USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1930-1934 > Part 33
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(The Cuba Street sidewalk should be attended to especially on the side on which the school is located.
Our Board of Public Works assure us that they can and will satis- factorily repair sidewalk on this street from their regular main- tenance fund.)
ARTICLE 23 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the building of a sewer beginning at the terminus of the existing sewer at the corner of Hidden Road and Porter Road and extending along Porter Road, a distance of 550 feet, and appropriate the sum of $1375.00 therefor, and assess betterments upon the estates benefited by the above extension; said work to be done under the direction of the Board of Public Works on petition of Edmond E. Hammond and others.
(Approved)
1375.00
(For sewer extensions articles 23 to 26 inclusive call for total ap- propriation of $12,360.00 from which betterment assessments of $8,600. 00 will be ultimately returned to the town leaving net cost of $3,760.00. Furthermore if C.W.A. labor is available at the time there might well be a credit on the entire transaction.)
ARTICLE 24 .- To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer line on Carmel Road from an existing manhole near the Town In- firmary to a point in front of the property of Frank C. Hughes, and appropriate the sum of $3185.00 therefor, and assess better- ments upon the estates benefited by the above extension; said work to be done under the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of Frank C. Hughes and others.
(Approved)
3185.00
157
ARTICLE 25 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the building of a sewer, beginning at the terminus of the existing sewer at the corner of Ayer Street and Corbett Road and extend- ing along Corbett Road to a point opposite the property of Carmelina Catanzaro, and appropriate the sum of $3000.00 there- for, and assess betterments upon the estates benefited by the above extension; said work to be done under the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of John Buckley and others.
(Approved) 3000.00
ARTICLE 26 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the building of a sewer beginning at the corner of Summer Street and Pine Street and extending along Pine Street a distance of approxi- mately 1240 feet and appropriate the sum of $4800.00 therefor, and assess betterments upon the estates benefited by the above ex- tension; said work to be done under the direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of said Board.
(Approved)
4800.00
ARTICLE 27 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars; One Hundred Fifty ($150.00) Dollars for payment to Alfred Kellog, Engineer and Three Hundred Fifty ($350.00) Dollars for payment to Perley F. Gilbert, architect, for services rendered in preparing preliminary surveys, reports, sketches, estimated costs and preparing of gov- ernment specifications relative to the Junior High School project. The above amounts to be considered as part of fee to architect and engineer if and when they are selected for the building of the Junior High School project, on petition of the Committee on the Junior High School Building project.
(Approved)
500.00
ARTICLE 28 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to make a complete study of the drainage system which comprises Rogers Brook, its tributaries and water shed and also to obtain information relative to the cost to the town and the legality of the town entering into the problem and report back at the next town meeting. This survey to be done under the
158
supervision of the Board of Public Works on petition of Charles F. Dalton and others.
(Approved) 500.00
ARTICLE 29 .- To authorize and appoint a committee of three leading citizens of the Town of Andover to carefully investigate the Electric Light rates now charged by the Lawrence Gas & Electric Company for electricity used by the residents of Andover, said committee to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen, the members of the committee or their immediate family not to be in the employ of, or own stock in the Lawrence Gas & Electric Company nor the N.E. Power Association, further said committee to be authorized to file a petition on behalf of the citizens of Ando- ver with the Public Utilities Commission, State House, Boston, should their investigations disclose the present rates to be exces- sive, unwarranted or unfair. This committee to serve without salary or other means of compensation except minor expenses in- cidental to their investigations; said expense not to exceed $50.00 (Fifty Dollars) which is hereby appropriated with the restriction that the expense must be approved by the Board of Selectmen and Town Treasurer. The expense is further restricted to travel by railroad, street railway or bus and the preparation of petitions for filing with the State authorities, on petition of Clarence G. Scholtz and others.
(Not approved)
(No investigation could be well started for this sum of money which if appropriated will simply be thrown away.)
ARTICLE 30 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to rebate to those who have surrendered their Beer li- censes so-called, issued under authority of Chapter 120 of Acts of 1933 and who are entitled to rebate under Section 7 Chapter 376, Acts 1933, on recommendation of Board of Selectmen.
(Approved)
ARTICLE 31 .- To see if the town will vote to install a steam pumping unit at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station and appro- priate the sum of $20,000,00 therefor, to be expended under the
159
direction of the Board of Public Works, on petition of William F. Barron and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 32 .- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $7000.00 to purchase and install a 750 gal. per min. electric centri- fugal pump and necessary appurtenances, together with the changing of foundations, piping, switchboard wiring etc., for the Haggett's Pond Pumping Station, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved) 7000.00
(Your Board of Public Works and their consulting engineer be- lieve that developments now being made in pumping equipment make it inadvisable to consider any installation involving a large amount of money at this time. They also feel that the safety and surety of our water supply demands an additional electric pump- ing unit now. The finance committee has investigated this situa- tion to the best of its ability and heartily recommends the install- ation of this electric pumping unit this year.)
ARTICLE 33 .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $16,000.00 for the purpose of rebuilding Salem Street, including sidewalks, from Highland Road to Holt Road, said work to be done under the supervision of the Board of Public Works, on pe- tition of John M. Erving and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 34 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum not exceeding $5000.00 provided, however, a like amount of money is appropriated by the County of Essex and an amount of money equal to the sum of that appropriated by town and County be appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the improvement of River Road in West Andover so called, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved)
5000.00
ARTICLE 35 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1500.00 for the purpose of building Brechin Terrace, and
160
also straightening curbing and repairing sidewalks, on petition of George Crockett and others.
(Approved) 1500.00
ARTICLE 36 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $49.75 to reimburse the committee on State School project for bus hire and other expenses, on petition of Ralph W. Emerson and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 37 .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $4000.00 for the collection and disposal of garbage, on pe- tition of Winthrop K. White and others.
(Not approved)
ARTICLE 38 .- To see if the town will authorize the Board of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Andrew Basso, his heirs and assigns, to pay one hundred dollars ($100) per year in full payment per annum for all damages and claims for damages, and for forbearance to institute, bring or maintain any suit in equity for injunctive relief and to collect any damages thereunder, arising out of the proximity of the Playstead to his premises, and any use or the consequences of any use that the said Playstead may be put to. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon the giving of one year's notice in writing, and to appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for the purpose of carrying out the agreement, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved) $100.00 (yearly)
ARTICLE 39 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Public Works to appoint one of its elected members to the position of secretary of said board, with a salary of $100.00 per annum, to be paid from appropriations of said board.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 40 .- To authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow money for the use of the Town in anticipation of the revenue of the current year, with the approval of the Selectmen.
(No action necessary)
161
ARTICLE 41 .- To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations and free cash in treasury.
(No action necessary)
ARTICLE 42 .- To act upon the report of the Town Officers. (No action necessary)
ARTICLE 43 .- To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
(No action necessary)
SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended
545,161.00
State and County Assessments (Estimated) 45,000.00
590,161.00
Estimated Receipts
150,000.00
440,161.00
Net Valuation for 1933
16,000,000.00
Computation of tax rate for 1934 using the above figures :
$440,161.00
= $27.50 per M
16,000,000.00
Tax rate for 1929 $25.50 Tax rate for 1931 $24.20
Tax rate for 1930 25.90 Tax rate for 1932 24.00
Tax rate for 1933 $24.20
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH BULLOCK, Chairman
CHARLES A. BRANTON, O.S.A.
JOSEPH M. HARGEDON MITCHELL JOHNSON
EDWARD SHATTUCK
HARVEY G. TURNER HOWELL F. SHEPARD, Secretary
162
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
163
Report of Finance Committee
January 31, 1934
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 ex- amined by the Town Accountant.
BURTON S. FLAGG PHILIP F. RIPLEY
Finance Committee
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL Treasurer
Report of Trustees of Memorial Hall Library
The Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library have voted to adopt the annual report of the Librarian as their report to the town for the year 1933.
164
Annual Report of Memorial Hall Hall Librarian
January 2, 1934
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library, GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit the report of the library for the year ending December 31, 1933.
At the end of 1932 it seemed quite impossible that the large use of the library during that year would ever be exceeded, or even equalled. But 1933 has shown an increase over even that figure. The number of books which people have borrowed for home use during the twelve months just past is 82,473; 1558 more than during 1932. We have 5705 registered users, 57% of the town's population. During November, we reached a daily average use of 300 books, a number never before attained.
It is sometimes interesting to take a look backward. In 1925, when we were struggling along in crowded, unsanitary and wholly inadequate quarters, the record of books borrowed was 54,063. The first complete year spent in the remodeled building, that of 1928, showed a circulation of 64,757. From 1928 through 1933, the total number of books taken for home use was 424,156. Comparing the cost of the reconstruction with the greatly in- creased use as a direct result of providing the library with ade- quate quarters, shows an extraordinary return upon the invest- ment, for this large number of books has been borrowed by a town with less than ten thousand people.
The junior room has been busy with its usual group activities and its school interests. The one-session hours for the junior high school made it difficult for the children living at a distance to come to the library at a time when their room was open. To accommodate them, it has been opened an hour earlier one day a
165
week, with the result of reaching some seventy children who other- wise could not easily use the library. Another special arrangement permits the younger children who are brought in by bus, to borrow books during one noon recess, when they are allowed to come down from school. The plan of school centralization thus gives the district children an opportunity to use the town library in person, a privilege which under other conditions, they could very seldom enjoy, and which they appreciate to the point of ยท rapture.
Of the books borrowed this year, 21% were taken from the junior room, 1152 children have cards, and many parents and teachers avail themselves of its excellent collection of books.
We have again tried to let no shadow of depression or worry touch the children. They have had their celebrations of various anniversaries, their full share of new books, and at all times, the room has been pleasant with gay posters, plants and flowers. Just lately, the arrival of an aquarium with gold fish caused special pleasure.
At Ballardvale there has been a 5% increase in use, and much appreciation has been expressed over a larger number of new books bought for the branch library.
Care in selecting books has always been an attribute of this library, but it seems as though never before have people been so openly appreciative of those chosen, nor have gone so out of their way to tell us how much they value those added to our shelves. It is true that they are buying fewer books for themselves, and so depend more upon the library. Perhaps this is to our advantage, since many realize for the first time, how surprisingly adequate and comprehensive is our collection. We have taken pains to buy immediately publications concerning important new economic theories and developments, and have been gratified at the demand instantly resulting for these books. With business and govern- ment conditions shifting daily, some volumes of course are of temporary interest, but their purchase is justified because the interest for the time being, is so keen. The public, as individuals, is certainly becoming interested in economic affairs and in inter- national relations.
Another point in our policy of book buying is to keep our
166
technical collections up-to-date. We plan to discard each year books from classes such as electrical and steam engineering, chemistry and physics, replacing them by later works and later editions. Men especially, appreciate this. Were the list of new books added to be printed this year, it would show considerable substitution in these classes. We recently placed seven new engin- eering books in the new book case, and every one went out within a day.
It is sometimes difficult for people who want a special book to realize the demands made upon us. When they complain that no new fiction is left in, they do not appreciate that at any one time, over 2000 books are out of the library and that perhaps forty or fifty seven-day books have come in and gone out again that very day.
We have tried to stretch the book money by buying replace- ments in reprint editions, but it is an open question how much is saved, since the cheaper paper and binding do not wear so well. A fact also to be considered is that the increased use of books causes them to wear out more quickly, and adds to the need for replacing, and to our bills for binding. While the Treasurer's report will show a greater amount spent for books this year than during 1932, we have not reached the number we should like to add yearly. The great use of the library justifies the purchase, not only of more titles, but of additional copies of those most in demand.
All through the year the staff and the public have been greatly indebted to Mr. Herbert Chase, who has kept us constantly supplied with flowers, often of rare varieties. He has certainly done his part in fighting depression just by bringing beauty to a place where it has given pleasure to so many and such different kinds of people. This fall we are plentifully supplied with potted plants, some of which have grown too large for house decoration, and others which are merely spending the winter with us during the absence of their owners from town. We also thank those who have remembered us with gifts of books. These are always ap- preciated.
For the past few months the reading-room is somewhat less of a refuge for the unemployed, but the increase in the number
167
of books borrowed seems to indicate that its frequenters have been transformed into borrowers. In many instances, we know this to be the case.
Besides the usual school reference work there have been numer- ous questions for ideas or material to help in getting work or in preparing for better positions when they shall open. But the greatest service we have probably rendered is the relief and men- tal distraction afforded by reading. No one who has not personally been at the charging desk and given out books day after day, can possibly realize what free books from a free town library actually mean to people during an economic crisis such as this. Some of their expressions of gratitude have been most touching. The number of books issued for home use tells only part of our story, for it is silent concerning the solace and encouragement they have been to the anxious and the despondent. The libraries of the nation are meeting actual human needs. They are extremely important stabilizing centres.
Smooth routine behind the scenes is essential to the running of any institution, and it is not only the other members of the staff who deserve thanks for patient and very loyal service during a trying year, but the janitor and his helper. To have a clean, cared- for public place is in itself an uplift, which visitors appreciate without exactly analyzing the impression.
During a depression two departments of any town or city are called upon to meet extraordinary demands, the welfare bureau and the public library. Because the town of Andover appreciated this fact, and did not cut our appropriation for expenses, only that for salaries, we have been able to render absolutely uncur- tailed service during the year, a fact of which we are justifiably proud. We have accomplished the twelve months' work and have kept the library open, the senior room for 72 hours weekly and the junior one for 35 hours, with only four full-time workers and two people to call on at the busiest periods Visiting trustees and librarians remark that they cannot see how we do it. It has been possible only because the library work has been put before all personal considerations. The strain, both mental and physical, has been heavy, for it means that for two years past we have handled an increase in use of around 20,000 books, over 30%,
168
with no larger force than we had in 1930. It is not only the greater number of books issued, but the additional reference work, the keeping our open shelves in order, more repairing of books, more executive and clerical work done, much more work for the jani- tor. We frankly cannot handle greater demands upon us without more help.
For 1934, we plan to continue the economical and compre- hensive service rendered during the year just past. Its record justifies us in asking that our appropriation be sufficient to permit us to carry on, without curtailment in any particular, this work, the importance of which, the town of Andover so plainly endorses by its extensive and appreciative use.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA A. BROWN, Librarian
Statistics of the Library
Number of books issued at Memorial Hall
73915
Number of books issued at Ballardvale
8558
Total number issued for home use
82473
Number of borrowers' cards in use
5705
Books added by purchase .
1044
Books added by gift
208
Total additions
1252
Books withdrawn
458
Total number of books in library
30787
Volumes rebound
474
Volumes bound, periodicals, etc.
54
169
.
TOWN OF ANDOVER
Thirty-second Annual Report of the
Board of Public Works
EMBRACING THE FORTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT of WATER COMMISSIONERS and THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT of SEWER COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 1933
1934
WATER COMMISSIONERS 1889-1899
*JAMES P. BUTTERFIELD *FELIX G. HAYNES
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
1894-1899
*WM. S. JENKINS *JOHN L. SMITH *JOHN E. SMITH
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
1899-1902
1903-1906
*JOHN H. FLINT
*WM. S. JENKINS
*JOHN L. SMITH
*JAMES P. BUTTERFIELD
*FELIX G. HAYNES 1906-1907
*FELIX G. HAYNES
*FELIX G. HAYNES
*JOHN W. BELL, Treas. JAMES C. SAWYER, Sec'y
*LEWIS T. HARDY
*HARRY M. EAMES 1908-1912
*LEWIS T. HARDY
*JOHN W. BELL, Treas.
JAMES C. SAWYER, Sec'y
ANDREW McTERNEN
WILLIS B. HODGKINS
1914-1916
*THOS. E. RHODES ('19)
*BARNETT ROGERS ('16)
*LEWIS T. HARDY ('16) ANDREW McTERNEN, Sec'y ('18)
WILLIS B. HODGKINS, Treas. ('18) 1917-1918
*BARNETT ROGERS ('19)
*THOS. E. RHODES ('20) ANDREW McTERNEN ('18)
CHAS. B. BALDWIN, Sec'y ('19) WILLIS B. HODGKINS, Treas. ('18) 1919-1920-1921
*BARNETT ROGERS ('22) WILLIAM D. MCINTYRE ('21) ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL ('22) PHILIP L. HARDY, Sec'y ('21) *THOS. E. RHODES, Treas. ('23) 1923-1924
PHILIP L. HARDY ('27)
WILLIAM D. MCINTYRE, Sec'y ('27)
ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL, Treas. ('25)
EDWARD SHATTUCK ('25)
WALTER I. MORSE ('26) 1927
ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL ('28) *THOS. E. RHODES ('28) WALTER I. MORSE, Treas. ('29) WM. D. MCINTYRE, Sec'y ('30) GEORGE H. WINSLOW ('30) 1929-1930 WM. D. MCINTYRE ('33)
W. I. MORSE, Treas. ('32)
GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Sec'y ('33)
ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL ('31)
THOS. P. DEA ('31) 1931-1932 WM. D. MCINTYRE ('33) W. I. MORSE ('35) THOS. P. DEA ('34) FRANK A. BUTTRICK ('34) JOHN H. PLAYDON ('33)
*JOHN L. SMITH *FELIX G. HAYNES
*JOHN W. BELL
*LEWIS T. HARDY JAMES C. SAWYER
1907-1908
*JOHN W. BELL, Treas. JAMES C. SAWYER, Sec'y
*LEWIS T. HARDY ANDREW McTERNEN
1913-1914
*LEWIS T. HARDY ('16)
*BARNETT ROGERS ('16) ANDREW McTERNEN ('15)
*THOS. E. RHODES, Sec'y ('14) WILLIS B. HODGKINS, Treas. ('15)
1916-1917
*BARNETT ROGERS ('19)
*THOS. E. RHODES ('17) ANDREW McTERNEN ('18)
CHAS. B. BALDWIN, Sec'y ('19) WILLIS B. HODGKINS, Treas. ('18)
1918-1919
*BARNETT ROGERS ('22) ANDREW McTERNEN ('21) PHILIP L. HARDY ('21) CHAS. B. BALDWIN, Sec'y ('22)
*THOS. E. RHODES, Treas. ('20) 1922-1923
*THOS. E. RHODES ('23) PHILIP L. HARDY ('24)
WM. D. MCINTYRE, Treas. ('24) ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL ('25) EDWARD SHATTUCK ('25) 1924-1925-1926
PHILIP L. HARDY ('27)
WM. D. McINTYRE, Sec'y ('27) ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL, Treas. ('28)
*THOS. E. RHODES ('28) WALTER I. MORSE ('29) 1928-1929 ARTHUR T. BOUTWELL ('31)
W. I. MORSE, Treas. ('32)
WM. D. McINTYRE, Sec'y ('30)
GEORGE H. WINSLOW ('30) THOS. P. DEA ('31) 1930-1931 WM. D. McINTYRE ('33)
W. I. MORSE, Treas. ('32) GEORGE H. WINSLOW, Sec'y ('33)
THOS. P. DEA ('34) FRANK A. BUTTRICK ('34) 1932-1933
WM. D. MCINTYRE ('36) W. I. MORSE ('35) JOHN H. PLAYDON ('36)
FRANK A. BUTTRICK ('34)
HENRY A. BODWELL ('34)
SUPERINTENDENT
CHARLES T. GILLIARD
*JOHN H. FLINT
1893-1894
*WM. S. JENKINS *JOHN L. SMITH *CHARLES E. ABBOTT
Andover, Mass. January 30, 1934
The Board of Public Works voted to adopt the following report of the Superintendent as its report for 1933, with recommenda- tions for 1934.
WILLIAM D. MCINTYRE, Chairman FRANK A. BUTTRICK, Secretary WALTER I. MORSE JOHN H. PLAYDON HENRY A. BODWELL
3
Superintendent's Report
To the Board of Public Works:
GENTLEMEN :
In connection with the Water, Highway, Sewer and Park De- partments the major activities and developments during the year which ended December 31, 1933 are as follows:
WATER DEPARTMENT
Eighteen hundred and forty-four feet of six-inch water main and two thousand feet of eight-inch water main were laid on River Road. This installation extends from a former dead end in front of the property owned by Mr. Oliver Pike to the property of Mr. Leon Hardy. During the work ledge was encountered which required blasting. This work was done under Article 6 of the 1933 Warrant, and the cost of laying this pipe was $7102.28, or $1.85 per foot.
Eighteen hundred and twenty-eight feet of six-inch water main were laid on High Plain Road from a former dead end in front of the property owned by Mr. George Carter to the property owned by Mr. George Muller. Two compressors were used to drill holes in preparation for dynamiting and two hundred and twenty cubic yards of ledge were removed. This work was done under Article 7 at a cost of $4291.62, or $2.35 per foot.
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