USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1961 > Part 23
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Work with the children is stimulating and challenging. The JUNIOR LIBRARY report carried the following account of some of the activities carried on during 1961, in addition to helping the boys and girls with their reading and reference.
"The past year was filled with a variety of projects and activities which made an interesting and busy schedule in the Junior Library.
We conducted 11 Story Hours, attended by 285 children; 10 Film Strip programs with 355, and 5 movies with 326 in attendance. Four plays were presented by the Hilltop Players, a group of Arlington children under the direction of two teachers. These plays were enjoyed by 295 children, and were presented at different holidays throughout the year.
38 children came to a poetry program held during the Spring and 55 boys and girls enjoyed puppeteer Mrs. Paul Boylen who presented a puppet show for the Young Librarians during Book Week.
During the school year we issued a total of 975 certificates for book reports; of this number, 34 were honor certificates.
There were 276 members in the Summer Reading Club, a gain of 26 children over the previous year.
241
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The exhibits in the glass case were varied and presented some unusual items including a rock collection, a display of Japanese picture books, post cards, and festival decorations, a fine collection of Philippine shells, an autograph collection and a collection of foreign dolls. These exhibits were furnished by the children themselves as well as by adult friends of the library.
In addition to these glass case exhibits, we had an exhibit in the corri- dor of 14 pastel drawings by the children at the Junior High Industrial Arts.
Booklists for the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades were prepared for sum- mer reading. These were distributed to all the children of the elementary schools.
Classes visited the Junior Library from the Locke and Peirce Schools for book talks during Book Week, as did a class from the Industrial Arts.
Six classes from the Junior High East received library instruction at the Junior Library.
We sent 2,348 books in 54 deposits to schools; this was a decrease over last year. Now that School Libraries have been established in nine schools on a full time basis, we are not sending the number of classroom sets that we did in previous years.
During the summer, as usual, 200 books were sent to Camp Menotomy, and 300 to the Summer Institute Classes at the Crosby School and in Septem- ber, books went to the Junior High Industrial Arts, the Junior High East and the West.
The development of the School Library program has continued through- out the year. Weekly meetings with the School Librarians have resulted in better coordination of the teaching program and work on a course of study was begun, which we hope to have completed by June 1962.
The School Library circulation figures for the year were as follows:
1961
1960
Gain or Loss
BISHOP
6,442
7,278
-
836
BRACKETT
6,820
1,343
5,477
CROSBY
5,812
5,820
8
CUTTER
8,517
1,587
+
6,930
DALLIN
7,031
6,026
+
1,005
HARDY
8,464
8,107
+
357
LOCKE
5,858
5,725
+
133
PARMENTER
5,029
787
+
4,242
THOMPSON
9,363
8,268
+ 1,095
GRAND TOTAL
63,336
44,941
+18,395
+
-
The two BRANCH LIBRARIES have been busy places during the past year. At DALLIN "There was an unusually large circulation increase of 10,651 for the year 1960 and it has been of great interest to follow the developments in 1961. For the first four months of the year there were losses amounting to 1,634, attributable to the severe winter and large amount of snow. There were gains for eight months, six of which were the most active months on record at the Dallin Branch. Thus 1961 becomes the most outstanding in the history of the Dallin Branch. The total circulation was 73,070, more than double that of ten years ago when in 1951 the circulation was 35,641.
242
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
A review of the juvenile statistics shows a great significance for the future. All during the year planned children's activities were popular, 28 programs were attended by 1,410 boys and girls .... Many adults as well as children have continued to be interested in the Hilltop Players who first started presenting plays at the Dallin Branch under the direction of Mrs. Rita Skinner. The vacation "Reading is Fun" club was enjoyed by 264 mem- bers and the summer was the most active on record at Dallin."
The year 1961 at the EAST BRANCH was also a very busy one according to the Branch Librarian who stated, "We are very happy to again have had a substantial increase in circulation with a circulation of 97,240 volumes, a gain of 6,732 over 1960. This is our largest figure on record and more than twice the number of books circulated in 1951.
.Many reference questions were answered. This part of the work is .. always a challenge and is most enjoyable since we have a fine collection of reference books and material for answering questions. We are happy about our McGraw-Hill Science Encyclopedia for making scientific research so much easier and our Great Books set has been in constant use .... We have tried to give extra help in research to young people in writing papers or with periodical references that will assist in school assignments .... Work with the children is always the best part of our work, even though we cannot have Saturday morning programs due to lack of proper meeting room faci- lities. Perhaps work with children is so rewarding because they read well and are open to suggestion, so reading tastes can be guided into good chan- nels .... Areas of particular interest with our children are biography, science, history and poetry. ›
During Spring Book Festival, 18 classes visited the branch for book talks and in Book Week the 33 classes which came were most interested and responsive. Our "Reading is Fun" club did very well during the summer with 290 children participating and a total of 4364 books read for the club program."
No report would be complete without recognition of the part played by the TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT in the operation of the library during the year. As has been stated by the Chairman of the Board in his report, this department was moved to new quarters during the year and the department reorganized for efficient operation. Although somewhat smaller in size, the arrangement of the various processes necessary in preparing books for circulation has made the flow of work more logical and satisfactory. During the year, 8,819 books were processed and 2,710 were withdrawn from the collection, making the total number of volumes in the collection on December 31, 1961, 136,856.
For the first time in several years, there were no staff vacancies on December 31; every position was filled. The appointment in April of an Assistant Librarian who also acts as Supervisor of Adult reading services, filled a position which had been vacant over eleven months. Miss Elizabeth J. Hodges, who fills this position is to be especially commended for the fine work she has done with library publicity. With the excellent coopera- tion of the newspapers, she has kept the public informed on library activi- ties and programs including reports of the visits of the many educators from foreign countries who have visited the library.
The Librarian is aware of the loyal support of all members of the li- brary and custodial staffs. Their help during the past year in making the library both attractive and useful to the community is much appreciated.
The Library has been remembered in many ways during the year. Gifts of books and magazines have been received. Flower arrangements have been placed in the various libraries. Exhibits have been loaned and displays
243
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
arranged. To all who have participated in any way in the library program, thanks are herewith given.
1961 has been the busiest year in the history of the library. But busier ones undoubtedly lie ahead. During the past twenty-five years the growth in the American population has been astounding; this population growth is expected to continue making more potential book readers in every age group than ever before. The educational level of the people is constantly rising. More leisure time is becoming available and the changing educational pat- tern of schools and colleges will have a profound effect on the demand for books. These facts present a challenge to the Town in giving continued support for good library service. They challenge the Trustees and the Staff to recognize changing library needs, to keep abreast of the times and to plan intelligently and wisely for the future.
The members of the Board of Trustees are dedicated to their task. As long as men and women of their calibre are appointed as Library Trustees, the Robbins Library will continue to grow in usefulness. To the members of the Board, the Librarian expresses her most grateful thanks for the year past. Appreciation is due the Town Manager for his help and support, with- out which the Library could not properly function.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith E. Stromdahl Librarian
244
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
STATISTICAL REPORT
Population served. .
49,953
Total Volumes in Book Collection, December 31, 1961
136,856
Total Circulation
454,026
Books & Periodicals.
432,965
Main Library
Adult Dept 141,699
Young People's Dept.
34,770
Junior Library
74,786
Dallin Branch
73,070
East Branch
97,240
School Dept.
8,429
Hospital .
2,169
Special Deposits
802
Phonorecords.
19,200
Pictures
1,568
Films
293
Total Circulation - Elementary School Libraries . (not included in above figures)
63,336
Total Registered Borrowers, December 31, 1961 . 22,706
APPROPRIATION
Personal Services - $180,970.10.
$180,318.90
651.20 Transf. Out
Books, Periodicals and Bindery
36,500.00
Record Albums
1,750.00
All Other
21,745.00
Capital Outlay
3,213.00
Out of State Travel.
250.00
TOTAL
$243,776.90
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services
$175,653.43
Books, Periodicals and Bindery
35,574.21
Record Albums
1,528.47
All Other
22,311.96
*Capital Outlay
10,152.14
Out of State Travel .
243.26
TOTAL $245,463.47
*Balance Capital Outlay carried over from previous year.
245
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Annual Report of the Department of Public Works
January 29, 1962
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Robbins Memorial Town Hall Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Monahan:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Department of Public Works for the year ending December 31, 1961.
In 1961 the Public Works Department constructed Lowell Street Place, Norcross Street, Granton Park and Crosby Street. Old Colony Road, Arrow- head Lane, Old Middlesex Path, Hemlock Street, Windmill Lane and Candia Street were constructed by private contract.
Under Article 54 of the 1961 Warrant certain Ways which had originally been constructed by Developers were completed by the Department. These streets were Windmill Lane, from Morningside Drive to Old Colony Road; Clyde Terrace, from Forest Street to Washington Street; Washington Street, from Gay Street to Clyde Terrace; Oldham Road, from Country Club Drive to Ridge Street; Osceola Path, from Ridge Street to its end; Yerxa Road, from Hemlock Street to Ridge Street; Candia Street, from Washington Street to Charles Street; Mead Road, from Pine Street to Charles Street; Florence Avenue, from #262 to its end, and Hathaway Circle, from Florence Avenue to Florence Avenue.
New concrete and bituminous concrete sidewalks, drives and new curb- stones were installed in various locations throughout the Town. This work was performed under the provisions of Article 25 of the Warrant of 1961. Once again this entire project was completed within the current year.
The program of maintaining permanent public sidewalks was undertaken under the provisions of Article 26. This consists of replacing with concrete or bituminous concrete those areas of public sidewalks which have deteri- orated. Our shade trees eventually cause the upheaval of blocks to a point where whole sections must be replaced. These replacements are most worthwhile projects and should be continued.
During 1961 we completed the new Parking Area and Access Roadway which are in the former location of Mystic Street at Massachusetts Avenue. This completes the entire project which was in conjunction with the newly located Mystic Street.
The widening of Jason Street at the southwesterly corner of Massa- chusetts Avenue under Article 39 was performed entirely by the Department of Public Works. This consisted not only in the widening of the roadway but the complete installation of a new sidewalk and curbstone.
Under Article 38 the northwesterly corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Mill Street was altered by private contract, providing a much desired widening at this intersection.
The entire Public Works Department was moved from its former loca- tion at R1083 Massachusetts Avenue to the newly acquired property at #51 Grove Street. Prior to this moving, extensive renovations and alterations were made on the building and grounds at #51 Grove Street. This property
246
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
was formerly used by the Mystic Valley Gas Company and had to be altered to suit the operation of a Department of Public Works with its many and diversified duties. The entire job of moving was performed by personnel and equipment of the Department. Approximately 90% of the work in renovating was performed by the Department. There is still much work to be done before this new site can be considered completely efficient for our operation but it is felt that the labor for this work can be performed by our own per- sonnel.
Our Storm Drain System was substantially enlarged by installations as follows: North Brook, from Reed Street northeasterly; Pheasant Avenue, northerly through private lands; Mystic Valley Parkway at Kimball Road; College Avenue, installation of four catch basins. In addition to those men- tioned, much drainage was installed by developers, contractors in connection with 1961 Street Construction, and the Department of Public Works in con- junction with 1961 Street Construction. See Table III under item "Storm Drains".
The policy of periodic cleaning of the storm drain mains and catch basins enabled this system to function extremely well during heavy rainfall.
By use of our fleet of power sweepers we are able to sweep our public roadways many times throughout the year. These same sweepers remove the accumulated sand in the Spring and the leaves in the Fall.
Water and Sewer mains were installed in many locations during 1961. In cases where these mains were installed by developers, inspection was provided. This inspection is most necessary inasmuch as the eventual ownership and maintenance of these mains reverts to the Town.
Our entire Sewerage system was maintained and in many sections the mains were flushed and cleaned. This Sewerage main system is now over 110 miles in length and includes 7 electrically operated pump chambers with warning systems. We also serviced those Particular Sewer service con- nections which became clogged. I must reiterate that this is one of the fine services which we provide to those in distress, no matter what time of the day or night. It is obviously appreciated by those who have had to call upon us.
Our Water main system is now over 122 miles long and must of neces- sity be kept operating at full efficiency. I feel that the water main cleaning program which we were able to do under the program of "Volumes and Pressures" has been extremely beneficial. The elimination of dead ends has increased the functioning pressure and aided in providing clearer water to residents in such areas. The Fire Department continues to cooperate in every manner possible and with their periodic hydrant pressure tests we are constantly aware of not only the pressure but the working condition of the hydrants.
During 1961 public roads and sidewalks were maintained and 21,845 linear feet of roadways were sealcoated. This is an economical means of prolonging the roadway surface and certainly worthy of continuance.
Rubbish was collected from all dwellings and 90% of the business establishments in the Town. The rubbish is still being disposed of in the Land Reclamation area on Summer Street just east of Reed Street.
When bids were sought for the continued pick-up and disposal of garbage in late 1961 the only bid received was completely unreasonable. Such being the case, the only alternative was for the Department of Public Works to also pick up and dispose of garbage, effective December 1, 1961. This collection now co-incides with our rubbish collection, and all materials are collected
247
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
at one time. We are extremely careful that all materials are compressed and adequately covered. We are using recommended chemicals to spray the entire area frequently and it is my sincere belief that the area in no way presents a health problem. The addition of garbage, according to ad- vice, will aid in the disintergration of the materials. In connection with this project we sought professional advice in order that every means would be taken to perform in a competent manner.
It was necessary to put an additional two men on each truck in order that the collection would not be slowed down. This system is working out rela- tively well with a minimum of complaints.
We were warned well in advance in September that "Hurricane Esther" could possibly cause heavy damage in our area. We prepared in every manner possible for this potential hurricane, procuring additional supplies such as axes, hand saws, pumps, lights, power saws, and putting on the alert suppliers of outside equipment which we might need. Very luckily on September 20, 1961 this area received only heavy rains for which we were well prepared. All drains were kept open, the Mill Brook patrolled, and all citizens who called upon us were aided in the pumping out of basement areas.
During 1961 we were able to obtainfrom the City of Somerville, through the medium of a sealed bid, three (3) Walters' Snow Fighters; one (1) Elgin Sweeper; one (1) Cletrac sidewalk tractor and two (2) Ford dump trucks. This equipment was all "used" but the purchase has proved to be an excel- lent one. We are presently using this equipment in our operation.
During the Winter season we kept all streets plowed, sanded and salted. We are fully aware that the residents are accustomed to good service and make every effort to provide same.
We co-operate with the Park Department in providing skating areas wherever possible.
Our Department performed services to all other Departments when called upon.
Board of Selectmen -
Delivered, set-up and maintained voting equipment in all Voting Pre- cincts throughout the Town.
Engineering Department -
Installed Town seals on Department equipment and performed repairs on automotive equipment.
Park Department -
Maintained all department vehicles.
Installed eight (8) water connections to areas planted and maintained as follows: Appleton Street at Massachusetts Avenue; Ridge Street at Oak Hill Drive; Appleton Street at Paul Revere Road; Jason Street at Hillsdale Road; Forest Street at Summer Street; Warren Street at Broadway; Park Circle; and Chestnut Street at Medford Street.
Library Department -
Painted Gallery and performed miscellaneous carpentry.
Removed cabinets from Catalog Room and installed new shelves includ- ing painting.
248
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
School Department -
Picked up and delivered certain food supplies to School Cafeterias.
Installed berm in parking area at Senior High School. Installed sidewalk to exit door of auditorium at the High School.
Performed miscellaneous sign work, including "Stop" signs on Safety Patrol Banners.
Reconstructed fieldstone wall on Schouler Court side of Senior High School.
Installed bituminous concrete area around underground fuel tanks at Dallin School.
Tree and Moth Departments -
Performed maintenance and servicing of equipment, trucks, etc.
Pheasant Avenue School Building Committee:
Leveled area between School property and land under jurisdiction of Park Department.
Our automotive division serviced and maintained the equipment and vehicles for all Departments other than Police and Fire. The tendency to- ward almost complete mechanization of Public Works is steadily increasing the number of pieces of equipment to maintain. Presently, with other de- partments, the number is approximately 140. This consists of heavy equip- ment such as power shovels; cranes mounted on rubber; road graders; road rollers up to 15 ton weight; front-end loaders; compressors; diaphragm and centrifugal pumps; Walters' Snow-fighters; large trucks, one low-bed trail- er and small trucks. All other Departments are allowed to draw upon our automotive stock. In this manner substantial savings can be effected.
The following are the net expenditures made by the Department of Public Works:
General Administration .
$ 90,005.84
Highway, Maintenance and General, including Snow and Ice
472,165.15
Capital Outlay . Maintenance of Public Sidewalks 54,833.53 19,263.23
Construction of Ways (1961)
147,557.65
Construction of Ways (1961)
26,964.22
Construction of Ways (1960)
10,542.17
Construction of Ways (1960)
1,574.58
Reconstruction of Certain Streets (1960).
64,019.48
Relocation and Construction of Mystic Street (1959)
21,930.77
Reconstruction of Certain Streets (1958).
7,608.00
Reconstruction of Certain Streets (1957).
817.78
Reconstruction of Streets (1956)
4,101.07
Alteration of Mill Street (1961)
5,400.95
Alteration of Jason Street (1961).
2,000.00
Service Roadway, Spy Pond Field (1960)
3,829.26
Alteration of Park Avenue Extension (1960).
1,473.74
Storm Drains.
15,307.54
Storm Drain - Day Street-Dow Avenue
2,016.59
Improvement of Drainage System
21,125.74
Sanitation .
194,466.48
Garbage Disposal .
6,798.58
Sewer Extensions
15,439.54
249
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Sanitary Sewer, Madison Avenue .
$ 6,115.22
Sewer Maintenance .
33,631.26
Water Maintenance
157,675.10
Water-House Connections
14,430.17
Water Maintenance-Capital Outlay.
32,491.76
Water Extensions . .
19,629.11
Improvement of Volume and Pressure - Water System
4,007.10
Sidewalks & Edgestones.
19,773.34
Alterations, Improvements, etc. of Buildings in New Yard. .
32,521.74
Offstreet Parking Area, Russell Common ..
9,638.76
Headquarters for Arlington Post 1775 Veterans of Foreign Wars Inc. of the United States
222.73
Removal of the Old Town Hall.
1,136.70
Construction of Ways (1959)
15.85
Construction of Ways (1959)
460.36
$1,520,991.09
TABLE I GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Appropriation
$93,605.00
Balance brought forward .
400.00
Credit from Articles #6 and #11
3,181.00
$97,186.00
(Personal Services
$88,805.00
Expenses . .
6,600.00
Expenses Outside of Commonwealth
300.00
Capital Outlay.
1,481.00)
Expenditure (Including Accounts Payable)
90,005.84
Balance, December 31, 1961.
$ 7,180.16*
Expenditure
Personal Services
$83,598.68
Credit Transfer from Town Hall Account (Partial Switch- Board Operator)
1,160.00
Expenses, Office Maintenance and Supplies
6,391.96
Accounts Payable .
206.00
Capital Outlay
969.20
$90,005.84
*$400.00 - Capital Outlay Carried Forward
TABLE II HIGHWAY DIVISION (Maintenance of Highways and Bridges)
Appropriation Credit from Articles #6 and #12
$436,976.34
9,917.50
Transfer from Finance Committee
. .
30,000.00
$476,893.84
250
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
(Maintenance and General Account -
Labor . $239,345.50
Expenses . 45,000.00
Snow and Ice, including Maintenance of
Equipment and Supplies 192,548.34)
Expenditure (including Accounts Payable
Balance, December 31, 1961.
$472,165.15 $ 4,728.69
Expenditure
* Maintenance and General Accounts
$275,762.66
* Accounts Payable
5,566.99
*Snow and Ice. .
178,861.02
*Accounts Payable
11,974.48
$472,165.15
* Street Cleaning and Maintenance, including Accounts Payable, $64,976.45; Maintenance and Repair of Catch Basins and Storm Drains including Accounts Payable, $15,557.49; Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks, $3,839.31; Auto- motive and Equipment Maintenance, including Accounts Payable (Automobile, Trucks, Compressors, Cranes, Graders, Power Shovel, Rollers, Tractors) $6,815.89; Tools and Equipment, including Accounts Payable, $16,617.64; Town Yard and Buildings, including Accounts Payable, $68,250.49; Stock, including Accounts Payable, $19,539.89; Street Signs, $7,874.36; Miscellan- eous, $20,529.13; Sick Leave, $19,087.03; Vacations and Holidays, $34,104.48; Hurricane Esther, $4,137.49.
** Plowing Streets and Sidewalks, including Accounts Payable, $51,792.17; Removal of Snow, including Accounts Payable, $51,499.20; Sand and Salt Streets and Walks, $34,852.39; Holiday and Miscellaneous, $5,686.48; Main- tenance of Snow Removal Equipment, and supplies, including Accounts Pay- able, $47,005.26.
Notes:
Labor
Expenses
Accounts Payable
Highway
$249,461.61
$ 26,301.05
$ 5,566.99
Snow & Ice Removal
75,489.75
57,321.96
11,018.53
Maintenance of Snow
Removal Equipment and
Supplies
19,421.98
26,627.33
955.95
$344,373.34
$110,250.34
$17,541.47
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