USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1923 > Part 5
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I also wish at this time to thank the Chief of the Fire Department and his men for the very willing and efficient help they rendered the Highway Department in repairing the Snow Equipment last winter.
This assistance was given at any hour of the day or night, and it was through this splendid cooperation with Chief Graham and his men that the Highway Department was able to keep it tractors and snow ploughs a moving ..
W. R. TOMPSON
Engineer and Supt. of Streets.
Office Tel. Crystal 259.
Home Tel. Crystal 1066-W. At Town Hall, Tues. 8 P. M. to 10 P. M.
71
REPORT OF SWEETSER LECTURE COMMITTEE
Report of Sweetser Lecture Committee
Receipts.
Lecture Fund
$425.00
Sale of Tickets
Mr. Peterson
$302.50
Mr. McMaster
144.20
Door receipts
60.20
506.90
Total Receipts
$931.90
Expenditures
-
1923
Jan.
10
Capt. Grant Williams
$107.90
Lantern
10.80
Taking Tickets
3.00
$120.99
Jan.
17
Donald B. MacMillan
250.00
Lantern
12.00
Theater
40.00
Tickets
3.00
305.70
Jan.
24
Mrs. Ethel G. Paxson
75.00
Lantern
10.72
Piano
4.00
Tickets
3.00
92.72
72
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Jan.
31
Prof. Alfred $. Stearns
50.94
Tickets
3.00
53.94
Feb.
7
Manley Bacon Townsend
50.00
Lantern
11.92
Tickets
3.00
64.92
Printing
75.03
Police and Firemen
18.00
New Ticket Punch
1.65
Total Expenditures . $732.95
Total Receipts
$931.90
Total Expenditures
732.95
$198.95
June 8, Check to Mrs. Rose Cutler, Treas Sweetser Charity
$198.95
(Signed)
JOHN F. WHITE, Treasurer
W. S. Perkins
HARRIS M. DOLBEARE
J. LOWE McMAHON CHARLES J. PETERSON
73
REPORT OF SWEETSER CHARITY
Report of Sweetser Charity
-
Rosa B. Cutler, Treasurer
In Account with Sweetser Charity
Dr :-
To balance on hand Jan. 1, 1923 $404.99
June 8, 1923
Received from Treasurer of Sweetser Lecture Committee
$198.95
Received dividends from Wakefield Savings Bank $ 15.73
$619.67
Cr. By disbursements
199.15
Jan. 1, 1924 Balance
$420.52
ROSA B. CUTLER, Treas.
-
74
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Library Trustees
Organization of Trustees.
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Winfield S. Ripley, Jr. Mrs. Florence L. Bean. Arthur H. Boardman
COMMITTEES
Executive J. Oliver Beebe, Chairman Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Hervey J. Skinner
Reading Room
Richard Dutton
Frank T .. Woodbury, Chairman Miss Elizabeth F. Ingram
Finance
Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Arthur L. Evans
Edson W. White
Branches
Richard Dutton, Chairman
J. Oliver Beebe
Frank T. Woodbury
Circulation
Arthur L. Evans, Chairman
Richard Dutton
Frank T. Woodbury
Book
Edson W. White, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean J. Oiiver Beebe Richard Dutton Arthur L. Evans
Miss Elizabeth F. Ingram Winfield S. Ripley, Jr. Hervey J. Skinner Frank T. Woodbury
75
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Children's Room
Miss Elizabeth Ingram, Chairman Mrs. Florence L. Bean Edson W. White
Publicity Richard Dutton, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean Edson W. White
Librarian
H. Gertrude Lee
1st. Assistant and Children's Librarian Ruth Shattuck 2nd. Assistant
H. Gladys Mackenzie
Attendants
Olive L. Eaton Mrs. Katherine Madden E. Adelaide Whittier (Greenwood)
Etta F. Smith Bertha Taylor -
Junior Attendants
Dorothy Barton Frances Lee
Sunday Attendant, Reading Room
Lawrence Martin
Janitor H. T. Mitchell
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library present the sixty-eighth annual report of the Board for the calendar year, 1923.
76
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The outstanding event of the year was the opening of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library to the public on April 16, 1923. For many years the citizens of Wakefield have been looking forward to a new building and throughout the first months of the year, the increasing number of questions about the new Library showed clearly the eagerness with which the public was anticipating the privileges the new quarters would offer.
, On the afternoon of Saturday, April 14, simple dedication exercises were held in the main delivery room which was filled to its capacity with the personal friends of Mr. Junius Beebe, the Building Committee, the Trustees, the Town Officers and some of the leading library officials of the state. Mr. Harris M. Dolbeare, chairman of the Building Com- mittee, presided. Rev. Samuel McComb, D. D., a personal friend of the Beebe family, and Mr. Ralph Adams Cram, the architect of the library, both made short addresses and then Mr. Dolbeare amid the great ap- plause, presented Mr. Junius Beebe who with very brief statement gave the keys to Mr. Arthur L. Gardner, chairman of the Board of Select- men. Mr. Gardner in turn gave the keys to W. S. Ripley, Jr., chairman of the Board of Library Trustees. During the evening and on Sunday afternoon and evening, the Library was open for inspection and was visited by thousands of people. Hardly a person stepped into the de- livery room without pausing in awe, so beautiful is that first view. Everywhere words of appreciation were heard. The Trustees who were in attendance wished many times that Mr. Beebe might hear the grati- tude expressed so freely.
The task of moving from the Town Hall to the new quarters was a formidable one but thanks to the careful planning of Miss Lee and the loyal support of the staff, the Library was closed to patrons only one week and on April 16 at 10 o'clock the Library was open for business in the new Lucius Beebe Memorial Library.
With the opening has come a host of problems which the Trustees have been working diligently to solve. Longer hours have been estab- lished and on Sunday the reading room has been opened from 2 to 6.
For a long time the patrons of the Library have been anticipating the open stack privilege. To many unaccustomed to making their own selections, the system seemed difficult and to help solve the problem, many guide cards have been placed in the stacks and a printed slip, "How to find a Book" has been given to patrons. In addition at all times the staff has stood ready to help in every way possible. On the Bulle- tin Boards at the entrance to the stacks, lists of new books and the cover jackets of new non-fiction books are posted. Other notices of various kinds are posted on the Bulletin Board near the Reference Room.
77
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
At the right, as one enters the main delivery room, there is a book- case and on its shelves from time to time are placed books dealing with current topics, for instance at the time of the Japanese earthquake, there was a collection of books about Japan. At other times there have been collections of detective stories, modern poetry, short stories, Thanks- giving and Christmas Stories. These shelves are sought out first by many patrons.
About twenty duplicate magazines are kept for circulation and these as well as all unbound magazines are loaned on the seven-day basis.
The Reference department is increasing its usefulness each day. The quiet room with reference books of all kinds at hand is especially appreciated by the students of Wakefield and throughout Library hours there is a constant attendance. The old cramped quarters with the nec- essarily limited service makes the comfortable facilities of the new room appreciated all the more.
The Children's Room, considered by many the gem of the whole li- brary, is an entirely new feature. Miss Ruth Shattuck who joined the staff in March, has devoted most of her time to developing this depart- ment. There is a general homelike air about the room which is very pleasing. Mounted pictures, a few growing plants, a small aquarium, books and magazines on the tables, all help to make the little folks feel at home. In one book-case, often called the "Clean Hands Case," there is a collection of illustrated books which are loaned to mothers and which can be looked at only by children with clean hands.
Early in the summer through the kindness of Mr. H. M. Dolbeare lists of books suitable for grades 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8 were given out. Later written reports were made by the children and the names of those reading three or more books were posted.
A collection of mounted pictures illustrating children's classics, foreign countries, different holidays, birds, and flowers is on file and these collections are circulated among the teachers.
For the first time this year the story telling was under the direct supervision of the Library staff. Owing to the interruption of moving and the extra work incidental to the change of location, fewer story telling hours were held; but the same eagerness as ever was shown a- mong the children.
Children's Book Week was observed November 11-17 and so great was the interest among parents that the exhibit was kept open for sev- eral weeks. A large number of books suitable for children with helpful
78
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
lists were on display in the balcony.
In the Conversation room there is an exhibit of travel folders which many people find of great interest. Duplicates of these folders can us- ually be obtained at the desk.
The Assembly Hall in the basement is already in frequent use for gatherings of an educational or civic nature. The corresponding room at the opposite end of the hall is occupied by the Wakefield Historical Society until such time as the Library has need of it for its own work.
There have been many gifts of books during the year which have been gratefully acknowledged.
The Mother's Club of Wakefield made a gift of twenty dollars ($20) to be spent on books helpful to mothers and these books are grouped in the case in the delivery room with proper guide cards.
The 1905 Club has given a beautiful clock which stands on the mantel over the fireplace in the Reference Room.
Two handsome marble and bronze dial clocks, one over the main delivery desk and the other in the Children's Room, were given by Mr. Stillman F. Kelley of Boston, a life long friend of Mr. Beebe. Mr. Kelley also presented a beautiful State flag for the exterior of the building.
The H. M. Warren Woman's Relief Corps No. 69 presented a silk American flag for the interior of the Library. This flag was given in memory of the "Boys of '61." largely through the efforts of. Mrs C. Della Giles.
At the first meeting of the Trustees in the new building, a letter was read containing news of another gift from a member of the Beebe family. Mrs. Frederic Beebe of Malden was the doner of $5,000 to be known as the Frederic Beebe Trust, ninety per cent of the income to be spent in the purchase of books and the balance of ten per cent to ac- cumulate until the fund reaches $20,000 when the whole income will be available.
Miss Lilla M. Newhall has presented to the Library a fine collection of etchings and engravings in memory of her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Tasker) Newhall.
On the day the Library was dedicated one visitor who wishes his gift to be anonymous, was so impressed that he gave $500 to be spent at once on Children's books.
79
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
To all of these friends and to many others who have shown their in- terest in the work of the Library, the Trustees extend their most heart- felt thanks.
The Trustees feel also that special mention should be made of the kindness and cooperation shown by the Wakefield Police Department.
Only such changes as were necessary for greater efficiency have been made at the Greenwood Branch this year as the Trustees deem it best to defer their plans 'till the Branch is established in its new quart ers. There should be adequate reference books to accomodate the pat- rons of Greenwood. The "World Book" added this year is much in de- mand and there seems to be a real need of more books of reference.
In October Miss Lee asked for a leave of absence for five months, beginning November 1, in order that she might spend the severe months in the south hoping to benefit her health. Though regretting the nec- essity exceedingly, the Trustees granted the leave and Miss Ruth Shattuck was appointed acting librarian during Miss Lee's absence. Miss Margaret Richardson who is thoroughly trained in all branches of library work has been engaged as a temporary assistant. Miss Gladys Mackenzie who has worked in the Woburn Public Library was added to the staff in July and Miss E. Adelaide Whittier formerly with the Melrose Library began active work in January. Throughout the nec- essarily trying year the staff has proved loyal and willing. They have entered into the new duties with zest and many helpful suggestions have been made by them. To them the Trustees extend their sincere thanks.
The circulation of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library continues to increase. The report for the current year shows an increase of 9446 making a total circulation of 106,244 volumes.
The Library is serving the reading public of Wakefield and to anyone who saw the building during the Christmas Season with the gayly lighted trees and the green wreathes it must be evident that the Library is a vital part of our community life.
With the opening of the new building, our expenses have increased greatly. For the ensuing year, the Trustees recommended for the Library appropriation $16,050.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, the Acting- librarian submits the following report for the year, 1923.
80
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The circulation for the year is 106,244, showing a gain of 9,446.
With the increasing income from trust funds, many books have been purchased on request of patrons.
Books and magazines have also been presented the Library and a list of donors follows later in this report.
Several gifts were made for the purchase of books during the year; two for children's books, one for adult non-fiction, and the fourth to be spent for books suitable for mothers.
A change has been made in the circulation of magazines. All un- bound magazines may be kept out for seven days only, with the excep- tion of Children's Room magazines, which may be kept for fourteen days.
There have been several changes in the staff. On January 1st., . Miss E. Adelaide Whittier, of the Melrose Public Library, accepted the position of assistant at the Main Library. She also has charge of the Greenwood Branch and is doing very satisfactory work.
On July 16, Miss H. Gladys Mackenzie, formerly of the Woburn Pub- lic Library, began her duties as Second Assistant and is doing excellent work.
Miss H. Gertrude Lee, the Librarian was granted a five month's leave of absence beginning Nov. 1st. During her absence Miss Margaret Richardson of the Bridgeport Library has been appointed Temporary Assistant.
The receipts and expenditures of the year are as follows:
Library
Appropriation
$9,750.00
Appropriation for moving and establishing
3,250.00
Income from Dog Tax
1,045.25
Income from Trust Funds
1,981.11
$16,026.36
Salaries
Librarian (12 mos.) $1,649.92
1st Assistant and Children's Librarian (8 mos.) 1,031.25
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
81
2nd. Assistant (51/2 mos.)
463.81
Attendants
3,308.90
Janitors
1,128.89
$7,582.77
Books
New
$1,877.07
Replaced
584.34
Duplicate
549.94
Binding and rebinding
855.05
$3,866.40
Magazines and newspapers
350.72
Printing
257.20
Express
8.00
Telephone
34.09
Lighting
722.56
Incidentals
679.13
Heat
711.98
Water
14.70
Moving and establishing
1,221.00
Greenwood Branch
Books, new
$399.48
Books, replaced
86.67
Books, duplicate
18.90
Lighting, etc
72.76
577.81
Total expenditure
Total library receipts for 1923, returned to the Town Statistical Report
600.05
Number of volumes, January 1, 1923
22,562
Added by purchase, new
1,118
Added by purchase, duplicate
263
Added to replace worn-out volumes (6 by donation)
873
Added by donation
367
Added by magazines bound
33
Added to Greenwood Branch, New
277
To replace 33
To duplicate 2
$16,026.36 $16,026.36
312
82
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Volumes burned for contagious disease 4
Volumes worn out 1
52
56
Net gain Greenwood Branch
256
256
Volumes worn out, Main Library
1,518
Volumes burned for contagious disease
50
Volumes lost and not paid for
58
Volumes lost and paid for
23
Volumes not accounted for
16
1,665
Volumes recovered
32
Net Loss Main Library
1,633
1,633
Total number of volumes Jan. 1, 1924
23,839
Number of volumes rebound, Main Library
1065
Number of volumes rebound, Greenwood
198
1263
New names registered, Main Library
835
New names registered, Greenwood
181
1016
Books and magazines curculated, Main Library
48271
Books and magiznes circulated, Children's room 44685
92956
Books and magazines circulated, Greenwood
12911
Books and magazines circulated, Schools (Woodville and High School) 377
106,244
Days open for circulation, Main Library 297
Average daily circulation, Main Library 312.9
Days open for circulation, Greenwood 150
Average daily circulation, Greenwood 86
Total number of cards registered, Main Library Ad. 5252
Total number of cards registered, Main Library C. R. 1342 Total number of cards registered, Greenwood 1005
Postals used for waiting list, Main Library
419
7599
25,472
1
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
83
Postals used for waiting list, Greenwood 37
456
Gifts of books were received from the following:
American Chemical Society, American National Red Cross, Presi- dent and Executive of the Committee of American Relief Clearing House, D. Appleton and other publishers, John L. Bailey, C. L. Brownell, Mrs. W. F. Carley, Dennison Mfg. Co., H. M. Dolbeare, R. H. Donnelley Corporation, Fairview Pub. Co., Caroline E. Farwell, Dr. E. A. Fessenden, Alfred Fowler, E. H. Gary, Mrs. S. L. Gilson, Gowing Family Association, Mrs. Joseph Green, Estate of Samuel K. Hamilton, I. H. Harper, Wm. S. Hart, Mrs. Abbie Haskell, James L. Hill, Jones Library, Inc., H. Gerturde Lee, Library Book House and American Lib. Bind. Co., S. H. Lowe, MacRea's Blue Book Co., H. M. Mighill, Ida Farr Miller, Mothers' Club, C. Q. Murphy, N. E. Railroad Committee, Nijgh and Van Ditmar's Pub. Co., Mrs. A. N. Payne, Mrs. Louisa G. Perkins, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Rice, Winfred S. Ripley, Jr., Blanche M. Sanborn, P. W. Sprague, Mrs. Margaret Sweetser, Robert H. Thomas, Slason Thompson, Mrs. M. W. Tileston, United States Government, Louise Beebe Wilder, C. N. Winship.
Magazines and pamphlets were given by Rev. L. A. Cooper-Ellis, Richard Dutton, M. D., Miss Ethel Jackson, Commander J. W. Poland, Mrs. S. B. Stearns, Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
Library Hours
Daily except Sunday, 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. Sundays, 2 to 6 p. m.
Children's Room
Daily except Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 to 8 p.m. Saturdays 10 a. m. to 8 p. m.
Greenwood Branch
Monday and Thursday, 3 to 5 p. m. Saturday, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
RUTH SHATTUCK
Acting Librarian.
January 1, 1924.
84
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics
Annual report for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.
Population, 13,025.
Terms of use. Free.
Agencies. Main Library, one branch.
Days open during the year, Main Library
297
Hours open each week for lending, Main Library
66
Hours open each week for reading, Main Library
70
Days open during each year, Branch
150
Hours open each week for lending, Branch
61/2
Hours open each week for reading, Branch
61/2
Number of volumes at beginning of year
22,562
Number of volumes added by purchase
2,566
Number of volumes added by gift
367
Number of volumes added by binding
33
Number of volumes withdrawn during year
1,689
Total number of volumes at end of year
23,839
Number of volumes loaned for home use
106,244
Number of borrowers registered during year
1,016
Total number of registered borrowers
7,599
Registration period
5 years
Number of newspapers (9) and periodicals (91) currently
received, Main Library (5 gifts)
100
Number of periodicals received currently, Branch
15
Library Receipts
Local taxation
$9,750.00
Local taxation for moving and establishing
3,250.00
Income from Dog Tax
1,045.25
Income from trust funds
1,981.11
16,026.36
Payments for
Books
$3,516.40
Periodicals
350.72
Binding
855.05
Salaries
7,582.77
Light
795.32
Other expenses
2,926.10
1
$16,026.36
85
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
Fourteenth Annual Report of the Wakefield Water and Sewerage Board
The Wakefield Water and Sewerage Board presents herewith its annual report covering the operations of the department for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Detailed figures will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Receipts
Expenses
Water rates
$61,135.79
Maintenance
$29,269.28
Services
3,523.08
Services
3,496.13
Rents, etc.
504.40
Construction
3,996.99
Bonds retired
16,000.00
Interest on debt
6,691.75
Com. salaries
300.00
$59,754.15
Credit Balance
5,409.12
$65,163.27
$65,163.27
The above statement shows that the receipts of the Water Depart- ment were $5,409.12 more than our expenditures for the year 1923.
We feel that we should call the attention of the Town to the fact that Greenwood is growing very fast, and that before long the six inch cement water main on Main Street between Nahant Street and Oak Street should be relaid with a twelve inch cast iron main to insure an adequate supply for domestic and fire purposes.
The Board feels that the work accomplished this year, in the way of relaying the old cement mains on Main St. (Lakeside), Water St. and EIm Sq., is a very good start in the right direction, and that a part or the whole of some street that is in bad condition should be relaid the coming year.
The Board has received an unusually large number of requests for
86
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
sewer main extensions, as well as water extensions, in various parts of the Town, and hope to be able to give these applicants attention as soon as the Town so votes.
The Superintendent's report which follows gives complete details regarding construction, services, improvements, etc, which may be of interest to the Town.
Respectfully submitted
H. M. WHEELER S. A. DEARBORN G. F. MILDRAM
Commissioners.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Water and Sewerage Commissioners,
Gentlemen;
I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1923.
New Construction (Water)
The following extensions have been made during the year :- Spruce St. 305 feet of 2 inch W. I. galvanized pipe. Cooper St. 175 feet of 2 inch W. I. galvanized pipe.
Foche Ave. 560 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe.
Grafton St. 215 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe.
Maple Ave. 195 feet of 2 inch W. I. galvanized pipe. Eustis Ave. 150 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe.
Fox Road 360 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe.
Stark Ave. 350 feet of 2 inch W. I. galvanized pipe.
Harrison Ave. 210 feet of 2 inch W. I. galvanized pipe.
87
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
Wakefield Ave. 175 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe
Green St. 100 feet of 6 inch C. I. pipe.
Services
New Services added during the year 96
Services relaid during the year
21
Number of feet of new pipe laid on public land 1976
Number of feet of new pipe laid on private land 3668
Number of feet of pipe relaid on public land 483
Number of feet of pipe relaid on private land 612
Hydrants
New hydrants have installed as follows:
Cedar Street corner Cedar Court.
Francis Avenue corner Madison Avenue.
Park Avenue corner Clarina Street
Nahant Street corner Valley Street.
Nahant Street opposite No. 83 Nahant Street.
Main Street opposite High School.
Main Street near No. 112 Main Street.
Wakefield Avenue 250 feet south from Water Street.
Foch Avenue 200 feet from Merriam Street.
Elm Square.
Gates
All gates have been properly inspected, and have been opened and
88
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
closed at least one during the year.
Improvements
A new roof has been put on the standpipe.
In addition to this the interior of the standpipe has been thoroughly cleaned and given two coats of paint.
A new roof has been put on the south side of the coal shed.
A stone wall has been built along the entire length of the north shore of Crystal Lake, adding greatly to the appearance of the pro- perty, as well as safe guarding the water supply.
All leaking hydrants have been repaired or replaced.
All hydrants have been painted black with red tops, greatly im- proving their appearance.
Following the laying of the Edison wires through Town, it became necessary as a safe guard, to replace all cement pipe directly beneath the cables with cast iron pipe. This was done at the following locations.
West Water Street corner North Avenue.
Albion Street corner North Avenue.
Albion Street corner Gould Street.
Albion Street corner Byron Street.
At the present time extensive remodeling is taking place on the barn at the Pumping Station. An addition ten feet in width and ex- tending the entire length of the west side, will eliminate much of the crowded condition. Preparation is being made for a modern fireproof garage in the barn. This will allow ample room for the three trucks now used by the department.
The meter room will be removed from the present location at the east end of the coal shed, to the second floor of the barn, thus uniting all branches of the work, and greatly increasing the efficiency of the department.
New Equipment
A new ton and one half International truck was purchased to re-
1
89
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
place the International truck which for the past five years had rendered excellent service to the department.
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