USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1953 > Part 9
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 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
During the past year six such small boats were found helpless in the teeth of the gales, with their motors out of com- mission, and, after throwing their imperilled occupants lines, I towed them to safety.
In such a stiff gale on Sunday, May 24, I picked up two men off Swampscott in a small rowboat, with their out-board motor dead, and their craft drifting onto treacherous Shad Rocks. Together with two Saugus men I found helpless off Nahant, I started back to the sanctuary of the inner harbor, and en route, saved the lives of two 15-year-old boys off Win- throp who were drifting helplessly in the storm-tossed and dangerous seas.
When I lifted the telephone off the hook on June 2 to hear an anguished Everett woman tell me that her husband had gone fishing and failed to return in the mounting gale, I put out to sea and found him in his helpless cabin cruiser at 12:15 A.M. off Deer Island. His propeller had become fouled with a
62
.
lobster rope, causing the engine to freeze. After towing him to Saugus, I called his wife to report his safety, and then crawled into bed in the wee small hours of the morning.
These are typical entries in my daily "log." They em- phasize the work of the Harbormaster in time of crisis, when human life is at stake.
Another different phase of the duties of the Harbormaster concerns the investigation of all strange craft in the harbor. When I received a report in late summer from the General Electric Company that a mysterious craft in the inner river was surreptitiously taking pictures of the River Works, I has- tened to the scene, and found a 30-foot cabin cruiser from Cohasset.
I blew my whistle and motioned for him to pull into the wharf, after noticing that he was headed towards Fox Hill Bridge at a high rate of speed and throwing a tremendous wake which threatened to swamp several small boats. He dis- regarded my whistle entirely, shouted a profane answer, and ducked under the bridge.
I gave chase and found him hiding behind one of the barges tied up between Fox Hill Bridge and General Edwards Bridge. When I asked his reasons for his dangerous and eccentric be- havior, I received renewed curses and indecent language. When I told him that I was the Harbormaster and was performing my duty, he asked my name and said that he "could fix any- thing."
=
BRAVING ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, including storm-tossed seas which threatened to engulf the 42-foot "Florence, 2nd," his ship-to-shore telephone equipped launch, Richard Porter, Saugus' aggressive harbormaster, saved the lives of nearly a dozen stranded fishermen and sportsmen in 1953, probed an attempt at espionage at the defense plants of the General Electric Company, and performed all of the other duties of his little publicized office. The Florence, which has a 12 and one half foot beam and can carry 44 passengers,
I boarded the vessel and searched it from stem to stern, inspecting all papers, and particularly examining for cameras. There were none to be found. The vessel was ordered from its location, however, to a berth in the inner river, far from defense activities of the General Electric Company.
There are other entries in my "log." They are not all as pleasant as being able to rescue trapped men in small boats during gales.
In early fall, I received a report from a half dozen boat owners of a vessel towing a water skier and doing so in such a manner as to cause alarm for the safety of others. The of- fenders had been courteously warned, I was informed, but had met only with abuse and vile language.
went out in all types of weather hitting the North Atlantic and Harbormaster Porter was praised by the Coast Guard for his brave and unusually effective work. In the best traditions of the sea, the courageous Saugus harbormaster was typically tight-lipped about his fine service, and his report, which safe to say he did not write, is taken from his daily "log-book," which he submitted the Town Manager in response to a request for material for this report.
I summonsed him into Lynn District Court. There was no "fixing." He was arraigned before Judge Israel Cherry and paid a fine of $20.
These are a few entries in my daily "log." I could cite many more. I have made daily patrols to halt vandalism, se- cured better service at the drawbridge of the Boston and Main Railroad, assigned mooring locations to many boats, raised several sunken craft and disposed of them as menaces to navigation, and otherwise attempted to sincerely perform all of the duties of my conception of the office of Harbor- master.
Sincerely, RICHARD PORTER. Harbormaster
63
CIVILIAN DEFENSE
HOME OF "HQ. 4707ª DEFENSE WING 564- AIR DEFENSE GP.
OTIS
"THEY WATCH OUR SKIES" Front row-Bernice M. Mckay, Mrs. Roy L. Smith, Helen Smith, Beatrice Abbott, Mrs. A. M. Harrison, Earl McDonald, Thelma Dole, Ida Murphy. Second row-Rollin H. Foster, Chief Observer; Viola Mckean; Grace Dare; Mrs. B. H. Har- rison; Mary Hopkins; Dorothy Linden; Ethel Hewson; Barbara Tucker, Civilian Defense Di- rector; Roy L. Smith.
Top row-Albion Smith, John J. Mitchell, Walter Dunham.
Mr. Walter E. Lawrence
Town Manager
Town Hall
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Mr. Manager:
I hereby submit the first annual report of the activities and organization of the Department of Civilian Defense for the town of Saugus.
A brief resume of why Civilian Defense is required:
During the year 1950 the President declared an emergency, which was followed by a similar declaration by the Governor of the Commonwealth.
By Chapter 639 of the Acts of 1949 the emergency was declared to exist for a period of only one year. The law was renewed three times for further periods of one year, until July of 1953, at which time the emergency was declared permanent or until an act of the General Court shall order it rescinded.
At present the anticipated length of the Civilian Defense Act is approximately three to five years.
By law every person employed or elected to a political office or employed by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth is automatically, by virtue of his or her employment, a member of the Civilian Defense forces of the political subdivision with which they are identified and is duty bound to fulfill their obli- gation in case of an emergency.
Voluntary participation of the citizens is requested to aid the town of Saugus during an emergency or disaster of any kind, whether it be natural or man-made.
Effort of your present Civilan Defense director has been rewarded by the voluntary participation of approximately five per cent of the population.
George A. McCarrier is assistant Civilian Defense director. In the various departments of the organization we have the following:
AUXILIARY POLICE:
Captain
Clarence Howard
Lieutenants Gilbert Randall Robert Lumsden
Colin Reese
Arthur Benway
AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Gordon M. Jameson
Deputy Chief George Fyfe
Captains
John Ahman William O'Brien
Leonard Pingree
Lieutenant Dana P. Smith
MEDICAL: Dr. Edward B. Faulkner
PUBLIC UTILITIES: J. Tilmon LeBlanc
PUBLIC WORKS:
WELFARE: William Trostel
Rescue:
Charles C. DeFronzo
WARDENS:
Raymond P. Clark
COMMUNICATIONS: Radio: Andrew J. Donovan
TRANSPORTATION AND EVACUATION:
William S. Rockhill
GROUND OBSERVER CORPS:
Saugus Post 210, American Legion Colonel Rollin B. Foster
AUXILIARY POLICE: A total complement of 12 officers and 60 men comprise this unit. It will be built to 75 men. Of these men, 55 are uniformed.
Training in police procedure and law is conducted by Captain Fred Forni of our regular Police Department, who was appointed to this activity by Chief Roland E. Mansfield with the approval of the Civilian Defense director.
64
Sergeants
Stanley Edgecomb Maurice Cherkofsky
Winston Stover
Police training consists of a two-hour meeting weekly and covers instruction in the police Blue Book, crime detection and procedure, and criminal law.
Red Cross classes of 22 hours' duration have been held and a total of 42 members have been instructed. First Aiders have received their certificates. The additional members will later receive their instructions.
This will be followed by an advanced First Aid course which 50 per cent of the members will attend.
Training in small arms has been very steadily followed and all members know how to handle and use them. Two revolver teams have been organized and they have entered the New England Police League and participate in Police League Compe- tition.
Assignments during the past consisted of the following:
1. Called out three times to aid in search of lost children.
2. Fourth of July celebrations.
3. Soap Box Derby and Fishing Derby.
4. Hallowe'en night duty.
5. Memorial Day celebration duty in co-operation with the regular Police Department.
6. Traffic duty at all above assignments.
The organization was called for disaster duty during the Worcester tornado in June.
Over 1200 man hours were performed in the disaster area, which aided the Worcester Police Department in patrolling and protecting the devastated area.
High commendation has been received from the Worcester Police Department headquarters for the capable and efficient way in which our Civilian Defense Police Auxiliary conducted themselves and demonstrated their ability to perform the re- quired duty.
Great credit must be given to Captain Forni for his pain- staking instructions to the auxiliary.
All of the uniformed men are sworn as Special Police Offi- cers in Saugus to enable them to perform their duties.
POLICE AUXILIARY, all left to right: First row-Sergeant Stanley Edgecomb, Sergeant Warren Denley, Lieutenant Robert Lumsden, Lieutenant Gilbert Randall, Captain Clarence Howard, Lieutenant Colin Rees, Sergeant George Ross, Sergeant Harry Nelson, Sergeant Arthur Benway. Second row-Patrolmen Leroy Banks, Marshall Campbell, Robert Melling, Francis Kennedy, Willard Hall, William Hussey, Sergeant Maurice Cherkofsky, Freeman
Gallant, Henry Schneider. Third row-Warren Lowell, Luther Cluff, Joseph Robinson, Frank Evans Jr., Kenneth Green, Albert Libby, Cosmos Spinosa. Fourth row-James McGill, Robert Mills, George Carbone, Norman Clark, Henry Smith, James Smith, Sergeant John Lumsden, Baylus Cundy.
65
FIRE AUXILIARY: Under the expert instruction of Captain Joseph Maguire of the regular Fire Department, all the members of the Auxiliary Department have received valuable instruction and aid in the proper manner in which to use our equipment. This included the difficult technique of handling all types of firefighting. Results of his instructions have been shown at the different forest fires to which the unit has re- sponded, and the Howard Johnson Restaurant fire this past summer.
The Fire Auxiliary unit includes a total of 30 men, headed by Chief Gordon Jameson and his aide, Deputy Chief George Fyfe, captains, lieutenants and 24 men.
The entire Auxiliary Fire Department have received First Aid Training and have been awarded certificates from their Red Cross instructors.
The old Seagraves' 750-gallon per hour pump that was
formerly used by the regular department some years ago was turned over to the Fire Auxiliary force and has been revamped, repaired, and is now in use by the auxiliary as an emergency unit. Its worth has been proven many times during the past two years at numerous woods fires.
It has been manned and used a total of 1190 hours during the past year at forest fires on the westerly side of Broadway, in Golden Hills and at the Lily Pond area.
The old Fire Alarm Department Chevrolet truck, which is 17 years old, after being idle for approximately six years, was revamped, repaired, and cleaned up and is available and has been used at all fires the auxiliary force has assisted at. An emergency lighting unit is now in good repair and operating when required. The 500-gallon trailer pump which was used during World War II, is part of the auxiliary equipment and has been repaired and is now in excellent condition.
2
SAFD
المعانى
FIRE AUXILIARY, First row-Chief Gordon Jameson, Lieutenant Dana P. Smith, Private William Lancaster, Deputy Chief George Fyfe, Captain William O'Brien, Private Charles Cassey. Second row-Privates Clyde Allen, Eugene Kneprath, Carl Love, Adrien LeBlanc,
Gerald Woodmansee, Captain Joseph Maguire, Instructor of the Saugus Fire Department Walter Decareau, William Hunt, Captain Winston Stover. Third row-Privates Ernest Comeau, Ernest Stephens.
66
All the repair work to this equipment has been done by members of the Fire Auxiliary Department at a very minor cost.
The Seagraves and trailer pumps gave a very good account of themselves at the Howard Johnson Restaurant fire at Felton Circle.
During the Worcester tornado, the Chevrolet truck and lighting unit aided the city of Worcester by lighting the stricken area, to aid in demolition work and to prevent looting.
The Seagraves has traveled 156 miles. The Chevrolet truck has traveled 1199 miles, and the lighting unit 1005 miles during the years 1952 and 1953, while the members of the Fire Aux- iliary have been on active fire duty a total of 758 man-hours in Saugus, while a total of 372 man-hours were served in the Worcester tornado disaster area.
EMERGENCY RADIO COMMUNICATION: This service is headed by a local radio amateur, Andrew Donovan, who has a wealth of experience in radio communication. The unit con- sists of 22 local amateurs who stand ready to act as emergency communication or disaster links in case of need. They may be heard every Tuesday at 7 P. M. training and practising for use in an emergency.
Equipment is being added to our local police and fire de- partments to aid communications in these departments. It is planned to completely equip every vehicle in these departments this coming year and some of the Public Works Department's most important equipment. This will be done under a Federal matching fund system.
A public warning system is being installed consisting of seven sirens with proper control equipment. During an emer- gency it will be used for warning and later it can be utilized as public fire alarm warning system.
MEDICAL AND FIRST AID: Two emergency first aid centers have been set up and are ready for disaster work when required. These stations are partially equipped with stretchers with 54 in each and emergency First Aid equipment by the Federal government and are under the direction of Dr. Faulkner.
Complete registration of all doctors, nurses, and nurses aides is under way as one of the requirements for a complete unit.
EMERGENCY FEEDING AND WELFARE: This comes under the direction of William Trostel and consists of cataloging emergency hospital facilities, emergency housing, feeding, and welfare.
EVACUATION UNIT: William S. Rockhill, the director, has cataloged all vehicles that could be used in case of emer- gency, such as busses, and station wagons, and in fact, any vehicle that could be of value for proper transportation of persons in Saugus who might require help.
PUBLIC WORKS AND ENGINEERING: Charles C. DeFronzo, who is the director, has listed all the engineering skills that could be put to use if required. This group covers maintenance of water and sanitary lines, and demolition and rescue work as they might be necessary.
GROUND OBSERVER CORPS: The Federal government requires Saugus to maintain a ground observer tower in Saugus and to have it manned for 24 hours daily.
This is one of the Civilian Defense projects that Saugus Post 210, American Legion, has undertaken. Colonel Rollin Foster has been assigned by the local post to handle all details.
A tower has been erected on the roof of the Town Farm building which is also our Civilian Defense headquarters from which all planes sighted are reported to the Air Force, filter center, where the information is classified, and if necessary interceptor planes are sent up to investigate.
This is also the very first step in alerting the entire Civilian Defense organization.
If planes cannot be identified, a "Red Alert" is sent to every region, who, in turn, alert every State in this area and it is then transmitted to every city and town in the Commonwealth.
It then becomes the duty of all Civilian Defense directors to notify the citizens in his own city or town. This is a very vital requirement and more volunteers are needed.
PUBLIC UTILITIES: Under the guidance of J. Tilmon LeBlanc of the Lynn Gas and Electric Company, instructions have been issued as to the procedure to follow in homes. This information has been distributed by the utility company in monthly bills sent to all customers.
Every citizen should know how to take care of his own premises should any occasion arise of an emergency nature.
Plans are underway to eliminate hazards as they develop and good progress has been made.
CIVILIAN DEFENSE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM: Leon C. Young, High School submaster, has been appointed by Jesse J. Morgan, superintendent of schools, to direct the Civilian De- fense program in all schools in Saugus.
Organized drills are held once monthly and all teachers and children take all precautions for protection.
Visual educational films have been made available for dis- play in schools to aid in instructing pupils.
Parents of all pupils have been informed of the action taken by means of letters the pupils have taken home. This helps to protect them in case an emergency should occur.
This program has been very well performed and the co- operation between schools has been excellent.
Upon the construction of our new High School, the present Civilian Defense Headquarters at the Town Farm Building will
67
be demolished and a new location will have to be provided to house our Fire Auxiliary equipment and for headquarters for the Civilian Defense operations.
A new observation tower is contemplated on the hill near the proposed new American Legion property which is expected to be built and put in operation the latter part of 1954.
The Saugus Civilian Defense program has been very well received in all quarters of the State for its ability to respond to a disaster call for aid and supply needed manpower.
An official notice has been received from the State House commending our Civilian Defense organization for its very valu- able aid in combatting forest fires and for assistance at the Worcester tornado.
To maintain its service and expand by official government estimates, the Civilian Defense organization requires a minimum of 2500 people from the town of Saugus to properly educate and instruct the population of Saugus to safeguard themselves from all emergencies that may arise.
The co-operation and volunteer support of all citizens is earnestly solicited.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for their co-oper- ation to Police Chief Roland E. Mansfield, Fire Chief George B. Drew, Thomas H. Wagner, Jr., Superintendent of Buildings; Charles C. DeFronzo, Mark E. Randall, town electrician; Karl Nichols, Fire Alarm Superintendent; and all others I may have forgotten to mention for the splendid assistance that has been given this past year.
To you, Mr. Manager, for your understanding of a very serious problem in organizing a Civilian Defense Department and its attending problems, my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted, ROY L. SMITH, Director, Saugus Department of Civilian Defense.
SPECIAL SIGNALS Recall Signals
2
1st Box
Police Call
2-2
2nd Box
1-1 2 rounds sent out
2-2-2
3rd Box
Boy Scout Call
2-2-2-2 4th Box
3-3-3 2 rounds sent out
*343
Springdale Av. at Sylvan
*344
Pratt St. at No. 50
*345 Johnson Road at Carleton
732
Parker at No. 18
361 Laconia at Harwich
362 Riverside Park at Victoria
741
Summer at Appleton
4-4 Revere
8-8 Wakefield
To report a Fire, call Saugus 0108.
For permits, the Chief, etc. call
Multiple Alarms
1 blow before box, 2nd Alarm
3 blows before box, 3rd Alarm
4 blows before box, 4th Alarm
SAUGUS FIRE ALARM BOXES
Box
Location
12 Vine at Essex
381 Lawndale at Eaton
*125 Essex at Pleasant Av. (Armitage School)
*384
Gates Road
41 Walnut at Broadway
13 Essex at R.R. Crossing
*412
Bow St.
¥131 School at Second
*414 Walden Pond Av.
132
Norman Road
42
Walnut at Water
133
Essex at Felton
422 Water St. at No. 109 (Merrill's)
* 14
Broadway at Felton
*424
Water at Homeland Road
142
Broadway at Treher
*425 Water at North Saugus School
143
Robin Road at Oriole
*426 Walnut at Lynnfield line
15 Broadway at Essex
43 Cleveland at Washington Av.
*151 Essex at Stevens Pl. (Melrose line)
431 Walnut at Fairmont Av.
16 Vine at Adams Av.
*432 Fairmont Av. at Washington Av.
21
Lincoln Av. at Cliftondale Sq.
*434
Garfield at Garfield Ter.
212
Summit Av. at Ocean View
*435
Cleveland at Lynnhurst School
213
Wamesit at Aberdeen
*436
Edson at Newcomb
214
Western Av. at No. 26
45
Central at Elm
*215
Essex at Cliftondale School
451
Lily Pond Av. at Lake Circle
23
Lincoln Av. at Laurel
* 454
Holland at McCollough
*231
Lincoln Av. at Fairview Av.
*455
DeSota at Evergreen
233
Linwood at Avon
*461
Great Woods Road at Hobson
*235
Park St. at No. 50
462
Central at Birchwood
* 24
Lincoln Av. at Central
241
Lincoln Av. at Baker
243 Jackson St. at No. 39
*245
Lincoln Av. at Sweetser School
51
Sweetwater at Scollay Sq.
*255
Central at Felton School
512
Shore Road at King
25€
Stone at Birch
26
Lincoln Av. at Morton Av.
*531
Main at Concrete Materials Co.
*262
Saugus Av. at Aberdeen
* 54
Oaklandvale and Puritan Road
27
Essex at Eustis
*545
Main at Oaklandvale School
271 Whitney at Myrtle
* 28
Central at Adams Av.
281
Adams Av. at Cliftondale Av.
282
Central at Knowles Av.
* 61
Woodbury at Hesper
312
Ballard at Houston
*612
Bridge at Lathrop
313
Dudley at Henry
62
Atherton near Hesper
314
Ballard near Salem Turnpike
621
Hamilton at Wilkin's Magazine
*315
Richards at Dudley (Ballard School)
623
Wonderland Av.
32
Lincoln Av. at Franklin Sq.
63
Hesper at Alder
321 Wendall at Newhall
632
Hesper near Burrill
71
Central at Centennial
323 Lincoln Av. at Vincent
325 Chestnut at Wendall (Mansfield
School)
715 Central at High School
34 Winter at Willis
*341 Springdale Av. at Allard
342 Bailey Av. at Wakefield Av.
725
Auburn at No. 26
1-1 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Daily Test
2-2 2 rounds sent out
1-1-1-1 Before box, 1-1 After, Box Test
6:45 A.M., High School
36 Winter at Kenwood
*735 Main at Roby School
OUT OF TOWN CALL 2 rounds sent out
3-3 Lynn 7-7 Melrose
from fire station only.
37 Lincoln Av. at Bristow
742
Summer at Pleasant
6-6 Malden 9-9 Others
371 Bristow at Wickford
*372 Glen Park Av. at No. 30
*375
Lincoln Av. at Atlantic (Emerson School)
* 76 Woodbury at Roundhill
762 Pearson at Roundhill
* 38 Lincoln Av. at Lawndale
*727
Jasper at No. 14
73 Main at Central, Monument Sq.
8:00 A.M., Grades, A.M.
12:45 P.M., Grades, P.M.
74 Central at Bridge
* Transmitter or phantom box, sent
364 Westland Av. at Westford
75 Main at Vine
751 Highland Av.
Saugus 1515.
754 Main at No. 43
31
Lincoln Av. at Ballard
*463
Walnut at Birchwood
47 Broadway opp. Spring
*472 Broadway at Walden Av.
* 48 Broadway at Fellsway
*481 Forest St. at M.D.C. Reservation
25 Central at Castle
253 Granite Road at Danforth
*541 Main at Bennett Farm
56 Main at Broadway
*561 Broadway at Town Farm
*562 Main at Longwood
712 Denver at R.R. Crossing
714 Central at Denver
72 Central at Jasper
721 Jasper at Pearson
Test Signals
No School Signals
53 Main at Howard
234 Lauurel at Mt. Vernon
* 46
Central at Walnut
68
SAUGUS
Public Buildings Repair Program Nearly Complete
Building Superintendent Reports Nearly All Schools Benefitted
School Committee In Plea To Halt High School Figh
Asks Warring Factions To Ac Verdict of Court and Build N
SAUGUS
Exciting Fourth of July Appointed Town Engineer Includes Soap Box Derby Planning Board Expert
Manager Names Brighton Man To Post; Will Take Office Oct. 21
SAUGUS
State Construction Grantour More chion School Tax Bill.s.
New Saugus High School
CIPlant of Modern Design Construction of $2,200,000 Building On Turnpike To Be Started This Fall" A completely flexible and utilitarian High School plant,
including the latest in modern educational facilities with hr. contemporary beauty, will be erected on a 23-acre plot off ? r the Newburyport Turnpike in Saugus, with construction ex-
and com- buildings with
COu
T lowil mcet "It high s hy Se thc bị childre ing 10 De initi. lay cons The d
Children Urged To Be Ce- Diding Bicycles In E-
this is Collection To Be Finance Committee P. Hearings OFish And Rubbish 1100 Town - Wide the
H
Manager Invites Others To Atten
Town Manager Walter E. Law-1 rence appears set to sign a con- tract tonight with Vara Construc- tion Company of Boston for con- struction of the new Saugus High School.
The signing will take place at
Selectmen To Seek Funds To Celebrate Anniversary
-
Settlement of Town 325 Years Ago Will Be Observed Next Year
.
Manager Hopes To Halt Big Hike In Tav Ratec
Proposes To l Articles Fron
Saugus faces the prospect. tax rate increase ranging $2.50 to $5.50 in 1954 Town ager Walter E. Laurence ha ported to the Board of Sclec in submitting his budget for ycar yesterday as required by However, the Manager stresscu.
gus Asks Railroad To Fix Crossing
vus
Pates for boll
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.