USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1916 > Part 6
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Voted to take Section 7 of Article 6 from the table.
Section 7 of Article 6. Voted to adopt the following :
Section 7. Requests by town boards, officers or com- mittees for the insertion of articles in warrants for special town meetings, which requests involve the expenditure or appropriation of money, shall be presented in the first in- stance to the Selectmen, and shall be referred by them to the Finance Committee, who after due consideration. as provided in Section 4 of this article, shall approve or dis- approve, in whole or in part, the expenditure or appropria- tion involved, and shall so notify the board, officer or com- mittee which submitted the request for the article, and also the Board of Selectmen, with such recommendations or sug-
78
gestions as the Finance Committee shall deem advisable. When an expenditure or appropriation is sought by the Board of Selectmen for a department or matter under the control of said board, any proposed article for such expendi- ture or appropriation must first be submitted to the Finance Committee for its approval or disapproval, as herein pro- vided.
It was voted to take from the table Section 4 of Arti- cle 12.
It was voted to adopt the substitute section.
Section 4, Article 12. No street or way over private land, the plan of which is approved by the Board of Survey and recorded in the Registry of Deeds, after June 1, 1916, shall be hereafter accepted or laid out as a public way, un- less the same is previously constructed and completed by the owner of the land, in accordance with the specifications hereinafter set forth. Such street shall be first cleared of all stumps, roots, brush and like material and all trees not intended for preservation. All clay, loam and loamy mate- rial shall be removed from the limits of the street, inclu- sive of a sidewalk, on at least one side of the street for its entire length, to such depth as may be approved by the Superintendent of Streets. All work in excavation or em- bankment shall be brought to a sub-grade of six inches for the roadway and four inches for the sidewalk, below finished grade, and the materials for sub-grading shall be such that when the same is completed the roadway shall be in a suit- able condition to receive the finish grading material. The sidewalks must be brought to a sub-grade of four inches be- low finish grade. Above sub-grade, and to finish grade, good building gravel shall be used on the roadway, and on sidewalks clean cinders may be used in place of gravel. Sufficient provision must also be made for ordinary surface drainage.
Article 13, Section 8. Voted to take from the table.
Voted to adopt substitute section, as follows :
No person shall drive, wheel or draw any vehicle, ex- cepting vehicles propelled by hand and intended for carry-
79
ing children, upon any sidewalk in the Town, nor permit any horse, cattle, swine, sheep or goats, under his or her care, to go upon any sidewalk in the Town, except at regu- lar crossings.
Article 13, Section 10. Voted to take this section from the table.
A substitute motion was offered but was not voted.
It was voted to indefinitely postpone this section.
Article 19. It was voted to take this article from the table.
A substitute motion was offered and voted down.
It was voted to indefinitely postpone this article.
Article 2. 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 to instruct the Selectmen to confer with the officials of the Boston & Maine Railroad in regard to the crossing on High or Vine Streets, which is considered dangerous.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted that the By-Laws, as adopted, be sent by the Town Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth for approval.
On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Building Laws be adopted as a part of these By-Laws, and the By-Laws be adopted when approved.
Article 15. It was moved by Solon Bancroft that Arti- cle 15 be reconsidered.
The Moderator decided the motion out of order.
It was voted to adjourn without date.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
SECURITY HALL, READING, MASS., Oct. 23, 1916.
A town meeting was held and called to order by the Town Clerk. Jesse W. Morton was elected Moderator.
Article 2. To determine what instructions be given the Town Officers.
On motion of A. Newell Howes, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed, and they hereby are instructed, to see what action can be taken to dispose of the property known as the Parker Tavern.
On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted that all motions for the raising of money by notes, bonds, etc., shall be referred to the Town Counsel for an opinion as to legal- ity, and shall be typewritten, and the Town Accountant and Bureau of Statistics shall be consulted.
Article 3. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to extend the water main on Grand and Lowell Streets, from Harriman Avenue to land of McTernan Rubber Company, and authorize the sale of one water bond to pay for same, or what they will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Lewis Bancroft, it was voted that the Board of Water Commissioners be and hereby are author- ized to extend the water main on Grand and Lowell Streets, from Harriman Avenue to Gould Avenue, at land of McTer- nan Rubber Company, and to sell one $1000 water bond to pay cost of same.
Article 6. To see what action the Town will take towards the abatement of the disagreeable and injurious fumes arising from the plant of the Merrimac Chemical Company or the New England Manufacturing Company, or both, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Frank H. Nutting, it was voted that whereas the, fumes and gases escaping from the plant of the Merrimac Chemical Company, situated at North Woburn, Mass., at times pollute the air of a large section of the Town of Reading, causing great annoyance and inconven- ience to the inhabitants of said section, due to the disagree- able and obnoxious odors of said fumes and gases, and the effect of the same on the throats and mouths of persons in- haling them, sometimes causing coughing, and whereas said fumes and gases are liable to, if they have not actually, in- juriously affected the health of many persons, residents of said section; and whereas, in consequence of the facts here-
S1
inbefore set forth, said fumes and gases amount to a positive nuisance and create a condition intolerable to the residents of said section; now, therefore, be it resolved : that the Se- lectmen be, and they hereby are, authorized and instructed forthwith to petition the State Board of Health to grant a hearing in the premises, and if it find that the condition above described amounts to a nuisance, that it order an abatement of the same in accordance with the statute in such case made and provided.
Article 2. It was voted to take this article from the table.
It was voted that the Board of Health be instructed to investigate complaint of George P. Abbott as to garbage which is collected by William Kelch being left exposed and causing bad odor.
Voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
Article 4. To see if the Town will instruct the Board of Selectmen to petition the next General Court for an act to confirm the locations granted by the Town of Reading for the electric lines of its light and power department.
Carl M. Spencer made a motion in regard to this article. Said motion was laid on the table.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize a transfer of 8900 from the excess overlay account to the Fire De- partment, or what they will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that for the purpose of providing additional funds for the Fire De- partment the Town Accountant be, and he is hereby, au- thorized to transfer the sum of $900 from the reserve fund from the surplus overlay account to the Fire Department appropriation.
Article 7. To see if the Town will accept a gift of 11 1-2 acres, more or less, of Mary E. Temple and others, to be used as a public park or playground, or what it will do in relation thereto.
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Edgar O. Dewey moved that the town meeting express by vote whether they would accept the land as mentioned in this article for a park, with the restrictions mentioned.
It was voted unanimously to do so.
It was also voted that the Selectmen be a committee to notify the parties wishing to make this gift of the vote, .
expressing their pleasure to accept it.
Article 2. Voted to take from the table.
On motion of C. Winthrop Smith, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to act on acceptance of the Park Act as soon as possible.
Voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
Article 8. To see if the Town will amend the vote, passed under Article 17 of warrant, for the special town meeting, held May 22, 1916, which authorized the borrow- ing of $3,000 for the purchase of land near the Highland School, and to move the Grouard house, so as to provide the fund in the following manner : $2,025 to be transferred from the excess overlay account, and to authorize the Treasurer to borrow the sum of $975, and to issue a note of the Town therefor, payable in one year from date of issue.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Town amend Article 17 of the warrant for the special town meeting, held May 22, 1916, which authorized the borrowing of $3,000 for the purchase of land near the Highland School, and to move the Grouard house, so as to provide the funds in the following manner : $2,025 to be transferred from the reserve fund from the surplus overlay account for remov- ing the Grouard house and incidentals, and to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow the sum of $975 for the purchase of land, and to issue a note of the Town therefor, payable in one year from date of issue.
Article 9. To see if the Town will amend the vote, passed under Article 24 of the warrant for the annual town meeting, held March 13, 1916, which authorized the borrow- ing of $9,500 for the purchase of a motor hook and ladder truck and combination hose truck, so as to provide the
83
funds in the following manner : $323 from the reserve fund from the surplus overlays; $500 to be transferred from the water pipe extension, authorized in accordance with Article 45 of the warrant for the annual town meeting; $127 from the receipts from licenses not otherwise appropriated ; to- gether with $500 transferred from the reserve fund by vote of the Selectmen; and to authorize the Treasurer to borrow the sum of 88,000, and to issue notes or bonds of the Town therefor, payable $2,000 in one year from date of issue and $1,500 annually thereafter, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of the first note or bond.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Town amend the vote, passed under Article 24 of the war. rant for the annual town meeting, held March 13, 1916, which authorized the borrowing of $9,500 for the purchase of a motor hook and ladder truck and combination hose truck, so as to provide the funds in the following manner : $323 from the reserve fund from the surplus overlays; $500 to be transferred from water pipe extension, authorized in accordance with Article 45 of the warrant for the annual town meeting; $177 from the receipts from licenses not otherwise appropriated; together with $500 transferred from the reserve fund by vote of the Selectmen; and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be, and hereby is. authorized to borrow the sum of $8,000, and to issue notes or bonds of the Town therefor, payable $2,000 in one year from date of issue and $1,500 annually thereafter, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five years from the date of the first note or bond, at a rate of interest not to exceed five per cent. per annum.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote, passed under Article 6 of the warrant for the special town meeting, held on May 22, 1916, by inserting after the word "purchase" the words "for the erection of a building for town purposes," so that the vote will read as follows :
On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to purchase for the erection of a
84
building for town purposes the "Richardson Lot," so called, situated on Lowell Street, with the buildings thereon (ex- cept the stable which is to be removed by the present owner) at a price not to exceed $5,550, and that the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to issue the notes of the Town for this amount at a rate of interest not exceeding four per cent. per annum and payable $550 in one year from the date thereof, the balance to be paid $500 each year thereafter until the full amount is paid. The income de- rived from the property to be used for necessary repairs and the payment of said notes.
Voted that the Town amend the vote passed under Article 6 of the warrant for the special town meeting, held May 22, 1916, by inserting after the word "purchase" the words "for the erection of a building for town purposes, so that the vote will read as follows :
On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to purchase for the erection of a building for town purposes the "Richardson Lot," so called, situated on Lowell Street, with the buildings thereon (ex- cept the stable which is to be removed by the present owner) at a price not to exceed $5,550, and that the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to issue the notes of the Town for this amount at a rate of interest not exceeding four per cent. per annum, and payable 8550 in one year from the date thereof, the balance to be paid $500 each year thereafter until the full amount is paid. The income de- rived from the property to be used for necessary repairs and the payment of the said notes. On count 97 voted yes and none no.
Voted to adjourn to October 30, 1916, at 7.45 o'clock P. M., in Security Hall.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING SECURITY HALL, READING, MASS., Oct. 30, 1916.
Town meeting met as per adjournment, and was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton.
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Article 9. On motion of Theodore P. Berle, it was voted to take this article up.
On motion of Theodore P. Berle, to rescind action taken on this article, the point of order was raised by Solon Ban- croft that such a motion was out of order.
The Moderator decided said motion not in order.
Article 2. Voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of Charles F. Brown, it was voted to instruct the Selectmen to see what could be done to retain the old Parker Tavern property, and report to the Town at a subse- quent meeting what action may be necessary to enable the Town to hold the property on Washington Street, now owned by the Town, and retain the ancient building now standing thereon and ensure its preservation and care.
On motion of Frank H. Nutting, it was voted that the Tax Collector be instructed to note on all tax bills the valu- ation of the property assessed, both real and personal.
Article 12. To see if the Town will adopt a system of main drains and common sewers for the whole of its terri- tory, with such connections and other works as would be required for a system of sewage disposal; all substan- tially as set forth and shown on a plan for such system, pre- pared by F. A. Barbour, C. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and as authorized by Chapter 314 of the Acts of 1909, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Charles R. Herrick, it was voted that the Town adopt and lay out a system of main drains and com- mon sewers for the whole of its territory with such connec- tions and other works as would be required for a system of sewage disposal; all substantially as set forth and shown on a plan for such system, prepared by F. A. Barbour, O. E., on file with the Town Clerk, and approved by the State Board of Health.
Article 13. To see if the Town will authorize the Sewer Commissioners to construct a sewer in the following streets, ways, and other parts of the Town, to wit:
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Ash St., from Main St. to Main St. Brook St., Metropolitan Sewer, to Ash St. Eaton St., from Elm St. to Pleasant St. Elm St., interceptor to Eaton St. Gould St., from Haven St. easterly. Green St., from High St. easterly. Green St., from Ash St. westerly. Green St., from Village St. to Main St. Green St., interceptor to John St. Haven St., from High St. to beyond Sanborn St. Haven St., from Main St. to summit. Haven St., from Village St. to Main St. High St., from Washington St. to Haven St. John St., from interceptor to Village St. John St., from Village St. to Green St. Lincoln St., from Washington St. to Prescott St. Linden St., from Haven St. to Woburn St. Lowell St., from Main St. to Highland St.
Main St., from Washington St. to Lowell St. Main St., from Washington St. to Ash St. Parker St., from Haven St. to Pleasant St. Pleasant St., from Eaton St. to Wilson St. Pleasant St., from Parker St. to Middle St. Pleasant St., from Parker St. to Main St. Pratt St., from Prescott St. to Woburn St. Prospect St., from Woburn St. to King St. Prescott St., from Lincoln St. to Sunnyside Ave.
Prescott St., from Sunnyside Ave. to Perkins Ave. Salem St., from Wilson St. to Main St. Sanborn St., from Haven St. northerly. Sanborn St., from Woburn St. southerly.
Sanborn St., from Woburn St. to Lowell St. Village St., from John St. to Washington St. Village St., from Washington St. to Haven St. Washington St., from Village St. to Main St. Washington St., from Ash St. to Lincoln St. Wilson St., from Pleasant St. to Salem St. Woburn St., from Pratt St. to Prospect St. Woburn St., from Lowell St. to Linden St.
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Interceptor, John St. to Brook St.
Interceptor, Green St. to Elm St.
and on land of individual owners in two courses, from near the junction of Village and John Streets, to the junc- tion of Ash and Brook streets, the sewers above mentioned being set forth on the plan referred to in Article 12 of this warrant, and which system has been approved by the State Board of Health, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Charles R. Herrick, it was voted that the Sewer Commissioners be, and they hereby are, authorized to construct a sewer in the streets, ways, and other parts of the Town, as enumerated in Article 13.
Article 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate a sum not to exceed $100,000 for the purpose of paying any portion of the cost of installing a sewerage and sewer- age disposal system, in accordance with plans as drawn by F. A. Barbour, and adopted by the Town, and will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row said sum, and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town, such bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 7, Chapter 314, of the Acts of 1909, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of the first bond or note issued, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Charles R. Herrick, it was voted that the sum of one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of paying any portion of the cost of installing a sewerage and sewage disposal sys- tem, in accordance with plans as drawn by F. A. Barbour, and adopted by the Town, and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be, and hereby is, authorized and directed to issue therefor bonds of the Town; such bonds to be payable as follows: four thousand ($4,000) dol- lars six (6) years from the date of the loan, four thousand ($4,000) dollars annually thereafter for twenty-four (24) years, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty (30) years from the date of the first bond issued; all in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6 and 7, of
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Chapter 314, of the Acts of 1909. Ninety-four voted yes, and none voted no.
Article 11. To hear and act on the report of the Com- mittee on Town Offices.
Carl M. Spencer, Chairman of Committee on Town Offices, reported progress, and that plans were being made for a Town Office Building.
Article 4. Voted to take this article from the table.
Carl M. Spencer moved, and it was voted, that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to petition the next Gen- eral Court for an act to confirm the locations granted by the Town of Reading for the electric lines of its Electric Light Department.
Voted to adjourn without date.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTION
SECURITY HALL, READING, MASS., NOV. 7, 1916.
The following vote was cast for President and State Officers :
ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
Benson and Kirkpatrick, Socialist
10
Hanley and Landrith, Prohibition 11
Hughes and Fairbanks, Republican
1008
Reimer and Harrison, Socialist Labor
1
Wilson and Marshall, Democratic
433
Blanks
33
GOVERNOR
James Hayes of Plymouth . 4
Chester R. Lawrence of Boston
27
1068
Samuel W. McCall of Winchester Frederick W. Mansfield of Boston Dan A. White of Brockton .
332
8
.
Blanks
.
57
89
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Calvin Coolidge of Northampton . 1075
Alfred H. Evans of Hadley . 27
Sylvester J. McBride of Watertown
.
9
Thomas J. Maher of Medford
2
Thomas P. Riley of Malden
281
Blanks
102
SECRETARY
Thomas F. Brennan of Salem
8
Leon R. Eyges of Brookline
260
Louise Adams Grout of Boston
17
Albert P. Langtry of Springfield Blanks
. 139
TREASURER
Charles L. Burrill of Boston
1079
Frederick E. Oelcher of Peabody
4
Elam K. Sheldon of Greenfield
13
Henry N. Teague of Williamstown
268
Blanks
. 132
AUDITOR
Joseph Bearak of Boston
12
Frank Bohmbach of Boston .
5
Alonzo B. Cook of Boston
1061
John B. N. Soulliere of Worcester
268
Blanks
150
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Henry C. Attwill of Lynn
1079
Joseph Joyce Donahue of Medford
258
Joseph Jiskra of Milford .
2
John Weaver Sherman of Boston
15
Blanks
142
SENATOR IN CONGRESS
John F. Fitzgerald of Boston
362
Henry Cabot Lodge of Nahant
1016
32
William N. McDonald of Northampton Blanks
.
86
·
.
1072
·
.
.
90
CONGRESSMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT
Roger Sherman Hoar of Concord . 283
John Jacob Rogers of Lowell . 1089
Blanks COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
James G. Harris of Medford
1069
Blanks
427
SENATOR, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Frederic W. Burke of Lynn 268
Charles A. Kimball of Littleton
·
1064
Blanks 164
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT, EIGHTEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Dennis P. Blake of Woburn 172
Fred J. Brown of Woburn 973
Edward B. Eames of Reading
1134
Ira B. Forbes of Stoneham 153
Blanks 560
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Erson B. Barlow of Lowell
1107
Blanks 389 .
ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONERS, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Frederic P. Barnes of Newton
1046
H. Harding Hale of Hudson
.
951
Blanks 995 .
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT
William R. Scharton of Reading .
355
Nathan A. Tufts of Waltham 995 .
Blanks 146 .
CLERK OF COURTS, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
William C. Dillingham of Malden 1075
Blanks 421 .
REGISTER OF DEEDS, MIDDLESEX SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Thomas Leighton, Jr., of Cambridge
·
1073
Blanks .
423
· 124
·
.
91
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
(TO FILL VACANCY)
Frederick M. Esty of Framingham . 1018
Timothy E. Quinn of Cambridge 202
Blanks
276
"Shall there be a convention to revise, alter or amend the Constitution of the Commonwealth?" Yes, 623; no, 276; blanks, 597.
"Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and sixteen, to make the first day of Jan- uary, known as New Year's Day, a legal holiday, be ap- proved and become law?" Yes, 898; no, 266; blanks, 332.
"Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and sixteen, entitled 'An act to prevent the voters of one political party from voting in the prima- ries of another political party' be approved and become law?" Yes, 625; no, 305; blanks, 566.
"Shall the Representative or Representatives from this district be instructed to support the adoption of an amend- ment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, providing for some form of the initiative and referendum which shall give to the voters the power to accept or reject statutes and constitutional amendments proposed to the Legislature by petition of a substantial number of citizens but rejected by it, and also the power, upon such petition, to reject measures passed by the Legislature?" Yes, 744; no, 154; blanks, 598.
The ballots were counted and declared in open town meeting, and sealed and delivered to the Town Clerk.
The ballot box registered 1497, an incorrect number, as the ballot clerks reported 1496 names checked and the tell- ers reported 1496 ballots counted. Whereupon the meeting adjourned.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX CITY OF WOBURN
In accordance with the provisions of Section 322, Chap- ter 835, Acts of 1913, the City Clerk of Woburn and the Town Clerks of Reading and Stoneham, being the City and Town Clerks of every city and town in Representative Dis- triet number eighteen within said County, met at the City Hall, Woburn, at noon on Friday, November 17th, A. D. 1916, being the tenth day succeeding the day of the State Election held on Tuesday, November 7th, A. D. 1916, and then and there opened, examined and compared the copies of the records of votes cast at said election for the office of Representative, and determined therefrom that Fred J. Brown of Woburn and Edward B. Eames of Reading were elected to the office of Representative.
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