USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1951 > Part 8
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In respect of the petitions seeking extension or alteration of a non- conforming use, petitions were denied in four cases and granted in three. The Board denied two and granted three of the remaining pe- titions.
Although the hearings were all conducted in a somewhat informal manner, full and orderly hearings were possible in all cases with the testimonial presentation concluded on the evening of the hearing and in almost all cases views were taken of the property involved in the petitions.
In connection with the hearing procedures, the experience in the past has taught us that in informal proceedings, a verbatim transcript of the proceedings is almost inevitably incomplete - as often will hap- pen if two or more people try to speak at once - and, since the cases are not presented by lawyers who are aware of the problems involved in making a record of a case, verbatim transcripts in our proceedings have tended to be exceedingly confused and confusing. The Board therefore adopted the practice of inviting the petitioner and other parties to discuss the matter informally off the record, in order that all persons present should have a clear understanding of the nature of the petition and the reasons advanced in support of it. When all seemed satisfied on these matters, a member of the Board undertook - in the presence of all persons interested - to sum up the gist of the discussion as a species of stipulation for the record, at the conclusion of which the com- ment and criticism of persons present was requested and additions and corrections made accordingly. Thereafter opponents of the petition were urged to state their views, and other remarks could be made anent the proceeding by other interested persons present.
The Board found that the above procedure had three beneficial effects: it expedited the hearing; it lessened the bulk of the record; and it made the record more intelligible.
Another procedural matter might well be remarked on and that is, that the Board was sometimes hampered in its work by the failure of the petitioner to have available copies of plans, or specifications, per- taining to his proposal. Often plans were presented, but petitioners
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sought immediate return thereof on the ground that the plans pre- sented were the only ones in existence and were needed by them.
It is recommended that each petitioner before the Board do one of two things: either append a plan or plans (which may be a rough pencil or pen sketch) to the petition which indicates clearly what pe- titioner desires to do; or to come to the hearing with sufficient copies of such plan (or plans) so that a complete set may be made part of the permanent record of the case.
RICHARD JACKSON, Chairman ERNEST L. NIGRO CLIFTON S. NICHOLS
Board of Appeal
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, 1951 to January 1, 1952.
Eighty-one dogs were quarantined during the year for inflicting personal injuries by biting or scratching mostly younger children. One dog still remains in quarantine. A great many dogs are repeaters, having been restrained two, three and occasionally four times during one calen- dar year. From a survey of the dog bites reported to me, I find the major- ity of dogs are not at fault. Harming a dog in any manner is a justifiable excuse for a dog's means of protection. Self-preservation comes first in any form of life.
The annual inspection of all livestock in the town carried on by request of the Division of Livestock Disease control, showed a general over all increase over last year. There are at present, 99 neat cattle, 244 swine, 66 sheep, 12 goats, and 30 horses. One herd of cattle was quar- antined for having a ringworm infection, a highly contagious com- municable disease to man.
Respectfully submitted,
GARDINER A. LESTER, D.V.M. Inspector of Animals
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REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 15, 1952
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1951 as follows:
Negotiations for the settlement of land damages for the granting of perpetual easements for the construction of main natural gas pipe line through land owned by the Town have been successfully carried on with the Northeastern Gas Transmission Company and the Town has received $2400.00 in damages as a result thereof. I am engaged in completing the foreclosure of a tax lien in the Land Court of a parcel of land which is to be sold to the same Company for approximately $2800.00, if, as and when the Town secures a decree from the Court foreclosing all rights of redemption therein. I attended the hearing before the Public Utilities in which this Company was seeking to be exempted from the operation of the Zoning By-law of the Town so as to permit the Company to construct a meter station in a Residential District. Also an option was prepared for sale of land to Malden and Melrose Gas Light Company for storage station and the property has been conveyed to the purchaser and the matter closed.
The case pending in the Middlesex Superior Court against a police officer, the defense of which as required by law has been assumed by the Town, has now been settled for a nominal sum and the case closed.
Contract for the architect's services in the matter of the final design, plans and specifications and the superintendence of the construction of the new High School has been approved by me.
Also regulations of the Board of Health relating to trailers have been drafted and an entire new set of health regulations prepared by the Board have been examined, modified and approved by me.
Proceedings relating to the removal of a police officer under the Classified Civil Service law have been conducted by me and after the Board of Selectmen ordered removal, his appeal to the Civil Service Director was disposed of by the officer withdrawing his appeal from further consideration by the Director.
Several claims have been made in behalf of the Town for damages to motor vehicles and other property owned by the Town and four of the cases have been settled by the recovery of damages caused to Town property. Claims have been made against the Town for damages sus- tained as result of accidents on the highways and blasting operations carried on by the Public Works Department. Five of the claims have been settled by authority of the Law Committee and the cases closed.
There are three cases against the Town pending in the Middlesex Superior Court. Two of the cases occurred as a result of alleged defects in the highway and involve serious personal injuries sustained by the claimants. The third case is based upon claim for damages resulting from water being discharged in premises owned by the claimant.
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Through the Welfare Department I have taken our guardianship pro- ceedings for an insane person in the Middlesex Probate Court and have recovered a bank account belonging to such person for the protection of the Town. Claims of the Welfare Department and the Tax Collector for the recovery of aid and reimbursement of taxes have been filed in the Middlesex Probate Court.
Petition has been prepared and filed with the Public Utilities in behalf of the Municipal Light Department seeking exemption of the Zoning By-law of Town of Wilmington so as to permit the Electric Light Department to erect a sub-station on a lot of land located on Wildwood Street in a residential district of the Town. An option for the purchase of the land was prepared by me, the title examined in the Registry of Deeds at Lowell, the deed running to the Town drafted and duly re- corded in the Middlesex North District Deeds closing the transaction.
I supervised the acquisition of land for the Water Department for the development of the water system, prepared option for the purchase of such land, examined the title in the Registry of Deeds, prepared and recorded the deed running to the Town closing the matter.
The title has been examined to an additional parcel of land in Birch Meadow to be used for school purposes and the order of taking by right of eminent domain prepared and recorded in the Middlesex South Dis- trict Registry of Deeds.
One appeal from the Board of Assessors valuation of real estate pending before the Appellate Tax Board has been disposed of in favor of the Town.
I have attended on Monday evenings throughout the year the reg- ular meetings of the Board of Selectmen and as provided by the regu- lations 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, pros- ecution of claims in behalf of the Town, opinions to all Town Boards and Committees, investigations of claims against the Town, drafting deeds, releases and redemption Deeds, amendments to traffic regulations, by- laws, discharge of Old Age Assistance bonds and mortgages, articles and motions for Town meetings, proofs of claim in Bankruptcy for Elec- tric Light Department, Options for land for parking area, Agreement for sale of real estate, foreclosure of tax liens under Statute of Low Value and Land Court and releases for payment of wages due deceased em- ployees, pleadings in the Superior Court and such other legal documents and matters referred to me for my attention.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. DAVIS,
Town Counsel
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REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
.
The year 1951 witnessed another summer of well rounded activity and sustained interest on our playgrounds. Although several of our standby supervisors did not return, the new personnel worked in very well, so the program proceeded with its usual effectiveness.
Only three playgrounds were operated on full time this year. Lack of facilities at the Junior High School plus its proximity to Birch Meadow or Washington Street causing small attendance made it seem advisable not to conduct a program there this year. At the Eaton School only the black top parking area was used and just in the mornings. How- ever, in spite of lack of facilities, there was considerable activity and Eaton was well represented at sports contests with the other parks. With the new field ready for use in 1952, this section of the town should have a playground second to none.
Besides our many games and contests between playgrounds, play days with other towns such as Lexington, Stoneham and Woburn took place both away and at home. On these occasions several contests for all ages took place mostly in baseball and softball. There was also a track meet with Danvers.
There was more interest in girls' activities for girls this year, and a girls' softball team made a good showing with outside towns during these play days.
Arts and crafts continued to attract many participants while shows, movies, cookouts, picnics, and field days with contests of all kinds kept up enthusiasm and interest until the closing day.
The committee feels a wading pool at Memorial Park would be a happy and needed addition, and of course, there is the perennial desire for a swimming pool in Reading on the part of almost everyone.
Respectfully submitted,
NEWELL H. MORTON, Chairman ROBERT E. TURNER
C. SUMNER TEEL CARL W. PINKHAM
WM. E. BILLINGHAM
JAMES E. CALVIN CHARLES E. WILKINSON
REPORT OF 4-H CLUB WORK
MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
Middlesex County maintains an Extension Service in Agriculture and Home Economics for the benefit of all towns within the county. This service is available to all citizens, especially farmers, home gard- ers, homemakers, rural youth and 4-H Club boys and girls.
The work is developed by an unpaid Board of Trustees who maintain a staff of Agents at the headquarters at 19 Everett Street, Concord. The
95
Trustees appoint a Director in each town to represent them in all phases of Extension work or in a few cases towns elect a Director and make an appropriation to help defray local expenses.
In addition to farm and home visits made upon request, local meetings are held or sectional or county-wide meetings or tours are helps available to everyone. A monthly bulletin is published, timely letters mailed on spraying, fertilizing, seeding, poultry problems, infor- mation to homemakers, boys' and girls' 4-H work or general community problems.
Some of the activities that took place last year in Reading are as follows:
Educational work with the dairymen was concentrated on programs to assist the farmers in solving their problems of raising better rough- age, disease control and milk marketing.
.
Increased efficiency, flock health, greater breeding progress and better marketing practices were the principal goals of the Extension Poultry Program. Efficient management practices and equipment were among the topics discussed at meetings of the Eastern Middlesex County Poultry Association, held at the Northern Residents' Association Hall on the first Tuesday of the month. William Johnson is President of this organization.
Frank H. Bronk, 7 Spruce Road, is enrolled in the Middlesex Flock Health Program, through which the Extension Service is attempting to help poultrymen and turkey growers to keep their flock healthy.
Rabbit breeders were given assistance through the Middlesex Com- mercial Rabbit Association, which meets monthly at the Extension Ser- vice "Schoolhouse" in Concord.
Programs in all phases in homemaking are available to Reading wo- men throughout the county .. During the year local women attended the Extension meeting on slip covering and also "New Ideas in Food Pre- paration". Christmas brought a request for the gift kit, a collection of easy-to-make items that make popular Christmas presents.
Sixty-five boys and girls were enrolled in 4-H Club work, carrying on projects in gardening, poultry and clothing. The town's 4-H clothing members had the distinction of doing the nicest work in the eastern part of the county. A great deal of credit is due Lois Connor and Mrs. Walter Connor. Reading topped all other towns in the number of girls attending 4-H camp, where Miss Connor served as dietician and cook.
In May all the Club members enjoyed a picnic at Camp Middlesex. The usual fine achievement program was carried on in the spring. Don- ald Martin was awarded a Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal on his excellent garden work. Other leaders who helped put across the program in the town were Ernest S. Durb and his son, Ernest Durb, Miss Jean Symonds, Mrs. John O'Brien, Sr., and Mrs. Francis Mullen.
WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR.
Town Director
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FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
for the year ended
December 31, 1951
97
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
JOSEPH H. REED, Chairman FRANK D. TANNER, Secretary ALFRED H. DOLBEN
Term expires 1953
Term expires 1952 Term expires 1954
Manager CLARENCE L. THOMAS 25 Haven St., Reading, Mass.
MANAGER'S REPORT
To the Municipal Light Board
Gentlemen:
In addition to the usual financial statements and summaries several noteworthy highlights that developed during the year 1951 are briefly submitted below.
ENERGY SOLD: 26,350,678 KILOWATT HOURS. This item in- creased 14.1 percent. The volume increase of kilowatt hours sold in 1951 over the previous year was the greatest ever recorded.
REVENUE: $867,483.41. Last year's revenue indicated an average of 3.29 cents per kilowatt hour sold which was a decrease from the 3.37 cents received in the previous year when revenues amounted to $777,216.39. This decrease in the average price of kilowatt hours used by our customers occurred while operating costs continued an upward trend.
ENERGY PURCHASED: 29,387,309 Kilowatt hours. The average cost per kilowatt hour purchased increased to 1.59 cents from the 1.54 cents paid in 1950. High fuel prices and charges incurred by heavy peak loads of short duration in December 1950 accounted for the in- creases in the average cost per kilowatt hour at the power station.
CUSTOMERS: 9474. Last year's building activity added 416 new service connections which was 24 percent more than average yearly additions during the first four post-war years.
PAYMENT TO TOWN TREASURER IN LIEU OF TAXES: $54,003.69. In accordance with a motion at the annual town meeting in March, 1951, this department paid the above amount based on two and one-half percent of the primary cost of plant and General Equipment as of De- cember 31st of the preceding year plus ten percent of the net profit for the preceding year as defined in Chapter 164 of the General Laws.
ADDITIONS TO PLANT: $87,013.82. The department continued its expansion of distribution facilities during 1951. From the following list of additions it can be noted that considerable amounts were spent for conductors and line transformers.
Conductors, Poles, etc.
$ 47,872.73
Line Transformers 21,765.95
Meters 8,946.66
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Underground Conduits, etc. Street Lighting Equipment Power Station Structures and Land
2,786.17
2,891.71
2,050.60
700.00
$ 87,013.82
FEDERAL DEFENSE RESTRICTIONS ON PLANT EXPANSION
The following statements are excerpts from notices received from the Federal Defense Electric Power Administration concerning curtail- ment of normal expansion.
Allotments of controlled materials for electric plant expansion are substantially below the demands of the power industry and will slow down or halt construction requirements. - Adequate power supplies will depend on whether new facilities come in on schedule. - Spare or reserve equipment and duplicate lines are now eliminated. Greater risks must be taken to conserve materials. Suppose the voltage is not ideal; a lot of things are going to deteriorate to some extent in the next few years.
The strain of meeting ever-rapidly increasing demands against a bottleneck of the flow of materials is something which has not been publicized and is herein mentioned as a problem that impinges on both the public and on power suppliers.
APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT: Gross income from merchandise sales in 1951 was $89,887.36, a decrease of $8,452.42 below 1950.
Net profit from sales of merchandise was $8,763.87, a decrease of $5,325.92 below 1950.
In closing, sincere appreciation is expressed for the advice and sup- port of the Municipal Light Board, and for the cooperation of the em- ployees in carrying out their duties to our customers.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws, I submit herewith my estimate of the income and ex- penses of the plant for the year ending December 31, 1952.
ESTIMATED INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR 1952
Estimated 1952
INCOME:
From Private Consumers
$ 933,283.26
From Tax Levy-
For Street Lights
17,000.00
For Municipal Buildings
8,678.54
From Miscellaneous Income
1,300.00
Mdse. & Jobbing
10,000.00
TOTAL INCOME
$ 970,261.80
EXPENSES:
Production
$ 517,508.18
Distribution
114,300.00
Utilization
16,750.00
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Commercial
New Business
31,550.00 250.00 49,583.00
General & Miscellaneous
Depreciation
69,687.00 15,000.00
Bond & Note Payments
Interest on Bonds and Notes
3,761.25
Uncollectible Operating Revenue
1,020.00
Merchandise and Jobbing Expense
Taxes - Outside Towns
13,500.00
Interest on Consumers Deposits
600.00
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 833,509.43
Excess - Income over Expenses
$ 136,752.37
K.W.H. Purchased
32,428,016
K.W.H. Sold
28,968,176
K.W.H. for Reading Street Lights
579,535
Expense per K.W.H. Sold
2.88c
Cost of Street Lights
$ 16,690.60
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, and the Auditor's Certificate is appended herewith.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE L. THOMAS, Manager
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY
Accountants and Auditors 16 Court Street Boston, Massachusetts
January 24, 1952
To the Municipal Light Board
Town of Reading
Massachusetts
We have examined the accompanying balance sheet of the Munici- pal Light Department of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, as at December 31, 1951 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 Depart- ment 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, 1951 and the re- sults 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
100
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 con- stitutes its report to the Town.
JOSEPH H. REED
FRANK D. TANNER ALFRED H. DOLBEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
TOTAL COST OF PLANT as of December 31, 1951
Cost of Electric Plant :-
Cost of Land - 286 Ash Street
$ 2,575.80
25 Haven Street 7,459.46
Wildwood St., Wilmington 700.00
Cost of Structures - 286 Ash Street
25 Haven Street 28,093.90
Cost of Transformer Station and Substation Equip. 259,167.79
Cost of Transformer Substation & Equip. - Wilmington
398.37
Cost of Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Conductors
753,661.57
Cost of Underground Conduits
128,933.32
Cost of Underground Conductors
172,841.90
Cost of Consumers Meters
105,825.56
Cost of Consumers Meter Installations
37,299.40
Cost of Line Transformers
124,382.38
Cost of Line Transformer Installations
8,178.56
Cost of Street Lighting Equipment
64,964.31
Total Cost of Electric Plant $1,761,293.57
Cost of General Equipment
28,804.04
Total Cost of Plant & General Equipment $1,790,097.61
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES
for the year ending December 31, 1951
REVENUES:
Residence Service
$ 649,851.44
Commercial Service
124,720.40
Primary Power - Wholesale
37,272.03
Municipal Service
15,126.33
Sales to Private Companies and Municipal Plants
3,825.07
Street Lighting Service
36,688.14
Miscellaneous Income
12,408.34
Total Revenues
$ 879,891.75
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66,811.25
EXPENSES:
Production Expenses
$ 467,868.50
Distribution Expenses
95,536.01
Utilization Expenses 14,480.61
Commercial Expenses
33,540.81
New Business Expenses
59.73
General Expenses
38,997.91
Depreciation Expenses
66,631.32
Interest on Bonds and Notes
2,058.65
Taxes - Personal Property Outside Towns
12,606.08
Uncollectible Operating Revenues
773.10
Interest on Consumers Deposits
579.43
Retirement Pensions
2,111.33
Bonds and Notes Paid
9,000.00
Total Expenses
$ 744,243.48
Excess of Revenues over Expenses
$ 135,648.27
Transfer to Town Treasurer
54,003.69
Net Increase of Profit and Loss Surplus
$ 81,644.58
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
as of December 31, 1951
FIXED ASSETS:
Land
$ 10,735.26
Structures
57,448.22
Trans. Sta. and Substa. Equipment
152,957.12
Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Cond.
332,309.73
Underground Conduits
89,817.59
Underground Conductors
115,737.19
Consumers Meters
50,681.51
Consumers Meter Installations
19,788.74
Line Transformers
81,140.96
Line Transformer Installations
4,155.74
Street Lighting Equipment
9,464.12
General Equipment
28,804.04
Unfinished Construction
39,990.18
Total Fixed Assets
$ 993,030.40
CURRENT ASSETS:
Construction Fund
$ 76,794.30
Special Construction Fund - Wilmington
108,732.06
Depreciation Fund
20,022.72
Petty Cash
300.00
Consumers Deposit Fund
14,438.00
Accounts Receivable
90,626.92
Materials and Supplies
105,675.51
Total Current Assets
$
416,871.73
Prepaid Insurance
1,643.21
Totals
$1,411,545.34
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LIABILITIES:
Notes Payable
$ 82,000.00 150,000.00
Bonds Payable
Accounts Payable
none
Consumers Deposits
14,438.00
Town Treasurer - Petty Cash Fund
300.00
Interest Accrued
1,047.29
Loans Repayment
649,578.26
Total Liabilities
897,363.55
Profit and Loss
514,181.79
Totals
$1,411,545.34
NOTE: A contingent liability in the amount of $13,291.36 existed as of December 31, 1951 on account of leases received from installment sales of electrical appliances and which were discounted with the Mid- dlesex County National Bank of Reading.
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
as of December 31, 1951
Balance January 1, 1951
$ 432,844.85
Net Income - before Bond Payments
144,648.27
Miscellaneous Credits
Total Credits
$ 577,493.12
Bonds and Notes Paid
9,000.00
Transferred to General Funds of the Town
54,003.69
Miscellaneous Debits 307.64
Total Debits $ 63,311.33
Balance December 31, 1951
$ 514,181.79
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Reading:
In making a report, for the year 1951, the Board of Health would comment on the relative freedom from serious contagious diseases and from new cases of tuberculosis, only 5 cases being reported to the Board this year. There are approximately ten cases which are taking treat- ment and are being followed by the Board of Health. These cases are not considered a menace to the public health. At the present time there are three patients in the tubercular hospital.
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