USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1944 > Part 5
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
NO
1
54
Question No. 4
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution.
Shall an amendment to the Constitution providing absent voting by qualified voters who by reason of physical disability are unable to vote in person which is further described as follows :
This amendment to the Constitution of Massachusetts annuls Ar- ticle XLV of the Amendments-to the Constitution which related to ab- sentee voting and adopts in its place a new Article XLV which author- izes the Legislature to provide for voting, in the choice of any officer to be elected or upon any question submitted at an election, by qualified voters of the Commonwealth who at the time of such an election are absent from the city or town of which they are inhabitants or are unable by reason of physical disability to cast their votes in person,-
which proposed amendment was approved by the General Court and in joint session of the two branches held July 8, 1941, received 171 votes in the affirmative and 30 in the negative, and in joint session of the two branches held May 27, 1943, received 184 votes in the affirmative and 61 in the negative,
-be approved ?
YES
-
NO
Question No. 5
Law submitted upon Referendum after Passage.
Shall a law described as follows: This law amends Chapter 271 of the General Laws by striking out Section 22A as previously amended, and inserting in place thereof a new section 22A which provides that conducting or promoting a game of whist or bridge in connection with which prizes are offered to be won by chance, or allowing such a game to be conducted or promoted, shall not authorize the prosecution, arrest or conviction of any person for such acts under Chapter 271 of the Gen- eral Laws, which deals with crimes against public policy, if the entire proceeds of the charges for admission to such game are donated solely to charitable, civic, educational, fraternal or religious purposes.
This new section does not contain as did the section now stricken out, provisions authorizing the licensing and conducting of the game of beano, ---
which section was approved by both branches of the General Court by vote not recorded,
-be approved ?
YES
NO
To obtain a full expression of opinion voters should vote on all three of the following questions :
55
(a) If a person desires to permit the sale in this town of any and all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on and off the premises where sold he will vote "Yes" on all three questions.
(b) If he desires to permit the sale herein of wines and malt bever- ages only to be drunk on and off the premises where sold he will vote "No" on question 1, "Yes" on question 2, and "No" on question 3.
(c) If he desires to permit the sale herein of all alcoholic beverages but only in packages so called not to be drunk on the premises where sold, he will vote "No" on questions 1 and 2, and "Yes" on question 3.
(d) If he desires to permit the sale herein of wines and malt bever- ages to be drunk on and off the premises where sold and in addition other alcoholic beverages but only in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises where sold, he will vote "No" on question one and "Yes" on questions two and three.
(e) If he desires to prohibit the sale herein of any and all alco- holic beverages whether to be drunk on or off the premises where sold he will vote "No" on all three questions.
1. Shall licenses be granted in this Town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whiskey, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ?
YES
NO
2. Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines, beer, ale and all other malt bever- ages) ?
YES
NO
3. Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the prem- ises ?
YES
NO
The polls will be open at 7 o'clock A. M. and will close at 8 o'clock, P. M. and you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in at least three public places in each of the four precincts of the Town not less than seven days prior to November 7, 1944, the date s'et for the meeting in said warrant and to cause this warrant to be pub- lished in the Reading Chronicle one day at least prior to said date.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your do- ings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
56
Given under our hands this 23rd day of October, A.D., 1944.
KENNETH C. LATHAM, CHARLES E. WILKINSON, HERBERT K. MILLER,
Selectmen of Reading
Officer's Return
Middlesex, ss.
Reading, Mass., Oct. 28, 1944
By virtue of this warrant, I this day notified and warned the inhab- itants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections to meet in Odd Fellows Building, Woburn St., Reading, as the polling place desig- nated as the polling place for the four precincts in said Town by posting attested copies in the following public places in the Town of Reading.
Precinct 1
Precinct 2 Masonic Building
Austin's Lunch
Danforth's Drug Store
Fire Station No. 1 Precinct 3
Lyceum Building M. F. Charles' Store Precinct 4 Municipal Building Naborhood Store, Lowell St.
Waterhouse Store, Mineral St.
Bennie's Store
Fire Station No. 2
McLaughlin's Store, Main St.
The same being not less than seven days prior to Nov. 7, 1944, the date set for said meeting, I also caused the same to be printed in the Reading Chronicle, date of November 3, 1944, the same being not less than one day prior to said date.
Signed,
J. W. SIAS,
Constable of Reading
STATE ELECTION
Security Hall
November 7, 1944
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the constable's return there- on a State Election was held at the time and place specified in the war- rant.
The meeting was called to order by Selectman Charles E. Wilkinson.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of J. Winthrop Sias it was voted to dispense with the further reading of the warrant except the constable's return, which was then read by the Town Clerk.
The ballot boxes were examined by the constable in charge and each found to be empty, and all registered nothing.
The polls were then declared open by Selectman Charles E. Wilkin- son.
57
The polls were opened at 7.00 A. M., and closed at 8.00 P. M. with the following result :
Whole number of votes cast 6197.
The ballot box on Precinct 1 jammed three or four times with the result that it recorded 6 more votes than were cast.
Prec.
Prec. 2
Prec. 3
Prec. 4
tals
Electors of President and Vice President
Dewey and Bricker, Rep.
933
1135
1196
1156
4420
Roosevelt & Truman, Dem.
510
429
335
391
1665
Teichert & Albaugh, Soc. Lab. Party
4
0
0
4
8
Watson & Johnson, Prohibition
4
0
5
1
10
Blanks
29
27
17
21
94
6197
Governor
Horace T. Cahill of Braintree
882
1102
1162
1158
4304
Maurice J. Tobin of Boston
563
455
373
397
1788
Hemring A. Blomen of Cambridge
3
2
0
4
9
Guy S. Williams of Worcester
1
2
0
0
3
Blanks
31
30
18
14
93
6197
Lieutenant Governor
Robert F. Bradford of Cambridge (R)
999
1219
1284
1249
4751
John B. Carr of Somerville (D)
408
315
232
285
1240
Alfred Erickson of Quincy (Prohib.)
11
2
2
1
16
George Leo McGlynn of Springfield (Soc. Labor)
4
3
1
4
12
Blanks
58
52
34
34
178
6197
Secretary
Frederick W. Cook of Somerville (R) ..
1051
1256
1316
1312
4935
Margaret M. O'Riordan of Boston (D) ..
348
266
190
213
1017
Horace J. Hillis of Saugus (Soc. Labor)
7
5
3
9
24
Blanks
74
64
44
39
221
6197
Treasurer
Fred J. Burrell of Medford
885
1068
1118
1113
4184
John E. Hurley of Boston
510
412
376
386
1684
Herbert Crabtree of Holyoke
4
5
9
9
27
Earle L. Smith of Wellesley
6
4
6
7
23
Blanks
75
102
44
58
279
.
6197
58
'To-
1
Prec.
Prec. 2
Prec. 3
Prec. 4
To -- tals
Auditor
Thos. J. Buckley of Boston (D)
493
392
345
359
1589
Frank A. Goodwin of Fairhaven (R)
899
1126
1158
1157
4340
Gote Elvel Palmquist of Boston (Soc. Labor)
5
8
1
7
21
Chas. E. Vaughan of Brockton (Prohib.)
5
2
1
3
11
Blanks
78
63
48
47
236
6197
Attorney-General
Clarence A. Barnes of Mansfield (R) ..
968
1197
1258
1248
4671
Francis E. Kelly of Boston (D)
478
313
233
278
1252
Fred E. Oelcher of Peabody (Soc. Lab.)
11
7
4
6
28
Howard B. Rand of Haverhill (Prohib.) ..
2
4
1
5
12
Blanks
71
70
57
36
234
Senator in Congress (to fill vacancy)
John H. Corcoran of Cambridge (D) ...
307
209
150
184
850
Leverett Saltonstall of Newton (R)
1112
1342
1378
1352
5184
Bernard G. Kelly of Springfield (Soc. Lab.)
6
4
1
7
18
E. Tallmadge Root of Somerville (Prohib.)
4
1
0
3
8
Blanks
51
35
24
27
137
Congressman, Eighth District
Angier L. Goodwin of Melrose (R)
1008
1209
1271
1240
4728
Frederick T. McDermott of Medford (D)
384
296
223
280
1183
Blanks
88
86
59
53
286
6197
Councillor, Sixth District
Joseph M. Curley of Wakefield (D)
472
341
293
304
1410
Victor A. Friend of Melrose (R)
923
1155
1184
1200
4462
Blanks
85
95
76
69
325
6197
Senator, Seventh Middlesex
Arthur W. Coolidge of Reading
1291
1407
1443
1449
5590
Blanks
189
184
110
124
607
6197
59
1
6197
...
6197
Prec.
Prec.
Prec.
Prec.
To- tals
1
2
3
4
Two Representatives in General Court, 18th Middlesex
Logan R. Dickie of Reading (R)
1273
1404
1415
1419
5511
Herman P. Peterson of Woburn (R)
1011
1173
1194
1195
4573
Blanks
676
605
497
532
2310
Two County Commissioners, Middlesex County
William G. Andrew of Cambridge (R) ..
936
1156
1201
1206
4499
Nathaniel I. Bowditch of Framingham (R)
842
1084
1141
1116
4183
Thomas B. Brennan of Medford (D) ..
421
324
255
259
1259
Augustine F. Watson of Lowell (D)
321
249
189
219
978
Blanks
440
369
320
346
1475
Sheriff
Joseph M. McElroy of Cambridge (D,R)
1215
1328
1342
1361
5246
Blanks
265
263
211
212
951
6197
County Commissioner, Middlesex County (to fill vacancy)
Melvin G. Rogers of Tewksbury (R) ..
... 1228 1320
1338
1369
5255
Blanks
252
271
215
204
942
6197
Question No. 1
Yes
768
925
944
870
3507
No
111
129
144
160
544
Blanks
601
537
465
543
2146
6197
Question No. 2
Yes
537
538
551
539
2165
No
369
518
541
511
1939
Blanks
574
535
461
523
2093
6197
Question No. 3
Yes
459
401
372
386
1618
No
470
663
714
674
2521
Blanks
551
527
467
513
2058
6197
60
. .
12394
12394
Prec. 1
Prec. 2
Prec.
Prec.
To-
Question No. 4
Yes
824
927
974
907
3632
No
122
172
158
182
634
Blanks
534
492
421
484
1931
6197
Question No. 5
Yes
652
754
769
744
2919
No
248
283
277
295
1103
Blanks
580
554
507
534
2175
6197
Alcoholic Beverages
Question 1
Yes
335
258
255
250
1098
No
857
1061
1054
1061
4033
Blanks
28
272
244
262
1066
6197
Question 2
Yes
340
299
284
260
1183
No
835
1002
1018
1046
3901
Blanks
305
290
251
267
1113
6197
Question 3
Yes
540
528
491
459
2018
No
692
815
85€
880
3243
Blanks
248
248
206
234
936
6197
A special tabulation of war ballots was made at the November 7 elec- tion as follows :
Massachusetts War Ballots :
Number of ballots applied for
540
Number of ballots sent reg. voters
317
Number of ballots sent non-reg. voters
223
Number of ballots mailed
540
Number of ballots cast
455
Number of ballots rejected
18
3
4
tals
61
Federal War Ballots :
Number received Number rejected Number cast Attest :
18
1
17
NORMAN P. CHARLES, Town Clerk
The votes were declared in open Town Meeting, sealed in ballot en- velopes and transmitted to the constable to be placed in the vault for safe keeping.
Voted to adjourn, sine die, 4:30 A. M., November 8th, 1944.
Attest :
NORMAN P. CHARLES, Town Clerk
Monday, November 13, 1944
Attested copies of the election results were this day transmitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to the Clerk of the 18th Rep- resentative District in Woburn; also to the County Commissioners at East Cambridge.
Canvass of Votes, 18th Middlesex District, December 17, 1944
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
We, the Town Clerk of Reading, the Town Clerk of North Read- ing, the Town Clerk of Wilmington and the City Clerk of Woburn, hav- ing met this seventeenth day of November, 1944, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 125 of Chapterr 54 of the General Laws, have ex- amined the certified copies of records made by the Mayor and Alder- men of the City of Woburn of the voting precincts comprising the Eigh- teenth Middlesex Representative District in said city and the certified copy of record made by the Town Clerk of Reading, the Town Clerk of North Reading, the Town Clerk of Wilmington in said District and de- termine that Logan R. Dickie of Reading and Herman P. Peterson of Woburn appear to have been elected as Representatives to the General Court for the Eighteenth Middlesex Representative District at the State Election held on November 7, 1944.
We hereby certify that the following is a schedule of the names of all persons for whom votes for Representative to the General Court in the Eighteenth Middlesex Representative District were cast and the number of votes for each :
Woburn, Mass.
Logan R. Dickie of Reading (R) had :
Three Thousand Nine Hundred Five 3905
Herman P. Peterson of Woburn (R) had:
Five Thousand One Hundred Sixty 5160
Blanks, Five Thousand Three Hundred Forty-two 5342
62
Reading, Mass.
Logan R. Dickie of Reading (R) had :
Five Thousand Five Hundred Eleven 5511
Herman P. Peterson of Woburn (R) had : Four Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-three 4573
Blanks, Twenty-three Hundred and Ten 2310
North Reading, Mass.
Logan R. Dickie of Reading (R) had :
One Thousand Eighteen 1018
Herman P. Peterson of Woburn (R) had :
Seven Hundred Ninety-seven 797
Blanks, Eight Hundred Fifty-s'even 857
Wilmington, Mass.
Logan R. Dickie of Reading (R) had : One Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-eight 1328
Herman P. Peterson of Woburn (R) had : One Thousand Two Hundred Forty-three 1243
Blanks, One Thousand Five Hundred Nineteen 1519 Total vote for Logan R. Dickie
Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-two 11762
Total vote for Herman P. Peterson
Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy-three 11773
Certificates of election were issued to Logan R. Dickie and Herman P. Peterson.
NORMAN P. CHARLES, Town Clerk of Reading
WILLIAM J. SULLIVAN, Town Clerk of North Reading WILLIAM S. CAVANAUGH, Town Clerk of Wilmington MARGARET G. FITZGERALD, City Clerk of Woburn
TOWN WARRANT (Sea1) Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading qualified to vote in elections of town affairs to meet in Security Hall, Woburn Street, in said Reading, on :
Monday, the Twenty-seventh day of November, 1944 at seven forty-five in the evening, to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To hear and act on the reports of Town officers and special committees and determine what instructions if any will be given town officers and special committees.
63
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2A of Ar- ticle 1 of the By-laws of the Town of Reading by striking out the words, "Chairman of the Board of Selectmen," and inserting in place thereof the words, "Members of the Board of Selectmen," -- so as to read as fol- lows :
Section 2A. Any representative Town Meeting held under the provisions of Chapter 7, of the Acts of 1943, shall be limited to the voters elected under Section 3 thereof together with the following designated as Town Meeting members at large; namely, any mem- ber of the General Court of the Commonwealth, from the Town, the Moderator, the Town Clerk, the Members of the Board of Select- men, the Chairman of the School Committee, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Board of Public Works, the Chairman of the Municipal Light Board, the Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare; the Chairman of Trustees of the Public Library, the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Board of Cemetery Trus- tees, the Chairman of the Board of Health, the Town Accountant, and the Town Counsel. Board of Selectmen
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to establish pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Acts of 1943 the conditions under which a registered voter may speak at any Representative Town Meeting or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or otherwise dispose of for demolition, upon such terms and conditions as they may determine the Union Street School Building and to further authorize and empower said Board to execute in the name and behalf of the Town any and all instruments which may be necessary to effectuate such sale or disposition or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 5. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds to perfect the title by registration in the Land Court of the parcel of land with the buildings thereon owned by the Town, and being the premises known and designated as 35 Orange Street, in said Reading, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to sell upon such terms and conditions as they may determine the parcel of land owned by the Town and situated at the Northeasterly junction of Pearl and Charles Streets and containing approximately 2,791 acres of land and to further authorize and empower said Board to sign, seal, acknowledge and deliver in the name and be- half of the Town, a deed or other instruments conveying the said land to the purchaser thereof, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
64
Article 7. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds to reimburse fireman Elmer A. Dykens, for medical at- tendance and care occasioned by injuries received in line of duty or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 8. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds for the construction of a temporary building to be erected on land located on Bay State Road, at or near the residence of the Dog Officer, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 9. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from the Fire Alarm Extension Account to the Fire Department Maintenance Account, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 10. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds and transfer to the Moth Department, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen
Article 11. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from the proceeds derived from the sale of scrap, waste paper, and other materials collected for salvage, for the expenses of such collec- tions, and for any purpose relating to the welfare, benefit, or commem- orating, or observing the service of persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II, and his or her de- pendents, such sums to be expended as may be determined from time to time, and under the direction of a committee consisting of the Board of Selectmen, the Chairman and the Secretary of the Salvage Commit- tee, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and trans- fer a sum of money from the surplus Revenue Account, for the purchase of War Bonds, to establish a Post War Rehabilitation Fund as provided by Chapter 5, Acts of 1943, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 13. To see what sum the Town will appropriate from avail- able funds for the purpose of defraying certain unpaid accounts in the Board of Health and Veteran's Benefits Departments, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Town Accountant
Article 14. To see what sum the Town will appropriate from avail- able funds, and transfer for Old Age Assistance Administration, and for General Aid Administration, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Welfare
Article 15. To see what sum the Town will appropriate from avail- able funds for the acquisition by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise of a parcel of land with the buildings thereon owned by John S. Ames and Lizzie B. Ames, and situated on the Southwesterly corner of Sum- mer Ave., and Oak Street, in said Reading, containing approximately 1.03 acres, such premises to be used with other land to be acquired by
65
the Town, for the construction of an elementary school building.
School Committee
Article 16. To see what sum the Town will appropriate from avail- able funds for the investigation, preparation of preliminary plans and surveys and architectural advice and services which may be deemed necessary for the proposed construction of a new elementary school, or what it will do in relation thereto. School Committee
Article 17. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate, and transfer from the School General Salaries Account to the School Gen- eral Maintenance Account, or what it will do in relation thereto.
School Committee
Article 18. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from the School General Salaries Account, to the School Cafe- teria Account, or what it will do in relation thereto. School Committee
Article 19. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds and transfer to the Snow and Ice Account, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works
Article 20. 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 loca- tion lines of Green Street and Main Street, at their terminus at the Southeasterly corner of Green Street and Main Street, 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 statutory requirements, and to see if the Town will accept the relocation or alteration of said location lines, as shown on said plan, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Public Works to petition the General Court for legislation by amend- ment of Chapter 118 of Acts of 1921 so as to permit the members of the Board, and the Superintendent thereof, to serve as Town Meeting Mem- bers, if so elected to such office under any form of Representative Town Meeting Government, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three public places in each Precinct of the Town, not less than seven days prior to Nov. 27, 1944, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant, and to publish the Warrant in the Reading Chronicle, one day at least prior to said date.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your do- ings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the time appointed for such meeting.
Given under our hands this thirteenth day of November, 1944.
KENNETH C. LATHAM, CHARLES E. WILKINSON, HERBERT K. MILLER, Selectmen of Reading
66
Constable's Return
Middlesex, ss.
Reading, Mass., Nov. 20, 1944
By virtue of this warrant, I this day notified and warned the inhab- itants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections or town af- fairs to meet in Security Hall, Woburn St., in said Reading, on Nov. 27, 1944, the date set for said meeting, by posting copies of this warrant in the following public places within the Town of Reading:
Precinct 1
Austin's Lunch, Harnden St.
Danforth's Drug Store, Harnden St.
Fire Station No. 1, Pleasant St. Precinct 3
Waterhouse's Store, Mineral St.
Bennie's Store, Lowell St.
Fire Station No. 2
Precinct 2 Masonic Block, Main St. Lyceum Hall Bldg., Haven St. M. F. Charles' Store, Main St. Precinct 4 Naborhood Store, Lowell St. McLaughlin's Store, Main St. Municipal Building, Lowell St.
The same being at least seven days prior to Nov. 27, 1944, the date set for said meeting in this warrant.
I also caused a copy to be printed in the Reading Chronicle, date of Nov. 24, 1944, the same being one day at least prior to said date.
Signed : J. W. SIAS, Constable of Reading
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall, Nov. 27, 1944
Woburn St.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Samuel H. Davis. The warrant was partially read, when on motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of the warrant except the Constable's Return which was then duly read by the Town Clerk.
The number in attendance was checked and enough were there for a quorum, and the meeting was legally open.
Article 1. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to lay Ar- ticle 1 on the table.
Article 2. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Sec- tion 2A of Article 1 of the By-Laws be and the same hereby is amended by striking out the words, "Chairman of the Board of Selectmen," and inserting in place thereof the words, "Members of the Board of Select- men"-so as to read as follows :
Section 2A. Any representative Town meeting held under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Acts of 1943, shall be limited to the voters elected under Section 3 thereof together with the following designated as Town Meeting members at large: namely, any mem-
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.