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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1939-01-06SELFCTMEN?S MEETING ' JANUARY 6, 1939. A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Giroux and Messrs. Potter, Ross and Rowse were present. The Clerk was also present. The Clerk was instructed to list the salaries of the Salaries various department heads for the last five years. Joseph A. Ross, Supt. of Water and Sewer, appeared before the Board at 8;00 P.M. He stated that he was requesting a salary of $3120. ' per year, and considered this an adjustment rather than an increase. He requested an increase of $2.00 per week for Miss Hayes, and an increase of $3.00 per week for Miss Harvey. He said that there was a balance of $490, in the Sewer Maintenance Appropriation, and this would have been Mr. John T. Cosgrove, Town Engineer, appeared before the Board to discuss his budget for 1939. He stated that it was practically the same as in 1938, but he was still requesting that he be returned to $60.00 per week instead Engineering of 03j,00O. per year. Under Expenses, he said he was re- Budget questing $50.00 for a filing clerk, which would pay for overtime clerical help. This clerk would take care of some of his correspondence, file, do his report, etc. Mr. Cosgrove said that he was requesting no increases in salaries. With regard to his own salary, he said that in July, 1937, his salary was not restored to what it was before the salary cut, and the Selectmen told him that he would have it res- tored in March, 1939. The Selectmen recommended this, but the Appropriation Committee did not approve it. Mr. Cosgrove said that the Expenses item was $5.00 less than he requested last year. Last year he asked for enough money to purchase six tires and tubes, and this was out down to two. Therefor,. it will be necessary to furnish $75.00 this year in order to purchase the necessary tires and tubes. He said that his stock was depleted, and he would have $325. under the Field and Office item to purchase more. He said he was asking $100. for Engineers' stakes, as compared with $80.00 for 1938. Mr. Cosgrove said that he spent more than $80.00 for stakes this year, and thought that $100. should be'provided for this item. Mr. Cosgrove said that the $25.00 requested for auto- mobile allowance covered the use of an employee's car when It was necessary to use one extra car, and the employee is reimbursed at the rate of five cents a mile. Such a car is used only in unusual cases. The Chairman asked Mr. Cosgrove to reconsider his budget and try to bring it down to last year's figure. He retired. The Clerk was instructed to list the salaries of the Salaries various department heads for the last five years. Joseph A. Ross, Supt. of Water and Sewer, appeared before the Board at 8;00 P.M. He stated that he was requesting a salary of $3120. ' per year, and considered this an adjustment rather than an increase. He requested an increase of $2.00 per week for Miss Hayes, and an increase of $3.00 per week for Miss Harvey. He said that there was a balance of $490, in the Sewer Maintenance Appropriation, and this would have been 96 used up flushing sewers if it had not been for extra work due to the hurricane, and the fact that the Department laid the drain near Concord Avenue. Mr. Ross said that the Equipment repair item in this budget had been cut $200. The reason for this is that in Sewer 1938 he was given authority to have repairs made to the Maintenance' Dodge truck, and he told Mr. Raymond that he could out his 1939 budget by $200. if the repair work was done in 1938. Included in this budget is $500., which is the estimate for power and attendants at the new pumping station at North Lexington, but the total budget is only $300. more' than last year. The Chairman asked Mr. Ross if the budget could be cut $300., and he replied that he did not see how it could be cut that much. There was no discussion on the Sewer Maintenance - Services - budget. The next budget considered was Sewer Construction Sundry Streets. Mr. Ross said that he was asking for J3500 Sewer Con. in this account, and that there was a balance from 1938 of 0698.88. The balance of 4698.88 would be spent on Lowell Street, and probably more money would be ndeded. He had requested this amount of money, because he knew that requests for extensions were coming in from Robbins, Richard, and Winthrop Roads. Fie knew of about 600 feet that would be wanted, and at $3.00 per foot, this alone will cost $1800. There was no discussion on the Water Replacements' budget. ' ,Water Mr. Ross said that the Water Maintenance - Expensem budgets. budget was $2300. less this year than last year. There was no other discussion on the Water and Sewer budgets, with the exception of Water Construction - Sundry Streets. Mr. Ross said he was asking for $5000. in this budget, and that he knew requests for extensions were coming in from Robbins.. Richard and Winthrop Roads. He retired. Mr. Mitchell appeared before the Board. The Board discussed Personal Services with him. He requested an increase of $5.00 per week for Georve V. Morse, and said that the man had been in the department for three or four years, and was almost as competent as himself. He requested an increase of $2.00 per week for Murial Edkins and said that she had been in the department for over five years, and had received only one increase in Public Pu sale He requested that Mar E. Casey's salary be in - Welfare creased from 012. per week to $16.00 per week. This woman budgets. is receiving $3.00 per week under Ch. 117 and Mr. Mitchell thought that she should be on a regular weekly salary. The Board requested Mr. Mitchell to continue the policy of putting cases under the classification in which there is reimbursement as much as possible. The Chairman asked how the Board would feel about his ' seeing Col. McDonough of the W.r.A. and giving him a copy of the Welfare Report of the Sub -committee of the 1 F L Appropriation Committee; telling him that Lexington's quota was unfair, and request that Lexington not be penalized because of its financial condition. The Board felt that this was a good idea. Mr. Russell, Town Accountant, appeared before the Board. The Chairman had requested him to come in and dis- cuss the tax rate for 1939 based on budgets as submitted. Mr. Russell said that he had reduced the budgets to the General Accounting divisions. He gave the following in round figures: Division General -Administration Pro. Persons & Property Health & Sanitation (This increase is due largely increase in street drainage) Highways (This increase due to Paxton's request for new highway con. and sidewalk construction) 115,212. Charities 115,350. Schools & Libraries 249,399. Recreation & Uhclassified 76,032. Public Service & Enterprises 80,308. Interest on Debt 114.029. to 1938 Appro. $66.,o- 99,684. 41,401. ,zW. . 193ested 100,739 53,150. 155,076. 128,425. 248,083. 90,7ll. 86,756. 172 328. w Mr...Russell said, however, that the picture was not as bad as it looked, as of course, these figures represented the budgets as originally presented, and included many extraordinary items. He said that the E. & D. Account looked very good, also. The Chairman requested him to furnish the Board with copies of the figures which he discussed this evening, and he said that he would do so. Mr. Russell reported that the following accounts had shortages for 1938: Soldiers' Relief $49.22; Engineering, $9.73; Public Welfare, Aid & Relief, 610,6,92. Mr. Potter moved that the Appropriation Committee be requested to transfer these sums from the Reserve Fund. Mr. Rowse seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Russell said that he would like to discuss the Storm Emergency appropriation. There was a borrowing of $23,000. based on estimated hurricane expenses. He said that the Fire Dept.had expended about $3300. against an estimate of $2700., an overcharge of x;609. The work is not all done yet, as Mr. Louis Bills figures that there is $350. worth of work to be done yet. The School Dept. estimate was $570., and $617.85 has been spent. The Cemtery still has a balance against its M 1939 tax rate figures Transfers Storm Emergency e M. Stevenson AssIt. Assessor estimate of $431.72, but their obligations are such that they will run over. Mr. Russell said that Mr. RaymondIs estimate was $"19,000., but he would not be able to spend that much, by about $1,000. Mr. Rowse said he felt that the Fire Dept. should be ordered to stop this work and submit a report to the Board on progress of storm emergency repairs. Mr. Rowse moved that the Clerk write the Chief of the Fire Department and order him to stop Storm Emergency work, and submit a report on the situation to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Ross seconded the motion, and it was so voted. Mr. Rowse then moved that the Clerk write the Cemetery Commissioners and ask them to kindly advise the Board of Selectmen before further commitments for Storm damage repair are made. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was'so voted. Mr. Russell said that he had received two payrolls from the Board of Registrars and the Board of Assessors, and he found the name of Matthew Stevenson on the payrolls. Because Mr. Stevenson is receiving a pension, he cannot be paid for other service rendered to the Town. The Clerk was ,instructed to tell the Assessors and Registrars that it has come to the attention of the Board of Selectmen that Matthew Stevenson was listed as an Assistant Assessor and Assistant Registrar, and that according to Section 91, Ch . 32 of the General Laws, it is illegal for the Town to pay any moneys for service rendered by any person receiving a pension paid by the town. Mr. Russell thanked the Board for his appointment for the coming three years. The Chairman informed the Board that the Governor had Jan. 8th issued a Proclamation declaring January eighth New Orleans flag to be Day, and had requested that the national emblem be dis- flown. played. Mr. Ross moved that the flag at the Town Offices be displayed next Sunday. Mr. Potter seconded the motion and it was so voted. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: Clerk. i G'