USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1948 > Part 10
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Said clerk shall transmit forthwith to said department such supple- mentary report of such birth. The contents of such report shall be solely for the use of said department in connection with its functions relative to crippled children, and such report shall not be open to public inspection or constitute a public record.
General Laws, Chap. 46, Sec. 6
Parents within forty days after the birth of a child, and every householder, within forty days after a birth in his home, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the town where such child is born.
General Laws, Chapter 111
Sections 110 and 111, require physicians, registered hospital medical officers, nurses or other attendants to report at once to the local board of health, every child one or both of whose eyes become inflamed, swollen and red and show an unnatural discharge within two weeks after birth.
124
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The annual report of the Board of Selectmen for the year ending December 31, 1948, follows:
On March 1, 1948, at adjourned meeting the Board organized as follows:
Charles E. Wilkinson, Chairman G. Lawrence Roberts, Secretary Kenneth C. Latham Mildred J. Gray, Clerk
As has been the custom, Monday evening has been the regular meeting time of the Board with the exception of July and August, when meetings were held every other week.
We are still following the procedure started two years ago by hav- ing citizens who wish to see the Board make appointments with the Clerk of the Board. This has worked out very satisfactorily for all con- cerned and will be continued.
The agenda of our meetings has been printed in the Chronicle each week, as in the past. The various departments under the jurisdiction of the Board have made their reports, which appear on other pages.
During the year the Building Laws, Zoning By-Laws, and Traffic Rules and Regulations were reprinted in book form.
This year for the first time a charge was made for Street Lists, Building Laws, Zoning By-Laws and Traffic Rules and Regulations, which has made it possible for all those who wished copies to obtain them during the entire year. Heretofore the entire printing was de- pleted in a matter of weeks.
1948 could be considered as a rather routine year except for the great number of complaints that we received, the large percentage of which involved departments not under our jurisdiction, plus an extra- ordinary number of demands for Slow, Stop, etc., street signs. The latter have been studied in collaboration with our Police Department, and such action as seemed necessary and proper was taken within the limits allowed by the appropriation for such safeguards.
In accordance with Article II, approved at the adjourned annual Town Meeting on March 24, 1947, Article III of the By-laws of the Town was amended so that we now have a partially unified collecting agency whereby the Collector of Taxes, under the title of Town Collector, collects all such accounts due the Town which are committed to him. This unification has worked out very efficiently and is a very definite step
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in the right direction.
The Board with reluctance, accepted the resignation of George H. Sidebottom as Building Inspector, which had been in its possession for more than a year, and appointed Harold B. Currell to act in that capacity.
Following out an antiquated custom, required by law, that the town boundaries be perambulated by the Selectmen every five years, your Board did so this year. As a result, it is able to report that stone mark- ers are still visible and the Town is exactly where it is supposed to be.
It has been our aim throughout the year to have the Town Report available prior to the annual Town Meeting. As this is being written, it is not possible to determine the exact date it will be ready for distribu- tion, but we have every expectation that it will be off the press well in advance of the Annual Town Meeting.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the help rendered the Fire and Police Departments by the Auxiliary Fire Department As- sociation and the Reading Reserve Police Association, both of which have been most cooperative during the entire year.
We thank, too, the other Departments, Boards, Committees, and the general public for the spirit of cooperation which prevailed during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
G. LAWRENCE ROBERTS, Secretary Board of Selectmen
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL For the Year 1948
During the past year, the Board of Appeal held nine hearings under the Zoning or Building By-laws, of which six were denied and three were granted. Records of the decisions of the Board are on file with the Town Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON S. NICHOLS, Chairman DUDLEY B. KILLAM, Secretary HERBERT T. SCHOPPELRY
Board of Appeal
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REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1948 is as follows :--
Number of permits issued
270
Number of fixtures installed
1,367
Oil Burner Storage - Hot Water Heaters
6
Gas Storage - Hot Water Heaters
51
Electric Storage - Hot Water Heaters
35
30 Gallon Water Tanks
15
Tankless Heaters
81
Water Closets
271
Lavatories
247
Bath Tubs
167
Stall Showers
21
Urinals
11
Cabinet Sinks
6
Bradley Sinks
1
Foot Baths
2
Sump Pumps
2
Potato Peelers
2
Kitchen Flat Rim Sinks
161
Sink and Tray Combination
37
Laundry Trays
49
Slop Sinks
2
Dental Units
3
Washing Machines
5
Dish Washing Machines
2
Garbage Disposal Units
5
Drinking Fountains
6
Gasoline Interceptor Traps
1
Floor Drains
5
Sewer Connections
33
Cesspools
131
Septic Tanks
9
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH G. SHAW,
Inspector of Plumbing
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1
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report of the Inspector of Buildings for the year 1948.
On October 1st, 1948 my predecessor, Mr. George H. Sidebottom turned over to me, the records of the office and the following is a classified list of permits issued by him, as per his records up to October 1, 1948.
Mr. Sidebottom's records show a sum of $687.00 as being received by him in the form of fees. The monthly receipts from the Town Treasurer are in balance with this amount. The permits are as follows: 121 New Houses $ 963,850.00
31 Alterations and Additions 42,375.00
16 Garages 11,600.00
2 Henhouses 750.00
1 Greenhouse
2,500.00
1 Ice Cream Stand
3,000.00
1 Office and Showroom
1 Apartment House 2,500.00
20,000.00
1 Storage Building 1,000.00
Total estimated cost of all buildings $1,047,575.00
The following is a classified list of permits issued by me since October 1, 1948 for which I received fees in the amount of $182.50 which have been turned over to the Town Treasurer and receipts received for same. The permits are as follows:
31 New Houses $ 282,000.00
13 Alterations and Additions 14,725.00
6 Garages 3,700.00
1 Sign 75.00
1 Removal of Garage
1 Chimney 135.00
Total estimated cost of all buildings $ 300,635.00
I also wish to report that the Committee appointed by the Moderator subsequent to the Town Meeting of October 27, 1947, to study and re- survey the Zoning By-Laws and Building Code, have started their deliberations.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD B. CURRELL
Inspector of Buildings
128
TWENTY - EIGHTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
for the year ended December 31, 1948
-
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading:
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The Board organized with Harold W. Putnam as Chairman and Alexander Lindsay as Secretary. Philip Welch was reappointed Super- intendent.
Regularly scheduled meetings were held during the year, as were several special meetings and conferences. Individual members were appointed to and served on special committees.
Public Hearings were advertised and held on street acceptances, sewer extensions, drain easements and pole locations. Acting as the Board of Survey, several hearings were held on proposed housing de- velopments, and for the establishment of lines and grades on existing and proposed private ways and new streets.
Petitions for sewer extensions, storm drains, water mains, grano- lithic sidewalks, granite curbing, and other services have been filed with the Board, the cost of which greatly exceeds the amount of the usual annual appropriations made for these purposes. The Board, conse- quently, has tried to install the various utilities based on the greatest need and value to the Town.
Storm water drain requests are continually being received. This presents a serious problem. A large backlog of requests now exists, the estimated cost of which is far in excess of normal yearly appropri- ations. A point has now been reached where a sizeable bond issue would be necessary to install storm drains as requested.
The great number of homes constructed in 1947 and 1948 has created a serious financial problem in the Water Division. Main pipe extensions and service installations are far in excess of pre-war levels. It was necessary to issue bonds in both 1947 and 1948. To continue to do so would not be good policy. Consequently, the Board has given much time and consideration to methods of increasing the income of this di- vision. A complete new set of charges was prepared and placed in effect January 1, 1949.
These increased charges are as follows:
A. Increased Water Rates charged to consumers.
B. Increased Hydrant Rentals charged to the Town.
C. Increased Charges to developers for Water Main Extensions.
D. Increased Charges to developers for Water Service Pipe In- stallations.
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In general, all extensions of a water system are of value to all con- sumers. Some part of the cost should be borne by the consumer. Hence, the increase in water rates. Despite constantly increasing prices for labor and material, no change in the Water Rate structure has been made in twelve years, or since 1936.
The 1936 and proposed 1949 Rates follow so that comparisons may be made.
1936
The minimum semi-annual rate shall be three dollars.
First 3,000 cu. ft., 33 1/3 cents per 100 cu. ft.
Next 3,000 cu. ft., 30 cents per 100 cu. ft. Next 4,000 cu. ft., 25 cents per 100 cu. ft. Next 10,000 cu. ft., 20 cents per 100 cu. ft.
Next 10,000 cu. ft., 15 cents per 100 cu. ft.
All in excess of 30,000 cu. ft., at the rate of 12 cents per 100 cu. ft.
1949
The minimum semi-annual rate shall be four dollars.
First 3,000 cu. ft., 40 cents per 100 cu. ft.
Next 3,000 cu. ft., 35 cents per 100 cu. ft. Next 4,000 cu. ft., 30 cents per 100 cu. ft. Next 10,000 cu. ft., 25 cents per 100 cu. ft.
Next 10,000 cu. ft., 20 cents per 100 cu. ft.
All in excess of 30,000 cu. ft., at the rate of 15 cents per 100 cu. ft.
Every extension of a large sized water main includes the installa- tion of hydrants. Since the inclusion of the hydrant is in most cases the controlling factor in choosing the size of the pipe and since the inclusion of the hydrant increases fire protection, it was felt that the Town as a whole should pay a unit price per hydrant which would pay for the annual maintenance of each hydrant.
It was felt that in the past the developer has not borne his fair share of the cost of main pipe extensions and service pipe installations. New charges for extensions and installation will result in the developer paying a larger share of the initial cost of these projects. Hence, the consumer will pay a lesser share of these costs.
It is expected that these charges will place this division on a pay as you go policy except for funds necessary for large capital projects.
The attention of the Townspeople is called to the excellent service rendered and the long hours worked by the employees during the snow season of early 1948.
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The Board has endeavored to cooperate with other Town Boards and Departments during the past year and wishes to acknowledge the cour- tesy, help, and cooperation extended to them by other Town Depart- ments.
Due to being transferred by his employers, it was necessary for Mr. Harmond D. Smith to resign from the Board on January 12, 1948. Since the regular Town election was only a short time ahead, the Board did not take any action to fill the vacancy.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent, which follows, for a more detailed account of the activities of the various divisions which comprise the Departments supervised by the Board of Public Works.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Chairman ALEXANDER LINDSAY, Secretary COLEMAN J. DONAHUE JAMES E. CALVIN WILLIAM WEBB
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works:
Gentlemen:
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of an act authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the Twenty-eighth annual report of the De- partment.
WATER DEPARTMENT
By vote of the Town Meeting, Town departments were requested to condense annual reports. Hence, this report does not contain details which appeared in previous reports. These details are available at the office of the Board of Public Works and will be made available to any person wishing them.
132
During the protracted dry spell of August and September, 1948, the level of the water in the well field held up extremely well. It was not necessary for the Department to restrict the consumption of water as in many other municipalities.
Main Pipe Construction
As anticipated construction of new residences reached an all-time high in 1948. This construction required, in many cases, extensions to the water mains. This combined with the necessary services resulted in the Water Department doing more construction of a capital nature than ever before in its history.
In all 8366.50 feet of new mains were laid.
In four instances, existing 11/4" mains which had become inadequate to properly supply consumers were replaced by 6" and 8" mains.
There are many 11/4" mains which should be replaced. It is finan- cially impossible to do the work in one year. Consequently, a program has been developed whereby this work will be done over a period of years. This replacement will not only provide better service to local consumers, but will provide better fire protection for the entire Town.
Hydrants were installed at proper intervals in all cases.
Main Pipe Maintenance
Two main pipe breaks occurred during the year, both due to acci- dents during construction work. Both were quickly repaired and service restored in a few hours.
Service Pipe Construction and Maintenance
New water service installations reached an all-time high in 1948. A total of 161 water services being installed to new residences.
In addition, many old service pipes were replaced because of leaks, incrustation, etc. Many new shut offs were installed and many other items of a maintenance nature accomplished.
Rodding of partially clogged service pipes to increase the volume of water was continued extensively. Rodding is basically a temporary measure and eventually all services requiring such attention will have to be replaced.
Meter Maintenance
Again, the all time high in residential construction seriously affects another branch of the Water Department. A total of 128 new meters were installed. The supply of new meters continued to lag behind re- quirements. Hence, several new homes which are occupied are without
133
meters. The Department hopes to overcome this situation by the spring of 1949.
With the rapid growth of the Department and the advancing age of many meters, more attention had to be given to this service than heretofore.
Fire Hydrants
Eleven new hydrants were installed in 1948, being, in most in- stances, placed on new main extensions.
Three hydrants were broken by vehicles. They were repaired and placed back in service with small loss of water.
Driven Well System
One new suction main and eight new wells were installed. Tests made of the wells show them to be excellent producers of water which is low in iron content and color. These wells were driven in a new section which was developed in 1947. Unfortunately, the area owned by the Town in this area is comparatively small and cannot be de- veloped much further unless more land is acquired.
All wells in the system were washed and cleaned twice. A few wells found, by test, to produce water of high iron content, or water of high color were abandoned and shut off from the system.
Deferrization Plant
The filtration plant operated efficiently during the year.
The filters were raked and scraped regularly and other routine annual maintenance accomplished.
Extensive repairs were made to No. 2 Subsiding Basin by contract using the so called Gunite Method. It is planned to make similar re- pairs to No. 1 Subsiding Basin in the spring of 1949.
Standpipes
No major repairs were required on either standpipe during the year.
Hundred Acre Pumping Station
A total of 288,389,200 gallons of water was pumped during the year. The daily average was 787,948 gallons. The highest single day was 1,515,000 gallons on Saturday, August 28th. The highest weekly con- sumption was 9,376,200 gallons occurring August 23rd through August 29th.
The station, as a whole, operated well. Very few repairs were necessary despite the increased consumption caused by new residences and despite the extended period of drought in the late summer and early fall which necessitated continuous pumping over long periods.
134
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The rapid growth of the Town in 1947 and 1948 has resulted in a distinct increase in the number of requests for various kinds of services. This is especially true in relation to sidewalks, storm drains, street construction and general maintenance.
Larger annual appropriations, especially for storm drains, will ob- viate the necessity of future expensive bond issues.
Snow and Ice
The winter season of 1947-1948 was the worst ever experienced by this Department. A total of 62.6 inches of snow was recorded in 1948. Seventeen storms occurred in three months. At times, 39.5 inches of fallen snow were measured in open spaces. This placed a severe strain on the personnel and equipment of the Department, but, due mainly to the constant hard work of the employees, the department was able to keep the streets in reasonable good condition. It was necessary to hire private equipment to a degree never before necessary.
General Highway Maintenance
A road maintenance program was planned early in the year and executed during the warm summer months when conditions were most advantageous. Because the allotment for this work is the same as in pre-war years despite substantial price increases of materials, all ex- pensive type maintenance was kept at a minimum by substituting less expensive types of surface treatments.
Patching material was used to a much greater extent than was necessary in previous years, due to the many necessary excavations for underground facilities, such as, storm drains, sewers, house connections, water mains, water services, utility services, etc.
In addition to major repairs, much was done on routine repairs, such as, sweeping, cutting brush, street signs, installing curbs, repairing tools and equipment, crushing gravel, repairing guard rails, etc.
More gravel was removed from the Pit than ever before required in one year. At the present rate of removal, the Pit will be depleted in about three years.
The survey work required for current and future operations was greater than normal. It was necessary to hire private surveyors to assist the regular crew.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
The usual work of maintenance on main roads was accomplished with Town Funds plus allotments from the State and County.
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Chapter 90 Construction
A new penetration pavement was constructed on Lowell Street between Winthrop Avenue and Bancroft Avenue. This work was a carry-over from the 1947 contract. Also, a system of underground storm drains was placed in Lowell Street between Highland Street and Woburn Street. The section between Bancroft Avenue and Woburn Street will be resurfaced in 1949.
Chapter 83 Construction (Street Betterments)
Four new streets were constructed in their entirety and two streets which were started before the War were completed. One street for which an appropriation was made in 1948 was not completed but will be in 1949.
Granolithic Sidewalk Construction
A total of 2,826.58 lin. feet of granolithic sidewalk was laid in 1948. The total estimated cost of the sidewalks to be built under applications now on file, exceeds the normal yearly appropriation. Hence, new applicants should not expect service until 1950.
Sidewalk Maintenance
The usual maintenance of sidewalks was accomplished as funds permitted.
Granite Curbing
1021.25 feet of Granite Curbing was installed under applications from abuttors and corner curbs were installed in many locations.
Storm Water Drains
3350.69 feet of storm water drainage was installed plus the necessary catch basins and manholes. All were installed where conditions were deemed to be the most urgent.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
The usual maintenance work was accomplished. All basins were cleaned, connections rodded as necessary, many open ditches cleaned, clogged pipes dug up and replaced, etc.
Dumps
The dump has received the usual attention. A caretaker is on duty at stated hours. Bulldozing was done as required. A short section of chain link fencing was erected.
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PARK DEPARTMENT
Parks and playgrounds were popular throughout the year. Many leagues were organized. These included baseball, softball, hockey, and others. All parks were in constant use but the Washington Street Park ballfield received particularly heavy use.
As usual the Park Appropriation was only sufficient to cover the maintenance of the Parks. Consequently, no major improvements were possible and no new equipment was purchased.
Organized recreation programs were provided in all playgrounds during the Summer months by the Recreation Committee. This Depart- ment cooperated with the Recreation Committee to the fullest extent possible.
The report of the Recreation Committee is included in the annual Town Report, and should be studied by Townspeople for a more detailed account of the excellent results obtained by this program.
Additional areas were filled in Birch Meadow with excess material from various construction jobs. The area now filled has reached the point where it may, for a relatively small expenditure, be made avail- able for recreational purposes. Funds should be made available for this purpose. A small area has been loaned and will be graded and seeded in 1949.
The area leased to the Town by Mr. Allan Sturges for a Winter Sports Center was again very popular. The area abutting Walnut Street has been leased to the Town, at no cost, for several years. The Town certainly owes Mr. Sturges a vote of thanks for his public spirited action.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Main Trunk Sewer Construction
Trunk sewers were laid in 18 streets, totalling 8,002.00 feet. 1,577.05 feet were laid by the Department employees, and 6,424.95 feet were laid by contract. This comparatively large footage of sewer will furnish a much needed facility to many abuttors.
Sewer Maintenance
Many trunk sewers were cleaned and flushed to prevent stoppages. No stoppages occurred in main trunk sewers in 1948.
Sewer House Connections
Sixty-three new sewer house connections were completed in 1948,
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having a total length of 3,638.80 feet. Fifty-five were laid to existing buildings and eight were laid to new residences.
House Connection Maintenance
Temporary stoppages occurred in the usual number of cases in 1948, most of which were quickly corrected. In a few cases it was necessary to dig up and replace defective and clogged pipes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
General
In accordance with the vote of the March, 1948, Town Meeting, the report of the Board of Public Works has been greatly condensed. It contains very little detailed information. However, all the details which formerly appeared in the annual report plus other detailed information is on file at the Office of the Board of Public Works and the Department will be pleased to furnish any information requested by any interested citizen.
The inability of the Public Works Department to attract and keep competent employees poses a serious problem. If services are to be maintained economically and efficiently, a system will have to be de- vised so that the Department may be in a competitive position in the Labor Market. Salary schedules will have to be set up so that the Department will be in a position to attract competent employees. It is false economy to do otherwise. Incompetent employees, large turn- over and the lack of skilled, experienced basic group of employees tends towards lost time, poor use of materials, inefficient use of equipment and larger unit costs.
A schedule has been set up for the replacement of old equipment and the purchase of new types of equipment. It is self-evident that this is a good policy. Everyone knows that every piece of equipment eventu- ally reaches the point where it is cheaper to replace it than it is to maintain it. It is hoped that the newly inaugurated schedule will be rigorously followed.
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