USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1951 > Part 9
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The Board of Health is completely in accord on Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough immunization and will continue, as heretofore, the clinics for pre-school immunization and for booster shots when it is thought necessary. The Town should be appreciative of the work which the doctors of the town have done in the matter of Diphtheria immuniza- tion. The Board strongly urges upon all parents of pre-school children that their children either be immunized by their own family physician or at the Board of Health Clinic. The Inoculation of dogs against rabies will be continued and it hoped that more dog owners will take ad- vantage of this clinic.
Garbage collections have been reasonably satisfactory, but this Board feels that this should properly be a function of the Board of Public Works.
Board of Health Regulations have been brought up to date to con- form to present state laws, and are now ready for distribution.
The receipts of this department for the year 1951 are as follows:
Milk and Food Inspector $ 20.00
Plumbing Permits
441.50
Reimbursement and Licenses 482.50
$944.00
These funds were deposited to the credit of the Town of Reading.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES R. BAISLEY, M.D., Chairman
E. M. HALLIGAN, M.D. C. F. ATKINSON, Secretary
104
THIRTY-FIRST
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
for the year ended
December 31, 1951
105
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading:
The Board of Public Works submits herewith its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1951.
The Board organized with Mr. Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., as Chairman and Mr. Coleman J. Donahue as Secretary. Philip Welch was reap- pointed Superintendent.
Regularly scheduled meetings were held during the year, as were several special meetings and conferences.
Public Hearings were held on street acceptances, sewer extensions, drain easements, and pole locations. Acting as the Board of Survey several hearings were held on proposed housing developments, and for the establishment of lines and grades for existing and proposed private ways and for proposed new streets.
Petitions were received constantly during the year for sewer exten- sions, drainage facilities, water mains, permanent sidewalks, granite curbing and for many other services. The cost of the requested services greatly exceeded the amount of the approved appropriations.
The Board, therefor, tried to install the various utilities based on the greatest value to the Town, the greatest need of the largest num- ber of citizens and within a planned integrated program.
Requests for storm water drainage facilities are being continually received. The total cost of such requests now on file is ten times the amount of the annual appropriation. Most of these requests are proper and reasonable. An effort should be made to accomplish more of this work annually.
The Water Department continues to face many pressing problems.
Two 24 inch gravel packed wells were constructed in 1951. Two pump houses were built over the gravel packed wells. Due to shortages in basic materials it has not been possible to obtain delivery of pumps, panel boards and other equipment. It is hoped that these will be de- livered and installed prior to July 1952 so that these wells can be placed in use in 1952. In addition two suction mains totaling about 800 feet will be installed in 1952. The materials for these mains are now in stock and they will be installed early in 1952.
In addition the Water Department is faced with a serious financial problem.
The necessity to install mains, construct wells, pumping stations and stand pipes has resulted in the issuance of several bond issues. The bond indebtedness of the Water Department has reached a high level. In 1952 about 20 per cent of the total income will be used for payments on debt. In addition the Department can now foresee the necessity of raising about $600,000 in the next 8 to 10 years. It can be seen that Water Department funds must be very carefully handled for many years to come.
The Board has endeavored to cooperate with other Town Boards and Departments during the past year and wish to acknowledge the cooperation extended to them by other Departments.
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The Board wishes to commend the many conscientious employees of the Department for their loyalty and cooperation.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent for a more detailed account of the activities of the various divisions which com- prise the Department supervised by the Board of Public Works.
WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR., Chairman COLEMAN J. DONAHUE, Secretary JAMES E. CALVIN JOHN W. HARRISON HARRY R. WALKER
DETAILED REPORT
There follows herewith a short statement of the activities of some of the subdivisions of this Department.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Main Pipe Construction
The residential boom continued on a high level. This construction required, in most cases, extensions of water mains. In addition, the program of replacing small mains with larger sized mains was con- tinued. In two streets, 11/4 inch mains were replaced with 8 inch mains. In all cases, hydrants were installed at proper intervalls. These re- placements will result in a better service to consumers plus better fire protection for the entire Town.
In all, 6,634 feet of new mains was laid, all 6 inches or larger.
Main Pipe Maintenance
No serious troubles were encountered during 1951 in the distribution system. Many routine tasks were accomplished such as raising and low- ering gates, testing gates, relaying pipes to lower grades, gravel filling and patching trenches.
Service Pipe Construction and Maintenance
New water services totalled 163. A total of 10,812 feet.
In addition, 36 old services were replaced. A normal number of de- fective shutoffs were replaced and a normal number of leaks were repaired.
Rodding of partially clogged service pipes was continued exten- sively.
Meter Maintenance
Much effort was concentrated on the meter problem. In addition to placing 170 new meters on new services, 23 old meters were junked and replaced with new ones and 545 meters were removed, repaired and reset.
It is good economy to keep meters in good repair as much of de- partmental income results from meter rates.
Fire Hydrants
12 new hydrants were installed in 1951 being, in most instances, placed on new main extensions. 5 hydrants damaged by vehicles were repaired and returned to use and bills sent to Insurance Companies.
107
Driven Well System
All wells in the system were thoroughly washed, cleaned and spud- ded twice. Careful check was kept of all wells so that wells producing water of high iron content or high color could be shut off from the system.
Two 24 inch gravel packed wells were installed on Town owned land. These will be connected to the system in 1952 as materials be- come available. In addition, these wells will be equipped with self contained pumps and will also be so piped that the water may be pumped directly to the distribution system should conditions arise that would make such an action seem advisable.
Deferrization Plant
The filtration plant operated efficiently during 1951 but required considerable more attention. Both filters were raked and scraped at in- creasingly shorter intervals.
Standpipes
No major repairs were necessary on either standpipe.
A contract has been awarded for the construction of an elevated storage tank on Beacon Street abutting the present standpipe. If ma- terials are available the construction will be completed in 1952. Allot- ment approval has been received from the Federal Government.
Hundred Acre Pumping Station
A total of 324,343,000 gallons of water was pumped during the year. This is a decrease of 4,619,400 gallons under 1950. The daily average was 888,854 gallons. The highest single day was 1,389,000 gallons (July 27, 1951). The highest week was 8,345,200 gallons (July 21, 1951 to July 27,1951).
The station operated well. Very few repairs were necessary despite a substantial increase in pumping. None of the repairs was of a serious nature.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Snow and Ice
The winter season of 1950-1951 was comparatively light with no snow storms of a serious nature, although much icing took place re- quiring extensive sanding.
General Highway Maintenance
A road maintenance program was planned early in the year and executed during the warm summer months. Since the annual allotment for this work is about the same as in prewar years, it has been necessary to curtail this program as the cost of materials has increased substan- tially.
Due to the constant opening of streets for the installation of utili- ties to new homes and the repair of existing utilities, it was necessary to increase substantially the use of patching materials.
108
In addition to major repairs, much was done on routine main- tenance such as, sweeping, cutting brush, street signs, installing curbs, crushing gravel, repairing guard rails, repairing tools, repairing equip- ment, etc.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
The usual work of maintenance on main roads was accomplished with Town funds plus allotments from the State and County. Much re- mains to be done. To prevent complete disintegration of road surfaces, it us urged that more funds be allotted for this purpose.
Chapter 90 Construction
The Chapter 90 Construction was let out to contract. Due to a late letting by the State, work could not be done in 1951. It will be done early in 1952. To speed up this work it is suggested that appropriations be doubled and that the State be urgently requested to double their allotments. This work is being carried on at the same appropriation level as in 1939. Increased prices has cut the program in half.
Chapter 83 Construction (Street Betterments)
Five streets were constructed under the Betterment Act with the abutting owners being assessed for the cost of construction. This is a growing item due to the residential growth of the Town and future years will bring added requests for street construction.
Granolithic Sidewalk Construction
A total of 10,049 sq. yds. of Granolithic Sidewalk was constructed in 1951. The number of applications now on file exceeds substantially the normal yearly quota. Hence, some applications will not be serviced until 1953. A substantial amount of maintenance was accomplished. Due to new home construction, there was a distinct increase in the num- ber of requests for this service.
Granite Curbing
1,897 feet of Granite Curbing was installed under voluntary appli- cations. Corner curbs were installed in many locations.
Storm Water Drains
2,853 feet of storm water drainage was installed plus 17 catch basins and 25 manholes in several locations.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
Because of the open winter of late 1951 much work was accomplished in clearing open ditches. All basins were cleaned as usual, drains rod- ded and flushed as required, and in several instances, clogged pipes dug up and replaced.
Dump
In 1950 it was found that an extra caretaker during the summer months reduced complaints substantially and kept the fire hazard at a minimum. As a result this was continued in 1951. Bulldozing was done regularly. A short section of chain link fence was erected.
109
PARK DEPARTMENT
All Parks and Playgrounds were popular throughout the year with each showing a substantial increase in attendance.
Organized recreation programs were provided at all areas by the Recreation Committee during the summer months. For details, the reader is referred to the report of the Recreation Committee.
A small amount of drainage work was accomplished at Birch Meadow.
In Memorial Park loam was stripped and piled and some filling dumped and spread. It is hoped that this work will be continued for the next few years so that a substantial acreage of low land can be reclaimed and made available for recreation purposes.
Excess fill from various operations was used to fill low areas in several park locations.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Main Trunk Sewer Construction
Trunk sewers were laid in seven streets totalling 2,788 feet. All work was done by Town forces. These sewers will provide much needed service to may abuttors.
Sewer Maintenance
Many sewers were rodded, flushed and cleaned mechanically. Two blockages occurred in main trunk sewers.
Sewer House Connections
51 new house connections were installed having a total length of 3,110 feet. In addition, several old connections were excavated and re- laid.
General
1951 was again a busy year due, in most part, to the rapid growth of the Town. The residential boom of the past 6 years continues at an substantial pace. It has brought, and will continue to bring, many re- quests for various kinds of service. In 1951 work showed the effect of this continuing boom. All divisions of the Department are affected.
The added work was accomplished mostly by the extensive use of equipment. Manpower continues to be in very short supply both quan- titatively and qualitatively. The salary schedule as approved by the Town is evidently not attractive to the great majority of workmen. Not only does it fail to attract quality labor but it aso fails, and this is most important, to satisfy those already employed by the Department. In the past few years, many of our better employees have resigned to ac- cept other jobs. This is especially true of the Engineering staff. It is utterly impossible to hire experienced technical employees for the salar- ies as established in the schedule.
In this respect, the schedule is completely unrealistic. As a result much of the work is done by outside agencies at far greater cost. Also many records are not kept up to date, and others not kept at all. This
110
policy is penny wise and pound foolish. A good schedule which recog- nized the value of trained, capable employees would be better for the Town as it would allow the Department to function more efficiently and more economically.
The bond issues of the Water Department now amount to $287,000. In a few years the connection with MDC will necessitate an expenditure of approximately $600,000. Annual income is approximately $130,000. Every effort shoud be made to establish, within the next few years, a reserve for the Water Department, which can be applied to future ex- penditures and debt reduction.
The addition of 2 gravel packed wells in 1951 should result in eas- ing somewhat the critical conditions that prevailed in 1949 and 1950 .. It should be understood however that the total supply is limited and a combination of events might arise which would again result in re- strictions on the use of water.
Undoubtedly 1952 will be a year in which there will be some short- ages of materials. Shortages will probably occur in heavy items, such as, water mains, water services, castings, etc. Labor will undoubtedly be in very short supply. As a result it may be necessary for the Depart- ment to postpone some projects which are now planned for 1952.
PHILIP WELCH,
Superintendent
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
January 21, 1952 To the Citizens of Reading:
I submit my report as Tree Warden for the year 1951.
The dormant spraying for the control of Spruce Gall aphids, San Jose, Oyster-shell and anonymous scales, remains about the same each year.
One hundred and seventy trees were planted by the department; twenty-two Norway Maples and one hundred and forty-eight Sugar Maples. Most of these trees were planted on private property, ad- jacent to the sidewalk. This plan is recommended as the most satis- factory. The trees grow better and are not so apt to be damaged by cars or trucks. Several replacements are necessary every year from this cause.
The men worked nine weeks on line clearance for the Electric Light Dept. All the expense of this work is paid by the Light Dept.
It was necessary to remove thirty-eight trees from the roadside. Two were destroyed by gas, three were removed for street betterments and the others were either dead or in a dangerous condition.
I wish to thank the many citizens who have notified me of tree damage during the severe storms in the past year. Also the men of this department for their fine spirit of cooperation.
Respectfully yours, MAURICE H. DONEGAN,
Tree Warden
111
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year 1951.
Permits have been issued and inspections made on the following.
Additions to existing wiring 124 Oil burners 234
Alterations to existing wiring 22 Ranges (Electric) 104
Air Conditioning
1 Refrigeration
4
Barns
1 Repairs to old wiring
11
Compressors
2
Repairs after fire damage
4
Dishwashers
7 Restaurants
1
Dwellings (New)
181
Road side stands
2
Dwellings (Old rewired)
1 Services replaced
29
Garages
6 Schools
1
Garbage disposal units
4 Shops
3
Gasoline pumps
9 Signs
5
Gasoline stations
6 Stores (Old rewired)
4
Gas heat controls
11 Telephone booths
4
Greenhouses
1 Ventilating fans
29
Heat regulators
3 Washers-Automatic
5
Laundry dryers
5 Water heaters (Electric) 19
Motors
6 Wiring condemned account fire
3
Outside of a few minor changes due to improper installations of wires the majority of the work has been satisfactory.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. FOGG
Inspector of Wires
112
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ended
December 31, 1951
113
IN MEMORIAM
EDITH M. McQUAIDE, B.S.Ed., M.Ed.
Teacher and Assistant Principal Highland School
Employed - September 1940
Died - September 10, 1951
SIMON A. CASTINE
Custodian
Employed - January 1940 Died - November 27, 1951
114
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
School Committee
John L. Griffin, 22 Bond Street Robert E. Turner, 84 Cross Street
*Melvin S. Crosby, 50 Middlesex Avenue Newell H. Morton, 198 Woburn Street . Alexander P. Glover, 158 Prescott Street Gladys F. Milton, 281 Summer Avenue #Philip R. White, 189 Summer Avenue *Resigned November 15, 1951 #Appointed to fill vacancy
Term expires 1954
1954
1953
1953
1952
1952
School Committee Office
Joshua Eaton School
365 Summer Avenue
RE 2-0180 - RE 2-2384
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During school vacations 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Superintendent of Schools
Arthur B. Lord, Jr. 39 Pine Ridge Road
Secretary to the Superintendent
Mae A. Tanner Clerks in School Committee Office
26 Mineral Street
Margaret A. McMullen Irene E. Reichardt
154 Green Street 90 Vine Street
School Physicians
Justin L. Anderson, M.D.
Charles R. Baisley, M.D. Edward M. Halligan, M.D.
53 Woburn Street 46 Woburn Street 37 Salem Street
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1952 - 1953
Schools Open
No Sessions: Columbus Day Teachers' Convention Armistice Day Thanksgiving Recess from noon Christmas Vacation from noon Winter Vacation, week of No School on Good Friday Spring Vacation, week of School closes
September 3, 1952
October 12, 1952 October 31, 1952 November 11, 1952 November 26, 1952 December 23, 1952 February 22, 1953 April 3, 1953
April 19, 1953 June 17, 1953
115
SCHOOL CLINICS
Dental - Wednesdays and Thursdays at Eaton School - 9:00 to 1:00. Tuberculosis Prevention - Annually by appointment.
Diphtheria Prevention - Annually by announcement.
Registration of children entering school in September -
SUPERVISOR OF MAINTENANCE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Robert A. Grundy
25 Lewis Street
SCHOOL SECRETARIES AND CLERKS
Senior High School
Myrtle W. Tilton, Secretary
Jean S. Underhill, Clerk
Junior High School Maude M. Allen, Secretary
Joshua Eaton School
Dorothy L. Wardrope, Secretary
Highland School Clarice D. Hynes, Secretary
Pearl Street School Dorothy A. Walsh, Secretary
SCHOOL CUSTODIANS AND MATRONS
Senior High School W. Ray Yorks, Custodian William J. Broussard Catherine M. Wendell, Matron
Junior High School Fred B. Riessle, Head Custodian
Fred B. Gibson
Agnes G. Hurley, Matron Andrew J. Lomax
Joshua Eaton School Robert A. Vars, Head Custodian Stuart R. Nichols
Highland School Daniel J. Buckley, Head Custodian William J. Schemack
Pearl Street School Edward F. Harrison, Head Custodian John L. Peters
Lowell Street School William A. Lloyd
All Schools George Castine
116
CAFETERIAS
Supervisor Lois M. Connor
Senior High School
Mary A. Kingman, Manager Ida H. Johnson
Junior High School
Elsiemae Collins, Manager Flora MacPhail Eva E. Noble
Joshua Eaton School
Edith J. French, Manager Obeline Arsenault Anna Roscoe
Highland School Evelyn M. Davis, Manager
Pearl Street School Evelyn M. Mullen, Manager Nellie Laetsch
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Radio announcement when possible over WNAC, WEEI, WBZ, and WLAW between 7:00 and 7:45 a.m. Fire Alarm 2-2 repeated three times.
Since the elementary schools have two sessions, the afternoon ses- sion may be discontinued due to inclement weather. When afternoon sessions are discontinued, announcement will be made over the radio and fire alarm, as well as in the individual schools on or before 11:30 a.m.
In most cases the decision as to whether or not children should attend school rests with the parent, in view of the fact that parents are in a better position to know whether or not their children may attend school in safety without injuring their health. Because the cost of operation of a school building, particularly during the winter months, is about the same whether or not school is open, it is the policy for the schools to be open every day except under emergency conditions. Con- sequently, the occasion for "no school" will seldom arise.
117
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Reading:
The School Committee herewith submits its annual report.
The School Committee feels that in the year 1951 some new and many satisfactory improvements were made in the school curriculum, the school instructional program, and the school housing problem.
We, the Committee, shall outline briefly this work as planned or in action now. A full report on all the phases of the work of the Reading Schools has been made by the Superintendent of Schools. Please read his report carefully.
In the field of school curriculum, we, in September 1951, introduced the Rinehart System of Penmanship for all elementary school pupils.
Also, our music program has been broadened and a long-range plan, pointed toward building larger school bands and orchestras, has been initiated. This will mean greater opportunities for a larger number of students in the cultural field.
Up to the present time, our guidance program has been in the hands of the teachers. Now, with the rapid growth of our schools, as well as the many changes in the social, economic and vocational fields, the Committee felt that the time had come to employ an expert in the specialized field of guidance. Therefore, it included in its 1952 budget money for this work which will start in September 1952.
The Committee hopes in the future to broaden our physical edu- cation program from Grade 1 through Grade 12. We are considering also the inclusion of student-driver training courses as well as courses training for the distributive occupations.
The instructional program was improved by the integration of the arithmetic department in 1950. In 1951 a new unified series of Social Studies texts was adopted to carry on further the ideal of complete integration in all our subjects and schools.
Definite time has been set aside for the teachers to study immediate and long-range problems in the school system.
One of the greatest problems to be studied by the Committee has been the housing of the school children. In 1951 all necessary steps were taken to carry out the building plans for the erection of the new senior high school. The firm of Adden, Parker, Clinch & Crimp was employed as architects. At the time of the writing this report all the preliminary work is complete and the Committee has petitioned Wash- ington for an allocation of critical materials. Early this Spring of 1952 should see the site preparation under way.
The Committee has had to budget money for the building of an additional classroom in the basement of the Pearl Street School. We expect that in the Fall of 1953 it will be necessary to reopen the Prospect Street School after renovation. Due to the growth of the town, the
118
Committee realizes that a new elementary school must be built in the north end of the town. Sites are being studied and land should be purchased as soon as possible.
On November 15th, 1951, the Committee, with deep regrets, accepted the resignation of Mr. Melvin S. Crosby. Mr. Philip R. White was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy.
The School Committee wishes to thank all the townspeople who have shown a helpful interest in its school system and to extend a cor- dial invitation to the other citizens to become interested.
The terms of Mrs. Gladys F. Milton and Mr. Alexander P. Glover expire this year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER P. GLOVER, Chairman
GLADYS F. MILTON
ROBERT E. TURNER
JOHN L. GRIFFIN
NEWELL H. MORTON
PHILIP R. WHITE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1951
Appropriations, Transfers & Refunds 1951
Expended 1951
SALARIES:
$ 26,560.48
Supt., Clerks and Enf. of Law
$ 25,601.06
13,068.00
Supervisors
12,596.31
24,139.32
Principals 24,075.34
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