USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1947 > Part 5
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Voters of Hamilton :
The budget recommended by your Finance Committee for the year 1948 is $281,743.77, which is $35,169.00 higher than the amount appro- priated for 1947. This total includes $20,000.00 to be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund. This rise the Committee considers unavoid- able. All departments have cooperated in keeping their budgets at the minimum necessary to properly carry on their services to the Town. How- ever, prices and expenses have continued to rise during the last year and there is no assurance of any change in this trend. This consequent increase in the size of the budget will cause the tax rate to rise approximately $2.00. It is estimated this increase would have been larger by approximately $4.00 had not the estimated receipts from sources other than Real Estate Taxes increased by some $21,000.00.
It is still the opinion of the Committee, as outlined in the reports of last year, and of previous years, that the Revenue Surplus Account (Ex- cess and Deficiency Fund) should be regarded as a cushion against a time when a substantial shrinkage in revenue, accompanied by a sharp increase in Welfare costs, may require a further considerable increase in the tax rate. But it also feels that if this account is to be drawn on in the current period of high revenue return, the amount so drawn should be used only for permanent capital improvements of lasting use and value to the town.
During the coming year it is hoped that the people of the Town will be constantly vigilant regarding the finances of the Town, and will make a point of attending any special Town meetings in which financial matters of the Town are to be decided. All the recommendations of the Finance Committee are based on the principle that only those services should be carried on. and only those projects constructed that are to the best interests of the Town as a whole, and not for the benefit of any person or close group of persons.
The Committee appreciates the cooperation of the various departments which, for the most part, made their budget requests available to the Com- mittee promptly and in clear and brief form and endeavored to keep ex- penditures to a minimum; and they particularly appreciate the spirit of the public service demonstrated by the employees of the Town.
The Committee has taken the view that there should be no salary increases for the year 1948. This position is based on the fact that sub- stantial increases have been granted over the past several years in all de- partments, bringing salaries, in the opinion of the Committee, to amounts adequate to today's high costs and yet consistent with the financial posi- tion of the town and its inhabitants. Accordingly, the budget figures the Committee recommends include no salary increases other than those made necessary by action taken in 1947, the full incidence of which becomes apparent only now. The several officers and department heads have con- sidered the matter of such increases with the Committee and except in one
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instance have finally concurred with its opinion. In the case of the single exception, the Committee, though recognizing the energetic and faithful performance of duty by the employee involved, (characteristic, we should add, on the whole, of the work of all the employees of the town) recom- mends that no increase be granted. It does so because the salary involved has increased since 1945 from $2050 to $2600 (an increase of about 25%) and because it feels no single exception should be made to a doctrine accept- able to the other departments. The apparent increase in the salary of the town accountant is offset by an equal reduction in his salary as town clerk.
The substantial increase in the total budget recommended is due large- ly to committments already voted by the town or to considerations which the Committee considered made increases imperative. Among the former was the sum of over $19,000.00 for maturing debt. This resulted first from the fact that the $10,000.00 so applied in 1947 was taken from Ex- cess and Deficiency, and second from the action of the Special Town Meet- ing of August 29, 1947, at which a bond issue of $152,000.00 was author- ized. Interest charges also increased about $1,900.00 as a consequence of this action. The increases referred to above in the school salaries voted at the Annual Meeting of 1947 and effective in September, and a sharp increase in the cost of transportation, together resulted in an increase of slightly more than $6,000.00 in the school department regular item for salaries and expenses. The item of $1,500.00 for maintenance of the Legion quarters in the Walsh School is recommended to complete and make effective the large appropriation of 1947; the Committee understands that this will not be a recurring item and recommends its adoption on this basis.
The Committee, after conference with the Selectmen, the Town Clerk and Accountant and the heads of departments which require clerical help, have recommended that a permanent clerk be engaged as a clerical assistant to the town clerk. This is made necessary by the greatly increased burden of routine clerical work, and personal contacts imposed on him. In addi- tion, such an arrangement will provide assurance of continuous attendance to the town business in the event of the enforced absence of the clerk either by reason of illness or the transaction of business of the town elsewhere, and will tend to center the town's business, where the Committee feels it should be centered, in the Town Hall. Certain clerical aspects of the duties of the selectmen, and the assessors, will also be handled by such an assistant, and the Committee undertands, in another year like details of the work of the Water Department will be added. Funds for the salary of such a clerk are to be provided from appropriations for clerical help now a part of the budgets of the officers and departments involved.
There are several special articles in the Warrant asking for the out- lay of money. In so far as the Committee recommends their apotion, it recommends that the funds for Articles 8 and 12 be provided from the Excess and Deficiency Fund. The Committee regrets the necessity of such further depletion of an Excess and Deficiency Fund already reduced below an amount it considers adequate for the real purpose of such a fund. The Committee concluded, however, that if these expenditures were to be made, they were of a nature requiring that the funds be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
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Articles 5 and 6 - Chapter 90 Construction and Maintenance
The Committee recommends the adoption of Articles 5 and 6 and that the funds be provided from the tax levy.
Article 8 - Lamson School
The Committee believes that all necessary steps should be taken to assure the safety of the children in the Lamson School in case of fire. They however feel that the necessary alterations can be made to the Lam- son School at a figure far below the $10,000.00 requested in the Warrant. After consultation with the School Committee they are of the opinion that the School Committee figure and approach to the problem will be modified.
The Finance Committee does not feel that the ultimate consideration. namely, the safety of the occupants of the School, will necessarily be served, in view of all the circumstances, by the installation of a sprinkler system.
Articles 9, 10, 11 - Hot Top Sidewalks
The Committee recommends the extension of the hot top sidewalk now existing on Asbury Street in the direction of Main Street, as far as $2,000.00 will carry it. It recommends that other proposals for the in- stallation of hot top sidewalks be not adopted. It considers that such in- stallation at individual locations, unrelated to existing walks, is not in the interest of the Town as a whole. It considers that the objective with re- gard to such walks ought to be an integrated system on the basis of the use of the several streets and the installation of walks on one side of such streets before two sides are considered.
Article 12 - Garage for the Highway Department
The Committee is of the opinion that it is not to the best interests of the Town to construct a $10,000.00 garage for the Highway Department alone. Although it is widely agreed that from a financial point of view this is a poor time to undertake major construction, there is a definite need for an adequate housing and a workshop for the Water Department, and Tree and Moth Departments as well as the Highway Department. It will be far more economical for the town to build one building adequate to care for all public service equipment, rather than to construct one for the Highway Department this year, and then next year, or in some subse- quent years, to build a building for the Moth Department and then one for the Water Department, each with its own facilities and heating plants. Therefore, it is recommended that the town vote to appropriate $15,000 for the construction of a public works building; to authorize the selectmen to have drawn the necessary plans and specifications ; and to enter a proper contract for such a building if in their opinion such plans and specifica- tions show that a building consonant with the appearance of the Town property and adequate for the purposes of all three departments can be built for that sum.
Article 1 - Equal Pay for Teachers
In addition, the town is asked to vote on the acceptance or rejection of Section 40, Chapter 71 of the General Laws as amended. The Commit- tee is of the opinion, and has so advised the School Committee, that the
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acceptance of this Section as amended will not necessarily result in any change in the salaries in the school system. The Section nows read as follows :
"The compensation of every teacher employed in any public day school in the commonwealth, except persons in training and those employed as temporary substitutes, shall be at a rate of not less than one thousand dollars in towns of less than two million five hundred thousand dollars valuation for the fiscal year preceding and in all other towns at a rate of not less than twelve hundred dollars for the school year in that school. Women teachers employed in the same grades and doing the same type of work with the same preparation and training as men teachers shall be paid at the same rate as men teachers. Such equal pay shall not be effected by reducing the pay of men teachers. The provisions of this section relative to equal pay for men and women teachers shall be in force in any city or town which accepts or has accepted provisions relative to equal pay for men and women teachers in any manner from time to time provided by law."
This places on the School Committee and the Superintendent the duty of determining what women teachers, if any, are employed "in the same grades and doing the same type of work with the same preparation and training as men teachers." If none are, no action is required. If any are, they must be paid at the same rate as such men and, as appears, this can- not be brought about by reduction in the pay of men teachers.
RECOMMENDED BUDGET
The recommended budget, together with the actual appropriations for like purposes made in 1947, follows :
1947 1948
1948
Appropriation Recommended
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Moderator
· Finance and Advisory Committee Expenses
$ 15 00
$ 90 00
Selectmen, Salaries
1150 00
1150 00
Chairman
$460 00
Other Members
345 00 each
Expenses
1450 00
1285 00
Wages-Clerk
700 00
Equipment, American Legion Grounds
150 00
Accountant-Salary
1700 00
1900 00
Expenses
135 00
200 00
Treasurer-Salary
1080 00
1080 00
Expenses
275 00
285 00
Tax Collector-Salary
1265 00
1265 00
Expenses
400 00
450 00
Transferred from Reserve
(17 68)
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1948
Assessors-Salaries Chairman 1947
1948
$425 00
$365 00
Other
Members 275 00 each 305 00 each
Wages
1040 00
1040 00
Expenses
1090 00
265 00
Law-Salary
700 00
700 00
Town Clerk-Salary Expenses
325 00
225 00
Election and Registration
900 00
1600 00
Town Hall-Salary
1400 00
2184 00
Expenses
1300 00
1216 00
Special-Repairs and Painting
2000 00
Retirement Fund
1649 12
Expenses
91 50
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
2600 00
2600 00
Wages-Constables and Special Officers
3730 00
3600 00
Expenses
910 00
995 00
Special-Uniforms, Clothing and Badges -First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher Transfer from Reserve-(Expenses)
(188 23)
Fire
3200 00
[1620 00
Equipment and Repairs
800 00
Other Expenses
1080 00
Special-New Hose
600 00
600 00
Transferred from Rserve
(777 56)
230 00
230 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Salary Expenses
100 00
100 00
Moth-Town-Salary of Superintendent
1216 00
1216 00
Wages
1150 00
1150 00
Expenses
802 00
735 00
Moth-Private Property-Salary of Supt. Wages
418 00
378 00
Expenses
350 00
390 00
Tree Warden-Salary
768 00
768 00
Wages
864 00
864 00
Expenses
100 00
120 00
Forest Fire Warden-Salary Expenses
40 00
40 00
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Salaries
120 00
120 00
Chairman
$60 00
Other Members
30 00 each
1947
1948 Appropriation Recommended 975 00 975 00
40 00
40 00
432 00
432 00
Salaries and Wages
272 00
30 00
Police-Salary of Chief
1000 00
800 00
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1947
1948
Wages
60 00
Milk Inspector-Salary
5 75 00
Expenses
5620 00
6140 00
Dental Clinic-Salary of Dental Nurse Expenses
2000 00
2000 00
Inspector of Animals-Salary Expenses
50 00
50 00
HIGHWAYS
Salary of Supt. and Surveyor
2800 00
2800 00
Wages of Truck Drivers and Helpers
7944 00
8551 00
Labor and Expenses
7868 40
6490 00
Sidewalk Roller
2375 00
Chapter 90-Maintenance
(1000 00)
(1000 00)
Chapter 90-Construction
(3125 00)
(1500 00)
Snow Removal and Sanding
5500 00
10000 00
Transfer from Reserve
(206 18)
Street Lighting
7500 00
7000 00
CHARITIES
Public Welfare-Salaries
120 00
120 00
Chairman
$60 00
Other Members
30 00 each
Wages
60 00
60 00
Expenses
5320 00
6320 00
Old Age Assistance
14000 00
15000 00
Old Age-Administration
1000 00
1000 00
Wages-Clerk
500 00
Aid to Dependent Children
1200 00
1000 00
Aid to Dependent Children- Administration and Salary
25 00
25 00
Veterans' Benefits
700 00
1000 00
EDUCATION
Schools-Salaries and Expenses
*78668 70
** 85530 23
High School-Specials
Vocational
500 00
500 00
Cafeteria-High School
#2270 82
3500 00
Cafeteria High School-Art. 11 in Warrant (1229 18) S
Gym Floor (Maintenance)
95 00
150 00
Commercial Dept .- Equipment
455 00
300 00
Leakage Repairs
100 00
100 00
Heating System
Low Water Cut Out
40 00
217 00
Tile in Gym
125 00
New Machinery
45 00
100 Chairs for Gym
245 00
30 Desks and Chairs-Room 12
500 00
Winthrop Park Maintenance (Art. 21 in Warrant)
(250 00)
200 00
200 00
90 00
90 00
Vacuum System Repairs
1948 Appropriation Recommended 60 00
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1947 1948 Appropriation Recommended
1948
Lamson School-Specials
Elementary-Additional Teacher
850 00
Cafeteria
3500 00
3500 00
Cafeteria Equipment
72 00
Cafeteria Equipment-Electric Water Heater
300 00
Painting Repair-Exterior
500 00
Painting-Basement
1000 00
Libraries-Salaries
975 00
975 00
Main Library
$600 00
Branch Library
375 00
Wages
35 00
35 00
Expenses
1645 00
1800 00
RECREATION
Parks-Salary of Supt.
2250 00
2288 00
-Salary of Instructors
450 00
495 00
-Labor
480 00
-Expenses
1645 00
1026 00
-Specials
Power Mower Extras
324 00
Baseball field
1000 00
Baseball Backstop
600 00
Baseball Field Bases, Plate and Bench
65 00
Electrical Work
275 00
Engineering
300 00
Concrete Drain, Labor and Material Hose
293 00
PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISE
Water Department-Salary of Supt.
2600 00
2600 00
-Salary of Clerk
500 00
500 00
-Extra Labor
§1800 00
-Expenses
6655 00
26170 00
Transfer from Reserve
292 90
Special-Gardner Street
450 00
-Engineering and Testing Wells
1000 00
-Chestnut Street
-Hatfield Road
800 00
Cemetery-Salaries of Commissioners
75 00
75 00
Chairman & Other Members $25 00 each
100 00
100 00
Wages and Expenses
2000 00
2000 00
UNCLASSIFIED
Town Reports
767 70
800 00
Town Clock-Care
100 00
100 00
Memorial Day
450 00
450 00
Transfer from Reserve
(103 61)
American Legion
300 00
1500 00
Insurance
1200 00
1300 00
Clerk-Salary
200 00
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1948
1948 Appropriation Recommended
Planning Board Expenses
500 00
500 00
Finance Committee-
2000 00
1500 00
Reserve Fund for Emergencies Maturing Debt
(10000 00)
19716 67
Plus Bond Issue Premium (Applied to Maturing Debt) Interest
(1283 33)
1510 00
3466 25
Total of above items from Tax Levy
$213,638 62
$257,005 78
Special Articles in Warrant (Tax Levy)
22,935 50 est. 4,750 00
Special Articles in Warrant ( Available Funds) 10,000 00
20,000 00
Total $246,574 12
$281,755 78
* Plus Dog Tax $440 27
** Plus Dog Tax $555 77
# Plus Art. 11 in Warrant $1,229 18
( ) Indicates not in above Tax Levy Total.
We recommend that the Water Bond Issue premium be applied to maturing debt as indicated in the budget figures.
We recommend the adoption of Article 21 in the Warrant, the appro- priation to come from the tax levy as indicated in the budget figures.
The added sum of $75.00 in the request of the Finance Committee is for the purchase of a filing cabinet to be placed in the Town Hall, for the safe and convenient storage of the papers of the Committee: Since the Committee's requirements are small, a considerable part of this cabinet will also be available for the purposes of the Town Clerk and Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
THEODORE A. HOLLAND, Chairman JOHN KING FREDERIC WINTHROP, JR. JOHN E. HARTNETT. JR. ALBERT L. RIDER
1947
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PROPOSED BY-LAW RELATIVE TO THE PARKING OF VEHI- CLES ON RAILROAD AVENUE AND MAIN STREET, AND RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO TRAFFIC UPON THE STREETS OF HAMILTON. TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF 1948, UNDER ARTICLE 20 OF THE WARRANT.
SECTION 1 Definitions
For the purpose of this by-law, the words and phrases used herein shall have the following meanings except in those instances where the con- text clearly indicates a different meaning.
(a) "Street or Highway." The entire width between property lines of every way open to the use of the public for purposes of travel.
(b) "Vehicle." Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street or highway, ex- cept devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(c) "Emergency Vehicle." Vehicles of the Fire Department (Fire Patrol). police vehicles. ambulances and emergency vehicles of federal, state and municipal departments or public service corporations when the latter are responding to an emergency in relation to the police or fire de- partments.
(d) "Parking." The standing of a vehicle. whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading, or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals, or while making emergency repairs, or, if disabled, while arrange- ments are being made to move such vehicle.
(e) "Crosswalk." That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curb lines and property lines at intersections, or at any portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedes- trian crossing by lines on the road surface or by other markings or signs.
(f) "Railroad Crossing." Any intersection of ways with a railroad right-of-way.
(g) "Official Traffic Signs." All signs. markings and devices, other than signals. not inconsistent with this by-law, and which conform to the standards prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts and placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing warning or regulating traffic.
(h) "Officer." For the purpose of this by-law an officer shall be construed to mean any officer, any investigator. examiner or inspector of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, any constable or special officer. provided he has his badge of office displayed over his left breast and upon his outer garment.
(i) "Official Curb Marking." That portion of a curbing, the paint- ing of which has been authorized by the chief of police and which has the written approval of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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(j) "Official Street Marking." Any painted line, legend, marking or marker of any description painted or placed upon any way which pur- ports to direct or regulate traffic and which has been authorized by the chief of police and which has the written approval of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(k) "Sidewalk." That portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian travel, whether or not bounded by a curbing.
(1) "Bus Stop." An area in the roadway set aside for the berthing or parking of busses.
SECTION 2
Authority and Duties of Police
(a) Officers to Direct Traffic. It shall be the duty of officers desig- nated by the chief of police to enforce the provisions of this by-law. Such officers are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of visible or audible signals in conformance with the provisions of this by-law, provided that in the event of a fire or other emergency to ex- pedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the police or fire depart- ments may direct traffic, as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of this by-law.
(b) Obedience to Police. Drivers of vehicles shall comply with any lawful or reasonable order, signal or direction of any police officer.
(c) Police May Close Streets Temporarily. The chief of police is hereby authorized to close temporarily any street or highway in an impend- ing or existing emergency, or for any lawful assemblage, demonstration, procession or funeral provided there is reasonable justification for the clos- ing of such street.
(d) Police May Prohibit Parking Temporarily. The chief of police is hereby authorized to prohibit, temporarily, parking on any street or high- way or part thereof in an impending or existing emergency, or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration, procession or funeral provided there is reason- able justification for such prohibition. Vehicles parked in places where parking is prohibited temporarily may be moved by or under the direction of an officer.
(e) Exemptions. The provisions of this by-law shall not apply to operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel or under construction or repair, to officers when engaged in the per- formance of public duties nor to drivers of emergency vehicles while oper- ating in an emergency and in performance of public duties when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a departure from any part of this by-law. These exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
SECTION 3 Traffic Signs, Signals and Markings
(a) The Highway Surveyor is hereby authorized, and as to those signs and signals required hereunder it shall be his duty, to place and
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maintain or cause to be placed and maintained all official traffic signs, signals, and markings. All signs, signals and markings shall conform to the standards as prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) Obedience to Traffic Signs and Signals. No driver of any ve- hicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic control signal, sign, marking, marker or legend, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
SECTION 4 Parking
(a) General Prohibitions. No person shall park a vehicle in any of the following places and vehicles found parked in violation of the pro- visions of this section may be moved by or under the direction of a police officer and at the expense of the owner to a place where parking is per- mitted :
1. Within an intersection.
2. Upon any sidewalk.
3. Upon any crosswalk.
4. Upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and unobstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.
5. Upon any street or highway within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant.
6. Upon any street or highway within twenty (20) feet of an intersecting way, except alleys.
SECTION 5 Parking Prohibited on Certain Streets
(a) Upon the following streets or highways or parts thereof parking is hereby prohibited, except on Sunday or holidays:
1. On either side of Railroad avenue between Main street and Willow street for longer than a period of one hour between the hours of 9 a. m. and 6 p. m.
2. On either side of Main street between the Wenham line and Walnut road for longer than a period of one hour between the hours of 9 a. m. and 6 p. m.
3. No person shall park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop.
SECTION 6 Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs
(a) Every driver of a vehicle, railway car or other conveyance, ap- proaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him an official sign, bearing the word "stop" and authorized by this section, said sign having, apart from this regulation, the written approval of the Depart- ment of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and such
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