HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-12-01 Special Town Meeting Warrant(Seal)
Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Reading, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify
and,warn the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote
in elections and town affairs, to meet in hepardson Hall, Junior
High School, Temple Street, in said. Reading, on
MONDAY, THE FIRST D Y° OF DEC BER , 19.52,
at eight of clock in the evening, to act on the following articles
Article 1. To hear and act on the reports of Town officers and
special committees and determine what instructions will be given
Town officers and special committees.
Article 2`. To see if the Tow will vote to authorize the Board
of Selectmen to offer a.reward for procuring the detection and ap-
prehension of the person or persons responsible for the recent
double homicides committed in the Town and to see what sum the
Town will. appropri.ate> from available funds and transfer for such
purpose or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 3. To see ghat sun, the Town. wil..l, appropriate from avail-
able funds and transfer to the Fire Department Maintenance account
or what it will., do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
s,rticle ®y To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board
of >~alectmen to release upon such terms and conditions as they may
determine the restriction prohibiting the erection of a principal
building unless there be provided for each such building; lot area
of not loess than 10,000 square feet and a frontage of not less than.
80 feet which restriction was imposed in Teed of the Town running
to Sten Johnson and. Mary Johnson dated august 23, 1918 and recorded
in the Middlesex South. District Deeds in Book 7336, Page 201, or
ghat it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
article 5= To see if the Town will vote, to accept the `gust
created in the Eighth Clause of the Will of the late Howard Torrey
providing for One Thousand ($1000.) Dollars to be held in trust for
the benefit of the Reading Public Library upon: the terms to be pro-
vided. therein., and to authorize and empower the Town Treasurer to
execute for and in behalf of the Town, Receipt and such other docu-
ments which may be necessary in connection therewith or what it
will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen.
Article 6 To see; if the Town: will vote to accept the gift
from H. 19. Hunt Company of a parcel of land situated on the, South-
erly side of Pleasant Street and the Westerly side of Eaton Street
and estimated to contain k acres and. 1~0, g60 square feet and being
lots 50 and 51 on Town of Beading ,assessors Plat No. 44, such, land
to be used for a public park and recreational.facilities and to be
known as "The Fount Memorial Park" or what it will, do in relation
thereto.
Board of S;ectmen:.
Article . To see what sure the Town will, vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer for the construction and main-
tenance of the Municipal. Parking area situated Northerly of Haven
Street or ghat it will do in relation thereto.
Board of electmen.
866 Town Warrant for
Special Town. Meeting December 3, 1952
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to acquire by right of
eminent domain, purchase, gift or otherwise upon such Yterm and con-
ditions as the Board of Selectmen may determine 263 .,.7 square feet of
land situated on the Northerly side of Hagen Street for a permanent
right of way to the Municipal Parking Place situated Westerly of Main
Street and shown as a strip of land approximately fif teen feet in .
width in a general. Northerly direction from Hagen Street and designa-
ted as Right of Way on Plan of Proposed Municipal Parking Area, Town
of "Heading, dated May 1946, H. Kingman Abbott, Surveyor which Plan is
duly recorded with the Middlesex South District Deeds in Book 6933,
Page 87, and to see what stun the Town will, appropriate end transfer
from available funds therefor, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
L_J
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Law,
Committee to settle the litigation brought against the Town by-
'David 'H. Evans pending in the MiddlesemSuperlor Court and to see
what sum the Town will raise and appropriate therefor, or what it
will do in relation thereto.
Law Committee
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5 of
the Schedule of Minimum and Maximum Salaries to be paid to employees
in positions included in the Employees Classification: Plan by strik-
ing out the hourly and weekly maximum rates under the job classifi-
cations appearing thereunder and sub. tituting in place thereof under
such job class-ifications the: following hourly and weekly maxim
rates.
Lineman - First Class
Cable Splicer
Line Truck Foreman
Hourly
Weekly-
Maas .
Max.
2,03
81®20
2.20
88 ®.00,
2.20
88.00
Personnel Board
School,. Committee
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to acquire by purchase,
eminent domain or otherwise for school purposes a certain parcel of
land situated on the Southerly side of Forest Street and estimated
to contain 8 acres and 36,848 square feet of land and shown as lots
1~ and _55 on Town of Reading Assessors Plat No. 67 and to see what
sum the Town will appropriate from available funds and transfer for
the a.quisition of such land or what it will do in relation thereto.
Schools Committee
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to acquire by purchase,
eminent. d:oma,.in, or otherwise for school purposes. five lots of land
adjacent to the Southerly location of the side of the new high
school, situated northerly of Tower Road (private way) and being
lots 199, 200, ,201, 202 and 203 shown on Town of Heading Assessors
flat No. 35 and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer for the acquisition of sucn land
or what it will, do in relation thereto.
choolr Committee
Town Warrant for
Special Town Meeting December 1, 1952
Article 15. To see ghat stun the Town will vote to appropriate
from available. funds and transfer to the Mater Department account
for expenses, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
article 16. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer to the Highway account for ex-
penses, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
article 17. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer to the Snow and Ice Account or
what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
article 18. To see what sum. Vhe Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer to the account for the construc-
tion and maintenance of sidewalks for expenses, or what it will do
in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
article lg. To see what sure the Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer to the Storm Drainage Construc-
tion account for expenses, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
Article 20 To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate
from available funds and transfer to the Board of Public Works
Pension account, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Board of Public Works
article 21. To see ghat sum the Town will raise by borrowing
or otherwise and appropriate for Extending mad Enlarging the
Municipal Light Plant by constructing a sub-station in the Town
of North Reading, install -the necessary power line from the ash
Street Plant to such sub-station and install such other appliances
and equipment which may be necessary in connection therewith, and
to acquire by purchase a lot of land in the Town of. North Reading
on Haverhill Street or at such other location as the Municipal.
Light Board may deem advisable for the construction of such sub-
station, or what it will do in relation thereto.
Municipal Light Board
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an
attested copy thereof in at least three public places= in each
Q precinct of the Town, not less than seven days prior to
December 1, 1952, the date set for the meeting in said Warrant,
and to publish this Warrant in the Reading Chronicle, one day at
least prior to said date.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your
doings thereon,, to the Town Clerk, at or before the time a:pIpointed
for said meeting.
Given under our hands this seventeenth day of November, 1952.
Kenneth. C. Latham.
G. Lawrence Roberts
James E. Calvin.
Selectmen of Treading
a true copy. Attest
Arthur L. Harris
Constable of Reading
Special Town Meeting
Officer' s Return.
Middlesex, ss
December 1, 1952
Res; ding November 24, 1952
By virtue of this warrant, 1, on November 22, 1952, notified and
warned the inhabitants of the Town of Reading, qualified to vote in
elections and town affairs, to meet in Shepardson Hall, Junior High
School, Temple Street, in said heading at the time specified, a the
designated place for the four precincts of the Town, by posting
attested copies of this warrant in the following public places within
the Town of-Reading:
Precinct 1. Austin's Lunch doom, 17 Harnden Street
Central Fire Station
Police Headquarters
Precinct 2. Masonic Temple Building
Lyceum Hall Building
M. F. Charles & Sons Store 610 Alain Street
Boston & Maine Railroad Depot
Odd Fellows Building
Precinct 3. laterhous e's Store, 36 Minerals Street
Bennyts Store 168 Lowell. Street
Engine 2 Fire Station
Precinct 4. Municipal. Building
Zitzow' s Store 287 Lowell Street
McLaughlin $ s Store 1051 Main Street
The date; of posting being more than seven days prior to
December 1, 1952, the date set for the meeting in this wa-rra:nt.
I also caused an attested copy of this warrant to be ptLblished
in the 'Reading Chronicle in the issue of November 20 the same
being ?yore than one day prior to the date of said meeting.
(Signed) Arthur L. Harris
Constable of Reading
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Shepardson Hall, Junior High School, December 1, 1952
The meeting was calked to order by the Mdderator, Charles P.
Howard, at 8:00 P. M.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on motion
of Kenneth C. Latham., it was voted to dispense; with further reading
of the warrant, except the Constabl,ew s Retwn., vahi.ch was then read
by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. Newell H. Morton read the following report, and on
motion of Kenneth C. Latham , it was voted that the report be ac-
cepted and placed on fade as a report of progress.
Preliminary Report of the Committee Appointed by Moderator,
Charles P. Howard, in accordance with the Vote of the Annual Town
Meeting under Article 42, to investigate and Study the Provisions
of Chapter 66 of the Acts of 19L.9, this act Having to Teo with the
Organization of Union Health Departments, and, to study Existing
Health Services and Facilities in the Town, to Determine the Advan-
tages to be Derived from Reading Joining with Neighboring Towns for
a Union Health Department
The committee met on October 21, 1952 and organized with Dr.Charles
R. Bai.sl,ey., chairman, Newell H. Morton, secretary, and 'fir. Willixn A.
Connelly, H. Raymond Johnson and Mrs Ruth M. Watts as members.
Special. Toivn Meeting December 1, 1952
The cosa?aaittee has already met twice and has spent considerable
time analyzing the provisions of the Act with particular attention
as to how it would affect Reading.
The committee is especialaly concerne(I ' with tie section of the Act
which makes it mandatory for a town to enter alJnion. Heal..th. Depart-
ment unless certain requirements are met.
The committee has studied the various public health facilities in
Reading and have found that many of the requirements as set forth by
the State Board of Health for compliance with the act seem amply pro-
vied for
It appears that the major requirement not met by the town is the
employment of full time personnnel, which includes clerks and nurses as
well;, as a full time director.
Your committee is meeting regularly once a month, and the members
are studying special phases of the Aot besides, which wilal. be incor-
porated in a more extensive or final report at a future town meeting.
Respectfully submitted
Charles R. Baisleey
Chairman
Article l.. O. Nelson Bishop read: the following, instructions
and it was voted that they be accepted and carried ou t®
That this assembly recognizes the strain under which the Reading
'Police Department worked during the recent public emergency; and
appreciates- the valuable assistance that was available in a well,-
organized and trained Police "deserve; and is aware of the timely
and necessary cooperation of the Massachusetts State Police; th-t
the conduct of these agencies in the emergency was in the best pmt
of public service; that a vote of thanks and commendation for this
service be recorded with the minutes of this meeting; and that the
Town Clerk inform the three agencies of this official., action.
On motion of Kenneth. C. Latham it was voted to place! Article 1 on
the table.
Article 2. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was noted that Arti-
cle 2 be indefinitely postponed.
Article 3. On motion of G. Lawrence Roberts, it was voted that the
sum of Seven Hundred. 0700.) Dollars be appropriated by 'transferring
said sum from the unexpended balance in the Fire Alarm Extension. Ac-
count to the Fire Department' Maintenance Account and the Town Account-
ant be and he hereby is a.u.thorized to transfer said sum2' to said Account.
Article On motion of James E. Calvin, it was voted that the
Board, of Selectmen be and they hereby- are authorized to'release upon
such terms and conditions as they may determine the restriction im-
posed in Deed of the Town running to ten Johnson and. Mary Johnson
darted August 23, 19~L8 and recorded in Boob 7336, Page 201, which re-
striction prohibits the erection of a principal, building unless there
be provieded for each such building lot area, of not less than 10,000
square feet and a frontage of not less than 80 feet.
Article On motion of Kenneth O. Latham, it was voted that the
Town accept the provisions of the Trust created in the Eighth Clause
of the Will of the late Howard. Torrey providing for One Thousand.
($1000 Dollars to be held in Trust for the benefit of the Reading
Public Library as prodded in the said 'Mill, such gift to be held by
the Town in memory of Charles Torrey who died in the Town on July 27,
1910 and the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and empowered to ex-
ecute for and in behalf of the Town Receipt wadsuch ether documents
which may be necessary in connection therewith.
Article 6® On motion of Kenneth O Latham, it was voted that the
Town accept the gift from H. 111. Lunt Company of a parcel of land situ-
ated on the Southerly side of Pleasant Street and the Westerly side of
Eaton. Street and estimated to contain 4 acres and 4Os1;6O square feet
of land and being lots 50 and 51 on Town of Reading Plat No. 41.., such.
Special, Town Meeting
land to be used for a public
to be known as "The Hunt Mem,
and supervision of the Board
December 1, 1952_x.
park and recreational facilities and
Drial Parkf° and to be under the control
of Public Works a
Article 7. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the
sum of Twelve Thousand ($122000.) Dollars be appropriated from the
Proceeds of Sales of Real '_°~ate for the construction and maintenance
of the Municipal Parking Area situated Northerly, of Haven Street and
the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized to transfer said
sum to carry out the purpose of this vote
Article 8. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham, it was voted that the
Torn acquire by right of eminent domain, purchase, gift or otherwise
upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Selectmen may deter-
mine 2634.7 square feet of land situated on the Northerly side of
Maven Street for a permanent right of way to the Municipal Parking
Place situated Westerly of Main Street and shown as a strip of land
approx-I ately fifteen feet in width in a general Northerly direction
from Havens Street and designated as "fight of Way on Plan of Proposed
Municipal Parking ,area, Town, of Reading, dated May 1946, H. Kingman
Abbott, Surveyor, whi=ch Plan is duly recorded with the Middlesex
South District Deeds in Book 6933, Wage 87 and to appropriate there-
for the sum of Ten ($10.) Dollars by transferring said sun f 'Ii th.e
proceeds of sale of real estate and the Town accountant be and he.
hereby is authorized to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose
of this Vote.
Yes 11.8
No
Article 9. On motion of Kenneth C. ,atham., it was voted that the
Law Com-,n.ittee be and they hereby are authorized to settle the litiga-
tion brought against the Town by David Rt® Evans pending in the
Middlesex Superior Court and that there be and hereby is appropriated
for such settlement the sung of one Thousand ($1000) Dollars by trans-
ferring said sum from the unexpended balance 3 the Welfare ;.id to
Dependent Children Account and the Town Accountant be and he hereby
is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the
purpose of this Vote.
Article 10® On motion of Harold L. 'ones, it. was voted that
Section 5 of the Schedule of Minimum and Maximun Salaries to be
paid to employees in positions included in the Employees Classifi-
cation Plan be and the same hereby is amended by striking out the
hourly and weekly maximum rates under the job classifications ap-
pearing thereunder and substituting in place thereof under such job
classi fl:_3 ations tae following hourly and weekly maximum rates
Hourly Weekly
Max, Max
Lineman - First Class. 2®03 81.20
Cable Splicer 2.20 88®00
Line Truck Foreman 2.20 88,00
Article 11. On motion of Newell H. Morton, it was voted that the
sum of Five Thousand (.$5000) Dollars be appropriated by transferring
said sure from the unexpended balance in the Welfare General Arid Ac-
count to the Public Welfare Old Age Assistance Account and the Town
Account be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer
said sum to said Account
Article 12. On motion of Philip R. White, it was voted that the
sum of One Thousand ($1000) Dollars be appropriated by transferring
said sum from the unexpended balance in the Welfare ..id to Dependent
Children Account for the engineering services in mak iong preliminary
study and survey of the cost of development of are athletic field in
Birch Meadow, so-called, to be used in connection with the new high
school and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and
instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this Vote
Article 13® On motion of Philip R. White, it was voted that the
Town acquire by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise for school pur-
poses a certain parcel of land situated on the outherl~ side of
Forest Street and. estimated to contain 8 acres and 36,8 8 square
feet of land and shown as lots 4 and 5 on. Town of Reading ass;essors
Plat No. 67 and the sum of Four Thousand ($4000) Dollars be appro-
priated therefor by -transferring One Thousand ($1000) Dollars from.
Special Town Meeting December 1,, 1952
the unexpended balance-in the Welfare Aid to Dependent Children
Account and Three Thousand ($3000) Dollars from the unexpended
balance in the School Department General Salaries Account and, the
Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to
.transfer said sums to carry out the purpose of this Vote
Yes 118
No 0
Article 14. On motion of Philip R. White, it was voted that
the Town acquire by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise for
school purposes five lots of land adjacent to the Southerly loca-
tion of the site of the new high school, and situated Northerly of
Tower Toad (private way) and being lots 199, 200, 201, 202 and 203
shovwn on Town of Reading Assessors Flat No. 35 and the sum of Three
Thousand ($3000) Dollars be appropriated therefor by transferring
said sum from the unexpended balance in the Welfare Disability
Assistance Account and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is
authorized --,nd instructed to transfer said sum to carry out the
purpose of this Vote.
Yes 118
No 0
Article 15, On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted
that the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred (3.500) Dollars be
appropriated by transferring said sum from eater Available Surplus
to the Water Department Account for expenses, and the Town Account-
ant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said
sum to said account.
Article 16. On motion. of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted
that the sum of Four Hundred ($400) Dollars be appropriated by
transferring said sum from Highway Account Salaries to Highway
Account Expenses, and the Town. Accountant be and he hereby is
authorized and instructed to transfer said amount to said account.
Article 17. On motion, of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr it was voted
that the sum of Thirty-nine Hundred Twenty-three and 66/1.00
($3923®66) Dollars be appropriated from the unexpended balances of
the following accounts
"300.00 from Bear Dill Road Betterment
200.00 from Bear Till. Road Betterment
124605 from Fielding Road Betterment
137.77 from. John. Carver Rd Betterment
34.38 from John Carver Rd Betterment
500.00 from Pa.rkman Road Betterment
100.00 from. Parkman: Road Betterment
12.02 from. Pine Ridge RoadBetterment
127.69 from Pine Ridge Rd Betterment
39.33 from Plymouth Road Betterment
262bl3 from Plymouth Road Betterment
580.23' from Crosby Road Betterment
506.06 from Edwin Street Betterment
.1000.00 from House Connection Sewer
P3923 . Account
and transfer said sums to the Snow and
salaries and $1500.00 for expenses and
he hereby is authorized and instructed
car=ry out the purpose of
Ice
the
to
Salaries
Expenses
Account
Salaries
Expenses
Salaries
Expenses
Salaries
Expenses
Salaries
Expenses
Salaries
Salaries
Salaries
Account $2423.66 for
Torn Accountant be and
transfer said sums to
Article 18. On motion of ' . lter S. Hopkins, Jr . , it was voted
that the sum of Six Hundred 600.00) Dollars be appropriated by
transferring said sum from Sid Valk: Account Salaries to Sidewalk
Account Expenses, and the Tow. Accountant be and he hereby is
authorized and instructed to transfer said amount to said account.
Article 19. on notion of Walter S.
that the sum of Nine Hundred ($900.00)
transferring said sum from Drainage Co
Drainage Construction Expenses and the
hereby is authorized, and instructed to
said account.
this Note.
Hopkins, Jr., it was voted
Dollars be appropriated by
astruction Salaries to
Town. Accountant be and he
transfer said amount to
Special 'own Meeting December 1, 1952
article 20. On motion of Walter S. Hopkins, Jr., it was voted
that the sum of Four Hundred Eight and seventy-eight one hundredths
($408.78) Dollars be appropriated by transferring said sum from
Interest account to the Board of Public Works Pension Account and
the Town. Accountant be and he hereby is authorized, and instructed
to transfer said a-o',c%~.int to said account.
Article 21® On motion of ,lfred. H. Dolben, it was noted that
the Municipal, Light Board be authorized and empowered to extend and
enlarge the Municipal Light Plant by constructing sub-station in
the Town of Forth Reading, installing the necessary power line from
the ash Street Plant to such sub-station, and installing such other
appliances and equ.ipment whi; h. may be necessary in connection there-
with, and the Municipal. Light Board be further authorized and errs-
powered to acquire by purchase parcel of land in the Town of North
tadi,ng situated. on the Southerly side of Haverhill Street and
~ned by hart . H. Ford and others and es-tirr?a.ted to contain 5.3.5. ,
res o.f land and that there be raised and appropriated for the
above purpose the sum of Two Hundred. Thousand (0200, 000.) Dollars
in addition to the amount which may be available in the Depreciation
Fund to be expended by the Manager of the Municipal Lighting
under the direction and control of the Municipal Light- Board for the
above purpose; and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized
and directed with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow said sum
of $200,000. and to issue therefor bonds` or notes of -the Town, such
bands or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 14 of the General Laws, so that the w!~ole loan shall be
payable in not more than twenty years from the date of the first
bond or mote or at such earlier time as the Treasurer and the
Selectmen may determine, and said bonds or notes shall be signed
by the Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectman.
Yes 116
No 0
On motion of Kenneth. C. Lathan it was voted to take article 1
From the table.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham i was voted that Article. 1 be
indefinitely postponed.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to adjourn, sine die,
at 9:45 P. M.
123 Precinct Members, were present.
Town Clerk-