USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1947 > Part 9
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At the end of the season, the boys and girls of Reading put on a very fine exhibit for their year's work, along with an interesting program. Miss Lois Connor deserves special mention, not only for her work as a leader in Reading, but for the contribution she made to the success of the county 4-H Club Camp in Ashby.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading :
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1947 as follows :
An Equity Suit was brought in behalf of the Town in the Middlesex Superior Court to restrain certain individuals from removing sand and gravel from land on Haverhill Street and after trial of the case the Court issued a permanent injunction preventing the further removal of sand and gravel from this location.
The action commenced in the Middlesex Superior Court against the Board of Appeal affecting the use under the Zoning By-law of a certain parcel of real estate located at the corner of Salem and Harrison Streets has been continued generally on the Court docket with the ex- pectation that the Appellant will withdraw the case from the further
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consideration of the Court.
Four claims have been made against the Town for alleged damages sustained as the result of accidents on the highway. Two claims have been settled and the other two have not been made the subject of litiga- tion. There are still pending three cases in the Court.
Seven cases have been commenced in the Land Court for the fore- closure of tax liens. One case was disposed of by payment of the taxes and costs to the Town, in two of the cases the premises will be re- deemed by the taxpayer and the remaining foreclosures have been continued on the docket and will be disposed of in the near future. Two cases were commenced during the year before the Appellate Tax Board involving assessments of real estate and the same have been continued on the docket awaiting trial.
The remaining parcel of land for the proposed new elementary school building on Summer Avenue has been acquired by the Town.
Titles have been examined to four parcels of land acquired by the Town for the proposed new Senior High School building in Birch Meadow and the taking by right of eminent domain has been prepared and recorded in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds, thereby acquiring the land as provided in the vote of the Town adopted at the Annual Meeting of the current year. A contract was prepared with an architect relating to the addition to the Public Library building in con- nection with the Town's application for Federal aid for advance planning for non-Federal works. Under my supervision the contract and other documents relating to the addition of the Municipal garage were com- pleted. Also contracts, specifications, performance bonds, and other contract documents were prepared for the School Department for the painting of the school house buildings and for the installation of fire- escapes on the Senior High School building.
Claims were filed in the Middlesex Probate Court in behalf of the Welfare Department seeking reimbursement of funds expended by the Town which resulted in the recovery of the sum of $816.54.
As provided by the regulations of the Town I have performed every professional act required by me in 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, opinions to all Town Boards, investigation of claims against the Town, drafting release and redemption deeds, licenses for transportation of passengers for hire, amendments to traffic regulations, protest of advertising signs, discharge of Old Age Assistance bonds and mortgages, licenses, permits, by-laws, articles and motions for Town Meetings and such other legal documents and matters referred to me for attention.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. DAVIS,
Town Counsel
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
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, 1947 to January 1, 1948.
Fifty-four dogs were quarantined for inflicting personal injuries, and the same number released after the period of quarantine had expired. Three additional dog bites reported were not located until the quarantine period would have elapsed. However, a physical ex- amination indicated the dogs to be in perfect health. Another dog bite inflicted on a Reading citizen was traced to an out of town dog.
Four more dogs were quarantined for a period of twenty-one to ninety days as the result of illegal entry into Massachusetts.
Any dog entering the Commonwealth must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a Veterinarian at the point of origin. Failure to provide this will result in the dog being placed in quarantine for a period of ninety days or twenty-one days upon proof that the dog was vaccinated versus Rabies within six months of entry.
The number of dogs quarantined this year practically tripled those of 1946. The number of Rabid dogs in other states is still at a high level. Within a moment's notice we could have an epidemic of Rabies in the Town of Reading. Thus, kindly refrain from handling strange dogs.
The annual inspection of all livestock in the town showed there to be 144 neat cattle, and 436 swine, a decrease over last year. There were 38 horses, 41 sheep, and 43 goats, an increase over 1946.
There were no Contagious Infectious Diseases noted.
Respectfully submitted,
GARDINER A. LESTER, D.V.M., Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I submit my report as Moth Superintendent for the year 1947.
There is a marked improvement in the Gypsy Moth situation. Using D.D.T. the new insecticide we were able to start spraying about a week earlier than We could with Arsenate of Lead. D.D.T. is a contact as well as a stomach poison and it is only necessary for the caterpillars to crawl over the crystals to kill them. This increase in our spraying time enabled us to spray about twenty-five acres of badly
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infested woodland in the northern section of the town. A check of this area in the fall showed almost one hundred percent elimination of the Gypsy Moth.
The authorities at the State University do not recommend the use of D.D.T. on fruit trees until after the blossoms have fallen. The use of D.D.T. before the blossoms drop will destroy the bees and other pollinating agents. For this reason it is still necessary to use Arsenate of Lead for much of the spraying on private property.
I take this opportunity to thank the Board of Selectmen and all others who have assisted me in the past year.
Respectfully submitted, MAURICE H. DONEGAN, Moth Superintendent
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Department of the Town of Reading for the year ending December 31, 1947.
Arrests for the Year 1947
Males, 428; Females, 13; Adults, 413; Minors. 28; Residents, 165; Non-Residents, 276; American Born, 377; Foreign Born, 64; Total Arrests, 441.
Causes of Arrests
Drunkenness, 181; Assault and Battery, 6; Larceny, 12; Breaking and Entering in night time, 1; Breaking and Entering in day time, 1; Setting fires, 1; Carrying concealed weapons, 1; Delinquency, 3; Non-Payment of fines, 1; Non-Support, 15; A.W.O.L., 1; Illegitimacy, 3; Suspicion of Larceny, 1; Out of town warrants, 2; Gross Lewdness, 1; Insane, 3; Rape and Adultery, 1.
Automobile Violations
Speeding, 127; Operating under the influence of liquor, 31, leaving scene of accident after causing property damage, 6; operating so as to endanger, 7; Operating without license, 5; Driving after license expired, 3; Failing to stop for signal, 12; Refusing to stop when signaled by Officer, 2; Allowing improper person to operate car, 1; Driving after license expired, 1; no stickers, 12.
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Disposition of Cases in Court
Released. 141; Fined, 155; Held for Grand Jury, 3; Turned over to out of town Departments. 26; Found not guilty, 28; Guilty on File, 35; House of Correction sentences. Suspended. 12; Dismissed, 2; Probation, 9: on File. 7: Returned to State Farm, 2; House of Correction, 3; Wor- cester State Hospital, 3; Returned to Bedford Hospital, 1; Continued for further disposition, 14. Total cases disposed of, 441.
Amounts of Fines Imposed by Courts
75 Fines at $5.00. $375.00; 35 Fines at $10, $350.00; 12 Fines at $15.00, $180.00: 6 Fines at $20.00, $120.00: 7 Fines at $25.00, $175.00; 6 Fines at $35.00, $210.00; 12 Fines at $50.00, $600.00; 1 Fine at $6.00; 1 Fine at $100.00. Amount of Fines, $2,170.00
Values of Properties Stolen and Recovered
Valuation of Properties stolen in Reading $ 10,913.55 Values of Properties recovered in Reading 8,740.00
Values of Properties recovered for out of town Departments 215.00 Total value of Properties recovered during 1947 8,955.00
Miscellaneous Services Rendered by The Police Department in 1947
A wide variety of incidental services which occupy much of the Department's time and attention is summarized as follows :
Doors found open, 176; Windows found open, 8; Windows found broken, 12; Summonses delivered, 234; Messages delivered, 168; Tele- type messages sent out by this Department, 70; Teletype messages sent out for other Departments, 50; Department of Public Works notified, 40; State Department of Public Works notified, 4; Persons reported missing, 11; Lost children reported and returned to their homes, 26; Wires reported down, 3; Wires reported burning in trees, 5; Poles reported broken, 6; Trees reported down, 7; Fire Department notified, 18; Out of town cars reported stolen and checked, 28; Ambulance requests for out of town departments, 3; Family trouble cases reported and investigated, 40; Neighbor trouble reported and investigated, 9; Noisy parties investigated, 11; Suicide attempts reported and investi- gated, 3; Reports of children annoying and investigated, 52; Reports of children playing in empty houses and houses under construction in- vestigated, 10; Children stopped playing ball in streets, 34; Reports of children throwing stones and snowballs at cars investigated, 12; Runa- way children found and returned to their parents, 2; Dogs shot by Officers, 6; Dogs reported killed or injured, 18; Reports of persons bitten by dogs, 7; Report of barking dogs annoying, 15; Bicycles recovered, 21; Bicycles reported stolen, 11; Investigations of persons shooting, 13; Reports of excessive noises investigated, 11; Bad odors reported and investigated, 7; Transients put up for night, 37; Persons brought to Station for questioning, 11; Automobiles reported stolen, and recovered,
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8; Assistance rendered sick persons, 56; Lanterns placed, 8; Sick signs placed, 2; Water pipes found broken, 3; Reports of railroad gates down and investigated, 1; Cattle reported wandering and returned to owners, 3; Skunks shot, 2; Rabbits shot, 1; Trucks stopped for overloading, 2; Dog Officer notified, 21; Escorts, military and otherwise, 7; Lost prop- erties recovered and return to owners, 18; Vacant properties checked for security, 172; Horseback reported and investigated, 5; Special guard duty for U. S. Mail, 83; Miscellaneous cases investigated, 139; Medical Examiner called, 4; Selling vegetables without permit, 1; Dead bodies cared for, 1; Street lights reported out, 25; Reports of telephones off hook investigated, 6; Reports of peepers investigated, 10; Reports of Prowlers investigated, 61; Reports of parked cars investigated, 67; Cars ordered towed off streets, 4; Guns taken away, 6; Night lights reported out, 5; Bank lights reported out and proper authorities notified, 2; Bank Vault Alarm ringing and investigated, 2; Report of the use of firecrackers investigated, 2; Manhole covers reported off, 1; Mis- cellaneous permits issued by the Chief for Sunday work and soliciting, 12; All fires covered by our cruisers.
Automobile Accidents
Total number of automobile accidents reported for the year 1947, 457; Fatal accidents, 4; Accidents involving damage to property, 239; Accidents involving personal injuries, 106; Accidents involving taking persons to doctors for treatment, 32; Accidents involving taking persons to hospitals, 14; Accidents involving children, 8; Accidents involving ·dogs struck or killed, 57.
Mileage of Various Automobile Units
Plymouth Cruiser No. 1 travelled 32,729 miles. Cruiser No. 2, Ford travelled 35,131 miles to Dec. 12 when it was replaced by a 1948 Ford which travelled 193 miles. The Ambulance travelled 3,935 miles. The Chief's Packard travelled 2,882 miles. Total mileage for the four units, 74,870 miles.
Bicycle Registration
Interest in Bicycle registration continues, 315 registration certificates were issued in 1947, making a total since March 9, 1942 of 2490. The amount of $80.25 was received and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Police Ambulance Records
During the year 1947, the Police made the following trips with the Ambulance :
Winchester Hospital, 62; Mass. General Hospital, 15; Malden City Hospital 2; New England Sanitarium, 9; Choate Memorial Hospital, 23; Melrose Hospital, 9; Haverhill Hospital, 1; Chelsea Naval Hospital, 1; St. John's Hospital, 19; Cambridge City Hospital, 1; Chelsea Soldiers' Home, 2; Robert Brigham Hospital, 2; Mass. Memorial Hospital, 1:
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Worcester State Hospital, 3; Malden Doctors' Hospital, 1; Osteopathic Hospital, 3; Met. Hospital, Waltham, 1; Cloverdale Hospital, Lawrence, 1; Veterans' Hospital, West Roxbury, 4; Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, 2; Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 2; Crocket Sanitarium, Lowell, 1; Mercy Hospital, Portland, 1; Slattery Rest Home, Lowell, 1; Lawrence General Hospital, 1; Otis General Hospital, Cambridge, 3; Doctors' Hospital, Boston, 1; New England Baptist Hospital, 1; Holy Ghost Hospital, Cambridge, 1; MacLean, Hospital, 1; St. Elizabeth Hospital, 1; St. Margaret's Hospital, Dorchester, 1; Cushing Hospital, Framing- ham, 2; Town Limits, 18; Stoneham Nursing Home, 1; Boston Lying-In Hospital, 1; Wellesley, 1; Andover Academy, 1; Called out but not needed, 9; Total number of trips made by the Ambulance in the year 1947, 210. The amount of $895.00 was collected for the use of the Ambu- lance and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Auxiliary Police
During the year the old Auxiliary Police Association was disbanded and a new Organization was formed and called the "Reading Police Reserves". The new organization rendered great service at the big fire last fall and on other occasions, especially Hallowe'en. For this service, I am deeply grateful.
Department Personnel Changes
Thomas E. Wall was appointed Chief of Police, Feb. 1, 1947.
Sergt. Francis L. Johnson retired from the Department, Jan. 1, 1947. James P. McDonough was appointed a temporary Patrolman, Dec. 13, 1946, resigned from the Department, May 27, 1947.
George LeFave appointed a temporary Patrolman, April 10, 1947. Paul F. Junkins appointed a regular Patrolman, Jan. 30, 1947.
William H. Dewsnap, Edward M. Hubbard and George LeFave were appointed regular Patrolmen, Dec. 15, 1947.
Recommendations
The Packard car, now used by the Chief, is 11 years old and should be replaced. I recommend that a Ford or Plymouth car be given to the Chief each year, and the car he breaks in turned over to the Depart- ment as a cruiser. I further recommend that the Force be increased by one man, either as temporary or permanent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I wish to extend my appreciation to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, The Judges of the Superior and Woburn District Courts, the Clerks of our Courts, our local Press, the members of the Department and various Town Departments, and to all others who have assisted in promoting the welfare of the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS E. WALL, Chief of Police
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NINETY-THIRD REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The 1947 report of the Chief of the Fire Department and Forest Warden is hereby submitted :
Manual Force
The permanent force consists of thirteen men including the Chief, Deputy Chief, Captain and Lieutenant. Due to retirements the first of the year two men were appointed to fill vacancies. There are 17 full time and 5 half time call men.
Auxiliary Fire Service
The Auxiliary Fire Service has continued to be a valuable asset to the department.
Apparatus
Central Fire Station:
Chief's Car - Packard, 1937, 2 way radio.
Engine 1 - Seagrave, 1934, 1,000 gal. per minute pump.
Engine 3 - Seagrave, 1929, 600 gal. per minute pump,
Engine 4 - Chevrolet, 1932, 500 gal. per minute front end pump ; 100 gal. per minute portable pump.
Ladder 1 - Seagrave, 1940, 200 gal. per minute pump ; 65 ft. Jr. Aerial Ladder.
Aux. Engine 7 - Trailer, 1947, 500 gal. per minute pump.
Aux. Engine 8 - Trailer, 1947, 500 gal. per minute pump.
Fire Alarm Truck - Chevrolet, 1936, 250 gal. per minute front end pump.
Woburn Street Station:
Engine 2 - Seagrave, 1926, 400 gal. per minute pump.
Engine 5 - Chevrolet, 1934, 400 gal. per minute front end pump.
The Chief's Car has been painted and the radiator recored. Ladder 1 has had the radiator recored. Engine 1 has new rear tires. Engine 2 has had the motor overhauled, brakes refaced, and new rear tires. Engine 4 has had the brakes refaced. Engine 5 has new rear tires.
Fire Stations
Central Station : - The new heating boiler with oil burner was placed in commission on January 16th and has proven satisfactory. The greater part of the work of installing was done by the permanent men who also
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·sanded and refinished the floors of the second floor and repainted the walls of the first floor.
Woburn Street Station: - Only minor repairs were made on this building during 1947.
Service Record
The department has responded to 128 bell alarms, 12 of which were false; 321 still and telephone alarms; and 138 Service calls; a total of 587. This is an increase of 14 over 1946.
The fire loss was $18,828.95, a reduction of $7,782.05 from 1946.
Feet of hose laid : 26,950 of 34 inch; 47,550 of 11/2 inch; 41,600 of 21/2 inch : 203 booster tanks ; 1,883 feet of ladder have been raised including 19 times the 65 foot aerial has been used; 16 salvage covers have been spread; Engines have pumped 124 hours ; the cellar pump 20 hours and the lighting unit has operated 131/2 hours.
Extinguishers used : 9 soda-acid; 27 carbon-dioxide; 1 carbon-tetra- chloride ; and 4 chimney fusees used.
There have been 2 calls for the inhalator, 5 automobile accidents have been responded to, one call was for a lost person.
Eleven firemen and one civilian received minor injuries.
Eleven fires of unknown or suspicious origin were investigated by inspectors from the State Fire Marshals' Office, the local police, and the Fire Chief. Two persons were found guilty, in the Woburn Court, of setting fires.
All explosives turned over to the Chief have been properly disposed of.
Inspections have been made of: 227 oil burners, 9 gasoline tanks, business property, and nursing homes. Several complaints have been investigated.
Forest Fires
The department has responded to 203 grass, brush and dump fires. Most of these were caused by careless burning or maliciousness. The spring was not very hazardous but the fall was extremely dry and after many weeks with no rain, when numerous disastrous forest fires were raging in many locations in the New England States, a fire on October 23rd in Wilmington extended into the Martin Pond area of North Reading followed by a fire off South Street east of Main Street in Reading and another fire starting in Woburn extending into Wilmington and the west side of Reading. This last fire burned over more than 500 acres, approximately 40 in Reading, crossed West Street, south of the Wilmington line, endangering buildings on West Street, West Hill Circle, Longwood Road and County Road, and for a time endangered the entire west section of the town.
Outside Aid was called and responded from 24 cities and towns from Boston and Brookline and Chelse?, to Nashua, New Hampshire. These
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companies worked tirelessly for many hours. A mention of the fire in "Fire Engineering", a national publication, stated that it was the largest concentration of apparatus ever assembled in the state under mutual aid. The O.C.D. auxiliary trailer pumps were used to good advantage. Fortunately, due to the strenuous efforts of the firemen, both local and out of town, auxiliary fire service, and civilians, no buildings were lost or damaged. This fire continued for many days. Credit is due the telephone operators in the transmission of emergency calls both in- coming and outgoing while the office was "swamped" with other calls. The Red Cross Motor Corps, Canteen and Disaster Units of Reading communities who tirelessly prepared food and covered the fire lines to feed the fire fighters and made preparations to care for those who might be driven from their homes have credit due them. In addition, credit is due to the Lowell Salvation Army who responded with a canteen and many civilians who rendered valuable aid. The Police, regular and auxiliary who handled the vast amount of traffic, caused by spectators, and made the passage of fire apparatus possible also did a wonderful job. The replacements of lost or damaged equipment and destroyed fire hose, with the payment of additional help made an extra appropriation necessary.
Due to small dead end water mains, difficulty was experienced at the north end of West Street, Longwood Road and County Road in that many hydrants were useless due to the lack of water and hydrants distant from the fire made the relaying of water from engine to engine necessary. In one case water was relayed over one mile from a hydrant at Lowell Street in Wilmington along West Street into Reading.
Recommendations
That the permanent force be increased. That repairs be made to the rear springs on Engine 2 or new ones provided. That a new motor be installed in Engine 5. That the bathroom of the Central Station be remodeled and that a heating boiler equipped with an oil burner and a basement sump pump be installed at the Engine 2 station.
Conclusion
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their cooperation, 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 England 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 depart- ments and citizens for their assistance.
HUGH L. EAMES,
Chief of the Fire Department and Forest Warden
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The report of the Superintendent of Fire Alarm for the year of 1947 is hereby submitted.
The usual program of tree trimming and placing insulators in trees has been carried out with underground conduits laid in Dudley, High and Mineral Streets, also Middlesex Avenue.
Underground cable and overhead wire at Goodall-Sanford Mills was replaced.
The coming year, provided the rebuilding of Lowell Street is carried out, it will be necessary to lay conduits on Lowell Street into Hanscom and Bancroft Avenues and set one pedstal.
One fire alarm box has been replaced and several changes in box locations with some additional boxes are planned for 1948. More boxes should be added each year.
The two-way communication between the chief's car and the police station has proved to be a valuable asset and an extension from the police station to the central fire station is in the process of construction. It is hoped that two-way sets may be placed on some of the apparatus soon.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH L. EAMES,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
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FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
for the year ended
December 31, 1947
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Herbert G. Evans, Chairman Louis Ellenwood, Secretary Joseph H. Reed
Term Expires 1948 Term Expires 1949 Term Expires 1950
Manager Clarence L. Thomas
Office 25 Haven St., Reading, Mass.
MANAGER'S REPORT
To the Municipal Light Board :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of the operation of the Municipal Light Plant for the year ending December 31, 1947.
In reviewing the second full year of postwar operations as set forth in the summary of income and expenses, it should be gratifying to learn that in spite of steadily climbing expenses, the department has "held the line" on its rates and yet obtained a net operating income nearly equal to that of the previous year.
Plant capacity never before has been so close to power demand. The reasons for this shortage in capacity reserves are identical to the difficulties that have been widely publicized by suppliers of household gas, fuel oil and other services and commodities.
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