USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1926-1929 > Part 26
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Article 5. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $40000.00 for steam pumping equipment, Venturi Meter and other improvements at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
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Article 6. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not exceeding $4500.00 provided, however, a like amount of money is appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Essex, for improvement of River Road in West Andover so-called, on petition of Board of the Public Works.
Article 7. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $4000.00 to erect a wire fence around the playstead, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Article 8. - To see if the Town will vote that the southerly end of Bartlet Street, between Chapel Avenue and Wheeler Street be closed to public traffic, and that the private way known as Wheeler Street be accepted as a public way as approved by the Board of Survey, the said street to be resurfaced and graded, subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works in accordance with the plan of the Trustees of Phillips Academy, the expense thereof to be borne by said Academy, on petition of John V. Holt and others.
Article 9. - To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way, as laid out and approved by the Board of Survey, a way known as Boston Road extending from Rattlesnake Hill Road to Gould Road, on petition of George Bernard and others.
Article 10 .- To see if the Town will vote to extend the Water Service from Salem Street to the residence of Honora Glowacki on Gray Road, a distance of about 700 feet and appro- priate the sum of $1750.00 therefor, on petition of John D. Urqu- hart and others.
Article 11. - To see if the Town will authorize the construc- tion of a sewer on Union Street and appropriate the sum of $2800.00 therefor and accept the same as a part of the sewerage system, on petition of Mary A. Robinson and others.
Article 12. - To see if the Town will vote to rebuild Union Street from the Lawrence line to North Main Street, the same to be permanently constructed as a continuation of the road already installed by the City of Lawrence and appropriate the sum of $33750.00 therefor, on petition of D. Arthur Bell and others.
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Article 13. - To see if the town will authorize the School Committee to employ expert advice for purposes of a survey for changes and additions in school room accommodations and gym- nasium facilities and appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) therefor, on petition of the School Committee.
Article 14. - To see if the Town will petition the Director of Accounts of the Department of Corporations and Taxation for the installation of an accounting system, in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, or take any action re- lative thereto.
Article 15. - To see if the Town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Sections 21 to 25 of Chapter 406 Acts of 1928, an amendment to Chapter 136 of the General Laws, relating to certain sports and games on the Lord's Day.
Article 16. - To authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow money for the use of the Town in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, with the approval of the Selectmen.
Article 17. - To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations and free cash in treasury.
Article 18. - To act upon the report of the Town Officers.
Article 19. - 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 seventh day of February A.D., 1929.
FRANK H. HARDY ANDREW McTERNEN JEREMIAH J. DALY
Selectmen of Andover
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RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee submits the following report :
After its appointment, following last year's Town Meeting, the Finance Committee adopted a policy of trying to keep in touchi with each department conducting the town business throughout the year, so that it might have a better survey of the whole field when the time came to consider the budget, and also that it might be in a better position to justify suggestions for improvement whether of economy or greater efficiency.
After all, the matter of spending town's money and buying things with it is no different in character from that of individual spending. Of course, the town cannot get any money to spend except as we, the townspeople, give it. The tax-payer isn't the only one who gives, but every one of us, tax-payer or not, pays and pays more in increased rents and higher cost of living as the amounts we vote to buy this or that are piled one on top of the other.
There is nothing truer than that each one of us townsmen of Andover has a big stake in this businesss of voting and spending the town's money ; and because it strikes the pocket nerve of each one of us, it is ordinary common sense such as we exercise every day in our own private affairs to select for the buying those things which we need and can afford. We should have in mind, however, that economy in government is not so much evidenced by a lessened expenditure as it is by a wise expenditure.
Among the projects which for years has been held in abeyance because of inability to bring it to a head to the best financial ad- vantage to the town, but which has long been regarded as some-
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thing which must be done when the right time arrived, is the re- location and reconstruction of North Main Street from Andover Square to Stimpson's Bridge. The right time seems to be now, and for the work this year we have approved the appropriation of $50,000, as proposed in Article IV of the warrant. We think the amount of the appropriation should be paid for from the current tax levy. Having this in mind we have recommended the re- duction to the lowest degree of other expenditures, with the result that if the town meeting agrees with our recommendations as herein submitted, the North Main Street improvement can be financed by the "pay-as-you-go" policy without any substantial, if any, increase in the tax rate.
To keep the tax rate stabilized is a most desirable accomplish- ment. To keep it so stabilized at the figure Andover has exper- ienced and at the same time enjoy the reasonable necessities is not only much more desirable, but is most unusual. To continue this has been our problem, and we believe we have succeeded without undue hardship.
As to the other special articles in the warrant we recommend as follows :
Article V, calling for the expenditure of $40,000 for a new steam pump at the Water Works, has not met with our approval. Apparently the need exists for some action, however, and instead we recommend the appropriation of $2,000 for the purchase of a new electrically driven pump and necessary alterations which will, in our judgment, take care of the problem.
Article VI, asking for $4,500 for the River Road, does not meet with our approval, in view of our recommendation as to the North Main Street project. Further, we are informed that no appro- priation has been or will be made by the County this year for this road.
Article VII, calling for an expenditure of $4,000 for a wire fence around the Playstead, we disapprove for the reasons here- inbefore set forth.
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Articles VIII and IX do not require action by the Finance Com- mittee.
Article X, with reference to an appropriation of $1,750 for water extension on Salem Street, we recommend.
Article XI, for an appropriation of $2,800 for sewer in Union Street, we recommend be postponed until next year, on the sug- gestion of the Board of Public Works.
Article XII, calling for an appropriation for $33,500 for re- building of Union Street, does not meet with our approval, nor that of the Board of Public Works. We doubt that the town de- sires to build the Andover end of this road of three-car-wide con- struction. Probably something will have to be done on this in- creasingly used artery sooner or later, but Article XII presents a project which should receive more thorough consideration in the endeavor to reduce the cost to the town to the minimum, and we think that this should be now ordered.
Article XIII provides for an appropriation of $500 for a survey of the school facilities of the town. We doubt that such survey would be of any greater value than one made by our Superinten- dent of Schools, or by a committee which might have consider- ation of the matter upon appointment by the Moderator. We think this expenditure unnecessary and therefore recommend its rejection.
The balance of the articles do not require action by the Finance Committee.
The total of last year's appropriation, including State and County tax and special articles of the warrant, amounted to $660,533.88.
The recommendations of this year require, including depart- mental expenditures, North Main Street project, the other special articles of the warrant, and the State and County tax, $654195.49
With the foregoing considerations in mind, your Finance Com- mittee thinks it is justified in recommending that the Town Meeting adopt the following budget :
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Almshouse
$10,350.00
Increase over last year of $1,850.00, for additions
to buildings and repairs.
Almshouse, Relief out
8,000.00
Aiding Mothers with dependent children
5,000.00
American Legion
1,000.00
Assessors' Survey
3,000.00
Board of Health
4,500.00
Brush Fires
1,000.00
Claims for damage to personal property
3,000.00
Reduction of $1,000.00
Elections
1,000.00
Reduction of $1,200.00
Essex Hospital 5,172.49
Increase of $45.39-assessed by County against
Town for Tuberculosis Hospital.
Fire Department
Reduction of $465.00.
G. A. R. 200.00
Highways :
Maintenance
50,000.00
New Construction
16,550.00
Reduction of $13,450.00 ; amount recommended for
construction of Poor Street, Red Spring Road, and
Cuba Street, and for curbing on North Main Street.
Interest 29,000.00
Reduction of $2,000.00
6,600.00
Increase of $200.00
Library
7,800.00
Increase of $300.00
Memorial Day
850.00
Increase of $250.00 covering greater cost
Parks and Playgrounds : Maintenance
4,000.00
Amount carried forward
$186,522.49
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Insurance
29,500.00
$186,522.49
Amount brought forward
Police 29,000.00
Increase of $2,700.00. Period of 12 months covered
by additional wages instead of nine. Additional special officers and purchase of police auto.
Pomps Pond 2,000.00
Increase of $500.00 for purchase of boat and cost of extension of beach.
Printing 600.00
Public Dump
400.00
Reserve Fund
Nothing
Reduction of $3,000.00
Retirement of Bonds
48,000.00
Retirement of Veteran
300.00
Schools
149,198.00
Increase of $5,584.00 for period of twelve months covered by additional wages in place of nine; and cost of extension of school transportation.
Sewers 6,200.00
Increase of $1,200.00. By ruling of accounting div- .
ision at Boston, all earnings of a department must be
paid into the Town Treasury. Payments for house connections heretofore used for sewer work come under this ruling, hence the increase.
Snow removal 8,000.00
Soldiers Relief 2,500.00
Increase of $1,000.00 for added relief.
Sealers Weights and Measures
500.00
Spring Grove Cemetery 8,000.00
Increase of $1,200.00. Purchase of a truck if nec-
essary ; also proper apparatus for services at grave.
State Aid 500.00
Amount carried forward
$441,720.49
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Amount brought forward
$441,720.49
Street Lighting 19,800.00
Increase of $1,313.00. Additional lights on Lowell
Street ; also higher power lights on Main Street.
Town Buildings Town Officers 17,250.00
4,200.00
Increase of $575.00. Increase of $250.00 in pay for
Collector, added because of duties in connection with
auto excise tax. Twelve months covered by pay in- creases instead of nine.
Town Scales 125.00
Tree Warden
5,000.00
Moth Work
5,000.00
Water
Maintenance 30,000.00
Construction
12,000.00
$2,000.00 of this is for renewal of pipes necessitated
by the contemplated reconstruction and relocation of
North Main Street and bridges.
Wire Inspector 350.00
Total
$535,445.49
Special Articles
53,750.00
$589,195.49
The Finance Committee recommends the following action re- garding the special articles in the warrant and for the reasons hereintofore stated.
Article 4 .- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 to pay its share of the cost of rebuilding the road- way, known as North Main Street, from Andover Square to Stimpson's Bridge, it being understood that the balance of the cost will be borne by the State and County of Essex, and to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to issue bonds or notes of the town, if found necessary, for the
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payment of said work, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Approved with the recommendation that the amount be paid out of the tax levy.
Article 5 .- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $40,000.00 for steam pumping equipment, Venturi Meter and other improvements at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Not approved as proposed, but the expenditure of $2,000.00 for installation of a new electrically driven pump and necessary alterations recommended ..
Article 6 .- To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not exceeding $4,500.00 provided, however, a like amount of money is appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Essex, for improvement of River Road in West Andover, so-called, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Not approved.
Article 7 .- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 to erect a wire fence around the Playstead, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Not approved.
Article 8 .- To see if the Town will vote that the southerly end of Bartlet Street, between Chapel Avenue and Wheeler Street be closed to public traffic, and that the private way known as Wheeler Street be accepted as a public way as approved by the Board of Survey, the said street to be resurfaced and graded, subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works in accordance with the plan of the Trustees of Phillips Academy, the expense thereof to be borne by said Academy, on petition of John V. Holt and others.
No action by Finance Committee necessary.
Article 9 .- To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way, as laid out and approved by the Board of Survey, a way
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known as Boston Road, extending from Rattlesnake Hill Road to Gould Road, on petition of George Bernard and others.
No action by Finance Committee necessary.
Article 10 .- To see if the Town will vote to extend the Water service from Salem Street to the residence of Honora Glowacki on Gray Road, a distance of about 700 feet and appropriate the sum of $1750.00 therefor, on petition of John D. Urquhart and others.
Approved.
Article 11 .- To see if the Town will authorize the construction of a sewer on Union Street and appropriate the sum of $2,800.00 therefor, and accept the same as a part of the sewerage system, on petition of Mary A. Robinson and others.
Not approved. Postponement to next year recommended.
Article 12 .- To see if the Town will vote to rebuild Union Street from the Lawrence line to North Main Street, the same to be permanently constructed as a continuation of the road al- ready installed by the City of Lawrence and appropriate the sum $33,750.00 therefor, on petition of D. Arthur Bell and others.
Not approved.
Article 13 .- To see if the Town will authorize the School Com- mittee to employ expert advice for purposes of a survey for changes and additions in school room accommodations and gym- nasium facilities, and appropriate a sum not exceeding five hun- dred dollars ($500.00) therefor, on petition of the School Com- mittee.
Not approved.
Article 14 .- To see if the Town will petition the Director of Accounts of the Department of Corporations and Taxation for the installation of an accounting system, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, or take any action relative thereto.
No action by the Finance Committee necessary.
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SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended Special expenditures recommended
$535,445.49 53,750.00
State and. County Tax (estimated)
65,000.00
Total Receipts estimated
$654,195.49
213,000.00
$441,195.49
VALUATION
Net valuation 1928
$17,556,144.00
1929 (Estimated) $17,200,000.00
(Auto valuation out in 1929 by law)
Computation of tax rate for 1929 using the above figures : $441,195.49
= $25.50 +
$17,200,000.00
Tax rate for 1926-$28.80
Tax rate for 1927 - 25.50
Tax rate for 1928 - 25.00
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIE N. FROST, Chairman JOHN A. ARNOLD G. EDGAR FOLK JAMES H. EATON CHARLES J. BAILEY, Secretary WALTER M. LAMONT EDMOND E. HAMMOND
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$589,195.49
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL JOHN C. ANGUS
BURTON S. FLAGG
FREDERICK A. WILSON PHILIP F. RIPLEY
CLAUDE M. FUESS
Chairman NATHAN C. HAMBLIN
Secretary and Treasurer FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
Librarian EDNA A. BROWN ·
Assistants
JULIA E. TWICHELL EDITH DONALD
In Charge of Junior Room AGATHA R. WADE
Assistant MARGARET D. MANNING
In Charge of Ballardvale Branch MARTHA D. BYINGTON
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library invite the atten- tion of the citizens to the report of the Librarian. This report covers in detail the activities of the past year.
The citizens of Andover have always had a fine interest in their public library, an interest expressed in many ways other than by patronage of its facilities. The funds for the original building were raised by popular subscription, and, in addition, gifts and bequests from public-minded citizens have permitted the accumulation of trust funds to the amount of seventy-two thou- sand dollars. The interest from these funds pays a substantial part of the library expenses. The recent remodeling of the building is further evidence of the desire of the community to have proper library facilities.
There is a constant effort on the part of the Trustees and the library staff to respond to this attitude by giving every service which the library can properly furnish. This means much more than the detail of exchanging books; it means pleasant sur- roundings and courteous efficiency, skilled aid and advice for students and research workers, discrimination in book and magazine buying; and an active contact with popular trends and demands.
During the current year, it is planned to have the library reading-room open during hours other than those called for in the schedule which has been in effect for several years. The results will indicate whether or not there is a demand for a different schedule.
Respectfully submitted, NATHAN C. HAMBLIN, Chairman FREDERICK A. WILSON FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL PHILIP F. RIPLEY BURTON S. FLAGG CLAUDE M. FUESS JOHN C. ANGUS
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MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY TREASURER'S REPORT
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
$7500.00
Dog Tax
848.92
Investments
3735.12
Transfer of Entry to proper account
73.00
Total
$12157.04
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$7520.38
Light and Heat
933.73
Periodicals
235.60
Bookbinding®
485.60
Books
1742.23
Insurance
440.23
Flag Pole and Flag
204.95
Office Expenses
139.42
New England Decorating Co.
50.00
Sundries
404.90
Total
$12157.04
MEMORIAL HALL SECURITIES
Dayton Power & Light, 5s
$1000.00
Indiana-Michigan Electric Co., 5s
3000.00
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000.00
Boston Elevated, 41/2s
1000.00
Boston & Maine R. R., 5s
2000.00
Jersey Central Power & Light Co., 51/s
1000.00
New England Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000.00
New England Power Assoc., 5s
6000.00
Boston Elevated, 4s
10000.00
Amount carried forward
$26,000.00
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Bangor & Aroostook R. R., 4s 11000.00 Chicago Railways Co., 5s 10000.00 Montreal Tramways, 5s American Tel. & Tel. Co., 4 shares Savings Banks 14676.88
10000.00
571.50
$72248.38
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL, Treasurer
This is to certify that the Securities belonging to the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library, and the income received therefrom, have been checked and are found to be correct. All other items in the above statement are examined by the Auditors elected by the Town of Andover.
BURTON S. FLAGG
PHILIP F. RIPLEY
Auditors
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library :-
GENTLEMEN :-
I herewith present the report of the library for the twelve months ending December 31, 1928.
At the close of 1927, when our report showed the largest use of the library in its fifty-five years of history, we did not an- ticipate that the end of 1928 could bring an increase of 20% over that record. In the twelve months just past, the Memorial Hall Library has issued for home use 64,757 books, which is 10,447 more than during the previous year. This increased use is 1752 volumes in the junior room and 8695 in the adult library.
The larger use of the junior room was to be expected, but the marked increase in the adult department is especially satisfactory. A separate room for the children was important, but the chief needs constantly stressed for remodeling the building, were space for books and for readers. There can be no possible doubt that this great increase in use of the main library is due to the build- ing being so much more attractive and convenient. Students now spend hours at a time in alcoves or reference room.
This increased use is impressive when mentioned in terms of books only, but it involves more. Books taken from the library mean books returned, so that the circulation for the year means the actual physical handling of nearly 130,000 books, which in itself is no small item.
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Increased use means increased work in keeping stacks and shelves in order. Perhaps not everyone realizes that in a well- arranged library, every book has its own especial place in relation to others, and in a library like ours, where people have access to the shelves, every increased use means extra work in keeping books from being misplaced. A book out of place is temporarily lost.
Increased use means an increased amount of reference work, a greater number of subjects to be looked up, more questions to be answered. There have been times during the past year when three workers could have been kept busy helping readers.
Increased use means a greater number of books to be mended or sent to the bindery. A very large amount of repair work is done by the staff, and a book does not go to be rebound until it is absolutely in need of a new cover.
The increased use of the library shows itself in an increased interest in new books. During the year we have tried to supply demands from many sources and concerning many subjects. It is the aim of every progressive library to buy the highest type of books in which it can interest its public, and we are proud of the fact that Andover not only reads, but demands a fine type of literature. On one occasion during the summer, a party of trustees came from another town to see our improvements, with a view to remodeling their own library. Almost at once, the chair- man of the board became firmly anchored to our case of new books and there he remained. From time to time, others of the party returned from various parts of the building and tried to re- move him. He was finally induced to attend to the business for which he came, but he did so with the remark: "I should like to read every book in that case, and I should also like to know why we don't have such books in our library."
Especial attention has been directed to selecting books on architecture, painting, and applied arts, with the result that art students and study clubs have expressed their appreciation of our improved collections. Interest in biography, psychology and re- ligious books has been sustained. We have tried to supply the
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needs of teachers and normal school students. Of course it is impossible to buy all the new fiction, but we try to get the best.
All through the year the library has had constant out-of-town visitors, who have come through interest in the remodeled build- ing. Among them have been many Massachusetts librarians and trustees, and others from Maine, Michigan, Connecticut and Vermont, an artist from Boston, a contractor from Worcester, and an architect from Philadelphia, who said that he had heard even in that city of a remarkable piece of work done by Andover upon one of its civic buildings. Since he spent the whole morn- ing taking notes, it may well be that some building in Philadelphia is benefiting by Andover's example. He was especially impressed by the great amount that had been done for the money appro- priated.
During the year we have been asked to furnish photographs of the exterior and interior of the building for the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago, for the Massa- chusetts Library Commision, for use at the Portland meeting of New England librarians. and for the Maine Library Commision. This last organization also asked for rough floor plans. It is plain that the Memorial Hall Library has been promoted to the proud position of a model building. It is certainly so in regard to beauty and convenience, both for the public and the staff.
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