Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1915, Part 2

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 350


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of Isaac Bolton, No. 10 off Ash Street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to take up this article. On motion of Theodore P. Berle, that three hundred seventy-five dollars be raised and appropriated to carry out the provision of this article, the motion was not carried.


On motion of Harry P. Bosson, it was voted to adjourn to meet in Lyceum Hall ou Tuesday, March 23d, 1915, at 7.45 P. M.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., March 23, 1915.


A town meeting was held as per adjournment and was called to order by Moderator George L. Flint at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


Art. 5. On motion of Jesse W. Morton, this article was taken from the table and on motion of Jesse W. Morton it was voted that the School Committee have authority to dis- pose of privy now in rear of Prospect Street School house.


Art. 21. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the Salem and John Street drain, and see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate therefor, or what they will do in relation thereto.


The Board of Selectmen as per instructions given them in the annual town meeting of 1914 made a report covering the substance of the article in regard to draining water on John Street, near Salem Street.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to accept the report of the Board of Selectmen in regard to subject matter of this article.


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On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted to indefi- nitely postpone this article.


Art. 22. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the draining of surface water on Warren and Centre Avenues and Minot Street, and see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the report of the Selectmen on the draining of surface water on Warren and Centre Avenues and Minot Street be accepted and that the sum of $1600 be raised and appropriated for that purpose.


Art. 23. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $125 to complete the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street to the Stoneham line, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the sum of $100 be raised and appropriated to complete the sidewalk on the west side of Main Street to the Stoneham line.


Art. 24. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500 for the extension of the sidewalk on Main Street from near the residence of Geo. D. Putnam to such a point as above mentioned sum will construct it, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the sum of $500 be raised and appropriated for the extension of the sidewalk on Main Street, near the residence of George D. Putnam, to such a point as this sum will construct it.


Art. 25. To see if the Town will authorize the Water Board to employ an engineer to give them advice in regard to an additional water supply, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto.


On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the Water Board be and hereby are authorized to employ an


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engineer to advise them in regard to an additional water supply.


Art. 26. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for mains, service pipes, interest on water loan and maintenance of water works, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the amounts as appropriated for hydrant rentals, water for street sprinkling, water for drinking fountains, together with the receipts for water, be appropriated for interest on water loan, maintenance of Water Works, and for main and service pipes, and that $3000 be paid to the Town Treasurer to be used in part payment of water bonds.


On motion of Charles A. Loring, to amend by inserting $4000 instead of $3000, it was voted not to amend.


Art: 27. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for improvements on the property known as Mayall Park, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Jesse W. Morton, it was voted to indefi- nitely postpone the subject matter of this article.


Art. 29. To see if the Town will establish and main- tain a State-Aided Vocational Agricultural Department in connection with the Reading High School in accordance with the provisions of Chapter four hundred seventy-one of the Acts of the year nineteen hundred eleven, and Acts in amendment thereof or in addition thereto.


On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted that the Town do establish and maintain a State-Aided Vocational Agricultural Department in connection with the Reading High School, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 471 Acts of 1911, and Acts in amendment thereof or in addi- tion thereto.


Art. 30. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars for the establishment and


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maintenance of a State-Aided Vocational Agricultural Department of the High School for the year 1915.


On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $2000 for the establishment and maintenance of a State-Aided Vocational Agricultural Department of the High School for the year 1915.


Art. 44. To see if the Town will authorize the Trustees of the Public Library to apply to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for a gift for the erection of a public library building in Reading to be built under the direction of said trustees; and to see if the Town will in consideration of the gift of a sum of money for the erection of a public library building, agree with the donor to provide a site and to make an annual appropriation of a sum of money for the support and maintenance of a public library in such building, which, together with the dog tax, shall be equal to ten per cent. of the amount so given to the Town, not to exceed twenty-five hundred dollars; and will authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute such an agreement in the name and behalf of the town, or what it will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Horace G. Wadlin, it was voted to take up this article.


On motion of Horace G. Wadlin, it was voted that the Trustees of the Public Library be and they are hereby authorized to apply to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for a gift for the erection of a public library building in Reading to be built under the direction of said Trustees; and the Town in consideration of the gift of a sum of money for the purpose of erecting a public library building hereby agrees to provide a site therefor and to appropriate annually there- after for the support and maintenance of a public library in such building a sum of money which together with the dog tax shall be equal to ten per cent. of the amount so given to the Town, not to exceed twenty-five hundred dollars per annum, and the Selectmen are hereby authorized to execute and deliver for and in behalf of the Town such an agree-


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ment with the donor in form to be approved by the Town Counsel. The vote was: 147 in favor, none voted against, and it was declared a unanimous vote.


Art. 18. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted to take this article from the table.


On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to issue notes, bonds, or other certificates of in- debtedness of the Town for an amount not exceeding $4000, and payable $500 each year from 1916 to 1923 inclusive and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding 5 per cent. payable semi-annually ; and that proceeds of same, together with the balance of construction cash on hand Dec. 31, 1914, amounting to $1,399.32, be appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Municipal Light Board for en- largements and extensions to the Municipal Light Plant within the limits of the Town of Reading, in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Committee. Fifty-eight voted in favor of motion and three against, and said motion was declared carried by a two-thirds vote.


It was voted to adjourn until March 29, 1915, at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., March 29, 1915.


A town meeting was held as per adjournment and was called to order by Moderator George L. Flint at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that when this meeting adjourns it adjourn until Monday, April 26, 1915, at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


Art. 31. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2550, or otherwise provide, for the purchase of


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land and buildings at the junction of Lincoln and Washing- ton Streets for a park, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to indefi- nitely postpone the subject matter of this article.


Art. 32. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $55 for a Fire Alarm Box at the corner of Ridge Road and Main Street, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Board of Fire Engineers.


Art. 33. To see if the Town will install and maintain two street lights on Ridge Road, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Harry P. Bosson, it was voted to lay this article on the table.


Art. 34. To see if the Town will extend the water main from the present last hydrant on West Street to the Wil- mington line, or what they will do in relation thereto.


George P. Abbott moved to raise and appropriate $1200 to carry out the provisions of this article. On vote the motion was declared lost.


Art. 35. William E. Parkins moved to reconsider the vote whereby it was formerly voted to not raise and appro- priate the sum of $375 to carry out the provisions of this article. A vote was taken and the Moderator declared the motion lost. The vote was doubted and a count was taken. Ten voted in favor of reconsideration, eighteen voted against reconsideration. The motion was declared lost.


Art. 36. To see what instruction the Town will give the Board of Selectmen in relation to filling vacancies on the Finance Committee.


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On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to fill all vacancies on the Finance Committee.


Art. 37. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Pratt Street, and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $430 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON LAYING OUT OF PRATT STREET


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


This portion of Pratt Street being an extension of the present Town way known as Pratt Street, between Prescott Street and Fairview Avenue, and is bounded and described as follows, viz. : The westerly line of said Pratt Street com- mences at a point on the southerly line of Prescott Street which is N 70° 44' E, a distance of 485 feet (measured along said southerly line of Prescott Street) from the stone bound at the southeast corner of Prescott Street and Summer Avenue; thence the line runs S 19º 17' E, a distance of 259.36 feet to an angle; thence S 18º 11' E, a distance of 343.20 feet to a point on the northerly line of Fairview Avenue, which is N 76º 10' E, a distance of 515 feet (meas- ured along said northerly line of Fairview Avenue) from the easterly line of Summer Avenue. The easterly line of said Pratt Street commences at a point on the southerly line of said Prescott Street, which is N 70° 44' E, a distance of 535 feet fram the southeast corner of Summer Avenue and Prescott Street; thence the line runs S 17º 5' E, a distance of 260.29 feet to the southerly line of a private way called Echo Avenue; thence the line runs S 18° 11' E, a distance of 346.24 feet to the northerly line of Fairview Avenue.


Said extension of Pratt Street being 50 feet wide at Prescott Street tapering to 40 feet wide at the southerly line of said Echo Avenue and then continuing 40 feet wide


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for the remainder of its length. The plan and profile made by Clarence E. Carter under date of January, 1915, and hereto attached being a part of this description. We recom- mend that the way be called Pratt Street. The above men- tioned way is to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan made by Clarence E. Carter dated January, 1915.


We have estimated the cost of building said Town way as $430.


We recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town that the said way shall thereafter be known as a public town way.


OTIS B. RUGGLES EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON EDGAR O. DEWEY


Selectmen of Reading.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Pratt Street be accepted and adopted and that the sum of $430 be raised and appropriated to lay out said Pratt Street.


Art. 38. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Echo Avenue and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for that pur- pose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


Art. 39. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Fairview Avenue, and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Arthur H. Jewett, it was voted to indefi- nitely postpone the subject matter of Articles 38 and 39.


On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to rescind vote whereby it was voted to indefinitely postpone Arts. 38 and 39.


On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to lay these articles on the table to be acted on at the adjourned meeting to be held on April 26, 1915.


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Art. 40. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Deering Street and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $600 for that pur- pose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted to lay this article on the table to be acted on at the adjourned meeting to be held April 26, 1915.


Art. 41. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Hill Crest Road and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $540 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


It was voted to refer this article back to Selectmen to make a new survey as to rounding the corners of Hill Crest Road where it enters Prescott Street, and to report on same at adjourned meeting to be held April 26th, 1915.


Art. 42. To hear and act on the report of the Board of Selectmen on the laying out of Woodward Avenue and see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $100 for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.


REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON THE LAYING OUT OF WOODWARD AVENUE


READING, MASS., Feb. 20, 1915.


We, the subscribers, Selectmen 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 : beginning at a bound at the junction of the westerly line of High Street, which bound is 258.79 feet from the old stone bound at the angle point in High Street north from Mineral Street ; thence the line runs south 70° 44' W. 200 feet to a bound ; thence south 67º 27' W. 485.08 to the easterly line of Vine Street. Said way is to be 40 feet wide and on the southerly side of above described line. We recommend that the way be called Woodward Avenue.


The attached plan made by Charles R. Herrick dated October, 1911, being a part of this report.


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We have estimated the cost of building said Town way as $100.


We recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town that the said way shall thereafter be known as a public town way.


OTIS B. RUGGLES EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON EDGAR O. DEWEY


Selectmen of Reading.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Woodward Avenue be accepted and adopted and that the sum of $100 be raised and appropriated to lay out said Woodward Avenue.


Art. 5. On motion of C. Winthrop Smith, it was voted to take this article from the table. On motion of C. Win- throp Smith, it was voted that the Town Counsel be instructed to give his opinion as to the legality of the laying out of all streets recommended by the Board of Selectmen to be acted on at this annual town meeting.


On motion of Harry P. Bosson, voted that the Select- men, Town Treasurer and Chairman of Finance Committee be instructed to investigate the liability and compensation insurance and see if it will be to the advantage of the Town to place all such insurance in one company, or that the Town may carry its own insurance, and report their findings at a future meeting.


Art. 5. It was voted to lay this article on the table.


Art. 4. On motion of A. Newell Howes, this article was taken from the table. After some discussion it was voted to lay this article on the table.


Art. 43. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Middlesex County Commission- ers to straighten and widen the Lowell St. Bridge and approaches, over the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks, or what they will do in relation thereto.


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On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to author- ize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Middlesex Coun- ty Commissioners to straighten and widen the Lowell Street Bridge and approaches over the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks.


Art. 45. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate. the sum of $1,000 for making repairs and alterations on the Grouard house for town offices, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto.


On motion of Henry R. Johnson, it was voted that a committee consisting of chairman of the Board of Select- men, chairman of the Water Commissioners, Town Treas- urer, Town Accountant and chairman of the Finance Com- mittee be instructed to investigate the desirability of changing over the Grouard house to town offices and to estimate the cost of fitting up, janitoring and furniture for offices, and to report at the adjourned town meeting to be held April 26th, 1915.


On motion of Charles F. Brown, it was voted the sense of this meeting that the chairman of the Municipal Light Board and the opposition to the present management of the electric light plant and business represented by their two, most prominent leaders be each asked to select a man who in their judgment is competent to pass upon the questions pertaining to the management and most economical and efficient equipment of the plant, and all other subjects relat- ing to the business, and that the two so selected add one to their number of their own selection and that the three men, so elected be asked to act as an investigating and advisory body and report the results of their investigations, showing any defects they may find in the present management or equipment, and suggest such improvements as may to them seem wise, at a future meeting of the Town and be author- ized to employ a certified accountant.


It was voted to adjourn to meet in Lyceum Hall on Monday, April 26, 1915, at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


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ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., April 26, 1915.


A town meeting was held as per adjournment and was called to order by Moderator George L. Flint.


Art. 19. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted to take this article from the table.


After much discussion it was voted to adjourn to Mon- day, May 3, 1915, at 7.45 o'clock P. M.


MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.


ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., May 3, 1915.


Pursuant to adjournment a town meeting was held and was called to order by Moderator George L. Flint.


Art. 19. This article being under discussion at adjourn- ment on April 26, the prior meeting, was declared in order by the Moderator, whereupon he called upon Jesse W. Mor- ton to take the chair.


On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized with the approval of the Selectmen to issue notes, bonds, or other certificates of indebtedness of the Town for an amount not exceeding $12,000 and payable $800 each year from 1916 to 1930 inclu- sive, the proceeds of same to be expended under the direc- tion of the Municipal Light Board for enlargements and extensions to that portion of the Municipal Light Plant which has been constructed in the towns of North Reading and Wilmington and in that part of the town of Lynnfield known as Lynnfield Centre. One hundred and fifteen voted yes, two voted no, and it was declared carried by a two- thirds vote.


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Art. 5. On motion of Herbert M. Viall, it was voted to take this article from the table.


On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Municipal Light Board be authorized to renew the street lighting contract with the town of North Reading for a period of five years from Dec. 1, 1915, said contract to con- tain such terms and conditions as said Board may deem advantageous to the Town of Reading.


After some discussion the Moderator called Jesse W. Morton to the chair. Charles F. Brown moved the previous question, which was carried, and then the main question was put and carried.


Art. 5. On motion of Herbert M. Viall, it was voted that the Collector be instructed to charge interest on taxes at the rate of six per cent. per annum after Nov. 1st, inter- est to be computed from Oct. 15.


Art. 38. Voted to take this article from the table.


REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON LAYING OUT OF ECHO AVENUE


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


Echo Avenue, being a certain street situated in the westerly part of the Town of Reading, extending between the extension of Pratt Street and a private way called Sun- nyside Avenue, and being bounded and described as fol- lows viz: the southerly line commences at a point, on the easterly line of said extension of Pratt Street, which is S 17° 05' E, a distance of 260.29 feet (measured along said easterly line) from the southerly line of Prescott Street; thence the line runs N 70° 43' E, a distance of 495.24 feet to a point on the westerly line of said Sunnyside Avenue, which is S 18º 02' E, a distance of 131.50 feet, and then S 16° 04' E, a distance of 128.60 feet from a stone bound on the southerly line of Prescott Street. The northerly line is parallel with and distant 40 feet from the above described


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southerly line. The plan and profile made by Clarence E. Carter under date of January, 1915, and hereto attached being a part of this description.


We recommend the way be called Echo Avenue. The above mentioned way is to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan made by Clarence E. Carter dated January, 1915. We have estimated the cost of building said Town way as $400.


We recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the town that said way shall thereafter be known as a public Town way.


OTIS B. RUGGLES EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON EDGAR O. DEWEY Selectmen of Reading.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Echo Avenue be accepted and adopted and that the sum of $400 be raised and appropriated to lay out said Echo Avenue.


Art. 39.


REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON LAYING OUT OF FAIRVIEW AVENUE


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


Fairview Avenue being a certain street in the westerly part of the Town of Reading, extending between Summer Avenue and an extension of Pratt Street, and being bound- ed and described as follows, viz: The southerly line com- mences at a point on the easterly line of Summer Avenue, which is N 15° 45' W, a distance of 101.98 feet (measured along said easterly line) from a stone bound at the end of the curve which has a radius of 620.85 feet ; thence the line runs N 76° 10' E, a distance of 556.82 feet to a point which is on the extension of the easterly line of said Pratt Street


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and which is S 18º 11' E, a distance of 646.52 feet from the southerly line of Prescott Street. The northerly line is parallel with and distant 40 feet from the above described southerly line. The plan and profile made by Clarence E. Carter under date of January, 1915, and hereto attached being a part of this description.


We recommend the way be called Fairview Avenue. The above mentioned way is to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan made by Clarence E. Carter dated January, 1915.


We have estimated the cost of building said Town way as $400.


We recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town that said way shall thereafter be known as a public Town way.


OTIS B. RUGGLES EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON EDGAR O. DEWEY Selectmen of Reading.


On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Fairview Avenue be accepted and adopted and that the sum of $400 be raised and appropriated to lay out said Fairview Avenue.




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