HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-02-07 Finance Committee Minutes Public Meeting January 31, 1933.
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 budgetsfor
1933. He stated that there would probably be another public meeting
taw held after the warrant was issued.
Mr. Theodore P. Berle was heard on the Electkic 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
Ps .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 r'ebruary 7, 1933.
The meeting was called to order at 8 o1clock.
`he School Committee , Chm. Coolidge, Spencer, Cordon, 'manner and
Supt. Safford, was first called. i4r. 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 board and Mr. Coolidge answered them in such a
way as, .to indicate a thorough rasp of the Schoml De artment problems.
the Board of Selectmen, hm. 'Aorrison and Mr. Leman, next appeared. and
were questioned regarding a ossible reduction in the budgets of the depart-
%Wments under their control. Fhairman Morrison agr&ad 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 matterQQf a traffic signal for
Heading Square, the first unit of which would cost X900.00; also the needer
of new batteries etc, for the Fire alarm at a cost of about 1400.00
Meeting February 7, 1933. (Continued)
The uoard of Public Works next appeared, Mr. Fairclough, Mr. Putnam
u
and Superintendent irnie. The budgets of the various departments were
discussed at some length bnt the hour being late it was moved that the
meeting adjourn and the committee meet again on Thursday evening, February
9th to consider the Public Works, also the k+elfare Department.
Adjourned 11.20 P.M.
Members
Ellison present.D Cys, Mount, Haley, Scott, Knox, Connelly, Fairchild,
aCanty, ickie, Killam, Devaney.
Meeting February 9, 1933.
The meeting was called to order at 8.05 o'clock. The records of
the meetings of January 31st and February 7th were read and approved.
The Board of Public Works, Mr. Fairclough and Supt. Birnie appeared
In regard to the budget for 1933 and also special projects under considera-
tion. The budget was gone over very carefully with a view of possible
reductions in the estimated. It was suggested that some project# could
bkoarbiedoutwith labor xxx furnished throughthe Welfare Department
and it was voted that the matter be taken up by a committee to confer
with the two Boards.
Messrs. Connelly, Haley and Mount were named as this committee.
The Board of Public Welfare, Mrs. Leman and Mrs. Daniel, presented
the budget for 1933,also made a report of the labor furnished in 1932
through this department. The Welfare Board also sp®ke of the possibility
of converting the Town Home property into an infirmary for the care of
the aged, but were not prepared to make any definite recommendations.
Mr. Scott spoke on the Light Department matters but no votes were
taken.
The meeting adjourned at 11 P.M.
Members present; Mount, Scott, Knox, Fairchlld, Ellison, Dickie, Killam
Devaney.
Clerk.
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