USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1946-1948 > Part 18
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4. Sufficient data to determine readily the location, bearing and length of every street and way line, lot line, and bound- ary line and to reproduce same on the ground.
5. The location of all permanent monuments.
6. Profiles of proposed streets. Profiles may be on the same sheet as plat or on separate tracing cloth of same dimen- sions as plat sheets.
7. Topography with two foot contour intervals, when required by the Board.
8. Plans and profiles shall bear the proposed street names in pencil only until after they have been approved by the Board.
9. If no preliminary plat has been submitted, the record plat or supplementary plats filed therewith shall show location, name and width of adjacent streets.
The record plat should be accompanied by a properly executed dedication form which will be supplied by the Town Engineer.
B. Within 30 days of the filing of the petition the Board will hold a public hearing. Said publie hearing shall be advertised at least once in the Scituate Herald at least 10 days before the date of the hearing, and copies of the advertisement shall be posted in the Town Hall and Post Offices in Seituate, and shall also be sent by registered mail to all owners of property abutting upon land included in the plat.
C. FINAL APPROVAL. The Board shall review the record plat in the light of these regulations including the adopted require- ments of design (Section 4 hereof ) and of the testimony at the public hearing. After such review, the Board shall approve, mod- ify and approve, or disapprove the record plat. If the Board approves the plat, its approval shall be subject to improvement requirements set forth in Section 3 hereof. Approval of a plat by the Board shall not be deemed an acceptance by the Town of any street or public way or grounds. Approval shall be recorded with the records of the Board and upon a showing that the improve- ment requirements of Section 3 have been performed or that the security bond provided for in Section 3 has been deposited the Board's certificate of approval shall be executed by the Chairman, attested by the Town Clerk, and delivered to the petitioner.
92
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
Section 3. Improvement Requirements.
A. CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS. Approval of the record plat shall be conditional and subject to the following improvements being constructed to the satisfaction of the Board prior to the sale of any platted lot or the erection of a building thereon.
1. Each street or portion thereof required for access to such lot to be brought to proper sub-grade at least twenty-four feet wide and given from six to ten inches of good binding gravel, or better, as the Board shall determine, at least twenty feet wide.
2. All surface water thereby concentrated to be suitably dis- posed of by drains or other means.
3. Monuments of stone or concrete at all intersections of streets with post boundary lines, and where there is a change in direction of curvature.
B. ALTERNATIVE SECURITY BOND. As an alternative, any part of the above improvements may be deferred until after the sale of lots, provided that their performance within two years is guaranteed by the posting of a bond in a sufficient amount, as deter- mined by the Board, to cover the estimated cost of the improve- ments. Such bond shall contain a recital that it is made for the use and benefit of all persons who may purchase or become owners of any lot or lots in the subdivision, and that such persons, as well as the Town of Scituate, are obligees of the bond with full right to proceed or sue thereon. The form of and sureties upon the bond shall be subject to the approval of the Town Treasurer.
Section 4. General Requirements of Design.
A. SUITABILITY OF THE LAND. No land shall be sub- divided for residential use if, from adequate investigation, the Board determines that it cannot be used for building purposes without danger to health.
B. STREETS. Location and Alignment :
1. The street system shall conform to the master plan of pro- posed principle streets as adopted in whole or in part by the Board.
2. Streets shall be continuous and in alignment with existing streets, as far as practicable.
3. Provisions shall be made for the proper projection of streets, if adjoining property is not subdivided.
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PLANNING BOARD REPORT
4. The minimum center-line radii of streets shall be one hun- dred feet; greater radii may be required for principal streets. All curved streets must be designed to permit safe vehicular travel.
5. Any dead-end street shall be provided with a circular turn- around at the end having a curb radius not less than thirty- five feet.
6. There shall be no reserve strips controlling access to public or private ways.
Width :
1. The minimum width of street rights-of-way shall be forty feet. The Board may require a street to be more than forty feet in width if in its judgment a wider street is necessary or desirable.
2. Street lines at intersections shall be cut back so as to pro- vide for curb radii of not less than twenty feet.
Grade:
1. Grades of all streets shall be the reasonable minimum, but shall not be less than 0.5% nor more than 6% for principal streets, or more than 12% for minor streets.
C. PUBLIC OPEN SPACES. The Board shall require in proper cases that the plat show a park or parks suitably located for play ground or recreational purposes. Due regard shall be shown for all natural features, such as large trees, water courses, scenic points, historical spots, and similar community assets which, if preserved, will add attractiveness and value to the property.
D. GENERAL. A variation of these design requirements may be permitted when, in the opinion of the Board, topography or other consideration necessitates such variation .
Section 5. General.
A. The Planning Board may, for good cause shown, waive or modify the application of any of these regulations in cases where, in the opinion of the Board, such application would be inappro- priate or would occasion unnecessary hardships.
B. These Regulations are subject to amendment from time to time by the Planning Board.
C. If any section or provision of these Regulations shall be held to be illegal or invalid, this shall not affect the validity of other sections or provisions hereof.
94
VETERANS COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Scituate, Massachusetts
Submitted herewith is the report of the activities of the Vet- erans Service Office from the date of my appointment, October 23, 1947.
The availability of an office in the center of the Town's busi- ness district has proven a decided advantage to the Veterans and a very close tie-up with the Veterans Bureau in Boston and Brock- ton has accomplished creditable results.
Thanks are especially due to the Chairman of your Board for the cooperation he has rendered the Veterans and myself. Thanks must also be given to The American Legion office in Boston and to the representatives of the Veterans Bureau who serve in this area.
The office is for the benefit of all Veterans and their depend- ents and it is my sincere wish that they will not hesitate to call if we can be of service.
Respectfully submitted, JEROME F. CROWLEY, Veterans Service Officer, Town of Scituate, Massachusetts.
REPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The year 1947 was an important one in railroad transportation matters in this area. Final approval was given to the reorganization plan of the New Haven Railroad and, in September, the Company was taken out of bankruptcy. On October Ist, the first "critical period" in the determination of passenger losses on the Old Colony Division began. If, during the year ending October 1, 1948, these losses exceed $850,000, the Railroad may discontinue all passenger service on the Old Colony lines. As of December 31, 1947, the losses had already passed $900,000 and were accumulating at the rate of $10,000 per day.
95
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Efforts of the communities affected to find a way to cut down these losses and keep the trains running have centered in the Old Colony Transportation Committee. This committee has been func- tioning for well over two years. Its first Chairman was Vernon W. Marr of North Scituate, who resigned in the summer of 1947 to accept a position as Commissioner in the Department of Public Utilities. Harry Donald of Egypt is Secretary to the Committee. The writer has also represented the Town since the inception of the Committee and has recently served on a sub-committee of four to work out with the New Haven Railroad Company some plan which would substantially reduce operating costs while at the same time retaining for the Towns the most important railroad service.
This plan was presented to the full committee on January 15, 1948. That part of the plan which relates to the Greenbush Divi- sion was unanimously approved in full. The plan calls for the elimination of all Sunday service and the 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. trains out of Greenbush on weekdays. The present 7:15 P.M. train from Boston would run to Quincy with a bus connection there for Cohasset. All trains now running on weekdays between Boston and Cohasset with a change at Braintree would have bus service between Quincy and Cohasset, rather than train service between Braintree and Cohasset. There are also some changes in the Satur- day service. The train now originating at Hingham at 7:24 A.M. will instead start at Greenbush at 7:00 A.M., thus providing a new train for Scituate residents.
In addition to cutting losses through reductions in service, the Railroad Company hopes to make further gains by charging higher prices. A petition for increased fares -- which would be the first permanent boost for commuters in twenty-four years-has been before the Department of Public Utilities since October 1947, and should be acted upon early in 1948.
No promises have been made and no authoritative predictions for the future can be made. However, those close to the situation are optimistic. We feel that if the residents of the Old Colony area will agree to pay a reasonably higher fare and get along with reduced service, there will be rail service on our lines for many years to come.
Respectfully submitted,
KILBY P. SMITH, JR.
96
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT
REPORT OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
The Zoning Board of Appeals held seven public hearings in 1947 at which petitions for variances of the Zoning By-Law were heard.
After due consideration, two of these petitions were granted and seven were denied.
In addition, the Board held preliminary meetings for the prep- aration and consideration of these various petitions for variances.
Respectfully submitted,
W. CLEVELAND COGGSWELL, Chairman, FRANK L. WESTERHOFF, ALBERT W. HOLCOMB.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE TOWN IN ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 3, 1947
At first thought, the amount of remuneration which the Town should pay its public servants may seem a simple matter to adjust, but as one studies the situation, more and more problems present themselves and the Committee found that to arrive at what seemed to them to be a just and equitable proposal for the salary or pay of each individual, a thorough study of the duties and responsi- bilities of each must be made.
To this end, the heads of all departments were invited to appear before the Committee to give an outline of the work in- volved in their office and the duties performed and responsibilities placed upon those directly in their charge.
We received excellent cooperation from the heads of all de- partments and had many frank and amiable discussions which led to a greater knowledge of the work involved in our Town offices and to the conclusion that in comparison with the amounts paid for like services in private industry in most cases our town em- ployees were very much underpaid.
97
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Your Committee has studied the salary plans adopted by vari- ous towns in the Commonwealth and was much helped by Mr. Herbert Mills, executive secretary of the Brookline Taxpayers As- sociation, a veteran in taxpayers problems, who kindly gave of his time to come and explain plans which have met the need in Brook- line and other communities.
We found it hard to make comparisons of salaries with other towns because there seems to be none which have as wide a popu- lation variation between summer and winter and derive income from so many non resident taxpayers. Our year 'round population of 5,000 puts us in a group of towns where the duties imposed upon public officials and employees might be comparable, but our large area, with its valuation of approximately $14,000,000.00 and the in- crease in population of approximately 20,000 at the height of the season, places us in an entirely different group. In suggesting sal- aries and rates of compensation, these inequalities have all been taken into consideration.
As far back as 1922, the City of Saint Paul realized that sal- aries of Municipal employees should follow the pattern of the cost of living. They took the year 1916 as the base year for the cost of living index. Consequently, the adjusting percentage, reflecting changes in the cost of living, is always expressed in terms of the extent by which the current cost of living exceeds that of 1916. For instance, in 1922 the adjustment was set at 50% indicating the increase in the cost of living between the two dates. In the next 20 years while the plan was in effect, the scale showed a variation of 50% in 1922 to 31% in 1936 and back to 43% in 1942. This plan was eminently successful in St. Paul and was copied with some modifications to meet local conditions in many other munici- palities.
In order that any salary plan based on the cost of living index may be equitable, it is agreed by eminent authorities on the subject that the base pay should first be established in accordance with duties performed and responsibility assumed. This we have en- deavored to do, using the knowledge acquired by the method de- scribed in the second paragraph. The adoption of these salaries as suggested should become the salaries for the year from March 1, 1948 to March 1, 1949. We propose that adjustments in accordance with the index of the cost of living be made on that part of the employee's salary below $1600.00 per year and that this adjustment be made in accordance with the "combined index" of the Division of Necessities of Life, Massachusetts Department of Labor and In- dustries. That the amount of adjustment (increase or decrease)
98
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
be determined by the Town Accountant and presented to the heads of Departments for determining the amount for salaries to be in- cluded in their budget for the following year.
SALARIES
1939
1947
1948
Ligt. Exp.
Selectmen
Chairman
$1,800.00
$2,600.00
$3,000.00
66
66
Associates
540.00
660.00
700.00
Town Accountant
1,750.00
2,200.00
2,700.00
66
66
Town Treasurer
1.800.00
2,420.00
2,520.00
66
66
Town Collector
1,850.00
2,662.00
2,800.00
Assessors
Chairman
1,755.00
2,200.00
2,500.00
Associates
438.75
550.00
750.00
66
66
Town Clerk
1,200.00
1,452.00
1,500.00
66
66
Town Engineer
1.50 per hr.
2,600.00
3,200.00
66
66
Asst. Town Engineer
400.00
66
66
Police Dept.
Chief
2,500.00
3,327.50
3,500.00
Sergeant
2,100.00
2,795.00
3,200.00
Officers
2,000.00
2,662.00
2,950.00
Fire Dept.
Chief
2,200.12
3,291.50
3,500.00
Captain
2,099.76
2,794.50
3,200.00
Lieutenant
2,049.84
2,729.50
3,150.00
Firemen
1,999.92
2,662.00
2,950.00
Sealer of Wghts. and Msrs.
450.00
495.00
500.00
Tree Warden
292.50
330.00
400.00
66
66
Nurse
1,600.00
2,215.40
2,340.00
66
66
Highway Surveyor
1,980.00
3,120.00
3,600.00
66
66
Mechanics and special equipment operators maximum $1.25 per hour Labor on the highway $1.00 per hour.
Welfare Dept.
Chairman
462.50
440.00
600.00
66
66
Associates
92.50
165.00
200.00
66
66
200.00
66
66
Social Worker
1,560.00
66
66
Water Dept.
Superintendent
2,749.92
3,672.90
3,900.00
Foreman
2,106.00
2,968.00
3,000.00
Engineer
1,976.00
2,710.95
3,000.00
Servicemen
1,820.00
2,516.80
2,600.00
Clerk
1,560.00
66
Chairman
500.00
550.00
700.00
Associates
350.00
385.00
400.00
66
66
400.00
66
66
Health Dept.
750.00
66
66
66
99
SCHOOL HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT
Water Comm.
Chairman
180.00
195.00
350.00
66
66
Associates
300.00
66
66
Moderator
50.00
110.00
110.00
Harbor Master
600.00
1,100.00
1,200.00
Building Comm.
Park Commissioners
Each member to be paid the same amount per hour for work actually performed as is paid laborers in the Highway Department.
General Clerks and Stenographers
First year minimum
1,300.00
Second year
1,400.00
Third year maximum
1,500.00
$100 additional for each five year service.
In making these recommendations, we have tried to set a rate of recompense for the office, rather than the man. It is the pre- rogative of all the voters to select the best man to fill these posi- tions, men of unquestionable integrity and ability to perform their tasks and choose and appoint those who serve under them.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP S. BAILEY, Chairman
ALLAN R. WHEELER, Secretary MARK W. MURRILL
WILLIAM R. SCHULTZ
JOSEPH N. MURPHY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL HOUSING COMMITTEE
To the voters of Scituate:
Your School Housing Committee has been meeting frequently during the past year with the object in mind of being prepared to raise money at this Town Meeting for the building of an Elemen- tary School in July of this year, at which time the restrictions on our land are removed.
Mr. Burr, of the firm of Mclaughlin & Burr, has been working with us on these plans. Many plans and specifications have been drawn up and considered. These plans and specifications have advanced to the point where we have been able to get estimates on the building. An average of these figures, obtained from three well known contractors, indicate that the building will cost ap-
100
66 66
2,080.00
66
66
300.00
SCHOOL HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT
proximately $650,000.00. This figure is based on the assumption that we will not build the auditorium and gym which show on our plans and which would add an amount of approximately $392,000.00. These plans and estimates have been placed before the Planning Board and other representative Town Committees for their examination and approval.
At the present time our architect, Mr. Burr, advises us that it is not possible to get bids from representative contractors on work to be started in July. For this reason, we are not asking that money be raised for the building at this Town Meeting.
We do, however, refer you to two articles in the Town War- rant of 1948 which are essential as a preliminary to the raising of building funds.
It is the hope of your committee that we will be in a position to ask for a special Town Meeting, possibly next May or June, for the purpose of raising funds for the building of our Elemen- tary School.
Your Committee wishes to thank the selectmen and any others who have assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. PAGE, Chairman MARY HEFFERNAN MARION BROWN DANIEL VINES SAMUEL TILDEN
101
STATE AUDIT REPORT
REPORT OF THE STATE AUDIT
April 18, 1947
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Dennis H. Shea, Chairman Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the fiscal year ending Decem- ber 31, 1946, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS X. LANG, Director of Accounts.
FXL:GEM
Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1946 and submit the following report thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were reconciled with the books and reports in the town accountant's office and with the records of the town treasurer.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the receipts being checked with the treasurer's books, while the payments were com- pared with the warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The appropriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings and the
102
STATE AUDIT REPORT
recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified by com- parison with the records of the finance committee.
A trial balance, proving the accounts to be in balance, was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on De- cember 31, 1946. This balance sheet indicates that the town is in very good financial condition.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the payments were compared with the select- men's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds.
The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance on March 24, 1947 was proved by reconciliation of the bank bal- ances with statements furnished by the banks in which town funds are deposited.
The payments made for maturing debt and interest were com- pared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securi- ties and coupons on file.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and reconciled with the tax books and with the accountant's ledger, while the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book. The records of tax possessions were examined and listed, the addi- tions as a result of tax title foreclosures being proved and the sales being compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts. Tax title and tax possession transactions were further verified by comparison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The savings bank books and securities representing the in- vestment of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income being proved and the withdrawals being checked with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The taxes and assessments outstanding at the time of the previous examination and all subsequent commitments were audited and compared with the assessors' warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the re- corded abatements were checked with the assessors' records, the amounts transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the account- ant's ledger.
103
STATE AUDIT REPORT
The commitments of departmental and water accounts re- receivable were examined and checked. The reported payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were checked with the records of the departments authorized to grant them, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
Verification of the correctness of the outstanding tax, depart- mental, and water accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the outstanding accounts, as listed, are correct.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined for dog and sporting licenses issued, as well as for renewal of gasoline per- mits, the payments to the State being checked with receipts on file and the reported payments to the town treasurer being compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
The surety bonds of the various town officials required to file them were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts of the board of selectmen, of the board of health, of the sealer of weights and measures, of the building inspector, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked, the recorded collections being compared with the treas- urer's recorded receipts.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, assessment, tax title, departmental, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and tran- sactions of the trust and investment funds.
During the progress of the audit, cooperation was extended by the various town officials, for which I wish, on behalf of my assist- ants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
HBD: GEM
For complete details and figures consult Director of Accounts' Audit on file at the Selectmen's Office.
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