USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1939 > Part 11
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Oil jars
299
3117
REPORT OF FIRE ALARM DIVISION
1939]
Gasoline 30,540 gals.
Coal 2,139,090 1bs.
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 3h
to the Fire Alarm Headquarters. To promote a better understand- ing of the Fire Alarm System, this exhibit and demonstration will be available until about May 1, and any interested person or group of persons will be most welcome to visit and have a chance to oper- ate a box and see how it tells the Fire Department its story. A call to Saugus 1234 will ensure, if pos- sible, the presence of someone at the exhibit on any evening, Sun- day or holiday.
The Underwriters list as stand- ard only those fire alarm boxes possessing the two features known as "Succession" and "Non-Inter- fering." "Succession" is the fea- ture of succeeding to the line after a previous alarm is finished, and "Non-Interfering" is the feature of not interfering or cutting in on the line while an alarm is in the process of being sent out from an- other box. Of our 75 boxes, 27 are Non-Succession, which means if pulled while another box is in operation, it will not send unless pulled again and perhaps a third time when the system is idle. An- other box is neither Succession nor Non-Interfering, and will steal the line, regardless of another alarm in progress. In fact, it will mu- tilate the other alarm as well as itself if operated during an alarm. This box is privately owned and will be cared for when the town's boxes are all standardized. These 27 boxes can be replaced at about $100 each or rebuilt at $45 each. The hazard presented is deserving of the expenditure of much thought as $1215 will make all town boxes standard, greatly increasing the safety factor. One of the stand- ard and one of the rebuilt boxes are arranged at the fire alarm room for all to see who care to in- vestigate this distressing situa- tion. The 27 boxes are those placed some 40-odd vears ago as part of the original installation.
There are still many areas of the town without proper box cov- erage. Proper coverage is defined by the Underwriters as not over 500 feet from a house to a fire alarm box in a closely built up residential district, or within 1000
feet in other residential districts: or 3 blocks.
The need of prompt notification. of the fire department cannot be stressed too much. No fire ever started whose start couldn't be stopped with little damage. The. use of the telephone as a fire noti- fication agent has its place, but the use of the fire alarm box starts to the fire at once, the apparatus, the men on duty, and the men off duty,. and the call members, all to the proper location. Not a great while ago, a telephone call came to the· fire station from a woman on a four-party line who had a fire- alarm box 21 feet from her front steps. When the firemen on duty answered the phone the woman. shouted "My house is on fire," and promptly hung up. The telephone operators, on the job as usual, promptly furnished the four ad- dresses from which the call could: come, enabling the officer on duty to divide up his men and apparatus to go to four places, at three of which they were not needed, at one. they were very welcome. The use of the box and the increased force. which would have come where. needed is self-evident.
The Fire Alarm Central Station' equipment has, during the year,. been moved to the Fire Alarm space in the new building. The: equipment is overloaded and not: capable of meeting today's require- ments. The switchboard was made. by a concern which went out of" business about 1910, and the pat- ent date on the repeater is 1868 .- A new central station will permit speeding up the time of the boxes,. reducing the time required to an -- swer.
During the year the gongs and: other equipment in the fire station have been cut off from the vari -- ous outside box circuits and con -- nected to a local circuit which is- under the control of the repeater and does not extend outside the. building. This is as suggested by" the Underwriters in their 1935 survey.
A master tell-tale circuit has been devised, so that positive no- tice of any open circuit has been worked out and extended to the
1939]
REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER
101
residence of the Superintendent. It has been found that the Fire De- partment members, through no fault of their own, could not be depended upon to relay this in- formation to him. Under some conditions an open circuit could be (and has been) present and the Fire Department not been aware of it.
As the funds available during 1939 were reduced 20% from for- mer years certain maintainance had to be let go to pile up on 1940.
The fire alarm truck traveled about 950 miles on its various du- ties in 1939, and the Superintend- ent used his own car, without re- turn to him, some 1200 miles on errands for the department.
The Fire Alarm Division, in ad- dition to the care of the Fire Alarm, cares for a Police Red Light System for the Police De- partment, cares for about 3.2 miles of wire and certain controls for the Water Department, and cares for certain burglar alarms for various offices in the Town Hall. Its serv- ices are available to any town de- partment, when possible, at any time.
During 1939, the breakage of the glass insulators on the cross arms on the poles caused quite some expense. This can be con- trolled if the parents will avail themselves of the opportunity to talk to their children and explain that these insulators have a pur- pose, which is not to be a target, and the town has to spend money to replace them. Your help to re- duce breakage and false alarms will be most welcome.
For several years this depart- ment has recommended certain for- ward steps, each having a better protection feature coupled with a reduction of insurance cost. One suggestion to a concern in town was looked into, resulting in great- ly improved fire protection for the. concern and a reduction of about 60% in its insurance costs. Mu- tual aid offers results along these two lines, not any such per cent of reduction, but enough to pay its way.
Respectfully submitted,
RAY S. WADE,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm. S
Report of the Harbor Master
To the Honorable Board of Se- lectmen: Gentlemen :
I hereby submit the annual re- port of Harbor Master for the year ending December 31, 1939.
During the year 1939 there were two (2) motor boats given assist- ance in distress and towed to a safe anchorage, eleven (11) duly registered boats given anchorage, nine (9) boats removed from mid channel, four (4) unregistered boats reported missing, three (3) unregistered boats reported miss- ing returned to their owners, one (1) permit issued for storage. .
Two cases of dumping into tide water were reported and promptly taken care of.
It is recommended by the depart- ment to purchase material with which to build a floating hoist for the moving of moorings and the removal of sunken wreckage.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen and all others who by their co-op- eration aided me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON H. BAKER, Harbor Master.
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Superintendent of Public Works
Saugus, Massachusetts. January 5, 1940.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town Hall,
Saugus, Massachusetts.
· Gentlemen:
Even though appropriations for "the several departments under my jurisdiction have been continually reduced over the past few years, the year 1939 was a busy one for all employees connected with the Public Works Department.
In most cases, the funds which were appropriated in 1939 for our work show reductions of from 10% to 25% of the amounts which have been appropriated in the past.
It is a pleasure to inform you again, gentlemen, that all bills contracted for in 1939 have been paid, and that in no instance has an account been overdrawn.
The general attitude of the em- ployees of this department has been an important factor, in that the majority of them seem to have assumed a sense of personal re- sponsibility for seeing that the many services demanded of them are accomplished at a minimum cost to the taxpayers.
The work of the Highway De- partment consisted mostly of main- taining roads, drains, etc. It was impossible to attempt any form of new construction, due of course to the lack of sufficient funds. This department is, however, well aware of the condition of Saugus roads, which with very few exceptions are badly in need of repair and re- construction.
In the past several years the town has been assisted to a great degree in its road work through Chapter 90 Act (by which either the state or county, or both, allot funds to the town). In 1939. how- ever, no such funds were distribut- ed by either. It is now hoped that some such assistance will be forth- coming in 1940.
On June, 30. 1939, the town lost the services of two faithful and efficient employees in the persons of Daniel "Uncle Dinny" Bannon and Albert C. "Al" Day. Both of them had reached the age of 72
which necessitated their retire- ment. It was with regret that their fellow employees saw them retire, but the best wishes of the department went with them.
A detailed report of the work of the entire department follows. Highways, Fences, Brides, Etc.
The employees of this depart- ment must be ready at all times, and capable of handling all sorts of situations. It is these men who operate the plows which clear the streets of snow at all hours of the day and night. They are also called upon in all heavy rains to clear gutters, catch basins and natural waterways as well, in or- der that surface water can drain freely and quickly from the roads.
Other duties of this department include: Regular £
maintenance work; patching (about two days a week are spent on this); care and repair of bridges; care and repair of sidewalks, fences, public stairs, etc; erection of snow fences; con- struction and care of catch basins and drains; sanding and salting roads when conditions require it; erection of suitable street and warning signs; cleaning streets and gutters; caring for public squares and greens; maintaining equipment; assisting all other town departments in their work; collec- tion of ashes and rubbish; placing "sick" or "quiet" signs upon re- quest; cleaning brooks and cul- verts; constructing new roads, and many other situations must be taken care of as they occur.
Personnel
The present personnel of the Highway Department includes one foreman and four men, one of whom is a mechanic, steam-roller operator and truck driver, and who when necessary acts as foreman. The remaining men are truck driv- ers and laborers, but when needed in other capacities are perfectly capable of operating the various pieces of equipment of the depart- ment or acting as sub-foremen.
In addition to the above men, there is a regular mechanic whose duties are those pertaining to the
103
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1939]
care and maintenance of the twen- ty-odd pieces of motorized equip- ment. As most citizens realize, much of our equipment is ten or more years old and requires almost constant care. At times during the year when extra help is need- ed in the garage, another man is employed part time. Such extra assistance is usually necessary during the fall and winter months.
Another man has charge of tools and equipment. He is also charged with issuing gasoline and oil, and keeping proper records of such. A new stock room was completed in 1939 over which the above man will take charge.
One more man alternates be- tween the Highway and Engineer- ing departments, and also acts as foreman on most of the new con- struction work. His work with the engineers has been made nec- essary due to the increase in the amount of work of that depart- ment, i. e., W. P. A.
On one day each week the regu- lar highway crew is augmented by the addition of the four men of the ash collection crew, who un- der favorable circumstances can complete their work in four davs.
It is the present intention of the Superintendent of Public Works to request an amount of money for Highway purposes in 1940 equal to that of 1939. In addition to the regular highway appropriation it is strongly felt that an amount of $5000 should also be appropriat- ed for resurfacing as it has been for the past few years.
If Chapter 90 funds are re- ceived during the coming vear from the state and countv. those funds will be met with like sums to be taken from the Highway and Resurfacing Accounts.
Snow and Ice
The amount of money necessary for this work is, of course, entirely dependent upon weather condi- tions. For that reason requests for funds must be based upon esti- mates.
For removing snow from the streets, seven trucks are available. Included in this number are two Whites, 14 and 16 years old re-
spectively; one Mack, which is also 14 years old; two Chevrolets, 4 years old each; and two G. M. C. trucks, one of which is 4 and the other 5 years old.
The Holt tractor is 14 years old and in such condition that it is used only in extreme emergencies.
The newest piece of equipment is the Cletrac sidewalk plow which is used for bad hills, and roads. where it would be impossible to. plow with the trucks.
In 1939 it was necessary to send: sanding and salting crews out for a total of 30 days and nights in. order that conditions might be made safe for citizens and tax- papers. Dangerous hills and in- tersections are sanded and salted as soon as possible after conditions develop which necessitate such safety measures.
In addition to the above equip- ment, there are sixteen horse- plows. These plows clear the side -- walks after a snow of three or more inches at a cost of $3.00 per hour per plow. Such plows are operated by private individuals, who, upon notification by proper- authorities, proceed with their work. In 1939, $1573.80 was spent for this work, while in the pre- vious year, 1938, $2140.20 was ex- pended. Other years this cost has run as high as $2500.00.
In addition to removing snow from streets and sidewalks, gut- ters and catch basins must be opened in order that melting snows; may drain as quickly as possible from the roads.
For years it has been the prac- tice of this department to supply all schools and public buildings, upon request, with a sufficient: amount of sand and salt to meet their requirements.
Collection of Ashes
Until approximately seven years. ago this work was let out to con- tract, the last contractor being- awarded $5200 per year for the work. At that time the territory covered was considerably smaller- than that of today.
In 1933, or thereabouts, the col- lection of ashes and rubbish was taken over by the town, as it was:
101
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
believed at that ime that the work could be done for less money than the contractor was receiving.
In 1939, the cost for this service amounted to more than the $5000 which was appropriated for it, the additional amount necessary being taken from the other accounts.
In 1940 we are requesting a to- tal of $5653.40 to be expended as follows: $4812.80 for wages of four 'men at $22.40 for four days each week; $216.00 for gasoline and oil at an average of $18.00 per month; $250.00 for repairs and mainten- ance of the truck; $25.00 for neces- sary goggles and gloves (required by insurance company); $100.00 for extra trucks, (crews, gasoline, etc.) which are many time required during the course of a year be- cause of storms, holidays, etc .; and $249.00 which represents the pay of one man for one day each week, for the care of the dump on Winter street.
Disposal of ashes and rubbish is becoming quite a problem in town. During the past year it was necessary to close three dumps be- cause of complaints by residents adjacent to them. At present, dumping places on Winter street, Central street (private), and on Baker's Hill near Oceanview Ave- nue are the only ones available.
The only public dump available, on Winter street across from Wil- lis, should be kept in as present- able condition as possible. For this purpose a man should be sta- tioned there for at least one day per week, in order to burn what- ever combustible material is col- lected and thereby prevent a re- currence of the rat and cricket menace which was the occasion for many complaints against the Hurd Avenue dump in 1939.
Water Department
The principal function of the .
Water Department is to maintain as far as possible a suitable supply of water for home consumption and fire protection.
For this purpose, four trucks and five men are assigned. The men of the department must be available for work twenty-four hours a day throughout the entire
year. It is a source of satisfac- tion to. all in authority to know that each man charged with the work of maintaining the water sup- ply is a specialist in his own line of work.
One foreman and two men take care of most of the regular serv- ice work, i. e., private services to homes and other buildings. All of the men have an excellent knowl- edge as to the location of all exist- ing water mains and gates.
The water-main foreman takes care of all municipal blasting, re- pairs to mains, hydrants, etc., and also replaces the service foreman when vacations or illness occur.
The fifth man of the regular water crew takes care of all met- ers, reads them for the semi-an- nual billing, and repairs most of them when they are in need of re- pair. This man also assists the other foremen in their work.
During the past year, 1939, 13 breaks have occurred in the main line; 12 gates have been repaired; cne new gate has been located on Ballard street near the bridge; 13 hydrants have been replaced and one new location made; 12 hy- drants badly in need of repair have been taken care of at a cost of approximately $80.00 per hy- drant.
Three hundred and fifty-two (352) feet of 6-inch cast iron wat- er pipe was laid in the Golden Hills section early in 1939. One hundred and ten (110) feet of 6- inch cast iron pipe was laid on Midvale Avenue to complete a cir- cuit at that point which would as- sure both the residents and the fire department of an adequate supply of water; seventy-two (72) feet of 6-inch cast iron pipe was laid on Hawkes Street, an exten- sion of a main which was laid in 1937; one hundred and twenty- eight (128) feet of 6-inch cast iron pipe was laid on Ella Street; and on Hurd Avenue, at the re- quest of the fire department, eight hundred (800) feet of 2-inch iron pipe was laid for fire protection purposes.
Early in 1939 an emergency was declared by the Board of Health, and four hundred (400) feet of 2-
. 119941.
105
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1939]
inch pipe was laid from 787 Broad- way, to take care of several fam- ilies whose old supply, a small one- inch line, had failed.
At the pumping station in Clif- tondale, a new auxiliary pump was installed which will be the cause of reducing the cost of maintain- ing the pumping station by a few hundred dollars each year.
Among the many duties of the water service crew we list the fol- lowing: Repairing leaks as they occur in service lines; thawing services when frozen; carrying water to residents of the town when for any reason their supply is cut off; cleaning services, for which a charge is made in many cities and towns; turning water off and on upon request; reading met- ers for the semi-annual billing; testing meters in case of com- plaint, another service for which a charge is made in most cities and towns; and assisting in the work of all other departments when the occasion arises.
In 1939, twenty new services were laid; eighty-nine services were renewed; three hundred and fifty-five services were blown out; one hundred and one were turned on; and ninety-three were turned off; ninety-six meters were re- paired and thirty tests were made, most of which proved the meters to be correct; forty-seven service leaks were repaired and thirty- odd services were thawed out, many of them for the second time.
Water Rates
Taxpayers in Saugus should realize that our local water rates are considerably less than the average rates in our neighboring towns. We have on hand in the Public Works office questionnaires which were returned to us in 1938 by thirty-eight cities and towns of the approximate size of Saugus. Figures from these forms show that the average rate for water in those towns and cities is $11.95 for 5000 cubic feet, or $2.39 per 1000 cubic feet.
Our local rates, including the Golden Hills section, are $10.00 per year for 6667 cubic feet, or $1.50 per 1000 cubic feet.
In addition to the above differ- ence in average rates, many cities and towns make a service charge which varies from $1.25 to $3.00 per year. Such service charge is made, even though the water to those properties is not turned on. Other charges made for service in towns not too distant from Saugus, are $2.00 to $5.00 for blow-outs, and from $1.00 to $3.00 for turn- ing water on.
Late in December, 1939, the town was notified by the City of Melrose, from whom we purchase water for the Golden Hills sec- tion, that our rates to them (Mel- rose) beginning January 1, 1940, would be considerably increased. The Town of Saugus has until now paid Melrose for Metropolitan water at the rate of $200 for the first million gallons used, and $100 for each million used in excess of the first.
The new rate beginning January 1st will be $250 per million (1,000,- 000) gallons used. Such an in- crease in cost will mean that the residents of Golden Hills will re- ceive 50,000 gallons of water for $10.00 per year, for which the Town of Saugus is paying Mel- rose $12.50.
A comparison of water charges between the City of Lynn from which most of our water is bought and the Melrose or Metropolitan rates:
City of Lynn
City of Melrose (Metropolitan)
Quantity
Lynn
Melrose
(gals.)
Charge
Charge $250.00
1,000,000
$68.00
100,000
6.80
25.00
10,000
.68
2.50
1,000
.068
.25
100
.0068
.025,
Much has been said and heard during the past year or two of the great loss of water. The water department has been aware of this. loss and has several times called' public attention to this fact. Most of the leakage cannot be easily de- tected. For that reason we have. recommended for the past two or three years that the town conduct a survey which can locate most: of
106
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
the large leaks. Such a survey conducted in conjunction with the W. P. A. would cost the town ap- proximately $1950, plus about $500 for materials for repairing the 'leaks as they are located.
That such a survey would save the town several thousand dollars a year can be seen from the recent report on the water situation in Saugus. The Superintendent of Public Works believes that this survey with its resultant stoppage of leaks would without a question save the town from $3000 to $8000 .each year.
There is much more that could be said about the water depart- ment and the water situation in the Town of Saugus, but neither time nor space in the town report will allow it. The Public Works Department is always pleased to answer any request for information pertaining to any of the depart- ments under the jurisdiction of the Superintendent of Public Works.
Engineering Department
The regular personnel of this department consists of an engineer and his assistant. Their duties comprise all engineering services connected with the building of roads, water lines, drains, side- walks, curbings, etc. Plans for the entire town must be made and kept up to date as changes occur.
The work of this office has been substantially increased during the past few years because of the ad- ditional amount of public works projects which have been under- taken by the W. P. A. and its kin- dred agencies. At times during the year one man whose regular work is with the highway department, assists them in their out-of-door work as well as in the office on plans and figuring.
A complete report by the town engineer follows my report.
Respectfully submitted, ERNEST A. MERRITHEW, Superintendent, Public Works Dept.
Report of Town Engineer
Saugus, Massachusetts. December 31, 1939.
Mr. Ernest A. Merrithew,
Superintendent, Public Works. Dear Sir:
I am submitting you a report of Engineering and division of the time on same for the year 1939.
Highway- Water
Locating gates, boxes, estimates, etc.
Golden Hills Road Broadway at No. 787
Overlea Avenue Hawkes Street Highland Ave. at Bridge (W. P.A).
Drains
Putnam Street under W.P.A., 600 feet more or less Street Lines for Abuttors Pleasant Street Central Street, 3
Allison Road Park Street Palmer Avenue Harrison Avenue
Jasper Street First Street (for Sewer Depart- ment Willis Street
Sidewalks (W.P.A.)
All street lines, with supervision
Curbing (W.P.A.)
At Old Cemetery, Monument Sq. Street Acceptances
DeSota Street, Survey and Plan Sweetwater St., Survey and Plan Summit Avenue, Tentative Plan Bridge Street, Tentative Plan Crescent Ave., Survey and Plan Davis Street, Survey and Plan Tuttle Street (part) Survey and Plan
Office Work
Index Plans, Estimates, and general office work to carry on
1939]
REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN
107
Cemetery Lines for fence, East and west line
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