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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Yebruary 2, 1976
TIME: 7 :30 P.N.
PLACE: Town Office Building, Room 111
PRESENT: Edward E. Furash, Chairman, J. H. Blaisdell, Martin Gilman,
Howard L. Levingston, Harry A. Hall, III , Richard M. Perry,
Secretary
I . LIBRARY
Present: Robert Hilton
Otis Brown
1. Tighter on fuel, repair and maintenance of buildings.
2. Have qualified CETA employee - will remain until summer.
Next year if CETA help is not available there will be a
request for a custodian.
3. Asking for an increase in pages hours.
4. $9,580 includes :
a) $3,000 available on call when we need it - winterize bldgs.
b) 32,750 painting of branch.
c ) $400-500 elevator maintenance.
Note : ask Selectmen if general town contract may be
obtained here.
5. Chairman Furash noted that replacement of CETA help is not
automatic .
6. The Chairman asked Mr. Hilton to create over the next year
a frequency of public use so that the Committee could get
a better picture .
7. $62,000 - another 10% increase over last year. What kinds of
programs are these being used for?
8. We should hear from the Trustees in a while concerning the
programatic functions of the library, Chairman Furash stated.
9. Books have increased 12-14%.
10. Magazines are up and people are using library copies more than
before as home subscriptions have gone up.
11. Fees were raised 3 years ago.
12. Library increase is 14.3% - next highest increase in town
government.
13. Otis Brown stated that shutters will be done by the Town.
14. Circulation up 25,000 - may need more help on Saturday and
Sunday plus more evening help in reference department.
15. Loose 1,000 books per year - looking into an alarm system.
16. Robert Hilton to send a memo re increases.
17. Approximately $9,000 out of total increase is new building.
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II . PERSONNEL BOARD
The name of James Crain was so recommended by the Committee.
III . GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. Whole expense budget up 5%.
2. Snow removal - 94,000 - way out of line.
3. Chairman Furash is to talk to Chairman Bailey stating
we would like to tighten up the road machinery.
4. How many people need step raises?
5. Of the non-weekly costs i.e . , holiday pay is there any
inclusion of an increase in activities or are we holding
it constant? Any change in policy?
6. Present to Town Meeting:
a) what are unions going to settle on?
b) what is policy for management people?
c ) what is proposed policy of treatment for people on
the merit system and those in management?
7. Mr.. Perry gave a presentation re the need for more help:
a) Volume increase in billing - from 1972-75 there has been
a 34% increase .
b) Motor vehicle - 21% increase .
c) Same number of people in Collector's office as was 5 years
ago.
d) When CETA stops we would like to put a person here.
e) More volume of checks to be processed.
f) An observer from the Town of Scituate was shocked to see
the amount of help vs amount of work. He would not stand
for unpaid bills that we have just because of a lack of
manpower. He would recommend 2 more people.
8. Before a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen Mr. Irwin
gave his presentation re the need for an additional person
in the Inspector's Department.
a) Have lost one man because of retirement.
b) Now Have - 2 full time inspectors, 1 girl, 2 part-time
inspectors .
c ) 1968 a second man was asigned to the department.
d) 25-30% are zoning activities.
e ) 1974 - 306 hours of inspections.
f) Building code much more complicated now and mandatory.
g) 78 Buildings in town.
h) Nursing homes inspected every 6 months
Theaters - every 2 months
Carey - every 2 months + certification once a year.
Estabrook - every 2 months + certification once a year.
i) Work load has increased with historic districts - court
cases - Board of Appeals.
j ) Chairman Furash stated:
1. reorganization maybe the answer.
2. Can any help come from fire department?
3. We would feel a lot happier if we could get a closer
look at the exact work load. However, we do not have
the hard facts before us as to what everyone is doing
throughout the day. We do not have the standard of
performance here.
202:
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Inspector's Department Continued
j ) 7 inspections done per day (approx. )
k) Chairman Bailey asked to get together with Mr. Irwin
and Town Manager O'Connell to tabulate the facts and
figures.
9. How are the Board of Selectmen going to handle Articles
IV and V?
Meeting adjourned at lOsl5 P.M.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 1976.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard M. Perry/mo'b
Secretary