USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1941 > Part 4
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$ 26,493.00
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(three hundred and fifty dollars) be raised and appropriated for a library branch station on Pond Plain. $ 350.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field and thus amended by Mr. Park was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
$ 912.00
Item 34. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the observance of Memorial Day To be expended under the direction of a Committee of seven (7) to be appointed by the Moderator, who shall designate the Chairman, from the sev- eral veteran and hereditary organizations in ac- cordance with provisions of General 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 the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 35. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For Parks and Playgrounds. Of this sum not exceeding $300. shall be for ad- ministrative expenses, and $300. shall be for the purchase of a power mower. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
$ 7,150.00
Item 36. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, mnoved : For Miscellaneous Expenses. $ 3,813.00
Of this sum $1,000. is for defraying the cost of the use of Town buildings by private individuals or organizations, and not exceeding $180. shall be for the salary of a dog officer. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 37. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved : For Unpaid Bills. Mr. Field moved: That Item 37 be considered as having been adopted under Item 8. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 38. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For Overdrafts under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44. Section 31. 0.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 39. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For necessary charges and the administra- tion of the contributory retirement system. $ 22,960.46
Of this amount $458. is appropriated to the expense fund of which not exceeding $458. shall be for clerical assistance. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered
34
by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 40. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the salaries and all expenses of the Water Dept.
This sum is to be provided from the revenue of the Water Department; and there is further appropri- ated from the General Fund of the Water Depart- ment $10,000. for carrying on work for private parties payment for such work to revert to the General Fund of the Water Department. Author- ization for the disposal and replacement of motor vehicles by the Water Commissioners is hereby granted. Authorization is granted for salary and wage adjustments in accordance with a schedule submitted to the Appropriation Committee by the Water Commissioners.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item
41. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: That no action be taken under this Item. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item
42. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the operation of the Alewife Fishery. $ Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 43. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the care of Soldiers' Graves under General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 115, Section 22, including the placing of new Markers and replacing the old ones. $ 1,500.00
The care of the graves markers is hereby given to the Custodian of Soldiers' Graves.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 44. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the care of Old Cemeteries under General Laws (Ter. Ed) Chapter 114, Sections 16 and 18. $ 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 maintenance of Old Ceme- tery off Park Avenue; Old Cemetery opposite Fair- mount Cemetery and Pleasant Street, and the one located off Randolph Street, and Old Cemetery off Pleasant Street opposite Pine Street.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 45. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved : For Interest and Discount. $ Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered
$ 99,541.25
350.00
200.00
13,500.00
35
by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 46. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the Retirement of Bonds and Notes due in 1941. $ 68,000.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 47. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For the Municipal Buildings Insurance Fund. $ 5,000.00
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, I was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 48. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For Fire and other Insurance. $ 5,250.00
Of this sum $4,435.01 shall be appropriated from the Fire Insurance Loss Adjustment Account. Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously and tentatively adopted.
Item 49. Mr. Fie'd. for the Appropriation Committee, moved: For a Reserve Fund. $ 32,000.00
Of this sum $7.904.84 shall be appropriated from the Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus Account. $10,000. of this appropriation shall be reserved for use in establishing a revolving fund in connection with the Federal Government's food stamp plan. 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 appropriated shall be used for increasing rates and : or scales of wages, salary or other compensation as prevailed within the Town's several departments during 1940 except as otherwise expressly provided, and when thus provided the changing schedule shall be effective after the first ten weeks of the current fiscal year. Provided further no monies hereinbefore appropri- ated shall be used for the purchase of motor vehicles, except as otherwise specified in this article. Provided further that no monies herein appropri- ated, excepting the amounts supplied under item 2, Article 1 of this Warrant, shall be paid directly or indirectly 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.
Selectman Callahan offered an amendment to the Rider as follows: That no part of the above sums may be expended for meals for any elected official. Selectman Callahan's amendment was lost.
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Mr. Buchan moved an amendment to the Rider as follows: All sums tentatively appropriated in the items of Article 1 except those sums allotted for salaries and wages be reduced 1%.
Mr. Buchan's amendment was lost.
Selectman Callahan moved an amendment to Article 1, by a substitute motion : That all budgets be reduced 10%.
Selectman Callahan's motion was lost.
Selectman Callahan rose to a point of order, stating that the last paragraph under Item 49 was beyond the scope of Article 1.
Moderator ruled the point of order was not well taken.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was tentatively adopted.
Mr. Callahan moved to adjourn and to take recon- siderations under advisement at the adjourned meeting of Wednesday evening next.
Motion lost.
Mr. Carven moved reconsideration of Item 16 under Art. 1.
Reconsideration prevailed.
Mr. Carven moved to amend Item 16 of Art. 1: To include the Fire Department in the two-way radio hook-up with the Police Department.
Mr. Carven's motion was lost.
Mr. Charles Burgess moved to reconsider Item 6b under Article 1.
Reconsideration did not prevail.
Mr. Pingree asks reconsideration of Item 2 under Art. 1.
Reconsideration prevailed.
Mr. Pingree moved: That the sum of $200. be raised and appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of stocking the ponds and other inland waters located in the town limits with fish and of liberating game in accordance with Chapter 142, Section 1, Acts of 1938.
Motion lost.
Mr. Cate moved reconsideration of Art. 1. Motion lost.
Mr. Sands was recognized by the Chair and asked unanimous consent to withdraw that part of his motion under Item 1 of Article 1 as relates to the Appropriation Committee.
Mr. Sands' amendment stands deleted which now reads as follows: That the officials responsible shall have Town Reports delivered to the Town Meet- ing Members at least ten days prior to date of Town Meeting.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as made by Mr. Field, and thus amended, was so voted.
Art. 1, as amended and as tentatively adopted, was then put before the meet- ing and was so voted.
Mr. Cate moved adjournment until Wednesday evening, March 5, 1941.
Adjournment made at 11:52 p.m.
JULIAN R. MERCHANT
Town Clerk
37
1
Wednesday, March 5, 1941
The time to which the Annual Town Meeting adjourned having arrived the Moderator called the meeting to order at 7:48 p.m. and requested Rev. William G. Sewell of the Pilgrim Conrgegational Church of North Weymouth to invoke the Divine Blessing.
182 Town Meeting members were checked by the police as being present.
One Town meeting member who was not previously sworn to the duties of his office was at this time sworn by the Moderator.
Selectman Callahan filed with the Chair, objections to votes taken -under Article one.
ARTICLE 2. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: The sum of $70,000. shall be raised and appropriated for proving 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 direction of a Committee consisting of the executive head of the Welfare Depart- ment, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Park Commissioners and Superin- tendents of the School, Street, and Water Departments. Provided that all outstanding accounts may be paid from this appropriation upon approval by the Committee set up hereunder.
Mr. Hodges, Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures of Town Funds under Art. 2 of the warrant of 1940, read the following report :
Weymouth, Mass., Feb. 27, 1941
Mr. Moderator and Town Meeting Members:
The special committee of three appointed by the Moderator in accordance with motion made by Mr. Callahan at the last Annual Town Meeting, as follows: "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.", respectfully submits the following report.
Several meetings were held by your committee at which we carefully ex- amined all bills, correspondence, and records pertaining to the W. P. A. Committee activities. In addition to the examination and study of the records and details of the W. P. A. Committee itself, your committee met with the Town Accountant and thoroughly examined his records of expendi- tures made by the .W. P. A. Committee and found them to be in exact accord with the records of that committee.
In examining the records of expenditures on file in the office of the clerk of the W. P. A. Committee we found them to be kept in a business-like manner, complete as to detail, easily available, and segregated into each separate project so that a complete and individual cost of each project is on record for examination at any time.
From the correspondence and records of the W. P. A. Committee we found that quotations had been obtained before making expenditures from several dealers and the lowest price selected. We also found that in all in- stances of projects involving expenditures relative to road work, highways, sidewalks and like work, the prices obtained were the same as those obtained by the Town Street Department and that the W. P. A. Committee were able to obtain these low prices because of the fact that the Street Depart- ment had contracts with such suppliers of materials.
Your committee also met with the W. P. A. Committee members and went into all details of their expenditures and methods throughly, with a view to finding out how they operated and to satisfy ourselves, that they were fulfilling their duties to the best interest of the Town.
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Your committee feels that the system which the present W. P. A. Com- mittee has adopted in conducting its affairs is being run efficiently and that the records and expenditures are being kept in a business-like manner and are readily accessible. Full co-operation was given us by the W. P. A. Com- mittee in our investigation.
In conclusion, your Committee is fully satisfied that the present W. P. A. Committee as now organized is fulfilling its duties properly, is careful of its expenditures, and is keeping complete and proper records of same. We feel that the present W. P. A. Committee, "consisting of the executive head of the Welfare Department, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, the Chairman of the Planning Board, the Chairman of the Park Commissioners, and the Superintendents of the School and the Street Departments, and a representative of the Water Department", is fully qualified to continue to handle any funds which the Town may appropriate for W. P. A. expenditures.
LESTER W. TISDALE CLARENCE P. ROUNDS WILLIAM A. HODGES, Chairman
Selectman Callahan offered a substitute motion as follows: That the sum of $20,000. be raised and appropriated for the construction of side- walks, curbings and streets approved by the Selectmen, said sum to be for materials and supplies and work to be supervised by the Street Department, and further, That the sum of $50,000. be raised and appro- priated for the Welfare Department, who shall certify to the Street De- partment the names of all able-bodied men who have been on welfare one week prior to certification. The Welfare shall, upon notice that a suffi- cient amount of work has been performed satisfactorily, reimburse said worker from the above sum at the rate of $5. per day, provided, that no family shall receive in excess of $16. for any one week from this sum nor less than $5.
Mr. Cate moved: To amend the Appropriation Committee's recom- mendations by substituting the amount of $50,000.
Mr. Charles Griffin moved: To amend the Appropriation Committee's recommendations by substituting the amount of $60,000.
Mr. Buchan moved: To amend Mr. Cate's amendment by substituting the amount of $30,000.
The amendment of Mr. Charles Griffin being the larger amount was first voted upon and so voted. This amount being adopted the amend- ments of lesser amounts was not voted upon.
Mr. Faul doubted the vote and the following tellers were appointed and sworn by the Moderator: Mr. Osborn, Mr. Ditchett, Mr. Wallace and Mr. Silvester.
1 Report of Tellers on Motion of Mr. Griffin was 95 in the affirmative and 48 in the negative.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, and thus amended, was adopted.
ARTICLE 3. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: Of the money appropriated under Article 2 of this Warrant, $25,000. of the amount so provided shall be set apart for the purpose of constructing permanent sidewalks and/or curbings throughout the Town in accordance with a plan of the Planning Board who, with the Agency set up under Article 2 shall be the Sponsors for all sidewalk and curb projects under this Article.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 4. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: That all Committees who have not rendered a final report to be continued until the work under charge is completed.
The Committee appointed in accordance with the vote taken at the Annual Town Meeting of 1940 to consider the matter of salaries, wages, vacations and sick leave submit the following report :-- .
39
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, comparisons and thought, submit the following recommendations.
Paragraph 1. While there is some variance in salaries and wages paid for similar positions in number of Towns and smaller cities com- parable to Weymouth in population, valuation, etc., consid- ering the matter in a general way, those paid in Weymouth compare favorably.
2. We feel there is a certain security of employment for those working for the Town of Weymouth, which is not always true in private employment. There also is the advantage in saving of travelling costs, in both money and time, com- pared with those employed at greater distances from home. . We think these facts should be considered by both employees and Town Meeting members.
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 Town for any considerable length of time. We do not feel our recommendations should apply to 1940 budget under consideration at this meeting.
4. On vacations, it is present practise in most departments to allow employees a two weeks vacation with pay. We rec- ommend that this be adopted generally after employee has served Town continuously for one year or longer.
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.
6. Your committee, having in mind that all employees doing the same style of work should have the same scale of pay and the same opportunities for advancement submit here- with minimum and maximum salary recommendations, with the feeling that the adoption of these recommendations will
A. Eliminate any feeling of discrimination between depart- ments.
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 per- sonal advancement.
D. Result in standard salary and wage scales and uniform vacation periods, both of which are fair and equitable to both employees and the taxpayers of the town.
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 employees who have served Town for three years or more unless for justifiable reasons.
B. For clerical and stenographie work a minimum salary of twelve dollars per week be established and a maximum of twenty-five dollars per week.
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C. Increases from minimum shall not be more than two dollars per week per year.
D. If, on account of previous service, experience and capa- bilities, 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 con- trolled by State or Federal Government.
9. On School Department, we feel salaries and working condi- tions for all employees should be left to the School Com- mittee, subject to the approval of the Town Meeting.
10. Police Department, we recommend no changes.
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.
12. Street Department, we recommend no change.
13. Water Department, we feel there should be a readjustment made in salaries of laborers to equal that amount paid in Street Department for the same type of work.
14. Welfare Department, we feel that the recommendations con- tained in paragraph seven should apply to all office employ- ees in this department.
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.
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
Mr Sampson of the Appropriation Committee moved: That the report of this committee be accepted as read and the recommendations of this committee be adopted.
Mr. Drown moved to amend Mr. Sampson's motion as follows: Amend- ment to report on salaries, wages, vacations and sick leave for town employees :
Library Department: Salaries and working conditions for employees should be left to the Trustees of the Tufts Library, subject to the ap- proval of the Town Meeting.
This to be added to the report of the committee and to be known as paragraph 9B of the Committee's report.
41
Mr. John Wm. O'Donnell moved: to accept the report of the committee as thus amended by Mr. Drown and that no action on the adoption of the report of the committee to study salaries, wages, vacations and sick leave be taken at this meeting.
So voted.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 5. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the 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, 1941 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with General Laws, (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 44, Section 17; and debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1941.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee, as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 6. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: That the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized on and after January 1, 1942 to borrow such money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the fiscal year beginning January 1, 1942 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year from the date of issue and that any 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 offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
ARTICLE 7. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: No action.
Motion of the Appropriation Committee as offered by Mr. Field, was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Gunn asked unanimous consent to consider Article 57 of the War- rant in conjunction with Article 8.
Unanimous consent did not prevail.
Mr. Gunn then moved to take up Article 57 of the Warrant at this time. So voted.
ARTICLE 57. Mr. Field, for the Appropriation Committee, moved: That the Town instruct the Board of Assessors to furnish the Board of Se- lectmen with a list of all assessed valuations of real estate for publication in the annual Town Report for the year 1944.
Mr. Gunn then explained to the assembly the purpose of revaluation of property in Weymouth within the Assessor's Dept., with relations to a. list of all assessed valuations of real estate for publication in the annual Town Report for the year 1944.
Mr. Stein of the Appropriation Committee moved: To amend the re- commendations of the Appropriation Committee under Article 57 as fol- lows: For the purpose of carrying out the intention of the motion as pre- sented in Article 57 the sum of $2250. be raised and appropriated. Motion lost.
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