USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1940-1944 > Part 49
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While this hurricane was not as severe as in 1938 when about 500 trees were destroyed, under existing conditions of labor shortage etc. it presented quite a problem. Heavy rain accom- panied the hurricane with wind from the southeast, changing to east and northeast. Rain and wind reached a high point about midnight. After two A.M. the wind changed to north and then northwest with its greatest velocity about three A.M. At this time most of the trees were blown down. The largest tree de- stroyed was at the Hardy Brush Factory and fell across Haverhill street while the most difficult tree to remove was a large Ash at the Barnard Estate which brought down high power electric wires and telephone cables and lodged in a maple tree on the Square and Compass grounds as it fell across High street.
At the present time home owners and tree lovers are in a good deal of distress over the shortage of reliable tree workers. Tree work requires strong muscles, sound judgment, often expert knowledge and skill.
These severe storms combined with other conditions such as paved roads and sidewalks accumulation of calcium chloride from sanding in the winter, long dry periods, insect attacks and disease, in time cause many injuries which are difficult for street trees to overcome without special care. Often these injuries do not show up for several years.
Trees growing under present conditions of travel need much more attention than in former years of graveled roads. The town has extended hard surfaced roads and sidewalks in all sections,
165
has added many miles of new streets, yet gives very little con- sideration to the need of more men with tree repair experience to care for its trees.
Town meetings have refused modern equipment for the Tree Department. We sometimes read or hear about lack of efficiency in town departments, quite often the town does not furnish equipment to make it possible for efficient work. It seems satisfied as long as the yearly appropriation is the same regardless of the need for improvement.
The Tree Warden should not be compelled to take experienced men from tree repair work to cut miles of brush from the roadside with scythe and hand pruners. He should at least have a power mower for these men to operate. Modern machinery equipment should also include a portable air compressor with equipment, for tree surgery work. A power saw to cut down and cut up trees. A truck operated crane and winch to lower heavy branches out of trees, lift large tree butts and pull out stumps. A truck with top mounted ladder for quick removal of low hanging branches and quick access into trees.
While plans are being made for post war improvements I would suggest that plans be made for the erection of a building to house the Tree and Moth Department. Space for trucks, sprayers, tools, a heated repair shop and office. The Tree and Moth Department is the only town department that has to pay rent, out of its small appropriation, for its quarters. It costs the town $360.00 a year.
There have been reports about the town tearing down some of its present buildings and old school buildings in the next few years. I would suggest that the town salvage some of this material to erect a suitable brick building for the Tree and Moth Depart- ment near the Park. Such a building and grounds could be landscaped by the Tree Warden in keeping with nearby school property.
Good shade trees are a great asset to the town. Andover can continue to have good trees by providing for their care.
For 1945 I recommend that $5,600.00 be appropriated for the Tree Department.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Tree Warden
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Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
Little defoliation was caused in 1944 by the Gypsy Moth caterpillars but more egg clusters were found, on trees and other objects, and painted with creosote this fall indicating an increase in this insect next summer from untreated eggs. Andover has been fortunate to escape infestation of the Brown Tail Moth which is serious in several Essex County towns. Only 27 nests were found here last March. These were cut off and burned. Tent Caterpillars were numerous last spring and give every indication of being numerous next spring. The Andover Village Improvement Society interested and paid school children for collecting egg bands of the Tent Caterpillar from twigs of fruit trees and wild cherry bushes. Control would be much better if every one possible would collect and burn these egg bands during the winter and early spring. A great increase in Fall Web Worm nests were noticeable in August and September. Many of these were cut off and burned, in some sections the trees and shrubs were sprayed with Arsenate of Lead. Elm Leaf Beetles increased last summer and it will be necessary to increase control measures in some sections of the town.
Spraying was retarded last spring because of labor shortage and high wind storms which made it necessary to stop spraying for a time and perform tree work.
There is a new material called D.D.T. (dichloro-diphenyl- trichorothane) which gives great promise in the control of in- sects. Except for experimental purposes it is all being taken by the armed services, but should be available after the war pro- vided compounds of this material can be made safe for general use by the public. It destroys many insects, which come in contact with it even from one to three months after being applied. Its fault is that it may kill insects useful to man as well as insect pests.
To provide for insect control work I recommend that $5,250.00 be appropriated for the Moth Department in 1945.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Moth Superintendent
167
Spring Grove Cemetery
The Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery submit their annual report for the year ending 1944.
There were 53 interments during the year.
Nineteen new lots were sold.
The income from perpetual care funds amounted to $1,882.31.
Money received from annual care, foundations, sale of lots, interments, etc. amounted to $4,253.25 out of an expended ap- propriation of $9,293.43. $366.57 was returned to the Town as an unexpended balance.
Some roads were resurfaced and repaired. Several unsightly trees were removed and new ones set out.
Due to the manpower shortage and difficulty in obtaining materials we have been unable to make some improvements which we would have liked to have done.
We are planning to make interments during the winter, to meet the request of lot owners and thus eliminate the use of the tomb locally.
The Trustees are asking under a special article the appropria- tion of $575.00 for the purchase of a compressor. This is necessary to open graves when frost and ledge is encountered.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK R. PETTY, Chairman FREDERICK E. CHEEVER, Secretary FRED G. CHENEY CLIFFORD W. DUNNELLS CLIFFORD E. MARSHALL
168
Sealer of Weights and Measures
December 31, 1944
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual Report for the year 1944:
SCALES
Adjusted
Sealed
Condem.
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
0
7
0
Platform under 5000 lbs.
25
45
0
Counter 100 lbs. or over
3
6
0
Counter under 100 lbs.
2
48
0
Beam over 100 lbs.
0
2
0
Spring 100 lbs. or over
0
3
0
Spring under 100 lbs.
9
37
0
Computing under 100 lbs.
4
25
0
Personal weighing (slot)
8
18
0
Prescription
0
5
0
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Avoirdupois
0
282
0
Apothecary
0
52
0
Metrics
0
28
0
Liquid Measures
0)
41
0
Meters over 1 inch
2
4
0
Gasoline Pumps
0
44 N.S. 10 0
Oil Jars
0
5
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
0
9
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
0
23
0
Quantity Measure on Pumps
0
16
0
Yard Sticks
0
10
0
I have collected from December 1, 1943 to November 30, 1944 $112.29 (one hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-nine cents).
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS N. MEARS, Sealer of Weights and Measures
169
Report of Wire Inspector
January 10, 1945
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my report for the year 1944. Permits, seventy- eight, for which I have turned over to the Town Treasurer $39.00.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. YOUNG, Wire Inspector
170
Town of Andover - Jury List JUNE, 1944
Abbot, Hartwell B. Anderson, Ernest
Farmer
Dascomb Rd.
Farmer
Ballardvale Rd.
Angus, Wallace H.
Chauffeur
Bachman, Herbert L.
Janitor
Barnard, W. Shirley
Real Estate
Barrett, John S.
Clerk 63 Burnham Rd.
Baxter, Charles O.
Loan Manager
15 Cedar Rd. 8 Elm St.
Beedie, Alexander
Janitor
Beirne, Francis X.
Bookkeeper
14 Bartlet St.
Belul, Febi
Rubber Worker
109 Pine St.
Berry, Ralph T.
Cloth Examiner
83 Pine St.
Bissett, James T.
Recreation Worker
98 North Main St.
Blake, Preston H.
Food Broker
Bliss, Arthur
Retired
Blomquist, Bror G.
Electrician
Brown, George B.
Shipper
Boutwell, Sherman W.
Designer
163 Shawsheen Rd. 48 Morton St. Boston Rd.
Buxton, Walter E.
Painter
19 Summer St. 120 North Main St.
Cairnie, Henry
Shipper
Cairnie, Robert Y.
Operative
Carter, George A.
Janitor
Chadwick, Harry
Janitor
Chambers, Arthur S.
Farmer
Chadwick, Nathaniel
Clerk
4 Main St. Terr. 5 Morton St.
Clough, Harry E.
Comber, Joseph Coon, Howard A.
Corliss, William B.
Daniels, Roy A.
Davis, Charles W.
Operative
Real Estate
109 Elm St.
171
7 Stratford Rd. 1 Hidden Rd. 49 Union St. 29 Main St.
Brown, Robert E.
Inspector
Buote, Larry B.
Engineer
18 Baker Lane 6 Wolcott Ave. 34 Avon St: Lowell St.
Chipman, Reeve Clark, Dana W.
Tourist Agency
Civil Engineer 72 Maple Ave. Insurance Agent 117 Chestnut St. Signal Operator Center St. Artist 411 Andover St. Laborer High Plain Rd. Electrician 78 Chestnut St. 57 Park St.
Dearborn, Roy S.
18 Walnut Ave. 18 Stratford Rd. 12 High St.
D'Entremont, Francis H. Dole, Percy J. Dufton, George C. H. Elliott, Leonard Ellis, Franklin T. Emerson, Charles F.
Salesman Trucking
Contractor
Retired
Dresser
Retired 72 Park St.
Fairweather, James D.
Caretaker
15 Abbot St.
Fallon, Joseph E, Jr.
Accountant 45 High St. Holt Rd.
Contractor 37 Maple Ave.
Flint, John H.
Painter 35 Washington Ave.
Foster, Charles E.
Textile Technician Lupine R.d.
Foster, Russell
Electrician
15 Fletcher St. 16 Cuba St. Lowell St.
Gilman, Albert E.
Carpenter
Glines, Roland B.
Electrician
63 Bartlet St.
Golden, William H.
Farmer 22 Carmel Rd.
Graham, Arthur M.
Clerk 38 Whittier St. Clerk 32 Washington Ave.
Operative Tewksbury St.
Retired
Hardy, Frederick C.
Farmer
Harnedy, William A.
Clerk
Hatch, William G.
Hickey, Vincent P.
Hill, Charles A.
Hill, John K.
Clerk
Hodge, Robert
Retired
Hovey, James H.
Carpenter
Hulme, Samuel P.
Real Estate
Hutcheson, Douglas W.
Printer
45 Whittier St. 69 Maple Ave.
Johnson, Howard B.
Engineer
26 Carmel Rd.
Kearn, Frederick
Carpenter
Kurth, William W.
Merchant
Dentist
Operative
Livingston, George F.
Farmer
Luce, Rowland L.
Lynch, James A.
Farmer
19 Summer St. Gray Rd.
172
30 Wolcott Ave. Haggetts Pond Rd. 89 Burnham Rd.
Janitor 6 Summer St.
Accountant 232 No. Main St. Electrician 13 Chestnut St. Lowell St.
74 Chestnut St. So. Main St. 61 Elm St.
Jaques, Robert G.
Janitor
Haggetts Pond Rd. 300 No. Main St. 75 Elm St. Andover St. Brown St.
Kyle, Thomas J. Livingston, Clinton R.
Furniture
38 Florence St. 19 Washington Ave. 7 Argyle St. 34 Summer St. 109 Elm St.
Feeney, Byron J. Fleming, John J.
Salesman
Gill, Joseph M.
Carpenter
Gray, Claremont I. Greenwood, Ralph L. Hadley, Ralph E.
Lynch, Michael J. McCarthy, Frank G. McDonald, John H.
Mooar, Philip C.
Mechanic
Retired
Retired
Murphy, Michael M. Myatt, Peter S.
Laborer
Nelson, Edward J.
Watchman
99 High St.
Newman, Winthrop R.
Gardener
121 Elm St.
Newton, Charles M.
Poultryman
Boutwell Rd.
Nolan, James A. O'Connell, John F.
Salesman
7 Cuba St.
Adv. & Pub. Spec.
1 Punchard Ave. 49 Elm St.
Peterson, Elmer O.
Poultryman
Greenwood Rd.
Petrie, Alexander B.
Gardener
51 Bartlet St. Argilla Rd.
Rennie, George Robb, David B.
Janitor
32 Park St.
Robertson, Foster G.
Salesman
7 Canterbury St. 60 Morton St.
Roundy, Glenn H.
Printer
73 Maple Ave.
Sanders, William J.
Retired
15 Johnson Rd. Andover St.
Shea, Maurice P.
Operative
30 Burnham Rd.
Mfg. and Farmer Dascomb Rd.
Clerk 12 Arundel St.
Smith, Arthur J.
Bricklayer
Rattlesnake Hill Rd.
Smith, Frederick C.
Insurance
61 Chestnut St.
Smith, J. Lewis
Salesman 126 Main St.
Stack, Robert A.
Chauffeur 20 Summer St. 8 Cuba St.
Stirling, William Stott, Joseph E. Sutton, Osborne
Janitor
Clerk High St., B.V.
Rubber Worker 119 Chestnut St.
Taylor, Thomas D.
Machinist 79 Lowell St.
Thompson, James G.
Watchman 42 Summer St.
Tucker, Charles H.
Operative
111 Abbot St.
Rubber Worker
Contractor
Retired
40 Essex St. 12 Wolcott Ave. 123 Chestnut St. 108 Lowell St. 10 Johnson Rd. 25 Avon St. 47 Balmoral St. Highland Ave.
O'Connor, Michael J.
Chauffeur
Rennie, Adam E.
Farmer
Farmer
Argilla Rd.
Ronan, William A.
Chauffeur
Schofield, James F.
Weaver
Shepard, Howell F. Simon, Walter H.
173
Moore, William P. Muelig, Emil J.
Machinist
Trustees of Memorial Hall Library
NATHAN C. HAMBLIN
BURTON S. FLAGG
WINSOR GALE
ARTHUR W. REYNOLDS
HENRY G. TYER
MARY BYERS SMITH
CLAUDE M. FUESS
Chairman MARY BYERS SMITH
Secretary and Treasurer WINSOR GALE
Librarian MIRIAM PUTNAM
MARGARET D. MANNING, Catalog Librarian SARAH A. BALLARD, Children's Librarian
ISABELL F. NOONE, General Assistant NELLIE A. CROSSLEY, Clerical Assistant M. ETHEL ZINK, Branch Librarian, Ballardvale
Janitor ARCHIBALD D. MACLAREN
175
THE LIBRARY WORKS IN THE PRESENT AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
A library report concerns itself of necessity with a year just past, yet it does not seem out of order to consider it briefly, not as an isolated year of performance, but in its relationship to the years which preceded it and to the years which lie directly ahead. In a sense 1944 takes on the aspect of a cross road year, for despite the stern realization that the war is far from over, there is a feeling of expectancy that in the not too distant future, the library will be serving a community gradually returning to a peace-time basis with all the problems which such a return in- volves. Unless all signs fail, the future will bring renewed interest in adult education as men and women returning from military service seek to carry on formally or informally educational programs and as displaced war workers seek to reorient them- selves to a peace-time economy. The library, built through the years on sure foundations and with the added experience of the war years behind it, should be in a position to play an increas- ingly constructive role.
Looking toward its greater usefulness in the future the library will be concerned with the need for scrutinizing library objectives, developing well-trained and socially aware personnel, building up adequate book stocks, extending library services when such extension can be validated, continually recreating established service patterns, applying business techniques to library practices whenever possible, assessing the importance of the library build- ing in the effective functioning of the library now and in the future.
At the end of 1944, 4,735 individuals, young and old, were registered borrowers representing 42% of the total population. These figures are inconclusive in that they do not take into account indirect use by people who are not registered borrowers and in that the ratio between constant and occasional use on the part of library users has not been ascertained. Yet the fact re- mains that there are still many people who are not taking full advantage of its resources which means that the library must try to bring its services more effectively to the attention of this group. It should not be an impossible task since it is so easy for the individual to make the vast resources of the library his, and there
176
is perhaps no comparable public service which requires so little formality. Indeed the library can be no further away than the nearest telephone with information available in a few moments that might mean otherwise many individual hours of searching. Perhaps the library has taken it too much for granted that given the library filled with books made easily accessible that people would without hesitation beat a path to its door. A young woman who signed for a card recently may have unconsciously made a telling point when she said: "I have lived in Andover for a year now and I have never been in the library before. I didn't know just how to go about getting a card."
A backward glance at some of the requests for information reveals once again their variety. A former library borrower wrote to his parents from the Pacific theatre that he wanted them to buy him the black book on engines which he had borrowed from the library. A call to the library and a clairvoyant staff member revealed that the book in question was Bailey's Handbook. A milk driver poured over maps of Andover and North Andover to acquaint himself with the streets on his route. A telephone call brought a request for information as to how a soldier would go from Andover to Fort Dix. Someone else wanted to know what a "short snorter bill" was. Statistical material regarding popula- tion, home ownership, schools, industries was sought by a com- pany who wished to find out if it should locate in Andover. A local factory needed a picture of an SNJ training plane to use during a recent bond drive. An artist wanted drawings of colonial doorways and fireplaces to use as designs for Christmas cards. The library felt much closer to the fighting war when a young woman, now in the Middle East with the American Red Cross, said that knowledge of the information in the library pamphlet Careers in the American Red Cross made possible her acceptance for overseas service. Definitely on the lighter side was the request, easily acceded to, of three small ladies who asked, "Please, could we go upstairs and walk on the glass floor once to see how it feels?"
Contacts have been made with the United States Employment Service in Lawrence and active cooperation established with Mr. Francis Markey, Agent for the Andover Veterans' Service as the library looks forward to serving on a wide spread scale men and women demobilized from the armed forces. Undoubtedly
177
there will be increased requests for vocational and technical material-requests from young men already back would bear out this point; yet it will be well to remember that problems of per- sonal and social readjustment will be as important as economic so that nothing short of recourse to the entire book collection will suffice to meet the individual needs of these young people.
A quick look at the books purchased during the year reveals how many of them relate to the war. Fiction would be at a low ebb indeed if it were not for the handful of excellent war novels. Unending has been the stream of books of personal exploits, of those by the war correspondents, right there with G.I. Joe on the many battle fronts, of books by the planners and those who feel they have something to contribute to the solution of the hundred and one problems facing the world. Books about the war con- tinued in great demand, particularly journalistic accounts and those of personal participation. Many people, despite the war, pursued individual personal interests as can be evidenced in the circulation of books about hobbies, handicrafts, home building, interior decoration, books of applied psychology, and books of humor. Demands were numerous also for books not about the war by people who found it necessary to escape if but temporarily, from its impact.
An analysis made recently over a brief period, too short to be conclusive, showed that of the books issued, 62.3% had been published since 1940 and that of the total number, over 98% had been published since 1900. This shows quite definitely the need for sufficient numbers of new books to meet current demand and the desirability of duplicating popular titles in sufficient quantity.
Continued attempts are made to replace standard titles, grown old in the service, with new and attractive editions; somewhat difficult in these days when so many titles are out of print. There is another side to the picture, too, and that is the need for con- stantly weeding out of books no longer necessary either because the lapse of time has superseded them by better and more authoritative books or because their non-use does not justify the cost of keeping them upon the library shelves. An effort has been made to place these books in larger collections. Duplicates of books for which the phenomenal demand is over have been with- drawn and given to the Victory Book Campaign for the use of the armed forces.
178
Under Miss Manning's direction 2213 books were cataloged during the year, including among other processes, the making, revising and filing of more than six thousand catalog cards.
This year the library borrowed from other libraries ninety-four books, representing interests all the way from books on flute playing to those on factory organization and management. Special thanks for generosity in loaning books should go to the Newton Free Library, the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, the Division of Public Libraries, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which in addition to loaning specialized technical books, has given helpful advice in recommending technical titles for library purchase.
Regulations on reserve books underwent a slight modification this fall when all books were made available for reservation and a fee of one cent was charged to cover the cost of each postal notification.
Special emphasis has been placed upon making the library's map collection easily available for circulation since maps have become so essential to an intelligent understanding of world events and since too frequently they are omitted from books of history and travel. The gift of twenty-one excellent small maps by the Rand McNally Company has made a valuable addition to the collection.
Many book lists of current interest have been compiled for the discussion forums, book talks and other special meetings carried on by the library during the year. Interesting and attractive book lists for boys and girls and older young people have been prepared by Miss Ballard and Miss Noone; while under Miss Manning's aegis the library's monthly bulletin New Books Sampler has grown in popularity.
The biannual inventory was completed this year under Miss Manning's supervision and showed no alarming number of books unaccounted for ; a most creditable record considering the freedom of access to library shelves and the thousands of books involved in the many transactions over the library desk.
Ever growing use of books by boys and girls through the Young People's Library was reflected in the circulation of 41,804 books, the highest circulation of books to boys and girls in the history of the library and representing slightly more than 40% of the total number of books issued during the year.
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Normal activities were carried on with Book Week as always a high point in the library year. During that week Miss Ballard visited all the elementary schools, introducing the library and books, with noticeable results. Other activities of the week included, besides the usual new books displays, an open house for junior high school boys and girls and a story hour for fifth and sixth grade boys and girls, attended by over two hundred.
Several successful story hours under Miss Ballard's direction were carried on at Ballardvale and more are planned for 1945. A total of 4,986 books were sent to elementary, parochial and junior high schools, representing an active use of the book collection. Instruction in the use of reference tools was given to a class at the Pike School. A second annual tea for mothers of children entering school in the following fall was held in June; an event now firmly established on the library's agenda. Individual book lists in addition to the more general ones, were compiled for parents, teachers and scout leaders.
Intermediate cards, conferring adult privileges, were given to all ninth grade boys and girls who requested them. It appears on the whole to be a constructive way to meet individual differences and to keep older young people coming to the library.
Special activities sponsored by the library during the year included: a second program of discussion forums on topics of current interest held during February, March and April with an attendance about the same as for the previous year but with an increase in the number of men attending; the celebration of China Book Week with appropriate book exhibits and with a special meeting at which Dr. Fook-Tan Ching, Head of the English Department of the Southwestern Associated Universities in Kunming, spoke on Free China; another program of Family Nights at the Library held in the spring, featuring special talks and films; a series of three meetings on Latin America, held in the fall, co-sponsored by the Pan America Society of Massachusetts; and the annual library Open House, a particularly delightful one, with Mrs. Galen J. Perrett of Rockport sharing with those present her host of fascinating experiences gained in searching out information for her numerous magazine articles.
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