USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1952 > Part 19
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Real Estate
2,051,406.99
Loans Authorized Unissued :
2,107,740.26
School
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise:
Levy of 1950
268.85
Levy of 1951
15,945.16
Tax Judgments
93.79
Unexpended Balances:
General
1,928,499.38 191,464.02
Sewer 1950
15.84
Sewer 1951
8,394.60
Reserve Fund - Overlay Surplus
2,119,963.40 51,250.02
Cash:
General
$ 299,302.11 140,088.37
Water
250.00
Petty Advance to Collector
$ 439,640.48
Sewer Guarantee Deposits
Sale of Real Estate Fund
2,041.71
Premium on Bonds
1,250.35
State Assessments 1951
92,360.21
County Tax 1951
103,513.97
School Athletic Fund
12,512.66
Sewer
Water
$ 50,000.00 200,000.00 100,000.00
350,000.00
16,214.01
Special Assessments:
Water
Levy of 1951 :
Levy of 1950:
Particular Sewer 1950
32.50
Particular Sewer 1951
2,434.02
Committed Interest 1950
10.37
Committed Interest 1951
3,139.53
Tax Titles
Tax Possessions
14,026.86 10,976.37 13,501.29
Revenue Reserved Until Collected: Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
, 16,214.01
Street
370.52
Tax Judgments
93.79
Public Welfare
42,832.79
Old Age Assistance
6,622.48
School Hall Rentals
240.00
Vocational Schools
3,335.74
53,401.53
Water
47,844.44
Water:
156,058.29
Rates
35,851.12
Surplus Revenue :
New Services
2,578.05
Construction
2,090.38
Liens 1950
436.88
Liens 1951
6,888.01
47,844.44
County Hospital Assessment - 1951 Underestimate Loans Authorized
3,217.82
350,000.00
Estimated Receipts to be Collected :
General
122,678.13 86,551.30
Water
209,229.43
$3,265,886.28
$3,265,886.28
Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: Levy of 1950 Levy of 1951
9,228.77 58,284.16
67,512.93
Special Assessment
14,026.86
Tax Title
10,976.37
Tax Possession
13,501.29
Departmental ยท
53,401.53
231
General
225,801.23
Water
31,054.65
256,855.88
Departmental
DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
$62,050.00
Apportioned Sewer Assessment Revenue:
Due in 1952
$7,714.00
1953
7,714.00
1954
7,704.00
1955
7,628.00
1956
7,623.00
1957
7,618.00
1958
7,608.00
1959
5,071.00
1960
3,370.00
62,050.00
232
Apportioned Particular Sewer Assessment Revenue : Due in 1952
$2,222.00
1953
2,222.00
1954
2,222.00
1955
2,222.00
1956
2,222.00
1957
2,222.00
1958
2,222.00
1959
1,886.00
1960
1,036.00
18,476.00
$80,526.00
$80,526.00
Apportioned Sewer Assessments Not Due
Apportioned Particular Sewer Assessments Not Due
18.476.00
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt: Inside Debt Limit Outsisde Debt Limit
$1,844,000.00 259,000.00
Inside Debt Limit: Schoolhouse Loans
$1,844,000.00
Outside Debt Limit: Water Loans
259,000.00
$2,103,000.00
$2,103,000.00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds:
Cash and Securities: In Custody of Town Treasurer
$857,259.41
Laban Pratt Hospital Fund:
Principal
300,000.00
Income
376,022.26
676,022.26
Quincy Tufts Fund:
Principal
2,000.00
Income
269.17
2,269.17
Library Funds :
Alida M. Denton
700.00
Walter G. Forsyythe
1,000.00
Mary Fifield King
2,000.00
Arthur E. Pratt
3,000.00
Charles Henry Pratt
500.00
William H. Pratt
2,798.80
Augustus J. Richards
5,000.00
Susan Hunt Stetson
2,500.00
John C. Rhines Fund: Principal Income
$ 10,000.00 5,236.52
$ 15,236.52
233
Charles Q. Tirrell Joseph E. Trask
1,000.00 12,805.88
Quincy Tufts: Reading Room Book
2,500.00
2,500.00
36,304.68
Elias S. Beals Park Fund:
Principal Income
1,000.00
147.61
1,147.61
Laban Pratt Fountain Fund:
Principal
400.00,
Income
680.46
1,080.46
Quincy Tufts Free Lecture Fund:
Principal
5,000.00
Income
1,083.97
Quincy Tufts Cemetery Fund
500.00
Martha Hannah King Cemetery Fund
82.29
Ashwood Cemetery Fund
500.01
Mary Fifield King Memorial Fund
94.14
Municipal Building Insurance Fund
117,938.30
$857,259.41
$857,259.41
.
MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
Annuity Savings Fund
$264,326.65
Annuity Reserve Fund
34,743.50
Pension Accumulation Fund
145,699.91
Military Service Fund
2,357.06
Expense Fund
2,019.67
Undistributed Income
5,135.19
$454,281.98
$454,281.98
Retirement Funds : Cash and Securities
$454,281.98
6,083.97
234
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
'10 the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
I am pleased to submit to you and, through you, to the citizens of Weymouth, my Annual Report of the taxes, interest and charges collected by me as Collector of Taxes during the year 1952. These collections, as made and paid over to the Town Treasurer, apply to the several lists com- mitted to me by the Board of Assessors for the years 1950, 1951 and 1952, and include assessments of Real and Personal Property, Polls, Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise, Common and Particular Sewer and Water Liens.
1950 TAXES
Balance Outstanding, January 1, 1952 (Includes all kinds of 1950 taxes)
$3,627.06
Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1952: Real Estate Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
$ 212.11
17.64
229.75
Total
$3,856.81
Less Collections of 1950 Taxes :
Real Estate
$2,381.82
Water Liens
173.53
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
103.15
Interest and Charges on above
229.75
Total
$2,888.25
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1950 Taxes:
Real Estate
$138.60
Real Estate Tax Title Credits
699.62
Water Lien Tax Title Credits
120.40
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
9.94
(Small Claims Court Judgment)
Total
$968.56
Total Abatements, Collections and Tax Title Credits
$3,856.81
Balance of 1950 Taxes Outstanding December 31, 1952
None
1951 TAXES
Balance Outstanding January 1, 1952 (Includes all kinds 1951 Taxes)
$195,274.42
Add December 31, 1951 - Commitment of Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
2,017.75
Add December 31, 1951 - Commitment of
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
3,637.17
235
Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1952:
Personal
$ 62.36
Real Estate
2,150.33
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
828.75
Polls Sewer - Unapportioned
2.27
Total
$204,049.65
Less Collections of 1951 Taxes:
Personal
$ 1937.94
Real Estate
92,682.08
Water Liens
1,492.54
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
29,699.37
Polls
204.00
Common Sewer - Unapportioned
6,364.66
Particular Sewer - Unapportioned
12,209.93
Common Sewer - Apportioned
722.01
Particular Sewer - Apportioned
344.95
Interest - Apportioned Sewer
303.74
Interest and Charges on above
3,120.31
Total
$149,081.53
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1951 Taxes:
Personal
$ 111.60
Real Estate
1,901.44
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise (Abated)
11,496.33
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
(Small Claims Court Judgment)
43.38
Polls
180.00
Common Sewer - Unapportioned
1,911.92
Real Estate Tax Title Credits
764.10
Water Liens Tax Title Credits
101.60
Re-Committed Common Sewer
8,931.37
Re-Committed Particular Sewer
23,352.96
Total
$ 48,794.70
Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits
$197,876.23
Balance of 1951 Taxes Outstanding December 31, 1952
$ 6,173.42
Summary of 1951 Taxes:
Real Estate
$ 5,811.70
Water Liens
278.03
Common Sewer - Apportioned
24.25
Interest - Apportioned Sewer
5.86
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
53.58
Total
$ 6,173.42
236
76.60
3,120.31
1952 TAXES
Commitments to Collector by Board of Assessors:
Personal
Real Estate
Water Liens
$ 726,504.78 2,456,404.72 7,926.26 241,868.77
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Polls
19,566.00
Common Sewer - Unapportioned
20,783.63
Particular Sewer - Unapportioned
29,127.15
Common Sewer - Apportioned
8,090.04
Particuular Sewer - Apportioned
4,722.38
Interest - Apportioned Sewer
3,822.84
Common Sewer - Paid in Advance
4,605.55
Particular Sewer - Paid in Advance
2,678.41
Interest - Sewer - Paid in Advance
77.50
$3,526,178.03
Add Interest and Charges Collected in 1952:
Personal
$ .87
Real Estate
373.29
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
308.14
Polls
455.40
1,137.70
Total
$3,527,315.73
Less Collection's of 1952 Taxes:
Personal
$ 721,946.10
Real Estate
2,329,070.83 6,040.70
Water Liens
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
174,548.24
Polls
17,890.00
Common Sewer - Apportioned
7,382.86
Particular Sewer - Apportioned
4,362.58
Committed Interest - Sewer
3,508.92
Common Sewer - Paid in Advance
4,380.55
Particular Sewer - Paid in Advance
2,678.41
Committed Interest - Sewer - Paid in Advance Interest and Charges on above
77.50
1,137.70
Total
$3,273,024.39
Less Abatements and Tax Title Credits on 1952 Taxes:
Personal
$ 668.33
Real Estate
22,876.94
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
11,502.97
Polls
1,402.00
Common Sewer - Apportioned
40.36
Interest - Apportioned Sewer
7.97
237
Real Estate Tax Title Credits Water Liens Tax Title Credits
2,194.14
109.60
225.00
Common Sewer - In Advance (Abated) Common Sewer - Apportioned Tax Title Credits Interest - Apportioned Sewer Tax Title Credits
68.80
14.64
Total
$ 39,110.75
Total Collections, Abatements and Tax Title Credits Balance of 1952 Tax Outstanding December 31, 1952 Summary of Outstanding 1952 Taxes:
$3,312,135.14 $215,180.59
Personal
$ 3,890.35
Real Estate
102,262.81
Water Liens
1,775.96
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
55,817.56
Polls
274.00
Common Sewer - Unapportioned
20,783.63
Particular Sewer - Unapportioned
29,127.15
Common Sewer - Apportioned
598.02
Particular Sewer - Apportioned
359.80
Interest - Apportioned Sewer
291.31
Total
$215,180.59
Fees Collected for Certificates of Municipal Liens in 1952
$ 1,278.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK W. HOLBROOK
Collector of Taxes
238
ASSESSORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1952
January 14, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We have assessed upon the polls, motor vehicle and trailer excise, water liens, sewerage and estates of all persons liable to taxation, the sum of $3,526,748.08, and have committed the same to Frank W. Holbrook, Esq., the duly elected Collector of Taxes, with our warrants in due form of law, for the collections and payments, in accordance with the votes of the Town of Weymouth, and warrants of the County of Norfolk and the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.
Dec. 31, 1951 Motor Vehicle Excise
$ 2,017.75
Dec. 31, 1951
Motor Vehicle Excise
3,637.17
Mar. 1, 1952 Motor Vehicle Excise
16,467.48
Apr. 1, 1952 Motor Vehicle Excise
16,904.98
May 1, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
12,993.58
May 12, 1952
Real Estate
504,400.00
May 12, 1952
Personal Estate
659,600.00
May 15, 1952
Poll
19,192.00
May 21, 1952
Personal Estate
66,904.78
June 16, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
11,376.68
July 28, 1952
Real Estate and Liens: Real Estate $1,951,838.85
Sewer - Common Interest
8,090.04
Sewer - Particular
4,722.38
Interest
1,322.74
Water Liens
7,926.26
Aug. 12, 1952
Poll
322.00
Aug. 12, 1952
Real Estate
317.19
Aug. 15, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
33,756.19
Sept. 2, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
10,292.09
Sept. 15, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
26,503.99
Oct. 15, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
9,686.44
Oct. 20, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
17,253.58
Nov. 15, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise Poll
52.00
Nov.
20, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
37,912.92
Dec. 15, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
15,350.00
Dec. Dec.
18, 1952
Real Estate
1,959.40
Dec. 18, 1952
Real Estate
165.87
Dec. 31, 1952
Sewer - Common
20,783.63
Dec. 31, 1952
Sewer - Particular
29,127.15
Dec. 31, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
10,146.87
$3,526,748.08
Divided as follows:
Real Estate
$2,458,681.31
Personal Estate
726,504.78
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
247,523.69
Polls
19,566.00
Water Liens
7,926.26
13,323.97
Nov.
17, 1952
16, 1952
Motor Vehicle Excise
9,900.00
2,500.10
1,976,400.37
239
Sewerage:
Common Interest Particuluar Interest
$28,873.67 2,500.10 33,849.53 1,322.74
66,546.04
$3,526,748.08
State Liabilities
State Parks and Reservations
$ 47,154.55
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,964.98
State Examination of Retirement System
153.04
Smoke Inspection Service
1,076.87
Metropolitan Sewerage - South System
61,238.18
Underestimates for 1951:
State Parks and Reservations
17,979.29
Smoke Inspection Service
.65
$129,567.56
County Liabilities
County Tax
$108,147.62
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
63,178.76
Underestimates for 1951:
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
3,217.82
$174,544.20
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
$219,635.85
Corporation Taxes
141,521.63
Old Age Tax (Meals)
10,210.53
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
200,000.00
Licenses
25,000.00
General Government
8,000.00
Charities
75,000.00
Old Age Assistance
245,000.00
Veterans' Benefits
30,000.00
Schools
34,000.00
Libraries
1,000.00
Public Service Enterprises
261,803.00
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
5,000.00
Unclassified
12,000.00
Grants and Gifts
50,000.00
Inspection
10,000.00
Overestimates of 1951:
Metropolitan Sewerage - South System
14,665.45
County Tax
5,194.49
Available Funds
325,118.13
$1,673,149.08
240
Summary - 1952
Appropriations:
Town Meeting : March 3-5-7, 1952
$4,169,249.29
Taken from Available Funds:
In 1952 $262,718.13
In 1951 62,400.00
325,118.13
$4,494,367.42 129,567.56
174,544.20
76,605.53
$4,875,084.71
Credits
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds $1,673,149.08
$3,201,935.63
Table of Aggregates
Tax Rate for the year 1952:
Real and Personal Estate
$38.80
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
48.25
Valuation for the year 1952:
Real Estate
$63,309,400.00
Personal Estate
18.724,350.00
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
5,920,280.00
Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed :
December 31, 1951
614
December 31, 1951
298
March 1, 1952
642
April 1, 1952
830
May 1, 1952
684
June 16, 1952
654
August 15, 1952
1,665
September 2, 1952
1,024
September 15, 1952
1,317
October 15, 1952
715
October 20, 1952
1,198
November 15, 1952
1,415
November 20, 1952
2,647
December 15, 1952
876
December 16, 1952
99
December 31, 1952
663
Total Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed 15,341
241
Number of Polls Assessed:
May 14, 1952 August 12, 1952 November 17, 1952
9,596
161
29
Total Number of Polls Assessed
9,783
Number of Polls exempted by law or otherwise
798
Number of Persons assessed on property
15,363
Number of Horses assessed
38
Number of Cows assessed
165
Number of other Neat Cattle assessed
7
Number of Fowl assessed
10,675
Number of Acres of Land assessed
7,619
Number of Dwelling Houses assessed
9,547
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. BURGESS, Chairman
HARRY E. BEARCE, Chief Clerk
FRANK A. PRAY
JOHN W. HEFFERNAN
GEORGE H. BELL
Board of Assessors
242
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL January - June
December 31, 1952
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
May I thank you sincerely for the opportunity of presenting through you to the townspeople a final report and farewell word as Town Counsel. As you so well know, the Legislature in enacting Chapter 603 of the Acts of 1952 provided that the Presiding Justice of the District Court of East Norfolk should no longer engage in the practice of the law either directly or indirectly after the effective date of the Act on August 4, 1952. Accord- ingly, under date of July 1, 1952, I wrote you severing my connection with the Legal Department.
After having been elected by your honorable board to serve as Town Counsel for twenty-one consecutive terms, it was not easy to sever my connection with the office, but it seemed the only thing for me to do. I wish to thank you for your continued confidence in my work over this period of more than two decades, and through you my appreciation of the constant help that the Town officers and employees extended me. Without such assistance my work would have suffered measurably and become more burdensome.
The only major legal matter of interest to the Town that has recently been decided by Judge Edward J. McPartlin of the Land Court resulted in a favorable decision. This is the case of Crowley et al, Petitioner, vs. the Town of Weymouth, by which the petitioner sought to establish in himself title of the "Mall," or "North Weymouth Green," roughly the area adjacent to the entrance to Church Street, and shown on the most recent Atlas of the Town of Weymouth as "common land." The decision substantiated the Town's contention that the area had become a portion of the Town's land. This case was prepared and tried by Messrs. Joseph M. Leahy and Daniel L. O'Donnell, Attorneys, who should be commended for their searching investigation of the ancient records, securing of con- vincing and well-informed citizens as witnesses, and their general analysis of the law as presented to the Court in their brief.
May I add that as I now bow out I cannot now disassociate my thinking from the many difficult problems confronting you daily, and wish for you the sympathetic assistance and understanding of our citizens that will prove helpful in lightening your burdens.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. NASH
243
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SURVEY OF ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION BY GRIFFENHAGAN ASSOCIATES
BOARD OF HEALTH:
The Board is composed of 3, the personnel of the department is made up of 5, 1 health agent, 1 nurse, 1 dental hygienist, 1 clerk, and 1 laborer; payroll cost approximately $14,000.
The survey gives us 20 pages of data and 24 items of recommendations, some with merit and some without.
There was a law passed in October, 1949, Chapter 662, which will com- pel us to construct a building adequate to take care of a much larger force in this department.
The bill asks for a full-time health director, a physician not engaged in private practice, a full-time supervisor of nursing, a full-time nurse for every 7,500 population, a school nurse and supervisor can be included in the quota, a sanitarian for each 25,000 population, and a clerk for each 15,000 population.
Thus one can see wherein we may be obliged to appropriate much larger sums for this department at some future date.
This bill becomes effective October, 1959. However, there is a clause in the bill that reads: "Whenever an analysis of the health department program of a municipality reveals that satisfactory minimum health serv- ices are being rendered by a staff not meeting the requirements described herein, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health may approve the request of the municipality for exemption."
The health agent has advised us they will meet all the requirements of the bill by October, 1959, and will apply for exemption.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE:
In August, 1950, the time survey was made. The personnel of this department was 10 in number-1 agent, 4 social workers, and 5 clerks; the payroll cost was $22,996.
The survey contends there is no opportunity for a saving here. It recommends the abolishment of one clerk ($1,500) and the hiring of two additional social workers at $3,500 each per year. At the time of our visit to this office, the agent showed us a volume of data to be processed and filed. The load in this department is growing and the agent is not only in need of additional help, but more office space is urgently needed.
Engrossed in the survey we find 21 items suggesting changes in agent's system of administration; what percent of these he will deem it feasible to use we do not know.
We feel the job is his; he lives with it, and no doubt he knows what it is all about.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
The department is comprised of 3, one director and two clerks; payroll cost $7,630.
In accordance with the statistics, this office could function with one less clerk.
244
Financial assistance cases average about $80 per month.
The month of April 1950 records indicate 17 home visits. Telephone calls and visitors to the office averaged about 12 per day.
Item of $500 per year for car allowance seems out of proportion when one considers the amount allotted a nurse in the health department is $400 per month.
The survey recommends that this department be made a part of the Welfare Department: this suggestion is contrary to the law of the State, and the committee feels that any bill presented to the General Court to change the law would be defeated.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
The personnel of the department is 1 chief, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants and 43 patrolmen.
The department has 4 cars equipped with two-way radios.
The Chief assigns 14 men daily to direct traffic where school children cross.
The survey contends the force is overmaned by four.
The Chief takes issue with this statement and states that every man he has is urgently needed. With 25 years of police work in this Town, the committee thinks the chief knows best.
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
The survey extends credit to the cheif of the department. It states the administrator is alert and progressive.
It also recommends additional men; these, the chief advised us, he does not need.
It also recommends underground conduit for the alarm messenger wires. The approximate cost is $9000 per mile: we have about 160 miles of streets in the Town, thus one can readily see the cost is prohibitive.
Over 80 percent of the calls reach the station via telephone.
TOWN LIBRARIES:
Main building is Tufts Library in Weymouth Landing.
The personnel is made up of 18 employees at a payroll cost of $35,325 per year. At our meeting with the Trustees, the fact was revealed the pres- ent building is badly in need of repairs and its location is hazardous. Both the Trustees and the committee feel that the Town should sell this building and solicit a parcel of land in Weymouth Landing where a new library building can be erected.
The committee feels our library is giving the Town a very creditable service, and we find no cause for criticism.
TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT:
The survey states: "The operation is carried out in an economic and efficient manner." Committee: No comments.
245
HARBOR MASTER AND SHELLFISH CONSTABLE:
The survey states: "The Town is receiving full value for its money here." Committee: No comments.
CUSTODIAN OF VETERANS' GRAVES :
The statutes direct Town to provide money for care of veterans' graves. The custodian is appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
In 1949, the Town provided $475 for this work. The thought was ex- pressed that the park department is better equipped to meet this assign- ment, and the appropriation should be transferred to this department.
This work is not as simple as one may think it to be. Records must be kept of every grave in all cemeteries within the Town; the custodian must know where to locate each grave; flags and flowers must be placed and care given each grave.
There are about 1090 veterans' graves in Weymouth.
PARK DEPARTMENT:
The survey suggests the park commission should secure the services of one official to direct the activities; this would incur additional expense, and whereas the park program is a seasonal one, we feel the present policy will suffice.
WATER DEPARTMENT:
This survey comes up with 12 recommendations: most all ideas sub- mitted here were advanced to the agent by the superintendent of water department. A few of these were being worked at time of the survey and have since been completed. It would be necessary to obtain legislative revision to enter into two of the recommendations.
Our water department is functioning very good at present.
SEWER DEPARTMENT:
This is a new innovation into our Town and one that must progress as fast as the means of the taxpayers can afford.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT:
The Accountant is appointed by the board of selectmen; the incumbent is subject to civil service regulation; most of the work assigned to this office is prescribed statute.
In the office of Division of Accounts, State House, Boston, I was in- formed that an order to audit the accounts in our accountant's office was always a pleasant one due to the efficient manner in which our accountant keeps his records.
Our committees sees no cause for any change here.
INSPECTION SERVICES:
Staff includes 1 building inspector, 1 wiring inspector, 1 plumbing in- spector, and 1 senior clerk.
Payroll cost, $12,460, does not include two items for car allowance, respectively ($600 and ($500).
The inspector issues all permits and collects the fee, which does not reach the town treasurer for three or four days.
The senior clerk should be responsible for the issuance of all permits and collection of fees.
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The money should be deposited with the treasurer daily.
TOWN ENGINEER:
Our Town does not maintain an engineering department, and never has.
A private engineer does most of the work for the Town; he is author- ized by the Board of Selectmen and does work for all departments; whereas there is a committee appointed to consider a full-time engineer for the Town. We are withholding any recommendation at this time.
ASSESSORS :
In the survey we do not find any outstanding criticism of their office and performance. To quote the survey: "Abatements are not a serious problem in Weymouth."
TOWN TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES:
It was recommended to combine the duties and responsibilities of these offices. The office of the State Division of Accounts advised it would be unwise for the Town to comply with this. The committee feels we maintain a healthy condition in these departments and does not approve of any change.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:
In the survey, a great deal has been said relative to a director of public works department. It was the thought of the ocnsultants that through a consolidation of the water, sewer, highway, park, engineering, tree and moth departments, the Town would get a more efficient administration and a better performance.
The committee sees merit in this idea providing the Town approves of a public works department garage with office space for the departments involved. It would then necessitate the drafting of a bill to present to the General Court permitting a change in our present system of Town govern- ment.
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