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SAUGUS
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY 295 Central St. Saugus, MÅ 01906
LOCAL HISTORY Ref. 352 Saugus v.62
1949
MILTON T. MARTIN COMPANY Fine Lithographers 566 Lincoln Ave.,
Sougus, Massachusetts
Telephone SAUgus 1838
ANNUAL
REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 st 1949
1
SAUGUS
20000
15000
POPULATION INCREASE
5.000
1900
1910
1920
1930
19 40
1950
1960
1970
2
INDEX
POLICY
Page
Board of Selectmen
.5
Town Meeting
8
Finance Committee 11
ADMINISTRATION
Town Manager 12
Planning Board
16
Accountant 18
Assessors
20
EDUCATION AND RECREATION
School Committee .21
Playgrounds .36
Library
.37
HEALTH AND WELFARE
Board of Health 39
Public Welfare 41
Contributory Retirement 43
Veterans' Benefits 46
Cemetery
46
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department 47
Fire Department 48
Superintendent of Buildings 49 Sealer of Weights and Measures .51
Tree and Moth Department 52
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Department 53
In Memoriam
. 56
Jury List 57
Financial Statistics .58 School Information iii
At Your Service
.iv
3
TOWN OFFICERS 1949
Selectmen John C. Pitman, Chairman John J. Bucchiere
William H. Robinson Alan F. Sawyer James P. Sullivan
Town Manager
James F. Shurtleff
School Committee William S. Braid, Chairman James W. Currier Harriet A. McAdoo George A. McCarrier John L. Silver
School Superintendent
Vernon W. Evans
Town Meeting Members
Precinct - 1 Edward E. Berrett Elmer R. Emmett
Welcome W. Mccullough Henry A.B. Peckham Harry F. Wentworth
Precinct - 2 Arthur Dearing Theodore Fueswyck Peter Hanlon George N. . Mckay Thomas F. Quinlan
Precinct -. 3 George F. Gosselin George W. Pitman Frederic J. C. Price, Jr. Donald Walker George 0. Walker
Precinct - 4 Alice G. Blood Robert L. Davis Paul A. Haley
Walter F. Neal Harold P. Rice
Precinct - 5 Richard Downes Chester P. Gibson William Everett LaVene Prescott N. Murray Edwin M. Thompson
Precinct - 6 Edson E. Evans W. Ernest Light Edward J. 0'Neil Albion N. Rice Ralph H. Sweetser
Precinct - 7 Alexander S. Addison, Mod'r Raymond P. Clark Earle W. Cousens Albion Hogan Clarence Kenerson
Precinct - 8
Herman Bunker William DeSimone Davis Hanson
Edwin M. Holmes Margaret Lapan
Precinct - 9 Frank K. Berthold George B. Dixon Richard Merrill Fred C. Smith
Precinct - 10 Arthur W. Anderson Cornelius McHugh Anthony Grella Paul F. Neal George Robinson
POLICY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
John C. Pitman, Chairman
John J. Bucchiere William H. Robinson
Alan F. Sawyer
James P. Sullivan
Your Board of Selectmen presents herewith a re- port for the year of 1949, the second year of our term of office and the close of the first phase of your Selectmen-Manager form of government. The past year has been an active one for this Board and we are justly proud of any contributions we may have made that have placed Saugus in its present excellent position.
The transition from our old method of munici- pal "mis-administration" to those of a centralized co-ordinated productive unit has been completed, with but few exceptions, during our term. We have earnestly attempted to guarantee the future of your new form of government.
We point, with pardonable pride, to the com- plete and final elimination of the depression in- curred debt of "tax title loans" through determined and concentrated action in selling an unprecedented amount of this
property and placing it back upon the tax rolls. Since final repayment to the Com-
monwealth in early 1949 there has been credited some $27,570.00 as income.Many desirable properties still remain on the books and we recommend that sufficient funds be made available to procure for the Town some very attractive parcels for sale in 1950.
We call your attention to the rapid growth of your "excess and deficiency" account from a deficit in 1946 to the present healthy surplus of some $238,582.00. This should be allowed to remain un- touched as we feel that this account should in- crease to at least $500,000.00to be carried against any future necessities.
The Board could not agree to proposals advanced during the year to increase water service charges as we felt that the supposed deficit of $26,000.00 was not an actual fact. We call your attention to expenditures, including bond payments, of $87,914.39 against receipts of $87,644.51. Future profits
5
should be reserved for correction and maintenance of the water system as there is much old pipe to be replaced.
At long last, action has been instigated to obtain for the Town a proper return for the tenth of our Town owned by the City of Lynn and used for water-shed purposes. It is our present intention to go into the Legislature to remove the antiquated assessment placed in 1883.
This area now provides income of less than $800.00 against some $800,000.00 from the remaining nine-tenths of the Town. We ask your whole-hearted support in this matter.
We are currently attempting to adjust the incorrect
system of sewer excess billing. At present water used in the summer for watering gardens. lawns, etc .. is used as a basis of overcharges for use of the sewer system. This matter will be presented to Town Meeting for correction.
Prospects of increased revenue through industrializa- tion of our marsh area appeared bright at year's end. If
Saugus is to gain the improvements so necessary and con-
venient to a growing town. no stone can be left unturned in following this matter through to a successful conclu- sion. Here again, we solicit the support of all interest- ed citizens.
We have been in complete sympathy with the retooling of the Public Works Department, along with installations of modern office appurtenances in other divisions. to place all branches of your Town Departments on a paying basis. Only with modern and capable tools and equipment can they deliver proper service.
In 1949 the Board proposed certain schedules of com- pensation for all employees as the first step to properly pay for services rendered. We propose in 1950 to follow
that plan with further adjustments. In 1951 this program
should be completed with maximum salaries attained. The
the Town to full establishment of this system will allow properly forecast that portion of Town expenses paid for wages. This will establish a permanent structure in keep- ing with present conditions but will not place our employ- ees as the highest paid in the area.
The Board has complied with all conditions of law re- lating to licenses. permits and local by-laws. All neces- sary and requested hearings have been held with appropri- ate decisions rendered.
The Board recommends that serious thought be given the proposals from the Town Planner and the Planning Board relative to school housing. It is indeed high time that improved, adequate and properly-located plants were pro- vided for the youth of the Town. Plans call for the erec- tion of five buildings in the next twenty years, so loca-
ted to serve the concentrated population or growing areas of the Town. Full details are available to all interested, and we suggest immediate action so as to be able to take advantage of State and Federal assistance.
Complete details of the Town's operations will be
6
found in the reports of the Town Manager and the various departments. We suggest your careful study of these re- ports in order that you fully appreciate the present and future of the Town. To all who have assisted us during the past year we extend our appreciation, especially those neighborhood and sectional improvement groups which have done much to improve the Town.
Upon the occasion of his voluntary retirement from public life. we the remaining members of the Board of Se- lectmen salute our retiring chairman, John C. Pitman. His long experience in office, his mature judgement and his patience of understanding have assisted us greatly. Prob- ably no other person has contributed as much personally and publicly as has our retiring member. The Town loses, in Mr. Pitman's retirement, a faithful and untiring public servant.
William H. Robinson John J. Bucchiere Alan F. Sawyer
TOWN ELECTIONS
Board of Registrars: John B. Leahy, Chairman Francis M. Hill Thomas A. Kelly Ruth E. Stevens
There were no elections held in Saugus during 1949.
7
19 49 TOWN MEETINGS
Annual Town Meeting - March 21 1949
(Adjourned to March 28, April 4, April 11, and April 18.)
ART. 1. To authorize Treasurer to borrow in anticipation of Revenue.
VOTED
ART. 2. To appropriate $5,000 for Chap. 90 Highway Const.
VOTED
ART. 3. To appropriate $2,000 for Chap. 90 Maintenance. VOTED
ART. 4. To appropriate $23,500 and transfer from available funds the sum of $20, 000 to purchase new equipment for Public Works Department.
VOTED
ART. 5. To establish a Reserve Fund for 1949.
INDEF. POSTPONED VOTED
ART. 6. To appropriate $416.67 for refund of pinball license fees.
VOTED
ART. 7. To set fees for use of Sewer System at $12.00 per connection plus addi- tional charge pf $5.00 per tenement, apartment, store or subdivision.
1a1
ART. 8. To establish policy on all new water main extensions.
VOTED
ART. 9. A. To accept Juliette Rd. VOTED B. To accept Greystone Rd. VOTED
C. To accept Union St. VOTED
VOTED
E. To accept Short St.
VOTED
G. To accept Midvale Ave.
VOTED
VOTED
ART. 10. To transfer $847.03, unexpended bal- ance of Art. 62 of 1946 to con- struct water main in Golden Hills to road construction on Golden Hills Rd. and Jamaica Rd.
ART. 11. To deed Old Iron Works House to First Iron Works Assoc.
VOTED
ART. 12. To accept Sect. 12 of Chapter 143, General Laws.
VOTED
ART. 13. To transfer $7,799.35 from 1948 Water Bond Issue for purpose of paying costs of making connection with M. D. C. system at intersection of Ballard Street & Salem Turnpike & replacing old water main. VOTED
VOTED
ART. 14. To reserve for Playground purposes lots A125 to A119 on Plan 1035, tax possessions.
ART. 15. To amend Zoning Map. REFERRED BACK TO PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER STUDY
ART. 16. To amend Sect. 2 of Zoning By-Law. VOTED
8
D. To accept Marion Rd.
VOTED
ART. 17. To amend Section 8 of Zoning By-Law "Height and Liveable Area Regu- lations"
ART. 18.
To amend Sect. 10 of Zoning By-Law
"Area Regulations"
VOTED
ART. 19. To amend Zoning Law "Yards" VOTED
ART. 20. To amend Sect. 13 of Zoning By-Law "Accessory Uses"
VOTED
ART. 21. To amend Zoning By-Law "Road- side Setbacks."
LAID ON TABLE
ART. 22. To amend Chap. 3 of Building Ordinances "Fees for Permits."
LAID ON TABLE
ART. 24. Budget
SEE ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
FOR APPROPRIATIONS
ART. 25. To assume liability for damages incurred by work done by Mass. Dept. of Public Works.
ART. 26. To accept Chap. 136, Sec. 4B, G/L.
NOT VOTED
VOTED
ART. 27. To allow Selectmen to grant ease- ments to public utilities in pri- vate ways in which Town has interest or title.
ART. 28. To appropriate $13,000 for pur- chase of pressure fog unit.
INDEF. POSTPONED
ART. 29. To appropriate $10,000 for Chapter NOT VOTED
90 Construction on Main St.
ART. 30. To extend 8" water main on Broadway NOT VOTED
from Highland Ave. to Essex St.
ART. 31. To accept Holden Ave.
VOTED
ART. 32.
To rezone lot A553, Plan 3020.
NOT VOTED
ART. 33.
To deed lots 59 and 60, Plan 16764B Land Court to John F. Regan, Tr. of Oaklandvale Realty Trust.
ART. 34. To rezone lots A135, A148 and A138, LAID ON TABLE Plan 1021.
ART. 35. To rezone lots A2 and A246, 1041.
Plan LAID ON TABLE
ART. 36. To rezone lot A53, Plan 3002.
LAID ON TABLE
ART. 37. To appropriate $7,013 for water extensions on Fiske and Wilbur Avenues.
ART. 38. To appropriate $2,400 for rebuild- ing culvert in Oaklandvale Brook.
NOT VOTED
ART. 39. To appropriate $5,000 for cleaning Oaklandvale Brook.
NOT VOTED
ART. 40. To appropriate $5,000 to clear Oaklandvale Brook. NOT VOTED
ART. 41. To appropriate $9,000 to rebuild culvert in Oaklandvale Brook.
NOT VOTED
ART. 42. To appropriate $5,000 for rebuild- ing bridge and culvert at
NOT VOTED
VOTED
ART. 23. To limit stay of trailers.
LAID ON TABLE
LAID ON TABLE
NOT VOTED
9
Forest Street.
ART. 43. To appropriate money to REFERRED TO SELECTMEN
ART. 44.
construct sewer mains. MANAGER, PLANNING BOARD To instruct Manager to increase LAID ON TABLE
salaries.
ART. 45. To grant all employees a wage increase of $400.00.
LAID ON TABLE
ART. 46. To increase salaries of Police LAID ON TABLE
Department by $400.00.
ART. 47. To increase salaries of Fire LAID ON TABLE
Department by $400.00.
ART. 48. To adopt Chap. 657, Acts of 1948. LAID ON TABLE
Special Town Meeting - December 19, 1949
ART. 1. To accept for highway purposes land lying between Union and Pleasant Streets.
VOTED
ART. 2. To accept that portion of Union St. lying between Greystone Rd. and Pleasant Street.
VOTED
ART. 3. To discontinue that portion of Grey- stone Rd. lying between Union St. and Central Street.
VOTED
ART. 4. To amend Section 10 of By-Laws to allow for location and use of trailers for dwelling purposes ..
NOT VOTED
ART. 5. To amend Section 10 of Special By- Law.
LAID ON TABLE
1949
TAX RATES
SAUGUS
$ 38.90
LYNN
$48.40
LYNNFIELD
$ 41.00
MALDEN
$ 46.00.
MELROSE
$.42.00:
READING
$ 43.00
REVERE
53.40
SWAMPSCOTT
$ 41.00:
WAKEFIELD
$ 41.60
10
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chairman, Secretary,
Norman Driver
Frederick F. Flaherty Arthur W. Anderson
Robert G. Ballard
Henry H. Calderwood Richard Downes
J. Lowell Goding
Lyman E. Sproul
Bertrand D. Westendarp
The year 1949 has been a particularly active one inso- far as the Finance Committee is concerned. We have at- tempted to keep abreast of municipal developments both in
our Town. as well as those in other towns and cities throughout the Commonwealth, so that we may then be in a better position to make sensible recommendations relative to our own budgets for the coming year.
This committee has endeavored to function in a legal, businesslike, dignified manner.
bias or subserviance to any individual and has operated without
or group of indi-
viduals. The best interests of the Town as a whole have
been the only factor in the making of decisions. Differ- ences of opinion have been settled by gentlemenly debate within the committee rather than by publicity which may be detrimental to the Town.
We have met with the Town Manager upon numerous occa- sions to discuss Town affairs, being ever-willing to offer assistance to the best of our ability. We wish to take this occasion to compliment the Manager, Mr. James F. Shurtleff, upon the excellent job which he has done throughout the year. Also. the departmental heads who have been so coop- erative and have exercised excellent judgment and ability
in operating their departments efficiently and within their limited budgets. This is an excellent example of what can be done when the entire municipal government £ op- erates in a cooperative manner.
It is true that the Town as a whole is in need of many more improvements, but the trend is now in the right di- rection. With a reasonable tax rate, which we will again enjoy in 1950, it is certain that our revenue will again
increase with the additional home building and industrial developments. Our improvements must be gradual and defi- nitely on a "pay-as-you-go" basis.
The budgets for the year 1950 will be thoroughly stud- ied by the Finance Committee and the recommendations will be consistent with the ability of the Town to pay.
It is gratifying to note that the Town Meeting for the past two years has followed the recommendations of this committee. If the same holds true this year, we will a- gain be able to have even more municipal improvements and equipment than in the year 1949.
11
O
ADMINISTRATION
TOWN MANAGER
James F. Shurtleff Town Manager
This, the second annual report of the Manager of the Town of Saugus, briefly summarizes the pro- gress - the rapidly accelerating progress - being made by the Town under its new form of government.
Too, realizing that a vast majority of such re- ports amount to little more than compositions of lofty-sounding words, empty promises and promptly- forgotten suggestions and recommendations, it will account for the suggestions and recommendations made in the report of the Manager one year ago. By so measuring results against former promises and recommendations, one can best determine the extent of the progressive accomplishments of his govern- ment.
Other reports state that an important duty of the department head is to recommend such measures which in his opinion will improve his department or the Town. More important, and the real proof of
the effectiveness of one's administration, is the carrying out and putting into operation of those recommendations. To recommend for many years and to come up with absolutely nothing in the way of results after all those years, represents only to-
To blame others for tal administrative failure.
that failure is childish and an insult to the in-
telligence of the citizens. To endeavor to set fire to someone else's house in order to distract attention from that failure is proof of that per- son's intellectual dishonesty.
With the above thought in mind, I proceed to report factually upon the results of preceding re- commendations; and upon completing that phase of the report, to then outline the objectives for the coming year and to make recommendations for defi- nite progressive action.
12
Recommendation: On December 31, 1948 it was stated that the Town's greatest problem was financial; that there was insufficient income to finance a well-balanced and adequate municipal program; that to acquire the needed funds it was essential that we so govern our public af-
fairs as to attract new construction of the proper type - residential, commercial and industrial; and that it was imperative that the Town reaffirm its established policy of continuing to base its annual appropriations upon its ability to pay and upon a pattern that would continue to produce a lowering of the tax rate.
Result: The 1949 tax rate was reduced $1.00 to $38.90. For the second consecutive year the Town closed its books with all bills paid. In addition, income exceeded expen- ditures by more than $120, 000 and brought about the Town's largest cash balance in recent years if not its entire
history. Quality home building reached a new peak and as a result of this new construction the Town's assessed val- uation reached an all-time high. £ No money was borrowed by bond issue, and the Town's debt was materially reduced. The Town completely paid off its depression-incurred tax title loan and ended the year in its strongest financial position of the past quarter century or more.
Recommendation: That the Town strengthen its zoning and subdivision requirements.
Result: The Town, under the direction of a most able and hard-working Planning Board and with the cooperation of the Town Meeting, established a new and modern set of subdivision requirements; increased the lot size require- ments for land laid out in the future throughout the Town; established minimum floor-area requirements for new resi- dences; and established improved set-back, side and rear yard requirements.
Recommendation: That the Town establish a twenty-year capital improvement and replacement program based upon a pay-as-you-go or accumulated-reserve payment basis and the development of a Master Plan with immediate attention being given to school housing.
Result: The Town engaged the services of Patrick Cusick, a young man of outstanding ability, and the devel- opment of a Master Plan was launched with a capital outlay program framed within the bounds of sound financing and continued tax reduction.
First attention was given to our long-neglected school housing problem; and while not the responsibility of the Manager or his departments but nevertheless in the best interests of the youth of our community, a comprehensive plan covering a twenty-five year period of school develop- ment was completed. The entire Town owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Mr. Cusick, Mrs. Adelhelm, Mr. Per- kins, Mr. Currier, Mr. Hess and to the other members of the Planning Board for the Comprehensive School Plan. It has been recognized by experts as the best and most com-
13
plete example of this type of work developed within the State and is now used as an objective pattern for others to follow. For Saugus it has removed our school housing
problem from the realm of utter confusion due to a com-
plete lack of problem and a total absence of know-how as to finding its solution.
Recommendation: That a Saugus Development Commission be established to work with the Manager to bring industri- al development to Saugus.
Result: While such a Commission was not created, the
Manager, working with Mr. Dewey Daggett, businessman, and Mr. Laurence Davis, attorney, in cooperation with Chairman Pitman, Mr. Bucchiere and other members of the Board of Selectmen, attracted to Saugus a $5,000,000 industrial de- velopment. In the interest of Saugus and all phases of its development, this perhaps represents the greatest boon in its entire life as a community. Much has been said for years and years about the need of industrial development. This represents the first time words have been transformed into real action and produced results. This development,
representing tax income of about $200,000 a year, more than any other single or collective action has opened the door to the fulfillment of Saugus' many dreams of services and improvements which heretofore were beyond the bounds of even the most remote possibility. Our first new school could well be dedicated to Mr. Daggett, who not only has faith in Saugus 'and its new government but backed that
faith with time, effort and personal funds. And better yet, this new and great industrial development is only the vanguard of more such development promised for the future. In addition to the above, 1949 has seen the following accomplishments: The complete re-equipment of the Public Works Department which now has new, modern and adequate equipment for the first time. Purchased during the year,
without benefit of bond issue were new trucks, a power
grader, a bulldozer and loader, an eight-to-twelve ton roller, a loader-packer refuse collection unit, consider- able new snow plowing equipment, as well as modern. effi- cient office equipment.
1949 has seen, for all practical purposes, the comple- tion of the reorganization of the Town's offices with all administrative offices centralized and the installation of centralized telephone and information services.
The virtual elimination of the ever-threatening trail- er camp problem, the expansion of the Town's first planned public works program for improvements - including the re- designing of Cliftondale Square, the rebuilding of Lincoln Avenue from the Revere line to Central Street, and the re- construction of all streets in the Greystone Road area as well as some sixteen others were also accomplished during these twelve months.
Recommendations not fulfilled include the Town's fail- ure to adjust its water rates so as to place that service
14
on a self-supporting basis. This was placed before the Board of Selectmen for its action following the unanimous approval of a citizens' committee. However, the Board failed to recognize the problem in the light of truth and
in accordance with honest and well-established public utility accounting practice. This recommendation remains as one of the Town's "must" actions for 1950. Water ser- vice must be placed upon a sound financial basis which will provide sufficient revenue from the sale of water to pay for all costs of operation, maintenance of the system, the payment of all interest and principal on Water Bonds, the cost of new construction, and the accumulation of a depreciation fund for the purpose of replacing old mains and worn-out equipment.
Also failing of fulfillment during 1949 was the recom- mendation that land be acquired for new cemetery facili- ties. Additional space in the present cemetery was made available during the year; and as a result, postponed for a year or so the need for a new site. But the problem remains and should not be forgotten.
For 1950 I recommend the following: That immediate ac- tion be taken in carrying out the first steps of the school building program in accordance with the Comprehen-
sive School Plan. That work toward the completion of the Town's over-all Master Plan be continued with public works projects being given priority. That continued efforts be made to bring additional industry into Saugus. That our zoning law be further studied with the complete rezoning of the Town as an objective. That complete cooperation
and full assistance be given to the American Iron and Steel Institute and its plans for the restoration of the Old Iron Works - a most important project to Saugus. That the Town's operational budgeting be placed upon a five- year rather than an annual basis. And that caution be ex- ercised in order to prevent the overloading of certain
departments with personnel and the consequent needless increasing of operational costs. And most important of all, that the Town again rededicate itself to the now-
proven-fruitful policies of sound financing: that annual appropriations be based only upon the Town's ability to pay, that growth of surpluses be continued and the same preserved, and that no capital outlay program financing be allowed to exceed in cost the "profit" margin between income and current operational requirements.
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