USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1937 > Part 6
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The Committee was thus to include Town Officers and Officials in its investigation as well as employees.
A STUDY OF THE SALARY SITUATION
Co-operation from all Departments. Your committee has met with practically every Board and Official and with many Department heads, all of whom have been extreme- ly willing to provide us with all the information we de- sired. Every employee of the Town was listed and also we have obtained information regarding his or her po- sition, duties, education or technical skill necessary to perform the work and full information as to just what would be expected of that employee to efficiently perform his or her duties.
Are all employees needed? We have also looked into the matter of the work to be done in each department throughout the entire year to see if there are not times when the work is heavy and other times when work is slack and how the department operates during these periods if they exist. We believe that in one or two de- partments it would be possible to dispense with certain
78
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
clerical help during a part of the year and that during the."peak load" period a sum of money be set aside for extra clerical help to carry over such times instead of permanent employees continuously kept on the Town pay- roll. We further see no reason why elected officials except- ing, of course, members of Boards who obviously are ex- pected to serve only part time, should not assist in the work of their department in order to save the employ- ment of extra help as needs require.
We recommend that the Finance Committee is the proper body to deal with the solution of this problem.
The employment situation in private industry. A further angle in considering salaries of Town employees was in the committee's opinion the present going rate of pay for similar work in private employment and enterprise. We appreciate, of course, and have considered the fact that this is a poor time to set salaries strictly on a basis of present industrial employment inasmuch as during the existing depression all types of labor are in excess of the demand and pay is low, in fact too low for the main- tenance of decent living conditions within the Town.
There has always existed a difference in the usual rate of pay between employees engaged in intermittent or casual labor and those permanently employed. An exam- ple of this is the pay rate of a carpenter or other mechan- ic in the construction industry as compared with one employed in maintenance work. Our work here in Arl- ington belongs mostly in the latter class.
Comparing Arlington pay with that in other places. In or- der to formulate our recommendations this committee individually and as a whole has made a study of the pay of city and town employees in other places. This study included some of our nearby neighbors as well as cities and towns corresponding to Arlington as near as pos- sible in population and assessed valuation. It seems to be the attitude of employees in every city and town to
79
TOWN RECORDS
believe that their salaries should be equal to the highest salary paid for similar work in any city or town in the State. This in our opinion is wrong for the following rea- sons.
In our investigation of the various Town Departments, their functions, their efficiency and the duties performed by the individual employees of that department compared to the same departments in other cities and towns hav- ing the same or similar names, we find that with few exceptions their duties and functions are totally different from the methods and procedure existing in Arlington. In many cases certain individuals receive much higher or much lower pay for positions in other places which are similarly designated with those in Arlington, but upon investigation we have frequently found that they have other duties to perform in addition to their designated one or that the services rendered by that department does not cover the same type of service performed in Arlington.
The people of Arlington have passed from time to time By-Laws which are models of their type and which require the Town to render a service to its inhabitants equal to none. All of which has increased the work of various departments.
Therefore in this committee's study of the salaries in other places we find the matter of great interest but not conclusive in arriving at our recommendations.
No better Official group anywhere. The Town of Arlington is extremely fortunate in having among its officials and employees any number of persons who very efficiently perform their duties and it is with the greatest difficulty that this committee separated the man from the job. In thinking of any office in the Town most people are bound to think of the person occupying that position. We have heads of departments who not only perform their work here extremely well but are recognized leaders in
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
their line of work throughout the State and in some cases are Nationally known. All of this is extremely gratifying to Arlington citizens, but in establishing salaries for these positions we cannot recommend a sum of money which would be sufficient pay for that individual and would also be the proper pay for an unknown successor. In the usual course of events employees and heads of departments may obtain other positions or be pensioned, hence what would be a proper salary for an extremely efficient officer might not be at all the value of the services of the per- son elected or appointed to fill his shoes. Most positions now being under Civil Service, we are more or less as- sured of their ability but no examination can absolutely provide the Town with a person having the extra quality of leadership in their work that may now exist in the head of a department or employee, hence early in our consideration of the salary subject we arrived at the con- clusion that it was our duty to view the situation from the point of view of the JOB AND NOT THE MAN.
THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON - EMPLOYER
The citizens of the Town hire and pay the bills. In consider- ing the proper remuneration to be paid employees we have considered the fact that their employer is the Town of Arlington, or in other words, the citizens of the Town. It is a certainty that each of us desires good service and capable persons to perform the multitudinous duties necessary in a town of this size and expect to employ the best we can get within our ability to pay. The Town of Arlington has in the past enjoyed excellent credit rating and has never failed to meet all indebtedness and pay- rolls. Unlike working for a private individual or corpor- ation the Town of Arlington has been unaffected in so far as meeting its obligations is concerned by the de- pression or from any other reason. Also outside of the fact that certain outlay work has been eliminated, which simply meant the dropping of extra help, it has main- tained its full staff in all the executive departments and
81
TOWN RECORDS
in its service branches. No one has had to be dropped in so far as we could find because of financial reasons. This very security and soundness of the Town of Arlington as an employer makes it an extremely desirable corpora- tion to work for.
Working near home. Also inasmuch as all employees are citizens of the Town of Arlington they necessarily live within its limits and hence consideration by this commit- tee was given to the fact that it must mean a consid- erable saving to them in transportation, lunches and in other things.
ESTABLISHED WORKING CONDITIONS
Civil Service to nearly all employees. Practically every
employee of the Town of Arlington now enjoys the privileges of Civil Service. The exceptions are those em- ployed in the Collector of Taxes office, Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. There is also some doubt as to whether some of the appointed heads of departments and head clerks of departments are under Civil Service although we understand that their names have been filed with the Civil Service Commission.
The value of Civil Service to an employee is too well known to discuss and is a condition not shared by em- ployees working for private individuals or corporations, hence in our consideration of the salaries to be recom- mended with the Town we have considered this and have recommended accordingly.
Vacations with pay for everybody. Your committee under- stands that every employee of the Town working con- tinuously is granted two weeks vacation with pay. This of course does not affect elected officials who serve only part time. Upon investigation we find that this practice is quite universal in private industry in the executive
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
departments but is extremely unusual for workers or laborers in the production end of business. We, however, grant such vacations to all employees.
Saturday afternoon off with pay. All regular employees of the Town are granted Saturday afternoons and holidays also employees in the labor departments of the Town are granted Saturday afternoon with pay even though their wages are apportioned on a day basis and not on a week- ly basis. There are certain exceptions to this in certain departments where Saturday afternoon work has to be maintained but other time during the week is granted to make up for it. In the labor group of the Town should emergency arise requiring work to be done on Saturday afternoon, Sunday, holidays, etc., these employees are paid overtime for such work.
Every employee to be pensioned. This committee under the vote authorizing same was required to investigate the matter of pensions, but inasmuch as the Town at the last National Election voted to establish a system of pensions under the State Legislative Act we are not making a re- port on this subject.
Such a pension system, now having been established, is of advantage to every single employee of the Town inas- much as every employee continuing to work for the Town is assured of a pension upon reaching the required age, a fact to be considered in pay recommendations.
THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS
In arriving at our conclusions in the following recommen- dations we have we believe arrived at the following ex- tremely important attitude; that it is the JOB AND NOT THE MAN for which the recommendations are made.
The committee has intentionally avoided making any rec- ommendations regarding salaries of school teachers. The
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TOWN RECORDS
matter of school teachers' salaries is a function solely of the school committee and most of them are under contract or tenure of office. We have in our possession a complete sal- ary list of the school teachers and in our perusal of the same could find no glaring inequalities on which to report.
Recommendation I, pay from two sources.
In the following recommendations for pay, some posi- tions listed derive their pay from two sources inasmuch as the employee may be employed by two distinct boards or departments, in which case our recommendations are for the total salary for that individual.
Recommendation II, present pay.
This committee does not recommend that the salary of any individual now receiving more than the maximum amount recommended in the following schedule shall nec- essarily be reduced to that maximum amount. Such change to be at the discretion of the Board or by the co- operation of the Finance Committee or other group within the Town if thought desirable.
Recommendation III, new employees begin at minimum pay.
This committee has in a large number of cases in the following schedule of pay recommendations recommended minimum and maximum pay for certain positions. It is the recommendation of this committee that all new em- ployees of every department where such recommenda- tions are made shall be first employed at the minimum pay.
Recommendation IV, advancement for merit only.
It is recommended that increases in pay should be made to the employee only at the discretion of the head of the department in which he is employed and the Board under whose department it is.
It is the committee's opinion that with all pay increases the increase should not be "automatic" or "step rate" as
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
exists now in the Police and Fire Departments and in some other departments but should be on the basis of merit only.
Recommendation V, pay increases.
It is further recommended that such increases in pay if made shall be made only after the close of the Annual Town Meeting and further that such pay increase shall not exceed in any one year more than approximately one- fifth the difference between the minimum and maximum pay herein recommended.
RECOMMENDED SALARY SCHEDULE
Department Position
Present Compensation Minimum Maximum
1. FINANCE COMMITTEE
(No full time employees)
1
2. BOARD OF APPEALS
(No full time employees)
3. BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Board chairman
800.00
800.00
2 others, each
600.00
600.00
Head Clerk and Secretary
3000.00
2100.00
2800.00
(Now paid from two sources, see note above)
Clerk, Stenographer
16.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk, Stenographer
24.00w
18.00w
25.00w
4. TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Accountant
3500.00
3200.00
3800.00 25.00w
5. TOWN TREASURER
Treasurer
3200.00
Assistant Treasurer
30.00w
3200.00 30.00w
6. COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Collector
3500.00
3500.00
Deputy Collector
34.00w
33.00w
38.00w
Stenographer-Bookkeeper
28.00w
20.00w
28.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
18.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Cashier
20.00w
18.00w
22.00w
Clerk
18.00w
18.00w
22.00w
Clerk, Stenographer
21.00w
18.00w
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TOWN RECORDS
Department Position
Present Compensation Minimum Maximum
7. BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Board members, each
1200.00
1200.00
Head Clerk and Secretary
3000.00
2100.00
2800.00
Clerk, Stenographer
28.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk, Stenographer
18.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk, Stenographer
16.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk, Stenographer
15.00w
18.00w
25.00w
8. TOWN COUNSEL
Counsel
2000.00
2000.00
9. TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk 3200.00
3200.00
(We recommend that $200 of this be for services as member of Board of Registrars)
Clerk-Stenographer
25.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
25.00w
18.00w
25.00w
10. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Board chairman
800.00
800.00
2 other members, each
600.00
600.00
Head clerk and secretary
3120.00
2610.00
3120.00
(This clerk also performs the duties of agent for the Department
purchasing
Clerk
18.00w
18.00w
22.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
18.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
20.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
28.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Bookkeeper
35.00w
20.00w
28.00w
Water Registrar
2610.00
1820.00
2340.00
Clerk-Stenographer
26.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Billing Clerk
22.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Supt. of Public Works
3900.00
3600.00
4500.00
General Foreman
2610.00
2080.00
2610.00
4 Foremen, each
6.00d
33.00w
36.00w
Water Mechanic
4.50-5.50d
5.00d
5.50d
Meter repair
5.50d
5.00d
5.50d
Chief Meter Reader
5.00d
4.75d
5.50d
Meter Readers
4.50d
4.50d
5.00d
Carpenters
5.50-8.00d
5.00d
5.50d
Painter Foreman and Sign painter
6.33d
5.75d
6.25d
Painter
4.25-4.50d
4.50d
5.00d
Blacksmith
5.25d
4.75d
5.50d
Automobile Mechanics
6.50-6.67d
5.50d
6.00d
Chauffeurs, tractor and compressor operators
4.25-5.50d
5.00d
5.50d
Laborers
4.25-5.50d
4.00d
4.50d
Water boy
3.50d
3.50d
4.00d
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Department Position
Present Compensation Minimum Maximum
11. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Town Engineer
3900.00
3500.00
3900.00
Assistant Town Engineer
50.00w
50.00w
Senior Engineers
45.00-48.00w
. 45.00w
50.00w
Junior Engineers
39.00w
30.00w
45.00w
Engineer aides
28.00-30.00w
28.00w
30.00w
12. REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
(No regular employees. See note under Town Clerk)
13. PLANNING BOARD
(No regular employees)
14. BOARD OF SURVEY
(See note under Selectmen)
15. TOWN HALL
Custodian
2610.00
2340.00 2610.00
Janitor
1898.00
1500.00 1900.00
(The work in this building involves much night work without extra pay)
16. POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief
3200.00
3000.00
3400.00
4 Lieutenants, each
2800.00
2800.00
3 Sergeants, each
48.00w
48.00w
32 Patrolmen, each
35.00-42.00w
35.00w
42.00w
(Certain equipment and clothing is also furnished to patrolmen)
Clerk, Stenographer
20.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Janitor-Matron
15.00w
15.00w
Radio Mechanic
35.00w
35.00w
Traffic Signal Mechanic
30.00w
30.00w
Mechanic
20.00w
20.00w
17. FIRE DEPARTMENT
Chief
3200.00
3000.00
3400.00
2 Deputy Chiefs, each
2800.00
2800.00
7 Captains, each
48.00w
48.00w
6 Lieutenants, each
44.00-45.00w
44.00w
45.00w
31 Firemen, each
35.00-42.00w
35.00w
42.00w
(See note under Policemen)
17a. FIRE AND POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM
Inspector
48.00w
45.00w
Electrician
30.00w
30.00w
48.00w 32.00w
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TOWN RECORDS
Department Position
Present Compensation Minimum Maximum
18. BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
Building Inspector
2600.00
2800.00
3100.00
2750.00
2500.00
2800.00
Plumbing Inspector Clerk
20.00w
18.00w
22.00w
19. WIRE DEPARTMENT
Wire Inspector
3200.00
2500.00
2800.00
(Now paid from two sources, see note above)
Assistant Inspector
2200.00
2100.00
2200.00
20. SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Sealer
2100.00 2500.00 2800.00
(Now a full time position-we recommend a present salary of $2600.00)
21. MOTH SUPPRESSION DEPARTMENT
Superintendent
1450.00
1300.00
1500.00
Labor
4.50-5.00d
4.50d
22. TREE WARDEN
Warden
750.00
750.00
Laborers, each
4.50-5.00d
4.50d
23. BOARD OF HEALTH
Board total
750.00
750.00
Agent
2860.00
2600.00
2900.00
Clerk-Stenographer
18.00w
25.00w
Nurse
1700.00
1560.00
1768.00
32. PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Agent
2800.00
2500.00
2800.00
Clerks, each
18.00w
22.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
18.00w
25.00w
Medical Inspector
600.00
600.00
33. UNEMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT
Director
2610.00
2610.00
Office manager
35.00w
28.00w
2 Payroll clerks, each
30.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Purchasing clerk
30.00w
25.00w
28.00w
Clerk-Stenographer
18.00-20.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Clerk-Bookkeeper
30.00w
20.00w
28.00w
Technical supervisor
45.00w
45.00w
2 Supervisors, each
35.00w
35.00w
2 Investigators
24.00-30.00w
24.00w
30.00w
Chauffeur
26.00w
26.00w
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Department Position
Present Compensation Minimum Maximum
36. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Superintendent
6000.00
5000.00
6000.00
Head Clerk
2100.00
1500.00
1800.00
Clerk-Stenographer
23.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Attendance supervisor
1800.00
1800.00
Asst. attendance supervisor
1200.00
1200.00
Jr. High School Clerks 900.00-1200.00
600.00
800.00
We believe that these clerks could either be dis- pensed with or employed part time)
Sr. High School clerks
25.00-31.00w
18.00w
25.00w
Supervisors
2600.00-3000.00
2400.00
2600.00
Nurses
1550.00-1600.00
1200.00
1500.00
Maintenance Supervisor
2800.00
2800.00
3000.00
Maint. Mechanics
2106.00-2280.00
1500.00
1800.00
Head Janitor
2200.00
2000.00
2200.00
Janitors
1300.00-1900.00
1500.00
1800.00
Assistant Janitor
1000.00-1500.00
1000.00
1500.00
(Night work paid for extra)
37. LIBRARY
Librarian
2600.00
2600.00
2800.00
Assistant Librarian
1350.00-1500.00
1400.00
1700.00
Junior· Librarian
600.00-1060.00
900.00
1300.00
Janitor
1260.00
1500.00
1800.00
(Night work without extra compensation)
38. PARK DEPARTMENT
Superintendent
none
none
Foreman
2871.50
2340.00
2610.00
Labor
4.25-5.00d
4.50d
NOTE: d=day's pay
w=weekly pay
Other figures, yearly pay.
Respectfully submitted,
JACOB BITZER, ROBERT W. POND,
ALTON F. TUPPER,
TIMOTHY J. BUCKLEY,
G. BERTRAM WASHBURN, Chairman.
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TOWN RECORDS
APPENDIX
Schedule of pay showing comparison of daily, weekly and yearly rates.
Day rate
=
Weekly rate 18.00
=
Yearly rate 936.00
19.00
988.00
20.00
1040.00
3.50
21.00
1092.00
22.00
1144.00
23
1196.00
4.00
24.00
1248.00
25.00
1300.00
26.00
1352.00
4.50
27.00
1404.00
28.00
1456.00
4.75
28.50
1482.00
29.00
1508.00
5.00
30.00
1560.00
31.00
1612.00
32.00
1664.00
33.00
1716.00
34.00
1768.00
5.75
34.50
1794.00
35.00
1820.00
6.00
36.00
1872.00
36.50
1898.00
37.00
1924.00
6.25
37.50
1950.00
38.00
1976.00
40.00
2080.00
40.38
2100.00
42.00
2184.00
42.30
2200.00
44.00
2288.00
45.00
2340.00
48.00
2516.00
50.00
2610.00
53.89
2800.00
54.00
2808.00
55.00
2860.00
57.69
3000.00
60.00
3120.00
61.53
3200.00
63.46
3300.00
67.30
3500.00
69.23
3600.00
70.00
3640.00
73.07
3800.00
75.00
3900.00
86.53
4500.00
96.15
5000.00
115.38
6000.00
90
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TOWN WARRANT
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex, ss.
To the Constables of the Town of Arlington, in said County :
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the legal voters of the Town of Arlington, to meet in the Town Hall in said Town on Friday, the 19th day of March, 1937 at 8:30 o'clock, P. M., at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by town meeting members, in accordance with, and subject to, the referenda provided for by Chapter 43A of the General Laws.
Article 1. To hear and act upon the reports of the Finance and other committees heretofore appointed.
Article 2. To see if the Town will make an appropria- tion or appropriations for the payment to the County of Middlesex of amounts assessed upon or otherwise payable by the Town for: (a) the Town's share of the principal of the bonds issued under the provisions of chapter 10 of the Acts of 1932 for the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital Funding Loan, Acts of 1932, maturing in the current year; (b) any other indebtedness incurred and outstanding under said chapter 10; (c) the Town's share of the interest and other charges on said bonds due in the current year ; (d) the care, maintenance and repair of said hospital during the last preceding calendar year, including interest on tem- porary notes issued therefor in accordance with sections of chapter 111 of the General Laws applicable thereto; (e) any and all other expenses in connection with said hospital or said loan; determine in what manner the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action in any way relating to said hospital, loan or any other thing herein mentioned.
91
TOWN RECORDS
Article 3. To see if the Town will make an appropria- tion to meet expenditures for Works Progress Administra- tion projects; determine in what manner the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action relating to any such projects.
And you will notify and warn the voters of the Town of Arlington to meet at the time and place herein specified by leaving at every dwelling house in the Town a printed copy of this Warrant, and also by posting a copy of the same at the doors of the Town Hall, and in a conspicuous place in each of the fourteen precincts of the Town, seven days at least prior to the time of said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before said day and hour of meeting.
Given under our hands, at said Arlington, this fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven.
ERNEST W. DAVIS, HAROLD M. ESTABROOK, GEORGE H. LOWE, Jr. Selectmen of the Town of Arlington.
CONSTABLE'S RETURN
Arlington, Mass., Feb. 23, 1937.
Middlesex County :
By virtue of this warrant I have notified and warned the legal voters of the Town of Arlington to meet at the time and place and for the purposes herein named by causing a printed attested copy of the same to be left at every dwell- ing house in the Town, and by posting an attested copy at the doors of the Town Hall seven days at least before said
92
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
day of meeting and by posting attested copies in two or more conspicuous places in each voting precinct in the Town. A notice of the time, place and object of the meeting was published in the local papers.
JAMES J. GOLDEN, Jr.,
Constable, Town of Arlington, Mass.
SPECIAL MEETING
Arlington, Mass., March 19, 1937.
Pursuant to the Warrant of the Selectmen served ac- cording to law upon the inhabitants of the Town of Arling- ton, by a constable of said Town and sent by mail by the Town Clerk seven days before the day of meeting to the Town Meeting Members duly elected and qualified to act in Town Meetings in Arlington, the Town Meeting Members met at the Robbins Memorial Town Hall in said Town on Friday, March 19, 1937 at 8:30 o'clock in the evening.
Lists of the duly qualified Town Meeting Members were used at the entrances of the meeting place and were in charge of Philip T. Robinson and James E. Sweeney.
The check lists filed with the Town Clerk at the close of the meeting showed that two hundred and thirteen mem- bers attended the meeting.
The Clerk read the call and the Constable's Return of the warrant, the reading of the remainder of the warrant being waived by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Town Meeting Members were sworn by the Moderator.
On motion of Mr. Estabrook:
93
TOWN RECORDS
Voted: That if all the business of the meeting as set forth in the warrant is not disposed of on this date the meeting adjourn to Wednesday evening, March 31, 1937 at 8:00 o'clock P. M.
On motion of Mr. Estabrook :
Voted: That Article 1 be taken up.
Article 1 taken up. (Reports of Committees.)
On motion of Mr. Chamberlain :
Voted: That the report of the Finance Committee as presented in its printed form be now received.
On motion of Mr. Chamberlain :
Voted: That Article 1 be laid on the table.
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