USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1933 > Part 13
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In our report of last year we called to your attention the fact that a very large percentage of the people we were aiding had settlements other than Saugus. This has been demon- strated in the past year to the extent that the town received from the State and other Cities and Towns the sum of $35,031.67 as shown previously in this report.
Our burden, which is still heavy, has been considerably lightened by the fact that the Civilian Conservation Corps ab-
.
190
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
sorbed sixty-two (62) of the young men of the town enabling them to help their families and thereby be self supporting to a certain degree. Favorable comment has come to us from time to time regarding the high type of young men who went from Saugus; their conduct, etc., has been exemplary and their ambition above the average, so much so that quite a few have been promoted to executive positions which gave them added remuneration.
The Civil Works Administration has not only relieved our department but has also given relief to a great number of people who for the last two years have refrained from apply- ing for Public Welfare Aid and have struggled along hoping against hope that tomorrow something would turn up. The number of people registered demonstrates very clearly that the people of Saugus in general would exhaust every means possible, treating the application for Welfare Aid only as a last resort. This is very commendable and we believe it is our duty to call it to the attention of the people of the town because it is obvious that if a large percentage of these people had been on our lists our expenses these last two years, would have been considerably higher.
The average number of families aided during the year was 365, representing approximately 1,645 people. The recipients have been most willing to help out the town in lieu of relief granted by giving in return their labor. The following is a list of men who worked in the several departments of the town January 1st to November 28th, 1933.
Men
Days worked
Public Works Department
. . 1,345
1,8041/2
Town Hall
113
1481%
Cemetery
141
174
Schools
25
391%
Total
1,624
2,1661/2
In addition to the above, 1171 men were delegated to work at the Town Farm cutting down and chopping wood which was given to recipients of Welfare Aid. This materially re- duced our expenses for coal last winter. Grocery orders were augmented by flour as long as it lasted, the distribution of
191
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT.
1933]
which was undertaken lately by the Red Cross. Vegetables were also given to augment grocery orders of men with large families, in all
1445 lbs. of squash 481 pks. of potatoes
116 doz. of corn
a considerable amount of rhubarb turnips and carrots
173 cords of wood were delivered to needy families.
All this helped materially to make it easier for a great number of our townsfolk who were feeling the pinch.
What lies ahead, who can tell, nevertheless, we honestly feel that we are over the worst, that a new day is dawning when our people will get to work with remuneration commensurate to their domestic requirements. We have possibly made mis- takes in the past year both of omission and commission, un- intentional we assure you. Our fundamental principle has been to do the right and just thing to applicants and tax-payers alike.
We appreciate the kindness of many citizens of the town for their valued information regarding many needy cases in town.
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to go on record at this time in recognizing the great efforts that Mr. C. F. Nelson Pratt, Representative in this town, has made in regard to getting extra appropriations from the Civil Works Adminis- tration for the Town. His efforts materially aided the un- employed of the town at this particular time.
We have asked for an appropriation of $75,000.00 for the year 1934. This amount is only an estimate of what may be necessary. Should the Civilian Conservation Corps and Civil Works Administration be extended our obligations will ac- cordingly be much lighter but if by any reason these agencies cease to function the amount asked for will be required to meet the circumstances.
192
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SAUGUS INFIRMARY
The appropriation for the year 1933 was $4,000.00.
Cash Receipts for the year were as follows:
Produce
$325.39
Board
9.00
Miscellaneous
1.75
Total $336.14
The following produce was raised and as stated in the Wel- fare Report were given to recipients of aid :
1445 lbs. squash 481 pks. potatoes
116 doz. corn
also other vegetables as stated in Welfare Report; in addition, 173 cords of wood were delivered in lots, approximately one- half (1%) cord each to Welfare recipients.
During the year many improvements have been made; the Inspector from the Division of Public Safety at the State House demanded certain changes be made, such as building a cement block wall around boiler in basement, the installation of fire-proof doors and the erection of a fire escape with access from all inmates' dormitories. This necessitated considerable work and expense. A great deal of the labor was contributed by Welfare workers. Saugus Town Infirmary, in its present condition, now compares favorably with any Town Infirmary in the State.
A number of families in town again this year embraced the opportunity of having Home Gardens; approximately three acres of Town Land was ploughed up by Mr. Whidden for this purpose. The majority of the gardens were well taken care of and certainly were not only very productive but a great credit to the people who worked so diligently on these.
There are at the present time seven inmates at the Infirm- ary. One inmate was removed to a Mental State Hospital and another died in a State Institution during the year.
193
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT.
1933]
The Infirmary was opened for inspection on a Saturday in October and quite a few of the townsfolk visited the Infirmary. We hope that this year this opportunity will be embraced by many more and see for themselves the home-like conditions which prevail at your Town Infirmary.
Your Board, at this time, wishes to publicly state their ap- preciation of the work of Mr. and Mrs. Whidden, warden and matron respectively of the Town Infirmary. Their unceasing faithfulness to the inmates and to the Infirmary duties in general have not only improved the Infirmary and surround- ings but have also made a congenial place in which to live.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. AMES, Chairman, ARTHUR C. DUNK, Secretary, ERNEST M. HATCH,
Board of Public Welfare of Saugus, Mass.
194
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec.31
Report of Investigator and Visitor
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Public Welfare, Saugus, Mass:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my third annual report as investigator for the Board of Public Welfare.
I have investigated four hundred and twenty (420) Public Welfare cases of which three hundred and sixty-five (365) were granted aid and eighty-five (85) Old Age Assistance cases. Each of the latter was visited at least four times as required by law.
Of the above mentioned three hundred and sixty-five Public Welfare cases, one hundred and ninety-five are now working, due to the NRA, many of them on the CWA. Due to investi- gation eighty of the cases were dropped. Twenty-five of the cases moved to other towns. There are now sixty cases still being carried.
After investigation the Old Age Assistance cases, two were shut off, because they were receiving aid from some other source or because they had some form of income. Five of the recipients of Old Age Assistance moved from town during the past year, and five are now deceased.
Twelve people were taken by me to various institutions and hospitals, including Tewksbury, Collins Memorial Hospital, Boston, the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Lynn Hospital. I covered in addition to my regular welfare work, about eleven hundred and thirty-five miles.
A number of settlement notices from other towns and cities were checked, and upon investigation several of these were found to have no Saugus settlement. The saving to the Town of Saugus because these non-settlement cases were denied aid, and the eighty cases dropped through investigation, amounts to several thousand dollars.
195
INVESTIGATOR AND VISITOR REPORT.
1933]
Many milk, orders were recommended in addition to the grocery order, in families where there were children whose physical condition was below normal.
I have received co-operation from other Welfare Boards and various organizations, and in turn have co-operated to the best of my ability.
I would like in closing to thank the Board of Public Welfare and all others who have co-operated with me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK P. GARAFANO,
Investigator and Visitor, Board of Public Welfare.
196
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Public Works Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :-
I wish to submit the annual report of the Public Works De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1933.
HIGHWAYS
The Highway Department for the past year has consisted of a foreman and five men, the smallest crew in many years, supplemented by men from the Welfare Department. 7.67 men per day over 10 months. For Sept. 5.1 per day and Octo- ber 3.44 per day. It can be readily seen that there was no great amount of man power. With this condition we accom- plished much. Much blue gravel was taken from the Hatha- way pit and placed on town streets. Other gravel was pur- chased by yard and ton loaded on our trucks and distributed as follows.
GRAVEL ON ACCEPTED STREETS
Woodbury Ave., Hesper St.,
Fairmount Ave., ledge near Wonderland
Water St., shoulders repaired
Fairmount Ave., Lynnhurst end
Walden Pond Ave., entrance
Dudley St., entire length Springdale Ave., on hill
Fairview Ave., top of hill
Laurel St., bad holes filled
Foster St., East side over water trench Blueridge Ave at Lenox
Hamilton St., bad holes filled
Riverside Park, Winter to Stanton
Ballard St., gutter Johnson to Spencer Ave.
197
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1933]
Central St., near mill Columbus Ave., holes Pearson St., new gutters Willis St., fill gutters Howard St., repairs to shoulders Bristow St., cave in at bridge Western Ave., gutter near Ocean View Ave.
The following streets are put in good condition with gravel surface ready for oil : ,
Hood St. Norman Rd. Wilson St.
Raddin Terr. Intervale Ave. Sunnyside Ave.
Smith Rd.
UNACCEPTED STREETS
Grandview Ave., Pratt to Winter
Spencer Ave., in holes
Houston Ave., where needed Henry St., at entrance Dustin St., at entrance Milton St., repairs to Dyke
Crescent Ave., near Adams Ave. Johnston Terr., on hill Wickford St., build up road
Stanton St., to crown road
Centennial Ave., filled holes
Golden Hills dam, repaired Wamesit Avenue
Material on the above unaccepted streets was cared for by those requesting same.
SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS
Main St., cinders from schools Winter St., stone dust entrance Saugus Garage to Granolithic Pleasant St., Summer St. to Auburn Ct. Lincoln Ave., Myrtle St. to Linwood St. Hood St., 200 feet west from Essex Essex St., Hayden Rd. to Norman Rd. Columbus Ave., Central St. west
198
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec.31
Intervale Ave., Lincoln Ave. to Hillcrest
Jefferson Ave., Sidewalk lowered for 75 ft. to meet conditions at new gas station.
CULVERTS AND DRAINS REPAIRED
Bristow St., culvert rebuilt east end at Western Ave. Hesper St., culvert rebuilt near Fairmount Ave. Hayden Rd., drain relaid and cleaned Essex St., at Vine repaired
BRIDGES REPAIRED
Ballard St., new floor on sidewalk
Pleasant Ave., reinforced
Elm St., in deplorable condition, must be replaced. Highland Ave., repairs to floor.
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
Pleasant St., drain completed to river
Ballard St., basin built and drain, Yale St. to river Bayfield Rd., drain and basin built to present system
Catch basins have been cleaned in Spring and Fall. Several have been rebuilt.
Gutters have been cleaned Spring and Fall.
The several greens have been cared for. Cliftondale flower bed was donated by the Woman's Civic League, West Clifton- dale by P.W.D. Tulip beds have been planted on the following greens : Franklin Square, Cliftondale Square, West Cliftondale Green, Monument Square Green. Walks are bordered with crocus plants. These spring flowers followed by seasonal plants will beautify the plots greatly.
FENCES
Several sections of fence are in need of repairs and paint.
STREET SIGNS
12 new signs have been put up this year.
199
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
1933]
REMOVAL OF ASHES
This work has been carried on to good advantage to the town. A used Chevrolet dump truck was purchased which has given good service. The route has been extended to care for a larger number of residents. Dumps have been kept as conditions allowed.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The bank to the west of the school was laid out and graded by this department. The yard was graded with pea gravel and given an application of colas which leaves the surface light in color. This yard always had a bad drainage condition. A basin was installed and connected to the surface drainage sys- tem.
EAST DENVER STREET
This street was redesigned to fit the conditions at the new school with a new colas walk Central St. to Winter St. The land between Winter and East Denver Sts. owned by the town was banked on two sides with a rock garden effect and set out with hardy spring flowering bulbs.
TOWN HALL
The lawn on Woodbury Ave. side was loamed and seeded. The drive was widened for two cars.
OAKLANDVALE SQUARE
This square is still uncompleted. C.W.A. projects this Fall stopped all local P. S. Several loads of loam were delivered but remain unspread.
PLAYGROUNDS
The seats for Stackpole Playground were taken from storage by the P.W.D. C.W.A. prevented their return.
Stocker Playground was cleaned of brush and rubbish. Many loads of street cleaning were delivered to Cliftondale Grounds.
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
STREET CLEANING
This work at the three squares has been done Friday night while there are few cars on the street.
STREET PATCHING
52 tons of patch was purchased and used on town ways and about 35 tons manufactured at the Town Garage.
BALLARD STREET
The spring flood tide did a large amount of damage to the road and it was necessary to purchase 50 tons of stone for rip rap. The road was closed for three hours and only one half was in use for several days.
Respectfully submitted,
DEXTER G. PRATT, Supt. of Public Works.
WATER COMPARISON
Services
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
New
194
147
65
57
25
Renewal
83
93
80
44
65
Blow outs
326
113
333
275
306
Commitment
$47,281.14
$40,328.09
$45,050.78
$44,295.44
$41,675.02
$40,546.41
Cubic ft. of water
36,773,700
35,137,994
40,070,060
40,834,900
40,247,200
30,506,400
Fixture
Meter
Maint.
Turn on
Hydrants
1931
$ 1,136.50
$35,113.82
$ 7,466.12
$ 79.00
$ 500.00
Total $44,295.44
1932
862.50
36,635.55
3,578.97
98.99
500.00
41,675.02
1933
906.00
38,227.17
1,299.24
114.00
40,546.41
Water liens, 1932
$4,350.44
Water liens, 1933
2,804.12
·
1929
1931
1932
1933
Water meters repaired . .
147
135
242
349
New meters installed
341
110
76
16
Meters frozen . .
54
76
45
77
Meters tested .
31
20
17
24
Hydrants (new)
2
1933]
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT.
201
.
.
·
202
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec.31
WATER EXTENSION
Hobson Street, Grove Street
Harwich Street
750 ft. From Great Woods Rd., (east)
257 ft. From Essex St., to Maple St.
183 ft. From Labonia Ave., (west)
DEXTER G. PRATT,
Superintendent.
203
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1933]
Report of Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
It now becomes my privilege to present to you my third annual report of the Police Department and their doings thereof during the year 1933.
The department consists of one chief, one captain and nine permanent patrolmen. Also there are fifty four special police officers, of which number eighteen are uniformed and are available for police duty whenever necessary to call upon. The roster of the police department is as follows:
Chief John T. Stuart
Captain Henry P. Wheaton Regular Patrolmen
Frank W. Joy, James P. Sullivan, Clarence H. Berrett, Roland E. Mansfield, Peter A. Flaherty, William MacDougall, Joseph A. Lambert, Jr., James F. Maher, Thomas F. Spencer.
Special Police Officers
Gustave A. Anderson, Timothy J. Bannon, Earl E. Bentley, Oren O. Bentley, Howard P. Berrett, Frank K. Berthold, George E. Bradley, William F. Cahill, Thomas E. Canavan, Harold J. Coburn, Francis W. Comey, Charles C. Defranzo, William L. Dowling, Ernest A. Dunham, John W. Foley, Frank Garafano, Ernest M. Hatch, Norman D. Hatch, Percy Hawkes, Clarence W. Howard, Phillips A. Hull, Allen Ireland, Richard P. Kelley, Fred Leary, Walter Leeman, Arthur H. MacMunn, Samuel Maddox, John E. Mansfield, Howard P. McAdoo, Alexander S. McCarrier, Ernest A. Merrithew, Walter F. Neal, Carl G. Pearson, Willie M. Penney, Dexter G. Pratt, Charles B. Pugsley, Edwin A. Rich, Jr., Henry R. Robinson, William S. Rockhill, Edward O. Roy, Percy R. Salsman, Frank L. Sy-
204
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
monds, George A. Tweedy, Everett Vickary, Ralph E. Whid- den, John W. White, Henry Winslow.
Special Police for Lynn Watershed
Michael Ahern, John F. Heath, Patrick Garrity, Dennis J. Keane, William Kennedy, Dennis Mead.
During the year nineteen hundred and thirty-three the total number of persons arrested were 768. Of this total 683 were males, 46 females and 39 juveniles. This is a slight de- crease from the year 1932.
These arrests were for the following offenses :- drunken- ness 161, violations of motor vehicle laws 234, indecent assault 1, attempt breaking and entering nightime 6, larceny delin- quent 19, setting fires without permit 5, larceny of auto 14, nonsupport 7, default 11, assault and battery 9, indictment warrant 1, larceny 26, assault 9, present game Lord's Day 20, malicious mischief 3, truancy '4, indecent exposure 1, operating motor vehicle under the influence of liquor 35, Superior Court capias 1, disturbing the peace 24, violation of the road law 40, breaking, entering and larceny 7, violation of town by-law 10, violation of dog laws 60, trespass 1, violation of traffic rules 3, violation of liquor laws 9, breaking, entering and larceny nightime 2, lewd and lascavious cohabitation 2, incest 1, vio- lation of fish and game laws 23, evading fare 1, illegitimacy 3, neglected child 1, rape 1, adultry 3, fornication 1, lewd and lascavious behavior 1, alien possessing firearms 1, immoral machine in possession 1, disorderly conduct 3, desertion 1, sodomy 1, violation of Metropolitan District Commission rules 2.
Dispositions of this year's arrests were as follows :- fined 319, filed 179, released 53, dismissed 16, discharged 37, com- mitted to the House of Correction 31, committed to women's reformatory 1, committed to the State Farm 4, probation 19, arrests for other police departments 25, filed upon costs of court 52, committed to Essex County Training School 3, held for grand jury 17, court order 1, committed to State Child Welfare 2, continued to nineteen hundred and thirty-four 6, committed to Boys Industrial School 1.
The segregation of the persons arrested show them to be of the following nationality and their number: American 574,
205
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1933]
Italian 69, Polish 37, Russian 7, Jewish 8, Portugese 4, Cana- dian 15, Irish 9, English 9, Lithuanian 9, Scotch 5, Swedish 8, French 5, Slav 2, German 2, Greek 2.
The total amount of fines collected in the Saugus Police Court for the year 1933 were $2394. Of this amount the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts received the sum of $1235. The Town of Saugus received $1001. and the County of Essex re- ceived $158. In the Lynn District Court, thirty-five cases of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor were tried. Of this amount eight paid fines totaling $800., eight were discharged, two received house of correction sentences, one received a suspended sentence to the house of correction, fifteen appealed to the Superior Court from the finding of the District Court, and there is one case pending dispostion.
Daily report of officers show the following :- Complaints received and investigated 1390, doors and windows found open and secured 237, autos reported stolen 145, stolen autos re- covered by this department 48, articles reported lost 38, ar- ticles reported found 42, dogs reported lost 70, dogs reported found 64, conveyed to the hospital 55, responded to fires 63, lost persons reported 67, lost persons reported as found 63, notified for out of town police departments and hospitals 140, all others 357 making a total of 2779 reports.
Your police department is taxed to the limit with work and it is now undermanned. I have requested that two additional regular men be appointed this year and these men will be used to give added protection in the sections most needed.
In the report of nineteen hundred and thirty-two, I stated, that we would endeavor to pull through the year without re- placing any of the motor equipment. It is now imperative that the ambulance which is obsolete and a 1922 model be replaced The present Packard Sedan which has and will cost the town money should be replaced with a more economical and yet a heavy sedan. The present two motorcycles, one a 1928 model which is unsafe to ride in police work should be replaced and the other a 1931 model which will cost a sum of money to put on the road for another season. If the 1931 machine is over- hauled and new parts used to replace the used parts the machine will be valueless as far as tradein value is concerned
206
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
in 1935. Therefore for the sake of economy this machine should also be replaced.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Judge William E. Ludden, the several Town Officials and private citizens who by their cooperation aided me during the past year. Also I wish to thank the members of the department who have strived to preserve peace and order in our town.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. STUART,
Chief of Police.
207
PLANNING BOARD REPORT.
1933]
Report of Planning Board
The Planning Board herewith submits its annual report to the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
The Board organized on March 9, 1933 with the following members: Barnet Shapiro, Chairman; Alvah L. Rich, Secre- tary; Charles H. L. Kahler, William Robinson. On March 20 Paul Neal was elected to fill the vacancy on the Board. We have held several special meetings as well as our regular ones on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
ZONING LAW.
We wish to inform the citizens that the law has now been changed and requires that all articles in a town meeting calling for rezoning of land must be submitted to the Zoning Board, to be considered at an open meeting. Said article or articles, with the Planning Board's recommendation, may then be taken up on the floor. We believe this a good law as the Board's impartial recommendation can work no injustice and will, no doubt, acquaint many citizens with the facts from a zoning point of view, who would otherwise have to sift the facts from the usual floor debate.
The Board feels that building lines should be established along our business districts. Future traffic demands will re- quire large amounts for eminent domain holdings, if we do not look ahead now.
Your Board wishes to congratulate the Board of Appeals upon the general excellence of its decisions during the past year. The future welfare of the Town can be greatly helped or hindered by this powerful Board of Appeals. They have acted in good faith and with excellent judgment.
MOSQUITO CONTROL.
Because of its size the marsh land is receiving practically all of the mosquito control attention. We hope that when the
208
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Town is financially able the midland breeding places will re- ceive their share of attention. This Board knows of a project being worked out that will eventually map every sizable mo- squito breeding place in the Town. This information, we are sure, will be available when better finances warrant its at- tention.
SAFETY.
This Board has attempted to obtain Stop Signs from the Governor's Committee on Street and Highway Safety. It is a difficult task as the Governor's Committee evidently feels that too many signs will react disadvantageously. In one case where the sign was refused two accidents occurred the follow- ing day. We requested a reconsideration and the Governor's Committee has granted it.
The Board has noted many, what seemed to us, dangerous conditions about the Town. In the main, our recommendations have been approved. We wish to express our appreciation to the Saugus Safety Committee, the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, and the Superintendent of Public Works for their cooperation along this line.
DUPLICATION OF STREET NAMES.
This matter is nearing the time of action. We are ready to submit our recommendations to the Board of Survey to be carried on from there. We wish to thank the Board of Asses- sors for their hearty cooperation in this matter.
Respectfully submitted,
BARNET SHAPIRO, Chairman, ALVAH L. RICH, Secretary, CHARLES H. S. KAHLER, WILLIAM ROBINSON, PAUL NEAL
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