USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1954 > Part 11
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Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. DREW, Chief of Fire Department.
83
FIRE ALARM LIST
To report a Fire, Call Saugus 0108 For permits, or to talk with the Chief, call Saugus 1515 * Designates transmitter or phantom box. Sent from Fire Station only.
12 Vine at Essex
323
Lincoln Ave. at Vincent
$125
Essex at Pleasant Ave.
325
Chestnut at Wendall
(Armitage School)
(Mansfield School
13
Essex at R.R. Crossing
34 Winter at Willis
$131 School at Second
342 Bailey Ave. at Wakefield Ave.
133
Essex at Felton
*343 Springdale Ave. at Sylvan
*14 Broadway at Felton
*344
Pratt at No. 50
142 Broadway at Treher
36 Winter at Kenwood
361 Laconia at Harwich
15 Broadway at Essex
*151 Essex at Stevens Pl. (Melrose line)
16 Vine at Adams Ave.
21
Lincoln Ave. at Cliftondale Sq.
*372 Glen Park Ave. at No. 30
212 Summit Ave. at Ocean View
213 Wamesit at Aberdeen
214 Western Ave. at No. 26
*38 Lincoln Ave. at Lawndale
*215 Essex at Cliftondale School
381 Lawndale at Eaton
*231 Lincoln Ave. at Fairview Ave.
233 Linwood at Avon
*412
Bow St.
234
Laurel at Mt. Vernon
*414 Walden Pond Ave.
*235 Park at No. 50
42 Walnut at Water
*24 Lincoln Ave. at Central
422 Water at No. 109 (Merrill's)
241 Lincoln Ave. at Baker
*424 Water at Homeland Rd.
243 Jackson at No. 39
*425 Water at North Saugus School
*245 Lincoln Ave. at Sweetser School
*426
Walnut at Lynnfield line
25 Central at Castle
43 Cleveland at Washington Ave.
253 Granite Rd. at Danforth
431 Walnut at Fairmont Ave.
*255
Central at Felton School
*432 Fairmont Ave. at Washington Ave.
256 Stone at Birch
*434 Garfield at Garfield Ter.
26
Lincoln Ave. at Morton Ave.
*435 Cleveland at Lynnhurst School
*262
Saugus Avenue at Aberdeen
*436 Edson at Newcomb
27 Essex at Eustis
45 Central at Elm
271 Whitney at Mytrle
451 Lily Pond Ave. at Lake Circle
*28 Central at Adams Ave.
*454 Holland at McCollough
281 Adams Ave. at Cliftondale Ave.
*455
DeSota at Evergreen
282 Central at Knowles Ave.
285 Vet. Mem. School at Hurd Ave.
31 Lincoln Ave. at Ballard
312 Ballard at Houston
313 Dudley at Henry
314 Ballard near Salem Turnpike
*315 Richards at Dudley (Ballard School)
32 Lincoln Ave. at Franklin Sq.
321 Wendall at Newhall
*46 Central at Walnut
*461 Great Woods Rd. at Hobson
462 Central at Birchwood
*463 Walnut at Birchwood
47 Broadway opp. Spring
*472 Broadway at Walden Ave.
*48 Broadway at Fellsway
*481 Forest at M. D. C. Reservation
132
Norman Rd.
*345 Johnson Rd. at Carleton
143 Robin Rd. at Oriole
362 Riverside Pk. at Victoria
364 Westland Ave., at Westford
37 Lincoln Ave., at Bristow
371 Bristow at Wickford
*375 Lincoln Ave. at Atlantic (Emerson School)
*384
Gates Rd.
41 Walnut at Broadway
23 Lincoln Ave. at Laurel
*341 Springdale Ave. at Allard
84
51 Sweetwater at Scollay Sq.
512 Shore Rd. at King
53 Main at Howard
*531 Main at Concrete Materials Co.
54 Oaklandvale and Puritan Rd.
*541 Main at Bennett Farm
545 Main at Oaklandvale School
56 Main at Broadway
*561 Broadway at Town Farm
*562 Main at Longwood Ave.
754 Main at No. 43 *76 Woodbury Ave. at Roundhill
762 Pearson at Roundhill
SPECIAL SIGNALS Recall Signals
2
1 st Box
2 - 2
2nd Box
2 - 2 - 2 3rd Box
2 - 2 - 2 - 2 4th Box
Test Signals
1-1
9 A.M., and 6 P.M., Daily Test
*61
Woodbury Ave. at Hesper
1-1 - 1 - 1
Before Box,
*612 Bridge at Lathrop
1 -1
After, Box Ttest
62 Atherton near Hesper
Out of Town Call
621 Hamilton at Wilkin's Magazine
3 - 3
Lynn (2 Rounds sent out)
623 Wonderland Ave.
4 -4
Revere (2 Rounds sent out)
63 Hesper at Alder
6 - 6 Malden (2 Rounds sent out)
632 Hesper near Burrill
71 Central at Centennial
8 - 8 Wakefield (2 Rounds sent out)
712 Denver at R.R. Crossing
9 - 9
Others (2 Rounds sent out)
714 Central at Denver
715 Central at High School
1 blow before box, 2nd Alarm
72 Central at Jasper
3 blows before box, 3rd Alarm
721 Jasper at Pearson
4 blows before box, 4th Alarm
725 Auburn at No. 26
Police Call
$727 Jasper at No. 14
1 - 1 (2 Rounds sent out)
73 Main at Central, Monument Sq.
Boy Scout Call
732 Parker at No. 18
3 - 3 - 3 (2 Rounds sent out) No School Signals
74 Central at Bridge
2 - 2 (2 Rounds sent out)
741 Summer at Appleton
6:45 A.M .- High School
742 Summer at Pleasant
8:00 A.M .- Grades A.M.
75 Main at Vine
751 Highland Ave.
12:45 P.M .- Grades P.M.
* Transmitter or phantom box, sent from fire station only.
85
Multiple Alarms
$735 Main at Roby School
7 - 7 Melrose (2 Rounds sent out)
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Dear Mr. Manager:
It is my pleasure to submit my third annual report of activities and accomplish- ments of the Building Department. The re- port is divided into three categories in ac- cordance with the three-fold functions of the Building Department.
Building Inspections
Last year set a record in building con- struction activity with over three million, two hundred thousand dollars of construc- tion started or completed. This figure in- cludes the cost of the new High School be- ing constructed on the Newburyport Turn- pike, but even without this amount, the valuation of new construction exceeds that of any preceding year, except 1948 and 1950 which were peak years.
Most of these new buildings were custom constructed for the individual owner, and as a result are of a high class of workmanship, and individual in appearance. Saugus has avoided the type of speculative homes in- volving large numbers of salt box type homes regimented on narrow, cramped lots with an undesirable similarity of appear- ance, and inferior workmanship.
Saugus is favored with ideal conditions for rapid and extensive expansion in resi- dential, commercial, and industrial ex- pansion. Its proximity to Boston, railroads and highways, and large areas, make this virtually a certainty. The following chart indicates this increase of construction and probable future increase in construction, graphically.
PERMITS ISSUED Number
Value
Dwellings
124
$1,215,385.00
Garages
21
13,275.00
Repairs and Additions, residential
206
85,037.00
Repairs and additions, non-residential
12
27,450.00
School Building
1
1,700.000.00
Club House
1
30,000.00
Motels
3
40,000.00
Restaurants and Dairy Bars
3
33,980.00
Do-nut shop, Bakery, Candy Shop
3
48,000.00
Sheet Metal Shop
1
6,000.00
Stables
3
16,000.00
Sheds and Poultry Houses
9
3,505.00
Buildings moved
3
8,200.00
Foundations
6
4,200.00
Buildings demolished
12
$3,231.032.00
408
Last year was a very eventful one and has given rise given rise to many problems, par- ticularly zoning problems. Most contro- versial of these was the Greyhound Dog problem. This department has taken steps to stop illegal use of land zoned for single residences, for the purpose of kenneling Greyhounds in residential areas. It has been necessary to seek court action in this mat- ter, and four such cases are on file in
Superior Court. One case has been decided and an injunction has been granted restrain- ing the owner from use of this property for kenneling Greyhounds as a business use in a residential area.
We have been faced with other zoning problems such as permitted usages in greenhouses and nurseries, accumulation of building materials on lots in residential areas, sale of munitions and firearms in
86
residential areas, the right of an individual to maintain horse stables in residential areas, use of trailers within the town, etc.
We have tried to protect residential areas from the encroachment of business, and undesirable elements, always keeping in mind the rights of the individual to engage in the normal activities that are accessory to a residential use. The use of land for agriculture and related purposes is increas- ingly becoming a problem, as residential developments expand from our centers. It may become necessary to divide our resi- dential category to less and more restrictive districts, extending agriculture and other usages in the former, and reducing them in the latter.
Building Repairs and Maintenance
We note with a sense of accomplishment building repairs and maintenance. Many major renovations and repairs have been completed, substantially improving condi- tions in our public buildings.
The interior of the Town Hall was "face- lifted" by a repainting, using modern colors and covering the darkened woodwork which gave the lower hall a gloomy and shabby apperance.
A new and complete cafeteria has been installed in the Roby School. The Building Department installed new ceilings in this area, new floor and new lighting, and pro- vided continuous hot water for the cafeteria dish washer. We installed all of the equip- ment and provided connections for the sink and gas appliances.
Also in the Roby School we replaced obsolete sanitary facilities with new modern equipment. We installed drinking fountains on each floor, and we provided four class- rooms with new modern fluorescent light- ing. A second means of egress was provided in two of the third floor rooms, thus provid- ing additional classroom facilities to allevi- ate crowding in the school. Alterations were made to the heating system so that for the first time in many years the building is be- ing properly and economically heated.
The first floor floors in the Ballard School, and the large classroom floor in the Lynn- hurst School have been replaced with new maple flooring.
The exteriors of the North Saugus and the Felton Schools have been repainted, and the first floor interior of the Felton School has been repainted with modern colors. All
second floor classrooms at the Felton School have been relighted, and repairs were made to the roofing of this school.
All galvanized water pipe at the Armitage School has been replaced with stream-lined copper tubing.
First floor classrooms at the Cliftondale School and all classrooms at the Emerson School have been repainted.
The exterior masonry of the High School has been repointed at a moderate cost to the town, and all exterior masonry walls of the Veterans' Memorial School have been waterproofed. This preventative mainte- nance will save future expensive repair bills.
The drafting room at the present High School formerly had one tenth of the light necessary for this type of work. We have provided a new installation with adequate shadow free light.
New water services have been provided in the Ballard and Cliftondale Schools.
A new second means of egress has been installed at the Sweetser Library, legalizing the use of this room for library purposes. This work has been suspended for the Winter, but will be completed early in the spring.
We have received and acted on over 75 repair requests from the School Depart- ment, from the setting of glass up to and including major repairs. The cooperation of school custodians has enabled us to cut the cost of glass and glazing from several thou- sands of dollars-a few years ago-to three or four hundred dollars annually.
Our operational costs are kept low by quantity buying in a business-like manner, at a time when prices are at their lowest.
The Building Department repair shop is the equivalent of any small commercial shop. Stocks of all hardware, plumbing, and electric supplies are constantly maintained, to reduce time lost in securing supplies and equipment.
Recommendations For 1955
Provided that funds are appropriated, the following projects are scheduled for the en- suing year:
The Town Hall is scheduled to receive new electric service, and equipment to re- place unsafe and obsolete equipment. A major portion of the building will be re- wired.
Second floor classrooms at the Cliftondale and Felton Schools will be painted.
87
Plumbing facilities at the Lynnhurst School are cramped, unsanitary, and have not sufficient natural light and ventila- tion. We hope to rearrange these facilities so that both boys' and girls' toilets are ade- quate in size and have modern sanitary facilities.
A replacement of the heating system at the North Saugus School is planned.
Fire doors leading to the roof of the Sweetser School will also be replaced.
Department Roster
Thomas H. Wagner, Jr .- Superintendent of Buildings.
Mark E. Randall-Wire Inspector and As- sistant Superintendent of Buildings.
Mildred L. Robinson-Clerk.
Robert Metzler - Building Maintenance Man.
Ralph DeFronzo - Building Maintenance Man.
Arthur O. Paquette - Building Mainte- nance Man.
Everett R. Vickary-Police and Fire Sta- tion Custodian.
George Wishart-Town Hall Custodian.
Mrs. Winnie Lipkowicz - Janitress and Cleaner.
All town departments have cooperated with the Building Department to make this a year of accomplishment. The School De- partment, and Superintendent of Schools Jesse J. Morgan have given many hours of their time to help us to determine the most needy repairs and improvements.
The Building Department staff has all worked hard and conscientiously, taking a great deal of pride in their work.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS H. WAGNER, JR., Superintendent of Buildings.
THW/r
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The following report lists the number of scales, weights and measures sealed along with trial weighings conducted for last year:
Not Sealed
Adjusted
Over 10,000 lbs. 2
100 to 5,000 lbs. 10
Under 100 lbs. .67
6
8
Meters
Vehicle Tank
Meters
16
3
Totals
95
6
11
Trial Weighings
Total
No.
No.
No.
Tested Correct Under
Over
Bread
303
274
14
15
Lard
85
77
2
6
Butter
175
162
10
3
Potato Chips.
25
19
0
6
Candy
30
14
0
16
Beans
85
69
8
8
Sugar
152
138
6
8
Flour
184
152
19
13
Potatoes
210
183
7
20
Apples
65
51
2
12
Meats and
Provisions
185
120
22
43
Totals
1499
1259
90
150
Inspections :- Coal Certificates 16, Ped- lars' Scales 3, Markings on Commodities 1499; Pedlars' Licenses 36 and Empty Car- ton Containers 60.
Fees collected :- $101.50.
I would like to state that on the whole the store owners and other merchants of Saugus are doing their utmost to provide the community with honest dealings in re- gards to the weighing and measuring of commodities and have been very co-oper- ative.
Respectfully submitted:
WESLEY W. GAGE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
88
Scales
Sealed
PLAYGROUND COMMISSIONERS
To the Town Manager:
Never before were the children and youth of Saugus furnished with such a com- prehensive playground and recreational program for all ages as during last year.
This is an omen for an even finer future. Greatly amplified as our recreational facil- ities were last year, they are still far in- ferior to what is required to meet the de- mands of the community.
More children have been attracted to our playgrounds than ever before because of better play areas, modern and substantial equipment, and expert supervision of our Summer program activities.
Members of the Board of Playground Commissioners have spent many hours with- out compensation in providing finer and better recreational facilities for the youth of Saugus. Good playgrounds build char- acter and help to combat juvenile de- linquency.
A competent staff of playground person- nel was in charge of the recreational ac- tivities of the town's children. The super- visor was John Quinlan and the assistant supervisor, Arthur Long.
Instructors in charge of children's recrea- tional activities included Lois Philbrick at Stackpole; Marilyn Stewart
at North Saugus; Norma DeFelice at Stocker; Sandra Blunt at Bristow; Judith Currier at Veterans' Memorial; Shirley Kyle at Lynn- hurst, and Genevieve Leggett at Anna Parker.
Among activities for the children were arts and crafts programs, softball, track, a trip to a local recreational area, puppet shows, a clown show, free ice cream and prizes for various events. There was a softball league for adults, with trophies for the winning teams.
Substantial repairs and improvements were made at the several recreational areas. In many instances, where before were rocks, mud and dirt, there are now nice smooth hot-topped grounds. A number of the playgrounds are now surrounded with chain-link fencing for the better safety and protection of children.
Several of the playgrounds have partial areas flooded in the Winter for skating. Much new recreational equipment has been installed at all the playgrounds.
Buildings have been repaired, and at Stackpole Field the scoreboard has been put into first class condition. Most areas are equipped for the children to play basketball, volleyball and badminton. Several have baseball diamonds. At Stackpole Stadium is the excellent football field and grandstand for the High School games played by our Saugus High School team with out of town contestants.
Most playgrounds are now equipped with jungle gyms, sandboxes for the tiny tots, swings, slides, tables for crafts with benches attached, and sanitary drinking fountains. Construction of the Stocker playground is proceeding rapidly and loan is being dumped to bring this area up to grade. When completed it will be one of the finest in the town. A roadway has been cut through to Stocker Street. The entire area will be graded and seeded.
The Board of Playground Commissioners plans to continue to work sacrificially for even better and more modern playground facilities for our children and youth to the end that Saugus will be a leader in this crusade to build a finer America physically and morally.
It would be ungracious not to conclude this brief statement of our activities of the past season without sincere thanks to you, as Town Manager, for your constant and generous co-operation which has greatly accelerated our efforts. We should also like to thank all other town officials and citizens contributing to this end.
Respectfully submitted :
THOMAS H. QUINLAN, Chairman, DAVID R. NAGLE
DONALD R. REINGER
JOHN MITCHELL
JOHN SCIRE
Board of Playground Commissioners.
89
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
The following is a description of the work and the accomplishments of the Forestry Department for the year 1954.
The Complement includes ; a working superintendent, tree climber laborer, truck driver laborer and laborer.
During the past year the Forestry De- partment's work was, for the most part, concerned with the control of the dreaded "Dutch Elm Disease." All roadside elm trees in Saugus were "Mist Sprayed" but elm trees on private property that are not sprayed, present a constant threat to the roadside elms.
There is a need for legislation making the spraying of all elm trees mandatory, regardless of their location. Legislative ac- tion would greatly aid our department in combating this menace. In the final analysis some protective measures must be adopted to effectively control this disease.
The Forestry Department sent
146 samples of elm trees to the shade tree laboratories at the University of Massachu- setts. As a result of these findings, 42 posi- tive results were returned, and the infected trees were removed and destroyed.
The State Department of Conservation has aided in topping diseased elms at no ex- pense to the town on Lincoln Avenue and on Water Street.
Gypsy Moth
Last year 600 acres of woodland north of Walnut Street was aerially sprayed as far as the Lynn and Lynnfield line. A section of this area later broke out again but this area will be sprayed again this year at no expense to the town.
The Forestry Department is requesting $1000 to continue this aerial spraying opera- tion on the east side of the Newburyport Turnpike from the Main Street overpass to Walnut Street.
The Gypsy Moth is now under control in Saugus, but constant vigilance must be ob- served so that this destructive insect may be finally eradicated.
Tree Planting
The Tree Department has planted 41 new maples on Greenwood Avenue in place of
36 elm trees removed due to the "Dutch Elm" infection.
A total of 250 small Maple trees were planted throughout the town. These trees were removed from town owned land and were relocated with the idea in mind of eventually having shade trees along our streets.
A program permitting a continuance of shade tree planting is anticipated. The de- partment is limited in size however, and any such plan must be in line with the man- power of the Forestry Department.
General Services
Under normal Forestry Department pro- cedure, a total of 83 trees were removed in various parts of the town, for many reasons last year.
Trees were trimmed and pruned as re- quested by residents, and in addition road- side brush was cut.
GIGANTIC CENTURY-OLD TREES which had lined the streets of Saugus for generations fell victims to either Hurricane Carol or Edna. Typical is the stump of this mighty tree shown being removed by Contractor Roy Bacon's modern equipment. Forestry Department work- ers pose for this unusual shot.
90
Poison ivy was sprayed when residents so requested it throughout the town.
The Oaklandvale and Ballard School yards were seeded and graded by the Tree Department, and we anticipate the seeding and grading of the Stocker and Bristow Street Playgrounds this year.
Emergency Service
In any report having to do with the trees of the town, the Tree Department must mention the two devastating tropical storms that struck Saugus last Fall. "Carol" and "Edna" will long be remebered in New England as proving what may happen when an unpredictable Mother Nature unleashes her fury.
In some 90 minutes of hurricane winds and whipping gusts, the first of these two storms and by far the most furious, felled 229 full grown trees in Saugus, not to men- tion the brush and debris that required 4800 truck loads to clear our streets.
Edna the second storm, blew down sev- eral trees in Saugus, but was not as severe as her big sister, Carol. Edna did cause considerable trouble in water damage and knocking down trees that the first had partially felled. The two storms taken to- gether caused the Forestry Department to take on many extra duties, including the hiring of extra trucks and employes to clear the streets of debris and returning the ap- pearance of Saugus to some semblance of her former self. The expense of this pro-
ject was partially defrayed by the Com- monwealth.
The Tree Department wishes to thank the Lynn Gas and Electric Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for assisting the Tree Department by topping many trees in Saugus during this emergency at no expense to the town.
During this emergency the town pur- chased the following equipment:
Two-seven H.P. McCullock Saws.
Two three H.P. McCullock Saws.
Two-Titan Saws One three H.P. one Five H.P.
New Equipment
The Tree Department purchased a new two ton, cab over engine. Ford dump body truck, equipped with a wench and tool boxes. The truck is equipped with a plow to assist the Public Works Department in snow removal operations. The plow and frame was furnished by the Public Works Depart- ment.
Requests
A compressor equipped with an air ham- mer, air drill and gouges is needed by the Forestry Department to facilitate the re- moval of stumps. Such a piece of equip- ment would greatly add to the efficiency of this department.
The superintendent would like to express his thanks to all other Town departments for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH VATCHER.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS OF HURRICANE CAROL toppled this great tree in front of the First Congregational Church across Monument Square and obscured Saugus' 1875 Town Hall. Giant limbs were blown onto the beautiful Civil War Memorial to the left by the force of the winds.
91
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
I hereby tender to you the annual report of the Public Works Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The complement of the Public Works De- partment for 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 is listed below:
1951
1952
1953 1954
Superintendent
1
1
1
1
Clerks
2
2
2
2
General Foreman
1
1
1
1
Foreman
2
2
2
2
Mechanics
1
1
1
2
Highway & Sewer
9
9
10
10
Water & Meter
Division
7
6
9
11
Engineering
2
2
3
0
Ashes & Rubbish
3
3
0
0
Totals
28 27
29 29
My request is that 10 additional men be added to the department for 1955 so that the department can give to the citizens of
Saugus the services requested. Even if these 10 men are added to our working forces it still will not meet the required personnel essential to operate the Public Works De- partment on an efficient and economical basis. The Manager recommends only two additional men for 1955.
Expenditures for salaries in 1951 $ 89,848.81 Expenditures for salaries in 1952 $ 95,612.84 Expenditures for salaries in 1953 $103,242.34 Expenditures for salaries in 1954 $101,166.77
*Superintendent recommends for
1955
$123,199.30 Manager recommends for 1955 .... $108,299.30
* Salary increases recommended by Super- intendent not included in above total.
Water
The total revenue in this department for 1954 was $124,820.10, broken down as fol- lows and showing the years 1951, 1952 and 1953:
1951
1952
1953
1954 $105,156.28
Metered water rates.
$57,395.69
$61,358.49
$66,027.58
Repairs, renewals, new services.
14,815.55
14,366.36
17,525.75
16,422.56
Broken hydrants and meter tests
643.85
709.02
2,866.75
552.31
1949 Water extension policy art.
4,578.51
8,403.21
2,688.95
Totals
$77,433.60
$84,837.08
$87,003.73
$124,820.10
Expenditures for the year 1951 $46,456.03
Expenditures for the year 1952. $58,859.33
Expenditures for the year 1953 $46,514.43
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