18 .- To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations.
Article 19 .- To act upon the report of the Town Officers.
Article 20 .- To determine the amount of money to be raised by taxation the ensuing year.
Article 21 .- To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies and publication thereof, seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by the By-Laws of the town.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of February, A.D. 1923.
WALTER S. DONALD CHARLES BOWMAN ANDREW McTERNEN Selectmen of Andover
120
RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
Efficient work by the committee is rendered difficult by the crowding of important questions of town policy into a very few days before the date on which our report must be printed.
Proper investigation and discussion of the problems pre- sented is impossible, and as we are expected to make definite recommendations to the town, it follows that our report on matters of large import must be the result of hasty judgment rather than careful deliberation. This is unfair alike to the town, those presenting the problems, and to the Finance Committee.
We have called attention to this matter in previous reports and as a corrective measure had intended to insert an article in the warrant for an amendment to the by-laws, requiring all information on articles to be presented at least one month prior to the town meeting, but we find that proposed amendments to town by-laws require the approval of the Attorney General and it was not possible to secure his approval before the town meeting.
It would be of great value to the town to have all budgets, and plans, presented earlier than this so that the complete Town Report could be issued a month before the Town Meeting. Thus, the whole business of the town could be studied by the voters and intelligent conclusions drawn. We hope that with the co-operation of all Town Departments this may be accom- plished.
Following are the recommendations of the Finance Committee on the matters submitted to it:
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$6600.00
Almshouse
This is $600 more than appropriated last year and is added this year for the reason that almshouse receipts like the receipts of all town departments, must now be returned to the general treasury.
Almshouse Relief out
5000.00
This is the same amount as was appropriated last year.
Aiding Mothers with Dependent children
2500.00
Board of Health
3600.00
Brush Fires
1000.00
Elections and Registration
600.00
Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital
2823.50
This is the amount the town of Andover has been assessed by the County for running ex- penses of this institution.
Fire Department 23930.00
Last year the cost of maintaining the Fire
Department was $23,967.00.
G. A. R. 100.00
Hay Scales
125.00
Highway Department
Maintenance
40000.00
New construction
30000.00
It is the recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee that the appropriation for new street construction shall be the same as last year, namely $30,000, and that the appropriation for maintenance shall be $40,000 instead of $30,000 which was the appropriation last year. This increase is urged because of the cost of snow removal.
Interest
17500.00
Insurance
6000.00
Amount carried forward
$139778.50
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Amount brought forward
$139778.50
Fire $3500.00
Workmen's Compensation
2500.00
Library
4000.00
This is an increase of $1000 over the amount appropriated last year.
Memorial Day 550.00
Miscellaneous
1200.00
Parks and Playsteads
1200.00
Police Department
14500.00
Last year this department was maintained at a cost of $12,606.15 and an increased appropria- tion is recommended to premit the employment of an additional officer in Shawsheen Village.
Printing and Stationery
2000.00
Public Dump
75.00
Retirement of Veterans
300.00
Retirement of Bonds
35500.00
Sewer
$7000.00
High School
6000.00
Shawsheen Bridge
2500.00
Main St. Construction
20000.00
Schools
111883.00
This is an increase of $8463.00 over the appro- priation of last year and is represented by the provisions for an increase in the teaching corps in Shawsheen Village.
Sewer Department
4000.00
Labor and Power
$3000.00
Sinking Fund
1000.00
Soldiers' Relief
1500.00
Military Aid
200.00
This appropriation is for the relief of veterans of the World War and any disbursement made on this account is reimbursed by the State.
Amount carried forward
$316686.50
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Amount brought forward
$316686.50
Spring Grove Cemetery
5200.00
Last year the town appropriated under this item, $2500 and the receipts from the sale of lots. These receipts average about $2600 yearly and as they must now be returned to the general treasury an appropriation of $5200 is recommended.
State Aid 600.00
Street Lighting
$10000.00
This appropriation is increased about $1800 over the amount voted last year and this increase is due almost wholly to the added cost of light- ing Main Street.
Town Officers 10400.00
Tree Warden and Moth Work
15000.00
This year the town will be required by the Commonwealth to spend approximately $5000 on moth work and in addition a new sprayer which will cost $2250 is needed in this department, so that a total of $7250 is recommended for moth work. For tree work the sum of $7750 is recommended. It has been the practice in past years to make an appro- priation for both town and private tree work without designating the amount to be spent on the town's trees and on roadside cutting. The Finance Committee recommends that $3750 be spent on town work and $4000 on private work, this latter amount to be returned to the Town treasury.
Water Department Water Department, Service Pipe
$37000.00
2500.00
$397386.50
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The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the following action regarding the articles in the warrant :-
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $6000.00 to pay unpaid bills contracted by the Almshouse Building Committee, and to build a combination Barn and Garage, on petition of the Selectmen.
(Approved. - The appropriation of $40000 made at the last town meeting was insufficient to complete the almshouse due mainly to changes and additions insisted upon by officials of the State. The sum required to complete the build- ing is $3000 and an additional sum of $3000 is asked in order to build a barn and a garage and to do necessary grading. Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a combination truck and ambulance for the use of the Police Department and appropriate the sum of $700 for the same, on petition of the Selectmen.
(Approved - This item came before the last Town Meeting in the budget of the Police department.)
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $14,- 157.15 in addition to the balance on hand of $1140.29 to pay for bills due for extra work done in the reconstruction of Main Street, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved - During the course of construction work on Main Street it was found necessary to reconstruct several water channels and also to make a new covering over Stony brook where the brook crosses Main Street, contin- gencies not looked for when the construction contract was entered into. This work accounts for the greater part of the amount asked for in the Article although the contract itself calls for some $4000 more than the town appropriated for the work.)
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $10,- 000.00 for granolithic sidewalks on either side of Main Street and do necessary grading, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved - It is understood by the Finance Committee that these walks are to replace the sidewalks ruined when Main Street was rebuilt last year.)
125
Article 8. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of 1923 "Authorizing the Town of Ando- ver to construct an Outfall Sewer for the Disposal of its Sewage."
Also to see if the Town will vote to issue bonds or notes of the town in the aggregate amount of one hundred and fifty thousand ($150,000) dollars for the purpose of paying the necessary expenses and liabilities incurred under this act, the indebtedness under this act to be in excess of the statutory limit, but, except as otherwise provided therein, subject to Chapter Forty-Four of the General Laws, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved - The Finance Committee believes that the plan of an outfall sewer system as described in the report of Weston and Sampson, the engineers employed by the Board of Public Works, is the best solution of this problem.
Article 9. To see if the Town will authorize and direct the School Committee to petition the General Court of 1923 for autho- rity to borrow the sum of two hundred sixty-eight thousand ($268,000) dollars outside the statutory limit of indebted- ness, by bond issue or otherwise, for the following purposes:
To grade and loam the lot and to build and equip a new grammar school building, to be located on the land given by the American Woolen Company and accepted by the town, situated at the junction of and between Corbett and Mag- nolia Avenue, on petition of the School Committee.
(This project was brought before the Finance Committee too late for an investigation that would admit of a report for the Town Report. The subject is, however, still under discussion and it is expected that the recommendation of the Finance Committee will be made public before the Town Meeting.)
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to purchase a Motor Ladder Truck for the Fire Department and appropriate a sum of $15,000 for the same on petition of William C. Crowley and others.
(Approved - The Finance Committee has considered the purchase of this equipment for several years and now feels
126
that nothing can be gained by further delay in securing this piece of fire-fighting apparatus. The present truck is not only antiquated but is out of repair to the extent that it is dangerous to use. Ten thousand dollars is recommended for this purpose and this is the sum which will be asked by the Fire Department.)
Article 11. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from the present termina- tion of same on Corbett Street at premises of- Antonio Catanzaro, a distance of seventeen hundred (1700) feet along said Corbett Street to the main entrance to the Sacred Heart Cemetery, and appropriate a sum of money sufficient therefor, on petition of Edward Topping and others.
(Referred to the Board of Public Works.)
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of $10,000 to lay a 6-inch water mian on Chandler Road, to the resi- dence of William F. Trauschke and others, on petition of William F. Trauschke and others.
(Referred to the Board of Public Works.)
Article 13. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Section 85 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws of Massa- chusetts entitled "Pensions for Policemen and Firemen," on petition of Colver J. Stone and others.
(This matter was not presented to the Finance Committee for consideration.)
Article 14. To hear and act on the report of the War Memorial Committee.
(This article does not require action on the part of the Finance Committee.)
Article 15. To see if the Town will deed back to the Boston & Maine Railroad a certain piece of land situated in Ballard- vale, deeded to the town from the said Boston & Maine Railroad, September 16, 1871, on the express condition that neither the land nor the building thereon be used for any other purpose than housing fire apparatus, on petition of the Selectmen.
(Approved.)
127
SUMMARY
Department appropriations recommended Special appropriations recommended
$397386.50
40857.00
$438243.50
State Tax (estimated)
$30000. 00
County Tax (estimated)
20000.00
50000.00
$488243.50
RESOURCES
Cash on hand
$5000. 00
Corporation and Bank tax (est.)
30000.00
From State for Schools
8500.00
Water Rates
31000.00
Income Tax
17000.00
Spring Grove Cemetery
2500.00
Sundries
6000.00
100000.00
$388243.50
VALUATION
1921
1922
1923 (est)
Personal
$2309395.00
$2616195.00
$2616195.00
Real Estate
8638965.00
9349375.00
10849375.00
$10948360.00 $11965570.00 $13465570.00 Computation of tax rate for 1923 using these figures
$388243.50
$28.+
$13465570.00
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. BODWELL, Chairman
GEORGE ABBOT E. V. FRENCH
GEORGE L. AVERILL C. W. HOLLAND
GEORGE H. WINSLOW JOHN C. ANGUS, Secretary Finance Committee
128
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
E. KENDALL JENKINS
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
ALFRED E. STEARNS BURTON S. FLAGG
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN FREDERICK A. WILSON
President E. KENDALL JENKINS
Secretary and Treasurer FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
Librarian EDNA A. BROWN
Assistants
JULIA E. TWICHELL EDITH DONALD
VIRGINIA L. RAMSDELL
In Charge of Ballardvale Branch MARTHA D. BYINGTON
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
129
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
FIFTIETH REPORT OF TRUSTEES
The annual report of the trustees of Memorial Hall Library for 1922 is herewith submitted.
The past year has shown much of encouragement and of progress in the work of the library as can be seen by the interest- ing report of the librarian whic 1 follows and which deserves thoughtful reading by all the citizens of Andover.
Few towns of its size have so large a percentage of its popula- tion using its books, for 2615 borrowing cards are held by Andover people. A fact of much interest is the increasing use of non- fiction volumes. The majority of books borrowed are fiction as one would naturally expect. But our children should be en- couraged to read history, biography, travels and other such literature which will give information and stimulate thought.
Parents and teachers can help greatly in cultivating a taste for such reading in the minds of the children. Our library is rich in such works, and a larger use of them is hoped for in the future.
The librarian is seeking to answer calls for books on new or popular subjects of the time as the recent addition of volumes on automobiles and radio apparatus indicates.
Several citizens in the near past have donated valuable volumes from their own libraries and have thus enabled the library to secure desirable works without expense. It is to be hoped that this commendable example will be followed by many others of our townspeople.
Every year makes more pressing the need of larger accommo- dations for the library, the lack of which is seriously hindering its usefulness. The town should keep this in mind and plan to meet this need as soon as it can wisely be done. The rapid increase of population in Shawsheen Village makes the establishment of a branch library there advisable in the near future.
130
With our whole town the trustees mourn the death of Judge Charles U. Bell whose service on the board, though brief, was exceedingly valuable. His sound judgment, his experience in library direction elsewhere, his wide reading and personal interest in the library made his opinions of special weight in the business of the Board. His wise advice and genial companionship will long be missed in its monthly meetings.
The library is nearing the fiftieth anniversary of its founding. Its date, May 30th, should be observed in some appropriate manner. What do our town fathers say about it?
The Trustees, the librarian and her assistants are all eager to make the library as helpful as possible, and will welcome sug- gestions which would increase its usefulness.
Respectfully submitted,
E. KENDALL JENKINS, Chairman ALFRED E. STEARNS NATHAN C. HAMBLIN BURTON S. FLAGG FREDERICK A. WILSON FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
131
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY In account with the Town of Andover, Mass.
RECEIPTS
Balance from last year
$2042.75
Town Appropriation
3000.00
Dog Tax
494.60
Income from Investments
3401.86
Fines
241.71
Gifts for Books
16.98
Cash paid for lost books
6.55
Sale of paper, etc.
6.80
Matured investments
7000.00
Total
$16211.25
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$4573.75
Lighting and Heating
658.88
Periodicals
205.95
Book-binding
234.35
Books
959.67
Insurance
496.92
Office Expenses
99.85
Legacy repaid
100.00
Sundry items
297.62
New Investments
6851.50
Cash on hand
1732.76
·Total
$16211. 25
132
Classification of Income and Expenditures for the Year 1922
INCOME
Maint.
Book
Cornell
Total
Income from Investments
$2151.61
$893.64
$356.61
$3401.86
Appropriation
3000.00
3000.00
Dog Tax
494.60
494.60
Fines
241.71
241.71
Cash paid for lost books
6.55
6.55
Gifts for books
16.98
16.98
Sale of paper
6.80
6.80
Total
$5894.72
$917.17
$356.61
$7168.50
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
4480.29
93.46
4573.75
Lighting and Heating
521.38
137.50
658.88
Periodicals
205.95
205.95
Book-binding
234.35
234.35
Books
959.67
959.67
Insurance
496.92
496.92
Office Expenses
99.85
99.85
Sundry Items
297.62
297.62
Total
$6336.36
$959.67
$230.96
$7526.99
Unexpended balances
125.65
Deficit
441.64
42.50
358.49 .
Condition of Funds and Unexpended Income, Jan. 1923
Funds
Income
Maintenance Fund
$46600.00
*$800.01
Book Funds
17400.00
914.55
Cornell Fund (Permanent)
5000.00
433.28
Cornell Fund (Purchase)
4371.32
830.35
Special Funds and Principal cash
354.59
Total
73371.32
2532.77
*Deficit in Inc. in Maintenance Fund
800.01
Total cash on hand
$1732.76
*Deficit
133
INVESTMENTS
Bangor & Aroostook R.R., 4s
$11000.00
Boston Elevated Ry. Co. 4s
10000.00
Boston Elevated Ry. Co., 412s
1000.00
Chicago Railways Co., 5s
9962.50
Montreal Tramways Co., 5s
9962.50
Michigan State Tel. Co., 5s
4981.25
Boston & Maine R.R., 4s
2000.00
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000.00
Southern Cal. Edison Co., 5s
2958.60
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
989.00
Louisville Gas & Electric Co., 5s
915.00
The Dayton Power & Light Co., 5s
940.00
Utah Power & Light Co., 6s
1030.00
Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., stock, 4 shares Savings Banks
571.50
15771.32
Principal Cash on hand
289.65
Total
$73371.32
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
Treasurer
January 31, 1923
This certifies that I have examined and found correct the above statements as of January 27, 1923, whereby all securities held against the several funds have been examined and the income accruing from same accounted for. All disbursements are sup- ported by receipts in proper form and the cash has been verified and found correct.
BURTON S. FLAGG,
Finance Committee
134
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the library for the twelve months ending December 31, 1922.
The number of books circulated for home use during the year of 1922 is 46,993, which is less than for 1921, the record-breaker in the history of the library, but about 2700 more than for 1920. This fall in circulation is largely due to more prosperous industrial conditions and the fewer people out of work. There are, however, some interesting features, the most important being that the drop is chiefly in the use of fiction.
While the providing of wholesome stories is a legitimate and proper use of public money, every library is primarily an educa- tional institution, a constructive force, working in cooperation with the schools and offering advantages to those whom the schools do not reach. The library has always done a large amount of reference work with the children, but during the past twelve months, there has been a marked increase in work with older people. The number of men using the different collections has steadily grown. From circulating only 30% of non-fiction, the monthly record now sometimes shows 40% of books of a serious nature taken from the library.
Our work with the town schools, both public and parochial, has been extensive and encouraging. It is especially gratifying to note the use of the library made by the teachers. At times, whole classes from the parochial school arrive at the library to look up assigned topics. Owing to lack of room, we are unable · to reserve many books for the use of teachers, as we should like to do. In our crowded quarters, any special work is always undertaken at the expense of something else, -in its way, equally important. Always a compromise has to be made; it is not possible to do justice to everything.
135
As usual, the library has tried to furnish all available help for the work of the local clubs. We are yet hampered by the difficulty of getting books which are out of print, but in this matter, have been able to borrow from the Boston Public Library and from Haverhill, volumes wanted by the different study departments. We are also indebted to the Phillips Academy Library for the loan of one rare book. It is possible to repay the courtesy of the school library by lending it volumes from time to time, but we are forced to accept without repayment in kind, the kindness of the two city libraries.
Reference work is always an interesting part of our activi- ties and literally thousands of questions are asked on every con- ceivable subject. None are too trivial to receive our interested attention. The library, through years of service, has built up this reputation for helpfulness to such an extent that people no longer living in town write for information which they are unable to obtain from the libraries near them. We take especial pleasure in requests from Andover girls, teaching in other communities, who turn to their home library for advice and help. The audi- ences at local plays, parties, socials, even at the Christmas pageant just past, perhaps do not realize that behind all these community activities stands their town library, with its books suggesting games, theatricals, refreshments, costumes, recita- tions. Somebody planned each entertainment, and almost as certainly, somebody went to the library for books.
There are several people in Andover who have given genuine help this year, by turning over for library use, copies of recent popular novels, thus releasing extra dollars for the purchase of books of less passing interest. For this reason, though the price of all books is still very high, we have been able to add an unusual number of valuable biographies and historical documents of various kinds. It is right that we should have a certain pro- portion of new fiction, and this passing on for others books one does not care to keep permanently is a service within the power of many people. It is a real public benefit. Not all the gifts have been confined to fiction; we have received other valuable additions, particularly in the departments of religion and history.
Among the books of special timeliness are those on radio. It
136
would be interesting to know how many sets in Andover have been constructed with the assistance of library books. Judging from the eagerness with which men and boys borrow these publi- cations, they have rendered considerable help. During the early part of the year, we experienced considerable difficulty in keeping up with the demand on this subject. The development was so sudden and so rapid that at first, only periodicals had sufficiently up-to-date information, but the publishers soon rose to the opportunity, and at present, the library has a really good col- lection of books on radio, and on that other all-vital subject, automobiles. They are kept on the centre table, accessible to the most hurried visitor.
For the past twelve months, we have bought practically all fiction and juveniles in reinforced bindings. There is no doubt that this practice has lessened the bills for rebinding books, but it is not wholly satisfactory because the books, especially the juveniles, get so dirty. On inquiry, we find that librarians can- not agree about the strengthened bindings. Some think it pays; others think it is better to give the book a fresh cover after a time. In our library, the reinforced bindings seem to work well for adult fiction, but less acceptably for the children's books.
In order to relieve the congestion of the children's shelves, two small cases, a yard high and slightly longer, have been extended as wings from their central bookcase. This has been done at the expense of space in the reading-room. and by crowding the tables on that side. It is a makeshift arrangement. The children of Andover ought to have the undivided attention of one person, in a room of their own, open at stated hours, where they can have more freedom than is possible under present con- ditions. The work of the library is already large in this line, and could be much developed if there were only the opportunity.
Numerous new borrowers have registered during the year, 322 in all. A considerable proportion come from Shawsheen Village. There is no doubt that a branch there would be used and appre- ciated. It has been suggested by the Selectmen that when the new schoolhouse is built, one room in the old building should be reserved for the use of the Memorial Hall library, the others to be devoted to some town purpose, as is the case with the building at Ballardvale.
137
For many years the library has granted to people leaving town n the summer, the privilege of taking with them books not in especial demand. This custom has grown steadily, until the summer of 1922 shows the largest vacation use yet recorded. It is also interesting to note that no volumes thus borrowed have ever fai ed to come back.
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