USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1931 > Part 4
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 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Section 15. Every person or corporation, private or municipal, within the Town, shall affix at the point of support at which any such wires or cables containing wires are attached a mark, on the cross arm (or bracket, when such is used in place of a cross arm,) a tag designa- ting the owner or user of such wire or cable. No such tag or mark shall be required for the wires of a street railway company used for the transmission of its motive power nor for the protection or support of such wires, for a current with a potential of 500 volts or under, but all cross arms and wires shall be marked as herein described on alternating high tension transmission lines and suitable guard wires placed over them.
Section 16. The violation of any of the above rules and regula- tions may be punished in accordance with the penalties prescribed by provisions of law governing the same. .
Section 17. These rules and regulations may be amended or add- ed to at such times as the Inspector of Wires may deem it wise for the safety of the public with the approval of the Selectmen.
E. B. CURRELL F. E. GRAY H. F. PARKER W. D. PARKER A. MICHELINI
Committee on the Revision of Building Laws.
On motion of Elias B. Currell, it was voted to adopt Building Laws as a part of the By-Laws of this Town.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to rezone the area bound- ed as follows. Beginning approximately 588.02 feet distant from the northeasterly corner of Main and Forest Streets, and at the northeast- erly corner of Main Street and a proposed street called "Willard Road ;" thence running northeasterly along the eastern line of Main Street to Pearl Street; thence southeasterly along the westerly line of Pearl Street to the said proposed street called "Willard Road" and thence westerly along the northerly line of Willard Road to the point of begin- ning, so that the entire area described above shall be changed from a
36
Multiple Residence District and a Single Residence District to a Busi- ness District, or what it will do in relation thereto.
M. E. Brande and others.
Article 8. On motion of George E. Larrabee, it was voted to take from the table this article.
The Planning Board, to whom this article was referred at the Special Town Meeting of Dec. 1, 1930, made a report on their finding and did not consider a change in the rezoning of this particular area needed. After some discussion the previous question was moved by Rolland L. Perry and it was voted not to rezone the area on Main Street, North of Forest Street as called for in said Article 8.
On motion of W. Homer Morrison, the Special Adjourned Town Meeting was adjourned sine die.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL BUSINESS TOWN MEETING
The Moderator then proceeded with the regular business of the annual Business Town Meeting.
Article 2. To hear and act on the reports of the Board of Se- lectmen, Town Accountant, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Board of As- sessors, Board of Public Works, Town Clerk, Tree Warden, Board of Health, Board of Public Welfare, School Committee, Public Library Trustees, Municipal Light Board, Cemetery Trustees, Planning Board, Finance Committee and any other Boards and Special Committees.
Article 2. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, Article 2 was laid on the table.
Article 3. To choose all other necessary town officers and deter- mine what instructions shall be given town officers and special commit- tees.
Article 3. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Lumber for the en- suing year : Ora L. Milbury, Edward B. Eames, Burton K. Symonds, William R. Zwicker, Warren M. Whitehouse and Rolland L. Perry; and the following as Measurers of Wood and Bark: Percy N. Sweetser, Burton K. Symonds, Thomas F. Brogan and Warren M. Whitehouse.
Article 3. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table.
Article 4. To determine how much money the Town will raise and appropriate for General Government, Protection of Persons and Property, Health and Sanitation, Highways, Sidewalks, Drainage Main- tenance, Charities and Aid, Soldiers' Benefits, Public Schools, Public Library, Recreation, Cemeteries, Memorial Day Observance, Municipal Light Department, Water Department, Sewer Department, Maturing
37
Debt, Interest, Insurance and General Accounts.
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted to raise and appropriate for General Government, twenty-four thousand, four hundred and sixteen dollars divided as follows :
Selectmen's Expenses
$ 300.00
Selectmen's Clerical
1,310.00
Town Accountant's Salary
2,000.00
Treasurer's Salary
1,200.00
Treasurer's Expenses
600.00
Collector's Salary
2,300.00
Collector's Expenses
1,300.00
Collector's Clerical
400.00
Assessors' Salaries
1,800.00
Assessors' Expenses
1,600.00
Assessors' Clerical
2,756.00
Block System Survey
500.00
Town Counsel's Salary
500.00
Town Counsel's Expenses
150.00
Town Clerk's Salary
350.00
Town Clerk's Expenses
600.00
Board of Public Works, Salaries and Office Expenses
6,000.00
Registrars' Salaries
250.00
Election and Registration Expenses
500.00
$24,416.00
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted to raise and appropriate eleven thousand seven hundred twenty-five dol- lars for General Accounts divided as follows :
Miscellaneous Expenses
$ 2,500.00
Municipal Building Maintenance
2,500.00
Fire Stations, Maintenance
1,200.00
Police Station, Maintenance
900.00
G. A. R. Rooms, Lighting
25.00
Insurance
4,100.00
Planning Board Expenses
500.00
$11,725.00
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that twenty-six thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars be raised and appropriated for the payment of interest on. the funded debt and on temporary loans in 1931. $26,850.00
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that twenty-seven thousand dollars be raised and appropriated from the tax levy of 1931 and that twenty-five thousand dollars be appropriated from
38
Excess and Deficiency Fund for the payment of the following bonds and notes due in 1931.
Sewer Construction
$ 9,000.00
Municipal Building
2,000.00
Municipal Building and Library Grounds 500.00
Brown Estate Note 500.00
35,000.00
School Buildings
Police Building
5,000.00
$52,000.00
and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transfer twenty-five thousand dollars from the Excess and Deficiency Account for the purpose specified above.
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison and as amended by Elias B. Currell, it was voted to raise and appropriate seventy-three thousand three hundred eighty-seven dollars for protection of persons and property divided as follows :
Police Department Maintenance
$ 2,800.00
Police Dept. Salaries and Special Officers
31,750.00
Fire Department Maintenance 3,140.00
Fire Dept., Salaries 19,800.00
Fire Dept. Call Men Salaries
3,367.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance and Extension
1,405.00
Moth Department, Maintenance
6,000.00
Tree Warden, Maintenance
3,000.00
Forest Warden, Maintenance
500.00
Inspector of Buildings, Salary
500.00
Inspector of Wires, Salary 200.00
Gas Inspector, Salary 100.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Salary
500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Expenses
225.00
Game Warden, Salary
100.00
$73,387.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the town raise and appropriate $8,015.00 for hydrant rentals, and $100.00 for drinking fountains and that the above-named sums, together with the Water Dept. receipts estimated at $58,000.00 and the balance on hand, January 1, 1931 of $1,290.26 be appropriated for payment of water bonds, interest on bonds, maintenance and operation and construction of water works. $8,115.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the Town appropriate the receipts of the Sewer Department from As- sess ments and Rentals estimated at $12,000.00, together with the bal- ance on hand, January 1, 1931 of $3,527.79, to be applied by the Board
39
of Public Works to the payment of charges and expenses incident to the maintenance, operation or extension of the sewer system.
Article 4. On the motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted to raise and appropriate $7,900.00 for Health and Sanitation divided as follows :
Board of Health, Salaries $ 300.00
Board of Health, Expenses 600.00
Inspector of Plumbing, Salary 800.00
Inspector of Animals, Salary
200.00
Inspector of Milk and Food
200.00
Care of Contagious Diseases
3,000.00
Garbage Collection
2,300.00
Dental Clinic
500.00
$ 7,900.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of forty-four thousand dollars be raised and hereby is ap- propriated for construction, maintenance and repairs of highways, set- ting curb, purchase of material, tools and appliances and for the pay- ment of any other incidental expenses. $44,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of eight thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for sidewalk construction. $8,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of five thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the Removal of Snow and Ice. $5,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of three thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the maintenance of storm drains and waterways. $3,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of six hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the care of dumps. $600.00
Article 4. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of six thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the care of the Common, parks and supervised play. $6,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Henry R. Johnson, it was voted that there be included in the tax levy for electricity used for street lights the sum of thirteen thousand five hundred dollars, and that said sum, together with the receipts of the Municipal Light Department for the current year be appropriated for the maintenance and operation of the municipal lighting plant, the whole to be expended by the man- ager of municipal lighting under the direction and control of the Muni- cipal Light Board for the expense of the plant for said fiscal year as defined in Section 57 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws and that, if there shall be any unexpended balance thereof at the end of said fiscal
40
year, such balance shall be transferred to the construction fund of said plant and appropriated and used for such additions thereto as may be authorized by the Municipal Light Board during the next fiscal year. $13,500.00
Article 4. On motion of Mary F. Daniel, it was voted that the sum of twenty-four thousand, four hundred two dollars be raised and appropriated for Charities and Aid, divided as follows :
Visitor's Salary
$ 000.00
Visitor's Salary, Old Age Assistance
200.00
Clerical Salary
352.00
Aid, Board and Care
12,000.00
Temporary Aid
3,250.00
Old Age Assistance
4,000.00
Mothers' Aid
4,000.00
$24,402.00
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that the sum of eight thousand three hundred dollars be raised and appro- priated for soldiers' benefits as follows :
State Aid
$ 200.00
Military Aid
100.00
Soldiers' Relief
8,000.00
$8,300.00
Article 4. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the sum of two hundred forty-nine thousand four hundred fifty dollars be raised and appropriated for School Expenses, divided as follows : General Maintenance $ 56,450.00
General Salaries
188,500.00
Agricultural Maintenance
300.00
Agricultural Salaries
3,000.00
Industrial Tuition 1,200.00
$ 249,450.00
Article 4. On motion of Ralph S. Keneely, it was voted that the sum of eight thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the Pub- lic Library divided as follows :
Public Library, Maintenance
$ 3,200.00
Public Library, Salaries
4,800.00
$ 8,000.00
the same to be expended under the direction of the Trustees of the Public Library.
Article 4. On motion of Philip H. Tirrell, it was voted that the
41
sum of ten thousand one hundred fifty dollars be raised and appro- priated for cemeteries :
Maintenance of Laurel Hill Cemetery $ 8,900.00 Maintenance and Development of Forest Glen Cemetery 1,250.00
$ 10,150.00
Article 4. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that six hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for Memorial Day observance, to be expended under the direction of Post 62, American Legion. $600.00
It was voted to lay Article 4 on the table.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1931, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year. Town Treasurer
Article 5. On motion of Leon G. Bent, it was voted that the Treasurer be authorized with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money from time to time in anticipation of revenue of the financial year beginning, January 1, 1931, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 6. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to renew or refund any notes issued in an- ticipation of revenue for a period of less than one year, in accordance with the provisions of Sect. 17, Chap. 44, General Laws, or what it will do in relation thereto. Town Treasurer
Article 6. On motion of Leon G. Bent, it was voted that the Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to re- new or refund any notes issued in anticipation of revenue for a period of less than one year, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for the Reserve Fund as provided by Section 6, Chapter 40, General Laws, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Town Accountant
Article 7. On motion of Leon G. Bent, it was voted that the sum of five thousand dollars be raised and appropriated for the Re- serve Fund as provided by Section 6, Chapter 40 of the General Laws. $5,000.00
Article 8. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred and sixty dollars ($360.00) for the purpose of pro- viding suitable quarters for Veteran Post No. 194, G. A. R., in accord- ance with the provisions of Section 5, Chapter 40, General Laws, or
42
what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 8. On motion of Albert N. Leman, it was voted that three hundred and sixty dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for Veteran Post No. 194, G. A. R., in accordance with the provisions of Section 5, Chapter 40 of the General Laws. $360.00
Article 9. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) for the care of graves of any per- sons who have served in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States, in time of war or insurrection, and who have been honorably dis- charged, from such service, as provided by Section 22, Chapter 115, General Laws or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 9. On motion of Mollie A. Sweetser it was voted that six hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the care of graves of any persons who have served in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States, in time or war or insurrection and who have been honorably discharged from such service as provided by Section 22, Chapter 115, General Laws. $600.00
Article 10. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for Traffic Signs, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 10. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for traffic signs, to be expended by the Board of Selectmen. $500.00
Article 11. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) to purchase a Police Ambu- lance, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 11. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, this article was indefinitely postponed.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select- men to sell on such terms and conditions as they may determine any and all real estate acquired by the Town for taxes, wherein such title has been perfected by a foreclosure as provided by law, and sign, seal, acknowledge and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town deeds conveying such property to the purchasers thereof, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 12. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they are hereby authorized to sell on such terms and conditions as they may determine any and all real estate acquired by the Town for taxes, wherein such title has been perfected by a foreclosure as provided by law and sign, seal, acknowledge and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town deeds conveying such property to the purchasers thereof.
Article 13. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the
43
sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500.00) for the pur- chase of a triple combination pumping engine, or what it will do in re- lation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 13. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, this article was indefinitely postponed.
Article 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a suf- ficient sum to reimburse Albert E. Merrill for expenses incurred by reason of injuries received responding to an alarm of fire on January 23, 1931, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 14. On motion of W. Homer Morrison, it was voted that one hundred and fifty dollars be raised and appropriated to reimburse Albert E. Merrill for expenses incurred by reason of injuries received responding to an alarm of fire, January 23, 1931. $150.00
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Cemetery Reserve Fund, received from the sale of lots and graves in Laurel Hill Cemetery, the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) for permanent development of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Board of Cemetery Trustees
Article 15. On motion of Philip H. Tirrell it was voted that the Town appropriate from the Cemetery Reserve Fund received from the sale of lots and graves in Laurel Hill Cemetery, the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for permanent development of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the set- tlement of the litigation of William H. Killam against the Town for damages for taking made by the Town through his land for the per- manent maintenance of the sewer line therein, and to raise and appro- priate therefor the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars $1,250.00) or what it will do in relation thereto Law Committee
Article 16. On motion of Samuel H. Davis, it was voted that the Town authorize the settlement for twelve hundred and fifty dollars of all litigation of William H. Killam against the Town involving the taking of land for maintenance of the trunk-line sewer therein, and that the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars be, and the same is hereby raised and appropriated for such settlement. $1,250.00.
Article 17. To see how much money the Town will raise and ap- propriate to be expended by the School Committee for the purpose of ยท developing the land adjacent to the Walter S. Parker Junior High School, for a playground or athletic field, or what it will do in relation thereto. School Committee
Article 17. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the sum of five thousand dollars be raised and appropriated to be expended by the School Committee for the purpose of developing the land adjacent to the Walter S. Parker Junior High School for a playground or athletic field. $5,000.00
44
Article 18. To see if the Town will authorize the School Com- mittee to acquire by purchase, taking by eminent domain or other- wise a parcel of land containing approximately 92,650 square feet owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad and a parcel of land containing ap- proximately three and one-half acres owned by Joseph D. Knight, said parcels adjoining the location of the Walter S. Parker Junior High School on its easterly side, for the purpose of developing the grounds adjacent to said school, and to see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate therefor, by borrowing or otherwise, the sum of thirty-four hundred dollars ($3,400.00), or what it will do in relation thereto.
School Committee
Article 18. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted that the School Committee be and they are hereby authorized to acquire by purchase or by right of eminent domain in the name and behalf of the Town, two parcels of land for the purpose of developing the grounds adjacent to the Walter S. Parker Junior High School for a playground or athletic field; the first parcel containing approximately 92,650 sq. feet owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad, and the second parcel containing approximately three and one-half acres owned by Joseph D. Knight: said lands when acquired, to be held and used under the supervision and control of the School Committee and to raise and ap- propriate the sum of thirty-four hundred dollars for such purchase or taking.
321 voted Yes and None voted No. $3,400.00
Article 19. To see if the Town will authorize the School Com- mittee to acquire by purchase, taking by eminent domain or other- wise, for school purposes, a parcel of land on Linden Street containing approximately 17,000 square feet owned by Henry Q. Millett adjoining the High School grounds, and to see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate therefor, by borrowing or otherwise, or what it will do in relation thereto. School Committee
Article 20. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide, to be expended by the School Com- mittee in preparing the house and grounds of the Millett lot referred to in Article 19 for use as offices for the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee and for other school purposes, or what it will do in relation thereto. School Committee
Articles 19 and 20. On motion of Carl M. Spencer, it was voted to indefinitely postpone Articles 19 and 20.
On motion of Samuel H. Davis, it was voted to adjourn to meet in Security Hall, Woburn Street on March 16, 1931 at 7 o'clock and 45 minutes P. M.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk
45
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall, Woburn St., March 16, 1931.
The Town meeting was called to order by the Moderator and proceeded to the business of the meeting.
Article 21. To see if the Town will raise by borrowing or other- wise, and appropriate thirty-four thousand dollars ($34,000.00) for the extension of the water system by the construction of buildings for pumping station, the installation of the necessary connecting mains and appurtences, and the acquisition by purchase, eminent domain or other- wise, of the necessary land therefor, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
Article 21. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of thirty-four thousand dollars be and the same is hereby ap- propriated for the extension of the water system, by the construction of building for pumping station, the acquisition of land therefor and the installation of the necessary connecting mains and appurtenances, and that the Board of Public Works be and hereby is authorized, em- powered and directed to purchase or take by right of eminent domain such land as they may deem suitable therefor upon such terms, con- ditions and awards as they may determine; and that the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow said sum, and to issue therefor Bonds or Notes of the Town in accordance with provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and Acts amendatory thereof, and in addition thereto, so that the whole of said loan shall be paid in not more than fifteen years or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Board of Selectmen may deter- mine, and shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen.
262 voted Yes and None voted No.
and it was declared a two-thirds vote in favor of the motion.
Article 22. To see if the Town will raise by borrowing or other- wise, and appropriate sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000.00) for the ex- tension of the water system by the purchase of the necessary pumps and water departmental equipment, and for the installation and exten- sion of the small water mains and appurtenances, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
Article 22. On motion of Martin B. Hartshorn, it was voted that the sum of sixteen thousand dollars be and the same is hereby ap- propriated for the extension of the water system by the purchase of the necessary pumps and water departmental equipment, and for the installa- tion and extension of the small water mains and appurtenances ; and that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized to borrow said sum and issue there- for Bonds and Notes of the Town in accordance with provisions of
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.