USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1946 > Part 15
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Two cases were commenced during the year before the Appellate Tax Board involving assessments of real estate and one case has been disposed of by trial resulting in a favorable decision for the Town and the other case was dismissed because of want of prosecution.
Titles have been examined to five parcels of land acquired by the Town for the Public Parking Place and the necessary land has been acquired therefor with the appurtenant entrances and exits and the contract and other documents were prepared for the construction of the Public Parking Place.
Another parcel of land has been acquired by the Town for the proposed new Elementary School building on Summer Avenue. Contract for the transportation of school children was drafted.
Through proceedings brought in the Probate Court and otherwise, sums of money have been recovered by the Town on account of taxes which were abated under the applicable provisions of the statute.
A codification of the Traffic Regulations with certain amendments was made during the year and it is expected that the completed regu- lations will be made effective as soon as the full use of the Municipal Parking Place has been obtained.
Two contracts were prepared with architects relating to the proposed Elementary School building on Summer Avenue and the addition to the Municipal Garage in connection with the Town's application for Fed- eral Aid for advance planning for non-Federal works.
As provided by the regulations of the Town, I have performed every
188
professional act required by me in the performance of the duties of my office, including in part, appearances in Court and hearings before Boards or Commissions, prosecution of claims in behalf of the Town and for all violations of Town by-laws, opinions to all Town Boards, investigation of claims against the Town, drafting release deeds, and other legal documents necessary in connection with municipal activities, by-laws, articles and motions for Town Meetings, Traffic and other rules and regulations, licenses, permits and such other legal matters referred to me for attention.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL H. DAVIS, Town Counsel
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The department has responded to 267 grass and brush fires in 1946. This is an increase of 120 over 1945. The principal causes of these fires continues the same, improper incinerators, carelessness, indiffer- ence and maliciousness. Five buildings have been damaged by grass fires. Eight have been apprehended for setting fires.
On December 11 a serious fire in 100 Acre Meadows, which was the result of railroad employees burning grass in Wilmington, endangered buildings and the Town Forest. Due to the fact that the State forest fire towers were closed, this fire had gained great headway before the department was notified. With the combined efforts of the entire de- partment, aid from eight outside departments, assistance of the Public Works, Moth Department, and civilians the fire was halted before reach- ing the Town Forest and two other fires which occurred at the same time were extinguished without damage.
The Fire Patrol has been maintained on dangerous days, and have prevented many calls for the department by discovering and extinguish- ing fires out of control and ordering the extinguishing of improper or illegal fires.
Respectfully submitted, CHIEF HUGH L. EAMES
Forest Warden
189
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 1, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Reading, Massachusetts Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year January 1, 1946 to January 1, 1947.
Twenty one dogs were quarantined for inflicting personal injuries, and twenty dogs released after the period of quarantine expired. One dog still remains in quarantine, as the confinement period has not elapsed.
The number of dogs quarantined this year decreased by sixteen over the previous year.
The annual inspection of all livestock in the State was again re- sumed this fall after a lapse of a number of war years. In the Town of Reading, there were found to be 171 neat cattle, 507 swine, 28 horses, 28 sheep, and 47 goats. During the inspection, there were very few cases of Contagious Infectious Diseases noted.
Respectfully submitted,
GARDINER A. LESTER, D.V.M. Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL FOR THE YEAR, 1946
During the year just past, the Board of Appeal held eight hearings under the Zoning By-laws, of which three were granted and five denied. Records of all hearings are on file with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT T. SCHOPPELRY, Chairman CLIFTON S. NICHOLS, Secretary
DUDLEY B. KILLAM
Board of Appeal
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
For the Year 1946 Valuation of Taxable Property
Buildings, exclusive of land $ 13,858,555
Land, exclusive of buildings 3,579,040
Personal Estate 805,274
Total Taxable Valuation $ 18,242,869
Amount Appropriated for Town Purposes $ 1,110,614.60
Amount to be paid for State and County Taxes 62,929.03
190
Amount of Overlay
18,718.75
$ 1,192,262.38
Less Estimated Receipts $ 381,202.68
Excise Tax
10,000.00
Available Funds
99,712.85
490,915.53
Net Amount to be raised on Polls and
Property
701,346.85
Tax Rate 1946 - $38.00 per M.
Recapitulation
Real Estate Tax
$662,628.61 30,600.24
Personal Tax
8,118.00
Excise Tax
15,757.45
Moth Assessment
733.77
Siedwalk and Curbing
970.01
House Connections
267.89
Sewer
441.29
Highway
1,807.77
Plowing
60.00
Water Liens
240.67
December Commitment
114.00
Additional Polls
98.00
$721,837.70
Valuations Comparison
1945
Dec.
Valuation of Buildings
$13,403,855
1946 $13,858,555 3,579,040
Inc. $ 454,700
Valuation of Land
3,482,015
97,025
Valuation of Personal
Property
793,052
805,274
12,222
Valuation of Town
Property
1,903,295
1,886,920
16,375
Valuation of Exempted
Property
609,060
740,910
131,850
Valuation of Excise Tax ..
298,560
582,360
283,800
Total Town Valuation Net Change in Valuation ..
$20,489,837
$21,435,059
$ 979,597 $ 963,222
$ 16,375
HAROLD B. CURRELL RALPH T. HORN
Board of Assessors
191
Poll Tax
IN MEMORIAM
Major Frank E. Gray
Assessor
1868
- 1946
The Reading Board of Assessors feels a great loss in the passing of one of its members, Major Frank E. Gray.
"Cap" served on the Board of Assessors from March 1942 to May 1946. He was an agreeable and willing worker, striving at all times to carry on the work of this Department.
Those who knew him will miss him. We mark his passing with regret.
Reading Public Library
ANNUAL REPORT
Board of Trustees
And
Librarian
For
1946
M
Addition to Public Library Town of Reading Mass. WILLARD PADDEN AND SHERBURNE J. WATTS ARCHITECTS .
ยท WITTE 45
Still in the Dream Stage or Occasionally a Nightmare
by The Board of Trustees READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Public Library, you were informed a year ago, needs more room and it is not necessary to inform regular patrons this year that no additional space has been made available. They know all too well of the crowded areas where quiet and relaxation should traditionally prevail but where an atmosphere of confusion will at times make itself disconcertingly felt.
That the public has been toler- ant of these conditions is appre- ciated by the Library administra- tors. That the staff has been able to operate with such efficiency should recommend them to the townspeople as meriting every confidence and deserving of all co-
BOOKS:
Reserved Damaged References New
Accounts
Orders
Etc.
-
Etc.
Librarians have no work space or privacy in their postage stamp- sized office !
?
Periodicals and newspapers must be Filed on a few small tables in an overcrowded reading room
operation. Living in a crowded house is not convenient, nor even economical, as many families with first-hand encounters with the home shortage will agree. Op- erating a municipal department- including the Public Library- with too little space for storage, work and public contact is not completely satisfactory to your department heads or to the public that is to be served.
That is why the Trustees of the Public Library have secured a plan whereby the Library can fill its complete place as a source of public enlightenment. The mat- ter is still in the dream stage and we presume that, under present conditions, it must remain so. We
193
RPL
Gift sets of literature can be received but not properly display- ed due to lack of space
nevertheless desire that the need and the proposed remedy be kept before the townspeople that they may be ready to take the necessary steps when the proper time comes.
One needs but to look around and use his common sense to know that the plea of overcrowding is not new or unwarranted. A little at a time the book shelves have been built in to encroach upon the reading rooms. It thus becomes necessary in the remaining over- crowded space to pile periodicals and newspapers on a few small tables. Unscrambling your favor- ite magazine from the heap is fre- quently as difficult-but not so intriguing-as the old-time game of jack-straws.
The Trustees during the past year have been pleased to receive the offer of gifts in the form of sets of books or better-class peri- odicals. All such gifts are grate- fully received but at the present time we are not able to make the fullest possible use of them. Two factors must be met, storage and availability.
To find convenient storage space for these gifts we frequently must
put them where they will not be available for regular use. If we put them out where they can be used we must take something from general circulation and put it in dead storage. We will accept, however, and will continue to seek all such gifts which people seem inclined to bestow, for we still have faith that someday the proposed stack room will be a reality and not a dream; and the matter of keeping books actively in circu- lation will be a joy and not a nightmare.
The room wherein we store the less active books, as well as the files of the local newspaper and standard periodicals, together with valuable out-of-print books and published town records, is totally inadequate for this purpose nor does it give the protection which some of these valuable volumes require. Students and persons do- ing research frequently go to this room to consult the source ma- terial which the successful prose- cution of their study requires, but indeed it is no place for one with claustrophobia.
Tiny room containing valuable records, books and periodicals gives the research student claus- trophobia
194
Congestion of this sort has been borne by the public for several years and some have complained. They, however, must put up with the conditions only once in a while when they visit the Library.
The Library staff itself faces a similar situation day after day. The lack of work space is an all- around handicap. The so-called office is but an alcove off the reading room and in this postage stamp-size compartment they must conduct business which should of- ten have complete privacy and be free from the interruptions which continually occur because the of- fice is so near the main reading room. There is much detailed work to be done but scant space in which to do it.
The Library Trustees last year presented in their report the plans and estimated cost for the erec- tion of a stack room as an addi- tion to the Public Library facili- ties. Such an addition would solve our problems. Just after the close of our fiscal year the Trustees were advised, through Congress- man Angier L. Goodwin, that the Town of Reading had been allo- cated $2,800 as a loan from the Federal Works Agency, Bureau of relieved only by public action.
Reading public Library
BOOKS
New
SOCKS
The squeeze is on! Only public action will relieve the pressure
Community Facilities, for the pre- paration of detailed plans for the proposed Library addition.
We take this opportunity to point out that your Library is ready with plans and a program of expansion. Land for the pro- posed addition is available and al- ready owned by the town. In fact the Library is the only depart- ment with completed plans and site ready to accommodate any contemplated expansion. It is only a question of finances and that rests entirely with the voters.
The squeeze is still on, with much wanted old books on one hand and attractive new books on the other, and with the Library in the middle. The pressure can be
The Board of Library Trustees
William S. Tonks, chairman Katherine C. Pierce, secretary C. Nelson Bishop
Christie W. Fowle
Sydney M. Hodson Neil C. Robinson
Five of the Trustees wish to take this opportunity to express regret that Mrs. Fowle is retiring from the board this year. Her services have been helpful to the board and valuable to the town.
195
IS A
FOREVER. ITS LE
SE
ITTIM LI . A THING OF
INESS INCREASES. SSANOK .
L NEVE
R PA
IN MEMORY OF
READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following books were given as memorials during the past year:
Great White Hills of New Hampshire
Hawthorne Short Stories
500 Years in Art and Illustration
Canadian Painters
Music in Western Civilization
Water Color at Large
An American Year
Design from Peasant Art
Dresden China
Antiques for the Home
for Lester Riley for Lawrence B. Lewis for Mrs. Florence Trevor for Mrs. Grace Fowle
Old American Houses and How to Restore Them
Handbook of Popular Antiques Opaque Glass Garden Bulbs in Color Steelways of New England
for Mrs. Caroline L. Knox
for Mrs. Elmer Anderson for Henry P. Jacob for John A. Loring
196
for Arthur F. Thomas for Mrs. Helen Sawyer
Librarian's Report
To the Trustees of the Reading Public Library :-
I herewith present my report for 1946.
The Library is gradually getting back to its pre-war levels, with the circulation rising to nearly 100,00 again,-a gain of a little less than 7000 this year.
There was a large increase in the children's room, and a greater number loaned to the schools (4920) than ever before. The story hour during the summer, and the Christmas story hour held on the Monday before the holiday were very popular and well at- tended.
The pupils from High School and Junior High, as well as those at college, keep us busy afternoons and evenings with reference questions.
We have received many books as gifts. The Reading Society of Craftsmen have given us Handicrafts of the Southern Highlands. The Book Group of the Reading Woman's Club gave Thoreau's Wal- den, The Lowells and Their Seven Worlds, and The Romance of English Literature.
A $500 trust fund was donated by Mrs. Susan Tuttle and her daughter, Miss Mildred Tuttle, in memory of Donald N. Tuttle, Jr. A suitable plaque has been made and hung near the front door, on which are the names, and space for others, of those for whom trust funds have been given to the Library. Two names are on this plaque at the present time,-Horace G. Wadlin and Donald N. Tuttle, Jr.
We also were presented with a framed picture of the American flag, by Mr. W. E. Quinn.
Public Library Expense Account
Salaries
Appropriation - $6700.
10/22 Transfer 75.
Librarian
$ 1,916.46
Assistants
3,942.10
Janitor
903.00
$ 6,761.56
Maintenance -$3300.
Transfer
110.
Fuel, light, water, sewer
$ 611.06
Telephone
51.24
197
Printing and Supplies
320.89
Maintenance and Repairs
213.24
Books and Periodicals Binding Miscellaneous
1,964.94
213.79
19.45
$ 3,394.61
Balance unexpended and returned to revenue
On Salaries
13.44
On maintenance
15.39
Receipts
Fines Collected
$ 844.57
Fees from Out of Town Borrowers
11.00
$ 855.57
Paid to Town Treasurer
855.57
Balance December 31, 1946
00.00
Circulation Report
Volumes in Library, Dec. 31, 1945
27,062
Volumes bought
Adult fiction
335
Adult non-fiction
332
667
Juvenile fiction
312
Juvenile non-fiction
105
417
Reference Books
11
Gifts
132
1,227
1,227
Withdrawn during the year
925
Total number volumes, Dec. 31, 1946
27,364
Circulation
Adult
Fiction
49,325
Non-fiction
14,119
Periodicals
6,788
70,232
70,232
198
28,289
Juvenile
Fiction
20,739
Non-fiction
2,689
Periodicals
921
Loaned to schools
4,920
29,269
29,269
Total circulation in 1946
99,501
Total circulation in 1945
92,739
Gain
6,762
New Borrowers registered
Adult
453
Juvenile
259
Total new borrowers
712
Number days Library open
301
Average daily circulation
Adult
233.32
Juvenile
97.23
Borrowed from other libraries
29
Loaned to other libraries
14
Respectfully,
GRACE J. ABBOTT.
Form of Bequest
I hereby give and bequeath to the Town of Reading the sum of to have and to
hold, the income only of which shall be used for
for the Reading Public Library.
199
IN MEMORIAM
JOHN J. O'BRIEN DEPUTY CHIEF
John J. O'Brien became a call member of the Reading Fire Department September 1, 1911, was appointed a permanent fireman September 6, 1916 and advanced to Lieutenant and Captain. January 12, 1931 he-was ap- pointed Deputy Chief, attended fireman training schools and became the Drill Master of the department.
During World War II his untiring service instructing the Auxiliary Fire Service gave the town one of the best trained auxiliary groups in the state.
By the passing of Deputy Chief O'Brien the depart- ment has lost an efficient officer and most capable fireman.
NINETY-SECOND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The report of the Reading Fire Department for the year 1946 is hereby submitted.
Manual Force
The permanent force consists of thirteen permanent men including the Chief. Two men were added when the seventy hour week went into effect on July first.
After the death of Deputy Chief O'Brien, Captain Charles H. Hesel- ton was advanced to Deputy Chief, Lieutenant Herbert L. Robertson to Captain and Senior Private George W. Goodridge to Lieutenant.
One permanent fireman has been retired and another retirement is pending.
There are 15 full time and 7 half time call men.
Auxiliary Fire Service
The Auxiliary Fire Service has carried on as a most valuable aid to the department.
Apparatus
Central Station : 1937 Packard Chief's car equipped with two-way radio communication with the Police Station ; Engine 1, a 1000 gallon per minute Seagrave pumping engine purchased in 1934; Engine 3, a 600 gallon per minute Seagrave pumping engine purchased in 1929; Engine 4, a 1932 Chevrolet engine used for grass and forest fires and equipped with a 100 gallon portable pump and a 500 gallon front-end pump; Lad- der 1, a 65 foot Seagrave Junior Aerial truck with a 200 gallon pump and carrying first aid and emergency equipment.
Woburn Street Station : Engine 2, a 400 gallon per minute Seagrave pumping engine purchased in 1926; Engine 5 a 1938 Chevrolet with a 400 gallon front-end pump which is manned by the Auxiliary Fire Service.
Engine 3 has been painted and necessary repairs for the upkeep of all apparatus has been made. The fire fighting equipment loaned to the town by the Office of Civilian Defense has been purchased. This con- sists of a 500 gallon per minute trailer pump; a 500 gallon per minute skid pump mounted in a trailer built by the permanent men, the 500
201
gallon front-end pump on Engine 4. 1;2 and 232 inch hose, and various accessories.
While this is not major fire fighting equipment it has been used at times for pumping at forest fires thus relieving the other engines to return to the stations and be in service for other fires.
Fire Stations
Repairs Have been made to the slate roof of the Central Station and a new heating boiler, with an cil burner, has been installed and will be in service within a few days, replacing the old coal burning heater which has been condemned.
The Woburn Street Station has received only minor repairs.
Service Record
The department has responded to 118 bell alarms, 9 of which were false: 343 still and telephone calls, including one false and 112 service calls. a total of 573. This is an increase of 45 over 1945.
The estimated fire loss was $26.611.00, a decrease of $23,316.11 from 1945.
Feet of hose laid : 23.400 of 34 inch, 30,700 of 152 inch, 22,000 oi 21/2 inch : 229 booster tanks. 1,751 feet of ladder has been raised including 27 times the 65 foot aerial ladder used: 15 Salvage covers have been spread ; Engines have pumped 28:2 hours: the cellar pump 37 hours and the lighting unit has operated S'2 hours.
Extinguishers used : foam 1 : carbon dioxide 18; Soda Acid 5; Carbon- tetachloride 1
Fifteen fires of unknown, suspicious. or incendiary origin have been investigated by inspectors from the State Fire Marshals' office, the local Police and the Fire Chief.
There have been 14 minor injuries to firemen and 1 civilian was effected by the inhalation of fumes from an out of door fire.
Much dangerous explosive chemicals, ammunition, etc., has been received or confiscated by this department and turned over to state au- thorities for dispesal.
In co-operation with State Inspectors, inspections have been made of the twelve nursing homes in this town.
Recommendations
With the growth of the town and the difficulty of obtaining call firemen I believe that the permanent force should be increased including the manning of the Woburn Street Station. The purchase of air masks
202
and the installation of an oil burner and sump pump in the Woburn Street Station. Also new cellar stairs and a cement floor should be installed in the Woburn Street Station.
Conclusion
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their co-operation, the members of the department and the Auxiliary Fire Service for their efficient work, outside departments which have come to our assistance in time of need, the employees of the New Eng- land Telephone Company for their able assistance in the receiving and transmitting of emergency calls, the Moth Department for assistance at forest fires, the personnel of the State Marshal's Office, our local Police for assistance at fires and investigations, and the town departments and citizens for their assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES, Chief
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The inability to obtain material has prevented the continuation of the Fire Alarm Extension program. A small amount of underground cable has been installed on Woburn Street and one new fire alarm box, 241, installed at Summer Avenue and Glen Road.
Box 34, North Main Street and Hampshire Road was demolished beyond repair on January 10th by a stolen car and was replaced.
There is need of many additional fire alarm boxes and also many of the older boxes should be replaced. These older boxes, two of which were installed in 1888, do not have the non-interfering features of the modern fire alarm box and have at times been the cause of preventing the proper receipt of an alarm by the department.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF HUGH L. EAMES
Superintendent
203
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Reading, Massachusetts.
Gentlement :
I herewith submit my annual report as Inspector of Wires for the Town of Reading for the term ending December 31, 1946.
During the past year I have inspected all electric wiring where a permit has been taken out and is classified as follows :
Heat control units 46
Oil burners (power)
164
Repair and alterations
211
Electric fans
1
Water heaters
33
Ranges
28
Gas pumps
5
Garages (commercial)
3
Garages (private)
1
New services
28
Motors
13
Coal stokers
4
Fire repairs
3
New dwellings
49
Electric signs
7
Refrigerators (commercial)
6
Total permits issued
602
Re-inspections 231
Total inspections 833
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their co-operation throughout the year and and all others who have assisted in any way for the successful operation of this office during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT C. MAXWELL, Inspector of Wires
204
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES for the year 1946
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading
Gentlemen :
The following is a summary of the work completed by the Depart- ment of Weights and Measures for the year 1946.
Work performed from Jan. 1, 1946 to Dec. 31, 1946 inclusive.
Not
Adjusted Sealed Sealed Condemned
I-Scales :
Platform, 100 to 5,000 1bs. .. 3
5
Platform, over 10,000 1bs.
3
Counter, under 100 1bs. .... 2
9
Spring, under 100 1bs.
5 10
Computing, under 100 1bs. 18 45
Personal Weigher, slot
2
Prescription
3
II-Weights :
Avoirdupois
44
Opothecary
24
Metric
14
III -- Volumetric Measures :
Liquid Measures 4
1V-Automatic Liquid Measuring
Devices :
Gasoline pumps
16 53
1
Grease measuring devices ..
7
V-Linear Measures :
Yard Sticks
8
44 231 1
205
Work performed from Jan. 1, 1946 to Dec. 31, 1946 inclusive. Commodity :
Total No. No. Tested Correct
Incorrect Under Over
Bread
20
17
1
2
Butter
6
6
Dry Commodities
30
26
2
2
Flour
6
5
1
Grain and Feed
10
10
Meat and Provisions
6
6
Potatoes
15
9
2
4
93
79
6
8
Summary of Inspections
Inspection of pedlers licenses
2
Transient vendors
1
Clinical Thermometers
1
Pedlers Scales
2
Junk Scales
1
.
CARL M. SMITH
206
TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
for the year ended December 31, 1946
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
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