USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 31
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The Board also in 1966 approved the creation of a local Community Action Council as well as the Town's participation as members of the Grea- ter Lawrence Community Action Council. Al- though the Town of Andover will be eligible for only modest participation in the federal Poverty Program, involvement in the Greater Lawrence program assures continuation of benefits to re- sidents of the Greater Lawrence area.
Periodic contacts were made by the Board with the Town's State Representatives and par- ticularly with Congressman F. Bradford Morse. As the problems of the Town of Andover increase
in scope and complexity, the maintenance of close and favorable working relationships with these Representatives takes on ever-increasing import- ance. This is particularly true of relations with the Town's Congressional Representative.
The Selectmen recognized the importance of preserving the historical character of the Town in the appointing of the Historic District Study Committee. It is expected that this committee will submit a report to the Selectmen outlining the need for and steps to be followed in development of a program for preserving historic buildings and sites in the Town.
Along with all of the above and many other activities of the Board, the Selectmen continued to function as a licensing board in supervising the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses.
One of the more noteworthy and beneficial decisions of the Board was that of authorizing the removal of on-street parking meters on Main St. This was conceived as an experiment to determine the extent to which townspeople could discipline themselves in parking their vehicles while con- ducting their business in downtown Andover. To date this experiment has been a great success. It
IT WAS A GOOD PLAN EVEN THOUGH IT LOST AT TOWN MEETING - HAROLD KING, PLANNING BOARD CHAIRMAN
-------
Town Manager
would appear that action will be taken by the Board to remove all on-street parking meters.
As authorized by the Town Meeting, the in- firmary property on Carmel Road was sold to Ed- win F. Bell of Methuen. The Board also appoint- ed Donald Bassett to serve as Andover's repre- sentative on the advisory board of the Ipswich River Watershed District.
Of all the duties during the past year, none was more significant than that of the calling of three Special Town Meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting. With the exception of the Lally property article the Board's recommendations as presented to the Town Meetings were adopted.
In recognition of the ever-changing character and makeup of the Town, the Board supported the creation of the Local Council on Aging. Its ap- pointment by the Town Manager with the ap- proval of the Board represented a positive step towards the development of plans and programs for one of the most valuable assets of the Town of Andover - its older citizens. Several significant planning matters also required the Board's time. Referred to the Planning Board were proposals to develop a long range sanitary sewer improve- ment program and a "capped" sewer require- ment in the Town's subdivision regulations. The Selectmen also participated in the development of a long range ten-point program for the continued development and improvement of the downtown business area. This will serve as a guide to the pre- paration and implementation of physical plans for this vital area of the Andover Community. Pollution Legislation
The Board registered its strong support and approval of State legislation adopted by the Gen- eral Court which provides for substantial State assistance in anti-(water) pollution projects.
Land acquisition consumed a great deal of time and effort of the Board in 1966. Approxi- mately eighty-two (82) acres was acquired by eminent domain in West Andover for use as a school site. A seven-acre parcel was acquired on Shawsheen Road adjoining the Senior High School site. The Board also acquired the so-called Shorten property on Park Street which gives to the Town ownership and control of the full block between Main and Bartlet Streets.
Although requiring two attempts, the Board received authorization to acquire approximately twenty-five (25) acres of land in Southeast An- dover for an elementary school site. Work continues in seeking negotiated purchases of the parcels of land involved.
Personnel
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
Full-time 2 Part-time 1 $26,406 10¢
The Town Manager is the chief adminis- trative officer of the Town of Andover. His pow- ers and duties are spelled out in detail in the Town Charter adopted by the voters of the Town of Andover in 1957. He appoints and supervises all town employees, boards and committees, ex- cept those officials who are elected or appointed by the Finance Committee, Moderator, Board of Selectmen and School Committee. These appoint- ments are subject to confirmation by the Board of Selectmen. He is the Purchasing Agent for the Town. He is also the Town's chief fiscal officer which position includes responsibilities for the preparation of the Town's Annual Budget. The Town Manager is also responsible for the main- tenance and repair of all Town property except schools. He is also responsible for the preparation of plans and the supervision of all construction, reconstruction, alterations and improvements of all public buildings, including schools.
Sewers, Schools and Water - These words more than any others would describe the Town Manager's major areas of activity during the past twelve (12) months. As a representative with Se- lectman Watters to the Greater Lawrence Water Pollution Abatement Committee, a great deal of time, effort, energy and some imagination were expended in order to devise both political en- gineering plans for the discontinuation of the dumping of sewage into the Merrimack River. It appeared at one time during the year that accept- able plans were about to be adopted by the City of Lawrence and the Towns of Andover, North Andover and Methuen which would have permit- ted the development of a specific time table for the undertaking and completing of regional sewerage treatment facilities. Unfortunately, it was found impossible to satisfy the City of Lawrence and further planning was discontinued until the City could make up its mind. There appears to be little question that a regional facility is feasible both from technical and financial points of view. Poli- tical questions remain to be solved and will hinder further planning until resolved OR the several municipalities are ordered by the State and Fed- eral governments to discontinue the time-honored
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practice of polluting the Merrimack.
The Town Manager made every effort to keep himself and the Town informed of State and Federal legislation relating to pollution and con- ferred frequently with the office of Congressman Morse. In addition, it was possible for the Manager to attend Vice-President Hubert H. Humphrey's conference with City and Town Managers on July 28 and 29 in Washington, D.C. This two-day meeting afforded municipal administrators throughout the country direct contact with high-ranking Federal officials including cab- inet officers who are involved in programs sponsored by the Federal government for local government. These include the Poverty Program (OEO Director Shriver), Economic Development (Commerce Secreatary Connor), Housing and Urban Development (Secretary Weaver) as well as Vice-President Humphrey himself who has been designated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to work closely with local officials in solving the many and complex problems of urban America. The conference was found to be most worthwhile especially in terms of having been able to establish contacts.
Although the drought continued into 1966, substantial relief was found with the completion of the Fish Brook project during the Spring. De- spite pressure, water use restrictions were con- tinued in force by the Town Manager until there were reasonable and safe assurances that the Town's water supply had been replenished suf- ficiently to permit their modification. This was done in the late Spring by allowing ulimited use of water on alternate days of the week in alter- nate areas of the Town. This practice proved to be successful although at times it appeared that more stringent restrictions would have to imposed as a consequence of problems with several of the Town's wells. It appears quite likely that restric- tions will not be required in 1967 since Fish Brook promises more than enough water to fill Haggett's Pond to overflowing. Few major projects have brought more satisfaction to the Town Manager and Water Superintendent especially since its un- dertaking had been recommended many, many years before the drought.
School construction, planning and site acqui- sition required much of the Town Manager in 1966. After acquiring $700,000.00 in additional funds, contracts were let and construction started on the new Senior High School. It is anticipated that it will be completed on schedule and in time for use in September 1967. The project has not
A SUBJECT OF GREAT CONCERN IN 1966
Central Services
Personnel
1
Expenditures
$13,919
Monthly Cost Per Person
5¢
been without its difficulties and but for the de- dicated work of the Building Committee, the Townspeople and the Almighty the project would not be at its present point of construction. De- velopment of school site selection criteria was a significant project completed by the Manager in 1966. It was found that the Town did not have nor had it ever used any objective and selective approach in the acquisition of land for school pur- poses other than the site being located in the general area required by the School Committee. The new criteria include site characteristics (i.e. - soil quality, load bearing capacity, drainage), acquisition versus development costs and location in terms of proximity and convenience of the school population to be served. Having been est- ablished in choosing the Southeast Andover Ele- mentary School site they will be used in evaluat- ing future additional sites.
Appropriation accounting and payroll conver- sions were accomplished without major difficul- ties. Preparation of year-end W2 forms will be possible. Water billing and accounting represented problems which will be solved in 1967. Revenue accounting will also be effected in the year ahead. Tax billing and accounting will be delayed until 1968.
Office space limitations continued to be dif- ficult during the year and of necessity had an ef- fect on departmental operations.
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Staff Agencies
Town Accountant
Personnel
Full-time 4 Part-time 1 $40,406
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
16¢
The Town Accountant is appointed by the Board of Selectmen. He is a fulltime Town em- ployee and is responsible for the maintenance of all accounting records related to receiving and disbursing of Town funds. He conducts pre and post-audits of all Town expenditures. His cert- ification as to the availability of funds is required on all contracts including purchase orders made by the Town. His accounts are audited annually by the Bureau of Accounts, State Department of Corporations and Taxation.
To suggest that the Town Accountant had a busy and eventful year would be the flimsiest of understatements. With the installation of a NCR Series 500 computer in November of 1965, the Town Accountant began the 1966 year with one of the most modern accounting installations available. It was with great expectations that work began in the past year in making the neces- sary changes to take full advantage of the equip- ment. Despite extensive preparations prior to the arrival of the computer and almost unconscious- able amounts of time spent by the Town Ac- countant and his assistant Mrs. Barbara Botsch during the course of the year to maximize its use, the end of the year came without previously est- ablished goals having been met. The Department would be less than candid were it not to make this admission. It does not represent a failure but merely a delay. The contempleted system is what the Town needs, and, subject solely to the limita- tions of staff, will meet the Town's ever-increas- ing financial accounting requirements.
WELCOMES ANDOVER'S NEW COLLECTOR, MYRON MUISE
Tax Collector
Personnel
3
Expenditures
Monthly Cost Per Person
$21,578 81/2 ¢
In actuality, the. so-called "Tax" Collector is the Town Collector and has the legal authority to receive all town monies including taxes, depart- mental service charges, water bills, and other similar town receipts. He is appointed by the Town Manager for an indefinite term of office. The Collector prepares certificates of municipal liens and betterment discharges.
The late James P. Christie, Tax Collector of some twenty-eight years' standing, retired on November 1, 1966. During his last month of ser- vice the present Tax Collector understudied him.
In many respects the collector's office func- tioned little differently in 1966 over previous years. It appears that many taxpayers labor under a misconception as to the use which Motor Vehicle Excise Tax monies are put. Although the rate is established by the State, the funds are collected and retained by the Town for use in the support of Town services.
The following represents the 1966 tax com- mitments and collections :
Committed Total $4,472,030.17
Collected :
Real Estate $3,504,436.79
Personal Property 168,632.28
Motor Vehicle 562,208.15
All Other 75,758.76
Total $4,311,035.98
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Town Treasurer
Personnel
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
Full-time 2 Part-time 1 $19,891
7¢
The Town Treasurer is the custodian of all Town funds. The position is charged with receiv- ing for custodiul purposes all of the monies due the Town and disburses them in accordance with warrants signed by the Town Accountant and Town Manager. Bid deposits and Performance Bonds on Town contracts are held by the Trea- surer. The Treasurer is also required to execute notes and bonds for borrowed money and to re- ceive and disburse trust funds in accordance with powers granted to said Treasurer. The office is also responsible for the disbursement of Retire- ment funds, the maintenance of Tax Title Ac- counts and the processing of their redemption or their foreclosure. Tax Title sales also fall within the purview of the Treasurer. The investment of all revenue and non-revenue, surplus or idle funds, is one of the more important and lesser known duties of the Treasurer.
Computer, Tax Title Programs Initiated
Beginning in January, payroll and salary warrants were processed on the computer. Later, . accounts payable warrants were added. The change in programming was accomplished through the joint efforts of the Treasurer's office and that of the Town Accountant.
The processing of Tax Titles, one of the most time-consuming duties of the Treasurer, resulted in the following:
17 Tax Titles Redeemed - Amount of Tax Titles $2,987.82
2 Tax Title Sales held - Proceeds $ 590.00
49 Tax Titles sold to Town -
Amount of Tax Titles
$2,302.50
A program of professional title examinations was started in 1966, which will be continued in 1967, to establish the validity of the tax titles, thus avoiding unnecessary delays in foreclosure proceedings due to invalid takings. A similar pro- cedure is being followed in the office of the Tax Collector in order that by 1968 all tax takings submitted to the Treasurer for collection should not require extensive title examinations. This procedure is of value not only to the office of the Treasurer but to the offices of the Tax Col- lector and Assessor as well.
$5.5 Million Bonds Sold
One bond sale was held - the largest in any one year in the history of the Town - inwhich bonds totalling $5,580,000. were sold: High School $3,710,000., Water $775,000., Municipal Buildings $1,095,000. Two notes in anticipation of bond issues were signed; one for $200,000. for the Water Loan and one for $4,000. for the Memo- rial Hall Library Addition Loan. Tax Anticipa- tion Notes, totalling $500,000, were issued May 16, 1966 and paid October 17, 1966. Income from Investment of Surplus and Accelerated Sewer Funds
Non-Revenue Funds (Bond Proceeds)
$ 99,086.54
Revenue Funds
30,800.08
Accelerated Sewer Funds 3,314.87
Total $133,201.49
Margaret Grindell Towle Fund
The income from this fund, established for the benefit of the elderly, unemployed or disabled citizens of the Town and administered by a Board of Trustees, was $16,399.50 from which was ex- pended by the Treasurer on warrants signed by the Trustees the sum of $7,895.32. The avail- able income as of December 31, 1966, was $13,353.30.
Detailed reports of various funds held in the custody of the Treasurer will be found in the financial section of this report.
ANDOVER'S TOP TEN TAXPAYERS
Taxpayer
Personal Property
Real Estate
Assessed
Tax
Assessed
Tax
Raytheol. Co.
$3,549,800
$117,143.40
Massachusetts Electric Co.
$2,256,800
$74,474.40
46,700
1,541.10
Phillips Academy
1,620,200
53,466.60
Washington Park Trust
1,343,400
44,332.20
New England Tel. & Tel.
738,000
24,354.00
161,700
6,256.80
Merrimack Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
783,350
26,340.60
Gustave A. Schlott Trustee
763,000
25,179.00
Tyer Rubber Co.
734,100
24,225.30
Lawrence Gas Co.
715,300
23,604.90
Hervey Corp. ( Allied Chemical Corp.)
696,100
22,971.30
1
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Board of Assessors
Personnel
Full-time 3 Part-time 3 $29,703
Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
12¢
As required by law, the Town's assessment program for property tax purposes is adminis- tered by a three-man Board of Assessors appoint- ed by the Town Manager. One of the Assessors works on a full-time basis and is a trained pro- fessional. The other members of the Board are consulted in the establishment of all values but more particularly on specialized problems. Per- haps the most important function of the Board is to hear appeals to property assessments. Only the Board of Assessors may grant abatements for any and all taxes or betterment assessments in- cluding property, real and personal, motor ve- hicle excise, and water and sewer betterments.
The Town's assessed valuation increased in 1966 by $6,878,300.00, the largest dollar increase in the history of the Town. In terms of tax dollars based upon the tax rate in 1966, this meant addi-
tional tax revenue of approximately $200,000.00. The increase is attributable primarily to the ad- dition of the Allied Chemical property, Washing- ton Park Apartments, and Valle's Steak House to the tax rolls.
As a result of the passage of Article 9 of the 1966 Annual Town Meeting, a town-wide equaliz- ation program was undertaken and will be comp- leted in time for using new values for estimating the 1967 tax rate. The firm of Whipple-Magane- Darcy Inc., of Andover, is conducting the pro- gram. Regardless of the ratio of assessment to fair market value, the program will equalize val- ues in order that the tax burden will be shared equitably. It might be said that it matters little what the assessment ratio is so long as all pro- perties are assessed at the same ratio. It is rec- ognized, however, by most authorities in the field of municipal finance that the higher the ratio is to fair market value, the less susceptible is the assessment program to fluctuations or manipula- tion.
It is quite evident on the strength of recent Town projects as well as analyses of prior sales that many segments of the Town's property tax base are undervalued and susceptible to extensive adjustment.
ASSESSOR'S SUMMARY REPORT
1966
Number of Persons Assessed
7,854 $ 5,322,900.00
Valuation - Personal Property
Valuation - Real Estate
108,883,600.00
Total Valuation
114,206,500.00
Tax Rate per $1,000 Valuation
33.00
Number of Acres Assessed
18,115.65
Number of Dwellings Assessed
5,116
Over 70
$ 16,821.09
Veterans
18,044.40
Blind
693.00
REAL ESTATE EXEMPTIONS FROM TAXATION
Clause 1 Property of United States
$ 211,450.00
Clause 2 Property of Commonwealth of Mass.
339,300.00
Clause 3 Property of Literary Organizations
25,267,725.00
Clause 3 Property of Charitable Organizations
73,275.00
Clause 3 Property of Benevolent Organizations
244,375.00
Clause 11 House of Religious Worship-Parsonages
195,000.00
Clause 12 Cemeteries
218,275.00
Andover Housing Authority
906,250.00
Property Put to a Public Use
7,632,100.00
Number of Acres Exempt
2,962.74
MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAILER EXCISE
Number of Vehicles Assessed
10,737
Assessed Valuation
$ 8,643,085.00
Excise
549,775.47
Abatements
51,980.90
Tax Rate-per $1,000 Valuation
66.00
TAX EXEMPTIONS GRANTED 1966
Town Counsel
Personnel Expenditures Monthly Cost Per Person
Part-time 1 $5,843
2¢
Town Counsel is appointed annually by the Town Manager subject to confirmation by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Counsel must ad- vise every Board in Town and every official of the Town. In the course of the past year, every Town Board has called upon Town Counsel for advice. The most frequent requests come from the School Department, the Building Inspector, the Planning Board, the Board of Public Works, and the Town Manager. In some of the cases, the re- quests for advice can be answered orally. In most cases, the answer must be in written form.
The opinions cover all aspects of municipal law, and range in complexity from opinions re- quiring a few minutes of study, to opinions re- quiring several days of study.
Town Counsel is involved in litigation on behalf of the Town. The types of litigation are land damage, zoning violations, zoning appeals, and occasionally, but rarely, probate matters. The litigation is occasioned by activities of the Planning Board, Board of Assessors, Board of Appeals, the Police Department, the Fire De- partment, the Building Inspector, the Selectmen, and the Town Meetings.
As part of the exercise of the right of em- inent domain, titles must be searched. Title search- es are sometimes involved in betterment assess- ments and tax foreclosures.
Opinions are required on contracts for all construction, and are frequently required on School Department contracts.
Opinions and advice are requested with in- creasing frequency on matters relating to col- lective bargaining, and the contracts resulting from that activity.
Town Counsel is paid an annual salary. In addition, he is paid for special services, partic- ularly court appearances on behalf of the Town.
At the beginning of 1966, 22 cases involving the Town were pending in Court as follows :
Eminent domain proceedings 9
Appellate Tax Board cases 4
Public Liability cases 3
Other Cases 6
During the course of the year, 13 new cases arose as follows :
Tax Board 2
Declaratory Judgment 1
Automobile tort cases 2
Eminent domain 5
Zoning violation
1
Benefit Assessment Appeal
1
Land Court 1
Thirteen cases were closed during the year, and 4 claims settled without suit.
There were 38 appearances before courts, and in addition, several appearances before adminis- trative bodies. Oral and written opinions were given to almost every department of the Town government.
Town Clerk
Personnel
2
Expenditures
$13,789
Monthly Cost Per Person
5¢
The Town Clerk is the custodian of all of- ficial Town records. He keeps the minutes of the several Town Meetings. He maintains all vital statistics records. He functions as clerk to the Board of Selectmen, especially in its role as the Town Licensing Authority. He is also the super- visor of all elections. He registers voters and maintains the voting lists. He issues marrigage, hunting and fishing, and dog licenses.
Elections and Registrations
Thirty (30) additional voters were added to the rolls in 1966 over 1965 as of October of the pespective years. The total number of registered voters as of October 1966 was 10,580 as compared with 10,050 in 1965. By precincts, the numbers of voters were as follows:
1
2,001
2,020
2
1,283
1,285
3
1,756
1.875
4
2,018
2,239
5
820
851
6
2,172
2,310
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Elections and Registration
The Town Clerk continued to support the re- quired State legislation to allow the use of voting machines, particularly electronic devices, in elec- tions. Unless machines are used and preferably the less expensive electronic machines, the voting process will require additional expense with more and higher paid election workers. It will continue to be cumbersome, tedious, time-consuming and subject to challenges. A demonstration of such equipment was authorized by the General Court in the November election in the Town of Brain- tree. Although reactions have been mixed as to the success of this limited experiment, it is the con- sidered and careful judgment of the Town Clerk, Board of Selectmen and Town Manager that An- dover should press for their use. Current estimates indicate that legislation either permitting or re- quiring the use of voting machines will be enacted in the foreseeable future and probably in 1967. The typical or standard mechanical voting ma- chine would cost the Town approximately $2,000 .- 00 plus annual storage and hauling fees. Thirty- five machines would be required. The electronic system would cost $185.00 for each of sixty (60) units, with storage or transportation presenting no serious problem or additional expense. They would mean a saving of approximately $58,000 in initial purchase costs.
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