USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1931 > Part 9
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Protracted Town Meetings do not lend themselves to efficiency The Finance Committee believes that with a reserve fund of $20,000 it will be possible to eliminate many of the meetings. With such a fund last year, the Finance Committee would have been able to care for the emergencies in the Public Welfare and State Aid and Soldiers' Relief departments without the necessity of a meeting. When a Town Meeting is called for emergencies, other articles inevitably creep in, with a resulting loss to the town.
There is no member of the Finance Committee who is at all interested personally in the political fabric of the town. The committee has nothing to gain by mixing into political troubles which permeate the Town Hall. The sole interest of the com- mittee is to assist in a proper administration of the town and citizens may rest assured that none of the $20,000 will be expended other than in cases of extreme emergency. The law creating the reserve fund specifically states that the Finance Committee shall transfer for no other purposes than emergencies and unforseen situations.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
The Finance Committee is convinced that with such a reserve fund many Town Meetings could be avoided and the town saved both time and money.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropri- ation of $20,000 for a reserve fund.
Trade School Tuition
This is money appropriated by the town annually to pay the tuition of persons attending trade schools elsewhere. The State Law governing this subject is very rigid and the town has no alternative than to pay the money. It would appear that the annual appropriation will increase in the future rather than decrease as the schools are open, free of charge, to persons well into 40 years of age and older.
The Board of Selectmen requested $2,000 under this item. Last year $1,474.00 was expended. The Finance Committee recommends an expenditure of $1,500.
Temporary Loan Interest
Due to the unprecedented slump in the money market, the Town Treasurer expended only $6,279.28 in temporary loan interest in 1930. The Town Treasurer, however, is asking for $11,000 in 1931.
This, however, is due to a desire to save the town money. If the construction of a new Senior High School is authorized and the sale of four per cent bonds ordered, the town can save money by borrowing money for one year under the term of a temporary loan. The money would not be needed all at once and it is probable that not more than $100,000 would be required until next spring. The Town Treasurer could borrow this sum at the prevailing market for two or two and one-half per cent. He would save the town the difference represented between this and the four per cent at which the bonds would have to be sold.
This would necessitate, however, a larger appropriation for Temporary Loan Interest. The Finance Committee believes that this is an excellent attempt to save money for the town and recommends the requested appropriation.
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The Finance Committee believes that the bonds should not be sold until after August 1. This will mean that the town will not be forced to make any appropriation for interest this year even if the money market should rise so that it would be cheaper to sell the bonds than borrow money temporarily.
Building Inspector
The budget of the Building Inspector's Department, as recommended, shows an increase from $1,017.75 expended in 1930 to $1,305 recommended in 1931 but is lower than the amount recommended by the inspector.
This is another department where the salary has remained stationary as the needs of the town have grown. The town has grown by some $500,000 annually for the past five years but the salary of the inspector has remained at $Soo. The majority of the Finance Committee felt that he was entitled to have his salary raised to $1,000 and that the town had been guilty for several years of underpaying a valuable public servant.
In view of the committee's policy of abolishing the annual charge for transportation, it was voted to recommend to the Town Meeting a total of $1, 150 for salary and transportation, the $150 being the board's standard for transportation.
The committee cut the recommendation of the Building Inspector of $150 for office supplies to $100 in view of the fact that only $65 was expended in 1930. This, however, is a fluctuating expense, depending upon his supply of necessary stationery and blanks.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends to the Limited Town Meeting an appropriation of $1,305 for the Building Inspector's Department in 1931.
Special Articles
ARTICLES 4 and 5-Payment of appropriations levied upon the town by the County Commissioners for the construction of an addition to the Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital and the maintenance of the plant.
The Finance Committee has no other alternative than to rec- ommend the payment of these bills. The town has received an
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assessment of $2,258.80 for the construction of an addition to the hospital, and $3,770.05 for the maintenance of the plant. This is apparently an expense which must be met annually by the town as long as the plant is in operation. The Finance Committee calls attention to the fact that in excess of these sums that the town has to pay for the care of all patients sent there. This year this additional burden will approximate $2,500. The only relief from this growing burden appears to lie through leg- islalative action.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the requested appropriations under Articles 4 and 5.
ART. 6-Request of the Town Accountant for $11, 896.37 for the payment of unpaid bills of 1930 and former years.
The request for funds to meet unpaid bills this year is unusu- ally high. It totals approximately $10,000. The bulk of the bills are from the Board of Public Welfare and Department of Soldiers Relief.
The Finance Committee does not favor the accumulation of bills in excess of the appropriations of the respective depart- ments The committee believes, however, that all legal bills against the town should be met. For the town to act otherwise is merely injuring the public credit.
With a larger reserve fund many of these bills would not have been accumulated.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that Article 6 be passed and that $10,000 be appropriated for unpaid bills of 1930 and former years It is believed that this will be ample to meet the outstanding legal bills.
ART. 7-This is a request from the Board of Selectmen that the sum of $309. 84 be appropriated to pay David J. Shethan for sidewalk repairs made on the estate of Frank B. Sloan.
This is an old bill. Several years ago when the town built a drain through the Sloan estate, Michael McDonough constructed the drain. He refused, however to make repairs to the Sloan silewalk, which work was included in his contract, alleging that he had already lost considerable money on the job. The Board
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of Selectmen paid almost all of the McDonough bills and then found it necessary to hire Sheehan to repair the walk. He has never been paid.
The Selectmen feel that Mr. Sheehan should not suffer from the case inasmuch as he did his part of the work in excellent faith and in a satisfactory manner.
The Finance Committee recommends that Article 7 be passed and that Mr. Sheehan be paid for his work.
ART. 8-Requests of the Board of Selectmen for an appro- priation of $208.78 to pay taxes illegally assessed.
This is the result of a land court decision against the town. The taxes must be remitted.
The Finance Committee recommends that $208.78 be appro- priated to pay taxes illegally assessed against Ida M. Hodsdon.
ART. S-Request of the Board of Selectmen that the Town Treasurer release the tax title on Lot 271, Madera street.
The Finance Committee finds that the Town Treasurer has never heard of this article and has never been consulted by the Board of Selectmen. The Treasurer is of the opinion, however, that if the title is a valid one that he has no authority to take such action.
The Finance Committee recommends that this article be in- definitely postponed.
ART. 10-Request of the Planning Board for an appropriation to cover the cost of hiring a social service worker to investigate all cases of the Board of Public Welfare and the Department of State Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
The Finance Committee seriously questions the legality of that part of the article having reference to the Department of Soldiers' Relief. Under the statutes of Massachusetts, it is im- possible to relieve a soldier from the ordinary welfare depart- ment and a separate department is created under the sole juris- diction of the Board of Selectmen or their agents. The com-
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mittee feels certain that it would be impossible for a worker to be engaged who would devote his or her time to both depart- ments.
The Finance Committee, however, has taken care of this situ- ation under the general budget of the Board of Public Welfare. The sum of $Soo has been appropriated for the salary of a com- bined clerk and investigator. The committee feels that this will take care of the needs of the town for the present.
It is the opinion of the Finance Committee that the town's needs lies in some competent investigator rather than in a social service worker.
The article is, therefore, not recommended.
ART. 11-Request of Treasurer Harold E. Dodge for an appropriation of $1,000 to determine the validity of tax titles.
There are now 1,400 tax titles on the books of the town. Many of them concern lands of little value. The intention of the treasurer is to determine the validity of the town's claim, secure permission from the State Department of Corporations and Taxation, and have these lands sold at auction. This in- cludes solely land without buildings. The town is receiving no revenue from the land at present and if sold there will be taxes accruing.
The Finance Committee believes that this situation should be cleaned up. The committee unanimously recommends an appropriation of $1,000 to determine the validity of tax titles.
ART 12-Request of the Board of Selectmen for $2,000 to paint the interior and exterior of the Town Hall.
The Board of Selectmen appeared before the Finance Com- mitee on this article and presented the fact that the Town Hall is gravely in need of painting. They declared that it would cost $1,200 to paint the exterior and $800 for the interior painting.
The Finance Committee believes that it is essential to paint the exterior of the Town Hall at once. They believe, however, that the interior decorating can be delayed until another year.
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The committee therefore recommends the appropriation of $1, 200 for painting the exterior of the Town Hall.
ART. 13-Request of the Board of Selectmen for an appro- priation of $300 for partitioning off the court room of the Town Hall to provide suitable office space.
With the desire for additional office space in the Town Hall, the Finance Committee is entirely in sympathy. There is no question but what some departments are in need of additional space.
The Finance Committee seriously questions, however, the advisibility of the town expending $300 for a makeshift job which would merely be an eyesore and not care for the condi- tions in other than an efficient manner. The committee recom- mends that the Board of Selectmen go into the matter of crowded conditions in the Town Hall at more length and re- port, with recommendations and articles, at a future Town Meeting.
The article, therefore, is not recommended.
ARTS. 14, 15 and 16-Requests of the Board of Selectmen for $4,000 for repairing, equipping and furnishing the "Old Town Hall" on Taylor Street : for the purpose of leasing the building to Saugus Post 210, American Legion ; and for the purpose of appropriating $1,500 for providing Saugus Post 210, American Legion, with a headquarters.
The "Old Town Hall" on Taylor street was leased some years ago to the Chahpahwee Camp Fire Girls to be used as a Community Center. The organization has spent a considerable sum rehabilitating the building. The organization is willing to surrender the lease to the town provided that they be paid a sum to compensate them for the heating plant, which cost $1,350, and certain furnishings, dishes, silver, etc., which remains in the building.
The American Legion is anxious to have funds appropriated to repair the building. They have secured estimates indicating that it would cost $2,000 to make the alterations and repairs which they desire.
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The majority of the Finance Committee recommends to the Limited Town Meeting that $3,500 be appropriated under Article 15 for the purpose outlined, of which $2,000 shall be for repairs, and no payments shall be paid of the $1,500 requested by the Camp Fire Girls until the legality is decided by the proper authorities.
ART. 17-Request of the Governors' Safety Committee for an appropriation of $500 for highway safety work.
The Finance Committee is convinced that this work is of an essential nature. A vast amount of highway safety education is required to assist in curtailing the grave situation existing on the highways. The understanding of the committee is that the major part of this sum will be expended in educational work among the school children of the town.
Believing that this is a worthy item for which the town will doubtless receive value far in excess of the expenditure, the Finance Committee recommends that $500 be appropriated for this purpose.
ART. IS-Request of Benjamin Q. Belonga and others for action by the town transferring the Surplus War Bonus Fund of $5,595.49 to a separate interest bearing account.
The State some years ago returned to the town of Saugus $5,595.49 from the proceeds left over from the War Poll Taxes. This money can be only used for certain designated purposes, the chief of which is to provide a Memorial Building for the soldiers and sailors of the World War.
At the present time the money lies in the general surplus account. The proposal is to take it from this account and create a special fund. The money will then accumulate interest. If at any time in the future the town wishes to erect a Memorial Building, the money will then be available.
The transfer will not effect the tax rate in the slightest.
The Finance Committee recommends that Article 18 be approved by the Limited Town Meeting.
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ARTS. 19 AND 20-Request of the Board of Playground Com- missioners for appropriations of $2,000, under each article, for the erection of comfort stations on Stackpole's Field and the Cliftondale Playground.
The purpose of these two articles is obvious. Members of the Board of Playground Commissioners feel that comfort sta- tions should be erected at both playgrounds and they have secured estimates indicating that suitable buildings could be built for $2,000 each. The buildings would also serve as stor- age plants for their equipment.
With the general plan, the Finance Committee is entirely in sympathy. The committee, however, does not believe that suitable buildings can be erected for the money requested. When built, the committee believes the comfort stations should be of brick construction and should be of such construction that they will be pleasing and not an ugly mark on the playgrounds.
The Finance Committee does not believe, however, that the town can afford to erect such buildings this year. The commit- tee recommends that the articles be postponed until some more advantageous year when more important matters do not press so heavily upon the budget.
The Finance Committee recommends, therefore, that Articles 19 and 20 be indefinitely postponed.
ARTS. 21 and 29-Request of the Board of Cemetery Com- missioners for appropriations of $6,000 and $4,000, respectively, for the purchase of land adjacent to Riverside Cemetery.
Article 21 is a request for $6,000 to purchase the land next to the cemetery owned by Matthew Monteith. The Board of Cemetery Commissioners hold an option under which they could purchase the land for $6,000, which is its approximate value. The board believes that this land would care for the needs of the town for many years to come. There is a sand pit on the property which would have to be filled in. The board believes that it would be wise to purchase this land. By its purchase a proposed road between the cemetery and the Montieth land would also become the property of the town.
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The Finance Committee, however, is unable to reconcile this request with the demands upon the funds of the town. The committee believes that when the time arrives that the land is needed, that it will be possible to secure it by right of eminent domain. The committee also points to the fact that this pro- ject might well be taken in some year when the demands upon the budget are not so heavy. Purchase by the town would also result in a loss in the taxes from the property.
With reference to Article 29, which is a request for $4,000 to purchase the land between the Saugus garage and several houses on Winter street, the Finance Committee raises the same objections. This is further removed from the burial ground and should not be considered unless the previous article is taken first.
The Finance Committee believes that action on both of these articles might well be postponed. The Finance Committee, therefore, moves that Articles 2 1 and 29 be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 22 and 23 -- Request of the Board of Library Trustees for the appropriation of $8,500 for an addition to the Public Library.
This is a request which has annually been laid before the Finance Committee for the past few years. The overcrowded condition in the library is of such an obvious nature that little explanation is necessary. The building is completely unsuited for the great expansion which has occurred in the town since its erection.
The Finance Committee has made a personal inspection of the library under ordinary conditions and is convinced that something should be done to care for the situation. The library is an integral part of the educational facilities of the town and is of vast importance to school children.
The Board of Library Trustees have obtained additional figures supplementary to those quoted in the article and find that a suitable building, without basement, can be erected for $6,500. The basement would appear to be unnecessary as the building already has considerable unused basement space. This, however, is not suitable for the storage and distribution of books.
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The Finance Committee unanimously believes that the town should make an effort this year to relieve the congestion in the Public Library. The trustees have patiently waited year after year while many less important things have been voted by the Annual Meeting.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends to the Limited Town Meeting the appropriation of $6,500 for an addition to the Public Library, and recommends that the Board of Library Trustees be given authority to construct the addition.
ART. 24. To see if the town will vote to authorize a bond issue of $400,000 for the construction of a new Senior High School.
The Finance Committee has been informed by the School Housing Investigating Committee and by Superintendent Jesse W. Lambert of the School Department and members of the School Committee of the grave situation existing at the Saugus High School. The committee finds, after investigation, that the claims of the two committees have not been exaggerated in the slightest and that the town faces a serious situation at the school.
The construction of a new Senior High School, is, the Finance Committee believes, inevitable. Its construction should not be delayed beyond the present year. If the new building is author- ized at the present Limited Town Meeting, the earliest date that it can be occupied is September of 1932. Superintennent Lambert is of the opinion that the probable date will be January 1, 1933.
During the past two years a two-platoon system has been in vogue at the High School. This year the Senior High School attends in the morning and at one o'clock the Junior High School takes over the school. The disadvantages of this system are obvious. It means that all pupils of the High School must quit the building shortly after one o'clock. There is no time for assistance for those pupils who desire a friendly conference with their instructors. The situation in the afternoon, when the Junior High School has the building, is even more serious. All pupils must leave the building at 5 o'clock. Those who are backward must rush out of the school and travel home over darkened streets. There is again no opportunity for additional help to be given them.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
Parents of children in the Junior High School know that it is impossible to keep them home in the morning. They rush out and play all the morning. Many of them dash off to school at noon without any lunch. Their arduous play in the morning results in their lacking the vim and vitality necessary to properly attack their subjects in the afternoon. The result is that because of the lack of attention they are being pushed on into the Senior High School with an inadequate preparation. It is impossible to keep many of them back because those pushing on from the elementary schools must have the space and attention which they would occupy. The result is inevitably a loss to the child of the most valuable years of his education when his formative mind should be shaping for the harder studies to follow.
Aside from the economic angle, there is, then, an educational objection to this system. Superintendent Lambert is quite dis- turbed over the possibilities of the situation. The superintendent declares that he can see nothing but an eventual breakdown of the educational standing of Saugus High School. At the present time the school enjoys a high rating, it is on the accredited list of the board of New England College examiners, and can also certify to any State Normal School. The fact remains, however, that from the Junior High School must come the pupils of the Senior High School of the next few years. If they are inadequately prepared for the more difficult subjects which they must attack in the higher grades, the result, must, inevitably, be a breakdown of the entire system.
The system does not, in the opinion of the Superintendent, work for the moral welfare of the children. They are sent home at night over darkened streets subjected to influences which do not tend toward their moral welfare. There is no time during the school hours to bring to their attention great essential points of moral education which should be a necessary part of all school training.
This, in the opinion of the Superintendent and School Com- mittee, is by far the gravest feature of the entire situation. They point to the fact that the Junior High School students are being pushed into the High School proper with an inadequate preparation and that they are not, in many instances, suitably prepared for the work before them. If several hundred of these youngsters are promoted into the Senior High School annually,
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and it is impossible to hold many of them back because of the ever-flowing stream of youngsters coming up from the clemen- tary schools, the inevitable reaction must be a crippling of the standards of the school. From the Junior High School must be recruited those who will constitute the graduating class of four years hence. These young people are starting their High School work under a terrible handicap when they are not given sufficient preparation in the preparatory work of the Junior High School.
In effect the entire value of the Junior High School as a training ground for the work of the Senior High School is entirely lost.
Just how serious this situation is can perhaps best be told in brief form. Pupils of the Junior High School at Saugus Center are receiving four hours' instruction daily when they should be receiving five. They are receiving less education daily than they are entitled to. Instead of the Soo or more hours a year which the Commonwealth establishes as a mini- mum, the students are receiving only an approximate 700. And this situation is occurring in the most crucial period of their lives !
That the situation from the point of view of finances is wasteful is demonstrated by the fact that the town is paying teachers as much money to instruct the students for four hours daily they would for a six-hour day. One-third of the money expended for teachers is thereby wasted.
It is also true that the teachers would, if possible, remain after school to assist pupils who do not acquire their lessons as easily as the remainder of the class. Under the present system, however, this is impossible. The teacher leaves the building with the pupil. If the pupil does not acquire his lesson in the class, it is lost forever. This, in the opinion of the Finance Committee, is an extravagant waste on the part of the town of not only money but educational opportunities.
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