USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1953 > Part 7
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A. LLOYD DAVID, Chairman ROBERT G. CLINCH, Secretary ERNEST CORINDIA BENJAMIN M. HARTSHORN, JR. CHARLES WILSON
74
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 15, 1954
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1953 as follows:
Deeds were prepared for the conveyance of land to the Town on Pleasant Street under authority of the acceptance of the gift from H. W. Hunt Co. for the use of such land for recreational purposes.
The final claim for damages for the taking of land by right of eminent domain for school purposes was settled under authority of vote. of the Law Committee and the necessary confirmatory deeds and re- leases were prepared and recorded as required by Law.
Certain amendments to the Zoning By-Law were drafted and after adoption by the Town were presented to the Attorney General for ap- proval. Tax titles were foreclosed in the Land Court and prosecuted to. final decree and proceedings under the Low Value Statute were com- menced and concluded by the sale of the property. Amendments to the traffic regulations were prepared and the contract for the construc- tion of the Haven Street Municipal Parking area was prepared and the execution supervised including the furnishing of the performance bond.
Taking was made by eminent domain for five lots of land to be added to the site for the new high school and the claim of the owners for settlement of damages was effected under authority from the Law Committee and the necessary deeds and releases were prepared and executed by the owners of the land.
Four lawsuits pending in the Middlesex Superior Court based upon claims for personal injury and property damage were settled under authority of vote of the Law Committee and one case pending in the District Court for personal injury also has been settled, and the releases and final disposition of the cases were presented and filed in Court.
Rules and regulations for the Fire Department were supervised and approved.
The proceedings commenced in the Middlesex Probate Court in connection with the gift to the Town of a swimming pool under the terms of the Will of Ethel Edna Grant has been finally disposed of under decree of the Court providing for the payment to the Town of $35,609.96 to be held in trust until such time as sufficient money is accumulated, either by appropriation or additional gifts, for the con- struction of the swimming pool. Before this case was settled, it was necessary to secure and have executed release of condition in the deed of gift to the Town of Memorial Park so as to permit the Town to locate. the swimming pool in Memorial Park if the Town voted to do so.
Orders of Taking were drafted for the acquisition of sewer ease- ments for the construction of the main trunkline sewer to serve the new high school, and notices were drafted to be served on the owners and mortgagees, and in cases where settlements were effected, confirmatory deeds and releases were executed and delivered by the owners of the land.
I have collected certain accounts due the Town under the Old Age Assistance Law and have prepared and delivered the discharges of real estate liens.
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Four suits were brought against the Town in Middlesex Superior Court. Pleadings have been completed, interrogatories to be answered under oath by the claimants have been filed and the cases are pending upon the Court docket until otherwise disposed of by settlement or trial. Several claims have been made against the Town for personal injuries and damages to motor vehicles resulting from accidents on highways, and several claims have been made resulting from blasting operations carried on by the Public Works Department. Three of such claims have been settled by approval of the Law Committee. Such claims have been investigated for the protection of the Town. Pro- ceedings in the nature of an appeal under the Town Zoning By-Law against the Board of Appeal were commenced by the residents in the vicinity of 178 Lowell Street in the Middlesex Superior Court, and after the pleadings were completed and before the case was tried, the ap- plicant for the variation of the Zoning By-Law withdrew his petition and the Board of Appeal rescinded their decision and final decree was entered by the Court dismissing the appeal. The Planning Board, claiming to be aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Appeal in a case involving premises on West Street, has filed an appeal in Middle- sex Superior Court and the pleadings are to be completed in the imme- diate future, and the case will be continued on the Court docket until disposed of by trial and final decree. There are now five cases against the Town pending in Middlesex Superior Court.
Orders of Taking for slope easements in connection with the lay- out and construction of Parkview Road and Oakland Road were pre- pared and notices sent to the owners of the land.
Two appeals from the Board of Assessors valuation of real estate have been commenced before the Appellate Tax Board and will be dis- posed of as soon as the cases are reached for trial. Three appeals are now pending before the Appellate Tax Board.
I have attended on Monday evenings throughout the year the regular meetings of the Board of Selectmen and as provided by the regulations of the Town I have performed every professional act re- quired by me in the performance of the duties of my office including in part, appearances in Court, and hearings before Boards or Commis- sions, prosecutions of claims in behalf of the Town, opinions to all Town Boards and Committees, investigation of accident cases and claims against the Town, drafting deeds, releases, redemption deeds, discharges of Old Age Assistance bonds and mortgages and releases of real estate liens, amendments to traffic regulations, by-laws, retire- ment of veterans employed by the Town, articles and motions for Town meetings, proofs of claim in bankruptcy for the Electric Light Depart- ment, notices of claims against estates of deceased persons filed in the Probate Court, desist orders for violation of Zoning By-Law, releases for payment of wages due deceased employees, preparation and filing of pleadings in the Superior, District and Land Courts, and such other legal matter referred to me for my attention.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. DAVIS Town Counsel
76
BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Fred L. Nutter, Chairman
David E. Hersee, Secretary M. Russell Meikle William P. Pierpont Edouard N. Dube Ernest E. Brown
Term expires 1955
1956
1956
1955
1954
1954
Superintendent HAROLD F. DAVIS Office Room 5, Municipal Building
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Cemetery Trustees,
Town of Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Superintendent's Report on the operation of the Town Ceme- teries, Laurel Hill and Forest Glen, for the fiscal year ending Decem- ber 31, 1953, and the Department's 216th year of operation, (first burial Dec. 7, 1737), is herewith submitted.
This Department's net operation percentage of the amount raised by taxation for the past three years is as follows:
Year
Net Cemetery Expenditure
Net Amount Raised
Per-
by Taxation
centage
1951
$16,963.77
$1,190,628.81
1.42
1952
$20,568.92*
$1,262,775.82
1.628*
1953
$18,617.98
$1,438,398.50
1.29
* This amount includes a Capital Expenditure of $2,000.00 for a new Dump Truck .158%.
Our records show 96 interments for the year. The statistics for the calendar year 1953 are as follows:
Laurel Hill
Forest Glen
Total
Interments
Cremation Interments
5
1
6
Foundations:
Monuments
3
21
24
Markers
16
6
22
Graves Repaired
28
7
35
Lots sold:
4 Grave
0
8
8
3 Grave
0
7
7
2 Grave
0
13
13
Single Graves
0
6
6
Baby Graves
0
3
3
Welfare Graves, gratis
0
1
1
47
43
90
Eleven old lots in Laurel Hill Cemetery had perpetual care put on them during 1953.
77
The total number of lots and graves sold and interments made to date are as follows:
Cemetery
Lots
Single Graves
Interments
Laurel Hill
1413
1142
6843
Forest Glen
297
79
360
Total
1710
1221
7203
In addition to the annual tree surgery program, three large poplar trees adjacent to Willow Avenue were removed with the assistance of the Tree and Moth Department.
The outer granite wall of the Old Parish Tomb in the rear of the Center School was torn down and rebuilt. This Tomb was built originally by John Damon in 1819.
Several paths were filled in and turfed. A brick manhole was con- structed at the upper Main Street Gate, replacing a wooden water meter box.
Over a period of the past seven and one-half years, by renovation and new construction, the Service Building at Laurel Hill now excells for its operational efficiency and compactness, most service buildings throughout New England.
With the exception of a Lindsay Air Compressor and a Jacobsen Power Mower, all old equipment has been replaced. These two items should be replaced within the next two years.
At Forest Glen an additional area is being prepared for development.
Since the 3rd of July our Office, located for over 25 years in Room 16, Municipal Building, was taken over by the Board of Public Works and a much smaller office, Room 5, was allocated to this Department. This change made it necessary for the Department to purchase new office equipment and furniture to fit the smaller quarters.
At this time appreciation is expressed to the other Departments of the Town for their cooperation.
The financial statement will appear in the report of the Town Ac- countant.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD F. DAVIS Superintendent
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
The Report of the Superintendent as submitted by him is hereby approved by the Board of Cemetery Trustees and constitutes its Report to the Town.
FRED L. NUTTER, Chairman DAVID E. HERSEE, Secretary EDOUARD N. DUBE WILLIAM P. PIERPONT M. RUSSELL MEIKLE ERNEST E. BROWN
Board of Cemetery Trustees
78
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Reading:
1. This Board is established and elected under the provisions of Section 1, Chapter 41, General Laws and operated generally to super- vise the public health locally, under the provisions of Chapter 111, General Laws as amended.
2. Costs of operation and percentage of Town expenditures for the past three years are as follows:
$ 18,010.00
1.55% of town total 1951
1952
18,702.00
1.49% of town total
19,243.00 1.34% of town total 1953
3. Functions of the Board are briefly as follows:
A. We supervise your health from birth to death, literally as fol- lows: Ensuring that adequate pre-natal care is available to expectant mothers, providing for the hospital care of premature infants in cases of need, a well baby clinic is operating under the supervision of a com- petent pediatrician, free immunization of pre-school and school children for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus is available, a dental clinic for needy children is operated with the co-operation of the school health department, hospitalization is provided for diseases dangerous to the public health, particularly tuberculosis, we supervise and regulate day nurseries and kindergarten that the children attend and we even see to it that the dogs, that might bite your children, are vaccinated against rabies.
B. Complete supervision of the foods you eat is in operation, milk must be pasteurized and is regularly tested for butter fat, total solids and bacteria, restaurants are inspected and the owners instructed in the proper storage and handling of perishable food-stuffs.
C. The houses you live in come under our care, even before you build, you must have our approval of the site as far as disposal of surface drainage and sewer disposal is concerned, when and after you build the plumbing and sewer disposal systems must meet our requirements and under the provisions of the Tenement Act, State Laws, we can condemn your home if you do not maintain it in such a fashion that it continues to be fit for human habitation.
D. The environment in which you live is kept reasonably clean and sweet by our power to abate nuisances. All offensive trades are strictly regulated.
E. Your animals do not escape our watchful eye; you must be licensed to keep cows, goats, swine, poultry, mink, chinchilla, game birds or horses and we require that they be kept in a clean manner when permitted. If they get killed on the highways we pick them up and dispose of them.,
4. A major accomplishment of this Board in 1953 was the mass X-ray survey of 4,787 Reading people out of an estimated 9,021 eligible
79
adults, or 53.07% of the eligible population. This was done at a net cost to the Town of Reading of 8 cents each. Out of this number we found 81 previously undiscovered cases of pulmonary or cardiovascular disease. Assuming that the total cost was to discover these cases, that makes a net cost of $4.50 for each newly discovered case.
We gratefully acknowledge the material, financial and physical help of the State Department of Public Health, Middlesex Health As- sociation, Visiting Nurse Association, Mrs. Margaret Clewly, R.N., School Nurse, Tuberculosis Committee and local volunteers which made this program possible.
5. Problems:
A. At some future date this Board should have a full time clerk and a public health nurse.
B. Garbage collection and disposal is not properly a function of this Board. This is progressively a more serious problem due to the increasing size of the town, difficulty with efficient contractors, present law requirement that garbage be boiled before feeding to swine.
We recommend that this service be a function of the Board of Public Works because;
That Board has the experience with such personnel and equipment as would be necessary; to deal efficiently with contract collectors, or to purchase and operate the equipment as a municipal function.
When it no longer becomes economical or possible to sell the garb- age for swine feeding, the Board of Public Works would be better quali- fied to build and operate such incinerators or processing plants as may be necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES R. BAISLEY, M.D., Chairman EDWARD M. HALLIGAN, M.D. C. F. ATKINSON, Secretary
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 4, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report of Inspector of Animals for the year January 1, 1953 to January 1, 1954.
Sixty-nine dogs were quarantined for biting or scratching people. Two dogs have not been released as yet.
The annual inspection of all livestock in the town was completed by request of the Division of Livestock Disease Control. There are at pres- ent, 82 neat cattle, 31 swine, 89 sheep, 11 goats and 24 horses. No Con- tagious infectious diseases were noted during the inspection.
GARDINER A. LESTER, DVM
80
86TH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES AND THE LIBRARIAN OF THE READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Sydney M. Hodson, Ch. C. Nelson Bishop
Katherine C. Pierce
Neil C. Robinson, Secy.
H. Irene Latham
William J. Tonks
Expenditures
1951
1952
1953
Salaries
$ 11,371.00
$ 11,970.00
$ 11,835.00
Maintenance
5,754.00
5,927.00
5,923.00
Per Cent
1.4
1.4
1.3
The Library Trustees' duties are concerned with supervision of the Reading Public Library to the end that it serves the cultural needs of the citizens within the scope of an economical budget, to see that the property is properly maintained and to determine policies in the best interests of the public and the taxpayer. Special requests, therefore, should be made to the trustees through the librarian, Miss Turner.
The Children's Library (downstairs) has shown a notable increase in circulation, thereby creating the need for more books as well as shelf space. Filling the position of children's librarian is still a problem since the resignation of Miss Crovo, who was replaced by Mrs. Taylor on the same curtailed schedule.
Changes in people's habits brought about the change in Saturday hours which are now from 10 A. M. to 6 p. m.
Use of the reading room by teen-agers for purposes of visiting and/or doing home work with little or no need of the library facilities created disturbances as well as a lack of room for adults, in the even- ing. Through the co-operation of the junior and senior high school principals and visits by a patrolman this condition was rectified.
Mr. Winslow Burhoe of Reading presented the library with several volumes which were given to him by the librarian in Reading, England, during a summer trip. These books give the history of the town after which this Reading was named. In appreciation, your trustees sent two volumes of our history to the English library.
Major policy decided during the year was one in regard to use of the library by organizations, clubs or groups as a meeting place. It is, in brief: request to be made to trustees by an adult group whose pro- gram will be cultural or civic in nature; limited to small groups who can meet when the library is closed; refreshments, smoking and ad- mission charge are exempted.
The present staff is conscientious, efficient and serves the public well. The building is in excellent condition and no extra expenditures are foreseen, except that costs of books and rebinding still rise. Ap- pended are more specific facts concerning library service as prepared by the head librarian, Miss Anna R. Turner.
81
SUMMARY OF THE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
The major problem facing administration of the library lies in the children's room where the demand for books from more borrowers necessitates the services of a full time librarian who can attend to addi- tional cataloguing, filing, charging, exhibitions and questions. School assignments, affecting use of the library, not only have increased, but they begin in grades lower than heretofore. We want to supply the needs of these young people because they will be the voluntary readers of the future.
Patrons of the library have expressed appreciation for the con- tinuous hours on Saturdays. In the future, it is hoped that the library can be open every morning.
Inventory of books in special categories continues, along with care- ful withdrawing of old books. Also, we have been mending worn books rather than having them rebound. It has taken 234 hours to repair 1200 books.
Memorial books, contributed by relatives, friends and organizations, were presented to the library in the names of the late: Arthur W. Ban- croft, Caroline Christensen, Thomas H. W. Clark, C. Willis Currier, Rob- ert Gibson, Edith B. Jewett, M. Edna Johnson, Jack Levaggi, Wayne T. Lydstone, Mary Mason, Anna M. Reck, Lester S. Riley, Linda J. Rixon, Ruth T. Sheldon, Elizabeth S. Stembridge, Mabel F. Springford, Percy N. Sweetser, Grace Twombly.
Submitted, with appreciation for the cooperation of the trustees and library staff.
ANNA R. TURNER, Head Librarian
Statistical Report
Books Purchased
1952
1953
Adult
1,012
948
Juvenile
428
427
Gifts
80
148
Withdrawn
160
59
Net total
32,539
34,003
Circulation
1952
1953
Adult
60,407
60,849
Juvenile
27,472
29,819
Misc.
3,918
3,776
Total
91,797
94,444
New borrowers
808
867
Fees received
$1,129
$1,238.00
Interest from trust funds was used to purchase two sets of encyclo- pedias.
NOTE: see the Accountant's Report for a breakdown of library ex- penses and a statement on trust funds.
82
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
HARRY R. WALKER, Chm.
COLEMAN J. DONAHUE, Sec.
WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON HAROLD D. KILGORE, JR.
Expenditures
Item
1953
1952
1951
Administration
$ 10,489.80
$ 9,293.08
$ 8,974.48
Engr. Division
16,910.96
3,247.22
2,965.04
Consulting Engrs.
4,072.28
5,039.60
1,888.12
Highway Maint.
83,044.28
79,963.75
79,792.95
Chapt. 90 Const.
27,447.78
23,590.88
171.10
Chap. 90 Maint.
3,000.00
3,000.00
2,999.94
Snow & Ice
30,854.28
35,192.07
31,485.37
Maint. Str. Drs.
10,199.69
8,994.71
8,299.36
Drain Const.
24,464.41
25,089.62
20,340.34
Sidewalks
18,788.30
17,805.25
19,999.40
Sewers
23,608.02
24,185.00
25,483.92
Sewer House Conns.
8,643.77
7,530.52
8,919.08
Town Dump
4,800.00
4,397.84
4,447.00
Parks
16,340.07
16,112.59
15,519.81
Water
132,424.14
140,965.18
133,684.47
Street Betts.
6,100.69
61,309.06
29,260.36
Pensions
8,101.08
6,536.56
3,525.03
Rd. Mach. Oper. Acct.
40,162.11
33,543.49
41,318.67
Special Drainage
10,261.50
Resurf. Min. St. Bridge
1,835.64
Spec. Water - Wells
19,839.38
2,500.00
Spec. Water - Standpipe
116,696.89
10,884.09
Parking Areas
480.00
High School Sewer
60,442.19
High School Roads
22,495.59
Bit. Conc. Resurf.
2,265.14
$673,667.11
$536,519.89
$451,835.94
Less Available Funds
289,283.14
205,232.14
177,503.14
$384,383.97
$331,287.75
$274,332.80
Percentage Bd. Pub. Wks. to Total Town Tax Levy - 1953 - 19.5
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Functions
The Board of Public Works has jurisdiction over the following de- partmental subdivisions:
Administration, Engineering Division, Water (including supply, distribution, construction and maintenance), Highway construction and maintenance, Removal of Snow and Ice, Sidewalk construction and maintenance, Storm Drain construction and maintenance, Town Dump, Sewer construction and maintenance, Sewer house connections, Parks care and maintenance, Playgrounds care and maintenance, Chap. 90 construction and maintenance, Equipment purchase and maintenance, many Betterments construction and billing, Pensions, Bridges care and maintenance, Garage care and maintenance, and other special and pertinent subdivisions. Each of the above subdivisions entails many detailed operations which, it is felt, are too numerous to list here.
The Board of Public Works is also, ex officio, the Board of Survey. As such they have jurisdiction over all proposed subdivisions. This in- cludes consideration of the proposed layout for lines and grades and their effect on abutting lands and the Town as a whole. Also the respon- sibility to see that all prescriptions placed on the development by the Board of Survey and the Board of Health are carried out.
Following is a factual list of Departmental accomplishments by divisions.
Water Division
2,626 feet of water main was laid with 4 hydrants set.
A contract was awarded for the installation of water mains to service the new high school. The work will be completed in 1954.
107 new services were installed totalling 6,165 feet.
78 old services were replaced.
129 new meters were installed, 29 were junked and replaced.
500 were removed, tested, repaired and reset.
Construction of the new standpipe was completed and it was placed in service in the early summer.
A total of 405,580,000 gallons of water was pumped. This is an increase of 53,185,600 (15.10%) over 1952. The annual daily average was 1,111,178 gallons. The highest single day was 1,979,200 gallons. The highest week was 12,163,900 gallons. Per capita consumption was 71 gallons per day. It should be noted that it was possible to sustain this substantial increase only because the Town built two gravel packed wells in 1952. Without these it would have been necessary to impose restrictions in 1953.
Highway Division
A contract was awarded for the access roads to the new high school and construction started. The project will be completed about July 1954.
The winter season of 1952-1953 was relatively mild with no serious conditions developing.
84
A program of street resurfacing was developed early in the year and executed during the summer months. Other annual maintenance work such as sweeping roads and parking areas, clearing ditches, cut- ting brush, painting signs, straightening curbs, repairing guard rails, etc., was accomplished.
The old surface of the Mineral Street bridge was removed and a new asphalt plank surface laid.
Parts of Haven Street and Washington Street were resurfaced with bituminous concrete.
On State Aided Roads (Chap. 90 Maint.) much resurfacing and maintenance work was done.
A short piece of Charles Street was constructed by contract under Chap. 90 Constr.
Two streets were constructed under the Betterment Act with the abuttors being assessed for the costs.
A total of 1,093 Sq. Yds. of Granolithic Sidewalk was constructed. In addition a substantial footage of Bituminous concrete sidewalk was resurfaced.
A total of 728 feet of Granite Curbing was installed.
A total of 2,733 lin. feet of storm water drain was laid plus 24 catch basins and 20 manholes.
Regular care was given the Town Dump. Since the dump is an open, unenclosed dump, additional caretakers are required in dry weather. The present area is practically full and a new location will be opened in 1954.
Park and Playground Division
All park and playground areas received the normal annual atten- tion, such as cutting brush, edging walks, painting equipment, cut- ting grass, sweeping, raking, setting out and removing equipment.
Due to limited funds no particular construction was accomplished except at Memorial Park. At this location a large area was graded, leveled, loamed and seeded using stock piled top soils. Another area was stripped by bulldozer in preparation for filling, loaming and seed- ing.
It is hoped that considerable work will be accomplished in 1954.
Sewer Division
Trunk sewers were laid in 5 streets. In all a total of 2,539 lin. feet was laid including 18 manholes.
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