USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1953 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
As you observe, the request for funds for relief purposes are approxi- mately the same as last year. It is my sincere hope that they will be sufficient, but with the widespread layoffs in local industries, that is very problematical.
The charts submitted below will show you how the funds for relief were expended during the year 1953. You will observe that although the case load has decreased, the cost has increased. This is primarily due to the increased cost of medical care, especially hospitalization.
Below is a chart on Old Age Assistance:
Applications
99
Approved 82
Denied 11
Withdrew
5
Pending 1
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1953 592
219
Appropriation Federal Reimbursement State Reimbursement Local Reimbursement Town Payroll, Less Refunds Payment to Other Cities and Towns
$360,000.00 227,765.33 230,883.09 17,861.80
567,319.83 6,695.96 86,469.32
Below is a chart on Aid to Dependent Children:
Applications
30
Approved
27
Denied
2
Pending
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1953 81 Number of eligible recipients as of Dec. 31, 1953 249
Town Appropriation
Federal Reimbursement
State Reimbursement
Total Expended
$120,460.22 28,243.84
Cost to Town
Below is a chart on Aid to the Permanent and Totally Disabled:
Applications
31
Approved
15
Denied
4
Withdrew
2
Pending
10
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1953
51
Appropriation
45,000.00
Town Payroll
57,501.95
Federal Reimbursement
24,111.19
State Reimbursement
21,597.28
Local Cost
18,038.15
My staff and I wish to sincerely thank your Board for all courtesies shown to us in the past year.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS P. DELAHUNT, Agent Department of Public Welfare
REPORT OF THE SEWER COMMISSIONERS
December 31, 1953.
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
Gentlemen:
We are pleased to forward our Superintendent's report and with it our own for 1953.
Upon completion of contracts awarded this year, three sides of the Columbian Square area, including the Nevin School and South Shore Hospital, will be served by the Swamp River sewer main. The fourth and remaining side of the Columbian Square area slopes toward the South Weymouth railroad station, and eventually will be served by the Mill River main (not yet constructed).
220
1
$ 80,000.00 48,108.21 37,976.94
Cost to Town
The Harbor View section, off Commercial Street, mentioned in last year's report, has been sewered and joined to the system by lines in Com- mercial Street. This contract will also provide sewers to home owners in Old Country Way who have petitioned for relief and applied for house connections.
The Bicknell School has been connected through Lochmere Avenue to the Evans Street sewer.
In accordance with a vote of the 1953 Town Meeting and following its instructions, a contract was awarded for a sewer in Commercial Street to connect the King Oak Manor development when its owner had built his own lines therein.
Our program for 1954 is to add a substantial section to the East Weymouth trunk line, construct a connecting link in the Pleasant Street line, provide relief for one section off Bridge Street and another in the King Cove area, both badly in need for sewerage facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
J. HERBERT LIBBEY, Chairman JOHN W. FIELD, Clerk CHARLES J. MASTERSON
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWER DEPARTMENT
December 31, 1953.
To the Board of Sewer Commissioners
Town of Weymouth
I submit herewith the sixth annual report of the Sewer Department.
The greatest single year expansion of the Town Sewer System was accomplished in 1953, as approximately 4.71 miles of sewers were completed.
On April 1, Contract No. 18 was completed, extending the South Wey- mouth Trunk and Lateral Sewer to a point on Pleasant Street approxi- mately 900 feet beyond Elm Street. This contract was awarded to Daddario and Piatelli of Boston in 1952. The total construction cost amounted to $291,512.86.
On April 27, Contract No. 23 was awarded to DiMascio Brothers & Company of Dorchester. This work involved extending a lateral sewer from Evans Street through the Bicknell School grounds to Sea Street and one of the three school connections. This contract was completed June 24 at a cost of $14,007.64.
On May 19, Contract No. 19, with C. DiMartino & Sons of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, was executed. The bid price of this contract was $161,197.75, which involved some 13,100 linear of sewers in the Columbian Square area of South Weymouth, plus extensions on Fogg Road and Bates Avenue. All but approximately 600 feet of this contract was completed during 1953. The balance should be finished in the spring of 1954.
On June 8, Contract No. 24, with J. Andreassi & Company of Roslin- dale, Massachusetts, was executed. The bid price of this contract amounted to $86,948.00, which involved some 7,760 linear feet of sewers in the Harbor View and Brook Hill sections of Weymouth, plus extensions on portions of Commercial Street, Presidents Road, Old Country Way, Karen Lane, Pris -
221
cilla Circle and Jaffrey Street. Ninety-five per cent of this contract and ten per cent of the contract extensions were completed in 1953. The remaining work to be done in 1954.
As in accordance with the instructions set forth under Article 61 of the Annual Town Meeting in March 1953, Contract No. 25 was let shortly after the Quincy Construction Company completed sewers in Rindge and Lyme Streets. Contract No. 25 involved approximately 775 linear feet of sewers along Commercial Street connecting Rindge Street with the Cen- tral and South Weymouth Main Sewer. C. DiMartino, who submitted a bid of $17,158.75, was awarded this contract on November 2, 1953. This job will be completed very early in 1954.
This year, seventy-eight Particular Sewer House Connections were made. These include the Bicknell and Nevin Schools and the South Shore Hospital.
In 1953, all the survey, sewer design, contract preparation and con- struction inspection was done by the department engineering staff. Prepa- rations for our 1954 construction program is well under way.
The department added to its equipment with the purchase of a Chev- rolet two-ton Dump Truck, Hough Front End Loader, and a Flexible Power Drive-a machine used for roding and cleaning sewer lines.
At this time I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow workers and all Town departments who so courteously assisted us the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN M. SMITH
Superintendent of the Sewer Department
SUMMARY OF SEWER CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
Sewer District
Pipe Size in Inches
Length in Feet
Wessagussett
(King Cove)
6
473.65
North Weymouth
8
3,505.62
(Federal Housing)
8
3,319.41
(Federal Housing)
12
2,052.12
(East Weymouth Main)
30
2,049.85
8
1,878.49
(Veterans' Housing)
8
1,245.90
10
1,358.91
12
1,808.22
15
3,916.72
18
2,678.80
18 (Pressure)
353.64
21
1,009.71
27
6,169.45
27
(Pressure)
4,291.72
30
10,653.93
10
1,971.50
South Weymouth Central
222
Weymouth Landing
8
19,800.78
10
60.35
12
1,506.48
15
300.42
18
4,461.35
Total Linear Feet of Sewers Completed as of January 1, 1953 74,867.02
Pumping Station (Weymouth Landing)
231.00 feet of 6-inch C.I. Force Main
457.89 feet of 8-inch C.I. Pressure Sewer
978 feet of 10-inch C.I. Pressure Sewer.
CONSTRUCTION FOR 1953
Sewer District
Pipe Size in Inches
Length in Feet
North Weymouth
Contract No. 23:
Lochmere Ave. to Sea St.
8
1,296.47
South Weymouth Central
Contract No. 19:
Pleasant Street
15
515.00
Pleasant Street
12
1,150.00
Pleasant Street
8
174.00
Park Avenue
12
2,669.00
Main Street
8
1,077.00
Columbian Street
8
1,413.00
Park Ave. to Tower Ave.
88
638.00
Tower Avenue
8
1,559.00
Torrey Street
8
1,194.00
Burton Terrace
8
1,095.00
Columbian Square
8
138.00
Union Street
8
857.00
Bates Avenue
8
375.00
Fogg Road
8
763.00
South Weymouth Central
Contract No. 25:
Commercial Street
8
374.00
Commercial Street
10
168.00
Construction by Developer as
Required under Article 61 of
the Annual Town Meeting of 1953:
Rindge Street
10
429.00
Rindge Street
8
564.00
Lyme Street
8
126.00
Veterans' Housing Project
(Off Lake Street)
8
542.00
Contract No. 24:
Commercial Street
8
1,769.00
Wilson Avenue
8
1,481.00
Coolidge Avenue
8
849.00
Presidents Road
8
333.00
Old Country Way
8
136.00
223
Sewer District Weymouth Landing
Pipe Size in Inches
Length in Feet
Contract No. 24:
Commercial Street
8
826.00
Harding Avenue
8
1,299.00
Roosevelt Road
8
643.00
Coolidge Avenue
8
248.00
Presidents Road
8
175.00
Total Linear Feet of Sewers Constructed during 1953 Total Linear Feet of Sewers Constructed to date
24,875.47 99,742.49
House Connections :
Completed as of January 1, 1953
499
Completed during 1953
78
Total Connections as of December 31, 1953
577
REPORT OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
December 31, 1953.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
The membership of this committee remains unchanged, except Mr. Alfred S. Tirrell, a long-time member. He declined reappointment, as he was physically unable to continue. He was replaced by Mr. Charles B. Turnesa.
A new contract was signed with the Weymouth Light and Power Com- pany. We are especially pleased to report that the rates per light are the same as have prevailed since 1941.
We have, during the year, installed 95 new lights, including 17 Mercury Lights. There should have been about 50 more lights located.
We are asking, in our 1954 budget, funds for those 50 lights and 100 more small lights, plus 15 new Mercury Lights, for a total budget of $56,300.00.
We now maintain 2,321 lights. This includes 2,081 100 C.P. lamps at $18.00 per year, and 84 15,000 C.P. Mercury lamps at $95.00 per year, and other lights of various candle-power.
Our monthly bill is now $4,450.00.
Respectfully submitted,
OLINDO GAROFALO, Chairman ROGER P. LOUD ARTHUR F. SARGENT CHARLES B. TURNESA J. HERBERT LIBBEY, Clerk
224
1
ASSESSORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1953
January 13, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We have assessed upon the polls, motor vehicle and trailer excise, water liens, sewerage and estates of all persons liable to taxation, the sum of $4,013,629.59, and have committed the same to Frank W. Holbrook, Esq., the duly elected Collector of Taxes, with our warrants in due form of law, for the collections and payments, in accordance with the votes of the Town of Weymouth, and warrants of the County of Norfolk and the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts.
Dec. 31, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
$ 4,575.48
Dec. 31, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
14,171.27
Mar. 20, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
18,239.33
Apr. 15, 1953 Poll
20,510.00
Apr. 24, 1953
Personal Estate
894,228.52
May 11, 1953 Motor Vehicle Excise
51,403.16
May 15, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
16,403.36
May 29, 1953
Real Estate and Liens:
Real Estate
$2,654,863.12
Sewer-Common
8,908.52
Interest * 2,518.91
Sewer-Particular
6,315.14
Interest
1,872.44
Water Liens
9,841.71
July 2, 1953
Poll
192.00
July 10, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
24,522.85
July 15, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
48,123.89
Aug. 1, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
71,771.74
Aug. 15, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
8,106.02
Sept. 3, 1953
Poll
42.00
Sept. 15, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
10,590.68
Oct. 10, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
6,989.15
Dec. 1, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
6,100.41
Dec. 14, 1953
Real Estate
261.66
Dec. 14, 1953
Poll
20.00
Dec. 21, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
19,891.37
Dec. 23, 1953
Motor Vehicle Excise
11,000.00
Dec. 31, 1953
Sewer-Common
$ 74,407.88
Dec. 31, 1953
Sewer-Particular
27,758.98
$4,013,629.59
Divided as follows:
Real Estate
$2,655,124.78
Personal Estate
894,228.52
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
311,888.71
Polls
20,764.00
Water Liens
9,841.71
225
2,684,319.84
Sewerage:
Common
$83,316.40
Interest
2,518.91
Particular
34,074.12
Interest
1,872.44
121,781.87
$4,013,629.59
State Liabilities
State Parks and Reservations
$ 50,265.54
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
90.05
State Examination of Retirement System
171.12
State Inspection Service
1,140.26
Metropolitan Sewerage-South System
62,539.37
Underestimates for 1952:
State Parks and Reservations
2,011.18
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
373.04
$ 116,590.56
County Liabilities
County Tax
$103,598.28
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
62,626.33
$ 166,224.61
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
$263,570.75
Corporation Taxes
207,521.63
Old Age Tax (Meals)
11,433.25
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
200,000.00
Licenses
17,000.00
General Government
9,000.00
Charities
80,000.00
Old Age Assistance
270,000.00
Veterans' Benefits
30,000.00
Schools
40,000.00
Libraries
1,800.00
Public Service Enterprises
262,891.00
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
5,000.00
Grants and Gifts
49,000.00
Inspection
11,000.00
Unclassified
31,200.00
Overestimates of 1952:
Metropolitan Sewerage-South System
2,263.72
Smoke Inspection
136.20
County Tax
11,418.67
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
7,795.66
Available Funds
583,567.97
$2,094,598.85
226
Summary-1953
Appropriations :
Town Meeting :
March 2-4-6, 1953
$4,715,510.49
Taken from Available Funds:
June 23, 1952
88,830.25
October 27, 1952
111,949.65
March 6, 1953
382,788.07
$5,299,078.46
State Liabilities
116,590.56
County Liabilities
166,224.61
Overlay
82,306.86
$5,664,200.49
Credits
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$2,094,598.85
$3,569,601.64
Table of Aggregates
Tax Rate for the Year 1953:
Real and Personal Estate
$39.20
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
50.42
Valuation for the Year 1953:
Real Estate
$67,732,775.00)
Personal Estate
22,811,952.00
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
7,440,810.00
Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed :
December 31, 1952
964
December 31, 1952
109
December 31, 1952
354
March 20, 1953
964
May 11, 1953
2,659
May 15, 1953
759
July 10, 1953
1,126
July 15, 1953
1,779
August 1, 1953
4,642
August 15, 1953
317
September 15, 1953
498
October 10, 1953
664
December 1, 1953
546
December 21, 1953
924
December 23, 1953
110
Total Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed 16,415
Number of Polls Assessed:
April 15, 1953
10,255
July 2, 1953
96
September 3, 1953
21
December 14, 1953
10
227
Total Number of Polls Assessed
10,382
Number of Polls exempted by law or otherwise
890
Number of Person's assessed on property
15,579
Number of Horses assessed
47
Number of Cows assessed
434
Number of other Neat Cattle assessed
7
Number of Fowl assessed
7,040
Number of Acres of Land assessed
7,777
Number of Dwelling Houses assessed
9,855
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. BURGESS, Chairman HARRY E. BEARCE, Secretary FRANK A. PRAY
JOHN W. HEFFERNAN
GEORGE H. BELL
Board of Assessors
REPORT OF TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
December 31, 1953.
Board of Selectmen and Ciitzens of Weymouth
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
The Tree and Moth Department activities for the year 1953 have been generally along the order of other years. Tree removal stands out as fore- most in our operations, there having been upwards of 500 trees removed including Dutch elm diseased trees which were largely contracted out.
The demands for our services to other Town departments concerning trees has tripled that of other years.
The amount of emergency work has increased at an alarming rate. While we endeavor to head off this type of work by concentrating on what appears to be dangerous, it is my observation that approximately three- fourths of the trees involved are over-age trees, and while they may appear in good health, they are physically on the decline. Several of these trees were in a state of good health above ground, but the root systems were badly affected with dry rot, causing the whole tree to break off at the ground line in a strong wind.
Emergency work can only be prevented by a stepped-up tree trimming and tree removal program. This would require additional manpower, which costs money; but one lawsuit might cost the Town the year's wages of two or three men. This is a warning which should be heeded. We have been extremely fortunate that none of these cases, this year, have caused bodily injury, although some damage has been done to private property indirectly, and the public utilities have suffered a great deal of expense in repairing overhead wires and a tremendous loss in customer service due to these trees.
Spraying mainly for Elm leaf beetle and a dormant spray for Scolytus beetle for the control of Dutch Elm disease is of vital importance. We have done the major part of this spraying by helicopter, which is economi- cal and most satisfactory.
228
Our Dutch Elm disease scouting program fell by the wayside - due mainly to the pressure of other work and a shortage of manpower. The loss of a single man on vacation seriously cripples our efficiency.
While scouting is expensive and could be eliminated, an actual account of the number of confirmed cases is important, especially as a basis for the procurement of funds to support this work.
The public apathy concerning elms is alarming to me. The majority of Dutch Elm diseased trees is now found on private property, and few owners of elm trees will spend their money to retain their elm trees in a healthy condition.
Weymouth's entrance into the South Shore Mosquito Control District has eliminated this phase of our work, although I still retain a keen in- terest in mosquito control, and will continue to work for the success of the project in Weymouth.
Tree planting has moved on, but not at the rate that I anticipated. Here again labor is needed in too many places at once to devote a proper concentration on any one phase of the work.
Further development of our Town Nursery is underway to provide more trees for future needs of the Town as a supplement to trees purchased.
It would not be advisable for us to endeavor to raise our entire supply of tree stock, as it would require a nursery of several acres and a stock of five thousand trees in various stages of development to provide an annual output of 350-400 selected trees over a ten-year period. A tree from seed- ling stock to planting outside requires a period of ten years or more in the nursery.
Roadside brush cutting for clearer vision of motorists, a must in the interest of public safety, cannot be carried on too extensively, again due to the lack of manpower.
During the month of June, we were called upon to lend our assistance to the tornado stricken city of Worcester. All personnel and equipment of the Tree Department responded and our men rendered a commendable service that was second to none.
The many fine letters that were received from officials and individuals is evidence of the excellent service rendered by our men.
It was a great experience for all of us and should prove of great value to our Town if a disaster of that nature should occur here. It taught us, who served there, that a sound, active Civilian Defense program is of vital importance to every community.
The problems we are facing here in Weymouth with the rapid growth of the Town brings me to wonder: "Where do we go from here?"
As the wake of a ship passing up the Fore River finds its way to the entire shore line of Weymouth, so do the problems of our fast-growing Town finally touch on every department. The increased demand and need for our citizens for service and information regarding trees has been felt this year more than ever before.
Every resident is a prospective client for service of some kind.
Every tree in a residential area, be it public or private, is a prospective patient of ours if only for a diagnosis of its ills.
229
When one considers the population of Weymouth of some 36,000 resi- dents and the tree population of a million or more trees, it should present an idea of the vast amount of service required of a department consisting of our specialist, your Tree Warden, and the small force cf six men t. undertake meeting the needs of our Town.
The growth of this department in manpower certainly is not consistent with the development of a growing town.
Our first and foremost duty as a department is the maintenance of existing shade trees, and may I quote Judge Edward T. Simoneau of Marl- boro, authority on Massachusetts Shade Tree Law: "It is the statutory duty of towns to maintain highway trees for the protection of the public."
This means that all highway trees should be kept free of dead wood, broken and weak branches, cabled and braced where needed to strengthen structural weaknesses; cavities cleaned out, painted, drained or filled as the case demands; all dead, diseased, over-aged or weed trees removed; low overhanging branches removed above streets and sidewalks; roadside brush cut or trimmed for clearer view of motorists, and along sidewalks to prevent injuries to persons using them.
Finally, it is the duty of the Town to perpetuate its highway trees by replacement of those removed and the undertaking of plantings in newly developed areas.
It should be quite understandable to everyone who reads this report that it is physically and fundamentally impossible to conduct our statutory duties as outlined herein and meet the demands and needs of the public and their tree problems with the small corps of men to cope with the varied problems that arise. It is comparable to a platoon of soldiers en- deavoring to oppose an enemy invasion. They may put up a gallant de- laying action, but they cannot be expected to win the battle.
In recent years we have endeavored to meet this situation with an increase in manpower and with modern labor-saving devices. In the latter we have been successful, as today we have a well-equipped tree department. Several new devices to speed up our output will come before the 1954 Town Meeting, as well as a request for a conservative number of additional tree men.
In terms of valuation, all public buildings, schools, Town Hall, facilities and equipment of all Town departments combined and all public lands, do not begin to equal the total valuation of our public shade trees placed under the charge of the Tree Warden.
To qualify myself to assume the responsibilities of properly caring for this vast segment of public property, I first sought training in the care and maintenance of trees. I have continued my education throughout the years I have served you.
Through training and experience, the practices and policies which have been put into effect in Weymouth are looked upon by authorities of my profession as outstanding, and I am frequently consulted by many municipalities and even out-of-state authorities for information.
During the year I have presented lectures and papers to several Tree Wardens' organizations, a Tree Wardens' and Public Utilities Conference. and the Arboriculture Club at the University of Massachusetts; also a paper on "The Tree Warden's Place in the Civilian Defense Program" (based on experience gained in the Worcester Tornado Disaster) at the National Shade Tree Conference, Chicago, Illinois.
230
These activities, while extra-curricular, are cf benefit to the Town of Weymouth, as it places us in a position of leadership.
We have come a long way in the past twenty years, but a greater chal- lenge lies ahead. I have not met it alone, nor do I expect to meet it alone in the future.
It is only through the loyalty of my wurkmen and their pride in their work; the splendid support of the townspeople in my efforts, and the fine co-operation of our many department heads who are also leaders in their respective fields, that we have progressed.
Respectfully submitted, V. LESLIE HEBERT Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
65 Century Road South Weymouth, Mass.
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
January 4, 1954
Weymouth Board of Health Massachusetts -
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31. 1953:
During the year, 894 plumbing permits were issued.
Receipts for permits were $3,659.00.
During the year, 401 permits were issued for cesspool and septic tanks.
Receipts for permits were $401.00.
There was a total of 3,616 fixtures installed in new and old buildings.
New Buildings 471
Old Buildings 423
Estimated Cost $361,600.00
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS J. MacDONALD Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 15, 1954
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Care of Veterans' Graves:
During 1953, the usual procedure as to care of graves was followed. In the larger cemeteries, the care was arranged by agreement with the superintendents, and the annual charge for each lot was paid to the ceme- tery associations. The care of the Reed Cemetery was under my direction. Monthly inspections were made of all cemeteries during the growing weather.
The detail of placing markers has greatly increased in the past few years, due not only to numerous deaths of Spanish-American and World War I veterans, but also to growing vandalism. It was necessary to replace 21 markers in one cemetery, and lesser numbers in some of the others.
Yours respectfully, KARL O'NEIL Custodian of Veterans' Graves
231
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 15, 1954.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
East Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1953.
The following cases which have been pending have now been disposed of. They are set forth as follows:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.