Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-06-06-AC-MIN.pdf 4 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE HELD June 6, 1949 at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Howard A. Patterson, Chairman ---� in the Town Accountant' s Office with the following members in atten- dance: William M. Hall Emile J. Vadeboncoeur Robert W. Fawcett Clarence E. Smith Lee E. Tarbox Ralph H. Tucker A. W. Cleveland Thomas J. Donnelley, Jr. Frank D. Walker - Secretary The minutes of the meeting held May 9, 1949 were accepted and approved. The following letter from Selectmen was read: "Mr. Howard Patterson May 17, 1949 Chairman-Appropriation Committee Lexington 73, Massachusetts Dear Howard: The Board of Selectmen voted last evening to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $1,337.58 from the Reserve Fund to the Police Pensions Account. This additional amount is necessary to pay for the retirement of —` Officer James J. Lima, who is physically incapacitated for the further performance of duties as a police officer, as a result of injury received during performance of his work. Yours very truly, WHazel J. Murray lerk,Selectmen. It was voted to transfer $1,337.58 from the Reserve Fund to Police-Pensions account. The following letter from Selectmen was read: "Mr. Howard A. Patterson May 10, 1949 Chairman,Appropriation Committee Lexington 73, Massachusetts. Dear Mr. Patterson: The Board of Selectmen has been advised, prior to Mr. Walker' s communication, that there is a balance of only $20.00 in the Law Department - Special Fees Account and that there is one out- standing bill in the amount of $15.00 } On Monday evening, May 9, 1949 it was unanimously voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $ 700. from the Reserve Fund to the Law Department - Special Fees Account. The Selectmen realize that it is early in the year to be requesting a transfer, but you will recall that the budget was not approved as submitted, having been reduced to 01,300. When Mr. Lynch, the Town Counsel, submitted his budget he requested $3,000. and explained that there were legal cases pending on re- quests for tax abatements and cases filed in 1948 which would pro- s bably not be reached until 1949. Up to the present time he has cr represented the Town in court on three of these cases. The Selectmen have also requested the Town Counsel to draft an un- usually large number of easements, the necessity of which was not foreseen when the budget was estimated. Yours very truly, S Hazel J. Murray Clerk - Selectmen. " It was voted to transfer $700. from the Reserve Fund to Law Department - Special Fees Account. The following letter was received from Daniel A. Lynch: "Board of Selectmen May 25, 1949 Town Office Building, Lexington 73, Massachusetts Gentlemen: In reply to your recent inquiry regarding special fees, charged by me in addition to my salary as Town Counsel, please be advised that I have followed very strictly the policy established by my prede- cessor, the late Sydney R. Wrightington, Esq. The salary paid to the Town Counsel has always been regarded as compensation for consultations with and advice given to the various elected and appointed boards and the various department heads of the Town; examination and advice regarding amendments to Zoning, Plumbing, and Building By-laws and Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health and Board of Cemetery Commissioners; opinions on questions of law sub- mitted both orally and in writing and the preparation of the Warrants, Votes and advice given prior to, at and subsequent to all Annual and Special Town Meetings. The special fees are charged for preparing deeds; representing the Town in all litigated or controversial matters initiated by or against the Town; and representing the town in all matters in Court and before Administrative Board and at hearings before Legislative Committees. It is obviously impossible to anticipate the volume of litigated or controversial matters that may arise during any particular year, but the Appropriation Committee can be assured of my willingness to co- operate with them in any way that will be of assistance in their budget problems. It perhaps, should be stated that the amount of work involved in both the salary and special fee categories has increased very sub- stantially during the past several years to an extent consistent with the growth of the Town and the resulting problems. Very truly yours, S/Daniel A. Lynch" Following is copy of letter to Selectmen on Long-range planning: "George E. Emery, Chairman May 14 , 1949 Board of Selectmen Town Office Building Lexington, Massachusetts Dear George: At a meeting of the Appropriation Committee held on May 9, 1949 it was voted to ascertain if possible from the Board of Selectmen the following information: 1. Who are the members of the Capital Outlay Committee that was set up by Town Meeting vote of March 21, 1949? We realize the Moderator was to appoint this Committee, but thought you would have this information as the Town Clerk says he does not have it. 2. What are the policies and plans of the Board of Select- men relative to long-range financial planning? The Appropriation Committee believes, in all fairness to the tax- payer, that some program of financing should be adopted for the following reasons: 1. To avoid if possible excessive bonded indebtedness in any one particular year. 2. To stabilize the tax rate in some manner so that it will not fluctuate to any great degree due to major construction factors. We are unanimous in the opinion that the Town should set aside a reasonable amount each year in a fund which would be available for the purpose of easing future bonded indebtedness and thus stablizing the tax within reason. Very truly yours, Howard A. Patterson aha man.� Following is copy of letter received from Board of Selectmen: "Appropriation Committee May 17, 1949 Town of Lexington Lexington 73, Massachusetts Att. Mr. Howard Patterson Dear Howard: P/7 p We beg to acknowledge your letter of May 14 and answer your two questions as follows: 1. We do not know who the members of the Capital Outlay Committee are. The writer talked with Charlie Ferguson yesterday on the telephone and he has not appointed the Committee. 2. We are certainly in favor of having a policy and plan rela- tive to long-range financial expenditures but rather feel that such plans and policies are as property developed by the Appropriation Committee as by the Board of Selectmen. We would be very glad to meet with your Board at any time and discuss a long-range policy and ways of effectively following it. We think that it is perhaps more difficult to follow a policy of this kind than it is to initially formulate it. You raise the question of "setting aside a reasonable amount each year in a fund which would be available for the purpose of easing future bonded indebtedness and thus stabilizing the tax rate within reason." We would be glad to discuss this with you if it is perfectly legal under some State Statute, and we will look into this latter phase. Very truly yours, S George Emery C airman - Selectmen." It was suggested that when the various sub-committees meet with the department heads that they suggest that the department appropria- tions made for March should be more than adequate to carry them for 1949 without additional transfers. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P. M. Respectfully submitted, V)' 0i3N1/1_. Secretary