HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-12-03-AC-MIN.pdf 42
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: December 3, 1973
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Town Office Building
PRESENT: Jack L. Mitchell, Vice Chairman, Donald B. White, Vice
Chairman, Elizabeth M. Flynn, Secretary, Arthur T. Bernier,
J. H. Blaisdell, Levi G. Burnell, Howard L. Levingston,
Richard M. Perry, Comptroller
OBSERVER: Mrs. Daggett-League of Women Voters
I . PERSONNEL BOARD
Mr. Winthrop Lee, Head of the Personnel Board of Concord joined
the Appropriation Committee meeting to explain just how Concord's
Board operated and how it was originally formed. The following
points were made:
a. In operation since 1951.
b. A 3 man Board is selected by the Board of Selectmen to serve
for a 3 year term.
c. Meetings officially are to take place once a month, however,
they do find themselves meeting at least 3 times a month.
d. Recommendations on salaries are made to the Finance Committee.
e. Two years ago a consultant was hired to study various jobs and
to present a more organized salary and wage classification. By
doing this many existing problems were straightened out, however,
we have not yet lived with the new revisions long enough to know
whether we are going to like them, Mr. Lee said.
f. Personnel Board has no control over school personnel -- we try
to keep in touch with them as much as possible.
g. Town Manager is not reported to.,however, we work with him on a
close scale and report to the Board of Selectmen.
h. Board handles approximately 150 people.
i. Background of Personnel Board: Personnel work for Texaco; Labor
Relations ; John Hancock Management and Administrative position.
j . Job Description Booklet was prepared by Evans and was very well
done, however, jobs do change so that in order to keep this up
to date, constant revision is necessary. Evans is kept on a
very small retainer and does on an average of two to three jobs
a year.
k. Concord Town Meeting postponed until May 1974.
1. Change of Rate Status must be signed by Personnel Board. Mr. Lee
stated that they do not get into any "promotions" at all. This
is an administrative decision.
m. Salary basis compared with about 20 towns i.e. , Needham, Wellesley
Burlington, Bedford, Danvers, to name a few.
II . APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE - NEW MEMBER
Vice Chairman Mitchell announced the appointment of Mrs. Patricia K.
Hagedorn to the Committee. Mrs. Hagedorn fills the seat of Mr. H.
Bigelow Moore who resigned in November 1973.
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III . GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mr. Blaisdell informed the Committee that he had been in
touch with the Winchester Personnel Board and presented
Vice Chairman Mitchell with a copy of their By-Laws and
job descriptions. Briefly, their Board is comprised of
5 men and it is to be increased shortly. A meeting was
set for Thursday, December 6, 1973 at 8:00 P.M. at
Mr. Mitchell's home to discuss with Messrs. Bernier,
Blaisdell, and Burnell the material and knowledge so far
gathered regarding the Personnel Board.
Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , joined the meeting briefly and stated
his feelings regarding the Board and felt that the Board
;r; Members should be selected by the Moderator.
The meeting adjourned to the Selectmen's Room to hear the Presentation
given by Fire Chief Spellman.
The Chief gave a very excellent presentation and feels
that in order to do the very best for the Town of Lexington
it will be necessary to add four new men to the Department.
All equipment is up to date and in his estimation the best
available. The manpower situation is however not up to the
best standards. A comparison chart of surrounding communities
is attached.
IV. Howard Levingston reported on his meeting of November 27, 1973:
The main topic of that meeting was the request of four new
people. In answer to the question of the whereabouts of the
cherry picker it is presently doing nothing! The DPW Hydrants
are in the process of getting new fittings on them for the
new pumpers and Fire Box Maintenance is under contract. However,
this later point was disputed by Mr. Blaisdell.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 10, 1973 at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth M. Flynn/mo'b
Secretary