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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1946 ADVISORY REPORTPlease Preserve This Report for Use at the Town Meeting TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER Report of the Advisory Board MARCH16,1~6 To THE CITIZENS OF NORTH ANDOVER: It might seem unnecessary and superfluous to call attention to the fact that this is your Town, it is administered by officials whom you have elected and in whom you have thereby indicated confi- dence, and it is your money which you are about to appropriate. What kind of a town you want, who you want to run it, and how much of your money you want to spend, is yours to decide. M1 that your elected officials can do is to administer, and all that your Advisory Board can do, is to advise. In no year have you ever been faced with such uncertain economic conditions and such drastic increases in the cost of run- ning your town. Here are the condensed and essential facts (for simplicity all figures are to the nearest thousand). 1945 Budget Appropriations $448,000.00 Special Articles as ac- cepted or recommended ~$,000.00 Estimated 1946 Increase $491,000.00 $43,000.00 57,000.00 34,000.00 TOTALS $471,000. O0 $548,000.00 $77,000.00 Less Applicable Free Cash 5,000.00 5,000.00 Adjtisted Totals $471,000.00 $543,000.00 $7~,000.00 Tax Rate 41.00 51.00 10.00 Every item in the Budget and every article on the Warrant has been carefully weighed and considered and our recommendations presented herewith have been prepared on the basis of, first, is the item concerned in the best interest of the town as a whole; second, is the amount of money involved a proper and reasonable expendi- ture for the purpose intended, and third, does the data as presented indicate that the funds provided will be used economically and in a fashion to return full value to the town. $51.00 TAX RATE Large as it may appear, the prospective tax rate of $51.00 seems to be in line with the increasing costs of maintenance, operation and betterment with which all towns and municipalities, as well as industries, are currently faced. The Board of Assessors advise that for the year 1946 no appreci- able relief or reduction in the tax rate can be anticipated as a result of new building construction and the consequent increase in assess- able valuations within the town. Current building programs are seriously impeded by material shortages and by various regulation limitations. Such building developments within thc town are an indication of healthy growth, should be encouraged and supported within reason, and in due course will reflect substantial increases in taxable valuation. $150.00 PAY RAISE The pay raise recommended under Article 5 is set up to give all pe,rmanent full ticae emplc~yees a pay raise in the amount of $150.00 per year, retroactive to Jan. 1, 1946. This is a major item insofar as the tax rate is concerned. The sum involved amounts to around $16,000.00 or about $~.$5 on the tax rate. Your Advisory Board felt that our regular, permanent and full time employees were entitled to an equality of treatment in the matter of working condi- tions, hours and wages with the treatment which is being extended by industry in this and surrounding communities. With particular concern for those of our loyal employees who are in the lower pay brackets and to provide fair treatment for all, the lump sum pro- cedure in the amount of $150.00 per employee and the retroactive clause are recommended in preference to any percentage increase. Favorable action would constitute the establishment of a rate of $.85 per hour for general labor on the town payroll. SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM We have given the problem of school buildings and the Report of the School Building Survey Committee careful consideration. We believe the report is a good one and that the suggested program should be adopted and put into effect at the earliest possible time, consistent with sound, economical planning and the town's ability to finance the cost. Your Advisory Board feds that you are entitled to an expression of opinion and policy as followed by the Advisory Board in its consideration of all pertinent articles. Your Board's policy can be outlined as follows: (1) It is our interpretation and opinion that the town wishes, and so committed itself by its action at the Town Meeting a year ago, to enter into a long range, complete aud the comp- rehensive program for the replacement of all school buildings. (~) We are unanimously in favor of any and all steps leading to the orderly, economical and expeditious development of this program. (3) We believe that in placing this program in the hands of a duly authorized and constituted committee, that that com- mittee should be permitted to investigate, initiate and recommend in an orderly fashion whatever program they feel to be in the best interests of the town as a whole; and to present promptly, to and for the consideration of the town, such steps as they deem most expedient as of the time of such presentation. (4) We are unanimously opposed to any action prejudicial to and infringing on the rights and authority of the School Building Committee. (5) We are unanimously opposed to any action which might make any program, policy or sequence mandatory in advance of due consideration and consultation by the School Building Committee. (6) Other than for an initial installment for the account of the Stabilization Fund, we are unanimously opposed to the authorization or appropriation of any funds in advance of such time as the School Building Committee eau assure the town that such fm~ds eau and should be utilized or expended promptly. The School Building Survey Committee suggests a Planned Long Range Building Program and a regular setting aside of a proportionate share of tax money each year to finance the pro- .gram, as the very essence of success in bringing the school build- rags of the Town up to date. In order to carry out the suggested program, we are recommend- ing favorable action on Article 34, to appoint a committee to have charge of the Building, and in order that they may draw up plans for proposed school building, we axe recommending the adoption of Article 35. As the report suggests the adoption of a plan to set aside a por- tion of the tax money for school building purposes each year, we are recommending favorable action on Article 86 to create a stabil- ization fund for school building purposes and we trust that the town will consider the addition of a-proportionate amount each year as an obligation to be religiously observed aS suggested in the School Survey Report. Because it is generally agreed that no new school buildings can be built this year, and because there seems to be a difference of opinion among those most concerned with the school buildings program as to methods of financing and as to the order in which the program should be carried out, we feel very strongly that further study of the proposed plan as well as methods of carrying it out is advisable. We therefore, feel that Articles 87 and 38 should be postponed until the committee, created under Article 34, makes a study of the entire program. This would very definitely include the recom- mendation that they hear the ideas of the petitioners of Articles 87 and 88, and that they bring into the next Annual Town Meeting definite proposals for the construction and financing of the pro- posed new school buildings. STREETS Various special articles dealing with streets, the improvements of same, and the installation of water services, drainage and sewer facilities have occasioned special care and attention. The total sum involved, exclusive of Chapter 90 funds, represents expenditures for approved items totaling around $15,000.00 or about $~.15 on the tax rate. We feel that due care was exercised in 1945 and will continue to be exercised this year in extending encouragement to new building development, but with proper and reasonable sharing of develop- ment costs. PLAYGROUNDS Special reference is made to Articles 8 and 40 of the Warrant. Playgrounds are a very real asset to the community. Primarily in order to utilize town equipment to the best possible advantage and to avoid duplication in the purchase of such equip- ment, your Advisory Board has felt it proper to recommend, under Article 8, that the Board of Public Works assume thc added duty of caring for playgrounds as well as public parks and triangles. It is to be regretted that unfavorable action is recommended with respect to Article $0, but your Board feels that the financial burden is too heavy to be assumed at this time. We should like to extend our very sincere thanks to the various officials, boards and individuals who have so willingly given of their time in connection with our deliberations, and who have so heartily and sincerely cooperated with us. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES n. WENTWORTH, Chairman B. ALDEN FARNUM FaANCm B. K~T~REDC~ Jo~ T. F~N~ FORBES ROCK~VELL I~ENNETH C RA~,VFORD JOHN J. FITZGERALD Advisory Board Recommendations ARTICLE ~. To elect all other officers not required by law to be elected by ballot. Recommended that this be referred to the Selectmen for action. ARTICLE 3. To see if the town will vote to accept the report of receipts and expenditures as presented by the selectmen and auditor. Recommended that the report be accepted. ARTICLE 4. To see what action the town will take as to its unexpended appropriations. Recommended that all unexpended appropriations be returned to the Treasury, with the exception of $7,600.00 appropriated under Article 17 of the 1945 warrant and $27.00 from Artlde 47 in the 1942 warrant. Recommended that the Assessors be authorized to use a sum not exceeding $5000.00 from free cash in the Treasury toward the reduction of the tax rate. ARTICLE 5. To see what action the town will take as to the Recommendations of the Finance Committee. Recommended that each item be considered separately. See Page 8. The amounts recommended by the Advisory Board have been raised to allow for an increase of $150.00 per year for all permanent full time employees, as set forth in the first part of this report. ARTICLE 6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow ~noney from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1947 and to issue a note or notes therefore, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 7. To consider the report of all speeiM committees. Recommended that the reports of all special committees be heard. ARTICLE 8. To see what action the town will take in regard to appointing a committee to take care of the public parks and triangles of the town. Petition of the Board of Selectmen. Recommended that the members of the Board of Public Works act as a committee to care for the public parks, triangles, and playgrounds. This will avoid duplication of equipment and provide supervisory authority for the pay- ment of bills. ARTICLE 9. To see .if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Health to appoint one of their members to the position of Board of Health Physician and to fix his compensation. Petition of Jos, A. Duncan, Town Clerk. Favorable action recommended on the basis of compensa- tion in the amount of $506.00 for the year 1946, this amount being included in the Board of Health appropriation as ap- proved by both the Finance Committee and the Advisory Board. ARTICLE 10. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to appoint one of its members as a per- manent driver for the duration of the war and to fix his compensa- tion. Petition of Jos. A. Duncan, Town Clerk. Unfavorable action recommended as the interpretation of the qualifying clause "for the duration of thc war" is both questionable and controversial. ARTICLE 11. To see if the town will vote to authorize the School Committee to appoint one of its members to the position of School Physician and to fix his compensation. Petition of Jos. A. Duncaa~, Town Clerk. Favorable action recommended on the basis of compensa- tion in the amount of $650.00 for the year 1946, this amount being included in the school department appropriation as approved by both the Finance Committee and the Advisory Board. ARTICLE 1~. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $8~.60 to build new see-saws at the Grogan's field playground. Petition of the Board of Selectmen. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 13. To see if the town will raise $1,600.00 for the purchase of a new one and one half ton truck for the Moth De- partment, Petition of the Board of Selectmen. Favorable action recommended. ARTICLE 14. To see if the town will vote to accept Glenwood Street which is located between Railroad Avenue and Beechwood Street and runs in a westerly direction from Massachusetts Avenue. Petition of Fred Hilton and others. Unfavorable action recommended as the present condi- tion of this street is not in conformity with reasonable street or highway construction practice and aeeeptanco would entail assumption by the town of a disproportionate share of thc cost of putting this street into condition suit- able for a public way. ARTICLE 15. To see if the town will accept Rosedale Avenue running from Hewitt Avenue north to south to Longwood Avenue, approximately 1000 feet. Petition of Palmer Long and others. Favorable action recommended as this street has been au identified public way for almost 40 years and the present condition of roadway and drainage is satisfactory and ac- ceptable to lhe highway surveyor. ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will appropriate $15,000.00 from the Postwar Rehabilitation Fund to extend the water system on Osgood Street from Prescott Street to Sutton Street with a con- nection to Chadwick Street, so as to improve the water supply and fire protection in the High Street, Chadwick Street, Prospect Street, Brightwood Avenue, and Furber Avenue area and on Great Pond Road, in accordance with the recommendations of the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association. Petition of the Board of Public Works. It is recommended that action on this article be post- ported for the following reasons: (1) Present water service has sufficed for a considerable number of years; (2) A clearer picture of developments in the territory concerned should be available before appropriating any major sum, such as contemplated by this article, to the territory concerned; (3) Any appropriation from the rehabilitation fund should be considered on the basis of the "Greatest Service to the Greatest Number" and it is felt that other projects, either now or in the future, may merit appropriations from the rehabilitation fund in preference to the .project contem- plated by this article. ARTICLE 17; To see if the town will raise and appropriate $850.00 to be used with the present coupe to purchase a new automobile. Petition of the Board of Public Works. Favorable action is recommended. The present Dodge Coupe has been in constant use since 1937 and is in need of much repair. ARTICLE 18. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $$,0,0.0.00 to replace water services to the property lines, place gate x aires on hydrant branches, repair valves and valve boxes, replace manhole frames and covers and do other necessary work on Main Street, Water Street, Greene Street, and Turnpike Street before the streets are reconstrneted. Petition of the Board of Public Works. Favorable action is recommended. ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept the amend- ment to section 6 of chapter 880 of the Acts of 1906, as passed by the General Court of 1946, increasing the sewer assessment from six-tenths of one cent to up to two cents per square foot of area within the depth of 100 feet from the street line. Petition of the Board of Public Works. Favorable action is recommended, Because the cost of materials and labor has increased so much since the sewer assessment was fixed at six-tenths of one cent in 1923, we feel that. the Board of Public Works is justified in asking for permission to increase the assessment up to a maximum of two cents. This does not mean that the rate will be two cents but will he whatever figure ]ess than two cents will be sufficient to cover actual costs. ARTICLE ~0, To see if the town will vote to raise ~nd appro- priate a sufficient sum of money to install a water system and sewer system on Hamilton Road, beginning at Massachusetts Avenue and extending to Putnam Roa~. Petition of Dorothy Houston and other. Favorable action recommended on thc following basis: (I) We recommend that the sum of $1800.00 be raised and appropriated to install water on this street provided the petitioners will make a guarantec~ acceptable to the Board of Public Works, of 5% of thc cost of construction over a ten year period; (2) That the sum of $2900.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of installing a sewer on this street; (3) Provided the layout and plan of the street is approved by the Planning Board; (4) Provided proper as- surance is given to prol~rly constituted authorities that in due course and prior to acceptance by the town~ this street will be put into condition in conformity with reasonable street or highway construction practice. ARTICLE ~1. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money to install a water system and sewer system on Holbrook Road, beginning at Massachusetts Avenue and extending to Putnam Road. Petition of Dorothy Houston and others. Favorable action recommended on the following basis: (1) We recommend that the sum of $1fl00.00 be raised and appropriated to install water on this street provided the petitioners will make a guarantee, acceptable to the Board of Public Works, of 5% of the cost of construction over a ten year period; (2) That the sum of $2900.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of installing a sewer on this street; (3) Provided the layout and plan of the street is approved by the Planning Board; (4) Provided that installa- tion should not be started unless construction of homes is underway by July 1, 1946; (5) Provided proper assurance is given to properly constituted authorities that in due eeurse and prior to acceptance by the town, this street will be put in conformity with reasonable street or highway construc- tion prattler. ARTICLE ac. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of Sb,000.00 for the purchase of a new five-ton dump truck for the use of the Highway Department. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. · Favorable action is recommended. A heavy-duty truck is needed by the department for the proper performance of its duties in connection with refuse collection and snow plowing. ARTICLE 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $0,450.00 for the purchase of a Cletrac Tractor complete with "V" Snowplow with wings and bulldozer attachments. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. 11 It is recommended that this article be struck from the warrant. This recommendation meets with the approval of the highway surveyor as reflecting a change in conditions subsequent to the presentation of the original petition. ARTICLE ~4. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $¢,000.00 for maintenance on any street in town under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. It is recommended that the said sum of $2,000.00 be raised and appropriated, under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County or both, but in no greater proportion than two dollars of town money to one dollar of state or county money or both. ARTICLE ~5. To see if the town will raise and appropriate Sa,000.00 to be used for a sidewalk project; the Town to provide one half of the expense and the applicant the other half of the cost. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. It is recommended that the sum of $1000.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose and subject to the restrictions asoutlined in this article. ARTICLE ~6. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $4,500.00 for the rebuilding of Greene Street under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, but if not used on said street, money to be used for the further rebuilding of Main and Water Streets tamer Chapter 90 of the General Laws, said money to be used in con- junction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or to take any other action in relation thereto. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. It is recon~mended that the sam of $4500.00 be raised and appropriated, under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, for the purposes and under the conditions as outlined in this article, to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County or both, but in no greater proportion than two dollars of town money to one dollar of state or county money or both. ARTICLE ~7. To see if the town will raise and appropriate ,$4,960.00 to install a surface drain from the corner of Railroad Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue to Lyman Road and continu- ing on Lyman Road for a distance of 500 feet. Petition of the Highway Surveyor. Unfavorable action is recommended as a corresponding article was presented under Article 18 of the 1944 warrant and involving an appropriation for the Lyman Road portion of only $1000.00. The town took unfavorable action at that time and we see no occasion at this time for recommending a reversal of the earlier derision. ARTICLE ~8. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate $1,500 to replace air tanks in Fire Station condemned by ~nsurance inspector. Petition of the Board of Fire Engineers. Favorable action is recommended as evidence has been presented with respect to the condemnation referred to in the article. ARTICLE ~9. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate $1,500 to install a new oil burning boiler in the fire station replacing a $5-year old coal furnace now in use. Petition of the Board of Fire Engineers. Favorable action is recommended as the cost of necessary repairs to the present boiler will be in excess of $500 and it is felt that a new boiler represents a wiser expenditure of town funds. ARTICLE 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate $4,000 to purchase a ne'w ambulance. Petition of the Board of Fire Engineers. Unfavorable action recommended as it is felt that the present ambulance is adequate for several more years of service. ARTICLE 31. To see i{ the town will raise and appropriate $500 to be used with the present Hudson car to purchase a new Police Car. The suni of $1,000 will be received for the old car. Petition of Alfred H. McKee and others. Favorable action recommended as it is felt that it is more economical to purchase a new car than to expend further funds on the repair of the present car. ARTICLE 3~. RESOLVED: That the Chief of Police be in- structed by the Board of Selectmen to make available to the duly elected constables, all extra and special police duty for the town of North Andover, as passed by the town at a previous Town Meeting but is in effect and not being enforced. The present system is not in accord with the General Laws which specifically state that no special appointed constable of any city or town shall be paid by the city or town for duties performed in that capacity. Petition of John P. Dineen and others. No comment as your Advisory Board does not feel that this is a matter which properly comes under its jurisdic- tion. ARTICLE $$. "Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year One thousand nine hundred and forty-five entitled 'An Act relative to equal pay for men and women teachers'; be enforced in this town?" Petition of North Andover Teachers Association. Favorable action recommended. Recommended that $4100 be raised and appropriated for this purpose. 13 ARTICLE 34. To see if the town will authorize the moderator to appoint a committee to consist of seven (7), to include three ($) members of the School Committee and four (4) other citizens of the town, to be known as the "School Building Committee," to carry out the program substantially as outlined in the School Survey Report. Petition of the School Building Survey Committee. We recommend that a committee of seven be appointed, three of the members to be selected annually by and from the School Committee; the other four members to be ap- pointed by the Moderator for terms or three, four, five and six years respectively and that upon the expiration of the terms of each appointive member, the Moderator be au- thorized to fill such vacancy for a three year term. ARTICLE 85. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $~,500 to be used by the School Building committee to secure plans and specifications for proposed school buildings. Petition of the Sehool Building Survey Committee. Favorable action is recommended. ARTICLE 36. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $15,450 to create a stabilization fund under Chapter 1~4 of the Acts of 1945 as recommended in the School Building Survey. Peti- tion of the School Building Survey Committee. Favorable action is recommended as it is felt that an immediate start should be made on the establishment of a Stabilization Fund as outlined in the article, for use in eon- nection with School Building Construction, and subject to recommendations as prepared and presented to the town for their consideration by the School Building Com- mittee as constituted under the terms of Article 34 of this Warrant. ARTICLE $7. To see if the town will appropriate $50,000 from the Post War Rehabilitation Fund for the use of the School Build- ing Committee in building new school buildings. Petition of the School Building Survey Committee. Recommended that action on this article be postponed. Due to the shortage of building materials, most building and construction authorities are in agreement that little if any new school buildings can be constructed this year. High building costs and unsettled economic conditions through- out the country would seem to add to the probability that no construction could be started for some time. With re- spect to both this article and to Article 38, the committee appointed under Article 34 should have an opportunity to study the proposals made in the so-called Reeves Plan and also the proposal of the petitioners under Article 38; and ~4th the definite understanding that proposals and plans be prepared promptly and presented for the consideration of the town on or before the next annual town meeting. ARTICLE 38. To see if the town will raise and appropriate, by bond issue or otherwise, $175,000, of which $50,000 shall come from the Rehabilitation Fund, so called, for the erection of a new Union School, a new school to replace the Bradstreet Frame School Building and a new Center School Building. Petition of Carl E. Porter and others. llecommended that action on this article be postponed. See comment under Article 37 above. ARTICLE 39. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $~00 for the payment of the unpaid 1945 bill for engineering services contracted for by the Planning Board for the Massachu- setts Avenue sand bank survey in accordance with the vote of the 1945 Annual Meeting. Petition of the Planning Board. This bill was authorized by the annual Town Meeting in 1945. We recommend that the sum of $200 be raised and appropriated to pay this bill. ARTICLE 40. To see if the town will raise and appropriate not more than $14,500 to construct a playground on the site of the Town sand hank on Massachusetts Avenue in accordance with plans drawn by Charles E. Cyr, Engineer. Petition of the Planning Board. This project entails the expenditure of a large sum of money. We recommend that this article be indefinitely post- ported. The further increase of an already high tax rate does not seem justified at this time. ARTICLE 41. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate $3,000 for repairs and maintenance of the American Legion Bathing Beach. Petition of the Bathing Beach Committee. The beach and buildings are badly in need of repairs. We reeemmend that the stun of $3,000 be raised and appropri- ated for this purpose. ARTICLE 4~. To see if the town will vote to convey the Frank- lin Sch0o] house to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. ~104 for a nominal sum of money. Petition of William G. }~artin an(] other. While we are in favor of conveying the Franklin School to the Veterans of Foreign Wars if the School Department has no further use for this property, we believe no action along these lines should be taken until we are sure the School Department will not need the property. We therefore recom- mend that the Veterans oT Foreign Wars be allowed the use of the building until the proposed School Building Pro- gram is definitely established. ARTICLE 4~3. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to partially defray the maintenance ex- penses of quarters for Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post Nun~er ~104. Petition of William G. ~5/iaxtin and other. We recommend that the sum of $100 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of this article. 15 ARTICLE 44. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money for the salaries and wages in each town department, to grant a ten per cent increase to all town employees. Petition of Edward J. McCarthy and other. An increase in wages and salaries that we believe is fair has been provided in the appropriations recommended for each department. Therefore we recommend that this article be stricken from the warrant, ARTICLE 45. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $1,000 to grade and resurface Marbleridge Road from Salem Street to the Ida A. Atkins Memorial entrance to Ridgewood Cemetery, a distance of approximately twelve hundred feet. Petition of Board of Directors of Ridgewood Cemetery and others. We believe the approach leading to the cemetery will be greatly improved by the grading and resurfacing of this street. We recommend that thc sum of $1000 be raised and appropriated for this purpose. ARTICLE 46. To see if the town will authorize the Moderator or the Board of Selectmen to appoint a representative committee to plan some kind of a permanent memorial for the members of the Armed Forces of World War I1, this committee to report progress from time to time to the Board of Selecttnen. Petition of the Service Flag Committee. Favorable action is recommended. The committee to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and it is suggested that such appointments be made for a definite term or terms. ARTICLE 47. To act upon any other business which may legally be considered at this meeting. 16