USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 18
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Lights
180.71
Telephone
307.44
Gas and Oil
181.57
Association Dues
6.00
Meeting Expense
194.00
Towel Service
21.50
Water
72.00
Repairs and Parts for Equip-
ment
666.96
Extinguishers and supplies
542.45
Stationery and Printing
7.25
Hose
207.51
Uniforms and Protective cloth-
ing
228.10
Sundry Supplies
163.74
3,590.01
Fire Hose - Article 28
Charles H. Clougherty Co. . . 31.45
Justin A. McCarthy Co.
1,715.00
1,746.45
Forest Fires ..
Payrolls
1,784.15
Fire Alarm System - Batteries - Article 24 Louis W. Bills 290.00
Fire Alarm System-West Acton Extension-Article 27 Louis W. Bills 2,500.00
171
Fire Alarm System Maintenance
F. W. Rimbach
910.00
Other Services
375.48
Expenses 1 /. . . 423.56
1,709.04
Fire Hydrant Rental
Acton Water District
4,275.00
Town of Concord 230.00
4,505.00
Two Way Radio - Fire Truck - Article 37 Farrar Co. 550.00
Air Compressor - South Acton - Article 26 Louis W. Bills 390.00
Moth Department
Wages :
Franklin Charter, Supt.
629.15
Payrolls
870.70
1,499.85
Expenses :
Truck
475.35
Gas and Oil
78.93
Equipment and Repairs
192.40
Insecticide
434.60
Sundry Items
17.56
1,198.84
Dutch Elm Disease - Article 21
Wages:
Franklin Charter, Supt.
162.30
Payrolls
216.15
378.45
172
Expenses :
141.50 Truck
Brewer Tree Co.
480.00
Tree Warden
Wages:
Franklin Charter, Supt. 663.15
Payrolls
935.78
1,598.93
Expenses :
Truck
677.75
Gas and Oil
30.88
Repairs and Parts for Equip-
ment
127.23
Sundry Items
63.97
899.83
Replacement of Shade Trees - Article 16
Franklin Charter, Supt. 27.00
Payrolls
13.20
Truck
15.00
Clark's Nursery, Trees
193.55
248.75
Eradication of Poison Ivy - Article 20 Charter Tree Service 995.50
Town Forest - Cutting Brush
Payrolls 126.50
Signs 23.08
149.58
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Salary :
A. Perry Marble, Sealer 250.00
173
621.50
Expenses :
Books, seals, etc. 33.73
Wire Inspector
Salary and Travel:
B. D. Goss
550.00
Expenses :
Stationery and Printing 32.75
Postage and Telephone
12.25
Association Dues
5.00
50.00
Dog Officer
Arthur Fraser
112.00
Fraser Kennels, Keeping and
destroying 52 dogs 338.00
450.00
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health
Salaries and Wages:
Dr. Orma L. Clark, Chairman 25.00
Herbert Leusher
15.00
Martin Duggan
10.00
Lillian Taylor, Town Nurse
2,147.94
Eileen Hale, Town Nurse
954.64
Hazel Vose, Town Nurse
520.00
Town Dump Payroll
2,594.40
Edward J. Higgins, Agent
246.10
Francis B. Whouley, Inspector
223.00
Francis B. Whouley, Agent
10.00
6,746.08
Expenses :
Middlesex County Sanatorium 576.00
Diphtheria Clinic 65.00
174
Nurse Auto Expense
812.27
Dump
425.33
Printing and Stationery
60.05
Medical Supplies
65.01
Agents Expense
527.77
Inspectors Expense
241.46
Board Member Expense
61.00
Hospital Expense
32.00
Laboratory Fees
25.00
Sundry Items
69.83
2,960.72
Garbage Disposal
Henry Anderson, Contract
2,200.00
Inspector of Animals
Salary-Arno H. Perkins
150.00
Sundry Expenses
12.20
HIGHWAYS
Village
Wages:
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
507.00
Payrolls
1,407.50
Expenses :
Trucks
382.85
Cold Patch
179.56
Sand and Gravel
139.48
Welding
24.48
Paint
63.01
Bristle Strips
125.40
Brush Killer
50.70
Sundry Items
114.90
2,994.88
175
Chapter 81
Wages:
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
2,088.00
Payrolls
7,347.25
Expenses :
Trucks
835.20
Machinery Rental
4,817.55
Cold Patch and Asphalt
5,851.41
Stone, Sand and Gravel
868.35
Calcium Chloride
99.88
Cable Guard and Posts
2,181.75
Cement and Cement Brick
134.70
24,224.09
Chapter 90 - Maintenance
Wages:
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
51.00
Payrolls
174.20
Expenses :
Trucks
20.40
Rental of Machinery
451.90
Cold Patch and Asphalt
2,042.78
Stone, Sand and Gravel
258.75
2,999.03
Chapter 90 - Construction
Wages :
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
571.50
Payrolls
2,255.95
Expenses :
Trucks
228.60
Rental of Machinery
2,614.20
Cold Patch and Asphalt
1,067.60
Stone, Sand and Gravel
5,237.42
Cement
24.40
11,999.67
176
Signs and Lines
Signs
279.15
Express on Signs
7.66
Painting Lines
212.00
498.81
Snow Removal
Wages:
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
856.50
Payrolls
2,941.95
Expenses :
Trucks
1,526.15
Sander
1,549.50
Plowing
2,902.75
Sand
910.40
Salt
1,560.00
Gas and Oil
225.16
Forecast Service
150.00
Parts and Repairs on Equip-
ment
1,231.76
13,854.17
Road Machinery
Gas and Oil
568.76
Parts and Repairs on Equip-
ment
1,485.46
Sundry Items
106.74
2,160.96
Street Lighting
Boston Edison Co.
5,722.48
Snow Fence - Article 19
New England Fence Co.
. .
200.00
Laurel Court - Article 29
Russell C. Berry, Supt.
24.00
Payrolls
94.40
177
Trucks Asphalt
9.60
146.11
Sand and Gravell
56.75
330.86
CHARITIES
Public Welfare
Temporary Aid :
Cash Payments
2,010.78
Provisions 343.38
Light and Fuel
101.70
Medical Aid
513.89
Paid to Other Cities and Towns
70.42
3,040.17
Administrative
Salaries :
Walter Stevens 125.00
A. Perry Marble 75.00
Lossie E. Laird
75.00
Lossie E. Laird, Agent
200.00
Virginia Milbery, Clerk
255.90
Vesta Thompson, Clerk
5.44
Expenses :
Meeting and Travel Expense .. 13.14
Stationery and Printing
10.00
759.48
Welfare District
Nashoba Public Welfare District .. 2,000.00
Old Age Assistance
Cash Aid to Individuals
41,000.00
Aid by Other Cities and Towns
1,179.71
178
Federal Grant:
Cash Aid to Individuals 25,512.04
67,691.75
Aid to Dependent Children
Cash Aid to Individuals-Town ..
6,000.00
Cash Aid to Individuals - Federal
Grant
4,009.52
10,009.52
Disability Assistance
Cash Aid to Individuals-Town ..
2,922.40
Cash Aid to Individuals - Federal
Grant
379.14
3,301.54
VETERANS' AID
Veterans' Benefits
Salary :
Edward J. Higgins, Agent . 150.00
Administrative:
Travel Expense, Postage and telephone 112.00
Cash Aid to Veterans
4,892.00
Veterans' Services
Salary and Wages:
Theron A. Lowden, Director .. 735.00
Geraldene Prentiss, clerk
75.75
810.75
Expenses :
Stationery and Printing
32.12
Postage
10.00
42.12
179
EDUCATION
Salaries :
Teachers
100,339.64
Janitors
9,536.48
109,876.12
Expenses :
Fuel
3,194.44
Books and Supplies
5,986.24
Transportation
8,400.00
Supplies, Power, Rent, Repairs, etc.
8,695.38
Outlay
1,197.90
Library
98.90
Health
268.15
27,841.01
Milk and Lunch Account
1,733.28
Athletic Account
1,531.48
Vocational Tuition and Transpor- tation
1,384.60
School Building, Article 7
9,830.00
Auditorium and Gymnasium
Land Purchase
5,466.25
School Building Committee
.
318.48
Auditorium and Gymnasium Build- ing Committee
75.00
Motion Picture Projector-
Article 23
500.00
LIBRARIES
Salaries and Wages:
Librarians :
Mary Lothrop
918.00
Edith A. Hopkinson
157.50
Barbara Nylander
21.00
Custodial Services
375.00
1,471.50
180
Expenses :
495.69
Fuel
Light
114.75
Water
24.00
Stationery and Printing
23.26
Repairs
165.06
Insurance
31.62
Sundry Items
91.55
945.93
Library Books
Books and Magazines
753.41
CEMETERIES
Salaries and Wages:
Frederick S. Kennedy, Supt. . 3,000.50
Payrolls
4,299.50
7,300.00
Expenses :
Fuel Oil and Heater Service . 230.67
Lights
53.45
Repairs to Equipment
216.55
Seed, fertilizer, etc.
350.18
Gas and Oil
48.53
Water
50.59
Hardware, pipe, paint, etc.
221.01
Lime, lumber and cement
22.20
Printing
6.00
Trucking
551.08
Flowers
36.00
Painting Woodlawn Chapel
45.00
Sundry Items
265.77
2,097.03
Lowering Device - Article 31
Mills Cemetery Equipment Co. 483.12
181
Mt. Hope Oiling-Article 27 (1951) Utility Oil Co. 275.17 Assabet Sand and Gravel Co. .. 75.75
350.92
Woodlawn Purchase of Land-Article 41 (1951)
Chester B. and Fred L. Robbins 8,049.00
Caiger and Gramkow 150.00
1
8,199.00
Trimmer and Mower-Article 30
Acton Supply, Inc.
181.00
Power Lawn Mower Service Co. 364.00
545.00
Perpetual Care
Payrolls
705.00
Flowers
53.30
Lime, fertilizer and loam
47.85
806.15
Susan Noyes Hosmer Fund
Payrolls
996.20
Supplies
185.32
Trees
77.50
Asphalt for Woodlawn Cemetery
213.39
Sand
33.75
Trucking
96.45
Loam and Fertilizer
120.00
Sundry Items
188.22
1,910.83
Private Trust Funds
J. Roland Wetherbee Fund
36.10
Georgia A. Whitney Fund
9.72
Luke Blanchard Fund
25.00
182
Raymond Fund Wetherbee Gate Fund
10.00 16.62
RECREATION
Frederick W. Rimbach, Supt. ..
260.00
Payrolls
219.78
Gas and Oil
44.86
Water
24.00
Salt and Lime
12.30
Skating Rink
295.00
Repairs and Parts for Equip-
ment
111.25
Sundry Items
28.79
995.98
Maturing Debt and Interest
High School Addition
1,000.00
Interest
90.00
1,090.00
Unclassified
Mimeograph Work-Zoning
Comm.
33.00
Search for Lost Boy
37.05
Advertising
54.00
Delivery of Special Town Meet- ing Warrants
77.26
Substitute Nurse Expense
96.00
Printing Treasurer's Checks . .
25.00
Typewriter-Collector's Office
125.00
Public Celebrations
35.50
482.81
183
Town Reports
Concord Press, Inc.
886.00
Delivering Reports
19.80
905.80
Surety Bonds
Collector
292.50
Treasurer
178.00
Town Clerk
7.50
478.00
Insurance
Liability
863.58
Workmen's Compensation
1,935.58
Town Buildings
2,830.77
Memorial Day
23rd Infantry Band
225.00
Flowers
112.50
Wreaths
15.00
Flags
64.80
Buses
60.00
Refreshments
22.45
499.75
Civil Defense
Communication Equipment and
Service
193.95
Blood Typing Program
6.70
Badges and Whistles
78.00
Sundry Items
7.27
285.92
Pensions
Pension Fund
1,689.00
Expense Fund
153.00
184
Military Service Fund .. 32.16
1,874.16
No Appropriation Accounts
Withholding Taxes
21,115.95
Massachusetts Hospital Service
2,268.72
Massachusetts Teachers Retire-
ment
4,423.85
Middlesex County Retirement ..
2,759.82
Middlesex County Dog Licenses
888.80
Middlesex County Tax
10,515.85
Middlesex County Hospital
Assessment
3,232.84
State Audit
2,240.41
State Parks
611.03
Refund on Taxes
2,028.92
Trust Accounts
2,250.00
Interest on Trust Funds
5,696.27
Bond Issue
4.80
Trust Fund Expenditures
1,642.00
Conant Library Fund
101.24
Elementary School Building
64,156.35
Murray Brown Fund
245.35
Cemetery Land Fund-Refund
10.00
Premium Received on Elementary
School Bonds
490.10
Blanchard Auditorium Fund-
In escrow
150,000.00
-
-
274,682.30
Total Expenditures
707,038.75
Cash Balance, Town Funds, Decem- ber 31, 1952
409,564.34
$1,116,603.09
185
Reserve Fund Transfers
Board of Health-Salaries . 1,100.00
Board of Health-Expenses .. 1,619.72
Disability Assistance 1,200.00
Liability Insurance-Article 36
113.58
Workmen's Compensation
185.58
Aid to Dependent Children
300.00
Collector-Expenses
75.00
Elections and Registrations -
Salaries
116.00
Elections and Registrations Expenses
14.00
Fire Department-Expense .
530.01
Treasurer-Expense
387.20
School Department - Expense (Books)
200.00
Selectmen-Salaries
32.70
Moderator
20.00
Town Clerk-Expense
41.00
Police Department-Expense . .
65.00
5,999.79
Machinery Fund
Balance January 1, 1952 7,815.64
Received from Rentals 3,446.95
Unexpended Balance Road Ma-
chinery Account
339.04
11,601.63
Transferred to Road Machinery
Account
2,500.00
186
Balance December 31, 1952
9,101.63
11,601.63
Cemetery Land Fund
Balance January 1, 1952
1,815.35
Received from Sale of Lots
705.00
2,520.35
Repurchase of Lot
10.00
Balance December 31, 1952 ... 2,510.35
187
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1952
GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash-Town Funds
$409,564.34
Cash-Blanchard Gift in escrow
150,000.00
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes:
Levy of 1948
Personal Property
. $ 667.23
Poll
68.00
$ 735.23
Levy of 1949:
Real Estate
1,408.35
Personal Property
841.30
Poll
232.00
2,481.65
Levy of 1950:
Real Estate
2,678.11
Personal Property
1,109.16
Poll
310.00
4,097.27
Levy of 1951:
Real Estate
6,804.75
Personal Property
1,156.21
Poll
420.00
8,380.96
Levy of 1952:
Real Estate
23,282.65
Personal Property
3,804.86
Poll
1,222.00
28,309.51
44,004.62
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes:
Levy of 1947
28.64
Levy of 1948
247.65
Levy of 1949
1,448.61
188
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1952
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Real Estate Taxes-Levy of 1948-Overpayment
to Treasurer
$ 126.02
Payroll Deductions:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield $ 171.25
County Retirement Fund
391.22
Withholding Taxes
131.80
694.27
Tailings-Reserve for Unclaimed Checks
144.81
Road Machinery Fund
9,101.63
Cemetery Land Fund
2,510.35
High School Athletic Fund
531.13
State and Federal School Milk Fund
40.03
County Dog Licenses
20.40
Blanchard Auditorium Gift-Held in escrow
...
150,000.00
Appropriation and Transfer Balances:
Highway Culverts
4,000.00
Laurel Court
69.14
Auditorium and Gymnasium Committee
4,925.00
Elementary School Building
170.00
School Land Purchase
15,000.00
Regional School District Committee
500.00
Blanchard Auditorium Land Purchase
9,533.75
Redecorate Interior of Library
375.00
Mount Hope Cemetery-Oiling
449.08
Mount Hope Cemetery-Clearing
500.00
Woodlawn Cemetery-Clearing
1,000.00
Civil Defense
1,840.74
Town Forest Committee
500.00
Town Forest-Cutting Brush
. . 252.82
39,115.53 225,843.65
Elementary School Building Construction
Trust Fund Income Balances:
Cemetery-Perpetual Care
169.52
Hosmer Fund
277.22
J. Roland Wetherbee Fund
15.45
Henry L. Raymond Fund
8.45
Georgia Whitney Fund
15.28
Library-Books
4.55
490.47
189
Levy of 1950
1,836.53
Levy of 1951
3,928.18
Levy of 1952
9,730.60
17,220.21
Tax Judgement:
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
502.62
17,722.83
Tax Titles
55.37
Tax Possessions
400.19
455.56
Departmental:
Public Welfare
564.93
Aid to Dependent Children
1,095.03
Old Age Assistance
2,216.86
Disability Assistance
4.62
Cemetery
157.00
Highway
117.00
4,155.44
Aid to Highways:
County
3,000.00
State
10,602.36
13,602.36
Under Estimates - 1952
County Hospital Assessment
26.53
State Audit
232.98
State Parks
49.02
308.53
$639,813.68
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt $295,000.00
-
190
.
Over Estimate 1952: County Tax
Old Age Assistance Recovery
Federal Grants:
Old Age Assistance:
Administration
272.27
Assistance
3,243.16
Aid to Dependent Children:
Administration
161.56
Aid
983.79
Disability Assistance:
Administration
1.34
Assistance
340.86
5,002.98
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
2,818.34
Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes:
Levy of 1948
991.15
Levy of 1949
2,263.89
Levy of 1950
2,028.58
Levy of 1951
1,758.06
Levy of 1952
1,353.01
8,394.69
Revenue Reserved Until Collected:
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
17,722.83
Tax Title and Tax Possession
455.56
Departmental
4,155.44
Aid to Highways
13,602.36
35,936.19
Surplus Revenue
156,882.94
$639.813.68
DEBT ACCOUNTS
High School Addition Loan
5,000.00 290,000.00
Elementary School Loan
$295,000.00
191
1,786.50 373.75
TRUST ACCOUNTS
In Custody of Town Treasurer:
Betsy Ball Charity Fund
10,694.50
Elizabeth White Charity Fund 27,308.53
Georgia E. Whitney Charity Fund 14,992.19
Charlotte Conant School Fund
1,527.39
Wilde Memorial Library Fund
16,946.84
Acton Firemens Relief Fund
5,739.49
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
64,366.69
Cemetery Surplus Fund
210.35
Hoit and Scott Cemetery Fund
551.74
J. Roland Wetherbee Cemetery Fund
10,476.75
Georgia E. Whitney Cemetery Fund
1,645.82
Luke Blanchard Cemetery Fund
1,544.76
Frank C. Hayward Cemetery Fund
1,103.42
Susan Noyes Hosmer Cemetery Fund
84,968.51
Henry S. Raymond Cemetery Monument Fund
811.25
Henry S. Raymond Cemetery Care Fund
2,227.87
West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
776.28
$245,892.38
In Custody of Trustees:
Charlotte Goodnow Fund ..
3,465.54
$249,357.92
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD O. NYLANDER, Town Accountant
192
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities: In custody of Town Treasurer
In custody of Trustees
245,892.38 3,465.54
$249,357.92
193
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1952. The department removed 196 trees of all species this year. Most of these were dead or dangerous trees, or of a species not desirable for shade trees.
Low hanging limbs were removed along Route 27 and other heavily traveled streets.
The department planted 30 new trees along the town ways.
The poison ivy around the schools and other town buildings was sprayed with a herbicide. The roadsides were also sprayed for poison ivy control. This work has greatly reduced the amount of ivy, but it will not eliminate the plant in a single year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANKLIN H. CHARTER,
Tree Warden
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1952
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We hereby submit the following report for the year end- ing December 31, 1952.
The account of the town treasurer shows that during the past year the cemetery department has received and paid into the treasury the sum of $1,836.80 which can be found itemized in the treasurer's report. Also in the town collector's report you will find the sum of $682.00 collected for the annual care of lots, which is credited to the cemetery depart- ment receipts.
194
There has been added to the perpetual care account the post year, in new and additional accounts, the sum of $2,275.00.
We recommend an appropriation for the care of the cemeteries, for the year 1953, the sum of $10,800.00.
We again wish to call to the attention of all lot owners, who have lots in the cemeteries, that are not under perpetual care, the following: The State Auditors claim that by the vote taken at the annual town meeting, March 14, 1949, that annual care bills are accounts receivable to the town and must be collected. Therefore we have instructed the superintendent to commit to the town collector for collection all the annual care bills on all lots not under perpetual care. We ask for the full cooperation of all the lot owners in regard to this matter.
The land for the addition to Woodlawn Cemetery has been purchased and as soon as the weather permits, we plan to clear a certain section of this land and then start to develop this cleared section, by laying out lots, avenues, extending water and drainage pipes in this section.
We desire to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Sarah A. Watson of Harvard, Mass., who has been very generous to the Town of Acton, in regards to the Memorial Chapel in Woodlawn Cemetery. This past summer, Mrs. Watson had the following repairs made on the chapel: the slate on the roof repaired, the granite walls, casements and footings treated with a waterproofing solu- tion, the gutters and the flashings repaired, the cornices, cappings and footings, repaired and pointed with mortar wherever needed. Several of the repairs to the footings and the cappings were extensive and this work which was done by Mrs. Sarah A. Watson, has saved the town a considerable amount of money.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD F. JONES RAY L. HARRIS HARRY F. HOLT
Cemetery Commissioners
195
1952 REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE IN ACTON
The Middlesex County Extension Service is an organi- zation maintained by the County in cooperation with Uni- versity of Mass. and the United States Department of Agri- culture to serve the citizens of the town in the field of agri- culture and home economics. The work is carried on under the guidance of the town director who is assisted by the chairman in homemaking and boys and girls 4-H Club work.
The county office makes farm and home visits to help when requested and, in addition, carries on organized projects County-wide under the guidance of farmers' and homemakers' service on County Committees.
Radio service is maintained weekly on WBZ; monthly on WHDH and five days a week during the summer on WKOX. A monthly bulletin with a circulation of 5,000 is maintained and timely notices of interest to dairymen, fruit growers, market gardeners, poultrymen, and commercial florists are sent to anyone as requested.
Some of the special activities of local interest follow. Dairymen were primarily interested in co-operating in the New England-wide Green Pastures Program, The Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Owner-Sampler work, and Selective Breeding.
The Extension Poultry Program in 1952 was keyed to help poultrymen and turkey growers to improve the efficiency of their operations, maintain flock health and take better advantage of their marketing opportunities. Efforts were made to provide breeders with information which might help them to hold their prominent place in the industry, and routine service was provided in all phases of poultry and turkey farming.
F. Wendell Putnam, Jr., of Woodbury Lane is a member of the advisory committee which plans the Extension Poultry Programs and participated in the 1952 Middlesex Flock Health Program. He is also Treasurer of the Middle- sex County Poultry Association which holds monthly meet-
196
ings at the Acton Town Hall in cooperation with the Exten- sion Service.
A spray service is maintained by radio to all fruit growers as well as market gardeners. Fruit growers also follow closely the weekly twilight meetings held during the growing season to keep abreast of production and marketing problems. There has been an increased demand from home owners for information on vegetables, flower gardens, and lawns.
Women in Acton became more active in Extension work this year and it is hoped their interest will continue. Under the leadership of Mrs. Cleon Phelps and Mrs. Laurence Winslow, they participated in a course of refinishing furniture. Many women also took advantage of the Sewing Machine Clinic held in their town and three different groups heard the talk and demonstration on "Christmas Every- where."
4-H Club activities in Acton centered around poultry, garden, and clothing.
Wilda Quinn attended Junior Leaders' Camp at the University of Mass. and received a county medal for out- standing leadership ability.
Two camperships were given by the Acton Grange to one boy and one girl, both poultry club members to Camp Middlesex, the 4-H club camp in Ashby.
The 4-H poultry club attended in large numbers the 4-H County Fair of which their leader, Jack Duston was poultry chairman.
Mrs. Cleon Phelps and Mrs. Lawrence Winslow received silver pins for 5 years of leadership.
Those people responsible for 4-H club work in Acton were John Duston, Mrs. Lawrence Winslow, Mrs. Cleon Phelps, Mr. Daniel Sweeney, Mrs. Roger Myrick, Janice Phelps and Nancy Winslow.
HARLAN E. TUTTLE
Town Director
197
REPORT OF THE ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Carl A. Christofferson, Chairman
Arthur F. Davis
Alden C. Flagg, Sr.
Wilfred W. Forbes, M.D.
Eugene L. Hall
Frederick T. Heyliger
Marion C. Reed
Wendell F. Davis, D.M.D.
Florence A. Merriam
Miss Merriam, Mr. Heyliger and Dr. Davis hold office by election. The others are Corporate Members.
Librarians
Mary Lothrop, Memorial Library Edith Hopkinson, West Acton Branch
Custodian Glenn Pasanen
Miss Ramona Davis and her Fourth Grade pupils paid a call at the Library in the early Spring. Calls of this sort are pre-arranged in order that the Librarian may give her entire time to the guests and explain points of interest to the children, such as the picture of Mr. Wilde, his purpose in giving the Library to the Town, the general arrangement of the books, and the reasons for quiet, the chief one being consideration for others. Miss Davis started these calling parties which occur more frequently, as time passes.
The annual party for those who had earned Honors in the State Certificate reading, was held on May 23 with Mr. Christofferson taking charge and making the pre- sentations. Carroll Spinney entertained an almost capacity group in the Woman's Club House. We thank the latter organization for being ready always to help us out.
In April, the teachers of the South School asked Miss Lothrop to give an informal talk on "Old Acton". Because the subject was so wide, it was easy to interweave old
198
Largest daily circulation February 25 Smallest daily circulation July 23 41
659
Daily average 136.2
houses, old families and old events, although it is tricky to make a modern child see life with no telephones, no cars and no electricity.
We have been working to create a separate Reference Department distinct in location and selection of material. For the last half year, the Trustees, using The Murray Brown Fund, have been selecting and procuring basic reference books for such a department. Special shelves have been erected and partially filled and are already in use.
We are happy to report that the clock has been re- paired and that the painting job will be done when this goes to print. The color meets with approval for saving eye- strain and giving cheerfulness.
It is pleasant to say that almost every Library day, new people come to take books, and seem delighted to find, "such a nice Library in such a small town."
The West Branch has been open now for about a year and a half, under new hours, with Mrs. Hopkinson in charge. It is gratifying to report she has had a successful and happy time and that the circulation shows a large increase.
The main Library closes now at 9 P.M. This change began the Wednesday after Labor Day. It seems to be the customary closing hour in neighboring towns.
We are badly in need of space. We have had to refuse good standard books fairly often for lack of room. Also, we ought to have much more space to display our historic trophies and works of art properly.
Accession-Number of volumes in Library January 1,
1952 20,877
Increase by purchase
293
Increase by gift
316
Withdrawn from circulation
367
Number of volumes in Library January 1, 1953, 21,119
Circulation-Number of days Library was open
153
Number of volumes circulated
20,846
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254
Loss in circulation over previous year The circulation breaks up as follows :
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