USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1920 > Part 2
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On motion of John W. Owen, it was voted that the sum of sixty thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of pay- ing 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 Board of 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, with ad- ditions thereto and amendments thereof, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than 30 years from the date of the first bond or note issued. Eighty-three voted "Yes" and none, "No".
Article 17. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $480.00 for the purchase of snow plows, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted to raise and ap- propriate the sum of four hundred eighty dollars for the purchase of snow plows ($480.00).
Article 18. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide $2,025.00 for the purpose of macadamizing Middle- sex Avenue from High Street to Vine Street, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Thos. S. Carter and others.)
On motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 19. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $1,900.00 to macadamize Hill Crest
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Road from Howard Street to Prescott Street and provide the neces- sary catch basins for drainage and sidewalks, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Herbert G. Evans, it was voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of nineteen hundred dollars to macadamize Hillcrest Road from Howard Street to Prescott Street and provide the neces- sary catch basins for drainage and sidewalks, said work to be done after sewers are put in ($1,900.00.)
Article 20. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $500.00 to complete repairs on John Street school building, now used for Highway Department, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted to raise and ap- propriate five hundred dollars to complete repairs on John Street School Building, now used by the Highway Department ($500.00.)
Article 11. On motion of George L. Flint, it was voted to re- consider action taken March 8th, 1920 on this article. Seventy-six voted "Yes" and sixty-two voted "No".
The following motion as offered by Frank E. Crafts was then voted :- It was voted that there be raised and appropriated for the purpose of additions and extensions to the Municipal light Plant during the year 1920, the sum of twenty thousand dollars in addition to the amount which may be available for such purposes in the De- preciation Fund, and that twenty thousand dollars of the amount so appropriated be expended for additions to the Municipal Lighting Generating station, and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is, authorized to borrow for the above purposes the sum of twenty thousand dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, which bonds or notes shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding five per cent per annum, and shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913 and any acts in amendment thereof, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of the first bond or note issued. Ninety-six voted "Yes"-Forty-six voted "No".
Article 21. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $2,000.00 for the purpose of building granolithic sidewalks on Lowell Street in front of Town Building, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen).
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to indefinitely post- pone this article.
Article 22. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $264.00 for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the G. A. R. Post, in accordance with Chapter 62, Acts of 1913, Sec. 1, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
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in
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted that the sum of two hundred sixty-four dollars be raised and appropriated for the pur- pose of providing suitable quarters for the Post 194, G. A. R., for the ensuing year in accordance with Chapter 62, Sec. 1, Acts of 1913. ($264.00)
Article 23. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 to make repairs on Central Fire Station, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of three hundred dollars to make repairs on Central Fire Station ($300.00.)
Article 26. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chapter 293, of the General Acts of 1916, entitled "An Act to author- ize the licensing by cities and towns of motor vehicles carrying pass- engers, being the Jitney Act so-called," or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to take up this Ar- ticle.
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted that the provisions of Chapter 293 of the General Acts of 1916 entitled, "An act to au- thorize the licensing by cities and towns of motor vehicles carrying passengers, being 'the Jitney Act', so-called," be accepted.
Article 24. To see what regulations, if any, the Town will adopt for the operation of motor vehicles for hire as a business within the town, what license fees shall be imposed therefor, and what penal- ties shall be provided for a violation of such regulations as may be adopted, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to take this article up.
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted that the following regulations be adopted for the operation of Motor vehicles for hire as a business within the Town and that a license fee by imposed, the amount of said fee to be at the discretion of the Selectmen.
REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS FOR HIRE OVER DESIGNATED ROUTES
Article 1. Motor vehicles operating within the limits of the Town over a fixed route, for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, shall for the purpose of these regulations, be known as Jitneys.
Article 2. No jitneys shall be operated within the town with- out first obtaining a license therefor from the Selectmen; the license shall set forth the exact route over which ths licensee may operate and the amount of the bond or cash indemnity which the licensee shall provide, as herein provided.
Article 3. The Selectmen may grant such licenses for the opera- tion of jitneys as they shall deem advisable and for the best inter- ests of the Town; but they shall not grant more than one license for
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operation of a jitney between the town of Reading and each of the surrounding towns except that any licensee may operate as many different vehicles as his business shall require.
Article 4. No license that is granted hereunder shall be effective until the licensee shall have deposited with the Town Treasurer se- curity by bond or otherwise in such sum as the Selectmen may reas- onably require, but not less than $500.00 in any event. The security so provided shall be conditioned to pay any final judgment obtained against the principal named in the bond for any injury to person or property or damage by causing the death of any person by reason of any negligent or unlawful act on the part of the principal named in said bond, his or its agents, employees, or drivers in the use or opera- tion of any jitney.
In case the prospective licensee has filed such security with the Town Treasurer of another Town, conditioned to pay damages as above that may be caused in operating jitneys between Reading and such town and such security is satisfactory to the Selectmen and Treasurer of Reading, no additional security shall be required.
Article 5. The Selectmen in granting licenses hereunder, shall impose such reasonable license fees as they shall deem expedient.
Article 6. The terminus in Reading for all jitneys shall be on the Westerly side of Reading Square within ten feet of the curb and within fifteen feet of the cross walk now situated in the Square. No jitneys shall remain at this terminus in excess of fifteen minutes, ex- cept for repairs.
If one jitney is at the terminus, any other jitney coming into the Square at the same time shall take up its position under directions from the traffic officer in the square.
Article 7. Jitneys shall not operate on any street or way in the Town other than as prescribed in the license therefor without first getting the consent of a police officer so to do, and then only tem- porarily.
Article 8. Jitneys shall not stop to take on and discharge pass- engers except at intersecting streets or ways, and the stop shall be made before crossing or turning into the intersecting street or way, except that where the distance between intersecting streets is in ex- cess of four hundred yards, the Selectmen may designate other stop- ping places.
Article 9. All jitneys shall be reasonably safe for the proper carrying of passengers, and the selectmen, even after granting a license to any person, firm, or corporation may prohibit the licensee from operating any vehicle which, in the opinion of the Selectmen, is an improper or unsafe vehicle for carrying passengers.
Article 10. If the condition of the streets or ways in the town make it, in the opinion of the Selectmen, unsafe for the operation of
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jitneys, they shall forthwith order the licensee to cease to operate jitneys until the conditions are improved.
Article 11. The term of the license to be granted hereunder shall by one year, and shall be subject to revocation at any time.
Article 12. The penalty for the violation of any of the foregoing regulations shall be ten dollars for the first offence, fifty dollars for the second offence and one hundred dollars for the third offence.
Article 25. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to grant licenses under the provisions of Chapter 293, of the Acts of. 1916, subject to such regulations as the Town has made for the opera- tion of motor vehicles for hire, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted that the Selectmen be authorized to grant licenses under the provisions of Chapter 293 of the Acts of 1916, subject to the regulations which have been adopt- ed for the operation of motor vehicles for hire.
Article 28. To hear and act upon the report of the Committee on Consolidation of Town Departments, and to see if the Town will authorize the Committee or some other Board or person to take the necessary steps to secure the passage of the legislation made neces- sary by the recommendations contained in said report, and to take such other action relative to the recommendations contained therein as shall seem advisable, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONSOLIDATION OF TOWN DEPARTMENTS
The Committee on consolidation of Town Departments appointed at the last annual town meeting has given due consideration to the matter which they were appointed to study, and beg to submit the following suggestions which were worked out after making a thor- ough study of conditions in the town. These suggestions are enu- merated as follows :-
First :- That there be created a department of the Town to be known as the Board of Public Works, to consist of five members who shall be elected at the next annual town meeting, one to serve for one year, two for two years, and two for three years, and any member who shall be elected at each annual meeting thereafter, shall serve for three years, all the members so elected to serve without pay. The Board of Public Works so created shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the care and maintenance of streets and highways, sewers, the water department of the town and its property, and of the public parks; and it shall succeed to the jurisdiction and duties now given by statute to the Selectmen with regard to streets and highways of the Board of Water Commissioners, the Board of Sewer Commission- ers and the Board of Park Commissioners, and the boards so referred
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to shall be abolished and the duties of the Selectmen in regard to streets and highways shall terminate when the Board of Public Works herein provided for shall be created.
Second :- The board herein provided for in carrying out its du- ties and responsibilities, shall retain a competent superintendent to be known as Superintendent of Public Works. He, with such as- sistants as the board shall designate as necessary, shall have the en- tire management and control of the properties within the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works, and shall collect and be responsible for the moneys paid by water takers and users of the sewer, and shall keep such accounts and perform such duties as are now provided by statute as the duties and responsibilities of superintendents of the water department, parks and of streets.
Your committee realizes that the recommendations cannot be ef- fected without legislative sanction, and to that end suggests that a committee of five be appointed to draft and submit to the next legis- lature, a petition for legislation and a draft of the proposed legisla- tion to carry into effect the recommendations herein offered.
Committee appointed-Charles A. Loring, Joseph D. Knight, Fred D. Sperry, Charles H. Stinchfield, Herbert G. Evans.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT G. EVANS.
for Committee on Consolidation of Town Depts.
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted to accept report of Committee and adopt its recommendations.
Article 29. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $60.00 for painting the band stand, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Galen A. Parker, it was voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of sixty dollars to paint the Band Stand on the Com- mon. ($60.00.)
Article 30. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for fencing the Playground in Memorial Park, or what it will do in relation thereto.
On motion of Galen A. Parker it was voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of five hundred dollars for fencing the Playground in Memorial Park. ($500.00.)
Article 31. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide a sum of money sufficient to complete the repairs on the sidewalk on Pleasant Street between brook at Wilson Street and Manning Street, as commenced in 1918.
On motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
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Article 3. On motion of J. Edward Frost, it was voted to take this article from the table.
On motion of J. Edward Frost, it was voted that the Moderator be instructed to appoint a committee of five to investigate the cost, etc., of publishing a volume on Reading's Participation in the World War, said Committee to report at the next Town Meeting.
The Moderator appointed the following as members of this Com- mittee :- Otis B. Ruggles, Charles A. Loring, Horace G. Wadlin, C. Winthrop Smith, Willie E. Twombly.
On motion of Charles P. Howard, it was voted that the Town Counsel be directed to notify Mr. Maybury that Town has voted that he be requested to expedite action on the Lowell Street Bridge case as much as possible.
On motion of Rolland L. Perry, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed not to sell the Hose 3 Building on North Main St.
Article 3. On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 32. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chapter 153 of the General Acts of 1916 entitled "An Act relative to the license fee for slaughterer houses in towns having less than ten thousand inhabitants" and providing that the annual license fee for slaughter houses shall be such sum not exceeding one hundred dol- lars ($100.00) as the Selectmen shall fix, or what it will do in re- lation thereto.
On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted that the Town ac- cept the provisions of Chapter 153 of the General Acts of 1916, en- titled: An Act relative to the license fee for slaughter houses in towns having less than ten thousand inhabitants.
On motion of John H. Sheldon, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to charge a license fee of one hundred dollars for slaughtering.
Article 33. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 to complete alterations to Woburn Street hose house, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to raise and appro- priate the sum of two hundred dollars to complete alterations to Woburn Street Hose House. ($200.00.)
Article 34. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $45,000.00 to resurface Reading Square, or what it will do in relation thereto. (Selectmen.)
On motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted that the subject- matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen and Planning Board, acting jointly for further study, and to report at a later meet- ing. And for the purpose of procuring expert service and advice,
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the Town Accountant be and hereby is authorized to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account an amount not exceeding three hundred dollars.
Article 2. On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted to take Art. 2 from the table.
On motion of Lewis M. Bancroft, it was voted that the reports of Town Officers and Finance Committee be accepted as printed.
On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to adjourn "sine die".
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, LOWELL ST., READING, APRIL 27TH, 1920.
The meeting was called to order by the Presiding Election Offi- cer, Otis B. Ruggles. The Town Clerk partially read the warrant when on motion of William S. Kinsley, it was voted to dispense with further reading except the Constable's return, which was read, after which the ballot box was examined and declared empty and the keys delivered to the Constable in charge, Ardine M. Allen.
The ballots were delivered to the presiding Election Officer, Otis B. Ruggles, and the polls were duly opened and closed, with the fol- lowing results :
REPUBLICAN DELEGATES AT LARGE
Henry Cabot Lodge, Nahant 388'
Frederick H. Gillett, Springfield 296
W. Murray Crane, Dalton 306
Edward A. Thurston, Fall River 209
Louis A. Frothingham, Easton
161
Alvan T. Fuller, Malden
177
Thomas W. Lawson, Scituate 91
Samuel W. McCall, Winchester 192
46
Russell A. Wood
Blanks 166
REPUBLICAN DELEGATES AT LARGE
Butler Ames, Lowell 417
Chandler Bullock, Worcester 386
Gurden W. Gordon, Springfield 379
Butler R. Wilson, Boston 380
Edward A. Thurston, Fall River 1
Blanks 469
REPUBLICAN DELEGATES, FIFTH DISTRICT
Frank E. Dunbar, Lowell 373
Gardner W. Pearson, Lowell 370
Louis Pfeiffer, Bedford 91
Blanks 182
25
REPUBLICAN ALTERNATE DIST. NO. 5 DELEGATES
Kimball G. Colby, Methuen 196
Wilford D. Gray, Woburn 264
340
Louis Ellenwood, Reading Blanks 216
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES AT LARGE
David I. Walsh, Fitchburg 9
Richard H. Long, Framingham 8
Joseph C. Pelletier, Boston 11
Daniel F. Doherty, Westfield
9
Joseph F. O'Connell, Boston
6
Blanks
9
DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATE DELEGATES AT LARGE
Susan W. Fitzgerald, Boston
Mary A. Carson, Pittsfield 8
Mary Keegan Shuman, Boston
Helen G. Thayer, Worcester
Blanks
23
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES, FIFTH DISTRICT
Humphrey O'Sullivan, Lowell 11
Joseph P. Donahue, Lowell 11
Blanks
4
ALTERNATE DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES, FIFTH DISTRICT
Katherine F. McCarthy, Lowell
7
Anna Loretta McGowan, Woburn 7
Blanks 12
The ballots were counted and declared in open town meeting and sealed and delivered to the Town Clerk, whereupon it was voted to adjourn.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
SECURITY HALL, WOBURN ST., MAY 17TH, 1920.
The special town meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Jesse W. Morton in Security Hall, Woburn St., at time specified in the warrant. The warrant was partially read when it was moved by Otis B. Ruggles to dispense with further reading of the warrant ex- cept the Constable's return, and it was so voted. The Constable's return was then read and proceeded to the business of the meeting.
Article 1. To hear and act on the reports of Town Officers and Special Committees.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REPAIR OF SQUARE
May 17, 1920.
To the Citizens of Reading :-
The Special Committee, consisting of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board, appointed at the Annual Town Meeting in March to consider the matter of paving Reading Square, submit the following report of progress:
Several meetings have been held and various forms of Road Construction have been considered. The more the problem was stud- ied, the more evident it appeared that if the Square is to be paved anything like a permanent way, there are many things to be taken into account. Not only must the problem of better drainage be solved, but also the advisability of widening Main Street to provide for increased traffic. If it seems best to widen the street, it is the opinion of the joint Boards, that this should be done on the Easterly side of the street between Pleasant St. and the old Y. M. C. A. prop- erty. The question of widening Main Street depends considerably on the action of the Town on Art. 9 in the warrant for the special Town Meeting of May 17th, 1920. The article in question relates to the establishment of building lines. When it is decided just what width the street is to be, the joint Boards can complete their task and sub- mit estimates for the cost of such form of paving as they recommend.
Voted to accept report.
The Committee on Municipal Garage made a report on its cost, but recommended that no action be taken at present toward erecting a Municipal Garage. Voted to accept and adopt report.
Article 2. To see what instructions the Town will give its Town Officers and Special Committees.
Article 2. Voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
Article 3. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars for rebuilding Bay State Road, formerly Pine Street, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Article 3. Charles H. Melendy moved that fifteen hundred dol- lars be raised and appropriated to resurface the street, Bay State Road, with crushed stone or gravel. Said motion was not carried.
Article 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Account- ant to transfer the sum of seven hundred dollars from the Excess and Deficiency Account to the fund for the maintenance of the Cen- tral Fire Station, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Article 4. On motion of Charles P. Howard, it was voted that the Town authorize the Town Accountant to transfer the sum of seven hundred dollars from the Excess and Deficiency Account to the Fund for the maintenance of the Central Fire Station.
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Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise the pay of the Patrolmen, commencing May 1st, 1920, to $1,825.00 per year and will raise the pay of the Chief of Police, commencing May 1st, 1920, to $2,184.00 per year, and will raise and appropriate, or otherwise pro- vide, the sum of six hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents to meet the expenses of the above raise or what it will do in relation thereto.
Article 5. On motion of Otis B. Ruggles, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars to provide for in- crease in salary of Chief of Police from $1,800.00 per year to $2,000.00 per year, and the four Patrolmen from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 per year, effective, May 1st, 1920, and further, that a sliding scale for patrolmen be adopted as follows for new appointments: 1st year, $1,500.00; 2nd year, $1,600.00; 3d year, $1,700.00, and thereafter, ($400.00.)
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise the pay of the Permanent Firemen commencing May 1st, 1920, to $1,825.00 per year, and raise the pay of the Chief of the Fire Department commencing May 1st, 1920, to $2,184.00 per year, and will raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of six hundred fifty-four dollars and sixty-one cents, to meet the expense of the above raise or what it will do in relation thereto.
Article 6. On motion of Charles P. Howard, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars, to provide for the increase of salary of the Chief of the Fire Department from $1,800.00 to $2,000.00 per year and the four permanent firemen from $1,600.00 to $1,700.00 per year, effective, May 1, 1920, and further that a sliding scale be adopted for permanent firemen as follows: 1st year, $1,500.00; 2d year, $1,600.00; 3d year and thereafter, $1,700.00. ($400.00.)
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