Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 11

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 11

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8 The city manager, in order to preserve his integrity as a professional ad- ministrator, resists any encroachment on his responsibility for personnel, believes he should be free to carry out council policies without interference, and deals frankly with the council as a unit rather than with its individual members.

9 The city manager handles all matters of personnel on the basis of merit. Fairness and impartiality govern the city manager in all matters pertaining to ap- pointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline in the municipal service.

10 The city manager curries no favors. He handles each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and justice.

THIS CODE, ORIGINALLY ADOPTED IN 1924 AND AMENDED IN 1938, WAS REVISED AGAIN IN 1952

AND APPROVED BY VOTE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CITY MANAOERS ASSOCIATION

RATED HA

TOWN COMPOR

1048

ASSACHUSETY

Town of Audover Annual Report

IN GOD

WE TRUST

BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN

STATES OF

UNITED

MERICA

HALF

WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM

1 PROPERTY TAXES

$3,321,947.45

2 FEDERAL, STATE & COUNTY AID

931,692.18

3 COMMERCIAL REVENUE

548,883.72

4 DEPARTMENTAL REVENUE 195,733.28

5 PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISES 250,694.12

6 INTEREST INCOME 43,851.54

7 ALL OTHER

43,256.34

Office Of The Town Manager

MOJ

MAY

ASSACHUS

Town Hall, 20 Main Street

February 15, 1965

Fellow Citizens:

On the following pages will be found the story of our Town government during the past year. It tells of the funds and programs approved by the voters of the Town at the several Town Meetings. It gives an accounting of the stewardship by Town officials of Town affairs which have been assigned to them by the Towns- people. In particular, it gives to these public servants the opportunity to describe and to explain the manner in which their individual and collective responsibilities have been met in carrying out the will of the people.

But just as an accounting shows the things which have been accomplished, it describes problems and dif- ficulties experienced during the past year. It looks forward as well as backward. It seeks to emphasize failures with the same sense of objectivity as it does successes.

It seeks to inspire confidence in the operations of Town government by reporting the conduct of Town business in a straightforward manner. It describes many things which can be seen and perhaps as many which are not visible. It tells of people and things; of money and the countless intangibles which defy a price tag and yet play such important roles in our community living.

The 1964 Annual Town Report seeks to live up to its title and above all else, to provide each of us with the information which is essential to the most active participation in Town affairs by all citizens.

Respectfully submitted, Suchard J. Bowen

Richard J. Bowen, Town Manager

RJB / b

1964

REVIEW OF YEAR

LAST YEAR TOWN DEPARTMENTS REPORT:

· Preparation and maintenance of voter registration lists on punched cards in order to provide a more modern and less costly system of election administration.

· 10,576 Registered Voters as compared with 9,360 in 1963.

· 361 Births, 184 Deaths and 169 Marriages.

· Earned interest on $24,886.62 on the investment of idle Town funds.

· Receipt of $250,000.00 from the Towle Estate with in- terest on this fund to be used for assistance to needy Town residents.

· Issuance of 32,137 checks for the conduct of all finan- cial operations of the Town of Andover.

· Assessed Property Valuation of $102,224,200.00.

. Tax Exemptions granted totaling $32,498.95.

. Property Exempt from taxation totaling $33,529,812.00.

Preparation by the Planning Board and adoption by Town Meeting of a new and more modern Zoning By- Law.

· Approval of 6 subdivision plans containing 291 build- ing lots.

· Police complaints totaling 2,507.

· 194 Arrests against 270 in 1963.

· Traffic Accidents reaching an all-time high of 397 re- sulting in 4 fatalities and 192 personal injuries.

· 1,879 Fire Department service calls including 466 re- sponses to fires.

Fire Losses totaling an estimated $180,650.00.

· 725 Ambulance Calls.

· Tax Collections of $3,213,293.92 or 97.2% of the 1964 levies.

· Stocking for civil defense purposes of 2,000 emergency units.

· 4,800 Hours of volunteer time by Civil Defense person- nel.

. Inspections and weighings totaling more than 8,300.

Issuance of 175 new dwelling permits among a total value of permits issued in 1964 of $7,260,449.00.

· Resurfacing of 40 miles of Town streets.

· Installation of 26 catch basins, 5 manholes and 1,705 linear feet of pipe for surface drainage purposes.

· Snow Fall accumulation of 60.10 inches.

· Setting Out of 145 shade and ornamental trees.

· Dutch Elm Disease in 62 trees of which 52 were cut down and destroyed in 1964.

. 99% Completion of sewer project APW Mass. 46G involving construction of approximately 13 miles of sanitary sewer lines and auxiliary facilities.

· 1,704 Communicable Disease and other public health cases or complaints.

· Issuance of 776 public health permits including 138 for septic tanks, 295 plumbing and 147 gas.

· Welfare Service cases totaling 204 on December 31, 1964 as compared with 176 on January 1, 1964.

· Disbursement of $214,974 in welfare assistance funds with the largest amounts going for the support of fed- eral and state programs.

· Aid to 63 veterans during 1964.

Elementary School Enrollment of 2,436 as compared to 2,023 in 1960.

· Library Circulation increase over 1963 of 13,860.

. Addition of 4,064 books to the Memorial Hall Library collection.

· Servicing of more than 12,000 Andover residents in the several Town recreation facilities and programs.

· Installation of heat in the Andover Recreation Park Lodge.

· Pumping of More Than 945 Million gallons of water of which 530.6 million gallons came from Haggett's Pond.

· Preparation of plans and specifications for Fish Brook conversion dams and other related facilities.

· $1,876.00 in lieu of tax payments made by the Andover Housing Authority.

· Granting of 32 variances by the Zoning Board of Ap- peals.

· 15 Dog complaints.

· Planning activity by the Senior High School. Building Committee of a $3.91 Million senior high school facility as approved by a Special Town Meeting in October, 1964.

· Retirement of Advisory Personnel Board. PLANS FOR 1965:

· Continuation of aggressive industrial development pro- gram to broaden Town's tax base and to strengthen the Town's general economy.

· Development of Plans and specifications for the Ban- croft reservoir.

. Completion of plans and specifications for the Fish Brook water project.

. Review and Updating of Town Capital Improvement program.

· Analysis and establishment of Town water system and operations on a self-sustaining basis.

· Fire Fighting Defense improvements as recommended in New England Fire Rating Survey Report of 1964.

· Establishment and Maintenance of a permanent in- ventory of Town-owned personal property.

· Reorganization of Town Operating Departments to pro- mote more efficient and effective utilization of personnel and equipment and in accordance with sound principles of public administration.

· Development and Installation of a modern centralized system of accounting involving the use of electronic data processing equipment and techniques.

· Undertaking of second stage of Rogers Brook drainage project subject to State participation.

· Acceptance of Sanborn School.

· Acquisition of required school sites and land for other essential public purposes.

· Adoption of more comprehensive personnel rules and regulations including a merit pay plan for Town em- ployees.

· Establishment and Operation of a more meaningful centralized system of purchasing Town services and supplies.

. Completion of the revision of the Town By-Laws for submission to 1966 Town Meeting.

· Completion of reconstruction of Lovejoy Road including sidewalks.

PORATED

MAY

INCORPO

6. 1646.

MASSACHUSETTS

LAST YEAR THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:

· Held 25 regular meetings, 5 special meetings and more than 20 informal sessions or conferences.

· Adopted more rigid and protective gravel pit operation regulations.

· Received reports of the Capital Expenditure and Auto- mation Committees.

· Began implementation of recommendations of the New England Fire Rating Association as contained in survey and rating of Town fire fighting defenses.

· Entertained some 150 visitors from England including residents of Andover, England.

. Appointed Richard J. Bowen as Town Manager on July 20, 1964 to replace Thomas E. Duff.

Established a program of employee service awards to be made to Town employees for long and faithful service to the Town of Andover.

· Reviewed the critique of Town government as prepared by a citizen's committee.

· Approved the appointment of a permanent Town Engi- neer.

. Concurred with the recommendation of the Town Man- ager in the establishment of a Permanent Public Build- ing Committee.

· Adopted more formal rules of order and procedure for the conduct of regular meetings as well as establishing regular public conference or work sessions.

TOW

VER

Bars:

GENERAL

GOVERNMENT

Board of Selectmen

Expenditures

$3,471.36

Monthly Cost Per Person

1 1/2 c

In convening formally at twenty-five regular and five special meetings as well as having approximately twenty-four informal sessions, the Board of Selectmen completed an eventful year. In addition to acting as the licensing authority for the Town of Andover principally in the granting of alcoholic beverage licenses, the Board heard fourteen petitions for gravel removal permits of which twelve were renewals with two representing new requests. As a consequence of the growing concern over these kinds of operations, new and far more strict regulations were adopted and implemented by the Board. To date, these new requirements have resulted in some rather spectacular improvements in most pits. With a higher and more realistic schedule of fees hav- ing been put into effect, a more frequent and thorough inspection program can be continued by the Town Building Inspector.

The Board received in 1964 the reports of several committees, most notably those of the so-called Automa- tion Committee and the Capital Expenditure Commit- tee. The former's recommendations are being carried forward in an article for the 1965 Town Meeting War- rant for funds to permit the acquisition of electronic data processing equipment which will modernize com- pletely the financial operations of the Town. The Cap- ital Expenditure Report is being used as a guide in considering future capital requirements.

One of the most significant occurences in 1964 which the Board of Selectmen was called upon to face was the receipt and implementation of the Fire Rating Survey conducted upon the Board's request by the New England Fire Rating Association. This report pointed out many significant fire fighting deficiencies which could ultimately result in higher fire insurance rates for Town property owners. However, immediate steps were taken by the Board to eliminate deficiency points which would involve little or no expense. Coupled with recommended action at the 1965 Town Meeting, it appears quite likely that the Town will be able to im- prove its fire rating.

Another high point of the past year, was the visit of some 150 "neighbors" from England. Under the sponsorship of Southern Newspapers, Limited of South- hampton, England, this touring group included several residents of Andover, England who brought with them the best wishes and greetings of the Mayor of Andover. Aside from this attachment, Andover had been selected

as one of the major points of interest in America to represent the best in a traditional, fine early American but nonetheless modern community. The Board of Se- lectmen entertained these distinguished visitors with a square dance and a bagpipe serenade.

Perhaps one of the most significant actions of the Board of Selectmen in 1965 was the appoinment of Richard J. Bowen as Town Manager. Selected from a group of more than forty applicants, the new Town Manager came to Andover with a background of formal training in public administration and some ten years of practical experience in municipal administration and related fields, including approximately seven years as a municipal administrator. The Board looks to the future with great confidence that the administration of Town affairs will improve and that the benefits of such opera- tions will accrue to the people of the Town of Andover.

Employee service awards were established by the Board in 1964 and upon receipt of the appropriate badges will be given to the large number of Town em- ployees who have served the Town over the years. This award program will be a continuing one and represents tangible recognition by the Town of the dedication and faithful service of its employees. Steps were taken also to transfer the inspection of elevators to the State which should prove to be a far more economical and satisfac- tory arrangement. The Board also approved the estab- lishment of a permanent public building committee as a step in the direction of providing continuity and ex- pertise to the continuing public building requirements of the Town.

The Board adopted a resolution favoring meaning- ful home rule legislation presently before the General Court and has inserted an appropriate article in the 1965 Warrant to permit voters of the Town to express their opinions on this critical matter.

Another first for the Board of Selectmen was its participation in 1964 with the Town Manager in the formulation of the 1965 Town Budget. The Board also adopted more formal rules of order and procedure pri- marily in the order of business at its formal meetings. It also adopted and follows a policy of meeting in- formally on the Thursday preceeding its bi-weekly reg- ular meeting. This is a public meeting and has served to provide the opportunity to discuss openly and in de- tail the matters which will be considered at regular

meetings. This arrangement has also meant a closer working relationship between the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Appointed by the Town Moderator, the seven- member Finance Committee met regularly during 1964 to review the periodic financial reports submitted to it by the Town Accountant. In addition, the FinCom met to consider requests for the transfer of funds from the Reserve Funds as established by Town Meeting to cover expenses not otherwise anticipated in the 1964 Annual Budget. These transfers totaled $32,501.78 from a re- serve of $35,000.00 with the major portion of this amount required to meet higher public welfare expenses. A detailed accounting of the Reserved Fund is included among the financial reports prepared by the Town Ac- countant which are part of this Town Report.

The Finance Committee also met with the Town Manager in 1964 to begin consideration and review of the 1965 Annual Budget.

It is worthy of note that the Andover Finance Committee was awarded in 1964 by the Massachusetts Association of Finance Committees highest honors for its annual report and recommendations to the voters of the Town, in terms of the manner and content of presentation.

Town Manager

Personnel

2 $20,505.73

Expenditures

Monthly Cost Per Person

9 1/2 C

In effect, the reports of the several operating de- partments, boards and committees represent the report of the Town Manager for 1964. Comparatively new to the job, the five months of 1964 during which he served as Town Manager were spent getting acquainted and formulating plans and programs for the year ahead. Among these are the development of a more meaning- ful and informative annual budget; purchasing improve- ments; personnel programs; space utilization; electronic data processing and the countless other tasks which are part of administering the governmental affairs of the Town of Andover. 1965 promises many exciting oppor- tunities for improving the operations of Town govern- ment.

Town Clerk

BIRTHS

1960

326

1961

1962

333

345

1964

Each Symbol = 30

1963

Personnel

Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person Election and Registration

$17,190.95

Monthly Cost Per Person

The first step in punch card automation has been started in this Department. Two Precincts are now key- punched, and when all precincts are completed, much valuable information will be available. With one set of records, data on street lists, voting lists, dog owners, etc. can be readily obtained.

Starting with the Decennial Census as of January 1, 1965, when every person in the town must be listed, population records can be determined year by year. This information will be used by the School Depart- ment to determine the number of pre-school children.

Total numbers of Republicans, Democrats and In- dependents can also be ascertained in a relatively short time.

The total number of registered voters in Andover as of October 2, 1964 was 10,576 by Precincts as fol- lows:

2114

4 2117

2 1368

5 857

3 1854

6 - 2266

VITAL STATISTICS

Number of births recorded 361

Males 205

Females 156

Number of deaths recorded 184

Males 94

Females

Number of marriages recorded FEES

169

Fees collected and turned over to the Town Treas-

urer

Marriage Intentions

$ 368.00

Alcoholic Beverage Licenses

8,815.00

Auto Dealers's Licenses 125.00

Common Victualers' Licenses

62.00

Certified Copies - Vital Statistics

749.00

Uniform Commercial Code Fees

1,138.00

Fish and Game License Fees

173.25

Dog Dicense Fees

388.00

Street Lists

314.00

Miscellaneous Fees

279.95

Total Fees

$12,412.20

Board of Assessors

Personnel

Full-time 31/2

Part-time 2

Expenditures

$25,050.00

Monthly Cost Per Person

11 1/2 c

Number of Persons Assessed - 6,686

Valuation-Personal Property

$ 4,713.200

Valuation-Real Estate

$ 97,511,000

Total Valuation

$102,224,200

Tax Rate $33.00 per $1,000 Valuation

Number of Acres Assessed

Number of Dwellings Assessed 4,806

Over 70

15,215.20

Veterans 16,288.80

Blind 792.00

Miscellaneous 202.95

REAL ESTATE EXEMPT FROM TAXATION

Clause 1-Property of United States $ ,178,850

Clause 2-Property of Commonwealth of Mass. $

,339,350

Clause 3-Property of

Literary Organizations

$ 22,235,900

Clause 3-Property of

Charitable Organizations $ , 73,275

Clause 3-Property of

Benevolent Organizations

$ ,131,500

Clause 11-House of Religious Worship Parasonages $ ,135,000

$ 1,692,225

Clause 12-Cemeteries

$ ,218,275

Andover Housing Authority

$ ,906,250

Property Put To A Public Use $ 7,616,225

Number of Acres Exempt 2,962.74 MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAILER EXCISE

Number of Vehicles Assessed 11,314

Assessed Valuation $ 8,940,535

Excise

$517,863.66

Abatements $ 36,539.01

Tax Rate-$66 per $1,000 Valuation

1965 represents the eighth year that the Assessors Office has functioned under the present valuation sys- tem. This system has proven to be accurate and fair, but with each passing year it has become more evident that a periodic review and revaluation is an absolute necessity in order to maintain its accuracy and fairness. Changing values of land and buildings are occuring steadily, and although the Board of Assessors continues to make adjustments where the need is outstanding, it is a physical impossibility for the Board to review 7200 parcels. It is, therefore, the Board recommendation that the town schedule a professional revaluation in the year 1967 to be effective in the tax year of 1968.

The lack of adequate space in the Assessors Office has restricted, to some degree, the efficiency of the operation of this department, as well as having caused, on several occasions, an inconvenience to the taxpayer and others doing business with this office. The counter space and waiting area is insufficient, as is the general office area. Each year the records and volumes that are required by law to be retained in the Assessors Office increase, so that at the present time vault storage space is full and records that should be in a fireproof vault are being maintained in metal cabinets.

There is a definite need for a separate office for private discussions with taxpayers and for use by the full-time assessor.

Tax Collector

Personnel

31/4

Expenditures

$17,099.00

Monthly Cost Per Person

18,115.65

$12,069.74 5 1/2 c TAX EXEMPTIONS GRANTED-1964

As collections and the resulting bookwork increase from year to year, working office space - unfortunately - remains static, thus making it more and more difficult to operate efficiently.

There has been no change in working area since 1935.

Picture, if you will, a floor area measuring 14 x 17 feet. In this space are crowded three desks and chairs, four cabinets, two typewriters, a counter - 3 x 6 - and the space outside the counter for taxpayers. How large is your living room?

Plans are underway to re-arrange the offices on the first floor. While they will not and cannot solve the problem completely, the proposed set-up will give a measure of relief and allow for a little more efficient operation of the various departments.

Town Treasurer

Personnel

21/2

Expenditures

$14,961.86

Monthly Cost Per Person

Receipts and Disbursements General Fund: Balance January 1, 1964

1,087,722.48

Receipts

6,804,652.33

7,892,374.81

Payments

6,568,502.84

Balance December 31, 1964 $1,323,871.97

Contributory Board of Retirement Funds: Balance January 1, 1964 Receipts

$ 23,073.22

156,982.32

180,055.54

Payments (including investments) 154,307.37

Balance December 31, 1964 $ 25,748.17

Accelerated Public Works Program:

Balance January 1, 1964

$ 794,575.65

Receipts: Distribution from

Receipts: U. S.Government 629,625.00

Receipts: Income from invested funds

16,413.97

Payments

$1,440,614.62 1,353,306.94

Balance December 31, 1964 $ 87,307.68

Tax Anticipation Notes :

Notes totalling $1,000,000 were issued at an interest cost of $10,365.40.

Investment of Surplus Funds:

Surplus funds, including Accelerated Sewer Funds, invested in United States Treasury Bills, certificates of deposit and savings accounts earned $24,886.62. Margaret Grindell Towle Fund:

On October 2, 1964 the sum of $250,000 was received from the Executor of the Towle Will. This sum rep- resented $240,000 of principal and $10,000 of accrued income. The investment of and disbursements from this fund are under the direction of a board of three trustees.

CHECKS ISSUE Din 1964:

in 1963:

Salary and Payroll

20870

19249

Accounts Payable 6217*

6120*

Veterans Assistance

513

460

Public Assistance 3706

3377

Retirement

701

667

Accelerated Public Works

Program

130 15 29888 32137

*Typed in Office of Town Accountant.

Andover School and Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union:

This was organized in September 1964. Thirty- three employees joined and deductions were made from payroll and salary checks for shares purchased.

It is hoped that there will be no further delay in providing adequate working space for the personnel of this office or improved record-keeping equipment, both of which are needed for greater efficiency of operation. In addition, it is strongly recommended that there be a review by department heads and personnel of all de- partments in Town Hall of present methods of operation both in the departments and as they relate to one an- other. This review should be made in advance of the purchase of new equipment inasmuch as the type of equipment and its implementations should be based on current as well as anticipated use.

Planning Board

Personnel

Expenditures

$12,370.02

Monthly Cost Per Person

5 1/2 c

Many hours were spent by the Board in helping to draft and review the new zoning by-law which re- placed the twenty-eight year old one. Work will con- tinue along the same lines until all Town By-laws have been recodified and placed before the voters of the Town for acceptance.

Updating of the Comprehensive Master Plan, un- der the 701 Program (matching Federal and State funds), has taken much of the Planning Board's time. This important task has required special meetings with its consultants and appropriate State officials.

At the Annual Town Meeting, voters adopted the Planning Board's article, which described all the busi- ness areas in the Town by metes and bounds as well as by reference to the Town Assessor's maps. The article also included the adoption of a large map outlining the business areas.

By an overwhelming majority, the voters at the Special Town Meeting in June, adopted a new Zoning By-law, representing a major recodification, and spon- sored by the Planning Board and the By-law Commit- tee. The Board was disappointed by the defeat of a new section covering parking regulations, which is felt to be a necessary first step to a much needed revision of the zoning requirements of the business areas of the town. The Board expects to work with the Chamber of Commerce in projecting a parking proposal that will be acceptable to all parties concerned, yet stringent enough to protect the interests of the town. At this same Special Town Meeting, delineation of all boundaries by

reference to assessors' maps became a part of the Zoning By-law and will serve to eliminate many problems which have plagued town departments over a period of years.

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Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969, Part 11

Author: Andover (Mass.) Publication date: 1963 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 902

Author: Andover (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 902