USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1942 > Part 10
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The need for a definite plan of salary increments for the staff has been demonstrated again, this year, as it has many times before. Con- tinuity of service is a valuable asset in library work and should receive financial recognition. Miss Alma Sullivan, a member of the staff for the past two years, left in November to take a position in the Library of the Massachusetts General Hospital at an increased salary. As this report is being written another member of the staff has received and will accept a
133
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
position in another state, also at an increased salary. It is quite pos- sible that these changes as well as others in previous years, might have been avoided had there been a systematic plan of increments.
With the demand for unskilled labor in defense plants, it is increas- ingly difficult to find part-time assistants to do some of the routine work which relieves the trained staff for more important duties.
The Library has received many gifts of books and magazines, space in the Wakefield Daily Item through the courtesy of Mr. Cyrus M. Dolbeare and Mr. Gardner M. Campbell, a victrola with records from Mrs. Harry F. Eaton, Christmas decorations from Mrs. Albert Rockwood and Mr. Lu- cius M. Beebe, and many beautiful flowers at various times to adorn the library. Books and papers of historical interest have been given by Mrs. Hubbard Mansfield, and Mr. William E. Eaton has given maps of Old. Reading, Stoneham, Malden and Wakefield. From Mrs. Mark A. Newbegin a large flag of the United States has been received. To all these many friends who have been so generous the Trustees extend their sincere thanks.
Two exhibits of note have been held during the year. The first was of the pictures of Mr. Harold Anderson, a former Wakefield resident, now of New Rochelle, New York. His colorful paintings of homely scenes gave pleasure to many of his boyhood friends. In October Mr. Paul N. Guillow arranged a display of airplane models. This exhibit was of special interest to the youth of Wakefield, many of whom knew the name and kind of each model.
By the will of Mr. Jacob Burley a gift of a valuable collection of books on furniture, art and architecture has been left to the Library in memory of his father, Mr. John Burley. This collection will add greatly to the art resources of the Library, and will be much appreciated by the patrons, many of whom are especially interested in the various branches of art represented by this gift.
Throughout this difficult year with its many extra duties and the con- fusion of unusual activities due to the War, every member of the staff has been loyal and cooperative. To them and to Mr. Herbert Mitchell, who as janitor has given many extra hours of service, the trustees wish to express their appreciation. Without this loyalty the regular work of the Library would of necessity have suffered.
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.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The 1942 war-time activities of the library include:
War information center and clearing house of war information.
War information directory (contents listed elsewhere-attached)
Supervision of the organization of three files of registration cards of women volunteers for civilian defense; (work was not done by li- brary staff).
Lists printed and distributed: Technical books, civilian defense, pamphlets on protection, health, nutrition, budget, food gardens.
Book deposit at Wakefield Report Center
Free use of library for service men stationed in Wakefield.
Resources of library free to local civilian defense councils.
Victory Room in library for war books, technical book, maps including World news of the week map display, special war service pamphlet collection.
Newspaper publicity and folders distributed listing war time library services.
135
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARY EXHIBITS
Main Library :
Elizabethan pictures (Museum prints)
East Indies Gardens
Insignia of the Services
Old English ship prints
Army, Navy and Air corps leaders Airplanes How man has kept records-(evolution of printing) Madonnas and Medici prints
Greenwood Branch Library:
Winter Lincoln and Washington Mary and her little lamb Hallowe'en Pilgrim and Indian
Christmas displays Story of the Christmas Rose
Loans:
Main Library Paintings by Harold Anderson Airplane models by Paul K. Guillow Greenwood Branch Library Exhibit of dolls in foreign dress made by Alma Becker Wood carvings by Fred Cook.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
GIFT DONORS
Mrs. Ralph W. Abbott American Legion Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Bean Alma Becker
Lucius M. Beebe
Mrs. Henry A. Behnke
Mrs. George Braxton James E. Brooks
Ernest L. Brown
Mr. N. J. Busby Ann Carpenter
George L. Carpenter
Christian Science Church, Reading Fred Cook
Caroline Conner
Mrs. George A. Cowdrey
Miss Barbara Darling
Daughters of the American Revolution
Cyrus M. Dolbeare Mrs. Richard Dutton
Mrs. Harry F. Eaton William E. Eaton Mrs. J. D. Fraser
Mrs. Ernestine M. Godfrey
F. Manning Hartshorne
Stanley W. Heath L. P. Howard
Mrs. Archibald Hume Hyannis Public Library Frank B. Jordan George A. Kubler
Mrs. Hubbard B. Mansfield Mr. and Mrs. Ralph McDowell Hilda B. Morrill New England Council
New England Sanitarium and Hospital Mrs. Mark Newbegin Mrs. Emily F. Paul Fedele Petronella Mrs. Essie M. Pottle
Mrs. Albert W. Rockwood Mrs. Ray E. Shedd Dr. Richard Smith Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Tredinnick Wakefield Daily Item
137
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Wakefield Garden Club Wakefield Rotary Club Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Warner Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank White Everett B. Whiton
138
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FINANCIAL STATISTICS 1942
INCOME
Town Appropriation Dog Tax
$ 18,500.00 1,949.61
Income from Library Funds:
Junius Beebe Fund
$ 874.66
Marcus Beebe Fund
529.41
Decius Beebe Fund
470.45
Katherine Beebe Fund
173.68
Eleanor H. Beebe Fund
146.00
Frederick Beebe Fund
286.39
Charles S. Beebe Fund
35.17
John H. Beebe Fund
82.99
J. Oliver Beebe Fund
169.73
Alice B. Carpenter Fund
124.17
George O. Carpenter Fund
35.08
Sylenda B. Stearns Fund
62.33
J. G. Aborn Library Fund Cyrus Gilbert Beebe Fund Frederic Beebe Library Fund
25.15
Robert Parker Dolbeare Fund Willard Donnell Fund
10.05
Milledge Elliott Fund
20.10
Rev. Thomas A. Emerson Fund
10.05
M. W. Gove Library Fund
7.52
Melvin Hill Fund
10.05
Dr. F. P. Hurd Library Fund
62.89
Franklin Poole Library Fund
12.58
Flint Memorial Fund
25.15
Mary H. Pratt Library Fund
4.02
Ashton H. Thayer Library Fund
10.05
Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund
12.58
$ 3,294.56
$ 23,744.17
33.95
50.31
10.05
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR 1942
Books
$ 4,860.92
Periodicals
438.20
Binding
1,066.36
Salaries, Library service
11,788.53
Printing and supplies
957.95
Light
377.67
Heat
473.90
Furniture and maintenance
973.92
Salaries, janitor service
2,205.00
Telephone
123.23
Miscellaneous
230.07
$ 23,495.75
Unexpended balance
248.42
$ 23,744.17
Returned to Town: Dues, Payments for lost books, etc.
$ 945.31
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
CLASSIFIED TABLE OF BOOKS BORROWED IN 1942
Main Library Greenwood Branch Schools Deposits Adult Juvenile Adult Juvenile Juvenile Adult
General Works
94
44
11
20
1
Philosophy
822
12
131
7
1
Religion
633
195
196
38
13
Sociology
2,238
1,238
460
422
205
Philology (Language)
183
60
13
Natural Science
834
773
162
455
205
Useful Arts
4,286
1,255
867
649
126
Fine Arts
3,040
536
557
557
41
Literature
3,373
667
769
370
180
History
2,001
675
515
351
185
Travel
2,575
1,072
691
829
177
Biography
2,716
996
1,093
460
126
Fiction
66,899
9,408
24,145
11,892
1,292
778
Current Periodicals
5,403
753
2,769
793
Pamphlets
301
25
444
66
Pictures
6,468
Totals
95,398
26,254
32,823
22,537
5,740
778
122,652
55,360
Total loans for the year 1942-183,530.
Pictures borrowed from the library during 1942-6,468.
LIBRARY BORROWERS REGISTERED
Main Library 6,752
Greenwood Branch Library
1,451
Total number of registered borrowers
8,203
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARY RESOURCES
Volumes belonging to Library, January 1, 1942
64,347
Volumes purchased 3,165
Gifts
70
Bound volumes of magazines 65
3,314
Volumes withdrawn, 1941 1,972 Net increase in volumes 1,342
Volumes belonging to Library, December 31, 1942
65,689
Magazines currently received at Library in 1942-155 titles
195 magazines
Pictures belonging to Library, December 31, 1942 61,765 Mounted pictures 16,491
Pamphlets belonging to Library, December 31, 1942 3,359
142
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
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, 1942. Because of the world conflict that our country is in, the Park and Cemetery Commissioners have car- ried on with routine work only, that is, keeping our Park, Common, play- grounds, bathhouse and cemeteries that are under our care in a respec- table condition, that we may have the best Park System of any town or city of our size in this vicinity.
Our present concern is trying to keep the large plot at the corner of Prospect and Hopkins Sts in a respectable condition. In order to do this it would require a man three days a week, which is impossible under our appropriation and the small crew we hire for the summer months. We recommend that this plot be taken out of the Park System and sold for residential purposes.
At this time we wish to thank Mrs. Hume, custodian of the Hart- shorne House, and Mrs. William W. Greenough, president of the Wake- field Garden Club, for the wonderful cooperation given our Department in planting and the upkeep of the two beautiful flower beds east of the tennis courts at the Church St. Playgrounds. We feel that if more pub- lic-spirited citizens would do likewise all of our playgrounds would have flower beds that would add to their attractiveness.
Because of the blackout and dimout regulations softball playing un- der lights has been discontinued for the duration.
The sidewalk on Lake Ave west of the Park is still in a deplorable condition, and should be one of the first improvements to be made after the war. The Moulton and Nasella Playgrounds, which have been left unfinished by the W. P. A., should be completed in the near future.
We have had more or less trouble with the emergency boat on the lake the past season. Persons have taken it out for other purposes than emergency and have left it in such a condition that it could not be used in case of an emergency. After July 4 we had the boat manned by one of our own employees Saturday afternoons, all day Sundays and holidays. This arrangement proved successful and we intend to carry it out for the coming season.
The bathhouse is still a popular place for the children during the summer vacation, and we think it is one of the best endeavors that the town maintains for the children. $94.50 was collected from non-residents for use of the bathhouse the past season.
Forest Glade Cemetery is self-supporting. There were 76 burials for
143
REPORT OF PARK & CEMETERY COMSRS.
1942 and the receipts were as follows: £ Sale of lots and graves, $1311.00; Perpetual care $2023.00; Miscellaneous receipts $1466.00; Total $4800.00. We employ two men at the cemetery, but as the work is increasing each year it will be necessary to add another man, therefore it will be neces- sary to increase the price of lots and graves and perpetual care to take care of this extra expense. Our charges at present are 100% lower than any cemetery in this vicinity and we feel justified in the slight increase.
We bought two W. P. A. trucks for our Department. In 1935 the Municipal Light Department turned over to us an old 1929 Ford dump truck which is now ready for junk.
This year we must obtain a large amount of fill to make more graves and lots at the cemetery and these two trucks will be used for this purpose.
Bath House report under another heading.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. STRINGER, Chairman GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary JOHN W. MacGILLIVRAY
144
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Bath House Supervisor
Supervisor Wakefield Park Board,
Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The bath house opened officially June 26, 1942 and closed September 4, 1942, during which time a strict and continuous watch was given for the protection of the bathers from 9.00 a. m. to 8.00 p. m. on week days and from 2.00 p. m. to 6.00 p. m. on Sundays.
During the usual hot spell which generally comes along about the middle of July and remains to along about the first two weeks in August, the bath house was kept open longer for the safety of night bathers.
The weather throughout the past season was fine with the exception of a few cold days the last week of August and an odd rainy day in which only the more venturesome came to the lake for a swim, during this inclement period.
The life guards were kept busy, however, cleaning around the bath- house inside and out, also raking the debris that gathers along the shore of the lake directly in front and along the side of the bath house. A gen- eral check-up is kept up daily by the entire bath house crew for glass, wire, tin and sharp pieces of sticks which are brought here frequently by the younger element and are left on the beach.
If these sharp objects are not discovered on time a series of bad cuts are the result.
Swimming classes were given daily and many children and grown-ups, too, took advantage of the opportunity of learning to swim or improving their ability to take care of themselves in the water.
Special classes were held for the advanced pupils and Boy Scouts. The result was twenty-two Scouts passed their merit badge test.
Races and water sports were held three times a week for the children and a good time was enjoyed by all.
Individual groups such as Girl and Boy Scout troops and day campers frequented the bath house from time to time during the bathing season. These groups were kept under control by their own leaders or counsellors and they certainly did an excellent job in this respect.
Average daily attendance
500
Maximum weekly
3800
Number of minor cuts
178
Number of serious injuries
3
Sunstroke
2
Number of persons beyond their depth needing help
47
Number of suspensions
Causes of suspensions
14
145
REPORT OF BATH HOUSE SUPERVISOR
Immoral conduct
1
Obscene language 5
Destroying property
4
Stealing 4
Lost children found at bathhouse or found wandering around the 5
shores of lake and returned to their parents
A strict watch was kept by the entire staff for grown-ups, men or women whether they be in cars or canoes, who are in the habit of inviting youngsters for rides while they are under the care of the bath house staff.
With the co-operation of the Police this practice was discouraged.
We would like at this time to thank our superiors and all who have helped us throughout the 1942 season from time to time in making it a successful season.
In closing I should like to pay tribute to a former life guard here at the Wakefield bath house, a young man who was liked by young and old alike, a man who as a guard always did more than was expected of him at great risk to himself, time and time again. I consider it a great honor to have worked with him.
This man, Private David Carney, while under heavy fire in the Solo- mon Islands, went to the rescue of a comrade and dragged him to safety with the result he received a bad wound in the leg.
We of the bath house staff wish him a speedy recovery and with the help of God we will see him up and around and able to once more enjoy the sport he most loved, down here at the lake.
DAVID F. INGERTON,
Supervisor of Bath House.
146
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of the Municipal Light Board
January 2, 1943
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
We submit for your consideration the forty-ninth annual report of the Municipal Light Board, covering the year ending December 31, 1942.
The net profit, after deducting debt retirement, is $37,471.91 as com- pared to $41,931.19 in 1941.
The balance of our operating fund is $42,755.94 as compared to $38,184.70.
The department turned back $30,000.00, which makes a total of $223,- 611.82 to date.
On January 17, Major Samuel H. Brooks retired, having served as manager of the department for the past twenty years.
On January 20, J. M. Whitehead was appointed manager of the de- partment.
The books of the department are being audited by T. B. Donnelly Company, Certified Public Accountants of Boston.
The report of the manager, showing the financial condition of the Plant as of December 31, 1942 and its operation for the year, is included in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
MARCUS BEEBE, 2nd, Chairman THEODORE EATON, Secretary CURTIS L. SOPHER, M. D.
January 2, 1943
To the Board of Light Commissioners,
Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
The following condensed Profit and Loss Statement shows the finan- cial operations of the Department for the year ending December 31, 1942 and the changes over the previous year:
147
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Income from Sale of Gas and Electricity Cost of Gas and Electricity at Plant
$ 371,425.22 Increase $ 13,890.24
176,561.00
15,198.97
Gross Revenue
194,864.22 Decrease
1,308.73
Operating Expense
146,584.05 Increase
3,649.32
Operating Revenue
48,280.17 Decrease
4,958.05
Other Income
1,030.90 Increase
142.25
Gross Income
49,311.07 Decrease
4,815.80
Other Expense
2,839.16
356.52
Net Income before Debt Retirement Bond Paid
46,471.91 Decrease
4,459.28
9,000.00
Net Income $ 37,471.91 "
$ 4,459.28
You will note that the increase in the cost at the Plant of gas and electricity is $15,198.97; this is due to increased purchases and increased cost per unit. We are now paying an average of 1.5 mills per K. W. H. on the switchboard for electricity, as compared to 1.31 mills in 1941 and 65 cents per M. C. F. for gas as compared to 61.6 cents. The increase in operating expense is due to the fact that there has been but very little new construction, with the result most of the labor has been chargeable to expense.
The balance sheet shows that Bonds outstanding amount to $11,000.00, of which $7,000.00 are payable during 1943. The Department will be free of bonded indebtedness early in 1945.
An inspection of the balance sheet shows that the Town's equity in the gas and electric plant amounts to as follows:
Total Assets
$ 963,663.23
Less-Bonds Payable
$ 11,000.00
Consumers' Deposits
54,580.20
Interest payable
2,110.04
Accrued Interest on Bonds
150.14
67,840.38
$ 895,822.85
This equity is shown on the balance sheet under two headings:
Appropriated Surplus $ 513,932.86
Surplus
381,889.99
Total Surplus
$ 895,822.85
The above division of surplus is required by State regulations cover- ing our accounting system.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The total sales of electricity in kilowatt hours has increased from 7,894,789 in 1941 to 8,196,155 in 1942. Commercial Lighting, that is electricity used in factories, etc., has decreased about 13% since May, when the dimout went into effect. Kilowatt hours used for Street Light- ing has decreased about 7% in the same period, consequently we are ask- ing the Town to appropriate $20,000.00 for this purpose. The appropria- tion in 1941 was $21,600.00.
The sale of gas has increased from 73,678,000 C. F. in 1941 to 78,- 079,200 C. F. in 1942. The increase is probably due to the shortage of kerosene for cooking purposes.
Up to the present time, the Department has not received any orders from the War Production Board to limit the deliveries of gas to our con- sumers; however, a general Limitation Order No. 179 has been issued, which is a plan for the limitation of the use of gas in case it becomes necessary.
During the past year, all new extensions of gas and electric lines have been controlled by the Federal Government through the Power Branch of the War Production Board and the only extensions that they will ap- prove are those related to war production, public safety and the so-called war housing projects. Before the Department can start construction, we must submit a complete description of the project, including a list of all materials, weights and costs; why the extension is necessary and its re- lation to the war effort.
The size of wires, pipes, transformers, etc. to serve new housing de- velopments are definitely regulated by standards set up by this Board; new street lights are banned for the duration of the war, and purchases of materials and supplies are limited to certain percentages of materials used in 1940.
During the past year we have received permission to build and have completed the following projects:
1. Robert St., Greenwood .- Gas and electric lines and services to con- nect about twenty single houses built by Ralph A. Crosby.
2. Victory Village, consisting of Jefferson and Hamilton Roads .- Electric lines and services to connect thirty-nine twin houses, being built by the Gilbert-Varker Corp. This development has not been completed and we have several connections to houses to be completed.
3. Water Department Pumping Station off Bay State Road .- Three- phase line from Vernon and New Salem Streets to the pumping plant, a distance of about two miles.
Most of the work of both departments has been in maintaining the gas and electric lines with the use of the least possible quantities of critical materials.
The maintenance work of the Electric Department consisted of re- placing poles and changing construction thereon. We had one serious transformer outage, when a 100 KVA underground unit at the corner of Main and Chestnut Sts. burned out, so that most of the business section was without power and light for several hours. We were fortunate in
149
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
that we were able to secure a duplicate transformer from the General Electric Company and to have it connected before the peak load of Sat- urday evening came on.
The Gas Department has surveyed several of the old cast iron mains. Several very bad leaks were located and repaired, so that our loss of gas will be less during the coming year.
During the first part of May, the Army issued its first dimout regu- lations, which affected street lighting, outdoor lighting, advertising signs, and store window lighting. As a result of these regulations the Depart- ment turned off one light on each twin light fixture and the mercury lights in the square. All ornamental lights were shielded by either painting the globes or installing metal shields inside the globes. After several blackout tests the Army issued more rigid dimout regulations on November 30. Under the new regulations all street lights must be shield- ed so that the shield covers the bottom of the lamp filament. The proper type of shields have been ordered and we hope to receive some of them before the end of January. In view of the fact that many thousands of these shields have been ordered by other utilities, we cannot predict when all of the street lights will be shielded.
In regard to Air Raid protection, we believe that our personnel and equipment are so organized that they can do their part efficiently. We have taken part in several "incident" and blackout tests, all of our regu- lar and auxiliary help have reported for duty on nearly every test.
The Police Department has supplied guards at the sub-station, who are on duty during the night. The Department has installed and main- tained eight air raid alarm sirens in various parts of the town. Six of these sirens are operated by the Police signal system from the Police switchboard and the other two are manually operated, one at the Town Farm and the other by the Police. It has also contributed towards the installation of the Report Center at its present location.
The money for these purposes was taken from the fund set aside at the March 1942 Town Meeting.
The Department has disposed of about fifty tons of various kinds of scrap and have co-operated with other town departments in the collec- tion of tin cans and other scrap.
There have been no new additions to the Fire Alarm and Police Signal system. Both systems have been kept in good operating condition by the department. The traffic lights have also been maintained and with the exception of the control box at Main and Oak Streets, are in good condi- tion. It will be impossible to replace this box or get the necessary repair parts until after the war.
A new contract was entered into with the Malden and Melrose Gas Light Co. covering the purchase of gas, which became effective on Novem- ber 1. Under the previous contract, the Department had to keep the holder in such condition that it could be put into service on thirty days notice; this condition has been eliminated in the new contract, and bids
150
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
covering the removal of the holder have been received. John D. Watson of Wakefield was the high bidder and was awarded the contract for the sum of $625.00.
During the past year the following men have left the Department to enter the armed services:
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