USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1963 > Part 12
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Complaints from borrowers unable to get books they want have been of in- creasing concern to the librarians during this year. Many times in the Chil- dren's Room, the shelves of books for the first three grades have been almost empty, and parents have often left the library without books. The Chairman of the Trustees visited the Children's Room one evening to find all books for the third-grade level out on loan except three. This would not have provided much of a selection for a borrower who happened to come in to borrow a book for a child of that age. Branch Librarians also complain to the Librarian be- cause they do not have enough books to keep popular ones on the shelf. Our supply is not up to demand, and if this continues very long, the use of the library will start to fall off. We cannot permit this to happen. We must pre- pare ourselves to offer the service, the interesting choice of books, which Braintree citizens deserve.
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NEED FOR MORE BOOKS
All this leads to one outstanding observation. The library must have more money for books. During the past year, it has become more and more evident that the library is in the midst of a crisis in not being able to provide mate- rials necessary, both in quantity and quality. The statistics warn us of the consequences.
GRADE 1
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Where are the books ?
In 1963, the town appropriation for books was $10,500. For many years, the library has received in its book budget a token increase of $500.00 a year, which didn't even keep pace with town growth and increase in cost. The library also receives about $1,300 income from trust funds which have been left for the purchase of books. During 1963, some relief was provided when the School Department made available to the library the sum of $2,000 from its Hollis Fund for the purchase of reference books for the Study Room. The Library Department appreciates greatly this generous gift, for without it, it would have been impossible to provide as good reference material as is now available. However, the Librarian and the Board of Trustees are forced to the conclusion that a substantial and emergency increase in book money must be obtained in its 1964 budget if the service afforded the town is to main- tain a satisfactory quality and encourage increased use of the library.
For many years, the library has been complimented on its book collection. It has a good basic collection. However, this reputation will be lost if money is not available to enlarge and expand the collection into new fields and keep pace with town demands. One eminent authority has stated: "The strength of a library's book collection lies first in its quality and second in its size; and the strength of the library's service depends on the strength of its book col- lection, second only to the ability of its staff." Books are the cornerstone of the library.
STATE GRANT-IN-AID
In 1960, the State Legislature passed a statute providing for a state grant- in-aid of $.25 per capita to improve library service in the towns and cities which met certain minimum standards of library service. $1,000,000 for this
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purpose was removed from the Income Tax receipts returned by the state to the towns of the commonwealth for general use. The share of each town in In- come Tax money for general use was, therefore, reduced, Braintree included, and certain towns who met library standards were given a share of the $1,000,000 withheld to use for library purposes. Braintree's share of the lat- ter was bigger than the amount we lost in the former.
The Library Trustees and the Finance Committee, therefore, agreed to use part of the library grant-in-aid to reinstate the state grant for general use to its full former level and to apply only the excess for library purposes. Thus, one town department would not gain at the expense of other town de- partments. For Braintree in 1963, this meant that about $3,400 of a $7,500 State Grant-in-Aid for libraries was used for library purposes. It was used to install a Fire Detection System in the main library building. The installa- tion of this system was urged by the Fire Chief as a result of the disastrous fire in the Randolph Library.
The state law has now been changed so as to reinstate the Income Tax funds distributed to towns for general use to the full amount, without reduction for library grant-in-aid. Starting in 1964, the funds for this grant-in-aid will, in their entirety, be new money coming to the town from the state. Therefore, the entire amount is now properly applicable to improve library service above what the town itself should normally be expected to provide. This is in ac- cordance with the intent of the State Legislature.
In 1964, the State Grant-in-Aid to Braintree for library purposes will be $7,767 and, unlike former years, this money in no way comes from funds otherwise received from the state for general use by other departments. Braintree's share of Income Tax receipts will be reinstated to the full share received prior to the Library Aid law.
VISIT OF ENGLISH LITERATURE
For four nights in October, Miss Hall and Miss Valentine were hostesses in their homes to three English Librarians. They were a part of a group of 130 librarians from the Association of Assistant Librarians in England mak- ing a Study Tour of libraries in New York, Washington and the Boston area. They were an enthusiastic and friendly group and, in talking over library pro- cedures, it was found that problems in both countries are similar. On return- ing to England, one of the librarians sent to Braintree a copy of the Lancashire County Library Report. One paragraph in particular struck a familiar note. The Report stated: "Note should be taken of the growing number of highly- specialized and technical requests which are received, and, also, the increasing use of Reference Rooms and other facilities for study."
PERSONNEL
Personnel changes continue to present a problem to efficient library serv- ice. In the fall, Miss Judy MacAllister, Assistant Librarian in the Children's Room, left to undertake work in a different field, Miss Dorothy Kamison as- sistant in the Adult Department, left to return to college. After some weeks, Mrs. Mary Pellerin replaced Miss MacAllister in the Children's Room. Mrs. Pellerin was familiar with the visits of the fifth-grade children to the Thayer House and the library, and has proved a very helpful assistant in that depart- ment. Mrs. Helen Gustin, in a part-time capacity, is a most efficient clerical staff member in the Adult Department. In November, Mrs. Carol Giles, Li- brarian at the East Braintree Branch, took the state examination for certifica- tion as a professional librarian. She has recently received word that she has successfully passed the examination. She is to be congratulated and the
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library is proud that she now officially is entitled to professional status as a result of her many years of practical experience in library work.
GIFTS
Each year the library receives numerous gifts of books and other ma- terials from citizens of the town or interested organizations. These are greatly appreciated. The generous gift of the School Department of $2,000 for school reference books has been mentioned earlier in this report. The following gifts of periodicals have been received:
Mr. Alan Barnett - Science & Technology Miss Marjorie Bates - Human Events Lions Club - Lions Magazine Dr. Marvin Powell - Forbes Magazine Rotary Club - Rotarian
Mr. Gordon Trask - Journal of Accountancy
Dr. John Wendland, Minneapolis - Naturalist Magazine
Xerox Corporation - Country Beautiful
Books have been received from the following organizations:
All Souls Church Branch Alliance American Association for the Advancement of Science American Medical Association American Petroleum Institute
Boston College First National Bank of Boston Health Insurance Institute John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company Krow Eldeen Society, in memory of Mrs. Arthur R. Gates Mott Foundation
Vantage Press, Inc. WBZ Radio
Gifts from the following individuals have also been received:
Mrs. John Ames; Mr. Alan Barnett; Mrs. Grace Lyon Benjamin; Mrs. Fred Chandler; Mr. Arthur Eastwood; Mr. Arthur T. Gregorian; Rep. Herbert B. Hollis; Mrs. H. Hobart Holly; Mr. Richard Iacobucci; Rep. Carl R. John- son; Mrs. Marjorie P. Maxham (from the estate of Mrs. Raymond P. Palm- er); Mrs. James E. Milley; Mr. Robert Niles; Miss Grace Osgood; Mr. Tom O'Connor; Mrs. Louise Pennock; Mr. Charles Rolfe; Mrs. Gladys Saunders; Mrs. Harvey Tracy; Mr. Roland Whitman.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the library begins the year 1964, it is entering its 90th year of service to the community of Braintree. In September 1974 the library will be cel- ebrating its centennial year. The next ten years must be years of accomp- lishment in which to bring to fruition projects which have long been in think- ing stages, such as a new and suitable building for the East Braintree Branch; years to implement our evaluation of the library's service to the community and what it should stand for; years in which the library will offer to the Town of Braintree, its citizens, and its businesses, the real key to advancement.
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Reading is the Key to Opportunity, the Key to New Worlds, and the Key to Un- derstanding, for in books lies knowledge.
Respectfully submitted, MIRIAM HALL Librarian
REPORT OF
THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
TO THE CITIZENS OF BRAINTREE:
The year 1963 again posed many problems to the Braintree Water Depart- ment. One of the most serious problems was our below-average rainfall dur- ing the Winter of 1962 and the Spring of 1963. This resulted in our major storage area, Great Pond, being below maximum capacity at the beginning of our Spring and Summer season. This was the first time in many years that this condition existed. The continued drought during the Summer and Fall further increased this problem; and, if it had not been for the major excava- tion work during 1958 and 1959 in our Upper and Lower Reservoir, we un- doubtedly would have been forced to go on severe water restrictions. We are sure that you recall the long stretch last Fall, where we were without rainfall for several weeks. Each day our demand for water increased, and our supply decreased.
The above conditions pointed out the extreme necessity for additional sources of water in order to enable Braintree to continue its excellent growth, both industrially and residentially.
The Water Department, after many tests for wells and water sources, lo- cated an excellent future source of water in the general area known as "Crow- ley's Pit". Exhaustive tests by our department, collaborated by our Consult- ing Engineers and the State Board of Health, convinced us that this is an excellent location for a gravel-packed well and water storage area, which will supply water to enable Braintree to continue to grow.
We took this approximately 14 acres by eminent domain last Fall and are now progressing with engineering plans for the development of this major source of water.
At our Great Pond Pumping Station, we plan to increase the efficiency and . capacity of our pumping facilities by the installation of an additional low-lift pump and a new high-lift pump. The electrical capacity of our station will be increased by the installation of a transformer and related switch equipment.
We now have two contractors who are excavating our Upper Pond Area which, when completed, will greatly increase the storage capacity of the Upper Pond. This work is being done at no cost to the Town, and the Water Depart- ment is being compensated for salvage of material.
At the Special Fall Town Meeting, it was voted to authorize our department to borrow $35,000 to finance the cost of part of the above work. This borrow- ing is to be paid back within a five year period, and the balance of the cost of future expansion during 1964, we plan to take out of our surplus and future earnings.
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The Commissioners wish to take this opportunity to commend our Superin- tendent, Donato T. Richardi, and his loyal employees for the excellent and efficient manner in which they operated the department in 1963. Each task and emergency that confronted them during the year, they handled with dis - patch, the end result being that the residents of Braintree enjoyed an excellent and continuing supply and quality of water.
:
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS H. MATTHEWS, Chairman ARTHUR L. WHITTEN HOWARD J. ROSE
Board of Water Commissioners
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners:
As the Superintendent of the Water Supply System, I am pleased to submit the 73rd Annual Report showing the present condition of the Department and all the extensions and improvements made together with a statement of operat- ing the system during the year.
The Distribution System has been increased by 14,225 linear feet of water mains and 20 new hydrants. We have added 116 new services, 26 were renew- als, and 59 were repaired. The contractors working on the new highways and sewer extensions were responsible for the majority of the repaired services.
A new sprinkler line was installed at the Sigma Instrument Company of Pearl Street, and also a new sprinkler line for the Jay Cee Building. Three new sprinkler lines were added at the Coca Cola Plant on Granite Street.
Our department has completed the laying of the 12" main pipe for the Coca Cola Company and they shall become regular consumers in the near future. This project of laying 2000 feet of 12" Cast Iron Pipe on Granite Street was completed in June and the funds were appropriated to our department at the March Town Meeting.
On October 22nd of this year, we awarded an excavation contract to the F.X. Messina Contracting Company for the removal of materials in the Upper Reservoir. The Edward T. Dwyer Contracting Corporation is also excavating the Upper Reservoir per our previous contract. This project of excavation increases the water storage capacity of Great Pond immensely.
The improvements made by our department during the year were as follows: A straight blade snowplow was installed on our new Chevrolet dump truck by our men and is used for snow removal on Water Department grounds. A new pumping unit has been installed by Mr. Ralph Hall in accordance with our con- tract specifications as of April 22, 1963 at the Braintree Highlands Booster Station.
The reason for the purchase of this pumping unit is to increase the water capacity and also to satisfy the demand for water in the Braintree Highlands area.
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An excellent source of water has been discovered in an area located on Pond Street near the Town of Randolph boundary line, this source is referred to as "Crowleys' Property". We have secured this land by eminent domain. Our en- gineers, along with the State Board of Health, have taken a chemical analysis of a sample of water from this area and the result was found to be excellent. This 14.25 acres of property will be developed for additional water supply for the Town of Braintree as the town is growing with new industrial sites and a constant increase in population. Our department shall continue to seek other sources of water in the future, which will enable us to meet our needs.
Two of our employees retired this year. Frank O'Rourke retired on January 31, 1963 with 14 years of service and Mrs. Lillian Woodsum retired on April 3rd, with 22 years of service. Miss Genevieve MacInnis passed away Febru- ary 10th. She had been a loyal and conscientious employee for the past 37 years.
At this time, I would like to express my appreciation to the people of the town for their cooperation regarding the 24 hour water restriction that we en- forced when the 12" main broke at the Great Pond Pumping Station. My appre- ciation is also extended to the Quincy Patriot Ledger and Radio Station W.J.D.A. of Quincy for their constant news coverage regarding our enforced water restriction.
My sincere thanks are expressed to the Board of Water Commissioners along with the employees for their full cooperation and utmost assistance dur- ing the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
DONATO T. RICHARDI Superintendent
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Balance, January 1, 1963
$ 58,425.30
Collections
422,842.20
$481,267.50
DISBURSEMENTS
Maintenance and Operation
$380,780.16
Amortization on Debt
33,000.00
Interest on Debt
9,451.50
Commissioners
300.00
423,531.66
Balance, December 31, 1963
57,735.84
UNEXPENDED BALANCE ON ART. 12 NEW HIGH LIFT
PUMP AT GREAT POND $436.60
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BRAINTREE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In keeping with his announced plans, Ralph W. Proctor, Braintree's Super - intendent of Schools for 17 years, retired on August 31, 1963. During his administration the school population had doubled, necessitating the building of 8 new buildings and 2 annexes and the remodeling of several others to pro- vide additional classrooms. In addition to his many duties as superintendent, Mr. Proctor served as educational consultant in all the building programs as an advisory member of the building committees, and planned for and pur- chased the necessary new equipment. Many revisions and innovations in the curriculum were introduced during his administration, resulting in a system that is considered among the best in the Commonwealth.
Soon after the first of the year, the members of the School Committee took up the task of screening, interviewing and finally appointing, a new superin- tendent. William F. Young of Waban, Massachusetts, was selected and offi- cially began his duties on July 1, 1963. Mr. Young has had 32 years of ex- perience as a teacher and an administrator, and has a B.S. degree from Norwich University and a M. Ed. degree from Boston University. Prior to his appointment in Braintree, he was Deputy Commissioner, Massachusetts State Department of Education, for 4 years. His varied background combined with Mr. Proctor's thorough knowledge of the Braintree system, resulted in a transition which was very smooth and completely satisfactory to the School Committee and the whole system.
The supply of copies of the "Rules and Regulations" of the School Commit- tee having been depleted, we made a thorough study of the present rules and up-dated not only these, but also the Committee's policies, prior to having them printed.
With the cooperation of the School Site and Survey Committees and district and parent-teacher study groups, a thorough study was made of the future room requirements of the whole town and as a result, a program has been launched to meet these needs, particularly in the overcrowded Highlands district. A $400,000 addition to the Liberty School which will include 7 class- rooms, library and remodeling, and a $86,000 cafeteria and storage area at the Noah Torrey Primary School were approved at a Special Town Meeting in October. In addition, the Site Committee has made a thorough study of future needs. Members of the School Committee, as well as of the administrative staff, have been working members of these communities and have made fre- quent reports.
In November, a 3-day evaluation was made at the high school by a 30 mem- ber "team" representing the New England Association of Colleges and Second- ary Schools. The generally favorable report of their findings was later received and will be used as a yardstick for continued improvement. This on- site inspection is made of all member high schools of the Association every ten years and is a requirement to maintain accreditation.
Two members of the administrative staff were given promotions during the year. Arigo L. LaTanzi, formerly Administrative Assistant was named As- sistant Superintendent, which assignment will give him authorization to act in the capacity of the superintendent in his absence. Robert F. Cooke, formerly Business Manager, was named Administrative Assistant for Business Affairs.
The School Committee continued its practice of former years in the prepara- tion of the budget. Individual members made a thorough study of assigned sec- tions of the budget. We completed the 1964 budget on December 18 after many special evening meetings. We appreciate the cooperation of the Finance Com- mittee in having a representative present at many of our budget meetings. It
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has resulted in improved understanding between the two committees. At this time, we call the attention of Town Meeting members to the $50,878 which was turned over to the E & D Fund at the end of the 1963 fiscal year. This sav- ings in the $3,300,000 budget for 1963 resulted mostly from unused funds ap- propriated for salaries both in the teachers' and other accounts. Transporta- tion costs have shown the greatest increase outside of teachers' salaries in the 1964 budget necessitating an anticipated item of $110,325 for the coming year.
At this time, the School Committee wishes again to express its gratitude to the entire faculty, the administrative staff, the maintenance and custodial personnel, the secretaries, nurses and cafeteria workers, who showed con- tinued cooperation in making this a progressive and successful school system.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH W. SHUSTER, Chairman ROBERT J. BARRETT, Secretary ROGER W. ARNOLD ALMEDA W. CAIN JOHN D. CALLAHAN REUBEN H. FROGEL, M.D.
CAFE
a . a. a. a. a.a.
Closed Circuit Television shows library catalog system to many classes
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR 1963
Plant Maintenance and Growth
As far as it is possible for one to project into the future it appears Brain- tree will have a continuing growth in population. As had been indicated in studies and surveys, the highly desirable land has been developed into home sites, but what once appeared less interesting becomes more desirable with scarcity. Thus for some time to come small tracts will continue to be built on and land will be filled or leveled for more houses. Still a few large areas are under development such as the valley between Middle, Union, and Liberty Streets. These homes are bound to have children and where the growth in school population excedes available space either additions or new structures must be built. It is our responsibility to foresee these coming needs and try to prepare in advance so there will be a desk for each pupil when he is ready for school.
The Site and Survey Committee is one of the committees that helps both the School Committee and, of course the town by studying and searching out every possible clue that will provide information of potential growth. It is the duty of the Site and Survey Committee to find acreage for future school development, trying to locate areas that will be near the center of added pop- ulation in order to be reached on foot by as many children as possible. They try to avoid heavily congested traffic areas, and they must look for locations where busses may approach without creating or having to be in hazardous zones. Certain State regulations govern the size of lots acceptable for schools and mindful of state financial aid the Site and Survey Committee must keep these requirements before them. This past year a great deal of investigation has been done by this committee and we are certain that the town is being very well served by this fine group.
Besides the aforementioned Committee there have been two other commit- tees that have been working hard in the development of school additions while still two other committees have been drawing their activities to a close. The first two are the Noah Torrey School Building Committee working for an addi- tion to house the cafeteria kitchen, and the Liberty School Building Committee working on the seven classroom addition, also to include a playroom, library and auxiliary rooms. These two committees did very well in keeping their plans within reason so that the October Special Town Meeting approved both projects by substantial margins.
The two committees nearing the completion of their work are the Mona- tiquot School Building Committee and the Braintree High School Addition Building Committee. After a project has been completed a building committee usually remains organized for several years to make certain that all details have been attended to and that the facility is operating as planned. Finally, a financial report is made to the town and the committee is disbanded.
We who operate and work in these schools are greatly indebted to these hard working committees for their diligence to detail and to the town for mak- ing these fine structures available.
Site & Survey Committee
Edward L. Doyle, Jr. Charles E. Gale George E. Stevenson Joseph L. Goulart Roger W. Arnold
Torrey School Building Committee
Mrs. Carmelo J. Nicosia Robert L. Dawes Robert B. Frazier Howard K. Day Robert J. Barrett
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National Defense Education Act Students using portable science table made available through
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Monatiquot School Building Committee
Liberty School Building Committee
John Garber Ernest Frawley Robert J. Burdett George Brackett Gustav Rook
Frank M. McGowan, Jr. Robert T. Smart Joseph C. Kazanowski Prof. James P. Jones Mrs. Almeda W. Cain
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