The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-28
TOWN MANAGER EXPERT SPEAKS
CONTINUED from Page L.

week, acting upon the orders Of the
selectmen.
Mr.. Bingham distressed a moment to
say that he had been handed a copy
of the annual town report of Brattle-
boro and that he observed that the
names of all unfortunates who had re-
ceived a penny of aid from the town
during the year printed lie added:
~ don t think it is right, - and many
head nodded in approval of the state
ment.
He said that to bring about the
change in the method of government
in Norwood a regular campaign had
been conducted. This was not because
there was any graft in the town or
ANYTHING different from the usual lack
Of system in connection with the gov
eminent of the average town, but be-
cause the belief had grown in some
quarters there that the town manager
system was better than the time hon
ored method. Later he said, in answer
to a question, that of the "a cities and
towns that had taken up the idea in
nine wears he knew of only three that
had gone back to the old form.
The town had outgrown the old meth
DDS, it was believed, and when it was
decided to adopt the town manager
system there were 4l9 applicants for
the position. Most town managers are
civil engineers and, he believed, pri-
marily they should be, for IS per cent
of the town expenses are for construc-
tive purposes and properly come I'M
der the supervision Of a civil engl-
neer. In connection with this he was
asked if he believed it was good judg-
ment to engage a local man for the
position and his instant reply: "De-
cidedlv not. Never hire local man
for the position. 1t was an answer
that brought laughter, as many of his
answers did
When the change in the method of
conducting town affairs in Norwood
was made there were eight boards con
Quoting town affairs and each board
+ had superintendent, the aggregate
| salaries of which were 800. This
amount went to reimburse the town
manager and his clerk. Power Is not
/ taken from the voters at town meet
/ ing. They elect the board of select
men, the treasurer, who is also the tax
collector; the school committee, the fl
nance commissioners, the library trus-
/
The manager is appointed by the
| board OF selectmen and may be dis
/ charged on five days notice for cause.
jThe manager appoints the superintend
ents. except of schools, including po-
I lice, fire, streets, sewers, highways
+ lights. forestry, etc, any Of whom may
be discharged by him on the same terms
that he holds his own position. The
manager fixes their salaries but does
mot interfere with the salaries they
decide TO PAY their foremen and labor
crs.
The finance commission is an impor
ttant body under the Norwood system
of government The manager and the
town accountant, who is also the clerk
produce a budget of all anticipated
expenses for the ensuing municipa
year which the selectmen approve The
budget is complete to every item fol
: rrrrv-proposed expenditure. Ap
proved by the selectmen, il goes t
the finance commission which holds
public hearings which may be attended
by any voter of the town and any item
discussed After finally leaving the Fl
nance commission the budget goes Il
the town meeting Mn. Bingham salt
/
overrun appropriations and gave TIL
voters every chance TO know what wa
to be done with their money.
He gave illustrations of how none,
had been saved, a series of whicl
showed how they had reduced the eos
Of trap rock for road building almos
80 per cent on $4,000 tons.
One feature Of his talk of especia
81
valuation was his statement that i
past years Norwood had very 10y
valuation with a tax rate of $3.50 O
$1,000. The valuation was increase
to 100 per cent and the tax rate
now $3.50 on $1,000 and propertie
are sold at their assessed valuation.
One of the most important duties 0
the town manager is that of purcha:
ing agent for all departments Requ
sitions for supplies from all depar'
ments, even the schools which are nc
) under his control, are made throug
him. He described and illustrated wit
! numerous instances how this mctho
had been a saving one for the tow
He said that in anticipation of tn
increase in prices of various commod
j ties careful and advantageous buyin
& had saved the town over $4,000 in II
4 past year and that there is now G
\ hand one and one half years suppl,
for the schools. The town is now ha
ing delivered hard coal at IS lor
4 ton-2.240 rounds-anywhere in Il
town limits while the prevailing r
tail price there is $3.50 ton.
Il eff he does nothing else, said NJ
Bingham, 'the manager is worth h
salary to centralize buying.
4 He was asked how the funds we
& disbursed. The manager approves ea
individual bill, all being discounte
\ and payments are made ON the first al
4 10th of the month. The bills go to t
4 accountant, who prepares them on
warrant which goes to the seectm
Z with each individual bill attached al
the approval of the selectmen is g
thority for the treasurer to disbur
the money.
In connection with this answer
4 said that the manager carries in
\ Office what is termed controlling lee
8 or which is balanced every night WI
\ the exact work done in every depa