USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1955 > Part 9
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Secretarial work, keeping records, progress graphs, utility information tables and cost sheets. Maintain- ing adequate filing and plan indexes.
ASSISTANT ENGINEER
Laying out sewerage, drain- age, recreational and other projects. Doing preliminary estimating and planning.
SURVEY CREW
GRADE III
GRADE IJI
ALTERNATE
SURVEY
Chief of party and notekeeper.
Working on highway and drain- age problems. Working with water department. Supervis- ing and inspecting construc- tion.
CREW
GRADE II Rod Man
GRADE II
GRADE II
Transi tman
Working with assessing depart- ment. Investigating property deeds. Supervising and in- specting construction.
1. This figure represents the actual man hours worked and does not include vacations and sick leave time.
96
Several major projects required a great deal of both field and office work, as indicated on the table below, which cut down the available man power to 2.3 men to take care of answering all other requests made of this department which, in number only totaled more than 300. The number of requests for work, however, is not indicative of the amount of work re- quired to fulfill them, since due to their varied nature they require from several man hours to several thousand man hours to complete satisfactorily.
DISTRIBUTION OF MAN HOURS
Essex Street Water Contract
263 man hours
Drainage System - Winter Street
484 man hours
Crystal Brook Improvements
2,580 man hours
New High School
1,950 man hours
Lynnhurst Playground
600 man hours
Old County Road
690 man hours
Essex Street Chapter 90
150 man hours
Riverbank Road
322 man hours
Time employed on major projects - 7,039 man hours
Net time
Minimum number of
available 11,651.2 man hours
1955 requests 300++
Time used on
Average time per
major projects 7,039.0 man hours
request 50 man hours
Remaining time
Time needed to fulfill other
to do all other
work 4,522.2 man hours
requests 15,000 man hours
Time needed to fulfill other requests
15,000 man hours
Time had to fulfill these requests
4,522.2 man hours
Additional man hours needed 10,477.8 man hours
This condition of not having sufficient personnel to fulfill the current requests was made even more serious by the backlog of unfinished work which accumulated over the years before the Engineering Department was created. At that time plotting of field and water main notes were about four years behind, location of houses on assessors maps were about five years behind, locating and plotting water main gates were about six years behind. Many of the streets which had been accepted had no plan of ac- ceptance and final plans of drain, catch basins and manhole locations were incomplete. Many of the older streets never had the street line established and the work involved in the reestablishing the line and profile and setting proper monuments would take several years. The lack of planning left the administration without an overall plan of water locations upon which to judge contracts for water extensions and replacements. Records of con- struction costs and surveys of possible new land revenue were incomplete and the filing system was inadequate and inaccurate. Much of this work has been brought up to date and the inaccuracies and inefficiencies recti- fied, but there is still a great deal of work to be done. Figure I illustrates how the fluctuation in engineering personnel affects the work potential. It clearly indicates the need to appropriate sufficient funds in 1956 to main- tain the staff of eight full-time engineers including the Town Engineer.
97
~ NUMBER OF ENGINEERS ~
Backloged
Requests
Jan.
Feb.
May
1953
16 Jun.
Jul .
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dsc.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
1954
Jun .
Jul .
Aug.
Sept .
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jon.
Feb.
Mør.
Apr.
May
1955
Jun .
Jul .
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
answered monthly requests for engineering services
additional man hours needed to fulfill all engineering
additional man hours needed to fulfill all engineering requests
number of engineers employed & amount of monthly requests answered
FIGURE I
98
+ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STARTED
requests
~YEAR ~
.
The establishment of a continuous planning approach to meet the development and redevelopment problems which are constantly confront- ing Saugus is needed if the town is to take advantage of its vacant lands, natural resources and geographical location during its accelerated develop- ment period. Thus in addition to the hundreds of immediate engineering and planning problems which were handled by the town engineers, this department initiated definite action towards preparation of a Master Plan to promote the proper development of Saugus with these basic objectives:
1. To provide for logical development of the community.
2. To coordinate the various town and private activities.
3. To coordinate private building by zoning, subdivision, etc.
4. To effect economies by objective studies of public improvements.
Studies regarding the feasibility of combining numerous small lots so that they can be developed to meet business and industrial needs and to conform with present zoning requirements were carried on to provide the best possible use of our vacant lands.
Studies were completed regarding the effect of zoning land along the Newburyport Turnpike for light industrial use. These studies showed that the assessed value of the area increased from $870,000.00 in 1951 to $1,- 565,000.00 in 1953, an increase of $695,000.00 or 80%. This brought the as- sessed value along the Turnpike to approximately 7% of the town's total valuation. Since these figures represent only the immediate benefit due to the zoning change, the eventual increased valuation due to added con- struction should amount to many times this figure.
To help meet the demands created by the ever-increasing population of Saugus, we recommend the continuance of the long-range program for the improvement of schools and play areas. It is agreed that adequate safe recreational areas are vital to all communities. To expediently pro- vide such areas, plans have been drawn and estimates compiled to improve the various school yards so that the improved facilities can be enjoyed dur- ing both school recesses and by the neighborhood children after school hours. This work would be similar to that which we have already com- pleted at the Ballard, Lynnhurst and Armitage School yards.
The Town Engineer wishes to extend his appreciation to all those whose sincere co-operation has enabled the department to accomplish so much during the past year. The department will continue to do its utmost to aid, protect and stimulate the proper growth of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY B. GOLDBERG
Town Engineer
99
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus:
The year started out, for the Finance Committee, in a normal routine manner with consideration of the annual budget and warrant for the An- nual Town Meeting. The committee carefully examined the budget as presented to us by the Board of Selectmen and made numerous reductions. We found it necessary to increase several items but the net reduction was about $50,000, or about $2 on the tax rate.
In computing the estimated tax rate we found the manager had been overly optimistic in estimating non-appropriation charges against the town and town receipts. Therefore, our estimated tax rate to cover the budget was only 48 cents less than the manager's estimate. The wisdom of the Finance Committee's figures was established by the financial records of the town which show that the actual receipts were less than the estimates used by the committee.
The Finance Committee's special article recommendations as finally presented to the Annual Town Meeting have a total estimated tax rate of $60.19. The committee was very gratified when the total appropriations made by the town meeting was within $4,000 of the amount recommended by the committee and the actual tax rate was within 29 cents of our esti- mate. Since the actual receipts of the town were $35,000 less than those used by the assessors, the 1955 tax rate should have been about $61.30 in- stead of $59.90.
The Finance Committee's records were checked this year for the first time by the state auditors. The auditor who examined them highly com- mended our secretary for their completeness in detail. The committee was given a clean bill of health by the auditor for the two or three years cov- ered by the check.
The Finance Committee makes the following two recommendations:
(1) That a long range planning program be instituted for the orderly improvement of the physical assets of the town and to encourage growth of the town in an orderly fashion.
(2) That a more conservative policy be adopted on estimating receipts and non-appropriation charges so that the results of good man- agement during the year will not be negated by the over-estimation of receipts in setting the tax rate.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL DRISCOLL
100
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
I hereby submit the annual report of the personnel, condition and activ- ities of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1955:
Roster
Acting Chief-Joseph L. Maguire.
Lieutenants-Albert Jarvis, Norman Hull.
Firefighters-Harold Atkinson, Warren Newhall, George Parrott, Guy Collins, Leo Cahill, Frank Beckford, Robert Jacobs, Robert Champoux, Charles Ryder, John LaViska, Leslie Hitchings, Walter Wetmore, George Berrett, Joseph Champoux, George Howard, Thomas Nolan, Melvin Lawton, William Paganucci, George Parrott, Jr., George Fyfe, George Cronin, Ronald Tilley, Albert Brazis.
Call Firefighters-Lewis Gray, Arthur Gustafson, Randolph Popp, Joseph Vatcher, Robert Curtis.
The department responded to over 700 calls in the past year, which was a near record.
The aerial ladder truck purchased in 1952 is in fine condition and was used to great advantage at fires during the year.
Engine No. 3, the Mack 1,000 gal. pumper is 13 years old and is still in good condition.
Engine No. 4, the Mack combination hose and booster truck, used on nearly all calls, should be replaced for a small unit. Sending a heavy pumper into wooded areas is not recommended.
Engine No. 2, the Mack 600 gal. pumper is being retained as a reserve apparatus.
With our radio equipped apparatus, we are now operating at a high de- gree of efficiency.
I recommend the appointment of additional officers, so that proper supervision can be maintained at all times.
I have received fine co-operation from all Town departments and I know that this will continue.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. MAGUIRE
Acting Chief
101
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 312
Ballard at Houston
*125 Essex at Pleasant Ave. 313 Dudley at Henry
(Armitage School)
314 Ballard near Salem Turnpike
13 Essex at R.R. Crossing
*315 Richards at Dudley (Ballard School)
*131 School at Second
132 Norman Rd.
32 Lincoln Ave. at Franklin Sq.
133 Essex at Felton
321
Wendall at Newhall
142 Broadway at Treher
325
Chestnut at Wendall (Mansfield School)
15 Broadway at Essex
34
Winter at Willis
*151 Essex at Stevens Pl. (Melrose line)
*341
Springdale Ave. at Allard
21 Lincoln Ave. at Cliftondale Sq.
*344
Pratt at No. 50
212 Summit Ave. at Ocean View
*345
Johnson Rd. at Carleton
213 Wamesit at Aberdeen
36
Winter at Kenwood
214 Western Ave. at No. 26
*215 Essex at Cliftondale School
362 Riverside Pk. at Victoria
23 Lincoln Ave. at Laurel
364 Westland Ave., at Westford
*231 Lincoln Ave. at Fairview Ave.
371 Bristow at Wickford
234 Laurel at Mt. Vernon
*372 Glen Park Ave. at No. 30
*235 Park at No. 50
*375 Lincoln Ave. at Atlantic (Emerson School)
* 24 Lincoln Ave. at Central
* 38 Lincoln Ave. at Lawndale
243 Jackson at No. 39
381 Lawndale at Eaton
*245 Lincoln Ave. at Sweetser School
41 Walnut at Broadway
25 Central at Castle
*412
Bow St.
253 Granite Rd. at Danforth
*414 Walden Pond Ave.
*255 Central at Felton School
42 Walnut at Water
256 Stone at Birch
422
Water at No. 109 (Merrill's)
26 Lincoln Ave. at Morton Ave.
*424
Water at Homeland Rd.
*262
Saugus Avenue at Aberdeen
*425
Water at North Saugus School
27 Essex at Eustis
$426 Walnut at Lynnfield line
271 Whitney at Myrtle
43 Cleveland at Washington Ave.
* 28 Central at Adams Ave.
431 Walnut at Fairmont Ave.
281 Adams Ave. at Cliftondale Ave.
*432 Fairmont Ave. at Washington Ave.
282 Central at Knowles Ave.
*434 Garfield at Garfield Ter.
285 Vet. Mem. School at Hurd Ave.
31 Lincoln Ave. at Ballard
*435 Cleveland at Lynnhurst School
* 14 Broadway at Felton
323 Lincoln Ave. at Vincent
143 Robin Rd. at Oriole
342 Bailey Ave. at Wakefield Ave.
16 Vine at Adams Ave.
*343 Springdale Ave. at Sylvan
361 Laconia at Harwich
233 Linwood at Avon
37 Lincoln Ave., at Bristow
241 Lincoln Ave. at Baker
*384
Gates Rd.
102
*436 Edson at Newcomb
732 Parker at No. 18
45 Central at Elm
*735 Main at Roby School
451 Lily Pond Ave. at Lake Circle
74 Central at Bridge
*454 Holland at McCollough
741 Summer at Appleton
*455 DeSota at Evergreen
742 Summer at Pleasant
46 Central at Walnut
75 Main at Vine
*461 Great Woods Rd. at Hobson
751 Highland Ave.
462 Central at Birchwood
754 Main at No. 43
*463 Walnut at Birchwood
*
76 Woodbury Ave. at Roundhill
47 Broadway opp. Spring
762 Pearson at Roundhill
*472 Broadway at Walden Ave.
* 48 Broadway at Fellsway
SPECIAL SIGNALS Recall Signals
*481 Forest at M.D.C. Reservation
2
1st Box
51 Sweetwater at Scollay Sq.
2 - 2
2nd Box
512 Shore Rd. at King
2-2 -2
3rd Box
53 Main at Howard
2-2 - 2 - 2
4th Box
*531 Main at Concrete Materials Co.
Test Signals
54 Oaklandvale and Puritan Rd.
1 -1
9 A. M., and 6 P. M.,
*541 Main at Bennett Farm
545 Main at Oaklandvale School
56 Main at Broadway
*561 Broadway at Town Farm
*562 Main at Longwood Ave.
* 61 Woodbury Ave. at Hesper
*612 Bridge at Lathrop
7 - 7 Melrose (2 Rounds sent out)
62 Atherton near Hesper
8 - 8 Wakefield (2 Rounds sent out)
621 Hamilton at Wilkin's Magazine
9 - 9 Others (2 Rounds sent out)
623 Wonderland Ave.
Multiple Alarms
63 Hesper at Alder
1 blow before box, 2nd Alarm
632 Hesper near Burrill
3 blows before box, 3rd Alarm
71 Central at Centennial
4 blows before box, 4th Alarm
712 Denver at R.R. Crossing
Police Call
714 Central at Denver
1 - 1 (2 Rounds sent out)
715 Central at High School
Boy Scout Call
72 Central at Jasper
3 - 3 - 3 (2 Rounds sent out) No School Signals
721 Jasper at Pearson
725 Auburn at No. 26
2 - 2 (2 Rounds sent out)
*727 Jasper at No. 14
6:45 A.M .- High School
73 Main at Central, Monument Sq.
8:00 A.M .- Grades A.M.
12:45 P.M .- Grades P.M.
* Transmitter or phantom box, sent from fire station only.
103
Daily Test
1-1 -1 - 1 Before Box,
1 -1 After, Box Test
Out of Town Call
3- 3 Lynn (2 Rounds sent out)
4 - 4 Revere (2 Rounds sent out)
6 - 6 Malden (2 Rounds sent out)
REPORT OF THE FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
The following is a description of the work and the accomplishments of the Forestry and Parks Department for the year 1955.
The complement includes a superintendent, a truck driver-laborer, two tree climber-laborers, and one laborer.
GENERAL WORK AND SERVICES
This department topped 131 trees in 1955 and the greater part of the stumps of these trees were removed. Over 50% of these trees were elm trees destroyed by the Dutch elm disease.
We cut brush on various streets of the town and on all others that were requested.
I had the Amelia Tree Company in this town for 30 days doing storm damage work and our department worked right along with them removing dangerous trees and hangers. The cost of the tree company was paid by the state.
We planted small maple trees that were requested on various streets throughout the town.
The department completed extra unforseen jobs such as:
On Old County Road, we removed 9 oak trees over 10" in diameter and cleared roadside for reconstruction of the road.
On Davis Court, we cut trees and cleared brush for the entrance to the new High School.
At the Oaklandvale School, we cut 24 large oaks and maples, cut and burned brush on land set aside for playground purposes.
At the Armitage School, we topped and removed one large poplar tree and one maple tree for a play area on school property.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Lynn Gas and Electric Company had 26 large elms topped at no cost to the town. We would like to thank them for their cooperation in the past year.
SPRAYING
We sprayed all town-owned elm trees at least three times for the con- trol of the elm leaf beetle and the bark beetle. This program will have to be kept up to keep these pests at a minimum.
Last year we had 700 acres with 12% D.D.T. by airplane for the con- trol of gypsy moth. This area was centered east of the Newburyport Turn- pike and north of Main St., to the town line past Walnut St. It proved very effective and also helped to keep mosquitoes and other insects at a minimum. This program should be kept up as it shows 95% effectiveness.
We sprayed all poison ivy upon request of the people in various sections of the town. This was made possible by the Department of Conservation donating 50 gallons of weed killer at no cost to the town.
PLAYGROUNDS AND TOWN GREENS
In the past year this department has maintained all town-owned greens. This includes cutting of grass once a week, weeding and trimming of the flower beds and watering when necessary.
104
This department graded and seeded the Bristow Street and the Stocker Street Playgrounds. We assisted the Playground Commission on various jobs which they requested. In the following year the maintenance of the grounds of the various playgrounds will come under the jurisdiction of this department.
With the inclusion of the maintenance of the grounds of the numerous playgrounds throughout the town under my department, I feel that it is necessary to have a 12 ton pick-up truck to facilitate the performance of these extra duties.
In the past year the Forestry and Parks Department has assisted the other departments of the town whenever necessary. The superintendent would like to express his thanks to all other departments for their co-op- eration throughout the year.
In closing, I wish to state that this department has no telephone of its own and may be contacted by calling the Public Works Garage. The number is SA 8-2177 on any working day between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning and 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. VATCHER, Superintendent Forestry and Parks Department
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
To the Town Manager:
The Cemetery Department herewith submits its report for the year 1955.
For the year 1955 the Cemetery Department was operated by a crew consisting of the Superintendent and four permanent men and one clerk. Following the practice of many years several temporary men were employed during the summer season at a total cost of $3,829.33.
The sum of $23,245.00 was expended for salaries and wages and $4,226.54 for the expenses of the department. Of this total cost the Town Meeting appropriated $22,439.89 and the sum of $4,561.11 was transferred from in- terest received on Perpetual Care funds.
Total receipts for the year were as follows: Sale of Lots $1,965.00; Care of Lots $1,193.75; Interment Fees $4,915.00; Foundations $1,167.01 and Inter- est on Perpetual Care Funds $4,877.55, making a total of $14,118.31 for 1955.
There were 124 burials during the year 1955. Five avenues were par- tially filled in, thereby providing approximately 36 single graves, twenty 4-grave lots and fifty 2-grave lots for additional burial space.
At this time I wish to thank the many departments for their assistance and cooperation during 1955.
Very truly yours, ALFRED W. POWERS
Supt. Riverside Cemetery
105
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Town Manager:
It is my duty as agent for the Board of Health to report to the mem- bers of the Board as to the functions of the Health Department for the year 1955.
During the year I have issued 431 plumbing permits, 16 drain layer's licenses, 2 permits to operate dumps, 6 permits to transport night soil, 5 permits to pick up and transport butcher's waste material, and 16 permits for the transportation of garbage.
Also 86 ice cream permits, both wholesale and retail, 89 milk store licenses, 41 oleomargarine permits, 27 milk dealer licenses for vehicles, 5 licenses to manufacture frozen dessert and ice cream mix, 1 license for the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages, and one meat processing plant.
We also issued 3 licenses for kindergartens, 3 convalescent homes, 2 in- fant boarding homes, 1 boarding home for the aged, and 1 hospital license. Also there were 177 permits issued for cabins, 102 for motels, and three for trailer coach parks.
Eighty-nine animal permits were issued, 37 anti-freeze permits for fill- ing stations and hardware stores, and 19 miscellaneous permits.
One hundred and three new cesspools were located and 86 new septic tanks and disposal systems. Sixty-six new sewer connections were made, 18 dye tests were made on questionable drainage systems, and located six new wells.
One hundred and twenty samples of milk and ice cream and two samples of well water were analyzed.
The laboratory in the basement of the Sweetser School is an approved laboratory by the State Department of Public Health and is a credit to the Town of Saugus for its many uses.
I received 171 reports of dog bites, and quarantined the same, as pro- vided by law, four of which were unknown dogs which had to be boarded out for 14 days each.
During the year this department had six court cases, and four are still pending.
1955 was a very busy year for remodeling and construction of new and old buildings, entailing many inspections. I have informed the Board of Assessors of all remodeling and construction in the town, in determining a change of value of buildings involved. Also I have given the Assessors a complete report of all cattle, horses. pigs, goats, etc., in the town.
This department received 375 complaints about garbage and 90 com- plaints about rubbish collections. Also there were 161 complaints about overflowing cesspools and 26 miscellaneous sewage complaints.
All stores and restaurants, overnight cabins, motels, and trailer coach parks were inspected as was deemed necessary throughout the year.
All necessary reports were made to the Division of Sanitary Engineer- ing, Department of Public Health, Division of Livestock Disease Control, and Division of Child Welfare, and the Food and Drug Division of the Commonwealth.
106
The total receipts for 1955 were:
Plumbing
Miscellaneous permits
$ 1,140.00 764.71
State subsidy
879.99
$ 2,784.70
I wish to thank the members of the Board of Health, the Town Man- ager, and all other department heads for their support during the year 1955.
Very truly yours,
JOHN V. SPENCER
Agent
Approved by the Board of Health, PETER L. GRADY, Chm. EDWIN B. FAULKNER, M.D. HARRY H. WENTWORTH
YEARLY REPORT OF NURSE FOR 1955
Tuberculosis-
Visits to families 85
Patients admitted to Sanatorium 6
Persons transported to Sanatorium for X-Ray 65
Students patch-tested for tuberculosis-Nov. and Dec. 273 This includes the first grades and kindergartens only.
The High School is to be done in January.
Patch-tested in March-Grade School 250
Patch-tested in March-High School 316
Dental Clinic-
Children transported to the dental clinic 462
Well-Child Conference-
The Well-Child Conference is conducted the first and third Wednes- days of each month at the Legion Hall. Dr. Walter E. Gilman is in charge of this clinic.
Number of patients seen 144
Number of old patients 118
Number of new patients 26
Number of patients immunized 32
Number of patients vaccinated 15
The North Shore Christian School children were given a physical exam- ination by Dr. Edwin B. Faulkner.
Number of pupils attending this school 20
The nurse examined the eyes and ears of these pupils and checked their height and weight.
Inspections-
Number of nursing homes 4
Number of homes for the aged 1
Number of boarding homes for children 2
Immunization Clinics-
A clinic was held in the schools for the injections of Salk vaccine for the prevention of poliomyelitis on May 23, 1955.
Number of children who received inoculations 952
107
A clinic for immunization against diphtheria and tetanus was held on October 1st, November 5th and December 3rd. This clinic has been limited to the first graders but this year we included the 5th and 6th graders for a booster shot.
Number of first graders receiving inoculations 89
Number of 5th and 6th graders receiving inoculations 282
Each month cards are sent out to mothers of babies 4 months of age to remind them to have their children immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Number of cards sent to date 264
Premature Babies-
The Premature Baby Law states that the Board of Health is liable for the care of premature infants weighing 41/2 pounds or less at birth provid- ing that the parents are unable to pay and application is made within ten days after birth, and providing that the parents have a legal settlement in the town. This law has been changed as of Dec. 9, 1955 to infants weighing 5 pounds or less at birth.
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