USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1959 > Part 23
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Lakeville State Sanatorium 1
Lemuel Shattuck Hospital 1
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Meningitis
265
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Persons residing elsewhere and having a legal settlement in Arlington were hospitalized as follows: Boston City Hospital Middlesex County Sanatorium North Reading State Sanatorium
1
1
1
Persons residing in Arlington without settlement in any Commnity in the Commonwealth, were hospitalized as
follows :
Middlesex County Sanatorium
2
Persons residing in Arlington with settlement elsewhere in the Commonwealth were hospitalized as follows:
Middlesex County Sanatorium
3
Cambridge Sanatorium
2
Boston Sanatorium
1
REPORT ON CLINICS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION BY IMMUNIZATION
(Five Year Comparative Figures)
Year
Number of Children Immunized
Percentage below Age 5 of those Immunized
Percentage between
Immunized Cases
Deaths
1955
20
92
8
0
0
1956
35
63
37
1
0
1957
1
100
0
3
0
1958
14
65
35
0
0
1959
9
66
33
0
0
DENTAL CLINIC
Report on work performed during 1959
Total number of patients
750
Total number of operating hours
561
Total number of sittings
1782
Total number of operations
2992
Extractions
Permanent
0
Deciduous
14
Fillings
Permanent
719
Deciduous
1158
Treatments - Prophylactic
1101
Total number of dismissals
958
CLINICS FOR VACCINATION OF DOGS AGAINST RABIES
Clinics held April 21, 22, 23 and 24, 1959
Total number of dogs vaccinated 1106
Age 5-10
of those Diphtheria
2.66
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF MILK AND SANITATION INSPECTION
Licenses Issued :
For sale of Milk and Cream 135
For sale of Oleomargarine 60
Inspections :
Milk Plants
4
Milk Vehicles
47
Milk Analysis
Samples taken for analysis 118
AVERAGE FAT SOLIDS BACTERIA COLIFORM PHOSPHATASE
Grade A 4.35 13.08
4,625 0
Negative
Homogenize 3.84 12.51
3,958
0
Negative
Regular
3.86 12.57
5,444 0
Negative
Special
3.94 1.2.45
2,916
0
Negative
School
3.70
2,875
0
Negative
Environmental Sanitation
Inspections
Bakeries
111
Catering business
59
Candy stores and manufacturing
59
Independent and Super markets
804
Pharmacies
204
Dairy stores and bars
74
Delicatessens
107
Eating establishments
597
Poultry and egg stores
66
Five and Dime stores
28
Frozen food lockers
14
Fruit and produce stores
87
Public toilet facilities
90
Sea food stores
45
Canteen vehicles
2
Tenement buildings
21
Variety stores
372
Fairs
3
Complaints and recalls on complaints
109
.
Investigations
During the year investigations were made in rodent control; individual sewage disposal systems, and smoke abatements. Comprehensive reports on these investigations were submitted to the Board of Health.
SERVICES RENDERED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Periodic visits were made to the homes of those who were re- ported cases of communicable disease which required routine follow- up. Assisted those concerned to meet the necessary requirements as recommended for their particular case. Under supervision, she admin- istered antibiotics to patients, discharged from the sanatorium, yet requiring medication.
267
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Assisted the physician in the physical examination of Parochial school children. Gave the Massachusetts Vision Test, as required, to the children of those schools, and in addition performed the Pure Tone Hearing Tests on those children who were designated as need- ing the test. Referral recommendations as a result of the tests were sent to the parents of those children who did not pass the tests. Took the measurements and weights of all pupils in the Parochial schools who qualified for those details. Rendered emergency and first- aid treatment on cases requiring attention.
Regular visits were made to the Private and Nursery Schools operated in the Town.
Attended courses in Public Health Administration and Day Center Agencies which were sponsored by the State Department of Public Health.
Detailed and Statistical reports of the activities of the Public Health Nurse are filed as records of the Health Department.
REPORT OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
No inspections were made in the Town of Arlington during the year ending December 31, 1959.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
Licenses and Permits issued without fee charge
Burial permits
379
Licenses to act as Funeral Directors 15
Permits to hold Rummage Sales 26
Permits to keep Poultry 5
BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF ARLINGTON RESIDENTS DURING 1959
Total number of deaths
558
Total number of births 1311
AGE OF OLDEST PERSONS DYING IN ARLINGTON (1959)
94
Male
Female 98
INFANT MORTALITY 19
SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ARLINGTON DURING 1959
Disease Number of Deaths
Number per 1,000 of population
Diseases of the circulatory system 221
4.7
Cancer and other tumors 118
2.5
Diseases of the Respiratory System 97
2.
Diseases of the Nervous System
& Sense Organs 70
1.5
Diseases of the Digestive System 21
.44
268
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Town Counsel
December 31, 1959
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1959 in accordance with Section 3 of Article 3 of the By-Laws of the Town of Arlington.
There have been twenty-eight accident claims against the Town this year. Six have been settled as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen. Eight have brought suit and fourteen are in abeyance. Of the previous year's claims and suits, ten were abandoned without suit, two were abandoned at the time they were reached for trial, five were settled as authorized by the Town Mana- ger and the Board of Selectmen, and there were verdicts for the Town in two cases. There were no verdicts against the Town.
A number of land damage claims arising from street widenings and storm drain installations were compromised also as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen.
Under Article 27 of the Warrant for the 1957 Annual Town Meeting, the Town meeting members voted 106 in the affirmative and 91 in the negative on a motion to amend the Classification Plan - Schedule A and the Pay Plan-Schedule B by increasing the figures contained therein with respect to Grades PF-2 through PF-6 which relate to and include all the ranks of the uniformed personnel of the Police and Fire Departments. The motion was declared lost as lacking a majority of the entire Town Meeting membership ruled necessary to amend a Town By-Law under Robert's Rules of Order.
Nine members of the uniformed personnel of the Police and Fire Departments, acting in their individual capacities, brought a petition for a Declaratory Judgment or Decree in the Middlesex Superior Court as a test case to determine whether the aforesaid vote was legally effective to amend the Classification and Pay Plans and to determine whether they were legally entitled to be compensated at the rates which they contended were increased by the aforesaid vote. A Final Decree in favor of the Town stating that the aforesaid vote was not a valid vote to change the Classification and Pay Plans was handed down by the Justice of the Superior Court.
269
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
The petitioners appealed from this decree and the Supreme Judicial Court has reversed the findings of the Superior Court and held that the vote in question was a valid vote to effectively amend the Classification and Pay Plans with respect to the grades in question.
A petition filed by a property owner in the Superior Court claiming to be aggrieved by a decision of the Board of Selectmen concerning a question of apportionment of betterment assessments relating to land of the petitioner resulted in a verdict in favor of the Town upholding action of the Selectmen.
A Bill in Equity appealing from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals resulted in a Final Decree in the Superior Court in favor of the Town and upholding the decision of the Board of Appeals.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Board of Health and the Symmes Arlington Hospital have been collected and turned over to the Town Collector.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Bureau of Old Age Assistance have been recovered and turned over to the Town Collector also.
The Town Counsel has been available at regular and special meetings of the Board of Selectmen, has worked in close co-operation with the Town Manager, has rendered opinions as requested by the Town Manager, various Boards, Departments, Committees and Officers, has attended meetings at State Boards and Commissions and has been vigilant in all matters affecting the interest of the Town.
For the kind consideration and co-operation extended to me by all the officials of the Town during the past year, and especially to the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager, I desire to record my sincere appreciation.
Very truly yours,
JOSEPH A. PURCELL Town Counsel
270
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Robbins Library for the Year 1959
TRUSTEES Mrs. Molly F. Yood - Chairman Robert J. Brosnan Hugh A. Mallon, Jr. Mrs. Margaret H. Spengler J. Milton Washburn, Jr.
LIBRARIAN Judith E. Stromdahl
PROFESSIONAL STAFF *Lila M. Foss - Assistant Librarian Dorothy L. Hart - Reference Librarian Esther McQuaid - Head, Circulation Department * Mary M. Burgarella - Cataloguer Elizabeth L. Phelan - Supervisor of Children's Library Activities *Penelope Maglaque - Music Librarian *Edith Sanborn - Young People's Librarian Helen W. Thompson - Branch Librarian - Dallin Branch Evelyn Colcord - Branch Librarian - East Branch Rose M. Rothenberg - Senior Assistant Norma Whiting - Junior Assistant Ann Anderson - School Librarian *Emily M. Glover - School Librarian * Betty Wilburn - School Librarian
LIBRARY ASSISTANTS
Adelaide M. Bennett Marilyn E. Kenney Margaret O'Brien
Muriel G. Chandler Elinor S. Leonard Alice D. Peggs
Dolores V. Cleland Margaret Morash *Ruth G. Philpott Madeleine B. Woodbury
Anne I. Enquist
Margaret M. Bowser, Librarian's Secretary PART-TIME ASSISTANTS
Joan P. Caterino * Marlene Gray Audrey Hoeg
* Susan N. Coleman
* Alice Crowley
Virginia Rudd M. Louise Sullivan Celeste Vincent
Northeastern University Cooperative Students:
Hildegarde Langille Jason Sokolov
CUSTODIANS
George A. Capes, Senior Custodian Florey Corelli
Norman J. Paradis ** John Loftus
RESIGNATIONS - 1959 Priscilla Beldock Virginia Beyer Jane Coffin Joan Frankel Carol Peskin Heather A. Phalen Ruth Rusden Louisa I. Tilton Emily Woo
* Appointed in 1959 ** Deceased in 1959
271
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
To: Town Manager Edward C. Monahan
Dear Mr. Monahan:
We submit herewith the report of the Trustees of the Robbins Library for 1959:
1959 was a year of frustrations for the Trustees of the Robbins Library.
At the 1959 town meeting, $10,000. was voted toward the install- ation of an elevator at the Library. An additional $10,000. was made available by the Trustees from the Nathan Pratt Fund for the same purpose. Since this is a highly specialized type of construction it was necessary to hire an architect and Mr. Harry Korslund was contacted. He found that the $20,000. was ample for the elevator but that other work should be done in the gallery before it could be used. To abide by the safety laws a fire escape would need to be erected as well as a glass fire wall at the head of the main staircase. Since there are no windows in the gallery, ventilation plus additional heat would be required. In addition there would be the work immediately con- cerned with the elevator - the hoistway work plus the erection of a new hatchway. In short, an additional $16,000. is needed before the gallery can be made ready for occupancy.
Since $2,300. was available for lighting, the Trustees decided to proceed with the lighting for the gallery. However, when the work went out on bid it was found that an additional $1,200. would be needed for that phase of the construction.
The heating of the main library has always been a problem. Certain areas are too warm and others too cold. No matter what has been tried to remedy the condition, a solution has not been found. Alfred Y. Christie, Consulting Engineer, made a careful study of the situation and his recommendations were costly and could not be considered at this time.
In the fall of the year bids went out for the pointing of the main building. There was such a great discrepancy in the bids that the Trustees were advised to wait until the spring before drawing up new specifications and putting the work out on bid again.
With the recommendations of the survey regarding personnel in mind, the Trustees interviewed all the professional staff and some of the non-professional staff. Following the suggestions of the survey, the Trustees approached the Personnel Board to ascertain if a re- classification of the salary schedule for the professional staff could be instituted. The only accomplishment from the above meeting was a separate listing in the Town Classification and Pay Plan for the library staff. There was no increase in salaries.
The brighter side of the personnel picture reveals that by November 1, 1959, the library had almost a complete staff, following many resignations and replacements during the year. Miss Lila Foss has taken on the duties of Assistant Librarian and Supervisor of Adult Activities. This position has been vacant since Miss Sampson's
272
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
resignation in September 1958. Mrs. Penelope Maglaque is the new Music Librarian -she is the fourth in 1959. Mrs. Woo has been replaced by Miss Mary Burgarella in the Catalogue Department, and Mrs. Edith Sanborn was appointed to the position of Young People's Librarian.
Four new schools with two new librarians have been added to the School Library Program. In addition to the Thompson and Dallin Schools, the Hardy, Crosby, Bishop, and Locke Schools are being serviced. The teachers and principals have been enthusiastic about the program. The children are reading more, are familiar with library techniques, and are beginning to know where to look for information for their school studies as well as for their own interests.
Early in the year, the Boston Public Library entered a bill into the Legislature which would tax all communities in the Metropolitan Transit District Area for the use of the Boston Public Library. The Town Manager, the State Senators and Representatives were alerted and took action. At the hearing Arlington was represented and was among the objecting towns that were instrumental in defeating the bill.
A Nash Rambler for library use has been purchased and is being used constantly for the many travelling duties and activities of the library.
At present more stacks are needed, larger reading area is a necessity and greater work space is essential. It is hoped that greater progress will be made in 1960 toward the realization of part of the survey.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. ALFRED YOOD, Chairman Board of Library Trustees
273
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Report of the Librarian for the Year 1959
In many areas, it is difficult to evaluate satisfactorily the results of a year's work. In the library field it is particularly difficult. Much of the work cannot be measured. Books, for instance, in themselves are important, but most significant is the use made of them in a particular community within a given period. Statistics tell part of the story, but only a part, for no record can be kept of the large number of people who enter the library for one reason or another to read and consult its books independently, asking no help of the staff. Statistics, however, can give a clue to the amount of library service rendered by revealing the number of books borrowed for home read- ing and study within the period of a year.
GROWTH - CIRCULATION
Surveying the circulation figures over the past ten years, one fact becomes clear. The people of Arlington are making increased and better use of their library. In 1950, a total of 262,357 volumes were circulated. During the past year, this figure increased to 412,919. Percentagewise, a gain of almost sixty percent has taken place in this ten year period. Stated a bit more dramatically, using the standard library gauge which averages twenty books to each three foot book shelf, the books, circulated in 1959, standing side by side, would stretch out for a distance of eleven and one half miles.
But the above figures do not reflect the only gains made. There seems to be a very genuine interest in the community in music. The use made of the Music and Art Department bears out this fact and demonstrates the wisdom which prompted its establishment in 1951. During the past twelve months, 16,026 albums were borrowed by the library public, students and adults, for enjoyment and serious study.
In 1955, again in response to popular demand, informational service regarding films was initiated, and by joining the Film Coop- erative of the Audio Visual Division of the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Education and the Canadian Travel Film Library, a limited supply of films have been made available for club and group pro- grams. 294 films were provided during 1959.
More use has also been made of the picture collection during recent years. Business men, teachers, art students, club committees who need some particular illustration or picture not to be found in books are finding this collection a valuable means of supply. 1883 items were borrowed during the past year. This figure is more than double that of ten years ago.
In brief, the circulation of all materials, books, phonorecords, films, and pictures, totaled 431,118 items. This does not include the circulation of the elementary school libraries.
GROWTH - REFERENCE SERVICE
One of the most difficult areas of library work to appraise is that of reference service. An effort is usually made to record the number of questions asked each day of the Reader's Advisers and
274
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Reference Librarians. But mere numbers do not tell the story. One question can be answered in a relatively brief period, another takes long research. For example, a simple request for the name of the Publisher of a now nonexistent magazine which can be answered in a few moments is followed by a request for material on some such subject as one of the following: Definition of an Educated Man - Contributions of the American Negro to the Culture of America - Material on the ten most important men of the twentieth century - Flower symbolism in Catholic Literature - American foreign policy during the past two centuries - Material on the gullibility of the American public.
The Reference Librarian accordingly is the middle man between the reader and the information sought, And it is often difficult to pinpoint the borrowers' needs, for many users neither know exactly what they want nor what to ask for when they enter a library. A request for a world atlas is boiled down to a desire to find the dis- tance between Boston and Worcester, and a request for a book on American literature, a list of the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
In 1959, the Reference and Readers' Advisers answered 18,495 questions. This is in contrast to the figures for 1952, apparently the first year such records were kept. 7889 questions were recorded that year. These figures indicate a percentage increase in reference service of 134 percent. This demand for informational services has been prompted by a number of factors. The steadily rising educational level of the general public leads to new demands for service. An ever increasing interest in scientific and technical subjects is reflected in the request for materials and information along such lines. Growing recognition of the need of cooperation between schools and libraries has stimulated increased demands on public libraries by the schools.
GROWTH - BOOK COLLECTION
A net gain of 5,365 volumes during the year brought the total bookstock to 127,271. To be effective, the library's available book collection must always be good enough to meet the needs of those for whom it is provided. The community is made up of individuals with varying requirements arising from their work, their social and cultural activities and interests and suited to their abilities and experience. In order to supply this variety of demand, the book stock must be kept up to date to take care of the changing needs of the borrowers and to make accessible new information about things new and old. But, libraries should do more than meet existing needs. Within limits, they should emphasize the wealth and variety of the world of books, and should encourage people to use them. This can- not be done if the book stock is either inadequate or limited in scope.
The problem of book selection is a basic one for librarians. Out of the thousands of titles published each year the librarian must select those which seem to be of greatest value, most likely to have greatest demand, and be most useful in the overall picture, always taking into consideration the funds provided by the community for this purpose.
275
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
GROWTH -- SCHOOL LIBRARIES
The school library may be considered a twentieth century devel- opment. During the early part of the century, the school program did not include a wide use of books or a broad reading program. Consequently a library was not considered necessary to the school. Today, however, with improved teaching methods, and accelerated and special programs, it is considered not only desirable, but necessary to have a central library within the school in charge of a trained librarian to serve as a reference center for teachers and students and a source for books for home reading. In 1957, Arlington recognized this need and began a long range program to establish' libraries in all elementary schools. At the present moment six such libraries are functioning with trained personnel. During the year in addition to the use made of these libraries within the school buildings, a total of 32,404 volumes were borrowed for home reading, 7,377 more than were used by the children during the previous year.
One gratifying result of the school library plan in Arlington has been its participation in the Traveling Elementary School Library Science Program for 1959-60. Initiated by the National Science Foundation, an agency of the Executive Branch of the United States Government, it has for its purpose "to stimulate an interest in read- ing science and mathematics books. to broaden the science back- ground of students, and to assist those who develop an aptitude for science and mathematics with their choice of careers". The Traveling Science Library consisting of 160 books, is being loaned to 800 elementary schools which have a central library in the school build- ing in charge of a trained librarian. Arlington was awarded six of the 800 libraries available to the entire country, one for each school library. Needless to say, the books are being put to good use.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEPARTMENT: The Young People's De- partment, with its books, periodicals and pamphlets especially chosen for this age group has had extensive use during the year. Helping high school students select books and find material for school assign- ments, giving instruction in the use of the library and books, guiding. the R-V-T Club (a group of high school students who meet at the library twice a month), working with the schools, preparing bibliog- raphies for the schools upon request - these and other related duties have kept the Young People's Librarian fully occupied.
JUNIOR LIBRARY: According to the Supervisor of Children's Library activities, 1959 was a year filled with many projects and activities planned to interest children in books and reading. Particu- lar mention perhaps should be made of the Essay Contest sponsored during National Library Week in April. Planned for grades four, five, and six of the schools which have libraries, the contest had many participants. The boys and girls who submitted the best papers. were recognized with book awards.
In June, to stimulate summer reading, book lists were prepared for the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children by the Junior Library Staff. These lists were mimeographed by the School Department and distributed to all boys and girls in these three grades before the
276
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
close of school in June. An amazing number of children used these suggestions for their reading guide during the summer months.
Following a custom of many years, a Summer Reading Club was organized and carried on from the close of school in June until Labor Day. 815 children participated, 319 at the Main Library, 268 at Dallin, and 228 at East Branch.
On Saturday morning three types of programs have been provided for the children during the winter months. 90 story hours, film showings and recorded concerts of special programs were presented at the Main Library and the two branches. 3467 boys and girls attended these sessions.
BRANCHES: The upward trend in library activity which took place at the Dallin Branch during the war years has continued through 1959 to make this past year the most outstanding in the history of the Branch. The total circulation of 61,698 volumes represents an 82 percent gain during the past ten years. The East Branch also has had the busiest year on record with a circulation count of 86,107, a gain of more than one-hundred percent over the 1950 figure of 39,755.
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