Randolph town reports 1955-1959, Part 19

Author:
Publication date: 1955
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 1556

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1955-1959 > Part 19

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In association with the Town Engineer and the Main- tenance Division is the purchase of the Sand Screening Plant. The bid price of this machine was $8,100. I pur- chased it for $7,500. The amount of the appropriation was $8,000. . The balance of $500.00 was used to install the plant on concrete footings and piers, increase the size of the hopper so that trucks could dump a complete load and proceed for another load of sand and to pay for crane operations so that the plant could be permanently in- stalled. What has the town received for the expenditure of $8,000 of the people's money? In four short months the Sand Screening Plant has produced over $12,000 of sand for combatting icy conditions on our roads and tail- ings which we have used to improve drainage and for bedding and foundational work. It is well to point out also that without the Sand Screening Plant, I would have been forced to ask the Selectmen to declare the existence of an emergency so that funds for de-icing operations could be provided. About $4,000 would have been required to pay for sand up to December 31st. A large stockpile of sand is in inventory and should suffice for the winter unless an unusually severe period is cast upon us within the next three months. I wish to add that the combined

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

"know-how" of the Town Engineer and Mr. Sarofeen assisted very heavily in making the efficient installation of the plant possible and in maintaining a steady pro- ductive flow.

There have been many changes in the Highway Department. Physically, the Highway Yard is in an orderiy state, the Highway Garage has been completed with the exception of a heating system and electrical in- stallations for light and power, the brook has been breached with large reinforced concrete culverts to per- mit greater maneuverability of mobile equipment and accessibility to the new garage. A large mound of earth must be moved to provide more room area. Fill from this mound will be used to fill in a swamp area in the yard. One portion of the existing garage has been winterized by the application of a second grade of asphalt shingles. Productivity of personnel has increased considerably under the capable guidance of Acting Highway Director Mulli- gan and General Foreman Arthur Franke. Lack of per- sonnel prevents the setting up of an adequate stores system so that accountability for tools, parts and accessory items can be fixed. Supervision over gasoline and oil has been established by a record system. Maintenance records are being set up for orderly preventive maintenance of all motorized equipment. To apply dollars and cents savings here is somewhat difficult, but an extremely conservative figure would be about $20,000.

For field operations, these are the major elements of accomplishments. But much more remains to be done before I will feel completely satisfied. Limitations of funds, personnel and equipment act as a strong barrier to making progress. However, for the means that have been at my disposal, there is no doubt that the headway made is indeed remarkable.

Turning to administrative matters, here too, the amount and degree of progress and the accomplishments

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

that have been made are outstanding, measuring in dollar values and scope of services and activities rendered. The remodeling of the second floor of the Town Hall at a cost of under $14,000 was a major accomplishment. Pro. curement of badly needed office space at an initial con- struction cost of $13,500 that might have reached over $100,000, if some other proposals were followed, is of itself phenominal. What has the town received for its appropriation of $15,000 for this work? Office space is being used by the Town Accountant and the Board of Health at this writing. The Town Counsel is commencing to house all his records in an office provided for him. A general conference room is available for the deliberations of the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Advisory Board. A private conference room is being readied on the former stage area for the Finance Committee, Plan- ning and Advisory Boards and for the safe-keeping of their records. A large room has been set aside and is being readied for the Public Works Department with the following divisions being included-Town Engineer, High- way, Water, Sewer, and Forestry. An office area is ready for the administrative functions of the Water Department. Space is available to house the administrative offices of the School Department-the School Department has been informed that if their present quarters are needed for classroom areas, I will be very happy to provide space on the second floor of the Town Hall. Remodelling of the upstairs section of the Town Hall will permit reorganiza- tion of administrative functions and activities along lines conducive to better service to the public and economic operations. In the coming year, I have plans set to create a Department of Finance consisting of the following ele- ments-a Director of Finance who will be the Town Ac- countant, a Division of Accounts, a Budget Division, Di- vision of Assessments, Purchasing Division and a Treasury- Collector Division. All town records will be housed in the Town Hall and no where else. Values received from

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

the remodelling of the Town Hall can be better appreci- ated when the reorganization is in full operation.

Under present circumstances, administratively speak- ing, we have made considerable progress in expediting tax bills, water bills, and other paper work. Improvement in the quality of work, work attitudes and productivity is noticeable.

The full time activities of the Assessor, Mr. Frank Teed, has produced many dividends for the town in point of work accomplished and in setting the Assessor's Office in the right direction. There is a noticeable change in the work quality and productivity in this office as well as better arrangement of records and judicious approach to the difficult tasks that require processing. The heavy task of fairly and wisely finding the revenue to pay for the cost of the municipal government is being handled impartially by Mr. Teed and his two associates, Edward Roycroft and George Bonney. This team of public servants deserves the full respect of the community. Their job is a thankless one on many occasions, but, I am certain, that the public recognizes the value of their efforts in an area where the nerve center is very delicate.

In the past year, it has been my pleasure to appoint Mr. Edward F. Fahey as Town Accountant. If I were to pin-point, or crystallize the administrative accomplish- ments in one person, then I must single out Mr. Fahey to receive the bow for a "big-job-well-done". Mr. Fahey has taken many burdens off my shoulders since his ap- pointment as Town Accountant besides carrying on his many duties as Accountant and Auditor for the town. Mere expressions of thanks and gratitude from me can never repay Mr. Fahey for the many, many hours he has given to the town in carrying out a multitude of activities in addition to his normal work. That his labors are and have been in the best interests of the town is a mild ex-

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

pression. I cannot command strong enough words to re- veal my feelings for Mr. Fahey both as a public servant and as a citizen whose whole life is wrapped around Randolph, the community of his birth. The tremendous savings being made in insurance coverage for the town is largely the work of Mr. Fahey. The creation of the Ran- dolph Insurance Agents Association which I fathered and which Mr. Fahey works closely with is a symbol of what can be done by all people working cooperatively. Our insurance agents, local people, working with the town are setting up a program that provides the town, at no cost wise counsel for coverage and fair apportionment of the town's business. To enumerate the qualitative work of our Town Accountant would require several pages of words and data. I must state that the town is better-off today because Edward F. Fahey is in the town government.

In appreciation of the many services rendered my of- fice by the Police and Fire Departments, I wish to ex- press sincere thanks to Chief Patrick T. McDonnell and Chief Carlton Harris. As Acting Town Manager for ap- proximately one year, Chief McDonnell has unselfishly given many hours of his time in full devoted duty to the town. His quick response to serve our community at all times is only one indicator of the sterling qualities of lead- ership and civic-mindedness of Chief McDonnell. I am proud to serve the Town of Randolph by his side.

I wish to thank the Board of Public Welfare for their patience and many considerations that they have rendered to the increasing burdens of the welfare department. Their efforts in behalf of humanity and their civic-minded- ness is to be commended and their play is an example what can be accmoplished by people who are interested in assisting their local government function as an instru- ment for promoting democracy.

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

It is to be noted that the new building fees adopted by the town in the last Annual Town Meeting has brought

in approximately $4,200 as against about $1,000 in prior years. Mr. Frank Teed, Building Inspector, reports that the fees were paid without any complaints of injustices.

Much credit for assistance in pushing through work of many sorts through my office expeditiously and qualita- tively goes to my secretary, Mrs. Barbara Golding. She joined the municipal family in the past year and has been a veritable work-horse from the very first day of employ- ment. Of deep loyalty, conscientious, sincerely interested in good government, I owe Mrs. Golding a deep debt of gratitude for her untiring efforts and her supreme loyalty to the town. Without her services, I would have been hospitalized, or under medical care many times. I am genuinely grateful that the town provided me with a secretary with sterling characteristics that are embodied in Mrs. Golding.

Moving to another area of municipal activity that of School Custodians and Building Maintenance. Prior to the closing of schools, as laid down in the Selectmen- Town Manager Act, the Town Counsel ruled that school custodians and building maintenance came under the jurisdiction of the Town Manager. Because of many pres- sures on my office I have not been able to push through any plan of reorganization as yet. However, I am in pro- cess of doing so. There is a great deal of waste both in expended manpower and materials in this division. I ac- cept the task of placing this division of the School Depart- ment in working and economical order. There are a num- ber of personal problems that have to be overcome before any beginning can be made in the direction of organiza- tion. Technically equipped personnel must be recruited among the custodians that can service plumbing, electrical, heating and other installations so that costs can be pared

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

downward. Carpentry and minor maintenance items are being fairly handled by Mr. William Hawkins, Sr., de- spite the many impediments. Work schedules must be set up, programming of activities must be correlated under a Chief Custodian who can move about for proper super- vision of all custodial work. A Chief Maintenance man to assist Mr. Hawkins must be found so that all technical skills can be coordinated effectively. I intend to allocate a great deal of time to bring economy and efficiency in this category of municipal endeavor in the coming year.

It is fitting at this juncture to look at the broad municipal picture. The problems facing us are many. The major problems that beset our community evolve around the following: school buildings, water, sewerage, roads, drainage. All these are the creatures of population growth.

Within the next few years the Town of Randolph must provide four large school buildings to properly im- plement its educational program. At the moment, Janu- ary 1st, the Vesey Road School is out for bids the second time. The first bid for the 18-room structure came in at $1,184,000; this does not include the cost of the site, or equipping of the classrooms and offices. The estimated figure of $1,300,000 covers the equipment. As of January 1, 1957 our indebtedness lists thusly :

Temporary Loans $ 229,500.00 Indebtedness Inside Statutory Limit 650,000.00 700,000.00

Indebtedness Outside Statutory Limit

Total Indebtedness

$1,579,500.00

Net Borrowing Capacity estimated $ 459,161.00

At present, without the proposed Vesey Rd. School our total principal and interest payments amount to $144,735.65. Computing the Vesey School at a figure of

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

$1,300,000, principal and interest payments will amount to $114,000.00. The grand total of interest and principal payments will be $258,735.65. The principal and interest- payments would be spread over 20 years in a descending scale. With the Vesey School added into the total in- debtedness would be $2,879,500.00. The interest rate for the Vesey School has been computed at 3%-it is likely that the rate will be nearer 4% in the present money market, or even higher. Remember that this is one of four proposed schools. Also, that building costs are headed upwards along with the cost of borrowing money. Clearly, we must retrench somewhat to check financial disaster from over-coming our community. Particularly, when consideration has to be given to the growing prob- lems of water, sewerage, roads and drainage. We must find ways and means to construct our schools much cheaper and yet provide substantial, wholesome class- rooms for our children. I have stated on many occasions that what is important basically is the SCHOOL PLAN AND NOT THE SCHOOL BUILDING.

Water resources have become more valuable than uranium. Rapid growth in population is straining our present resources considerably. The principal reason be- hind the move to increase lot sizes to 20,000 square feet is the inability of present resources and water pumping facilities to keep up with the increasing demand. Our water plant is not in the finest condition. With Randolph, Holbrook and Braintree dependent on existing water sup- plies and the modern trend to using more and more water for both human and technical consumption, it is apparent that stringent and judicious use of water, particularly in the summer months, will have to be exercised. The Met- ropolitan District Commission facilities at least for the next 5 years will be unable to provide water to any of the three towns to alleviate the problem. If Braintree could tie-in with the MDC then adequate supplies of water would be

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

available for Holbrook and Randolph for many years. However, I am informed that the M.D.C. cannot provide water to Braintree for at least 5 years. An indication as to the growing needs for water can be garnered by the following statistics:

Year

Gallons Pumped Daily Average

1940

237,415,800

648,208

1945

316,402,900

869,057

1950

350,804,000

954,130

1955

499,829,000

1,366,917

1956

503,412,700

1,379,213

Passing on to the problem of sewerage, since the M.D.C. under estimated its construction funds by over one million dollars so that the trunk line could be brought to the Braintree line, I have not implemented the construc- tion phase of this long-range program. The plans and specifications, borings and legal studies are ready. Bids have been received on two occasions for the construction of Trunk Sewer No. 1, Contract No. 1. The first bids were opened on August 2nd at 11 a.m. and were as follows:

Baraffaldi Const. Co.

$443,742.50

Civitarese-Piatelli Co. 455,135.00

Zoppo Construction Co. 496,760.00

The second bids for Trunk Sewer No. 1, Contract No. 1 were opened on September 20, 1956 at 11 a.m. and the bids came in thusly :

Pacella Bros. Inc. $410,237.50

Donoghue & Bartels, Inc. 411,010.00

Selah & Pecci Con. Co., Inc. 436,215.00

J. E. White Const., Co. 565,595.00

R. Zoppo Co., Inc. 582,570.00 .1.

Civatarese Piatelli Con. Co. 792,330.00

As soon as the M.D.C. has the necessary funds avail- able and has commenced its phase of constructing the

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

trunk sewer from Quincy to Braintree, I will immediately advertise for bids and proceed to physically implement the sewerage program to the extent of the appropriation provided by the Town Meeting of 1955, namely $1,495,- 000.00. I am aware of the need of sewerage domestically and commercially. I have instructed the Town Engineer to study the feasibility of having our own disposal system in the event that the M.D.C. funds are not forth-coming. Should we be forced to construct our own disposal system, a vote of the town would be required since under the pres- ent program we must tie-in with the Southern Metropoli- tan Sewerage District.

The conditions of our roads leave much to be desired. With the $50,000 long-term program, I firmly believe that we have made a very good start. But, we have a very long way to catch-up. I wish to stress the urgency of two streets particularly that must be done this year, 1957, if possible. I refer to Oak and Chestnut Streets. I am in favor of ceas- ing Chapter 90-Construction on South Street for the pres- ent and diverting the major road funds into Oak and Chestnut Streets. It is my strong hope that funds will be made available through Chapter 90 from the State and County and the town. I am not forgetting other streets and roads in the town that require attention. As long as the necessary funds are made available, every facility of the town will be used to stretch the dollars over as wide an area as possible without jeopardizing construction quality.

Drainage is ever present as a major problem through- out the town. At least 85% of complaints are drainage, or related to drainage. I have asked the Town Engineer to work out an integrated drainage system for the entire town so that we can tie in the localized units that are pre- valent everywhere. Pressures for services from the Town Engineer have been far beyond the human capabilities of

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

any one person. I could keep three engineers working full time for the next two years just to catch-up with the need for technical services. To properly solve the drainage problem, the town would have to spend thousands of dol- lars. Every effort is being made to assist and improve con- ditions. The only limitations are the capabilities of physi- cal strength and money.

Drawing together the elements that make up our major problems, those of school buildings, water, sewer- age, roads and drainage and projecting these elements into dollars and cents on the present plateau of prices, which will be higher in the future, it can be appreciated that the costs are far beyond the ability of our people to pay. To be taken into calculation also is the pressing need for personnel and equipment to give concrete expression to the services required for modern living, healthful living, and the well-being of our citizens. Under the pattern of taxation from which we must receive the revenues to pay for the cost of government, I find in my analysis that a tax rate of $62.00 with assessments valued percentage wise from 45-50% has imposed a severe burden on our people. At the moment, the town has uncollected taxes amounting to approximately $190,000. Remember that we are enjoy- ing the greatest prosperity in the history of the country. Yet, we are spending about $16,000 per month for Veter- ans and other Welfare matters. The financial position is so sensitive that any attempt to build up departments to required strength would send the tax rate upwards.

Finding "a way out" is a most difficult task, if not an impossible one. Procurement of new industry to spread the tax burden is one avenue. But industry requires sew- erage besides many other appurtenances. The town is ready to assist new and existing industry in every way that it can, but many industries will by-pass us because of the sewerage facilities. I am ever alert to bring in new indus-

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

try and to assist industry that is with us now. The hard and fast "way out is by attrition, by conservation, by strict economies, by judicious use of all our resources, by the elimination of waste. Since I have been town manager I have pursued that course very closely. The departments that come under my direct control have done a good job but a better one can be done. The School Department accounts for the major share of the budget; last year 1956, out of a total appropriation of $1,907,158.69, the School Department took $730,622.93. For 1957 the School budget with school custodians and school maintenance costs elim- inated amounts to $715,230. If the school budget had come in on a lower figure, we could hold the line on the tax rate. The cost of general Government in the 1957 budget is down and is in line with other communities that have had a manager for several years.

Canalizing the proposed Vesey School, the sewerage outlay of $1,495,00 and the present debt of the town, we reach a total debt of $4,195,000, this does not include short-term debt. To superimpose the School Dept. esti- mate of 3 more schools on our present debt structure is imposing a leviathan-like burden which the people cannot afford.

Pulling the varied threads of our major problems to- gether and arraying them against our resources, or the ability of our people to pay, it is very clear that as a com- munity we must tighten our financial belt very stringently so that the general best interests of the town be served com- pletely and impartially. Attrition is a hard path to follow especially in an inflationary period, but the time has come for very sober thinking. Quoting the Boston Herald of Friday, December 28, 1956-"The appetite of govern- ments for money apparently has no limit." The article goes on to quote Tax talk published by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Federation-"It is a sobering and bewildering

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

thought that in a year (1955 to 1956) in which school en- roliments increased by not over six per cent, the adult population of the state by at most a fraction of one per cent, the public welfare population by none at all, and the consumer price index by some three per cent, with muni- cipal and school construction not far from last year's pace, local property tax levies have nevertheless increased by an unheard-of $59 million-from $466 million in 1955 to $525 million this year, or 12.7 per cent." The Herald goes on to say "It is sobering and bewildering indeed. This property tax increase is almost equal to the whole take from the state gas tax and only a few million less than the annual yield of the state corporation tax. If spending by the cities and towns continued to increase at this rate, it could eat up the proceeds of a three per cent sales tax in less than two years of an expanded income tax in an even shorter time. Without realizing it, we are spending our- selves into a situation where no conceivable combination of revenue can long meet the demand. At this level of government, at least, we may soon have no alternative but to retrench. The problem seems to be that everybody is spending too much and taxing too much. And no one is willing to start the process of cutting down. Perhaps we must wait for the day when the taxpayer, digging down in his pockets, finds nothing left to give. Then we will know, if not where it goes, at least where it is not coming from. And the cycle may be broken." I concur with the Boston Herald.

In conclusion, I wish to quote from my budget mes- sage for 1957-I wish to stress very strongly that in order that the present tax rate of $62.00 be held without impos- ing additional burdens on the taxpayer, which is indicative by the large amount of unpaid taxes for 1956 alone is in- curring hardships, the budget as recommended be fol- lowed through closely. A substantial cut in the amount appropriated via articles, use of existing facilities re-

TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.

modelled to fit our needs, reduction of our indebtedness, setting up a substantial rserve fund, stretching the use of all equipment and resources; and above all, cooperation from all agencies of the municipal family, will, I am sure, place us in a far stronger financial position at the end of 1957 than the state we find ourselves in at this moment. Pressures exerted for localized projects must be tempered and reconciled with the general best interests of the town.

Respectfully submitted, CHARLES R. IOVINO Town Manager

Report of Director of Veteran's Services

To: Charles R. Iovino Town Manager Randolph, Mass.

January 10, 1957

Herewith you will find a summary of services and veteran's benefits as administered by this office under The General Laws of Massachusetts.

The need of this type of service is growing each year. This department administers four categories of veteran's benefits, as set up by law with State Department Rules and Regulations. The State Department of Vet- erans' Services under the existing laws reimburses the Town of Randolph 50% of all monies expended after a

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Randolph town reports 1955-1959, Part 19

Author: Publication date: 1955 Publisher: Town of Randolph Number of Pages: 1556

Author:
Publication date: 1955
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 1556