USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1945-1946 > Part 4
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.
Year
Gross Expenditures
Receipts
Net Cost to Town
1937
$44,177.37
$17,210.71
$26,966.66
1938
58,795.03
34,618.45
24,176.58
1939
61,324.93
35,944.18
25,380.75
1940
75,197.72
35,525.54
39,672.18
1941
65,213.54
55,539.14
9,674.40
1942
63,827.03
59,773.02
15,589.23
11,535.22
75,362.25
1943
60,922.09
50,330.64
10,591.45
1944
58,956.32
45,010.89
13,945.43
1945
57,715.76
47,870.02
9,845.74
Gross expenditures cover payments for all types of relief granted by this Department. Receipts are moneys received from the Federal Government, State and other cities and towns for cases aided in Wilmington.
It is to be noted that the expenditures increased each year until the start of World War II (which created war-time employment) and have decreased each year since. The amount of $11,535.22 shown for the year 1942 was for bills of previous years, leaving the amount of $63,827.03 for relief granted in 1942. It is also to be noted that proper administration in securing reimbursements has greatly reduced the net cost to the town. The net cost of $9,674.40 for the year 1941 was the result of the Board's ability to secure reimbursement for the previous years which the previous administration failed to secure. The amount of Federal reimbursement received on Old Age Assistance cases affects the amount of receipts for the Department and also the net cost to the town. For example:
In 1943-a case received.
$41.00 (per month)
Federal pays 1/2 up to $40.00
20.00
Balance
$21.00
State pays 2/3 of the remainder
14.00
Net Cost to the Town
$ 7.00
In 1945-case received.
$50.00 (per month)
Federal pays 1/2 up to $40.00
20.00
Balance
$30.00
State pays 2/3 of the remainder
20.00
Net cost to the Town
$10.00
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The costs of administration are included in the gross expenditures quoted for previous years and for the information of the Voters are listed below:
1938-$1,612.78 1939- 2,154.27 1940- 3,545.07
1941-$1,241.37
1942- 3,287.18
1943- 3,238.43
$7,312.12 Less Fed. Grants: 1,769.22
$7,766.98
Less Fed. Grants: 2,225.07
Net Cost to Town $5,542.90
Net Cost to Town: $5,541.91
1944-$3,551.61
1945-$3,382.16
Less Fed. Grants:
779.19
Less Fed. Grants: 752.48
Net Cost to Town: $2,772.42 Net Cost to Town: $2,629.68 The costs of administration cover not only salaries but telephone, postage, printing, equipment and supplies,-As well as all other administrative costs. The Federal grants deducted are partial re- imbursement to cover administration costs and will average about $750.00 per year,- which reduces the net cost to the town. We believe that when you consider the department spends close to $60,000.00 a year, the costs of administration are not excessive.
The first year an appropriation was voted to cover administration costs was in 1942 and since then an office has been maintained with a paid staff who have been able to give better social service to the case load,-resulting in a considerable saving to the town at no greater cost than for previous years. The salaries of the employees are regulated by Civil Service and at the present time are among the lowest paid in the town. No increases have been granted in the past two years nor have they received the 10% bonus granted to other depart- ments of the town.
The appropriation for 1946 has been increased to allow the Board to add a "clerk" to the staff-which is necessary due to increased work required by the Federal and State Laws,-and also to provide step- rate increases in salaries as authorized by the Civil Service Division and to purchase much needed equipment for the efficient operation of the Department. It is expected that there will be a considerable increase in the number of cases during the coming year-which will require additional administration. It is the opinion of the Board that the expenditures for relief have reached their lowest point and the estimates for 1946 for all categories have been increased. These estimates have been made on present conditions and changes that are expected, but they will not cover any great problems resulting from post-war changes.
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WELFARE AID
During 1945 Welfare Aid was granted to 30 cases, representing 62 persons. Most of these were aided in their own homes,-the balance in some hospital or boarding home, or in some other city or town, at a total cost of $6,333.78. The Town of Wilmington will be reimbursed by the State and by other cities and towns for cases aided here but not having a Wilmington settlement-in the amount of $1,286.24. To show the results of war-time employment in reducing the costs of relief, we quote expenditures for previous years :-
1938-$19,395.43 1939- 13,751.88
1942-$8,976.37 1943- 6,813.91
1940- 20,646.71 1944- 7,864.39
1941- 14,136.11 1945- 6,333.78
The requested appropriation for this type of relief for 1946 is $9,000.00.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
During 1945, Aid to Dependent Children was granted to 9 cases comprising 31 children. During the year some mothers returned to work in order to secure war-time wages, resulting in the closing of 3 cases with 10 children. It is expected they will return to this type of aid when employment ceases. On December 31, 1945 we were aiding 6 cases with 21 children. The total cost for 1945 was $5,687.85. The estimate costs for this type of aid for 1946 will require a town appropriation of $5,500.00.
Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance are part of the Social Security Act which is now ten years old. It is unfortunate that after ten years the rate of Federal reimbursement remains the same as when the program started. This holds true in Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance-both. This means that the increased costs must be absorbed by the State and local communities. For example,-the costs for one month for six cases on Aid to Dependent Children was $505.65 which is divided as follows :- Federal, $144.00; State, $168.56; leaving the balance of $193.10 as the town's share.
The Social Security Act sets the standards of Assistance to be granted to Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance cases on the basis of need. In Aid to Dependent Children cases the only requirement is that there be children under the age of 18 who have been deprived of parental support by reason of death, desertion, divorce, separation or physical incapacity of the parent to support his family. In Old Age Assistance, the only requirement is that a person be over the age of 65. Persons may receive aid under both of these programs and have an equity of $3,000 in real estate, $300 cash in the bank and a life insurance policy up to $1,000. There are no
62
citizenship requirements in Aid to Dependent Children and there are none in Old Age Assistance under the Social Security Act-but citizenship is required under the Massachusetts Law. However, it is believed that pending legislation will remove this requirement. A man and wife both eligible for Old Age Assistance are allowed an equity of $6,000 in real estate, $600 cash in the bank and life insurance policies not to exceed $2000.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
On January 1, 1945 there were 97 Old Age Assistance cases. During the year 14 new cases were added, 4 rejected and 20 cases closed, making a total of 111 cases aided during the year at a cost of $42,311.97. In addition there are 8 cases with a Wilmington settlement receiving Old Age Assistance in some other city or town. As previously stated, after ten years of the Social Security Act, the amount of Federal reimburse- ments remains the same but social legislation of Massachusetts has raised the standards of Old Age Assistance so that Massachusetts today stands the third highest in the nation. To show the increase in benefits we quote the costs of previous years with the average cost per case per month.
Year
No. of Cases
Total Cost
Monthly Average Per Case
1936
61
$10,000.00
$14.00
1938
114
32,166.00
23.50
1940
144
43,091.00
25.00
1942
148
43,028.45
25.00
1944
115
40,798.24
35.50
1945
111
42,311.97
37.00
You will notice that the case load has decreased while the total costs and monthly average per case have increased. A recent change of law, effective January 1, 1946, has increased the exemptions of children whose dependent parents are receiving Old Age Assistance to a point where most children are not now required to contribute to the support of their dependent parents. This change of law plus pending legislation, if enacted, will increased the costs of the Old Age Assistance program for 1946. On the basis of present condition, it is estimated that the cost of this program for 1946 will be $47,000.00 -which will require a town appropriation of $27.000.
In closing, the members of the Board wish to state that in their opinion existing conditions warranted some explanation to the Voters, and to express the hope that some knowledge of the Department may
63
be gained from this report. We believe the forming of a local "Community Fund" has been a step forward in planning for the social and economic needs of the community and in providing for cases which although in need of assistance should not be required to seek "public aid."
Very truly yours,
WALTER G. BUCKLE, Chairman ROY A. BOUSFIELD STEVEN COLUCCI
REPORT OF THE SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
This committee for the 1944-1945 season gave the two entertain- ments announced in our previous report.
For the current 1945-1946 season we expect to present a lecture of a most unusual character to be given in the Congregational Church, April 23, 1946.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA R. BARRY
MIDRED E. NEILSON
ALICE ALLEN FOSTER BALSER JOHN W. HATHAWAY
The Carter Lecture Committee.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report as Superintendent of Streets for the year 1945. During the early part of the year and late spring, most of the work consisted of graveling some of the newly accepted streets, mud patching, tar patching and cutting and burning brush at the dangerous curves and corners. Due to lack of time and man power shortage all brush could not be cut and burned in the fall as I had to do some more work on the newly accepted streets to make them safe for traveling. As you probably know, many new streets are being laid out and accepted and must be made safely passable. At this writing there are ten more to be voted upon, leaving a balance of about five and one half miles to bring us under Chap. 81. Before the regular street resurfacing program began, many of them had to be tar patched even though at a later date they had to be scarified shaped and tar applied because of their dangerous condition. Most of our streets repaired were surfaced with a mix of pea gravel, sand and Asphalt. Others were treated with heavy asphalt and covered with pea gravel giving a good nonskid wearing surface. Some more of this kind of work will be done in 1946.
Chap. 90 maintenance work as in the past consisted of cleaning catch basins, cutting and burning brush, some shoulder work, clean- ing gutters, surface patching and resurfacing with Tar.
Breakdown of Chap. 90 maintenance funds.
Appr. (Town, State & County)
$ 2,700.00
Salary and Wages $ 1,464.89
Tar (Heavy T-6)
705.26
Pea Gravel
419.63
Sand
50.07
Grader hire
60.00 $ 2,699.85
Balance .15
Work done:
1000 feet on Lowell St. resurfaced with pea gravel, sand and tar. Church St. from Common to 'Beacon St., resurfaced with pea gravel, sand and tar.
Funds were not available to continue to the square, but will be
65
finished in 1946. The Chap. 90 mileage has increased and the funds have decreased. I have been informed by the State Public Works Dept. that the State and County have set up but $500.00 each for the coming year. I have showed them our need for an increase over the usual $1000.00 but to no avail.
The following is a breakdown of the surveying acct. and streets laid out.
Kendall St.
$ 35.00
Appr. $ 750.00
Carter Lane
56.75
Roosevelt Rd.
97.75
Nassau Ave.
78.50
Cook Ave.
67.50
Thru way from Burt Rd. to Shawsheen
61.25
Oakwood Rd.
51.50
Fairfield Rd.
58.75
Central St. (off Salem St.)
38.75
Payroll to set bounds
166.45
Surveyors stakes
7.41
$ 719.61
Bal. $ 30.39
The following is a breakdown of the General Highways Appr.
Salaries & Wages (Appr.)
.. $ 15,000.00
Salaries & Wages paid
$ 14,957.00
Balance
$ 43.00
Expense Account (Appr.)
$ 9,250.00
Transferred from Salaries & Wages account
2,700.00
Transferred from reserve fund to pay snow bills
7.94.00
Total ..
$ 12,744.00
Expense account breakdown
Snow & Ice removal (truck & team hire and sand)
2,544.09
Insurance
568.22
Fuel
148.07
Lights
12.90
Telephone
49.39
Water
22.11
Gas, oil, repairs & parts
1,293.38
Bituminous products
5,555.93
Pea gravel & sand
1,503.06
Grader rental
321.00
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Bank Gravel
222.30
Blacksmith work
46.30
Cement bounds (for streets)
120.00
Trucks & tractor registrations
10.00
Miscellaneous
227.25
$ 12,744.00
The following streets were repaired more or less and cost.
Woburn St. $ 2,380.54 Columbia St.
$ 358.60
Adelaide St.
49.50
Park St.
304.40
Clark St.
796.74
Thurston Ave. 208.85
Adams St.
78.22
Grove Ave.
478.37
Forrest St.
816.00
Lincoln St.
151.73
R. R. Ave
215.82
Wilson St.
142.51
Temple St.
127.17
Cunningham St.
147.85
Middlesex Ave
1,337.55
Swain Rd.
329.53
Wildwood St.
1,941.46
McDonald Rd.
316.28
Brand Ave.
319.93
Grant St.
65.57
Butters Row
25.00
Cross St.
21.00
Veranda Ave.
50.00
Chestnut St.
78.19
Ballardvale St.
39.19
Westdale Ave.
48.67
King Street (old part)
53.43
Mix and put out patch
1,489.33
Clean square
194.32
Drainage
364.50
Work on trucks and around garage
241.50
Salvage collections
58.84
A large amount of the general highway appropriation has to be used for the removal of ice and snow thereby making it impossible to do as much road work as desired. For example. Total cost of snow removal for 1945 $ 6,500.28
Labor, Salary & Wages acct.
3,956.19
Truck, team, loader hire, and meals
2,083.31
Sand for ice
460.78
I am asking for a special appropriation to remedy the situation as this is done by most all the surrounding Towns.
I have made a careful honest study of the streets before drawing up my budget and recommendations for 1946. I have recommended the extensive use of a pea gravel mix with heavy asphalt. I admit it is expensive but lasting. With use of a pea gravel mix, many of our streets can be put in very good condition without being scarified thereby reducing the labor cost.
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My first consideration was given to the old tar surfaced streets and secondly to those old gravel roads such as Park St. I have drawn up a supplimentary budget covering the newly accepted streets.
My 1946 budget is as follows:
Salaries & wages $ 15,552.00
Expense acct.
13,067.00
Surveying acct.
1,000.00
Road machinery acct.
2,500.00
Snow account
2,500.00
Chap 90 Maintenance
500.00
$ 35,119.00
Supplimentary budget
$ 9,350.00
Many a reader will wonder or raise the question as to all this work being done in 1946. As far as the regular budget is concerned the answer is yes. As to the second budget, most of it could be done if machinery and help are available.
Laborers are not plentiful and you cannot blame the returning veteran not to be satisfied with a pick and shovel job. He deserves a job as good as the one he left and a better one if he can get it.
Many of the streets at present are in poor condition due to the early thaws and quick freezes. The same conditions exist in the surrounding towns and will be much worse when spring arrives. I anticipate an extra amount of patching will have to be done before resurfacing can be started. The Board of Survey will continue having new streets laid out during the coming year. A long list of proposed streets is in the hands of the surveyor. He has already laid out Phillips and Taplin Ave. this year. Phillips Ave. will be a thru way from Baker St. to Wild Ave. making a way out for the people of Brand Ave. and, will be a saving to the taxpayer as far as trans- porting children to school is concerned.
I have requested articles be inserted in the Town Warrant for two trucks, power grader and three new snow plows. These are badly needed. These trucks are to be purchased from the government. The plows to be new. The grader is second hand and could be very handily used to scrape some of the ice and snow from our streets.
In conclusion I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Selectmen for the assistance, advice and hearty cooperation they have given me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. WHITE,
Supt. of Streets.
68
REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wilmington, Massachusetts.
ORDER OF EXERCISES
9:45 A. M .- Veterans assemble at Legion Hall.
10:00 A. M .- Exercises at Nee and Regan Parks. Commanders, Colors, firing squads, buglers and chaplains. Exercises at Nee Park under the direction of Nee-Ellsworth Post 2458, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Exercises at Regan Park under the direction of American Legion Post 136.
10:30 A. M .- Form at Masonic Hall for Parade.
10:45 A. M .- Start of Parade.
10:55 A. M .- Casting of Wreath on water of Mill Brook by Com- mander Vinal H. Conway, Post 136, A. L. in memory of those who died at sea. Assisted by Lena Cavanaugh, Chaplain of V. F. W. Aux- iliary. March by Band, "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." Prayer by Rev. Dale Ganyard. Firing Squad. Taps.
11:15 A. M .- Arrive at Rogers Park. Column of Marchers, left face. Exercises under the direction of Commander Vinal H. Conway, Post 136, A. L. Placing of Wreath by Mrs. Elizabeth Kelley, Chaplain of American Legion Auxiliary. Address and Prayer by Rev. Father Francis S. Strykowski. Hymn by Band. Firing Squad. Taps.
11:30 A. M .- Arrive at Soldiers' Monument. Exercises under the direction of Commander Louis Kennedy, Nee-Ellsworth Post 2458 V. F. W. Placing of Wreath by Joseph Kelley, V. F. W. Lincoln's "Gettys- burg Address," delivered by Robert E. Berretta. Prayer by Rev. Father James M. Daley. Dedication of Flag Pole. Address by Speaker of the day. Decoration of Crosses - Veterans of World War 2 "Vacant Chair" by Band. In Memory of Comrade John Simpson, G. A. R. Firing Squad. Taps.
12:10 P. M .- Parade to Graves. Decoration of Graves. Firing Squad. Taps.
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12:30 P. M .- Arrive at Soldiers' Lot. Exercises under the direc- tion of Commander Vinal H. Conway, Post 136, A. L. Placing of Wreath by Howard E. Bedell, Chaplain, Post 136, A. L. Address and Prayer by Rev. Bernard N. King. Hymn by Band. Firing Squad. Taps. Star Spangled Banner by Band.
12:45 P. M .- Arrive at Legion Hall for Refreshments.
ROSTER OF PARADE Detail of Police Board of Selectmen Colors and Guards. (Massed Colors) Firing Squad Wilmington High School Band Members of the armed forces of the United States Veterans of World War 2 Spanish War Veterans Nee-Ellsworth Post 2458, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Wilmington Post 136, American Legion Disabled Veterans in Automobiles Susan T. Esler, Past State President American Legion Auxiliary Wilmington Post 136, American Legion Auxiliary
Nee-Ellsworth Post 2458, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Wilmington Post 136, American Legion Junior Auxiliary Automobiles with Gold Star Mothers and Auxiliary Members Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America Other Patriotic Organizations Automobiles Buglers, Earl J. Richards, William A. Buck MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
Vinal H. Conway, A. L., Paul W. Dayton, A. L., Ernest C. Cail, A. L., John H. Doyle, A. L., Edwin J. Twomey, A. L., Joseph B. McMahon, A. L., Justice V. Balser, A. L., Guy E. Nichols, A. L., Herbert Higginbotham, V. F. W., Louis Kennedy, V. F. W., Howard Cates, A. L. & V. F. W., Elizebeth Kelley, A. L. Aux., Anna Barry, A. L. Aux., Lena Cavanaugh, V. F. W. Aux., Evelyn Gordon, V. F. W. Aux., Mabel Kennedy, V. F. W. Aux.
HONORARY
Susan T. Esler, Past State President, A. L. Aux. Anastasia C. Marlin, V. F. W. Aux. Hendy Babine, World War 2 Vets. Assn. Respectfully yours, VINAL H. CONWAY,
Commander A. L. Post 136, Chairman
70
AUDITOR'S REPORT
May 14, 1945
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Charles H. Black, Chairman
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Wilmington for the period from March 7, 1943 to February 20, 1945, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL,
Director of Accounts.
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Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Wilmington for the period from March 7, 1943, the date of the previous examination, to February 20, 1945, and submit the following report thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked with the books and records of the town accountant.
The books and accounts in the town accountant's office were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the cash book of the town treasurer and with the books and records in the several departments collecting money for the town or responsible for the committing of bills for collection. The disburse- ments as recorded on the accountant's books were verified by comparison with the warrants of the selectmen authorizing payments by the town treasurer.
The appropriations as recorded on the ledger were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings, the ledgers were analyzed, a trial balance was taken off, the necessary adjustments resulting from the audit of the several departments were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on February 20, 1945.
In connection with appropriations for unpaid bills of previous years, attention is called to Section 64, Chapter 44, General Laws, inserted by Chapter 179, Acts of 1941, which provides that such appropriations may be voted at an annual meeting by a four-fifths vote or at a special meeting by a nine-tenths vote and which further requires that certain certificates be filed with the selectmen before the bills may be paid.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the records in the departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds, and the cash balance
72
on February 20, 1945, was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined. Due to the fact that the certification by the tax collector to the treasurer of tax titles taken and of subsequent taxes added to the tax title accounts was inaccurate, a considerable amount of detailed checking was necessary in order to prove the tax title accounts. After the necessary adustments were made, the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the town accountant's books and checked at the Registry of Deeds.
It is again recommended that complete and accurate certification of tax titles acquired and of subsequent taxes added to the tax title accounts be made by the tax collector to the treasurer and that the town accountant be notified forthwith of all tax title transactions, so that his ledger will at all times reflect the true condition of the tax titles held by the town.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The taxes outstanding at the time of the previous examina- tion and all subsequent commitments of taxes were audited and proved. The collections as posted on the commitment books were compared with the cash book entries and with the recorded payments to the town treasurer as shown by the treasurer's cash book. The abatements as entered on the commitment books were checked with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
Attention is again called to Section 2, Chapter 60, General Laws, which requires that the collector shall once in each week or oftener, pay over to the treasurer all money received by him during the preceding week or lesser period on account of taxes, interest or costs.
Verification of the outstanding tax accounts was made by sending notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and in reply thereto claims were received from two persons to the effect that their taxes were paid. The two small items in question were called to the attention of the tax collector who acknowledged their receipt and entered them on the books. From the remaining replies received it would appear that the outstanding accounts, as listed, are correct.
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