USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1941 > Part 18
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There are people in Reading who have been generous toward the Library. Their kindnesses during the past year are enumerated in the report of the librarian and the trustees wish to add their gratitude for all of these gifts and assistances.
Changes of Personnel
During the year Mrs. Phillip H. Tirrell found it necessary to resign from the Board of Trustees and the board wishes to record here its commendation for her faithful service. We feel equally gratified that the place has been filled by Mrs. Lewis E. Pierce.
Also during the year the assistant librarian, Mrs. Marjorie Hasel-
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ton resigned from the staff to make her home in Worcester. She was a capable assistant and had proved valuable during her years of em- ployment in the Library. The post has been capably filled by Mrs. Ruth Currier.
This year the terms of Mrs. Lewis Pierce and Mr. Louis M. Lyons regularly expire.
A. IMRIE DIXON, Chairman C. NELSON BISHOP, Sec. LOUIS M. LYONS WARREN L. FLETCHER ISABELLE G. HEDGES KATHERINE C. PIERCE
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Reading Public Library :
During 1941 the Library has been a busy place; the discipline problem seems to have straightened itself out, and there is more time to devote to other things. The circulation shows a slight decrease, which is true of nearly all libraries at present. We are, as last year, having much demand for technical books; and, in addition, are buying many on National and Home Defense, as well as books on "What the Citizen should know about the Navy," and kindred subjects. We have the usual waiting list for best sellers, both fiction and non-fiction. Only the Western and Detective Story shelves are not so depleted ds usual, though the new books of that type are as popular as ever.
In September the assistant, Marjorie Haselton, resigned and moved out of town, leaving a host of library friends. Ruth Currier, who had been a part time assistant for a number of years, has been made the regular assistant and the arrangement is proving most satisfactory. For reference work and detail work Jacqueline Turner has proved in- dispensable. Her mind is a storehouse of the classics and general information.
The card catalogue has been re-arranged. It is now in two sec- tions; one contains the author and title cards; the other the subject cards. This is not yet completed but we are still working on it.
Two groups from the Reading Woman's Club, the Book Group,
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and the Preservation of American Antiques Group have given us the following books :
Lee-Early New England Pressed Glass.
Brazier-Early American Decoration.
Notebook of Leonardo Da Vinci
Twenty Short Plays
Cameh1-Blue China Book
Kent-Hooked Rugs
McKearin-American Glass
The Reading Society of Craftsmen has given us "Making Water- color Behave" by O'Hara.
We wish to thank the Garden and Conservation Group for their exhibits, especially those for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We are very grateful to the Beebe Library of Wakefield, also the Stoneham and other Libraries for books borrowed under the Inter- Library loan. We have also been able to loan some of our books to them.
The following is the Report of the Librarian of the Children's Room, Miss Rebecca Turner :
The Children's room has had a busy, successful year. The circu- lation had a small increase, in spite of the general trend in most Libra- ries toward lower circulation.
In the spring and fall we made several trips to one school, taking books for the children to borrow, with satisfactory results.
The exhibitions in the show case, during the first half of the year, were borrowed from the Children's Museum in Jamaica Plain. These exhibits were loaned free, for two-week periods. During the summer some of the children had exhibits of their own hobbies. Late in the fall, several rooms of doll-house furniture, in the style of the 18th century, were arranged for us. These interested and pleased children of all ages.
The story hour was held once a week during the summer, with an average attendance of twenty-two.
A second-hand bookcase, with glass doors, was purchased in the fall, and stained. The "special collection" books are kept in this. If any child wishes to look at or read these books he may do so by asking at the desk and showing that his hands are clean. He will then be given the key. We hope to keep these books in better condition in the closed case.
Book Week was the climax of the year. Over one hundred new books were on exhibition for the week. Several classes from the dif- ferent schools visited the Library each day, some in the morning, oth-
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ers in the afternoon. To each class a short talk was given, regarding the proper use of library books, and conduct in the Library, a story was told, and then a chance was given to the children to learn to use file, and to look over the new books. The room was decorated with bright-colored book-jackets and pictures. A collection of old children's books was loaned for the case, some were over a hundred years old.
During this week, book-jackets and pictures were loaned to the schools.
Booklists have been prepared on some of the more popular sub- jects in the hope that they will assist the children to find, for them- selves, the books they like.
A new system of fines was presented to the children in the fall and they seem to be more careful to return their books promptly.
At Christmas time a Della Robbia wreath, donated by the Arts and Crafts Society and prepared by Mrs. Sheldon, was hung in the Library. The children enjoyed trimming the tree. The room was bright with pictures, a winter bouquet, and window scenes.
A very beautiful set of eight stained glass plaques representing scenes from children's books was made and presented to the Library by Mrs. Catherine Clark. These were on exhibition in the adult room for several weeks, but before Christmas they were hung in the Chil- dren's room where they are to remain.
In closing, we want to thank the trustees for their co-operation and interest.
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE J. ABBOTT, Librarian
LIBRARY STATISTICS
Appropriation
Salaries
$ 5,550.00
Maintenance 3,475.00
Special Appropriation-sale of Secretary 25.00
Expended
Salaries : Librarian, Assistants, Janitor 1
$ 5,481.72
Fuel, Light, Water, Sewer 329.16
Books, Periodicals and Binding
2,383.55
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Printing and Supplies
549.22
Maintenance and Repairs
172.72
Miscellaneous
51.88
$ 8,968.26
Balance unexpended and returned to revenue :
On Salaries
$ 68.28
On Maintenance
13.46
$ 9,050.00
Receipts
Fines Collected
$ 591.84
Three Fees from Out of Town Borrowers
6.00
$ 597.84
Paid to Town Treasurer
$ 597.84
Balance, Dec. 31, 1941
00.00
Statistics, 1941
Volumes in Library, Dec. 31, 1941
23,629
Volumes boughts :
Adult fiction
684
Adult non-fiction
488
1,172
Juvenile fiction
311
Juvenile non-fiction
131
442
Reference Books
7
Received by Gift
114
1,735
Total
25,364
Withdrawn during year
655
Total number of volumes, Dec. 31, 1941
24,709
Circulation for home use, adult
77,468
Circulation for home use, juvenile
21,569
Total circulation in 1941
99,037
Total circulation in 1940
102,139
Loss in 1941
3,102
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New borrowers registered, adult
396
New borrowers registered, juvenile 226
Total new borrowers 622
Number of days library was open
299
Average daily circulation, adult 259.1
Average daily circulation, juvenile 72.1
Borrowed from other libraries 30
Loaned to other libraries 20
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Form of Bequest
I hereby give and bequeath to the Town of Reading the
sum of to have and to
hold, the income only of which shall be used for
for the Reading Public Library.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
For the Year 1941
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The Cemetery Trustees submit their annual report as follows :
The Board organized for the year by electing Clarence C. White as Chairman and Fred L. Nutter as Secretary. William P. Pierpont was re-appointed Superintendent.
The appropriations for the year were $8,900.00 for maintenance of Laurel Hill Cemetery and $1,200.00 for Forest Glen Cemetery. $1,250.00 was transferred from the Cemetery Reserve Fund to assist in carrying on the work of the Department.
The maintenance of Laurel Hill Cemetery and the maintenance and development of Forest Glen Cemetery have been supervised care- fully by the Trustees, with a view to keeping within these appropria- tions.
The report of Superintendent Pierpont, approved by the Trustees and appended hereto, covers very fully the work carried on during the year. The Trustees feel that the excellent condition of both Cemeter- ies reflect the efficient managment of the Superintendent and the loy- alty and faithfulness of his assistants.
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE C. WHITE, Chm. FRED L. NUTTER, Sec. HARRY C. BARR, HAROLD F. DAVIS, FRANK LEE EDGERLEY,
W. FLETCHER TWOMBLY, Board of Cemetery Trustees.
LAUREL HILL AND FOREST GLEN CEMETERIES
Report For 1941
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
-
I have the honor to present herewith my annual report ending De- cember 31, 1941.
In addition to the general maintenance and upkeep of the ceme-
235
teries, several avenues were resurfaced in Laurel Hill this season. Lo- cust, Highland, Winding, Willow and a part of Laurel Avenues had a penetration of asphalt with a covering of pea stone. Cross, Pine, Circle, Oak and Bow Avenues and the yard at the shop had a coat of tarvia with a sand cover. This should insure their preservation for a number of years.
This season being the driest for many years, it was necessary to keep a man watering throughout the summer. The section north of Willow Avenue was infested with grubs and skunks that completely de- stroyed the turf, which had to be dug over and sprayed with arsenic of lead. Many perpetual care lots had to be reconditioned. This year we were unable to obtain any help from the Welfare Department to care for the Old Cemetery and old lots, so this extra work was done by the Cemetery Department.
There were seventy-two interments and one reinterment in Laurel Hill during the year, sixty-five sunken graves were repaired and thirty- six winter graves graded and seeded in the spring. Thirty-four lots were reloamed and seeded, four two grave lots dug over and ledge re- moved on the land purchased from the Clapp Estate and fifteen monu- ment and twenty marker foundations built. All the remaining paths in the Cemetery were filled in with loam and seeded.
The iron gates, urns and annual care signs were painted. Perpetual care lots and Town Plots were fertilized, hedges and shrubs watered and kept trimmed, trees pruned and all dead wood removed. Catch basins were cleaned out in the spring and fall, stepping stones trimmed and leaves raked and cleaned up in the fall. We were fortunate in having the leaves teamed away gratis. All the avenues were kept open during the winter.
Four lots and one single grave were sold and three graves were used by the Welfare Department in Laurel Hill this year. Ten old lots were placed under perpetual care and one lot had an additional amount added. Each year the list of lots under annual care has been reduced, as more lots have been endowed and placed in perpetual care. While it is always possible in this department to make improvements, it is not my intention to recommend any this next year in Laurel Hill.
During the year, very little progress has been made by the W. P. A. in Forest Glen Cemetery. Work on the project started January 22nd with only a few men. The Pearl Street wall, started in 1940, was completed and should be capped with three-inch North River Bluestone, to correspond with the wall previously built bordering the Cemetery on Pearl Street and Forest Glen Road. Two hundred and sixty feet of wall at the southern boundary has been built over the two-year period.
The section between the Cemetery House and the lower entrance has been graded, loamed and seeded. Several loads of gravel were
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hauled to the roadbeds and considerable ledge removed. August 12th, all work was discontinued and the men were transferred to a Town drainage project. There is still more land to dig over, avenues to build, water pipe to extend, catch basins to build and approximately six hun- dred and fifty feet of wall at the south and west boundaries to build. It is hoped that this work will start early next year and continue until the project is completed.
On account of the scarcity of Welfare labor, the Board of Public Works was unable to beautify the plot of land at the intersection of Pearl Street and Forest Glen Road. It is assumed this work will be carried out in the near future.
Four new beds were laid out, evergreens, flowering crabs of differ- ent varieties and shrubs were planted to embellish Forest Glen Ceme- tery. Seven lots and two single graves were sold, and one grave was used by the Welfare Department. One monument and five marker foundations were built. Two hundred and fifty cement numbers were made and placed on lots. There were twelve interments and four re- interments this year. One hundred and thirty-two graves were laid out and numbered in the Veteran Plot, six Veterans were interred and four Government markers were placed.
This covers in detail the work in Laurel Hill and Forest Glen Cemeteries this year. The compressor purchased this season has given wonderful service removing ledge and frost from winter graves. I rec- ommend painting the house and setting out several Schwedler maple trees in Forest Glen Cemetery next year.
The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Ac- countant.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM P. PIERPONT, Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' GRAVES
Reading, Massachusetts, January 1, 1942.
I herewith submit my report as Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves for the year ending December 31, 1941.
There were three lots and five graves repaired in Laurel Hill Ceme- tery during 1941.
Appropriation $ 600.00
Pay Roll $ 426.00
Repairs on Veterans Lots and Graves in Laurel
Hill Cemetery 89.00
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Care and maintenance of Veteran Plot in Forest
Glen Cemetery 85.00
$ 600.00 $ 600.00
The following Veterans have passed away during the year 1941 :
Civil War
Lot No. 216, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Harland P. Pratt, 94 years, died Jan. 8, 1941, buried Jan. 11, 1941.
World War
Lot No. 1242, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Edward H. Stanley, 44 years, died March 2, 1941, buried March 4, 1941.
Veteran Plot, Forest Glen Cemetery, Harry F. Parks, 48 years, died May 15, 1941, buried May 17, 1941.
Lot No. 1194, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Ernest L. Thornquist, 52 years, died May 17, 1941, buried May 21, 1941.
Veteran Plot, Forest Glen Cemetery, Irving M. McCaughey, 41 years, died Oct. 31, 1941, buried Nov. 2, 1941.
Lot No. 160, Forest Glen Cemetery, Gardner A. Perry, 46 years, died Nov. 21, 1941, buried Nov. 23, 1941.
Lot No. 365, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Francis Johnson, 52 years, died Nov. 22, 1941, buried Nov. 24, 1941.
Yours very truly,
HARRY A. TURNER,
Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves, Town of Reading.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD for 1941
To the Town of Reading :
The Board organized with A. Lloyd David, chairman and Sherburne J. Watts as secretary. Weekly meetings have been held at the Muni- cipal Building throughout the year.
The Board has been represented at all public meetings of the Board of Appeal.
We have maintained contacts with the State Planning Board, State Board of Public Works and our local State Senator and Representative relative to extension of Route 128 (Circumferencial Highway) and other matters that might affect the Town interests in relation to the physical planning changes.
Mr. David and Mr. White have addressed several meetings of local organizations on the subject of need for revision of zoning of the town.
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Mr. White and Mr. Watts were elected to represent the Board on the special Committee of fifteen to study development of real estate.
Mr. White represented the Board on the Special Drainage Com- mittee.
Mr. David is at present Chairman of Planning and Technical Divi- sion of Civilian Defense.
The Board has co-operated with the Sub-committee on Zoning and has prepared a revised edition of the amendments to the Zoning By- Law, which will be ready for the Annual Town Meeting.
During the summer the Board had the maps of the Town revised, incorporating all changes that had been made since the last revisions in 1939. When Civilian Defense organizations were created the Board was able to furnish maps to these organizations which we believe were of great assistance to them. It was gratifying to the Board to be in a po- sition to do this and we feel that it was very fortunate that the Town has been willing to furnish the funds which made this work possible.
Respectfully submitted by the Planning Board, SHERBURNE J. WATTS,
Secretary.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
January 31, 1942 Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my 5th annual report as Inspector of Wires for the Town of Reading for the term ending December 31, 1941.
During the past year I have made 630 inspections and have issued 490 permits to perform work in the town which are classified as follows :
Oil burners, 117; repairs, additions, etc., 111; new houses wiring, 132; ranges, 71; water heaters, 7; motors (all kinds) 21; filling stations, 1; stokers, 7; additional tenements, 5; heat regulators, 1; signs, 4; old houses wired, 1; battery chargers, 1; new stores, 1; church organs, 1; electric generators, 1; gas pumps, 3; total permits issued, 490; re-inspec- tion, 140. Total inspections for year, 630.
And have compiled the complaints, etc., as follows : electrical fires, 2; wiring condemned, 3; warnings of violations of code, 2; wiring with no permit, 6; wiring with no license, 6; notices to State Examiners, 3.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their co-operation throughout the year, and, any and all others who assisted in the proper administration of this office during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT C. MAXWELL.
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REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable, the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit herewith, my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1941.
The services which I have rendered during the year just passed have been numerous and varied and include among other matters, the disposal by trial of important court litigation in which the Town was involved. The case pending in the Fourth District Court of East- ern Middlesex relating to the removal proceedings of a police officer under the classified civil service law was tried before the court and a favorable decision was rendered sustaining the action of the Select- men in ordering the removal of the officer. There was also pending at the beginning of the year, a petition for writ of mandamus in the Middlesex Superior Court brought by the same officer, seeking an order requiring the Selectmen to approve his application for pension under Chapter 32, Section 85, of the General Laws. After certain preliminary hearings the court referred the mandamus petition to an Auditor, to hear the parties and report his findings to the court. After trial, consuming several days, the Auditor filed a report in which he concluded that the Selectmen were justified in determining that the police officer was not entitled to a pension and that the decision ren- dered by them was made honestly and in good faith. Upon the final hearing before the court after the Auditor's report, the Judge ordered judgment for the Selectmen by dismissing the petition for writ of man- damus. Formal charges were preferred against another police officer under the classified civil service law and after hearing as required by law, the Board of Selectmen ordered his removal from the Police Department. This officer commenced proceedings in the Fourth Dis- trict Court of Eastern Middlesex for review by the court of the case heard by the Selectmen, and after trial the court found that the action of the Selectmen in removing the police officer was fully justified.
Four cases resulting from an accident which occurred on Grove Street, in January, 1939, in which a truck skidded on the icy roadway, throwing the passengers over a stone wall, seriously injuring them, were disposed of by trial before a jury in the Middlesex Superior Court, wherein the jury returned verdicts for the Town, thereby ab- solving the municipality from any liability resulting from this accident.
I have been active in securing legislation amending the Act relat- ing to the drainage of the low lands adjacent to Lake Quannapowitt, and in connection with the construction for the Town of the drain- age system by the Commonwealth. The matter of the taking of land
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by right of eminent domain has required my attention, and I have supervised the preparation of the form of agreement for damages, orders of taking, grants of easement, and co-operated with and had many conferences with the Assistant Attorney General and the State Engineer relative to the acquisition of titles to the land affected by the takings and the payment of land damages therefor.
After complaints were made by a group of citizens to the Board of Selectmen, and as a result of action taken in the District Court at Woburn, and acting under instructions from the Board, I caused a feeble minded boy to be committed through the Middlesex Probate Court to the Walter E. Fernald State School.
The pending suits against the Town brought by the City of Boston and the City of Somerville to recover for welfare aid furnished indi- viduals having legal settlements in the Town, were disposed of by set- tlement, during the year, and the final record thereof has been entered in court.
The contract and specifications for the removal of ga. bage were drafted for the Board of Health and the furnishing of the contrac- tor's performance bond and the execution of the contract and bond were supervised by me. Articles and motions for the annual and spe- cial town meetings on other than routine matters, were drafted for Town Departments. Numerous opinions have been rendered the sev- eral boards and officers of the Town on municipal subjects, release deeds covering parcels of land sold by the Selectmen and acquired by the Town by foreclosure of tax liens in the Land Court, were drafted. Pleadings in litigation brought against the Town were prepared and filed in court. Complaints relative to vicious dogs were drafted under my supervision and an order for restraining of all dogs was prepared for the Selectmen. After the adoption of by-laws relating to the con- struction of buildings, the same were submitted for approval by the Attorney General as required by law. Violations of the Zoning By-Law were referred to me for consideration and action.
A complaint was filed against a registered pharmacist for alleged violation of the law relating to the sale of alcohol under a Certificate of Fitness. Hearing was held before the Board of Selectmen and the Board ordered the Certificate of Fitness revoked. Appeal was taken before the State Board of Registration in Pharmacy, and after hear- ing, the State Board confirmed the decision of the Board of Selectmen in revoking such certificate.
After preliminary action taken in accordance with my established policy relative to tax titles, I collected the sum of $3,583.31 of overdue taxes, thereby eliminating the necessity of foreclosing such tax liens in the Land Court. Several tax title foreclosure proceedings which were commenced during the previous year were completed during the
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current year and final decrees were obtained thereon. Foreclosure proceedings relating to eight tax titles were commenced in the Land Court, two of which cases have been prosecuted to final conclusion and decrees have been issued thereon and the remaining cases will be dis- posed of in the near future. Nine parcels were sold under the Statute of Low Value, and seven of these parcels were purchased at the sale, thereby placing these properties in the classification of contributing toward the tax revenue of the Town.
Several opinions were rendered concerning welfare matters and especially relating to old age assistance cases involving proceedings pending in the Middlesex Probate Court.
Forty appeals pending at the beginning of the year before the Appellate Tax Board, relating to the valuation of real estate, have all been disposed of either by trial or settlement. I am glad to report that there are no appeals against the Board of Assessors now pending before the Appellate Tax Board.
Matters of a routine nature of the Board of Public Works relating to the laying out of streets, orders of taking, easements for drainage and water mains, and waivers of claim for damages, have been referred for my attention and advice. Opinions have been rendered concern- ing various Public Works activities. A claim for damages resulting from the relocation of streets and the taking of land therefor, has been satisfactorily adjusted, and the necessary releases have been obtained for the protection of the Town.
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