USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 5
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This is no time to use the big stick. This is no time for the School Committee to threaten the Finance Committee or any other town board. This is not the opportune moment for making grandiose statements unbacked by facts. This is a year when the citizens of the town of Saugus have a right to expect that the School Committee will forget their kingly preroga- tives and exercise plain common sense and economy.
The Finance Committee lays direct at the door of the School Committee the requested voluntary salary donation plan. Their belated cooperation has now made it possible to abandon it as an expedient for balancing the budget.
We firmly believe that there are courses carried in our schools which are entirely unnecessary and wasteful of the taxpayers money. We believe that they could be eliminated without sacri- ficing the standing of our schools. We firmly believe that there is a salary schedule at present in effect in our High Schools which is unfair, ill adjusted, and that some teachers are paid in excess of what others doing equal work are receiving. We find instances of where the School Committee has engaged a teacher without experience in the profession at a salary only attained last year by instructors working for the town for the past seven years. We find conditions existing where two people, man and
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wife, are teaching in the same school and receiving over $3,400 a year without being taxpayers in the town or residents of the State. We find other conditions where a woman is employed as a teacher at a sizable salary and her husband as janitor at a still greater salary. These and other situations should be corrected.
Of the $205,000 now accepted by the School Com- mittee as a budget for the ensuing year, $193,000 is absorbed in salaries. Salaries in our High School alone cost $52,000. The School Committee, without asking the consent of the Finance Committee or the Representative Town Meeting, has raised the salary of the Superintendent of Schools from $3,700 to $4,000. This was not included in last year's budget, the town never had an opportunily to pass upon it, but the School Committee by skillful budget juggling managed to work out sufficient funds to accomplish the raise. This is not a year to be raising salaries, par- ticularly in the $3,700 class. This is a year for retrenchment, for a close study of means of decreasing not increasing demand for the taxpayers' dollar. And to offset this raise for the Superintendent of Schools, the generous School Committee suggested abolishing telephones in the schoolhouses where the 'phone may often save a child's life. Such is economy.
The Finance Committee feels that the time has come for the town of Saugus to make drastic reduction in the cost of educa- tion. Such reduction should not, however, be done at the expense of a crippled system, and if the School Committee will function efficiently it can be accomplished without putting into effect a single measure detrimental to the children. The cost of education in Sangus has grown by leaps and bounds. New courses have been put into the schools of very questionable value. Salaries have been raised for the few and kept at the same level for those with no ear to ear acquaintance with the School Committee. Situations have crept into the school sys- tem which have been over a period of a decade milking the people of Saugus of thousands of dollars.
It will require courage to effect reforms. But the School Committee have chosen to become candidates
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for that office. They have taken upon their own shoulders an unpleasant duty is no concern of the Finance Committee or Representative Town Meeting. If they shirk the responsibility laid at their door, how- ever, then the duty of the voters of the town becomes apparent.
Last year the schools of Saugus cost only $212,000. The reduction of the school committee budget from $221,000 to $205,000 represents, therefore, an actual reduction of only $7,000. The school committee, in actuality, expresses a will- ingness to co-operate only to the extent of $7,000 on a budget of $212,000.
The Finance Committee is convinced that the school committee can operate at $200,000 in 1932. We find countless places where savings can be effected. We believe that the school committee by packing a few of its moth worn theories away in a closet could find many more methods of cutting down the incessant drag on the taxpayers' pocketbook.
The school committee, as previously stated, made a gesture of economy when they suggested abolishing school telephones. This is not the type of economy with which the Finance Com- mittee is in sympathy. Saving $300 by taking a chance on the lives of children does not impress us as being the type of leader- ship which will get the town far.
We have segregated the school budget to the extent of stipu- lating that $300 of the $200,000 shall be expended for tele- phones in school houses.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $200,000 for the School Department in 1932 in- cluding $300 for school telephones.
Schoolhouse Repairs
Although the School Department expended $9,605 in school- house repairs in 1931, they are requesting only $2,000 this year.
The Finance Committee is of the opinion that this radical drop means merely the postponement of necessary repairs which
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will cost the town considerably more to accomplish in the future. Such false economy is not compatible with good judg- ment but the committee does not feel it within its province to raise the request of the School Committee.
The Finance Committee, accordingly, recommends the appro- priation of $2,000 for schoolhouse repairs in 1932.
Sealer of Weights and Measurers
The sealer of weights and measures expended $1, 110 in 1931. He requests the same amount this year.
The Finance Committee, however, has, in accordance with its policy, deducted $50 from the previous allowance of $150 for transportation. It has also deducted $35 previously allowed for the use of the house telephone of the sealer. The com- mittee has cut an estimate of $75 for supplies to $30.
The Finance Committee recommends an appropria- tion of $9So for the sealer of weights and measures department.
Selectmen's Department
The town expended for the expenses of the Board of Select- men in 1931 a total of $3,419.05. The request this year is for $2,850.
The Finance Committee has deleted $50 from the transporta- tion item for the director of State Aid and Soldiers' Relief, in accordance with a uniform policy. They have also deducted $25 from an item for postage and $25 from the miscellaneous item.
The majority of the items in the budget are fixed charges and cannot be altered without detriment to the town.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $2,750 for the Board of Selectmen in 1932.
Snow and Ice
The town of Saugus expended in snow and ice removal in 1931 a total of $6,985.21.
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This year, however, the season has been remarkably open. Although this appropriation is always an undeterminate factor, the committee is quite certain that $3,500 will be sufficient for 1932. Should the weather of the weeks intervening between the action of the committee and the Annual Town Meeting prove stormy, the Finance Committee may feel it necessary to raise this recommended total on the Town Hall floor.
Soldiers' Burial
The town is forced to appropriate annually the sum of $200 for Soldiers' Burial. Last year there was no expenditure under this item, the entire amount reverting to surplus.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $200 for Soldiers' Burial.
Soldiers' Relief
The Annual Town Meeting of 1931 appropriated $15,000 for Soldiers' Relief. A subsequent special Town Meeting transferred $4,000 for the same purpose and the Finance Com- mittee supplied $50, making the total $19,050. There are un- paid bills for 1930 and 1931 totalling $1,084.69 to be met at this Town Meeting.
The request of the director for 1932 is for $20,000.
The Finance Committee finds, however, that there has been a radical decrease in living costs, particularly in food. It would seem only reasonable that the same needs of a family might be met for considerably less money in 1932 than was true last year.
The Finance Committee has deleted $2,000 from the request of the director and recommends the appropria- tion of $18,000 for Soldiers' Relief. The committee believes that this sum is adequate to carry the depart- ment through the year.
State Aid
The expenditures of the town for State Aid of War Veterans totalled $1,300 in 1931. This year, however, several additional cases have been filled.
All of this money is subsequently returned to the town by the State.
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The request of the director this year is for $1,500. The Finance Committee recommends this figure.
Street Lighting
The expense of the town for street lighting in 1932 will show a radical increase due to the fact that the town will for the first time assume the full cost of the new improved lighting system in the squares.
Street lighting in 1931 cost the town a total of $14,594, in- cluding six months maintenance of the new lights. This year the cost will be $17,090.
As the new improved lighting was installed under contract, there seems to be possible saving in this budget.
The town has also voted to assume one-half of the cost of maintaining two traffic lights on the Newburyport turnpike. The cost this year will be $300.
For some years the town has followed the plan of allowing the Board of Selectmen to allocate 20 additional street lights each fall. The Finance Committee recommends that this policy be temporarily abandoned.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropri- ation of $17,390 for street lighting with the under- standing that the Board of Selectmen will install no additional lights this year.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
The budget of this department totalled $400 in 1931, includ- ing $250 for salary and $150 for transportation.
In keeping with its general policy, the committee has deleted $50 from the allowance for transportation.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $350 for the superintendent of the fire alarm in 1932.
Tax Collector
The appropriation for the Tax Collector's department in 1931 totalled $5,500.30. The request this year is for $5,345. The
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department returned to the town in 1931 a total of $5,497.65, making it practically self-supporting.
The Finance Committee deducted $95 from the request of $2,500 for clerical hire.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropri- ation of $5,250 for the expenses of the Tax Collector's department in 1932.
Tax Title Expense
At the Annual Town Meeting of 1931 the sum of $2,000 was voted for tax title expense. Due to the failure of many citizens to meet their taxes, however, and the subsequent expense in taking a lien on the property in the name of the town, the Fi- nance Committee was forced to transfer $2,803.29 from the reserve fund to meet the emergency.
The Tax Collector has requested $3,500 for tax title expense in 1932 against expenditures of $4,803.29 last year. The Fi- nance Commitiee feels that this estimate is too conservative and is afraid that it will be necessary to again call upon the reserve fund for assistance. The committee has taken the unprece- dented action of increasing the collector's estimate and believes that $4,000 will probably be needed.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appropriation of $4,000 for tax title expense.
Temporary Loan Interest
The town expended in temporary loan interest in 1931, $9,997.09 of an appropriation of $11,000.
The request this year is for $15,000.
This is due solely to the unprecedented high rates of interest for municipal paper in the money market. The town had to pay six per cent interest on a short-time note of $50,000 early in the year. Indications are that the interest rates will continue much higher this year than last.
The Finance Committee finds, further, that this year it is essential for the town to make an appropriation which will not
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be spent. Bankers are uniting in the demand that the town build up a surplus to offset tax titles taken over by the town on properties upon which the owners have defaulted taxes. There is now in surplus a paper credit of approximately $26,000. This does not meet, however, the $40,000 worth of unpaid taxes which the town assumed last summer. The bankers de- clare that the town must have a surplus of at least $50,000.
The Finance Committee believes that this step, must be taken. The committee has added $25,000 to its recommendation for temporary loan interest. The un- expended $25,000 of the $40,000 will revert to sur- plus. Although this $25,000 would still further re- duce the town's tax rate if unappropriated, the com- mittee finds that it is also essential to protect our credit. This is a most necessary step in this process.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends the appro- priation of $40,000 for temporary loan interest of which $25,000 shall revert to surplus.
Town Accountant
The budget of the Town Accountant calls for an appropria- tion of $2, 115 for 1932 against expenditures totalling $2,860 last year.
The decrease is due to the fact that in 1931 the Town Ac- countant was forced to audit the books of the preceding tax collector and water collector. In the event of the present in- cumbent continuing to hold both of these positions, there will be no necessity for an audit.
The request of the Town Accountant for an appro- priation of $2, 115 shows budget segregation compar- able with those of the preceding year and the Finance Committee recommends to the Representative Town Meeting the appropriation of the requested amount.
Town Clerk
The appropriation for the Town Clerk's department in 1931 totalled $900. The request this year is for $936. The town received a total of $329.15 in fees in 1931.
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The town clerk has requested $300 for extra clerical hire this year against an expenditure of $264 last year. The Finance Committee has cut this item $36.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $900 for the Town Clerk's department in 1932.
Town Hall Accountant
Expense of maintaining the Town Hall in 1931 totalled $4,568. The request this year is for $4,000.
The Finance Committee has carefully studied the budget of this department and is convinced that the various budgetary items are chiefly fixed charges which it would be impossible to reduce without crippling the Board of Selectmen in maintaining the hall. The committee has, however, deducted $50 from a request of $200 for supplies and $50 from a request of $500 for repairs.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $3,900 for the maintenance of the Town Hall in 1932.
Town Infirmary
Operation of the Town Infirmary in 1931 cost the town a total of $7, 141.09 of an appropriation of $8,691. It is interest- ing at this point to observe that the estimate of the Board of Public Welfare for the operation of this department for 1931 totalled $10,146. The Finance Committee cut this figure to $8,691 and the department managed to save approximately $1,500 of even this low figure. This is indicative of the budget estimating of some departments.
The Finance Committee, in treating with the Town Infirmary, has taken the stand that the time is at hand when the activities of this establishment should be rad- ically curtailed. We believe that the unfortunate burning of the barn at the infirmary last summer has paved the way for the virtual elimination of the opera- tion of the farm as a dairy.
The town of Saugus has lost money year after year by the continuation of this unprofitable business. We
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are strenuously opposed to it being resumed. By infer- ence a previous special town meeting has favored its abolition and we sincerely hope that this year the bus- iness will be finally abolished and the Board of Public Welfare given definite instructions relative to the oper- ation of the farm.
The Finance Committee favors the sale of all but one of the few cows left at the Town Infirmary. This last animal may well be maintained to supply milk for the inmates. The com- mittee feels, however, that there should be a radical curtailment of the milk business and that the only activities of the Town In- firmary should be the maintenance of a small garden to supply fresh vegetables for the inmates, and a cow to give milk. The home should be maintained merely as a "home" and not as a continually losing farming proposition.
It will doubtless be suggested that if this is to be done that the land should be sold. The Finance Com- mittee does not favor such a step at this time, when the real estate market is at a low ebb, but believes that eventually this step should be taken and that the land should be placed in the market and disposed of with the exception of a small tract surrounding the house. Such a step will bring taxes into the town where noth- ing is now being realized.
Merely Business
The Finance Committee does not believe that this step is rad- ical or unwise. We do feel that it is unwise for the town to continue in a business which falls behind year after year. It must be conceded that the milk business as practiced by the Board of Public Welfare has been a costly experiment in the realm of public ownership.
We also wish to call attention to the fact that the town is setting up in competition to many taxpayers who are having difficulty making both ends meet. This unfair competition should be abolished.
REQUESTED BUDGET-The Board of Public Welfare has re- quested a total of $6,345 for the operation of the Town Infir-
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mary in 1932. The Finance Committee recommends an appro- priation of $3,650.
The following major deletions have been made in the budget :
SUPERINTENDENT-The present superintendent has tendered his resignation effective this month. He was paid at a salary of $1,200 a year. The Finance Committee believes, however, that there are many couples who would be willing to take this job at one-half the salary in view of the fact that the farming business is to be abolished. The Finance Committee calls attention to the fact that all of the expenses of the superintendent are paid by the town.
The Finance Committee has recommended $600 as the salary of the superintendent in 1932.
LABOR -The town spent $1, 154 for labor in 1931. The re- quest is for $800. The Finance Committee has deleted this item from the budget. Any chores around the property should be done by inmates who are capable.
HAY AND GRAIN-The request for hay and grain is for $1,100. The Finance Committee recommends $150. This is for the feed for a horse, cow, and possibly hens and pigs. The abolition of the milk business will also to a great extent eliminate the need of feed.
The Finance Committee has made other minor deletions from segregated items of the budget.
The recommendation of the Finance Committee for the operation of the Town Infirmary in 1932 totals $3,650.
Town Report
Printing and distributing the town report cost the town $2,075 in 1931. The request for 1932 is for $2,000.
As this item is at the present time an undeterminate factor, the Finance Committee recommends $2,000 for printing and distributing the town report.
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Town Treasurer
The Town Treasurer expended $2,986.63 in 1931 of an appropriation of $2,992.50.
The request this year is for $2,990.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $2,990 for the Treasurer's Department.
Trade School Tuition
Of an appropriation of $1,500 in 1931 for trade school tui- tion, the total cost of the town proved to be but $997.98. This is for the cost of keeping Saugus inhabitants at various trade schools maintained by the Commonwealth.
The Finance Committee recommends an appropria- tion of $900 for trade school tuition in 1932.
Tree Warden
The request of the Tree Warden is for an appropriation of $1,200, including $200 for the purchase of new trees. This is identical with the appropriation of the last Annual Town Meeting.
The Finance Committee believes, however, that a saving may be effected in the administration of this department.
A request of $203 for the purchase of trees has been entirely deleted from the budget.
The committee has also deleted a request for $65.55 for the purchase of tools and hardware. The committee believes that the warden has sufficient tools at the present time to carry out the duties of the office.
The warden requested $209 for the hiring of teams. The Finance Committee has cut this item to $100.
In keeping with its policy, the committee has deleted from the budget a request for $38.11 for the home telephone of the warden.
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The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $775 for the Tree Warden's department in 1932.
Water Maintenance
The request of the Board of Selectmen for 1932 is for $20,000 for water maintenance. Expenditures of 1931 totalled $23,500.
The Finance Committee believes that substantial savings may be effected in this department by the insti- tution of rigid economy. The committee recommends $17,500 for the maintenance of the Water Department.
Under the Water Department budget are many lesser items. They follow :
GENERAL EXTENSION-Last year the town expended $6,000 in general extension. Some years ago, however, the town functioned adequately on $4,000. The Finance Committee believes that this sum is sufficient to care for all of the necessary water extension of 1932. The Finance Committee recommends $4,000.
WATER METER PURCHASE --- The Board of Selectmen request $400 for water meters. The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $200 and believes it to be adeqnate.
WATER GATES-Last year the town expended $1,000 in water gates. The request this year is for $500. The Finance Committee believes that this is very necessary work which should be done regardless of economic conditions. We have left this item in the budget.
AUTOMATIC PUMP-The Selectmen declare that by installing an automatic pump in the pumping station in Cliftondale that the town will save the salary of the man now engaged in oper- ating the pumps every night in the week. This is a large saving for the cost of the pump is only $500.
The Finance Committee recommends that this pump be pur- chased and installed and has left this item in the budget.
TAYLOR STREET RELAY-The Selectmen ask for $300 to complete relaying of water mains on Taylor street. The Finance
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Committee believes that this work can well be deferred until another year and has eliminated this item from the budget.
WATER PURCHASE-Water purchase last year cost the town $20,000. It is a fluctuating amount and may be more or less this year. The request is for $20,000 and the Finance Com- mittee recommends that figure.
Action of the Finance Committee on Special Articles
ARTICLES 4 and 5-Request of the Board of Selectmen for appropriation of $3,956.91 and $72.78, respectively, for the care of persons suffering from tuberculosis, and the cost of an addi- tion to the Essex County Tuberculois hospital.
The town must pay both of these bills.
As there is no alternative, the Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $3,956.91 for the care of persons suffering from tuberculosis, and $72.78 for the construction of an addition to the hospital.
ARTICLE 6-Request of the Board of Selectmen for an appropriation of $726 to carry out mosquito work.
The Finance Committee believes that this presents an excel- lent opportunity for the town to effect a saving. The committee believes that the money spent thus far in mosquito prevention work has been generous and that the town might well eliminate this charge from its budget for the ensuing year.
The Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 7-Request of the Town Accountant for an appropria- tion of $5,069.07 for the payment of unpaid bills of 1931 and former years.
These are chiefly bills of the Board of Public Welfare and Department of Soldiers' Relief.
The majority of the Finance Committee recommends that these unpaid bills be attended to and that an appro- priation of $5,069.07 be made for this purpose. On this question Mr. Paul A. Haley was recorded in the negative.
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ART. 8-Request of the Board of Selectmen for an appro- priation of $1,500 to complete permanent reconstruction of Main and Howard streets.
The Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee understands, are acting upon the assumption that the State and county will contribute like sums. The Finance Committee is informed, however, that the county will do no work of this nature in 1932 and that the town will not receive their cooperation in the com- pletion of the road. The attitude of the Commonwealth is unknown.
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