Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1955, Part 3

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1955
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 250


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ARTICLE 4. On motion of Gilbert M. Lothrop it was voted that the sum of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) be raised and appropriated for the maintenance of the PARKING AREAS.


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) be raised and appropriated for the CARE AND LIGHTING OF OLD SOUTH CLOCK.


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) be raised and appropriated for RECORDING INSTRUMENTS in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds.


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Samuel H. Davis it was voted that the sum of Thirty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-five Dollars and Twenty-six Cents ($39,595.26) be raised and appropriated for the Con- tributory Retirement System to be divided as follows:


Pension Accumulation Fund


$ 38,172.00


Expense Fund


1,400.00


Military Service Fund


23.26


$ 39,595.26


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Carl H. Amon, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) be appropriated by transferring said sum from the OVERLAY SURPLUS RESERVE FUND to the RESERVE FUND, 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.


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Gilbert M. Lothrop it was voted that the sum of Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00) be raised and appropriated for the preparation and printing of the STREET LIST for the year 1955, such sums to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.


On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 4 be laid on the table.


On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the meeting stand adjourned until April 4, 1955 at 7:45 P.M. to meet in the New High School Auditorium.


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153 Precinct Members were present.


A true copy. Attest:


BOYD H. STEWART, Town Clerk


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ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


New High School Auditorium


April 4, 1955


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. Howard, at 7:55 P.M.


ARTICLE 5. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that the Town Treasurer be and he hereby is authorized with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1956, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Sections 4 and 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.


ARTICLE 6. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) be raised and appropriated for the purpose of foreclosing in the Land Court pursuant to provisions of Section 65 of Chapter 60 of the General Laws, the right of redemption to any and all real estate taken by the Town for nonpayment of taxes.


ARTICLE 7. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the maintenance of various streets previously constructed under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, and that the sum of Nineteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($19,500) be trans- ferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the construction under Chapter 90 of the General Laws of a portion of West Street from Woburn Street northerly toward the Wilmington Town Line, 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 transfer said sums to carry out the purpose of this vote.


ARTICLE 8. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 8 be indefinitely postponed.


ARTICLE 9. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 9 be indefinitely postponed.


ARTICLE 10. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and empow- ered to sell or exchange upon such terms and conditions as they may determine, the 1950 Chevrolet used by the Police Department, and that the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1500.), together with the pro- ceeds from such sale or exchange, be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a new Station Wagon for the Police Department.


ARTICLE 11. On motion of Lawrence Drew 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


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determine, the 1954 Ford Police cruising car, and that the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.), 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 12. On motion of Lawrence Drew 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 1954 Ford Police cruising car, and that the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700), 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 13. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 13 be indefinitely postponed.


ARTICLE 14. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 14 be indefinitely postponed.


ARTICLE 15. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Twelve Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,250.) be raised and appropri- ated for the purchase of uniforms for members of the Police Department.


ARTICLE 16. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($550.00) be raised and appropriated for the purchase of uniforms for members of the Fire Department.


'ARTICLE 17. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) be raised and appropriated for the purchase and installation of a two-way radio for additional piece of equipment of the Fire Department.


ARTICLE 18. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) be raised and appropriated for extension of the fire alarm system so as to furnish mutual aid between this Town and the Town of North Reading.


ARTICLE 19. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) be raised and appropriated for the further development and maintenance of the Town Forest.


ARTICLE 20. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars ($1,200) 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 in insur- rection, and who have been honorably discharged from such service, as provided by Section 9 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws.


ARTICLE 21. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.) be raised and appropriated for the use of a helicopter in spraying the trees by the Tree and Moth Department.


ARTICLE 22. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that Article 22 be indefinitely postponed.


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ARTICLE 23. On motion of Robert G. Clinch it was voted that the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.) be raised and appropriated to defray the legal expenses in relation to the appeal taken by Eva Cole to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court from the decree of the Superior Court entered January 19, 1955.


On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted to take up Article 35.


ARTICLE 35. On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized for and in behalf of the Town to acquire by purchase, right of eminent domain, or otherwise for school purposes the following described parcel of land adjacent to the new High School in Birch Meadow and that the sum of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.) be transferred from the following Accounts: Five Hundred Eighty-nine and 50/100 Dollars ($589.50) from the School Land Purchase Oak Street and Summer Avenue Account; Four Hundred Fifty-five and 20/100 Dollars ($455.20) from the Birch Meadow Land Purchase Account; Fifty Dollars ($50.) from the School Land Purchase White Property Account; Fifty-five Dollars ($55.) from the School Land Purchase Forest Street Account; Two Hundred Eighty- seven and 55/100 Dollars ($287.55) from the Sewer Pumping Station Willow Street Land Purchase Account; Ten Dollars ($10.00) from the Account for Land Taking Municipal Parking Area No. 1, and Ten Hun- dred Fifty-two and 75/100 Dollars ($1,052.75) from the Surplus Revenue, and appropriate said sums aggregating Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.) for the acquisition of such land, and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sums to carry out the purpose of this vote:


Beginning at the southwesterly corner thereof; thence northwesterly six hundred twenty-three (623) feet; thence turning and running north- easterly by two courses three hundred fifty and 34/100 (350.34) feet and one hundred fifty-two and 84/100 (152.84) feet; thence turning and run- ning in a general easterly direction three hundred sixty-six and 91/100 (366.91) feet; thence southeasterly by two courses one hundred ninety- two and 72/100 (192.72) feet and two hundred three and 2/100 (203.02) feet; thence turning and running southwesterly two hundred fifty-six and 6/100 (256.06) feet; thence running in a general westerly direction one hundred forty-seven and 63/100 (147.63) feet; thence turning and running southwesterly three hundred twenty-seven and 81/100 (327.81) feet; thence running southeasterly two hundred fifty-nine and 75/100 (259.75) feet; thence running easterly twenty-seven and 77/100 (27.77) feet and thence in a general westerly direction two hundred seventy-five and 70/100 (275.70) feet to the point of beginning.


Said parcel is shown as Lot 9 on Plat 66 of Town of Reading As- sessors Plans and said parcel is estimated to contain 10.896 acres.


132 voted in the affirmative.


1 voted in the negative.


On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted to take up Article 29.


ARTICLE 29. On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted that the care, custody, management and control of a parcel of land in Birch


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Meadow adjacent to the site of the new High School and shown as area 10 on plan dated June, 1930, filed in the Town Clerk's Office, which land is now being used for playground purposes, be and the same hereby is transferred for school purposes.


132 voted in the affirmative.


0 voted in the negative.


ARTICLE 27. On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted that the sum of Twenty-four Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($24,600.) be trans- ferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for rough grading the land in Birch Meadow adjacent to the new High School and being areas, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 as shown on Plan dated June 1930 duly filed in the Town Clerk's Office, which appropriation is to be added to the previous appropriations voted for the construction of the new High School Build- ing and for originally equipping and furnishing the said Building 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 28. On motion of Robert E. Turner it was voted that the sum of Sixty-one Thousand Dollars ($61,000) be raised and appropriated for the finish grading of land at Birch Meadow adjacent to the new High School and being shown as areas 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D on Plan dated June, 1930, filed in the Town Clerk's Office, which appropriation is to be added to the previous appropriations voted for the construction of the new High School Building and for originally equipping and furnishing the said Building.


ARTICLE 30. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that the School Committee be and they hereby are authorized and empowered to sell or exchange upon such terms and conditions as they may de- termine the 1947 Chevrolet Automobile and that the sum of Sixty-nine and 83/100 Dollars ($69.83) be transferred from the School Department Station Wagon Purchase Account and Seventeen Hundred Thirty and 17/100 ($1,730.17) be raised from the Tax Levy and said sums aggre- gating Eighteen Hundred Dollars ($1,800), together with the proceeds from such sale or exchange be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a new Automobile for the School Department and the Town Accoun- tant be and hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.


ARTICLE 31. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that there be and hereby is established a Building Committee for the purpose of the construction of an Elementary School upon land owned by the Town on Forest Street, such Committee to consist of seven Members, one to be chosen from the School Committee, one from the Board of Public Works, one from the Finuance Committee and four to be appointed at large by the Board of Selectmen.


ARTICLE 32. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that the sum of Thirteen and 83/100 Dollars ($13.83) be transferred from the new High School Preliminary Plans Account and Ninety-nine Hundred Eighty-six and 17/100 Dollars ($9,986.17) be raised from the Tax Levy


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and said sums aggregating Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) be appro- priated for consulting engineers and architectural services, preliminary plans and surveys for the construction of a new Elementary School upon land owned by the Town on Forest Street, and the Town Accountant be and hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.


ARTICLE 33. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that there be and hereby is established a Special Committee to make a compre- hensive study and investigation of suitable sites in the Town for Schools and of suitable sites for recreational areas, such Committee to consist of seven Members, one to be chosen from the School Committee, one from the Planning Board, one from the Board of Public Works, one from the Recreation Committee, one from the Finance Committee, and two Members at large to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.


ARTICLE 34. On motion of Philip A. White it was voted that the sum of Twenty-three and 40/100 ($23.40) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for the payment of a 1953 Account of the School Department due the City of Boston for vocational tuition.


133 voted in the affirmative.


0 voted in the negative.


ARTICLE 36. On motion of Harold D. Kilgore, Jr. it was voted that the sum of Sixty-two Hundred Dollars ($6,200.) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the installation of a skating area in Birch Meadow upon the parcel of Land No. 2 as shown on plan dated June 1930 filed in the Town Clerk's Office and the Town Account- ant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.


ARTICLE 37. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the provisions of Sections forty-two A, to forty-two F, inclusive, of Chap- ter 40 of the General Laws, being a law relative to the Collection of Water Rates and imposing Liens therefor upon real estate, be and the same hereby are accepted.


ARTICLE 38. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.) be raised from the Tax Levy and appropriated for the payment of land damages caused by the relocation of the Westerly side line of South Street.


ARTICLE 39. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.) be raised from the Tax Levy and appropriated for the purpose of making specific repairs to the Mineral Street Bridge and approaches thereto, said appropriation to be apportioned $900.00 for Salaries and $300.00 for Expenses.


ARTICLE 40. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson it was voted that the Town accept the report of the Board of Public Works on the re- locating or altering of the location lines of a portion of Lincoln Street and a portion of Arlington Street at the Northerly terminal of said streets and adopt the recommendations contained therein.


3G


Report of the Board of Public Works on the Relocation or Alteration of the Corner of Arlington Street and Lincoln Street


The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading, having deter- mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require that the public highways be laid out, relocated or altered as and in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all requirements of law relating to notice to owners of land thereof, and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such hearing, and then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard, having laid out, relocated or altered as public highways for the use of the Town, the corner of Arlington Street and Lincoln Street. The boundaries and measurements of said public highways as so laid out, relocated or altered are as follows:


Beginning at a stone bound located at the intersection of the Easterly side line of said Arlington Street and the Southerly side line of Woburn Street;


Thence N. 70°-42'-35" E., along said Southerly side line of Woburn Street, a distance of 13.5 feet to an angle point at the intersection of the said Southerly side line of Woburn Street and the South-Westerly side line of said Lincoln Street;


Thence S. 48°-09'-00" E. by the said South-Westerly side line of Lin- coln Street, a distance of 46.67 feet to a point of curve;


Thence running South-Westerly by a curved line on a radius of 19.00 feet, a length of 50.26 feet through lands of John F. Sawyer and Louise H. Sawyer to a point of tangent on the said Easterly side line of Arlington Street;


Thence N. 18°-34'-00" W. along said Easterly side line of Arlington Street a distance of 49.95 feet to the point of beginning of this de- scription.


The approximate area taken is seven hundred and seventy-nine (779) square feet.


The above described lines being more fully shown on a Plan en- titled "Relocation and Alteration of the corner of Arlington and Lincoln Streets, Reading, Mass.", dated February, 1955, Board of Public Works, James T. Putnam, Supt., said Plan being a part of this description.


We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.


No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement.


This laying out, relocation or alteration so made by us, we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that when this report is accepted and adopted by the Town, that said public highways shall thereafter be laid out, relocated or altered in accordance with said Plan.


(Signed) WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. DOMENICK ZANNI, JR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON Members of the Board of Public Works, Town of Reading


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ARTICLE 41. On motion of Kenneth R. Johnson 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 Birch Meadow Drive and adopt the recommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Thirty-four Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($34,100.) be appropriated for the original construction of Birch Meadow Drive, from Main Street to Oak- land Road being an access road to the new High School including 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, and to meet said appropriation the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-nine Dollars ($25,849.) be transferred from the unexpended balance of the High School Access Roads Account and the sum of Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-one Dollars ($8,251.) 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 voted


Report of the Board of Public Works on the Laying Out of Birch Meadow Drive


The Board of Public Works of the Town of Reading having deter- mined and adjudged that common convenience and necessity require the laying out of a Town Way under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, substantially in the location hereinafter described, having complied with all requirements of law relating to notice to the owners of land thereof and of a hearing thereon, and having met at the time and place appointed for such nearing and then and there heard all persons present who desired to be heard, have laid out as a Town Way for the use of the Town running North- Westerly from a State Highway now known as Main Street to a public town way known as Oakland Road as accepted March 23, 1953, sub- stantially as and in the location of the private way known as Birch Meadow Drive, the boundaries and measurements of said way as so laid out are as follows:


Beginning at a point on the Westerly side line of said Main Street, said point being N. 0°-03" - 10" E., a distance of 225.39 feet measured along the said Westerly side line of Main Street from a Massachusetts Highway stone bound set at an angle point, Station 125 plus 38.20 Left, as defined by the alteration and layout as a State Highway of said Main Street by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, March 5, 1929;


Thence by a curved line to the Left, running in a North-Westerly direction, having a radius of 30.00 feet by lands of the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a length of 47.12 feet to a point of curve;


Thence by a curved line to the Right, running in a North-Westerly direction, having a radius of 708.00 feet by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a length of 388.06 feet to a point of tangent; Thence N. 58°-32'-35" W. still by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a distance of 230.81 feet to a point of curve;


Thence by a curved line to the Left, running in a South-Westerly direction, having a radius of 60.00 feet, still by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, and by a private way known as Waverly Road, a length of 94.57 feet to a point of tangent;


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Thence S. 31° -* 9'-05" W. across said Waverly (Private) Road a dis- tance of 30.38 feet to the North-Easterly terminus of Oakland Road as accepted March 23, 1953;


Thence N. 58°-15'-45" W. by said North-Easterly terminus of Oakland Road a distance of 60.01 feet to an angle point;


Thence N. 31°-09'-05" E., still by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a distance of 40.73 feet to a point of curve;


Thence by a curved line to the Left, running in a North-Westerly direction, having a radius of 60.00 feet, still by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a length of 93.93 feet to a point; said point being the North-Westerly terminus of the South-Westerly side line of this lay-out;


Thence N. 31°-27'-25" E., by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a distance of 50.00 feet to a point; said point being the North-Westerly terminus of the North-Easterly side line of this layout;


Thence S. 58°-32'-35" E., by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading a distance of 410.51 feet to a point of curve;


Thence by a curved line to the Left, running in a South-Easterly direction, having a radius of 648.00 feet by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a length of 355.17 feet to a point of curve;


Thence by a curved line to the Left, running in a North-Easterly direction, having a radius of 30.00 feet still by lands of said Inhabitants of the Town of Reading, a length of 47.12 feet to a point on the said Westerly side line of Main Street;


Thence S. 0°-03'-10" W. along said Westerly side line of Main Street, a distance of 120.00 feet to the point of beginning of this description.


The above described lines being more fully shown on a Plan en- titled "Birch Meadow Drive, Reading, Mass.", dated February 25, 1955, Board of Public Works, James T. Putnam, Supt., said Plan being a part of this description.


We determine that no damages will be sustained by any person or persons in their property by reason of the taking to be made for this improvement.


This laying out so made by us we hereby report to the Town for acceptance and recommend that said way shall thereafter be known as a Public Town Way and named Birch Meadow Drive.


WALTER S. HOPKINS, JR. KENNETH R. JOHNSON


Members of the Board of Public Works Town of Reading


On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to take up Article 55.


ARTICLE 55. On motion of Alfred H. Dolben it was voted that the subject matter of Article 55 be referred to the Municipal Light Board, and that said Board be, and it hereby is, authorized to install such additional 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 income of the plant.


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On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to take up Article 56.


ARTICLE 56. On motion of Alfred H. Dolben it was voted that the Municipal Light Board be authorized and empowered to extend and enlarge the Municipal Light Plant by installing necessary additional power lines from the Ash Street Plant to the present substations in the towns of North Reading and Wilmington, and by installing such other appliances and equipment which may be necessary in connection therewith and that there be raised and appropriated for the above pur- pose the sum of One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($125,000) in addition to the amount which may be available in the Depreciation Fund to be expended by the Manager of the Municipal Lighting De- partment under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board for the above purpose; and that the Treasurer be and he hereby is authorized and directed with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow said sum of $125,000 and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town, such bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be payable in not more than twenty years from the date of the first bond or note or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and the Selectmen may determine; and said bonds or notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen.




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