USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1951 > Part 3
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During the past few years our town like many others in the State have been plagued with the dreaded Dutch Elm Disase. All town trees were inspected and samples of those suspected of having this disease were sent to the State Laboratory at Amherst, Mass. Of the 158 samples sent, 52 were returned as positive.
During the year our department removed a total of 100 Town owned trees, which includes topping, cutting, trimming and removal of stumps. Thirty of these stumps were removed by contract, includ- ing the famous Roby Elm. As there is no known cure for this disease at present, it will be necessary to continue the above analysis program.
A total amount of 36,900 gallons of D.D.T. spray was used during the year 1951.
32
Gypsy Moth
In the company of Mr. John E. O'Doherty, State Supervisor of pest control, our woodlands were inspected in regard to our Gypsy Moth problem. Our findings were a few scattered egg clusters. The general picture regarding Gypsy Moth is good, but constant vigil is necessary to keep this pest under control.
Tree Planting
Under our tree planting program, 40 maple trees were planted on various streets. Many requests have been made for these trees and it is my desire that at least 100 small maples be allotted to my department in 1952.
New Equipment
The Tree Department received a new 50 gallon Mist Sprayer that is capable of reaching the top of any tree in town. This will prove most valuable to my department.
Miscellaneous
Many patches of poison ivy were destroyed as complaints reached us. Roadside brush and obstructions have been removed at the request of the P.W.D. Many requests were made by various departments for assistance, my department will willingly continue this aid whenever possible.
I wish to thank you for the splendid co-operation accorded me during the year.
REPORT OF ELM TREE CONTROL
The following is a report of the work completed on the Elm Trees for the year, up to and including September 14, 1951.
Out of 102 Elm Trees that were either dead or are dying, 47 have been removed. There are 55 still standing that have to be topped and have the trunks and stumps removed.
A total of 130 samples have been taken and sent to the Shade Tree Laboratories at · Amherst, Massachusetts to be tested for DUTCH ELM DISEASE. Of this number 37 were declared to have contacted said disease. There are at this time 23 trees standing that are declared diseased and must be removed as soon as possible. There is as yet 17 samples pending at Amherst. The Tree Depart- ment has removed 47 Elm Trees of which 14 had died from Dutch Elm Disease. The remainder of this number had died from numerous other causes.
A total number of 2230 man hours have been required to remove, take samples to be tested, spray, and other types of work in the care of the Elm Trees in this town.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH VATCHER,
Tree Warden, Town of Saugus
Public Works Department
January 2, 1952
Norman G. Young, Town Manager
Town Hall
Saugus, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is the annual report of the Public Works Depart- ment for the year 1951.
Water
The total water income was $77,451.80. This amount includes $72,211.24 from our monthly and semi-annual committments. Other income in the amount of $5,240.56 is from sale of pipe, broken hydrants, refunds, meter tests, use of hydrants and insurance.
During the year 1951 the water department had ten (10) water main breaks. These breaks, in most instances, occurred in the old cement mains. I feel compelled to again submit my annual recom- mendation that the Town appropriate the sum of $375,000.00 under a bond issue for the purpose of replacing 42,935 feet of old cement mains with the following amounts of class I cast iron pipe: 15,353 feet of 12" - 13,553 feet of 10" - 4,836 feet of 8" and 9,193 feet of 6" pipe.
Meters
The meter division has installed 124 new meters, of this amount 19 were replacements for old obsolete meters. A total of 292 not working meters have been taken out of homes, repaired and re- placed. Our meter department records show that the Town is 87% metered. It is our endeavor to complete our program of metering to 100% efficiency during the year 1952.
Services
The water service division has installed 101 complete new services, 55 service renewals, 87 service repairs plus the daily routine of meter leaks, turn ons, turn offs, thawing, curb box repairs, blow outs and service measurements.
Water Mains
The water main division has installed 3,061 feet of 6 inch pipe, 475 feet of 8 inch pipe and 355 feet of 10 inch cement lined class 150 cast iron pipe, a total of 3,891 lineal feet of new water extension.
New Hydrants and Replacements
Five new hydrants were installed, three on Forest Street, one on Dreeme Street and one on Walnut Street.
Four old hydrants were replaced, one at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Ballard Street, one on Broadway, one on Wamesit Avenue and one on Talbot Street.
34
Ashes and Rubbish
Under normal conditions our present ash and rubbish depart- ment, consisting of two mechanical loaders and six men, can ade- quately complete the rubbish collection in the Town as it now exists. If we are to embark on a program of collection so that every home is serviced for rubbish collection then it would become necessary to purchase at least one more mechanical loader and add three additional men. However it must be remembered that three men already have been taken from our limited highway department and have not been replaced.
I recommend that a request be made to the State Water Ways Division for the purpose of straightening the river in the rear of the Public Works building. This area would be ideal for dumping purposes, enlarge our present yard and provide a shorter haul for dumping. This could be a large saving in time and money to this department.
Sewer
A very bad sewerage condition was partially remedied in the Riverside Park area. $2,800.00 was set aside for this work. By utilizing our own equipment and careful planning, with few men, the department made this installation of 280 feet of 8 and 10 inch transit sewer pipe at a cost of $1,600.00. This saving made it possible for us to purchase and replace many worn out parts at our sewer pumping station.
I feel compelled to pay tribute to Mr. Byron Day for his con- stant watchfulness of our pumping station. Mr. Day has personally made several parts for this valuable machinery, saving time and money.
At the present time a Comminutor is being installed at the insistence of the State Department of Health. When this is com- pleted, in 1952, much more repair work must be done.
Twenty sewer services were installed in 1951 bringing the total number of sewer services to 445.
Realizing the many financial demands that will be made to carry on our local government, I wish to bring to your attention the ever increasing need to relieve our sewerage problem, especially in the East Saugus section of the Town. Some long-range plan should be made for sewer installation and carried out.
Highway
During the year 1951 streets were resurfaced with approxi- mately 200,000 square yards of asphalt and pea stone. This is by far the largest resurfacing program ever undertaken in this Town. This treatment is not considered as permanent, but to protect our existing roads. This work was by contract, with the highway depart- ment preparing the roads for resurfacing. We hope to complete this program in 1952 and start the rebuilding of some streets that have needed this rebuilding for years.
By this extensive program of resurfacing that we have under- taken during 1950 and 1951 our costs in patching have dropped to a minimum. Under this program, at a minimum cost, Lincoln Avenue was done from Central Street to Washington Square.
Hurd Avenue has been surfaced with bituminous concrete and bituminous concrete sidewalks and curbings will be completed in 1952.
The new Central Street by-pass adjoining the Old Iron Works restoration project has been completed with a bituminous concrete surface, cement sidewalks and granite curbs. This work was paid for by the First Iron Works Association, Inc.
Under the direction of the Manager and Chief of Police a very extensive street marking program was completed in 1951. We have now established rotary traffic at the monument in Saugus Center. It is my recommendation that this area be shortened and made circular to alleviate the existing sharp turns.
Approximately 300 street signs were painted, lettered and erected by the department. This project will continue until all strets have new signs.
Under the Betterment Act 455 feet of concrete sidewalks were installed on Ballard Street in 1951.
During the year 1952 we received three pieces of valuable equipment including two mechanically operated sanders mounted on our two Army trucks, plus one jeep equipped with plow. These jeep units are essential equipment, being used in the many isolated hill sections which we are compelled to plow during snow storms.
It is my recommendation that we replace three of our present 1/2 ton pick-ups, while a fair trade-in value is available, and pur- chase three new jeeps. These units would serve all purposes in the department and relieve the necessity of hiring outside jeep units. These privately owned jeeps do not wish to risk their equipment on the rough sections assigned to them.
Many demands are made on the department for the plowing of sidewalks and I recommend that suitable equipment be purchased for this work.
Drainage
A drainage system was installed on Oaklandvale Avenue during 1951. During 1951 a bad drainage situation on Lincoln Avenue was eliminated by the installation of a drain on Lincoln Avenue from No. 252 Lincoln Avenue to Atlantic Avenue. A contract was awarded for the installation of the Denver Street drain which will be com- pleted in 1952.
It is my hope that a certain sum of money can be spent yearly by the adoption of a plan for the installation of drainage systems to eliminate the bad water and flooded conditions that we are plagued with after every rain and thawing of snow. We have many of these areas in the town. If a plan is adopted we could do one or two areas yearly to eliminate this condition.
Chapter 90
The State Department of Public Works allotted us for 1951 construction of New Central Street, starting near Lily Pond Avenue crossing Elm Street out to Woodbury Avenue, the sum of $39,000.00. This sum is considered by the State to be a very large appropriation for the Town of Saugus and therefore they made no Chapter 90 allotment for maintenance and there is no allocation of funds for the continuance of Chapter 90 Construction or maintenance for 1952.
A contract was awarded to Capone Construction Company, by the State, for the above Chapter 90 project and this new road will be completed by July 1952.
I would like, at this time, to express my sincere appreciation to the employees of my department who have displayed their willing- ness to get the job done, many times under adverse working con- ditions.
Also I wish to thank all other departments for their sincere cooperation throughout the year.
Sincerely,
CHARLES D. DeFRONZO, Superintendent
IRON WORKS
U
M
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Trunk of giant oak tree from which shaft for blast furnace waterwheel will be cut. This wheel and shaft powered furnace bellows.
Tuyere pipe, or bellows nozzle.
Archaeologist Roland Robbins and historian, Professor E. Neal Hartley, examining remains of forge waterwheel and wheel pit.
TUYERE
TUYERE PIPE
24 30 36
6 12: INCHES 18
THIS TURE CONVE MED AIR FRONT FOLLOWS
TO BLAST FURNAS
Playground Commission
REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMISSION Year 1951
Five playgrounds were in operation during the 1951 season. Each play- ground was supervised and an extention of field and crafts activities was carried on under the able direction of our playground director and arts and crafts instructors.
This being the second year of a five year program many projects were completed and many more started to get the most out of the areas set aside in the town for playgrounds. It is noted that one baseball field was completed, this being the first baseball area the town has had for the past eleven years and now once again the Saugus youth can play baseball in Saugus instead of going out of town for games.
For our playgrounds in general we purchased the entire stock for the arts and crafts program, equipment for the sports program and new working equpiment for the caretakers so as to make the playground department as independent as possible. We employed for the summer program for children six girl supervisors, one male director, three caretakers and five part-time workers.
One again the Stadium at Stackpole Field was under the direction of the Playground Commission and considerable work was accomplished on the football field and surroundings thereby placing the field and grandstands in the best condition they have ever been. The new baseball field was in constant use throughout the season.
One new program was started in 1951 which met with great success. The Commission sponsored a baseball league made up of six teams from all sections of Saugus. There were approximately 140 boys participating in this league and it was so successful that it will be continued for the coming season.
Construction of a new softball area was started at the Anna Parker Playground and also another at the Stocker Playground in East Saugus. An outdoor basketball court was also under construction at the Stocker Playground plus one large and one small volley ball court completed at the Anna Parker Playground. General improvements were made at all Playgrounds in the year 1951 and according to the five year plan on Playgrounds, all work was com- pleted on schedule.
Several hundred children participated in the Arts, Crafts and games throughout the season from July 1st to "September 1st. Based on individual instruction this runs into thousands of hours of value to these children. Each year this program is being improved and our aim is to see that the children of Saugus receive the best of instructions and supervision. Every effort is made to make our program safe at all times.
The Commission is grateful to all Town Officials and departments for their help. We have received excellent cooperation from the School Department, Public Works Department and civic organizations interested in our work and we wish to thank them all. Also we wish to thank the people in the outlying sections for their patience until we can get to their sections to provide a playing area for their children.
CHESTER GAY, Chairman DORIS J. DRIVER, Secretary REV. WILBUR ZEIGLER
38
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
School Committee Report - 1951
SAUGUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Member
Dr. John L. Silver, Chairman
35 Main Street
George A. McCarrier
1952
31 Prospect Street
William S. Braid 14 Allison Road
1952
Alice G. Blood
1952
5 Enmore Road
James W. Elsmore
1952
Superintendent of Schools
Vernon W. Evans
94 Chestnut Street (January 1 - August 31)
Jesse J. Morgan, Sr. (July 1 - December 31)
2 Hayden Road
Secretary to the Superintendent
Anna V. Jacobs 504 Central Street
Junior Clerk
Betty M. Brook 7 Allison Road
Office of Superintendent of Schools
Hours when School is in session 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
School vacations 9.00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Telephone SAugus 8-0775
High School Principal
John A. W. Pearce
1 Stanton Street
Office Telephone SAugus 8-0260
In Charge of Attendance
Frances R. Mclaughlin, R.N. 8 Smith Road
Tel. SAugus 8-0775
72 Jasper Street
School Physicians
Dr. Leroy O. Furbush
420 Lincoln Avenue
Dr. Joseph O. Ward 40 Main Street
Dr. James A. Clark 545 Lincoln Avenue
Dr. Priscilla Flockton 24 Main Street 42 Chestnut Street
Dr. Edwin B. Faulkner
School Nurse Frances R. Mclaughlin, R.N. 8 Smith Road Office Tel. SAugus 8-0775
39
Harold E. Haley Tel. SAugus 8-0260
Term Expires 1952
9 Henry Street
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Hours of School Session
High School 8:25 A.M. - 2:15 P.M.
Central & Sweetser Junior High Schools
8:25 A.M. - 2:15 P.M.
Elementary Schools 8:50 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. 12:10 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
REGULATIONS OF THE SAUGUS SCHOOL COMMITTEE Age of Admission
To be admitted to Grade I, a child must be 5 years old on or before March first preceding the opening of school in September.
Children residing in Saugus who do not meet the above age requirement may not transfer from private or public schools to Saugus Schools during the school year.
No School Signal Elementary Grades
8:00 A.M. 2-2 (two rounds sounded) on fire alarm whistle means no school for first six grades and Special Class. Between 6:30 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. no school announcements will be given over radio stations WNAC and WLYN.
High School and Junior High Schools
6:45 A.M. 2-2 (two rounds sounded) on fire alarm whistle means no school for grades seven through twelve. Between 6:30 and 8:00 A.M. no school announcements will be given over radio stations WNAC and WLYN.
School Calendar 1952
OPENING DATE: January 2, 1952.
VACATIONS: February 15 to February 25; April 10 to April 21; June ?* to September 3; December 19 to December 29.
NO SCHOOL DAYS: May 30, October 13, November 11, No- vember 27 and 28. Teachers' Convention date to be determined.
* Dependent on number of days lost.
Committee Meetings
Regular meeting of the School Committee are held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 8:00 P.M., except during July and August, at the Veterans Memorial School.
To the Citizens of Saugus:
At the regular meeting of the School Committee held on February 18, 1952 it was voted to accept the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools as the Annual report of the School Committee.
GEORGE A. McCARRIER,
Chairman
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Schools (Fifty-ninth)
The year 1951 was one of outstanding achievement in the Saugus Schools. It marked the construction of the first complete unit since the Sweetser School was built in 1926. The citizens are to be congratulated in making this modern structure available to the children of the Town.
From the opening of school in the fall to January 11, 1952, a two-platoon system was necessary. Morning and afternoon Classes were held at the Ballard School in grade six, at Felton Schcol in grades two, three and five and at Sweetser School in grades five and six. In addition small classes were conducted in the office at Clifton- dale School, and in the Armitage and Roby School corridors. During the fall a survey of the location of the school population was made with subsequent rezoning of the whole community with the excep- tion of the Lynnhurst, North Saugus and Oaklandvale areas. Temporarily the overcrowding in the elementary schools has been alleviated.
In addition to the progress made through the new Veterans Memorial School located on Hurd Avenue a special appropriation of $35,000.00 was expended on the Ballard School. Under the super- vision of Town Manager Young this forty-year old building was thoroughly remodelled with the exception of the floors. The build- ing received interior and exterior paint, new toilets, a new heating system, display boards, four rooms of moveable furniture, new front doors, a new back fence, and a remodeling of the basement for indoor play purposes.
The exterior of Lynnhurst School, the exterior of the High School, the High School Cafeteria, a stairwell, and the Sweetser School Auditorium all were painted.
A special appropriation of $3,000.00 was expended for the con- tinuation of the remodeling of the lighting in the schools. The major effort was at the Roby School.
A large portion of the yard at the High School was black- topped.
The progress made through the construction of the Veterans Memorial School, the remodeling of Ballard School and the other projects discussed above if continued for approximately ten years would result in the complete modernizing of the existing school plant. The School Committee hope that one building can be re- modeled each year. For 1952 the Armitage School (thirty years old) has been selected for a major effort. The exterior of the building must have attention. The coping has deteriorated to the point where it present a safety hazard to pupils and teachers. The brick entrance on the west side has settled, cracked, and should be rebuilt; the heating plant is old, inefficient, and should be replaced,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
lighting is poor, toilets are unsanitary and the exterior and in- terior need paint. In short, the building needs the same type of remodeling operation conducted at Ballard School in 1951. The need is even more acute because of the safety situation. The year following the program should be continued by a similar treatment of the Sweetser School.
It was anticipated that there would be some free rooms in the schools with the opening of the Veterans Memorial School. The rapid increase in school population, in addition to the overcrowding already present, prevented this materializing. At present it appears that for years to come all of the buildings now occupied must be continued in use. The Centre School could be much improved if the interior could be repainted. It presents a shabby, gloomy ap- pearance at present. Parents constantly object to having their children assigned to this building.
Furniture Replacement
The furniture replacement policy adopted by the Committee some years ago was continued. Following is a chart showing the accomplishment to date. "N" indicates new, moveable furniture, "O" means not replaced and "R" signifies not replaced but recom- mended for 1952 if funds are available.
GRADES
SCHOOLS
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 SP
Total Rooms
Armitage
N N
N
N
N
O
6
Ballard
N
N
N
O
O
0
8
Centre
2-0
O
O
4
Cliftondale
R
O
O
O
4
Emerson
R O
O
O
4
Felton
2-N
N
-N
N
O
6
Legion
O
1
Lynnhurst
R --- R*
0 ---- 0*
0 --- 0*
3
North Saugus
R ---- R* N
0 ---- 0 *--- 0*
4
N -- ·- N*
Oaklandvale
R ---- R*
0 ---- 0*
0 ---- 0*
4
Roby
2-N O
O
0
0 2-0
8
Sweetser
O
0 3-0 3-0
8
Veterans Memorial
2-N 2-N 2-N
2-N
2-N 2-N
N 13
C. J. & S. High
One room new
34
N ---- N*
-- 0*
Note: * double grade
Of the 67 elementary rooms thirty-one now have modern furni- ture. If funds are available in 1952 the half way mark could be reached and passed. However, with increased prices and the limited funds in the Committee's equipment budget it is doubtful whether or not the 1951 goal of replacing five rooms can be met. If this can be done it will mean that all first grade pupils as well as some others will have modern tables and chairs. If the replacement pro- gram can be carried on at the rate of five rooms per year it will be completed in the elementary schools in 1958, seven years hence.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Play Areas
The School Committee deeply appreciate the cooperative atti- tude of Town Manager, Norman G. Young. He has, as far as a limited budget would allow, been most responsive to the requests of the School Committee in regard to building maintenance. Count- less minor repairs have been made as well as the painting and black- topping noted above. In previous reports former Superintendent Evans has written of the need for resurfacing all of the school play areas. Here again the most practical method of attack would seem to be to make a small appropriation available each year. If the areas could be measured and an amount equal to one-tenth done each year the whole project would eventually be completed.
The 1952 Budget
The 1952 Budget provides a new maximum of $3,800.00 per year for teachers' salaries. Although this is lower than requested by the teachers it represents a step in the right direction. Saugus is' located in an area made up of communities that can afford to pay teachers well. Our children deserve good teachers. If we are to obtain and hold good teachers the wages must be comparable to other towns and cities in the locality. Actually the increase in the maximum amounts to the making permanent of the present cost of living increment of $208.00 plus an additional adjustment of $92.00 per teacher to offset a portion of the 1951 increase.
Typical Classroom after renovation of Ballard School 1951
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
When the new single salary schedule was instituted a few years ago provision was made for regular salary increments based on experience and also a sick leave allowance. This was a notable step forward for which Superintendent Evans, the School Commit- tee and the townspeople should be congratulated. However at that time, for reason of economy, the customary provisions reimbursing teachers for professional study, and advanced degrees were de- ferred. The 1952 budget has a modest provision for these purposes. The Committee feels that if teachers are willing to give their own time for study to improve themselves the Town should bear a portion of the cost.
Elementary Supervisor and Reading Consultant
In Saugus all of the elementary principals, except two, are full-time teachers. As such they are expected to give as much to the pupils in their classes as other teachers and, in addition, attend to the administration of the building. It is obvious that to perform both duties they must be absent from their classes a great deal. In spite of their best efforts the teaching in their classes must suffer, somewhat in proportion to the size of the building. They are almost wholly unable to help beginning teachers during class time. In a system with one hundred twenty teachers there is so much administrative detail, in spite of able and efficient secretarial aid, that the superintendent finds only a limited amount of time avail- able to supervise classroom instruction. School officials have long realized the need for more effective teaching of reading, the basic tool in the educative process. Many teachers, who have the skill to teach children how to read are often unable to do so (particu- larly the slow pupils) due to the large numbers in classes and the resulting lack of time to work with individuals. The teaching of reading is a very specialized skill. Its importance is well known for on it, as a foundation, rests success in almost all other subjects. For these reasons the School Committee have placed in the budget a sum to cover the expense of an elementary supervisor and read- ing consultant beginning in September 1952. Her time will be spent in diagnosing and remedying the difficulties. particularly in read- ing. and helping teachers, particularly beginners, to teach more skillfully.
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