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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1939-03-01 Finance Committee MinutesMeeting of the Finance Committee March 1, 1939. - Public Fleeting. The meeting was called to order at 7 o'clock by the Chairman. At the Opening of the meeting there were only four or five citizens in attendance at the Public Meeting, but during the evening this number was increased to about 35 or 40, Mr. Martin B. Hartshorn was first heard relative to his building on Main Street now occupied by the Municipal Light Department, He outlined the steps leading up to his agreement to build a building to meet the needs of the Light Department, which the Town voted to lease for a term of ten years at a rental based on 6% net on the investment, the Town to pay all other charges such as taxes, repairs and insurance. He stated his willingness to reduce this percentage basis to o, the other charges to remain as before, Ivor. Henry R. Johnson, Chairman of the Light Board repeated reasons already given why the Board wished to locate.:. elsewhere and stated that in his opinion the proposed location on Gould :Street would provide adequate quarters for the Board for years to come, Mr. Edward F. Parker spoke in favor of the Department remaining in the present building as he considered the proposed rental a fair one and was opposed to the Town acquiring any additional real estate. The matter was freely discussed by both sides and many questions were asked and answered.. Mr. C. W. Baker appeared on Article 36, Publication of a Valuation Book and stated that many citizens felt that the publication of such a book would be of value to taxpayers. Mr. Robert B. Mount spoke on town finances in general but made no specific recommendations. Mr. James '61. Fairchild: spoke on the Light Department situation and stated that in his opinion the Department should make a greater return to the Town in lieu of taxes. Mr. Maurice Reebenaeker spoke against any change in the location of the Light Department quarters, A delegation from the vicinity of Brooks Street was present and everal spoke in relation to the need of better drainage in that vicinity. the conditions were described as being very bad and should engage the attention of the Town. It was stated that a petition was being circulated requesting the Selectmen to call a special Town Meeting for tie considera- tion of this problea. A full oppor-L,- city Vi7G.s g'ven JU the 0I17_a.ir an for c?n7, citizen in. s t iv~,a.dance to be heard on any matters involving the financial interest of the Town, llae public meeting was declared closed at 9 o'clock. 1'he records of the meeting of February 20th were read and approved. 1he Selectmen, Chm. Killam, Mr. Goodridge and iGiir. Morton first appeared. Mr. Hillam thanked the Committee for having reconsidered the recomm.endat on. for Selectmen's Expenses and restoring the amount to the original ,p600.00. He also referred to Police Department Salaries and urged the Committee to approve an amount which would permit employing a clerk for a part of the year. Mr. Killam also spoke on the matter of appropriation for `:.P. . material and the possibility of part of this amount being allocated for the Light Department provided the underground extension was approved. Public Meeting March. 1, 1939 Cont, Mr. hillam felt that none of the amount asked for by the Selectmen should be used for this purpose, but that a special appropriation should be made for the Light Department, In executive session it was voted to reconsider the vote of February 20th, Police Department Salaries >36,000.00 and it was voted to recommend ~~~36~200,OO. Under Article lb, Municipal Light Department building, it was voted to recommend that the subject matter of this Article be referred back to the Municipal Light Department for further study to report in full detail at a later meeting. It was voted to recommend %;111 ,000 for Street Lighting. It was voted that the Light Department should turn over to the Town `x'24,000,00 in 1939, Under Registrart°s Expenses it was voted to recommend 61154-00 made up as follows.- Street List $250.00 Assistant Registrars 0754,00, printing and supplies 4150,00, It was voted to reconsider the vote of February 1 Soldiers' Relief ;14,500,00 and to recommend 13,500,00. The following votes were passed: Article 8. Unpaid Dills, - Recommend $1,900,00. If 10. Midd. County T.B. Hospital. - recommend 17,42 t 11. Overdraft Snow & Ice Account recommend ~p 44.10, rg 12, Voted to recommend subject matter of this Article. (E & D°). 17. Light Department Underground. Voted to recommend extension of plant provided a federal grant for labor could be obtained, this project to be financed by the issue of bonds or notes to the amount of15,000.00, Article 19. highway Fund Chap, 500. Recommend action under Article. • ' .26. Apportioned Suer connections. Recommend referring subject matter of this Article to the Board of y'ublic Works. 29. Birph meadow Playground. Recommend land taking and appropriation of q~1.00. ` 30. Re-locating Woburn St. and Copeland Ave. Recommend referring subject matter of this Article to the Board of Public Works. 31. Re-locating West Street Line, Recommend referring subject matter of tb4s Ar icle to the Board of Public Works. 4. ~2°:ie I~~ can Legion Quarters. Recommend rental for one year of $1500 Do not recommend lease. i' 37. Town Physician Recommend subject matter of this article be indefinitely postponed. the Chairman read the preamble which he had prepared for the Committee's report which was unanimously approved. It was voted that the names of all members of the Committee be affixed to the report. Adjourned 11.20 P.M. Members present: Chm. Devaney, Connelly, Currel.l, Davis, Alison, Folsom., Goldsmith, .Kimball, Mlerrill, Newell, No-yes, Roberts, Sturm ;e-s, Trevor, Wellman, Clerk.