HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-03-19124
SFT.ECTMEN'S MEETING
March 190 1949
A special meeting wfis called by the
Appropriation Committee as required by General
Laws, Article XIII, Section 2, whereby the
Committee shall, prior to each annual Town
Meeting, for the transaction of business, hold
one or more meetings at which only the Selectmen,
the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, the
Ch&irman of the School Committee and the Chairman
of the Cemetery Commissioners shall be invited
to be present to consider items which make up
the annual budget, and any other municipal
matters.
The following individuals were present:
Chairman, Emery, Messrs. Gay and Hoyt of the
Board of Selectmen; Chairman Winlock, Messrs,
Cleveland, Fawcett, Hall, Patterson, Smith,
Tucker, Tarbox and Vadeboncouer of the Commiss-
ioners and Mr. Frederick J. Spencer of the Board
of Assessors. The Chairman, Mr. Steeves, arrived
late at which time Mr. Spencer retired. Mr. Wal-
ker, Town Accountant, and the Clerk of the Board
of Selectmen were also present.
Mr. Emery stated that the Selectmen, after
giving'subject of the proposed new High School
a great deal of thought, felt that they should
make some statement as to the townts credit with
reference to the school rather than have the people
feel that the Selectmen had washed their hands
of the entire subject with relation to the town
debt and credit. He said that the.Selectmen
will have a statement for each town meeting member
and unless the Selectmen are asked questions they
will take no part in the discussion of the high
school.
Reference was made to the 1949 tax rate and
Mr. Walker said that his opinion is a $3.00 average
for twenty years, going up to a $40,000.00 valuation
by the end of 1969.
Mr. Thomas said that the School Committee has
been on the conservative side. They did not take
into consideration that the.State contribution
will be 26% instead of 24%.
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Mr. Walker said that the Building Assistance
Commission is still using the figures att down by
the State Federation of Taxpayers. They have not
started to compile the official figures as yet.
He said that he talked with the Director yesterday
and no applications for any building have been
approved as yet.
Mr. Gay asked if there was any assurance that
Lexington. Is application would be acted upon favor-
ably and Mr. Thomas replied that Lexington has as
much chance as any other town.
Mr. Winlock asked to have the Cemetery budgets
considered. Mr. Burnham said that the Cemetery
Commissioners are satisfied with the recommendations
made in the Appropriation Committee Report.
Mr. Emery said that, as he recalls it, the only
budgets upon which the Selectmen and the Appropriation
Committee disagree are Patriots, Day, which is a matter
of opinion, and the Recreation appropriation which
again is a matter of oOnion. He explained that the
Shcectmen will present a vote based on their recommend-
ations and the Appropriation Committee will apparently
vote to amend it. He said that he assumed the decision
would then be up to Town Meeting.
A discussion was held relative to the amount to
be appropriated for snow removal. Mr. Emery was in
favor of $35,000.00, which is the amount Mr. DeFoe
claims to be needed and stated that if the money
is- not spent it will be turned back into the Excess
and Deficiency Account. He said he thought the Board
would offer a motion for $35,000.00 unless the
Appropriation Committee wants to contest it. Mr.
Winlock said that he did not think the Committee
would question it for $2,000.00 or $ 3,000.00.
Mr. Emery said that if the Appropriation Committee
mould offer any constructive criticism or suggestions
the Selectmen will be glad to investigate this sub-
ject. Mr. Winlock asked how the Appropriation Committee
felt and it was agreed to go along with $ 35,000.00.
Mr. Emery said that the Town Counsel questions the
right to give any one individual charge of the dump.
He explained that there are legal angles which have
to be straightened out and it was decided to recommend
$5,000.00. He stated that if anything can be worked
out whereby a saving of $ 3,000.00 can be made, it will
be done.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
A true record, Attest:
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