USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 13
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The following clinics approved by the Board of Health were made available to the public :-
Annual rabies clinic, conducted by Dr. Richard Lindsay - 600 dogs inocculated.
Adult polio clinic, conducted by Junior Chamber of Commerce - 250 doses of polio vaccine distributed.
Oral cancer clinic, first in Andover, conducted by Dr. Richard Secord - 50 individuals screened.
Essex Sanatorium was closed by the State Depart- ment in July but a clinic for follow-up of tubercular patients has been established in Lawrence. This should prove to be much more convenient for individuals re- quiring chest x-rays.
New State isolation and quarantine regulations of diseases declared to be dangerous to the public health became effective in August, 1964. The new regulations are less rigid on some diseases and more stringent on others.
Animal Inspection
Personnel
Expenditures
Part-time 1 $600.00
Monthly Cost Per Person
.3c
Number of cattle inspected: Registered
104
Grade
96
200
Number of sheep inspected
19
Number of horses inspected
75
Number of goats inspected
2
Number of swine inspected
973
Number of barns inspected (dairy)
10
Number of dogs quarantined
87
Number of dogs with Rabies
0
PUBLIC WELFARE
Personnel
2
Expenditures
Gross - $117,551.91
Net -
Monthly Cost Per Person
54c
The Board of Public Welfare met regularly during the year, maintaining a full knowledge of the depart- ment's affairs and making recommendations to the Di- rector and to the Town Management regarding the internal management of the Department of Public As- sistance. The Board also became involved in discussions about particular cases, and assisted the Department of Public Assistance personnel in so far as they could be in the handling of problem cases and problem expendi-
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tures.
The Department of Public Assistance opened the year 1964 with 65 Old Age Assistance cases, 36 Medical Assistance for the Aged cases, 13 Aid to Dependent Children cases, 14 Disability Assistance cases, 2 General Relief cases, and 1 Cuban Refugee case. This accounted for a total of 176 people being served in January of 1964.
December, 1964 wound up the year with 64 Old Age Assistance cases, 45 Medical Assistance for the Aged cases, 14 Aid to Dependent Children cases, 17 Disability Assistance cases, 7 General Relief cases, and 1 Cuban Refugee case. This caused the department to
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serve a total of 204 persons.
Of the total of $214,974 disbursed by the depart- ment during the year, 33.2% was for Old Age Assist- ance; 35.2℃ for Medical Assistance for the Aged; 8.9% for Disability Assistance; 12.1% for Aid to Dependent Children: and the balance of 10.6% for General Relief and Cuban Refugee care.
It can be noted from these percentages that the
two major medical programs of Medical Assistance for the Aged and Disability Assistance accounted for 44.1% of the total expenditure for the year 1964, and 68.4% of the total disbursements were made on behalf of the aged.
Other pertinent information regarding the opera- tions of the department and its growth can be found in the comparative statistics for the years 1960 through 1964 as part of this report.
EXPENDITURES
1961
1962
1963
1964
TOTAL (Gross)
1960 $152,506.99
$149,998.63
$171,946.51
$183,710.21
$214.973.24
Administration
11,835.03
12,662.87
14,580.51
15,248.36
18,511.39
Federal Reimbursement
56.773.26
70,298.43
83,014.23
100,967.75
108,149.37
Town Furnished Funds
95,733.73
79,700.20
88,932.28
84,742.46
106,823.87
State Reimbursement to
Free Cash
43,400.79
34,663.89
40,296.38
53,422.76
60,374.20
Recoveries
15,541.52
19,037.58
4,050.58
2,680.00
13.868.71
Net Cost to Town
27,859.27
25,998.73
48,635.90
28,639.70
32,580.96
VETERANS' SERVICES
Under Chapter 115, General Laws of Massachu- setts, the Veterans Service Department provided finan- cial assistance to veterans, their dependents or surviv- ors. because of old age, sickness or hospitalization. No assistance was provided to any recipient during 1964 be- cause of unemployment alone, due to the cooperation of local employers and State and Federal agencies in help- ing to place unemployed applicants.
The work load of this office increased considerably in 1964 as a result of new legislation concerning benefits to eligible veterans and their families, and the reopen- ing of National Life Insurance to veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. Information and as- sistance were given to more than 1100 individuals dur- ing the year relative to Veteran's Administration bene-
SCHOOLS
Personnel
Expenditures
$2,079,585.77
Monthly Cost Per Person
$9.63
Personnel
2
Expenditures
Gross - $39,648.49
Net -
Monthly Cost Per Person
18c
f
fits such as hospitalization, pensions, education, home loan guaranty, aid and attendance, death benefits, grave markers, burial flags and all other applications and forms. Thirty three (33) Andover veterans died in 1964 as follows :- Fourteen - World War I; Eighteen - World War II; and One Korean Campaign veteran.
Expenditures for medical care and hospitalization increased substantially this year, and it appears that these costs will continue in an upward trend for the forseeable future.
We extend a sincere thank you to the Andover Red Cross, all local churches, veterans organizations, charitable groups and the South Lawrence Associates for their cooperation in assisting all worthy cases.
3
+3
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SCHOOL POPULATION
1963
4,120
1964
4,368
1965 (EST.)
4,525
1970
5,780
(EST.)
1976 (EST.)
6,299
Each Symbol = 500
The School Department takes this opportunity to review progress and needs in a section of the Town Report. A detailed discussion of purely educational topics is contained in t he separate School Department pamphlet which is available to all taxpayers.
The School Committee is extremely conscious of its responsibility to work cooperatively with other Town departments in the interests of economy in government. At the same time, the School Committee has a respon- sibility to conduct its educational program in accord- ance with the laws of the Commonwealth that delegate responsibility for the operation of schools to School Committees operating as an arm of state government.
The School Committee continues to express grave concern over the lack of land sites for future elementary school buildings.
Elementary school population in Andover has in- creased from 2,023 students in 1960 to 2,436 students in 1964. The total capacity for the present Andover elementary school buildings is approximately 2,750 stu- dents. With the annual increase reaching as high as 120 elementary students, the need for additional elementary school space is immediate and pressing, and one addi- tional elementary school building will be required by 1968 or earlier.
On numerous occasions, the Selectmen and Town Manager were informed about the urgent need for building sites. We urge that sites for schools be acquired with all possible dispatch. The School Committee will
be glad to assist in any manner to achieve this goal.
The problem of providing additional secondary school space occupied a major part of the School Com- mittee's attention during 1964.
In February, the Committee formally transmitted the Educational Specifications for the new high school to the Selectmen, Town Manager, and the School Build- ing Committee. This document, prepared by the School Department Administrators, and approved by the School Committee, specified in detail the space and fa- cilities required for a quality high school curriculum.
In April, the Committee provided a revised esti- mate of future junior high school and high school en- rollments. The figures were in part as follows:
Junior High School
High School
1968
1131
1070
1970
1273
1117
1972
1327
1232
The original recommendation of the Committee was for a high school for 1500 students. The Building Committee evaluated the overall problem, and arrived at the decision to construct a high school for 1200 stu- dents, with core facilities for 1800. In July, the School Committee formally voted to support this plan.
Numerous meetings have been held with the School Building Committee, and agreement has been reached on all essential points. In addition, the Administrators spent many hours with the Building Committee and
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Architect to provide advice and assistance.
The Committee supported and assisted the Build- ing Committee at Public Hearings and at the Special Town Meeting.
Following approval of the plan, less auditorium, and appropriation of $3,910,000 for the building, the Committee revised its Educational Specifications. Con- sistent with the vote at Town Meeting, the Committee recommended that the auditorium be deferred, and that certain minor changes be made in the room sizes and arrangements to permit certain savings to the Town.
The School Committee and Administrators plan to continue close cooperation with the School Building Committee to assure that the final high school building will be the best for the education of the children of Andover. The importance of using all dispatch in con- structing the new building cannot be over-emphasized if double sessions and serious decline in our educational program are to be avoided.
The School Committee wishes to emphasize to townspeople the importance of providing adequate sidewalks in the various approach areas to our elemen- tary schools. We urge the Town to appropriate sufficient funds for this purpose and encourage the Town Man- ager to continue his policy of building sidewalks on dangerous roads near schools.
The recently constructed Sanborn School is an outstanding educational facility. Full utilization of this resource by the residents of West Andover will not be possible, however, until sufficient funds are provided to complete the play area in the rear of the school. The School Committee hopes that the Town will use its resources to complete this play area during 1965.
The School Department is anxious to eliminate the tremendous amount of duplication in recordkeeping
which exists in various departments at this time. We believe that the purchase of semi-automatic accounting equipment will serve to reduce costs for the Town as a whole if a thorough systems analysis is made of the needs of the various departments. We believe that this analysis will require considerable time and, for this reason, have decided to support the temporary rental of a conventional bookkeeping machine until a central- ized accounting system can be installed and made op- erative. The rental of this equipment will not only per- mit timely completion of school reports required by law, but will also help to prevent an increase in our clerical staff.
The School Committee for the past eight years has worked closely with the Selectmen and Town Manager in the interests of establishing a unified personnel policy for non-educational personnel employed by. the School Department. We are currently participating in the re- evaluation of such positions in the School Department under the direction of the Town Manager. This is an- other example of sensible cooperation between the School Department and other departments of the Town in the interests of harmonious working relationships with Town employees.
The School Committee recognizes the authority of the Town Manager in connection with the purchase of non-educational items in the School Department budget. We have consistently expressed our willingness to respond to specific direction in this area. On some items, such as the purchase of fuel oil, satisfactory ar- rangements have been working for some time.
Townspeople are conscious of the wide use made of school buildings and grounds for non-educational purposes. It is the policy of the School Committee to continue its practice of encouraging appropriate use of these facilities for the benefit of the Town as a whole.
LIBRARY
Personnel
Expenditures
$113,630.96
Monthly Cost Per Person
53c
During 1964 in consultation with the architectural firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott and with the library's building consultant, Joseph E. Wheeler, the proposed plans for the library addition were reviewed and refined. Elevation drawings were prepared. This addition to the South and West of the
present building is needed to alleviate the badly over- crowded conditions in the adult and young adult de- partment which has seen no physical expansion since 1927.
The expansion will contain two floors, one a street level, the other at basement level which will result in
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LIBRARY CIRCULATION
214,295
=
1
201,265
182,860
170,073
168,811
=
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
10,358 square feet of new and altered space. With this expansion, the total library facility will seat 150 people and have capacity for 100,000 books.
A provisional grant of $85,000 or 25% of the total project cost of $340,000 has been made to the library under the federal Library Services and Construction Act. Voter approval will be sought at the March town meeting. If it is not gained, the federal grant is for- feited.
The Eastern Regional Public Library System was expected to be in operation by the end of 1964. The date has been advanced to 1965 for organizational rea- sons. The Memorial Hall Library will serve as one of the geographical sub-regional centers in the system.
Library circulation was up 13,860 over 1963 with most of the gain registered in the number of books cir- culated from the elementary school libraries.
Since circulation is only one measuring rod of use, a tally of informational and reference questions was kept during October and November. These averaged more than 2,000 a month with the October total of 2,762. Spot checks will be made seasonally for purposes of comparisons.
4,064 books were added, 575 more than in 1963. 1,816 books were added to the elementary school libra- ries. National Defense Education Act funds of $1043 on a matching basis were sought and secured for the purchase of science books for these libraries. Continu- ously rising prices tend to offset the larger book bud- gets for both public and school libraries.
The Library bought all the department manuals published by the International City Managers' Associa- tion, a significant step in developing a municipal gov- ernment collection.
Some Library Facts: 113 groups borrowed 103 16mm films which were seen by 29,703 people. 554 film strips and slides were also borrowed. 460 framed prints were loaned in 1964, with a high of 54 in January and a low of 16 in August. The library owns a total of 82 framed prints.
- 151 adult and children's recordings were pur- chased during the year. A grant of $230 from the Fut- terman Fund was used to strengthen the adult record collection. Total recordings number 1,233.
- 2,134 new borrowers were added to the library's rolls, 1508 of them adult and young adult; 626, children. - 139 books were borrowed for library users from other libraries and 118 books were loaned by this library to other libraries.
20 school classes, ranging from pre-school through ninth grade, visited the library for story tell- ing, book introduction, instruction in library use and practice in locating materials for school assignments.
- 25 story hours were held in 1964 and 36 meet- ings of the pre-school groups familiarly known as the "Littlest Listeners."
- 20 different outside groups used the library meeting rooms in 1964.
- More than 2,000 books were withdrawn from the collection because they were worn out, no longer of interest, or because information was obsolescent or no longer accurate. Those of continuing value were re- placed by new editions and up-to-date information.
- The Public Library and Public School Joint Committee on Libraries made real progress in its ex- ploration of more effective ways of inter-library co- operation.
- A one page suestionnaire on library use, ad- ministered in the Memorial Hall Library adult and young adult department by members of the Andover League of Women Voters, for ten days during April, revealed interesting patterns of use.
- 1474 people filled out the questionnaire. Of these 55% were students, 23% housewives and 5% teachers. All others numbered 17%.
- There was an average of 1,300 users weekly in the main reading room for adults and young adults. - 478 came for a "good book." 487 came for information for personal and business use. 408 came for material for a course.
- 61% of all adult and young adult users re- ported that the Memorial Hall Library was their chief source of material for reading and study.
- 67% indicated that they use the library at least once or twice a month, with 38 indicating once a week or oftener use.
If the library has a problem, it is how to balance student and adult use. Present physical conditions make it impossible to do more than try to ameliorate the sit- uation. In the adult department the saturation point of use has almost been reached except for morning and early afternoon hours.
Library conduct on the part of students has, on the whole, improved. Stricter policy as to what consti-
21
tutes reasonable behavior, rearrangement of the read- ing room, the scheduling of a monitor during evening hours have contributed to this improvement.
Book mutilation and book theft are still problems. However, the use of a copying machine is being en- couraged to cut down on the incidence of mutilation and theft.
Margaret Manning, Assistant Librarian and a member of the staff for many years, retired at the end of September. During her association with the library, she built much of herself and her talents into the li- brary fabric. Mrs. Jean Vint, a graduate of the Sim- mons College Graduate Library School and an experi- enced librarian, succeeded her.
The library still has the position of Assistant in Children's Work to fill. A part-time assistant was hired for the school library program.
Professional staff members attended library meet- ings and participated on professional book reviewing committees to the benefit of the library's program.
Highlights of the library program were the No- vember Open House which brought out 250 people and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth which was observed with special displays, a booklist and program. About 60 boys and girls attended a dramatization of scenes from Macbeth put on by South Elementary School students in the library hall.
Among gifts from organizations and individuals received during the year were a bequest for the pur- chase of books of literary value from the estate of John C. Moynihan, a long-time appreciative library user; sixty recordings from Columbia Records; the Futterman Fund gift already mentioned; and generous gifts of money from the Andover Evening Study Program and the Andover Council of Churches. The Library notes with appreciation the many gifts of books by individuals and the increasing number of gifts of money for books in memory of a friend or relative.
The Girl Scout Troop at the Sanborn School once again planted bright yellow marigolds around the base of the library flag pole.
Mention should be made, too, of the generous press coverage of library services and events.
A significant improvement in the condition of the library plant was accomplished with the redecoration of the Memorial Hall which has long been a horrendous exception to an otherwise well maintained library build- ing.
If prophecy is permitted, the year 1965 could be one of the most important in the library's long history.
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY 1873
ANDOVER MASSACHUSETTS
RECREATION
Personnel
Full-time 1
Expenditures
$39,580.25
Monthly Cost Per Person
18c
The aim of the Recreation Department is, "to make available areas and facilities suitable to the leisure time needs of the people of the community". These areas and facilities to be developed and maintained in an efficient and economical manner for use by local groups to develop their own activities through guidance by the Department. They are also to be used by the Department for activities when no other leadership is available.
LAND AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ACRES
total area usable area 35.44 30
Andover Recreation Park
Ballardvale Playground
1.2
1
Indian Ridge Playground
1
.7
Shawsheen Playground 1
.8
LAND AREAS CONTROLLED BY OTHER MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS OR OWNED PRIVATELY - USED BY THE RECREATION PROGRAM
Central Park 3.92
Central Playstead
18.5
High School
Phillips Academy 8+
South School
20.5
West School 11.8
Hussey's Pond
3.83
OTHER FACILITIES
The lighted court areas on the Ballardvale and Central Playgrounds are prepared for skating, weather permitting.
BUILDINGS UNDER DIRECT CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT
Year Round Use 1 150 Andover Recreation Park
Summer Only 6 E&S Andover Recreation Park
1 E&S Ballardvale Playground
1 E&S Indian Ridge Playground
1 E&S Shawsheen Playground
(E&S - Emergency shelter and storage room only)
BUILDINGS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR PROGRAM OR STORAGE
These include the Stowe School, Jackson School, Town Hall, Library, Junior High School, High School, West School, Bradlee School and the Ballardvale Fire Station.
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DEVELOPMENT
POMPS POND
Beach Area: Widened area between piers to in- corporate more wading area.
Piers: Rebuilt and floated on Cellulite. Large Float: Rebuilt and floated on Cellulite. Bobber Lines: Replaced hemp rope with nylon and wood bobbers with Cellulite.
Boat: Purchased one new Lifesaving boat.
Drain: Constructed drainage gutter to prevent beach erosion.
Re-Locate Entrance: Survey and Construction by U. S. Marine Corps.
ANDOVER RECREATION PARK:
Combination storm windows installed on Lodge courtesy of the Andover Duplicate Bridge Club.
Playground Equipment purchased by the Andona Society.
Fluorescent lights for the Lodge courtesy of C. Lincoln Giles.
Entrance and Parking Lot started in conjunction with the accelerated sewer project and developed through Article 24 - 1964.
Interion Paneling in the Lodge - Article 24 - 1964. Sanitary Facilities installed in the Lodge courtesy of Andover Teen Center.
Heating System installed in the Lodge - Article 24 1964.
Sliding Area developed through a work bee of pri- vate citizens.
Furniture for the Lodge donated by the Andover Teen Center, Coffee Mill and the Shawsheen Woman's Club Furniture Drive.
BALLARDVALE PLAYGROUND:
Grading and seeding parts of the grounds.
Installation of a fence for the safety of the children. GENERAL:
Donation of eleven Micro-wave Boxes by Western Electric for use in outdoor storage of playground equip- ment.
PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
WINTER - Eight-Week Adult Program:
high
low
average
Bridge
35
5
12
Investments
14
6
10
Physical Fitness
1.5
8
12
French
8
3
5
POMPS POND - 11 week program
high
low
average
Classes
500
9
147
Free Swim
3280
3
314
PLAYGROUNDS - 8 week program
Andover Rec. Park
60
7
18
Ballardvale
115
4
50
Central
150
9
72
Indian Ridge
38
5
16
Shawsheen
175
8
59
West
75
10
3.5
PROGRAM:
POMPS POND:
The method of grouping classes was changed this year from mass instruction to the Station Method.
Red Cross methods were used in teaching Begin- ners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediates, Swimmers, Advanced Swimmers, Junior Life Savers and Senior
Life Savers.
Special events included the Playground Swim Meet, Little Three Swim Meet, Band Concert, Red Cross Day Demonstration and Little Three All-Stars vs. Allicon Pool Champs in Lawrence.
PLAYGROUNDS:
The Andover Recreation Park was used for the first time this Year as a playground. It was the only area that could remain in operation in spite of rainy weather. However, the program was limited because of construction during the season. It was also impossible to get the playground equipment until late in the Sum- mer because of a hold-up in the manufacturer's pro- duction.
Special emphasis was placed on expanding the programming potential of the smaller playgrounds by encouraging leaders to use neighboring facilities. This included fishing trips to neighboring ponds and use of nearby athletic fields for sports.
The program on the playgrounds were developed around weekly themes, tournaments and special events. This included a variety of activities such as Doll and Stuffed Animal Shows, Scavanger Hunts, Baking Con- tests, Sport Tournaments and a Field Day. Highlight- ing the Summer was the traditional trip to Canobie Lake Park.
The Twilight Baseball League, Summer Basket- ball League and the Andover Softball League were again organized for Teens and Adult Recreation. NOTE:
Attendance in all Summer activity was low this summer because of adverse weather conditions. 30% of the scheduled program hours included cool and incle- ment weather while 15% of the time it rained. SPACE REQUIREMENTS:
Additional demands were made for softball dia- monds and playgrounds during the year. Although one additional diamond is being developed at the Andover Recreation Park, more areas are needed. Installing lights on existing ball fields will help solve the one need. However, the mainteance program will have to be further increased and additional land acquired or de- veloped to solve the playground situation. It should be noted that only one of the areas controlled by the Recreation Department meets the 1.75 acre require- ment for a softball diamond or the 4+ requirement for adequate playground area. SUMMARY:
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