Data Processing Budget Deficit and Special Town Meeting Headed to Norwood Warrant-September 10, 1980

An estimated $54,700 deficit in the data processing and computer budget has emerged as a primary catalyst for a special town meeting expected within the next few months, Town Manager John J. Carroll reported to the Board of Selectmen.

Computer Budget Deficit and Contract Obligations

Town Manager Carroll informed selectmen that estimated data processing expenses for fiscal 1981 have reached $191,208. Although a substantial deficit was anticipated, town meeting last spring appropriated funds at the previous level of $136,500 pending more complete administrative data.

Since that time, Carroll explained, contracts have been finalized with the Blue Hills Regional School for school department data work, alongside agreements with Computer Enterprise Inc. to handle town and school payrolls, excise tax bills, and real estate tax billings under the $136,500 baseline appropriation.

The immediate financial shortfall stems from two specific needs:

• An estimated $45,708 required to maintain payroll processing operations from January through June 30, 1981.
• A $9,000 request from the town clerk to cover electronic data processing for street lists and voter registrations.

Selectmen plan to include the combined deficit on the warrant for the upcoming special town meeting.

Assessors’ Revaluation Expenses and Airport Noise Debate

Additionally, the Board of Assessors is requesting $16,000 to maintain full market values once real estate reassessment is finalized. Assessor Chairman James J. Drummey explained that this service extends beyond the approximate $210,000 contract for town-wide revaluation to keep values up-to-date for 1983–85. Drummey noted that the finance commission previously authorized a $19,000 supplement to cover the $209,800 low appraisal bid from P.R. Jacobs Co., which includes expenses such as mailing revaluation data to Norwood property owners. Drummey added that he has received favorable performance reports on the Jacobs firm from the state Department of Revenue and officials in Quincy, Andover, and Lawrence.

Furthermore, a future warrant article will ask town meeting representatives to reconsider whether the long-delayed $1 million rehabilitation of Norwood Airport should remain tied to the enactment of local aviation noise abatement rules. While Selectman Walter J. Dempsey urged drafting the article due to obvious runway pavement safety issues, Selectman Mary J. Fox voiced strong opposition, stating she would not support requesting town funding until ownership of the airport and the liability of management corporation Boston Metropolitan Airport Inc. are legally clarified.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger