HomeMy WebLinkAbout1931-12-07 Finance Committee Minutes A letter from Chairman Mount to Mr. John L. Devaney was read. In
this letter the Chairman stressed tolimportance of preliminary conferences
by the sub-committees with the various boards to which they have been
assigned. Chairman Mount also spoke of the importance of getting informa-
tion as early as possible in order that the Committee might have more time
to consider the various projects. It was suggested and so voted that
the Chairman of each Board or Committee of the town be requested to meet
with the Finance Committee on Monday evening, December 7th.
Adjourned 10.15 P.M.
Members present; Chm. Mount, Burgess, Higgins, Connelly, Devaney, Ellison,
Fairchild, Canty, Haley, Knox, Moyer, Porch, Scott.
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Meeting December 7, 1931.
The meeting was called to order at 8.05 o'clock by Chairman Mount.
The records of the last meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer requested that x`50.00 be transferred from the Reserve
Fund to the Treasurerts expense Account. It was moved by Mr. Knox,
seconded by Mr. Fairchild and voted that such transfer be made.
'r. Mount outlined the purpose of the meeting, namely the necessity
for the reduction of expenses of the various departments especially in the
matter of salaries and wages. He called upon representatives of the
different Boards to express their views on the subject.
Mr. Sias representing the Municipal Light Board stated that the
salary and wage reductions in the Light Department would afford no relief
as the expenditures in that Department had no effect on the tax rate.
Mr. Coolidge spoke for the School Committee stating that not knowing
the purpose of the meeting, he was unprepared to give any opinion as to
the possibility or advisability of any decrease in pay of school teachers
and employees.
Mr. Johnson having come in to the meeting while the discussion was on,
stated that in his opinion the whole matter should be given study by a
special committee.
Mr. Devaney stated that the feeling was prevalent that as the cost of
living had been reduced, the natural result would be a reduction in rates
of pay.
Mr. Horrocks spoke for the Board of Assessors, stating that in his
opinion the assessed valuation on a great deal of property, particularly
houses would have to be reduced and that any increase in new building
would probably be offset by such decrease.
A general discussion of the whole subject was held, several others
of both the Finance Committee and of the representatives of the various
Boards being heard from.
It was suggested that the matter was for the Board of Selectmen to
take up, they being the executive board of theTown, and ?Ir. Morrison being
present, it was reffered to him.
Members present: Chm. Mount, Briggs, Higgins, Connelly, Devaney, Ellison,
Fairchild, Canty, Haley, Killam, Knox, Moyer, Porch, Scott.
Others present: Sidebottom, Leman , Hartshorn, Kennelly, Coolidge,
Tanner, Tirrell, Sias, Birnie, Kingman, Poole, Johnson, Morrison.
Adjourned: 10 P.M.
Clerk.
Meeting December 29, 1931.
The meeting was called to order at 8.05 PZM..
'the Town Accountant requested transfers from the Reserve Fund
to the following accounts :
Election and Registration .75
Old Age Assistance 300.00
Mr. Killam moved, and it was seconded by Mr. Briggs andvoted that the
transfers be made.
The Chairman introduced the matter of salary and wage reductions
and stated that he had talked with Chairman Morrison of the Board of
Selectmen to whom the matter was referred at a previous meeting. As
the result of this conference Chairman Mount decided it would better
to hive the matter taken up with the varioud departments by the sub-
committees and so suggested. The whole subject was discussed at
some length.
Mr. Killam reported for the pub-committee on Public Works . He
stated that a conference was held with the Board of Public Works,
especially in regard to paving of Main Street from the railroad cross-
ing to the State Highway north of the Bommon. He stated that the
Board of Public Works had in mind the possibility of obtaining State
and County aid for this project and wished to have assurance that in
the above event, the Finance Committee would recommend that the Town
appropriate a like amount, possibly 1125,000.00. It was the sense of
tDLe meeting that the Committee would not be committed to the approval
of this project. Other plans for partial re-paving involving lesser
expenditure were discussed and opinions expressed.
It was voted that meetings of 1932 be held on Tuesday evenings
and that the next meeting be called January 5, 1932. The ChAirman
instructed the sub-committees to meet with the respective Boards as
soon as possible.
Members Present: Chm. Mount, Briggs, Higgins, Connelly, Ellison, Fairchib
Canty, Haley, Killam Jr., Knox, Scott.
4. . Adjourned: 10 P.M. 46
Clerk.
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