USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1924 > Part 6
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E. 673
Nichols, Alonzo H. .
48 36
2 18
5º 54
2 00
48 54
424-425
Niles, Walter L. C.
230 86
IO 49
241 35
8 00
233 35
485
Norwood Sisters
100 08
4 55
104 63
4 50
100 13
1532
Nourse, Henrietta M.
100 63
4 55
105 18
4 00
101 18
U and V
Nourse, Phineas, Heirs
6 85
157 67
6 00
151 67
So. ₺ 97
Nyman, Edgar A.
50 00
I 67
51 67
1 50
50 17
.
.
·
·
·
·
·
.
.
.
.
.
·
[Dec. 31
1
1OWN DOCUMENTS.
100
Balance on hand
150 82
3 00
205 Oliver, Charles
100 25
4 55
104 80
4 50
100 30
193-194 Oliver, Charles Barker
·
.
529 17
24 07
553 24
15 00
538 24
78
Oliver, Edward E.
50 49
2 28
52 77
2 77
50 00
452
Page, Warren
.
100 05
4 55
104 60
4 50
100 10
434 Parker, Emily D.
.
100 50
4 55
105 05
4 50
100 55
75 00
75 00
75 00
No. 4-43
Parker, Esther .
50 23
2 28
52 51
2 25
50 26
682
Parker, Henry A.
75 09
3 40
78 49
3 49
75 00
59
Parker, Timothy O.
50 23
2 28
52 51
2 25
50 26
Parkins, John T.
75 00
I 25
76 25
1 25
75 00
165
Parry, William
100 14
4 55
104 69
4 50
100 19
IOI
Parsons, Thomas P. .
200 00
8 32
208 32
8 00
200 32
451
Paul, J. Wesley & Henry J. Mills
100 31
4 55
104 86
4 50
100 36
334
Penney, Emma J.
100 20
4 55
104 75
4 50
100 25
575
Perkins, Charles F.
58 19
2 64
60 83
2 00
58 83
266
Perley, Mary
435 52
19 80
455 32
10 00
445 32
W$=471
Perkins, Ward
50 16
2 28
52 44
2 25
5º 19
248
Pierce, Ephriam
100 26
4 55
104 81
4 50
100 31
Grave 30
Pierce, Frank E. estate
25 00
I 12
26 12
I 00
25 12
377
Pilling, Charles L. and Harry K. Parker ·
4 91
112 91
2 25
110 66
A. 313
Popp, Therissa
.
.
.
.
2 59
60 19
2 50
57 69
115-116 Pranker lot
200 09
9 09
209 18
9 00
200 18
IOI
TRUST FUNDS.
1924]
.
.
.
·
·
108 00
57 60
.
No. 3-23
Parker, E. J.
.
·
·
·
·
.
·
Trust Funds in Hands of the Treasurer, Income of which is applied toward Perpetual Care of Lots
Lot No.
Name.
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1924.
New Accounts recorded during 1924.
Interest on deposit during 1924.
Total Credit.
Paid for Care of lot.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1924
IO2
Pranker, Betsey
256 41
II 66
268 07
18 00
250 07
E .- 375
Pratt, Charles
64 00
24
64 24
24
64 00
496 Pratt, Ella
100 35
4 55
104 90
4 50
100 40
298 Preston, Elizabeth
75 68
3 42
79 10
3 00
76 10
(old) 93 Prior, Charles W.
70 22
3 18
73 40
3 00
70 40
D. D. Pulsifer, George H. .
100 00
3 00
5 55
108 55
4 25
104 30
88 & 89 (old) Putnam, Charles . Old cemetery
150 65
6 85
157 50
7 00
150 50
graves Raddin, Benjamin B 2-13 & 14 Raddin, Charles
100 55
4 55
105 10
4 00
101 10
So. J-118 Raddin, Fales L.
104 40
4 73
109 13
4 50
104 63
388 Ramsdell & McKean
83 00
I 38
84 38
4 00
80 38
E2-319 Radford, Daniel M.
50 00
I 50
2 69
54 19
2 00
52 19
92 Rawson, Matthew
100 44
4 55
104 99
4 99
100 00
Grave 23 P. C. Redding, C. M
15 00
34
15 34
15 34
Grave 24 P. C. Reed, Jane C.
15 00
23
15 23
15 23
B. 493 Reiser, A. F. and Catherine L. Meader · ·
48 00
2 18
50 18
2 00
48 18
II3 Rhodes, Amos
100 12
4 55
104 67
4 50
100 17
(old) 61-62 Rhodes, Benjamin
100 34
4 55
104 89
4 50
100 39
·
·
·
.
.
.
100 05
4 55
104 60
4 50
100 10
.
[Dec. 31
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
230 Richardson, George Edward .75 89
3 42
79 31
3 00
76 31
302 Roach, John and Martha Fiske . 100 19
4 55
104 74
4 50
100 24
So. 3-218 The Roberts lot
·
75 00
3 40
78 40
3 00
75 40
343
Robinson, Mrs. E. J.
100 18
4 55
104 73
4 73
100 00
105-5333
Robinson, E. P. and
W. N. Pingree .
204 97
9 29
214 26
12 00
202 26
Roby lot (old Parish Cemetery),
200 54
9 11
209 65
9 00
200 65
709
Rodd, Samuel A.
·
44 00
1 65
45 65
45 65
3-36-37
100 04
4 55
104 59
4 50
100 09
32
Root, D. L. and J. D. Lawrence,
100 26
4 55
104 81
4 50
100 31
239 Ross, Joshua
50 02
2 28
52 30
2 30
50 00
665 Russell, Fred E.
50 19
2 28
52 47
2.47
50 00
Grave 20 P. C. Ryall, Harold W.
15 00
62
15 62
50
15 12
E. 372 Saxon, Henry .
62 40
23
62 63
62 63
(old) No. 3-109 Schofield, Anna M.
2 28
52 35
2 25
50 10
(old) So. 2-109
and (new) 16 Schofield, Anna M.
· 50 09
2 28
52 37
2 25
50 12
Grave 322 Shiverell, James
75 66
3 42
79 08
3 00
76 08
392 Small, Madella H.
100 00
5 38
108 38
4 25
104 13
A. 3-305 Smiley, Allan T. 37S Smith, Addie F.
50 28
2 28
52 56
2 25
50 31
57 60
I 28
58 88
I 28
57 60
W. 360 Smith, Alexander J.
51 00
1 06
52 06
I 00
51 06
190 Smith, Charles L.
124 73
. 5 65
130 38
8 00
122 38
103
TRUST FUNDS.
1924]
.
.
3 00 *
.
.
.
.
.
50 07
Root, A. B.
·
Trust Funds in Hands of the Treasurer, Income of which is applied toward Perpetual Care of Lots
Lot No.
Name.
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1924.
New Accounts recorded during 1924.
Interest on deposit during 1924.
Total Credit.
Paid for care of lot.
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1924
362
Smith, Elizabeth V.
.
I22 40
5 56
127 96
4 15
123 81
W. 378
Smith, Fred O.
.
58 36
2 64
61 00
3 50
57 50
Grave 19
Somers, Samuel C.
.
15 00
62
15 62
50
15 12
Lot 135
Spurr, George G.
80 62
3 65
84 27
3 50
80 77
267
Steele, Mrs. Sidney H. and Mrs. J. H. Hadley,
100 28
4 55
104 83
4 50
100 33
588
Stearns, Eugene
65 45
2 95
68 40
3 40
65 00
So. 3-78
Stewart, George C.
·
·
50 03
2 28
52 31
2 31
50 00
443
Stocker, Amos T.
160 00
7 27
167 27
7 00
160 27
133-144
Stocker, Frederick, estate
125 87
5 69
131 56
5 00
I 26 56
217
Stocker, Mrs. J. E.
.
100 38
4 55
104 93
4 93
J00 00
440
Stocker, Lewis O.
100 13
4 55
104 68
4 50
100 18
E. 1-499
Stocker, Orrin T.
50 13
2 28
52 41
2 25
50 16
64
Stocker, Thomas
75 40
3 42
78 82
3 00
75 82
605
Stocker, Willard H. et al
100 42
4 55
104 97
4 50
100 47
So. ¿ 11& 12 Stocker, William
55 00
2 50
57 50
2 50
55 00
63 Stocker, William P. .
·
150 82
6 85
157 67
7 00
150 67
Grave II Stone, Mrs. C. B.
·
15 34
68
16 02
I 00
15 02
Gr've 14 & 15 P. C. Swanson, Anna J.
30 00
I 36
31 36
I 00
30 36
.
A.
306
Stidstone, Emma A.
.
.
50 00
2 .28
52 28
2 25
50 03
.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
104
61 Sweetser lot
100 48
4 55
105 03
4 50
100 53
Gr've S10-811 Sweezey, Reuben A.
30 00
34
3º 34
30 34
No. ¿- 20 Sykes, Calvin
65 85
2 97
68 82
2 50
66 32
474 Symonds, Frank M.
51 50
I 6I
53 II
I 50
51 61
No. 3-122 Tattersall, Major
60 22
2 7.2
62 94
2 50
60 44
E
368 Terry, Kate
.
.
54 00
2 03
56 03
2 00
54 03
495 Thayer, Mary G.
100 16
4 55
104 71
4 50
100 21
50 00
2 28
52 28
2 28
50 00
100 00
3 00
5 38
108 38
4 25
104 13
E2-639
Tracey, Fred
25 00
1 12
26 12
I 12
25 00
157
Trefethen, Wm. A. and Lelia
100 33
4 55
104 88
4 50
100 38
W
368
Trenholm, Howard B.
62 12
2 82
64 94
3 00
61 94
431
Turner, Harry T.
100 00
4 55
104 55
4 50
100 05
376
Turner, George R.
50 03
2 28
52 31
2 25
50 06
Twiss & Jones ({ Snow Tomb)
150 34
6 82
157 16
7 00
150 16
178
Upham, Elbridge S.
151 30
6 87
158 17
7 00
151 17
A.
493
Valentine, John A.
49 08
2 23
51 31
3 00
48 31
So. 3-128 Waitt, Louise E. V.
50 00
I 04
51. 04
I
00
50 04
64
Waldron, Gilbert A.
100 00
2 08
102 08
2 00
100 08
So. 3-160 Waldron Herbert and Mary E.
2 28
52 28
2 25
50 03
69 Walton, Henry
100 61
4 55
105 16
5 00
100 16
No. 3-207 Walton, John B.
50 28
2 28
52 56
2 50
50 06
Grv's 65-66 Ward, Edward
.
65 65
2 97
68 62
3 00
65 62
105
TRUST FUNDS.
1924]
.
.
·
.
·
.
. 50 00
·
.
·
.
.
No. 3-105-112 Thomas, William 143 Tonks, Mrs. O. S.
.
·
.
Trust Funds in Hands of the Treasurer, Income of which is Applied Toward Perpetual Care of Lots.
Lot. No.
Name
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1924.
New Accounts recorded during 1924.
Interest on deposit during 1924.
Total Credit
Paid for care of lot
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1924
29-30 Watson, Lizzie M.
.
100 70
4 55
105 25
5 00
100 25
No. 2-325 Webb, Jane A.
50 15
2 28
52 43
2 25
50 18
Gr'vs 17-18 Wells, Charlotte A.
.
30 II
I 36
31 47
I 25
30 22
445 Westwood, David
·
.
100 00
4 55
104 55
4 50
100 05
I17 Westwood, Isabelle .
100 00
2 08
102 08
2 00
100 08
Grv's 16 P. C. Wheaton, Johanna
15 00
68
15 68
50
15 18
340 Whitcher, James T.
IO0 21
4 55
104 76
4 50
100 26
482-483
Whitcher, Richard and Chauncey G.
150 34
6 82
157 16
7 00
150 16
501
White, Lucy and Mary
50 00
2 28
52 28
2 25
50 03
E.
359
Whitehead, Harvey F. and Forrest L. Abbott
67 60
1 76
69 36
I 50
67 86
136
.
·
150 82
6 85
157 67
7 00
150 67
45
Williams, Annie
50 00
I 50
2 86
54 36
2 00
52 36
316
Williams, George E.
100 33
4 55
104 88
4 50
100 38
703
Williams, J. H.
44 00
I 16
45 16
1 00
44 16
So. 2-79
Willis, D. B.
50 28
2 28
52 56
2 00
50 56
Gr'ves 71-73 Williscroft, Mary
.
50 12
2 28
52 40
2 25
50 15
162 Wilson, Daniel F.
·
·
209 64
9 52
219 16
10 00
209 16
(old) 38 Wilson, Everett E. .
50 13
2 28
52 41
2 25
50 16
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
.06
.
.
.
2
.
·
Whitehead, Martha
TRUST FUNDS.
924]
315 Wilson, Everett E.
6 82
156 82
6 00
150 82
No. 3-175 Wilson, Harrison I 56 Wilson, Jerome
·
.
·
100 42
4 55
104 97
4 50
100 47
242 Wilson, Mary A
100 20
4 55
104 75
4 50
100 25
74 Wood, Sarah A.
50 22
2 28
52 50
2 25
50 25
P. C. 5-6-7-8
9-10-12 Single Graves .
105 17
4 77
109 94
4 00
105 94
$23,256 60 $3,484 10 $1, 128 07 $27,868 77 $1,103 60 $26,765 17
GRANVILLE A. CLARK, Trustee.
·
100 00
4 55
104 55.
4 50
100 05
.
·
·
.
150 00
.
107
IOS
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
We desire to thank all the departments of the town for their co-operation during the past year, all of the departments having been maintained without incurring obligations beyond their appropriations.
Meetings of the Board have been open to the public, recogniz- ing it to be its right to be actively interested in its administration.
Records have been kept by department heads in a more effi- cient manner and this, with careful checking and submission of frequent reports, in a measure, eliminated necessity for special Town Meeting to appropriate money for conduct of business of various departments. The tax rate was slightly reduced and by close adherence to business methods and efficiency in depart- ment, should be materially decreased in 1925.
An unusually large number of dwelling houses have been built during the past year. With our increased valuation, our tax rate should be reduced if appropriations are carefully made.
Aid by the State Highway Commission in reparation of damage to certain streets was rendered.
Assistance given on the part of the Eastern Mass. Street Ry., in improved drainage of streets previously neglected and damaged thru car tracks on surface of streets being too highly elevated.
Improved railroad crossing on Essex street thru B. & M. R. R. co-operation and also culvert under railroad, near School street taken care of, thereby relieving abutters from water damages.
Conference with various Public Utility Corporations, which brought forth beneficial results.
Increased efficiency in departments by co-operation and active supervision,
We believe that the various departments of the town are well organized and have been conducted efficiently and as economi- cally as is consistent with proper results.
109
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
1924]
A substantial distance of permanent highway construction has been completed. Much needed equipment has been added to the Public Works Department. The town is fortunate in securing the services of William J. Lumbert as superintendent of Public Works, a thoroughly competent man, for one of the most important positions in our municipal government.
Street snow removal was undertaken as a measure of economy, in protection to street surfaces and facilitating more efficiency in operation of fire apparatus, also insuring quicker and easier motor transportation.
Competitive bidding in the purchase of material, equipment and apparatus, for various departments was established. This assured contractors of no favoritism, but a square deal and made for economy, thru sealed bids, bringing lower prices.
Check of materials purchased, thru weighing or otherwise, as a guarantee that town received that which it paid for.
Increases for precinct officers to provide more substantial remuneration.
Awarding insurance on apparatus and buildings with a degree of equity to various citizen insurance brokers.
Increased amount of insurance on town buildings, as a measure calculated to better protect town and to provide a more correct valuation.
Our fire losses have been small. The health of our citizens is better than in normal years.
The year 1924 has been an epoch making one for the town in many respects and will be remembered as one of continued prog- ress and prosperity.
We wish to submit the following recommendations :
1. Sidewalk appropriation of $5,000.00 as a necessary requirement, greatly needed and long neglected.
2. Installation of White Way Lamps in the three principal squares, as a needed improvement toward better lighting facili- ties and favorable advertising for the community.
3. Adequate permanent highway appropriation, to provide for more rapid completion of truck lines, in order to relieve annual waste in temporary resurfacing.
4. State and County Aid on Walnut and Water streets and Lincoln avenue.
5. Interior repairs to Town Hall.
6. New lighting and water contracts, to provide more favor- able rates for town.
IIO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
7. Utilization of road building materials on land on which town holds tax titles.
8. Municipal stone crusher as measure of economy and a means to get stone without long intervals of delay.
9. Sealed bids in the purchase of all materials, equipment and apparatus, exceeding $50.00 in cost.
IO. Selectmen not to serve as Fire Engineers.
II .. Sufficient force of call firemen to increase efficiency of Fire Department.
12. Permanent working plumber for work on town build- ings.
13. Stricter enforcement of laws, particularly those pertain- ing to violation of liquor enforcement legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN G. HOLMES, C. F. NELSON PRATT, WALTER SPRAGUE,
January 14, 1925.
Board of Selectmen.
Supplemental Statement
I concur to above report but submit following recommenda- tions :
I. Muncipal Garage with Public Works Department work- shop, to house all town machines, equipment and apparatus, thereby eliminating a large annual rental and storage cost, also better protection for apparatus.
2. Loan of State Public Works truck, at no expense to the town, except in maintenance and repair if needed, parts to be fur- nished by State Public Works and installation expense to be assumed by the town. This will more adequately provide for keeping our streets open in the winter at greater economy than present methods.
Respectfully submitted,
C. F. NELSON PRATT
III
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
1924]
Planning Board Report
To the Board of Selectmen, Saugus, Massachusetts :
GENTLEMEN,- Article 12 of the Town By-Laws, adopted by vote of the Special Town Meeting held January 7, 1924, created a Planning Board. The same was duly elected March 3, 1924, and the Board hereby submits its report for the period ending December 31, 1924.
The Board was organized March 4, 1924, by the election of Mr. George H. Mason, as Chairman, and Mr. H. Dwight Bisbee, as Secretary.
Regular Meetings have been held on the first and third Tues- days of each month, and special meetings were attended as follows ;
Melrose, Mass.
April 10, 1924
Worchester, Mass.
October 6, 1924
State House, Boston, Mass.
October 23, 1924
(Rapid Transit Hearing)
Sewage
By vote, the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1924, referred the article in the warrant on Sewage to the newly formed Plan- ning Board, without appropriation.
The Board has considered this matter, and we find that while Saugus has good natural drainage, sections of the town are becoming so populated and congested, that in the interest of public health, it is apparent that steps should be taken to pro- vide a sewage system in such localities, at the earliest possible time. Each year the initial steps are delayed there is a con- tinued menace to the public health, as the cesspools in these congested localties have permeated the surrounding ground to such an extent that the ground is spongy, and in some cases liquid runs off, to the annoyance of the public. Inasmuch as the town each year is providing for permanent road construction, it appears that the roads we are now laying down will have to be
I12
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
torn up to allow for the laying of sewers, thus putting the town to greater expense by reason of such delay.
The Board has studied the sewage question in three ways :
I. To ask permission to enter the Metropolitan Sewer System.
2. To ask permission to join the City of Lynn system, as a part of the development it is now planning
3. To build.a complete plant of our own either with filter beds or our own outfall sewer.
The last mentioned plan has not appealed to this Board, as being too expensive a project.
The first two plans may be feasible, or a combination of them may be advisable.
However, with regard to plans 1 and 2, and especially in regard to plan I, we learned that the Metropolitan Sewage Com- mission would not consider such a proposition without an outlined plan or survey of the town before it.
The Board finds it is impossible to act further on this matter until such time as a proper preliminary survey of the town is made and a plan of a suitable nature is provided.
Although it was suggested at the last Annual Town Meeting that this Board could have the services of the then proposed Town Engineer to make the necessary survey and plan, we found upon consulting him that his department could not possibly undertake this matter.
Advice was also sought from certain engineering concerns and the appropriate cost of such a survey and preliminary plan was obtained. In this connection, the Boaad expects to be in a position to give to the town at the Annual Town Meeting a definite proposition on which to act.
Sidewalks
The Board has given considerable attention to the matter of sidewalks. Much of the walks, even on our principal streets (Lincoln avenue, Essex street, Central street and Main street), except in the centers, are of gravel of a poor quality. After a rain storm, and in the winter and spring, these walks are only mud, slush and puddles of water, in which the pedes- trian sinks to a more or less degree at every step.
This Board recommended to the Selectmen that certion sec- tions of cinder sidewalk to be laid this year, the construction to be substantially, as follows : Dig out about six to eight inches
1924]
PLANNING BOARD REPORT. I13
and fill in with cinders, laying also concrete curbing, if possible. The Selectmen advised that they had no funds available. This type of construction is permanent and dry, and even if concrete walks are laid in the future, it provides a base for the same. The Board recommends that a policy of a sidewalk improve- ment, as outlined above, be followed, and expects to bring before the town at the Annual Meeting a definite plan for side- walk improvement.
Roads
This Board also has given thought to the matter of road con- struction. The Board has recommended that the appropriations for permanent road work on important streets should be first spent for laying curbing at proper grades.
Large appropriations have been made for permanent roads by the town each year, and undoubtedly will be asked for in the future. What "permanent" construction really means is an open question. This year $12,000.00 was spent to lay six inch "penetrative" surface on Lincoln avenue. This road begins at the Revere line and extends to Cliftondale square. No curbs are provided. In the opinion of this Board, it will be economy, in the long run, to first lay curbing at proper grades. Curbing would keep the road from spreading, and help drain off the surface water. Even if the town merely resurfaced the streets, for a few years to come, yearly, the mere fact that the road is held together by good curbs will make for a more last- ing road than construction that is laid as this year's has been, with no support at the sides to hold it together. At the same time, the curb would define where the road ends and the side- walk begins, and would help the sidewalk situation. Further- more, it must be kept in mind that certain congested sections of the town must be sewered in the near future, for public health reasons, and if the town can make the present streets last, with yearly repairs and supporting curbs, until such sewers are laid, it will not be under the necessity of tearing up expensive "per- manent" roads. These curbs would be permanent, and once set will serve the town well for many years to come. We believe the Town Engineer substantially agrees with this policy.
Transportation
There is no official information available on the subject of the the electrification of the Saugus Branch of the B. & M. R. R.
8
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
at present, and will not be until the Metropolitan Planning Board issues its report to the General Court, which is ordered for January, 1925, by the Act of the Legislature.
Our Board has followed the subject closely. It was repre- sented at the informal hearing held at the State House, October 23, 1924.
However, all unofficial and informal information obtained to date seems to establish the fact that large expenditures of money would be involved under any plan. These expenditures, together with the interest thereon, must eventually be repaid by the communities served.
After the Commission issues its report, the official hearings on this matter will be held. The Board will be represented on these hearings.
Playground
There is a definite need for playrooms in this town.
This Board, upon considering the matter, has learned that there are two projects to furnish suitable playgrounds being worked out, both of which are fostered, temporarily, by private interests.
Land suitable for this important purpose is rapidly being built upon. While the Board, at this time, offers no particular recommendations, it is our opinion that if the town can acquire suitable playground sites, at a reasonable cost, it should do so.
School House Sites
On the matter of school house sites, this Board recommends that as this is a matter of vital importance to the town, and as available land is rapidly being used for other purposes, a policy of acquiring unoccupied land adjacent to existing school houses, in the more thickly settled parts of the town, be put into effect immediately.
Other matters, especially zoning, are being considered and will be reported on at the proper times.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. MASON, Chairman, H. DWIGHT BISBEE, Sect., CHARLES N. WORMSTEAD, EDWARD GIBBS, JR., CHESTER S. NICKERSON.
115
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.
1924]
Report of Finance Committee
SAUGUS, MASS., January 1, 1925. To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
The Town By-Laws require the appointment of a Finance Committee consisting of seven members to investigate all requests for appropriations and to recommend to the Town Meeting such amounts as in their judgment are necessary to meet the expenses of the Town Government. Ernest consider- ation is given to the real needs of each department and also to the probable tax rate.
The Finance Committee is made up of citizens representing each Precinct of the town and the present members have served on the Committee for periods ranging from three to seven years. All of the members, with the exception of the Secretary, serve without compensation.
During the past year the Finance Committee has held 22 meetings. Its recommendations concerning the appropriations asked for in the two warrants were printed and distributed to the voters previous to the Town Meetings.
The Finance Committee is also in charge of the Reserve Fund and Transfers have been made to many departments which were obliged to incur unforseen expenses in excess of their annual appropriations. The Committee has been liberal in its inter- pretation of the meaning of "unforeseen expenditures."
Board of Assessors
The Assessors' Department is the main income producing department of our Town Government. Equitable taxation depends upon the just valuation of property. In the judgment of the Finance Committee the matter of placing equitable assess- ments should receive the careful and constant attention of the Assessors.
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Bonded Indebtedness
The bonded indebtedness of the town is decreasing at the rate of $22,000 a year. The Finance Committee knows of no public necessity facing us requiring a bond issue in 1925.
Water
The desire for water service is the cause for many special articles in the warrant, and also the cause of much expense to the town. The Finance Committee believes there should be a limit to the amount expended for water service on any street, and if the cost is to be beyond a fixed sum, per taker, the ser- vice should not be extended. Furthermore, each new taker should be obliged to sign a bond agreeing to pay a specified percentage of the cost, each year, for a definite period of years.
Meters
As there are a number of services unmetered the Finance Committee believes as many meters should be installed each year as the Water Department can care for, and that all services in town be metered at the earliest possible date. The town buys water by meter and should sell it by meter. With this object in view the Finance Committee is including in the Budget of the Water Department for 1925 a substantial appropriation for this purpose.
Land Developers
No time should be lost in establishing a policy in relation to the development of unoccupied land. The population of Saugus will undoubtedly increase rapidly within the next few years. The Finance Committee believes no more unoccupied - areas should be divided into house lots unless the size of the lots and the width of the streets meet the requirements of some suit- able fixed standards.
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