USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
During the past school year 736 small certificates (five books read) and 144 Honor (20 books read) were awarded with the sixth grade earning the most certificates.
Some of the elementary grades have come to the library for get- acquainted tours, and Miss Marion Thomas' Memorial High School classes in Modern History came for several class sessions of assigned work on the United Nations.
New Charging System
In July of this year a Gaylord Charging Machine was installed. The machine age has caught up with the public library, and almost all libraries now use this method of automatic charging. While the new system is faster than the old, its accuracy is considered the chief ad- vantage.
Because the new system required a different type of card, there was a complete re-registration of all borrowers begun when the machine was installed. To date, over 2,500 persons have obtained one of the new cards.
114
ANNUAL REPORT
Exhibits and Activities
In addition to the usual special displays of new books on the oc- casion of Book Week and Library Week, we had during the summer an interesting display of photographs taken by Clinton Clark of the Mid- dleboro Gazette. Mostly local scenes, there were winter scenes, woodsy scenes, all designed to make the viewer forget the hot weather and were much enjoyed by library patrons all summer.
Frederick Eayrs, a high school student who has been generous in allowing us to display some of the interesting model scenes he creates, exhibited a model farm scene, complete in the minutest detail, as was also a model rural farmstead representing "Springtime in New Eng- land." Another interesting scene reproduced in accurate detail was a Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Farm.
The Lecture Room has been used by many groups. The Middle- borough Tercentenary Committee has held all its committee meetings there, as has the Middleborough Historical Museum Committee. The League of Women Voters held its first "Candidates Night" in this room, with candidates for town offices speaking to a goodly audience. The Jun- ior Cabot Club has held story-reading hours Saturday mornings for children of the first, second and third grades. One of the "fun" activities is conducting groups of Girl Scouts through the library, explaining the functions of the various departments and the work necessary to keep a library in operation.
Unquestionably a task that can be included in the category of ac- tivities is the inventory of the contents of the library now under way. Ideally, a complete inventory of the book contents of a library should be made every ten years. This is done to check books missing, the con- dition of the books on the shelves, weak spots in the collection, weeding out obsolete books. Each individual book on the shelves is examined and notes made of missing volumes and those needing replacing. Many of those discarded will be replaced with modern, up-to-date editions. With over 63,000 books in the library, this is a major operation.
Building Improvements
A new light-colored linoleum floor has been laid in the Young People's room and new fluorescent lighting fixtures installed there, making a great improvement in appearance and efficiency.
To conform to building laws, the front doors were changed to open outward, instead of into the building as heretofore.
The Staff
After many years without major changes in the staff, suddenly there are many changes. Only a short time ago, our cataloguer, Miss Louise Pratt, who had been with the library some forty years, retired,
1
-
115
ANNUAL REPORT
and at the end of 1961 Miss Edith G. Veazie, who joined the library staff about thirty-five years ago, decided to retire. On the very same day our custodian, John Rebell, also entered retirement. Mrs. W. Robert Thomas is the new member of the library staff and Thomas Ryder the new custodian.
We are keenly aware of the loss to the library and to the public in Miss Veazie's retirement. She was a very efficient librarian, unusually adept at seeking out answers to reference questions and always pleasant and efficient in performing the many and varied duties which fill a librarian's day.
Mr. Rebell had the interest of the library at heart and worked long and faithfully to keep the library bright and shining.
A salute should be given to the South Middleborough Branch li- brary on its 20th anniversary and to those who have worked so faith- fully to keep the library open these twenty years for use by the community. The present volunteer librarian, Mrs. Perley Warren, has given her services every Wednesday afternoon, the year around, for many years. Open only on Wednesday afternoons, the little library located in the Boy Scout Cabin, circulates a thousand volumes a year, which is greatly to its credit and especially to the efforts and interest of Mrs. Warren and those who preceded her.
A Sincere Thank You
to the many friends of the library who have generously given books, magazines, records and other gifts to the library. We are grateful to the Middleboro Garden Club for flower arrangements for Christmas and other special occasions; to Mr. Andrew Oliver for the gift of his excel- lent volume, "Faces of a Family," the Peter Oliver family, a book of special interest to Middleboroeans, and to the organizations who furnish the library with their official publications. A debt of gratitude is due the many individuals who have remembered the library with gifts.
Also a very sincere thank you from the librarian to the library staff for their faithful service and to the Board of Trustees for their sympathetic understanding of the problems that confront a librarian and their ever-ready help in solving them.
Respectfully submitted
MERTIE E. WITBECK
Librarian
116
ANNUAL REPORT
Statistics
Circulation of books and magazines Adult books and magazines
40,368
Juvenile books and magazines
30,307
Phonograph records
1,363
Pictures
296
South Middleborough Branch
1,014
School deposits
8,744
Rest Homes and Homes for the Aged
1,000
St. Luke's Hospital
838
Total circulation for 1961
83,930
Books added by purchase
1,406
Books added by gift
128
Total books added, 1961
1,545
Books lost or discarded, 1961
1,030
Total number of volumes at close of 1961
63,316
Phonograph records added by purchase
60
Phonograph records added by gift
6
Total records added, 1961
66
Breakage and loss
12
Total number of records at close of 1961
763
Magazines currently received
132
Newspapers currently received
9
Money received from fines on books and magazines
$1,153.21
Money received from 53 non-resident borrowers Non-resident borrowers card, $2.00 per year
106.00
Middleborough Histories sold, 14 @ $5.00
70.00
New borrowers registered, 1961 401 adult 220 juvenile 621
Borrowers re-registered since July 12, 1961
2,129
Re-registration of all borrowers began July 12th because of installation of new charging machine
Expenditures of Endowment Funds
Receipts
Payments
Balance January 1, 1961
$1,832.40
Peirce Fund
3,962.71
$3,170.61
Pratt Fund
430.51
Copeland Fund
160.73
134.36
Hullahan Fund
116.40
117.00
H. O. Peirce Fund
18.13
18.13
H. C. Beals Fund
36.25
36.25
Book Sales
222.35
222.35
General Funds
8.98
Balance December 31, 1961
3,089.76
$6,788.46
$6,788.46
THOMAS WESTON Library Treasurer
-
117
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PARK DEPARTMENT 1961
To: Members of the Park Board Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce Members of the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
In reviewing the past year's activities the happiest memory of it all was the smoothness with which the entire program was carried out. This was due mainly to having the use of our new Thomas S. Peirce Field House at the swimming pool, and also a very well-qualified and enthusiastic staff. The field house we will always have with us, but the staff keeps changing because of the fact that many of our young people leave us upon their graduation from college, and some years we are hard-pressed in securing qualified personnel who will maintain our high standards of supervision and instruction.
Our year began and ended with our ice skating rink the center of attraction. Of course, the use of this facility is entirely dependent upon the weather. The winter of 1960-61 was exceptionally good for our area, giving us 35 skating days. What the total for 1961-62 will be, we have no way of knowing yet. On days when ice is available, the rink is certainly well-attended.
During the rest of the year we carried on our usual program of activities and provided facilities and areas for other organized groups in town. Baseball, which seems to be enjoying a rebirth of popularity in Middleboro, places one of the greatest demands on our area alloca- tion. In line with this we found it necessary to make extensive repairs on the main baseball diamond last fall at the Thomas S. Peirce Play- ground. These repairs were financed by the Peirce Estate, and will be completed this spring.
The main attraction of our entire program continues to be the swimming pool. Once again this year total attendance surpassed that of any previous year. We feel that in view of the large numbers that we must accommodate, the time has come for us to think seriously about the acquisition of a recirculating system at the pool. State public health authorities are becoming more concerned with municipal pools and their maintenance, and the day may not be too far off when a recircu- lating system may be required by law.
Two problems which demand our immediate attention at the start of this year are the roads and improper drainage in the area behind the high school. The increased volume of all types of traffic into the play- ground area demands that we widen and repair all playground roads. The drainage problem has existed for a number of years and each year it causes costly damage to our playground fields behind the high school.
118
ANNUAL REPORT
Approximate total supervised attendance for the Park Deparment's 1961 summer program was 53,284. Included in this total figure were the following:
Swimming pool
31,407
Bus Transportation
2,629
Swimming lessons
5,621
Equipment check-outs
1,112
Financial Summary
Funds received and expended:
Town of Middleborough
$15,762.48
Peirce Estate
4,694.44
Richards Fund
647.79
Total $21,104.71
Swimming pool receipts returned to the Town
$ 1,811.71
Once again I am extremely grateful to the members of the Park Board and the Peirce Trustees for their support and interest.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. MASI, Supt. Park Department
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The Dutch Elm Disease continued to destroy our Elm trees through- out the town, and efforts to control the disease appear to be ineffective. On the other hand, we have been assured that without controls many more would have been lost. Replacement trees have been furnished by the Peirce Fund Trustees and planted by the employees of the Highway Department. Stumps have been removed to the extent of our appropri- ated funds, but many more need removing.
Trapping for Gypsy Moths showed negative results.
LOUIS H. FORNEY
Tree Warden
119
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, 1961.
The schedules as listed present the current book values of the sev- eral items making up the two funds entrusted to our care, together with a report of income and disbursements of the two accounts with state- ment of payments for the Use and Benefit of the Town of Middlebor- ough 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
$400,734.49
Mortgages and Notes
43,499.81
Real Estate
16,571.19
Cabinet at Library
100.00
Office Equipment
155.50
Savings Bank Deposits
9,500.00
Cash on hand in checking account
6,319.74
$476,880.73
INCOME ACCOUNT
Receipts
Rentals
$ 7,331.33
Dividends
16,407.41
Coupons
5,429.79
Interest
2,314.46
Interest, U.S.A.
276.00
Sundries
10.95
$ 31,769.94
Disbursements
Salaries, Trustees Janitor Clerical Hire Insurance
$ 2,350.00
1,164.00
695.00
307.38
120
ANNUAL REPORT
Repairs Light and Heat Water
226.77
1,446.73
263.53
Taxes, Real Estate
4,677.17
116.70
Taxes, Social Security Sundries
143.57
Net Income for year
Balance on hand January 1, 1961
10,644.09
$ 31,023.18
Paid for the Use and Benefit of the Town of Middleborough
South Middleboro Nursery, trees for town Principal and Interest on Jackson Street loan Principal and Interest on Bath House loan Memorial High School, uniforms, calculator machine, business machines, typewriters, tuning pianos, etc.
$ 1,720.00
5,200.00
10,480.00
Junior High School, clearing trees and brush off Mayflower 250.00
Park Department, Payroll, Royal Shredder, paint for swimming pool, work on football field, turfing, grading and seeding ballfield, etc. 5,464.89
Balance on hand January 1, 1962
$ 25,266.34 $ 5,756.84
Fund Held in Trust for the Middleborough Public Library
Stocks-Inventory value or cost
Bonds-Inventory value or cost Saving Bank deposits Principal balance in checking account
$ 35,238.95 23,901.48 342.99
28.30
$ 59,511.72
Income
Dividends
Coupons
$ 2,402.78 1,595.00
$ 3,997.78
Disbursements
Paid to the Treasurer of the Middleborough Public Library Paid Miscellaneous expense
$ 3,962.71 35.07
$ 3,997.78
2,151.45
$ 11,390.85
$ 20,379.09
121
ANNUAL REPORT
During the past year Arthur D. Benson, who has served as a Trustee for many years, has died. He was the first trustee to be appointed upon the death of one of the original trustees. He was deeply interested in boy's work and did a great deal to advance the public playground ac- tivities in Middleborough. One of his last acts as a trustee was to attend the unveiling of the sign at the entrance to the playground, designating it as the "Thomas S. Peirce Playground."
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK S. WESTON FLETCHER CLARK, JR.
Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce
122
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, 1961.
Chief of Police William E. Gardiner
Deputy Chief of Police Wiliam C. Elliott
Sergeants
Benjamin J. Mackiewicz
Frank Pierce
Patrolmen
William W. Briggs William Greene James Follett Donald Waite Raymond Guerin
Harold Tower
Francis Bell Richard Ray Joseph Quelle Douglas Marshall Norman Record Peter Nyberg
Intermittent Patrolmen
Clarence H. Hayward
Alfred Mackiewicz
Special Police Officers
Lloyd Banks George Wheeler Ernest Crowell Ralph Sampson Russell Smith Joseph Ortelt Charles Brown Arthur Benson Patrick McMahon Samuel Foye Harry Hull
Irving Murphy John Dutra Francis Crowley Ernest Bigelow Edward Lowe Paul Weaver John Rebell William Greeley Samuel Whitehead Ray Delano Wilfred Lavallee
ANNUAL REPORT 123
Custodian Daniel Maloney
Clerk Kenneth Greene
Matron Laura Norris
Honorary Police Officers Roy Pendleton
Joseph Dutra
Raymond Moffett
Constables
William E. Gardiner
John Dutra
Statistical Report of Police Department
Amount of fines imposed in Middleboro Court
Bonds posted and forfeited to the Court
211
Complaints investigated
1622
Disturbances quelled without arrest
129
Defective street lights reported
168
Arrests for the year
981
Males arrested
885
Females arrested
56
Juveniles summoned and probation cases
40
Non-residents
603
Lodgers
29
Summons served
541 8
Overtime parking tickets issued, warning
584
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, request to Registry for warning or suspension of license
294
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, action left to discretion of Registry
211
Three-way motor vehicle violation tickets issued, Court action taken by police
297
Four-way no fix motor vehicle violation tickets issued
27
Motor vehicle operators stopped for minor violations and check-ups, warnings given
185
Motor vehicles tagged for equipment and defective lights
71
Motor vehicle accidents involving both personal and property damage
78
Motor vehicle accidents involving one or more cars, property damage over $200.00
69
Arrests for other police departments
$13,865.00 70.00
Buildings found open by police
124
ANNUAL REPORT
Motor vehicle accidents involving one or more cars, property damage less than $200.00
127
Bicycles registered in 1961
172
Pistol and Revolver permits granted
54
Licenses to sell firearms granted
2
Value of lost and stolen property recovered
$5,326.00
Sales and transfers of motor vehicles reported
5910
Motor vehicle licenses revoked or suspended in Middleboro
145
Motor vehicle Registrations revoked in Middleboro
11
Bicycle plate fees turned in to Town Treasurer
$43.00
Permits to carry firearms fees turned in to Town Treasurer Licenses to sell firearms fees turned in to Town Treasurer
$108.00 $40.00
Apeco auto stat copies fees turned in to Town Treasurer
$135.50
Offenses
Male
Female Juvenile Total
Assault and Battery
33
2
0
35
Break and Enter in Nighttime and Larceny 6
0
2
8
Break and Enter in Daytime and Larceny
2
0
0
2
Capias served
15
1
0
16
Drunkeness
150
6
1
157
Insane
6
2
0
8
Larceny
42
4
14
60
Motor vehicle violations
350
12
1
363
Non-Support
45
0
0
45
Operating motor vehicle under influence of intoxicating liquor
48
8
0
56
Operating motor vehicle so that lives and safety of public might be endangered 63
9
0
72
Arson
0
0
1
1
Break and Enter with intent to commit misdemeanor
1
0
4
5
Contributing to delinquency of minor
4
4
0
8
Carrying firearm without permit
1
0
0
1
Contempt of court
1
0
0
1
Disturbing the peace
24
1
0
25
Employing minor to work on machinery
1
0
0
1
Illegitimate Child Act
15
0
0
15
Incest
2
0
0
2
Illegal possession of weapon
1
0
0
1
Illegal use of mails
1
0
0
1
Lewd and Lascivious speech and behavior Lewdness
6
0
0
6
Larceny by check
17
0
0
17
Malicious destruction of property
6
0
3
9
Non-payment of wages
2
0
0
2
Neglect of children
3
3
0
6
Promoting lottery
1
0
0
1
Possession of lottery tickets
1
0
0
1
Stubborn child
0
0
9
9
Sales of contraceptives
1
0
0
1
Trespassing
11
1
4
16
Unnatural act
3
0
0
3
Vagrancy
4
0
0
4
5
0
0
5
Illegal exhibit of obscene pictures
1
0
0
1
125
ANNUAL REPORT
Violation of Lords Day
2
2
0
4
Violation of drug act
1
0
0
1
Possession of obscene pictures Truancy
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
Letter to show cause
6
1
0
7
885
56
40
981
Conclusion
For the first time in over ten years the regular members of the po- lice department, from the Deputy Chief to the latest appointment of patrolman, are now under civil service. The appointment of one new officer in 1961 has strengthened the department so that each of the three shifts are properly manned.
The ambulance service, which is privately owned, was used by the department for sixty-nine calls for either accident or other emergency calls. The opening of route 25 from route 44 to South Middleboro has been of great help in the decrease of motor vehicle accidents in Middle- boro.
One hundred and five persons were injured in motor vehicle acci- dents which the police department investigated. Seventeen of those injured were of a serious nature. Thirty-six others injured were treated and hospitalized, forty-nine injured were treated by either the hospital or at a doctor's office and were released. Three injured were pedestrians and received only minor injuries. Middleboro had two fatal accidents in which two persons were killed. One of the two killed was a pedestrian and accident occurred on Union Street. Other fatal accident was on West Grove Street in which the operator was killed. Both of those that were fatals were young men and local residents, well known and re- spected.
Two hundred and thirty-three accidents were investigated by police or reported to the police department. Seventy-seven accidents involved both personal and property damage, sixty-nine accidents of property damage resulting in over $200.00 were investigated by police. Eighty- seven accidents with property damage under $200.00 was investigated by police or reported to police department. Accidents which occurred in Middleboro and handled by State Police are not included in this report.
Cruiser car 1 traveled 14,206 miles from January 1 to May 9 when it was traded in. New car 1 traveled 22,939 miles from May 10 to Dec- ember 31. Car 2 traveled 6,308 miles from January 1 to May 12, when it was traded in. New car 2 traveled 21,331 miles from May 12 to Dec- ember 31. Both cars traveled a total mileage of 64,784 miles. The regular patrols were made and two new patrols were put into effect during the day and evening. These patrols have proven to be of great benefit in slowing down speeders, hot rodders and a better coverage of the streets on the outer belt of the town. Fifteen persons were taken to either the hospital or a doctor for minor injuries.
126
ANNUAL REPORT
I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to the Board of Select- men, Town Manager, Finance Board, the School Department, Fourth District Court and the people of Middleboro for the assistance and co- operation given during the year. To the officers of my department for their effort in making the administration a success. To the Civilian Defense Auxiliary Police my sincere thanks for the services which they so generously gave of their time and effort to aid the police department, without compensation.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. GARDINER Chief of Police
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit for your consideration and approval the fortieth annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Apparatus
Engine #1 Maxim 1000 gal. pumper
Engine #2 Maxim - 1000 gal. pumper
Engine #3 Maxim 500 gal. pumper
Engine #4 Maxim 750 gal. pumper Aerial Ladder - Maxim
Ladder #1 - Maxim
Dodge 1 Ton Truck
1 Trailer Unit
1 Rescue Boat, Trailer and Equipment
Purchased November 14, 1961 Purchased April 23, 1928 Purchased October 15, 1954 Purchased March 29, 1934 Purchased January 18, 1956 Purchased April 26, 1946 Purchased Sept. 8, 1956
Donated Donated
Organization
The personnel of the Fire Department as of December 31, 1961 is as follows:
1 Permanent Chief
1 Permanent Deputy Chief
1 Permanent Captain
12 Permanent Men
5 Call Captains 41 Call Men
4 Substitutes
127
ANNUAL REPORT
South Middleboro Unit
Equipment
1 Ford - 500 gal. pumper
1 Chevrolet - 500 gal. pumper
1 Tractor Trailer Tank Truck
Operation
Box Alarms - 13
False Alarms - 7 Still Alarms - 101
Squads - 36
Aid to Hanover - 1
National Guard - 2
Total Calls - 183
South Middleboro Operation
Building Fires - 5
Grass and Brush - 11
Aid to Wareham - 1 Aid to Hanover - 1 Still Alarms - 16
Total Calls - 34
Property Loss
Buildings
Contents
Valuation -
$545,000.00
$1,543,850.00
Total Insurance - $1,903,800.00
Estimated Damage - $26,661.46
1,927,500.00 23,784.62
Insurance Paid - $8,961.46
6,706.62
Loss not covered by Insurance - $17,700.00
Bertram Tripp retired from the Fire Department on January 31 after over 41 years of service, having been Chief for nearly 18 years.
A Mass. State Fire Training program was conducted weekly for nine weeks by drill master Deputy Chief Morton Shurtleff of the Brock- ton Fire Department.
All apparatus is in good condition particularly since the addition in November of the new Engine #1 which replaced the 1934 Engine #4.
Work was done on the main roof of the station. The walls, wood- work and ceilings of the first floor were cleaned and painted with the exception of the apparatus floor ceiling.
Several of the walls and ceilings of the second floor were cleaned and painted.
1 Call Captain 14 Call Men
Resuscitator - 11 No School - 5
Aid to Bridgewater - 3 Aid to Lakeville - 3
Aid to Halifax - 1
128
ANNUAL REPORT
The West Side Whistle House had repairs made and was painted inside and outside.
The usual maintenance of all apparatus and equipment was done and 2750 feet of the various sizes of fire hose was purchased.
The Fire Alarm system is in good condition, no serious trouble was had and one new street box was added.
Quarterly inspections were made at the nine rest and nursing homes. The hospital was also inspected quarterly.
Inspections were made of oil burners and bottled gas installations and 5,199 permits to burn were issued.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER H. GRANT Chief of Fire Department
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1961.
Warden Calls 31 Still alarms, grass and brush Town Dump 24
36
Total calls
91
Estimated damage
$ 150.00
Cost of Extinguishing
Wages
$1,114.56
Maintenance and Operation
448.30
Total Cost
$1,562.86
Receipts
For burning grass
$ 441.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. GRANT Forest Warden
129
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
For the year 1961, there were 61 new inspections, 90 changed to a three wire service, 25 temporary services, 4 trailers, and 15 Electric Water Heaters were inspected. Also there were 47 reinspections made, plus oil burners, rough wiring on new construction and additions to existing wiring making a total of 566 inspections for the year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.