USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1961 > Part 12
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SOLUTION SOUGHT TO SPACE PROBLEM
Following the recommendation of the Library Study Committee in its report to the town earlier in the year, the Board of Trustees is seek- ing the first step in expansion of library facilities. The findings of the Study Committee agreed with the contentions of the Trustees that all departments of service were crammed into inadequate quarters. The children's, youth, and adult sections are crowded at peak periods of the day while the work cramped condition of staff servicing and shelv- ing of books greately interferes with efficient operations.
Since the Study Committee reported that the request for architec- tural outlines to solve the problem is a policy-making step, the Board, at the March, 1962, town meeting is asking for funds to pay for a pro- fessional survey and preliminary planning.
The edict during the spring which closed the Library during eve- nings to high school pupils was a direct result of the crowded situation. Boisterous conduct by some of the school group was the deciding factor. In the fall the ban was lifted and pupils who have used the Library during evening hours have kept within bounds of good public be- haviour and shown proper consideration for the rights and comfort of their associates.
The expansion of the phonorecord collection is testing the space alloted to it. With the acquision of new stereophonic playback equip- ment with both earphones and speakers, it is expected that the collec- tion will take on added popularity. It may also be noted that stereo records are available to those who have the proper equipment to play them. Those having only the monaural record players are cautioned against borrowing the stereo recordings.
Recordings may be borrowed only by adults but it may be noted that there now are many records listed in the collection suitable for children.
Plans are laid to make more room for the recordings by moving the microfilm reader to another part of the building.
138
SHELF CLASSIFICATIONS RE-ARRANGED
A new cataloguing system is replacing the old card classifications. The Library of Congress cards, which come all printed and ready for use, are being used with all new books and are replacing the old type of cards as fast as possible.
This will bring about new groupings of some works and a shifting of department shelves in the open stacks.
Application of the Cutter system of classification to the phonorecord collection is expected to increase the flexibility of arrangement.
New compilations of reference materials are constantly being of- fered and some which appear to have lasting value are being acquired. Most of these are expensive and popularity of the demand is a criterion which usually rules the decision on purchase.
POLICY STUDIES CONTINUE
The Board has kept under observation several policy matters. These include-besides salary, personnel advancement, and building prob- lems-vacations, sick leave, book selection, public relations, and inter- library contacts.
Appraisal of these matters as they are discussed in the field is aided through attendance of various members of the Board of Trustees at conferences of the American Library and Library Trustees Associa- tions, the Massachusetts Library and Library Trustees Associations and, now and then, meetings of area library clubs. These latter meet- ings are found helpful to staff members and many of the staff attend parts of the association meetings when topics of individual interest are up for discussion. The Librarian endeavors to keep close touch with meetings of all the professional groups.
William Diamond is treasurer of the Massachusetts Library Trus- tees Association and attended the sessions in Cleveland, Ohio, last June of the national groups, coming back with the general report that libraries throughout the nation seem to face the same problems found here in Reading.
LIBRARIAN GIVES STATISTICS
The statistical table compiled monthly in the librarian's office is summarized by Mr. Johnson as follows:
(*Denotes highest in town history)
Appropriation from the town
*$58,312.44
Trust fund income
2,124.00
Transfer by Finance Committee
101.42
Appropriated by special town
meeting
335.00
Total income
*$60,872.86
139
SALARIES
Appropriation from the town .... $ 37,087.44
EXPENDED
Full-time personnel $ 27,206.13
Part-time personnel
6,657.31
Custodian
3,224.00
Total expended $ 37,087.44
MAINTENANCE
Appropriation from the town
$ 21,225.00
Trust fund - income
2,124.00
Appropriated by special town meeting
335.00
Transfer by Fin. Committee
101.42
Total maintenance
....
$ 23,785.42
EXPENDED
Books
$ 11,650.44
Periodicals
678.70
Records
347.94
Binding
1,482.06
Printing & supplies
1,541.65
Expense account
333.80
Petty cash
198.06
Service contracts
556.13
Building maintenance
2,080.16
Capital expenditures
2,570.64
Telephone
284.91
Fuel
874.39
Light
1,113.94
Water & sewer
72.60
Total expended $ 23,785.42
Total expenditures
$60,872.86
(turned into town treasury)
FINES & CHARGES
Adult Department
$ 3,058.11
Children's Department
669.61
Total receipts
*$
3,727.72
CIRCULATION
Adult Department
Fiction
63,034
Non-Fiction
49,848
Periodicals
7,873
140
Phonorecords
3,556
75
Filmstrips Films
10
Total Adult Department
*124,346
Children's Department
Fiction
57,700
Non-Fiction
16,569
Periodicals
914
Classroom Deposits
2,223
Total Children's Department ...... .....
* 77,406
Inter-Library Loan
Borrowed
35
Loaned
57
Total Inter-Library Loan
92
Total Library Circulation
*201,894
INCREASE IN CIRCULATION OVER 1960
Adult Department
5.41%
6,390
Children's Department
10.39%
8,045
TOTAL INCREASE OVER 1960
7.59%
14,435
Average daily circulation
Adult Department
424.87
Children's Department
264.16
Total average daily circulation
* 689.03
Per capita reading index
* 10.43
Registered Borrowers
Adult
4,335
Young adult
2,583
Children
2,900
Non-Resident
29
Total registered borrowers * 9,847
Per cent of townspeople having library cards * 51.18%
Number of hours Library open Each Week
Normal schedule
Adult Department
63
Children's Department
48
Summer schedule
Adult Department
55
Children's Department
40
141
Volumes in Library December 31, 1960 ....
42,497
Books added
Adult Department
Fiction
875
Non-Fiction
1,294
Reference
37
Total Adult Department
2,206
Children's Department
Fiction
828
Non-Fiction
609
Reference
56
Total Children's Dept.
1,493
Total books added
3,699
Gifts (included above)
59
Books withdrawn or missing Adult Department
260
Children's Department
333
Total withdrawn or missing
593
Increase in number of volumes
3,106
Volumes in Library December 31, 1961
45,603
Repairs to books
Rebound
302
Repaired at Library
1,607
Total repaired
1,909
ROBERT E. STEWART, Chairman
H. IRENE LATHAM, Secretary
C. NELSON BISHOP
HELEN E. CLARK
WILLIAM H. DIAMOND SYDNEY M. HODSON
FULL-TIME STAFF Theodore E. Johnson, Librarian
Richard E. Reed, cataloguer Brij M. Kapoor, reference librarian
Sonja K. Beckett, circulation asst. Janice M. Carter, general assistant Georgianna C. Merrill, children lib. Gusta E. Lodi, children's assistant
PART-TIME STAFF
Marjorie O. Littlefield, Elinore M. Pinto, Doris H. Taylor, Eleanor R. Hardy, Jayne Finney, Jan G. Merrill, Joan Foy, Richard Coyle, Charles Merullo, Barry Kean, David Brown.
CUSTODIAN Louis B. Bacigalupo
142
ANNUAL REPORT of
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS of The Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ended
December 31, 1961
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To The Citizens of Reading:
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its annual report for 1961.
On March 13, 1961, the Board organized with Donald Florence as Chairman and Willard C. Ames as Secretary. After the resignation of Mr. Ames from the Board, Mr. Leonard was elected Secretary.
Regular meetings of the Board were held on Monday evenings plus a few special meetings.
Acting as the Board of Survey, several hearings were held to con- sider proposed developments. New rules placed in effect during 1960 are working to the advantage of all concerned.
A program of accepting streets as public ways as soon as possible after the developer has completed construction seems to be working ac- ceptably. The program has been expanded over a greater number of years as the work load in any single year was more than the Depart- ment could efficiently handle.
During the year various members have served on several special town committees.
Sewer construction was continued according to the published pro- gram. The results of the steady annual appropriations and construction is bearing fruit. Many serious sanitation problems have been elimi- nated.
Construction of the proposed purification plant in Hundred Acre Meadow is under way and it is expected that work will be completed in June of 1962. Considerable attention has been given to this project.
Other improvements in the water system are under consideration. As funds become available improvements will be made based on care- ful studies now being made.
One of the major problems of the Board is financing in the Water Division. It will be necessary to exercise great care in handling water funds for the next four or five years until the bonded indebtedness is substantially reduced.
The Board continues to receive requests for various services, the cost of which is far in excess of any annual appropriation. As a result, programs have been set up for the several divisions by which the work can be accomplished in a fair, steady and realistic manner.
A new system of job evaluation and merit increases has been initiated, together with a proposed new schedule of salaries for the many classifications, which will be presented to the Town Meeting for their consideration. The Board urges the Town Meeting to approve the proposed system as it is felt that this new approach will result in a more efficient department operation.
Again, it is our privilege to thank Boards and Committees of other Town Departments, and the general public, for the cooperation ex- tended during the year.
144
The Board also wishes to extend its thanks to the employees for their continued loyalty and cooperation, especially in cases of emer- gency when it has been necessary for them to work long hours under trying conditions.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent for a more detailed account of the activities of the various divisions of the Board of Public Works.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD E. FLORENCE, Chairman LAWRENCE W. LEONARD, Secretary SYDNEY M. HODSON, JR. WILLIAM H. WATT FLOYD E. BROWN
Board of Public Works
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works:
Gentlemen:
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of the Acts authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the forty-first annual report of the De- partment of Public Works and a short resume of the work performed during the year 1961 with recommendations for the future.
General
Residential construction continues at a fairly steady pace. As a result, the Board continuously receives requests for various services. Programs have been established in the various divisions of the De- partment and steady progress is being made in many ways. Some work has been let out to contract but most work is being done by Department employees.
Steady progress is being made to up-date several departmental functions. New equipment has been purchased, new methods installed, work loads rearranged, records reorganized and unnecessary items eliminated.
Board of Survey
The members of the Board of Public Works are ex-officio members of the Board of Survey. Acting as the Board of Survey, several hear- ings were held for the consideration of individual street layouts and for developments including several streets. Conferences were held with developers, contractors and affected property owners.
Estimates were prepared and performance bonds secured for proper construction as required.
A large number of proposed lot plans were examined and endorsed for recording. In many cases, for various reasons it was not possible to endorse the proposals.
145
Engineering Division
During the year all positions were filled on a regular basis. This division is now operating quite well. New salary schedules should result in less employee turnover and more steady progress. A realis- tic use and expansion of this division would bring real efficiency and economy in many areas of Town Government.
Water Division
Expansion of existing facilities continued in 1961. Bond issues ap- proved at Town Meeting were raised. Bids were taken and a contract let for remodelling and enlarging the present treatment plant and for a small pumping station in Hundred Acre Meadow with necessary water mains. It is hoped that this work will be completed in June 1962.
Residential construction remained at about a normal level. A total of 7,413.7 lineal feet of water main was installed. A total of 102 new water services were installed and 36 old services were replaced. One and one-quarter inch mains in Copeland Avenue and Grand Street were replaced with eight inch mains. One and one-quarter inch mains in C Street, Ellis Avenue and Chestnut Road were replaced by six inch mains. All work was done by Department employees.
New water meters were installed in 108 locations, 1054 meters were removed, tested and reset, or if required, junked and new meters set.
Pumping Stations and Filter Plant
Rainfall in 1961 was near normal, and problems of water supply were not serious during the year.
A total of 608,908,100 gallons of water was delivered to the dis- tribution system in 1961. The average daily consumption was 1,668,241 gallons. The highest single daily consumption was 3,190,900 gallons on August 16, 1961. The highest seven-day consumption for the period August 14 to August 20, 1961 was 20,341,000 gallons.
Mechanical failures at all five water pumping stations were of a minor nature. Several power failures were experienced during in- clement weather from ice storms and lightning storms.
Each slow sand filter was scraped twelve times during the year.
The raw water at Hundred Acre well field continues to have a low pH value and a somewhat objectionable mineral content resulting in a final effluent which is slightly corrosive. Construction of the Water Purification Plant should better this condition.
Well Fields
Adequate rainfall and normal daily pumpage at Hundred Acre well field was experienced in 1961.
The tubular wells were cleaned, inspected and repaired in the early summer months, and wells showing high mineral content were shut off.
146
Statistics for the Year Ended December 31, 1961
General
Population - United States Census of 1960-19,259
Date of Construction of Pumping Stations - 1931, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960
Source of Supply: Tubular (Driven) Wells, Gravel Walled Wells Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons - Power Only - $29.44
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons based on total Pumping Station Expenses - $35.85
Cost of Filtration per Million Gallons based on Cost of Plant Operation - $7.61
Cost of Water Supplied (per Million Gallons Pumped) based on Cost of Maintenance, plus Interest on Bonds - $249.48
YEARLY RECORD OF PUMPING STATIONS COMBINED PUMPAGE - 100 ACRES & REVAY BROOK January 1, 1961 through December 31, 1961
Month
Days
Total 100 Acres
Total Revay Brook
Total Pumpage
Average Daily
January
31
34,110,700
8,720,000
42,830,700
1,381,630
February
23
31,121,000
8,709,000
39,830,000
1,422,500
March
31
34,239,900
10,543,000
44,782,900
1,444,609
April
30
30,693,700
11,663,000
42,356,700
1,411,890
May
31
32,872,900
14,736,000
47,608,900
1,535,771
June
30
46,496,300
20,247,000
66,743,300
2,224,777
July
31
42,465,900
23,858,000
66,323,900
2,139,480
August
31
42,411,900
28,542,000
70,953,900
2,285,610
September
30
35,730,100
17,792,000
53,522,100
1,784,070
October
31
36,236,000
12,462,000
48,698,000
1,576,903
November
30
32,222,800
11,396,000
43,618,800
1,453,960
December
31
24,743,900
16,895,000
41,638,900
1,343,190
TOTALS
365
423,345,100
185,563,000
608,908,100
1,668,241
COMPARATIVE TOTAL PUMPAGE OF WATER FOR PAST 10 YEARS
Year
Total Pumpage (Gallons)
Increase or Decrease
Average Daily Pumping
Increase or Decrease
1952
352,404,400
28,061,000 ( I)
965,492
76,880 ( I)
1953
405,580,000
53,175,600 ( I)
1,111,178
145,686 ( I)
1954
374,804,000
30,776,000 (D)
1,026,860
84,318 (D)
1955
412,582,400
37,778,400 ( I)
1,130,363
103,503 ( I)
1956
430,214,900
17,632,500 ( I)
1,178,691
48,328 ( I)
1957
471,102,600
40,887,700 ( I)
1,290,692
112,001 ( I)
1958
454,355,200
16,747,400 (D)
1,244,809
45,833 (D)
1959
503,026,200
48,671,000 ( I)
1,378,153
133,344 ( I)
1960
524,579,100
21,552,900 ( I)
1,433,276
55,123 ( I)
1961
608,908,100
84,329,000 ( I)
1,668,241
234,965 ( I)
147
RAINFALL AT HUNDRED ACRES PUMPING STATION 1961
Month
Normal Rainfall
1961 Rainfall
Exess or Deficiency 1961
January
3.54
2.14
1.40 (D)
February
3.17
3.17
None
March
3.78
4.04
.26 (E)
April
3.80
5.24
1.44 (E)
May
3.11
3.37
.26 (E)
June
3.36
1.84
1.52 (D)
July
3.32
2.15
1.17 (D)
August
3.39
4.45
1.06 (E)
September
3.52
8.27
4.75 (E)
October
3.09
2.07
1.02 (D)
November
3.63
4.79
1.16 (E)
December
3.51
1.97
1.54 (D)
TOTALS
41.22
43.50
2.28 (E)
Highway Division Chapter 90 Construction
Due to the late advertising of the work by the State Department of Public Works, no work was done in 1961.
Street Betterments
Fifteen streets were accepted as public ways. All construction work was done by Town employees. The streets are:
Alden Circle Edgemont Avenue
Reading Terrace
Arcadia Avenue
Gleason Road
Shady Hill Lane
Avalon Road
Greenwood Road Scout Hill Lane
Beverly Road
MacIntosh Road
Timberneck Drive
Cherry Lane Drive
Putnam Road
William Road
Bituminous Concrete Pavement
Portions of the following streets were recovered with bituminous concrete:
Woburn Street
Prescott Street
Haven Street Haverhill Street
General Highway Maintenance
Normal maintenance operations took place during the year. Streets were swept, basins cleaned, storm drains cleared, tree lawns repaired, curbing set and reset, plus many other items. With the substantial installation of new public utilities it has become increasingly difficult to maintain street surfaces. Large amounts of patching materials are used annually. A substantial amount of various types of road oil was used. Several methods of treatment were used in an attempt to cover the scars of utility installations and to maintain reasonably smooth riding surfaces.
148
Sidewalk Construction and Maintenance
Long sections of sidewalk were constructed on Charles Street, Pratt Street, Birch Meadow Drive, and Smith Avenue. Due primarily to economic reasons, all sidewalks were constructed of bituminous con- crete.
Maintenance as usual was accomplished during the year. Gravel and stonedust was spread, tree lawns loamed and seeded and repairs made to granolithic and bituminous sidewalks.
Storm Water Drains
This item continues to be a source of constant requests for facilities.
These requests have been resolved into a program which will result in the most benefit to the Town and the abutters.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
Several culverts were cleared, long lengths of ditches cleaned, and all catch basins cleaned with a mechanical cleaning machine. A por- tion of the Quannapowitt Drain was cleaned with a hired crane.
Snow and Ice
Several plowable snow storms occurred. Also, several that required sanding only. Additional equipment was hired and extra personnel employed as required. Every reasonable effort was made to plow and remove snow and return the Town to normal conditions in each instance.
John Street Dump
Starting in April 1961, all burning of rubbish ceased and the dump was operated in a sanitary fill manner. Broadly speaking, the operation was reasonably successful. Some problems arose which will be given special attention in 1962, providing funds are voted. A surfaced road- way will be built from John Street to the dump face. The fence will be extended and trees planted. More cover will be placed on the side facing Route 128. All possible brush, boards, limbs etc. are now proc- essed through a chipper. During 9 months in 1961 approximately 2 acres of land were used for sanitary fill.
Park and Playground Division
In 1960 this section of the Department was placed on a divisional basis with a working foreman in charge and an enlarged labor force assigned regularly. The result was gratifying and the method was continued in 1961.
Extensive maintenance was accomplished on all areas. Debris was removed, beds and walks edged, fertilizer applied, grass cut, loam and seed spread, play equipment repaired, bleachers repaired, fences re- paired, brush cut and removed, grass cut regularly, ball fields main- tained, tennis courts maintained plus many other related items of work.
Men and equipment were placed at the disposal of the Recreation Committee and work done which would allow their program to be carried out efficiently.
149
Based on a prepared program there was considerable replacement of worn facilities and extensions were started in two areas.
Sewer Division
Sewer Construction in 1961 followed the program as printed in the 1960 Annual Report.
Sewers were installed in several streets, work being done by con- tract and Department forces.
Sewer house connections were installed to 123 homes.
Maintenance of main sanitary sewer was accomplished using the power operated bucket machine.
The Willow Street Sewage Pumping Station operated efficiently with no major problems. Pumping totaled 44,132,800 gallons compared to 43,123,290 gallons in 1960.
There follows herewith a tentative sewer program for the six years 1962 to 1967. It is anticipated that, generally speaking, this Department will follow the program outlined. However, it is to be understood that conditions may arise which will make it necessary to alter the program.
SEWER PROGRAM - 1962 TO 1967
1962
Street
Section
Essex St.
Hartshorn St. to No. 9
Hanscom Ave.
Near Lowell St. to near No. 60
John Carver Rd.
Hartshorn St. to near Priscilla Rd.
Interceptor
Hartshorn St. to Puritan Rd.
Harvard St.
John Carver Rd. to Lowell St.
Puritan Rd.
Lowell St. to near John Carver Rd.
Priscilla Rd.
Puritan Rd. to Dead End
Weston Rd.
Ridge Rd.
Winthrop Ave. to Hanscom Ave. Main St. to Dead End
Summer Ave.
Brook St. to Bear Hill Rd.
Lowell St.
Grand St. to Deering St.
Oak St.
Pine Ridge Rd. to West St. Oak St. to County Rd.
West St.
1963
Street
Section
Bear Hill Rd.
Summer Ave. to Cedar St.
Interceptor
High School Sewer to Lee St.
Interceptor
Lee St. to Hunt St.
Lee St.
Dead End to Vine St.
Hunt St.
Dead End to Vine St.
Summer Ave.
West St. to Mineral St.
Hanscom Ave.
Hartshorn St. to near No. 60
Winthrop Ave.
Hartshorn St. to Lowell St.
John St.
Union St. to Pleasant St.
Union St.
John St. to No. 29
Wentworth Rd. County Rd.
Lewis St. to West St.
West St. to Lewis St.
150
1964
Street
Section
Auburn St.
Highland St. to Beacon St.
Locust St.
Highland St. to Beacon St.
Beacon St.
Locust St. to Auburn St.
Ellis Ave.
Summer Ave. to Hillcrest Rd.
Hillcrest Rd.
Oak St. to Ellis Ave. High St. to Mineral St.
Vine St.
Mineral St.
Vine St. to High St.
Middlesex Ave.
Vine St. to High St.
Woodbine St.
Hancock St. to Summer Ave.
Grant St.
Summer Ave. to Dead End
Charles St.
Near No. 24 to Main St.
Main St.
Charles St. to Federal St.
Federal St.
Main St. to Highland St.
1965
Enlarge main outfall sewer from John Street to M.D.C. pumping station. A very rough estimate of cost is $150,000 to $200,000.
1966
Street
Section
Summer Ave.
Bear Hill Rd. to Main St.
Main St.
Summer Ave. to South St.
Hopkins St.
Main to Nike Site
Fairmount Rd.
Hopkins St. to Dead End
Kenneth Rd.
Fairmount to Dead End
Cedar St.
Hopkins St. to Bear Hill Rd.
Ash St.
Cross St. to Shackford Rd.
Shackford Rd.
Ash St. Westerly
Selfridge Rd. Grove St.
Lowell St. to near Mark Ave.
Summer Ave.
Main St. to Walnut St.
Hopkins St.
Summer Ave. to near No. 45
Walnut St.
Summer Ave. to near No. 50
South St.
Main St. Westerly
1967
Section
Main St.
Near Minot St. to near Summer Ave.
Avon St.
Main St. to near Ash St.
Percy Ave.
Main St. to Dead End
Pinevale Ave.
Main St. to Dead End
Knollwood Rd.
Main St. to Summer Ave.
Main St. to near Wakefield Town Line
South St. Hillside Rd. Milton Rd.
Ridge Rd. to near Oakland Rd.
Howard St. to Wescroft Rd.
West St. to West St.
West Hill Circle Longwood Rd. Bolton St.
West St. Westerly
Ash St. to Dead End
151
Street
West St. to near Cottage Park
MAIN TRUNK SEWER EXTENSIONS - 1961 (Size & Length of Pipe)
Total
Street
Location
6" A.C.
8" A.C.
M/H's
Length
Poss. Conn
Browning Terrace
Tennyson Rd. to End
203
1
203
4
Linden St.
No. 54 to No. 62
184
2
184
2
Parkview Rd. Easement
Weston Rd. to End
354
2
354
7
Weston Rd.
Longfellow Rd. to No. 52
130
1
130
2
Tennyson Circle
Tennyson Rd. to End
388
4
388
7
Woodland St. Ext .
John Carver Rd. to No. 6
247
1
247
6
Robin Road
Summer Ave. to End
363
1
363
8
Glenmere Circle
Winslow Rd. to No. 10
264
1191
7
1455
27
Palmer Hill Ave.
West St. to Longview Rd.
371
3
371
8
Hartshorn Street
John Carver Rd. to No. 101
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