USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 14
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The total amount of fines collected in this court for the year 1932 were $3,071. Of this amount the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received a total of $1,605. The County of Essex received a total of $95.00 and the town of Saugus received $1,371. All cases of operating under the influence of liquor are tried and prosecuted in the Lynn District Court. The num- ber of cases in this court of drunken operating for the year 1932 was 29. Of this amount 13 persons paid fines to the amount of $1,350. Eight persons appealed the finding in lower court and in Superior Court they were adjudged guilty and paid fines of $850. Four persons were committed to the house of correction. Three persons were discharged and one person was ordered to make restitution for damage caused by him. The total number of appeal cases of all classes of offences was thirty.
Daily reports of officers show the following :- Complaint received and investigated 1,455, autos reported stolen 23, autos recovered 45, lost articels reported 52, lost articles recovered 48, lost dogs reported 58, lost dogs found 62, doors and win- dows found open and secured 371, responded to fires 65, con- veyed to hospitals 93, lost persons reported 42, lost persons found 50, notified for out of town police and hospitals 92. All others 367, making a total of 2,823 reports.
You may notice by reading this report that the work of the police department has increased considerable during this past year. First to consider is the total persons arrested. This is an increase of 30 per cent over the year 1931. Second the amount of fines assessed and paid over to the Town Treasurer of the town of Saugus. There has also been an increase of 60 per cent over the previous year. This in itself goes to show that there has been an enormous increase in the work of the de- partment of which the men both Superior Officers and Patrol- man have not hesitated or failed in one instance to respond to the duty of the high standard of efficiency which your Police Department enjoys. In view of this fact and again in view of living conditions and present depression that we are now pass-
243
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1932 ]
ing through is the reason for this increase in crime. Due to these facts I do not think that the police officers should be pen- alized by a reduction in their pay. In my opinion there is no worse move that could be taken than this which has been ad- vocated in a few instances. I am of the firm belief that this would tend strongly towards weakening the efficiency of the whole department. As conditions are at the present time the services of police is required much more often than in past years. The officers have had to put in many extra hours without an extra compensation and have faced the task willingly.
As I have stated in last year's report that some of the equip- ment of the Police Department should be replaced with new equipment and realizing that due to conditions as they are we did not receive this equipment I will say this year that we will endeavor to get through this year with the present equipment but as soon as conditions improve all equipment will have to be replaced.
In conclusion, I wish to thank, the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Honorable William E. Ludden, Justice of our Court, the several Town Officials and Private Citizens who by their cooperation aided me during the past year and last but not least the men of the department who have worked diligently to the very end to preserve peace and order in the town. I sincerly hope that the good-will shall continue to exist towards the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN T. STUART, Chief of Police.
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Chief of Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
1 herewith submit the annual report and activities of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1932.
ROSTER
CHIEF Mellen R. Joy
CAPTAIN William R. Salsman, Jr.
Ralph E. Berrett
LIEUTENANTS
George B. Drew
PERMANENT FIREMEN
Henry Saxon John Mclaughlin Joseph L. Maguire Albert F. Jervis
Chester A. Tarbox
Harold R. Atkinson Alfred A. Bird Warren Newhall
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Charles C. DeFronzo Arthur W. Price
George F. Gosselin Ernest W. Homan
CALL FIREMEN
Ernest M. Hatch Lewis O. Gray Lewis E. Richardson
George W. Parrott Everett H. Beckford
William A. Mathewson Frank P. Garofano John Cahill George Oxley John S. Reynolds
245
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT.
1932]
During the year of 1932, the Fire Department responded to 378 alarms and calls for fires and other duties.
During the year of 1931, there was 439 calls, 1932 shows a decrease of 61 calls over 1931.
There were 119 box alarms, and 259 telephone calls, 25 of which were followed by box alarms, to call the call firemen to duty at fires.
Fifty seven alarms were false and needless, many of the tele- phone calls were also needless.
The total mileage traveled by the apparatus in responding to all calls was 2,017 miles. Engine one 579 miles, Engine two 963 miles, Ladder one 475 miles.
Chief's automobile traveled 4, 202 miles in responding to fires, and in performance of the various other duties as required.
The duties of the Fire Chief have been greatly increased and under the directions of the State Department of Public Safety, in regards to the inspection and of the storage of fuel oil and fuel oil burners.
The assessed valuation insurance, on buildings, contents and automobiles, trucks etc., involved in fires are as follows, as could be ascertained.
Assessed value on buildings, autos, trucks etc. . $168,905 00 Loss on buildings, autos, trucks etc 41,950 50
Insurance on buildings, autos, trucks etc. . 263,486 00 Insurance paid on buildings, autos, trucks etc. 36,167 92 Estimated value on contents 122,600 00 Estimated loss on contents . 20, 140 00
Insurance on contents
52,400 00
Insurance paid on contents
6,501 89
The fire loss for 1932, was $21,628.50 less than in 1931.
During the year 35,700 feet & inch, 24, 150 feet of 13 inch and 27,200 feet of 23 inch hose was laid and used at fires a total of 87,050 feet. Of the total 33,650 feet was used at wood,
346
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
brush and grass fires, 1,266 feet of ladders was raised and 190 gallons of chemical fluid was used on fires.
Engines worked 101 hours 40 minutes pumping water on fires.
Tabulated fire alarms, calls etc., are as follows :
Buildings 51, wood and brush fires 117, grass fires 33, auto- mobiles and trucks 27, dumps and rubbish fires 38, trees 4, light poles 2, bonfires 5, rescue of cats from trees and roofs 5, rescue of dog from pond 1, rescue of horse from mud 1, chimney fires 9, bridge fires 3, calls for inhalator 3, overflowing of oil in ranges and heaters S, dam fire I, escaping steam I, fences 2, pumping out street 1, defective chimneys 5, burning fat 3, drowning acci- dent 1, false alarms 38, needless 19 making a total of 378 calls.
Two lives were lost byburning through no fault of the Fire Department one was from the careless use of gasoline in clean- ing machinery while smoking, and the other was an infant burned to death while asleep in a crib, clothing caught on fire during the night time from some unknown cause. The Fire Department was not notified until several hours later by Medical Examiner N. P. Breed.
Alarms and calls by month for 1932.
Bell alarms
Telephone calls
Total
January
14
IO
24
February
6
6
12
March
5
22
27
April
27
67
94
May
16
28
45
June
7
12
2I
July
IO
36
45
August
7
II
17
September
O
I4
14
October
13
II
24
November
4
17
21
December
IO
25
34
119
259
378
247
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT.
1932]
All fire apparatus, Engine 1, Engine 2, and Ladder I, are in good condition and good for a number of years to come, provid- ing that they do not meet with accidents.
The old Dodge combination was in such poor condition tha it was unsafe to be on the streets was junked and nothing was purchased to take its place.
The Chief's automobile is nearly five years old and will soon have to be replaced or junked.
I recommend that another piece of fire fighting equipment be purchased to take the place of the Dodge combination, and save the wear and tear on the heavy and expensive apparatus.
The following fire departments have been called upon a number of times and have rendered valuable assistance in help- ing to extinguish a number of bad and threatening fires, or to cover in the station, while the Saugus department was engaged in extinguishing fires.
The Lynn, Melrose, and Revere departments have always been ready and willing to respond when called upon to render aid.
At this time I wish to extend my personal thanks to the various fire departments for their fine cooperation and assistance when in need.
The fire department has done excellent work in keeping the fire loss down to the small fire loss that it has with the large territory that it has to cover, with the small number of men to man the apparatus and to extinguish the fires.
In closing I make the following recommendations for the year 1933.
That a new and modern up to date Central fire station be built in the near future, to replace the old antiquated wooden building that is now occupied by the fire department, as the so called Central fire station, at the present time, which is a seri- ous fire hazard, and health menace, on account of being used to house motor vehicles, and does not comply with the State garage laws, rules and regulations.
248
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Some day the citizens of the Town will either find the ap- paratus in the cellar, or the building going up in smoke.
The station is also a serious health menace, as after heavy rains there is a considerable amount of water coming into the cellar, and leaves the building in a damp and musty condition for several days at a time.
I do not hesitate to inform the Town Officials and citizens of the Town of Saugus, that there is not another building in the town, that constitutes as bad a fire hazard as the so called Cen- tral Fire Station.
I doubt if many of the citizens would live in this station for any length of time, under the same conditions the men, who protect their lives and property, have to live under.
Wake up citizens, and protect the lives and health of the men, who protect your lives and property.
That the fire alarm system be given a thorough examination, by a competent expert electrical engineer on fire alarm systems, and have him report any and all defects, and his recommend- ations.
That a compressed air fire alarm whistle be installed at some place in the town, thereby eliminate and discontinue the use of the antiquated fire alarm bell system that is now in use for fire alarm purposes, as they are unreliable in calling the men to fires.
That 500 feet of 22 inch, and 2,000 feet of 1} inch hose be purchased this year.
That the citizens of the town visit the fire station, and see for themselves under what conditions the men have to live.
FIRE PREVENTION.
That fire prevention is the best means of reducing the great loss of life and property, caused by fire.
Familiarize yourself with the location and workings of the nearest fire alarm box to your home and office.
249
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT.
1932]
In case of fire go to the nearest box, open the outside door, and pull down on the hook on the inside door, and if possible remain at the box, and direct the men and apparatus to the fire.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Keep premises clean and free from rubbish.
Keep halls, stairways and exits to fire escapes free from all obstructions.
Put ashes, oily or inflammable materials into metal receptacles with metal covers.
Be careful in the use of lighted matches, candles, cigar and cigarette stubs.
Use hot water only to thaw frozen water pipes, anything aflame is liable to start a fire.
Respectfully submitted,
MELLEN R. JOY, Chief, Saugus Fire Department
250
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Public Works Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I beg to submit the annual report of the Pub- lic Works Department for the year ending December 31, 1932.
HIGHWAYS
The following streets were treated with asphalt or colas. This type of maintenance should be continued on a larger scale. Six thousand dollars was appropriated for material. The labor furnished by the Welfare Department, except for the permanent men.
Lincoln Ave., Revere line to Myrtle St. 1,650 ft.
Lincoln Ave., Intervale Ave., to Franklin Sq. 5,800 ft.
Newhall St.,
Ballard St., to Vincent St. 845 ft.
Richard St., Ballard St., south 450 ft.
Central St., Lincoln Ave., to Knowles Ave. 2,215 ft.
Jasper St.,
Central St., east
1,750 ft.
Pearson St.,
Central St., to Jasper St.
1,400 ft.
Woodbury Ave.,
Foster St., east
400 ft.
Summer St.,
Main St., to Appleton St.
2, 100 ft.
Main St.,
Mitchel's corner to Concrete Material Co. 2,300 ft.
Pleasant St.,
Summer St., to Central St. 1,200 ft.
High St.,
Cliftondale Ave., to Oak St. 680 ft.
Cliftondale Ave.,
Adams Ave., to High St. 250 ft.
Pleasant Ave.,
Broadway, to Essex St. 820 ft.
Oak St.,
High St., to Adams Ave. 250 ft.
Main St.,
Covered car tracks, Monument Sq., westerly 1,750 ft.
Winter St.,
Paint patched, Johnson Rd., to Central St.
Light oil on the following streets :
Johnson Rd. Winter St., south 850 ft.
Talbot St.,
Vine St., to Denver St. 450 ft.
Park St., Lincoln Ave., east Soo ft.
251
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1932]
SIDEWALKS
Cinders have been removed from the schools and used on Central street sidewalk between Centennial avenue and Horton Street, also on Main Street near Summer street.
TAR WALKS
Five hundred dollars was appropriated and the work as follows :
Central St., 107 Sq. Yds. Jackson St., 643 Sq. Yds.
Mountain Ave. II Sq. Yds.
Myrtle St.,
37 Sq. Yds.
There are still 3,400 square yards of tar walks to be renewed that is in a very dangerous condition and should have attention.
BRIDGES
The Ballard street bridge is in need of a new floor and may have to have some new timbers.
The Highland avenue bridge is in need of a new floor.
The Elm street bridge also needs an overhauling.
This work will cost about $1,000 and must be done.
LEDGE
Ledge or boulder protruding through the surface of Park street and Pearson street was blasted and removed.
WELFARE HELP
We have been awarded about ten men a day from the Welfare Department to work out their aid orders, and have been used on all work done this year from laying asphalt, cleaning streets, patching roads, cleaning ditches, repairing buildings, building roller house at Public Works garage, cleaning drain pipe lines to cutting brush.
Oaklandvale square was left in bad shape by the construction of Main and Howard streets, at this point. A plan was made by the State and the work is under way and will be completed in the spring of 1933.
252
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
EQUIPMENT
We have two, three and one-half ton White trucks in good condition. Both have been thoroughly overhauled this year. The Holt five ton tractor is in good shape and is only used in emergencies. The Cletrac, a two ton tractor a product of 1922 was put in the junk in 1928. Nineteen thirty-two spring it was removed into the shop and found after a survey, that it would pay to recondition it. The cost was about $250 and was used in place of the Holt all of 1932 at a large saving in gas and oil. We have a G. M. C. one and one-half ton dump, hand hoist. This truck runs fair, but another year may finish it. We pur- chased a six cylinder Reo dump, one and one-half ton for $20 which is giving good account of itself. This truck saves run- ning a big truck on small jobs. All other equipment is in good condition. The two three and one-half ton trucks have been equipped with electric lights which aid in plowing snow as they are far superior to gas lights. All the light equipment was second hand.
DRAINAGE
Hayden road : Surface drainage pipe line has been cleaned out through to Anawan avenue, and an open drain constructed to the brook. It was found during the cleaning, that the pipe has been cemented up, making it useless. Two new grates were cast for the two basins on this street.
Essex street : South of the railroad crossing the drain pipes connecting the basins on the east and west sides of the street had caved in. This was relaid. It is now working properly.
Smith road : A by pass has been laid from basin at Morrison's store to the basin opposite Raddin's store, which is taking care of the bad condition in heavy storms.
Lincoln avenue, opposite Western avenue, the catch basin caved in and was rebuilt.
Corner Elm street and Central street, the basin was rebuilt.
Corner Lincoln avenue, and Western avenue, pipe line caved in and was repaired.
Eustis street, to Myrtle, flushed out drain, and replaced several lengths of pipe.
253
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1932]
Greenwood avenue, built new manhole, on drain that runs to river, for purpose of clean out.
Cleaned out culverts under Willis street, Adams avenue, Vine street, near Essex, Main street near Vine street, Central street at Fiske's Meadow Brook.
Plugged Mountain avenue drain, previously discontinued, formerly entering Fiske's Meadow.
Basin at Brostrom's, on Ballard street, has been connected to the Greenwood avenue drain. This basin was built some time ago, but never connected to the drain.
Rebuilt basin at the corner of Central street and Winter street.
Cleaned ditch from the DeFranzo property, east, to the river. This ditch was full, and needed cleaning badly.
Cleaned ditch from foot of Knowles avenue, through swamp to Adams avenue, thence to Essex street, lowering the water in this area about one foot.
In fact a great deal of attention has been given to all brooks and culverts this year.
Clean up week .- Several hundred old automobiles which had been deposited at the road side, about town, were collected and dumped at the east end of the Public Works garage lot, filling a large hole. Most of these old cars are now covered with street cleanings, which has added about thirty feet in length to the yard area.
The wall of Edward Roy, corner of Central street, and East Denver street, was pointed up, and put in good shape. This wall was damaged when the sidewalk abutting the property was constructed.
One thousand dollars was set aside by the Finance Committee for shoulder work on Walnut street, from the Lynn line to Water street, and thence on Water street, to the Wakefield line. This road is a chapter 90 job, and the State insisted that the work be done.
254
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Traffic markings have been painted on all areas twice this year. Several restricted parking areas were established this year, including : Central street, from the railroad track to Winter street, opposite the State Theatre. Central street, from Winter street, abutting the High School property. Stone street, from Central street to the first pole. Ernest street, both sides, thirty minute parking, 250 feet from Lincoln avenue. Wash- ington square, thirty minute parking in front of the stores. A stop sign was placed at the corner of Western avenue and Lincoln avenue. A stop sign was placed at the corner of Adams avenue and Vine street. A slow sign was placed at the corner of Vine street and Main street.
Roller house : This building was located at the Hathaway house on Talbot street. It was torn down and rebuilt at the town yard, on Woodbury avenue, and now housed the road roller. The work was done at a cost of $30 for the needed materials.
The Highway Department has hauled Red Cross flour from Boston for the Welfare Department many times during the year.
We have loaned a truck several times to move people to new homes for the Welfare Department.
The Cletrac was used at the Town Farm for plowing for home gardens.
It has been our policy to assist all departments if requested.
The Highway crew on January 1, 1932, consisted of fourteen men and today there is a foreman and five key men, such as Harold Coburn, who is a mechanic and driver of five ton dump truck ; George Pike, roller man, garage fireman and driver of a five ton truck; John Marlborough, a truck driver and handy man ; Michael Maher, a truck driver, and Dawson Montgomery, handy man, who also does all our brick work and grading. All of the above men are able to step into the Water Department in the event of a water main break. The men all have positions to man in the event of a snow storm. Crew of Welfare men could not plow your streets and give the excellent service rendered.
255
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1932]
WATER DEPARTMENT
Four thousand dollars was appropriated for extensions of water mains. A total of 1,744 feet was laid at a cost of $2.29 per foot, as follows :
Highland avenue to Town Farm
360 ft. 6-in. pipe 185 ft.
Treher street, east
66 School street, east 75 ft. 66 66
Henry street, south 67 ft. 66 66
Walcott road, north from Guild road 325 ft. 66
Evergreen street, east 135 ft.
66
Bow street, west 56 ft. 66 ، ،
Freeman avenue, east
136 ft. 66
Hillcrest Ave., to Grandview avenue, 210 ft.
This last item connected Lawndale avenue, with the new high pressure system.
The above work was constructed by Robert H. Cunningham, forman of mains, who also does the blacksmith work for all de- partments, he also has a helper. The main labor was furnished by recipients of aid.
There were several bad breaks in the old cement mains which were taken care of by experienced Highway Department men being loaned to the Water Department for the emergency.
A new electrical device was designed by the A. C. Day Sons' Co. of Saugus for better control of the electircally operated main gate at the pumping station off Baker street. The control does not allow the gate to open wide with the touch of the but- ton, but causes it to hesitate, making the speed much slower, and building up the pressure gradually, which equalizes the same in the street mains, and saves the large number of water breaks.
WATER SERVICES
The work of this type is under the supervision of James Blair, who has a helper. We have always had two or three laborers who have done the excavating, and are familiar with working around cement and iron mains. These laborers are employed as needed, The actual laying of the service is handled by the
256
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
foreman and his helper, who also have much other work, such as blowing out services, repairs to same, etc.
METER DEPARTMENT
Henry Hodgkins, reads the meters, repairs and installs the same, also takes care of shutting off and turning on the water. Any person desiring to see their meter tested or how it is done, will be given a demonstration upon request. Following is the Water Department Comparison.
Water Comparison
17 Services
1927
192$
1929
1930
1931
1932
New
·
193
194
147
65
57
Renewals
1 15
83
93
44
Blow outs
339
326
113
333
275
Feet of copper pipe
1,377
Commitment
$44,922 65
$47,281 14
$40,328 09
$45,050 78 40,070,060
$44,295 44 40,834,900
40,247, 200
Fixture
Meter
Maintenance
Turn Ons
Hydrants
Total
1930
·
.
·
$2,843 50
$32,732 27
$8,565 21
$113 00
$500 00
$44,753 98
1931
.
·
1,136 50
35, 113 82
7,466 12
79 00
500 00
44,295 44
1932
862 50
36,635 55
3,578 97
98 00
500 00
41,675 02
Water liens, 1932
.
.
4,350 44
1929
1931
1932
Water meters repaired
.
147
135
242
New meters installed
341
IIO
76
Meters frozen
.
54
76
45
Meters tested
.
.
31
20
17
Hydrants
Twenty-nine summer services installed in Golden Hills.
257
1932]
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
$41,675 02
Cubic feet of water
.
34,338,400
36,773,700
35,137,994
5,467'-2"
·
.
.
So
.
258
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
John Dyer and his assistant have accomplished a large amount of valuable work for the town the past year, 1932. One hun- dred surveys have been made for the spring assessing. A set of water gate locations are near completion, which was some job. Locating gates under six inches of tar road, but most of them are found.
Copies of the Lynn Water Works in Saugus have been made.
A survey has been made for a relocation of Grandview avenue at the junction of Wakefield avenue to turn west through the land of Daniel Willis, giving a new entrance on Springvale avenue, which is far better than the old entrance at Winter street.
Venice avenue survey .
Winter street playground, survey Stocker street and Riverside court.
Water Extension. Henry avenue, Evergreen street, Treher street, Hillcrest street, School street, Highland avenue.
Drain estimate and levels, Lincoln avenue.
Woodbury avenue survey and estimate.
Benches, 14 miles for establishing grades for roads and sewers. High School levels for excavation estimates.
Lines and grade, for construction of foundation.
Pearson street drain, also costs to build street.
Accptance plan, Hood street.
Measurements, Water Mains, Golden Hills.
Burnham avenue, water location and estimate.
Trace lot plans and land court plans.
Accident plan, Central street, (Police Department.)
259
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1932]
Hester street, line for wall opposite Twin Spring Road.
Granolithic walk, Atlantic Filling Station, Lincoln avenue, estimate.
Greenwood street, drain survey.
Correct zone plans to date.
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