USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1916 > Part 2
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 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk on the westerly side of Hill Crest Road, from Ellis Avenue south, to connect with present sidewalk, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Frank H. Nutting and others. )
Article 27. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate $50 to construct a sidewalk on the westerly side Hill Crest Road, from Ellis Avenue south, to connect with the present sidewalk.
Article 28. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate or otherwise provide sufficient funds to concrete the sidewalk on the northerly side of Woburn Street, from the residence of Mrs. G. H. Atkinson to the corner of High Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Alfred W. Danforth and others.)
Article 28. On motion of W. Franklin Burnham, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to acquire, for park or other purposes, the property on the south side of Washington Street upon which stands the building known as the "Old Parker Tavern," which was kept as an inn prior to the Revolutionary War,-what arrangements shall be made for the care and preservation of the buildings, -- how much money shall be appropriated therefor and how it shall be provided, and to take any other action in the matter that may seem best. (Charles F. Brown and others. )
Article 30. On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Light Board to install incandescent street lights on any, or all, of the following streets, and how much money it will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide therefor, or what it will do in relation thereto :
23
One on Perkins Avenue.
One on Winthrop Avenue.
Two on Pearl Street, between Main Street and the resi- dence of A. G. Emerson.
One on South Main Street, between Summer Avenue and the residence of G. F. Densmore.
One on Middlesex Avenue, at the corner of Kingston Street.
Six on South Street, between Main and Walnut Streets.
Two on Auburn Street, between Highland and Beacon Streets. (Municipal Light Board.)
Article 31. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the subject matter of Art. 31 be referred to the Munic- ipal Light Board with authority to install on the public streets of Reading such of said lights as in their judgment are necessary, and to make changes in the existing lights as may be advisable, and that the expense therefor be taken from the appropriation for depreciation, in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
Article 29. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $500 to extend the sidewalk on North Main Street, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Article 29. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate $500 for sidewalk on North Main Street, as per article.
Article 32. To see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, with the re- ceipts of the Municipal Light Plant for the year 1916, for maintenance, operation and repairs of said plant, and for the payment of bonds, notes, interest and depreciation due by said plant during this year, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Municipal Light Board.)
Article 33. To see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, for the purpose of providing funds for additions and extensions to the Municipal Light Plant during 1916, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Municipal Light Board.)
24
On motion of A. Newell Howes, it was voted to lay Articles 32 and 33 on the table.
Article 36. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate, or otherwise provide, the sum of $15,000, to be expended under the direction of the School Committee, for the purpose of increasing schoolhouse accommodations (by enlarging the Prospect Street Schoolhouse, completing the unfinished part of the Lowell Street Schoolhouse and pro- viding an additional schoolroom at the Chestnut Hill School- house, and also enlarging the playground at the Highland ยท School by the purchase of the unoccupied lot in the rear), or what it will do in relation thereto. (School Committee.)
Article 36. On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted for the purpose of purchasing land for school purposes and enlarging school buildings, the Treasurer is authorized to borrow the sum of $15,000, at a rate of interest not to exceed five per cent. per annum, and to issue notes, bonds or other certificates of indebtedness of the Town for the amount, payable one thousand dollars each year, 1917 to 1931, inclu- sive. On count 132 voted yes. none voted no.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to ad- journ. to meet in Lyceum Hall on Monday, March 20, 1916, at 7.45 P. M.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., March 20, 1916. Pursuant to adjournment a town meeting was held and was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton.
Article 37. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate or otherwise provide the sum of four hundred ($400) dollars for the purpose of celebrating July 4, 1916, this money to be expended under the direction of a committee chosen from the different organizations of Reading, the Board of Selectmen and other elective boards, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Henry R. Johnson and others.)
On motion of Henry R. Johnson, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for the purpose of celebra-
25
ting July 4, 1916, the same to be spent by a committee from the different organizations of Reading, the Board of Select- men and other boards.
Article 38. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate or otherwise provide the sum of three hundred ($300) dollars for the purpose of improving Mayall Park, the money to be spent in conjunction with work planned for said park by Reading Grange No. 322, or see what it will do in relation thereto. (Henry R. Johnson and others.)
On motion of Henry R. Johnson, it was voted to raise and appropriate $300 for the purpose of improving Mayall Park, the money to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen in conjunction with Reading Grange No. 322.
Article 39. To see if the Town will accept Chapter 423, Acts of 1909, "An act relative to the sale of ice cream, con- fectionery, soda water and fruit on the Lord's Day." (Selectmen.)
On motion of Harry P. Bosson, it was voted to accept Chapter 423, Acts of 1909, an "Act relative to the sale of ice cream, confectionery, soda water and fruit on the Lord's Day."
Article 40. To see if the Town will raise and appro- propriate, or otherwise provide, the sum of $2,400 for the purpose of constructing 984.46' of roadway on West Street, from. Woburn Street south to Howard Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Peter Mc Bride and others.)
On motion of John W. Owen, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,400 for the purpose of surfacing West Street, from Woburn Street to South Street.
Article 41. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, for an electric sign marked "Reading," to be placed on or near the Common, or what it will do in relation thereto. (M. A. Stone and others.)
On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted to raise $125 to set up an electric sign marked "Reading," to be placed on or near the Common.
26
Article 42. To hear and act on the report of the Com- mittee on Town Offices. (Committee on Town Offices.)
Committee on Town Offices made a report on new quar- ters for the Town Officers. Reading of report was waived.
Article 43. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to lease suitable quarters for Town Offices for a term of years, and what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate for rental of such offices during the year 1916, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Committee on Town Offices.)
Article 44. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to secure plans and estimates as to the cost of an addition or extension to the present Town Office Building on Pleas- ant Street, or of a new Town Office Building, to be erected elsewhere, and to see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate for the use of said Committee, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Committee on Town Offices.)
On motion of Charles H. Stinchfield, it was voted that Articles 43 and 44 be acted on under one motion.
On motion of Charles H. Stinchfield, it was voted that the Planning Board and the Committee on Town Offices be a committee to consider the matters contained in Articles 43 and 44, and also the advisability of leasing the Y. M. C. A. property, so called, or any other relating thereto, and re- port at a special town meeting; and that $300 be raised and appropriated for use of the committee.
On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted to instruct said committee to report on or before May 1, 1916.
Article 27. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to reconsider action taken on Article 27, whereby it was voted to raise and appropriate $50. (Under ruling of the Moderator, this article could not be acted on until the next adjourned session of this meeting.)
Article 45. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,500 to extend the water main from the present last hydrant on West Street to the Wilmington line,
27
or what it will do in relation thereto. (George P. Abbott and others.)
On motion of George P. Abbott, and amended by Harry P. Bosson, it was voted to sell one water bond of $1,000, and raise and appropriate $500 to extend the water main on West Street, from the present last hydrant on West Street to the Wilmington line, provided that four per cent. on the cost is guaranteed. 142 voted yes ; none voted no.
Article 46. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $550 to make alterations and repairs on North Main Street, near the Old South Church, or what it will do in relation thereto. (J. Woodward Manning and others.)
On motion of J. Woodward Manning, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $300 to make alterations and repairs on North Main Street, near the Old South Church.
Article 47. 'To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money sufficient to install a fire alarm box on Woburn Street, between Linden Street and Bancroft Avenue, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Percy R. Danforth and others.)
On motion of Alfred W. Danforth, it was voted to refer the subject matter of this article to the Board of Select- men.
Article 48. To see if the Town will authorize the Municipal Light Board to install a light on Percy Avenue, near the residence of Charles H. Swain, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Charles H. Swain and others. )
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 49. To see what the Town will do in relation to the petition sent in last year to the School Committee, that all children living on the outskirts of the Town receive free transportation tickets as long as they attend school, instead of only to the sixth grade in the Grammar School. (George J. Ingalls and others. )
28
On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to raise and appropriate $500 for the purpose of conveying scholars in the outlying districts of the Town to schools in the centre of the Town, this to apply to the 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
Article 50. To see if the Town will accept the pro- visions of Section 37, Chapter 19 of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, an act relative to Civil Service for the Police Department, and limiting the application of provision of said chapter to the Police force of the Town, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, that this article be adopted by the Town, the vote was against the adoption or acceptance of Section 37, Chapter 19, of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, an act relative to the acceptance of Givil Service in the Police Department.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to reimburse Mrs. Emma F. Brown for grant to the Town for the right of way over her premises at 22 Lowell Street, to be used by the Town as a means of access to the new library building, and if it will raise and appropriate $100 for that purpose, or what it will do in relation thereto. ( Library Trustees.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $100 to reimburse Mrs. Emma F. Brown for grant of a right of way to the Town over her property on Lowell Street, said an.ount being the sum determined upon by the Selectmen, in accordance with the vote of the Town passed at a Special Meeting held Sept. 20, 1915.
Article 52. To see if the Town will amend the build- ing laws by striking out Section 8 and substituting a new Section 8. (Inspector of Buildings, Robert E. Parker.)
On motion of Robert E. Parker, to substitute a new section for Section 8 of the Building Laws, it was voted to lay this article on the table and that Section 8 and the new section be published in THE READING CHRONICLE.
Article 53. To see if the Town will appoint a commit- tee to revise the Building Laws. (Inspector of Buildings, Robert E. Parker. )
29
On motion of Robert E. Parker, it was voted that the Moderator appoint a committee to revise the Building Laws.
Article 54. To see what instruction the Town will give the Board of Selectmen in relation to filling vacancies on the Finance Committee.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to fill all vacancies on the Finance Committee.
Article 55. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,255 to construct the Salem and John Streets drain in accordance with the 1915 report of the Selectmen. (Edwin L. Fullerton and others. )
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 56. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $400 to repair and shingle roof of Town Home, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Overseers of the Poor. )
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to raise and appropriate $450 to shingle the Town Home house, non-com- bustible shingles to be used.
Article 57. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $300 in payment for services rendered by an engineer in preparing and presenting engineering facts to the Legislative Cammittee in support of the Reading Sewerage Bill, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Town Counsel.)
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to raise and appropriate $300 for services of an engineer in preparing and presenting engineering facts to the Legisla- tive Committee in support of the Reading Sewerage Bill.
It was voted to extend a vote of thanks to those who furnished the money temporarily for that purpose.
Article 58. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate two thousand dollars, or a sufficient sum for the pur- chase of a portable stone crusher, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto.
30
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey. it was voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 27. It was voted to take up.
Solon Bancroft appealed from the decision of the Mod- erator, "That no action could be taken on the reconsidera- tion of the subject matter of a vote taken on this article on March 13, 1916, until the adjourned meeting."
On a vote being taken, the Moderator was sustained in his decision.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to ad- journ, to meet on March 27, 1916, at 7 o'clock and 45 min- utes, in Lyceum Hall.
MILLARD F. CHARLES. Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., March 27, 1916.
Pursuant to adjournment, a town meeting was held and was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton, at time and place adjourned to.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to take this article up.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $150 for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk on the westerly side of Hill Crest Road, from Ellis Avenue southward, to connect with present sidewalk.
Article 30. Voted to take from the table.
On motion of Charles F. Brown, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to purchase for park and other pub- lic purposes, in behalf of the Town, the lot of land on Wash- ington Street, with the buildings thereon, known as the "Old Parker Tavern;" that they be authorized to make a permanent lease of the building and sufficient land about it for its convenient care to the Reading Antiquarian Society for a nominal consideration, upon condition that the said Society assumes all expense of repairing, restoring and pre- serving the building; that any of the land not required or
31
included in such lease be used for such public purposes as the Town may determine; that for the purpose of purchas- ing said property the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $3,500, at a rate of interest not to ex- ceed 5 per cent. per annum, and to issue the notes, bonds or other certificates of indebtedness of the Town, payable $500 each year, 1917 to 1923, inclusive.
On a standing vote being taken, 86 voted yes and 32 voted no. More than two-thirds voted in favor of location and place.
Article 19. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to take this article from the table.
It was voted to refer the subject matter of this article to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen, to report on at a special town meeting to be held on or before May 1, 1916.
Article 32. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted to take this article from the table.
A motion was made by Carl M. Spencer, and a motion to amend by A. Newell Howes. After discussion, a motion was made by Charles A. Loring to lay the subject matter of this article on the table, which was voted.
Article 5. On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted that the Collector of Taxes be instructed to send out summonses on all unpaid taxes on April 1 each year, in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Committee.
The Moderator appointed the following as members of a committee to revise the Building Laws: Robert E. Par- ker. 26 Pratt Street; Winthrop D. Parker, 1 Charles Street; Henry R. Johnson, 8 Sanborn Street; George H. Sidebot- tom, SO Summer Avenue; Spencer G. Stewart, School Street.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to adjourn to meet in Lyceum Hall on Monday, April 3, 1916, at 7.45 o'clock p. M.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
32
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING
LYCEUM HALL, April 3, 1916.
A town meeting was held as per adjournment of March 27, 1916, and was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton.
Article 5. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 32. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that $5,000 be raised and appropriated, and this amount, together with the unexpended balance Dec. 31, 1915, amounting to $662.24, and the receipts of the plant for the current year, be appropriated for the operation, mainte- nance and repairs of said plant, and for the payment of bonds, notes and interest; and that the sum of $7,597.47 be appropriated from the above for depreciation of the plant for the current year, in accordance with the recommenda- tion of the Finance Committee.
Article 5. On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of Theodore P. Berle, to instruct the Muni- cipal Light Board to charge the Town for what electricity it uses, in accordance with Section 115, Chapter 742, Acts of 1914, motion was not carried.
It was then voted to lay Article 5 on the table.
Article 33. 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 indebtedness of the Town, for an amount not exceeding $10,000, payable $500 each year, 1917 to 1936 inclusive, and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding five per cent. pay- able semi-annually; the proceeds of same, together with the balance of construction cash on hand December 31, 1915, amounting to $2,045.37, be appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Municipal Light Board for enlargements and extensions to the Municipal Light Plant,
33
in accordance with the recommendation of the Finance Committee. 85 voted yes; 5 voted no.
Article 26. On motion of Solomon Davis, it was voted to take Article 26 from the table.
On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to raise and appropriate $250 for a granolithic sidewalk on Summer Avenue, from King Street southerly to land of Summer Avenue Trust Co., it being on the easterly side of said Sum- mer Avenue, provided the abutters pay two-thirds of the cost of said sidewalk.
Article 4. On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the reports of the Town Officers, as printed in the Annual Town Report and the report of the Finance Committee, be accepted.
Article 5. On motion of Charles H. Stinchfield, it was voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of Charles H. Stinchfield, it was voted to instruct the Selectmen to remove or sell the stable on the Grouard Estate, now owned by the Town.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to adjourn sine die.
MILLARD F. CHARLES. Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
LYCEUM HALL, READING, MASS., May 23, 1916. Pursuant to a warrant a town meeting was held.
Article 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at this meet- ing. Jesse W. Morton was unanimously elected Moderator.
Article 2. To see what instructions the Town will give its Town Officers.
A. Newell Howes moved, and it was voted, to lay this article on the table.
Article 8. To see if the Town will accept Chapter 159 of the General Acts of the Legislature of 1916, which is an
34
act admitting Reading to the North Metropolitan Sewerage District, or what they will do in relation thereto.
A. Newell Howes moved, and it was voted, to take this article up.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, to accept the provisions of Chapter 159 of the General Acts of the Legislature of 1916. 134 voted yes and none voted no.
Article 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Sewer Commissioners to devise a sewer system for the Town. and to employ engineers and other agents for that purpose, and to report thereon at a subsequent meeting; and to see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum sufficient for the purposes above set forth, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, to take up this article.
Charles R. Herrick moved, and it was voted, that the Town authorize the Board of Sewer Commissioners to devise a sewer system for the Town and to employ an engineer and other agents for that purpose and report thereon at a subse- quent meeting: and that the sum of $1,200 be raised and appropriated for the purposes above set forth, as recom- mended by the Finance Committee.
Article 4. To hear and act on the report and recom- mendations of the Special Committee on Town Office Build- ing, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Carl M. Spencer moved, and it was voted, to accept report of Committee on Town Buildings as printed in THE READING CHRONICLE, as a report of progress.
Article 3. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $900 for new concrete sidewalks, the 50 per cent. cost to abutters to be waived, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, that the sum of $900 be raised and appropriated for new tar concrete sidewalks, and that the 50 per cent. cost to abutters be waived.
35
Article 5. To see if the Town will rescind its vote of Sept. 20, 1915, whereby the Library Trustees were author- ized to take a portion of the Grouard lot, so called, for a site for a free public library building, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, to lay this article on the table.
Article 10. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $1,500 for the Snow and Ice Account, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, to take up this article for action.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted. that the sum of $1,500 be raised and appropriated for the Snow and Ice Account.
Article 11. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $500 to provide a room and office furniture for the Board of Assessors, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Edwin L. Hutchinson moved, and it was voted, that the sum of $500 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing an office and office furniture for the Board of Assessors, as recommended by the Finance Committee.
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.