USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1948 > Part 2
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
With proper teacher and home guidance and leadership, together with student respect for public property, much of the needless cost of main- tenance could be eliminated, making more money available for essential maintenance and needed improvements. For example, the cost of replacing broken glass alone during the past year would have been sufficient to install modern lighting in one school building, or to completely redecorate the in- terior of three school buildings. The new flooring in the study hall at the High School was within a few days so disfigured by the intentional splashing of ink that to continue maintenance work in this building from the point of view of attractiveness appears to be a waste of your money.
Another handicap in properly maintaining school buildings is the inability of the School Com- mittee and the Building Maintenance Department to arrive at a proper understanding on the question of jurisdiction over school janitors. It is most difficult for the Maintenance Department to be charged with the proper maintenance of buildings on the one hand, while on the other, it has no control whatsoever over those men employed by
the Town as general resident maintenance men. It is hoped that a solution to this problem may be negotiated during the coming year.
Town Infirmary: Early in the year the Town Infirmary, or Town Farm, was closed and its use for the purpose of caring for the poor dis- continued. Inmates were transfered to the Lynn City Infirmary. The cost of boarding Saugus' in- mates at the Lynn Infirmary is approximately $4000 a year less than the cost of operating the Saugus Infirmary. In addition the Town Farm land and buildings will be leased for private use yielding income of approximately $8000 a year. This will mean an overall total gain of $12,000 for the taxpayers of Saugus.
Recommendations : Saugus' greatest problems are financial, or due to a lack of sufficient income to provide the required and desired services and improvements. As certainly as one can not extract blood from applying pressure to a stone, a municipal government in Massachusetts can not be properly supported when by far the greatest part of its income is derived from tax assessments levied upon low-cost and, in too many instances, upon sub-standard residential housing.
Thus to strengthen the Town's position financially and to acquire the needed revenue to finance desperately needed improvements and added facilities, it is essential that we so govern our public affairs so as to attract new construction of the proper type, residential, commercial and industrial. In this way, and only in this way can we bring into our treasury sufficient revenue to finance a well balanced and adequate municipal program.
Saugus has taken a long step in this direction during the past year. To insure the continuance of this progress I recommend that the citizens of the Town reaffirm its now established policy; that it continue to base its annual ap- propriations upon the Town's ability to pay and upon the pattern that will continue to produce a lowering and then a stabilization of its tax rate; that annual appropriations provide for a surplus or stabilization fund and that the same be allowed
10
to accumulate and rèmain intact until such time as the same is sufficient to absorb the shock of any reasonable financial adversity or emergency; that the Town further strengthen its zoning and sub- division requirements and rigidly enforce all present and new zoning and building laws and so protect all future development; that there be authorized the appointment of a Saugus Develop- ment Commission to work in conjunction with the Manager and elected officials; that there be es- tablished a twenty year capital improvement and replacement program based as nearly upon a pay- as-you-go or accumulated reserve basis as possible ; that in no event the Town allow its enthusiasm to over shadow sound judgment whereby it mort- gages its future to a point where annual prin- cipal and interest payments exceed the excess of income over and above its current operational budgetary requirements.
With reference to a Capital Outlay pro- gram there must of necessity be developed an over all master Plan. Such a Plan should not only pro- vide for the requirements and development of the Town for a period covering the next twenty years of our public life, but should forecast and plan for the requirements of the Town and its development for many years beyond. A period of twenty years is but a very short time in the life of a community. Twenty years represents only one-sixteenth of the life of Saugus to date and barring the distruction of civilization Saugus is but in the very earliest stages of its infancy. We owe it to ourselves and to those who will follow us to plan well and to build wisely. We should have well learned this lesson in Saugus as result of the costly mistakes with which we live today because of past errors and carelessness.
To reduce shortsightedness and hit-or- miss action to a minimum, and in consideration of the magnitude of our Town's problems, I recom- mend immediate action with reference to the development of a reasonable master plan.
Immediate attention must be given to school housing, and although it may be regretable, the fact remains that by far the greatest portion
of all funds to be spent upon a capital improvement program during the next twenty or more years must be spent almost exclusively for schools.
With the above thought in mind it is apparent that all other improvements must be paid for out of direct taxation upon a current basis. To do this it is more than evident that all the rules of the strictest of economy must be fol- lowed. It is equally as apparent that all revenue earning departments must be placed upon a self supporting basis, thus relieving taxation from the burden of deficit financing.
In this respect our water and sewer departments present the number one problem. I recommend that a study be made of the water department and its rate structure for the purpose of placing this department upon a sound financial basis providing sufficient revenue from the sale of water to pay for all costs of operation, main- tenance, payment of all interest and principal on water bonds, the cost of new construction and the accumulation of a depreciation fund for the purpose of replacing old mains and worn-out equipment, thus making it unnecessary to annually assess by taxation an operating deficit of approximately $30,000 depreciation excluded. To so relieve tax- ation of this burden, not only will the problems of this department be solved, but the corner stone of our capital outlay program will be laid and ad- ded sums will be made available for street and other improvements.
I recommend that the same approach be made in dealing with our sewer department, that annual rental fees be established so as to pay for full maintenance costs, and that betterment assessments be adjusted so as to more nearly pay for new construction cost. By so doing the sewer system can be progressively extended into those areas of Town desiring and willing to pay for the same.
I recommend that action be taken to acquire land for new. cemetery facilities and that the same be made available for use within the next two years. It would appear that it might be advisable to seek an entirely new location rather than attempt to expand present areas.
11
It is most essential to the welfare and development of Saugus that there be developed on the part of every citizen, young and old, a spirit of pride in our Town and an enthusiasm for its future. Every effort must be made to improve our blighted areas. Many citizens could contribute greatly to the attractiveness of our Town by voluntarily removing partly demolished, unused and deteriorating sheds and shacks, by taking pride in their homes, their yards and areas immediately surrounding their homes, by eliminating illegal dumping by our roadsides or upon their own or other private property. A town need not be a rich town to be a neat, clean and attractive town, and in this respect we have much to be desired in certain areas.
The above recommendations do not of course cover all of your government's thoughts with reference to proposed or desired plans of action. Such would not be possible. Many such plans fall within the jurisdiction of administration, and with the advice and consent of the proper officials, will be developed in accordance with administrative responsibility. Too, the need for the uprooting of purely political thinking and action on the part of either persons or factions and the substitution of true civic interest and statemanship pletely eclipses any list of disadvantages be there in the place thereof, hardly lies within the scope of this report. *
Advantages: Saugus has much for which it may well feel proud. It has opportunities for which it may well feel thankful. Its future growth and well-being is assured if these assets are recog- nized and properly developed.
First, Saugus is a Town of fine people, a Town of good neighbors. Saugus is a Town strategically located. It is a Town large in area with great opportunities for growth. It is a Town of natural beauty. Saugus is a Town that pos- sesses the largest and most desirable area in New England for industrial development, Saugus pos- sesses potentially excellent harbor facilities.
The list of advantages is long. It com- pletely eclipses any list of disadvantages be there any. All problems mentioned in this report, as serious as they may be, are all man-created prob- lems. As surely as they were brought upon us as a result of thoughtlessness, carelessness and an absence of proper planning and civic interest by man, they can with proper thought, care and proper planning and civic interest be removed from the Saugus of the future by man.
*
Conclusion: In closing this first report I wish to express my sincere and deep appreciation to the citizens of the Town and their Town Meet- ing Members for their confidence and wholehearted support and co-operation; to the Board of Select- men and Finance Committee for their advice and counsel and assistance in converting our municipal government into an effective organization dedi- cated only to the principles of efficient and ef- fective service ; to the vast majority of department heads and employees who have readily grasped the spirit and meaning of Saugus' new concept of government; to Vernon Evans, Superintendent or Manager of the Town's department of Education for his co-operation ; to Saugus' many organizations and civic groups which contribute much towards the advancement of cur Town's present and future welfare; and to those men and women who serve upon the various boards and commissions and who carry so much of the administrative load upon their shoulders.
I truly believe that the period of transition from the old to the new government in Saugus is being accomplished more harmoniously and with greater speed and a greater degree of understand- ing and desire than has been the experience in a vast majority of the more than 1000 other cities and towns that have made like changes.
With continued interest, understanding and co-operation, and with the strengthening of the ties of confidence and trust between our cit- izens and their elected and appointed officials, all will be well with Saugus government for many years to come.
12
A well informed public is always a well governed public. All would serve themselves and their. Town well if they make "keeping well in- formed" the first prerequisite to citizenship, and so base their opinions, make their decisions and
cast their votes upon factual information and not upon the too prevalent basis of being emotionally swayed by apt political exponents of their ignorant change, ignorant opposition to change, or personal and perhaps selfish advancement.
13
Enrollment . .
December 1948 Grades
Schools
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Spec.
Total
Armitage
43
46
22
31
3.5
22
199
Ballard
58
57
52
41
64
39
311
Centre
45
31
14
13
103
Cliftondale
44
42
36
30
152
Emerson
37
31
27
21
116
Felton
43
48
25
29
28
31
204
Lynnhurst
20
15
6
12
16
10
79
North Saugus
26
17
18
14
21
15
111
Oaklandvale
16
14
21
16
16
11
94
Roby
86
40
35
38
55
33
287
Sweetser
37
41 100
101
279
High
230
196
187
153
766
Central Jr. High
137
132
269
373
355
273
246
272
202
237
233
230
196
187
153
13
2970
1
-
A class of neophyte typists studiously practice their keyboard exercises in the high school typing classroom under the watchful eye of their teacher.
14
State reimbursement. (State-Aid to Education) Tuition from City of Boston. (Boston Wards) Tuition from Commonwealth (State Wards) Miscellaneous income. Out of town tuition. Unexpended balance. (General Budget) Total of all 1948 Refunds
This sum of $28,388.97, lessens the cost of education to the taxpayers of Saugus by that amount, the net cost being $340,396.82.
Recommendations
An important duty of the Superintendent of Schools is to recommend to the School Com- mittee and to the citizens of the town such projects as will still further improve our school system. I recommended all of these in my report of last year.
(1). That a modern gymnasium be constructed so as to make possible an effective program of physical education for all pupils in the Junior and Senior High Schools.
(2). That a program be initiated towards the improving of the play areas of all schools so that all school play areas may be ultimately resurfaced with modern asphaltic or cork treatment.
(3). The installation of new lighting equip- ment in all of our school buildings, especially in the classrooms of the same.
(4). The construction of a new modern six room elementary school building in the Oaklandvale section of the town.
(5). The introduction of a course in domestic science for girls who attend the Senior High School.
(6). That the School Department be provided with plans and detailed blueprints of all school buildings in town so that such will be available to the School Department at all times.
(7). That the present costly heating plant in
School Report Net 1948 Educational Cost
Although the sum of $368,785.79 (General Budget) was appropriated in 1948 for the ordinary expenses of education, this sum does not represent the actual amount of money expended by. the taxpayers of Saugus for education.
The following refunds, have been returned to the town treasury during the year 1948:
$25,134.75 214.72
1,589.87
146.63
118.48
1.184.52
$28,388.97
the Ballard School be removed and that such be replaced by a central heating plant with oil burning apparatus.
(8). That the Mansfield School building in East Saugus be completely repaired, renovated, and re-equipped for active use or, in lieu of this, that an addition to the Ballard School be considered.
School Housing
One of the most pressing of the serious needs of our town is the urgent necessity of addi- tional school housing for our school children. Although both the School Committee and I have repeatedly pointed out this fact, not one real step has been taken by the town toward the solving of this problem.
It is very evident that Saugus will, in the very near future, be face to face with an acute shortage of school housing facilities.
The town constructed its last school building in 1933, almost sixteen years ago. In spite of repeated warnings nothing has been done since. Now the problem of where to house our school children is just about upon us.
During the next ten or twelve years it appears almost certain that the school population of Saugus will very nearly double. The present school enrollment is 2971. By the school year 1959 - 1960 it will probably be between 5400 and 5900.
Two factors are slowly but surely working to cause this tremendous increase in our school population.
15
(a). An unprecedented increase in the birth rate of the town since the year 1937.
(b). An equally unusual growth in home building in the town which, it is predicted, will continue for the next ten years.
Let us examine figures and see what has happened to the birth rate in Saugus during the past twenty years. The following table shows the birth rate by years from 1929 to 1948 inclusive.
Year
Births
Year
Births
1929
264
1939
205
1930
276
1940
233
1931
256
1941
275
1932
237
1942
317
1933
225
1943
327
1934
226
1944
294
1935
221
1945
323
1936
216
1946
352
1937
203
1947
396
1938
232
1948
354
From even a casual examination of these figures it is readily apparent that our town faces a very large increase in school enrollment.
In 1937 there were exactly 203 births in the Town of Saugus. In 1947 there were exactly 396 births in Saugus. This is an increase of almost 100% in approximately ten years.
Our present first grade enrollment (school year 1948 - 1949) is 373. Our present second grade enrollment is 348. In past years our ordinary first and second grade enrollments would range be- tween 225 and 275 children in each grade.
During the next ten years our entering first grades each year will doubtless range from 370 to 400 children. And it must always be re- membered that these first grade children proceed grade by grade thru the school system at least until they are sixteen years old.
Our present sixth grade enrollment num- bers only 203 children. Five or six years from now the sixth grade will doubtless have a total regis- tration of between 350 and 375 children.
The above explanations should convince most anyone of the obvious effect that the in- creased birth rate is going to have on our school population.
The second factor, which is going to cause our school population to soar upwards, is the tre- mendous growth of new home construction in our town. I am not going to bore the readers of this
report with detailed figures. Suffice it is to say that building permits in excess of $1,500,000 construct- ion value were issued in Saugus during the year 1948. It can also be said that more homes were constructed in our town in 1948 than in any other one year in the history of Saugus. The families living in these houses are going to have children and the children are going to have to attend school.
Because the constant warnings of school authorities have gone unheeded, we are now facing a serious situation in respect to school housing facilities. Already we have overcrowded grades in many of our elementary school buildings. This situation will get progressively worse during the coming ten year period. Unless a building program is authorized and carried out very soon, conditions, especially in our elementary schools, will become intolerable. The children of Saugus are the ones who will pay the penalty for the short - sightedness of their elders.
Let us examine briefly our elementary school pupil seating capacity as of today. I am figuring this seating capacity on the basis of thirty- five pupils to a room which is the maximum num- ber consistent with a decent chance for proper teaching.
Below listed are the schools housing ele- mentary school pupils with the pupil seating capa- city of each building based on a maximum of thirty-five pupils to a room.
Ballard School 280 pupils
Emerson School
140 pupils
Felton School 210 pupils Sweetser School (2 rooms only) 70 pupils
Cliftondale School
140 pupils
Armitage School
210 pupils
Oaklandvale School 140 pupils
North Saugus School
140 pupils
Lynnhurst School
105 pupils
Roby School
280 pupils
Centre School
123 pupils
(Special Class occupies one room)
The above schools, as now constituted, thus afford us a maximum proper seating capacity for 1938 elementary school pupils. Actually this figure is high, since it would have to be predicated on perfect elementary school pupils distribution throughout the various areas of the town. Such perfect pupils distribution, of course, never happens.
A rather careful estimate places the probable elementary school enrollment at some-
16
where between 2200 and 2400 as early as the school year 1952-1953.
Now by a very simple process of arithmetic we know that 2200 to 2400 children cannot be accomodated in 1700 to 1800 seats.
In short --- either the town builds add- itional school housing facilities or we adopt, of necessity, the ugly two platoon system or other subterfuges -- all of which are dangerous and deadly to the cause of sound education.
A similar situation will eventually come to pass in relation to our Senior High School en- rollment. This will be much slow coming, however, since it will take some time for the present large first grades to effect our Senior High School enrollment. In other words, increased enrollment in the Senior High School will take place later and probably more gradually than in the elementary schools.
Our present Senior High School enroll- ment(school year 1948-1949) is 776.
In the school year 1958 - 1959 a rather careful estimate would place our Senior High School enrollments at somewhere between 1300 and 1500 pupils.
The present building cannot house any such number of pupils and still function as a Class A. High School.
Expanded enrollments are also going to occur in our seventh and eighth grades at both the Central Junior High School and the Sweetser Junior High School.
From the above it is perfectly apparent that additional school housing facilities must be provided --- and very soon.
What should these facilities be and what is the best solution?
I list them for the purpose of simplification : (1). The construction of a new and modern Senior High School building with minimum capacity for 1800 students. This building should be as centrally located as possible and the site should be purchased now while the land is still available.
The construction of such a building will provide a modern and up - to - date High School building for our youth of high school age. It will also automatically eliminate all of the existing inadequacies of the present High School building. It goes without saying that a modern gymnasium should be an integral part of this structure.
(2). The construction of a modern six room elementary school building in the Oaklandvale section of the town. The present building is over one hundred years old and will soon not be large enough to accomodate the children in this area.
(3). The construction of either a four room addition to the Ballard School or the com- plete remodeling and modernizing of the Mansfield School. One or the other will be necessary to house the school children in the East Saugus section of the town.
Additional school housing needs in the Cliftondale and Saugus Centre sections of the town would automatically be solved for some time to come by the erection of the new Senior High School building. Such construction would release the present High School building and permit the housing of all Junior High School pupils in this building. This would in turn release six rooms in the Sweetser School which would in turn lighten the future pupil load in the Emerson, Felton, Cliftondale, and Armitage Schools. Since the total number of Junior High School pupils could all be housed in the present High School building, the Central Junior High School building would thus be released to house excess pupils who eventually cannot be accomodated in the Roby and Centre Schools.
It is difficult to say, at this time, whether or not new school housing facilities will be needed in the North Saugus and Lynnhurst sections of the town. Such could be the case, however, and this possible problem should also be kept in mind.
I have discussed this whole problem under the caption "School Housing" in the hope that our citizens will see the seriousness of the approaching situation and act before it is too late.
Salaries
Any educational expert knows that the most important asset in maintaining a good school system is the teacher. She represents the basic foundation of any sound and efficient educational system. Without her a school building is but a pile of bricks and textbooks and other tools of edu- cation merely empty gestures. The teacher is the personality and the directing force who develops the child educationally from the first grade thru the last year of High School.
It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to maintain at all times the strongest possible teaching staff.
17
I assure all citizens that such cannot be accomplished if teachers in Saugus are going to continue to be paid at existing 1948 salaries.
Never in the history of this country have teachers been so scarce or the competition for their services so keen. The best possible estimate is that this condition will continue for at least ten years, possibly longer.
Our 1948 salary schedule for teachers was as follows :
Elementary Minimum $1700.00 Maximum $2400.00 Junior High Minimum $1900.00 Maximum $2700.00 Senior High Minimum $2100.00 Maximum $2900.00
Under this schedule teachers went from minimum to maximum at the rate of one hundred dollars per year. Thus it took an elementary teacher, with no previous experience, seven years to receive the maximum salary of $2400.00.
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.