USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1946 > Part 7
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No pension shall be granted to an applicant who at any time within five years immediately prior to the filing of an application for such pension has made an assignment or transfer of property so as to render himself eligible to such pension. No pension shall be subject to trustee process or assignment, and no applicant for a pension, who knowingly makes any false statement or perpetrates any fraud or deception in relation to his application, shall be granted any pension nor be eligible for one during one year thereafter. A person, his executor or adminis- trator shall be liable in contract to the Commonwealth for expenses incurred by it for a pension paid to such person under this chapter if such person or his estate is in possession of funds not otherwise ex- empted thereunder.
If an application for a pension under this chapter is effected by the eligibility of the applicant to receive aid under General Laws (Ter. Ed.),
75
c. 115, which relates to State and Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, the applicant shall be entitled to exercise such options and execute such waivers as may be necessary to receive the pension which he seeks.
All cities and towns in the Commonwealth shall furnish suitable headquarters for the carrying out of the duties of the commission in such cities and towns.
The measure further provides that there shall be established and set up on the books of the Commonwealth a separate fund, to be known as the Old Age Pension Fund, consisting of receipts credited to said fund under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) c. 64B, G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 128A, § 15, as amended, G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 138, 6 27, as amended, and all proceeds of taxes assessed under Acts of 1941, c. 729, §§ 9 and 9A.
The Old Age Assistance Fund as in force immediately prior to the effective date of this act is hereby continued in existence, but shall hereafter be entitled "The Old Age Pension Fund."
It is provided that all. civil service employees in the Department of Public Welfare of the Commonwealth, including the supervisor, referees and employees of the subdivision of appeals in said department or of any city or town, employed in the administration of the Old Age Assistance Law on the effective date of this proposed measure, shall be transferred to the service of the Old Age Pension Commission, retaining their present civil service seniority retirement rights and any step increases from the minimum pay of their grade earned during their service with said department or said bureaus.
It is provided that all records and property used in the administration of the Old Age Assistance Law and which are the property of the Commonwealth are to be transferred to the Old Age Pension Com- mission.
This act shall take effect on March first, nineteen hundred and forty- seven,-
which proposed law was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 125 in the affirmative and 79 in the negative, and on which the Senate did not vote-be approved?
YES
NO
Question No. 2 ,
Law Proposed by Initiative Petition.
Shall this measure which provides that no labor union may be operated or maintained unless there is filed with the Commissioner of Labor and Industries a statement signed by the President and Treasurer setting forth the union's officers, aims, scale of dues, fees, fines, assess- ments and the salaries of the officers.
The President and Treasurer of a labor union is required to file annually with the Commissioner of Labor and Industries a detailed
76
statement in writing setting forth all receipts and expenditures of the union which shall be open to the public, and the said Commissioner is given the power to summons witnesses and records; and there is a penalty of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 for whoever fails to file a statement or whoever knowingly makes a false statement,-
which was disapproved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 50 in the affirmative and 154 in the negative and in the Senate by a vote of 6 in the affirmative and 24 in the negative,-be approved ?
YES
NO
To obtain a full expression of opinion, voters should vote on all three of the following questions :-
(a) If a voter desires to permit the sale in this city (or 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 one, "YES" on question two and "NO" on question three.
(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 one and two and "YES" on question three.
(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 alcoholic 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 city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whisky, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ?
YES
NO
2. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ?
YES
NO
77
3. Shall licenses be granted in this city (or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises ?
YES
NO
1. Shall the pari-mutuel system of betting on licensed horse races be permitted in this county?
YES
NO
I
2. Shall the pari-mutuel system of betting on licensed dog races be permitted in this county?
YES
NO
"Shall the General Court enact legislation requiring jury service by women, with such reservations as it may prescribe ?"
YES
1 NO
1
1
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 5, 1946, the date set for the meeting in said warrant and to cause this warrant to be published in the Reading Chronicle one day at least prior to said date.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at or before the time appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of October, A.D., 1946.
KENNETH C. LATHAM HERBERT K. MILLER CHARLES E. WILKINSON Selectmen of Reading.
A true copy. Attest :
L. G. Bent
Constable of Reading.
78
Officer's Return
Middlesex, ss.
Reading, Mass., Nov. 1, 1946
By virtue of this warrant, I on October 28, 1946, notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in elections to bring in their votes to the election officers in Security Hall, Woburn Street in said Reading, as the designated place for the four precincts of the town, by posting attested copies thereof in the following places within the Town of Reading :
Precinct 1. Austin's Lunch Room, 17 Harnden St .; The Danforth Pharmacy, 1 Harnden St .; Central Fire Station, Pleasant St.
Precinct 2. Masonic Temple Building, Main and Haven Sts .; Lyceum Hall Building, Haven St .; M. F. Charles and Sons Store, 610 Main St .; Boston and Maine Railroad Depot.
Precinct 3. Waterhouse's Neighborhood Store, 36 Mineral St .; Benny's Neighborhood Store, 168 Lowell St .; Fire Station No. 2, Wo- burn St.
Precinct 4. Municipal Building, Lowell St .; Zitzow's Neighborhood Store, 287 Lowell St .; Mclaughlin's Neighborhood Store, 1051 Main St. the date of posting being more than seven days prior to November 5, 1946, the date set for the meeting in this warrant.
I also caused an attested copy to be published in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of November 1, 1946, the same being more than one day prior to date of said meeting.
L. G. BENT,
Constable of Reading
State Election
Security Hall November 5, 1946
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant and the Constable's Return thereon a State Election was held at the time and place specified in the Warrant.
The meeting was called to order by Selectman Charles E. Wilkinson.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion of Leon G. Bent 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, Leon G. Bent and each found to be empty, and all registered nothing.
The polls were then declared open by Selectman Charles E. Wilkin- son.
The polls were opened at 7:00 A.M. and closed at 8:00 P.M. with the following result :
Number of votes cast 5456.
79
Prec. Prec. Prec. Prec.
Governor
1
2
3
4 Totals
Robert F. Bradford of Cambridge
949
1109
1175
1171
4404
Maurice J. Tobin of Boston
327
255
200
209
991
Horace I. Hillis of Saugus
6
4
0
1
11
Guy S. Williams of Worcester
2
3
2
0
7
Blanks
15
8
8
12
43
1299
1379
1385
1393
5456
Lieutenant Governor
Arthur W. Coolidge of Reading
1023
1148
1217
1201
4589
Paul A. Dever of Cambridge
248
215
155
172
790
Alfred Erickson of Quincy
8
3
3
2
16
Francis A. Votano of Lynn
2
3
0
5
10
Blanks
18
10
10
13
51
5456
Secretary
Frederick A. Cook of Somerville
1011
1148
1217
1198
4574
Benedict F. Fitzgerald, Jr. of Cambridge
249
209
151
167
776
Malcolm T. Rowe of Lynn
6
5
3
9
23
Blanks
33
17
14
19
83
5456
Treasurer
Laurence Curtis of Boston
928
1092
1180
1162
4362
John E. Hurley of Boston
329
266
192
207
994
Lawrence Gilfedder of Boston
6
3
0
4
13
Charles E. Vaughan of Brockton
2
1
1
2
6
Blanks
34
17
12
18
81
5456
Auditor
Thomas J. Buckley of Boston
365
310
255
273
1203
Russell A. Wood of Cambridge
884
1033
1104
1085
4106
Pearl J. McGlynn of Springfield
9
5
1
6
21
Robert A. Simmons of Boston
3
1
2
3
9
Blanks
38
30
23
26
117
5456
80
Pre. Pre. Pre. Pre. To- 1 2
Attorney General
Clarence A. Barnes of Mansfield
937
1111
1186
1175
4409
Francis E. Kelly of Boston
312
227
170
188
897
William F. Oro of Boston
4
8
4
8
24
Howard B. Rand of Haverhill
11
5
4
3
23
Blanks
35
28
21
19
103
5456
Senator in Congress
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., of Beverly
961
1114
1182
1173
4430
David I. Walsh of Fitchburg
301
248
190
190
929
Henning A. Blomen of Boston
9
4
1
9
23
Mark R. Shaw of Melrose
3
0
0
6
9
Blanks
25
13
12
15
65
5456
Congressman - Eighth District
Angier L. Goodwin of Melrose
1003
1117
1214
1195
4529
Anthony M. Roche of Medford
247
227
147
166
787
Blanks
49
35
24
32
140
5456
Councillor - Sixth District
John F. Casey of Somerville
312
250
179
214
955
Victor A. Friend of Melrose
923
1083
1164
1119
4289
Blanks
64
46
42
60
212
5456
Senator - Seventh Middlesex District
George J. Evans of Wakefield
1010
1140
1226
1213
4589
Francis C. Zacharer of Lowell
222
195
122
139
678
Blanks
67
44
37
41
189
5456
Representative in General Court - Eighteenth Middlesex District
Logan R. Dickie of Reading
1142
1230
1274 1284
4930
Malcolm S. White of Woburn
756
893
943
908
3500
Blanks
700
635
553
594
2482
3
4 tals
10912
81
Pre. Pre. Pre. Pre. To- 1 2
District Attorney Northern District
John F. Kelley of Cambridge
337
272
207
199
1015
George E. Thompson of Melrose
907
1072
1124
1144
4247
Blanks
55
35
54
50
194
5456
Clerk of Courts Middlesex County
John F. Ferrick of Cambridge
297
252
180
168
897
Frederick L. Putnam of Melrose
939
1085
1166
1167
4357
Blanks
63
42
39
58
202
5456
Register of Deeds Middlesex Southern District
John J. Butler of Wakefield
383
324
255
237
1199
Albert T. Gutheim of Arlington
851
1007
1089
1099
4046
Blanks
65
48
41
57
211
5456
County Commissioner Middlesex County
Thomas B. Brennan of Medford
341
266
195
191
993
Melvin G. Rogers of Tewksbury
888
1053
1150
1138
4229
Blanks
70
60
40
64
234
5456
County Commissioner Middlesex County (To fill vacancy)
Edwin O. Childs of Newton
1116
1191
1259
1250
4816
Blanks
183
18
126
143
640
5456
Question No. 1
Yes
340
308
265
318
1231
No
639
810
866
762
3077
Blanks
320
261
254
313
1148
5456
Question No. 2
667
842
862
841
3212
Yes
311
283
261
261
1116
Blanks
321
254
262
291
1128
3
4 tals
5456
82
Pre. Pre. Pre. Pre. To-
1
2
3
4
tals
Alcohol
Yes
275
246
183
223
927
No
878
996
1074
1035
3983
Blanks
146
137
128
135
546
5456
Wines and Malt
Yes
284
226
186
226
922
No
829
1003
1049
1009
3890
Blanks
186
150
150
158
644
5456
All Alcohol
Yes
493
482
449
440
1864
No
682
787
841
829
3139
Blanks
124
110
95
124
453
5456
Horse Racing
Yes
594
498
482
506
2080
No
560
743
775
730
2808
Blanks
145
138
128
157
568
5456
Dog Racing
Yes
528
428
379
414
1749
No
574
771
816
757
2918
Blanks
197
180
190
222
789
5456
Jury Service
Yes
677
729
765
698
2869
No
401
445
423
459
1728
Blanks
221
205
197
236
859
5456
The votes were declared in open Town Meeting, sealed in ballot envelopes and transmitted to the Constable to be placed in the vault for safe keeping.
Voted to adjourn, sine die, 2:15 A.M., Nov. 6, 1946 Attest :
GUY. W. ELLISON,
Town Clerk
83
Recount of Votes for Lieutenant Governor and Auditor
December 2, 1946
Pursuant to a notice from the Secretary of the Commonwealth a recount of votes was held by the Registrars in Room 2, Municipal Build- ing, at 7:30 P.M., December 2, 1946.
Original - Lieutenant Governor
Coolidge Dever Erickson Votana Blanks Total
Prec. 1
1023
248
8
2
18
1299
Prec. 2
1148
215
3
3
10
1379
Prec. 3
1217
155
3
0
10
1385
Prec. 4
1201
172
2
5
13
1393
4589
790
16
10
51
5456
Original - Auditor
Buckley Wood McGlynn Simmons Blanks Total
Prec. 1
365
884
9
3
38
1219
Prec. 2
310
1033
5
1
30
1379
Prec. 3
255
1104
1
2
23
1385
Prec. 4
273
1085
6
3
26
1393
1203
4106
21
9
117
5456
Recount - Lieutenant Governor
Coolidge Dever Erickson Votana Blanks Total
Prec. 1
1019
252
5
5
18
1299
Prec. 2
1144
216
3
4
12
1379
Prec. 3
1215
157
2
0
11
1385
Prec. 4
1198
171
2
3
19
1393
4576
796
12
12
60
5456
Recount - Auditor
Buckley Wood McGlynn Simmons Blanks Total
Prec. 1
360
883
10
0
46
129
Prec. 2
311
1031
5
2
30
1379
Prec. 3
238
1115
1
2
29
1385
Prec. 4
253
1099
7
3
31
1393
1162
4128
23
7
136
5456
Attest :
GUY W. ELLISON,
Town Clerk
84
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation Division of Accounts
November 14, 1946
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Kenneth C. Latham, Chairman
Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Reading for the period from August 25, 1944 to June 15, 1946, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, FRANCIS X. LANG, Director of Accounts
FXL:CAH
Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Reading for the period from August 25, 1944, the date of the previous audit, to June 15, 1946, and report thereon as follows :
The financial transactions of the town, as recorded on the books of the several departments, were examined, checked and compared with the records of the town treasurer and the town accountant.
The books and accounts in the office of the town accountant were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded on the ledger, were checked with the records of the various departments making payments to the treasurer and with the treasurer's books, while the payments were checked with the treasury warrants approved by the selectmen and with the treasurer's cash book. The appropriations and transfers from the reserve fund were checked with the town clerk's record of meetings and with the authorizations of the finance committee.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on June 15, 1946.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and
85
checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the records in the departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the warrants authorizing the disburse- ment of town funds. The cash balance on June 15, 1946 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of the cash in office.
The payments of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled bonds and coupons on file. The bond and coupon account was reconciled, and the outstanding coupons were listed.
The securities and savings bank books representing the investment of the trust, investment, and retirement funds in the custody of the treasurer were examined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being verified.
The deductions from employees' salaries for federal taxes and Blue Cross were listed and reconciled with the amounts due and paid to the federal government and to the Massachusetts Hospital Service, Inc.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the tax collector's records, the tax titles redeemed were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles on hand were listed and compared with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The property and motor vehicle excise taxes and special as- sessments outstanding according to the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and checked to the war- rants for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were checked to the treasurer's cash book, the recorded abatements were compared with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
The assessors' records of apportioned assessments not due were examined and checked. The apportionments added to taxes were veri- fied, and the apportioned assessments not due were listed and proved
The records of departmental accounts receivable were examined and checked in detail. The recorded payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the abatements were verified and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined. The records of dog and sporting licenses and of miscellaneous receipts were checked, the payments to the town treasurer being compared with the treasurer's cash book.
The surety bonds of the officials required by law to furnish them were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, building
86
inspector, and the health department were examined and checked, and the payments to the town treasurer were verified.
The books and accounts of the electric light department were ex- amined. A list of the outstanding accounts was drawn off from the file of unpaid bills and reconciled with the controlling accounts kept by the department and the town accountant. The collections as recorded were compared with the payments to the treasurer and the abatements and discounts were verified.
The records of guarantee deposits for electric light services were examined, the refunds were verified, and the deposits on hand were listed and reconciled with the ledger accounts of the electric light department and of the town accountant.
The records of water charges were examined. The recorded col- lections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the abate- ments were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
A considerable amount of detailed checking was necessary in order to prove the water department accounts, numerous errors in the clerical work being found. The additional time consumed in proving these ac- counts added materially to the cost of the audit.
It is recommended that the outstanding water accounts be recon- ciled monthly with the controlling accounts in the town accountant's ledger.
Verification of the correctness of the outstanding tax, assessment, departmental, electric light, and water accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
In addition to the accounts mentioned, the records of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked in detail.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the several cash accounts, summaries of the tax, assessment, tax title, tax possession, departmental, electric light and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and trans- actions of the various trust, investment, and retirement funds.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from the officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts
HBD:CAH
True copy. Attest :
GUY W. ELLISON,
Town Clerk
87
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK ON FEES PAID TO TOWN
Birth Certificates
$ 34.75
Death Certificates
45.00
Voters Certificates
5.75
Marriage Certificates
19.00
Marriage Licenses
334.00
Mortgages and Discharges
598.55
Pole Locations
22.00
Certificates of Business
21.00
Gas Permits
15.50
Bill of Sale
3.00
Christmas Trees
5.00
Unclassified
6.79
$ 1,110.34
Total
Miscellaneous
$ 1,110.34
Dog Fees
177.80
Fish and Game
147.75
$ 1,435 89
Total Turned in to Treasurer
Miscellaneous
$ 1,110.34
Dog Licenses
2,155.00
Fish and Game
1,322.00
$ 4,587.34
1 Kennel at $50.00
$ 50.00
2 Kennel at $25.00
50.00
2 Kennel at $10.00
20.00
478 Males at $2.00
956.00
89 Females at $5.00
445.00
317 Spayed at $2.00
634.00
$ 2,155.00
21 Military - Free
000.00
County
$ 1,977.20
Town
177.80
$ 2,155.00
88
Fish and Game
216 Fishing Licenses at $2.00 $ 432.00
191 Hunting Licenses at $2.00
382.00
116 Sporting Licenses at $3.25 377.00
56 Women's and Minors' Licenses at $1.25 70.00
1 Minor Trapping License at $2.25
2.25
10 Trapping Licenses at $5.25
52.50
1 Non Resident Fishing License at $5.25
5.25
2 Duplicate Licenses at 50c
1.00
20 Resident Citizen Sporting - Free
00.00
16 Resident Citizen Military - Free
00.00
$
1,322.00
State
$ 1,174.25
Town
147.75
$
1,322.00
NOTICE TO PARENTS, HOUSEWIVES, PHYSICIANS AND MIDWIVES
Your attention is called to the sections below taken from the revised laws. Blank forms for return of birth can be obtained from the Town Clerk.
General Laws, Chap. 46, Sec. 3 (Tercentenary Edition) (As amended by Chapter 326, section one, Acts of 1939.)
Every physician, or hospital medical officer registered under sec- tion nine of chapter one hundred and twelve, in this chapter called officer, shall keep a record of the birth of every child in cases of which he was in charge, showing date and place of birth, the name, if any, of the child, its sex and color, the name, age, birthplace, occupation and residence (including the street number, if any, and the ward number if in a city) of each parent, the maiden name of the mother and the name of the physician or officer, if any, personally attending the birth. If the child is illegitimate, the name of and other facts relating to the father shall not be set forth except upon written request of both the father and mother; provided that if an illegitimate child shall have be- come legitimate by the intermarriage of his parents and the acknowledg- ment of his father, as provided in section seven of chapter one hundred and ninety, prior to the mailing or delivery of any report herein required,
89
such report shall read in all respects, as if such child had been born to such parents in lawful wedlock. Said physician or officer shall, within fifteen days after such birth, mail or deliver to the clerk or registrar of the town where such birth occurred, a report stating the facts herein- above required to be shown on said record and also the said written re- quest, if any; provided, that if said report is not so made within forty- eight hours after such birth, said physician, or officer shall, within said forty-eight hours, mail or deliver to said clerk or registrar a notice stat- ing the date and place of the birth, the street number, if any, the ward number, if in a city, and the family name. Upon presentation to him of a certificate of the town clerk stating that any such birth has been duly reported, the town treasurer shall pay to such physician or officer a fee of twenty-five cents for each birth so reported. Any physician or any such officer violating any provision of this section shall forfeit not more than twenty-five dollars. The said town clerk or registrar shall file daily with the local board of health a list of all births reported to him, show- ing, as to each, the date of birth, sex, color, family name, residence ; ward and physician or officer in charge.
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