HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-01-31 Finance Committee Minutes a
Public Meeting January 31, 1933.
L The meeting was called to order at 8.05 P.M.
The Chairman announced that the meeting was called at an earlier
date than usual in order that the citizens might be heard regarding
financial matters before the warrant was issued, and also that suggestions
might be made which would prove of value in considering the budgets for
1933. He stated that there would probably be another public meeting
held after the warrant was issued.
Mr. Theodore P. Berle was heard on the Eleetlic Light Department,
more especially regarding the retail store, and spoke for about a half an
hour.
Mr. George Larnabee also spoke briefly on Electric Light matters,
following with about a half an hour presentation of the public school
matters.
Miss A. Maud Hodson and Mr. Berle also spoke on schools.
Mr. D. M. Cook, president of the Reading Tax Payers Association
spoke at some length more particularly regarding school costs, salaries
and wages.
Mr. Berle spoke on the assessment of property, Mr. Elmer Batchelder
on the same subject and also Mr. Henry R. Johnson.
About thirty citizens including representatives of the press were
present. Following the meeting the committee convened for a short
time, but no votes were taken. The Chairman announced that at the next
meeting the School Committee, Selectmen and Board of Public Works would
be represented. He also arranged for a meeting of the sub-committee on
the Light Department.
Adjourned 11 P.M.
Members present; Chm. Mount, Connelly, Haley, Scott, Fairchild, Canty,
Ellison, Higgins, Devaney and Killam.
Meeting February 7, 1933.
The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock.
the School Committee , Chm. Coolidge, Spencer, Gordon, Tanner and
Supt. Safford, was first called. Mr. Coolidge first took up the questionaire
submitted by the sub-committee and replied to each question, going into
detail regarding the matter referred to. Asked regarding a reduction in
the School Department budget, he stated that he felt it would not be possible
to cut the budget from the revised estimated if the work of the shhool was
to be carried on in a satisfactory manner. Several members of the Committee
put questions to the School zoard and Mr. Coolidge answered them in such a
way as„to indicate a thorough rasp of the 6cho3l Department problems.
the Board of Selectmen, hm. Morrison and Mr. Leman, next appeared. and
were questioned regarding apossible reduction in the budgets of the depart-
%W ments under their control. Chairman Morrison agr6ed to again go over the
budgets very carefully with a view to make reductions if possible, and to
appear at a later meeting. He spoke of the matterggf a traffic signal for
Heading Square, the first unit of which would cost K00.00; also the ne6der
of new batteries etc, for the Fire alarm at a cost of about §400.00