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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1934-03-14 Finance Committee Minutes Meeting of the Finance Committee March 14, 1934. The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock by the Chairman. The Board of Selectmen appeared for Article 19 of the warrant for the annual meeting - Fire Alarm Box at Sanford Mills, $125.00. The Chairman explained that the box was requested by the new manager of the Sanford Mills as an extra safe guard Incase of fire. Mr. Leman stressed the fact that Sanford Mills people furnish steam for the fire whistle and also allow the use of the shop for threading pipes for the Fire Alarm Department and felt that the installation of this box would, in a measure, offset the benefits which the Town receives from the Sanford Mills. It was voted to re-consider the previous action taken on Article 19 and it was voted to recommend $125. 00 for fire alarm box at Sanford Mills called for in Article 19 of the annual warrant. Mr. Leman then spoke on Article 1 of the warrant for March 19th which called for an amendment to the Town By-Laws providing that the Board of Selectmen act as Law Committee instead of the Chairman of various boards as now comprise the Committee. He stated that as a result of an extensive survey it was found that in every other town in the State, the Board of Selectmen acted as the Law Commmittee. The matter of salary of the Town Counsel which was not voted upon at the meeting March 12th was taken up and discussed at some length. Mr. Leman also referred to the result of information gathered from several towns relative to the compensation of Town Counsel. He stated that the majority of the Law Committee agreed that the Town Counsel should be paid a fixed sum recommending $1200.00, with the distinct understanding that Counsel was to perform all necessary legal acts connectbd.:with the Town. It was voted to reconsider the previous recommendations of the Committee of $500.00 for Town Counsel's salary. It was moved by Mr. Knox that $1200.00 be recommended the motion being amended by Mr. Devaney to read $1,000.00. It was voted to recommend $1000.00. The Board of Public Works, Chairman Putnam, Fowle, Barnes and Supt. Birnie appeared on the warrant for the meeting March 19th, Articles 3-4-5- 6 and 7. The Chairman stated that the State and County would provided $10,000.00 for construction work on West Street. He urged that this matter be given favorable consideration as he felt that unless the matter was put through'- at this time the Town might lose the contribution from the State and County. Under Article 7 he explained that $100000 was provposed for supplies and material in order to provide labor for as lArge a number of men taken from Welfare, Soldiers' Relief or Federal Relief roads. Mr. Frank Tanner appeared on Article 26 of the annual warrant which I� called for an appropriation for a fence around the athletic field at the Junior High School. He stated that the cost of material would be provided from C.W.A. funds and therefore the article would not be presented at the Town Meeting. The reason for withdrawing the request would be stated at the meeting. In executive session the Committee voted to recommend Article 1 of the warrant of March 19th. The motion was made by Mr. Devaney and seconded by Mr. Roberts. On motion of Mr. Knox and seconded by Mr. Scott it was voted to recommend $100.00 for the purpose set forth in Article 2, Land Court Expenses. Article 3 - No recommendations. Article 4 - Voted to recommend appropriation of $1426.75 Article 5 - Voted to recommend $2675.00 Article 6 - Do not recommend. Article 7 - Voted to reconmiend $5000.00 for the purchase of materials and supplies for highways, sidewalks and drainage, parks being omitted. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Leone F. Quimby in regard to the Light Department store and street lighting on Haven Street, and also a letter from Chairman Leman, copy of which is attached and made a part of this record. Adjourned 10.15 P.M. Members present: Chm. Mount, Connelly, � , Currell, Devaney, Haley, Knox, errill, Roberts, Scott, Dickie. Clerk. >,t �Iuttrb of Selectmen wL.anr N. oxen, exu.xex J. Wcexary MLux,Jn.,Btcnaienv m.��._I �'^fes N[W[LL N.Mortiox READING, MASSACHUSETTS March 13, 1934. 4► NOTICE TO ALL DEPARTMENT READS AND OFFICIALS The following is an extract from a letter received from the ^commonwealth of Massachusetts, Emergency Finance Board: "Under the provisions of Chapter 307 of the Acts of 19330 until all loans made thereunder by the Commonwealth to any city of town have been repaid in full, no appropriation by such city or town in any year subsequent to 1933 for a purpose other than one for which an appropriation was made for 1933 or for an amount in excess of any appropriations made for 1933 for a similar purpose shall be valid without the written approval of the Emergency Finanee Board." As the Town of Reading borrowed from the Commonwealth under the provisions of Chapter 307, we are obliged to conform with the re- quirements as stated above. You will take due care to see that no bills are incurred to be paid from an appropriation which requires the approval as stated above. Such bills will not be approved by the Town Accountant or paid by the Treasurer. Yours very truly, Albert N. Leman, Chairman. . l Copies to: Board of Assessors Board of Public Works Board of Public Welfare Board of Cemetery Trustees Board of Library Trustees,- Board of Selectmen Tax Collector Treasurer . School Committee - Municipal ommitteeMunicipal Light Department, Town Clerk, Town Counsel- ` Board of Health Planning Board _ Police Department, 'Fire Department- . Fire Alarm - •Sealer of Weights & -Measures- Moth Dept. Finance Committee Meeting September 28, 1934. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7.55 ofelock. The Records of the last meeting (April 9th) were read. Paragraph 4, relating to the matter of "rules of procedure" was considered not a proper record and is changed and incorporated in this report as follows :- "A memorandum headed "Suggestions as to methods of procedure" was read by Mr. Dickie, Chairman of the committee appointed pursuant to the vote of March 6, 1934, the purpose of which memorandum was to obtain the ideas of the members of the Finance Committee regarding the matter for the guidance of the special committee. Chairman Mount stated that the subject called for considerable study and suggested that a copy of the memorandum be mailed to each member of the Finance Committee with the request that criticism and suggestions besent the special committee. " Note- Memo, accompanied by a letter from Mr. Dickie was mailed April 12th. Town Treasurer, Preston F. Nichols appeared before the Committee requesting additional funds $225.00, for Treasurer's Expenses. On motion of Mr. Devaney it was voted to transfer $225.00 from the Reserve Fund for Treasurer' Expense Account. The Board of Public Works, represented by Messers. Fairclough, and Fowls, appeared relative to certain matters which might I's brought before the Committee and the town at a later date. Mr. Fairclough, speaking for Vie Chairman, who was unavoidably absent, stated that in the opinion of the Public Works Board a new heavy duty truck was needed which in addition to regular service would be used for snow removal, both for heavy plowing and for the carting away the snow. It was also considered that some transfers might be needed to obtain additional funds in certain accounts but the Board had nothing definite �to present. Board Mr. Fairclough also spoke of the matter of water rates which the a thought to beenot oequitable o inacomparison particularly he osthydrantrof t installationre and maintenance, he referred to a report submitted by Weston & Sampson 6tbearing on the subject and a copy of the same was left with the Committee o be studied and considered at a later meeting. Chairman Dickie of the Committee on Rules of Procedure submitted a report of the Committee. This report was not read but it was ordered that the Clerk send a `,copy to each member of the Finance Committee at once and it was voted that meeting at whichtimetthe matter Ofpwatererates mightdalso abe considered.ber �t The Selectmen appeared and requested transfer from the Reserve Fund to the following accounts, Municipal Building Maintenance $700.00 Selectmen's Expenses 235.00 Miscellaneous Expenses 400.00 Fire Alarm Maintenance 275.00 /6 I o Chairman Leman explained in detail why these amounts were needed to carry on for the remaining months of the year, and he also spoke of the possible necessity of obtaining funds for additional E.R.A. projects Following the conference with the Board of Selectmen the following votes were passed:- On motion of Mr. Devaney $700 from Reserve Fund to Mun. Bldg. Maint. Mr. Dickie $400 " Misc. Expenses Mr. Dickie 235.00 " Selectmen's Exp. Mr. Sturgess $275.00 " Fire Alarm Members present: Ch. Mount, Canty, Connelly, Cotton, Currell,Davis, Devaney, Dickie, Ellison, Merrill, Sturgess. VV Adjourned 9.50 P.M. Clerk.