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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1953-12-01-min 175 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 1, 1953 - A special meeting of the- Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, December 1, 1953 at 7:30 P. M. Chairman Reed, Messrs. Nickerson, Gay, Driscoll and Bateman were pre- sent. The Clerk was also present. The Chairman read a letter from John Blackhall Smith, Superintendent of Schools, in which he re- .closed ferred to the enclosed field and emphasized the need Field of some immediate attention due to the fact that the field is so wet. Mr. Nickerson said that if the perimeter drain- ing, which Mr. Burns contemplates, does not work then finger drains could be put in. The Chairman agreed to discuss the problem fur- ther with Mr. Burns. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Smith, Superintendent of Schools, inviting the Board to attend the Middlesex League Sports Night on Friday, December 4th, Mr. Nickerson and the Chairman plan to attend. Letter was received from the Lexington Drum and Bugle Corps (American Legion) requesting permission Paper to conduct a Paper Drive on Sunday, December 13th Drive commencing at 1:00 P. M. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant the request. Application was received from the Veterans' Memorial Committee requesting permission to conduct Use of hall a meeting in the Selectmen's Room, December 10th from 8:00 P. M. Until 9 :30 P. M. The Clerk informed the Chairman that the Board, of Appeals has hearings Sched- uled for that evening in the Selectmen's Room. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to advice the committee that the office of the Building and Plumbing Inspector would be avail- able. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to grant, subject to the approval License of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, renewal of Package Goods Store license to Joseph Trani, Incor- ' posted. 1.76 c d. Letter was received from James F. Collins, Transfer Welfare Agent, requesting a transfer of $4,000 to General Relief to take care of bills presented by other cities and towns for aid to residents with Lexington settlement. Upon motion of Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted to request the Appropriation Com- mittee to transfer the sum of $4,000 from the Re- serve Fund to the Public Welfare Departmefit General Relief Account. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Healy, Veterans' Agent, advising that Commander George F. Ambulance Stitt, American Legion Post #11, Brookline, re- bill quested abatement of an ambulance bill committed against William H. McCullough due to the limited financial status of the family. Mr. Nickerson moved that the charge be abated subject to Mr. Healy's investigation and recommen- dation. Mr. Driscoll seconded the motion, and it was so voted. The Chairman reported that the Superintendent Snow of the local Post Office has inquired again this year Removal about removal of snow from the Post Office yard. Upon motion of Mr. Driscoll, seconded by Mr. Gay, it was voted, in order to clarify the situation, that removal of snow from this area be left entirely at the discretion of the Superintendent of Public Works and further to advise the Superintendent of Public Works that the Board is not committing him to do it. At 8:00 P. M. Miss Mildred Thompson, Collector of Taxes, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that the Board is attem- pting to go over all the budgets with the Department heads and would like to discuss her budgets this evening. Tax Collector - Personal Services The Chairman said that, according to the budget sheet, Miss Thompson was requesting $5200 per year. Tax Collector She said that she followed what the other Depart- budget ment heads are doing. With reference to the other clerks, she said that no increase is being requested for the Senior or Junior Clerk. However, she has re- quested an increase for the second Junior Clerk in the amount of $4.00 per week. The Chairman said that he would like to refresh her memory and if, as he recalls the situation, he is not right, will stand corrected. He said this partic- 177 ular girl was put on last year on a temporary basis. Miss Thomason said that she did not understand it was temporary but that it was for special work. She said that with the increase in the amount of work it is impossible to carry on without this girl. The Chairman said that when the amount was in- eluded in this year's budget it was to assist on the Meagher development work and was only a temporary ar- rangement. He said that he is sure the Appropriation Committee is of the same opinion. He said he assumed they are because last year both Boards coincided in re- gard to this girl. However, now Miss Thompson is actu- ally requesting to have her as a Rill-time employee. Miss Thomson said that is correct and she most certainly does feel that there is sufficient work to warrant another full-time girl in the office. She said the Meagher work is still coming up again this year and although it will not involve as much work as it did, the other wot'k has increased, and this girl has been kept busy all the time since she finished the Meagher work. Miss Thompson said she feels it imperative that the office have sufficient help in order to operate. Mr. Gay asked if, since the completion of the Meagher work, the growth of the town and increased pop- ulation brings in enough work for another girl and Miss Thompson replied in the affirmative. Mr. Gay asked bow the growth of the town would increase the work and Miss Thompson replied that she did not think the Board had any realization of the amour Mail work that goes through her office. She said that none of the work could be eliminated be- cause she is working under the State, and her work is closely associated. with the Assessors aki Treasurer. Mr. Nickerson asked if the amount of work imposed by the State is any different now than it used to be and Miss Thompson r eplied that now all of the real estate bills have to include descriptions of everything, and that is increasing all the time. She said that if there were a bookkeeping machine some of work would be re- duced, but it would require a girl to operate the machine. Mr. Nickerson said that he thought there was some discussion about two years ago in regard t o a machine being used in two departments and asked if that were the type to which she referred. Miss Thompson replied that it was a machine where- by the actual billing would be done when the Assessors wrote up the book. As she understood it, the bill would be made out at the same time. Now she has to make a copy of everything that the Assessors give to her and she has a five-part bill. Mr. Nickerson said he thought there was some dis- satisfaction on her part about that method when it was proposed. 1.78 © 1.4 C. CL Miss Thompson said she did not know and she thought at the time it was a question of expense. She said the never was consulted about using it and thought it was a question of the machine being too expensive. Mr. Bateman said that the Appropriation Committee looked into this and the machine was priced at $3,000 or more but it would do the book for the Assessors and as many copies as they wanted and also type five copies of the tax bills at the same time. Miss Thompson said the machine would not take care of the poll taxes or eiccise taxes. Mr. Bateman asked if all the clerks were experienced typists and Visa Thompson replied that they handle all the- typing in the office, but that consists of copying bills only as she handles all the correspondence. Mr. Nickerson said that as he recalls past years, there were- three people in the Department and the head of the Department was reputedly unable to do much of the clerical work which was done by two people. He said according to Miss Thompsonts statement Mr. Scamman did not do any of the work in the office and two people were doing it all until the time she took it over. Now there ai'e four people in the office doing the work that two people did before. Miss Than son said that the work has increased and that over 2,000,000 has been committed to her this year. She sal she could not say exactly, but over the IIpast seven or eight years, the work has doubled, She said she has been in the office for twenty years and at one time about $5,000 was committed as compared to well over $2,000,000 now. Miss Thompson said that she needs new files and a typewriter but she has not asked for them. One of the typewriters is eighteen years old and is in fair con- dition but not doing the best work. Mr. Bateman suggested that a new typewriter might speed lip the work and she said the work has to be typed and read back and that the girls are doing as well as any girl could. She stated that the bills can be typed just so fast and not any more. Miss Thompson said she definitely feels she is not asking for too much to have three girls in the office besides herself. She does all of the work at the window plus a good part of the real estate work and that the work is being done better now than it ever was done be- fore. She said that her office takes in the money with which to run the town, and if she does not have the time and girls then the own will not get the money collected. The Chairman said that the Board is checking with the Department heads in regard to a change in the present Payrolls payroll system. The Town Accountant has recommended II making out all payrolls to be initialed by the Depart- ment beads. 179 Miss Thompson said that it would be all right with her and that the Accountant could make hers out• if he wanted to. Miss Thompson retired at 8:30 P. M. Mr. William I. Burnham and Mr. Leland Emery, rep- resenting the Assessors' Department met with the Board to discuss budgets. Mr. Burnham said that no chArge is contemplated in the amount for the Assessors. He then referred to Mr. Cronin, Secretary to the Assessors' Board, and said that when he took the position the budget Board suggested that he start with a lower figure than Mr. Spencer was receiving and work up over a period of two or three years until the time he would receive the same salary as the Town Clerk and Treasurer and Tax Collector. They are now receiving $5,000. This year Mr. Cronin received $4500 which is $500 below the other two offices. He said that Mr. Cronin is doing a good job and the Assessors would like to encourage him all they can. Mr. Nickerson said that he was familiar with this situation 'and when Mr. Cronin took over the job he was paid $60 and when Mr. Spencer left he was paid - 75. - He has had substantial increases but never arrived at UR, salary of the two offices mentioned. He said the feeling was that some day he would go on the Board as Mr. Spencer did and, as he understood it, that would be the time he would receive top rating. He said that Mr. Cronin has had substantial increases and persohally he did not feel that he has been treated unfairly. Mr. Emery said that Mr. Spencer was paid for two jobs and he thought the Selectmen wanted to eliminate the two-job basis. He said that he could not see any- thing wrong if Mr. Cronin is made a permanent Assessor instead of Clerk and it might be the best avenue for him to advance. Mr. Bateman said that last year the Board ap- proached the subject of having different grades feel- ing that the head of the Fire and Police Departments were vital to the town and on duty twenty-four hours a day. He said he thought Mr. Cronin was in the group with the Town Accountant. Mr. Emery said that he would admit that the Chief of the Police and Fire Departments handle more men and have more responsibility. The Chairman said that he did not think there was sly question on the other clerks. Mr. Emery said the Assessors are requesting an increase of $2.00 and any increase for the Senior Clerk that may be given. Messrs. Burnham and Emery retired at 8:55 P. M. 184 CD r-y Co CL Mr. E. A. Lindstrom, Building & Plumbing In- spector, met with the Board. The Chairman asked if he is requesting ah in- Building crease of $300 on each position and Mr. Lindstrom & Plumbing replied that the increase is a total of $300. budgets Mr. Lindstrom explained that the increase re- quested for t he substitute, to work during, vacation, is because it is difficult to get a man for $50 a week. The Chairman explained that the Town Counsel ad- vised that possibly the Board had been in error in not officially recognizing Mr. 7,indstrom's substitute and felt that tkge Board should officially appoint the Plumb- ing Inspector. Mr. Lindstrom said that as Plumbing Inspector he is under Civil Service and as he understands it, he is sup- posed to submit the name of a Master Plumber to Civil Service for approval. He said that he did not follow this procedure for only two weeks but if he had occasion to request a leave of absence he would. The Chairman said that in the future, Mr. Lindstrom could still recommend a substitute and the Board undoub- tedly would go along with his recommendation. Mr. Lindstrom said that would be agreeable to him. Mr. Lindstrom agreed to obtain an estimate from Mr. Adams for printing the Building and Plumbing By-Laws. Xs retired at 905. Upon motions duly made and seconded, budgets were acted upon as follows : Police - Personal Services Requested Approved Chief $5376.73 $5500 per year Lieutenants 8727.20 4500 each per year Sergeants 8075.78 4200 " " " Patrolmen 77,680.83 3758 " " " (Increase of $208 each) Clerk 2,436.00 47 per week Department Heads Chief of Police & Fire 5500 per year Town Clerk & Treasurer 5200 " " Collector of Taxes 5200 " " Librarian 5200 " " Town Accountant 5000 " r Assessors' Secretary 5000 " " Welfare Agent 4800 " " Health Sanitarian 4800 " " 1 181 I Accounting Department - Personal RequestedA�proved Accountant 5 150.56 5,000 per yeas Senior Bookkeeper 2,702.60 51 per wee 3. incr4 , Junior Bookkeeper 2,285.00 42 " " ( 2.incr. ) Town Clerk & Treasurer - Personal Clerk & Treasurer 5,200.00 5,200 per year Senior Clerk 2,844.75 56 per week ($3.incr. Junior Clerks 2,065.84 40 " " ( 2.incr. ', Tax Collector - Personal Collector 5,200.00 5,200 per year Senior Clerk 2,496.00 51 per week ($3 incr. ; Junior Clerk 2,184.00 44 " " ($2 incr) Assessors' - Personal Assessors 2,250.00 2,250.00 Secretary 4,875.57 5,000.00 per year &MIMI' Clerk 2,505.60 51.00 per wk. $3 incr, 'Junior Clerk 2,062.00 40.00 " ( 2 incr., Junior Clerk 1,957.80 38.00 " " ( 2 incr. IIAssessors' - Expenses 1,850.00 - 1,850.00 Public Welfare - Personal Agent 4,876.69 4,800.00 per year Social Worker 2,947.84 56.00 per wk.($3 incr. ) The meeting adjourned at 10 :40 P. M. A true record, Attest : Clerk, Se ctmen 1 L.