Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1940, Part 14

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1940
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 334


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While in each case the change was made for a salary which the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library could not meet, it is doubtful if any one of these staff members would have been uneasily looking for a new position if there had been any future in the one held here.


These resignations have meant some re-arrangements and some new appointments. Miss H. Gladys Mac- kenzie, formerly Children's Librarian, has taken over the cataloguing and has been made Assistant Librarian. Miss Madeline G. Howe is now Children's Librarian. Miss Howe is a graduate of Simmons and has been at the head of the children's work at the Shute Memorial Li- brary in Everett, Massachusetts. Miss Alma Sullivan, who has been at the Watertown Public Library, and who is also a graduate of Simmons, has been appointed a general assistant. The third position is not yet filled.


All these changes have meant a series of new faces at the desk, for in addition to the new members of the staff, it has been necessary to employ substitutes during the intervals so that the routine work might go on.


One of the most valuable features of library service is the friendly relations established between members of the staff and the reading public. This cannot be main- tained with a constantly changing staff. Many in- quiries have been made-"What has become of Miss So-and-So; she was always so helpful." For the good of the service it seems highly desirable that this problem be solved.


Some repair work has been done in the building this year; the most important of which was the repainting of the Children's Room.


200


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


The circulation of books, magazines, and pamphlets for the year 1940 totals 205,770. Wakefield continues to be one of the highest in the State in per capita circula- tion.


Respectfully submitted,


HERVEY J. SKINNER, Chairman FLORENCE L. BEAN, Secretary RICHARD DUTTON, M. D. ARTHUR L. EVANS WALTER C. HICKEY


ALBERT W. ROCKWOOD


JOHN J. ROUND


ALICE W. WHEELER


FRANK T. WOODBURY, M. D.


DONORS


John H. Bartlett


Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Bean


Lucius M. Beebe


Mrs. Henry A. Behnke


Henry Boulanger


N. J. Busby


George L. Carpenter


Mrs. E. P. Capen


Christian Science Church, Reading


Beverly Clark


Colby College, Maine


Mrs. George Conner


Mrs. George A. Cowdrey


Cyrus M. Dolbeare


Mrs. Richard Dutton William E. Eaton


Mrs. F. L. Edson


Mrs. Estella F. S. Evans


Mrs. Arthur L .Evans


Mrs. J. D. Fraser


Wakefield Garden Club


Mrs. Chester Noyes Greenough


Mrs. Henry Gowing


Mrs. Archibald M. Hume


Frank B. Jordan Kosmos Club Mrs. Edward G. Lee


Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. McDowell


L. L. McMaster Mrs. Hubbard B. Mansfield


201


LIBRARY TRUSTEES


Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission Miss Laura Milbury Miss Shirley Moore New England Sanitarium and Hospital Mrs. Emily F. Paul


Mrs. Charles Randall


Mrs. Albert W. Rockwood


John J. Round


Hervey J. Skinner


Clinton W. Spear


Frank C. Thompson


Dr. Edward C. Titus


Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Tredinnick Wakefield Daily Item


Wakefield Girl Scouts


Wakefield Rotary Club


Arthur E. Whiton


Miss Ruth A. Woodbury


FINANCIAL STATISTICS 1940


Town Appropriation


$18,500.00


Dog Tax


1,726.26


Income from Library Funds:


Junius Beebe Fund


$ 686.74


Marcus Beebe Fund


554.91


Decius Beebe Fund


530.92


Katherine Beebe Fund


184.82


Eleanor H. Beebe Fund


150.68


Frederic Beebe Fund


355.52


Charles S. Beebe Fund


43.80


John H. Beebe Fund


99.88


J. Oliver Beebe Fund


182.32


Alice B. Carpenter Fund


43.12


George O. Carpenter Fund


43.66


Sylenda B. Stearns Fund 78.67


J. G. Aborn Library Fund 42.49


Cyrus Gilbert Beebe Fund 55.38


Frederic Beebe Library Fund 25.15


Robert Parker Dolbeare Fund


12.58


Willard Donnell Fund 12.58


Milledge Elliot Fund


25.15


Rev. Thomas A. Emerson Fund


10.05


M. W. Gove Library Fund 10.05


Melvin Hill Fund 12.58


Dr. F. P. Hurd Library Fund 69.21


Franklin Poole Library Fund 12.58


Flint Memorial 25.15


202


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Mary H. Pratt Library Fund


5.03


Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund Total


12.58


$ 3,286.64


$23,512.90


EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR 1940


Books


$ 4,519.57


Periodicals


520.09


Binding


1,213.17


Salaries, Library service


11,395.32


Printing and supplies


968.24


Light


444.10


Heat


693.39


Furniture, maintenance


922.07


Salaries, janitor service


2,200.00


Telephone


130.73


Miscellaneous


287.18


$23,293.86


Unexpended balance


219.04


$23,512.90


Returned to Town


Dues, payments for lost books, et cetera $ 881.93


TABLE II CLASSIFIED TABLE OF BOOKS BORROWED IN 1940


Main Library


Greenwood Branch


Schools


Adult


Juvenile


Adult


Juvenile


Adult


Juvenile


Deposits Boit Home Adult


Reference Works


265


70


7


25


4


5


Philosophy


1,209


13


165


11


9


20


Religion


450


157


78


31


75


Sociology


2,626


1,261


383


385


54


254


Philology (Lang.)


199


16


19


Natural Science


1,256


658


128


523


19


287


Useful Arts


4,265


994


661


743


62


137


Fine Arts


4,498


550


616


528


61


107


Musical Scores


281


Literature


4,509


843


616


384


390


293


History


1,381


550


233


316


8


208


Travel


3,499


1,012


803


731


41


295


Biography


3,567


516


782


490


253


270


Fiction


77,068


14,073


25,927


11,713


256


3,263


1,098


Little Folks' Readers


7,640


5,595


1,311


LIBRARY


TRUSTEES


203


Current Periods.


6,380


1,312


2,672


530


19


Pamphlets


423


10


266


3


Total


111,932


29,675


33,356


22,005


1,179


6,525


1,098


Total loans for the year 1940


205,770


Number of pictures loaned during 1940


4,580


LIBRARY BORROWERS REGISTERED


Main Library


6,458


Greenwood Branch Library


1,375


Total number of registered borrowers 7,833


Borrowers of school and deposit collections not registered.


204


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


PARK AND


CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS 205


TABLE III LIBRARY RESOURCES


Volumes belonging to Library, January 1, 1939


62,419


Volumes purchased 3,114


Gifts 153


Bound volumes of magazines


38


3,305


Volumes withdrawn, 1940


2,595


Volumes belonging to Library, Dec. 31, 1940


63,129


Magazines currently received at Library in 1940 155 titles


199 magazines


Pictures belonging to Library, December 31, 1940 61,483


Pamphlets belonging to Library, December 31, 1940 3,175


Report of Park and Cemetery Commissioners


To the Citizens of Wakefield:


The Park and Cemetery Commissioners submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1940.


The Town of Wakefield has one of the best park systems of any town or city of its size for many miles around.


This year the commissioners tried, as an experiment, having a large flower bed made directly in back of the veterans' boulder on the common, and because of so much favorable comment we have decided to add two more beds at the other end of the common. It is our belief that these flower beds will add greatly to the attractive- ness of our common. We hope that in the near future, the Town will build a sidewalk on the west side of the park along Lake Avenue. The walk that is there now is in need of repair and does not add to the beauty of the park and common.


This was the first year that the new bath house was put :in use. The Town has now a sanitary bath house and a large beach for the children. The Department has had trouble with those going to the bath house after hours and committing a nuisance, and with out-of-town residents. We expect to erect a wire fence along the front of the bath house this year, which will eliminate much of


206


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


the nuisance. The check system of taking care of the children's clothing has worked out well, so that we do not have complaints of stolen articles of clothing as in the past.


With the care of the lake funds and with the assistance of the Water Department there was a new retaining wall built at the outlet of the lake, which has made a much needed improvement at that point.


The new flood lights at the Church Street playground have proven a huge success, and they are also used for night skating in the winter.


Forest Glade Cemetery is being improved each year and the Commissioners feel proud of their endeavors.


The large elm trees on the park and common were free from any elm tree beetles this year. It is our intention to spray them twice this year as a safeguard and also trim and spray the trees along Lakeside on the shore of the lake.


The Commissioners invite any suggestions from the citizens that will be of help to us in maintaining our beautiful park system.


The report of the supervisor of the bath house will be found under another heading.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN T. STRINGER, Chairman


GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary JOHN W. MacGILLIVRAY


Report of Bath House Supervisor


September 26, 1940


Park and Cemetery Commissioners:


Dear Sirs:


The new and up-to-date bath house situated off Spauld- ing Street officially opened for the season on June 28, (one week earlier than the previous summer) and closed on August 31, 1940.


The attendance was very good throughout the month of July and the first week of August, but fell off noticeably the last three weeks of August. In fact during the last week it was so cold that the few bathers who did venture out for a swim did not stay in the water for any great length of time. The weather was very favorable for the bathers up to this point, however, and it was noted by


207


BATH HOUSE SUPERVISOR


the members of the bath house staff that at times there were larger crowds of spectators, that is mothers and fathers or guardians of children, seated along the shore or amusing themselves in the sand with their children.


This fact is due to the ample space provided, due to the tearing down of the old bath house which gives those who come down to the lake plenty of room for enjoyment.


The area in and around the bath house was policed every morning by the guards. Armed with rakes and shovels they cleaned up debris and filled in holes made in the sand the previous day by the children. In this respect there were less cuts and accidents than in previous years.


Swimming classes were held every morning with all the guards as teachers. More time was devoted to be- ginners this year than ever before, due to the fact that a custodian was on duty in the bath house and each teacher could devote more time with his classes. Thus, many fine young pupils have learned to swim and will be able to take care of themselves in the water, as they get older.


The matron took care of swimming classes for older girls in the afternoon and did an excellent job.


This year races were held about once a week for the children and in this way the instructors were able to note the progress made by the pupils, and they were classified accordingly.


The general conduct at the bath house was very good throughout the season, with a few exceptions. Those who did not obey the rules, were given either a temporary or permanent suspension, and the cooperation of the police department in this respect was 100 per cent.


For the past six or eight years the instructor at the bath house has beseeched the parents to watch the kind of craft their children were making at their homes and taking to the lake. The parents were warned that their children were sometimes in great danger of drowning, unless being spotted by an older person before launching their unsafe craft, made from old boxes or boards found around the yard or cellar. The result was that not one child tried to launch a craft of this type, knowing full well that if he did the craft would be seized and destroyed. There was, therefore, no need for assistance in this re- spect from the bath house staff and they are thankful to the parents for their vigilance and co-operation.


ยท A new set of steel drums were installed under the raft, replacing the old wooden type of barrel. They proved their worth, as they held the raft up evenly and firmly


208


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


throughout the bathing season, much to the satisfaction of divers who like an even and steady platform.


A bicycle rack was erected and put in place along the shore in the back of the new bath house. No bicycles were allowed beyond a certain sign limit bordering the entrance to the beach. This was another safety measure which helped to lessen the accidents that have occurred in other years.


It is the plan of the Park Department to have the area west of the new bath house cleaned of all debris. Bathers were warned by signs not to enter the water from that shore line. This will insure the bathers of more room in which to swim and enjoy themselves in the future.


We of the bath house wish to thank all who have helped us in our work the past summer, and all the town depart- ments that gave us assistance. We are indeed grateful for their help.


RECORDS OF THE NEW BATH HOUSE


Total number in attendance 34,000


Average daily 485


Maximum weekly


3,295


Number of serious injuries


3


Number of persons needing aid in water beyond their depth 34


Number of suspensions


18


Aid given to overturned craft 2


Cases investigated outside the bath house area (and to Police aid given) 1


Number of minor injuries not needing doctor's attention 140


Number of serious cuts needing medical care Respectfully submitted,


3


DAVID F. INGERTON, Bath House Instructor and Supervisor


Report of the Municipal Light Board


January 3, 1941.


To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:


We submit for your consideration the forty-seventh annual report of the Municipal Light Board, covering the year ending December 31, 1940.


209


MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD


The net profit, after deducting debt retirement, is $33,509.85 as compared to $29,339.98, in 1939.


The balance of our Operating Fund is $36,231.43 as compared to $29,565.41 in 1939.


We turned back $20,000.00 to the Town which makes a total of $171,111.82 to date.


Our books are being audited by T. B. Donnelly & Company, Certified Public Accountants of Boston.


The report of the manager showing the financial con- dition of the Plant, as of December 31, 1940, and its operations for the year, is included in this report.


Respectfully submitted,


MARCUS BEEBE, 2nd, Chairman


EUGENE J. SULLIVAN, Secretary CURTIS L. SOPHER, M. D.


January 2, 1941


To the Board of Light Commissioners,


Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


I beg to submit the following report for your considera- tion, showing the affairs and operations of the Light Department for the year ending, December 31, 1940.


An inspection of the balance sheet will show that the financial condition of the Plant is on a paying basis with a profit of $33,509.85.


PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT


Plant investments and general equipment have been increased $34,000.00 net, including the underground elec- trical construction for Center Street that was a complete change over from aerial to underground, including services and street lighting. Incidental to this, the duct line was continued along Crescent Street southerly and connected to existing duct in front of the Central Fire Station.


An auxiliary conduit of 6 duct lines has been built from the Substation, Wakefield Avenue, to existing manhole on Water Street at Crescent Street. At the Water Street crossing of Main Street an additional conduit of 6 ducts over existing conduit, the above additions to the under- ground lines will give greater efficiency to future exten- sions of underground service.


In connection with the foregoing, changes at the Sub- station have been made, an additional manhole inside the enclosure has been made and duct lines have been laid to connect to outgoing existing lines, and to the switch- board room inside the Substation building.


210


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


What is known as No. 2 Commercial Circuit, that sup- plied the North Ward and Montrose districts, has been split to give more efficient service to those districts and a new 36 KVA regulator installed to take care of the new circuit thus made, and to be known as circuit No. 6 which will supply the Montrose district. Other changes and additions at the Substation are a new panel added to the switchboard and connected to a pair of existing wires leading to the manhole at the corner of Main and Water Streets. These wires were used in the Christmas lighting and will be a standby for Commercial Circuit 3 which supplies the business section of Main Street. A duplicate street lighting switch of the 3 pole type was pur- chased and installed as standby, in case of failure of the present switches now in use. Mercury Vapor lamps have been placed outside the Substation walls to light all four sides of the building and the surrounding yard area and the gates to this area are locked as a pre- cautionary measure. New gaskets of Dupont Neoprene have replaced the original which showed an oil leakage on C bank transformer. Work is in progress for installa- tion of another panel to take what will be known as Commercial Circuit No. 8. Current transformers on com- mercial circuits No. 2, 4 and 5 and the street lighting circuit have been changed to give more efficient indica- tion of circuit operation.


The outstanding accomplishment this year is the in- stallation of the cable for No. 1 Commercial Circuit from the Substation to Oak and Main Streets and the con- nection at that point with the aerial of Commercial Cir- cuit No. 1.


This, with the setting of 31 street light pedestals and house services from the bases thereof, out of a total of ninety, completes the underground lighting and com- mercial service on Main Street from the railroad crossing to the Melrose line.


Gas mains have been laid in new developments in Holland Road, Sherman Road, Crosby Road and Atwood Street, all in Greenwood, including 41 new services, a total of over 2000 ft. of 11/4 inch service pipe. Replace- ments of old cast iron mains have been made using steel pipe, in Common St., Bennett St., and Murray St., and the old 11/4" high pressure line in Catalpa St., was replaced during the highway construction of that street.


At the Works, a motor that has been out of use was exchanged with the Highway Department for an in- dustrial gas engine. This engine has been overhauled


211


MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD


and connected to a centrifugal pump and both mounted on a two-wheeled chassis where the combination will be available for emergency.


A large pipe-threading machine bought in second hand condition has been overhauled and set up in the Pipe Shop and attached to a motor that was on hand. This will thread and cut pipe from 21/2 inches to 4 inches.


Steam heating coils in the machine shop have been taken down and the pipe recovered and wall radiators salvaged from the Substation put in place with resulting increased efficiency and more heat.


During the past winter and spring, a cellar has been partially dug under the stockroom and a brick room built, with a view to changing the present large boilers for heating purposes to a modern set up.


The yard area at the works between the buildings and the railroad location, has been paved with an asphalt compound from the existing concrete pavement to the line of North Avenue.


In co-operation with the Recreation Department and the Park Department, 6 steel poles have been purchased and equipped with wiring and floodlights for lighting the Church St. Playground. This has proved very satisfactory to the followers of soft ball, and during the early skating season the lights were turned on and did a very good job in lighting the ice on the nearby shore.


It is recommended that underground work on Main Street be continued to the end of the existing conduit;


That some changes be made in the present three phase power circuit;


That commercial circuit No. 5 serving west of Chestnut St. and along Albion St. be given larger capacity from the Substation to a distribution centre near the load of the area;


During the past year Michael J. Kelley retired after 33 years of faithful service to this Department. Mr. Kelley was a member of the Finance Committee for a number of years.


In closing I wish to thank you for patience and your assistance, I also wish to thank the employees of the Department for their constant endeavor to do the right thing.


Respectfully submitted,


SAMUEL H. BROOKS,


Manager


The financial statement follows:


212


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1940 ASSETS


PLANT INVESTMENTS


Gas Department (Schedule A) $359,453.36


Electric Department (Schedule B) 376,056.17


General Equipment (Schedule C) 21,476.40


Unfinished Construction


239.70


Total


$757,225.63


CURRENT ASSETS


Operation Fund


$ 36,231.43


Depreciation Fund


37,060.25


Office Fund


400.00


Special Deposits


47,968.39


Accounts Receivable


22,381.25


Materials and Supplies


28,004.76


Total


$172,046.08


PREPAID ACCOUNTS


Insurance


$ 776.87


Interest


95.63


Total


872.50


TOTAL ASSETS


$930,144.21


BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1940 LIABILITIES AND SURPLUS


BONDS PAYABLE


$ 29,000.00


CURRENT LIABILITIES


Consumers' Deposits $ 47,968.39


Matured Interest Unpaid 1,805.36


Total


$ 49,773.75


ACCRUED LIABILITIES


Interest on Bonds 452.41


APPROPRIATED SURPLUS


Loans Repayment 444,300.00


Appropriation for Construction Repayment 51,632.86


Total 495,932.86


SURPLUS (Schedule D)


354,985.19


TOTAL LIABILITIES and SURPLUS


$930,144.21


213


MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD


STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE GAS DEPARTMENT


INCOME FROM SALES OF GAS


Regular Meters


$ 98,515.30


Prepay Meters


1,711.16


Municipal Meters


508.79


Minimum Bills


261.14


Total


$100,996.39


DEDUCT OPERATING EXPENSE


Gas Purchased


47,431.82


Distribution


17,309.21


Commercial


5,563.44


New Business


347.84


General


8,282.32


Depreciation


13,776.35


Total


92,710.98


OPERATING INCOME


8,285.41


ADD-OTHER INCOME


Merchandise and Jobbing


57.73


Interest on Bank Balances


375.37


433.10


GROSS INCOME


8,718.51


DEDUCT-OTHER EXPENSE


Interest on Bonds


383.54


Interest on Consumers' Deposits


706.81


Bad Debts


69.03


1,159.38


NET INCOME TO SURPLUS


(Schedule D) $ 7,559.13


STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT


INCOME FROM SALE OF ELECTRICITY


Commercial Lighting


$169,719.00


Commercial Power


36,110.71


Municipal Power


7,463.82


Municipal Lighting


2,749.22


Street Lighting


20,235.44


Minimum Bills


289.53


Total Sales $236,567.72


DEDUCT-OPERATING EXPENSE


Energy Purchased 101,322.61


Distribution


33,563.08


214


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Utilization


6,757.90


Commercial


8,988.57


New Business


1,399.10


General


9,973.14


Depreciation


36,977.31


Total Operating Expense 198,981.71


OPERATING INCOME


37,586.01


ADD-OTHER INCOME


Merchandise and Jobbing


25.98


Interest on Bank Balances


563.10


589.08


GROSS INCOME


38,175.09


DEDUCT-OTHER EXPENSE


Interest on Bonds


1,012.14


Interest on Consumers' Deposits


1,075.64


Bad Debts


136.59


2,224.37


NET INCOME TO SURPLUS


(Schedule D)


$35,950.72


PLANT INVESTMENTS GAS DEPARTMENT-SCHEDULE A


Land


$ 6,591.75


Structures


22,173.01


Boiler Plant


1,530.53


Engines


2,087.09


Miscellaneous


1,829.15


Street Mains


259,846.58


Services


29,696.42


Meters


28,056.97


Meter Installations


7,641.86


Total per Balance Sheet


$359,453.36


ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT-SCHEDULE B


Land


$ 213.57


Structures


15,512.83


Substation Equipment


33,174.30


Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Construction


58,167.28


Conduits


132,894.14


Underground Conductors


56,073.05


Meters


15,541.04


Meter Installations


9,621.46


Transformers


22,183.04


215


MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD


Transformer Installations


2,399.51


Street Lighting Equipment


30,275.95


Total per Balance Sheet


$376,056.17


GENERAL EQUIPMENT-SCHEDULE C


Office Furniture and Fixtures


$ 3,734.58


Automobiles


3,030.77


Laboratory Equipment


1,355.82


Miscellaneous Equipment


13,355.23


Total per Balance Sheet


$ 21,476.40


SURPLUS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1940 SCHEDULE D


CREDITS


Balance, January 1, 1940


$342,358.49


Profit from Electric Operations


35,950.72


Profit from Gas Operations


7,559.13


Total Credits


$385,868.34


DEBITS


Bonds Retired


10,000.00


Property Abandoned


242.14


Cash-Returned to the Town


20,000.00


Refunds


641.01


Total Debits 30,883.15


Surplus, December 31, 1940


per Balance Sheet


$354,985.19


COST OF GAS


Cost at Plant


$ 47,431.82


Cost per M. C. F.


.611


Average Selling Price


1.385


Average Cost Delivered


1.314


Total Gas Purchased-cubic feet


77,611,262


Total Gas Sold-cubic feet


72,917,000


COST OF ELECTRICITY


Cost on Switchboard


$101,322.61


Cost per K. W. H.


.01287


Average selling price-per K. W. H.


.03290


216


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Average cost delivered-per K. W. H.


.02910


Total Electricity Purchase-K. W. Hrs. 7,875,260


Total Electricity Sold-K. W. Hrs. 7,189,004


Fire Alarm, Police Signal and Traffic Lights


To the Municipal Light Commissioners,


Gentlemen:


January 2, 1941 Wakefield, Massachusetts.


The Fire Alarm, Police and Traffic signal systems have been operating satisfactorily during the past year, with no serious outages on any one system, and occasional minor repairs and adjustments.


The Department has purchased three new fire alarm boxes of the latest type for future placement when and if the numerous separate building developments reach a stage of completion.


One box has been placed (No. 119) on Essex Street at Vale Road. The standby box known as 77 has had an overhaul and now is comparable with any now in circuit, for timing and other features, as successive ringing, non- interfering and fitted for telephone connection. All the boxes are now so fitted that communication with the Central Fire Station by telephone can be made.


There is a direct telephone connection between the Fire and Police Headquarters and also with the Substation. The Electric Department have short wave radio instru- ments by which the trouble car, the line truck and their superintendent can each be reached through the Police Department.




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