USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1952-1956 > Part 37
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A new 60-foot cement shuffle board was put in operation in the Spring and the demand for the use of it was instantane- ous. It was in use from morning to night. We installed flood lights so that this game could be played at night. We anticipate building another court this year to allow more children to par- ticipate in this entertaining sport.
Another activity that was well attended were movies for the children. They were run one night each week for eight weeks during the Summer months. Each evening between 100 to 150 children attended the showing of educational, sports and comedy films.
On Wednesdays under the lights on the basketball court, we sponsored Rock and Roll dances for teen-agers under strict supervision of members of the Dresser Field Committee and Police Department. 300 to 400 attended these dances each week.
Two Zell-Ball games were installed on our playground area and this game was accepted so favorably that we intend to set up two more this year.
In the Fall, football took over with the Mary E. Wells team playing 5 games on the gridiron.
The Boy Scouts of this area made use of Dresser Field for a cook-out in September.
The Aero Prop Spinners Association, consisting of boys interested in model planes, was granted the use of the field during the Summer.
Other activities during the year were: Band Concerts, Ping Pong, Volley Ball and Horseshoes.
New construction at the field during the year was as follows: Protective metal screens around all windows in the Club Houses, eavestroughs and underground pipes installed for drainage in the big grandstand with Type I floor being installed in anticipation of enclosing under the grandstand area this year. New flood lights installed over the Shuffle Board.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS VanDERNOOT, Chairman Dresser Street Field.
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SWIMMING POOL REPORT
Attendance:
From June 29 to September 1, a total of 16,000 persons used the pool's facilities; 100, June; 10,000, July; 5,800, August; 200, September. Average daily attendance-246.
Rescues:
Fourteen children, suffering in varying degrees from cramps, exhaustion and panic were helped to shore by the life- guards during the swimming season. Many of these cases could have been much more serious had it not been for the efficient supervision of the lifeguard staff.
Instruction:
The Red Cross Swimming Program, under the direction of Mr. Louis Salce, continued its fine work started a few years ago. Over 150 children were given instructions in swimming and lifesaving during the regular morning classes. As remarked in last year's report, such formal programs, together with the daily informal instruction given by members of the staff, will do much to develop stronger and more skillful swimmers in Southbridge.
Health & Safety:
A continuous flow of city water and chlorination provided the chief safeguards against bacterial growth during the swim- ming season. These are perhaps the most efficient means of control we have under present conditions.
The purchase of a new portable resuscitator in 1956 is an- other means of safety added to the swimming pool.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you and your committee for the splendid cooperation we received from you during the swimming season. It is a pleasure to work with men who show unselfish devotion to the cause of recreation in our town.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD DESROCHES, Swimming Pool Supervisor.
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REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report of the expenditures of the High- way Department for the year ended December 31, 1956.
ADMINISTRATION
Salary of Street Superintendent
$ 4,500.00
$ 4,500.00
LABOR
Payroll
$41,413.02
OTHER EXPENSES
Telephone
$ 292.95
Mobile Radio
180.00
Lights and Power
205.72
Water
104.47
Office Supplies
145.38
Bituminous Patch
3,466.52
New Tools
685.65
Tools Sharpened and Repaired
31.58
Fuel and Range Oil
535.58
Sweeper Brooms
606.86
Miscellaneous Supplies
1,252.17
Concrete
168.08
Repairs to Sand Storage Unit
514.68
Crushed Stone
17.88
Repairs to Buildings
115.87
Masons
98.80
Rental of Front End Loader
364.50
Truck Hire
318.00
12" Metal Culvert
93.84
Lawn Mower Repairs
18.45
Tile Pipe
4.33
Rental of Power Shovel
225.73
18" R. C. Pipe
55.15
Lumber
148.02
Sand and Gravel
349.25
9,999.46
OIL AND SAND FOR ROADS
MC-2 Asphalt
$ 5,882.60
MC-3 Asphalt
456.58
41,413.02
56
Sand Truck Hire Rental of Power Shovel
1,668.00
128.25
768.00
Transferred to Gravel Bank Account
1,000.00
9,903.43
ROAD MACHINERY MAINTENANCE
1955 Chevrolet Suburban
$ 122.61
1953 Dodge Dump Truck
23.18
1949 International Dump Truck
390.03
1954 Dodge Chassis
30.52
Elgin Educator mounted on 1954 Dodge
27.99
1950 Ford Dump Truck
221.19
1955 International Chassis
174.84
Refuse Body mounted on 1955 International
2.10
1951 Dodge Dump Truck
471 90
1952 Ford Chassis
268.26
Model "E" Box Sander mounted on 1952 Ford
296.07
1946 Chevrolet Chassis
6.88
Schramm 105' Compressor mounted on 1946 Chevrolet
37.93
1946 International Dump Truck
268.76
1940 Austin-Western Grader
115.44
1949 Austin-Western Grader (Diesel)
771.32
1951 Elgin Model 81 Sweeper
787.10
1942 Nelson Snow Loader Model KR-5 ..
100.47
1947 Nelson Snow Loader Model R-10
91.20
1937 Buffalo-Springfield 12-Ton Roller
5.60
1947 C. H. & E. Tandem Roller
16.84
1954 Oliver Tractor with Front End Loader 408.08
Homemade Trailer 6000 lbs. Capacity
Model "DD" Sanders
74.30
Gasoline
5,581.46
Motor Oil and Grease
194.92
1957 Registration Plates
54.00
Tires and Tubes
2,414.69
Diesel Fuel
201.03
Tools
122.41
Booster Battery
14.80
Brake Fluid
10.80
Hydraulic Oil
48.46
Oxygen and Acetylene
133.62
Miscellaneous Parts
40.82
Rex Mixer Parts
30.61
1956 GMC Truck
54.90
57
Jet Queen Sander Lombard Chain Saw Lawn Mower
13.68
3.00
7.06
13,637.94
ROAD MACHINERY NEW EQUIPMENT
1956 GMC Truck Chassis
$ 3,870.00
Jet Queen Box Sander
2,256.86
6,126.86
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Eastford Road
$ 1,406.69
Worcester Street
150.00
Dresser Hill Road
567.07
Dudley Road
75.00
East Main Street
100.00
Hamilton Street
125.00
North Woodstock Road
576.24
Old North Woodstock Road
200.00
River Road
200.00
Brickyard Road
50.00
Mechanic Street
150.00
3,600.00
SIDEWALK REPAIRS
Concrete 1-2-3 Mix
$ 1,139.75
Cement
168.00
Lumber
1.71
Gravel
61.07
Masons
628.50
1,999.03
TOWN DUMP
Salary of Caretaker
$ 2,700.00
2,700.00
RODENT CONTROL
American Exterminating Company
$
900.00
900.00
58
RUBBISH COLLECTION
Labor - 8 Monthly Collections $ 5,254.15
5,254.15
SNOW AND ICE
Labor
$11,496.11
Truck Hire
9,403.50
Sand
1,874.40
Rock Salt
3,060.41
Fuel
208.00
Plow Parts
225.82
Meals
251.02
Plow and Sand Crops Road
130.00
Gasoline
992.74
Dynamite and Blasting Caps
34.00
Loader Rental
2,934.50
Chains
203.10
Anti Freeze
66.48
Plow Cutting Edges
843.86
Shovel Rental
192.00
31,915.94
PLEASANT STREET DRAIN
Rental of Crane
$ 28.00
72" R. C. Pipe
1,113.92
Rental of Shovel
400.00
Hough Loader Rental
261.00
Mason Building Retaining Walls
113.00
Bituminous Patch
79.50
1,995.42
CHESTNUT STREET RECONSTRUCTION
Labor
$ 107.36
Mason
84.00
Cement
9.60
Lead
6.40
207.36
RECONSTRUCTION OF VIOLET AVENUE
Labor
$ 352.35
Rental of Shovel Dozer
605.00
Truck Hire
466.50
MC-2 Asphalt
245.73
MC-3 Asphalt
343.24
59
Lumber Bituminous Patch
7.00 86.03
2,105.85
STORM DRAIN OFF HARTWELL STREET
Labor
$ 390.00
18" R. C. Pipe
592.70
"D" Frames and Grates
130.50
Rental of Power Shovel
335.00
Mason Building Catch Basin and Manholes
82.75
Bituminous Patch
26.00
1,556.95
FOREST AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION
Labor
$ 37.12
37.12
FOSTER STREET PARKING LOT REPAIRS
Labor
$ 226.80
Material and Supplies
18.45
245.25
BROOK ROAD RECONSTRUCTION
Labor
$ 1,088.06
Truck Hire
204.75
Rental of Shovel Dozer
474.00
Type I
121.83
Lumber
2.35
Masons Building Stone Wall
60.00
Masons Building Curbing
36.00
Sand and Gravel
12.54
1,999.53
WILLIAM E. EARLS PROPERTY ON CHAPIN STREET Labor $ 79.97
79.97
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH E. BENOIT, Street Superintendent.
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with the law and custom, I submit the fol- lowing report of the year ending December 31, 1956, giving names of members of the Fire Department, values of properties under my supervision, number of fires we responded to, values of properties where loss occurred, dates and locations of fires.
We responded to 20 Bell Alarms. 272 Still Alarms. Total Alarms for the year
292
333 Hydrants at $65.00 each per year $ 22,100.00
Value of Buildings
1,216,500.00
Loss on Buildings
21,000.27
Insurance on Buildings
997,766.00
Insurance paid on buildings
20,750.27
Value of Contents
625,900.00
Loss on Contents
11,849.38
Insurance on Contents
462,500.00
Insurance paid on Contents
10,479.38
Inventory of the Fire Department
Fire Station
$ 75,000.00
Fire Apparatus
60,000.00
Fire Department Supplies
8,000.00
Gamewell Fire Alarm System
60,000.00
ROSTER OF THE SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief Oswald Meunier
Deputy Chief Daniel Daniels
Permanent Firemen
Captain Emile Caouette Captain Ovila Donais Harry Gendron
Adrien Pouliot
Edward McNally
Rodolphe Arpin
Ernest Collette
Romeo Mathieu
Napoleon White
Alva Gregoire Arthur Marand
Roland LaRochelle
Edward Boucher
Alfred Langevin
Victor Caouette
William Berry
Biagio Puccilli
Armand Dumas
Jean St. Amant
Lionel Bachand
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Call Men Hose Co. No. 1
Captain Hermas Lippe Lieut. Leopold Langlois Edgar Tremblay Henry Santelli Walter Earnest
Paul LaRochelle
Lennie Rutanen
Clarence Blais
Thomas Mannis
Wilfred Forcier
Call Men Hose Co. No. 2
Captain Eugene Gaumond
Armand Gibeault
Lieut. Alexander Daigle Ferdinand Szczypien Roy Proulx Aime Ravenelle
George Plouffe
Archie Matte
Roger Favreau
Melvin Williams
Call Men Aerial No. 1
Captain Arthur Caplette
Louis Ciprari
Lieut. Armand Durocher
Francis Healy
Raoul Plouffe
Anthony DePietro
Angelo Monaco
Clifford Shaw
Raymond Dartt
Donald Salisbury
Laurent McDonald
Supt. of Fire Alarm Normand LaRochelle
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Permits
Transporting Gasoline
4
High Explosives
89
Range Oil Burners
21
Power Burners
121
Open Air Permits
370
Removal of Gasoline Tanks
2
Decorations
23
Bottled Gas Permits
5
Burning Paint Off Buildings
5
Inspections
Stores
397
Hotels and Boarding Houses
79
Tenement Houses
2100
Range Oil Burners
21
Power Oil Burners
121
Clubs and Cafes
146
Locked Out
6
Complaints
230
62
-.
In closing my report for last year, I wish to thank the Citi- zens for their co-operation, and members of the Department for their loyalty to their work.
In conclusion, the Chief, Oswald Meunier, on behalf of the members of the Fire Department wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and other Town Officials for their courtesy and con- sideration of the Department.
OSWALD MEUNIER, Chief of the Fire Department
For the Fire Department, EDWARD BOUCHER (Clerk) *
Jan. 1-Still alarm at 3:58 P. M. Tool and Die Shop at 14 Cur- tis St., owned by Southbridge Tool and Die Co. Caused by overheated furnace and chimney and defective cut-off. Insured.
Feb. 21-Still alarm at 8:30 P. M. Dwelling at 480 Hamilton St. owned by Zenon LaLiberte. Caused by defective stove pipe. Insured.
March 25-Box 49 at 9:30 A. M. Log Cabin on Worcester St., owned by Henry Dupaul. Caused by overheated fire place. Insured.
March 28-Still alarm at 2:50 P. M. Dwelling at 294 Lebanon Hill, owned by Joseph Plante. Caused by careless smoking. Insured.
April 16-Box 35 at 12:49 A. M. Paint Store at 44 Hamilton St., owned by W. H. Legate. Caused by retarded ignition on power oil burner. Insured.
May 9-Box 54 at 11:18 A. M. Dwelling at 230 Eastford Rd., owned by Patsy Buccilli. Caused by defective wiring. In- sured.
May 15-Still alarm at 12:25 P. M. Dwelling at 767 Lebanon Hill Rd., owned by George Anderson. Caused by empty can of insect spray thrown in fireplace. Insured.
May 25-Still alarm at 5:20 P. M. Storage shed on River St., owned by Russell-Harrington Cutlery Co. Caused by sparks from dump. Insured.
June 1-Box 424 at 9:02 P. M. Barn on Blackmoore Rd., owned by Arthur Beaumier. Caused by bolt of lightning. Insured.
June 2-Still alarm at 3:23 P. M. Dwelling on Blackmoore Rd., owned by Mrs. Theresa Walek. Caused by defective wir- ing. Not insured.
63
June 24-Box 34 at 11:32 A. M. Store at 291 Main St., owned by Martin Krakowski. Caused by carelessly discarded cigar- ette. Insured.
June 28-Still alarm at 12:55 P. M. Dwelling at 123 Central St., owned by Claire Senecal. Caused by sparks from incinera- tor. Insured.
July 6-Still alarm at 8:25 P. M. Dwelling at 60 Union St., owned by Mrs. Alice Berthiaume. Caused by overheated electric plate. Insured.
Aug. 23-Box 26 at 3:58 P. M. Dwelling at 6791/2 Main St., owned by Alex. Langevin. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
Sept. 19-Box 35 at 7:59 P. M. Store at 33 Hamilton St., owned by Ralph Robbins. Caused by carelessly discarded cigar- ette. Insured.
Oct. 1-Box 23 at 5:15 P. M. Barn on Litchfield Ave., owned by Mrs. Stephanie Rossman. Caused by spontaneous combus- tion. Insured.
Oct. 9-Still alarm at 6:25 P. M. Storage shed on Fiske St., owned by Weld and Beck Grain Co. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
Oct. 15-Still alarm at 2:15 A. M. Rooming House at 286 Main St., owned by Masonic Building Ass'n, Southbridge. Caused by smoking in bed. Insured.
Oct. 15-Still alarm at 4:30 P. M. Dwelling at 74 Paige Hill, owned by Donald Clapperton. Caused by short circuit in Television set. Insured.
Oct. 16-Still alarm at 7:10 P. M. Foundry at 270 Worcester St., owned by Southbridge Foundry Co. Caused by sparks from chimney stack. Insured.
Oct. 29-Box 432 at 4:20 P. M. Barn on Torrey Rd., owned by Rosario Bellerose. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
Nov. 18-Box 26 at 1:23 A. M. Shed and Garage at rear 94 Cross St., owned by O'Neil Asselin. Cause unknown. Insured.
Nov. 18-Box 26 at 1:23 A. M. Dwelling at 102 Cross St., owned by Osa Hetu. Caused by fire in Asselin's Garage. Insured.
Nov. 21-Still alarm at 10:30 P.M. Dwelling at 43 Goddard St., owned by Alphonse Allard. Caused by defective oil burner. Insured.
Nov. 22-Box 129 at 3:15 P. M. Garage at 609 Main St., owned by Joseph Giguerre. Caused by children playing with matches. Insured.
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Dec. 6-Still alarm at 6:55 P. M. Dwelling at 27 Maple Terrace, owned by Ernest Brodeur. Caused by overheated chimney. Insured.
Dec. 15-Still alarm at 2:00 P. M. Dwelling at 15 Warren St., owned by Steve Karcasinas. Caused by defective wiring. Insured.
Dec. 15-Box 21 at 3:08 P. M. Dwelling at 39 Hudson Ave., owned by Elzear Langevin. Cause unknown. Insured.
FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Forest Fire Department answered 45 alarms for forest fires in 1956.
Forest Fire Warden's Salary $200.00
There were 370 permits for fires in the open.
I wish at this time to thank the people for their good will and again ask their co-operation with this Department to pre- vent fires in this vicinity.
Inventory of the Forest Fire Department
3 Forest Fire Pumps
$1,500.00
5100 Feet of 11/8" Hose
2,400.00
4100 Ft. of 11/2" Hose 4,510.00
4 11/2" Shut-Off Nozzles 125.00
6 1" Shut-Off Nozzles
120.00
7 11/8" Shut-Off Nozzles
245.00
8 Open End Nozzles
54.00
1 1/2-Ton Ford Truck
500.00
15 Soda and Acid Fire Extinguishers
150.00
13 Indian Pumps
163.00
4 21/2 Gal. Hand Pumps
60.00
6 Ten-Quart Pails
15.00
16 Brooms
16.00
5 Shovels
5.00
12 Reducers
60.00
OSWALD MEUNIER, Forest Fire Department Warden.
Deputy Forest Fire Wardens
Daniel Daniels
Emile Caouette
Albert Servant
Joseph Mandeville
Romeo Lippe
Ovila Donais
Harry Michaels
Rosario Bellerose
65
REPORT OF THE AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT
In rendering my report for the past year, I wish to state that there was an appropriation of $1,780.55 for this department.
During the past year the Ambulances made the following trips.
Southbridge
327
Charlton
63
Worcester
58
Sturbridge
52
Jamaica Plains
14
Brookfield
10
Boston
9
Fiskdale
8
Grafton
8
Brimfield
6
Holland
5
Holyoke
5
East Brimfield
3
Ware
3 3
Wales
West Roxbury
2
North Woodstock, Conn.
2
Dodge
2 1
Framingham
1
Springfield
1
Dudley
1
Wrentham, Mass.
1
Oxford
1
Dayville, Conn.
1 1
Woodstock, Conn.
1 1
Barre, Mass.
1
Southwick, Mass.
1
Brattleboro, Vt.
1
Quinebaug, Conn.
1
West Boylston
1
Norfolk, Mass.
1
596
Inventory of the Ambulance Department
1 Cadillac Ambulance $1,500.00
1 Packard Ambulance 2,500.00
2 Spare Tires 35.00
66
Webster
Upton, Mass.
Nashua, N. H.
2 Folding Stretchers
60.00
1 Orthopatic Stretcher
60.00
2 First Aid Kits
10.00
2 Flame Proof Blankets
90.00
3 Pillows
7.50
19 Pillow Cases
8.50
15 Sheets
15.00
24 Blankets 96.00
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
TRUSTEES FOR THE EDWARDS BEQUEST
W. Wesley Crawford
Jacob K. Edwards
Ellsworth D. Mitchell
John O. Martin
FOR THE TOWN
Oswald J. Laliberte Edward P. Sheehan
Dr. Nerio W. Pioppi, Chairman
LIBRARY HOURS
Open 1957:
Monday - Friday
10:00 a. m. - 9:00 p. m.
Saturday
10:00 a. m. - 6:00 p. m.
Closed 1957:
January 1
New Year's Day
February 22
Washington's Birthday
May 30 Memorial Day
July 4
Independence Day
September 2
Labor Day
October 12
Columbus Day
November 11
Veterans' Day
November 28
Thanksgiving Day
December 25
Christmas Day
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
1956 is the year of the new Children's Room. A gift of the Trust Fund to the town, work was started August 13 after many months of planning. Two solid brick walls were removed in the basement, making one large room from three gloomy ones. Dark woodwork was bleached, a new floor laid, new ceilings, lights and a separate heating system installed, and
67
the handsome creamy brick walls scrubbed. Plans had been made for a grand opening during Book Week in November, but unfortunately furnishings were delayed which postponed the opening to 1957. The room had been urgently needed for sev- eral years, and the Board of Trustees is to be commended for their foresight in providing it.
Other additions made during the year include an outside book deposit which permits the return of books when the library is closed. Also a twenty-gallon tank stocked with tropi- cal fish was provided by Mrs. Laurent Jarry and Mrs. Robert Clemence. Other patrons have contributed fish to it as well. A large inflatable plastic globe of the world was added to the Children's Side.
We were pleased to be selected as one of the 1600 libraries from 33,000 applications to be awarded a set of THE GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD in January. This 54- volume set, priced at $249.00, was given to us along with the printed catalog cards by the Old Dominion Foundation. The material within these volumes has greatly enriched the re- sources of this library.
The library also became a member of the Massachusetts Film Cooperative which will make even more films available to us. Adult evening movies were discontinued at the end of the year as attendance was not sufficient. In its place after- noon movies will be held for children. The subjects will con- cern folk stories, nature, geography, etc.
The Children's Art Class is a new addition to our activities. Mrs. Edward Quinn, a former elementary teacher, is in charge and contributes her time. Planned for children from four to ten, it is designed to correlate art materials with books and music to achieve a free expression of ideas. This meets weekly on Saturday mornings.
We also had a show of paintings by the Southbridge Com- munity Art Guild. This was arranged in the downstairs cor- ridor along with books on art which circulated freely. We hope this will become an annual affair.
The Summer Reading Club enrolled 135 members of which about 50 were in regular attendance at the weekly meetings. Mrs. Mary Hazelton, Children's Librarian, was in charge, as- sisted by Catherine Beebe and Sylvia Gregoire. Using a west- ern theme, the children heard stories and records, played games in the yard and were encouraged to read and report on at least sixteen books. At the final meeting, seven prize books were supplied by Doubleday Company, publishers, and were se- lected from catalogs by the winners.
Book Week in November was something of an anti-climax as we had expected to open our new Children's Room, but other arrangements were hurriedly substituted. Afternoon movies were shown, story hours were held at elementary schools and
68
.
a special program of stories was given at the library. This was conducted by Mr. Harry Schuman of the Thames Book Com- pany who awarded fifteen prize books during a quiz contest. Posters were distributed to all the schools.
A Fine Free Day was held in April. One-third of the seri- ously delinquent books were returned including ones due since 1948 and 1950.
The Senior Girl Scouts provided a great deal of excellent volunteer help during the year. Several Girl Scout and Brownie Troops visited the library for instruction or to work on badges.
The librarian and members of the staff attended several library meetings within the state. The librarian also gave book talks to The University of Life, Girl Scout Council, West Street PTA, and several church groups. Station WESO invited the Children's Librarian to speak on the summer reading pro- gram and the librarian to talk during United Nations Week on Esther Costa's "Over the Back Fence." Library instruction was given to seven high school English classes followed by assign- ments involving the use of library tools. Each of the high school teachers also received a letter outlining materials in the library relevant to her classes and for personal use.
Plans for 1957 include opening the new Children's Room and expanding the work with both elementary and high school students, creating a special area for art and music materials as interest in this has been decidedly indicated; and contacting the business and professional people in Southbridge to inform them of the variety of sources in the library that would be helpful to them.
Special thanks are offered to those who have aided us in our public relations. The Southbridge Evening News, Station WESO and the Audio Visual Department of the Southbridge Public Schools have been generous to the library.
The wholehearted support of the progressive Board of Trustees and the staff as well as the fine response from the people of Southbridge are deeply appreciated by the librarian.
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF CIRCULATION
1955
1956
Adult
General Works
189
188
Philosophy
609
746
Religion
794
701
Sociology
1,313
1,531
Language
184
211
Science
878
1,015
Useful Arts
2,383
2,616
Fine Arts
1,753
2,274
Literature
1,858
1,792
69
History Travel Biography
1,036
1,287
1,468
1,580
3,003
2,642
Total Adult Non-Fiction
15,473
16,585
Current Periodicals
2,834
2,802
Pamphlets
447
294
Foreign Books
268
182
Records
200
410
Pictures
541
55
Fiction
27,649
27,976
Total Adult Circulation
46,671
48,304
Juvenile
General Works
402
Philosophy
5
Religion
317
Social Sciences
1,131
Language
65
Science
1,265
Useful Arts
1,115
Fine Arts
891
Literature
717
History
772
Travel
784
Biography
2,697
Total Juvenile Non-Fiction
10,161
Current Periodicals
729
Pamphlets Records
59
Pictures
246
Fiction-J
14,065
Fiction-JJ
12,297
Total Juvenile Circulation
37,205
37,685
GRAND TOTAL
84,617
85,989
STATISTICAL RECORD
Date of founding
1871
Population served
18,000
Days open during year
304
Hours open each week
63
Number of volumes January 1, 1956
38,355
- ---- -
70
128
Number of volumes added New-1,693 Replaced-69
1,762
(including books by gift and transfer from rental Number of volumes discarded and lost
1,282
Number of volumes December 31, 1956
4,916
Number of registered borrowers Number of volumes lent for home use Largest circulation for one day
85,989
529
Smallest circulation for one day
115
Average circulation per day
290
LIBRARY STAFF
Librarian
Mary Anna Tien Hilda Heather
Reference Librarian
Children's Librarian
Mary Hazelton
Bookkeeper and General Assistant
Gladys Hobson
Janitor
Joseph Lataille
PART TIME STAFF
Jean Anderson
Joanne Houle
Christina Bent
Viola Michael
Catherine Beebe
Gloria Proulx
Marjorie Bliss
Helen Rowley
Judith Cutler
Loretta Spiro
Sylvia Gregoire
Judith Wood
Respectfully submitted, MARY ANNA TIEN.
1956 RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Cash balance, January 1, 1956 $ 2,102.57
Receipts:
Town Appropriation-Regular
$19,891.00
Town Appropriation-Special
1,000.00
Mynott Fund Interest 30.00
Trustees of Edwards Trust Funds
7,790.00
Rental of Records
28.00
Savings Bank Pass-Book Loan
7,600.00
Sale of Books
16.34
Pilsudski Fund
6.34
36,361.68
$38,464.25
Expenditures:
Payroll
$18,890.71
Building Expenses
2,645.81
Remodeling-Children's Room
9,580.42
48215.
71
41000
38,835
Operating Expenses
704.22
Building Maintenance
679.97
Grounds Maintenance
358.86
Books and Periodicals
3,832.72
Book Repairs
90.43
Films and Records
320.45
Equipment
265.80
$37,369.39
Cash Balance, December 31, 1956
$ 1,094.86
Represented by:
Trustees Cash
$ 1,062.87
Mynott Fund Interest
31.99
$ 1,094.86
RESERVE FOR BUILDING REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Balance-January 1, 1956
$15,807.92
Add:
Interest received 439.72
Balance, December 31, 1956, on deposit at Southbridge Savings Bank $16,247.64*
* On November 14, 1956 $7,600.00 was borrowed on a pass-book loan due January 2, 1957.
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