USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1936 > Part 7
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In general, the same principals which have applied to the administration of the Mothers' Aid Law will con- tinue to apply to the Aid to Dependent Children Law, except when they must be modified to meet changed cir- cumstances in the case of dependent children living in the homes of relatives other than their own mothers.
This Department is now assisting ten mothers with dependents, representing 17 dependent children under 16 years of age and 5 over 16 years of age, a total of 32 persons.
GENERAL WELFARE OR OUTSIDE AID
This class of assistance called Temporary Aid is ren- dered to those unemployed as well as those unable to work and not eligible for assistance through other classes of Aid.
The expense of this Department has been kept down by the employment given by the Works Progress Admin- istration although in many cases it has been necessary to supplement such wages by Welfare orders. It has been the aim of this Department to find employment for all able-bodied Welfare recipients that they may return to the Town their labor in exchange for the food and other necessities they receive. This Department again wishes to express its appreciation for the wonderful assistance and co-operation it has received from the other Depart- ments of the Town in carrying out this working method. We feel that in most cases this privilege has been greatly appreciated by the recipients and that to a great extent the total cost of Temporary Aid, which amounts to $51,- 636.23, cannot rightfully be called an expense. During the year the Town has received a total of 5,8391/2 days of labor for the assistance they have rendered to the able- bodied men.
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Following is a detailed list of Welfare labor as given to each Department.
Water Department
2,8991/2 days
Highway Department
1,369
days
School Department
5831/2 days
Cemetery Department
93 days
Park Department
280
days
Board of Health
1541/2 days
Infirmary
222
days
Miscellaneous
238
days
Through the Welfare Department there have been 14 boys enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps. All of these boys were taken either from Welfare or W. P. A. families, and the $25.00 of their monthly wage, pledged to their family, has been a help in relieving this Department at the same time giving them the opportun- ity of being self-supporting.
The Board recommends an appropriation for 1937, for Infirmary, Outside Aid and Aid to Dependent Children of $90,000.
THOMAS W. LOFT, Chairman WM. H. BEEVER HARVEY S. HATCH
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REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth :
The passage of the Social Security Act has made a great difference to the administration of Old Age Assist- ance in the past year. As you doubtless know, the age limit was reduced from seventy to sixty-five years, and the Federal Government began to participate in the ex- pense. Acting under orders from the State authorities the Welfare Board was obliged to establish a separate department for the Old Age Bureau. Instructions were that a new Board be formed, to be composed of two members of the present Welfare Board and one disin- terested citizen. We were ordered to find separate quar- ters and to keep all records and activities pertaining to the Old Age Bureau apart from those of the Welfare Department.
In accordance with these instructions the Bureau of Old Age Assistance was formed consisting of Dr. Thomas W. Loft and William H. Beever as members from the Welfare Board and Dr. Laurence B. Reed as the citizen member. The problem of quarters was given very ser- ious consideration and the Board had several discussions with the Board of Selectmen relative to this matter. It was finally decided that in view of the fact that there were plans on foot to try and consolidate all Town offices under one roof, that temporary quarters be taken in the Farns- worth Building, where the Department now is. Mr. James Rae was appointed Supervisor of the Department and the new organization began to function on December 1, 1936.
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The change in the age limit has resulted in a very great increase in the activity of the Department as is evidenced by the following figures :
Receiving Assistance January 1, 1936
139
Added during the year
160
299
Died during the year 21
Discharged to care of self
17
Transfers
4
42
Receiving Assistance December 31, 1936 257
It is interesting to note that from the beginning of 1932 until the end of 1935 the increase in the number of cases was 72 while the increase for the present year was 118 cases.
The Board recommends an appropriation of $60,000 for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. H. BEEVER, Chairman THOMAS W. LOFT LAURENCE B. REED
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following reports of the Librarian and the Board of Directors for the year ending December 31, 1936 are respectfully submitted to the tax payers of the Town.
During the past year the work of the Plymouth Public Library has been carried on very quietly and smoothly under the efficient management of our Librarian Miss Charlotte Haskins whose report is herewith presented. Her staff have also given faithful service and this added much to the pleasure of the users of the Library.
I would call attention to the portrait of William Good- win Russell most fittingly hung over the fireplace, a gift from the Misses Townsend.
The expenditure for repairs to the building the past year has been small, but this year there is the possibility of a large increase for this purpose. The heating plant is in poor condition the cost of such repairs however can- not be determined at the present time.
The Directors take great pride in the Library and are especially pleased by the favorable comments of our sum- mer guests.
We are asking for the same appropriation from the Town as last year, that is $8,850.
The Board of Directors,
F. D. BARTLETT, President.
February 1, 1937.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Directors of the Plymouth Public Library :
The annual report of the Library is herewith pre- sented :
The Library year has been one of no outstanding happenings, but rather one of carrying on, and of suc- cessful effort in meeting the growing demands made upon the Library.
Many Librarians reported the peak of circulation in 1933, and have reported gradual losses for each of the succeeding years. It is estimated by many in the library field that this falling off of book circulation will continue until the circulation figures of 1929, which were con- sidered normal, are reached. There is no doubt that the phenomenal gains which this Library reported through 1935 were influenced by economic conditions, and it would have been entirely idealistic had it been possible to keep the interest of this new group of borrowers, but many by habit were non-readers and have adjusted leisure time to more acceptable forms of entertainment. It now ap- pears that library service, while available to all people, will be sought by those who are essentially readers by choice.
Though book circulation has decreased, other forms of service have steadily increased. There is greater use of the Library by those pursuing courses of study. There is increase in the call by adults and school children for guidance in research. The table in the reference corner which formerly accommodated those working with ref- erence books is now inadequate, and during certain after- noons and evenings, all other chairs and tables are in use by this group. This legitimate use of library facilities is desirable, yet it is discouraging to those adults who can come to the Library only in the evening to find both
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lack of space and quiet necessary for the enjoyment of reading. There has been a noticeable falling off in the attendance of those who formerly used the Library as a Reading Room. This, and the equally serious problem of shelving space for books, are results of the Libraries growth in response to public demand. Re-arrangement of books is frequently made to accommodate additions, but this accomplishes only a temporary solution of crow- ded conditions. Physical limitations will soon prove to be a handicap in meeting this demand which we hope and believe will increase.
The Main Library circulation lost 8,638. Of this loss 7,645 was in the adult department, and 6,144 of this amount was fiction. The juvenile department lost 993 of which 921 was non-fiction. While the childrens room reports a loss, the school circulation of 17,644 gained 1,094 whereby we are assured of having reached the children of all schools. It is unfortunate that direct library contact is largely limited to children from the Cornish and Burton School districts. It is understand- able, however, that small children of other school dis- tricts find the Library too distant for more than infre- quent visits. For this reason we are dependent on and grateful to the teachers who borrow library deposits for their classrooms, and return such splended records of circulation.
Book Week observance, School Classes in the Use of the Library, Vacation Reading Club, Story Hours, and Exhibits have been successfully continued. High School seniors taking college preparatory work have received instruction in advanced methods of Library Use. A few members of this class have followed up with practice work and individual guidance at the Library.
The Plymouth Garden Club held an Iris exhibit in June, in the Library. This very lovely display attracted many non-users of the Library, and we believe this con- tact, though indirect, was of benefit to the Library. All
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juvenile books purchased for Book Week were displayed at a fall meeting of the Woman's Club. The Librarian and Childrens Librarian were present to discuss new books with members. Miss Virginia Dowling, Art Super- visor of the High School, with her class in puppetry gave a most delightful performance of the "Wishing Fairy" at the Library. The scenery, stage settings and puppets were made by members of the class, who also manipulated the puppets and spoke the various parts. The recent purchase of folding chairs will allow more frequent activities of this sort, and no longer shall we have to borrow chairs for classes and story hours. We are grate- ful to Mr. Roy Beaman who loaned chairs over a period of many years, and assisted us in ordering those which we now have.
The Garden Club again provided flowers throughout the summer. Only those of us in the Library hearing con- stant expressions of pleasure can realize how greatly these flowers are enjoyed. We are grateful to library friends who have given books, magazine subscriptions, and flowers.
With regret we accepted the resignation of Miss Nancy Sears, which took effect in June. Miss Lois Davee, a substitute member, was appointed to the permanent Staff at this time, and Miss Bettina Jones was selected for the substitute position. Miss Mary Ames, a Sim- mons College junior, did her required library practice in this Library.
The service rendered by the Library is due in no small measure to the whole-hearted cooperation of the Staff; the Board of Directors meets all library problems with helpful and constructive interest, and to the Directors and the Staff, I extend my sincere appreciation.
Signed,
CHARLOTTE HASKINS,
Librarian.
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STATISTICS
Arranged according to the form recommended by The American Library Association
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1936
Name of Library: Plymouth Public Library.
Town and State: Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian: Charlotte Haskins.
Population served: 13,183.
Terms of use: Free to permanent and temporary resi- dents. By fee to out-of-town residents.
Total number of agencies: Central Library, 39 School Deposits, 3 Summer Camp Deposits, Club Reading Groups.
Number of days open during year: 302.
Hours open each week for lending and read-
ing :
66 (10 mos.)
60 ( 2 mos.)'
Hours of service each week required of
staff :
40 (10 mos.)
37 ( 2 mos.)
BOOK STOCK
Number of volumes end of 1935
27,084
Volumes added by purchase
1,427
Volumes added by gift
67
Volumes added by binding
5
Total
28,583
Volumes lost and withdrawn
2,093
Total number of volumes, end of 1936
24,490
Number of pictures, photographs and prints
(estimated) 16,600
Periodicals subscribed to
65
Newspapers subscribed to 5
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USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes of non-fiction lent
23,105
9,832
32,937
Volumes of fiction lent
83,752
16,887
100,639
Prints lent 2,180
Volumes lent through School Deposits
17,644
Total number of volumes lent
151,220
Percent fiction lent, Main Library circulation
75.3%
Circulation per capita
11
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of borrowers regis-
tered 1936
333
184
517
Total number of registered borrowers
4,071
1,159
5,230
Percent of registered bor-
rowers of population served
39.6%
MAIN LIBRARY ADULT CIRCULATION BY CLASSES
Fiction
80,705
General Works
161
Philosophy
698
Religion
403
Sociology
1,771
Languages
175
Science
776
Useful Arts
2,022
Fine Arts
2,053
Literature
3,058
History
1,359
Travel
2,666
Biography
3,323
Periodicals
4,518
Foreign Books
122
.
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Duplicate Pay Fiction 3,047
Total Adult Circulation 106,857
Prints 2,180
FINANCIAL REPORT
Appropriation, including 1935 Dog
Tax
$8,850.00
Income from Gates Fund
65.53
$8,915.53
Payments
Salaries-
Librarian
$1,860.00
Assistants
3,652.40
Janitor
600.00
$6,112.40
Books-
Books
$1,709.30
Repair of books
177.78
$1,887.08
Other expenses-
Fuel and light
$656.04
Telephone
9.35
Library supplies
174.31
Janitor supplies
14.00
Printing
56.75
All other
5.60
$916.05
$8,915.53
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their re- port for 1936.
MORTON PARK
The work of cleaning out the underbrush and deadwood was continued. Over one hundred and eighty trees were cut out, thereby giving the new plantings a chance to grow.
Gypsy moth exterminating received its usual amount of attention. The receipts at the bath house were $49.10 as compared with $60.20 in 1935.
BEACH PARK
With the co-operation of laborers assigned by the Wel- fare Board, the beach and its surroundings were kept clean and free from seaweed for the large number of bathers who enjoy the facilities of Beach Park.
Bath house receipts $496.20 as compared with $710.40 in 1935.
INDIAN LANDS
A new fence was constructed around the old Indian Burying Ground and three additional cesspools were completed. Several more acres of the town lands were cleared and prepared for the increasing number of trailer camps which visit this location each season.
This camp is now the largest of any in the Cape Dis- trict and has never been filled to capacity. Receipts from auto fees were $1,191.30 as compared to $642.70 in 1935.
TRAINING GREEN
The usual care was given the grounds and walks.
BATES PARK
Improvement to the grounds was made by seeding fine grass near the new cement walks.
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SOUTH STREET PLAYGROUNDS
A new clay surface was added to the tennis courts and an attendant of the department kept the surface of the courts in perfect playing condition daily.
The commissioners recommend a chain link steel safety fence, to replace the broken down wire fence now sur- rounding the grounds.
NELSON ST. PLAYGROUNDS AND MUNICIPAL CAMP
The bath house was newly shingled before the season opened. The northern section of the grounds recently added, was covered with sixty yards of loam and seeded. This section adds a sizable piece of land for camping sites. Three new toilets were added in the ladies section of the comfort station.
This camp was crowded to capacity from early in June, until late in September. The Commissioners find that by charging low rates for the season, it has encouraged campers to select sites on this basis and use them on week-ends only, thereby depriving overnight tourists of a chance to use these facilities and to have to camp else- where, on account of the sold out condition. This defeats the purpose of a tourists camp.
The Commissioners find that the rates charged for camping are much lower than any other camp that offers the conveniences and service of the Nelson Street Camp.
The rates considered for the 1937 season are expected to be revised as follows. Season camp from $15.00 to $30.00. Two months from $12.00 to $22.50. One month from $7.00 to $12.00. Overnight rate from 35 cents to 50 cents. The receipts from camp sites was $1,292.20 as compared with $1,315.00 in 1935.
BREWSTER GARDEN
The walks were improved by new gravel and the grounds had thirty loads of loam spread, where washouts had occurred, due to the flood tides and storms.
The bridge was restored by new cedar posts. All
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shrubs and grounds received the expert attention of the attendant.
STEPHENS FIELD
The childrens playground and equipment, which was located in direct line with a left field foul ball, during a baseball game and had caused several painful accidents, to small children, was moved. This playground is now located in the south section of the property away from the direct automobile thoroughfare. A new fence was placed around the playground and a new slide erected.
The tennis court received its usual new surface of clay and was kept in good condition by the park atten- dant. The athletic field was rolled and reconditioned re- quiring 29 loads of gravel, 53 loads of sand filling and 19 yards of loam.
VETERANS FIELD
About one hundred feet of water pipe was laid, to service the tennis courts. A new slide was added to the childrens playground equipment.
DEPOT PARK
The necessary care was given the grounds and shrub- bery.
BURTON PARK
About fifty cedar trees were planted. The grounds were mowed and burned.
MYRON L. SMITH, Chairman JAMES T. FRAZIER ERNEST C. DUNHAM
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Report of the Committee on Representative Town Government
The Committee appointed under a vote of the Town March 28, 1931, to consider a form of representative town government for the town has investigated the mat- ter and hereby submits its report:
In the opinion of your Committee this form of town government is a logical and sound method of handling the business of the larger towns of the Commonwealth. Your Committee recommends that the selectmen be au- thorized to petition the Legislature of the Commonwealth for a Special Act to establish in the Town of Plymouth a form of representative town government with limited town meetings.
Investigation by the Committee
At the present time there are 26 towns under this form of government, varying in size from the Town of Brookline with a population of 50,319 and an assessed valuation of $160,217,600. to the Town of Falmouth which has a population of 6,537 and an assessed valua- tion of $21,711,000. and the Town of Ludlow with a pop- ulation of 8,569 and an assessed valuation of $7,059,612. Plymouth has a population of 13,183 and an assessed valuation of $22,286,400. Of the 29 towns which have voted upon the acceptance of this form of government there are only three which have not as yet accepted it. One of these accepted the act, but because of a techni- cality, the acceptance was declared illegal. Most of the towns in the State as large or larger than Plymouth have adopted the representative form of government. No town which has once accepted it has gone back to the old method of government.
The Legislature of 1930 created a special commission to investigate the operation of the representative town
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meeting system. The Honorable Newland H. Holmes of Weymouth was the chairman of this commission and he accepted an invitation to come to Plymouth to meet with the Committee appointed by the Town. His commission held public hearings in each of the seventeen towns which were at that time using the representative form of government and tried to learn as much as possible about the operation of the system, its advantages and defects. As a result of its study it was reported that "The members are unanimous in their belief that the modified system is sound and is working out successfully in practically every town."
Your Committee endeavored to secure first-hand in- formation regarding the operation of limited town meet- ings by visiting towns where this form of government is in effect. Several members visited such a meeting in Winthrop and also in Fairhaven. In both places the meetings were very well conducted with an excellent at- tendance, not only by town meeting members, but by other voters, some of whom addressed the meetings.
A few weeks ago Professor Clarence W. Eastman of Amherst College came to Plymouth to meet with your Committee. He is moderator of the Town of Amherst and has devoted a great deal of time to the study of representative town government. His discussion of the subject was most interesting and helpful to your Com- mittee.
Advantages of Representative Town Government
The Town of Plymouth had 6,308 registered voters at the last State Election. The capacity of Memorial Hall is about 2,100. It is, therefore, impossible for more than approximately one-third of the voters to be present at the business meetings of the Town and to vote on the appropriations. Those who do attend are present be- cause of their sense of civic responsibility or because they are interested in some particular Article in the Warrant. Our town meetings are limited at present but are not representative.
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Under the By-Law recently adopted 400 voters are necessary to constitute a quorum at special meetings. They are not chosen as representing the various districts and interests in the Town but will be made up largely of those having special interest in some matter to be con- sidered at that particular meeting.
We all know from personal observation the difficulties in handling a business meeting with an attendance of 2,000 voters or even a considerably smaller number. It is impractical to use a check list at the door and every one present may not be qualified to vote. It is very likely that all voters will not hear the discussion or explana- tions and will not understand the questions as they are presented. Such a large number cannot be as fully in- formed on the questions submitted as a smaller number. Those who should be authorities tell us that no body of more than a few hundred may fairly be considered a deliberative body. Records of recent town meetings show an increasing number of votes taken by ballot. This is a very slow and cumbersome method of voting in such large meetings, although it is a desirable method to be used on many questions.
A representative town meeting provides a way in which the principles of representative government may be applied to town affairs. The membership of the repre- sentative meeting is made up of two classes, the town meeting members elected from the different precincts and certain officers of the town who are members by virtue of their office. The elected members are chosen from the different sections of the town and a three-year term should provide useful experience and knowedge in its affairs. The members by virtue of their office are those who are daily handling the responsibilities of the town business and represent the voters at large. There- fore, a representative town meeting made up of elected and ex-officio members provides a definite body of voters who should feel a sense of responsibility whether voting at a regular or special meeting.
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In addition to voting for the elected town meeting members, every voter has the opportunity to vote for selectmen and other town officials who are members of the town meeting by virtue of their opffices.
Objection
The objection to representative town meetings most commonly raised is that every registered voter can no longer vote at the business meetings. This is true to the extent that every one cannot vote in person but must exercise his franchise in the choice of his representatives. It is the same principle that is carried out in the affairs of the state and nation in which the individual voter can- not vote on particular questions but does so through his vote for state and federal officers. If our town meeting members do not vote in accordance with the wishes and judgment of their constituents, others will be elected to take their places.
Certain Provisions of Representative Town Government and Recommendations of the Committee
Each town which changes to representative form of government does so by accepting a special act passed by the Legislature which establishes the new form of gov- ernment.
A special state commission referred to earlier in this report prepared what is known as the standard form of representative town government, which may be used as a model in preparing special acts for particular towns. The acts which have already been adopted are very simi- lar to each other and to this standard form but differ in some important provisions. Your Committee believes that it should call the attention of the town to certain of these provisions and state its recommendations re- garding them.
The greatest change in town elections under repre- sentative town government is the voting by precincts. This question is having consideration in the town at the
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