USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1939 > Part 4
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45
who has not been accustomed to reading comes to the library and takes out a card so he may have books to read for a certificate. After the certificates are won, the reading habit is formed and he becomes a regular library visitor. Thus has the State certificate reading course fulfilled its intended purpose.
The course in library instruction was given to Grade Eight between October 14th and November 18th. With the lessons received at the library and the follow-up work done by the teachers, pupils have an excellent knowledge of how to use the catalog, reference books and the method of locating books on the shelves.
Activities
The library had the pleasure of entertaining the Old Colony Library Club on November 16th, when about sixty librarians from this section of the State gathered to enjoy an excellent program and to exchange ideas. The meetng happened to fall during Book Week, so the library was unusually festive with exhibits of new books, posters of maps of various countries with titles of books about the country indicated on the map, and decorations of greens and autumn foliage. As the theme of Book Week was "Around the World with Books," this theme was carried out in all exhibits, the emphasis being placed on books about foreign countries. The piece de resistance was a large merry-go-round on which were tiny dolls dressed in costumes of foreign lands, all brought together under the red, white and blue of the awning top. In the miniature stage was a scene depicting Holland, with Hans Brinker and a little flaxen-haired Dutch girl skimming over the ice, perfect even to their silver skates, against a background of windmills and snow-covered trees.
In the exhibition hall during Book Week was a display of colored Japanese prints, and during the year have been other exhibits, including an excellent one of amateur photography. At the present time in the hall are some large crayon portraits of Dicken's characters drawn by Mr. Ed Payne, noted cartoonist, when he addressed the members of the Cabot Club.
Also on exhibition have been books making up the Jordan Library, a collection of children's books to be loaned to small libraries that cannot afford to buy many children's books, the collection named in honor of Miss Alice Jordan, for many years children's librarian of the Boston Public Library and still serving in that capacity. An exhibit which created considerable interest was one of small carved wooden figures, mostly farm and forest animals, exquisitely carved and polished, made by men and women attending the John C. Campbell Folk School of South Carolina. The exhibit was loaned us through the courtesy of Mrs. Richard B. Coolidge of Medford, whose husband is a trustee of the school.
The library has been represented by members of the staff at conferences in Boston, Brockton and Plymouth.
New books have been brought to the attention of the public through the cooperation of the Middleboro Gazette and by talks given by the librarian before parent-teachers organizations, mothers' clubs, church societies, the woman's club, the Grange and talks given in the schools.
46
During the summer Miss Shirley Pearson worked for four weeks as an assistant to gain experience in library work.
The Building and Maintenance
Many of the recommendations made in the last annual report have become an accomplished fact. The much needed railings have been placed on either side of the marble steps at the en- trance. new bookshelves have been built in the children's room and the baseboards in both children's and adult's reading rooms have been painted black.
The Lecture Room on the second floor, so long out of use because of needed repairs, has been painted and three dozen chairs purchased.
The one item that most needs attention at present is the heating system. Having served for thirty-seven years, it is giving definite indications of a general breakdown. Considerable work was done on it during the summer. It passed inspection, but in October a large crack appeared on top of the boiler and the library was without heat for four days. The library was open, however, except one afternoon, October 3rd, when it was closed from one to five o'clock. There is little doubt that it will be necessary the coming year to spend a considerable sum on reno- vating the heating plant.
In Appreciation
Friends of the library have been most generous in their gifts of books. Especial thanks are due Miss Mabel Monroe, Mr. Percy Harris, Mr. W. J. MacDougall, Mr. August Klar, Mrs. Eda Ward, Mrs. Lillian Jacobs, Mr. James Farrington and Mrs. Herbert Sylvester for gifts of books, and to Dr. and Mrs. Sumner Coolidge for the loan of a fine specimen of hawk, killed in Lakeville and beautifully mounted.
Sincere appreciation and gratitude to the many friends who have contributed in so many ways to the successful operation of the library, to the staff for their loyal and efficient efforts, and to the Board of Trustees for their unflagging interest and support.
Respectfully submitted,
MERTIE E. WITBECK, Librarian.
Statistics
Circulation of books
Central Library
Adults
Fiction
46,284
Philosophy
461
Religion
374
Sociology
775
Languages
92
Sciences
638
Useful Arts
1,659
Fine Arts
1,347
Literature
1,464
.
47
History
1,052
Travel
1,369
Biography
1,568
Magazines
8,088
Foreign Books
72
Rental Books
1,584
66,827
Juvenile circulation
Fiction
10,432
Non-fiction
6,873
17,305
Branches and Deposits
Bates School
212
High School
38
Pleasant St. School
312
Plymouth St. School
396
Rock School
334
Soule School
130
Thomastown School
41
West Side School
20
East Middleboro Branch
496
Montgomery Home
800
Total circulation for 1939
86,911
Circulation for 1938
91,565
Decrease in circulation, 1939
4,654
Number of volumes owned January 1, 1939
36,848
Number of volumes added by purchase
723
Number of volumes added by gift 123
Number of volumes added by binding maga- zines
6
Number of volumes transferred from rental
48
Total number of volumes added 1939
900
Number of volumes lost and discarded, 1939
678
Number of volumes owned December 31, 1939
37,070
Number of magazines subscribed
105
Number of newspapers
12
Number of borrowers January 1, 1939
2,215
Adults 253
Juvenile 166
419
Number of borrowers re-registered
335
Total number of borrowers December 31, 1939
2,969
Borrowers' cards issued
37,748
collection
2,779
48
Report of the Treasurer for the Year 1939 Pierce Fund Receipts
Balance, January 1, 1939 $ 784.36
Pierce Trustees
1,942.82
$2,727.18
Pierce Fund Payments
Books, Periodicals, Newspapers
$1,873.07
Balance, December 30, 1939 854.11
$2,727.18
Special Fund Receipts
Balance, January 1, 1939 Book Sales
$136.62
221.07
Rentals
118.31
Interest, Harriet O. Pierce Fund
11.25
Interest, Harriet C. Beals Fund
22.50
Interest, New York Central R. R.
50.00
Interest, Baltimore & Ohio R. R.
11.42
Interest, Central R. R. of N. J.
50.00
Middleboro Trust Co. (Copeland Fund)
15.82
Special Fund Payments
Book Binding
$117.57
Librarian of Congress
25.00
Old Colony Library Assn.
2.00
Middleboro Trust Co.
5.61
Middleboro Trust Co.
(Central R. R. N. J. coupon ret)
25.00
Books
33.63
Balance, December 30, 1939
428.18
$636.99
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS H. KELLY, Treasurer.
$636.99
49
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen :
I herewith present the annual report of the Town Manager, together with the reports of the various department heads.
The insurance schedule was revised so as to set proper val- uations on the various town buildings and also a rate reduction was brought about so that the rates were reduced from .62 to a net of .285, providing the insurance is placed on a three year basis. This reduction resulted in a material saving to the town.
The repairs were made at the Bates School so that the building has been approved by the State Inspector, both in regard to the heating system and the installation of proper corridor smoke screens.
The constructing of the parking space in the rear of the Norris Building and the Nemasket House on No. Main Street is progressing. At the present time the leases are being negotiated and should be ready so that the grading of the lot can begin in the spring of 1940.
The W. P. A. program has operated successfully during 1939 from the standpoint of the cost of sponsor's contributions. It was not necessary to appropriate additional funds for this work for efforts were made to keep the expenditures under the appropria- tion by the use of all available material rather than purchase new materials. The selection of the type of projects to be executed was given careful consideration with the thought in mind to keep the town's cost at a minimum. However, it is expected that the expenditures for sponsor's contribution for the 1940 projects will be larger than the 1939 expenditures. This increase is due to the Federal requirements that at least 25% of the total cost of the projects be borne by the sponsors.
I again recommend that the E & D account, which is made up of the accumulated unexpended balances of the various accounts, be used to decrease the tax rate at such times that the E & D account is large enough to allow such reductions.
I wish to thank all the departmental officers, who have been responsible for the efficient operation of their departments, for their cooperation during the year 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
E. C. PETERSON, Town Manager.
50
WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen:
The large portion of the departmental work consisted of operating and maintaining the existing system, no new extensions being made.
Pumping Station
The coke was changed in the reisler, thus this unit should function satisfactorily for the next three years. The reports indicate that the water has increased in quality since this re- charging and will remain in a good condition until it is necessary to charge the unit again.
Recommendations
I recommend that immediate repairs be made on the Stand- pipe on Barden Hill. The outside surface has been weathered to such an extent that the reinforcing steel is now exposed so as to be in a dangerous condition. Both the outside and inside should be coated with some sort of waterproofing so as to retard the damage which has started.
Repairs are needed to the electric high lift pump and should be made to increase the efficiency of the pump.
I again recommend that an appropriation for meters be made so that the work of repairing all the meters in service can proceed under the program that has been set up.
Consideration should be given to the increasing of the water rates which are much lower than towns having similar sized plants. The increase in rates would materially assist the department to- wards making repairs and extensions.
The existing plant should be extended each year to those parts of the town where extensions are warranted but the exten- sions should be made only at such times as the town is in a favor- able financial position to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. PETERSON, Town Manager.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
Population by census of 1935-8865. Date of construction -1885. By whom owned-Town of Middleboro. Source of supply-well south of village near Nemasket River. Mode of supply-pumped direct overflow to standpipe. Standpipe capacity -500,000 gallons.
Pumping Statistics-Machinery
1-700 G. P. M. Electrically Driven Goulds Low Lift Filter Supply
1.
51
1-735 G. P. M. Turbine Driven DeLaval Low Lift Filter Supply
1-900 G. P. M. Electrically Driven Goulds High Lift Mains
1-700 G. P. M. Turbine Driven Goulds High Lift Mains
2-54" Mass. Std. R. T. Boilers 125 lbs. Pressure
2. Description of fuel used :
(a) Electric power for main units
(b) Bituminous coal for auxiliary units
(c) Price per K. W. H .- average $.0195
(d) Average price of coal per net ton, delivered $8.16 K. W. H. Consumed for the year : (a) Main pump 171,076
(b) Filter pump 32,255
3. Coal consumed for the year, heat and power, lbs. 58,311
4. Total pumpage for the year, passed through meters, gals. 115,109,000
5. Average static head against which pump works, in feet 295
6. Average dynamic head against which pump works, in feet 300
7. Number of gallons pumped per K. W. H .- Main pump only 655.9
8. Duty equals gallons pumped (4) Less * x 8.34 lbs. x dynamic head (6) divided by total K. W. H. consumed by main pump. In ft. lbs. per K.W.H. 1,641,065
9. Cost of pumping figured on Pumping Station ex- penses $8,761.81
10. Per million gallons pumped $76.19
11. Per million gallons raised one foot dynamic 0.253
*Of total amount 2,900,000 gallons were pumped by steam.
Statistics of Consumption of Water
1. Total population, 1935 Census 8,865
2. Estimated population on lines of pipe 5,925
3. Estimated population supplied 5,470
4. Total consumption for the year, gallons
115,109,000
5. Passed through meters, gallons
86,296,500
6. Percentage of consumption, metered 74.97
7. Average daily consumption, gallons 318,109
8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant
54
9. Gallons per day to each consumer 58
10. Gallons per day to each tap
220
11. Cost of supplying water per million gallons, fig- ured on total maintenance $51.74
12. Total cost of supplying water per million gallons, figured on total maintenance plus interest on bonds and bonds $90.83
52
Statistics Relating to Distribution System MAINS
1. Kind of pipe-cast iron, wrought iron
2. Sizes-1 inch to 16 inches
3. Extended during year, feet
0
5. Length of pipe less 4 in. in diameter, miles
.105
6. Number of hydrants in use 206
7. Number of blow offs 11
8. Range of pressure on mains 84-120
SERVICES
9. Kind of pipe-wrought iron, cement lined, cast iron
10. Sizes -¿ inch to 6 inches
11. Extended, feet
1193
12. Total now in use, miles
16.527
13. Number of service taps added
17
14. Number of service taps discontinued
0
15. Number now' in use
1443
16. Average length of service, feet
60.47
17. Number of meters added
17
18. Number of meters discontinued
15
19. Number of meters now in use
1358
20. Per cent of services metered
98
21. Per cent of receipts from metered water
99
Total Length of Main Pipe
16
in.
400
12 in.
13,204.9
10 in.
17,919
in.
21,873.5
6 in.
74,419.2
in.
14,615.2
in.
2,510.7
1} in.
40
1 in.
4.6
Total ·
144,988.0
Total length of miles
27.46
Number of hydrants added, 0
206
Number of main gates added, 0
301
Number of blowoffs added, 0
11
Service connections made, 17
1443
Number of services now taking water
1389
Feet of service pipe put in during the year
1193
Feet of service pipe within street lines
40,574
Meters set during the year
17
Meters discontinued 15
4. Total now in use, miles
27.46
53
Meters now in use
1358
5/8 in.
1/2 in.
3/4 in.
1 in.
11/2 in.
2 in.
American
301
2
3
Trident
250
1
Lambert
203
1
Worthington
138
Hersey
343
1
2
7
4
4 .
Federal
70
4
Nash
5
1
Keystone
16
Empire
1
Crown
1
1326
1
5
17
4
5
RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE RECORD 1939
Precipitation in inches Rain and
Month
Highest
Lowest
Mean Melted Snow
Snowfall
January
51
-3
26.43
3.13
71/2
February
61
3
31.67
4.24
5 5%
March
59
3
33.06
6.48
17 7%
April
70
21
43.46
5.42
T
May
89
27
55.64
1.66
June
88
36
63.38
3.02
July
89
44
69.58
1.30
August
90
52
72.38
4.88
September
88
30
61.16
2.83
October
84
19
52.14
5.40
November
60
18
37.73
1.45
T
December
58
0
30.92
2.42
478
Totals
42.23
361/8
Mean for the Year Below Zero
48.23
T Trace
RALPH SAMPSON, Official Observer, U. S. Weather Bureau.
PUMPING STATION RECORD, 1939
Main Pumps Time Pumping Electric-Steam
Total Coal Used, in Pounds
Time Pumping Filter Supply
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Minutes
Gallons
Pumped
Daily
Average
K. W. H. Used
Main Pump
Daily Average
Power
Station
Heater
Hours
Minutes
Daily Average
K. W. H. Used
Filter Pump
Daily Average
January
162 50
8
5 30
9,313,000
300,419
13,735
443
3,100
4,814
275
8 52
2,695
86.9
February
159 20
5
50
5 54
8,709,000
311,036
12,960
463
1,681
3,866
265
9 28
2,568
91.7
March
157 30
8
5 20
8,970,000
289,355
13,282
428
3,243
4,272
268
5
8 39
2,566
82.8
April
155
5
6
30
5 30
8,866,000
295,533
13,088
436
1,935
3,100
267 55
8 56
2,463
82.1
May
173
8
35
5 51
9,917,000
319,903
14,595
471
3,575
1,393
252 20
8
2,527
81.5
June
183 10
9
6 24
10,464,000
348,800
15,416
514
2,411
296 10
9 52
2,818
93.9
July
196
15
9
6 37
11,204,000
361,419
16,594
535
4,000
329
10 37
3,232 104.2
August
197 10
7
20
6 36
11,143,000
359,451
16,637
537
2,167
306
9 52
3,106 100.2
September
161 30
8
5 39
9,190,000
306,333
13,635
454
3,523
314
253 50
8 28
2,581
86.
October
173 55
6 35
5 49
9,781,000
315,516
14,692
474
1,605
1,867
277 50
8 58
2,796
90.2
November
158 5
3 30
5 23
8,829,000
294,300
13,336
444
2,049
3,228
242 55 8 6
2,473
82.4
December
154 55
4 45
5 9
8,723,000
281,387
13,106
423
1,467
4,701
239
7 42
2,430
78.4
Totals
2,032 45
85 5
115,109,000
171,076
30,756 27,555 3273 10
32,255
Daily Averages
5 48
315,367
468.6
8 58
88.3
Greatest number of gallons pumped in 24 hours, 715,000 gallons, August 19. Least number of gallons pumped in 24 hours, 218,000 gallons, March 26. Of total pumpage, 2,900,000 gallons were pumped by auxiliary steam pump.
RALPH SAMPSON, Engineer.
-+ Hours
Minutes
..
5
0 00 00 00 00
..
55
FINANCIAL STATEMENT-WATER DEPARTMENT
RECEIPTS
Metered Rates
$23,109.87
Interest
603.97
Construction
340.46
Liens
51.00
Hydrant Rental
2,050.00
All Others
5.00
$26,160.30
DISBURSEMENTS
Salaries
Clerk
$450.00
Pumping Station Engineer
1,820.00
Assistant Station Engineer
1,664.00
Relief Station Engineer
542.75
Meter Man
1,185.76
Foreman
1,627.60
Wages
2,095.02
All Other
Equipment-Meters
873.13
Pipes-Fittings
859.52
Truck Maint. and Repairs
76.29
Interest and Notes
4,495.00
Pumping Station-Power, Fuel
14,006.04
Repairs Buildings
145.73
Pumping Station-Filters
499.66
Pumping Station-Misc.
83.63
Stationery-Postage
3.00
Printing-Advertising
98.59
Telephone
88.25
Insurance
560.11
Miscellaneous
128.39
Total Water Department
$21,302.47
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER For Year Ending December 31st, 1939
Number of Males licensed.
556
Number of Females licensed.
98
Number of Spayed Females licensed. 144
Number of Kennels licensed
2
Number of licenses transferred.
1
Number of Duplicate licenses
22
Number of Dogs picked up
93
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. HEWITT, Dog Officer.
56
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the 1939 Report of the Highway Depart- ment.
Due to the Legislature not making any appropriation for Chapter 90 work for the year 1939 and the fact that our appro- priations were made on the basis that there was to be an allotment made to the town for Chapter 90 (construction), we were con- siderably hard pressed to conduct the department so as to meet the service requirements of the town.
In some cases it was necessary to abandon work which was planned by the department for the year 1939, but by careful planning we were able to finish the most important of the needed services and still come within our appropriations.
Patching and Oiling
The necessary patching was accomplished this year, for which we used 8,332 gallons of patching material.
Our oiling program received a serious setback, for the ex- pected funds for materials were not available until late in the Fall, at which time it was questionable whether the work should be started.
Since it was necessary to complete the Thompson Street job before cold weather, which work required the services of most of our workmen, it was impossible to follow our plan which was laid out earlier in the season. We were enabled, however, to resurface some of the streets in the center of the town, namely, Center Street from Wareham Street to John Glass Junior Square, Nickerson Street, Union Street from Nickerson Street to Center Street, South Main Street from Wareham Street to Nickerson Street, North Main Street from Center Street to the Fire Station, using 4,104 gallons of asphalt for this work.
Another much needed improvement was the new type of surface treatment used on North Main Street from the Fire Sta- tion to North Street and East Main Street from North Main Street to the bridge at Nemasket River.
While engaged in this work we corrected the rough and very dangerous condition that existed at the Star Mill.
We also used the same method on South Main Street from Grove Street to the Lakeville line and have received many favor- able comments on this improvement.
Center Street near Cross Street and Vaughn Street near Lakeville line were treated with Tarvia and the surface thickened about two inches and then rolled and sealed.
In all we used 18,191 gallons of Tarvia for this work.
We tried applying dust layer on outside roads as a sort of experiment, using 1,026 gallons, or one load, and we think it is something of much benefit for laying the dust in front of rural homes and hope to be able to do more this year, depending on appropriations.
57
Plympton Street
Under Chapter 90 we completed 2,180 feet of construction this year, but we were unable to continue due to the fact that Chapter 90 was discontinued.
We accomplished this job using town help and equipment, only hiring equipment where necessary due to the fact that we contracted to do this work on a Unit Price basis and the contract prices for the different units were very low, but we came through satisfactorily and were able to show a profit at the finish.
If Chapter 90 comes back in 1940 we hope to continue this road to the Plympton line, as the uncompleted section looks very bad in comparison with the work we finished this year.
Thompson Street
Under Chapter 90 (Maintenance) we completed 7,700 feet of 2-inch mixed-in-place surface from the Halifax line to the Kinsman Farm, also some pipe was installed for drainage on edge of road and side ditches dug in many places, making a very notice- able improvement to this section of much traveled highway.
Thanks to the help given by the Peirce Trustees workmen were able to start on this job just at the time when our funds ran so low that we were obliged to lay the men off, but our depart- ment received $2,000 from the State and $2,000 from the County to match the $2,000 from the Peirce Estate, so it enabled us to go to work after a short layoff.
We used all Town equipment, except the Grader used for mixing the surface material on this construction.
We hope to continue this job next year if the necessary funds are appropriated for work under Chapter 90 (Maintenance).
Sidewalks
We are glad to see all the good sidewalks constructed through- out the Town under W. P. A. as we feel this is one of the best projects one could desire, to accommodate the largest number of taxpayers.
Sewers and Drains
About the usual number of stoppages were cared for this year, and the catch basins were cleaned once, but due to the fact that the appropriation for this work ran out early we were not able to care for some of the basins needing more attention.
We hope that some time in the near future the sewer problem can be corrected, as the present system gives us a lot of trouble and is getting worse each year.
Snow and Ice
During the year we had six storms that were necessary to plow, and icy conditions were cared for several times during the winter.
We are now taking care of all truck plowing with our own and W.P. A. trucks, 10 in all, and have found that we can save money by not hiring private trucks for this work.
58
The greatest benefit of this plan is that we can start earlier with the storm and not have to wait too long before beginning to plow, as the first hours' plowing is always the answer to keeping ahead of a storm.
Equipment
Our equipment has been kept in repair with a minimum of expense to the Town as we do all of the repairs in our own shop.
We feel that some of the older trucks used on W. P. A. should be replaced soon, as parts for those previous to 1934 are not stocked in the local garages, but must be sent for out of town.
The gasolene station at the Plant has been a saving to the various departments this year, from which we pumped approxi- mately 30,326 gallons, of which a complete record is kept by the attendant.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL F. ANDERSON, Supt. Highway Department.
MIDDLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT OF THE CHIEF
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I herewith present for your consideration the eighteenth annual report of the Chief of the Middleboro Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1939, in accordance with Sec- tion 16 of Chapter 592, Acts of 1920.
Apparatus
Engine No. 1
Maxim 500 gallon pump, purchased June 28, 1920.
Engine No. 2
Maxim 1000 gallon pump, purchased April 23, 1928.
Engine No. 3 Maxim 500 gallon pump with 200 gallon water tank, purchased March 29, 1934.
Engine No. 4 Maxim 750 gallon centrifugal pump, purchased March 29, 1934.
Ladder No. 1
Maxim city service truck, purchased October 11, 1915.
All apparatus is in good working condition.
Ladder No. 1, purchased in 1915, is starting its 25th year of service. Obviously a piece of apparatus of this age is not depend- able and consideration should be given to the necessity of replacing this piece in the near future.
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