USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1926 > Part 7
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Gentlemen :- I submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Number of permits granted.
116
Number of fixtures installed. 548
Bath tubs
79
Closets
142
Lavatories
118
Sinks
100
Wash trays
83
Urinals
13
Shower Baths
7
Drinking Fountains
6
- 548
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID TAGGART, Inspector of Plumbing.
85 REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF CEMETERIES
The report appended of Superintendent of Cemeteries Alfred E. Goodwin covering in detail the work of the department, and approved by the Trustees, leaves nothing additional necessary to be said.
The terms of Secretary Philip H. Tirrell and Chester P. Eeles ex- pire, and their associates are pleased to state they will be candidates for re-election.
Most respectfully,
GALEN A. PARKER, Chairman PHILIP H. TIRRELL, Secretary
FRANK L. EDGERLEY
WILLIE E. TWOMBLY
CLARENCE C. WHITE
CHESTER P. EELES
Trustees of Cemeteries.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Trustees of Cemeteries,
Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen: Complying with your request, I herewith submit a report of the work done in Forest Glen Cemetery during the past year, together with an estimate of the cost of work that should be done in 1927.
The section that contains seventy-one eight-grave and sixty-two four- grave lots has been graded and covered roughly with one foot of loam.
Although the lot corner-markers have not been set, lots could be sold at very short notice if it were necessary.
The wall has been completed with the exception of a cap or cover- ing of some sort to protect it from the weather.
A macadam avenue has been constructed from the main entrance on Pearl St. to the Forest St. entrance. This affords us a great deal of satisfaction as it has a rock foundation five feet deep and will doubtless last for many years without any maintenance cost. It will be free from the growth of weeds which adds to the cost of up-keep. Automobiles can drive through the cemetery at all times without being stuck in mud, which is a common occurrence in many cemeteries.
As far as the surface is concerned, all that remains to be done to finish this section is to put the finish grade on the lots, roll and seed them, cap the wall and set out trees, shrubs and vines.
86
Unfortunately, we still have the drainage problem to contend with, which is not a surface proposition, as the land has to be drained at least five feet below the surface to prevent wet graves. I think all will agree, that this should be prevented if possible. It was thought that the 1926 appropriation would be ample to finish all construction work for some years to come, but the drainage problem proved to be more serious than was anticipated.
In my last year's report I stated that there is a narrow ledge which forms a natural barrier or dam that prevents the sub-drainage of water below the surface in the dug-over arca to be used for burial purposes. This should be blasted before lots are sold.
After considerable deliberation on the part of the Trustees and Mr. Henry S. Adams of Forest Hills Cemetery, the consulting engineer, it was decided that blasting the ledge as planned, would only afford temporary relief, but that extending the avenue through some of the undeveloped land and excavating it to the proper depth, would drain all the cemetery land and provide us with a quantity of filling material of which we were in need. It would also give us a place to dump the rock from the next section when developed. This was done and will prove of great benefit to the cemetery in future years.
A steam shovel had to be hired for this work. Since we shall not have any work that will warrant our having one again for several years, it seemed advisable to excavate the northwest corner of the cemetery at the Forest St. entrance and use the gravel for filling. This was done and it gives us an additional dug-over area that, when filled and graded, will make more than $5000.00 worth of new lots.
These lots will not be needed for a number of years, and in the meantime will provide a convenient dumping place for the surplus earth from graves, both from Laurel Hill and Forest Glen, eventually being filled and ready for loam at no extra expense to the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED E. GOODWIN, Superintendent.
FOREST GLEN CEMETERY
1926
Appropriation
$6,800.00
Expended
Wall :
Teaming
$ 325.60
Labor
814.50
Lime, cement, etc.
131.24
$1,271.34
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Avenue :
Highway Dept., labor
$ 289.65
General Crushed Stone Co.
367.48
Bárrett Co.
260.00
$
917.13
Excavating and grading :
Steam shovel
$ 810.19
Labor
1,765.93
Teaming
976.81
Loam
251.66
Dressing
188.00
Lumber
61.89
Tools and express
37.09
Seed
9.51
$4,101.83
Water pipe (laid)
$ 126.00
Engineering
330.25
$ 456.25
Unexpended balance
53.45
$6,800.00
Appropriation Recommended for 1927
Cement cap for wall
$ 600.00
Grading, rolling and seeding
384.00
Seed
96.00
Blasting ledge
800.00
Lot corner-markers (348 @ .30)
104.40
Labor setting markers
48.00
Trees, shrubs and vines
100.00
Labor setting out
48.00
Grass cutting (June-September)
80.00
Supt.'s salary and overhead (20%)
544.00
Contingencies
195.60
$3,000.00
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
Trustees of Cemeteries, Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my sixth annual report as Superin- tendent of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
In addition to the regular maintenance work, twenty-six new lots and sixteen single graves have been graded and seeded and are now ready for sale.
.
88
Of the land purchased from the Dexter Clapp estate in 1924, 4900 square feet has been dug over with a steam shovel, the boulders and rocks removed, and such gravel as was fit for road material, used to repair the · avenues in the cemetery. This gravel can be replaced with waste material that would otherwise be hauled away, and the land be made ready for loam before it is needed for lots.
The avenues have been resurfaced and with few exceptions are in good condition.
I would recommend that all money that can be spared from regular maintenance work be expended to replace the fence at the north side of the cemetery during the year 1927.
Following is a financial statement, a more detailed report of which will appear in the Town Accountant's report.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED E. GOODWIN, Superintendent.
Appropriation, March, 1926
$8,300.00
Transferred from Bequest Fund
1,445.24
Transferred from Reserve Fund
2,666.36
$12,411.60
Expended
Charged to Bequest Fund
$1,445.24
Charged to Reserve Fund
2,666.36
Charged to Mainteance
5,442.59
Charged to Annual Care
2,857.41
$12,411.60
Receipts
For Annual Care
$1604.67
For Opening Graves
899.00
$2,503.67
Outstanding bills, Dec. 31, 1926
387.12
$ 2,890.79
Cemetery Reserve Fund
Balance January 1, 1926
$1,651.07
Sale of Lots and Graves
1,680.00
$3,331.07
Transferred to General Fund
2,666.36
Balance in Fund Dec. 31, 1926
$ 664.71
89
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1926:
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
The Board organized for the year by the election of Mr. Mansfield, Chairman, and Miss Bancroft as Secretary. Standing committees were appointed as follows:
On Accounts: Messrs. Mansfield, Doughty and Morton.
On books: Mr. Mansfield, Miss Bancroft and Mrs. Lucas.
On Buildings and Grounds: Messrs. Keneely, Morton and Doughty.
On Work with Children: Miss Bancroft, Mrs. Lucas and Mr. Keneely.
EXPENSES OF THE LIBRARY
Following is a condensed financial statement :
Appropriation, direct tax, 1926:
Salaries
$ 3,400.00
Maintenance
3,250.00
$ 6,650.00
Transfer from Reserve Fund.
200.00
Total
$ 6,850.00
Expended
Salaries : Librarian, Assistants and Janitor.
$ 3,458.58
Books and periodicals, including rebinding
2,001.87
Printing, stationery, etc.
104.42
Fuel, light, water, sewerage
284.32
Repairs and Furnishings
866.54
Miscellaneous
85.16
$ 6,800.89
Balance unexpended :
On Salaries
0.00
On Maintenance
49.11
$6,850.00
On October 16th a portion of the ceiling in the Children's Room fell without warning. The room was at once closed. After consultation with experts it was decided to repair and protect the entire ceiling before re- opening the room. The work was considered to be in the emergency class,
90
and on request the Town Finance Committee authorized the transfer of Two Hundred Dollars from the Reserve Fuld toward the cost of repairs. The cost was about $225.00.
Receipts
Fines collected (for over-detention of books)
$ 302.25
Waste paper sold 1.85
On hand December 31, 1925
6.57
$ 312.67
Paid to Town Treasurer
$ 298.00
Balance on hand December 31, 1926
14.67
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
Volumes in the Library December 31, 1925
13,170
Volumes bought including replacements :
Adult Fiction
319
Adult Non-Fiction
239
58S
Juvenile Fiction
272
Juvenile Non-Fiction
S6
35°
Reference
2
Received by gift
152
1100
14,270
Withdrawn during year
390
Total number December 31, 1926
13,880
The net gain for the year 710
Referring to the books withdrawn, the Librarian reports :
"Of the number withdrawn 269 were discarded because worn out by use, four burned on account of contageous disease, and 117 were lost. Of the books lost, 57 books were discovered to be missing when we moved the children's books downstairs and cover a gradual loss for several years, 5 were lost from the school deposits and the majority of the rest simply disappeared though a few were charged to borrowers who were sure they had returned them. This is a much larger number lost than in previous years but is no more than other libraries are losing.
It is one of the unavoidable consequences of the open shelf system, and the more people using the library the larger the loss. It is not confined to children's books as a book on "Bridge Whist" lost two years ago, was recently found among the biography. It was on a shelf we often go to so could not have been there long. It had been taken without being charged and returned in the same informal way it had been borrowed."
91
USE OF THE LIBRARY
Volumes borrowed for home use
50,216
Increase over previous year
3,696
Largest monthly circulation, March
5,035
Smallest monthly circulation, September
3,720
Number of new borrowers registered:
Adult
368
Juvenile 175
543
Number of days on which Library was open during the year
290
Average daily circulation, home use
173
Books deposited in Schools
353
Borrowed through inter-library loan:
From Boston Public Library
2
From Somerville Public Library
2
The following table shows the growth and expenses of the Library in the eight and one-half years in the present building :
Popu- Volumes
lation
Borrowed No. of Days
Vol. in Library
Expended
1918
(Opened 7-13)
28,723
9,736
$3,294.52
1919
32,623
10,265
2,953.59
1920
7,430
34,048
10,601
3,181.61
1921
39,236
11,042
3,763.33
1922
40,899
248
11,521
3,797.84
1923
41,607
251
11,890
5,042.36
1924
42,954
255
12,441
4,953.29
1925
8,693
46,520
252
13,170
5,528.94
1926
50,216
290
13,880
6,800.89
For 1926, 13.5 cents per book circulated spent by the Library de- partment. The average cost per book circulated for the last five years is 11.7 cents. Based on a population of 9,000 the Library department spent 75 cents for each resident of Reading for the maintenance of Li- brary privileges in 1926. We hope that you believe that the Library is worth 75 cents to you as a credit to your Town.
In the report to the Trustees the Librarian further remarks:
"The Division of Public Libraries for Massachusetts has sent us a 'measuring stick for small libraries' that a library may see if they are keeping up with the average in their work. The first item is
'Income per capita $1.00 (minimum).'
Reading's population in 1925 was 8693; the 1926 appropriation was $6650.00.
'Circualtion per capita-5'.
Ours was 5,7.
Year
April 1
Home Use Lib. Open
92
' Hours of opening. Extend library hours to accommodate schools.' We added Friday afternoons last spring, so are open every afternoon. 'Indicate hours of opening on the outside of the building.'
I hope some day there will be a sign down near the sidewalk to indicate which building is the Library and when it is open. People often come to the Library hunting the water or light department.
'Co-operation with school deposits.'
We have deposits in our schools as noted above.
' State certificate reading. '
We awarded 156 five book certificates and 28 honor certificates in 1926.
'Reserve books on assigned topics.'
We are constantly doing this for limited periods besides keeping on special shelves throughout the school year the books on the required reading lists of the High School students.
'Library extension register 40% of your population.'
During the past five years we have registered 42%. Each borrower's card is cancelled at the end of five years of renewed if still in active use.
'Librarian's professional opportunities-attend a library meeting or an institute and visit an up-to-date library at least once in two years.'
The Librarian and Assistant Librarian both attended an all-day meeting of the Massachusetts Library Club in January, 1926. The Assis- tant Librarian attended an an institute for small libraries in Fitchburg, May 4-7, and the Librarian attended the annual meeting of the Massa- chusetts Library Club in Plymouth, June 25-26, 1926.
In May the Librarian gave a brief talk on the library and its work with children, before the Mothers' Council at the Unitarian Church parlor, and in December a talk on children's books for Christmas presents, before the Parent-Teachers' Association of the Lowell Street School.
The following exhibits have been placed in the exhibition case by the Art Committee of the Woman's Club and the Librarian:
February-Hand-painted paper dolls showing costumes of 1840.
March-Miniatures by Sarah Goodridge.
April-Old manuscripts and church book belonging to the Library.
May-Originals of illustrations by Alice B. Preston in Sandwell- Valley of color days.
June-State honor certificates won by Highland School pupils.
August-Old Books-from library collection.
October-Colored Tissot illustrations of Old Testament.
December-Pictures of Madonnas.
The outstanding event of the year was the opening of the new children's room September 30th. The additional shelf-room this made on the main floor has made it possible to group the books more conveniently. The attempt is being made to have the High School pupils use one reading room where the fiction and their required reading collection and reference books are placed. The other reading room formerly used by the children
93
now has only non-fiction and teachers' collection on its shelves and is a somewhat quieter place for those over High School age to read in. Having' the younger children in their separate room has been a great help in dis- cipline. The High School scholars will always tend to make the library a social center and meeting place and are not inclined to be over-quiet, but they are the ones who are really using the library for reference and study more than any other group in town.
As it is generally found that the circulation of books and reference use of a library is greatly influenced by the amount of money the library has to spend on books, magazines, and efficient service, these figures of circulation and registration show that the Trustees can report a fair return for the money appropriated by the town for their public library.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA L. BROWN, Librarian."
THE CHILDREN'S ROOM
The Trustees had long realized that the time was rapidly approching when more shelf-room for books must be provided. They also felt certain difficulties arising from the use of the same room by children and adult readers. A single solution for these two problems suggested itself in the possibility of taking the room known as Library Hall for a children's room. After careful consideration it was decided that meetings held in Library Hall could be easily be accommodated elsewhere and that the rapidly growing needs of the Library justified taking this room for strict- ly library purposes. It was therefore voted to include in the budget for 1926 an item of $500.00 for fitting up Library Hall for the use of children.
The first step to be taken was obviously that of installing a book- lift in the shaft constructed for that purpose when the Library was built. The contract for this was given to the Beckwith Elevator Company whose price was $163.00. Next came the shelving, and, as steel shelves seemed most desirable, a representative of the General Fireproofing Company visited the Library and made a plan in consultation with the Librarian, which was accepted by the Trustees. This plan provided four tiers of shelves on the east and west walls of the room at a cost of $246.00. At first no new furniture was bought for this room, but the children's tables and chairs previously used in the main room, were moved into it, and new ones of adult size purchased for the space left vacant. Thus the $500.00 appropriation sufficed for the first necessities. Later a Librarian's desk and table were added. Fortunately several small sums of money were available, including a small balance of the legacy of Mrs. James Wight, a gift from the committee of the Woman's Club in charge of the Christ- mas book sale, and one from the Story-Hour Committee. With this money attractive curtains were purchased, and the work of making them was done by several friends.
The room was opened for use on the afternoon of September 30 and presented a most attractive appearance with its well-filled book-shelves, its
94
green window hangings, and plants and flowers. On the evening of October 16th, its happy occupants were startled by the sudden falling of a considerable amount of plastering. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt. The room was immediately closed and repairs made which insure the safety of the whole ceiling. Since its re-opening the room has been greatly enjoyed by the children, and the comfort of adult readers in the main room has been much increased. The Librarian also reports that the children's work is more easily handled in the separate room. The efficiency of the Librarian at the time of moving deserves special praise. There was not an hour's break in the library service.
Some highly appreciated gifts have already been made to the Chil- dren's Room. The Mothers' Council presented "The Map of Adventure for Boys and Girls," which has been hung low so the children can easily study it and read the inscriptions from travel and adventure stories that take the place of cities and rivers on an ordinary map. The Reading Woman's Club has given money for the purchase of a Copley Print of the Oath of Sir Galahad from the Abbey paintings in the Boston Public Library. The Trustees have also voted to use for the embellishment of the Children's Room a legacy of $100.00 left by Benjamin S. Fabens. This makes possible the purchase of two other Copley Prints from the Holy Grail series, which have been chosen as appropriate companion pieces to the "Oath." These three pictures on the north wall will be the first thing seen by every one entering the room. It is believed that the children will feel greater respect for a room thus beautiful and that a feature of real educational value is being added.
The Trustees are unanimous in believing that the time and money expended in opening the Children's Room are well invested and that the Library is now able to meet the needs of all the publia better than ever before.
BUDGET FOR 1927
The detailed estimates of the amounts necessary for the proper support and maintenance of the Public Library for the year 1927 are:
$ 400.00
Fuel, light, water, sewer charge
200.00
Printing and supplies
1,800.00
Books, periodicals, binding, etc.
500.00
Repairs
Miscellaneous expenditure . . 100.00
Additional equipment, shelves and typewriter
200.00
Total maintenance
$ 3,200.00
Salaries
4,280.00
Total appropriation requested
$ 3,000.00
$7,480.00
95
As against an appropriation in 1926 of
$6,650.00
And transfer from Reserve Fund of
200.00
$ 6,850.00
Unexpended
49.11
$ 6,800.89
The suggested increase in the Salary Account is made up as follows :
Miss Brown
$1,500.00
from
$1,400.00
Miss Abbott
1,100.00
from
1,000.00
Mr. Killam
780.00
from
520.00
Assistants
900.00
from
480.00
$4,280.00 $3,400.00
The increase in the salary list is made to bring the Librarian to a salary incumbent with the position and comparable with the salary paid the grade teacher. It is felt by the Trustees that the work of the Libra- rians have an educational value which justifies this increase. The increase in the salary of the Assistants is due to a greater demand in the Library and also the addition of the Children's Room. The increase in the Janitor's salary is due to a change of Janitor and the proportion of his salary with the Library as adjusted with the Selectmen.
In the Maintenance Budget an amount of $500.00 is requested for repairs. This covers the painting of all exterior woodwork and the walls and woodwork in the Library Room. This amount is based upon estimate given by a local contractor for the purpose of this budget.
It is estimated that an income of about $275.00 will be received during the year from the "Fine" Account.
The faithful and efficient services of Miss Bertha Brown, Librarian, and those of Miss Grace Abbott, Assistant Librarian, again deserve our appreciative acknowledgement.
After years of faithful services as janitor Mr. Charles H. Stinchfield was obliged to relinquish his duties on account of failing health. Mr. William H. Killam was elected to fill the vacancy and is carrying on most satisfactorily.
The work of the assistants, employed from time to time, has been most efficient.
Two vacancies are to be filled at the annual town meeting, the terms of Arthur N. Mansfield and Miss Edith Bancroft expiring.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD, Chairman EDITH BANCROFT, Secretary CHARLES F. DOUGHTY RALPH S. KENEELY JESSE W. MORTON IDA C. LUCAS
Trustees.
Adopted as the Report of the Trustees, January 21, 1927.
Sixth Annual Report
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
For the Year Ended December 31 1926
98
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of Reading:
During the year 1926 there have been no projects of any consequence undertaken. Our departments rather have been busy in the maintenance and upkeep of the extensions and improvements of previous years.
We are justly proud of the personnel of our departments. We feel that they have performed the work expected of them in a thorough and efficient manner, and that the Town has received full value for the money expended in their work.
The work of the various departments is commented upon in detail further on in this report, but there are two matters of great importance which we want to bring to your attention at this point, with the expecta- tion that they will receive your careful consideration.
Our future water consumption, based on the anticipated normal growth, was estimated in 1924 as follows:
Year
Gallons per day
1925
. 323,000
1930
390,000
1935
. 465,000
1940.
.552,000
1945
. 645,000
1950
. 755,000 .
At the same time the capacity of the present source was estimated at 375,000 gallons per day. In 1926 we used 319,128 gallons per day. It is therefore at once obvious that no time must be lost in obtaining a source of supply to take care of our constantly increasing demand.
The Town of Wilmington has found a supply of water, and have shown a desire to dispose of a portion of it to Reading. The situation has been thoroughly investigated by an engineer of unquestioned ability, under our employ. The following conclusions are quoted from his report:
"Wilmington has apparently found a supply safely capable of furnishing ground-water, acceptable without treatment, to an amount ranging from 500,000-750,000 gallons per day.
"If water is purchased from Wilmington, the entire supply of Reading must be so obtained, in order to make the proposition attractive to Wilmington. This will make necessary the shutting down of the present Reading Supply Works.
"In order to discount the risks incident to the connection with a small town supply, additional storage of 1.0 million gallons should be provided in Reading, and a 12-inch main laid from the junction of Woburn and Lowell Streets, Wilmington, to Reading Square.
99
"The 12-inch main, with the proposed additional storage, will furnish satisfactory fire service.
"The total cost of the 12-inch main and proposed additional storage will approximate $100,000, the fixed charges on which, over 25 years, will equal $30.00 per million gallons of the total anticipated consumption of Reading during this period.
"The total cost of water purchased from Wilmington by Reading, will therefore approximate $130.00 per million gallons.
"The contract with Wilmington-as suggested by the pro- posed contract with Woburn-will run for not more than fifteen years and can be terminated by Wilmington on two years' notice.
"Because of the cost, which will be fully as high as that of Metropoliton water, and particularly of the possibility of termi- nating the contract at or before the end of fifteen years, the purchase of water from Wilmington is not advisable."
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