USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1948 > Part 12
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4 LADIES
5 MEN
6 AUDITORIUM
7 PANTRY
STAGE
9 REFLECTING POOL
10 OPEN LOGGIA
11 VETERANS MEETING HALL
12 KITCHEN
13 VETERANS OFFICES
14 BOILER ROOM
15 STORAGE
16 TROPHIES
17 RECREATION
18 VETERERANS FILES
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·FIRST FLOOR PLAN.
· GROUND FLOOR PLAN.
a well known firm of architects: the Coletti Brothers of Boston and Quincy, who are splendidly endowed by training and experience for this particular assignment, and they have worked out what we believe to be an efficient and beautiful building. It will stand as a constant reminder of the con- tributions and sacrifices of our boys and girls who went to the protection of our country, and will provide an everyday utility for this community long after their generation has passed.
The proposed Weymouth Memorial Building is a structure of simple, and unostentatious dignity. In the design of this building the Architect and the Building Committee have sought to incorporate the fundamental advantages of a living and commemorative memorial. In order to accom- plish this objective the elements of the memorial have been limited to an auditorium (with a seating capacity of 1,000 people), and in conjunction with the auditorium is a large serving pantry with dumb waiters, which can be used to serve banquets for those occasions when the hall may be used for that purpose; next, is a stage, plus the customary dressing facili- ties. Immediately preceding the auditorium will be found a large memo- rial lobby. The Lobby must be crossed in order to enter the Auditorium. The long side of the memorial lobby is glazed from floor to ceiling, and from end to end. It not only permits ample and desirable lighting, but also offers an invitation to enter the building and inspect the beauty of the architectural motives at close range. In the lobby will be many com- memorative features, dedicated to veterans of World War II, a complete record of each and every soldier who has served from the Town of Wey- mouth; plus memorial music as an awe-inspiring adjunct to the archi- tectural setting.
An inspection of the plans will reveal interesting motifs in design which collectively should produce a composition of unusual interest. Salient among these is a flagpole, strategically located, and clearly visible from all approaches; a pool which serves the function which water has always served in conjunction with architecture, as a ceaseless moving mirror, providing life and atmosphere to the building reflected in it; plus suitable landscaping which is sure to endow this memorial with the necessary set- ting and charm to render it a project of great distinction.
Night illuminating is being given serious consideration, and is quite possible before the building is erected.
In the ground floor are housed the veterans' quarters. These quarters are composed of two large meeting halls, one of which is provided with kitchen facilities for smaller banquets if necessary. Ten veterans' offices and corresponding vault files are provided, as well as recreation facilities, trophy and storage room.
Committee Members,
FRANCIS A. GUNN, Chairman CLARA E. WOOTEN, Secretary ALICE F. BATES JOSEPH J. CONNOLLY MINOT E. HOLLIS HELEN U. HUGHES PHILIP L. PINGREE
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE
At a Special Town Meeting held on June 28, 1948, a Building Com- mittee of eleven members, whose names are appended to this report, was appointed and authorized under Article 1 to construct a seven-room ad- dition to the Abigail Adams School, a four-room addition to the Pratt School, and to purchase the necessary equipment for such schools. The sum of $350.000 was appropriated for this purpose.
Under Article 4 at the same Special Town Meeting, the sum of $17,500 was appropriated for the preparation of preliminary plans and securing estimates of cost of construction of a Junior High School, such work to be done under the direction of the Building Cmmittee.
The Building Committee met on July 13, 1948 for organization, the selection of an architect, etc. Mr. Benjamin M. Cowan and Mr. Joseph Mahoney were elected Co-Chairmen, and Mr. Elmer S. Mapes, Superin- tendent of Schools, was elected Secretary of the Committee.
The Annual Town Meeting held on March 1, 1948 had previously ap- propriated the sum of $4,500 for the purpose of preparing preliminary plans and securing estimates for the construction of additions to the Abigail Adams and Pratt Schools to be spent under the direction of the School Committee. On the basis of this authorization, the School Committee, after interviewing seven architectural firms, had selected Carroll and Paul Coletti of Boston and Quincy to draw preliminary plans and to secure estimates of cost of construction for the two additions.
The first action of the Building Committee was to adopt the plans drawn by the Coletti Brothers and to engage them as architects for the construction of additions to the Abigail Adams and Pratt Schools. Mr. Francis E. Whipple, in charge of maintenance work for the School Depart- ment, was appointed technical advisor to the Committee.
Action Taken at Subsequent Meetings
August 10, the Junior High School problem was thoroughly reviewed and canvassed, including the recommendations of the Wilson survey. Sep- tember 17, prospective architects for the Junior High School were inter- viewed. September 29, the Coletti Brothers were appointed as architects for the Junior High School, Dr. William K. Wilson was engaged as educa- tional consultant for Junior High plans, the Holbrook property at the corner of Park Avenue and Pleasant Street was selected as a site for a Junior High School. November 9, one bid for erection of Abigail Adams and Pratt school additions was received and rejected as too high, the architects' recommendations for reducing the cost of the additions by certain changes and omissions were approved, the archiects were authorized to prepare an alternate plan for the Adams School eliminating bilateral lighting and one classroom, December 14, a proposed plan for the Junior High School, designated as Plan No. II, was tentatively approved, and al- ternate plan for the Abigail Adams School addition was accepted, two ar- ticles for insertion in the warrant for the 1949 annual Town Meeting were approved. December 28, amendments to Articles 9 and 16 of the architects' contract reducing their fee were authorized, Plan No. III for cosntruction of a Junior High School was substituted for Plan No. II, with further chan- ges possible subject to recommendations of Dr. Wilson, educational con- sultant. January 25, changes in Plan No. III for the Junior High School were approved.
New bids for the construction of the additions to the Abigail Adams and Pratt Schools will be sought shortly after February 1, same to be re- ceived and opened about two weeks later. The amount of the supplemen-
137
tary appropriation which will undoubtedly be needed for these additions will then be definitely known at the time of the Annual Town Meeting and the appropriation, if voted will not be based on an estimate.
The Committee regrets the delay caused by the lack of competitive bidding for the construction of the additions. We anticipate a number of bids in February. We hope that the alteration of the plans and com- petitive bids will make it possible to recommend the erection of these additions at a cost not too unreasonable in this period of inflated build- ing costs. The Adams addition will be attached to the north corner of the present building in order to provide the classrooms with east and west light. The Pratt addition will be erected between the present buildings with the corridor in the addition connecting the corridors in the two schools, making the completed joint structures a twelve-room building.
The plans for the Junior High School provide for a T-shaped building set well back on the lot, facing the apex of the property formed by the junction of Park Avenue and Pleasant Street. The top of the T will run north and south, furnishing desirable east and west light for the two- story classroom wing which will contain 19 classrooms, a library, principal's and nurse's offices, etc. The stem of the T will contain an auditorium, a gymnasium, locker rooms, a cafeteria, a music room, and two general shops. The building is planned for the accommodation of 600 pupils in grades 7, 8, and 9. It will normally serve the southern half of the town, viz., precincts 5 and 9 and the greater part of precincts 4 and 7. In the first year or two of its use, it may be desirable and necessary to trans- port some pupils to the Junior High School from precincts 3, but the pupils in grades 7, 8, and 9 from the southern half of the town can be expected to fill it to capacity soon after it is opened. The erection of a South Junior High School will free space in the Pond, Nevin, Shaw, and Pratt Schools (and possibly the Hunt School) for increased enrollments in grades 1 - 6. A report on estimates of its cost will be made at the March Town Meeting.
Respectively submitted, ,
BENJAMIN M. COWAN, JOSEPH W. MAHONEY, Co-Chairmen ELMER S. MAPES, Secretary DR. WALLACE H. DRAKE CLAYTON W. NASH J. EDWIN PETERSON BENJAMIN SANTACROCE WILLIAM F. SHIELDS DR. HAROLD A. SPALDING ETHEL G. TAYLOR, (Mrs. Arthur R.) ALBERT VINAL, JR.
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SALARIES OF TOWN OFFICIALS
Office and Incumbent
Salary paid in 1948
Selectmen:
Joseph A. Fern
$565.83
Joseph Crehan
600.00
Raymond L. Morgan
600.00
Sandy Roulston
600.00
Harry Christensen
619.17
Everett E. Callahan
115.00
Treasurer :
Harry I. Granger
$3,500.00
Town Clerk
Chester L. Boyle
$4,660.00
Colector of Taxes:
Frank W. Holbrook
$4,500.00
School Committee
None
Assessors:
Charles W. Burgess
$1,465.00
Harry E. Bearce
3,350.00
Frank A. Pray
1,350.00
John W. Heffernan
1,350.00
Francis A. Gunn
1,350.00
Water Department:
Stanley T. Torrey
$115.00
John E. Horace
86.25
Clarence W. Taylor
86.25
Joseph A. Fern
69.71
Harry Christensen
16.54
Harry I. Granger
115.00
Sydney C. Beane
5,200.00
Registrars of Voters:
John F. Reardon
$10.70
Lawrence P. Corridan
346.93
Edward C. McIntosh
250.00
John J. Santry
236.79
Chester L. Boyle
400.00
Trustees of Tufts Library :
None
Park Commissioners:
Everett J. McIntosh
$200.00
Francis X. Kelly
200.00
Thomas A. McGrath
200.00
Planning Board
None
Tree Warden:
V. Leslie Hebert
$115.00
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Annual Moderator
None
Sewer Department:
J. Herbert Libbey John W. Field Charles J. Masterson Francis H. Hamilton
$500.00
500.00
500.00
2,867.27
Town Counsel:
Kenneth L. Nash
$2,500.00
Town Accountant:
Emerson R. Dizer
$4,500.00
Superintendent of Streets: Thomas J. Kelly .
$4,500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures:
Charles W. Burgess
$1,150.00
Welfare Agent:
Thomas P. Delahunt
$3,680.00
Chief of Police: Edward F. Butler
$4,500.00
Chief of Fire Department:
Walter G. Murray
$4,149.61
Health Agent:
Henry F. Godin
$2,875.00
Plumbing Inspector:
George Marshall
$1,679.00
Thomas J. MacDonald
947.13
Building Inspector :
Andrew A. Chisholm
$3,100.00
Wiring Inspector : Joseph W. Ross
$2,500.00
Town Infirmary:
Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. Tolman
$441.31
Elizabeth F. Quinlan
1,159.47
Harbor Master:
Cecil L. Evans
$1,196.00
Veterans' Administrator: Raymond E. Stein
$3,000.00
Dog Officer:
John Reidy $552.00
Animal Inspector John Reidy
$345.00
Custodian of Veterans' Graves:
Karl O'Neil $230.00
140
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
December 31, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Park Department has carried on its usual playground activities during the past summer. The program this year was coordinated this year with the bath-house program at Wessagusset beach. This coordina- tion enabled many children to receive swimming instructions from the life guard permanently assigned at the beach.
The Great Hill project was completed during the year, with a new road being constructed, flag pole erected and the area in general put in first class condition.
We again wish to extend our thanks to the School Committee in allowing us the use of their temporary bleachers at the Stella Tirrell Playground.
To the superintendent of streets and his department we express our appreciation for their assistance in conditioning the baseball fields and in the renovation of the Bradford Hawes Playground at Lovell's Corner.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT J. McINTOSH, Chairman FRANCIS X. KELLY, Clerk THOMAS A. MCGRATH
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Seventieth Annual Report of the Trustees of the Tufts Library Weymouth, Massachusetts 1948
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MASSACHUSETTS
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SEVENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS TRUSTEES
Wallace H. Drake, M.D. Alice E. Fulton Francis N. Drown Walter C. Gutterson
Philip T. Jones Franklin N. Pratt Leighton S. Voorhees H. Forrest Wilson
Clarance P. Whittle
SELECTMEN EX-OFFICIO
Joseph Crehan Harry Christensen
Joseph A. Fern Raymond Morgan
Sandy Roulston
OFFICERS
Clarance P. Whittle, President
Franklin N. Pratt, Secretary
LIBRARIAN
Christine E. Evarts
ASSISTANTS
Ruth M. Connors
Mildred W. Olson
Edith L. Payson
Florence G. Truax
Betty Lou Arnold Ruth C. Richardson Elizabeth M. Taylor Dorothy E. Trussell Alice T. Mulready Jean L. Nash Ruth K. Philbrick
Children's & Young People's Librarian Circulation & Records Librarian Cataloger Reference Librarian Senior Desk Assistant Assistant Cataloger Senior Assistant Assistant Children's Librarian Junior Assistant Junior Assistant Clerical Assistant
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
Catherine C. Condrick
*Irene E. Langevin Filomena A. LaRocco Alice T. Mulready Lena B. Pratt
Florence G. Truax
Dorothy E. Trussell
North Weymouth Branch East Weymouth Branch East Weymouth Branch Lovell's Corner Branch Pond Plain Station Weymouth Heights Station Nash's Corner Station
JANITORS
John G. Galvin John Carter Benjamin N. Ells *Resigned
Main Library North Weymouth Branch East Weymouth Branch
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LIBRARY HOURS
The Tufts Library, Washington Square, Weymouth Landing Open 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Daily
The Children's Room, Commercial Street, Weymouth Landing Open 2:30 to 5 P.M. Daily. Saturdays 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
North Weymouth Branch, 68-70 Sea Street, North Weymouth Open 2 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Daily except Saturday
East Weymouth Branch, Jackson Square, East Weymouth Ope.1 2 to 8 P.M. Daily except Saturday
Lovell's Corner Station, Pratt School, East Weymouth Open 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Tuesday
Nash's Corner Station, Shaw School, South Weymouth Open 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Tuesday 1
Pond Plain Station, 308 Pond Street, South Weymouth Open 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Friday
Weymouth Heights Station, Adams School, Weymouth Heights Open 2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Thursday
The Library and its Branches are open for circulation of books, refer- ence service and reading as noted above, except on Sundays, legal holi- days and the 17th of June.
LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library is for the use of all residents of Weymouth. Temporary residents are entitled to the same privileges as permanent residents.
A library card entitles the holder to borrow books, magazines, pam- phlets and pictures for home use. The library card must be presented when books are borrowed.
The Children's Room at the Main Library and Children's Departments at the Branch Libraries provide books and reading guidance for the boys and girls. Children under Senior High School age are entitled to a card if the application is signed by a parent or guardian. Story hours for the younger children are held on Friday afternoons throughout the Winter months.
Reference service is available at the library or by telephone.
For the convenience of residents in the various parts of the town, there is a weekly exchange of books from all Branch Libraries. A library card is valid at any Branch or at the Main Library.
Telephone:
The Tufts Library - Weymouth 9-1402 North Weymouth Branch - Weymouth 9-1571-J
East Weymouth Branch - Weymouth 9-1677-W
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THE SEVENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY
A RECORD OF GROWTH
The Tufts Library, your library, was founded seventy years ago next March and has been operating for sixty-nine years. It began in one room with 2,404 books and 1,335 borrowers. In 1948, its sixty-ninth year, there were 8,805 Weymouth residents, who borrowed 66,017 books 190,819 times. This was 13,894 more loans than were made in 1947.
As taxpayers in Weymouth the opportunity to read these books cost you, the borrowers, $1.54 each.
If you had to purchase the books the average cost for each person would have been $65.00.
In 1948 more persons were using the library: new borrowers were given cards at the rate of 135 per month. Of the new borrowers 41% are children, just discovering the world of books and finding there help in their school assignments, as well as adventure in a new · wonderland.
WHAT DID THE PEOPLE OF WEYMOUTH READ?
Besides the store of older books (there were more than 64,000 of them in the library at the beginning of the year) there were 2,700 new books purchased during 1948 and 177 that were gifts. These books are yours.
If you are an adult you read 1.57% more novels than in 1947, but you read 20% more philosophy, 10% more art and music books, 6% more of literature and of science. You borrowed more than 12% more periodi- cals, and you more than doubled your use of the pamphlets that are of such value because they contain the most up-to-date, authoritative in- formation on all subjects.
If you are a boy or a girl you topped your list with stories; you had a strong follow-up with hero tales and fairy tales, and you increased your reading of biography by 40%.
WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR LIBRARY IN 1948?
In the Children's Room:
Mrs. Connors, your Children's and Young People's Librarian, gave class instruction in the use of reference books and library tools to every seventh grade in Weymouth. Each class came to the library with their teacher at least five times during the school year. In this undertaking the library is working in close cooperation with the School Department.
The circulation of books through the Children's Room showed the largest gain of any department in the library, principally due to the ex- pansion of the classroom libraries in the elementary schools.
In 1948 4,343 library books were sent to classrooms at the request of the teachers. These books were read by the boys and girls 16,557 times. This is almost double the record for any previous year. The boys and girls earned 1169 certificates for reading five books each and 159 Honor Certificates for twenty books. This library service gives the pupils credit in their English classes. It enlarges their knowledge and widens their reading interests.
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Current Magazines
Music
- Teen-Agers-
Non-Fiction
Newspapers
Registrar
¥:
Main Desk
fiction
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Reference Desk
Entrance Hall
Staff Work Room
Displays
Reference Books~
Encyclopaedia
Biography A>
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Catale
Catalog,
+ 2
Wilterms
Mysteries
Biography L
Catalog Room
LB
+ Non-fiction
Catalog
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Miss Everts Librarian
& A
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Chularen's Room
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The Tufts Library ~ "open to all who read"~ 9a.m. to 8 p.m.
Music Books
New Books
Fiction by Author
On Friday afternoons throughout the winter months, the boys and girls gather in the Children's Room for a story hour. In Book Week there were special programs in addition to the regular story hour. Mrs. Taylor of the library staff, conducted a musical hour for the children; Miss Trussell, the Assistant Children's Librarian, had an hour of book re- views for the older boys and birls, and Mrs. Connors and Mrs. Arnold told stories over the air as guests of Station WJDA.
In the Adult Department:
48,464 books were borrowed and returned over the Main Library desk. The catalogers handled 3,514 books, and 777 old volumes were given a new lease of life by re-binding.
The new books are made more attractive and given protection from wear and weather by the use of plastic jackets. These transparent covers make it possible to use the colorful book jackets on the books and keeps them bright and clean.
Questions have come to the Reference desk daily throughout the year. It is difficult to measure this service, but it is one of the most valuable services that your library has to offer. The questions come from adults, from college students, from the young people of High School age, work- ing on their School assignments and from the boys and girls in the elemen- tary grades. They come from artists and teachers and clubwomen. They come by telephone and by letter. They cover all subjects from buttons to constellations; from town events to world issues.
New borrowers have found their way to the library. The registration desk has issued 1621 new cards in 1948.
During the year electric charging machines were installed, insuring accuracy of records and greatly facilitating the routines of book lending.
Two students spent a week at the library, getting practical experience as a part of their school work. One was a senior in the Weymouth High School and the other at Simmons College Library School.
A most delightful surprise visit from Miss Lucie Holman, Librarian of the Public Library of Weymouth, England, occurred in August. Miss Hol- man had flown from England to spend her vacation in New England and she spent one day of her brief holiday visiting our town and library. The Weymouth, England, library is recently established and they moved into their own new building in the early summer. There has been a friendly and very interesting exchange between the two libraries during the past year, and the Boy Scouts of Troop 2, Weymouth Heights, sent gifts of money and scout literature to the new library in England for the boys there. Mr. Franklin Pratt, their Scout Master, and a trustee of the Tufts Library, has received letters of appreciation. The Staff of the Tufts Library gave two children's books for the new Children's Room. Good books, giving true interpretations of American life, are among the best ambas- sadors we have for establishing international understanding and good will.
The newspaper column, "Tufts Library Paging You" by Betty Lou Arnold appears weekly in the Weymouth Gazette. There are interesting book reviews and timely notes about the library.
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In the Branches and Stations:
So far as possible, the library places its books and services within easy reach of all the people of Weymouth. The activity of the two Branches and four Stations demonstrates the need and wisdom of this oplicy. Taken all together, these extension services of the library circulated 56% of all the books borrowed in 1948.
The Branch at North Weymouth is too cramped for space to allow for much more increase, even though that section of the town is a grow- ing one. Adequate quarters would enable the Branch to expand to meet more fully the needs of the community.
The work of the Stations is greatly indebted to the School Department and the Trustees of the Library appreciate the splendid cooperation which has enabled them to develop and continue service to the townspeople through the use of school buildings. The privilege of moving the library in the Shaw School during the summer vacation from the damp basement to a classroom above the ground level, was greatly appreciated.
Since the School Department is able to continue its cooperation in al- lowing the library room in the school buildings, the trustees have post-poned consideration of the purchase of a bookmobile. The libraries in the schools can give the public more hours of service and the comfort of a heated building and the trustees are reluctant to make a change which would in any way lessen the service to the public.
During 1948 a monthly book exchange service was established between the Tufts Library and the Fogg Memorial Library. South Weymouth residents who wish to avail themselves of this service will find a selec- tion of Tufts Library books on a shelf at the Fogg Library. Any request for a particular title will be forwarded to the Tufts Library and the book will be supplied as promptly as possible.
YOUR LIBRARY STAFF
There has been one resignation from the Staff of the Tufts Library during 1948. On August 1st, Miss Irene Langevin resigned as librarian of the East Weymouth Branch after fourteen years of efficient devoted ser- vice. Miss Filomena LaRocco, a Junior Assistant, was promoted to the position of Acting Librarian of the East Weymouth Branch. Miss La- Rocco's duties at the Weymouth Heights Station and Lovell's Corner Sta- tion have been taken over by Mrs. Florence G. Truax and Miss Alice Mul- ready. No full-time new assistant has been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Langevin's resignation, but the Trustees have secured on a part-time basis the services of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Taylor, an experienced and able library worker. Mrs. Taylor was on the staff of the Public Library in Stamford, Connecticut, for three years. In addition to her Library training and experience, she has musical training and is develop- ing the music collection of the library and making a beginning in the use of recorded music. She conducted a very delightful Christmas concert of recorded music in the Children's Room of the Tufts Library and plans are in progress for other concerts. As records are acquired by the library they will be made available for circulation.
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