USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1930-1934 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
All as described and set forth in the deed of the American Woolen Company to the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover which deed with a plan of the land described therein is on file in the office of the Town Clerk for examination and inspection.
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 the 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.
120
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies and publication therof, 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 eleventh day of February, A.D., 1931.
FRANK H. HARDY ANDREW McTERNEN JEREMIAH J. DALY Selectmen of Andover
121
Recommendations of the Finance Committee
To our Fellow Townspeople :-
The coming year finds Andover face to face with new financial burdens not of its own choosing.
Perhaps the most outstanding is the loss in normal revenue as evidenced by the following tabulation :
1929
1930
Income
$254,687.00
$201,036.00
State and County Tax
68,073.00
70,987.00
$186,614.00
$130,049.00
Net Income Reduction
$56,565.00
The above reduction of $56,565.00 in our 1931 receipts repre- sents $3.33 in the tax rate on our valuation of seventeen millions.
Consequently this Committee, in conjunction with our several Town Departments, has striven to overcome that obstacle and at the same time keep home expenditures within due bounds. Care- ful thought was also given to the end that appropriations might cover within reason relief of unemployment that has necessi- tated scrutiny of even the most trivial items.
This we believe squares with the action taken by our citizens at the last annual town meeting and further emphasized at the special meetings of last fall and this last January.
The several Departments likewise recognized these condi- tions and presented budgets which we were able to substantially approve. These promise efficiency of administration.
In those Department items we call your attention to the new appropriation for Old Age Assistance. It will be administered by the Board of Public Welfare and is required by a new statute effective July 1 next.
Your attention is also directed to the increase of $8000.00 in
122
the construction item of the Water Department. This outlay is for new water service made necessary by the reconstruction of South Main Street this year by the Commonwealth.
Among the special Articles, number 6 for the removal of household rubbish is disapproved on the grounds that it is entirely inadequate to accomplish the ends sought. It would operate for only six months, in the summer period of smallest need, presum- ably benefit only the center of the town, and fail to include ashes and garbage.
Of the several special Articles calling for water extension, your Committee singles out Articles 10 and 11 for special comment.
Their merit and need have never been questioned. They have been deferred in past years but now seem to be logically in line for adoption.
They will give relief long sought and at the same time advance the well conceived plan of the Water Department for that section of the Town.
Your Committee therefore recommends that the Town Meet- ing adopt the following budget and act upon the special Articles in accordance with the recommendations appended to each:
Aiding Mothers with Dependent Children
$5000.00
American Legion, Andover Post No. 8
1250.00
Armistice Day 150.00
Assessors' Survey (decrease $1500)
1500.00
Board of Health
4500.00
Pump and Hose for Brush Fire Work
1500.00
Brush Fires 1000.00
Damages to Persons and Property (decrease $1000)
2000.00
Elections and Registration (decrease $1200)
1000.00
Essex Tuberculosis Hospital (increase $776)
8846.36
(Assessment covers: new addition $3314.42
maintenance $5531.94)
Fire Department 29500.00
Pay of call men May 1, 1930 to
December 31, 1930
2126.61
$31626.61
Amount carried forward
$58372.97
1 . 123
Amount brought forward
58,372.97
(This item made necessary by statute. Under old system of bookkeeping would have been paid May 1 next from fund raised in anticipation of taxes. )
Highway Department
Maintenance
50000.00
New Construction (decrease $7200)
15000.00
(Recommended for sides of principal streets in center of Town)
Infirmary Expenses
8000.00
Interest (decrease $4000)
21000.00
Insurance (increase $160)
7700.00
Memorial Day
850.00
Memorial Hall Library (increase $589)
8000.00
(To cover expense of keeping open extra hours )
Municipal Buildings (increase $400)
4600.00
Old Age Assistance (new appropriation )
6000.00
Outside Aid (increase $1000)
10500.00
Parks and Playgrounds (increase $1000)
5500.00
(Recommended : $500 addition for play equipment,
$500 for flooding land for skating )
Police Department
29000.00
Pomps Pond ( decrease $500 )
1100.00
Printing
600.00
Public Dump
500.00
Retirement of Bonds (decrease $5000)
50000.00
Schools (decrease $11)
150344.00
Sewer Department
6200.00
Snow Removal and Sanding (increase $3000)
15000.00
Soldiers' Relief
2500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
500.00
Spring Grove Cemetery (increase $400)
8400.00
State Aid
500.00
Street Lighting (increase $364.75)
22022.75
(Increase for lighting crossings on by-pass road)
Amount carried forward 482,189.72
124
Amount brought forward
482,189.72
Town Officers
$18250.00
D. J. Murphy, Town Counsel
1021.50
19271.50
(This item covers March 1, 1930 to December 31,
1930, same situation as in case of Fire Dept.)
Town Scales
125.00
Tree Warden (decrease $1000)
5000.00
Moth Suppression
5000.00
Water Department
Maintenance
30000.00
Construction and Service Pipe
20000.00
(Increase $8000 for South Main Street)
Wire Inspector (increase $100)
450.00
Total
$562,036.22
Special Articles : No. 5.
350.00
7.
300.00
10.
11250.00
11.
23160.00
14.
4500.00
$601,596.22
Article 4 .- To see if the Town will accept as a town way, as laid out by the Board of Survey, Hillside Avenue from Haverhill Street northerly for a distance of 451.34 feet as shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk, on petition of Edward Fleming and others. (No action necessary)
Article 5 .- To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase the 350 feet of water main with their appurtenances of Edward Fleming constructed and laid in Hillside Avenue at the rate of $1.00 per foot, if said Street is . accepted as a Town way, and to appropriate a sum of $350.00 for this purpose, on petition of Edward Fleming and others. (Approved)
125
Article 6 .- To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $3500.00 for the collection and disposal of household rubbish during the period between April 15 and October 15; this collec- tion to be handled by the Board of Public Works, on petition of H. M. Poynter and others. (Not approved)
Article 7 .- To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not in excess of three hundred dollars ($300.00) to establish and maintain a Baby Health Clinic, the appropriation to be expended under the direction of the local Board of Health, on petition of Franklin H. Stacey and others. (Approved)
Article 8 .- To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town way, as laid out by the Board of Survey, a way known as Fern- dale Avenue extending from Poor Street to Magnolia Avenue as shown on plan filed with the Town Clerk, on petition of Hay- ward G. Whiteway and others. (No action necessary )
Article 9 .- To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main from its present dead-end on River Street along River Street and Lowell Junction Road to the residence of Joseph E. Frederick and appropriate the sum of $15,700.00 to be spent under the direction of the Board of Public Works providing Lowell Junction Road is declared as a public way, on petition of Clarence G. Wormwood 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 at the Shattuck Farm on River Road to the residence of Arthur Maddox on River Road, also from River Road on Laurel Lane to the residence of Joseph Landry, and appropriate the sum of $11,250.00 to care for this work, on petition of Arthur H. Maddox and others. (Approved)
Article 11 .- To see if the Town will vote to extend the water main on Chandler Road from the corner of Chandler Road and Greenwood Road to a point opposite the property of George Disbrow, and appropriate the sum of $23,160.00 therefor, on petition of Daniel Fitzpatrick and others. (Approved)
126
Article 12 .- To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main along Beacon Street from the corner of Chandler Road and Beacon Street to the property of Louis Cyr, and appropriate the sum of $7,250.00 therefor, on petition of Edward Urmstom and others ... (Not approved )
Article 13 .- To see if the Town will vote to accept from the American Woolen Company a conveyance of certain land in Shawsheen Village as described in Warrant. (No action neces- sary)
Article 14 .- 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 the Board of Public Works. (Approved)
Articles 15 to 19 .- No action by Finance Committee necessary.
SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended
$562036.22
Special expenditures recommended
39560.00
$601596.22
Appropriation at special Town Meeting Jan. 23, 1931
10000.00
$611596.22
State and County Tax (Estimated)
70987.61
$682583.83
Receipts Estimated
201036.29
$481547.54
127
VALUATION
. Net Valuation 1930 $17,063,808.00
1931 (Estimated) $17,000,000.00
Computation of tax rate for 1931 using the above figures : $481,547.54
= $28.326
$17,000,000.00
Tax rate for 1927 $25.50 Tax rate for 1929 $25.50
Tax rate for 1928 $25.00 Tax rate for 1930 $25.90
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. BAILEY, Chairman JAMES H. EATON G. EDGAR FOLK EDMOND E. HAMMOND
FRANK W. McLANATHAN
JAMES C. SOUTER JOHN A. ARNOLD, Secretary
128
Auditors' Certificate
We have examined the accounts of the Town Officers and pre- sent the following report :-
TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS
The Treasurer's Accounts have been examined and for the year balance as follows :
January 1st, 1930, balance on hand
Total Receipts for Year 1930
$95,176.68 996,307.91
Total
$1,091,484.59
Total Expenditures for Year 1930
1,003,179.90
Balance on hand December 31st, 1930 $88,304.69
TAX COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNTS
We have examined these accounts for the years 1928, 1929, and 1930, and have checked receipts and uncollected balances with the following results :
1928
The Tax Collector's report for 1928 shows a balance of un- collected taxes of $487.50 with cash on hand at end of year as follows :
Taxes
Interest®
Moth
$3,092.64 486.39 . 65
Total $3,579.68
This amount was not turned over to Treasurer until January 29th, 1931 and should have been carried as uncollected at end of 1930.
129
1929
Interest collected for this year according to Collector's books totals $1,756.65 but $1,756.78 was actually turned over to Treas- urer.
At the end of 1929 the amount of Moth uncollected according to Tax Collector's report and books totalled $235.80, while this year's report shows amount of Moth Warrant as $174.35. This difference was due to a bill of $61.45 due from the State High- way Department, having been paid direct to Treasurer but no abatement has been made to cover this amount, which was evi- dently included in the Moth Warrant in error. This amount has been deducted in this year's report without any correction being noted.
1930
The total abatments for Personal and Real Estate Taxes for this year according to Assessors' books total $513.96 against $482.88 as per Collector's report, $25.90 of this amount was re- funded through Treasurer in 1930. Difference of $5.18 covered an abatement of Real Estate Taxes made October 28th. 1930, but this amount was not refunded until January, 1931. This should have been handled as a 1930 transaction.
Three Motor Vehicle Tax abatements for 1930 were made by Assessors as follows :
Date of Abatement
June 16th, 1930
Amount $ 8.48 34.07
June 16th, 1930
July 14th, 1930
.91
$43.46
These should have been refunded through Treasurer as 1930 transactions as full amount of Taxes had been paid. These three abatements were not paid by Treasurer until January 24th, 1931.
The Collector's reports covering Taxes should show abatements made as cash refunds during the year for various years Taxes in order to agree with the Assessors' and other departmental records.
130
TRUST FUNDS
Trust Funds have been verified and accounts of Trustees ex- amined.
HARRY SELLARS WALTER H. COLEMAN DAVID L. COUTTS Auditors
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20th day of Frebruary, 1930.
EDWARD A. ANDERSON, Notary Public My commission expires April 3, 1936.
181
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 MARGARET D. MANNING
In Charge of Junior Room EVELYN R. ROBINSON
In Charge of Ballardvale Branch MARTHA D. BYINGTON
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
*Deceased
132
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library present the annual report of the Librarian showing the work and progress of the Public Library during the year 1930. We urge the careful read- ing of this report by all the citizens of Andover. The statistics given of the number of users and the increase in books issued, are as gratifying as they are surprising. No statistics can measure the great amount of work which the Library staff does to make these facts possible. The time is soon coming when the number on the staff must be increased to keep pace with the growth of the Library in size and efficiency.
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN, Chairman FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL, Secretary FREDERICK A. WILSON BURTON S. FLAGG PHILIP F. RIPLEY CLAUDE M. FUESS JOHN C. ANGUS
Trustees
133
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
TREASURER'S REPORT
RECEIPTS
Appropriation less Insurance
$7411.00
Dog Tax
892.94
Income from Investments
3459.99
Total Receipts
$11763.93
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$7736.93
Books
1381.85
Periodicals
255.83
Book-binding
583.85
Fuel
836.06
Light
258.51
Repairs
68.58
Furniture and Furnishings
106.95
Stationery and Postage
84.05
Insurance
12.50
Supplies
315.68
Balance Unexpended
123.80
Total Expenditures
$11763.93
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY SECURITIES
Bangor & Aroostook R.R., 4s
$11000.00
Boston Elevated, 4s
10000.00
Boston Elevated, 41/2s
1000.00
Montreal Tramways, 5s
10000.00
Amount carried forward
$32000.00
134
Amount brought forward
$32000.00
Chicago Railways Co.
8500.00
New England Power Association, 5s 6000.00
3000.00
Indiana-Michigan Electric Co., 5s Boston & Maine R.R., 5s
2000.00
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000.00
New England Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000.00
Jersey Central Power & Light Co., 51/2s
1000.00
Dayton Power & Light Co., 5s
1000.00
American Tel. & Tel. Co., 4s
571.50
Savings Banks
17025.94
Total
$73097.04
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL Treasurer
This is to certify that the Securities belonging to the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library, and the income accruing there- from, have been checked and found to be correct.
The remaining items in the above statement are examined by the Town Auditors.
BURTON S. FLAGG Auditor
FEBRUARY 2, 1931.
135
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, 1930.
At the close of an extremely busy year, one of unusual dif- ficulties because of serious illness and other staff complications, it is a satisfaction to report the largest circulation in the history of our library. We have issued for home use during 1930, 64,875 books, an increase of 2251 over the previous year. This increase is in the senior part of the main library and at the Ballardvale branch. The junior room unfortunately shows an appreciable loss.
The national census of 1930 finds Andover with an official population of 9965. The number of registered borrowers who use the library is 4513, which is 45% of the inhabitants. There- fore, with a circulation of 64,875, we have issued books in the proportion of 61/2 per capita. This registration of 4513 people represents the actual users of the library, all cards affected by removal from town, death or marriage, being canceled at the end of each year.
As usual, the reference use has been constant. One of the durable satisfactions of our work is the intense faith of the public school children that anything they wish to know may be found in the library. We try to live up to their belief. The Punchard School students especially, make constant and steady demands upon us.
We also look with satisfaction upon the new books added to our shelves, very many of which have been bought in response to definite requests. Books needed for study by local clubs, and
136
by teachers taking courses, are among them. The collection of art books is growing, both in number and in public appreciation. Our books upon gardening, on craft work, old furniture and antiques of all kinds are unusually comprehensive for the size of the library, and receive much use. Especially interesting is the use made of drawing manuals. It has been a surprise to see how many, and what different people are interested in drawing as a recreation.
One hopeful prospect has opened with the appearance of "dollar books" upon the lists of a few publishers, and with the increase of reprint editions on the part of several others. With the cost of other commodities decreasing, it seems possible that some time, books may be cheaper.
Our binding bills for the year have been large, for the number of books bound and rebound is 673. Worn and soiled bindings are repaired at first, or partly recased by the staff, but there comes a time when the life of a book can be prolonged only by a trip to the bindery. The greater the use of the books the larger the bills for binding, so that the size of this item is an index to popularity. Frequently a rebound book is more at- tractive than when first issued, and nearly always, it circulates twice as long.
Some important gifts have come our way. On leaving town, Mr. George Endicott gave the library about 150 valuable books, all on technical subjects, supplementing our engineering, chemical and business collections. Dr. Shipman and Mr. George Ripley each gave the junior room a number of appreciated books. More dolls from other lands joined the collection which is such a pleasure to the children.
The branch at Ballardvale circulated this year 7132 books, an increase of 530 over 1929. This branch is open for four hours on each Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year. Miss Byington reports that the time is not distant when it will be advisable to open it also upon Thursdays.
The library suffered a great loss when Miss Agatha R. Wade, who had been librarian of the junior room since 1926, resigned to accept an offer from the Dearborn, Michigan, Public Library
137
as organizer and supervisor of work with children, a position carrying a large advance, both in salary and in opportunity. Miss Wade's unusual personality, her high ideals for her work, her great love for children, and her loyalty to everything for which the mere name of Andover stands, were qualities very difficult to replace, either in the work of the library or in the opinion of the public. Miss Mabelle F. Brightman of the New- ton Centre Library took charge of the room on September 1st. On December 1st she resigned to return to Newton and the posi- tion was filled by Miss Evelyn R. Robinson of the Somerville Public Library. Miss Robinson is painstakingly carrying on the work along the lines established by Miss Wade, and has started a weekly story hour which is proving most popular. Under her guidance the use of the room is returning to normal and the prospects for the work with children during 1931 appear promising.
The junior room is indebted to Mr. F. H. Foster, who gave the tree and the decorations used at Christmas. Due to the generous amount of greens contributed. the room was unusually pretty. and the children were delighted with its festive appearance and with the charming Nativity arranged in the glass case.
During the year, some modifications were tried in the hours of the junior room. So much is done for the Andover children during the summer, by the churches and the vacation playground. that the use of the room became slight. Closing it at six, instead of eight, met with no unfavorable comment. With September, we returned to the usual hours, but tried the experiment of open- ing it on Saturday morning instead of Saturday evening. This also proved satisfactory to all concerned, and we recommend that both experiments become permanent arrangements.
For 1931, we should like to serve the town, and especially the high school, more efficiently, by having the senior room open daily from nine in the morning till nine at night, not closing at all in the middle of the day. To do this means that an assistant now doing part-time work must be put on a full-time basis. Her employment should-unless the work becomes un- expectedly heavy-make possible continuous service to the public,
138
with no increase in the present number of part-time workers, and with only a slightly larger appropriation from the town.
Respectfully submitted, EDNA A. BROWN
Librarian
139
STATISTICS OF THE LIBRARY
Number of books issued at the Memorial Hall
57743
Number of books issued at Ballardvale 7132
Total number issued for home use
64875
Number of borrowers' cards in use
4513
Books added by purchase
791
Books added by gift
240
Total additions
1031
Books withdrawn, worn out, lost and paid for, etc.
293
Total number of volumes in the library
28533
Volumes rebound
627
Volumes bound, periodicals, etc.
46
BALLARDVALE BRANCH
Number of books issued for home use 7132
Books added by purchase
46
Books added by gift
16
Total additions
62
Books now belonging to branch
2522
Gifts of books and pamphlets are acknowledged from state and government departments, from the Andover Natural History Society, from the Bradlee Mothers' Club, from the Massachusetts Tercentenary Commission, and from the following individuals :
Miss Florence Abbott ; Miss M. W. Bell ; E. T. Brewster ; J. F. Burnham; Mrs. Marguerite Collins; M. S. Dunn; George Endi- cott; Mrs. V. M. Fitzhugh; Mrs. J. R. Fuller; Mrs. Richard Fuller ; Mrs. M. E. Gutterson; Rev. C. W. Henry ; Miss Anna Kuhn; Mrs. Andrew Lawrie; Major C. E. Lovejoy ; J. F. O'Con- nell; Miss Florence Prevost ; Alfred Ripley ; G. B. Ripley ; Rev. F. R. Shipman; A. P. Thompson; Mrs. J. C. Towle; and Mr. and Mrs. C. W Ward.
140
HOW TO USE THE LIBRARY
The Memorial Hall Library is open every day except Sundays and holidays, from 9 to 12.30 in the morning, and from 3 to 9 in the afternoon and evening. The junior room is open from 3 to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturday it is open from 9 to 12.30, and 3 to 6 p.m. During July and August it is open from 3 to 6 p.m.
Any resident of Andover may have a library card upon filling out an application blank. Any child who can write his name may have a card, but children in grades below the Punchard School are required to have their applications endorsed by both parent and teacher.
Children may borrow one book at a time. All grown people are allowed to take any reasonable number of books, provided that only one is a current magazine, and only one is a seven-day book.
Books are issued for fourteen days, the date upon which the book is due being stamped plainly on the "date due" slip at the time of issue. A book kept overtime incurs a fine of two cents for every day overdue. A few of these books most in demand are issued for seven days only. All these are labeled upon the book pocket, "Seven-day book". Books lost or damaged must be paid for.
Seven-day books are not renewed nor reserved for anyone, nor may they be transferred from one card to another. They must be definitely returned to the library by each borrower. "Other books may be renewed if no one else has asked for them, and if a work not fiction is especially desired for any serious purpose, notice of its return to the library will be sent on request.
The shelves of the library are open to all grown people. The books are arranged according to subjects, and it is often much more satisfactory to go to the shelves and examine the books than to depend upon the catalogue.,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.