USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1917 > Part 6
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Nurse
Operator
Reading
None
Attleboro
Cabinet Maker
Reading
Housework
Reading
Construction Supt
Reading
Teacher
Groveton, N. H.
Salesman At Home
Reading Melrose Woburn
Aug .. 23 John Reginald Giles .34
Bertha Anges Peppard .
29
Driver
Malden
At Home
Malden North Reading
Aug. 25
Albert Pendleton Hunt 22
Ruth R. Macleod . 24
Aug. 27 Francis Johnson 28
Sylvia Clarice Lang.
21
Aug. 30
Francis Arthur Nickerson 20
Margery Helena Gray 20
Accountant
At Home
Engineer
At Home
Trainman
None
Engineer
Telephone Operator. Reading
Pharmacist. Reading
At Home Reading Onset
Confectionery
Teacher
Reading
Florist
Reading
Bookkeeper
Woburn
Helper
Reading
Neckties
Reading
Hotel Keeper.
Truro
Milliner
Reading
New Haven, Conn.
At Home
Reading
Carpenter
Reading
None
Reading
Reading
At Home .
Reading
Laborer
Nurse
Reading Oak Bluff
Stoneham Reading
Bookkeeper Comtometer Operator. Master Steam Fitter .. None
Reading Boston Reading
Clerk
At Home
North Reading
Real Estate
Pastor's Assistant ..
Roslindale
Ruth O. Remington .24
Margery E. Heald ..
.56
23
Police Officer
Soldier
Reading Reading Wakefield Wakefield
Lulu Clara Trenholm 21
Prudence K. McCurdy 29
Reading Malden Brockton
Manufacturer
Paper Box Maker
Oct. 13
Sophia Arnold. 60 Nov. 1 John B. Lewis. 76
Auto Mechanic
Reading
Teacher
76
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN TOWN OF READING FOR YEAR 1917
DATE NAME OF BRIDE AND GROOM AGE
OCCUPATION
RESIDENCE
Nov. 4 Thomas H. O'Brien. .38
Shoe Worker.
Reading
Shoe Worker.
Winchester
Nov. 11
William E. Florence .21
Mechanic.
Reading
Nov. 14
Royal Hathaway
.29
Lieut. U. S. N.
Melrose
Alice Evelyn Prentiss 27
At Home
Reading
Nov. 17 James Noble McPhee 24
Ida Marguerite Morrison 23
Stenographer
Wakefield
Nov. 18 Frank Sylvere Deon 27
Ida May D'Entremont .25
Housekeeper
Reading
Nov. 20 William James Foster
21
Market Gardener
Woburn
Gladys May Cail.
.20
Stitcher
Reading
Nov. 20 George Melonson
24
Conductor.
Reading
Carrie I. Legro ..
.15
None
Reading
Nov. 28 A. Reginald Stembridge 27
Elizabeth F. Smith. .26
Teacher
Reading
Machinist
Reading
Nov. 28 Warren Reed Kershaw .24
Insurance
Reading
Emily Amelia Norton .23
At Home.
Melrose
Nov. 28
Walter Peter White. 22
Mill Hand.
Wakefield
Mill Hand
Reading
Nov. 28 William Sullivan
Mary J. Halloran
25
Milliner
Reading
Nov. 29
Joseph P. Walsh .21
Soldier
Reading
Mary Aldworth 23
Housework
Woburn
Dec. 6
Walter Milo Connor .36
Farmer
Henniker, N. H.
Teacher
Reading
Expressman ·
Reading
Stitcher
Reading
Dec. 24
Charles Miller Batchelder .35
Conductor
Reading
Dec. 25
Alexander Smythe .38
Conductor
Reading
Dec. 25
Homer O. Hendrickson . .27
Minister.
Boston
W. Burlington, Ia.
Dec. 25
George Robbins 20
Laborer
Reading
Dec. 29
John Simon Muse .37
Fisherman
East Boston
Dec. 29
Henry Earle Gerard 24
Shoe Worker
Reading
Dec. 29
James A. Crane .49
Callendar Man
Reading
Isabelle Glover . .48
At Home.
Reading
Dec. 30 Richard Joseph Bowman .29
Conductor
Wakefield
Ellen Francis Cullinane .28
Clerk
Reading
Dec. 31
Harry Rankin MacLellan .26
Salesman
Malden
Bertha Dora Lee. .25
At Home.
Reading
Dec. 12
Manuel Joseph Bettencourt .22
Ella Sousa.
.18
Ida Blake 29
At Home.
Reading
Mete Katherine Hyldberg 20
Stenographer
Woburn
Grace I. Scholes 21
None
Alma Amirault. 23
Mill Hand .
Reading
Marguerite Muse. 33
Housework
Reading
Fannie Ann White. .23
Mill Hand.
Reading
Mary Elizabeth Robbins · 18
.27
Clerk
Woburn
Nov. 28 Francis Gallant. .36
Jessie Doucette
23
Mill Hand -
Reading
Bond Salesman
Reading
Clerk ·
Reading
Fisherman
Reading
Eva D. Boates .. .20
None .
Reading
Margaret Healey 35
Elsie Favor Eaton. .33
Whole number of marriages, 123. American born: Males 100, Females 93. Foreign born: Males 24, Females 29.
77
DEATHS REGISTERED IN TOWN OF READING FOR THE YEAR 1917
DATE
NAME
Y
M
D
CAUSE OF DEATH
Jan. 1
Edith M. Marshall.
33
7
11
Carcinoma
Jan.
5
Charles I. Freeman
:81
6
87.
Pneumonia
Jan. 5
John B. Doucette
1
6
0
Uraemia
Jan. 6
Francis Walsh
80
0
0
Myocarditis
Jan. 12
Joseph Stokes
65
9
0
Pneumonia
Jan. 16
Eleanor Keyes
75
10
12
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Jan. 17
Arzetta I. Stevens
67
9
29
Pneumonia
Jan. 21
Michael J. Devaney
35
0
0
Accidental Gas Poisoning
Jan. 23
Mary L. White
38
0
0
Double Chronic Salpingitis
Jan. 26
Charles H. Ballard
71
2
15
Bronchitis
Jan. 29
Sarah L. Hodgdon
50
11
10
Acute Dilation of Heart
Feb.
7
Walter Elmore Coney
67
11
26
Arterio Sclerosis
Feb. 11
Achsa L. Cheney Whittemore
70
1
14
Carcinoma
Feb. 13
John H. Rand .
75
7
19
Corrory Sclerosis
Feb. 14
George W. Cook
82
4
5
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Feb.
15
Williams .
-
1
Bronchitis
Feb. 18
Carrie Elizabeth Farnum
57
4
26
Carcinoma
Feb. 22
Zanni
Hermphillia
Feb. 26
Harriet N. Parker
90
0
28
Pneumonia
Mar.
1
Sarah A. Mckinley
65
8
6
Myocarditis
Mar.
2
Eliza J. Doyle
784
6
13
Myocarditis
Mar.
4
Lucy M. Beard
.86
0
17
Bronchitis
Mar.
5
Jane Green
75
0
0
Pneumonia
Mar. 6 Sylvia A. Foote.
65
5
22
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Mar.
7
Augusta Starke.
65
10
0
Pneumonia
Mar. 10
Clarence J. Nichols
59
9
8
Valvular Disease of Heart
Mar. 23
Carl G. Parker
42
2
26
Chronic Alcoholism
Mar. 29
Mary Gardner
36
0
0
Pulmonary Gangreen
Apr. 2
Susan I. Francis.
61
2
3
Carcinoma
Apr.
4
Hubbard E. Cox.
91
7
1
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Apr.
6
Cordelia A. Brown
83
9
4
Cancer
Apr. 17
Herman Seifert ...
76
9
4
Arterio Sclerosis
Apr. 18
Gertrude M. Hook
42
18
Bronchitis
Apr. 19
Cynthia A. Horton.
68
6
20
Angina Pectoris
Apr. 22
Augusta W. Olsen
70
5
23
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Apr. 23
Francene A. Morse.
45
11
27
Phthisis
Apr. 28
John Joseph Murphy .
71
10
7
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Apr. 28
Elmina B. Hall.
92
4
1
Cerebral Hemorrhage
May
1
Edith E. Arnold. .
45
9
0
Appendicitis
May
1
Mary S. Walls
78
2
10
Cerebral Hemorrhage Carcinoma
May
5
Ellen R. Parker
-87
1
25
May 5 John Stock
58
1
Ulcer
May 13
Nelson W. McIntire.
44
4
0
Valvular Disease of Heart
May
15
Benjamin Willard.
72
6
1
Angina Pectoris
May 30
Thomas J. Murray
54
9
0
Pneumonia
June 1
Winslow L. Morse
75
7
24
Arterio Sclerosis Cerebral Hemorrhage Diabetes
June 7
Hiram J. Hapgood
79
8
30
June 8
James E. LeFave.
12
9
3
Abscess
June 14
Albert P. Taber
0
9
9
Diphtheria
June 19
William C. Pratt
0
0
20
Convulsions
June 22
Harriet Cleverly
68
9
2
Apoplexy
June 26
Stephen Finnerty
51
6
0
Nephritis
June 28
L. Caroline Berry
77
8
0
Hanging
July 2
William H. LeFave
47
10
24
Anaemia
July
7
Florence F. Manning
50
11
20
Angina Pectoris
July 10
Hugh A. Newell
72
3
21
Nephritis
5
16
June 7
Samuel Brown
76
83
11
20
Pneumonia
June 16
Dorothea Arsenault.
June 27
Jan. 21
Feb.
7
4
10
78
DEATHS REGISTERED IN TOWN OF READING FOR THE YEAR 1917
DATE
NAME
Y
M
D
CAUSE OF DEATH
July 10
David Whelton
0
0
Myocarditis
July 17
May E Chase.
57
1
30
Carcinoma
July 18
Mary H. Robinson
67
1
18
Anemia
July 24
Aug. 3
Luella Frances Drake.
55
4
21
Heat Prostration
Aug.
8
Josephine A. Nichols .
73
0
18
Carcinoma
Aug. 23
Walter G. Whitmore .
14
9
0
Automobile Accident
Aug. 23
Agnes Smith
45
9
29
Convulsions
Aug. 25
George F. Tibbetts
67
4
4
Heart Disease
Sept. 10
Lillie H. Rollins.
56
1
8
Carcinoma
Sept. 11
Henry W. Peters.
0
0
2
Jaundice
Sept. 15
Emmons Buck
~85
8
27
Arterio Sclerosis
Sept. 17
Sept. 20
Sept. 24
Merrill Hutchinson
77
10
11
Carcinoma
Sept. 28
Patrick Devaney
64
3
4
Heart Failure
Sept. 29
Leslie Sussman
0
0
16
Erysipelas
Sept. 30
Irene T. Pippin ·
0
3
9
Pneumonia
Sept. 30
William H. Baker
77
9
5
Valvular Disease of Heart
Oct.
5
Daniel Canty.
67
0
0
Heart Disease
Oct.
7
George W. Frost
79
2
6
Arterio Sclerosis
Oct.
12
Edward Newhouse.
60
6
6
Tuberculosis
Oct. 15
Victor Wells Macfarlane
74
1
18
Pneumonia
Oct.
20
Julia LaClair Buck .
~82
1
2
Pneumonia
Oct.
24
Gertrude W. McNaught
48
8
1
Enteritis
Oct. 27
Cynthia A. Jones ..
68
0
19
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Nov.
1
Harry P. Bosson
60
8
5
Cerebral Embolism
Nov.
5
Lizzie A. Cook ..
64
8
10
Myocarditis
Nov. 17
Dec.
4
James E. Saunders
34
6
18
Acute Alcoholism
Dec.
5
Dec.
6
Dec.
10
Frank Gilchrist
71
0
0
Pneumonia
Dec.
10
Carroll W. Temple
23
0
16
Endocarditis
Dec.
15
Susan D. Melcher
79
9
1
Heart Disease
Dec.
15
Mary E. Stanley.
45
11
5
Anaemia
Dec. 18
Samuel G. Robinson
79
6
16
Heart Disease
Dec. 26
William F. Spinney
-89
9
18
Influenza
Dec. 26
Denis Fewer
76
10
25
Carbuncle
Whole number of deaths, 101. American born: Males, 42; Females, 40. Foreign born: Males, 14; Females, 5.
15 mm× 80
Sept. 14
Roll of Honor
Reading Men and Women -OF-
in Service in the
War with Germany
As complete as could be compiled at time of publication
*See Page 43
ROLL OF HONOR
Abbott, George W. Army
Ainsworth, Richard H.
Army
Allen, Gordon H.
Ambulance
Ambler, Martin H.
Navy
Andrews, Howard A.
Army
Barnes, George S.
Army
Barr, Robert J. .
Army
Barrett, Richard
Army
Batchelder, Harold W.
Army
Beacham, Herbert M. Army
Bennett, Austin F. Army
Benton, Albion N.
Army
Blethen, Henry S.
Army
Boardman, Harold H. Navy
Bosson, George Chapman
Navy
Brittain, William S. . Army
Brooks, George Clark Army
Brown, Clarence L. Army
Bryant, Forest H. Navy
Buck, Lawrence H.
Army
Buck, Robert L.
Army
Burke, John H.
Navy
Cail, Wilbur S. .
Army
Campbell, William F.
Army
Canty, Charles A.
Navy
Canty, Paul O. .
Army
Canty, Timothy A.
Army
Card, George N. Army
Carney, Bartholomew Army
Carr, Fred T.
Army
Castine, Simon A.
Army
Castine, William F.
Navy
81
82
Chapman, George D. Army
Charles, Warren F. ·
Army
Charlton, Charles W. Navy
Christensen, Otto W . Navy
Christensen, Rolf L. .
Army
Cobb, Richard E. Navy .
Connelly, Dr. William A.
.
Army
Coombs, Carl L.
Army
Cummings, Clarence C.
Army
Cummings, Paul .
Navy
Cummings, Timothy E.
Army
Ouriston, Charles R. .
Canadian
Ourrell, Harold B.
Army
Damon, Philip A.
Army
Dane, John Chandler
.
Navy
Dane, A. Kenneth
.
Army
Danforth, Harold E.
Army
Davis, Harold F.
Army
Davis, Louis
Army
Davis, Russell W.
Navy
DeMerritt, Robert E.
·
Army
Dennison, Robert A.
Aviation .
Desmond, Daniel J.
Navy
Dickey, Hazen G.
Navy
Dodge, Harry L.
Army
Doucette, Albert J.
.
Army
Doucette, Albert J., 2d
Navy
Doucette, Louis S.
Army
Downing, Willard C.
Navy
Dulong, Frank R.
Army
Dulong, William A.
Army
Eames, Forest B.
Navy
Eames, Harland D.
Navy
Eaton, Clarence S. Army
Ells, Alfred W . Army
Ells, Fred W. Army
Emerick, J. Paul
Ambulance .
Estes, Cyrus A. .
. Army
Esterberg, Herbert L.
. Army
.
.
.
.
.
.
83
Evans, J. Stanley Army
Farpellia, Joseph J.
Army
Flint, Russell W.
Army
Florence, Earl E. Navy
Forbes, Frank D.
Army
Fowler, George F.
Army
Freeman, Wallace E.
Navy
Frotten, Benjamin L.
Army
Frotten, John R.
Army
Gaffney, John E.
Army
Geary, James L. Army
Gerard, Stanley R.
Army
Gibbons, Lawrence
Canadian
Gleason, Clement T. .
Army
Glover, Perry A.
Aviation
Goodridge, Carl W.
Army
Granfield, John J.
Navy
Gray, Freeman M.
Medical
Gray, Robert A.
U. S. M. C.
Haines, Edward J.
Army
Hale, Albert F.
Army
Hall, William H.
Navy
Hartshorn, Chester G.
.
Army
Herbolzheimer, Harry W. Army .
Heselton, Arthur W. Army
Heselton, Leslie R.
Navy
Hildreth, Daniel U. Army
Hill, Charles A. Navy
Hill, Lester D. .
Army
Hill, Stanwood E.
Army
Hill, William H. Navy
Hobby, Harry R.
Army
Hodgdon, Carl A.
Army
Hook, Homer M.
Navy
Horton, Clyde K.
Navy
Howard, Charles P.
Army
Hudson, Albert L.
Navy
Hunt, E. Norman
.
Aviation
.
Hazlewood, Sumner .
.
Army
84
Hunter, Miss Alice G.
Red Cross
Hurd, Rev. Harry E.
Y. M. O. A.
Hutchinson, Earl R. .
Army
Hutchinson, Leroy C.
Army
Hutchinson, Lester B.
Aviation
Hynes, E. J.
Army
Johnson, Francis
Army
Judkins, Perley O.
Navy
Keaney, Harry M.
Medical
Keene, Edward B.
Navy
Kennard, Dimond
Army
Killam, Phineas S.
Navy
Lane, Melvin O.
Army
Leach, Ernest H.
Army
Lee, William H.
Hospital
LeFave, A. Albert
Army
LeFave, John H.
Navy
Livingstone, William Ralph
Army
Long, Henry
Navy
Long, P. J.
Army
Loring, John A.
Navy
Lowell, Arthur K.
Army
Lumsden, Blin W.
Army
Lumsden, R. Bruce
Army
MacDonald, Leon F.
Army
Marchetti, Frank E. .
Army
Maxwell, Albert C.
Army
Maxwell, James I.
Army
McDavitt, Alfred A. .
Army
McDavitt, Daniel G. .
Army
McKay, Raymond J. .
Army
McKenna, Robert Army
McKenney, Frank L. .
Army
McLeod, Herbert Army
McNeill, Hugh J. Army
Mellen, Ernest E. Army
Melonson, Fred P.
Army
Merrill, Ashley M.
Army
Meuse, Frederick A.
Navy
85
Meuse, Andrew
Army
Meuse, Melvin H.
Army
Meuse, Thomas E.
Army
Michelini, Arthur
Army
Morey, Ralph E. Army
Morse, Donald H.
Navy
Moses, George Raymond
Army
Murray, John, Jr.
Navy
Newhall, Howard D.
Hospital
Nichols, Chester L. Navy
Nowell, Foster
Army
Oliver, Arthur G.
Army
Olmsted, Robert S.
Army
Page, Edward Army
Painting, S. Paul
Army
Parker, Henry B.
Army
Parkins, William J.
Army
Parks, Harry F.
Navy
Parsons, Melvin L., Jr.
Hospital
Patrick, Herbert L.
Army
Pendergrace, Fred G.
Army
Perry, Gardner A.
Army
Perry, John A. .
Army
Peters, Joseph B.
Army
Pineault, H. P. .
Army
Pinkham, Carl W .
Army
Pippin, Ezra
Army
Poland, Foster O.
Navy
Porter, James W.
Army
Pratt, Lester K.
Army
Pratt, Lyman E.
Army
Putnam, Chester A.
Army
Quinlan, John J.
Army
Quinlan, Thomas E.
Navy
Ramsay, Donald Army
Reed, Harold H.
Navy
Regan, Arthur W.
Army
Rich, Charles H., Jr.
Navy
Rich, Guy E.
Army
86
Richardson, George . Army
Richardson, Gordon D.
Army
Richardson, Robert H.
Army
Riessle, Fred L.
Army
Riley. Harry Navy
Riley, James F.
Army
Riley, John J.
Navy
Riley, William A.
Army
Robertson, Herbert L.
·
Army
Robinson, Donald C. .
Navy
Robinson, Gerald . .
Navy
Rogers, Clarence O. .
Navy
Rogers, George .
Navy
Ruggles, Gould B.
Navy
Ruggles, Otis B.
Army
Saunders, Wendell M.
Navy
Sawyer, Harry L.
Navy
Seaman, Frank T.
Army
Sewell, Earl
Canadian
Shepardson, Robert B.
Navy
Shepardson, Roland R.
.
Army
Sherman, Erville B. .
.
Army
Simonds, Clyde M.
.
Army
Slack, William E.
Army
Smith, Albert J.
Navy
Smith, Guy L. .
Army
Smith, Loris J. .
Army
Smith, Wilfred B.
Navy
Spavin, Edward M.
Aviation
Staples, Malcolm L.
Navy
Steele, Amos A.
Army
Stembridge, Alfred R.
.
Army
Stembridge, Stanley R.
Navy
Stevens, Chesley G. .
.
U. S. M. O.
Stevens, Eugene L. .
Navy
Stevens, Miss Marion O.
Red Cross
Stratton, Charles P. Navy
Sullivan, Daniel L.
Navy
Sweetser, Walter I.
. Army
.
.
87
Symmes, Willard Army
Thomas, Clarence L. .
Army
Thomas, Percy E. Navy
Thorn, Jesse P. . Army
Townsend, Harland A.
Army
Treamer, Harold W.
Navy
Turner, J. Eric .
Army
Turner, Owen Frank .
Navy
Tuttle, A. Norman
Aviation
Underwood, William T. W.
Army
Wall, John T., Jr.
Navy
Wall, Thomas E.
Army
Walsh, Albert H.
Navy
Walsh, Joseph P.
Army
Watters, James O.
Navy
White, George A.
Army
White, Harold E.
Army
White, Harry A.
Army
White, Irving J.
Army
White, Melvin A.
Army
White, William A.
Army
Whittaker, Robert L.
Army
Whitney, Glen E.
Army
Whittier, Sumner C. . Army
Wilcox, Loring F. Army
Williams, George B. .
Army
Zanni, Julio
Navy
Zyzniewskie, Antoni
Army
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
TO THE CITIZENS OF READING :
We herewith submit our report for the year ended December 31, 1917.
Our colleague, Otis B. Ruggles, offered himself for ser- vice to his country when war was declared against Germany, and in June he was commissioned a Lieutenant in Company A. 14th United States Engineers and is now serving some- where in France.
We commend him for his patriotism and devotion to his country by assisting in winning this war for humanity and right, in order that the world may be made safe for democracy, and that our children and the generations to come may enjoy a lasting world's peace. It is our earnest hope that the war will soon be over and he will then be able to return to his home and enjoy the reward that awaits him for faithfully serving his country.
HIGHWAYS
W. O. H. Stevenson was reappointed Superintendent of Streets and resigned August 1st, and Edward H. Crowe was given charge of the Highway Department for the balance of the year.
West Street has been constructed from Woburn Street to within five hundred feet of the Woburn line. This work was done under the direction of the Massachusetts Highway Commission and one-third of the expense was borne by each the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex County and the Town. As soon as this street is completed to the Woburn line work should be started with the assistance of the State and County to construct it from Woburn Street toward the Wilmington line, and appropriations made each year until completed.
88
89
The following streets have been graded with gravel : Summer Avenue, from Woburn Street to Boyce Street; High Street, from Middlesex Avenue to Woodward Avenue; Vine Street, from Mineral Street to near High Street and Washington Street, from Main to Village Streets. This con- struction was made under special appropriations as voted by the Town, and considerable grading and repair work has been done on the streets in various parts of the Town under the general highway appropriation. The Square was graded with gravel and given a coat of tar. This was necessary on account of the muddy conditions which existed there in stormy weather, and a great improvement has been made. The northerly side of Lowell Street was macadamized from Highland Street to Salem Street. The tracks of the Bay State Street Railway on Main Street, from Haven Street to Washington Street, have been moved into the center of the street. It was so late in the season when the street rail- way was able to do this work that the Street Department were unable to complete the repairs to the highway that had been planned.
It has been very expensive work to put back in good condition the streets in which the sewers have been laid.
Early in the year the state boiler inspector condemned the boiler on the steam roller. No one in this section could be found who could put the roller in shape, therefore it was necessary to ship it to the factory in Springfield, Ohio. While there it was rebuilt by the manufacturers with new boiler and tank, and all worn out parts renewed. It is now as good as a new roller and should give service for a num- ber of years. The expense of rebuilding and transportation was about $2,000, which was taken from the general high- way appropriation.
The portable stone crushing plant and electric motor were purchased as voted by the town and a saving of $600 was made by leasing it in 1916, with the privilege of pur- chase, as the purchase price of the outfit increased that amount during the time it was held by the town under lease.
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Hanscom Avenue was laid out, from Lowell Street to Weston Road, as voted by the Town. It will be necessary in the future to make a small appropriation to put this street in first class shape.
A section of Grand Street was laid out as voted by the Town.
SIDEWALKS
New tar concrete sidewalks have been built on Woburn and Ash Streets, 1162 square yards being laid on the side- walks of these streets. Woburn Street now has a continuous tar concrete sidewalk on the northerly side, from the Square to Prospect Street, and on the southerly side, from the rail- road crossing to near Pratt Street. Ash Street has a con- tinuous tar concrete sidewalk from Woburn Street to Wash- ington Street. Three hundred twenty-seven square yards of top dressing has been laid on old tar sidewalks in various parts of the Town.
Sidewalks in various parts of the Town have been graded with gravel and pea stone under the general highway appropriation.
DRAINS
A storm drain has been constructed on Woburn Street, Summer Avenue and Prospect Street with ten catch basins. We find that while this system is ample to care for the amount of surface water on these streets the grates in catch basins are too small and should be changed this coming year.
A storm drain has been constructed on Lincoln Street, from Prescott Street to Washington Street, and we think this will relieve the condition at the corner of Lincoln and Prescott Streets, which for a number of years has existed after each storm.
A drain has been constructed on Temple Street to care for surface water there.
A drain has been constructed on Howard Street, near the residence of H. G. Evans, to care for the surface water at that point.
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We now have in the Town 112 catch basins and it is necessary that these are kept clean otherwise our streets would be flooded. This is an expense which is increasing each year and money expended for this purpose, while it is charged to maintenance, cannot be seen as a betterment to highways, yet it is necessary in keeping our highways in good condition as possible. Also, main ditches are cleaned out each year, which is necessary to care for the water enter- ing them from various Town drains. This is also charged to highway maintenance.
DUST LAYING .
Three thousand dollars was appropriated for oil and five hundred dollars for watering streets, all of which was expended on the highways. The price of road oil has increased so much the last two years that it has been impos- sible to cover the same area previously oiled under the appropriation and it was necessary to expend money from the general highway appropriation to oil some of the streets.
STREET SIGNS
Fifty new street signs and seven Town line signs have been purchased this year. Some of these have already been put up and the balance will be put up early in the spring.
LOWELL STREET BRIDGE
Early in the year Mr. Mayberry, counsel for Middlesex County, was taken suddenly ill and as soon as he recovered sufficiently to take up active duties he became very busy with work connected with the Boston & Maine R. R. receiv- ership. Town Counsel Morton had a conference with him to see if anything could be done to hurry the matter and was requested by Mr. Mayberry to examine certain papers. This he has attended to and we refer you to his report for further information.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Orville O. Ordway, William R. Zwicker and Edward B. Eames were reappointed Engineers of the Fire Department. This department has been handled in an efficient manner. Part of the surplus apparatus has been sold, as voted by the
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Town, and the money realized from the sale turned into the treasury.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief William E. Swain resigned January 20th, on account of his health, and Jeremiah Cullinane was appointed Chief. William F. O'Brien was appointed a regular police officer to fill the vacancy caused by the advancement of Chief Cullinane. In March, Jeremiah Cullinane was re- appointed Chief of Police and Oscar H. Low, George C. Stock and Wm. F. O'Brien were reappointed regular police officers. When war was declared with Germany the Special Police force was increased to forty men to be used for emergency to protect persons and property. This department has ren- dered efficient service and attended strictly to enforcing the laws and protecting persons and property. A motor- cycle was purchased for this department and it has been a valuable asset. Not only has it been used to regulate traffic over our highways but it has been useful in patrolling the various sections of the town when many houses were vacant in the summer season.
MOTH DEPARTMENT
Tree Warden Henry M. Donegan was reappointed Local Superintendent of the Moth Work and the work performed by his department has been satisfactory to our board.
BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
Inspector of Buildings Robert E. Parker resigned August 1st and George H. Sidebottom was appointed to fill the vacancy. We respectfully call your attention to his report covering the work of this department.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
March 30th we appointed the following committee on Public Safety : Capt. Frank E. Gray, chairman, Walter S. Parker, Leland W. Kingman, Archer R. Prentiss, Dr. Arthur A. Libby, John W. Cronin, Ernest E. Clapp.
They have added other members to the executive com- mittee and appointed a number of sub-committees. The
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members of these committees have given unsparingly of their time and deserve much credit for what they have accomplished ..
PARKER TAVERN
We have been unable to sell the Parker Tavern, as voted by the Town, without making a sacrifice and under present conditions feel that the time limit voted by the Town for disposing of the property should be extended.
FINANCES
There has been a net increase of the Town Debt for the fiscal year of $195,365 :
Notes and bonds paid in 1917
$37,525 00
Loans made in 1917 :
Sewer Construction Loan . $105,000 00
Municipal Light Equipment
55,000 00
Municipal Light Construction 6,500 00
Brown Estate Lot 7,750 00
Municipal Building
40,000 00
Water Loan
16,000 00
Grading Municipal Building
and Library Grounds 2,640 00
232,890 00
Net increase
$195,365 00
Town Debt Dec. 31, 1917
$538,590 00
Town Debt Dec. 31, 1916
343,225 00
$195,365 00
The amount necessary to raise by taxation for notes and bonds this year is $26,790, an increase of $4,565 over 1917 : Maturing in 1918
Less amounts to be paid :
$45,590 00
By Water Department $3,000 00
By Municipal Light Dept. 14,800 00
From available revenue, est'ed 1,000 00
18,800 00
Amount to be raised in 1918 .
$26,790 00
Amount raised in 1917
22,225 00
Increase
$4,565 00
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While the net increase of the Town Debt is $195,365, we will be required to raise for maturing indebtedness in 1918 only $26,790, an increase over 1917 of $4,565. This is made up as follows :
INCREASE 1918
DECREASE 1917
Water Loan
$1,000
Grouard House Site $975
Sewer Loan
1,000
Richardson Estate 50
Brown Lot
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