USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1954 > Part 2
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An analysis of the services and requirements for the development of this industrial zone is as follows:
Electricity
There is presently available as a result of a new feeder some 500 kilowatts on the Ash Street side of the railroad tracks of peak coinci- dental load which is available for industrial and other services. In addition there is a non-coincidental amount of capacity above this stated 500 kilowatts on hand up to a limit of about 900 kilowatts of off peak loads for this area. On the John Street side of the railroad tracks, there is presently available 250 kilowatts capacity above the present peak loadings, and there is available an additional 200 kilo- watts of non-coincidental load which could be taken on for a total of 450 kilowatts.
Construction plans are on hand which aim for progressive capacity additions in regard to all areas in Reading, including this industrial zone.
It is interesting to note that the two large industries of Reading; namely, the Boston Stove Foundry and Goodall-Sanford Mills use from 150 to 440 kilowatts during our system peak load hours and from 640 to 820 kilowatts during the day time before the system peak load.
Water
On the easterly side of the R.R. facilities are not good in a broad sense. This area is fed through six inch mains. Would give fair ser- vice to industries using small amounts of water. Would not be suf- ficient for industries using large amounts of water.
On the westerly side of the R.R. facilities are fairly good. This area is fed from a twelve inch main in Ash Street. Would be sufficient for most industries excepting those using extreme amounts of water. As to drilling for own water supply, the amount would be small in our opinion.
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In general the present Town supply is not sufficient to service in- dustries which require water in more than small amounts.
Sewer
The main trunk sewer for the Town runs through private property from John Street to Ash Street and passes under the railroad.
The technical problems of extending the sewer to the entire in- dustrial area are relatively minor although some of the extensions required would be expensive due to deep cuts in poor soil.
The main problem here would be the trunk sewer and the pumping station. Both are now being used to near capacity. If some types of industries were built, the trunk sewer would have to be enlarged and the pumping discharge capacity increased.
Roads
Most Town roads in this area are not of the type to give good service to industries. Under ordinary conditions they would have to be widened and rebuilt. However, the real closeness to Route 128 will relieve this situation to a great extent. So much so that it might not be necessary to widen the roads. However, the surface of the roads are in general oil treated gravel, a relatively weak type of construction. In most cases the surfaces would have to be rebuilt and stronger type surfaces substituted.
The Industrial area contains very little mileage of Town roads. Development of the area would undoubtedly require the construction of additional roads which presumably would be financed by the de- velopers.
Consideration of Welfare Load
After consideration of the welfare load presently, the figures for some years back, and projecting the future, as well as an analysis of the present use of pension plans along with other types of fringe bene- fits, it would seem to indicate that the industrial worker of the future would be less of a welfare liability than in the past. For example, private pension funds as of December 2, 1953, had grown to a figure of $17,000,000,000., and this figure is presently growing at the annual rate of $2,000,000,000. per year. This private pension fund covers some 10,- 000,000 workers. In addition, through the medium of unemployment insurance and Social Security coverage, it would seem logical to assume that the growth of this tremendous reservoir of money should have some effect on the type of individual to be considered on future welfare rolls, and it would thus seem that a moderate increase in well chosen industry within an industrial development would not materially affect welfare costs for the future.
Population Growth
With the modern modes of transportation, population growth as a result of industrial expansion was analyzed. With population growth would come the need for increased school facilities, public safety mea- sures, etc. However, after checking with local cities and towns which had shown a large activity in recent years in attracting new industries,
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and in the considered opinion of those community officers, housing developments that had taken place were not directly attributable to new industry, as many of the employees were commuting from nearby communities. There was, of course, some popular attraction, but not to any great extent. It is hard to pin point any factual decision other than opinions on this particular question.
Zoning
The zoning law regarding the industrial zoning was also analyzed, and it was the considered opinion of the group that the present zoning for the industrial zone is too broad and leaves Reading wide open to unattractive and obnoxious types of industrial development. Restric- tive controls are available within the present zoning law, but only after the industry has located and is operating. Also the present zoning law allows for a building to cover 85% of the land area. The group felt, after study, that a change in the zoning law regarding these points should be made.
Conclusion
After studying an analysis of the present facilities within the present industrial zone, the undersigned recommend and have so advised the Planning Board, that the present zoning law of the Town of Reading be changed to more closely restrict the type of industrial development which can take place within the industrial zone; that in addition the present zoning laws be changed to include the area located on the Quannapowitt side of John Street, starting with the location of the present Tree and Moth Department building and running to the Wake- field line, to be changed from residential area to industrial area, as this particular portion of land is certainly not desirable for residential development. This was the only additional area of land considered because of its close proximity to the present industrial zone. No other consideration was entertained, as it was not considered to be within the province of this committee. The present zoning law allows for a building to cover 85% of the land area. This area of building coverage should be reduced to an area of building coverage of 50 to 60% of the land to allow for off street trucking and parking of automobiles. It was thought that the present industrial zone could be developed profitably within the limitations of our town services and within the limitations of the land itself, providing said development was closely restricted through these changes in our zoning law.
Such development figures as a result would be estimated to be as follows:
Allowing for residential zoning setback and access roads, we esti- mate conservatively that these three areas would have a total usable area of approximately 1,580,000 square feet.
Off of John Street there is approximately 226,500 square feet of usable land.
The following is a recapitulation of land areas, probable new build- ing areas, estimated building costs, assessments and probable reflected taxes.
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1. Land area off Ash Street 1,580,000 square feet Assume 40% for building coverage 632,000 sq. ft.
2. Land area off John Street 226,500 square feet
Assume 25% for building coverage 90,000 sq. ft.
Total Probable Building Area 722,000 sq. ft.
Estimated Costs of Conventional Sprinklered Industrial Buildings
722,000 square feet at $6.00 per sq. ft. $4,332,000
Estimated Assessment 50%
2,166,000
Estimated Taxes at $50 rate - $108,300.
The foregoing figures are based upon an assumption that the land off Ash Street would be subdivided and perhaps developed by several industries and for this reason only 40% building coverage was allowed for. Off John Street only 25% building coverage was allowed for, due to poor foundation conditions and drainage over portions of land.
It would be good sound reasoning to encourage a multiple develop- ment of diversified industries, requiring units of 40,000 square foot buildings and upwards.
However, the foregoing should not preclude encouragement to a large industry to acquire the entire Ash Street area, such as a develop- ment similar to Sylvania Electric Corporation in Woburn or the Western Electric Corporation in North Andover.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY WALKER, Board of Public Works RALPH HORN, Board of Assessors DONALD McKIE, Board of Public Welfare PHILIP WHITE, School Committee WALTER M. FOWLER, Finance Committee ROBERT CLINCH, Planning Board ALFRED DOLBEN, Municipal Light Dept. KENNETH LATHAM, Selectman
On motion of Samuel H. Davis it was voted that this report be accepted and placed on file.
Article 2. The following report was read by Charles R. Baisley.
Final Report of Committee to Investigate and Study Advantages of Union Health Plans
In accordance with the vote under Article 42 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 1953, the Moderator appointed a committee of five to investigate and study the provisions of Chapter 662 of the Acts of 1949, being an act relative to the organization of union health depart- ments, and to study existing public health services and facilities in the town to determine the advantage to be derived from Reading joining with neighboring towns for a Union Health Department. A feature of this act made it compulsory for a town to enter such a union within ten years unless it met minimum requirements as set forth in the Act.
Since your Committee made an investigation and study, the Legis-
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lature of 1953 repealed the Act, and under Chapter 600 of the Acts of 1953 it is no longer compulsory to join a Health Union. This new Act merely makes it permissive for two or more towns to join together and establish a Regional Health Union. There are, however, some results of our investigation that might be reported for present or future consideration.
.
Under the minimum health services as defined by the Public Health Council of the State, we find that control of communicable diseases is being adequately provided for. There are sufficient sanitary provisions and precautions being taken regarding water, milk, sale of foods, day nurseries, convalescent homes and boarding homes and schools, and other public buildings. While the town does not set up and maintain a laboratory in testing for communicable diseases and examination of water, milk, and food, it does make full use of available State labor- atories.
In matters of maternal and child health, a well baby clinic holds regular sessions and needed nursing care is given by the Visiting Nurse and School Nurse who serve as Public Health Nurses.
Health education is carried on through contact with the schools and use of posters in public buildings. All important information and notices are published in the Reading Chronicle.
Under vital statistics, records are kept of all communicable and other diseases, but no records are maintained for accidents.
Only in personnel is the town failing to meet the minimum require- ments as set forth in the 1949 Statute. In order to comply with this, the town would have to employ a director, clerks, and full time nurses. One can easily see the added expense which would be necessary to meet this requirement.
The cost to maintain a Health Union in figures set forth by the State is approximately $70,000. This figure is based on a population of 50,000. Reading's share would be about one third or $23,000. Your Committee feels that this is a very minimum that would be required. The present budget of the Board of Health not including garbage col- lection is $11,626.
There are, however, advantages to being in a Health Union. It would make available to the town the services of trained public health personnel such as public health nurses, sanitary engineers, trained clerks, and a medical director. There would be a centralization for more efficient use of equipment, services, and personnel. Also with the disassociation of personnel from other work, there would be more rigid enforcement of Public Health Laws.
As against these advantages your Committee cites the following as some of the disadvantages. There would be a loss of local control and interest as well as loss of locally available services. There is the possibility of bureaucratic expansion. It might mean legally efficient handling rather than humane understanding of local health problems.
Taking into consideration the fact that minimum health services are now being rendered with the exception of suggested personnel, and the increased cost which the entering a Union Health Plan would entail, your Committee recommends that the Town does not participate in such a plan at this time. However, your committee also feels that some
22
improvements might be made which would improve the administration of health problems in the town.
A sanitary survey of the town by a competent firm of sanitary engineers might reveal places that would call for improvement.
The employment of a full-time public health nurse would give needed additional service in an area now covered by the Visiting Nurse and School Nurse.
The transfer of garbage collection to the Board of Public Works would put this activity in the hands of a Board better equipped to handle it.
At some time in the future, the town should consider a full time sanitary engineer to operate under the local Board of Health and the maintenance of an office for better service to the community as a whole.
With the submitting of this report, your Committee recommends that it be discharged from its duties, since, due to the vote of the 1953 Legislature, it appears that further investigation is not needed at this time.
Respectfully submitted, C. R. BAISLEY, M.D. WILLIAM A. CONNELLY, D.M.D. RUTH M. WATTS H. RAYMOND JOHNSON NEWELL H. MORTON
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On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that this report be accepted and placed on file.
Article 2. The following report was read by Harold L. Jones.
Report of the Personnel Board to the Annual Town Meeting, March 15, 1954
In accordance with Section 15 of the "Regulations relating to Job Classifications" the Personnel Board has reviewed the Salary Schedule and is making no recommendation for any general revision of the Schedule as it exists today.
The responsibility of the Personnel Board is two-fold. We must consider the problems of both the Town Employees and the Taxpayers. To underpay our Town Employees would be in effect asking them to subsidize the operation of the Town Departments for the benefit of the Taxpayers. To pay them at rates higher than those being paid for comparable jobs in other communities would be unfair to the Taxpayers who each year have the problem of maintaining the necessary services in the Town while trying to keep a rising taxrate within bounds.
Schedule A, which follows, shows the job maximums established in January 1949 and the maximums in effect in February 1954. There have been two general increases during the past five years and many individual adjustments.
It does not seem to us reasonable, on the basis of present economic conditions, to assume that the next five years will require the increases in salaries which were necessary during the past five years. Conse-
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quently, the increases proposed in Article 22 are only those necessary to recognize increases in job responsibilities and to keep other job rates in line with those of other communities. If further adjustments are required to give our employees fair and equitable rates during the next five year period, we will give them every consideration as we have during the past five years.
It has been necessary to hold many meetings with the boards that operate under the schedule, and we wish to take this opportunity to thank them for their friendly and wholehearted cooperation.
HAROLD L. JONES, Chairman G. LAWRENCE ROBERTS EMERSON A. WILLARD
Personnel Board
SCHEDULE A
Maximum
Job Title
Jan. 1949
Maximum Jan. 1954
Junior Clerk
35.48
41.85
Senior Clerk
44.87
51.80
Foreman
75.00
83.74
Supervisory Employee
Mechanic and Shovel Oper.
none
70.40
Skilled Labor
58.85
66.40
Semi-skilled Labor
53.11
60.40
Unskilled Labor
48.06
55.60
Unclassified Labor
none
44.00
Public Works
Supt.
110.56
129.59
Asst. Supt.
none
90.10
Pumping Station Engineer
70.80
79.29
Asst. to Supt. and Pumping Station Engineer
70.00
none
Asst. Pumping Station Engineer
none
63.60
Transit, Rodman and Draftsman
52.96
none
Junior Office Engineer
none
63.60
Civil Engineer
none
110.00
Senior Draftsman
none
90.00
Land Surveyor
none
90.00
Junior Draftsman
none
60.40
Transitman
none
75.00
Rodman
none
60.40
Meter Repairman
none
61.20
Dump Caretaker
47.36
53.20
Municipal Light Dept.
Manager
118.25
129.59
Comptroller
102.13
112.50
Assistant to Comptroller
58.05
65.77
Distribution Engineer
91.38
101.10
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Construction Superintendent
91.38
101.10
Line Truck Foreman
77.40
88.00
Cable Splicer
77.40
88.00
Lineman-1st Class
70.95
81.20
Lineman-2nd Class
59.77
67.60
Lineman-3rd Class
none
61.60
Groundsman
51.60
58.80
Patrolman-1st Class
63.43
71.60
Patrolman-Apprentice
52.68
60.40
Mechanic
59.34
66.80
Meter Tester
45.15
62.40
Meter Reader
43.00
50.00
Operator
56.98
64.40
Chief Operator
66.65
75.20
Stockroom Man
46.23
57.20
Merchandise Manager
83.85
93.12
Service Manager
72.03
80.59
Salesman Clerk
53.75
61.22
Service Man
63.43
71.60
Service Man-Apprentice
51.60
58.80
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
38.70
46.80
Collector
47.30
54.40
Janitor
45.15
52.00
Cemetery Dept.
Superintendent
75.00
83.74
Working Foreman
62.30
70.00
Public Library
Librarian
49.45
56.66
Assistant Librarian
36.55
46.64
Library Clerical
none
hr. .90
Tree and Moth Dept.
Superintendent
75.00
83.74
Police Dept.
Chief
4,100.00
4,750.00
Sergeant
3,500.00
3,925.00
Patrolman
3,200.00
3,610.00
Fire Dept.
Chief
4,100.00
4,750.00
Deputy
3,600.00
4,100.00
Captain
3,500.00
3,925.00
Lieutenant
3,400.00
3,825.00
Private
3,200.00
3,610.00
Call Man-Full Time (24 hrs.)
215.00
300.00
Call Man-Half Time
107.50
150.00
Extra or part time work
hr.
.81
hr. .95
25
General Government
Town Accountant
3,762.50
4,982.00
Janitor-Town Building
53.75
61.22
On motion of Samuel H. Davis it was voted that this Report be accepted and placed on file.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to place Article 2 on the table.
Article 3. On motion of James E. Calvin it was voted that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Lumber for the ensuing year:
Harold B. Currell
Fred F. Smith Maurice H. Donegan
and that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Wood and Bark:
Harold B. Currell
Thomas E. Brogan Maurice H. Donegan
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to place Article 3 on the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to take up Article 22
Article 22. On motion of Harold L. Jones it was voted that the Schedule of Minimum and Maximum salaries to be paid to employees in the positions included in the Employees Classification Plan be and the same hereby is amended by striking out the hourly and weekly maximums as appearing therein and substitute in place thereof under the Job Classifications the following new hourly and weekly minimum and maximum rates:
Classification
Section 4. Public Works Dept.
Hourly Max.
Weekly Max. 140.00
Superintendent
Section 5. Municipal Light Dept.
Manager
135.00
Comptroller
117.50
Distribution Engineer
107.00
Construction Supt.
105.90
Line Truck Foreman
2.32
92.80
Lineman-1st Class
2.15
86.00
Lineman-2nd Class
1.81
72.40
Groundsman
1.55
62.00
Mechanic
1.76
70.40
Meter Tester
1.65
66.00
Chief Operator
2.00
80.00
Operator
1.715
68.60
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
1.25
50.00
Janitor
1.35
54.00
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Section 7. Public Library
58.38
Librarian
Asst. Librarian
47.90
Section 10. Fire Department
Hourly Rate
Min.
Max.
Extra or part time work
.75
1.10
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Sixty-one Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-six Dollars and Ninety- eight Cents ($61,676.98) be raised and appropriated for General Gov- ernment as follows:
Selectmen's Clerical
$ 1,286.00
Selectmen's Expense
1,500.00
Town Accountant's Salary
4,875.00
Town Accountant's Clerical
651.68
Town Accountant's Expense
600.001
Treasurer's Salary
2,500.00
Treasurer's Clerical
975.00
Treasurer's Expense
650.00
Collector's Salary
4,390.00±
Collector's Clerical
5,955.00
Collector's Expense
2,100.00
Assessors' Salaries
3,849.00*
Assessors' Clerical
5,841.00
Assessors' Expense
2,715.00
Town Counsel's Salary
2,500.00
Town Counsel's Expense
1,500.00
Town Clerk's Salary
1,672.50±
Town Clerk's Clerical
2,948.00
Town Clerk's Expense
700.00
Registrars' Salaries
500.00
Registrars' Expense
2,000.00
Election and Registration Expense
3,500.00
Board of Appeal Expense
350.00
Capital Exp. Planning Com. Exp.
300.00
Planning Board Expense
700.00
Finance Committee Expense
100.00
Personnel Board Expense
50.00
Municipal Building Janitor
3,168.80
Municipal Building Maintenance
3,800.00
$61,676.98
+ Including travel outside the State.
# Fees to Town Treasury.
* Chairman
$1,924.00
Secretary 1,100.00
Other Member 825.00
$3,849.00
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Protection of Persons and Property
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-six Dollars and Forty-one Cents ($250,986.41) be raised and appropriated for Pro- tection of Persons and Property as follows:
Police Department Salaries $ 89,855.05
Police Department Pensions
9,888.36
Police Department Maintenance
10,895.00*
Police Station Maintenance
2,700.00
Fire Department Salaries
73,911.80
Fire Department Callmen Salaries
5,700.00
Fire Department Pensions
1,375.00
Fire Department Maintenance
9,395.00*
Fire Station Maintenance
3,000.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance
3,000.00
Fire Alarm Extension
1,600.00
Moth and Tree Dept. Salaries
18,491.20
Moth and Tree Dept. Maintenance
5,740.00
Hydrant Rentals
6,150.00
.Drinking Fountains
100.00
Inspector of Buildings Salary
3,750.00
Inspector of Buildings Expense
455.00
Inspector of Wires Salary
700.00
Inspector of Wires Expense
300.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures Salary
650.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures Expense
250.00
Dog Officer's Salary
375.00
Dog Officer's Expense
400.00
Game Warden's Salary
105.00
Traffic Control
2,200.00
$250,986.41
Article 4. On motion of Charles R .. Baisley it was voted that the sum of Twenty-two Thousand Twenty-six ($22,026) Dollars be raised and appropriated for Health and Sanitation as follows:
Board of Health Salaries
$ 1,446.00
Board of Health Expense
1,000.00
Health Officer's Salary
600.00
Inspector of Plumbing Salary
1,330.00
Inspector of Animals Salary
400.00
Inspector of Milk and Food Salary
350.00
.
Inspector of Milk and Food Expense
50.00
Care of Contagious Diseases
4,000.00
Premature Babies
1,000.00
Garbage Collection
9,000.00
Dental Clinic
2,850.00
$ 22,026.00
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Article 4. On motion of Newell H. Morton it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred One Thousand Ten ($201,010.) Dollars be raised and appropriated for Charity and Aid as follows:
Welfare General Aid Administrative Salaries
$ 5,080.00
Welfare General Aid Administrative Expense
760.00
Welfare General Aid
24,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children Administrative
3,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
16,500.00
Old Age Assistance Administrative
6,900.00
Old Age Assistance
132,000.00
Disability Assistance Administrative
1,570.00
Disability Assistance
11,200.00
$201,010.00
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Fifteen Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-nine Dollars and Forty Cents ($15,559.40) be raised and appropriated for Veterans Benefits as follows:
Administrative Salaries
$ 1,859.40
Administrative Expense
700.00
Aid
13,000.00
$ 15,559.40
Article 4. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that the sum of Seven Hundred Twenty-six Thousand Five Hundred One and 17/100 ($726,501.17) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the School Depart- ment as follows:
General Salaries
$584,805.47
General Maintenance
105,695.70
Vocational Tuition
3,000.00
Transportation
25,000.00
Athletics
4,500.00
Cafeterias
3,500.00
$726,501.17
Article 4. On motion of Sydney M. Hodson it was voted that the sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred and 38/100 ($19,800.38) Dol- lars be raised and appropriated for the Public Library as follows: Salaries
$ 12,746.38
Maintenance 7,054.00
$ 19,800.38
Article 4. On motion of M. Russell Meikle it was voted that the sum of Twenty-three Thousand Five Hundred ($23,500.) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the maintenance, care and development of Laurel Hill Cemetery and Forest Glen Cemetery, including travel out- side the State; Twenty-one Thousand ($21,000.) Dollars for salaries and Twenty-five Hundred ($2500.) Dollars for expenses.
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Article 4. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Four Hundred Forty-seven Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-six and Twelve One Hundredths ($447,936.12) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the Board of Public Works as follows:
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