USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1959 > Part 15
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30
Disposals
1
Dish washing machines
6
Washing machines
97
Drains
7
Drinking Fountains
3
Dental Chairs
2
Sewer connections
114
Cesspools
92
Fees for Permits $ 977.00
Respectfully submitted
KENNETH G. SHAW Inspector of Plumbing
175
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Board of Selectmen
Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen
During 1959 your Board has conducted its usual duties of guard- ing the people from health hazards and protecting them from nuisances.
57% of our budget is expended for garbage collection, which func- tion properly belongs to the Board of Public Works, a department better staffed and experienced for this municipal service.
A large part of the 43% goes for statutory mandatory services such as care of premature infants and contagious diseases; and that which remains goes for salaries, clerical, essential inspections of milk, food, restaurants, stores, plumbing and sanitation, animals, rest homes and kindergartens; and for dog, dental and well baby clinics.
It might interest the people of Reading that they paid the Town the sum of $520.00 for inoculating their dogs for rabies, and paid the Dental Clinic only $447.15 for caring for their children's teeth. In view of the vote to cease fluoridating the water, a giant step backwards, and the amounts expended for care in the dog and dental clinic, might the casual reader be tempted to conclude that Reading cares more for their dogs than their children? No, we really don't believe it; however, we were bitterly disappointed that a major public health accomplishment was so casually discarded.
In 1959 in addition to our usual clinics for immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough we initiated a program of in- tradermal tuberculin testing in the first grades, and were happy to find no positives.
Again we are indebted to the Visiting Nurse Association, the School Health Department and many volunteers in making these programs effective.
C. R. BAISLEY, M.D. E. M. HALLIGAN. M.D. C. F. PARKER
176
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Moth Superintendent for 1959.
The Dutch Elm Disease is our major problem. There is a substan- tial increase in the number of trees infected. The thirty-eight trees left from last year (1958) were removed early in the year. Cuttings from three hundred and ten elms were cultured at the University of Massa- chusetts, two hundred and ninety trees were certified as having the disease. Forty of these trees were on the roadside, eighteen on other town property, the remaining two hundred and thirty-two were on private property. All roadside trees have been removed and burned. There remains one hundred and sixty-eight trees on private property. These should be removed by the first of April according to State Law.
At the present time a dormant spray is the only preventive we have for Dutch Elm Disease. This spray should be applied as late as pos- sible in the season before the foliage appears. In the past this spray has been applied with the helicopter, contracting for its use early in the season, waiting for suitable weather and availability of the heli- copter. I believe the purchase of a Mist Blower would be a better solu- tion to this problem, as to timing, availability and coverage; and should pay for itself in a few years, not only in better disease and mosquito control, but in a much safer and more economical handling of insecti- cides.
During the past year the white oak trees had a severe infestation of oak leaf miners. Control of this pest requires two sprays applied about May 25th and June 5th, then a third spray in August. These miners overwinter in the oak leaves, burning the fallen leaves may help control them. The Field Station at Waltham has advised us that this pest may or may not be bad in 1960. It has many natural enemies that should bring about control in the near future.
I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the other town departments who have assisted me in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE H. DONEGAN Moth Superintendent
177
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
To the members of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Citizens of the Town of Reading. The follow- ing report of activities, expenditures and reimbursements for the year ending December 31, 1959 is respectfully submitted:
Members of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance:
Newell H. Morton, Chairman
William H. Willson, Jr., Secretary Bureau of Old Age Assistance Daniel L. Chamberlain, Secretary of the Board of Public Welfare
Staff Members of the Welfare Office:
Quincy B. Park, Director of Public Assistance
Gladys M. Wilson, Social Worker
Anne A. Bleau, Social Worker
Elsie M. Kriehn, Senior Clerk
Gladys M. Mullin, Junior Clerk - Typist
Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance mem- bers have met weekly to approve administrative and assistance pay- rolls. Members have also met at monthly meetings to act upon appli- cations for assistance, review increases and decreases concerning monthly payments of assistance and to transact any business which has been their responsibility.
During 1959 a total of 66 applications were received for some form of assistance. After a thorough investigation by Social Workers or Di- rector of Public Assistance, 49 applications were approved and assist- ance granted.
Increased hospital charges are anticipated for the coming year which will probably result in an increase in total expenditures for 1960.
Old Age Assistance
1958
1959
Case Load (monthly averaga)
170
170
Expenditures
Cash Grants
$ 144,844.10 $ 118,516.76
Material Grants (medicals)
49,223.35
84,752.50
Payments to other Cities and Towns
3,481.03
4,596.57
Totals
$ 197,548.48 $ 207,865.83
A total of 40 applications for this category of assistance were pro- cessed. After investigation, 30 applications were approved and assist- ance granted. There were 5 applications voluntarily withdrawn and 5 were denied as eligibility requirements were not met.
Aid to Dependent Children
Case Load for 1958 (monthly average)
16.5 for 56.3 persons
Case Load for 1959 (monthly average) 17 for 58.8 persons
178
Expenditures
Cash Payments
$ 26,750.48 $
25,675.88
Material Grants (medical)
2,785.62
2,306.99
$ 29,536.10 $ 27,982.87 Eight applications for assistance from this program were received. Eligibility requirements were met in 5 cases. There were 3 applications voluntarily withdrawn.
Disability Assistance
1958 1959
Case Load 1958 (monthly average)
8.8 cases
Case Load 1959 (monthly average)
6.8 cases
Expenditures
Cash Grants
$ 8,288.58 $
5,288.08
Material Grants (medical
4,319.18
2,231.98
Totals
$ 12,607.76 $
7,520.06
There were four new applications for aid from this category of as- sistance during the year. Approval of 2 applications was made and aid granted. There were 2 applications voluntarily withdrawn.
General Relief
Case Load 1958 (monthly average)
8.8 cases
Case Load 1959 (monthly average
6.7 cases
Expenditures
Cash payments
$ 8,826.73 $
5,560.96
Material Grants
1,963.00
2,106.20
Payments to other Cities and Towns
4,136.39
5,196.18
Totals
$ 14,926.12 $
12,863.34
Reimbursements to Town Treasurer Old Age Assistance
Source
Amount
Accounted Credited
State Reimbursement
$ 86,175.93
Estimated Receipts
Other Cities and Towns
2,041.36
Estimated Receipts
Federal Grants
85,285.00
Aid Account
Balance from Appropriation not expended
3,666.86
Surplus Revenue
Refunds
938.49
Aid Account
Real Estate Liens
2,376.02
To be determined
Aid to Dependent Children
State Reimbursement
$ 8,033.08
Estimated Receipts
Federal Grants
14,450.50
Aid Account
Balance from appropriation not expended
7,428.12
Surplus Revenue
Refunds
2,278.20
Aid Account
179
Disability Assistance $ 2,426.42 Estimated Receipts
State Reimbursement
Federal Grants
3,547.50 Aid Account
Balance from Appropriation not expended
3,169.74 Surplus Revenue
Refunds
72.80 Aid Account
Transfer at Town Meeting
2,000.00
Old Age Assistance
General Relief
State Reimbursement $ 3,059.44 Estimated Receipts
Other Cities and Towns
2,141.39
Estimated Receipts
Balance from Appropriation not expended
340.66 Surplus Revenue
Administrative Account not expended
563.04 Surplus Revenue
Refunds
204.00 Aid Account
Transfer at Town Meeting
4,000.00 Old Age Assistance
Summary
State Reimbursement for all categories of Assistance credited to Estimated Receipts
Account
$ 99,694.87
Reimbursement from other Cities and Towns
credited to Surplus Revenue Account
4,182.75
Federal Reimbursements credited to various assistance accounts
103,283.00
Transfers to Old Age Assistance Aid Account ...
8,000.00
Respectfully submitted, QUINCY B. PARK Director of Public Assistance
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year January 1, 1959 to January 1, 1960.
Ninety-nine dogs were quarantined for inflicting various wounds upon people this year. One dog and one chipmunk was submitted to the laboratory for examination, but subsequent laboratory reports were negative.
The annual inspection of all barns housing livestock. and the live- stock in the town. was conducted as per request of the Division of Live- stock Disease Control, disclosing there to be in the town, 16 horses, 26 neat cattle, 9 sheep, 9 goats and one pony. No Contagious infectious diseases were noted.
Respectfully Submitted, GARDINER A. LESTER, DVM Inspector of Animals
180
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
February 1, 1960
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1959 as follows:
On December 31, 1958 the Town acquired title to the land on Franklin Street formerly owned by the Batchelders. This property was taken by eminent domain proceedings for school purposes. During the year meetings were held with the School and Recreation Site Com- mittee, counsel representing the former owners, and the real estate appraisers, and negotiations with the former owners were completed for an agreement as to the value of the land and a settlement of the damages as a result of the taking, and a confirmatory deed was pre- pared, executed and recorded.
Meetings were held with the Junior High School Building Com- mittee and the architect regarding the construction of a new Junior High School as presented to a Special Town Meeting held in January 1959. Thereafter conferences were held with the new architects and the Committee, and contracts with the Architect were prepared and signed; contracts, specifications and bid forms were examined and revised and opinions were given in connection with the bids and sub- bids, conferences were held with the Department of Labor and In- dustries for the Commonwealth, the bidding contractors, the Architect and the Committee, and the contract with the General Contractor was examined and approved.
Negotiations were completed for the settlement of the claims of the Town against the bonding company arising out of the construction of the Birch Meadow School.
Meetings were held with the Selectmen in connection with the reconstruction of the Main Street traffic signal system, Specifications, plans, bid forms and contracts were prepared for that work, and con- ferences were held with the bidders.
Conferences were held with the Board of Public Works in connection with the addition to the Garage. Bids and specifications were examined and opinions given regarding the same, and conferences held with the bidders and their representatives.
The Town was represented at the hearings before the Department of Public Utilities in connection with the petition of the Boston and Maine Railroad to change its service to Reading and to relocate the Reading passenger station. These hearings extended over a period of five months. In connection with these hearings it was necessary to confer with the Board of Selectmen and other Town officials, to present evidence to the Department of Public Utilities and to cross-examine the witnesses produced by the Boston and Maine Railroad. On May 12,
181
1959 the Department of Public Utilities entered an Order allowing the petition of the Boston and Maine. Thereafter the Town filed an appeal from this Order to the Supreme Judicial Court. Pleadings were pre- pared and filed in connection with this appeal, and preliminary motions were argued to the Court. This appeal is still pending.
Following the May 12, 1959 Order of the Department of Public Utilities a number of conferences were held with the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Public Works in connection with various matters re- lating to the Boston and Maine Railroad, including the relocation of the passenger and freight stations, the ownership of those stations, and the land between High and Lincoln Streets, and the Mineral Street bridge. Thereafter negotiations were conducted with the Boston and Maine Railroad in connection with these matters, and agreements were drafted and redrafted. These negotiations are still pending. A Bill was drafted and filed with the General Court by Representative Tanner to authorize the Town to purchase from the Boston and Maine Railroad certain land and buildings, provided that any such proposed legislation should first be accepted by the Town at a town meeting.
Two lawsuits were commenced against the Town in which it was alleged that the Town was negligent and created a nuisance by al- lowing smoke from the dump to extend over Route 128 and thereby decrease the visibility, which in turn caused an accident involving four automobiles. Conferences were held with witnesses in preparation of these cases for trial before an Auditor. The cases were consolidated for trial with other cases, including two similar cases against the Town of Wakefield. The trial extended over a period of eight days, and a decision has not yet been filed.
Conferences were held with the Building Inspector in connection with the enforcement of the terms of a permit granted by the Board of Appeal for the removal of gravel from a specified area.
In June 1959 a road construction company commenced the removal of gravel from another area in Town, without a permit. Conferences were held with the Building Inspector and the Board of Selectmen, and thereafter a bill in equity was filed with the Superior Court to restrain this removal. Hearings were held, together with many conferences with the road construction company's counsel, with the result that this company suspended its gravel removal operations pending a de- cision by the Board of Appeal. A permit for gravel removal was issued by the Board of Appeal, conditioned upon the use of a route over Town- owned land, thereby eliminating the use of public streets and the resulting disturbance and nuisance to citizens of the Town. The com- pany also agreed:
(1) To convey to the Town the title for the land from which the gravel was being removed. consisting of approximately eleven acres; and
(2) To repave a large area of Grove Street.
182
Almost immediately after this gravel litigation was terminated, another road construction company commenced the removal of gravel from an area in Woburn immediately adjacent to the Reading town line and used Town streets for the transportation of that gravel. Many conferences were held with that company, the Police Chief, the Board of Selectmen and others, with the result that the route for the trans- portation of the gravel was changed so that none of it passed through Reading.
Two lawsuits were commenced against the Town alleging personal injuries resulting from street or sidewalk defects. Pleadings have been filed in these suits as well as the one lawsuit commenced in 1958. There are presently three lawsuits pending against the Town for al- leged street defects.
The appeal by the former police officer to the Supreme Judicial Court from the Superior Court decision affirming the action taken by the Board of Selectmen, was dismissed.
The lawsuit against the Town involving the construction of sewers was disposed of.
Conferences were held with the Board of Selectmen and the De- partment of Public Works of the Commonwealth in connection with the Town-owned land taken by the Commonwealth for the construction of new highways.
Papers have been prepared for the retirement of employees, and conferences held with the Board of Selectmen and Accountant in con- nection with the same.
The leases for the Community Center were prepared after confer- ences with the Selectmen.
Claims of the Welfare Department have been litigated and support orders for welfare recipients enforced.
Claims for damage to Town motor vehicles and other property have been prosecuted and conferences held with Town officials in connection therewith.
Deeds for the conveyance of tax title land have been recorded and redemption certificates prepared.
Articles and motions have been prepared for the Annual and Special Town Meetings.
During the year there were many conferences with the Board of Public Works, and opinions rendered in connection with contracts, easements, subdivisions, the dump, contracts with developers, better- ments, relocation of water mains, orders of taking, and personnel and other matters.
183
There were also frequent conferences with the Building Inspector relating to violations of the Zoning By-laws, complaints of citizens, and the issuance of building and use permits.
I have attended the regular meetings of the Board of Selectmen on Monday evenings, rendered opinions to all Town Boards and Com- mittees, attended meetings and hearings of Boards and Committees when requested so to do, investigated accident cases and claims against the Town, prepared amendments to the Town By-laws and Zoning By-laws, collected funds due the Town, prepared papers for retirement of employees, and performed all other services requested of me as Town Counsel.
This is my last Report as Town Counsel, and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly express my very sincere appreciation for the cooperation that I have received from the Law Committee and Town officers, Boards, and Committees during the past four years.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL H. AMON, JR.,
Town Counsel
184
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
For the Year Ended December 31, 1959
The transactions in the General Cash Account, in summary form were as follows:
Balance January 1, 1959
$1,072,620.63
Receipts
7,862,790.24
Total
8,935,410.87
Disbursements
7,985,758.52.
Balance December 31, 1959
$ 949,652.35
Funded Debt
Outstanding January 1, 1959 $3,859.000.00
Bonds and Notes Issued in 1959 75,000.00 $3,934,000.00
Bonds and Notes Paid in 1959 326,000.00
Outstanding December 31, 1959 $3,608,000.00 $3,934,000.00
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
Outstanding January 1, 1959
None
Notes Issued in 1959 $ 500,000.00 $ 500,000.00
Notes Paid in 1959
500,000.00
Outstanding December 31, 1959
None
$ 500,000.00
Loans in Anticipation of Bond Issue
Outstanding January 1, 1959
None
Notes Issued in 1959 $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00
Notes Paid in 1959
None
Outstanding December 31, 1959
150,000.00 $ 150,000.00
A more detailed statement of receipts and disbursements, and a condensed version of my annual report of the trust funds of the Town, are presented in the report of the Town Account.
PRESTON F. NICHOLS
Treasurer
185
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
For the Year ended December 31, 1959
Taxes and Assessments 1956
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$ 85.52
Interest and Cost Collected
4.90
Paid Treasurer
$ 86.42
Abatements
4.00
Uncollected December 31, 1959
.00
$ 90.42 $
90.42
Taxes and Assessments 1957
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$ 13,939.33
Abatements Rescinded
135.81
Interest and Costs Collected
1,136.88
Paid Treasurer
$ 14,850.72
Abatements
244.30
Tax Takings
117.00
Uncollected December 31, 1959
.00
$ 15,212.02 $
15,212.02
Taxes and Assessments 1958
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$ 92,321.04
Committed 1959
4,231.70
Refunds
2,091.16
Interest and Costs Collected
2,012.33
Paid Treasurer
$ 83,900.46
Abatements
5,339.39
Tax Takings
93.00
Uncollected December 31, 1959
11,323.38
$ 100,656.23 $ 100,656.23
Taxes and Assessments 1959
General Tax Warrant
$2,524,732.54
Refunds
18,943.32
Interest and Costs Collected
870.61
Paid Treasurer
$2,383,014.75
Abatements
76,860.17
Tax Takings
703.86
Uncollected December 31, 1959
83,967.69
$2,544,546.47 $2,544,546.47
186
Sewer Rentals
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$ 4,711.46
Committed 1959
35,099.56
Refunds
41.20
Interest and Costs Collected
Paid Treasurer
Abatements
189.61
Uncollected December 31, 1959
4,453.28
.
$ 40,428.76 $
40,428.76
Water Mains
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$
1,753.11 553.74
Committeed 1959
Betterment Apportioned
$
1,753.11
Uncollected December 31, 1959
553.74
$ 2,306.85 $
2,306.85
Highway Betterments
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$
459.50
Committed 1959
39,200.32
Paid Treasurer
$ 238.24
Betterment Apportioned
221.26
Uncollected December 31 1959
39,200.32
$
39,659.82 $
39,659.82.
Advance Payment Apportioned Highway
4,250.89
Interest Collected
13.40
Paid Treasurer
4,264.29
$ 43,924.11 $
43,924.11
Sidewalk Betterments
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$
.00
Committed 1959
4,401.19
Paid Treasurer
$ .00
Uncollected December 31, 1959
4,401.19
$ 4,401.19 $
4,401.19
Advance Payment Apportioned Sidewalk
198.66
Interest Collected
1.53
Paid Treasurer
200.19
$ 4,601.38 $
4,601.38
Sewer Betterments
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$ 20,672.12
Committed 1959
50,804.48
Paid Treasurer
$ 4,768.18
Abatement
350.00
Betterment Apportioned
15,930.72
Uncollected December 31, 1959
50,427.70
$ 71,476.60 $
71,476.60
187
576.54 $ 35,785.87
Advance Payment Apportioned Sewer Interest Collected Paid Treasurer
2,657.14 5.17
2,662.31
$
74,138.91 $ 74,138.91
Sewer House Connection
Uncollected December 31, 1958
$
23,368.50
Committed 1959
31,050.73
Interest Collected
7.62
Paid Treasurer
$ 9,305.95
Betterment Apportioned
15,710.00
Uncollected December 31, 1959
29,410.90
$
54,426.85 $
54,426.85
Advanced Payment Apportioned Sewer House Connection
1,580.39
Interest Collected
4.97
Paid Treasurer
1,585.36
$ 56,012.21 $
56,012.21
Moth Department
Committed 1959
$
2,892.10
Paid Treasurer
$ 2,304.10
Abatement
8.00
Unpaid December 31, 1959
580.00
$ 2,892.10 $
2,892.10
Certificates
Certificates of Municipal Liens
$
1,480.00
Paid Treasurer
$ 1,480.00
$ 1,480.00 $
1,480.00
Departmental Accounts
Departmental Tree Work
$ 483.72
Sewer House Connections Account
33.00
Tuition
14,118.28
Old Age Assistance
81,046.56
Main Pipe Extension
12,979.38
Misc. Repairs B.P.W.
756.22
Veteran's Service
7,600.48
Aid to Dependent Children
7,417.78
Public Health
959.00
Disability Assistance
2,227.16
General Aid
2,141.39
Temporary Aid and Assistance
3,059.44
Paid Treasurer
$ 132,822.41
$ 132,822.41 $ 132,822.41
188
Water Rates and Miscellaneous $ 32,651.06 212,128.80 108.15
Uncollected December 31, 1958
Committed 1959
Refunds
Paid Treasurer
$ 192,271.26
Abatements
1,063.20
Water Liens added to Taxes
19,554.35
Uncollected December 31, 1959
31,999.20
$ 244,888.01 $ 244,888.01
Recapitulation of Receipts
Taxes and Assessments
$2,481,852.35
Sewer Rentals
35,785.87
Betterments
23,024.52
Departmental Accounts
135,126.51
Water Rates and Miscellaneous
192,271.26
Certificates of Municipal Liens
1,480.00
Paid Treasurer as per Treasurer's Receipts
$2,869,540.51
$2,869,540.51 $2,869,540.51
WILLIAM E. MORRISON Collector of Taxes
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
For the Year 1959
Valuation
Real Estate
Land, exclusive of buildings $ 4,940,030.00
Buildings, exclusive of land 30,195,400.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$ 35,135,430.00
Personal Property
Stock in Trade $ 131,075.00
Machinery
71,918.0
Live Stock
3,536.00
All Other
1,077,196.00
Total Value of Personal Property $ 1,283,725.00
Total Value of all Property .. Amount Appropriated for Town Purposes $ 3,465,241.04
$ 36,419,155.00
Amount to be paid for State & County Taxes 165,607.34
Amount of Overlay
62,132.70
$ 3,692,981.08
189
Less Estimated Receipts $ 933,074.94 Excise Tax
Over Estimate in 1958
258,527.00 4,042.30
Available Funds
301,303.54 $ 1,496,947.78
Net Amount to be raised on Polls & Prop- erty $ 2,196,033.30
Tax Rate for 1959 - $60.00
Actual Commitments for 1959
Real Estate Tax
Personal Property Tax
Farm Animal Excise
$ 2,108,332.80* 77,053.50* 30.80
Polls
10,890.00* 272,706.37
Excise
Sidewalk & Curbing
1,815.42
House Connections
7,107.81
Sewer Frontage
11,714.75
Highway
15,392.33
Water Charges
19,554.35
Water Mains
134.41
$
2,524,732.54
*Includes additional commitments since Tax Rate Date
Personal Property - $ 30.00
Real Estate -- 207.00
Polls
6.00
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD B. CURRELL RALPH T. HORN WILLIAM T. FAIRCLOUGH
Board of Assessors
190
ANNUAL REPORT of
THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Receipts and Expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1959
TOWN OF READING
BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1959
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Cash:
General
$ 823,747.39
Petty Cash Advances:
Library
$ 15.00
Light
400.00
Group Life Insurance
403.90
33,521.64
Schools
218.00
Selectmen
50.00
Tailings
450.71
Water
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