USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1917 > Part 4
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Article 2. On motion of Harvey A. Bancroft, it was voted that the Sewer Commissioners be and they are hereby authorized to construct sewers in streets and parts thereof in addition to the sewers which said Commissioners have heretofore been authorized to construct, in accordance with plans drawn by F. A. Barbour and adopted by the Town, such additional sewers to be constructed as far as possible in the following streets, namely :- Washington Street, from Lincoln to Prescott Street; on Lincoln Street, from Prescott to Woburn Street; on Woburn, from Lincoln Street to Pratt Street; on Woburn, from Prospect Street to West Street, on Berkeley Street, from Woburn to King Street; on Summer Avenue, from Woburn to Middlesex Avenue; on Temple, from Woburn Street to Summer Avenue; on Howard, from Hill Crest Road to West Street; on Hill Crest Road, from Prescott to Howard Street; on Prescott, from Copeland towards West Street on Minot Street, Washington to Main Streets, on Warren Avenue, Maple Street to Minot Street; on Maple Street, from Centre Avenue, to Warren Avenue; on Main Street, from Minot to Washington Street; on Park Avenue, from Minot Street, westerly on Middlesex
51
Avenue; from Deering to Kingston Streets on Kingston Street, from Middlesex Avenue to Mt. Vernon Street; on Mt. Vernon Street, from Bancroft Avenue to Linden Street; on Linden Street, man hole to Woburn Street; on Union Street, from Middle to Harnden Street.
Article 3. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sum not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the purpose of paying for any portion of the cost of installing such additional sewers, in accordance with plans so drawn by F. A. Barbour and adopted by the Town, and will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow 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 date of the first bond or note issued, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Sewer Com- missioners.)
On motion of Harvey A. Bancroft, it was voted that the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of paying for any portion of the cost of constructing sewers as authorized by vote of the Town and in accordance with plans drawn by F. A. Barbour and adopted by the Town, and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized and directed, with the approval of the Select- men, to borrow 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 and at such dates and in such amounts as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. On count, 22 voted yes and none voted no.
Article 4. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate, or otherwise provide, the sum of $200 for the purpose of constructing sewer connections from the main drain and common sewer to private estates situated on Main and Lowell Streets, from Woburn Street to Washington Street,
52
so that said connections may be installed within the street before permanent surface is laid on said streets. The cost of said connections to be charged at actual cost to the abut- ters when the estates are connected with the main drain and common sewers, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Sewer Commissioners.)
A motion was made by Harvey A. Bancroft substantially to carry out Article 4 but motion was lost. Eight voted yes and fourteen no.
Article 5. To see what amount the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, to lease a hall for the use of the 116th Company Massachusetts State Guard, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Officers of the Company.)
On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
On motion of Edgar (). Dewey, it was voted to adjourn sine die.
PRIMARY
SECURITY HALL, Sept. 25, 1917.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a Primary was held at the time and place mentioned therein and was called to order by Edgar O. Dewey, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presiding election officer.
The following were duly sworn by the Town Clerk as election officers and ballot clerks : Chester O. Richardson, Bernard T. Granfield, James A. Freeman, Harry E. Smith, George M. Hutchinson, Bartholomew J. Lehan, Percy L. Horrocks, Richard N. B. Wilson, James H. Connelly, Samuel Rounds.
The ballot box was opened and examined and found empty and registered 0000. The ballots were delivered to the presiding election officer and found correct and the polls were declared open.
53
The polls were duly closed at 4 o'clock p. M. The ballot box registered 568 and the ballot clerks reported 568 names checked. 540 Republican votes were checked and 28 Demo- cratic votes were checked.
The votes were counted and declared with the following results :
DEMOCRATIC BALLOT GOVERNOR
Frederick W. Mansfield, 15 Elm Hill Ave., Boston 25
Blanks
3
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Matthew Hale, Boston 5
Blanks
23
SECRETARY
Arthur B. Reed, Abington 5
Blanks
23
TREASURER
Humphrey O'Sullivan, Lowell 4
Blanks
24
AUDITOR
Elzear Choquette, New Bedford 4
Blanks
24
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Josiah Quincy, Boston
4
Blanks
24
Blanks
COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT .
28
SENATOR, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Blanks
28
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT, EIGHTEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Charles C. Clarke, 46 Mishawum Road, Woburn 18 Blanks 38
54
COUNTY COMMISSIONER. MIDDLESEX
Blanks
28
STATE COMMITTEE, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Blanks 28
DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION
James F. Riley, 122 Main Street 26
Frank P. Doucette, 26 John Street
25
George L. Flint, 19 Village Street 24
9
TOWN COMMITTEE
Millard F. Charles, 66 Bancroft Avenue 23
John Connelly, 15 Minot Street 24
Frank P. Doucette, 26 John Street
23
George L. Flint, 19 Village Street
24
John W. Haley, 65 Washington Street
23
Henry R. Johnson, 8 Sanborn Street Owen McKenney, 116 John Street
23
James F. Riley, 122 Main Street
24
James A. Waters, 16 Green Street
21
James E. Lewis. 90 Haven Street
21
John W. Cronin, 58 Prescott Street
23
Blanks
57
REPUBLICAN BALLOT GOVERNOR
Grafton D. Cushing, 20 Chestnut Street, Boston 70
Samuel W. McCall. Myopia Road, Winchester 442
Blanks
28
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Calvin Coolidge. 21 Massasoit Street, Northampton 487
Blanks 53
SECRETARY
Albert P. Langtry, 40 Chestnut Street, Springfield 474
Blanks 66
TREASURER
Charles L. Burrill, 14 Somerset Street, Boston · 481
Blanks 59 .
22
Blanks
55
AUDITOR
Charles Bruce, 8 Forest Avenue, Everett 180
Alonzo B. Cook, 19 Parkview Street, Boston 298
Blanks
62
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Henry O. Attwill, 59 Ocean Avenue, Lynn 421
Conrad W. Crooker, 195 Winthrop Road, Brookline 55
Blanks 64
COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
James G. Harris, 90 Wyman Street, Medford 426
Blanks 114
SENATOR, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Frank P. Bennett, Oaklandvale Farm, Saugus 14
Edward B. Eames, 193 Main Street, Reading 482
Francis M. Hill, 52 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus 26
Immanuel Pfeiffer, Jr., Great Road, Bedford
Blanks 12
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT, EIGHTEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Fred J. Brown, 37 Arlington Road, Woburn 359
John H. Hinckley, 110 Elm Street, Stoneham 150
Ellis H. Marshall, 65 Cambridge Road, Woburn 52
Arthur N. Newhall, 50 Gould Street, Stoneham 359
Blanks 160
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MIDDLESEX
Walter C. Wardwell, 465 Broadway, Cambridge 451 Blanks 89
STATE COMMITTEE, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT Louis Pfeiffer, South Road, Bedford 426
Blanks 114
DELEGATES TO STATE CONVENTION, READING
James P. Carleton, 179 Summer Avenue 469
Archer R. Prentiss, 33 Berkeley Street .
463
Solon Bancroft, 25 Sanborn Street . 457
56
Louis Ellenwood, 10 Gould Street 457
Lewis M. Bancroft, 23 Bancroft Avenue 466
Edgar O. Dewey, 76 Main Street 467
Willie E. Twombly, 35 Highland Street
466
Blanks
534
TOWN COMMITTEE, READING
Louis Ellenwood, 10 Gould Street 434
Frank F. Strout, Mill Street 443
Edwin L. Hutchinson, 6 Grove Street 439
Jesse W. Morton, 114 Woburn Street
440
Edgar O. Dewey, 76 Main Street
446
Carl M. Spencer, 201 Summer Avenue
437
Harvey A. Bancroft, 17 Mineral Street
441
Edward B. Eames
7
Scattering .
15
Blanks
1847
The votes were counted and declared in open town meeting, sealed and delivered to Town Clerk, whereupon it was voted to adjourn.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, OCT. 29, 1917
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a town meeting was held at the time and place therein specified and was called to order by the Mod- erator, Jesse W. Morton. The Town Clerk partly read the warrant when it was moved by Edgar O. Dewey to dispense with further reading of the warrant, except the Constable's return, and it was so voted. The Constable's return was then read by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. To determine what instructions be given the Town Officers.
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Assessors be instructed to abate all poll taxes assessed sol-
446
James P. Carleton, 179 Summer Avenue
Leone F. Quimby, 25 Howard Street
5
57
diers and sailors serving in the Army of the United States Liberty War.
On motion of Charles H. Stinchfield, it was voted that all departments be instructed not to renew any leases of quarters or offices without coming before the Town for its permission.
On motion of Charles A. Loring, it was voted that the Water Commissioners and Selectmen be instructed to view the location of hydrant near Forest Street, on Grove Street, as regards it being dangerous to traffic.
It was voted to lay Article 1 on the table.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote passed at the annual town meeting March 12, 1917, un- der Article 25 of the warrant for said meeting, by inserting between the word "four" and the words "per cent. per an- num" the words "and one-half," so that said vote will read as follows :
VOTED : That the Town Treasurer be and he hereby is 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 additional water supply and of improv- ing its storage, filtration and distributing facilities as may he authorized by 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 1st, 1917, and shall be payable one thousand dollars annually, begin- ning with the year 1918. The bonds shall bear interest at the rate of four and one-half per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually upon the presentation of the proper coupons thereto attached, on the first days of June and December of the years specified in said coupons. Both principal and in- terest 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 Commissioners at a price not less than par and accrued interest; or take any action in relation thereto. (Water Commissioners.)
58
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the vote passed at the annual town meeting March 12, 1917, un- der Article 25 of the warrant for said meeting, be amended by inserting between the word "four" and the words "per cent. per annum" the word "five," so that said rote will read as follows :
That the Town Treasurer be and he hereby is authorized to issue the bonds of the Town for the aggregate principal sum of twenty-five thousand dollars to pay the cost of pro- curing an additional water supply and of improving its storage. filtration and distributing facilities as may be authorized by 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 1st. 1917, and shall be payable one thousand dollars annually, begin- ning with the year 1918. The bonds shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding five per cent. per annum. payable semi-annually, upon the presentation of the proper coupons 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 Commissioners at a price not less than par and accrued interest. Thirty-eight voted yes and none voted no.
Article 3. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to sell water bonds to an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10.000), in addition to the amount already authorized to be sold, to finish wells and equipment to complete additional artesian water supply. or what they will do in relation thereto. (Water Commis- sioners.)
Lewis M. Bancroft moved and it was so voted that the Board of Water Commissioners be and hereby are authorized to sell water bonds to an amount not exceeding six thousand dollars in addition to the amount already authorized to be sold, to finish wells and equipment to complete additional
59
artesian water supply. Thirty-three voted yes and none voted no.
Article 4. To see what amount the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, for the purpose of com- pleting the Public Library and Town Office Building by the laying out and grading of the premises upon which they are situated, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Board of Library Trustees and Town Office Building Committee.)
Article 4. On motion of Horace G. Wadlin, it was voted that the sum of $2,640 is hereby appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Town Office Building Committee for the purpose of completing the Public Library and Town Office Building by the laying out and grading of the premises upon which they are situated; and the Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, is authorized to borrow said sum, and to issue the notes of the Town there- for, payable $1340 in one year and $1300 in two years from the date of issue. Thirty-four voted yes and none no.
Article 5. To see what action the Town will take with reference to the term of office of the Park Commissioners. (Park Commissioners.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that here- after the Town shall elect its Park Commissioners by the following method, namely :
At the annual town meeting in March, 1918, the Town shall elect one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of 2 years, and one member for a term of 3 years, and that at each annual meeting thereafter it shall elect one Park Commissioner for the term of 3 years.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to give full authority to the Board of Assessors in regard to the number- ing of houses, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Board of Selectmen.)
On motion of Edgar O. Dewey, it was voted that the Town give full authority to the Board of Assessors in regard to the numbering of houses.
60
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of two hundred dollars from the Excess and Deficiency Account toward the repairs of Reading Highlands Bridge, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Board of Selectmen.)
Article 7. Moved that the sum of $200 be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account toward the repairs of the Reading Highlands Bridge.
Voted to adjourn sine die.
A true record. Attest :
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
TOWN ELECTION
READING, Nov. 6, 1917.
Pursuant to the foregoing town warrant and the Con- stable's return, a town meeting was held and called to order by the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Edgar O. Dewey. Prayer was offered by Rev. Frank M. Holt. The ballots and check lists were delivered to the presiding offi- cer; the ballot box was examined, declared empty and the following ballot clerks were duly sworn by the Town Clerk : Chester C. Richardson, Timothy G. Green, Bartholomew J. Lehan, George M. Hutchinson and Samuel Rounds.
The following were duly sworn as tellers : Lemuel W. Allen, Stanley R. Stembridge, James A. Freeman, Percy L. Horrocks, Frank P. Doucette, Bernard T. Granfield, Bernard W. Conefy, Richard N. B. Wilson.
The polls were duly declared open after reading the warrant, with the following result, and were duly closed at four o'clock p. M.
GOVERNOR
James Hayes, Plymouth 4
Chester R. Lawrence, Boston
11
Frederick W. Mansfield, Boston
174
Samuel W. McCall, Winchester
885
61
John McCarthy, Abington
10
Blanks
13
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Calvin Coolidge, Northampton
863
Matthew Hale, Boston
178
Sylvester J. McBride, Watertown
12
Fred E. Oelcher, Peabody
4
Blanks
40
SECRETARY
Herbert S. Brown, Greenfield
37
Albert P. Langtry, Springfield
841
Ingvar Paulsen, Boston
4
Arthur B. Reed, Abington
158
Marion E. Sproule, Lowell
16
Blanks
41
TREASURER
Charles L. Burrill, Boston
870
Solon Lovett, Beverly
13
Joseph A. Murphy, Lowell
12
Humphrey O'Sullivan, Lowell .
150
Mary E. Peterson, Somerville
.7
Blanks
45
AUDITOR
Elzear H. Choquette, New Bedford
157
Alonzo B. Cook, Boston
841
David Craig, Milford
3
Walter S. Peck, Stockbridge
11
Henry G. Smith, Jr., Somerville
19
Blanks
66
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Henry C. Attwill, Lynn
852
Frank Aughter, Belmont .
13
William R. Henry, Lynn .
11
Thomas J. Maher, Medford Josiah Quincy, Boston
2
172
Blanks
47
62
COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
James G. Harris, Medford
898
Blanks 199
SENATOR, SEVENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Edward B. Eames, Reading
956
Blanks
141
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT, EIGHTEENTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT
Fred J. Brown, Woburn 657
Charles C. Clarke, Woburn 185
George L. Flint, Reading 379
Ira B. Forbes, Stoneham . 51
Arthur N. Newhall, Stoneham
678
·Blanks
244
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Walter O. Wardell, Cambridge
798
Blanks
299
Shall the following Article of Amendment relative to the taking and distribution by the Commonwealth and its municipalities of the common necessaries of life, submitted by the Constitutional Convention, be approved and ratified? Yes, 844; no, 69: blanks, 184.
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT
The maintenance and distribution at reasonable rates, during time of war, public exigency, emergency or distress, of a sufficient supply of food and other common necessaries of life and the providing of shelter, are public functions, and the commonwealth and the cities and towns therein may take and may provide the same for their inhabitants in such manner as the general court shall determine.
In place of Article 18 of the Articles of Amendment of the Constitution, shall the following Article of Amendment relative to appropriations for educational and benevolent purposes, submitted by the Constitutional Convention, be approved and ratified? Yes, 802; 10, 159; blanks, 136.
63
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT
ARTICLE XVIII. Section 1. No law shall be passed pro- hibiting the free exercise of religion.
Section 2. All moneys raised by taxation in the towns and cities for the support of public schools, and all moneys which may be appropriated by the commonwealth for the support of common schools shall be applied to, and expended in, no other schools than those which are conducted accord- ing to law, under the order and superintendence of the authorities of the town or city in which the money is ex- pended; and no grant, appropriation or use of public money or property or loan of public credit shall be made or au- thorized by the commonwealth or any political division there- of for the purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any school or institution of learning, whether under public con- trol or otherwise, wherein any denominational doctrine is inculcated, or any other school, or any college, infirmary, hospital, institution, or educational, charitable or religious undertaking which is not publicly owned and under the ex- clusive control, order and superintendence of public officers or public agents authorized by the commonwealth or federal authority, or both, except that appropriations may be made for the maintenance and support of the Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts and for free public libraries in any city or town, and to carry out legal obligations, if any, already entered into; and no such grant, appropriation or use of public money or property or loan of public credit shall be made or authorized for the purpose of founding, maintain- ing or aiding any church, religious denomination or society.
Section 3. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the commonwealth, or any political division thereof, from paying to privately controlled hospitals, in- firmaries, or institutions for the deaf, dumb or blind not more than the ordinary and reasonable compensation for care or support actually rendered or furnished by such hos- pitals, infirmaries or institutions to such persons as may be in whole or in part unable to support or care for themselves.
Section 4. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to deprive any inmate of a publicly controlled reformatory, penal or charitable institution of the opportunity of relig- ious exercises therein of his own faith; but no inmate of such institution shall be compelled to attend religious ser- vices or receive religious instruction against his will or, if a minor, without the consent of his parent or guardian.
64
Section 5. This amendment shall not take effect until the October first next succeeding its ratification and adop- tion by the people.
Shall the following Article of Amendment relative to absentee voting, submitted by the Constitutional Conven- tion, be approved and ratified? Yes, 782; no, 127; blanks, 188.
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT
The General Court shall have power to provide by law for voting by qualified voters of the commonwealth who, at the time of an election. are absent from the city or town of which they are inhabitants in the choice of any officer to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election.
The votes were counted and the result declared in open town meeting, and the votes sealed and delivered to the Town Clerk, whereupon the meeting adjourned.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
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- trict number eighteen within said County, met at the City Hall, Woburn, at noon on Friday, November 16th, A. D. 1917, being the tenth day succeeding the day of the State Election held on Tuesday. November 6th, A. D. 1917, 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 Arthur N. Newhall of Stoneham were elected to the office of Representative.
The following is a schedule of the names of all persons for whom votes for Representative were given in said Dis- trict and the number of votes given for each person, viz. : Fred J. Brown of Woburn 2202
Charles C. Clarke of Woburn 1659
65
George L. Flint of Reading 1465
Ira B. Forbes of Stoneham 473
Arthur N. Newhall of Stoneham
2295
In witness whereof, we, the City Clerk of Woburn and the Town Clerks of Reading and Stoneham, hereunto set our hands this sixteenth day of November, A. D. 1917.
J. FRED MALONEY, City Clerk, Woburn
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk, Reading GEORGE N. GREEN, Town Clerk, Stoneham.
Clerk's Office, Woburn, November 16, 1917.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
SECURITY HALL, READING, MASS., Nov. 19, 1917.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a town meeting was held at the time therein mentioned and was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton. The warrant was partly read when it was voted to dispense with further reading of the warrant except the Constable's return. The Constable's return was read.
Article 1. To determine what instructions be given the Town officers.
Charles A. Stinchfield moved, and it was so voted, that the Moderator be instructed to appoint a committee of three to investigate and report not later than the annual town meeting of the advisability of consolidating some of the Departments of the Town.
William S. Dennision moved, and it was so voted, that it is the sense of this meeting that all Departments prop- erly prepare all articles pertaining to their department when money is needed, notifying the Treasurer that certain sums of money will be required at certain times.
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