USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1947-1951 > Part 47
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gram for all recreation areas in the Town was built and dis- played daily on one of the field houses where it could be seen from the street. The showers were available to everyone who wanted them with hot water throughout the summer.
The field was opened about 8:00 A. M. every morning and closed about 9:00 P. M. every night. Many boys and girls spent the entire summer on Dresser St. Field this year.
REPORT OF THE SWIMMING POOL SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of the Recreation Committee Dear Sir:
This is the fourth annual report.
Attendance
From June 23 to August 30, a total of 24,550 persons used the pool's facilities; 3,150 June, 12, 400 July, 8,898 August. Aver- age daily attendance-361. This figure is the largest ever rec- orded since the pool's opening to the public.
Rescues
Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the absolute neces- sity for appointing competent, efficient, and responsible life- guards to supervise water activities. Eight children suffering in varying degrees from cramps, exhaustion, and panic were helped to shore by the lifeguards. Many of these cases could have become fatal had it not been for the efficient supervision of the lifeguard staff.
Instruction
The Red Cross Swimming Program, under the direction of Miss Helen Boucher, offered over 200 children the opportunity for instruction in swimming and life-saving during regular morning classes at the pool. Such formal programs, together with the daily informal instruction given by members of the staff, will do much to develop stronger and more skillful swim- mers in Southbridge.
Playground "Water Day"
August 9, Southbridge playgrounds, under the direction of Lewis Kyrios, held their annual "Water Day". This event was held in the morning in order to permit other bathers to use the pool during regular hours. The enthusiasm with which chil- dren and parents responded to this event definitely emphasizes the role of the swimming pool in fulfilling a very important recreational need.
Health Care
In order to provide safe water for bathers, two methods of control over bacterial growth were used: continuous flow of water from the second reservoir and chlorination. When these
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two methods are scientifically manipulated, any existing fear of pollution may be dispelled.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you and your committee for the fine cooperation we received from you during the swim- ming season. It is always a pleasure to work with men who are so deeply interested in promoting better recreational facilities for our town.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD A. DESROCHES, Swimming Pool Supervisor.
REPORT OF ALUMNI FIELD SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of Recreation Committee Dear Sir:
Alumni Field was put into shape for Baseball early in the season and throughout the spring, summer and fall the field was used by various groups.
The field was used for the school program of physical educa- tion under supervision of Lewis Kyrios every day school was in session from early spring until the schools closed for the sum- mer.
The Parochial Schools held their practice sessions and regular games here throughout the summer.
During the playground season children attending the play- ground program played many of their games on the field.
The Del Gracia Society used it for their annual field day and the annual Lions Club Horse Show for the benefit of the school milk fund was held here. For affairs such as the last two, the baseball diamond was always roped off for the protection of the playing area.
The field was used by Mr. Kyrios for football practice and games during a grade school football tournament that lasted until about Nov. 16th.
On Oct. 30 a Hallowe'en Parade starting at the Strand Theatre with many children being led by Police escort and ac- companied by firemen and fire apparatus marched to Alumni Field mid flares, sirens and band music. There all attended a talent variety show, fire works and an exciting bonfire. This program was attended by hundreds of people and most agreed it was a splendid Hallowe'en program. It was conducted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Southbridge Police Department with Chief Ovide Desrosiers as General Chairman.
It became necessary to layout a soft ball diamond well in the outfield to take care of teams that wanted to play and who could not use Henry St. because of an almost full schedule there. This was done and the area was used extensively by semi-organized industrial teams and by unorganized commu-
58
nity "pick-up" teams. While this program was being carried on there was a program of maintenance and improvement going on also.
The baseball diamond was repaired in July. Thirty-eight cubic yards of good loam was used to build up the base paths from 1st to 3rd base to insure a better and safer playing area.
Three hundred feet of old wooden fence was blown down and had to be cleaned up and taken away as it became a detri- ment to safety for children in the neighborhood. Players benches were built and installed for the summer, the bubbler location was changed and it was in working condition at all times during the summer, the tool shed was the recipient of the first coat of paint in 10, these many years.
Throughout the summer the grass was cut, the base paths trimmed and foul lines and gridiron lines were limed whenever necessary. Alumni Field had an expert landscaper for its chair- man this year, and it looked it.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN E. STAVES, Chairman
A. RAYMOND DARTT, JOHN McCANN, Alumni Field Committee.
REPORT OF HENRY STREET SUB-COMMITTEE
To the Chairman of the Recreation Committee Dear Sir:
There was a great deal of work done at Henry Street Field early in the spring. Brush was cut, trees removed and the en- tire field was scraped to get it level. Clay and gravel were brought in, spread and rolled. A great deal of work remains to be done at this field before it will be a first class field.
The field was used this year for soft ball exclusively.
The Community Soft Ball League made up of five teams played a twenty game schedule at this field this year. There were some all star post season games played also. There were many "pick-up" games at the field affording recreation to the children of that section of the Town. This field and area has great recreational potentialities.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS MONACO, Chairman, LOUIS BRUNNELL, FRANCIS ASHE, Henry Street Field Committee.
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The Southbridge Recreation Committee wishes to thank the following people and organizations for the help they ren- dered in carrying out our extensive program.
The Southbridge Police Department, the Fire Department, School Department, and the splendid cooperation of the High- way Department and its road superintendent Louis Dionne, Earl Davis, the Little League Officers, umpires and personnel, the minor league officers, umpires and helpers, the Southbridge Musicians Union, Charles Normandin and Ovide Desrosiers of the magnificent American Optical Company.
The Red Cross instructor at the Swimming Pool, Mrs. Howard Boal, and Helen Boucher, and the life guards and at- tendants.
The maintenance men for their honesty and that "little extra" they gave when assigned to work.
To have a big job to do and encounter this kind of willing, earnest cooperation is indeed refreshing.
Recommendations by the Recreation Committee to be con- sidered for future development which are not provided for in any account at this time.
1. Extensive development of Henry St. into a playground area and winter sports area.
Note: (The development of the field itself is in an ac- count now. Annually about $3,500.00 is provided for this phase of the project.)
2. More area at Dresser St. Field for the expansion of Little League and Soft Ball activity. This requires the purchase of additional land which is for sale now.
3. The building of better approaches to the swimming pool. Travelling the road to the pool now could be called an adven- ture.
4. Development of a good soft ball area at Alumni Field.
5. That money be provided for an "All Southbridge Play Day" to be held at the end of each summer.
6. That something be done about the drainage problem from Cole Ave., Woodycrest Ave., and the surrounding area. The water from this area now drains onto Dresser St. Field.
7. That money be provided for the fencing of the water at second reservoir and repairing the wall. There exists here a dangerous situation, this wall could break and cause much damage to our swimming pool and the private property below it.
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REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
To the Citizens of Southbridge
I wish to submit the following report as Collector of Taxes for Southbridge from December 1, to December 31, 1951.
Ambulance Department
Commitments per warrants
$ 944.00
Payments to Treasurer
$ 224.00
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
720.00
$ 944.00
Taxes: Levy of 1949
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951
$ 1,073.10
Tax Title Disclaimed
27.44
$ 1,100.54
Payments to Treasurer
1,100.54
Taxes: Levy of 1950
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951
$ 38,672.36
Tax Title Disclaimed
25.67
Reported in error
525.17
$ 39,223.20
Payments to Treasurer
$ 37,789.35
Abated
72.20
Tax Title
71.72
Outstanding Dec. 31
1,289.93
$ 39,223.20
Taxes: Levy of 1951
Commitments from Assessors
$ 932,164.63
Payments to Treasurer
$ 888,973.52
Abated
9,430.33
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
33,999.93
$ 932,403.78
Refunds paid
$ 239.15
$ 932,164.63
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1949
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951
$ 140.49
Abated
$
140.49
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1950
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951 $ 5,865.90
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Warrants from Assessors Paid after Abatements
343.22 50.53
$ 6,259.65
Payments to Treasurer
$ 5,053.93
Abated Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
1,588.25
19.66
$
6,661.84
Refunds paid
$
402.19
$ 6,259.65
Excise Taxes: Levy of 1951
$ 114,395.67
Payments to Treasurer
$ 106,714.69
Abated
6,134.05
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
3,451.41
$ 116,300.15
Refunds paid
$ 1,904.48
$ 114,395.67
Sewer Assessments: Levy of 1950
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951
$ 608.62
Payments to Treasurer
$ 408.52
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
200.10
$ 608.62
Sewer Assessments Int: Levy of 1950
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951
$ 34.48
Payments to Treasurer
$ 21.98
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
12.50
34.48
Sewer Assessments: Levy of 1951
$ 2,982.10
Payments to Treasurer
$ 1,790.46
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
1,191.64
$ 2,982.10
Sewer Assessments Int: Levy of 1951
$ 1,113.67
Payments to Treasurer
$ . 108.68
Abated
953.26
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951
51.73
$ 1,113.67
Special Sidewalk: Levy of 1951 Payment to Treasurer
$ 387.73
$ 387.73
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Apportioned Sewer Assessments of 1952 and 1953 Payments to Treasurer
$ 68.84 68.84
Interest and Costs on Taxes and Assessments:
Taxes of 1949
$ 124.60
Costs of sale
10.95
Taxes of 1950
730.26
Costs of sale
23.78
Demands
1.05
Excise Tax Interest
7.45
Taxes of 1951
Personal Interest
1.89
Real Estate
79.14
Costs of sale
20.60
Added Sewer Interest
55.47
$ 1,055.19
Grand Total Collected in 1951
$1,043,085.72
I wish to thank the townspeople and various town officials for their co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
MEDERIC DUHAMEL, Tax Collector.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Board of Public Welfare met weekly on Monday eve- nings at 7:30 P. M. throughout the year.
The relief programs under the direction of the Board of Public Welfare are: General Relief, Aid to Dependent Children, Old Age Assistance, and Disability Assistance, another category of assistance was added on November 1, 1951.
GENERAL RELIEF
Assistance given to needy persons by local Boards of Pub- lic Welfare, under Chapter 117 of the General Laws. Aid may be in cash or by actual provision of the item or service.
CASELOAD
Cases Persons
Cases Persons
January
54
141
July
60
172
February
55
140
August
59
164
March
56
171
September
58
150
April
50
165
October
58
165
May
46
136
November
65
164
June
49
132
December
60
156
EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENTS
General Relief Cost
$40,714.14
State Reimbursement
$5,750.10
Cities and Towns
1,622.81
Total Reimbursements
$7,373.91
7,373.91
Net Cost to Town
33,341.23
Net Cost to Town Monthly
2,778.48
Net Cost to Town Monthly per Person
17.92
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
A public assistance program established under Chapter 118 of the General Laws, under which cash allowances are provid- ed for children who are living in a home maintained by their father, mother or other relative when death, long term illness or some other factor has deprived the child of the normal sup- port or care of either his father or mother. Cash allowances are based upon a mandatory State Standard Budget. Under this program cities and towns receive State and Federal Reim- bursements.
CASELOAD
Cases Mothers & Child.
Cases Mothers & Child.
January
26
80 July
23
69
February
24
76 August 26
84
64
March 25
76
September
28
87
April
24
76 October
28
89
May
22
68
November
29 85
June
23
70
December
27
86
EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Total Cost
$34,652.32
State Reimbursements
$11,407.53
Federal Reimbursements
13,129.85
Total Reimbursements
$24,537.38
24,537.38
Net Cost to Town
10,114.94
Net Cost to Town Monthly
842.91
Net Cost to Town Monthly per Person
10.66
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
A program of Public Assistance, established by Chapter 118A of the General Laws, under which cash allowances are provided for elderly persons (65 years of age or over and a citi- zen of the United States) who are in need. Cash allowances are based upon a mandatory State Standard Budget. Under this program cities and towns receive State and Federal Reim- bursements.
CASELOAD
January
319
July 313
February
317
August
311
March
310
September
312
April
314
October
313
May
315
November
314
June
316
December
313
EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Total Cost
$210,862.46
Federal Reimbursements
$106,367.42
State Reimbursements
72,970.32
Cities & Towns Reimbursements
1,753.48
Meal Tax
3,771.62
Total Reimbursements
$194,862.84
194,862.84
Net Cost to Town per Year
15,999.62
Net Cost to Town Monthly
1,333.30
Net Cost to Town Monthly per Case
4.20
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
A program of public assistance established by Chapter 118D of the General Laws, under which cash allowances are provided for needy persons found to be permanently disabled and medically unemployable. In order to be eligible for assist- ance under this program, a person must be 18 years of age or
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over. Cash allowances are based upon a mandatory State Standard Budget. Under this program cities and towns receive State and Federal reimbursements. This program became ef- fective November 1, 1951.
Cost (November and December, 1951) $989.70
Number of cases December 31, 1951 13
Number of cases pending December 31, 1951 3
INFIRMARY
We have averaged 17 inmates a month, through the year, at a cost of $9.70 a week per inmate.
Ten transients have been sent to the Infirmary, for periods of four days to two weeks, by the court and the clergy.
This year, most of the roofs, eaves and gutters were checked and repaired, the balance has to be done during the year 1952. Three ceilings were re-plastered. New flooring was purchased for the kitchen and pantry.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, all organizations and interested citizens, for Christ- mas stockings, wreaths, candies, fruit, favors, moving pictures, carol singing, or those who in any way helped to bring happi- ness to the men and women at the Infirmary.
The Infirmary is under the capable direction of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dowling.
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to express their sin- cerest thanks to the Cub Pack 135, the Y Auxiliary, the Moth- ers' Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Leonide Lemire Post, the Southbridge Women's Democratic Club, and the va- rious persons who wish to remain anonymous, for their gen- erous donations at Christmas. These donations brought happi- ness to one hundred and twenty-five needy children.
We also wish to express our thanks to the various other or- ganizations, who helped throughout the year to provide extras to the needy children of the community.
Respectfully submitted, MARIE E. LARIVIERE, Chairman OVIDE DESROSIERS, Clerk HERMAS LIPPE, Third Member HERBERT H. MICHON, Agent Board of Public Welfare.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
TRUSTEES
For the Edwards Bequest
W. Wesley Crawford
Ellsworth D. Mitchell
Jacob K. Edwards John O. Martin
For the Town
Oswald J. Laliberte Edward P. Sheehan
Dr. Nerio W. Pioppi, Chairman
LIBRARY HOURS
Open 1952:
Monday to Friday-10:00 a. m. to 9:00 p. m. Saturday -10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p. m.
Closed 1952:
January 1 New Year's Day
February 22
Washington's Birthday
May 30 Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
September 1
Labor Day
October 13
Columbus Day
November 11 Armistice Day
November 20
Thanksgiving Day
December 25
Christmas Day
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Memorial Library:
The year has noted a decline in circulation, particularly in adult fiction, partly attributable to the novelty of television sets, and partly to the increased tempo of war work with many fac- tories returning to the swing shift system. These two factors have affected the circulation of books in most of the libraries of the country, not alone in Southbridge.
The resignation of the head librarian in December, 1950, left the library with this position unfilled for eight months. During the interval the reference librarian, Mrs. Hilda Heather, directed the affairs of the library. With the excellent coopera- tion of the remaining staff, she was able to carry on the policies of the library in a most commendable manner.
On September 10, 1951, Miss Marguerite Barrett, a gradu- ate of the School of Library Science of the University of Den- ver, assumed the duties of head librarian. Miss Claire LaForce, children's librarian for the past two years, resigned on October 1, 1951, to accept employment at the Springfield Public Library. Mrs. Mary Hazelton of Southbridge is now the children's librarian.
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The Library Club was a very popular summer activity for the children of Southbridge. Weekly meetings were held with the children's librarian to discuss new books and hear the story-hour program.
During Book Week, November 11th to 17th, all elementary schools were visited by the head librarian and the children's librarian. Book Week posters were distributed for display in the schools and also to some of the Main Street stores. Read- ing certificates were given to all children who were members of the summer library club.
Book Week activities brought to the library an increased number of applications and a renewed interest in good reading. At the library itself about a hundred new children's books were arranged in an attractive display so that the teachers and par- ents as well as the children might have an opportunity to see the fall and winter books before they went into active circula- tion. A doll collection of quaint little figures dressed in for- eign costumes by Mrs. Olivette Proulx was a center of interest.
In 1951, the library borrowed ninety-three volumes for its patrons from other libraries in Massachusetts. The majority of books asked for on Inter-Library loan are needed for education- al or vocational purposes. Usually these requests are for books on a highly specialized subject, or books that the library does not feel justified in purchasing because of the probable slight demand. The patrons requesting such material assume the re- sponsibility of carriage charges. The lack of a union catalog in New England shows this service very considerably.
An inventory of the children's book collection made during the summer revealed few book losses. A partial survey of the book stock was made during the fall with a view to discarding out-of-date books that no longer circulate. The shabbiest books were removed to be mended or rebound and the books that could have no further usefulness were discarded.
Often the public does not stop to realize the service which is required before books are ready for use. A great deal of time must be spent in selecting the books most useful to the community from the mass of new publications. These books must be ordered from publishers or jobbers, checked with the invoices, classified and cataloged. Complete records must be made so that the location of each book purchased for the library may be ascertained immediately. And much of the same proc- ess must be gone through in reverse when a book is discarded.
A small portable phonograph with a collection of children's records proved a popular innovation. At present these records are available for lending to teachers and parents, and it is hoped to acquire through the coming year a sufficient number of records that a record-lending library for general use may be built up.
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The eighty-two periodicals and eight daily newspapers for which the library subscribes are in much use. Even our un- bound collection of magazines has been very useful, as many current questions can be answered satisfactorily with magazine articles. Our vertical file continues to expand. Some govern- ment documents are purchased for this pamphlet collection, but much of it consists of free and unsolicited material of ephemeral value.
The children's department has a collection of about four- teen hundred mounted pictures illustrative of travel, customs, industries, and other subjects that correlate with the school curriculum. Many adults, too, find these pictures helpful in art and advertising work.
From time to time the library receives gifts of books, rang- ing from single volumes to collections of twenty or more, some- times in unbroken sets. Such gifts vary in usefulness to the li- brary, and we must maintain our policy of keeping or disposing of them in accordance with the best interests of the library. However, we appreciate at all times the good-will and gen- erosity of the citizens, which prompts such gifts.
The Rental collection is maintained in order to accommo- date our patrons who want a good collection of new books of the "light" or popular type. As soon as the book has paid for itself or has remained in the rental collection for six months, it is transferred to the regular collection. Fees taken in from rental books in 1951 amounted to about twenty dollars a month.
Four hundred and seventy-two persons were registered as new borrowers during 1951, sixty-nine of whom lived outside of the town limits and are classed as non-resident borrowers. For a fee of one dollar a year, these non-resident patrons share the same library privileges as the residents of Southbridge.
It is interesting to note an increase in the number of science books circulated during the year. Perhaps this, as well as the increased circulation of current magazines, is a reflection of the war-time tempo of production. The following chart shows com- parative circulation figures for 1950 and 1951:
1950
1951
General Works
177
205
Philosophy
570
496
Religion
609
425
Sociology
1,207
1,010
Language
225
184
Science
569
590
Useful Arts
2,257
2,068
Fine Arts
2,229
2,013
Literature
1,800
1,716
History
1,147
1,107
Travel
1,524
1,480
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Biography Total Adult Nonfiction Adult Fiction
2,804
2,339
18,323
17,057
39,948
34,725
Current Periodicals
3,127
3,225
Pamphlets
141
136
Foreign Books
499
393
Total Adult Circulation
58,770
52,175
Children's Books and Magazines
31,030
29,396
Pictures
41
101
GRAND TOTAL
89,846
81,672
These circulation figures show a yearly circulation of about five books per capita, a figure that approximates the national average. About twice as much fiction circulates as nonfiction, but the nonfiction books have a much heavier reading use with- in the walls. Biography continues to be a favorite form of nonfiction reading. Draft age youths are taking increasing in- terest in books about the last war, and possible causes and re- sults of a future major conflict.
These figures indicate the variety of reading and informa- tion needs met by your library. But borrowers alone do not measure the library's usefulness. Registered and nonregistered inquirers stream daily to the library, or telephone for informa- tion, asking for help in innumerable ways. The Reference De- partment supplies information on every conceivable subject through the use of books, magazines, and pamphlets, usually from our own collection, but occasionally borrowing from the resources of the State Library or neighboring libraries.
It was most gratifying to note during school visitations that some of our elementary schools report almost one hundred per cent of their children are library-card holders and library users. It is hoped that during the coming year all our school children in all schools will become as enthusiastic library users. The li- brary is grateful for the cooperation we have received from principals and teachers. Teachers are encouraged to take twenty books at a time for a six-week period to use as a class- room collection, especially in those schools that are not within : convenient walking distance to the library.
Everywhere libraries are endeavoring to increase their share of participation in the widespread movement which has come to be called "adult education." The Great Books discus- sion groups have had a prominent role in this movement, and the Southbridge library is planning to begin its first group early in 1952.
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