USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1953 > Part 4
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149 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative.
Article 27. On motion of Philip R. White, it was voted that article 27 be indefinitely postponed.
Article 28. On motion of Philip R. White, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Seventy ($2,070.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the acquisition for school purposes of five lots of land situated Northerly of Tower Road (private way) and being Lots 199, 200, 201, 202 and 203 shown on Town of Reading Assessors Plat No. 35 which appropriation is to be added to the previous appropriation of Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars voted under Article 14 at the Special Town Meeting held December 1, 1952.
141 voted in the affirmative; 8 voted in the negative.
Article 29. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand ($215,000.00) Dollars be ap-
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propriated for the construction of sewers for sanitary and surface drainage purposes and for sewage disposal and for the construction of a sewer pumping station and original equipment and furnishings for such station and for such purpose to acquire by purchase, right of eminent domain or otherwise the fee in a parcel of land situated on the South- easterly side of Willow Street and shown on plan of Land in Reading, Mass. dated March 11, 1953 which plan is on file with the Town Clerk of the Town of Reading and said parcel is estimated to contain 37,000 square feet of land and also such rights of way and easements in such locations as the Board of Public Works may deem necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in this vote and to meet said appropriation the of Seventy-five Hundred ($7,500.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated from the Tax Levy covering that portion of the loan hereby authorized for the construction of the sewers and Seventy-five Hundred ($7,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated from the Tax Levy covering that portion of the loan hereby authorized for the acquisition of land and the construction of the pumping station with the original equipment and furnishings and that the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of Two Hundred Thousand ($200,000.00) Dollars under authority of Chap- ter 44 of the General Laws and to issue bonds or notes for the said Two Hundred Thousand ($200,000.00) Dollars payable in accordance with the provisions of said Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine and said bonds or notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen and the Board of Public Works are hereby authorized to proceed with the construction of said sewers for sanitary and surface drainage and sewage disposal, the acquisition of the land and easements, construction of pumping sta- tion, equipment and furnishings and to enter into all contracts and agreements in respect thereto and to do all other acts and things neces- sary and proper for carrying out the provisions of this vote.
149 voted in the affirmative; 0 voted in the negative.
Article 30. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Twenty-seven Thousand ($27,000.00) Dollars be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of laying water mains to service the new high school.
On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted to place Article 31 on table.
On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted to take up Article 41.
Article 41. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out of a Private Way known as OAKLAND ROAD and adopt the recommen- dations contained therein.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to adjourn, to meet in the Junior High School on Monday, March 30, 1953 at 8 P. M.
Adjourned at 10:30 P. M.
151 Precinct Members were present.
BOYD H. STEWART Town Clerk
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ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING
Junior High School
March 30, 1953
In the absence of the Moderator, the Town Clerk, Boyd H. Stewart, called the meeting to order at 8 P. M. and asked for nominations for a temporary moderator to act at this meeting.
Kenneth C. Latham moved that Samuel H. Davis be elected to act as temporary moderator.
Samuel H. Davis was then elected by those present to act as temporary moderator.
Article 42. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out of a Private Way known as HARTSHORN STREET and adopt the recom- mendations contained therein.
Article 43. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that Article 43 be indefinitely postponed.
Article 44. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out of a Private Way known as HILLSIDE ROAD and adopt the recom- mendations contained therein.
On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that Article 31 be taken from the table.
Article 31. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Thirty-three Thousand ($133,000.00) Dollars be appropriated for the original construction of the following public ways being access roads to the new High School including payment of land damages and the cost of bituminous macadam or other permanent pavement of similar lasting character and for the sidewalks to be laid at the time of said construction; Parkview Road between Weston Road and Oakland Road; Oakland Road, formerly Tower Road; Hart- shorn Street from Bancroft Avenue to the site of the new High School; Hillside Road from Grandview Road to Oakland Road and to meet
said appropriation the sum of Thirteen Thousand ($13,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated from the Tax Levy and the sum of One Hundred Twenty Thousand ($120,000.00) Dollars be appropriated by transferring said sum from Surplus Revenue and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to said account to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 32. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of improving a portion of Charles Street from a point near Wakefield Street northeasterly toward Haverhill Street together with such sums as may be provided by the State and County under Sec- tion 34, of Chapter 90 of the General Laws.
Article 33. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Thirty-three Thousand Nine Hundred ($33,900.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated by transferring Twenty Thousand Eight Hundred ($20,800.00) Dollars of said sum from the Road Machinery Fund to the Road Machinery Operating Account and the remaining sum
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of Thirteen Thousand One Hundred ($13,100.00) Dollars be raised from the Tax Levy and that the total sum of Thirty-three Thousand Nine Hundred ($33(900.00) Dollars be appropriated for the maintenance, repair and operation of road machinery and for the purchase by the Board of Public Works of one Large Tractor, Two Small Tractors and one Tractor with Backhoe attachment and the proceeds received from the old equipment not exceeding Four Thousand ($4,000.00) Dollars shall be appropriated in addition to the above mentioned sum of Thirty-three Thousand Nine Hundred ($33,900.00) Dollars as part of the purchase price for the above mentioned equipment and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said amount to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 34. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for maintaining, repairing and resurfacing streets constructed under Section 34 of Chapter 90 of the General Laws together with such sums as may be provided by the State and County.
Article 35. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropri- ated for consulting engineering services for the regular construction projects of the Board of Public Works, including sewers, storm drains, water and highways.
Article 36. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for consulting engineering services, surveys and plans for roads, drainage and water in connection with the new High School, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works.
Article 37. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred ($2,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for resurfacing streets with bitmuinous concrete said sum to be apportioned as follows: Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars for Salaries and Two Thousand Two Hundred ($2,200.00) Dollars for Ex- penses, said sum to be expended by and under the direction of the Board of Public Works.
Article 38. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for resurfacing the Mineral Street Bridge, as follows: Seventeen Hun- dred Fifty ($1,750.00) Dollars to be raised from the Tax Levy and Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars by transferring said sum from the un- expended balance in the Mineral Street Bridge Account, said appropria- tion to be apportioned $800.00 for Salaries and $1,200.00 for expenses and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 39. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 40. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Four Hundred Eighty ($480.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for cleaning the Town Parking Area Westerly of Main Street
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said sum to be apportioned as follows: Four Hundred ($400.00) Dollars for Salaries and Eighty ($80.00) Dollars for Expenses.
Article 45. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out of a Private Way known as WENTWORTH ROAD and adopt the recom- mendations contained therein, and that the sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred Ninety ($2,390.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said way, said sum to be ap- portioned as follows: One Thousand One Hundred Forty ($1,140.00) Dollars for Salaries and One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty ($1,250.00) Dollars for Expenses.
Article 46. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the laying out of a Private Way known as WOODLAND STREET and adopt the recommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Four Thous- and Nine Hundred Sixty-nine ($4,969.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the laying out and construction of said way, said sum to be apportioned as follows: Two Thousand Six Hundred ($2,600.00) Dol- lars for Salaries and Two Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-nine ($2,369.00) Dollars for Expenses.
Article 47. On motion of M. Russell Meikle, it was voted that the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars be appropriated from the Cemetery Reserve Fund receipts from the sale of lots and graves in Laurel Hill Cemetery and Forest Glen Cemetery for maintenance, care, improvement and embellishment of said cemeteries under the provisions of Section 15 of Chapter 114 of the General Laws.
Article 48. On motion of Frank D. Tanner, it was voted that the subject matter of Article 48 be referred to the Municipal Light Board, and that said Board be, and it hereby is authorized to install such ad- ditional street lights, as in its judgment are required, and to make such changes in the size, type and location of existing street lights, as it may deem advisable, the expense of same to be paid from the in- come of the plant.
Article 49. On motion of Charles W. H. Smith, it was voted that the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of providing by lease or otherwise, suitable headquarters for Reading Post 62 of the American Legion.
79 voted in the affirmative; 33 voted in the negative.
Article 50. On motion of Charles W. H. Smith, it was voted that the sum of Six Hundred Sixty ($660.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of providing by lease or otherwise suitable headquarters for Reading Post 685 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Article 51. On motion of Newell H. Morton, it was voted that the sum of Fifty-five Hundred ($5,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropri- ated for the purpose of conducting and promoting recreation, play, sports, physical education and other social, educational and recreational activities upon such land and buildings as defined in Section 14 of Chapter 45 of the General Laws, with authority to exercise all powers
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conferred therein including the purchase of the necessary equipment and the employment of teachers, supervisors and other officers and employees and the fixing of their compensation.
Article 52. On motion of A. Lloyd David, it was voted that Article 52 be and the same hereby is indefinitely postponed.
Article 53. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for Child Welfare Work to be expended under the direction of the Reading Visiting Nurse Association and the Board of Health.
Article 54. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated under the provisions of Sections 40 to 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws, and that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are author- ized to appoint a Director to cooperate with the Middlesex County Trustees for the County Aid to Agriculture and work of the Middlesex County Extension Service and the 4-H Clubs.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to take Article 4 from the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that Article 4 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to take Article 3 from the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that Article 3 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that Article 2 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the meeting be adjourned, sine die.
Adjourned 10:10 P. M.
122 Precinct Members were present.
BOYD H. STEWART
Town Clerk
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Shepardson Hall, Junior High School
October 5, 1953
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. How- ard at 8:10 P. M.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on mo- tion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to dispense wtih further read- ing of the warrant, except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. Philip R. White read the following Report, and on motion of Samuel H. Davis, it was voted that the report be accepted and placed on file.
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REPORT TO TOWN MEETING, October 5, 1953
The Reading School Committee was voted an appropriation of $2,400,000 for the construction and equipping of the new senior high school building. The State School Bldg. Assistance Commission will reimburse the Town of Reading for approximately 34% of the gross cost of the school, including construction, architect's fees, landscaping and equipping the building. The Commission will also reimburse the Town in like manner for any subsequent appropriations and expendi- tures in connection with the construction of the building. If the Town decides to develop the athletic area and makes appropriation therefor before claim for state reimbursement is made for the new high school building, it will be possible, under present regulations, to secure the same percentage (approximately one-third) of the cost of development of the athletic area from the State School Bldg. Assistance Commis- sion. On August 25, 1952, the School Committee signed a contract with A. Cefalo & Sons, Inc., of Lynn, for the construction of the building within a 500-day period for the sum of $1,997,000.00.
The contractor was delayed in his operations for two reasons:
1. Waiting for the removal of the Haseltine house, and
2. Because of ledge, which was discovered on the site.
The additional charge for removal of the ledge was at the net rate of $9.25 per cubic yard, as provided in the contract. The architect's opinion, based on the borings taken, indicated large boulders, but upon clearing topsoil it was found that a large area contained solid ledge. The removal of ledge to date has cost $121,370.08.
In order to eliminate an extensive retaining wall at the south end of the site to provide for greater traffic safety, the Town deemed it ad- visable to purchase five lots of land, at a cost of $5,000, which money was appropriated and has been expended. With this change, it was necessary to grade the five lots, and provide a gravel base for parking areas. The state revised plans approved by them to require enlarge- ment of ventilators in the auditorium, at a cost of $1,933.00. Subse- quently, also, the installation of a fire alarm pedestal was required, at a cost of $263.10. Adjustments with the contractor for credits for elimination of the retaining wall, charges for grading the five lots, providing gravel base, and the installation of the ventilators and fire alarm pedestal, resulted in a further charge by the contractor of $7,360.75.
In constructing a building of this size, it is inevitable that there will be change orders which create some expense for the Town. To date, there have been six change orders, aside from those for ledge removal, at a gross cost of $12,168.80. The change orders are as fol- lows:
For installation of copper pipe (which was not available when the specifications were drawn), in lieu of iron, at a charge of $2,555.30.
For installation of copper flashing (for the reason noted above), $3,404.50.
For testing concrete and reinforcing steel, $2,000.00.
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For reinforcing the boiler room slab, under which a spring was found, $1,701.00.
For providing a girder to eliminate a lally column (in gymnasium) $575.00, and for the ventilators noted above $1,933.00.
There are two change orders now being processed, one for the fire alarm pedestal, $263.10, and one for enlarging the telephone conduit $1,194.33.
Gross change orders, authorized or in process, including ledge re- moval, amount to $134,996.31.
The School Committee is ascertaining what furniture in the old high school building can be reconditioned and obtaining from war surplus furniture which can be reconditioned in order to keep the cost of equipment as low as possible.
The contractor expects to complete the building, and the School Committee expects to have finish grading complete and all other work done so that the building can be used in September 1954.
The School Committee is further making a study of the athletic area. They have retained the services of Dr. Walter A. Cox, an expert on athletic field layout, of Springfield College, to advise on the facili- ties for the athletic field and will, this Fall, upon receipt of his report, engage the services of an engineering firm to make a study of the field to arrive at an estimated cost for the development of an area for athletics.
The School Committee and the Town are faced with further prob- lems. This year, school enrollment increased by 218 pupils, making a total of 3,259. In the five years since 1948 the system has grown by 848 children, an increase of approximately 35%. All available class- rooms are now in use, and only with completion of the new high school will it be possible to find available rooms in the Junior High School to accommodate elementary school pupils. The School Com- mittee is making preliminary studies of the possibility of renovation of the old high school building and is also studying the cost of construc- tion of the new building on the Forest Street elementary school site, purchased by the Town last year.
The School Committee desires to keep the Town informed of prob- lems which exist and to suggest to the Town plans for their solutions.
Signed: Reading School Committee Signed: Philip R. White, Chairman
Article 1. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are instructed to call the necessary meetings of all Town Boards for the purpose of investigating the ad- visability of Industrial development within the present Industrial Zone of the Town and report back their findings to the next annual Town Meeting.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted to place Article 1 on the table.
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Article 2. On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that Article XV of the By-Laws of the Town be and the same hereby is amended by inserting after Section 3 the following:
Section 4. No person shall excavate any land by the removal of clay or other materials therefrom without erecting barriers or by taking other suitable measures to be approved by the Building Inspector for the pro- tection of persons from damages incident thereto.
Whoever violates any of the provisions of this Section shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars for the first offense, one hundred dollars for the second offense, and for each subsequent offense not more than two hundred dollars.
Article 3. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be appropriated by trans- ferring said sum from the Interest Account to the Municipal Build- ing Maintenance Account, and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized to transfer said sum to said Account.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the Town accept the gift from Reading Little League Baseball Association of recreational storage building to be constructed and located on land recently acquired by the Town for playground purposes and situated on the Southerly side of Pleasant Street.
Article 5. On motion of Boyd H. Stewart it was voted that the sum of Fifty ($50.00) Dollars be appropriated by transferring said sum from Surplus Revenue for the payment of an unpaid bill incurred by the Town in the year 1952 due the Trustees of Security Lodge No. 208, and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and in- structed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Vote 101 Yes 0 No
Article 6. On motion of Preston F. Nichols, it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Fifty-four and 54/100 ($154.54) Dollars be ap- propriated by transferring said sum from the Welfare General Aid Ac- count to the Treasurer's Expense Account, and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to said Account.
Article 7. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Seven Hundred Seventy-one ($771.00) Dollars be appropriated by transferring said sum from the Welfare General Aid Account to the Board of Public Works Administration Account for Expenses and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to said account.
Article 8. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Nine Hundred One and Eight one hundreths ($901.08) Dollars be appropriated by transferring said sum from the Welfare General Aid Account to the Board of Public Works Pension Account and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to said account.
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Article 9. On motion of Harry R. Walker, it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred ($2,300.00) Dollars be appro- priated from the unexpended balances of the following accounts:
$ 354.26 from Bear Hill Road Betterment Account Salaries 177.04 from Bear Hill Road Betterment Account Expenses 178.51 from Parkman Road Betterment Account Salaries 91.63 from Parkman Road Betterment Account Expenses 3.26 from Whittier Road Betterment Account Salaries 20.00 from Whittier Road Betterment Account Expenses 35.46 from Wadsworth Road Betterment Account Salaries 38.00 from Wadsworth Road Betterment Account Expenses 61.01 from Glenmere Circle Betterment Account Salaries 45.00 from Glenmere Circle Betterment Account Expenses 93.47 from Mineral Street Bridge Resurfacing Account Salaries 70.89 from Mineral Street Bridge Resurfacing Account Expenses 1,131.47 from Welfare General Aid Account
$ 2,300.00 Total
and that said sums be transferred to the Sewer House Connection Account $1,500.00 for Salaries and $800.00 for expenses and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sums to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 10. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr., it was voted that the Board of Public Works be and they hereby are authorized and em- powered to acquire for and in behalf of the Town by purchase, right of eminent domain or otherwise, the fee in a parcel of land situated on the Northwesterly side of Willow Street and shown as Lots 16, 17 and 18 on Town of Reading Assessors Plat 91 and together estimated to contain 52,801 square feet of land, for the purpose of locating the sewer pumping station thereon instead of the location designated in vote of Town under Article 29 at the Annual Town Meeting held in March 1953, authorizing the construction of such pumping station and that the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be appropriated by trans- ferring said sum from the Interest Account to the appropriation of $215,000.00 for the construction of sewers, sewer pumping station and acquisition of land voted at said Annual Town Meeting held March, 1953, and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
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