Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1948, Part 2

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1948
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 246


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1948 > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15


16


Chapter 90 of the General Laws together with such sums as may be provided by the State and County, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works


Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works upon the laying out as a public way of a private way known as Barrows Road under provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Survey and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the public way laid out by the Board of Public Works as Barrows Road and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the construction of said way, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works


Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works upon the laying out as a public way of a private way known as John Carver Road under provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accord- ance with plan duly approved by the Board of Survey and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the public way laid out by the Board of Public Works as John Carver Road and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the construction of said way, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works


Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works upon the laying out as a public way of a private way known as Nichols Road under provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Survey and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the public way laid out by the Board of Public Works as Nichols Road and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the construction of said way, or what it will do in relation thereto.


Board of Public Works


Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works upon the laying out as a public way of a private way known at Pine Ridge Road under provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accor- dance with plan duly approved by the Board of Survey and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the public way laid out by the Board of Public Works as Pine Ridge Road and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the construction of said way, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works


17


Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works upon the laying out as a public way of a private way known as Oak Ridge Road under provision of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, such highway being laid out in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Survey and filed in the office of the Town Clerk in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the public way laid out by the Board of Public Works as Oak Ridge Road and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the construction of said way, or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Public Works


Article 25. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate, by borrowing or otherwise, for the construction of the streets mentioned in Articles Nos. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or what it will do in relation thereto.


Board of Public Works


Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the relocation or altering the location lines of a portion of Washington Street on the northerly side between Ash Street and High Street, said location lines being relocated, altered, or changed in accordance with plan duly approved by the Board of Public Works and filed in the office of the Town Clerk, in accordance with statutory requirements and to see if the Town will accept the relocation or alteration of said location lines as shown on said plan, and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the reconstruction of said street, or what it will do in relation thereto.


Board of Public Works


Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to collect the rubbish and to see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate therefore, or what it will do in relation thereto. Stanley H. Beaman and others


Article 28. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for the purpose of conducting and promoting recreation, play, sport, physical education and other social, educational, and recreational activ- ities upon such land and buildings as defined in Section 14 of Chapter 45 of the General Laws, or what it will do in relation thereto.


Recreation Committee


Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to choose a new committee for the administration and expenditure of the Salvage Fund for the purposes set forth in the Motion adopted by the Town under Article 12 of the Annual Meeting held on March 18, 1946 or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen


Article 30. To see what sum the Town will raise and appropriate for remodeling the building formerly used by the Welfare Department


18


and located on the Easterly side of John Street, for the purpose of garaging the trucks and equipment of the Moth Department or what it will do in relation thereto. Board of Selectmen


Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to amend Article VIII of the By-Laws of the Town by adding thereto a new section to be designated as Section 4:


Section 4. The plan herein set forth shall become established in the Town classifying the employees into groups and classes placing such employees doing similar work or having substantially equal responsibilities in the same group or class and the Town from time to time hereafter may vote to establish minimum and maximum salaries to be paid to such employees in each position or group of positions so classified herein. No Board or head of a department shall fix the salary of any employee in a position so classified herein except in accordance with the plan provided in this By-Law and the vote of the Town fixing the minimum and maximum salaries as herein specified.


Regulations Relating to Job Classifications


1. Title


This plan shall consist of the following regulations, job descriptions and standard rates of salaries and wages to be established by the Town, with such amendments as may be made from time to time by the Town and shall be the Salary Schedule for the payment of salaries and wages in the Town of Reading.


2. Application


The Salary Schedule to be established by vote of the Town shall apply to all officers and employees of the Town of Reading, except those appointed or employed by the School Committee and those specifically exempted herein or whose duties or compensation are otherwise regu- lated by law.


3. Records


A central Personnel Record of all Town employees, either elective or appointive, shall be established and maintained by the Town Ac- countant for the convenience of the Finance Committee and other in- terested persons. It shall include all of the vital statistics and other pertinent data of each and every person employed by the Town of Reading.


4. Classification of Existing Positions.


Each existing position, except such as are exempted by Rule 2 shall be allocated to its appropriate place in the Schedule by the Agency,


19


Department or Branch of the Town having supervision of that position, subject to review by the Finance Committee during the first year of operation under this Schedule.


5. Interpretation of Standard Rates of Salaries and Wages.


(a) Rates are in terms of dollars per calendar year, per week, or per hour, as indicated in the Schedule.


(b) Part time employment shall receive compensation only at the rate applicable to the same job on a full time basis.


(c) These rates shall constitute the total remuneration for any po- sition, including pay in any form, unless specific exception is noted. They shall not include actual and authorized expenses necessarily in- cident to the employment.


(d) Rental charges on Town owned properties occupied by em- ployees shall be deducted from the money salary at the rates specified in the Schedule.


(e) Employees regularly employed by one department shall be paid at their regular rate by any other department to which they may be loaned, except in case of an emergency the employing department may pay such rates as it may determine not exceeding however the em- ployee's regular rate, established under the Schedule.


6. Operation of Standard Rates of Salaries and Wages.


(a) The Finance Committee shall approve the minimum as the rate for entrance to any position. However, where a person is already in the employ of the Town, or a former employee is being reinstated, he may enter the position at the rate previously paid him, or the maximum -whichever is the lower. Exceptions may be made by the Finance Committee subject to the approval of the next Annual Town Meeting.


(b) An employee whose rate at the time of taking effect of the Schedule exceeds the maximum for his position may continue at his present rate, as long as he continuously holds the same position or unless a general salary decrease is later voted by the Town.


(c) Advancement from minimum to maximum shall be by suc- cessive steps, annually, but shall not be mandatory. Individual ad- vancement within the prescribed spreads shall be on the basis of merit and ability (not necessarily on length of service) and shall be subject to the approval of the Finance Committee after they have received evidence, satisfactory to them, that such advancement is merited.


(d) In certain broad classifications, such as the clerical scales, qualification for placement in any given range shall not necessarily mean that the position shall automatically rate regular increases to the maximum of that range. Placement and subsequent increases, even


20


within the range shall depend entirely on the rating of the job and the individual by the employing Agency, Department or Branch of the Town and approval of the Finance Committee.


7. Classification of New Positions


Whenever a new position is established, except by statute or by a vote of the Town Meeting setting forth its title, duties and compensa- tion-the Finance Committee and the Agency, Department or Branch of the Town involved shall allocate such position to its appropriate place in the Schedule. If no such place exists, the Finance Committee may create a new classification subject to the approval of the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting.


8. Revision of Rates and Classifications, Promotions and Transfers.


Revision of rates, either increase or decrease, and revisions of class- ifications may be made in cases of emergencies by the Finance Com- mittee subject to the approval of the Town at the next Annual Town Meeting, and availability of departmental funds.


Promotions or transfers of individual employees may be approved by the Finance Committee after investigation of the need of the depart- ment for the change, compliance with classification of position and availability of departmental funds to cover increased expenditures. All requests shall be made to the Finance Committee in writing, and shall contain all pertinent facts.


9. Overtime


All reimbursement for any position to which an hourly rate applies in the Schedule shall be made at this hourly rate for the first forty (40) hours worked in any week. Overtime at the rate of 11/2 times the regular rate shall be paid for the number of hours in excess of forty (40) worked in any given week. Men called for emergency work out- side of their regular working hours shall be credited with a minimum of three hours time. If an hourly rate is not shown on the Schedule no overtime will be paid.


10. Holidays


Town employees shall be entitled to the following holidays with pay when they fall within the regular work week:


January 1st, February 22nd, April 19th, May 30th, July 4th, Labor Day, October 12th, November 11th, Thanksgiving and December 25th.


If an employee is required to work on any of these holidays, he shall be compensated for the number of hours worked at his regular hourly rate.


21


11. Leave of Absence


Except for the provisions of these regulations all Leave of Absence shall be without compensation.


12. Compensation to Conform to Plan.


No compensation shall be paid to any officer or employee of the Town whose salary or wage is subject to the Schedule, except in ac- cordance with the applicable provisions of the law and these regulations and all employing authorities are charged with this responsibility.


13. Appeals


If any request under the Schedule is denied by the Finance Com- mittee, the Agency, Department or Branch of the Town involved may appeal to the Town for a final decision at the next Annual Town Meeting in a special article in the Town Warrant.


14. Amendment and Review


The Schedule may be amended from time to time by vote of any Town Meeting. Five years after the adoption of the Schedule and every fifth year thereafter a committee established by the Town shall review the Schedule and shall report at the next Annual Town Meeting, mak- ing such recommendations for revisions and amendments to the Sched- ule as they may determine.


JOB CLASSIFICATIONS


Superintendent


Directs all activities of department; said functions may include Highway, Water, Sewer, Parks, Playgrounds. All operations of Munici- pal Light Plant; installation, maintenance or operative. In full charge of Plants and employees. Is held responsible for efficient and contin- uous operation of the services furnished or supplied. Should be capable of doing all major engineering work such as layouts for varied type of construction, technical mathematics, departmental budgets and ac- counting, or supervising such work if delegated by him to others.


Foreman


A full-time supervisor, skilled workman with full responsibility of supervising the work of large groups of employees and other incidental work. In direct charge of all construction, maintenance in their re- spective divisions as assigned by the Superintendent. Supervisory duties cover activities in connection with Water Mains, Sewers, Sewer- Mains, Sewer house connections, road construction and repair, side- walk construction, storm drain construction and maintenance, snow


22


plowing and removal, care of dumps, spraying and tree work, cemetery maintenance and development. Construction or maintenance in setting light poles, stringing of electric wires or cables (overhead or under- ground) or other electrical installations or maintenance in connection with Municipal Light Plant.


Working Foreman


Skilled workman with part time responsibility of supervising the work of small groups of employees, and who normally performs similar work himself and other incidental work.


Skilled Labor


A workman possessing experience and ability to do work requiring highest skills in his department. Can work with special tools or equip- ment requiring special skill and experience. Is a skilled craftsman, can be called upon to operate motorized equipment of a specialized nature. Duties may be in Light or Power work, Sewer, Water, Road, Cemetery, Spraying, Tree climbing or other Town labor activities re- quiring a fully skilled workman. He may be called upon to perform manual labor.


Semi-Skilled Labor


Performs manual tasks requiring strength and endurance, also tasks that require some ability to use tools and equipment of a comparatively simple nature, also includes driving trucks or other incidental work. May be required to perform manual labor.


Unskilled Labor


Performs manual tasks requiring strength and endurance, but which does not require ability to use other than simple tools or equip- ment.


Junior Clerk


Performs clerical office duties under supervision. Possess ability to operate common business machines and a knowledge of ordinary business practices, acquired by business or schooling.


Senior Clerk


Experienced clerk who possesses ability to direct and perform all the clerical functions of an office under the general supervision of a department head. Senior Clerk, in general, would direct work of other clerical assistants in a department. Be capable of assuming such clerical departmental responsibilities, necessary to transact business of said department. Meets the general public in the absence of department executive.


23


Janitor, Town Buildings


Performs janitor and maintenance work at or around Town Build- ings, Library, Municipal Building, etc. Keeps buildings heated when- ever necessary. Duties may require any tasks assigned for the proper cleaning, maintenance or heating of said buildings or grounds. May be required to perform Janitor duties at one or more Town buildings. (Janitor of Municipal Light Building listed separately in Wage Sched- ules.)


BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS


Pumping Station Engineer


In direct charge of all work at pumping station, including repair and operation of equipment, laboratory tests, compilation of records, etc. Also assists on water meter repairs and installations.


Assistant to Superintendent and Relief Pumping Station Engineer.


Relieves Pumping Engineer in his absence in operation of equip- ment and repairs of same. Clerical office work of varied nature, engineering, drafting, purchases department supplies within limits, unit cost accounting, compiles records, prepares data, title examination work for Town Counsel. Acts as general timekeeper during snow storms, as well as Assistant Foreman. Does other duties delegated to him by Superintendent.


Chief of Survey Party


Directs work of Transitmen and Rodmen, makes surveys for road and sewer layouts, water mains, wall lines, sidewalks, storm drains, etc. Drafts plans for same from field notes, does necessary mathematics, takes measurements of all construction and drafts record plans, assists on water meter maintenance. Chauffeurs during snow storms.


Transit, Rodman and Draftsman


Operates transit on surveys, assists on preparation of plans, drafts location cards for sewer connections and water services. Does other minor engineering work. Chauffeurs during snow storms.


Dump Caretaker


Takes care of Town dump on John Street.


MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT


Distribution Engineer


Supervision of Line extensions, service installations and connec- tions, range and water heater installation, wiring inspections in outside


24


Towns, Meter Department trouble service; supervision of distribution engineering, operations and planning, rate and cost analysis.


Construction Superintendent


Supervision of Line crews, overhead and underground construction, issues order and does layout work.


Line Truck Foreman


Has charge of Line crew, in addition works with his men. Works under orders from Construction Superintendent.


Lineman-1st Class


Capable of handling any Line work; high or low tension on the system. Is able to take truck an perform any work that can be handled by one man.


Lineman-2nd Class


Does linework under direct supervision, eihter in company of Line- man 1st Class or foreman. Has worked at least 12 months as Lineman 3rd Class and has been promoted to 2nd Class.


Lineman-3rd Class


Apprentice, learning to climb poles and do secondary work on pole lines. Is not allowed to work without a 1st Class Lineman or Foreman on job.


Groundsman


Digs post holes, sends up tools to Lineman, gets material from truck, coils wire and rope, does all ground work for Lineman.


Patrol-1st Class


Patrols street lights, sets electric meters, installs meter boxes and cable from box to customer's switch, replaces customer's blown fuses, troubleman.


Patrol Apprentice


Assists Patrolman, while training for work of Patrolman.


Stockroom Man


Receives and stocks all line material at garage and plant, bores, paints and pins cross arms, repairs materials returned from line and keeps stockroom clean.


Mechanic


Capable of doing all work on cars and trucks, including painting and welding, also does welding for station.


25


Meter Tester


Repairs, tests or rebuilds electric meters.


Meter Reader


Reads electric meters.


Cable Splicer


1st Class Lineman and cable splicer, works as Lineman when not working as cable splicer.


Chief Operator-Light Plant


In charge of Plant, switchboard operator, installs and replaces equipment.


Operator


Switchboard operator, assists Chief Operator install and repair equipment. Keeps plant and grounds clean.


Mechandise Manager


In charge of merchandise sales, in store. May act as clerk in store if needed.


Salesman Clerk


Sells merchandise in store, calls on prospective customers, resale, inventory, receptionist. Some additional clerical work.


Service Manager


Supervises and directs servicemen, keeps records, orders repair parts, receives all service calls for repairs of appliances, under direction of Merchandise Manager.


Service Man


Services and repairs electrical appliances, answers service calls at customer's homes, places of business; repairs or services refrigerators, washing machines, ranges, water heaters, etc.


Service Man Apprentice


Assists Service Men while in training to become a service man.


Shipping and Receiving Clerk


Receives all merchandise at office, uncrates ranges, water heaters or other equipment; assembles ranges, aids in delivery. Performs some janitor work.


Comptroller


Accountant in charge of management of office, budgets, financial and State reports, under direction of Superintendent. Directs work of


26


all clerical help in Billing and Accounting, Costs and Statistics, etc.


Assistant to Comptroller


Assists Comptroller in managing office under direction of Comp- troller, supervises Cost and Statistical work, or other office activities. Functions as Chief Clerk.


Collector


Collects delinquent accounts or other bills; assists meter readers when necessary.


Janitor


Cleans office building; in charge of heating apparatus; removes snow from walks; keeps building and grounds in order. Employed 40 hours per week.


LIBRARY


Librarian


Manages Library, purchases books, fuel and other supplies, etc. Directs activities of other Library employees, keeps accounts and records, catalogs books, etc.


Assistant Librarian


Under supervision of Librarian; issues and receives books, catalogs books, keeps records. In charge of Children's Library and activities. Assumes charge in absence of Librarian.


WELFARE DEPARTMENT (Operates under Civil Service Regulations)


Welfare Agent


In full charge of Administration. Supervises and directs activities of all personnel, dispenses financial aid, compiles budgets and other financial and State reports.


Social Worker


Calls on welfare cases, makes investigations, reports to Welfare Agent, performs such other social or welfare duties assigned.


Junior Clerk, Typist, Ist and 2nd Seniority


Performs clerical office duties under supervision. Possesses ability to operate common business machines and a knowledge of ordinary business practices, acquired by business or schooling.


27


TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT


Foreman-Supervisor


In full charge of operations of tree climbers, trimming or removing trees. Spraying of trees, shrubs and bushes of Town and private trees for moth, fungus or insect control. Instructs general public on care of trees; Tree Warden; keeps departmental records.


CEMETERY DEPARTMENT


Foreman-Supervisor


Capable of directing activities of department. All phases of ceme- tery operations and development, landscaping, grading, care of lawns and trees, construction of avenues and walks, foundations for monu- ments, etc.


Werking Supervisor


Familiar with and capable of supervising and carrying out all tasks assigned by Foreman-Supervisor, in all phases of cemetery operations, construction, maintenance, landscaping, grading, fertilizing, seeding and grass cutting of lots and graves, pruning, trimming and spraying of trees, shrubs and vines, construction of avenues and walks. Con- struction of foundations for monuments and markers. Truck driver and operator of special cemetery equipment and maintenance thereof. Capable of performing interment functions from grave opening and excavation through to completion of interment. Can direct and instruct other cemetery assistants.


POLICE DEPARTMENT


Chief of Police


Chief executive officer and shall direct all activities of the depart- ment, subject to the law, to the Police rules and regulations, and to the direction of the Board of Selectmen. He shall have authority over all members of the force assigned thereto and all other persons employed therein. He shall be responsible for the observance and performance of all laws, ordinances, by-laws and regulations which the Police force has authority to execute; he shall engage in no other business and shall perform such other duties provided by law and assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Selectmen.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.