USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1949 > Part 8
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59 Alterations and additions to dwellings at an estimated cost of 69,545.00
16 alterations and additions to business properties at an estimated cost of 67,560.00
36 new private garages at an estimate of
2 new henhouses
800.00
3 new stands
4,200.00
2 new tool sheds 2,500.00
1 new Club House
40,000.00
1 Library addition
101,236.00
1 Antenna Tower
150.00
1 Building removed
400.00
9 Signs
1,530.00
Total estimated cost of all new and remodelled buildings for the past year $1,322,871 .. 00
Total number of permits 266
Fees were received in the amount $902.50. These have been turned over to the Town Treasurer and receipts received for same.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD B. CURRELL
Inspector of Buildings
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
for the Year 1949
During the past year, the Board of Appeal held fifteen hearings under the Zoning or Building By-laws, of which eight were denied and seven were granted. Records of the Decisions of the Board are on file with the Town Clerk.
HERBERT T. SCHOPPELRY, Chairman CLIFTON S. NICHOLS, Secretary DUDLEY B. KILLAM
94
23,750.00
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 11, 1950
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1949 as follows:
Considerable time has been consumed by me in the matter of the preparation of the contracts and performance bonds for the equipment for the new Elementary School on Summer Avenue and Oak Street, together with the contracts for the walks and the seeded and parking areas adjoining the schoolhouse building. The School Committee and Architect have consulted me on many occasions during the progress of the work. I have supervised the bid procedure relative to the award- ing of the contract for the addition to the Public Library Building and have approved the contract and performance bond in connection there- with.
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 Harrison and Salem Streets, has been disposed of by the petitioner withdrawing his case from the further consideration of the Court.
Several claims have been made in behalf of the Town for damages sustained by motor vehicles owned by the Town. Also I have prosecuted for the Electric Light Department several claims for damages to poles and equipment occasioned by the operation of motor vehicles.
Five cases have been commenced in the Land Court for foreclosure of tax liens and three cases pending from the previous year have been investigated so that the whereabouts of the heirs of the owners have been located and the cases are now ripe for final disposition by the Court. One case has been commenced during the year before the Ap- pellate Tax Board, involving assessment of real estate, and the same has been continued on the docket awaiting trial.
Claims were filed in the Middlesex Probate Court in behalf of the Welfare Department seeking reimbursement of funds expended by the Town and also claims for taxes from the estates of deceased persons relieved from the payment thereof during their lifetime and such action has resulted in the recovery of the sum of approximately $3870.10.
There are three cases still pending in the Courts and one petition for assessment of damage for taking of land by right of eminent domain. These cases will be disposed of as soon as they are reached for trial upon the docket of the Court.
95
There are several claims against the Town resulting from accidents on the highways and these claims have been investigated for the pro- tection of the Town but have not been made the subject matter of suit.
As provided by the regulations of the Town I have performed every professional act required by me in the performance of the duties of my office including in part appearances in Court and hearings before Boards or Commissions, prosecution of claims in behalf of the Town, opinions to all Town Boards and Committees, investigation of claims against the Town, preparation and filing in Court of Trustee's answers in cases where employees' wages have been attached, drafting release and redemption deeds, amendments to traffic regulations, by-laws, dis- charge of Old Age Assistance bonds and mortgages, articles and motions for Town meetings and such other legal documents and matters re- ferred to me for attention.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. DAVIS,
Town Counsel
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
December 31, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen,
I herewith submit my report as dog officer to December 31, 1949. I have canvassed the town to see that all dogs were licensed. Unlicensed and strayed dogs have been found and disposed of. All complaints have been investigated.
There were 69 dog bites reported.
There are 996 dogs licensed.
At this time I wish to thank the Police department and all who have helped me.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. MELENDY,
Dog Officer
96
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
FOR THE TOWN OF READING 1949
Poultry projects conducted during the year included the Quality Egg Program, in which William Johnson, Eric Larson and Sanborn Brothers cooperated. Through this program poultrymen are assisted in improving their egg handling facilities and practices. Several poultrymen made use of the diagnostic service of the Poultry Disease Program in maintaining flock health during the year. The 1949 Middle- sex County Poultry Trade Show held in cooperation with the turkey and poultry associations of the county gave poultrymen an opportunity to see the latest in egg graders, automatic feeders and other equipment. Egg quality and efficient management were the themes of the event. Mrs. K. Stucinski is enrolled in the Turkey Marketing Program.
The dairy projects carried on during 1949 consisted of distribution of information relating to mastitis control in dairy cows. The 1949 Green Pasture Program endeavored to promote more efficient dairying. Cooperation was extended to the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and to the Selective Breeding Association. The Selective Breeding As- sociation is organized to improve our dairy animals by the use of superior bulls through artificial insemination. General farmers and gardeners used the facilities of our soil testing laboratory.
Weekly agricultural broadcasts are given over WBZ every Wednes- day morning at 6:45 of general interest to local farmers. The monthly bulletin is published covering all phases of extension work and mailed to nearly every farmer in the town.
In addition to participating in our slipcover and coat making classes, Reading homemakers received our monthly service letters and had one demonstration about color in the home. One local fair was judged by our agents in the fall.
There were 48 boys and girls enrolled in 4-H Club work under the leadership of eight leaders and assistant leaders. Activities were car- ried on in agriculture, clothing and crafts.
Ernest Durb, Jr., and Ernest Durb, Sr., were delegates to the State Junior and adult Leaders' Camp. The 4-H Club members in the town had their annual outing at Camp Middlesex in Ashby. Club work is sponsored locally by a Committee, of which Miss Lois Connor is Chair- man. She also has been the cook at Camp Middlesex for several years and is active on the County Committee on Camping.
The work of the Middlesex County Extension Service is available to everyone interested in agriculture, home economics and boys' and girls' 4-H Club work.
97
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
The large attendance of last summer testified to another successful year on the playgrounds, and further emphasizes the necessity for such a program. Several new activities were introduced this year, and the special events showed increased interest.
Besides the usual baseball leagues, which are still a major activity for the boys, a softball league was organized for the smaller ones.
It might be mentioned here that there is now no adequate baseball diamond on the east side of Main Street. At Memorial Park a suitable diamond cannot be constructed, and there are objections to the use of the diamond at the Pearl Street School.
Interest in softball for the girls has continued to grow. Basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, tennis, and quieter games are still numbered among the activities, and many out of towners have visited our art exhibits.
A swimming team was organized and meets were held out of town with other playground teams. Several of the contestants showed prom- ise, and there is no telling how far some of them could advance were there some swimming facilities in Reading.
With the growing interest in girls' activities, it is hoped to add some experienced women instructors to our staff this year.
If and when the grounds at the Joshua Eaton School are ready for use, it is contemplated consolidating a bit, and using these grounds instead of the Chestnut Hill School, and the Junior High School.
We were again fortunate in having many of our former instructors return so that the program got away to a fine start, and continued through to the final field day.
The committee wishes to thank all those who helped to make last summer's program a success.
Respectfully submitted,
NEWELL H. MORTON ROBERT E. TURNER HAROLD W. PUTNAM G. LAWRENCE ROBERTS WM. E. BILLINGHAM CARL W. PINKHAM C. SUMNER TEEL
98
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Reading:
I submit my report as Tree Warden for the year 1949.
The department planted eighty-three trees on the roadside. The extremely hot, dry summer made it necessary to water these trees dur- ing July and August. Using the suction on the large sprayer we were able to obtain this water from brooks.
It was necessary to remove thirty-eight trees. Five of these trees were killed by gas, six were removed during street betterments, two af- ter hearings and twenty-five were either dead or in a dangerous con- dition.
The program for the eradication of Poison Ivy was continued during July and August.
The men worked twelve weeks during the past year on line clear- ance for the Electric Light Department. The entire expense of this work is paid by the Electric Light Department. This line clearance work is a very substantial help to this department in detecting and removing dangerous trees and branches.
I take this opportunity to thank the men of this department and all' others who have assisted me in the past year.
MAURICE H. DONEGAN
Tree Warden
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen,
I submit my report as Moth Superintendent for the year 1949.
The yearly check on the Gypsy moth egg clusters shows a very light infestation throughout the entire town.
It is now necessary to spray the roadside trees four times during the season in order to control all the different pests.
In September four cases of Dutch Elm Disease were discovered on Longfellow road at the edge of Birch Meadow. Four groups of small elms had the disease, these trees have been removed and burned. The Elm Bark Beetle acts as a carrier for this disease. These beetles breed in
99
dead and dying elm wood. For this reason, all elm wood not stored under cover immediately after cutting, should have the bark removed or be burned. During the past year, new legislation places the control work for this disease under the Moth Department.
With the additional appropriation for the garage we installed a heating plant, completed concreting the floors and replaced the old rear door with a new overhead door.
I take this opportunity to thank the Board of Selectmen, the men of this department and all others who have assisted me in the past year.
MAURICE H. DONEGAN
Moth Superintendent
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Reading,
There were three hundred and twelve cases of contagious diseases reported during the year 1949.
Chicken Pox
107
Dog Bites
69
Measles
93
Mumps
6
Poliomyelitis
8
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
1
Scarlet Fever
14
Whooping Cough
14
Respectfully submitted,
C. R. BAISLEY, M.D. E. M. HALLIGAN, M.D. C. F. ATKINSON
100
FIFTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
for the year ended
December 31, 1949
FIFTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
For the Year Ending December 31, 1949
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
JOSEPH H. REED, Chairman
Term Expires 1950
FRANK D. TANNER, Secretary
ALFRED H. DOLBEN
Term Expires 1952 Term Expires 1951
Manager CLARENCE L. THOMAS
Office 25 HAVEN ST., READING, MASS.
Manager's Report
To the Municipal Light Board: Gentlemen:
A report covering the operations of the Municipal Light Department for the year 1949 is presented herewith.
ADDITIONS TO PLANT. $134,195.10. Additions paid for out of regular construction and depreciation funds cost $61,134.33. Additions paid for out of the $80,000 note issue last year amounted to $73,060.77.
ENERGY PURCHASED: 22,750,797 KILOWATT HOURS. Compared with 1948 this was an increase of 11.4 per cent. The average cost per kilowatt hour purchased increased from 1.429 cents in 1948 to 1.450 cents in 1949 because of the Edison rate boost.
ENERGY SOLD: 20,485,888 KILOWATT HOURS. Sales increased 9.1 per cent more than the 18,774,000 units sold in 1948. Residential useage recorded a 10.3 per cent gain.
CUSTOMERS: 8633. Widespread building activity throughout our territory brought 419 new customers to our lines, line extensions were necessary for most of the new service connections.
APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT GROSS INCOME: $85,648.12. Net profit for the year was $10,391.79.
Appreciation
The year's accomplishments attest to the continued support and co- operation of our employees, and to the devoted efforts of the members of the Municipal Light Board.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws, I submit herewith my estimate of the income and expenses of the plant for the year ending December 31, 1950.
102
ESTIMATED INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR YEAR 1950
Estimated 1950
INCOME
From Private Consumers
$720,964.59
From Tax Levy :-
For Street Lights
17,000.00
For Municipal Buildings
5,920.36
From Miscellaneous Income
3,800.00
Mdse. and Jobbing
10,000.00
TOTAL INCOME
$757,684.95
EXPENSES:
Production
$384,018.01
Distribution
112,150.00
Utilization
14,000.00
Commercial
28,550.00
New Business
250.00
General and Miscellaneous
42,850.00
Depreciation
62,814.32
Bond and Note Payments
9,000.00
Interest on Bonds and Notes
1,701.25
Uncollectable Operating Revenue
1,500.00
Taxes - Outside Towns
10,500.00
Interest on Consumers Deposits
700.00
TOTAL EXPENSES
$668,033.58
Excess-Income over Expenses
$ 89,651.37
K.W.H. Purchased
25,320,230
K.W.H. Sold
22,872,805
K.W.H. for Reading Street Lights
564,660
Expense per K.W.H. Sold
2.92c
Cost of Street Lights
$ 16,488.07
Appropriation for Street Lights
$ 17,000.00
A summary of Income and Expense, Total Cost of Plant together with the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the Profit and Loss Ac- count, list of bills remaining unpaid at the end of the year, and the auditor's certificate is appended herewith.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE L. THOMAS, Manager
103
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY
Accountants and Auditors 150 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts
January 30, 1950
To the Municipal Light Board
Town of Reading
Massachusetts
We have examined the accompanying balance sheet of the Municipal Light Department of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, as at Decem- ber 31, 1949 and related statements of income and profit and loss for the year then ended, and reviewed the system of internal control and accounting procedures and, without making a detailed audit of the transactions, have examined or tested accounting records of the De- partment and other supporting evidence, by methods and to the extent we deemed appropriate.
In our opinion said financial statements present fairly the position of the Municipal Light Department as at December 31, 1949 and the results of their operations for the year then ended, in conformity with the "Uniform System of Accounts for Municipal Lighting Plants" as prescribed by the Department of Public Utilities of Massachusetts.
Charles E. Stanwood & Company
REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
The report of the Manager as submitted by him with certificate of the auditor is hereby approved by the Municipal Light Board and constitutes its report to the town.
JOSEPH H. REED ALFRED H. DOLBEN FRANK D. TANNER
Municipal Light Board
104
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSE
for the year ending December 31, 1949
REVENUES:
Residence Service
$490,890.54
Commercial Service
101,124.06
Primary Power-Wholesale
28,542.97
Municipal Service
13,572.15
Sales to Private Companies and Municipal Plants
1,728.86
Street Lighting Service
35,073.88
Miscellaneous Income
12,394.19
Total Revenues
$683,326.65
EXPENSES:
Production Expenses
$330,035.15
Distribution
91,642.89
Utilization
14,308.23
Commercial
30,396.00
New Business
60.10
General
37,411.38
Depreciation
43,756.75
Interest on Bonds and Notes
1,553.09
Taxes
9,446.58
Uncollectible Operating Revenues
741.62
Interest on Consumers Deposits
938.72
Retirement Pensions
3,732.30
Bonds and Notes Paid
7,000.00
Total Expenses
$571,022.81
EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES
$112,303.84
Transfer to Town Treasurer
54,000.00
Net Increase of Profit and Loss Surplus
$ 58,303.84
105
TOTAL COST OF PLANT as of December 31, 1949
Cost of Land-Ash Street
$ 2,575.80
Cost of Land-25 Haven Street
7,459.46
Cost of Structures-Ash Street 66,349.00
Cost of Structures-25 Haven Street 28,093.90
Cost of Transformer Station and Substation Equipment 281,566.00
Cost of Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Cond.
664,423.84
Cost of Underground Conduits 127,309.27
Cost of Underground Conductors 140,897.62
Cost of Consumers Meters 92,479.52
Cost of Consumers Meters Installations
33,184.67
Cost of Line Transformers
90,026.00
Cost of Line Transformer Installations
7,196.06
Cost of Street Lighting Equipment 59,760.07
Total Cost of Electric Plant $ 1,601,321.21
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
as of December 31, 1949
FIXED ASSETS:
Land
$ 10,035.26
Structures
61,127.00
Trans. Sta. and Substa. Equipment
195,493.92
Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Cond.
301,050.06
Underground Conduits
95,737.12
Underground Conductors
97,414.14
Consumers' Meters and Installations
60,416.41
Line Transformers and Installations
56,776.88
Street Lighting Enquipment
10,309.00
General Equipment
24,280.12
Total Fixed Assets
$912,639.91
CURRENT ASSETS:
Construction Fund $ 15,091.72
Special Construction Fund-Plant 7,401.90
106
Special Construction Fund-Underground
1,801.25
Notes Payable Premium Fund
685.90
Depreciation Fund 8,526.98
Petty Cash 300.00
Consumers Deposit Fund
21,575.00
Accounts Receivable
73,336.53
Materials and Supplies
91,765.41
Total Current Assets
$220,484.69
PREPAID INSURANCE
$ 1,631.65
TOTALS
$1,134,756.25
LIABILITIES:
Notes Payable
$ 96,000.00
Bonds Payable
4,000.00
Accounts Payable
3,681.56
Consumers Deposits
21,575.00
Town Treasurer-Petty Cash Funds
300.00
Interest Accrued
557.46
Bond Premium
685.90
Loans Repayment
631,578.26
Total Liabilities
$758,378.18
PROFIT AND LOSS-December 31, 1949
$376,378.07
TOTALS $1,134,756.25
Note :- A contingent liability in the amount of $15,930.54 existed as of December 31, 1949 on account of leases received from installment sales of electrical appliances and which were discounted with the Middlesex County National Bank of Reading.
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
as of December 31, 1949
Balance January 1, 1949
$317,974.23
Net Income-Balance from Operating Account
119,303.84
Miscellaneous Credits
100.00
TOTAL CREDITS
$119,403.84
Bond and Notes Paid
7,000.00
Transferred to General Funds of the Town
54,000.00
TOTAL DEBITS
61,000.00
Balance December 31, 1949
$376,378.07
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TOWN OF READING MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Accounts Payable December 31, 1949
The Texas Company
$ 4.00
General Cable Company
192.00
Air Reduction Sales Company
1.94
Grainger-Rush Company
182.81
John W. Babine
12.00
Brooks' Express
38.50
George H. Buckminster Company
64.09
Dyer-Clark Company
81.97
Easy Washing Machine Corporation
124.34
Fuelite Natural Gas Corporation
21.18
G. & H. Engineering Company
462.67
Gallagher Electric Company, Inc.
23.98
General Electric Supply Corp.
197.73
Gorham Fire Equipment Company
54.51
Graybar Electric Company, Inc.
225.40
Albert E. Mace Company, Inc.
67.83
Mass. Gas and Electric Light Supply
128.04
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
2,006.37
A. L. Postman Company
12.83
Sager Electric Supply Company
3.80
Collector of Internal Revenue
14.73
George H. Wahn Company
391.65
Dyer-Clark Company
13.90
Carleton & Gray, Inc.
1.04
The Eastern Company
24.84
Electrical Appliance Resale Company
4.49
General Electric Appliances, Inc.
3.23
Edward Lappin
10.50
L. E. Muran Company
84.00
Spaulding-Moss Company
3.30
Supply Dists. Corporation
4.19
Town Clerk, Wilmington
9.00
$ 3,681.56
108
BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Fred L. Nutter, Chairman
Term expires 1952
1950
David E. Hersee, Secretary Harry C. Barr Edouard N. Dube
1951
1951
William P. Pierpont M. Russell Meikle
"
1950
Superintendent HAROLD F. DAVIS
Office
Room 16, Municipal Building
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlement:
The Superintendent's Report on the operation of the two Town Cemeteries, Laurel Hill and Forest Glen, for the fiscal year ending De- cember 31, 1949, and the Department's 212th year of operation, (first burial Dec. 9, 1737), is herewith submitted.
Our records show 109 interments for the year, two less than in 1948, but still maintaining an upward trend.
I feel that an important item of Cemetery maintenance should be called to your attention, namely graves repaired. Over the period of years from 1944, when 127 sunken graves were repaired and when the use of either burial vaults or cement grave liners became mandatory, there has been a gradual decrease annually in the number of sunken graves repaired, so that this year there were only 17.
The statistics for the calendar year of 1949 are as follows:
Laurel Hill Forest Glen Total
Interments
64
35
99
Cremation Interments
10
0
10
Foundations:
Monuments
2
17
19
Markers
27
13
40
109
1952
Graves Repaired
10
7
17
Winter Graves Repaired
29
22
51
Cement Crypts Used
40
23
63
Cement Vaults Used
25
11
36
Lots Sold:
4 Grave
0
7
7
3 Grave
0
3
3
2 Grave
1
21
22
Single Graves
2
4
6
Welfare Dept. Graves, gratis
1
0
1
Veteran Graves, gratis
0
3
3
Cement Liners, gratis for
Returned Overseas Dead
1
1
2
Nine old lots and four single graves in Laurel Hill Cemetery had perpetual care put on them and eight had additional amounts added during 1949.
With the assistance of the Tree Department personnel, the tree surgery program inaugurated in 1947 was carried on. Two poplars, two maples and one elm were removed and 145 large shade trees trimmed and pruned.
Acts of VANDALISM occurred twice during the year at Laurel Hill Cemetery. On May 10th five stones were displaced and on November 13th four more, and all were restored at the expense of the Department. The new flags for Armistice Day were torn from their staffs on the Vet- erans' graves and scattered through the Cemetery.
The long period of drought and the ban on the use of all sprinkler systems, imposed by the Water Department during the summer, resulted in a total loss of all reseeded areas. Due to these conditions the turfing program was suspended for the season, to be carried on next year.
At Laurel Hill a fieldstone retaining wall was constructed along two sides of a lot to stop erosion, at the expense of the proprietor of the lot. The roof of the Service Building was repaired and reshingled.
At Forest Glen an approximate area of three acres was cleared of brush and small trees, large boulders left by the W.P.A. were removed and a portion of this area was brought to sub-grade with material avail- able on the site. I recommend that Forest Glen development be continued in 1950.
The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. DAVIS
Superintendent
110
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
The Report of the Superintendent as submitted by him is here- by approved by the Board of Cemetery Trustees and constitutes its Re- port to the town.
FRED L. NUTTER, Chairman DAVID E. HERSEE, Secretary HARRY C. BARR EDOUARD N. DUBE WILLIAM P. PIERPONT M. RUSSELL MEIKLE
Board of Cemetery Trustees
REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' GRAVES
December 31, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Reading, Masaschusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Custodian of Soldiers and Sailors Graves for the year ending December 31, 1949.
One Veteran grave was repaired in Laurel Hill Cemetery and the usual care was taken of the Veteran Plots in Laurel Hill and Forest Glen Cemeteries, and also the care of all Veteran graves during 1949.
Appropriation
$ 1,000.00
Pay Roll
$ 758.59
Repairs on Veteran graves
5.00
Care of Laurel Hill Veteran Plot
36.41
Care of Forest Glen Veteran Plot
200.00
$ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
It is recommended that this appropriation be increased to $1,200.00 for 1950 as the funds have been insufficient to take care of the necessary work since the Town has adopted the new wage scale.
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