HomeMy WebLinkAbout1949-12-05 Special Town Meeting MinutesSpecial Town Meeting, December 5, 1949
OF i,V3SAC1lUSE` 1'S
Officer's Return Middlesex ss. Reading, December 2, 1949
By virtue of this warm
the inhabitants of the Town
and -town affairs to meet at
posting an attested copy of
it thin.sa:id: Town of Reading:-
znt, I, on November 23th, 1949, notified
of Reading, qualified to vote in elections
the time and in tle place specified, by
this warrant in the following places
Precinct No. 1. Austirits Lunch Room, 17 Harnden St.; Central Fire
Station; Police Headquarters.
Precinct No. 2. Masonic Temple Building, Lyceum Hall Building, M. F.
Charles? Store, 610 Main St., Boston & Maine R. R.
Depot.
Precinct No. 3. Waterhousets Neighborhood Store, 36 Mineral St.,
Bennyts Neighborhood Store, 168 Lowell St.,
Engine No. 2 House, l1'Joburn St.
Precinct No. 4. Municipal Building, Zitzowts Neighborhood Store,
287 Lowell St., McLaughlints Neighborhood Store,
1051 Main. St.
The date of posting being seven drys prior to the date set for the
meeting in this warrant.
I also caused an attested copy of this warrant to be published
in the Reading Chronicle in the issue of December 1, 1949, the same
being more than one day -prior to tine date of meeting.
LEON G. BENT
Constable of Reading.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Shephardson Ball December 5, 1943
The Meeting was called to order by the Moderator at 7:50 P. M.
The warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, when on
motion of Kenneth C. Latham,- it was voted to dispense with further
reading of the warrant, except t__te Constable's Return, which was
then read by the Town Clerk.
Article 1. On motion of Kenneth C. Latham it was voted that
Article be laid on the table.
Article 8. On motion of A. Lloyd David it was voted to take
up article 8. The Report of the Special Committee to study the
Management Form of Government was then read by Charles Stratton
as follows:
The Road to Progress
"History shows that great economic
and social forces flow like a tide over
communities only half conscious of what
is befalling them. Wise statesmen foresee
what time is thus bringing, and try to
shape institutions and mold vents thoughts
and purposes in accordance with the change
that is silently coining on."
Special Town Meeting, December 5, 1949
"The unwise are those tiry!'_no bring noth-
ing constructive to the process, and who
greatly imperil t'_ze future of mankind, by
leaving great questions to be fought out
between ignorant change on the one hand,
and ignorant opposition to change, on the
other.!'
John Stuart Mill
To the Citizens of Reading:
Your cot r i -tee was created by vote of the Annual Town 11 eetin;
in March, 1948 and i s. composed of orre member from eacn of the four
precincts of the town, appointed. by t1-ie Town Meeting members from
the respective precincts, and one member appointed by the Moderator.
The Annual Town Meeting held in Ivlarch, 1949 continued the committee
with the additional authority to study the methods practiced by the
various town officers and boards, and to make a report with recommen-
dations prior to December 31, 1949.
In the course of its study tn.e committee has consulted with many
authorities on municipal affairs. It has mot with similar study
corrintittees in several towns of this State and Rhode Island for ex-
chancre of information. The various town officers and boards have
been interviewed on the subjects of administration, personnel,
purchasing of supplies and equipment, and interdepartmental
relationships. Five public hearings were held for the purpose of
ascertainin,jublic sentiment.
T Le c0t7Liittee gratefully acknowledges the splendid assistance
rendered by the town officers and board members in furnishing
information relative to the operations of their departments.
The Flan In Massachusetts
Althouon the so-celled Town Manager flan has been in
existence for over forty years, only a few 1!,=lassachusetts towns have
adopted it. Sau-us, our neighboring town, is now in its second
year of operation under the plan. Danvers has adopter" the plan
and will begin operating under it next March. Stoneham and
Ipswich are now in a position to adopt the plan and it is.,ex-
pected that these towns will vote on adoption in March, 1950.
Interest in the plan in Massachusetts is increasing at a
rapid rate. titinchester, Watertown, Lexington, Concord, Swamp-
scott, ~',Ieymouth, Wilmington, Chelmsford, and Dedham have official
committees conducting studies of the plan. In, Wellesley a com-
mittee has been directed to draw up a proposed charter for con-
sideration by the voters of the town.
The plan in Massachusetts towns operates generally as follows:
1. The basic form of government does not change.
The suggested chancres are limited to the administrative
procedures.
2. The voters continue to elect the Town Meeting
members, a Moderator, the School Coro ittee, and the
Board of Selectmen.
3. The powers of the Town Fleeting and the Finance
Committee remain unchanged.
4. The School Committee continues to formulate
and administer the educational program.
5. The Selectmen appoint the Town Manager, the
Town Accountant, the Finance Comt?rittee, tine Registrars
of 'Voters and the Election Officials.
Special Town Meeting, December 5, 1949
6. The Selectmen become a policy-making board
for the town.
7. All other boards and officers, now elected,
would be appointed by, and subject to removal by,
the' Tanager.
8. The administrative control of all departments,
except schools, is given to the Manager.
9.. Maintenance of school buildings and purchases
of school supplies, except text-books, become the
responsibility of the Manager.
10. The Selectmen have the Dower to remove the
Manager.
Reading and Its Present Government
The Town of Reading has grown steadily since the turn of
the century, not only in population but in the amount expended
for services to its citizens. From a population of just under
5000 in 1900 there has been an increase to an estimated 14000
at the present time. Some indication of its growth in services
rendered can be seen in the fact that whereas our total expend-
itures in 1900 were only about 11100,000, our total payroll alone
in 1948 was $900,000. All indications point to a continued steady
growth in the coming years.
This expanded and complex organization is operated by various
boards and officers, either elected by the voters or appointed by
certain boards. The town is fortunate in having in these capacities
:many capable and sincere citizens who ^~ive freely of their time,
often without remuneration. However, we have observed in our study
many weaknesses in organization beyond the control of present officers
to correct. These weaknesses lie in the condition which permits each
board and each officer to operate separately without regard to the
problems. of other boards and officers and without co-ordinated policy
and control.
The Il&- na er Plan in Reading
The adoption by Reading of a typical Massachusetts Manager Plan
would have its effect in many fields. They may be reviewed briefly,
but not necessarily in the order of their importance.
Public Relations. citizen living under a Manager plan knows who
is in charge of all departments and knows where he can take his
problems. He is not faced with a complex :Troup of offices open at
irregular and limited hours for business. It is a fact -that Managers
emphasize the importance of handling courteously and speedily the
problems of any citizen.
Managers also go to great effort to produce an attractive
Annual.Report at moderate cost for wide distribution. The report
presents information in such a manner as to stimulate the citizen
toread it, and as a result to take a more active interest in the
problems of his town government.
Centralized Purchasin,~ The function of purchasing is treated
in manager-operated towns on a centralized basis. This consol-
idat~_on has resulted in substantial savins;s for all departments
through the application of accepted business practices. The ad-
__J1 vantages of centralized purchasing are readily admitted by most
persons, even by those who speak against the Manager plan. The
Massachusetts General Court in 1916 recognized the value of this
practice by passing the necessary legislation to allow towns and
cities to establish Purchasing Departments.
Special Town Meeting, December 5, 1949 Co-ordination. In manager-operated towns related activities of
all departments are out together, because the Manager has the
authority to do so. The possibilities for co-ordination, with
resulting savings and improved service, become a-parent to a
Manager because he is directly responsible for all activities of
all departments. Such possibilities are not apparent to the
members of separate administrative boards which are not required
to investigate and study the methods of other boards.
Planning. What type of community have we now; What type do we
desire? What is the way to assure that this desire will come
true? These are important issues in any town, and t11-1ey represent
the general purpose of planning. Planning is not a_ neglected
feature in manager-operalced towns. It is one that receives con-
stant attention, not only from the Manager but also from the
Selectmen. The latter, finding themselves freed from routine de-
tail, can devote more time to this important problem. The
abilities of citizens who riold high positions in industry and
professions and who are willing to devote some of their time to
their town are needed more in the field of planning than in the
field of ;part-time administration. Under a Manager plan the
responsibility for planning is centered in the Selectmen who
with their own knowledge and with the advice of others can
determine upon a sound program for the future.
To summarize, the reason a purchasing agent has not been
appointed; that there has been no appreciable inte_,ratzon of
departmental efforts; and limited application of planning methods
is the absence of the legal authority which a Mgnger Plan would
supply..
Conclusions
This committee believes that greater efficiency in the various
town departments can be achieved by reorgan_tzin, the town govern-
ment under a Manager Plan. It also believes that in the face of
large, contemplated expenditures the town should not lose the op-
portunity to make every dollar count in the day-to-day administration
of the town's affairs.
T°le plan is completely democratic. It is based upon sound
principles that 'nave helped many private corporations to operate
successfully, namely a policy-making body and an administrative
officer with authority and responsibility in proper balance.
Since this question vitally affects all citizens of the
town, they should be given the opportunity to vote on a specific
plan of manager government, drawn to suit Reading's requirements.
Recommendation
Therefore, it is our unanimous recommendation that a com-
mittee be appointed to prepare a charter for a Selectmen-Manager
form of government for the Town of Reading with aut'l1ority to
petition the General Court for an enabling act on the basis of
such a charter, with the provision that the act, if granted, be
submitted to the voters of the town for acceptance or rejection at
the first Annual Town Election after its enactment and with pro-
vision for :fie-submission at each of the two succeeding annual
elections.
i
Charles Stratton, Chairman
Edward C. Emslie, Secretary
A. Lloyd David
Lewis E. Pierce
Herbert J. Wooldridge
Appended are
1. Chart of Present Government
2. Chart of Proposed Manager Plan
Special Town Meeting, December 5, 1949
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Motion by Charles Stratton
Article 8. Moved that a corr.mittee be and it hereby is established
to prepare a plan of Selectmen_Mana,,~-,,,er Form of Town Government for the
Town of Reading; with authority to petition the General Court at its
1950 session or at any subsequent session up to.and inclu.din that
held in the year 1952 for passage of an enabling; act based on such a
plan; said committee to consist of one registered voter residin" in
ea ca of the four precincts to be chosen by ballot by the town meeting;
*members from the respective precincts together with one recistered
C~I
voter from the town to be chosen by the moderator; that said comrittee
be chosen as Dromptly as practicable after authorization by the town
rneetinc;; and that said comN"ittee be authorized to hold such T)ublic
hearin~,s as it may deeri necessary.
Amendment by Neil C. Robinson.
Moved to amend the miotion so that the cono.-.nittee shall consist
of the or: sent special co m.littee to study the :Tuna- er form of Eovern-
ment, namely, Charles Stratton, I Edward C. Erislie, A. Lloyd David,
Lewis E. Pierce and ~Terbert J. ffooldridge.
Per. Robinsonfs amendment was voted in the affirmative.
Mr. Kenneth Latham then offered the following amendment;
Moved to amend the motion by striking out of the orizinal motion
the followin srto pe±:;it=o the General Court at its 1950 session or
at any subsequent session up to and including that held. in the year
1952 for -passage of an,enablinx act based on such a plan;" and insert-
C-3
therefor the following, "to present same to the next Rea din`; Annual
YI
'T'own Meeting.
Mr., Lathamis amendment was voted in the affirmative.
&1";
I
3
The original motion, as amended that a coxg1mittee be and it riere-
by is established to prepare a plan of Selectmen-I[anager Form of Town
Government for tithe Town of Reading with authority to present same to
the next Readins:, Annual Town Meeting. That comlittee shall consist
of the present special co.-.:nit gee to study the Mana-,er Form of Govern-
ment, namely, Charles Stratton, Edward C. F,r2sl.ie, A. Lloyd David,
Lewis E. Pierce and Herbert J. ~"Jooldridge, and that said co ilr1ittee
be authorized to hold such public hearings as it may deem necessary,
was then voted in the affirmative.
On motion made by Charles Ivilkinson, it was voted to tape izp
article 2.
Article 2. On motion made by Charles UVilkinson, it was voted
that the sum of One Thousand. Fifteen Hundred X1500.00) Dollars be
appropriated by transf'errin f said suin.from the Maturing Debt Account
to the Veterans' Benefits Aid Account, and the Town Accountant be
and hereby is authorized to transfer said sum to said account.
Article 3. On motion of Charles V~rilkinson, it was voted to lay
Article 3 on the tale.
Article 4. On motion of G. Lawrence Roberts, it was voted
that the :Hoard of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and
empowered for and in behalf of the Town to sell upon such terms and
conditions as they may determine the Chestnut Hill School property
situated on the Vuresterly side of Hopkins Street and consisting of
with the buildings
approximately 16,110 square feet of land to, D
thereon and szown as lot 5 on Town of Reading Assessors Plan 108,
and said Board are further authorized ,and empowered to execute for
and in the name of the gown deed of conveyance and such other
instruments which may be necessary for conveyin; said premises to
the purchaser thereof.
;
CID
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Article 5. On motion of G. Lawrence Roberts, it was voted
that the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized and
empowered for and in behalf of the gown to sell upon such terms and
conditions as they may determine the Grouard House property formerly
used by the School Department and situated on the Easterly side of
School Street and consisting of approximately 14,000 square feet
of land together with the buildings thereon and shown as lot 44 on
Town of Reading Assessors Flan 8, and said Board are further authorized
and empowered to execute for and in the name of the Town deed of
conveyance and such other instruments which may be necessary for con- I
veying said premises to the purchaser thereof. I
Article 6. On motion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted that
Article 6 be postponed indefinitely.
Article 7. On motion of Joseph D. Knight, it was voted that
the sum of tt,~renty-five hundred (2500) dollars be appropriated by
transferring said sum from the unexpended balance in the Welfare
Aid to Dependent Children Account as follows- Fifteen hundred (1500)
dollars to the Welfare General Aid Account and one thousand (1000)
dollars to the Old Age Assistance Account, and the Town Accountant
be and he hereby is authorized and empowered to transfer said sum
to said accounts.
Article 9. On lotion of Emerson A. Willard, it was voted that
under Regulation 7, paragraph (a) of the Wage and Hour Classification
Plan., the exception rude by the Personnel Board of a junior clerk
entering the employ of the Public Works Department at a rate greater
than the minimum salary esta',,l.ished by the schedule adopted under
the said Plan, be and the same hereby is approved.
Article 10, On motion of Alexander P. Glover, it was voted
that the sum of four hundred (400) dollars be appropriated by trans-
ferring said sum from the unexpended balance in the School Department
General Maintenance Account to the Account for the 'T'ransportation
of School Children for the Year 1949, and the Town Accountant be
and hereby is authorized to transfer said sum to said account.
Article 11. On motion of Alexander P. Glover, it was voted
that the School Committee be and they :hereby are authorized and
empowered to dispose of by sale, gift, destruction or otherwise
upon such terms and conditions as they may determine all the ob-
solete and worn textbooks, statuary and other school supplies which
are no longer needed for school purposes.
Article 12. On motion of James Calvin, it was voted that the
sum of Seven Hundred and Thirty-nine and 38100 (739.33) Dollars be
appropriated by transferring said sum from the unexpended balance
in the Lowell Street 1949 Chapter 90 Construction Account to the
Charles Street 1949 Chapter 90 Construction Account and the Town
Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and instructed to trans-
fer said sum to said account.
Article 13. On motion of Jaynes Calvin, it was voted that the
sum of Two Thousand ($2,000) Dollars be appropriated by transferring
said sum from the Load lachinery Fund to the Road Machinery Operating
Account and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is authorized and
instructed to transfer said sum to said ,Account.
Article 14. On motion of James Calvin, it was voted that the
sum of Two thousand (2000) Dollars be appropriated by transferring
said sum from the amount allotted for salaries under the 1949
appropriation for the laying of water mains to the sum allotted for
materials and expenses thereunder, and the `Down Accountant be and he
hereby is authorized and instructed to transfer said sum to carry
out the purpose of. triis vote.
Article E15. On the motion of James Calvin, it was voted that
the sum of Two Thousand (2000) Dollars be appropriated as follows:
Twelve Hundred (1200) dollars from the unexpended balance in the
Barrows Road Construction Account and Eight Hundred (300) Dollars
from the unexpended balance in the Dustin Road Construction Account
and to transfer said sums to the Snow and Ice Account, Twelve Hundred
(1200) Dollars being allotted for Salaries and Eight Hundred (800)
Dollars for expenses and the Town Accountant be and he hereby is
authorized and instructed to transfer said sums to said account.
Article 1. On motion made by Kenneth Latham, it was voted to
take Article 1 from table. The following was read by '1Villiam McKinnon:
December 5, 1949
Town Meeting Members
Town of Reading
Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The committee
vote of March 23, 1949,
mining the amount to be
Department each year to
is pleased to submit a
appointed in accordance with your
to recommend a formula for deter-
contributed by the Municipal Light
the Town of Reading in lieu of taxes
C'eport.
A number of meetlngs have been held at which all
members of the committee were present. The problem was dis-
cussed at considerable length in order that each member might
become familiar with all the points brought out by the Munici-
pal Light Board. and the Finance Committee in their previous
discussions of this problem. Facts and figures were requested
of the Light Department and were provided.
In attempting to arrive at an equitable solution,
the committee has been acutely aware of the following; vital
points:
1. The municipal Light Department should con-
tribute some amount to the Town each year in
lieu of taxes.
2. The Town should be
degree of certainty
be contributed from
3. Provision should be
amount of necessary
meet of equipment.
able to know with some
the amount which will
year to year.
made for a reasonable
expansion and replace-
4. The amount of contribution should not be
beyond the ability of the Light Department
to pay out of profits.
The committee has carefully considered these and a
number of other f actors in arriving at what is believed to be
a reasonable and workable formula.
It is the recommendation of this committee that:
'"The amount to be contributed in each year by the
Municipal Light Department to the Town; of Reading
in lieu of taxes shall be 21% of the tCost of
the Plant and General Equipment? as of December
thirty-first of the preceding year plus 10% of
the Net Income as shown by the tSummary.of Income
and Expensest of the Municipal Light Department
for the said preceding year."
Had this formula been used in determining the con-
tribution for 1949, the amount would have been
2w d of Cost of Plant & General, Equipment
as of Dec. 31, 1943 1, 513, 6'72.31 3x7, X41.30
10' of Net Income for 1948 (70,038.24) 7,003.32
Total Contribution $44,545.62
Increased rates in effect for the last half' of 19,49
should make the amount contributed for 1950 somewhat higher,
since part of the contribution is based on net income. The
full effect of the recently increased rates will not be realized
until the following year when the Light Department will benefit
from a full year of higher rates. Based on an estimate made
as of the end of October this year, the 1950 contribution would
be approximately;
2A2% of Cost of Plant & General Equipment
as of Dec. 31, 1949 (41,525,000) 8313,125.00
11
10% of Net Income for 1949 (°Q~100,000) 10,000.00
;:estimated Total Contribution for 1950 5>48,125.00
It is the unanimous opinion of the members of your
corn aittee that the use of this reco}:mmmended formula will accom-
plish the desired result, namely, to turn over to the Town
Treasury a reasonable sum each year which the Light Department
can meet out of current profits and at the same time provide
funds for necessary and desirable expansion and replacement
of equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARL,S l . AND~i`R.SON
WALTER !V1. F'OtiJLER
JOSEPH ~i . i~~F:D
HOWARD L. ROGERS
WILLIAM D. MACr IT1NON, Cr~AII{I N
On motion made by Kenneth Latham, it was voted to accept the
above report.
On motion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted that Article l be laid
on the table.
j
3
iv®aam~
Article 3. On motion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted to take
Article 3 from the ta':)Ie.
Article 3. On motion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted that there
be and. hereby is established the following standard method to be
fo1_lowed each year for determining the amount the Electric Light De-
partment shall turn over to tree Town in lieu of taxes:
An amount equal to 21-% of the cost of the Plant
and General Equipment as of December 31st of the pre-
ceding year plus 10% of the net income as shown by
the Summary of Income and Expenses of the 14unicipal
Light Department for the said preceding year.
On motion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted that Article 1 be taken
from the table.
On motion of Kenneth Latham, it it us voted to indefinitely posh.-
pone Article 1.
On :.notion of Kenneth Latham, it was voted to adjourn, Sine Die.
Adjourned 10:50 P. M.
Attest:
Guy 17. ison, Town Clerk