Town of Reading Massachusetts Annual Report

Town of READING Massachusetts 1991 Annual Report The official seal of the Town of Reading was adopted in 1890. It was prepared and recommended by the Board of Water Commissioners, which had just been formed. George Abbott, an architect and member of the Board, designed the seal, which features Lob’s Pound Mill within a shield. For more than 200 years, this building stood on the Ipswich River and was operated as a sawmill and later as a grist mill. Also within the shield are three ravens and a spruce tree. Branches of white pine frame the shield, and on top is the arm and sword from the crest of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. D/MC This Report was printed on Recycled Paper Table of Contents Informational Summary and Resource Guide Reports and Appendices Accountant 1 Appendix 2 Community Development Department of Community Development 62 Community Planning & Development Commission 63 Zoning Board of Appeals 65 Conservation Commission 65 Historical Commission 67 Land Bank Committee 68 Building/Wiring/Plumbing Inspectors 68 M.A.P.C 69 Finance Assessors 70 Collector 70 Treasurer and Trust Funds 77 General Services Board of Selectmen 79 Town Clerk 82 Town Counsel 85 Town Manager 86 Human Services 90 Elder Services 90 Health 93 Recreation 95 Veterans Services 96 Arts Council 97 Housing Authority 99 Legislative Body By-Law Committee 101 Town Meeting 102 Organization Chart 147 350th Anniversary Steering Committee 148 Library 149 Public Safety Fire 153 Emergency Management (Civil Defense) 155 Police 155 Public Works Public Works Department 158 Tree Warden & Insect Pest Control 162 Town Forest 163 Cemetery 163 Custodian of Soldiers & Sailors Graves 164 Solid Waste Advisory Committee 164 School Department 166 Town Officers, Boards & Committees 177 Reading Municipal Light 187 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/townofreadingmas1991read TOWN OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS 1991 ANNUAL REPORT INFORMATIONAL SUMMARY History Reading’s original settlers came from England in the 1630’s to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Many arrived through the ports of Lynn and Salem. In 1639 some citizens of Lynn petitioned the government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for "place for an inland plantation." The General Court granted them six square miles, then an additional four. The first settlement called Lynn Village was on the south shore of the Great Pond, what is now known as Lake Quannapowitt. On May 29th 1644, the settlement was incorporated as the Town of Reading, taking its name from Reading, England. The first parish, also known as the South Parish, became the separate, independent town of South Reading in 1812. It changed its name to Wakefield in 1868. The present Town of Reading was originally called the Third, or Wood End Parish. A special grant in 1651 added land north of the Ipswich River to the Town of Reading. This area in 1853 became the separate Town of North Reading. During its early years, the area which is currently the Town of Reading was known as Wood End, or Third Parish. In 1693, Town Meeting voted to fund public education in Reading. The funding consisted of "four pounds for three months school in the Town, two pounds for the west end of the Town, and one pound for those north of the Ipswich River." Within the present Town of Reading, the Parker Tavern is the Town’s oldest remaining seventeenth century structure, built in 1694. This property is currently owned and operated by the Reading Antiquarian Society, which is a non-profit corporation. In 1769, the meetinghouse, in what is now Reading was built. It was constructed in the area which is currently the Common in Reading. A stone marker commemorates the site. Reading played an active role in the American Revolutionary War. Minute Men were prominently involved in the engagements pursuing the retreating British Red Coats after the skirmish at Concord Bridge. Dr. John Brooks, Captain of the "Fourth Company of Minute" remained in the army for eight years of distinguished service, including White Plains and Valley Forge. He later became the ninth governor of Massachusetts. Only one Reading soldier was killed in action during the Revolution. Joshua Eaton died in the battle of Saratoga in 1777. In 1791, sixty members of the "West Parish" which is the current Town of Reading, started the Federal Library. This was a subscription Library with each member paying $1.00 to join, and annual dues of $.25. The Town’s public library was created in 1868. The Andover-Medford Turnpike, now known as Main Street or Route 28, was built in 1806-7 by a private corporation. This provided the citizens of Reading with a better means of travel to the Boston area. In 1845, the Boston & Maine Railroad came to Reading and improved the access to Boston, and the southern markets. During the first half of the nineteen century, Reading became a manufacturing town. Sylvester Hamden’s furniture factory, Daniel Pratt’s clock factory, and Samuel Pierce’s organ pipe factory were major businesses. By the mid 1800’s, Reading had thirteen establishments that manufactured chairs and cabinets. The making of shoes began as a cottage industry and expanded to large factories. Neckties were manufactured here for about ninety years. During and after Civil War the southern markets for Reading’s products declined and several of its factories closed. Reading members of the Richardson Light Guard of South Reading fought at the first battle of Bull Run. The second company was formed as part of the Grand Army of the Potomac, and a third company joined General Bank’s expedition in Louisiana. A total of 411 men from Reading fought in the Civil War, of whom 15 died in action and 33 died of wounds and sickness. A memorial exists in the Laurel Hill Cemetery commemorating those who died in the Civil War. Following the Civil War, Reading became a residential community with excellent rail service to Boston. Industrial expansion during that time included the precursor of General Tire & Rubber Company off Ash Street. Additional businesses created after World War I included the Boston Stove Foundry, Ace Art, and several other companies. The business community currently consists of a number of retail and service businesses in the downtown area, as well as Addison Wesley Publishing Company, and The Analytical Sciences Corporation (TASC). The Homart Company, a subsidiary of Sears Roebuck & Co., is planning the development of four high-quality office buildings and a new hotel at the former landfill site. In 1994, Reading will celebrate its 350th Anniversary of incorporation as a Town. A volunteer citizens group has been formed to help plan and run the celebration of this event. One aspect of that celebration is the asking of the various Readings and Reddings of the world to help us join in this celebration. Governmental Structure The governmental structure of the Town of Reading has evolved since its creation in 1644. Initially, the government consisted of a Town Meeting and a Board of Selectmen. During the early years of the Town, this governmental structure was adequate for the needs of the community. As the Town grew and the needs of its population evolved, the Town of Reading adopted the representative Town Meeting. This form of government replaced the open Town Meeting in 1944. More recently, the residents of Reading adopted the Reading Home Rule Charter in March of 1986. This form of government focused the policy and decision making function in a very few elected boards and committees, and provided for the creation of the Town Manager position to be responsible for day to day operations of the local government. Currently there are six elected bodies of the Town: The Representative Town Meeting is the Town’s legislative body, and is elected from eight precincts, with 24 members per precinct. Members are elected for three year terms, with eight members from each precinct being elected each year. Elections are held in the Spring. There is also annually elected a Town Moderator , who is responsible for the conduct of Town Meeting. The 192 member Town Meeting meets in an annual session in the Spring, and a subsequent meeting in the Fall, plus any special sessions that are called from time to time. Two standing Committees, the By-Law Committee and the Finance Committee provide assistance and advice to the Town Meeting. n A five member Municipal Light Board is elected for three year terms. The Municipal Light Board appoints the General Manager of the Light Department. The General Manager, under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board, has full charge of the operation and management of the Light Department. The Light Department serves the entirety of the Towns of Reading, Wilmington, North Reading, and portions of Lynnfield. A six member School Committee is elected for three year terms. The School Committee is responsible for hiring the Superintendent of Schools and for the operation of the Reading School system. The Board of Selectmen consists of five members elected for three year terms. The Board of Selectmen appoints a Town Manager, and is also responsible for appointing the Town Accountant, the Town Counsel and most volunteer Boards, Committees and Commissions. The Board of Selectmen acts as the major policy making body of the Town other than School Department and Light Department, and serves as the Personnel Board and Board of Public Works. The Library Board of Trustees consists of six members who are elected for three year terms. The Board appoints the Library Director, and provides the policy direction for the operation of the Reading Public Library. The Town of Reading has a three member Board of Assessors who are elected for three year terms.

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