USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1961 > Part 5
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This motion was lost.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the meeting stand adjourned until March 27, 1961 at 8:00 P. M. to meet in the Memorial High School Auditorium.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 P. M.
172 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest
BOYD H. STEWART Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Memorial High School
March 27, 1961
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at 8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by Kenneth C. Latham
ARTICLE 46. On motion of Sydney M. Hodson, Jr., 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 Timberneck Drive and adopt the recommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) be transferred from Surplus Reve- nue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, 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 47. On motion of Sydney M. Hodson, Jr., 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 William Road and adopt the recommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,850.00) be transferred from Surplus
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Revenue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, 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 48. On motion of William H. Watt 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 Avalon Road and adopt the recommen- dations contained therein, and that the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, and that the Town Ac- countant be, and he hereby is, authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
ARTICLE 49. On motion of Willard C. Ames 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 Edgemont Avenue and adopt the rec- ommendations contained therein, and that the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,800.00) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, and that the Town Accountant be, and he hereby is, authorized and instruct- ed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
ARTICLE 50. On motion of Donald E. Florence 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 Arcadia Avenue and adopt the rec- ommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Two Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($2,900.00) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, and that the Town Accountant be, and he hereby is, authorized and in- structed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
ARTICLE 51. On motion of Lawrence W. Leonard 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 Beverly Road and adopt the recommendations contained therein, and that the sum of Five Thou- sand and Fifty Dollars ($5,050.00) be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appropriated for the laying out and construction of said Way, and that the Town Accountant be, and he hereby is, authorized and in- structed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
On motion of Edward W. Batten it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by C. Dewey Smith, Chairman of the Planning Board:
Planning Board Report of Public Hearing
On Friday, March 17, 1961, the Planning Board held a Public Hear- ing in Room 2 of the Municipal Building, as duly advertised in the Reading Chronicle, on the proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Laws and Map as set forth in Article 52 of the 1961 Annual Warrant for the Town of Reading. The amendment proposed an area change from Residence A-1 District to Business B District.
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The petitioner proposed to relocate on the area under consideration the gas station which is presently on the opposite side of Salem Street and closer to the Reading-Wakefield town line, and to construct ad- jacent to the relocated gas station a small building to be used as a gift shop which would carry high quality and unusual items. The petitioner explained the gas station had been put out of business by the change in the approaches to Route 128 and that a small grocery store which was to re-locate as the gift shop had had its business reduced by approximately 60 per cent for the same reason. They felt the area was suited to business and the town would benefit financially from the two commercial enterprises to a greater extent than the build- ing of eight houses, which is the maximum number that can be built on this land. They could not visualize a traffic or safety problem.
The main objections were spot zoning, creation of traffic problems, keep business on one side of the street, the other side, and a general down-grading of the area which has over the past few years been up- grading itself as a result of the remodeling of homes and construction of new ones in the $15,000 class.
Upon polling those who attended, the Planning Board registered 27 opposed and none in favor of the change. A petition opposing which contained 20 signatures was introduced, and a petition containing 146 signatures which favored the change was introduced.
At an open meeting of the Planning Board, Room 17, Municipal Building on Tuesday, March 21 ,1961, the Board discussed the petition with a view to formulating a report.
First, they are of the opinion spot zoning is not involved. The busi- ness zone on the other side of the street goes to the mid-line of Salem Street and if Article 52 is given favorable consideration, the area in question will go to the middle of Salem Street. The two areas thus would adjoin, and approval of Article 52 would be an extension of a Business B zone, not spot zoning. There is, however, the natural buffer of Salem Street and Bay State Road between the existing Business B zone and the existing Residence A-1 zone. From a physical stand- point the continuation of this condition seems desirable and it is in accord with the recommendations of the Master Plan now being formu- lated. The area in question is primarily a service area, and our plan- ning consultant along with the Board members agree that in such an area it is much more desirable to have business confined to one side of the street. Consideration was also given to the fact that a business or businesses in the area in question could have the effect of lowering the value of the abutting residential property and residential property in the immediate vicinity.
Upon completion of the discussion, the Planning Board polled its members on this petition. It is their recommendation the Residence A-1 zone should not be altered in this area.
Planning Board C. DEWEY SMITH, Chairman EDWARD W. BATTEN JOHN H. CROOKER EDWIN H. BJORKMAN
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On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that report be accepted and placed on file.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted to place Article 2 on the table.
ARTICLE 52. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that Article 52 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Edward W. Batten it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
ARTICLE 2. The following report was read by C. Dewey Smith, Chairman of the Planning Board:
Planning Board Report of Public Hearing
On Friday, March 17, 1961, the Planning Board held a Public Hear- ing in Room 2 of the Municipal Building as duly advertised in the Reading Chronicle, on the proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Laws and Map as set forth in Article 53, of the 1961 Annual Warrant for the Town of Reading. The amendment proposes an area change from Resi- dence A-1 District to Business B. District.
The presentation for the petitioners who are the former operators of Torre's Ice Cream stand on Salem Street brought forth that they only leased the property, and when the First National Stores purchased it, they were compelled to close down. The petitioner felt that to relocate the business to the area in question would enhance the appearance of the street, it would be located in an area suited for business, and there would be no impairment of residential values in the immediate vicinity or general area.
Some of the objections registered were that a zoning change would be spot zoning, a traffic problem would result which would be danger- ous, particularly as there are no sidewalks in the area, and there would be a decline in the valuation of residential properties in the general vicinity.
Upon polling those who attended, the Planning Board registered 26 opposed to the proposed change and none in favor.
After deliberation at an open meeting of the Planning Board in Room 17 of the Municipal Building on Tuesday, March 21, the mem- bers were polled. They voted unanimously that the Residence A-1 Dis- trict should not be altered as proposed in Article 53. To change the area as requested would definitely be spot zoning by putting it in a Business B District with no consideration for residence zones surround- ing it. Additionally, the change is in opposition to the recommenda- tions in the Master Plan for the general area, as across the street and somewhat easterly there is a Business B District with some several hundred feet frontage. It is the feeling of our planning consultant, and the Board members share this opinion, that generally speaking in business areas which are for the most part service and convenience
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areas Business zoning should be confined to one side of the street. The Planning Board does not favor this proposed zoning change. PLANNING BOARD C. DEWEY SMITH, Chairman EDWARD W. BATTEN JOHN H. CROOKER EDWIN H. BJORKMAN
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that report be accepted and placed on file.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted to place Article 2 on the table.
ARTICLE 53. On motion of William H. Diamond it was voted that Article 53 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 54. On motion of Lawrence A. Partelow it was voted that the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) be raised and ap- propriated from the tax levy for the purpose of the further develop- ment of Forest Glen Cemetery including the construction of drainage, walls, the extension of the road system, the extension of the water sys- tem and the preparation of lots for sale.
ARTICLE 55. On motion of C. Nelson Bishop it was voted that the Committee to study the immediate and long-range needs and require- ments of the Reading Public Library, as constituted by Motion under Article 13 of the Special Town Meeting held October 24, 1960 and ap- pointed by the Moderator, continue its studies and report at a later Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 56. On motion of C. Nelson Bishop it was voted that Article 56 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 58. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that Ar- Article 58 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 59. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that Article 59 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 60. On motion of Robert M. Graham it was voted that the sum of $100.00 be raised from the tax levy and appropriated to the Civil War Centennial Committee of Reading for postage, publications, programs, exhibits, and other incidental expenses for the preparation of a proper celebration of Civil War Centennial.
ARTICLE 61. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) be raised and appropriated for Child Welfare Work to be expended under the direction of the Reading Visiting Nurse Associaton and the Board of Health.
ARTICLE 62. On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) be raised and appropriated and the Selectmen appoint a Director, the Director to cooperate with the
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Middlesex County Trustees for the Aid to Agriculture and work of the Middlesex County Extension Service and the 4-H Clubs, under pro- visions of Sections 40 and 45, Chapter 128, General Laws of Massachu- setts.
ARTICLE 63. On motion of William F. Murphy it was voted that the Salary and Wage Schedule of Article XVIII-A of the General By- Laws of the Town of Reading be amended by striking out the hourly and weekly maximum rates for the following Classifications and sub- stituting in place thereof for said Classifications the following new hour- ly and weekly maximum rates:
Max. Old Hourly
Max. New Hourly
Max. Old Weekly
Max. New Weekly
Electrical Repairman
$ 2.21
$ 2.30
$ 88.40
$ 92.00
Construction Superintendent
132.00
135.00
Line Truck Foreman
3.10
3.30
124.00
132.00
Ass't. Cable Splicer
2.14
2.275
85.60
92.00
Lineman 1st Class
2.73
2.95
109.20
118.00
Lineman 3rd Class
2.18
2.28
87.20
91.50
ARTICLE 64. On motion of Winfred F. Spurr it was voted that the subject matter of Article 64 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 judgement 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.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted to take Article 2 from the table.
On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that Article 2 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted to take Article 3 from the table.
ARTICLE 3. Mrs. Isabella R. Harker moved that the Town Meet- ing instruct the Board of Selectmen to appoint and organize a com- mittee whose function will be to explore and investigate ways and means, both public and private, of financing the swimming pool rec- ommended by the Swimming Pool Study Committee-said committee to be named the Swimming Pool Finance Committee, and the Town Meeting to further instruct the Board of Selectmen to give at the next Special Town Meeting a Report of Progress on said committee's activi- ties.
This motion was lost.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of William H. Diamond, as amended by William E. Burpee, it was voted that the Swimming Pool Committee be instructed to continue further study for a swimming pool, reporting back to a future town meeting, and that the committee be expanded
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to include a member of the Finance Committee and a member of the Capital Expenditures Planning Committee to be appointed by their respective committees.
On motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., it was voted that Article 3 be indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted to take Article 4 from the table.
On motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., it was voted that Article 4 be in- definitely postponed.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that this meeting be adjourned, sine die, at 9:20 P. M.
153 Town Meeting Members were present.
A true copy. Attest
BOYD H. STEWART
Town Clerk
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Memorial High School
May 24, 1961
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at 8:00 P. M.
The invocation was given by Reverend John Snook, Jr.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Boyd H. Stewart, when, on motion of Lawrence Drew, it was voted to dispense with further reading of the warrant except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by Richard J. Sullivan, Chairman of the Library Study Committee:
Library Study Committee Report
The Library Study Committee presents to this Town Meeting its report submitted to the Board of Library Trustees of the Reading Public Library which is as follows:
To: the Board of Library Trustees of the Reading Public Library From: the Library Study Committee
At the March, 1961 Town Meeting the Library Study Committee submitted a "Report of Progress." It was accepted as such. In this re- port the Committee made several recommendations, some for present consideration, others that rightfully would be considered long range.
It is this Committee's opinion that the most urgent of these rec- ommendaions was an addition to the present library building. You will recall that our report pointed out that the library building had been
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constructed in 1918 when Reading had 6,805 residents; that by 1960 the population had increased to 19,259; and that a population of 29,250 had been predicted for 1980. Circulation figures of 27,275 books in 1918, and 187,459 in 1960 pointed to a very obvious increase in use. We indicated that in 1960 67 percent of our high school graduates went on for additional training, 41 per cent to degree granting col- leges. These young people need good library service.
In examining the present building, this Committee was of the opinion that there was lack of sufficient space in the Young People's Department, a situation brought to the attention of the entire com- munity by the necessity of evening restrictions; that the programs of the Children's Department were curtailed by insufficient space; that the Reference Department was crowded; that noisy and unpleasant con- ditions existed in the adult area; that the work areas for the staff were inefficient, unpleasant, and uncoordinated; and finally that there was lack of proper receiving and loading facilities.
We were hopeful that an experienced architect could plan such an addition to the front of the present building that would relieve the situations enumerated in the previous paragraph and yet would be esthetically acceptable. At the time of our first report we believed that this was the only way to solve the problems facing the library Board and also to provide the necessary services due the people of Reading.
Now it has come to this Committee's attention that the Bacigalupo property on Woburn Street is no longer optioned to the Congregational Church, that the Town may purchase this property or take it by eminent domain. It has also been pointed out that the present Town Offices are crowded and that additional space is urgently needed in this area. These situations present at least two new solutions to the library's space problems: 1.) build an addition to the rear of the present build- ing, or 2.) build a new library on Woburn Street. This would permit the conversion of the present library building into additional space for town offices or other municipal use.
This Committee feels very strongly the decision now to be made is a policy making decision that should be made by the Board of Li- brary Trustees. It also appears to this Committee that it involves work- ing closely with the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, the Fi- nance Committee, and the Capital Expenditures Planning Committee, and we feel that this is beyond the scope of our Committee. We cannot stress enough the need of direct and immediate action by the Board of Library Trustees.
We propose to submit a copy of this report to the next Town Meet- ing as a final report, and ask that we be relieved of our mandate.
We therefore ask that this be considered the final report of this Committee and that we be relieved of our mandate.
Respectfully submitted,
MARJORIE W. NICHOLAS C. NELSON BISHOP FREDERICK F. STEVENSON
RICHARD J. SULLIVAN, Chairman
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On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted that Report be accepted with thanks and placed on file.
ARTICLE 1. On motion of Newell H. Morton it was voted that the Town authorize the Moderator to appoint a special unpaid com- mittee to be known as a Regional School District Planning Committee to consist of three members, including one member of the School Com- mittee, in accordance with Section 14 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
On motion of Lawrence Drew it was voted to place Article 1 on the table.
ARTICLE 2. On motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., it was voted that the General By-Laws of the Town be amended by adding thereto a new article to be known as Article 17-A as follows:
Article 17-A - Gas Inspector
Section 1. The Board of Selectmen shall appoint annually in April an inspector of gas piping and gas appliances in buildings, to be known as a Gas Inspector, who shall hold office for a term expiring on the thirtieth day of April in the following calendar year and until his successor is appointed and qualified. His compensation shall be established by the Board of Selectmen. He shall have had at least ten years of practical experience in gas fitting. The duties of the Gas Inspector shall be the enforcement of the rules and regulations adopt- ed by the Board established under Section 12H of Chapter 25 of the General Laws, and any acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto. The Gas Inspector may, so far as is necessary for the perform- ance of his duties, enter any building within the Town at any reason- able hour.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen may at any time appoint, for such terms as they may determine, one or more assistant gas inspect- ors to act in the absence or disability of the Gas Inspector and, while so acting, each of them shall have and may exercise all of the powers and duties of the Gas Inspector. Assistant gas inspectors shall have the same qualifications as herein above set forth for the Gas Inspector.
The Gas Inspector shall not be interested in any building contract in the Town or have any interest in the furnishing of materials for any building therein; provided however, that he may, with the written approval of the Selectmen, have such interest if he wholly refrains from acting as Gas Inspector in the particular case. In each such case, the Board of Selectmen shall designate an assistant gas inspector or shall appoint a disinterested substitute gas inspector to act therein, with all the powers and duties of the Gas Inspector; and the compen- sation paid to such assistant or substitute in such case shall be de- ducted from the salary of the Gas Inspector.
ARTICLE 3. On motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Twenty-five and 00/100 Dollars ($225.00) be raised and appropriated for salary and expenses of the Gas Inspector as follows:
Gas Inspector Salary
Gas Inspector Expense
$125.00 100.00
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ARTICLE 4. On motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., it was voted that the Town accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 54, Section 103A, relating to absentee voters in Town Elections.
ARTICLE 5. On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that the Selectmen be, and they hereby are, authorized, empowered and instructed to sell or otherwise dispose of, on such terms and conditions as they shall determine, a 1929 Seagrave Pumping Engine known as Old Engine No. 3.
ARTICLE 6. On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that the Town accept the provisions of General Laws Chapter 33 Section 59, said chapter relating to the pay or remuneration of an employee or official of a town during the time of his service in the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth or during his annual tour of duty not exceeding seventeen (17) days as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.
ARTICLE 7. William J. Tighe moved that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Fifty and 00/100 Dollars ($450.00) for the purpose of providing suitable headquarters for the Post of Dis- abled American Veterans in Reading.
This motion was lost 34 voted in the affirmative 87 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 8. John B. Harker moved that the subject matter of Article 8 be referred back to the Personnel Board so they may conduct and cause to be carried out with such assistance of others, as they may feel desirable, a comprehensive re-evaluation and classification of jobs in the Town under their jurisdiction, and present for consideration at the next Annual Town Meeting, a systematic wage and salary struc- ture covering all such jobs by grades and that, thereafter, any recom- mended changes in the program be presented as changes applicable to grades and all the jobs therein, rather than by individual jobs.
This motion was lost 61 voted in the affirmative
62 voted in the negative
ARTICLE 8. William F. Murphy moved that the Town amend the Salary and Wage Schedule under Article 18A of the General By-Laws of the Town by striking out the Weekly Maximum rates for the follow- ing classifications and substituting in place thereof for such classifica- tions the following Weekly Maximum Rates:
Section 5 - Municipal Light Department
Comptroller
$ 135.00
Assistant Comptroller
115.00
Dist. & Record Cost Accountant 100.00
Distribution Engineer
160.00
Construction Superintendent
145.00
Auto. & Utility Repair Man
115.00
Merchandise Manager
110.00
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Section 9 - Police Department
Chief
$ 145.00
Lieutenant
130.00
Sergeant
115.00
Patrolman Inspector
105.00
Patrolman
100.00
Section 10 - Fire Department
Chief
$ 145.00
Deputy
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