USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1946 > Part 13
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Water
Plans and estimates of the following streets: School Street exten- sion, Fiske Road, Prospect Avenue, Basswood Avenue, Stevens Avenue and Pearson Street.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY C. SEAVER,
Acting Town Engineer.
120
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Superintendent of Public Works
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall
Saugus, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit to you the annual report of the Public Works Department for the year 1946. At the close of business December 31, 1946, the various divisions of the department had unpaid bills as follows: Highway Division,, $932.02; Water Maintenance, $627.81; Engineers, $1.50. The divisions returned to the Surplus Account the following amounts: Public Works Expense, $1.10; Sewer Division, $.20; Highway Division, $8.94; Machinery Account, $95.75; Water Extension, $1,320.85; Hydrants, Gates and Meters, $2,148.66; a total of $3,575.50. The amount of $4,115.12 remains unpaid on the Water Purchase with $179.23 returned to surplus. The amount of $1,514.02 remains unpaid on Street Lighting with $868.83 returned to surplus.
PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
All administrative duties and records have been kept for the various divisions of the department. Commitments have been compiled and sub- mitted to the Collector and Assessors' departments. A cost card system of the many jobs performed has been kept up to date and is on file in the department. I have in the past, through budgets and reports, endeavored to obtain an additional clerk for this office due to the increased duties and for record system of truck and equipment maintenance and stock sup- plies. The Superintendent would then have more time to devote to the work of the various divisions. In December the Selectmen voted to engage a clerk and one was obtained through the Civil Service on December 16, 1946.
ASH DIVISION
The work of this division constantly increases by the addition of streets and locations upon request of citizens to the Board of Selectmen. Although we now cover a large portion of the town, representing many miles of streets, there are sections where no collections are made. Be- cause of increased schedules one truck and crew cannot collect the amount of materials that are put out each week and it is necessary to use the highway men for one or two days weekly most of the year.
The new truck purchased in 1945 has proven fast, efficient and clean in the operation of this work. Danger of injury to the men and fires in the truck are reduced to a minimum. The problem now confronting this department is locations for dumping areas. Under present conditions there should be two or more places to dump in order to decrease the mileage and increase the number of loads per day. A new schedule was put into effect in 1946 so that collections are now made on five days per week. Even with the assistance of additional crews it has been necessary to work overtime on Saturdays. The location at Raddin Terrace was ex- cellent for dumping purposes. This swamp has been filled and kept cov- ered as much as possible. This material will sink in time so that more can be dumped and covered and later the town can extend this road through 10 Ash Street.
121
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
1946]
HIGHWAY DIVISION
Work of this division has been handicapped throughout the year in its maintenance work by the following: 1. Digging and delivering gravel to streets; 2. Hurricane of June 8th; 3. Lack of a mechanic from May to October; 4. Taking care of Raddin Terrace dump; 5. Putting additional trucks and crews on Ash Collection. The work has been performed by a crew of one foreman and at times six to eight men. Assistance from this crew has been given to the water maintenance. On some of the work we have used the sewer crew. The following is some of the work accomplished during the year: RESURFACING: Bristow Street, Cleveland Avenue, Jefferson Avenue (in part), Lincoln Avenue from Central Street to Mor- ton Avenue, Newcombe Avenue, Oaklandvale Avenue, Lodge Avenue, Ben- nett Avenue, Puritan Road, Overlea Avenue, School Street, Spring Street, Waverly Avenue, Overlook Terrace, Great Woods Road and Wamesit Avenue. BUILD SURFACE: DeSoto Street, Oakcrest Street, Riverside Court, Spencer Avenue, Warren Street and Wickford Street (in part). These were built from the base by removing boulders, loam, bushes and trees, filling with gravel, grading and rolling and included a surface of asphalt and pea-stone. Guild Road was started under a special appropria- tion. This work was stopped to await the completion of the Lincoln Avenue surface drain which ties in at Guild Road. During the winter this gravel will pack solidly and be ready for a surface job.
To enumerate the many other jobs of this division would take up considerable space in this report. Repair and maintenance work was con- tinued throughout the year, of which information can be obtained from the department cost records. Included are patching streets, repairing sidewalks, bridges, brooks, gutters and culverts: cleaning basins and drains, sweeping streets and squares; mowing greens.
Most of our streets are of secondary construction and are not per- manent. Much time and materials must be put on them in patching. Many miscellaneous jobs were performed of which a record is kept on the cost cards. With this small crew it is impossible to do all the regular main- tenance work, emergency work, work of special articles and the many requests to the Board of Selectmen.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That sufficient new trucks and equipment be purchased so that this division and others can operate more efficiently. That no new work or project be started unless by vote of the Town Meet- ing with direct appropriations for same. That each article for street acceptance call for an appropriation for work by the regular employees o1 sufficient funds to let them out to contract. That a study be made by a committee with the hope that a proper personnel be set up for highway work and for repair and maintenance of trucks and equipment.
WATER DIVISION
The work of this division is increasing each year. The town has on its water records 3825 metered accounts, 78 fixture accounts and 30 summer services. A large percent of the services have been installed for over twenty-five years, many of them installed by the City of Lynn. Because of age, these services are now causing much trouble and the division is con- stantly repairing or replacing them. Up to December 11th the crew had installed 36 new services, 42 renewal of services and the department had billed out for 79 emergency repairs. Approximately 150 blow-outs of service lines were made and many turn ons and turn offs, all of which have been billed to property owners. Much more of this work could have been done if it were not for the water extension construction done during the year. Many hydrants in various sections of the town, especially on dead end streets, have been flushed at least once during the season with
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
some of them being flushed two and three times. The clogged condition of our old mains cause much trouble in the flow of water to the houses. This crew also installed 16 curb boxes and 12 main gate boxes.
Our meter men have repaired, tested and reinstalled 288 meters in 1946 and if parts had been available many more would have been rein- stalled. In 1947 it may be possible that these parts will be coming through from the manufacturers and if so a sufficient appropriation should be made in order that this work can be carried on. Many of the meters taken out are in such condition that the cost of repair would almost equal the cost of a new meter.
The work of this division is performed as follows: Meters-Three men. Maintenance; Service and Extension-One foreman and four men. The General Foreman covers all divisions of this department with most of his time on the water division. All men of the department are inter- changeable between divisions and this practice is used when necessary.
The water division is the main enterprise of the town departments. The neglect that it has had over a period of twenty-five years or more is constantly showing up. A water main or hydrant break shows the fact that gates and valves put in many years ago do not work. It is difficult under such conditions to make repair work. During the past five years, with any new hydrant or replacement we have installed a valve so that repairs can be made without shutting off large areas of consumers from use of water. The crew is not large enough to do maintenance work on these valves and gates. Each should be dug up-cleaned and repaired and tested in order to know that they will do the work they are installed for.
Water main breaks have shown that the size of the mains is not supplying the amount it should, due to corrosion. Pumping water through such mains is costly because of the lowered capacity. The flow of water is greatly impeded by this corrosion. A program should be started to clean mains each year. There are over seven miles of 4 inch water main, most of which is in congested districts. They should be replaced by larger mains. A large fire would be disastrous to the town.
In 1946 the sum of $1,400.00 was added to the water maintenance to install an Electro-Rust Proofing system in our standpipe. Due to the in- creased amount of extra work such as water extension, this money was used for water maintenance work. Repairs to equipment and trucks were costly. Such extra jobs as the Fiske Avenue extension, Prospect Avenue extension, School Street extension, Stevens Avenue extension, Basswood Avenue extension and Pearson Street extension, without direct appropria- tion, increased the expenditures of the division. I feel as did the Select- men that these jobs were necessary because of lack of water at some loca- tion and of new houses at other locations. When budgets are submitted you can not anticipate what extra work must be done in that year. Our appropriation was not large enough for this extra work. At the time of the Special Town Meeting it was my intention to ask for transfer of funds, but the Selectmen were told that there was none available and that the Reserve Fund had been allocated. Though this money was used for water work and we had a sum of $1,652.65 in unpaid bills for the main- tenance division of the department, we turned back the sum of $3,575.50 in unexpended funds for these divisions. In order to install this system of Electro-Rust Proofing in the standpipe I was informed that it would be necessary to clean the standpipe before installation. This would bring the cost to between $5,500.00 and $6,000.00.
RECOMMENDATIONS: During the past year, with all the trouble we have had with breakdown of trucks I recommend to the Board of Selectmen that we ask for sufficient funds in a machinery and equipment appropriation to purchase a truck with special body for water main-
123
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
1946]
tenance work; this truck to have a compressor, pump and winch, thereby eliminating having to use two or three trucks on this work. I again rec- ommend either a reduction in the amount of water allowed for a $10.00 minimum charge per year or that the rate be raised. Also that a hydrant rental be set up, as in many towns and cities, for payment of water used in fire fighting and moth control. This is one of the greatest losses in this division. Meters should be owned by the town and not by the property owner. A check for cleaning and repair should be made on each at least once every two years and costs of same billed to the customer.
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL
From January 1, 1946, to March 31, 1946, we experienced one of the worst seasons for storms and ice conditions that we have had in many years, according to the Weather Bureau records. We must plow, sand and take care of flooded conditions with old wornout equipment. We must hire extra trucks with plow equipment and bulldozers to assist in this work. Our own equipment is constantly breaking down and is costly to repair. An investigation of this department by a committee in 1946 brought out the conditions of this old equipment and the lack of the proper number of mechanics and maintenance men to perform the repair work, not only on this old equipment but also if we had all new equipment. A monthly maintenance check-up on new equipment by the proper number of em- ployees for this work would save the town considerable money each year. Equipment should be turned in on the purchase of new every three years, thereby saving on much repair work and getting a good value for the town in turn-ins.
The 1947 appropriation should be large enough to make repairs to plows, purchase salt, calcium-chloride and sand for stock piles as well as the expense for storms in November and December.
ENGINEERS
The report of the Acting Town Engineer for work performed in 1946 will be found on another page.
SEWER DIVISION
Work of sewer construction for Jasper and Pearson Streets was com- pleted this year. In 1947 these streets should be resurfaced. As in the past the men on this crew had to help on drainage and road work and each man has proved of great value on all the work assigned to them. The Highway Division furnishes truck drivers and shovel operators. For 1947 there will probably be a proposed sewer main for Summer Street and for the High School. The Board of Health has many locations where sewer mains should be installed. To do this work rapidly and well will necessitate additional employees or that it be done by contract. If ap- proval of the Civil Service can be obtained, I recommend that this crew be placed on a permanent basis.
GENERAL
I have stated recommendations on the several divisions of the de- partment. A comparison of the number of employees in this department with other towns will show that we are undermanned. Many cities and towns have separate departments with separate Boards and Superin- tendents. In most of them a single department has found it necessary to have more employees, than does the entire Public Works of Saugus. I sincerely hope that the town will appropriate enough funds to provide the department with additional employees. At least a shovel operator and
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
another mechanic should be engaged. Placing the Ash and Rubbish Re- moval on contract would provide three more men for construction and maintenance work.
I wish to express my appreciation to all department heads and to the various boards who have co-operated with the department throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL E. CHAPMAN, Acting Superintendent.
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
December 31, 1946.
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
Saugus, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The testing of weights and measures has been carried on as usual in the past year and those not up to standard have been condemned.
The following is a detailed report of my activities for the past year:
Scales
Pounds
Sealed Condemned
Platform
Over 5000
3
....
Platform
100 to 5000
2
....
Counter
100 to 5000
1
....
Counter
Under 100
6
....
Beam
100 to 5000
1
....
Spring
100 to 5000
2
....
Spring
Inder
100
32
....
Computing
Under 100
33
....
Personal Weigher
(slot)
3
....
Prescription
3
....
Avoirdupois Weights
23
....
Gasoline Meter Systems
31
7
Vehicle Tank Meter Systems
6
....
Totals
206
7
Trial Weights of Commodities Put Up For Sale
Total Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Bread
156
140
11
5
Butter
165
159
6
....
Coal in transit
6
6
....
....
Dry Commodities
138
129
9
...
Fruit and Vegetables
191
168
8
15
Meat and Provisions
46
46
...
..
Potatoes
82
69
5
7
Totals
784
717
39
28
125
SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
1946]
Inspections Made
Paper or Fiber Cartons
121
Peddlers' Licenses
16
Coal Certificates
16
Bread (Marking of)
160
Food Packages
121
Peddlers' Scales
7
Ice Scales
2
Junk Scales
2
Totals
445
Retest of Devices After Sealing
Gasoline Meter Systems
10
Scales of All Types
28
Fuel Truck Meters
6
Totals
44
ALFRED H. WOODWARD, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
January 1, 1946.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
We hereby submit the annual report on the personnel, condition and activities of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
ROSTER
Chief George B. Drew
Captain Joseph L. Maguire
Lieutenants
Ralph E. Berrett
Albert F. Jervis
Permanent Firemen
Harold Atkinson Alfred Bird Warren Newhall George Parrott Leo Cahill Charles Ryder Norman Hull
Frank Beckford
Robert Jacobs
Robert Champoux
Guy Collins
John La Viska
Leslie Hitchings
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Call Firemen
Arthur Gustafson
Hubert Connolly
Randolph Popp
Nathaniel Diamond
Lewis Gray Peter Walzer
Paul Corson
Lawrence Trecartin
Edwin Holmes
Joseph Vatcher
Walter Wetmore
George M. Berrett
Board of Fire Engineers
James B. Boyle, Chairman George Gosselin, Secretary Samuel Gillespie
Vincent McGilvray, Jr.
During the year 1946 the Fire Department responded to 813 alarms and calls for fires and other duties. There were 177 Box alarms; 636 tele- phone calls. 70 of these box alarms were false or needless.
The apparatus traveled a total of 2,914 miles in responding to calls. Engine No. 1 traveled 5.5 miles, Engine No. 2 traveled 433.6 miles, En- gine No. 3, 584.2 miles, Engine No. 4 traveled 1362.9 miles; Ladder No. 1 traveled 527.8 miles. The Chief's car traveled 7.196 miles in responding to alarms of fire and in the performance of other duties.
The assessed valuation of buildings, autos, trucks, the insurance on buildings, automobiles and their contents, etc, were as nearly as possible ascertained as follows:
Assessed valuation of buildings, autos, trucks, etc. $100,365.00
Insurance on buildings, etc. 250,850.00
Loss on buildings, motor vehicles, etc. 6,597.00
Insurance paid for losses on buildings, etc. 5,732.00
Estimated value of contents
267,800.00
Insurance on contents
180,750.00
Loss on contents
87,343.00
Insurance paid for loss on contents 1,518.00
During the year 19,750 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 18,700 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 127,200 feet of 3/4 inch hose was used to extinguish fires, a total of 165,700 feet. Of the above used hose, 131,900 feet was used at brush, grass and dump fires. There were 224 feet of ladders used and 24 tanks of oxygen and other First Aid equipment used.
The Fire Apparatus Engine No. 2 is in good condition, Engine No. 3 is in fine condition, Engine No. 4 is in fine condition. The Ladder truck is in fair condition, being sixteen years old. It should be replaced with a new Junior Aerial Ladder Truck. The Chief's car is in fair condition.
The Fire Department has done excellent work in keeping the fire loss down to a minimum, approximately $93,940.00 with the valued amount of property involved in fire being about $368,165.00 It should be noted that the department has to protect a large territory, nearly 111/2 square miles with a minimum amount of men to man the apparatus and extinguish fires.
We recommend that the program calling for the installation of new hydrants every year be continued as there are several places in the town where hydrants are few and far between.
In conclusion we wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Superintendent of the Public Works, the Chief of Police, all Town Of- ficials and the Citizens of Saugus who by their cooperation have aided this department in maintaining a high degree of efficiency.
Signed by the CHIEF, George B. Drew. Signed by the BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS, James B. Boyle, Chairman, Geo. F. Gosselin ,Secretary, Vincent J. McGilvray, Jr., Samuel E. Gillespie.
127
JURY LIST
1946]
Town of Saugus Jury List, 1946
As Compiled by the Board of Selectmen In Accordance with the Statute Law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The following names of inhabitants of the Town of Saugus have been prepared to serve on the Jury as prescribed by law:
Alukonis, Eddie W., Welder, 66 Summer Street
Anderson, Harold W., Production Foreman, 15 Smith Road
Anderson, William S., Mechanic, 521 Walnut Street
Andrus, Thomas E. Expressman, 217 Essex Street Atkins, Thomas R., General Electric, 12 Tuttle Street Atwater, Harold D., Mechanic, 29 Pinehurst Avenue Aucella, Phillip A., Navy Yard, 7 Summit Avenue Aucella, Theodore, Navy Yard, 85 Lincoln Avenue Audet, Albert J., Tractor Driver, 77 Essex Street Axtill, Edward, Bank Clerk, 49 Western Avenue Babcock, Melbourn, Utility Man, 6 Greenwood Avenue Barrett, Herbert D., Navy Yard, 15 Burnham Avenue Batchelder, Kenneth, Truck Driver, 15 Robinson Street Bjornwall, Oscar T., Draftsman, 58 Western Avenue Bloom, Nils A., Machinist, 59 Lincoln Avenue
Frank A., Anodizer, 34 Newcomb Avenue Bridges, Harvey L., Mechanic, 193 Winter Street Briffett, Thomas E., Grocer, 208 Essex Street Bryant, Walker B., Engineer, 14 Prospect Street Burbank, Leon, Brakeman, 59 Essex Street Butler, Harry W., General Electric ,8 Springdale Avenue Campbell, Everett A., Paper Roller, 31 Greystone Road Campbell, Wallace, Supervisor, 599 Lincoln Avenue Canavan, Thomas E., Machinist, 10 Vine Street Carr, John H., Retired, 3 Bennett Avenue Chard, Reyland D., Bus Operator, 151/2 East Denver Street Chersonsky, William, Paper Hanger, 18 Harlow Street Christianson, Thomas A., Carpenter, 8 Vine Street Clark, Francis H., Electrician, 19 Carson Street Clark ,Raymond P., General Electric, 3 Granite Road Clucas, Russell, Lawyer, 9 Putnam Street Colanto, Joseph M., Rigger, 15 Eaton Avenue Collins, Frank H., Janitor, 43 Central Street Como, James T., Jeweler, 7 Palmer Avenue Conant, Henry W., Farmer, 23 Atlantic Avenue Connell, George, Auditor, 19 Johnson Street Connolly ,Hubert B., Fireman, 12 Winter Street Corry, Henry H., Moulder, 9 Upland Road
Coughlin, David F., Chipper, 233 Central Street Courtis, Leonard A., Tool Draftsman, 37 Taylor Street Crafts, Fred, Laborer, 209 Central Street Crocker, Ralph W., Government Employee, 2 Bennett Avenue Curra, Richard S. W., Foreman, 23 Anawan Avenue Curran, Joseph A., Bench Hand, 4 Wendell Street
Davis Donald, Remington Arms, 10 Puritan Road Decareau, Walter R., Lynn Gas & Electric Co., 5 Jasper Street DeFronzo, John, Crane Operator, 12 Bristow Street Dever, Michael L., Chauffeur, 17 Eagle Road Dexter, Harold S., Shipfitter, 780 Broadway Diamond, Herbert, Printer, 489 Lincoln Avenue Dineen, Bartholomew A., Machinist, 42 Houston Avenue
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Ditto, Felice, Machinist, 33 Ballard Street Dixon, George B., Stock Clerk, 52 Walnut Street Dodge, Harold E., Stock Clerk, 10 Birch Street Dolaser, Vincent, Die Maker, 282 Lincoln Avenue Dow, Thomas J., General Electric, 52 Adams Avenue Duffy, John J., Tally-Man, 72 Main Street Dunham, Walter H., Plumber, 29 Jefferson Avenue Durgin, George H., Clerk, 41 Main Street Emmett, Elmer R., Prot. Clerk, 65 Summer Street Essery, Frederick T., Filling Station Operator, 21 Western Avenue t
Evans, Robert T., Mechanic, 14 Walden Avenue Fahey, William F., Machinist, 9 Buena Vista Street Fauci, Anthony, Navy Yard, 234 Walnut Street Fearns, Clement C., General Electric, 8 Bow Street Fisher, Joseph G., General Electric, 22 Dustin Street Flaherty, Frederick F., Foreman ,3 Waverly Avenue Flemming, David P., Plumber, 28 Glen Park Avenue Flynn, Charles M., Defense Worker, 529 Broadway Fox, James J., Attorney, 14 Central Place
Francis, Edward A., Purchase Agent, 7 Anawan Avenue
Frieswyck, Theodore, General Electric, 26 Fairview Avenue
Futter, Albert, Printing, 41 Birch Street Gallant, Freeman J., Salesman, 11 Auburn Court Gammage, Joseph N., Janitor, 100 Essex Street Gaudet, Herbert, R.R. Postal Clerk, 7 Fiske Road Gayron, Henry F., Jr., Elec. Instruments, 18 Riverside Court Gibbs, Charles W., Retired, 16 Hayden Road Gifford, Edward A., Coast Guard, 22 Laconia Avenue Giles, Clarence, Manager, Greystone Road Glynn, Harold E., Janitor, 28 Woodbury Avenue Gooding, Harold E., General Electric, 5 Juliette Road
Goodwin, Henry E., Electrician, 27 Sterling Avenue Gould, John A., Motor Trimmer, 193 Walnut Street Graham, Michael, Merchant, 28 Summer Street Green, Elliott, Shipper, 28 Western Avenue Grella, Anthony, Barber, 104 Lincoln Avenue Groesbeck, Edward P., Retired, 14 Hayden Road Grosse, Victor, Crane Operator, 4 Pearson Street Hanlon, James P., Asst. Supt., 18 Hayden Road Hanson, David W., General Electric, 19 Clinton Avenue Harmon, Stanley B., Instructor, 11 Cleveland Avenue Harris, John C., Salesman, 4 Shore Road Harvey, Harry, Machinist, 12 Johnston Terrace Harvey, Osborne L., Salesman, 219 Essex Street Hatch, Anthony, General Electric, 6 Puritan Road Hawkes, Arthur L., Carpenter, 133 Walnut Street Hayes, James J., Plumber, 507 Central Street Hennessy, Bernard J., Machinist, 5 Springdale Avenue Hentschell, Frank A., Planner, 9 Grove Street Hicks, Warren M., Battery Garage Man: 8r Webb Street Hogle. Hollis E., Jr., 59 Water Street, Engineer Holt, Charles C., Machinist, 19 Anawan Avenue Howard, Stanley, U. S. Army, 8 Robinson Street Hussey, William R., General Electric, 4 Olive Avenue Hutchinson, Frank, Foreman, General Electric, 1 Evans Street Hutton, Reginald, Retired, 15 Pratt Street Ingemanson, Carl R., General Electric, 36 Westland Avenue Jones, Chester, Steamfitter, 14 Wendell Street Junkins, Ray P., Toolmaker, 18 Prospect Street Keane, John F., Farmer, 62 Howard Street Keller, Ralph, General Electric, 8 Puritan Road
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