USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1932 > Part 13
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
At this time I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Judges of the District Court, the Clerks of the Court, our local Press, and all others who assisted in promoting the welfare of this depart- ment also the members of the force for what they have done.
Respectfully yours,
JEREMIAH CULLINANE, Chief of Police Reading, Mass.
146
REPORT OF THE 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, 1932.
The financial transactions of the department are embodied in the report of the Town Accountant to which I refer you for any informa- tion along that line.
I appointed Henry M. Donegan, 11 Federal St., John J. O'Brien and Hugh L. Eames Central Fire Station as Deputy Forest Wardens and their names were approved by the State Forest Warden.
A Chevrolet chassis was purchased this year and the body and equipment has been transferred to it from the Simplex that was taken from service. This body was split in the accident and should be re- placed by a metal body.
I have had a number of runs this year which were caused by small boys setting fire to grass. While these fires cause no damage in them- selves I urge on parents to stop this practise where ever possible as it leaves the department short handed in the event of a real fire.
All woodland has been posted as in former years.
In concluding I wish to thank all those who have assisted this de- partment during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ORVILLE O. ORDWAY, Forest Warden
ANNUAL REPORT TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1932
Considerable progress has been made this year in the development of the Town Forest. The splendid co-operation of the Board of Select- men has made it possible to utilize the so-called 'unemployment service' with the result that 11,000 additional trees have been planted, a good proportion of them in the vicinity of the Pumping Station, and the larger tract of forest land has been trimmed of all underbrush. This now makes a total of 48 acres planted, and at the ratio of 1,000 trees to an acre, 48,000 trees.
There is still twenty acres of uncleared land available for future plantings.
The trees have grown considerably and a view from the brow of the hill approaching the main forest reserve gives a panorama of green pines that will bring joy to the heart of a real woodsman.
147
We invite the Citizens of Reading to inspect their Town Forest. If you do not know how to get to it just call a member of the Committee, and a personally conducted tour is at your disposal.
Respectfully yours,
Town Forest Committee LELAND W. KINGMAN, Chairman O. O. ORDWAY HENRY M. DONEGAN
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
Number of Permits granted 85
Number of fixtures installed 435
Bath tubs. 55
Lavatories
77
Closets
90
Sinks
80
Wash Trays
71
Boilers
57
Showers
5
I have made 238 inspections.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID TAGGART,
Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1932.
Number of inspections 604. Complaints received and investigated 17, wiring condemned 2, changes ordered made to defective wiring 4, fires from defective wiring 1.
One electrician was found guilty, in the Woburn Court, of installing wiring without a permit and was fined five dollars.
Again, as last year, a notice was printed in the Reading Chronicle warning the public against unsafe types of electric water heaters which have been sold by house to house salesmen.
I wish to thank all who have assisted this department.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES,
Inspector of Wires
148
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The building construction for the past year was as follows : 38 new one family dwellings at an estimated cost of $156,900, 24 alterations and additions to dwellings at an estimated cost of $12,110, 26 new private garages at an estimated cost of $6,630.
1 new girls welfare camp, 1 new office building, 1 new greenhouse, 1 new skating rink, 15 new hen houses, 2 new storage buildings, 1 new barn, 3 new roadside stands, 1 new soda and ice cream parlor, 15 altera- tions and additions to various buildings.
Estimated cost of the above buildings, $18,080.
Total estimated cost of all new and remodelled buildings for the past year, $193,720.
Total number of permits granted 133. .
Fees received for building perinits $286.00.
Respectfully submitted,
A. RUSSELL BARNES Building Inspector
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen: Ten petitions for relief from different provisions of the Zoning By-Law were presented to the Board of Appeal during 1932, of which seven were granted, three were denied.
As provided by law, full reports of all cases are on file with the Town Clerk, and open to inspection by citizens.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY Q. MILLETT, Chairman FRED L. NUTTER, Secretary CHARLES A. DAMON
Board of Appeal
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
During the past year I have planted about one hundred trees on the roadside. The Moth situation remains about the same as the last three years.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY M. DONEGAN Tree Warden and Moth Supt.
149
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Reading Public Library submit the following report for the year ended December 31, 1932.
Organization of the Board
The Board organized for the year by the election of Mr. Mansfield as Chairman and Mr. Keneely as Secretary. Standing Committees were appointed as follows :
On Accounts : The Board of Trustees
On Books : Mr. Mansfield, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Weeks.
On Building and Grounds : Messrs. Keneely, Morton, and Barclay.
On work with children : Mrs. Weeks, Mrs. Lucas, and Mr. Keneely.
Expenses of the Library
The condensed financial statement follows :
Appropriation, direct tax, 1932
Salaries
$4,900.00
Maintenance
3,100.00
Total
$8,000.00
Expended
Salaries; Librarian Assistants and Janitor
$4,868.08
Books and periodicals, including rebinding
2,064.62
Printing, Stationery, etc. 162.27
Fuel, Light, Water and Sewer 369.46
Repairs and furnishings 117.98
Telephone 44.69
Insurance
43.53
All other Expenses
55.26
$7,725.89
Balance unexpended and returned to revenue :
On Salaries
$ 31.92
On Maintenance
242.19
Total
$8,000.00
Receipts
Fines Collected
$ 484.82
Three out-of-town borrowers, Yearly fee 6.00
$ 490.82
Paid to Town Treasurer
490.82
Balance on Hand December 31, 1932
$ 0.00
Statistics
Volumes in the Library, December 31, 1931 16,910
150
Volumes bought (including duplicates and replacements) Adult Fiction 384
Adult Non-fiction
258 642
Juvenile Fiction
193
Juvenile Non-fiction
123 316
Reference 11
969
Received by gift, Mass.
11
Received by gift, Others . .
79
90
17,969
Withdrawn during year
322
Total number of volumes, December, 1932
17,647
Circulation for home use, adult
58,375
Circulation for home use, juvenile
24,004
82,379
Total Circulation in 1931
70,543
Increase over previous year (16.7%)
11,836
Largest monthy circulation, March
8,207
Smallest monthly circulation, June
5,874
New Borrowers registered, adult
475
New Borrowers registered, juvenile
285
760
Number of days on which the Library was open
303
Average daily circulation, adult
190
Average daily circulation, juvenile
79
Volumes deposited in schools
315
The total circulation of books for home use showed a total increase over 1931 of 11,836 volumes, about 16.7 per cent. The adult circulation increased 17.7 per cent and the juvenile circulation 14.5 per cent.
The following table gives data relative to the Library for the last five years :
No. of days Volumes Total
Library was
in
Expendi-
Year
Population April 1st
Circulation Home use
open
Library
ture
1928
56,646
301
14,866
$7,433.99
1929
55,822
301
15,586
7,396.94
1930
9,747
61,282
301
16,305
7,786.24
1931
70,543
302
16,710
7,920.36
1932
82,379
303
17.647
7,725.89
151
The cost per volume circulated in 1932 was 9.4 cents, and 1.8 cents per volume less than in 1931. The circulation per capita in 1932 was, about 8 and the cost per capita about 75 cents.
A marked increase in circulation is still in evidence, due in part to the enforced leisure of many.
The report of the Librarian follows :
To supplement the library resources the library has borrowed during the year from Wakefield, ten volumes; from Stoneham, ten volumes; from Boston, five volumes; Cambridge, one; Woburn, one; Lynn, one; and from the Division of Public Libraries, five volumes. The Library has loaned Wakefield, two volumes and Stoneham, twelve volumes. The increase in library hours on Saturdays (5 to 7) begun in Dec. 1930 and the addition beginning in May of two hours on Saturday mornings has apparently been much appreciated by users of the library.
There has been displayed in the exhibition case in January pictures of Hawaii and U. S. Army insignia of the Hawaiian Department and in February postals and pictures of Panama loaned by Walter White, Jr. In April a collection of minerals was loaned by Mr. H. E. Bowers ; in May gas mask, German helmet, Civil War cap and medals loaned by Walter White, Jr .; in June an old letter written by Solon Bancroft describing the celebration of July 4th in his childhood also pictures of the 4th of July parade in 1923; in August Russian altar cloth and chalice covers loaned by Louise Jenkins; in October old books from library collection; in November airmail envelopes and stamps loaned by Mr. Bowers; in December old book loaned by Mr. George O. Flanders and a photograph of the old mill formerly on Grove St., loaned by Mr. Loea Howard.
The annual collection of books for the Merchant Marine resulted in twenty-eight books being sent into Boston for that purpose in April. During the first half of the year in observance of the George Washing- ton Bicentennial celebration all the books on his life, home, family and achievements were displayed near the delivery desk. Many leaflets and additional material was received from the George Washington Bicen- tennial Commission and good use was made of these by the school chil- dren who were required to write about him and the general public who were interested. An oil painting, a copy of a Stuart portrait of Wash- ington by the late William Kingman of Reading was loaned the library by the Reading Antiquarian Society.
In June a framed water-color of the old Emerson House on Frank- fin St. painted by Mrs. Joseph L. Graham of Winston-Salem, North Carolina (formerly Miss Margaret Nowell of Reading) was presented to the Library by Mrs. Graham.
Public libraries everywhere are reporting increased use and de- creasing maintenance. In these times many people who have no work are finding in their local library both help and recreation. In Reading
152
this year while the usual amount of reference work was done assisting High and Junior High School pupils more help than usual was asked for by adults. About the usual number of children were given borrowers cards but over one hundred more new borrowers cards were issued to adult borrowers and more adults used the reading rooms. As some magazines had discontinued publication some additions were made when the magazine subscriptions were renewed in October. The new sub- scriptions were Birdlore; Delineator; McCall; Needlecraft; Popular Science ; and School Arts Magazine.
Budget-1933
In accordance with the requirements of the General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 59, the Board of Trustees of the Reading Public Library submit the following detailed estimate for the amounts deemed neces- sary for the proper maintenance of the Public Library for the fiscal year 1933 :
Fuel, Light, Water, Sewer Charge $ 400.00
Printing and Supplies 150.00
Books, Periodicals, Binding, etc. 1,750.00
Maintenance and Repairs 400.00
Miscellaneous Expenditures
100.00
Total Maintenance
$2,800.00
Salaries
4,600.00
Total Appropriation Requested $7,400.00
as against an appropriation in 1932 of $8,000.00
The total amount requested is $600.00 less than the appropriation for 1932, made possible by a salary decrease as recommended by the Town Boards and a decrease in Maintenance items.
An income of at least $400.00 is estimated from the "Fine Accounts" for 1933.
During the past year the resignations of Mrs. Jennie F. Weeks and Mr. Ralph S. Keneely were received and accepted. Mrs. Weeks resignation was due to her removal from Reading and that of Mr. Keneely on account of his appointment to the Board of Registrars. Both were zealous co-workers and the Trustees accepted their resigna- tion with much regret. The trustees in a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen elected Mrs. Helen P. Tirrell to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Weeks, and Mr. Warren L. Fletcher to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Keneely.
Mr. Harry J. Barclay was elected Secretary to fill the existing vacancy.
At the close of the year the following letter was sent to Miss Brown, the Librarian :-
153
My dear Miss Brown :
At the close of the year the Trustees of the Library wish to express to you and your assistants their appreciation of the spirit of co-opera- tion you have all shown during these trying times. With so much en- forced idleness probably the people of Reading have never needed as now the library's assistance in providing a worthy use of leisure time.
We wish to thank you for the extra hours of service which you have given so freely with no thought of personal gain. We deeply regret the necessity of cutting down our budget to meet the present economic stress and are sure that we voice the feeling of all our citi- zens in thanking you for your willingness to serve them.
Very truly yours The Board of Trustees
Three vacancies in the Board of Trustees are to be filled at the Annual Town Meeting; the three year terms of Mrs. Helen P. Tirrell and Arthur N. Mansfield expiring, and the unexpired one year term of Warren L. Fletcher.
ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD, Chairman HARRY J. BARCLAY, Secretary JESSE W. MORTON IDA C. LUCAS HELEN P. TIRRELL WARREN L. FLETCHER
Adopted as the report of the Trustees.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF FOOD
To the Board of Health
Town of Reading
Gentlemen :
The duties of the Inspector of Food consist of the inspection of the sanitary conditions in the local stores, restaurants, and road-side stands where food is handled; also the enforcement of the regulations govern- ing the storing and handling of foou and food products.
I can report at this time that all of the stores, restaurants, and road- side stands have been inspected this year. Where conditions were found unsatisfactory or contrary to the regulations they have been remedied.
There were seventy-eight inspections made. Four complaints were investigated and satisfactorily adjusted.
CARL M. SMITH, Inspector of Food
154
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading
Gentlemen :
The work of testing, sealing or condemning all of the scales, weights, and measures in the Town of Reading has been concluded for the year 1932 with the following work accomplished :
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities Sold or Put up
for Sale
Incorrect
Commodity
Bread
32
20
8
4
Butter
22
19
1
2
Coal (in paper bags)
12
8
1
3
Dry Commodities
78
62
6
10
Fruits & Vegetables
24
14
S
Flour
12
9
2
1
Grain & Feed
6
6
Ice
4
1
3
Liquid Commodities
12
12
Meats & Provisions
10
9
1
Total
212
159
22
31
Inspections Made
Pedler's license
2
Ice scales
2
Junk scales
1
Clinical Therm.
1
Pedlers' scales
1
10
Work Performed from Jan. 1st, 1932 to Jan. Ist. 1933
I Scales
A.
S
N. S.
Con.
Platform, over 5,000 1bs.
2
3
Platform, 100 tc 5000 1bs.
10
13
1
Counter, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
3
Counter, under 100 lbs.
8
22
Spring, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
6
Spring under 100 1bs.
20
41 2
Computing, under 100 lbs.
18
30
1
2
Personal weighing
2
1
II Weights
Avoirdupois
1 171
Total No. Tested Correct Under
Over
155
III Volumetric Measures
Liquid measures
16
Dry measures
4
IV Automatic Liquid Measuring Devices
Gasoline pumps
7
75
2
Stops on pumps
78
253
V Linear Measure
Yard sticks
14
Total
148
653
2
8
CARL M. SMITH,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Board of Health
Town of Reading
Gentlemen :
The inspection of the local supply of milk for the Town of Read- ing this year has been the same as that of former years.
It ha's consisted of the inspection of the local dairies and the con- ditions under which the milk is produced and handled. I can report at this time that the conditions are very satisfactory.
There were twenty-eight inspections made.
Fifty-six milk and four oleomargarine licenses were issued.
CARL M. SMITH, Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my first report as Inspector of Animals in the town of Reading, Mass., from April, 1932 to January 1, 1933.
Total number of animals inspected were 368; cattle 162; goats 3; swine 203.
The majority of barns were in good condition. It was necessary to suggest improvement in a few cases.
There were no cases of rabies reported, which may be due to the fact that a large number of the dogs are immunized.
Respectfully submitted,
C. THIBEAULT, D. D. M.
156
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Honorable Board of Selectmen : Reading, Massachusetts.
Sirs :
During the year 1932 the Planning Board has been active along the lines required by the General Laws, meeting regularly each Friday eve- ning at 8 P. M. in Room 2 in the Town Building.
In accordance with the vote of the Town at its last Meeting the Board has made studies as to modifications in the Zoning By-Law in regard to sand and gravel removal from residential districts. At the request of a certain Town Board and of certain citizens it has also made studies with regard to the minimum width of building lots. The Board is submitting amendments on both these matters to the next Town Meeting. It has discussed the traffic situation, both in regard to local by-passes around the Square, and to traffic lights in the Square. It has made studies of the park and playground situation, and of the hazards due to improper street names and numbering. The problem of public, private and surreptitious dumps has been considered in connection with the problem of the public removal of ashes and garbage. The results of these studies may be found in the minutes of the Annual Meetings of the Town and in informal reports which have been published in the Reading Chronicle.
In addition to the studies mentioned above, the Board has under- taken the preparation of a skeleton plan for the future development of the town, realizing that haphazard growth of the now undeveloped areas cannot take full advantage of their possibilities. In order to prepare such a plan properly, it was found necessary to lay down a set of rules for the laying out of streets which could be used as a basis for this work. No such rules could be found in the literature on town plan- ning, and the Board perforce has drawn up its own set. The set of rules thus made up being of more than local interest, the Board has had a number of copies of these rules printed for distribution to citi- zens of the town and others who may be interested in real estate developments. A copy of this pamphlet is attached to this report and additional copies may be had at the Planning Board room in the Town Building.
Respectfully submitted, NORMAN W. HAINES
Secretary
Twelfth Annual Report
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
For the Year Ended December 31,
1932
158
To. the Citizens of Reading :
The Board of Public Works organized on March 11, 1932 with Martin B. Hartshorn as chairman and Robert E. Fowle as secretary. Alexander Birnie was appointed Superintendent of Public Works for the coming year. Our Chairman was seriously injured in an auto- mobile accident the latter part of October. He is recovering rapidly and will soon be meeting with the Board again.
The resurfacing of Reading Square was completed the latter part of the summer at a total cost to the town of approximately $6,- 000.00. Nothing but favorable comment has been heard relative to this accomplishment, and visitors will no longer remember Reading by the number and size of the holes in the center of the town. An ar- ticle will appear in the warrant next March for an appropriation to continue this class of construction on Main Street from Haven Street to the railroad crossing.
New wells and water mains have been installed as fast as the money became available, and another year should find the system in excellent shape. Thought is being given by the Board to the reduc- tion of water rates, but this should not be done hastily as the new water supply should be thoroughly proven before any reduction is made.
The leakage of the ground water into the sewer mains has caused a great deal of money to be spent in their repair. Progress is slow, and it will be some time yet before this condition is wholly corrected.
The unemployment situation has been a difficult one to handle, and the Board has made every effort to employ men turned over to it by the Welfare Dept. in work which was constructive and per- manent. We commend the Superintendent for excellent work turned out at Memorial Park where many of these men were employed during the summer. The Board has many new projects in mind for the em- ployment of the welfare labor during the coming year. Requests for appropriations have been substantially reduced, knowing that much of this class of labor will be provided by the Board of Public Welfare and paid for out of their funds.
In the interest of economy the Superintendent's report has left out much of the detail which has been printed in reports of past years. A full report is on file in the office of the Board, and the townspeople may obtain such further information as they desire by applying.
MARTIN B. HARTSHORN, Chairman ROBERT E. FOWLE, Secretary HAROLD W. PUTNAM WILLIAM T. FAIRCLOUGH FRANK M. MERRILL
Board of Public Works
159
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works :
Gentlemen :
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118, of an Act authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration, the twelfth annual report of the De- partment of Public Works (Water, Highway, Sewer and Park) in- cluding a financial report of each department, and a chronicle of the principal work performed with recommendations for the coming year.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Maintenance Account :
Receipts :
Cash on Hand Jan. 1, 1932
$ 8,097.49
Meter Rates
47,220.12
Service Pipe Maint.
302.64
Service Pipe Const.
1,078.49
Hydrant Rental
8,645.00
Hydrant Repairs
94.81
Drinking Fountains
115.00
Misc. Receipts
317.08
Total
$ 65,870.63
Expenditures :
Office Maintenance $ 3,209.28
Pumping Station Costs :
Sta. No. 1 Mill St. 1,148.26
Sta. No. 2 Grove St. 7,052.74
Maintenance of Meters 2,140.87
Maintenance of Service Pipes 970.99
Maintenance of Main Pipes
274.02
Maturing Bonds paid from Receipts . . 16,000.00
160
Bond Interest paid from Receipts 4,202.50
Auto Maintenance
358.96
Shop Maintenance
122.68
Main Pipe Construction
13,644.54
Service Pipe Construction
2,842.93
Meter Construction 251.10
Hydrants and Drinking Fountains
818.71
GRAND TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 53,037.58
$ 53,037.58
Balance Dec. 31, 1932
$ 12,833.05
Misc. Transfers 11.34
Total
$ 12,844.39
Construction Account :
NEW WATER SUPPLY
34,000 Bond Issue, 1931 Balance Fwd.
$ 3,853.91
16,000 Bond Issue, 1931 Balance Fwd. 382.47
Total
$ 4,236.38
Expended
4,225.77
Balance
$ 10.61
Total Cost Water Sys. since beginning to Jan. 1, 1932 $609,917.93
Expended 1932 18,121.41
Total Cost Dec. 31, 1932 $628,039.34
REGISTRATION REPORT
Amt. of Bills (Metered Wtr.) Rendered in 1932 $ 48,920.04
Amt. Collected and Paid Treasurer $ 46,487.90
Amt. Uncollected
2,432.14
$ 48,920.04 $ 48,920.04
Amt. of Bills (Metered Water) of Previous Years Uncollected
$ 848.34
Amt. Collected and Paid Treasurer
$ 732.22
Amt. Uncollected
116.12
$ 848.34 $ 848.34
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
1932
EXPENDITURES
RECEIPTS
Water Works Maintenance
Bal. brought forward from 1931 $ 8,097.49
Total Maintenance $ 16,528.12
Interest on Bonds 4,202.50
Payment of Bonds 16,000.00
Bal. of unexpended Const. Act. Dec. 31, 1931 .00
Total Maintenance
$ 36,730.62
Water Works Construction
Expended New P. S.
$ 3,853.91
Expended New Wells
ยท 371.86
Expended New Standpipe
.00
From Meter Rates $ 49,220.12
Extension of Mains
13,397.42
From Meter Maint. 1.00
Extension of Services
2,658.44
Private Drinking Fountains 15.00
Extension of Meters
251.10
Total from Consumers . .
$ 47,236.12
Total Construction
$ 20,532.73
From Drinking Fountains
100.00
Balance New Standpipe
From Hydrants 8,645.00
(Trans. to 1933 Acct. Bal. Carried Forward)
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.