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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1952-01-21 Board of Selectmen MinutesJANUARY 21, 1952: The regular weekly meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:00 P.M. with all members present. Weekly bills and payrolls were approved. DISCUSSION RE CIVIL S~VICE FOR TOWN E~t~LOYEES: Robert Dill, Harold Windle and Leo Lafond came before the board as representatives of the "labor" department of the toE. Mr. Dill stated that since the question of Civil Service had come up, there seemed 'to be a lot of misunderstanding. He said, ."We would like you fellows to contact our representatives and get a Civil Service representative here and then call an open meeting so that everyone in the town will have a clear understanding of the situation.,, "I understand, this gees on the ballot and there seems to be a let of misunderstanding.,, Mr. Thomson then asked if it were the intention of the petitioners to only include labor service - in the. town. Mr. Dill said that he really didn't know anything about 'it but as far as he knew, it includes everyone...clerks, school Janitors andlaberers. Mr. Dill said that they wanted someone directly connec%ed with it in the State House to clear this up and let them kno~ how they will be affected. ~r. Thomson felt that it should be up to the sponsers of the article to clear this up but Mr. Dill said they don't seem ~o get at it. They had a man from Lawrence talk to them re this matter and he seemed to think it Just involved laborers but the way the petition is written up, it includes official and labor service.~ Mr. Windle then said that he understood this was to include laborers in the highway, tree and water departments, and four clerks inside the building (although they · later found out that two ware bonded and wouldn'~ be included) but the petition would not include school Janitors. Mr. Thomson then stated that~ the petition was written up to include official m~d ~lmbor service, and the difficulty arises when you ask "What is official service and what is labor service". Mr. Thomson then read some notes Mrs.-Denrden had after she had contacted Civil Service to the effect that if official, service and labor service are included, only one question would be required and school Janitors would come under that question but if it' were to be for school Janitors alene, there would be a special procedure. Mr. ~homson said that the general procedure would be to have the question on the b~l~ot and have ~ list sen~ to the Civil Service Commissioner. Mr. Dill then said that they don't know whether or not they want it but Mr. Lafond said that they did want it. Er. Lafond further stated that they would like to have someone define the Civil Service law and the way in which it will apply to them. Mr. Dill felt that the townspeople should have an~ idea of what they are voting for and Mr. Dill further stated that since they are members of the town as well as laborers for the town, it might not be a good thing for the town. Mr. Lafond stated that he understood this was not supposed to add any expense ko the town. Mr. Dill felt that .there might be a nasty situation as far as management...but Mr. Lafond felt. there would be better management. Mr.' '$ind!e asked if it were possible to have someene come out here to discuss this. Mr. Thomson felt that the burden .was on the petitioners to explain wha~ they intend to do and he further felt that the Advisory~ Board would make a complete investigation of'it and said, in his opinion, they might seek to have someone come ~here. Mr. Thomson further stated that he felt it was the duty of the Board of Selectmen to acquaint the townspeople as much as they can with' ~.the article. He said that this article is a little bit complexing at the moment · and if ~there were confusion about it at the to~ meeting, it might be detrimental ,to. those who want the article. He said, "From my own viewpoint, the Advisory Board ~rill'.be interested in the interpretation of the article.,, He said that it might ~b~e .that tha Board of Selectmen could combine with~the Adrlsory Board to seek some explanation of it by way of a public meeting~ assuming that we co,,l~ get someone of sufficient authority to explain it. ~ Mr. Ceffin asked, "~ho is the sponsor of the article?" Mm. Lafend thought that Walter S~amp was supposed to b'e but Mr. Dill did not want to name anyone in particular. ~ Mr. Thomson~ said, "I would co- operate as much as I could in that if this Board feels this is in order~ we'would do everything to have someone come out and speak about this, but~that attempting to get someone from 'Civil Service was neither approval or disapproval of the article." Mr. Coffin felt these men should get together and see who will represent them so that the Selectmen wouldnot be given "the ball to carry." Mr..Thomson teld the men that the article would go in the warrant anyway as they have sufficient number of signatures. It was finally decided that the three men present here would represent their respective departments with the thought that the Selectmen and AdvisoryrBoard would try to have seme person in autho=~y come hereto discuss this question with them. COMPLAINT: ~alzetta came before the Board, stating that he lived at 470 Johnson Street and that a Mr. Henshaw bw~lt a home acro~s the s~reem. As soon as the cellar of this new home was dug, 'they got an underground spring that has been running continu- ously. He stated this was a traffic hazard as it goes over the road, comes on to his property and washes away their good farm soil. He has talked with the highway dept. about this. Mr. Calzetta first said that the Gas Co. broke a main pipe and water has been running continuously but when Mr. Thomson asked who broke the drain Mr. Calzetta said he didn't know, but as soon as the ditch ~as dug for water and gas, ~hisrstarted and is getting worse and worse. Mr. Calzetta thought there should be a JANUARY 21, 195~(continued) lantern there (the neighbors around there know about this situation but strangers would not). Mr. Calzetta said this was on Mr. Henshaw's proper%ybut comes on town property. Mr. Calzetta said Mr. Carry couldn't ge~ in there with a tractor and it seemed to him there would have %o be a ditch dug by hand in order %o check this. Mr. Thomson asked him if he thought there should be a bomb or flare there now and he said there should be scmething there but it really should be fixed. Mr. Thomson felt this should be taken up with Mr. Carry and' the board felt it was the only thing they could do. They thanked Mr..Calzetta for.bringing this mat%er to their attention. DISCUSSION-RAISE FOR'POLICE RESERVES:' ~. 'i: s, , · a ame an ' · ,c ubbin came before the Board as representatives of the Police Relief Association and Mr. Willis spoke for the group. He stated that last Monday night they had a meeting and the question came up about the ad- Justment in the reserve police officers' salaries. Mr. Thomson asked what the feeling of the association was with regard to salary or wage. Mr. Willis said that in Nethuen and Lawrence, the reserves get the same as the regulars but in Andover, they receive $5.00 a week less. Mr. Willis said the reserves felt that they would be satisfied if a $5.00 differential were established but the present spread ~s. much too.much. Mr. ~homsen.asked if this would be a $5.00 differential on a weekly basis irrespective of the length of time a reserve had been employed and Mm. Willis agreed this was correct but thought it would have to be broken down in an hourly rate. After some discussion about salaries of regulars, they came to the conclusion that it was Mr. Willis' proposition that the reserves should be paid 8% less than the regulars. Mr. Willis said there was a provision that when a man starts, he starts at $5.00 less and said, "we have pretty much stuck to that... I don't think it will amountto any more money on the appropriation...but it might on the extra work.", in regard to a previous discussion that wassheld relative.to this matter, Mr. Thomson was under the impression that the Board suggested at the time that nothing could be. done about it until the new b~dgets came in..Mr. Coffin said itseemed to him that they voted that the.full amount shouldbe, paid to sub- stitutes but s~ated that he hadn't seen the new budget. Mr. Thomson then asked "Are you specificallysuggesting'thatyou want the same amount paid to reserves or 8% less?" Mr. Willis then said, "Six months ago, Mr. Coffin said some adjustment should be made and would we object to$5.00 less...therewasno definite arrangement madebut you. did say you would give itsome thought when the new budget was submitted. What~'thodght have you..gi~en this matter, if any?" Mr. Thomson asked wha~ the vote was'.',Mr.~Wi!lis said, "If we coul~ get the full pay, we would take it, the bargaining element was ~o go ~o $5.00 less...that was cur'vote."Mr.-Coffin saidhe thought.the Chief~wanted to make it $!.25 per hr., but said this_Board voted, to'make itthe.full amoun~,. Mr. :Thomson said, ,¥¢e expressed opinions but didn't take definite vote on this matter....we did talk about it and expressed, opinions;" Mr~ Coffin was under the'im~ressien that the Board ha6been camvassed~:en this matter. Mr. Willis-then said, "If.you:establish: a differential, it would be $1.45 per hr.; if you gave .them the full pay, it would be what we get, $1.57/hr. Mr. Finneran stated he was in favor:of giving them the full pay if we have the money and Mr. Coffin.thought some recommendation had to be made to the town meeting.' Mr. Willis said that this was. net necessary for to~n meeting action...the people approve the budget. Mr. ThomSon . then s~ated, "Assuming the budget has been. made up in the prope~ form, this would commence as of April 1, 1952." Mr. Willis asked if the Board wouldtake the necessary action as far as Civil Service was concerned andMr. Thomson said, "We will be required to'.notify them of thenew rate." Mr. Ftnneran said, "I move.to that effect...that the~ ge~. full ~ay." Mr..Coffin then said, "AgainI want to ~ecall that we were canvassed on that very question and the suggestionwas $1.25/hr by the Chief and felt it should be $1.46 and I understand that'either one or both of .you gentIement thought it should be the full amount." Mr. Thomson asked what the feeling was now andMr. Coffin seconded Mr. Finneran,s motion. Mr. Thomson then stated, ,'On and after April l, 1~2, assuming an adequate budget is approved at the Tow~ Meeting in March, the Board now votes that the salary of the Reserve Officers, when he is employed by the Town, will be the same as that of a regular officer." Mr. Willis then asked, "Do you gentlemen present the budgetsunder your Jurisdiction." Mr. ~homson stated that the Chief would be advised of the vote of the Board. Mr. Coffin then stated, "I understood that the full rate.had been paid previously...but it is' my contention that a lower rate was paid this past year because of increases given to the Chief and the Sergeant. It had always been my understanding that the Selectmen would pass on the budgets and if under their Jurisdiction, would consult with the heads of the department." He ~urther stated, "We act as a conduit...we re- esi'ye ~he.budget, look at it and pass it on tb,'~'the Advisory Board.,' Mr. Willis asked the Board if they would favor them with a recommendation of this increase to the Advisory Board. Mr. Thomaon then repeated the above mutionwhich was a unanimous. vote of the Board. He further stated that up until four years ago, as a result of ar u ling from the State House, it was determined that the Board of Selectmen and Town Accountant were not the finance committee but that the Advisory Board were the ones to act as the Finance Committee. BIDS - Town Report: ~-~-~ng of the annual ~own report were opened this evening. There were two bids received. The Andover Press submitted the following prices: 1300 copies of the Town Report would cost $1761; 50 copies of the Board of Public Works Report would be $76 and 50 copies of the School Committee,s Report would be $115 (but printing the two latter reports asdp~tU6fs~he To~n P~port and binding as a side wire stitched pam- phlet, the cost would be $108.) The Bee Publishing Co. submitted the foll m~Ing price: 1300 copies of the Annual Town Report for $6.45 per page, including cover, same'stock as last year. The Board voted unanimously to award the' contract for the printing of the Annual Town Reports to the Bee Publishing Co. TREASURER'S REPC~T: The Town Treasurer's repor~ for the fiscal y~ar ending December 31, 1951 was submitted to the Board and the Board voted unanimously to accept the report as submitted. LAWRENCE GAS& ELECTRIC CO.: The Law. G.'& E. Co. requests permission to locate poles, wires and fixtures on the southerly side of Turnpike Street, at points approximately 280 feet and 995 feet easterly from Tolland Read, 2 poles. Since a public hearing is required on this, the Board voted to set this down for a hearing on February 4, 1952 at 7:30 P.M. STEVENS HAEL: The Board unanimously granted three requests for permission ~o use Stevens Hall as follows: The North Andover Women's Club on March 14, 1952 St. Michael's Guild on Feb. 20 and 21 and on the afternoon of Feb..17, 1952 The Board of Trade on April.17th and 18th. REQUEST FOR STR_~T LIGHT: ~4ilip Miller requested a street light on Dale St. on one of the following poles: 429, 430or 431, preferably 431. The Board voted unanimously to~contac~ the Law. Gas & EleC. Co. for their recomendation ~s. to which pole is preferable and have a l~ght installed. REQUF~T FOR TREE REMOVAL: George Longbottom, Com~onwealth Ave~. home. The Board voted 'unanimously to refer this request to the Tree Dept. for posting and action. POLICE-I~E POLE ON SUTTON ST. ~nief McKee reported that the pole in quest~ion could no~ be* moved back as i*Twould be on B & M property. He has asked for a red reflector for the~ firebox which he believes would help considerably. He* further stated that if the Board would prefer*a "Curve" sign there,, he would take care of it. The Board voted unanimously that the Chlef~ be instructed %o install a red'reflector on the firebox and establish a sign of warning with reference ~o the curve. By vote of the .Board, James Hargreaves was appointed Forest Warden, subject to th~ approval of the ~Director of Forestry. :ADVISOI~ BOARD: Commun~cation received from the ~dvisory Board requesting a meeting with the Board of Selectmen with reference ~o a discussion of the departmental budget on Monday, Jan. 28, 1952 at 8:00 P.M. The Board-vo~ed to ask that that the time. be changed to 8:30 P.M. GREAT POND ROAD: Communciation received from Mr. Elwyn King .suggesting that a letter be sent to each abutter on Great Pond Road and the board voted to take care of this matter. DAMAGE CEAIM: A claim was received from Mrs. Jane Bower in the amount of $32.00, as a result of a fall shehad on Middlesex St. on November 16, 1951. The Board voted to'send a release mo her-and take care of this matter. DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS-Re Local Sewage: ~munication £rom Dept. of Public ~¥orks sta~ing that the District Highway Engineer reports-that local, sewage is entering the State highway dr~ainage system on Tarnpike St. and that this has been called to the attention of the local Health Dept. but no action has been taken by them. The Board agreed to contact the Bd. of Health and find out what action will be taken by them on this matter. BOY SCOUTS OF A~ERICA: ~roclamation received in commemoration of Boy Scout Week and the ~2nd Anniversary of Scouting. Proclamation was retyped on official stationery and signed by the Chairman of the Board. (Boy Scout Week Feb. 6-12)