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SAUGUS MASSACHUSETTS
SAUGUS MASS 5 HOLDEN AVE RESIDENT
U
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1729 00051 5855
For Reference
Not to be taken
from this library
Tho Sougus Advortisor, March 15, 1962
TH
Annual
OWN.OF .S
.SA
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8
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1629
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TOWN REPORT
1961
Richord L. Roynolds . . . Soloctman
Frank K. Berthold . . . Seloctmon
Cholmon Vemon W. Evans · · · Soloctman
Dr. Herbort F. Upton . . . Selectmon
Dr. Frederick J. Wognor . . . Selectman
Bradbury Gilbert Temporary Town Monager
Richard S. Corter .. . School Committeo
Anne Cogliano . . . School Committoo
Peter A. Rossotti . . . School Committoe Cholrman
Joan Sherman . . . School Committoo
Robert M. Brald . . . School Committoo
LOCAL HISTORY Ref. 352 Saugus
v. 74
The Saugus Advertiser, March 15, 1962
TOWN REPORT Page 2
1961 Report
Board Of Selectmen
TO THE CITIZENS OF SAUGUS: In the Town Election of Novem- ber 1961, the voters, by a large majority, elected as their Board of Selectmen, Mr. Frank K. Berth- old, Dr. Herbert F. Upton, Dr. Frederick J. Wagner, Mr.Richard L. Reynolds, and Mr. Vernon W. Evans. The Board immediately organized with Mr. Vernon W. Evans as Chairman and Mr. John T. Ralche as clerk.
Soon after their election, the Board of Selectmen terminated the services of Mr. John B. Kennedy as Town Manager. By unanimous vote, Mr. Bradbury Gilbert of Saugus was appointed as Tempor- ary Town Manager.
The Board is presently engaged in the task of searching for a qualified person, in whom it has confidence, to assume the fuil- time position of permanent Town Manager. This task is not an easy one and, in view of previous ex- periences, the members of this Board are proceeding with caution.
it is the unanimous opinion of this present Board of Selectmen that the Town of Saugus has many and varied municipal problems. In this respect, our town does not differ from our neighboring communities. All Massachusetts cities and towns have similar municipal problems.
The solution of our probiems will require time, patience, and the expenditure of money. All cannot be solved at once. The important factor, in our opinion, is that we progress, year by year, in the solving of these many municipal problems. It is also of the utmost importance that we do such within -
the limitations of our municipal income and within the ability of our tax-payer citizens to bear the financial burden. Our bonded indebtednes's has already assumed substantial proportions and pre- sently, with principal payments and interest charges, constitutes a fixed yearly charge of well over $10.00 on our tax rate.
There are those who are pre- sentiy advocating expanding our present iarge bonded indebtedness by millions of dollars more. To listen to them, one would be led to believe that such can be done without further substantially in- creasing the present tax rate. Such is, of course, untrue and should be recognized by ali citi- zens as pure political quackery. It is neither honest, nor straight- forward, to attempt to deceive our citizens by such apparent economic nonsense. Such a policy Is unsound, unwise and ultimately confiscatory. The major source of our municipal income comes from the real estate tax on our citizen home owners.
If his financial back is broken by excessive real estate taxation, the town is then well on the road to serious financial difficuity.
We, the members of this Board of Selectmen, believe that our most pressing problem is that of maintaining a reasonably stabilized tax rate. Appropria- tions, however, are made by the members of the Representative Town Meeting, which, in the main, determine our tax rate. It is there- fore of the utmost importance that all citizens maintain constant laison with their Town Meeting members who are their chosen
representatives. It should be made plain, in all honesty, to every local real estate taxpayer that he Is ultimately the one who pays ali of the bills for municipal expen- ditures. If the citizen taxpayers' desire that all of their municipal problems be solved at once, they should then be prepared, and will- Ing, to pay their share of a stagger - ing burden of local real estate taxation.
We believe that such a course of action is unsound, unwise, and unwarranted. We must attempt to solve our municipal problems with steady year by year progress, but aiways within the financial limita- tions of our citizen taxpayers to shoulder the burden. To proceed. with unbridled, reckless expen- ditures of the taxpayer's money is simply to invite municipal financial suicide.
One bright spot in our municipal financial economy is the increase in our total municipai valuation. This is due, in a large measure, to our increased building growth on the Newburyport Turnpike. Whatever additional Income may therefore be available can, and should, be expended towards solving some of our municipal problems. The unfortunate truth, however, is that much of this additional income has been obligated before it has even been received.
This Board of Selectmen believes that we should, year by year, extend our sewer system. We have therefore recommended to the Town Meeting an appropriation of $75,000. to be raised by a bond issue. We do not believe that any of this money should be raised by a cash appropriation against the 1962 tax ievy. Sewers are a long range capital improvement and such types of capital improve- ments, such as sewers and schools, should be paid for by long term bond issues. Sewer main exten- sions represent permanent instal- lations which will serve future residents of Saugus for years to come. To ask the taxpayers of 1962 to pay cash out of the current tax ievy, in part or in whole, for such long range Improvements of a capital nature, is both unrealistic and unfair. No city or town, of which we have any knowledge, penalízes its' taxpayers in any one year for the cost of capital improvements which will serve future taxpayers for generations to come.
We believe that the Town Meet- ing members, by their votes, have made it very evident that they desire the immediate construction of two new twelve room elementary schools, one in Oaklandvale and one' in Lynnhurst. It is also our un- animous opinion that both of the existing school buildings, presentiy serving these areas, are outmoded, if insufficient ciass- room area, and dangerous from the angle of pupll safety. If more funds are needed, over that which have already been appropriated, such funds should be voted at the earliest possible date.
Under Massachusetts statutes, the Board of Selectmen is also the Local Licensing Authority. Acting as such, the Board of Selectmen issues or denies, all licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages. It also regulates and has supervision over the conduct of all liquor establishments within the town. We believe that the vast majority of our liquor establish- ments are operated by persons who sincerely desire to conduct their business In accordance with the iaw. We also believe that the Town has enough liquor establish-
1961 Report
Planning Board
To the Town Manager:
The Saugus Planning Board herewith presents its annual report for the year 1961:
The Board has held regular meetings throughout the year and some speciai meetings, so that it may accomplish the work expected by the citizens.
The Board is constantly trying to improve methods of supervision of subdivisions, and now has a
ments at the present time without the issuance of any more licenses. It is our intention, as the Local Licensing Authority, to strictly oversee the operation and conduct of all liquor establishments and to take swift and drastic punitive action against any violators of our State liquor iaws -- provided, of course, that proof of such violations can be substantiated.
We are grateful to Mr . Bradbury Gilbert, our Temporary Town Manager, for his excellent work and his extreme sincerity and devotion in a difficult position.
In closing, may we state that each member of the Board of Selectmen is dedicated to solely serve the best Interests of our community. We are not interested in our political futures, in person- alities, or in any other matter which is not materiai to the general welfare of the Town of Saugus. We shall not be afraid to fight for the ideals and principles in which we believe. We intend to see, within our jurisdiction, that our laws and ordinances are obeyed. in short, we intend to transmit to our future successors, a town greater and more desirable than was transmitted to us.
Respectfully submitted: Vermon W. Evans, Chairman
Richard L. Reynolds
Herbert F. Upton Frank K. Berthoid Frederick J. Wagner
Board of Selectmen Saugus, Massachusetts
1961 Report
Town Clerk
I herewith submit my report as Town Clerk of the Town of Saugus for the year 1961:
During the year 1961 Birth records were received and
pian of checking by certification that will make more certain of proper installation of utilities.
The new Zoning By-Laws are nearly ready for the printer, and a new book of "Subdivision Rules and Regulations" may be adopted in 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
Lewis O. Gray, Chairman
Douglas G. Waybright
Francis C. Moorehouse
Robert F. Ross
Charles Dudinski
Pianning Board
1961 Report Finance Committee
The Finance Committee was pleased to receive support on our financial recommendations which were acted upon at the last Annual Town Meeting.
During the year our Committee has met with various departments to review and recommend trans- fers from the Reserve Fund for unforseen expenses that occurred.
The financial condition of the town has somewhat improved by the additional revenue being re- ceived from the increase of new taxable property, however the ever increasing cost of the educational program requires special attention to the Finance Committee recom- mendations for the best interest of the entire town.
Respectfully submitted Finance Committee
William A. Brackett Chalrman
recorded and copies werc made and sent to the Secretary of State and to the Town or City where the parents reside.
Marriage records were received and recorded and copies were made and sent to the Secretary of State.
Records of Death were received and recorded and copies were made and sent to the Secretary of State and to the Cities and Towns where the deceased resided.
The following Town Clerk's Fees were received in 1961:
Marriages
$ 404.00 2,086.00
Mortgages Discharges 94.00
Business Certificates 22.00
Gas Registrations 27.50
Certified Copies 117.10
Miscellaneous
Paid to the
Town Treasurer $ 3,103.20 The Town Clerk's Department collected the following dog licenses for the year 1961: 718 Males at $2.00 ... $ 1,436.00
101 Females at $5.00 505.00
464 Spayed Females
at $2.00 968.00
1 Kennel at $50.00 50.00
3 Kennels at $10.00 30.00
1,287 Total $ 2,989.00
Fees paid to
Town Treasurer
321.75
Paid to
County Treasurer $ 2,665.25
The Town Clerk also serves as Clerk of the Board of Selectnien: and the Town Clerk's office collected in behalf of the Board of Selectmen the following license fees:
Liquor .$ 16,830.00
Victuaier
600.00
Entertainment 205.00
Juke Box ....
600.00
Junk
30.00
Auctioneers
Auto Dealers
2nd hand furniture
5,00
Taxi licenses
36.00_
Pool & Bowling .... ...
28,00
Amusement machines
65.00
Open Air Theatre ......
100.00
Golf Driving Range 10.00
Poll Book
2.00
Pole location
25.00
Optometrist
Paid to the
Town Treasurer
$18.745.00
(Continued on Page 3)
1961 Report Town Collectors Department
To the Town Manager
1 herewith submit my report as Tawn Collector for the Town of Saugus for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Tax bills were mailed and taxes collecled as itemized in the following schedule.
"Uncollected]
Taxes
Commitments
Collected
Abated 103,683.43
Refunds
December 31. 1961
Real Estate
2,455,529.22
2,247,757.46 205,592.50
1,187.84
Apport, Sidewalk
454.89
223.31
Int. an App. Sidewalk
69.56
36.78
295.09
Apport. Sever
2,113.79
1,818.70.
Sewer
706.62
593.43
Apport. .
Main
1,810.36
1,668.10
29.74
Int. on
Water Main
777.03
693.03
: 52
137.51
3,619.63
Water Li
A te Taxes
13,049.69
9,547.57
32.50
16 2.00
Sewer Llen
1,075.00
945.50
Water
345,741.92.
238,283.02
'5.68
3,273.11
95,606.33
Excise
156.00
Poltc
15,891.50
11,545.50
32.50
4,313.50
Sewer
1,849.17
1,749.33
99.84
Old Age Assist. State
41,164.82
41,164.62
1,217.82
Old Age Assist. City & Town
5,296.17
4,078.35
4,123.67
Aid ta Dep. Children
12,897.08
3,773.41
Disability Assist.
7,916.99
7,916.99
Med. Assist. to Aged
30,676.33
30,676.33
Wakefield Dump
12,500.00
12,500.00
Veterans Benefits
14,908.60
14,908.60
Totals
3,354,924.05
2,988,825.34
120,881,15
20,417.59
251,048.07
The following Town Collector's Fees were collected during the year 1961:
Trailer Fees ...
2.00
Water Lien Releases ..
$67.04
Tax Certificates
Paid to Town Treasurer, ... $2,117.04
The cost of operating the Town Collector's Department for the year ,1961 was as follows:
$14,050.00
Salaries ...
3,727.00
Expenses.
$17,777.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. RAICHE Town Collector
16.^^4.47
121,062.80
3,650.39
Personal Property
210,430.73
231.58
32.78
Int. on A
1 12.52
68.48
169,378.78
137,970.81
.. 60
16,282.29
10,686.00
10,382.00
Public Welfare
113.19
10.00
198.00
1.00
352.60
.$1,548.00
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TOWN REPORT Page 3
The Saugus Advertiser, March 15, 1962
Town Clerk (Continued from Page 2)
The following Hunting and Fish- ing Licenses were issued for the year 196i, by the Town Clerk's office: at $4.25
..... $1,105.00 203 Res. Cidzen Hunting at $4.25 ........... 862.75
53 Res. Cidzen Sporting at $7.25 .. 384.25
67,50
30 Res. Citizen Minor Fishing at $2.25 ... 32 Res. Citizen Female Fishing at $3.25 .. 74.00
1 Res. Citizen Trapping at $7.75 ....
7.75
1 Duplicate license at (.50¢) .50 9 Archery Deer Stamps 9.90 19 Res. Cit. Sporting (Free) .. I Res. Cit. Fishing Blind-Free Total $2,511.65
Fees pald to Town Treasurer 145.65
Pald to Div. of
Fisheries & Game $2,447.00 The Town Clerk by virtue of the office is also the Clerk of the Board of Registrars, and acting for the Board of Registrars, the Town Clerk's Department filed ali census slips, made records of all residents brought In by the census takers, reviewed and brought up to date the voting list of the Town of Saugus. All candidates nomina- tion papers were checked to verify signatures on said -nomination papers, and further the Town Clerk's Department handled all the detailed work for the elections held in the Town of Saugus during the year 1961. With the enacting of Chapter 434 of the Acts of 1960 prohibiting the opening of ballot boxes and the counting of votes in Towns until the polls are closed a genuine personnel problem exists in all Towns throughout the Com- monwealth and the Town of Saugus is no exception. Once again legis- lation has been enacted by the General Court without serious con- sideration to the mechanics of the problem, Towns, in
most instances, and particularly In pre- cinct towns, have precincts which run in number several times larger than precIncts in cities. In conclusion, the law now provides that the counting of ballots shali commence with the close of. the polls, and shall continue without adjournment, until the counting is complete.
In addition to the foregoing activities, records were made of Town Meetings for the Town of Saugus, annual and special, for which permanent records are kept in the office of the Town Clerk and certified copies of all votes taken are furnished to the various departments and for Town, City, County and State Boards and Commissions, and further the Town Clerk is charged with the responsibility of handling the mechanics of conducting a Town Meeting.
Records are also kept by the Town Clerk's Department for the Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk by virtue of his office acts ex officio as the Clerk of the Board of Selectmen, and certifled copies of votes of the Board of Selectmen are available In the Town Clerk's office for all Town Departments and various boards throughout the Commonwealth, All Selectmen's correspondance is handled by the Town Clerk's Dep- artment, in addition to keeping a permanent flle of all Selectmen's correspondance.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN T. RAICHE Town Clerk
1961 Report Superintendent
Of Schools
Members of the School Committee and the Citizens of Saugus :-
This is the sixty- ninth Annual Saugus School Report and my fifth Annual Report in the Series.
A few important educational ad- vances have taken place in the Saugus Schools during the last year, and, in general the educa- tional level of the past few years has been maintained. However, ef- fort and attention must be directed continuously not only to the unmet needs of the school system, but also to the improvement of the system as it now exists.
School System Advances Immediately following my com- ments please see the Reports of Mr. Wayne Porter, Saugus High School Principal, and, Mr. Ashton Davis, Saugus Junior High School Principal. Both Reports deal with advances with the system during the past year as well as certain unmet needs. Mr. Porter dis- cusses:
I. The acquisition of a full- time guidance Staff at Saugus High School.
2. The addition of a Program in Distributive Education to the school offering.
3. The acquisition of a 'Language Laboratory' to high school offering.
equipment as an aid in teach- ing better modern foreign languages.
4. The steps that have been curriculum a second year of biology and provision for the addition of another year of chemistry or physics. (These additions represent preparation for entering more fully a program for 'Advanced College Place- ment'. This program when completed will enable Sangus High School pupils to save a year of their educational lives by entering college as sophomores and skipping the freshman year altogether.) All of these advances have taken place with the approval of the School Committee acting on the recommendation of the adminis- tration officials; all are of prime educational importance to the high school population.
Mr. Ashton Davis, Junior High School Principal, reports that the Junior High School also has a full- time staff of Guidance Counselors, but this is the only new devel- opment in the junior high School. The gain was made with School Committee approval.
1, herewith, submit my fourth annual report as Principal of Sau- gus High Schol.
School opened in September with a record enrollment of 1314 pupils. The most significant thing about this year was the return to normalcy with the availability of the new additions.
Several noteworthy improve- ments in the program were made this past year. The efficiency of the guldance staff has been im- proved with the addition of two. full-time counselors. The Director of Guidance has included this in his report so I will but mention this fact.
With the inclusion of Distributive Education and Salesmanship in the high school curriculum the offering for the non-academic student has
been improved considerably. This course has been well accepted by both students and the lay public. Miss Kennedy has done an excel- lent job with the Distributive Edu- cation program in her first year with us.
The quality of the Foreign Lan- guage program has been enhanced with the availability of the new Language Laboratory as an In- tructional aid. Quite aside from the instructional value of the labora- tory is the great enthusiasm that it has generated in the students and teachers. Enrollment in the languages has shown a significant increase.
Fourteen teachers joined the staff this year. Three of these represented new positions created as a result of the expanded en- rollment. Thus, a somewhat re- duced staff turn-over from previous years may be an indica- tion of stability for the future. A policy of hiring experienced teachers for the high school when possible, has improved the general experience level, affecting the quality of the educational program.
Curriculum improvement has continued with the teachers in each of the departments working on the improvement of course of study and instructional techniques. Although attention has been given to science. mathematics and foreign language there is a need for stepping up the pace as we work on these phases of the curriculum.
This past year an accelerated group of ninth grade students has been exposed to Biology and will go on to tenth year Chemistry, eleventh year Physics and a twelfth year Science course yet to be placed in the course of study.
It is in the Mathematics field that changes are taking place most rapidly. New mathematical con- cepts are being devised and put to use so fast that we are going to have to improve this phase of the high school curriculum or our students will be placed at a definite disadvantage in the years ahead. Since most of our teachers are not trained in modern mathe- matics there is a need for an inservice-training program so that these concepts may be in- corporated in our program.
The standing of Saugus High School continues to be high. Gradu- ates of Saugus High are readily accepted at institutions of higher learning across the country. Per- sonnel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Edu- cation have been most generous in their praise of the progress the school has made in foreign language, science, industrial arts, home economics, physical educa- tion and distibutive education. In- 'stitutions of higher learning such as Boston University, Boston Col- lege, Tufts, Northeastern Univer- sity, and State Colleges at Salem Bridgewater and Framingham, regularly assign student teachers to train at Saugus High School. As a member of the New England Association of Colleges and Secon- dary Schools Saugus is an ac- credited secondary school.
In seeking a solution the follow- ing considerations are being kept in mind.
1. The solution must be edu- cationally sound and not greatly short-change stu- dents either in program or time.
2. The expense to the town is a prime consideration. By keeping as many classes on a single schedule as pos- sible much overlapping and duplication of teachers can be avoided.
3. The schedule must take into account the fact that the high school is remote and that the closing time must fall within the daylight hours.
4. Although the prime considera- tion is academic there must be concern for the school activity program, athletics and band.
5. Consideration must be given to providing as good a pro- gram as possible for the largest number of students.
6. The Community depends upon the services of the older students in business es- tablishments and stores to a great extent. Some students in business establishments and stores to a great ex- tent. Some students must necessarily work.
7. That regardless of the solu- tion some phases of the pro- gram are going to be neglected, and some of the classes are going to have less opportunity than others. Thus, we must look at the situa- tion objectively and determine on the basis of the guide lines we have set up and most educationally sound solution best for the largest number of students, and most ac- ceptable to the community.
Looking ahead to next year the progress that has been shown for the past few years will neces- sarily cease because of the over crowded conditions. The citizens of Saugus must realize the need for the immediate construction of a new junior high school if the quality of education is to be maintained.
In closing 1 would like to ex- tend my thanks and appreciation for the cooperation Ihave received from the staff, the Superintendent of Schools, citizens and the School Committee during the past year. Without this cooperation the pro- bress that has been made would have been most difficult.
Respectfully submitted, Wayne S. Porter Principal
Report of the Junior High School
In my annual report a year ago, 1 listed several of Dr. James Bryant Conant's recommendations contained in his Memorandum to School Boards: Education in the Junior High School Years. Using these recommendations as crit- eria, I explained some of our cur- riculum deficiences caused by in- adequate building facilities and too few staff members.
It is common practice for a school administrator in writing an annual report to give first con- sideration to the favorable aspects and the achievements of his school. That procedure would be more agreeable to me. Such a report, however, give a would not true, balanced. and comprehensive understanding of the junior high school segment of the Saugus edu- cational system. For this reason, i am again this year giving prominence to what I honestly consider to be the school's cur- ricular shortcomings.
One way to demonstrate our weakness -- strengths -- is to compare ourselves with other school systems. Then there is always the question of deciding which schools should be used for comparison. Should we select other schools our size, or other com- munities our size, or other com- munities with the same valuation or the same ability to pay? One
(Continued on Page 4)
1961 Report Police Dept.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit to you my eleventh annual report of the Po- lice Department, together with its activities, for the year 1961. ROSTER
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