USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1953 > Part 3
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Article 7. On motion of Preston F. Nichols, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2000.00) Dollars be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the maintenance of various streets pre- viously constructed under Chapter 90 of the General Laws; and that the further sum of Twelve Thousand (S12,000.00) Dollars be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the construction under Chapter 90 of the General Laws of a portion of Charles Street from a point near Wakefield Street Northeasterly toward Haverhill Street, pro- vided however, that such sums received as reimbursement from the State and County shall be credited to Surplus Revenue, and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to trans- fer said sums to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 8. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to sell or exchange upon such terms and conditions as they may de- termine the 1952 Ford Police Cruising car, and that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars together with the proceeds from such sale or exchange be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a new cruising car for the Police Department.
Article 9. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to sell or exchange upon such terms and conditions as they may deter- mine the 1952 Ford Police Cruising car, and that the sum of Five Hun- dred ($500.00) Dollars together with the proceeds from such sale or exchange be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a new cruis- ing car for the Police Department.
Article 10. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham,it was voted that the sum of Thirteen Hundred ($1,300.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of relocating the police traffic signal box now located on the common on Main Street to a new location on the com-
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mon at Main and Woburn Streets and for the rewiring and furnishing the necessary equipment to operate the new controls, moving of the signal box, installation of new ducts and cables and the excavation and backfilling which may be necessary in connection therewith.
Article 12. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Twelve Hundred Fifty ($1,250.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the purchase of uniforms for members of the Police De- partment.
Article 13. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred Twenty-five ($525.00) Dollars be raised and ap- propriated for the purchase of uniforms for members of the Fire De- partment.
Article 14. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred Fifty ($550.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the purchase of two walkie talkie radios for the Fire De- partment.
Article 15. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Twenty-Seven Hundred ($2,700.00) Dollars be raised and ap- propriated for the use of a helicopter in spraying the trees for Elm Tree Protection by the Tree and Moth Department.
Article 16. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and em- powered to sell or exchange upon such terms and conditions as they may determine the 1936 Chevrolet Truck and 1935 Chevrolet Truck used by the Tree and Moth Department and that the sum of Fourteen Hundred ($1,400.00) Dollars together with the proceeds from such sales or exchange be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a sec- ond hand truck for the Tree and Moth Department and for equipping the same.
Article 17. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the further development and maintenance of the Town Forest.
Article 18. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the eradication of mosquitoes in the Town, such sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Health.
Article 19. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that the sum of Twelve Hundred ($1,200.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the care of graves of any persons who have served in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States in time of war or insurrec- tion, and who have been honorably discharged from such service, as provided by Section 22, Chapter 115, General Laws.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to adjourn, to meet in the Junior High School on Monday, March 23, 1953 at 8 P. M.
Adjourned at 10:20 P. M.
163 Precinct members were present.
A true copy Attest
BOYD H. STEWART,
Town Clerk
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ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Junior High School
March 23, 1953
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. How- ard at 8 P. M.
The New Town Meeting Members were requested to stand and be sworn to office by the Town Moderator.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
Article 2. The following report was read by Harold F. Davis: REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO STUDY SUITABLE MEMORIAL TO WORLD WAR II VETERANS, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE I, SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, SEPTEMBER 11, 1950
It is the unanimous recommendation of this Committee that the Auditorium in the New High School be named "Memorial Auditorium" and that a suitable BRONZE PLAQUE, bearing the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II, be placed therein, but nothing contained in this report shall be construed to affect the sovereignty of the School Committee in its control of the Auditorium when it is turned over to the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. DAVIS, Chairman A. ALDEN GOLDSMITH WILLIAM J. TIGHE, JR. ROBERT G. CLINCH GEORGE R. DUNN
On motion of Ernest C. Metcalf, it was voted that the report be accepted and placed on file.
Article 2. The following report was read by Kenneth C. Latham: REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBILITY OF ALTERING FORM OF ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
March 16, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The committee appointed to study possible shortening and stream- lining of the annual Reading Town Report desires to call attention to the plan used in the Town of Needham (and similarly in other towns) for compilation and printing of the annual reports of town boards.
The report is handled by a citizens committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen, that board being finally responsible under the law, for the production of the report.
The committee has a change of personnel each year but members are frequently urged to continue their services with the group. They are selected for their general ability to understand town affairs and for that reason there may be members of official town boards serving with the group at times. During the first year that the system was in op-
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eration in Needham the selectmen were represented on the committee to give the work a strong guiding hand.
It is the endeavor of the selectmen in making their appointments to find persons who are in the advertising or publicity business and those versed in art and photography. The skills that these individuals can contribute to the work is obviously of value.
The committee must go to work early in the year in some cases. If illustrations are to be used, the season when photos are made must be watched, the pictures taken and filed, and their appearances in the report definitely planned. Toward the end of the year it is necessary that the several town boards be divided among the committee mem- bership for preliminary work. Department heads are notified in writ- ing to have copy for the annual town report ready on a given date.
Each department is told just how many pages - and sometimes how many words - will be alloted in the report. If the department's report exceeds the specified limit, it is the Town Report Committee's job to trim the report to fit the space allowed. The town board has no voice in this matter. When given the space limitation, the board must comply.
Needham town officials feel that their townspeople, in this man- ner, receive a short, comprehensive, and readable report of the year's work of the town officers and departments.
Each year one department is featured and there are more pages alloted to that department for the use of pictures and extended de- tails. As a rule only major departments are so featured and they are run in rotation.
In Needham - in accordance with town by-law - the report is dis- tributed to each household by boys hired and supervised by the police department.
One Needham town official states that the opposition to the streamlined form has come from members of the Taxpayers' Associa- tion and similar individuals who want all the facts and figures of town government and claim they cannot get them by calling on the town officers for a look at the official record books.
In Needham, certain material that must be published is included in the streamlined report but this is not so of the minutes of the regular and special town meetings. These must be published, so the town clerk has a booklet of town meeting proceedings printed following each regular or special meeting. Copies are available at the town clerk's office but are seldom called for. Forty copies of all town meeting pro- ceedings are set aside to be bound at the end of the year with the an- nual report. These are distributed to department heads for permanent department record.
In Reading, the records of all town meetings are printed as part of the annual report.
Talking with Needham residents bring out certain facts.
1. The citizens as a whole like the form of the report and find it interesting to read.
2. They like having the report, as well as the town meeting war- rants and finance committee reports, delivered to their doors.
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3. Most of them admit that they would not - and doubt if many other citizens would - take the trouble to go to town hall after the report.
The extent to which our present town report should be changed depends upon certain definite issues.
1. Can the material which will interest and inform the citizens of Reading be contained in a shorter, streamlined report?
2. Will the streamlined report result in lower all-around cost.
This committee has noted some places in which our present form of town report could be improved. We believe that there are addi- tional features which would make the report more attractive and at the same time feel that there are some sections which could be shortened, subordinated, or eliminated, and thus make room for possible im- provements.
This committee plans to file with the Selectmen some definite pro- posals for improving the 1953 Annual Town Report. Whether a stream- lined form will be recommended is still a matter for further considera- tion.
C. NELSON BISHOP, Chm. EDWARD A. BROWN NEIL C. ROBINSON
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the report be accepted and placed on file.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that Article 2 be laid on the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to take Article 3 from the table.
Article 3. William H. Dolben, Jr. moved that the Board of Public Works be instructed to lay out the streets provided for in Articles 41, 42 43, and 44 without the assessment of any betterments.
This motion was not voted.
Article 3. Winthrop P. Frazier moved that a committee be ap- pointed to look into and report to the 1954 Annual Town Meeting, the advisability of Town Manager Form of Government.
This motion was not voted.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 3 be laid on the table.
Article 20. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Eight Thousand ($8,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the construction and maintenance of the Municipal Parking Area situated Northerly of Haven Street which appropriation is to be added to the previous appropriation of Twelve ($12,000.00) Dollars voted under Article 7 at the Special Town Meeting held December 1, 1952.
Article 21. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted, that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized for and in behalf of the Town to convey or abandon upon such terms and con- ditions as they may determine that portion of the easement acquired by the Town for drainage purposes through land of Florence Sargent located on the Westerly side of Grove Street and bounded:
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Beginning at a point of said Westerly side line of Grove Street, said point being a length of 10.04 feet Northwesterly from a drill hole set at the division property line between lands of said Florence Sargent and lands of Charles L. Higgins, and being on a curved line having a radius of 1000 feet;
Thence running in a Northwesterly direction along said Westerly side line of Grove Street and by lands of said Florence Sargent, by said curved line having a radius of 1000 feet, a length of 79.30 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running S 72°-21'-20" E, through lands of said Florence Sargent, a distance of 10.0 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running in a Southeasterly direction, still through lands of said Florence Sargent, by a curved line having a radius of 990 feet, a length of 75.0 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running S 86° -09'-00" E, still through lands of said Florence Sargent, a distance of 10.30 feet to Grove Street and the point of beginning.
140 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative.
Article 22. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted, that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized for and in be- half of the Town to convey or abandon upon such terms and condi- tions as they may determine that portion of the easement acquired by the Town for drainage purposes through land of Harvey P. Wasser- boehr et ux and located on the Northerly side of Harvard (private) Street and bounded:
Beginning at a point on the Northerly side line of said Harvard (private) Street at the division property line between Lots 65 and 66;
Thence S 73º-20'-40" W, along said Northerly side line of Harvard (private) Street and by lands of said Wasserboehr et ux, a distance of 10.0 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running N 16°-56'-20" W, through lands of said Wasserboehr et ux, a distance of 152.97 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running N 79°-57-30" E, still through said Wasserboehr's land, a distance of 20.14 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running S 16°-56'-20" E, still through land of said Wasserboehrs' a distance of 150.65 feet to a point on said North- erly side line of Harvard (private) Street;
Thence turning and running S 73°-20'-40" W, along said Northerly side line of Harvard (private) Street, a distance of 10.0 feet to the point of beginning.
149 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative.
Article 23. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized for and in behalf of the Town to convey or abandon upon such terms and condi- tions as they may determine portions of the easement acquired by the Town for drainage purposes through land of Ann Joan Marchinko, and land of Allan H. Sturges et al Trustees and located on the Northerly side of Walnut Street and bounded:
FIRST PARCEL. Beginning at a point on the Northerly side of Walnut Street, said point being N 44°-13'-30" E, a distance of 31.99 feet
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measured along said Northerly side line of Walnut Street from the division property line between said land of Marchinko and of Sturges et al Trustees;
Thence N 44°-13'-30" E, along said Northerly side line of Walnut Street, by land of said Marchinko, a distance of 2.98 feet to an angle point in said street line;
Thence N 46°-10'-20" E, still along said Northerly side line of Walnut Street and by land of said Marchinko, a distance of 17.04 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running N 41°-37'-30" W, through land of said Marchinko, a distance of 99.63 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running S 20°-26'-30" W, still through said Marchinkos' land, a distance of 54.97 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running S 41°-37'-30" E, still through said Marchinkos' land, a distance of 52.35 feet to Walnut Street and the point of beginning.
SECOND PARCEL. Beginning at a point in the division property line between land of the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading known as "Sturges Park" and land of said Allan H. Sturges et al Trustees, said point being S 50°-51'-40" E a distance of 10.56 feet measured along said division property line from an angle point in said division property line marked by a drill hole;
Thence/S 20°-26'-30" E, through land of said Allan H. Sturges et al Trustees, a distance of 2.54 feet to a point;
Thence turning and running N 41°37'-30" W, still through land of said Allan H. Sturges et al Trustees, a distance of 2.39 feet to said division property line between the land of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading and said Allan H. Sturges et al Trustees;
Thence turning and running N 50°-51'-40" E, along said division property line, a distance of 0.92 feet to the point of beginning.
148 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative.
Article 24. On motion of Lawrence A. Cate it was voted to adopt the following amendment to Article 24, to be added to Section VI, sub- section 2:
Amendment to Article 24
Lots on curved roads and circles may be of not less than 75 feet frontage provided the lot contains the required area and the lot is 100 feet wide at the front building line.
Article 24. On motion of A. Lloyd David, it was voted to amend the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Reading, dated February 13, 1942. as follows:
DEFINITIONS
6. Add the word "detached" after the words "A single family dwelling is a" in the first line so that the definition shall read as follows:
"6. A "single family dwelling" is a detached dwelling arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by a single family."
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7. Substitute the words "detached dwelling" for the word "house" in the first line so that the definition shall read as follows:
"7. A "Two family dwelling" is a detached dwelling arranged, intended or designed to be occupied by two families."
8. Substitute the word "dwelling" for the word "building" in the first line so that the definition shall read as follows:
"8. An "apartment house" is a dwelling arranged, intended or designed for more than two families."
Add the following definitions:
"17. A "private kindergarten" is a private school for children of pre-primary school age having an enrollment of eight or more regu- larly enrolled pupils."
"18. A "school" means a public or private school giving regular instruction at least five days a week for eight months or more each year; but not including a school giving special or limited instruction such as a business, trade, art, music, dancing or riding school."
"19. An "attic" is the space between the ceiling beams of the top habitable story at the rafters, in which the area at a height of seven and one-third (71/3) feet above the attic floor is not more than one-third (1/3) the area of the floor next below. A "habitable attic" is an attic which has a stairway as a means of access and egress."
"20. A "trailer camp" is an area of land on which is located one or more trailers used for human habitation."
"21. A "trailer" is a structure originally designed as a vehicle to be used in whole or in part for human habitation having no motive power of its own."
"22. A "non-conforming use" is a use not permitted by the Zon- ing By-Law."
PART I. DISTRICTS
SECTION III. General Regulations
Insert a new subsection:
"1. The main right of way of the Boston and Maine Railroad shall be used for only such purposes as are permitted under the statutes."
Renumber sub-sections 1, 2 and 3 as 2, 3 and 4 respectively and insert a new subsection 5.
"5. Hospitals, convalescent or rest homes, nursing homes, board- ing homes for the aged and private kindergartens are prohibited un- less a premit therefor is granted by the Board of Appeal after a public hearing."
Renumber subsections 4 and 5 as 6 and 7 respectively.
SECTION IV. Use Regulations in Residential Districts.
Add a new subsection:
"6. In all Residence Districts the erection of a garage for more than three non-commercial motor vehicles is prohibited except under a special permit therefor granted by the Board of Appeal after a public hearing."
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SECTION VI. Frontage Regulations in Residence Districts.
Delete the single paragraph and substitute the three following subsections:
"1. In Residence A1 and Residence B Districts no lot shall have a frontage of less than eighty (80) feet on the frontage street."
"2. In Residence A2 Districts no lot shall have a frontage of less than one hundred (100) feet on the frontage street. Lots on curved roads and circles may be of not less than 75 feet frontage provided the lot contains the required area and the lot is 100 feet wide at the front building line."
"3. In Residence A3 Districts no lot shall have a frontage of less than two hundred (200) feet on the frontage street."
SECTION VII. Height Regulations in Residence Districts.
Amend subsection 1 by deleting that part following the word "height" in the second line so that the subsection shall read as follows:
"1. In a Residence A1, A2 or A3 District no building shall exceed two and one-half (21/2) stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height."
Amend subsection 2 by deleting that part following the word "height" in the second line so that the subsection shall read as fol- lows:
"2. In all Residence B Districts no building shall exceed three (3) stories or forty (40) feet in height."
SECTION VIII. Yard Regulations in Residence Districts.
Amend subsection 2 by substituting the following:
"2. No principal building in and Residence District and no building used for dwelling purposes in any other district shall extend nearer to any side lot line than fifteen (15) feet; or nearer to any rear lot line than twenty (20) feet. Nothing herein shall prevent the pro- jection of eaves, cornices, chimneys, steps, window sills and belt courses into any required yards or open spaces."
PART II MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION XVII. Accessory Uses
Amend subsection 1 by substituting the figure "7" at the end of the third line for the figure "5" so that the subsection shall read as fol- lows:
"1. Accessory uses shall be permitted which do not alter the character of the premises on which they are located and do not violate the provisions of Part I, Section III, Paragraph 7."
Amend subsection 2b by adding to the end thereof the following phrase "to persons who are not merely casual or transient customers," so that the subsection shall read as follows:
"b. The renting by a family living in a dwelling in a Residence District of rooms and the furnishing of table board to persons who are not merely casual or transient customers."
SECTION XVII. Non-Conforming Uses
Delete subsection 1 and renumber the remaining subsections. (Said subsection 1, being a definition of a non-conforming use, has been included under the heading of Definitions."
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SECTION XX. Access to Business or Industrial Buildings Delete entire section and renumber the remaining sections.
PART III. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
SECTION XXIII (renumbered as SECTION XXII)
Insert after subsection 1 a new subsection as follows:
"2. No building erected, materially altered, relocated or in any way changed as to construction or use under a permit or otherwise, and no land, shall be occupied or used without an occupancy permit signed by the Inspector of Buildings, which permit shall not be issued until the building and its use and accessory uses, and the use of all land, comply in all respects with this by-law."
Renumber the remaining subdivisions.
147 voted in the affirmative; 2 voted in the negative.
A true copy
Attest
BOYD H. STEWART
Town Clerk
Article 25. On motion of A. Lloyd David, it was voted that the Zoning By-Law and Zoning Map be and the same hereby are amended by changing the area hereinafter described from the Residence A-1 District to the Industrial District;
Beginning at a point where the Town boundary line between the towns of Reading and Wakefield intersects the northeasterly boundary line of the right of way of the Boston and Maine Railroad; thence run- ning in a northwesterly direction by said right of way to the present Industrial District; thence running in a general southeasterly and southwesterly direction along the lines of said Industrial District to a point one hundred fifty (150) feet distant from the center line of Ash Street; thence in a southeasterly direction by a line running parallel to the said center line of Ash Street to the town boundary line between the towns of Reading and Wakefield; thence running in a northeasterly direction by said town boundary line to the point of be- ginning so that the above-described area as amended shall be re- zoned and changed to and become part of the Industrial District.
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