USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1931 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
The consideration of the Finance Committee, therefore, is confined solely to Articles 57 and 58, asking for an appropria- tion of $8,000 to continue the proposed construction of the road and $12,000 to pay land damages.
Last year the town appropriated $8,000 for the permanent reconstruction of Woodbury avenue and Hesper street with the understanding that the State and county would contribute like amounts. Due to various delays, the 'work has been held up an entire year, and the job has not been started as yet.
It is estimated that the second allocation of $8,000 will com- plete the road.
Members of the Board of Selectmen find, however, that it is necessary for the town to pay the land damages arising from the construction of the highway. This will mean that the town must assume an additional burden this year of $12,000.
It has been suggested by the Board of Selectmen that the requested appropriation of $7,500 for Main street to be deferred
149
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1931]
this year and that Woodbury avenue be completed. With this plan the Finance Committee cannot agree. Main street is an old established street of the town, providing the outlet for the Oaklandvale section. It is in deplorable condition. The Finance Committee believes that to allow Main street to remain untouched merely to construct a road to open up a section of land across the Saugus River would be a most unfair and unbusinesslike proceedure for the town to take. Furthermore Main street is the first link in the connected chain from Melrose to Lynn of which Woodbury avenue and Hesper street is to be a part, and the committee feels that it would be wise to construct Main street this year.
The Finance Committee is of the opinion that the town will do well to drop the Woodbury avenue-Hesper street proposition for the present. The construction of the road would, it is true provide another road to Lyun, but the committee feels that this year, when the burden of taxation is certain to be heavy, that the town will do well to pass by this proposition. Essentially, it can benefit no one but the residents of this section, and the Finance Committee believes that there are many far more worthy projects which should be given consideration this year.
For the town to take from its taxable revenue $S,ooo addi- tional for the construction of the road and $12,000 for land damages is, of course, out of the question. This would mean that the town would have to appropriate $20,000 this year for this road, which would mean approximately $1.60 on the tax rate. The Finance Committee is unable to agree with the mem- bers of the Board of Selectmen that this project should be under- taken this year.
The Finance Committee, therefore, does not recommend Article 57, asking for an appropriation of $8,000 for Woodbury avenue, Hesper street and adjacent ways.
Article 58, which is again inserted by the Board of Selectmen, asks the town to appropriate $12,000 for land damages. The state and county will lend no assistance in the payment of this part of the cost of the new road. The Board of Selectmen feel that the Annual Town Meeting should have an opportunity to pass on this question, although they have the power to obligate the town to this extent without its sanction
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Finance Committee does not approve of the passage of this article. The principal persons to benefit by the construction of this expensive road will be the persons living along the route. The committee believes that the increased value which will accrue to them is such that they should willingly sacrifice the land. In justice to the residents, it must be stated that many of them are willing to do so. Others, however, are attempting to get from the town a settlement for the construction of a road which will improve the value of their property many times.
This is no year for the town of Saugus to expend $12,000 in land damages for any purpose. Rigid economy in the affairs of the town, with a proper respect for the necessities of the integral and essential departments, should be the town's policy this year, the committee believes.
The Finance Committee calls to the attention of the Limited Town Meeting that if these measures were passed, it would make the cost of the road thus far, despite the fact that not a shovelfull of dirt has been thrown, $28,000. Even with state and county aid, the town should go slowly before obligating itself to any such an extent. The state and county aid will undoubtedly be available at any time in the future that the town feels that it can afford such an expenditure.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that Article 58 be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 60-Request of the Board of Selectmen for an appro- priation of $7,500 for the reconstruction of Main street with the assistance of the State and County.
This second appropriation of $7,500, would, in the opinion of the Board of Selectmen and State Engineers, complete Main street from the Newburyport Turnpike to the Melrose line.
The expenditure of the $7,500, which is now available in the Town Treasury, has been delayed because of various situations which have arisen. The Finance Committee is assured, how- ever, that the state plans to let the contracts for the work this spring and push the job through to a rapid completion.
Members of the Finance Committee cannot agree with the re- commendation of the Board of Selectmen that Main street be
151
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
shelved for the year and Woodbury avenue and Hesper street completed. The committee believes that the reconstruction of Main street is by far the more pressing problem.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appro- priation of $7,500 for the reconstruction of Main street, pro- vided that the State and County contribute equal amount.
ARTS. 61, 62, 63-Request of residents of Golden Hills for $3,500 for the construction of a road from Howard street to Sweetwater street, to be built with the assistance of the County of Essex.
This is a problem which has been confronting the town for the past three years. The residents of Golden Hills feel that they should be given a road to give them access to the town of Saugus. At the present time their entrance and exit into Saugus is by a way which lies partially within the borders of the city of Melrose.
The Finance Committee went into this problem at great length. They made a personal visitation to the section accompanied by the Superintendent of Public Works and consulted with the residents.
The Finance Committee was able to find nothing to substan- tiate the arguments of the people of Golden Hills in favor of a road other than the time-worn plea of humanity. The school population of Golden Hills comprises over 40. In addition to the ordinary charges of education, there is a further charge of transportation, which, it is estimated, costs $1,000 annually.
The town has been very generous to this section. Although they have an average valuation of approximately $1,000 the town has spent $13,619.32 in the past three years in extending the water mains in that section of the town. On this $13,619.32, the town has received in return these three years only $1,345.50.
The Board of Assessors has informed the Finance Committee that during the past year there have been 22 additional vacant houses in that section of the town. It has been necessary for the board to go into Golden Hills and drop the assessment of property by nearly $10,000-an unprecedented action. The
[Dec. 31
TOWN' DOCUMENTS.
total valuation of Golden Hills is estimated at the present time to not be over $180.00.
The assessors declare that there are some five or six houses with a valuation of $2,000. There are many others with a valuation of only $500. They estimate that the average valua- tion of this section of the town is only $1,000.
The Finance Committee recommends that the members of the Limited Town Meeting pay a visit to the Golden Hills section and become acquainted with conditions to enable them to act more intelligently on this article.
The majority of the Finance Committee does not believe, par- ticularly in view of the anticipated raise in the tax rate, that the town should lay aside common sense and business judgment and expend money solely in the interest of providing a road for a section of the town which is already receiving benefits greatly in excess of the returns to the town treasury.
On this matter Mr. Edward Gibbs, Jr., was recorded in the minority and in favor of the construction of the road.
The majority of the Finance Committee, therefore, recom- mends that Article 30 be indefinitely postponed.
Minority Report
If we appropriate this sum the County will grant a like amount.
There should be an access wholly in Saugus and under our control to this isolated section, for purposes of transporting school children, fire protection, and other uses and emergencies. While the residents of this section were obsessed with the idea that the town should build expensive state roads and boulevards through this poorly developed section, we were against such projects. However, against the contruction of a fairly good gravel road at a reasonable cost, especially when the county will contribute half the cost, there is no valid argument, in the opinion of the undersigned.
From a strictly reasonable standpoint the school bus should be able to approach this section on a safe way and the fire ap- paratus should not have to go miles around through an adjoining town when answering alarıns.
EDWARD GIBBS, JR.
153
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
ART. 64-Request of the Planning Board for an appropria- tion of $5,000 for an engineer to prepare a plan of the town, covering the need for main traffic ways, secondary ways, schools, parks, playgrounds and other needs.
With the general scope of this article the Finance Committee is unanimously in concord. The committee believes that such steps as outlined in the article should have been taken years ago. If this had been done, the town would have been spared the ex- pense of countless thousands of dollars unprofitably expended in street work and water extension.
The town would also have been spared many of the monstro- sities which now mar the landscape Much of the town has already been ruined by land developers who have opened various areas with no supervision or control by the officials of the town. It is still possible, however, to control the opening up of such land as remains.
The article would have engineers prepare a master plan of the town. Members of the board of survey would then be able to compare each petition for land opening with the plan and ascer- tain how far it checks. Streets should be built logically and not at a grade to save cost to the contractor.
The Finance Committee can imagine nothing which the town would do which would return a greater revenue in the future than to expend money for such a survey. The land across the river, in the path of the new Woodbury avenue road, and land along the new circumferential highway should be plotted in this manner.
The Finance Committee favors, however, to handling this job over a period of several years. The committee believes that $2,000 is ample for this year and it is understood that this figure will meet the approbation of the Planning Board.
The Finance Committee recommends, therefore, the appro- priation of $2,000, under Article 64, for a competent survey by engineers as outlined in the article.
ART. 65-Request of the Planning Board for an appropria- tion of $10,750 for the purpose of lighting Cliftondale Square,
1544
IMPROVED STREET LIGHTING RECOMMENDED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE
GROUP D
Squares
Type of Lamps
No. Lamps
Cost Year Per Lamp Installed
Total Cost
Credit latmps Remove l
In- ca .. Annual
Cliftondale
Proposed New Installation
10,000L. (1,000 CP)
17
$110 00
$1.870 00
Ornamental
Proposed Removal
400I .. (40 CP)
3
16 CO
$48 00
2,500L. (250 CP)
5
45 00
225 CO
$1,597 00
Saugus Centre
Proposed New Installation
10,000I, (1,000 CP)
co
110 00
1,980 00
Ornamental
Proposed Removal
400L. (40 CP)
7
16 00
. 1 12 00
2,500L. ( 250 CP)
6
4.5 00
East Saugus
Proposed New Installation
10,000L (1,000 CP)
6
110 00
660 00
Ornamental
Proposed Removal
2,500L. (250 CP)
2
45 00
90 00
570 00
North Saugus
Proposed New Installation
10,000L (1,000 CP)
5
100 00
500 00
Bracket Type
400L. (40 CP)
2
16 00
32 00
2,500L. (250 CP)
I
45 00
45 00
423 00
NET INCREASE, Total above four items (Annual)
$4, 188 00
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
270 00
1,598 00
Proposed Removal
I55
ANNUAL. TOWN MEETING.
1931]
Saugus Centre Square, East Saugus Square, North Saugus Square, Lincoln avenue from the Revere line to East Saugus ; Chestnut street from Lincoln avenue to East Saugus Square, Winter street from Chestnut street to Central street, Central street from Lincoln avenue to the Boston and Maine Railroad, Essex street from Cliftondale Square to the Boston and Maine Railroad; Jackson street from Central street to Cliftondale Square, Ballard street from Lincoln avenue to the Salem Turn- pike, the corner of Bristow street and the Salem Turnpike, and the Salem Turnpike at Fox Hill Bridge.
This is an attempt to provide better steeet lighting in the town. Members of the Finance Committee, Board of Select- men, and Planning Board attended a demonstration at the Gen- eral Electric Company furnished by the Lynn Gas & Electric Company of the proposed plans. That the street lighting sys- tem in operation at present is inadequate no one will deny. Modern street lighting is one of the first essentials of any com- munity. Saugus at present is without any system worthy of the name.
The Finance Committee believes that Saugus can never hope to attract a fine type of home owner to this section until the town can supply the essentials of modern civic life. Certainly street light- ing comes near the head of the list. A modern system of light- ing would undoubtedly return a property value to every citizen of the town far in excess of the cost of the project.
The plan of the Lynn Gas & Electric Company is comprehen- sive and covers every need of the town. That it should be put into operation as soon as possible is the belief of the Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee believes that the citizen of Saugus would not object to the tax rate so strenuouly if they felt that they were receiving benefits from the money expended. Cer- tainly a modern type of street lighting would be classed as a benefit to the entire community.
The majority of the Finance Committee, however, while be- lieving that a start should be made this year, did not believe that the town should attempt to take the entire system this year. Although the cost of the system this year would be only $5,375
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
if provisions were made that it should not go into effect until July 1, the town next year would have to assume the entire bur- den. This would be in addition to the present cost of $14,000. The cost of $10,750 is the cost annually above the present charges after due credit has been given for every light which will be abolished by the new system. This would make the total charge for street lighting $24,750 in 1932 when the full force of the cost would be borne.
The minority of the Finance Committee, however, composed of Mr. Arthur W. Price, Mr. Bertrand D. Westendarp and Mr. Frederick R. Sharp, felt that the benefits which would accrue to the town would more than compensate for this additional cost.
The majority of the committee, however, preferred to take the plan by degrees, believing that the eventual cost of the en- tire system would not then fall upon the town for several years.
The Finance Committee found that the four squares of the town could be illuminated with the modern system this year for $2,094. The cost in 1932 would be $4, 188. This would in- clude ornamental poles in Cliftondale, Monument and Franklin squares, and bracket type lamps of the same power in North Saugus square. The table printed elsewhere shows the plan which would be followed.
The Finance Committee considered, also, a plan whereby Lincoln avenue, from the Revere line to Central street, and Central street to Saugus Centre, would be included. This third plan would call for an expenditure of $3,010 this year.
The committee, after several ballots, found itself registered four to four on each of the three propositions. Mr. Paul A. Haley, who proposed the plan whereby Lincoln avenue and Central street would be lighted, prevented the deadlock continu- ing further by voting for the plan under which only the squares will be lighted
On this plan, which will cost the town $2,094 in this year's budget, Mr. Alexander S. Addison, Mr. Edward Gibbs, Jr., Mr. Charles E. Stillings, Mr. Avery Truman Weir, and Mr. Paul A. Haley are recorded in favor. The minority of the
157
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
committee, consisting of Mr. Arthur W. Price, Mr. Bertrand Westendarp, and Mr. Frederick R. Sharp, favor the institution of the entire system.
The Finance Committee, by majority, recommends the new system in each of the town's four squares this year as a start toward a comprehensive lighting system, and recommends to the Annual Town Meeting the appropriation of $2,094 to cover the cost of this system from July I to January I.
ARTS. 67, 68, 69-Request of the Finance Committee for an appropriation of $5,000 and the appointment of a committee of three men familiar with real estate values to reassess the entire town.
Believing that this is a matter which merits action at once, the Finance Committee has inserted articles in the annual War- rant seeking a reassessment of the entire town. This is a matter which has been discussed and agitated for some years but no definite action has ever been taken. The committee be- lieves, however, that this is the proper time to initiate action.
Because of the gravity of the problem, the Finance Commit- tee has considered the case from all angles and believes that the projected step cannot help but result in better conditions than exist at present. The committee is convinced that an equaliza- tion of property values by men capable of determining the same will result in lasting values far in excess of the amount appropriated.
The valuation of Saugus today is $14, 181,420 exclusive of the automobile excise tax, which, of course, would not be included in such a reassessment. This tax adds $1,094,235 to the total. There is a total of $1,731,900 in tax exempt property, repre- senting municipal buildings, churches, and the like.
Saugus has a population of 15,057, showing that it is a rapidly growing and expanding community. This, in itself, is indica- tive of the need for modern methods and the application of sound business judgment in the conduct of the affairs of the town.
The Finance Committee believes that serious inequalities ex- ist in the present assessment of property. It believes that many
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
are paying too much tax, in proportion, and that others are pay- ing too little. An equalization so that, within reason, all would be paying a proportionate share, is the end desired.
No one, however, can in justice expect a Board of Assessors receiving a salary of $300 apiece annually to put into the office the vast amount of work which would be entailed were such a re-assessment to be made by the board. The Finance Com- mittee is also of the opinion that were the reassessment made by persons well acquainted with values and yet having no connec- tion with the board that the results would, while possibly not divergent, result in more satisfaction.
The valuation of the town at $14, 181,420, the Finance Com- mittee believes to be far inadequate. It has been called to the attention of the Finance Committee, and investigation has proved the allegation to be correct, that a large industrial concern, to cite but one instance, pays a tax of $17 yearly on a piece of marshland at the waterfront. The land, at present, is valueless, but the owners, no doubt, are holding it for future expansion, and the committee believes that they, and other persons and companies, holding land on the marshes should pay a fair tax on their holdings.
The Finance Committee believes also that a reassessment of the town would bring to light many parcels of land which have never been taxed. It believes that it would correct many exist- ing evils and would place the assessment books of the town in in shape for another decade. The committee believes that regard- less of how efficient the assessors may be, that a municipality should have such a reassessment at least once in every 20 years. Values change rapidly in this age of advancement.
The committee is of the opinion, after study, that the valua- tion of Saugus, after the reassessment, will be nearer $20,000,- 000 than $14, 100,000 as at present. The objection has been raised that this will mean a higher assessment. This is indis- putably true. The fact remains, however, that a town with a high valuation and a low tax rate attracts a finer type of home owner than Saugus is at present bringing into its borders. The result, to the pocketbook, is identical, but to the community as a whole, it is clearly in favor of the higher valuation and low rate.
159
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1931]
Saugus is on the verge of great expenditures. Within the next five years a new High School building, a new fire station, a sewerage system, and many other things must inevitably come. The total cost of these will probably be around $2,000,000 all of which will probably be met with bond issues.
Even if it results in a slightly higher assessment, it appears to the committee that it is preferable to have the values of real estate definitely established and determined by men qualified and with sufficient time and funds to do the work. It behooves the town to find all possible means of income to prepare for the expansions which are knocking at the gate.
Several Massachusetts towns have recently had their assesss- ments corrected in this wise. The town of Natick was among the first and when a lower tax rate ensued, other municipalties followed. Nahant has been assessed in like manner, Stoneham is now doing the same thing.
The Finance Committee is convinced that a committee of three men of unquestioned integrity and business sagacity could work some profitable adjustments in the assessment values of the town of Saugus. The $5,000 to be expended for the hir- ing of experts would, in the opinion of the committee, be more than paid into the treasury the first year that the system is put into practical application.
As there is no law by which the Annual Town Meeting can order an elective town official to perform any function, accord- ing to the understanding of the committee, the committee has inserted a resolution in the Warrant, which, if voted, will be morally binding upon the board. The Finance Committee feels that the money and time would be entirely wasted if the Board of Assessors did not place the values set by the committee upon their books.
The committee has also inserted a clause that all of the assessed values shall be printed for public distribution before being turned over to the assessors. This will provide an oppor- tunity for all taxpayers to protest any changes to the committee and to have errors rectified.
The committee, in closing, feels that this would be one of the 1
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
most forward steps which the town has taken in many years, and that the results would be felt for many years to come.
Mr. Lewis J. Austin of the Board of Assessors, while disap- proving of the Finance Committee's plan, has informed a representative of the committee that a reassessment will probably result in $3,000,000 being added to the valuation of the town. This would provide additional revenue to the amount of nearly $100,000 annually. The Finance Committee believes that a lower tax rate would follow with more improvements that the town now has. The Finance Committee, however, believes that Mr. Austin's figures are low and that nearer $5,000,000 will be added to the books.
The committee has learned that the State Department of Corporations and Taxation heartily endorse such reassessments and that the district supervisor, who visits Saugus, has informed the assessors that such a step would be beneficial.
From a book entitled, "Instructions to Assessors," prepared by Henry F. Long, State Tax Commissioner, the Finance Com- mittee presents the following article by Fred J. Lucey, a Natick assessor, who participated in the recent reassessment of that town. The article explains fully the scientific assessment of property and the benefits accruing.
Scientific Surveying of Property
By Fred J. Lucey, Assessor, Natick
The "Scientific Surveying of Property" from the standpoint of taxation is for the purpose, first of ascertaining true values and secondly for the purpose of equalizing them, that the bur- den may be justly distributed among the taxpayers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.