USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1945 > Part 2
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Article 18. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the payment of certain unpaid bills for the year 1944 in the School Department Cafeteria Account in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 1941, or what it will do in relation thereto.
School Committee
Article 19. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate to pay into the teachers retirement system for the benefit of teachers on military leave of absence during the year 1944 as provided for and under authority of Chapter 419 of the Acts of 1943, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto.
School Committee
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and empower the Board of Health to enter into a contract for the collection and dis- posal of garbage for a term of three years and upon such other and further terms and conditions as they may determine and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for such purpose or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Health
Article 21. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the preparation of plans and specifications and the architectural and engineering services which may be necessary for enlarging and remodel- ing the library building so as to provide for a stack room therein or what it will do in relation thereto. Trustees Public Library
Article 22. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from available funds for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, purchasing and operating road machinery and equipment for the use of, and under the direction of the Board of Public Works, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. Board of Public Works
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Article 23. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of ploughing, harrowing and furnishing aid in the culti- vation of private land, as authorized under the provisions of Chapter 75 of the Acts of 1943, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the relocating or altering the location lines and changing the grade of a portion of Pearl Street, said location lines and grade change being relocated, altered or changed 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 and the change in grade as shown on said plan, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 27A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws relating to reconsidera- tion of proposed change in zoning By-Law after unfavorable action or what it will do in relation thereto. Planning Board
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 30A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws relating to reconsidera- tion of appeal or petition for variance from terms of zoning By-Laws after unfavorable action or what it will do in relation thereto.
Planning Board
Article 27. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the installation of a plaque in the Public Library in memory of Hor- ace G. Wadlin or what it will do in relation thereto.
Edward F. Parker and others
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning by- laws and zoning map by extending the industrial district so as to include therein the area hereinafter described:
"Beginning at the point five hundred (500) feet more or less Easter- ly from the junction of Bolton and Ash Streets at the present industrial district; thence running Northwesterly to Main Street at the Southerly side of the right of way of the Boston and Maine Railroad; thence turn- ing and running Southerly by Main Street 817 feet more or less to the Southerly boundary line of the premises owned by Joseph J. Robbins et al, and thence turning and running Northeasterly in part by said bound- ary line of Robbins' land and the Southerly boundary line of land of John and Christine E. Watson, approximately 484.6 feet to Ash Street and the present industrial district."
So that the above described area shall be re-zoned and changed to and become part of the industrial district. Harold F. Parker and others
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Article 29. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the general expenses of the Capital Expenditures Planning Commit- tee or what it will do in relation thereto.
Capital Expenditures Planning Committee
Article 30. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds under authority of Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1943 for the purchase of United States War Bonds or other bonds that are legal investments for savings banks, to be added to the Post War Rehabilitation Fund or what it will do in relation thereto.
Capital Expenditures Planning Committee
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to increase the membership of the Recreation Committee established by vote of the Town at Special Town Meeting held on June 1, 1943 from four to seven members and to appoint or elect three new members to such committee to provide for the increased membership or what it will do in relation thereto.
Recreation Committee
Article 32. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of conducting and promoting recreation, play, sport, physical education and other social, educational and recreational activi- ties upon such land and buildings as defined in Section 14 of Chapter 45 of the General Laws or what it will do in relation thereto.
Recreation Committee
Article 33. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate from the Cemetery Reserve for the permanent development of Laurel Hill and Forest Glen Cemeteries, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Cemetery Trustees
Article 34. To see what action the Town will take regarding the in- stallation of additional street lights on the public streets during the year 1945, or what it will do in relation thereto. Municipal Light Board
Article 35. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate to pay into the Contributory Retirement System for municipal employees, excluding school teachers, for the benefit of municipal employees on military leave of absence during the year 1944 as provided for and under the authority of Chapter 419 of the Acts of 1943, or what it will do in re- lation thereto. Contributory Retirement Board
Article 36. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for further development of the Town Forest, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. Committee on Re-Forestation
Article 37. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of providing by lease or otherwise suitable headquarters for Reading Post 62 of the American Legion or what it will do in relation thereto. Samuel Paul Painting and others
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Article 38. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of providing by lease or otherwise suitable headquarters for Reading Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars or what it will do in rela- tion thereto. Lester W. Edwards and others Article 39. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars ($400.00) for Child Welfare Work, to be expended under the direction of the Reading Visiting Nurse Association and the Board of Health or what it will do in relation thereto.
Frances K. Wright and others And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in at least three public places in each of the four precincts of the Town not less than seven days prior to March 5, 1945, the date set 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.
Given under our hands this twelfth day of February, A.D., 1945.
KENNETH C. LATHAM CHARLES E. WILKINSON HERBERT K. MILLER
Selectmen of Reading
Officer's Return
Middlesex, ss :
Reading, Mass., Feb. 20, 1945
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 Hall, Woburn St., Reading, Mass., at the specified time, in this warrant as the designated place for the four Precincts of the Town by posting attested copies in the following Public Places within the Town of Reading :
Precinct 1
Austins' Lunch
Danforth's Drug Store
Precinct 2 Masonic Building Lyceum Hall
Reading Fire Station No. 1 Precinct 3
M. F. Charles' Store Precinct 4 Municipal Building Naborhood Store
Waterhouse Store
Bunnie's Store
Reading Fire Station No. 2
McLaughlin's Store
The same being not less than seven days prior to March 5, 1945, the date said for said meeting.
I also caused a copy to be printed in the Reading Chronicle, date of February 23, 1945, the same being one day at least prior to said date.
J. W. SIAS, Constable of Reading
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ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
Pursuant to the Warrant and the Constable's return thereof, a Town Election was held at the time and place specified in the warrant, and was called to order by the Moderator, Samuel H. Davis.
The Clerk partially read the warrant, when on motion of James W. Sias it was voted to dispense with the further reading of the warrant ex- cept the Constable's return, which was duly read by the Clerk.
The keys to the ballot boxes were turned over to the Constable in charge, the ballot boxes were examined and found to be empty and reg- istered 000.
The polls were then declared open at 12.00 o'clock noon and were closed at 8.00 P. M. with the following result :
Prec. Prec. Prec. Prec.
Moderator for one year
Samuel H. Davis, 97 Highland St.
1 111
2 162
143
134
550
Blanks
16
25
25
14
80
Town Clerk for one year
William E. Morrison, 21 Pilgrim Rd.
116
163
142
135
556
Blanks
11
24
26
13
74
Selectman for three years
Kenneth C. Latham, 55 Grand St.
120
169
149
139
577
Blanks
7
18
19
9
53
Board of Public Welfare, for three years
Joseph D. Knight, 7 Perkins Ave.
113
167
144
129
553
Blanks
14
20
24
19
77
Assessor for three years
Frank E. Gray, 119 Middlesex Ave.
112
159
144
132
547
Blanks
15
28
24
16
83
Treasurer for one year
Preston F. Nichols, 68 Linden St.
117
165
149
136
567
Blanks
10
22
19
12
63
Collector of Taxes for one year
William E. Morrison, 21 Pilgrim Rd.
116
162
151
134
563
Blanks
11
25
17
14
67
Municipal Light Board for three years
Herbert G. Evans, 54 Howard St.
104
158
133
128
523
Blanks
23
29
35
20
107
Two Constables for one year
Leon G. Bent, 767 Main St.
91
150
134
120
495
Francis T. Slack, 8 Gould St.
71
112
113
99
395
John Wendell, 75 Pleasant St.
58
73
54
55
240
Blanks
34
39
35
22
130
3
4 Totals
22
Two Members of Board of Public Works for three years
Wendell P. Davis, 155 Woburn St.
112
164
144
136
556
Alexander Lindsay, 33 Auburn St.
106
155
140
127
528
Blanks
36
55
52
33
176
One Member of Board of Public Works for one year
Edward A. Brophy, 943 Main St.
113
159
143
136
551
Blanks
14
28
25
12
79
Board of Health for three years
Christine F. Atkinson, 68 Washington St.
111
159
142
132
544
Blanks
16
28
26
16
86
Two Members of the School Committee for three years
Mary E. Earley, 18 Whittier Rd.
104
159
138
128
529
Gould Ruggles, 224 High St.
1
1
2
Merle W. Wescott, 16 Sanborn St.
115
167
143
136
561
Blanks
35
48
54
31
168
One Member of School Committee for one year
Gladys F. Milton, 281 Summer Ave.
106
152
133
126
517
Blanks
21
35
35
22
113
Two Trustees Public Library for three years
Katherine C. Pierce, 13 Elliott St.
111
155
135
130
531
William J. Tonks, 3 Copeland Ave.
106
162
137
128
533
Blanks
37
57
64
38
196
Two Trustees Cemeteries for three years
Harry C. Barr, 33 Highland St.
114
163
140
137
554
Edouard N. Dube, 216 Woburn St.
104
154
130
122
510
H. W. Powers
1
1
Blanks
36
56
66
37
195
Planning Board for three years
A. Lloyd David, 70 Howard St.
104
151
138
126
519
Blanks
23
36
30
22
111
Question Permitting Board of Public Works to hold office as Town Meeting Members
Yes
67
107
82
87
343
No
45
52
46
28
171
Blanks
15
28
40
33
116
Precinct 1
Fifteen Town Meeting Members for three years
William C. Bliss, 194 Pleasant St.
103
William F. Cook, 75 Cross St.
100
Everett J. Doucette, 40 Shackford Rd.
97
Stewart F. Easton, 78 Cross St.
96
Raymond E. Foster, 23 Smith Ave.
100
23
William W. Liston, 8 Smith Ave. 97 Herbert Mitchell, 156 Salem St. 99 A. Waldo Phinney, 61 Cross St. 95 George G. Rogers, 105 Libby Ave. 97 John B. Russell, 266 Ash St. 99
Katherine J. Russell, 26 Wilson St. 99
Wilson A. Smith, 10 Smith Ave. 98
McLeod C. Stewart, 16 Shackford Rd. 97
Howard W. Stockbridge, 4 Smith Ave. 98
A. Clifford Woodside, 773 Main St. 98
Blanks 432
Total 1905
One Town Meeting Member for two years (to fill vacancy)
Fred S. Appleton, 35 Pierce St.
102
Blanks 25
Total 127
One Town Meeting Member for one year (to fill vacancy)
Frank K. Briggs, 14 Smith Ave. 80
21
Blanks
26
Total 127
Precinct 2
Fifteen Town Meeting Members for three years
G. Warren Cochrane, 26 County Rd. 134
Stanley W. Colburn, 193 Prescott St. 128
George H. Darling, 21 Fairview Ave. 126
George J. Elbaum, 17 Indiana Ave. 104
Frank M. Elwell, Jr., 3 Indiana Ave. 140
Arthur L. Harris, 59 Oak St. 131
Adelbert F. Hurt, 41 Walnut St. 126
Leon F. Hutchins, 175 Prescott St. 129
Theodore H. Johnson, 246 Woburn St.
134
George E. Merrill, 139 Howard St. 126
Henry C. Milton, 281 Summer Ave.
134
Harmon D. Smith, 32 Wescroft Rd.
123
Linwood L. Spencer, 20 Perkins Ave.
136
William J. Tonks, 3 Copeland Ave.
124
Neil C. Robinson, 15 Vista Ave.
134
Harry R. Walker, 33 Curtis St.
90
Blanks 786
Total 2805
24
William W. Liston, 8 Smith Ave.
One Town Meeting Member for two years (to fill vacancy)
Roy E. Hatfield, 19 Oak St. 84
Helen M. Towle, 22 West St. 77
Blanks 26
Total 187
One Town Meeting Member for one year (to fill vacancy)
Albert O. Dill, 23 California rd. 151
Blanks 36
Total
187
Precinct 3
Fifteen Town Meeting Members for three years
Stephen A. Abbott, 25 Prospect St. 89
Lawrence G. Crosby, 64 Grand St.
126
Grace C. Curtis, 41 Hancock St. 123
Oscar M. David, 211 High St. 109
Joshua T. Day, Jr., 64 Berkeley St.
103
John L. Devaney, 34 Washington St.
122
Alvin E. Estabrook, 62 Temple St.
107
George A. Estabrook, 125 Middlesex Ave.
52
George W. Gunn, 37 School St.
105
Norman W. Haines, 211 Summer Ave.
101
Herbert W. Lewis, 68 Grand St.
105
Donald W. MacLean, 67 Vine St.
76
Richard G. Moore, 40 Grand St.
110
Victor E. Pitkin, 28 Glen Rd.
105
Joshua D. Upton, 79 Woburn St.
104
Alfred W. Rooney, 15 Willow St.
68
Willis F. Tucker, Jr., 39 Vine St.
103
Charles B. Weeks, 78 King St.
98
Mildred E. Wheeler, 22 Temple St.
90
Blanks
624
Total 2520
One Town Meeting Member for one year (to fill vacancy)
Clarence B. Higgins, Jr., 9 Wenda St. 125
Blanks 43
Total 168
25
Precinct 4
Fifteen Town Meeting Members for three years
C. Nelson Bishop, 55 Lowell St.
116
Eleanor C. Bishop, 55 Lowell St. 114
Herbert C. Copithorne, 13 Lawrence Rd. 118
Elizabeth S. Garrett, 3 Lawrence Rd. 124
Chester A. Gibson, 125 Forest St. 124
Charles R. Herrick, 1243 Main St.
122
Donald Higgins, 51 Grove St.
120
James W. Lee, 29 Franklin St.
124
William Stone, 212 Franklin St.
127
Edward J. Taylor, 13 Forest St.
122
Ernest T. Wakefield, 65 Wakefield St.
118
Albert H. Woodward, 72 Linden St.
108
James Putnam
28 1
William T. Putnam
Harold Putnam
11
Calvin H. Wood
1
Elsie Bird
1
Beulah Stevens
1
Chester Stevens
1
Renie Batchelder
1
Walter Farley
2
Virginia Putnam
1
Marian Goodridge
1
Blanks
734
1945
The following persons served as Election Officers :
Precinct 1
Ballot Boxes
Jessie N. Thaxter, 11 Winter St.
Ballot Clerk
John W. Goff, 75 Hancock St.
Checkers
Harriett P. Leuchtman, 18 Belmont St.
Catherine L. Doherty, 111 Green St.
Martha Starke, 73 Eaton St.
Jemima W. Clapperton, 161 Pleasant St.
Counters
M. Gertrude Ballou, 71 Green St.
Mary E. Doran, 33 Orange St.
Anne C. O'Malley, 12 Middle St.
Margaret J. Curtin, 75 Harrison St.
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Precinct 2
Catherine E. Reilly, 64 Minot St.
Mildred H. Garey, 7 Hopkins St. Nellie E. Whelton, 7 High St. Mary C. Barrett, 38 Warren Ave. Catherine A. Greene, 32 School St. Sadie D. Risemon, 96 Washington St. Alberta L. Nichols, 100 Washington St.
Rose A. Gadbois, 8 Maple St. Harold M. Flater, 33 Minot St.
Precinct 3
Gladys R. Dickinson, 25 Arlington St.
Minnie A. Heselton, 17 Berkeley St.
Rebecca T. Emery, 65 Middlesex Ave.
Mary E. Quinlan, 47 Washington St. Norma P. Perley, 89 Vine St. Ina M. Berquist, 6 Berkeley St.
Counters
Catherine V. Wright, 21 Arlington St. Edith Moses, 33 Dudley St.
Grace E. Wooldridge, 156 High St.
Bertha L. Skinner, 70 Mineral St.
Ballot Boxes Ballot Clerk Checkers
Precinct 4
Alfred Kimball, 18 Hanscom Ave.
Mabel Bennett, 38 Highland St.
Mary C. Horrocks, 63 Highland St.
Mary V. O'Brien, 169 Lowell St. Flora B. Poock, 50 Federal St. Marjorie E. Colford, 129 Green St. Charles C. Wakefield. 22 Mt. Vernon St.
Counters
Tabulators
Elizabeth M. Bates, 23 Nelson St. Catherine G. Doucette, 89 Woburn St. Eva F. Gleason, 29 Highland St. Walter A. Scanlon, 331 Haven St. J. Robert Clark, 81 Ash St.
J. W. Sias posted warrant.
Voted to adjourn at 10:00 P. M. to meet in Security Hall on Mon- day, March 12, 1945.
A true record attest !
NORMAN P. CHARLES,
Town Clerk
27
Ballot Boxes Ballot Clerk Checkers
Counters
Ballot Boxes Ballot Clerk Checkers
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
March 12, 1945
Security Hall
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Samuel H. Davis promptly at 7:45 P. M.
The fact that this meeting was an adjourned meeting of the March 5, 1945 meeting, no notice was required by Town Clerk.
The Town Meeting Members were then sworn to office by the Town Moderator.
The Town Clerk partially read the warrant when on the 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 read by the Town Clerk.
Article 2. Report of Post War Planning Committee.
The activities of the Post War Planning Committee have been ad- justed to the demand upon the facilities for assisting all servicemen and women who have returned.
The Committee, in arranging for future needs, created an Informa- tion Center at the High School which is being handled by the School Department personnel. Any service man or woman may present them- selves at this Center for information concerning their rights or oppor- tunities and obtain assistance.
The machinery for establishing an educational program; search for employment, medical or legal aid; all of these subjects concerning the rehabilitation of the serviceman have been set up and are ready for use.
The Post War Planning Committee has kept in contact with the activities of other towns nearby, such as Stoneham, Winchester and Wellesley, and have attended several of their meetings. The National Association of Manufacturers and Chamber of Commerce are promoting plans and studies to assist in the work. A great deal of printed informa- tion has been received from these sources and are on file at the Infor- mation Center for our use.
The post-war work survey was sufficiently completed to establish data that is informative as to potential work plans of citizens for post- war repair, maintenance and building purposes. The proposed schedule of work projects established by the Town Meeting and for which engi- neering and surveying monies were appropriated from good activities to tide over some temporary work activities.
The cooperation and assistance given by the Town Boards is greatly appreciated. Through Mr. Leon F Quimby, representing the Salvation Army, a fund of $200. was made available to the Committee for rehabil- itation of returning servicemen. The assistance rendered by the office of the Wakefield Draft Board has been very helpful and is highly appre-
28
ciated. Through their effort letters to the men being inducted have been delivered and lists of the returning veterans obtained. A letter of wel- come with pertinent information publicising the plans already completed for rehabilitation of the servicemen is being prepared for delivery to all returning service men and women.
Your committee feels that although a great deal has not been done because the opportunity is lacking yet the plans already made are ready to function as soon as the returning veteran, and even defense workers in due time, will have some opportunities to receive benefit from the plans that are now established and ready for use.
Respectfully submitted,
Post-War Planning Committee Signed : GEORGE B. PEASE, Ch. RALPH G. BABCOCK, Secy. IRVING C. AUSTIN WENDELL P. DAVIS W. GARDNER LONG H. WILSON POWERS FRANK D. TANNER
Final Report and Recommendations of the Reading Planning Board with Respect to a Proposed Amendment to the Zoning By-Law
General Laws, Tercentenary Edition, Chapter 40, section 27, pro- vides that no amendment to the zoning by-law shall be adopted until after the planning board has held a public hearing after due notice and has submitted a final report with recommendations to the Town Meet- ing or until 20 days shall have elapsed after such hearing without the submission of such report.
A petition was filed with the Selectmen by certain citizens of the Town for the inclusion of an article in the warrant for the annual Town Meeting in March, 1945, to consider and act upon a proposal to amend the zoning by-law as follows :
"To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning by-law and zon- ing map by extending the industrial district so as to include therein the area hereinafter described :
Beginning at a point 500 feet more or less Easterly from the junc- tion of Bolton Street and Ash Street at the present industrial district ;
Thence running Northwesterly to Main Street at the Southerly side of the right of way of the Boston & Maine Railroad;
Thence turning and running Southerly by Main Street 817 feet more or less to the Southerly boundary line of the premises owned by Joseph J. Robbins et al; and
Thence turning and running Northeasterly in part by said boundary line of Robbins' land and the Southerly boundary line of land of John
29
and Christine E. Watson approximately 4846 feet to Ash Street and the present industrial district.
So that the above described area shall be rezoned and changed to and become a part of the industrial district."
On February 23, 1945, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the question of whether such change should be made in the zoning by- law, after giving due notice, as required by the statute, of such hearing. The area referred to in the article is now zoned partly for business and partly for residential purposes and has a frontage of approximately 800 feet on Main Street. This hearing was attended by approximately 35 people, including Mr. Robbins, the owner of the property. The Honor- able Arthur W. Coolidge appeared at the hearing on behalf of Mr. Rob- bins. Mr. Robbins, several of the petitioners, and several other citizens spoke in favor of the change in the zoning by-law. No opposition to the change was registered at the hearing.
The principal arguments in favor of the change advanced at the hearing were that Mr. Robbins or his firm, Robbins & Burke, Inc., is running a nice, quiet business of manufacturing refrigerating units for trucks, etc., that this firm employs in the neighborhood of 50 people and that after the war it would employ 80 to 90 people, and that Reading needed small industries. It was also urged by the proponents of the change that the area in the town zoned for industry was not adequate for that purpose, primarily because of the character of the land in the in- dustrial zone. The area now zoned for industry is located in the south- erly part of the town, beside the railroad tracks.
The question of changing this area to an industrial zone was pre- sented at a town meeting held in December, 1943, and was voted down by a vote of 100 to 24. No arguments for the change were presented at the public hearing on February 23 which were not advanced at that town meeting, and so far as the planning board is able to determine the situa- tion has not changed materially.
There is no real hardship on the owner of this property if the change is not made. Mr. Robbins admitted that when he purchased the property he knew the purposes for which it was zoned. The Wakefield Trust Company, the former owner, which acquired title by mortgage fore- closure, did not seek to have the area zoned for industrial purposes at the time of the general revision of the by-laws three years ago. Further- more none of the present petitioners advocated that this area be zoned for industry at the time the present by-law was enacted. The basic ques- tion is whether we want to bring industry onto the main street of the town.
The planning board believes that in deciding whether the amend- ment should be passed, consideration should be given to the character of the Town, what its future prospects of development are, and what effect the proposed change will have on them. The present zoning by-
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