USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1931 > Part 14
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(3) The report of the committee appointed to investigate the advisability of building a fire station in Cliftondale was filed and accepted.
March 11, 1931
To the Moderator and Members of the Limited Town Meeting :
At an adjourned session of the Annual Town Meeting held April 22, 1930, the following article was voted :
"That a committee of three be appointed to investigate the advisability of building a fire station in Cliftondale and report at the next Annual Town Meeting."
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Moderator appointed the following Committee : Horace C. Ramsdell, Frederick L. Sawyer, and Frederick R. Sketchley.
As the result of our investigation, we find that there are three factors involved which are important to and affect every resident of Saugus.
First, the saving of property. Second, the saving of lives. Third, the cost of fire insurance.
Time is the chief essential in the saving of lives and property in the event of a fire, and a careful study has been made during the last year year on the time required for apparatus to reach Cliftondale square. It has been determined that five minutes is a fair estimate of the average time required. A difference of a few minutes in any fire may mean the saving of lives and valu- able property.
It is further found relative to insurance that property in the town of Saugus is rated as C Class Town for dwellings, and Fifth Class for business property, which means that as the larg- est percentage of business property is located in Cliftondale square, and that this section is over three-fourths of a mile from the nearest fire station, an additional rate on insurance premiums is charged for all specifically rated property for the entire town.
We submit herewith a report dated February 18, 1929, from the New England Insurance Exchange as follows :
RECOMMENDATIONS
Saugus, Mass.
The carrying out of the following recommendations will per- mit the continuance of the grading (present) as Fifth Class for specifically rated property under the Analytic System of Schedule Rating.
Water Department
1. That the water system be improved and maintained so as to withstand the pressure due to full head of standpipe.
2. That for all alarms of fire, the controlling valve between the low and the high services be opened, placing the standpipe head on the entire system.
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Fire Department
3. That a company be organized, and a fire station located at Cliftondale.
4. That the apparatus for the station recommended above consist of an automobile hose wagon, carrying at least 1,000 feet of zł-inch double jacket cotton rubber lined hose and minor equipment.
Note. It is recommended that the apparatus for this station be preferably a pumping engine of at least 750 gallons capacity.
It is further determined that there is an immediate possi- bility of an increase in all insurance rates on all business prop- erty for the town of Saugus if a fire station and other improve- ments mentioned are not established in Cliftondale in the very near future.
Since these recommendations were made we have experi- enced what might be classed as three major fires in Cliftondale Square, with the hazard of loss of life connected with two of them, the losses referred to are as follows :
1930 Surabian Block, corner of Essex and Jackson streets, loss to property approximately $12,000.
1930 Parsons Building, 326 Lincoln avenue, loss to prop- erty approximately $5,000.
*
1931 Theatre Building, Essex street, loss to property approximately $20,000.
In the report referred to of the New England Insurance Exchange are other recommendations for obtaining a B Class rating for dwellings and Fourth Class for business property, which would mean a reduction of rates on dwellings and their contents of 20 cents per thousand annually, as well as a reduc- tion on all business property in town. The fulfillment of these additional requirements are negligible after having established a fire station in Cliftondale.
In view of the fact that the building or establishing a fire
12
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
station in Cliftondale would mean a substantial saving of time for apparatus to reach a fire in the biggest business and residen- tial section of the town, and that it is absolutely necessary to avoid an increase of cost for insurance on all specifically rated property, and at the same time it would be the beginning of a program to establish lower insurance rates.
It is the opinion of the committee that it is advisable to build a fire station in Cliftondale.
Signed, HORACE C. RAMSDELL, FREDERICK L. SAWYER, FREDERICK R. SKETCHLEY.
(4) The Water and Dock Committee was given more time to study.
(5) The Water Investigating Committee was given more time to continue their investigation.
(6) The Finance Committee submitted a report covering Plumbing Inspection, Ashes and Garbage, which was accepted.
Plumbing Inspector and Ashes and Garbage
At the time of the last Annual Town Meeting there was re- ferred to the Finance Committee two articles inserted in the Warrant of 1930 by Chairman Charles E. Light of the Board or Health.
The first article requested that the Plumbing Inspector's De- partment be turned over to the Building Department.
The Finance Committee finds that there is no "Building De- partment" in Saugus. The Building Inspector is an appointee of the Board of Selectmen ; the Plumbing Inspector of the Board of Health. Placing the Plumbing Inspector under the supervi- sion of the Building Inspector and, in actuality, the Board of Selectmen, would probably not result in any added efficiency. The Finance Committee unanimously recommends that the pre- sent situation be allowed to continue.
The second article requested the collection of ashes and garb- age to be transferred from the Health Department to the Public
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Works Department. This work is all done by contract. It would merely be a question of turning the power of letting the contracts over to the Board of Selectmen. With this, also the Finance Committee does not concur. The committee again recommends that the situation be allowed to stand.
ALEXANDER S. ADDISON, Chairman, PAUL A. HALEY, Secretary, ARTHUR W. PRICE, BERTRAND D. WESTENDARP, CHARLES E. STILLINGS, EDWARD GIBBS, JR., FREDERICK R. SHARP, AVERY TRUMAN WEIR.
(7) The majority of the committee to revise the plumbing and building laws of the town of Saugus recommended that they be discharged and a new committee appointed by the Moderator.
By direction of the Annual Town Meeting a committee of five (5) citizens was appointed June 10th, to revise the plumbing and building laws of the town of Saugus.
Those appointed were : George I. Hull, Chairman, George B. Connolly, James B. Allen, John E. Price, Giles S. Bryer.
Owing to the fact that the chairman failed to call a meeting of this committee it has never been organized, however the majority feel that there is pressing need of immediate action to look into the revision of the plumbing, electric wiring and building laws of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. CONLEY, JAMES B. ALLEN, JOHN E. PRICE, GILES S. BRYER.
Voted, That the committee appointed by direction of the March, 1930 Annual Town meeting be discharged and another committee of five citizens be appointed by the Moderator.
ISO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
At this time the Moderator, Frank P. Bennett, Jr., appointed Charles T. Anderson, Precinct 6; Frank F. Humphries, Precinct S; and reappointed Paul A. Haley, Precinct 2 ; and Frederick R. Sharp, Precinct 3 as members of the Finance Committee.
Chairman Herbert P. Mason of the By-Law Committee recommended and it was voted to have his report referred to the Finance Committee.
ART. 2. Voted, That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1931 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year. Yeas 167. Nays o.
ART. 4. Voted that Article 4 be taken up out of order.
Voted, That the sum of $2,258.80 be and the same hereby is appropriated to pay the assessment upon the town for the cost of an addition to the Essex County Tuberculosis hospital. Unanimous vote.
Voted, Article 5 to be taken up out of order.
Voted, That the sum of $3,770.05 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the assessment upon the town for the care, maintenance and repair of the Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital.
General Government
(1) Voted, To indefinitely postpone salary of the moderator.
(2) Voted, That the sum of $975 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Finance Committee.
(3) Voted, That the sum of $200 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Planning Board.
(4) Voted, That the sum of $3,310 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Selectmen's Department,
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
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including salaries of $500 for the chairman of the board ; $350 apiece for the other members ; $350 for the clerk, and $550 for the salary and transportation of the director of State Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
(5) Voted, That the sum of $2,560 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Town Accountant's De- partment, including $1,100 for the salary of the Town Ac- countant, and $500 to make an audit of the books of the former town clerk and tax collector.
(6) Voted, That the sum of $2,917.50 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Town Treasurer's Department, including $750 for the salary of the Town Treasurer.
(7) Voted, That the sum of $5,500 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Tax Collector's Depart- ment, including $1,200 for the salary of the Tax Collector.
(8) Voted, That the sum of $2,000 be and the same hereby is appropriated for tax title expenses.
(9) Voted, That the sum of $7,605 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Assessors' Department, including a salary of $500 for the chairman of the board and $350 each for the other two members.
(10) Voted, That the sum of $70 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the registration of town notes.
(11) Voted, That the sum of $750 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the law department.
(12) Voted, That the sum of $900 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Town Clerk's Depart- ment, including salary of $500 for the Town Clerk, and fees from all sources, other than those paid by the State and county, to be paid into the town treasury.
(13) Voted, That the sum of $2,000 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of election and registration.
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
(14) Voted, that the sum of $4,518 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the Town Hall account.
(15) Voted, that the sum of $6,854 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the Public Works' Department, including a salary of $3,000 for the Superintendent of Public Works, and $Soo for the purchase of a sedan for the use of the Superintendent.
(16) Voted, that the sum of $200 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Board of Appeals.
(17) Voted, that the sum of $2,280 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Town's Engineering Department, (of which $2,oSo shall constitute the salary of the Engineer.)
Protection of Persons and Property
(1) Voted, that the sum of $30,743.20 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Police Department.
(2) Voted, that the sum of $100 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the salary of the Town Constable. Yeas 122 Nay I.
(3) Voted, that the sum of $22,132.50 be and the same hereby is appropriated for Firemen's Salaries.
At this time Laurence F. Davis offered a motion and it was voted to adjourn at 10.20 to convene again Monday, March 16, at 8 P.M.
Motion to reconsider Police Department by Mr. Pratt pending before the meeting.
Adjourned 10.20 P.M. March 11, 1931.
A true copy. Attest :
WALTER A. WILSON,
Town Clerk.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
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March 16, 1931.
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator at eight o'clock P. M.
The salute to the Flag was given.
The reading of the records of the previous meeting was waived.
The Moderator appointed and qualified the following tellers : Dorothy J. Eyre, Vincent J. McGilvray, Jr., Harry T. Turner, Washington L. Bryer.
A motion was made that we adjourn at the close of this meet- ing to convene again Wednesday, March 18, at eight o'clock.
This motion was lost. Yeas 59. Nays 60.
A motion was made that we adjourn at the close of meeting to convene again Thursday, March 19, at eight o'clock.
This motion was lost. Yeas 61. Nays 78.
Fire Chief's Salary
Voted, That the sum of $2,500 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the salary of the chief of the Fire Department.
Transportation
Voted, That the sum of $400 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the salary and transportation of the superin- tendent of the fire alarm system.
Voted, That the sum of $8, 186 be and the same hereby is appropriated for Fire Department expenses.
Hydrant Service
Voted, That the sum of $500 be and the same hereby is appropriated for hydrant service.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Forest Fire Warden
Voted, That the sum of $350 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Forest Fire Warden's De- partment, of which $100 shall be the salary of the forest fire warden.
Building Inspector's Department
Voted, That the sum of $1,305 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the Building Inspector's Department, of which $1,000 shall constitute the salary of the Building Inspector.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Voted, That the sum of $1, 110 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Sealer of Weights and Measures, including $1,000 for salary and transportation of the Sealer.
Gypsy Moth Department
Voted, That the sum of $5,000 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the Gypsy Moth Department.
Tree Warden Department
Voted, That the sum of $1,200 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Tree Warden's Department, including $200 for new trees.
Education and Libraries, Schools
Voted, That the sum of $215,078 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the School Department, including $186,008 for salaries and $29,070 for expenses of the department. Yeas 98. Nays 56.
Schoolhouse Repairs
Voted, That the sum of $8,605 be and the same hereby is appropriated for Schoolhouse Repairs, including $1,285 for toilets in the Emerson School.
Public Library
Voted, That the sum of $7,580 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Public Library.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
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Board of Public Welfare
Laid on the table.
Town Infirmary
Voted, That the sum of $8,691 be and the same hereby is appropriated for the expenses of the Town Infirmary.
State Aid
Voted, That the sum of $1,300 be and the same hereby is appropriated for State Aid.
Soldiers' Relief
Laid on the table.
Soldiers' Burial
Voted, That the sum of $200 be and the same hereby is appropriated for Soldiers' Burial.
Highways, Fences and Bridges
Voted, That the sum of $15,000 be and the same hereby is appropriated for Highways, Fences and Bridges.
Sidewalks and Curbings
Indefinitely postponed, 10. 10 P.M. Yeas 89. Nays 67. Notice was given by Frank F. Humphries for reconsideration.
Snow and Ice
Voted, That the sum of $7,000 be and the same hereby is appropriated for snow and ice removal.
At this time the Report of the Planning Board was tendered and accepted.
Street Lighting
Laid on the table.
Meeting was adjourned at 10.20 P.M. to convene again Monday, March 23, 1931.
A true copy. Attest :
WALTER A. WILSON,
Town Clerk.
ISO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
PLANNING BOARD REPORT
The Planning Board begs to submit the following report bearing on articles in the Warrant relating to sites for the pro- posed new high school building and fire station, improved street lighting and rezoning and amendments to the zoning by-law and zoning map.
New High School Site
ART. 25. To see if the town will vote to appoint a commit- tee of five citizens, one of whom shall be a member of the school committee, to have full charge of all matters relating to the construction of a new high school building on that portion of the Saugus Infirmary property bounded westerly by the New- buryport turnpike, northerly by land now or formerly of Ryman Drury and the heirs of Caroline A. Ames, easterly by land now or formerly of Shepard & Davis and southerly by a way, and on such adjoining land as may be acquired by the town, and to provide new and original equipment for said building, and said committee shall have full authority to bind the town in all contracts and obligations which they may deem necessary and expedient to enter into in connection with said work in a sum not to exceed $400,000, or to see what action the town will take in the matter agreeable to the petition of School House Investigating Committee.
The wording of this article apparently restricts the erection of the proposed high school building to the Town Farm site. Therefore, it is recommended that this article be indefi- nitely postponed and a special town meeting called on a date concurrent with an adjourned session of the regular town meet- ing now in progress, the Warrant to embrace an article or articles flexible enough to allow the town meeting members to select a site.
That the town must build a new high school is practically certain. The school population of Saugus is large and is increasing yearly. This is due to the fact that the people who come to our town to live are almost wholly of the home owning type. That is a very desirable feature and one that gives us a favorable distinction in the rating of towns. But it also gives us a problem in education such as is before us at present, such
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as has been before us and will continue to be before us, namely, adequate provision for education. The problem of more school room has come up again and again in the last twenty-five years. It will continue to come up as long as the population of our town increases beyond the present capacity of our schools to accommodate the number of pupils of school age. We have reached such a stage at present in regard to the pupils of high school age.
The question now before us is the location of a new high school building. The Planning Board finds that a large number of the Town Meeting members and others are not satisfied that the Town Farm site is the logical location for the new building. This comes about largely due to the fact that it will bring it in too close proximity to the Newburyport Turnpike and further because that location would work a hardship on a large per- centage of the pupils of high school age in the town. There is no question but what the first objection is sound, although dis- puted. Notwithstanding that the building would set back from the turnpike and the main approach would not be from the turnpike itself, the fact actually remains that this through way, with its heavy traffic and lure for speed, would be a liability to the lives and safety of high school students. The second objection is well founded, especially so far as the East Saugus section of the town is concerned and certain parts of Cliftondale and Saugus Centre.
Several sites have been suggested and considered, but no one has suggested one that is centrally located and meets all the requirements for a building of the type and cost which has been recommended. The Planning Board has made investigation and believes the site that meets the largest number of require- ments, has the greatest number of advantages and the fewest disadvantages is the piece of property between Cliftondale and East Saugus on Lincoln avenue, known as the Sim Farm. This piece of property is sufficiently level to be available for school building and grounds with very little if any grading. It con- tains 13.27 acres, is abundantly large to afford the most modern and completely developed playground for a school of a thousand or more high school pupils. Its area makes an almost unlimited enlargement possible, in case it is ever desired.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
It is practically in the center of the district of the greater por- tion of the school population of the town. It is equally acces- sible to both East Saugus and Cliftondale and the high school pupils of Saugus Centre would be advantageously served. It is the most convenient location that could be found, making it unnecessary for any of the hundreds of pupils that would attend there to be transported by bus. It is in the part of the town nearest to Lynn and Greater Boston and therefore the area that is certain to increase most rapidly in population. All these advantages are not true of any other site that could be chosen.
In building a new high school on this site no disadvantage or inconvenience would be worked to any district of the town. All high school students could be withdrawn from the present high school building in Saugus Centre, which would relieve the crowded condition, making room for the junior high pupils to be accommodated at the same time, thus doing away with the two platoon arrangement that is so inconveniently necessary at present. Pupils attending the high school located on the Sim Farm site would not have to walk or be transported clear across the area of the town, as would be the case if the building was located on the Town Farm site. It would even greatly equalize the distance that high school pupils have had to travel to reach the present high school.
There is no disputing the fact that a large percentage of the high school population is located in the contiguous area and to place a new high school building there is certainly logical. The distance which high school pupils in Saugus Centre would have to travel to the new high school is no greater, and in many - cases not as great as the distance which East Saugus and Clif- tondale pupils have had to travel to Saugus Center for the last twenty-five years. A larger part of the population and prop- erty values are within a reasonable radius of this site. This undisputed fact has been clearly recognized by the United States Government and the New England Telephone & Tele- graph Company in placing the Saugus Postal Station and the telephone exchange in Cliftondale. The Saugus Cooperative Bank and the Saugus Trust Company have also taken notice of it by placing these institutions of business in Cliftondale. The Special Committee, appointed to investigate the need of a new fire station, recommends that the building be placed in Clifton- dale. A compelling and commanding site, for all time, that is
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the nearest to the center of the high school population must be the controlling factor when it comes to the location of a high school building representing untimately an aggregate invest- ment approaching half a million dollars.
In regard to the cost of the property for building, it is again to be preferred to the Town Farm, as it is in every other respect. Since Saugus lies in the direct area of the expansion, which is sure to come, the increase in real estate values is cer- tain to take place. On that account the Town Farm is sure to increase in value as rapidly as the population of the town increases, consequently its appreciation during the next ten or fifteen years would offset much, if not all, of the cost of the Sim site. This is assessed for $13,200.00 and the price for which it might be purchased, or taken by right of eminent domain, can be ascertained when the required acreage is determined.
The Planning Board believes that serious consideration should be given to the Sim Farm location and it believes that an investigation will convince the Town Meeting members as to its advantages when compared with any other site in the whole town.
New Fire Station Site
ART. 28. To see if the town will vote to appropriate and raise by borrowing or otherwise a sum not to exceed $50,000, for the purpose of erecting upon the land adjoining the Town Hall, owned by the town, a fire station, and to provide the same with new and original equipment, or to see what action the town will take in the matter, agreeable to the petition of the Board of Fire Engineers.
The wording of this article is similar in effect to that in Article 25 and likewise restricts the erection of a new fire station to the land now owned by the town in the rear of the Town Hall.
It is recommended that this article also be indefinitely post- poned and rewritten and included in the warrant for the special town meeting in order that the town meeting members may select a site.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
Improved Street Lighting
ART. 65. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $10,750 for the purpose of lighting Cliftondale Square, Saugus Centre Square. North Saugus Square, East 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 Lincoin avenue to the Boston & Maine Railroad crossing, Essex street from Cliftondale square to the Boston & Maine Railroad crossing, Jackson street from Central street to the property of Annie E. Raddin, Ballard street from Lincoln avenue to the Salem turnpike, the corner of Bristow street and the Salem turnpike and the Salem turnpike at Fox Hill bridge, with 1000-candle power lamps, as provided in the plans on file with the Planning Board, the capital expenditure of furnishing installing and maintaining the lamps, poles and fixtures to be borne by the Lynn Gas & Electric Company; and that the Selectmen be instructed to make a contract in accordance with said plans, or to see what action the town will take in the mat- ter, agreeable to the petition of the Planning Board.
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