USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1941 > Part 10
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THOMAS E. SEARS JOSEPH LANDERS GEORGE A. WALKER, Chairman Board of Water Commissioners.
-- 123
TREASURER'S REPORT
JOHN W. HARDING, Treasurer
In account with Board of Water Commissioners:
Balance January 1, 1941
$ 2,376.47
Receipts for year
100,459 00
Paid by orders of Commissioners
$101,296.75
Balance December 31, 1941
1,538.72
$102,835.47
$102,835.47
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Balance from 1940
$ 200.00
Collected 1941
100,450.00
Paid Treasurer on his Receipts
$100,459.00
Balance December 31, 1941
200.00
$100,659.00
$100,659.08
REGISTRAR'S REPORT
Water Rates Charged 1941
$ 93,816.39
Material and Labor Charged 1941
5,240.34
Summonses
12.25
Telephone Account
4.60
Water Rates outstanding Dec. 31, 1940
22,689.31
Material and Labor Oustanding Dec. 31, 1940
1,904.77
Collections 1941
$100,459.00
Water Rates Outstanding Dec. 31, 1941
21,473.67
Material and Labor Outstanding Dec. 31, 1941.
1,782.55
Abatements on Water Rates
39.09
Abatements on Material and Labor
20.10
Gasoline Refund
84 72
24.19
Advanced payments 1941
..
|46.22
$123,738.60
$123.738.60
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Maintenance
$ 6,736.30
Great Pond Pumping Station
13,110.02
Little Pond Pumping Station
2,131.60
System Maintenance
3,508 21
Services in Street
7,652.47
Services Outside Street
5,755.31
Meters
2,863.98
Meter Repairs
2,423.68
Meter Reading and Outside Collections
1,756.03
Hydrants
1,688.63
Hydrant Repairs
265.05
Hydrant Testing and Flushing
115.88
Main Pipe Extension
9,828 09
Main Pipe Repairs
514.65
Automobiles
2,779.87
Garage
424.06
Tools
1,704.88
Overpayments 1940
..
124 -
Filtration
7,791.85
Water Protection
89.22
Superintendent
2,515 00
Insurance
1,476.61
Care of Grounds
3,561.87
Land Taking
1,423.06
Project P-810
518.25
Project #16737
16.25
Project #20943-Dam and Dike-Great Pond
20,645.93
$101,296.75
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Water Commissioners of the Town of Braintree :
Gentlemen :
The following summaries covering the work of the department for the year are respectfully submitted.
WALTER M. HATCH, Superintendent
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS Year ending December 31, 1941
In form recommended by New England Waterworks Association.
Population-1941 :- 18,000.
Date of Construction : 1886.
By Whom Owned: Town of Braintree.
Source of Supply :
Braintree Little Pond (Commercial Only). Braintree Great Pond.
Mode of Supply: Pumping to Reservoirs
Capacity of Reservoirs :
Great Pond Supply: 1,560,590 gallons.
Little Pond Supply: 458,000 gallons.
PUMPING STATISTICS
Great Pond
1. Pumping Machinery :
1. Platts cross compound Corliss valve gear steam pump.
2. Allis Chalmers, single stage, double suction centrifugal pump; driven by 100 H.P. General Electric Motor.
3. Allis Chalmers, single stage, double suction centrifugal pump; driven by 100 H.P. Allis Chalmers Electric Motor.
LITTLE POND-(Commercial only)
2. Pumping Machinery:
4. Allis Chalmers, single stage, double suction centrifugal pump; driven by 10 H.P. Allis Chalmers Electric Motor.
Capacity of Pumps :
No. 1 1,512,000
No. 2 2,000,000
No. 3 1,800,000
No 4 720,000
125
1. Total pumpage for year :
1. Great Pond -490,520,000 gallons
Largest day's pumpage 1,857.000 gallons
2. Little Pond-76,449.010 gallons
Total electric current used-K. W.H .:
1 Great Pond-476,950
2. Little Pond-14,267
3. Average static lift of pumps :
1. Great Pond-133 feet
2. Little Pond-17 feet
4. Average total lift of pumps:
1. Great Pond-220 feet
2. Little Pond-40 feet
5. Cost of current per million gallons :
1. Great Pond-$10 78
2. Little Pond-$2.76
6. Cost per million gallons raised one foot :
1. Great Pond-$0.449
2. Little Pond-$0.069
7. Cost of pumping per million gallons based on total expense : 1. Great Pond-$26.74
2. Little Pond-$24.83
FILTRATION STATISTICS
Date of Construction: 1934
Type of Filter: Wheeler Pyramidal, rapid sand
Capacity: 2.000,000 gallons per 24 hours
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: 490,520,000 gallons
Total electric current used-K.W.H .: 92,918
Cost of current per million gallons : $1.75
Cost per million gallons based on total expense : $15.88
RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION MAINS
1. Kind of pipe: Cast iron, wrought iron
2. Sizes: 1" to 16"
3. Extended 1941: 6089'
4. Replaced small wrought iron with cast iron: None
5. Total cast iron installed: 5921'
126 -
6. Total now in use: 87.47 miles Number of hydrants added in 1941: 6
S. Total number now in use: 517
9. Range of static pressure : 35-105 pounds
SERVICES
10. Kind: Cast iron, wrought iron, lead, copper
11 Size: 5%" to 10"
12. Added in 1941: 191
13. Total now in use: 4932
14. Number of meters added in 1941: 235
15. Total now in use 4556
16. Percentage of services metered: 92.38
. 127
REPORT OF SOLDIERS' RELIEF DEPARTMENT
Amount Amount Amount Appropriated Expended Unexpended
Soldiers' Benefits
$19,000.00
$18,840.37
$ 159.63
Military Aid
1,000.00
660.00
340.00
State Aid
900.00
765.00
135.00
Burials
500.00
500.00
Office Expense
200.00
171.94
28.06
Total
21,600.00 $20,437.31
$1,162.69
The Town of Braintree appropriated $19,000.00 for Soldiers' Relief for the year 1941; of this amount $159.63 remains unexpended. Of the $1,- 000 00 appropriated by the Town for Military Aid $660.00 was expended. The Town will be reimbursed by the State; by November, 1942, for the amount of $330.00 or 1/2 of the amount expended. For State Aid $900.00 was appropriated of which $765.00 was expended leaving $135.00 unex- pended The full amount of $765.00 will be reimbursed by the State, by No- vember, 1942. There was $500.00 appropriated for Burials but we are very glad to state that no veteran or member of his family on relief, passed away during the year 1941, so that the $500.00 remains unexpended. $200.00 was also appropriated for Office Epense of which $171 94 was ex- pended leaving $28.06 unexpended.
In brief, of the total amount appropriated for the above purpose $1,162.69 remains unexpended. This amount of $1,162.69 plus $1,095.00 represents a total saving for this department of $2,257.69 for the year 1941.
The average case load per month was approximately 40 with the aver- age persons per month approximately 129 making a total of $1,570.00 per month expended by the department. This does not include two recipients who are receiving Military Aid or six recipients who are receiving State Aid which is payable monthly.
There is new legislation being enacted which will undoubtedly be passed by the State Legislature regarding the men who are in the service of their country during the present war. While exact figures of increased percentages are not available at the present time it is believed that the present load will be increased at least twice the present case load if not more. However this increase in the case load will not take effect until the latter part of the year, when some of the new veterans and families will undoubtedly be in the need of aid. However owning to the increased cost of living the expenditures for this Department will undoubtedly be larger.
I wish to state at this time my thanks to the departments for their co-operation at all times.
In conclusion I wish to state that this department has been free from any outside interference, and to take this opportunity to thank the Select- men for their co-operation at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
SYDNEY WEST,
Soldiers' Relief Agent
- 128 - -
Annual Report
OF THE
Fire Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit to you the annual report of the Fire Depart- ment of the fiscal year ending December 31, 1941.
Total number of calls during the year-712, divided as follows:
Box Alarms
Month
Still Alarms
1
January
21
9
February
78
7
March
50
12
April
191
2
May
46
3
June
24
3
July
29
3.
August
21
2
September
47
7
October
40
9.
November
63
6
December
38
64
Total
648
TOTAL CALLS IN EACH PRECINCT
Month
Precinct One
Precinct Two
Precinct Three
January
10
7
5
February
26
22
39
March
20
13
24
April
67
47
89
May
28
8
12
Tune
13
5
9
July
16
5
11
August
12
3
9
September
25
6
18
October
17
16
14
November
23
14
35
December
13
14
17
Total
270
160
282
- 130 -
TOTAL CALLS THAT EACH PIECE ANSWERED
Truck
Month
January
19
2
3
10
7
15
2
February
74
9
8
10
42
62
18
March
54
13
10
19
33
38
15
April
169
17
19
19
87
128
56
May
43
3
4
6
14
40
5
June
23
3
4
7
16
18
2
July
26
4
5
9
16
24
3
August
18
7
1
7
9
16
3
September
42
4
5
8
20
38
11
October
40
4
5
10
20
38
5
November
65
7
12
15
44
59
6
December
39
6
8
16
29
37
0
Total
612
79
84
136
337
513
126
Month
(21/2)
Hose
Laid
(Feet)
(11/2)
Booster
(Gals)
Ladders
Used
(Feet)
Engines
Pumped Water
January
1700
1130
174
2
20
February
3600
2400
10690
52
16
50
March
6650
1050
5170
705
16
45
April
8950
6500
30400
150
37
35
May
4900
1250
5120
71
16
20
June
2650
550
2245
59
2
35
July
750
550
2760
30
3
50
August
3000
400
1425
162
6
50
September
2500
2250
7875
10
50
October
3150
1250
5560
128
7
45
November
200
6755
205
9
10
December
400
3480
160
4
55
Total
38450
16200
82610
1896
135
45
Chief's
Car
Engine
No. 1
Engine
No. 3
Ladder
No. 1
Squad
A
Squad
B
Forest Fire
1
131
Used
H
M
781 -
Buildings
Automobiles
Investigations
Call for Inhalator
False Alarms
Oil Burners
Poles, Trees, Wires
Locked ( ) of house
Boys on ice
Dog in pond
Bridge
Gasoline in street
Call for drowning
Accidents
Automatic Sprinkler
22
87
1
57
April
6
4
185
3
2
2
1
203
May
1
01
31
1
1
1
2
48
June
0
1
15
1
1
2
1
1
27
1
1
32
1
1
24
September
3
10
39
1
2
1
1
49
October
1
4
31
1
1
1
1
1
47
November
3
50
5
6
1
1
0
72
December
1
1
25
3
1
1
1
1
1
44
Total
87
33
508
17
1 13
16
10
1
3
1
4
4
CI
1 712
January
9
4
3
10
2
0
February
7
4
74
1
1
March
15
2
33
2
10
1
1
11
3
12
1
1
2
.August
1
9
1
2
0
111
out
Month
Woods, Grass, Dumps, Bonfires
Valuation of
Buildings
Insurance on
Buildings
Damage to
Buildings
Ins. Paid on
Buildings
January
$44,500.00 $ 37,700.00
1,485.60 $
1,485.60
February
25,000.00
19,200.00
1,393 00
1,393.00
March
46,000.00
39,400.00
15,760.50
15,760.50
April
30,000 00
22,200.00
5,222.50
5,222.50
May
13,900.00
11,900.00
1,245.75
1,245.75
June
14,500.00
8,000.00
570.00
570.00
July
23,200.00
21,200.00
619.00
619.00
August
11,250.00
4,750.00
1,319.00
119 00
September
16,300.00
14,600.00
710.00
85.00
October
52,000.00
47,800.00
1,379.00
1,379.00
November
50,650.00
20,600.00
405.00
330.00
December
45,700.00
37,500.00
1,626 00
1,571.00
Total
$373.000.00
$284.850.00 $ 31,735.35 $ 29,780 35
Valuation of
Contents
Insurance on
Contents
Damage to
Contents
Ins. Paid on
Contents
Month
January
$13,500 00 $ 10,000.00 $
305.00 $
105.00
February
7,000.00
2,500 00
222.20
172.00
March
26,200.00
17,200 00
12,481.00
10,931.00
April
7,600.00
3,600 00
1,600.00
1,200.00
May
5,000.00
2,000.00
125 00
June
4,500.00
2,100.00
285.00
285.00
July
9,000.00
6,200.00
150.00
150.04
August
700.00
700.00
50.00
50.00
September
7,500.00
2,000.00
82 00
82 00
October
14,000.00
12,500.00
289.55
289.55
November
17,500 00
16,000.00
166.00
166.00
December
29,800.00
25,500.00
812.00
762.00
Total
$142,300.00 $100,300.00 $ 16,567.55 $ 14,192.55
PERMITS GRANTED DURING THE YEAR
Inspected and granted for range oil burners
146
Inspected and granted for heating apparatus burners
190
Inspected and granted for fireworks
13
Granted for use of rynamite
9
Granted for use of Dynamite
9
Total
561
- 133 -
Month
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE STORAGE OF LIGHT FUEL OIL FOR RANGE BURNERS IN THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
1. Not more than 10 gallons of light fuel oil shall be stored in any build- ing or structure, unless, in a 16-gauge galvanized steel tank, labeled and approved.
2. Storage tanks for light fuel oil which are not directly connected to an oil burner shall be equipped with an approved faucet of the self-closing and lock type.
3. Tanks within building or other structure for the storage and keeping of light fuel oil in excess of 10 gallons shall be installed on or below the lowest floor of the building or structure.
4. No storage tank shall be nearer than 7 feet from any open fire or flame.
5. All necessary support for tanks shall be of substantial masonry or metal construction.
6. No light fuel oil tank shall be equipped with a glass gauge or any gauge, the breaking of which shall allow the oil to escape from the . tank.
7. A bucket of sand and a scoop shall be kept with each light fuel oil burner located in a position accessible for use.
8. In excess of 10 gallons an application for a permit must be filed and a permit must be obtained from the Chief of the Fire Department for the keeping and storage of light fuel oil in any building or structure.
STATE LAW
A State Law was enacted regulating the passage of Fire Apparatus re- sponding to fires. The law requires the driver of a vehicle to drive to the right hand curb and stop until the apparatus has passed. To remain at a distance of (300)- feet behind the apparatus and restricting the parking of a vehicle within (600) feet of a fire.
In conclusion: I wish to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, to the members of the Finance Committee, and to the Police Department for their co-operation and interest in the welfare of the Department.
To all others that have volunteered their services or assisted the De- partment in many manner.
The officers and members of the Department have my commendation and sincere thanks for the efficient and faithful manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted.
FRED A. TENNEY, Chief of Fire Department.
134 -
Annual Report
OF THE
Police Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Braintree, Mass., January 1, 1942
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit report of the activities of the Police Department with regard to Traffic for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Accidents occurred as follows:
TRAFFIC REPORT
Minor
147
Serious
142
Fatal
2
291
Following number of operators were reported to the Registry of Mo- tor Vehicles for :
5
Speed
9
Op. after Drinking
15
Following cases were prosecuted in courts for :
Offence
Male Female Resi.
Non-Resi.
V. M. V. Laws
142
7
28
121
149
Viol. Traffic Rules (Town)
27
0
4
23
27
Op. to Endanger
1
0
0
1
1
Op. Und. Influ.
23
0
10
13
23
193
7 42
158
200
Violations of Traffic Regulations were committed as follows:
By Residents: 259
By Non-Residents: 426
Violations committed as follows:
1. Vehicles on Crossing
29
2. Too Close to Hydrant
15
3. Parking without Lights
75
4. Wrong Side of Street
107
5. Motor Running
10
6. All Night Parking
55
7. Restricted Place
412
8. Defiance Corner Law
35
9. Right Wheel Not at Curb
10 One Hour Parking Law
.
.
. . .. .
6S
136
Reckless Driving
Since the addition of new men to my department in 1941 it has been possible for me to assign a man to Traffic Duty on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays at the intersection of Routes 128 and 37, Plain Hancock and Washington Sts. This arrangement has proved of good advantage to motorists.
Due to the heavy flow of traffic at Norfolk Square during the time that Fore River workers are shifting it has been necessary to assign a Motorcycle officer to traffic duty at this point. I believe some action should be taken to relieve the traffic congestion at this point.
With the institution of the 25 mile per hour speed limit I believe we have greatly reduced the accident rate in the town, when the immense volume of traffic flow is taken into consideration.
Respectfully, JOHN J. HEANEY, Chief of Police
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Braintree, Mass., January 1, 1942
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1941.
ARRESTS
Whole Number-696
Male-663
Female-33
Residents-284
Non-Residents-412
No. 1. CRIMES AGAINST PERSON
Offence
Male Female Resi.
Non-Resi.
Ttl
Assault and Battery
17
1 15
3
18
Assault Intent Rape
1
1
1
18
1
15
4
19
No. 2. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
Offence
Male Female Resi.
Non-Resi.
Ttl.
B&E NT & Larceny
4
2
2
4
Larceny
13
3
4
12
16
Larceny Auto
9
2
7
0
Larceny from Bldg.
1
1
1
Malicious Mischief
1
1
1
Selling Leased Property
1
1
1
28
4
11
21
32
137
No. 3. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER. Etc.
Offence
Male Female Resi.
Non-Resi.
Til.
Abandonment
1
1
1
Affray Public Street
2
1
1
By-Laws, Town. Viol.
6
6
Delinquency
14
12
1
16
Default
4
1
4
1
1-
Drunkenness
240
S
131
117
248
Enticing Female
1
1
1
False Alarm of Fire
6
6
6
False Repre. to Welfare
1
1
1
Freight Train-Unlawful Riding
1
1
1
Fugitive from Justice
1
1
1
Gaming and Present
9
1
5
9
Gaming Nuisance
1
1
1
Health Laws, Viol.
2
Idle and Disorderly
2
1
1
Illegitimacy
2
1
1
1
Immigration Law -- Viol.
1
1
1
Incest
1
1
1
Indecent Exposure
1
1
1
Labor Laws. Viol.
5
5
Lewdness
2
1
1
2
Lottery Laws. Viol.
1
1
1
Mittimus to Lockup
1
1
1
Neglect, Desertion, Non-Support
6
5
1
6
Neglected Child
3
3
3
Out of Town, For
2
ยท2
2
Probation Violation
S
5
3
Profanity, Using
1
1
1
Vol. M V. Laws
142
7
28
121
149
Op. M. V. to Endanger
1
1
1
Op. Under Influence
23
10
13
23
Stubborness
1
1
1
Traffic Rules, Viol.
27
4
23
27
Tramps
1
1
1
V. M. V. Laws (State)
93
7
16
84
100
617
28
258
387
645
Recapitulation :
No. 1. Against Person.
19
No. 2. Against Property
32
No. 3. Against Public Order, Etc. 645
696
COMPLAINTS, ETC.
Ambulance Trips
290
Building Found
Open
115
Dog Cobplaints
541
Cat Complaints
165
Drunk Releases
163
Fire Alarms Answered
87
138 -
1
Disturbing Peace
7
Holes in Streets reported
49
Insane Cases-MR
3
MNR
2
Lanterns put out
10
Lodging Given
14
Messages Delivered
246
Missing Persons Reported-MR FR -MNR -FNR
10
Stolen Cars -- Braintree
17
Stolen Cars-Recovered
13
Street Lights reported out
104
Sudden Deaths-MR
7
-FR
1
-MNR
3
Sunday Permits-Labor
83
Wagon Trips
74
Miscellaneous complaints
... 2305
Code: On Missing Persons. Sudden Deaths. Insane
MR-Male Resident
FR-Female Resident
MNR-Male Non-Resident
FNR-Female Non-Resident
For the years 1942 I have recommended the purchase of three new Police Cars. Have also recommended the addition of two men to my force
I wish to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and to all who have shown a spirit of cooperation toward my department.
Respectfully,
JOHN J. HEANEY, Chief of Police
-
139 -
41
23
7
Annual Report
OF THE
Library
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Braintree, Massachusetts
January 29, 1942
To the Citizens of Braintree:
In behalf of the Board of Trustees I submit the following annual report for the year 1941 concerning the Thayer Public Library and its branches:
In January 1, 1941, the Thayer Public Library and its branches had 37,558 books on hand During the past year we have added 2,783 new books and withdrawn 1,924 old books from circulation, making a total collection as of January 1, 1942, of 38,417. This is the largest collection of books in the history of our library.
The circulation of our books this past year is distributed as follows:
Thayer Public Library 73,088 Braintree Branch 34,510
East Braintree Branch 27,438
Braintree Highlands Branch 15,190
Total 150,226
Our total circulation in 1940 was 152,736. During the past year there has been a decrease in circulation of 2,510. This is part of a country wide decrease in book circulation due largely to the time consuming de- mands of the war emergency. Relatively speaking, our decrease has been less than in most other parts of the state. This speaks well for the quality of, the effectiveness of, the cheerfulness of the service rendered by our librarian and her faithful staff.
It is worthy of note that in our Braintree Highlands branch the circulation this past year has increased from 14,409 to 15,190. The resi- lents of Braintree Highlands certainly appreciate their little branch library and are giving it their loyal and enthusiastic support.
Of the circulation of our books, the distribution is as follows: Adult fiction 50 per cent
Adult non-fiction 25 per cent
Juvenile, all classes 25 per cent
This percentage corresponds pretty closely to the recommendation made by the committee on Massachusetts Library Standards.
The library and its branches have had this year 6807 registered bor- rowers. Last year the number of registered borrowers was 7042-approxi- mately 41 per cent of the population. On the basis of the recommendation of the Committee on Library Standards, the registered borrowers for a population of 17,300 should number at least 6920. It is evident that we have fallen below the recommendation made by the Committee. This is due in part to the fact that in a number of families there is only one library card used by members of the entire family. The Trustees recommend that all the members of the family who use the library privileges should have library cards and be numbered among our registered borrowers.
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This past year the Trustees have authorized the renovating of our children's room. New curtains and new chairs have been installed, and the room has been made more attractive by colorful plants and decorations on the mantle. There has been a marked increase of interest shown by the parents in the children's room. As a result there has been an increase in the circulation of our children's books. October 1941 was the largest single month in the history of the Thayer Public Library.
The Trustees would call attention to the changes in our library staff. In March 1941 Mrs. Clarence Blackburn resigned because of her residence in Mattapan. The Trustees appointed in her place Miss Marion Meurch of East Braintree, one of our Braintree High School graduates and a gradu- ate with a high record from the Simmons College Library School. Miss Meurch had had three years of successful experience before coming to us this spring.
Louise Cocroft, who is a resident of Braintree and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, has been working as a part time assistant both at the East Braintree branch and at the Thayer Public Library. Her excellent posters have attracted widespread attention and favorable con- ment.
Because of grave conditions during this supreme crisis, a crisis which will immediately impose burdens of taxation such as our citizens have never experienced before, the Trustees do not think the time opportune to initiate the campaign for a new public library.
The Trustees, however, would be remiss in their duty if they did not continue to stress the utter inadequacy of the Thayer Public Libary to meet modern day conditions of library service. At present the Thayer Public Library is scarcely more than a hopelessly cramped storage place for books. The librarian and her staff have hardly room to move about. In the basement, one of the members of the staff has constructed wooden plat- forms above the cement floor to save the books that are stored there from rotting because of the water that seeps through and at times floods the floor. The storage of books in such a place is greatly to be deplored; and the mending of books on the long table in the basement near a mass of dirty coal stored there is even more deplorable. The members of our library staff are called upon to spend some of their working hours in this unsanitary basement. This condition of things cannot be defended even on the basis of parsimonious economy, but the Trustees are at a loss to know how to remedy the situation.
In the post war period which we fervently hope will not be too long delayed, it will certainly be the duty of the Trustees to impress upon their fellow citizens the extreme urgency for greatly improved library condi- tions until remedial action shall result in a new library worthy of the town of Braintree.
Respectfully submitted.
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman JOHN W. HARDING MORRILL R. ALLEN MABEL S. ROGERS CLARA G. WETHERBEE
Trustees of Thayer Public Library.
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FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY For the year ended December 31, 1941
RECEIPTS:
Cash on deposit, January 1, 1941
2,882.45
Income from Foundation Fund
245.45
Income from Caleb Stetson Fund
50.00
Income from Rachel A. Thayer Fund
3 44
Income from Nathaniel H. Hunt Fund
679.57
$ 3,860.91
EXPENDITURES:
Purchase of Books
835.58
Rent Safe Deposit Box
5.55
Treasurers Surety Bond
5.00
Cash on Deposit, December 31, 1941
3,014.78
S 3,860.91
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY December 31. 1941
FOUNDATION FUND:
$500 U. S. Treasury 314 Note
500.00
Deposit Abington Savings Bank
1,000.00
Deposit Braintree Savings Bank
5,000.00
Deposit Hingham Inst. for Savings
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