Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 75

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 75

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private agencies. This was done through coopera- tion of the Public schools, private schools, other Municipal Departments and committees or boards. STAFF:

FULL TIME-The Recreation Director is the only full time employee in the Department.

PART TIME-There were part time em- ployees in each phase of the Recreation Program. A clerk shared her time between the administra- tive office and the office of the Tax Collector. One or two supervisors were hired several times each week for the Student Activity Center, depending on use of one or both of the High School Build- ings. In maintenance, there was one man who worked under the general direction of the High- way Supervisor in the Park Bureau.

SEASONAL-During two months of the year, there were thirty five on the payroll. This included personnel at Pomps Pond and five play- grounds, as well as sports officials and an addit- ional maintenance man.

VOLUNTEER-During ten months of the year, the Department was completely dependent on volunteer help. Volunteers assisted in every phase of the program from custodial service to program planning.

PROGRAM:

RESEARCH AND PLANNING-Time and effort expended in this area were four times greater than that of any activity or project. New ideas and requests involved the most effort. In many cases, such effort proved futile. Justificat- ion was needed for every aspect. The director worked with three consultants and two commit- tees in preparation for presenting recreational improvements to the Town. There were over twen- ty different meetings and field trips. Plans, price quotations, anticipated usage, specifications, sup- pliers and alternative considerations were all part of the job. This was done in addition to planning for seasonal activities and special activities.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND MAIN- TENANCE-With the exception of landscaping done by volunteer workers, development was almost non existent in 1969. There was no main- tenance personnel assigned to take care of recre- ational needs. Projects planned for the year had to be postponed. Custodial and repair work, routinely done in the past by one additional em- ployee, was done only upon special request. Much of the work was done by volunteers or those hired as activity workers. There was no one to take

the responsibility for preventive maintenance. The loss of several valuable volunteer workers was directly attributable to the lack of main- tenance service.

ACTIVITY-There were three activities coming under the direct control of the Depart- ment involving paid personnel. One was the swim- ming program at Pomps Pond. The second was the playground program that was held at five locations throughout the Town during the Sum- mer. The third was the Student Activity Center held at the High School throughout the year.

PUBLIC RELATIONS-The Recreation De- partment worked in close cooperation with many clubs, organizations and private individuals dur- ing the year. One of the most successful pro- grams, developed in this way, was a children's dramatic program held in the Ballardvale Community Center during the Summer. The De- partment outlined the program, organized it, provided the meeting place and much of the material and equipment. The leadership was strictly volunteer. The response was overwhelm- ing. Other activities presented in this way includ- ed tennis lessons at the High School courts, the 4-H Horse Club, Adult Softball League, Thirty- And-Over Basketball League, and the Adult Bad- minton League.

Subsidy provided many activities that would have been otherwise unavailable to the public. Concerts in Central Park sponsored jointly by the Musicians Union 372 drew crowds of approxim- ately 300 each week throughout the summer. Transportation of retarded children from And- over to the summer program at Burke Memorial Hospital provided another activity. Assistance for the Junior Football League, Halloween and Christmas parties held at the West Andover Com- munity Center and motion pictures by the An- dover Film Council was part of the program.

Public service organizations such as the Wel- come Wagon Newcomer's Club and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Lawrence conduct- ed several activities through assistance by the Recreation Department. They include craft classes, art classes, dance classes, sports activ- ities, yoga classes, bridge classes and many more.

Many organizations request the assistance of the Recreation Department for many projects. The Little League requested help in scheduling games and fields. The Church Basketball League requested similar assistance. The Senior Division of the Little League turned to the Recreation

Department for assistance in finding fields upon which to play. Aids and guides were supplied for the March Town Meeting through the Student Activity Center. The Department organized the Boy Scout Youth-in-Government Day, Founder's Day and published a Town Hall Newsletter.

The Department is called upon to assist many organizations in arrangements for specific facilities. The Girl Scout Day Camp made special request to use the Town Beach at Pomps Pond. Similar arrangements were made for the North Reading Reconstruction Home. The Y.M.C.A., American Field Service, A Better Chance, Camp- fire Girls, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Andover Haven, family outings and many other organiza- tions request assistance in organizing and opera- ting outings

Most of the major events held in Town required services of the Department. These in- clude the Sidewalk Bazaar, Memorial Day Parade,, Clown Town, Moratorium Day and the Santa Claus Parade. Specialized planning, equipment and manpower were involved in each of these projects.

Assisting in planning of community service projects was part of the Program during the year. Planning and occasional supervision were neces- sary to aid various garden clubs and Scouts. The Director aided State Representative Cronin in the reconstruction of the bandstand in Central Park by organizing painting parties. The Depart- ment also worked in cooperation with the Ando- ver Village Improvement Society in presenting their second annual Conservation Day.

Clearing the use of facilities often involves checking with several different sources. The Recreation Department must be aware of what organization uses any given facility and who schedules for the facility. Various sports leagues require this assistance. Companies such as Dasa, Raytheon, I.R.S. and the Telephone Company were also involved. Groups from Phillips Acad- emy, Merrimack College, the Andover Institute of Business and the Public Schools also required such scheduling.

Personal service by the Director was also part of the Program. He assumed classes in Bridge, Basketball, square dancing, folk danc- ing, various crafts and games. He handled over 200 referrals, spoke before several groups and attended eighteen meetings as consultant in the field of Recreation and Town government.

COORDINATION-The Recreation Depart-

ment has been constantly concerned with the suc- cess of others who operate leisure time activities. Any group offering an activity to the general public adds to the recreational potential of the Town without adding to the tax burden.

The Department was called upon to help in the organization of activities during the year. Set-up, clean-up, making sure equipment and materials were available at the appropriate time all added to the success of activities.

Avoiding conflicts with other activities is an important part of coordination. The Depart- ment is expected to be aware of other efforts that might present problems. Alternate times or EVALUATION

places have to be offered. Occasionally alternate plans are necessary.

The Director worked with groups and or- ganizations in preparation for over 150 activities during the year. Such a coordinated effort pro- vided sucessful activities for the Town.

Better, more effective and more economical service to the public is based on constant, critical analysis. It is axiomatic that progress is possible only when past performance is analyzed and future goals set.

Since the Recreation Department was est- ablished in 1962, the Annual Report has included one specific evaluation of the Program. It has stated that it is not possible to operate a quality program that will grow with the needs of the Town with no assistance other than part-time and volunteer help. It has also stated that an active maintenance program must be implemented to support activity leaders. The past year has proven this evaluation. Two leaders dropped out of successfully operating programs because it was physically impossible for the Department to support them in their needs. At least three other activities never got past the discussion stage be- cause of the same problem.

With additional emphasis on the use of school buildings by the public, it is more import- ant than ever before that the needs of the Depart- ment be met.

The economic climate of the Town is at stake in the refusal to recognize the need for Recrea- tion development. An increasing proportion of people, with homes in Andover, are leaving town to find recreation elsewhere. Within a half hour's drive they find the public, semi-public or private facilities they desire. This includes indoor and outdoor facilities they might expect to find in

Town. Swimming pools, tennis courts, ice skating rinks, boat launching areas and ski slopes are but a few facilities. It is obvious that people buy out of Town when their recreational interests take them out of town. Industry has long recognized the value of a municipal recreation program. Those who visit other sections of the country are amazed at the lack of facilities found in Andover.

There are those who insist that the way to keep taxes down is to stop spending. This is a false economy. It assumes that no one in the future will want anything different than was wanted in the past.

If the Town is concerned with broadening and stabilizing the tax base, a healthy economic climate must be developed and maintained. Such a climate depends on the balanced development of all utilities and services. The municipal Rec- reation Program is such a service. In supporting the program, the tax dollar can be invested rather than spent.

Library

The Memorial Hall Library enters upon its 97th year of service to the Town of Andover with confidence in its ability to continue the high standards of public service which have become a tradition in the Merrimack Valley area. As one of the outstanding public libraries in the Com- monwealth, this institution will hold fast to those principles which have earned the library high re- gard, while it continues to develop new programs and services to meet tomorrow's public needs.

The year 1969 has seen many significant changes in both personnel and programs at Mem- orial Hall Library. This institution has attempted to continue the expansion of programs and ser- vices started some years ago when the library first became a sub-regional center for Essex County.

NEW SERVICES

One of the new services started in 1969 was a home delivery service for shut-ins who are un- able to come to the library. This has proven to be quite popular and we especially appreciate the local Girl Scout groups for supplying volunteers to deliver books to the homes of those requesting the service.

We have again expanded our microfilm ser- vice through the addition of more back films of the New York Times. This has proven to be one

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of our most frequently used sources of informa- tion and is used by student and non-student alike.

For the first time in the library's history, we have acquired an extensive selection of large-print books, both from this country and England. In the near future we expect to set up deposit col- lections at smaller libraries in our sub-region. This program was made possible through the grant of federal funds and exemplifies the bene- fits of close cooperation between federal, state and local authorities to expand service to the pub- lic.

This year we have added to our collection of framed art reproductions, as we have in past years, a number of new selections in the periods that have proven to be most popular with our public. We have also purchased a number of fine films for our permanent collection, which now numbers about a dozen sound films, most of which are in color.

To increase patron use of a once neglected area, we have purchased two stereo units and in- stalled specially designed record cabinets in our music room. This has resulted in a considerable increase in use of the room by both young people and adults. In order to provide more convenient hours for our patrons, we are now open one hour earlier in the morning, thus increasing the de- cision to select contemporary books for discussion. It has been most gratifying to observe the in- crease in attendance at Great Books meetings. PERSONNEL CHANGES

There have been a number of important changes on the staff of the library, as well as on the Board of Trustees. Three members of the Board of Trustees have left us; Dr. Daniel Frish- man, Mr. Warren Lewis, both former Chairman of the Board, and Mrs. William V. N. Washburn, former Secretary of the Board. They have been replaced by Mr. Milton Prevost, Dr. Fred Arragg, and Mrs. Richard D. Hornidge. The new Chair- man of the Board is Mr. Fritz Allis. Mr. Prevost is the new Treasurer.

Among those on the staff who have left dur- ing this year are Mrs. Joseph DeMaio, the Sec- retary and Mrs. Curtis Bean, a Reference Lib- rarian. The Board of Trustees regretfully accept- ed the resignation of Mr. A. J. Anderson, Direc- tor of Memorial Hall Library, effective the end of June. Mr. Anderson left to accept a teaching position at Simmons College in Boston.

The year 1969 saw new personnel added to the library staff both as replacements for those

who left and to fill new positions authorized at Town Meeting.

Among the new persons added to the staff were: Mrs. Earle Shaw, Library Clerk; Mrs. Ralph Sharpe, Library Clerk; and Mrs. Richard Josselyn, Secretary. Mrs. William MacCausland was promoted to Library Clerk and Mrs. Paul Schaake was promoted to pre-professional status with the commencement of her studies at Sim- mons College.

The Trustees of the library were pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Frances A. Bold as the new Director of Memorial Hall Lib- rary, effective August 1. Miss Bold was formerly Director of the Free Public Library of New Bed- ford, Massachusetts.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

As in the past, we have continued to improve the physical plant, when our financial resources have permitted such improvements. A perennial problem of noisy stairs was solved with the in- stallation of rubber stair treads. The improvement in the noise level has been most gratifying. Cer- tain interior areas subject to heavy use by the public have been re-painted and the book stacks have been noticably improved. In addition to these renovations, a new Children's Room entrance door has been installed.

To brighten up various corners in the library a new method of setting up attractive displays was devised. Various residents of Andover and nearby communities have been asked to loan their collections to the library for one-month showings. We have received many comments about these fine displays, and the local news media have been kind enough to feature a number of these collec- tions in special articles.

Although Memorial Hall Library has had a generally successful year, it must be noted that certain unsolved problems remain with us. One of the most significant problems is parking. With the failure of a movement to acquire property to the west of the library for the Town, at this year's town meeting, we find ourselves again facing a formidable parking problem. Almost all of the spaces to the west or rear of the library are now taken up by commercial firms and we will shortly lose those spaces now available on Main Street heading north, due to the need for a fire lane when the public safety center is finished. The problem of off-street parking is certainly one of the most perplexing situations to face the library and the

Town of Andover.

We also note with regret the failure of a new state-aid bill to pass the legislature. Passage of this program would have meant further strength- ening of the regional services, which have become so popular with residents of the state. Also, at this time, the status of federal aid to public lib- raries is seriously in question and we may ex- pect drastic cuts in federal funding for library services in the near future.

REGIONAL SERVICES

The library continues to provide regional service to a twenty-four town area of Essex County, under the provisions of the regional plan of service adopted some years ago. These services include inter-library loan, back-up reference ser- vice, in-service training and professional consulta- tion for local libraries.

We have held a number of meetings in An- dover for librarians in this area to discuss such topics as increased state-aid, cooperative pur- chasing and speeding up loan service to the pub- lic. This year the Eastern Regional System install- ed a teletype machine in the library which pro- vides instant communication between this library and the Boston Public Library to fill patron re- quests for material we cannot provide locally.

As more staff and funds become available, we hope to be able to expand our programs for the patrons we now service in Essex County. In the near future we may see a bookmobile program for every town in this sub-region and the develop- ment of a deposit collection of popular books for smaller libraries in our area.

One important responsibility of this library is to acquaint the general public with those new ser- vices which are available on a regional basis. To carry on an active community-relations program, the Associate Director, Mr. R. B. Hubbs, has been touring various areas and speaking to many dif- ferent civic and business organizations on region- al needs and plans for future expansion. FURTHER SERVICES

In keeping with the library's reputation as a pace-setter in public service programs, a number of innovations were started during the year to benefit our patrons.

We have taken an unprecedented step for a public library and eliminated the fine system for overdue books. We found this system cumber- some, time consuming for the staff and not really effective in ensuring the prompt return of over- due material. The Memorial Hall Library is one

of the few libraries in the country to have taken this significant step and we hope this will set a pattern for the future.

Among the innovations at the library are a coffee period for the mothers who bring their children to the story hours in the Children's Room, and a special section for young adults in the main reading area including paperback books that will appeal to that age group.

The reputation for public service of Memorial Hall Library is a long and proud one going back through many years of the Town's history. This was noted in a special feature on public libraries undertaken by the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, which singled out this library for honorable mention.

By holding fast to what has proven to be worthwhile, and continuing to move ahead in de- veloping innovative programs for the future, Memorial Hall Library will strive to enchance its reputation for service to the public in Andover and in the surrounding communities.

Water Department

1969 was a year in which anticipated short- ages in supply and pumping capacities became extremely evident. Pumping was at the highest level in the history of the town. Late in the sum- mer, Haggetts Pond had been drawn down over six feet. Several days during heavy use, Hag- getts Pond Station was operated for the entire 24 hour daily period.

The east high system had an extremely high use. At the end of the year at a time when con- sumption is normally at its lowest, the daily use of water was in excess of the safe yield of all supplies. This condition alone would show the dire need of immediate construction of the pro- posed treatment plant at Haggetts Pond to en- able the town to use Merrimack River water. This need cannot be stressed enough. Should a dry year occur before the plant can be construc- ted extremely severe restrictions would have to be enforced.

Pumping capacities at Haggetts Pond have become a minimum. The recommended pumping changes are very much needed. Any delay in any of these improvements could have very conse- quences for the town. During the year a large amount of the construction work has in prepar- ation for highway construction: North Street under Chapter 90, South Main Street under State maintenance and further work on the newly con- structed Lowell Junction Road. Time sorely need- ed for normal maintenance was thereby used.

Several major breaks occurred. Fire flow tests at the new Gillette Plant found the new line to carry the designed flow. A major portion of the new 24" main running from the station part way down Osgood Street was completed. The necessary easement through the market garden area was satisfactorily negotiated without going through eminent domain process.

As in the sewer report, mains constructed in subdivision areas, although supervised and tested by the department, will have their dis- tances added in the 1970 report after acceptance of the streets by town vote. 160 new water ser- vices were added to the system. Supervision of subdivision installations was very time consum- ing

Many replacements meters were installed. Several were repaired and meters installed on new services. A small number of the new remote reading units were installed for demonstration purposes. Their efficiency has been well proven. Funds were encumbered for purchasing a con- siderable number during the coming year.

Total water pumping for 1969 was 1,029,133- 000 gallons.

The number of meters in use - 5,950.

Housing Authority

Thomas R. Wallace was re-elected to the Authority for a five year term by the towns- people in March 1969.

Andover has a Veterans' Housing Project, Andover 200-1, containing 56 two, three and four bedroom units, opened in 1950; two projects for elderly persons - Andover 667-1, opened in 1959 and Andover 667-2, opened March 5, 1969. Each elderly project contains 40 one bedroom units.

At March 1969 Town Meeting, the towns- people voted the Authority enough land for a parking area and an exit road for the new pro- ject.

VETERANS' PROJECT 200-1

Eight new families moved into the project this year and two tenant families moved within the project.

Major replacements this year were a number of ranges and refrigerators, linoleum kitchen and bathroom floors, and repairs to the heating sys- tem.

Work to be done next year will be exterior painting of all buildings, continued replacement of ranges, refrigerators, window shades and lino- leum floors.

Payment in lieu of taxes to the Town of Andover was $2,016.00. The Commonwealth Con- tribution for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1970, will be $9,650.00. The Project showed a sur- plus of $5,036.42 for the first six months of the fiscal year. This project was financed with Hous- ing Authority Bonds @ 2-1/8% interest and will become Town property when paid for in 1992.

Yearly income limits for admittance to the Veteran's Project, based on the number of minor dependents, are: one minor dependent, $4,800; two minor dependents, $5,000; Three minor de- pendents, $5,200.

The average rent, including utilities, is

$76.97 per month.

ELDERLY HOUSING PROJECTS 667-1 and 667-2.

Yearly income limits for admission are: for one person, 65 years of age or older, $2,500; two persons, 65 years of age or older, $3,000.

It cost $72,935.84 to operate the two projects for the year 1969. Administration Expenses were $4,474.28; Utilities $11,048.49; Repairs, Mainten- ance and Replacements $4,791.82; Insurance, Pension Fund, and Retirement of Notes and Inter- est $47,170.25; Reserves $5,451.00.

Total income for the two projects was $49,843.02. With the Commonwealth Contribu- tion of $29,812.50 and $2,000.00 from last year's surplus, the projects showed a surplus of $8,719.68 for 840 unit months.

Development cost for the two projects was

$1,155,000.00, financed by Housing Authority Notes, of which $75,000.00 has been retired.

The members of the Andover Housing Auth- ority as of December 31, 1969, are as follows: John B. White, Jr., Chairman Theodore E. Meinelt, Jr., Vice Chairman

Thomas P. Eldred, Treasurer

Winston A. Blake, Assistant

Treasurer

Thomas R. Wallace, Assistant Secretary James E. Manning, Secretary and Executive Director

Balance sheets, reporting the assets and liabilities of projects 200-1 and 667-C, for the period ending December 31, 1969, are attached.

BALANCE SHEET PROJECT 200-1

Assets

Cash-Andover Savings Bank-Acct. #65474

$ 622.18

Cash-Andover Savings Bank-Acct. #77242

38,571.14

Cash-Essex Broadway Savings Bank-Acct #2894

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Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 75

Author: Andover (Mass.) Publication date: 1963 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 902

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902