USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1926 > Part 10
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2 03
42 20
2 00
40 20
W.3 .- 466 Woods, Alfred
45 00
2 28
47 28
2 25
45 º3
197
1926]
TRUST FUNDS.
74
Wood, Sarah A.
50 03
·
·
·
·
·
Trust Funds in Hands of the Treasurer, Income of which is applied toward Perpetual Care of Lots
Lot No. Nam
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1926
New Accounts recorded during 1926 30 00
Interest on deposit during 1926
Total Credtt 30 00
Paid for care of lot
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1926 30 00
Gr'v's 876-877 Woodward, Harry ·
W. 383 Walkey, Thizra A. and
Thirza Youlden
79 53
4 0I
83 54
4 25
79 29
N. Watson, Agnes E. and Ada Watson O'Loughlin ·
·
30 00
30 00
30 00
Gr'ves 884-885 Westerstand, Henry W. ·
30 00
30 00
30 00
Brierly Whitehead, Martha J.
·
200 00
200 00
200 00
Single Graves .
105 23
4 77
110 00
5 00
105 00
$35, 142 93 $2,448 60 $1,689 26 $39, 280 84 $1,731 67 $37,549 17
198
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
199
BALANCE SHEET.
1926]
Balance Sheet January 1, 1927 After Closing Books
DR.
CR.
Accounts Receivable
$1,687 27
Henry A. Parker, Collector, 1926 Tax
213,360 14
Tax Titles
41,701 84
Final Sales
.
.
9,312 23
WATER :
H. A. Parker, Collector, June 1924
2 50
December, 1924
50 28
June, 1925
164 02
66
December, 1925
670 23
66 June, 1926
1,655 32
December, 1926
2,063 82
Receipts of Water Department
$4,606 17
Surplus Water Bonus Funds
5,595 76
Water Service Deposits
2,160 00
1926 Overlay
2,344 59
1925 Overlay
1,789 65
Overlay Reserve Account
1,244 69
Premium Account
135 35
School Construction Balances
12 97
Macadum Construction Balances
106 40
Elm Street Reconstruction .
449 99
Permanent Construction
1,246 07
Walnut Street Reconstruction
6,749 66
Lincoln Avenue School ( 1925)
16,373 41
Cliftondale Recreation Park
151 41
Town Hall Repairs
221 59
Old Town Hall Repairs
333 67
Zoning
1,000 00
Land for School Purposes (Lynnhurst)
1,100 00
Golden Hills Water
10,000 00
Temporary Loans
175,000 00
Net Bonded Debt
236,000 00
9,000 00
High and Emerson Schools, 1905
27,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1916 .
35,000 00
Lynnhurst Schoolhouse Loan, 1917
4,500 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1920
11,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1922
70,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1925
12,000 00
Water Loan, 1910 .
16,000 00
1914 .
1,000 00
1914
5,000 00
Trust Funds"
39,997 77
Perpetual Care Funds
39,997 77
Library Trust Funds
2,051 95
George Melvin Wilson.Fund
2,051 95
Cash
50,103 05
SURPLUS (Excess Deficiency )
54,227 22
Tax Titles Revenue
386 27
Gypsy Moth Revenue
39,115 12
Excess Deficiency
$600,610 07 $600,610 07
1916
5,500 00
1917
40,000 00
Ballard School Loan, 1905 .
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Balance Sheet As at December 31, 1926
LIABILITY ACCOUNTS AND SURPLUS
Temporary Loans in anticipation
of taxes
Water Service Deposits
$175,000 00 2,160 00
Appropriation Balances :
Elm Street Reconstruction
$449 99
Permanent Construction
1,246 07
Walnut Street Construction
6,749 66 1
New Lincoln School .
16,373 41
Cliftondale Park
151 41
Town Hall Repairs
221 59
Old Town Hall Repairs
333 67
Zoning
1,000 00
Land for School Purposes,
Lynnhurst
1,100 00
Golden Hills Water
10,000 00
37,625 80
Water Receipts Uncollected
$4,606 17
Gypsy Moth Receipts Uncollected
386 27
4,992 44
Surplus War Bonus Funds
$5,595 76
Premium Account .
135 36
Old School Construction Balances
12 97
Old Macadam Construction Balances
106 40
Overlay, 1926
2,344 59
Overlay Reserve Account
1,244 69
Tax Title Revenue Account
54,227 22
Excess Deficiency Account,
Balance 12-31-1926
(adjusted) $10,621 19
1926 Credit 28,493 93
39,115 12
102,782 II
322,560 35
ACCOUNTS
Schoolhouse Loans .
$196,500 00
Water Loans
39,500 00
236,000 00
ACCOUNTS
Perpetual Care Funds
$39,997 77
George Melvin Wilson
Library Trust Fund
2,051 95
$42,049 72
.
-
201
BALANCE SHEET.
1926]
Balance Sheet As at December 31, 1925
ASSET ACCOUNTS
Cash on hand and in bank
$50,103 05 ·
Uncollected Taxes, 1926
213,360 14
Uncollected Water Charges
·
4,606 17
Accounts Receivable :
Due from State and Cities and Towns · 1,687 27
Tax Titles (not final) .
41,701 84
Final Tax Takings
9,312 23
1925 Overlay (overrun to be raised by taxation in 1927)
1,789 65
$322,560 35
DEBT
Net Bonded Debt ( Balancing Account) $236,000 00
TRUST Cemetery Trust Funds on deposit, savings banks, $39,997 77 Library Trust Funds (income only to be used for purchase of books) . 2,051 95
$42,049 72
202
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Outstanding Bonds
1910 Water Loan Coupon Bonds July 10, 1910, Payable as follows at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 17. Due July 10, 1927, at 4 per cent . $1,000 00
No. 18. Due July 10, 1928, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 19. Due July 10, 1929, at 4 per cent . 1,000 00
No. 20. Due July 10, 1930, at 4 per cent .
.
1,000 00
No. 21. Due July 10, 1931, at 4 per cent 1,000 00
No. 22. Due July 10, 1932, at 4 per cent . 1,000 00
No. 23. Due July 10, 1933, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 24. Due July 10, 1934, at 4 per cent .
.
1,000 00
No. 25. Due July 10, 1935, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 26. Due July 10, 1936, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 27. Due July 10, 1937, at 4 per cent .
· 1,000 00
No. 28. Due July 10, 1938, at 4 per cent .
1,000 0Q
$12,000 00
Coupon Water Bonds of 1914, Issued under Chapter 133, Acts of 1911, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 13. Due May 1, 1927, at 42 per cent . $1,000 00
No.º 14. Due May 1, 1928, at 42 per cent . 1,000 00
No. 15. Due May 1, 1929, at 42 per cent . .
1,000 00
No. 16. Due May 1, 1930, at 42 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 17. Due May 1, 1931, at 42 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 18. Due May 1, 1932, at 4} per cent . · 1,000 00
No. 19. Due May 1, 1933, at 42 per cent . . 1,000 00
No. 20. Due May 1, 1934, at 42 per cent . . 1,000 00
203
1926]
OUTSTANDING BONDS.
No. 21. Due May 1, 1935, at 42 per cent .
$1,000 00
No. 22. Due May 1, 1936, at 42 per cent . 1,000 00
No. 23. Due May 1, 1937, at 42 per cent . 1,000 00 ·
No. 24. Due May 1, 1938, at 42 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 25. Due May 1, 1939, at 42 per cent . ·
1,000 00
No. 26. Due May 1, 1940, at 42 per cent . 1,000 00
No. 27. Due May 1, 1941, at 42 per cent . .
1,000 00
No. 28. Due May 1, 1942, at 42 per cent .
1,000 00
$16,000 00
Coupon Water Bonds of 1914, Issued under Chapter 133, Acts of 1914, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 13. Due May 1, 1927, at 42 per cent . · $500 00
No. 14. Due May 1, 1028, at 42 per cent. .
500 00
$1,000 00
Coupon Water Bonds of 1916 Issued under Chapter 133, Acts of 1914, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 35. Due May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$500 00
No. 36. Due May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 37. Due May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent 500 00 .
No. 38. Due May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 39. Due May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 40. Due May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 40. Due May 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
500 00
Ne. 42. Due May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 43. Due May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent 500 00
No. 44. Due May 1, 1936, at 4 per cent
500 00
·
·
$5,000 00
204
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Coupon Water Bonds of 1917, Issued under Chapter 133, Acts of 1914 Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 54. Due May 1, 1927, at 42 per cent
$500 00
No. 55. Due May 1, 1928, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 56. Due May 1, 1929, at 42 per cent 500 00 .
No. 57. Due May 1, 1930, at 42 per cent 500 00
No. 58. Due May 1, 1931, at 42 per cent
.
500 00
No. 59. Due May 1, 1932, at 42 per cent
·
500 00
No. 60. Due May 1, 1933, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 61. Due May 1, 1934, at 4₺ per cent
500 00
No. 62. Due May 1, 1935, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 63. Due May 1, 1936, at 42 per cent 500 00
No. 64. Due May 1, 1937, at 4} per cent
500 00
$5,500 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1916, Payablefat Beacon Trust Co.
No. 41-43. May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$3,000 00
No. 44. May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
. 500 00
No. 45-47. May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
3,000 00 No. 48. May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 49-51. May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 52. May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 53-55.
May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 56. May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent 500 00
No. 57-59.
May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 60. May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 61-63. May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 64.
May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 65-67.
May 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 68. May 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 69-71. May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 72. May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 73-75. May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 76. May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
500 00
No. 77-79. May 1, 1936, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 80. May 1, 1936, at 4 per cent
500 00
$35,000 00
205
OUTSTANDING BONDS.
1926]
Schoolhouse Loan, 1922, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 5. Due May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$2,500 00
No. 6. Due May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent 2,500 00
No. 7. Due May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent 2,500 00
No. 8. Due May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 9. Due May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 10. Due May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
. 2,500 00
No. II.
Due May 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 12.
Due May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
.
2,500 00
No. 13. Due May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
.
2,500 00
No. 14. Due May 1, 1936, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 15. Due May 1, 1937, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 16.
Due May 1, 1938, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 17. Due May 1, 1939, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 18. Due May 1, 1940, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 19. Dne May 1, 1941, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
No. 20. Due May 1, 1942, at 4 per cent
2,500 00
$40,000 00
East Saugus Schoolhouse Loan under Chapter 297, Acts of 1905, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 17. Due May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$1,000 00
No. 18. Due May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
1,000 00
No. 19. Due May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent 1,000 00
No. 20. £ Due May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 21. Due May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent .
1,000 00
No. 22. Due May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
.
1,000 00
No. 23. Due May 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
1,000 00
No. 24. Due May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
· 1,000 00
No. 25. Due May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
1,000 00
.
$9,000 00
206
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
1905 Schoolhouse Loan, Payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts
No. 25. August 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$3,000 00
No. 26. August 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 27. August 1, 1929, at 4 per cent 3,000 00
No. 28. August 1, 1930, at 4 per cent 3,000 00
No. 29. August 1, 1931, at 4 per cent 3,000 00
No. 30. August 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 31. August 1, 1933, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 32. August 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
No. 33.
August 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
3,000 00
$27,000 00
Lynahurst Schoolhouse Loan, 1917, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 10. Due May 1, 1927, at 42 per cent
$500 00
No. II. Due May 1, 1928, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 12. Due May 1, 1929, at 42 per cent 500 00
No. 13. Due May 1, 1930, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 14. Due May 1, 1931, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 15. Due May 1, 1932, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 16. Due May 1, 1933, at 42 per cent
500 00
No. 17. Due May 1, 1934, at 42 per cent 500 00
No. 18. Due May 1, 1925, at 42 per cent
500 00
$4,500 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1920, Payable at Beacon Trust Co.
No. 7. Due June 1, 1927, at 52 per cent
$1,000 00
No. 8. Due June 1, 1928, at 52 per cent
· 1,000 00
No. 9. Due June 1, 1929, at 52 per cent
1,000 00
No. 10 Due June 1, 1930, at 52 per cent
. 1,000 00
No. II. Due June 1, 1931, at 52 per cent
1,000 00
No. 12. Due June 1, 1932, at 52 per cent Due June 1, 1933, at 52 per cent No. 13.
1,000 00
No. 14. Due June 1, 1934, at 52 per cent
. 1,000 00
No. 15. Due June 1, 1935, at 52 per cent
1,000 00
No. 16. Due June 1, 1936, at 52 per cent
1,000 00
No. 17. Due June 1, 1937, at 52 per cent
1,000 00
·
.
.
1,000 00
.
$11,000 00
207
OUTSTANDING BONDS.
1926]
Schoolhouse Loan, 1925
No. 2. Due May 1, 1927, at 4 per cent
$5,000 00
No. 3. Due May 1, 1928, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 4. Due May 1, 1929, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 5. Due May 1, 1930, at 4 per cent
.
5,000 00
No. 6. Due May 1, 1931, at 4 per cent
·
5,000 00
No. 7. Due May 1, 1932, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No.
8. Due May 1, 1934, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 9. Due May 1, 1935, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 10. Due May 1, 1936, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. II. Due May 1, 1937, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 12. Due May 1, 1938, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 13. Due May 1, 1939, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 14. Due May 1, 1940, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
No. 15. Due May 1, 1941, at 4 per cent
5,000 00
$70,000 00
Temporary Loans, Outstanding December 31, 1926
SOLD TO SHAWMUT CORPORATION, BOSTON, MASS.
No.
Date of Issue
Date Due
Rate
Amount
201
August 20, 1926
June 15, 1927
3.80
$10,000 00
202
August 20, 1926
June 15, 1927
3.80
10,000 00
203
August 20, 1926
June 15, 1927 3.80
5,000 00
SOLD TO GRAFTON CO., BOSTON, MASS.
208
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
25,000 00
209
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
25,000 00
210
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
25,000 00
211
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
25,000 00
212
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
25,000 00
213
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
10,000 00
214
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
10,000 00
215
Dec. 23, 1926
Nov. 10, 1927 3.639
5,000 00
.
.
.
$175,000 00
208
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Statement of Town Bonded Debt
Water Loans
$39,500 00
1905 Schoolhouse Loan
. 29,000 00
East Saugus Schoolhouse Loan
8,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1916
35,000 00
Lynnhurst Schoolhouse Loan, 1917
4,500 00 ·
Schoolhouse Loan, 1920
.
11,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1922
40,000 00 .
Schoolhouse Loan, 1925
·
70,000 00
$236,000 00
Total Schoolhouse Bonds Outstand-
ing . · $196,500 00
Total Water Bonds Outstanding ·
39,500 00
$236,000 00
HENRY A, PARKER
209
IN MEMORIAM.
1926]
In Memoriam
HENRY ALBERT PARKER
Born in Saugus, November 9, 1861. Died in Saugus, January 2, 1927
Town Clerk, 1904-1927 Tax Collector, 1909-1927
These pages in our Annual Town Report for 1926 are devoted by the townspeople of Saugus to the honored memory of a public official of the highest type who served us well for nearly a quarter of a century.
He commended himself to our affections in his official life by his honesty, intelligence, impartiality and his strict sense of duty, which led him often far beyond his actual legal duties in his endeavor to serve.
He was especially interested in developing, indexing and perfecting our Town Records and has left them in excellent condition. Among other things he accomplished for the lasting benefit of the town was the compilation of a One Hundred Year Index of Vital Statistics. This index completed shortly before he died, has earned the commendation of all who appreci- ate the lasting value of such a work, and the great amount of labor, research, and patience required in its preparation.
His fellow townsmen expressed their unqualified appreciation of his ability and worth by returning him year after year to the offices he filled so faithfully, efficiently and conscientiously, by overwhelming majorities when he was opposed, which was seldom.
They hereby express their deep regret for the loss which the town sustained when he passed from this life January 2, 1927 at about 11.45 P. M.
14
210
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Planning Board
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
The Planning Board herewith submits its annual report for 1926-27. The Board organized on March 15, 1926, with Chas. N. Wormstead as Chairman and Chester Nickerson, Secretary. Mr. Frank Ramsdell was reelected in March 1926 and Mr. John Pitman was elected to the place vacated by Mr. George Mason. Regular meetings were held this year on the first and third Mondays of each month. The Board worked on the following problems :
ZONING
The Town Meeting of March, 1926, voted an appropriation of $15,000 for the purpose of bringing before the town in March, 1927, a Zoning Plan and By-Laws which was to be prepared under the direction of the Planning Board.
The Board first consulted Mr. E. T. Hartman, State Con- sultant on Housing and Planning as to the best procedure for carrying out this work. He advised retaining an expert on Zoning to prepare maps and by-laws. The Board called for bids. After due consideration we voted unanimously to employ Mr. Hartman at a cost of $1,000.
Under his direction a tentative plan and by-law has been pre- pared for presentation to the citizens at a series of hearings. A final plan amended and changed, if the people so decide, will be brought before the March Town Meeting.
People in general now recognize that Zoning is for the best interests of cities and towns. We, therefore, earnestly request that all voters support this program as we firmly believe it to be for the best interests of the town and its people.
SEWERAGE
The Town Meeting of March 1926, voted that prior to May I , 1926, the Selectmen call a conference of the Board of Health, Assessors, Finance Committee and Planning Board, to make recommendations for a further study of Sewerage. Three meet-
211
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1926]
ings were held during the year. At the meeting of January 6, 1927, a committee of five was appointed to draw an article for the next Annual Town Meeting. The article so drawn will be incorporated in the Town Warrant. It was the unanimous opinion of the conference that the Sewerage question should be given immediate further study and careful thought.
PLAYGROUNDS
This Board still is very much interested in Playgrounds and Parks. It believes that the town should continue its policy of providing playgrounds. We are pleased to note that a Play- ground Commission is to be elected this coming year to take care of such work.
MUNICIPAL GARAGE
At the March meeting of 1926 this Board asked for further time in connection with its investigation concerning a municipal garage. From our study this year the Board has decided that a garage and workshop are absolutely essential and necessary for the Public Works Department. At present this department leaves its trucks, tractors, and other equipment out of doors at the mercy of the weather as there is no place whatsoever pro- vided for storing them. This results in unnecessary wear and tear. We believe that a heated garage would pay for itself by the saving ; in labor, in deterioration of equipment and availi- bility of equipment it would effect. The Planing Board will sponser an article asking that such a building be constructed.
CHARLES N. WORMSTEAD, Chairman, CHESTER S. NICKERSON, Scretary, CHARLES B. PUGSLEY, JOHN C. PITMAN,
212
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Finance Committee
January 31, 1927.
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
During the year 1926,25 meetings were held by this Committee, of which 16 meetings were for the preparation of recommend- ations of amounts to be appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting.
Transfers were voted by this Committee from the Reserve Fund as follows :
Accountant's Department
$50 00
Treasurer's Department
30 00
Collector's Department
115 00
Assessors' Department
100 00
Law Department
51 51
Town Hall Account
300 00
Bond Premium Account
19 50
Gypsy Moth Department
2,200 00
Health Department
1,100 00
Snow and Ice
820 00
School Repairs
150 00
Memorial Day
27 33
Printing and Distributing Town Report
50 00
Water Maintenance
950 00
Water Extension
20 50
Cemetery
13 50
Total
$5,997 34
In our previous annual report attention was called to the increase in the rate of taxation annually taking place in Saugus. The increase of $3.15 per $1,000 in the tax rate of 1926 over that of 1925 has been experienced by all the taxpayers and we hope that the interest in town finances thus aroused will make itself felt at the Town Meeting of 1927.
Saugus, like other towns, must expect a constantly increasing
213
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.
1926]
tax rate unless the voters at the Town Meeting see that appro- priations are not increased out of proportion to the annual increase in taxable property. This has not been the case in previous years, as is shown by the following table.
Increase in
Increase in
Year
Valuation over preceding year
Per Cent of Increase
Appropriations over preceding year
Per Cent of Increase
1924
$423,242
4.3 %
$39,077
9.1 %
1925
767,070*
6.8 %*
62,94I
13.7 %
1926
634,352
5.3
45,527
8.6 %
Average annual per
Average annual per cent. of increase in
cent. of increase
in Valuation
5.46 %
Appropriations 10.46 %
Your Committee feels that certain appropriations are made each year which are not necessary and which place undue burdens on the citizens. It is our endeavor to recommend a budget to the voters which will provide adequate funds for the maintenance of the numerous departments and activities of the town and yet will not result in increased taxation. If the voters will support this Committee in its recommendations made at the Town Meeting, they will find a substantial saving reflected in their tax bills.
WATER
Again we recommend that a substantial number of new meters be placed on unmetered services annnally until all services are metered.
We recommend that the cost of proposed extensions be ascer- tained as near as possible before they are commenced. The town should not be committed to new undertakings without knowing the full extent of the cost before work is begun.
Last year this Committee recommended that a special com- mittee be appointed to examine into certain phases of the opera- tions of the Water Department, as it appears at present to be a costly enterprise and not on a paying basis. We trust that the recommendations of this special committee to be made at the March meeting will receive earnest consideration by the citizens.
STREET LIGHTING
We call attention to a practice that has obtained with the Selectmen in the past of not installing additional street lights
* Not including flat raise of 10% in 1925 on all land and buildings previously assessed.
214
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
until practically the end of the year in order to get as many new lights as possible under the appropriation. That is, if $1oo has been appropriated for new lights, there have been ordered as many new lights as said sum would take care of for one month instead of for one year. This has resulted in an increase of several hundred dollars in the street lighting bill for the succeed- ing year. We recommend that the Selectmen discontinue this practice and install only such number of additional lights as the appropriation is intended to provide.
HERBERT P. MASON, Chairman. GEORGE E. SPRAGUE, Secretary. HARRY WOODWARD, HENRY A. MCCULLOUGH, HARRY W. MERRILL, NICHOLAS B. EVANS, CRAWFORD STOCKER, JR.
Finance Committee.
215
SELECTMAN'S REPORT.
1926]
Report of Selectman C. F. NELSON PRATT
In the absence of a majority report the following is submitted relative to the administration of 1926 together with suggestions as to definite policies for 1927.
The permanent construction program for Walnut and Water streets with-State and County Aid should be continued. Winter street should be reconstructed from Chestnut to Central of a type in accordance with recommendations and specifications of the State Department of Public Works. The type of construction on Lincoln avenue the past three years is unsatisfactory and indicates false economy. The permanent reconstruction of Howard and Main streets from the Melrose line to the Newbury- port turnpike should be undertaken with State and County Aid. Without further delay Main street at a point east of the turn- pike should be widened and ledge removed. Necessity dictates a reasonable repair program for the highways.
Street lines should be defined and grades established before sidewalk construction or permanent highways are built or water mains laid. It is imperative that an appropriation be made this year for a start in this work.
The town experienced more trouble in sidewalk construction for 1926 and as a measure of economy it is urged that the town build its own sidewalks, The location of sidewalk north of monument is improper and will prove to be an expensive under- taking in the future to remedy this condition. Satisfactory arrangements should have been made with the owner to avoid future costly expenditure.
Water as ever is an absolute necessity but sound business methods should be installed in the department and a definite policy established for water extensions. Service installation continues as a bone of contention and immediately steps should be taken to devise more satisfactory methods. Serious thought should be given the matter of meter installation on unmetered services, as the town cannot indefinitely postpone the day of reckoning in the Water Department, Comparison of revenue
216
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
and expenditures is not encouraging and clearly indicates some- thing radically wrong. Replacement of cement water mains has been delayed too long, and while good fortune has favored us, a start in this undertaking is mandatory.
It is urged that an investigation be made of the advisability of making a new water contract with the City of Lynn at much lower rates. The Metropolitan System is worthy of careful investigation and serious consideration. Incidently the present revenue derived from Lynn for land in Saugus, used for water purposes is insignificant and a fair and equitable valuation should be made in order to enable the town to be properly reimbursed.
The need for proper and careful checking and weighing of materials purchased still exists.
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