USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1954 > Part 8
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A recess was called at 9:08. Reconvened at 9:16 P.M.
The following resolution was presented and voted:
Whereas, God, the beneficent creator of all mankind, has called to His eternal home, Charles E. Stillings, and
Whereas, during more than 35 useful and fruitful years in Saugus, Charles E. Still- ings served as a member of this Town Meet- ing, was a source of strength on the Fi- nance Committee, and in 1931-1932 served as a member of the Town Meeting ap- pointed Committee to erect an Addition to Saugus High School, and
Whereas, all of his conscientious public service was predicated upon the enrich- ment of the community in which he lived and the attainment of higher educational standards for the young people in whose future he was so keenly interested, and
Whereas, the life of Charles E. Stillings was an example of good citizenship and his memory is a benediction to those who were privileged to be associated with him, in this Town Meeting, and on the boards upon which he served, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That this session of the Saugus Town Meeting express its sincere gratitude for the inspiration left in the life of service of Charles E. Stillings, and that copies of these Resolutions be spread upon the min- utes of this Town Meeting, published in the Town Report, sent to the family of our late beloved associate, and given the press. Unanimous. 9:19 P.M.
Voted: To reconsider Article 1. 9:26 P.M.
Article 1. Voted: to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $2900. for expenses of the Veterans' Benefits Department, said ap- propriation to be met by transfers from the following accounts:
Engineering salaries $1,000.00
General Relief Expenses 1,000.00
Forestry and Parks salaries 250.00
Old Age Assistance Expenses 650.00
And to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,888.56 for the Insurance expense account, said appropriation to be met by transfers from the following accounts:
Article 28 of the 1954 Annual
Town Meeting $ 326.81
Article 20 of the 1954 Annual
Town Meeting 500.00
Old Age Assistance Expenses 350.00
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Aid to Dependent Children Expenses 1,000.00
Disability Aid Expense 711.75
Yeas 25 Nays 12. 9:27 P.M.
Article 4. Finance Committee report filed.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $2500. for the enumeration of the state census as of January 1, 1955, said ap- propriation to be met by transfer of $2500. from the Trade School Tuition Expense Ac- count.
Unanimous. 9:28 P.M.
Article 5. Finance report filed. Mr. Pi- wowarski was appointed and sworn as Act- ing Moderator by Paul A. Haley, Moderator. The previous question was ordered. Mr. Paul A. Haley resumed the chair.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $5900. for the Holiday Expense Ac-
count, said appropriation to be met by transfers from the following accounts:
Engineering Salaries $1,000.00
General Relief Expenses 1,000.00
Old Age Assistance Expenses 1,900.00
Aid to Dependent Children
Expense 1,000.00
Disability Aid Expense 1,000.00
Yeas 33 Nays 2. 10:15 P.M.
Article 6. Report of Finance Committee filed.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $1400. for the School Salaries Ac- count, said appropriation to be met by transfers from the following accounts: School Expenses $275.00
Engineering Salaries 500.00
Forestry and Parks Expenses 625.00
Unanimous. 10:19 P.M. Voted: To adjourn sine die. 10:20 P.M.
RUTH E. STEVENS,
Town Clerk.
VETERANS SERVICES
Dear Mr. Manager:
In reviewing the work accomplished in the department of veterans' affairs last year it will be noted that a lot was done in aiding the needy veteran and his dependents.
This work has been carried on in close consideration of the needs and merits of each individual case when presented. Close investigations of these cases and fair and impartial recommendations for eligibility has been made to the commissioner, adher- ing to the authorized budget as set up by his department.
This department has handled 57 cases, permanent and temporary in which 112 in- dividuals have benefited. This includes hos- pital expenses, food orders, and cash allow- ances. There is one outstanding case still in effect. It concerns an infant less than a year old who has been hospitalized since the day it was born. The last report from the physician indicated that the case may be in- capable of recovery.
It has been necesary to ask for additional funds to supplement the original appropria-
tion at the Annual Town Meeting twice during the middle of the year and the sums of $1,800 and $1,500 were transferred from the Reserve Fund. Later in December, a Special Town Meeting appropriated, an ad- ditional $2,900 in order to close out the year's bills. One of the largest costs ex- perienced during the year has been for medicine and medical care which amounted to approximately $3,600.
Total costs for benefits to the veterans from the department during the year amounted to $18,162.75 and of this amount we have received from the Commonwealth the sum of $6,892.47, with approximately $1,300.00 more to come, making the total costs of operation about $9,993.
I wish to extend to you and all assisting department heads thanks and appreciation for help rendered in aiding the proper car- rying on of this work.
Respectfully,
NEWELL V. BARTLETT,
Director of Veterans' Benefits.
58
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Town Appropriation
$1,967,400.64
Appropriation . Taken from Available Funds
172,829.46
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
2,304.51
State Examination of Retirement System
51.58
Smoke Inspection Service
308.71
Metropolitan Charges
48,988.76
County Tax
51,014.03
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
20,453.21
Overlay
48,871.79
Metropolitan Water Connection
11,940.48
Tax Title Foreclosure
1,600.00
Gross amount to be raised
$2,325,763.17
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Income Tax
$156,532.14
Corporation Taxes
67,551.15
Old Age Tax (Meals)
5,364.81
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
140,000.00
Licenses
23,898.35
Fines
11,028.90
Special Assessments
1,026.46
General Government
8,146.60
Protection of Persons and Property
3,223.70
Health and Sanitation
3,011.21
Charities (other than federal grants for aid to dependent children)
18,399.41
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants)
104,610.24
Veterans' Benefits
6,362.27
Schools
14,130.40
Libraries
928.38
Public Service Enterprises (such as Water Dept.)
135,000.00
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots)
11,214.14
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
5,812.41
State Assistance for School Construction
66,000.00
Premiums on Bond Sales
9,260.20
Accrued Interest on Bond Sale
1,455.64
County Tax
1,227.51
Smoke Inspection Service
69.48
County T. B. Hospital
1,070.42
Metropolitan Parks
637.39
Amounts to be taken from Available Funds
172,829.46
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
969,060.70
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation on Polls and Property
1,356,702.47
Number of Polls - 5,652
11,304.00
Valuation: Personal Property
1,812,277.00
Tax on Personal Property
102,212.42
Valuation: Real Estate
22,042,300.00
Tax on Real Estate
1,243,185.72
Fraction
.33
Tax Rate - $56.40
Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property
1,356,702.47
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TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Personal Property Only
Real Estate Only
9502
On Real Estate 1,243,185.87
On Polls
11,304.00
Total Taxes Assessed
1,356,702.47
Number of Live Stock Assessed
Horses 15
Value of Assessed Personal Estate
Stock in Trade
104,780.00
Machinery
28,045.00
Live Stock
14,957.00
All Other Tangible
Personal Property
1,664,495.00
Total Valuation of Assessed
Personal Property
1,812,277.00
Number of Acres of Land Assessed 4857 Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed 4562
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
Land exclusive of Buildings
4,171,400.00
Number of Vehicles 8,000
Buildings exclusive of Land
17,870,900.00
Valuation of Vehicles
3,665,650.00
Excise Tax 146,649.44
Respectfully submitted, DELMONT E. GODING ARTHUR E. GUSTAFSON
Total Valuation of Assessed Estate
23,854,577.00
Taxes For State, County and City or Town Purposes Including Overlay
On Personal Estate
102,212.60
On Both Personal and Real Estate
Number of Persons Assessed
9966
Number of Polls Assessed
5652
Cows
8
Bulls
3
Swine
345
Sheep
4
Fowl
3077
All Other
810
Value of Assessed Real Estate
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
22,042,300.00
F. DUDLEY BACON
T
CLAD IN A COSTUME OF BY-GONE DAYS IN SAUGUS, Chairman John J. Bucchiere of the 325th Anniversary Committee which conducted a thrill packed program during Old Home Week is shown receiving engrossed copies of Resolutions of Congratulations passed by the Massachusetts General Court from Secretary of State Edward J. Cronin. In the pic- ture, left to right, are Mrs. Henry Migdula: Director of the Celebrations Bucchiere; Town Manager Walter E. Lawrence; Albert C. Day, 88, oldest town official in the State, whose work contributed significantly to the occasion; Representative Belden G. Bly, father of the Resolutions; and Mrs. Amos Cutter.
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206
TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT
PHYLLIS E. DODGE, Town Treasurer
MADELYN L. DAVEY, Clerk ANITA L. MITTON, Clerk
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
1952- -Budget $6,866.11
Tax Title Foreclosures 1,999.22
1953-Budget 6,831.40
Tax Title Foreclosures 4,083.25 1954-Budget
8,128.40
Tax Title Foreclosures 2,316.75
Herewith is submitted the Report of the Treasury Department of the Town of Saugus for the year ended December 31, 1954.
Cash in Treasury, January 1, 1954
$2,485,700.36
Receipts to December 31, 1954
3,507,389.13
$5,993,089.49
Expenditures to December 31, 1954
4,235,380.75
Cash in Treasury, December 31, 1954
$1,757,708.74
Bank Statements show Cash Balances as of
December 31, 1954, as follows:
Saugus Trust Company
$ 127,899.34
Merchants National Bank
10,053.03
National Shawmut Bank
65,985.41
Petty Cash
50.00
National Shawmut, Special Account
352,742.94
National Shawmut, Special in Safe Keeping
1,284,220.36
$1,840,951.08
Add deposits in January, 1955, applicable to 1954
630.62
$1,841,581.70
Deduct Checks Outstanding
83,872.96
Cash in Treasury, December 31, 1954
$1,757,708.74
The following Trust Funds are in the custody of the Treasurer:
Surplus War Bonus Fund
$ 763.73
Postwar Rehabilitation Fund
1,361.93
Benjamin N. Johnson Library Fund
133.32
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
Cash
61,114.69
Securities
120,000.00
Contributory Retirement Fund
Cash
33,652.25
Securities
160,000.00
$ 377,025.92
With an unexpended balance of $716.75 and an appropriation of $1600, tax titles were brought up to date and redemptions showed an income of $11,367.65.
Respectfully submitted,
PHYLLIS E. DODGE
Treasurer
61
FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Town Moderator and Members of the Town Meeting:
The Finance Committee is the eyes and ears of the citizens in the Town Hall and advisor to their elected Town Meeting. Its assignment is to see that the citizens of Saugus, both present and future, get the most for their tax dollar.
The Finance Committee spends many hours on town business without compensa- tion. Its duties include the presentation of the annual budget and reporting on most articles in the annual and special town meeting warrants. In carrying out its duties it meets with the manager and department heads whenever it is necessary to do so.
The Finance committee met with all de- partment heads during January and Feb- ruary while studying the 1954 annual bud- get. It required about twenty evenings to carry out this heavy schedule. The Finance Committee found, at the completion of its work on the budget, that it had pared $44,000 from the budget recommended by the manager. Most of the cuts were restored by the town meeting members during de- bate of the budget on the town meeting floor. The town meeting also over-rode the Finance Committee on many special articles during the annual town meeting.
Only two special town meetings were held during 1954. The town meeting mem- bers followed in most part the recommen- dations of the Finance Committee at these meetings.
The town started out the year with the largest surplus in its history. Much of it was transferred over the objections of the Finance Committee to various appropria- tions by the annual town meeting. This should have been held for future heavy expenditures to renovate the old high school building.
Reports submitted by the Town Engineer indicate that there are approximately 100 miles of streets, both actual and on paper, of which about half are unaccepted.
The Town Engineer estimated that the cost of constructing a 50 ft. street of the simplest type of construction including drainage but not sidewalks and curbs would
be approximately $12 per lineal foot. First class construction including drainage, curb- ing, and sidewalks would be $33 per lineal foot. Simple arithmetic then indicates the enormity of the street construction problem in Saugus. The 50 miles of unaccepted streets would cost over $3 million dollars to construct at $12 per foot.
During several town meetings in recent years the town meeting members have voted to accept certain streets. Their vote has been meaningless by the persistent fail- ures of the Board of Selectmen to insert articles calling for the appropriation of funds for construction of the streets ac- cepted. In several cases the Board of Select- men failed to take the necessary legal action to ratify the vote of the town meeting. Due to the lapse of time most such actions of the town meeting are now null and void.
The Town Engineer has spent consider- able time studying the town's needs with respect to streets, water, sewers, and side- walks. He is to be congratulated for the interest he has shown. He has drawn up a street acceptance procedure for which we recommend submission to the town meeting as a possible town by-law.
The Finance Committee reiterates its stand that no street be accepted until funds are available for the construction of the street. This policy prevailed prior to 1948 but recent Boards of Selectmen have re- fused to comply with the previous system of not inserting street acceptance articles in town meeting warrants unless they were accompanied by articles calling for the necessary appropriations.
The Finance Committee looks forward to a good year in 1955 and a tax rate sub- stantially the same as 1954.
Respectfully submitted,
Wayne H. Bookmiller, Chairman
Muriel Furbush, Secretary
Walter Devitt
Myron Donoghue
Daniel Driscoll
Francis Fanenkopf
Richard Merrill
James McCarthy Ransom Smith
62
PLANNING BOARD
Dear Mr. Manager:
The annual report of the Planning Board for the year ending December 31, is here- with submitted:
We have held 41 weekly meetings extend- ing throughout the year, and attended all Town Meetings; held seventeen public hear- ings and made many field trips to view various properties throughout the town.
Much of the board's work this past year has been devoted to residential development. Approval was given to an extension of an existing development in Saugus Center, and also for a change of one on the Lynn Fells Parkway. A new subdivision in North Saugus is fast reaching the final approval stage and an extension to another existing development in Saugus Center is nearing approval. Two subdivisions authorized in 1953 are practically completed and will be ready for final acceptance early in the com- ing year.
Several others were brought before the board but were later withdrawn.
Many weeks of work are consumed in the consideration and acceptance of a subdivi- sion. Each development requires preliminary meetings with the applicant to go over tentative plans and requirements, holding a public hearing, viewing the property, ren- dering a decision, acceptance of a definite plan approved by the Engineering Depart- ment and the Board of Health, giving final approval, and drawing up a performance agreement for signatures.
No extensive business or industrial zon- ing was advocated this year as it was thought that for the present the areas al- ready available for this class of develop- ment are ample. A number of smaller areas, however, in various parts of the town were rezoned for business upon our recommenda- tion. In most instances these parcels were an extension of, or in proximity to an exist- ing business zone.
One Zoning By-Law change was recom- mended and approved.
The recent State Subdivision Control Law requiring all lot plans filed with the Land Court or Registry to be examined and signed by the Planning Board, has taken up a con- siderable amount of our time. About 45 of these plans have been presented.
Much time was devoted to discussions within the board, with other departments, and on field surveys in regard to the merits and disadvantages of expanding the present cemetery or acquiring a new one on the site proposed at the last Annual Town Meeting.
An up-to-date zoning map has been nearly completed.
In cooperation with the Building Depart- ment, a combined building ordinance and zoning by-law booklet was compiled and is in the process of being printed. The By- Laws are corrected to the year 1954 and the issue is to be dated 1955.
Due to the stress of other business, Harvey B. Poole resigned from the board as of November 1. Mr. Poole was a valuable member and we were sorry to lose his services. We welcome Mr. William A. Calhoun, who was appointed to take Mr. Poole's place, with his term starting on January 1.
During the year our secretary, Miss Nancy Gray, resigned and Mrs. Barbara B. Lewis, who formerly held the position, was elected to fill the vacancy.
We plan to devote time in the coming year to consideration of street acceptances. Additional work is in prospect relative to tentative planning for the future develop- ment of the town. In this regard, it is our desire to cooperate with the various in- terested departments of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
Harvey P. Wasserboehr, Chairman Henry Seaver, Clerk Albert C. Day Lewis O. Gray William A. Calhoun
63
BOARD OF APPEALS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
The Board of Zoning and Building Ap- peals, which is one of only three boards named by your honorable body - the others being the board of library trustees and the board of registrars - submits herewith its report for 1954.
As you are aware, the Board is a tribunal created by Chapter 40 of the General Laws, as amended, for the purpose of hearing appeals from the arbitrary restrictions placed upon the superintendent of buildings in issuing permits under both the zoning and building by-laws.
It is impossible to frame any such by- laws so elastic that undue hardship will not in some instances be created for citizens by their strict enforcement. The legislature, in its wisdom, has provided for Boards of Appeal, who, after conducting public hear- ings and complying with all provisions of the statute, may, under special conditions, and only by unanimous vote, grant variances and special permits ordering the superin- tendent of buildings to issue either building or occupancy permits.
No zoning by-law would be possible in any community were not such a safety-valve available for handling situations where a strict interpretation would work irremedi- able hardship upon property owners, and where a variance may be granted without substantially derogating from the intent and purpose of the zoning by-law.
During the past year, the Board of Ap- peals has heard 37 appeals for variances. Of this total, 23 petitions have been granted; 10 denied; and four were given leave to withdraw.
The Board regrets to announce that dur- ing the year, Mr. Walter E. Hogan, a valued associate member for many years, tendered
his resignation to your honorable body. Resolutions of regret were sent Mr. Hogan by the Board. Similar Resolutions were sent to Mr. Peter A. Smith, for some years both a regular and later an associate member, whom your honorable body failed to re- appoint at the expiration of his term. Like Mr. Hogan, he had served well and without remuneration of any character other than the consciousness of making a contribution to his fellow citizens.
The Board was pleased to greet as new associate members, filling Mr. Hogan's un- expired term, and to replace Mr. Smith, Mr. James B. Boyle and Mr. Roland Worm- stead. Because associate members sit only during absence caused by illness or interest in the pending issue of regular members, the service of both has thus far been limited, but both have shown zealous interest and every indication of future great value to the citizens.
During the year, Mr. Donald J. Flynn was elected clerk of the board, and upon or- ganization at mid-year, Joseph G. Fisher was unanimously elected chairman.
In closing, the Board would like to express its gratitude to the members of your honor- able body, Town Counsel Albion L. Hogan, members of the Planning Board, and all other officials who have helped them per- form their duties.
Joseph G. Fisher, Chairman Peter A. Rossetti
Paul A. Haley Board of Appeals
George W. Pitman James B. Boyle Roland Wormstead Associate Members
Donald J. Flynn, Clerk (Elected by the Board
64
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Following the trend of other groups in the library field, the work with children and young people is the outstanding feature of our 1954 record. We of the library staff try to put forth certain stimuli to promote this growth and we are grateful to reap results.
Story hours give the younger boys and girls moments of pure joy and draw to their special attention new additions to our col- lection. We are still trying to meet urgent requests for supplementary reading for our beginners by adding to our stock readers for the first three grades.
The juvenile circulation at the Main Library was 16,172 in 1954, compared with 12,780 in 1953, for a gain of 3,393. The cir- culation at the High School was 6,360 in 1954, an increase of 1,281 over 1953. A de- posit of about 900 books from the Public Library forms the bulk of the stock in this school collection.
Miss Huldah Blackmer, the librarian, con- ducted several classes in the use of refer- ence books at the High School. A rudi- mentary knowledge of the basic reference books is important to every High School student.
In September of 1950 the library es- tablished a small branch in the Oaklandvale School, open one day a week through the school year, for juveniles only. The five years have shown that this service is a very acceptable feature.
Because our adult circulation at the Lynn- hurst Branch Library has been negligible for some time the Board of Trustees voted last Fall to try out a plan there similar to the one in Oaklandvale. The principals and teachers of both schools are much pleased with the experiment.
A total of 558 new titles of fiction and 516 non-fiction books have been made avail- able to the adult public. As always we are glad to have sugegstions for additions to our collection. Our fund for the purchase of books is modest so we try to buy titles in good taste and of diversified appeal. Miss Blackmer and Mrs. Gladys Warren have given book talks to several adult groups in town to acquaint people with our services and new books.
The library had its part in the annual celebration of Brotherhood Week. Special posters and pertinent books and pamphlets were on display at the Central Library and in the branches. A quiz for Sixth-Graders was compiled by the librarians as an added feature of the project. We feel that the library is an excellent place to further better community relations.
The library was again hostess to the North Shore Library Club for its Fall meet- ing. Mrs. John L. Silver of the Board of Public Library Trustees extended greetings from the town and the library. The guest speaker was Attorney Charles F. Haywood of Lynn, a lawyer and author. Pictures of the Saugus Iron Works Restoration were shown and some of the group visited the Restoration, seeing at first hand what had been pictured on the screen. Beautiful flower arrangements were furnished by members of the Saugus Garden Club.
The Board of Trustees has voted to es- tablish a new service in the library in the form of a Community Calendar on which may be recorded day-by-day events in the affairs of the town. All organizations are welcome to post "coming events" on the Daily Reference Calendar at the Central Library. Neighboring communities have found such a clearing house a great con- venience. We hope this will find favor in the community.
With the help and co-operation of the Building Department, our physical incon- veniences have been improved. The walls and ceiling at the Cliftondale Branch were cleaned and repainted this Summer, making the room much more attractive. A second exit has been cut into the room, this feature was made imperative by a State fire regula- tion. An aluminum awning has been in- stalled over the front door at the Central Library, affording better protection to the public in inclement weather.
We wish to express our grateful thanks for all books, gifts and courtesies extended to the library throughout the year. We are happy to have very friendly public relations with all townspeople. We deeply appreciate the fine spirit of co-operation shown by our
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staff and the pleasant atmosphere evidenced in the meeting of our Board of Library Trustees. A group working in harmony can accomplish much in its chosen field.
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