USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lenox > Town annual report of the town of Lenox, Massachusetts > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
32 Welfare Administration
$ 1,550.00
$ 1,140.00
$ 1,287,00
$ 1,287.00
33 Charity Department
10,701.13
6,385.63
8,500.00
8,500.00
34 Old Age Assistance
32,549. 40
38,028.25
38,000.00
38,000.00
35 Aid to Dependent Children
1,000.00
3,000.00
3,500.00
3,500.00
36 Disability Assistance
1,037.00
3,535,53
4,000.00
4,000.00
37 Veterans' Service
2,335.70
1,739.76
2,450.00
2,450.00
Totals
$49,173.23
$53,829.17 $57,737.00
$57,737.00
Schools 46.4% of total
38 Administrative
$ 10,223.52 $ 11,038.14 $ 11,750.00 $ 11,750.00
38 Instructional-salaries
115,769.01
116,412.49
137,040.42
137,040.42
38 Instructional-expense
9,326.20
9,493.31
9,525.00
9,525.00
38 Operational
22,862.75
24,330.86
24,850.00
24,850.00
38 Maint. and Outlay
7,823.75
11,634.44
7,903.60
7,903.60
38 Auxiliary Agencies
15,732.37
19,535.90
24,371.00
24,371.00
Totals
$181,737.60 $192,461.39 $215,440.02 $215,440.02
Parks and Recreation 2.6% of total
39-1 Clifford Park
$1,499.86
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
39-2 Town Parks
1,477.22
1,800.00
1,500.00
39-3 Community Center, Maintenance
4,922.85
6,929.25
7,500.00
6,500.00
39-4 Community Center,
Recreational Program
839.67
3,268.73
2,500.00
2,500.00
Totals
$7,262.38
$13,175.20
$12,300.00
$12,000.00
Pensions 1.1% of total
40 Retirement System
$4,958.92
$5,681.22
$5,446.06
$5,446.06
30
Unclassified 2.5% of total
41 Memorial Day
$ 393.42
$ 542.00
$500.00
$500.00
41 Town Clock
75.00
75.00
100.00
100.00
41 Firemen's Poll tax refund
188.00
186.00
240.00
240.00
41 Printing and Postage
1,196.35
1,280.35
1,700.00
1,700.00
41 Telephone
612.30
743.30
700.00
700.00
41 Machinery Account
2,512.81
2,444.73
5,000.00
5,000.00
41 Quarters, Legion, Lenox Dale
350.00
342.50
600.00
600.00
41 Lenox Academy
1,029.32
1,113.41
1,200.00
1,200.00
Totals
$6,357.20
$6,727.29
$10,040.00
$10,040.00
Cemeteries .9% of total
Cemeteries
$ 5,035.13 $ 4,880.40
$ 4,200.00
$ 4,200.00
Insurance, Maturing Debt and Interest 4.0% of total
Insurance and Bonds
$ 5,740.45
$ 8,203.95
$ 8,847.53
$ 8,847.53
Town Debt and Interest
10,450.00
10,270.00
10,090.00
10,090.00
Totals
$16,190.45
$18,473.95
$18,937.53
$18,937.53
Budget Recapitulation
1956
1957
Increase or Decrease
General Government
$32,484.08
$34,025.00 $+1,540.92
Protection Persons and Property
31,597.20
34,605.73
+3,008.53
Health and Sanitation
19,447.76
19,800.00
+352.24
Highways
52,405.09
52,100.00
-305.09
Charities
53,829.17
57,737.00
+3,907.83
Schools
192,461.39
215,440.02
+22,978.63
Parks and Recreation
13,175.20
12,000.00
-1,175.20
Pensions
5,681.22
5,446.06
-235.16
Unclassified
6,727.29
10,040.00
+3,312.71
Cemeteries
4,880.40
4,200.00
-680.40
Insurance, Maturing Debt and Interest
18,473.95
18,937.53
+463.58
Total Budget Recommendations Special Articles
$431,162.75 $464,331.34 +$33,168.59
11,803.68
77,630.46 +65,826.78
$442,966.43 $541,961.80 +$98,995.37
31
Estimated charges:
County Tax, Hospitals, etc. Assessors' estimate, Overlay
$25,000.00 15,000.00
Total Recommendations and Estimates
$581,961.80
Estimated Receipts:
Old Age and Charities
$28,000.00
Motor Vehicle Excise
40,000.00
Schools
35,000.00
Income
16,000.00
Corporation
20,000.00
Other local receipts
12,000.00
151,000.00
Estimated balance to be raised by taxation
$430,961.80
Estimated rate of tax:
Schools
$44.70
General
35.10
$ 79.80
BREAKDOWN OF APPROPRIATIONS AND TRANSFERS OF SPECIAL ARTICLES IN TOWN WARRANT, 1957
Article Description
Amount
Taxation
Other
8
Chapter 90-Maintenance
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
9
Chapter 90-Est. Construction
5,000.00
5,000.00
10
Chapter 90-(718) West Street
5,000.00
11 Chapter 90-East Street
5,000.00
$ 5,000.00 (718) 5,000.00 (718) 45,000.00 (Revenue)
16
Legal Assistance-Aspinwall
1,280.46
1,280.46
17
Road Roller
4,000.00
4,000.00
18
Town Hall repairs
2,500.00
2,500,00 (Post War)
21
North Lenox Sewer expense
500.00
500.00
25
Fire apparatus
24,000.00
24,000.00
26
Storage shed
1,200.00
1,200.00
27
Regional School expense
500.00
500.00
28
High School boiler
20,000.00
20,000.00
29
Architect, School survey
5,000.00
5,000.00
33
Reserve Fund
13,500.00
13,500.00 (Overlay Reserve)
36
Brunell Avenue
9,700.00
9,700.00
44
Lawton Avenue
5,200.00
5,200.00
63 Capital Outlay expense
250.00
250.00
65
Town Hall, facilities, architect
1,000.00
66
Memorial-war
550.00
67
Fire Department-repairs
1,500.00
1,000.00 (Post War) 550.00 (Post War) 1,500.00 (Post War)
Totals
$151,680.46
$77,630.46
$74,050.00
12
Water Department, operation
45,000.00
33
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
Resident population, State Census, 1955
3,592
Summer population (estimated)
6,100
Number of Registered Voters
2,110
Number Voting at Annual Town Election
1,003
Number Voting at State Election
1,922
Number of Births
85
Number of Marriages
32
Number of Deaths
73
Dogs Licensed
Males
188
Females
26
Spayed Females
111
Kennel ($25.00)
1
Kennel ($10.00)
6
Paid County Treasurer
$746.60
Fish and Game Licenses Issued
Resident Citizen Fishing
125
Resident Citizen Hunting
98
Resident Citizen Sporting
99
Resident Citizen Minor Fishing
28
Resident Citizen Female Fishing
41
Resident Citizen Minor Trapping
4
Resident Citizen Trapping
5
Special Non-Resident Fishing
21
Non-Resident Citizen Minor Fishing
8
Non-Resident Citizen Fishing
13
Alien Fishing
1
Non-Resident Citizen Hunting
1
Duplicate
8
Resident Citizen Sporting (Free)
17
Paid Division of Fisheries and Game
$1,512.00
34
TOWN DEBT-December 31, 1956
Water Loan
$119,000.00
High School Addition
50,000.00
Sewage Disposal Plant-Lenox Dale
2,000.00
Water Mains Loan
13,000.00
Schermerhorn Parkway Sewer
2,000.00
Water Mains-Pittsfield Road
11,000.00
Water Mains Loan-Holmes Road
2,000.00
Water Mains Loan
16,000.00
Assessors' Valuation
5,477,330.00
5% Limit of Indebtedness
273,866.50
Respectfully submitted,
ANN K. GORMAN, Town Clerk.
35
TREASURER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
Cash on hand January 1, 1956
$273,946.54
Cash Receipts in 1956
647,557.89
Cash Payments in 1956
$921,504.43 718,188.05
$203,316.38
BANK STATEMENT
Lenox National Bank
$151,967.81
Merchants National Bank of Boston
55,805.59
Lenox Savings Bank
26,141.94
Cash on Hand
5,900.56
$239,815.90
Less:
Checks Outstanding
$ 6,147.05
Unpaid Warrants
30,352.47
$36,499.52
$203,316.38
POST WAR REHABILITATION INVESTMENT
Investment Fund Cash and Securities December 31, 1955 Added:
$40,857.48
Interest on Investment
$472.42 472.42
$41,329.90
Less:
Alterations to Vault and Survey
Storage of Town Equipment
Article 47, Town Meeting 2-25-55
$ 5,000.00
Continue laying of Water Mains
East St., toward Walker St.
Article 15, Town Meeting 2-24-56
20,226.55
25,226.55
Balance December 31, 1956
$16,103.35
36
STABILIZATION FUND
Balance December 31, 1955
$31,063.55
Added:
Deposit Authority Article 24
Town Meeting 2-24-56 Interest
$15,000.00 1,201.93
$16,201.93
Balance December 31, 1956
$47,265.48
GEORGE E. TURNURE TRUST FUND
Balance December 31, 1955
$7,002.90
Interest
211.63
Balance December 31, 1956
$7,214.53
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS
Trust Funds Cash and Securities January 1, 1956
$53,424.69
Added:
Income on Trust Fund
$ 50.00
Interest Perpetual Care Funds
1,397.06
Interest Reserve Fund
189.46
$1,636.52
Deducted:
Cemetery Expenditures 1956
$1,894.67
Balance January 1, 1957
$53,166.54
$55,061.21
Respectfully submitted,
ANN K. GORMAN, Treasurer.
37
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
For Town Purpose by Taxation
$480,830.66
Appropriation from Available Funds in 1956
159,673.44
State Parks and Reservations for 1956
562.11
State Audit of Municipal Accounts for 1956
41.60
Mosquito Control
1,321.01
County Tax for 1956
24,098.56
County Tax for 1955 Deficit
858.97
Overlay of Current Year
12,152.88
$679,539.23
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Income Tax
$29,562.63
Corporation Taxes
17,637.36
Reimbursement on account publicly owned Land
320.22
Old Age tax (Meals) Chapter 63B, S10 (Col. 3 of Cherry Sheet)
1,141.39
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
40,000.00
Licenses
8,000.00
Fines
300.00
General Government
2,000.00
Protection of Persons and Property
50.00
Charities (other than federal grants)
6,750.00
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants)
23,000.00
Veterans' Services
500.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included)
9,300.00
Public Service Enterprises (such as Water Department)
42,000.00
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots)
500.00
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
300.00
State Assistance for School Construction Chapter 645, Act of 1948
2,300.00
Overestimates of previous year to be used as available funds (Col. 4, of Cherry Sheet)
State Parks and Reservations
88.99
Berkshire County Project
74.07
Used from Available Funds
159,673.44
$343,498.10
38
Net Amount to be raised by Taxation on Polls and Property Number of Polls 962 at $2.00 each $ 1,924.00
$336,041.13
Total Valuation of Personal Property at $61.00 per $1,000 $724,000.00 44,164.00
Total Valuation of Real Estate at $61.00 per $1,000 $4,753,330.00 289,953.13
$336,041.13
NUMBER OF LIVE STOCK ASSESSED
Horses
47
Cows
109
Yearlings
2
Heifers
3
Swine
2
Fowl
1,000
Number Acres Land
11,441
Number Dwellings
1,038
Omitted Assessment Real Estate
$24.40
Omitted Assessment Poll
$2.00
Excise Tax Levied in 1956
$51,737.36
Excise Tax Levied in 1956 for Year 1955
$2,542.01
Respectfully submitted. CHARLES A. DEE, Chairman DANIEL M. COWHIG, Clerk EDWARD G. CONKLIN
39
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1956
POLL AND PROPERTY TAXES
Levy of 1955
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1956
$12,389.26
Refunds
99.00
Interest
279.69
Demands
38.50
$12,806.45
Paid Town Treasurer
$12,603.70
Abated
123.00
Tax Titles
79.75
$12,806.45
Levy of 1956
Warrants-Poll-Personal-Real
$336,409.93
Refunds
622.20
Interest
49.89
Demands
14.00
$337,096.02
Paid Town Treasurer
$312,921.63
Abated
7,761.33
Added to Tax Titles
244.00
Uncollected-December 31, 1956
16,169.06
$337,096.02
MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILER EXCISE TAXES Levy of 1955
Uncollected January 1, 1956
$3,029.12
Warrants committed in 1956
2,542.12
Refunds
286.70
Interest and Demands
49.51
$5,907.45
Paid Town Treasurer
$5,282.20
Abated
625.25
$5,907.45
40
Levy of 1956
Warrants
Refunds
Demands
$51,737.36 1,381.15 5.60
$53,124.11
Paid Town Treasurer
$42,160.78
Abated
4,447.37
Outstanding December 31, 1956
6,515.96
$53,124.11
TRAILER COURT FEES
Received from Trailer Court
$780.00
Paid Town Treasurer $780.00
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE M. WALSH, Collector of Taxes.
41
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lenox:
The Board of Water Commissioners submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
In accordance with the votes of the Town Meeting held on February 24, 1956, water main extensions were made on East Street during 1956.
The sum of $30,000.00 was appropriated for the project on the north section. Eight inch pipe was installed from the end of the 1955 installation at the Parker property, northerly to New Lenox Road, a distance of 7,286 feet. The installation was made at a total cost of $31,943.29, including six hydrants. The East Street main was connected with the North Lenox water system at New Lenox Road.
The sum of $20,000.00 was appropriated for the installation on the south section. Six inch pipe was laid from Orchard Street southerly to Walker Street, a distance of 5,162 feet. This extension was made at a total cost of $18,934.54, in- cluding five hydrants.
The following short extensions were made in 1956 from the general funds of the Water Department:
1. Housatonic Street. 196' of 2" Galv Pipe installed from existing 2" on south side of Housatonic Street to premises of George H. Bagnaschi, a new service. Cost $199.34.
2. Lee Road. 63' of 11/2" Galv Pipe laid across Lee Road to give service to Willoney Welch development. Cost $155.02.
3. Kemble Street. 42' of 114" Galv Pipe and 64' of 3/4" Copper Tubing laid across Kemble Street for the Tongring and Felton services. Cost $149.14.
4. Cliffwood Street. 200' of 1" Copper Tubing laid from hydrant at Senior's easterly for service to Edward G. Smith and Dr. William Beautyman. This was done under co-operative plan; Mr. Smith paid for trenching and the Water Department furnished and installed pipe and fittings. Cost to Water Department $161.96.
5. Walker Street. 315' of 114" Galv Pipe laid from East Street easterly on Walker Street to service Albert J. Mailloux, Gilbert H. Sedgwick and Wil- liam G. Meaney. Property owners paid for the trenching; Water Depart- ment furnished and installed pipe and fittings. Cost to Water Department $219.87.
In addition to the eleven hydrants installed on the new East Street water mains, one hydrant was installed on Plunkett Street, to give fire protection to the residents of that area. The hydrant in front of Monument House was replaced with a new one, as it was leaking.
42
The following progress has been made on the construction of a pumping station at West Street. Land for the site was purchased, the building erected, the pump purchased and installed, and connection made to the water main. An elec- trical control cubicle has been ordered and arrangements made for the electrical wiring at the building, which will complete the project, and put the pump in operation for the 1957 summer season. During the concert season of 1956, portable pumps were used to bring in the additional amount of water necessary to meet the demands of the increased usage, and in addition, the fire engine pump was used the last two weekends. The appropriation of $10,387.27 for the pumping station project, made in 1956, and financed by the Water Department has paid all costs to date; the remaining expense will be paid from the regular Water Department operating appropriation.
At the Town Meeting, February 24, 1956, it was voted to terminate the agree- ment made between the City of Pittsfield and the Town of Lenox, dated April 20, 1939, relative to supplying water for domestic purposes and the extinguish- ment of fires to residents of North Lenox, and to accept the contract offered by the City of Pittsfield for the sale of water to the Town of Lenox and for the con- veyance, transfer and assignment to the Town of Lenox of water mains, pipes, shutoffs, hydrants, equipment and machinery, rights and easements. The Board of Water Commissioners were authorized to execute the contract on behalf of the Town of Lenox. On March 28, 1956, the Board executed this contract. All arrange- ments have been completed for the Town of Lenox to take over and operate this water system on May 1, 1957.
The Department is requesting an appropriation of $45,000.00 for 1957 oper- ations, and the revenues of the Department will be used to meet this appropria- tion. This is a $3000 increase over 1956, as the Water Commissioners are making provision for the cost of purchasing water from Pittsfield to supply North Lenox customers, and for maintaining this system.
The past year we added 75 new services to the system, including East Street residents who connected to the new water mains.
The appropriations made in the past few years for water main extensions, paid for by sources other than Water Department funds, are the responsibility of the Water Department to the extent that any surplus remaining in the revenues of the Department each year must be reimbursed to the Town on account of these expenditures. For the year 1956, there was a net surplus of $1,587.40 from Water Department operations, which amount has been paid to the Town on the water extension account. A total of $25,351.42 has now been reimbursed to the Town, and payment of the first loan of $25,000.00 made to the Department in 1949 com- pleted.
We wish to express our thanks to all those who have given assistance to the Department and its personnel in 1956.
A financial report of the Department follows.
43
FINANCIAL REPORT-YEAR 1956
Uncollected Water Rates, December 31, 1955 $ 4,214.92
Uncollected Service Charges, December 31, 1955
571.32
Water Rates billed in 1956
41,493.56
Service Charges billed in 1956
2,987.18
Total
$49,266.98
Cash Receipts, Water Rates
$38,635.44
Cash Receipts, Service Charges
2,879.29
Abatements, Water Rates
860.08
Abatements, Service Charges
46.83
Uncollected Water Rates, December 31, 1956
6,212.96
Uncollected Service Charges, December 31, 1956
632.38
Total
$49,266.98
EXPENDITURES-YEAR 1956
Maintenance and Operation:
Labor
$ 9,222.41
Other Costs of Maintenance and Operation
8,540.47
New Equipment (Truck)
1,251.79
New Extensions
526.54
Salary of Clerk
3,570.00
Office Supplies and Expenses
570.62
Incidental Expenses
212.50
Salary of Superintendent
1,680.00
Debt Interest
3,353.00
Debt Retirement
11,000.00
Total
$39,927.33
SUMMARY FOR 1956
Total Revenue from Water Rates and Service Charges
$41,514.73
Less: Expenditures
39,927.33
Water Department Surplus for 1956
$1,587.40
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. DEE OSCAR R. HUTCHINSON WALTER E. LAHART Board of Water Commissioners.
44
REPORT OF THE CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In the years from 1947 to 1953, the Town of Lenox enjoyed a tax rate averag- ing $53 per thousand, and with wise management by our public officials found it- self able to set aside into surplus revenue and other funds an average of $23,000 each year. This was in spite of the inflationary spiral continually boosting expenses of government over this period.
In 1954 the rising costs of Town Government, with the many enlarged services it performs today, overtook the revenue of the Town and exceeded it by a small sum. In 1955 this tide continued and the Town of Lenox found that its operating costs exceeded its operating receipts by nearly $9,000. Also in these two years, in addition to borrowing $20,000 on a ten year loan, our surplus funds were reduced by more than $55,000 through special appropriations for water mains, Chapter 90 road construction, highway department equipment, and repairs to town build- ings.
In 1956 at the annual Town Meeting, further increases were approved in the Town Budget. To bring the operational costs of the Town back on a pay-as-you- go basis, a tax rate increase of $6 was necessary. In addition very large appropria- tions were voted from surplus funds in this year-totalling in excess of $100,000 for water mains, roads and equipment, sewer bed maintenance, and the Aspin- wall property. This has reduced the surplus funds to a very low balance-and has drawn the State Auditor to caution against depleting these funds any further. A town, as does any well-managed business, requires some reserve funds (or working capital) to carry its budget for the year and to provide for the rainy days which may hit a community. We, therefore, strongly recommend that the Town main- tain its surplus funds at their present level.
Now for a look into the next five years-to the capital outlays proposed to this Committee and to the ability of the Town to finance them. This year, and more particularly this fall, as the various departments of the Town of Lenox com- pleted their studies and prepared requests of a capital nature, we have held many joint meetings, and meetings of our own, to bring these projects into focus.
The Committee approached the problem in this way. Receipts and expendi- tures were separated into two groups-those for operational purposes (which consist of normal Town Government and Services costs) and those for capital outlay. We then estimated what moneys would be left over after operating ex- penditures had been deducted from operating receipts for each of the five coming years. Using a $61 tax rate as a base (this was the 1956 rate), we estimate that there will be no excess left. For 1957 we feel that income will about equal outgo. But that by 1961 the increases in town government and services costs will result in a $10 to $12 increase above the present $61 rate, without any capital outlay.
45
In arriving at these figures, we prepared an analysis of receipts and expendi- tures from the Town Accountant's section of the Town Reports for the years 1946 through 1955. A copy of this chart follows this report, as we feel it will be most enlightening to the citizens of Lenox.
The actual figures for only the last five years were used in making our esti- mates for the next five. The estimates have been kept conservative and, percent- age-wise, they result as follows:
Actual increase 1950 to 1955 By 1961
Estimated increase
General Receipts
W /Out Capital Outlay 36%
W /Out Capital Outlay
20%
General Disbursements
55%
30%
Within the above two groupings, the following departmental figures are im- portant:
Receipts-Taxation 23%a
24%b
Vehicle Excise
71%
26%
Water Revenue 42% 10%
Disbursements-Schools
59% 41%
Highways 48%
none
Water Dept. 23% 3%
Notes: a-Includes tax rate increase of $5.
b-Includes no tax rate increase.
Lenox in 1957 is now face to face with the need to plan for very large outlays for school construction, sewer installations, and fire department equipment. From the preceding paragraphs, it is apparent that no excess operating revenue will be available for the next few years. Our surplus funds have been depleted to a mini- mum amount. Capital outlay must, therefore, come out of taxation-either direct or through the floating of bond issues within our limited debt restrictions, and the repaying of principal and interest over a long period of years. Our present debt limit is approximately $265,000, of which $54,000 is currently committed. The remainder of the 1956 Town Debt is for the water system and water mains and is allowed "outside the debt limit."
For 1957 this Committee recommends the following:
1. The purchase of one fire truck, with just the essential equipment, and it is suggested that the cost be kept within $20,000.
2. $10,000 for Chapter 90 road construction.
3. $20,000 for repairs to the high school heating system.
4. $ 8,000 for architect fees as outlined by the School Committee.
5. $ 2,000 reserved for miscellaneous capital outlay.
These appropriations are recommended out of taxation and will represent an estimated $11 addition to our tax rate. For 1958 we estimate-
1. $10,000 for engineering fees for the sewer outlay to come.
2. $ 5,000 for Chapter 90 road construction.
3. $ 2,000 for miscellaneous capital outlay.
46
For 1959 and the ensuing years, the future of the Town has not clearly defined itself yet. This Committee feels that 1957 will establish the Town's course in school and sewer construction, and that should these projects be accepted by 1958, our first bond amortization and interest payments will fall due in 1959.
For the sewer in North Lenox, the North Lenox Sewer Committee has de- veloped four possible methods of financing. The total cost is estimated by com- petent engineers (Whitman & Howard of Boston) to be $191,000, less probable Federal Aid of $38,000, leaving a net cost of $153,000. The methods are-
1. The Town of Lenox bear the full cost as on previous sewer installations.
2. Accept the Betterment Act under which assessments would be made against the abutters. The Town can share the cost according to a pre-determined rate. This Act, once accepted, binds the Town to it for all future sewer in- stallations there and elsewhere.
3. Create a Sewer District which would finance, install, and govern itself for sewer purposes only, much the same as a separate town. Long term financing is available to it. The cost to the Town as a whole would be none, as the area within the District would bear the full cost.
4. Accept their full share of the cost of the sewer from the users in advance. On a 50% participation basis, this would require the users to raise in the neigh- borhood of $95,000 before construction started.
Assuming the method which would require the largest financing cost for the Town (Method 1), over a 20 year term, the cost in bond amortization and interest for the first year, probably 1959, is estimated as $2.50 on the tax rate.
The first step in the solution of our over-crowded school problem will no doubt be decided in 1957 and the initial measures taken toward a long range ex- pansion and financing plan. This Committee is not recommending which of the avenues of school construction should be followed, but we are very greatly con- cerned with the magnitude of financing involved in the full expansion program outlined by the School Committee as being necessary. We feel that considerably more study should be given to it in the coming year. It is suggested that serious consideration be given to more fully utilizing our present school plant-even to having limited double school sessions.
However, to indicate how much school construction will cost the taxpayer, let us suppose a $300,000 appropriation is required, is financed by a 30-year bond issue, and that State Aid in construction is granted amounting to $93,000. The first year's bond payments with provision for increased operational expenses (salaries, heat, maintenance, etc.) would require an estimated tax rate of $11 per thousand.
Grouping together a possible school outlay and sewer outlay as discussed above, together with a nominal road construction program and a small amount of other capital outlay, it is very probable that our tax rate will rise to $81 by 1959.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.