USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1933-40 > Part 37
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F. S. Paddock
24.00
W. Morrill
130.00
C. Fitzpatrick
5.00
C. Bashaw
42.00
E. D. Marsh
.75
F. Mueller
4.50
W. Temple
6.00
M. Suchoski
20.00
Total
$6,132.02
RECEIPTS
State Sanatorium
$3,269.76
U. S. Veterans Hospital
3,126.67
H. Foley
118.78
Town, June 1, 1940
1,891.06
Town, Dec. 1, 1940
2,014.38
Total $10,420.65
JOHN COLLINS, LLOYD H. CAMPBELL,
FRANK E. MATHEWS, Board of Water Commissioners.
103
Report of Director of Accounts
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Clarence E Prescott, Chairman Rutland, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Rutland for the period from May 25, 1937 to October 6, 1940, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL,
Director of Accounts.
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Rutland for the period from May 25, 1937, the date of the previous audit, to October 6, 1940, and report thereon as follows:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town, were examined and checked for the period of the audit.
104
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were verified by a comparison with the treasurer's records, while the disbursements as recorded were checked with the select- men's warrants authorizing payments and with the treasurer's books.
The appropriations and transfers voted by the town, as shown by the town clerk's records, were checked to the accountant's ledger. The ledger accounts were analyzed, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on October 6, 1940.
The balance sheet indicates that there were several over- drawn accounts as of the above date, which is contrary to Section 31, Chapter 44, General Laws.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The cash book was footed and the recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds.
The cash on hand on October 6, 1940, was verified by actual count and the bank balance was reconciled with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The debt and interest payments were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books, representing the investments of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer, were examined, the income being proved and the disbursements verified.
The tax title deeds representing liens on real estate were listed, and the amounts transferred to the tax title account
105
were checked with the collector's books and with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the collector of taxes were examined and checked in detail. The commitments of taxes were examined and verified by a comparison with the assess- ors' warrants. The recorded collections were checked to the commitment books, the payments to the treasurer were verified by a comparison with the treasurer's books, the abatements were compared with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger accounts.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the commitment books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The records of licenses granted were compared with the records of licenses issued, and the receipts on account of miscellaneous licenses and permits were checked and proved. The recorded payments to the treasurer were verified by a comparison with the treasurer's books.
The collections on account of sporting licenses issued were verified and compared with the amounts paid to the Division of Fisheries and Game.
The records of the water department were examined and checked. The recorded collections were compared with the treasurer's records of receipts, the outstanding accounts were listed and proved, and the cash on hand was verified by actual count.
The surety bonds of the officials required by law to furnish them were examined and found to be in proper form.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the books and accounts of the selectmen and of the health, public
106
welfare, school, and library departments were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
During the audit cooperation was extended by all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
TOWN OF RUTLAND BALANCE SHEET-OCTOBER 6, 1940 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash $18,499.43
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1936
$13.02
Levy of 1937 207.69
Levy of 1938 456.78
Levy of 1939
5,328.55
Levy of 1940
23,666.39
29,672.43
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes :
Levy of 1936 $2.64
Levy of 1937 26.35
Levy of 1938 18.06
Levy of 1939
33.29
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Temporary Loans :
In Anticipation of Revenue 1940 $10,000.00
In Anticipation of Reimbursement 7,000.00 107
$17,000.00
State Tax and Assessments :
State Tax $3,680.00
Auditing Municipal Accounts 5.74
State Parks and
Reservations 78.66
3,764.40
Levy of 1940
383.24
County Tax
2,071.30
463.58
Tax Titles
$1,645.50
Tax Title Possessions 894.44
Road Machinery Fund 3,066.71
Dog Licenses-Due County
115.20
2,539.94
Departmental :
Health
$389.50
Temporary Aid
4,013.56
Aid to Dependent Children
52.00
Old Age Assistance
3,450.00
Aid to Dependent Children 19.65
7,905.06
Aid to Dependent
Children-Adminis.
8.58
Water:
Rates
$6,658.22
State Sanatorium
307.62
Liens Added to
Taxes 1940
147.40
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
135.31
Overlays-Reserved for Abatements :
108
808.04
Appropriation Balances 25,794.74
7,113.24
Tailings 24.29
Sale of Land Fund 55.00
Federal Grants : Old Age Assistance- Assistance $471.24
Old Age Assistance- Administration 308.57
Aid to Highways : State :
Levy of 1936
$13.02
Levy of 1937 207.69
Chapter 81
$4,079.94
Levy of 1938
456.78
Chapter 90 1,658.71
Levy of 1939
371.52
County :
Chapter 90 1,658.71
1,341.16
7,397.36
Estimated Receipts to be Collected
17,591.47
Overdrawn Accounts :
Collector's Expense $39.68
Chapter 90 Maintenance 1939 313.98
Chapter 90 Construction,
Prior Years 584.77
Snow Removal 36.35
Road Machinery
Prior Years
19,803.98
Maintenance 67.45
Soldiers' Relief
153.50
Care of Town Clock 5.60
Public Buildings
Revenue-Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Tax $463.58 Tax Title 2,539.94
Departmental 7,905.06
Water
7,113.24
109
Aid to Highways 397.36
18,419.18
Surplus Revenue :
Current Year
$4.01
19,807.99
Levy of 1940
292.15
Equipment 19.48
1,220.81
$92,403.32
$92,403.32
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
$52,500.00
Public Buildings Loan 1937
$12,000.00
Public Buildings Loan 1938
32,000.00
Public Buildings Loan 1939
2,000.00
Public Buildings Equipment Loan 1939
1,500.00
Water Loan 1929
5,000.00
$52,500.00
$52,500.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities
$6,748.01
Horace H. King Library Fund
$467.98
David Putnam Library Fund 156.16
Charles T. Munroe School Fund 6,023.87
Rufus Houghton Rural Cemetery Fund 100.00
$6,748.01
$6,748.01
110
111
By-Laws Committee
Rutland, Massachusetts, December 31, 1940
To the Citizens of the Town of Rutland :
In accordance with action taken at the adjourned town meeting held Saturday night. February 11, 1940, wherein it was voted
" . . . to appoint a committee to draw up and com- pile a set of by-laws for the Town of Rutland"
. the following committee was appointed by the Moderator for the purpose :
Clarence E. Prescott, George E. Smith, Howard S. Davis, Frank J. Brooks and Charles E. Carroll.
This committee organized with Frank J. Brooks, Chairman and Charles E. Carroll, Clerk.
We respectfully present the following By-Laws for your consideration.
INTRODUCTION
A town by-law is a municipal law. It is adopted under authority of the state for the regulation of various internal affairs. It is comparable to a city ordinance.
A by-law may be proposed by a town officer, board or committee or by any voter or group of voters. It must be adopted by a town meeting and approved as to legality and form by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth.
From the legal point of view, a duly adopted and approved
112
by-law is just as binding upon a town and all persons within the town as a state or federal law.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE
Section 1. The following provisions shall constitute the General By-Laws of the Town of Rutland.
MANNER OF REPEAL
Section 2. Any or all of these By-Laws may be repealed or amended or other by-laws may be adopted at any town meeting an article or articles for that purpose having been inserted in the warrant for such meeting by the Selectmen.
PENALTY
Section 3. Whoever violates any of the provisions of these by-laws whereby any act or thing is enjoined or prohibited, shall, unless other provision is expressly made, forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding twenty dollars for each offence.
TOWN MEETINGS
DATE OF MEETING
Section 1. The annual town meeting shall be held on the first Monday of February of each year.
Section 2. Notice of every town meeting shall be given by posting attested copies of the warrant therefor in at least five (5) public places in the town, not less than seven (7) . days before the day fixed for such meeting.
BUSINESS OF MEETING
Section 3. All business of the annual town meeting, except the election of officers and the determination of such matters
113
as are required by law to be elected or determined by ballot, shall be considered at an adjournment of such meeting to be held on the evening of first Monday of February, at eight o'clock.
QUORUM
Section 4. The number of voters necessary to constitute a quorum at any town meeting shall be ten (10) ; provided, however that a number less than a quorum may from time to time adjourn the same.
ORDER OF ARTICLES IN WARRANT
Section 5. Articles of the warrant shall be acted upon in the order in which they appear unless otherwise deter- mined by vote of the meeting.
MOTIONS IN WRITING
Section 6. All motions having to do with the expenditure of money shall be presented in writing; other motions shall be in writing if so directed by the Moderator.
PRIORITY OF MOTIONS
Section 7. When a question is before the meeting, namely ; to adjourn; to lay on table; for the previous question; to postpone to a time certain; to commit; to recommit or refer ; to amend; to postpone indefinitely; shall be received and shall have precedence in the foregoing order; and the first three shall be decided without debate.
LIMIT OF DEBATE
Section 8. No person shall speak more than once on any question to the exclusion of any other person who may desire to speak thereon, nor more than twice without first obtaining leave of the meeting, except, in either case, for the brief cor- rection of an error in or misunderstanding of his previous statement.
114
Section 9. No person shall speak for more than ten minutes on any question unless his time shall be extended by vote of the meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Section 10. All committees shall report as directed by the town. If no report is made within a year after its appoint- ment, a committee shall be discharged unless, in the mean- time, the town shall have granted an extension of time.
COMPLETION OF BUSINESS
Section 11. No action the effect of which would be to dissolve the meeting, shall be in order until every article in the warrant therefore has been duly considered and acted upon, but this shall not preclude the postponement of con- sideration of any article to an adjournment of the meeting at a stated time and place.
TOWN OFFICERS
POWERS OF SELECTMEN
Section 1. The Selectmen shall have the general direction and management of the property and affairs of the town in all matters not otherwise provided for by law or these by-laws.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Selectmen to manage all properties acquired by the town and to sell such properties for such price as they see fit and to authorize the Town Treasurer to deliver the necessary deeds in connection with sales, provided that ten days before the sale shall become effective the Selectmen shall notify the parties from whom titles to the property to be sold were taken and cause to be posted in the Town Hall and two other public places in the town of Rutland notice of the proposed sale containing a brief description of the land to be sold and the terms of sale, and that the sale shall not become effective if within
115
five days after the posting of such notice written protest signed by at least ten voters of the Town of Rutland, is presented to the Clerk of the Board: in case of such written protest the Selectmen shall give a public hearing before authorizing the sale of the land, notifying the protesting parties in writing of the time and place of the hearing and also causing written notice of the time and place of the hearing to be posted in the Town Hall and two other places in the Town of Rutland at least five days before the time of said hearing.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
FINANCE COMMITTEE BY-LAWS
Section 1. There shall be a Finance Committee consisting of six (6) legal voters of the town and the Town Accountant, who shall be appointed by the Moderator as hereinafter pro- vided. No elective or appointive town officer or town em- ployee, excepting Town Accountant shall be eligible to serve on said committee.
Section 2. The Moderator of the town meeting when this by-law becomes effective, shall appoint two members of said committee for terms of one year, two members for terms of two years, and two members for terms of three years. The Town Accountant to be appointed for the term of his ap- pointive office. At each annual town meeting thereafter the Moderator thereof shall appoint two members of said com- mittee for terms of three years. The terms of office of said members shall commence immediately upon qualification and shall expire at the close of final adjournment of the annual town meeting at which their successors are appointed. Said committee shall choose its own officers and shall serve without pay, and it shall cause to be kept a true record of its pro- ceedings.
Section 3. The said committee shall fill any vacancy which may occur in its membership, by vote, attested copy of which
116
shall be sent by the secretary to the Town Clerk. If any member is absent from five consecutive meetings of said committee, except in case of illness, his position shall be deemed to be vacant and shall be filled as herein provided. The term of office of any person so chosen to fill a vacancy shall expire at the final adjournment of the next succeeding annual town meeting, and the Moderator thereof shall appoint his successor to complete the unexpired term of the member in whose office such vacancy originally occurred.
Section 4. All articles in any warrant for a town meeting shall be referred to the Finance Committee for its considera- tion. The Selectmen after drawing any such warrant shall transmit immediately a copy thereof to each member of said committee. Said committee shall, after due consideration of the subject matter of such articles, report thereon to the town meeting, in writing, such recommendations as it deems best for the interests of the town and its citizens.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee annually to consider the expenditures in previous years and the estimated requirements for the ensuing year of the several boards, officers and committees of the town as prepared by them (or by the Town Accountant) in such form and detail as may be prescribed by said committee. The said committee shall add to such statement of expenditure and estimates another column, giving the amounts which in its opinion should be appropriated for the ensuing year, and shall further add thereto such explanations and suggestions relating to the proposed appropriations as it may deem expedient, and report thereon as provided in section four.
Section 6. In the discharge of its duty, said committee shall have free access to all books of record and accounts, bills and vouchers on which money has been or may be paid from the town treasury. Officers, boards and committees of the town shall upon request, furnish said committee with facts, figures and any other information pertaining to their several activities.
117
Section 7. It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to make an annual report of its doings, with recommendations relative to financial matters and the conduct of town business, to be contained in the annual report.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
Section 1. An audit of the accounts of the town shall be made annually under the supervision of the State Division of Accounts, as provided by Section 35 of Chapter 44, of the General Laws.
SUBMISSION OF BILLS
Section 2. Each officer, board or committee authorized to spend money shall, on or before December twentieth of each year, transmit to the Town Accountant all unpaid bills out- standing as of that date.
ACCOUNTING
Section 3. The Town Accountant shall prescribe the methods of accounting and the forms to be used by the several officers, boards and committees of the town pertaining to their receipts and disbursements and shall provide that such methods and forms shall conform to the requirements pre- scribed by law or any rules or regulations made thereunder.
TOWN COLLECTOR
Section 4. The Collector of Taxes shall collect under the title of Town Collector, all accounts due the town for taxes. water and sewer.
Section 5. The Town Collector shall at least once in each week pay over to the Town Treasurer all money received by him on every such account, including any sums received as interest on moneys received by him on such accounts and
118
deposited in any bank.
DISPOSITION OF DEPARTMENTAL RECEIPTS
Section 6. Every officer shall pay into treasury of the town all amounts received by him on behalf of the town, except as otherwise provided by law, and shall make a true return thereof to the Town Accountant, stating the amounts upon which such amounts were received.
LEGAL AFFAIRS
Section 1. The Selectmen shall be agents of the town to institute prosecute and defend any and all claims, actions and proceedings to which the town is a party or in which the interests of the town are or may be involved.
Section 2. The Selectmen may at their discretion com- promise or settle any claim or suit to which the town is a party, which does not require the payment by the town of an amount in excess of ($300.00) three hundred dollars. No settlement of a claim or suit obliging the town in an amount in excess of ($300.00) three hundred dollars, shall be made, except as authorized by law, without the consent of the town meeting.
Section 3. The Selectmen in their annual report shall state what actions have been brought against and on behalf of the town, what cases have been comprised or settled, and the current standing of all suits at law involving the town or any of its interests.
Section 4. The Selectmen shall annually in February after final adjournment of the annual town meeting, appoint a member of the bar in good standing to serve as Town Counsel for the term of one year from the first day of March following and until his successor is appointed and enters upon the performance of his duties. They shall likewise fill any vacancy in said office for the unexpired term, and may employ special
119
counsel to assist the said Town Counsel whenever, in their judgment, necessity therefor arises.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
Section 1. No building after these by-laws go into effect, shall be constructed, moved or materially altered without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Selectmen. Plans and specifications may be required by the Selectmen before such a permit is issued.
Section 2. No permit shall be granted for the construction or conversion of a building or for the use of the premises for a hospital, a garage, or agricultural, commercial or industrial purposes-without a public hearing notice of which shall be posted at the Postoffice and Town Hall seven (7) days at least, before the date of the hearing, unless there is filed with the application for such a permit written consent thereto signed by the owners or legal representatives of the owners of the property on both sides of the street for the length of the street or for a distance in each direction of five hundred feet (500 feet)
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
Because of legislation which is expected to become effective following the present session of the legislature, it appears best to postpone the drafting of traffic regulations until later.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK J. BROOKS, CHARLES E. CARROLL. CLARENCE E. PRESCOTT, HOWARD S. DAVIS, GEORGE E. SMITH, Committee on By-Laws. November 21, 1940
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
NDED FEB. 23, 17/3
SET
1713+S
HOME OF RUFUS PUTNAM . 1781-1788
1686
For the Financial Year Ending
December 31, 1940
2
ORGANIZATION
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
F. Eugene Marsh, Chairman
Margaret A. Griffin, Secretary
Lawrence E. Smith
Term Expires 1942 Term Expires 1943 Term Expires 1941
SUPERINTENDENT
James R. Childs Holden 12 or 209
SCHOOL NURSE
Evelyn E. Crossley, R.N. Holden 265 or 444
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Leroy E. Mayo, M.D. Holden 89-2
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mark L. Reed Rutland 22
SCHOOL CALENDAR
High School
Fall Term-16 weeks Sept. 4, 1940-Dec. 20, 1940 Winter Term-12 weeks Jan. 6, 1941-Mar. 28, 1941 Spring Term-11 weeks Apr. 7, 1941-June 20, 1941 Fall Term-16 weeks Sept. 3, 1941-Dec. 19, 1941
Elementary Schools
Fall Term-16 weeks Winter Term-11 weeks Spring Term-9 weeks Fall Term-16 weeks
Sept. 4, 1940-Dec. 20, 1940 Jan. 6, 1941-Mar. 21, 1941 Apr. 7, 1941-June 6, 1941 Sept. 3, 1941-Dec. 19, 1941
3
HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, Labor Day, October 12, November 11, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
1-1-1 Three blasts on the siren at 7.30 A.M. means no school for the day.
Three blasts at 11 A.M. means no afternoon session.
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Rutland :
We herewith submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
With better housing conditions and better equipment in several departments our schools have operated quite efficiently, even though we had several changes in the teaching staff. Our new teachers adapted themselves to our program nicely.
We regret, however, an epidemic of measles which inter- rupted class work and home life throughout the town.
In addition to a few repairs that are still needed in the old building, the new building needs painting next summer. We hope to have money available for this work.
We are glad to announce that we were able to resume the teaching of music in all grades this year. A favorable effect is already noticeable.
As in the past, we have enjoyed splendid cooperation with the superintendent, faculty, and all school officers.
4
TRANSPORTATION ROUTES
Carl R. Griffin
$17.00
A. C. Wheeler
5.00
4.75
Niilo Taipale M. H. Wheeler
4.50
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation, February Meeting
$28,000.00
Appropriation, Special Meeting
300.00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
360.34
Total available
$28,660.34
EXPENDITURES
General Control
$900.00
Teachers
17,007.86
High School Books
66.29
Grade Books
74.04
Supplies
267.04
Maintenance
3,637.59
Janitor Supplies
80.35
Repairs
71.49
New Equipment
203.41
Health
471.47
Transportation
5,781.25
Miscellaneous
99.55
Total
$28,660.34
RECEIPTS TO BE CREDITED TO THE SCHOOLS
General School Fund, Part I
$3,800.00
General School Fund, Part II
5,403.24
Special High School Grant
1,250.00
Superintendent's Salary
435.00
State Ward Tuition
874.23
5
Town Tuitions 111.00
Total $11,873.47 Cost of Schools to Town $16,786.87
Respectfully submitted,
F. EUGENE MARSH
MARGARET A. GRIFFIN
LAWRENCE E. SMITH
6
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
Holden, Mass. Dec. 31, 1940
To the School Committee of Rutland :
I have the honor to present for your consideration my twenty-third report on the public schools, the forty-first in that series since the formation of the present Union. The statistics that follow are of interest in showing changes that have taken place in our organization and enrollment. The names of graduates are printed for future reference. Except for an epidemic of measles that broke out toward the end of the fall term, we have had an uninterrupted vear marked by loyal service and definite progress.
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