USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 6
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The Finance Committee, however, believes that even if the State and county were willing to contribute that the town should do nothing this year. The street is now practically completed and can well wait until more prosperous times to be carried through to its end at the Melrose line.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 9-Request of the Board of Selectmen for an appro- priation of $1,732.89 to settle land damages arising from the reconstruction of Main and Howard streets.
These settlements were made by the county but the town is forced to pay all of the costs. The Selectmen feel that the claims should be settled at this time.
The majority of the Finance Committee recommends that the sum of $1,732.89 be appropriated to settle these claims. On this question Mr. Bertrand D. Westendarp and Mr. Paul A. Haley are recorded in the negative.
ART. 10-Request of the Town Treasurer for an appropria- tion of $900 to continue the work of determining the validity of tax titles.
Last year the town disposed of the accrued tax titles of 34 years, totalling over 1,000 parcels of land, and completely cleared its books of these frozen assets. Some $30,000 was brought into the town treasury by this energetic work of the Treasurer.
St
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The State has long requested the town to take this step and the reaction at the State House is highly favorable. It appears, however, that this must be an annual custom, as the tax title account must be brought up to date.
The Town Treasurer feels, and the Finance Committee con- curs in the belief, that this constant disposal of the town's title on vacant land is commendable. The Treasurer distinctly declares that nothing but vacant land has or will be sold.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropria- tion of $900 to determine the validity of tax titles.
ART. 11-Request of Charles H. Popp and others for an appropriation of $50,000 for highways, fences, bridges, drain- age or other public improvements, to be expended for the pur- pose of giving work to the town's unemployed.
Mr. Popp and other sponsors of this article have appeared before the Finance Committee to register their approval of this article. They contend, and not without reason, that there are many men out of town, clearly in need, who hesitate to appear before the Board of Public Welfare for aid. They feel that an appropriation of this magnitude would provide work for this group through the summer months.
With this appeal the Finance Committee is in proper sympathy. There is no question but what there are many in town who would welcome work. It has been suggested that it would be possible to lower the budget of the Board of Public Welfare a corresponding amount. This, however, is an excellent theory. It has, however, always worked otherwise in practice.
The Finance Committee found an excellent parallel case to the plan offered in the wealthy town of Milton. Last year Milton kept 45 men busy the year round at the rate of $5 a day doing drainage work, such as the present article provides for. The results have just been tabulated. Milton has found that for each $1 expended in labor that the costs aggregated $2.25. In other words, to give $1 worth of relief to the unemployed, it cost the taxpayers of the town a total of $2.25.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
This situation is not foreign in Saugus. Last spring the Superintendent of Public Works estimated that the net value of the town received on each dollar expended in unemployment relief was only 40 cents.
It may well be argued that it is better to gain 40 cents than to give away the dollar entirely. The fact remains, however, that the unemployed require aid anyway and that the town eventually finds itself giving two and one-half times the cost of maintain- ing the family through the Welfare Department.
The town is now using able-bodied men in the Public Works Department. If an unemployed man receives a grocery order and then works for the Public Works Department there is no stigma attached to the order. The town counsel has ruled that such a man has earned his order and is not receiving charity. The Public Works Department should be able to use any man willing to work who is now receiving aid and wishes to give value in return.
If the town appropriates $50,000 for the unemployed, as this article requests, the men will actually receive in the neighborhood of $20,000. The remainder will go for pipe and other materials. If we assume that this is correct, it would be possible at the most to take not more than this amount from the welfare budget and it would cost the town $50,000 to deduct $20,000 from the welfare budget.
The Finance Committee, with regret, has decided that this is a year when the taxpayers of the town must receive equal recognition with the unemployed. Hundreds of the town's tax- payers are either unemployed or working on part time and if they are not to join the ranks of those appealing to the Welfare Board, they also must be given aid in the form of a lower tax bill.
The majority of the Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTS. 12 and 13-Request of Rev. Charles B. McDuffee and others for an appropriation of $3,437.50 for the purpose of purchasing the land commonly known as the "Unity Camp Site" for school purposes.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The sponsor of this article has informed the Finance Com- mittee that he has no intention of requesting an appropriation for a new High School building this year. He feels, however, that the town will probably never be able to purchase the land any cheaper than at the present time and that it would be the part of wisdom to purchase this land and hold it for the even- tual construction of a new High School.
With this argument the Finance Committee cannot hold. The Representative Town Meeting has already indicated in no uncertain terms that it does not propose to construct a High School building on this site. As there is admittedly no oppor- tunity of constructing a school this year, the Finance Commit- tee cannot approve the purchase of any land. To buy land and take it out of the ordinary channels of taxation would not seem wise in this year when the town needs all of the revenue that it can possibly obtain.
The Finance Committee believes that this would be an unwise expenditure at this time and recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 14-Request of Hon. John J. Mullen for a vote by the annual Town Meeting that the Board of Assessors be requested to assess the land comprising the Lynn watersheds at a figure comparable with surrounding territory.
The Finance Committee has been advised by Mr. Mullen that the land comprising the Lynn watersheds is greatly under assessed at the present time. The committee, however, has also been informed that the Assessors are prevented from raising the valuation of the land by statutory limitations.
It would seem proper that the board give the matter thorough study. The Finance Committee, accordingly recommends that the article be referred to the Board of Assessors.
ART. 15. Request of Hon. John J. Mullen for an appropri- ation of $1,000 to clean the beach, so-called, at the town landing in East Saugus and provide locker rooms at the site.
The Finance Committee is unable to see the wisdom of any appropriation under this article. This is certainly no year for
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
the town to expend $1,000 in creating a bathing beach. The committee is unable to see the wisdom of cleaning a section of the shore of the Saugus river when the succeeding tide litters it again with refuse from the Lynn dump.
The Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 16-Request of Hon. John J. Mullen for the appoint- ment of a committee to investigate the advisability of the town entering the Metropolitan water system.
The Finance Committee is informed by the sponsor of this article that a considerable saving could be affected by taking Metropolitan water instead of that of the city of Lynn.
The committee, however, cannot see the necessity of appointing a committee to investigate this question as a water investigating committee already exists. The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this be referred to the present water investigating com- mitttee.
ART. 17. Request of Hon. John J. Mullen for the town to install traffic lights at the Main street intersection of the New- buryport turnpike and request the State to pay all of the bills.
The need of traffic lights at this intersection is obvious. The Finance Committee, however, does not approve of the town this year assuming the cost of such lights nor their maintenance.
In the event that the State will agree to install the lights and maintain them, the Finance Committee re- commends that the lights be placed at the site suggested.
ART. 18-Request of the Board of Selectmen that $5,000 be appropriated for a road to Golden Hills from Howard street.
The Board of Selectmen inserted this article in the warrant as a result of a promise made to Gov. Ely when State aid was given in the construction of Main street. The board, however, is not in favor of the appropriation this year.
The article calls for State and County aid in a cor- responding amount in each case. The county has
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
notified the Board of Selectmen by letter that they will not aid in any road construction this year.
The Finance Committee, while in sympathy with the need of Golden Hills for a road, feels that it would be most unwise for the town to consider its construction this year. When ordinary construction work in the central portions of the town is to be eliminated in the interests of economy, it is concededly no time to expend money on a road in the outskirts.
The Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 19-Request of Joseph Upham and others that the town grant the East Saugus Associates, so-called, a three-year lease on the former Legion clubhouse at East Saugus.
Mr. Upham has appeared before the Finance Committee on this article and has informed the committee that the purpose of the so-called East Saugus Associates is purely social. He as- serted that the club was formed for the useful purpose of keep- ing young men of this section of the town off the street.
It would appear the part of wisdom for the town to lease the building for the purpose outlined. The East Saugus Associates will keep the building in repair and there will be no cost to the town. There is no immediate need for the building and if allowed to stand idle it will probably eventually fall into a worse state of repair than it is at the present time.
The organization will pay the town a rental of $10 a month for the use of the building.
The Finance Committee recommends that the Representative Town Meeting authorize the selectmen to grant the lease provided that the East Saugus Asso- ciates will guarantee to keep the building and premises in safe repair.
ART. 20-Request of William C. Banks and others for an appropriation of $75 to remove a ledge on Vine street.
The Finance Committee is of the opinion that this job is ap- parently so inexpensive that the Board of Selectmen, if they find it necessary, might well handle it from the highway budget.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 21-Request of John Husler and others for an audit of the town's books by the State director of accounts.
The Finance Committee finds that Mr. Husler was unaware of the fact that the town has already adopted a by-law under which the books of the town are audited once every two years by the State director of accounts. The auditors were last here in 1930 and will be at work again shortly.
In view of this fact, the Finance Committee recom- mends that the article be indefinitely postponed. On this question Mr. Edward Gibbs, Jr., was recorded as "Not Voting."
ARTS. 22 and 23-Request of the High School Investigating Committee for an appropriation of $150,000 for the construc- tion of an addition to the present High school building.
The Finance Committee has been unable to learn of the mertis of this petition by the failure of the investigating com- mittee to appear before them. Two hearings set by the com- mittee have been defaulted by the investigating committee.
The Finance Committee, however, recognizing fully the needs of the town for increased High school seat- ing facilities, feels constrained to report to the Repre- sentative Town Meeting that in its judgment nothing can be done to remedy the situation this year. It is unfortunate that this is the case. Even if the Town Meeting voted to build the addition, however, it is ex- tremely doubtful whether the Town Treasurer could float the bonds. Municipal bonds to the extent of millions of dollars are a drug on the bond market today and there is little likelihood that Saugus would be able to obtain the money.
The Finance Committee believes, however, that the town's predominating need this year, even more than the necessity of giving increased school facilities, is to balance its budget. As- surance must be given the citizens of the town and the banking
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
world that the town is determined to plant its feet solidly on firm ground. The harassed taxpayers of the town must be afforded relief.
To build a school this year would completely ruin the Fin- ance Committees plan for balancing the town's budget. It would make a substantial reduction in the tax rate questionable. It would probably leave the town in the unfortunate position of being unable to market its bonds.
The Finance Committee fought consistently last year for a new High school. It still recognizes the need. The facts, however, are concisely that the town must cut all expenditures to the bone until more light can be seen throught the darkness of depression. High school construction must await a brighter day.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that these articles be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 24-Request of the Board of Sewer Commissioners for an appropriation for the installation of a system of sewers.
Chairman Charles E. Flynn of the Board of Sewer Commis- sioners informs the Finance Committee that the board has engi- neers working on preliminary plans for a sewage system at the present time and that they will not be able to report prior to the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Flynn stated that the Board of Commissioners inserted the article in the Warrant not because they were convinced that a start should be made on a sewage system at this time but rather in the belief that the Representa- tive Town Meeting should have an opportunity to pass on the question.
Aside from the financial angles involved, the Finance Committee is convinced that it would be inexpedient for the town to take a step of this magnitude until possessed of all possible engineering advice. The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 25-Request of the Harbor and Dock Commission for the expenditure of $5,000 for plans and development of the Saugus marshland.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
Chairman Henry A. B Peckham and Mr. John J. Mullen of the Saugus Harbor and Dock Commission appeared before the Finance Committee and explained the excellent work which they have been doing tending toward the development of the Saugus marshes. For the past year they have had an engineer, Mr. Adolph Suck of Brookline, at work on the plans, and have written hundreds of letters to firms both here and abroad.
The two commissioners seemed to feel that the town could place a higher assessment on the marshes and obtain more than the requested appropriation in increased taxation. They admitted, however, that the present administration in the Board of Assessors office did not look kindly on this proposal and that it would entail a change before it could be accomplished.
The Finance Committee is in grave doubt as to the right of the town to appropriate money for the commission. The har- bor and dock commission is merely a committee of the town and not a board created by statute. It would appear likely that the Board of Selectmen would have to spend the money.
The committee also finds that it would be illegal to pay Mr. Suck for any of the work which he has done in the past.
The Finance Committee does not feel that it would be wise for the town to enter upon such work at this time. Recogniz- ing the excellent work which the harbor commission has done, the Finance Committee does not feel that the time has arrived when the town should expend funds in developing the marshes. This may well be work of more prosperous years.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 26-Request of W. George Greenlay and others for an appropriation of $6,364 from the excess and deficiency or sur- plus account for the purpose of rebuilding the Town Infirmary barn.
The Finance Committee has listened to the arguments of Mr. Greenlay in favor of the reconstruction of the burned barn at the Town Infirmary. The committee, however, is thoroughly
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
convinced that such a step would be unwise. The town has decided by inference to go out of the milk business and we believe that it would be wise to sell all of the cows now kept at the farm with the exception of one to supply milk to the inmates. The town has continually lost money by maintaining a milk business at the Town Infirmary and this would appear a judicious time to step out from under a taxing burden.
The committee believes further that it is unwise for the town to remain in business in competition to citizens of the town.
The Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 27-Request of James Johnson and others for an appropriation of $300 for the purpose of removing drain pipe on Guild road.
Residents of this section appeared before the Finance Com- mittee and complained that a drain extending from Lincoln avenue is now pouring water onto their property.
Guild road, however, is a private street. If the town of Saugus expends any money in removing drain pipe or laying additional drainage facilities, the town automatically accepts the street. The Finance Committee is convinced that this would be an unwise act.
The committee is further of the belief that the expenditure of $300 would be merely a waste of money as the problem in this section is of such magnitude that it would require many times this amount to bring about its satisfactory solution.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 28-Request of Fred L. Hawkes and others for an appropriation of $500 for tying in new water services, installing gates, and resurfacing Denver street.
Two years ago the town of Saugus laid new water mains on Denver street. The appropriation was exhausted before the job
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
was finished and these pipes have never been connected up to the house services. Residents are still using water out of the old pipes.
Mr. Hawkes appeared before the Finance Committee and re- quested that this work be done and gates installed. He also called the attention of the committee to the dangerous condition of the street. He stated that the superintendent of public works had estimated that the entire job could be done for $500.
The majority of the Finance Committee, however, is opposed to such an expenditure at this time. The pipes are in the ground and may be tied up at any time. The condition of the street may well be taken care of by the Board of Selectmen from the general highway budget. It would not seem the part of wisdom to spend $500 this year in giving residents water through new pipes when they are already being cared for adequately.
The majority of the Finance Committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed. On this question Mr. Edward Gibbs, Jr., and Mr. Charles T. Anderson were recorded in the negative.
ART. 29. Request of Wendell C. Brooks and others for an appropriation of $3,700 for drainage and re-surfacing on Pear- son street, a distance of 400 feet from Jasper street.
With the general need of street repairs in this section of the town, the Finance Committee is thoroughly acquainted. There is no question but what the street is in deplorable condition. In a normal year, it might be the part of wisdom for the town to expend a reasonable sum in affording relief to the residents of the district.
The Finance Committee, however, is unanimously convinced that such a project should not be undertaken at this time. The committee is opposed to any street construction projects of any nature this year and be- lieves that everything possible should be eliminated to provide relief from the crushing weight of taxation. An appropriation of this character would cost the citi- zens of the entire town approximately 25 cents on the tax rate.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Finance Committee calls attention to the fact that this piece of highway was only accepted by the town last year. There are scores of streets which have been accepted for years which are in equally bad or worse condition.
The Finance Committee, therefore, recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 33-Request of George Diamond and others for the appointment of a committee, none of whom shall have been members of the 1930 Board of Selectmen, to investigate the Central street sidewalk.
',There seems to be a possibility that by investigation some method might be found of making the Central street sidewalk more useful to the citizens and less distasteful to abutters. The Finance Committee believes that such an investigation, properly conducted, might serve a useful purpose.
The committee can see no reason, however, why members of the 1930 Board of Selectmen should be excluded from membership. It might be reasonably argued that at least one member of that board might well serve on the committee and assist in the solution of a problem which the board of that year uncon- sciously created.
The Finance Committee recommends that a committee of five citizens be appointed to investigate the Central street sidewalk situation.
ART. 34-Request of Hon. John J. Mullen for action by the Annual Town Meeting setting aside a part of the Town Infir- mary land known as the "Ox Field" for park purposes forever.
The Finance Committee can see no need of a park in this section of the town. Children in this district can well be accommodated at Stackpole's Field Playground. The com- mittee believes that it would be unwise to segregate this land for park purposes and recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 35-Request of various citizens for street lights on Palmer avenue, Richard street, and Summer street.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
1932]
For some years it has been the town's policy to install 20 additional street lights yearly. These lights cost the town $16 a year to maintain and over a period of several years the cost is considerable.
Under general street lighting, the Finance Committee has recommended that no additional street lights be installed this year. The committee recommends that this article be indefinitely postponed.
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ACTION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE GENERAL BUDGET
(jeneral Covernment
Expended in 1930
Expended in 1931
Asked for in 1932
Recommended
Moderator .
$50 00
Finance Committee
$470 17
$1,151 58
$800 00
800 00
Planning Board
167 29
173 14
200 00
150 00
Selectmen's Department
2,520 46
3,340 86
2,850 00
2,750 00
Accountant's Department
2,130 79
2,826 47
2,115 00
2, 115 00
Treasurer's Department
2,710 93
2,989 13
2,990 00
2,990 00
Collector's Department .
5,099 30
5,661 69
5,345 00
5,250 00
Tax Title Expenses
2,92 1 06
4,616 48
3,500 00
1,000 00
Assessors' Department
8,099 00
7,748 83
7,728 00
7,100 00
Registration Town Notes
61 00
36 00
70 00
70 00
Law Department
3,052 94
971 70
750 00
750 00
Town Clerk Department
851 48
1,022 96
936 00
900 00
Election and Registration
4,465 53
4,484 14
5,000 00
5,000 00
Town Hall Account
3,997 14
4,567 46
4,000 00
3,900 00
Public Works Department
6,432 71
6,056 88
6,137 00
6,100 00
Board of Appeals . .
198 17
200 00
200 00
Engineering Department
2, 187 89
2,280 00
1,000 00
$42,979 80
$40,033 38
$44,941 00
$43,125 00
. . ·
·
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
Protection of Persons and Property
.
Police Department
$27, 162 00
Pensions
2,324 80
Town Constable
100 00
100 00
100 00
100 00
Firemen's Salaries
21,002 50
21,601 04
22,613 00
22,613 00
Chief's Salary
2,500 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
250 00
400 00
400 00
350 00
Fire Department Expenses
8,880 48
8,063 69
9, 815 00
4,260 00
Hydrant Service .
500 00
500 00
500 00
500 00
Forest Fire Warden
1,119 55
333 41
400 00
300 00
Inspector of Buildings
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