USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1938 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
The Mansfield School
is of wooden construction and was built in 1838. This building is, therefore, 100 years old this year. It consists of four classrooms. The general condition of the building is good, considering the age, type and design.
The classroom and the hall walls are dusty and dirty; this condition is no doubt the result of the very inadequate and faulty hot air heating plant.
About 50 per cent of the desk chair seats are badly worn and splintered and should be replaced.
The teachers' room is very poor- ly equipped and unsuitable. It is our recommendation the room used for public library purposes be made
63
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
available for a teachers' room.
The toilet facilities are very poor. We understand provision has been made to replace the present sinks in the boys' and girls' basements, with two spare sinks from the High School.
The basements are very cold. There is no provision for heating this space except one so-called pot- bellied stove in each side of the basement which we understand are used on very cold days. In addition to these stoves being very unsatis- factory from the standpoint of health and comfort, they represent a hazard to the school children as they are located in the open base- ments and are unprotected. This is a very difficult and expensive build- ing to heat.
A number of window sashes are loose and in bad condition.
The heating plant consists of two very inefficient hot air furnaces in which hard coal is burned. The present cost of heating this build- ing is probably 50 per cent higher than it would be with a modern central heating plant.
Due to the age, condition, and cost of operating this building it is recommended that it be abandoned for educational purposes at an early date. The district now served by this school could well be cared for in classrooms recommended to be added to the Ballard School.
The Ballard School
is of brick construction and was built in 1910. It consists of eight classrooms. The general condition is good other than the walls which are peeling badly.
The outside walls on the north- east side of the building are seep- ing moisture. Some progress has been made toward moisture-proof- ing on the inside. We believe that this problem should be attacked from the outside. It is felt that the walls could be completely mois- ture-proofed at a small cost. After moisture-proofing has been ac- complished the inside walls should be reconditioned and repainted.
The present color scheme in this school is very poor. It is suggested that some study be given to the
problem of color schemes and max- imum light reflection.
The window curtains are in very poor condition and should be re- placed at an early date.
About 50 per cent of the desk chair seats are badly worn and splintered and should be replaced in the near future.
The heating plant consists of four separate hot air furnaces burning hard coal, and one steam boiler burning soft coal. This is a very inefficient heating system and is a source of considerable unnecessary expense to the Town. The cost of heating this building during the year 1937 was $106.96 a room, or a total of $855.71.
For comparative purposes, the Sweetser Junior High School con- sists of ten classrooms, a library and an assembly hall which is the equivalent of at least two addition- al rooms, or a total of thirteen classrooms. On this basis the cost of heating the Sweetser Junior High School during the year 1937 was $57.46 a room or a total of $747.01.
It is the opinion of this Commit- tee that the present Ballard School building could be heated with a cen- tral heating plant at a maximum cost of $550. a year as compared with the present cost of $855.71. It is, therefore, the recommenda- tion that the present heating plant be replaced with a modern central heating plant, equipped to burn either fuel oil or soft coal, depend- ing on the fuel market at the time of installation. In addition to be- ing more efficient and economical, the installation of a central heat- ing plant would relieve the janitor for other useful work.
The toilet facilities in this school are very poor: both boys' and girls' toilets should be modernized.
The general condition of the basement is good with the excep- tion of the lighting fixtures which, for the most part, have been re- moved and the wires have been left hanging loose. The wiring should be repaired and the fixtures re- placed.
The school yard is very good However, it should be fenced in as it borders on Dudley Street which
64
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
has become a speedway and is a hazard to school children.
It is recommended that four classrooms be added to this build- ing to care for the district now served by the Mansfield School, which should be abandoned as rec- ommended above. Also to provide for probable increases in the school population of this district.
The Emerson School
is of wooden construction and was built in 1905. General condition of the building is fair. The school yard is small, uneven, and rocky. It would be necessary to spend con- siderable money to grade and fence this property in order to make it suitable for playground purposes.
In view of the type, design, and location of this building it is recom- mended that no further money be expended on the property. It is suggested that plans be made to abandon it for educational pur- poses, at an early date.
The section now served by this . school could well be served by the Sweetser School, with additions as recommended in another part .of this report.
1
The Felton School
is of wooden construction and was built in 1900. It consists of six classrooms. General condition is good. It is possible to add several rooms to the building but in the opinion of this Committee it is not advisable to do so as it is of non- fireproof construction.
It is suggested that the greater number of pupils from the Clifton- dale section now attending this school, be sent to the Sweetser School when that building is made available for elementary purposes, as recommended in this report. It would then be possible to use the available classrooms in the Felton School to relieve the overcrowded condition at the Roby School, and would make possible the abandon- ment of the Roby Annex for ele- mentary school purposes.
The Sweetser School
is of brick construction and was
built in 1925. Consists of eight classrooms and an auditorium occu- pied by fifth, sixth, and seventh grades; two basement rooms occu- pied by opportunity classes; and one basement room occupied by a branch library. As all basement space is now utilized for school or library purposes there is no recrea- tional space in this building.
The basement area in way of the auditorium is unfinished. At some time the floor in this area was partly cemented, under a Federal project, but was left unfinished when the funds were exhausted. It is recommended that this room be completed, including cement floor, walls, acoustic ceiling, ventilating system, and lighting fixtures. We understand the completion of this room has been included in the school budget for several years but has not been approved.
It is the suggestion of this Com- mittee that the Finance Committee members visit this school and in- spect the area in question when the completion of this room is again be- ing considered.
The wooden doors from upper floors to the auditorium roof are badly rotted and should be re- placed.
A total of eighty desk sets in two classrooms should be replaced as they are very old and in poor con- dition.
The two basement rooms now used for opportunity classes are en- tirely unsuitable for classroom pur- poses. Floors are cement and are cold; the desks are of various types and sizes and are set on wooden strips. The teachers stand on bare cement floors at all times. The op- portunity classes should be removed from this building. Provision for these classes is suggested in an- other part of this report.
It is also recommended that the Junior High School classes be re- moved from this school, making this entire building available for elementary school purposes. Recom- mendations for the care of Junior High School classes now housed in this building are made in another part of this report.
By removing Junior High School classes, there would be sufficient
ACTION OF FINANCE COMMITTEE ON GENERAL BUDGET
Expended 1936
Approp. 1937
Expended 1937
Requested 1938
Recommended 1938
General Government
1.
Moderator
S 369.30
S 400.00
8 390.20
S 428.00
428.00
3.
Planning Board
156.47
800.00
799.95
905.00
800.00
4.
Selectmen's Department
2,753.50
2,500.00
2,370.93
2,500.00
2,500.00
5.
Accountant's Department
3,754.14
4,200.00
4,372.50
4,300.00
4,000.00
6.
Treasurer's Department
4,591.58
5,400.00
5,520.00
5,700.00
5,550.00
7.
Tax Collector's Department
ยท 4,166.30
4,000.00
2,153.90
2,500.00
2,500.00
9.
Assessors
52.00
75.00
68.00
75.00
75.00
11
Law Department
1,596.54
1,600.00
1,600.00
1,600.00
1,600.00
12.
Town Clerk's Department
862.33
972.00
960.15
972.00
972.00
13.
Election and Registration
5,679.00
3,100.00
4,603.29
4,972.60
4,900.00
14.
Town Hall Account
4,784.84
4,800.00
5,357.34
4,800.00
4,500.00
15.
Public Works Department
7,971.00
7,000.00
7,000.00
9,088.00
7,200.00
16.
Removal of Ashes
4,460.00
4,485.00
4,485.00
5,050.00
5,000.00
17.
Board of Appeals
299.31
300.00
299.90
300.00
300.00
18
Engineering Department
3,713.99
3,750.00
3,750.00
4,600.00
4,000.00
Totals
$ 62,010.53
$ 60,707.00
$ 61,040.97
$ 65,354.60
$ 62,000.00
Protection of Persons and Property
19.
Police Department
$ 31,375.24
$ 33,250.00
$ 33,016.28
$ 34,993.22
$ 33,850.00
20.
Pensions (Fire and Police)
5,418.03
4,614.80
5,112.23
5,098.23
5,098.23
21.
Constable
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
22.
Firemen's Salaries
28,987.98
32,773.50
32,650.50
33,048.50
33,048.50
23.
Fire and Police Bldg. Maintenance
2,249.20
2,588.00
2,778.84
3,056.00
2,900.00
24.
Supt. of Fire Alarms
2,237.01
2,000.00
2,639.36
2,950.00
2,000.00
25.
Fire Department Expense
9,574.89
9,700.00
8,565.59
8,385.00
7,500.00
26.
Forest Fire Warden
399.28
200.00
114.50
200.00
200.00
27.
Supt. of Buildings
1,050.00
1,050.00
1,049.43
1,410.00
1,050.00
28.
Sealer of Weights and Measures ..
1,425.00
1,820.00
1,859.90
1,900.00
1,860.00
29.
Gypsy Moth Department
5,000.00
5,000.00
4,999.98
5,250.00
5,000.00
30.
Tree Warden
1,250.00
800.00
1,195.08
1,200.00
800.00
31.
Safety Committee
99.00
100.00
98.75
250.00
200.00
31a. Harbor Master
Total
$ 89,165.63
$ 94,196.30
$ 94,580.44
$107,880.67
$103,496.45
Education and Libraries
32.
Schools
$205,252.32
$211,000.00
$211,000.00
$221,396.34
$220,000.00
33.
School House Repairs
6,972.49
4,000.00
4,702.91
20,609.52
7,500.00
34.
Public Library
6,996.50
7,500.00
7,483.68
9,600.00
9,000.00
Totals
$219,221.31
$222,500.00
$223,185.59
$251,605.86
$236,500.00
Expended 1936
Approp. 1937
Expended 1937
1937
1938
35.
Board of Welfare Temporary Aid ..
$ 65,785.67
$ 37,500.00
$ 30,775.72
$ 32,000.00
$ 30,000.00
35a. Old Age Assistance
35b. Aid to Dependent Children
5,034.37
4,000.00
4,592.80
4,500.00
4,500.00
37.
State and Military Aid
2,990.00
4,000.00
3,380.00
4,000.00
3,500.00
38.
Soldiers' Relief
23,978.79
19,000.00
22,990.73
24,780.00
21,000.00
39.
Soldiers' Burial
100.00
100.00
200.00
200.00
Totals
$ 97,888.83
$ 92,100.00
$ 86,329.99
$115,980.00
$109,700.00
Highways, Fences and Bridges
40.
Highways, Fences and Bridges
S 1,500.00
$ 20,000.00
$ 24,298.94
$ 23,200.00
$ 20,000.00
(Chap. 90 Maint.)
18,500.00
40a. Asphalt and Pea Stone-Surface
2,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
41. Snow and Ice
14,000.00
2,800.00
2,799.29
12,000.00
12,000.00
42. Street Lighting
13,485.00
13,500.00
13,500.00
13,500.00
13,500.00
Totals
$ 49,485.00
$ 41,300.00
$ 45,598.23
$ 53,700.00
$ 50,500.00
43.
Water Purchase
$ 20,000.00
$ 22,000.00
$ 20,218.08
$ 20,000.00
$ 20,000.00
44.
Water Maintenance
19,478.71
19,800.00
19,800.00
25,584.04
20,000.00
45.
Water Extension
1,000.00
1,500.00
2,749.86
3,000.00
1,500.00
46.
Water Meters
250.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
150.00
47.
Cemetery
8,113.05
8,700.00
8,551.34
9,850.00
9,800.00
48.
Installing Gates
300.00
300.00
299.57
300.00
300.00
49.
Hydrants
700.01
1,000.00
999.96
2,000.00
1,000.00
Totals
$ 49,841.77
$ 53,550.00
$ 52,868.81
$ 60,984.04
$ 52,750.00
50.
Health Department
$ 10,995.01
$ 13,400.00
$ 13,362.31
$ 15,435.00
$ 15,000.00
51.
Vital Statistics
86.25
100.00
71.50
100.00
100.00
52.
Inspector of Plumbing
1,025.00
1,025.00
1,025.00
1,025.00
1,025.00
53.
Inspector of Cattle
550.00
550.00
550.00
550.00
550.00
54.
Inspector of Milk
300.00
300.00
300.00
300.00
300.00
55.
Collection of Garbage
2,949.00
2,949.00
2,949.00
3,250.00
3,250.00
Totals
$ 15,905.26
$ 18,324.00
$ 18,257.81
$ 20,660.00
$ 20,225.00
56.
Memorial Day
$ 465.04
S 500.00
465.00
S 500.00
500.00
57.
Town Reports (Printing and Dist.)
1,282.00
1,400.00
1,385.10
1,500.00
1,500.00
58.
Insurance
12,071.26
9,000.00
8,645.58
11,679.37
11,679.37
59.
Playgrounds
2,075.93
4,000.00
5,490.10
3,200.00
3,000.00
60.
Reserve Fund
(8,000.00)
8,000.00
(7,717.28)
6,000.00
6,000.00
61.
Trade School Tuition
1,170.23
1,200.00
1,655.87
1,700.00
1,700.00
Totals
$ 17,064.46
$ 24,100.00
$ 17,641.65
$ 24,579.37
$ 24,379.37
62.
Interest on Temporary Loans
$ 5,203.86
$ 10,000.00
S 5,901.38
$ 10,000.00
$ 10,000.00
63.
Interest on School Loans
4,327.50
3,582.50
3,527.50
2,825.00
2,825.00
G4.
Interest on Water Loans
456.25
818.75
788.75
1,052.75
1,052.75
65. School House Loan Bonds
22,000.00
18,500.00
18,500.00
17,500.00
17,500.00
6G. Water Loan Bonds
3,000.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
10,000.00
10,000.00
67
Welfare Loans, Notes and Bonds.
15,000.00
20,000.00
20,000.00
25,000.00
25,000.00
68.
Interest on Welfare Notes
1,417.50
1,362.50
1,362.50
963.50
963.50
69. Fire and Police Station Bonds
5,000.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
(5,000.00)
(5,000.00
70. Interest on Fire and Police Sta. Bonds
2,437.50
2,275.00
2,275.00
2,112.50
2,112.50
Totals
$ 58,842.61
$ 64,038.75
$ 59,855.13
$ 69,453.75
$ 69,453.75
$659,425.40
$670,816.05
$659,358.62
$770,198.29
$729,004.57
FINANCE COMMITTEE EDWARD GIBBS, JR., Chairman BERTRAND D. WESTENDARP, Secretary FREDERICK J. ENGLAND ROSS E. COON
CLARENCE O. MARTIN
ANDREW B. BRITT
ROSWELL W. ABBOTT
CHARLES H. MOORE
Requested
Health and Sanitation
1936
Approp. 1937
Expended 1937
1937
Recommended 1938
2.
Finance Committee
10.
Registration of Town Notes
9,829.76
9,725.00
9,718.89
9,964.00
9,725.00
8.
Tax Title Expense
6,970.47
7,600.00
7,590.92
7,600.00
7,600.00
20a. Contributing Retirement Pension Fund
200.00
9,689.72
9,689.72
200.00
200.00
350.00
200.00
27,500.00
21,406.90
45,000.00
45,000.00
3,183.84
5,500.00
5,500.00
36.
Infirmary
Treatment
Enterprises and Cemeteries
Requested
Recommended
Charities and Soldiers' Relief
Expended
Recreation and Unclassified
+
Interest and Maturing Debt
Funds Available
S 50.00
65
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
available classrooms to care for the elementary school population from the Cliftondale section now attend- ing the Felton School, thus reliev- ing that school as suggested above.
It is recommended that four classrooms be added to this build- ing, making a total of twelve suit- able classrooms.
The four additional rooms would take care of the district now served by the Emerson School which we have recommended to be abandoned.
The heating plant in this build- ing is good and we estimate it to be of sufficient capacity to carry the heating load of the suggested four- room addition.
The Cliftondale School
is of brick construction and was built in 1894. It consists of four classrooms. The general condition of the building is good.
The toilet facilities are very poor. New toilet rooms, both boys' and girls', should be built, and modern toilets and sinks installed.
The basement floors, which are of cement, are badly cracked and very rough. They should be covered with a composition flooring ma- terial.
This school has sufficient ac- commodation to take care of the district it now serves. It is sug- gested, however, that the future school plan include the abandon- ment of this school for elementary school purposes, with the thought in mind that the area now served by it to be cared for by the Armit- age School, as recommended in an- other part of this report.
The abandonment of this building for elementary school purposes would make it available for oppor- tunity class and adult educational purposes.
The Armitage School
is of brick construction and was built in 1922. It consists of six classrooms. The general condition of the building is good.
The floors were very poorly laid and considerable difficulty has been experienced with buckling. New floors should be laid in the near
future in order to eliminate the danger of stumbling and resultant injury; also to minimize noise.
Dark colored window curtains on the north side of the building should be replaced with light colored curtains to improve the light in these rooms.
The electric light wiring in the poling room is exposed and in poor condition. This should be renewed as it now constitutes a fire hazard.
The outside cement steps are crumbling and should be repaired at the earliest opportunity.
The street drainage in front of this building is very poor. Water accumulates in the gutters making it difficult for the pupils to enter the school grounds in stormy weather without getting wet feet.
It is recommended that six class- rooms be added to this building, making a total of twelve. In addi- tion to the district now served, this school could take care of the dis- trict now served by the Cliftondale: School.
The Roby School
is of brick construction and was built in 1896. Consists of eight classrooms, and two small rooms on the landing to the third floor.
The eight classrooms are over- crowded at present. The overflow from the second and fourth grades -about twenty pupils-now occupy one of the small rooms on the third floor landing. In the opinion of this Committee, this room is un- suitable for classroom purposes be- cause of its location, the poor light- ing facilities, and the fact that the only emergency exit is through the attic where the flooring is in bad condition and dangerous for small children. At the time of this in- spection, the emergency exit door was locked.
The toilet facilities are fair. The urinal in the boys' toilet is in poor condition and should be replaced with modern equipment. The ceil- ings in boys' and girls' toilet rooms are in bad condition and should be replaced. The coal bin should be fireproofed.
The janitor service in this school is below average and should be im-
66
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
proved.
It is recommended that four classrooms be added to this build- ing to relieve the present over- crowded condition of this school, and to make possible the abandon- ment of the Roby Annex for ele- mentary educational purposes, and to provide for the probable increase in the school population in this dis- trict. When classrooms are added it will probably be necessary to utilize the land now occupied by the Roby Annex and the Legion Hall, for play area.
The Roby Annex
(or the old Roby School as it is better known) is of wooden con- struction. There is no record of the date of construction of this building.
Two rooms on the ground floor are used for elementary school pur- poses. The two rooms on the sec- ond floor are occupied by the Sea Scouts.
The general condition is fair, considering the age, design, and type of construction. The equip- ment in the classrooms is below the average.
The janitor service in this school is below average and should be im- proved.
It is recommended that this building be abandoned for elemen- tary school purposes at an early date and that the school popula- tion which cannot be taken care of in the Roby School be diverted to the Felton School, as recommended in another part of this report.
This building could be utilized for opportunity classes until an- other building is made available for this purpose.
The High School
is of brick construction. The origin- al building was constructed in 1906 and the addition in 1916. There are twenty-one classrooms and an audi- torium. Considering the age and type of construction, this building is in very good physical condition.
The auditorium is unsuitable for either assembly or study purposes. The acoustics, and lighting and seating arrangements render it en-
tirely unsuitable for study pur- poses.
The toilet and locker facilities are all in the basement. It is our recommendation that modern toil- ets and wash rooms be installed in the small rooms now used as class- rooms on the classroom floors and that lockers, similar to those in the new Junior High School, be in- stalled in the corridors.
The heating plant consists of two return tubular boilers and two sec- tional boilers, all burning soft coal. It is our understanding that the small sectional boiler in the front part of the basement and used for heating the front part of the build- ing, including the executive offices, is in poor condition and that the fire underwriters have recommend- ed it be replaced.
It is our recommendation that an oil burning system be installed un- der the return tubular boilers, and that the two sectional boilers be- discontinued. With a modern oil burning system, the two return tubular boilers will no doubt carry the entire heating load at a con- siderable saving in the heating cost. In addition to the saving in fuel cost, the elimination of two boilers and hand coal firing would effect a saving in labor and maintenance cost.
Stair treads are badly worn and should be repaired or replaced at an early date.
The Central Junior High
School
is of brick construction and is actually a part of the high school building. It was constructed in 1932. It consists of twelve class- rooms and a cafeteria: ten class- rooms are occupied by Junior High School classes and two rooms by High School classes.
This building was well planned and constructed, and is in excellent physical condition.
It has a separate heating plant consisting of one modern boiler under which oil is burned.
As mentioned earlier in this re- port, our recommendations are based on the so-called six-three- three system of education.
67
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
1938]
In order to consolidate our en- tire Junior High School under one roof and in order to make available additional classrooms for elemen- tary education, it is our recommen- dation that this entire group of buildings, consisting of the present High School and Central Junior High School, be used exclusively for Junior High School purposes.
Based on the best figures avail- able, our Junior High School popu- lation would be about 1100 and would not exceed this number for several years. This building would comfortably house this number of pupils in suitable classrooms and there would be available suitable space for study purposes, prevoca- tional training, and some physical education.
In view of the traffic and the sanitary conditions in this section of Town, and due to the desirabil- ity of separating the High School from the Junior High School, this Committee strongly advises against any further additions to this build- ing or any further construction on this school site.
General Recommendations
The electric lighting arrangement and fixtures throughout our school buildings, with the exception of the Central Junior High School, are an- tiquated and inefficient.
It is the recommendation of this Committee that the School Commit- tee have a lighting survey made. We believe that such a survey and recommendations for improvements would be made by one of the well- known electric lamp manufacturers or the Lynn Gas & Electric Com- pany, at no cost to the town.
We also suggest that all steam boilers, air furnaces, and air ducts be cleaned and inspected in order to improve the efficiency of these units.
We further recommend that land adjacent to public school property, which has been or may be taken by the town on tax titles, be set aside for school purposes.
Building Program
It is the recommendation of this Committee that a ten-year building
program be instituted, to be car- ried out in the following sequence:
In 1939-the construction of a new High School building of mod- ern design and construction, con- sisting of seventeen classrooms, to- gether with adequate facilities for laboratories, study rooms, toilets, administration offices,
teachers' rooms, and cafeteria. This building should be so designed and con- structed that a gymnasium, facili- ties for vocational training and an auditorium with a seating capacity of. 1,000 may be added as the finan- ces of the town may permit. It is recommended that the new High School be located as near the pres- ent athletic field as possible. Be- sides being desirable to locate near the athletic field, this general loca- tion is near the geographic center of the Town and is near the pres- ent center of population. We recommend that during 1939 a new modern elementary school in the Oaklandvale section be constructed, as suggested earlier in this report.
In 1940-the construction of a four-room addition to the present Roby School, as suggested earlier in this report.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.