USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1960 > Part 15
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Respectfully submitted,
DONALD T. TAYLOR, Agent
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
To The Board of Selectmen
Reading, Massachusetts
The undersigned submit their report for the Board of Appeal of the Town for the year 1960.
The Board heard 28 cases on 12 hearing days. Twenty-two were for variations of the Zoning By-Laws and six involved Permits. Of the total, 20 were granted, 5 were denied and 3 were continued. At the close of the year, all petitions brought forth before the Board in time for publication, had been heard, and decisions pending on 3.
One case is still being continued from December 1959.
GERALD E. FOSBROKE, Chairman PHILIP R. WHITE, JR., Secretary THOMAS A. PERKINS
Board of Appeal
183
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the plumbing inspector for the year ending December 31, 1960 is as follows:
Number of permits issued
255
Number of fixtures installed 1,200
Gas storage - Hot water heaters 11
Electric storage - Hot water heaters 22
Oil storage - Hot water heaters 3
Hot water tanks
4
Tankless heaters 86
Water closets
280
Lavatories
281
Bath Tubs 128
Showers
41
Urinals
16
Sinks
162
Laundry trays
28
Disposals
4
Dish washing machines
9
Washing machines
117
Drain
1
Trap
1
Drinking Fountains
5
Hot water booster
1
Sewer connections
96
Cesspools
88
Fees for Permits
$
1,033.00
Respectfully submitted
KENNETH G. SHAW Inspector of Plumbing
184
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Board of Selectmen
Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The major problem of 1960 has been the transition between con- tractors in the collection of garbage. The new contractor is gradually learning to cover all areas of the town, but this annual or tri-annual change over of private contractors, along with the steadily diminishing demand for garbage as pig feed, and the increasing distances to the piggeries is constantly pointing toward municipal collection of garbage and rubbish and subsequent incineration. The problems facing the Board of Public Works and its methods of rubbish disposal at the dump or elsewhere are parallel and the consolidation of these services is urgently needed.
The health of the town has been good, there have been no epi- demics, the clinics for well babies, immunizations, teeth, dogs vaccina- tions have all been well attended. Cesspool problems are still with us, but not so acute; new building has caused few problems. New building regulations for Kindergartens have caused some hard feelings, but in time we feel will be accepted as an excellent safety measure.
We are exploring the employment of a full time Sanitarian; or jointly with the Town of Wakefield, a man to divide his time between the two towns, this to begin in 1963.
Our budget still grows, but so does the town, so we think we are about even.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES R. BAISLEY, M.D. EDWARD M. HALLIGAN, M.D. C. F. PARKER
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 5, 1961
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, 1960 to January 1, 1961.
Ninety one dogs and one cat were quarantined for inflicting various wounds upon people this year.
The annual inspection of all barns and sheds housing livestock, and the livestock within the town, was conducted as per request of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, disclosing there to be in the town, 24 cows, 14 horses, 4 goats, 18 sheep and 1 pig. No Contagious infectious diseases were noted.
Respectfully submitted,
GARDINER A. LESTER, DVM Inspector of Animals
185
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT FOR ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
To the Citizens of The Town of Reading
A report of your Recreation Committee is hereby submitted for your approval.
For the year 1960 the Recreation Committee was again very fortun- ate in obtaining an exceptionally fine staff of dedicated people who were to supervise and work with the young people of our community on the summer playgrounds. This group worked under the able super- vision of our Veteran Director, Mr. John Pacino, who through many hours of planning and programming, insures the success of this program.
Many town departments including The Board of Public Works, The School Department, and the Municipal Light Board, helped us materially in the carrying out of our summer activities. We wish to express our thanks for their fine co-operation.
Our local press was most generous in giving our programs excellent publicity. This reporting of Park news was eagerly awaited by the youngsters at each publication.
It is impossible to list all the credits of so vast a program, which included the Mammoth Summer Carnival, trips to the beach, the Boston Childrens Theatre Stagemobile, and evening outdoor movies - but these events and others gave the program an average daily attendance of about 1,000 children of all ages.
Our winter program is now in the planning stage and if weather conditions permit, we will hold our winter carnival during January. At present our winter activity is supervised skating at Birch Meadow, Sturges Park, and Memorial Park.
As for the future of this Recreation Program in our town, may we suggest the following items for consideration:
1. A Municipal pool for swimming is an urgent need of the town. The older boys and girls must seek water activities outside of town.
2. The second step in the Board of Public Work's park improve- ment program should be carried out as planned.
3. Serious thought should be given to the further development of the Haverhill Street play area - grading, seeding, loaming, a more defined playground for youth in this district.
4. Water fountains should be installed at Glen Meadow and Haver- hill St. Playgrounds.
5. The wading pool at Memorial Park is still needed for young people in this section.
186
6. A new neighborhood playground should be discovered on Frank- lin St. - in the vicinity of Grove and Franklin Sts.
7. Further upgrading of the permanent play apparatus and facili- ties at all playgrounds should take place.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. WILLSON, JR., Chairman
H. LEE DONLEY, Secretary
ALBERT CHISHOLM PHILIP ALTHOFF
NEWELL H. MORTON
EDWARD PALMER
HERBERT RIXON
DONALD TEEL
SIDNEY M. HODSON
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Moth Superintendent for 1960.
Cuttings from two hundred and forty-eight elms were cultured at the University of Massachusetts. Two hundred and twenty-one of these trees were certified as having Dutch Elm Disease. Twenty-nine were public trees, these have been removed and burned. One hundred and eighty-nine were on private property and seventy-one of these trees have been removed, the rest will be removed as soon as possible. The three remaining trees are on the State Highway and will be removed by their crew.
The one hundred and sixty-eight infected elm trees left from 1959 were removed before the first of April.
The spray program for the control of the Oak Leaf Miner was very successful. There was very little damage to the White Oak trees from this pest.
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE H. DONEGAN Superintendent
187
THE REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The report of The Conservation Commission for the year 1960 is herewith submitted.
The Town of Reading Conservation Commission has held three meetings Monthly since its inception in September, all in the select- mens' office. James Perry was appointed permanent chairman and Mrs. Gilbert Lothrop secretary. Other members are Mrs. Raymond C. Richardson, Alden Loring, Edmund M. Collins and Rudolph Sussmann.
On Nov. 11 a tour was made of the town property including the Town Forest, the old Mill St., pumping station area and The Read- ing Rifle Range and adjacent Cedar Swamp to acquaint all members with the natural resources of the town.
The so-called Cedar Swamp off Haverhill Street, offers interesting possibilities for further development as a bird sanctuary, nature walks and projects of that sort. Members of the Conservation Commission have made a brief survey of this area and will have more definite sug- gestions later in the year.
The North Reading Conservation Commission, headed by Mrs. Esther Ziemetz, held a joint meeting with The Reading Commission at the December meeting and topics of mutual interest were discussed. It was unanimously agreed that since the two towns border one another at the Ipswich River, future joint meetings might prove helpful in solving harmoniously existing and future problems in that area.
It was voted to ask for an appropriation of $1,500 per annum, one thousand to serve as the nucleus of a fund for land purchase as the occasion arises and the remainder for general expenses.
The following recommendation was voted to be sent to the Select- men:
"Since much of the land bordered by North Main, Franklin and Grove Streets is marginal it is the opinion of The Conservation Com- mission that such areas bordered by these streets should be acquired as soon as possible by the town to protect the so-called scout location and town forest and watershed and placed under the supervision of The Conservation Commission.
On the recommendation of Members James T. Putnam was ap- pointed advisor to The Commission by the Selectmen on December 5, 1960.
Respectfully Submitted,
JAMES S. PERRY, Chairman
188
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 1, 1961
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Municipal Building Reading, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is my report of the Police Department for the year ending 1960.
There were no changes in personnel during 1960. The total still being 28 Officers, Chief, Lieutentant, 4 Sergeants, 1 Patrolman Inspector and 21 Patrolmen.
Augmenting the Regular Department we have: 10 Special Police Officers who serve as School Traffic Officers. We also have :40 Police Reserve Officers who serve every Sunday handling Traffic at our Churches. These men are trained to perform all of the duties of the Regular Officers. They have also served at all 'Special Events such as. Parades, Football Games and other public gatherings which call for more Officers than the Regular Department Officers can provide. These men receive no compensation for services to the Town, and in so doing help all of us in keeping the expense of the Police Dept. at a minimum and still maintain our security.
During the year we improved our communication system by the installation of new switch board and call boxes. Our old system has been in use for 30 years and was continually out of order.
We also added a safety car which is donated yearly by one of our local car dealers.
The interior of the Police Station was painted and improvements made for our listing of automobile registrations.
Serious consideration should be given to enlarging the Station by the addition of a second floor. This building has served for 30 years. Both equipment and personnel have more than doubled during the period and we do not have adequate facilities for either the equip- ment or personnnel we now have
Following are the arrests and other services performed:
Arrests
109
Motor Vehicle Violations
323
Juvenile cases investigated 82
Juvenile Court Cases
18
Ambulance Trips
320
Automobile accidents investigated 155
Teletype messages sent out
302
Fees Collected
Ambulance Fees
$1,622.00
Bicycle Plate Fees
146.75
Revolver License Fees
178.00
189
Automotive Equipment
1 Cadillac Ambulance 1956
1 Plymouth sedan 1957
1 Ford seden 1955
2 Chevrolet sedans 1960
Recommendations
(1) Our Radio equipment which is 10 years old be replaced with modern Transistorized equipment.
(2) That the 1955 Ford be turned in for a new Chief's car.
(3) That both cruisers be turned in for new ones.
(4) That plans be made and proper steps be taken to enlarge the Police Station in the very near future.
(5) That two regular Appointments be made to the Department no later than June 1, 1961.
(6) That a full time custodian be hired to take care of the Police Station, building and grounds.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their understanding help to us throughout the year. Thanks also to the Officers and men of this Department for their efforts to keep the peace.
Respectfully submitted,
ROLAND E. ELLIS
Chief of Police
190
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 following re- part of activities, expenditures and reimbursements for the year ending December 31, 1960 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 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
The members of the Board of Public Welfare and Old Age Assist- ance have met weekly to approve assistance and administrative pay- rolls. Monthly meetings have been held each month to review all in- creases or decreases in client's budgetary needs, also to act on all ap- plications for assistance and to transact any other business incumbent to their duties.
During 1960 a total of 45 new applications for assistance were in- vestigated by the Director or Social Workers, and of this number, 33 applications were approved. Twelve applications for aid were denied due to ineligibility or voluntarily withdrawn by applicant.
Legislative approval of Medical Assistance for the Aged was passed effective October 1, 1960. This category of assistance will result in a larger reimbursement from Federal Funds in certain former Old Age Assistance cases.
Town Counsel Warren J. Killam, Jr. has been most cooperative in cases which required legal advice or action on his part resulting in pay- ments from legally responsible relatives thereby reducing expenditures by this Department.
Old Age Assistance
On October 1, 1960 it became mandatory to transfer all Old Age As- sistance cases who were patients in nursing homes to the Medical Care for the Aged category of assistance. The figures shown will represent the case load and expenditures from January through October instead of a full year.
Case Load (monthly average)
1959
1960
170
166.2
Expenditures
Cash Grants
$ 118,516.76 $
89,277.87
Material Grants (medicals)
84,752.50
91,002.52
Payments to other Cities and Towns
4,596.57
4,261.77
Totals
$ 207,865.83 $ 184,542.16
191
A total of 31 applications for Old Age Assistance were made during the year. After investigation, 21 applications were approved, 4 were voluntarily withdrawn, and 5 were denied.
Effective October 1, 1960, forty cases formerly in receipt of Old Age Assistance were transferred to Medical Assistance for the Aged category of assistance thereby reducing the number of persons in receipt of Old Age Assistance to 118.
Medical Assistance for the Aged
This category has only been in existence since October 1, 1960 there- by figures given below are for only November and December.
1960
Case Load (monthly average)
1959 none
42
Expenditures
Material Grants (medicals)
none
14,616.20
Cash Grants
none
$ 530.39
Totals
none
$ 15,146.59
Aid to Dependent Children
Case load for 1959 (monthly average)
17 for 58.8 persons
Case load for 1960 (monthly average)
15 for 51.9 persons
Expenditures
Cash Grants
$ 25,675.88 $
24,409.47
Material Grants (medical)
2,306.99
3,728.89
Totals
$ 27,982.87 $
28,138.36
Two applications were made for this category of assistance. After investigation, one was approved and one was denied due to ineligibility.
Disability Assistance
1959
1960
Case Load (monthly average)
6.8
8.5
Expenditures
Cash Grants
$ 5.288.08 $
7,789.79
Material Grants (medical)
2,231.98
3,856.88
Totals
$ 7,520.06 $ 11,646.67
There were three applications during the year for this category of assistance all of which were approved and assistance granted.
General Relief
1959
1960
Case Load (monthly average)
....
6.7
4
Expenditures
Cash Payments
$ 5,560.96 $
1,881.72
Material Grants (medical)
2,106.20
2,011.26
Payments to Other Cities and Towns
5,196.18
2,147.78
Totals
$ 12,863.34 $
6,041.36
192
Nine applications were received for assistance from this category of aid. One application was denied and two voluntarily withdrawn. In almost all instanaces assistance granted in each cash was of short duration.
Reimbursement to Town Treasurer Old Age Assistance
Source
State Reimbursement
$
Amount 96,634.73
Estimated Receipts
Other Cities and Towns
3,664.92
Surplus Revenue
Federal Grants
87,486.50
Aid Account
Balance from Appropriation not expended
3,214.09
Surplus Revenue
Refunds
2,122.60 Aid Account
Real Estate Liens
8,773.15
To be determined
Aid to Dependent Children
State Reimbursement
$ 8,969.74
Estimated Receipts
Federal Grants
13,029.50
Aid Account
Balance from appropriation not
expended
2,036.84
Surplus Revenue
Refunds
2,024.70
Aid Account
Disability Assistance
State Reimbursement
$ 4,472.84
Estimated Receipts
Federal Grants
4,094.00
Aid Account
Balance from appropriation not expended
81.57
Refunds
199.24
Surplus Revenue Aid Account
General Relief
State Reimbursement $ 531.46
Estimated Receipts
Other Cities and Towns
696.82
Surplus Revenue
Balance from Appropriation not expended
5,068.52
Surplus Revenue
Administrative Account not expended Refunds
109.88
Aid Account
Transfer at Town Meeting
5,000.00
Old Age Assistance
Summary
State Reimbursement for all catergories of Assistance credited to Estimated Receipts
Account
$ 110,608.77
Reimbursement from other Cities and Towns
4,361.74
Federal Reimbursements credited to various assistance accounts
104,610.00
Transfer to Old Age Assistance Aid Account
5,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
QUINCY B. PARK Director of Public Assistance
193
466.17
Surplus Revenue
credited to Surplus Revenue Account
Account Credited
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 24, 1961
To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1960 as follows:
My appointment as Town Counsel was April 1, 1960, and this report will cover the period from that time until December 31, 1960, specifically including unfinished matters held over at the time of my appointment.
The appeal taken by Robert M. Graham for action of the Board of Appeal of the Town of Reading, Middlesex Superior Court Docket No. 20997, was dismissed after a preliminary hearing in the Superior Court. Also on the Board of Appeal was a parcel of land known as lot 29 on Hancock Street owned by the Town of Reading which was of insuf- ficient size to allow any use of the lot. It was joined with an adjacent lot on the corner of Glen Road and Hancock Street and again taken before the Board of Appeal to remove a restriction upon said lot im- posed by the town at the time of the sale so that the two lots could be used as one. This restriction was properly removed under authority of Town Meeting and was released by the Selectmen to Robert M. Gra- ham and Hermeana E. Graham and their successors in title.
There were various matters referred to the Town Counsel by the Welfare Department, and one suit was brought against the Town by the Massachusetts General Hospital for the hospital care of one Evelyn Atkinson. She is presently on Old Age Assistance from the State of Maine, but under the statute, by virtue of her residing at Pleasant Street in Reading, the Massachusetts General Hospital believes that the Town of Reading is responsible in the original instance for her hospital care. This is an unsettled case, and the Town should normally expect reimbursement from the State, but the State Department has taken the stand that unless payment is ordered by the court, that it will not reimburse the Town of Reading. The case is now pending in the Third District Court of Eastern Middlesex in Cambridge. An action was brought by the Malden Hospital against the Town of Reading for one of its residents in the First District Court of Eastern Middlesex in Malden. This case has now been settled and disposed of. There were two cases brought in Woburn District Court for support of minor children against divorced fathers of children, and in both instances order for payment was made in custody of the Probation Officer of that court. There were several requests and considerable correspond- ence with regard to care of parents for whose support children under the statute were required to contribute. For the most part, these con- tributions have been received or otherwise adjusted. There are two other Old Age Assistance matters which are presently pending. Estates have been recently commenced and negotiations are in process to recoup for town monies paid by Old Age Assistance to the recipients prior to their death.
Under the contract by the Town with George Brox, Inc. for the construction of Summer Avenue, there is a dispute as to the payment
194
of gravel borrow under the contract, and this matter is now pending in Middlesex Superior Court.
On the matter of the Reading Sewer contract with George Bryne Inc., there have been a considerable number of conferences and cor- respondence with regard to various phases of the contract. We are presently in the process of negotiation and this will be finally deter- mined upon completion of the contract.
There was a claim as a result of a blasting situation on Intervale Terrace which occurred December 10, 1959. This matter was settled and disposed of without suit.
There have been several claims against the Town as a result of alleged defects in highways and alleged defects in sidewalks which are presently pending but have not reached the court stage.
An assessment was made for a water construction account on property situated at 129 Wakefield Street, Reading, and prior to its payment the property changed hands and subsequently was committed to the assessors and subsequently to the tax collector. As the tax collector was preparing for taking, a Bill in Equity was brought re -- straining the taking of the property for these unpaid 1957 taxes. After several hearings, this restraining order and bill was dismissed, and the assessment has been paid to the Town Collector.
On the matter of the development of Morel Bros. Inc. at Gleason Road and Alden Circle, there were numerous conferences with the contractor and with the bondsman as to completion of the road under the original request of the Board of Public Works sitting as a Board of Survey. The work has now been completed with the possible excep- tion of a determination of tree lawns, which will be determined in the spring. The original basic bond has been released and a lesser bond has been retained pending satisfactory completion of this work.
With regard to the so-called Dump Cases and the four-car collision which occurred on Route 128 on or about September 29, 1957, these cases were tried before an auditor in the Superior Court with various findings against the Town of Reading and also against the Town of Wakefield in the approximate amount of $32,000. Both sides of the controversy claimed trial by jury and after various conferences and a hearing before a justice of the Superior Court in lobby, the cases were continued to permit the matter to be brought before the Town Meeting for the purpose of possible settlement. The Town Meeting was held and the sum of $9,000. was transferred and appropriated, and all cases against the Town of Reading are disposed of.
Under agreement with the Boston & Maine Railroad, the Town has now purchased the railroad station, the freight sheds and the land bounded by Woburn Street, Washington Street, High Street and Lincoln Street and a strip of land bounded by High Street and the Boston & Maine Railroad right of way northerly from Woburn Street under various terms and conditions for the maintenance of certain portions of this property for railroad passengers.
195
Contracts have been executed for the purchase of new fire appara- tus for the Town of Reading, and I am informed that it is nearing delivery.
There are two accidents alleged to have been occasioned by the Police Ambulance and one of our Police cars, which have been refer- red to the insurance company covering those cars.
Bill in Equity, Town of Reading vs. Emma Bloom and Edward Dewey, Middlesex Superior Court #20902 was defended by Dewey by a plea of jurisdiction, he being a resident of the State of Texas, and the case being reached for trial it was dismissed.
With regard to the Swimming Pool Study Committee, various con- ferences have been held with the Committee and the Chairman, article was prepared for the Town Warrant and was voted whereby various expenses were taken care of and appointment of a swimming pool architect.
The Police Department, in an effort to compel compliance with the Sunday business laws, namely GL Chapter 136, Section 5, has sum- monsed John W. Rohner d/b/a Ro-Nette Coin Operated Laundry to Woburn Court whereupon a guilty finding was had and appealed through Superior Court. Police continued to bring complaints on this matter for violations as they occurred and the defendant brought a Bill in Equity in Superior Court to restrain the Police Department until a determination of matters already pending by the Superior Court on this account.
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