Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1953-1957, Part 19

Author: Mendon (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1953
Publisher: Town of Mendon, Massachusetts
Number of Pages: 660


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1953-1957 > Part 19


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Interest 49.92


$ 8,240.10


48


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 7,468.71 771.39


Abated


Uncollected


.00


1956 Personal Property Taxes DR.


Taxes Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957 $ 763.20


Interest


17.08


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 548.44


Uncollected


231.84


$


780.28


1956 Real Estate Taxes


DR.


Taxes Outstanding Jan. 1, 1957


$ 6,656.11


Interest


127.79


$ 6,783.90


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 4,227.25


Abated


38.40


Uncollected


2,518.25


$ 6,783.90


1957 Poll Taxes


DR.


Taxes Committed


$ 1,174 00


Interest


2.18


Charges and Fees


19.25


$ 1,195.43


$ 8,240.10


$ 780.28


49


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 987.43


Abated


208.00


Uncollected


.00


1957 Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes DR.


Total Taxes Committed


$22,958.53


Interest


16.69


$22,975.22


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$17,303.56


Abated


409.77


Uncollected


5,261.89


$22,975.22


1957 Animal Excise Taxes


DR.


Taxes Committed


$ 307.83


Interest


.00


$ 307.83


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 272.08


Uncollected


35.75


$ 307.83


1957 Personal Property Taxes DR.


Taxes Committed


$ 7,511.50


Interest


.18


$ 7,511.68


$ 1,195.43


50


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$ 7,262 68


Abated


108.50


Uncollected


140.50


$ 7,511.68


1957 Real Estate Taxes


DR.


Taxes Committed


$99,933.50


Interest


26.25


$99,959.75


CR.


Paid Treasurer


$90,307.92


Abated


2,435.00


Uncollected


7,216.83


$99,959.75


Taxes Refunded in 1957


1956 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax $ 231.49


1956 Real Estate Taxes


96.00


1957 Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes


548.18


$ 875.67


Received for Municipal Liens


$ 4.00


Paid Treasurer


$ 4.00


Refund on 1955 Bond


$ 37.50


Paid Treasurer


$


37.50


Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR P. DALTON, Collector of Taxes.


51


REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit to you the following report for the year ending December 31, 1957.


Assault with a Dangerous Weapon 3


Disturbances


3


Acts of Vandalism


3


Breaks


12


Complaints 102


Assault and Battery


3


Attempted Assault 2


1


Cars reported stolen


1


Persons Reported Missing


1


Accidents (Prop. Damage in Excess of $200)


33


Accidents (Prop. Damage under $200) 13


1


Total Accidents Reported


50


Personal Injuries Reported in 25 out of 50 Accidents


Residents of Town Involved in (in town) Accidents


15


Other Property Damage Incidents Reported


5


Bicycles Registered 17


Hit and Run Accidents 3


25


Licenses Recommended Suspended


Registrations Recommended Suspended 1


Tags Issued for Defective Equipment 36


Armed Robbery


Assistance to Out of Town Police 11


Fatal Accidents


52


Parking Tags Issued 13


Pistol Permits Issued 26


Permits Issued to Purchase


3


Arrests 8


Summons Served for Out of Town Police 15


Persons Summoned for Traffic Violations, etc. 58


Convictions 50


Search Warrants Obtained 1


Warrants Issued and Served 1


Drownings Reported 1


Amount assessed in Fines for Violations, etc. $500.00


With the increase of crime continuously coming before us, the need for greater Police protection is undeniable. With this thought in mind I have asked for an increase in our budget which seems quite large, but with the amount of work which has to be done and the amount of Protec- tion to which you, as Citizens, are entitled to receive, the overall figure is very small.


The Finance Committee would not go along with my recommendation for a "suitable vehicle" which is greatly needed by the Police Department. On several occasions we have had to call on "neighboring towns" to assist us at an accident or some other emergency when someone's life was at stake.


Means of "Communication" play an important part in a Police Department, or any department, that is pledged to serve a community. Sighting a recent case which oc- curred in our town, namely the "Armed Robbery" at one of our local business establishments, the capture of those responsible could possibly have been greatly expedited, if we had a "Radio" to work with.


53


I would at this time like to extend words of "Praise" to Police Officers Philip W. Harding, Paul R. Tyler and Harold C. Barrows, Jr., in the manner in which they con- ducted their investigation, along with the State Police, which led to the quick apprehension of those responsible for the "Armed Robbery" at Sabatinelli's Package Store.


It is with great regret that we had to insert in our records the death of Alan D. Smyth as the result of an Auto and Cycle crash. With the number of automobiles and licensed operators continuously on the increase on our highways, the job of policing becomes greater all the time.


At this time I would like to thank each and every one for their splendid cooperation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM D. RONDEAU, Chief of Police.


54


REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit to you a report for the year 1957:


Scales under 100 lbs. at 50ยข 4


Scales over 100 lbs. at $1.00 1


Gasoline Pumps at $1.00 12


Grease Pumps at $1.00 5


Fees and adjusting charges as authorized by Section 56, General Laws, Chapter 98 as amended by Chapter 34, Acts of 1949.


If any adjustments are made on scales or pumps where the seals have been broken to do so, the Sealer of Weights and Measures should be notified said equipment is restored to use.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM D. RONDEAU, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


55


REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit to you the following report for the year 1957.


Dogs reported missing 10


Dogs killed by Autos 11


Persons Bitten by Dogs 7


Dogs Hit by Autos reported 9


Dogs Boarded 20


Dogs Destroyed


14


Complaints Recorded and Investigated 23


According to Sec. 137 of the General Laws, the owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall cause it to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which shall be securely attached a tag. Any dog without a tag or some means of identifica- tion may be declared a stray dog, and be taken immedi- ately to the dog "Pound." If the owner is later learned, he can be assessed the charges for picking up his dog.


All dogs three months old or over must be licensed as of March 31. These licenses can be obtained from the Town Clerk.


Ninety-three dogs were reported unlicensed as of June 1 which had to be collected. Your cooperation in the future would be greatly appreciated.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM D. RONDEAU, Dog Officer.


56


ASSESSORS' REPORT


The Assessors' Recapitulation Sheet and Table of Ag- gregates is given below:


RECAPITULATION 1957


Town Appropriations:


Voted since 1956 Tax Rate


was fixed


$220,997.34


Other


500.00


State:


Tax and Assessments 694.43


County:


Tax and Assessments 9,090.96


Overlay for 1957


3,000.00


Gross Amount to be raised


$234,282.73


Estimated Receipts


$ 80,406.74


Available Funds 45,256.99


Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds $125,663.73


Net amount to be raised by taxation on Polls and Property $108,619.00


587 Poll Taxes at $2.00 $ 1,174.00


Personal Property Taxes 7,511.50


Real Estate Taxes 99,933.50


$108,619.00


57


AGGREGATES 1957


Assessments on Real Estate 768


Assessments on Personal Estate 45


Polls Assessed 587


Value of Assessed Personal Estate:


Stock in Trade $ 13,850.00


Machinery 101,300.00


Livestock 11,230.00


Other Tangible Personal Property 23,850.00


Total value of Assessed Personal Estate $150,230.00


Value of Assessed Real Estate:


Land exclusive of buildings $334,165.00


Buildings exclusive of land


1,664.505.00


Total value of Assessed Real Estate $1,998,670.00


Total value of Assessed Estate


2,148,900.00


Tax on Personal Estate


$


7,511.50


Tax on Real Estate


99,933.50


Tax on Polls 1,174.00


Total taxes levied


$108,619.00


Rate of Tax per $1,000.00 $50.00


Number of Livestock Assessed:


Horses


14


Cows


73


Other Neat Cattle


22


Swine


27


Sheep


18


Fowl


940


All other


10


58


Number of Dwelling Houses assessed 659


Number of Acres of Land assessed 10,761


Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes


Committed to Collector:


Vehicles registered in 1956


$


5,762.48


Vehicles registered in 1957 22,958.53


Total Commitments $ 28,721.01 Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes Abated:


1956 Taxes


$


1,002.88


1957 Taxes


963.66


Total Abatements 1,966.54 $


Farm Animal Excise


Total value of Farm Animals


assessed


$ 61,561.00


Rate of tax per $1,000.00


$5.00


Total Commitment $ 307.83


Overlay Account 1957


1957 Overlay $3,000.00


1957 Abatements on Polls and


Property 2,751.50


Respectfully submitted, DONALD B. LOWELL D. KINSLEY BARNES CARL M. TAFT, Clerk Board of Assessors.


59


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


The Fire Department answered 18 alarms during 1957 with an estimated loss of $3,200, as follows:


4 Building fires


7 Chimney fires


3 Truck and auto fires


4 Electrical short circuits


18 Wells pumped out


4 Cellars pumped out.


The Forest Fire Department answered 47 alarms dur- ing the year. Fires burned over 17 acres of wood and brush land and 11 acres of grass land. Due to prompt notification from our Fire Tower observer and ready re- sponse of our Fire Fighters, these fires were confined to two acres or less.


Over 300 burning permits were given out and only six went out of control.


The Firemen again sponsored a parade, entertain- ment and refreshments the night before the Fourth of July.


60


The Fire Station was decorated at Christmas and the Firemen, together with members of the Grange, decorated and lighted the tree on Founders' Park.


A new American Marsh portable pump was purchased with matching funds from Civilian Defense.


The Fire Department was very fortunate to be able to purchase a tank truck with a capacity of 2,250 gallons and we know it will repay its small cost to the town, many times.


May I express my thanks to the townspeople and the Fire Fighters for their splendid cooperation this past year, which has been a hazardous one for fires.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM F. IRONS, Fire Chief and Forest Warden.


61


REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I submit the following report of work done on Town roads during 1957:


CHAPTER 81


There were 19,107 gallons of asphalt applied to vari- ous roads under this Chapter. On Blackstone Street 2,900 feet were widened and hard-topped; also 35 feet of drain- age was installed. Brush was cut on all roads including Chapter 90 highways.


CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE


On the old State highway (Bates Street), a distance of 2,400 feet was rebuilt and now the road is in very good condition. 13,107 gallons of asphalt were used on various roads under this Chapter and some drainage was installed.


CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION


With money carried over from the 1956 appropria- tion added to this year's appropriation, we finished the roadway and drainage from the High School to a point


62


near the residence of Miss Florence Bennett. The road was widened all the way in order to have ample space for parking near the church. The new road bed will be 24 feet wide the rest of the way toward the Upton line.


MOWRY STREET


Under the Town appropriation 500 feet of road was widened and a hard top applied.


PARK AND PLEASANT STREETS


There were 1,400 feet of road widened and hard- topped on Park Street. Considerable fill was used on this project. About 200 yards of our own fill came from exca- vations on Providence Street and North Avenue. It is now much easier for the school bus to pass cars on this road.


I wish to thank the townspeople as well as the State and County Engineers for their cooperation and assistance during the past year.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM R. BOWEN, Highway Surveyor.


63


REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN


I herewith submit my annual report on the care, re- moval and disposal of trees in Town.


Spraying for Insect Pest Control and Elm Beetle was done by aeroplane and Mist Blower from the ground. I also sprayed for poison ivy in places where it was most prevalent, particularly at the school.


During the year I removed and disposed of approxi- mately 40 diseased elm trees. The average thickness of these trees was three feet. Trees were trimmed in vari- ous parts of the town.


Due to the recommendations of the Department of Natural Resources, the Finance Committee has recom- mended taking $200 from the Insect Pest Control appro- priation and adding it to the Tree Warden's account. This money will be used to remove and dispose of more trees.


I wish to thank the townspeople and Highway Sur- veyor for their assistance and cooperation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM NUTTALL, Tree Warden.


64


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS


Following is the Financial Report and Recapitulation of the East Mendon Water System for the year 1957:


Appropriation for Maintenance $ 751.00


Reimbursements from Water Takers


for installation costs 466.19


Total available


$1,217.19


Expended:


Nelson Meter Service


$ 144.00


The Clarke Printing Co.


11.00


Walnut Farm, Inc.


357.42


Varney Bros., Inc.


75 03


Town of Bellingham


403.72


Postage


9.10


Meter Readings


21.00


Clerical


18.00


Total expended:


$1,039.27


Unexpended:


177.92


$1,217.19


RECAPITULATION


Net expenditures for Maintenance $ 573.08


For Water Loan Note


1,000.00


For Interest on Note


281.25


Total cost for 1957


$1,854.33


Water Commitments for 1957 $2,147.74


65


The Board of Water Commissioners re-negotiated the contract with the Town of Bellingham to provide water for the East Mendon System for another ten-year period.


At the same time additional increase was made in the cost of water to the Town of Mendon. Therefore it was necessary to advance the rates to the consumers in July, 1957.


CLARENCE E. VARNEY, Chairman DONATO F. LEONE M. MORTON GOODNOW Water Commissioners


66


REPORT OF THE WIRE INSPECTOR


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


Herewith is my statement of accounts for the year 1957:


Number of Inspections


29


Value of Inspection Slips $65.00


Cash and Checks Received $62.00


Outstand (incomplete) 3.00


$65.00


Respectfully submitted,


WALTER J. CHANNING, Wiring Inspector.


67


TOWN CLERK'S REPORT


1957


DOG LICENSES ISSUED IN 1957


180 Males at $2.00 $360.00


30 Females at $5.00 150.00


80 Spayed Females at $2.00 160.00


7 Kennel Licenses at $10.00 70.00


1 Kennel License at $25.00 25.00


1 Kennel License at $50.00 50.00


Total amount received for licenses $815.00


Fees deducted 65.40


Cash paid to Town Treasurer as per Monthly Statements $749.60


All dogs three months old or more must be licensed at the Town Clerk's office on or before April 1, 1958. The Dog License Refund is added to the General School Fund of our Town.


SPORTING LICENSES ISSUED IN 1957


108 Resident Fishing


93 Resident Hunting


73 Resident Sporting


14 Resident Minor Fishing


34 Resident Female Fishing


68


1 Special Non-Resident Fishing 3 Non-Resident Citizen Fishing


1 Alien Fishing


5 Non-Resident Hunting


2 Non-Resident Sporting


7 Duplicate Licenses


10 Resident Citizen Sporting (Free)


Total Amount Received for all licenses $1,269 25 Less amount retained for fees 83.25


Amount sent to the Department of


Natural Resources $1,186.00


69


BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1957


ate of


ih 1957


4


Douglas Earl Coburn


8 Valerie Ann Fagan


20


Alan David Wood


27 Deanna Lynn Haynes


12 Christine Karen George


16 Bradley B. Jackson


2 Ronald Francis Diomedes


5 Marilyn Gaskill


13 Sharon Lee Charles


15 James Joseph Cahill


22 Glenn David Carr


3 Andrea Dorothy Hogarth


7 Ronald Patrick Ferrucci


8 Linda Marie Parker John Robert Hoberg


14 22 Americo Michael Candela


28 Thomas Raymond Grant


10 Catherine Marie Whalen Stillborn


12


12 Shirley Ann Magliocca Edward Hugh Blair


20


Linda Ann Phipps


22 5 Susan Mae Gaskill


12 Virginia Ann Carlson 18 Alan David Tetreault


21 Jay Michael Lamothe Mary Elizabeth Geneseo


2 10 Robert Allen Grant


18 Deborah Jean Davenport


30 Malinda Mae Gaskill


17 Janet Helen Bennett


20 Everett Roy Adams 22 4 Alice Mary Cornell Edward Stephen Marcello Margaret Lynn Irish


11 16 Debra Ann Wiersma 22 1 Alan Leslie Auty Susan Marie Bennett Joseph Arthur Bilodeau, Jr.


6


10 William Charles Giatas


10 Roy Alan Wright


11 Debra Louise Barnes


14 Karen Sue Gaskell


1


Sharon Marie Desmarais


Name of Parents


Donald E. and Ethel (Rogers) Coburn Robert K. and Shirley A. (Christensen) Fagan Herbert S. and Beatrice C. (Tetreault) Wood Margaret (Hicks) Haynes


George C. and Lillian (Zicko) George Everett H. and Monica E. (Aggett) Jackson Louis S. and Ruth M. (Palanzi) Diomedes John F. and Dorothy (Murray) Gaskill Everett W. and Martha F. (Carlson) Charles James J. and Kathleen (Boucher) Cahill Albert and Joyce (Cram) Carr John, Jr. and Gloria (Mantoni) Hogarth James S. and Phyllis M. (Matto) Ferrucci Earl R. and Joan M. (Todd) Parker Richard P. and Joyce M. (Thatcher) Hoberg Americo M. and Evelyn L. (Dufresne) Candela Harry R. and Janet (Lapworth) Grant William J. and Dorothy E. (June) Whalen


Etore J. and Viola (Brenna) Magliocca Wilbur and Anna M. (Carlson) Blair Russell and J. Muriel (Metca'f) Phipps Richard M. and Dora (Streeter) Gaskill Sigfrid B. and Phyllis L. (Berry) Carlson A'dore E. and Pauline A. (Lec'aire) Tetreault Maurice and Janet (Clement) Lamothe Louis J. and Barbara Ann (Racine) Geneseo Paul and Maybe'le M. (Ross) Grant Dwight J. and Marion (Gorman) Davenport William H. and Maria H. (Fernandez) Gaskill Ralph G., Sr. and Virginia H. (Lougee) Bennett Carl and Anne (Watson) Adams George B. and Alice T. (Brady) Cornell Frank M. and Patricia (Wa'sh) Marcello Harold and Charlene (Caswell) Irish Harry and Ethel (Roorda) Wiersma William L. and Mary J. (Whitney) Auty Robert H. and Marjorie (Bowen) Bennett Joseph A. and Grace (Curley) Bilodeau E. Theodore and Louise E. (Perron) Giatas Roy L. and Eleanore (Thallinger) Wright Daniel N. and Shirley M. (Steere) Barnes David A. and Evelyn (Aldrich) Gaskell Norman L. and Lorraine A. (Leblanc) Desmarais


u


1.


e :.


c


e


Name of Child


a


e


70


MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1957


Date of Marriage 1957


Where Married


Names


Residence


Feb.


2


Uxbridge


Howard A. Godin


Spencer


Jean B. Rosenquist


Mendon


Mar


18


Dedham


James J. Cahill


Mendon


May


4


Mendon


Joseph L. Ruggiero


Milford


11


Mendon


Arthur D. Hutchinson


Mendon


Shirley A. Hazard


Mendon


June


1


Mendon


Raymond A. Sherman


Douglas


Mary C. Wilde


Mendon


27


Keene, N. H.


Louis H. Morton


Mendon


July


13


Uxbridge


Fredrick H. Fiedler


Uxbridge


13


Mendon


Joseph Feccia, Jr.


Milford


27


Mendon


Leonard A. Crowe


West Boylston


Aug.


10


Auburn


Ernestine T. Davis


Auburn


16


Woonsocket, R. I.


Anthony C. Rocks, Jr.


Mendon


31


Mendon


Palmer D. Swanson


Mendon


Lorraine C. Deiana


Mendon


Sept.


1


Framingham


Richard T. Eaton


Mendon


18


Milford


Peter A. Fantasia


Mendon


Mae E. (Moseley) Boover


Mendon


Oct.


12


Mendon


Robert W. Sheperdson, Jr.


Cumberland, Md.


Sally Ann Ashkins


Mendon


26


Uxbridge


Russell T. Gaskell


Mendon


Anne M. Oleksyk


Uxbridge


Nov.


2


Hopedale


William M. Kimball, Jr.


Mendon


16


Bellingham


Leonard E. Mellen


Mendon


30


Mendon


Ethel H. Young


Sutton


Dec.


17


Upton


James E. Bowers


Evansville, Ind.


Barbara M. Sampson


Mendon


28


Mendon


Kenneth Benoit


Milford


Mary F. Lamothe


Mendon


Elizabeth J. Perkins


Mendon


Janet M. Parkinson


Mendon


Anna F. Leone


Mendon


Marjorie P. Deignan


Worcester


Robert G. Chaleki


Mendon


Geraldine Myers


Woonsocket, R. I.


Beverly (Munyon) Higgins


Framingham


Ruth M. Hoberg


Hopedale


Elizabeth A. Chute Walter W. Dolan


Hopedale


Millbury


Kathleen (Boucher) Basilici


Dedham


Gloria M. Rossetti


Mendon


DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1957


Date of Death 1957


Name


Y


Age M D


Cause of Death


Jan.


1


Mabel (Mossia) Stover


76


8


3


Coronary Thrombosis


11


Maria A. Newell


79


20


Congestive heart failure


15


Cora M. (Parry) Blanchard


58


8


16


Coronary occlusion


23


Annie U. (Rossi) Bennett


53


6


19


Cerebral hemorrhage


Feb.


4


Esther M. (Gates) Hodgkins


55


6


8


Broncho pneumonia


12


William R. Hensel


57


Anemia


25


James O. Brady


70


1


Acute Myocardial failure


26


Bridget (Whalen) Reilly


77


1


11


Cerebral hemorrhage


Mar.


8


Eleanor Amelia Radloff


84


8


11


Carcinoma of Stomach


9


John Vander Sluis


69


4


14


Cerebral apoplexy


21 Ina Mabel Irons


59


7


26


Asphyxia by drowning


June


1 Anna J. (Peterson) Anderson


86


6


2


Cerebral hemorrhage


July


11 Florence H. (Taft) Aldrich


88


5


16


Senility


Aug.


23 Roswell L. Look


80


10


18


Rheumatic Heart Disease


27


Alyce L. (Lincourt) Alexander


60


5


13


Carcinomatosis of Peritoneal Cavity


Sept.


24


Lena (Rawson) Loftstedt


80


8


5


Coronary arteriosclerosis


Oct.


7 Ernest L. Kempton


82


4


7


Myocarditis


9 Florence H. Towne


87


4


29


Cerebral hemorrhage


Nov.


10 William H. Wigglesworth


77


6


8 Carcinomatosis


Dec.


25


Nellie (Kelly) Murphy


69


3


6


Coronary Thrombosis


31


John J. Driscoll


72


-


11


Presumably Coronary occlusion


-


6 James Owen Farnon


74


Coronary Thrombosis


-


71


12 Stillborn


72


Parents and others are requested to carefully exam- ine the above lists and if any errors or omissions are dis- covered report them at once to the town clerk, that the record may be corrected, as it is of importance that the records of Vital Statistics should be complete.


General Laws, Chapter 46, Section 6.


Parents, within forty days after the birth of a child, and every householder, within forty days after a birth in his house, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the town where such child is born*


NOTICE


SOME OF THE MANY


Reasons Why Births Should Be Recorded


To establish identity.


To prove nationality.


To prove legitimacy.


To show when the child has the right to enter school.


To show when the child has the right to seek em- ployment under the child labor law.


To establish the right of inheritance to property.


To establish liability to military duty, as well as ex- emption therefrom.


To establish age and citizenship in order to vote.


73


To qualify to hold title to, and to buy or sell real estate.


To establish the right to hold public office.


To prove the age at which the marriage contract may be entered into.


To prove age to determine validity of a contract entered into by an alleged minor.


To prove age for Old Age Assistance.


To prove age so as to have the right to take Civil Service Examinations.


Parents be sure to record the birth of your child with given name in full.


Your co-operation to the end that all births may be properly recorded will be greatly appreciated.


Parents will please return the supplemental birth report sent them by the Clerk, even though they have received one from the Clerk of the town in which the child was born. The corrections are not forwarded to the Mendon Town Clerk.


Blanks for the return of all Vital records can be ob- tained from the Town Clerk.


Respectfully submitted, ALBERT S. COLEMAN, Town Clerk.


74


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY


The Trustees of the Taft Public Library submit the Report of the Librarian, the Financial Report, and Trus- tees' Report for the year ending December 31, 1957.


The report of the Librarian shows a very significant increase in circulation of books and magazines for the year 1957. The Trustees are pleased to note the increase and believe that the additional afternoon per week of li- brary service which has been given throughout 1957 has been very much worth while.


The installation of combination windows on the main floor of the library was made during the late summer.


The Trustees recommend the purchase of a new set of encyclopedia to replace the encyclopedia now in use.


The Board of Trustees very much appreciate the keen interest and efficient service of our Librarian, Mrs. Ves- tella Daniels. A standing invitation is extended to the townspeople of Mendon to make full use of the Library.


Respectfully submitted, HAROLD METCALF, Chairman VESTELLA DANIELS HARRY C. YORK PERCY L. ROWE HENRY P. CLOUGH


75


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT - 1957


To the Trustees of Taft Public Library:


The circulation for the year (99 days) was 6967; an increase of more than 1000 over last year. The largest number given out in one day was 165; the smallest, 23; and the average, 70. Circulation by classes was as fol- lows :- fiction, 3002; juvenile, 2442; magazines, 656; biog- raphy, 219; history and travel, 297; literature and fine arts, 107; science and useful arts, 134; all others, 110. The greatest increase was in fiction, travel and history.


New books added to the library by the town, 92; by Fletcher Fund, 66; and by gift, 34, making a total of 192. This includes a new Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, a needed addition to our reference department. Gifts of books were received from Charles and Hazel Leonard, Earl Rogers, from the library of the late Inez A. Daniels, from Sheila Perkins, Sheila Wagner and from Mr. Alfred Sutcliffe, for which we wish to express our thanks and appreciation. The FBI Story by Don Whitehead was given by the Rosentiel Foundation and the History of the 26th Yankee Division was a gift from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


Magazines available to readers are American Home, Atlantic Monthly, Better Homes and Gardens, Boys' Life, Flower Grower, Good Housekeeping, Ladies' Home Jour- nal, McCall's Magazine, National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, Readers' Digest, Red Book, Saturday Evening Post and Time. Fines collected and turned over to the town treasurer, $18.79.


An inventory of all the books in the library was be- gun by the librarian and her efficient high school assist- ant, Miss Marjorie Vear. Three Girl Scouts have been


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trained as Library Aides and have given free time this year :- Elizabeth Bagg, Norma Rogers and Sheila Wag- ner. A Summer Reading Club was conducted, continuing the subject, States of the U. S. A. The librarian attended two Area Meetings, one at Westboro in April and one at Uxbridge in September.




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