USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1941 > Part 16
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shows a substantial reduction in the amount of aid granted this year over previous years.
Expenditures for year, 1941, as compared with 1940, will be approximately $30,000.00 less. This year we are askng for about the same amount as was expended in 1941. This is due to the increase in the cost of the necessities of life, hospitalization, etc. It is very difficult to figure the budget with any greater degree of accuracy.
May I again thank your Board and my fellow workers for the continued whole-hearted support and cooperation in carrying on the work.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS P. DELAHUNT, Agent Board of Public Welfare
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Weymouth, Mass., January 10, 1942 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the services rendered by the police department for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Causes of Arrest
Crimes against the person
31
Crimes against property
73
Crimes against public order, etc.
1294
Total arrests for the year
1398
Miscellaneous Report
Complaints investigated
1011
Doors and buildings found open and secured
1709
Street lights reported out
323
Wagon calls
224
Ambulance calls
78
Animals killed
75
Messages delivered
452
Fires reported
5
Defective streets
41
Missing persons found
10
Property recovered
$13,767.40
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER,
Chief of Police.
195
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 31, 1941
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1941. The sealing fees amounting to $349.49.
There were three convictions made during the year: one for giving insuf- ficient measure, case placed on file; one for using a condemned meter, case discharged; and one for delivering oil without a certificate, found guilty and paid a fine.
My general work for the year is as follows:
Tested and sealed 1,728 weighing and measuring devices. Not sealed, 74 weighing and measuring devices.
Condemned, 18 weighing and measuring devices.
Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale and summary of inspections after sealing, 1,105 articles and devices.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. BURGESS,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF TUFTS LECTURE FUND COMMITTEE
Weymouth, January 7, 1942.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
As has been customary for the past few years, Children's Story Telling at the Library has been provided for from the Tufts Lecture Fund.
The reserve in this fund being much lower than for several years, and therefore, the annual income less, no other lectures have been arranged for during the year.
Respectfully submitted, FLORINE E. DUCKER, Chairman
CHARLES R. THIBADEAU, Secretary CLARENCE P. WHITTLE
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF ALEWIVE FISHERIES To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Weymouth
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my annual report as Superintendent of Alewive Fisheries for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Approximately seventy-five (75,000) thousand alewives were deposited in Whitman's Pond for spawning. The first catch was made on April 15th
196
and the last on May 13th.
The Welfare Department received two thousand (2000) as your board so voted.
In closing my report, I wish to thank the members of your Board, the Weymouth Light and Power Co., the Weymouth Wool Scouring Co., Mr. Kelley, Superintendent of Streets, and the boys who worked with me for the help and cooperation which was so willingly given at all times.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS M. O'TOOLE, Supt. of Alewive Fisheries.
REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF VETERAN'S GRAVES
January 6, 1942
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
Gentlemen :-
Graves and markers were checked and cared for, and money spent in about the same way as in the past. New markers were placed where necessary. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all cemetery officials who were very kind and helpful, and also anyone else who assisted me in any way.
Respectfully yours,
HENRY T. BURKE, Custodian of Veterans' Graves.
REPORT OF BURIAL AGENT
January 6, 1942
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
Gentlemen :
There were no burials in 1941 under statute providing for burial of indi- gent soldiers and sailors
Respectfully yours,
HENRY T. BURKE,
Burial Agent
197
ASSESSORS REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1941
January 9, 1942.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
We have assessed upon the polls, motor vehicle excise, water liens and estates of all persons liable to taxation, the sum of $1,386,150.47, and have committed the same to Frank W. Holbrook, Esq., the duly elected Collec- tor of Taxes, with our warrants in due form of law, for the collections and payments, in accordance with the votes of the Town and warrants of the County of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Commitment January 16, 1941,
$ 693.65
Commitment February 3, 1941
1,110.02
Commitment February 21, 1941
384.45
Commitment March 1, 1941
408.80
Commitment March 5, 1941
37,502.77
Commitment April 15, 1941
294.00
Commitment April 23, 1941
396.45
Commitment May 10, 1941
270.354.56
Commitment May 28, 1941
1,114.86
Commitment June 5, 1941
34.00
Commitment June 25, 1941
554.98
Commitment July 1, 1941
1,020,760.50
Commitment July 21, 1941
906.50
Commitment August 1, 1941
24,507.77
Commitment September 3, 1941
8,073.49
Commitment October 18, 1941
62.00
Commitment November 15, 1941
1,916.35
Commitment December 17, 1941
7.73
Commitment December 17, 1941
137.12
Commitment December 31, 1941
956.47
Commitment December 31, 1941
12.00
$1,383.150.47
Divided as follows:
Real Estate
$1,017,003.50
Personal Estate
270,362.29
Motor Vehicle Excise
72,956.85
Polls
16,364.00
Moth
678.75
Water Liens
8,785.08
$1,386.150.47
State Liabilities
State Tax
$126,720.00
Smoke Inspection Service
543.84
Veterans' Exemptions
58.56
Canterbury Street Highway
6.10
Metropolitan Sewerage-South
26,286.54
Metropolitan Planning Division
68.19
Nantasket Beach-Maintenance
983.97
Boulevards
1,906.20
198
74.00
Commitment October 1, 1941
15,888.00
Commitment April 15, 1941
Metropolitan Parks Reservation Charles River Basin
9,893.37 4,334.94
$170,801.71
Deficits due to abatements in excess of overlay of prior years : Of the year 1939 Moth Water Lien
$ 2,758.34 678.75 3,215.37
$
6,652.46
$177,454.17
County Liabilities
County Tax
$ 48,416.65
Estimated Receipts
Income Tax
$149,980.96
Corporation Taxes
32,807.52
Gasoline Tax
69,340.45
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
55,000.00
Licenses
17,600.00
Fines
150.00 ยท
Grants and Gifts
16,000.00
Dog Tax
3,502.83
General Government
100.00
Unclassified
544.07
Health and Sanitation
2,000.00
Highways
4,000.00
Charities
45,000.00
Old Age Assistance
78,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
400.00
Schools
10,000.00
Libraries
900.00
Public Service Enterprises-Water Dept.
99,541.25
Interest on Taxes
7,000.00
Alewife Fishery
250.00
Police
450.00
Moth
800.00
Inspection
350.00
Overestimates of the year 1940
203.57
Available Funds
26,400.13
Poll Tax
16,182.00
$636,502.78
Summary - 1941 Accounts
Appropriations :
Town Meeting
March 4, 1941 $1,659,979.06
April 2, 1941 26,400.13
$1,686,379.19
State Liabilities
170,801.71
County Tax
48,416.65
Overlay Deficit of the year 1939
2,758.34
Overlay of the year 1941
15,367.83
$1,923,723.72
199
Credits
Estimated Receipts
$ 636,502.78
$1,287,220 94
Table of Aggregates of the Town of Weymouth
Tax Rate for the year 1941:
Real and Personal Estate
$ 25.75
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
36.80
Valuation for the year 1941 :
$49 994.476
Real and Personal Estate Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise.
2.446,250
Number of Polls Assessed .
March 1, 1941
7.944
April 15, 1941
147
June 5, 1941
17
September 3, 1941
37
October 18, 1941
31
December 31, 1941
6
Total Number of Polls Assessed
8,182
Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed :
April 15, 1941
5,046
August 1, 1941
2 772
October 1, 1941
1,173
November 15, 1941
389
December 31, 1941
301
Total Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed
9,681
Number of Polls exempted by law or otherwise
1.932
Number of Persons assessed on property
10 250
Number of Horses assessed
64
Number of Cows assessed
339
Number of other Neat Cattle assessed
7
Number of Sheep assessed
37
Number of Swine assessed
34
Number of all other Live Stock assessed
389
Number of Fowl assessed
15,300
Number of Dwelling Houses assessed
6,883
Number of Acres of Land assessed
8,646
Respectfully submitted
CHARLES W. BURGESS, Chairman
HARRY E. BEARCE, Clerk
FRANK A. PRAY
FRANCIS A. GUNN
JOHN W. HEFFERNAN
Board of Assessors
of the Town of Weymouth
200
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth:
I am pleased to submit to you, and through you, to the Citizens of Wey- mouth, my annual report of the Taxes, Interest and Charges collected by me, as Collector of Taxes, during the year 1941. These collections, as made and paid over to the Town Treasurer, apply to the several lists as committed to me by the Board of Assessors, for the years 1939, 1940 and 1941, and include assessments of Real and Personal Property, Moth, Polls, Motor Vehicle Ex- cise and Water Liens.
1939 TAXES
Balance Outstanding January 1, 1941 (Includes all kinds of 1939 Taxes)
$ 22,136.88
Add Interest and Demands Charged and Collected : Personal
$ 35.77 1,033.13
Tax Title Disclaimers
66.25
Trimount Co-op. Bank
7.95
Allie Lindquist Michael J. White
.66
Motor Vehicle Excise
3.70
Polls, Interest
1.72
Polls, Demands
3.50
Water Liens added to 1939 Real Estate
25.77
1,178.45
Total
$ 23,315.33
Less Collections of 1939 Taxes:
Personal
$ 511.54
Real Estate
19,557.78
Moth
26.40
Water Liens added to 1939 Real Estate
425.97
Motor Vehicle Excise
33.24
Polls
20.00
Interest and Demands on above
1,103.59
$ 21,678.52
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits of 1939 Taxes :
Personal
$ 262.36
Real Estate
691.77
Real Estate Tax Title Credits
549.28
Motor Vehicle Excise
111.40
Polls
22.00
$ 1,636.81
Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits Balance Outstanding December 31, 1941
$23,315.33 NONE
1940 Taxes
$ 197,686.01
Balance Outstanding January 1, 1941 (Includes all kinds of 1940 Taxes)
Add Interest and Demands Charged and Collected during 1941 : Personal
$ 63.99
Real Estate 4,383.65
201
Real Estate
Motor Vehicle Excise Polls, Interest Polls, Demands Water Liens added to 1940 Real Estate
103.58
17.64
96.95
89.54
Total
4,755.35
$ 202,441.36
Less Collections of 1940 Taxes :
Personal
$ 2,503.07
Real Estate
163,425.10
Moth
241.62
Water Liens added to 1940 Real Estate
2,811.52
Motor Vehicle Excise
4,955.30
Polls
556.00
Interest and Demands on above
4,755.35
$ 179,247.96
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits of 1940 Taxes:
Personal
$ 365.53
Real Estate
6,431.34
Moth
2.75
Water Liens added to 1940 Real Estate
23.75
Real Estate Tax Title Credits
814.94
Water Liens Tax Title Credits
5.00
Motor Vehicle Excise
581.64
Polls
198.00
$ 8,422.95
Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits
187,670.91
Balance Outstanding December 31, 1941
$ 14,770.45 ..
Summary :
Personal
$ 486.84
Real Estate and Moth
13,614.90
Water Liens added to 1940 R. E.
511.82
Motor Vehicle Excise
112.89
Polls
44.00
$ 14,770.45
1941 Taxes
Commitments to Collector by Assessors :
Personal
$ 270,362.29
Real Estate
1,017,003.50
Water Liens added to 1941 Real Estate
3,215.37
Moth
678.75
Motor Vehicle Excise
72,956.85
Polls
16,364.00
Total of All Commitments
$1,380,580.76
Add Interest and Demands charged and Collected during 1941 :
Personal
$ 2.14
Real Estate
279.45
Water Liens added to 1941 Real Estate
1.75
Motor Vehicle Excise
137.29
202
270.85 691.48
Polls, Demands
$1,381,272.24
Less Collections of 1941 Taxes :
Personal
$ 267,401.11
Real Estate
841,162.43
Moth
562.50
Water Liens added to 1941 Real Estate
1,444.38
Motor Vehicle Excise
66,111.53
Polls
13,956.00
Interest and Demands on above
691.48
$1,191,329.43
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits of 1941 Taxes :
Personal
$ 139.08
Real Estate
12,230.57
Motor Vehicle Excise
3,894.31
Polls
1,920.00
Real Estate Tax Title Credits
5,730.45
Water Liens Tax Title Credits
30.50
$ 23,944.91
Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits
1,215,274.34
Balance Outstanding December 31, 1941
$ 165,997.90
Summary :
$ 2,822.10
Real Estate and Moth
157,996.30
Water Liens added to 1941 Real Estate
1,740.49
Motor Vehicle Excise
2,951.01
Polls
488.00
$ 165,997.90
Tax Title Disclaimers
Tax Title Disclaimers set up in 1941 for the year of 1939:
Allie V. Lindquist, Trustee
$ 7.95
Michael J. White
.66
Trimount Co-operative Bank
66.25
Cash Received to apply on above :
Allie V. Lindquist, Trustee
$ 7.95
Michael J. White
.66
$ 8.61
Tax Title Credit to apply on above :
Trimount Co-operative Bank
$66.25
Total Cash received and Tax Title Credits
74.86
203
$74.86
Personal
Balance Outstanding December 31, 1941 Water Liens for 1941 Balance Outstanding January 1, 1941
NONE
$ 874.00 5,569.71
$6,443.71
Less Collections and Credits during 1941 : Collected up to July 2, 1941 Added to 1941 Real Estate July 2, 1941 Collected since July 2, 1941
$ 646.00
3,215.37 560.50
$ 4,421.87
Less Abatements of 1941 Water Liens: Abated up to July 2, 1941
$ 6.00
Total Collections, Credits and Abatements
4,427.87
Balance Outstanding December 31, 1941 $2,015.84
Respectfully submitted
FRANK W. HOLBROOK, Collector of Taxes
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
East Weymouth, Mass.
January 1,1942
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Owing to the delay in issuing the books for making the annual inspection by the Division of Live Stock Disease Control I am unable to report on number of cattle in town. ,
Number of dogs quarantin ed 82
Number of dog bites investigated 3
Number of dogs quarantined 82
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REIDY,
Inspector of Animals.
204
Add Commitments during 1941
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
January 1, 1941 December 23, 1941
From January 1. 1941 to December 23, 1941 there have been 96 clinics with a total of 269 hours.
Number of Patients 273
Number of Visits 559
Number of Fillings 664
Temporary teeth 123
Permanent teeth 541
Number of Extractions 224
Temporary teeth 183
Permanent teeth 41
Number of Cleanings 225
In looking back over the records there is a definite trend toward more filling and less extraction. In 1933, the first full year that the clinic was operating there were 222 permanent teeth extracted, this year there were 41. In 1933 there were 77 permanent teeth filled, this year we have a record of 541. All this shows that we are progressing toward our goal-which is saving the permanent teeth.
Last year a program of monthly visits by the dental hygienist to the classrooms of the first and second grades was tried. The children made note- books to illustrate what they had learned about teeth. Both the children and the teachers seemed quite enthusiastic about this program which was started with the idea of showing the children just why teeth must be filled and why teeth must be brushed every day, in other words to make them "'Tooth Concious". If we can encourage these youngsters to form the habit of taking care of their teeth at home and making regular visits to the dentists we will be helping to build stronger men and women.
I sincerely wish to thank all members of the School Department with whom I have been in contact, Mr. Thibadeau, principals, teachers, and janitors. They have all been most courteous and cooperative always, and especially about transporting children to and from the clinic.
Respectfully submitted,
VIRGINIA L. SOULE,
Dental Hygienist.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
January 9,1942
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
It is obvious that progress to correct deficiencies in highway surfaces and sub-grades throughout the town proceeds at not too rapid a pace.
Access roads to Federal owned property are sure to be partially inade- quate for defense needs and attention must be given them in 1942.
Drainage, the most important phase of highway stability, is of deep con- cern. Adoption of a long range system, costly in its entirety, but essential economically, should be given immediate attention.
205
With increasing land development and housing facilities it becomes in- creasingly apparent that failure to systematically progress with this expan- sion will necessitate an expenditure transcending effective and efficient planning .
Streets Accepted
Aster Circle Carson Street Worthen Avenue Browning Street
Riverview Place
Canacum Road
Hill Top Road
Prospect Hill Drive
Chapter 90 maintenance funds were used on Broad Street between Lincoln and Central Squares where bituminous concrete was applied over the existing road surface.
Chapter 90 construction funds were used on North, Norton and East Streets where traffic separations were effected.
Resurfacing of portions of Union Street, Pleasant Street, Columbian Street and King Oak Hill, was part of maintenance during the year.
Nearly all sidewalk construction was under the direction of W. P. A. After long and faithful service, Benjamin F. Veno and Edward F. McIn- tosh were retired during the year.
The cooperation and assistance given by the Police, Fire and Water Departments, were greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
T. J. KELLY,
Supt. of Streets
IN MEMORIAM
Charles F. Curtin
Died January 30, 1941
206
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND DAIRIES
East Weymouth, Mass.
January 3, 1942
Weymouth Board of Health
Middle Street
East Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the following account of dairy and milk inspections.
40 Store Licenses 44 Dealers Licenses 4 Oleomargarine
The dairies that sell milk in Weymouth have been inspected regularly and samples taken for Fat, Solids, Bacteria Garget and Added Water.
Very truly yours, HENRY F. GODIN,
Inspector of Milk and Dairies.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Weymouth
The Board met on March 13, 1941, and elected Thomas J. MacDonald
Chairman and L. W. Pease, M.D., Secretary.
Henry Godin was reappointed Milk Inspector
Virginia Loring was reappointed Dental Hygienist
George Marshall was reappointed Plumbing Inspector
John Reidy was reappointed Animal Inspector
Edward Keith was reappointed Custodian of Town Dump
During the year the following Contagious Cases were reported :
Chicken Pox
18 Whooping Cough 20
Dog Bite
9 Opthalmia Neonatorum
1
Measles
31 Rat Bite
1
Mumps
1 Cat Bite
1
Scarlet Fever
17 German Measles
1
Pulmonary T. B.
13 Total 210
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD H. SPA LDING, M.D. THOMAS MacDONALD
LEWIS W. PEASE, M.D.
207
93 Pneumococcus Meningitis 4
Lobar Pneumonia
Sixty-third Annual Report of the Trustees of Tufts Library 1941
JESS
SSET 1622
ORARE EST VINCERE MASSACHUSETTS
1635
35
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE TUFTS LIBRARY TRUSTEES
*David A. J. Burns Francis N. Drown Francis C. Haviland
Philip T. Jones
Joseph Kelley Kenneth L. Nash
Franklin N. Pratt
Leighton Voorhees
Clarance P. Whittle
SELECTMEN EX-OFFICIO
Joseph A. Fern Everett E. Callahan
George E. Lane Sandy Roulston
Basil S. Warren George E. Curtin, Town Treasurer
OFFICERS
Clarance P. Whittle, President David A. J. Burns, Secretary
LIBRARIAN
Christine E. Evarts
ASSISTANTS
*Ruth Cormack Muriel Courtney *Marjorie Fulton Ruth H. Kai
Ruth Loeffler *Marion F. Meurch Ruth Nickerson Dorothy Trussell
Edith L. Payson, Cataloger Rachael M. Bodine, Children's Libraian Florence G. Truax, Extension Librarian
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
Catherine C. Condrick, North Weymouth Branch * Mary M. Dingwall, North Weymouth Branch Irene E. Langevin, East Weymouth Branch
JANITORS John G. Galvin Benjamin N. Ells, East Weymouth Branch
*Resigned
211
INFORMATION
Hours: Main Library 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. daily. Children's Room 2:30 to 6 P.M. daily ; Saturday 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.
Summer hours: July and August 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Saturday 9 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Branches: East Weymouth-2 to 8 P.M. daily except Wednesday.
North Weymouth - 2 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. daily except Wednesday.
Weymouth Heights Station: 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Monday and Thursday.
Lovell's Corner Station : 2:30 to 6 and 7 P.M. Tuesday.
Nash's Corner Station : 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Tuesday.
Pond Plain Station : 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Friday.
The Library and the Branches are not open Sundays, legal holidays, nor the 17th of June.
The Library is for the use of all residents of Weymouth. Temporary residents are entitled to the same privileges as permanent residents.
Each card issued to an adult entitles the holder to one book of recent fiction (a book published within the last year), one current periodical, and any reasonable number of other books.
Children under Senior High School age are entitled to a card if the application is signed by a parent or guardian. Cards issued to children entitle the holders to two books, only one of which may be fiction.
. All books from the circulating department, except the new fiction, may be kept for 14 days. At the request of the borrower any book not in demand will be charged for one month, subject to recall after two weeks if requested by other borrowers. Fiction published within the last calendar year, and recent numbers of magazines are limited to seven days with no renewal privilege.
The vacation privilege allows a borrower to take books which are not recent publications for an extended time.
A book cannot be transferred from one card to another, but any 14-day book may be renewed at the library, by mail or by telephone (*), unless another borrower has asked to have the book reserved. The date due, the author and title of the book, and the borrower's number should be stated when the request for renewal is made.
Any book will be reserved at the request of a borrower, who will be notified as soon as the book is available. A charge of one cent is made for this service.
A fine of two cents a day will be incurred for each day's detention of a book after it is due. When a book is sent for by the librarian, it will be at the expense of the borrower.
For the convenience of residents living in different parts of the town, books are exchanged through the stations as follows:
Lovell's Corner, Pratt School Tuesday
South Weymouth, Fogg Memorial Library Tuesday
Nash's Corner, 3 West Street Tuesday
Tuesday
Pond Plain, 189 Pond Street.
Thursday
East Weymouth, East Weymouth Branch
North Weymouth, North Weymouth Branch Thursday
Weymouth Heights, Adams School
Thursday
*Telephone: Main Library, Weymouth 1402.
East Weymouth Branch. Weymouth 1677-W. North Weymouth Branch, Weymouth 2916-W.
212
SIXTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY
Nineteen hundred and forty one, the sixty-third year of library service in the Town of Weymouth, was a year increasingly geared to the needs of national defense. The demand for books fell into three classes: informational books on such subjects as welding, pattern making, airplane construction or flying; background books on the world situation; and escape literature : novels that afforded relaxation from strain and escape from the horrors of war. Technical books are expensive but the library purchased them generously, for they are tools of national defense. Reference work has been continuous with a larger percentage of adults seeking information from books than in previous years, although the bulk of the reference work of the library con- tinues to be with the student group.
NEIGHBORHOOD BRANCHES.
There has been a growth of library service through the outlying sections of the town. The station at Nash's Corner has increased its service by 30% over last year, and the new station at Pond Plain is circulating more than one hundred books each day that it is open to the public. Altogether the book circulation through the various outlying sections has increased 12%, a significant indication of the need of this service, for the times are far from normal and the majority of people have less leisure for reading today. Therefore, wherever we do find an increase in reading, it is due to the fact that the library has reached out to fill a felt need in the community.
There is a small gain of 5% in the circulation at the North Weymouth Branch, a gain that we feel may increase as our coastal defense brings new families into the area.
The influx of new families is beginning to show in the registration figures. There are 179 more active borrowers of library books than there were one year ago. Approximately half of these are children. As new families become settled residents of the town, more of them will turn to the library and we extend them a cordial welcome.
All the figures pertaining to the activities of the library will be found in the statistical tables at the close of this report.
On May second the station at 189 Pond Street, South Weymouth, was opened to the public. Books were chosen from our main collection and some new books were purchased. The shelving was set up by Boy Scouts from the South Weymouth Troop. With the interest and cooperation of Mrs. Lena Pratt, who is in charge of the station, a most attractive room was opened to the public as a neighborhood library.
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