USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1939 > 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
This laying out so made by us we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that said way shall thereafter be known as a public town way and named Belmont Street, and that the sum of
37
eight hundred ninety-six ($896.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for said laying out and for the construction of said way.
ALEX. LINDSAY HAROLD W. PUTNAM
WENDELL P. DAVIS EDWARD A. BROPHY
Members of the Board of Public Works of Town of Reading.
On motion of Wendell P. Davis, it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out as a public way of a private way known as Belmont Street, and adopt the recom- mendations contained therein, and that the sum of eight hundred ninety- six ($896.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for the laying out and the construction of the said way.
Article 29. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to acquire by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise a parcel of land situated southerly of Forest Street and containing approxi- mately 4.053 acres of land and owned by the Fathers' and Mothers' Club, Inc., for the further development of the Birch Meadow Play- ground and also a right of way in a strip of land approximately 40 feet in width extending southerly from Forest Street through lands of Fathers' and Mothers' Club, Inc., and land of Francis B. Hunt, heirs or devisees, as convenient access to said playground from Forest Street, and to raise and appropriate therefor the sum of $1.00 or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works.
Article 29. On motion of Harold W. Putnam, it was voted that the Board of Public Works be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase or by taking by eminent domain, a parcel of land situated southerly of Forest Street and containing ap- proximately 4.053 acres of land and owned by the Fathers' and Mothers' Club, Inc., and land of Francis B. Hunt heirs or devisees, as convenient access to said playground from Forest Street, and to raise and ap- propriate therefor the sum of one ($1.00) dollar.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works on relocating or altering a portion of the location lines of Woburn Street and Copeland Avenue at their terminus at the southwesterly corner of Woburn Street and Copeland Avenue, said location lines being relocated or altered in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Public Works and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and to see if the Town will accept the relocation or alteration of the said location lines as shown on said plan, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works.
38
Article 30.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
Town of Reading.
Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation or Altera - tion of the Southwest Corner of Copeland Avenue and Woburn Street.
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having deter- mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require that the public highways be laid out, relocated or altered as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all requirements of law relating to notice to owners of land thereof, and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such hearing, and then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard have laid out, relocated or altered as public highways for the use of the Town, the Southwest corner of Copeland Avenue and Wo- burn Street. The boundaries and measurements of said public high- ways as so laid out, relocated or altered are as follows :
Beginning at the point of intersection of the Westerly sideline of Copeland Avenue and the Southerly sideline of Woburn Street, said point being S. 62 degrees-42' W., a distance of 177.60 feet from a stone bound located in the Southerly sideline of said Woburn Street;
Thence running S. 62 degrees-42' W., by said Southerly sideline of said Woburn Street, a tangent distance of 23.56 feet to a point ;
Thence by a curve East to South, having a radius of 20.0 feet, through lands of Kimball A. Loring, a length of 34.67 feet to a point on said Westerly sideline of said Copeland Avenue;
Thence N. 17 degrees-58' W., by said Westerly sideline of said Copeland Avenue, a tangent distance of 23.56 feet to the point of be- ginning.
The approximate area taken is one hundred twenty-four (124) square feet.
The above-described lines being more fully shown on a Plan en- titled "Alteration of the Southwest Corner of Copeland Avenue and Woburn Street, Reading, Mass." dated February, 1939, Board of Public Works, Philip Welch, Supt. said plan being a part of this description.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.
No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement.
This laying out, relocation or alteration so made by us, we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that when this re- port is accepted and adopted by the Town, that said public highways
39
shall therefore be laid out, relocated or altered in accordance with said plan.
ALEX. LINDSAY, Chairman. HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Secretary. EDWARD A. BROPHY
Members of the Board of Public Works of Town of Reading. On motion of Wendell P. Davis, it was voted that the Town ac- cept the report of the Board of Public Works on the relocating and altering of a portion of the location lines of Woburn Street and Cope- land Avenue at their terminus at the Southwesterly corner of Woburn Street and Copeland Avenue, and adopt the recommendations contained therein.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works on relocating or altering a portion of the westerly location line of West Street, beginning at a point 70.63 feet northwesterly of the north westerly location line of Longwood Road, and extending in a Northwesterly direction 240.57 feet, said location lines being relocated or altered in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Public Works and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with the statutory requirements, and to see if the Town will accept the relocation or alteration of the said location line as shown on said plan, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works.
Article 31.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
Town of Reading.
Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation or Altera- tion of the Southerly and Westerly line of West Street.
The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having de- termined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require that the public highway be laid out, relocated or altered as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all requirements of law relating to notice to owners of land thereof and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such hear- ing and then and there heard all persons present, who desired to be heard, have laid out, relocated or altered as a public highway for the use of the town a portion of the Southerly and Westerly sideline of West Street. The boundaries and measurements of said public high- way as so laid out, relocated or altered are as follows :
Beginning at a point on the Westerly sideline of said West Street, said point being N. 14 degrees-08'-50" W., a distance of 70.63 feet measured along said Westerly sideline of West Street from a stone bound located at the intersection of the Northerly sideline of Long- wood Road and the said Westerly sideline of West Street;
40
Thence N. 14 degrees-08'-50" W., along said Westerly sideline of West Street and by lands of Lewis A. Pratt and lands of Wakefield Building & Construction Co., a distance of 147.10 feet to a stake at an angle point ;
Thence N. 41 degrees-54'-10" W., still by the said Westerly side- line of West Street and lands of said Wakefield Building & Construc- tion Co., a distance of 28.27 feet to a stake;
Thence N. 48 degrees-58'-00" W., still by said Westerly sideline of West Street and lands of said Wakefield Building & Construction Co., a distance of 30.85 feet to a stake ;
The Westerly sideline of West Street as herein defined now turns at an angle and becomes the Southerly sideline of West Street;
Thence turning and running N. 70 degrees-33'-40" W., by said Southerly sideline of West Street and still by lands of said Wakefield Building & Construction Co., a distance of 140.05 feet to a point;
Thence, turning and running by a curved line in an Easterly and Southerly direction, having a radius of 330.0 feet, a length of 324.92 feet, through lands of said Wakefield Building & Construction Co. and lands of said Lewis A. Pratt, to the point of beginning on said Westerly line of West Street.
The above-described lines being more fully shown on a plan en- titled "Relocation of the Southerly and Westerly line of West Street, Reading, Mass". dated, February, 1939, Board of Public Works, Philip Welch, Supt., said plan being a part of this description.
We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.
No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement.
This laying out relocation or alteration so made by us we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town, that said public highway shall thereafter be laid out, relocated or altered in accordance with said plan.
ALEX. LINDSAY, Chairman. HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Secretary. WENDELL P. DAVIS EDWARD A. BROPHY
Members of the Board of Public Works of Town of Reading.
On motion of Wendell P. Davis, it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the relocating and altering of a portion of the Westerly location line of West Street and adopt the recommendations contained therein.
41
Article 32. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for further development of the Town Forest, or what it will do in re- lation thereto.
Committee on Re-Forestation.
Article 32. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted that the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) be raised and appropriated for the further development of the Town Forest.
Article 33. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars ($400.00) for Child Welfare Work, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Reading Visiting Nurse Association and the Board of Health, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Inez H. Damon and others.
Article 33. On motion of Leon G. Bent, it was voted that the sum of $400.00 be raised and appropriated for Child Welfare Work, to be expended under the direction of Reading Visiting Nurse Association and the Board of Health.
Article 34. To see if the Town for the purpose of providing suit- able headquarters for Reading Post 62 of the American Legion will vote to authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to lease in behalf of the Town the premises situated on the Westerly side of Ash Street known as Victory House for the term of five years at an annual rental of fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars, and upon such further terms and conditions as they may determine, and to raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars as rent for the first year of the term of said lease, or what it will do in relation thereto.
George W. Johnston and others.
Article 34. On motion of George W. Johnston, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and em- powered to secure as headquarters for Reading Post 62 of the Ameri- can Legion, the premises situated on the Westerly side of Ash Street known as Victory House, such quarters to be under the direction and control of such Post, and that the sum of fifteen hundred ($1,500.00) dollars be raised and appropriated as rent for the term of one year.
Article 35. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred ($200) dollars for the purpose of conducting suitable exercises in connection with the dedication of the World War Memo- rial or what it will do in relation thereto.
World War Memorial Committee.
Article 35. On motion of J. Warren Killam, Jr., it was voted that the sum of two hundred ($200.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of conducting suitable exercises in connection with the dedication of the World War Memorial.
Article 36. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to cover the expense of publishing a list of valua-
42
tion of all real and personal estates in the Town of Reading for the year 1939, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Clarence W. Baker and Others.
Article 36. On motion of John L. Devaney, it was voted to indefi- nitely postpone this article on publishing a list of valuation of all real and personal estates in the Town of Reading for the year 1939.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to amend the By-Laws of the Town by inserting after Article V the following new Article :
Article V (a)
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen shall annually on or before the fifteenth day of April, and whenever a vacancy shall exist, appoint a duly registered physician to be known as the Town Physician, who shall be paid such salary as may be determined by the Board of Select- men, but not exceeding the annual appropriation therefor.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Town Physician to attend and treat such needy persons as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Public Welfare or Board of Selectmen; to perform such professional services as may be required by vote of the Town and by all Departments thereof; and to perform such other professional duties and services as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 3. Such appointment shall not bar the Town Physician from the general practice of his profession.
Finance Committee.
Article 37. On motion of John L. Devaney, it was voted to in- definitely postpone the appointment of a Town Physician for Welfare Work.
Article 2. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted that Article 2 be taken from the table.
It was moved and voted that the reports of all Town officers be accepted.
Article 4 was taken from the table and indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted to adjourn sine die. Attest :
SAMUEL H. DAVIS, Temporary Clerk. MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall, Woburn Street, March 20, 1939.
Pursuant to the warrant and the Constable's Return thereon, a town meeting was held at the time and place therein specified and was called to order by the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles in the absence of the Moderator. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted to
43
instruct the Town Clerk to cast a ballot for Samuel H. Davis for Mod- erator, which was done by the Town Clerk and Samuel H. Davis was declared elected Moderator. The Town Clerk proceeded to read the warrant, when partially read, Carl W. Goodridge moved that further reading be dispensed with except the Constable's Return and it was so voted. The Constable's Return was then read by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. To hear and act on the reports of Town Officers and special committees and to see what instructions, if any, shall be given Town Officers and special committees.
Article 1. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted to lay Article 1 on the table.
Article 2. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or otherwise and appropriate for the purpose of providing suitable drain- age for the low area situated in the southeasterly part of the Town in the vicinity of Brook Street and adjacent to Lake Quannapowitt, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Article 2. On motion of George Zanni, it was voted that the sum of twenty-five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of studying and investigating the matter of providing suitable drainage for the low area situated in the Southeasterly part of the Town adjacent to Lake Quannapowitt, and that a committee of eleven be and hereby is established, consisting of three members of the Board of Public Works, one member of the Board of Selectmen, one member of the Planning Board, one member of the Finance Com- mittee, such members to be designated and appointed by their respec- tive Boards and Committee, the Town Counsel, the Reading Represen- tative in the General Court and three citizens to be appointed at this meeting by the Moderator at least two of whom shall reside in the vicinity of the area involved as determined by the Moderator; such Committee shall report at the next annual Town Meeting or at any Special meeting to be held prior thereto the results of its study and investigation with definite recommendations as to what action it deems necessary and proper to improve the drainage conditions in this area together with all the necessary details to carry such recommendations into effect.
The following were appointed to serve on this committee :
Samuel H. Davis, Town Counsel.
Arthur W. Coolidge, Representative to the General Court. George Zanni, 16 Brook Street.
Frederick Laidlaw, 13 Brook Street.
Herbert W. Hunt, 53 Woburn Street.
Philip R. White, Planning Board.
Carl W. Goodridge, Chairman, Board of Selectmen.
44
William A. Connelly, Finance Committee.
Wendell P. Davis, Chairman, Board of Public Works.
Harold W. Putnam, Secretary, Board of Public Works.
Edward A. Brophy, Board of Public Works Member.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted to adjourn sine die. MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk. Attest :
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall, Woburn Street, June 5, 1939.
Pursuant to the warrant and the Constable's return thereon, a Town meeting was held at the time and place therein specified and was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. Howard. The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Millard F. Charles, when on motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted to dispense with further reading except the Constable's return which was then read.
Article 1. To hear and act on the reports of Town Officers and special committees and to choose all necessary Committees and deter- mine what instructions, if any, shall be given Town Officers and special committees.
Article 1. Wendell P. Davis made an extended report as Chairman of the Drainage Committee.
It was voted that the report of the Special Drainage Committee be and the same is hereby accepted and that the recommendations therein contained be and the same are hereby adopted and that the Committee be continued in office until such time as the Town shall by vote at town meeting assembled otherwise determine.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer to refund in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1939 the emergency storm damage loans for $13,000 and $25,000 authorized under vote of the Town on October 20, 1938 and December 22, 1938 respectively, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen.
Article 2. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted that to meet the emergency storm damage loan of thirteen thousand ($13,000) dollars issued under authority of Clause 9. Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and vote of the Town at a meeting held on October 20, 1938, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen be and he hereby is authorized to refund the sum of thirteen thousand ($13,000) dollars and to issue bonds or notes therefor, said bonds or notes to bear on their face the words, "Emergency Storm Damage Loan, Act of 1939", and to be payable in accordance with Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1939, so that the whole loan should be paid in not more than five years from the date
45
of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier time as may be determined by the board mentioned in Clause 9, Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
One hundred ninety-five voted in favor and none against, making it an unanimous vote.
Article 2. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted that to meet the emergency storm damage loan of twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars issued under authority of Clause 9, Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and vote of the Town at a meeting held on December 22, 1938, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen be and he hereby is authorized to refund the sum of twenty- five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars and to issue bonds or notes therefor, said bonds or notes to bear on their face the words, "Emergency Storm Damage Loan, Act of 1939", and to be payable in accordance with Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1939, so that the whole loan should be paid in not more than ten years from the date of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier time as may be determined by the board mentioned in Clause 9, Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Two hundred eleven (211) voted "Yes" and none "No", making it an unanimous vote.
Article 3. To see if the Town will rescind the vote of the Town passed at the Annual Meeting held on March 13, 1939, appropriating the sum of fifty-three thousand six hundred dollars ($53,600.00) for Maturing Debt and to see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Maturing Debt, for the year 1939, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen.
Article 3. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge, it was voted that the vote of the Town passed at the annual meeting on March 13, 1939 ap- propriating the sum of fifty-three thousand six hundred ($53,600.00) dollars for Maturing Debt be and the same hereby is rescinded and that the sum of forty thousand six hundred ($40,600.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for Maturing Debt for the year 1939 not in- cluding water and light.
Article 4. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for W. P. A. Expenses, including administrative, truck hire, equipment and materials and authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow under authority of and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 1939, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen. Article 4. On motion of Louis M. Lyons, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
46
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to sell, remove from the present site, demolish or otherwise dispose of the Town Farm Building located on the East- erly side of Pearl Street, and to make an appropriation therefor, and to sell, remove or otherwise dispose of the furnishings and personal property located therein, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen.
Article 5. On motion of Louis M. Lyons, it was voted to lay this article on the table.
Article 6. To see what sum the Town will raise by borrowing or otherwise and appropriate, for the acquisition by purchase, eminent domain, lease or otherwise of land and buildings suitable for providing quarters for the offices and show rooms of the Electric Light Depart- ment and the remodelling, repair or improvement of any buildings of structures so acquired, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Municipal Light Board
Article 6. On motion of Henry R. Johnson that the sum of seven- teen thousand ($17,000.00) dollars be and the same is raised and ap- propriated for the extension and enlargement of Municipal Light Plant by the acquisition and improvement of suitable quarters for the offices and showrooms of the Electric Light Department, and the Municipal Light Board be and they hereby are authorized, empowered and direc- ted to purchase or take by right of Eminent Domain, upon such terms, conditions and awards as they may determine, a parcel of land to- gether with the buildings thereon located on the Southerly side of Gould Street in said Reading containing approximately 10,585 square feet of land formerly owned by Robert W. Totten and being the premi- ses known as and numbered 36 Gould Street, and to remodel, repair or otherwise improve the buildings or structures on said land so acquired and to equip the same; and the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be and is hereby authorized to borrow for the above purpose the sum of seventeen thousand ($17,000.00) dollars and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws and Acts amendatory thereof, and in addition thereto, so that the whole of the said loan shall be paid in not more than ten years or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen may determine, and said bonds or notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen.
One hundred five voted "Yes" and one hundred forty-six voted "No" and the same was not carried.
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.