USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1959 > Part 5
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SO VOTED (9: 58 P.M.) : That the report of the committee be accepted with thanks, the report placed in the record, and the committee discharged.
ITEM 36. Dyer Hill Cemetery.
Chain Link Fence.
As no motion was presented no action was taken on this item.
ITEM 46. Water Department, Maintenance and Opera- tion.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (9 : 50 P.M.) : That there be approp- riated for the maintenance, operation and development of the Water Supply System, including the purchase of New Equipment, Laying and Relaying of Water Mains and Necessary Land Takings, the sum of $530,822.25 to be expended as follows :
$530,822.25
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Salary Superintendent $ 6,598.09 Salary Executive Secretary, Clerks, 15,964.50
Stenographers, etc.
Salary Adjustment 594.72
Debt and Interest 77,161.94
Out of State Travel
100.00
Other Expenses, including new Equip-
ment and Wages 430,403.00
$530,822.25
And to meet said appropriation, the sum of $189,190.76 shall be transferred from the Water Department Reserve at the end of 1958 and the balance of $341,631.49 shall be taken from the Revenue of the Water Department for the year 1959.
ITEM 51. Town Reports.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (9 : 52 P.M.) : That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $2,575.02 for Town Reports. ITEM 60. South Shore Mosquito Control.
$2,575.02
Upon the motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (9:53 P. M.) : That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $5,600.00 for South Shore Mos- quito Control.
$ 5,600.00
ARTICLE 2.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED 9:56 P. M.): Be it resolvd that it is the sense of this Town Meeting that the Selectmen and other town boards and officers be authorized and re- .quested, whenever they have the power so to do, to estab- lish equitable fee schedules.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (9 :58 P.M.) : Be it resolved that it is the sense of this Town Meeting that all car allowances allocated to employees within the Town Government be based on an approximate figure of 8c per mile, substan- tiated by a detailed mileage record filed with the depart- ment head, to be submitted to the Finance Committee in conjunction with the annual budget request.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Mahar, it was
SO VOTED (9 : 59 P.M.) : That Mr. Mahar's motion under Article 5 be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 5. Amendment of Schedules A and B of the Salary Administration Plan.
MOVED by Mr. Mahar :
That Schedule B be amended by substituting for the rate ranges shown under the heading "Present " (as changed by prior votes at this meeting) for Administra-
62
tion, Technical and Professional, Industrial Trades and Services, Office Occupations, Police and Fire, the rate range shown under the heading "Proposed," as appear- ing in the printed report of the Personnel Board, the rate range for Senior Engineering Aide under Group F of Ad- ministrative Technical and Professional to be $79.00 to $96.00, for Group G of Administrative, Technical and Pro- fessional to be $73.00 to $89.00, and for Group H Admin- istrative, Technical and Professional to be $67.00 to $82.00, and the rate ranges for Group B, Police and Fire to be 4940 to 59.00.
MOVED by Mr. McGibbon to amend the motion by Mr. Mahar as follows:
By substituting for Group B Police and Fire the rate range 5100-6060 for the rate range of 4940-5900, proposed in Mr. Mahar's motion.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. McGibbon, Mr. Fletcher, Fire Chief Sears, Mr. Shannon, Police Chief Cahill, and Mr. Belcher.
Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. McGibbon.
SO VOTED (10 : 22 P.M.).
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Mahar as amended. The Moderator ordered a teller count. Vote and count were taken and the tellers reported 102 votes in the affirmative and 60 votes in the negative. The Moder- ator then declared the motion by Mr. Mahar as amended.
SO VOTED (10 : 26 P.M.).
MOVED by Mr. Herbert Hollis :
Amend Schedules A and B of category Adminis- trative, Technical and Professional by creating a new Group to be called Group C-1 with a rate range of 5100 to 6060, and that the classification Assistant Super- intendent-Highway be transferred from Group D to Group C-1.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Wentworth, Mr. Mahar, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Canavan and Mr. Belcher.
Comes now the question on the motion by. Mr. Hollis.
SO VOTED (10 : 35 P.M.).
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Mahar, it was
SO VOTED (10 : 35 P.M.) : That Article 6 be taken from the table.
ARTICLE 6. Granting of general wage increases under Salary Administration Plan.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Mahar, it was
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$32,103.00
Highway Department
$4,853.40
Sewer Department
1,198.20
Library
886.20
Registration Clerk
117.00
Engineering Department
426.00
Town Clerk
117.00
Building Inspector
117.00
Town Accounting Department
192.00
Health Department
351.00
Park Department
184.20
Veteran Services
234.00
Town Hall
218.40
Treasurer's Department
234.00
Assessors' Department
351.00
Police Department
10,126.20
Fire Department
8,850.00
Selectmen's Office
117.00
Water Department
3,530.40
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (10 : 41 P.M.) : That Item 17, Fire Department, Salary Extra Men, Vacations, Sickness, Overtime, be taken from the table.
ITEM 17. Fire Department. Salary Extra Men, Vaca- tions, Sickness, Overtime.
Upon motion duly made by Fire Chief Sears, it was
SO VOTED (10:43 P. M.) : That there be raised and appropriated for Salary Extra Men, Vacations, Sickness, Overtime, the sum of $16,099.92.
Upon motion duly made by Fire Chief Sears, it was
SO VOTED (10 : 43 P.M.) : That Item 17, Fire
Department, Paid Holidays, be taken from the table. ITEM 17. Fire Department. Paid Holidays.
Upon motion duly made by Fire Chief Sears, it was
SO VOTED (10:44 P. M.): That there be raised and appropriated for Paid Holidays the sum of $5,637.10
$5,637.10;
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$3,766.20
SO VOTED (10: 38 P.M.) : That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $3,766.20 to be allocated as follows; in each instance for a 39 week period :
Wire Inspector
$ 187.50
Engineering Department
311.25
Sealer Weights and Meas.
337.50
Water Department
1,154.40
Highway Department
436.80
Library Department
243.75
Police Department
547.50
Fire Department
547.50
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Mahar, it was
SO VOTED (10 : 40 P.M.) : That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $32,103.00 to be allocated as follows; in each instance for a 39 week period :
$16,099.92
Upon motion duly made by Fire Chief Sears, it was SO VOTED (10 : 44 P.M.) : That Item 18, Fire Alarm System, Vacation, be taken from the table. ITEM 18. Fire Alarm System. Vacation.
Upon motion duly made by Fire Chief Sears, it was SO VOTED (10:44 P. M.) : That there be raised and appropriated for Vacation the sum of $300.00.
$ 300.00
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was
SO VOTED (10:45 P. M.): That Item 19, Police Department, Salary Extra Men, Vacations and Sickness, "be taken from the table.
ITEM 19. Police Department. Salary Extra Men, Va- cations and Sickness.
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was SO VOTED (10:45 P. M.) : That there be raised -and appropriated for Salary Extra Men, Vacations and -Sickness, the sum of $22,239.70.
$22,239.70
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was
SO VOTED (10:46 P. M.) : That Item 19, Police De- partment, Salary Men Sunset Lake, Braintree Dam and Safford Street, be taken from the table.
ITEM 19. Police Department. Salary Men Sunset Lake, Braintree Dam and Safford Street.
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was
SO VOTED (10:46 P. M.): That there be raised and appropriated for Salary Men Sunset Lake, Brain- tree Dam and Safford Street, the sum of $1,986.00.
$1,986.00
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was
SO VOTED (10:47 P. M.): That Item 19, Police Department, Holiday Pay, be taken from the table. ITEM 19. Police Department. Holiday Pay.
Upon motion duly made by Police Chief Cahill, it was
SO VOTED (10:47 P. M.): That there be raised and appropriated for Holiday Pay the sum of $6,869.00.
$6,869.00
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Delory, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (10:48 P. M.): That the Annual Town Meeting be adjourned until 7:45 P. M., Wednesday, March 25, 1959.
65
TOWN OF BRAINTREE Adjourned Annual Town Meeting WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1959
The Adjourned Annual Town Meeting was called to order at 7:50 o'clock in the evening of Wednesday, March 25, 1959, by the Mod- erator, Mr. E. Curtiss Mower.
There were 172 Town Meeting Members present.
The Moderator declared a quorum present.
Prayer for Divine Guidance was offered by Rev. John R. Tisdale, Pastor of the First Methodist Church, Braintree.
The following tellers were appointed by the Moderator to serve during the course of the evening:
Bruce W. Lyon Carl J. Knutson F. Lloyd Stewart George A. Brackett
Laurie P. Cotton
Martin E. Kormann
Ernest M. Wells William H. Stovold
We now continue with consideration of the Articles in the War- rant, the first order of business being consideration of Article 10.
ARTICLE 10. Salaries Electric Light Commissioners.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 9, Item 44.)
ARTICLE 11. Municipal Light Plant.
MOVED by Mr. Fletcher :
That the sum of $38,000 as appropriated under Article 9 of this warrant be raised by tax levy and that said sum together with the income from the sales of electricity to private consumers and for current supplied to Municipal Buildings and for Municipal Power and from the sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year be expended under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board for repairs, renewals, new construction and operating expenses of the Plant, including the sum of $38,000 to be turned over to the Town Treasurer in lieu of taxes, for the fiscal year as defined in Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws and that if said income shall exceed the expenses for the fiscal year Fach arount of excess as is deemed necessary by the Municipal Light Board shall be transferred to the Construction Fund of said plant and appropriated and shall be used for such additions to the plant as may thereafter be authorized by the Municipal Light Board and any remaining amount paid into the surplus of the Town Treasury.
MOVED by Mr. Johnson, of the Electric Light Commissioners, to amend the motion by Mr. Fletcher:
That the portion of the motion reading "including the sum of $38,000 to be turned over to the Town in lieu of taxes" be stricken from the motion.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Johnson and Mr. Fletcher.
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Comes now the question on the amendment by Mr. Johnson. Vote was taken and the Moderator declared the amendment by Mr. Johnson LOST. (8:08 P. M.)
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Fletcher.
SO VOTED (8:09 P. M.)
ARTICLE 12. Placing land under control of Electric Light Commissioners.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:10 P. M.) : That Plots No. 30 to 43 inclusive and Plots No. 77 to 71 inclusive shown on Assessors' Plan No. 3041 be removed from the list of properties to be sold under the provisions of the Town By-Laws, Article 4, Section 4 and placed in the ex- clusive control of the Board of Electric Light Commissioners.
ARTICLE 13. Purchase of land for Electric Light Department.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (8:10 P. M.): That the Board of Electric Light Commissioners be authorized to purchase on behalf of the town Plot No. 61 as shown on the Assessors' Plan No. 3037 presumed to belong to Weymouth Light & Power Co., Inc., and to appropriate therefore the sum of $750.00 to be raised by transfer from the Electric Light Department Depreciation Account.
$ 750.00
ARTICLE 14. Taking of land by Electric Light Commissioners.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (8:11 P. M.): That the Board of Electric Light Commissioners be authorized to take by eminent domain the land lying within the limits of Harbor Villa Avenue between Ferncroft and Vinedale Roads, subject however to existing rights of way to prop- erty owned by Charles E. Wyman and Sadie Lincoln, awarding no damage therefor.
ARTICLE 2.
Mr. Hollis presented the following report of the Braintree Post Office Procurement Committee
Under Article 2 of the warrant for the 1958 Annual Town Meeting it was voted unanimously to appoint a committee of three, consisting of the Chairmen of the Republican and Democratic Town Committees and a third member to be selected by the Moderator for the purpose of attempting to procure a new United States Post Office for the Town of Braintree.
In due time Mrs. Dorothy Hennebury, then Vice Chairman and later Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, and Mr. James A. Shannon, Chairman of the
67
Republican Town Committee were assigned as members. The Moderator appointed Herbert B. Hollis the third member.
Your Committee met on two occasions. Mr. Hollis was elected Chairman and Mrs. Hennebury Secretary.
At our first meeting Mr. Shannon was authorized and requested to contact the Post Office Department to determine the possibility of the allocation of a post of- fice to Braintree.
Mr. Shannon contacted Mr. Edward J. Ledworth, Real Estate Officer of the Post Office Department. As a result of this contact it was disclosed, because of ef- forts previously made on this matter, the Post Office De- partment is planning a post office for this town. Sub- sequently, this committee met with the Post Office Site Committee, whose appointment the 1958 Town Meeting also authorized. Mr. Ledworth attended this joint meeting. He informed the two committees that Brain- tree had been assigned a post office for the year 1959, provided a suitable site were available. A code number has already been assigned to this project.
The Federal Government has made no appropria- tion for Post Office buildings since 1936. Since that time the policy has been to lease all buildings needed.
The procedure presently being followed by the Post Office Department in creating new buildings is:
1. They, the U. S. Post Office Department, se- lect the site. (This is being developed right now by Mr. Ledworth and the Site Committee.)
2. Once the site is selected and procured the Gov- ernment prepares specifications and advertises for bids. Contractors throughout the United States are invited to bid.
3. The land is assigned to the successful bidder who constructs the building. Upon completion the con- tractor leases the building to the Government for a period of years.
The estimated cost of the building is approximately $85,000.00 plus the cost of the land.
The development of the entire project, Mr. Ledworth estimates, would require about one year ..
As private ownership is involved our town will re- ceive the full benefit of taxes on the property.
This is the report of the Committee to procure a new post office for the Town of Braintree. Your Com- mittee, having completed its function, requests it be dis- charged.
By the Committee Dorothy M. Hennebury James A. Shannon Herbert B. Hollis
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Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:15 P. M.): That the report be ac- cepted with thanks.
ARTICLE 15. Assessors for determination of 1959 tax rate.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:15 P. M.) : No action.
ARTICLE 16. Memorial Day.
(No action necessary, Refer to Article 9, Item 50.) ARTICLE 17. Braintree Post, V.F.W., Rent.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 9, Item 53.)
ARTICLE 18. Braintree Chapter, D.A.V., Rent.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 9, Item 61.) ARTICLE 19. Hydrant Maintenance.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 9, Item 56.) ARTICLE 20. Sunset Lake Chlorination.
(No action necessary. Refer to Article 9, Item 57.) ARTICLE 21. To authorize Trustees of Thayer Public Library to sell books.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:16 P. M.): No action.
ARTICLE 2.
Mr. Palmer presented the following report of the Committee for the Examination of Municipal Govern- ment and Administration.
Braintree in common with other large towns having a rapid growth is confronted with problems that our citizens would like to have solved. Among these is: Have we the best type of government and efficient organiza- tion for the conduct of our town business?
Three hundred years ago with a population of probably less than 200 we had five selectmen who at- tended to most of the town's business. Today with about 30,000 population we have three selectmen whose area of authority has been greatly narrowed by the election and appointment of various boards, committees and of- ficials. Today we have some 313 people including town meeting members, who are elected to office, and, in theory at least, responsible only to the voters. In addition there are some 80 others who are appointed officials or members of committees in charge of specific activities.
69
In general, we feel that our town is fairly well run, considering the cumbersome organization and that it is good and in the interest of democracy to have many citizens participate in government. The trouble is that too often there is a lack of long range planning, respon :.- bility, efficiency and co-operation in the conduct of our affairs. This is what prompted the last annual town meeting to vote to have the moderator appoint a com- mittee "authorized and directed to examine into all phases of municipal government and administration in the Town of Braintree and to recommend such changes therein as it may deem to be desirable."
That is, indeed, a very comprehensive directive. Realizing that the members of this committee are neither experienced investigators or experts in municipal ad- ministration, nor do they have the time during business hours to conduct a thorough survey, we feel that if the town wants a really comprehensive study of its form of government and administration, we should seek the services of experts in this particular field.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SERVICES, a non- profit organization with headquarters in Chicago has done this type of work for many cities and towns all over the country for twenty-five years. We have cor- responded with them and have interviewed a member of their executive staff. The Town of Brookline has employed them on two different occasions. The Execu- tive Secretary of the Brookline Selectmen reported to us that they were very pleased with these surveys. Other Massachusetts cities and towns who have employed them include Boston, Concord, Marblehead, North Adams, Newton, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield, Walpole, Welles- ley and Worcester.
In answer to our inquiry as to what we can ex- pect to accomplish by having their organization survey our town government, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SERVICE has written us that a comprehensive study of our town government might appropriately include the following steps:
"1. Analyse the statutory, charter, and ordinance provisions and departmental reports, regulations, and other material relating to the structure, management and operating procedures in the town government.
2. Inspect the office and field operations to insure first-hand information of activities, work methods, and problems to determine where improvements are needed or points where economies can be effected.
3. Appraise the over-all management of the town government and methods of supervision, co-ordination and control, giving special attention to the adequacy of such function as budgeting, accounting, purchasing, per- sonnel management and planning.
70
4. Analyse the internal structure and operations of the major operating units in the town government noting: (a) major administrative problems; (b) ade- quacy of methods as judged by application of accepted standards and consideration of any peculiar local prob- lems; (c) adequacy of physical plant and equipment; (d) possible operating economies which may be effective with- out curtailing essential standards of service.
5. Prepare and submit a report setting forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improv- ing the existing organization and administration of the town government."
Such a survey would take about three months time and will be done for not over $4,000.
With such a study and report made by an unbiased outside expert, the town could then proceed to consid- er any changes with far more assurance than would be the case without this professional assistance. We are unanimous in recommending that the Town appropriate $4,000.00 and authorize such a survey as requested in article 22.
In case you do not want this professional study, your committee will continue as we have since last May to give our attention to the matter as best we can. We have al- ready had conferences with some town officers and will have more. We have also received some suggestions from interested citizens which we welcome. We have proposed changes in our By-Laws as per articles 23, 24, 25 in the warrant for this meeting. We ask your favorable con- sideration of these changes.
This is to be considered a report of progress and the committee will continue to function as directed by the town.
Respectfully submitted :
Raymond P. Palmer, Chairman William C. Field, Secretary William H. Gustafson Edward H. Libertine Rodney C. Powers
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:22 P. M.) : That the report be ac- cepted as a report of progress.
ARTICLE 22. Expenses of Committee for the Exami- nation of Municipal Government and Administra- tion.
MOVED by Mr. Fletcher :
That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $4,000.00 to be expended under the control of the Com- mittee for the examination of Municipal Government and Administration appointed pursuant to the vote of the
$4,000.00
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1958 Annual Town Meeting for their expenses including employing expert assistance and consultants in connec- tion with their activities.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Palmer.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Fletcher.
SO VOTED (8:25 P. M)
ARTICLE 23. Amending By-Laws, Article IIIA, Elect- ed Officials.
MOVED by Mr. Fletcher :
That the town by-laws be amended by inserting after Article III a new article to be numbered IIIA entitled "Elected Officials" to read as follows :
"Sec. 1. No person who has been elected to any public office in the town other than as an elected town meeting member, shall, during the term for which he is elected, hold any other office the salary of which is paid out of the town treasury."
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Laing, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Stewart.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Fletch- er.
The Moderator ordered a teller count. Vote and count were taken and the tellers reported 73 votes in the affirm- ative and 82 votes in the negative. There not being the necessary two-thirds vote in the affirmative the Moderator declared the motion by Mr. Fletcher LOST. (8:40 P. M.)
ARTICLE 24. Amending By-Laws, Art. IV, Sec. 4, Purchase price of conveyance.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (8:43 P. M.): That the Article IV Section 4 of the Town By-Laws be amended by adding thereto the following sentence: "Unless the full purchase price of balance thereof has been paid for such conveyance within 60 days after completion of the auction sale, the Selectmen may determine that the sale be set aside for breach of contract by the purchaser and any payments made on account thereof forfeited to the town as liquidated damages."
ARTICLE 25. Amending By-Laws, Newspaper Advertis- ing.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:44 P. M.): No action.
ARTICLE 26. Amending By-Laws, Art VIIIA, Credit Union Deductions.
72
MOVED by Mr. Fletcher :
No action.
Discussion ensued involving a representative of the Braintree Teachers Association and Mr. Fletcher.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Fletch- er.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (8:47 P. M.)
ARTICLE 27. Adoption of General Laws, Chap. 180, Sec. 17-B, Community Fund Deductions.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED (8:48 P. M.) : No action.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was SO VOTED (8:49 P. M.) : That Article 9, Item 8, Treasurer, Salary Clerk (2), be taken from the table.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was
SO VOTED (8:50 P. M.) : That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $5,760.00 for Salary Clerks (2) in the Treasurer's Department.
$5,760.00
ARTICLE 28. Acceptance of Chap. 223, Acts of 1955, Compensation for Police Officers in attendance at criminal cases.
MOVED by Mr. Fletcher :
No action.
Discussion ensued involving Mr. Shannon and Police Chief Cahill.
Comes now the question on the motion by Mr. Fletch- er.
SO VOTED (8:55 P. M.)
ARTICLE 29. Amending By-Laws, Act VIII, Leashing of Dogs.
Upon motion duly made by Mr. Fletcher, it was SO VOTED (8:55 P. M.): No action.
Mr. Magaldi, Chairman of the Planning Board, formally filed the Report of the Planning Board with the Town Clerk, as required by the General Laws. ARTICLE 30. Amending Zoning By-Laws, Sec. VIII,
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