USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1934 > Part 10
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LABOR
Our labor percentage this year has been much smaller for highway work, because a large number of men who came to us previously from the Welfare Department were taken over by the C.W.A. and E.R.A. During the E.R.A, working hours all our trucks, drivers and repair men have been busy in connection with the various projects.
RESURFACING
This work should be taken up again this year (1935) on a large scale. Most of our streets have not been treated for four years. Therefore our street surfaces are developing holes which must be taken care of with patching material. The patching work has increased greatly. Asphalt was applied to Norman Road, Upper Essex Street, Sweetwater Street and Elm Street.
DRAINAGE
Two new basins were built on Columbus Avenue and two on Woodbury Avenue. Minor repairs have been made on several drains. On Ballard Street a new line was connected at Warren Avenue, and laid to Greenwood Avenue with three new basins.
Catch basin cleaning was much handicapped in the spring and again in the fall due to the shortage of Welfare help. Gutter cleaning was also handicapped for the same reason.
179
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
1934]
GRAVEL FOR ACCEPTED STREETS
Gravel was placed on the following accepted streets : Vincent Street, Raddin Terrace, Columbus Avenue, Denver Street, Maple Street, Wamesit Avenue, Horton Street, Riverside Park and Park Street.
GRAVEL FOR UNACCEPTED STREETS
Gravel was placed on the following unaccepted streets, and spread by the abuttors; Ash Street, Waverly Avenue, Eustis Street, Stocker Street, Beech Street, Elmwood Avenue, Auburn Street, Summit Avenue, Sapphire Road, Allison Road, Midvale Avenue, Elaine Avenue, Makepeace Street, Hurd Avenue, Johnson Terrace, Palmer Avenue, Hillcrest Avenue, Cliff Road, Walden Pond Road, Cliff Street, Church Street, Summer Court, part of Mountain Avenue, Houston Avenue, Harvard Avenue, Dudley Street, Williams Avenue, Farrington Avenue, Westland Avenue, Guild Road, Marden Street, Pineview Avenue, River- side Court, Dreeme Street, Second Street, Davis Avenue, Bass- wood Avenue, Burrill Street, Harlow Street, Wickford Street, Greenwood Avenue, and Warren Avenue.
SIDEWALKS
Cinders from the schools were spread on the Main Street sidewalk.
FENCES
Fences were repaired on Balland St., Spring St., and Walnut St. Most of these fences were damaged by automobiles. We have miles of fence which should receive minor repairs and paint.
BRIDGES
The Elm St. Bridge is still on props and must be replaced this year. Last year several bad holes were repaired and ad- ditional posts placed beneath the flooring. The estimated cost of replacing the same type of bridge is $2,500 or with steel and concrete about $4,000.
A sidewalk was replaced on the Central St. bridge, and the floors of the Highland Ave. and Ballard St. bridges were repaired.
180
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
CLEANING OF SQUARES
This work was carried on in the usual way giving us clean, presentable squares.
GREENS
Our greens have been mowed and trimmed. and flowers have been planted in the flower beds. All of the greens need fer- tilizing. About 35 loads of loam were placed on the Oakland- vale Square green. It is hoped that this year we will be able to seed this green down and make it an asset to the town.
REMOVAL OF ASHES
This work was carried on very successfully this year. The first three months of the year called for more work on the part of the ash crew, due to the heavy snowfalls. The increas- ing use of oil burners has increased the amount of waste paper from homes and stores, therefore a truck with a larger carry- ing capacity is necessary.
The truck was purchased 'rebuilt' in 1933 at which time the work was taken over by this department and should be re- placed with a new truck with a larger carrying capacity. The estimated cost of such a truck, properly equipped is about $1,000, and has been requested in the Budget for 1935.
OLD FIRE STATION
Toward the latter part of 1934 the old fire station was moved to a new location at the town yard in order that work on the new building could be started. It is now contemplated to move the Public Works Department and the Engineering Office to the old fire station when the new one is completed in the early summer.
I have been very ably assisted by Mr. Ernest M. Merrithew in the work of the department which has been greatly increased during the past year by the great number of C.W.A. and E.R. A. projects which have been in progress under the supervision of this department.
Signed : DEXTER G. PRATT, Superintendent.
WATER EXTENSION
Edge Hill Road, Golden Hills
80 feet
There are approximately 54 miles of water mains in ser- vice in the town.
WATER COMPARISON
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
New . . .
147
65
57
25
9
Renewal
93
80
44
65
84
Blow Outs
113
333
275
306
418
Committment
$40,328.09
Meter $45,050.78
Maint. $44,295.44
Turn on $41,675.02
Hydrants $40,546.41 30,506,400
Total $39,538.41
48,155,600
1932
$ 862.50
$36,635.55
$3,578.97
$ 79.00
$500.00
$41,675.02
1933
906.00
38,227.17
1,299.24
114.00
40,546.41
1934
808.00
38,054.08
581.43
95.00
39,538.51
Water Liens, 1933
$ 2,804.12
Water Liens, 1934
3,050.89
1931
1932
1933
1934
Water Meters repaired
135
242
349
393
Water Meters installed
.. ·
110
76
16
12
Meters frozen
76
45
77
245
Meters tested
20
17
24
23
Hydrants, new
2
1
1934]
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
181
.
-
·
.
Fixture
Cu. Ft. of Water
36,773,700
40,070,060
40,834,900
40,247,200
182
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Inspector of Buildings
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending on December 31, 1934.
PERMITS GRANTED
No.
Dwellings
13
Valuation $25,800.00
Garages
43
6,725.00
Church
1
4,500.00
Road Side Stands
4
1,856.00
Over Night Cabins
5
860.00
Foundations
2
585.00
Stores
4
1,850.00
Out Houses
16
1,640.00
Filling Stations
5
8,975.00
Additions
31
10,355.00
Remodel
9
66,425.00
Greenhouses
2
600.00
Combination Police and
Fire Station
1
72,647.00
Total
132
$142,818.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN WILLIS WHITE, Inspector of Buildings.
183
HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
1934]
Report of the Harbor Master
fo the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- I wish to submit the first annual report of the Harbor Master for the year ending December 31, 1934.
Yachts and motor boats given assistance in distress and towed to a safe anchorage, four (4) ; recovered adrift and re- turned to owner, one (1) ; removed from midchannel, eight (8) ; unregistered boats reported missing, six (6) ; unregis- tered boats recovered and returned to owners, six (6) ; owners of water front property ordered to stop dumping in tide water, four (4) ; duly registered boats assigned to an anchorage, eighty-five (85). Sixteen hundred (1600) miles were covered by motor boat for regular and patrol work.
Through the efforts of this office a hearing was held October 24, 1934, conducted by War Department Engineers to obtain better drawbridge service, to this date no ruling has been pre- scribed by the Secretary of War. The Superintendent of Lighthouses, second district, will cooperate to set new channel buoys in the Saugus and Pines Rivers.
As no appropriation has been made for this department, all expenses and bills have been paid by the harbor master.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and all others who by their cooperation aided me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP A. FARNHAM, Harbor Master.
184
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
It now becomes my pleasure to present to you my fourth annual report of the Police Department and their doings thereof during the year 1934.
The department consists of a Chief, one Captain and ten patrolmen. Also there are forty nine special police officers of which number eighteen are uniformed and available for police work. 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, Walter F. Neal.
Special Police Officers
Gustave A. Anderson, Timothy J. Bannon, Earl E. Bentley, Oren O. Bentley, Howard P. Berrett, Thomas E. Berrett, James Blair, Francis W. Burke, William F. Cahill, Thomas E. Cana- van, Harold J. Coburn, Charles C. DeFranzo, Nathaniel Diamond, Ernest A. Dunham, Philip A. Farnham, John W. Foley, Theodore Fryswyck, Frank Garafano, Ernest M. Hatch, Norman D. Hatch, Percy Hawkes, Charles W. Herald, Clarence W. Howard, Phillips A. Hull, Fred Leary, Samuel Maddox, John E. Mansfield, Howard P. McAdoo, Alexander S. McCar- rier, Ernest A. Merrithew, Carl G. Pearson, Willie M. Penney, Dexter G. Pratt, Charles B. Pugsley, Henry R. Robinson, William S. Rockhill, Edward O. Roy, Joseph Rosetti, Percy R. Salsman, Frank L. Symonds, Everett Vickary, John W. White, Frederick B. Willis.
185
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
1934]
Special Police Officers for Lynn Water Shed.
Michael Ahern, Henry A. Dever, Albert R. Fallon, Patrick Garrity, William Kennedy, Dennis Mead.
During the year 1934 the total number of persons arrested were 794. Of this total 748 were males, 33 females and 23 juveniles. This is a slight increase over the year 1933.
These arrests were for the following offences :- Drunken- ness 202, Violations of the Motor Vehicle Laws 318, Violation of the Road Law 36, Operating motor vehicle under the influ- ence of liquor 49, violation of the fish and game laws 18, as- sault 7, keeping an unlicensed dog 27, disturbing the peace 7, Default 9, Assault and Battery 5, Destroying Property 4, Breaking, entering and Larceny 13, disorderly conduct 1, forni- cation 2, carrying concealed weapon 1, delinquency 1, larceny of auto 4, malicious mischief 1, larcey 21, larcency delinquent 11, insanity 2, gaming on Lord's . Day 7, non-support 9, indecent exposure 3, violation of probation 3, receiving stolen property 1, truancy 3, violation town by-laws 3, vagrant 2, runaway 1, neglected child 3, interference with an officer 2, incest 3, stubborn child 1, rape 3, robbery while armed 4, illigitimacy 1.
Dispositions of the years arrest were as follows :- Fined 332, filed upon costs of court 18, filed 207, released 72, dis- charged 33, Held for Grand Jury 20, committed to State Farm 2, committed to House of Correction 37, arrests for out- side police department 24, dismissed 6, default removed 7, probation 11, committed to the State Board of Child Welfare 3, committed to Massachusetts Training School 1, committed to Essex County Training School 2, committed to Danvers State Hospital 2, committed to Lancaster School for Girls 1, committed to State Infirmary 1.
The nativity of the persons arrested, segregated are as fol- lows :- American 691, Armenian 5, Canadian 18, English 4, Italian 50, Polish 32, Swedish 10, Lithuanian 3, Jewish 14, Irish 11, Greek 6, French 7, German 2, Finnish 2, Russian 2, Turkish 1, Japanese 1, Portuguese 1, Scotch 2.
The total amount of fines collected in the Saugus Police Court for the year 1934 were $2276. Of this amount $1500.
186
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
is turned over to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, $70. is turned over to the County of Essex, $706. is turned over to the Treasurer, Town of Saugus. In the Lynn District Court, forty-nine cases of Operating a motor vehicle under the in- fluence of liquor were tried and fines totaling $3150. were assessed. One received a House of Correction and eleven were discharged. There were sixteen cases in which appeals were taken to the Superior Court.
Daily reports of officers show the following: Complaints received and investigated 1392, Doors and Windows found open and secured 232, Autos stolen 40, Stolen Autos recovered 40, Lost articles reported 46, Lost articles found 59, Lost dogs reported 63, Lost dogs found 64, Persons reported as missing 63, Persons reported as missing, found 66, Conveyed to hos- pital 88, Responded to fires 46, Notified for out of town police and hospitals 140, all others 368, making a total number of reports 2698.
In the nineteen hundred and thirty three report I told that the Police Patrol (Ambulance) was obsolete and out of date. It is a 1922 model and is unfit for hospital work. The Packard Sedan should be replaced. I asked that this be done last year, but was not done. It is imperative that both the ambulance and all other automobiles in the police department be replaced so as to insure maximum efficiency in the performance of its duties, and be able to respond in emergencies.
In the year 1934 some money was expended to repair the old ambulance, so as to carry on through another year. There were parts needed for this ambulance that could not be bought at this time that it was repaired due to the fact that the manu- facturers had discontinued making parts for a vehicle fifteen years old. In the event some one part of the ambulance breaks and cannot be renewed the department will be crippled as to have some piece of equipment to take care of hospital work which is ever increasing in the department, not to mention the amount of accidents the ambulance responds to in the course of a year. As for the police prowl car, it has been more or less on the road sixteen hours a day during the past two years. It has served the Police Department efficiently and has not cost much for repairs. It has now got to the stage where
187
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
1934]
it will cost considerable to keep it on the road and in repair. This car serves to give police protection to the whole town covering all outlying sections very frequently during the day and night. In my opinion it would be a wise move on the part of the Town to replace this car this year. The Packard Sedan during the year 1934 has cost considerable to keep in shape and will continue to cost money in excess of its value to the town. I have suggested that a lighter car be bought to replace this car. Therefore in the interest of economy and efficiency, the police cars and ambulance should be replaced in the year 1935.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Select- men, Judge William E. Ludden, the several Town Officials and all private citizens who by their cooperation and good will toward the police department during the past year has aided me in maintaing the high standard of efficiency in which your police department enjoys. And last but not least I wish to thank the members of the department who have worked dili- gently to preserve peace in the town.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. STUART, Chief of Police.
188
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
Saugus, Mass., January 1, 1935. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
We herewith submit the annual report and activities of the Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1934.
ROSTER
Chief Mellen R. Joy
Captain William R. Salsman Jr. Lieutenants
Ralph E. Berrett George B. Drew
Permanent Firemen
Chester A. Tarbox
John Mclaughlin
Harold R. Atkinson
Alfred A. Bird
Joseph L. Maguire Albert F. Jervis
Warren Newhall
Norman T. Hull
Call Firemen
Lewis O. Gray
Ernest M. Hatch
Frank P. Garafano
Lewis E. Richardson
George W. Parrott John Cahill
Fred Chesley
Arthur E. Gustafson
W. Randolph Popp Board of Fire Engineers
Charles C. DeFronzo George F. Gosselin
Arthur W. Price Ernest W. Homan
During the year of 1934, the fire department responded to 357 alarms and calls, for fires and other duties, an increase of 56 calls over the year 1933.
189
FIRE ENGINEERS REPORT
1934]
There was 132 box alarms, and 225 telephone calls, 24 of which were followed by box alarms, to call the call firemen to duty at fires.
Sixty one alarms were false and needless, many of the tele- phone calls were needless.
Total mileage traveled by the apparatus in responding to calls was 2,083 miles. Engine one 593 miles. Engine two 987 miles. Ladder one 503 miles. Chief's automobile traveled 3,872 miles in responding to fires and in performance of many other duties as required.
The assessed valuation of buildings, automobiles, insurance on buildings, automobiles and their contents, etc. involved in fires are as follows as near as could be ascertained.
Assessed value of buildings, autos, trucks, etc. .. $137,245.00 Loss on buildings, autos, trucks, etc. 23,930.00
237,700.00 Insurance on buildings, etc.
Insurance paid on buildings, etc. 14,227.12
Estimated value of contents 80,700.00
Estimated loss on contents 14,266.00
Insurance on contents 44,700.00
Insurance paid on contents 7,367.09
During the year 28,000 feet of 34 inch hose, 17,500 feet of 11% inch hose, and 17,200 feet of 21/2 inch hose was laid and used at fires, a total of 52,700 feet. 471/2 gallons of Chemical fluid was used at fires, 928 feet of ladders was used. 19,550 feet of the above total was used at grass, brush and wood fires.
Tabulated fire alarms, calls, etc. are as follows:
Buildings 80, Bon fires 4, automobiles and trucks 19, drown- ing accident 1, rubbish 11, brush and woods 99, dumps 37, grass 28, calls for Inhalator 3, demonstration 1, chimney fire 1, rescue cats from trees 2, cave in of trench 1, automobile in river 1, fires in Revere 2, calls to Lynn 2, call to Melrose 1, sprinkler break 1, electric wires burning in tree 1, automobile accident 1, false and needless 61, total 357 calls.
190
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Alarms and calls by month for 1934.
Bell alarms 6
Telephone alarms
Total
January
9
15
February
4
7
11
March
6
12
18
April
36
72
108
May
7
38
45
June
7
11
18
July
25
24
49
August
6
15
21
September
1
7
8
October
3
7
10
November
16
8
24
December
15
15
30
Totals
132
225
357
Sixty one of the above were false and needless.
All fire apparatus, Engine two and ladder one are in good condition, and good for several years to come, providing that they do not meet with accidents. Engine one is in fair con- dition.
The Chevrolet Coupe, Chief's automobile is nearly seven years old, and in poor condition and almost unsafe to be driven.
On May 1, 1934, Call fireman William A. Mathewson dropped dead in the fire station upon return from a fire at 12:35 A. M.
April 1, 1934, Fireman Henry Saxon was retired on pension, after many years of service.
The fire department has done excellent work in keeping the fire loss down to the small fire loss that it has with such a large territory, nearly 111/2 square miles to cover, and with the small number of men to man the apparatus and extinguish the fires.
We, in closing, make the following recommendations:
That a new automobile be purchased for the use of the Chief, as the duties of the Chief have been greatly increased, and under the directions of the State Department of Public Safety,
191
FIRE ENGINEERS REPORT
1934]
in regards to the inspection of the storage of fuel oil and all fuel oil burning equipment installed in any buildings and structures and on the premises.
We recommend that Engine one, the Seagrave be rebuilt.
We recommend a program of installation of hydrants every year as those we have are too few and far between.
We recommend the installation of a complete new Fire Alarm system.
We recommend the taking of a parcel of land in the Clifton- dale section of the Town, for the purpose of erecting a new! Fire Station.
The work of the department has increased greatly during the last few years, the apparatus goes out many times, with- out sufficient men. We recommend the appointment of four permanent men.
That a compressed air fire alarm whistle be installed at some place near the center of the town, and eliminate and discon- tinue the antiquated fire alarm bell system, that is now in use for fire alarm purpose, as they are unreliable in calling the men to fires.
That 500 feet of 21/2 inch hose be purchased each year for the next 3 or 4 years, and that about 1,000 feet of 11/2 inch hose be purchased.
That the 35 gallon Chemical tank on the Seagrave, Engine one, be replaced with a 100 gallon water tank connected with the fire pump.
That two hydrants be installed on Walnut Street, between Elm Street and the Lynn line, a distance of 2,220 feet, nearly one half a mile.
That one hydrant be installed on Vine Street, between Main Street and 68 Vine Street, a distance of 1880 feet without a hydrant.
That a fire alarm box be installed at or near 821 Broadway, as the nearest box to this location is more than 1/4 mile away, There is some very valuable property in this vicinity.
192
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
FIRE PREVENTION
That fire prevention is the best means of reducing the great loss of life and property, caused by fire, be your own fire inspector, inspect your homes from attic to cellar, and remove all materials and rubbish that may cause fire.
Familiarize yourself with the location and workings of the nearest fire alarm box to your home, office and place of busi- ness.
In case of fire go to the nearest box, open the outside door, and pull down the hook on the inside door, and if possible wait at the box to direct the firemen and apparatus to the fire.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GOOD HOUSE KEEPING
Keep your premises clean and free from rubbish.
Keep halls, stairways and exits to fire escapes free from obstructions.
Put ashes, oily or inflammable materials into metal recept- icals with metal cover.
Be careful in the use of lighted matches, candles, cigar and cigarette stubs. Matches have no brains, smoking materials are not much better.
Never use open flame in thawing frozen water pipes, wrap cloths around the pipes and pour hot water on them, any thing aflame is liable to start a fire.
Never sound false alarms. There is a heavy fine and im- prisonment for sounding false alarms, or interfering and tam- pering with the fire alarm system.
Signed by the Board of fire engineers
MELLEN R. JOY, Chief
CHARLES C. DeFRONZO, Chairman, GEORGE F. GOSSELIN, Secretary, ERNEST W. HOMAN, ARTHUR W. PRICE.
193
FOREST FIRE WARDEN'S REPORT
1934]
Report of Forest Fire Warden
Saugus, Mass., January 1, 1935.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit the annual report of the Forest Fire Warden for the year ending December 31, 1934.
During the year of 1934, there was 97 brush and wood fires, 29 grass fires, as against 117 brush and wood fires, and 33 grass fires in the year 1933.
During the year the following amount of hose was laid and used at brush, wood and grass fires, 11,950 feet of 3/4 inch hose. 6,550 feet of 11/2 inch hose, and 1,050 21/2 inch hose. Total 19,550 feet.
I recommend that the Town purchase a light piece of appar- atus and the necessary equipment and appliances for handling all such fires in place of using the heavy and expensive appar- atus this apparatus could be used at building fires, when not in use at wood fires.
I think that the town would be saving money by doing so, and it could be used at fires in the Golden Hills section, when not in use elsewhere.
Respectfully submitted,
MELLEN R. JOY, Forest Fire Warden.
194
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Fire Alarms
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen; Board of Fire Engineers and the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
I herewith submit the annual report of the activities of the Fire Alarm Division for the year ending December 31, 1934.
Due to the limited funds available the fire alarm system has been repaired where absolutely needed and those repairs done with salvaged material, the life of which is far less than new material.
One new box was purchased and the section constructed for that, the length of Wamsit Street, is the only first class work we were able to do during the year.
All call members of the Fire Department and all regular members, except three, have tappers of some nature in their homes. This has greatly increased the man power at fires and clearly proved its worth.
During the night of December 26th three fourths of the town was without alarm protection due to two line failures. Both failures were directly due to old wire not able to stand up under the strain of the wind that night. This is one example and is given that all concerned may realize the unreliable system we are depending on.
Of the 61 boxes in town the town owns just one first class reliable box, 316 Ballard and Lincoln Avenue. Box 47 in Monument Square is also a first class box but it is only loaned to me during the period the Fire Department is housed so far from the square. I will be pleased to show or explain to any citizen his box and will tell him exactly its rating, good, bad or dangerous.
I cannot too strongly recommend a complete new Fire Alarm System for the town, for the protection of your home, your place of business, your family and to reduce your insurance
195
SUPT. OF FIRE ALARM REPORT
1934]
rate. The Fire Department cannot know of your need unless notified and the system must function always regardless of time. weather or number of alarms at once.
Fire boxes rewound after alarms 143 (in use 61)
Fire box failures 4
1-account temperature 35 below zero
1-account poor condition of storage battery in service.
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