USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1928 > Part 14
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room especially attractive at that time.
With the establishment of a children's library came the necessity for differentiating between the cards for the children and those for adults. The Trustees favored an extension of privileges to adults, and the charging system was modified and simplified to accomplish this purpose. The new system gives all adults the opportunities and privil- eges formerly granted only on the issuance of special cards. Many have expressed appreciation both of the extended privileges and of the simplification.
Some new equipment has been added during 1928. The bookcase with glass doors which was purchased to shelve the books given by Mr. Laban Pratt holds the most valuable of the books in that collection. The beautiful bindings of the books show to advantage behind the glass, and the case is a real addition to the furniture of the reading room. A file has been purchased for the pamphlet material which is such a valuable addition to the resources of a library, and which can now be made more readily available for use; and a business file has been purchased for the office. There is a new catalog case for cards at the North Weymouth Branch, and one new section of shelving at the East Weymouth Branch. A stair-way and book-lift, connecting the adult and juvenile departments of the Main Library are urgently needed, and the floor in the children's room needs protection of some kind. Either cork tiling or battleship linoleum would be excellent for this purpose.
The Tufts Library acknowledges with thanks the gifts of flowers made by Miss Alice Blanchard, and Mr. Thomas E. Shea. It also takes this opportunity to express its thanks for the bulletins and reports received from other libraries, and for several books which have been donated by individuals. Other gifts, notably those of the children's room, have been acknowledged elsewhere in this report.
In June the library published the first number of a bulletin of new books. This will appear several times during the year, and will be freely distributed throughout the town. A file of these bulletins will furnish a list of the additions to the Tufts Library, and will take the place of Appendix B formerly published with the annual report.
Through the suggestion of one of the Trustees, a plan has been worked out whereby the ladies of the Literary Committee of the Monday Club are cooperating with the librarian in reviewing the new books. Good reviews are published from time to time in the Wey- mouth Gazette and Transcript, a feature which greatly aids the library in advertising its new and more worth-while books.
Building on the splendid foundation that has been laid through the past fifty years, the Tufts Library looks forward to a future of in- creased service to the Town of Weymouth. It asks your cooperation that its resources may be sufficiently adequate to meet its opportunity, and it acknowledges gratefully the loyal support given it in the past.
Respectfully submitted,
C. P. WHITTLE, Chairman. By order and in behalf of the Trustees.
APPENDIX A-STATISTICS Classification of Circulation
Main
East Weymouth
North Weymouth
Class
Loans
Per Cent
Loans
Per Cent
Loans
Per Cent
Total
Arts
2,950
4.55
244
.94
491
1.30
3,685
Biography
1,383
2.14
272
1.05
322
.85
1,977
Fiction
45,512
70.26
22,428
86.31
31,353
82.79
99,293
History
2,264
3.50
275
1.06
570
1.51
3,109
Literature
1,473
2.27
199
.77
324
86
1,996
Natural Science
1,066
1.65
152
.59
254
67
1,472
Poetry
1,277
1.97
136
.52
241
.64
1,654
Social Science
2,051
3.17
587
2.26
568
1.50
3,206
Religion
255
.39
39
.15
54
.14
348
Travel
1,244
1.92
348
1,33
478
1.26
2,070
149
Periodicals
5,298
8.18
1,306
5.02
3,214
8.48
9,818
64,773
100.00
25,986
100.00
37,869
100.00
128,628
Number of Volumes Distributed Through the Several Delivery Stations
Precincts
Delivery Stations North Weymouth Branch
274
1
East Weymouth Branch
224
2 & 6
Alfred S. Tirrell
1,448
4
Fogg Memorial Library
709
5
W. B. Chalke & Sons
686
7
.
8
Smith's Market
1,328
4,669
Loans
150
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM OF STATISTICS
For the year ending December 31, 1928
Population served (Census of 1925)
17,253
Assessed valuation of town
$37,202,536
Total number of agencies, consisting of : Main Library Branches Delivery Stations School (buildings)
2
4
Number of days open during year
302
Total valuation of library property
$104,600
Number of volumes at beginning of year
42,417
Number of volumes added by purchase
1,803
Number of volumes added by gift
25
Number of volumes added by binding
41
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn
4,658
Total number of volumes at end of year
39,609
Number of volumes of fiction lent
99,293
Total number of volumes lent
128,628
Number of borrowers registered
4,899
Number of borrowers registered in 1928
2,603
Number of periodicals received : 129 titles; 182 copies.
Receipts from
Payments for
Town appropriation
$16 326.00
Books and periodicals
$4,436.15 701.56
Endowment funds
1,336.18
Binding
Salaries, library service, janitor service
6,899.37
Heat
692.54
Light
348.64
Rent (Branches)
1,380.00
Other expenses
3,202.60
Unexpended balance
1.32
$17,662.18
$17,662.18
APPENDIX B
Registrations
Number of borrowers registered December 31, 1927
5,434
Number of new registrations during 1928
870
6,304
Number of registrations which have expired during 1928
2,986
3,318
Number of re-registrations during 1928
1,733
5,051
Number of registrations void through death or removal from town
152
Number of borrowers registered December 31, 1928
4,899
.
6
151
APPENDIX C-PERIODICALS
Academy of political science, Proceedings.
* Alpha aids.
American boy.
*Horticulture House and Garden
American cookery.
American forests and forest life.
American historical review.
American homes.
*American issue.
American library association Booklist. Bulletin
American magazine.
Annals of the American academy. of political and social science.
Asia
Atlantic bookshelf
Atlantic monthly
*Bell telephone quarterly Bird lore
*B'nai B'rith magazine
Book review digest
Bookman
Boston evening transcript
Buddy book
Bulletin of bibliography
Catholic world
Century
Child life
*Christian leader *Christian register
*Christian Science journal
*Christian science monitor *Christian science sentinel *Church militant
Collier's weekly
Congregationalist
Country gentleman
Country life
Creative reading
Cumulative book index
Current events
Current history magazine
Delineator
*Dennison's party magazine Education
Electrical world
Elementary English review Etude
Everygirl's
*Federation news Forest and stream
Forum Good housekeeping
Harper's magazine
American city.
House beautiful
*Hygeia
Illustrated London news
Industrial education magazine
*International investor
Junior home
*Kodakery Ladies' home journal
Libraries
Library journal
Literary digest
Living age
Marine engineering and shipping age
*Massachusetts health journal Mentor
Modern Priscilla
*Museum of Fine Arts bulletin, Boston, Mass.
Music and youth
Nation
National geographic magazine
*National humane review
*National republic Nation's business
Nature magazine
*New England conservatory of music bulletin
*New Near East
New republic
New York herald tribune - Books
New York times book review
Nineteenth century and after
North American review
Ontario library review
Open road
*Our dumb animals
Outlook
Pictorial review
Piper
Poetry
Political science quarterly
Popular mechanics
Popular science monthly
Primary education
*Protectionist
Publisher's weekly
Radio broadcast *Raja Yoga messenger
152
APPENDIX C (Cont.)
Reader's guide to periodical literature
Reference shelf
Survey *Theosophical path Time
Review of reviews (American) *Rotarian
Travel
St. Nicholas
U. S. daily
Saturday evening post
*Weymouth Baptist
Saturday review of literature
*School
School and society
*Weymouth item Wisconsin library bulletin
School arts magazine
Woman's home companion
Scientific American
World's work
Scribner's magazine
Youth's companion
EAST WEYMOUTH BRANCH
American boy
Harper's magazine
American homes
Literary digest
American magazine
Mentor
Atlantic monthly
National geographic magazine
Child life
Nature magazine
*Christian science monitor
Pictorial review
Country gentleman
Popular mechanics
Current history
Radio broadcast
Delineator
St. Nicholas Scientific American
Elementary English review Etude
Scribner's magazine
*Everyland
Travel
Forest and stream
World's work
Good housekeeping
Youth's companion
NORTH WEYMOUTH BRANCH
American boy
American homes
American magazine
National geographic magazine
Atlantic monthly
Nature magazine
Century
Popular mechanics
Child life
*Rotarian Saint Nicholas
*Christian leader
*Christian science monitor
Current history
Etude
Scientific American Travel Woman's home companion
Good housekeeping
World's work.
Harper's magazine
Youth's companion
*Gift
Literary digest McCall's magazine
U. S. air services
*Weymouth gazette and transcript
153
THE FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1928
Salaries and wages:
Librarian and assistants Janitor
$4,218.25 1,429.00
$ 5,647.25
Books and Periodicals, ect .:
De Wolfe & Fiske Co.
1,877.70
The Personal Book Shop
504.95
The H. R. Huntting Co.
331.72
Herman Goldberger
217.00
The H. W. Wilson Co.
151.33
Miscellaneous
457.79
3,540.49
Binding Books
701.56
Fuel
692.54
Light
256.79
Maintenance of Building
2,103.95
Other Expenses :
Printing, telephone, supplies, etc.
486.59
Transportation and delivery of books Insurance
12.45
13,818.42
North Weymouth Branch:
Librarian
552.12
Rent
600.00
Periodicals, etc.
368.04
Maintenance
50.65
Light
41.72
Sundries
58,66
1,671.19
East Weymouth Branch:
Librarian
700.00
Rent
780.00
Periodicals
527.62
Transportation of books
78.00
Maintenance
30.50
Light
50.13
Sundries
5.00
2,171.25
Fogg Library Reading Room
1,200.00
Total expended
18,860.86
Balance to treasury
1.32
Total
18,862.18
376.80
154
Appropriation, March 5, 1928
17,526.00
Income from other sources:
Tufts Fund-Books
125.00
Tufts Reading Room Fund
125.00
Joseph E. Trask Fund
601.06
Augustus J. Richards Fund
235.12
Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund
125.00
Tirrell Donation
50.00
Francis Flint Forsyth Fund
50.00
Charles Henry Pratt Trust Fund
25.00
Total
$18,862.18
EMERSON R. DIZER, Town Accountant.
155
Weymouth, Dec. 20, 1928.
REPORT OF POLICE SIGNALING COMMITTEE
The undersigned Committee appointed by virtue of the vote at the Annual meeting in March last, begs leave to report that it has held several meetings and has considered; first, the needs of such a sig- naling system in the town; second,the advantages of such systems; and third, the cost of installation and maintenance thereof.
The need of such a system in the town will become more urgent as the town grows and the calls upon the Police Department, which are already many and varied, increase. Such a system in the town will increase the efficiency of the Department and the success and effect- iveness of its work
There is one police signaling system which is preeminently best and which we think is the only system the town should consider in- stalling. The Committee refers to the Gamewell system, which is manufactured and installed by The Gamewell Company, located at Newton Upper Falls. Mass.
The Gamewell Company is ready to contract with the town, to furnish and install the system as hereinafter described, for the sum of $25,000. This price includes police central office desk equipped with various circuits, test panel, flash-light transmitter, recording set and telephone equipment. It is the standard police central office desk now in general use in municipalities having such a system.
At the outset it will have one official circuit, one primary flash- light panel,one secondary flashlight panel and one flashlight trans- mitter. Provision is made in the desk so that additional panels may be installed and the service extended as the needs require. Its total capacity will be three flashlight panels having the capacity for seven circuits, six patrol box signaling and telephone panels, seven official telephone panels and two test panels.
The operating equipment for each police circuit consists of a green pilot light which operates in conjunction with a buzzer in re- sponse to telephone signals; also, a two-position key, one position for listening, the other for transmitting humming signals manually to the boxes for the purpose of calling the patrolmen; also, a two- position key, one position to be used for the purpose of intercommun- icating by telephone with any of the official or police signal lines, and the other for the purpose of automatically transmitting humming sig- nals to the boxes; also, a two-position key, one position for cutting out of the circuit the recording apparatus and the other position for the purpose of connecting the test panel into the circuit for testing the line battery and recording apparatus.
The operating equipment also contains flash-light and audible signals mounted upon panels similiar to the battery circuit panels.and arranged for operation over a separate set of series upon circuits ; the first panel to be equipped with a white pilot light to indicate when audible or flashlight signals are being transmitted; a one-key position, for permitting the intermittent manual of the flashlight signals; a two- position key for testing for grounds on any of the flashlight lines; also, a key for controlling the operation of the flashlight signals for one circuit.
156
The equipment also includes an electro mechanical transmitter consisting of a spring driven transmitter and removable signal wheels for operating the flashlight or audible signals, the function of which would be to transmit signals giving the number of the signal, station, patrolmen, or other officer or party with whom it is desired to com- municate, the mechanism being arranged to be operated from one to four rounds as desired, and provided with devices wherewith the in- strument may be readily set to transmit the number of rounds requir- ed.
The official circuit contains one white pilot light which operates in conjunction with a buzzer in response to the removal of the receiver from the hook of the telephone set in the line; one combination lis- tening and calling key; one combination key for intercommunicating telephone service providing for connection to any of the boxes or other official circuits; also one key for cutting the circuit into the testing panel.
The equipment contains a test panel and emergency circuit, upon which panel is mounted the equipment required to make all necess- ary tests of the patrol and official circuits and instruments, contain- ing readings of the battery current and battery voltages, also with necessary switches for ground testing. On the panel is mounted a red pilot light arranged to respond, in conjunction with a vibrating bell, to all emergency signals; a two position key, one position for the purpose of restoring the emergency light and bell to normal con- ditions and the other position for cutting the telephine buzzer out of the circuit; also a two- position key for the purpose for transmitting ringing current over the various circuits when such features are re- quired, and the other position for cutting out vibrating bell.
The desk also contains a master clock for controlling and oper- ating the automatic time and date stamp on the recording equipment. The recording equipment consists of four circuit triangular puncturing register, automatic time and date stamp and paper take-up reel, the register having capacity to receive and record signals from all box circuits simultaneously. The master clock controls an adjustable au- tomatic time stamp contact controlling the time stamp circuit for the timing and dating of the signals.
The electrical energy at the central office desk is supplied by stor- age batteries. From the central station, a general description of which is given above, radiates the signal and telephone wires for the vari- ous circuits, the present installation contemplating four circuits.
The initial installation contemplates the placing of fourteen pat- rol boxes, fourteen signal lights and four horns. It contemplates that the town shall furnish. permission to occupy the necessary polls for the wires, (your Committee sees no reason why the wires cannot be carried on the polls that the fire alarm wires are now carried upon) and it contemplates that the town shall furnish the electrical current small in voltage, for the transmission of signals and messages over these wires, in a way similar to the manner in which the current for our fire alarm system is now furnished.
The proposed system is so arranged that additional boxes, signal lights and horns may be attached and the circuits extended with the minimum expense.
The design of the police box is the usual one, the outer door be- ing opened by a key.
157
The contract provides that the Company will guarantee all work- manship and materials for a period of a year from the acceptance by the town, and that at the Company's own cost and expense to make good any defect, fault or damage due to any carelessness, neglect, omission or use of any improper methods or materials.
The care of this system could readily be placed in the conrol of the Superintendent of the Fire Alarm system. The maintenance cost should not exceed $800. Per Annum.
With this system installed Police Headquarters will be able to communicate with any or all patrolmen who are on duty and direct their concentrating to any given point, or communicating of other directions. The system automatically records the date, hour and minute of each signal and the box from whence it comes, and of course, will expedite the transportation of persons under arrest or persons needing the services of the ambulance in cases of emer- gency, and in general it will constitute an additional protection to the citizens of the town.
Chief Arthur H. Pratt informed this committee that the installa- tion of this system would not require any additional man in his de- partment.
The Committee, therefore recommends that there be appropriat- ed the sum of $25,000 -- $5,000 of said sum to be raised in the levy of current year, and to pay the balance of said appropriation, to wit,- $20, 000, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $20,000, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor,payable in accordance with Sec- tion 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole of said loan shall be due and payable in not more than five years from the date of issue of the first bond or note ,or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer and Selectmen may decide.
NEWLAND H. HOLMES PATRICK J. DERRIG WILLIAM J. HOLBROOK ARTHUR H. PRATT IRVING E. JOHNSON
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ALEWIVES FISHERY
44 High Street, East Weymouth, Massachusetts, Jan. 1, 1929. Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth, East Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Superintendent of the Alewive Fisheries . in the Town of Weymouth for the year ending December 31, 1928.
Work was started on March 29th and continued 'until approxi- .mately one hundred and twenty thousand (120,000) alewives were de- posited in Whitman's Pond for spawning.
158
The run this year was very good and, as in the previous three years, was operated without any expense to the Town.
The young fish came down to the salt water the latter part of season in endless numbers, as did many of the older ones.
The condition of the building is in fairly good condition but the concrete sluiceway will need some repairing and I think that this can be taken care of out of the yearly appropriation.
In closing my report, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to you, Honorable Board of Selectmen, to the Weymouth Light and Power Company and to the Weymouth Wool Scouring Company for the help and co-operation given me during the season.
Respectfully submitted,
F. H. MAGUIRE, Jr.,
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The following cases against the Town have been disposed of dur- ing the year :
Mary A. Donovan vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 17,234, Norfolk Sup- erior Court. This was a petition for the assessment of damages for land taken for the Bicknell School playground. The jury on June 4. 1928. rendered a verdict for $2713.01, and this amount has been paid by the Town.
Charles D. Sheehy, Adm. vs. Inhab. of Weymouth, No. 18,412, Norfolk Superior Court. This was a petition for the assessment of damages for land now forming part of the High School site. The jury,on May 28, 1928, rendered a verdict for $9570.00. and the case is now pending on exceptions before the Supreme Judicial Court.
Stanley Marple vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 18.799, Norfolk Su- perior Court This was an action of tort under the highway act to re- cover for
an alleged defect in North Street, near the Weymouth Heights bridge. The case has been settled by the payment of $350.00.
Selectmen of Weymouth, Petitioners. This was a petition before the County Commissioners for a discontinuance of a portion of Front Street. The Commission rendered a decision authorizing the discon- tinuance on February 7, 1928, and the street has been discontinued accordingly.
Annie E. Richards vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 18,010. Norfolk Superior Court. Edgar C. Linn vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 18,011, Norfolk Superior Court. These were petitions for the assessment of consequental damages growing out of the Weston Park taking. In the Richards case the matter was settled by what amounted to the purchase of the land in question, pursuant to votes passed at the last Annual Town Meeting. In the Linn case the land was deeded to the Town on payment of an amount equal to the taxes which had accru- ed against the property.
The other cases enumerated in my annual report for 1927 are still pending.
159
During the year the Town has brought the following action at law :
Inhabitants of Weymouth vs. Inhabitants of Easton, Norfolk Su- perior Court, No. 19,343. This is an action of contract to recover support furnished a person alleged to have a settlement in the defend- ant Town.
The following cases have been brought against the Town during the year :
Julius J. Conviser et al vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 19,519, Norfolk Superior Court. Same vs. Same, No. 19,520. These are pe- titions for the assessment of damages for the taking of the land at the junction of Broad and Commercial Streets.
Alice P. Jewell vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 19,934, Norfolk Superior Court. This is a petition for the assessment of damages for taking of the land opposite the High School.
Norfolk Realty Company vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth. No. 20.050. Nrrfolk Superior Court.
Fannie A. Sternberg, Conservator, vs. Inhabs. of Weymouth, No. 20,203, Norfolk Superior Court.
These last two are petitions for the assessment of damages for land taken at Great Pond, for preserving the purity of the water supply.
The Town is also interested in the following case still pending :
Standard Oil Co. of New York, Petitioner for a gasoline permit, pending before the State Fire Marshall. Under instructions from your Board, I represented the interests of the Town at these hearings.
In a Town developing as rapidly as ours, it is to be expected that the number of land-damage cases will continue to increase. It is a matter of congratulation, and one showing the efficient manage- ment of the Street Department, that we have so few highway cases. I doubt if any other Town in the State, having our population and length of roads, can show such a good record. My plan, ever since I have been Town Council, has been to keep in touch with the public business of the Town in its early stages so as to avoid any acts which might result in litagation, and it is worthy of note that, as a result of this policy, no litigation has been brought against theTown growing out of the acts of Town officials.
With the completion and occupancy of the new Town Hall, the Town for the first time is in possession of adequate accommodations for its law library where Town officials having occasion to consult the books in connection with their official duties can do so. In order to make this library available, I have purchased from the regular ap- propriation the Mass. Digest, Shepard's Mass. Citations,and certain other books which are a necessity if the law library which the Town owns is to be available for reference. For the first time, also, the Town has quarters in which the law department can do its work and maintain its records in an official building instead of having the re- cords carted about to and from the private law office of the Town Counsel. In my opinion, it would be advisable for the Town Coun- sel to keep certain office hours each week in the Town Hall, and I intend to try this plan as soon as the various Town departments get thoroughly settled in the new building.
160
The new building laws and the duties imposed upon him as an ex officio member of the Board of appeal will materially increase the work of the Town Counsel during the coming year.
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