USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1923 > Part 7
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In regard to the testing of the milk for its bacteria contents, or in other words, its standard of cleanliness and purity, which to my mind is quite essential, no action has been taken as yet.
Fifty-four samples of milk and eight samples of cream were analysed this year. Three samples of milk and two of cream were found to be questionable.
Twenty-nine dealers and stores were licensed to sell milk and ten stores were licensed to sell oleomargarine.
The total receipts for the department were $19.50.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL M. SMITH, Inspector of Milk.
106
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my annual report for the year 1923.
All scales, weights and measures used in trade in the Town of Reading have been sealed for the year 1923.
If one cares to take the time to compare the receipts of this depart- ment for this year with the amount collected for the sealing done last year and will take into consideration the amount charged, they will readily see that the amount of work completed was considerably more than that of previous years.
This is due to two reasons, the first is the increase in the number of stores and secondly to the installation of a number of new gasoline pumps. The latter would require the greater output of one's time to keep them within the legal requirements.
All of the stores have been visited at different times and many of the commodities, as put up for sale, have been weighed. The results of these weighings have been quite satisfactory.
Several pieces of ice were reweighed this summer and in most cases the weight was found to be correct. Tabulations of the entire year's work will be found herewith.
Work Performed from Dec. 1, 1922, to Nov. 30, 1923, Inclusive
Scales
Sealed
Adjusted
Condemned
Platform over 5,000 lbs
3
3
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs
22
15
1
Beam over 100 lbs
5
4
1
Counter under 100 lbs.
43
15
2
Spring under 100 lbs.
39
8
2
Computing under 100 lbs.
32
20
Personal Weighing
3
Prescription
2
2
2. Weights
Avoirdupois
311
6
6
Apothecary
41
Metric
12
3. Volumetric Measures
Liquid Measures
83
1
Dry Measures
8
107
4. Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps ..
30
Measures on Pumps
161
64
5. Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
15
Work Performed from Dec. 1, 1922, to Nov. 30, 1923', Inclusive
Commodity
Total No. Tested
No. Correct
Incorrect
Under
Over
Bread
7
7
Butter
38
37
1
Dry Commodities
80
80
Flour
24
16
6
2
Fruits and Vegetables.
54
36
4
14
Ice
9
2
7
Meats and Provisions
34
31
3
Wood (Cord)
1
1
Gasoline
85
26
17
42
Lard
2
2
Summary of Inspections No. of Inspections made of
Chemical Thermometers
2
Ice Scales
2
Junk Scales
2
Gasoline Pumps
6
The total receipts of the department were $52.81.
CARL M. SMITH, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Reading, Mass., Dec. 31, 1923.
10
108
REPORT OF DEMONSTRATION WORK IN AGRICUL- TURE AND HOME ECONOMICS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Report of demonstration work in agriculture and home economics, carried on by the Middlesex County Extension Service in the Town of Reading, during the year ending December 31, 1923.
An appropriation of $150 was made at the annual meeting for demon- stration work, under the direction of Middlesex County Bureau of Agricul- ture and Home Economics, now known as the Extension Service. Following is a report of the work done by this organization in Reading :
Agents of the Extension Service made 78 farm and home visits during the year. The County Agricultural Agent carried on a poultry project in the town and conducted a poultry automobile tour which was attended by many people from the town.
The Home Department conducted a millinery class and cane-seating class, and a furniture renovation class, all of which were attended by 25 to 30 women. A dress form demonstration was also given by one of the Home Agents.
Extension Service moving pictures were shown and attended by 340 people.
Boys' and girls' clubs had a total enrollment of 57, enrolled in canning, garden, poultry and home economics clubs. Club Agents held 23 meetings, at which instructions were given to the members. Many other meetings were held under the leadership of Mrs. Ida C. Lucas, who worked in co-operation with the Extension Service.
Two-day trips to the Massachusetts Agricultural College were won by Lucien Nelson, Virginia Perry and Alice Hodson.
These young people were a part of the great County Achievement Organization containing nearly 3,000 boys and girls, who produced during the year 1923, $129,000 worth of products. All of these were under the leadership of agents of the County Extension Service and two hundred volunteer local leaders.
I want to thank the editors of The Reading Chronicle for courtesies extended the past year, and also to thank the School Committee for use of school houses and support.
Inasmuch as the Bureau work in the town has about doubled, I res- pectfully recommend that two hundred dollars be raised by the town to carry on this year's work.
ROLLAND L. PERRY, Director.
109
REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF VETERANS' GRAVES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my second annual report as Custodian of Veteran Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves.
Number of lots re-seeded
5
Sunken graves filled 12
Number lots, grass cut for season 40
Number lots, grass cut once 125
U. S. Government headstone set 1
That more lots have not been seeded is due to the fact that so much loam is required to build new lots and to re-seed private lots, that it has not been possible to procure enough at a reasonable rate to do the work ordered.
The same condition will probably exist for at least another year so that it will probably be two or three years before all veterans' lots are in good condition.
I would recommend that all lots that are now in good condition be properly fertilized and the grass kept cut during the next season; on all the rest keep the grass cut until Memorial Day.
Would also recommend that as many lots as possible be re-seeded selecting the ones that are in the poorest condition.
Financial report :
Appropriation March 1923 Cr.
$875.00
Dr.
Labor, loam, lime, seed and fertilizer $361.34
Unexpended balance 513.66
$875.00 $875.00
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED E. GOODWIN.
January 23, 1924.
110
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
Trustee Alfred W. Danforth passed away in September. In the spring of 1890 the name of Alfred W. Danforth was placed upon the ballot for Cemetery Trustee and he was duly elected to this office. He at once became Secretary of the Board which position he continued to hold until ill health forced him to resign secretaryship on August 19, 1921.
In 1893, Mr. Danforth succeeded R. Dexter Temple as Superintendent, serving in this capacity until the appointment of Alfred E. Goodwin on December 1, 1920. It is seldom if ever that a citizen has held a town office continuously for thirty-three years as did Mr. Danforth. The town is indebted to him who gave so much of his time and effort for the benefit of this department, and his fellow trustees miss his cheery presence and kind counsel.
Mr. Chester P. Eeles has been appointed to fill the unexpired term.
Following is the annual report of Superintendent Goodwin which the Board of Trustees respectfully submits.
GALEN A. PARKER, Chairman
PHILIP H. TIRRELL, Secretary
FRANK L. EDGERLEY
WILLIAM S. KINSLEY
W. E. TWOMBLY
CHESTER P. EELES
Trustees Laurel Hill Cemetery.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Trustees of Laurel Hill Cemetery :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my third annual report as Superintendent of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
The work of improving the cemetery has gone along as well as could be expected. Thirty new lots have been graded, loamed and are all ready for seed. The loam is on the ground for as many more.
111
The necessity for new lots has been so great we have been obliged to use most of the loam we were able to procure for this purpose, thereby cutting down the supply for private work.
Last year, at this time we had orders for the re-seeding of forty lots that we were unable to do the previous season. At the present time we have orders for twenty that we were unable to do last season.
I hope during the coming season to do all work of this nature that we have orders for, as I am anxious to co-operate with the lot owners in every way to improve the looks of the cemetery.
Many of the lots under "Perpetual Care" are in very poor condition and I would like to offer a few words of explanation in regard to their apparent neglect.
The system of perpetual care, as adopted by the Town, is unlike that of any other city or town in the State as far as I have been able to learn. The Town will accept a sum of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) in trust, the interest on which sum at 5% will be expended for the care of said lot forever.
In the past years the Town has accepted money for the care of lots regardless of the condition they were in at the time. As the cost of grading and re-seeding a lot runs from twenty-five ($25) to fifty dollars ($50), depending on its location and the amount of loam necessary, one who gives the matter a little thought can readily see that if a grass cutting charge of three dollars ($3.00) only, is made every year, it will take from thirteen to twenty-five years for sufficient money to accumulate to re-seed the lot. It is important that a lot be in good condition at the start.
Lot owners are realizing the importance of putting their lots under perpetual care. During the past three years the Cemetery Bequest Fund has increased over 36%.
The macadam avenue from the south gate on Main Street to the receiving tomb has been rebuilt and is now in first class condition. It was in such poor condition that it was deemed advisable to rebuild rather than resurface as was planned. The cost was more than estimated but it will last a great many years whereas a resurfacing job would only last a year or two.
I hope we can continue this work, doing a little every year until all four gates are connected with macadam, as the gravel avenues are almost impassable at times in early spring.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Trustees for their assistance, and for the consideration they have shown me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED E. GOODWIN, Superintendent.
December 31, 1923.
112
FINANCIAL REPORT 1923
Appropriation, March, 1923 $ 8,553.82
Re-imbursement Royal Indemnity Co. 20.56
Transferred from Bequest Fund
1,152.19
Transferred from Veteran Grave acct.
361.34
Transferred from Cemetery Reserve Fund
2,129.28
$12,217.19
Expended :
Charged to Cemetery Bequest Fund
$ 1,152.19
Charged to Veteran Grave acct.
361.34
Charged to Cemetery Reserve Fund
2,393.54
Charged to Maintenance
3,666.19
Charged to Annual Care
3,488.44
Unexpended balance
. 1,155.49
$12,217.19
Receipts :
Amount receivable January 1, 1923
$ 201.11
Received for Opening Graves
903.00
Received for Annual Care
1,500.27
Outstanding bills December 31, 1923
. 700.36
$ 3,304.74
CEMETERY RESERVE FUND
Balance Cemetery Reserve Fund January 1, 1923 $ 577.11
Lots and Graves Sold 1923:
10 Single Graves
236.00
6 Four Grave Lots
775.00
4 Six Grave Lots
700.00
6 Eight Grave Lots
1,200.00
$3,488.11
Transferred to Cemetery acct. December 26, 1923
2,129.28
Balance in Cemetery Reserve Fund Dec. 31, 1923 $ 1,358.83
PERPETUAL CARE 1923
Lot No .:
823 Bertha G. Temple
$100.00
Henry T. Leavis
100.00
925 Edith A. Tipper 100.00
483 Cora J. Jaquith 100.00
1059 Horace Brown
100.00
358 M. Elma Pierce
100.00
1052 Adolph S. Larson 100.00
152 Elmer J. Brown 100.00
113
1085 Hazen K. Symonds
100.00
266 Nellie A. Richardson
100.00
263 Harriett E. Richardson 100.00
497 Arthur N. Mansfield 100.00
561 W. E. and J. F. Twombly
100.00
718 Susan G. Putnam 100.00
990 H. E. Cummings
100.00
279 Mary C. Richardson heirs 100.00
236 Mrs. Arthur O. Fuller
100.00
364 Carl M. Spencer 100.00
997 E. L. Wright, Trustee 100.00
766 Edith M. Martin 100.00
374 Eliza Talbot 100.00
944 Lucy Mack estate
100.00
746 Frank A. Colby
100.00
195 Louisa B. Jenkins 100.00
241 Grace L. Twombly
100.00
663 James A. Gaetz 100.00
S. G. No. 105-6 Grace B. Shepardson
252-3-4 G. G. Clouse
75.00
255 Arthur H. Cook
25.00
256-7 Alden S. Johnson
50.00
258-9 George W. Davis
50.00
260-1 Mary A. Lowell 50.00
269-70 Carl O. Carlson 50.00
$2950.00
50.00
Construction
New Lots
Tools and
Equipment
General
Maintenance
Truck, Gas
and Oil
Truck,
Repairs
Office
Expense
Total
Percy N. Sweetser Frank F. Simpson
$ 862.00
$ 418.50
$ 1280.50
33.00
33.00
Cummings Express
16.55
16.55
Am. Railway Ex.
3.01
3.04
Est. of Jason Zwicker
120.00
120.00
Readi'g Gar. & Ser. Sta.
$ 87.13
87.13
$ 58.79
58.70
Reading Motor Co.
7.56
7.56
S. R. Stembridge
25.75
17.50
17.50
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
$ 68.08
68.08
Braman, Dow Co.
139.57
139.57
Municipal Light Board
3.60
3.60
Francis Brothers
$ 31.66
31.66
Hodson Brothers
11.89
11.89
Henry A. Feindel
94.75
94.75
Joseph Peters
14.00
14.00
Fred F. Smith
3.50
3.50
Adams, Cush'g & Foster
8.68
8.68
Reliance Rib. & Car. Co.
1.00
1.00
Yawman, Erbe Mfg. Co. Zanni & Co.
900.00
900.00
S. H. Davis Hdw. Co.
59.75
59.75
Atlantic Marine Exch.
16.00
31.00
31.00
P. J. Seaman
14.73
14.73
The Hodges Co.
41.86
41.86
Cutter, Wood Sup. Co.
56.24
8.27
8.27
Halliday Sales Co.
3.50
3.50
Howard W. Batchelder
2.00
2.00
Reading Water Works
8.90
8.90
Francis B. Hunt
18.00
18.00
Joseph Breck & Sons
55.08
55.08
Reading Greenhouses
18.53
25.50
F. E. & E. L. Emery T. C. Fife
11.28
11.28
Frigid Fluid Co.
7.50
247.83
247.83
Oliver W. Austin
9.00
9.00
Malis Power Sup. Co.
19.00
19.00 .14
The Barrett Co.
350.00
350.00
Gen. Crus. Stone Co.
241.94
241.94
Melvin McCoubry
O. O. Ordway
4.35
4.35
Waldo Bros. & Bond
6.37
6.37
Lowe & Powers
40.00
40.00
Willard P. Adden
9.00
9.00
Pay Roll
498.88
4378.00
1934.00
6810.88
$2414.45
$ 309.96
$6070.89
$ 112.88 $
85.85
$2067.67
$11,061.70
16.50
16.50
16.00
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
56.24
A. E. Goodwin
18.53
25.50
7.50
Berger Mfg. Co.
M. F. Charles
.14
2.00
2.00
John St. Garage
25.75
Alex. Lindsay
115
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report : ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
The Board organized for the year by the choice of Mr. Wadlin, Chairman, and of Mr. Mansfield as Secretary. Standing Committees were appointed as follows:
On Accounts: Messrs. Wadlin, Mansfield and Doughty.
On Books: Mr. Mansfield, Miss Whittemore and Miss Bancroft.
On Building and Grourds: Messrs. Wadlin and Keneely and Miss Bancroft.
On Work with Children: Miss Whittemore and Miss Bancroft.
EXPENSES OF THE LIBRARY
Following is a cor densed financial statement :
Appropriation, direct tax, 1923:
Salaries
$ 2,050.00
Maintenance
3,050.00
Total from tax levy
$ 5,100.00
Expended
Salaries: Librarian, Assistants and Janitor $ 1,995.98
Books and periodicals, including re-binding
1,656.61
Printing, stationery, etc.
160.24
Fuel, light, water, sewerage.
388.10
Repairs
740.20
Miscellaneous
101.23
$ 5,042.36
Balance unexpended :
On salaries
$ 54.02
On maintenance
3.62
$ 57.64
$ 5,100.00
REPAIRS
The unusual amount expended for repairs is due to work to cover certain defects in the plastered ceilings, referred to in our last report, which was provided for by an adequate increase in our appropriation for 1923.
116
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
Volumes in library, close of 1922
11,521
Volumes bought, including replacements 844
Received by gift 90
12,455
Worn out or discarded and not replaced.
565
Total number of volumes Dec. 31, 1923. 11,890
The net gain is 369 volumes. The discarded books include 250 volumes held in storage in the basement, of virtually no value, occupying space urgently needed. Eleven books were burned because they had been exposed to contamination from contagious diseases while in the hands of borrowers, and 29 were lost under circulation during the year.
The volumes added to the library include 180 in the class "fiction for adults, "' and 186 non-fiction for adults. Fiction for young readers include 194 volumes and non-fiction 127. The replacement of worn-out, lost or dis- carded books include 72 for adults and 85 for young readers. The gifts from private donors numbered 81 volumes, and the other gifts were State or U. S. Government publications.
The State Library Commission has provided a carefully selected list of books for young readers, adapted to the several school grades. For pupils who complete the prescribed course, under stated conditions, the Commis- sion issues a certificate of merit. We have undertaken to co-operate with this Commission by providing an adequate number of the required volumes, in grades three, four and five, and those needed for the other grades are to be bought. The books for grade three were ready for "Children's Book Week" so-called, Nov. 11 to 17. Owing to unavoidable delays those for grades four and five were not ready until later, and only one pupil, Philip G. Parker, having read the required number and complied with the con- ditions, received a certificate. This effort to broaden the reading of children in the schools to which Miss Whittemore of the Trustees has given special and very helpful attention, has aroused keen interest, and hereafter, without doubt, many pupils will win certificates of merit.
The Report of the Librarian to the Trustees regarding the work of the library contains the following interesting comments :
"A change made in our rules, allowing adult readers to take at a time more than one volume of non-fiction, and that reducing the age limit for children from ten to eight years have been much appreciated. Of the new borrowers registered during the year 257 were under 14 years of age out of a total of 558."'
117
"For Children's Book Week, annually observed, three 'Story Hours' for children, were held in Library Hall, through the kind co-operation of the Story-Hour Committee of the Reading Woman's Club, Miss Margaret E. Whittier, Chairman."
"Library Hall has also been used for various meetings not inharmonious with the library service."
"The Woman's Educational Association (of Massachusetts) lent the library an Audubon travelling collection of books on birds, which remained here during the summer."'
"Advanced pupils from the High School have been employed as extra assistants as required during the closing months of the year, and paid by the hour for service rendered. There is now so much reference work in the library and so much use of the reading room during the winter evenings, that three attendants are usually needed. These helpers from the High School have been able to provide advance lists of reference topics required in school work, or the advance lists of reading posted at the school, and also to assist pupils at the library in the necessary reference investi- gation."
"A new feature introduced this year should draw the library and the public schools still more closely together. This is the installation of a ' Teacher's Collection' of books relating to pedagogical and allied sub- jects, transferred through Mr. Safford, Superintendent of Schools, from the School Department to the library, and placed on deposit in a special alcove. These numbered 446 volumes, which have been classified and cata- logued by the Librarian, and they are to be circulated under the regular rules of the library, although for longer than the usual period, i. e. for four weeks, renewable for an additional four weeks. Although primarily for the use of teachers, they are open to general circulation. A list of the books, printed by co-operation of the School Department, is available."
"On August 1, 1923, the present Librarian completed twenty years' service, and the present Assistant Librarian fifteen years. It may be inter- esting to recall briefly, how the work has increased and changed under the more liberal conditions of present-day management, conforming to methods common in public libraries in Massachusetts.
The circulation (for home use) has increased from 17,821 in 1903 to 41,607 during the past year. The requirement of three months' residence in town before a borrower's card might be issued has been abolished. The age limit under which cards were granted has been reduced from fourteen to eight.
The greatest increase in the use of the library, both in books taken out and in the reference and reading room use, followed the occupancy of the new building in 1918. The succeeding year showed a gain in circulation of
118
4,000 volumes. The use of the library by the children has grown steadily since the age limit was changed. In 1915, at the suggestion and with the assistance of the Woman's Club, story-hours for children were established. Now, the children are the most constant users of the library.
In 1903 borrowers were excluded from the shelves, and the Librarian, who was without assistance, except on Saturday evenings, searched for books through a list of numbers selected from a catalogue chained to a desk near the door. Now, there are no barriers. Borrowers may look the books over and select those they wish to read.
Except while unusually busy (during 'rush hours') three attendants are ready to render assistance in book selection or to respond willingly when, for example, a child requests 'an easy book for me,' adding, 'and mother say's 'will you please pick out a book for her.' "
To this interesting record of progress noted by the Librarian we are glad to add that (as noted in previous reports) the changes have been ac- complished without a corresponding advance in the expense of the library in relation to the general cost of municipal administration. Except for an occasional and unusual item, like that incurred in repairs last year, the rela- tively small cost of the library as a part of the annual expenses of the town has not materially changed in recent years. The expense is negligible as affecting the tax rate.
And today instead of occupying a single crowded room held under lease, without decoration, and in which the proper development of the li- brary was impossible, we have a thoroughly modern and progressive library, housed in a tasteful and convenient building of our own.
We may congratulate ourselves also that the new building was built at a fortunate time. A year later the complications incident to the war, materially advancing the costs of construction, would perhaps have made its erection unadvisable or impossible. It was one of the last town libraries to which, before the death of Mr. Carnegie, his generosity (through the Carnegie Corporation) contributed. And, as part of the development of a municipal centre opposite the Common, it was carried through before the town was obliged to face the construction of a sewer system, and other pressing problems involving considerable expense.
It is a public library building simply, without other more or less ex- pensive adjuncts. It is not magnificent, but is of type harmonizing with our old New England architecture, fitting its site without breaking with the traditions which have come down from the first settlement of this parish of Old Reading (now our modern town), here on Nathaniel Parker's farm, and it serves its purpose well, without unduly burdening the town on ac- count of up-keep.
It is pertinent to report also that certain claims in litigation, brought by sub-contractors against the contractor for the building who unfortunately failed before the completion of his contract, have during the past year been
119
settled by the contractor's sureties, thereby releasing to parties in interest the unpaid balance on the contract, held by us since 1918, and the town is therefore now relieved from any further connection with that matter.
USE OF THE LIBRARY
Volumes borrowed for home use.
41,607
Increase over previous year. 808
Largest monthly circulation, March. 4,214
Smallest, August 2,836
Number of new borrowers registered.
558
Number of days open during the year
251
Average daily circulation, home use.
165.7
RECEIPTS OF THE LIBRARY
These include :
Fines, etc., collected (for over-detention of books, chiefly) ..
$262.72
Waste paper, etc., sold.
9.25
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1923. 9.72
$281.69
Paid to Town Treasurer
263.00
Balance on hand $ 18.69
REVIEW OF PURCHASES
The new books as bought continuously through the year have been listed in the library, especially displayed to bring them to the attention of read- ers, and from time to time the titles have been published in the Chronicle.
Of current fiction we have endeavored to make a careful selection, both with regard to the merit of the books bought and to their interest to various classes of readers. The books purchased for young readers, to which we have devoted particular attention, include, as we have said, duplicate vol- umes in considerable number to meet the requirements of the standardized course prepared by the State Library Commission.
Disregarding these two groups-fiction and books for the young-we call attention here to ten volumes only, in each of four other classes, the titles selected at random from a list which might be considerably extended : In Biography: Bok, "The Man from Maine"; Cartwright, "Beatrice D'Este"; Kohlsaat, "From Mckinley to Harding"; Page, "Thomas Nelson Page"; Jordan, "Days of a Man"; Van Dyke, "Catherine De Medicis"; Waddington, "Letters of a Diplomat's Wife, 1883-1900"; Trevelyan, "Mrs. Humphrey Ward"; Mrs. Wiggin, "My Garden of Memo- ries "; Stone, "Fifty Years a Journalist."
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