USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 4
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Gas Mask
The department requests the appropriation of $200 for the purchase of a gas mask. The Finance Committee has deleted this item from the budget. The committee feels that the town can get along without this equipment this year.
Miscellaneous
The Finance Committee has deleted many other lesser sums from the Fire Department budget. We feel that the town will obtain just as good service from the department this year as they have in the past and that efficiency can be maintained at the figure recommended.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $4,260 for the Fire Department in 1932.
Firemen's Salaries
l'he Finance Committee begs leave to report that leap year will benefit not only the spinsters but also the members of the Fire Department. As a result of the additional day, the appro- priation for firemen's salaries climbs from $20,257.50 to $20,313.00.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of this sum and also $2,500 for the salary of the Chief and $2, 300 for the salary of the Captain.
Forest Fire Warden
The Forest Fire Warden expended in 1931 the sum of $286.61. He requested for 1932 the sum of $400, including an appropria- tion of $100 for forest fire appliances and $200 for services at tires.
The Finance Committee is convinced that an appro- priation of $300, including salary of $100, is ample for this department during the ensuing year.
Gypsy Moth Department
The sum which the town of Saugus must expend annually in gypsy moth extermination is fixed by statue at $5,000 and can- not be touched through any action of the town.
The Finance Committee has been unable, therefore, to affect any saving in the administration of this depart- ment and recommends to the Representative Town Meeting the appropriation of $5,000 for 1932.
Health Department
The Board of Health expended in 1931 a total of $4,965.60. The request for 1932 is $5,495.
The expense of the board have increased considerably during the past year, the full effect of which will not be realized until this year. The board has opened an office in the Town Hall and engaged a clerk at a salary of $12 per week, which they propose this year to raise to $15.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
The Finance Committee has voted to recommend a Hat of $5,000 for the expenses of the board in 1932.
Highway Department
In attacking the problem concentrated in the Highway Depart- ment budgets the Finance Committee had the cooperation of both Superintendent Dexter G. Pratt of the Public Works Department and the Board of Selectmen. Budgets were reduced to the lowest level in recent years before they were presented to the Finance Committee for consideration.
The Finance Committee, however, has made still more drastic reductions in the operating expense of the Highway Department. The committee has taken the stand that there should be a sharp curtailment in the work of the department in 1932, that no major improve- ments should be attempted on the town's streets, that all sidewalk work should be eliminated, and that the major function of the Highway Department during the coming year should concern the upkeep of existing street surface.
It is unfortunate that this condition is a necessity. There are admittedly many streets which urgently need repair. There are many sections of the town where sidewalks are a grave need. But standing preeminently over all, in the opinion of the Finance Committee, stands the fact that the town's greatest need in 1932 is to balance its municipal budget. It the town works itself into a financial condition unsatisfactory to the banking houses the immediate reaction will be the inability to borrow funds in anticipation of taxes. If this should occur, the inevitable result would be that the town would have to suspend all activities if not come under the control of a state appointed com- mission.
Contrasting Expense
Expenditures under the Highway Department in 1931 reached the total of $56,200. This includes general highways, the repairing of many streets designated under special articles, purchases of equipment, and other items.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
This year the total recommendations of the Finance Committee for highways reach $17,000. This is a cut of nearly $40,000.
General Highways
Last year the general highway budget totalled $15,895. The request this year was for $15,000. The Finance Committee recommends $12,500.
The committee is convinced that to cut this total lower would be to totally cripple the department. We believe that the High- way Department can be operated and the streets maintained at the figure recommended. It cannot be done, however, unless the Board of Selectmen and Superintendent of Public Works exercises the highest degree of economy.
Of this total of $12,500, nearly $8,000 is for labor. The majority of the remaining sum is for tar patch and sand and gravel.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends $12,500 for General Highways in 1932.
Tar Sidewalk Repairs
The expenditures of the town for tar sidewalk repairs in 1931 totalled $750. The request this year is for $1,000. The Finance Committee recognizes the fact that the town is deluged with suits yearly as a result of the poor condition of the town's tar sidewalks. If would appear wise to maintain the policy of repairing a stretch annually. The Finance Committee recom- mends $500 for this item.
Cleaning Catch Basins
The request for this item is $500. The Finance Committee, however, believes that this work can well be done by welfare men and has deleted the item from the budget.
Street Cleaning
The department has requested $1,000 for cleaning streets. The Finance Committee believes that this can also be done by welfare men and has deleted this item from the budget.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
Resurfacing
Last year the town expended $4,000 in spring resurfacing of the main streets withlasphalt. That this prolongs the life of the street cannot be denied.
The request this year is for $10,000. The Finance Commit- tee does not believe that this is a year to indulge in such an ex- panded program of resurfacing. The committee recommends $4,000 as a comparable figure with that spent last year.
Fences
The town spent $500 for fencing in 1931. The request is for $150. The Finance Committee has deleted this item from the budget.
Curbings and Sidewalks
As contrasted with expenditures of $12,000 last year, the Board of Selectmen asked for but $3,000 this year. The Finance Committee, however, believes that all curbing and sidewalk work should be abolished this year and has eliminated this item from the budget. This worthy work may well be picked up in a more prosperous year.
Pleasant Street Drain
The Selectmen asked for $350 to complete a drain on Pleasant street. The Finance Committee has deleted this item from the budget. The work may well be done in some future year.
Vitrified Pipe
The Selectmen asked for $500 to purchase vitrified pipe. The Finance Committee has deleted this item from the budget.
Can Be Operated
In conclusion the Finance Committee calls attention to the fact that the department, in its opinion, can be operated within the above-mentioned recommendations. It has been the earnest attempt of the Finance Committee not to cut any budgets to the limit that departmental activities will be crippled.
Inspector of Animals
The expenses of the Inspector of Animal's Department in 1931 totalled $785. The Inspector asked for a like amount this year.
00
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Finance Committee, however, has deleted the sum of $50 from the $150 previously allowed for automobile use and $35 for the home telephone of the Inspector.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends an appropriation of $705 for the expense of this depart- ment in 1932.
Insurance
Due to unemployment relief work carried on during the past two years, the expense of the town for insurance this year shows a radical gain.
The town spent for insurance in 1931 a total of $6,637.78. The request this year is for $8,917.38.
Accidents occurring to unemployed working for the town accounts for the great jump. The insurance companies have been deluged with claims for accidents occurring to those working in water ditches. The result has been a jump in the rate from $1,839.37 in 1931 to $4,500 this year.
It is extremely unfortunate that so many "accidents" marred the town's excellent standing with reference to an insurance rat- ing. It is said that men working for the town at $14.40 every other week found it profitable in some cases to sustain "injuries" which brought them in $18 a week for an almost unlimited period. The result is that the burden of increase insurance costs must be borne by the town whether or not any work of this nature is done in 1932.
An item of $425 in the insurance budget for liability insurance on town automobiles has been discontinued. The committee found that the district attorney of Suffolk county has ruled that it is unnecessary for municipalities to insure municipal equipment.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $8,400 for insurance.
Law Department
The law department spent in 1931 a total of $1,025, of which $275 was transferred from the reserve fund to settle an existing judgment entered against the town.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
The request of the department this year is $750. The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of this amount.
Memorial Day
The appropriation for Memorial Day exercises in 1931 was $400. The expenditures, however, totalled $450, due to the fact that an additional band was engaged, and the Finance Com- mittee transferred the additional money from the reserve fund.
The request for 1931 is for $450 and the Finance Committee recommends this total.
Planning Board
The expenses of the Planning Board in 1931 totalled $173.09, the balance of an appropriation of $200 reverting to the town.
The Finance Committee is convinced that the ex- penses of this board, which are very nominal, can be maintained at $150 for the ensuing year, and recom- mends this total to the Representative Town Meeting.
Playgronds
Maintenance of the town's playgrounds in 1931 cost the tax- payers of the town a total of $3,581.44. The request for 1932 is for $2,450.
The Finance Committee feels that the town's play- grounds should be maintained for the current year but that no expansion should be attempted. If a place is provided for the children to play, the committee feels that the town will have done all that it should in justice attempt during the present crisis.
The committee wishes to commend the board of playground commissioners for their apparant spirit of cooperation in sub- mitting a budget with such a radical decrease over the expenses of the previous year. The committee, feels, however, that the curtailment of playground activities can be carried even further than suggested by the board without cutting into the town's plans for providing a suitable playground for the children of the community.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
Stackpole's Field
The board of commissioners requested an appropriation of $400 for the maintenance of Stackpole's field. This is for the wages of a caretaker. The Finance Committee believes that the field should be maintained and that it would be false eco- nomy for the town to allow the field to stand neglected for a year. The baseball diamond, in particular, should be given careful attention. The committee has included this item in the budget.
Instructors
Last year the commissioners expended $550 for playground instructors. They requested $600 this year, intending to open the playground beside the Saugus river in the East Saugus sec- tion of the town. The Finance Committee, however, disagrees with the commissioners on this item and is of the belief that this playground should not be opened at this time. The field is in no condition to be used, the committee feels, and it would be expedient to wait until more filling is provided and the town is financially able to expand its playground activities. The Fin- ance Committee recommends $550.
Filling
The commissioners requested $750 for filling at the Cliftondale playground and $250 for labor in spread- ing the fill. The Finance Committee believes that the Cliftondale playground can well be operated as it is for another year. These items have been deleted from the budget.
Hockey Rink
The Finance Committee also disapproves of a requested ap- propriation of $200 for the erection of a hockey rink. This would also appear to be something which might well be de- ferred until more prosperous times.
Miscellaneous
The board requests $250 for miscellaneous expenses. The Finance Committee recommends $150.
The Finance Committee, by majority, recommends the appropriation of $1,100 for the maintenance of
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
playgrounds in 1932. On this question Mr. Frank F. Humphries was recorded in the negative.
Plumbing Inspector
The budget of the plumbing inspector's department in 1931 totalled $1,500. The request for this year is for $1,600. The plumbing inspector is the only town official to request the Fin- ance Committee for a raise in salary.
In the consideration of this budget, the Finance Committee found that the inspector is paid a salary of $1,200 a year. He is allowed $300 a year for expenses, including auto transporta- tion and office expense.
The Plumbing Inspector is now using the office of the Board of Health as his office and has the services of the clerk of the Board of Health in attending to the clerical work of the depart- ment. The Finance Committee has lowered the allowance for auto transportation granted all town officials from $150 to $100 a year.
The Committee does not feel that this is a proper year to raise salaries and has rejected the request of the Inspector for an additional $100 yearly in his compensation rate.
The Finance Committee, in view of the fact that the Inspector's work is now handled by the office at the Town Hall, recommends a total of $1,300 for the department in 1932, of which $1,200 shall constitute the salary of the Inspector.
Police Department
The appropriation of the Police Department in 1931 was $30,743.20. This year the request is for $31,312.80.
The expense of the department have shown a growth due to the retirement of Roland L. Mansfield as Chief of Police and the necessity of providing for his pension. So that the taxpayers of the town may have an idea of the amount which the town pays annually in pensions, the Finance Committee has decided to delete this item from the police budget and make it a separate town charge. The cost this year for pensions will be $2,324.80, comprising the pensions of Charles O. Thompson and Roland L. Mansfield.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
The Finance Committee has made the following budget changes in the Police Department :
SPECIAL POLICE-Chief John T. Stuart asked for $2,000 for special police against expenditures last year of $2,338.74. The Finance Committee points to the fact that last year was an open season for special police due to the retirement of the Chief and the necessity of hiring special policemen for several months to fill the vacancy. When the Board of Selectmen appointed a new patrolman to the department several months ago they publicly announced that they took this step to increase the efficiency of the department by substituting a regular for special policeman. In view of this situation, the Finance Committee feels that the request for special police is excessive and that the Police Department should function this year on a lower appropriation.
The Finance Committee recommends that no special policeman be engaged during the summer months to cover in while regular officers are enjoying their annual vacations. The committee recommends that the men fill in during the vacations of other members and that the town be put to no cost for their vacations this year. The committee believes that this is a reasonable request to make of the police department in this year of abnor- mality. The Finance Committee points to the fact that there has never been any expense in the Fire Department because of vacations.
The Finance Committee has deleted $1,000 from the request of Chief Stuart for special police and believes that the depart- ment can be conducted at the recommended figure.
AMBULANCE-The Police Department request $150 for the maintenance of the ambulance this year. Last year the cost was $43.76. The Finance Committee has deleted $50 from the requested total.
AUTOMOBILES-The Police Department request $200 this year for the maintenance of police cars. They expended $761.53 last year for cars but this includes the purchase of a new Ford. The Finance Committee is convinced that this figure is excessive and recommends the appropriation of $50 for this item.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
MOTORCYCLES-Last year the department spent $413.55 for motorcycles, including the purchase of a new machine. They request $350 this year, including the purchase price of another new machine. The committee has had a conference with the mechanic who handles the police motorcycles and finds that while he recommends the purchase of a machine, that he feels that the old one can be repaired for about $35. The Finance Committee recommends $50 for motorcycles against the $350 requested.
OFFICE EXPENSE-The request of the Police Department for office expense is $200 against expenditures of $493.84. The expenditures of last year, however, includes a new desk, type- writer, filing system, and other things of a like character. The Finance Committee feels that the last Annual Town Meeting was very generous with the Police Department and that no new equipment should be purchased this year. The committee has deleted $150 from the requested $200 under this item.
MISCELLANEOUS-From other items in the budget the Finance Committee has made small adjustments as follows: Gasoline, requested $275, spent last year $226.52, the Finance Committee recommends $200 ; motor oil, spent last year $15.25, requested $25, recommended $15 ; equipment for men, spent last year, $308. 17, requested $150, recommended $75.
The Finance Committee believes that its recommendations are only consistent with the needs of the town and that the Police Department can function within the budget.
The committee recommends an appropriation of $27,162 for the Police Department and $2,324.80 for pensions.
Public Library
The Saugus Public Library cost the citizens of the town $7,573 in 1931, exclusive of the new addition. The Board of Library Trustees have requested an appropriation of $7,393 for 1932.
The Finance Committee is convinced that the Board of Trus- tees are doing an excellent job in the maintenance of the library.
5
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The saving which the committee has been able to effect in this budget has been possible to a great degree only through the cur- tailment of activities.
New Books
The Board of Trustees asked for an appropriation of $2,500 for new books this year. Last year they expended $2,910.49 for this purpose.
The Finance Committee believes, however, that this is an item which may well be cut to some extent. It should be possible for the library to carry on for one year with fewer new books than they have been in the custom of purchasing. That the curtailment will be disagreeable to the reading public is to be expected. It should be borne in mind, however, that this is an unusual year-the most unusual year in a generation- and that every possible saving must be effected for the benefit of the taxpayers of the town. The Public Library has many thousands of excellent books on its shelves and a sharp curtailment in the purchase of new volumes, while distasteful, is an economy which may be effected without crippling the excellent service ren- dered by this important public institution.
The Finance Committee, as a matter of emergency, has deleted $1,000 from the request of the Board of Trustees for new volumes, and recommends $1,500 for this item.
Assistance
The trustees expended $1,251 for assistants to the librarian in 1931. They requested this year $1,475. The Finance Com- mittee believes that in a normal year this would be a reasonable request, for the demands upon the library are increasing rapidly. The committee believes, however, that the trustees should attempt to get along this year without much additional expense. The committee has deleted $100 from this item.
Miscellaneous Items
The trustees requested an item of $50 for furniture, desiring to purchase some magazine racks. With regret, the committee
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
has deleted this item from the budget. The sum of $43 has also been taken from their request of $125 for miscellaneous expense.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $6,200 for the expense of the Public Library in 1932.
Public Works
The budget of the Public Works Department consists almost exclusively of salaries. The maintainance of the office cost the town in 1931 a total of $6,088.48. The request for 1932 is for $6,137.
The increase is occasioned by the fact that the town spent only $2,897.45 for the Superintendent's salary last year. He did not take office until after the Town Meeting. This year the request is for $3,000.
The Finance Committee has deleted from the budget the sum of $37 previously expended for the home telephone of the Superintendent.
The Finance Committee recommends to the Annual Town Meeting the appropriation of $6,100 for the Public Works Department.
Reserve Fund
The reserve fund for 1931 was set by the Annual Town Meeting at $8,000. Of this total $7,798.66 was transferred by the Finance Committee to various town departments. A bal- ance of $201.34 has reverted to surplus.
The Finance Committee has recommended liberal appropria- tions for the use of the Board of Public Welfare and Depart- ment of Soldiers' Relief and believes that they are ample to carry them through the year. In view of this, the Finance Committee recommends that only $6,000 be appropriated this year as a reserve fund.
Safety Committee
The Safety Committee had an appropriation of $500 in 1931. Of this total, the committee expended $386.36.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The request for 1932 is for $300. The Finance Committee feels, however, that the work accomplished by the Safety Com- mittee has been so thorough that much additional work might be discontinued in 1932 without substantial loss to the town. The committee feels that this is a committee where the major work could be safely postponed for a year.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends an appropriation of $50 in 1932 for the use of the Safety Committee.
School Department
The request of the School Committee for the operation of the town's schools in 1932 totals $205,000.
The original request of the School Committee was for $221,830. Following the action of the Finance Committee in asking all town employees to accept a voluntary salary donation, the School Committee held several meetings and finally sub- mitted to the Finance Committee the reduced budget of $205,000.
The Finance Committee wishes to call attention to the fact that when the School Committee presented its original budget of $221,830 that that majority of the committee strenuously con- tended that they had reached rock bottom at this figure. It was stated by the majority of the School Committee that they had pared the recommendations of Supt. Jesse W. Lambert, which were in excess of $233,000, to the bone, and that $221,830 was the lowest figure at which the town's schools could be main- tained for the coming year.
At this time the Finance Committee also wishes to draw to the attention of the Representative Town Meeting and taxpayers of the town that the majority of the School Committee informed the Finance Com- mittee that if the budget was cut to $205,000 that they would continue under the same system, operate the schools for 30 weeks instead of 38, and then close down. The majority of the committee declared em- phatically that they would brook no retrenchment and that it was their intention to operate with the present staff, maintaining the same studies, and close down when the funds were exhausted.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
We feel that this statement should be drawn to the close scrutiny of the entire town. If it is carried out as threatened, the School Committee will report to the State authorities that the Representative Town Meet- ing and Finance Committee caused the schools to close. Unless the School Committee makes drastic reductions in personnel and eliminates wasteful and costly courses now carried by the town at the expense of many for the benefit of the few, it is inevitable that they will be forced to carry this threat into operation. It is the belief of the Finance Committee, however, that the School Board, by displaying a spirit of cooperation and economy, can operate the schools at the recom- mended figure. If they do proceed, however, with their headstrong plans, if they do persist in retaining their present wasteful methods, then the finger of retribution should be just and sure.
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