USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1930-1934 > Part 23
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ARTICLE 24 :- To see if the town of Andover will grant an abatement, upon request, to any user of town water for any ar- rears of amount due for the year A.D. 1932, who have been on the Town Welfare Dept., or the Andover Unemployment Bureau for a period of eight (8) weeks or longer, on petition of Michael M. Dwyer and others.
127
ARTICLE 25 :- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to install a drain pipe from a point approximately 150 feet west of Stratford Road on Summer Street to Stratford Road, thence along Stratford Road to Chestnut Street, and thence westerly along Chestnut Street to an existing 30" pipe, and ap- propriate the sum of $3300.00 therefor, on petition of Michael M. Dwyer and others.
ARTICLE 26 :- 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 thirteenth day of February, A.D., 1933.
FRANK H. HARDY ANDREW McTERNEN JEREMIAH J. DALY Selectmen of Andover
A true copy. Attest :
Andover, February 13, 1933
Constable
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Recommendations of the Finance Committee
To our Fellow Townspeople:
With a full realization of the unemployment situation during the past year, and confessing its deep concern over that same problem for the year 1933, your Finance Committee has en- deavored to compile a budget which makes for maximum econ- omy consistent with the proper administration of Town Affairs.
Many citizens have been led to believe that the watchword of a Finance Committee should be lessened expenditures only, and that the amount appropriated should, each year be less than the amounts for the preceding year. This attitude is true only when it contributes to the general and ultimate welfare of any muni- cipality.
The total amount of the budget includes the salary reductions recommended by the different department heads, a ten per cent reduction suggested by the Finance Committee from what might be termed operating expenses or cost of materials, and the entire elimination of other projects which can well be postponed to a later date.
Continuing its policy of last year, the Finance Committee again disapproves of all expenditures for new work in 1933.
The committee appointed by the Moderator at the last Town Meeting to investigate the hours and duties of our Town Officials, submitted its report to the Finance Committee without a recom- mendation during November 1932. The thanks of our citizens are due this committee for its very efficient work.
Compared with ten other towns with similar population and wealth, Andover's position is extremely gratifying as to cost, amount, and kinds of work performed. When first published it appeared that the compensation of a few of our officials was
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comparatively high. A further investigation proves this to be an error. In Andover, in these cases, one individual directs several departments, whereas in the other towns in comparison, each department has its own separate head. The efficiency and econ- omy of the Andover method must therefore be obvious to the most severe critic.
Criticism has been expressed in past years by citizens who are unable to obtain proper service when calling at the town offices at certain hours of the day, the proper official not being present to transact the business in question, or to give the required in- formation sought.
Your Finance Committee recommend that the town offices be opened for business with the proper official in attendance at least from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. and on Saturdays from 9 A.M. to 12 M. Sundays and holidays excepted.
In addition to the reduction made by the Board of Selectmen in the Police salary budget, the Finance Committee has also deducted $1300.00, the amount of salary paid to the former Police Department clerk. This salary was in the nature of a pen- sion, which should cease upon the death of the recipient. It is neither necessary nor desirable at this time to make any additions to the police force.
In the interests of economy the Assessors' Survey for 1933 should be omitted. Consequently no provision has been made by the Finance Committee for the continuance of this work.
In making a ten per cent rental reduction in the amounts sub- mitted for the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, it was assumed that some of the saving to the landlords due to a lower valuation and tax rate would be passed on to the town, which is the actual rent payer.
Our people should remember that a fair tax rate depends to a great extent upon a fair valuation, and unless that valuation remains reasonably constant any attempt to compute a tax rate at this early date, is attendant with great uncertainty.
In 1932 the budget of the Finance Committee called for a tax rate of $21.25. Months later, due to circumstances entirely beyond control of the Finance Committee the actual tax rate as announced was increased to $24.00.
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Assuming the 1932 valuation to be effective in 1933 also, your Finance Committee submit the following:
Appropriation for the Assessors, Board of Selectmen, and all Departments under their control:
American Legion, Andover Post No. 8
(Decrease $60.00) $ 540.00
Veterans of Foreign Wars, for 12 months
(Decrease $48.00)
432.00
Armistice Day
75.00
Memorial Day (Decrease $197.50)
652.50
Mothers' Aid (Decrease $600.00)
5400.00
Soldiers' Relief (Increase $1550.00)
4050.00
State Aid (Decrease $50.00) 450.00
Old Age Assistance (Increase $5300.00)
15300.00
Public Welfare (Increase $4530.00)
15030.00
Damages to Persons and Property (Decrease $50.00) 450.00
Elections and Registrations (Decrease $1500.00) Insurance (Increase $435.27)
900.00
Fire Insurance $ 3583.66
Workmen's Compensation
3057.93
Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital (Decrease $1201.06)
4711.85
Pomps Pond (Decrease $140.00)
1260.00
Payroll $ 1164.36
Operating Expenses
95.64
Public Dump (Decrease $50.00) Payroll $ 370.00
450.00
Operating Expenses
80.00
Printing Town Report (Decrease $50.00)
540.00
Town Officers (Decrease $1705.00)
18220.00
Payroll
$14004.50
Operating Expenses
4215.50
Town Scales (Decrease $12.50) Payroll $ 92.50
112.50
Operating Expenses
20.00
Inspector of Wires (Decrease $45.00)
405.00
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6641.59
Payroll
$
370.00
Operating Expenses 35.00 Sealer of Weights and Measures (Decrease $50.00)
450.00
Payroll $ 370.00
Operating Expenses
80.00
Assessors' Survey
None 3186.58
Municipal Buildings (Decrease $813.42) Payroll $ 1346.80
Operating Expenses
1839.78
Infirmary (Decrease $1094.14)
6805.86
Payroll $ 2079.58
Operating Expenses
4726.28
Moth Suppression (Decrease $937.00)
3563.00
Payroll $ 2309.45
Operating Expenses
1253.55
Tree Warden (Decrease $1018.00)
3482.00
Payroll
3306.76
Operating Expenses
175.24
Police Department (Decrease $3636.81) Payroll
$19902.85
Operating Expenses
3310.34
Fire Department (Decrease $1783.00) Payroll
$21995.57
Operating Expenses
3721.43
Brush Fires (Decrease $100.00)
900.00
Interest (Decrease $4000.00)
15000.00
Shawsheen School
$5185.00
High School .
800.00
Essex Sanatorium
446.25
Water Bonds
335.00
Sewer Bonds
5156.25
Short term notes
3077.50
Retirement of Bonds (Decrease $5000.00)
34000.00
Shawsheen School
$12000.00
High School
5000.00
Essex Sanatorium
7000.00
Water Bonds
3000.00
Sewer Bonds
7000.00
23213.19
25717.00
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Appropriation for the Board of Health,
including Baby Clinic Payroll $ 2550.00 240.00
2790.00
Operating Expenses
For care and treatment, Tubercular patients
in hospitals and sanatoriums 2730.00
Appropriation for Trustees of Memorial Hall Library (Decrease $800.00)
7200.00
Payroll
$ 7571.45
Operating Expenses 3978.55
(Credit from permanent funds, Dog Tax, etc. $4350.00)
Appropriation fór Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery (Decrease $755.00)
6745.00
Payroll
$ 5020.00
Operating Expenses 1725.00
Appropriation for Street Lighting Committee
(Decrease $3300.84) 17460.00
Appropriation for School Committee (Decrease
$12578.00)
Payroll
$110763.00
Operating Expenses 25009.00
Appropriation for all departments under the control of the Board of Public Works:
Highway Maintenance (Decrease $3600.00)
55000.00
Payroll $ 20350.00
Teams, truck hire, materials and
expenses 34650.00
Highway Construction None
Water Department Maintenance (Decrease
$1515.00)
Payroll $ 13135.00 Operating Expenses 13300.00
Water construction-service pipe (Increase $1275.00) 11125.00
Payroll
$
6525.00
Operating Expenses
4600.00
Sewer Department (Decrease $225.00) 5375.00
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26435.00
135772.00
Payroll
$
2573.00
Operating Expenses 2802.00
3694.00 Parks and Playgrounds (Decrease $306.00) Payroll $ 3060.00
Operating Expenses 634.00
To relocate baseball diamond 1100.00
Snow removal and sanding (Decrease $4500.00)
7500.00
$474864.07
Special Articles :
No. 5
1000.00
No. 11
350.00
$476214.07
ARTICLE 4 :- In the event of the town adopting the article sub- mitted under Special Town Meeting Referendum Question as to a State School in West Andover, to elect from the floor, a commit- tee of three, five or more to represent Andover, and request the State authorities to reconsider the project.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 5 :- To see if the town will vote to purchase from the Automatic Signal Corporation the traffic signal installation now in operation at the intersection of Main and Chestnut Streets and to appropriate $1000.00 to cover the purchase price of same.
(Approved)
ARTICLE 6 :- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from the present dead end at Henderson Farm on River Road to the residence of Leon Hardy on River Road, and appropriate the sum of $7580.00 to care for this work, on petition of Leon W. Hardy and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 7 :- To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main from its present dead end on High Plain Road, along High Plain Road to a point opposite the property of George Muller and appropriate the sum of $4292.00 therefor, to be expended under
134
the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of George Muller and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 8 :- To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main from its present dead end on Lovejoy Road along Lovejoy Road, to a point opposite the property of Ludwika Murach, and appropriate the sum of $3400.00 therefor, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of Paul Fortuna and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 9 :- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from the corner of Stinson Road and Holt Road to a point in front of the property of Arthur N. Comeau, and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 therefor, on petition of Arthur N. Comeau and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 10 :- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main from the present dead end on Gray Road to property of James A. Lynch on Gray Road and appropriate the sum of $2500.00 to care for the work, on petition of James A. Lynch and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 11 :- To see if the Town will vote to extend the fire alarm system, by locating a signal box on Corbett Road, in the vicinity of Topping Road, and appropriate the sum of $350.00 for this purpose, to be expended by the Fire Department, on peti- tion of John O. Buzzell and others.
(Approved)
ARTICLE 12 :- To see if the Town of Andover will vote to ap- propriate the sum of Thirty seven hundred dollars ($3700) for the purpose of building a gravel road with a hard surface top on Corbett Street from Ayer Street to the Lawrence line, a distance of 2783 feet, on petition of Lucien J. Topping and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 13 :- To see if the Town will vote to install a drainage system, lay curbing, and build a road on Ferndale Avenue, and
135
appropriate the sum of $6500.00 therefor, on petition of Hayward G. Whiteway and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 14 :- To see if the town will vote to build Poor Street between No. Main Street and William Street following a plan drawn and submitted by the Essex County engineers, and appro- priate the sum of $10,000.00 for this work to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of Edward A. Anderson and others. ·
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 15 :- To see if the town will vote to accept as a public way the way now known as Canterbury Street from a point 600 feet westerly from Lowell Street for a distance of about 2500 feet as approved by the Board of Survey, on petition of Ernest A. Johnson and others.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 16 :- To see if the town will vote to authorize and in- struct the Board of Selectmen to purchase the below described property, to wit; bounded as follows:
Easterly: by Main Street, three hundred thirty-eight (338) feet, more or less.
Southerly by land now or formerly of Sutherland, two hundred forty-eight and forty one hundredths (248.40) feet, more or less, to the centre of a right-of-way forty (40) feet wide.
Westerly: by the centre of said driveway three hundred fifty-six and three tenths (356.3) feet, more or less, and
Northerly: by Lowell Street two hundred one and twenty-four one hundredths (201.24) feet, more or less.
Containing approximately seventy-eight thousand eight hundred and thirty-six (78,836) square feet, together with the use in common with others of the forty (40) foot driveway herein- before mentioned.
for the purpose to have and to hold the same exclusively as a public municipal park for the enjoyment of the citizens of Ando- ver and beautification of this important approach to the town, at a purchase price not to exceed $8,500.00, payable without interest
136
in three, equal, annual installments none of which is to exceed $2,833.34, the first payment to be made upon passing of the deed. Upon petition of William W. Kurth and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 17 :- To see if the town will vote to accept for the purpose of street widening a voluntary conveyance of two parcels of land in Andover, by Quitclaim Deed of Edmund Marcoux et ux to the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover the plan describing said parcels being on file in the office of the Town Clerk, and said parcels, according to said plan being described as follows:
Parcel 1. Beginning at a point in the northerly line of Juliette Road, said point being 719.13 feet more or less easterly of the junction of the northerly line of Juliette Road with the easterly line of Corbett Road; thence northeasterly by land of grantor 47.5 feet to land of Alice and Alfred Bedard; thence southeasterly 10 feet to the northerly line of Juliette Road; thence westerly by said northerly line of Juliette Road 48.48 feet to point of be- ginning, being a triangular shaped piece of land and containing 237.5 square feet.
(No action necessary)
Parcel 2. Beginning at a point in the northerly line of Juliette Road said point being 967.61 feet more or less easterly from a point marking the junction of the northerly line of Juliette Road with the easterly line of Corbett Road; thence northwesterly 10 feet to a point at land of Alice and Alfred Bedard; thence north- easterly by land of the grantor 155 feet to a point at land of Henry and Sarah Provencer; thence southeasterly by land of said Provencer 10 feet to a point on the northerly line of Juliette Road; thence southwesterly by said northerly line of Juliette Road 155 feet to point of beginning, being a rectangular shaped piece of land and containing 1550 square feet.
Being parcels "A" and "C" shown on plan entitled, "Plan of land in Andover, Mass., Edmund Marcoux et al and Alice Bedard et al to the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover, made by Morse & Dickinson, Engineers, Haverhill.
(No action necessary)
137
ARTICLE 18 :- To see if the town will vote to accept as a volun- tary conveyance for the purpose of street widening, the following described parcel of land, by Quitclaim Deed of Alfred Bedard et ux to the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover the plan describing said parcel being on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
Beginning at a point in the northerly line of Juliette Road, said point being 767.61 feet easterly from a point marking the junc- tion of the northerly line of Juliette Road with the easterly line of Corbett Road; thence northwesterly 10 feet to a point at land of Edmund and Felexine Marcoux; thence northeasterly by land of the grantor 200 feet to a point at land of Edmund and Felexine Marcoux; thence southeasterly 10 feet to a point in the northerly line of Juliette Road; thence southwesterly by said northerly line of Juliette Road 200 feet to point of beginning, being a rectangu- lar shaped piece of land and containing 2000 square feet and shown as parcel "B" on a plan entitled, "Plan of land in Andover, Mass., Edmund Marcoux et al and Alice Bedard et al to the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover, made by Morse & Dickin- son, Engineers, Haverhill.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 19 :- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $3000.00 for the purpose of cutting down the street grade on Carmel Road from Walnut Avenue to the Town Infirmary and establish a new grade adjusted to the grade of the adjoining properties and including the building of a sidewalk in said street, on petition of Ralph L. Draper and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 20 :- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the installation of Traffic Control Signals at the intersection of Lowell, Haverhill, Poor and North Main Streets in Shawsheen Village, on petition of Thomas F. Hendrick and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 21 :- To see if the town will vote to erect a suitable fence on the south and southeasterly line of the Town of Andover property on the line of Hurley, Bell, Crawford, Rand, Dwane,
138
Bell, and Ronan a distance of about 1020 feet providing for such entrances as may be deemed advisable and appropriate $200.00 to cover the cost of same to be expended by the Board of Public Works, on petition of Bridget T. Hurley and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 22 :- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $30,000.00 for the purpose of widening and straightening Main Street from Chapel Avenue to the State line. A plan of the proposed construction will be presented to the voters at the Annual Town Meeting, on petition of William A. G. Kidd and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 23 :- To see if the town of Andover will give first preference for work on the Board of Public Works, Moth and Tree Depts., and Spring Grove Cemetery to any tax payer to full amount of such tax payer's debts to the town of Andover upon presentation to the superintendents of the above mentioned Depts., an application for such work and is physically able to perform such work, provided that such application for work has attached a bill stating the full amount of said applicant's taxes due the town of Andover, from the Tax Collector, and an order to the Town Treasurer to pay each week one half (12) the amount earned, to said Tax Collector, until the total of said tax bill has been paid, on petition of Michael M. Dwyer and others.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 24 :- To see if the town of Andover will grant an abatement, upon request, to any user of town water for any ar- rears of amount due for the year A.D. 1932, who have been on the Town Welfare Dept., or the Andover Unemployment Bureau for a period of eight (8) weeks or longer, on petition of Michael M. Dwyer and others.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 25 :- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to install a drain pipe from a point approximately 150 feet west of Stratford Road on Summer Street to Stratford Road, thence along Stratford Road to Chestnut Street, and thence
139
westerly along Chestnut Street to an existing 30" pipe, and ap- propriate the sum of $3300.00 therefor, on petition of Michael M. Dwyer and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 26 :- No action by Finance Committee necessary.
SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended $474864.07
Special expenditures recommended 1350.00
$476214.07
State and County Assessments (Estimated) (State tax 20% more than in 1932-County tax 9% less than in 1932)
53780.43
$529994.50
Estimated Receipts (10% less than 1932)
156003.00
$373991.50
Net Valuation for 1932
$16,368,479.00
Computation of tax rate for 1933 using the above figures :
$373991.50 = $22.85 per M.
$16368479.00
Tax rate for 1929 $25.50 Tax rate for 1931 $24.20
Tax rate for 1930 $25.90 Tax rate for 1932 $24.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. BAILEY, Chairman G. EDGAR FOLK JAMES E. GREELEY EDWARD P. HALL EDMOND E. HAMMOND JAMES C. SOUTER, Secretary
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Trustees of Memorial Hall Library
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN
BURTON S. FLAGG
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL
HENRY G. TYER
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 MARGARET D. MANNING
In Charge of Junior Room EVELYN R. ROBINSON
In Charge of Ballardvale Branch MARTHA D. BYINGTON
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
141
Report of Trustees of Memorial Hall Library
The Trustees of Memorial Hall Library, in presenting the report of the Librarian, Miss Edna A. Brown, for 1932, cannot fail to recommend a careful reading of its appealing facts by the citizens of Andover.
Perhaps in the year 1932 has the Library performed a more estimable service than ever for the benefit of the citizens, whether users of the Library or not, by allaying some of the distresses oc- casioned by depressed business. Another fact which will not be overlooked has been the stimulating of a greater love for worth- while books on the part of our children. The report is especially enlightening on and commendable for these services performed. At the same time it is evident that the Library has continued as an increasing force towards instruction and entertainment to its regular users.
In 1931 your trustees stressed the remodeling of the building and its increased facilities. In 1932 the Librarian shows clearly how the town has gained by these improvements which have in- spired greater service also. An issuance of 80915 books during the last year, an increase of 12403 over 1931, is definite evidence in itself. This service has been accomplished by the same number of staff members, under the efficient direction of Miss Brown, to all of whom we are grateful.
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN, Chairman FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL, Secretary FREDERICK A. WILSON BURTON S. FLAGG PHILIP F. RIPLEY CLAUDE M. FUESS · HENRY G. TYER
142
Report of Finance Committee
January 25, 1933
This is to certify that the Securities belonging to the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library, and the income accruing therefrom have been checked and found correct.
The remaining items in the foregoing statement have been examined by the Town Accountant.
BURTON S. FLAGG PHILIP F. RIPLEY
Finance Committee
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL Treasurer
Annual Report of Memorial Hall Librarian
January 2, 1933
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library: GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the library for the year ending December 31, 1932.
When the annual report for 1931 was written, it seemed as though a larger use of the library facilities could hardly be prob- able. The end of 1932 shows that the improbable has happened.
We have issued for home use during the year a total of 80915 books, which is an increase of 12403 over 1931, and of 16040 over 1930. This is at the rate of 8 books per capita. There are 5113 active borrowers' cards, 50% of the population.
The use of the library by people who are unemployed and who
143
are reading for improvement or entertainment, has been con- stant. The junior room which seats 34 children has been jammed by crowds numbering over one hundred at once. At rush hours it is difficult to cross the room, due to children sitting on the floor. At the close of theday the shelves in the junior room look as though swept by a hurricane.
With the beginning of the school year, Miss Robinson visited all the grades below the Punchard high school, and spoke to the children about books and the library, inviting them to come to the junior room. She has also given the eighth grade of the schools instruction in the use of reference books and of the card cata- logue. She has helped organize a library club at the Stowe school, and has shown them how to put their own little school library in proper shape.
Special care has been taken that the junior room should have its quota of new books and that its atmosphere should be cheerful and happy. The Saturday story hour has been most popular and the different clubs have held their usual meetings. Book Week was celebrated with great enthusiasm, the children taking charge of the decorations and planning the observance with merely over- sight from Miss Robinson. Under the direction of the two art teachers, Miss Oliff and Miss Bailey, the children made posters, some twenty-five of which were exhibited in the junior room.
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