USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1964 > Part 12
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and of sufficient ability, shall be bound to support such poor persons in pro- portion to their respective ability.
The total expenditures in 1964 for General Relief, hospitalization and to other cities and towns was $16,257.15 less reimbursements from the state and from other cities and towns net cost was $12,102.25.
Details of expenditures and receipts of all categories of public assistance shall be found in the Town Accountant's report. -
$13,197.25 in recoveries for assistance rendered in previous years was turned over to Town Treasurer. This money is reallocated to the Federal, State and local governments. Recoveries are made under the Old Age Assist- ance Lien Law Chapter 118A, Sec. 4 and 4A also on other forms of assistance under Chapter 117 - Section 5.
Due to increased medical expenditures for hospitalization, nursing homes, drugs, and other medical services the expenditures for Public Assistance have increased. The rates for hospital and nursing homes are set by the State Commission of Administration and the Bureau of Hospital Cost and Finances.
The social services of the Department of Public Welfare have increased a great deal in recent years. The Federal and State Departments have promul- gated a plan for intensified services for Aid to Families of Dependent Children, recipients of Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged and Disa- bility Assistance. To render these services efficiently I requested another Social Worker to implement our present social service staff. Plans are being drawn up for additional office space as recommended by the Town Hall Build- ing Committee.
The Board of Public Welfare and its Director wish to extend their appreci- ation to the staff of the Welfare Department for the fine cooperation extended in the Public Assistance programs and also to former members of the Board, Whitney Withington and Fred A. Tenney, retired, and other Town officials and employees.
The wonderful cooperation extended by the Community Social Services has been greatly appreciated. The Visiting Nurse Association, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Protestant Family Services, St. Vincent de Paul Societies and many church and social service organizations are to be commended.
Respectfully submitted, LLOYD L. DOYLE Director of Public Assistance
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT JOHN V. POLIO, Chief
PERSONNEL
54 Police Officers 1 Janitor
18 Traffic Supervisors 1 Clerk 2 Substitute Traffic Supervisors
January 1, 1965
To the Citizens of Braintree:
I hereby submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1964.
TOTAL ARRESTS 231
Part I Classes
1. Criminal Homicide
a. Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter
0
b. Manslaughter by Negligence
0
2. Forcible Rape
2
3. Robbery
1
4. Aggravated Assault
0
5. Burglary - Breaking or Entering
14
6. Larceny - Theft (except auto theft)
16
7. Auto Theft
6
Total Part I Classes 39
Part II Classes
8. Other Assaults
4
9. Arson
0
10. Forgery and Counterfeiting
1
11. Fraud
10
12. Embezzlement
0
13. Stolen Property; Buying, Receiving, Possessing
1
14. , Vandalism
0
16. Prostitution and Commercialized Vice
0
17. Sex Offenses (except 2 and 16)
6
18. Narcotic Drug Laws
0
19. Gambling
6
21. Driving Under the Influence
0
23. Drunkeness
126
24. Disorderly Conduct
18
25. Vagrancy
1
26. All Other Offenses (except traffic)
3
Total Part II Classes
192
GRAND TOTAL 231
0
20. Offenses Against the Family and Children
16
22. Liquor Laws
15. Weapons; Carrying, Possessing, etc.
0
149
SUMMONSES ISSUED AND SERVED
1679
Braintree Out of Town
307
1372
SUBPOENAS ISSUED AND SERVED
105
Braintree Out of Town
85
20
TRAFFIC CONTROL
Approximate number of vehicles registered in Braintree: 1963 - 18,402 1964 - 20,000
Total Accidents
1963 - 534 1964 - 651
Personal Injury (including 5 Fatals) Property Damage
248 403
Four Way Violations Reported to Registrar 1963 - 655 1964 - 410
Violations of Traffic and Meter Regulations
1963 - 1903 1964 - 4019
Violations of Traffic and Meter Regulations Receiving Court Action 1963 - 91 1964 - 492
Traffic and Meter Violation Fines Collected at Quincy Court (Jan. 1, 1964 to Nov. 30, 1964)
$361.00
Collections from Parking Meters 1964
$5,961.53
Emergency Ambulance Trips
1963 - 432 1964 - 459
Sudden Deaths
1963 - 28 1964 - 32 1963 - 9 1964 - 7
Insane Persons
Total Service Calls
1963 - 6397 1964 - 10,504
Total Non-Service Calls
1963 - 5563 1964 - 5145
TOTAL CALLS RECEIVED AT STATION
1963 - 11,960 1964 - 14,491
February 2 Deputy Chief Leo J. Hart, Jr. expired and joined the ranks of our departed brothers.
March 9 Lt. Francis T. Maguire appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief.
March 30 Patrolman George H. Faustini promoted to the rank of Lieut.
March 31 New additional Police lines installed in headquarters bring- ing operation to incoming and outgoing calls to four, namely 843-1212, 1213, 1214 and 1238, plus extensions in the up- stairs offices.
April 6 James T. Woolf appointed a permanent Patrolman.
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April 13
Renovations commenced this day on modernizing the outer entrance and interior of our police station, also the creating of a parking space for police cars at the easterly side of the police garage.
Patrolmen John J. Donovan and Robert F. Tarantino retired.
April 19 April 19 Parking Meter Maintenance and Collections contracted by private firm.
May 1
Organized panel to screen candidates from Civil Service Lists for permanent appointments.
May 18
Four new reserve officers were appointed to the department; Gerald A. McGilivray, William J. Sellgren, Robert C. Smith, and John C. O'Connell.
June 4
The 18th Annual Safety Patrol Banquet held at the Town Hall for members of the School Safety Patrols. Registrar James H. Lawton, principal speaker.
June 7
Open House for the Public to inspect completed renovations.
June 19
Robert C. Smith and William J. Sellgren appointed permanent Patrolmen. Anthony C. Manganello, John J. Belcher and Frederick R. Goodwin appointed Reserve Patrolmen. Effec- tive July 5, 1964.
August 3
Chief John V. Polio entered the F.B.I. National Academy in Washington, D.C. for three months intensive course in law enforcement.
August 24 (The New Look)
New Portable Communicators now official beat equipment, making each officer an integral part of the department and providing maximum protection for the public.
September 14
Patrolmen James E. Fitzpatrick and Forrest R. Sanborn sent to the Mass. State Police Academy for a 6 weekd ad- vanced training program in law enforcement.
September 16 Intercity Network Radio installed which connects our depart- ment with direct communications with 33 cities and towns.
September 20
Patrolman Pasqualino A. Leo retired this date.
November 2 Patrolmen Robert C. Smith and William J. Sellgren sent to Mass. State Police Academy in Framingham.
November 6 Mrs. Sophie Abt, one of our first School Traffic Supervisors expired. Mrs. Abt often served as Matron for the department.
November 16 Patrolman Biagio A. Varroso appointed Safety Officer.
December 8 Safety Officer Thomas A. Littlejohn resigned to enter private industry.
December 14 Anthony C. Manganello appointed permanent Patrolman. Effective date January 3, 1965.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN V. POLIO, Chief of Police
151
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library present for your consideration the Financial Report of the Trustees and the Report of the Library Director for the year 1964.
Doris A. Canavan
Constance S. Leggett Gordon O. Thayer
Ernest D. Frawley, Treasurer
Gilbert L. Bean, Chairman
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT - TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
December 31, 1964
PRINCIPAL FUNDS
Foundation Fund (1)
Deposited in:
Braintree Savings Bank
$ 5,500.00
Weymouth Savings Bank
2,520.91
Abington Savings Bank
1,000.00
Hingham Institution for Savings
1,000.00
Quincy Savings Bank
1,000.00
TOTAL Foundation Fund*
$11,020.91
Caleb Stetson Fund (2)
Deposited in:
Braintree Savings Bank
1,500.00
Quincy Savings Bank
1,000.00
TOTAL Stetson Trust*
2,500.00
Rachel Thayer Fund (2)
Deposited in:
Home Savings Bank of Boston
172.50
TOTAL Thayer Fund*
172.50
Nathaniel H. Hunt Trust (2)
In Custody of Town Treasurer
20,575.71
TOTAL Hunt Fund*
20,575.71
Lucia E. and E. Standwood Hollis Fund (2)
In custody of Town Treasurer
10,096.68
TOTAL Hollis Fund*
10,096.68
Frank Kenna Fund (3)
Deposited in: The Provident Institution for Savings 545.45
TOTAL Kenna Fund*
545.45
TOTAL PRINCIPAL FUNDS
$44,911.25
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RECEIVED, 1964
Cash-on-hand from income January 1, 1964
$ 2,214.80
Interest added during 1964*
Foundation Fund
$452.11
Stetson Fund
102.82
Thayer Fund
7.28
Hunt Trust
873.00
Hollis Fund
720.11
Kenna Fund
27.82
Interest on Income Accounts
Boston Five Cents Savings Bank
14.39
Workingmen's Cooperative Bank
26.26
Provident Institution for Savings
50.03
TOTAL Added
2,273.82
TOTAL Available
$ 4,488.62
EXPENDED, 1964
From: Foundation Fund
$ 92.75
Hunt Trust
735.83
Hollis Fund
452.48
TOTAL Expended
1,281.06
$ 3,207.56
ERNEST D. FRAWLEY, Treasurer Trustees of the Thayer Public Library
Notes:
(1) Income to be used for maintenance
(2) Income to be used to purchase books
(3) Principal and income reserved for special purpose use to be deter- mined by Trustees
* All passbooks are in custody of Town Treasurer except Kenna Fund, in custody Treasurer, Trustees of Library. Hunt Trust and Hollis Fund principal is invested by Commissioners of Trust Funds. Details available in the Report to the Town of the Commissioners of Trust Funds.
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS, 1964
LIBRARY USE CIRCULATION
Main Library
Books, Periodicals, Pamphlets
Adult Juvenile
121,661
+8,086
#127,347
508
249,008
+7,578
153
Cash-on-hand January 1, 1965
Phonograph records
4,048
- 294
Total
253,056
+7,284
Branches
Adult
29,502
+ 794
Juvenile
22,730
+3,169
Total
52,232
+3,963
TOTAL LOANS
305,288
+11,247
#The juvenile circulation at the Main Library includes books which cir- culated over the desk at the library and books which circulated from classroom deposits at the schools.
Over-the-desk School deposits
108,925
+1,842
18,422
-2,350
Group meetings in library rooms
(including 9 pre-school and 10
summer story hours)
187
+
32
Money collected and turned over
to the Town Treasurer from fines,
lost books and photocopies.
$5,558.14
+$ 630.46
REGISTRATION OF BORROWERS
Adult (Grs. 10-12 & Adult)
Junior High Juvenile Total (Grs. 7,8,9) (Grs. 1-6)
Borrowers, Jan. 1, 1964
9581
5093
14,674
Registered in 1964
2286
1373
1133
4,792
Borrowers moved or cards expired
2424
6
1622
4,052
Total Registrations
Dec. 31, 1964
9443
*1367
4604
15,414
LIBRARY MATERIALS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Books
Volumes, Jan. 1, 1964
44,982
17,002
61,984
Added 1964 (Includes 295 gifts)
3,164
1,599
4,763
Withdrawn
1,293
916
2,209
Volumes Dec. 31, 1964
46,853
17,685
64,538
Phonograph records
Jan. 1, 1964
947
Added 1964 (Includes 180 gifts)
305
Withdrawn 1964
36
Records Dec. 31, 1964
1,216
*In previous years one-third of this figure would have registered in the adult department, and two-thirds would have registered in the juvenile de- partment. See explanation in the report.
154
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
1964
The Report for the year 1964 of the Thayer Public Library shows an in- creasing tendency to growth, and the efforts of the Department to keep up with that growth.
GENERAL LIBRARY USE
CIRCULATION
Statistics given at the beginning of the report show an increase in cir- culation of 11,247, or a total of 305,288 loans at the Main Library and the branches, from the library collection of 64,538 volumes and 1216 phonograph records. This represents an increase of 3.8% at the Main Library, mostly in the Adult Department, and an increase of 8% at the branches, mostly in the Children's Department.
BORROWERS
Registered borrowers have now reached 15,414 or an increase of 740 over 1963. It appears from the table of statistics that there were decreases in the Adult and Juvenile figures. However, this year there has been added a separate column for Junior High School students; this includes 9th graders who would have formerly registered with the adults, and 7th and 8th graders formerly registered in the Children's Room.
In last year's report we stressed the changes in methods of teaching in the public schools and its consequent effect on the Library. In 1964 this resulted in a change in the division of age groups using the library. For many years the Children's Room served grades 1-8 and the Adult Room served grades 9-12. Now, with the need for more advanced materials by the middle-aged group from grades 7-9, and with requests from teachers and parents, the staff felt that these students should have the use of the Adult Department. After consultation with Mr. Crowell, the principal of the East Junior High School and some of the teachers of the accelerated classes at the school, a plan was worked out so that all Junior High School students have a special registration and borrowers card which entitles them to use the adult facilities. Previous to starting the new plan in April, Miss Valentine, the Reference Librarian, spoke to the pupils of the East Junior High over their closed-circuit television and explained the new registration procedures and their Adult privileges. For the most part this change has been successful, and aside from benefiting the junior group, it has also relieved the Children's Room, which has become very crowded in the afternoons.
TRUSTEE CHANGE
In April, 1964, Mr. Grodon W. Bryant resigned from the Board of Trustees. He had rendered valuable service on the Board since 1950 and served as Chairman from 1956-1958. He was Treasurer from 1961-1964. His balanced counsel will be missed. In June Mr. Ernest Frawley was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Bryant's retirement. Mr. Frawley is Controller of the Harvard Business Review and resides at 80 Monatiquot Avenue, Braintree. Mr. Frawley is currently serving as Treasurer of the Trustees.
ADULT ACTIVITIES
As mentioned at the beginning of this report, the circulation increase at the Main Library was mostly in the Adult Department. It has become evident
155
to the staff throughout the year that busy days are more constant, rather than a few scattered unusual days. This shows in all phases of the circulation work, including the problem of seeing that books are returned on time so that they will be available to the largest possible number of people. The Reference Department now serves Junior High School students, Senior High School and college students, and the ordinary citizen as well. It is constantly helping library users to find answers to problems, some of which are unusual and re- quire much time and research. In January, Miss Priscilla Chipman, a gradu- ate librarian, joined the staff and her knowledge and previous experience in reference work in a New York City library has proved of invaluable assistance to Miss Valentine, the Reference Librarian.
CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT
The trend to fewer book deposits sent to the schools still continues with the opening of the Liberty School Library and additional school classroom libra- ries; this has accounted for the slight decrease in juvenile circulation during the year. However, the phase of the work which we feel is most important and which we try especially to encourage is the circulation of books directly to the child in the Children's Room of the library; in this area there was an in- crease of 1842.
In April Mrs. Sarah Cobb, who took over the work of the Children's De- partment on Mrs. Dorothy Blair's retirement in 1962, resigned to become Librarian at the Rockland Public Library. It has been impossible to find a trained children's librarian to fill this vacancy; however, in June, Miss Dolores McKeough was appointed Acting Children's Librarian. Miss Mc- Keough, a graduate of Boston University, had worked part-time under Mrs. Blair as an assistant during her high school and college years. It is as a result of Mrs. Blair's encouragement that she has thought of becoming a Children's Librarian. Since fall she has been taking an evening course at Simmons College School of Library Science.
During the summer the Children's Room was a busy place. Beside the usual summer story hours for pre-school children through grade 4, Miss McKeough conducted a Travel Reading Club for the middle-aged group, grades 4 through 8, and a Read Aloud Club for the younger children, grades 2 and 3. On June 22, at the start of the Travel Club, there was an all-time high of 907 books circulated from this activity; 185 children in all joined the group. Story hours attracted 1420 children throughout the summer with an average of 129 attending. In October another innovation was the beginning of a Friday morning Pre-School Story Time. An average of 20 little ones come with their mothers to these weekly groups for stories, music and finger games. During Book Week, November 1-7, movies based on famous children's stories were shown three times each afternoon with a daily attendance of nearly 300. More than 200 new books for young people were displayed and taken out by the children that week. An election was held for a favorite book, and an es- pecially interesting art exhibit was held in the auditorium. The theme of the exhibit was "Books." Under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Puffer, Super- visor of Art in the Public Schools, children in grades 1-6 made a drawing illustrating the book of their choice as their fall drawing project.
FIFTH GRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM
Since 1961, when the fifthgrade school program was instituted by the School Department, the Braintee Historical Society and the Library, each fifth grade child in the town, including Thayerlands and the parochial schools, has visited the General Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace and the Library. At the Thayer Birth- place, the children have an opportunity to see how the early townspeople lived and to take part in candle making, weaving and butter churning.
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Another part of the Historical Society program, taking place in the library auditorium, is an illustrated talk on the history of Braintree, during which the children make their own maps of important events and landmarks.
The Library's part of the program aims to present the treasures of the library to the child in such a way that he will feel it is fun to come to the library on his own, and thus to encourage reading for fun. This is accomp- lished by showing the boys and girls where they can find the different types of books which they would be interested; reading parts from especially appealing books and showing spectacular illustrations in order to arouse their interest. The children are then given time to browse among the books and select one which they would like to take home. Time is also given to explaining how a child can go about having a library card, in case he does not already have one.
PROCESSING DEPARTMENT
This is the important department where, under the direction of Mrs. Edith Emerson, all books whether purchased or donated are received, cataloged and made ready for the borrower.
As a result of the much needed increase in the book budget appropriated in 1964, 4,763 books were processed during the past year. This is an increase of 1,397 titles added to the library collection. The result of having more money to spend for books is readily seen in the increase in circulation, al- though some of the money was used to purchase additional titles needed in the reference collection.
Our goal for the book budget last year was $19,000; we received $15,000, an increase of $4,500 over the previous $10,500. This has helped substantially but still does not give Braintree the library service to be expected in a town of its size. It is hoped that the appropriation by the 1965 Town Meeting will permit enlargement of our book resources to the level Braintree should have.
MAIN LIBRARY PLANT
In January of 1964, after a cold night, a univent in the Study Room burst causing flooding throughout the basement. Fortunately, the water was not high enough to reach the books on the lower shelf in the Study Room. Therefore, the damage was not so great as was at first feared. In order to prevent another such occurence in the future, heating engineers suggested that a con- version unit should be installed in the heating system which would keep the water circulating through the pipes. This unit has been installed along with an alarm bell which would warn of any possible stopping of the water circu- lation.
Other improvements in the building include a cinder block wall in the boiler room partitioning off a section in which to store Civilian Defense fall-out shelter supplies; and the addition of a walk and outside steps to the new base- ment entranceway installed two years ago.
BRANCH LIBRARIES
Both branch libraries have experienced a busy year showing a total in- crease in circulation of 3,963 or 8%, the greater part of this occuring in the children's books. Much of this can be directly attributed to more money for books. With an increased book budget, we were able to allot a larger amount for branch spending. For many years not enough money for books has been the chief complaint of the branch librarians. This year they have been able to replace old worn copies of children't books with newer, more attractive
157
editions, and purchase more new children's titles, as well as more nearly satisfy the requests of their adult borrowers.
At the Highlands Branch this summer a story hour was conducted each Thursday morning by Miss Carolyn Jenkins, the page assistant at the branch. Eight story hours were held with an average of 25 attending; this was a com- fortable group for the small room, and it is expected that the branch story hours will be a regular program in the future.
In April the East Braintree hours were increased to include an additional afternoon. This was the result of repeated requests from the citizens of East Braintree. In March representatives from the East Braintree Improvement Association and the Braintree Point Women's Club were invited to attend a meeting of the Trustees of the Library to discuss their request that the Branch be open every day in the week. The difficulty is that students cannot get the material for their assignments when the branch is open only three afternoons. The Trustees explained that 1964 budgets already had been estab- lished and that it would not be possible this year to have a full-time opening; this would require additional staff, heat and light. However, it was agreed to open the branch on Monday afternoons during the time school was in session.
The Trustees have included in the budget request for 1965 sufficient funds to allow opening a further afternoon. This would give East Braintree branch hours of five afternoons and two evenings.Since the opening of school in the fall the branch has been filled with students on Monday as well as the other afternoons. There is definitely a need to expand this facility.
FUTURE PLANS FOR EAST BRAINTREE
Conditions at the East Braintree Branch have long disturbed the Trustees and the Librarian. Articles for the establishment of a building committee and acquiring a site for a town-owned branch library were added to the warrant for the 1961 annual town meeting. However, at the time, it became expedient not to press for these. Later that year the opportunity came to acquire part of an adjoining vacant store to give more space. However, we realized that this could only be a temporary measure. Conditions at the branch store build- ing are increasingly deteriorating, and the need for larger facilities grows more urgent.
Therefore, the Trustees voted in September to ask the town to act in 1965 to make a site available for an East Braintree branch building and appoint a building committee to develop plans and specifications for it. Organizations and citizens of East Braintree are clamoring for better library service for students and adults alike. Their civic organizations have declared themselves to be wholeheartedly behind the Trustees in this action. Articles will appear in the warrant for the 1965 Annual Town Meeting to carry out these objectives.
In November Mrs. Canavan and Mrs. Leggett of the Board of Trustees, with Mrs. Giles and Miss Hall of the staff, visited two small branch buildings in Waltham and Newton. These are the first of many such visits to obtain practical ideas of size and arrangements which will be helpful in future plan- ning.
REGIONAL AGREEMENT
Two years ago plans for an Eastern Regional Library System financed by state funds were begun. The population and the complexity of the area, includ- ing both large cities and the smallest of towns, caused many problems which had to be worked out. However, it is believed that early in 1965 certain phases of this cooperation will begin. In September the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library signed the agreement to participate in the services of
158
the Eastern Regional Library System. Under this system Braintree will be eligible to use the services of the Regional Reference and Research Center in Boston and the sub-center in Quincy. A special Research Librarian will be available at each center to answer questions of depth which we are not equipped to answer with our own materials. Braintree will also be eligible to borrow, on inter-library loan, books from either of these special collections.
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