USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1924-1925 > Part 25
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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
Aid allowed under this law is wholly under direction of the State Department of Public Welfare, one-third of the money expended being returned by the State, the other two-thirds having to be paid by the Town of settlement. In case the family so aided has no settlement, the State reimburses for the full amount of the bill. We have one of these so-called "State" cases out of the seven, and one other in which the settlement is in another town.
B
E
I
1
F
:
-189-
MOTHERS' AID
Appropriation,
$5,000 00
Payments,
Cash,
$3,904 00
Rent,
204 00
Fuel,
194 00
All Other,
50 56
Total Payments, 4.352 56
Balance transferred Dec. 31, to Poor Department, $647 44
Expended during the year, 1925, $4,352 56
Less refunds, 2,628 61
Net cost to the town,
$1,723 95
We recommend an appropriation of $5,500.00 for the year 1926.
WILLIAM T. ELDRIDGE, GEORGE L. GOODING, HERBERT W. BARTLETT, Overseers of Poor.
-190-
Report of the Park Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen. Gentlemen :
During the past year the Parks and Playgrounds under the supervision of the Park Commission have been cared for according to our best judgment.
BEACH PARK
Several improvements were made here. The most im- portant being the erection of a pavilion. This has proven to be very popular and much praise has been received from our patrons. A system of boxes was installed to relieve the congestion of the bath rooms, by this system a box is rented to the patron, who then takes any vacant room. After putting on bathing clothes the box is locked and returned to its place, leaving the room free for further use instead of being kept by the patron all the time they were out, which might be a number of hours. This system should be extended as it has proven very satisfactory. It will be necessary to rebuild the piazza this season, also install cement piers under it.
We strongly recommend securing more land for park- ing purposes as many could not be accommodated the past season on account of lack of parking space. The sea wall should be extended to the north as the banks are washing badly. Total number of rooms let during the season, 5,437.
STEPHENS FIELD
The filling here has been going on rapidly. The right of way from Sandwich Street has been opened although not yet finished. The much needed tool house was erected, the field has been partially fenced and a steel flag pole erected.
-191-
The bleachers are in need of repairs. We again strongly recommend the erection of a bath house similar to the one at Nelson Street. A larger appropriation is needed this year as the Board of Health will do no more filling for the present so it will be necessary for the Park Commission to repair the driveway and grounds as they settle.
Suitable gateways should be erected at Sandwich Street, also Fremont Street, entrances, both drives will need more attention. The fencing should be completed.
MORTON PARK
The usual work has been carried on here. 360 pine trees have been set out. No green wood has been cut but money expended in cutting out the dead trees. This wood was sold to the tax payers. A number of new benches and tables were placed at Little Pond Grove.
We again recommend the installation of several hy- drants around the Little Pond and Billington shores where the pumping engines could be attached in case of fire. A bath house is much needed. Present storehouse and outbuildings are in need of repairs. The usual ap- propriation is recommended.
NELSON STREET PLAYGROUND
The playground and bath house have been well pa- tronized the past season. More playground equipment should be installed. It will be necessary to move the showers this season. We recommend the appropriation of $450.00 for maintenance.
MUNICIPAL CAMP GROUND
The camp was patronized to its capacity during the season. 808 automobiles with a total of 2,695 persons were registered from May 30th to Sept. 20th. It is still a very popular camp with the tourist. The sewerage
-192-
trouble was solved by the erection of a comfort station similar to the one on Water Street at the rear of the Town Hall. This contains a ladies' rest room and a wash tray is on the outside for the use of the campers. We recommend the appropriation of $750.00 for main- tenance.
BREWSTER PARK
This is now one of the beauty spots of the town. The land on the south side of Town Brook has been taken over and the filling will be completed in the early spring. The iron fence on Main Street Extension should be ex- tended to the Emond Building.
SOUTH STREET PLAYGROUND
A new fence and a flag pole were erected here. The usual appropriation is recommended.
BURTON PARK
A new fence was erected and the park given a much needed cleaning up. The usual appropriation is recom- mended.
INDIAN LANDS - MANOMET
This reservation has received the usual care. The usual appropriation is recommended.
TRAINING GREEN
A sprinkler system was installed which will keep the grass in better condition during the hot weather. A larger appropriation is recommended as it has been found out that the usual appropriation does not cover the maintenance of the Green.
I
P
-193-
BATES PARK
The usual care has been given this Park. The usual appropriation is recommended.
DEPOT PARK
This Park was turned over to the Park Commission the past season. It was in bad condition and quite a sum had to be expended to put it in good condition. We rec- ommend an appropriation of $150.00 for maintenance and upkeep.
NORTH END PLAYGROUND
The land on Standish Avenue has been taken over and the equipment will be installed this spring. An appro- priation of $2,500.00 is recommended for maintenance and improvements.
A record of the receipts and expenditures of the De .- partment will be found in the report of the Town Ac- countant, Schedule B.
We recommend the following appropriations for the ensuing year :
Morton Park-
Maintenance,
$1,500 00
Cutting Wood,
$300.00
Bath House,
1,000 00
Stephens Field-
Maintenance, 2,500 00
Burton Park-
Maintenance, 100 00
South Street Playground- Maintenance,
250 00
Beach Park-
Maintenance, 1,750 00
Indian Lands - Manomet-
Maintenance, 150 00
Plymouth Thirteen
-194-
Nelson Street Playground- Maintenance, 450 00
Nelson Street Municipal Camp- Maintenance, 750 00
Training Green- Maintenance, 500 00
Bates Park- Maintenance, 100 00
Brewster Park-
Maintenance,
1,000 00
Iron Fence, Main St. Ext.,
790 00
Depot Park-
Maintenance, 150 00
North End Playground- Maintenance, 2,500 00
LOOMIS R. GRANT, HENRY T. GEARY, JOB H. STANDISH, Park Commissioners.
-195-
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen: In compliance with the General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 98, Section 34, I herewith sub- mit a report for 1925 as Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures. Period from January 1, 1925 to January 1, 1926.
OFFICE STANDARDS
Balance-1. Yard measure-1. Meter-1. Kilogram-1. Avoirdupois Weights.
50 1b .- 1, 25 1b .- 1, 20-1, 10-1, 5-1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1.
Capacity Measures.
1/2 bu .- 1, 14-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1, 1/32-1. 1 gal .- 1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1, 1/32-1.
Standards other than those furnished by the Commonwealth.
Apothecary Weights.
1 lb .- 1, 6 oz .- 1, 2 oz .- 2, 4 dram-1, 1 dram-1, 2 scruples-1, 1 scruple-1, 10 grain-1, 5 grain-1, 2 grain-1, 1 grain-1, 0.5 grain,-1, 0.2 grain-1, 0.1 grain-1.
Metric Weights.
500 grams-1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-2, 1-1, 500 mil .- 1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-1, 5-1, 2-2.
Cylindrical Glass Graduates.
32 oz-1, 16-1, 8-1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1, 35 cu. inch-1, 10-1, 3-1.
Volumetric Flasks.
500-mi .- 1, 250-1, 100-1, 50-1, 25-1. Pipettes.
4 Drs .- 1, 10-MI .- 1, 30 Mins .- 1.
-196-
Sealer's Working Equipment.
Test Balance-1, test balance for apothecary weights-1.
Avoirdupois Weights. 50 1b .- 21, 25-2, 20-1, 10-2, 5-2, 2-3, 1-3, 8 oz .- 3, 4-3, 2-3, 1-3, 1/2-2, 1/4-2, 1/8-2, 1/16-2, 1/32-2.
Apothecary Weights.
1 lb .- 1, 6 oz .- 1, 2-2, 1-1, 4 drams-1, 2-1, 1-1, 2 scruples -1, 1-1, 10 grains-1, 5-1, 2-1, 1-2, 1/2-1, 0.2-2.
Metric Weights.
500 grams-1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-2, 1-1.
Capacity Measures.
1 gal .- 2, 1/2-2, 1/4-2, 1/8-2, 1/16-2, 1/32-2, 2 oz. glass-1, 1/2 bu .- 1, 1/4-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1, 1/32-1.
Gasoline Measures.
5 gal .- 1, 4-2, 3-1, 2-2, 1-2.
Tools, Record Books, Etc.
Yard measure-1, steel tape-1, steel dies-6, lead seal press-1, lead seal-200, aluminum seals-200, sealing clamp-1, paper seals; green-50, red-100, non-seal la- bels-100, condemning tags-25, drills-6, punches-1, adjust- ing leads-4 lbs., level-1, receipt books-2, sealing record books-1, commodity reweighing book-1, coal reweighing book-1, inspection pads-5, ice weighing kit-1, chain-1, point remover-1, dry measure gauge-1, 14 inch stillson-1, 6-inch stillson-1, hammer-1, student bag-1.
One Ford Runabout, M-1924, with convertible body.
Summary of Inspections Made.
Clinical Thermometers,
49
Ice Scales, 50
Marking of Bread, 11
Metal Ice Cream Containers,
9
Paper or Fiber Cartons, 14
Pedlers Scales, 37
H
F
P
C
C
-197-
Wholesale Milk Cans,
8
Coal Certificates,
9
Junk Scales,
3
Marking of Food Packages,
35
Milk Jars,
17
Pedlers' Licenses,
103
Transient Vendors,
0
Summary of Tests Made.
Berry Baskets,
2
Climax Baskets,
0
Ice Cream Cartons,
65
Mass. Standard Boxes,
0
U. S. Standard Barrels,
0
Oil Jars "Approved,"
125
Cranberry Barrels,
4
Cartons "Approved,"
10
Gasoline Devices,
167
Manufacturers' Sealed Milk Jars,
36
Reweighings and Measurements (Muni)
· 1
Mass. Standard Cranberry Boxes,
263
Glass Graduates,
15
Trial Reweighings and Measurements of Commodities Sold or Put up for Sale
Total
Commodity,
No. Tested
Correct 21
Under 28
42
Butter,
9
9
Charcoal in bags,
22
10
12
Coal in bags,
12
12
Coal in transit,
11
1
4
6
Coke in baskets,
83
13
70
Peanuts,
3
3
Flour,
30
6
8
16
Fruits and Vegetables,
98
11
42
45
Grain and Feed,
2
2
Hay,
16
2
6
8
1
9
-14
Over
Bread,
91
-198-
Ice,
2
2
Olive Oil,
6
6
Meat and Provisions,
41
23
1
17
Wood (cord)
7
2
5
Miscellaneous.
Coal bags (100 lb. capac- ity)
40
13
16
11
Truck body (1/2 cord meas-
surement for wood)
1
1
Work performed on Scales, Weights, and Measures.
Device
Adjusted
Sealed 24
1
.
2
Platform under 5,000 lbs., 82
194
39
25
Counter over 100 lbs.,
0
0
0
0
Counter under 100 lbs.,
26
88
40
19
Beam over 100 lbs.,
4
16
1
Beam under 100 lbs.,
11
41
7
4
Spring over 100 lbs.,
3
42
15
Spring under 100 lbs.,
76
142
10
59
Computing over 100 lbs.,
3
7
2
Computing under 100 lbs., 41
89
18
Personal weighing,
9
5
Prescription,
6
1
Jeweler's,
2
2
Weights.
Avoirdupois,
26
1572
59
Apothecary,
75
13
Metric,
15
Troy,
3
20
Capacity Measures.
Liquid,
449
27
Ice Cream Cans,
74
Glass Graduates,
4
3
Dry,
14
2
Fuel Baskets,
73
7
Nơn- Sealed
Con- demned
Platform over 5,000 lbs.,
7
-199-
Automatic Measuring Devices.
Gasoline measuring pumps, 8 104
4 7
Kerosene measuring pumps, 23
22
1
Oil measuring pumps, 14
82
34
3
Molasses measuring pumps,
2
7
Quantity measures on
pumps, 354
739
Linear Measures.
Yard Sticks,
42
3
Receipts.
Sealing Fees,
$355 57
Adjusting Charges,
53 39
Unpaid Fees,
2 30
Balance turned into Town Treasurer,
$406 66
Expenditures.
Appropriation for 1925,
$2,460 00
Salary of Sealer,
$1,050 00
Labor,
347. 00
Equipment,
348 32
Printing and Advertising,
12 60
Auto Expense,
654 93
Stationery and Postage,
12 96
Telephone,
32 64
Total Expenditures,
$2,458 45
Balance,
1 55
Total,
$2,460 00
Recommendations. 1. The purchase of a 3/4 ton Dodge Truck to carry the necessary equipment about the Town.
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN,
3
-
-200-
REPORT OF MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
The following report is rendered for the year 1925 by the Measurer of Wood and Bark:
CORD WOOD
Date
Kind
Tested No.
Correct
Under
Over
April 30
Maple, 4 F. L.
1
1
Aug. 19 Pine, 4 F. L.
1
1
Sept. 3 Oak, Stove L.
1
1
Oct. 14 Pine, 4 F. L.
9
7
2
Oct.
30 Oak, Stove L.
1
1
Nov.
22
Maple, Stove
3
1
2
-
-
-
Total,
16
7
4
5
MEASUREMENTS OF CONVEYANCES
Date
No. Measured
Truck
Team
May 21
1
1
Oct. 15
1
1
Oct. 30
1
1
Nov. 18
1
1
Nov. 22
1
1
Total,
5
4
1
1. I would especially call the wood dealers' atten- tion to Section 298, Chapter 94, General Laws, Mass., as amended. "The STANDARD unit of measure for cord- wood or firewood shall be the cord of 128 cubic feet con- sisting of or equivalent to a pile, closely stacked, eight feet in length, four feet in width and four feet in height."
The puchaser of cordwood or firewood is entitled to, and should receive for each cord purchase, wood con- sisting of or equivalent to a pile, closely stacked, 8 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 4 feet in height, or a pro-
-201-
portionate amount for any fraction of a cord purchased. This is true whether the wood is in 4-foot lengths or whether it has been sawed and split before delivery. This latter point has been the cause of much misunderstanding in the past, and, because of the shrinkage which occurs when 4-foot is sawed, many dealers have assumed that a lesser amount of sawed wood may be delivered for a cord. The language of section 298, chapter 94, General Laws, as amended, leaves no ground for this contention, and it should now be definitely understood that a lesser amount than 128 cubic feet of wood cannot be consid- ered as a cord under any circumstances.
2. Section 299, chapter 94, General Laws, as amend- ed, requires that the seller of cordwood and firewood, ex- cept as otherwise provided, shall cause to be issued and delivered to the purchaser a certificate or memoran- dum stating the quantity of wood delivered, in terms of cords or of cubic feet, and provides for a fine of not more than $50 for any violation of this requirement. The words "except as otherwise provided" undoubtedly refer to section 303, chapter 94, General Laws, which reads as follows :
3. Section 303. The city council of a city may es- tablish ordinances, with suitable penalties not exceeding five dollars for any one violation thereof, for the regula- tion of the sale of prepared wood slabs, and edgings for fuel, when sold by the load, and for the inspection, sur- vey, measurement and sale of bark for fuel or manufac- turing purposes brought into said city for sale, whether the same is exposed for sale in ranges or upon a vehicle ; and said city may provide for the appointment of such surveyors, inspectors, and other officers as may be neces- sary to carry into effect said ordinances and may estab- lish their fees.
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN.
-202-
Report of Forest Fire Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
I submit the folowing report for the year 1925 :
The fires during the past year were few in number but several were of large extent. The fire of May 5 and 6 was the most disastrous and covered the largest area since the big fire of 1898.
The fire March 27 burned over an estimated area of 300 acres. More than three-quarters of the total appro- priation for this Department was expended to extinguish the above fires.
A fire near White Island Pond, May 4, burned over a large area estimated at more than 500 acres. The other fires, seven in number, were much smaller.
There were two arrests during the year for violation of the fire laws. A ten dollar fine was imposed and paid in each case. I advise the purchase of a truck for the use of this Department as the old one that has seen so many years' service is no longer of any use.
The appropriation for this Department last year was $3,500.00. The expenditures were $5,394.92. $1,900.00 was paid over from the reserve fund to make up for the deficiency, leaving a balance on hand of $5.08.
I recommend an appropriation of $3,500.00 for 1926.
IRA C. WARD,
Forest Fire Warden.
-203-
Report of the Committee on Inland Fisheries
The Committee last year did not accomplish very much. We bought some fresh water snails for food fish and cleaned out the outlet at Ship Pond.
We ask an appropriation of Two Hundred Dollars for this year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. S. CLARK,
Chairman.
-204 --
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Account
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the following report is respectfully submitted :
Appropriation, Payments,
$5,000 00
Salaries and Wages-
Superintendent,
$759 00
Labor, 1,716 00
$2,475 00
New Sprayers,
600 00
Other Expenses-
Insecticides,
$52 60
Hose,
245 00
Hardware and Tools,
100 08
Trucking,
525 00
Auto and Sprayer Expense, 676 93
Telephone, 35 14
1,634 75
4,709 75
Balance to Excess and Deficiency, $290 25
During the past year there has been very little change in the moth work. The conditions as a whole are about the same as last year. Every precaution has been taken to keep the moths out of the Town; all roads leading into the Town having been sprayed, thus poisoning any caterpillars that might drop off of automobiles. According to reports, the surrounding towns are infested with more moths this year than last; nevertheless, I think we can keep Old Plymouth green with our usual appro- priation.
Therefore, I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $5,000.00 for labor and supplies for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND, Moth Superintendent
-205-
Tree Warden Account
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the following report is respectfully submitted.
Appropriation, $3,000 00
Payments,
Salaries and Wages-
Superintendent, $816 00
Labor, 1,950 00
$2,766 00
Other Expenses-
Trees,
$85 00
Hardware and Tools,
19 18
Teams,
30 50
Miscellaneous,
92 35
227 03
2,993 03
Balance to Excess and Deficiency, . $6 97
During the past year, a large amount of trimming has been done: dead limbs cut and dead trees removed. The extra amount of $500. for Court Street enabled the department to put same in good condition from Kingston line to Lothrop Street. With a like amount this year, the street should be finished sat- isfactorily.
A few Elm-Beetle were evident. It may be necessary to spray for them this year.
Several new trees were planted in various parts of the Town. I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $3,000.00 for labor and supplies for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden.
-
[
t
1
-206-
Report of Town Forestry Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Unexpended balance Jan. 1st, 1925,
$10 00
Appropriation for purchase of land,
1,000 00
$1,010 00
Paid for purchase of land,
700 00
Balance,
$310 00
Appropriation for planting trees and improvement,
$2,000 00
Paid for trees, $280 00
Paid for labor and teams,
827 25
Paid for tools,
21 00
Paid for signs and markers,
44 00
1,172 25
Balance, $827 75
This balance was held in reserve for clearing and burn- ing brush this winter as a safety measure, and this work is being done at the present time.
During the past year forty acres of land have been purchased, bringing the total up to two hundred acres, a large part of which is well wooded at the present time.
One mile of fire belt has been cleared, adding greatly to fire protection.
Twenty thousand trees have been planted, making a total of forty thousand.
The committee would recommend an appropriation of $2,000 for further planting and improvement for 1926. Respectfully submitted,
W. N. SNOW,
Chairman of Comm.
-207-
Report of Cemetery Commissioners
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1925
OAK GROVE & VINE HILLS CEMETERIES Appropriation,
$10,000 00 Income from Funds (for care and general use), 1,534 43
$11,534 43
Expenditures
Superintendent's Salary,
$1,550 00
Labor.
7,162 35
Teams,
399 30
Loam and Fertilizer,
1,017 95
Trees, Shrubs, Grass Seed, etc.,
211 90
Fencing,
66 35
Tools and Repairs,
189 36
Clerical Assistance,
322 08
Telephone,
22 01
All other,
584 71
11,526 01
Unexpended,
$8 42
Receipts
Sale of Lots,
$1,250 28
Care of Lots,
2,213 67
Miscellaneous (including Graves
and Foundations),
3,993 14
$7,457 09
We recommend an appropriation of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for general care.
-208-
OAK GROVE AND VINE HILLS FENCING
Special Appropriation, $3,500 00
Expended, 3,500 00
August 1st, 1925, the Town appropriated the sum of Thirty-five Hundred (3,500) Dollars towards a new fence for Oak Grove & Vine Hills Cemeteries.
The Commissioners made a contract with C. A. Gates & Co., Boston, Mass., for the erection of a Page, double galvanized wire fence from Summer to Samoset Streets, on the East line, which is completed, and very satisfac- tory to the Commissioners.
We recommend an appropriation of Thirty-five Hun- dred Dollars ($3.500.00) to extend the same in 1926, and when the fence is completed, it will last for many years.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR SURVEY, GRADING AND LAYING OUT LOTS IN VINE HILLS CEMETERY
Unexpended, January 1, 1925, $26 99
Expended during 1925, 26 99
BURIAL HILL CEMETERY
Appropriation,
$2,000 00
Expenditures
Superintendent,
$180 00
Labor,
1,241 18
Teams,
30 51
Tools,
23 40
Loam and Fertilizer,
27 35
Fencing,
281 50
All other,
66 15
1,850 09
Unexpended,
$149 91
Receipts
Care of Lots,
$96 00
-209-
Miscellaneous,
83 57 -
$179 57 We recommend that the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, ($2,000.00), be appropriated for general care.
BURIAL HILL FENCING
Special Appropriation, $1,000 00
Expended, 1,000 00
We recommend a further appropriation of $1,000.00 for the extension of fencing already begun.
CHILTONVILLE, MANOMET, CEDARVILLE AND SOUTH POND CEMETERIES
Appropriation, $800 00
Expenditures
Labor and Teams,
$198 25
Markers, and Fence,
503 75
All other,
5 82
707 82
Unexpended, $92 18
Receipts
Manomet, Sale of Lots,
$14 76
Chiltonville, Sale of Lots,
63 92
Cedarville, Sale of Lots,
15 20
$93 88
We recommend an appropriation of Three Hundred Dollars, ($300.00), for the year 1926.
Plymouth Fourteen
-210-
Special Appropriation for Addition to Manomet Cemetery
Unexpended, January 1, 1925, $136 90
Expended during year 1925
(Labor), 93 80
Unexpended, $43 10
Thirty-one new Funds have been established the past year, amounting to $4,358.81, all of which can be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE M. SAUNDERS, ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE,
Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
-211-
Plymouth Public Library
The following reports of the Librarian and of the Pres- ident for the year ending December 31st, 1925, are re- spectfully submitted to the taxpayers of the Town :
After a faithful service of seven years Miss Lillian Kerr, owing to continued ill-health, resigned as librarian, and Mrs. Minnie Burke Figmic, who had satisfactorily filled the position during Miss Kerr's leave of absence, was appointed permanent librarian. Her report hereto appended, gives evidence of the constantly widening usefulness of the library. It has long since been very much more than a distributing centre of general liter- ature, or a quiet place where reading and study may be enjoyed. Among other activites it is doing work in Americanization of far-reaching value in a community such as ours, in which people from foreign lands have found employment and have established homes and are rearing families. Furthermore as an adjunct of our public schools the necessity of its service is constantly in- creasing as appreciative teachers can testify.
Considerable publicity is given the library, under the present administration, by frequent articles contributed to the Old Colony Memorial, and also by interesting talks given by the librarian in a number of our public schools whose pupils have reached the study age and have need of being led into a love of literature, and helped to acquire a discriminating taste for the best reading. Advanced pupils have also been invited and encouraged in these oc- casional talks to use the library when in their studies it is necessary to consult books of reference, assured of willing and glad assistance in that direction.
Nor are the younger children overlooked, in this solici- tude to be of service, for even the third-grade schools
-212-
have been visited and pupils told of the attractive read- ing the library provides for them.
An impressive evidence of the awakening of young minds to a love of the best reading, to which these talks of the librarian have contributed, is the fact that in two schools alone eighty-nine pupils read twenty books each, or 1,780 books in all, from the State Certified Reading List, and thus earned, and were formally given, the honor Certificate awarded by the Commonwealth for that ac- complishment.
An increase in attendance of over four thousand, and of more than 12,000 in the circulation of books over that of last year, as noted in the librarian's report, is an out- standing gain over any record of the past and a notable evidence of the growing appreciation of the library.
In the figures quoted the juvenile proportion is so very large and is increasing so rapidly as to constitute a seri- ous problem, for the space set apart for the young peo- ple was long ago outgrown, forcing them to intrude upon the area reserved for adults. The directors have realized this unhappy and annoying situation for some years but can see no way to meet it but by an extension of the li- brary building sufficient to house a separate and distinct department for the exclusive use of the children. We realize the utter futility of asking the Town for an ap- propriation such as this plan would require, in view of existing demands that must be met, and in the face of the highest tax rates in its history ; but we continue to hope that so very worthy an object may be noted by some person of ample means and altruistic spirit who will be glad to finance it in view of its far-reaching value and importance to the Town. The cordial appreciation of a grateful community, and the association of the donor for all time with a memorial of perpetual usefulness, would be among the abiding rewards of such a benefac- tion.
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.