USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1901-1903 > Part 29
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$238 II
Cr. By care of lot
$8 00
Balance
230 II
$238 II
Daniel F. Wilson lot
Dr. To balance as reported .
· $100 00
Interest
3 50
$103 50
Cr. By care of lot
$3 00
Balance
100 00
-
$103 50
Mrs. Maria A. Dunn lot
Dr. To balance as reported
$75 00
Interest
2 62
$77 62
Cr. By balance .
$77 62
-
.
142
REPORT OF CEMETERY LOTS.
Joseph Hinchcliffe lot :
Dr. To amount received Interest . .
$100 00
I 75
$101 75
Cr. By balance .
$101 75
Edward E. Oliver lot :
Dr. To amount received
$50 00
Interest
88*
$50 88
Cr. By balance .
$50 88
J. S. MEACOM, Treasurer Trustee.
Selectmen's Report.
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
Respectfully submitting our report for the year 1903, we desire to not only acquaint the citizens of the Town with what has transpired during the year, but to offer some advice for the year 1904.
In the main the different departments of the Town have shown a disposition to acquiesce in the suggestion made by the Select- men last year, in the matter of economy. There has been a marked improvement in this respect and we believe that even greater savings can be made if the officials will only be persistent.
Last July we granted a franchise to the Boston & Northern Street Railroad to lay their tracks on Central street, the franchise is on file in the Selectmen's Department and can be inspected by the citizens at any time. The Boston & Northern Street Rail- road officials consumed so much time in getting the above ap- proved and authorized by their Board of Directors that it was too · late to build the road this year but the Superintendent has had or- ders to build the road as soon as spring opens.
We have also had a petition from the Maplewood & Danvers Street Railroad Co. for a proposed location of tracks over what is known as the Newburyport Turnpike road from the Melrose line to the Lynnfield line a distance of about four miles.
We have had the necessary hearings and have granted them the franchise petitioned for. If this proposed road is built it will easily eclipse any improvement ever made, either by the Town or a street railway, for the franchise calls for a street fifty-four feet wide, cut, filled, widened, tracks curbed, cross-overs block paved, a bond of $50,000 to cover damages, and other minor con- ditions. All without one dollar of expense to the Town.
I44
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
We desire to call the attention of the citizens to the following items expended by us from our Incidental account, which ordin- arily would come from the Public Buildings appropriation, but which could not be taken from that account, on account of the large amount of repairs that were imperative and had to be provided for from the Incidentals.
W. H. Raddin, building cells $163 00
W. F. Paul, repairs on Town Hall
21 87
Bryant & Kent, cement for Town Hall .
15 90
Fred Stocker, sand and brick for Town Hall
86 00
Illegal assessment tax, Ida A. Hatch 138 32
Sampson & Allen, balance electric light contract
164 70
Burns & Bee, repairs on Town Hall
34 60
F. L. Trefethen, new stack for boiler
106 88
W. H. Perkins, cementing boiler room ·
46 41
Total
$777 68
Incidental balance
.
.
117 56
$895 24
You will see by the above statement that there would have been a balance of $895.24 in the Incidental account had not the above items been paid therefrom.
Highways and Bridges.
This department is in first-class condition. Our streets are in better condition to-day we think than ever before.
If the citizens will only bear in mind the fact that we have about 56 miles of roadway to look after and keep in a safe condi- tion for public travel, they will, if they are disposed to be reason- able, make due allowance for some of the inconveniences, which no one knows better than the Selectmen, they are called upon to bear.
With a somewhat limited appropriation to carry on the work of this department there must necessarially be some dissatisfac- tion among our citizens, as it is impossible for our Commissioner to rectify every complaint that comes to him.
.
·
.
.
.
145
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
We respectfully call your attention to the improvements that have been made in the various parts of the Town, and especially the widening of Central street.
It will be necessary to make quite extensive improvements in the north and west ends of the Town the coming year, as the streets have not been graded to any extent for some years.
For further information please consult report of Superintendent of Streets.
Street Lighting.
We have sixty-seven arc lamps at a cost of $67 per lamp also fifty-seven incandescent lamps at a cost of $16 per lamp, you will see by this that the total cost of the system will be about $5,400.
The service the past year has been as good as could be expected. Our contract with the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. is precisely the same as that of Swampscott and Nahant who are subscribers to the same company and we believe that the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. are doing their utmost to give us satisfaction. They have laid their pipes through Cliftondale and are supplying that section of the Town with gas and this year intend to extend their pipes over Central street to Saugus Centre. The price of gas is ninety cents per 1,000 feet and is a great convenience. A new contract for street lighting will have to be provided for at our annual Town Meeting.
If the Town will slightly increase this appropriation the com- ing year the Board believes that it will be able to take care of any reasonable call for extensions.
Police Department.
What has been said of the Police Department in the past is equally true to-day.
There have been no changes in the regular force. The disci- pline of the men is first class, and the showing made by them is a credit to the Town.
The Town is growing to such an extent that it must be appar- ent to anyone, familiar with the duties that are imposed upon the officers, that the force will, in the near future, have to be consid- erably increased.
146
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
We congratulate the Chief and his men on the efficient services rendered the Town during the past year.
For further information please consult the Police Department report.
Fire Department.
This very important department of the Town is in good running order and on the whole is in a harmonious frame of mind. There are lots of petty differences bound to arise in a department of this kind, and must be expected, but what is true of this Town is also true of other Towns; about so often dis- sensions arise, and when they do, they have to be met and disposed of in a just and equitable manner, regardless of who they affect.
The efficiency of this department is up to about as high a standard as you can expect it to be under the present conditions. Some of the companies are seriously handicapped in not having horses located near the houses. The time is fast approaching, we believe, when the Town will come to the conclusion that it is time for them to own the horses that are necessary for the fire department and to use them, when not engaged in the fire service, upon the highways. We respectfully submit this proposition for your future consideration.
The details of this department are in the report of Engineers.
Public Buildings.
The improvements that have been made upon the Town build- ings the past year have brought them up to a very good condition. The fire at the Oaklandvale School-house necessitated some additional repairs to what were contemplated. The insurance company adjusted the loss to the entire satisfaction of the Board. The North Saugus school property has been put in fair condition, also the Town Hall and Hose House No. I properties. We desire to have the citizens look over the steam heating and elec- tric light system installed in the Town Hall the past year. If the citizens will take the trouble to see for themselves what has been done with the money appropriated for this department their ver- dict will be that it is money well spent.
147
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Finances.
The finances of the Town are in no better condition to-day than they were ten, fifteen or twenty years ago, for the amount of uncol- lected taxes has increased almost identical with the growth of the Town, until to-day we find the Town authorizing its Treasurer to borrow $75,000.00 to provide for notes and running expenses and making no especial effort to collect $75,000.00 or $80,000.00, due the Town for taxes. It has been our experience since serving you in the capacity of Selectmen that whenever there has been loss on the tax account the Town invariably has to stand it. Now it is not our desire to find fault with the tax collector but believe it our duty to point out to the citizens the reason for having to borrow so large a sum each year.
The method of collecting taxes in the Town, as conducted at present, is unbusiness-like and those citizens who pay their taxes promptly and whose interests ought to be protected, must suffer in consequence thereof.
We trust that the citizens will see that it is to their interest to take this matter up for careful consideration.
Appropriations.
We would respectfully recommend that the following appro- priations be made for the ensuing year :
Highways and Bridges . $4,500
Selectmen's Incidentals
.
·
6,500
Insurance
.
725
Police Department
4,000
Public Buildings
.
· 1,000
Street Lighting .
5,500
Soldiers' Relief,
450
.
HENRY F. FISKE, HERBERT O. PRATT,® ISAAC E. GRAVES,
Board of Selectmen.
Assessors , Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1903.
Table of Aggregates of Polls, Property and Taxes Assessed May 1, 1903.
Number of polls assessed
1,493
Number of persons paying property tax 1,989
Number of persons paying poll tax only
723
Number of persons liable to military duty . .
923
Number of dogs registered (male 256, fe- male 36) ·
292
Population as taken by the Assessors . .
5,505
Schedule of Property Assessed.
Number of dwelling-houses
1,270
Number of acres of land
6,310
Number of horses
354
Number of cows
1,038
Number of neat cattle
40
Number of sheep
O
Number of swine
IOI
Number of fowls
9,062
Number of carriages
148
Number of automobiles
7
Number of bicycles
336
Total Amount of Property Assessed
Divided as follows :
Resident real estate
$2,815, 165 00
Non-resident real estate
1, 153,041 00
Resident personal estate
429,216 00
Non-resident personal estate
63,336 00
$4,460,758 00
149
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Value of Real and Personal Estate.
Buildings exclusive of land .
$2,277,315 00
Land exclusive of buildings
1,690,891 00
Personal property
492,552 00
$4,460,758 00
Basis of Taxation.
Appropriations October, 1902
$7,400 00
Appropriations March, 1903
79,322 50
State tax ·
3,050 00
Metropolitan Park tax
1,469 84
State highway tax
79 95
County tax
3,852 23
Overlay
·
3,000 00
$98, 174 52
Less Town's income
16,455 56
$81,718 96
Tax for State, County, and Town purposes committed to Lewis J. Austin, Collector,
$81,718 96
Street railway excise tax 2,480 31
Saugus tax rate on $1,000
17 70
The Board of Assessors, in submitting their annual report to the citizens of the town, take advantage of the opportunity to offer some explanations and make some suggestions, to facilitate the work of their department.
The duties of the Board of Assessors in this Commonwealth are defined under Chapter 12 of the Revised Laws of the year 1902, and it may be superfluous to add that the Assessors of Saugus are obliged to conduct the business of their department according to the above mentioned laws, and any departure from their obser- vance may make each individual member liable.
Each year on or before the first day of May, the Assessors post in conspicuous places, notices to the citizens of the Town, to file a list of their taxable property, both real and personal, with the
150
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Assessors on or before June 25th, blank forms being furnished on application.
In previous years these requirements have only in a few instances been noticed and lived up to by the citizens of the Town and through inadvertance on the part of the Assessors, has resulted in the loss to the Town of the tax on income, money subject to check, stocks, etc., which the Assessors have this year levied and partly recovered.
The land values throughout the Town have been placed at an equitable valuation ; each citizen having been assessed pro rata with his neighbor according to the judgment of the Board.
There are many applications for abatements each year and we call attention to the fact that only such abatements as are in com- pliance with Chapter 12 of the Public Statutes can be allowed by the Assessors. Judging from the number of poll tax abatements which we are called upon to make it would seem that a constable should be appointed for the specific purpose of aiding in the col- lection of said taxes when due.
The accommodations for keeping the Plans of Land in the Town Hall are very incomplete, and in case of fire a total loss of all plans would inevitably follow. We would recommend that the Town make an appropriation to construct a fire-proof vault in one of the closets adjacent to the Assessors' room.
The Assessors hereby recommend that the sum of $Soo be appropriated to meet the expenses (salary) of the department for the year 1904, also the sum of $50 to be used for searching the records and obtaining such plans as may be needed to facilitate their work.
In conclusion, we feel that the Town has been fortunate in hav- ing the tax rate lowered to the point where it is not an object of adverse comparison with other municipalities and ask that stringent economy be practised in the expenditures of the ensuing year so that the Assessors may maintain our present rate if not reduce it materially.
MAURICE F. CUNNINGHAM, LEVI G. HAWKES, ALONZO PENNEY,
Assessors of Saugus.
Report of Superintendent of Streets.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1903. I am well satisfied with the present condition of our streets and with the work done in this department the past year, especially the new grade on Lincoln avenue, from the Lynn line to Ballard street. ' The street having been resurfaced with crushed stone is in excellent condition and adds much to our per- manent road building.
About seventeen hundred tons of crushed stone have been used this year, and I would call your attention to the advisability of the purchase of a crusher.
Drainage.
This is the first requisite for good streets, and I would recom- mend the drainage of Lincoln avenue, from Lincoln square to the Revere line, which is now a source of great trouble and expense. A large sum of money has been expended this year for the care of surface water. Five new catch-basins have been built, which required several hundred feet of earthen pipe. The old culvert at the corner of Essex and Vine streets not being of proper size to carry off the large volume of water from the brook, has been rebuilt, with the addition of two 20-inch pipes on each side, with retaining walls, which is a permanent piece of work.
Denver Street.
This street, owing to the heavy teaming, and not having been put to a proper grade, has required a large outlay of money, but now is in a condition to last a number of years.
152
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
.
Walnut Street.
This street, from Edison street to Fairmount avenue, has been regraded and is in excellent condition, which is greatly appreci- ated by the people in that section and the north end of our Town.
Central Street.
Good progress has been made on this street and most of the hard, rough work has been completed. It now awaits the build- ing of the railroad, and when done will be of great credit to the Town.
Fairview Avenue.
Much improvement has been made on this street. Two large catch-basins have been put in, with 300 feet of 10-inch pipe, and a part of the gutters paved, which takes care of the water that flows from the hills. With the rest of the gutters paved this avenue would be in good repair for a number of years.
Snow and Ice,
Owing to the large amount of money that is necessary to take care of the snow and sanding of the walks, I would recommend a separate appropriation for the same.
The streets in the North and West Wards of our Town are in a very bad condition and should receive prompt attention the coming year.
I would especially mention the efficiency of the men employed and I wish to thank them and my foreman, Mr. Hall, for their faithful and efficient service. I also extend my thanks to the Honorable Board for their advice and encouragement which has been appreciated by me.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES FLORENCE,
Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
153
Following is a schedule of the property in charge of this department :
I watering cart $350 00
1 road roller 110 00
I road machine 175 00
I set runners
20 00
2 common plows .
10 00
I drill-machine
10 00
I die ·
3 00
I bolt clipper
3 50
12 snow plows
200 00
I battery
10 00
2 gravel screens Block and fall
5 00
I derrick
25 00
Chain hoist
17 00
24 picks
12 00
26 round pointed shovels
18 00
10 square pointed shovels
8 50
5 long handled shovels .
3 00
II rakes 5 50
Io hoes
5 00
3 bank bars .
3 00
7 common bars 7 00
Io hoes 4 00
I tool box
15 00
12 shovels
6 00
3 trowels
I 50
7 hammers . ·
4 20
I chain and spreader
2 00
4 ox chains .
8 00
4 grup hoes
2 00
6 forks
3 60
5 bank wedges
15 00
3 axes .
2 00
4 axe handles
1 00
6 00
Amount brought forward, $1,070 80
10
154
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Amount brought forward,
$1,070 80
I anvil
6 00
I vise .
.
6 00
· I bit stock
I 00
6 bits .
I 25
I drawing knife
50
5 files .
50
Io dozen bolts
50
I forge
15 00
6 pairs tongs
6 00
6 small hammers I 50
8 drills.
10 00
12 plug drills
3 00
26 pick handles
3 00
3 sneths
I 50
3 scythes
I 50
12 lanterns
6 00
I} dozen globes
I SO
I oil can
25
2 log chains
5 00
3 wrenches
2 50
I wrench
I 75
2 iron pails .
I 20
3 wooden pails
30
6 coal chisels
2 40
5 lunches
50
I wagon jack
3 00
2 post tampers
2 00
2 scoops
1 00
I common level
3 00
I street level
6 00
2 paving hammers Bolts and washers
50
3 small oil cans
30
2 bars iron .
2 00
IO machine drills .
I 50
1 00
Amounts carried forward,
$1,171 05
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
155
Amount brought forward,
$1,171 05
8 pounds nails
.
40
150 feet lumber
3 00
I brush
50
I gallon paint
I 60
4 feet 12-inch pipe
2 00
42 feet 6-inch pipe
6 30
4 feet 18-inch pipe
3 30
I IO-inch T
1 70
12 feet 15-inch pipe
7 80
I blacksmith shop
75 00
Total
$1,272 65
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my eighth annual report, showing the present condition of the Police Department, and reviewing briefly the duties performed during the year ending December 31, 1903 :
Chief of Police, Charles O. Thompson. Regular officers- Frank W. Joy, Walter A. Pratt, Roland L. Mansfield. Special officers-P. A. Flaherty, E. P. Burnham, Levi Florence, G. H. Johnson, Henry Williams, F. W. Clark, Justin E. Mansfield, G. E. Macomber, J. W. Rea, F. W. Feakins, J. R. Gillan.
Arrests.
The whole number of arrests for 1903 was 119, of which 114 were males and 5 were females.
Nature of Offence.
Assault and battery, 22 ; assault with intent to rape, I ; break- ing and entering, I ; cruelty to animals, 3 ; drunks, 45 ; disor- derly conduct, I; disturbing religious meeting, 2; keeping unlicensed dog, 2; peddling without license, 6; driving horse unfit for use, I ; default, I ; stubborn child, 4 ; larceny from per- son, I ; keeping children from school, 3; truancy, I ; disturb- ing peace, 2 ; liquor nuisance, I ; malicious mischief, 8 ; larceny of fruit, 2 ; larceny, 4; fornication, 2; selling pools, 2; lewd and lascivious cohabitation, 2 ; neglected child, 2.
Court Cases.
There were 221 criminal cases, including continued cases, tried in this Court.
157
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Disposed of as Follows:
Appealed, 2 ; continued, 78; committed to Salem Jail, 10; committed to Lyman School, I ; committed to State Board of Charity, I ; defaulted, 6; discharged, 17; filed, 26; fined and paid, 49 ; held for Grand Jury, 4 ; held for Superior Court, I.
Miscellaneous Work of the Department.
Complaints received and investigated, 385; committed to Danvers Asylum, 2; arrested for out-of-town officers, 4; dis- turbances suppressed, 28; doors found open and secured, 71 ; dogs killed, 60; lights furnished for dangerous places, 15; lights found burning, 51 ; lost children restored, 4 ; horses killed, 2 ; runaway horses stopped, 6; stray teams put up, 4 ; windows found open, 29 ; responded to fire alarms, 25.
Financial Statement.
Appropriation .
$4,000 00
EXPENDITURES.
C. O. Thompson, salary .
$861 IO
F. W. Joy, salary .
676 40
W. A. Pratt, salary .
759 75
R. L. Mansfield, salary
736 00
P. A. Flaherty
33 25
E. P. Burnham
32 50
L. Florence
84 25
H. J. Williams
38 25
F. W. Clark
29 50
G. E. Macomber
2 50
New England Telephone Co.
109 39
C. O. Thompson, horse hire
210 00
C. H. Sawyer, expressing
6 34
Tilden & Adlington, supplies
40
Eugene Stevens, use of horse
I OO
Amount carried forward,
$3,580 63
158
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Amount brought forward,
$3,580 63
R. F. Allen, supplies
2 65
F. W. Clark, use of horse 2 00
C. A. Blakeley, labor on cells .
38 50
G. W. Caswell, piping cells ·
72 76
Mitchell Manufacturing Co., badges 7 92
H. O. Pratt, use of horse
3 50
C. S. Knowles, supplies .
1 80
C. A. Wormstead . 1 00
R. Marstraryrals, helmets and supplies
21 70
C. F. Pollard, supplies
4 45
C. Florence
.
I 50
J. A. Halliday, advertising
2 00
C. O. Thompson, expense on committing prisoners II 50
Jenkins Bros., two valves
2 24
C. Davis, labor on telephone
7 05
Envelopes and stamps
5 00
Books for dog notices .
2 00
Dr. Parcher, services .
5 00
J. H. Harding, supplies .
2 70
Couch & Seeley, one telephone O. Christiansen ·
16 40
I 00
Milligan Press Co., supplies .
6 50
J. A. Pratt, labor on telephone
2 50
Berry, Beal & Co., stationery
3 65
J. E. Mansfield
2 50
H. A. Turner, horse hire ·
61 00
A. B. Mansfield, labor on telephone
5 55
G. W. Felton, supplies
6 06
E. Newhall, expressing
I 20
Dr. Knight, services
2 00
Expenses on Rillis case
3 00
Records on Spear case
I 50
F. R. Foss, labor on cells
13 00
G. A. Putney, supplies
I OO
·
Amount carried forward,
$3,902 76
.
159
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Amount brought forward,
$3,902 76
John Mungan, labor . 1 00
Expenses to Lowell and Haverhill
3 00
Sampson & Allen, supplies
5 42
Telephoning
25
Expenses to Dedhaın
3 00
Dog notices
6 00
P. Murphy, labor
30
L. M. Ham, iron work
38 76
Expenses to Hyde Park .
2 00
W. H. Ximiness, expert on dogs
2 00
Expenses to Malden and Melrose
50
Wm. Read & Sons, supplies
12 40
J. Abrahams, mattresses and blankets
15 60
W. F. Paul, carpentering
I 58
$3,994 57
The total amount of fines paid during the year was $555. Paid to the Town of Saugus, $475. Paid to Essex County, $30. Paid to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, $35. Paid to complainants, $5.
I would recommend that the sum of $4,200 be appropriated for police service for the year of 1904, as the demands on the Police Department increase with the growth of the Town.
Conclusion.
In concluding my report, I wish to thank the honorable Board of Selectmen and George M. Amerige, Trial Justice, for the many acts of kindness shown me in the past year. I wish also to extend my thanks to the officers, both regular and special, for the able manner in which they have performed their duty.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES O. THOMPSON,
Chief of Police.
Report of Board of Engineers.
The apparatus consists of three hose wagons, one hook and ladder truck, 12 extinguishers, 6,000 ft. hose four sets double harness, 300 ft. ladders, 3 jump nets, one pull down hook with chain, 3 long hooks, one line gun, 3 crotch polls, eight lanterns, 28 rubber coats, 26 spanners, 20 belts, 12 lighters, 14 fire hats, 3 wrenches, 3 wagon jacks.
The Fire Department at the present time consists of 42 regular men, Superintendent of the fire alarm and two engineers. C. A. Blakeley having resigned December 21st. C. I. Hitch- ings, First Assistant ; M. F. Cunningham, Second Assistant.
Record of Alarms.
Total number of bell alarms, 25.
Total number of still alarms, 8.
Total number of false alarms, 1. Total miles run by all apparatus, 68.
Total feet of hose laid 3,400.
Total feet of ladders used, 285.
Total gallons of chemicals used, 179.
Detail of Alarms.
Mar. 8. , Still alarm woods Bailey's hill, Ward 4.
Mar. 19. 1.45 P. M. Box 25. Woods owned by G. M. Amerige. No damage ..
Mar. 20. 2.30 P. M. Still alarm, fire near Melrose line, woods and grass.
Mar. 26. 1.25 P.M. Box 26. Woods fire, Baker's Hill.
Apr. 20. 3.15 P. M. Box 124. Woods fire, Broadway.
16I
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Apr. 26. 8 P. M. Still alarm, woods near Wakefield line.
Apr. 27. 3.55 P. M. Box 31. Woods fire, Twin Springs.
Apr. 29. 1.40 P. M. Box 126. Brush fire.
Apr. 30. 5.10 P. M. Box 21. Hencoop on Essex street, owned by J. R. Hatch.
May 3. 1.30 P. M. Box 32. Woods fire at Lynnhurst.
May 3. Still. Woods fire near Melrose line, Essex street.
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