USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1918 > Part 5
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Respectfully submitted,
JESSE W. MORTON, Town Counsel.
62
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Department for year ending December 31, 1918 :
Total number of arrests
138
Males
132
Females
6
Residents
55
Non-residents
83
American born
95
Foreign born
43
Adults
114
Minors .
34
CAUSES OF ARRESTS
Drunks ..
42
Larceny .
4
Non-support
4
Gaming .
2
Delinquent children
14
Insane
6
Assaults .
8
Violating auto laws
26
Escaped from institutions
4
Disturbing peace
5
Violating Town by-laws
5
Bastardy
1
Driving under influence of liquor
3
Adultery
2
Evading car fare
1
False fire alarm
2
Deserter
2
63
Breaking and entering
2
Violating food laws
4
Total
138
DISPOSITION OF CASES IN COURT
Fined 39
Released
21
Turned over to out of town officers
8
House of Correction
7
On file
16
Cases continued
3
Insane Hospital, Danvers
6
House of Correction, suspended
8
Turned over to parents .
11
Women's Reformatory
1
Discharged
11
State Farm
2
State Hospital, Tewksbury
1
Lyman School
2
Appealed
5
Total
138
MISCELLANEOUS
Children lost and taken home
10
Cases investigated
93
Dead bodies taken care of
2
Buildings found open and secured
60
Windows found unlocked
14
Dogs killed
20
Fire alarm boxes found open
2
Wires found down by officers
2
Accidents reported and investigated
46
Disturbances quelled
5
Lanterns in dangerous places
5
Defective sidewalks reported by officers
2
Residences temporarily vacated and special police protection requested 20
Search warrants served .
.
2
64
Amount of property reported stolen
$950 00
Amount of property recovered 350 00
Amount of fines imposed
396 00
Amount of fines awarded State
245 00
Amount of fines collected
146 00
Amount of fines due
15 00
Amount of property recovered for out of town officers
. $4,045 00
LIST OF PROPERTY IN CUSTODY OF CHIEF OF POLICE
Two roll top desks
$20 00
One table
5 00
Two chairs
3 00
Four special police badges
2 00
Thirty-four regular police badges
34 00
Eleven police belts
18 00
Six pairs handcuffs
20 00
Four Colt automatic revolvers
52 00
Two stop watches
14 00
Four steel lockers
60 00
One bulletin board
6 00
Four grey helmets
10 00
Four blue helmets .
10 00
Thirteen blue caps.
32 00
One shot gun .
10 00
Nine street traffic signs
47 00
Five holsters .
6 00
One motor cycle
260 00
Two Colt revolvers
18 00
Four pairs twisters
7 00
Thirty-two billies
38 00
One dark lantern
1 50
One watchman's clock
5 00
One wooden locker
10 00
Six rubber stamps
70
Total
$695 20
65
ROSTER
CHIEF Jeremiah Cullinane
PATROLMEN
George O. Stock Oscar H. Lowe William F. O'Brien
SPECIAL OFFICERS
Martin O. Welch
Morton Skidmore
William Pierpont
Timothy J. Cullinane
William H. Manning
David J. Whelton
James W. Sias
William O. Oram
Clement Gleason
William Killam
Frank F. Strout
William Swain
James O. Nichols
Jesse W. Hutchinson
Martin O. Welch has been appointed to fill Officer O'Brien's place who has been called to service of the United States.
CONCLUSION
I desire at this time to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the judges of our district court, our local press and all others who assisted in any way in promoting the welfare of this department; also all members of the force for what they have done.
Respectfully yours, JEREMIAH CULLINANE, Chief of Police.
Reading, January 1, 1919.
66
ASSESSORS' REPORT, 1918
Valuation of real estate :
Buildings, excluding land
. $4,676,650 00
Land, excluding buildings
2,472,880 00
Total real estate $7,149,530 00
Personal estate, excluding resident bank stock 907,794 00
Resident bank stock 25,110 00
Total personal estate $932,904 00
Total real and personal estate assessed April
1,1918
$8,082,434 00
Building increase over 1917
288,325 00
Land increase over 1917 32,780 00
Personal gain .
50,283 00
Total gain on personal and real estate
$371,388 00
Tax on real estate
$178,739 83
Tax on personal estate
23,324 48
Tax on polls
3,920 00
Tax on real estate for moth work
2,046 00
Total tax assessed April 1, 1918 $205,984 31
Personal estate assessed Dec. 19, 1918
$350 00
Real estate assessed Dec. 19, 1918 200 00
Total additional $550 00
Tax assessed as supplementary on real estate Dec. 31, 1918
$13 75
Street Railway Excise Tax on 11.845 miles 3,045 67
Total personal estate assessed 1918 933,254 00
Total real estate assessed 1918
7,149,730 00
Total real and personal estate assessed in year 1918 . $8,082,984 00
67
State Highway tax, 1918 .
$5,295 81
General State tax, 1918
18,150 00
Metropolitan Fire District, 1918
83 40
Metropolitan Sewer entrance fee
7,000 00
Metropolitan Sinking Fund
5,217 70
County tax
8,994 74
Total State and County tax
$44,741 65
Total, 1917
42,523 30
Excess over 1917
$2,218 35
Balance used for Town purposes
$161,242 66
Rate of taxation, 1918, $25 per $1,000
Number of persons assessed on property
April 1, 1918 2,336
Number assessed on poll tax only
972
Additional assessed in December
1
Total assessed on property, 1918
2337
Total assessed on polls, 1918
972
Total number of separate assessments
3309
Polls assessed in 1917
2167
Polls assessed in 1918
1960
Decrease in polls
207
Number of horses
203
Number of cows
266
Number of sheep
17
Number of neat cattle
58
Number swine
99
Number of fowls
10,885
Number of dwellings
1858
Number of new buildings
8
Number of acres of land .
5751
Population in 1915
6805
68
ASSESSORS' REPORT ON THE SURVEY OF LAND UNDER THE BLOCK SYSTEM
We have now completed 55 plans which contain 2513 separate lots. During the year we have added two plans, with a total of 105 lots.
The financial account is as follows : A
Balance from 1917 account $76 40
Appropriation for 1918 . 250 00
Total
$326 40
Paid Clarence E. Carter on plan work . 119 57
Balance unexpended $206 83
We recommend that this balance be carried forward for use in keeping plans up to date and indexing. If this is done, we will not ask for any further appropriation the present year.
MILLARD F. CHARLES
GEORGE E. HORROCKS ARDINE M. ALLEN
Board of Assessors.
69
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
GENTLEMEN -I respectfully submit herewith my report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1918 :
INTERIOR WIRING FOR LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER
Number of new buildings wired 15
Number of old buildings wired 38
Number of buildings which have been re-wired or in which additional wiring has been installed 40 Number of inspection notices received from electrical con- tractors and others 68
Number of inspections made 109
The general curtailment in new building, together with the high cost of material and labor, has materially reduced the amount of inside wiring in our town during the past year.
The revised issue of the National Electrical Code is now available and contains many changes in the rules for inte- rior wiring.
OVERHEAD WIRES IN THE PUBLIC STREETS
There have been some minor improvements made dur- ing the past year, in the pole and wire conditions in our streets, but most of the work done was necessary to com- plete repairs previously authorized, or to remedy such con- ditions as were considered unsafe, the general shortage of funds for re-construction and renewal purposes making it necessary to defer any extensive line improvements.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR G. SIAS, Inspector of Wires.
Reading, Mass., Jan. 3, 1919.
70
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To MEMBERS OF BOARD OF HEALTH OF TOWN OF READING :
GENTLEMEN -I herewith present my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1918 :
On the above date there were in this town twelve stores and thirteen dealers licensed to sell milk; also eleven dealers were licensed to sell oleomargarine.
Sixty-seven samples of milk and six samples of cream were collected and analyzed for their total solid and fat con- tents. Three samples were believed to have been adulter- ated and the dealers were warned.
The methods of producing and handling the Town's milk supply were carefully watched and suggestions for improvements in some cases were offered, but owing to the scarcity and increased cost of labor it was found impossible to accomplish a great deal in most cases. However, with the improvement of the labor situation in the near future, I am in hopes to be able to report a general clean-up in the Spring.
The total receipts of the department for the year were $18.00.
CARL M. SMITH, Inspector of Milk.
71
REPORT OF. SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF READING :
GENTLEMEN - I herewith present my annual report for the year 1918 :
In addition to the regular year's work of sealing and adjusting all scales, weights and measures, a great amount of time and attention was given to the weighing of the more common household commodities, namely, flour, bread, meats and provisions, fruits and vegetables. Also considerable coal, coke and charcoal were weighed.
I am glad to report that the cases of short weight found were few and were generally traced to mistakes and careless- ness on the part of employees.
The total amount collected for the sealing and adjust- ment of all scales, weights and measures was $54.89, which is a considerable increase over previous years.
CARL M. SMITH, Sealer.
The following is a list of all scales, weights and meas- ures either adjusted, sealed or condemned :
SCALES :
Adjusted
Sealed
Condemned
Platform, over 5,000 lbs.
1
Platform, under 5,000 lbs.
31
49
Counter
18
46
1
Beam
2
2
Spring
2
26
6
Computing
9
24
Personal weighing
3
Prescription scales
1
3
.
.
72
WEIGHTS :
Adjusted
Sealed 329
Condemned 12
Apothecary
83
Metric
26
CAPACITY MEASURE :
Dry Measures
14
Liquid Measures
54
Oil and Gasoline Pumps
3
16
LINEAR MEASURES :
Yard Sticks
12
Totals
81
688
19
TRIAL WEIGHINGS AND MEASUREMENTS
Incorrect
Number Tested Correct
Under
Over
Coke and charcoal
11
7
3
1
Coal in transit
5
2
3
Coal, in paper bags
6
4
2
Ice
10
2
2
6
Grain and feed
16
9
2
5
Flour
23
13
1
9
Butter
12
8
4
Dry commodities
23
22
1
Fruits and vegetables
35
12
15
8
Meats and provisions
8
6
2
Bread
27
7
8
12
Gasoline and oil
13
9
1
3
Lard and pork
3
1
2
Oleomargarine
2
2
Manure
3
'3
Totals
197
102
34
61
REWEIGHING COALS IN TRANSIT
No. lbs. in load as per certificate
No. lbs. in load as shown by weighing
No. of pounds over
600
615
15
1000
1005
5
1000
1000
2000
2005
5
1500
1500
2000
2010
10
.
.
CARL M. SMITH, Sealer Weights and Measures.
-
Avoirdupois
15
73
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMISSION
READING, January 10, 1919.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
GENTLEMEN-I herewith submit the report of the Play- ground Commission for the year ending December 31, 1918.
The Playground Commission appointed by you met and organized on June 1, 1918. L. Ellenwood was elected Chair- man, Charles H. Stinchfield, Secretary. Harold F. Parker, Arthur S. Cook and Carl B. Sawyer constituted the other members of the Commission.
The Commission inspected the bleachers and seats and reported to the Selectmen the unsafe condition of the bleachers, and that in the opinion of Town Counsel Morton the Town would be liable should an accident occur. The members urged that some action be taken to make them safe, or dispense with them entirely. By direction of the Board of Selectmen, the Inspector of Buildings inspected the bleachers and reported to your Board the unsafe condi- tion of the same and the probable cost of putting them in condition, but as no funds were available for that purpose and the Commission having no funds at their disposal, your Board ordered them torn down and taken away, which was done.
Dates for ball games, satisfactory to the management of the Federal A. A. O., Martin Halloran, manager; also to the Mill Streams A. A. O., Edward Gadbois, manager, 4 Maple Street, were assigned.
It was voted by the Commission to issue no permit to any circus or like amusement, as the grounds were for the use of our home and visiting A. A. O.'s; also our company of State Guard. Complaint was made to the Chairman that a number of cows were being pastured on the grounds, consti-
74
tuting a nuisance, and the Chairman arranged with A. Michelini to pasture one cow, as he heretofore had done, for the sum of $5 for the season, which was paid to the Chair- man, with the understanding that he should be responsible for the condition of the grounds and must see to it that no other cows or horses be permitted to graze on the Playground.
The Commission would recommend that steps be taken to prevent the use of the grounds as a dump, either by pri- vate parties, or by other departments, and a sufficient sum be raised to clear the grounds of debris and trim the brush from the west side of the grounds and remove the remains of the bleachers so that the grounds may take on the appearance that befits the property in charge of our Town.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS ELLENWOOD, Chairman Playground Commission.
75
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
I herewith submit to you a general summary of the work of the Highway Department for the year 1918.
In the early spring, as soon as the frost was out of the ground, considerable attention was given to dragging and reshaping of gravel and earth roads. This method is very satisfactory for summer traffic but should be done more often than we are able to with the money available. In the fall and early spring the earth roads are in general very muddy. All gutters were cleaned in the spring. This is a large expense in the maintenance account, approximately $2,500, and should be done in the fall as well as in the spring, but our appropriation never would allow us to do it but once a year. Owing to government restrictions on road construction the past season we have given more attention to the cleaning of catch basins, ditches, repairs of culverts, general road repairs and sidewalk work than has been done in the past few years.
Owing to the labor situation and government restric- tions the stone crusher was not operated this year. There- fore, we bought crushed stone from the Winchester Rock Co. to surface 2100 sq. yds. of road surface on Lowell Street, near the new Office Building. Tarvia X was used for a binder. Now that the war is over the outlook for street improvement is better than it has been for some time past. We had an appropriation of $500 for surface drainage on West Street and $500 for improvements on Prospect Street, but owing to labor conditions we did not feel justi- fied in doing these two jobs. The $500 will be enough for West Street, but I would ask that more money be added to Prospect Street so that a permanent job can be done. Five
76
.
hundred dollars was laid out on Hanscom Avenue as per vote of last town meeting and another small appropriation will put it in very good condition.
SIDEWALKS
We have raised the sidewalk on Lowell Street, between Hanscom Avenue and Winthrop Avenue, about one foot and built a guard rail for the same distance. We have surfaced the sidewalk on Grove Street, from Lowell Street to Forest Street, with gravel, and have also built a new sidewalk of gravel on Charles Street for a distance of 1400 feet. Six hundred fifty sq. yds. of concrete were laid on High Street, from Vine Street to B. & M. station.
DUST LAYING
We were fortunate to get two tank cars of light oil and one car of asphalt oil before the government stopped the transportation of tank cars, and with the use of the water cart we got through the season very well. Our water cart has been in use for the past 15 years and is about beyond repair.
SNOW AND ICE
This account is considerable larger than usual, due mostly to the icy conditions of the sidewalks last winter, for which we used a very large amount of sand. We have purchased from E. O. Hanscom his sand pit off West Street, which contains sand enough to last the Town for a number of years ..
RECOMMENDATIONS
Unless the Town sees fit to make an appropriation for construction work, recommendations will not help out the street situation any, but there are some streets which should be repaired this coming season. Bay State Road, which is the main street to Camp Plunkett, is in very bad condition in the fall and spring. Last spring it was so bad that we had to close it up until the frost got out. It should be rebuilt with a hard surface which would cost approximately $6,000. South Street is bad the whole length of it and should be surfaced with good gravel. Woburn Street, from
·
77
the Square to the B. & M. crossing, should have a stone top put on it. Salem Street is an old water bound macadam road, and should be resurfaced before long, but if the worst sections are done the coming season it will carry it by for some time. The Square and part of Haven Street should be repaired soon. Summer Avenue is another street which should have attention in the near future. I could make many recommendations for street improvements but it would be useless without the money to do the work. When the Town makes a large enough appropriation, a plan of construction should be laid out which will benefit the Town as a whole. I would suggest that storage and shed room be provided for the Street De- partment. At present we have no place to house our equip- ment. Once more I would suggest that this department be supplied with a heating kettle and a scarifier. Our Ford Truck is costing so much for repairs I would recommend it be turned in towards a new one. For the past three years this department has set up a large Christmas tree on the Common and I would offer the suggestion that the Park Commission take steps to planting a permanent one there.
CONCLUSION
I take this time to thank your Honorable Board and all those who have been helpful in any way to this department. I would also refer you to the Town Accountant's report for financial details.
Respectfully submitted,
E. H. CROWE, Superintendent.
78
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
TO THE CITIZENS OF READING :
Your Board of Sewer Commissioners submit the follow- ing report for the fiscal year of 1918.
The work on Section One has been nearly completed with a few exceptions, such as restoring the fields-surface over private lands, replacing fences, and replacing defective work, the amount of which can only be determined when the water is pumped out of the pipe and a close inspection made. The importance of this is shown by the fact that the contractor has already been required to replace a num- ber of crushed pipes in Brook Street.
In the early part of the year there were a number of cave-ins in the trench in Brook Street which were repaired at the expense of the contractor.
The Board has met land owners and contractors on Sec- tion One in attempting to arrive at a settlement of damages to fields outside of the 20-foot right-of-way taking made by the Town, and certain understandings have been reached.
There has been but little work of maintenance on the accepted Section Two, such as replacing manhole covers broken by the Bay State Street Railway and providing a temporary outlet drain for water accumulating in the pipes and coming to the surface at the low manhole in Eaton Street.
The permanent underdrains in Section Two have run continuously and show their effectiveness in draining low places where water has accumulated in the past.
The Metropolitan Water and Sewer Board in July com- menced the work of constructing the outlet for our system through the town of Stoneham which has progressed rather
79
slowly owing to prevailing conditions. A bill has been in- troduced in this year's Legislature by the Metropolitan Board asking for an appropriation of $415,000 to complete this connection.
While the more important part of our system is com- pleted there is yet important extensions to install and the matter of assessments to be determined which the Board has been gathering data on in order to arrive at a just and equitable method of assessment.
Owing to the lack of a maintenance force the Board has been forced to call on our Supt. of Streets, Mr. Edward H. Orowe, for minor repairs to trench surfaces, etc., who has always promptly responded.
The financial statement for the year's appropriation follows :
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURES
Amount appropriated for salaries $225 00
Amount appropriated for general
office expenses
250 00
$475 00
EXPENDED
Salaries .
$225 00
Lyceum Hall, rent of office
65 00
Page & Baker, plan table
28 00
W. E. & J. F. Twombly, printing
11 75
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co., phone
31 14
Misc. expense, postage and express 6 86
R. F. McGregor, framing plan .
2 50
E. C. Hanscom, moving
2 50
P. O. Box, rent .
3 00
$375 75
Unexpended balance .
99 25
$475 00 $475 00
80
Unexpended balance of Bond issue
$18,056 83 1917
EXPENDED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Susi & Williams
$731 16
Recording leases
1 05
P. N. Sweetser, sewer pipe and
teaming
2,900 52
Am. Ex. Co., express .
48
Susi & Williams
3,063 48
Edward and Elizabeth Rugg, right of way 500 00
Bruno & Pettiti .
4,224 56
Susi & Williams
1,466 41
O. W. Dolloff, paving in Haven St.
132 80
F. A. Barbour, engineering, etc.
1,321 08
Granger Carroll, teaming
2 35
Bruno & Pettiti (temporary drain) .
7 59
Susi & Williams, relocating manhole
tops for change of Bay State St. Ry. tracks
30 48
$14,381 96
Credit Highway Dept., repairs Haven Street
36 87
$14,345 09
Unexpended balance . 3,711 74
$18,056 83
$18,056 83
JOHN W. OWEN, C. E., Chairman CHARLES R. HERRICK, O. E., Secretary
EDWARD J. DAHILL, O. E.
Sewer Commissioners.
NEW TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, 1918
81
REPORT OF TOWN OFFICE BUILDING COMMITTEE
TO THE CITIZENS OF READING :
The Special Committee on Town Office Building here- with submit a report of progress.
The work of constructing and furnishing the new Town Office Building, and of grading and laying the approaches to it, and to the new Library Building, are practically com- pleted. The several Town Departments and officers for whose use the building was planned have been occupying their quarters for several months.
The appended summary of accounts shows an unex- pended balance of $157.82. There are on hand about 2000 paving bricks. It is the intention of the Committee to use the larger part of the balance on hand in laying brick walks, or stepping stones where required, about the Library.
Portions of the lawn about the buildings did not come up satisfactorily. Some expense was incurred in the fall to remedy this, but it will require another season's growth before it can be determined if there will be improvement, or if the larger part of it must be dug up and re-seeded.
We would recommend that the custom be established at this time of referring to the new building as the "Munici- pal Building," and also, that action be taken to place its care and custody definitely in the hands of the Board of Selectmen.
As we are completing the work assigned to us, the Committee wish to express their appreciation of the unfail- ing zeal and interest shown by the architects, Messrs. Adden & Parker and George H. Sidebottom, in the development of the plans and the prosecution of the work. The care with which the plans and specifications were drawn is shown by the absence of extras in the general contract.
82
We also gladly testify to our very satisfactory relations with the general contractors, James Miles & Sons Company, of Worcester. They have fulfilled the requirements of their contract to the letter, have accepted our interpreta- tion of disputed points without hesitation, and have fur- nished a high quality of workmanship and management throughout. It has been a pleasure to do business with them.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES P. CARLETON, Chairman
EDGAR O. DEWEY
GILMAN L. PARKER
JOHN F. TURNER
CARL M. SPENCER, Secretary
Town Office Building Committee.
SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS APPROPRIATIONS
1917, Building
$40,000 00
1917, Grading
2,640 00
1918, Grading and furnishing
7,000 00
Balance of appropriation for plans
169 45
Total appropriations .
$49,809 45
· BILLS AUDITED AND PASSED FOR PAYMENT CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING
General contract
$34,209 68
Heating
2,161 51
Vault doors
750 00
Railings
180 00
Screens
166 00
Weather vane
64 00
Gas installation
59 30
Water service
34 85
Telephone installation
15 02
Insurance
36 40
Architect's commission
2,251 87
$39,928 63
83
GRADING AND WALKS
Labor, masons, teams, etc.
$3,105 08
Brick .
250 12
Stone steps and caps .
198 50
Cement, lawn seed, etc.
147 13
Wire, pipe, etc.
18 81
Planting
9 56
Insurance
87 73
Architect's and Engineer's services
96 47
$3,913 40
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS
Cabinet work
$2,538 50
Painting
255 00
Hardware
222 83
Grilles
297 50
Furniture
1,145 95
Vault shelving
.
204 80
Money chest, Treasurer
130 25
Shades
100 17
Electric fixtures
345 00
Directory and lettering
71 42
Mats
67 51
Ash barrels
40 00
Advertising
3 00
Secretary's expenses and sundries
8 85
Architect's commission ,
378 82
$5,809 60
RECAPITULATION
Arpropriations
$49,809 45
Expenditures :
Construction
. $39,928 63
Grading and walks
3,913 40
Furniture and furnishings . · 5,809 60
49,651 63
Unexpended balance
$157 82
·
84
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD, 1918
The Planning Board respectfully submits to the Town its third annual report covering the year ending December 31, 1918.
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