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SAU
1819.
TOWN of SAUGUS
A
ANNUAL
M
REPORT H
1952
LOCAL HISTORY 7.Ref. 352 Saugus v.65
Settled in 1629
CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF SAUGUS Chapter 108 - Acts of 1815 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
In the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen An Act to Incorporate the Second Parish of the Town of Lynn into a Separate Town by the Name of Saugus
Section 1 - Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court affembled and by the authority of the same: That all that part of the Town of Lynn in the county of Effex, lying and being situate within the boundaries of the second parish in Lynn aforesaid, together with the inhabitants thereon be and the same is hereby Incorporated into a separate Town by the name of SAUGUS, viz., beginning at Bride's Brook, so called, and running as the said brook runs till it meets the River that runs between Chelsea and Lynn, and then by the said River until it meets Pines River; and then by said Pines River until it meets Saugus River, and then along Saugus River by the middle of the said River to the Great Bridge, so-called, then running from the bridge a straight line easterly to the end of the farm now owned by William Sweetser and Ephraim Sweetser, formerly belonging to John Hawks, suffessors and then turning and running to the line of Lynnfield to the northern side of land now belonging to John Reading, formerly of Isaac Larrabee, thence running by the line of Lynnfield until it meets the line of the Town of South Reading, thence running by the line between South Reading and Lynn until it comes to the three county mark, so-called, thence running on the line between Chelsea and Lynn until it comes to Bride's Brook, the place first set out from ..
Section 2 - Be it further enacted that the said Town of Saugus will be entitled to hold such proportion of all real estate and personal estate now belonging to and owned in common by the inhabitants of the Town of Lynn as the property of the inhabitants of the said Town of Saugus now bears to the property of all the inhabitants of the present Town of Lynn, according to the latest valuation thereof, excepting always all rights of common landing places, uses, and privileges heretofore professed by the inhabitants of the said Town of Lynn, all which shall be held and enjoyed by the towns, respectively, within whose limits the same may be, except the privileges on Pine Beach, which shall hereafter be enjoyed by the inhabitants of the said Town of Lynn and the said Town of Saugus, in common.
Section 3- Be it further enacted, That the said Town of Saugus will be holden to pay their proportion to be ascertained as aforesaid of all debts and claims now due and owing from the said Town of Lynn or which may hereafter be found due or owing by reason of any contract, engagement, judgment of Court or any other matter of thing now or heretofore entered into or existing, and shall be entitled to receive their proportion, to be ascer- tained as aforesaid. of all the debts, taxes, and monies now due to the said Town of Lynn.
Section 4 - And be it further enacted. That the said Town of Saugus shall be holden to support their propor- tion of the present poor of the said Town ofLynn, which proportion shall be ascertained as aforesaid, and all persons who shall or may hereafter become chargeable as paupers, shall be considered as belonging to that Town on whose territory they may have gained a legal settlement, and shall be supported by that Town only.
Section 5 - Be it further enacted. That nothing in this act shall be construed as to alter or affect in any way parish privileges, or the right and manner of affessing parish taxes within or for the said Town of Lynn or the said Town of Saugus, which said rights & privileges shall hereafter be held and enjoyed in the same manner as if this Act had not been made.
Section 6 - Be it further enacted. That there shall be and hereby is reserved to the Town of Lynn the right to tax those inhabitants of the said Town who now own Salt marsh on the southerly and easterly side of the Salem turnpike road, but within the limits of the said Town of Saugus, so long as the same shall continue to be 'owned by the inhabitants of the said Town of Lynn, or the heirs of the said inhabitants who now own the same.
Section 7 - Be it further enacted. That the rights and privileges of the Alewive fishery shall be held and enjoyed by the towns, respectively, within whose limits the streams may run, in the same manner and now provided by law for the Town of Lynn.
Section 8. - Be it further enacted. That either of the Justices of Peace for the County of Effex is hereby author- ized to issue a Warrant directed to some inhabitant of the said Town of Saugus, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof to meet at such convenient time and place as shall be expressed in said Warrant, for the choice of all such officers as towns are by law required to choose in the months of March or April, annually.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 16th., 1815.
This bill having had several readings, passed to be enacted.
(Signed) Timothy Bigelow, Speaker.
IN THE SENATE FEBRUARY 17th, 1815:
This bill having had feveral readings, passed to be enacted.
(Signed) John Phillips, President.
February 17th., 1815 Approved : (Signed) Caleb Strong, Governor
TOWN REPORT for the year Ending December 31, 1952 Saugus, Massachusetts
OF . SAUGU
W
TO
1629.
1815.
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY 295 Central St. SAUOUR, MAAMONG
Town Report compiled by TOWN MANAGER WALTER E. LAWRENCE Cover Design by THOMAS D. MORSE Photography by FRANK BOND Art Work by VICTOR MACNAUGHT Printing by MILTON T. MARTIN CO.
ELECTORATE
TOWN MEETING MODERATOR
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FINANCE COMMITTEE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BOARD OF APPEALS
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
BOARD OF LIB. TRUSTEES
ELECTION OFFICERS
TOWN MANAGER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
PERSONNEL OFFICE
TOWN COUNSEL
TOWN CLERK COLLECTOR
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
TREASURER
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
PLANNING BOARD
HEALTH &WELFARE DEPTS.
BUILDING DEPT.
WEIGHT & MEASURES DEPT.
POLICE DEPT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPT
ENGINEERING DIV.
PARK MAINT. DIV.
REFUSE DIV.
WATER DIV.
STREET DIV.
CEMETERY DIV.
SEWER DIV.
TREE & MOTH DIV.
Narman G. Yaung, Manager fram Jan. 1, 1952 ta Mar. 1, 1952
Delmant E. Gading, Manager from Mar. 1, 1952 to May 14, 1952
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
Precinct - 1 Stanley W. Day Elmer R. Emmett Welcome W. Mccullough Bertrand D. Westendarp David R. Nagle
Precinct - 2 Norman A. Bean, Jr. Robert J. Chiabrandy Arthur Dearing George N. McKay Thomas H. Quinlan
Precinct - 3 Nels A. Bloom Henry J. Iwanowicz Marion E. Needham George W Pitman George O. Walker
Precinct - 4 Robert L. Davis Paul A. Haley Harold P. Rice Dexter Q. Rich James O. Smith
Precinct - 5 Samuel K. Brown Richard Downes Chester P. Gibson Helen E. Rippon Edwin M. Thompson
Precinct - 6 Philip W. Bradbury James W. Currier Harold F. Dodge Samuel W. Ludwig William H. Robinson
Precinct - 7 Alexander S Addison George A. Anderson Earle W. Cousens Herbert P. Mason, Jr. Harriett A. McAdoo
Precinct - 8 Arthur E. Gustafson David W. Hanson Edwin M. Holmes Donald R. Reiniger Edward O. Roy
Precinct - 9 Pauline A. Barron Frank K. Berthold Arthur L. Hawkes Hollis E. Hogle, Jr. Kenneth A. Larkin
Precinct - 10 Arthur W. Anderson Anthony Grella John B. DeFronzo Frank J. McDermott Herbert Spence
Index
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
2
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
3
INDEX
4 5
ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1952
6
PROPOSALS FOR 1953
8
BITS OF SAUGUS HISTORY
13
IN MEMORIAM
15
SELECTMEN
16 17
AUDITING DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
27
LAW DEPARTMENT
29 30
TOWN CLERK AND TAX COLLECTOR
FINANCE COMMITTEE
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
TREASURER
PUBLIC WELFARE
VETERANS BENEFITS
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC WORKS
BOARD OF HEALTH
SAFETY COMMITTEE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
55
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
57 58
PLAYGROUND COMMISSION
59
LIBRARY
61
BOARD OF APPEALS
62
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
64
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
66
JURY LIST
68
RECEIPTS
69
SCHEDULE OF TAXES
70
SCHOOLS
71
49 50 51 53
PLANNING BOARD
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
31 32 33 34 35 36 45
TOWN MANAGER
TOWN MANAGER
Walter E. Lawrence, Manager
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Saugus:
As your Town Manager for seven and a half months of the past year, I am pleased to report on some of the accomplishments of 1952 and my proposals for this year.
While at times I nay seem to be very critical of conditions as I found them in the town of Saugus when I assumed the office of Manager, my purpose is to show the need for a change in thinking and a policy that will make Saugus a much happier, healthier and progressive community than it has been in recent years.
From the very first day that I came to Saugus, I have been motivated by but one thought. That is to make Saugus a better place for all of us to live and work. My sincere desire and aim is to have the government of Saugus regarded as honest, decent and orderly. I want Saugus to have and enjoy a reputation among the other cities and towns of the Commonwealth as an outstanding example of a well managed town with an efficient and productive departmental organization that gives full value for every dollar expended.
To accomplish this purpose, we need the cooperation and united support of the Board of Selectmen, members of the Town Meeting, Finance Committee, Department Heads, Boards and Commissions, local newspapers and the citizens of Saugus. Working together for the enrichment of Saugus, we can accomplish much for the common good.
Ever since I came to Saugus, I have been fortunate in having the friendly support and assistance of all of these groups. While at times we may have differed in our opinions, we have been working for the major objective of building Saugus. I know that the same friendly relationship and mutual understanding is going to continue. My report would not be complete if I did not mention the almost complete harmony and cooperation that has existed between the Board of Selectmen and the Manager from the very start. This very favorable condition has resulted partially because I have made it a practice to con- sult with them constantly and advise them of my activities, plans and programs. A simi- lar relationship has existed from the very start between the Manager and the Finance Committee. We understand one another. We have been working together for a common objective. Saugus is fortunate in having a fine and able Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee, and I cannot too strongly commend both of these groups.
Finally, I want to assure you that I intend to conduct the administrative affairs of the people of Saugus on the basis of a sound and constructive financial policy with all spending based on the ability of the town to pay for new improvements. I shall always endeavor to strengthen our financial structure. I will continue to promote business, industrial and home developments as a means of developing a strong and healthy town, where increased revenue from new construction will offset increases in the cost of gov- ernment due to labor, materials, supplies, equipment and other causes. This should enable us to have and maintain a good capital plant of attractive and well-kept public buildings, beautiful parks and playgrounds, good, safe, and clean streets and sidewalks, adequate sewer and drainage disposal, a good water supply system, good school facilities, adequate street lighting, beautiful shade trees and many other improvements enjoyed by other communities.
I shall always endeavor to expand and advance the cultural, educational and recrea- tional life of the community, and do everything within my authority to develop a strong sense of civic pride and community spirit.
In the following pages, I submit the accomplishments of 1952 and my proposals for this year.
Respectfully, WALTER E. LAWRENCE, Town Manager
5
Accomplishments of 1952
Grading and landscaping at Veterans Memorial School.
Renovation of Armitage School, with installa- tion of a new heating system with oil heat.
Construction of Olive Avenue sewer.
Major repairs to all schools and public buildings. Purchase of a 34 yard Link Belt Speeder Diesel shovel, 1 Walter four wheel drive truck, 1 Reo four yard truck, I Chevrolet car for superintend- ent of Public Works, 1 brush cutter for Forestry Department, 1 65 foot Ladder truck for Fire De- partment (delivered).
Construction of first half of Connelly Avenue- Nason Road drain by Del Prete Construction Company.
Construction of drainage of Intervale Avenue. Excavation for Hurd Avenue Extension.
New Hurd Avenue Extension.
Construction of bituminous sidewalks on Hurd Avenue.
Construction of Bennett Avenue, Oaklandvale Avenue, and Breakheart Road with drainage.
Started construction of edgestone and sidewalks on Main Street, from the Oaklandvale School to the Lynn Fells Parkway.
Sponsored parade and dedication of Sergeant Arthur F. DeFranzo Circle and Veterans Memo- rial School with bronze plaques erected at inside entrance of school.
Organized Newburyport and Salem Turnpike Business and Industrial Commissions with Vernon W. Evans as executive director. Approximately thirty prominent citizens serving on each commit- tee. Mrs. Rita Auclair serving as secretary. Pur- pose: To invite and induce business and industry to locate in Saugus.
In cooperation with the Planning Board and the Town Engineer, Henry Seaver, prepared plans and sponsored:
Parking area and parking meters for Clifton- dale Square.
Newburyport and Salem Turnpike business and industrial development.
Relocation of Shute Brook and Saugus River.
Numerous rezonings for business and industrial development.
Relighting of Cliftondale Square and Saugus Center with modern mercury vapor lighting.
Development and enlargement of Riverside Cemetery.
Straightening of Saugus River near Woodbury Avenue next to Public Works Buildings for re- clamation of large area of land for town.
Plans for straightening the Saugus River and Shute Brook submitted to State Department of Public Works, Watertways Division, wtih applica- tion for state participation of half the cost under provisions of Chapter 91-town's participation to be $10,000. and State $10,000.
Awarded architects contract for construction of new Saugus High School to S. W. Haines and As- sociates of Fitchburg, who have built over 129 schoolhouses.
Resurfaced Lincoln Avenue from Ballard Street to Central Street with bituminous concrete.
Installed office intercommunication system con- necting all town departments with Manager's office.
Settled numerous claims against the town for conditions caused by previous administrations.
Salvaged several thousand cubic yards of gravel and fill from abandoned town pit taken in tax- title from Concrete Materials Company on Main Street. Used fill and gravel for enlarging River- side Cemetery, grading Bristow Street Play- ground, and for several locations for street and sidewalk purposes. This pit was taken in tax- title from the Concrete Materials Company about ten years ago with outstanding taxes of approxi- mately $25,000. due. We expect to remove and use for town purposes over 200,000 cubic yards of fill from this location and thereby recover many times the loss in taxes. At the same time, we plan to refill the area by dumping refuse and properly grade the entire area for future use as town property or for business and industrial use with a value for in excess of its present value. In fact, we are sure that we can earn for the Town of Saugus, many thousands of dollars by salvaging gravel and fill from this site instead of purchasing the same as in the past at large sums of money from private contractors.
6
Proposed Parking Area in Cliftondale Square
LINCOLN AVENUE
POST OFFICE
ST.MARGARETS CHURCH
METHODIST CHURCH
BOND PLACE
JACKSON STREET
Purchased and planted large evergreen on memorial plot at Saugus Center.
Planted 318 maples at various locations in town and 48 Augustine Ascending Elms on Hurd Ave- nue.
Installed many new street lights.
Prepared plan of all land in Saugus controlled by city of Lynn. Bill filed in the Legislature for equitable assessment of Saugus land used and controlled by Lynn for water purposes. Saugus now only receives $950. yearly and should be get- ting several thousands per year as about 1/20th of the Town of Saugus is controlled and used by Lynn, with Dams, reservoirs, pumping station, equipment, pipelines and pumps, valued at hun- dreds of thousands of dollars, located in our town which enables Lynn to make a large annual profit by sale of our water. Lynn should be assessed comparably with other utilities, such as the Lynn Gas & Electric, New England Power, Boston & Maine Railroad and New England Telephone Company.
Scales of Justice
The Town of Saugus received 918.81 in taxes from the City of Lynn in 1951
Approximately 1/20 of the land in our Town is controlled by the City of Lynn
City of Lynn Net profit for sale of water for the years 1949-50-5/ $ 792.194.74
7
Court litigation planned with a bill in equity to recover losses by Town of Saugus from Lynn for using our land and water, draining our brooks and streams and damaging large area of lands, such as Lily Pond.
Special counsel employed to recover damages to town property by the Northeastern Gas Company, who installed natural gas lines.
Survey of Oaklandvale drainage completed.
SAUGUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1952 .
Many tax-title lots sold and are now back on our books as taxable property.
The Welfare Department was reorganized with a permanent agent appointed and a social worker and investigator is soon to be appointed, with Miss Auger promoted to principal clerk and Mrs. Furey as senior clerk. Half of salaries of this depart- ment are paid by the State and Federal Govern- ment.
Building Department reorganized with per- manent appointment of Thomas Wagner as Super- intendent of Buildings and Building Inspector and Mark Randall as Assistant Superintendent and Town Electrician and with Mr. Metzler as building maintenance repairman. All building maintenance is now consolidated in the Building Department, including Stackpole fieldhouse and bleachers, police and fire stations, Town Hall, all school houses and public buildings now under control of Building Department. Repair shop opened up in basement of Town Hall. Additional maintenance carpenter to be added soon on retirement of Town Hall custodian. Part-time cleaner employed at Town Hall evenings two nights weekly.
Health Department now has a junior clerk who divides her time with the Building Department, but is always available to answer phone and wait on public for both departments.
Phyllis E. Dodge appointed as Town Treasurer after the retirement of her father, Harold E. Dodge.
Fred Forni was promoted to captain, and pat- rolman Carl G. W. Pearson was promoted to ser- geant. Patrolman Ernest Dunham was promoted as sergeant effective January 1, 1953 in the Police Department.
Henry Seaver was promoted from Engineering Aide I to Junior Civil Engineer subject to passing promotional examination.
Completed survey and report by the Griffen- hagen Associates for an organization chart, re- classification and compensation plan for town em- ployees.
Installed Lincoln Avenue and Ballard Street traffic islands and lights.
Installed one hour parking signs in Cliftondale Square.
Town Hall heating system was partially mod- ernized.
A lateral sewer line to the Town Hall connected it to the Central Street sewer 14 years after the sewer main was constructed in Central Street.
A single family house was moved from ceme- tery property on Winter Street and sold to the owner of land across the street.
Land adjoining Riverside cemetery on Winter Stret is being graded for parking area and busi- ness development.
Plan completed for determination of property lines of Riverside Cemetery and industrial prop- erty with straightening and relocation of Shute Brook. Riverside Cemetery expansion is limited to 15 to 20 years.
PROPOSALS FOR A FINER SAUGUS IN 1953 .
Start construction of the new $2,200,000 High School.
Locate several million dollars worth of new tax- able property in Saugus by new homes, new busi- ness and industry. Develop the Newburyport Turnpike, Salem Turnpike, Cliftondale Square, Saugus Center, Lynn Fells Parkway, Prankers Pond, Donkey Field and all land lying along the railroad line.
Advertising and publicity to boost Saugus will be promoted in every way by newspapers, radio, brochures, and mail.
Work with planned program of public works for construction of streets, sidewalks, water, sewer and drainage.
Follow planned program of repair of all public buildings with much work to be accomplished in 1953 at an estimated cost of $50,000.
Prepare plans for a new Public Works garage and yard and paint present building and grade and beautify yard.
Insofar as possible all tax-title property and low value land will be sold to obtain revenue and get it back to the books as taxable property to provide additional income.
Licenes, fees, permits, rentals or other town charges for services will be increased when found to be less than other communities or when insuf- ficient to reimburse the town for services ren- dered. Increased salaries, increased cost of mate- rials, supplies and equipment and increase in over- head charges make this action imperative.
Sale of lots and graves and other cemetery charges will be increased comparable with other communities for the same reasons.
Purchase a new cemetery site as the Riverside Cemetery area will last not more than 15 to 20 years and possibly much less. The present rate of burial is 150 yearly. Land adjoining the cemetery should be filled from surplus fill dumped over a period of years at little cost and a new cemetery should be started at once. The new cemetery will pay for itself and be a large revenue produc- ing enterprise for the town.
8
Proposed Parking Area in Cliftondale Square
*
LINCOLN AVENUE
C
ST.MARGARETS CHURCH 20 *2 **
A
0
&
METHODIST CHURCH 120 FEET
-
STREET
BOND PLACE
JACKSON
MACNANIGHT
Rezone large areas of land in Saugus now zoned for residential purposes for business and industry. Differentiate in our Zoning By-Laws between light and heavy industrial property.
Through the efforts of Representative Belden G. Bly, Jr., a new playground will be constructed by the Metropolitan District Commission off Forest Street at the entrance to the Breakheart Reservation.
Purchase and establish land at Cliftondale Square for a free public parking area with the in- stallation of 130 parking meters to pay for the cost, making possible the enlargement and growth of this shopping center.
Install new modern mercury vapor street, light- ing at Saugus Center and Cliftondale Square in the interest of progress, enlivening community appearance, and for the promotion of public safety.
The old Mansfield School will be removed by the East Saugus Improvement Association. Work is now underway.
The intersecting-triangular plot at Main and Howard Streets will be laid out properly and beautified.
A tax rate reduction of at least $1.40 is plan- ned.
A full time permanent tree climber will be em- ployed.
The town engineering department will be re- organized with the appointment of a town engi- neer who is a college graduate with a degree, selected from a State wide civil service list with the examination soon to be held for Saugus. Henry Seaver is to be promoted to Junior Civil Engineer and a Grade II and Grade I Engineer appointed on a permanent basis after qualifying by civil service examination. Saugus will then have a town engineer and a survey party of three men, the minimum requirement.
At least five additional permanent laborers pro- posed for the Public Works Department to do nec- essary work on streets and sidewalks which has been neglected for years because of insufficient manpower.
The large area of land owned by the town on Winter Street adjoining Riverside Cemetery and Keystone Battery Company will be graded for use as a temporary parking area for the High School
and reserved for business or cemetery purposes.
Ballard Street will be reconstructed from the Salem Turnpike westerly toward Lincoln Avenue, under Chapter 90 with the State, County and Town sharing the cost.
Bristow Street Playground will be improved and enlarged.
Anna Parker and East Saugus Playgrounds will be improved and enlarged.
Many thousands of yards of loam and peat will be salvaged from land owned by the town adjoin- ing Anna Parker Playground, thereby savings thousands of dollars for the town as against pur- chases which otherwise would be necessary for use at Riverside Cemetery and parks, play- grounds, planting spaces along sidewalks, and traffic circles.
A real "old fashioned" Fourth of July Celebra- tion with fireworks, parade and sports is con- templated.
Painting of Stackpole Field bleachers is neces- sary to save costly replacement.
The Town Hall auditorium is to be renovated by interior painting, new lighting installation, new toilet facilities, floors refinished and dangerous settees replaced with modern chairs. A sound system will be installed.
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