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10. Other
High School Auditorium
TOWN REPORT PAGE THREE
Supt. of Schools (Continued From Page Two)
sixty-four Saugus ranked seventh from the bottom, Only six towns had a lower cost.
gus was $24.00 lower than the me- dian of the sixty-four towns in our group and $52.51 below the average of the 351 cities and towns in the In all such lists and surveys dur- Ing the past years, as well as at present, Saugus school costs, on a comparative basis, have been among Commonwealth. In the group of the lowest in its population group. Net Cost of Schools 1956
One of the facts that is usually omitted in discussions of the cost of schools in Saugus is the rather large reimbursements received in the I cannot conclude this message without reporting to you on the forin of state aid. The following school finance recapitulation for the fiscal year 1956 shows that the schools had receipts of $173,521 from the condition of the Saugus taxpayer several different sources. This amounts to approximately 20 per cent of as I see' It. Saugus, in my opinion. the funds used for support of schools.
Funds Avallable to Schools:
By Appropriation Annual Town Meeting $ 854,941.00
By Appropriation Special Town Meeting 15,780.62
Federal Ald for Vocational Household Arts 8.519.66
Total funds available $ 879,241.28
Receipts:
Commonwealth of Mass. C. 71, S. 7A (transportation)
5,714.21
Commonwealth of Mass. C. 71, S. 46
(special class) . 2,834.66
Commonwealth of Mass. C. 70, as amended
C. 643, (General State Aid) 150,785.00 Commonwealth of Mass. C. 76, S. 7-10
(Youth Serviee) 355.32
Federal Aid - Vocational Household Arts Commonwealth of Mass. (trans. blind children)
8,519.66
Transportation and Tuition - State Wards. 4,375.32
Tuition: Out of town pupils 25.00
Insurance' payment on vandalism 94.37
Shop supplies, collections 234.16
Junk - old desks and chairs 116.15
Rental - school facilities 175.00
Misc., damaged and lost books, toll calls, etc. Total Receipts, 1956
173,521.39
Net Cost, 1956 Unexpended funds
$
705.719.89 503.92
Actual Net Cost, 1956
Our Appreciation Goes
To the Public Works Department for plowing walks and elearing parking areas, particularly at the High School.
To the Class of 1956 - a gift of $350 for an electric basketball score- board.
To the Saugus High School Visual Aids Club for the large equipment cart for transporting visual aid equipment throughout the building, and other materials.
To the North Shore Nurseries and Florists for the large philodendron for the Saugus High School library. To all those individuals and or- ganizations who gave money and books for the High School library And +~ Elwood Philbrick, the first who enthusiastically or- ganized the library and worked to build it on a firm foundation. Son.e fine memorials were presented.
To Mrs. Needham and the Band Parents Association for the risers for the auditorium stage.
To Mrs. Shuff, the household arts teachers and the pupils in their elasses for the curtains, drapes and furniture, purchased through funds earned by them, for that depart- ment.
To Miss Hayward and the Saugus High School Dramatic Club for three mierophone bases and elothes racks for two dressing rooms.
To the Class of 1955 for the fine lectern for the Saugus High School Auditorium.
To the pupils of Saugus High School for the gift of the large motion picture screen for the Au- ditorium.
To Mrs. Harriet H. Burden for the High School Girls' Club for thirty library books and a fine five piece silver service set and tray.
To the Class of 1925 for the' State flag for the Saugus High School Auditorium.
To the Class of 1951 for the United States flag for the Saugus High School Auditorium.
To Mrs. Hariret H. Burden for the large outdoor United States flag in memory of her husband, Ernest, a veteran of World War I.
To James Sacco of the Ace Weld- ing Co. for the gift of the fine steel flagpole for the new Saugus High School.
T. S. W. Haynes and Associates for the outdoor fireplace for house- hold arts cook out area at the Sau- gus High School.
To the Vara Construction Co. and S. W. Haynes and Associates for five hundred printed brochures de- scribing the Saugus High School. To the Parent-Teacher Associa- tlons, and all of the citizens and taxvavers who have so loyally sup- ported their children through the schools in the period of teacher and building shortages, rapidly in- creasing enrollments and priees. and national and local attacks on the' publle schools.
Your Police and Fire Depart- ments. at least since I have been here, have operated in a normal manner and carried out their duties properly and In accordance with the statutes. An unfortunate accident in the Police Department resulted In the ruin of one of our police' cruisers but outside of this accident Conclusion operations were carried on satis- To make progress in Saugus schools, as in most communities having a limited financial tax base. is difficult. Lack of heavy industry throws the full tax burden on the home owners and small industries in the community. The large ma- factorily. However, I might add that there is some unrest In the Police and Fire Departments due in great measure to the wages paid thesc men. However, we are unfortunate in one respect in that we are in a heavy industrial area and in order jority of our parents, citizens, and to get good policemen we have to taxpayers have strongly supported compete with high wages being paid the schois - many through real, at the General Electric Company
and other manufacturing establish- ments.
The problem of additional space at the Riverside Cemetery was met in a small measure when thousands of yards of filling were deposited there from the construction work done ou Essex and Walnut Streets. I hope to repeat that performance in 1957 and add more burial area to the Cemetery.
is a beautiful residential commun- ity, almost entirely devoid of any industry and in towns of that type the heavy burden of taxation is laid upon the small homeowner. Saugus pays the highest of wages to its town employees which is only just. Saugus also carries a heavy debt which has been incurred most- ly for the construction of new school buildings. It is costing the taxpayers of this Town $203,000 to meet its debt payments and an- on the total loan. This sum of $290,- 000 Is equivalent to nearly $11.00 on the local tax rate. This means just one thing that the Town should continue' to operate on a pay-as- you-go policy for several years in order that this excessive burden may be alleviated. As of January 1, 1956 the total Bonded Dept of the Town was $3,118,000 of which $2,340,000 is owed on School Bulld- ings and $778,000 for sewer and wa- ter construction. If we cannot eon- tinue a strict pay-as-you-go policy at least we should not borrow any more in any one year than we are paying off in the same period.
for an extension of the sewerage sys- tem. How we are going to aecom- plish both is a matter that I Intend to give serious consideration to in the future. Both of these projects should be made part of our Master Plan for the future development of Saugus.
In regards to planning, I am happy to state that your Planning Board entered into contract with the State Department of Commerce and took advantage of Federal funds that will enable the Plan- ning Board to complete a master plan of Saugus. The total cost of this project over a two year period is approximately $18.400 of which $9.200 is a grant from the Federal government. The Planning Board has engaged, with my approval, the services of Nord S. Davis of Weston who is recognized as one of the most capable planners in the Com- monwealth. The project is underway and should be' completed by the end of 1957.
Since the first day I entered mun- icipal service it has been my opln- ion that the better informed the citizens are as to the conduct of their government, the better qual- Ified they are to exercise their right of franchise at the' polls. With that thought in mind I have always ac- cepted invitations to address any and ali groups of citizens or organ- izations on matters pertaining to the conduct of their local govern- ment, and during my tenure of of- fice' as Mayor of Beverly and City Manager In Haverhill the door to my office was always open to all the people who wished to see me on any matter that concerned the operation of their municipal ser- vices. Since coming to Saugus I have followed that same policy elosely and intend to continue it in the future.
May I say In conclusion that I am deeply cognizant of the many problems facing our people, but I firmly believe that with all Town Departments and Committees work- ing together in a cooperative and harmonious manner that we can meet our responsibilities and solve our problems without placing too great a burden on our taxpayers.
DANIEL E. MCLEAN Town Manager.
C. CARROLL CUNNINGHAM ... Town Counsel
Majority Report (Continued from Page One)
a definite mandale to keep all 1956
and 1957 expenditures within the cerned in reflecting our own views ability of our taxpayers to pay. We on important basic principles of town government which affect the welfare of every citizen and tax- payer of our community. We in- tend to keep our report on a high plane since we believe that is what citizens would expect of us. were of the unanimous opinion that the year 1956 should be a year of reduced expenses. In this first at- tempt, because of the lack of quali- fications and leadership in the office of our then Town Manager, Mr. We believe that the most import- ant single objective. to be presently attained, Is a substantial reduction in our present tax rate of $69.90. There is only one real way to re- duce a tax rate. It is to stop spend- ing money for projects which are beyond the ability of our citizens to pay. A reduced tax rate can definitely be attained in 1957 with the cooperation of the Town Man- ager, the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, and the mem- bers of the annual March Town Meeting. Walter E. Lawrence, your Board failed. It failed not because we had not done the job that we had prom- ised the people of Saugus, but more so because the Town Manager saw it politically expedient to join with the former Chairman of the Finance Committee for the purpose of de- stroying your Selectmen's plan for a reduced tax rate for 1956, they predicting a rate of $64,24 if their plan was followed. We said that the tax rate would be nearly $70.00 if that plans was adopted. The records show that it came out $69.90, just other $91.167 is to pay the interest [ as we had predicted.
In order to stop any further oc- currences that might have brought disaster to our Town, we took the following steps:
(a) The removal of Walter E. Lawrence as Town Manager.
(b) Strive for a lower tax rate for the years 1957 and 1958.
(c) The building up of our finan- cial reserves which at the very be- ginning of the year 1956, were prac- tically exhausted.
(d) The restoration of good mor- ale among our Town employees.
Subsequently, by unanimous vote, your Board proceeded to instigate removal proceedings against Mr. Lawrence, the Town Manager. Our plan of removal was challenged by knew all along was nothing but a tool for the former Manager, who had placed before the people of Sau- gus a record of extravagance and waste of public funds unparalleled in the history of our Town. The courts found that your Board had acted faithfully and legally when they voted unanimously for the re- moval of the former Town Manager. The condition of the Town govern- ment at that time was in such a state of confusion that your Board wasted no time in taking the action that was needed to bring about good government.
Mr. Charles C. DeFronzo, the lale Superintendent of Public Works, was made temporary Town Man- ager. After giving six months of faithful serviee, his resignation was accepted, because of ill health, and Mr. Daniel E. MeLean, former City Manager of Haverhill and former Mayor of the City of Beverly, with thirty years' experience in munici- pal government, was appointed by a
His appointment was primarily the responsibilty of Selectmen Lud-
Soon after our election as Select- men in November 1955. it became wig, Nagle and Bucchiere. Mr. Mc- our unpleasant duty to remove our former Town Manager from his office. We did this with reluctance but with the firm conviction that we acted in the best interests of the Town of Sangus. Our action has since been upheld by the Superior Court and the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is indeed proof enough that our action was justified and based on evidence which could not be controverted. We bear no personal mallee, however, against the former Town Manager. Lean, from the outset, demonstrated that he was the type of leader and Town Manager of which our Town was in dire need. He proceeded to take immediate action that would spell ultimate success for the Town of Saugus. His accomplishments during the short period of time that he has been in Saugus have been noteworthy. His purchasing of materials, construction of roads, drains, and other publie works pro- jeets, as well as his keen knowledge of municipal government, have been a great asset to our Town. His 1957 budget was submitted on time for the first time since Town Manager form of Government was adopted. The Board examined each budget. item by item, with all members of the Board and the Town Manager present. The Manager's Budget call-
We are unalterably opposed to any general, across the board, In- crease in property valuations and assessments to reduce our tax rate. Such a practice is mere subterfuge since, in the end. the real estate taxpayer is not helped but is ac- tually further penalized. A lower tax rate, by such a procedure, mere- ed for a tax rate for 1957 of $64.50. ly encourages tbe expenditure of more public monles. The end re- sult is that a community winds up with both high property valua- tions and a high tax rate. From thereon in, there is no retreat from an exceedingly dangerous taxation situation.
constituting a net reduetion, with- out special Articles, of $5.50. This we knew was definite, as the depart- ment budgets were well prepared and itemized. We commend all Town department heads for their coopera- tion on this matter. The Board of Selectmen immediately voted a mo- tion whereby the Manager's Budget and tax rate for 1957 be adopted as the Selectmen's Budget and tax rate, and the same be submitted to the Finance Committee, as required by law. This action was in direct con- trast to the more than eighty hours that were sent in the preparation of the famous $69.90 tax rate, which we opposed at the Town Meeting of March, 1956. We knew that Mr. McLean had submitted an honest budget. This budget allowed all teachers their salary increases, and a $200.00 increase for all other Town employees that were not originally scheduled to receive any increases, due to the tremendous inerease re- quested in the budget of our School Department.
A meeting was arranged through the Chairman of the School Com- mittee, who in turn recognized the need of a meeting of the minds for
(Continued on Page Four)
Minority Report (Continued from Page One) zens of Saugus. Rather are we con-
We are pledged to support the 1957 budgetary proposals of Town Manager Daniel E. McLean. If all others do likewise, a substantial tax reduction can, and will. be ac- complished in 1957.
It is also our belief that the Town Manager, whoever he may be. should be left free and unshackled to carry out his administrative functions without interference from the members of the Board of Sel- ectmen, Individually or collectively. Unless such a policy Is adhered to, no Town Manager can give the best of his knowledge and ability to the maximum benefit of our tax- pavers and citizens.
We belleve that Chapter 17, our Town Manager Act, intends that the Board of Selectmen shall be the policy making board of our mun- a small minority group, whom we icipal government. This should be
the case, at all times, since It is the Board of Selectmen who are' elected by the citizens of the town. The Finance Committee and the Town Meeting represent the legis- lative branch of our government. The statute intends that the mem- bers, of each of these bodies, should be allowed to exercise their legisla- tive functions without interference from the members of the Board of Selectmen, either as individuais. or as a body. This does not, of course, mean that honest differ- ences of opinion cannot be debated. Such difference of opinion are nor- mal and healthy. Carping criticism and abuse of these two legislative bodies. often unjustified. is neither healthy nor in the best interests of good town government.
We believe that our town needs more men and women in public office who consider public office to be a public trust. The use, or abuse, of public office for self publicity often results In exceedingly dam- aging publicity for our town and three to two vote, temporary Town its citizens. We have had too mur Manager, with the understanding
of such during the past year &. and agreement that he place our we deplore the practice as definiti financial house in order as quickly not in the' best interests of t as possible.
community.
The real remedy to our tax prob- lem is to secure more revenue from sources other than from the taxa- tion of real estate and to cut our municipal spending to the levei of what our citizens can afford to bear. We commend Town Manager Daniel E. McLean for his policy of improving our town highways with town owned equipment and town personnel. It is our opinion that our highway program can be step- ped up in 1957 to the benefit of many of our citizens. The former policy of letting most of our high- way work out to private contract was expensive and not justified in a town such as Saugus.
It is our considered opinion that most town departments are oper- ating at a reasonable degree of effi- ciency. Wliere, in isolated instances, there can be room for improvement, steps can be taken to improve efft- ciency. The remedy does not lle in the abuse of department heads. (Continued on Page Five)
The Saugus Advertiser, March 7, 1957
PAGE ELEVEN
Manager's Report (Continued from Page One)
surfaced with bituminous concrete in accordance with the provisions of Town Meeting votes. These five streets were accepted at the last Town Meeting, namely Pelham, Bufford. Farrington, Beachview and Curtis Avenue. 52 streets were re- palred under the provisions of Chapter 386 and in that respeet I wish to call to your attention that all of these streets repaired under Chapter 386 were scarified, graded and rolled and 20 of them treated with two coats of asphalt so they should be in good shape for several years to come.
In addition to the vast amount of street work done by the Public Works Department drainage sys- tems were installed in Wendell and Newhall Streets-and Forest Street. On December 1, I consolidated the Engineering, Forestry and Park De- partments with the Department of Public Works, all of which will be under the direction of Acting Sup- erintendent of Public Works, Er- nest Pesee, in the future. I believe this to be a forward stcp and I am sure it will be' of benefit to the citizens of Saugus in the future.
The Town was unfortunate in losing the services of Charles C. DeFronzo. former Superintendent of Public Works who passed away, but was more than fortunate in having & man of Mr. Ernest Pesce's caliber to succeed him. As presently constituted the Department of Pub- lic Works is in excellent shape to do great work for the citizens of Saugus in the years to come. How- ever, at the present time, there is a definite' need for some new equip- ment in this Department and I sin- eerely hope that provisions ean be made to secure same during the ensuing year.
The public Building Department had a busy season not only in main- taining all town buildings under its control. but special projects were in operation at the old Saugus High School now known as the Junior High School and the Center School that had been closed for two years. The Center school was made ready for the opening of school of this year. This is a most Important de- partment to the citizens of Saugus and I intend to give it close atten- tion and scrutiny in the coming months as I feel sure that properly administered, great benefits will ac- erne' to the citizens of this Town.
However, some consideration must personal sacrifiee. As long as this be given to the replacement of old cement water mains, that have long
To the Auxiliary Police, particu- spirit prevaiis the future of the larly to Ciarence Howard and the Saugus schools and children is since outlived their usefulness and late Roy Smith for lighting the secure. High School walks and parking lot, JESSE J. MORGAN, Superintendent without charge, on numerous occa- sions for evening functions. of Schools
112.50
180.04
$ 705,215.97
PAGE TWELVE
Majority Report (Continued from Page Three)
the purpose of making a reduction in the school budget. This was ac- complished by action of the School of all financial transactions by Town Officials and Departments and a Committee, who saw the need of
statement of the Financial Condition of the Municipal Government for reducing their original budget re-the year ending December 31, 1956.
TOWN INDEBTEDNESS
On January 1, 1956 the sum of $3.200.000 was outstanding in bonded debt. During the year 1956 $50,000 matured on Sewer Bonds, $15,000 on Water Bonds and $138,000 on School Bonds leaving a balance of $2,997,000 outstanding on December 31. 1956.
A total of $84,399.75 was paid for interest due on all bonds. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts paid to the Town the sum of $69,544.91, through the School Building Assistance Commission, as assistance on the 1956 maturity of all School Bonds. Included in this report is a state- ment of the total cost of all bond maturities and interest due annually for the years 1957 through 1974 inclusive.
TEMPORARY LOANS
It was necessary for the Town Treasurer to borrow $500,000 before the end of the 1956 Annual Town Meeting. An additional amount of $400,000 was borrowed in May and July. Because of the increased revenues in 1956 all temporary loans were paid off by December 7, 1956. The town borrowed $200,000 more than in the year 1955.
The average interest rates on temporary loans increased in 1956 by approximate $200.000 more than in the year 1955.
For the first time in many years it was necessary to borrow $43,900 as a temporary Chapter 90 Highway loan in order to make the payments due to the contractors on this work. Receipts for the State and County share of the work were not received as promptly as in former years. This loan carries over into 1957 and will be paid off with the receipts from the State and County.
TAX TITLES AND TAX POSSESSIONS
On January 1, 1956 there was $21,175.54 outstanding on Tax Titles. County Tuberculosis Hospital During the year the Treasurer collected $11,929.99 as redemptions. The UNPROVIDED FOR ACCOUNTS: Chapter 90 Highway Loan Collector added $13,227.63 to the total for unpaid taxes. With abatements and adjustments during the year this left an outstanding amount of $22,099.20 on December 31, 1956.
On January 1, 1956 the sum of $121,219.04 was outstanding as unsold Tax Possessions. During the year the Board of Selectmen, by public sale, received $26,786.16 for the various parcels sold. The receipts and adjustment of book values in excess of sale prices left a total outstanding of $90,471.68 on December 31, 1956. This was a reduction of $30,747.36 for the year.
The Treasurer collected $1,259.48 under the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 63A in lieu of taxes for all sales by the Board of Selectmen, also, a forfeited deposit of $30.00 and these amounts were credited to Esti- mated Receipts.
EXCESS AND DEFICIENCY (SURPLUS)
On January 1, 1956, a surplus balance of $91,008.40 was forwarded from the year 1955. The following are the transactions during the year: ADDITIONS:
Tax Title Redemptions
$ 11,929.99
Tax Possession Sales
26,786.16
Audit:
Accounts held over 5 years
1,360.32
Overpayment
144.45
1955 Revenue Deficit
8,873.96
Adjustment 1955
108.36
O.A.A. Recoveries share
2,301.83
Board of Appeals, deposit Water Deposit
383.90
Abatement by Assessors
45.34
Revenue Surplus
77,767.00
Interest on Invested Funds
2,385.68
Treasurer's Correction
8.32
$ 132,107.61
DEDUCTIONS:
Added to Tax Titles by Collector
6,768.04
Sale Land Low Value
5.12
Audit:
Added to Taxes by Collector
97.64
O.A.A. Recoveries Federal Share
1.498.57
A.D.C. Recoveries Federal Share
137.87
Account Adjustments
3.10
Planning Board Deposits
33.50
Board of Appeals Deposit
6.00
Town Meeting Vote Dec. 12, 1955
11,162.12
19.711.96
A total Surplus Balance of $203.404.05 is carried forward to 1957. There was a net gain of $112,395.65 added to this Surplus during 1956. GENERAL FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Assessors Recapitulation Sheet for the year 1956 showed the Estimated Receipts, which includes Income Taxes, Corporation Taxes, Meal Taxes and Town Income, as a total of $809,255.83 and this was used in computing the 1956 Tax Rate.
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