USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1945-1949 > Part 44
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 | Part 44 | Part 45
163
give them careful consideration. The letters' comments indi- cated that these men and women are thoughtfully aware of their library and the part that it plays in their own lives and that of their families.
It was reassuring to know that people read the library report. A few, it is suspected, read their first as result of this inquiry. Comments were varied: "I read the 1949 report with much inter- est", "I found it very informative and complete and not a me- chanical repetition of previous years". One woman writes apolo- getically, "I have not read the annual reports in the past, but that is, I imagine, about the only thing that I haven't done in your well-stocked library".
There were constructive suggestions as to what the report should contain. Someone thought it would be interesting to tell what people are reading and the types of recordings most enjoyed. Another suggested that the reports give statistical information showing use and expenditures compared with other years, should tell the "worthy things you do, especially group and children's activities". The admonition to "tell and keep telling what you have to offer, much of which is still not known even to your regu- lar users" struck a responsive chord. "The library report that interests me," writes another, "is the active one of courteous and interested service which I receive in all my use of the facilities offered."
The modern conception of the public library in the community was clearly defined by the borrower who writes: "Is it merely a repository and loan agency for books, periodicals and recordings, or is it a supplement to our educational system and should it offer adult evening programs of study similar to those offered by the Phillips Andover Academy? My own feelings are that the latter policy more nearly fulfills the modern idea of library usage".
The library's reports have more than once called attention to the public library as a unifying force in the community. One woman, recently come to this country, said it this way, "besides being a good lending library and a wonderful reading room with all kinds of papers and magazines, Memorial Hall Library is also a social center of the community. People of all ages and the most different backgrounds make use of it". And again another state- ment which epitomizes this sense of unity in diversity. "Miss .... called on me for a Hanukka candelabra for display during the
164
Jewish holidays. Things like this make it a privilege to live in a town like Andover."
Some people spoke of the part that the library plays in the enrichment of individual and family life. One man writes: "The library has been not only of real service to me, but it has given my leisure moments an inspiration that lifts me above every-day existence". The mother of a family sums it up this way: "From the Littlest Listeners (and he really waits for (these) charming programs, while I enjoy the discussion periods), through the first grader's enjoyment of story hours and shows, not to forget for a moment the fun we have from the record selections, through (our) hobbies and studies, we are deeply grateful to the entire library personnel for the never failing assistance and courteous attention to our every request".
Many mentioned the library services which had been most appreciated. Several spoke about the excellence of the library's book collection. One man writes: "The collection of classical books which forms the background of any library is really won- derful. The more modern books, fiction and technical, seem to satisfy almost any person's desires. The record collection is the first I have seen and a wonderful idea. The periodicals are well- chosen". Another comment runs like this: "Its collection of non- fiction is remarkable for a town this size. I have never failed to find useful material on subjects running the gamut from American history to machine shop practice and steam engineering". "I have been surprised and pleased", writes one man, "to find the large number of books available in the subject in which I am in- terested, that is, management and human relations".
Almost everybody mentioned in one way or another the friendly character of the library and what a pleasure trips to the library were. Several people noted as worthy of special emphasis the library's practice of notifying them of new books in their special fields of interest. Others spoke of the inter-library loan privilege which extends the resources of the Memorial Hall Libra- ry through the borrowing of books from larger or more specialized libraries. Still others appreciated the library's purchase of books which they had requested. Several singled out the information and reference service which had been effective in finding them facts and material when they needed them.
Two people underscored the library's responsibility to provide
165
material on different sides of issues. The trend toward censorship in the country at large was decried by one correspondent who writes "censorship is the deadly enemy of the library's usefulness to education".
In letter after letter people indicated to what a degree the courtesy, resourcefulness, patience, interest and friendliness on the part of the members of the library staff had added to their enjoyment of the library. One woman writes: "My husband has definite tastes in books and I must commend everyone at the desk for knowing, remembering and finding books for him". The pro- crastinator - and they come, young and old, has his share of praise for the library staff when he notes that the "librarians have been helpful in suggesting last minute novels for book reports and in helping in reference work". "The library meets my needs by making me acquainted with the past, the present times and the great men of this country, and your staff are always ready to advise me", writes still another person.
Many of the letters gave evidence of the pleasure which boys and girls and mothers and fathers find in the Young People's Library with its many activities. One father writes: "What really makes me so proud of it, is that my two children always look forward to the library and that to me is meeting the acid test". A mother writes: "Your movies for children are always popular with (our boy) who doesn't want to miss one". "The children are overjoyed with the library activities planned for them" is yet another comment. The practice of getting children's books into the schools is another service which is mentioned with approval.
There were a number of suggestions about program, books, costs, hours and physical improvements. "Honestly the only criticism I can make", writes one woman, "is the discontinuing of the Bookmobile," a concern in which she is joined by one other of our correspondents. On program, one mother wonders about the possibility of extending the children's activity program to include painting or modeling. One person would like to see the "extension in our town of the Great Books program as I feel that ... a great deal of thought-provoking discussion would be aroused". Still another feels that the library should make more effort to provide programs which would help people to learn more about South America. One of our oldest readers thinks it
166
would be a service to many if the library were to be open on Sunday although she adds "this suggestion has no personal feeling involved as I would not use it on Sunday."
Three people who live at a distance from the library men- tioned the change in the library's hour of opening as affecting their use of the library. One of them writes: "My only criticism is that I'd like it to open at 9:30 instead of ten o'clock. I do my shopping between nine and ten - so often have to wait to get into the library".
There were a few recommendations about books and reading in general. "Bigger and better garden books with lots of color- plates" were the desire of one user. One library borrower would have us scrutinize the use of our various periodicals and eliminate those which "have less than one hour's use per ten cents of cost". One other user felt that the library's religious book collection was not sufficiently representative of different points of view. One man would like the privilege of previewing books in his field and feels that his comments might be helpful. Another suggests that those who use the library regularly might be asked to list books which they would like to read.
There were other suggestions, too. One mother, with the wel- fare of children in mind, thinks the lighting on the fire-escape stairs should be improved. Another person suggests that the library be provided with a kitchenette. It is the desire of another that the upstairs hall be made more attractive. The arrangement of books in the various alcoves was characterized by one young man as bewildering to the newcomer and he suggests that some of the "stray bits" be collected. Library policy on book loans and renewals was questioned by another.
On the matter of costs a man writes "that he believes that there are ways of saving money without materially reducing that portion of the service you offer and of which the people of Ando- ver take advantage". On the other hand, a borrower writes "that the library's staff and services can not be equalled and are much more than we should hope for with the funds available to it".
This then is what a number of Memorial Hall Library users think of their library. The library hopes that the matter will not end here but that any library user who wishes will feel free to discuss library services and to make constructive suggestions. It is hoped that people who read this report who are not at pre-
167
sent familiar with the library and its resources will be sufficiently impressed with this record of its contribution to more effective living to seek out its services for themselves. The library is grate- ful to the men and women, who took the trouble in a busy season, to provide the stuff out of which this living story of the library in 1949 is written.
All in all the library finds itself in the position of the parent whose child has been much praised. This seems particularly true in the face of such heart-warming comments as "I like you just as you are"; "May I say that the service has been excellent and superior in every way"; "I note that you seek criticism rather than praise, but is it not a happy condition to find a critic who can give only the latter". One man sensing perhaps that the libra- ry might grow giddy under so much praise writes: "If you do not feel that you can praise the library in your own name, you may do so in mine". Fortunately there is a balance wheel in the fact that the library has been seventy-five years in the making. It is thus of the present and yet apart from it, since the library is the result of every visible and invisible influence upon it, not the least the ever-growing influence of the community which supports it.
Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM PUTNAM, Librarian
168
1949 STATISTICS OF LIBRARY USE
BOOK STOCK
Adult
Juv.
Total
Volumes at beginning of year
35596
9062
44658
Volumes added by purchase
1440
846
2286
Volumes added by gift
140
10
150
Volumes lost or withdrawn
932
409
1341
Lost volumes found
2
2
Total volumes at end of year
36246
9509
45755
Newspapers and periodicals currently received
137
Periodicals received by gift
31
USE
% of total
Volumes
circu.
Volumes of adult fiction loaned
46026
40%
Volumes of adult non-fiction loaned
27.815
24%
*No. of children's books loaned
37354
32%
No. of adult records loaned
3919
No. of children's records loaned
525
4%
No. of pictures loaned
206
Total number of books, records, etc. 115845 loaned
REGISTRATIONS
Adult
Juv.
Total
Borrowers registered during year
657
391
1048
Total number of registered borrowers
3835
1258
5093
Circulation per capita (based on 1945 census figures)
9.7
*Included in this total is 8338 recorded school circulation. Total books sent on school deposit numbered 7570 and each of these books was probably used from two to twenty times. The library, however, counts only recorded circulation.
169
Board of Public Works
Andover, Mass. January 1, 1950
The Board of Public Works voted to adopt the following report of the Superintendent as its report for 1949 with recommendations for 1950.
SIDNEY P. WHITE, Chairman EDWARD A. DOYLE, Secretary JOHN H. KELLY P. LEROY WILSON
ALEXANDER H. HENDERSON
170
Superintendent's Report
To the Board of Public Works:
GENTLEMEN :
The major activities and developments in the Highway, Water, Sewer, Park and Street Lighting Departments during the year which ended December 31, 1949 were as follows:
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The following table in inches shows the snowfall for the year 1949:
January
5.5
February
2.5
March
9.7
November
1.0
December
5.25
TOTAL
23.95 Inches
The snowfall for the season November 1948 to March 1949 in- clusive totaled 23.9 inches.
The following roads were resurfaced with tar and the major portions of them were honed: - Alderbrook Road, Rattlesnake Hill Road, County Road, Cheever Circle, Coolidge Road, Pine Street, Foster Circle, Cedar Road, Stratford Road, Rocky Hill Road, Vine Street, Stinson Road, Prospect Road, Wolcott Ave- nue, Walnut Avenue, Stirling Street, Dumbarton Street, Suther- land Street, Liberty Street, Carlisle Street, Fleming Avenue, Fletcher Street, Binney Street, Shepley Street, Argyle Street, Carisbrooke Street, Riverina Road, Kenilworth Street, Arundel Street, Bellevue Street, Fiske Street, Bailey Road, Dufton Road, Burnham Road, Road to Wood Hill, Blanchard Street, Brun- drette Avenue, School Street, West Knoll Road, Wheeler Street, Bartlet Street, Lincoln Street, Florence Street, Holt Road, Park Street, Avon Street, Bancroft Road, Gardner Avenue, Woburn Street, Sunset Rock Road, Railroad Avenue, Essex Street, Bal- lardvale Road, Moraine Street, Flint Circle, Walker Avenue, Topping Road and sections of the following streets: - Beacon
171
Street, Chestnut Street, Highland Road, Gould Road, Abbot Street, Chandler Road, Mill Street, Haggetts Pond Road, Green- wood Road, Tewksbury Street, River Street, Whittier Street, Summer Street, Elm Street, Wildwood Road, Spring Grove Road, River Road and Virginia Road.
A total of 108,390 gallons of tar was applied.
Under Article 22 of 1947, Article 23 of 1948, and Article 6, Special Town Meeting of December 1948, a new steel bridge was constructed over the Shawsheen River on Stevens Street at a cost of $14,618.55. This work was performed by Munroe-Lang- stroth, Inc. of North Attleboro, Mass.
Under Article 7 of a Special Town Meeting Warrant of Decem- ber 1948, a new steel bridge was constructed over the Shawsheen River on Central Street at a cost of $13,827.53. This bridge was erected by Atlantic Steel Company of Winthrop, Mass. The two foregoing bridges were of similar design.
Article 13, 1949 covered work done with Chapter 90 Main- tenance funds wherein the Town supplied two thirds and the State one third of the cost of $3,000.00. Sections of Lowell Street, Route 133 and a section of River Road were armor-coated with RC-5 asphalt and pea stone. The joints in the cement portions of Union Street and Haverhill Street were sealed with Genasco asphalt. A three-foot strip on the east side of Union Street be- tween Shepley and Binney Streets was hot topped with Type I Asphalt.
Article 14, 1949 covered work accomplished with the aid of Chapter 90 Construction funds, half of which was supplied by the State, one quarter by the County and one quarter by the Town. Beginning at a point just south of the railroad bridge on North Main Street extending approximately twenty-three hundred feet to about one hundred feet south of the intersection of Main and Chestnut Streets near the Post Office the entire area includ- ing Elm Square was resurfaced with a two-course hot-top Type I bituminous by Warren Brothers Roads Company using a total of 1809 tons costing $14,000.00 and at a net cost of $3,500.00 to the Town.
Using the balance of $3,546.78 from 1948, plus $4,000.00 ap- propriated in 1949, sidewalks were constructed along the follow- ing streets: Stevens Street, Central Street, Chestnut Street, Main Street, Washington Avenue, Stirling Street, Shawsheen
172
Road, School Street, Morton Street, Sutherland Street and Duf- ton Road.
The southwest corner at the junction of Highland Road and Chestnut Street was cut back, rounded out and the area resur- faced at a cost of $457.37 under Article 21 of 1948.
Dascomb Road at the junction of Andover Street was widened on the south side along the Greene property. This involved re- moving approximately twelve hundred yards of embankment at this point and hard surfacing the area uncovered. This work was done under Article 38 of 1948 and the cost to date is $824.99. There will be further expenditure under Article 54, 1949 for land taking.
Eight reinforcing U-bolts were installed on the Andover Street Bridge in Ballardvale. These bolts form the main support of the bridge flooring. Later the bridge structure will receive a coat of paint.
To provide for adequate Highway Maintenance for 1950, we recommend an appropriation of $56,300.00.
TRUCKS, GARAGE AND REPAIR SHOP MAINTENANCE
A gas heater was installed in the garage unit that was con- structed in 1948. In the winter season, the temperature in this section will be maintained between 40° and 45° as this is princi- pally storage space for our large plowing equipment.
The older garage and repair shop as well as the Water Works Building is in need of a coat of paint. This should be done this coming year.
To provide for adequate Trucks, Garage and Repair Shop Maintenance for 1950, we recommend an appropriation of $10,450.00.
WATER DEPARTMENT
An appropriation of $20,000.00 was made for the purpose of extending the water system.
In joint session with the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, a program was de- cided upon and the following cast iron cement lined mains were installed under Article 5:
173
Street
Size
Length
Canterbury Street
6"
125'
Beacon Street
6"
250'
Gould Road
6"
1581'
High Plain Road
10"
1188'
Princeton Avenue
6"
541'
Ayer Street
6"
81'
Wildwood Road
10"
862'
An additional 400 feet of six-inch water pipe was purchased under this Article.
The above work cost $20,000.00.
Under Article 33, 1948, 1351 feet of eight-inch cement lined pipe were laid in Red Spring Road from the sixteen-inch line at the junction of Andover Street and Reservation Road. This work involved an expenditure of $5,414.58.
The six-inch line crossing the Stevens Street Bridge was re- moved for the construction of the new bridge and later was relaid with new pipe.
During 1949, 531,844,000 gallons of water were pumped at the Haggetts Pond Pumping Station for a daily average of 1,457,000 gallons. The steam turbine was in operation 2008 hours, 50 minutes and the electric pump 4403 hours and 55 minutes.
To provide for adequate expenditure in the Water Department during 1950, we recommend an appropriation of $49,450.00.
Services in use January 1, 1950
3066
Meters in use January 1, 1950 3036
RECEIPTS
Water Rates
$64,013.87
Water Construction
567.35
Paid to Town Treasurer
$64,581.22
174
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS AS OF JANUARY 1, 1950
Cost per Mil. Gals.
Year
Net Cost of Mainten- ance
Cost of Pumping
by total Mainten- ance
by cost of Pumping
Gallons Pumped
Miles of Main Pipe
1937
28,358.32
*15,113.06
71.04
*37.86
399,170,000
76.58
1938
28,371.42
*14,429.22
75.45
*38.37
376,011,000
77.14
1939
27,830.64
*14,640.99
63.87
*33.60
435,725,000
78.78
1940
27,799.18
*15,256.13
67.04
*37.79
414,653,000
79.89
1941
27,796.08
*17,494.91
56.81
*35.76
489,287,000
80.63
1942
30,859.93
*18,211.08
74.13
43.75
416,314,000
80.77
1943
33,418.32
*19,387.57
85.53
49.62
390,688,000
80.77
1944
38,043.35
*20,658.91
89.48
48.59
425,152,000
80.77
1945
43,148.15
*21,916.43
106.30
*53.99
405,883,000
84.90
1946
47,857.73
*22,634.40
107.86
*51.02
443,692,000
88.64
1947
47,200.50
*19,587.05
100.56
*41.73
469,364,000
88.87
1948
49,967.87
*26,340.63
98.94
*52.15
505,036,000
89.69
1949
48,659.18
26,453.23
91.49
49.74
531,844,000
90.82
*Cost at both stations.
WATER DEPARTMENT COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS
Previously Reported
$
845,166.47
1942
$
1,140.00
1943
240.00
1944
660.00
1945
127,922.92
1946
138,419.89
1947
6,167.42
1948
47,484.95
1949
31,326.45
353,361.63
Total to date
$1,198,528.10
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Under Article 4 of a Special Town Meeting in December 1948, an eight-inch main was installed in Morton Street extending 630 feet from Chestnut Street to the site of the Veterans' Housing Development. Excavation, laying pipe, construction of manholes
175
and back filling was done under contract by Lewis and Scott. All materials excepting sand and cement were supplied by the Board of Public Works. The cost of this work was $3,220.17.
A six-inch main was installed in Franklin Avenue from Corbett Street through a right-of-way to Topping Road and extended the entire distance on Topping Road. The total length of this main is 1912 feet and the cost was $5,000.00. This work was done under Article 43.
A six-inch main was constructed in Chestnut Street extending 1251 feet from the end of the main installed in 1948. This work was done under Article 44 and cost $3,771.87 exclusive of re- surfacing of the trench which will be done in the coming Spring.
A short stretch of six-inch main line was added to the existing sewer on Ayer Street extending 87 feet to service a house being constructed by Mr. Frank Cairns, who furnished the pipe and excavated the trench.
The automatic control system, general wiring and float switch- es at the Riverina Road Pumping Station were replaced with modern equipment. This work involved an expense of $2,462.08 under Article 21.
To provide for adequate Sewer Maintenance for 1950, we recommend an appropriation of $6,350.00.
SEWER MAINS COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Sewer Mains
109,620 Ft.
Cost to Abutters
$221,058.00
Jan. 1, 1950
Cost to Town
407,252.00
TOTAL
$628,310.00
PARK DEPARTMENT
The football and baseball playing areas at the Playstead and a portion of the Park area were treated with three tons of fertilizer.
The fence at the south end of the football bleachers was relo- cated on the east side of the skating area.
A Toro power lawn mower was purchased under Article 16 at a cost of $925.65.
176
The football bleacher section was treated with two coats of paint and the baseball bleachers with one coat of paint.
To provide for adequate Park Maintenance for 1950, we recom- mend an appropriation of $6,200.00.
ADMINISTRATIVE, SUPERVISION AND OFFICE EXPENSE
To provide for adequate expense for this Department for 1950, we recommend an appropriation of $16,750.00.
This amount covers the salaries and wages of the Superin- tendent, Engineer and three Clerks, also office supplies, Town Engineer's supplies and equipment.
STREET LIGHTING
Annual Cost for Lights Installed 1/1/49
$19,993.00
Annual Cost
Lighting Changes During 1949
to Town
Foster Circle
1-1000 L. 1/6/49
$ 18.00
Shawsheen Road
1-1000 L. 1/11
18.00
Abbot Street 1-1000 L. 1/14
18.00
Poor Street 1-1000 L. 2/11
18.00
High Plain Road 7 -- 1000 L. 4/15
126.00
Virginia Road
1-1000 L. 4/15 18.00
Lincoln Street
1-1000 L. 4/30 18.00
Highland Road
4-1000 L. 5/5
72.00
So. Main St.
1-1000 L. 5/5
18.00
Upland Road
2-1000 L. 6/1
36.00
River Road
1-2500 L. In 8/25 28.00
1 -1000 L. Out
18.00 Cr.
High Street
1 -2500 L. Out 9/13
28.00 Cr.
Andover and Shawsheen Squares Com-
pleted 9/30
1,564.00
No. Main St.
2 - 16,000 MV 10/27 190.00
1 -4000 L. Out 10/11 75.00 Cr.
Shawsheen Road
2 -1000 L. 10/21 36.00
Abbot Street
1-1000 L. 11/1 18.00
Gray Road
4 - 1000 L. 11/14
& 11/15 72.00
177
Holt Road
- 1000 L. 11/18
18.00
High St.
1-2500 L. In 12/6 28.00
Ballardvale
1 -1000 L. Out
18.00 Cr.
Greenwood Road
and North St.
9-1000 L. 1/9/50
162.00
River Road
9-1000 L. 1/9
162.00
ANNUAL COST FOR LIGHTS INSTALLED DURING 1949 $2,499.00
Lights Pending Installation
High Plain Road 2 - 1000 L.
$ 36.00
Ballardvale
4 - 16,000 L. MV 288.00
Ballardvale 1 -2500 to replace 1000
10.00
Summer Street 2-1000 L. 36.00
Boston Road
1-1000 L. 18.00
Beacon Street
1-2500 L.
28.00
Lowell Street
2-2500 L.
56.00
ANNUAL COST FOR LIGHTS PENDING
$472.00
TOTAL ESTIMATED STREET LIGHTING COST FOR 1950 $22,964.00
To provide for adequate Street Lighting for 1950, we recom- mend an appropriation of $23,250.00.
In July, Town Engineer, Charles T. Gilliard, submitted his resignation to the Board because of ill health. The Board re- luctantly agreed to accept his resignation effective September 1st, 1949. On October 3rd Warren O. Petersen of Haverhill, Mass. was employed by the Board as Town Engineer.
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. LAWSON, Superintendent
178
Third Annual Report of Town Engineer
To the Board of Public Works:
GENTLEMEN :
The report of the activities of the Engineering Department of the Board of Public Works for the calendar year 1949 is hereby respectfully submitted for your consideration.
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.