USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1942 > Part 8
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REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOWN MEETING
March 9, 1942
The committee was established by vote of the Special Town Meet- ing of June 23, 1941. The committee, as per the vote of the Town meeting consists of two members of the Planning Board, two members of the Board of Public Works, two members of the Finance Committee, one member of the Light Board, one member of the Board of Asses- sors, one member of the Welfare Board, one member of the Board of Selectmen, one member of the School Committee, said members being appointed by their respective Boards, and a Builder, Real Estate Op- erator, Banker and Architect appointed by the Moderator.
The Committee now consists of the following persons : Wendell P. Davis-Board of Public Works.
Edward Teer-Board of Public Works.
Herbert K. Miller-Board of Selectmen.
Robert A. Dennison-Board of Assessors.
W. Gardner Long-Finance Committee.
Clinton L. Bancroft-Finance Committee. -
Philip R. White-Planning Board. 1
Sherburne J. Watts-Planning Board.
Bernard F. Maxwell-School Committee.
Louis Ellenwood-Light Board.
Joseph D. Knight-Board of Public Welfare.
H. Raymond Johnson-Banker.
Leon F. Quimby-Realtor. Elias B. Currell-Builder. Willard P. Adden-Architect.
Mr. Robert Dennison has replaced Mr. Edgar Frost as the repre- sentative of the Board of Assessors.
The Committee held its first meeting on July 14, 1941. It organized as follows :
Wendell P. Davis-Chairman. W. Gardner Long-Vice Chairman. Herbert K. Miller-Secretary. - -
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The Committee was subdivided into three sub-committees of five men each with a definite field of study assigned to each sub-commit- tee. These sub-committees and their assignments were as follows :
A. To investigate the Building Code in its entirety.,
W. Gardner Long, Chairman Willard P. Adden
Clinton L. Bancroft
Elias B. Currell Leon F. Quimby
B. To investigate the Zoning Law in its entirety.
Philip R. White, Chairman
Robert A. Dennison
H. Raymond Johnson
Herbert K. Miller
Edward Teer
C. To investigate the function and authority of the Board of Survey.
Joseph D. Knight, Chairman
Wendell P. Davis
Louis Ellenwood
Bernard Maxwell Sherburne Watts
The Committee as a whole has held six meetings. Each sub-com- mittee has held several meetings. Counsel and advice has been sought from several sources. Legal opinions have been received from the Town Counsel. Towns similar to Reading in size, population and character- istics have been studied and comparisons made. A great amount of detail has been assembled, studied and catalogued.
Each sub-committee studied in detail a mass of assembled data. That which was applicable to Reading was given further study and de- tailed reports prepared which were submitted to the committee as a whole for general discussion and consideration. The general commit- tee, after consideration of the reports, submitted to the various sub- committees suggested changes in the reports. The sub-committees then considered the changes recommended by the General Committee. Sub- committee reports were submitted to persons not members of the com- mittee, who are qualified experts in their field for advice and sugges- tions. In this way each sub-committee report has been submitted to a very careful analysis.
Each sub-committee eventually submitted to the General Commit- tee a final report. These reports were given very careful consideration by the General Committee. These final reports have now been unan- imously approved by the General Committee and the recommendations contained therein will be submitted to this Town Meeting for consid-
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eration under Articles No. 2-3-4 of the Special Town Meeting of March 9, 1942.
The Committee feels that it has performed the duty placed on it by vote of the Town Meeting of June 23, 1941. This motion says, in part,-quote-"such committee shall report at the next annual town meeting or at any special meeting to be held prior hereto the results of its study and investigation with definite recommendations as to what action, if any, it deems necessary and proper in the premises for the best interest of the Town, together with all the necessary details to carry such recommendations into effect."-end quote.
The Committee has endeavored to carry out the provisions of the motion. It is prepared to present to the Town detailed recommenda- tions which it is convinced will be of great value to the Town.
These recommendations, in general, are as follows :
1. The Building Code was found, in view of modern trends, to be antiquated and noninclusive in coverage, terminology and construction details. Failing in many instances to even mention many types of mod- er construction. The Committee feels it should be entirely repealed and a totally new code substituted. The Committee has prepared a new code for the Town's consideration. This new code will be intro- duced under Article No. 4. The Committee recommends that the Town accept the code as it feels such acceptance is vitally necessary for the Town's protection. It feels the new code will be of great advantage to the Town in the future in curbing improper and unsound building con- struction.
2. The Zoning Law was found, in the light of modern trends in zoning, to be subject to revision. Many of the provisions of the exist- ing law have been revised. A few new provisions have been added. An entirely new Zoning Law has thus been prepared for submission to the Town for consideration. This new Zoning Law will be intro- duced under Article 3. The Committee recommends that the Town ac- cept the new Zoning Law. It feels that a good modern Zoning Law is one of the best forms of protection the Town can have against im- proper and improvident developments.
3. The Board of Survey was found to have very little legal con- trol over building developments, operating as it is without benefit of certain recently enacted legislation. The requirements of the Board of Survey were found to be much less stringent than in other Towns. The Committee feels that the requirements of the Board of Survey should be more stringent and that the provisions of law, made avail- able in recent legislation, should be accepted by the Town thus strength- ening the authority of the Board of Survey. The Committee recom- mends that the Town adopt Sects. 81f to 81J inclusive, of Chap. 41 of the General Laws. It feels that the adoption of these sections will em-
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power the Board of Survey to prevent the building of unsuitable and uneconomical developments.
The Committee is convinced that all its recommendations are for the best interests of the Town. They feel these recommendations will not prevent building construction in the Town but, on the contrary, will attract the better type developers to Reading by eliminating poorly conceived and poorly constructed developments. The citizens of the Town will thereby benefit greatly.
Yearly Town expenditures for governmental services can be easily developed to a cost per building unit. It is apparent that haphazard developments which do not include consideration of governmental serv- ices, such as, schools, streets, sewers, water drainage, fire protection and police protection will certainly lead to large expenditures of funds by the Town which could be obviated by a well planned, orderly pro- gram of expansion. It is equally apparent that haphazard develop- ments will quickly and surely detract from beauty and attractiveness of the Town.
It is therefore self evident that poorly located, poorly conceived and poorly constructed building developments will surely increase the yearly cost per unit and just as surely detract from the beauty and at- tractiveness of the Town. It is equally self evident that well located, well conceived and well constructed developments will surely decrease the yearly cost per unit and just as surely add to the beauty and at- tractiveness of the Town.
Purchasers of new homes will receive the protection which is right- fully due them. It is the duty of the Town to control building activ- ities within its corporate limits so that new home purchasers can be assured that the home they are purchasing is well located, soundly built and a proper and judicious investment. Also that the land on which it is built is of a character suitable for home dwelling construction. If this protection is not given them they will soon learn to purchase homes elsewhere.
It is, therefore, of paramount importance that the Town establish a control of building developments which will permit only such con- struction as will to a decrease in the yearly unit cost for governmental services, give protection to persons purchasing new homes and enhance the beauty and attractiveness of the Town.
The Committee believes the recommendations contained in this re- port will accomplish these ends and strongly urges the Town to accept the recommendations contained herein by voting in favor of the Ar- ticles in the Warrant covering these recommendations.
The Committee wishes to take this opportunity to publicly thank all persons, boards and committees for any assistance given to the Committee. Many town Baards, town officials and private citizens have
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been exceptionally cooperative and the Committee is duly grateful. Development Committee
Wendell P. Davis, Chairman
W. Gardner Long, Vice Chairman Herbert K. Miller, Secretary
Joseph D. Knight Leon F. Quimby Edward Teer Sherburne J. Watts
E. B. Currell Robert A. Dennison
Philip R. White
On motion of Wendell P. Davis it was voted that the report of the Representative Town Government Special Committee be and the same hereby is accepted, and that the Committee be continued in office until such time as the Town shall by vote at town meeting assembled other- wise determine.
Final Report with Recommendations of the Planning Board of Reading on the Proposed Amendment to the Zoning By-Law. Ren- dered in Accordance with Section 27, Chapter 40 of the General Laws (Tercentenary Edition) as Amended.
Over a period of years the Planning Board has given serious con- sideration to the matter of amending the existing zoning by-laws. Within the last two years it has become increasingly evident that some- thing needed to be done to control the development of the Town. At a special town meeting held early in 1941 the Town voted to appoint a Development Committee of fifteen members to make a study, and re- port on this matter.
Two members of the Planning Board were appointed members of the Development Committee. The Planning Board and the Develop- ment Committee have co-operated in preparing the proposed amend- ment to the zoning by-law, which is unanimously approved by both the Planning Board and the Development Committee.
The Development Committee has made a report of its activities and this zoning by-law is being presented as a part of the general program, the details of which are set forth in the report of the De- velopment Committee.
A public hearing on the proposed amendment to the zoning by-law was held by the Planning Board as required by law on February 13, 1942.
The Planning Board has voted to recommend the enacting of the amendment as set forth in the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting
85
to be held March 9, 1942. Planning Board of the Town of Reading . March 9, 1942.
By Sherburne J. Watts, Secretary
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING March 9, 1942
Report of the Committee to Study and Report on Representative Town Meeting Government.
March 9, 1942
In accordance with the vote under Article 40 of the Town War- rant, at the adjourned annual town meeting on March 17, 1941, the moderator appointed a committee to study and report at a subsequent town meeting on representative town meeting government composed of Mrs. Ralph W. Smith, and Messrs Ralph W. Allen, James H. Flem- ing, Joseph D. Knight, Newell H. Morton, Frederick L. Springford, and Frank D. Tanner.
At the first meeting of the committee, Mr. Frank D. Tanner was elected Chairman, and Mr. Ralph W. Allen, Secretary.
The report to the town meeting on March 9, 1942 is as follows :
The ultimate task of the committee was to determine if representa- tive town meeting government had sufficient merit to warrant recom- mending to the citizens of Reading that a committee be instructed to petition the Massachusetts State Legislature for an act which would enable the town to adopt it if later it decided to do so. Only after that enabling act is obtained can the question of adoption of represen- tative town meeting government by the town of Reading be placed on the ballot for a decision of its voters. That cannot be done until at least a year from now.
The committee has considered the question at six meetings. It has observed town meetings conducted under the representative form in towns similar to Reading. Members of the committee visited Arling- ton, Belmont, Danvers, Lexington, Methuen, Needham, and Winches- ter, and interviewed the town officials. Members of the committee also interviewed or corresponded with citizens of all other Massachusetts towns operating under the representative form of town meeting.
The committee examined and compared tax rates and per capita expenditures for town government in every town in the state of 10,000 or more population. It reviewed the enabling acts for representative town meeting government under which each of the 28 towns in Massa- chusetts are already operating, and the enabling acts adopted by towns in other states.
For its work, the committee had no budget and it submits no ex- penditures.
86
According to the United States census of 1940, there are 78 com- munities in Massachusetts having over 10,000 population, 39 of which are organized under city charters, and 39 have town form of govern- ment. Of the towns of which all but six have between 10,000 and 20,000 population, 23 have already adopted representative town meeting gov- ernment. Of the towns in the Metropolitan Boston area, it has been adopted by Winthrop, Saugus, Winchester, Arlington, Lexington, Bel- mont, Watertown, Brookline, Wellesley, Needham, Dedham, Milton, Braintree, and Weymouth. The three towns in that area which have not yet made the modification of the open town meeting are Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield.
The committee's study of statistics discloses the fact that over a period of years the per capita average cost of town government has shown a somewhat smaller increase in town and with representative town meeting government than those with open town meeting. No town having adopted the representative town meeting has returned to the open town meeting, which is evidence of general satisfaction with the change.
A brief statement concerning representative government in Read- ing is as follows :
We have a population of 10,866 (1940 census) or 6,273 registered voters. The capacity of the hall is less than 10% of those voters. There have been occasions in the last few years when one voter has attended for each 200 gr more voters in the Town as shown on the attached statement and graphic chart. Those who attend pass on the articles in the Town warrant, appropriate funds, decide on the amount to be raised by taxes, and agree on what is best for the town. Furthermore, those voters-sometimes without adequate knowledge-decide on the problems before the town.
It is hit or miss representation rather than selected, planned repre- sentation, and is a condition which may bring about minority legisla- tion.
The representative town meeting-having 150 to 200 members- elected by ballot from different sections of the town, should contain a more representative group of citizens and more nearly express the ma- jority will than the open town meeting. All citizens are permitted to attend and speak, the same as in the open town meeting, but only the elected town meeting members are permitted to vote. At present we have no quorum, but with representative town meeting government, business is conducted only when there is a majority of the town meet- ing members present. Decisions arrived at are subject to referenda, as at present.
There are varying degrees of success among the towns which have adopted representative town meeting government, but the committee is
87
confident because of the high level of citizenship in Reading it can be made as effective as in those towns where it works the best.
The committee, therefore, recommends by unanimous vote that an enabling act be drawn up and submitted to the state legislature for enactment. Meanwhile the citizens of Reading will be able to make further inquiries, weigh the merits of the proposal carefully, and decide by ballot at some later date if that modification in our town meeting is desirable.
Respectfully submitted
Frank D. Tanner
Ralph W. Allen
M. Vivian Smith
Frederick Springford
Joseph D. Knight
James H. Fleming
Newell H. Morton
TOWN OF READING
Attendance at Town Meetings from Town Records as reported by Mr. Norman P. Charles, Town Clerk.
Att.
Jan. 18, 1932
Special Town Meeting 262
4.9%
Mar. 14, 1932 Annual Town Meeting 561
10.5
Mar. 21, 1932
Adjourned Town Meeting 201
3.8
Dec. 12, 1932
Special Town Meeting 193
4.6
Mar. 13, 1933 Annual Town Meeting-No Record
Mar. 20, 1933 Adjourned Annual Meeting
110
2.2
Dec. 12, 1933
Special Town Meeting 369
7.2
Mar. 19, 1934
Annual Town Meeting-No Record
Nov. 27, 1934
Special Town Meeting
56
1.1
Mar. 11, 1935
Annual Town Meeting
527
10.1
Mar. 18, 1935
Adjourned Annual Meeting 250
4.9
Aug. 19, 1935
Special Town Meeting 44 9
Mar. 9, 1936
Annual Town Meeting-No Record
Mar. 16, 1936 Adjourned Annual Meeting-No Record
Aug. 3, 1936
Special Town Meeting
33
.6
Nov. 30, 1936 Special Town Meeting 68
1.2
88
Att.
%
Mar. 8, 1937
Annual Town Meeting
408
7.4
Mar. 15, 1937
Adjourned Annual Meeting
221
4.0
Mar. 30, 1937
Special Town Meeting
113
2.0
Nov. 15, 1937
Special Town Meeting
117
2.1
Mar. 14, 1938
Annual Town Meeting
290
5.0
May 23, 1938
Special Town Meeting
135
2.3
Sept. 29, 1938
Special Town Meeting
243
4.2
Oct. 20, 1938
Special Town Meeting
145
2.5
Dec. 22, 1938
Special Town Meeting
32
.5
Mar. 13, 1939
Annual Town Meeting
174
2.9
Mar. 20, 1939
Adjourned Annual Meeting
74
1.3
June 20, 1939
Special Town Meeting
412
6.9
Oct. 17, 1939
Special Town Meeting
122
2.1
Mar. 11, 1940
Annual Town Meeting
497
7.9
May 1, 1940
Special Town Meeting
236
3.8
Dec. 2, 1940
Special Town Meeting
38
.6
Mar. 10, 1941
Annual Town Meeting
362
6.1
Mar. 17, 1941
Adjourned Town Meeting
136
2.3
June 23, 1941
Special Town Meeting
93
1.6
Sept. 15, 1941
Special Town Meeting
38
.6
Dec. 1, 1941
Special Town Meeting
95
1.6
Dec. 29, 1941
Special Town Meeting
72
1.2
On motion of Frank D. Tanner it was voted that an enabling act be drawn up, and submitted to the state legislature for enactment.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
Victor E. Pitkin rose to a point of order. He asked for report of the Committee that was appointed to study the Mineral St. Bridge, in view of constructing sidewalks, for which ($350.00) three hundred and fifty dollars had been appropriated at a previous Town Meeting.
Mr. Goodridge moved to take Article 2 from the table, and Wen- dell P. Davis reported on the sidewalk study.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted to lay Article 2 on the table.
Article 3. On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Lumber for the ensuing year :
Burton K. Symonds
William R. Zwicker
Edward A. Brophy
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And that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Wood and Bark :
Percy N. Sweetser Burton K. Symonds Thomas F. Brogan
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table.
Article 4. Carl W. Goodridge moved that the sum of twenty-nine thousand, three hundred and twenty dollars and fifty cents ($29,320.50) be raised and appropriated for General Government as follows :
Selectmen's Expenses
$ 1,000.00}
Selectmen's Clerical
1,375.50
Town Accountant's Salary
2,100.00
Treasurer's Salary
1,260.00
Treasurer's Expenses
700.00
Treasurer's Clerical
375.00
Collector's Salary
2,300.00*
Collector's Expense
1,000.00
Collector's Clerical
600.00
Assessor's Salaries
1,800.00
Assessor's Expenses
1,100.00
Assessor's Clerical
2,730.00
Town Counsel's Salary
1,050.00
Town Clerk's Expenses
500.00
Registrar's Salaries
330.00
Registrar's Expenses, Special
850.00
Election and Registration Expense
2,000.00
Planning Board Expense
250.00
Miscellaneous Expense
4,200.00₺
Municipal Light Maintenance
2,200.00
$29,320.50
*Fees to Town Treasury.
#Includes travel outside the State.
On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted to amend the mo- tion for the appropriation for General Government by substituting for the total amount therein the sum of Twenty-nine Thousand Five Hun- dred Sixty and 50/100 (29,560.50) Dollars and by substituting in Item 4, Treasurer's Salary, the sum of Fifteen Hundred (1500) Dollars.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted that one hundred thousand four hundred and sixty-one dollars ($100,461.00) be raised and appropriated for Protection of Persons and Property as follows :
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Town Counsel's Expenses
550.00
Town Clerk's Salary
1,050.00*
Police Dept. Salaries
$38,577.00
Police Dept. Maintenance
5,000.00+
Police Station Maintenance 1,495.00
Fire Dept. Salaries 21,000.00
Fire Dept. Callmen
3,698.00
O. O. Ordway Pension
1,300.00
Fire Dept. Maintenance 5,025.00+
Fire Stations Maintenance
1,700.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance
2,125.00
Fire Alarm Extension
2,000.00
New Boxes
400.00
Hydrant Rentals
5,562.00
Moth Dept.
7,269.00
Tree Warden
3,420.00
Inspector of Buildings Salary
525.00
Inspector of Wires Salary 200.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures Salary
500.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures Expenses
250.00
Game Warden Salary
100.00
Dog Officer Salary
315.00
$100,461.00
+ Includes travel outside the State.
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted that the sum of eleven thousand nine hundred and thirty-five dollars ($11,935.00) be ' raised and appropriated for Health and Sanitation as follows :
Board of Health $ 300.00
Board of Health Expenses
275.00
Inspector of Plumbing Salary
500.00
Inspector of Animals Salary
210.00
Inspector of Milk and Food Salary
200.00
Care of Contagious Diseases
7,000.00
Garbage Collection
2,800.00
Dental Clinic
650.00
$ 11,935.00
On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of One Hundred fourteen thousand and fifty dollars ($114,050.00) be raised and appropriated for Charities and Aid, as follows :
General Aid Administrative
$ 6,650.00
General Aid
31,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children Administrative 450.00
Aid to Dependent Children 15,000.00
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Old Age Assistance Administrative 3,450.00
Old Age Assistance 57,500.00
$114,050.00
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted that eleven thousand six hundred dollars ($11,600.00) be raised and appropriated for Soldiers' Benefits as follows :
State Aid
$ 600.00
Military Aid 1,000.00
Soldier's Relief 10,000.00
$ 11,600.00
On motion of Carl W. Goodridge it was voted that six hundred dollars ($600.00) be raised and appropriated for Memorial Day Ob- servance, to be expended under the direction of Post No. 62, American Legion.
On motion of Henry R. Johnson it was voted that there be in- cluded in the tax levy, for electricity used for street lights, the sum of Fifteen Thousand (15,000) Dollars, and that said sum and the income from sales of electricity to private consumers and for electricity sup- plies to municipal buildings, and for municipal power, and from sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year be appropriated for the Municipal Lighting Plant, and that the sum of Twelve Thou- sand ($12,000) Dollars be appropriated from the said receipts of the department for the sale, installation and servicing of merchandise, equipment, utensils and chattels, as provided in Section 34 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, said appropriations to be expended by the Manager of the Municipal Lighting, under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board, for the expense of the plant, including the sale, installation and servicing of merchandise equipment, utensils and chattels, as defined in Chapter 164 of the General Laws, or any amendments thereof or addition thereto, and that if said sum of $15,000 and said income shall exceed said expenses for said fiscal year, such excess up to the sum of Thirty-five Thousand ($35,000) Dollars shall be paid into the Town Treasury, and the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the Construction Fund of said Plant and appropriated and used for such additions thereto as may thereafter be authorized by the Municipal Light Board.
On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the sum of $274,- 310.61 be raised and appropriated for the School Department, as fol- lows :
General Salaries $217,000.00 General Maintenance including travel outside of State 44,110.61
92
Industrial Tuition 1,200.00
School Lunches 12,000.00
On motion of A. Imrie Dixon it was voted that the sum of nine thousand two hundred and thirty-one dollars, be raised and appro- priated for Public Library to be divided as follows : Salaries
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