1974-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Left: John G. Nash took the perceptive picture of a contemporary Lexington Minuteman on the facing page. His subject was Cecil K. Harris. The Selectmen Report on The State of Lexington W. W. HEN THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN balanced accounts %/'I,/ at the end of 1974, it had the satisfaction having resolved some significant problems and of having made inroads upon others but with the nagging knowledge that inflation remains as a continuing threat to the town's economic well- being. Moreover, inflation at year end was com- pounded by obvious evidence of a concurrent recession. During 1974, inflation affected Lexington's individual citizens severely. All things con- sidered, the effect upon town government itself was more modest. We said modest because the ceilings on expenses and personal services had been set before the 1974 spectacular increases in prices had occurred. Thus the increase in the tax rate through May 1, 1975 was from $69.80 in the previous fiscal year to $70.40 this year. A determined hold- the -line policy had kept absolutely constant the number of non - school employees; for the first time in memory, the town did not have to borrow any funds in anticipation of November 1 tax collections and a referendum rejected a proposal for town trash collection to cost $250,000. Credit for the restraint rests upon all segments of town gov- ernment and upon the citizens themselves. We see problems in holding the tax rate in bounds in the year ahead because so many of the deci- sions may be forced upon us that are beyond the province of the town meeting to control. We think of price increases, for instance, and the cost of services mandated by the state. But we pledge ourselves to act as responsibly as we know how in dealing with whatever issues arise. During 1974 the board of selectmen dealt with the routine of town government problems 5 9;571 Peys.(4ry Jonathan Harrington at Age 89 Jonathan Harrington was fifer for the Lexington Minutemen on April 19, 1775. This drawing of him is reproduced from B.J. Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution pub- lished in 1860.