USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1928 > Part 11
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MEMORIAL BUILDING
With the present Legion building greatly in need of extensive and costly repairs it would seem advisable to study the question of building a Memorial building for the service man and having it so designed as to be used for a fire station as well, for new housing is very essential for the Fire Department.
OLD BURIAL GROUNDS
Upon request of the Universalist Church trustees, the select- men have inserted an article in the Warrant for the purchase of the old burial grounds, and this is recommended.
192
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF
State Aid and Soldiers' Relief has proven to be quite a prob- lem and difficult to determine any definite plan. The town must and should care for those entitled to assistance, and the best is none too good for them.
Charles M. O'Connor was appointed director and has done exceptionally good work.
HIGHWAYS
The town has petitioned for help from both State and County for the completion of Walnut street and also for the permanent construction of Main and Howard streets from the Newburyport turnpike to the Melrose line.
Construction of a semi-permanent nature should be undertaken on the following streets during 1929; Vine street, Main street from Franklin street to the turnpike, Central street from Elm street to Walnut street ; Essex street from Anawan avenue to the turnpike.
Other streets which deserve consideration and some thing ought to be done on them, are as follows :- Lawndale avenue, Walnut street from North Saugus square to the Lynnfield line and Ballard street.
Resurfacing of Pleasant street, Riverside court, Myrtle street, Pearson street, Eustis street and a more extensive program of pea stone and tar treatment for several important streets hereto- fore neglected.
Surface treatment of the permanent construction is very necessary and would be an economical measure. Likewise the creation of a patrol to take care of our highways is desirable.
SNOW REMOVAL
Saugus continues to hold its lead in the matter of efficient snow removal and is deserving of the utmost praise. The pro- tection to street surfaces warrants the expenditure of funds for this work while the convienence afforded the town's people can- not be weighed in dollars and cents.
DRAINAGE
With the Essex street drain completed, a serious condition which has existed for years was relieved.
1928]
SELECTMEN'S REPORT. 193
Drainage is one of the town's greatest problems and must be considered in connection with highway construction.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBS
Very satisfactory results were attained last year in the matter of sidewalk and curb construction.
During 1929 a separate appropriation should be made for curbing as many streets require this work before the town is able to build cement sidewalks. In this connection where mon- olithic sidewalk construction must necessarily be delayed, cinder and gravel sidewalks should be built.
STREET LINES
Some progress has been made in the defining of street lines, but because of a belated start, more activity in this direction is needed.
BOARD OF SURVEY
The Board rejected the petition for the acceptance of an extensive land developing scheme on Water street and should be accorded the highest praise for strictly adhering to its duty to the town and also for protecting the interests of prospective home owners, who otherwise would have been hoodwinked with glaring promises of improvements to be had, easier to make than to deliver.
TAX TITLES
There is $59,861.18 on the town's books appearing as an asset, when in reality it should, in the major portion be wiped off as of no value. A start has been made to clean up this bad mess, but only a dent has been made and it is urged that there be renewed efforts in this direction.
SEWERS
Lack of vision has postponed a start on sewer construction, which ought to have been undertaken twenty years ago.
One should be concerned with the matter of health and con- vience along with the question of financing this work.
Careful study and well thought out plans over hasty consider- ation and forced construction, prove less expensive to the tax payers.
13
194
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
· We urge legislation for the creation of a sewer commission to study this problem, particularly a plan of financing the under- taking.
MOSQUITO EXTERMINATION
Another measure which would provide comfort to citizens, and at the same time eliminate a health menace, is the extermina- tion of mosquitoes. This has served as a serious drawback on the town.
WATER BOARD
The growth of the town has brought about a resultant increase in the Water Department, and it would seem the part of wisdom to create a water commission to handle all things incidental to this department. This should increase the efficiency, lower the cost of operation and produce more satisfactory results for the citizens.
CEMENT MAINS
Far too little has been done in the replacement of cement water mains, and while good fortune has smiled upon us, in our having escaped from catastrophies such as have taken place in neigh- boring communities, we can ill afford to calmly disregard the dangers that exist.
As there is about 12 miles of this pipe in our streets since 1888 when its life was estimated at 30 years, it may be readily conceived of what a problem with which we have to contend.
Another phase of the question, aside from that of public safety, is the one of reduced fire insurance rates when this very dangerous condition is eliminated.
STAND PIPE
While the standpipe was advocated primarily to give a higher pressure on Bakers Hill, it is greatly needed in other sections of Saugus as well. Because its use is to be more fre- quent as cement water mains are replaced, it is most urgent that a second pipe line be connected with the standpipe and water main on Lincoln avenue.
INSURANCE
The coverage on town buildings has increased and insurance placed on a pro rata basis to brokers and agents. While some difference of opinion was created in the main, results appeared satisfactory.
195
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1928]
REPAIR TOWN HALL
The auditorium of the Town Hall needs renovating and painting together with improved stage conditions. Temporary work on the floor has been done, but something of a permanent nature is required.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Saugus unquestionably received during the Christmas holidays a quarter of a million visitors due to the wonderful illuminated estate of H. A. B. Peckham and Frank B. Sloan. For this unusual favorable advertising the citizens should feel deeply indebted to these two citizens. While the Board cooperated in the lighting of the Town Hall, High school and Soldier's Mon- ument it might be advisable for the town to appropriate funds for Christmas Holiday illuminations.
300TH ANNIVERSARY AND 4TH OF JULY
The town might well consider the advisability of combining its 300th anniversary with a 4th of July celebration. An appropriation of sufficient size to provide for this is proposed, as the good coming from affairs of this sort is of inestimable value. Cooperation on the part of the Saugus Legion Post is bound to assure success.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Saugus as happens in other places receives criticism of its Police Department, but as is often the case the good outweighs the bad.
There is real need for the creation of a reserve list to be made up of men from the Civil Service eligible list who, pro- vided with proper training, would be fitted for permanent appointment when needed.
The strictest enforcement of all laws is highly desirable, for honest law enforcement, without fear or favor, is bound to command respect.
Considerable enforced leaves of absence from duty, with con- tinuance on the payroll during the past year through sickness, has materially hampered the Police Department. An equitable plan should be worked out to care for this problem in the future.
196
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
FIRE DEPATMENT
Although our Fire Department is considered not of as suffi- cient size as deemed necessary by many citizens, this ought not in any degree detract from the excellent type of service rendered by a body of fire fighters, a credit to any community.
TAXES AND VALUATION
State and county taxes have been reduced and the town has received a greater allotment from the State under the Income Tax.
Saugus taxes are high, but valuations are not and with judicious expenditure of town funds, closes supervision of de- partments, with an eye to keeping down overhead, coupled with the same relative growth of the past three years, taxes should reach no higher level and might be reduced. Increased valu- ation for 1928 amounted to $446,084 making a grand total of $13, 176,500. The population for 1928 was 14,269 an increase of over 1500 since 1925. The class of new citizens is of a high type.
With such encouragement as this it behooves us to take time by the forelock and improve upon our possibilities. The con- tinual shelving of new ideas and building and planning only sufficient to the needs of the day does not spell progress. We can not afford to disregard the natural advantages we possess, but must seize upon these possibilities.
Respectfully submitted,
C. F. NELSON PRATT, HAROLD E. DODGE, VERNON W. EVANS, JOHN C. PITMAN, HARRY WOODWARD.
197
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1928]
Report of Planning Board
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
The Planning Board herewith submits its annual report for 1928.
The Board organized on March 14, 1928 with the following members, Charles N. Wormstead, Chairman, Frank M. Rams- dell, Secretary, George A. Tweedy, Charles H. L. Kahler, Washington L. Bryer.
Regular meetings were held the Ist and 3rd Mondays of each month as well as many special meetings.
ZONING
The zoning proposition as amended was accepted at a special town meeting and now awaits only the approval of the Attorney General which will shortly occur and after some advertising will become a law of the town.
Much study has been given to this project and this Board believes that the town will be much benefited by the passing of this By-law. No doubt changes will have to be made from time to time but with a good Board of Appeals no trouble is anticipated.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
The matter of mosquito control is no doubt of great import- ance to this town and everything done to abate this nuisance is sure to be of benefit to the town and its people.
Conferences have been held with neighboring cities and towns and they seem willing to cooperate with us in trying to control the mosquito. They agree fully with your Board and believe that this nuisance should be stopped as much as possible.
The Planning Board will have an article inserted in the town Warrant of March, 1929, asking for an appropriation for the same to be expended under the supervision of the Planning Board.
198
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We believe this appropriation should be spent under the . supervision of the Planning Board as we have a member of the Board who is an expert on this matter having spent years in the service of the United States Government in Panama and else- where and without doubt is the most competent man in town on this question.
SIDEWALKS
Your Board is in favor of this project and believe that an appropriation of $5,000.00 should be made to continue the service.
PLAYGROUNDS
On the matter of playgrounds and parks the Board heartily recommends that an appropriation be made for this purpose and large enough to enable the Playground Commissioners to carry out their present plans.
STREET LIGHTING
The Board has given much time and study to this subject and believe that it merits your attention and consideration.
At present our street lighting is not up to the standard of our progressive and fast growing town and should be made better at once.
No town can have a better recommennation for future develop- ment than good streets, and above all to have them well lighted.
The present lights are too small and too far apart and should be replaced with more and much larger candle power.
The Board has been in consultation with representatives of both The Lynn Gas & Electric Co. and The General Electric Co., and the Board has on file plans submitted by them.
The Planning Board believes that the time has arrived when the town should inaugurate a more efficient system of street lighting.
The advent of the automobile and the great inerease of popu- lation has caused a greater use of our highways at night both in vehicles and pedestrians; this, together with the glare of the head lights of automobiles and people walking in the street, a very unsafe condition exists and one that did not exist a genera- tion or more ago when the present system was installed.
199
1928] PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
The Board will have an article in the Town Warrant of March, 1929, asking for an appropriation sufficient to remedy the situation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES N. WORMSTEAD, Chairman. GEORGE A. TWEEDY, CHARLES H. L. KAHLER, WASHINGTON L. BRYER, FRANK M. RAMSDELL, Secretary.
Saugus Planning Board.
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1928.
ROSTER
CHIEF Roland L. Mansfield
CAPTAIN John T. Stuart
REGULAR PATROLMEN
Frank W. Joy James P. Sullivan Clarence H. Berrett
Henry P. Wheaton
Roland E. Mansfield Peter A. Flaherty William A, MacDougall Ralph New
SPECIAL POLICE
Timothy J. Bannon Orrin W. Bentley Thurlow W. Bentley Ernest Booth Thomas Brennan
Joseph A. Lambert Jr.
Charles E. Light
William J. Lumbert Howard P. McAdoo
James F. Maher
John P. Chesley
Francis W. Clark
John H. Cunningham
Byron Day Charles C. DeFronzo
John W. Foley Frank P. Garofano
Axel G. Newbury Willie M. Penney Charles B. Pugsley Henry R. Robinson Edward O. Roy
Percy R. Salsman Philip Spencer
Joseph A. Garrow William H. Gillespie William F. Griffin
John E. Mansfield
Mark Margolskee
Charles E. Stillings
201
Norman D. Hatch
Frank M. Symonds
William C. Howatt
Everett Vickary
David Jedry
Daniel B. Willis
Wade T. Keller
Alfred H. Woodward
Howard P. Kelley
Charles N. Wormstead
SPECIAL OFFICERS FOR SCHOOLS
Andrew C. Lynn Edgar H. MacDougall Frank H. Spencer
SPECIAL OFFICERS FOR LYNN WATER SHED
Patrick Garrity Dennis W. Mead John F. Heath
Henry E. Newhall William J. Kennedy John H. Newhall Joseph E. Tufts
The total number of arrests for the year were 635, males 592, females 43 ; adults, 608, juveniles 27.
The crimes were as follows :
Violation probation 2 Failure to pay wages 7
Abandon children
1 Assault 20
Adultery
7 Breaking and entering 13
Bastardy
6 Blasting, no license I
Cruelty to animals
3
Refused to move I
Drunks I26
Delinquents 8
Disorderly conduct
15
Default
5
Dogs not licensed
37 Safe keeping I
Fornication
I Refus'g inform. to Ass'rs
I
Abduction
I Gaming on Lord's Day 26
Intent to rape
I Liquor nuisance 5
Interfering with officer
I Illegal liquor manufacture 12
Illegal sale of liquor
5 Illegal keeping liquor 17
Indecent exposure
I Insanity
I
Larceny
2I Blasting, no permit I
Disorderly house
I Malicious mischief
Gaming nuisance
I Blasting, no license I
Non-support
13 Present at game 6
Peddling, no license
6 Transport. dynamite, no lic. I
Perjury
I Suspicion I
Illegitimate child law Trespass
I Truancy 3
2 Rape I
Violation town by-laws
I Violation school laws 2
Violation game laws
6 Violation clam laws 5
Violation auto laws
230 Violation road laws 4
Violation milk laws I
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1928]
202
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Dispositions were :
Fined
182
Filed 65
Discharged
35
Released
32
Probation
36
Continued 36
Committed to State Farm
3
Committed to Salem Jail
15
Committed to State Board
2
Committed to Danvers
I
Lawrence Training School
I
Arrest for others 209
Held for Grand Jury II
Committed to Shirley
2
Restitution
2
Appealed
3
Nationality of Prisoners :
American
379
English 33
French
29
German
3
Irish
34
Greek I2
Italian
55
Swedish 14
Jewish
19
Polish
47
African
I
Russian
2
Lithuanian
Armenian I
2
Turk
I Dane
2
Norwegian
I
During the year $5,285.00 were collected in fines and dis- posed of as follows :
Paid to Commonwealth
$3,087 50
Paid to town
2,017 50
Paid to complainants
10 00
Paid to county of Essex
170 00
Complaints received and investigated
745
Autos reported stolen out of town
295
Autos recovered
48
Lost articles reported
33
Lost articles found
28
Dogs found
39
Dogs lost . · .
39
Doors and windows found opened and secured
93
Persons reported missing
34
Missing persons found
27
Persons removed to Hospitals
52
Notified persons for out of town Police and Hospitals .
47
Responded to alarm of fire
37
All others
.
195
Total
1,712
.
1928]
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
203
Auto accidents responded to (including three fatal) 209
Reported at station
198
Total
407
I am pleased to be able to report that the town has been free from serious crimes and disturbances. The number of arrests has remained about normal. As the town increases in building, the growing population brings with it a greater amount of police work. In the last five years the town has not increased its police force in number of men accordingly, and therefore this coming year I am asking an addition of two men to the regular force.
With the increase of motor vehicles, traffic is becoming an enormous problem. I, also, find some of this traffic brings its share of crime especially in the outlying districts of the town, and I recommend that one of these new regular men be used for night patrol on the outskirts of the town.
I recommend that an amendment be added to the town By- laws giving the Police Department more law to cope with the dance hall problems.
I recommend an increase of three duty call boxes to our system. I also suggest that the boxes which are wood at the present time be replaced by iron boxes.
I recommend that the regular police be furnished with uniforms. The first year would mean an appropriation of one thousand ($1,000) dollars, and thereafter a very much smaller amount of money.
I wish to express my appreciation to all officials and citizens for their loyal support to our department.
Respectfully submitted,
ROLAND L. MANSFIED, Chief of Police.
BY CAPT. JOHN T. STUART, Acting Chief of Police.
204
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Chief of Fire Department
SAUGUS, MASS., December 31, 1928. To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
I submit the annual Report of the Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1928, as follows.
ROSTER
CHIEF Mellen R. Joy
CAPTAIN Edward J. McTague
LIEUTENANTS
Ralph E. Berrett
William R. Salsman, Jr.
FIREMEN
Henry Saxon George B. Drew Harold R. Atkinson
Chester A. Tarbox John Mclaughlin Alfred A. Bird
CALL FIREMEN
Ernest M. Hatch Robert E. Holbrook
During the year of 1928, the Fire Department responded to 206 calls and alarms, one less than in 1927.
There were 61 box alarms and 145 telephone calls, 12 of which were followed by box alarms.
There was no loss of life during the year, and no persons were burned or injured by fire.
205
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT.
1928]
Assessed valuation of buildings, automobiles and trucks in- volved in fire is $153,575 00
Estimated loss on buildings, etc. 35,010 00
Insurance on buildings, etc. 195,796 00
Insurance paid on buildings, etc. 42,989 66
Valuation of contents 67,400 00
Estimated loss on contents
21,025 00
Insurance on contents
42,750 00
Insurance paid on contents
13,101 36
Total loss
56,035 00
Total insurance paid
56,091 02
The apparatus is in fairly good condition, and has stood up wonderfully well, and has had some very rough usage, in travel- ing over very rough roads in responding to alarms and calls.
The department is well equipped, and has done excellent work with the small number of men to man the apparatus.
Mileage covered by the apparatus in responding to alarms and calls are approximately as follows.
Engine 1, Seagraves Pump 290 miles.
Combination 2, Dodge 540 miles.
Ladder I,
275 miles.
During the year 15, 150 feet of 2} inch hose was laid and used at fires, 10,700 feet of & inch chemical hose was laid and used at fires. Two thousand six hundred five gallons of chemical fluid was used in extinguishing fires, and 697 feet of ladders was used at fires.
In closing, I make the following recommendations for the year 1929. That four permanent firemen be appointed to the Fire Department, and thereby the call firemen would be eliminated.
That a new and larger modern up to date Central fire station be built in the near future, to replace the old wooden station in use at the present time, which is a serious fire hazard, on account of being used to house motor vehicles in, and does not comply with the State Garage laws, rules and regulations. It is also a health menace, as after rains there is a considerable amount of water coming into the cellar and leaves the building in a damp condition.
That a new pumping engine of 750 gallon capacity be pur- chased.
206
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
That the fire alarm system be given a thorough examination by an expert electrical engineer, and have him report any and all defects and recommendations.
That 1,000 feet of 22 inch hose be purchased to replace hose that has been condemned and some that is old and unfit for fire service.
That many of the fire hydrants that are set too low in the ground, be raised so that the large suction hose may be connected to the 42 inch outlet in case of fire.
Respectfully submitted,
MELLEN R. JOY, Chief of Fire Department.
207
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1928]
Report of Public Works Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I beg to submit herewith the annual report of the Department of Public Works for the year ending December 31, 1928.
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
The largest single piece of work done by this division during 1928 was laying about 10,000 square yards of bituminous macadam on Winter street, and thereby completing the construc- tion on that street from Central street to Chestnut street. This construction also took care of the drainage on a large portion of the section known as Westland.
We now have East Saugas connected by macadam pavements with Cliftondale and Saugus Center and the construction should be carried out soon between Saugus Center and Cliftondale on Central street, as there is heavy and continuous traffic on that line. -
A bituminous macadam pavement was laid in East Saugus square to fit in with the construction of a new bridge at that point.
The program of reconstructing the side streets was carried on, using washed and graded gravel which was filled with a bitu- minous binder and sealed with a coat of tar and stone. This type of paving is standing up very well and carrying consider - able heavy traffic on some of the streets. The work should be continued every year and with the establishment of a regular patrol system all of the connecting streets can be resurfaced and maintained at a minimum cost to the town.
Tarviation of practically all the streets in town is a part of the maintenance system that must be done annually to take care of the general wear and tear from traffic. We are now doing this work in the early part of the season and the roads would be greatly benefited by an application in the fall consisting of a light coat of tar and sand.
208
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
On Vine street near Essex a bad condition of the drainage was entirely relieved by replacing the old stone culvert with a forty inch corrugated iron pipe. This pipe is large enough for a man to work in for cleaning purposes and is of ample size to take care of considerably more storm flowage than we have ever had.
A thirty inch reinforced concrete pipe was laid across Essex street near Anawan and has satisfactorily taken care of the very poor drainage conditions that have been created on the southerly side of Essex street.
This pipe should be continued for about one hundred feet more to complete the work. This work was carried on only through the fine cooperation of the property owners in whose land part of the pipe was laid.
The snow season of 1928 did not give us any heavy storms, but the ones we did get were of such a nature as to cause very heavy wear and tear on the machines.
The program now entails the removal of snow from all the main and side streets and hauling away snow and ice from the squares. A very considerable saving in maintenance is affected by giving the traffic free access to the entire street the year round.
During the year many pieces of concrete curb and sidewalk were laid in all sections of the town. Many of the streets and walks would be greatly improved by the construction of continu- ous lines of cubing. This work should be continued along lines definitely laid out. A macadam pavement should be laid on Essex street, from Cliftondale square to Mount Vernon street and also extended from Hood street to Felton street aud then to Broadway.
Vine street should be reconstructed as it gets a great deal of traffic and also that section of Central street between Saugus Center and Walnut street.
In connection with the laying of new pavements of any per- manent type, the fast approaching necessity for sewer construc- tion must be definitely taken into consideration.
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