USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1911 > Part 11
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Interest on bonds 7,300 00
$7,625 00 $7,625 00
277
BOILERS
Received for old boilers $30 00
Paid Pay Roll 76 00
M. H. O'Brien, setting boiler
109 35
Boston & Maine R. R., freight 5 90
The Hodge Boiler Works, boiler and grates 462 20
Eastern Clay Goods Co., fire brick
15 68
Chapman Valve Manufacturing Co., valves .
5 17
U. G. Bisbee, horse 4 50
Frank E. Fitts Manufacturing & Supply Co. 12 95
F. B. Witherly, castings 13 20
Cummings Express 55
Francis Bros. 90
Wendell Bancroft Co., brick 36 40
Martin Ellis & Co., moving boilers
86 00
Braman Dow & Co., pipe and fit- tings 23 98
Builders' Iron Foundry, castings 16 50
Asa Parker, sand 3 00
Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings
2 31
J. M. Maxwell, Jr., wiring 4 80
J. H. Butterworth, patterns
3 10
Car fares
5 17
Boston Bolt Co., bolts
94
Balance .
858 50
$888 50
$888 50
MAIN PIPE
Received for pipe sold .
$25 70 Paid Pay Roll $447 25
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co. 143 68
U. G. Bisbee, horse
28 50
278
Paid Chadwick-Boston Lead Co., pig lead $63 48 .
Boston & Maine R. R., freight 8 16
F. W. Davis, horse 21 00
Cummings Express
15
Walworth Mfg. Co., gate boxes
14 70
Perrin Seamans, tools
4 95
Builders' Iron Foundry, specials
35 67
E. C. Hanscom, teaming
15 87
Water Works Equipment Co., sleeve 23 10
O. O. Ordway, sharpening tools 8 75
A. D. Gordon, rubber boots 9 50
Balance
799 06
$824 76
$824 76
SERVICE PIPE
Received for pipe laid
$937 96
Paid pay roll .
$1,307 25
Boston & Maine R. R., freight .
8 35
Chadwick-Boston Lead Co., lead pipe 49 03
H. Mueller Mfg. Co., fittings 7 94
T. O. Fife, fittings
12 35
Grip Coupling Co., couplings
22 11
Francis Bros. . ·
6 26
Cummings Express
8 80
Glauber Brass Mfg. Co., corpora- tion cocks 92 34
A. D. Gordon, boots 4 75
Walworth Mfg. Co., pipe and fit- tings 104 79
E. M. Dart Mfg. Co., stop cocks . 55 20
Harold L. Bond Co., tools 12 42
American Powder Mills 9 20
279
Paid F. W. Davis, horse $49 50 Braman, Dow & Co., pipe and fit- tings 220 62
U. G. Bisbee, horse 153 50
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., valves . 9 91
E. L. Knott Apparatus Co. . 6 49
Geo. L. Gilchrist & Co., pipe
10 52
Lead Lined Iron Pipe Co., pipe
435 81
O. O. Ordway, sharpening tools
33 85
Geo. H. Atkinson Co.
1 35
Tenney, Morse & Co., pipe
42 83
J. J. Cameron, repairing harness . 1 85
F. Bartley, boots .
11 25
Eagle Oil & Supply Co., oil .
6 33
American Express
2 70
Balance .
$1,649 34
$2,687 30 $2,687 30
METERS
Paid Pay Roll $3 00
Hersey Mfg. Co., meters
69 10
R. B. Field, washers
2 50
Cummings Express
1 45
H. Mueller Mfg. Co., fittings
7 94
National Meter Co., meters
469 00
Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings
3 00
Francis Bros. 40
Boston & Maine R. R., freight
1 65
C. L. Jeans, mill work
1 60
Pittsburg Meter Co., meters
50 00
Wendell Bancroft Co., lumber
7 60
·
$617 24
A
280
FILTER
Paid Braman Dow & Co. $6 10
Walworth Mfg. Co. .
17 09
$23 19
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Cash balance from 1910
$415 03
Interest on deposits
66 29
Hydrant rent
5,550 00
Water for drinking fountains
300 00
Water for street sprinkling Meter rates
500 00
Fines and summons
2 00
Rent
256 00
Main pipe
25 70
Service pipe
937 96
Sundries
9 10
Boiler
30 00
Paid interest on note
$325 00
Interest on bonds
7,300 00
Maintenance
2,389 41
Pumping station, maintenance
3,391 62
Filter maintenance
2,522 24
Service pipe maintenance
27 21
Main pipe maintenance
76 30
Meter maintenance
689 50
Boiler
888 50
Meters
617 24
Filter
23 19
Main pipe
824 76
Service pipes
2,687 30
Bonds
2,000 00
Cash on hand
249 15
15,919 34
$24,011 42 $24,011 42
281
SUMMARY COST OF PLANT
Reported last year
$337,144 01
Main pipe
799 06
Service pipe
1,649 34
Meters
617 24
Filter
23 19
$340,232 84
The Board recommends that $5,610 be raised and appropriated for hydrant rental, that $300 be raised and appropriated for water for drinking fountains, and that $500 be raised and appropriated for water for street sprinkling.
The interest payable the current year amounts to $7,522.50, as follows :
$180,000.00 for one year . $7,220 00
$7,000.00 for six months
140 00
10,000.00 for six months
162 50
$7,522 50
It may become necessary in the near future to provide new settling basins at the pumping station to take the place of the present wooden ones which have been in use about sixteen years and are now showing signs of deterioration.
HENRY R. JOHNSON, ARCHER R. PRENTISS, EDGAR N. HUNT, Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR
Amount of water bills rendered in 1911 .
$16,109 88
Amount collected and paid Treasurer $15,446 07
Amount uncollected .
613 28
Amount abated .
50 53
$16,109 88 $16,109 88
Amount of 1910 bills uncollected
$730 23
Amount of 1909 bills uncollected
195 94
Abated bill recharged
3 00
Amount collected and paid Treasurer $473 27
Amount uncollected .
300 90
Amount abated .
155 00
$929 17
$929 17
Amount of service pipe bills ren- dered in 1911
$1,056 85
Amount of service pipe bills ren- dered in previous years 241 27
Amount collected and paid Treasurer $937 95
Amount uncollected
331 82
Amount charged off
8 35
$1,298 12
$1,298 12
LEWIS M. BANCROFT,
Registrar.
282
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Reading Water Commissioners :
Gentlemen: The twenty-second annual report of the Superintendent is submitted for the year ending December 31, 1911.
The extension of mains has been 1,636 feet of six-inch pipe, as follows : Pratt street extension, 658 feet; Fairview avenue, 166 feet; Prospect street, 37.5 feet; Vine street, 464 feet; Woodward avenue, 262.5 feet; Hartshorn street, 48 feet. Two hydrants have been set, one on Pratt street extention and one on Hartshorn street near the Lowell street school house.
There have been no leaks in the main pipes during the year. All hydrants have been inspected several times dur- ing the year and kept in repair.
SERVICE PIPES
There have been 57 services put in during the year, making 1,452 in the system.
STAND PIPE
The stand pipe should be painted this year.
283
284
The following table will show amount of service pipe in use :
6 Inch Cast Iron
1} Inch Galvanized
1} Inch Enamelled
1} Inch Brass
1} Inch Galvanized
1 Inch Galvanized
1} Inch Lead Lined
· 1 Inch Lead Lined
֏ Inch Lead Lined
1 Inch Cement Lined
4 Inch Cement Lined
2 Inch Galvanized
¿ Inch Galvanized
3
Owned by the Town
483
33.7
30.1
19995.4 229.7
30-8
887.2
25835.6
367.1
9889.8 1619.7 1851.9
Owned by individuals
414
591
123-0
66.0
2272.7 1202.7
89.4
73.0
28936.3
78.0
12431.2
353.6 2869.2
53
414
1974
156.7
96.1
22268-1 1432.4
120.2
960.2
54771.9
445.1
2232 1 .0 1973.3 4721. 1
The following kinds and sizes of meters are in use :
No.
NAME
2 in.
13 in.
1} in.
1 in.
in.
§ in.
82
Crown
813
Nash
5
6
4
798
1
Gem ..
1
41
Lambert
2
39
111
Thompson
1
10
7
Worthington Disc.
7
128
Hersey Disc
1
7
8
1
111
2
Neptune
3
1
1
5
6
King
6
29
Columbia
29
1
Niagara
1
3
Keystone
3
...
1333
10
14
3
19
7
1280
4
1
1
2
74
199
Empire
1
198
2
10
Union
SIZES
285
YEARLY RECORD OF PUMPING SERVICE
FROM JAN. 1, 1911, TO JAN. 1, 1912
MONTH
No. Days
Hrs.
Min.
Gallons Pumped
Total Head
Pounds Coal
Rain- fall
January
31
181
45
5,764,985
219
39,798
2.25
February
28
181
45
5,703,292
42,536
2.94
March
31
201
. .
6,194,326
44,469
3.12
April
30
214
6,441,328
39,426
1.89
May
31
268
15
8,770,898
49,400
.67
June.
30
242
30
7,867,113
43,597
3.43
July
31
298
10,296,824
55,290
4.79
August.
31
226
15
7,206,613
41,015
3.80
September
30
190
. .
6,410,626
36,245
2.94
October
31
177
30
5,499,409
36,933
2.91
November
30
173
. .
5,278,144
34,876
4.14
December
31
175
30
5,411,661
33,965
3.57
365
2,529
30
80,845,219
219
497,550
36.45
TABLE SHOWING CONSUMPTION IN GALLONS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, 1911
Domestic use, manufacturing and trade pur-
poses, metered .
49,493,042
Domestic use, unmetered (estimated)
2,500,000
Drinking fountains (estimated)
7,199,950
Street sprinkling (estimated)
8,500,000
Fires (estimated)
1,500,000
Total accounted for .
69,192,992
Amount unaccounted for
11,652,227
Total pumped
80,845,219
Percentage of water pumped accounted for .85
Percentage of water pumped unaccounted for .15
Percentage of water pumped metered
.61
.
286
COST OF MAINTENANCE AND REVENUE
Amount
Cost per 1000 gallons pumped
Interest on bonds
$7,625 00
.094
Management and repairs
3,962 92
.049
Pumping station maintenance
3,202 52
.039
Filter maintenance
2,522 24
.031
Received per 1000 gallons pumped
Receipts from water takers
15,919 34 .
.196
Total receipts
22,632 73
.28
287
Table showing amount of rain and melted snow for the year ending December 31, 1911 :
Day of Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Day of Month
1
.43
.29
1
2 ....
.18
.53
.07
2
3 .. ..
.34
.71
3
4 . . . .
.48
1.25
.15
4
5 ....
.85
.07
.5
6 .. . .
.14
.40
.43
.12
.61
.34
.7
8 .. ..
.53
.04
.01
.9
10 ....
.06
.04
.06
.06
.10
11 ....
.16
.03
11
12 .. . .
.18
.55
.12
13. . . .
.08
.36
13
14 .. ..
.07
.19
.14
15 ....
1.02
1.07
.92
.36
.. 15
16 ....
.57
.28
.37
.. 16
17 ....
.19
.03
.35
.17
18 ...
.34
.40
.34
.19
20 ....
.01
.20
21. . . .
.24
.13
.21
22 ...
.01
.20
.76
.22
23 . . . .
.03
.05
.23
24 ....
.15
.54
.24
25 ....
.01
.71
.42
.25
26 ....
.09
.07
.46
.26
27. . ..
.76
.31
.24
.. 27
28 .. . .
.68
.14
.28
29 ....
3.25
.95
.26
.27
.29
30 ....
.96
.02
.35
.18
.30
31. . . .
.07
.43
.25
31
2.25
2.94
3.12
1.89
.67
3.43
4.79
3.80
2.94
2.91
4.14
3.57
The average rainfall for Massachusetts is 44.92 inches. The rainfall at Reading Pumping Station was 36.45 inches, making a deficiency of 8.48 inches. There was an excess of rainfall in June, July and November of 1.34 inches, and a deficiency in the other nine months of 9.32 inches. In May the deficiency was 3.07 inches.
.8
9. . .
.13
.61
.02
.47
6
7 ....
.01
1.88
.76
.10
.87
.. 18
19 ....
1.76
.45
.18
.22
?
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
ANALYSIS OF WATER FROM READING WATER WORKS
PARTS IN 100,000
DATE OF
APPEARANCE
ODOR
Residue on
Evaporation
Chlorine
Ni-
Ni-
Oxygen
Consumed
Hardness
Iron
1911
1911
90413
Jan. 17
Jan. 18 Slight iron
Cons.
.70 Very F. Un.
12.70
.0210
.0120
4.10
.0140
.0002
.64
3.5
.2800
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
90414
Jan. 17
Jan. 18 Very slight
None
.08|None
19.20
.0200
.0082
4.20
.0090
0000
.18
7.1
.0160
90905
Feb. 14
Feb. 14 Decided iron
Cons.
Fil.
.50 None
Very F. Un.
14.50
.0174
.0104
3.70
.0060
0002
. 54
3.0
.2300
Filter Gallery
90906
Feb. 14
Feb. 14 Very slight
None
.00 |None
None
16.50
.0156
0064
3.55
.0050
0000
.17
6.0
.0200
Filter Weir
91507
Mar. 21
Mar. 22 Slight iron
Cons.
Fil.
.50 Very F. Un.
Faintly Un. None
10.60
.0152
.0126
2.85
.0090
0003
.33
2.6 6.7
.0240
Filter Weir
92046
Apr. 18
Apr. 20 Decided iron
Cons.
.62 |Very F. Un. .00 None
Very F. Un. None
13.00
.0114
1.95
.0020
.0000
.24
6.3
.0090
Filter Weir
92529
May 16
May 17 Slight
Slight
T'bid 1.10 None
F. Woody
11.80
.0228
0210
.0050
.0000
.91
2.0
.1300
Filter Gallery
92530
May 16
May 17 Slight
Very slight
.18 None
None
14.60
.0162
.0114
2.02
.0030
.0003
.35
5.7
.0060
Filter Weir
93203
June 20
June 21 Slight iron
Slight
1.30 None
V. F. Woody None
23.50
.0168
.0156
2.25
.0010
.0002
.62
11.0
.0250
Filter Weir
93828
July 17
July 18 Slight
Cons.
Fil.
.90 Very F. Un.
Faintly Un.
10.40
0360
0212
3.40
.0000
.0001
.97
2.5
.2200
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
93829
July 17
July 18 Very slight
Very slight
.42 None
Very F. Un. None
17.50
.0272
0200
5.30
.0000
0000
1.10
4.3
.3200
Filter Gallery
94675
Aug. 21
Aug. 22 None
V. Slight
.46 Very F. Un.
Faintly Un.
16 20
.0260
0255
4.40
.0010
0000
1.20
3.6
.3500
Filter Gallery
95219
Sept. 18
Sept. 19 None
None
. 60 None
Very F. Un.
28.00
0064 0300
.0178
4.50
.0060
.0000
.70
12.0
.0300
Filter Weir
95871
Oct. 17
Oct. 19 Decided iron
Cons.
None
None
15.50
25.70
0042
.0174
3.90
.0080
0000
.72
11.5
.0200
96557
Nov. 20
Nov. 21 Decided
Cons.
Fil.
1.38 |None
Very F. Un.
14.10
0240
.0208
3.20
.0020
.0001
1.15
2.9
.2400
Filter Gallery
96558
Nov. 20
Nov. 21 None
None
.50 None
None
24.00
.0048
.0146
3.20
.0040
0040
.61
14.2
.0080
Filter Weir
97155
Dec. 18
Dec. 19 Decided iron
Cons. iron
1.20|F. Woody
11.70
.0212
.0248
2.70
.0040
0001
.98
3.0
.2000
Filter Gallery
97156
Dec. 18
Dec. 19 None
None
.15 None
19.70
.0046
.0126
2.70|.0030
.0034
.36
9.1
.0100
Filter Weir
No.
Collec- tion
Exami- nation
Turbidity
Sediment
Color
Cold
Hot
Free
Albu- mi- noid
trates trites
91508
Mar. 21
Mar.
22 | None
Very slight
.10 None
17.40
.0142
0074
2.80
.0090
0001
0001
.68
2.0
.2600
Filter Gallery
92047
Apr. 18
Apr. 20 None
Very slight
Cons.
Fil.
.80 |None
Very F. Un.
27.00
.0158
0154
5.50
0080
.0000
.59
12 .6
.0300
Filter Weir
95218
Sept. 18
Sept. 19 Decided
Cons.
Fil.
Very F. Un.
3.4
.3600
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
95872
Oct.
17
Oct. 19 None
None
.45 None
None
10.70
.0208
.0232
2.17
.0030
0001
1.23
2.3
.1800
Filter Gallery
93204
June 20
June 21 Very slight
None
.46 None
22.90
.0104
.0080
3.90
.0080
0001
. 42
11.0
.0280
94674
Aug. 21
Aug. 22 Decided
.0010
.0000
1.28
.2100
Filter Gallery
12.60
.0112
.0154
2.00
,0050
0090
2.20
.0240
3.80
Dis. Woody None
AMMONIA
NITROGEN AS
Faintly Un. None
.28
289
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1911
In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association
READING WATER WORKS READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL STATISTICS
Population by Census of 1910, 5818.
Date of construction, 1890 and 1891.
By whom owned, Town of Reading.
Source of supply, filter gallery.
Mode of supply (whether gravity or pumping), pumping.
PUMPING STATISTICS
1. Builders of pumping machinery, George F. Blake Man- ufacturing Co. and Platt Iron Works.
2. Description of fuel used
a Kind, coal b Brand of coal, Pocahontas c Average price of coal per gross ton, delivered, $4.80 d Percentage of ash, e Wood, price per cord, $
3. Coal consumed for the year, 497,550 lbs.
4. [Pounds of wood consumed] divided by three equals equivalent amount of coal, 1bs.
4a Amount of other fuel used,
5. Total equivalent coal consumed for the year equals (3) plus (4) lbs.
1
290
6. Total pumpage for the year, 80,845,219 gallons, with allowance for slip.
7. Average static head against which pumps work, 219 feet.
8. Average dynamic head against which pumps work, 240 feet.
9. Number of gallons pumped per pound of equivalent coal (5), 162.
10. Duty equals gallons pumped (6) x 8.34 (lbs.) x 100 x dynamic head (8) equals 32,523,322. Total fuel consumed (5)
Cost of pumping, figured on pumping station expenses, viz. $3,202.52.
11. Per million gallons pumped, $39.60.
12. Per million gallons raised one foot (dynamic), $0.165.
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
RECEIPTS
Balance brought forward :
(a) From ordinary (maintenance) re- ceipts ·
$415 03
(b) From extraordinary receipts (bonds, etc)
Total · . From Water Rates :
$415 03
A. Fixture rates .
B. Meter rates . . $15,919 34
C. Total from consumers
$15,919 34
D. For hydrants ·
.
$5,550 00
E. For fountains 300 00
F. For street watering 500 00
J. Total from municipal departments ·
6,350 00
M. From other sources :
Rent, interest, etc.
363 39
Main and service pipes 963 66
N. Total
$24,011 42
EXPENDITURES
Water Works Maintenance:
AA. Operation, (manage- ment and repairs) $9,096 28
BB. Special : Boilers 888 50
.
OC.
Total
maintenance
$9,984 78
DD.
Interest on bonds
7,625 00
(CC. plus DD.)
.
17,609 78
EE.
Payment of bonds
2,000 00
Water Works Construction :
GG. Extension of mains $824 76 .
HH. Extension of ser- vices ·
2,687 30
II. Extension of meters 617 24
JJ. Special : Filter 23 19
KK.
Total construction
4,152 49
MM. Balance : (aa) Ordinary .
249 15
Total balance
.
249 15
N. Total
$24,011 42
1
DISPOSITION OF BALANCE -CARRIED TO NEW ACCOUNT
O. Net cost of works to date . . .
P. Bonded debt at date
Q. Value of Sinking Fund at date
R. Average rate of interest, 4 per cent.
.
.
.
. $340,232 84
· $189,000 00
293
STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER
1. Estimated total population at date, 5,900.
2. Estimated population on lines of pipe, 5840.
3. Estimated population supplied, 5,650.
4. Total consumption for the year, 80,845,219 gallons.
5. Passed through meters, 49,493,042 gallons.
6. Percentage of consumption metered, .61.
7. Average daily consumption, 221,492 gallons.
8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 37.5.
9. Gallons per day to each consumer, 39.2.
10. Gallons per day to each tap, 152.
11. Cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance (item CO), $123.50.
12. Total cost of supplying water, per million gallons, fig- ured on total maintenance plus interest on bonds, $207.69.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAINS
1. Kind of pipe, cast iron.
2. Sizes, from 6 inch to 12 inch.
3. Extended 1636 feet during year.
4. Discontinued, 0 feet during year.
5. Total now in use, 31.973 miles.
6. Cost of repairs per mile, $2.39.
7. Number of leaks per mile, 0.
8. Length of pipe less than 4 inches diameter, 0 miles.
9. Number of hydrants added during year (public and private), 2.
10. Number of hydrants (public and private) now in use, 187.
11. Number of stop gates added during year, 4.
12. Number of stop gates now in use, 288.
13. Number of stop gates smaller than 4-inch, 0.
14. Number of blow-offs, 14.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 63 lbs. to 78 lbs.
}
294
SERVICES
16. Kind of pipe, cast iron, lead and cement lined.
17. Sizes, 3-4 to 6 inches.
18. Extended 4832.1 feet.
19. Discontinued, 0 feet.
20. Total now in use, 20.6988 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during year, 57.
22. Number now in use, 1452.
23. Average length of service, 84.7 feet.
24. Average cost of service for the year, $47.14.
25. Number of meters added, 73.
26. Number now in use, 1333.
27. Percentage of services metered, .91.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water (B divided by C),
29. Number of motors and elevators added, 0.
30. Number now in use, 0.
LEWIS M. BANCROFT,
Superintendent.
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$1,050 00
RECEIVED
From Dog Tax
$694 08
From fines, etc.
100 00
$1,844 08
SALARIES AND WAGES
EXPENDED
Bertha L. Brown, services
$301 70
Grace J. Abbott, services
36 00
C. H. Stinchfield, janitor
47 18
C. H. Stinchfield, care of heater
10 00
$394 88
Books
$209 74
Binding books
79 35
Expressing
2 45
Lighting
52 09
Periodicals
92 30
Printing, etc.
42 50
Rent
593 32
Supplies
3 00
$1,074 75
$1,469 63
Unexpended
$374 45
295
296
The number of volumes in the library at the beginning of the year was 11,959. The number of new volumes added subsequently was 309. The number of volumes worn out or lost and not replaced was 208. The net number, November 25, 1911, was therefore 12,062. Before that date and after January 1, 1911, there were 37 volumes given to the library by various donors. The circulation up to November 23 was 16,541 for the year; the largest circulation for any single month was 1,936, recorded for the month of March, and the smallest 1,323, recorded in July.
The chief event of the year was the fire which early in the morning of November 27 consumed the building occupied in part by the library.
This caused a complete suspension of operations until January 3, when the library was reopened in the building formerly occupied by the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, on Main street.
The books, cases, etc., were immediately transferred to this building from the burned structure, and our loss was, fortunately, largely due to water and smoke, only about 2,000 volumes being totally destroyed. Of the others, a considerable number were sent to a binder for re-covering, cleaning, etc. The insurance upon contents was adjusted for the the sum of $1750 which should be placed at the disposal of the trustees for replacement of library material injured or destroyed.
The present quarters ought not to be considered perma- nent. We are strongly of the opinion that the Town should at an early day provide a proper building to be built and owned by the Town for its public library, planned and fur- nished for the effective administration of the library, as such institutions are now conducted in towns similar to ours. This building need not be unduly expensive, but it should be large enough to enable the library to fill its place in our educational system, and should provide for needs of children and adult readers in the building, as well as for the circula-
297
tion of books for home use. The question of erecting such a building is under discussion by the Board and will soon be brought before the Town for its consideration.
At & town meeting held in Wakefield on the evening following the fire it was unanimously voted by that town to extend to the people of Reading all the privileges of the Wakefield Public Library which their own citizens enjoyed, including the special privileges to school children. The Trustees of the Wakefield Library immediately acted under this vote and by letter of the 29th of November extended the privileges of that library to our citizens in our emer- gency. As soon as the exact condition in which we were placed by the fire could be determined, it being then appar- ent that we should be able to reopen without extended delay, reply was, by our Chairman, returned to the Chair- man of the Wakefield Board, Dr. Richard Dutton, substan- tially as follows :
"Your extremely courteous letter of November 29 was received and placed before the Trustees of the Reading Public Library. I am directed to return to your Board, and through you to the citizens of Wakefield, our appreciation of the neighborly spirit expressed in the vote of the town and in your action under it, and our sincere thanks for the kind offer made of library privileges in our emergency.
It is not till just now that the extent of our loss could be accurately known, inasmuch as our books were hastily removed in bulk and in much disorder to temporary quarters, requiring re-handling and sorting out. Before this was done we were unable to determine how soon the library might be re-opened, and we did not wish to burden you unnecessarily. Fortunately it now appears that, since the damage was largely by water and not by fire, and perhaps 50 per cent. of the books, including a con- siderable number of those in most urgent request, were uninjured, we shall very shortly be able to re-open with such service as will serve the needs of our borrowers. *
* If, however, more extended delay oc- curs than now seems probable, we shall no doubt be glad to arrange some plan whereby our card holders may have temporary privileges under your kind offer. Whether this is found necessary or not we shall gratefully remember the spirit in which the offer was made, and we are sure that all our citizens will appreciate it."
Recently the library has received a gift of one hundred or more volumes formerly in the private library of the late
298
Gen. Samuel C. Lawrence of Medford, given to us through the suggestion of Miss Sargent, the librarian of the Public Library of Medford, a suggestion which was generously assented to by Mrs. Lawrence. These instances of neighborly sympathy with us in time of disaster are, of course, very gratifying.
Some of the books injured in the fire have been returned from the bindery. Others may be expected very soon. A consignment of new books will be immediately made avail- able to the public, including replacements of the more important volumes which were totally destroyed.
We place upon record our acknowledgment of the efficient services of Miss Brown, the librarian, who after the fire performed much disagreeable and arduous work to put the books into condition for use, and to whom the prompt reopening was chiefly due.
The terms of Mrs. Grace L. Twombly and Henry C. Parker expire with the current year, and a vacancy upon the Board is caused by the removal from Reading of J. Woodward Manning.
A somewhat larger appropriation will be required for the maintenance of the library the coming year, since the expense of rent, heat, and care of rooms will be greater in our present location than formerly. The expense of mainte- nance in the aggregate we estimate at $2000, which sum at least we recommend to be raised and appropriated, in part from the tax levy and in part from dog tax income, fines received at the library, and the balance unexpended of last year.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE G. WADLIN, Chairman, CYRUS M. BARROWS, Secretary, HARRY P. BOSSON, HENRY C. PARKER, GRACE L. TWOMBLY,
February, 1912.
Trustees.
INDEX
PAGE
Report of Assessors
187
Board of Engineers
196
Board of Health
206
Cemetery Trustees
202
Chief of Police
192
Collector
190
Forest Warden .
212
Inspector of Wires
198
Light Commissioners
213
Miscellaneous Accounts
.137-145
Overseers of the Poor
127
Plumbing Inspector and Agent of the Board of Health 208
Public Library
295
School Committee
233
Sealer of Weights and Measures
200
Selectmen
99
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
210
Town Clerk, Town Meetings
13
6 6
Births Registered .
67
Marriages Registered 69
Deaths Registered
72
Town Accountant 75-99
Treasurer
153
Water Commissioners
269
Classified Receipts and Payments
161-183
Municipal Indebtednesss
146
Town Officers, 1911-1912
.
5
Dogs Licensed
63
1.
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