USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1939 > Part 16
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(2) Little Pond 32.23
FILTRATION STATISTICS
Date of Construction: 1934. Type of Filter: Wheeler Pyramidal, rapid sand. Capacity: 2,000,000 gallons per 24 hours.
204
Machinery :
1. Bacharach Alum Feeder.
2. Bacharach Nuchar Feeder.
3. Bacharach Soda Ash Feeder.
4. Syntron Lime Feeder.
Pumping Machinery :
1. Allis Chalmers, single stage, double suction pump, driven by 25 H.P. Allis Chalmers electric motor and/or 35 H.P. Waukeshu gasoline engine.
2. Allis Chalmers, single stage, double suction pump, driven by 10 H.P. Allis Chalmers electric motor.
Capacity :
No. 1 2,000,000 gallons per 24 hours
No. 2 580,000 gallons per 24 hours
Total water filtered: 449,874,000 gallons.
Total electric current used-K.W.H .: 85,540.
Cost of current per million gallons: $1.84.
Cost per million gallons based on total expense: $17.40.
RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION MAINS
1. Kind of pipe: Cast iron, wrought iron
2. Size: From 1" to 16"
3. Extended 1939: 5,324 feet
4. Replaced small wrought iron with cast iron: 5,133 feet
5. Total cast iron installed: 10,457 feet
6. Total now in use: 84.55 miles
7. Number of hydrants added in 1939: 13
8. Total number now in use: 508
9. Range of static pressure : 35-105 pounds
SERVICES
10. Kind: Cast iron, wrought iron, lead, copper
11. Sizes: %" to 10"
12. Added in 1939: 68
13. Total now in use: 4,604
14. Number of meters added in 1939: 92
15. Total now in use: 4,222
16. Percentage of services metered: 91.7%
205
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Thayer Public Library OF THE
Town of Braintree
YEAR 1939
206
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Braintree, Massachusetts January 26, 1940.
To the Citizens of Braintree:
The Board of Trustees submits the following report for the year 1939 concerning the Thayer Public Library and its branches.
On January 1, 1940, the Thayer Public Library and its branches had 36,432 books on hand. This is a smaller number of books than we had the previous year at this time. The reason for this is two-fold: First, whereas during the year 1938 we added 2,386 new books, last year we added 1,877 books, 509 fewer than the year before. Secondly, whereas in 1938 we withdrew 514 books from circulation because of old age, in 1939 we were obliged to withdraw 3,003 books from circulation, 2,489 more than the previous year.
In the Libraries of the Middle Ages where the preservation of the physical substance of the book was extremely important, such a com- ment as this would have been appalling; but in our public library and its branches, where we are making such an earnest effort to render the largest book service possible throughout the Town and are undertaking the American job of making as many non-readers as possible into readers, the discarding of over 3,000 books indicates real progress! The quicker the book wears out in legitimate service the better. Mani- festly we are producing more readers.
The fact, however, that we have added fewer volumes than during the previous year and have withdrawn almost six times as many books from circulation, should bid us pause. With our growing population and a Library with 1,126 fewer books than in 1938, the conclusion is obvious: We are not adding books enough to our Library to keep pace with our growing life. We need a substantially larger appropriation for the purchase of new books and also a larger appropriation for binding and repairs, so that many of our older books, which are still widely read because of their genuine worth, may be strengthened and have longer life.
Our Library and its branches should year by year be increasing the number of its volumes.
Closely allied with this is the question of our book circulation. During the year 1938 we had a total circulation of 170,675, the highest circulation of all time. During 1939 the total circulation was 169,443, a figure 1,222 lower than the previous year. If our appropriation had permitted us to add 509 more new and interesting books, and these books had been duly publicized, our circulation would probably have increased 1,000 this past year. The Board stresses the urgency of a larger book appropriation.
The circulation of our books this past year was distributed as follows:
Thayer Public Library 85,214
Braintree Branch . 36,259
East Braintree Branch. 36,331
Braintree Highlands Branch 11,639
1
207
The Board calls attention to the marked increase in circulation in the Highlands Branch, an increase of 8,706 since the previous year. It should be said, however, that we opened this branch in September, 1938, and had only four months of book circulation during the rest of the year. The circulation during these four months was 2,903. During the first four months of 1939 the circulation was 3,930, an increase of over 1,000 in four months' time. Nearly 1,000 magazines have been in circulation in the Highlands Branch during the year 1939.
In view of the limitations of our Library service because of an insufficient number of new books; and also the general decrease in the circulation of books during the past year in the Country at large, the Trustees feel more than satisfied with our circulation figures for the year 1939.
In popularizing the service of any institution, good will is essential -a feeling of mutual congeniality and helpfulness between those who offer service and those who are served. To this end our Librarian and her assistants have endeavored so far as possible to eliminate formality. They have avoided the appearance and attitude of "institutionalism" and have tried to make all our Library readers feel at home when they have come to the Library to ask questions concerning new books and seek information concerning Library material. For the cheerful and wholehearted service they have rendered, they deserve the thanks of the Board and their fellow citizens.
As the Board commented last year, Braintree is in the Class II division comprising towns and cities in the Commonwealth ranging in population between 10,000 and 25,000. There are 17 towns and cities in this classification. Braintree stands sixth with a population of 17,300. The highest in the group is Leominster with a population of 22,000; the lowest, North Attleboro with 10,300.
In order to qualify for good standing in Class II, a Library should meet four of the following requirements, two of which should be the starred items given in this summary:
A. STAFF: The librarian and assistants needed to meet the demands of the service (on the basis of one full-time assistant for every 20,000 to 25,000 books circulated).
B. BUDGET: $1.00 per capita, minimum.
*C. BOOK CIRCULATION: 7 per capita, minimum.
D. REGISTERED BORROWERS: 40% of population.
*E. HOURS OPEN: 48 up.
F. COMPENSATION OF LIBRARIAN: ($2,100 to $2,700).
Thus far Braintree has met the standard set in only the two starred items of the six requirements!
In Item C, "Book Circulation," our circulation is 10 per capita; well above the minimum of 7 required by the standard specifications.
In Item E, "Hours Open," the Thayer Library is above the minimum requirement of 48 hours. The Library is onen 57 hours a week. In this item, however, our Library stands very low in the comparative rating; fifteenth out of the seventeen towns in our classification. Only North Attleboro and Southbridge have their Libraries open a fewer number of hours. Compare Braintree's figure with Greenfield's 76
208
hours; Newburyport's 74 hours, and Weymouth's and Milton's with 72 hours each !
The reason for this is closely associated with our low rating in Item A, "The Staff." The minimum requirements call for one full-time assistant for every 20,000 to 25,000 book circulation. With Braintree's present circulation of approximately 170,000, we should have on our staff seven full-time assistants. As a matter of fact, in our present service we have only three full-time assistants serving their 40 hours a week; one assistant serving 30 hours; two serving 221/2 hours; and one serving only 6 hours. These four part-time assistants, serving alto- gether 81 hours a week, are serving only one hour more than two full- time assistants. So, in the last analysis, we are almost two full-time assistants below the minimum requirements set up by the Massachusetts Library Association through its committee on standards.
Every year the Board of Trustees should make a determined effort to add to the number of working hours of its part-time assistants until our Library and its branches conform at least to minimum requirements.
Item D, "Registered Borrowers," the Board does not consider so important. Nevertheless, there is no reason why the number of regis- tered borrowers should not more than exceed the 40% of our popula- tion fixed as a minimum standard. On the basis of our population of 17,300 during 1939, our registered borrowers should have been at least 6,920. The figures show the number of our borrowers to be 6,767; a shortage of 153.
This should be corrected in 1940. The Board is of the opinion that there are a number of persons representing families in the Town who are drawing books for the entire family on one Library card. Every mem- ber of the family old enough to register as a borrower should make application for a separate Library card. This would not only raise the number of our registered borrowers, but would also give additional information concerning our circulation.
Item F, "Compensation of Librarian," recommends $2,100 as 'a minimum, $100 as the annual increment of increase, and $2,700 as a maximum salary. The salary we pay our Librarian at the present time is $100 below the minimum salary recommended, and no provision has yet been made for annual increases. In our salary schedule we have a low rating amóng the towns of our group.
This brings me to the final item, "The Budget." The minimum requirement is $1.00 per capita. The population of Braintree for 1938 was 17,122. On the basis of last year's population, the Library appro- priation should have been $17,122 as a minimum. As a matter of fact, it was $14,866; $2,256 below the minimum requirement!
The Board of Trustees has analyzed the items that deal with Library standards in order that the citizens of Braintree may know how the Town stands, in comparison with other Towns in the same class in the Commonwealth, in respect to the equipment and the scope of our Library service. A member of this Board is now serving both as Chair- man of the Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission and on the Special Committee for the maintenance of high library standards throughout the Commonwealth. The Board regrets that he is called upon so often to explain as best he can why Library conditions in the Town of Braintree fall so far short of meeting the Library standards recommended. The pride and ambition of our citizens should be a powerful force during the next few years in raising to a higher level these Library standards.
209
Especially does the Board lament the utter inadequacy of the Thayer Public Library to meet modern day conditions. The Library has come to be, because of its hopelessly cramped quarters, little more than a storage space for books. The Librarian's quarters are crowded to the utmost and subject to frequent interruptions. The book stacks are crowded beyond capacity and there is no possible opportunity for expansion in the present building. The storage of books in the base- ment is deeply to be regretted; and the mending of books, a Library enterprise that concerns human beings, in a part of the room used for the storage of coal, is even more deplorable.
How urgently we need ample and comfortable space for our large reading public! How imperative is the demand that our books be so shelved that the public may examine and select at ease, without inter- fering with each other's comfort!
Mrs. William F. Rogers of the Board has set before us, in a single sentence, what should immediately be the goal of our endeavor: "The idea of an adequate modern Library building must be planted in the minds of our citizens NOW."
It is manifestly our duty, as Trustees of the Thayer Public Library, to impress this urgent need upon our fellow citizens with greater and even more forceful persistence until positive action is the inevitable result.
The Board of Trustees cannot bring this annual report to its close without calling to the attention of our fellow citizens the great loss the Library and its branches have sustained, through the death of Judge Albert E. Avery.
Judge Avery came on the Board as a life Trustee in December, 1908, and served continuously as a member until his death on November 21, 1939. Thirty-one years of Library service devoted to the welfare of this Town!
The Board remembers him as one who earnestly tried to encourage, in every possible way, the reading habits of our citizens and our youth. As a consequence, he was always vitally interested in the choice and variety of books and periodicals which our modest Library should offer the reading public of the Town. The standards which he set and the ideals which he tried to encourage, are indeed a vivid memory and a source of guidance and inspiration to the members of the Board.
That the memory of his life and example may stimulate all our citizens with a desire to concern themselves more deeply with the problems of the Thayer Public Library and its branches, is the hope and the earnest wish of every member of the Board.
Respectfully submitted,
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman, JOHN W. HARDING, MABEL S. ROGERS, CLARA G. WETHERBEE,
Trustees of Thayer Public Library.
210
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
For the Year Ended December 30, 1939
Receipts :
Cash on deposit, January 1, 1939
$2,940.40
Income from Foundation Fund
295.50
Income from Caleb Stetson Fund.
62.50
Income from Rachel R. Thayer Fund
3.44
Income from Nathaniel H. Hunt Fund
708.23
$4,010.07
Expenditures :
Purchase of Books
$ 189.26
Rent Safe Deposit Box
5.50
Treasurer's Surety Bond
5.00
Printing, Postage & Supplies
36.15
Maintenance & Repairs
75.37
Cash on Deposit, December 30, 1939
3,698.79
$4,010.07
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
December 30, 1939
FOUNDATION FUND
$500. U. S. Treasury 31/4 % Note
$ 500.00
Deposit, Quincy Savings Bank. .
1,000.00
Deposit, Weymouth Savings Bank
2,520.91
Deposit, Abington Savings Bank .
1,000.00
Deposit, Hingham Inst. for Savings
1,000.00
Deposit, Braintree Savings Bank.
5,000.00
$11,020.91
CALEB STETSON FUND
Deposit, Quincy Savings Bank
$ 1,000.00
Deposit, Braintree Savings Bank
1,500.00
$ 2,500.00
RACHEL R. THAYER FUND
Deposit, Home Savings Bank, Boston $ 172.50
211
BRAINTREE SCHOOL FUND
In accordance with the advice of the State auditors, this fund is not treated as a trust fund of the town, but is administered by the Trustees of the Braintree School Fund, an incorporated body; and, following a vote of the town, the income is used for scholarships awarded to graduates of the Braintree High School to be applied toward first year's expenses in pursuing higher education.
The following is a summary of the 1939 receipts and expenses.
Receipts
Balance January 1, 1939
$ 588.90
Rent
313.00
Interest on deposits
138.73
$1,040.63
Payments
Repairs on property
$ 30.30
Taxes
132.86
Scholarships
300.00
Balance Dec. 31, 1939
577.47
$1,040.63
Scholarships were awarded in 1939 to the following graduates of the Braintree High School.
Robert W. Maxwell
Ruth D. Shedd
Marion Tobin William Trainor
Trustees of Braintree School Fund by JOHN W. HARDING, Chairman OTIS B. OAKMAN, Treasurer
213
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Assessors
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, '38 to December 31, '39
214
1939 RECAPITULATION
CITY OR TOWN :
All Appropriations Voted Since 1938 Tax Rate Was Fixed Must Be Included .- General, Water and Light.
Total appropriations as certified by city or town clerk to be raised by taxa- tion, G. L. C. 41, §15A $1,114,889.13
Total appropriations voted to be taken from available funds, G. L. C. 59 §23 (1938, 175, §2) : In 1939 In 1938, since 1938 tax rate was fixed
$154,892.97 8,617.39
163,510.36
$1,278,399.49 8,218.60
Final Court judgments ascertained, G. L. C. 59, §23 (1938, 175, §2)
Deficits due to abatements in excess of overlay of prior years, G. L. C. 59, §23 (1938, 175, §2) : Of year 1936 $ 16.52
Of year 1937 992.04
Total deficits to be carried to outside column 1,008.56 Any other amount required to be raised : Final Tax Judgments 98.84
STATE : Tax and Assessments :
1939 Estimates
1938
Underestimates $ 38,070.00
State Tax Abatement of Smoke Nuisance Auditing Municipal Accounts
$ 76,140.00 284.22
2,874.64
Hospital and home care for Civil War veterans
120.00
2.50
West Roxbury-Brookline Parkway
.20
Additional State Assessments :
( Metropolitan District-1939 Estimates)
Charles River Basin Loan Fund
3,115.61
Met. Parks Loan Sinking Fund
11,660.59
Met. Planning Division
168.10
Met. Parks Loan Sinking Fund-Series 2
1,276.36
Met. Parks Loan Fund-Nantasket Maintenance
827.84
Wellington Bridge Maintenance
25.24
Met. Sewerage Loan Sinking Fund-South System
21,973.87
Sum of totals to be carried to outside column
$118,466.47
$ 38,072.70
156,539.17
COUNTY : Tax and Assessments :
County Tax
$ 26,397.27
$ 137.23
Tuberculosis Hospital
9,733.51
Sum of totals to be carried to outside column
$ 36,130.78
$ 137.23
36,268.01
OVERLAY of current year 1
18,556.89
GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED
$1,499,089.56
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Income Tax
- Use total amounts certified to you by
$ 76,852.66
Corporation Taxes
the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation (from Col. 3 of Cherry Sheet)
32,213.53
Reimbursement on account of state owned land
Motor Vehicle Excise
44,129.35
Licenses
7,263.03
Fines
109.50
Special Assessments
8,179.49
General Government
445.80
Protection of Persons and Property
1,731.91
Health and Sanitation
3,577.20
215
216
Highways
168.11
Charities (other than federal grants for aid to dependent children)
32,622.91
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants)
33,469.16
Soldiers' Benefits
781.18
Schools
2,373.57
Libraries
738.80
Veterans' Exemption
242.87
Public Service Enterprises (such as Water Department, etc.)
96,132.44
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots)
181.00 30.82
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
9,516.99
Miscellaneous
4,934.13
Chapter 232-Acts of 1939
38,983.22
Total Estimated Receipts
Overestimates of previous year to be used as available funds (from Col. 4 of Cherry Sheet) :
Charles River Basin Loan Fund.
138.08
Met. Parks Loan Sinking Fund
507.31
Met. Planning Division.
7.90
Met. Parks Loan Fund-Nantasket Maintenance
1.74
Wellington Bridge-Maintenance
3.93
Met. Water Loan Sinking Fund
1,104.47
Abatement of Smoke Nuisance
2.73
Fore River Bridge
2,600.00
Land Takings, Revere Highway
144.25
$4,510.41
Appropriations voted by town meeting or city government to be taken from available funds :
July 11, 1939 (Enter amount and date of approval by Commr.) .... $ 8,617.39 July 11, 1939 49,596.50
July 11, 1939 50,000.00
July 11, 1939
55,296.47
163,510.36
Interest on Deposits
$394,980.67
Total Available Funds
$168,020.77
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
563,001.44
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation on Polls and Property
$936.088.12
Number of Polls: 5,704 at $2.00, Poll Tax
$ 11,408.00
Total Valuation at Tax Rate of $36.40: Personal Property $775,550.00
28,230.02
Real Estate: $24,627,750.00
896,450.10
Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property $936,088.12
Not entering into the determination of the tax rate.
Betterment and Special Assessments :
1939 Apportioned Betterment Assessments-Street
$ 1,708.40
1939 Committed Interest on above.
191.35
1939 Apportioned Betterment Assessments-Sewer Service
1,237.58
1939 Committed Interest on above
602.30
1939 Apportioned Betterment Assessments-Sewer
12,431.83
1939 Committed Interest on above
4,709.81
Total Assessments Committed
20,881.27
Total amount of all taxes and assessments on polls and property committed to the collector in 1939
$ 956.969.39
217
218
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
OF POLLS. PROPERTY. AND TAXES, AS ASSESSED JANUARY 1, 1939 FOR BRAINTREE
COMPILED FROM THE FIGURES ENTERED IN THE VALUATION LIST
Not including figures relating to EXEMPTED PROPERTY or to the MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
Item
No. NUMBER OF PERSONS ASSESSED Individuals All Others Total
1 On Personal Estate Only
314
56
370
2 On Real Estate Only
2,602
1,606
4,208
3 On Both Personal and Real Estate 95
15
110
4 Total Number of Persons Assessed
4,688
5 NUMBER OF MALE POLLS ASSESSED 5,704
VALUE OF ASSESSED PERSONAL ESTATE
6 Stock in Trade $ 69,450.00
7 Machinery 153,550.00
8 Live Stock 15,250.00
9 All Other Tangible Personal Property 537,300.00
10 Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate $ 775,550.00
VALUE OF ASSESSED REAL ESTATE
11 Buildings exclusive of Land $17,088,825.00
12 Land exclusive of Buildings 7,538,925.00
-
13 Total Value of Assessed Real Estate $24,627,750.00
14 TOTAL VALUATION OF ASSESSED ESTATE
$25,403,300.00
15 TAX RATE PER $1,000 - $36.40
TAXES FOR STATE, COUNTY, AND CITY OR TOWN PURPOSES, INCLUDING OVERLAY
16 On Personal Estate (Item 10 x 15) .$ 28,230.02 17 On Real Estate (Item 13 x Item 15) 896,450.10
18 On Polls ( Item 5 x $2.00) 11,408.00
19 TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED
$936,088.12:
219
NUMBER OF LIVE STOCK ASSESSED
20 Horses (1 year old, or over)
49 Neat Cattle :
21 Cows (Milch) (1 year old, or over) 76
22 Yearlings, bulls, heifers, etc. (1 year old, or over) 4
23 Swine (6 months old, or over) 868
24 Sheep (6 months old, or over) 37
25 Fowl 2,532
26 All Other 14
27 NUMBER OF DWELLING HOUSES ASSESSED* 4,242
* Each building used as a dwelling counted as ONE without regard to the number of families housed.
28 NUMBER OF ACRES OF LAND ASSESSED 8,407
It is hereby certified that the foregoing is a full and true copy of the Table of Aggregates as it appears in the Valuation List, according to our best knowledge and belief.
Subscribed this first day of September, 1939, under the penalties of perjury.
NORRIS H. PINAULT, Chairman WALTER B. SKINNER, Clerk FRED AUSTERBERRY
Board of Assessors of Braintree.
September 1, 1939
220
REPORT OF THE W.P.A. OFFICE
February 1, 1940.
Board of Selectmen Town Hall
South Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
1
I present herewith as W.P.A. Sponsor's Agent, the annual report for 1939.
During the year there have been 237 applications for work, and the employment ratio averaged 268 persons monthly.
Under the able supervision of Mr. Wentworth of the Highway De- partment, there were constructed through Federal grants 2,450 Lin. Ft. of streets, 3,546 Lin. Ft. of curbings, 7,778 Lin. Ft. of sidewalks, and 4,502 Lin. Ft. of drains. A more detailed report of these operations may be found in the report of the Highway Department.
Plain Street Cemetery-This project has moved apace throughout the year. A wall of 910 feet in length averaging 5 feet in height has been constructed under the supervision of Herbert F. Stackhouse, Superintendent of the Plain Street Cemetery.
Book Binding Project-Working in conjunction with the Thayer Public Library, this work has been of a book binding and book repair nature. Some 12,000 books have been repaired representing a con- siderable saving of moneys to the town.
Statistical Project-This unit has been engaged in research work of important historical value to the town, and has performed efficiently.
Household Aid-This department in my opinion is a most important one and should be encouraged to greater effort. The work being accom- plished under the capable direction of Miss Winifred Drinkwater, has enabled W.P.A. employees to carry on without loss of employment in the event of family illness, thereby eliminating certain supplementary aid which would otherwise be necessary.
Recreation Project-The nature of this work affords opportunity for young and old alike for greater skill and learning as well as recrea- tion. Under the supervision of Patrick Cronin, this department has been efficiently and conscientiously conducted.
Sewing Project-Work on this project is continuing efficiently and the results derived are very beneficial to many of our townspeople.
N. Y. A .- This movement effecting the young people has served as a trade school and higher learning. Many of them have secured excellent positions in private employment as a result of this training.
I am pleased to report that the relations between this office and the W.P.A. officials has been most cordial and they have co-operated fully in all undertakings.
Very truly yours, GEORGE A. SHORTLE,
Sponsor's Agent.
221
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Accountant
OF THE
Town of Braintree
Year 1939
222
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1939
GENERAL ACCOUNTS ASSETS
Cash-General
$364,530.23
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes:
Levy of 1938-Real
$ 55,146.90
Levy of 1938-Personal
901.53
Levy of 1938 Poll
36.00
Levy of 1939-Real
240,632.41
Levy of 1939-Personal
3,562.20
Levy of 1939-Poll
692.00
300,971.04 .
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes :
Levy of 1938
77.73
Levy of 1939
1,121.34
1,199.07
Special Assessments:
Sewer:
Unapportioned Not Added to Taxes $ 2,463.18
Apportioned 1938
1,256.20
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