USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1941 > Part 13
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Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR C. DUNK, Chairman. GUSTAVE A. ANDERSON, Secretary.
ERNEST M. HATCH
Report of the Board of Health
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
To continue in the spirit of economy, the Board of Health make the following brief report.
Marked progress has been made in the Health Department. New quarters were obtained with the aid of the Selectemen, and they have been partially equipped with new, sanitary apparatus, and in the future we hope to conduct clinics for the prevention of diph- theria.
There has been a marked drop in Tuberculosis this year. This we believe is due to the program started, by the department, several years ago, when we obtained the services of a health nurse.
Old and new regulations have been enforced for the licensing of goats and swine, which will bring in more revenue. Regulations passed by the State Department of Public Health must be enforced by this department.
Another mark of progress is a regulation passed by the Board which requires all milk sold or delivered in the town after June 1, 1942 to be pasteurized or certi- fied.
We have equipped our depart- ment to do a part of the milk
analysis and in the future will be able to do more samples at a con- siderable saving. and with much more protection to the citizens.
Some nuisances still exist which require time and patience to over- come. One of these is the dust nuisance from the stone crusher on Broadway. We are cooperating with the Board of Selectmen to overcome this bad situation.
The Board very strongly recom- mends and urges the continuance of the Sewer construction pro- gram. This one program perhaps more than any other will improve the health and sanitation in the town.
Again we bring your attention to our most important building- The Town Hall-Sanitary condi- tions there are deplorable. The mens toilet in the basement is poorly lighted with no ventilation, and as for the ladies public rest room-there isn't any. This con- dition should receive prompt at- tention by our Selectmen.
Respectfully submittted, RICHARD J. SPENCER, Chairman DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH, Secretary.
DR. JAMES A. CLARK, Health Officer.
125
REPORT OF W. P. A.COORDINATOR
1941]
Report of the W. P. A. Coordinator
January 5, 1942
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall
Saugus, Massachusetts Gentlemen :
In submitting the report for the Works Progress Administra- tion (WPA) for the year 1941, it is a pleasure to inform you that we finished the year within our appropriation and turned back to the Town $259.54. All projects operated for less than estimated
The past year, 1941, was a busy year even though our Sewing, Household Aid and Cleaning Pro- jects were closed leaving forty- eight women without employment. We received considerable benefits from the following projects, which as a whole averaged 205 men per per month and also 38 NYA boys who were employed until the middle of November.
The projects which operated all or part of the year were the
Sewers, Watermains, Brooks, Side- walks, Western Avenue Drains, Essex Street Drains, Hesper Street, School Street Drains, Engineering and Gypsy Moths. White Collar Projects included Recreation, Build- ing Inspector Records, Commis- sary, Tax Trend, Legal Inventory, Sewing, Household Aid and Clean- ing and Renovating.
For the year 1941 Saugus WPA workers received approximately $141,345.42 in the form of payroll checks, This amount does not in- clude State Wide Projects such as Commissary, Federal Music and Training Centers for welding.
In 1941 Welfare recipients and W.P.A. workers received from our Surplus Commodity Store food to the value of $30,880.34 and cloth- ing amounting to $6,612.43 mak- ing a total value for the year 1941 $37,492.77.
E. A. MERRITHEW,
Sponsor's Agent.
Report of the Superintendent of Public Works
January 5, 1942 To the Honorable Board of Sel- ectmen Town Hall Saugus, Massachusetts Gentlemen :
The Public Works Department has, as always, finished the work for 1941 within the appropriation allotted to it. This has become a difficult task due to the steadily increasing amount of work requir- ing attention and the steadily de- creasing appropriations of the last five years. It is time for the Town to consider the justice of this situa- tion.
Ash Department
The routine collections have been made on schedule, and a very good job has been done by the ash crew.
However, it is not good economics to endeavor to use the truck al- lotted to ash collection much longer. The truck, a 1935 model, is in con- stant need of repair. The route calls for about 100 miles each week, about half of it over unaccepted streets. It is greatly to the credit of the mechanics and the ash crew that the work is done. A new truck is needed in the near future, especially in view of the constant pressure being brought to bear to enlarge the route to cover more streets.
It will be necessary to increase the ash appropriation to cover the increased wages of the crew. If additional streets are added to the schedule, the appropriation will have to be further increased in view of the fact that more time will have to be used in collecting.
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
In the present case the ash crew act on the Highway department on Monday of each week. A longer route for ash collection will neces- sitate adding that day to the Ash Collection account.
Engineering Department
This department is covered by the report of the Engineer im- mediately following my report. I would like, however, to remark that this department is not prop- erly manned and that a third man should be added in view of the importance of this work and the increasing burden of work needed for WPA projects and street con- struction. This of course includes the sewer engineering, probably the most important project under- taken since our water mains were first laid.
Highway Department
The duties of this department increase from year to year, and it is with the greatest difficulty that we attempt to handle a steadily growing task with a steadily de- creasing appropriation. When it is considered that the appropria- tion for Highway work has shrunk some $8,300 in the past six years, it should be easy to understand the very great problem confronting us. It is due entirely to a very close scrutiny of materials and the ut- most in cooperation on the part of the men of the entire Public Works department that the prob- lem is solved to any degree. It is futile for the townspeople to look for any improvement in our streets under such conditions; only the most necessary maintenance work can be done. The time has come to consider a policy of growth, in view of the expansion and growth of the town itself.
Here again we are handicapped by inadequate equipment. When it is necessary to have material delivered in contractors' trucks be- cause of a shortage of our own, and because of a shortage of men, it is easy to see that the small amount the Town has to expend for street work is not being spent to the best advantage. Our three heavy-duty trucks are seventeen,
fifteen, and eighteen years old; our maintenance charges have in- creased from $1800 in 1936 to $5000 in 1941; these two facts have an obvious relation which merits close attention. I fully realize that under the present emergency we probably cannot expect to ac- quire much new eqiupment. On the other hand, as the opportunity presents itself and the Department requests funds for necessary pur- chases, the intelligent citizen will lend the necessary support.
Chapter 90 Work
In view of the fact that the County made available no funds, and the State a very much reduced amount, no Chapter 90 Mainten- ance work was done this year. However, our Chapter 90 roads thus far constructed are a matter of pride to the Department, whose intention it is to see that they are properly maintained.
Under Chapter 90 Construction a very creditable beginning has been made on upper Central Street, eliminating a bad curve and haz- ardous condition at the Walnut Street end. It is our hope and in- tention to continue work on this road year by year. Because of its strategic position paralleling the Newburyport Turnpike, it a secondary road of real importance to our national defense.
Our other Chapter 90 road un- der construction, Hesper Street, is now nearing completion, requiring one more link to finish it. This will provide a new artery into Saugus Center from Lynn, and will also benefit a large population on the easterly bank of the Saugus river. The construction of these two roads is such that they may be regarded as permanent improve- ments to the Town.
Snow and Ice Removal
The plowing of snow, which is considered by the average citizen to be the principal expense in- curred under this account, has be- come secondary to the care of the streets during the winter when snow has fallen lightly or after it has been plowed. Streets must be sanded continually and occasionally
127
REPORT OF SUPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS
1941]
salted to make travel safe. This type of street work consumes tons of sand and hours of labor, our men working many hours of over- time at this duty. The average citizen also fails to realize his debt to the Public Works Depart- ment men who work long stretches of time in the snow and ice re- moval work, without extra remun- eration of any kind. These tasks are cheerfully performed as part of the job, and the townspeople owe a real debt of gratitude to the sportsmanship and loyalty of the men who do their work, a good part of the time at the expense of well-earned rest and comfort.
Resurfacing
For several years now this ac- count has made available to the Highway Department a definite sum to be spent for road materials to maintain our streets. No labor is paid from this account. Several miles of secondary roads received top coating this year.
Because of the increased cost of materials, the same sum of money in 1942 will not allow us to do as much work as that amount in 1941.
Water Department
In the course of the past five years the total water appropria- tions have been reduced in the amount of six thousand dollars. During the past five years an average of thirty new services and one hundred twenty renewals have been installed yearly. In view of the fact that the department has never wasted money in any way, it is obvious that the increasing amount of service cannot be met
with decreasing appropriations.
During these same five years the total commitments figured in the Water Department have increased by seven thousand dollars. It is manifestly unfair, therefore, not only to expect increased work at reduced appropriations, but also to penalize a department whose contribution to town revenue is now very nearly fifty thousand dollars a year. It is the practice in many towns the size of our own to allow the Water Department to have the revenue of the previous year for its current expenses; this would have given your Department five thousand dollars additional during the past year.
The work of the Water Depart- ment and the amount of the ap- propriation should also be con- sidered in the light of the follow- ing facts: In July 1940 a study of water services was made and there is now in the Public Works office a list of services installed in 1910 or earlier, a total of 495. During 1940 and 1941, forty-two of these services were renewed, which means that there is now a total of four hundred fifty-three services which are thirty-two or more years old. These old ser- vices are a steadily increasing source of trouble, and the Water Department has to be equipped to repair and renew them.
Attached herewith is a compila- tion of figures on the water de- partment which should prove in- teresting.
Yours very truly,
ERNEST A MERRITHEW, Superintendent.
128
WATER DEPARTMENT
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
Committed:
$41,230.14
$41,409.06
$44,346.46
$47,252.11
$46,913.82
$48,231.29
(Unpaid) $2,124.06
Water Purchase
$24,537.16
$20,218.08
$17,889,95
$19,310.03
$17,089.86
18,500.00
Water Maintenance
19,385.00
19,800.00
20,200.00
17,023.23
17,622.14
17,807.20
Hydrants, etc. ..
1,250.01
1,549.53
1,450.00
1,600.00
750.00
500.00
Water Extension
1,000.00
2,749.76
1,500.00
1,500.00
850.00
500.00
Water Services
...
2,998.72
3,001.28
2,500.00
2,500.00
TOTALS
$46,172.17
$44,317.37
$44,038.67
$42,434.54
$38,812.00
$41,931.26
Profit or Loss
(loss) $4,942.03 (loss) $2,906.31
$307.79
$4,817.57
$8101.82
$6,300.03
Abatements
$2,609.34
$1,508.72
$837.24
$267.20
$202.46
$233.55
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
129
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
1941]
Report of the Town Engineer
Saugus, Massachusetts January 5, 1942
Mr. Ernest A. Merrithew Superintendent, Public Works De- partment
Dear Sir:
I am submitting you a report of the Engineering Department and the division of time on this work for the year 1941.
Sewers
January to December 107 days Charlotte Road
Trull Circle
Baker Street
Kent Street
Smith Road
Jackson Street
Drains
January to December, 601/2 days
Anawan Avenue
Granite Road
Allison Road
Western Avenue
Wamesit Avenue
Water
April to December, 14 days Locating gates, boxes, estimates, etc.
Sidewalks
August to December, 241/2 days All street lines with supervision
Office
January to December, 171/2 days Index plans, estimates & general office work.
Assessment Sheets
January, June, October, November 17 days Miscellaneous January to December 71/2 days Releases, etc.
Total-248 Working Days. You will note that this covers Public Works Department work, Sewers, and W. P. A. engineering works. Respectfully submitted, JOHN DYER, Town Engineer.
Report of the Sewer Department
The Board of Sewer Commis- sioners, consisting of three mem- bers, one elected to serve one year, one for two years and one for three years, was abolished by an Act of Legislature in 1941 in accordance with the town meeting vote of the Special Town Meeting of Novem- ber 25, 1940. The Sewer Depart- ment then became directly under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. The co-ordination of all departments under the Public Works Department has resulted in a savings to the Town through the elimination of shovel, truck and compressor rentals.
On the sewer construction, by Works Progress Administration labor, sewer lines were completed on Charlotte Road, Trull Circle and Baker Street. New construc- tion was started and completed on Smith Road and Jackson Street with most of the line on Kent
Street installed which will be com- pleted in February of 1942. The . number of men employed on this W. P. A. work had been decreased considerably after December 1940 therefore the total length of sewer pipe laid was not as great as ex- pected. We have, through efficient supervision, accomplished more in proportion to the of workers than in 1939 and 1940 number when there were four crews work- ing with a total of about 150 men. In 1939, 7,567 feet of sewer line was laid yet in 1941 with one quarter the number of workers we installed 3,191 feet. Approximately 25% of this was through ledge. Figures for 1941 are as follows: Expenditures : Federal Government W.P.A. Labor $29,346.40
W.P.A. Materials 550.31
Average number employed 41
Excavation: cu. yd. 10,095
Earth-7715 cu. yd. 76.4%
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Rock-2380 cu. yd. 23.6%
Expenditures: Town of Saugus Wages $4,829.27
Materials, supplies, services 7,591.56
Total $12,420.83
The Town was also credited by the Federal Government costs in the amount of $9,132.63 at rental rates as a contribution of equip- ment. We have during this year in- spected the entire line in Saugus and made a number of repairs where the joints were leaking. In the rear of the Pleasant Hills Rail- road station is was necessary to excavate to the pipe line, sheathe, and with a pump running con- tinuously several large leaks were stopped by repouring the joints At present there is a large leak in East Saugus that must be repaired
as soon as possible in 1942. Cost of pumping is lowered with every leak that is repaired.
Sewer Assessments have been billed in the amount of $7,355.67 during 1941. Sewer rentals for connection service to the sewer mains was billed in the amount of $1,521.40 for which payments will be collected in 1942. The income for sewer rentals will increase each year as these particular sewers are connected to the ser- vice. All adjustments to the auto- matic switchboard have been com- pleted and the station is now operating without interruption.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF SELECTMEN. GEORGE H. QUARMBY, Chairman
EDWARD GIBBS, JR. HAROLD P. RICE
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Saugus:
Following is the Annual Report for the Department of Public Wel- fare for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1941.
Temporary Aid Division
$29,000.00 was the amount ap- propriated at the Annual Town Meeting in March. During the year refunds amounted to $391.37, which sum together with the origi- nal appropriation and transfers made to this division at the Special Town Meeting in December, viz: $500.00 transferred from State and Military Aid, $1,000.00 from In- terest on Temporary Loan, and $1,000.00 transferred from In- surance, made a total of $31,891.37 appropriated for the operation of this division for the year of 1941.
Expenditures for the year totaled $31,533.17 and this left a balance of $358.20 to be returned to Sur- plus Revenue.
Reimbursements from the Com- monwealth were $2,442.07, from other cities and towns $3,000.66, and from individuals $142.00, mak-
ing receipts for the town on be- half of the Temporary Aid Divi- sion $5,584.73 and the net cost of the Division for the year $25,948.44.
One hundred and thirty-seven families, totaling 424 persons, re- ceived Temporary Aid in 1941.
In accordance with the Provi- sions of General Laws, Chapter 117, able-bodied men and women rendered service to several Town Departments for aid received.
Aid to Dependent Children
The appropriation voted for this division at the Annual Town Meet- ing was $5,000.00. This amount supplemented by $2,807.20 U. S. Grants and $78.00 Refunds, made a total of $7,885.20 for 1941.
Expenditures for the year were $7,104.82, and $780.38 was returned to Surplus Revenue.
Reimbursements from the Com- monwealth were $1,497.06. Net cost to the Town $2,722.56. Twenty families, totaling sixty-six persons received help under this program.
The Town Meeting appropriated $450.00 for the administration of
131
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1941]
Aid to Dependent Children. We received reimbursements of $277.03 U. S. Grants making a total of $727.03 for the year. Expenditures for the year were $594.35 and $132.68 was returned to revenue. Net cost of administrative expenses to the town $317.32 for 1941.
Infirmary Division
The Annual Town Meeting voted to appropriate $4,400.00 for the year 1941. In addition $200.00 was transferred from the Insurance Account and $125.00 from the Re- serve Fund. This was by vote of the Special Town Meeting and made a total of $4,725.00.
Total expenses for the year were $4,710.02. Receipts from Sale of Produce $108.00 and Rent of Land $1.00, a total of $109.00 for the year. $14.98 was returned to Sur- plus Revenue making a net cost of $4,601.02 to the town for 1941.
During the year, there have been 11 men and 6 women inmates of the Infirmary.
Your Board of Public Welfare has this year, as in previous years, endeavored to render the best possible service to the unfortunate persons who have been forced to seek public aid. We have ever kept in mind that ours is a duty entrusted to us by the citizens of the town and have tried to operate the department efficiently and with understanding of the clients prob- lems to the end that this faith in our ability shall not have been mis- placed.
We wish to express our apprec- iation for the cooperation received by this Department from other or- ganizations and individuals in our effort to help the needy in our community.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR C. DUNK, Chairman. GUSTAVE A. ANDERSON, Secretary.
ERNEST M. HATCH
Umun of Saugus Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and
Superintendent of Schools
of the
Town of Saugus, Mass.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1941.
OF
OWN
SAUGUS
0
1629.
1815.
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1941]
Report of School Committee
School Committee WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman 6 Allison Road Term expires 1942 WALDO B. RUSSELL 8 Anawan Avenue Term expires 1943
GEORGE A. McCARRIER 31 Prospect Street Term expires 1944 HARRY F. WENTWORTH 11 Emory Street Term expires 1943 ANNIE L. HALLIN 35 Adams Ave. Term expires 1942
Superintendent of Schools VERNON W. EVANS 94 Chestnut Street
Office-High School Building Office Hours-3 to 4 P.M. Every School Day
Secretary to Superintendent ANNA V. JACOBS 20 Felton Street
Attendance Officers ANNE C. PRENDERGAST 23 Henry Street PRUDENCE PRIEST 19 Stocker Street
School Physicians
DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH 420 Lincoln Avenue
DR. MARY PENNY 26 Jackson Street
DR. JAMES A. CLARK 545 Lincoln Avenue
DR. JOSEPH O. WARD 40 Main Street
School Nurses
ANNE C. PRENDERGAST 23 Henry Street PRUDENCE PRIEST 19 Stocker Street
High School Principal JOHN A. W. PEARCE 15 Myrtle Street
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term, 1941: Opened Septem- ber 8, 1941. Closed December 23, 1941.
Winter Term, 1942: (First half) : Opens, January 5, 1942. Closes February 20, 1942. Winter Term, 1942: (second half) : Opens March 2, 1942. Closes April 17, 1942.
Spring Term, 1942: Opens April 27, 1942. Closes June 26, 1942.
(Any change in closing date is dependent on weather)
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS Elementary Grades
8 A. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WNAC, means no morning session for the Elementary Grades and Opportun- ity Classes.
12:45 P. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WHDH, means no afternoon session for the Elementary Grades.
High and Junior High Schools
6:45 A. M., 2-2-2-2 blows on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WNAC, means no session of Senior or Junior High schools on that day.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage 1090
Ballard 1091
Cliftondale 1092
Emerson
1093
Felton
1094
Lynnhurst
1095
Centre
1388
Sweetser 1097
North Saugus
1098
Roby 1099
Oaklandvale 731
High School 260
Supt.'s Office
775
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus:
At a meeting of the School Com- mittee which took place on January 30, 1942 it was unanimously voted to accept the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools as the report of the School Committee re- quired by the statutes.
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman.
4
ENROLLMENT - DECEMBER, 1941
School
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 P.G. Spec. Total
Ballard
42
35
40
45
29
25
94
Emerson
27
23
21
23
Felton
43
37
36
37
34
45
Sweetser
136
Cliftondale
38
30
30
38
153
Armitage ...
14
27
29
24
30
29
Oaklandvale
16
25
20
19
15
12
107
North Saugus
14
12
9
10
17
12
Lynnhurst
13
11
16
14
9
9
Centre
15
23
32
37
Roby
50
49
34
42
42
43
329
Central Junior
159
154
313
High
274
269
190
198
931
Totals
257
249
250
275
280
279
271
261
274
269
190
198
22
3075
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
232
22
324
41
42
112
107
74
72
38
...
31
25
272
Grades
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1941]
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the Honorable School Commit- tee and Citizens of Saugus :
It is both the duty and the privi- lege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his ninth annual report for the School Department, the same being the forty-ninth annual report.
The 1941 Budget
At the annual March Town Meeting of 1941 the School De- partment was voted a general bud- get of $236,000 and a repair bud- get of $5,000. Three other sums of money were voted under special articles as follows: (a) the sum of $850.00 for the maintenance of the Saugus High School Band. (b) the sum of $525.00 for the connect- ing of the Sweetser School with the public sewer system. (c) the sum of $130.00 for the connecting of the Cliftondale School with the public sewer system. Under Town charges there was an appropria- tion of $600.00 for the maintenance of the Stackpole's Field Stadium which stadium is now under the jurisdiction of the School Depart- ment.
The School Department operated within each of its respective bud- gets during the year 1941. The following amounts were returned unexpended to the town treasury: General budget $ 12.22
Repair budget 30.45
High School Band 12.83
Cliftondale School 44.00
Sweetser School 220.00
Net Educational Cost
The total amount of money ap- propriated for the School Depart- ment including the General bud- get, School repairs, Saugus High School Band, Stadium, Cliftondale School sewer connection, and Sweetser School sewer connection amounted to $243,105.00.
This sum of money, however, does not represent the amount of money expended by the taxpayers of Sau- gus for education and the main- tenance of the Stadium.
The following refunds, as far as can be ascertained at the writ- ing of this report, have been re- turned to the town treasury dur- ing the year 1941.
State reimbursement on account of the employment of teach- ers: Chapter 70, Part I, General Laws. $31,311.50
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