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SAUGUS, MASSACHUSI
annual
TOWN REPORT
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1729 00051 5780
LOCAL HISTORY Ref. 352 Saugus v.72
The Saugus Advertiser, March 3, 1960,
1
SAUGUS BOARD OF SELECTMEN. Left to right: Samuel W. Ludwig, Frank K. Berthold, Chairman Vernon W. Evans, Albion R. Rice, and Arthur E. Gustafson.
n
SAUGUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Left to right: James W. Currier, Anne Cogliano, Chair- man Robert M. Braid, George A. McCarrier, and Peter A. Rossetti.
TOWN REPORT PAGE ONE
1959 Report Board Of Selectmen
The new Board of Selectmen was elected by the voters of the Town of Saugus, November 3, 1959.
On November 5, 1959, the new Board of Selectmen was organ- ized, with Vernon W. Evans as Chairman and John T. Raiche as Clerk of the Board.
On November 19, 1959, the Board of Selectmen by a unani- mous vote adopted the following sixteen (16) principles, written by the Chairman, as its cardinal precepts, or code of ethics, for its two year term ending November 1961.
"All citizens alike, irrespec- tive of who they are, are going to receive fair, impartial and equal treatment froni the Board of Selectmen and from the Town Manager, whomever he may be."
"Money appropriated by the Town Meeting for specific pur- poses is going to be expended for those purposes -- and not diverted to other uses."
"Unaccepted streets, for which Chapter 386 petitions Continued on page 2
Organization Of Saugus Town Government Voters - Elect
Board of Selectmen
School Committee
.Appoint
Board of Appeals Library Trustees
Election Officers Registrars of Voters
Town Manager Appoints
WN.O
SAUGI
Town Clerk
Town Collector
Town Treasurer
Town Assessors
Town Accountant
Town Counsel
Police
Fire
Superintendent Public Works Dog Officer
Harbormaster Sealer of Weights & Measures
Planning Board
Welfare Board
..
Health
DA GR
Cemetery Commissioners
Playground Commissioners Civil Defense
Member Retirement System
For Reference
Saugus, Mass.
AUG
0I
U.
from this library
52-1SA
Allan 5 . Julia A Aldrich
23 Grove St.
Not to be taken
13.
1959
JOHN KENNEDY 1959Report Town Manager
To the Citizens of Saugus: Submitted, herewith, are the various reports of Town Offi- cers, Town Officials and De- partment Heads. These reports give you a detailed picture of what was accomplished during Continued on page 2
NMOI
1629
1813
Engineers Water Highways Sewers Parks & Playgrounds Tree & Moth
OAA ADC
The Saugus Advertiser, March 3, 1960
TOWN REPORT Page 2
Monoger Continued from page 1 the year, also a complete finan- cial picture.
Once again, 1 am happy to report that the business of the Town was carried on through- out the year within the frame- work of the appropriations and it was not necessary to have special Town Meetings for any supplementary department ap- propriations.
We have submitted our budget and recommendations for the year 1960 and we expect to manage the Town for the year 1960 with an even greater de- gree of efficiency and economy and with a better record of accomplishment than we did in the year 1959.
In closing I wish to express my thanks to all Town Officials, Town employees and citizens of the Town of Saugus who made any contribution to our program during the year.
John B. Kennedy Town Manager
1959 Report Dog Officer
Honorable John B. Kennedy Town Manager Town Hall Saugus, Mass. Dear Sir:
All dogs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must be li- censed in accordance with the provisions of Section 37, Chap- ter 140 of the General Laws. In order that the provisions of this statute may be conformed with, law enforcement officials in the person of dog officers are appointed in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
It is the duty of the dog officers to see to it that every dog within the confines of his community is licensed in ac- cordance with the statutes. During the year 1959,811 males at $2.00 each, 121 females at $5.00 each, 559 spayed fe- males at $2.00 each, 4 ken- nels at $10.00 each, 1 kennel at $50.00 each, total $3433.00. Fees paid to the Town Treas- ury $373.75, paid to the Treas- urer of Essex County $3059.25.
This money is turned over to the County. After all county expenses concerned with the licensing and regulating of dogs are paid for by the County Treasurer the balance from the dog fund licenses are returned to the cities and town of the County. When these funds are returned to the local community they can be only used for edu- cational and library purposes. The town of Saugus, it is used for the library fund.
It has been the practice in the Town of Saugus for many years to turn these funds over to the Town Library. What the Town's return will be in 1960 from the 1959 collections is unknown at the present time.
Mr. William F. Cahill, dog officer for the Town, does an excellent job in carrying out the provisions of the statutes re- lating to the licensing of dogs together with numerous dog complaints that he has to con- tend with. The total cost of operating this department to the Town for the year 1959 was as follows: Salary of the dog officer $1000.00, expenses $50.00
Respectfully submitted. William 5. Cahill Dog Officer
Selectmen
Continued from page 1
have been recorded and filed, are not going to be reconditioned and repaired while citizens on such streets, who have properly filed Chapter 386 petitions, sit and wait for their streets to receive attention. "
"Favored developers are not going to be allowed to install six inch water mains in their developments while others are required to install eight inch mains.“
"There is going to be a strict compliance and enforcement of all town by-laws by the Town Manager and his subordinates in respect to the purchase of all equipment, materials and supplies."
"No favored craftsman or other artisan is going to get virtually all of the town work while many other of our local citizens and taxpayers engaged in similar business get little or virtually nothing."
"Saugus citizens, qualified to hold town positions, are going to receive preference in ap- pointment to such positions -- and out of town residents are not. "
"The present practice of al- lowIng town departments to re- ceive monies and to expend same, without appropriation, instead of turning such monies into the town treasurer, is going to end."
"When any Selectman seeks information from the Town Manager relative to expendi- tures of public funds, he is going to receive such informa- tion, and promptly."
"Salesmen of equipment, ma- terials and supplies, residing and paying taxes in Saugus, are going to receive their share of the town business, provided their prices are as low or lower than those of firms rep- resented by non residents and non taxpayers."
"The condition that a water main fronts ones land, or that a water meter must be pur- chased, is no longer going to be made a condition precedent to receiving a building permit to build a home."
"All town employees are going to be treated alike, and certain favorite employees are not going to be granted favors and privileges not accorded to all others."
"The Board of Selectmen, elected by the people, is going to determine all policy -- and not the Town Manager."
"The Town Manager, as the chief administrative officer, is going to carry out all policy established by the Board of Selectmen, once such policy is determined and set forth.""
"The Town Manager whom- ever he may be, shall deal frankly with the Board of Select- men as a unit, rather than with īns individual members.“
"The Town Manager shall be professionally minded. This means devotion to a high ethical code of conduct, a deep sense of social responsibility to the community, a sound under- standing of the objectives of government, and a determin- ation not to participate in "politics."
Vernon W. Evans Frank K. Berthold Arthur E. Gustafson Samuel W. Ludwig Albion R. Rice
Know Your Town
1959 Report Horbor Moster
John Kennedy Town Manager Dear Sir:
I herewith subuilt my report as Harbor Master for the Town of Saugus for the year 1959. In the following notes are a few of the duties that I have performed while serving in that office.
Respectfully yours, Richard Porter, Harbor Master April 14, 1959
Had the 36 Ft. boat named the Greycourt that was aban- doned across the street from Green's Landing, removed to- day.
That leaves two more. April 20, 1959
Had the last two boats that were abandoned across the street removed today. Space all cleared now. April 27, 1959
Alloted mooring space to Mr. Thomas Doran for his 30 Ft. Boat the Sea Dog.
May 3, 1959
Alloted mooring space to Mr. Joseph Curto for his boat the Joe-Dee #4-A-4917. May 10, 1959
Had to haul the Ken-Flow out of the water today as she was sinking in the Saugus River. Hauled her on my railway, and found very bad leak In her bottom.
Repaired next day. Back in water.
May 16, 1959
I was onway way in from the fishing grounds about 4:30P.M. when off Eastern Point 1 saw two men waving their hands from a 35 Ft. Cabin Cruiser. It was the Aldona, out of Sau- gus with rudder trouble.
I towed him into the Saugus River.
May 24, 1959
Had Mr. Pavlovitch, owner of the Aldona, move his moorings a few feet as his boat swung into the Channel with an off- shore wind.
June 2, 1959 Had Mr. David Penny straighten out his moorings. Had to move the upriver moor- ing about three feet.
June 14, 1959
One of the boats that was coming in, told me that Edward VerHayen was stuck on the mud flats.
Went out in my boat and pulled him off.
June 28, 1959
Coast Guard called at 7:30 A.M. Reported that a 14 ft. boat with outboard motor and five people aboard, missing. Color of boat-Blue and Maroon, Miss- ing since previous day.
Went out in my boat at 8 A.M. and helped in search. Covered water around Graves and the D. G. Bell off Marblehead. Re- turned to Green's Landing at five P.M.
July 17, 1959
Mr. Al. Giampa of 203 Malden St., Revere reported that his Outboard Motor had been stolen from his boat. 1958 Model; Model #19-C; Serial #1740676; 35 Horse Power Johnson; Elec- tric Starting; Bought in Jan. 1959.
Reported same to Saugus Police.
July 19, 1959
Coast Guard called at 6:30 A.M. reporting Small Craft Warnings, S.W. wind. 15 to 20 miles per hour.
Continued on page 19
1959 Report Public Welfare
To the Town Manager:
In an Annual Report one must look backward to review what has been accomplished but more importantly -one must look for- ward if he is to prepare for the problems that lie ahead. Ąc- cordingly, the first part of our report will he a summary of the monthly reports that have been submitted to you.
During the year 1959 we had an average caseload of 188 cases on Old Age Assistance which is a decrease of 10 cases from the previous year. We began the year 1960 with 182 cases. The average monthly payment per case was $87.96, an increase of $1.11 over last year. Total ex- penditures on Old Age Assis- tance for the year were $206,114.24 a decrease of $14,000 over last year. Some ofthis de- crease was occasioned by the increase in Federal participa- tion in individual grants, some was accounted for by the in- crease in Social Security pay- ments to individuals receiving Old Age Assistance, and some most likely, can be attributed to the general gradualdecrease in Old Age Assistance cases across the country.
Aid to Dependent Children category had an average caseload of 19 which is the same average caseload that we had at the end of 1958. We began the year 1960 with 17 Aid to Dependent Children cases. The average payment per case for 1959 was $137.51, an increase of $20.00 over last year's average payment. Total expenditures $31,431.38, an in- crease of more than $4,000 over last year. Saugus has been very fortunate in that it has, thus far, been affected very little by the swelling tide of domestic discord that is sweeping across the nation as evidenced by the fact that one marriage in every four is breaking up. This cate- gory of asistance is the one that is affected most by divorce, desertion, separation and other domestic problems.
In Disability Assistance we have an average monthly case- load of 16 which is 3 less than our average in 1958 and we begin 1960 with 15 cases. Average monthly payment per case $127.12, an increase of $38.00 over last year. Total expendi- tures $24,407.22, an increase of $1,300 over last year. Here it might be well to point out that average per case is not an accurate barometer of the in- dividual payment per case. Our average this year is much higher because of a falling caseload and one young man who was hospitalized for six months at a cost of almost $1,000 per month, This one individual served to inflate the average *and absorb any savings that might ordinarily be expected with a falling caseload.
On General Relief we had an average caseload of 10 which is the same number of cases with which we began 1959 and the same number is being carried over to 1960. These are not of necessity the same individuals. Total expenditures $24,332.53. This figure Includes a sum of $13,340.48 paid to other cities and towns that are supporting former residents of Saugus. This form of assistance bears the impact of economic fluctua- tion and geis the initial brunt of many of the cases that eventu- ally appear on Aid to Dependent
Children rolls.
The total cost of running the Department for 1959 was
$311.911.73. Total receipts $258,002.18. Net cost to the Town $53,909.55. This figure represents the portion of the total expense that was bornc entirely by the Town of Saugus and for which reimbursement will not be received from any source.
We spoke earlier of the pro- blems that lie ahead. Sad to say that many of the problems that lie ahead are the same problems that have lain alead for the last four years. A basic principle of public assistance in the United States -- people in need have a right to assistance and that this assistance shall be granted in a decent humane manner in surroundings that are conducive to privacy and dignity. An attempt was made to provide proper quarters for the depart- ment but we failed to convince the Town Meeting that this was a wise and necessary thing. Apparently in our failure we failed to get our message across.
An attempt to solve the ever increasing problem of the loss of professional personnel also failed in that the Town Meeting refused to adopt the Welfare Compensation Plan and its mandatory step-rate increases. As a result the department is still not in a competitive position so that it may attract and retain trained qualified people. It is indeed shortsighted to dole out money to ease the pain of social problems without making some attempt to cure or prevent the recurrence of these problems in future generations. This cure and preventive work can only ... be done through the means of trained qualified people ..
Another problem that has long plagued the older people of this town is the lack of adequate . housing for people who are beyond the productive years. Other communities smaller than Saugus have already made great strides providing proper housing, and this is a subject in which this department is very much interested.
During the past year we believe at lease one good thing was accomplished and this was a clearer explanation of the functions of the department and its position through the medium of the newspapers in articles that we re published in the Saugus Advertiser, Lynn Item and Lynn Telegram News. We are very grateful to these newspapers for this public service.
In New England Town Govern- ment most departments depend upon the advice and assistance of other departments. This we have had in full measure. We appreciate very much the help that has been given us by these and other individuals and groups throughout the community.
Respectively submitted. JOHN F. M. KEANE, Director
Approved by the Board of Public Welfare:
Ernest M. Hatch, Chairman Walter T. Brander, Secretary George A. Anderson
Be Informed
Reod Your
Annuol Town Report
TOWN REPORT Poge 3
The Saugus Advertiser, March 3, 1960
1959 Report Playground Commission
Once again it is the pleasant duty of the Board ofPlayground Commissioners to report to the citizens of Saugus a most ac -. tive and successful program of activity and physical improve- ment at all locations.
Recreation areas are located at the following sites: Stackpole Field - Hurd Ave. Lynnhurst - Grand View Park Bristow Street - North Saugus "Stocker - Oakland vale
Anna Parker - Golden Hills The program for continued improvement of all playground facilities was further advanced by replacement of old equipment and addition of new equipment at North Saugus, Oaklandvale, Stackpole and Anna Parker.
A major addition to our Play- ground system was accom- plished by the completion of a new playground with shelter, full line of equipment and necessary facilities at Golden Hills. This playground was successfully dedicated the Pri- vate Joseph Smith Memorial Playground on July 4th amidst appropriate ceremony and day long festivities.
We hereby acknowledge the cooperation and efforts of Supt. of Public Works Ernest Pesce and the residents of Golden Hills without whose tireless efforts this completion could not have been accomplished.
Additional progress has been made toward the completion of the Playground Department building and headquarters.lo- cated at the Anna Parker Play- ground.
Projected' for the coming year in the way of further additions : - and improvements will be the relocation of facilities
at Stocker, the replacement ofan- tiquated equipment at all areas where needed and major over- haul Anna Parker ball field.
The most significant advan- tage gained to the citizens of the Town was the appointment of Mr. John Quinlan as Recrea- tion Director. Under his guidance a greatly enlarged and improved year round program has been successfully presented and enjoyed by an ever increas- ing number of Saugus youth. Among other innovations, his program has offered a Soft Ball League for two age groups, Basketball Leagues, Golf instructions, Peanut Hockey and bowling on a year round basis. Approximately fifteen hundred boys and girls have and are now benefiting from these pro- grams along with the regular summer activities carried out at all our locations. The pre- sent Board of Commissioners note with regret the resignation of former Commissioners Frederick Callahan and Arthur Metzger.
Respectfully submitted,
Westby F. Rogers, Chairman Herbert L. Kimball Edward J. Koschel Dorothy Maher
Be Informed
Read Your
Annual Town Report
1959 Report
Public Works
The Public Works Depart- ment herewith submits to you the annual report ofr the year 1959:
The complement of the Pub- lic Works Department, com- prising the following divisions, is listed below:
ADMINISTRATION
1 Superintendent 2 Clerks
WATER DIVISION
Construction:
1 Working Foreman
2 Laborers-pipelayers
2 Laborers-equipment op-
ators
-1 Heavy equipment operator Meters:
1 Meter repairman
1 Laborer-pipelayer
Emergency:
1 Laborer-equipment opera- tor HIGHWAY AND SEWER Construction:
1 Working Forenian
4 Laborers-equipment op-
erators 1 Heavy equipment operator Gr 1 & III
1 Heavy equipment operator Gr III
1 Laborer-pipelayer
Maintenance:
1 Working Foreman
Atherton Street
Bristow Street Milano Drive
Auburn Street
315 Lincoln Ave.
Bennett Hwy at circle We extended four fire hy-
drants at the request of the Fire Department.
Five (5) damaged hydrants were repaired at various lo- cattons.
On · dead end streets we in- stalled two (2) water main blow- offs.
Our meter division has re- paired, tested and reinstalled 45 meters, installed, 143 meter replacements (meters that con- not be repaired because they are obsolete) installed 172 new meters purchased by owners for new construction and made three meter tests.
The emergency man is on call from 5 p.m to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 5 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Mon- day for any emergency calls other than during normal work- ing hours. During his tour of duty,. slack hours are used in working around the yard on ya rd maintenance, etc.
A total of 1566 feet of new cast iron cement lined water pipe was installed by the water division and added to our water distributing system. The instal- lations were made as follows: Approximately 112 feet 8- inch on Riverbank Road
Approximately S00 feet 8- inch on Valley Street
Approximately 112 feet 8- inch on Riverbank Road Approximately 500 feet 8- inch on Valley Street
Approximately 600 feet 12- inch on Essex Street (Shop- ping Center)
Approximately 101 feet 8- inch on Mersea Street
Approximately 93 feet 8-
inch on Third Street
Approximately 60 feet 8- inch on Johnson Street
This division installed 3S feet of 3/4" copper pipe to service the Golden Hills playground for drinking fountains.
We replace approximately 501 feet of 8-inch cast iron pipe
on Johnston Terrace in conjunc- tion with the sewer program We repaired 23 main line water breaks in addition to numerous service leaks.
HIGHWAY & SEWER DIVISIONS
The total revenue collected by the highway division during the year 1959 was $869.07 broken down as follows: 1958 1989
Collected on
sale of
maps $ 49.00 $ 57.00
Gasoline Tax
refund 180.34 149.0S
Sale of scrap
mater-
ials 1S.30 none
Sale of equip-
ment 29S.50
none
Insurance,
broken fen-
ces,etc. 46.67 208.00
Use of equip-
ment none 90,00
Compensation
payments none 368.02
TOT. $586.81 $869.07
Our highway program for 1959 consisted mainly of road and drainage construction. In addition to our major construc- tion projects the usual mainten- ance work, such as cleaning cul- verts, brooks, catch basins, rodding drainage and sewer lines, sweeping squares and highways, snow removal, plow- ing and sanding highways, bridge repairs, erection of fences, erecting signs, main- tenance of our town dump and public works yard, etc. was carried on. Highway patching, sidewalk repairs, rebuilding catch basins and manholes, set- ting curb stones, etc. also was done.
Bituminous concrete con- struction was .done on Main Street under Chapter 90.
The following resurfacing projects were completed by the highway division at a savings of approximately $1,000.00 un- der prevailing contractors price:
Cliftondale School Yard
Golden Hills Playground
Tennis Court
Armitage School Yard Under Chapter 386 the follow-
ing streets were done during 1959:
Hargraves Court Walcott Terrace
Clement Road
Marden Street
Stevens Avenue
Dow Street
Sachem Street
Kent Street
Wonderland Avenue
Parsons Avenue
By using public works per- sonnel and equipment the above streets were done at a savings of approximately $1,500.00 under prevailing contractor's price.
Complete drainage systems were installed at the following locations:
Parsons Avenue Golden Hills Playground
Vine Street Main Street Woodbury Avenue
Springdale Avenue Shutes Brook
Cliftondale School Yard
Ballard St at Eastern Tool Howard Street Forest Street Alfred Road
The above drainage systems were completed by the highway division at a savings of ap- proximately $7,200.00 under contract prices.
This division repaired a storm culvert at Harmon Road
at a savings of approximately $S0.00.
The highway division filled and graded a section of the new area at the Riverside Ceme- tery.
The following streets were resurfaced with bituminous concrete at a savings or ap- proximately $2,000.00 below contractor's prices.
Lincoln Avenue from Bris- tow St. to Atlantic Ave. Johnston Terrace.
Highway grading was done on
the following streets:
Cliff Road
Endicott Street
Morton Avenue
St. James Road
Laconla Avenue Richard Street Dustin Street Third Street
Webb Place
Lewis Lane
Guild Road Gates Road Seagirt Avenue
Henry Street
A new bituminous concrete sidewalk was constructed on Main Street.
Approximately 8500 cubic yards of gravel burrow for high- way and miscellaneous projects was excavated at the town dump for $1400.00. This represents a savings of $11,350.00 had this gravel been purchased from gravel contractors.
Our storekeeper was respon- sible for the construction and painting of numerous project barricades, such as wooden horses, detour signs, street signs, etc., at a savings of approximately $200.00 under purchase prices.
The mechanics in our garage were responsible for all me- chanical work and equipment repairs to town equipment and equipment to other town depart- ments.
During the winter months all personnel of the Public Works Department participated in plowing, snow removal, sanding and salting of highways, cor- recting drainage conditions, etc.
During inclement weather all divisions aided in equipment re- pairs, painting and lettering of equipment, servicing of equip- ment, painting of construction barricades, etc.
The total revenue from the sewer division for the year 1989 was $10,732.00 showing a slight increase over 1988 when the income was $10,218.00.
We now have 837 active sewer connections which is an in- crease of 113 over the year 19S8.
All repairs, improvements and maintenance at our sewer pumping station are done, with large savings to the taxpayers, through the ability of Mr. Day to make repairs and by his knowledge of the workings of this station.
Under contract 6,025 feet of 8-inch and 10-inch sewer mains were laid on Lincoln Avenue, Johnston Terrace, Lewis Lane, Morton Avenue, Endicott Street and to the shopping center. Our department laid 120 fee of 8-inch sewer main on Third Street.
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