Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1910, Part 2

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 254


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Art. 30. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the High School house lot note for $2000, due April 21, 1910.


Art. 30. Voted that $2,000 be appropriated from avail- able assets for High School house lot note due April 21, 1910.


Art. 31. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment on the High School house bonds for $3,000 due August 1, 1910.


Art. 31. Voted to raise and appropriate $3,000 for High School house bonds due Aug. 1, 1910.


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Art. 32. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the High School house bonds for $5,000 due November 1, 1910.


Art. 32. Voted to raise and appropriate $5,000 for High School house bonds due November 1, 1910.


Art. 33. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the High School house note for $1,000 due December 3, 1910.


Art. 33. Voted that $1,000 be appropriated from avail- a ble assets for High School house note due December 3, 1910.


Art. 34. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the High School house note for $1,000 due December 21, 1910.


Art. 34. Voted that $1,000 be appropriated from avail- able assets for High School house note due December 21, 1910.


Art. 35. To see if the Town will purchase land for a playground, and how much money they will raise and appro- priate or otherwise provide for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 35. Voted to pass over.


Art. 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $975 to pay for inspection of beef for 1909, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 36. Moved that $975 be paid for inspection of beef during 1909. The motion was not carried.


Art. 6 and 7. Voted to take up.


Moved that the Municipal Light Board be authorized to extend their lines into the Town of North Reading, provided advantageous contracts can be made for the use of the cur- rent, and that to cover the expense of said extension, the Treasurer be authorized to borrow, under the direction of the Selectmen, a sum not exceeding $7,500, and to issue the note or notes of the Town therefor, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding five per cent.


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After discussion it was voted to indefinitely postpone Art. 6 and 7.


Art. 37. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $200 toward band concerts the coming summer, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 37. Voted to raise and appropriate $200 for band concerts.


Art. 38. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, to make a thorough revaluation of the property of the Town and publish same in a book, and to see what instructions they will give the Board of Assessors, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 38. Voted that the town instruct the Board of Assessors to make a thorough revaluation of the property of the Town and publish the same in a book; and that the Town raise and appropriate $1,000 to defray the expense of the book and extra labor required, and that the valuation of 1909 be printed in the same book.


Art. 41. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to employ a Clerk, and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 41. Voted to raise and appropriate $500 for Clerk for the Board of Selectmen.


Art. 42. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Highland avenue and Vine place, from High street to Mineral street, and to determine if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 42. Report of Selectmen on laying out of High- land avenue and Vine place, from High street to Mineral street :


We, the subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Reading, after giving due notice to all parties interested, have laid out for use of the Town as a public way described as follows : -


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Beginning on the Northerly side of Mineral street at land of David C. Temple's heirs, then the line runs by a curve to the right within a radius of eleven and seventy- seven-one hundredths (11 77-100) feet, then North 23° 54' West one hundred ninety-fine and five-tenths (195 5-10) feet over land of said Temple's heirs to land of J. Woodward Manning, then North 34º West five hundred twenty-nine and five-tenths (529 5-10) feet over land of said Manning to land of one Johnson, then North 14° 15', West ninety (90) feet, then by a curve to the right with a radius of ten (10) feet, fifteen and seven-tenths (15 7-10) feet over land of said Johnson, Martin B. Hartshorn, F. S. Bryant, Martin B. Hartshorn and George C. Meader, then by a curve to the right with a radius of ten and eight-one hundredths (10 8-100) feet fifteen and seventy-eight one-hundredths (15 78-100) feet over land of said Meader to the Westerly side of High street; said way is forty (40) feet wide for the first three courses and lies on the Westerly side of above-described line, and forty-five (45) feet wide on the last described line and lies on the northerly side of said line. We have also rounded the corner opposite the end on Mineral street, and opposite the end on High street. Said way is intended to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan of same made by James A. Bancroft dated February 14, 1910, which is to be considered a part of this report. We would recom- mend that said way running from Mineral street to High street be named Vine street, and when the report is accepted and adopted by the Town the said way shall thereafter be known as a public Town way.


JAMES W. KILLAM, OLIVER L. AKERLEY, GEORGE L. PRATT, Selectmen of Reading.


Reading, February 26, 1910.


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Voted to accept report and adopt the recommendation of the Selectmen in regard to the laying out of Vine street, and that the sum of $300 be raised and appropriated therefor.


Art. 43. To see if the Town will authorize and instruct its Treasurer to keep all money which may hereafter be received for the sale of Cemetery lots separate from all other money of the Town, and deposit the same in the Savings Bank or banks, when received. All money so received, together with the income thereof, shall be known as "The Cemetery Fund," and shall be kept intact until such time as the Town shall vote to use the whole or any part thereof, for the care or improvement of the Cemetery, to which use it is hereby set apart and appropriated, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 43. Voted that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is instructed to keep an account known as the "Cemetery Account." All money received from the, sale of lots and single graves shall be credited to this account. Disburse- ment shall be made from this account for the benefit of the Cemetery at such times and for such amounts as the citi- zens of the Town shall vote. At the close of each year there shall be added to this account an amount equal to four per cent. interest on the daily balance, such amount to be taken from the regular appropriations for interest, but any action taken under this article shall not prevent the Treasurer from paying from the proceeds of the sale of lots the Ceme- tery notes which the Town owes.


Art. 2. Voted to take from the table.


Art. 2. After some discussion it was voted to lay this article on the table.


ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


Reading, March 14, 1910.


Art. 44. To see if the Town will vote to remove the elevation on Winthrop avenue, near Lowell street, and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that pur- pose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


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Art. 44. Voted to refer the subject matter of this arti- cle, repairs of Winthrop avenue, to the Board of Selectmen.


Art. 45. To see if the Town will widen the sidewalk on the westerly side of Main street, at the curve near the Old South M. E. Church, and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 45. Voted to refer the subject matter of this arti- cle, widening sidewalk on westerly side of Main st., north of the Old South M. E. Church, to the Board of Selectmen.


Art. 46. To see if the Town will amend its By Laws so that the annual town meeting for the transaction of business may be held on some day other than the first Monday in March.


Art. 46. Voted that the Town By Laws be amended by striking out Section 1 of Article 1, and insert the following in its place :


The annual town meeting for the election of all town officers to be elected by ballot, and for the consideration of all questions to be voted for by ballot, shall be held on the first Monday of March of each year.


The annual town meeting for the transaction of all other Town business shall be held on the second Monday of March of each year, and special meetings at such times as the Selectmen may appoint.


Art. 47. To see if the Town will vote to furnish creo- sote free to citizens of the Town to paint gypsy moth nests, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 47. Voted to furnish creosote free to the citizens of Reading to paint gypsy moth nests.


Art. 48. 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 $50 for the repair of the same.


Art. 48. Report of the Selectmen on guide posts :


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Guide posts or suitable substitutes therefor are erected and maintained at the following locations, viz. : -


Corner Walnut street and South street.


Walnut street and Summer avenue.


Main street and Summer avenue.


Woburn street and Summer avenue.


West street and Summer avenue.


66 West street and Woburn street.


Lowell street and Willow street (2). Lowell street and High street.


Lowell street and Middlesex avenue.


Grove street and Franklin street.


Main street and Franklin street.


Mill street and Short street. Franklin street and Haverhill street.


Charles street and Haverhill street.


Haverhill street and Pine street.‘


Pine street and Salem street.


66 Charles street and Pearl street.


Charles street and Main street.


Main street and Pearl street.


66 Main street and Salem street.


Salem street and Lowell street.


Woburn street and Lowell street (2).


Salem street and Harnden street.


Main street and Pleasant street.


Pleasant street and Parker street.


Haven street and Village street.


Haven street and Ash street.


66 Main street and Ash street.


66 Middlesex avenue and High street.


Main street on the Common.


Harnden street near Pleasant street.


JAMES W. KILLAM, OLIVER L. AKERLEY, GEORGE L. PRATT, Selectmen of Reading.


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Voted to accept and adopt report of Selectmen on guide posts and that $50 be appropriated from Miscellaneous Ex- penses for guide posts and their repairs during the fiscal year.


Art. 46. Voted to reconsider said Article. Voted that Solon Bancroft be a committee of one to get the Amended By Laws approved by the Superior Court.


Art. 49. To see what instructions the Town will give the Board of Selectmen in relation to filling vacancies which may occur on the Finance Committee.


Art. 49. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to fill all vacancies that may occur on the Finance Committee, and that they be instructed not to appoint any town officer or member of a department on said committee.


Art. 2. Voted to take from the table.


Voted that the reports of the various town officers and Finance Committee be accepted as printed.


Voted to adjourn sine die.


A true record. Attest :


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING


Reading, Mass., April 18, 1910.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon a town meeting was held at the time and place therein specified. The meeting was called to order by Town Clerk Millard F. Charles. The warrant wasr ead and the Constable's return.


Art. 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at said meeting.


Art. 1. Proceeded to ballot. George L. Pratt was ap- pointed to check the names of those voting. The ballot was duly opened and closed with the following result: Whole number of votes cast, seven; George L. Flint received that number and was declared unanimously elected Moderator.


Art. 2. To see if the Town will vote to build a Town Hall on the land now owned by the Town on Pleasant and


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Parker streets, adjoining the present Town Building, and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of procuring plans therefor, or what it will do in relation thereto.


Art. 2. Moved that a committee of five voters be ap- pointed to procure preliminary plans and estimates of cost of a building to be used as a Town Hall to be erected on the land now owned by the Town on Pleasant and Parker streets, adjoining the present Town Building, such commit- tee to report at the next regular or special town meeting; said committee to be authorized to incur an expense of not exceeding three hundred dollars for such plans and esti- mates, the plans to become the property of the Town.


A substitute motion offered by John H. Robinson was voted as follows: That the Chairman of the Selectmen, School Committee, Water Commissioner, Trustees of Public Library, Municipal Light Board and the Chairman and Sec- retary of the Finance Committee be appointed a commit- tee to consider the present and prospective needs of the Town for buildings and rooms for public uses, how far these may be met in buildings now owned by the Town, what needs for additional land and new buildings will soon demand attention, and what disposition should be made of land and buildings the Town can no longer use to advantage; and to report at the next annual town meeting.


Art. 3. To hear and act on the report of the Assessors on the matter of refunding taxes said to be erroneously assessed to Willard J. Brooks of Bethel, Vt., for years 1895 to 1907 inclusive, which was referred to them by a vote taken at a special town meeting held November 30, 1909.


Art. 3. Assessors reported against the payment to Wil- lard J. Brooks of Bethel, Vt., of any taxes said to be erro- neously assessed to him. Voted to receive said report and to place it on file.


Art. 4. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $105 to refund Willard J. Brooks of Bethel, Vt.,


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for taxes erroneously assessed for years 1895 to 1907 inclu- sive, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 4. Moved by C. Winthrop Smith that the Treas- urer of the Town be authorized and directed to pay to Wil- lard J. Brooks, the sum of $105 in full settlement of all taxes heretofore erroneously assessed to him and paid by him.


The motion was not carried.


Voted to adjourn.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.


Reading, June 21, 1910.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a town meeting was held at the time and place therein specified, to wit., Lyceum Hall, and was called to order by Town Clerk Millard F. Charles. The warrant and Constable's return thereon was read, and under Article 1 the meeting proceeded to the election of a Moderator to preside. The ballot was duly opened and closed. George L. Pratt was appointed to check those voting. Whole num- ber of votes cast, eight ; necessary for a choice, five; C. Win- throp Smith had one, Jesse W. Morton had one, George L. Flint had six, and was declared elected Moderator.


Art. 2. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500 to complete and furnish the school build- ing on Lowell street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 2. Voted to raise and appropriate $2,500 to com- plete and furnish the school building on Lowell street.


Art. 3. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to extend its lines to the Town of North Read- ing, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 3. Voted that the Municipal Light Board be au- thorized to extend the line of the Electric Light and Power Department into the Town of North Reading, as per the


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recommendation of the Finance Committee, and to contract for lighting the streets of said Town of North Reading for a period of five years, provided an advantageous contract can be made.


Art. 4. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, the sum of $12,000 to be used by the Municipal Light Board for the purpose of extending the lines of the Municipal Light and Power Department into the Town of North Reading, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 4. Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to issue the notes of the Town for an amount not exceeding $12,000 for the purpose of extending the lines of the Electric Light and Power Depart- ment into the Town of North Reading: said notes to be issued in denominations of $1,000 each, at a rate of interest not exceeding five per cent .. the first note to be due and pay- able in the year 1914, and one each year thereafter until the entire issue shall have been paid. This vote was taken by a rising vote : 45 voted ves and none no.


Art. 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a Tungsten lamp on Linden street, near the northerly corner of the High School lot, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 6. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a Tungsten lamp on Linden street, midway between Woburn and Haven streets, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 7. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a Tungsten lamp on Belmont street, widway between Salem and Orange streets, or what they mill do in relation thereto.


Art. 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a Tungsten lamp on Pine street, near the residence of Frederic Isaacs, or what they will do in relation thereto.


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Art. 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a Tungsten lamp on the north side of Sweetser avenue, near Minot street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Arts. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Voted to take up and consider jointly, and that the Municipal Light Board be authorized to install the Tungsten lights as asked for under Articles 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, as recommended by the Finance Committee, and that the expense of such installation be taken from the balance of construction cash on hand.


Art. 10. To see if the Town will authorize the Munici- pal Light Board to improve the system of street lighting in the Town, and how much money they will raise and appropri- ate or otherwise provide forth at purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 10. Voted that the Municipal Light Board be au- thorized to expend the sum of $200 for the purpose of im- proving the system of street lighting in the town, the money to be taken from the depreciation fund.


Art. 11. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, the sum of $1,200 for the use of the Municipal Light and Power Department for additions and extensions to plant during the present year, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 11. Voted that the ordinary extensions and addi- tions to the Municipal Light Plant during the year 1910 be paid for from the depreciation fund.


Art. 12. To see if the Town will raise the salaries of the members of the Board of Health to $75 per year, and raise and appropriate $150 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 12. Voted to raise the salaries of each member of the Board of Health to $75 per year and that $150 be raised and appropriated therefor.


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Art. 13. To see if the Town will vote to locate a fire alarm box at the corner of Oak and South Prospect streets, and raise and appropriate the sum of $75 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 13. Voted to locate a fire alarm box at the corner of Oak and South Prospect streets and to raise and appro- priate $75 therefor.


Art. 14. To see if the Town will vote to submit the matter of Dr. O. H. Playdon's bill against the Town to a Board of Arbitration, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 14. Voted that the Town submit the matter of Dr. O. H. Playdon's bill to a Board of Arbitration : two of said board to be appointed by the Town, two by Dr. Playdon, and the fifth by these four; the duties of said Board to inquire into the justice of the claim and report its findings to the Town at a subsequent meeting.


Voted to adjourn.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING


Reading, August 29, 1910.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon a town meeting was held at the time and place therein mentioned. The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles. The warrant was read and the Constable's return thereon.


Art. 1 was taken up and proceeded to the election of a Moderator. George L. Pratt was appointed to check the names of those voting for a Moderator. The ballot was duly opened and closed and the result of the balloting was declared as follows: whole number of votes cast, nine; George L. Flint received nine votes and was declared elected Mod- erator.


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Art. 2. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to make necessary repairs to the Mineral street bridge, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 2. Voted that $500 be appropriated from the $1,000 raised and appropriated at the March annual town meeting for State highway on Salem street to make necessary repairs on Mineral street bridge over Boston & Maine Railroad.


Art. 3. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300 for street sprinkling, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 3. Voted that $300 be appropriated from the $1,000 raised and appropriated at the March annual town meeting for State highway on Salem street for street sprinkling and necessary repairs of the watering cart.


Art. 4. To hear and act on the report of the Arbitra- tion Committee appointed at a special town meeting June 21, 1910, to investigate the bill of Dr. C. H. Playdon.


Art. 4. The Arbitration Committee made a report of their findings in regard to the Dr. C. H. Playdon bill vs. the Town.


Voted to accept report of Arbitration Committee.


Art. 5. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate to carry out the recommendation of the Abitration Committee, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 5. Voted that the report of the Arbitration Com- mittee be printed in THE READING CHRONICLE and its recom- mendations be considered at some future town meeting.


Voted to adjourn.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


SPECIAL TOWN MEETING


Reading, October 25, 1910.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a town meeting was held at the place and


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time therein mentioned. The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles, who read the warrant and the Constable's return thereon, and then proceeded under Article 1 to elect a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing. George L. Pratt was appointed to check those voting. The ballot was duly opened and closed with the following result : whole number of votes cast, one: George L. Flint had that one and was declared unanimously elected Mod- erator.


Art. 2 To hear and act on a petition from the People's Gas and Electric Co. of Stoneham for permission to extend and maintain its gas mains in the Town of Reading.


Art. 2. Moved and seconded that the Board of Select- men be instructed to grant to the People's Gas and Electric Co .. its successors and assigns, the right to extend and main- tain its gas mains in the streets of Reading.


It was voted to substitute the following motion : That a committee of three citizens of the Town be appointed by the Moderator, to act in conjunction with the Selectmen, whose duty it shall be to report at the next town meeting the most feasible plan of supplying the Town with gas for fuel and lighting, and be instructed to investigate and report the legal position of the town in relation to the entire gas situation.


Fifty-one voted yes: none voted no. It was declared a unanimous vote.


The following were appointed by the Moderator as a Committee : Frank W. B. Pratt, Elmer H. Robinson, John H. Sheldon.


On motion of John B. Lewis, Jr., it was voted that the citizens of Reading want gas extended through the Town.


Voted to adjourn.


MILLARD F. CHARLES,


Town Clerk.


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ANNUAL STATE ELECTION


Reading, Mass., Nov. 8, 1910.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon an election was held at the place and time therein mentioned. The meeting was called to order by George L. Pratt, chairman of the Board of Selectmen and presiding election officer. The warrant was read, the ballot box was opened and examined and declared empty and reg- istered 0000. The keys of the ballot box were delivered to the constable in charge of the ballot box. The ballots were delivered to the presiding election officer, who receipted for 1700 ballots.


The following were appointed ballot clerks and were duly sworn by the Town Clerk: Chester C. Richardson, Samuel Rounds, Frank E. Gray, Horace E. Eames, William H. Baker.


The following were appointed tellers and were duly sworn by the Town Clerk : Spencer G. Stewart, James A. Waters, John Connelly, Bartholemew J. Lehan, Frank W. Willis, George M. Hutchinson, James A. Freeman, George E. Horrocks.




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