Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1963, Part 2

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 256


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1963 > Part 2


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John H. Crooker Edwin H. Bjorkman


Planning Board


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that report be ac- cepted as a report of progress and placed on file.


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that Article 1 be laid on the table.


ARTICLE 2. Ronald A. Winslow moved that the Town amend Article XVIII-A of the General By-Laws of the Town, Salary and Wage Schedule, Section 9, Police Department, by striking out "Chief Labor Grade 20" and substituting in place thereof "Chief Labor Grade 22" and Section 10, Fire Department, by striking out "Chief Labor Grade 20" and substituting in place thereof "Chief Labor Grade 22."


This motion was lost.


ARTICLE 3. William H. Diamond moved that the Town amend Article XVIII-A of the General By-Laws of the Town Schedule A Job Classifications Library by striking out the Classifications as therein appearing and substituting in place thereof the following:


LIBRARY


HEAD LIBRARIAN-That person who under the general direction of the Board of Library Trustees serves as the executive director of the total library program, performing the administrative and other work necessary to operate the library. He is responsible for every area of library operations and for the direction and supervision of the profes- sional, non-professional, and custodial staff. He assumes responsibility for the care, maintenance, and operation of all library property and equipment, and formulates and recommends to the Board of Library Trustees such policies and programs of library service as shall tend towards the development of better library service in the community.


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ASSISTANT HEAD LIBRARIAN-A professional staff member who assists the Head Librarian in the administration and supervision of the library and acts for him in his absence.


LIBRARIAN I-A member of the professional staff, who under the direct supervision of the Head Librarian is responsible for the organi- zation, planning, and supervision of the work of a major department of the library set up to perform a function or set of related functions, and having its own staff and definite responsibilities.


LIBRARIAN II-A member of the professional staff performing work of a professional grade which requires training or skill in the theoreti- ral or scientific aspects of library work as distinct from the merely mechanical aspects.


LIBRARY TECHNICIAN-A person who performs under the super- vision of professional staff members work largely concerned with the higher routine processes peculiar to library work and requiring some knowledge of library theory and procedure.


LIBRARY ASSISTANT-A person who performs under supervision duties requiring speed, accuracy and clerical ability, but not knowledge of the theory of library work.


LIBRARY CLERICAL-Temporary help who perform various library clerical tasks under supervision.


This motion was lost.


ARTICLE 4. On motion of Sydney M. Hodson, Jr., it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Thirty-nine Thousand Dollars (139,000.00) be appropriated from Surplus Revenue and transferred for the con- struction of sanitary sewers, sewerage work and other sewerage facili- ties, to be used in such locations as the Board of Public Works may deem advisable, and that the Town Accountant be, and he hereby is, authorized, empowered and instructed to make such transfer to carry out the purpose of this vote.


ARTICLE 5. On motion of Sydney M. Hodson, Jr., it was voted that the sum of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the purpose of constructing and laying aqueducts and water mains of sixteen inches or more in diameter, and to meet said appropriation that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be, and he hereby is, authorized to borrow the sum of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) within the statutory limit under authority of General Laws Chapter 44 Section 8 Clause 6 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town for said Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) in accordance with the provisions of said Chapter 44 Section 8 Clause 6, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty (20) years from date of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine, and said bonds and notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen, and the Board of Public Works is hereby authorized to proceed with the construction of said works and to enter into contracts and agreements with respect


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thereto, and to do all other acts and things necessary or proper for carrying out the provisions of this vote.


127 voted in the affirmative


0 voted in the negative


On motion of John H. Austin it was voted to take Article 1 from the table.


ARTICLE 1. The following report was read by John H. Austin, Chairman, Glen Meadow Elementary School Building Committee:


Report of the Building Committee


For Proposed Alice M. Barrows Elementary School


The Elementary School Building Committee, established under Article 30 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of 1962, submits herewith its report and recommendations for the construction of an elementary school on a site located at Edgemont Avenue and Stewart Road in the area now known as Glen Meadow Estates, on land previous- ly purchased by the Town for this purpose.


The need for the construction of a new elementary school was clearly established by the School Committee in its continuing study of increasing school population.


The School Committee, at the Annual Town Meeting, made the following recommendations:


1. Authorize money for the preparation of plans and surveys for the construction of an elementary school to open as soon as possible.


2. Establish a School Building Committee for the purpose of the construction of an elementary school.


Articles 30 and 31 of the Town Warrant for 1962, dealing with these recommendations, were submitted by the School Committee and so voted by the Town.


Article 30 established this Building Committee and Article 31 pro- vided the sum of $10,000 for surveys, architectural services, preliminary plans and estimates.


The Committee organized, held the required conferences with the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission, selected an Architect, completed preliminary plans and estimates, and reported to the Special Town Meeting of October 22, 1962.


In this report the Committee recommended construction of an ele- mentary school of 14 classrooms and necessary auxiliary rooms in keeping with the educational specifications. At this point, a committee would ordinarily recommend the complete appropriation for construc- tion and equipping the school. However, in order for the Town to re- ceive the greatest benefit from the State matching funds, it seemed advisable to postpone the major appropriation until the calendar year 1963. This committee recommended and received, on a motion under Article 11, the sum of $40,000 to complete working drawings and specifications.


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This stage has now been essentially completed and the Committee is now asking the Town Meeting for an appropriation to complete the School.


EDUCATION SPECIFICATIONS


There are now 73 available classrooms in our elementary school buildings. In September 1962, 78 classrooms were needed. The five rooms over capacity are now housed in the Junior High School and Senior High School buildings, and the cafeteria in the Joshua Eaton School.


In September 1964 we shall need 82 elementary classrooms, and due to projected increases in enrollment it is estimated that when the school year 1966-67 arrives there will be a need of 87 elementary class- rooms. On this basis the School Committee recommended construction of a building providing 14 classrooms and auxiliary rooms.


The educational specifications include auxiliary rooms similar in nature to those now available at the Birch Meadow and Joshua Eaton Schools. These include:


1. Cafetorium (combination of auditorium and cafeteria)


2. Playroom


3. Administration office space


4. Health room


5. Teachers' room


6. Small library and remedial work room


7. Storage space for various purposes


8. Toilet facilities


DESCRIPTION OF SITE


The site for the proposed school consists of a tract containing about 7.7 acres of land purchased by the Town for such use a few years ago. It is bounded on the east by Edgemont Avenue for a distance of 533' more or less; on the north by Stewart Road for a distance of 612' more or less; on the west by Shelby Road and private land 551' more or less; and on the south by private land 643' more or less.


PROPOSED BUILDING LOCATION


It is proposed to locate the building on the southeasterly corner of the parcel and at its highest elevation. The structure, together with access walks, driveways, turn-around, parking and play areas will occupy about 2.64 acres, thus leaving 5.06 acres for other activities. The southwesterly corner, consisting of 1.5 acres, is wooded and when properly thinned out and cleared of undergrowth, will provide an ex- cellent location for nature studies and additional space for play.


The building is so located as to provide excellent drainage from all sides and from borings taken, it would now appear that no ledge is present. It is possible, however, that some boulders may be en- countered.


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The site is particularly adaptable to the accommodation of a two- story building with access to the lower floor from existing natural grades, and to the first floor at its front entrance. By those who have viewed the site from its highest point, it is considered sightly with an excellent view of a considerable area to the northeast, north and north- west.


It is served with all necessary utilities, including water, sewers drainage and electrical service. It is understood that gas lines will be run to the site if required.


BUILDING DESCRIPTION


Due to the sloping site, the proposed building would be of two- story construction with 4 primary classrooms, cafetorium, playroom and utilities on the ground floor, and 10 classrooms, small library, re- medial room and administration on the upper floor. Main entrance is directly to upper floor from Edgemont Avenue. Design of structure is such that all rooms on ground floor have direct access to lower section of site as well as by stairway from upper floor, and provision has been made for economical addition of four more classrooms.


A low-pitched roof is proposed over the entire structure in keeping with the surrounding residential area.


The shape of the building has been largely dictated by the top- ography of the lot upon which it is to be set, and 49 borings have been taken over the entire area allocated for the building and any future extensions, to determine soil conditions, presence of ledge and drainage requirements.


The committee, after making a very detailed study of several pre- liminary plans as submitted by the Architect, accepted the general design but made numerous suggestions as to details of the plan. These suggestions were incorporated in a new series of sketches which were then submitted to the School Building Assistance Commission in Boston. The Commission studied the plans, arranged for a meeting with the Building Committee, requested that minor changes be incorporated in the plan, and then formally accepted and approved the project on October 1, 1962, after the necessary forms were completed and filed by the Building Committee.


COST OF PROJECT


Building (including site work)


$745,000


Equipment


62,000


Architect's Fee


$60,000


Clerk of Works and Contingency


38,000


$905,000


The State will share in this cost to the extent of approximately 40 per cent.


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FINANCING


Of this total of $905,000, approximately $45,000 has been expended from previous appropriations leaving the sum of $860,000 necessary for completion.


At the Annual Town Meeting of 1962, $100,000 was voted into the Stabilization Fund with the intent to use for school construction. State law provides matching funds for this stabilization money, if voted out for school construction in a subsequent calendar year.


This $100,000, plus the State matching funds, leaves $660,000 to be raised by other means.


From the very beginning of its work, the Committee has realized that it was necessary to proceed on a definite time schedule if it was to meet the deadline of having a school building ready for occupancy at the earliest possible date.


It is felt that if contracts can be let and construction started by early spring, the classroom shortage now existing will be alleviated at the earliest practical date.


Glen Meadow Elementary School Building Committee


John H. Austin, Chairman Kenneth P. Roberts, Secretary William E. Burpee Stanford C. Cameron, Jr.


Thomas F. Galvin


Fred C. Kenney, Jr. Robert S. Toperzer


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that report be ac- cepted as a report of progress and placed on file.


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that Article 1 be laid on the table.


ARTICLE 6. On motion of John H. Austin it was voted that the sum of Eight Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($860,000.00) be raised and appropriated for the purpose of constructing, including grading and landscaping, originally equipping and furnishing an elementary school to be known as the Alice M. Barrows Elementary School situated cn Edgemont Avenue and on land presently owned by the Town, and to meet said appropriation that One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.) be appropriated by transferring said sum from the Stabiliza- tion Fund and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is author- ized, empowered and instructed to make such transfer to carry out the purpose of this vote, and that Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($760,000.00) be raised and appropriated by borrowing, and that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to borrow said Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($760,000.00) in excess of the statutory limit as authorized by Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1948 as amended and to issue at one time or


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from time to time bonds or notes of the Town for said Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($760,000.00) payable in accordance with Chap- ter 44 of the General Laws so that each such issue shall be paid in not more than twenty (20) years from its date or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine, and said bonds or notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen, and provided, however, that if and to the extent that a construction grant for said school project from the Commonwealth under the pro- visions of Chapter 591 of the Acts of 1959 as amended, or any other enabling authority, is received prior to the sale of all of the said bonds hereinbefore authorized, the proceeds of such grant shall be applied to the cost of the project in lieu of the proceeds of such unsold bonds and the amount of the total loan hereinbefore authorized shall be reduced accordingly, and the Glen Meadow Elementary School Building Committee, established under a vote of the Town at the An- nual Meeting held March 5, 1962, is hereby authorized to proceed with the construction of the said Building and to enter into all contracts and agreements in respect thereto and to do all other acts and things necessary or proper for carrying out the provisions of this vote.


117 voted in the affirmative


1 voted in the negative


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted to take Artice 1 from the table.


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted that Article 1 be indefinitely postponed.


On motion of Ronald A. Winslow it was voted to adjourn, sine die. at 9:50 P.M.


137 Town Meeting Members were present.


A true copy. Attest:


Boyd H. Stewart, Town Clerk


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ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION


March 4, 1963


Pursuant to the Warrant and the Constable's Return thereon, a Town Election was held at the time and places specified in the Warrant and was called to order by the Wardens, in the precincts as follows:


Precinct 1 Pearl Street School


H. Nelson Bates


Precinct 2 Joshua Eaton School Lawrence Drew


Precinct 3 Community Center


Ronald A. Winslow


Precinct 4 Memorial High School Kenneth C. Latham


who then partially read the Warrant, when on motion of Thomas R. Browne, Precinct 1; Ralph J. Bens, Jr., Precinct 2; Louis Bacigalupo, Precinct 3; Robert A. Curtis, Precinct 4, it was voted to dispense with the further reading of the warrant except the Constable's Return, which was then read by the Wardens in charge.


The ballot boxes were examined by the Warden in charge and each found to be empty and all registered 000.


The polls were then declared open at 7:00 A.M. and were closed at 8:00 P.M. with the following results:


Prec. Prec. Prec. Prec. Totals 1 2 3 4


Moderator for one year


Kenneth C. Latham


568


703


591


658


2520


Blanks


68


56


51


56


231


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Town Clerk for one year


Boyd H. Stewart


569


694


599


674


2536


Blanks


67


65


43


40


215


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Treasurer for one year


Preston F. Nichols


558


685


585


653


2481


Blanks


78


74


57


61


270


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Selectman for three years - Vote for one


Lester W. Bowen


100


84


46


62


292


C. Dewey Smith


345


447


437


445


1674


Russell H. Stone


152


186


141


181


660


Blanks


39


42


18


26


125


Totals


636


75


642


714


2751


Board of Public Welfare for three years


William H. Willson, Jr.


542


675


571


640


2428


Blanks


94


84


71


74


323


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


24


Prec. Prec. Prec. Prec. Totals 1 2 3


4


Board of Assessors for three years - Vote for one


William T. Fairclough


372


496


429


500


1797


William P. McDonnell


222


225


193


178


818


Blanks


42


38


20


36


136


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Municipal Light Board for three years - Vote for one


William L. Smith


14


8


14


12


48


Robert H. Sulis


90


66


95


107


358


Blanks


532


685


533


595


2345


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Board of Public Works for three years - Vote for two


George W. Cochrane, 3rd


471


633


505


550


2159


Lawrence W. Leonard


484


571


466


564


2085


Blanks


317


314


313


314


1258


Totals


1272


1518


1284


1428


5502


Board of Health for three years


Christine F. Parker


542


668


563


640


2413


Blanks


94


91


79


74


338


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


School Committee for three years - Vote for two


Edward W. Palmer


433


507


450


473


1863


Stanley I. Robinson


434


491


417


470


1812


Norma F. Wales


248


374


282


331


1235


Blanks


157


146


135


154


592


Totals


1272


1518


1284


1428


5502


Board of Library Trustees for three years - Vote for two


Helen L. Clark


408


463


398


437


1706


Robert E. Stewart


496


587


531


564


2178


G. Burton Long


234


324


253


306


1117


Blanks


134


144


102


121


501


Totals


1272


1518


1284


1428


5502


Board of Cemetery Trustees for three years - Vote for two


Ernest E. Brown


546


670


561


634


2411


Edouard N. Dube


529


661


557


604


2351


Blanks


197


187


166


190


740


Totals


1272


1518


1284


1428


5502


Board of Cemetery Trustees for two years


Harold F. Davis


549


677


561


643


2430


Blanks


87


82


81


71


321


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


25


Prec. Prec. Prec. Prec. Totals


1


2


3


4


Planning Board for three years John H. Crooker


528


661


554


616


2359


Blanks


108


98


88


98


392


Totals


636


759


642


714


2751


Constables for three years


Arthur L. Harris


518


672


560


612


2362


James T. Putnam


529


660


553


608


2350


Blanks


225


186


171


208


790


Totals


1272


1518


1284


1428


5502


PRECINCT I


FIFTEEEN TOWN MEETING MEMBERS for three years


Charles W. Chisholm, 1 Scout Hill Lane


426


Thomas F. Galvin, 20 Fairmount Road


361


Frederick J. Golon, 140 Green Street


356


Martin R. Hanley, 44 Orange Street


333


William B. Herrick, 515 Summer Avenue


301


Charles E. McGregor, Jr., 235 Pleasant Street


353


Lawrence J. O'Keefe, 17 Sunnyside Road


347


Robert H. Peterson, 11 Harrison Street


373


Ernest R. Watson, 16 Cedar Street


330


Philip R. White, Jr., 10 Fairmount Road


346


Michael A. Baltier, 48 Charles Street


248


Thomas R. Browne, 60 Salem Street


353


Laurence P. Cable, 8 Winter Street


195


Victor H. Cail, 15 Belmont Street


231


Joseph W. Cormier, 22 Elliott Street


218


Anthony J. DeFuria, 372 Haverhill Street


130


Raymond J. Doucette, 73 Libby Avenue


228


Thomas E. Dwyer, 186 Wakefield Street


254


Robert W. Farris, 239 Haverhill Street


211


Henry T. Holbrook, 77 Wakefield Street


303


Harris J. Hulburt, Jr., 18 Elliott Street


185


Ronan J. Laskey, 7 Ordway Terrace


137


Robert M. Moore, 66 John Street


289


Albert F. Pitts, 64 Track Road


149


Anna F. Pitts, 64 Track Road


152


William H. Wells, 75 Cross Street


271


Blanks


2460


Totals


9540


26


PRECINCT II


FIFTEEN TOWN MEETING MEMBERS for three years


Carl H. Amon, Jr., 40 Scotland Road 573


Robert B. Carlson, 26 Alden Circle


507


George W. Cochrane, 3rd, 26 County Road


477


Alfred T. Doughty, 75 Oak Street 525


493


William E. Locke, 233 South Street


462


Paul C. Nicholas, 166 Prescott Street


504


Edward W. Palmer, 45 Pratt Street


539


William P. Reed, 36 Hillcrest Road


460


Donald S. Swain, 256 West Street


478


Donald R. Walker, 33 Edgemont Avenue


511


Harry R. Walker, 33 Curtis Street


452


Margery E. Wood, 4 Orchard Park Drive


438


Douglass L. Barker, 34 Oak Street


283


Lawrence R. Blood, 50 Sturges Road


315


Robert S. Cummings, 23 Edgemont Avenue


251


Robert E. Lautzenheiser, 35 Arcadia Avenue


311


Daniel McBride, 54 Ash Hill Road


206


Malcolm S. White, Jr., 399 Summer Avenue


373


Emerson A. Willard, 56 Pine Ridge Road


361


Ronald A. Winslow, 315 Summer Avenue


580


Blanks 2286


Totals


11385


ONE TOWN MEETING MEMBER for two years


Floyd E. Brown, 119 Howard Street 148


Nils L. Nordberg, 32 Pennsylvania Avenue


374


Roger S. Wales, 196 Prescott Street 151


86


Totals


759


PRECINCT III


FIFTEEN TOWN MEETING MEMBERS for three years


Philip O. Ahlin, Jr., 263 Woburn Street


440


Oliver G. Brown, 9 Grand Street


431


Joseph D. Cahill, 238 Woburn Street 338


Tracy C. Chandler, 94 Middlesex Avenue 404


Francis H. Doughty, 65 Temple Street 417


Grace B. Eisenhaure, 38 Berkeley Street 460


John R. Kay, 50 Grand Street 433


Richard E. Merrill, 166 Prospect Street


382


Harry F. McRell, Jr., 14 Willow Street


405


James S. Perry, 15 Pratt Street


436


Ernest D. Richmond, Jr., 24 Longview Road 380


Dorothy M. Stevens, 14 School Street 394


Woodbury C. Titcomb, 70 Longview Road 410


27


Blanks


Fred C. Kenney, Jr., 39 County Road


William Manning Connell, III, 224 High Street 129 Gene Drolet, 4 Grand Street 171


Walter H. Flinn, 251 West Street 158


Walter G. Kellett, 16 Hunt Street


202


Margaret J. Moore, 11 Prospect Street


289


Ernest J. Schmidt, 23 Berkeley Street


233


Wilson R. Smith, 18 Bond Street


211


Russell H. Stone, Jr., 54 Temple Street


268


Robert H. Sulis, 6 Catherine Avenue


207


James J. Sullivan, Jr., 112 Mineral Street


141


Robert P. Sumberg, 35 Copeland Avenue


207


Edward C. Wright, 24 Vale Road


227


Blanks


1857


Totals


9630


PRECINCT IV


FIFTEEN TOWN MEETING MEMBERS for three years


Wendell A. Berry, 21 Parkview Road


507


Edwin H. Bjorkman, 66 John Carver Road


484


Roland J. Boyd, Jr., 252 Franklin Street 461


Helen S. Bridges, 476 Franklin Street 484


John H. Crooker, 36 Susan Drive


464


Paul A. Franklin, 13 Winthrop Avenue


454


Elbridge W. Grover, 7 Woodland Street


443


Lloyd W. Harrison, 44 Blueberry Lane


408


George L. Hodgkins, 59 Linnea Lane


481


George A. Luther, 12 Meadow Brook Lane


453


Donald C. Mitchell, 22 Tennyson Road


471


William J. Richmond, 115 Franklin Street


411


William J. Tighe, 54 Grove Street


403


Domenick Zanni, Jr., 398 Grove Street


355


Donald Blanchard, 89 Wakefield Street


271


Robert F. Brown, 55 Blueberry Lane


304


William C. Brown, 28 Martin Road


248


Donald C. Dolben, 51 Tennyson Road


336


Joseph J. Schmuch, 69 Lowell Street


256


William L. Smith, 51 Mill Street


264


Russell H. Stone, 47 Emerson Street


341


Blanks


2411


Totals 10710


The polls were closed at 8:00 P.M. with the following results: Whole number of votes cast 2751


The votes were declared in Open Town Meeting, sealed in ballot envelopes and transmitted to the Town Clerk to be placed in the vault for safe keeping.


Voted to adjourn, 1:00 A.M., March 5, 1963.


A true record. Attest:


Boyd H. Stewart, Town Clerk


28


ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


Memorial High School Auditorium


March 18, 1963


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Kenneth C. Latham, at 8:00 P.M.


Reverend John Snook, Jr. delivered the invocation.


The Town Meeting Members were asked to stand and be sworn in by the Moderator.


The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk when, on motion of Ralph J. Bens, Jr., 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 2. The following report was read by Lawrence Drew, Chairman of the Swimming Pool Finance Committee for the committee:


Report of the Swimming Pool Finance Committee


At the 1962 Annual Town Meeting it was voted to establish "The Swimming Pool Finance Committee." The purpose of this Committee was to determine the best method of financing the construction and operation of a Swimming Pool in the Town of Reading.


During the period that this committee was in operation, it held eleven regular meetings, and between meetings each member under- took various avenues of research and investigation into the availability of possible financial assistance.




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