Town annual report of Swampscott 1950, Part 11

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1950
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 216


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1950]


Board of Trustees of the Public Library


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Board of Trustees of the Swampscott Public Library submits its annual report.


During 1950 Swampscott Public Library has continued the even tenor of its way, open till 9 P.M. six nights a week. Though the trend throughout the state appears to be toward shorter hours for municipal employees, since our circulation figures are substantially the same as in 1949 we have not considered a change in evening hours, nor in our 9 to 9 Saturday opening.


Swampscott Public Library does not exist just in the town which created it and which it serves, but is a single unit in a countrywide group of public libraries. The recently organized Division of Public Libraries in the American Library Association issued this year a "Statement of Objectives and Program" which says in part "A large proportion of the citizens of this country have had no op- portunity to know from personal experience what good library service is." Swampscott gives $2.13 per capita for support of its library which is not much below the A.L.A. standard of $2.25 judged necessary for "reasonably good service". As a corollary to the A.L.A. project to obtain adequate financial support for all public libraries (through at least one large-unit demonstration in each state) this "Statement" realistically recommends that every library "improve the quality of the service rendered with present funds, and make these services widely known in the community." These are not new ideas to us but perhaps their national utterance will make our work on them more vigorous.


Through membership in library clubs, attendance at their meet- ings, and reading several library management magazines we are kept aware of improvements in techniques. Much under discussion recently have been experiments with charging systems (the ways in which it is recorded what borrower has which books) and better preparation of magazines for lending. Both of these we hope to change next year.


Another national project we shall watch with interest is the exploration for "new measurements for evaluating public library service which will be more effective and convincing than statistics on the circulation of books." An index figure for the latter has just been evolved. For 1949, the national index was 82, our local one was 87, indicating slightly greater use than average. It will be mildly interesting to see how we compare when 1950 figures have been compiled.


The Griffenhagen "Report on classification and compensation of positions" made for the town, was a distinct disappointment to this Library as it has been to libraries in other towns where they have been made. Their proposed change in organization of positions, made without any consultation with the elected Board of Trustees, to- gether with their general inadequate comprehension of library standards has resulted generally in such peculiar designs that the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries, the State Commissioners of Public Libraries, and the Massachusetts Library Association are studying ways and means to prevent the handicaps under which Massachusetts libraries will labor if these recommendations are adopted. Boards of Library Trustees have been conspicuously con- scientious and honorable public servants. We hope the Swampscott Town Meeting will vote to accept the By-law which finds it logical


122


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


to leave the Library (as was done in Brookline) a separate service, administered, like the schools, by its own Board, whose authorities are defined by State Law.


Another factor in our consciousness of belonging to the country- wide library picture lies in the fact that a backward look over 7 years reveals that we have helped several girls to choose library work as a career. Often they have begun during high school by learn- ing to shelve books, prepare them for circulation, etc. They continue to help in college libraries, and some have gone on to earn library school degrees. We try to give special consideration to such applicants when we hire summer assistants (and have had several requests for such opportunity from out of town girls) ; we obtain assistants of excellent caliber in this group. Librarians are still scarce; though this is infinitesimal in recruiting endeavors, it is a small contribution.


STAFF: Our capable office assistant, Barbara O'Neill, who had been with us 31/2 years left in August to be married. We were able to fill her position promptly by the appointment in September of Marjorie Koch, an honor graduate of Swampscott High School, with a record of part-time experience in business, unusual for one so young. She has not been able yet to work into loan desk practices, but we are fortunate to have available two competent, experienced, and devoted "substitutes" in Mrs. Thomas Condon and Mrs. Robert Benford. Miss Pollard of the full-time staff had 10 weeks' leave of absence during the summer for study at Emory University Library School where she secured 15 quarter hours' credit in professional subjects, which will enable her to perform some technical processes formerly carried entirely by the Librarian. Miss Duval has experi- mented successfully with some three-dimensional bulletin boards. She also initiated and carried through the rearrangement of non- fiction which gained a little more room for growth in the east reading room. (Though we still feel daily in one way or another the need for more room in the building, this report is not going to labor that point.) We were able with the salary saved by Miss Pollard's leave of absence to hire a trained cataloger, Mrs. Frances Cox Carnes, of Harvard Divinity School Library, for one month to do some skilled work needed in the adult catalog. Mrs. Linden has continued her work with children, parents, and teachers, also continuing to make the contact between the adult and juvenile departments useful in vari- ous ways. Her teaching ability aids much, too, in training the high school girls who help us. Our staff surely leaves nothing to be desired in disposition and devotion.


JEAN ALLAN ROOM: A Sailing-Reading Club proved popular and was well attended during the summer vacation, ending with a trip to Peabody Institute Museum in Salem.


During the Spring Book Festival Mrs. Linden's suggestion of a book program assembly at Junior High School was enthusiastically seconded by Mr. Jordan and carried out successfully.


Since the 8th grade was leaving Hadley School this year, and it seemed not feasible to have them come from High School to this building for the usual introduction to the adult department, we tried holding a "graduation" here in June. It began in the Children's room, with a quiz in radio fashion, and ended by a short visit to the adult room, with a chance to take out applications for adult cards. The instruction in use of the library formerly given to 9th grades is now assumed by the High School Librarian. In cooperation with her we have issued a leaflet of "Tips" on the use of the Public Library which is given to students as she refers them to this building. Com- bined with it is a short list of recreational reading.


123


TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY


1950]


BUILDING: The boiler gave out with little warning after 34 years' use, and was replaced as soon as specifications could be ob- tained. E. J. Allard, a local heating specialist, prepared these at a very nominal figure and was most helpful with advice and supervision throughout the affair.


Exit lights were installed on both floors. A book case for over- size books was built for the Children's Room. The front door lock, which had long been troublesome, was repaired by a newly discovered process.


TECHNICAL CHANGES: A new blank for summer borrowers, making the card itself the receipt for the deposit, eliminated a source of long-standing irritation. Only 34 were issued, which was less than usual.


A new form of application for borrower's card, which allows room to record occupation and special interests, was adopted when we began the re-registration in August. The new information is more often omitted than given.


PUBLIC RELATIONS: The Librarian spoke before the Farm and Garden Club, on recent garden books, and before the Rebekahs, on new books of general interest. The Children's Librarian and Li- brarian gave a joint book talk on children's and family reading before 100 members of the Rhodes School Parent-Teacher Association in Marblehead.


A "Great Books" group is meeting here for the second year.


The new Welcome Wagon service distributes our "Information for new borrowers" leaflet, and also some special lists as well as the Book Chat. We are grateful to Mrs. Hempel who not only sends now- comers to register, but who has introduced the Library to some long-time residents who had not utilized its services before.


Eight "Book Chat" lists were prepared, most of them by Miss Pollard. An exhaustive list of sea stories (to be followed in 1951 by one of true narratives with nautical interest) was featured all summer. Mention of a families list, compiled in 1949, in May Lam- berton Becker's column in the New York Herald Tribune Weekly


Book Review brought a dozen or more requests from as far away as California.


Under the auspices of the Community Service Committee of the Swampscott Woman's Club, a successful "Behind the Scenes in the Library" morning was held late in October. Fifty members and guests of the Club toured the building with guides, had refreshments provided by the Committee, and heard explanations by various staff members of work done "behind the scenes" ending with a talk on Trustees' duties by Mrs. C. Fred Smith, Jr.


GIFTS: A gift of unusual local significance and intrinsic value came from Mrs. G. D. R. Durkee and Mr. and Mrs. H. Allen Durkee, who presented an oil painting entitled "Sugaring Time, Vermont", done by the late Frank C. Durkee of Swampscott. Mr. Durkee was both a regular user of the Library, and an adviser in its buying of art books. This evidence of his finished skill will always give pleasure to those who frequent the building. We feel very fortunate to have it.


Two other original works, these in the book field, were pre- sented : One from Mrs. Arthur Splittberger, who as Winifred Wayne collaborated on "Handcar Joe"; and from Miss Dorothy Russell came a copy of "The Thirsty Lion" by her sister, Karine Forbes, formerly


124


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


a Swampscott resident. These are both children's room additions. Miss Mattie O. Galeucia also gave to that department a globe, mounted on stand.


The Garden Club flower arrangements come faithfully and are always enjoyed by staff and public, who see them from opposite sides of the desk.


Individual donors of other books and periodicals are listed at the end of this report.


Not on view but also much appreciated is a mimeograph ma- chine which was passed along to us by the Town Engineer's office when they secured one electrically operated. It is very helpful to have one under our own roof for use at any time we need it.


One of the more poignant news stories of the past year, though without large headlines, described scenes at the forced closing of the U. S. Information Library in Prague. Five thousand Czechs gath- ered with pathetic eagerness to obtain as a treasure some fragment of its collections which through a Soviet oddity, were not confiscated for destruction, but left for the departing American staff to dis- tribute. The acceptance, sometimes tearful, of a piece of this material testified mutely how high a value was set upon this sad little souvenir of freedom, whose possession might well endanger its owner. The public library idea, which we take so for granted, is a very precious one. We who are connected with the operation of a library feel more than ever determined to do all possible that our citizens shall value and use it.


NAMES of DONORS of BOOKS and PERIODICALS to the LIBRARY


Miss Mary A. Clapp


Miss Prudence W. Potter


Mrs. Philip Eiseman


Miss Dorothy Russell


Mr. Edwin M. Gerould


Senator Leverett Saltonstall


Mr. Arthur T. Gregorian


Mr. Owen Southwick


Mr. Albert S. Hills


Mrs. Joseph Ingelfinger


Mrs. Arthur Splittberger Miss Margaret Thompson Mr. Calvin Tilden


Miss Harriet Knobel


Mr. Harold S. Walker


Mr. George Lyman


Mrs. William H. McCarty, Jr.


Mrs. Richard Ward


Mary Jane Newton


Mr. David L. Winer


Mr. William Parsons


Mr. Clyde Witham


STATISTICS


Circulation


Adult fiction


33,162


Adult non-fiction


18,076


Adult periodicals


6,017


57,255


Juvenile fiction


25,356


Juvenile non-fiction


4,991


Juvenile periodicals


768


31,115


Grand Total


Victrola records (adult)


836


Pictures (children's room) 779


88,370


125


DOG OFFICER


1950]


Books:


Books in Library January 1, 1950


30,975


Books added (Adult 1,251 - Juv. 643)


1,894


Books discarded (Adult 529 - Juv. 257) ..


786


Books in Library January 1, 1951


32,083


32,083


Attendance


Adult


28,218


Juvenile


10,182


38,400


38,400


Registered Borrowers


Adult


2,929


Juvenile


911


3,840


3,840


Fine Receipts Turned Over to the Town


$1321.45


LIBRARY STAFF


Edith N. Snow, Librarian


Doris B. Linden, Children's Librarian


Susan Duval, Assistant


Ruth E. Pollard, Assistant


Barbara O'Neill, Library Secretary (January-August)


Marjorie A. Koch, Library Secretary (September-


Andrew Tennent, Janitor


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE W. HOWE, Chairman MARCIA G. SMITH, Secretary RUTH M. BARRY,


Board of Trustees.


Dog Officer


To the Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit my first report covering the period from August 21, 1950, the date I assumed office to December 31, 1950.


There were 191 complaints about animals all of which have been investigated and adjusted satisfactorily to all concerned.


Eight stray dogs were disposed of. I have established a new pound and burial plot. There were 589 licenses issued for 1950.


I wish to express my appreciation to all departments and per- sonnel who have cooperated with me; particularly Willis E. Shephard, my predecessor, who served the town faithfully for a period of fifteen years.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN A. BOSTON, Dog Officer.


126


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Highway Department


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:


Herewith is my annual report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1950.


In this era of sky-rocketing costs it should be of interest to the citizens to know that this department has always endeavored to stay within its appropriation and maintain a good department at a mini- mum cost to the town.


The following is a list of expenditures of this department for


the past three years :


1948


1949


1950


Wages


$ 75,856.80


$ 78,570.52


$ 77,899.04


Other Expenses


56,310.40


32,232.81


24,664.60


$132,167.20


$110,803.33


$102,563.64


You will note from the above figures that for the past two years this department has made every effort to operate at a savings to the taxpayer.


Some of this saving can be attributed to the fact we now have a fully motorized department with fine mechanical equipment.


The department points with pride to one of the finest equipped snow fighting divisions in the country.


SIDEWALKS


Under the provisions of Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the Gen- eral Laws, new sidewalks were constructed on streets designated by the Board of Selectmen as follows:


Erie Street


Huron Street


Nason Road


Burpee Road


Magnolia Road


Forest Avenue


Lexington Circle


Phillips Avenue


Bradlee Avenue


Humphrey Street


Morton Road


Atlantic Avenue


This department also worked with the State Department of Public Works installing a new sidewalk on the State Road from Franklin Avenue to Walker Road.


SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE


Sidewalks were repaired or resurfaced on the following streets: Humphrey Street Phillips Avenue Sherwood Road


Bond Street Lawrence Road Francis Road


Bellevue Road


Morton Road


Beach Bluff Avenue


Eulow Street


Mostyn Street


Atlantic Avenue


Stanwood Road


Bradlee Avenue


Paradise Road


Norfolk Avenue


Ocean Avenue


Banks Road


Redington Street


STREETS


Porter's Court having been accepted by the Town Meeting, this street was surfaced and a new sidewalk erected.


King's Beach Terrace having been accepted for a distance of 435 feet, a new surface water drain was laid and the street recon- structed and new sidewalks were erected.


A surface water drain was also constructed on Hawthorne Road, the street reconstructed, and a new sidewalk erected.


127


SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY


1950]


The following streets were resurfaced and seal coated during the year :


Danvers Street


Lexington Circle


Lexington Park


Gale Road Winshaw Lane


Rockyledge Road


Orchard Road Tid Street


Foster Road


Redington Street


Sheridan Road


Kensington Lane


Ellis Road Devens Road


Thomas Road


Andrew Road Shaw Road


Elmwood Road


Under the provisions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws by virtue of which the cost of certain highway improvements is shared by the town and Commonwealth equally - Humphrey Street from the Marblehead line to the junction of Puritan Road and Atlantic Avenue was resurfaced. Also Atlantic Avenue from the Marblehead line to North Stone Road.


GENERAL MAINTENANCE


Following the practice of the department, every catch basin in town, all streets, and sidewalks were cleaned during the year.


During the summer months Fisherman's Beach, Whales Beach, and Preston Beach are cleaned every working day.


In the fall months the department is kept busy cleaning up leaves from the trees. By doing this work it prevents the surface water drains from blocking up.


The members of this department regret the passing of Martin Mastromarino and Edward B. Roberts, Jr., two retired employes who had given many years of service to the town.


Again, I wish to recommend that serious consideration be given to the reconstruction of Puritan Road. This is a large project and should be done by contract under a bond issue.


This department as always is willing at all times to cooperate with all departments with its men and equipment.


We are also ready to lend any assistance on behalf of Civil Defense in protecting the home front.


In closing I wish to express my appreciation to those departments who have cooperated with me during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


TIMOTHY J. RYAN,


Surveyor of Highways.


Superintendent of Cemetery


To the Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1950.


The total interments for the year were 84. All receipts for funerals, foundations, and sale of lots were paid to the Collector of Taxes.


Sunken graves were filled and seeded.


The hurricane blew down a number of small trees which were replaced.


I recommend that the Town shingle the roof of the office and work shop, and install electricity.


I wish to express my appreciation to all departments which have cooperated with me during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. WOOD, Superintendent.


128


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Department of Veterans' Services


The Department of Veterans' Services hereby submits its re- port for the year 1950:


It has come to the attention of this office that there are many veterans in the town who are not aware of the services that are available to them and their dependents through this department. It is suggested that all veterans note the various services rendered during the last year under the heading of "SUMMARY", below. If any person desires information relating to service or veteran matters they are requested to contact this office.


Office hours are nine to noon Monday through Friday. Appoint- ments for other times may be made by telephoning LYnn 3-4313, anytime.


Shortly after the close of World War II, the town offered to photostat all discharges that were brought in for that purpose. Sev- eral hundred copies were made and the negatives were placed in storage. A metal filing cabinet has been purchased, the negatives taken from storage and filed. If a veteran loses his original discharge, and it was photostated by the town, it is possible that the negative is in the files from which additional copies may be made. It is strongly urged that all veterans who have not had their discharge photostated by this office, do so without delay. There is no charge to the veteran for any of the services performed by this department.


VETERANS' BENEFITS


Total number of cases who received benefits locally 26


(WW I-2;WW II-24)


Total number of individuals aided locally 69


Total number of cases who received benefits while residing out of town (all WW II) 5


Total number of individuals aided while residing out of town .... 10 Total number of applications not approved, referred to other cities or towns or disapproved by State Department of Vet- erans' Services 53


All cases receiving benefits from this office were approved by the State Department of Veterans' Services, which means that the State will reimburse the town for one half the amount paid by this depart- ment.


SUMMARY OF SERVICES RENDERED


Next of kin assisted in requesting headstones from the Depart- ment of Defense 4


Veterans or dependents assisted in matters pertaining to National Service Life Insurance 32


Veterans assisted in matters pertaining to Veterans Adminis- tration, other than NSLI 42


163


Photostat copies made of discharges or papers


Powers of Attorney executed 15


Papers notarized 32


Positions of employment found for veterans 4


Homes found for veterans or dependents 3


Veterans conveyed to hospitals 8


Papers forwarded to Department of Defense, Washington re- questing review of low grade discharges 4


(2 cases were given Honorable discharges; 1 Bad Conduct discharge was upheld and the fourth case is pending.)


Certification of award of Purple Heart medal from AGO 6


Requests for Selective Service Information 123


Miscellaneous services not listed above 92


129


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


1950]


APPRECIATION


I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, to all Town departments, and all others who have cooperated in matters pertaining to this office. The local press and radio stations have been exceptionally helpful in disseminating information that it was desired to place before the public. To them I express my sincere thanks.


Respectfully submitted, NEWTON S. COURTNEY, Director.


Board of Public Welfare


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Board of Public Welfare submits herewith its report for the year 1950.


The past year has seen a slight decrease in the number of calls for temporary aid caused by unemployment. Our case load at present consists almost entirely of persons who are physically unfit for em- ployment.


SUMMARY OF PERSONS AIDED


1949


1950


Total Individuals Receiving Aid Locally


76


79


Total Cases Receiving Aid in Other Cities & Towns


23


21


Total Individuals Aided Locally in December


32 24


New Applications Accepted


57 47


Cases Closed


45


55


EXPENDITURES FROM TOWN APPROPRIATION


Salaries & Wages


$ 3,115.53 170.12


Office Administration


Relief by Town


Groceries


$1,061.37


Fuel


232.58


Medical


2,052.06


Institutional Care


2,628.21


Cash


6,714.10


Board


5,695.13


Clothing


34.53


Other Cities & Towns


6,661.40


$25,079.38


Total Expenditures


$25,365.03


REIMBURSEMENT TO TOWN


Other Cities & Towns


$5,867.90


Individuals


62.00


State Department, Temporary Aid


2,523.55


Total Reimbursement


$ 8,453.45*


Net Cost to Town for 1950


$19,911.58


* (Not available for use of this department.)


Respectfully submitted,


WALTER L. RANGER, FRED M. SEATON, DONALD REDFERN, Board of Public Welfare.


-


130


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Aid to Dependent Children


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Department of Aid to Dependent Children submits the fol- lowing report for the year 1950.


SUMMARY OF CASES AIDED


1949


1950


Total Families Aided


Children in Families Aided


Total Families Aided


Children in Families Aided


January


8


17


9


22


February


8


17


10


25


March


8


17


10


25


April


9


20


10


24


May


8


18


8


18


June


9


19


10


25


July


9


20


11


25


August


9


20


12


26


September


9


20


10


21


October


9


20


9


17


November


9


20


10


18


December


8


19


10


18


The following is a summary of the financial operations of the department for the past year.


EXPENDITURES


For Assistance


From Town Appropriation


$ 9,504.74


From Federal Funds 4,217.36


Total Expenditures


$13,722.10


REIMBURSEMENTS


For Assistance


From State Department


$ 4,263.52*


From Federal Government 4,475.95


For Administration


From Federal Government


$ 8,739.47 $ 348.02


Total Reimbursements Net Cost to Swampscott for 1950


$ 9,087.49


$ 4,634.61


* (Not available for use of this department)


Balance of Federal Funds on Hand December 31, 1950 For Assistance


$ 3,093.72


For Administration 671.61


Total


$ 3,765.33


Respectfully submitted, WALTER L. RANGER, FRED M. SEATON, DONALD REDFERN, Bureau of Aid to Dependent Children.


131


BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


1950]


Bureau of Old Age Assistance


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits herewith, it's report for the year 1950.


During the past year, the case load in this department has been comparatively steady. The major change was caused by the increase in Social Security benefits which became effective on October 1, 1950. This change caused a decrease of approximately $500.00 in our monthly expenditures for assistance.




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