USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1938 > Part 22
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This difficulty became so acute by the end of the year that the trustees felt obliged to divert some funds even from their small budget. for a monitor to keep order. Experience shows occasional need for qualities not usually possessed by women librarians or girl helpers. The monitor needs to be big enough to eject any unruly juvenile who mis- takes the library for a pool room.
This diversion of funds is unfortunate and the attitude and public
277
conduct it reveals on the part of some of the young people of Reading is a condition it may be in order to call to the attention of all having responsibility for the development of the social attitudes of the grow- ing generation in the town. We could all enjoy more books if the li- brary could be relieved of this unpleasant and expensive necessity of requiring consideration of the rights of others in the use of its public facilities.
Whenever the sharp issue of financial support is under considera- tion, it is forced to the attention of the trustees that the Reading library is entirely lacking in private endowment with which so many of our neighboring libraries are happily provided. The only money the library has for any purpose comes from the annual town appropriation. It is also of note that the library does not have the use of the fines, now amounting to about $450 a year, which by law must go directly to the town treasurer and may not be added to the funds for books.
The development of a tradition of small bequests to the library might, in a short time, provide many additional services not easily se- cured from public appropriations. A habit of gifts and legacies of books would also increase the public service the library can render. Especially desirable as gifts of books would be standard sets in literature or his- tory or special collections in particular fields.
The library lost at the end of the year the services of Bertha L. Brown, librarian, whose health obliged her to retire after thirty-five years' service. Her long and devoted direction of the library during a period of rapid development the trustees have already described in a public expression of appreciation. They note here again their keen sense of the value of her steadfast service. They note also the harsh fact that the failure of the town to accept a pension act for retired municipal employees made impossible any but verbal recognition of the career of a public servant worn out by thirty-five years of useful service at very low pay.
The trustees were happy to find within the library all the per- sonnel to complete the necessary staff organization. They were able to follow Miss Brown's own recommendations and promote to librarian Miss Grace J. Abbott; to the first assistantship, Miss A. Rebecca Turner; and to elect to the second assistantship, Miss Marjorie E. Kenney, who had had two years' experience helping in the library. Miss Abbott has been Miss Brown's associate for many years. Miss Turner has for a dozen years been librarian of the Children's depart- ment where she will continue to serve.
Miss Brown's final report as librarian follows. To the Trustees :
The year 1938 was the busiest the library has had with a circula- tion of books 5,056 more than 1937 in spite of the fact that it was
278
closed from May 23 to June 4 for painting done by the W. P. A.
The change of library hours from the afternoon closing at five, to six in the adult department and five-thirty in the children's room has been appreciated. During July and August on Wednesday afternoons there was a story-hour for the younger children in the children's room with an average attendance of twenty-four. In October on two morn- ings a talk on the use of the library was given by the librarian to groups of ninth grade pupils from the Junior High School.
There has been on exhibition during the year water-colors by a Reading boy; stamps loaned by the Reading Stamp Club; a model house of four rooms showing the work done under the recreation project of the W. P. A .; also specimens of their handiwork; a photo- graph of R. H. S. cadets of 1894 loaned by Mr. Sydney Hodson; Boy Scouts' handicraft work; Girls Scouts' handicraft work; photographs taken by Gardener Knapp and Christmas cards of the 1880's loaned by Miss Kenney.
When I was appointed librarian in 1903, the library was a leisurely place with few children's books and very little reference work. Many demands are now made on the library beside the cataloging and giving out of books. I leave the work with full confidence that my successor will give the town the best service possible with resources allowed her.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA L. BROWN.
Appropriation :
Salaries
$ 5,195.00
Maintenance
3,000.00
$ 8,195.00
Expended
Salaries : Librarian, Assistants, Janitor
$ 5,195.00
Fuel, Light, Water, Sewer 431.91
Printing and Supplies
170.50
Books, Periodicals and Binding
2,152.83
Maintenance and Repairs
192.24
Insurance
Miscellaneous
50.72
Balance Unexpended and Returned to Revenue :
On Salaries
0.00
On Maintenance
.80
$ 8,194.20
$ 8,195.00
279
Receipts
Fines Collected $ 452.08
Two Fees for Out of Town Borrowers
4.00
Paid to Town Treasurer
456.08
Balance Dec. 31, 1938
0.00
Statistics, 1938
Volumes in Library, Dec. 31, 1937. .
20,995
Volumes bought :
Adult fiction
453
Adult non-fiction
413
866
Juvenile fiction
214
Juvenile non-fiction 100
314
Reference Books
8
1,188
Received by gift
41
Total
22,224
Withdrawn during the year
529
Total number of volumes Dec. 31, 1938.
21,695
Circulation for home use, adult. 74,880
Circulation for home use, juvenile
23,098
Total circulation in 1938
97,978
Total circulation in 1937
92,922
Gain in 1938
5,056
New borrowers registered, adult
376
New borrowers registered, juvenile
217
Total new borrowers 593
Total borrowers registered during past five years (includ'g active borrowers registered)
3,584
Number of days the library was open.
292
Average daily circulation, adult
256
Average daily circulation, juvenile
70
326
Volumes deposited in schools
173
280
$
456.08
The appropriation sought by the trustees for 1939 was $9,514. The finance committee has approved a budget of $8,925, of which $5,550 is for salaries and $3,375 for maintenance. The budget approved will pro- vide for the most urgently needed equipment and for the increased services required at the delivery desk. It will not permit desired addi- tions of books, to fill in certain ominous gaps in the collections, nor will it permit extending the library's operation through the supper hour in 1939.
NELSON L. BISHOP,
A. IMRIE DIXON, WARREN L. FLETCHER,
ISABEL G. HEDGES, LOUIS M. LYONS, HELEN P. TIRRELL, Board of Library Trustees.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Building, Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my second annual report as Inspector of Wires for the Town of Reading for the term ending December 31, 1938.
Total number of inspections classified as follows :
Repairs, additions and alterations, 187; oil burners, 84; additional tenements, 5; garages (home), 1; new houses, 45; electric ranges, 38; low voltage transformers, 6; water heaters, 10; commercial motors, 8; old houses wired, 3; gasoline pumps, 11; temperature controls, 2; car- nivals, 1; signs, 10; commercial refrigerators, 7; hen-houses, 4; fire re- pairs, 1; re-inspections, 236; total inspections, 659.
Lightning causing a break down of wires, 1; explosions causing a break down of wires, 1; wiring condemned, 7; violations of the Na- tional Electrical Code, 22; notices to State Examiners, 5; working without license, 5; working without permit, 11.
These cases were handled by the Inspector of Wires and the State Examiners without the necessity of taking any court action whatever.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their co-operation throughout the year. I also wish to thank all those who notified me of any hazardous conditions so that they could be properly corrected and any and all others who assisted in any way toward the successful conduct of this office.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT C. MAXWELL, Inspector of Wires.
281
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1938
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
The Cemetery Trustees submit their annual report as follows :
The Board organized for the year by electing Clarence C. White as Chairman and Fred L. Nutter as Secretary.
William P. Pierpont was re-appointed Superintendent.
The appropriations for the year were $7,650.00 for maintenance of Laurel Hill Cemetery and $1,000.00 for Forest Glen Cemetery, and $2,000.00 was transferred from the Cemetery Reserve Fund to assist in carrying on the work of the Department.
The general routine of cemetery work has been supervised very carefully by the Trustees with a view to keeping within these appro- priations.
The reports of Superintendent Pierpont, approved by the Trustees and appended hereto, cover so fully the work carried on during the year in both cemeteries, that a repetition in the Trustees' Report seems unnecessary.
These reports of the Superintendent speak for the efficient manage- ment of the Superintendent and the good work and loyalty of his as- sistants.
The board would call especial attention however, to the continued development in Forest Glen Cemetery under W. P. A. projects, which have extended over a period of several years, and would urge that the citizens visit this cemetery and see for themselves what has been ac- complished there. Much of the credit for this work is due Arthur Michelini, Sponsor's Agent, to whom the Trustees are greatly indebted for his faithful service and his willingness to co-operate with the board in every possible way.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE C. WHITE, Chairman. HAROLD F. DAVIS FRED L. NUTTER, Secretary: W. F. TWOMBLY FRANK LEE EDGERLEY PHILIP H. TIRRELL
Board of Cemetery Trustees.
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY REPORT 1938
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present herewith my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
In previous years we have been able to get men from the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments to mow the Old Cemetery and old
282
lots which belonged to families that have since died out or disap- peared and neglected to place perpetual care on them. This year we were unable to get this help and at times the mowing had to be neglect- ed, which detracted somewhat from the appearance of the cemetery. The Cemetery Department funds are insufficient for this work.
Grass cutting cost much more than usual this year due to the unusual amount of rain during the summer months. In the early spring several avenues were badly broken up and had to be repaired with several tons of Hot Top mixture. Later in the season they had a coat of Tarvia. Elm and Walnut Avenues had a coat of asphalt and crushed stone.
We lost twenty-five trees during the hurricane of September 21st. We removed all broken limbs from trees throughout the Cemetery and teamed about thirty cords of wood to the Welfare Department. This work was completed in five weeks by the regular men and extra help, which was paid for out of a special fund.
Six lots and seven single graves were sold this year, nine old lots were placed under perpetual care and one lot had an additional amount added. Perpetual care of lots is ever a prominent feature in the service of this department. All modern cemeteries today advocate this provi- sion over all others. Each year the number of lots under annual care has been reduced and they have been endowed by the owners and placed in perpetual care.
One hundred and twenty-nine sunken graves were repaired and seventeen winter graves reloamed and seeded this spring. Two thou- sand three hundred and twenty-eight stepping stones were trimmed and raised. One hundred and forty-four stepping stones and four hundred and fifty cement markers were made .
There were seventy interments during the year and forty-three monument and marker foundations were built. Hedges and shrubs were trimmed, urns painted on perpetual care lots, three monuments were cleaned and three foundations rebuilts. Eight lots were re- loamed and seeded and six lots had minor repairs. All perpetual care lots were fertilized in the spring and the lots were watered and leaves raked in the fall. All avenues were kept open during the winter.
Two new gates were installed, one at the Highland Street entrance and the other at the Lowell Street entrance. Up to the present time nothing has been done to remedy the condition of the wall along Main Street, but recently we have received word from the State De- partment that work will start very soon.
We are in need of a new toolhouse and storage building, as our present one is not large enough to take care of the equipment for both cemeteries. This could be built by the W. P. A. with little ex- pense to the town.
I recommend two new gates at Main Street, one at the entrance
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near Charles Street and the other at the upper entrance, as both are without gates.
This covers in detail the general operation of the year's work of this cemetery. The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. PIERPONT,
Superintendent.
FOREST GLEN CEMETERY REPORT 1938
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The general routine of Cemtery work has been carefully followed during the season. The grass mowed regularly, lots and grass plots fer- tilized, shrubs cared for and stepping stones trimmed. Seven sunken graves were repaired and everything has been done that goes with the upkeep of a cemetery.
There has been extensive progress made by the W. P. A. during the year 1938. Work on the project started March 14th with an aver- age of eighteen men. Two hundred and twenty-five cubic yards of ledge was broken up and removed. Two thousand one hundred and seventy-six cubic yards of loam was hauled to the west section, which was graded and seeded. Five hundred feet of two inch pipe was laid to supply water to this section and six hydrants set. Construction on the wall at the west boundary was resumed April 20th. Two hundred and fifty feet of wall was built this year, completing five hundred and sixty-seven feet. It is important that this wall should be capped this season to assure preservation. It is our intention to plant ivy and scattered shrubs along this wall.
The building in the Cemetery on Pearl Street which was originally a camp has been renovated inside and out by the W. P. A. and many improvements installed. A retaining wall was built bordering the lawn and also cement steps and walk, making it a very attractive house, which is occupied by an employee of the Cemetery Department.
A new project was started October 15th to complete the remaining area of this Cemetery, of approximately four acres. Four hundred and fifty trees were cut down and all brush removed and burned. It is expected that a steam shovel will start soon to dig over the lad and remove all stumps and boulders. Avenues are to be built, exten- sion of the water and drain pipe to be laid and the wall is to be ex- tended around the entire Cemetery. Construction on a wall has been started from the southern boundary extending north at Pearl Street, with an entrance at this section. At the completion of this project
284
which calls for rough grade only, it is hoped that this work will con- tinue until the cemetery is a finished project.
As all lots are sold including perpetual care, there will be no un- cared for lots to mar the beauty of the grounds. With its macadam avenues, green lawns, field stone wall, scattered trees and shrubs, it will be one of the best laid out cemeteries in this part of New England.
In closing I wish to thank Arthur Michelini, Sponsor's Agent, and also Foreman Warren Sprague for the interest they have taken in the development of Forest Glen Cemetery. The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM P. PIERPONT, Superintendent.
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report for the year 1938.
The building construction for the past year was as follows : 38 new one family dwellings at an estimated cost of $167,250.00
16 alterations and additions to dwellings at an estimated cost of $ 11,985.00
16 new private garages at an estimated cost of.
$ 5,200.00
2 new restaurants.
1 new summer house.
7 new hen houses.
14 alterations and additions to various buildings.
Estimated cost of the above building construction 17,286.00
Total estimated cost of all building construction
$201,671.00
201,721
Number of permits granted 94.
Fees received for building permits $252.50.
Respectfully submitted, A. RUSSELL BARNES, Building Inspector.
285
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Town of Reading :
Regular meetings of the Board have been held throughout the year on Friday evenings at the Municipal Building; also a number of special meetings have been held. The Board has been represented at various local hearings.
The employment of Professor Frederic Adams of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology has been continued.
During the year the Board has continued its studies on the master plan.
In the early part of the year the Board completed its studies of the proposed amendment of the Zoning Law and after several public hear- ings presented the amendment to the Town at a special town meeting held on May 23, 1938. The amendment failed of adoption by a very small margin.
Later, at a special town meeting held on October 20, 1938, the plac- ing of the amendment on the official ballot at the annual town meeting was presented and it was voted that the amendment be so placed on the ballot. Another public hearing was held on the amendment on January 27, 1939. The final report with recommendations of the Board on the proposed amendment was as follows :
FINAL REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PLAN- NING BOARD OF READING ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING BY-LAW, RENDERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 27 OF CHAPTER 40 OF THE GENERAL LAWS,
TERCENTENARY EDITION, AS AMENDED
For the past few years your Planning Board has given serious con- sideration to the matter of zoning. In view of the fact that nearby towns have strengthened their zoning laws the tendency for undesirable developments in Reading is increased since these are prohibited in many places because of this more strict zoning.
Any 'measure that will prevent this sort of development gives se- curity to the owners of property in the town since it protects them from the improper development of neighboring properties.
Any construction activity in the outlying areas of the community is expensive for the town because of the necessity of supplying services, such as streets, lights, sewers, police and fire protection as well as schools. These services can be supplied more economically if they are extended gradually rather than carried through unproductive vacant areas. This type of outlying developments is prevented by increasing the size of lots progressively from the center to the edge of the town. This makes for a logical development from the center outward.
The provisions included in this proposed by-law will benefit all
286
classes of citizens. Property owners will benefit by the protection of their investment; money will be. saved in taxes since the necessity of expending town funds in extending services unduly will be avoided ; and all citizens will benefit by the increased ability of the Town to supply all the services which it should supply including assistance to the unfortunate.
This proposed amendment to the zoning by-law which was de- veloped by the Planning Board was submitted to the Town at a special town meeting held on October 20, 1938, and it was voted that the amend- ment be placed upon the official ballot for the annual meeting to be held on March 6, 1939.
A public hearing on the proposed amendment was held as required by the Statutes, on January 27, 1939.
The original zoning law was adopted in 1927 and since that time much progress has been made in the science of zoning. The present amendment is designed to keep pace with the improved methods now being generally adopted. It is also made necessary by changes in popu- lation trends ; zoning or lack of it in neighboring towns ; and by present methods of developing real estate.
PRINCIPAL CHANGES FROM OLD LAW AND REASONS THEREFOR
1. Multiple residence district has been eliminated because there is no demand for new two-family houses.
2. Single family district has been divided into three districts as follows :
Lots required to be at least
Residence A-1 district 10,000 sq. ft. in area
Residence A-2 district 20,000 sq. ft. in area
Residence A-3 district 40,000 sq. ft. in area
In the proposed revision the 10,000 sq. ft. restrictions apply to areas which can readily be served by the present gravity sewage system or extensions of it.
The 20,000 sq. ft. areas on the north, west and south, to a large ex- tent, lie beyond this gravity area and would necessitate some system of pumping ; moreover, the soil situation is such in a large portion of these areas that a lot size of 20,000 sq. ft. minimum would be necessary for adequate private sewage disposal.
The 40,000 sq. ft. areas are made up mostly of publicly or semi- publicly owned land, or areas not suitable for development on ac- count of their swampy nature. Other towns have adopted this type of zoning, for example: Lexington has increased lot sizes from 7,500 sq. ft. to 12,500 sq. ft .. Weston has increased lot sizes to 20,000 sq. ft. and 40,000 sq. ft .; Lincoln has a minimum of one acre; Milton has minimums of 7,500, 20,000 and 40,000 sq. ft .; Winchester
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has 10,000 and 15,000 sq. ft. areas for single houses; Belmont has: 10,000 and 15,000 sq. ft. areas for single houses.
3. Minimum width of lots has been increased from 70 feet to 80 feet because the trend in suburban building is to larger lot sizes and longer houses parallel to the street.
4. Present side yard requirement has been increased from 10 feet to 15 feet for better spacing.
5. The business district on South Main Street has been revised to provide for a 50 foot set-back. This district will be occupied mainly by gas stations, refreshment and garden truck stands and other kinds of highway business. The set-back is provided in the inter- ests of safety and convenience for everybody.
6. Apartment House district. Part of the central business district has been re-zoned into an apartment house district to meet the demand for space available for apartments.
7. The industrial district has been reduced in size, part of it being zoned for single residence and part for apartment houses. The area provided in the amendment is more than ample for any probable industrial development.
8. The unrestricted district has been eliminated to prevent uncon- trolled development.
IN GENERAL
1. The proposed amendment does not affect the sizes of lots already recorded. There are approximately 1,500 lots of 7,000 sq. ft. area or less unbuilt upon.
2. Property owners will be allowed to continue the present use of their premises.
3. The proposed districts for business provide for nearly six times the amount of frontage now used for business.
4. The amendment provides for the re-subdivision of tracts already divided into small lots, should the owners so desire.
5. From 1920 to 1935 a population increase of approximately 50 per cent took place. Unless unforeseen circumstances arise it is un- likely that the rate of increase for the fifteen year period begin- ning in 1935 will be in excess of the previous fifteen year period. This would mean a population in 1950 of approximately 15,000.
6. Computations show that the proposed zoning law would provide for a total population in excess of 35,000 persons, an increase of about 25,000, a figure unlikely to be reached before another re-zoning of the town will be necessary.
7. The proposed amendment provides for a Board of Appeal which has the usual statutory powers to relieve unnecessary hardships.
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The Planning Board has voted unanimously to recommend the enactment of the amendment as set forth in the warrant for the annual town meeting to be held March 6, 1939.
WINTHROP D. PARKER,
RICHARD F. DREW,
McPHERSON DANIEL,
SHERBURNE J .WATTS,
PHILIP R. WHITE,
Planning Board.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Reading :
There were one hundred sixty-one contagious diseases reported
during the year 1938.
Anterior Poliomyelitis
1
Chicken Pox
4
Dog Bites
44
Lobar Pneumonia
5
Measles
5
Mumps
47
Para Typhoid B
7
Scarlet Fever
21
Tuberculosis
5
Whooping Cough
22
Number of Deaths
81
Male
36
Female
45
3 were between
90 and 100
19 were between
80 and 90
28 were between 70 and 80
18 were between
60 and 70
3 were between
50 and
60
5 were between
40 and
50
1 was between
30 and 40
1 was between
10 and 20
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