USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1930 > Part 10
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This year has seen the completion of a four year program of substitut- ing low pressure distribution of gas for the method used previously; that of high pressure mains reduced at the meter to low pressure, for measuring and use in the domestic burner.
For this reason and for the added cost of pumping the gas to 12 to 15 pounds, the change from high to low pressure has been undertaken. Since the last report all the mains leading to and from the Meter House in Green- wood and the meter room at the old gas works, have been changed to low pressure. On the last week of the year 1930 the remaining parts of the gas manufacturing machinery at the Works were dismantled. Nothing now stands of the former equipment except the holder. The buildings are in place but much altered for the use of the gas and electric divisions of the Department.
The marked depression in the past year has reduced the price of many commodities among which was copper wire. The Department took the opportunity of purchasing at greatly reduced prices several thousand feet of larger sized weatherproof wire which has been used in replacing small sizes in all parts of the Town; and also added to the efficiency of the lines by the inclusion of a third wire in the secondary construction. This third wire added makes it possible to carry the ever increasing load without loss of voltage, which is particularly noticeable in these days of A. C. radio sets.
For the proper protection of the transformers, the Department has placed a number of lightning arresters on poles in the outlying districts; and in further reference to trouble in the commercial circuits, has placed several oil circuit breakers, pole type, in order that a part of the circuit may be kept in operation while necessary changes or repairs are made in another section. Previously in case of trouble, an entire circuit would be interrupted before work could be completed on the high voltage primaries.
Circuit No. 3 which is the commercial line supplying the business sec- tion of the town and laid underground in Main Street, has been in place for many years. It was of small sized cable and of an obsolete and many times, of makeshift construction. During the past year the Department has re- placed the small cable with much larger and more dependable cable for the secondary lines and all junctions have been securely made in the approved method of lead sleeves and soldered joints.
16
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Some more street lights have been added to the present system and a few extensions of the street light circuits have been made. The future of the street light problem is large and will probably entail the purchase and installation of more regulators at the Substation, if many more additions are required in some directions.
The question of traffic regulation has been in discussion in many parts of the town and the purchase and installation of traffic control signals has . been taken up by this Department. Four one way traffic lights have been placed at the corner of Main Street with Oak Street and Greenwood Street and the time of operation has been fixed by the State Department of Pub- lic Works, so that in a cycle of 50 seconds there is a green light on Main Street for North or South traffic for a period of 34 seconds, the East and West traffic have a green signal for 9 seconds, the red signal on Main Street is for 13 seconds and on Oak and Greenwood Streets 37 seconds. The remainder of the time cycle is taken by the yellow signal for 3 seconds.
Since the installation of these signals changes have been recommended by the State Authorities and the all red fire stop signal and the all red-yellow for pedestrian traffic will shortly be in place.
Traffic signals similar in type and operation are expected to be in place at the crossing of Main and Water Streets.
It is not expected that any large extensions of mains will be necessary in the gas distributing system during the coming season.
The probability of action by the Town in resurfacing Main Street, in the event of the removal of the rails and poles of the Eastern Massachu- setts Street Railway Company, opens up a problem which would be large, should the Board see fit to authorize underground construction for the electric lines in Main Street.
This would be a duct line carrying commercial and street light primaries with possible secondary distribution along Main Street, and primary out- lets to poles at adjoining streets. It is suggested that similar construction be made along Chestnut Street from Main Street to Prospect Street and other streets of the town, together with a continuation of the Parkway unit lighting.
As has been intimated previously any great amount of increase or ex- tension of street lighting will cause further purchases of street light trans- formers for the Substation. The addition or division of the present com- mercial circuits would mean purchase and installation of additional regulators at the Substation.
164
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
COST OF GAS
Cost of gas in Holder
$66,267.93
Total purchased-cubic feet
103,713,255
Cost of gas in Holder-per M cubic feet
$0.637
Total gas delivered to customers
89,200,000
Average cost of gas delivered-per M cubic feet
$1.389
COST OF ELECTRICITY
Cost of electricity at switchboard
$68,790.87
Total electricity purchased-k.w. hours
4,789,836
Cost per kilowatt hour
$0.0143
Total delivered to customers-k.w. hours
4,302,754
Average cost delivered to customer
$0.327
SUMMARY OF NEW CONSTRUCTION-GAS
Total feet of mains laid (all sizes)
38,525
Total cost of mains
$57,391.49
Total gas services (new)
67
Total cost of services
1,346.23
Cost of new meters
2,551.73
New Meters purchased
238
Meters in use beginning of year
3,688
Meters set
729
Meters removed
688
Meters in use end of year
3,728
Gain in meters
40
SUMMARY OF NEW CONSTRUCTION-ELECTRIC
Street lights installed (new)
52
Cost of new street lights
$2,898.57
New transformers
27
New poles set
18
Lines extended-feet
78,375
Cost of new meters
1,161.13
Electric meters purchased
108
Meters in use beginning of year
4,462
Meters set
922
Meters removed
1,034
Meters in use end of year
4,350
* Decrease
112
*Due to combining residence lighting and power circuits.
165
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
I am grateful for the continued loyal support of the citizens and the department employees. In conclusion I wish to thank the Board of Light Commissioners and the Department employees .for their hearty support and co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. BROOKS,
Manager Municipal Light Department.
166
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Fire Alarm
January 2, 1931.
Municipal Light Commissioners,
Town of Wakefield.
Gentlemen:
e
By vote of the Town the Board of Municipal Light Commissioners is charged with the operation and maintenance of the Fire Alarm.
The system has functioned properly during the past year. Seven (7) new boxes have been installed, the scheme of placing the newer type suc- cessive ringing, non-interefering boxes in the more thickly populated sec- tion has been continued and moving the boxes so replaced after renumber- ing out to the outer sections where there is greater distance between boxes and the chance of two alarms for the same fire more remote.
A system of numbers is now arranged so that the numbering is in se- quence and the first numbers indicate the general direction of the fire and successive numbers show the distance away from the first box in the se- quence.
Changes and additions have been made to the School boxes in the High School, Greenwood, Lincoln and Montrose Schools.
This year the steam has been taken off the whistle at the Gas Works and compressed air substituted and has functioned in a satisfactory manner.
The entire battery at the Central Fire Station has been replaced at a cost of $520.00.
The Police Signal system while not under this Department for upkeep, has been serviced by the men of this Department whenever necessary and the Police Department has been charged for the work.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. BROOKS,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
167
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Report of Library Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Mrs. Florence L. Bean J. Oliver Beebe *Arthur H. Boardman Richard Dutton, M. D. Arthur L. Evans
Winfield S. Ripley Mrs. Bertha Round Hervey J. Skinner
Edson W. White Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
J. Oliver Beebe Mrs. Florence L. Bean * Arthur H. Boardman
BOOK COMMITTEE
Edson W. White, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean J. Oliver Beebe Richard Dutton, M. D.
Arthur L. Evans
Winfield S. Ripley Mrs. Bertha Round Hervey J. Skinner Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
BRANCH COMMITTEE
Richard Dutton, M. D., Chairman
Mrs. Bertha Round
Edson W. White
CHILDREN'S ROOM
Mrs. Florence L. Bean, Chairman
Mrs. Bertha Round
Edson W. White
CIRCULATION AND PUBLICITY
Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
Richard Dutton, M. D. Edson W. White
*Ex-officio, as Town Treasurer.
168
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
EXECUTIVE Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
J. Oliver Beebe
FINANCE Winfield S. Ripley, Chairman
Arthur L. Evans
Hervey J. Skinner
HOUSE J. Oliver Beebe, Chairman Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Winfield S. Ripley
169
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARY PERSONNEL
Librarian Helen Frances Carleton
Children's Librarian H. Gladys Mackenzie
Head Cataloguer Louise E. Sheldon
Branch Librarian
Clara G. Wilson
General Assistants
Katherine Madden Miriam G. Needham Bertha Taylor
Part-Time Assistants
Olive L. Eaton
Etta F. Smith
Regular Junior Part-Time Assistants
Eleanor Alden Phyllis Cann
Dorothy Flannigan Edward Liljestrom
Dorothy Thompson
Janitors H. T. Mitchell, Main Library Michael Neary, Greenwood Branch
170
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith submit the seventy-fifth annual report for the calendar year, 1930.
While it is always pleasant to report unusual ways in which the Li- brary has been functioning in any given year, yet, after all, it must be re- membered that the most important objective is its continued service day after day and week after week. During 1930 this functioning in the com- munity life has not only been going on steadily and effectively as in previous years but again has shown an increase. It is evident that the Library is a very real part in the life of Wakefield.
It has been a source of satisfaction to the Trustees to accept for the Town a gift of $2,500.00 from Mr. John H. Beebe and one of $4,000.00 to be added to the Alice Beebe Carpenter Fund. Both of these funds are to be administered by the Wakefield Trust Company and the income to be spent for books.
Mr. W. E. Eaton has given the Library some very valuable historical documents and maps.
The Mother's Club has again given the Library ten dollars.
Besides these gifts there have been others of books, flowers, magazines, all of which indicate the regard in which the Library is held.
In the fall it became necessary to increase the hours at the Greenwood Branch and it is now open six days in the week, an increased service which is much appreciated by the patrons of the Branch.
The Library continues its close association with the Public Schools. During the year Miss Carleton has collaborated with Miss Caswell, head of the English Department and Miss Dorothy Kohl, librarian, of the High School, in publishing a list for collateral reading under the title "Book Friends." The usual instructions in the use of the Library have been given to the pupils of the grammar schools and book deposits have been sent to those schools desiring them.
In this Tercentenary year it has given the staff and the trustees pleasure to co-operate with the various committees in our local celebrations and every possible source of information has been placed at the disposal of the public. Books telling of the early settlements, of costumes, of customs and furniture have been displayed prominently. Exhibitions of historical docu- ments and maps, of pictures of historical houses of Wakefield and other towns have been held. A list of HISTORIES OF MASSACHUSETTS, ITS COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS in the Library was issued at this time. This list included all the town histories but not the volumes of vital statistics and the genealogies. The Paul Revere Bell has been on
171
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
display in the small room at the left of the entrance in accordance with the request of the Tercentenary Committee.
In October the pictures of Mr. Aiden L. Ripley were hung in the Lec- ture Hall for display and in December Miss Gertrude Sanderson of Little- ton loaned an exhibition of watercolors.
During the summer vacation a Travel Club was formed among the patrons of the Children's Room. The members were furnished with pass- ports and after making out an itinerary of the proposed journey, each one started off on a happy summer's reading. Descriptions of the countries visited were written and many eager travelers compared notes daily. The interest was so great that the Club continued through the fall culminating at the close of Children's Book Week in the play, "Mother Library's Tea Party" which had to be given twice so many children wished to see it. This is an example of the way in which the younger patrons of the Library are introduced to the pleasures to be derived from non-fiction reading.
Other exhibits have been shown, through the kindness of Mr. Clinton Stearns who loaned his collection of coins and medals and of Mr. Edward E. Oakes whose exhibit of hand made jewelry was much admired. The Virgil anniversary was observed by the display of a copy of the Elzevir edition of the Aenead owned by Mrs. W. S. Ripley. To all these friends, and to Mr. Harris M. Dolbeare and Mr. Gardner Campbell of the Daily Item in their many kindnesses, the Trustees wish to extend their thanks.
The use of the Lecture Hall as a meeting place is increasing. Among those using it during the year have been the Board of the Kosmos Club, the Col. Hartshorne House Association, the Board of the Col. Hartshorne House Association, the Historical Society, the Garden Club.
Miss Helen Carleton, Librarian, and her staff have shown the same loyal service which has been noted in other years. The Trustees wish to extend to them their sincere appreciation.
It has seemed each year since the Library has been established in its new quarters that an end to the impetus thus given must come, but it is a matter of congratulation to the people of Wakefield that its usefulness is still growing and that its friends continue to increase.
For the year 1930 the circulation is as follows:
School deposits
8,440
Greenwood Branch
45,448
Main Library
144,138
Total
198,026
an increase of 11,642 or 6%.
172
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The Trustees recommend for maintaining the Library in 1931 the same sum as in 1930, $22,500.00.
(Signed)
FLORENCE L. BEAN,
Secretary.
-
173
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
DONORS FOR 1930
It is a pleasure to announce gifts of books, magazines, flowers or ex- hibits from:
American Express Company
American Legion
Miss Mary Anderson
Alexander B. Andrews
Armstrong Cork Company
Arts and Crafts Society
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
J. O. Beebe Junius Beebe
Bourdon Studio
Burdett College
Century Company Civic Bureau, Boston Chamber of Commerce
Commission for Belgian Relief
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A. Leon Cutler
Horace W. Dalrymple
Mrs. Herbert Duffill
Miss Mary S. Dunn
Miss Kathryn Dutton
Riberot Dutton
William E. Eaton
Mrs. F. L. Edson
Miss Eleanor F. Emerson
Mrs. Clarence Fall
First Church of Christ Scientist, Reading
Mrs. J. D. Fraser
General Education Board
General Electric Company
Miss Lillian Goldsmith
Hackley Memorial Association
Mrs. Mary K. Hall Rex Harlow
Charles S. Knowles
Knox Hat Company E. W. Loring
Mrs. H. W. Merriam
Milton Public Library
Howard Mingos
Motion Picture Producers
National Congress of Parents and Teachers
New England Historical Society
174
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
New England News Company North Carolina Bar Association Edward E. Oakes Harold Orne
Mrs. M. D. Paige Joseph Payro The Personal Book Shop
Mrs. Louise Pryor C. E. Purrington
Regular Democratic Club
Mrs. W. S. Ripley W. S. Ripley Aiden L. Ripley Mrs. John J. Round
Mrs. E. R. Sanborn
Miss Gertrude Sanderson
E. H. H. Simmons, New York Stock Exchange
Smithsonian Institute
State Commission on Conservation and Development
State Street Trust Company
Clinton Stearns Mrs. Sylenda Stearns
Mrs. James Storrow
Town of Wakefield
Mrs. B. O. Tyler
United Fruit Company
United States Government
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Wakefield Daily Item Arthur K. Walton Miss Grace White Mrs. Selim White Richard Whitney
Mrs. Louise Beebe Wilder
Miss Dorcas Woodbury
175
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
TABLE 1
FINANCIAL STATISTICS 1930
Receipts
Town Appropriation Dog Tax
$22,500.00 1,516.02
Income from Library Funds:
Junius Beebe Fund
$1,185.00
Marcus Beebe Fund
724.92
Decius Beebe Fund
759.20
Katherine Beebe
256.50
Eleanor H. Beebe
256.50
Frederic Beebe Fund
338.91
Charles. S. Beebe Fund
51.30
John H. Beebe
140.32
Alice B. Carpenter Fund
121.98
George O. Carpenter Fund
51.30
Sylenda B. Stearns
102.60
J. G. Aborn Library Fund
85.51
Cyrus Gilbert Beebe Fund
101.25
Frederic Beebe Library Fund
50.63
Rev. Thomas A. Emerson Fund
25.30
Flint Memorial Library Fund
50.63
M. W. Gove Library Fund
24.79
Dr. F. P. Hurd Library Fund
126.55
Franklin Poole Library Fund
25.30
Mary H. Pratt Library Fund
10.13
Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund
25.30
$4,513.92
Refund to the Town
10.00
Total
$28,539.94
176
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
LIBRARY EXPENDITURES FOR 1930
Books
$7,672.77
Periodicals
743.94
Binding
1,409.37
Salaries
Library service
$11,308.13
Janitor service
2,359.18
$13,667.31
Other Expenses:
Printing
432.00
Light
650.23
Heat
724.26
Furnishings
538.75
Supplies
938.24
Maintenance:
Repairs
$423.83
Telephone
121.85
Water
29.40
Insurance
30.20
Miscellaneous
557.79
$27,939.94
Unexpended Balance
600.00
$28,539.94
Library receipts returned to the Town, 1930: Fines:
$891.79
177
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
TABLE II
CLASSIFIED TABLE OF VOLUMES ISSUED IN 1930
MAIN
GREENWOOD
Adult Juvenile
Adult Juvenile
Reference works and bound periodicals
91
195
34
119
Philosophy
997
9
109
4
Religion
452
327
93
124
Sociology
1371
1972
167
945
Philology (Language)
132
36
3
20
Natural Science
780
725
190
399
Useful Arts
2232
1426
268
578
Fine Arts
2494
844
387
320
Literature
4488
2520
615
630
History
1560
1757
212
1098
Travel
2537
3339
635
1134
Biography
2672
1031
691
567
Fiction
74931
20091
20922
8539
Pamphlets
109
3
*9049
*4015
Foreign books which were on loan+
169
Current periodicals
5010
789
1990
640
Total School books issued
189,586
8,440
Total
198,026
Pictures
3,697
*Readers for little folks.
¡Loan from the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries.
BORROWERS REGISTERED
Main Library Greenwood Branch
5907
1611
Total borrowers registered (School borrowers not registered)
7518
100,025
44,113
26,316
19,132
-- 144,138-
-45,448 -
178
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
TABLE III
RESOURCES
Volumes belonging to Library, January 1, 1930:
42,213
Additions in 1930:
Main Library : by purchase, new titles
New Titles
Adult
1795
Juvenile
396
2,191
Replacements and Duplicates
Adult
517
Juvenile
330
Greenwood: by purchase, new titles
Adult
400
Juvenile
153
By replacements and Duplicates
Adult
13
Juvenile
12
25
Gifts
91
School
53
Unclassified
185
Bound magazines
240
Total additions
4,185
Volumes withdrawn, 1930
688
Volumes belonging to Library, December 31, 1930
45,710
847
553
179
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
TABLE IV
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS 1930, ANNUAL REPORT
Population of Wakefield (1930 census)
16,000
Terms of use of Library: Free
Agencies: Main Library, one branch, eight schools
Days open during the year-Main Library
338
Days open during the year-Branch
189
Hours open each week for lending-Main Library
66
Hours open each week for reading-Main Library
69
Hours open each week for lending-Branch
33
Hours open each week for reading-Branch
33
Number of volumes at beginning of year
42,213
Number of volumes added by purchase
4,094
Number of volumes added by gift
91
Total number of volumes withdrawn during the year
688
Total number of volumes at end of year
45,710
Pictures
58,649.
Pamphlets
3,581
Number of registered borrowers
7,518
Number of volumes loaned for home use
198,026
Registration period
2 years
Number newspapers (one gift) currently received
11
Number periodical titles currently received :
Main Library 154
Branch Library
38
Library Receipts
Local Taxation
$22,500.00
Income from dog tax
1,516.02
Income from trust funds
4,513.92
Refund to Town
10.00
Total
$28,539.94
Library Expenditures
Maintenance:
Books
$7,672.77
Periodicals
743.94
Binding
1,409.37
Librarians' Salaries
11,308.13
180
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Building Operating Expenses:
Janitors' Salaries
$2,359.18
Light
650.23
Heat
724.26
Other Expenses
3,072.06
Unexpended balance
600.00
Total
$28,539.94
Report of the Tercentenary Committee
The Tercentenary Committee named by Moderator Theodore Eaton con- sisted of Hubbard B. Mansfield, Harris M. Dolbeare, Col. Edward J. Gihon, John J. Round, Mrs. Ardelle R. MacWhinnie, Arthur L. Evans and Mrs. W. S. Ripley. The Committee organized on January 6, 1930, with Mr. Mansfield as Chairman and Mrs. W. S. Ripley as Secretary-Treasurer. The Committee held seventeen regularly called meetings and numerous conferences between January 6 and August 29, 1930.
At the Spring town meeting the voters appropriated $2,000.00 to be applied to repairs and restoration of the so-called Lafayette House on Church Street, and $500.00 for the purpose of placing the Paul Revere bell on exhibition and for general expenses of the Committee.
The week of June 29th to July 5th was chosen as "Old Home Week", and both the Committee and co-operating organizations concentrated their efforts upon the events of this week. The week really began with the High School Reunion, which took place on the afternoon and evening of June 28th. This affair, which included visits to the former High School building, (now the Laf- ayette School) a buffet supper in the High School, class reunions and exercises in the Auditorium, Rev. Albert Thomas being the principal speaker, was a great success and gave a splendid start to the celebration. Eugene Sullivan served as Chairman of this event.
On Sunday, June 29, historic sermons were delivered in the Congregational and Baptist churches; at 7.45 p. m. an impressive and largely attended vesper service was held in St. Joseph's church and at 8.00 p. m. a union service of Pro- testant churches was held in the Congregational church.
In the Town Hall on Monday, June 30, under the auspices of the Wakefield Lodge of Elks a Colonial Ball was held. On Wednesday, July 2, from 7 to 8 p.m. water sports were held on Lake Quannapowitt and a band concert by a Metro- politan Park band was given at 8 o'clock. On the Fourth of July, an early morn- ing parade, a pagaent by the children of St. Joseph's Parochial School in the afternoon and fireworks in the evening were the features of the Town's celebra- tion which contributed definitely to the Tercentenary observance.
During the week, at the plants of the various local manufacturies, industrial exhibits were held, and an interesting educational exhibit was held in the gym- nasium and recitation rooms at the High School.
The Paul Revere Bell was on view in the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, having been taken from the Lafayette School belfry and placed in a suitable framework especially designed for it by Edward Bridge.
A collection of valuable manuscripts and papers bearing on the history of Wakefield and owned by William Everett Eaton, was on display during "Old Home Week." Mr. Eaton had carefully catalogued these papers and kindly ex- plained them to visitors.
Careful study on the part of the Committee failed to show that anything stronger than tradition indicated that Lafayette had stayed at the old house on Church Street. Furthermore the house had such definite associations with the Hartshorne family over many years, that the Committee renamed it "The Colonel James Hartshorne House," and as such, it was opened to the public on Saturday, July 5. Hundreds of persons visited it during the summer. Miss Anna Heurlin acted as hostess. Tea was served afternoons and many organizations and committees found it a pleasant meeting place.
The work of repairs and of a limited amount of restoration was difficult, at times discouraging and at all times arduous. Experts have commented favora- bly on the good points of the house and on the work done to make it suitable as a visiting and meeting place.
The Selectmen at the suggestion of the Tercentenary Committee, placed four "Welcome to Wakefield" signs where they pleasantly greet the visitors who enter the town by one or another way.
The Park Commissioners gave special attention to the "Old Cemetery," so that it was attractive to out of town visitors who always seek out a church yard for its records.
Every class in the High School had a Tercentenary program and the pro- gram of the class of 1930 at its graduation had the Tercentenary observance as its key note.
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