USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1963 > Part 7
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Reverend John A. Clippenger was ap- pointed Protestant Chaplain for the Fire department on April 16, 1963.
Reverend Laurence Cedrone submitted his resignation as Catholic Chaplain for the Fire department on February 6, 1963 because of his transfer to a parish in Lowell, Mass.
Fire Drills and Inspections
Fire drills were conducted at all schools during the year. I was pleased that the students were well trained and it is a credit to the faculty that super- vised them.
All mercantile, public buildings, busi- ness buildings and other buildings per- mitted by law were inspected. Inspection of property is a valuable branch of the fire service and any citizen who desires to have their property inspected by this department may do so by calling Fire Headquarters, 595-4050.
In the interest of fire prevention and public safety this department continued its program of spraying Christmas trees with a fire retardent solution.
Fire Alarm System
During the year additional new over- head wire was installed where required in keeping with our maintenance pro- gram. Our underground fire alarm sys- tem is in very bad condition and should be replaced.
Recommendations
I recommend that additional person- nel be appointed to this department.
I recommend that new underground fire alarm cable be installed from Fire headquarters on Burrill Street to the Mar- blehead line via Humphrey Street and from the intersections of Humphrey Street and Puritan Road, along Puritan Road to Woodbine Avenue.
I recommend the installation of addi- tional hydrant protection in certain areas of the Town where this protection is deficient.
I recommend the replacement of the present seven year old Fire Chief's car.
Appreciation
I wish to express my sincere apprecia- tion to the Board of Selectmen, to the members of my department, to the mem- bers of the Auxiliary Fire Department, to all Town departments and to all others who have co-operated with the Fire department during the year.
73
POLICE DEPARTMENT
FRANCIS P. WALL, Chief
Personnel
On February 21, 1963 Officer George D. Horton, a regular patrolman of the department, passed away. He was a cap- able and efficient member of the depart- ment from 1925 to 1963.
During the year retired Officer Her- bert F. Frazier, Sr., passed away. He served in the department in a capable and efficient manner from 1925 to 1956.
During the year Captain John P. Cos- tin retired on pension after serving in a capable and efficient manner from 1925 to 1963.
Reserve Officers Peter J. Cassidy and Harold J. Keating, Jr., were appointed permanent Patrolmen.
Gordon E. Kelly, Jr., and Edward P. Carroll, Jr., were appointed Reserve Officers.
These appointments were made by the Board of Selectmen from certified Civil Service lists.
Patrolmen James A. Gregory and Chandler E. Marble attended and gradu- ated from the Massachusetts State Police School. The training of these officers will prove to be beneficial both to the officers and to the department.
Auxiliary Police
The Auxiliary Police under the direc- tion of Lieutenant Stephen J. Boraizia has been active during the year in assist- ing the regular force in many functions. This force is ready for immediate service at any time.
Arrests
On warrant 27
Without warrant 47
Summonsed to appear in Court 42
Witness summonses served 36
Notice to parents (Juvenile cases ) .. 3
Warrants served for other Police Departments 8
Summonses to appear in Court served for other Police Departments 458
Offences Charged
Assault and battery
Assault and battery with dangerous weapon 1
7
Breaking and entering and larceny .. 4 4
Disorderly conduct
Disturbance of peace
1 38
Drunkenness
Illegitimacy
1
Larceny by check
1
Larceny (less than $100)
3
Larceny (over $100)
6
Lewd and lascivious behavior
1
Malicious damage to personal
property 6
Non-support
3
Possession of burglarious tools
2
Offences charged in 1962: Breaking and entering and larceny in nighttime 2
Sounding false alarm of fire. 3
Motor Vehicle Laws:
Allowing improper person to oper- ate motor vehicle
2
Attaching number plates assigned to other motor vehicle
3
Leaving scene of accident (prop- erty damage) 2
Operating after revocation of license
2
Operating after suspension of license
4
Operating so as to endanger. 1
Operating under the influence of liquor
6
Operating uninsured motor vehicle
3
Operating unregistered motor vehicle
3
Operating without license 7
Using motor vehicle without authority 4
74
Disposition of Cases
Committed to Youth Service Board
1
Defaulted
Dismissed
5
Filed
18
Fined 42
Found not guilty 4
Probation
6
Released (Drunkenness, first offence ) 23
Sentenced to House of Correction 1
Sentenced to House of Correction, suspended 3
Appeal cases 5
Held for Grand Jury 5
Cases continued to 1964
1
1962 Cases disposed of: Cases dismissed 2
Filed
3
Miscellaneous
Accidents:
Automobile accidents reported and investigated 141
Fatalities
1
Accidents involving personal
injuries
85
Property damage only
55
Personal injuries:
Pedestrians injured 5
Bicyclists 4
Operators and passengers
130
Ambulance Service:
To accidents 18
Persons conveyed to Hospitals 271
Persons conveyed from Hospital to Home 61
Persons conveyed from Hospital Breaking and entering cases to another Hospital 4 investigated 34
Persons conveyed from Hospital to Nursing Home 27
Persons conveyed to Nursing Home
Person conveyed from Doctor's office to Nursing Home
Persons conveyed from Doctor's Office to Hospital
Person conveyed from Nursing Home to Doctor's office
Person conveyed from Field House to Hosital 1
1 Persons conveyed from Home to Nursing Home 13
Motor Patrol Service: Assistance given to sick and injured persons 41
To false alarms
23
To fires
83
Persons conveyed to Hospitals 98
Persons conveyed from Hospital to Home 12
Persons conveyed to Doctor's office 3
Person conveyed from Store to Doctor's office 1
Person conveyed from Fire Station to Home 1
Person conveyed from Doctor's office to Home 1
Persons conveyed from Doctor's office to Hospital 4
Person conveyed from Nursing Home to Home 1
Persons conveyed from Nursing Home to Hospital 3 Person conveyed from Hospital to Doctor's office 1
Person conveyed from Hospital to another Hospital 1 Person conveyed from Church to Home 1
Person conveyed from another Home to Home 1
Person conveyed from Store to
Hospital
1
Person conveyed from Beach
to Home
1
Auto theft 8
Complaints investigated
1,361
Doors and windows found open
391
Duty calls made by patrolmen
4 from police boxes 52,289
1
Larceny reports $50 and over
investigated
29
4
Larceny reports under $50
investigated
77
1
Licenses issued:
Bicycle licenses
189
Persons conveyed from Nursing Home to Hospital 5 Pistol permits 66
75
Lights in vacant buildings investigated 86
Manhole covers reported loose 8
Messages delivered for other Police Departments, etc. 155
Motor Vehicle Moving Violations: Reported to Registrar of Motor Vehicles 215
Warnings 29
Court 18
Odor of gas reported
3
Parking Violations:
Motor vehicles tagged
3,971
Notice of violation of parking rules served 732
Persons reported missing and located 37
Residences temporarily closed and special attention given 485
Sale of second-hand motor vehicle notices filed 69
Street lamps reported out 276
Street and sidewalk defects reported 19
Sunday permits issued
8
Trees reported down
15
Trenches reported sunken
2
Water leaks reported
18
Windows reported broken and
cases investigated 200 Wires reported defective 17
Department Equipment
The equipment of this department is regularly inspected and tested and no effort is spared to have it ready for in- stant use at all times.
Recommendation
I recommend that the Town purchase two ambulettes to replace two 1963 ambulettes.
I recommend that the Town purchase one motorcycle to replace one 1961 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Appreciation
I wish to express my sincere appre- ciation to the Board of Selectmen, to the members of my department, to the offi- cers and members of the Auxiliary Police, to the traffic Policewomen, to all Town Departments and to all others who have co-operated with me during the year.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION
DOUGLAS F. ALLEN, Workmen's Compensation Agent
During 1963 thirty-seven claims under Workmen's Compensation involving employees of the Town were reported, including three with disability lasting more than seven days.
Compensation payments to or on behalf of the employees amounted to $4,555.74, a high in recent years, with several cases now pending before the Industrial Accident Board that may result in further payments.
While the number of injuries does not change much from year to year, the past several years have seen several serious cases involving large payments or future liability for them. It is hoped that this uncontrollable trend will not continue.
The excellent cooperation of the Town officials permits proper handling of these claims and the Town Counsel, Town Accountant and personnel of the Board of Public Works deserve special thanks.
76
BOARD OF APPEALS
C. GLOVER BOWES, Chairman
EUSTIS B. GRIMES
T. PAUL CORCORAN
KATHLEEN F. WAY, ISRAEL BLOCH, Associate Members
The Board of Appeals of the Town of Swampscott herewith submits its Annual Report for the year 1963.
The Board reviewed thirty-six (36) public hearings, of which fifteen were for variances and twenty-one for Use and Business Permits.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the willing services of Mr. Richard Coughlin, former Town Counsel, and to Mr. Martin C. Goldman, our present Town Counsel, and to Mr. John Burke, Building Inspector, for their help and cooperation during the year.
Mr. C. Glover Bowes, Chairman, resigned in December 1963, due to the conflict of interest law. Mr. Bowes has given long and competent service to the Town since 1939, and his counsel and judgment will be missed by the other mem- bers of the Board of Appeals.
BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
DONALD L. SAWYER, Chairman
EVERETT C. HOWE
DOROTHY M. COLLINS
LEWIS H. BERRY
The Annual Town Census was begun on January 7, 1963 and was completed on January 28, 1963. 9150 residents, twenty years of age or over, were counted.
The Annual Town Meeting was held on Monday, March 18, 1963. The follow- ing number of votes in each precinct were cast :-
Precinct 1
323
Precinct 2
377
Precinct 3
326
Precinct 4
317
Precinct 5
350
Precinct 6
332
TOTAL VOTES CAST
2025
Precinct
1 2
3
4
5
6
Total
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
Moderator for 1 Year
Richard B. Johnson (E)
236
249
242
226
254
261
1468
Blanks
557
77
Selectmen for 1 Year
Edward K. Hempel (E)
230
250
244
193
245
238
1400
Henry R. Mayo, Jr. (E)
243
260
244
217
270
263
1497
George B. Thomson (E)
226
231
222
230
266
273
1448
James J. McCarriston
91
118
83
101
74
58
525
Blanks
3230
Assessor for 3 Years
Ernest Manchin (E) Blanks
253
281
257
223
271
243
1528
497
Board of Public Works for 3 Years
Roger A. Williams, Jr. (E) Blanks
229
252
245
227
264
250
1467
558
School Committee for 3 Years
Charles F. Buckland (E)
231
252
241
219
266
256
1465
George A. Chadwell (E) Blanks
243
256
247
211
252
236
1445
Trustee Public Library for 3 Years
246
266
253
233
268
268
1534
Ruth M. Barry (E) Blanks
491
Board of Public Welfare for 3 Years
Norbert A. Ulman (E)
255
278
256
223
255
235
1502
Blanks
523
Board of Health for 3 Years
Edward L. Cashman, Jr. (E) Blanks
242
270
260
239
274
248
1533
Glenn W. Bartram (E) Blanks
241
248
240
219
245
242
1435
Commissioners Trust Funds for 3 Years
John R. Cooper (E) Blanks
236
248
242
225
248
233
1432
John A. Massey (E)
250
278
256
225
256
242
1507
Blanks
518
Question: "Shall the Town pay one-half the premium cost payable by a retired employee for Group Life Insurance and for Group general or blanket hospital,
surgical and medical insurance?"
YES
114
139
110
103
101
58
625
NO
62
75
91
77
92
115
512
Blanks
888
Town Meeting Member for 3 Years - Precinct One
Reno S. Bisegna (E)
195
Lawrence F. Picariello
(E)
206
Mary A. Cappucio
(E)
191
Sidney A. Simmons (E)
180
Lawrence R. Corcoran
(E)
204
Charles E. Snow, Jr.
212
Joseph Fiore
(E)
210
Antonetta M. Videtta
(E
203
Eric A. Holmgren
(E)
199
Norman C. Whitten (E)
196
78
492
Planning Board for 5 Years
590
593
Swampscott Housing Authority for 5 Years
1140
George A. Holt (E) 204
Carlton T. Lougee (E) 166
Seldon D. Hulquist (E)
206
Joseph S. Rodrick (E) 213
Ralph H. Jackson
(E)
192
Clayton W. Smith
(E) 196
Mary R. Lotti (E)
218
Charles E. Thornton (E)
195
Town Meeting Member for 2 Years - Precinct One
Juliet C. Hawley
(E)
11
Town Meeting Member for 3 Years - Precinct Two
John R. Daley
(E)
207
Donald J. Warnock (E)
189
David F. Doherty
(E)
204
John H. Watts (E)
180
Leo M. Frechette
(E) 175
Philip M. Whitten
(E)
194
Edmond A. Genest
(E)
179
Thomas J. Boyce, Jr. (E)
191
John A. Gregory, Jr.
(E)
188
Francis J. Cassidy
(E)
215
Israel H. Gross
(E)
129
Joseph W. Duggan
86
Herbert C. Heggie
(E)
198
Kenneth G. Hartwell
108
Semah M. Klein
(E)
141
Adelinda B. Maston
81
Cleo Leawood
(E)
193
Roy E. Maston
101
Charles J. McManus
(E)
159
Richard T. McIntosh
108
Philip H. Stafford
(E)
206
Grace Pope
117
John Stone
(E)
205
Town Meeting Member for 2 Years - Precinct Two Dorothy J. Warnock
(E)
14
Town Meeting Member for 3 Years - Precinct Three
Roland N. Devitt
(E)
201
Priscilla O. Newcomb (E)
207
Lester B. Farwell
(E)
202
Margaret M. Scanlon (E)
196
Nicholas Gallo
(E) 183
Roger G. Skinner (E)
20€
Ralph E. Gould
(E)
193
George W. Smith
(E)
209
Vernon M. Hawkins
(E)
188
Deborah M. Bogardus (E)
195
Joseph P. Howard
(E)
191
Frederic R. Bogardus, III (E)
198
John Clarke Kane
(E)
205
George H. Worthy (E)
8
Francis A. Losano
(E)
201
Edwin I. Foye
(E)
25
John G. McLearn
(E)
199
Carol A. Snow
(E)
7
Town Meeting Member for 1 Year - Precinct Three
Bernard M. Kline (E) 14
James H. Pedrick (E)
2
Town Meeting Member for 2 Years - Precinct Three
Thomas M. Scanlon (E) 192
Peter N. Rappoli (E)
1
Town Meeting Member for 3 Years - Precinct Four
Edward R. Butterworth (E)
199
Joseph A. McHugh (E)
183
Harry G. Davis
(E)
187
Harris T. Phinney (E)
151
Joseph W. Dilk
(E)
172
Harold I. Power (E)
195
Virginia E. Earle
(E)
170
Hatherley A. Stoddard, Jr. (E)
170
Virginia T. Ellis
(E)
178
Roger A. Williams, Jr. (E)
181
Loring R. Frazier
(E)
172
Francis J. Corcoran, Jr. (E)
186
Robert W. Kraft
(E)
158
James A. Dillon (E)
161
Robert M. Leonard
(E)
184
Edward I. Robinson (E)
177
James R. Maddock
(E)
157
Irving L. Farber (E)
8
Town Meeting Member for 1 Year - Precinct Four Herbert R. Waite
(E) 204
79
Town Meeting Member for 3 Years - Precinct Five
Bernard L. Baker
(E) 137
Richard D. Stevenson (E)
171
William C. Beckert
(E) 140
Harold P. Symmes (E)
180
Edith M. Bloch
(E) 148
Thomas B. White, Jr. (E)
149
Frederick C. Burk
(E)
215
Donald S. Whidden (E)
148
Maxwell Field
132
Merrill I. Feldman
93
Michael M. Ingalls
135
Jacob M. Gross
96
Warren A. Johnson
152
Roger N. Howes
(E)
155
Martin Kirkpatrick
(E)
182
Judith S. Lippa
85
Sidney R. Lewis
121
Richard S. Rawding
73
Carl J. Pagano
(E)
136
Theodore C. Sargent (E)
163
Ervin D. Remick, Jr.
(E)
155
John H. Thomson
124
James M. Rothwell, II (E)
190
Kenneth 'T. White (E)
147
Jacob Shactman (E)
157
Lillian I. White
(E)
146
Town Meeting Members for 3 Years - Precinct Six
Dorothy K. Allison
(E)
166
Harold A. Johnson (E)
164
Richard G. Appel, Jr.
(E)
194
Richard F. Murray (E)
187
Bradlee M. Backman
(E)
146
Thomas Nevils
(E)
156
Ruth Backman
(E)
133
Anthony F. Pierre
(E)
149
Donald D. Durkee
(E)
208
Arnold C. Reynolds (E)
162
Charles M. Ewing
(E)
183
Marjorie C. Sites (E)
192
Theodore Goldberg
(E)
160
Frank B. Wallis
(E)
176
George J. Harrington
(E)
180
Edward S. O'Keefe
(E)
187
Robert U. Ingalls
(E)
185
Leola R. Potash
78
Bertram C. Jacobs
(E)
167
Town Meeting Members for 1 Year - Precinct Six
Martin C. Goldman
(E)
110
Philip Reimer
87
E. Leonard Kane
(E)
128
Philip L. Ross
65
Lois Myer
(E)
123
Herbert G. Schiff, Jr.
78
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
JOHN A. GREGORY, JR., Chairman
MRS. CHESTER E. BOND, Secretary
MRS. CARLYLE H. HOLT DOUGLAS F. ALLEN JOHN F. MILO
ROBERT G. BYRNE, JR. PETER BEATRICE, JR.
The following is our annual report for your consideration and inclusion in the Town's Annual Report.
Your Conservation Commission has held nine meetings during 1963. We are pleased to report progress on establishing the Muskrat Pond area as an outdoor laboratory. Boy Scouts from Troop 54 spent two Saturdays cleaning up the area. During 1964, we plan to plant native plants along the banks to act as a ground cover. Plans are also in progress to hold a workshop for teachers in cooperation with the State Department of Education in order to derive the maximum benefits from the pond.
80
Steps have been taken in accordance with Town Meeting's wishes to place control of Palmers Pond and certain Tax Title land under the control and manage- ment of the Commission.
The Commission thanks the citizens of Swampscott for their help and support during the past year. True Conservation requires the support of all citizens. I returns protection and pleasure to all.
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM
EDWARD P. CARROLL, Chairman
HAROLD R. AUSTIN
I. MURRAY ADAMS, Secretary
1963
1962
Assets
$740,836.21
Active Members
203
$679,653.74 190
Pensioners
31
31
Two pensioners died during 1963, and two were added. There is available in this office a detailed financial statement and a listing of all investments.
SWAMPSCOTT ECONOMY AND REVENUE COMMITTEE TAX RATE STUDY REPORT AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE
The Economy and Revenue Committee was formed by combining the Economy Planning Committee and the Tax Revenue Study Committee. This Committee was charged by the Swampscott Board of Selectmen in their letter of August 26, 1963 to investigate the reasons for Swampscott's $11.00 increase in the tax rate.
SCOPE OF THE REVIEW
The Committee has not sought to challenge the appropriation action of the Town Meeting on the belief that such monies so appropriated are a reflection of the wishes of the majority of Town Meeting Members and for fully discussed purposes.
The Committee has sought to determine other reasons that were not discussed at Town Meeting that would significantly affect the tax rate.
CONCLUSION
I. Regarding the Past:
A major cause of our current tax rate increase is the appropriation action of the Town Meeting. We feel, however, that such action should only be construed as the desires of the majority of the people as the Town Meeting Members are its representatives to do its bidding. We assume that the citizens of Swampscott made their thoughts known on the various Articles to their respective Town Meeting Members prior to the Town Meeting. This is a civic-minded citizen's duty. If this was not done - one should not now complain.
81
The Committee did not have the time to analyze all of the Town's departments and functions to the extent it would desire. However, we sought the significant and completed several studies of areas conributing to the tax rate increase. The results, offered for your evaluation and action, are in the Section entitled "Results of the Review".
As you will note, the majority of comments pertain to the operation of the Board of Assessors, and we feel rightly so. The Committee, by analyzing data per- taining to the years 1961 and 1962, has calculated that if the assessment practices used in 1963 were even consistant with the preceding two years, the 1963 taxable valuation base would be greater than that reported by $992,619.
II. Regarding the Future:
One of the two main areas where our tax rate is determined is by the action of the Town Meeting. We must make certain that the members fully understand the cost of the commitments they sanction. For that reason, we recommend, that each Article in the Town Warrant have a footnote denoting the cost of its adoption expressed both in terms of total dollar amount and estimated affect on the tax rate of the current year and future years, if applicable.
The second main area is dependent on the degree of efficiency, knowledge- ability, leadership, and integrity, displayed and practiced by those charged with implementation of the Town's many functions.
The Committee, plus capable and conscientious volunteers, has worked long hours (and in one instance under an incomprehensible situation) with complete objectivity - that of the interests of all of the citizens of our Town.
We know that the Board of Selectmen wanted and we believe the vast majority of Swampscott citizens wanted a report that laid the facts on top of the table. This we have done. We anxiously await the next step - "What's going to be done about it?" It will be interesting to see whether Swampscott citizens are genuinely concerned about Town affairs every day of the year or only during the 24 hour period that the tax rate is announced.
If the citizens demonstrate sincere interest, the Committee offers to continue our efforts. If not, the Committee's efforts cease and the "24 hour citizens" should pay the resultant tax.
The Committee Recommends:
1. That the assessed valuations and abatements other than those under statutes, be immediately published for the years 1962 and 1963 and thereafter an- nually and made available to the citizens of the Town of Swampscott at a price that will defray the cost of printing.
2. That the Board of Selectmen take action to attain compliance with the spirit of the Conflict of Interest Law as well as the statute by all Town officials.
3. That the Board of Selectmen act under the authority of Chapter 98 of the Acts of 1959 and investigate the practices of the Board of Assessors.
Respectfully submitted,
ECONOMY & REVENUE COMMITTEE
Robert C. Hunt, Chairman
82
RESULTS OF THE REVIEW
A. Foreword
The following is a summary comparison of expenditures and receipts (with dollars in thousands) of the figures taken from the Assessor's Recapitulation Sheets which were the basis of the 1962 and the 1963 tax rate calculations:
1962
1963
Increase Amount Percentage
Estimated Expenditures:
Appropriations
$3,412
$3,644
$ 232
7%
State and County
Assessments
242
258
16
7
Assessor's Fund for Abatements
46
96
50
107
Miscellaneous
3
1
(2)
-
Total
$3,703
$3,999
$ 296
8%
Estimated Receipts and
Available Funds
1,246
1,151
(95)
(8)
Net Amount to be Raised
$2,457
$2,848
$ 391
16%
Memo:
1962
1963
Increase
Swampscott Tax Rate
$70.00
$81.00
$11.00
Massachusetts State Average Tax Rate
$70.09
$70.70
$ .61
The source of the average tax rate for the entire Commonwealth of Massachu- setts noted above is the Massachusetts Federation of Taxpayers Association, 11 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
B. Debt and Interest Costs
The Committee feels that the following should be brought to the attention of the Swampscott taxpayers to assure their recognition of the impact on the tax rate of the maturing debt and associated interest expense:
Maturing Debt and Interest Table of Payments
1962
1963
Department
Principal
Interest
Principal
Interest
School
$156,000.00
$ 52,508.75
$196,000.00
$ 69,506.25
Public Works
70,000.00
10,772.50
70,000
8,960.00
Fire
10,000.00
5,525.00
10,000.00
5,200.00
Library
10,000.00
$ 10.00
10,000.00
340.00
Election Comm.
None
200.00
5,000.00
350.00
Totals
$246,000.00
$ 69,516.25
$291,000.00
$ 84,356.25
Note: During 1962 the Town voted to transfer the sum of $7,350.00 from Water Receipts to Interest Account as well as sum of $30,000.00 from Water Receipts to Principal account.
83
During 1963 the Town voted to transfer the sum of $6,450.00 from Water Receipts to Interest Account as well as sum of $30,000.00 from Water Receipts to Principal account.
The Committee also points out for information purposes, that in the year 1963 Swampscott had outstanding principal debt of $3,150,000 which will have associated interest expense through maturity of $660,000.
The approximate amounts included in the tax rates are as follows:
1962
1963
Principal
$ 7.00
$ 8.25
Interest Expense
$ 2.00
$ 2.50
C. Uncollected Taxes
Situation:
Monies due the Town and remaining outstanding at the end of a given year are excluded from consideration as available funds in establishing the tax rate of the immediate following year. Thus, the balance due the Town at year-end is of immediate importance for tax rate purposes. The fact that the interest charge for overdue taxes is 4% per annum on a prorated basis, does not encourage prompt payment. The Tax Collector's efforts to expedite payment is extremely important, particularly, since some tax bills have been written off as uncollectible with the approval of the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation. This situation has occurred due to Statute of Limitations, bankruptcy, death, and tax- payers moving to unknown locations.
Results:
This matter was reviewed with the complete cooperation of Mr. Oliver Coughlin, Tax Collector, who furnished the following data:
Total Committed Personal, Real Estate, Poll, and Excise Taxes for Year Amount Percent
Due and Uncollected at Year-End
Year
1962 $2,855,396.46
$227,878.23 8.0%
1963 $3,231,334.68
$154,821.80 4.8%
The definite improvement in 1963 over 1962, in the opinion of the Committee, is a direct reflection of Mr. Coughlin's efforts to reduce the outstanding balance through such actions as advertising of tax delinquent property which establishes a lien on the property and the asignment of a local constable as a deputy tax collector to enforce collections.
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