USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1943 > Part 10
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
108
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
other medical and first aid appli- ances.
The fire apparatus Engine No. 2 and Engine No. 4 are in fair condition, the ladder truck is in good condition except for needing to be repainted. The spare engine, · the Seagraves is being overhauled.
During the year the new Mack 1000 gallon pump was delivered, this being known at Engine No. 3, also a new car was purchased for the Chief.
The Fire Department has done excellent work in keeping the fire loss down to such a small amount approximately $45,000.00 when it is noted that the department must cover a large territory, nearly 111/2 square miles and do so with a small number of men to man the appara- tus and extinguish fires.
We recommend that the program calling for the installation of hy-
drants every year be continued as there are several parts of the town where hydrants are too few and far between.
In conclusion we wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Superintendent of Public Works Department, Carl Chapman, Chief John T. Stuart of the Police De- partment, all the Town Officials and the Citizens of Saugus, who, by their co-operation have aided this department to maintain a high degree of efficiency.
Signed by the Chief GEORGE B. DREW
Signed by the Board of Fire Engineers
HAROLD RICE, Chairman GEORGE QUARMBY WILLIAM OLIVER
Report of the Forest Fire Warden
January 1, 1944
To the Honorable Board of Se- lectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Forest Fire Warden for the year ending December 31, 1943.
During the year 1943 there were
191 brush and woods fires, and 113 grass fires.
During the year 91,200 feet of hose was stretched and used to extinguish these fires.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. DREW, Forest Fire Warden
Report of the Police Department
January 1, 1944
To the Honorable Board of Sel- ectmen :-
It again becomes my pleasure to present to you my Thirteenth an- nual report of the Police Depart- ment during the year 1943.
The Department consists of a Chief, one Captain, one Lieuten-
ant, and eleven Patrolmen, and five Reserve Officers. There are forty- five Special Police Officers, and Forty Auxiliary Police Officers. Of this amount nineteen of them are equipped with uniforms, and are capable of doing regular Police work in case of an emergency. There are also the watchmen at the Lynn Water Shed, who are Special Police Officers. There are
109
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1943]
eight in this group.
The Roster of the Police De- partment is as follows :-
Chief John T. Stuart
-
Captain Henry P. Wheaton
Lientenant Roland E. Mansfield
Regular Patrolmen
James P. Sullivan
Clarence H. Berrett 1
William MacDougall Joseph A. Lambert, Jr. James F. Maher Thomas F. Spencer Walter F. Neal
William F. Cahill Ernest A. Dunham Howard P. Berrett Carl G. W. Pearson
Reserve Patrolmen
Edgar McKenney Walter J. Elsmore Rosario Buchiere Edward Newbury Anthony McNeil
Police Matron Mabel D. Murdock
Daily reports of Officers show the following :- Complaints and reports received 1736. Assaults 10, Women and Girls accosted 6, Lar- cenies 105, Breaks 52, Articles lost 55, Articles found 57, Windows broken 51, Property damaged 50, Autos stolen 12, Stolen automo- biles recovered 16, Reports of dru ken persons, Disturbances 50, Dom- estic trouble 39, Prowlers and Peepers 38, Missles thrown 20, Dogs lost 57, Dogs found 76, Dogs Barking 58, Bitten by Dogs 42, Birds and Animals killed by Dogs 27, Animals killed 53, Persons re-
ported as missing 49, Missing per- sons found 50, Holes in Sidewalks and Streets 16, Playing in Streets 16, Notified or investigated for other Authorities 149, Doors and Windows found open 180, Lights found burning 33, Conveyed to Hospitals 217, Conveyed from Hospitals 65, Fires discovered or responded to 35, Investigations made 521, All Others 841. Total 3,078.
During the year 1943 there were 222 arrested. Of this amount 205 were males, 17 females and 15 juveniles.
Dispositions of the year's arrests are as follows :- Fined 105, Filed 89, Releases 54, Dismissed 18, Costs 4, House of Corection 7, State Farm 1, Shirley Industrial School 2, Probation 35, Cases appealed 10. Grand Jury, 13, Nol-Prossed 2, Turned over to Military Authori- ties 2, Arrests for Out of Town Police 119.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the several Town Officials, and all other good citizens of the Town who by their cooperation, and good will, aid me in maintaining the high degree of efficiency that our Police Department ranks. I also want to thank the Justices of both the Saugus Trial Justice Court, and the Lynn District Court for their cooperation during the past year. Last, but not least I want to thank all the members of the Po- lice Department for the wonderful work that they have done in the past year in keeping the efficiency of the Department at a high standing.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. STUART, Chief of Police
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Superintendent of Buildings
December 31, 1943
The Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town Hall
Saugus, Massachusetts
- Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of Buildings for the year ending December 31, 1943.
The following report is a list of the Type. Number and Value of permits issued during the year.
Type
No. Value
Dwellings
42
$176,400.00
Garages
34 11,405.00
Alterations' and Repairs 158 46,677.00
Hen houses and
other out build- ings
58
5,942.00
Boiler Rooms
2
600.00
Green Houses Barn
1 500.00
Chimneys 3
560.00
Foundation
7 1,440.00
Excavations
33
0.00
Demolish
11
0.00
Signs Over Side Walk
9
0.00
Side Walk Gas
Pumps
1
0.00
360 $245,024.00
I have turned over to the Town Treasurer the total sum of $754.00 received for permits issued dur- ing the year.
I wish to thank all departments for their cooperation in this work.
Respectfully submitted,
MELBOURNE MacLEOD, Superintendent of Buildings
Report of The Soldiers' Relief Department
January 10, 1944 To the Honorable Board of Select- men,
Town Hall, Saugus, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen ;---
It is my duty and privilege to submit my third Annual report for the Soldiers' Relief department and in conformity with the trend of the times will try and make it as brief as possible.
Contrary to anticipated needs, the appropriation granted last year was not used, making it pos- sible to return a sizeable amount unexpended.
Discounting the fact that there was a large surplus unexpended, due consideration should be given to the great number of members in the armed forces having left from Saugus. Some of these have
already been discharged, and more will be coming back this coming year. Until such time as adjust- ments can be made to rehabilitate them, the only recourse will be application for help from this de- partment. I am, therefore, asking for a much larger amount than was granted in 1943.
The demands made upon this department alone cover mostly widows, orphaned children, and disabled veterans. The War indus- tries having absorbed all those who are physically able to per- form work of any kind. There were, of course, emergency grants to veterans who were sick and in need temporarily. The case load of the department numbered about 58 cases with help to 112 persons. The average weekly cases were 18, with an addition of 19 monthly cases who had small incomes, but help is supplemented by State and Military Aid.
1 1,500.00
111
REPORT OF SOLDIER'S RELIEF DEPARTMENT
1943]
The War Allowance for the fami- lies of those now in servie has been very heavy in comparison to a check with other towns of simi- lar size. Relief is granted in War Allowance on a temporary basis until Federal allowances were granted. Most of this money is re- turned by the State annually. There is considerable detail and bookkeeping to each case and all investigations are followed up by the State Department.
The duties of the office cover in- vestigations with visits to hospitals, institutions, and in some cases trips to outlying towns and cities for necessary data required by
the Commissioner, the results of some of the information received has been helpful in many instances for future use. The office has been open daily for consultation and advice, the work is interesting and I have tried to be impartial in a fair and honest treatment to the deserving.
In closing, I wish to thank your honorable body for the many con- siderations extended, and to the other departments in the Town Hall for their cooperation and help ..
Respectfully submitted,
N. V. BARTLETT, Agent
Report of the Planning Board
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus
The Planning Board is pleased to submit its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943. Membership and organization for the year has been as follows; Chairman William H. Robinson, Clerk Jack Meeker, H. Warren Butler, Frank A. Green and Wal- ter L. Roy.
The board has held its regular meetings every Monday and has held the necessary hearings on all articles found in the annual and special town meeting war- rants.
The two new housing develop- ments on upper Central St. are nearing completion and are the first two developments in town that have not cost the taxpayers money. All costs for streets, water, ce- ment sidewalks was borne by the developers. We are one of the few communities in this section of the state that compel any new developer to post a performance bond to do this work.
The Planning Board has spent considerable time in the past year discussing the condition of streets, water and sewerage and we recom-
mend that some definite program should be started to remedy this condition : Setting up an account whereby taking one street a year and install new water mains and sewerage if necessary and then grade and install a permanent sur- face. Our present practice of patching streets year in and year out is expensive.
This board also suggests that the Town Meeting appoint a com- mittee to investigate and invite industry into the town. Saugus has some very good sites for small manufacturing and if a few could be persuaded to come to Saugus it would relieve some of the tax burden on our home owners and help build up our town.
In closing we wish to take this opportunity to express our sin- cere appreciation to the Town and the other Town departments and committees who have assisted us during the last year.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. ROBINSON, Chairman
.JACK. A. MEEKER, Secretary H. WARREN BUTLER FRANK A. GREEN WALTER L. ROY.
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the W. P. A. Sponsor's Agent
December 31, 1943
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall Saugus, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The W. P. A. which started in Saugus in 1936 came to a close on March 2nd of this year with a total town expenditure of $1,854.60.
Due to the curtailment of work- ers and the fact that private en- terprise was prosperous the only projects which operated in 1943 were Sewers, Civilian Defense, Commissary and Federal Music with an average personel of 33 workers.
Our W. P. A. workers received $4,779.14 in the form of payroll checks from the Federal Govern- ment exclusive of Commissary and Federal Music which were State- Wide projects.
During 1943 the Sewer project completed the installation of the sewer for the Roby School; the Civilian Defense project made up maps and records for use in con- nection with the local civilian de- fense organization; and the Com- missary store gave out various items of food and clothing to the needy families of Saugus.
Very truly yours,
CARL E. CHAPMAN, Acting Sponsor's Agent
Report of the Trustees and Staff of the Saugus Public Library
The year 1943 has been marked by a complete change of personnel in the library. On July first, the resignation of the librarian, Miss Vivian Copp, took effect, and Mrs. Alice Hamilton Boyd was appoint- ed by the trustees to take her place. At the same time, the as- sistant librarian, Mrs. Jean Shac- kelford, announced her resigna- tion to be effective on August first. The trustees thought it advisable to have two full-time assistants to replace Mrs. Shackelford and a number of part-time workers who had been previously employed in the Main Library and its branch- es. Accordingly, Mrs. Marjorie P. Walkey was appointed as full-time assistant, beginning September first, and Mrs. Alice P. Merriam, a Simmons College Library School graduate, joined the library staff on August ninth. Mrs. Merriam was assigned to work half the week at the Cliftondale Branch, and the remander of the week to do cataloging and general work
at the Main Library. £ This ar- rangement was fairly satisfactory, and Mrs. Merriam immediately started a project for cataloging the permanent collection of books at Cliftondale. This had never been done in that branch, and in the opinion of the librarian, was sore- ly needed. The project is, how- ever, still to be completed, for Mrs. Merriam, for purely personal reasons, resigned rather suddenly on December ninth. The library is, therefore, at the present time, carrying on with two permanent and several part-time workers. We are hoping to recruit our staff soon after the New Year.
The circulation of books this year in the Main Library shows only a very slight loss over last year, which is remarkable, as nearly all libraries are noticing the slump which always accom- panies excessive business activity. We feel that our continuing fair- Jy good circulation is due to two
113
TRUSTEES & STAFF OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
1943]
factors: one, that we have been able to supply most of the desir- able new books, even though not in sufficient quantities; and two, that the population of the town is greatly increased by the influx of war-workers in the nearby de- fense plants. The registration fi- gures of the past few months bear out this contention, and many of the new people are registered from the various Defense Homes sub- divisions here.
A summer reading contest was held for the children, as usual. It was rather more successful in the Cliftondale and East Saugus branches that it was at the Main Library, as many of the children at Saugus Center were away dur- ing the summer. The idea was, generally speaking, to promote knowledge of manners and cus- toms of foreign lands. The chil- dren were required to give brief reviews of the books read, and their names were posted with a brightly colored foreign flag for each five books read. Prizes of blue and red ribbon rosettes were given to those who had read the greatest number of books.
The North Saugus Branch Li- brary has been improved greatly this year by the addition of new book-shelves. These not only im- prove the appearance of the place, but give greatly 'enlarged book space. We have accordingly, been able to send a much larger de- posit of books to this Branch, and the circulation there repaid us by showing a noticeable increase al- most immediately. Mrs. Moses, the branch librarian, is greatly inter- ested in the work, and is supply- ing the needs of her borrowers, with nearly all of whom she is well-aquainted. We hope to con- tinue to co-operate with her in building up this Branch.
On September seventeenth, the librarian called a general staff meeting, for the purpose of ac- quainting the branch librarians with the new assistants at the Main Library, and to iron out several small wrinkles in the various parts of the library system. At that
time, about twenty-five new books from the fall list were presented for staff inspection, and brief re- views given. A meeting of this type seemed to be rather an in- novation to many of the staff members, but was favorably re- ceived. We hope to repeat this from time to time.
For Children's Book Week this year, the Boys' and Girls' Room was decorated with new paper draperies and colorful posters. Mrs. Walkey, assisted by Barbara Henderson, gave a Story Hour on Wednesday afternoon at which forty-six children were present. Book marks were given out, and a number of new juvenile books were exhibited on which the children were allowed to place reserves.
The librarian has attended meet- ings of the Boston Book Review Club, and with other members the staff, has also been present at the Book Fair, the Round Table of Children's Librarians, where Miss Alice Jordan reviewed the season's new books for children, and the North Shore Library Club, at which the librarian from Brook- line spoke on "The Library as a Civic Force." From all of these meetings and conference, we feel that we have gained in knowledge and inspiration.
The librarian wishes at this time to thank the trustees and all of the workers on the library staff for their cooperation and kindness during the last six months.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE HAMILTON BOND, Librarian
American Library Association Form of Statistics
Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1943
Name of Library-Saugus Free Public Library
Town-Saugus, Massachusetts Librarian-Alice Hamilton Boyd Date of Founding-1887
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Population Served-16,194
North Saugus
37
Assesed Valuation-$15,623,323
Lynnhurst
24
Total 1,036
Registration Record Totals
Main Library
2,242
Cliftondale
1,475
East Saugus
399
North Saugus
135
Lynnhurst
78
Total
4,329
Hours Open for Lending and Ref- erence :
Main Library-341/2
Cliftondale-21
Walter D. Blossom
East Saugus-101/2
Ashton F. Davis
North Saugus-4
Lynnhurst-3
High School-828 (hours per school year)
Book Stock
Volumes at beginning of year
24,748
Volumes added
1,479
Volumes withdrawn 1,930
Total
24,297
Circulation Record
Main Library
29,791
Cliftondale
28,053
East Saugus
8,455
North Saugus
3,483
Lynnhurst
3,003
High School
2,870
Total
75,655
Registration Record
Registration Record 1943
Main Library
557
Dorothy Sproul
Cliftondale
301
Thomas Courant
East Saugus
117
John Oljey
Report of the Board of Health
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus :
The Board of Health herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
The health of the public in gen- eral, from the standpoint of con- tagious disease has been most ex- cellent, which fact of itself lends proof to the feeling that, as has been stated before, the appropria-
tion of our department is well expended in giving our citizens that most valuable possession, life and good health.
By constant effort, quarantine and search for contagious disease on the part of the members and agents of the department, we find that at present we have but six patients in hospitals for the treatment of tuberculosis-a record which in times of stress as at
Library Appropriation per Capita -$.666
Total Number of Agencies-6 Consisting of :
Main Library
Cliftondale Branch
East Saugus Branch
North Saugus Branch
Lynnhurst Branch
High School
Trustees
Albert R. Magee, Chairman
Leverett B. Mears, Secretary
Staff
Alice Hamilton Bond, Librarian Marjorie P. Walkey, Assistant Librarian
Alice M. Lang, Branch Librarian Cliftondale Branch Library
Aginess I. Blossom, Branch Li- brarian, East Saugus Branch Library
Maude Moses, Branch Librarian, North Saugus Branch Library Anna Swanson, Branch Librar- ian, Lynnhurst Branch Li- brary
Hour Workers
Mrs. Elizabeth Fleuriel
Barbara Henderson
Elaine MacLaren
Kaler A. Perkins
Chauncy V. Whittredge
1943]
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
115
present, speaks for itself. Also of interest because of the new regu- lation of the State Department of Health increasing cost in our tub- erculosis hospitals to rate of $10.50 per week as compared to the pres- ent rate of $9.10 per week. May this fact alone be of interest to those who figure health in terms of dollars and cents.
The Clinic for the prevention of Diphtheria has functioned as one of our most essential and vital efforts toward the ultimate elimi- nation of this dread disease. The past year but one case has been reported-that in an untreated person and most probably by con- tact with an outside carrier.
After much thought and several joint sessions of the Board and its agents, a new system of Rules and Regulations were adopted, duly advertised and are now in process of printing. All of which with the adoption of new State Health Rules and Regulations, leads us to a new plan consistent with uniform control and regula- tion of contagious disease, food, food handlers, keeping of livestock and all such which may in any way affect the health. of the citi- zens of the Commonwealth.
The problem of proper disposal of sewerage in the town is still in
some areas not as yet relieved from that chaotic condition which has existed for so many years while others areas covered by our new sewer system has found it to be a blessing in disguise. The Board of Health sincerely hope that further extension of such system will be possible and with all due haste be extended to those areas most des- perately in need of relief.
The Board of Health appreci- ates the honest endeavor of its agents, their dependability and interest in carrying on the work of the department, which has in- creased and redoubled itself many times in the past few years, due in part to the Boards desire to function as a department worthy of its purpose in all phases of pre- ventative medicine and to com- pletely carry on its part in the everlasting battle between life and death, and the preservation of mans most precious possession - good health and the freedom from dis- ease.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. JAMES A. CLARK, Chairman
DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH, Health Officer
MR. RICHARD J. SPENCER, Secretary
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
The Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943 on its several divisions:
TEMPORARY AID
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting Refunds
$ 25,000.00 55.85
$ 25,055.85
Accounts Receivable from State of Mass.
$ 1,214.88
Accounts Receivable from Cities and Towns ... Accounts Receivable from Individuals 500.27
705.25
2,420.40
$ 27,476.25
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Expenditures for 1943 ................... ...........
12,124.09
$ 15,352.16
Town Appropriation
$ 25,000.00
Accounts Receivable
$ 2,420.40
Returned to Surplus Revenue
5,581.76
Transferred to Old Age Assistance
7,350.00
15,362.16
Net Cost to Town
$ 9,647.84
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN - AID
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting
$ 5,000.00
Refunds
42.50
Federal Grants
1,417.25
$ 6,459.75
Accounts Receivable from State of Mass. ............
$ 3,482.46
3,482.46
$ 9,942.21
Expenditures for 1943 ..............
6,459.75
$ 3,482.46
Town Appropriation
$ 5,000.00
Accounts Receivable
$ 3,482.46
Returned to Surplus
301.80
3,784.26
Net Cost to Town
$ 1,215.74
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN - ADMINISTRATION
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting Federal Grants
......
$ 370.00
410.55
$ 780.55
Expenditures for 1943
755.60
Returned to Surplus
24.95
Net Cost to Town
$ 345.05
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE AID
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting
$ 45,000.00
Transfer from Welfare
7,000.00
Federal Grants
40,726.27
Refunds
959.39
Recoveries
153.97
$ 93,839.63
Accounts Receivable from State of Mass.
$ 36,076.72
Accounts Receivable from Cities and Towns ... Accounts Receivable-State Meal Tax 1,382.06
1,041.62
Recoveries
583.04
39,083.44
$132,923.07
...
1943]
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
117
Expenditures for 1943
92,863.48
$ 40,059.59
Town Appropriation
$ 52,000.00
Accounts Receivable
$ 39,083.44
Returned to Surplus
976.15
40,059.59
Net Cost to Town
$ 11,940.41
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE - ADMINISTRATION
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting
...
$ 1,200.00
Transfer from Welfare
350.00
From Reserve Fund
100.00
Federal Grants
1,375.80
Refunds
3.50
Expenditures for 1943 .....
2,960.92
Returned to Surplus
68.38
Net Cost to Town
$ 1,481.62
INFIRMARY DIVISION
Appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting Refund
.....
$ 4,900.00
2.30
Expenditures for 1943
4,888.77
Returned to Surplus
13.53
Income from Sales
276.00
Net Cost to Town
$
4,712.77
The expenditures in the Temporary Aid Department were consider- ably less in 1943 than in previous years and less than (50%) fifty per cent of the total cost to the town in 1942.
Old Age Assistance has increased to some extent owing to the higher cost of living, also the reduction in percentage of childrens contributions to their parents as specified by Law is a contributory factor. Although it is of interest to note that the actual cost to the town is small in comparison to the amount of money handled by the Department.
At the Infirmary, fourteen acres were plowed up for Victory Gar- dens in compliance with Governor Saltonstall's Proclamation. One hun- dred and three plots of land, approximately (2500) twenty-five hundred square feet, were allotted to citizens of the town. The result was very satisfactory and it is the hope of your Welfare Board that persons will avail themselves again of the opportunity this year.
We wish to express our appreciation for the cooperation received by this Department from other organizations 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
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.