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REFERENCE
READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
64 MIENLEEFINDRED AND NINETY FIFTH READING, MASS. 01867-2550
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE TOWN OF
READING MASSACHUSETTS
O
R
TOWN
SE'
9
TIED
163
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1939
TOWN OF READING
WN
OF REA
TU
IET
D 16
1639
INCORPOR
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE
Financial Year Ended December 31
1939
Reading Chronicle Press, Inc. Reading, Mass.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/townofreadingmas 1939read
TOWN OFFICERS Elected and Appointed 1939-1940
Board of Selectmen
CARL W. GOODRIDGE, Chairman
Term Expires 1940
NEWELL H. MORTON
" 1941
ROBERT E. FOWLE
" 1942
LEON G. BENT, Clerk.
Board of Public Welfare
KITTIE M. BANGS, Chairman
Term Expires 1941
*HARRIETT L. ROONEY
"
" 1940
ALBERT L. WELLMAN, JR.
"
1942
§MILES C. HIGGINS
EDWARD E. HARNDEN, Secretary and Superintendent. HELEN A. BROWN, GLADYS M. LANE, Visitors.
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
KITTIE M. BANGS, Chairman
Term Expires 1941
*HARRIET L. ROONEY
"
1940
ALBERT L. WELLMAN, JR.
"
" 1942
§MILES C. HIGGINS
" 1940
VIRGINIA C. SMITH, Secretary.
-
EDWARD E. HARNDEN, Director.
MARY F. DANIEL, Visitor.
Sponsor's Agent, W. P. A. ARTHUR C. MICHELINI
Board of Assessors
ARTHUR S. COOK, Chairman
Term Expires 1940
EDGAR FROST, Secretary
"
1941
Town Clerk MILLARD F. CHARLES
Town Counsel SAMUEL H. DAVIS
Moderator
Treasurer
CHARLES P. HOWARD PRESTON F. NICHOLS
Collector of Taxes
GRACE V. VIALL
Town Accountant LEON G. BENT
Soldiers' Relief Agent CHARLES W. H. SMITH
*Resigned April 12, 1939. §Elected to fill vacancy.
3
1942
GEORGE E. HORROCKS
1940
Board of Public Works
WENDELL P. DAVIS, Chairman
Term Expires 1942
HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Secretary
"
" 1940
EDWARD A. BROPHY ALEXANDER LINDSAY
1942
ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON
"
"
1941
Board of Health
EDWARD M. HALLIGAN, M. D., Chairman CHRISTINE F. ATKINSON, Secretary
"
1942
ROBERT B. SHEPARDSON, M. D.
"
1941
Finance Committee
JOHN L. DEVANEY, Chairman LOUIS DAVIS
"
1942
A. ALDEN GOLDSMITH
"
1942
#FRANK MERRILL
1942
CHARLES F. TREVOR
"
1942
W. GARDINER LONG
1942
WILLIAM A. CONNELLY, D.M.D.
1940
MARGARET R. ELLISON
1940
CLARENCE M. KIMBALL
1940
ALLAN H. STURGES
"
1940
HAROLD B. CURRELL
"
1941
ROBERT M. FOLSOM
1941
WENDELL B. NEWELL
"
1941
HERMAN M. NOYES
"
1941
LEON G. BENT, Clerk.
School Committee
FRANK D. TANNER, Chairman
Term Expires 1941
MARGARET S. CANTY
"
"
1942
HOWARD T. CLINCH
"
1940
ESTHER D. TWOMBLY
"
1940
IRVING C. AUSTIN
*ARTHUR E. PIERCE, Secretary.
§ELBRIDGE C. GROVER, Secretary.
Superintendent of Schools
*ARTHUR E. PIERCE §ELBRIDGE C. GROVER
#Resigned Dec. 1939.
*Resigned May 31, 1939. §Appointed to fill vacancy July 12, 1939.
1941
G. LAWRENCE ROBERTS
1941
1942
CHARLES R. WAKELING, M.D., D.O.
1940
PHILIP P. WELCH, Superintendent.
Term Expires 1940
Term Expires 1940
4
Attendance Officer JOSEPHINE L. FOWLER
School Physician School Nurse
CHAS. R. HENDERSON, M. D. MARGARET B. CLEWLEY Municipal Light Board
HENRY R. JOHNSON, Chairman Term Expires 1941
LOUIS ELLENWOOD, Secretary
1940
HERBERT G. EVANS
1942
ARTHUR G. SIAS, Manager.
Board of Registrars
OWEN McKENNEY, Chairman
Term Expires 1942
ROBERT S. RALSTON
1941
RALPH S. KENEELY
1940
Board of Cemetery Trustees
CLARENCE C. WHITE, Chairman
Term Expires 1941
FRED L. NUTTER, Secretary
"
1940
FRANK LEE EDGERLEY
1940
HAROLD F. DAVIS
" 1942
W. FLETCHER TWOMBLY
1941
HARRY C. BARR
"
1942
WILLIAM P. PIERPONT, Superintendent. Planning Board
WINTHROP D. PARKER, Chairman
"
1940
RICHARD F. DREW, Secretary
1941
PHILIP R. WHITE
SHERBURNE J. WATTS
1941
A. LLOYD DAVID
1942
Trustees Public Library
LOUIS M. LYONS, Chairman
Term Expires 1942
"
"
1940
HELEN P. TIRRELL
"
1940
A. IMRIE DIXON
1941
ISABELLE G. HEDGES
"
1941
Commissioners of Trust Funds
H. RAYMOND JOHNSON, Chairman
Term Expires 1943
CLARENCE C. WHITE
"
1945
ROBERT M. BROWN
"
1941
Town Treasurer and Chairman of Selectmen, members ex-officiis.
Board of Appeal
HENRY Q. MILLETT, Chairman
Term Expires 1941
FRED L. NUTTER, Secretary
" " 1940
BENJAMIN B. PIPER
"
" 1942
5
C. NELSON BISHOP, Secretary
1942
WARREN L. FLETCHER
Term Expires 1940
Associate Members of Board of Appeal
HERBERT T. SCHOPPELRY
HOWARD T. CLINCH DUDLEY B. KILLAM
Term Expires 1942
1940
" 1941
Sealer of Weights and Measures Inspector of Milk and Food CARL M. SMITH
Inspector of Plumbing and Gas Inspector DAVID TAGGART
Inspector of Animals BERNARD SCHIMPFKE
Dog Officer CHARLES H. MELENDY
Game Warden JAMES T. PUTNAM
Inspector of Slaughtering CORNELIUS THIBEAULT, M. D. V.
Inspector of Buildings A. RUSSELL BARNES
Superintendent of Moth Work and Tree Warden HENRY M. DONEGAN Burial Agent, Soldiers and Sailors CHARLES E. TASNEY
Custodian Soldiers' Graves HARRY A. TURNER Forest Warden HUGH L. EAMES
Deputy Forest Warden HENRY M. DONEGAN
Constables
LEON G. BENT
J. WINTHROP SIAS
Insurance Committee
CARL W. GOODRIDGE
NEWELL H. MORTON
Board of Selectmen
ROBERT E. FOWLE
PRESTON F. NICHOLS, Town Treasurer.
JOHN L. DEVANEY, Chairman Finance Committee.
Custodian Town Farm ARTHUR C. MICHELINI
6
Police Department JEREMIAH CULLINANE, Chief
Sergeants
FRANCIS L. JOHNSON
FRANCIS T. SLACK
Patrolmen
TIMOTHY J. CULLINANE
OSCAR H. LOW
FRANK R. FISHER
GORDON G. MacINTIRE
EARL R. HUTCHINSON
HAROLD W. O'BRIEN
JAMES H. LAWLER
PATRICK J. LONG
WILLIAM F. O'BRIEN THOMAS E. WALL
THOMAS J. FITZPATRICK
Reserve Officers
JOHN R. CONDON ARTHUR M. CURTIN
ROLAND E. ELLIS
JOSEPH M. GREENE
PATRICK J. PANTANO
Keeper of the Lock-Up JEREMIAH CULLINANE
Fire Department HUGH L. EAMES, Chief JOHN J. O'BRIEN, Deputy Chief
WILLIAM H. VANHORN, Capt.
HERBERT L. ROBERTSON
CHARLES H. HESELTON, Lieut. ALBERT C. MAXWELL
GEORGE W. GOODRIDGE LEWIS C. HOLDEN
ELMER A. DYKENS
Call Men
JOSEPH ARSENAULT
GEORGE F. BAXTER
HOWARD E. BUSSELL
ANDREW B. BUTTERS
JOHN J. CARNEY
CHARLES N. CHASE
THOMAS F. CLASSEN
WILLIAM H. GAY, Capt.
J. LOUIS GOODRIDGE CHESTER GOODWIN
LESLIE C. HADLEY
BERNARD SCHIMPFKE G. WARREN SPRAGUE F. LIONEL SPRINGFORD W. REGINALD VANHORN GEORGE ZANNI
FRANK H. HESELTON, Lieut.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm HUGH L. EAMES
Inspector of Wires ALBERT C. MAXWELL
7
OWEN McKENNEY, Capt. JAMES PERRY H. HARVEY QUIGLEY JOHN H. RAMSAY HERMAN L. REISSLE GEORGE A. ROGERS
Measurers of Lumber
ORA L. MILBURY
BURTON K. SYMONDS WILLIAM R. ZWICKER Weighers of Coal and Hay
THOMAS E. BROGAN CHARLES W. LEE
MABEL L. MCKAY
BERTHA D. MacLELLAN WENDELL B. NEWELL PERCY N. SWEETSER
Measurers of Wood and Bark
PERCY N. SWEETSER BURTON K. SYMONDS
THOMAS F. BROGAN
Field Drivers
ARTHUR W. BANCROFT ADOLPH S. LARSON EDWARD E. NICHOLS
Fence Viewers
WENDELL B. NEWELL CARL B. SAWYER ALBERT E. TEMPLE
Committee on Elm Tree Protection
ANDREW CHRISTENSEN HENRY M. DONEGAN JOHN F. SAWYER
Committee on Town Forests
LELAND W. KINGMAN, Chairman Term Expires 1940
HENRY M. DONEGAN 1942
ORVILLE O. ORDWAY
1941
Law Committee CARL W. GOODRIDGE, Chairman
ARTHUR S. COOK
FRANK D. TANNER
EDWARD M. HALLIGAN, M. D. WENDELL P. DAVIS
KITTIE M. BANGS HENRY R. JOHNSON
World War Memorial Committee LELAND W. KINGMAN, Chairman DOROTHY M. STEVENS, Secretary IRVING C. AUSTIN J. WARREN KILLAM, JR. WILLIAM F. CAMPBELL HELEN N. MICHELINI WILLIAM M. CONNELLY JOHN M. WIDELL
Special Police Officers
JOHN F. MAGUIRE CHARLES L. CUMMINGS SYLVANUS THOMPSON
Reading High School Reading High School Lowell St. School
8
Special Police Officers (continued)
EDWARD McBRIEN WALTER SMITH JAMES L. HEALEY
HENRY W. BRYDEN
WILLIAM H. KILLAM
FRANK F. STROUT
Center and Union St. School Junior High School Highland School Junior High School Municipal Bldg. and Library Grounds Pumping Station
RALPH F. PLOUFF WILLIAM P. PIERPONT WILLIAM H. MANNING CHARLES H. MELENDY GARDNER A. PERRY EDGAR C. STUART ROBERT O. CHESLEY THOMAS F. CLASSEN SIDNEY FREDERICK
EDWARD E. HARNDEN
CHARLES L. GOWING, JR. FRED REISSLE DANIEL J. O'KEEFE J. EDWARD BLACK HERBERT F. CARTER
J. WINTHROP SIAS NORMAN H. JEWETT GEORGE O'KEEFE JACOB C. NEILSON GEORGE HALL FREDERICK W. BURNS ARTHUR C. MICHELINI CHARLES E. LANGDON
American Legion Quarters Unitarian Church and Community Hall
Sewerage Pumping Station and Vicinity Town Farm Reading Theatre Junior High School Town Dump
Town Forest Town Farm Bldg. Security Hall and Odd Fellows Hall
Statistics
Population, census of 1935, 10,703. Registered Voters 1939: Men 2680, Women 3110, Total 5790. Fifth Congressional District.
Sixth Councillor District.
Seventh Middlesex Senatorial District.
Eighteenth Middlesex Representative District.
Representative in Congress, 5th District, Edith Nourse Rogers, Lowell.
Councillor 6th District, Eugene A. F. Burtnett, Somerville.
Senator 7th Middlesex District, Joseph R. Cotton, Lexington.
Representatives 18th Middlesex District, Arthur W. Coolidge, Reading, and Gustave W. Everberg, Woburn.
9
A SHORT HISTORY OF READING
The town of Reading can boast of an old and truly remarkable. history. it dates back to 1639, when inhabitants of Lynn obtained the right to establish a community, which they called Linn Village.
The orders of the General Court changed the name of Linn Village to Redding, an action which constituted the incorporating of the town in 1644. As time progressed, agitation for a division of the town created three parishes : the North Precinct, the Third Parish or West Parish (which included most of what is now Reading), and the South Parish or South Reading as it was later called.
In the memorable years of the struggle for independence, the old town of Reading was conspicuous for its loyalty to the cause of liberty and for its military efforts. A Reading individual worthy of recogni- tion for his part in the Revolutionary War was Major Brooks. He was captain of the minutemen of Reading, who engaged the British at Lexington-Concord, and played a distinctive part in the "Battle of the 19th of April".
Records seem to indicate that a direct result of political differences growing out of the war between the United States and England in 1812 was the separation of South Reading from Reading.
During the period of the slavery controversy, one of the first female antislavery societies in the United States was founded here in Reading .. In 1861, when the fearful war of the rebellion burst upon us, Reading was not only patriotic and true to the Union government, but its people were able to meet and even exceed the demands of our nation for men and money.
During the Civil War, companies were recruited in Reading. Again in the Spanish American War and World War, men from this commu- nity gave "the last full measure of devotion". In 1939, there was un- veiled a monument, beautiful in its simplicity, commemorating those who served their nation in time of war. Upon it are engraved these words : "Patriotic Service-Forever Remembered".
In the earliest days of our colonial history, Reading was a frontier- a pioneer community. It was one of those numerous "towns" which girded Massachusetts Bay, serving chiefly as a buffer against Indian attacks. Now-having commemorated our 300th Anniversary-we have reached our maturity. Now we strive for new frontiers of community endeavor, proud of our schools, our many civic organizations, and our local administration.
There are many diversified opinions of our town. In marking the celebration of the tercentenary of the settlement of Linn Village, later named Redding, Reverend Fr. Myles J. McSwiney spoke fittingly of our town :
"We have much to learn and much to imitate from the example of these first settlers. They understood the meaning of life and knew how to live it, and they pros- pered and were happy. They observed the moral law and realized the sanctity of the home and the rights of their fellow men and thus laid the solid foundation of our beautiful township."
10
TOWN OF READING LIST OF JURORS FOR 1939-1940 Prepared by the Board of Selectmen
Name Occupation
Ainsworth, Dennis J., Electrician
Anderson, Percy E., Clerk
Austin, Irving C., Wool Merchant
Barclay, Robert M., Clerk
Barnes, George E., Operator
Benjamin, William H. Jr., Salesman
Bowers, Harrison W., Manager
Bowman, Richard J., Chauffeur Bradley, Henry J., Operator
Brogan, Thomas E., Clerk Brown, Robert M., Asst. Manager
Bruns, Frederick L., Poultryman
Cahoon, Benjamin B., Tel. Man
Callan, Arthur B., Superintendent
Chandler, Myron K., Traffic Engineer Chapin, Earle H., Salesman
Chase, Robert B., Fuel Dealer
Clapp, Ernest E., Electrician
Clapperton, John, Machinist
Clough, Harry E., Insurance Salesman
Cooper, Carl C., Treasurer
Crosby, Melvin S., Division Mgr.
Croswell, Ray R., N. E. T. & T. Co.
Davis, Clyde L., Asst. Gen. Frt. Agt.
Davis, Victor H., Merchant Desmond, Daniel J., Manager
Dillaway, Ernest N., Salesman
D'Orlando, Frank, Manufacturer
Downs, Edward F., Accountant
Fletcher, Warren L., Voicer Flint, Russell A., Teller
Foxcroft, Francis R., Salesman
French, Clarence J., Traffic Manager
Gallagher, Francis A., P. O. Clerk Gay, William H., Milkman Gibson, Ralph R., Insurance Inv.
Gillis, J. Wallace, Salesman Goff, John W., Decorator
Gray, Arthur L., Salesman
Griffiths, Eleazer H., Salesman
Residence
15 Woodbine St. 57 Woburn St. 180 Prescott St 26 Vine St. 103 Green St. 18 Berkeley St. 178 Walnut St. 115 Green St. 12/118 Green St. 5 Washington St. 165 Bancroft Ave. 294 Charles St. 126 Oak St. 66 Hanscom Ave. 78 Hanscom Ave. 134 High St. 18 Fairview Ave. 13 Highland St. 161 Pleasant St. 142 Bancroft Ave. 167 Summer Ave. 50 Middlesex Ave. 52 Hancock St. 113 Bancroft Ave. 33 Berkeley St. 8 Center Ave. 29 Perkins Ave. 41 Pratt St. 198 High St. 57 Highland St. 25 Sunnyside Ave. 100 Prescott St. 297 Summer Ave. 113 Green St. 271 Woburn St. 972 Main St. 76 Woburn St. 9 Arlington St. 34 Kingston St. 71 Harrison St.
11
Name Occupation
Harris, Charles B., Asst. Yardmaster
Harris, Marshall P., Salesman
Harris, Wilbur L., Merchant Haskins, George, Civil Engineer Hasty, Charles S., Insurance Hilton, Walter C., Salesman Hoey, Eugene F., Mechanic Holmes, Henry J., Clerk
Hopkins, Arthur F., Wholesale Grain
Hopkins, Walter S. Jr., Farmer
Hulsman, Kenneth G., Civil Engineer
Jewett, Irving F., Insurance Jones, Charles W., Voicer Kehoe, Edward H., Clerk
Keneely, Ralph S., Retail Salesman
Kilgore, Ernest E., Clerk
Kimball, Walter B., Salesman
King, Chester R., Painter Knapp, Arthur C., Engineer
Knowles, Edmund F., Bus Driver
Langdon, Charles E., Salesman Lyle, Robert P., Income Tax Acct. MacLellan, John J., Lineman MacLeod, Herbert W., Salesman Mansfield, John E., Carpenter Mason, Philip E., Chemist Mathieson, Angus G., Candy Maker McKenney, Charles J., Clerk Mclaughlin, James A., Electrician Michelini, Ralph, Salesman Miller, Herbert K., Salesman Morand, Edouard J., Real Estate Morand, Edward N., Salesman Morrison, James P., Retired Morse, Donald H., Salesman Morss, Lawrence V., Tel. Test Man Mount, Robert B. Jr., Salesman Nordberg, Nils L., Bank Clerk Oldfield, Samuel T., Auditor Parry, Louis A., Machinist Parsons, Francis B., Chem. Engineer Pease, George B., Sales Engineer Perry, James, Clerk
Perry, Prospier R., Motorman
Residence 527 Summer Ave. 13 Berkeley St. 868 Main St. 40 Dudley St. 46 Temple St. 301 Ash St. 36 Fremont St. 16 Gardner Rd. 40 Scotland Rd. 472 Summer Ave. 284 Woburn St 331 Summer Ave. 142 Wakefield St. 205 Bancroft Ave. 189 Haven St. 19 Fairview Ave. 269 West St. 140 Village St. 35 Pinevale Ave. 9 Warren Ave. 29a Highland St. 364 Lowell St. 7 Harnden St. 29 Vine St. 182 Franklin St. 12 Parkview Rd. 20 Mineral St. 18 Arlington St. 63 Vine St. 55 Walnut St. 443 Summer Ave. 259 Ash St. 386 Summer Ave. 35 Bancroft Ave.
18 Bond St. 7 Bond St. 293 Ash St. 753 Main St. 52 Temple St. 7 Orange St. 315 Summer Ave. 181 Summer Ave. 15 Pratt St. 189 Green St.
12
Name Occupation
Pratt, Wilfred E., Clerk Quimby, Carlyle F., Real Estate
Quinlan, John J., Mail Clerk Richards, Homer F., Salesman
Richards, Stuart F., Buyer Riley, Lester S., Manufacturer Roberts, Carl W., Civil Engineer
Roberts, G. Lawrence, Asst. Sales Mgr.
Rudolph, John I., Salesman
Sanders, Wilbur S., Clerical Sargent, Carl N., Expressman
Sawyer, Greenfield T., Merchant
Sawyer, Kenneth E., Insp. W. U. Tel.
Scanlon, Walter A., Clerk
Skidmore, Roy C., R. R. Clerk Skinner, Arthur E., Broker
Smith, Fred E., Super. Acct. Dept.
Smith, Ralph E., Traffic Mgr.
Stembridge, Stanley R., Merchant
Stewart, Edward B., Salesman
Sullivan, Charles A., Shoecutter
Sullivan, Martin V. B., Wool Salesman
Surrette, Leo A., Travelling Frt. Agt.
Taber, George A., Consulting Engineer
Taber, Wentworth D., Adm. Engineer Tasney, Edward W. Jr., Clerk
Taylor, Robert, Supervisor Torre, Frank J., Merchant
Turner, Harry A., Painter
Van Buskirk, Joseph B., Real Estate Agent
Van Stone, Edward P., Manufacturer
Viall, Milton B., Clerk Wade, Alfred P., Insurance Broker
Wait, Charles R., Architect
Wakefield, Ernest T., Farmer
Wall, John T. Jr., Mail Clerk
Walsh, John J. Jr., Clerk
Watts, Sherburne J., Architect White, Walter E., Clerk
Whitehouse, Robert N., Bank Clerk
Whitford, Herbert C., Claim Adjuster
Wiberg, Swen O., Nurseryman
Widdell, John M., Clerk
Winchester, Laurence S., Engineer
Residence 330 Summer Ave. 36 Dudley St. 47 Washington St. 267 Summer Ave. 153 Bancroft Ave. 92 Prospect St. 10 Deering St. 30 Perkins Ave. 18 Arlington St. 143 Prospect St. 23 Mineral St. 23 Howard St. 167 Lowell St. 331 Haven St. 69 Hanscom Ave. 56 Prescott St. 36 John St. 18 Auburn St. 88 King St. 18 School St. 11 Winthrop Ave. 93 Summer Ave. 11 Temple St. 1000 Main St. 1002 Main St. 94 Pleasant St. 8 Willow St. 633 Main St. 17 Highland St. 72 Hanscom Ave. 66 West St. 175 Bancroft Ave. 259 Summer Ave. 158 Prescott St. 65 Wakefield St. 14 Warren Ave. 20 Sweetser Ave. 7 Fremont St. 12 Linden St. 164 Pearl St. 38 Kingston St. 443 West St. 8 Glen Rd. 232 West St.
13
ANNUAL ELECTION
Security Hall, Woburn St., March 6, 1939.
Pursuant to the warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a town meeting was held at the time and place specified therein and was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. Howard. The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when upon motion of J. Win- throp Sias, it was voted to dispense with further reading except the Constable's return, which was duly read.
Article 1. To bring in their votes on one ballot for Moderator for one year; Town Clerk, for one year; one member of the Board of Selectmen for three years; one member of the Board of Public Welfare, for three years; one member of the Board of Assessors for three years ; Treasurer, for one year; Collector of Taxes, for one year; two mem- bers of the Board of Public Works for three years; two Constables, for one year; Tree Warden for one year; one member of the Municipal Light Board, for three years; one member of the Board of Health, for three years; two members of the School Committee, for three years; two trustees of the Public Library, for three years; one member of the Planning Board, for three years; two members of the Board of Cemetery Trustees, for three years ; and also on the same ballot to bring in their votes "yes" or "no" in answer to the following question :-
"Shall the Zoning By-Law be amended by striking out said Zoning By-law with all amendments and additions thereto and establish under the authority of Section 25 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, as amended, the Zoning By-law hereinafter set forth?"
Zoning By-Laws for Town of Reading As Amended
A by-law for the promotion of the health, safety, convenience, mor- als or welfare of the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, and for the purpose of kassening congestion in the streets, securing safety from fire, panic and other dangers, providing adequate light and air, preventing o er-crowding of land, avoiding undue concentration of population, faci itating adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools. parks and other public requirements, and increasing the amenities of the Town, established under and pursuant to the provisions of the General Laws (Ter. Ed) Chapter forty, Section twenty-five and follow- ing, and all amendments thereto, the use, height, area, construction, repair and alteration of structures and buildings and the use of land in said Town are hereby restricted and regulated as hereinafter pro- vided.
14
Definitions
The following terms in this by-law shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them :
1. Words used in the present tense include the future ; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular; the word "lot" includes the word "plot"; the word "building" includes the word "structure".
2. A "family" is any number of individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit.
3. A "lot" is a parcel of land occupied or designed to be occupied by one building and the accessory buildings or uses customarily incident to it, including such open spaces as are arranged and designed to be used in connection with such building.
4. A "corner lot" is a lot at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting streets twenty (20) feet or more in width.
5. A "dwelling" is any building used in whole or in part for human habitation.
6. A "single family dwelling" is a dwelling arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by a single family.
7. A "two family dwelling" is a house arranged, intended or de- signed to be occupied by two families.
8. An "apartment house" is a building arranged, intended or de- signed for more than two families.
9. An "accessory use" is the use of a building or premises for purposes customarily incidental to the uses permitted in the district.
10. A "non-conforming use" is one that does not conform with the regulations applying to the district in which it is situated.
11. The "height of a building" is the vertical distance measured at the center line of its principal front from the established grade or from the natural grade, if higher than the established grade, or from the natural grade if no grade has been established, to the level of the highest point of the roof beams in the case of flat roofs or roofs inclining not more than one inch to the foot, and to the mean height level between the top of the main plate and the highest ridge in the case of other roofs.
12. A "story" is that portion of a building between a floor and the cei'ing next above it. Those portions of a building, the ceilings of which are not more than four (4) feet above the mean level of the finished grade at building line, shall not be counted as stories.
13. The "established grade" is the elevation of the street grade as fixed by the Town.
14. The "natural grade" is the elevation of the undisturbed natural surface of the ground adjoining the building.
15. A "front yard" is an open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building between the front line of the building and the front line of the lot and extending across the full width of the lot.
15
16. A "rear yard" is an open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building between the rear line of the building and the rear line of the lot and extending across the full width of the lot.
17. A "side yard" is an open unoccupied space on the same lot with a building situated between the building and the side line of the lot and extending from the front yard to the rear yard.
PART I. DISTRICTS
Section I. Establishment of Districts. For the purpose of this by- law, the Town of Reading is hereby divided into seven classes of dis- tricts as follows :
1. Residence "A 1" districts. (Single Family Houses, 10,000 sq. ft. lot areas.)
2. Residence "A 2" districts. (Single Family houses, 20,000 sq. ft. lot areas.)
3. Residence "A 3" districts. (Single Family houses, 40,000 sq. ft. lot areas.)
4. Residence "B" districts. (Single and two family houses, and apartments, 10,000 sq. ft. lot areas.)
5. Business "A" districts. (Fifty foot setback required.)
6. Business "B" districts. (No setback required.)
7. Industrial districts.
Said districts are as shown, defined and bounded on the map, ac- companying this by-law, entitled "Zone Map of the Town of Reading", dated May 10, 1938, signed by The Planning Board and on file with the Town Clerk. Said map and all explanatory matter thereon are hereby made a part of this by-law.
Section II. Boundaries of Districts. The boundaries between dis- tricts are as shown upon said Map. Where zone lines apparently fol- low property lines they shall be so interpreted.
Where a boundary is indicated upon a street, the line shall be the center line of the street. Where a boundary is indicated upon the main right of way of the Boston and Maine Railroad, the districts are bounded respectively upon that right of way. Where a boundary is indicated approximately parallel to a street, it shall be taken as parallel thereto. Where a district boundary line divides a lot, as existing at the time this by-law takes effect, and the major portion of said lot is in the less restricted district, the regulations relating to said less restricted district may extend to such portion of said lot as is not more than thirty (30) feet within the more restricted district. All other boundaries shall be as indicated upon the map.
Section III.
1. Within any district, any building structure or land may be used, arranged or designed for any purpose not otherwise illegal, unless specifications prohibited or restricted set forth in the following Sec- tions.
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