USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1931 > Part 3
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Maple Street Maple Street South Main Street
North Main Street
Lake View Avenue North Main Street Mount Vernon Street
School Nurse Report
Center School, Middleton, Mass., May 25, 1931. To the Board of Health, Middleton, Mass.
I submit the following report of the work done by Doctor McNally our School Dentist, from April 6 to May 12, 1931 :
Number of children examined by Dr. McNally 190
Number of notices sent to parents 190
74
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Number of cleanings
125
Number of extractions 95
Number of abscess teeth extracted
19
Number of cement fillings
7
Number of amalgan silver fillings
144
Number of white enamel fillings
20
Number of hours 99§ at $3.00 per hour
$299.00
Amount of money received from parents
91.50
Amount of money unpaid
14.75
Respectfully yours,
MARY E. ROUNDY, School Nurse.
Town Clerk's Report
Births 27; Marriages 14; Deaths-residents 17; Deaths- non-resident 106.
Respectfully submitted,
WAYNE A. GILES,
Town Clerk.
75
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Flint Public Library
Trustees' Report
Balance January 1, 1931
$ 86 85
Fees from Librarian (1930)
39 11 ·
Essex Savings Bank 50 00
Broadway Savings Bank
79 31
Naumkeag Trust Company
528 83
H. H. Bradstreet
428 30
Mary Emerson Fund
60 00
$1,272 40
Bills paid to January 1, 1932 :
Edith L. Fletcher, Librarian $350 00
Edith L. Fletcher, postage and express 9 56
W. R. Godfrey, services 117 00
W. R. Godfrey, supplies
4 85
Danvers Water Board
13 00
Middleton Electric Light Dept.
38 84
DeWolfe Fisk & Co., books
256 45
F. J. Barnard & Co., bookbinders
69 75
M. E. Tyler, postage and carfare
3 70
Barnaby, Inc., flowers
8 00
A. A. Pembroke, flowers
2 50
G. P. Pope, insurance
7 50
Treat Hardware, lawn mower and rake
9 95
M. L. Tyler, services 51 75
J. E. Wendell, repairing chairs
12 75
C. Gardner Cavelry, services 11 20
F. W. Wendell and Danvers Coal Co., fuel 171 50 Paul Moore 3 37
Remington Rand Business Service, Inc. 10 15
R. N. Maxwell, services and material 25 00
76
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Herman Goldberger, magazines 63 50
American Literary Association 2 50
Gaylord Brothers, cards
95
H. M. Tyler, postage and carfare
3 90
Total expense $1,247 67
Balance January 1, 1932
24 73
$1,272 40
HARLEY M. TYLER, Treasurer.
Mary Esty Emerson Book Fund
Principal
$2,500 00
Accrued Interest
62 97
$2,562 97
Paid to Trustees
60 00
$2,502 97
Charles L. Flint Fund
Deposited in banks as follows:
Broadway Savings Bank
$1,866 96
Essex Savings Bank 1,000 00
Andover Savings Bank 388 56
Salem Five Cents Savings Bank 892 43
Danvers Savings Bank
1,172 80
$5,320 75
77
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Librarian's Report
During 1931 Flint Public Library has been opened to the public the usual library hours. The total circulation of books has been 10,032, an increase of 859 over that of 1930. The same magazines have been on the reading table as during 1930.
At the Grammar School graduation in June the library was much pleased to award certificates to fifteen pupils of Grade 8 and to six pupils of Grade 7.
Pupils of Grade 8 who read twenty books, five of which were non-fiction were Mary E. Sullivan and Leonard Campbell.
Those reading ten books were Ernetta Foss and Frances Whittredge. Those reading five books were Alfred Lord, Dorothy Somers, Virginia Kennedy, Roger Leavitt, Hannah Martin, Vito Menesale, Marion Rennard, Ernest Townsend, Sydney Rollins, Richard Goodale, Donald Estey. Beecher Williams of Grade 7 read fifteen books. Those of Grade 7 who read ten books were Angelina Bucario and Barbara Slat- tery. Muriel Hoelzel, John Ylitalo and Annie Byko read five books.
The books read by these pupils were from the approved State reading list issued by the Division of Libraries of the State Board of Education.
During the year there have been several fine educational picture exhibits loaned by the Woman's Educatonal Associa- tion of Boston.
The librarian wishes to thank the trustees for their loyal support and interest in the general management of the library during the past year.
Annual Statistics
Volumes in library January 1, 1931
9,683
added by purchase 122
added by gift 18
78
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Total number of volumes added
140
Volumes in library January 1, 1932 9,823
Total circulation of books, year ending Jan. 1, 1932
10,032
Magazines loaned during the year 444
Circulation of non-fiction during the year
895
Largest monthly circulation, (August)
1,003
Smallest monthly circulation, (July)
724
Average monthly circulation
836
New borrowers registered
79
Number at reading table during year
1,537
Largest number at reading table, (December) 167
Smallest number at reading table, (July)
86
Average number at reading table, per month
128
Collected on books kept overtime or damaged
$35 10
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH L. FLETCHER,
Librarian.
79
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Tax Collector's Report
1929 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Balance due January 1, 1931
$374 34
Cash receipts
$102 67
Abatements
240 96
Uncollected
3 71
$374 34
Interest received and paid to Treasurer
8 49
1929 TAX LEVY
Balance uncollected January 1, 1931
$225 63
Personal collected
2 49
Abatements
28 35
Abatements, poll tax
50 00
Tax titles
144 79
$225 63
1930 TAX LEVY
Balance uncollected January 1, 1931
$26,891 09
Collected
25,085 44
Collected, moth work
23 00
Collected, poll taxes
58 00
Abatement, poll taxes
30 00
Abatement
189 17
Tax titles
1,505 48
$26,891 09
Interest received and paid to Treasurer
950 99
Receipts, 1930 tax sale
121 70
1930 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Balance due, January 1, 1931
$1,266 74
Cash receipts
1,045 93
Abatements
24 68
Uncollected
196 13
$1,266 74
80
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Interest received and paid to Treasurer 27 95
1931 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Tax levy
$3,569 44
Cash receipts
1,815 32
Abatements
164 48
Uncollected
1,589 64
$3,569 44
Interest received and paid to Treasurer
2 87
1931 TAX LEVY
Levy $46,697 05
Collected, personal and real estate
24,864 59
Uncollected, personal and real estate
19,350 89
Abatements
210 08
Collected, polls
666 00
Abatements
2 00
Uncollected polls
150 00
Collected, old age assessment
380 00
Uncollected, old age assessment
30 00
Collected, moth
31 15
Uncollected, moth
19 15
Tax titles
987 25
Abatement
5 99
$46,697 05
Interest received and paid to Treasurer
38 93
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. YOUNG,
Tax Collector.
81
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Electric Light Commissioners' Report
We take pleasure in submitting this, our third annual report of this municipal department for the year ending December 31, 1931. Every year since the department has been in operation, has seen an increase in earnings over the previous year regardless of general conditions of prosperity or depression.
Extensive repairs have been made to primary and second- ary lines during the year. The maintenance of lines, new construction and street lighting have been satisfactory, and we intend in 1932, to improve and further remedy the faults throughout our distribution system.
It will be necessary for the Town to purchase a constant current transformer for street lighting, this year. The pre- sent constant current transformer has nearly a 50% overload, and is subject to failure at any time.
This department has withstood considerable destructive criticism as well as sinister propaganda whose primary pur- pose was to discredit the municipal maintenance of our distri- bution system. The factor of maintenance cannot be too strongly emphasized. No electric lighting company can long continue to serve its customers if its distribution system is not properly maintained. The best answer to such propaganda is the actual record of the plant, and the increased efficiency, as shown by the reduction in line losses.
The following set up as taken from the Manager's report, may be of interest to our citizens :
Inventory plant valuation $35,018.72
Increase inventory valuation, 1931
4,136.98
Number of customers, 1931
433
Increase in customers in 1931 73
Reduction of line losses and leakages, 1931
4.5%
82
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Amount saved by reduction in line losses, 1931 $547.50
Reduction of line losses since 1929 12%
Amount saved by reduction in line losses and leakage
since 1929, approximately $4,930.00
Total Middleton labor, 1931 $4,263.16
Middleton labor unemployment $680.25
Number of transformers in service, 1931 70
Number of poles in service, 1931 862
Number of foreign poles in service, 1931 93
Number of meters in service, 1931 376
During the year we have replaced approximately eight miles of wire, setting 93 poles most of which replaced poles used jointly with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company. The replacement of poles is necessary because of the fact that the greater part of our poles and distribution lines have been installed for more than fifteen years, the nor- mal life of poles.
Your Electric Light Commissioners entered into a joint agreement with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for the custody of all poles held jointly. This great- ly decreases the cost of pole maintenance. It is possible for the department to replace its own and joint poles at less than one-half the cost as charged by various companies.
We have reduced the number of attachments to foreign poles during the year, and have changed distribution lines to afford ample clearance, therefore decreasing the hazards to public safety.
In order to insure a continuity of service your department arranged for a breakdown connection with the Town of Dan- vers in the event of a failure of the normal supply.
At the present time this department has a stock room properly equipped and sufficient to meet the needs of the department.
83
HIGHWAY REPORT
In accordance with the vote of the Town, new light control street lighting equipment was installed in Middleton Square, which has proved to be very satisfactory, and improves the appearance of the Square.
We desire to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to the welfare of this department, as well as the citizens who are our customers, for their good will and co-op- eration.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIBALD L. JONES. OTTO T. CURRIER. RICHARD B. FLOYD.
Highway Depatrment Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen : The Highway Surveyor hereby submits a report for the year ending December 31, 1931. The following are the amounts spent in the various ways on the streets of Middleton :
Dragging
$ 56 18
Scraping
1,238 78
Gravel
1,393 71
Ledge
4 50
Drainage
456 70
Brush
27 19
Patching, (gravel)
141 57
Patching (bituminus)
770 29
Surface treatment (oil)
968 95
Surface treatment (tar)
2,706 06
Town line signs
57 55
$7,821 66
84
HIGHWAY REPORT
This includes the special appropriation of $700 for gravel on Peabody Street and $200 for surface treatment on Gregory Street.
The amounts spent by streets are as follows :
Boston Street
$1,082 28
Central
46 85
East
1,228 56
Essex
801 27
Forest
798 68
Gregory
304 19
Haswell Park
26 81
King Street
350 83
Lake
200 00
Liberty “
592 06
Locust
74 50
Log Bridge Road
4 78
Lowell Street
169 64
Maple
< <
706 35
Mill
74 53
No. Main
63 04
Peabody
871 49*
Pleasant
84 96
River
196 63
School
144 16
$7,821 66
* Includes special appropriations.
We have used new materials on some of our surface treat- ments, namely Socony Cut Back Asphalt, (used on Maple and Liberty Streets) and Socony No. 6 oil used on Lake, Essex and King Streets. They have both proven quite satisfactory and tend to give a more permanent surface in a very economical way.
85
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
I would call attention to the fact that the Department is now spending over one half of the total appropriation for streets or $3,675.00 on oil and tar, and are faced with a grow- ing demand from the townspeople to increase our surface treatments using oil or tar.
The bridge appropriation was used to replank the bridge over the brook on Peabody Street, also the bridge on Liberty Street and part of the bridge on Lake Street, near the sawmill.
The appropriation for fencing was used to construct new fences on Forest and Essex Streets. These were built of cable construction and provide a safety guard at dangerous points.
The sidewalk appropriation was used to widen and take out the sod on most of the gravel walks in town.
I am again grateful to the townspeople for their support and to the Massachusetts Department of Public Works for their co-operation this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. ROY OSBORNE, Highway Surveyor.
Police Department Report
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
The Chief of Police submits herewith to your Board a re- port for the year ending December 31, 1931, together with recommendations as to the more important requirements of the department for the ensuing year.
For four months during the summer an officer was on duty every evening at the station. This service the men vol- unteered to donate in order that there would be an officer on call when most needed. A telephone was installed and many people made use of the service, especially summer residents who own property here. The reason for discontinuing this service was the lack of heat in the station.
86
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
The station was inspected by a State Board of Health doctor.
The department is still in need of equipment to carry on efficient work. The men have given their time and efforts (a great deal of it free) and I wish to thank them for their co-op- eration. I would recommend that at least three more special officers be added to the list so that it will not be necessary to borrow officers from adjoining towns.
An officer has been on duty every day at the school house by the request and expense of the school department.
WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
Total number of arrests
56
Residents arrested 10
Non-residents arrested 46
Presented for the Following Crimes :
Driving under the influence of liquor
2
Driving without a license
2
Larceny in daytime
3
Drunk
18
Driving so as to endanger
2
Illegal manufacture and keeping
2
Extortion
2
Cruelty to children
4
Maintaining a nuisance
1
Common thief
1
Violation of town by-law
2
Liquor law
2
Fighting
2
Non-support
2
Motor vehicles
4
Non-payment of fine
1
Auto violation, (juvenile)
2
Escape from insane hospital
6
87
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Males
52
Females
4
Disposition of Cases :
Nol prossed
1
Filed
6
Fined
10
Committed to jail
8
Suspended sentence
14
Drunks fined
2
Drunks released
16
Miscellaneous Work :
Complaints received and investigated
437
Automobile accidents
52
Automobiles transferred
31
Automobiles found and returned
6
Automobile licenses revoked
7
Dogs reported lost
6
Dogs found
19
Dogs returned to owners
9
Dogs killed and buried
10
Dogs reported hit by automobiles
16
Patients committed to hospital
1
Suicides
1
Police at court
116 days
Police with medical examiner
5 hours
Fatal automobile accidents 1
Investigations with registrar of motor vehicles
28 hours
Reports furnished to insurance companies
98
Officers with State police
64 hours
Writs served
73
Placing lanterns at dangerous places
12
Posting liquor notices
2
Raids
3
88
SEALER'S REPORT
Liquor seized
Sick and disabled or stranded persons assisted
98 gallons 10
Traffic duty, approximately
750 hours
Police at inns on holidays
100 hours
Police at public dances
250 hours
Buildings found open
10
Disturbances suppressed
23
Fires extinguished without alarms
7
WILLIAM H. YOUNG,
Chief of Police.
Sealer of Weights Report
Adjusted
Sealed
Condensed
Platform, under 5,000 lbs.
1
Counter, under 100 lbs.
9
Beam, under 100 lbs.
3
Spring, over 100 lbs.
2
Spring, under 100 lbs.
-
11
1
Computing, under 100 lbs.
4
WEIGHTS :
Avoirdupois
10
35
MEASURES :
Liquid
21
Fuel baskets
1
Gasoline pumps
25
Kerosene
3
Quantity stops
122
Oil jars
30
Sealing fees collected
$21.44
Adjusting charges
1.30
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$22.74
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. YOUNG, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
89
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Report of the Board of Assessors
In spite of the continued inactivity in new building, Mid- dleton has maintained a satisfactory increase in its valuation. On April 1, 1931, the total valuation, real estate and personal was $1,959,101, an increase of $115,351 over 1930. At the present time there are 1,049 persons or corporations assessed on property in Middleton, and the number of buildings classi- fied as permanent residences are now 410.
It is a source of great satisfaction to your assessors to be able to announce a tax rate of $23.20, a decrease of $5.60 over the previous year. This was due in a large measure to decreased appropriations. The automobile excise tax on 508 cars registered in Middleton amounted to over $3,600, a slight increase over 1930.
The assessors this year are asking for an increase of $75 in their appropriation, to pay for services of a clerk. There are few citizens in this Town that appreciate the amount of clerical work necessary in the assessors' department. By care- ful record kept the past two years, it takes slightly over 176 hours of steady work to write up the assessors' books. The names, addresses and the amount of tax on property and auto- mobiles, a total in 1931 of 1460 items has to be furnished to the tax collector in addition to the regular books. Since 1926, when the Town first began to appropriate $600 for assessors' salaries the work has more than doubled, and we are therefore asking for this slight increase in appropriation.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER F. CLAPP, Chairman. WILLIAM W. RICHARDSON. LYMAN S. WILKINS.
90
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Board of Selectmen Report
Citizens of Middleton :
In conformity with general practice and custom, your Board of Selectmen submits for your approval a report of the activities of the Board for the year ending December 31, 1931.
It is fitting and proper at the outset of this report that we give expression of our appreciation for the help and co-op- eration of the various clubs, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the welfare of the unemployed.
The work of these societies and individuals is highly com- mendable and the Town is grateful for their continued co-op- eration.
Your Board has been active in obtaining work for the unemployed. We have appealed to County and State Depart- ments in their behalf that relief might be forthcoming.
As this report is being written the Board in their appeal to the State Department of Conservation was fortunate in obtaining work for ten men.
It has been the policy of the Board to advise the use of the unemployed by the various municipal departments as much as possible. In common with every citizen, we view with abhorrence the adoption of a system destructive of self-reliance, initiative and ambition on the part of the citizen and the de- pletion of the assets of the Town without tangible return.
In submitting a résumé of the activities of the Board of Health for the year 1931, it is indeed gratifying to be able to report a decrease in the number of contagious diseases re- ported and a marked decrease in the number of Middleton patients at the Essex County Sanatorium. This situation is particularly gratifying in view of the usual effect of poor economic conditions upon the human being with its toll of malnutrition, lowered efficiency and increase in disease.
91
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
In view of the recent practice of disposing of rubbish along the streets and the creation of private dumps which are not only unsightly, but are a menace to Public Health, it is recommended that the Town acquire a suitable location, the same to be used as a Public Dump.
Among the Highway improvements that should receive serious consideration, and one in which your Board has been particularly interested, is the reconstruction of Boston Street.
We have made arrangements with the State Highway Commission for this project-one in which will involve a total expenditure of $120,000.00 in three years and requiring but a small percentage of the total expenditure from the Town. This project is dependent on the County assuming their pro- portionate part.
It is impossible in a report of this character to enumerate in detail the improvements that have been made during the year. Among the improvements that are worthy of note are the macadamizing of all street crossings and the removal of the pole at the corner of South Main Street and Maple Street.
As a measure of Public Safety, these improvements were required of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Com- pany at their own expense.
In our endeavor to give to the people of Middleton the advantage of another Public Utility, your Board investigated and interested several gas companies to make a survey of Middleton. The results of such surveys proved to be quite satisfactory.
It is our opinion that the townspeople will enjoy, in the not too distant future, the advantage of gas for heating and cooking purposes.
There are several drainage problems which will confront the Board in 1932. These conditions should be corrected and the correction of the same should involve no expense to the Town.
92
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
In conclusion of this report, we wish to be recorded as in favor of curtailment of unnecessary expenditures this year. Let us keep our taxes down to the lowest possible point, for by so doing we can be of no greater service to ourselves and to our Town.
During our term of office, we have conscientiously tried to do our duty. We have taken an oath to faithfully and im- partially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on ourselves as Selectmen according to the best of our abilities and understanding.
The conclusions rendered by the Board after conscien- tious consideration register the opinion of a majority of its members. No other course is possible under our system of Town government. We have implicit confidence that in the long run the results will reflect the wishes of a majority of the townspeople. They elect us to exercise all the capacity that we possess. By so doing, we shall merit and receive the approval of those we serve.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIBALD L. JONES. HARRY B. CROXFORD. GEORGE B. OGDEN.
Fire Department Report
To the Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit a report for the Fire Department from May 10, 1931 to December 31, 1931.
On May 1st, we organized with sixteen men, including a chief, deputy chief and four lieutenants.
Our 2} inch hose was tested at 180 pounds pressure to insure out of town apparatus hooking a pumper on.
93
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
During the 7 months we have had a total of 38 fires-30 forest, 5 building and 3 automobile fires, with a cost to the department of $469.85. The estimated loss to buildings was $6,975.00 and to automobiles, $326.00.
We laid 2,000 feet of the 22 inch hose. Danvers responded to 3 calls. North Reading was called once with no charge to the town.
Middleton responded to two out of town calls, one at North Reading and one in North Andover at the State Forest, with a cost to the town of $61.60.
In three instances, if we had had a combination booster tank and pumper, the damage to buildings would have been much less.
With the co-operation of the Selectmen, we installed a hot water heater at the hose house which is a great benefit, be- cause it makes it possible to keep the truck where it rightly belongs and also enables quick starting.
70 fuel oil permits and 701 fire permits were issued.
The following are a few suggestions which would be bene- ficial to the Fire Department :
1. The hose house is badly in need of repairs. It needs a new floor, and four pair of doors. Also a hose tower. The siren needs repairing.
2. There should be a small amount of money set aside for the prevention of forest fires. In looking through other town fire reports, I find that those having their forest patroled during a dry period, seem to cut down fires considerable. The State Forester recommends a small appropriation set aside for this purpose.
3. The Town is badly in need of a combination pumper and booster tank. On the outskirts of the Town, this piece of apparatus is a necessity, whereas even in the center of the Town the hydrant pressure is very low, averaging about 55
94
INSPECTOR OF CATTLE REPORT
pounds. There is hardly a building in Town that doesn't re- quire at least 500 feet of hose to be laid, and with a friction loss of about 33 pounds to every 500 feet of hose, there isn't much pressure at the nozzle. Pressure is absolutely necessary to fight a fire successfully.
Respectfully submitted, LEON N. SOPER, Fire Chief and Forest Warden.
Report of the Cattle Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen : We have 435 head of cattle in town and all seemed in good condition, but the Director of Animal Industry for the purpose of making a Tubucular test hereby declares the town of Middleton to be a quarantine area in which their probably will be found reactives as in all other herds which will have to be disposed of immediately for slaughter and all barns and stalls where cattle have been kept will have to be cleansed and disinfected in accordance with the rules of the animal industry and none but White Papered cows from accred- ited herds put back when milk is to be sold.
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