USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1960 > Part 2
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We have reviewed the development of the various measures taken to protect the life and property of Milford residents from destruction by fire: the organization in 1831 of the Volunteers, whose equipment included hand-drawn vehicles; the establishment of a Board of Fire Engineers in 1854; the purchase of the first horse- drawn steamer in 1869; the complete motorization by 1923 of the town's fire apparatus, then consisting of three fire engines, sixty call firemen, and not more than three permanent or full-time firemen.
Today, the motorized apparatus under the control of the Fire Department consists of one junior aerial ladder truck, four pumping engines, one forest fire truck, one hose truck, one panel truck, one old Ford truck used for utility purposes and the Fire Chief's car. The utility truck is housed under the shed at the South Main Street station, and the Chief's car is stored in his own garage.
Present-day methods and techniques of fire fighting require equipment suitable for the various types of modern services. Mod- ern apparatus, much larger, more efficient, and better equipped than the older models, requires suitable storage space, which at the present time is sorely lacking.
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The personnel of the Fire Department consists of a Fire Chief, a Call Deputy Chief, three permanent lieutenants, nineteen per- manent privates and twenty-five call fire fighters. Sixteen men are normally assigned to the South Main Street station; it is likely that as many as six will be on duty at one time. In case of emergency, only twelve beds are available for the use of sixteen men. Toilet facili- ties at this installation are likewise inadequate. Provision should be made for additional space for classroom work and for the proper storage of fire hose. The fire alarm headquarters on the second floor are improperly located, and space for outside training is non- existent.
Six men are ordinarily assigned to the Spruce Street station, and not more than two men are on duty at any time. However, all criticism of the South Main Street station will undoubtedly apply here as the department grows.
While three fire stations are used at present, this report is concerned mainly with the two down town stations, which repre- sent the core of the department. In spite of the improvements of 1929 and 1949, neither is capable of providing the necessary effi- ciency. The size of the lots on which both buildings were erected prohibits desirable expansion. The South Main Street station, built in about 1874, was located on a lot forty-seven by seventy-three feet; space on the main floor for apparatus and equipment amounts to approximately sixteen hundred and fifty-three square feet. The Spruce Street station, erected in 1895 on a lot fifty-six feet by seventy- one feet, has on its main floor available space of approximately fifteen hundred square feet.
It is obvious that because of a division of forces and apparatus the existing facilities prevent maximum efficiency. Since the num- ber of men on duty at one time is limited, it is impossible to formu- late a satisfactory daily training program. The building inspection program of the department will also suffer as a result of present conditions.
It is evident that Milford's area can be more efficiently and more economically served by a consolidation of men and facilities.
As a resut of its study, your committee has concluded that there is an urgent need for a Central Fire Station in Milford. This should be of sufficient size to afford unlimited use of all the equipment and manpower of the department so that the greatest possible efficiency
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may be secured. We have agreed unanimously that the present facilities, which were constructed during the horse-drawn era, are no longer capable of providing either the accommodation or the services required by a modern fire department.
The members of this committee believe that the cost in con- nection with maintenance of a Central Fire Station would be less than the expense of maintaining the present Fire Department. Reference to a possible site for a Central Station will be made under Article 40 of this year's warrant.
It is recommended by this committee that the town vote to acquire, at the earliest possible date, either by purchase or eminent domain, a piece of land of approximate size so that a central station and premises may insure sufficient space for all training and for all apparatus, for suitable bath facilities, for equipment storage rooms and for classroom accommodations, for offices, apparatus repair area, and for all personnel.
ARTHUR E. VESPERI JOSEPH J. PENLER, JR. LESTER P. SHEA THOMAS H. SEAVER ANTHONY J. ROSSETTI
Date: March 11, 1960
It was moved and seconded that the report be received and placed on file.
Personnel Report
January 23, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Personnel Board believes that a report of its progress at this time may be of some value.
First we wish to report that the task of drawing up a Classi- fication and Compensation Plan, suitable for the Town of Milford, requires more time than the Board has had at its disposal.
Much work has been done on the assignment, and we have reached what appears to be certain conclusions; but a great deal of
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work still remains to be done, and some of the conclusions have not as yet been accepted as final.
We believe, however, that because of the importance of com- pensation to the employees and to the community as well, that we should at this time furnish such information as we deem to be proper to those concerned for what it may be worth.
In working on the Compensation Plan, we have in mind two objectives. The plan must have a schedule that will provide each employee covered by the plan with a wage, and with benefits, that are comparable to those of local industry and to those received by town employees in comparable cities and towns. The plan must also include a method or plan for making adjustments to the schedule in order that the employees may continue to receive fair compensation.
One of the first steps taken by the Board was to study the survey, and report, that was made by the previous committee a year ago. A more recent survey, one that was made by the Massa- chusetts Municipal Personnel Board Association in October, made it possible to better evaluate the findings of that committee. The Board is in complete accord with the committee's report and recom- mendations.
In its report, the committee suggested that there is possibly some inequality in the wage structure. With this, we are also in agreement, but until a more extensive study has been made, it can not be determined if, and where, such inequality exists. Such studies are now in progress and within a few days questionnaires designed to assist the Board in classifying and evaluating the various positions will be in the hands of the employees.
The five per cent increase voted at the last annual town meeting established a wage level for those receiving the increase, that appears to have been fair to both the employees and the tax payers. The Massachusetts Cost of Living Index at that time was 125.6. During 1959 the index went up 1.2 per cent. It is expected to go higher in 1960. An increase of 2.3 per cent should be equivalent to the Cost of Living Index about mid year 1960.
The Cost of Living Index is in general use for the purpose that it has been used here. The index alone, however, is not enough to make comparison of municipal wage schedules. For this reason periodic comparison surveys, similar to the one now being made by the Board, will be a requirement and a part of the plan.
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An increase in vacation allowance is also of interest to the town employees. We have found that three weeks vacation after 15 years service has become a practice in most municipalities and in private industry. There is a trend toward reducing the number of years service required; but until the Board has made further study of vacation practices along with other benefits, we recommend that a three weeks' vacation be allowed after 15 years service.
In this report, we have tried to give some idea of what is being done by the Board and of what may be expected of the plan to be submitted for approval at a later date.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE V. LARKIN, Chairman ELMER M. HOLLIS, Secretary GEORGE BELFORTI FRANCIS W. COLLINS JOHN J. DOYLE
It was moved and seconded that the report be received and placed on file.
Voted: That the reports of all Town Officers and Committees of said town be accepted.
Article 2. Voted: That the Town vote to receive the report of the Finance Committee and that the Moderator inquire if any voter wishes to consider any item separately. Any voter who so wishes shall ask the Moderator to remove this item from the report and when this has been done, that the town vote to raise and appro- priate the amounts recommended by the Finance Committee. The meeting shall then consider the items to which objection has been made by taking up each item individually and it was so voted.
General Government
Accountant-Salaries and Wages
$9,696.89
Accountant-General Expenses
500.00
Assessors-Salaries and Wages
10,866.81
Assessors-General Expenses
1,650.00
Elections, Registrations and Town Meetings- Salaries and Wages
11,113.86
Elections, Registrations and Town Meetings-
General Expenses 3,308.00
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Finance Committee-Salaries and Wages
300.00
375.00
Finance Committee-General Expenses Moderator-Salary
150.00
Planning Board-General Expenses
750.00
Selectmen-Salaries and Wages
1,815.00
Selectmen-Salary of Clerk
550.00
Selectmen-General Expenses
1,920.00
Tax Collector-Salaries and Wages
9,276.28
Tax Collector-General Expenses
2,080.00
Tax Collector-Bond
418.35
Town Clerk-Salary
4,301.39
Town Clerk-Clerk Hire
5,885.18
Town Clerk-General Expenses
727.00
Town Counsel-Salary
1,573.00
Town Counsel-General Expenses 1
150.00
Town Hall-Salaries and Wages
4,195.01
Town Hall-General Expenses
4,275.00
Care of Town Clock
150.00
Town Hall-New Equipment
175.00
Treasurer-Salaries and Wages
7,763.58
Treasurer-General Expenses
1,030.00
Treasurer-Certification of Notes
50.00
Urban Redevelopment-General Expenses
200.00
Protection of Persons and Property
Civil Defense-General Expenses
1,000.00
Fire Department-Pay of Members (Permanent)
122,606.69
Fire Department-Pay of Call Firemen
8,000.00
Fire Department-General Expenses
8,000.00
Fire Department-Repairs to Fire Alarm
2,000.00
Fire Department-New Hose
1,000.00
Fire Department-Uniform Allowance
1,725.00
Fire Department-Brush Fires
500.00
Fire Department-Out of State Travel Hydrant Service
18,075.00
Inspector of Wires-Salary
588.06
Off-Street Parking-General Expenses
730.00
Police Department-Salaries and Wages
93,269.24
Police Department-Uniform Allowance
1,575.00
Police Department-Police Training School
320.00
Police Department-Maintenance of Traffic Signals
2,000.00
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100.00
Police Department-Out of State Travel 100.00 Court Fees 250.00
Police Department-Indemnification of Police under G. L. Ch. 41, Sec. 100A
350.00
Police Department-Parking Meter Maintenance 1,500.00
Police Department-New Chief's Car
1,500.00
Police Department-New Cruiser
1,000.00
Rifle Range-Practice
250.00
Rifle Range-Maintenance
400.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Salary
1,437.48
Sealer of Weights and Measures-General Expenses
200.00
Tree Warden-Insect Pest Control-Wages
250.00
Tree Warden-Insect Pest Control-General Expenses
1,500.00
Tree Warden-Removing Brush
1,500.00
Tree Warden-New Trees
200.00
Health and Sanitation
Health Department-Salaries and Wages
10,798.20
Health Department-General Expenses
17,569.00
Dental Clinic-Salaries
2,032.80
Dental Clinic-General Expenses
400.00
Inspector of Animals-Salary
471.90
Inspector of Animals-General Expenses
100.00
Sewer Department-Salaries and Wages
14,511.28
Sewer Department-General Expenses
10,000.00
Sewer Department-Flushing Sewers
1,000.00
Highways
Highway Department-Salaries and Wages
88,507.48
Highway Department-General Expenses
12,000.00
Highway Department-Resurfacing Streets and Repairing Sidewalks
23,000.00
Highway-Department-Maintenance of Town Improvements
500.00
Highway Department-Snow and Ice Removal
55,000.00
Highway Department-New Drainage
8,000.00
Highway Department-New Sidewalk Construction
10,000.00
Highway Department-Installing and Repairing Street Signs 500.00
Highway Street Lighting
34,000.00
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Veterans' Benefits
Veterans' Benefits-Salaries and Wages
4,043.56
Veterans' Benefits-Investigation Expenses
350.00
Veterans' Benefits-General Expenses Veterans' Benefits
1,065.00
60,000.00
Welfare Department
Welfare Agent Salary
4,926.61
Social Worker Salary
3,915.46
Social Worker Salary
3,915.46
Clerk Salary
3,340.98
Welfare Board Members
732.50
Town Physician
1,089.00
Clerk Salary
3,340.98
Making a total of $21,260.99 of which there is to be raised and appropriated from taxation $12,198.22 and the balance of $9,062.77 is to be appropriated from O.A.A. and D.A. Federal Grants 12,198.22
General Aid
25,000.00
Administration Expenses
200.00
Welfare-Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and Old Age Assistance
199,132.00
Administration of Aid to Dependent Children
Disability Assistance and Old Age Assistance
1,100.00
Medical Home and Infirmary-Salaries and Wages 69,700.00
Medical Home and Infirmary-General Expenses
33,250.00
Schools
School Department-Salaries and Wages
566,709.16
School Department-Transportation 35,250.00
Library
Library-General Expenses 5,500.00
Memorial Hall-Salary 1,977.00
Memorial Hall-General Expenses
1,500.00
Memorial Hall-Building Repairs, Painting Trim, Puttying and Replacing Windows
350.00
New Lights, Library 120.00
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Recreation
Fino Field Swimming Pool Facilities-Salaries 3,750.00
Fino Field Swimming Pool Facilities-General Expenses 1,600.00
Milford Athletic Field Committee-Salaries and Wages
4,014.00
Milford Athletic Field Committee-General Expenses 3,200.00
Milford Athletic Field Committee-New Trees
200.00
Park Department-Salaries and Wages
3,700.00
Park Department-General Expenses
835.00
Park Department-Repair Comfort Station, Town Park
200.00
Playgrounds-Salaries and Wages
3,000.00
Playgrounds-General Expenses
1,000.00
Unclassified
Damage to Persons and Property
1,500.00
Printing of Town Report
2,200.00
Blanket Insurance on Town Property and Buildings
10,000.00
Group Insurance for Town Employees
18,981.12
Contributory Retirement System
28,326.00
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
10,918.79
Flowage Rights-Clark Heirs
69.00
Maintenance of Cedar Swamp Pond Area
200.00
Stocking Ponds
200.00
Reserve Fund
20,000.00
Worcester County Extension Service
50.00
Memorial Day-Sons of Union Veterans
200.00
Memorial Day-American Legion
600.00
Memorial Day-Spanish War Veterans
75.00
Memorial Day-Mass. State Guards
50.00
Veterans' Day-Veterans of Foreign Wars
600.00
Headquarters-Disabled American Vets
600.00
Headquarters-Marine Corps League
600.00
Cemeteries
Vernon Grove Cemetery-Salaries and Wages
5,028.50
Vernon Grove Cemetery-General Expenses
295.00
North Purchase Cemetery-General Expenses
75.00
Interest and Maturing Debt
Maturing Debt
73,000.00
Interest
40,539.00
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It was then voted: To raise and appropriate the amount recom- mended by the Finance Committee.
Zoning Board
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for General Expenses in the Zoning Board. 100.00
Dog Officer
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for Dog Officer-Salary. 300.00
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $655.00 for Dog Officer-General Expenses. 655.00
Fire Department
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $895.00 for new equipment-Fire Department. 895.00
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,400.00 for a new panel truck for Fire Department. 2,400.00
Police Department
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 for General Expenses in the Police Department. 6,000.00
Tree Warden
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,900.00 for care, removal and planting trees. 1,900.00
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000.00 for Dutch Elm Disease. 4,000.00
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 for the purchase of a stump puller and a chain saw for Tree Warden. 700.00
Highway Department
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for New Truck and Snow Plow for Highway Department. 12,000.00
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $16,500.00 for New Snow Loader for Highway Depart- ment. 16,500.00
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Veterans' Benefits
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for New Equipment-Veterans' Department. 100.00
It was moved and seconded to adjourn until March 22, 1960 at 8 P.M.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
CATHERINE L. COYNE, Town Clerk
A true record. Attest:
CATHERINE L. COYNE, Town Clerk
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MARCH 22, 1960
Moderator Curran called the meeting to order at 8 P.M. The Monitors reported 173 persons present.
Moderator Curran announced that Town Clerk Coyne had received the resignation of Giacchino T. Paganelli as a member in Precinct 2. The vacancy was filled and Nazzareno L. Baci, 52 East Walnut Street, was unanimously elected until March.
Schools
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $153,904.18 for General Expenses of the School Department for the year 1960. 153,904.18
Library
Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,373.87 for the salary and wages account of Milford Town Library. 12,373.87
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for new equipment and replacement of old at the Library. 2,000.00
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Milford Athletic Field Committee
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $800.00 for new equipment necessary to install detachable hand rails on all bleacher stands located in Fino Field, as required and approved by the Department of Public Safety.
800.00
Park Department
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred sixty-five dollars and thirty-five cents ($565.35) for the purpose of purchasing a new lawn mower.
565.35
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the purpose of purchasing new equipment for the Hayward Field Playground. 200.00
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 for new equipment-Veterans' Project. 200.00
Cemeteries
Voted: That the town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $750.00 for new equipment-Vernon Grove Cemetery.
750.00
Article 3. Voted: That the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1st, 1961, and to issue a note or notes therefore, payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes, as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Sec. 17, Chap. 44, of the G.L.
Voice vote unanimous.
Article 4. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Select- men to take charge of all legal proceedings for or against the town.
Article 5. Voted: That the Town vote to choose Mrs. Lillian Luby as Director of County Aid to Agriculture.
Article 6. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Select- men to sell any or all real estate owned by the Town by reason of the foreclosure of tax titles thereon and to execute, acknowledge
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and deliver a proper deed or deeds therefore, authority therefore to- terminate March 1st, 1961.
Article 7. Voted: That the Town vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elected officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws as amended and such salary and compensation be made effective from January Ist, 1960:
Moderator
150.00
Board of Selectmen
Chairman
605.00
Second Member
605.00
Third Member
605.00
Town Clerk
4,301.39
Town Treasurer
4,422.60
Tax Collector
5,875.50
Board of Assessors
Clerk
4,377.82
Second Member
1,584.00
Third Member
1,584.00
Tree Warden
$2.02 per hour
Board of Health
Chairman
121.00
Second Member
121.00
Third Member
121.00
Sewer Commissioners
Chairman
302.50
Second Member
242.00
Third Member
242.00
Highway Surveyor
6,221.12
Board of Public Welfare
Chairman
332.75
Second Member
199.65
Third Member
199.65
Secretary-Vernon Grove Cemetery
600.00
Article 8. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Sewer Commissioners to appoint a member of the Sewer Commissioners to the position of part-time Superintendent of Sewers and that the compensation of said appointee be Thirteen hundred twenty ($1,320.00) dollars, retroactive to January 1st, 1960, in compliance with Chapter 41, Section 4A of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.).
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Article 9. Voted: That the Town vote to accept the provisions of Sections 1, 2, 3 of Chapter 139 of the General Laws.
Article 10. Voted: That the Town vote to appropriate the Dog Tax of Sixteen hundred eighty-one dollars and Twenty-four cents ($1,681.24) to the Salary and Wages Account of the Town Library.
Article 11. Voted: That the Town vote to accept as a gift the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) which has been donated to the Town of Milford by Madame Draper Boncompagni which funds are now in the Town Treasury. Said sum of money to be used for the purpose of caring and maintaining the General Draper Park. Said sum of money to be used and expended by and under the supervision of the Park Commissioners.
Article 12. Voted: To direct the Selectmen to appoint a com- mittee of five (5) to be directed and prepare rules of procedure by which Town Meetings shall be governed, such committee to report at the next Annual Town Meeting.
Article 13. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the High- way Surveyor to trade or sell any obsolete equipment now under control of the Highway Department.
Article 14. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Board of Public Welfare to sell or trade any obsolete articles or equipment now under the control of the Welfare Department.
Article 15. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Fire Chief to sell or trade any obsolete equipment or apparatus owned by the Town and presently under the control of the Fire Department.
Article 16. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the School Committee to sell or trade any obsolete materials, apparatus or equipment owned by the Town and presently controlled by the School Committee.
Article 17. Voted: That the Town vote to transfer from the Parking Meter Collection Account to the Parking Meter Mainten- ance and Operations Account the sum of Eighteen thousand seven hundred fourteen dollars and eight cents ($18,714.08) for the pur- pose of paying salaries.
Article 18. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five members to study the
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present Library facilities and future needs, one member to be appointed from the Board of Library Trustees. Said committee to report to the next annual town meeting.
Article 19. Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-two hundred dollars ($2,200.00) for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk from Congress Street in a northeasterly direction through Town Park to the new elementary Memorial School, a distance of approximately 615 feet. Said sidewalk to be built under the supervision of the Park Commissioners.
Article 20. Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five hundred dollars ( $2,500.00) for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk easterly from Congress Street through Town Park to George E. Stacy School for a distance of approxi- mately 794 feet. Said sidewalk to be built under the supervision of the Park Commissioners.
Article 21. Voted: That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty-five hundred dollars ( $4,500.00) to dismantle and raze the so-called Plains Trade School Building on East Main Street; to remove from the premises materials and contents, to provide for filling of the excavation or the cellar hole, to rough grade the building site, and to authorize the School Committee to enter into all con- tracts and agreements and to make whatever arrangements are necessary to accomplish the above.
Article 22. Voted: To pass over the article.
Article 23. Voted: That the Town vote to authorize the present School Building Committee, appointed under authority of the vote on Article 64 of the Warrant for the Town Meeting held on March 24, 1955 and the vote on Article 2 of the Warrant for the Town Meeting held on December 10, 1957, to make a continuing survey and study with relation to the need for school facilities; and this committee to report to the next annual Town Meeting.
Article 24. The Clerk read the lay-out of Ackerly Street.
It was moved and seconded to accept as a public way a private way known as Ackerly Street. Planning Board Chairman Mancini informed the meeting that only 270 feet of Ackerly Street was approved. The Selectmen's report called for 329 feet. The Chair requested and received unanimous consent to have the motion tabled until the next meeting to permit him to look into the matter.
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Article 25 to be taken up later in conjunction with Article 24. Article 28. The Clerk read the lay-out of Washington Street.
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