USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 16
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We have asked for an appropriation of $98,950.00 for this year hoping that with that amount judiciously handled we will be able to meet our responsibilities during the trying days that lie ahead of us. The responsibility of administrating public
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
funds is great. The Board of Public Welfare in this depression stands by way of a last resort to a great number of our people who have been plunged into a situation where they are the victims of circumstance.
SAUGUS INFIRMARY
Our appropriation for the year 1932 voted at Town Meeting was $3,600 plus $200 by transfer with $660.21 unpaid bills. This was a considerable amount less than in previous years and the reason for the unpaid bills was that for the first three months the farm was run as previously.
Receipts during the first three months of the year :
$270.40 for milk. $300.00 sale of stock. $65.00 back bills due the town.
On April 1, 1932, all cows were dispensed with and the Infirmary became purely a home, other than the raising of pro- duce from the land entirely with welfare recipients doing the labor without any expense to the town.
The following produce was raised and given to recipients of Welfare Aid thereby saving in the amount of grocery orders given :
325 bushels of potatoes 20 bushels of rhubarb 150 bunches of asparagus 400 heads of cabbage 30 bushels of tomatoes 300 bunches of beets 200 bunches of carrots
In addition to the above, 155 cords of cut wood was delivered to families in lieu of coal during the year. Since April Ist, the receipts have been as follows :
Cash for produce
$9 75
Sale of standing grass
70 00
Sale of hens
12 00
The Home, during the year, has been entirely papered and painted inside by welfare men and two bath-rooms have been
283
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT.
1932]
installed. The only labor paid for was to the registered plum- ber ; all carpentry work was done by men from the welfare.
We have been offered paying boarders from neighboring cities and towns but owing to our inability, through lack of funds we had, reluctantly, to refuse them. We feel that if suf- ficient appropriation this year is made to enable us to accept some boarders not only will the Town Farm be self supporting but will show a surplus, thereby becoming an asset instead of being a liability to the town.
Approximately two acres were ploughed and given to twenty- six citizens of the town as home gardens thereby enabling some worthy families endeavoring to solve their problem of unem- ployment and still retain their self respect. Our only regret is that more people did not see their way to take advantage of our offer.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. AMES, Chairman, ERNEST M. HATCH, ARTHUR C. DUNK.
Board of Public Welfare.
2S4
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Investigator and Visitor
To the Board of Public Welfare, Saugus, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my second annual report as investigator and visitor for the Board of Public Welfare.
Of the four hundred and second Public Welfare cases and the seventy-eighth Old Age Assistance cases aided in 1932, I have investigated all and have visited each of the Old Age Assistance cases at least four times as required by law. In addition to this, I have held innumerable telephone conversations in con- nection with my work.
Of the four hundred and two welfare applicants, about one hundred and fifteen of them were dropped after my investigation showed they had some means of support, either through income or assistance from somebody in their immediate families, and were therefore ineligible for town aid.
I have also checked a considerable number of settlement notices from other cities and towns. Many of these, upon investigation, were found to have had no Saugus settlements, and were therefore denied Saugus aid.
The number of cases shut off and the settlements denied after investigation entailed a saving of many thousands of dollars to the town.
I have conveyed nineteen individuals to institutions and hos- pitals, including Tewksbury, Monson, the Massachusetts Gen- eral and the Lynn Hospital. In all, eleven hundred and sixty miles were covered by me outside the regular course of my welfare work.
In the late summer of 1932, to save expense, a schedule was adopted by the Board based on the number of persons in a
285
INVESTIGATOR AND VISITOR REPORT.
1932]
family, which made a more equitable distribution of aid, and which has resulted in a substantial decrease in welfare expenditures.
Owing to so many children whose physical condition was below normal, milk orders were recommended in addition to the grocery orders, rather than an increase in groceries.
I have received from and rendered to other Welfare Board and organizations the fullest cooperation.
I again wish to express my appreciation and thanks to mem- bers of the Board of Public Welfare and to all others who have so kindly cooperated with me.
Yours respectfully,
FRANK P. GAROFANO, Investigator and Visitor.
286
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Planning Board
In accordance with Article 12 of the Town By-Laws, the Planning Board herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The Board organized on March 14, 1932, with the following members : Charles E. Thrasher, Chairman ; Paul F. Neal, Secretary ; Washington L. Bryer, Charles H. L. Kahler and Barnet Shapiro. Regular meetings were held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, and special meetings and hear ings were held when necessary. The Planning Board has endeavored to serve the town during the past year by carefully considering every problem that has come before it for the town's best interest.
ZONING
At the Annual Town Meeting the Planning Board will attempt to modify the present Zoning Law by dividing the present "Business District" into a "Retail Business" and a "General Business" district. The effect of this will be to define more clearly the zoning districts of Saugus. With the consent of the Building Inspector, a change in the enforcement of the By-Law is requested, and a penalty provided for its violation.
ROADS
A decreased town income has resulted in avoiding building new roads or large scale resurfacing. Although this has been necessary your Planning Board believes that the surface of our present roads should be protected. If frost gets into a road it soon breaks up, and must be repaired or replaced at great expense. Whereas proper maintenance results in a great saving.
The Board of Survey has recently adopted regulations which must be conformed with before any new street or way may be opened for development. The Planning Board heartily endorses this means of control for the future development of Saugus.
287
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1932]
The present regulations should be strictly enforced and others adopted which will require a hard surface road and sidewalks on all new developments.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation problem in the Oaklandvale section of Saugus is acute. Some means of transportation must be pro- vided from Saugus Centre to Melrose Highlands. Indications are that the company which has the "School Contract" will also resume responsibility for carrying other passengers. If this does not materialize, the Planning Board will endeavor to secure other means of transportation.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
The mosquito problem in Saugus has been greatly diminished the past year by the ditching of the Saugus marshes. We recommend that the present ditches be kept open and the town encourage the work to be continued for the good it accomplishes as an unemployment measure. The Planning Board also recom- mends that the rubbish and ash collections be used to fill in places where water collects forming a pool. Pools create breeding places for mosquitoes and should be eliminated.
STREET LIGHTING
The need for economy during the past year has made it necessary to discontinue the use of some of the newly installed street lights. Upon the revival of business conditions, these lights should again be used. The Board of Selectmen should however, work to secure a reduction in rate for street lighting service. We believe that by so doing, a financial saving could be effected which would make possible an extension of the new system.
SEWERAGE
The sewerage problem has been delegated to a Sewer Com- mittee who have been in conference with the city of Lynn various times during the past year. Their report should be carefully studied by the citizens of Saugus who will soon be called upon to make an important decision upon this subject.
SIDEWALKS
The new sidewalk on Winter Street from Chestnut to Central street has made a decided improvement in the appearance and
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
utility of that street. It is the belief of your Planning Board that granite curb-stones should have been used. Granite, although slightly higher in price, may be re-set whenever alterations are necessary without the additional cost of a replacement. We recommend in the future that granite be used in preference to any other type of curb-stone.
FIRE AND POLICE STATION
While it is not expected that a Fire or Police Station will be built during the coming year, it is not too early to make studies as to whether the two stations should be under one roof and the location of that building or buildings. From the knowledge at hand, we believe that it would be well to have both departments in a new building. Surrounding towns are building one story fire stations in combination with a police station. A complete study, however, might show that some other treatment would be more desirable.
SAFETY
A number of accidents have taken place in Saugus when the busses have stopped to take on or to discharge passengers. Your Board has felt some of these accidents might have been averted if designated stops were located along the bus line. This suggestion was carried out by the local bus line. Since its in- ception, accidents in Saugus in which the busses were a factor have been greatly reduced. We would recommend that bus operators always pull to the curb when stopping for passengers.
Through the cooperation of the local Safety Committee, slow signs have been placed at the junction of Main and Vine streets. We believe that these warning signs will caution motorists when approaching this intersection and decrease the number of acci- dents at this point.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
We are in favor of retaining this important department under its present system. The Planning Board with the cooperation of this department and the Highway Department intends to prepare a plan which would cover the needs of the town for main traffic ways, main secondary ways, schools, parks and playgrounds, and any other needs which a study may disclose.
289
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1932]
ADDITION TO PRESENT HIGH SCHOOL
The Planning Board shared the belief with many of the citizens of Saugus, that a two story addition was to be added to the High School building. At the present time the Board is not inclined to favor the substitution of a three story addition. We feel that if substitution were necessary that information should have been given to our citizens.
SCHOOL HOUSE SITES
There are vacant lots surrounding some of our school houses upon which the town holds title or will soon receive title. We would suggest that wherever this situation exists that such land be held for the town and jurisdiction be transferred to the School Committee.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
A proposed plan for the Commonwealth to develop a park between the Saugus River and the East Saugus Depot has been endorsed by the Planning Board. We wish to again bring to the attention of the citizens of Saugus a recommendation of the Planning Board of 1925 that a portion of the Town Farm be developed into a park and recreation spot.
TOWN BY-LAWS
A number of changes and additions are being contemplated in our Town By-Laws. The Planning Board suggests that as soon as these changes have taken place that all Town By-Laws be bound under one cover and distributed at nominal charge.
STREET NAMES
Within the confines of the town of Saugus there are many duplications of street names, in one instance, there are four streets which have the same name. We have requested a legal opinion from the Town Counsel as to the manner in which the duplications may be eliminated. We hope to have the situation corrected in the near future.
STREET NUMBERS
A problem almost as serious is that of duplication of street names is that of street numbers not in numerical sequence.
19
290
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
This causes great inconvenience to postal authorities and others. Our townspeople should understand that it is for their best interest to have the proper number on their building rather than the one which may be on their door and for which they have some fancied desire.
SANITATION
Saugus has now reached the stage where it must have waste paper and refuse containers in the central parts of our town, if we are to keep our streets in a tidy condition. The Planning Board is not committed to any one project but earnestly advo- cates the placing of receptacles for this purpose.
In conclusion we wish to thank all persons and Boards who have been helpful to us in our investigations during the past year.
CHARLES E. THRASHER, Chairman, PAUL F. NEAL, Secretary, WASHINGTON L. BRYER, CHARLES H. L. KAHLER, BARNET SHAPIRO,
Planning Board.
291
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1932]
Report of the Board of Assessors
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
The Board of Assessors submit its Annual Report for the year ending, December 31, 1932 :
Number of polls asssessed . 4,442
Number of persons paying on property
6,970
Number of persons liable to do miltary duty 3,165
Population as taken by the Assessors, April I
15,500
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY ASSESSED
Number of dwelling houses .
3,805
Number of acres of land
6,252
Number of acres of land (exempted)
278
Number of horses
II2
Number of cows
366
Number of neat cattle other than cows
2
Number of sheep
9
Number of swine
948
Number of fowl .
9,183
Number of dogs to be registered (female, 886 ; male, 332) .
1,218
Number of autos assessed
3,755
VALUE OF REAL AND PERSONAL ESTATE
Buildings (excluding land) .
$10,001,309
Land (excluding buildings) .
4,425,893
Personal property
1, 164,208
Total
$15,591,410
Exemptions
256,255 .
TOTAL AMOUNT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY EXEMPT
FROM TAXATION
Final takings of unredeemed real estate 53,765
Town property .
1,338,425
Religious societies
.
400,775
ยท
292
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Charitable societies
6,775
Literary societies
3,875
Sons of Veterans' Building Association
10,675
Salvation Army of Massachusetts, Inc.
150
Lynn Council Boy Scouts of America, Inc., of Lynn,
6,100
City of Lynn
175
City of Melrose
50
BASES OF TAXATION
Town Appropriations
. $634,790 26
1928 Overlay
7 08
1929 Overlay
7 08
Wishnewsky Judgment
380 00
Greenleaf Judgment
500 00
Migdula Judgment
185 00
McLean Judgment
120 00
Fiske Judgment
750 00
Tirrell Judgment
100 00
Guilford Judgment
175 00
Interest on Water Bonds
20 00
State Tax .
21,255 00
Metropolitan Parks
10,778 94
State Highway .
1,985 00
West Roxbury-Brookline
915 02
Canterbury Street
206 19
Revere: Beach Parkway
85 33
Ways in Malden, Braintree, etc. .
10 87
Southern Traffic Route
35
Auditing Municipal Accounts
1,867 57
Metropolitan Planning
109 15
Care for Needy Civil War Veterans
520 00
Abatement of Smoke Nuisance
167 77
Old Age Assistance Tax
4,583 00
County Tax
20,246 57
Tuberculosis Hospital
10,058 54
Overlay
22,416 54
Total .
. $733,430 14
Less Town Income
176,597 83
Net amount to be raised by taxation on property
and polls . $556,832 31
.
.
Charles River Basin
1,189 88
293
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1932]
Appropriated as follows :
On real estate .
. $502,792 12
On personal estate
40,573 19
On polls . 8,884 00
On Old Age Assistance . 4,583 00
On Gypsy Moth (private work)
1,362 85
On Sidewalk Tax
1,063 85
Taxes of State, County and Town committed to Walter A. Wilson, Tax Collector
June 29, 1932 .
$8,884 00
June 29, 1932 .
4,583 00
September 19, 1932
545,792 0I
December 20, 1932 .
122 00
December 20, 1932
61 00
December 20, 1932 .
347 37
December 31, 1932 .
7 00
December 31, 1932 .
64 33
Tax rate per $1,000
34 85
City of Lynn (special tax)
642 98
ABATEMENTS ON POLLS, REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL ESTATE
Levy of the year 1930 .
$423 15
Levy of the year 193 1
8,743 20
Levy of the year 1932
5,457 93
Motor Excise Tax committed to Walter A. Wilson, Tax Collector
January 28, 1932
$38 92
April 11, 1932
14,594 67
July 12, 1932
2 00
July 15, 1932
5,207 53
October 20, 1932
1,443 87
December 20, 1932
806 82
Valuation of Motor Vehicles in 1931 levy 3,530 00
Valuation of Motor Vehicles in 1932 levy .
866,755 00
ABATEMENTS ON MOTOR EXCISE TAX
Levy of the year 1930
$233 92
Levy of the year 1931 36 94 . .
Levy of the year 1932
653 72
The Board of Assessors, knowing the great value of the water front property, this year increased the valuation on the
294
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Saugus and Pines Rivers from one mill per foot to four cents per foot back fifteen hundred feet from the water lines. The land in the rear practically remains the same as it was. The future of this town will depend on our Commercial and Industrial Water Front Property. We have got to place values, where the values are, on the water front. The wealthy marshland owners are holding the land for high dollars and are refusing to sell it to oil companies and others, who wanted to locate in Saugus, and pay a good price for the land. Among the owners are E. H. Blood Real Estate Associates of Lynn, and another owner, Mr. Hastings, owner of the Lynn Item, whose paper is ridiculing the Board of Assessors for placing, in their opinion, an honest tax value on this land.
We have increased the values on the property of the Eastern Massachusetts Electric Company, formerly known as the Tenney Service, from $22,891 to $59,341.
We have increased the land value along the new State High- ways.
We have increased the property of Godfrey L. Cabot, the owner of 278 acres and, also, the Saugus Race Track, from $26,200 to $62,275. He has on record at the Essex County Registry of Deeds ss. a lease to Mr. Arthur Pitman, giving him an option to purchase the track for $150,000 being $90,000 more than we assessed it.
We are glad to say that the Lynn Gas and Electric Company, through its Treasurer, Mr. Eugene B. Fraser, gave us volun- tarily an increase in valuation of $56,760 to help us in this depression.
The home owners and small business men have been carrying all the load in Saugus for years. It is time to stop and give a square deal to all. That is why, this year, the Board of Asses- sors increased the values on the above property owners to take the burden from the home owners and put a share of it where it belongs.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MULLEN, Chairman, DANIEL B. WILLIS, LEWIS J. AUSTIN,
Board of Assessors.
295
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1932]
Report of Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Saugus :
Your Board of Selectmen desires to make an account of its stewardship for the year 1932.
On March eight, nineteen thirty-two the Board organized with Mr. John C. Pitman as Chairman and Mr. C. Carroll Cunningham as Secretary. Immediately the problems of depres- sion began and it was found necessary to make a wholesale cur- tailment on every item that called for any expenditure. As an example of the economy practiced by your Board let us call attention to the fact that certain lights of the new white way in all the squares of the town were turned off, without any damage or inconvenience to anyone and the town received a profitable saving.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Board of Fire Engineers consisting of Charles C. Defranzo, Chairman, George H. Gosselin, Secretary, Arthur W. Price, Dr. Ernest W. Homan and Chief Mellen R. Joy, have conducted the affairs of this department in an able and efficient manner. Your attention is respectfully called to their report.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
During the past year the Police Department has made a record in preventing crime that speaks for itself. For a town as large as Saugus and a department consisting of eleven men, including superior officers, it is amazing that we receive such protection. Twice during the past year have officers been com- mended by the Board of Selectmen for exhibiting extraordinary courage and valor as well as efficient police work. The Board is proud of its Police Department and publicly expresses con- gratulations to Chief Stuart who through his untiring efforts has installed a moral in a department where harmony must exist for the safety and protection of the public.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The budgets of this department were reduced to such a mini- mum by the Annual Town Meeting of 1932 that no real major projects were authorized during the past year. The limited
296
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
budget of the Highway and Water Departments made it obliga- tory to restrict some of our usual activities. The items for labor provided only for the payment of the regular permanent men. Additional labor was furnished by the Department of Public Welfare. The large number of men furhished made it possible to clean and widen many of the drains and ditches which required attention, also, to do considerable general work in these departments. The projects' undertaken were such as called for a minimum of supplies and materials. Your atten- tion is respectfully called to the report of the Superintendent of Public Works.
While the Board is aware of the fact that economy must be practiced more than ever during the coming year, nevertheless, it would be derelict in its duty if it did not inform the citizens as to two uncompleted projects. Fifteen thousand dollars was spent for the partial construction of a new highway on Main and Howard streets. This road was badly needed and is a great help to that section of the town but it should be finished. Another unfinished item is the drain in Cliftondale Square. This should be continued to the Revere line with twenty inch pipe rather than the twelve inch pipe there at present.
IMPROVEMENTS
Even more forcefully than last year the Board of Selectmen feels that few expenditures should be authorized but that our present system of maintenance be upheld. Financial difficulties are everywhere and the only way for us to remain solvent is to be particularly careful how we spend the money of the overbur- dened taxpayer in the town of Saugus.
In closing, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Board of Public Welfare for the fine spirit of cooperation they have shown us this past year, all employees of all town depart- ments for their valuable assistance and lastly to the citizens of Saugus, themselves, who in the last analysis must be our severest critics but who help by their criticism and assistance to benefit the whole town of Saugus.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. PITMAN, Chairman. GEORGE H. QUARMBY, HARRY WOODWARD.
297
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS REPORT.
1932]
Report of Inspector of Buildings
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending on December 31, 1932.
PERMITS GRANTED
Kind
Number
Valuation
Dwellings .
44
$89,000 00
Garages
27
6,100 00
Additions
28
8,200 00
Addition to School
I
105,000 00
Minor Outbuildings
27
8,500 00
Remodel
4
1,100 00
Greenhouses
2
500 00
Foundations
2
500 00
Lunch Rooms
7
11,400 00
Radio Transmitter Room
I
3,000 00
143
$233,300 00
Respectfully submitted,
D. B. WILLIS, Building Inspector.
2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FREDERICK B. WILLIS, Chairman, Term Expires, 1933 5 Willis Street Tel. 365
MRS. MABEL CARTER
Term Expires, 1933
I 2S Essex Street Tel. 1448-M
WALDO B. RUSSELL Term Expires, 1934
6 Anawan Avenue Tel. 582
ERNEST H. ROGERS
Term Expires, 1934
3 Webb Place GEORGE A. McCARRIER Term Expires, 1935 29 Prospect Street Tel. 732
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
JESSE W. LAMBERT
Residence, 279 Central Street Tel. 267
Office, High School Building Tel. 775
Office Hours-8.30 to 9.00 A.M. 4.00 to 5.00 P.M. on every school day except Friday
CLERK-MISS ANNA JACOBS 6 Evans Street
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
GEORGE A. TWEEDY
217 Lincoln Avenue
MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held every Monday at 8 o'clock P.M., excepting July and August.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
NAME AND ADDRESS
TELEPHONES
Dr. Myron H. Davis 24 Main Street 235
Dr. Leroy C. Furbush
120
272 Lincoln Avenue Dr. Mary Penny 26 Jackson Street IIO
JESSE WHITE LAMBERT
DIED FEBRUARY IO, 1933
Saugus citizens lost a devoted Superintendent of Schools and the school children a true and tried friend by the death of Jesse White Lambert.
Born in Wiscassett, Maine, 65 years ago, he typified that rugged honesty and stable conservatism so characteristic of sons of the Pine Tree state.
In 1893 he graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Following his graduation he taught at the high school in Bath, Maine. Soon afterwards he became principal of the Greeley Institute at Cumberland Center, Maine. Next he accepted the posi- tion of principal of the high school at Bar Harbor, Maine. He then became superintendent of schools in the school district comprising the towns of Gray, New Gloucester, and Windham, Maine. His last position, before coming to Massachusetts, was at Kennebunk, Maine, where he served as superintendent of schools for eight years.
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