USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1889 > Part 3
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November 26. - Alarm in Wards 3 and 4 for great fire in Lynn. Hose 2 and 3 responded.
APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENTS.
Three one-horse hose wagons, built by Sawyer & Chase, of Lynn; 2400 feet of hose; six Callahan pipes, with patent nozzles; six Babcock chemical extinguishers; three 45-foot
54
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
extension ladders, built by the Somerville Extension Ladder Co .; three 20-ft roof ladders ; six hydrant gates ; three crow- bars ; three fire axes ; three plaster hooks; six nickel-plated lanterns ; nine hydrant wrenches ; thirty-six spanners ; eight- een belts ; three white rubber coats ; eighteen black rubber coats ; three white fire hats ; eighteen black fire hats; six ladder dogs ; three hammers ; twelve hose suspenders; three one-gallon oil cans; three half-pint oilers ; twelve carriage sponges ; nine chamois skins ; six galvanized water pails ; three wagon jacks; three canvas covers for wagons; six 18-foot extension ladders ; three jumping nets. The appa- ratus and equipments are all in good order and divided equally between the three hose companies. Hose 2 has, in addition, one table; six chairs; six bracket lamps; one Rochester hanging lamp; one feather duster; one window brush ; two hose brushes ; one fire shovel.
There are eighty-two hydrants. There should be an ad- ditional hydrant located on Robinson's Hill.
EXPENSES.
The expense of the Department for the year has been $685.83 ; this does not include the rent of Hose House use at Cliftondale. Included in this amount is the bill of $150 for jumping nets, which the General Statutes required us to purchase ; also a bill of $200 for ladders which were pur- chased last year.
MEMBERSHIP.
The number of members at the last annual report was 105, divided into three companies of thirty-five each, but on ac- count of no place being provided for Hose 1, the interest in that company has entirely died out. I have received no re- turns from them, and think they have had no meeting since the annual meeting last April; should not consider that we had any organization in that part of the Town that could be relied upon for any service.
Hose 2, of Cliftondale, has thirty-five members alive and
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ready at all times. They have a hose house, first-class in every respect, and through the generosity of Messrs. Amerige & Price, of Cliftondale, a full uniform for all its members. They have also, at their own expense, just placed a fine pool table in their parlor. We cordially invite the citizens of the Town to visit the house of Hose 2 and inspect the appoint- ments and apparatus, and I think you will be satisfied that the money is well spent on Hose 2, and that you will be more willing to provide similar accommodations for the other companies.
Hose 3, East Saugus, is in nearly the condition of Hose 1, the membership having decreased to eighteen at this time. The interest is gradually lessening, no members appearing at the last two meetings.
We feel that during the year passed the Department has earned an honorable record ; they have responded to fourteen alarms in the Town, at four of which much property was saved by their exertions. At the fire on Lincoln Avenue, on the morning of April 5, three houses would have been de- stroyed before help could have been obtained from Lynn. April 15 the house and manufactory of W. F. Hitchings would certainly have been consumed but for their timely help. July 20 the blacksmith shop in Ward 4 was under lively headway when discovered. This is one of the worst places in the Town for a fire to get started ; a perfect tinder box and fire trap. Nov. 7 the cigar manufactory of E. O. Copp was well under way when the alarm was rung, and here also were two other buildings which must have been burned.
At each of these four fires the Lynn Department would have been called for, at an expense of not less than $1,000, an amount greatly exceeding the expense of maintaining our Department for the year.
We also responded to two alarms for fires in Franklin Park, Revere, near the line, saving the large block opposite the depot.
56
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
At the great fire in Lynn, Hose 2 and 3 responded, and did good service, being on duty fourteen hours, until 4 A.M. of the next day. We had 750 feet of hose destroyed, which was replaced by the City with hose of a better grade.
There is no question to-day whether Saugus will maintain a Fire Department or not - we must. Lynn has all the bus- iness her Department can possibly attend to. When we cannot take care of ourselves, they, and every other Depart- ment, are ready to assist us, but we must first make the at- tempt ourselves. The Town has had very few fires in the past, but it is growing steadily. Buildings are being built nearer together - many of them cheaply constructed - thus increasing the danger from fire every year, and to judge the future by the very fortunate experience of the past would seem to be poor judgment, indeed.
We think that to cover this large territory with any de- gree of safety requires more than one live Hose Company. We need three, well equipped ; one or more Hook and Lad- der Companies ; and, with all these, a system of electric fire alarms. To secure this, the Town must build two hose houses - one, each, in Wards 2 and 4; and the sooner they decide to do it, the better. It is no use to say we cannot af- ford it now, wait until we are better off, because then we shall never get there. We spend money other ways every year more foolishly than on protection from fire. We have waited long enough. Let us come together at the March meeting and vote to appropriate money enough to build two hose houses, and to introduce the Gamewell system of electric fire alarm, and so place the Town on an equal with the other towns around us in regard to a Fire Depart- ment.
CHARLES I. HITCHINGS,
Chief Engineer.
CHARLES I. HITCHINGS, W. S. DODGE, JAMES F. PRATT,
Board of Engineers.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
The number of cases of sickness from contagious diseases reported to us from March 11th to January 1st was seven- teen. Of this number, nine were from diphtheria and eight from scarlet fever.
We have been called on to abate several nuisances, arising mostly from the keeping of swine, and the uncleanliness and poor construction of cesspools and vaults. We believe as the Town becomes more thickly settled that the keeping of swine should be regulated, and that cesspools and vaults should be more carefully constructed and oftener cleaned ; and we would urge upon every person having the charge of dwelling houses the great importance of looking after their house drainage, and a more careful and thorough cleaning and ventilating of their cesspools and vaults.
HARMON HALL, ARTHUR B. SMITH, THOMAS P. PARSONS.
8
REPORT OF SOLICITOR.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Saugus :
At the time of the annual Town Meeting, held in March, 1889, the only two suits pending, in which the Town was defendant, were the following :
First. - An action of contract, in the Superior Court for Suffolk County, in favor of John Kiernan, of Boston, to re- cover $334.41 for work in grading the park at Cliftondale. This suit was brought as early as April 1, 1886, and is still pending. The plaintiff has never shown any disposition to bring it to trial. The Town has been served with trustee process in favor of several creditors of Kiernan, and, under all the circumstances, the only thing to be done is to remain on the defensive.
Second. - An action of contract, in the Superior Court for Essex County, in favor of Henry C. Lockwood, to recover $340 for services in enforcing the liquor laws. This case was tried at Newburyport, Sept. 10, 1889, the jury bringing in a verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $183.50, with in- terest from the date of the writ. This verdict, of course, carried costs with it. Exceptions were filed in behalf of the Town, but owing to the certain expense attending proceed- ings in the Supreme Court, and the uncertainty as to the re- sult, it was thought best to settle the whole matter by the payment of $175, without costs. This was done and the case thus ended.
At the time of the last Annual Meeting, the only suits pend- ing in which the Town was plaintiff were the three actions brought upon the bonds of Warren P. Copp, tax collector,
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REPORT OF SOLICITOR.
given for the years 1885, 1886 and 1887. These suits, as no doubt appears elsewhere in the Town Reports, have been disposed of, so far as the sureties are concerned, by settle- ment. The actions are still pending against Copp, the prin- cipal on the bonds, and may be discontinued or pressed for- ward to execution, as the Town shall determine.
One new suit has been brought against the Town. This is an action of tort in favor of John Katwick, of Boston, in which he seeks to recover $2,000 for injuries to himself and property, resulting from his driving off the highway known as the Turnpike, because of a lack of proper fencing or rail- ing at that point. The action was brought October 5, 1889. The Lynn and Boston Railroad Company has taken the re- sponsibility of its defence, and in all probability no loss or expense will fall upon the Town.
A suit has been brought in favor of the Town against Richard Graham, of Lynn. This action arises out of the suits brought against the Town by Francis S. and Rebecca M. Hesseltine to recover for injuries resulting from a defect in the highway at Oaklandvale. The defect consisted of a pile of wood left and allowed to remain within the limits of the travelled way. Mr. Graham owned the wood and put it there, and his action in that regard caused all the loss and trouble resulting from the Hesseltine suits. The action brought by the Town against him is to recover the sum of $1,000, which was paid by the Town in settlement of those suits.
Yours very respectfully,
BENJAMIN N. JOHNSON.
BOSTON, February 19, 1890.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF SAUGUS,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1889.
LYNN, MASS .: PRESS OF THOS. P. NICHOLS, 7 MUNROE STREET, COR. MARKET. 1890.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Recognizing that the financial condition of the Town re- quired that the expenditures should be kept within the ap- propriations made, we immediately, upon assuming office, notified the several departments that no orders would be drawn by us in excess of their appropriation.
It gives us pleasure to report that, with one exception, the several departments have kept within their limit.
It is to be regretted that the tax rate is so high, but it must be remembered that this rate has been brought about by excessive expenditures and over-running of appropria- tions. We believe, however, that, with economical appropri- ations and careful expenditures, this rate can be materially reduced each year, until a reasonable rate has been reached.
INCIDENTALS.
The expenditures under this appropriation can be seen by reference to the detailed report, and, although large, arose from causes beyond our control, but still we have kept with- in the appropriation.
STREET LIGHTING.
The contract for lighting the street lanterns was awarded to Mr. Charles F. Clark, at 3 1-4 cents per lantern per night, he furnishing the oil and wicks. We believe the service ren- dered has been generally satisfactory. If, however, any one , has felt dissatisfied, we would remind them that our limited appropriation has not allowed us to light as many nights in the month as we could have wished. The number of lan- terns having increased from 154 to 166 the present year, we
64
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
would recommend that no lanterns erected in the future be lighted by the Town, except they be first located and ap- proved by the Selectmen.
SALEM TURNPIKE.
During the year, the fence on the northerly side has been repaired and rebuilt, and now there is a strong and well- built fence the entire length. The roadbed has been thor- oughly repaired, and is now in excellent condition. Of the appropriation of $1,200.00 we have expended $960.22, of which amount the County repays $720.17, making the ex- pense to the town $240.05.
STATE AID.
The amount paid on account of State and Military Aid was $1,082.00, of which amount $869.00 will be repaid by the State. The names of the parties receiving aid, and amounts paid to each, can be learned by referring to the itemized account in the first part of the Auditors' Report.
SUITS.
The position of the Town in regard to suits may be learned by referring to the report made to us by our Counsel.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The particulars regarding this department may be learned by reference to the Chief Engineer's Report. In accordance with the vote of the Town, Hose Company, No. 2, was pro- vided with excellent accommodations, and the good results obtained and great interest shown there demonstrate the wis- dom of providing equal accommodations for the other com- panies, and we would recommend that such action be taken at the Annual Town Meeting as will insure such accommo- dations being provided.
TAXES.
We believe that the time has come for the Town to make a radical change in the time when the taxes shall become
65
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
due. The late date fixed by the Town at which interest should begin this year has made it extremely hard for the Collector to make his collections, and we would recommend that all taxes, except poll taxes, become due Oct. 1st, and interest charged at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum there- after.
POLICE.
On assuming office we found the appropriation of $500.00, made for this department, was entirely exhausted, and, in view of the needs for the balance of the year, enlarged by the presence of a large number of men employed by the city of Lynn and the Revere Water Company, we were obliged to ask for a further appropriation of $500.00, of which we have an unexpended balance of $66.48. On account of the trouble and expense occasioned by the men employed by the city of Lynn, we felt that the city should bear a part of the expense, and have asked them to do so, and as the justice of our claim has been acknowledged by the mayor, we hope to receive something from them.
The Town having refused to make a special appropriation for the enforcement of the no-license vote, we have been un- able to do as much in this direction as we could have wished on account of the limited amount of means at our disposal.
For the details of work performed we refer to the report of the Town Constable.
LIBRARY.
The report of the Librarian of the Public Library shows that the Library is growing in public favor, and that the books are having a wider circulation. In order that it may continue to supply new reading matter for the use of our citizens, we believe that the money received from the County on account of the dog tax should be used for the purchase of books, and earnestly recommend such an appropriation of it.
66
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
CEMETERY.
In order that our citizens may be able to purchase lots in the Cemetery, it is necessary that some of the new addition thereto be immediately laid out and the Avenues graded. There are, at the present time, practically no lots which can be sold, and although many of our citizens have wished to buy, it has been impossible to supply them. At the time the land was bought for the addition to the Cemetery, a plan was made for laying it out which seems to be well adapted to the situation, and we believe it would be well to follow it out. We would recommend that at least $1,000 be appro- priated for the commencement of this work, believing that with a judicious expenditure of this sum, enough can be laid out to allow of the disposal of a sufficient number of lots to repay the whole amount to the Town in a very short time.
Our estimate of appropriations needed for the ensuing year is as follows : - -
Incidental Expenses $5,500 00
Salem Turnpike 1,000 00
Salaries 1,000 00
Street Lights
1,300 00
State Aid .
1,200 00
Interest .
7,000 00
Police
500 00
HARMON HALL,
ARTHUR B. SMITH,
THOMAS P. PARSONS.
.
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1729 00051 3850
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY 295 Central St. Saugus, MA 01906
For Reference
Not to be taken
from this library
PUBLIC L
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