USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1960 > Part 8
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General physical appearance of the Veterans project #200-1 has been maintained at a very high level during the past year. Necessary small repairs were needed and made. Window sashes were glazed and spot painting was done on three buildings at this project and the other four buildings will be done when weather permits this spring.
The Veterans Housing Project was constructed and is operated under Chapter #200 under the General Laws of Massachusetts to provide low cost housing to Veterans of limited income. Low rents are made possible by a state subsidy, a maximum $7,000.00 for Middleborough. Admission to the project is restricted to Veterans whose family rate income is from $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 although once admitted the Veteran may remain until his family income reaches a maximum of $4,500.00. If he has in excess of three minor dependents he may earn $200.00 for each dependent over three which can be deducted from his total income. The amount of rent paid is determined by the Veterans income and the size of his family with larger families paying slightly lower rents than smaller families. The average shelter rent for 1960 was $42.70 per unit month and the average charge for all utilities; electricity, heat and water was $21.25 per unit month. A subsidy from the Commonwealth for the year 1960 amounted to $7,000.00 and the project ended the year with a surplus of $7.53. $1,008.00 was paid to the Town of Middleborough in lieu of taxes. The appending financial statements show the excellent financial condition of the Veterans project #200-1, The Housing for the Elderly, project #667-1 and the Development Fund Account #667-1.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT H. AYOTTE Executive Director
118
ANNUAL REPORT
MIDDLEBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY Project 200 - 1 Balance Sheet, December 31, 1960
Assets
Administration Fund
$ 3,989.08
Accounts Receivable - Tenants
233.75
Debt Service Fund
8,038.75
Investments
15,678.69
Debt Service Trust Fund - Investment
3,000.00
Debt Service Trust Fund
336.00
Prepaid Insurance
527.83
Development Cost
$280,000.00
Less Development Cost Liquidated
47,000.00
Net Development Cost 233,000.00
Total Assets
$264,804.10
Liabilities and Surplus
Accounts Payable
2.00
Matured Interest and Principal
8,038.75
Tenants Security Deposit
300.00
Debt Service Reserve
8,566.54
Unamortized Bond Premium
3,336.00
Operating Reserve
11,553.28
Bonds Authorized
$280,000.00
Less Bonds Retired
47,000.00
Net Bonds
233,000.00
Surplus, December 31, 1960
7.53
$264,804.10
MIDDLEBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY Project 200 - 1 For the Period January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1960
Income
$22,185.86
Less:
Administrative Expenses
$2,708.16
Utilities
7,527.01
Repairs, Maintenance and Replacement
4,960.96
Insurance
880.40
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
1,008.00
Operating Reserve
1,344.00
Provision for Debt Service Reserve
856.00
Debt Service Expense Total
9,893.80
29,178.33
ANNUAL REPORT 119
Deficit before State Aid State Aid Net Income
$ 6,992.47 7,000.00
$ 7.53
MIDDLEBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY Project 667 - 1 Balance Sheet, December 31, 1960 Assets
Administration Fund
$2,235.13
Accounts Receivable - Tenants
96.00
- Others
92.20
Investments
7,000.00
Unearned Discount
9.45
Prepaid Insurance
750.19
Total Assets
$10,182.97
Reserve and Surplus
Operating Reserve
$ 1,440.00
Surplus - December 31, 1960
8,742.97
Total Reserve and Surplus
$10,182.97
MIDDLEBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY
Project 667 - 1
For the Period January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1960
Income
Less: $19,227.85
Administrative Expense $ 1,660.41
Utilities
5,344.88
Repairs, Maintenance and Replacements
1,004.79
Insurance
1,034.80
1,440.00
Provision for Operating Reserve Total Expenses 10,484.80
Net Income for the Period
$ 8,742.97
120
ANNUAL REPORT
MIDDLEBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY Development - Project 667 - 1 Balance Sheet, December 31, 1960
Assets
Development Fund Investments Development Cost
$ 5,174.84
15,000.00
412,845.63
Total Assets
$433,020.47
Liabilities
Contract Retention
$ 17,648.12
400,000.00
Notes Authorized Notes Unissued Accrued Interest
15,000.00
372.35
Total Liabilities
$433,020.47
121
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the President and Board of Trustees,
Middleborough Public Library:
A few weeks ago there appeared in the newspaper of a neighboring city an editorial entitled, "NOT ENOUGH LIBRARY CARDS." The editorial was based on an incident which occurred in a New Jersey town when a group of young delinquents was brought into court charged with destroying valuable property. In questioning them, the Judge asked how many had library cards. Not one member of the gang possessed a library card. It was then the Judge remarked, " What this town needs is more library cards."
Every librarian and every thinking parent knows if a boy (or girl) is interested enough in reading to have a library card and to spend leisure time absorbed in whatever books appeal to them, be it wild ad- venture, romance or how-to-do-it yourself, that young person is less likely to be found standing on the street corner with the gang, just trying to think what mischief they can get into next.
What every town needs is more library cards, and this is the reason the staff of the Middleborough Public Library, and librarians every- where, grasp every opportunity to further the cause of reading among teen-agers, the age when so often the seed of delinquency is sown.
Work with Schools
Keeping in close association with the schools is one of the ways the library employs to keep the children's interest focused on books and the library. This activity is begun each year with the librarian's appearance before all the grades of Junior High School at morning assemblies. This is followed by a visit to the grades of Mayflower School, and during Book Week to the West Side School.
For certain of these grades, stress is placed upon the advantage of following the plan of State Certificate Reading. The splendid coopera- tion received from the teachers resulted in the library awarding to Grades IV, V and VI 766 small certificates for reading five books each, and 106 Honor certificates for reading twenty books each.
Another instance of cooperative work between the school and the library took place this year when Miss Marion Thomas' High School class in Modern History came to the library on several mornings to do research work on "The United Nations," thus learning from actual ex- perience the use of various reference tools. This was especially helpful for seniors going on to college.
The rural schools were visited frequently during the year to renew deposits of books in the classrooms. Special collections were sent to Camp Avoda and to Cap's Camp of the Y.M.C.A.
.22
ANNUAL REPORT
Acquisition of Books and Records
We have added 1,454 new books the past year, making a total of 62,812. That this total figure does not show a larger increase over the previous year is due to the fact that about 1,000 obsolete and worn-out books are discarded each year. A total of 83,562 books, magazines and records were circulated this year.
There were added in 1960 eighty new phonograph records. Now that we have adequate room to store records we hope to add a greater number each year. The past year 1,633 recordings were circulated.
Renovations
The major accomplishment of the year was the renovating and modernizing of the Reference and Reading Room for which a special appropriation was made at the town meeting in March.
The first move was to replace the antiquated lighting fixtures with fluorescent lighting. This made possible the removal of the lighting fix- tures on the reading tables, which alone did much to modernize the appearance of the room. A new linoleum floor laid in alternate squares of cream and green gave life and light to the room.
Because every chair in the Reading Room was occupied nightly by High School students, leaving no place for the adult reader who came to read or study, a plan was worked out whereby two round tables and six chairs behind a glass partition would be reserved for adults. A six foot partition was erected, the lower half a magazine rack and the upper half of plate glass. From the first, students have respected this area as off limits for them, thus solving the problem for the newspaper reader and other adults wishing to use the room in the evening. With the new arrangement there is room for everybody.
Because of the fast growing record collection, new record racks were constructed on the south wall of the Reading and Reference Room, with space built in for a card catalog.
With the above improvements, the reading tables refinished, a new Dubonnet red lounging chair in one corner and six new chairs uphol- stered in the same tone at the reading tables in the adult section, the room presents a very modern and attractive appearance.
Innovations
The fee for non-resident borrowers was increased this year by vote of the Trustees to Two Dollars per year instead of One Dollar. This is a very nominal sum as other libraries in the vicinity charge from Three to Five Dollars for this service.
It is the custom in all towns and cities to charge a fee to non- residents for the use of the public library in fairness to the taxpayers. Residents pay taxes to support the library and it seems unfair to allow
123
ANNUAL REPORT
persons from other towns to use the library free of charge. In view of the high taxes in Middleboro, it did not seem unreasonable to charge Two Dollars per year for use of the library's facilities.
Miss Veazie of the staff is busily engaged indexing the Middleboro Gazette and many scrap books containing local history, This represents a tremendous amount of work, but these indexes are invaluable when someone is seeking a specific date, such as when the old Nemasket House was torn down or when street railway service was begun and discontinued in Middleboro. We are now indexing the current Gazettes, knowing such an index will be of untold value to future generations seeking information about the 1960's.
Exhibits and Activities
A very fine showing of twenty-five photographs by a local photo- grapher, Clinton A. Clark, was displayed during the summer months. Many of the scenes and subjects in the photographs were local which added greatly to the interest, as well as the appreciation of the excellent composition of the pictures.
Frederick Eayrs, Junior, a Freshman student in High School, al- lowed us to exhibit some of his handiwork, two beautifully made models. The first was a replica of one of the Pilgrim homes of the Plimouth Plantation, and the second a lovely Christmas scene with a red "salt- box" house, a snowy scene outside with a sleigh and prancing horse and farm animals in the door yard. A superb example of model-making.
Exhibits of new books were displayed during Book Week and Na- tional Library Week, with special book lists and book marks distributed in all the schools.
The Junior Cabot Club conducted well-attended Reading Hours on Saturday mornings during, January, February and March.
The Lecture Room has been used by a number of organizations throughout the year, the Tercentenary Committee and the Historical Museum Committee using it for most of their meetings.
The Staff
Members of the staff have attended library meetings in various parts of the State. Book talks have been given before many organizations. Mrs. Witbeck is serving as Liaison Member between the Massachusetts Library Association and the Old Colony Library Club. She was a member of the 1960 Nominating Committees of both the Old Colony Library Club and the Massachusetts Library Association. In tribute to her years of service in the library she was honored to be the Honorary Marshall of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade.
In Gratitude
Many and varied are the gifts that have come to the library through the thoughtfulness and generosity of its friends. To each and every one
124
ANNUAL REPORT
is extended a sincere thanks for their contribution, be it flowers, books, magazines, records or other useful gifts.
One of the outstanding gifts received was from Alan R. Lindsay, a copy of his college thesis, "A MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION: a brief history of the Minute Men of '61, recruiting procedures and the estab- lishment and deployment of Camp Joe Hooker." Mr. Lindsay did a vast amount of research at the Middleborough Public Library and other sources, and has produced a record of Middleborough in the Civil War which will be a valuable addition to the history section of the library. This publication is especially significant this year, the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.
I would express my sincere appreciation to the Staff, the Board of Trustees and to the people of the community, all of whom are genuinely interested in the welfare of the library.
Respectfully submitted,
MERTIE E. WITBECK Librarian
Statistics
Circulation Statistics:
Adult books and magazines
41,568
Juvenile books and magazines
31,691
Phonograph records
1,633
Pictures
155
South Middleboro Branch
1,115
School deposits
5,822
Rest Homes and Homes for the Aged
1,000
St. Luke's Hospital
578
Total circulation for 1960
83,562
Books added by purchase
1,281
Books added by gift
173
Total number of volumes added in 1960
1,454
Books lost or discarded, 1960
902
Total number of volumes at close of 1960
62,812
Phonograph records added by purchase
75
Phonograph records added by gift
5
Breakage and loss
8
Total number of records at close of 1960
709
Magazines currently received
130
Newspapers currently received
9
Money received from fines on books and Magazines
$1,238.75
125
ANNUAL REPORT
Money received from borrowers' cards, non-resident
increased in June, 1960 from $1 per year to $2
$ 133.00
Middleboro Histories sold, 26
130.00
New borrowers registered 1960 Adult 249, Juvenile 261
510
Borrowers re-registered in 1960 5 year registration period
410
Total number of active borrowers
4,479
Expenditures of Endowment Funds
Receipts
Payments
Balance January 1, 1960
$1,648.51
Peirce Fund
2,860.70
$2,468.94
Pratt Fund
407.25
596.30
Copeland Fund
151.67
206.83
Hullahan Fund
110.85
97.87
H. O. Peirce Fund
16.26
16.26
H. E. Beals Fund
32.50
32.50
Book Sales
365.26
365.26
General Funds
23.36
1,832.40
$5,616.36
$5,616.36
THOMAS WESTON
Library Treasurer
REPORT OF THE PARK DEPARTMENT 1960
To: Members of the Park Board Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce Members of the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
We have just concluded the biggest year in recreation history in the Town of Middleborough. The most notable accomplishment was the con- struction of the new Thomas S. Peirce Field House. This addition brings our over-all swimming pool facilities to an excellent level both from the standpoint of appearance and of our capacity to handle the ever-increasing number of swimmers. One of the most important bene- fits derived from the new field house is its help in keeping the water clean, and keeping the water clean is a major consideration throughout the season. As a result of a carefully executed program of maintenance developed from years of experience and experimentation, we were able to go through the entire season without having to drain the pool. This achievement is all the more remarkable in view of the fact that we have no recirculator and again this year our attendance and number of swim- ming lessons reached a new high.
Balance December 31, 1960
126
ANNUAL REPORT
Through the interest and efforts of John McDonald, our new ice skating rink was completed and put into use this year. It has proved a very popular and worthwhile project. Now we have a "year" round playground and one which the townspeople can be rightfully proud. It is my fervent hope that we as parents and people interested in the youth of our community will endeavor to make our young people aware of and appreciative of this wonderful advantage of such a recreation area. This has been brought into being through the deep interest and hard work of many people for their enjoyment and it is our duty to sow the seeds of civic pride by teaching them to want to keep their playground area and all its facilities and equipment neat and in good condition at all times.
Each season more people are requesting the use of the playground facilities for family and other group get-togethers, more new leagues and bigger old leagues are seeking "playing space." Since the playground should be the center of community recreation, this is the best evidence that we are fulfilling our mission.
Once again we offered our basic program of swimming lessons, recreational swimming, field activities and Kiddie Korner activities at Central and West Side Playgrounds, and Special Events.
Approximate supervised attendance figures for the Park Depart- ment's 1960 summer program:
Swimming Pool
30,424
Kiddie Korner, Central Playground 7,261
Kiddie Korner, West Side 1,019
Field Activities, Central Playground
6,320
Field Activities, West Side
1,094
Special Events
4,321
.
Total 50,439
Included in the above figures are the following:
Bus Attendance 2,619
Swimming Lessons Attendance 4,478
Financial Summary
Funds Received and Expended:
Town of Middleborough
$11,587.55
Peirce Estate
Field House $25,000.00
Tractor
2,227.50
Pool Paint 533.50
Salaries
2,700.00
30,461.00
Richards Fund
696.76
Total $42,745.31
Swimming Pool receipts returned to the Town
$1,724.45
127
ANNUAL REPORT
At this time I would like to extend my personal thanks to the mem- bers of the Park Board, and The Trustees of the Peirce Estate for their continued recreational interest and support.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. MASI, Supt. Park Department
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The hurricane of September, 1960 combined with the continuance of the spread of the Dutch Elm Disease destroyed many of our large and stately trees. This necessitated the planting of an increased number of new shade trees of varying kinds. These replacement trees were sup- plied by the Peirce Fund Trustees and planted by the Highway Depart- ment employees. The program of spraying, recommended by the State Department, was carried out and appears to have been effective in checking disease.
Stump removal funds were exhausted before the hurricane struck and the situation is now much worse than before. Consequently an in- creased amount of money will be requested for 1961.
The Gypsy Moth problem seems to have been almost eliminated as all tests proved to be negative.
LOUIS H. FORNEY
Tree Warden
128
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Under the Will of Thomas S. Peirce
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Middleborough, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We respectfully submit herewith the Annual Financial Report of the Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce for the year ending December 31, 1960.
The schedules as listed present the current book values of the several items making up the two funds entrusted to our care, together with a report of income and disbursements of the two accounts with statement of payments for the Use and Benefit of the Town of Middle- borough and the amount paid to the Treasurer of Middleborough Public Library.
Fund Held in Trust for the Use and Benefit of Town of Middleborough
Stocks and Bonds-Inventory value or cost
$393,612.04
Mortgages and notes
53,028.49
Real Estate
18,887.13
Cabinet at Library
100.00
Office Equipment
155.50
Savings Bank Deposits
9,500.00
Cash on hand in checking account
1,597.57
$476,880.73
INCOME ACCOUNT Receipts
Rentals
$ 7,236.16
Dividends
15,677.55
Coupons
3,556.37
Interest
4,110.32
Interest, U.S.A.
406.00
Miscellaneous Income
32.72
$31,019.12
Disbursements
Salaries, Trustees
$ 2,033.28
Janitor
1,164.50
Clerical Hire
640.00
Insurance
506.09
Repairs
2,123.51
Light and Heat
1,423.20
Water
309.50
ANNUAL REPORT 129
Taxes, Real Estate Taxes, Social Security Sundries
$ 4,142.01 103.45 477.17
$12,922.71
Net income for year Balance on hand January 1, 1960
$18,096.41
17,919.19
$36,015.60
Paid for the Use and Benefit of the Town
Middleborough High School, uniforms, typewriters, etc.
$ 5,281.73 150.00
Washburn Unit, installation of sink
West Side School, installation of sink, cement floor, electrical work, etc.
1,703.03
Town Hall, chairs, etc.
2,529.10
Note and interest on Jackson Street Loan
5,300.00
Tractor, loader, mower for Playground
2,227.50
Payroll at Playground, seeding Battis Field, paint, etc.
3,865.15
Field House, Interest, etc.
4,315.00
$25,371.51
Balance on hand January 1, 1961
$10,644.09
Fund Held in Trust for the Middleborough Public Library
Stocks-Inventory value or cost
$34,762.53
Bonds-Inventory value or cost
23,901.48
Savings Bank Deposits
794.85
Principal balance in checking account, etc.
52.86
$59,511.72
Income
Dividends
$ 2,171.09
Interest
42.58
Coupons
691.25
Miscellaneous
15.57
$ 2,920.49
Paid to the Treasurer of the Middleborough Public Library $ 2,860.70
Paid Miscellaneous Expense
59.79
$ 2,920.49
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR D. BENSON FREDERICK S. WESTON FLETCHER CLARK, JR.
Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce
130
ANNUAL REPORT
Protection of Persons and Property
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the fifty-second annual report and detailed state- ment of duties performed by the Police Department of the Town of Middleborough, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1960.
Chief of Police William E. Gardiner
Deputy Chief of Police William C. Elliott
Sergeants
Benjamin J. Mackiewicz
Frank Pierce
Patrolmen
William W. Briggs William Greene Harold Tower
James Follett Richard Ray Francis A. Bell
Douglas Marshall
Provisional Patrolmen
Robert Buck Joseph Quelle
Norman Record Joseph Ortelt
Wilfred Lavallee, Jr.
Intermittent Patrolmen
Clarence H. Hayward
Alfred Mackiewicz
Special Police Officers
Lloyd Banks John Rebell Arthur Benson William Greeley Patrick McMahon Ernest Bigelow Russell Smith
John Dutra Ernest Crowell Ralph Sampson Samuel Foye Peter Nyberg Joseph Dutra Francis Crowley
ANNUAL REPORT 131
Charles Brown George Wheeler Raymond Chapman
Samuel Whitehead Charles Lang Ray Delano
Harry Hull
Custodian
Morris Marshall, Resigned
Daniel Maloney
Clerk
Kenneth Greene
Matron
Laura Norris
Constables
William E. Gardiner John Dutra
Statistical Report of the Police Department
Amount of fines imposed in Middleboro Court
$17,144.00
Bonds posted and forfeited to the Court
$115.00
Buildings found open
244
Complaints investigated
1479
Disturbances quelled without arrest
135
Defective street lights reported by police
161
Arrests for the year
903
Males
822
Females
51
Juveniles
30
Non-Residents
511
Lodgers
34
Summons served
428
Arrests for other police departments
5
Overtime parking tickets issued, warning
473
Overtime violation parking tickets issued
104
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, request to Registry for warning or suspension of license
221
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, action left to discretion of Registry
194
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, Court action taken by police 287
Motor vehicle operators stopped for minor offenses and warning given
99
Motor vehicles tagged for equipment and defective lights
50
Motor vehicle accidents involving both personal and property damage
87
Motor vehicle accidents involving one or more cars,
property damage over $200.00 84
Motor vehicle accidents involving one or more cars,
property damage less than $200.00
135
132
ANNUAL REPORT
Bicycles registered in 1960 Pistol and revolver permits granted License to sell firearms issued
66 3
Value of lost and stolen property recovered
$7,742.00 5421
Sales or transfers of motor vehicles reported
138
8
Motor vehicle licenses granted after revocation or suspension
70
$29.85
$132.00
$60.00
$179.50
Offenses
Male
Female Juvenile Total
Assault and Battery
21
3
0
24
Break and Enter in Nighttime and Larceny 6
0
0
6
Break and Enter in Daytime and Larceny
1
0
0
1
Capias Served
10
1
0
11
Drunkeness
162
8
6
176
Insane
4
3
1
8
Larceny
36
2
0
38
Motor Vehicle Violations
295
19
10
324
Non-Support
40
1
0
41
Operating Motor Vehicle under influence Intoxicating Liquor
83
5
0
88
Operating Motor Vehicle so that Lives Might be Endangered
89
0
0
89
Adultery
1
1
0
2
A.W.O.L. Armed Forces
2
0
0
2
Assault with Dangerous Weapon
2
1
0
3
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
2
0
0
2
Attempt to Bribe
1
0
0
1
Arson
0
0
1
1
Contempt of Court
2
0
0
2
Carrying Gun without Permit
1
0
0
1
Cruelty to Animals
0
0
1
1
Expectorating on Sidewalk
1
0
0
1
False Name to Police Officer
1
0
0
1
Fail to stop motor vehicle for police officer 1
11
0
0
11
Letter to Show Cause on Complaint
7
1
1
9
Malicious destruction of property
15
0
5
20
Neglect of children
1
2
0
3
Promoting a lottery
1
0
0
1
Possession of lottery tickets
1
0
0
1
Selling leased property
1
0
0
1
Stubborn child
0
0
2
2
Statutory rape
3
0
0
3
Threat of bodily harm
1
0
0
1
Truancy
0
0
1
1
Unnatural act
10
0
2
12
0
0
1
Illigitimate Child Act
Possession of dangerous weapon
1
1
0
2
Motor vehicle licenses revoked or suspended in Middleboro Motor vehicle registrations revoked in Middleboro
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