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Meeting of the Appropriation Committee, June 19, 1967, 7:30 p.m.
Present: F. Parrish, Chairman; J. Blaisdell; M. Bretscher; E.
Furash; R. Gary; D. Grant; G. Kolovson; R. Perry,
Comptroller; L. Lehner; R. Souza
Article 4 figures to be read at Town Meeting
In January 1967, Don Legro was asked for a ruling as to whether
budgets to be pressnted to Town Meeting should be as recommended
by the department or by the Appropriation Committee. His reply
included a review of past policy of the Town and his advice that
the procedure should not be changed; however his only reference
to law xhan was that he had found no law which indicated that what
the Town was doing was wrong. Don Grant has now looked up the
appropriate statutes and believes he has found basis in law for
the Appropriation Committee's figures to be those read. The law
requires that each year the various department heads must submit
to the Town Accountant an estimate of expenses for the following
year and an estimate of receipts. He is supposed to tabulate
these and submit them to the Appropriation Committee. They are
supposed to make recommendations. These recommendations are the
budget for Town Meeting. The Selectmen's duty is limited to mailing
the report to the voters.
Don Grant suggests sending copies of a letter he has drafted
setting forth these ideas and referring to the statutes to Mr.
Legro, with copies for Mr. Cole and Bob I{ent. Appropriation
Committee approved and agreed that, if Don Legro does not agree,
Bob Kent, as Moderator, should be asked to rule on the question.
It is hoped that this question can be resolved long before next
March Town Meeting. The letter will be sent this week so that
it can be studied over the summer. If no answer should be received
before March T.M. , it would be advisable to rise to a point of order
at that time as soon as a figure is read which does not agree with
ours.
Analysis and Estinate of Revenues — Frank Parrish and Dick Perry
have prepared estimates of funds available in 1968, assuming
that valuations and receipts from state increase at the same rate
they have been increasing for the past few years, and assuming
various tax rates. School expenditures have amounted to 58 to 59%
of total revenue. Logan Clarke has requested such an analysis
in order to assist the School Committee in preparing their budget.
His aim seems to be to start with a total figure and work out
the details of the budget from that. Committee will send this
analysis and assist by providing any figures the School Committee
may wish to have. A meeting of the two committees may be desirable
later, after the School Committee has started to work on its budget.
Civil Defense Advisory Committee — Milton Bretscher will serve
as Appropriation Committee member on this committee.
Town Clerk — Mary McDonough requests additional salary for work
as Clerk of Board of Registrars. Law signed June 12 states that Town
Clerks serving as members of the Board of Registrars are to receive
$50 per 1,000 registered voters. (This would mean 4750/yr instead
of the 4450 she now gets). Icer name is not .isted as member, just
as clerk to the Board. Therefore it is not clear whether this law
applies to her salary.
Cemetery Commissioners — Appropriation Committee would like to
have Cemetery Dept. under Public Works Dept. Don Grant has found
that the office of CemeteryCommissioner can be changed from
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Appropriation Committee Meeting
June 19, 1967
an elective office to an appointed office (appointed by Selectmen)
in the same manner that the Assessors were changed from elective
to appointed. It requires a vote of a Town Meeting called for
that purpose or a petition signed by 10 of the registered voters.
Following either of these procedures the question is put on the
ballot at the next regular Town Meeting. If there is no special
Town Meeting next fall, the earliest this could take effect would
be March 1969 if the Town Meeting approach is used. If a petition
is used and 1500 valid signatures o Stained, it might take effect
in March 1968.
LTJ
Appropriation Committee will talk to Selectmen about this.
`Z Appointed Commissioners might include Superintendent of Public
Works and Tree Warden or Park Dept. people. Lou Zehner suggested
possibility of an advisory com;aittee which might include member(s)
of Field and Garden Club, and which could work with the Supt. of
public Works toward making this an arboretum.
Town Clerk — Treasurer — Tax Collector
Discussed possible realignment of these positions.
Clerk cannot be an appointed position without getting new Town
Charter under home rule. Town can vote to authorize Treasurer to
act as Tax Collector.
Discuss these offices with Selectmen as soon as possible so that
Town is prepared to act in case of any resignation or emergency.
Funds — Dick Perry suggests consolidating some accounts such as
Water Available Surplus into E 0= D in order to simplify accounting.
Arthur MacKinnon agrees. Committee approves consolidation where
possible.
Encumbrance System discussed. Dick Perry has inquired of other
Town Comptrollers and accountants. In all except one town,
encumbering systems accompany a centralized purchasing system.
Iie will look further into this question and advise Committee
whether either or both of these are desirable soon. (School
Dept. does use an encumbrance system)
Advisory Board for Computer Center — request Selectmen to appoint.
Reserve Fund Request — Dick Perry requests transfer of 0330
for a typewriter for Comptroller's Office to replace one which needs
frequent repairs. Voted to transfer X330 from Reserve Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth F. Souza, secretary