USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1927 > Part 8
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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
$65,000 00
Statement of Town Bonded Debt
Water Loans
$36,000 00
1905 Schoolhouse Loan
· 24,000 00
East Saugus Schoolhouse Loan
8,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1916
31,500 00
Lynnhurst Schoolhouse Loan, 1917
4,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1920
10,000 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1922
37,500 00
Schoolhouse Loan, 1925
.
65,000 00
$216,000 00
Total Schoolhouse Bonds Outstand-
ing .
· $180,000 00
Total Water Bonds Outstanding .
36,000 00
$216,000 00
.
143
OUTSTANDING BONDS.
1927]
Temporary Loans Outstanding December 31, 1927 SOLD TO SHAWMUT CORPORATION, BOSTON, MASS.
No.
Date of Issue.
Date Due.
Rate.
Amount.
229
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
$25,000 00
230
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
25,000 00
231
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
25,000 00
232
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.4 [
25,000 00
233
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
10,000 00
234
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
25,000 00
235
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
10,000 00
237
Dec. 23, 1927
Nov. 12, 1928
3.41
5,000 00
$150,000 00
I44
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In Memoriam
During the last year the Town has sustained the loss of many prominent and effective citizens.
How impressive the thought, that have quietly and silently passed out from our ranks while we were marching on, when suddenly we discovered their absence and realized our loss.
With marked respect and a delicate consideration for our departed citizens, we call attention to two who served the Town faithfully and well.
J. WESLEY PAUL
Born in Eliott Maine, March 15, 1847 Died in Saugus September 28, 1927 Selectman, 1897-1901 Board of Registrars, 1904-1927
CARL F. KOCH
Born in New Isenburg, Germany June 9, 1862 Died in Saugus, December 16, 1927 Warden Town Farm, 1908-1922 Police Department, 1911-1927
With them life's tournament here is over, they have laid aside life's restless activities, and with lifted visors they face the tomorrows of a brighter and better world.
I45
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1927]
Report of the Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
By vote of the Annual Town Meeting of 1926, the number of Selectmen was increased from three to five. The Board having been duly elected March 7, 1927, hereby submits its report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1927.
The Board organized March 8, 1927 with the election of Mr. C. F. Nelson Pratt as Chairman, and the appointment of Mr. C. Carroll Cunningham as Secretary.
The outstanding feature for the year of 1927 was the material and beneficial reduction in the tax rate. Your Board strenous- ly urges that the town strictly adhere to the program of a fur- ther tax reduction, and yet maintain a sound policy of establishing needed public improvements.
Substantial progress has been made on the town's program of permanent construction and other streets have received careful at- tention ; in fact the streets of Saugus compare most favorably and in some instances are superior to the streets of surrounding cities and towns.
With the state and county paying equal, a sum was expended in laying permanent construction on Walnut street. This project initiated in 1923, has cost the town $23,235.61 to date. Your Board recommends that an estimated sum $6,500.00 be appropri- ated to complete the project in 1928.
The Lincoln aveune construction has been completed and in- cludes, Washington square, Chestnut street and Winter street to a point opposite number 93. This Board recommends that this construction be extended in 1928 to the corner of Denver street at a cost $15,000. As the new cement bridge at East Saugus has been completed, the Board is recommending that Franklin square be permanently constructed as soon as possible.
The system of scraping, re-shaping and oiling our secondary streets each year, together with applications of cold patching where needed, is showing good results at a minimum of cost con- sidering the great mileage of streets in the town. This system
10
146
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
should be continued to the end that in a few years our streets will have aquired surfaces that can be maintained at the least possible expense.
The town should continue to appropriate a substantial sum of money each year for the construction of monolithic curbing and granolithic sidewalks. At the present time we are appropriat- ing $5,000 each year for both curbing and sidewalk construction. In the future it does not seem that a sum of $10,000 each year would be excessive. Good sidewalks and properly curbed streets are one of the best advertising assets which a town can possess. The policy of laying the new curbing and walks from the principal squares outward is a good one and should be con- tinued by incoming Board of Selectmen.
Saugus has justly earned a reputation for herself by the effi- cient manner in which we remove the snow from our highway. We feel that money expended for this purpose is money well spent. It advertises our town in excellent fashion, it accommo- dates the travel of our citizens greatly, and it saves considerable breaking up of our roads from the action of nature. Our side- walk snow plowing method is antiquated and should be replaced by more modern sidewalk snow removal methods. The day of horse drawn plows has passed. The present method is expen- sive and unsatisfactory as well. There should be a careful survey made of our system of sidewalk snow removal by our Supt. of Public Works. He should make his recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and the Board should by vote carry them out.
The manner in which street lights are now allocated is based upon political expediency rather than the best interests of the town. A man having sufficient " pull " with the Selectmen is quite apt to get his desired street light while another citizen, equally deserving will see his chances fall by the wayside. In order to insure fairness to every citizen the Selectmen should leave the locating of the twenty street lights each year to compe- tent experts of the Lynn Gas & Electric Co., who could survey the town and decide where the new installations each year are most necessary. They would then locate them with no political consideration and the interests of the town would be much better served.
The construction of many new buildings was responsible for a very busy year in the Water Department. We note that 193 new services were installed. Your Board has established the re-
147
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1927]
quirement that all new services shall be metered. During the year 87 fixture services were metered. We have now 930 un- metered services and our recommendation is that the sum of $2,500 be appropriated for the further elimination of these ser- vices during the coming year. The financial report of this de- partment is the most satisfactory for several years.
At the annual town meeting of 1925 it was " voted to appro- priate the sum of $10,000 for the purpose of establishing a sys- tem of water supply in that part of the town of Saugus adjacent to the Saugus-Melrose Line."
The City of Melrose expended $21,000 for water extension in Golden Hills, $5,500 of which was spent for the laying of mains to the Saugus Line. Melrose has only five takers in this section while Saugus has laid 3,200 feet of main making provisions to supply water to 53 cottages. Although the work was com- pleted late in the season, 24 services have been installed and deposits have been made for nine others, $1,500 was expended for a meter at the Saugus-Melrose Line.
In accordance with the instructions of the Special Town Meeting of 1925, a majority of your Board of Selectmen signed a three year contract with the city of Melrose to furnish water at the rate of $10 per million gallons. This is a larger rate than Saugus pays to Lynn for water, but the residents of Golden Hills will pay a minimum rate of $15 per taker while consum- ers in other sections of the town pay a minimum charge of $10 for the same amount. We feel that the town has made a good investment.
The establishment of an adequate system of drainage is urgent and imperative. Dependence upon natural drains for the dispo- sition of surface drainage cannot be permanent. We are fre- quently receiving complaints that in numerous cases these drains are badly polluted with sewerage.
In many localities a continous nuisance exists due to overflow- ing cesspools and, although the owners are willing, they have not been able to abate these nuisances. Our attention is called to the numerous private sewers that are maintained contrary to existing laws and to the fact that the natural waterways, into which these sewers flow, are a decided menace to public health. Numerous drains which are the only source for the disposition of surface drainage are located upon private property and the owners of such property are protesting against the flooding of their land due to diverting the surface water of such drains from land not entitled to such an outlet.
148
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We have been requested to endorse a bill filed with the Legis- lature requesting authority for the town to borrow outside of the debt limit the sum of $500,000 for sewer purpose and to issue bonds to mature over a period of years.
At the Annual Town Meeting of 1925 the sum of $1, 100 was appropriated "for the purpose of having a preliminary survey of the town made to ascertain the possibilities of a sewerage sys- tem." Said sum was expended and such survey was made under direction of the Planning Board.
We would refer you to the annual report of the Planning Board for the year 1925 which contains a preliminary report on "A system of sewers for the town of Saugus." At the last annual town meeting a committe was appointed to give further consideration to this problem and will probably make suitable recommendations in their report.
The board has been represented by its chairman and other members at hearings and conferences concerning the welfare of the town. Protests were presented to the Department of Public Utilities on the curtailment of train service but no decision has. been rendered as yet. An appeal relative to the increase in fire insurance rates was taken before the Insurance Appeal Board but no finding has been made. The Fire Marshal sustained the Board in the only appeal made from the garage permits granted by the Selectmen.
The Board by virtue of the increase in fire insurance rates was compelled to cancel all outstanding policies and write them for a short period extending beyond the 1928 town meeting rather than call a special town meeting to raise adequate funds to meet the increase. At the same time the board employed an engineer to determine the sound value of the major town buildings, and as a result increased the insurance value on these buildings about $300,000. The wisdom of this action was illustrated in the Town Hall and Town Farm fires in which the new overcharge gave the town about $11,000 over the old valuation. The Board appreciates the assistance and cooperation in both these fires of Mr. Frederick L. Sawyer.
A conference was held with a large group of insurance brok- ers, out of which came some very valuable and highly construct- ive suggestions for which the Board is extremely grateful.
During the recent conflagration the town received much assist- ance from the fire departments of Lynn and Melrose, and in appreciation of this splendid cooperation sent the respective de-
149
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1927]
partments letters of thanks. The housing of a Lynn pump with a crew of men in the Central Fire Station over night on one occasion was an act affording the town protection it would have been unable to have with our own kit in operation.
The Board, by direction and authority of the town meeting, constructed a modern cement garage for the Public Works De- partment and desires to call your attention to the fact that local architects were employed, local sub-contractors were allocated work so far as possible and and a balance of over $500 was turned back to the town after completion.
While better transportation is to be greatly desired, the Board is mindful of the fact that no gain comes without the utmost per- severence and hard work. New systems are not installed over night. The cooperation of the Hart Bus Line is appreciated and it would require much effort to greatly improve bus type of service.
That there have been some very creditable personal and col- lective effort on the part of the various Town Boards to comply with the policy of tax reductions is shown in the returns to the town treasury of approximately $12,000. The Board appreci- ates this cooperation and also thanks the citzens for their assistance in the many problems with which it has been confronted. Various matters relative to improvements and recommendations are set forth in Town Warrant as will be pre- sented to the citizens in the budgets and for this reason the Board foregoes further comment at this time.
A continuance of the present policy together with the close adherence to business methods, cooperation and increased effi- ciency of the various departments, as demanded by this board, should materially decrease the tax rate in the year 1928.
Signed, C. F. NELSON PRATT, Chairman. HAROLD E. DODGE, VERNON W. EVANS, GEORGE H. MASON, HARRY WOODWARD.
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Minority Report upon Municipal Garage
To the Citizens of Saugus:
In all of my service upon town boards and committees I have never yet seen fit to present a minority report to the citizens. I would be remiss in my duties as a Selectman, however, if this year I made no mention to the townspeople concerning the municipal garage which was constructed this year under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. I note with interest and sympathetic understanding that the main report of our board makes very little mention of the municipal garage. I am sur- prised that the Selectmen, who have in newspaper articles painted the new municipal garage in such glowing terms, have neglected in their official report to the citizens to paint it in the same glowing colors.
When a municipality expends nearly $10,000 for a public building it is entitled to receive in return a building which is worth approximately the same amount. Saugus did not get such a building in its new municipal garage. In other words the town did not receive a dollar's value for a dollar expended.
The garage was constructed with little or no supervision. When a municipality allows a building to be erected with little or no supervision they cannot expect the contractor to live up to his specifications. The Board of Selectmen engaged the ser- vices of two local architects to draw up plans for the garage and to supervise its construction. They received approximately $300 each for their services. The architect, who attempted to do a little supervising, proved a dismal failure and the super- vision of the other · architect was extremely scant. As a result the town received a poorly constructed building for an expendi- ture of nearly $10,000. When I say poorly constructed I am putting it mildly. Some of the features of its construction are abhorrent to any fair-minded person. I shall cite these features later. Space will not permit a detailing of them in this brief minority report.
From statements made by one of the architects before the Board of Selectmen the latter had a right to believe that the building was not properly constructed. They held up the balance of the money due the contractor upon my motion. Yet they hastened to repeal their vote upon the very day that the trial time limit upon the building expired. Upon that day they
151
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1927]
accepted it. And even now one member of the Board is vigor- ously attemping to secure for the contractor a sum of money which neither architect says he is entitled to. In all of my ser- vice upon Town Boards I have never seen such a keen interest displayed in looking out for the interests of a contractor and so little for the interests of the town. The fact that the Selectmen make no defense of the garage in their report to the citizens is proof positive that the building is not what it should be. About all that they say in their report is "This is the house that Jack built."
I do not make statements that I cannot substantiate. I can prove to the citizens that the new municipal garage is a "juicy, luscious lemon."
Let us all hope that the next time Saugus has a new building constructed that it will obtain a dollar's worth of value for each dollar expended. There is no reason why municipalities should be easy prey for contractors to wax fat upon.
Respectfully submitted, VERNON W. EVANS.
152
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 1927 and 1928-the Board organized on March 8, 1927. Charles N. Wormstead, Chairman ; John C. Pitman, Secretary. George Tweedy was elected to take the place of Chester Nick- erson, Frank Ramsdell and Charles Pugsley. Regular meetings were held this year on the first and third Mondays of each month.
The Town meeting of March, 1926, voted an appropriation of $1,500 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, and at the Town Meeting of March, 1927, a Committee was appointed to confer with the Planning Board, and present a revised Zoning Plan and By-Law at the next town meeting. The Planning Board, together with the Committee appointed at the March Town Meeting, 1927, begs to report that it has held a number of meetings and conferences, and has given careful consideration to the varions aspects of the proposed scheme. As a result it desires to recom- mend the adoption of the scheme with certain changes which are suggested.
The best interests of the town as a whole will, in the opinion of your committee, be served by this moderate plan of regula- tion, rather than by a hit-or-miss method of development, such as results without zoning. The trend of the country is in the direction of protection. With the changes suggested, we con- sider the proposal reasonable and promising of good results. Time and experience may indicate that further changes should be made. Such changes are made possible by state law and by the terms of the by-law. In our opinion action should be taken now, as offering much in the way of needed protection and the only effective basis of experience upon which to found further improvements in the law, which is better than trying to further improve the by-law on a theoretical basis.
The by-law and map as revised are submitted herewith. It
153
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1927]
should be noted that by these changes semi-detached houses are permitted in any part of the town, the two-family areas and the business areas are greatly increased, that any dwelling now existing may be rebuilt on its original foundation in case of fire, that side yards may vary in width provided the combined width equals a reasonable amount, that piazzas and other usual pro- jections may extend into front yards, that a larger coverage of business lots is allowed, that automobile repair shops may be allowed in any business district, and that the by-law has been in several ways simplified.
PLAY-GROUNDS
The Planning Board is still very much interested in play- grounds and parks. It believes that the town should continue its policy of providing an appropriation to carry on this worthy project.
SIDEWALKS
The Board is in favor of continuing the sidewalk project, and recommends an appropriation for this purpose.
WOODBURY AVENUE AND BRIDGE
The Board further recommends that Woodbury avenue should be improved, and a substantial bridge be constructed across the Saugus river, to accommodate commercial traffic.
CEMETERY
The Board recommends that the town give consideration as to the advisability of the purchase of the cemetery opposite Monument square at Saugus Center.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES N. WORMSTEAD, Chairman. JOHN C. PITMAN, Secretary, GEORGE A. TWEEDY, FRANK M. RAMSDELL.
Members of Planning Board.
154
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health
SAUGUS, MASS., December 31, 1927.
The Board of Health herewith submits the following report for the year 1927.
APPOINTED
Plumbing Inspector, Thomas C. Sutherst ; Inspector of Milk and Cattle, John W. Hitchings, V. S .; Burial Agent, Lillian Shores ; Care of Dead Animals, W. Charles Sellick.
HEALTH AND SANITATION
The Health Department has had a very hard year having worked under unusual disadvantages the last part of the year without an office in the Town Hall. Due to increased work in the office with which we were connected we have been obliged to vacate and have no place where calls can be received except the chairman's home. This is a great inconvenience to his home and unsatisfactory to the citizens and we hope this may be remedied during the coming year. There has been 1 16 cases of Scarlet Fever reported. Three of these cases were treated at the hospital being committed from Saugus ; the remaining cases were cared for at home. Several cases occurred in families living out of town but having a Saugus settlement were treated at hospitals at our expense.
The number of patients being treated for Tuberculosis has in- creased during the past year. At present we are paying $40.30 per week for board and care of these patients. This is paid from our appropriation but the town is later reimbursed $5.00 per week for each patient by the State.
In an effort to pay all current bills we have used money which was appropriated for salaries. This could not be transferred from the Reserve Fund and the Board has to await action of the Town Meeting.
Many have considered the expenditure of $500.00 for mos- quito prevention as unwise, this may be true as due to unusual
155
BOARD of HEALTH REPORT.
1927]
rains the work was not as satisfactory as it ordinary would have been. However we did what the citizens seemed to want and feel that it was good judgment, not having fore-knowledge of the rainy season.
It is very apparent that our appropriations have not been in keeping with the needs of a 15,000 population. We were obliged to appoint a Milk Inspector and had no appropriation to provide a salary for same and could get no transfer from the Reserve Fund.
We have spent the $2,700.00 appropriated at the Town Meeting which is only $200.00 in excess of the appropriation of this department for the past 10 years. The 1927 unpaid bills amount to $546.61. While it is impossible to anticipate the exact amount of money needed for any year, there should be enough appropriated to allow the department to function in matters protecting the public health. We sincerely hope that the citizens will realize the importance of this and make pro- vision for same.
Infantile Paralysis has given us some concern, 4 cases having been reported, I case having proved fatal. We are keeping in touch with the Department of Research and the Department of Public Health for such facts as are available meagre though they may be. This is a very slow and to say the least, unsatis- factory work although every effort is being made for definite facts and treatment.
A Schick Clinic has been held for pupils desiring to take advantage of its benefits. This work has almost eliminated Diphtheria from the Saugus schools, only 2 of the 10 cases reported were of school age.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. LIGHT, Chairman, TOM D. EMMETT, Secretary, GEORGE W. GALE, Department Physician.
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Proposed Zoning Law for the Town of Saugus
SECTION I. To promote the health, safety, morals, con- venience and general welfare of its inhabitants, to lessen the danger from fire and congestion, and to improve and beautify the town under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter forty, Sections twenty-five to thirty-A inclusive and Chapter one hundred and forty-three, Section three, and all additions and amendments thereto, the following by-law, to be known as the Zoning By-law, is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. Definitions. In this by-law the following terms shall have the meanings here assigned to them :
(a) A Family : Any number of individuals living and cooking together on the premises as a single housekeeping unit.
(b) A Dwelling : Any building used in whole or in part for habitation.
(c) A One-Family House : A detached dwelling designed for and occupied by a single family.
(d) Semi-detached House : Two one-family houses built together at the same time and separated by a fire-proof division with no openings.
(e) A Two-Family House : A detached dwelling designed for two families.
(f) Apartments : A dwelling for more than two families, or for one or more families over any non-residential use.
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