Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1905, Part 11

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 248


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We have not recently asked for an increased appropriation, knowing full well the demands made upon the town and the neces- sity for economy in every direction. On the other hand, we accepted without question a reduction of $100, made in 1903.


During the year just ended, however, our rent has been increased $125, and unless we are given a corresponding increase at the ensuing town meeting, this will operate as a further reduction in our resources. We recommend therefore that this increase in


217


our annual expense, which we cannot avoid and for which we are not in any way responsible, be met by raising our appropriation from $900 to $1000, in addition to the proceeds of the dog tax. If this is done we shall then receive only the amount entrusted to us out of the tax levy in 1902 and for several years previously, when the demands upon us were neither as numerous nor as im- portant as they are now, and, as will be seen, we shall have no more money to apply to the work of the library than we have had this year, or in any year since 1902.


During the year the new books have been carefully selected, especially with reference to books other than fiction, having perma- nent as well as immediate interest. The titles of these books have been printed in The Reading Chronicle, entered upon the card catalogue at the library, and the books themselves put upon open shelves where they can be examined by our patrons.


We may, perhaps, attract the attention of some who would otherwise overlook the more important recent additions by briefly summarizing them here. In the field of biography we have recently acquired, largely in condensed and popular form, lives of James Russell Lowell, Paul Revere, James G. Blaine, Sidney Lan- ier, Charlotte Bronte, Andrew Marvell, Alfred Russell Wallace (autobiography ), Charles Lamb, Sir Thomas Browne, James Watt (by Carnegie ), John Knox, Mary Queen of Scots, Edward Fitz- gerald, Mohammed, St. Patrick, and St. Catherine of Sienna (letters). All of these are written from the modern point of view, and are among the publications of the year. In selection, they cover subjects famous in literature, political life, science, and religion.


In the domain of travel, descriptions of foreign countries, etc., we have The Dickens Country, The Far Eastern Tropics, The Fair Land of Tyrol, Chinese Life in Town and Country, The Jordan Valley, The St. Lawrence River, Old Provence, Modern India, With the Empress Dowager, (China ), and the Land of the Great White Czar (Russia).


In history : The Sea Power in the War of 1812, England and


218


the Holland of the Pilgrims, The German Struggle for Liberty, The Brothers' War (view of the Civil War from a Southern standpoint), Life in the 18th Century, History of Egypt, Reminiscences of Peace and War, Reminiscences of the Civil War, History of Our Own Times, The Second French Empire, The American Nation, (the first ten volumes of the series of twenty-eight), The Valerian Persecution, and American Diplomacy.


In science, natural history, outdoorl ife, etc., we have : Man and the Earth, North American Land Birds, Young Folks' Cyclo- paedia of Natural History, Wasps, Social and Solitary, How to Make a Vegetable Garden, How to Keep Bees, Wild Wings, The Horse, First Book of Farming, Our Native Orchids, Home Life of Wild Birds, American Insects, The Outlook to Nature, The Tree Book and Roses, How to Grow Them.


In the field of art, music, etc., we have : The Paintings of the Louvre, The Greek Painters, The History of Architecture (Fletcher), History of Ancient Sculpture (Mitchell), The Inter- dependence of the Arts (Sturgis), Giotto (de Selincourt), Albert Durer (Moore), Old Masters and New (Cox), Musical Studies (Newman ), and the Story of the History of Music.


Miscellaneous books of timely interest include : Balloons, Air- ships and Flying Machines, Motors and Motoring, The Book of the Automobile, Russia and its Crisis, and The Camera in the Fields (practical hints on outdoor photography).


These are simply a few of the more important titles. Several important works of reference have been added, and the accessions include works in the departments of religion, poetry, essays, etc., as well as a carefully selected list of the best works of fiction published during the year, books for younger readers, etc. Certain volumes required for the use of teachers have been added from time to time and others purchased upon the request of readers.


The Trustees, in order that it may be made a part of our official record, regret to report the death of Mr. Harley Prentiss, one of our Board, which occurred on the fifteenth of June. He had been a member of the Board for several years, constant in


219


his attendance at our meetings, enthusiastic in promoting the use- fulness of the library, efficient and helpful in the public interest. By his death the Town suffered the loss of a faithful and energetic servant. The vacancy thus created has continued, and should be filled at the ensuing Town Meeting.


The term of Henry G. Kittredge expires.


Respectfully submitted,


HORACE G. WADLIN, Chairman, CYRUS M. BARROWS, Sec'y, J. WOODWARD MANNING, HENRY G. KITTREDGE, ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD,


Trustees.


SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS


APPRO- PRIATION


SUNDRY CREDITS


TOTAL AMOUNT, IN- CLUDING APPROP'ATION


EXPENDED


UN- EXPENDED


OVER- DRAWN


Salaries of Town Officers.


$3,600 00


$3,600 00


$3,564 12


$35 88


Town Building and Office.


400 00


400 00


399 68


32


Printing ...


700 00


700 00


683 51


16 49


Election Expenses.


300 00


300 00


280 98


19 02


Soldiers' Relief


1,200 00


1,200 00


634 10


565 90


Soldiers' Relief Account Town of North Reading ...


$60 00


60 00


72 00


$12 00


Soldiers' Relief Account City of Malden


1 45


Burial Agent's Account ..


70 00


Decoration and Care of Soldiers' Graves.


175 00


175 00


175 00


Electric Lights G. A. R. Hall


50 00


50 00


50 00


State and Military Aid ..


2,800 00


2,800 00


2,319 00


481 00


67 60


Rent of Playground ..


342 00


342 00


342 00


Heater in Town Building.


200 00


200 00


186 50


13 50


Nowell Case, Counsel Fee ..


200 00


200 00


200 00


Care and Improvement of Common and Parks.


212 78


212 78


212 42


36


Reading Home for Aged Women ..


75 00


75 00


75 00


Swan Estate.


108 00


108 00


27 41


80 59


Band Concerts.


100 00


100 00


100 00


Reading Water Works.


12,720 00


12,720 00


12,720 00


Municipal Light and Power Plant.


10,990 00


10,990 00


9,900 00


Interest on School House Bonds ..


1,160 00


1,160 00


1,180 00


Interest on School House Notes.


482 50


482 50


482 50


School House Note ..


2,000 00


2,000 00


School House Bond.


1,000 00


1,000 00


1,000 00


High School Building.


40,017 45


40,017 45


27,921 50


12.095 95


Interest.


900 00


2,710 03


3,610 03


2,899 85


710 18


Abatement of Taxes ..


600 00


600 00


599 78


22


Taxes on Property Taken.


114 21


114 21


285 13


170 92


Miscellaneous Expenses.


1,000 00


82 98


1,082 98


1,082 74


Highways, Bridges and Repairs of Sidewalks.


3,075 00


4,762 99


7,837 99


7,837 99


Street Sprinkling.


450 00


1 58


451 58


451 58


Repairs of Concrete.


350 00


350 00


292 91


57 09


Removal of Snow and Ice


800 00


959 89


959 89


Pearl Street Drainage ..


750 00


750 00


749 59


41


Road Roller.


3.000 00


3,000 00


3,000 00


Fire Department


5,200 00


34 24


5,234 24


5,231 21


3 03


Forest Fires ... .


150 00


150 00


218 74


68 74


Fire Alarm Box 38


50 00


50 00


48 25


1 75


Fire Dep't Hose ..


550 00


550 00


547 66


2 34


.


1,090 00


20 00


2,000 00


1 45


70 00


67 60


Account Charles L. Haag.


159 89


24


.


Fire Dep't Life Saving Apparatus. ..


87 98


75 00


12 98 9 49


Police Department.


2,800 00


404 00


3,194 51


Board of Health ... Laurel Hill Cemetery.


600 00


6 35


606 35


663 00


56 65


985 77


993 50


1,979 27


1,941 03


38 24


Tree Warden ..


200 00


200 00


98 77


101 23


Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths Special Appropriation Moth Appropriation, State Law ..


922 69


1,411 96


2,334 65


2,334 65


Overseers of Poor Account ..


3.425 00


1,051 55


4,476 55


4,550 15


73 60


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


283 67


City of Melrose. ..


21 75


21 75


City of Cambridge.


113 93


113 93


141 18


27 25


Town of Wakefield ..


74 78


74 78


89 05


14 27


Town of Wilmington


169 98


169 98


169 98


Town of Saugus.


6 25


6 25


6 25


Town of Canton.


1 50


1 50


Schools ...


27,000 00


27,000 00


26,999 38


62


School Incidentals


5,000 00


1,128 06


6,128 06


6,127 66


10


Public Library


900 00


555 53


1,455 53


1,455 53


93,415 74


59,055 24


152,470 98


138,008 04


15,360 33


897 39


Unexpended


15,360 33


Overdrawn


897 39


14,462 94


Expenses for Year 1905.


138,008 04


Add Temporary Loans.


83,000 00


Total Selectmen's Orders.


221,008 04


Expenses above. . .


138,008 04 5,000 00


143,008 04


Less following amounts due on account year 1905 : State and Military Aid.


2,302 50


Commonwealth of Mass., Account Burial Agent


70 00


Commonwealth of Mass., Poor Account.


283 67


City of Melrose.


21 15


City of Woburn.


7 99


City of Cambridge


27 25


City of Malden.


1 45


Town of Wakefield.


14 27


Town of North Reading.


12 00


Town of Canton ..


1 50


Chas. L. Haag.


67 60


2,809 98


..


Net Expenses ..


140,198 06


Less Sundry Credits for 1905, as above.


59,055 24


Amount raised by taxation and appropriations from available assets.


81,142 82


.


.


..


.


.


.


..


.


.


. .


.


.


.


1,000 00


1,000 00


976 90


23 10


283 67


7 99


7 99


City of Woburn ...


Temporary Loan Note. raised by taxation ..


.


...


87 98 3,204 00


Dr.


. EDWARD F. PARKER, Treasurer,


To Cash in Treasury, January, 1905 ..


To Cash received from State Treasurer, Corporation Tax, 1904 ..


58 44


66


66


66


National Bank Tax, 1904.


18 61


66


66


Corporation l'ax, 1905


2,920 20


66


66


60


State and Military Aid


2,530 50


66


66


Support of State Paupers


105 23


Repairs of State Highways


41 22


Burial of State Paupers


15 00


66


66


66


66


Hired Money, School House Loan.


2,000 00


66


66


66 Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Acct.


1,387 91


70 00


60


County Treasurer, Dog Tax, 1904.


554 23


.6


County Treasurer, Commitment of Insane.


32 00


66


Interest Accrued on High School Loan


190 08


66


Hired Money, Road Roller Loan


2,200 00


H. M. Viall, Collector, Railroad Excise Tax.


2,193 93


H. M. Viall, Collector, Redemption of Estate Sold for Tax Fee.


3 00


66


H. M. Viall, Collector, Cashi Received for Taxes Paid


111 48


66


..


H. M. Viall, Collector, Interest on Above.


2 73


66 Selectmen, License Fees.


56 00 90


66


Selectmen, Gypsy Moth Account Selectmen, Material Sold ..


50 30


66


Cash Returned.


3 50


66


Supt. of Streets, Material Sold.


18 95


66


High School Building Committee, Material Sold ... School Committee, School House Sold.


70 00


66


School Committee, Bills Paid Twice


90 65


Fourth District Court, Fines


362 00


Trustees of Cemetery, Lots Sold ..


625 00


66


66 Trustees of Cemetery, Interest on Bequests


368 50


66 Herbert C. Barrows, Executor, Cemetery Bequest and Interest ..


106 00


66


60 I. P. M. Wiggin, Executrix, Cemetery Bequest ... ..


100 00


66


Frank H. Gleason and Julius Gleason, Executors, Cemetery Bequest ..


50 00


66


66


Mary Norwood, Cemetery Bequest and Interest


52 50


Heirs of Clinton B. and William J. Holden, Ceme- tery Bequest


100 00


.6


6 6


Rev. Lyman Whiting, Cemetery Bequest.


50 00


66


Town of North Reading, Outside Poor


91 37


Town of North Reading, Tuition of Scholars.


840 00


66


Town of North Reading, Soldiers' Relief.


60 00


.6


Town of Wilmington, Outside Poor.


278 58


Town of Wakefield, Outside Poor


102 62


.. Town of Saugus, Outside Poor


6 25


..


City of Cambridge, Outside Poor


124 93 14 50


66


Municipal Light Board Note Paid from Town Office


30


6.


66 Board of Police Services.


10 00


6 6


Board of Health Services.


6 35


66


Frank W. Parker, Sealer of Weights.


26 28


Income from Swan Estate.


108 00


L. C. Page & Co., Bill Paid Twice.


1 00


6 6


Buffalo Steam Roller Co., Discount on Note


260 00


66


Highway Department ..


400 00


66


..


Pearl Street Drain Account.


400 00


66


Prentiss & Viall, Return Premium


19 20


6 6


H. M. Viall, Collector, List 1903.


11,940 30


١٠ H. M. Viall, Collector, List 1904


25,425 00


H. M. Viall, Collector, List 1905.


67,050 00


$253,537 05


66


66


National Bank Tax, 1905


690 83


66


..


Street Railroad Franchise Tax


1,933 43


..


66


66


Support of Sick Paupers


84 39


Tuition of Children.


67 00


Hired Money, Temporary Loans


78,000 00


66


Hired Money, High School Loan.


40,000 00


Overseers of the Poor, Town Home.


966 62


60


First National Bank, Interest.


150 20


6.


Supt. of Schools, Tuition, Rent and Material Sold ..


111 21


232 45


66


City of Melrose, Outside Poor ..


1,400 00


Municipal Light Board, Bill Overpaid


Fire Department, Material Sold.


34 24


Selectmen, Electric Light Bill Overpaid.


66


Burial of Indigent Soldiers.


$ 6,212 64


IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF READING, Cr.


By Paying County Tax.


$4,795 26


State Tax


5,840 00


National Bank Tax.


481 47


.6 Repairs on State Highways.


186 80


Selectmen's Orders ..


221,008 04


6 Cash in Treasury, January 27, 1906. 21,225 48


$253,537 05


EDWARD F. PARKER,


Treasurer.


224


Dr. EDWARD F. PARKER, Treasurer, IN ACCOUNT


To Cash in Treasury, January, 1905. Received from First National Bank, Interest.


$ 26 45


41 44


.. Received from Water Commissioners.


17,079 56


66 Received from Water Bonds Sold.


6,000 00


Received from Premium on Bonds Sold


397 50


Received from Accrued Interest on Bonds Sold


114 67


$23,659 62


Dr. EDWARD F. PARKER, Treas., IN ACCOUNT WITH


To Cash in Treasury, January, 1905 ...


S 933 18


Received from First National Bank, Interest.


24 33


Received from Municipal Light Board


19,542 73


$20,500 24


:


225


WITH TOWN OF READING WATER SUPPLY, Cr.


To Paying Water Commissioners' Orders. $23,631 43


To Cash in Treasury, January, 1906.


28 19


$23,659 62


EDWARD F. PARKER, Treasurer.


TOWN OF READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD, Cr.


By Paying Municipal Light Board Orders


$20,160 04


By Cash in Treasury, January, 1906


340 20


$20,500 24


EDWARD F. PARKER,


Treasurer.


AUDITORS' REPORT


LIABILITIES


Water bonds outstanding Jan. 1, 1906


$208,000 00


Interest accrued on same


754 79


Electric light bonds outstanding Jan. 1, 1906


40,800 00


Interest accrued on same 393 22


School bonds outstanding Jan. 1, 1906


82,000 00


Interest accrued on same


.


838 35


School bond due Aug. 1, 1905, not pre- sented for payment


1,000 00


Temporary loans


45,375 50


Interest accrued on same


414 74


Highway notes due Dec. 7, 1907 and 1908


2,000 00


Interest accrued on same


5 56


Road roller notes


2,200 00


Due to Fire Department


160 00


Miscellaneous debts


549 60


TRUST FUNDS


Bequest of Nancy Wakefield


$100 00


" Thomas Sweetser


100 00


" Sabrina Nichols


100 00


" Martha Pike


25 00


66 Sarah Batchelder


25 00


66


" T. T. Greenwood


500 00


" Mark Temple


100 00


Amount carried forward $950 00


227


Amount brought forward $950 00 Bequest of Susan Wright, Elizabeth Pres- ton and Margaret Gilman 75 00


66 " Elizabeth B. Eames and Ida L. Nelson 100 00


66


" Lavinia Coggin 100 00


" Margaret Towne 100 00


" Lucretia A. Hopkins and Elias Boardman 150 00


66


" Gilman D. Kingman 100 00


66


" Rosamond C. Pratt 100 00


66


" Mary F. Harnden 100 00


Mary B. Wakefield 100 00


66


" P. Jane Batchelder 100 00


66


" Arthur D. Kingman 50 00


66 " Estate of P. A. Corkins 100 00


66


" Dorinda R. Pratt 200 00


66


" Mary Ann McAllister 100 00


66


" Gilman A. Coggin 100 00


66


" Mary Ann McAllister for Joseph Bryant 50 00


66


" Miss Mary Evans


50 00


66


66 Frederick Bancroft 47 13


66


" Estate of Samuel Pierce


100 00


66 " D. W. Berry, executor


100 00


66 " William L. Crowe


100 00


66 George C. Coney


100 00


66 Heirs of Sherman Case


75 00


66 " Estate of Isaac M. Clark


100 00


Mary Butler


150 00


66


66 Mary E. Badger 100 00


66


66 Heil J. Nelson 200 00


66


66


66 John Burrill 100 00


Amount carried forward $3,897 13


" Mrs. Sarah Smith


100 00


228


Amount brought forward


$3,897 13


Bequest of Estate of F. O. Dewey


300 00


66 66 S. H. Dinsmore 100 00


" Mary J. Kimball


50 00


66 " Alden Batchelder


100 00


" Estate of Charles A. Weston


100 00


" Henry F. Parker


100 00


66 " Sarah D. Eaton


100 00


66


" Heirs James II. Bancroft


75 00


66


" Mary W. Pratt 50 00


" Miss Climena Wakefield 100 00


יו


" Estate Louisa M. Eaton 100 00


" Maria E. Waitt 100 49


200 00


66


" Albert B. Gleason 50 00


100 00


66


" Estate Thomas Richardson


100 00


66


" Helen M. Sherman 50 00


66


" Susan B. Moseley 50 00


100 00


" Lucy W. Parker 75 00


100 00


" Estate Needham Nichols 100 00


50 00


" Mrs. James T. Norris


30 00


" Estate Francis Kingman


100 00


" Estate Albert Nichols 100 00


66


" George L. Smith


200 00


" Susan A. Martin


100 00


" Maria Carter


100 00


66 " Hubbard Copeland 150 00


" John Draffin 100 00


" Hattie D. Pond, executrix 100 00


" Trustees of Laura Frost 50 00


Amount carried forward $7,177 62


66


" Charles E. Hall


" Estate Martha R. Temple


" Mary W. Pratt


" Adrien Mertens


" Frances P. Dow


229


Amount brought forward


$7,177 62


Bequest of Abby C. Clapp


100 00


" Emily Alice Jones


100 00


" Emma M. Brown


75 00


" F. Eliza Kingman


100 00


66 " Edward T. Pendergrast


100 00


" Fannie A. Morton


100 00


" Lewis M. Bancroft


50 00


" Caroline L. White


50 00


" Hannah C. Cochrane


50 00


66


" Charles W. Cochrane


200 00


66


" Edgar M. Knight


100 00


" J. B. Hopkins


100 00


" I. P. M. Wiggin


100 00


" Joseph H. Gleason


50 00


" Mary Norwood


50 00


66


" Lyman Whiting


50 00


$8,652 62


Interest accrued on above funds not yet


expended


517 04


$9,169 66


Total Liabilities


$392,661 42


ASSETS


Unpaid taxes due Oct. 1, 1904 . $ 9,293 82


Unpaid taxes due Oct. 1, 1905


. 29,980 58


Interest accrued on unpaid taxes


1,146 74


Due from State Aid account 2,302 50


Commonwealth of Mass. (burial) 70 00


Commonwealth of Mass. (poor) 283 67


Amount carried forward $43,077 31


100 00


" Reuben Weston


230


Amount brought forward


$43,077 31


Due from City of Melrose


21 75


66 City of Cambridge


27 25


Town of Canton


1 50


Town of Wakefield


14 27


City of Woburn


7 99


City of Malden


1 45


Town of North Reading


12 00


Chas. L. Haag


508 79


Hospital account


478 86


66 Concreting account


76 53


Cash in Treasury


21,225 48 .


Cash in Treasury ( water supply)


28 19


Cash in Treasury (electric light)


340 20


- $65,821 57


Available assets in excess of liabilities :


Uncollected taxes, accrued interest and accounts due


$44,227 70


Cash in Treasury


21,225 48 .


$65,453 18


Unpaid school bond Aug. 1, 1905 $ 1,000 00


Interest on school bonds


838 35


Interest on bequests .


517 04


Temporary loans and interest


. 45,790 24


Interest on Highway notes


5 56


Due to Fire Department


160 00


Miscellaneous debts


549 60


Unexpended balance Street Railway tax, available for Highway purposes only . 83 97


Unexpended balance of proceeds of High School bond issue


12,095 95


- $61,040 71


$4,412 47


231


BONDS AND NOTES OUTSTANDING


MATURITY


SCHOOL


ELEC. LIGHT WATER


March 9, 1906


$5,000 00


May 1, 1906


$1,400 00


June 1, 1906


$7,000 00


August 1, 1906 2,000 00


October 1, 1906


2,000 00


November 1, 1906 5,000 00


December 7, 1906


1,400 00


April 21, 1907 2,000 00


June 1, 1907


7,000 00


August 1, 1907


2,000 00


October 1, 1907


2,000 00


November 1, 1907 5,000 00


April 21, 1908 2,000 00


June 1, 1908


7,000 00


July 10, 1908


2,000 00


August 1, 1908


2,000 00


October 1, 1908


2,000 00


November 1, 1908


5,000 00


April 21, 1909 2,000 00


June 1, 1909


7,000 00


August 1, 1909


3,000 00


October 1, 1909


2,000 00


November 1, 1909 5,000 00


April 21, 1910 2,000 00


June 1, 1910


7,000 00


August 1, 1910


3,000 00


October 1, 1910


2,000 00


November 1, 1910


5,000 00


June 1, 1911


7,000 00


August 1, 1911 3,000 00


October 1, 1911


2,000 00


r


232


MATURITY


SCHOOL


ELEC. LIGHT


WATER


November 1, 1911


5,000 00


March 15, 1912 June 1, 1912


10,000 00 7,000 00


August 1, 1912


3,000 00


October 1, 1912


2,000 00


November 1, 1912


5,000 00


June 1, 1913


7,000 00


August 1, 1913


3,000 00


October 1, 1913


2,000 00


November 1, 1913


5,000 00


June 1, 1914


7,000 00


August 1, 1914


3,000 00


October 1, 1914


2,000 00


June 1, 1915


7,000 00


August 1, 1915


3,000 00


October 1, 1915


2,000 00


June 1, 1916


12,000 00


October 1, 1916


2,000 00


June 1, 1917


12,000 00


October 1, 1917


2,000 00


June 1, 1918


12,000 00


October 1, 1918


2,000 00


June 1, 1919


12,000 00


October 1, 1919


2,000 00


June 1, 1920 October 1, 1920


2,000 00


June 1, 1921


12,000 00


October 1, 1921


2,000 00


June 1, 1922


12,000 00


October 1, 1922


2,000 00


12,000 00


233


MATURITY


SCHOOL ELEC. LIGHT


WATER


June 1, 1923


10,000 00


October 1, 1923


2,000 00


June 1, 1924


10,000 00


October 1, 1924


2,000 00


June 1, 1925


10,000 00


June 1, 1926


5,000 00


June 1, 1927


5,000 00


June 1, 1928


4,000 00


$82,000 00


$40,800 00


$208,000 00


40,800 00


82,000 00


Highway Notes :


December 7, 1907


. $1,000 00


December 7, 1908


1,000 00


2,000 00


Road Roller Notes :


June 20, 1906


$450 00


June 20, 1907


450 00


June 20, 1908


450 00


June 20, 1909


450 00


June 20, 1910


400 00


$2,250 00


Total Bonds and Notes $335,050 00


We have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Water Commissioners and Electric Light Commissioners, and found satis- factory vouchers for all expenditures.


We have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk, Collector and Treasurer, and found them correct.


JOHN F. TURNER, ALBERT R. SHEPARDSON, J. HENRY WILSON, Auditors.


TOWN WARRANT


OF


TOWN


SETTLED


1


1 639 : INC


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS


MIDDLESEX S. S.


To EITHER OF THE CONSTABLES OF THE TOWN OF READING, GREETING :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet in Lower Lyceum Hall, in said Reading, on Monday, the fifth day of March, A. D. 1906, at six o'clock in the forenoon, to act on the following articles, viz. :


Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.


Art. 2. To bring in their votes on one ballot for Town Clerk, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, one member of Board of Asses- sors for three years, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, one member of Board of Health for three years, two Constables, one Water Com- missioner for three years, one member of the Municipal Light Board for three years, two Trustees of Laurel Hill Cemetery for three years, two Trustees of the Public Library for three years, two members of the School Committee for three years, three Auditors, and Tree Warden for one year ; also, on same ballot, Yes or No, in


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answer to the following question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ? "


Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the time appointed for said meeting.


Given under our hands this sixth day of February, A. D. 1906.


JAMES W. KILLAM, OLIVER L. AKERLEY, HENRY R. JOHNSON,


Selectmen of Reading.


TOWN WARRANT


OF R


D


SETTLED 1


1644.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS


MIDDLESEX S. S.


To EITHER OF THE CONSTABLES OF THE TOWN OF READING, GREETING :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet in Lyceum Hall, in said Reading, on Monday, the fifth day of March,


236


A. D. 1906, at seven thirty o'clock in the evening, to act on the fol- lowing articles, viz. :


Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.


Art. 2. To hear and act on the reports of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Assessors, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, School Committee, Water Commissioners, Municipal Light Board, Engineers of Fire Department, Trustees of the Cemetery, Trustees of the Public Library, Auditors, Board of Health, Finance Commit- tee, Tree Warden, and Special Committees.


Art. 3. To choose all other necessary Town Officers, and to determine what instructions they will give the Town Officers.


Art. 4. To determine how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for Schools, Incidental School Expenses, Superin- tendent of Schools, Repairs of Highways, Bridges and Sidewalks, Sprinkling Streets, Removing Snow and Ice, Concrete Sidewalks and Edgestones (provided abutters pay one-half), Fire Depart- ment, Police Department, Forest Fire Wards, Support of Poor, Salaries of Town Officers, State and Military Aid, Soldiers' Relief, Printing, Abatement of Taxes, Town Building, Cemetery, Public Library, Memorial Day, Board of Health, Care of Old South Clock, Interest Account, Care and Improvement of Common, May- all Park and Elm Park, Election Expenses, Concrete Work, Miscel- laneous Expenses, Tree Warden and Rent of Playground.


Art. 5. To see if the Town will raise the sum of twelve thousand dollars and appropriate the same, together with the receipts of the Municipal Light and Power Plant, for the year 1906, for the maintenance, operation and repair of said Plant, and for the payment of the bonds, notes, interest and depreciation due by said plant during the year, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars for construction, extension, enlargement and addition to the Municipal Light and Power Plant, or what they will do in relation thereto.


237


Art. 7. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of sixty dollars for the purpose of placing an electric light near Hose 5 house on Forest street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 8. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of erecting an arc light at the junction of Salem and Winter streets, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 9. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the. sum of fifty dollars to furnish electricity for the Home for Aged Women.


Art. 10. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five dollars to furnish water for the Home for Aged Women.


Art. 11. To determine how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for service pipes, hydrant rental, water for drink- ing fountains, water for street sprinkling, interest on water loan and maintenance of water works.


Art. 12. To see if the Town will authorize their Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year.


Art. 13. To hear and act on the report of the committee of five which was appointed to investigate the question of having a Board of Public Works.


Art. 14. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chapter 405, Acts of 1903, an act to authorize the Town of Read- ing to elect a Board of Public Works to have control of its water works, public lighting and highways, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto.


Art. 15. To determine the compensation of the Collector.


Art. 16. To determine the compensation of the Town Clerk.


Art. 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to establish a fire alarm box at the junction of Salem and Pine streets and how much money they will raise and appropriate- for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


238


Art. 18. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars for the purpose of furnishing electricity for lighting Grand Army Hall on Haven street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 19. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-six hundred dollars to meet the interest on School House Bonds.


Art. 20. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred six dollars and twenty-five cents to meet the interest on School House Notes.


Art. 21. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of School House Note for five thousand dollars, due March ninth, 1906.


Art. 22. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the new High School Building Note for five thousand dollars, due November first, 1906.


Art. 23. To see if the Town will purchase land for a Play- ground and how much money they will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 24. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty dollars for the purpose of purchasing a safe for the use of the Collector of Taxes, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 25. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for the purpose of taking care of the water on Orange street, between Pierce and Spring streets, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 26. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars to carry away the water on the south- erly side of Green street on land of Samuel Brown and others, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 27. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred and twenty-five dollars for the purpose of con-


239


structing a sidewalk on High street from a point near the residence of Melvin R. Batchelder to a point near the residence of John H. Robinson, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 28. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars to co-operate with the Boston & Maine Railroad in making a grass and shrubbery plot on High street at the foot of Haven street, and a plot on Lincoln street at the rear of Station, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 29. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen and Superintendent of Streets to pay five dollars per day of nine hours, for a double cart, and three and one-half dollars per day for a single cart, providing double cart holds forty cubic feet or more and single cart holds twenty cubic feet or more.


Art. 30. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Select- men to build crosswalks from the southerly end of the Common across Harnden and Ash streets, and raise and appropriate fifty dollars for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 31. To hear and act on the report of the committee of three chosen at the last annual meeting to confer with the Trustees of the Old South M. E. Church in regard to purchasing the lot of land adjoining the Cemetery.


Art. 32. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of eight hundred dollars for the purpose of purchasing the lot of land adjoining the Cemetery, referred to in Article thirty-one.


Art. 33. To see if the Town will provide for one-half of the expense of lighting the Y. M. C. A. building by electricity and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 34. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty dollars to purchase coats for the Fire Department, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 35. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty dollars for the renewal of the storage battery, or what they will do in relation thereto.


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Art. 36. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty dollars to be used for Field Day purposes of the Fire Department, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 37. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars toward defraying the expenses of band concerts for the coming summer, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 38. To see if the Town will vote to furnish creosote free to citizens of the Town to paint Gypsy Moth nests, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 39. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Select- men to procure estimates of the cost of a survey and maps of the Town required to introduce the so-called Block or District System of assessing, and report on the same for action by the Town at some future meeting, together with a plan for distributing the cost of such survey and maps over a series of years, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 40. To see if the Town will adopt the report of the Com- mittee on Building Laws which was appointed at the annual Town Meeting, March, 1901, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 41. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen in relation to guide posts, and to determine if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars for the repair of the same.


Art. 42. To see what instructions the Town will give the Board of Selectmen in relation to filling vacancies on the Finance Committee of the five members whose terms expire this year.


Art. 43. To see if the Town will revise and accept the list of names of jurors as prepared and posted by the Selectmen.


Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the time appointed for said meeting.


Given under our hands this sixth day of February, A. D. 1906.


JAMES W. KILLAM, OLIVER L. AKERLEY, HENRY R. JOHNSON,


Selectmen of Reading.


241


LIST OF NAMES OF JURORS


The subscribers, Selectmen of Reading, present the following list of persons, who, in their judgment, are qualified to serve as jurors :


Adams, George E.


Adden, John H.


Allen, William J.


Bailey, Willard L.


Baker, William H.


Clerk Retired Clerk Merchant Carpenter


Bancroft, Frederick


Broker


Bancroft, Willard A.


Farmer


Batchelder, Warren A.


Carpenter


Beaudry, Charles B.


Bolton, Henry E.


Bosson, Harry P.


Brooks, Albert P.


Brown, John


Brown, Joseph H.


Brown, Samuel


Carter, George


Chandler, Alfred D.


Connelly, John


Cook, George W.


Cook, Walter F.


Davis, Arthur E.


Davis, William Wallace


Eames, Charles B.


Eames, Edward B.


Eames, Webster


Eaton, John H.


Flint, George L.


Organ Pipe Worker Organ Pipe Worker Insurance Agent Photographer Retired


Restaurateur Wheelwright Laborer Manufacturer R. R. Employe Bookkeeper Painter R. R. Employe Farmer


Shoe Worker Merchant Laborer Carpenter Carpenter


INDEX


PAGE


Town Officers, 1905-1906


5


Town Clerk's Report, Births Registered


12


Marriages Registered 16


" Deaths Registered


20


66 66 Dogs Licensed


22


Report of Town Meetings


Selectmen's General Report


23 55 58


Selectmen's Account


Street Department


76 81


Fire Department


Report of Superintendent of Fire Alarm


89


66 Police Department


91


Inspector of Animals and Provisions


97


Sealer of Weights and Measures


Trustees of Cemetery


98 99 101


Board of Health


.. Inspector of Plumbing


104


.. Tree Warden


105 107


Assessors


110


66 Overseers of Poor


111 123


.4 Water Commissioners


163


School Committee


Public Library


Summary of Accounts


Treasurer's Report


Auditors' Report


222 226 231


Bonds and Notes Outstanding


Town Warrant


234


List of Jurors


241


I


6. Electric Light Commissioners


181 214 220


Collector


¢





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