USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1958 > Part 15
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It is therefor recommended that this Department be properly man- ned with trained employees fairly paid so that it can perform its func- tions with good efficiency and in an economical manner.
In closing the Superintendent wishes to express his appreciation to the Members of the Board for their close cooperation and to further ex- press appreciation to the several Town Department heads for their in- terest and cooperation. Also to congratulate those employees who have given unstintingly of their talents and efforts for the benefit of the Department and to assure them of his continued interest in their welfare.
Respectfully submitted
PHILIP WELCH
Superintendent
174
Behind the Bookshelves
Annual Report No. 91 Board of Trustees
Reading Public Library
New facilities and wider service lead the agenda for the Reading Public Library in 1959, a trend set by the professional standards laid down nationally for library guidance and accelerated by the growing demands of an eager-reading public.
Library operations are coming more and more into line with stand- ards built up through extensive surveys of the American Library Asso- ciation. Local libraries in this state are prompted to meet those standards by the Division of Library Extension in the Massachusetts Department of Education. These agencies, at national and local levels, form a well-coordinated team in the task of promoting legislative action, official support, and public awareness in the establishment of these standards.
BUSINESS IS UP :- The use of the Reading Public Library was up 18.56% in 1958 over 1957; due probably to the growth of the town and increased use of facilities by the schools. This represents an increase of 12.78% in the adult department and 29.72% in the children's room. Total circu- lation for the year was 149,409.
The librarian's statistical report to the trustees shows further that we have purchased 2,393 books during the year. This is short of the 3,500 recommended as a standard for a town of this size by the American Library Association.
Accounting for books withdrawn from circulation, this leaves a net gain of 1,287 volumes in 1958.
Of the 2,515 books repaired 84 were sent out for rebinding and 2,431 were mended by staff members at the Library.
Work in weeding out and discarding unused books in an unending chore. Inactive volumes include many biographies as well as westerns, romances, mysteries, and books in the youth collection.
New shelf and filing arrangements have been in process to aid patrons and staff.
Circulation of recordings has shown a gratifying increase and film strips have been added by a gift of the Reading Minsterial Association. At present this collection is limited in scope but it is expected that means can be found to enlarge it.
CROWDED HOURS :- Personnel problems are being set on a track toward solution through some more specific classification of positions. The present salary scale is short of that set by the American Library Association and lowers our position in the competitive personnel market. Duty assignments and additions to the staff would be facilitated by such a revamped classification program.
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The squeeze on personnel can be somewhat eased by changes in circulation procedures. A new charging desk in the main room and an enlarged desk in the children's room, both equipped with semi-auto- matic charging machines, an intercommunication system, a mail noti- fication for book reservations, and a number of other advanced tech- niques can speed up the work and aid the staff in the daily routine.
CLOSE QUARTERS :- Lack of space is again beginning to tell in the general operations about the building. There is still plenty of room for books but the institutional and public services are hampered.
Remedies are in the projection stage and not only the trustees but also the Selectmen recognize that the future of Library service calls for exension of working facilities.
The enormous increase in the use of the children's room is the acute problem. Here business has increased in an area that was already overcrowded. The relief afforded by using a part of the lower stackroom for junior high book service has been offset by additional growth. New charging facilities will speed up the work in this department but will not remove the space problem which must be met with definite action in the near future.
The southwest room just off the main reading room has been taken as an office for the librarian and the office at the back of the stackroom has become a files and cataloguing center. The former exhibition room now houses the phonorecordings and the display case has been moved into the main reading room.
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS :- The Board of Library Trustees feels, as it has stated before, that it regards it a duty to lay before the town the full needs of the Public Library.
New materials and facilities, while adding to the maintenance out- lay, can result in considerable time saving and allow the staff to give greater service to the public. Planning along this line is a definite part of our current program.
Expansion embraces three areas of operation: Materials for institu- tional and public use, space to accommodate them, and personnel for operation.
Materials include the books, periodicals, and other items for circu- lation as well as the supplies and equipment for maintenance and operation.
First consideration is given to the books. A representative collection to meet townwide tastes in fiction and nonfiction keeps executive per- sonnel ever alert and it is found that both professional and volunteer book-selection aids have made for positive results. The need for new technical works has been particularly pressing, with so much on the market and restricted funds requiring care to provide a rounded collec- tion. A problem in all book selection is to procure enough copies to satisfy circulation requirements and yet not to overpurchase.
The matter of supplies makes its chief impact in the field of finan- cial and administrative planning since it is obvious that there must be provision for book-repair work, materials, plant maintenance, and simi-
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lar items. Equipment for operation, however, raises the question of frequency of change and here must enter some analytical thinking in order to balance proposed new expenses against the gain in over-all efficiency in plant operation.
Here the use of new materials for book preparation and repair is constantly considered. The purchase of an intercommunication system, a semi-automatic charging machine, and-more remote but rapidly ap- proaching-the acquisition of microfilm and the facilities for using it are in prospect.
The personnel problem has been acute this past year and appears likely to continue that way. The full-time staff is not large enough 10 allow flexibility for unexpected or forced time off and the part-time help has not been available in sufficient volume to fill the gaps.
Efficient coverage of all areas administration and service is, in the opinion of the trustees, the best exercise of economy.
STATISTICAL DETAILS :- A statistical summary indicates the extent of your Library's work during 1958.
Finance - Appropriations from the town, $38,375.56; interest on trust funds, $705.00; total, $39,080.56.
Circulation Desk Receipts - Adult Fines, $1,541.46; Children's Room Fines, $627.66; Nonresident Fees, $30.00; Total to town treasury, $2,199.12.
Adult Circulation - Fiction, 52,074; Nonfiction, 30,343; Periodicals, 6,666; Phonorecords, 4,113; Film Strips, 31; Total, 93,227.
Children's Room Circulation - Fiction, 38,263; Nonfiction, 11,222; Periodicals, 312; Total, 49,797.
Junior High Circulation - Fiction, 4,727; Nonfiction, 1,191; 'Total, 5,918.
Total School Circulation - 2,192.
Total Children's Department - 56,121.
Interlibrary Loan - Borrowed, 43; Loaned, 18; Total, 61.
Total Library Circulation - 149,409.
Increase - Adult, 10,579; Children's, 12,730; Total, 23,309.
Daily Average - Adult, 317.10; Children's, 190.88; Total, 507.98.
Adult Books Purchased - Fiction, 541; Nonfiction, 891; Reference, 22; Total, 1,454.
Children's Books Purchased - Fiction, 630; Nonfiction.
Summary - Volumes on Hand Dec. 31, 1957, 39,485; 2,393; Gifts, 147; Total Added, 2,540; Withdrawn or Missing, 1,243; Gain, 1,297; On Hand Dec. 31, 1958; 40,782.
New Borrowers - Adults, 669; Children, 704; Nonresident, 15; Total, 1,388.
Library Hours - Adult Department, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, until 6 p.m. Saturday (63 Hours). Children's Room, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (48 Hours). Both departments closed all day Saturday dur- ing summer months.
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LIASON AND PUBLIC RELATIONS :- The board has found much satis- faction in the services of Joseph J. Schmuch who succeeded Miss A. Rebecca Turner upon her retirement as librarian at the end of June. He has continued much of the administrative procedure and introduced practice or consideration of advances in library techniques. John Berry, added to the staff as circulation librarian during the past year, has given a decided lift to the routine operations.
The institution by Mr. Schmuch of regular contributions to the Reading Chronicle under the headline of "Librarian's Corner" has been an excellent publicity medium for the Library and he has also kept the local press informed of professional activities of the staff and news of general importance about happenings at the Library. The Chronicle has been most cooperative in the publication of these items as well as in giving space to list new books and for the book reviews submitted by the board chairman.
Close cooperation promotes the daily functioning of your Library and the staff is quick to report suggestions and reactions expressed by the public in order to help the trustees in resolving matters of policy.
Board of Library Trustees
KATHERINE C. PIERCE
H. IRENE LATHAM Secretary
Chairman
C. NELSON BISHOP
WILLIAM H. DIAMOND
SYDNEY M. HODSON
ROBERT E. STEWART
178
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
February 1, 1959
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1958 as follows:
The Town acquired title to the land on Franklin Street formerly owned by the Batchelders. This property was taken by eminent domain proceedings for school purposes, pursuant to the vote of the Town Meet- ing. Prior to the taking, conferences were held with the School and Recreation Site Committee and real estate experts and counsel represent- ing the Batchelders. Title to this land was examined. The Town has not arrived at an agreement with the Batchelders concerning the value of the land taken.
Meetings were held with the Forest Street School Building Com- mittee and the Bonding Company in connection with the failure of the general contractor to complete the contract. Arrangements were negoti- ated for the completion of the work by other parties and for a settlement of the claims of the Town against the Bonding Company.
Meetings were also held with the Highland School Rebuilding Com- mittee in connection with the completion of the contract to rebuild the Highland School and the protection of the Town's interest in a dispute between the general contractor and a subcontractor.
Conferences were held with the Junior High School Building Com- mittee and the architect in connection with the contract with the archi- tect and the contract was prepared and signed.
A lawsuit was commenced against the Town by one of the subcon- tractors involved in the development of the Birch Meadow athletic field. All other subcontractors, the general contractor and the Bonding Com- pany were joined as parties to this litigation. After extended hearings, a decree was entered settling all claims, protecting the interest of the Town, and ordering the Bonding Company to make specified payments in addition to the distribution of the balance held by the Town after first deducting expenses incurred by the Town by the failure of the general contractor to fully perform the contract.
A hearing was held by the Selectmen to determine the condition of the John Street Laundry property in accordance with the appropriate statute. Notice was thereafter given to all interested parties to abate the dangerous condition and nuisance determined by the Selectmen to exist at this property. Upon the failure of said parties to remove the nuisance and dangerous condition, proceedings were commenced by the Town to remove the building. Notices, bid forms and contracts were prepared. Conferences were held with the Building Inspector and the Selectmen. Upon the completion of the removal of the building, suit was com- menced against the owner of the premises for the cost incurred by the Town. This suit is still pending.
Conferences were held with the Selectmen in connection with park ing areas adjacent to the Community Center and the Municipal Building Notices, bid forms and contracts were prepared for that work.
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A public hearing was held by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in connection with the air pollution and odors alleged to have arisen in Woburn. Evidence was presented for the Town. Various steps were thereafter taken by that Department to abate this nuisance.
Meetings were held with the Selectmen relating to the use of Long- wood Road by trucks. Conferences were also held with Woburn officials and titles to land in the area were examined.
The hearings before the Department of Public Utilities in connection with the objections of the Municipal Light Department to the proposed rate increase of Boston Edison were concluded. During the course of these hearings there were many conferences with the Manager of the Municipal Light Department and other witnesses.
Conferences were held with the Selectmen in connection with the petition filed by the Boston and Maine Railroad to change the service to Reading and relocate the main station. The hearings on this petition commenced in January before the Department of Public Utilities.
The leases for the Community Center were prepared after con- ferences with the Selectmen.
Three lawsuits against the Town, alleging personal injuries result- ing from street or sidewalk defects were disposed of - two by settlement and the third by trial. There is presently one lawsuit against the Town for an alleged street defect.
The appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court from the Superior Court decision affirming the Board of Appeal decision was dismissed for failure to properly perfect the appeal. During the year one appeal was taken from a decision of the Board of Appeal. This appeal is still pending.
The mandamus action brought by a former police officer against the Selectmen was tried in the Superior Court and a decision rendered in favor of the Selectmen. The former officer has filed an appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court.
A lawsuit against the Town Clerk involving birth records was tried in the Superior Court and a decision rendered in favor of the Clerk.
There is one lawsuit pending against the Town involving the con- struction of sewers.
The lawsuit for the Welfare Department to recover from an Estate for aid given to the deceased was terminated by settlement after numerous conferences with the Town Agent, counsel for the Estate, and the State Welfare Board. Other claims by this Department have been litigated and support orders for welfare recipients enforced.
Claims for damage to Town motor vehicles and other property have been prosecuted and conferences held with Town officials in connection therewith.
Deeds for the conveyance of tax title land have been recorded and redemption certificates prepared.
Meetings have been held with the Selectmen in connection with the traffic control system on Main Street and the specifications for changing the underground cables and other parts of that system.
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Articles and motions have been prepared for the Annual and Special Town Meetings.
During the year there were many conferences with the Board of Public Works, and opinions rendered in connection with contracts, ease- ments, subdivisions, the dump, contracts with developers, betterments. relocation of water mains, orders of taking, and other matters.
There were also frequent conferences with the Building Inspector relating to violations of the zoning By-Laws, complaints of citizens, and the issuing of building and use permits.
I have attended the regular meetings of the Board of Selectmen on Monday evenings, rendered opinions to all Town Boards and Commit- tees, attended meetings and hearings of Boards and Committees when requested so to do, investigated accident cases and claims against the Town, prepared amendments to the Town By-laws and Zoning By-laws, collected funds due the Town, prepared papers for retirement of em- ployees, prepared agreements and other papers, and performed all other services requested of me as Town Counsel.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL H. AMON, JR.
Town Counsel
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL
To the Board of Selectmen
Reading, Massachusetts
The undersigned submit their report for the Board of Appeal of the Town for the year 1958.
The Board heard 32 cases on 15 hearing days. Twenty-eight were for variations of the Zoning By-Laws and four involved the Building Code. Of the total, 14 were granted, 8 were denied, 6 were dismissed and 4 were continued. At the close of the year, all petitions brought before the Board had been heard, and decisions pending on 4.
GERALD E. FOSBROKE, Chairman PHILIP R. WHITE, JR., Secretary THOMAS A. PERKINS
Board of Appeal
181
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1958.
Permits were issued and inspections made on the following:
Additions to existing wiring 193 Office buildings 2
Air conditioners 29
Public buildings 6
Band (additions)
2 Radiators (electric) 1
Beauty shops
3 Ranges (electric) 106
Churches (additions)
7 Repairs to existing Wiring 21
Churches (new)
1 Rewire oil burners 4
Coal yards
1
Services (permanent) 92
Dishwashers
38
Services (temporary) 15
Dryers
48
Services changed to three wire
40
Dwellings
86
Schools (additions)
9
Fire alarm systems (Private) 4 Signs
9
Freezers
7
Stores (additions) 17
Garages
Stores (new) 6
1
Garbage disposals 35
Telephone booths (outdoor) 1
Gas furnace controls 20
Vent fans 61
Gasoline stations
9 Washers (automatic) 12
Manufacturing plants
3 Water heaters 24
Motors
11 Water heaters (oil)
4
Nursing homes
4 Water heater time clocks 24
Oil burners 134 Welders 2
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. O'DOWD
Inspector of Wires
182
ONE HUNDRED FOURTH REPORT OF THE FIRE CHIEF REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The report for the year of 1958 of the Fire Chief, Forest Warden and Superintendent of Fire Alarm is hereby submitted.
Manual Force. The permanent force consists of Chief, Deputy Chief, four Captains, Mechanic and twenty-two Privates. Three Perma- nent Firefighters were appointed this year. Captain George W. Good- ridge has retired. There are thirteen full time and three half time call Firefighters. There is one call Dispatcher. The Auxiliary Fire Service con- sists of thirty active men. Several Permanent and Auxiliary men have attended the C. D. Rescue School at Topsfield.
Apparatus. Located at the Central Station are: Ladder 1, a 65 ft. Jr. Aerial Ladder Truck; Engine 1, a 1,000 gal. per min. Pumping Engine; Engine 2, a 1,000 gal. Engine; Engine 4, a 500 gal. Engine with a 100 gal. portable pump. This engine is used for grass and brush fires; Engine 7, a 500 gal. trailer pump; E9, a one ton panel body truck and a two wheel hose trailer.
The Chief has a Chevrolet sedan and the Deputy a Chevrolet Station wagon.
At Station No. 2, Woburn Street: Engine 3, a 600 gal. Pumping Engine, in reserve; Engine 5, a 400 gal. Engine, manned by the Aux- iliary Fire Service; Engine 6, a 750 gal. Engine; Engine 8, a 500 gal. trailer pump. Engine 2, a 400 gal pumping Engine, purchased in 1926 was disposed of this year.
Service Record. During the year the department responded to 88 bell alarms, 21 of which were false. Of these false alarms 14 were malicious, 6 caused by defects of systems inside of buildings and one from a box demolished by a truck; 25 Still; 12 Radio; 157 telephone and 262 service calls. Reading apparatus responded to other communi- ties 35 times and other departments responded to Reading 17 times.
Calls to dwellings: Single family 41; 2 family 3; 3 family 1; 4 fam- ily 1; Block of stores 3; Garages 3; Foundry 1; Tool shed 1; Church 1; Manufacturing 2; Club and lodgings 1; Greenhouse 1; Mail box 2; Rail- road bridge 1; Lighting, no fire 2. Grass and dumps 70; Dumps 35. 22 calls for Resuscitator, oxygen 3. Water removed from 74 cellars, 4 re- frigerators removed, Water leaks 11, Pumping for Public Works 16, Tests made for gas 4, Gas explosion 1, Assisting persons locked out, or in, 30. One building burned for owner, Assistance to Police 28. 4 fires were investigated by Inspector from the State Fire Marshal's Office. One person was convicted for arson and sentenced for an indefinite term.
1,676 ft. of ladder were raised including the 65 ft. aerial 17 times. Hose laid: 18,400 ft. 34 booster from 117 tanks of water; 11,400 ft. 11/2 in .; 12,450 ft. 21/2 in. Engines pumped 19314 hrs. Extinguishers: 21 CO2, 1 foam; 3 dry powder; 12 Chimney fuzees. 34 waterproof covers were spread.
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Permits issued: Power burners and oil storage 229; Range burners and oil storage 2; L. P. gas storage 12; Blasting 58; Class A fluids 1; Re- moval of gasoline tank 2; Display of fireworks 2. Many permits were issued for fires in the open air.
The fire loss for 1958 on property endangered, valued at $679,679.00 was $9.083.35, a reduction of $163,952.94 from 1957. Insurance paid $S.631.65 leaving an uninsured loss of $452.20.
Fire Prevention. Fire prevention lectures were given to several groups. The annual awards for Fire Prevention essays by pupils of the Jr. High School were donated by the Reading Auxiliary Fire Ser- vice and were awarded by the Chief. Inspections were made of all of the schools and, as required by the State, regular inspections were made of all Nursing and Rest Homes. Many other inspections were made. Complaints received were investigated and, when necessary, proper action was taken.
Fire Stations. At the Central Station the redecorating of the second floor was completed with a new ceiling in the rear sleeping room. The south roof gutter was repaired and a new conductor placed. Minor re- pairs were made and a new covering put onto the leanto. Station No. 2, Woburn Street, with three Permanent Firefighters on each shift gives added protection to this section of the town.
Fire Alarm. Some extensions have been made to the overhead fire alarm construction and a three conductor cable installed to the Lowell Street School. Three schools have been connected to outside master alarm boxes whereby a fire starting at any part of the building will sound an alarm over the town fire alarm system. Three fire alarm pedestals have been broken by motor vehicles and one box, on a pole, demolished. Four new boxes have been purchased and installed. Three boxes, over fifty years old, have been removed. One private box has been installed at a Nursing Home.
Recommendations. There is definite need of an additional ladder truck. Engine 1, which has given good service since 1934, will be due for replacement soon. The permanent force should be increased to relieve the present condition of apparatus responding to alarms without sufficient manpower to man the apparatus on arrival. With the rapid growth of the northern section of the town, consideration of the pur- chase of a lot on which to erect a fire station should be considered necessary now. The fire alarm circuits should be extended, new boxes added and many of the older boxes replaced.
Conclusion. The co-operation of the Board of Selectmen is appre- ciated. I wish to thank the members of the department and the Aux- iliary Fire Service for their efficient service. The telephone operators at the Reading Office have been very efficient in their handling emer- gency calls to this department. Thanks are also due to other town depart- ments, the Red Cross and to citizens who have rendered assistance to this department.
Respectfully submitted, HUGH L. EAMES, Chief of the Fire Department Fire Warden and Superintendent of Fire Alarm
184
REPORT OF THE WELFARE AGENT
To the members of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Citizens of the Town of Reading. The following reports of activities, expenditures and reimbursements for the year ending December 31, 1958 is respectfully submitted.
Members of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance:
Newell H. Morton, Chairman
Daniel L. Chamberlain, Secretary Bureau of Old Age Assistance Donald C. McKie, Secretary of the Board of Public Welfare
Staff Members of the Welfare Office:
Quincy B. Park, Agent
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