USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1906 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
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. 13. Voted to take up.
Art. 13. Voted to accept report of committee of five who
33
were appointed to investigate and report on the question of having a Board of Public Works, and that the report be placed on file.
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. 14. Voted to indefinitely postpone by a vote of yea 164, nay 23.
Art. 15. To determine the compensation of the Collector.
Art. 15. Voted that the compensation of the Collector of Taxes be three-fourths of one per cent. on all money collected during the fiscal year and amount of money expended for postage in collecting same.
Art. 16. To determine the compensation of the Town Clerk.
Art. 16. Voted that the salary of Town Clerk be one hundred and fifty dollars per year, to be paid from Salaries of Town Officers.
Art. 3. Voted to take from table.
Art. 3. Voted that the Collector be instructed to collect all taxes (so far as is possible) on or before October 1st and upon all taxes unpaid at that time to add interest at six per cent. per annum from said date until paid, and also to collect all taxes unpaid January 1st forthwith, by process of law, unless delinquents procure an order from the Selectmen releasing them from immediate payment.
Voted to instruct the Assessors to revise their assessment of real estate in the Town.
Art. 3. Voted to lay on the table.
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.
Art. 17. Voted not to make an appropriation for a fire alarm box at corner of Pine and Salem streets.
Art. 18. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the
34
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. 18. Voted to appropriate fifty dollars from available assets for electricity for G. A. R. Hall on Haven street.
Voted to adjourn to Monday evening, March 19, 1906, at 7.30 o'clock, to meet in Lyceum Hall.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING.
READING, MASS., MARCH 19, 1906.
Pursuant to adjournment the Town Meeting was called to order at the time and place as adjourned on March 12, 1906, by the Moderator, George L. Flint.
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. 19. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand six hundred dollars ($2,600) to pay interest on School 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. 20. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of thirteen hundred and six dollars and twenty-five cents ($1,306.25) to pay the interest on School House Notes.
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 1st, 1906.
Art. 22. Voted that for the purpose of paying the School House Note for five thousand dollars due Nov. 1st, 1906, the Town Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow five thousand dollars and issue the note or notes of the Town therefor bearing interest at a rate not exceeding four per
35
cent. per annum. It was passed by a unanimous vote-29 in favor and none against.
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. 23. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to hire some suitable playground at a rental not exceeding the sum of three hundred and forty-two dollars a year, and the above amount be appropriated from the available assets.
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. 24. Voted to purchase a safe for the Collector of Taxes, and that the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated from available assets to pay for the same.
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. 25. Voted that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated from available assets to take care of the surface water on Orange street, between Pierce and Spring streets, the same to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Art. 26. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars to carry away the water on the southerly side of Green street on land of Samuel Brown and others, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 26. Voted to appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars from the available assets for the purpose of taking care of the water on Green street on land of Samuel Brown and others, provided it can be taken care of in a southerly direction and a right of way be deeded to the Town, same to be done under direction of the Selectmen.
36
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- 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. 27. Voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
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. 28. Voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen with instructions to confer with the officials of the Boston & Maine Railroad and report on the same at some future Town Meeting.
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. 29. Voted to refer the subject matter of this article to the Board of Selectmen.
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. 30. Voted to appropriate fifty dollars from appropriation for Concrete Work to build a crosswalk from Harnden street across Main street near the southerly end of the Common.
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.
37
Art. 31. Committee reported favorably on the purchase of Old South M. E. lot, and it was voted to accept report of the committee.
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. 32. Voted that the Town purchase the lot of land from the Old South M. E. Society for the sum of eight hundred dollars, and that the Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to issue eight non-interest bearing notes of the Town in payment for the same ; said notes to be of the sum of one hundred dollars each, payable one each year until the whole sum shall have been paid. The first note to be paid during the year 1906. When said land has been purchased it shall be added to the Cemetery, and the Trustees of the Cemetery shall pay to the Town Treasurer the sum of one hun- dred dollars per year from the proceeds of the sale of lots, for the purpose of extinguishing said notes until all of them have been paid.
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. 33. Voted to indefinitely postpone.
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. 34. Voted to appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty dollars from available assets to purchase coats for the Fire Department.
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.
Art. 35. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one hun-
38
dred fifty dollars ($150) for the renewal of the storage battery of the fire alarm system.
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. 36. Voted to indefinitely postpone.
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. 37. Voted to appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars from available assets for band concerts for the coming summer.
Art. 3. Voted to take from the table.
Art. 3. Voted that the vote passed March 5th, 1906, whereby the Selectmen were instructed to refund that portion of the original tax assessed on the Haskins property on Salem street which should exceed the sum of $50 for each of the years 1904 and 1905, be rescinded.
Art. 3. Voted that the Electric Light and Water Commis- sioners be requested to procure a detailed estimate of the cost of all the necessary machinery and appliances for furnishing electric power to the pumping station, including all connections and all labor necessary to install the same ; and including such new machin- ery as may be needed at the light station for that purpose, if any ; and to present these estimates at the next Town Meeting with their recommendations.
Art. 3. Voted that the Auditors be instructed to arrange a formula which the several departments shall follow in presenting their annual financial statement to the Town.
Art. 3. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to investigate the matter of surface drainage and report some plan concerning this matter at some future meeting.
Art. 3. Voted to lay on the table.
Art. 38. To see if the Town will vote to furnish creosote free
39
to citizens of the Town to paint gypsy moth nests, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 38. Voted to furnish creosote free to applicants, they being citizens of the Town, through the Tree Warden.
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. 39. Voted that the Town 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.
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. 40. Voted that the report of the Committee on Building Laws be referred back with instructions to revise the same and report at some future Town Meeting, having first caused the revised report to be published in the Reading Chronicle before such Town Meeting.
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. 41. The Selectmen made the following report: Guide Posts, or suitable substitutes therefor, are erected and maintained at the following locations, viz:
Corner Walnut St. and South St.
Walnut St. and Summer Ave.
Main St. and Summer Ave.
40
Corner Woburn St. and Summer Ave.
West St. and Summer Ave.
West St. and Woburn St.
Lowell St. and Willow St.
Lowell St. and High St.
Lowell St. and Middlesex Ave.
Grove St. and Franklin St.
66 Main St. and Franklin St.
Mill St. and Short St.
Franklin St. and Haverhill St.
Charles St. and Haverhill St.
Haverhill St. and Pine St.
Pine St. and Salem St.
Charles St. and Main St.
66 Charles St. and Pearl St.
66 Main St. and Pearl St.
Main St. and Salem St.
66 Salem St. and Lowell St.
66 Woburn St. and Lowell St.
Salem St. and Harnden St.
יי Main St. and Pleasant St.
6. Pleasant St. and Parker St.
Haven St. and Village St.
66 Main St. and Ash St.
Main St. on the Common.
Harnden St. near Pleasant St.
JAMES W. KILLAM,
Selectmen OLIVER L. AKERLEY, of
HENRY R. JOHNSON, Reading.
Reading, Mass., March 1, 1906.
Voted to accept the report of Selectmen on guide posts or suitable substitutes therefor, and that the sum of fifty dollars be appropriated from Miscellaneous Expenses for same for the fiscal year.
Art. 42. To see what instructions the Town will give the
41
Board of Selectmen in relation to filling vacancies on the Finance Committee of the five members whose terms expire this year.
Art. 42. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to fill all vacancies occurring in Committee on Finance for the year ensuing.
Art. 43. To see if the Town will revise and accept the list of names of Jurors as prepared and posted by the Selectmen.
Art. 43. The Selectmen made the following report of a list of jurors.
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.
Clerk Retired Clerk
Allen, William J.
Bailey, Willard L.
Baker, William H.
Bancroft, Frederick
Bancroft, Willard A.
Batcheller, Warren A.
Merchant Carpenter Broker Farmer 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
. Organ Pipe Worker . Organ Pipe Worker Insurance Agent Photographer Retired Restaurateur Wheelwright Laborer Manufacturer R. R. Employee Bookkeeper Painter
Cook, George W.
Cook, Walter F.
Davis, Arthur E.
Davis, Wm. Wallace
Eames, Charles B.
R. R. Employee Farmer Shoe Worker
42
Eames, Edward B. Eames, Webster
Eaton, John H.
Flint, George L.
Francis, Albert J.
Gill, George E. Hanscom, Edwin C. Johnson, J. Dana
Jones, William H.
Killam, Joseph W.
Kimball, Charles D.
Kingman, William H.
Knight, Edgar M.
Krook, Lambertus W.
Lee, Charles W.
Lovejoy, Eugene L.
MacDougall, Chester W.
Mack, George
McIntire, Herbert E.
Mears, William H.
Milbury, Ora L.
Nesmith, Charles I.
Nichols, Moses E.
Painter
Nichols, Amos C.
Caterer
Nichols, Parker
Farmer
Oakes, George F.
Engineer Mason Farmer
Parker, Fred A.
. Organ Pipe Worker
Parker, Horace A.
Cabinet Worker
Pratt, David W.
Laborer
Pratt, Wilmot K.
Laborer
Prichard, Augustus D.
Farmer
Roberts, Joseph A.
Clerk
Robinson, John H.
Editor
Runkle, E. Holcombe
Clerk
Merchant Laborer Carpenter Carpenter Merchant
Carpenter Contractor Shoe Worker Farmer Farmer Machinist
Artist Machinist Cabinet Maker Merchant Merchant Plumber Upholsterer Carpenter Merchant Wood Worker Farmer
Park, Howard L.
Parker, Asa
43
Sargent, George A.
Shoe Worker
Smith, Benjamin Y.
Somes, Alvin G.
. Organ Pipe Worker Clerk Machinist Farmer
Stinchfield, Charles H.
Stone, Irving W.
Temple, Joseph S.
White, Thomas J.
Quillen, William
Manufacturer Merchant Carpenter
JAMES W. KILLAM, OLIVER L. AKERLEY, of
Selectmen
HENRY R. JOHNSON, Reading.
Reading, February 10, 1906.
The following were stricken from the list: Bancroft, Willard A., Bolton, Henry E., Francis, Albert J., Brooks, Albert P., Robin- son, John H.
The following names were added to the list :
Stock, Herbert G.
Willis, Frank W.
Waters, James A.
Stott, J. Albert Carpenter Carpenter
Nickerson, Charles F.
Eames, Horace E. Laborer
Voted to accept the list of Jurors as revised.
Art. 2. Voted to take from the table.
Art. 2. Voted to accept reports of Town Officers and Finance Committee as printed in the annual Town Report.
Voted to adjourn sine die.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
READING, MASS., JULY 2, 1906.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant a Town Meeting was held at the place and time therein mentioned and was called to order by
Contractor Electrician Steam Fitter
44
the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles, who read the warrant and the return thereon, and proceeded to the election of a Moderator under Article 1.
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Art. 1. George L. Flint received five votes and was duly declared unanimously elected Moderator.
Art. 2. To consider whether the Town will issue its notes in a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars for providing additional funds for the erection of a new High School building and to deter- mine the time or times of payment of such notes, and to take any other action relating thereto.
Art. 2. Voted that for the purpose of providing additional funds for the erection of a new High School building the Treasurer is hereby authorized under the direction of the Selectmen to borrow money and issue the notes of the Town therefor in the aggregate principal sum of six thousand dollars bearing interest at a rate not exceeding four and one-half per cent. per annum payable semi- annually ; such notes to be payable one thousand dollars thereof five years from their date and one thousand dollars thereof each year thereafter.
Forty-five voted yes and none no, and it was declared a two- thirds vote.
Art: 3. To hear and act on the report of the special commit- tee comprising the Municipal Light Board and the Water Commis- sioners concerning the cost of the machinery and appliances neces- sary for furnishing electric power to the pumping station.
Art. 3. Voted to indefinitely postpone this Article after hear- ing report of committee.
Voted to adjourn without date.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
STATE ELECTION.
READING, MASS., Nov. 6, 1906.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the return thereon an election was held at the time and place therein specified. James
45
W. Killam, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, called the meeting to order. Prayer was offered by Rev. Eaton B. Marshall. The warrant was then read. The ballot box was opened and declared empty and the register showed 0000 and the keys delivered to the Constable in charge. The ballots were delivered to the presiding election officer who receipted for the same (1600 in number.)
The following ballot clerks and tellers were duly sworn:
Ballot Clerks-Chester C. Richardson, William H. Perkins, Horace E. Eames.
Tellers-Chester W. McDougall, Alfred W. Danforth, Clinton L. Newell, Charles H. Stinchfield, Charles I. Alger, John Connelly, Spencer G. Stewart, Henry M. Donegan, George L. Flint.
The polls were declared open at 6 o'clock A. M. It was voted to close the polls at 4.30 o'clock P. M. Ballots were taken out of the box during the day and counted.
The polls were declared closed at 4.30 P. M. The ballot box registered 2243 as having voted, an incorrect number. The ballot clerks reported that the two check lists showed 1091 names as having been checked, and 1091 ballots were counted as cast with the following result :
GOVERNOR
Gamaliel Bradford of Wellesley
9
James F. Carey of Haverhill
5
William H. Carroll of Boston
0
Curtis Guild, Jr., of Boston
800
John B. Moran of Boston
50
John B. Moran of Boston
57
John B. Moran of Boston
138
John B. Moran of Boston
7
Blanks
25
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
E. Gerry Brown of Brockton
253
Hervey S. Cowell of Ashburnham
18
Eben S. Draper of Hopedale
728
46
Walter J. Hoar of Worcester
4
John F. Mullen of Fitchburg .
7
Blanks
81
SECRETARY
Joao Claudino of New Bedford
2
Jonathan S. Lewis of Stoneham
25
Ambrose Miles of Lynn
7
William M. Olin of Boston
800
Charles C. Paine of Barnstable
161
Blanks
96
TREASURER
Arthur B. Chapin of Holyoke
794
George B. Cushman of Brockton
9
S. Frederick French of Mansfield
18
George M. Harrigan of Lowell
156
David F. Richardson of Lynn
11
Blanks
103
AUDITOR
Albert Barnes of Fall River
8
Thomas L. Hisgen of West Springfield
156
Fred L. Johnson of Lynn
10
James F. Pease of Merrimac
22
Henry E. Turner of Malden
781
Blanks
114
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Allen Coffin of Nantucket
27
Dana Malone of Greenfield
750
Arthur E. Reimer of Boston
5
John Weaver Sherman of Boston
14
John A. Thayer of Worcester
181
Blanks
114
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, FIFTH DISTRICT
Butler Ames of Lowell
843
Joseph J. Flynn of Lawrence
185
47
Fred P. Folsom of Lowell
13
Blanks
50
COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
John C. Call of Newton
21
Edward Gallagher of Lowell
157
Seward W. Jones of Newton
770
Blanks
143
SENATOR, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
John P. Farley of Lowell 151
James Wilson Grimes of Reading
803
Charles W. Pratt of Saugus
21
Blanks
110
Scattering
6
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT Twentieth Middlesex District
Winfield R. Lang of Woburn 136
John B. Lewis, Jr., of Reading 348
Andrew Roscoe Linscott of Woburn
593
George A. Shackford of Reading
669
Blanks .
425
Scattering
11
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MIDDLESEX
Oscar J. Johnson of Malden 24
Patrick E. Sullivan of Lowell
144
Samuel O. Upham of Waltham
776
Blanks
147
CLERK OF COURTS, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Theodore C. Hurd of Winchester 793
Charles E. McCarthy of Lowell
149
Blanks 149
REGISTER OF DEEDS, MIDDLESEX SOUTHERN DISTRICT Edwin O. Childs of Newton 819
Seymour J. Milliken of Somerville 54
48
Blanks
Scattering
213 5
COUNTY TREASURER, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Joseph O. Hayden of Somerville 798
John O'Brien of Townsend 135
William Parker of Arlington
26
Blanks
132
Voted to adjourn sine die.
A true record, attest:
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 1906.
READING, MASS., NOV. 12, 1906.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the return thereon a Town Meeting was held at the place and time therein specified and was called to order by the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles, who read the warrant and the Constable's return thereon.
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator.
Art 1. George L. Flint was duly elected Moderator, receiving five votes, the total number cast.
Art. 2. To see what instructions the Town will give the Town Officers.
Art. 2. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to procure a stone for a monument which is to be built by Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association at Provincetown, Mass., same to have marked on it the date of settlement of Reading and name of town.
Art. 3. To see if the Town will issue its bonds or notes in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for the purpose of providing funds for the renewal, reconstruction and enlargement of the Municipal Light and Power Plant, and to determine the time or times of payment of such bonds or notes, and take any other action relating thereto.
.
49
Art. 3. Voted that a committee of three, to consist of Joseph S. Temple, Jacob Mitchell and A. Newell Howes, be chosen to bring in a special committee of five to whom shall be referred this article. The committee brought in and recommended the follow- ing: Edward H. Palmer, Frank F. Strout, William H. Byers, Gilman L. Parker, John F. Turner.
Voted to accept the above named committee.
Voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to this committee, who shall be empowered to employ such assistance as they deem necessary to make a thorough investigation of the needs of the Electric Light and Power Plant, and shall report in writing to the Town at their earliest convenience.
Art. 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of. Water Commissioners to lay a six inch water main on Middlesex avenue between Bancroft avenue and Lowell street; also on Kings -- ton street, so called, and about three hundred feet on Grand street, and will authorize the sale of one Water Loan Bond to pay for same, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.