USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1926-1929 > Part 19
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Article 4. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding $9000. for the purpose of re-arranging the offices in the Town House to provide for new sanitaries, increased vault room, more office room and equipment for same, on petition of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 5. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not exceeding $5000.00 provided, however, a like amount of money is appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts and the County of Essex, for improvement of River Road in West Andover so-called, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Article 6. - To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5500.00 to erect bleachers and fence on the play- stead, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
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Article 7. - To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2500.00 to grade grounds around back of the School property to meet work already done on playstead, accord- ing to plan of Morse & Dickinson, on petition of School Com- mittee and Board of Public Works.
Article 8. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the Water Main on Lowell Street from its present dead-end near the residence of Charles Eaton, a dis- tance of 3200 feet, and appropriate the sum of $9000.00 for same, on petition of Board of Public Works.
Article 9. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the water main on Stinson Street from its present dead-end near the property of H. B. Lewis, a dis- tance of 1000 feet, and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 for same, on petition of Board of Public Works.
Article 10. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $3500.00 for the laying of a 6-inch Water Main on Wash- ington Avenue to take the place of a 4-inch now in use, and make the necessary changes, on petition of James C. Souter and others.
Article 11. - To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to employ an architect to examine the school lot on Bartlet Street and make preliminary plans for a school building or an addition to a building thereon, and appropriate a sum not exceeding $1000.00 therefor, on petition of Elsie Pitkin Poyn- ter and others.
Article 12. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $13000.00 to purchase a combination hose, chemical and pump for use in the Fire Department, on petition of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 13. - To see if the Town will vote to place street lights on Juliette Street and appropriate a sum of money there- for, on petition of Emory J. Delaney and others.
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Article 14. - To see if the Town will adopt the Zoning Plan presented by the Town Planning Board, and enact the Zoning Ordinance recommended by the Board, on petition of the Town Planning Board.
Article 15. - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to release and abandon the rights, ease- ments and estate acquired by the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover under a taking by Eminent Domain in the lands in Lawrence, Massachusetts, belonging to the Eastern Massachu- setts Street Railway Company and the Boston & Maine Railroad, which taking was made by the Board of Selectmen by vote dated Septmber 19, 1924, and recorded in Essex North District Regis- try of Deeds, book 503, page 568, and described at page 574, and also shown on plan 567 on file in said Registry.
Article 16. - To see if the Town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Chapter 41, Sections 73-81 of the General Laws relating to a Board of Survey.
Article 17. - To authorize the Town Treasurer to hire money for the use of the Town in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, with the approval of the Selectmen.
Article 18. - To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations and free cash in treasury.
Article 19. - To act upon the report of the Town Officers.
Article 20. - To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies and publication thereof, seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by the By-Laws of the Town.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this sixth day of February A.D. 1928.
FRANK H. HARDY ANDREW McTERNEN Selectmen of Andover
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RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee respectfully presents herewith its recommendations for the year 1928.
Your Committee has held many conferences with the heads of the various departments and others charged with the expend- iture of the money of the Town and has endeavored to gain an understanding of their needs as to upkeep and the wisdom of the projects upon which they propose to work. The Town's needs are many, and it would be a fine thing if we could have them all satisfied at once, but just as in private expenditure where income is limited those which seem the more pressing must be attended to first and the others deferred to be taken care of at some future time in accordance with a well mapped out scheme of procedure thereby keeping the burden on the taxpayer as light as possible and at the same time gradually working out the needed improvements.
All of the expenditures recommended other than those purely for maintenance purposes in the current budget are steps in the orderly and progressive plans for the reasonably immediate future. Of course, it is entirely possible that there may be a difference of opinion as to whether a particular project it as a matter of fact so pressing as to demand immediate attention, but we think that the various executive boards charged with the responsibility of conducting the Town's business must in the very nature of things be better able to judge the order in which our Town's problems can be best met and that their approval or disapproval should be given the greatest weight. That has been done in each of the items which we recommend.
Sooner or later we shall be face to face with some more serious problems of larger undertakings which it would be well to have in mind, such as North Main Street with its bridge and road
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Concrete paving of Elm Street. A new sub high school. Assess- ment of Andover for portion of main sewer from Lowell to the sea if and when built. Other possibilities may be easily conjured to mind and as time goes on new and unforeseen needs will inevitably arise. Your Committee thinks that not much serious difference of opinion exists that so far as possible expenditures should be paid for currently and that bond issues ought to be avoided except for extraordinary purposes. There are none pro- vided for or needed in the budget herewith recommended which means that the tax rate, so far as can be now estimated, remains approximately stabilized. The Committee believes that any material increase in the tax rate would be unwise and unnecessary in a year when no expenditure out of the ordinary is contem- plated. It will have to be when the time comes that we must meet some of the larger projects of desirable improvements which seem more or less imminent. It cannot be too much in mind, after all is said and done, that practically no expenditure for Town purposes can be made, no new project agreed to except as each taxpayer contributes his share to pay for it and just as certainly does each pay, whether taxpayer or not, in increased rent and cost of living as taxes mount to meet the cost of govern- ment. There is no other source of revenue and in effect each might as well reach into his pocket and draw forth his share for the payment.
As last year, the industrial situation hereabouts is in a pre- carious situation and unemployment with its increased and in- sistent calls sounds a warning cry to be wary of spending except for those things which are needed and can properly be taken care of now and to scrutinize carefully all proposals however worthy and desirable. This does not mean that we should stand still and meet only the bare and dire necessities. Sometimes it is a false economy and may work an injustice to put off that which is not absolutely necessary now.
Last year at the town meeting the Moderator was authorized to appoint a committee to survey the situation as to salaries paid by the Town. This committee was duly appointed and at once set upon an arduous and painstaking effort to fulfill the purposes of its creation. It has made its report as ordered to the Finance
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Committee. The Salary Committee has labored conscientiousiy and continuously, the members giving generously of their time and energy to fully cover the situation. The earnest study they have made of the subject matter entitles their support to the greatest weight and consideration. It is of such a thorough nature that it is thought only proper that it should be printed in full in the town report. It appears, therefore, in the pages immediately following this report. Your Finance Committee concurs fully in the conclusions reached and has included in the budget items the amounts required to put it in force.
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The original estimates handed in have been increased to meet these requirements by the following amounts based on nine
months service :
Town Officials
$675.00
Police Department
1000.00
Fire Department
965.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
50.00
Tree Warden and Moth Inspector
78.00
Inspector of Plumbing (estimated)
62.00
Milk Inspector
75.00
Library
500.00
Spring Grove Cemetery
300.00
School Department
1658.00
Board Public Works
200.00
Total
$5563.00
The total of last year's appropriations, including State and County tax and special articles of the warrant amounted to $660,692.00. The recommendations for this year require $666,- 633.88.
With the foregoing considerations in mind, the Finance Com- mittee feels justified in recommending the adoption of the follow- ing budget by the town meeting :
Almshouse
$8500.00
Almshouse Relief Out
8000.00
Increase because of industrial conditions.
Aiding mothers with dependent children
5000.00
Amount carried forward
$21500.00
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Amount brought forward
$21500.00
American Legion Assessors' Survey Board of Health
1000.00
3000.00
4500.00
Increase because of additional patients in
Tuberculosis Hospital.
Brush Fires 1000.00
Claims for damage to personal property
4000.00
Increase because of additional claims Elections
2200.00
Four elections this year as against one last year Essex Hospital
5217.88
Assessed by County against Town for Tuber- culosis Hospital
Fire Department
29965.00
G. A. R.
200.00
Highways
80200.00
For new construction $30,000.00
Interest
31000.00
Insurance
6400.00
Additional Workmen's Compensation
Library
$7500.00
Additional maintenance because of new building
Memorial Day
600.00
Parks and Playgrounds
4000.00
Increase because of additional grounds
Police
26300.00
Additional for special officers
Pomps Pond
1500.00
Printing
600.00
Public Dump
400.00
Reserve Fund
3000.00
Retirement of Bonds
48000.00
Retirement of Veteran
300.00
Schools
143614.00
Increase in number of teachers and cost of
transportation of children
Sewers 5000.00
Amount carried forward
$430996.88
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Amount brought forward
$430996.88
Snow and Equipment (estimated)
10000.00
Soldiers Relief 1500.00
Sealers Weights and Measures
500.00
Spring Grove Cemetery
6800.00
State Aid
500.00
Street Lighting
18487.00
Increase in number of lights
Town Buildings
4200.00
Town Officers
16675.00
Town Scales
125.00
Tree Warden
5000.00
Moth Work
5000.00
Water-Maintenance
30000.00
Water-Construction
12000.00
Increase of $2000.00, made necessary by
change in plan of Haverhill Street Bridge
Wire Inspector
350.00
Total
$542133.88
The Finance Committee recommends the following action re- garding the special articles in the Warrant :
Article 4. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not exceeding $9000.00 for the purpose of re-arranging the offices in the Town House to provide for new sanitaries, increased vault room, more office room and equipment for same, on petition of the Board of Selectmen.
(Approved)
Article 5. - To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money not exceeding $5000.00 provided however a like amount of money is appropriated by the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, and the County of Essex for improvement of River Road in West Andover so called, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved)
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Article 6. - To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5500.00 to erect bleachers and fence on the play- stead, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
(Approved)
Article 7. - To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $2500.00 to grade grounds around back of the school ' property to meet work already done on playstead according to plan of Morse & Dickinson, on petition of School Committee and Board of Public Works.
(Approved)
Article 8. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the Water Main on Lowell Street from its present dead-end near the residence of Charles Eaton, a dis- tance of 3200 feet, and appropriate the sum of $9000.00 for same, on petition of Board of Public Works.
(Approved.)
Article 9. - To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Public Works to extend the Water Main on Stinson Street from its present dead-end near property of H. B. Lewis, a distance of 1000 feet, and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 for same, on petition of Board of Public Works.
(Approved)
Article 10. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $3500.00 for the laying of a 6-inch Water Main on Washington Avenue to take the place of a 4-inch now in use, and make the necessary changes, on petition of James C. Souter and others.
(Approved)
Article 11 .- To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to employ an architect to examine the school lot on Bartlet Street and make preliminary plans for a school building or an addition to a building thereon, and appropriate a sum not exceeding $1000.00 therefor, on petition of Elsie Pitkin Poynter and others.
106
(In view of the fact that the School Committee, under authority of the last town meeting, is to make a report along these lines we recommend that this aricle be referred to the School Committee.)
Article 12. - To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $13000.00 to purchase a combination hose, chemical and pump for use in the Fire Department, on petition of the Board of Selectmen.
(Approved)
Article 13. - To see if the Town will vote to place street lights on Juliette Street and appropriate a sum of money therefor on petititon of Emory J. Delaney and others.
(Does not require action by Finance Committee)
Article 14. - To see if the Town will adopt the Zoning Plan presented by the Town Planning Board, and enact the Zoning Ordinance recommended by the Board, on petition of the Town Planning Board.
(Does not require action by Finance Committee)
Article 15. - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to release and abandon the rights, easements and estate acquired by the Inhabitants of the Town of Andover under a taking by Eminent Domain in the lands in Lawrence, Massachusetts, belonging to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company and the Boston & Maine Railroad, which taking was made by the Board of Selectmen by vote dated September 19, 1924, and recorded in Essex North District Registry of Deeds, book 503, page 568, and described at page 574, and also shown on plan 567 on file in said Registry.
(Does not require action by Finance Committee)
Article 16. - To see if the Town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Chapter 41, Sections 73-81 of the General Laws re- lating to a Board of Survey.
(Does not require action by Finance Committee)
107
SUMMARY
Departmental expenditures recommended Special expenditures recommended
$542133.88 49500.00
State and County Tax (estimated)
75000.00
Total Receipts (estimated)
$666633.88
200000.00
Net
$466633.88
VALUATION
Net Valuation 1927
$17,650,000.00
1928 (Estimated) $17,650,000.00
Computation of tax rate for 1928 using the above figures $466633.88 $17650000.00 = $26.00 +
Tax rate for 1927, $25.50
Tax rate for 1926, $28.80
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIE N. FROST
G. EDGAR FOLK
CHARLES J. BAILEY
J. H. HIGGINSON
WALTER M. LAMONT
JAMES H. EATON
JOSEPH C. KIMBALL
Finance Committee
108
$591633.88
REPORT ON SALARIES 1
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Andover, Mass., January 25th, 1928.
Archie N. Frost, Chairman,
Finance Committee, Andover, Mass.
DEAR SIR :
The Committee appointed by the Town Moderator, pursuant to the vote of the Town at its last annual meeting, "to make a survey of all salaries and rates paid for services rendered to the Town by its employees, with a view to determining whether there should be any increase in said salaries and rates of pay, and if so what amounts", begs leave to submit the following report of its findings and recommendations.
This Committee in making its survey has endeavored to secure such guidance as was feasible from such sources as it deemed capable of being of assistance, and has endeavored by a process of comparison to determine, as far as possible, whether or not the rates of compensation paid by the Town of Andover to its employees and officers was in line with rates of compensation paid by other communities fairly comparable with Andover. The Committee has been surprised at the paucity of useful informa- tion procurable and has been even more surprised at its inability to determine fair rates of compensation by such method of com- parison. Some of the recommendations which this Committee will make may appear entirely unreasonable if the comparative test is the only one applied, and its recommendations herein made are based in many instances upon this Committee's conception
-
109
of what a fair salary should be for the work or responsibility involved, rather than upon a finding of what other towns are paying for similar services.
With this initial statement your Committee desires to respect- fully recommend as follows :
Selectmen, Assessors, and Board of Public Welfare:
The salaries of those elected to these offices are now fixed at $900.00 for the Chairman, and $800.00 each for the other two members, which amounts are arbitrarily divided for reporting purposes as follows :
To the Chairman of the Selectmen is paid $400.00
To each of the other two Selectmen 300.00
To each of the Assessors is paid 400.00
To each of the three members of Board of Public Welfare is paid 100.00
This Committee feels that the salaries so paid must be re- garded as totally inadequate when the amount of time demanded from the several officials is considered, but that it must be also remembered a certain amount of honor attaches to these offices which must be credited on the account, and that the holders of these offices, as in the case of other unpaid Boards serving the Town, are in a measure contributing something of their thought and energy as good citizens to the Town's welfare.
We, therefore, recommend that no change be made in these salaries. It is, however, the opinion of this Committee that our Town should look forward to the time when some different ar- rangement can be made involving a more systematic and scientific method of assessment, whereunder possibly one of the Assessors shall be employed as a whole time man and the other two Assess- ors used simply for advisory and consultant purposes. If such sys- tem should in the future be installed a rearrangement of the salaries of the Assessors should, of course, at such time be made. Assistant Assessors :
The present compensation is $6.00 per day. This Committee recommends no change.
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Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Clerk of Boards :
The present salary of the Town Clerk is $1000.00
The present salary of the Town Treasurer is 1800.00
The present salary of the Clerk of Boards is 400.00
It so happens that these three offices are all held by one man at the present time, whose total compensation is, therefore, $3200.00.
This Committee recommends that the salary of the Town Clerk be increased to $1200.00, that the salary of the Town Treasurer be increased to $2500.00, and that no change be made in the salary of the Clerk of Boards.
The Committee feels that the Town is extremely fortunate in having as the holder of these various offices the present incum- bent thereof, and the increases in these salaries are in a measure recommended because his long, faithful, and efficient service has made this increase due him. Whether the Committee would feel that an untried and inexperienced holder of these offices would be properly entitled to this added compensation is not decided.
Collector of Taxes :
The present salary is $2000.00, with allowance for clerk hire of $250.00. The Committee recommends no change.
Auditors :
The present salary is $200.00 per annum. The Committee re- commends no change.
Registrars of Voters :
The present compensation is 75 cents per hour. The Committee recommends no change.
Precinct Officers :
The present compensation is $7.00 per day in one precinct and $6.50 per day in the other precincts. The Committee recommends no change.
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Police Department :
1
The present pay is as follows :
Chief
Sergeant
Men
Specials
$42.00 per week 39.37 per week 35.00 per week . 621/2 per hour
The Committee feels that the pay of these officers, as the pay of the officers and men of the Fire Department hereinafter to be considered, should be based upon the quality of service rendered by the individual, taking into consideration his training, his ex- perience, and his ability for his work.
It is this Committee's opinion that the pay should, therefore, be flexible within certain limitations, each man's compensation to be more or less dependent upon his individual work.
This Committee, therefore, recommends the following max- imum and minimum rates for the officers and men of the Police Department, leaving it to the Selectmen to determine what each individual should receive, based upon that individual's worth and experience to the Town :
Chief $42.00 to $50.00 per week Sergeant 39.00 to 45.00 per week 33.00 to 38.00 per week
Men
Specials. No change from the present rate of .621/2 cents per hour.
It is this Committee's recommendation that in general men of no experience appointed to the Police force should commence their service upon the pay of $33.00 per week, such pay to be increased $1.00 per week during each year for five years (5 years) to the maximum of $38.00 per week; that those men now on the force who have been in the service for three (3) years or more should be paid at the rate of $38.00 per week; those that have been in the service for two (2) years at the rate of $37.00 per week; and those who have been in the service for one (1) year at the rate of $35.00 per week, each of these lat- ter classes to be increased $1.00 per week per year until they attain the maximum of $38.00 per week.
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It is further recommended that the men of this Department should be given the opportunity of receiving systematic in- structions and training in, their duties so that they may be in a position to render the most capable and intelligent service pos- sible.
Fire Department :
The present pay is as follows :
Chief
$48.07 per week
Deputy
41.00 per week
Lieutenant
36.00 per week
Men
35.00 per week
This Committee recommends a maximum and minimum for the officers and men of this Department as in the case of the Police Department mentioned above.
Chief
$42.00 to $50.00 per week
Deputy
40.00 to 45.00 per week
Lieutenant
39.00 to 42.00 per week
Men
33.00 to 38.00 per week
This Committee recommends no change in rates of the pay of the call men.
What has been recommended hereinbefore in regard to the Police Department applies to this Committe's recommendations regarding the Fire Department, that the fixing of the salaries of the individuals between the limits above recommended should be dependent upon the value, worth, ability and experience of the individual as determined by the Selectmen, and that the new man coming into the Department without experience should be paid the minimum and increased gradually year by year to the maximum rate of pay. Because of our belief that with proper opportunity for development and good leadership the men should grow more valuable with experience, we feel that every oppor- tunity should be afforded them for such development.
It is our opinion, also, that the present firemen could render a further valuable service to the Town, with material advantage to themselves, by the providing of a plan for regular drills, such
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as have been found so helpful in city departments, and further, and of even more importance in our minds, we advise the de- veloping of a plan of inspection work by the regular firemen throughout the town for the discovery and correction of fire hazards. This and similar outside employments would render ยท larger service to the Town and would tend to avoid the long and wearisome periods of inaction which are the greatest bane of a fireman's life.
Building Inspector :
The present salary is $500.00 per annum. This Committee recommends no change.
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