USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1954 > Part 10
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The fees so collected may be credited toward the upkeep and replacement of an ambulance when needed, which is an ex- cellent plan, but more important, in my mind, is the fact that since the plan has been in effect we have practically elimin- ated needless and unnecessary ambulance runs. This has resulted in allowing police officers to attend to their patrol duty rather than being employed on such cases. If the public realized that even now the man-hours used on these cases during a year amount to nearly two months full time work I be-
lieve the citizens would better appreciate the accomplishment.
Automobile Accidents.
The number of accidents involving motor vehicles during 1954 was 366, which is an increase of 54 over 1953. However, with the increase of motor vehicle registrations in the Commonwealth, coupled with addi- tional out-of-state cars traversing our town, I feel that a yearly increase of accidents is to be expected. We are constantly at work with the unltimate objective in view of making our town the safest community in Massachusetts in which to operate automo- biles
Again this past year we had one fatal accident. This occurred on the Newburyport Turnpike, November 1, 1954. There was no apparent reason why this accident should have happened as at 11.00 A.M. a pleasure car being operated at excessive speed ran into the rear of a parked State Highway Department truck with visibility for at least half a mile. It is disconcerting to the police department to have its record lowered by accidents occurring on state roads where speed and other traffic movements are dic- tated by state authorities and which we can not change.
Attached is a detailed traffic accident re- port showing the type of accident, location, age of operator and time of occurrence.
In an effort to cut down on accidents I have had a survey made of the accidents which took place at each of the several cut- throughs on Broadway together with the number of persons injured or killed and number of cars involved. This will I hope, aid me in having at least the more danger- ous cut-throughs eliminated. The figures on this survey are also attached to this report.
Inspector's Department
Sergeant Ernest A. Dunham, Inspector, has continued to perform with his usual ex- cellence. He has been extremely busy in 1954 and should have assistance in order to carry on with the efficiency expected. His report for the year is being incorporated in this and has been attached.
Safety Officer
Patrolman Walter J. Elsmore, Safety Officer, who has just completed his first full year in that capacity, has worked out an excellent system and his accomplish- ments have been extremely gratifying.
In his report which follows will be shown
76
what he has done to promote safety. He has given many evenings of his time in order to appear before groups for the purpose
of talking safety to them and to present moving pictures in line with the subject of safety.
At your request I am submitting the expenditures of the Police Department for the past four years:
1951
Chief
4,108.00
1952 4,316.00
4,600.00
5,000.00
Captain
3,708.00
1,280.10
4,000.00
4,250.00
Sergeants
13,964.00
14,400.00
15,200.00
Patrolmen
51,269.70
41,352.00
49,525.00
51,600.00
Reserves
2,959.90
3,800.00
1,850.00
School traffic
400.00
400.00
400.00
Matron
125.00
125.00
250.00
250.00
Total
59,210.70
71,062.10
76,575.00
77,900.00
Print. and Adv.
160.25
128.25
160.25
59.38
Postage
40.00
30.00
30.00
30.00
Office Supplies
100.00
89.33
108.55
82.15
Tel. and tel.
1200.00
1,462.00
1,806.00
1,722.83
Meals for prisoners
20.00
20.00
25.00
20.60
Laundry
12.00
6.24
7.98
1.71
Assc. expense
81.00
105.00
110.00
154.00
Equip. repairs
530.00
581.81
354.00
956.70
Gasoline and oil
1,112.86
1,257.72
1,750.00
1,645.75
Tires and tubes
250.00
365.14
195.00
200.00
Uniforms
1,115.00
722.79
889.51
860.50
New cars
657.37
556.74
630.00
3,425.39
New radio
2,207.50
Radio maint.
380.42
325.00
350.00
City directory
25.00
28.00
28.00
Equip. for men
246.32
77.01
257.20
Ammunition
48.00
Out of state travel
125.00
Photo supplies
482:08
Total
4,354.87
6,028.03
6,495.30
10,188.71
Summary
I feel well satisfied with the work done by the Police Department. It is greatly undermanned and this matter should be adjusted by the addition of a few more officers each year until the proper number is reached. It is only by doing this that it will be possible to give the citizens of Saugus that degree of protection and service we want to give and to which they are entitled.
May I call your attention to the need of an increase in the department expense budget. For several years it has been cut so low that it has been necessary to operate without much that should be at our disposal. I let supplies run out, due to the lack of money and then purchase them the first
of the next year thereby running short again. This is not a healthy system. With a slight increase of perhaps $1,000.00, I be- lieve that I could give the members of this department the supplies needed to operate efficiently.
The budget for photographic supplies should be increased. The Police Department is now doing photography for several town departments and my budget will not allow this to continue. Either my budget should be increased or the departments using this service should contribute. I favor the first method as it would be more practical and easier for all concerned.
A new enlarger for the inspector should be obtained, which would then cause that
77
1953
1954
department to be equipped with modern appliances, as last year a new camera and other photographic supplies were purchased. There is no doubt that the service we are now extending to other departments will save the town many hundreds of dollars.
We are continuing our program of high- way painting, adding a little each year. This has greatly aided us in the perform- ance of our duties. Additional signs are added each year, but again the money is lacking to install as many as should be.
May I suggest that serious thought be given to the installation of parking meters. They would lessen the work entailed in policing overtime parking and there would be an income which undoubtedly could be used to advantage. The fact that they are so universally used should convince all fair- minded persons of their worth.
Again I wish to call to your attention the serious lack of police call boxes. This matter should be rectified. Communication, as speedy as possible, between the station and the men on the streets is very essential and more call boxes would be of great value.
The members of your Police Department have conducted a campaign against crime
and the results speak for themselves. Not only has crime in Saugus shown a decrease, but the number of persons involved in crimi- nal activities not apprehended during the commission of the crime and later arrested has shown a steady increase. This fact, when known to the criminal element has a bene- ficial effect for us as the criminals will visit those communities where the chances of detection are less. I wish to express my thanks to every member of the Police De- partment for their willingness to cooperate in an attempt to keep Saugus as free from crime and danger as is possible.
In conclusion, Mr. Manager, I thank you for your help and cooperation throughout the past year and sincerely hope that our congenial relationship may continue.
My thanks to Mr. Charles DeFronzo, Su- perintendent of Public Works, Mr. Stanley Goldberg, Town Engineer; Mr. Thomas Wagner, Superintendent of Buildings; Chief George B. Drew of the Fire Department; Mr. Carl Chapman, Town Accountant and all other town officials and citizens who by their friendliness and help have made my path easier and brighter during 1954.
Respectfully,
ROLAND E. MANSFIELD, Chief of Police.
January 17, 1955.
To: Chief Roland E. Mansfield:
From: Sergeant Charles N. Wormstead 3rd.
Subject: Motor Vehicle accidents reported to this department.
Year 1954
Total number of accidents reported 366
Personal injury accidents reported
229
Property damage accidents reported 131
Pedestrian accidents reported
19
Bicycle accidents reported 9
Number of operators and passengers injured 368
Total number of operators involved in accidents 646
Number of resident operators involved in accidents 154
Number of non-resident operators involved in accidents 492
Total number of A.M. accidents
104
Total number of P.M. accidents
262
1 Fatal accident on Broadway. November 1st 1954. 11:05 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles N. Wormstead 3rd. Sergeant Saugus Police Dept.
78
January 17, 1955
Street Location, and Number of
Motor Vehicle Accidents - 1954
Appleton 1
Ballard
5
Basswood Ave
1
Bennett Hgy 7
Bristow St
3
January 17, 1955
Time accidents occurred in 1954.
Midnight to 12:59 A.M. 22
1:00 A.M. to 1:59 A.M. 13
Clifton St
1
2:00 A.H. to 2:59 A.M. 10
Clinton Ave
1
3:00 A.M. to 3:59 A.M.
5
Denver St
2
4:00 A.M. to 4:59 A.M. 1
Dudley St 3
5:00 A.M. to 5:59 A.M. 0
4
Felton St
2
7:00 A.M. to 7:59 A.M. 12
Forest St
1
8:00 A.M. to 8:59 A.M. 11
Glen Park Ave
1
9:00 A.M. to 9:59 A.M. 5
Harlow St
1
10:00 A.M. to 10:59 A.M.
10
Hesper St
2
11:00 A.M. to 11:59 A.M.
11
Kenwood Ave
1
Noon to 12:59 P.M.
13
Knowles Ave
1
1:00 P.M. to
1:59 P.M.
18
Lewis Lane
1
2:00 P.M. to 2:59 P.M.
17
Lincoln
30
Main St
15
4:00 P.M. to 4:59 P.M.
23
Myrtle St
1
5:00 P.M. to 5:59 P.M. 31
Robinson St
1
6:00 P.M. to 6:59 P.M.
24
Salem Turnpike
39
7:00 P.M. to 7:59 P.M.
27
School St
2
8:00 P.M. to 8:59 P.M.
25
Sweetwater .
1
9:00 P.M. to 9:59 P.M.
16
Taylor St
1
10:00 P.M. to 10:59 P.M.
16
Vincent St
1
11:00 P.M. to 11:59 P.M.
23
Walnut St 18
12:00 Midnight.
1
Western Pl
1
Westerland Ave
1
Winter St
6
Woodbury Ave
4
Total number of accidents reported :
366
Respectfully submitted: Charles N. Wormstead 3rd.
Sergeant Saugus Police Dept.
January 17, 1955
Ages of operators involved in accident during 1954.
Ages:
Group # 1. 16-19 84
Group # 2. 20-24 51
Group # 3. 25-34 167
Group # 4. 35-44 99
Group # 5. 45-54 144
Group # 6. 55-64 67
Group # 7. 65-74 12
Group # 8. 75 years and above 2
Group # 9. Ages not stated 40 Total number of operators. 646
Respectfully submitted, Charles N. Wormstead 3rd Sergeant Saugus Police Dept.
Broadway
175
Central 20
Cleveland Ave I
Essex St 11
3:00 P.M. to 3:59 P.M. 28
Water St
4
Not stated
Total number of accidents 366
Respectfully submitted, Charles N. Wormstead 3rd
Sergeant Saugus Police Dept.
Chief Roland E. Mansfield
Police Department
Taylor Street
Saugus, Massachusetts
Dear Chief Mansfield:
The following is a report of the Safety Division of the Saugus Police Department for the year 1954:
There are ten safety patrols in operation in our schools, each patrol has a captain who has the responsibility of his patrol. There is a total membership of 143 boys and girls who all have received instructions as to what their duties and responsibilities are. I am very proud to report that this group is doing an outstanding job, not only for
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6:00 A.M. to 6:59 A.M.
their school mates but for the taxpayers of the town.
This group is equipped with white belts and badges which were sponsored by the Rotary Club last year.
I had a drive to raise money to buy rain coats for the patrol members, this was very successful. I have 87 rain coats and hats at a total cost of $438.39. Contributions were made by the P.T.A. groups, private citizens, business men, Rotary Club and the East Saugus Improvement Association do- nated $100.00. For this I am very, grateful.
I have also purchased and given to all members of the patrol emblems with letter- ing of Saugus Safety Patrol that they wear on their coats.
The Saugus Rotary Club has sponsored 20 School Safety Sentinels at a cost of $357.00, these are to be placed in front of schools so that the motorist will notice school locations.
I have a safety program in all the schools at each grade level that includes safety lectures and moving pictures.
I have shown films and talked on safety to civic groups and boy scouts this year.
I also showed an educational film "Birth of a Child". This film is used by the Boston Police Department and the State Police to help police officers so they will know what to do if they were called upon in an emerg- ency child birth. I have shown this film at our station and there were representatives from Wakefield, Revere, Swampscott, Lynn, Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, Lynnfield, and Marblehead police and fire departments. This film was also shown at the Wakefield and Swampscott police departments.
I have attended the Massachusetts Safety Officers League meetings and the Governors Safety Conference at the State House. From these meetings I have learned a great deal that has helped me in my safety work. On June 2nd the Massachusetts Safety Officers League had their ladies day at Saugus and after the meeting our guests visited the First Iron Works Association.
We started bicycle registrations on June 1 and to date there are 1800 bicycles regis- tered. Owners of all bicycles received upon registering a safe riding rules card and a copy of the bicycle laws.
We have a complete listing of all bicycles that are registered with their serial number and description, from this file we can locate
owners of lost and stolen bicycles. This has been very helpful so far.
On November 13 all members of the Safety Patrol were guests of the School Department at the football game. They as- sembled at the High School and marched to the stadium in back of the school band.
On September 18 the Saugus Safety Patrol marched in the Anniversary Parade with the Massachusetts Safety Officers League float. This float received second prize in the civic division.
A wide variety of safety literature has been distributed this year, they include:
1500 booklets with ten safety songs and ten safety drawing lessons.
3000 safety pamphlets that warn children and parents in words and illustrations on the dangers of accepting rides with strangers.
2000 Christmas safety song (Jimmy the Foolish School Boy).
3000 Safety rules - Winter Hazards.
3000 Safety rules "to and from school".
200 Safety Posters.
1000 Literature on highway line markings.
3000 pamphlets "Safe use of Firearms."
500 tags "You are encouraging delin- quency" when you leave your keys in your car.
3000 New Law on Hand Signals.
1800 Bicycle Safety Rules.
1800 Bicycle Laws.
500 Teen Age Drivers.
500 Safe At Intersections.
1000 Safe Drivers.
200 Drivers hand books.
600 He Had The Right of Way.
250 Pass Friend.
300 Avoid Accidents when Backing.
500 You Can Take Them With You.
500 Kids Forget.
250 Who Pays for Auto Accidents ?
500 Drive By Stopping Distances.
600 Courtesy.
400 Avoiding Accidents.
This gives us a total of 32,250 pieces of safety literature that have been distributed over a wide area of Saugus indicating that every child in the schools and the town and most of the grownups are now aware of the activity on the part of the Police De- partment Safety Program.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter Elsmore Safety Officer.
80
January 1, 1955
Roland E. Mansfield Chief of Police Police Department Saugus, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The new year having rolled around it be- comes my duty to forward to you a report of my doings during the past year.
It has been a busy one and I want to thank you and Captain Forni and the other members of our department for their co- operation in keeping violations under con- trol as well as we have.
Officer Taatjes was assigned to my depart- ment for some time and I wish to say that he did a splendid job on investigating as well as on photography and identification and in setting up a new filing system as well.
During the year, as you know, many dif- ferent tasks confronted us such as investi- gating persons for security positions, for Army, Navy and Marines, persons ap- plying for right be restored to operate motor vehicles, breaks, larcenies, bad checks, moral cases and crime in general, many of which were cleared up so fast that we failed to make a record of them.
However, we do have a record of investi- gating 304 cases, about double of last years and a list of them follow:
88 breaks, 37 of which were cleared up.
2 assault and battery cases, both cleared up.
4 hit and run accidents of which 2 were cleared up.
93 larceny cases, 33 cleaned up.
12 major motor vehicle violations, all cleaned up.
8 morals cases, with 5 cleaned up, (Accost- ing etc.).
2 rape cases, both cleaned up.
1 incest case, still in the courts.
1 armed robbery.
22 cases of vandalism and 36 cases of broken
windows, largest costing $65.00 with 25 cases cleaned up.
These total 304 cases.
This past year I lost only one day on ac- count of sickness but made up for it by an- swering 69 off duty calls, some of which occupied most of the night.
We still have a shortage of one car as I have had to use my personal auto many, many times and do suggest a car especially for this department.
In closing, I again wish to thank all the members of our Dept., School officials and others for their help so greatly contributed to our department in the hope that we may minimize crime.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernest Dunham Sergeant
As tourists look on, guides at the blast furnace of the Saugus Ironworks Restoration, Saugus, Massa- chusetts, demonstrate how cast iron "sow" bars were removed from the sand molds.
81
FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
I hereby submit the annual report on the personnel, condition and activities of the Fire Department for the year ending De- cember 31, 1954.
ROSTER
Chief
George B. Drew Captain Joseph L. Maguire Lieutenants
Albert Jervis
Norman T. Hull
Permanent Firefighters
Harold Atkinson
John LaViska
Warren Newhall
Leslie Hitchings
George Parrott
Walter Wetmore
Leo Cahill
George Berrett
Guy Collins
Joseph Champoux
Frank Beckford
George Howard
Robert Jacobs
Thomas Nolan
Robert Champoux
Melvin Lawton
Charles Ryder
William Paganucci
Call Firefighters
Lewis Gray
Randolph Popp
Arthur Gustafson Joseph Vatcher
The Department responded to 595 calls during the year. Of the total, nine were reported verbally, 45 through the alarm system, 512 by telephone, 27 by telephone followed by box alarm, and two were for out of town fires.
Of this total, 36 of these fires were build- ings; 241 were brush and grass; 29 were motor vehicles; 62 for oxygen and rescue; 67 needless and special details; 116 acci- dents and emergencies; 26 false alarms; and 16 chimney and oil burners.
The fire loss for 1954 was $18,032.60 on buildings, and $12,304.06 on contents, making a total for the year of $30,336.66.
During the year the department laid 57,150 feet of 34" hose, 5,400 feet of 11%" hose, 5,250 feet of 21%" hose and 4,550 feet of 11/8" hose, 97 feet of ladders were used, 12 CO2 extinguishers and 41 medium and 25 small tanks of oxygen.
The aerial ladder purchased in 1952 is still in very fine condition and is being used continually.
During the year, the remainder of appa- ratus was radio equipped, enabling the de- partment to work with more efficiency at all times. This equipment enables engine
to engine, engine to chief's car, engine or chief's car to Police Station or Fire Station, or vice or versa, as the case may require.
The department purchased 1000 feet of 21/2" hose, 500 feet of 34" hose and 700 feet of 11/8" hose, which enables the department to reload apparatus with dry hose after a fire, which means for longer life of the hose.
The department is still dangerously low. The roster includes 22 men, a chief, a cap- tain, two lieutenants, and 18 firefighters. One additional firefighter was appointed August 1, which made an equal number of men in each group.
This by no means remedied the shortage of manpower. I have been recommending for the past several years that a program be instituted whereby two or more men would be appointed until the strength of the day and night shifts would be eight men at the minimum.
I have hoped annually that the town will stop gambling with luck, hoping that the department will keep on doing the impossi- ble, and act on the manpower situation and replacement of worn out emergency equip- ment. We have seen in several of our sur- rounding communities where they locked the barn after the horse was stolen, that is to say after several lives were lost in fires. Such communities have added several new men to the department and erected ad- ditional stations.
We face the same situation, when one stops to think that 247 calls of our de- partment were for oxygen, rescue, needless, special details, accidents, and emergencies, and that each one of these cails takes two or more men from the six men on duty, thus leaving four men or less to protect the lives and property of the taxpayers 247 different times of the day or night during the year. This is not taking under consideration the time when men are on vacation or not on duty due to illness.
This means that three men or less may respond to an alarm of fire with three pieces of apparatus, and that four men or less are expected to perform rescue oper- ations, by the use of ladders, lay lines of hose from the hydrant, open hydrants, run up and down to man lines to hose into the
82
fire, and then extinguish the fire. It must be remembered that a firefighter is no superman, but just another human being.
The untiring and never say die per- formances of the men of my department at such times have averted such occurrence as previously mentioned, and action should be taken at once to increase the personnel.
I recommend at this time that an ad- ditional lieutenant be added to the de- partment, as it is my belief that an officer should be in charge of operations at all times.
Engine No. 3, the Mack 1000-gallon pumper, is 12 years old, still in good con- dition, and should give many more years of service.
Engine No. 2, the Mack 600-gallon pumper, is 25 years old. It needs a complete motor and general overhaul job to make it capable of working as a spare or woods fire piece of apparatus.
Engine No. 4, the Mack combination hose and booster truck, is the first piece of appa- ratus which answers all telephone and box alarms and is in deplorable condition me- chanically and not dependable by any means of completing its duties. The chassis is nine years old and subjected to very hard usage in performance of its duties. The body is 18 years old, rusted completely out in places and taped over for appearance. It is continually out of service for repairs and should absolutely be replaced, so that the duties of the department may be carried on in an efficient manner.
The chief's car is in fair condition and good for service for some time.
The metal boat used for rescue oper- ations and bridge fires is still in good con- dition.
The lighting unit has been used on various occasions with very good results, and also during hurricanes of the past year as emer- gency power at the Saugus General Hospi- tal, when public service failed.
The department answers numerous calls for oxygen during the year by aiding patients with heart, asthma, asphyxiation and similar illnesses when called day or night. The resuscitator, which is used fre- quently, is eight years old, and should be replaced soon, as it was necessary to repair this delicate piece of machinery twice in the past year. This machine may mean the saving of a life.
The portable pump is still in good con- dition and should continue as an asset at woods fires, and in inaccessible places, and also for pumping out sinking boats.
The smoke ejector is an asset to the de- partment and in good condition.
I recommend that 1000 feet of 21/2" hose, 1000 feet of 11/2" hose and 500 feet of 11/8" hose be purchased to continue the hose replacement program instituted last year. This means for longer life for the hose, by being able to reload with dry hose. Reload- ing of wet hose leads to mildew and rot, also the possibility of broken lines of hose at the scene of a fire.
The department expended $8,280.62 for operating expenses, $81,218.55 for salaries. A total of $89,499.17, of this amount $2,600.00 is for hydrant rental, which, when deducted from $8,280.62 actually makes operating ex- penses of the Fire Department $5,680.62 for the year 1954.
Recommendations for the year 1955 by the Manager and the Board of Selectmen are Salaries $89,842.36, Expenses $8,551.00 for a total of $98,393.36.
Expenditures for the last four years are:
Year
Salaries
Expenses
1951
$70,680.58
$7,645.99
1952
74,505.20 39,647.01
1953
76,239.70 7,223.04
1954
81,218.55 8,280.62
I recommend the installation of several new fire alarm boxes and additional hy- drants at various locations throughout the town.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen, Superintendent of Public Works, Chief of Police, and all town officials, and citizens of Saugus, who by their co-operation have aided this department in maintaining a high degree of efficiency.
Finally, I want to express to the members of the Fire Department my sincerest ap- preciation of their energetic support given me under the adverse conditions to which they have been subjected, by the shortage of manpower and the unpredictable and un- reliable condition of Engines No. 2 and No. 4, which are called upon to make the greater number of runs.
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