USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1929 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
Conclusion
In concluding, I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Se- lectmen, the Town Accountant, Treasurer and the Finance Committee, my thanks for the courtesies and co-operation I have received during the year. I wish to compliment the officers and members of the de- partment on the prompt and efficient manner in which they have per- formed their duties. I also wish to express my thanks to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company for the use of current, to the Chief of Police for services rendered by members of his department at
300
fires and to employees of the New England Telephone and Tlegraph Company for prompt and efficient service rendered in receiving alarms by telephone.
Respectfully submitted. ORVILLE O. ORDWAY, Chief of Fire Department.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The annual report of the Forest Warden is herewith submitted for the year ending December 31, 1929.
The financial transactions of this department are embodied in the report of the Town Accountant, to which I refer you for any informa- tion along this line.
I have posted all woodlands as in former years and have investi- gated all fires and sent reports of the same to the State Forest Warden.
I have appointed the following deputies and they were approved by the State Forest Warden, Henry M. Donegan, 11 Federal St., Hugh L. Eames, and John J. O'Brien, Central Fire Station.
In conclusion I wish to thank all who have in any way assisted this department during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ORVILLE O. ORDWAY, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
To the Chief of the Fire Department :
Sir :- The report of the Superintendent of Fire Alarm for the year ending December 31st, 1929 is herewith submitted.
There have been no additions to the system the past year except one six inch gong.
Very much work will be necessary on the outside lines as the many poles replaced necessitates changing the Fire Alarm wires to the new poles. There are several places where the wire must be replaced with new.
With the growth of the Town there is great need of more fire alarm boxes. No boxes were added this year.
After being in use thirty-one years the present fire alarm central station equipment has passed its capacity and should be replaced the coming year with modern apparatus located in a fire proof room.
301
Fire Alarm
112 Woburn and Sanborn.
113 Woburn and Bancroft Ave.
114 Mt. Vernon and Chute.
115 Woburn and High.
12 Central Fire Station.
121 Main and Haven.
122 Haven and Gould.
123 Green east of High.
13 Ash and Avon.
14 Oak and Hill Crest Rd.
141 Hill Crest Rd. and Howard.
15 Walnut and Summer Ave.
16 So. Main and South.
17 Prescott near Arlington.
18 Minot and Park Ave.
19 Walnut and Curtis.
21 Summer Ave. and Temple.
212 Prescott and Sunnyside Ave.
213 Pratt and Fairview Rd.
217 West and Howard.
221 Union St. School, (Private).
223 Center School.
224 High School, (Private).
225 Highland School, (Private).
226 Lowell St. School.
227 Prospect St. School.
228 Chestnut Hill School.
23 Woburn and Temple.
231 West beyond Longwood Rd.
232 Junior High School.
24 Mineral and Hancock.
242 Summer Ave. and Woodbine.
25 Prospect and King.
252 Longwood Rd. nr. Prospect.
26 Engine 2 house, Woburn St.
262 Berkeley and Freemont.
27 Summer Ave. near Prescott.
28 West and County Rd.
29 West and King.
31 Lowell and Grove.
312 Lowell and Dustin.
32 Franklin east of Grove.
33 Lowell and Grand.
34 Grove and Forest.
35 No. Main and Locust.
36 No. Main and Ridge Rd.
37
No. Main front of no. 409.
38 No. Main and Forest.
381 Forest east of Colburn Rd.
39 No. Main and Franklin.
41 Village and Green.
412 Boston Stove Foundry.
414 Green and Beech.
42 Haven and John.
422 Pleasant and Eaton.
43 Salem and John.
44 Salem and Pearl.
442 Orange and Pierce.
45 Salem and Belmont.
452 Salem and Libby Ave.
46 Charles and Pearl.
47 Charles and Haverhill.
48 Bay State Rd.
*482 Old Fair Grounds, off Salem.
*485 Rifle Range, off Haverhill.
51 Main, Ash and Washington.
53 So. Main north of Cross.
54. Ash and Cross.
55 Reading Rubber Mills.
6 C. H. Bangs Co., (Private).
61 Lowell and Highland.
611 Home for Aged Women (Pri.).
612 Locust and Bancroft Ave.
614 Auburn and Park.
62 Spare Box.
63 Hanscom Av. beyond Weston Rd.
642 Vine and Vale Rd.
65 Middlesex Av. and Bancroft Av.
67 Middlesex Ave. and High.
* 8 Out of Town.
* 81 Call to Wakefield.
82 State Sanatorium, Nr. Reading.
Special Signals
2 Recall.
2 Test, 7.45 a. m. 5.45 p. m.
3 Followed by box, 2nd. alarm.
3 Followed in 1 min. by 3, Boy Scout Call.
4 Followed by box, 3rd alarm.
4 blows, Police Call.
22 No School Signal.
*Transmitter boxes, can be sounded only from Central Fire Station.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES, Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
302
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Department of the Town of Reading for the year ending December 31, 1929.
Arrests for year 1929-358
Males, 353; Females, 5; Residents, 86; Non-Residents, 272; Adults, 322; Minors, 36; American born, 309; Foreign born, 49.
Causes of Arrests
Larceny, 7; Assault and battery, 7; Drunkenness, 79; Carnal abuse, 1; Driving under influence of liquor, 32; Warrants for out of Town officers, 7; Non-support, 8; Hunting without a license, 4; Bas- tardy, 1; No home, 1; Delinquents, 3; Warrant for commitment after trial by M. N. G. 1; Automobile violation, 174; Keeping and exposing liquor for sale, 9; Illegal mfg., of liquor, 4; Illegal transportation, 1; Manslaughter, 2; Concealing leased property, 1; Indecent exposure, 1; Capias, 2: Breaking and entering with intent to commit rape, 1; Insane, 2; Military, 1; Selling cigarettes to minors, 1; Going away after caus- ing accidents, 5; Carrying a revolver without a permit, 1; Escaped from institution, 3.
Disposition of Cases in Court
Fined, 179; Released, 20; On file, 68; Probation, 3; Discharge, 28; Turned over to out of Town officers, 20; Held for Grand Jury, 5; Ap- pealed, 3; House of Correction, 5; House of Correction Suspended, 15; State Hospital, Tewksbury, 3; Defaulted, 2; Dismissed, 1; State Hos- pital, Danvers, 1.
Miscellaneous
Complaints investigated, 230; Automobile accidents, 240; Guard- ing mail, 71; Buildings found open and secured, 123; Lost children found and returned to parents, 32; Guarding pay rolls, 73; Street lights out, 30; Dogs killed by officers, 27; Dogs killed by automobiles, 27; Served summons for out Town officers, 43; Dog in trap released by officer, I ; Defective streets and sidewalks, 11; Windows open, 20; Call fire de- partment, 8: Wires reported down, 9; Automobile reported by out of Town officers, 95; Dog restraint served, 8; Disturbances quelled, 7; Stopped runaway horse by officers, 1; Search warrants served, 7; Dead body taken care of, 1; Property left out side stores and brought to station, $350.00; Property reported stolen, $2675.50; Property recovered, $1921.30; Vacated houses and special attention asked, 25; Automobiles transfer through the Police Department, 236.
303
Fines Amount of Fines Imposed by Court
1 at $3.00 each, $3.00; 63 at $5.00 each, $315.00; 77 at $10.00 each, $770.00; 6 at $15.00 each, $90.00; 3 at $25.00 each, $75.00; 7 at $30.00 each, $210.00; 19 at $50.00 each, $950.00; 2 at $75.00 each, $150.00; 4 at $100.00 each, $400.00.
I recommend a new Police Station, the present station is inade- quate for the business we have, with the cells in the cellar, with no communication from the time they are locked up, or until they are bailed out, or taken to court, without any privacy to talk over family troubles and other domestic troubles that we have patched up without any court proceeding, and the community should have some place to go over their trouble privately.
Conclusion
At this time I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Judges of our District Court, our local Press, and all others who have assisted in promoting the welfare of this department; also the members of the force for what they have done.
Respectfully yours,
JEREMIAH CULLINANE, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31st, 1929.
Number of inspections, 497; old buildings wired, 45; new build- ings wired, 78; buildings rewired, 11; services replaced by heavier wire, 11; additions to wiring, 93; connections for power, 12; electric ranges, 9; oil burners, 38; mechanical stokers, 1; heater blowers, 5; refriger- ators, 12; water heaters, 3; air compressors, 1; milking machines, 2; signs, 23; talking picture machines, 1; permits for temporary wiring. 4. complaints received and investigated, 4; changes ordered to unsafe or improperly installed wiring, 26; wiring condemned, 3; current cut off during fires, 3; inspections made to wiring damaged by fire, 3; number of permits given to connect services, 123; complaints made to State Examiners of Electricians, 8; hearings attended before State Examiners of Electricians, 1.
In general the electricians have taken great care to install wiring in a safe and proper manner. Those not following the proper methods in their work have been ordered to make corrections and in serious cases have been reported to the State Examiners of Electricians.
1
304
All wiring, new or additional, should be reported to the Inspector of Wires by the electrician doing the work. Failure to do so will be cause for complaint to the State Examiners.
The Town should have a by-law to govern the installation of wires.
All poles supporting wires are being tested and many have been condemned and will be replaced by the several companies owning same.
I wish to thank the public and the electricians for their co-opera- tion with me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES, Inspector of Wires.
REPORT OF BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
The report of the Superintendent of Cemeteries, Mr. William P. Pierpont, covering in detail the work of the Department and approved by the Trustees, is appended.
There have been no changes on the Board during this year. Mr. Philip H. Tirrell and Mr. Clarence C. White have served as Chair- man and Secretary respectively. The terms of Mr. Philip H. Tirrell and Mr. Harold F. Davis expire and their associates are pleased to state that they will be candidates for re-election.
In reviewing the work of the year, the Board feels much gratified with the way the work has been carried on, considerable having been accomplished in the line of permanent improvements. It is the in- tention of the Board to continue this policy each year until both Cemeteries are in first class condition.
Most respectfully,
PHILIP H. TIRRELL, Chairman CLARENCE C. WHITE, Secretary
HAROLD F. DAVIS FRANK LEE EDGERLEY
FRED L. NUTTER WINTHROP D. PARKER
Board of Cemetery Trustees.
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY REPORT, 1929
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees, Reading, Mass. Gentlemen :
Following the usual custom, I herewith present to you my second annual report on the Reading Cemeteries, and also recommendations.
305
In Laurel Hill the regular maintenance work has been kept up during the year and several improvements have been made.
The Old Cemetery at Lowell Street entrance has been mowed and cleaned up and several stones have been straightened and cemented on a permanent foundation. I hope sometime enough money will be available to make improvements in this section.
Some work has been done on the land purchased from the Dexter Clapp Estate and we expect this next year the lots will be completed and ready to sell.
Four catch basins have been built, two at the Federal St. en- trance, one at Cross Avenue and one at Hazel Path. Three hundred and sixty feet of corrugated drain pipe have been laid, which should take care of the surface water in this section of the Cemetery.
A new chain link fence, five feet in height, has been erected during the past year along the west and north boundaries, for a distance of nine hundred and forty-four feet. It makes a big improvement and we hope, in the near future, to replace all the old fence with this per- manent construction. We have placed several hundred stepping stones in the Cemetery and planted numerous shrubs at Galen A. Parker Oval, which gives it a much better appearance at this Main Street entrance.
We have had seventy interments during the year, sold nine lots and twelve single graves. Ten old lots have been repaired and per- petual care placed on them.
The Cemetery Department assumes the right to build all founda- tions for monuments and markers. This insures the proper base laid at sufficient depth and firmly cemented, so that the frost will not throw the monument or marker and the whole becomes a permanent fixture. Fifty foundations have been built this season.
The avenues have been improved somewhat this year, but the material used is getting scarce. In accordance with the policy of the Board of Cemetery Trustees, to do a certain amount of permanent im- provements each year, so that within a few years the Cemetery will be up-to-date and in good condition, I recommend macadam for Elm Avenue from Locust to Oak, and Walnut Avenue from Bow to Elm. These avenues being on the side hill wash badly and should be built of permanent material. The other avenues should have Tarvia B. Two or three applications would make a hard surface, which would need very little repair.
I would suggest that the Legion and lot owners, if baskets are used on Memorial Day, use hooks to keep them off the grass, as they ruin it and it is impossible to bring it back.
In concluding, I wish to thank the Tree Warden and the Board of Public Works for their many favors.
306
The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. PIERPONT, Superintendent.
FOREST GLEN CEMETERY REPORT, 1929
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees, Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The lots have been fertilized and kept mowed, as all lots are under perpetual care in this Cemetery.
The wall has been capped with three inch North River Bluestone a distance of six hundred and thirty-five feet. Six Japanese Yews have been planted at the Main Entrance and one hundred and sixteen Boston Ivy plants have been set out along the wall. Eleven maple trees, mostly Schwedled, purple leaf, have also been set out. Five hundred stepping stones have been placed this year in the paths.
Mr. Donegan, the Tree Warden, has set out nineteen Norway Maples in the tree lawn outside the Cemetery, which will beautify this section.
A portion of the hill has been set aside for the Reading Post #62, American Legion, for burial and memorial purposes.
This next year we should extend the wall and cap it from the Forest Street entrance to the west boundary, thus completing it around the section developed; and also plant a few more shrubs and place two hundred more stepping stones.
The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM P. PIERPONT, Superintendent.
CUSTODIAN OF SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' GRAVES
To the Honorable, Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1929 as Custodian of Veteran Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves.
One man has been employed a part of each working day, through- out the growing season, caring for the Veterans' lots. During the early fall, his time was devoted to raking leaves and regrading sunken graves. Twelve graves have been raised, and one has been wholly regraded.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER I. SWEETSER, Custodian of Soldiers' and Sailors' Graves.
307
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The following is my report of the week completed for the year 1929 by the Department of Weights and Measures. It consisted of the inspection, testing, sealing or condemning of all scales, weights and measures used in the town. The following table will acquaint you with the number of scales, weights and measures sealed or condemned.
By a comparison of the work completed this year with that of last year you will see that there has been a substantial increase in the same. This is due to the increase in the number of stores and also to the fact that there have been several new gasoline pumps installed this year.
There have been several new state laws passed this year affecting peddlers and transient vendors which it has been my duty to enforce. Work Performed from December 1, 1928 to November 30, 1929, inclusive 1. Scales
Adjusted
Sealed Condemned
Platform, over 5000 1bs.
2
3
0
Platform, 100 to 5000 1bs.
10
16
1
Counter
13
26
0
Spring
15
43
0
Computing
17
31
2
Personal Weighing
4
17
1
2. Weights
Avoirdupois
3
147
0
3. Automatic Liquid-Measuring Devices
Gasoline
0
59
0
Measures, (stops, etc.) on pumps
74
275
0
138
617
4
Reweighing Of Commodities As Put Up For Sale To The Public
Number Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Commodity
Coal, in paper bags
6
5
1
0
Ice
6
1
0
5
Grain
10
10
0
0
Flour
32
18
10
4
Butter
51
39
10
2
Dry Commodities, coffee, tea,
beans, nuts, etc.
169
139
15
15
-
Incorrect
308
Meat and Provisions
47
39
4
4
Fruits and Vegetables
60
44
5
11
Bread
32
15
5
12
413
310
50
53
Total Store inspections, 32.
Ice dealers, 6.
Yours respectfully, CARL M. SMITH, Sealer.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health, Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The inspection of the milk supply of the Town of Reading for the year 1929 has varied very little from that of previous years. It has consisted of the collection of samples of milk from the dealers and producers and the analysis of the same for the butter-fat and total solids content; also the inspection of the cows and the dairies from which the milk was produced.
One local dealer has installed a pasteurizing plant, a step which I believe will shortly be necessary for all dealers to take, as it is only a question of a very few years before all milk will either be pasteurized or produced from tuberculin tested cattle.
Through co-operation with the Department of Agriculture a quality milk test was made of samples taken from sixteen dealers and producers. This is a test to show the cleanliness of the milk and also the keeping quality. I am very glad to report that local dealers and producers made a very creditable showing.
Yours respectfully,
CARL M. SMITH,
Inspector of Milk.
INDEX
Page
Accountant
239
Births Registered
54
Board of Appeal
75
Board of Assessors
80
Board of Health
78
Board of Public Welfare
72
Board of Public Works
209
Highway Department
221
Park Department
227 229
Sewer Department
231
Water Department
211
Cemetery Trustees
Forest Glen Cemetery Report
306
Laurel Hill Cemetery Report
304 298
Chief of Police
302
Custodian of Veterans' Graves
306
Deaths Registered
65 53
Dogs Licensed
Electric Light Commissioners
171
Fire Alarm
301
Forest Warden
300
Inspector of Animals
295
Inspector of Buildings
76
Inspector of Milk
308
Inspector of Plumbing
79
Inspector of Wires
303 52
List of Jurors
8
Marriages Registered
59
Middlesex County Extension Service
79*
Notice to Parents, Housewives, Physicians and Midwives
51
Planning Board
296
Public Library
83
School Committee
89
Sealer of Weights and Measures
307
Selectmen
69
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
300
Tax Collector
292
Town Counsel
76
Town Meetings
11
Town Officers
3
Town of Reading, Statistics
8
Treasurer
294
Tree Warden
297
Visitor
74
.
304
Chief of Fire Department
Playground
.
Licenses, Hunting and Fishing
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.