USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1943 > Part 17
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This is the second year that the Board has not re- ceived any request to hold a "Public Hearing" on matters pertaining to the changing of the Town's Zoning By-Law. This, we believe, is attributable to "war time" conditions.
The Board met several times with Paul H. Mossman, Inspector of Buildings, to discuss Zoning Problems, which was of help in framing the revised Zoning By-Laws.
The Board desires to express its appreciation to the Inspector of Buildings and the Town Engineer for their cooperation and to the Park Commissioners for the use of their office.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD C. KNIGHT, Chairman CHARLES H. BOWKER, Secretary SEROVP P. BASMAJIAN FRANK L. LINCOLN HERBERT M. DUTCHER
345
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
In accordance with Section 3 of Article III of the By-Laws of the Town of Arlington, the Board of Park Commissioners herewith respectfully submits its forty- eighth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
At the annual town election held Monday, March 1, 1943, Mr. Everett J. Henderson was elected a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for a term of two years, and Mr. Edward D. Buckley was elected for a term of three years.
The Board organized on Monday evening, March 8, 1943, with Mr. Nils G. Anderson as Chairman, Mr. George · D. Higgins as Superintendent of Parks and Playgrounds, and Miss Ruth Cannell as Clerk.
The regular meetings of the Board are held on Monday evening of each week at seven-thirty o'clock for the purpose of considering routine matters, consulting the officials of the several branches of the Town Government and special committees thereof, the Chairmen of the Town Meeting Members of the several precincts, and citizens of Arlington.
At the Ethel Wellington Playground it has been pos- sible this past year to complete the driveway and walks; war restrictions on the purchase of materials had delayed this work.
A special appropriation voted at the annual town meeting made possible important work on the Florence Avenue Playground. This area was brought up to sub- grade, loam was spread, and grass seed planted. The Board also arranged for the setting out of trees around this playground and hopes to continue this planting. The Board is also considering the fencing of this property on the Florence Avenue side to prevent automobiles being driven in on the area.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The land known as the Purcell lot has been subgraded, and a drainage problem on the area has been corrected. A temporary backstop has been erected. The Board hopes to complete work on this playground during 1944.
The Board arranged to have the woodwork of the large grandstand at the Warren Peirce Playground repaired and painted. At the Special Town Meeting held in Novem- ber, it was voted to place the temporary grandstand at this field under the jurisdiction of the Park Department, and the Board expects to put this stand in good repair during the coming year.
Alterations have now been made on the fence around the monument located at the corner of Mystic and Chest- nut Streets.
The property at Robbins Farm has been used exten- · sively during the year. Sports activities consisted of shuffleboard, horse shoes, baseball, croquet, etc. Moving pictures have also been shown. There was an average daily attendance of 150 children and adults using this playground area during the year. At a field day celebra- tion, held at the end of the season, there were over 1,000 people in attendance. It is interesting to note that super- vision of Robbins Farm playground has been by civic- minded neighbors, who have been appointed by the Park Board. A drinking fountain has been installed at the Farm.
At Robbins Farm this past year there were 66 Victory Gardens, which produced 1,100 bushels of vegetables, 600 pounds of pumpkin and winter squash, and small quantities of other unusual vegetables; from this production 9,108 pints of food were canned; the cost to the gardeners was $593.75; the value of the crops was estimated at $3,352. There were 234 members of the gardeners' families who worked on this area, all of these persons being neighbors living in the vicinity of Robbins Farm. Plans are now underway to carry this Victory Garden program into effect in 1944.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
A skating area at the Ethel Wellington Playground proved to be satisfactory and safe for the younger children. The Board is also maintaining skating areas at Hills' Pond and Meadowbrook Park. The Board has also exper- imented in flooding other areas.
It is the hope of the Board to improve the various playground areas of the town as promptly as money, materials and labor are available.
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
NILS G. ANDERSON, Chairman
348
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR 1943
Trustees
** EDWARD H. KITTREDGE, Chairman FRANCIS J. KEEFE, Secretary WILSON D. CLARK, JR. FREDERICK W. HILL, Acting Chairman MISS M. HELEN TEELE MRS. SARAH R. VAUGHN
Librarian MRS. LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD
Librarian Emeritus ELIZABETH J. NEWTON
Assistants
RUTH SAMPSON, Senior Assistant and Reference Librarian *MARGARET WEBSTER ERSKINE, Reference Librarian ESTHER GANNETT, Cataloguer THELMA BRICTSON MONTAGUE, Children's Librarian FRANCES MACAULAY SUZANNE MacGILLIVRAY *RACHEL M. SANTOLIQUIDO MILDRED F. SAYWARD MARGARET V. WHITE *MIRIAM WIGHT
* Deceased
* Resigned
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
Branch Librarians RUTH FULLER, Dallin Branch *JEANNETTE FAVREAU, Dallin Branch EVA M. SMITH, East Branch
Part-time Assistant
CORA B. WELLMAN
Part-time Workers
MARILYN ALLEN JEAN BEGLEY JANE BERRY
ROBERT COUGHLIN
BARBARA DOE
ANN FREEMAN CARL FULLER
LOUISE KELLEY FRANCES KORD THELMA SAFGREN VIRGINIA TAFT JEAN N. YOUNG
Janitors
JAMES SULLIVAN, Main Library GEORGE A. CAPES, Main Library and Dallin Branch *PHILIP J. McMAHON, Dallin Branch JOHN SMITH, East Branch
Curator Robbins Print Collection
MRS. KATHRYN M. ACHUFF
*Resigned
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1943
To the Citizens of Arlington :
The report of the Librarian indicates some of the ad- justments that have been made necessary by war conditions.
Conversion from oil to coal was made during the sum- mer months. The cost for the conversion being taken care of by a special appropriation by the town.
The physical condition of the building has been looked out for with care, but only very necessary work has been done.
The Trustees acknowledge the gift of $2,100, a partial payment of the bequest of Francis E. Thompson, of Arling- ton, Mass.
The Trustees have suffered a loss in the death of Mr. Edward H. Kittredge. Although a member of the Board for a short time, he had already identified himself very closely with the interests of the Robbins Library. The following is a tribute written by Miss M. Helen Teele, a member of the Board :
A TRIBUTE
Mr. Edward H. Kittredge was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Robbins Library for nearly three years and held the office of Chairman at the time of his death December 31, 1943. He brought to the duties of that office sound judgment and a full understanding of the aims and needs of the library. A lover of books, he found in a library a constant source of pleasure. His appreciation of art made him realize the worth of our print collection which he ap- praised with the intelligence of an art critic.
The Trustees sincerely mourn the loss of a man whose keen mind, wide interests and capacity for friendship made him an outstanding figure in all his activities. His
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
cordial greeting and kindly smile are among our cherished memories.
May this tribute be spread upon the records and a copy sent to Mrs. Kittredge.
For the Trustees M. HELEN TEELE.
The Trustees express keen appreciation to the Librarian and her staff for their cooperation and service in a trying year.
For the Trustees,
FREDERICK W. HILL,
Acting Chairman.
352
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN For the Year 1943
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
I herewith present the report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1943.
In the spirit of cooperation and in the interest of con- servation a much shortened report is submitted.
Since the establishment of the Library (1835 in what was then known as West Cambridge) 108 years ago, the Library has continued to serve the Town in the spirit of its founders. Meanwhile it has added new activities suited to the times. As the town has grown from a small hamlet to a village and to a large town, the activities have grown. As the annual reports show, through the various wars it has made definite contributions.
In 1943 Arlington people have been most generous in send- ing quantities of books and magazines, also playing cards and picture puzzles to the library for the service men. These in turn have been sorted and sent direct to organizations who have use for them or to the collecting center.
Our Town has changed, one tenth of its population gone to war. Those left in the homes no longer are leading lei- surely lives. Everything connected with their lives has been attuned to war needs. The Library has had to make changes not only in the type of books but also in some forms of service.
Books other than seven-day fiction (Fiction in the library less than six months) are issued for four weeks without renewal privilege. By eliminating the renewal of books in person or by telephone, the telephone has been freed for other uses for at least two hours per day as well as the time of an assistant.
The library has tried to anticipate problems and ahead of the need, have the right book and improved service ready. Giving this service has often meant using the resources of
353
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
other libraries, therefore many books have been borrowed through inter-library loan. While our collection of books is small compared to many libraries in towns of our size, the library has loaned books of plays, biography and travel to nearby libraries.
The year has proven a difficult time to maintain and oper- ate on our pre-war standards. Lack of fuel closed the Main Library one day a week and curtailed the evening library hours by an hour, from middle December until early Spring. The hours at the Dallin Branch were also drastically cut.
With a much reduced staff it has taken self-sacrifice, adaptability and plain hard work on the part of the staff to man the desks and carry on the mission of the Public Library; that of being an integral part of the educational system, a source of helpful recreation and information.
December 8th marked the completion of a full year of service to the Symmes Hospital, a service which has had happy and gratifying results. 1,587 books were distributed to patients and nurses.
The children of all sixth grades were given instruction (from one to four lessons) in the use of the Library. All came to the Main Library or its Branches except the Brackett and Peirce Schools.
64 classroom libraries were sent to school rooms.
10,750 books were circulated for home use. Two classes from the Junior High Center also received instruction. Other classes visited on special occasions.
Story Hours were held at the Main Library, Dallin Branch and in September one was started at the East Branch.
Four Puppet Shows called many children to the Library, as well as a Spring Festival.
Good Book Week; exhibits of the season's outstanding books shown in the Junior Library and at the Dallin Branch.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Open House for parents on one evening at the Main Library and Dallin Branch.
Although the use of the hall was curtailed by the shorter library hours, the hall was used many times by clubs, both civic and literary.
CIRCULATION STATISTICS - 1943
Adult
Juvenile
Main Library
110,470
44,545
Total 155,015
Dallin Branch
15,874
14,033
29,907
East Branch
8,166
11,977
20,143
Schools
10,750
10,750
Hospital
1,587
1,587
Total
136,097
81,305
217,402
Picture Circulation, 382 Vacation Books, 839
Books added :
1943
Adult
2,703
Juvenile
1,709
Total
4,412
Books added by purchase
4286
Books added by gifts and binding
105
Books lost and returned
21
4,412
Books withdrawn :
Adult
1,062
Juvenile
1,079
Total
2,141
1943 - Gain in book stock
2,271
Total Books, December 31, 1943 67,839
Approximate number of pamphlets ... 4,385
355
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
HOW MUCH DID IT COST? Amount spent : 1943
Salaries
$19,236.35
Books
5,794.34
Periodicals
538.89
Bindery
2,008.31
Fuel
1,559.47
Light
768.36
Building and Grounds
476.22
Telephone
221.10
Other Expenses
1,425.05
Total
$32,028.09
1943 - Spent from Town Appropriation $31,954.77
From Fund Income 73.32
$32,028.09
Library turned back to the Town December 31, 1943 $2,149.36 from fines, $145.98 from other sources. Total, $2,295.34.
To those individuals and clubs who have brought happi- ness and pleasure to the Library by gifts of flowers, plants, books and money, there is gratitude.
We express our appreciation to our local papers for con- tinued publicity.
As we look to the future,
What are our plans ?
A room arranged for the display and better use of art books.
Better lighting for the stacks.
A well-equipped Branch Library for East Arlington.
Added to this plenty of books and a staff of adequate size to carry out all future functions of the Library.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The year brought changes in the staff. Long illnesses and the resignations of four experienced librarians pre- sented difficulties in administration.
Miss Rachel Mary Santoliquido had been with the library since June, 1936,
Mrs. Margaret Webster Erskine since July, 1931,
Miss Jeannette Favreau since March 1928, and
Miss Miriam Wight since July 2, 1942.
Mrs. Mildred Fenton Sayward, a Simmons College gradu- ate, joined the Library Staff, August 23, 1943, and Miss Margaret V. White was employed May 3, 1943 and six months later became a member of the staff.
In reviewing the work of the year I am mindful of the cooperation and advice of the Trustees and I wish to ex- press my grateful thanks.
To my assistants I wish to acknowledge their faithful service, their loyalty and endeavor to give the best possible service.
Respectfully submitted, LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Jan. 8, 1943
Librarian.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1943 Name of Library : Robbins Library,
City : Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian: Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding 1835
Population served : Census, 1940 40,013
Assessed Valuation of Town $53,245,250.00
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REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
FREE FOR REFERENCE
Total number of agencies 3
Consisting of Central Library 1
Branches 2
Number of days open during year (Central Li-
brary) 275
Library closed Wednesdays during July and August
Library closed Wednesdays during January through May (fuel shortage)
Hours open each week for lending.
(Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for lending January May 56
Hours open each week for reading.
(Central Library) 66
INCREASE
Number of volumes at beginning of year
65,568
Number of volumes added during year by pur- chase 4,286
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 126
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year 2,141
Total number at end of year 67,839
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use ... 133,766
Number of volumes of non-fiction lent for home
use
83,636
Total number of volumes lent for home use
217,402
Pictures circulated 561
REGISTRATION
Number of registered borrowers December 31 1943 15,910
Number of borrowers registered during 1943 1,535
Registration period, years 3
358
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Number of periodicals and newspapers received :
Titles 220
Copies 276
Number of staff, library service (including part- time) 13
Number of staff, janitor service (including part-
time)
3
Full-time 2
Part-time
1
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation by Town, 1943 ..... $34,880.00
Expenditures :
Salaries - Library and Janitor
Service $19,228.35
Supplies and Expenses :
Books
5,735.65
Periodicals
523.14
Bindery
2,008.31
Fuel
1,559.47
Light
768.36
Building and Grounds
473.59
Telephone
221.10
Other Expenses
1,421.05
Total
$31,954.77
Balance from Town Appropriation :
Salary account
.........
$2,900.00
All others
25.23
Total
$2,925.23
-
359
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Trust Fund Balance :
January 1, 1943
$4,432.39
Income during 1943
1,794.24
Total
$6,226.63
Expended during 1943 :
Salaries
$8.00
Books
58.69
Building and Grounds
2.63
Other expenses
4.00
73.32
Balance, December 31, 1943 ... $6,153.31
360
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE ROBBINS PRINT COLLECTION
For the Year 1943 :
To the Trustees of the Robbins Print Collection :
Other activities being mostly in suspension, the work of card cataloguing goes quietly on. Thousands of portraits have been card-indexed, and those later to be matted are being kept separate from the vast bulk of the collection. Although there is a fairly large supply of mat board on hand, only a few mats have been cut this year; for more storage cases will be needed for an increased number of mounted prints. Research in the field of obscure artists and portrait subjects goes steadily forward, with many hours spent at the art museum in its large collection of catalogues and reference books.
Eighty portraits - etchings, engravings, mezzotints, lithographs and wood engravings - are still on exhibition in the print gallery upstairs, and during the year two small groups of portraits were shown in the Library art gallery.
In July a gift of fourteen wood engravings by William Baxter Closson came to the Robbins collection from the Grace Gallaudet Closson Estate. These are listed among the new accessions given below.
The following portraits have been added to the Robbins Collection in 1943 :
Wood Engravings by William B. Closson :
Alexandra, Queen of Great Britain Ralph Waldo Emerson (Two impressions) George Fuller Oliver Wendell Holmes Jenny Lind (Two portraits) Henry W. Longfellow (Three impressions) Theodore Robinson
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REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Henriette Sontag (Two impressions) Louis Adolphe Thiers
Etchings by Wenzel Hollar:
Bindo Altoviti 1649 Richard Bernard 1641
John Henry van Craenhals 1649 Jacob van Es (Essen) Catherine Howard ( ?) 1648 Nathaniel Nye 1644
Countess of Southampton ( ?) 1642
Countess of Surrey ( ?) Johannina Vesella 1650 Frans van den Wyngaerde 1651
Etching by Carl Larsson:
Anders L. Zorn (Swedish painter and etcher) 1897
Drypoints by Walter Tittle:
Arnold Bennett Bernhard Berenson Duveen, Lord Joseph, 1st baron of Millbank Jacob Epstein Jean Louis Forain 1923
Sir John Lavery Bruce Rogers 1940
It is with genuine regret that the curator records the loss of a friend to the Robbins Collection, in the very recent death of Mr. Kittredge, whose interest in the fine arts was widely known and appreciated.
KATHRYN M. ACHUFF,
Curator.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ROBBINS ART' FUND 1943
Robbins Art Fund
..... $42,974.42
Expenditures :
Salaries
1,000.00
Prints
132.15
All others
19.77
Total
$1,151.92
363
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington :
Your School Committee has the responsibility of main- taining a high grade school system with due consideration for the personnel of the School Department and for the taxpayers who furnish the money which makes the school system possible.
The Committee consists of nine members; three are elected each year for a three-year term. Of the present nine members, all have had service on the Committee vary- ing in length from six to nineteen years. This is advanta- geous, as familiarity with the many problems which come before the Committee is acquired by the contact which comes through long service. The present membership is composed of two housewives, two teachers, a State educa- tional director, a Custom House broker, a utility engineer, a banker, and a lawyer, a representative cross-section of Arlington's citizenry who, as parents and taxpayers, are in a position to consider all phases of the school problem. One of the present members, Mr. John P. Morine, who has been on the Committee six years, is now serving his country as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.
The direct administration of the School Department comes under the Superintendent of Schools who is elected by the School Committee. The past year marks the first full calendar year under the administration of Mr. Clifford R. Hall, who began servce in Arlington in 1942. The man- ner in which Mr. Hall has carried out his responsibility under difficult war time conditions assures the Committee that it made an excellent choice in bringing him to Arling- ton. Furthermore, the new Superintendent has shown an interest in Town affairs outside of the School Depart- ment, thus demonstrating that he will be a valued citizen of our community.
Much information about the operation of the School Department is included in the Report of the Superintendent immediately following this report. It is earnestly re- quested that all interested citizens read this report very
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
carefully to become better acquainted with the details of the school system. Particular note should be taken of certain situations which are the effect of the war upon the schools. These include the teacher situation; changes in curriculum, including vocational training and the physical training program; the work of the Guidance Department, and the comprehensive summer playground program.
As the total average membership of the pupils con- tinued the downward trend of the last five years, present school accommodations have been ample this past year. The request of the School Department for money to purchase a lot in Precinct Seven, upon which to build one of two small schools to eventually replace the Russell School, was not approved at the Town Meeting in March. The second of the two schools is to be located in Precinct Nine, to be more accessible to the pupils of the northern section of that precinct. At last year's Town Meeting, the Committee was not in a position to recommend a definite location; therefore, no appropriation was requested. It is very desirable that this plan for a new school in Precinct Nine be carried out as soon as practicable, with the object of replacing the old Russell School.
At the opening of schools in September, all pupils in the Russell School were accommodated in six rooms, three on the first floor and three on the second, thus leaving the entire third floor vacant. This was accomplished not only on account of the small school enrollment but by the transfer of some pupils (with the consent of the parents) to the Crosby and Parmenter Schools. The closing of half of the rooms in the Russell School, particularly all those on the third floor, will effect a substantial saving in the fuel bill for that school.
With regard to the subject of school sites, it might be well to record existing parcels of land which are now held by the Town and which might be used by the School De- partment. At present, there are but two. The larger is the property on Pheasant Avenue, which consists of about 3.25 acres and was purchased in 1927 upon the recommenda- tion of the "School Survey Committee", about the time a
365
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
rapid development was occurring in the vicinity. This development stopped rather abruptly and, with the relief of the Cutter School by the new Brackett School no further school -building construction was needed. This land in question has value and there is a good chance of its future use by the School Department, although it is not in the right location for a new elementary school for Precinct Nine. The second lot is located at the corner of Forest and Summer Streets. It is not suitable for school pur- poses because of the nature of the land and its proximity to the Peirce School.
Last year's report included a list of twenty-two teachers who were on leave of absence to enter the Country's armed services. To this list should be added the following six names of teachers who left the department in 1943 :- Charles H. Downs, Claire H. Johnston, Helen A. O'Brien, Charles J. Sheehan, James A. Smith, and Arthur L. Tuohy. Other changes in teacher personnel during the year were as follows :
Resignations :
Marjorie Williams-High School
Jennie Lantz-High School
Mary E. Shields-Junior High School East
James P. Sullivan-Junior High School East Dorothy W. Byrne-Junior High School West Eleanor B. Feerick-Junior High School West Rita M. Hildreth-Brackett School Hilda W. Kurvinen-Brackett School
Ruth A. Hickey-Crosby School
Mae R. Youngquist-Hardy School Hazel H. Hey-Hardy School
Virginia H. Broadbent-Parmenter School
Lillian G. Layton-Peirce School
Retirement:
Louise J. Cooper, who began service in Arlington in 1922, and at the time of her retirement was a teacher at the Senior High School.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Leave of Absence :
Gladys M. Patterson-Cutter School.
Appointments :
Rosemary O'Neill-High School
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