USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1917 > Part 2
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taxation. It is understood that this does not include receipts from the Municipal Light and the Water Depart- ments.
Article 4. On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to revise the Public Property Account.
Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted by a unanimous vote that the following resolutions be adopted and forwarded to the President of the United States of America :
"Whereas, the German Imperial Government has, as the President said, forbidden to our people the exercise 'of their peaceful and legitimate errands on the high seas,' and "Whereas, in consequence, the President of the United States has severed diplomatic relations with Germany,
"Be it resolved by the citizens of Reading in town meeting assembled this twelfth day of March, 1917 :
"First-that they commend the President for his uncom- promising stand in severing diplomatic relations.
"Second -- that they rely upon the President to protect American citizens and American ships in their acknowl- edged rights on the high seas.
"Third-that they urge upon the President the necessity of making immediate preparations against the contingencies of war.
"Fourth-that while they desire peace, they desire peace only with honor, and call upon the President to uphold at this time the honor of the American people."
Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that William F. Welch, Ardine M. Allen and Willard A. Bancroft serve as Field Drivers for the ensuing year.
Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that Ora L. Milbury, Wendell Bancroft, Warren M. White- house, Samuel Brown, William R. Zwicker, Burton K. Symonds, Edward B. Eames and George L. Flint serve as Surveyors of Lumber for the ensuing year.
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Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Selectmen act as Fence Viewers for the ensuing year.
Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Selectmen be authorized to appoint Measurers of Wood and Bark and Weighers of Coal and Hay, etc., for the ensuing year.
Article 4. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Selectmen are instructed to sell all surplus fire apparatus owned by the Town, the proceeds of the sale to be turned into the town treasury to be appropriated to the Excess and Deficiency Account.
Article 4. It was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 5. To determine how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for General Government, Protec- tion of Life and Property, Health and Sanitation, Highways and Bridges, Charities, Soldiers' Benefits, Education. Library, Recreation, Cemetery and Interest.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate eleven thousand five hundred and seventy dollars for General Government, divided as follows :
Moderator
$75 00
Selectmen's salaries
500 00
Selectmen's expenses
200 00
Accountant's salary
750 00
Accountant's expenses
100 00
Treasurer's salary
600 00
Treasurer's expenses
235 00
Tax Collector's salary. 5-8 of 1% .
1,200 00
Tax Collector's expenses
200 00
Assessors' salaries
1,150 00
Assessors' expenses
580 00
Town Clerk's salary
150 00
Town Clerk's expenses
300 00
Town Counsel's salary .
500 00
Registrars' salaries
130 00
Election expenses .
750 00
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Miscellaneous expenses
$1,500 00
Town Building
600 00
Insurance
1,500 00
Lighting G. A. R. Hall
50 00
Block System Survey
500 00
Article 5. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, the following appropriations were made :
Police Department 5,750 00
Fire Department .
8,500 00
Fire Alarm repairs
400 00
Hydrant Rentals .
6,030 00
(and appropriate receipts estimated at ($19,600) nineteen thousand six hundred dollars)
Moth Department 5,652 59
Forest Warden
500 00
Tree Warden 500 00
Inspector of Wires
100 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
300 00
Inspector of Buildings' salary
300 00
Inspector of Buildings' expenses
30 00
Health Department salaries
250 00
Health Department maintenance
1,270 00
Contagious Diseases
1,000 00
Sewer Department expenses
675 00
Highway maintenance
15,000 00
Snow and Ice
2,500 00
Street Watering
500 00
Oiling Streets
3,000 00
Drinking Fountains
100 00
Poor Department
2,700 00
Town Home .
3,500 00
Soldiers' Relief
650 00
Article 5. On motion of Walter S. Parker, it was voted to raise and appropriate for Schools as follows :
School Department 58,000 00
Tuition 350 00
·
Mothers with Dependent Children
1,500 00
.
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Agricultural Department $4,400 00 . Article 5. On motion of Horace G. Wadlin, it was voted to raise and appropriate for the Public Library 2,750 00
Article 5. On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the fol- lowing amounts :
Rent of Playground 342 00
Care of Common and Parks . 100 00
Memorial Day 225 00
(to be expended under the direction of Post 194, G. A. R.) Article 5. On motion of Galen A. Parker, it was voted to raise and appropriate for the care of Laurel Hill Cemetery 1,200 00
Article 5. On motion of Ward C. Mansfield, it was voted to raise and appropriate for inter- est on maturing indebtedness 9,500 00
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year. (Treasurer.)
On motion of Ward O. Mansfield, it was voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1st, 1917, an amount not exceeding one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars ($185,000), and to issue a note or notes incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $1,000 from the amount in the Excess and Deficiency Ac- count, the same to be applied in part toward the indebted- ness maturing in 1917, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Town Accountant.)
On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted that the Town Accountant be and hereby is authorized to transfer ' one thousand dollars ($1,000) from the Excess and Deficiency
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Account to Maturing Indebtedness, to provide in part toward the amount maturing in 1917.
Article 8. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $700 to the Reserve Fund, as provided by Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1913, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. (Town Accountant.)
On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of seven hundred dollars to the Reserve Fund, as provided by Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1913.
Article 9. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $2,000 to macadamize Summer Avenue, from Prescott Street to Woburn Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen. )
On motion of Carl B. Sawyer, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars to make neces- sary catch basins and drains to carry off the surface water on Summer Avenue, between Boyce Street and Woburn Street, and also make necessary repairs to street between same points.
Article 10. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $3,200 to macadamize Summer Avenue, from Woburn Street to King Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, as amended by Edward B. Drake, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of six hundred sixty-eight dollars ($668) for necessary catch basins and drains from Prospect Street to and across Sum- mier Avenue on Woburn Street.
Article 11. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,360 to macadamize Prescott Street, from end of present macadam to Summer Avenue, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to pass over this article.
Article 12. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate the sum of $2,100 to niacadamize High Street, from Vine
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Street to Middlesex Avenue, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to pass over .
this article.
Article 13. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate the sum of $1,680 to repair High Street, with gravel, from Middlesex Avenue to Lowell Street, or what it do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand six hundred eighty dollars ($1,680) to repair High Street, with gravel, between Middlesex Avenue and Lowell Street.
Article 14. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of 82,000 to continue the work on West Street, toward the Woburn line, provided the State and County each appropriate a like amount, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) to con- tinue the work on West Street, toward the Woburn line, provided the State and County each appropriate a like amount.
Article 15. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $2,800 to macadamize Lowell Street on one side of car track, from Middlesex Avenue to Woburn Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen. )
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to pass over this article.
Article 16. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $300 to lower grade of sidewalk on Lowell Street, fronting the town property known as the Grouard Lot, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to pass over this article.
Article 17. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $500 to repair Vine Street with gravel,
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from Mineral Street northwesterly 1,000 feet, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate five hundred dollars to repair Vine Street with gravel, from Mineral Street one thousand feet northerly.
Article 18. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $700 to construct a storm drain, to care for surface water on Lincoln Street, from Prescott Street to Washington Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate seven hundred dollars to construct a storm drain to care for surface water on Lincoln Street, from Prescott Street to Washington Street.
Article 19. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,100 to purchase the stone crusher now being used by the Town, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate eleven hundred dollars to purchase the stone crusher now being used by the Town.
Article 20. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $250 and appropriate the balance of $50 in the Stone Crusher Account, to purchase a motor for the stone crusher, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and to appro- priate the balance of fifty dollars in the Stone Crusher Account to purchase a motor for the stone crusher.
Article 21. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000 for new concrete sidewalks, the 50 per cent. cost to abutters to be waived, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for new concrete sidewalks and that the customary fifty per cent. cost to abutters be waived.
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Solon Bancroft moved to amend by striking out all after "new concrete sidewalks," and insert that they be laid out and be assessed according to the revised laws. Said amend- ment was lost.
Solon Bancroft moved to lay Article 21 on the table. Motion was lost.
Charles P. Howard moved to amend to add the words, "to assess abutters twenty-five per cent." instead of waiving the customary fifty per cent. Motion was lost.
Solon Bancroft moved to lay Article 21 on the table. Motion was lost, and original motion was passed as noted above.
Article 22. To see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, with the receipts of the Municipal Light Plant, for the year 1917, for main- tenance, 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 they will do in relation thereto. (Municipal Light Commissioners.)
Article 23. 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 Muni- cipal Light Plant during 1917, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto. (Municipal Light Commissioners.)
Article 24. 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 they will raise and appropriate, or otherwise pro- vide therefor, or what they will do in relation thereto :
Six on Willow Street, between Summer Avenue and Lowell Street.
Twelve on Haverhill Street, between Pine Street and Wakefield Street.
Two on Pearl Street, between Main Street and the resi- dence of A. G. Emerson.
Two on Summer Avenue, between Brook Street and the residence of Geo. Forbes.
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One on Hopkins Street, near the Reading-Wakefield town line.
Two on Ridge Road.
Four on Hanscom Avenue.
Six on South Street, between Main and Walnut Streets.
Four on Scotland Road, between Hill Crest Road and West Street. (Municipal Light Commissioners.)
On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted to lay these articles on the table.
Article 25. To see if the Town will authorize the issue of water bonds to an amount not exceeding twenty-five thou- sand dollars ($25,000), under authority of Chapter 270, Special Acts of the Legislature of 1916, or what they will do in relation thereto. (Water Commissioners.)
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the Town Treasurer be and is hereby authorized to issue the bonds of the Town for the aggregate principal sum of twenty- five thousand dollars, to pay the cost of procuring an addi- tional water supply and of improving its storage, filtration and distributing facilities as may be authorized by the vote of the Town; said bonds shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 270, of the Special Acts of 1916, shall be of the denomination of one thousand dollars each and shall bear on their face, "Reading Water Loan Act of 1916," and shall be dated June 1, 1917, and shall be payable one thousand dollars annually beginning with the year 1918. The bonds shall bear interest at the rate of four per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually upon the presentation of the proper coupon thereto attached on the first days of June and December of the years specified in said coupons. Both principal and interest shall be paid at some bank or trust company named in the bonds. Said bonds shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen and shall be sold by the Treasurer from time to time upon the request and with the approval of the Water Commis- sioners at a price not less than par and accrued interest. Ninety-one voted yes and none voted no.
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The Moderator delared the vote carried by the neces- sary two-thirds vote.
Article 26. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to drill and equip more wells and construct a new clear water storage reservoir at the pump- ing station, and will authorize the sale of water bonds to an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to pay for same, or what they will do in relation thereto. (Water Commissioners.)
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the Town do authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to drill and equip more wells and construct a new clear water basin storage reservoir at the pumping station and authorize the Town Treasurer to sell water bonds to an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars to pay for same. Seventy- two voted yes and none voted no.
The Moderator declared the motion was carried by the necessary two-thirds vote.
Article 27. To see what action the Town will take to dispose of the so-called "Parker Tavern" property, or what it will do in relation thereto. (A. Newell Howes.)
On motion of A. Newell Howes, it was voted that the Selectmen, under the advise of the Town Counsel, be instructed to dispose of the Parker Tavern property by pri- vate sale or auction in the next twelve months. Voted 83 yes and 22 no.
On motion of Edwin L. Hutchinson, it was voted to adjourn to meet in this Security Hall on March 19, 1917, at seven o'clock and forty-five minutes.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
SECURITY HALL, READING, MASS., March 19, 1917.
Pursuant to adjournment, a town meeting was held at time and place called, and was called to order by the Mod- erator, Jesse W. Morton.
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Articles 22, 23, 24. On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted to take Articles 22, 23 and 24 from the table.
Article 22. On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted that eight thousand dollars ($8,000) be raised and appro- priated, and this amount, together with the unexpended balance of December 31, 1916, amounting to $284.94, and the receipts of the plant for the current year, be appro- priated for the operation, maintenance and repairs of said plant and for the payment of bonds, notes and interest; and that the sum of $8,096.95 be appropriated from the above for depreciation of the plant for the current year, in accord- ance with the recommendations of the Finance Committee.
Article 23. On motion of George L. Flint, 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 six thousand five dollars ($6,500) payable five hundred dol- lars ($500) each year from 1918 to 1930 inclusive, and bear- ing interest at a rate not exceeding five per cent., payable semi-annually; the proceeds of same to be expended under the direction of the Municipal Light Board for enlargements and extensions to the Municipal Light Plant, in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Committee. Seventy-five voted yes and none no.
Article 24. On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 24 be referred to the Municipal Light Board with authority to install on the pub- lic streets of Reading such of said lights as are in their judgment necessary, and to make such changes in the exist- ing lights as may be advisable, and that the expense there- for be taken from the appropriation for depreciation, in ac- cordance with the recommendations of the Finance Com- mittee.
Article 4. On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted to take Article 4 from the table.
On motion of A. Newell Howes, it was voted that the Finance Committee be instructed to investigate the Electric Light Department, in accordance with the recommendations
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of the Electric Light Commissioners, on the following prop- ositions :
To continue the generating station, adding new equip- ment as needed.
To purchase current, discontinuing generating station.
To continue present station, purchasing current by auxiliary service when required.
To sell that portion of the plant located in any or all of the outside towns.
To sell the entire plant.
On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted that the Finance Committee be requested to report within ninety days in whole or in part.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that L. Adelbert Deming be elected Pound Keeper for the ensuing year.
On motion of George L. Flint, Article 4 was laid on the table.
Article 28. To see if the Town will accept the pro- visions of Chapter 291 of the General Acts of 1916, entitled "An act relative to the tenure of office of Chiefs of Fire Departments in the Metropolitan fire prevention district," or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
The following vote was taken on the subject matter of Article 28: voting in favor, none; voting in negative, 82: not voting 75.
Article 29. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $165 to take care of surface water on Temple Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred sixty-five dollars ($165) to care for the surface water on Temple Street.
Article 30. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $180 to take care of surface water on Howard Street, near the residence of Herbert G. Evans, or what it will do relation thereto. (H. G. Evans and others.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred eighty dollars ($180) to
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care for surface water on Howard Street, near the residence of H. G. Evans.
Article 31. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $500 to repair Washington Street with gravel, between Main Street and John Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Daniel Cullinane.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) to repair Washington Street, between Main and John Streets, but that the money shall not be expended until after the sewer is installed in said street.
Article 32. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $150 to take care of surface water on High Street, near the residence of Benj. N. Hartshorn, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) to care for surface water on High Street, near the residence of Benjamin N. Hartshorn.
Article 33. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate $150 to build a sidewalk on the easterly side of Win- ter Street, from Salem Street to Orange Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Geo. E. Horrocks and others.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted to pass over this article.
Article 34. To see what action the Town will take on the report of the Planning Board relative to a change in the form of government for the Town, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. (Planning Board. )
On motion of Leone F. Quimby, that it is the sense of this meeting that the Legislative Committee on Towns should report favorably on and the Legislature should pass House Bill 1664, being a Bill to enable towns if they so desire to make certain changes in their form of government. This action is taken without the intent to commit this Town to the adoption of said changes, but in the belief that it should have the opportunity of doing so, if after discussion
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it shall so vote. The Town Clerk is instructed to send a copy of this vote to our Representatives, to our Senator and to the Chairman of the Committee on Towns.
On motion of Solon Bancroft, it was voted 61 in favor and 46 against, laying foregoing motion on the table.
Article 35. To hear and act on the report of the Select- men on the laying out of Middlesex Avenue Extension and determine how much money the Town will raise and appro- priate therefor, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Daniel T. Canty and others. )
REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON LAYING OUT OF MIDDLESEX AVENUE EXTENSION
We, the subscribers, Selectmen of Reading, have esti- mated the cost of building Middlesex Avenue Extension to be as follows :
Filling 800 cubic yards and surfacing with gravel, nine hundred dollars ($900.)
If the street is built at the same time that Summer Avenue is repaired, from Woburn Street to King Street, the cost of filling would be less, as excavation from Sum- mer Avenue can be used for filling.
Estimated cost using filling from Summer Avenue, five hundred dollars ($500.)
As the Finance Committee do not recommend macada- mizing Summer Avenue this year, or expending money on said Middlesex Avenue Extension this year, we do not recommend that the street be laid out at this time.
EDGAR (). DEWEY EDWIN L. HUTCHINSON OTIS B. RUGGLES
Selectmen of Reading.
It was voted to accept report of Selectmen.
Article 36. To hear and act on the report of the Select- men on the laying out of the unaccepted portion of Grand Street, near Dudley Street, and see if the Town will raise and appropriate $300 for that purpose, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Earl B. Ordway and others.)
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON LAYING OUT GRAND STREET
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:
That portion of Grand Street being an extension of the present Town Way known as Grand Street Extension, ex- tending between the present terminus of said Grand Street and Dudley Street, and is bounded and described as fol- lows, viz. :
The easterly line of said Grand Street Extension coni- mences at a point on the northerly line of Dudley Street, which is S 85º-10' E, a distance of two hundred nine 73-100 ft. (measured along said northerly line) from the easterly line of High Street. Thence the line runs N 4º-53' E a distance of one hundred seventy-six 20-100 ft. (176.20) to an iron pipe at the end of said Grand Street, said line extending along property of Winthrop N. Burgess, Mary D. Burgess and Edith B. Ordway.
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