USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1949 > 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 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
36
Plan since 1930. Only 32 communities have abandoned the Plan since 1908.
The study has brought out that the Manager Plan varies somewhat in detail but follows a well defined pattern. The Plan consists prin- cipally of a small Council elected at large which determines all munici- pal policies and a Chief Executive or Administrator called the Town Manager, who is appointed by and directly responsible to the Council. In Reading this Council would undoubtedly be the Board of Selectmen.
In this Commonwealth, authority for any change in basic town government vests in the Legislature. At the present time no standard form of Town Manager Government has been established. Several such plans were considered during the past year, but none adopted. En- abling Acts were passed for the benefit of several towns by the last session of the General Court on petition of the respective towns includ- ing Saugus, Nahant and Methuen. The Act was accepted by the first named town and the plan is now in effect. The citizens of the other two towns did not accept when the Act was first presented, but will have the opportunity to consider again in 1949 and 1950. The towns of Danvers and Ipswich have filed petitions with the current legislature. The proposed plans are both similar to the Saugus Plan with adaptions.
Several Massachusetts towns, of which Norwood is the largest, have employed Town Managers with limited powers for periods of twenty- five years or more with varying degrees of success. Two large cities in this State operate under City Managers, while four more have adopted the plan and are in process of setting up the new form.
Managers are selected entirely on the basis of ability, training and experience, and have general supervision over such town officers and departments as the town shall determine. School Departments are not subject to supervision by the Manager. The Manager is usually respon- sible for:
The enforcement of town by-laws.
Purchase of all equipment and supplies, except the books for the schools.
Preparation and submission of annual budgets for the departments under his supervision.
Supervision of construction and maintenance of town-owned build- ings.
Keeping the selectmen informed of present and future needs of the town.
Appointment, supervision and removal of department heads and employees of those departments under his control subject, where ap- plicable, to civil service provisions.
Should the citizens of Reading petition for an Enabling Act to es-
37
tablish a Manager Form of government, and should the Legislature grant the petition authorizing a charter with provisions similar to those authorized previously for other towns, the government of Reading would be affected as follows:
The Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Moderator would continue to be elected as at present. The Selectmen would con- tinue to appoint the election officials, the Registrars of Voters (except the Town Clerk, who is a member by statute) and the Town Accountant. The Finance Committee would be appointed by the Selectmen (as at present) or by the Moderator, as determined by the charter.
Members of other town boards and individual officers would be ap- pointed and be subject to removal by the Manager and not elected by popular vote as is now the practice. These boards and officers would, however, have all the powers and duties as provided by statute and town by-laws.
The Representative Town Meeting would continue unchanged as the appropriating and legislative body of the town.
The Committee is very favorably impressed by the record of the communities which have adopted and retained the Manager Form of government. The Plan is democratic, logical and practical in principle and the committee is of the opinion that it should produce economical and efficient results.
The arrangement is very similar to that followed by the ordinary business corporation in that the Selectmen correspond to the Board of Directors and the Town Manager functions as a General Manager. It is the responsibility of the Town Manager to administer the affairs of the town efficiently, or be replaced. His performance shall be judged by the Selectmen to whom he is directly responsible.
The Manager Plan permits the operations of the various depart- ments within his control to be coordinated under a single authority in contrast to the existing arrangement. The difficulties which necessi- tated the recent study by the Wages and Hours Classification Commit- tee could well have been resolved by a Town Manager.
It will be readily recognized that under the Council-Manager Plan the Board of Selectmen acquires new dignity and authority, in that it becomes truly the responsible head of the town government. Through the Manager, it coordinates most of the town functions other than those of the School Committee.
The present town government structure has operated for many generations and has many proven advantages. It was designed, how- ever, to meet the requirements of a much smaller community where the majority of the citizens were personally acquainted with each other. The complexities of modern living require adjustments to better meet the demands made upon public officials.
38
If we are to operate our town in an economical and efficient man- ner, we must provide our town government with the best administrative equipment permitted under the statutes. When a town is spending over a million dollars annually the judgment and experience of a pro- fessionally trained administrator is necessary.
Reading has been extremely fortunate in securing the services of many citizens of high calibre to serve on town boards and in part-time offices. Many of these citizens are quick to admit the handicaps en- countered in the conduct of town business under present conditions. Their efforts might well be expended with more beneficial results in co- operation with a trained, full time specialist.
Being fully conscious of the traditions attaching to the present form of town government, your committee is of the opinion that, regardless of its own conclusions, all of the citizens of the town should be given additional time and opportunity to become familiar with the methods and probable results of the operations of a Council-Manager Form of government in Reading.
This might be accomplished by means of public hearings and dis- cussion groups sponsored by civic organizations.
A study of this nature would be incomplete without a comparison of operating methods in the various departments under both the present and Council-Manager forms of government. The vote creating this committee did not provide for this.
Therefore, it is the unanimous recommendation of this committee that it be continued with authority to hold public hearings from time to time and to examine the methods of the several town departments and be instructed to report to the town with recommendations prior to December 31, 1949.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES STRATTON, Chairman EDWARD C. EMSLIE, Secretary A. LLOYD DAVID LEWIS E. PIERCE HERBERT J. WOOLDRIDGE
On motion of Charles Stratton, it was voted that the Report of the Committee to make a study of the Manager Form of Town Government be and the same hereby is accepted and that the Committee be con- tinued in office for further study thereof and is hereby authorized to hold public hearings from time to time and to examine such methods of administration of the several departments of the Town as they may determine; such Committee to report to the Town with its recommen-
39
dations at a Special Town Meeting to be held prior to December 31, 1949.
Article 2. On motion of Harold L. Jones it was voted that the fol- lowing report be accepted:
Report of the Personnel Board to the Annual Town Meeting, March 21, 1949
The Personnel Board, authorized by vote of the Special Town Meet- ing on January 17, 1949, held its first meeting on February 2, 1949. It was immediately faced with the problem of reviewing and approving the assignment of existing personnel to their proper classifications and salary rates under the new Salary Schedule.
The fact that final budgets could not be submitted until this had been done made prompt action by the Personnel Board imperative. The Board made every effort to give prompt and understanding considera- tion to the problems of the various Departments involved but we cer- tainly could not have completed the task had it not been for the fine spirit of cooperation and helpfulness shown by all of the Boards and De- partment heads.
The lapse of time between the consideration of departmental per- sonnel classifications by the committees and the actual voting of the Salary Schedule by the Town created certain classification problems not covered by the Schedule. To remedy this, we are proposing an amend- ment under Article 16 to establish six new Job Classifications. If ap- proved, they will become effective five days after the final adjournment of this meeting and we will present salary rates for each new classifica- tion for your approval at the next subsequent Town Meeting.
HAROLD L. JONES, Chairman EMERSON A. WILLARD G. LAWRENCE ROBERTS BOYD H. STEWART, Clerk
Article 3. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the following be chosen as Measurers of Lumber for the ensuing year:
Harold B. Currell Fred F. Smith Maurice H. Donegan
and that the following be chosen to serve as Measurers of Wood and Bark:
Percy N. Sweetser Harold B. Currell Thomas F. Brogan
40
Article 4. On motion of Joseph D. Knight it was voted that the sum of One Hundred Fifty-six Thousand three hundred ($156,300.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for Charities and Aid as follows:
General Aid
$ 25,000.00
General Aid Administrative, salaries
4,580.00
General Aid Administrative, expenses
1,000.00*
Aid to Dependent Children
22,160.00
Aid to Dependent Children Administrative, salaries
2,020.00
Old Age Assistance
95,000.00
Old Age Assistance Administrative
6,540.00
$156,300.00
* Including travel outside the state.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Forty Five Thousand Five Hundred and Seventeen Dollars and Twenty-one cents ($45,517.21) be raised and appropriated for GENERAL GOVERNMENT as follows:
Selectmen's Clerical
$ 2,158.00
Selectmen's Expenses
1,000.00
Town Accountant's Salary
3,631.25
Town Accountant's Clerical
533.91
Town Accountant's Expenses
600.00
Treasurer's Salary
1,800.00
Treasurer's Clerical
600.00
Treasurer's Expenses
1,155.00
Collector's Salary
3,580.00*
Collector's Clerical
4,000.00
Collector's Sxpenses
1,600.00
Assessor's Salaries (Chm. $1500, Secty. $1000, 3rd Member $750
3,250.00
Assessor's Clerical
3,970.72
Assessor's Expenses
2,200.00
Town Counsel's Salary
1,800.00
Town Counsel's Expenses
800.00
Town Clerk's Salary
1,320.00
Town Clerk's Clerical
2,600.00
Town Clerk's Expenses
1,100.00
Registrars' Salaries
450.00
Registrars' Expenses
1,300.00
Election & Registration Expenses
1,500.00
Planning Board Expense
200.00
Board of Appeal Expense
200.00
Finance Committee, Clerical
175.00
41
Finance Committee. Expense
150.00
Personnel Board, Clerical
183.33
Personnel Board, Expense
100.00
Municipal Building, Janitor
1,560.00
Municipal Building, Maintenance
2,000.00
* Fees to Town Treasury
$ 45,517.21
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of One Hundred and Seventy-seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirteen Dollars and Ninety-one cents ($177,713.91) be raised and ap- propriated for PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY as follows:
Police Dept. Salaries
$ 58,354.00
Police Dept. Pensions
4,594.24
Police Dept. Maintenance
9,250.00*
Police Station Maintenance
3,015.00
Fire Dept. Salaries
44,126.17
Fire Dept. Callmen Salaries
4,300.00
Fire Dept. Pensions
4,050.00
Fire Dept. Maintenance
8,590.00*
Fire Stations Maintenance
3,907.50
Fire Alarm Maintenance
2,950.00
Fire Alarm Extension
2,960.00
Hydrant Rentals
5,000.00
Moth & Tree Dept. Salaries
15,222.00
Moth & Tree Dept. Maintenance
4,940.00
Inspector of Buildings Salary
3,500.00
Inspector of Buildings Clerical
150.00
Inspector of Buildings Expenses
200.00
Inspector of Wires Salary
300.00
Inspector of Wires Expenses
50.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures Salary
575.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures Expenses
250.00
Game Warden's Salary
105.00
Dog Officer's Salary
375.00
Dog Officer's Expenses
300.00
Traffic Control, Pearl Street
650.00
$177,713.91
* Including travel outside the State.
42
Article 4. Charles R. Baisley moved that the sum of Fifteen Thou- sand Six Hundred Ninety-two Dollars and Fifty cents ($15,692.50) be raised and appropriated for HEALTH AND SANITATION as follows:
Board of Health Salaries
$ 315.00
Board of Health Expenses
1,000.00
Health Officer's Salary
550.00
Inspector of Plumbing Salary
887.50
Inspector of Animals Salary
220.00
Inspector of Milk & Food Salary
220.00
Care of Contagious Diseases
5,000.00
Garbage Collection
5,500.00
Dental Clinic
2,000.00
$ 15,692.50
Louis Davis moved to amend motion made by Charles R. Baisley by reducing the item for Dental Clinic to $1,500.00 so that the total appro- priation for HEALTH AND SANITATION would be $15,192.50. Charles R. Baisley's motion being in the larger amount, was put to vote first and was voted.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Twelve Dollars and Thirty-two cents ($10,912.32) be raised and appropriated for VETERANS' BENEFITS as follows:
Salaries
$ 1,312.32
Adm. Expense
600.00
Aid
9,000.00
$ 10,912.32
Article 4. On motion of Alexander P. Glover it was voted that the sum of Four Hundred Sixty-eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy- eight ($468,378.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the School Department as follows:
General Salaries
387,906.00
General Maintenance including travel outside the State
64,472.00
Industrial Tuition
3,000.00
Transportation of School Children
13,000.00
$468,378.00
Article 4. On motion of Alexander P. Glover it was voted that the sum of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars be raised and appropri- ated for the School Department for the operation of School Cafeterias.
43
Article 4. On motion of William J. Tonks it was voted that the sum of Twelve Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-four ($12,254.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the PUBLIC LIBRARY as follows: $ 8,254.00 4,000.00
Salaries Maintenance
$ 12,254.00
Article 4. On motion of Fred L. Nutter it was voted that the sum of Nineteen Thousand Five Hundred ($19,500.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the maintenance, care and development of Laurel Hill Cemetery and Forest Glen Cemetery, including travel outside the State, Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred ($17,300.00) Dollars for salaries and Twenty-two Hundred ($2,200.00) Dollars for expenses.
Article 4. On motion of James E. Calvin it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred Seventy-six Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-five ($276,295.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the Board of Public Works as follows:
Salaries for Administration $ 6,570.00
Expenses for Administration 875.00
Salaries for Construction and Maintenance of Highways
41,700.00
Expenses for Repairs, Construction and Maintenance of Highways, setting curbs, purchase or otherwise ac- quiring land for sand and gravel purposes, purchase of materials, tools and equipment and other incidental expenses pertaining thereto
30,900.00
Salaries for Removal of Snow and Ice
10,500.00
Expenses for Removal of Snow and Ice
9,500.00
10,500.00
Salaries for Construction and Maintenance of Sidewalks Expenses for Construction and Maintenance of Sidewalks Salaries for Construction of Storm Drains
3,700.00
10,250.00
Expenses for Construction of Storm Drains
8,500.00
Salaries for Maintenance of Storm Drains
3,270.00
Expenses for Maintenance of Storm Drains
3,000.00
Salaries for Maintenance of Dumps
2,780.00
Expenses for Maintenance of Dumps
200.00
Salaries for Maintenance of Park Department and Commons and supervised play 8,080.00
Expenses for Maintenance of Park Department and Com- mons and supervised play 4,000.00
Salaries for Maintenance, Operation and Extension of the Sewer System 9,070.00
44
Expenses for Maintenance, Operation and Extension of the
Sewer System, Payment of Interest on Sewer Bonds .... 9,400.00 Salaries for Connecting Estates with the Common Sewer .... 6,400.00 Expenses for Connecting Estates with the Common Sewer 3,000.00 Drinking Fountains 100.00
Salaries for Construction, Maintenance and Operation of Water Works 40,000.00
Expenses for Construction, Maintenance and Operation of
Water Works, Payment of Water Bonds and Interest including travel outside the State 52,000.00
Public Works Pensions 2,000.00
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Twenty-one Thousand Three Hundred ($21,300.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for INSURANCE.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of One Thousand One Hundred and Fifty ($1,150.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE to be ex- pended under the direction of Post No. 62, American Legion, and Post No. 685, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) be raised and appropriated for the settlement of Damage Claims against the Town.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the Maintenance and Lighting of the Old South Clock.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty-six ($1,366.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for printing the Town Report for the year 1948.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the preparation and printing of the Street Lists for the year 1949, such sums to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the Maintenance of the Parking Area.
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for recording instruments in the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds.
45
Article 4. On motion of Charles E. Wilkinson it was voted that the sum of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred ($12,500) Dollars be raised and appropriated for INTEREST, not including Water, Light and Sewer.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Forty-six Thousand ($46,000.00) Dollars be raised and appro- priated for MATURING DEBT, not including Water and Light.
Article 4. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that the sum of Three Hundred Fifty ($350.00) Dollars be raised and appropri- ated for the printing of the Town General By-Laws.
Article 4. On motion of Louis Davis it was voted that the sum of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000.00) Dollars be appropriated, by transferring said sum from the Overlay Surplus Reserve Fund to the Reserve Fund, and that the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and in- structed to transfer said sum to carry out the purpose of this vote.
Article 4. On motion of Philip R. White it was voted that the sum of Twenty-three Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty-three ($23,683.00) Dollars be raised and appropriated for the Contributory Retirement Sys- tem, to be divided as follows:
Pension Accumulation Fund
$ 22,683.00
Expense Fund 1,000.00
$ 23,683.00
Article 4. The following motion was made by Joseph H. Reed:
MOVED: That there be included in the tax levy, for electricity used for street lights, the sum of Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred ($17,500.00) Dollars and that said sum and the income from sales of electricity to private consumers and for electricity supplied to municipal buildings, and for municipal power, and from sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year be appropriated for the Munici- pal Light Plant, and that the sum of Twelve Thousand ($12,000.00) Dol- lars be appropriated from the said receipts of the department for the sale, installation and servicing of merchandise, equipment, utensils and chat- tels, as provided in Section 34 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, said appropriations to be expended by the Manager of the Municipal Lighting, under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board, for the expense of the plant, including payments of Bonds and Notes, the sale, installation and servicing of merchandise, equipment, utensils and chattels, as defined in Chapter 164 of the General Laws, or any amend- ments thereof or addition thereto, and that if said sum of Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred ($17,500.00) Dollars and said income shall ex- ceed said expense for said fiscal year, such excess up to the sum of
46
Thirty-one Thousand Nine Hundred Sixteen Dollars and Eighty-four cents ($31,916.84) shall be paid into the Town Treasury, and the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the Construction Fund of said Plant, and appropriated and used for such additions thereto as may thereafter be authorized by the Municipal Light Board.
Louis Davis offered the following amendment to the above motion: MOVED: To amend by striking out the sum of Thirty-one Thousand Nine Hundred Sixteen Dollars and Eighty-four cents ($31,916.84) and substituting in place thereof the sum of Fifty-four Thousand ($54,000.00) Dollars.
Mr. Davis' amendment being the higher amount was put to vote first and it was so voted, 76 voting in the affirmative and 67 voting in the negative.
Article 5. The following motion was made by Newell H. Morton:
MOVED: That the provisions of Chapter 649 of the Acts of 1947, as amended, being an Act authorizing a forty-hour work-week for em- ployees of the Town of Reading, be and the same hereby are accepted, and that there be exempted from the operation of such Act, Janitors of Public buildings and Schools in the Town, Superintendents, Foremen, Pumping Station Engineer, Assistant to Superintendent, and Relief Pumping Station Engineer, Distribution Engineer and Construction Sup- erintendent.
Amendment to Article 5 was made by Kenneth C. Latham as fol- lows:
MOVED: To amend the Motion accepting the provisions of Chap- ter 649 of the Acts of 1947 by adding to the employees to be exempted from the operation of the Act, the following: Clerks, Manager, Comp- troller, Assistant to Comptroller, Merchandise Manager, Service Mana- ger, and Salesman Clerk of the Electric Light Department; Librarian and Assistant Librarian of the Public Library; and the Town Account- ant.
On motion of John L. Devaney it was voted to refer Article 5 to the Wage and Hour Classification Committee for further study and their report.
Article 6. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1950, and to issue note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance ยท with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 7. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that the
47
sum of Two Hundred Seventy-five ($275.00) Dollars be raised and ap- propriated for the purpose of foreclosing in the Land Court pursuant to provisions of Section 65 of Chapter 60 of the General Laws, the right of redemption of any and all real estate taken by the Town for non- payment of taxes.
Article 8. On motion of Preston F. Nichols it was voted that a sum not exceeding Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars be transferred from Gen- eral Highway appropriation and that a sum not exceeding One Thous- and ($1,000.00) Dollars be transferred from Surplus Revenue and appro- priated for the maintenance of various streets previously constructed under Chapter 90, General Laws;and that a further sum of Fifteen Thou- sand ($15,000.00) Dollars be transferred from Surplus Revenue and ap- propriated for the construction under Chapter 90, General Laws, of a portion of Lowell Street, and a portion of Charles Street, provided how- ever, that such sums received as reimbursement from the State and County shall be credited to Surplus Revenue and that the Town Ac- countant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sums to said accounts to carry out the purposes of this vote.
On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted to adjourn and meet in Security Hall on Monday, March 28, 1949 at 7:45 P. M.
Adjourned at 10:15 P. M.
163 Precinct Members were present.
A True Copy. Attest:
GUY W. ELLISON
Town Clerk
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Security Hall
March 28, 1949
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Charles P. How- ard, at 7:55 P. M.
The new Town Meeting Members were requested to stand and be sworn to office by the Town Moderator.
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.