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REPORT and RECOMMENDATIONS of the FINANCE COMMITTEE For the Annual Town Meeting Ipswich, Mass., Monday, March 1, 1948
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
Your Finance Committee has held thirteen meetings, a total of 60 hours, and in addition each member has had assigned to him certain departments for a personal study. The heads of all departments and interested citizens have been in attendance at each meeting. All persons appear- ing, whether in favor of or opposed to any appropriation, have been subjected to a thorough interrogation in order that your committee be enabled to make a proper report.
We have not proceeded on the theory that it is the function of the Finance Committee to establish the tax rate. We have not proceeded on the theory that our every decision should be controlled by the possibility of an in- creased tax rate. We have proceeded on the theory that it is our function to listen to all the evidence, pro and con, on each proposition presented, thereafter to decide on the merits of such proposition and base our recom- mendations to the citizens on our findings. We believe this to be our proper function and leave to the assembly the final decision and to the duly elected officials of the town to determine the tax rate.
We have been confronted with a request from nearly all departments for increases in salaries and wages. After hearing the evidence presented and giving consideration to comparable wages and salaries paid in other commu- nities and private industry and giving due weight to eco- nomic forces, your committee believes that an increase is in order. This issue was debated at great length and heatedly at times on the question of the amount of the raise. We finally, after a written ballot, determined to recommend a temporary raise of $200 to all permanent full time employees, except members of elected boards. This recommendation is not applicable to the School De- partment as their budget carries a request for an increase and will be discussed separately. We recommend that all hourly labor in all departments receive an increase of 15¢ an hour. We recommend that the call firemen and the
Fire Engineers receive an increase of $50 per year. It being understood that these increases are temporary for the year 1948. We further recommend that a committee of five citizens be appointed by the Moderator, that said committee make a complete study of salaries and wages, exclusive of school employees, and report their findings and recommendations to the Finance Committee on or before Dec. 10, 1948. This for the purpose of allowing the Finance Committee and heads of departments to agree on a salary and wage schedule of a permanent nature to be put in effect in 1949. This study should be thorough and comprehensive and cover all employees except schools. We have purposely eliminated the school em- ployees for the following reasons: A study has been made and the Superintendent of Schools has presented your committee with a plan which we believe is complete and adequate. It does not give the teachers as a whole the raise recommended above and does not take effect until September, 1948. It does, however, lay down a policy covering 12 years and provide a step rate increase which takes effect each year, provided the teacher sees fit to take certain courses to improve her value. This plan is based on merit and individual initiative. The teacher does not get the raise without some expenditure of time and effort on his or her part and at their expense. We recom- mend the adoption of the plan presented by the Super- intendent of Schools and the appropriation requested, in consideration of the School Committee living up to the provisions contained in the plan. If this is adopted, we hope to see the last of this school salary problem. We recommend that all citizens read the Report sub- mitted by the Superintendent of Schools to the Finance Committee.
We believe that much can be saved to the taxpayers by some changes in the administration of town affairs: (1) All purchases, except school books which must be purchased by the School Department, be made by one designated official. On fuel alone, a savings of over one thousand dollars has been estimated. (2) Insurance on buildings can be reduced by the town establishing a self- insurance fund. (3) Insurance on motor vehicles can be reduced by a blanket policy. (4) Repairs to typewriters and business machines under a contract covering all de- partments. (5) Substantial savings could be made by re- ceiving bids on all purchases over $100. (6) By the elim- ination and consolidation of certain offices and boards, even though it might be necessary to pay additional compensation. (7) The town now owns a considerable quantity of mechanical equipment, trucks, tractors, etc. Repair bills are a large item. It has been suggested that it would be an excellent idea to have a municipal garage.
2
This should be given serious consideration. (8) We rec- ommend, in certain instances, that the Welfare Depart- ment exercise a stricter control over medical fees and expenses. (9) We recommend that the salary of the Town Clerk be a fixed salary with the fees of the office returned to the town.
This report has been signed by all members, not, however, without mental reservation on the part of some and without reluctance on the part of others, but be- lieving that harmony is for the best interests of the town. A minority report or dissenting opinion on some particular item can accomplish no better result than a healthy, open and honest discussion of differences on the floor.
In closing, we wish to remind department heads that the Statutes provide that budgets shall be submitted to the Finance Committee on or before December 10th. This year they were received late in January. We recognize the difficulty that the Town Accountant had during this period with the State Auditors on the books. We want to hold proper hearings and devote sufficient time to our duties in order that we may render an intelligent report based on facts and that cannot be done if budgets are not submitted on time.
Also, to the citizens, when you are disappointed about the tax rate, remember the arbitrary laws passed by the legislature which foist on the town and citizens expenses under mandatory conditions beyond our control. We have a lot of this and it is getting worse all the time. Every session of the legislature sees some new burden on the town.
The type of administration and the cost of town government are the responsibility of you as citizens. It is your duty and responsibility to remember this fact. We, the Finance Committee, have made our recommenda- tions. It is within your province to accept, increase or lower these amounts. You, and you alone, appropriate the town expenditures.
WALTER E. LEZON, Chairman ROY DREW, Vice Chairman EDMUND KELLEHER, Secretary J. PERRY SMITH LEWIS CLEMENT
A. C. BURRAGE
R. T. BAMFORD LOUIS BOURNAZOS JOHN CLOGSTON
3
Recommendations on the Warrant
Article 1. To fix the compensation of Town Officers.
Recommend that the salaries of all town officers and employees be the same as in the year 1947 except that all full time permanent salaried officers or employees exclusive of elective boards and the School Department, whose request with a new plan is included in the tabu- lation sheet, shall receive a temporary increase for a period of one year in the amount of $200, all hourly labor shall be increased by 15¢ per hour, call firemen and the Board of Fire Engineers by $50; it being understood that this increase is temporary for this year and during which time it is recommended that a committee of five to be appointed by the moderator to make a complete study of all salaries and hourly wages of all town em- ployees and report to the Finance Committee not later than December 10, 1948, for their use in the deliberations on the department budgets for the year 1949.
Appropriation necessary under this article
Accountant
$ 400
Treasurer and Collector
600
Assessors
200
Town Clerk
200
Town Hall
200
Clam Commissioner
200
Memorial Building
200
Welfare Department
200
Veterans' Administration
200
Police Department
1,600
Fire Department
1,600
Highway Department, Superintendent
200
Highway Department, Regular Operators
920
Highway Department, Labor
500
Cemetery Department, Superintendent
200
Cemetery Department, Labor
900
Cemetery Department, Labor,
Cowles Memorial Cemetery
300
Park, Trees and Moth Department, Supt.
200
Moth Department, Labor
250
Tree Department, Labor
0
Park Department, Labor
100
Health Department, Labor
800
Fire Department, Call Men and Engineers
1,550
$11,520
4
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1948, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any notes or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, of the Gen- eral Laws.
We recommend adoption of the article.
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the current expenses of the Water Depart- ment, same to be paid from the revenues received by the Water Department during the current year.
We recommend an appropriation of $36,000.
Article 7. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the disposition of any surplus funds in the Water Department.
We recommend the transfer of $2.106.47 from Water Department surplus to the Water Department construc- tion account.
Article 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Water Department to borrow a sum of money for the purpose of extending the water mains to the present system.
We recommend the sum of $10,000.
Article 9. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the disposition of any surplus funds in the Electric Light Department.
We recommend the transfer of $6,737.11 to the Asses- sors to be used for the purpose of reducing the tax rate.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to transfer all, or any part of the Overlay Reserve Fund to the Re- serve Fund.
We recommend the transfer of $2,840.01 from the Overlay Surplus to the Finance Committee Reserve Fund.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Assessors to use any part of Surplus Reve- nue thereof, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, as free cash in determin- ing the Tax Rate.
5
1947 Appropriations and Refunds 100.00
Transfer Reserve Fund
Department
Moderator Selectmen Accountant Treasurer and Collector Assessors
$
4,700.00
$ 2.15
4,537.50
6,370.00
1,000.00
4,918.00
4.55
Law
600.00
Town Clerk
2,231.50
900.00
Election and Registration
1,494.00
715.00
Town Hall
4,856.20
Police
20,802.00
Fire
27,115.80
42.00
Weights and Measures
503.50
Moth
4,827.00
Tree Warden
5,125.00
Forest Warden
700.00
484.00
Clam Commissioner
2,550.00
Shellfish Benefits
2,363.80
1,000.00
Health
14,687.08
Town Dump
2,258.31
6.62
Mosquito Control
1,000.00
Bounty on Seals
100.00
100.00
Highway
27,662.11
Snow Removal
10,000.00
Street Lighting
5,700.00
Public Welfare
9,647.38
· 800.00 1 .
Aid Dependent Children, Adm.
· 125.00
Aid Dependent Children, Aid
3,000.00
2,700.00
Old Age Assistance, Adm.
2,165.00
Old Age Assistance, Assist.
50,000.00
2,064.70
Veterans' Services
4,000.00
1,010.17
B. S. Cable Memorial Hospital
2,500.00
Education
142,785.00
4,000.00
Library
3,700.00
32.05
Parks
1,422.00
Playgrounds
1,934.50
Playground Recreation Project
1,350.00
Memorial Building
4,265.00
Memorial Day
775.00
60.95
Pensions
3,030.00
Contributory Pension System
7,088.24
Town Clock
75.00
Cemetery
6,921.85
1,357.86
Cowles Memorial Cemetery
2,636.50
Soldiers' Graves
400.00
Interest
1,280.00
Maturing Debt
10,000.00
Finance Com. Reserve Fund
$414,302.27
$16,280.05
6
1947 Expended $
1948
1948 Requested Recommended
100.00
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
4,647.53
4,594.00
4,594.00
4,523.16
4,826.00
4,826.00
7,369.93
7,934.00
7,934.00
4,911.67
5,610.00
4,110.00
600.00
600.00
600.00
2,951.04
2,443.50
2,443.50
2,201.55
4,019.00
4,019.00
4,265.27
4,262.00
4,262.00
20,488.61
24,668.38
21,484.24
26,467.59
29,731.80
29,681.80
497.31
649.50
531.00
4,815.56
5,817.00
5,256.50
5,122.07
7,500.00
6,100.00
970.54
565.00
565.00
2,531.42
2,550.00
2,550.00
3,336.50
14,216.16
15,912.00
15,000.00
2,185.23
2,222.00
2,222.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
185.00
200.00
200.00
27,330.57
28,592.48
28,592.48
9,313.80
20,000.00
20,000.00
5,700.00
6,100.00
6,100.00
10,208.74
12,000.00
12,000.00
108.74
125.00
125.00
4,970.66
6,000.00
6,000.00
1,745.63
2,541.00
2,541.00
51,548.71
58,000.00
58,000.00
4,706.53
4,944.92
4,944.92
2,500.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
144,724.38
155,604.00
155,604.00
3,732.05
4,350.00
4,350.00
1,376.16
2,114.00
1,956.00
1,906.54
1,939.80
1,939.80
1,350.00
1,350.00
1,350.00
4,242.06
5,975.82
5,000.00
835.95
855.00
855.00
3,030.00
4,080.00
4,080.00
7,088.24
7,751.95
7,751.95
75.00
75.00
75.00
8,279.65
7,113.47
6,525.47
2,557.23
2,084.99
2,084.99
400.00
500.00
500.00
1,212.60
1,097.25
1,097.25
10,000.00
10,000.00
10,000.00
2,159.99
2,159.99
$422,329.38
$473,058.85
$463,611.89
7
We recommend the sum of $20,490.55 be transferred from Surplus Revenue to be used as free cash in deter- mining the tax rate.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for Chapter 90 Maintenance.
We recommend an appropriation of $2000 to be trans- ferred from the Surplus Revenue account.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for Chapter 90 Construction.
We recommend an appropriation of $3,750 to be trans- ferred from the Surplus Revenue account.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the transfer from Surplus Revenue, a sum of money to be used for Chapter 90 Maintenance and Chapter 90 Construction work in 1948, that sum on repayment by the State and County to be credited to Surplus Revenue.
We recommend an appropriation of $12.250 to be transferred from the Surplus Revenue account.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money for any unpaid bills incurred in 1947 by any Town Department and provide for the pay- ment therefor.
We recommend an appropriation of $579.99 as follows: $150 for the Assessors, $358.14 Memorial Building, $71.85 Moth Department.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money for the construction of North Ridge Road and provide for the payment therefor.
We recommend action be postponed until such time as there is sufficient information as to the type and ulti- mate cost of this construction. The legality of the ac- ceptance of this road is in doubt, as it did not meet the town by-law specifications at the time such action was taken.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to abolish the office or position of the Trustees to manage the land of the Town of Ipswich at Great Neck.
We recommend adoption of this article.
8
Article 18. To see what action the town will take relative to the management and control of the land of the Town of Ipswich at Great Neck.
No recommendation. .
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take relative to the management and control of the land of the Town of Ipswich known as the Lighthouse Property.
We recommend this property remain as the property of the town under control of the Selectmen.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to sell to Rena Arvanites a certain parcel of land owned by the Town on the Easterly side of County Road and abutting the home of Rena Arvanites and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to fix the terms of the sale and to make the _conveyance.
We recommend adoption of this article with the re- striction that the property cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to abolish or abandon any interest it may have in a right of way over the land of Wellman I. Hawkes on High Street.
We recommend adoption of this article.
Article 22. To see what action the Town will take on the report and recommendations of the Veterans Per- manent Housing Committee.
No recommendation. Lack of information.
Article 23. To see what action the Town will take relative to the Housing Problem in the Town of Ipswich and provide for the payment therefor.
No recommendation. Lack of information.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to extend the water supply system on Old England Road and pro- vide the payment therefor.
No recommendation. Lack of information.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to purchase rubbish containers to be placed at various places in the Town of Ipswich and provide for the payment therefor.
Indefinite postponement.
9
Article 26. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the location of the Town Dump.
No recommendation.
Article 27. To see what action the Town will take relative to making improvements to the Linebrook Play- ground and provide for the payment therefor.
No recommendation. Lack of information.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the regular Highway employees to One Dollar and Ten Cents per hour and provide for the pay- ment therefor.
We recommend indefinite postponement. Covered by Article 1.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the Call Firemen to $200.00 per year and provide for the payment thereof.
We recommend indefinite postponement. Covered by Article 1.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to increase the wages of Town Laborers to one dollar per hour and provide for the payment thereof.
We recommend indefinite postponement. Covered by Article 1.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to reduce the Playground Committee to a five-member board in- stead of seven, and appointment for a three-year term.
No recommendation.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to transfer $2,000.00 (Two Thousand Dollars) from the Cemetery Lot Fund to the Cemetery Department.
We recommend adoption of this article.
Article 33. To see if the Town will grant to Walter H. Hulbert, Jr., and his successors in title, a right of way along the public way running from Town Farm Road to the Highland Cemetery; said right of way to extend from Town Farm Road to land owned by Walter H. Hulbert, Jr., contiguous to the said public way.
No recommendation. Lack of information.
10
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salaries and wages of town officials and employees and provide for the payment therefor.
We recommend indefinite postponement. Covered by Article 1.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the regular Firemen one dollar per day and provide for the payment thereof.
We recommend indefinite postponement. Covered by Article 1.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize any of the Town Boards to appoint any member or mem- bers of their respective boards to any other town office or position, and fix the compensation or salary for any such member or members who may be appointed under such authority.
We recommend adoption of this article.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money for the improvement of Safford Street and provide for the payment therefor.
We recommend an appropriation of $2500 to be trans- ferred from Surplus Revenue.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6 of Chapter 3 of the Town By-laws entitled "Town Meeting" by striking out the words "one hundred" and inserting in place thereof the words "ten per cent of the registered" so as to read as follows: "The presence of ten per cent of the registered voters at a town meet- ing shall be required to constitute a quorum."
We recommend adoption of this article.
Article 39. To see what action the Town will take in respect to accepting the Town Manager Form of Gov- ernment.
No recommendation on this article.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of three persons to study the entire insur- ance question as it affects town buildings, the contents thereof, equipment and costs and report at the adjourned meeting with recommendations. The members thereof to be appointed by the Moderator, provided that no mem-
11
ber of such committee shall be either directly or indi- rectly engaged in the insurance business.
We recommend adoption of this article.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to file a bill with the Legislature to pension Frank O'Malley, a member of the Fire Depart- ment.
No recommendation at this time.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for the purpose of in- creasing the supply of clams in the public areas of the Town, to be used in conjunction with any funds furnished by the Commonwealth through the Division of Marine Fisheries or by any Federal Agency, the same to be in addition to any funds in the budget of the Clam Com- missioner, and to be expended by the Clam Commissioner in collaboration with the Board of Selectmen, any bal- ance of the appropriation remaining unexpended at the close of 1948 to be carried forward and made available for expenditure in 1949, or to act anything thereon.
We recommend an appropriation of $4000 to be trans- ferred from Surplus Revenue.
12
1
1634
1948
REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF
IPSWICH, MASS.
34
THE BIRTHPLACE Of AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 1087
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1947 and the
THREE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH YEAR of the TOWN'S INCORPORATION
Ipswich Chronicle Publishing Co., Printers Ipswich, Mass.
5
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
List of Town Officers
ELECTED BY BALLOT
Moderator
Harland Burke
Term expires 1948
Selectmen
Edwin H. Damon Charles L. Rose Brainard C. Wallace, Chairman
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949 Term expires 1950
Town Clerk
Edward S. Cogswell Term expires 1950
Treasurer and Collector
John E. Grant Term expires 1948
Assessors
Richard W. Davis C. Chester Caldwell, Chairman John E. Norman
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949 Term expires 1950
Board of Public Welfare
Donald F. Perkins George R. Hovey, Chairman William Dunbar
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949 Term expires 1950
6
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Water and Electric Light Commissioners
George E. Hodgkins
Chester A. Bolles A. B. C. Mulholland, Chairman
Term expires 1948
Term expires 1949
Term expires 1950
School Committee
Paul R. Raupach, Chairman
Term expires 1948
David Williams
Term expires 1948
George H. Bouchard
Term expires 1949
Albert Barbati
Term expires 1949
James R. Marsh
Term expires 1950
Henry S. Przybyszewski
Term expires 1950
Board of Health
Frank L. Collins, M. D.
Term expires 1948
Lawrence M. King, Chairman
Term expires 1949
Dr. Ernest J. Smith
Term expires 1950
Park Commissioners
Henry S. Bowen Samuel C. Gordon
Term expires 1948
Term expires 1949
C. Gardner Caverly, Chairman
Term expires 1950
Constable
Thomas G. Gauld Term expires 1948
Cemetery Commissioners
Frank R. Starkey Harmon Cole Arnold R. Richards
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949 Term expires 1950
Clam Commissioner
Henry Shaw
Term expires 1948
7
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Tree Warden
C. Gardner Caverly Term expires 1948
Trustees Great Neck Property
Edmund H. Kelleher, Chairman
John E. Norman William O. Moseley
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1949
Term expires 1950
APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Accountant
Brainard C. Wallace Term expires 1948
Inspector of Milk
Paul M. Jodoin Term expires 1948
Child Hygiene
Frank L. Collins, M. D. Director Term expires 1948
Beatrice Collins Term expires 1948
Agent, Board of Public Welfare
Walter E. Callahan
Clerk, Board of Assessors
C. Chester Caldwell
Term expires 1948
Inspector of Wires
Frank Slysz
Term expires 1948
8
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Veterans Service Agent
George O. Hall* (resigned) Term expires 1948 *John F. Dolan appointed to fill vacancy.
Bell Ringer
Guy E. Wells Term expires 1948
Janitor, Town Hall
George L. Grant Term expires 1948
Sworn Weighers for Town Scales
Lucy J. Eustace
Term expires 1948
George L. Grant
Term expires 1948
George O. Hall
Term expires 1948
Manager, Water and Light Department
Charles A. Mallard
Burial Agent for State and Military Aid
George O. Hall
Term expires 1948
Playground Committee
Stanley E. Eustace, Chairman
George Bouchard
Henry S. Bowen
Clarence J. Dupray Vernal Pollard
Harmon Cole
Henry A. Minichello
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1948 Term expires 1948 Term expires 1948 Term expires 1948
Term expires 1948 Term expires 1948
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
9
Registrars of Voters
Frank H. Girard, Chairman John A. Kobos Henry Hills Edward S. Cogswell
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