1961/12/18Minutes of the Meeting
December 18, 1961
T0~N OF BERLIN
OFFICE OF THE SELECTMEN
A joint meeting was held ~th the Board of Education at 7:00 p.m.,
to discuss the telephone situation. Present: Selectmen Powers, Lanzoni
and Kerin. Dr. Bountress, Mr. Fletcher, Dr. Fitzsimmons, Mrs. Bigelow,
Mr. Garrity and Mr. Cosgrove.
Mr. Powers explained the Board of Finance was not present since Mr.
Doranhad been away and did not receive letter notifying him of this
meeting until this morning. Mr. Doran suggested that Selectmen and
Board of Education meet and discuss the matter and then go to the Board
of Finance.
Mr. Cosgrove explained the telephone problem the difference being
that the Town Hail phones were all in one building whereas the School
phones were in five different buildings. The possibility exists that
this may eventually spread throu~omt Town in the near future as new
schools are built. Both syst~s a~-e operated by switchboard. The Town
switchboard is manned 2A hours since Police and Fire calls are received
there. The School switchboard is manned from eight in the morning uz~il
five in the afternoon. ~hen this closes down it is not even possible to
get through to Mr. Dorsey's office. It is also impossible to get two
Schools connected after school hours since an outside line is needed for
this. The Board of Education has decided that they must make a ch-nge and
the suggestion was made that perhaps a centralized Town-wide system could
be installed. This system would take the cost of telephones out of the
Board of Education budget completely. This would also relieve one full time
employee who mans the switchboard plus her relief or a saving of substantial
sum. The Town Hall has a problem of getting an outside line. If we go
to a To~-wide system, it would be advantageous to both the Town and the
Board of Education since the Town already has a full time e~loyee man~ing
their ~vitchboard. .
Mr. Powers stated he had discussed this situation with Mr. Cosgrove
about a year ago. At that rite Mr. Cosgrove advised that installing this
system would require a room. In other words, a place to put the system.
Mr. Cosgrove stated that if we do go in for a system like this,
he personally felt the switchboard should be in the Town Hall but it could
be anywhere in the Town.
Mr. Powers questioned cost-wise how it would effect both the Town
and the School Board.
Mr. Eerin stated that the telephone company had sold the present
system to the Board of Education with the understanding that it would
require only a part-time operator who could also perform other clerical
work.
Mr. Fletcher explained that the Board of Education was interested in
knowing if theBoard of Selectmenare interested in a Town-wide system and
think it has merit to give it furtherstudy or the Board of Education would
take care of its own.
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mr. Kerin suggested putting a time check on our Dispatcher to see if he
could handle the added work load.
Mr. Powers questioned whether the new system would allow direct ~ialing
out.
Mr. Cosgrove explained there are two systems available. The Selectmen
would have to increase their budget from approximately two to four thousand
dollars a year, plus approximately one thousand dollars for installation.
Space must be provided for the system. There is a l0 year termination
charge. As the Town grows, a new system becomes more necessary.
Mr. Kerin questioned~if the Selectmen should decide to study this, could
a representative of the telephone company conduct the studyY
~r. Cosgrove explained the telephone company would make a study. Since
we are looking for increased efficiency, this system should be under one
budget.
~ Mr. Kerin questioned if there would be a way of controling out of town
calls.
~r. Cosgrove was certain that certain phones could be restricted.
Mr. Powers stated he could understand the advantages, but it must also
be understood that there is a cost problem.
Mr. Dorsey explained that the operator for the Board of Education was
restricted to the ~=~ switchboard and could do very little other work other than
simple copy typewriting. She would be relieved to do other work as would be
the girl who relieves her. There would be a saving of approximately 1 and one-
quarter man power. He also felt we could have a direct line to Hartford.
Dr. Fitzsimmons questioned that, assuming something like this were done,
how long would it take for a survey and determining of a system.
Mr. Cosgrove explained that one system would take ~bout four ~onths.
The decision would lay ~ith the Town. If they v~nt somet~ng to prove for the
growth of the Town.
Mr. Powers suggested someone from the telephone company coming in to figure
out the cost. Two things are essential. Finding a space and the financial
aspects.
The Board of Selectmen authorized the Board of Education to have a
representative from the telephone contact them with regard to making a survey.
Mr. Powers read letter from Grant Skinner in which ~e highly recommended
Donald Prue as Assistant Highway Superintendent. Permant appointment of
Mr. Prue was unanimous.
Mr. Powers advised the Board it may be necessary to go to the Board
of Finance for mone money for a qualified mechanic to help Mr. Haber.
Mr. Powers will check with surrounding towns to see what their pay scale
is.
Board members unanimously accepted recommendation of Grant Skinner
for an across the board increase per hours of $.05 for all Highway employees.
Arnold Pomerenke was granted an increase of 10~ per hour.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
cc: A. B. Powers J. P. Lanzoni
H. T. Kerin
Minutes of the Meeting
December 28, 1951
The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. with the three Selectmen present.
Mrs. Mahanwas present for the Press.
The Board unanimously appointed &ldo Castiglioni, 133 Savage Hill
Road, to a five year term on the Planning Commission, replacing
Th~esa Craddock, whose term had expired.