USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1940 > Part 3
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$49,000.00 shall be for Aid to Dependent Children.
6,530.00 shall be for administration and all expenses of the Town In- firmary, including the purchase of a washing machine and re- frigerator.
4,000.00 shall be for compensation to doctors and for other medical services rendered.
10,000.00 shall be for reimbursement to other cities and towns for relief provided by them to persons having legal settlement in this town.
97,000.00 shall be for relief of persons having a legal settlement in the Town or the relief of persons not having a legal settlement in the Town.
Provided that any portion of the total appro- priation for Public Welfare under this item may be made available for any Welfare items if and when approved by the Appropriation Committee.
Mr. Harry J. Dowd rendered report of the Welfare Committee and moved to amend Mr. Field's motion by decreasing the total amount of the appropriation by the sum of $1,000. so that compensation to doctors and for all other medical services rendered, should be $3,000. rather than $4,000.
This amendment was unanimously adopted.
The motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, and as amended by Mr.
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Dowd, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 28. Mr. Field moved: For Old Age Assistance under General Laws, (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 118 as amended.
$126,440.00
Of this sum $1,000. is allocated to and appro- priated under Item 27 for salary and expenses of the Welfare Agent set up under Chapter 7, acts of 1938. Not exceeding $6440. shall be for all salaries and expenses of administration and from this administration figure the Town Accountant shall transfer to the Town's gen- eral fund an amount equal to whatever monies are made available by the State or Federal Government for any adminstrative expense for the fiscal year under this item. Provision is also made for increasing salaries, under this item as follows: One clerk to a rate of pay not exceeding $1,040. per year, another clerk to a rate of pay not exceeding $832. per year, one visitor to a rate of pay not exceeding $1,144. per year.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 29. Mr. Field moved: For Pensions. $ 2,800.00 Motion of the Appropriation Committee as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 30. Mr. Field moved: For Soldiers' Benefits in- cluding State and Military Aid, Soldiers' Re- lief and the burying of Indigent Soldiers and Sailors.
$ 24,000.00 Of this sum not exceeding $200. is for all ad- ministrative expenses.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 31. Mr. Field moved: For the Highway Depart- ment.
$115,000.00
This sum is to be used for salaries, general maintenance, removal of snow, highway and sidewalk construction and repair, and the pur- chase and maintenance of equipment. Of this aggregate amount $4650. shall be for the purchase of new equipment and $6,000. for the collection of rubbish; provided further that a committee of three (3) one of whom shall be the Superintendent of Streets shall be ap- pointed by the Moderator for the purpose of purchasing supplies, materials and equipment and the disposal of old equipment. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 32. Mr. Field moved: For the support of the Public Schools.
$443,273.75
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Of this sum $440,021.97 shall be raised by tax- ation in the levy of the current year and $3,250.78, being the sum received from the County by way of Statutory Distribution of the Dog Tax, is hereby appropriated for the sup- port of the public schools. Authorization is granted for salary adjustments in accordance with a schedule submitted by the School Com- mittee to the Appropriations Committee. $3,000. of this Appropriation shall be for mod- ernizing this year the toilets in the Pratt School.
Mr. Dasha moved the following amendment to Mr. Field's motion: That the sum of $1.00 be raised and appropriated for the use of the School Committee for care, maintenance and control of land in rear of Dr. Drake's resi- dence, which land was taken by the Town of Weymouth by eminent domain proceedings from one, Mr. John Donovan, for recreational purposes.
Mr. Dasha's amendment was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Field's motion for the Appropriation Com- mittee, as thus amended, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 33. Mr. Field moved: For the maintenance of Tufts Library and its branches and other Library purposes.
$ 26,309.00
Of this sum $2,050. is appropriated for the Reading Room at the Fogg Library. The in- come from the several trust funds of the Town are hereby made available for Library pur- poses. The salary schedule is approved and not more than $50. of this total appropriation may be expended for the expense of any em- ployee incurred in travel outside the Com -. monwealth securing information that may tend to improve the service of the Library.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 34. Mr. Field moved: For the observance of Memo- rial Day. $ 800.00
To be expended under the direction of a Com- mittee of nine (9) to be appointed by the Mod- erator, who shall designate the Chairman, for the several veteran and hereditary organiza- tions in accordance with the provision of Gen- eral Laws, (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 12 as amended; said amount to be available only in case evidence shall be filed with the Town Accountant that the known graves of the deceased veterans of all wars have been decorated without discrimination. Motion of Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
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6,850.00
Item 35. Mr. Field moved: For Parks and Playgrounds. $ Of this sum not exceeding $200. shall be for all administrative expenses.
Mr. Giguere moved the following amendment: That the Town of Weymouth acquire, by pur- chase or otherwise, the parcel of land known as Stetson Field, situated between Front Street and Rockcroft Road for the purpose of a play- ground and future school site, Boundaries as designated by the Stetson Heald Shoe Co. and the Park Commission, and hereafter to be known as the Stetson Heald Playground. Mr. Giguere's amendment was lost. The motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 36. Mr. Field moved: For Miscellaneous Expense. $ 3,238.24
Of this sum $1,000. is for defraying the cost of the use of Town buildings by Private in- individuals or organizations and not exceeding $480. shall be for the salary of a dog officer. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Item 37. Mr. Field moved: For Unpaid Bills. $ 1,262.32 Divided as follows:
Park Department $ 37.06
Welfare Department
116.15
Board of Health
73.00
Old Age Assistance
10.10
Soldiers' Relief
1,017.78
Fire Insurance
8.23
$1,262.32
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tenta- tively adopted.
Motion: To adjourn until Wednesday evening, March 6, 1940. Adjournment made at 11:12 P. M.
JULIAN R. MERCHANT,
Town Clerk.
Wednesday, March 6, 1940
The time to which the Annual Town Meeting adjourned having arrived the Moderator called the meeting to order at 7:45 P. M. and requested Rev. Joseph Newton, Pastor of the Congregational Church of East Weymouth to invoke Divine Blessing.
202 Town Meeting Members names were checked by police as being present.
Six Town Meeting Members who were not previously sworn were at this time sworn by the Moderator.
Mr. Holbrook moved: To reconsider Item 5 under Article 1. So voted. Item 5 of Article 1 was reconsidered and upon the motion
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duly made by Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Cate's amendment to Mr. Field's motion was rescinded.
Mr. Field's motion for the Appropriation Committee to wit: "For the compensation of the Tax Collector and all expenses of the Tax Collector and all expenses of the Tax Collector's Department, $9,184.00."
The compensation of the Tax Collector shall be five and one-half mills on each dollar of taxes collected and the Selectmen shall be authorized and instructed to insure the Tax Collector in the sum of $15,000. for Robbery Insurance."
The motion of the Appropriation Committee under Item 5, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 38. Mr. Field moved: For Overdrafts under Gen- eral Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44, Section 31. $ Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
0.00
Item 39. Mr. Field moved: For necessary charges and the administration of the contributory retire- ment system.
$ 21,689.36
Of this amount $466. is appropriated to the ex- pense fund of which not exceeding $306. shall be for clerical assistance.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 40. Mr. Field moved: For the salaries and all expenses of the Water Department.
$ 90,000.00
This sum is to be provided from the revenue of the Water Department; and there is further appropriated from the General Fund of the Water Department $10,000. for carrying on work for private parties, payment for such work to revert to the General Fund of the Water Department. Authorization for disposal and replacement of motor vehicles by the Water Commissioners is hereby granted. Pro- vision is made for increasing the salaries of two office clerks, one to a rate of pay not ex- ceeding $936. per year, the other to a rate of pay not exceeding $1,144, per year.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 41. Mr. Field moved: That no action be taken un- der this item.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 42. Mr. Field moved: For the operation of the Alewife Fishery. $ Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
350.00
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Item 43. Mr. Field moved: For the care of Soldiers' Graves under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chap- ter 115, Section 22, including the placing of new markers and replacing old ones. $ 1,500.00
The care of grave markers is hereby given to the Custodian of Soldiers' Graves.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 44. Mr. Field moved: For the care of Old Ceme- teries under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 114, Sections 16 and 18. $ 200.00
Provided that the Town instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract with Wessagusset Post No. 1399 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the care and main- tenance of Old Cemetery off Park Avenue; Old Cemetery opposite Fairmount Cemetery and Pleasant Street and the one located off Ran- dolph Street and Old Cemetery off Pleasant Street opposite Pine Street.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 45. Mr. Field moved: For Interest and Discount. $ 16,499.50 Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 46. Mr. Field moved: For the Retirement of Bonds and Notes due in 1940. $ 72,598.66
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 47. Mr. Field moved: For the Municipal Buildings Insurance Fund. $ 1.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 48. Mr. Field moved: For Fire and other Insur-
ance. $ 4,942.27 Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten- tatively adopted.
Item 49.
Mr. Field moved: For a Reserve Fund.
$ 13,000.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as
made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and ten-
tatively adopted.
RIDER
Under Article 1 Mr. Field moved: Provided that all salaries of elected officials shall remain at the same figure as last year except as hereinbefore otherwise voted. Provided that no monies hereinbefore appropriated shall be expended for telephone service in private houses of any Town Official or employee except in those of the Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments. Provided further that no monies herein
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appropriated shall be used for increasing rates and/or scales or wages, salary or other compensation as prevailed within the Town's several departments during 1939 except as otherwise expressly provided, and when thus provided the changed schedule shall be effective after the first ten weeks of the current fiscal year. Provided further, no monies hereinbefore appropriated shall be used for the purchase of motor vehicles, except as otherwise specified in this article. Provided further that no monies herein appropriated, excepting the amounts supplied under Item 2, Article 1 of this Warrant, shall be paid directly or in- directly as remuneration compensation, salary or otherwise, to any currently elected member of the Board of Selectmen for services rendered the Town in any capacity, except as Water Commissioner, nor shall the Board of Selectmen appoint anyone currently elected to the Board of Selectmen to any other position except there is mandatory statutory authority therefor.
Mr. Callahan moved an amendment to the motion of the Appropri- ation Committee as follows: Provided that no part of the above sums shall be paid any town officer, official or employee, except school de- partment employees, unless said official, officer or employee has estab- lished a legal residence in the Town of Weymouth.
Upon vote duly taken, the amendment was lost.
Mr. Callahan also moved the following amendment:
That the sum of $2,000. be appropriated for the purpose of con- ducting an audit of all Town accounts over a period of seven years, said audit to be under the direction of the Board of Selectmen who shall employ a competent auditor who holds no public position.
Amendment lost.
The motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Article 1, as amended and as tentatively adopted, was then put before the meeting and was unanimously voted.
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Field moved: The sum of $65,000. shall be raised and appropriated for providing co-operation with the Federal Government or other agencies in unemployment relief and other projects of direct or indirect benefit to the Town or its inhabitants which sum together with the unexpended balance of the appropriation made for similar purposes last year, shall be expended under the direc- tion of a Committee consisting of the executive head of the Welfare Department, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, the Chair- man of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Park Commissioners, and the Superintendents of School and Street Departments and a repre- sentative of the Water Department to be appointed by the Water Board.
Mr. Callahan moved the following amendment to Article 2: That the Moderator appoint a committee of three (3), with the same powers and duties imposed upon the Welfare Committee, to study expenditures of Town funds under this article.
Mr. Callahan's amendment was adopted.
Mr. Callahan made further amendment: That a sum not to exceed $4,000. be expended for administration.
This amendment was lost.
The motion of the Appropriation Committee, made by Mr. Field, as thus amended, was unanimously adopted.
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ARTICLE 3. Mr. Field moved: That the Town take no action as the subject matter of this Article is provided for under Article 2.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 4. Mr. Field moved: That all Committees who have not rendered a final report be continued until the work under their charge is completed.
The Committee appointed in accordance with vote at last annual Town Meeting to consider matter of salaries, wages, vacations and sick leave, after considerable study, comparison and thought, submit the following recommendations :
Paragraph 1. While there is some variance in salaries and wages paid for similar positions in a number of towns and smaller cities com- parable to Weymouth in population, valuation, etc., considering the matter in a general way, those paid in Weymouth compare favor- ably.
Paragraph 2. We feel there is certain security or employment for those working for the Town of Weymouth, which is not always true in private employment. There also is the advantage in saving in travelling costs, in both money and time compared with those employed at greater distances from home.
We think these facts should be considered by both employees and Town Meeting Members.
Paragraph 3. Our thought is to try to make suggestions which may be adopted for future guidance, rather than to disturb salaries and working conditions of employees who have been in employ of the Town for any considerable length of time. We do not feel our recommendations should apply to 1940 budget under consideration at this meeting.
Paragraph 4. On vacations, it is present practice in most departments to allow employees a two weeks vacation with pay. We recommend that this be adopted generally after the employee has served the Town continuously for one year or longer.
Paragraph 5. On sick leave, we feel this should be left with the head of each department, as his judgment should govern whether this privilege is abused by any of his employees and decision made accordingly.
Paragraph 6. Your committee, having in mind that all employees doing the same style work should have the same scale of pay and the same opportunities for advancement, submit herewith minimum and maximum salary recommendations, with the feeling that the adoption of these recommendations will
A. Eliminate any feelings of discrimination between departments.
B. Give each department head a base on which to project present and future salary and wage payments.
C. Give each employee the incentive to work toward personal advancement.
D. Result in standard salary and wage scales, uniform vacation periods both of which are fair and equitable to both employees and the tax-payers of the Town.
Paragraph 7. Having the thoughts contained in paragraphs two, three and six in mind, we recommend that:
A. No changes be made which would reduce remuneration of em- ployees who have served the Town for three years or more unless for justifiable reasons.
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B. For clerical , and stenographic work a minimum salary of twelve dollars per week be established and a maximum of twenty-five dollars per week.
C. Increases from minimum shall not be more than two dollars per week per year.
D. If, on account of previous service, experience and capabilities a clerk is started at a wage above the minimum, they shall not receive the maximum of twenty-five dollars per week until they have served the Town for at least three years.
E. Should conditions arise which cause department head to feel the restrictions in sub paragraphs B. and D. should be waived, this can only be done with the approval of the Appropriation Committee.
Paragraph 8. It should be understood by Town Meeting Members that recommendations made by us, and if accepted by them, will not be effective and will not change any requirements controlled by State or Federal Government.
Paragraph 9. On School Department, we feel salaries and working conditions for all employees should be left to the School Committee, subject to the approval of the Town Meeting.
Paragraph 10. Police Department, we recommend no changes.
Paragraph 11. Fire Department, in making comparisons we feel there should be a gradual readjustment made in salaries to bring them up to a higher standard, and so recommend.
Paragraph 12. Street Department, we recommend no change.
Paragraph 13. Water Department, we feel there should be a readjust- ment made in salaries of laborers to equal that amount paid in Street Department for the same type of work.
Paragraph 14. Welfare Department, we feel that the recommenda- tions contained in paragraph seven, should apply to all office em- ployees in this department.
Paragraph 15. On any appointive or elective positions, not referred to in these recommendations, we feel there should be no changes in salary made without first obtaining the approval of the Town Meeting.
Paragraph 16. Should a vacancy occur at the head of any of the various departments, we recommend that the successor appointed shall not receive the maximum salary or wage until he has served at least two years in the position.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH R. NEWTON A. WESLEY SAMPSON JOSEPH CREHAN
Mr. Wm. Reamy moved: That the report of this committee be ac- cepted and the recommendations adopted. Motion unanimously adopted.
Mr. J. W. O'Donnell moved: To reconsider action taken under Article 4, relative to salary, wages, vacation and sick leave. So voted.
Mr. J. W. O'Donnell moved: That this report be circulated in some such manner as the one the Appropriation Committee has made this year, with the necessary information as to just what the changes in the
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salaries are as recommended, the report to be given to the Town Meeting Members so they will know what it means.
Mr. J. W. O'Donnell later moved to amend his motion by adding the following: That we appropriate the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00), the approximate cost of these reports.
Mr. Irving Johnson, after some discussion moved: That the subject matter of this report be referred to the next annual Town Meeting.
Motion carried.
ARTICLE 5. Mr. Field moved: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1940 and to issue a note or notes therefor, pay- able within one year, and to renew such notes or note as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44, Section 17; any debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1940.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 6. Mr. Field moved: That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized on and after January 1, 1941, to borrow such money from time to time in anticipa- tion of the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1941, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year from date of issuance and that any debt or debts incurred under this vote be paid from the revenue of the fiscal year in which they were contracted.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 7. Mr. Field moved: That there be appropriated from surplus the sum of $45,000. for the use of the assessors in determining the tax rate for the year 1940.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 8. Mr. Field moved: That the Selectmen be authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of personal property and any real estate of which the Town has possession or title including all property taken for non-payment of taxes, all such cases of sale to be made by public auc- tion or private sale as the Selectmen may deem for the best interest of the Town and that the Board or Officer in charge of any other Town Department may, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, sell at public auction or private sale as the Board of Selectmen may approve, any personal property belonging to said Department which in the opinion of the Officer or Board in charge of the Department is no longer needed by the Town and which in the opinion of the Selectmen is not needed by any other Town Departmet.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 9. Mr. Field moved: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to accept conveyances or mortgages of any real or personal property belonging to persons receiving relief from the Town and to dispose of said property under the provisions of Article 8 of this War- rant in such a manner as they may judge for the best interest of the Town and where said property is subject to any encumbrances if they consider it for the best interest of the Town to discharge said encum- brances, they are hereby authorized to do so.
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Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 10. Mr. Field moved: That the Town accept the report of the Selectmen laying out the following designated private ways or parts of way to wit:
Russell Road-between Union Street and Central Street Edgeworth Street from near 887 Pleasant Street to a dead end Homestead Avenue from Front Street to Summer Street
Candia Street for 600 feet more or less from Academy Avenue to and across Cornish Street
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