USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1955 > Part 7
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Civil Defense is here to stay. With the United States in a state of emergency and each State automatically in a state of emergency, it be- hooves every person in the Town of Saugus to aid and assist in every way possible.
For a review of Advance of the Department of Civilian Defense dur- ing the past year I call your attention to the following:
A public warning system has been installed and is 90% completed. All of the equipment was purchased under the Matching Fund Program of the Federal Civil Defense Administration at a total cost of $2,244.00. Of this amount the cost to the Town of Saugus was $1,122.00.
This warning system is placed in operation by the control equipment, presently located in the Police Station. A test on the system is held daily at 12 o'clock noon for a 30 second period, except on Saturdays, when the regular "take cover" signal is given.
The "warning signal" consists of a steady 3 minutes on the sirens and means that the population of Saugus should evacuate Saugus immediately and proceed in a northerly direction on Route #1 to Amesbury for further directions. Complete evacuation procedure will be furnished to all of the inhabitants of Saugus as soon as complete plans have been completed.
The "take cover" signal consists of a 3 minute wailing sound by the sirens. This means "take cover" as it would be too late to evacuate. One of the best places to take cover is in the cellar or basement of the home or building that a person may be in. At home, a 3 day's supply of food and water should be kept on hand at all times. A battery radio should be available and tuned to 640 or 1240 on the radio dial for further Civil De- fense news and information for personal safety.
Further information will be available for all persons shortly.
The siren locations are as follows:
East Saugus-Bailey Ave. West Cliftondale-Essex St. at Vine
North Saugus-Pinehurst Ave. Golden Hills-Lake Dam Rd. Cliftondale-Raddin Terrace. Oaklandvale-Howard and Main Sts.
Lynnhurst-Blueridge Ave.
Saugus Center-Town Hall
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FIRE AUXILIARY
The Fire Auxiliary under the command of Chief Gordon Jameson has a roster of 32 men. The Fire Auxiliary headquarters are now located at the Town Garage on North Main St., beyond the Army Camp.
Considerable work has been done by the group to make this old build- ing suitable for occupancy. This consists of putting in a cement floor, in- stallation of a heating system, electric wiring of the building, partitioning of the building for a watchroom, toilet facilities, and room necessary to house the equipment and to operate efficiently.
Members of the Fire Auxiliary did a very fine job when they were called out in February to help the local department at the Odd Fellows' Building fire in Cliftondale Square. They had to get their equipment out of cold storage and get water from the nearest hydrant to fill the radiators of the trucks.
Unable to lay in a line of hose (only 500' on the truck) to the fire, they were asked to pump for Malden, who had laid a 900' line from the hydrant located in front of Bisbee's Funeral Home on Lincoln Avenue. They pumped from 6:30 P. M. to about 11 P. M., after which they went to the Central Fire Station to relieve the Melrose crew, who were covering in, re- turning to quarters about 1 a. m.
The lighting unit was in service all night; 16 men responded for this fire duty.
Although not called upon to do so, at a large barn fire in North Saugus, members did secure the lighting unit and respond to the fire, via Lynnfield; so as not to run over the hose lines, one light was left at the scene all night.
They did a wonderful job assisting Capt. Maguire in pumping out streets and cellars after the Hurricane Diane.
The lighting unit was used two days in a radio test run up in Lynn Woods. This was a nation-wide C.D. radio test.
The pump (trailer) was called to the old High School twice to pump out the boiler room.
During the late summer months cement was secured by members of the auxiliary and work was begun putting in a cement floor at the auxiliary headquarters.
With some materials supplied by the Town of Saugus a watch room, kitchen and furnace room have been installed - supplemented by many feet of lumber salvaged from the dump. Electrical fixtures were either donated or salvaged from the dump. We are indeed grateful for the fluorescent lights on the apparatus floor which were donated by the Gen- eral Electric Company, River Works Plant.
Present Equipment :
Engine #41 750 gal. Seagrave Pumper 36 years old
Engine #42 Chevrolet Panel Truck 19 years old
Portable Generator (Homelite)
About 20 years old
Portable Pump New this year
Trailer Pump 500 gal. Buffalo
About 14 years old
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Fire Duty
3591/2 man-hours
1001/2 man-hours
Hurricane Duty Auxiliary Activities 173 man-hours
Work Detail at Auxiliary Headquarters Total
1,300 man-hours 1,933 man-hours
At the time of Chief Drew's retirement party, held out of town, 10 auxiliary members were present at the Central Fire Station covering in, along with a Lynn crew.
POLICE AUXILIARY
Under the command of Capt. Clarence Howard with a total roster of 69 men, 55 of these men are uniformed and are sworn in as Special Police Officers in the Town of Saugus. Our goal is for a total of 75 men in order to properly operate as required by the Federal Civil Defense Administration of 4 auxiliary police per 1,000 population.
Training in small arms has been very steadily followed and all mem- bers know how to handle and use them.
Two revolver teams have been organized and have been in the New England Police League and have participated in Police League competition.
Assignments during the past year of 1955 consisted of the following:
On February 10, the auxiliary police were called out for the fire at the Odd Fellows' Hall. Assignments were traffic duty in co-operation with the regular police department. Over 300 man hours were performed at this fire.
On April 2, the auxiliary police were called upon to do police work at the basketball game at the Veterans' Memorial School for the Pal's.
May 30, Memorial Day, the auxiliary police were called upon to do traf- fic duty and take part in the parade for the Memorial Day celebration.
On June 17 and 18, the auxiliary police were called upon to do police duty at the American Legion Convention in Revere. Assignments were traffic duty; over 300 man-hours were performed at Revere. High com- mendation has been received from the Revere Police Department headquar- ters for the capable and efficient way in which our Civilian Defense police auxiliary conducted themselves and demonstrated their ability to perform the required duty.
August 6, the auxiliary police sponsored the Pal Drive.
Sept. 17, the auxiliary police sponsored the Jimmy Fund.
Oct. 31, Halloween, the auxiliary police were called out to do police duty in the town. Assignments were in co-operation with the regular police de- partment. Over 150 man-hours were performed at this assignment.
Nov. 4, the auxiliary police did police duty at the square dance at the Town Hall for the Pal's.
Dec. 5, the auxiliary police did police duty at the Veterans' Memorial School for the Pal's.
Dec. 17, the auxiliary police in conjunction with the Town Beautiful Committee and the Chamber of Commerce helped out with the Christmas celebration.
Dec. 20, the auxiliary police gave their time and transportation to the girls of the Pal's so they could go out to the hospitals and homes of the aged to sing Christmas carols.
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COMMUNICATION UNIT - Headed by Radio Officer Andrew J. Donovan and Asst. Radio Officer Lawrence E. Stone; consisting of 35 radio amateurs in Saugus.
This unit is now officially licensed to operate during any Civil Defense emergency under the RACES plan-when all other means of radio com- munication will be unable to operate. They operate their present equip- ment consisting of mobile and stationary equipment. Weekly tests are always held on Tuesday evenings.
During a nation-wide C.D. test this past summer, the group success- fully participated from locations in Lynn woods, using portable equipment and electricity was furnished by the fire auxiliary portable generator.
WARDEN UNIT headed by Raymond Clark has progressed slowly but steadily and requires a great deal more work and co-operation from the people of Saugus.
MEDICAL UNIT headed by Dr. Edwin Faulkner, assisted by Harold Atkinson is progressing. During the latter part of the year we have pro- cured two ambulances - one a 1941 Packard, donated by Mr. Christy Mavris of Lynn, and a 1947 Cadillac, purchased at a very nominal cost. These are housed at the fire auxiliary headquarters on Main St., and will be ready for use shortly. They will be equipped with appropriate equip- ment, that is expected to be donated by different organizations in town.
Equipment for two first aid stations has been furnished by the Federal Government - one located at the police station and the other at the fire auxiliary headquarters.
GROUND OBSERVER CORPS, with Eugene Kneprath in charge, is located on the roof of the police station and is in operation continuously. Many observers come from out of town, such as Boston, East Boston, Chel- sea, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, Swampscott, Lynn, Peabody and Marblehead.
Due to the temporary tower that was erected. taken from the old Town Farm building, a new weatherproof tower is contemplated. In an attempt to raise money for materials to construct this tower, the group is conduct- ing food sales, turkey drawings, card parties, and progress has been made but assistance must be given by the Town.
This unit has received an award this past year for Outstanding Public Service by the local chapter of the D. A. R. presented by Mrs. Guy Rup- right. Also an award from Governor Christian Herter of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, presented by Major-General Irwin, aide to the governor and co-ordinator of the Commonwealth and the Ground Observer Corps, for Outstanding Performance in the State.
TRANSPORTATION AND EVACUATION UNIT. This unit is headed by William Rockhill and ably assisted by Earl Dudman. They have been working very hard to have a workable plan for evacuation. Considerable progress has been made and routes to the major evacuation highway route #1 have been laid out. Complete information will be furnished to the population as soon as possible so that they may follow the very latest plans. It is sincerely hoped that this information will be followed for the safety of everyone concerned.
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A RADIO-LOGICAL TEAM is in the process of being formed. Their duty will be to ascertain if any area would be free of any radio-active ma- terial, that could be caused by fall-out or direct radiation. This team will require special instruments for measuring and assuring the safety of the public and the CD personnel. These instruments will be purchased under the Matching Fund program of the F.C.D.A. The cost, due to this plan, will be small to our department of C.D.
Special instruction and training is being arranged for this team as this will be a very important unit in our Civil Defense program.
A RESCUE SQUAD is another unit that is in the process of being assembled. This unit can be of untold assistance under any condition of disaster that may happen in Town. Progress is slowly being made.
For the coming year, we must further equip our police auxiliary for the protection of the men, when they are called out to perform the various duties that has been performed by them, in all kinds of weather, for the protection of the public at the many functions held by any of the several organizations in Town.
We must expand each of the different units in the Civilian Defense organization so that the Town of Saugus, as a whole may benefit, when any type of a disaster strikes, such as we have had here in Saugus during the past three years - floods, fires or whatever form it may be.
A great deal of assistance has been given to the many departments in Town and to many of the inhabitants of Saugus during the past year, such as the Odd Fellows' building fire, pumping water out of flooded streets in many locations in Town and many cellars in homes that were flooded, many where sickness was in the homes.
Your Department of Civilian Defense stands ready, willing and able to assist with trained personnel wherever and whenever disaster of any nature strikes.
Many thanks to the heads of the different departments of Saugus that have assisted and helped the Department of Civilian Defense during this past year. My sincere thanks and appreciation to the many volunteers, who have unselfishly given their time, efforts and energy to make our Depart- ment of Civilian Defense outstanding locally and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which has been shown by the many letters of commenda- tion that have been received.
Again, I wish to state that I am proud, very proud, to have such an organization that has been so well recognized throughout the Town of Saugus and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY L. SMITH Director, Dept. of Civilian Defense
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REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1955 was a year of intense activity for the Engineering Department. The rapid development of the town created increased demands which were handled by this department in a professional manner to the best interests of all the citizens of Saugus.
To insure the proper development of Saugus, the Town Engineer, a professional planner, inaugurated preliminary studies for a Master Plan and was responsible for having a Federal Grant amounting to $9,200 allo- cated to Saugus to further these studies. Only five of the hundreds of communities in Massachusetts were offered such aid and Saugus' allot- ment is the highest. Capital improvements, general land use, drainage, water, sewers, zoning, population trends, and general layout will be part of the Master Plan to be drawn for the future of this fast growing com- munity.
The rapid growth of the Town is evidenced by the increased house construction in Saugus. Housing developments by private contractors at the following locations: Spring Lane, Gilway, Conrad Terrace, Jewett Street, Lynn Fells Parkway, Donna Road, Prankers Road, Pillings Road, Rogers Road, McIntyre Road, Alfred Road, Parsons Avenue, Fiske Road, School Street, Forest Street and Walnut Street added $994,230.00 to the Town's valuation. (These are only developments and do not include the numerous individual homes which have been constructed throughout the Town.) These developments opened up vacant lands and required the construction of roads, sidewalks, water and drainage systems. Although such construction was paid for by the developer, the town engineers studied the proposed plans, made recommendations, and supervised the work thus protecting the citizens of Saugus from increased taxes due to added high- way and drainage construction costs that would result from improper de- velopments.
Also of financial benefit to the Town was the work this department did in connection with the Crystal Brook Reconstruction and the Essex Street Water Main Extension projects. In enforcing these contracts, the Town Engineer saved the town a considerable amount of money while at the same time providing high standards and quality of design and construc- tion. Of the $25,000.00 originally appropriated for the contract covering the Crystal Brook Reconstruction and the Central and Winter Street Drainage System, the Town Engineer efficiently kept the actual spending for the work included in the contract to $20,754.67, a saving of $4,245.33. For the construction of the Essex Street Water Main the total payment to the contractor was $13,501.10, a saving of $7,498.90 from the original estimate.
In the case of the Crystal Brook project, the town was saved still addi- tional money by having one of the town engineers act as the resident engi- neer. The minimum cost, had a private engineer done the same work, would have been $4,434.30 (1137 man hours @ $3.90 per hour) for this project alone. This reconstruction of Crystal Brook relieved the residents of the entire Oaklandvale area from continual flooded cellars and a serious health hazard. Such relief had been sought by the residents for the last 24 years. Satisfactory results have already been evidenced as cellar pumps have stopped pumping for the first time since the homes were constructed, and during the unusually heavy rains experienced last summer the brook did
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not create flooded conditions as it had in the past. In addition this re- construction lowered the water table, making a considerable amount of land in the vicinity developable, with potential tax value, where heretofore it would have remained waste land. The work of this project consisted of realigning, reshaping and regrading approximately 4,010 feet of the brook. In preparation for the actual construction, the Engineering Department performed preliminary field work such as gathering topographical and other data relative to the stream's location and from this information they designed a new layout, which was hydraulically advantageous and econ- omically sound. Special attention was paid to protect as much as feasible the interests of abutting property owners and the town. This department drew up the easements, obtained the releases, drew the plans and profile and wrote the specifications and contract. The Town Engineer prepared the advertisement for bids and analyzed the bids subsequent to the award- ing of the contract. A member of this department was assigned to the project for its duration to act as resident engineer and with the assistance of the other town engineers performed the necessary field work, which included reestablishing the abuttors property lines and supplying the con- tractor with the new lines and grades. The resident engineer directed and supervised the construction work to insure strict conformance with the requirements of the plans and specifications.
Saugus' rapid growth has necessitated the extension or replacement of water mains at the following locations. 6,520 feet were constructed under the direct supervision and direction of the town engineers. The remainder was under the general supervision of the Engineering Department.
By Town:
Davis Court Forest Street Rear of New High School
By Developer:
Alfred Road
Cliftondale Avenue
First Street
Jewett Street
Oak Street
Parsons Avenue
Pillings Road
Prankers Road Yale Street (off Cliftondale Avenue)
833 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe 696 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 515 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe
333 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 202 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 80 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 469 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 208 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 70 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 294 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 412 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 16 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe
By Private:
Broadway Dighton Street Granby Street Pine Street Stillings Road Waban Street
By Contract: Ballard Street Bennett Highway
253 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 173 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 286 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 192 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 298 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 32 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe
67 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe 2,024 feet of 10 inch cast iron pipe
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Bryer Street Chestnut Street Eagle Road Essex Street
Gertrude Street
Gertrude Street Hurd Avenue
Lincoln Avenue
Robins Road Treher Street
Westland Avenue
162 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 50 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe 42 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 1,158 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe 220 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe 154 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 1,402 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe 210 feet of 12 inch cast iron pipe 352 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe 439 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe 150 feet of 8 inch cast iron pipe
Because the daily requests answered for citizens by phone and at the office and the assistance given to the other town officials are so numerous it is impossible to mention them in this report.
The services provided by this department are varied and range from initial investigations, estimating and surveying, through detailed computa- tions and field work, to drawing plans, profiles and maps, making recom- mendations, supervising contractors, keeping records and submitting re- ports. For an example, the following excerpt gives a description of the types of engineering work performed relative to the construction of a roadway. "In order to alleviate the many ruts, bends, ledge outcrop and narrowness of Old County Road, the Engineering Department made field surveys in order to obtain data to be used in the redesigning of a proper grade to meet some of the existing conditions. A portion of land which had been deeded to the town was incorporated in the design for the en- trance of this road. This deed was surveyed, a plan and description was drawn up and submitted to the Town Counsel for legal processing. The preliminary construction consisted of removing trees, brush, ledge outcrop, relocating telephone wires and poles, locating and raising water main gates, raising and resetting town bounds, removing an old wall, relocating mailboxes, etc. Location for a catch basin, grade of flow line and size of pipe were determined and installed, connecting it to an existing drainage system. Additional suitable bank gravel was placed where ordered to ob- tain a proper road bed. The road was shaped, rolled and a road surface of bituminous concrete was laid to grade. Sidewalks and banks were graded, loamed and seeded. New steps and a portion of a driveway were replaced where they were disturbed by construction. With the exception of the road surfacing, this road was constructed by the Public Works De- partment and, as is the case of all construction by the Public Works De- partment, was laid out and supervised by the town engineers."
The following table lists some of the numerous requests for engineering services which were fulfilled during the past year or were in the process of study as of December 31, 1955:
HIGHWAYS - GENERAL
Various Locations:
Summary of streets for acceptance-1955 Town Warrant. Reports sub- mitted on status of streets, length and width, estimated costs of con- struction, hearing of Planning Board and Board of Selectmen.
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HIGHWAYS - ROADWAYS
Atlantic Avenue:
Estimate for rebuilding roadway for a length of 1,600 feet.
Baker Street:
New plan and profile for acceptance and widening.
Bayfield Road: Surveyed and staked street line.
Bristow Street:
Field survey to establish street line.
Bristow and Harlow Streets:
Information on lot subdivision.
Bufford Street:
Supplied estimate for construction.
Carver Street:
Established sidelines for Lynn Gas and Electric Company.
Curtis Road:
New estimate submitted for constructing road. Plan and profile drafted. Curtis Street:
Computed new estimate for roadway construction costs. Plan and pro- file drawn.
Davis Court:
Drafted plan and profile. Estimated costs for building road. Supervised construction.
Davis Court Extension:
Designed layout. Supervised construction.
Davis Street:
Estimate for rebuilding roadway for a length of 478 feet.
Denver Street:
Completed survey. Established street line.
Dewey Street:
Reported on roadway entrance and street line to aid the disposition of tax title property.
Donna Road:
Designed and located entrance off the Lynn Fells Parkway. Obtained permit from M. D. C. Supervised development.
Elmer Avenue:
Perform survey work to reproduce street line.
Emory Street:
Plan and profile for acceptance.
Essex Street:
Discussed layout and design with State Engineers. Obtained releases for Chapter 90 construction. Prepared drainage plan for crossing under railroad.
Fairmount Avenue:
Drafted layout plan. Submitted studies to correct drainage condition. Recommended reconstruction of portion of this roadway.
Farrington Avenue:
Estimate for surfacing.
Forest Street:
Estimate for rebuilding 3,699 feet of this roadway.
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Halstead and Wickford Streets:
Field survey to lay out the corner of the streets.
Hesper Street:
Street line established. Estimate for surfacing for a distance of 1,343 feet.
Hesper Street and Woodbury Avenue:
Supervised paving of intersection with bituminous concrete.
Highland Avenue:
Designed and furnished plans for a wider turnout at approach to new High School.
Highland Avenue:
Field survey completed to establish the street line.
Hobson Street:
Cost estimate, study and report submitted for rebuilding roadway.
Houston Avenue :
Reproduced street line. Studied water condition caused by existing im- proper road cross-section and grade. Made recommendations.
Hurd Avenue:
Estimate compiled and submitted. Type of construction recommended. Inspected construction.
Lewis Lane:
Surveyed and staked out street line. Worked on acceptance plan. Made estimate for rebuilding roadway for a length of 1,768 feet.
Lincoln Avenue:
Reproduced street line.
Lincoln Avenue:
Made plan and estimate to rectify drainage problem by regrading road and gutter with bituminous concrete.
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