USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1931 > Part 4
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Of a total request budget of $1,877,465.51 in the annual War- rant, the Finance Committee recommends $978,538.77, includ- ing a bond issue of $300,000 of which $275,000 would be covered by the bonds. This leaves a total for this year's appro- priation in the Annual Warrant of $703,538.77.
52
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting are requests for $23,000. The Finance Committee recommends $6,000.
The Finance Committee has attempted in the budget to make the following improvements for the benefit of the entire community :
(1) Construction of a new Senior High School at a cost of $300,000.
(2) Construction of an addition to the Public Library at a cost of $6,500.
(3) Installation of modern street lighting systems in Cliftondale square, Monument square, Franklin square and North Saugus square, at a cost this year of $2,094.
(4) A complete re-assessment of the entire town in an effort to bring a more equitable distribution of the tax burden and to provide the town with additional funds with a decrease in the tax rate. This work will cost $5,000.
(5) Providing reasonable salaries for part-time officers of the town at a net increased cost of only $2, 100.00 over last year.
(6) Adding two permanent men in the Police Department as a step toward modernizing the department at a cost this year of $1, S20.
(7) Attempting to have a competent survey of the town made at a cost of $2,000 to prevent cheap land developing in the future.
The majority of these items are discussed at length in the report. The item of salaries, however, is not gone into at length, The Finance Committee finds that the total salaries of the town for administrative officers is approximately $10,000. This means a cost to the town of only 80 cents on the tax rate. The Finance Committee has raised this $2, 100. This means about 15 cents additional.
It is the hope of the Finance Committee that each member of the Limited Town Meeting will carefully read this report.
53
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
The committee wishes to state at this time that all of the criticism which it has made has been leveled at systems and not individuals. The committee has merely performed its sworn duty in bringing situations with which it disagrees to the attention of the townspeople. The committee has not intended to indulge in personalities and has been treated with unqualified courtesy by all town officials. The co-operation shown by these officials has been extremely helpful to the committee.
Finance Committee
The budget of the Finance Committee for this year represents a raise of $260 over last year. This is due entirely to three things, the desire of the committee to raise the salary of its sec- retary, increased printing costs because of the present system of issuing reports, and the wish of the board to purchase some chairs for its office.
SALARY-The committee voted unanimously, with the exception of the vote of the present incumbent, to raise the salary of its secretary from $150 to $250 annually. The com- mittee is convinced that in view of the fact that the work of preparing the reports to the Limited Town Meeting falls upon him, and also to the fact that increased duties of the board necessitates a vast amount of work, that the compensation is justified. During the past year the committee held 43 meet- ings with an average duration of two and one-half hours, sent out over 300 letters, issued five reports, and did considerable other routine business.
PRINTING-The change in the method of issuing reports necessitates a change in the item of printing. The Finance Committee is recommending $300 for this item in 1931 against $262 expended in 1930.
FURNITURE-The committee is anxious to purchase eight suitable chairs for the members. The present furniture of the office consists of nothing but the cheapest of chairs from which many torn clothes have resulted. The committee feels that this is a reasonable figure for furniture in view of the fact that the Finance Committee has had no expense for furniture in the last decade.
54
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends $735 for the expenses of the Finance Committee against $475 expended in 1930.
Planning Board
The Planning Board has asked for an identical appropriation with last year-$250. The Finance Committee finds, however, that the expenses of the committee have never exceeded $175 and last year only $167.16 was expended. The committee feels justified, therefore, in recommending only $200 for the expenses of the board in 1931.
Board of Selectmen
Consideration of the budget of the Board of Selectmen by the Finance Committee resulted in a recommendation by the com- mittee that $3,360 be appropriated for the expenses of the board in 1931 against $2,545 expended in 1930.
The increases result, in the main, from the following items in the budget :
SALARIES OF THE BOARD-A careful consideration of the duties of the office by the Finance Committee, has resulted in a unanimous belief that the town of Saugus has been very par- simonious with relation to its Board of Selectmen in the past. For the town to expect men to give freely of their time and energies to the extent of 15 or 20 hours a week for the general welfare of the community at a total salary of less than $4 a week is not only ridiculous but an insult not alone to the incum- bents but also to the citizens of the town. The average citizen of the town has only a vague idea of the vast amount of work entailed in the administration of the business of the town. The town of Saugus is a great corporation with assets of over $14,000,000 yet the town for the expenditure of $600 has, in the past, expected to get the services of men capable and willing to manage a business expending nearly $700,000 annually.
The Finance Committee is unanimously convinced that the salaries of the Board of Selectmen have in the past been ridicu- lously small. The salary of $200 paid for the past two years is, in their opinion, not even sufficient to compensate the members for the gasoline and oil consumed in their cars while engaged in municipal business.
55
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
The Finance Committee is convinced that if the town votes the members of the Board of Selectmen some adequate com- pensation for their work, that the result will be wholly beneficial.
The Board of Selectmen this year sent their annual budget to the committee without any recommendation for salary and no member of the board has approached the committee on the subject. The Selectmen left the matter entirely in the hands of the committee.
It is the unanimous recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee that the town pay $500 this year for the salary of the chairman of the Board of Selectmen and $350 each to the other two members. The committee believes that the chairman, by virtue of his office, is called upon to do considerable additional work and that he should receive an additional compensation over his colleagues,
The committee calls attention at this time that this is an iden- tical salary recommendation with that made for the Board of Assessors. The Finance Committee recognizes the fact that the duties of the Selectmen are much more ardnous and extended than those of the Board of Assessors, but the committee feels also that there is an element of added honor and political pref- erence in the office of Selectman which members of the Board of Assessors do not share. It is believed, therefore, that the actual salaries should be identical for the coming year.
The committee believes that the members of the Limited Town Meeting will agree with their belief that the injustice of the present system of salaries for the Selectmen should be eradicated at once.
SALARY OF CLERK-Members of the Board of Selectmen recommended an increase in salary for their clerk from $350 to $500 annually. The board was of the opinion that the duties of the clerk have increased considerably during the past few years and that the position well merits the suggested salary.
In view of the fact, however, that the annual Town Meeting of last year raised the salary of the clerk of the board from $250 to $350 annually, the committee was unable to see the necessity
56
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
of such an increase this year. The committee was, however, unanimously convinced that the work of the present incumbent has been such that a slight increase should be made, and it was voted to recommend to the Limited Town Meeting an increase in salary of $50, giving a total compensation of $400.
AUTO TRANSPORTATION-In keeping with its policy of estab- lishing a flat rate of $150 for automobile transportation and incorporating it in the salary of the official, the committee has added $50 to the compensation of the Director of State Aid and Soldiers' Relief, making a total, for salary and transportation of $550.
FURNITURE-The Board of Selectmen requested $600 this year for new furniture for their office. The Finance Committee is convinced that the town should purchase new furniture for the office but is of the opinion that this need not necessarily be done entirely in one year. The committee believes that $350 is ample for furniture for the coming year.
All other items in the budget either remain stationary or are characterized by slight increases or decreases over the expendi- tures of last season.
Town Accountant
The Town Accountant is asking for $2,060 this year against $2,009 expended in 1930. There are no salary raises and the net changes in the budget over last year are, obviously, slight. The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $2,060 for 1931.
Treasurer's Department
The budget of the Town Treasurer represents an increase of only $193 over that of last year and this is due almost entirely to the requested expenditure of $125 for an electric check writing machine. All of the town's business is now transacted by check, the department writing approximately 18,000 checks annually,
and this represents an enormous amount of work. The Treasurer expressed a desire to purchase an electric machine, declaring that he would be allowed $20 on the old machine now in his office, and the committee feels that this is a reasonable expenditure. The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $2,917.50 for the expenses of the Treas- urer's Department in 1931.
57
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
Tax Collector
For the expenses of the Tax Collector's office in 1931 the Finance Committee recommends the expenditure of $5,500 against $5,100 expended in 1930. This is the request of the collector and the committtee believes that all of the slight raises in the budget are justified by the greatly increased work of the department. The collector is faced this year with a monthly collection of the automobile excise tax and also with the collec- tion of sidewalk assessments. This creates considerable more work in the department.
The salary of the collector remains stationary and this is also true of her chief assistant. The committee recommends an increase from $2, 291.72 expended in 1930 to $2,700 for 1931 for clerical assistance. This includes giving the new clerk placed at work last July the minimum wage established by the town for such services and also a small sum for additional ser- vice during exceptionally busy periods of the year. The other change in the budget is occasioned by the desire of the collector to purchase a new typewriter. In view of the fact that this is necessary to insure efficiency in the office force at all times, the committee favors the request for the machine.
Tax Title Accounts
Tax Collector Lillian Shores had $3,000 for tax title expenses in 1930. She estimates, however, that only $2,000 will be needed in 1931. The Finance Committee has recommended $2,000 and believes that this is another instance pointing to the necessity of an adequate reserve fund during the coming year. In the event of additional funds being needed, the reserve fund would then be applicable.
Assessors' Department
Members of the Board of Assesssors presented to the Finance Committee a budget calling for expenditures of $9,605 against an appropriation in 1930 of $3,099. The committee is recommending the expenditure of $7,605 in 1931.
SALARIES-The principal raises in the budget presented by the Board of Assessors revolved about the items of salaries. The board presented to the committee the fact that they believed that a man was needed permanently in the assessors' office.
58
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
They asked that Chairman Lewis J. Austin be placed in the office at a salary of $1,200 annually. Mr. Austin admitted to the Finance Committee, however, that in the event that he should be given the position, that his being in the office would not displace any of the present clerical help. This would make a total expense in salaries for the maintenance of the office of $5,440 exclusive of the salaries of the two other members of the board.
The Finance Committee is unable to see the wisdom of placing Mr. Austin in the office permanently. It feels that the efficiency would not be sufficiently enhanced to justify the increased expenditure. The committee is also convinced that when the time comes to employ a man in the office regularly that it should be a man commanding a salary far in excess of $1,200.
The board also recommends that the salaries of the two other members of the board be raised to $500 each instead of the $300 paid at present.
The Finance Committee went into this subject at some length. The committee finds that the Board of Assessors have not received any raise in salary for nearly a decade. Their work has increased many times over in the same period of time. The town is growing rapidly and the duties of the board increase in proportion.
The committee was unanimous in the belief that the Board of Assessors were entitled to some raise in salary. They were not prepared, however, to go as high as the desires of the board indicated. The committee was of the opinion that the duties of the chairman were of necessity considerably greater and the responsibility heavier than those of the other two members. The committee felt that because of this the chairman was entitled to and should receive from the town a higher salary than his colleagues.
The Finance Committee, by majority, voted to recommend to the Limited Town Meeting the sum of $500 for the salary of the chairman and $350 each for the salaries of the other two members. This gives the chairman a raise in compensation of $150 and the other two members a raise of $50 each. The Finance Committee believes this distribution to be fair both to. the board and to the town.
59
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931 ]
Mr. Frederick R. Sharp was recorded in the negative on this question. Mr. Sharp favored a somewhat higher salary for the members, believing that the sum recommended by the majority did not represent the value of the board.
ENGINEER-For some years the Board of Assessors has been in the habit of spending $500 annually for the hiring of engi- neers. The engineers are from out of town and they retain all notes and information gathered for the board. If, in the future, the town desires this information, a further charge is made.
The Finance Committee is convinced that this work should be done by the town's engineering department. Superintendent Alfred L. Maggi of the Public Works Department assures the committee that he will give the Board of Assessors service at all times and that all of the information and plans will then be the property of the town. The Board of Assessors was questioned on this point and Chairman Lewis J. Austin declared that if the board is given service that they are agreeable to the change in policy. The Finance Committee feels that this $500 can well be applied to the cost of maintaining the local engineering department.
The Finance Committee has, accordingly, taken this sum of $500 from the budget of the Board of Assessors.
AUTO HIRE-The Finance Committee, as stated elsewhere in this report, has abolished the item of auto hire from all budgets, believing that it is an item which is unfair both to the town and the recipient of the compensation. In the case of the Board of Assessors, however, as there was no certainty as to who would furnish the board with transportation, it was felt that an exception must be made, and the committee has included $150 in the budget against the $200 asked for by the Board of Assessors.
DEPUTY ASSESSORS-The Finance Committee, under the item of deputy assessors, believes that during the present depres- sion that this work should be done by the town's special police- men rather than the regular men of the department. The regu- lar men have a definite income which is not enjoyed by many competent special policemen who are now out of work. The committee recommends that the Board of Selectmen consider this in making their appointments later in the spring.
60
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
CLERICAL, HIRE-The two regular clerks of the board are now enjoying the maximum compensation paid by the town for this type of work and in the case of Miss M. Louise Hawkes, a super-maximum was created last year. No raises have been asked for or recommended. The Board of Assessors, however, asked for $600 for extra clerical hire. In view of the fact that the board discharged a girl last fall due to a scarcity of work, and also to the fact that Miss Hawkes has assured the com- mittee's representative that there is no need of such assistance, the committee feels justified in cutting this item to $300, which should take care of other assistance when needed.
SEARCHING RECORDS-Last year the board spent $328 in searching the records at Salem. The board asked for $500 in their budget but the chairman later informed the committee that $350 was ample. This is the figure recommended by the committee.
All other items in the budget either remain the same or the changes are slight. The Finance Committee, therefore, recom- mends $7,605 for the expenses of the Assessors' Department in 1931.
Town Clerk
There are few changes in the budget of the Town Clerk for 1931 over that of 1930. The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $900 against $851.48 expended in 1930.
The Town Clerk is asking for a small additional sum for extra clerical hire and for sufficient funds to purchase a new mortgage book. This accounts for the increase.
Election and Registration
Last year the town spent $4,465.53 for election and registra- tion. There were three elections. This year there will be but one election and but $2,244 has been requested. The Finance Committee recommends to the Limited Town Meeting the appropriation of $2,000.
There are no salary changes involved. The Board of Select- men are asking for $100 for the repair and replacement of booths and $IS for three new counting boards. These are the only new features to the budget. The Finance Committee, however, believes that $2,000 is sufficient for the needs of this department in 1931.
61
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
Town Hall
The Board of Selectmen requested $4,280 for the expenses of the Town Hall for the ensuing year. The recommendation of the Finance Committee is for $3,968.
The instances where the committee has changed items in the budget follow :
LABOR -- Although the town spent only $146.60 under this item in 1930, the board asks for $400 in 1931. The Finance ยท Committee is unable to see the need of such an increase in this item and there has been no statement from the Selectmen to justify the increase. The Committee, therefore, recommends $200 for labor.
MISCELLANEOUS-Under this item the board has asked for $150 for 1931 against $58.43 expended in 1930. The Finance Committee recommends $75 for this item.
The recommendation of the Finance Committee results in a slight saving to the town over the amount expended in 1930. The cost in 1930 was $3,997.14.
Public Works Department
Superintendent Alfred L. Maggi recommended to the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen approved a budget of $8,054 for the maintenance of the Public Works Department in 1931. The Finance Committee, however, is recommending but $7,354 against an appropriation of $6,432.71 in 1930.
The changes are as follows :
SALARY-The Superintendent of Public Works asked for an increase in salary this year from $3,500 to $4,000. This was approved by the Board of Selectmen.
When Superintendent Maggi came to Saugus in 1930, he was given a salary of $3,500 a year, which was an increase of $500 over that of his predecessor in office. The Finance Committee believes that another raise in compensation at this time would be most unwise on the part of the town.
02
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The City of Lynn pays its City Engineer a salary of $3,000 annually. The Finance Committee believes that this is not the proper time for the town to raise the compensation of one of its highest salaried officials. Although the committee has raised several salaries of part time positions to give the occupants a reasonable compensation for the time which they spend in the employ of the town, the committee cannot look with favor upon a request for a raise in salary from an individual already ranking as one of the highest paid officials of the town.
The Finance Committee, by unanimous vote, recommends that the salary of the Superintendent remain at $3,500 for the com- ing year.
AUTOMOBILE-The only other change in the budget concerns the purchase of a sedan for the use of the Superintendent. During the past year the Superintendent has used his own car on municipal business, furnishing his own gasoline and oil, in view of the fact that the car furnished by the town for this pur- pose several years ago is in deplorable condition. The depart- ment reports, however, that this car can be used by the High- way Department and that it should be retained for this purpose.
The Superintendent requested $1,000 for the purchase of an automobile and this was approved by the Board of Selectmen. The Finance Committee, however believes that $800 is ample for the purpose outlined. The committee believes that the town should furnish a suitable automoble for the use of the Superin- tendent and the purchase of a sedan would appear advisable as it is often necessary for members of the Board of Selectmen, employees of the department, or others, to accompany him in his duties in various parts of the town. The committee, therefore, unanimously recommends $800 for the purchase of a sedan for the use of the Superintendent.
All other changes in the budget are of a minor nature and there is nothing to warrant comment at this time.
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals, which was created several years ago following the adoption of the zoning law, has presented the Finance Committee this year with a budget totalling $200 which would appear to be a legitimate expense of the town.
63
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
The board has been faced with considerable work during the past year and the indications are that they will be forced to meet fully as frequently during the coming year. The necessary adjustment of the zoning law to meet the changing conditions of the community are coming to the front much more rapidly than formerly.
The work of the board is of a very technical nature and the secretary is forced to give considerable time to the job. The board asked for a salary of $150 to compensate this official. The Finance Committee feels that this is justifiable. The board also asked for $50 for printing and stationery and this has also been recommended.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends to the Limited Town Meeting the expenditure of $zoo for this depart- ment in 1931.
Engineering Department
During the past year an assistant engineer has been in the employ of the town. The engineer has done much valuable work in connection with the construction of sidewalks, from which appropriation his compensation has been taken. But for his services the town would have been forced to expend a con- siderable sum for an engineer to lay out the proposed sidewalks.
The work of the Department of Public Works is increasing so rapidly that it would appear to be wise to retain this engineer in the employ of the town. He worked last year at the unusu- ally low compensation of $35 a week but the Superintendent of Public Works has asked for a salary of $40 weekly in 1931 and this has been the unanimous approval of the Finance Committee.
The committee believes that this man can do all of the engi- neering work of the town. In the belief that he will do the work of the Board of Assessors, $500 requested for engineering services has been deleted from their budget and this may be applied to his salary. The Finance Committee has purposely created a separate budget for this item as it is their belief that engineer should be at the disposal of any town department re- quiring his services. The School Committee had an item of $75 in their budget for surveying and this has also been deleted by the Finance Committee with the same end in view.
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