USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1945 > Part 3
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law was adopted after careful consideration and deliberation, and it should not be altered materially except in a case where the Town will be benefited by the change or possibly in a case of extreme hardship to the owner where little, if any damage will be done to the Town.
Evidence was offered at the public hearing that the assessed valua- tion of the property had been reduced but a member of the Board of Assessors who testified refused to commit the Board of Assessors as to whether the valuation would be increased if the change were made in the zoning by-law. Several witnesses stated that in their opinion it would be of advantage to the Town to have a small industry established. It appeared that all of the present employees of this business come from outside of Reading and that only in the event that additional help were needed would citizens of Reading be employed. The planning board feels that an industry in a town like Reading is not an unmitigated blessing. Generally when times are good the citizens of the town have no diffi- culty in finding employment. When times are bad, a considerable num- ber of employees are laid off with the result that more people are placed on welfare. If the effect of re-zoning should be to bring factory em- ployees into Reading the net result might be that in times of depression the Town would find itself with a much heavier welfare load than it would have if the business had never come to town. Also it should be borne in mind that the mere increase in population does not usually re- act to the financial advantage of the Town. The costs of the services rendered by the town are increased, particularly the school and housing problems would be increased. Both of these are critical in Reading at the present time.
If this change is made and this area is zoned for industry it is then open for any use which is allowed in an industrial area. There can be no certainty that the present owner of the property will continue to op- erate the same kind of a business that he now operates or that he will not find it advisable to sell the premises to someone who may use it for a use which would be very much less acceptable than the use which the present owner proposes to make of it. In connection with the argument that the land now zoned for industry is not suitable for the purpose, it should be pointed out that industrial establishments in a great many places are established on marginal land. A good example of this was the General Electric Plant at Lynn. Furthermore the Town and Federal Government have recently expended considerably in excess of $100,000, in draining the area on the southerly side of the Town which includes the area zoned for industry. One of the chief arguments for that ex- penditure was that the land would be made available for industrial use. However, if there is not sufficient land suitable for industrial uses it should be made available somewhere else than on the main street of the Town.
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Reading is primarily a residential community and it seems apparent to the Planning Board that it is going to continue as such. Residential communities are just as essential as industrial communities and the Town should not permit industry in an area which would tend to retard the de- velopment of the Town as a residential community.
As we have stated earlier in this report the basic question for de- cision is whether the Town wants industry on its main street. It should be borne in mind that the practical effect of letting one industry in is to open the door for similar petitions in the future and it will be progres- sively more difficult or impossible to refuse to grant them.
The Planning Board feels that it is unfortunate that people who are known to be opposed to this change did not appear at the hearing and express their views. The Board does not conceive that in making its findings and recommendations it is confined to the evidence introduced at a public hearing, and thereby bound to recommend that the change be made if the evidence or the weight of it is in favor of the change, but understands that it is at liberty in making its recommendations, to take into consideration all of the material factors of which it knows. Having done this the Planning Board believes that the establishment of an in- dustrial area on the main street of the Town would be a detriment to the Town as a whole, and consequently recommends that the change not be made.
Mr. Parker and Mr. White were unable, because of illness, to attend the public hearing, but have examined the transcript of the hearing and have attended the deliberations of the Board on this matter and concur in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
READING PLANNING BOARD A. LLOYD DAVID, Chairman GEORGE B. PEASE, Secretary WINTHROP D. PARKER PHILIP R. WHITE WALTER D. BERRY
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to lay Article 2 on the Table.
Article 3. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Lumber for the ensuing year :
Elias B. Currell William R. Zwicker Fred F. Smith
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and that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Wood and Bark:
Percy N. Sweetser Elias B. Currell Thomas F. Brogan
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to lay Article 3 on the table.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of thirty thousand five hundred and fifty-two dollars and fifty-three cents ($30,552.53) be raised and appropriated for General Government as follows :
Selectmen's Expenses
$ 1,000.00
Selectmen's Clerical
1,069.70
Town Accountant's Salary 1,709.54
Treasurer's Salary
1,575.00
Treasurer's Expenses
800.00
Treasurer's Clerical
400.00
Collector's Salary
2,415.00*
Collector's Expenses
1,000.00
Collector's Clerical
800.00
Assessors' Salaries
Chairman $1500., 2 members each $630.
2,760.00
Assessors' Expenses
1,500.00
Assessors' Clerical
3,211.00
Town Counsel's Salary
1,312.50
Town Counsel's Expenses
550.00
Town Clerk's Salary
1,102.50*
Town Clerk's Expenses
500.00
Registrars' Salaries
347.29
Registrars' Expenses, Special
1,100.00
Election and Registration Expense
800.00
Planning Board Expense
100.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
3,900.00 **
Municipal Building Maintenance
2,600.00
$ 30,552.53
* Fees to Town Treasury.
Including travel outside the State
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of one hundred and three thousand, four hundred and one dollars and sixty-three cents ($103,401.63) be raised and appropriated for pro- tection of Persons and Property as follows :
Police Dept. Salaries $ 43,241.64
Patrick J. Long Pension 1,273.39
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Police Dept. Maintenance
5,625.00*
Police Station Maintenance
1,583.75
Fire Dept. Salaries
25,898.10
Fire Dept. Call Men
3,000.00
O. O. Ordway Pension
1,300.00
Fire Dept. Maintenance
4,000.00*
Fire Stations Maintenance
2,730.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance
1,487.50
Fire Alarm Extension
300.00
Hydrant Rentals
500.00
Moth & Tree Depts.
10,464.00
Inspector of Buildings Salary
551.25
Inspector of Wires Salary
210.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures Salary
551.25
Sealer of Weights & Measures Expenses
250.00
Game Warden Salary
105.00
Dog Officer Salary
330.75
$103,401.63
* Includes travel outside the State.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of seven thousand two hundred and six dollars be raised and appro- priated for Health and Sanitation as follows :
Board of Health Salaries
$ 315.00
Board of Health Expenses
275.00
Inspector of Plumbing Salary
525.00
Inspector of Animals Salary
220.50
Inspector of Milk & Food Salary
220.50
Care of Contagious Diseases
5,000.00
Dental Clinic
650.00
$ 7,206.00
Article 4. On motion of Joseph D. Knight it was voted that the sum of one hundred seventeen thousand, six hundred dollars ($117,600.00) be raised and appropriated for Charities and Aid, as follows :
General Aid
$ 20,000.00
General Aid Administrative
4,900.00
Aid to Dependent Children
13,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children, Administrative
800.00
Old Age Assistance
72,500.00
Old Age Assistance Administrative 6,400.00
$117,600.00
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Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of thirteen thousand dollars ($13,000.00) be raised and appropriated for Veterans' Benefits.
Article 4. On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the sum of $336,865.47 be raised and appropriated for the School Department as follows :
General Salaries $252,388.47
General Maintenance, including travel outside of State 46,777.00
Transportation 6,200.00
Industrial Tuition 1,500.00
School Lunches
30,000.00
$336,865.47
Article 4. On motion of A. Imrie Dixon it was voted that the sum of nine thousand eight hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the Public Library, to be divided as follows : Salaries
$ 6,500.00
Maintenance 3,300.00
$ 9,800.00
Article 4. On motion of Clarence C. White it was voted that the sum of eleven thousand, five hundred dollars ($11,500.00) be raised and appropriated for Cemeteries, to be expended for maintenance, care and development of Laurel Hill Cemetery and Forest Glen Cemetery, includ- ing travel outside of the State.
Article 4. On motion of Wendell P. Davis it was voted that the sum of one hundred fifty-six thousand, one hundred ($156,100.00) be raised and appropriated for the Board of Public Works, as follows : Administrative, Salaries & Office Expenses $ 6,200.00
Repairs, Construction and Maintenance of Highways, Set-
ting Curbs, Purchase or otherwise acquiring land for Sand and Gravel purposes, Purchase of Materials, Tool and Equipment, and other incidental expenses pertain- ing thereto
42,000.00
Removal of Snow and Ice
20,000.00
Sidewalk Maintenance & Construction
4,300.00
Maintenance of Storm Drains
4,200.00
Construction of Storm Drains
7,500.00
Park Department & Common Maintenance and Supervised Play
6,000.00
Care of Dumps
1,800.00
Drinking Fountains
100.00
Connecting Estates with the Common Sewer
2,000.00
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Maintenance, Operation & Construction of Water Works, Payment of Water Bonds & Interest, including travel outside of State 50,000.00 Maintenance, Operation & Extension of the Sewer System, Payment of Interest on Sewer Bonds 12,000.00
$156,100.00
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) be raised and appropriated for Memorial Day Observance, to be expended under the direction of Post No. 62, American Legion and Post No. 685 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of two thousand six hundred and fifty-six dollars and twenty-five cents ($2,656.25) be raised and appropriated for Interest, not including Water, Light and Sewer.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson, it was voted that the sum of thirty-two thousand dollars ($32,000.00) be raised and appro- priated for Maturing Debt, not including Water and Light.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson, it was voted that the sum of eleven thousand nine hundred and fifty-two dollars and sev- enty-seven cents ($11,952.77) be raised and appropriated for Insurance.
Article 4. On motion of Leon G. Bent, it was voted that the sum of twenty-one thousand and twelve dollars ($21,012.00) be raised and appro- priated for the Contributory Retirement System to be divided as follows : Pension Accumulation Fund $ 20,312.00 Expense Fund 700.00
$ 21,012.00
Article 4. On motion of Henry R. Johnson it was voted that there be included in the tax levy, for electricity used for street lights, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00), and that said sum and the income from sales of electricity to private consumers and for electricity sup- plied to municipal buildings, and for municipal power, and from sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year to be appro- priated for the Municipal Lighting Plant, and that the sum of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.) be appropriated from the said receipts of the department for the sale, installation and servicing of merchandise, equip- ment, utensils and chattels, as provided in Section 34 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, said appropriation to be expended by the Manager of the Municipal Lighting, under the direction and control of the Munici- pal Light Board, for the expense of the plant, including the sale, instal- lation 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
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exceed said expense for said fiscal year, such excess up to the sum of fifty thousand ($50,000.00) 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 Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to lay Article 4 on the table.
Article 5. On motion of Jeon G. Bent it was voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1946, and to issue note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 6. On motion of Leon G. Bent it was voted that the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) be raised and appropriated for the purpose of foreclosing in the Land Court pursuant to provisions of Section 65 of Chapter 60 of the General Laws, the right of redemption of any and all real estate taken by the Town for non-payment of taxes.
Article 7. On motion of Leon G. Bent it was voted that the sum of eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the Re- serve Fund, as provided by Section 6, Chapter 40, General Laws.
Artcile 8. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) be raised and appropriated for the care of graves of any persons who have served in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States, in time of war or insurrection and who have been honorably discharged from such service, as provided by Section 22, Chapter 115, General Laws.
Article 9. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson, it was voted that the sum of six hundred dollars ($600.00) be raised and appropriated for the preparation and printing of the street lists for the year 1945, such sum to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 10. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500.00) be raised and ap- propriated for the preservation of health and protection of persons and property, during the National Emergency, such sum to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for all purposes set forth in Chapter 487 of the Acts of 1941 and any and all amendments thereto.
Article 11. On motion of Leon G. Bent it was voted that a sum of not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) be transferred from General Highway appropriation and a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) be transferred from the surplus revenue and that said sums be appropriated for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance in 1945, pro- vided however, that such sums received as reimbursement from the State and County shall be credited to surplus revenue.
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Article 12. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to petition the General Court in behalf of the Town to change the boundary line be- tween the Town of Lynnfield and this Town so as to straighten said boundary line commencing at the Town bound at a point which is the dividing line of the Towns of Wakefield, Lynnfield and Reading and thence running in a Northerly direction in a straight line to the boundary line between this Town and North Reading at the location of a Town bound separating the Towns of North Reading, Lynnfield and this Town, so that a portion of land now in Lynnfield will be included in Reading and a portion of land now situated in this Town will be relinquished to the Town of Lynnfield.
Article 13. On motion of Leon G. Bent it was voted to lay Article 13 on the table.
Article 14. On motion of W. Gardner Long that the Board of Pub- lic Works be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to peti- tion the General Court for legislation by Amendment of Chapter 405 of the Acts of 1889 or otherwise so that the net surplus income received from the water rates may be applied as the Town may from time to time determine.
This motion was not carried.
Article 15. On motion of Irving C. Austin that the School Com- mittee be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to acquire for and in behalf of the Town by purchase upon such terms and conditions as they may determine or taking by eminent domain such tracts of land together with the buildings thereon or such part thereof as they may deem suitable, situated in or adjoining Birch Meadow so-called and be- ing the land bounded Northerly by Birch Meadow Playground so-called and Waverly Road (Private Way) ; Easterly by Oakland Road (Private Way) ; Southerly by Tower Road (Private Way); and Westerly by Longfellow Road (Private Way), land of Harold L. and Martha B. Weston and the Birch Meadow Playground so-called and such parcels are together estimated to contain 11.452 acres of land, for the construc- tion of Senior High School and the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) be and the same hereby is raised and appropriated for such purchase or taking.
This being a Bond Issue a two thirds vote is necessary.
88 voted "yes" and 59 voted "no". The motion was not carried.
Article 3. On motion of Logan Dickie it was voted to take Article 3 from the table.
On motion of Logan Dickie it was voted that a committee be hereby appointed to give further study to the question of a proper location for the proposed High School and that the Committee be instructed to re- port to a special town meeting to be held during 1945. This Committee to consist of Mrs. Walter Early, Mrs. Gladys Milton, Norman Duncan,
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Irving Austin, Warren Killam, Merle Wescott, W. Gardner Long, Melvin Crosby and John Devaney.
Article 16. On motion of Irving .C. Austin it was voted that the School Committee be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to acquire for and in behalf of the Town by purchase upon such terms and conditions as they may determine or taking by right of eminent domain a parcel of land adjoining the Athletic Field of the Junior High School owned by the Boston & Maine Railroad and containing approximately 45,900 square feet of land, for the further development and enlargement of the Athletic Field and the sum of seven hundred and twenty-five dol- lars ($725.00) is hereby raised and appropriated for such purchase or taking.
This being a bond issue a two thirds vote is necessary. The motion was carried unanimously.
Article 17. On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the preparation of plans, surveys and specifications and for such architec- tural and engineering advice and services which may be necessary for the design of an elementary school building to be located upon the site at the Southeasterly corner of Summer Avenue and Oak Street and Westerly of Summer Avenue.
Article 17. On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the School Committee be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase upon such terms and conditions as they may deter- mine or taking by eminent domain for and in behalf of the Town such parcels of land with the buildings thereon situated at the Southwesterly corner of Summer Avenue and Oak Street and Westerly of Summer Avenue and shown as lots "A", "B", "C" and "D" on Plan of Proposed Land Takings for School Purposes, dated December 1944, H. Kingman Abbott, Surveyor, and such parcels together are estimated to contain 7.487 acres of land, for the construction of elementary school building and the sum of fourteen thousand dollars ($14,000.00) be and the same hereby is raised and appropriated for such purpose or taking.
This being a Bond issue a two thirds vote is necessary. 135 voted "yes" and 12 voted "no." The motion was carried.
On motion of John Devaney, it was voted to adjourn at 10:20 P. M. and to meet in Security Hall, Monday, March 26, 1945 at 7:45 P. M.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall
March 26, 1945
The fact that this meeting was an adjourned meeting of the March 12, 1945 meeting, no notice was required by Town Clerk.
Article 18. On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the sum of one thousand eighty-nine and 30/100 ($1,089.30) dollars be raised and
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appropriated for the payment of certain unpaid bills for the year 1944 in the School Department Cafeteria Account in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 1941. This required a 4/5 vote. 111 voted "Yes" and none voted "No". This was a unanimous vote.
Article 19. On motion of Irving C. Austin it was voted that the sum of seven hundred and fifty ($750.00) dollars be raised and appropriated 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.
Article 20. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the Board of Health be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to enter into a contract for the collection and disposal of garbage for a term not exceeding three years and upon such other and further terms and conditions as they may determine and that the sum of three thousand ($3,000.00) dollars be raised and appropriated therefor covering the year 1945.
Article 21. On motion of A. Imrie Dixon it was voted that the sum of one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for the preparation of plans and specifications and the architectural and engi- neering services which may be necessary for enlarging and remodeling the library building so as to provide for a stack room therein, such sum to be expended under the direction of the Trustees of the Public Li- brary.
Article 22. On motion of Wendell P. Davis it was voted that the sum of fifteen thousand ($15,000.00) dollars be appropriated from the un- expended balance in the Road Machinery Account and transferred to the Road Machinery Fund for the maintenance, repair and operation of road machinery and for the purchase of two trucks, one trailer and two snow plows, for the use of and under the direction of the Board of Public Works and that the proceeds from the sale of the old equipment to be turned in shall be appropriated in addition to the $15,000.00 as part of the purchase price for the above mentioned new equipment, and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to trans- fer said sum to said account.
Article 23. On motion of Wendell P. Davis it was voted that the sum of seven hundred ($700.00) dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of plowing, harrowing and furnishing aid in the cultivation of private land as authorized under the provisions of Chapter 75 of the Acts of 1943.
Article 24. On motion of Wendell P. Davis it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the altering or relocating of the location lines of Pearl Street, from Charles Street to a point 1282.48 feet northerly from Charles Street and adopt the recom- mendations contained therein.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Town of Reading
Middlesex, ss.
Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation, Alteration
and Change of Grade on Portion of Pearl 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 highway be laid out, relocated, altered and the grade changed as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all re- quirements 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, altered and changed the grade as a public highway for the use of the Town, a portion of Pearl Street. The bound- aries and measurements of said public highway as so laid out, relocated, altered and grade changed are as follows :
Beginning at a Stone Bound set on the Westerly side line of said Pearl Street at its intersection with the North-Westerly side line of a public town way known as Charles Street; said Stone Bound being the Northerly terminus of a curved line in said North-Westerly side line of Charles Street having a radius of 556.78 feet and a total length of 280.78 feet ;
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