USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1938 > Part 6
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The General Budget for Town Charges under Article 2 shows about 9.5 per cent increases recom- mended over the appropriations ap- proved by this committee for the same purposes in 1937. The Com- mittee felt in 1937 that its recom- mendations were very fair. Most of the increases recommended this year are unavoidable.
In considering the Special Art- icles we have given our first con- sideration to those which would benefit the Town as a whole.
Regarding Article 43, the Com- mittee recommends a 25-year Bond Issue for sewers, provided that funds are obtained from the Fed- eral Works Progress Administra- tion. The project should give work to all unemployed able bodied men in Town for a period of at least two years. It should, therefore, even- tually relieve other appropriations. The portion of the Town's contri- bution for the entire project is $141,000, and that from the Federal Government $210,000. This, of course, is only the first section of the Town's sewer system.
The State Emergency Finance Board must review our appropria- tions this year as in the past.
It should be borne in mind, that in addition to the items approved
in this report, the Town has al- ready appropriated at a Special Town Meeting in January 1938 the sums of $20,000 for W. P. A. and $50 for expenses of the School In- vestigating Committee, which amounts must also be raised in this year's tax levy.
The Committee further points out that if the Town Meeting should appropriate the entire re- quested amounts as called for in the budgets of the various depart- ments, as well as the requests un- der special articles, that our tax rate for 1938 would be in the vi- cinity of $50. For this reason it is obvious that we have been forced to eliminate a substantial amount in our recommendations from the requests made, even though in many instances the projects them- selves were of a desirable and worthy nature.
With a desire to save the time of the Limited Town Meeting, as well as to inform the citizens in general, we have outlined in the following pages, the reasons for the actions we have taken.
Reasons for Increases in the General Budget
Item 13. Election and Registra- tion-Four elections in 1938; three in 1937.
Item 16. Removal of Ashes- Collections on forty additional streets.
Item 18. Engineering Depart- ment-Repairs to equipment. Small increase in salary of the assistant engineer.
Item 19. Police Department- After thorough consideration, the majority of the Committee have approved the following schedule of salaries: Chief, $2700; Captain, $2400; Lieutenant, $2180; Patrol- men, $2080 per year, to begin May 1st, 1938.
MINORITY REPORT: Mr. Mar- tin and Mr. Britt are in hearty ac-
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
cord with the increases, excepting that applying to the Chief.
Item 20a. Retirement Pension Fund-Last year the Town accept- ed Chapter 318 of the Acts of 1936 by Referendum Vote. This, there- fore, is a new item in the Budget. The Town's contribution is figured by the State Insurance Depart- ment.
Item 31. Safety Committee-For signs near schools which are desir- able.
Item 32. Schools-The Commit- tee, after hearing from all con- cerned, and after considerable dis- cussion and deliberation upon the matter is of the opinion that the compensation of School Teachers should be placed upon an improved set schedule which should be ad- hered to. This matter has been in abeyance for years, resulting in a loss to the Town of competent teachers. Also under this item, among several smaller increases for minor expenditures is included an amount of $1000 for desks and seats (for pupils) which are badly needed.
Item 33. School House Repairs -The Committee appreciates the need for many repairs in the vari- ous school houses. This year it has selected a number of fire pro- tection items which must be done, together with repairs to platforms and stairs which are badly worn in several different buildings. The Committee also feels that panic locks should be installed on exit doors in a number of the schools not now so equipped, as well as a most important item consisting of the fire-proofing of coal bins in all cases. In addition to the above spe- cific items we have provided in the figure recommended the sum of $3500 for general repairs, including the installation of necessary plumb- ing at the Roby School.
Item 34. Public Library-In- crease is due to the necessary em- ployment of an assistant librarian, with a small additional provision for new books.
Item 35a. Old Age Assistance- The large increase over 1937 is principally due to the reducing of the age limit from 70 to 65 years by the State Legislature. We must appropriate this sum but approxi- mately two-thirds will be re-im- bursed to us, it is estimated.
Item 35b. Aid to Dependent Children-This is a new item es- tablished by the State during 1937 and cared for the most part during that year, out of Item 35, now resignated as Temporary Aid.
Item 41. Snow and Ice-1937 was an open winter with very little snow and ice. This year to date, we have spent approximately $8500. It is also proposed to purchase one new motor driven sidewalk plow.
Item 47. Cemetery-The in- crease is due to increased labor costs and $300 for repairing pres- ent cemetery wall. It will be re- membered that the Town has re- cently greatly enlarged the area of the cemetery. This department practically pays for itself.
Item 50. Health Department- This is the full effect of increases of salaries granted employees of this department in 1937, now on full year basis. The salaries of the members of the Board itself remains the same. Additional tu- bercular costs as well as increased costs in transportation. This does not include the purchase of any motor vehicle.
Item 55. Collection of Garbage -Contract $300 higher than form- erly. Additional territory covered. Item 57. Town Report-Ad- ditional material to be inserted in Town Report increases number of pages. Contract per page less than last year.
Item 58. Insurance-Increases due to restoring policies cancelled in 1937 and placing the insurance on a five-year schedule plan as formerly.
Reasons for Recommending Special Articles
Article 2. See detailed comment
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
on General Budget.
Art. 3. Recommended. This is the usual article.
Art. 4. Recommended. This is
the usual appropriation.
Art. 9. Recommended. This is
the usual appropriation.
Art. 10. Recommended. This is the usual appropriation.
Art. 11. Recommend that new cemetery wall be built out of avail -. able funds.
Art. 20. Recommend that this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
Art. 21. Recommend $1500. To preserve the surface of a street the Town has already put to grade.
Art. 29. Recommended. See comment on Page 2, of this report.
Art. 32. Recommended. New development of desirable type, 15 houses to be constructed this year and all back taxes on property to be paid (said taxes exceeding the amount of appropriation request- ed). Surfaced streets and side- walks to be constructed by the de- veloper at no cost to the Town.
Art. 33. Recommended. For reasons of health and sanitation, water wells have been condemned by State Board of Health. Money previously appropriated to give this specific relief has been diverted for other purposes.
Art. 35. Recommended. With this appropriation from the Town, the Veterans of Foreign Wars plan to contribute a similar amount and provide their own quarters. Previ- ous quarters provided by Town have been condemned by State.
Art. 36. Recommend that this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
Art. 37. Recommended. A con- tinuance of Chapter 90 construction work with State and County con- tributions; Walnut Street.
Art. 38. Recommended. Same reasons. Woodbury Avenue and Hesper Street.
Art. 39. Recommended. Same reasons. All Chapter 90 mainten- ance work.
Art. 40. Recommended. Neces- sary in connection with the exten- tion of Chapter 90 work on the Hes- per Street-Woodbury Avenue pro- gram.
Art. 41. Recommended. Total amount involved $1990.00; $1234.00 to be transferred from old balance; and $756.00 from 1938 tax levy, also necessary to continue on the same program as above.
Art. 42. Recommended. It is es- timated by Selectmen that this sum will complete W. P. A. activities for the year.
Art. 43. Recommended. Sewers are a vital necessity for the cen- tral parts of the Town, therefore the Committee feels that as much work as possible should be done while Federal assistance can be obtained. (See comments on Page 2 of this report.)
Art. 44. Recommend reference of this article to Board of- Select- men.
Art. 45. Recommend reference of this article to Board of Select- ' men.
Art. 49. Recommended. This will tie present dead end pipes to- gether for better water service in this district.
Art. 5 Recommended. This will preserve work already done by the Town and will carry good road to the top of a hill, giving access to residents as well as to fire ap- paratus to this desirable type de- velopment.
Art. 52. Recommended. After a thorough consideration of the facts as presented, surrounding the cir- cumstances of this particular case, the Committee by majority vote of 6 to 2 approves this re-imburse- ment.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
MINORITY REPORT: Mr. Mar- tin and Mr. Britt feel that this ex- penditure is not justified.
Art. 53. Recommend that this matter be referred to the Law De- partment.
Art. 69. Recommend $1000 for a shorter project. Superintendent of Public Works indicates that the necessary work can be done for this amount.
Art. 71. Recommend $2000. The Committee is of the opinion that a start should be made in the widen- ing of Central Street, as a hazard- ous condition exists, the street be- ing narrow with no sidewalk, along the section indicated under this art- icle. It is felt that the project should be completed over a two- year period.
Art. 80. Recommend that a committee be appointed by the Moderator to study the Betterment Act referred to and its application to the Town of Saugus, said com- mittee to report to the next Special or Annual Town Meeting.
Totals of the 1938 Budget
Requested Recommended
Art. 2 $770,198.29
$729,004.57
Special
Articles 150,083.66
53,979.66
Grand
Totals $920,281.95 $782,984.23
Bond Issue
Gymna-
sium $125,000.00 5,000.00 (Fire and Police Bond maturities from funds now available.)
Bond Issue
Sewers $136,000.00 $136,000.00 (Bond Issue-Sewers-25-year loan.)
Special Articles Recommended
Amount Recommended
Art .. To borrow money for municipal purposes
Art. 4. Essex County Tu- berculosis Hospital $ 6,331.30
Art. 9. To determine va-
lidity of Tax Titles Art. 10. Mosquito Control Art. 11. New wall con- struction - cemetery, (funds available). Art. 20. Recommend ref- erence to Selectmen (Essex St. drainage). Art. 21. Surfacing Wal- den Pond Ave. Art. 29. Unpaid Bills Ac- count Art. 32. Water Main- Bennett farm develop- ment
850.00 850.00
1.500.00
7,922.36
4,700.00
3,000.00
Art. 33. Golden Hills- W. P. A. water project Art. 35. Veterans of Foreign Wars, build- ing project 500.00
Art. 36. Recommend ref- erence to Selectmen. (Endicott St. drain.)
Art. 37. Walnut St., Chapter 90 Construc- tion 1,250.00
Art. 38. Woodbury Ave. Hesper St., Chapter 90 construction 3,750.00
Art. 39. Maintenance Chapter 90 roads 1,500.00
Art. 40. Lowering water main-Hesper St. 800.00
Art. 41. Land Damages -Woodbury Ave .- Hesper St. project ('38 Levy) 756.00
(Transfer $1,234.00)
Art. 42. General W. P. A. Expenses 10,000.00
Art. 43. Sewer program ('38 Levy) (25-Year Bond Issue $136,000.00)
5,000.00
Art. 44. Sidewalk-Bris- tow St. Reference to Selectmen.
Art. 45. Construction Auburn St. Reference to Selectmen.
Art. 49. Water main Oak Hill Rd. to Olive Ave. 650.00
Art. 52. Reimburse Chief Stuart (majority recommendation) 220.00
Art. 53. Legal services -Excavations Com- mittee, recommend reference to Law Dept.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Art. 69. Drainage- Johnson Rd.
Art. 71. Widening Cen- tral St .- north section
2,000.00
Art. 2-Total Recom-
1,000.00 mended 729,004.57
Grand Total
$782,984.23
Fire and Police Bond Maturities
Funds Available 5,000.00
Bond Issue Sewers 136,000.00
Art. 80. Acceptance of Betterment Act - Recommend appoint- ment of a committee to study situation.
Special Articles-Total Recommended $53,979.66
/
59
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
TOWN OF SAUGUS Annual Town Meeting MARCH 16, 1938
The meeting was called to order at 8.07 P. M. by the Moderator, Herbert P. Mason.
The salute to the flag was given. Town Meeting Members not pre- viously qualified were sworn in.
The following tellers were ap- pointed and sworn in: A. Willard Moses Wallace Campbell Alfred Woodward Lewis Stocker
Article 3.
Voted to take up Article 3 out of order.
Article 3.
Voted: That the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is author- ized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1938, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws.
Yeas 162. Nays 1. 8.30 P. M. 1
Voted to take Article 4 out of orders.
Article 4.
Voted: That the sum of $6, 331.30 be raised and appropriat- ed for the Town's apportionment for the care, maintenance and re- pair of the hospital at Middleton for the care of Tubercular persons. 8.33 P. M.
The Finance Committee filed their report and it was accepted by the meeting. (See page 54 for the report.) 8.34 P. M.
The Committee to study the ad- visability of building a fire station in the Cliftondale section present- ed a report of progress and re- quested that the Committee be granted further time to study the situation. The report of progress
was accepted at 8.35 P. M.
The following resolution was adopted by the meeting:
Whereas, the Honorable Frank P. Bennett has for a generation been Saugus' outstanding citizen, and has served his Town as Mode- rator covering a ten-year period from 1927 to 1936 inclusive, and
Whereas, Mr. Bennett never ac- cepted the salary voted by the Town for his services, which over a period of years required much sacrifice of his valuable time, and
Whereas; the duties as Modera- tor of the Town Meeting and the appointment of various important committees were carried out with acumen and dignity,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the thanks of the citizenry of the Town are due Mr. Bennett for his manifold labor,
Now, therefore, we, in Town Meeting assembled, do unanimous- ly wish to express to Mr. Bennett the deep appreciation of the peo- ple of Saugus for the splendid service he has rendered his town.
It is also voted, that a copy of these Resolutions be presented Mr. Bennett, and that the same be in- scribed upon the records of the Town.
HENRY A. B. PECKHAM, WILLIAM E. LUDDEN, PAUL A. HALEY. Unanimously adopted. 8.3712 P. M.
The Committee on Billboards presented the following report which was accepted at 8.40 P. M .:
Report of the committee appoint- ed by the Moderator under Article Two of the October, 1937, Special Town Meeting, to further consider a local by-law for the regulation of billboards and other outdoor ad- vertising devices.
To the Moderator and Members of the Limited Town Meeting: In the Special Town Meeting
60
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Warrant of October 4, 1937, there was inserted an article which pro- posed a local by-law regulating out-door advertising devices and billboards. Under the motion voted by the meeting, the under- signed were named by the Modera- tor to further consider the matter and report the same to a future Town Meeting.
The Committee met in Town Hall on February 3, 1938, and elect- ed Mr. Quarmby to serve as chair- man and Mr. Robinson to serve as clerk. Serious consideration was given the proposed by-law as writ- ten in the Warrant of the October meeting, and it is the unanimous suggestion of the Committee that the by-law as 'appearing in the present Warrant be adopted.
Several changes and a few dele- tions have been made by the Com- mittee, we feeling that the one hundred foot distance limit from certain public
buildings and grounds would work a hardship on organizations in town. We have increased the area of signs allowed in certain districts and we have changed the time limit, from sixty days to one year, on permits grant- ed for signs controlled by local civic and charitable groups. We feel that many roads in Town are liable to be dotted with billboards, particularly the Turnpike and sug-
gest that this by-law be adopted so that the Town will be better able to control roadside conditions.
Signed for the Committee: GEORGE H. QUARMBY, Chairman;
HERMAN G. BUNKER, EDWARD GIBBS, 3d, ARCHIE C. CHEEVER, WILLIAM H. ROBINSON, Clerk.
The Postoffice Committee report progress. 8.4012 P. M.
The Water and Dock Committee reported progress and asked to be permitted to continue. 8.41 P. M.
The Committee on Investigating the School System presented their report. It was accepted and made part of the record at 10.04 P. M.
A motion to table the report was lost. Yeas 55. Nays 64.
Voted: That the report of the School Investigating Committee be referred to the School Committee and to the Finance Committee for study and for such action as they may deem wise, to be considered at the time the school appropriation is before the Town Meeting. Voted 10.06 P. M.
Voted to discharge the Commit- tee with thanks. 10.06 P. M.
School Investigating Committee Report
In accordance with the action of the Special Town Meeting of Octo- ber 4th, 1937, which voted as fol- lows:
"Article 34. Voted: That a Com- mittee of five citizens be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the schools and school system of the Town; said Committee to have full authority to examine all school and School Committee records whatso- ever, especially those having to do with the election, re-election, fail- ure to re-elect and the discharge of
teachers including coaches, and those having to do with the mark- ing or grading, and attendance of the pupils in the Junior and Senior High Schools, but without, in any way, limiting the authority of said committee to investigate and to in- quire into any and all maters per- taining to the schools and school system; and that said Committee be requested to report at the next Annual Town Meeting, with recom- mendations."
The Moderator appointed the fol- lowing Committee:
61
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
Rev. Harold T. Handley Mr. Harold E. Parker
Mr. William S. Braid Mrs. Marion E. Drown Mr. Harry W. Merrill.
This Committee met November 26, 1937, and organized with Mr. Harold E. Parker, Chairman, and Mrs. Marion E. Drown, Secretary.
The Committee has held fifteen meetings, interviewed numerous specialists in education, including the Saugus School Committee and staff, compiled information through questionnaires and correspondence, visited school properties and assist- ed in a survey of the High School cafeteria.
This Committee was appointed as a result of a definite issue involv- ing a particular person but the ari- icle which empowered it was con- cerned with the general principles underlying the specific case and with problems of far wider signifi- cance and import.
We have felt it best not to deal with personalities, not to establish blame for that which is of the im- mediate and remote past, but by an impartial general survey to give a picture of the schools and school system which will re-establish con- fidence in the work of education in Saugus, with such immediate recommendations as will tend to prevent further adverse publicity and disruption of public confider.ce and with such recommendations as will provide a program for the fu- ture growth and progress of the town.
School Buildings
Recommendations for:
The care of and repairs to present school buildings;
The abandonment of certain present buildings; Additions to present buildings, and
The construction of new build- ings
are based on the following factors:
1. A careful survey of the pres- ent school buildings.
2. An estimate of the school needs of the Town of Saugus during the next ten-year period.
3. The adoption of a ten-year school building program.
4. The adoption of the so-called six-three-three system as rec- ommended in another section of this report.
5. The removal of opportunity classes from the Sweetser school.
6. The assurance of extending to pupils in our
schools, within a reasonable time, the advantage of a gymnasium and vocational training.
7. The relief of present over- crowded conditions in certain of our elementary schools and our High School.
8. The realization that Saugus must offer to children of pros- pective new residents similar advantages to those offered by surrounding communities, in order to attract new residents who will be assets rather than liabilities to the Town.
All school buildings were inspect- ed by members of this Committee, accompanied by the Superintendent of Schools. Considering the age, design and type of construction, our school buildings are at the present time in good physical condition.
The School Committee and Super- intendent of Schools should be com- mended on the present condition of buildings and grounds, in view of the very limited funds which have been available for the upkeep of these properties.
The Oaklandvale School
is of wooden construction. Its date of construction is unknown. It con- sists of three class-rooms and one smaller room.
Six grades are taught in this school-two in each of the class- rooms occupied at present. The small room, we understand, has been used for classroom purposes at times, but is not at present oc- cupied as such. This room is alto- gether unsuited for classroom pur- poses because of its size and loca- tion.
The general condition of this building is good, considering the age, design, and type of construc- tion.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The heating system consists of one hot-air furnace, burning hard coal, and one steam boiler burning soft coal. This is a very expensive system to operate.
The school yard is very poor. It is rough and unfenced. In view of the age, condition, type of construc- tion, design, and location, it is recommended that this building be abandoned for school purposes at an early date.
We understand the Town now holds title to several acres of land adjoining this school property. It is recommended that a modern six- room school be constructed on this property, or on the lot of land on the Bennett Farm development which, we understand, is to be set aside for school or recreational pur- poses. When planning this school it is suggested that provision be made for six additional classrooms as they are required.
It is the opinion of this Commit- tee that the extent of the proposed development on the Bennett Farm property, and possible developmnt of the entire surrounding area, will depend on the construction of a modern elementary school in this neighborhood. The present Oak- landvale School is a handicap to the development of this section.
The North Saugus School is of wooden construction. The original structure was built previ- ous to 1881. The addition was con- structed in 1920. It consists of four classrooms-three rooms in use at the present time, two grades in each classrooms. The general condition is good, considering the age and type of construction. The extra classroom is used for recrea- tional purposes during inclement weather. It is suggested that this room be used for kindergarten classes until it is required for ele- mentary school purposes.
The basement now has a dirt floor. When it becomes necessary to use the spare room for class- room purposes it is recommended that the basement floor be cement- ed in order that this space may be utilized for recreational purposes.
The present heating plant is ade- quate.
This building will probably be
adequate to care for the elementary school population of this neighbor- hood for several years.
The Lynnhurst School -
is of wooden construction. The original structure was built in 1900 and the addition in 1917. It con- sists of three classrooms-two grades in each room. The general condition is good. The heating plant is adequate.
Several toilet bowls are in bad condition and should be replaced at an early date. Toilet rooms should be reconditioned. Outside doors should be equipped with panic locks.
This school building is adequate to care for the present elementary school population in the area which it serves. It is conceivable, how- ever, that this school district will become a highly saturated residen- tial section within the next ten years. With any appreciable in- crease in the elementary school population it will be necessary to provide additional classrooms.
Due to the age, design and type of construction it is recommended that no further additions be made to this building. When it becomes necessary to provide additional classrooms it is recommended that a modern six-room school be con- structed on this site. Provision should be made for six additional classrooms as they are required. .
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