USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1960 > Part 7
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Miss Blackmer and Mrs. War- ren have done their yearly quota of book talks for local organiza- tions. These contacts give our people an opportunity to become better acquainted with our books
and services. It is pleasant to meet our townspeople in their own en- vironment as well as across the library desk.
We again joined in the celebra- tion of National Library Week. We held Open House on Friday, April 15th. Our guest speaker was Mr. Charles Haywood, lawyer and author, of Lynn who spoke on a Yankee Dictionary which he is compiling. Refreshments were served and the library was fes- tively decorated with flowers ar- ranged by Mrs. Louise Futter, president of the Saugus Garden Club. Mrs. Futter is always most gracious in giving of her time and talents when we need to be beautified for special occasions.
We wish to acknowledge with grateful thanks gifts made to our library - memorial books honoring friends, presented by Mr. and Mrs. David Hurwitz; lovely flowers from the garden of our neighbor, Mrs. Michael Ratigan.
Our department has suffered a great loss this year in the pass- ing of one of the members of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. John L. Silver. Following is a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board and sent to the family of Mrs. Silver:
WHEREAS the Board of Library Trustees and members of the staff of the Saugus Free Public Library have lost through death a member of the Board, Katherine C. Silver,
RESOLVED, that her loss to the department is deeply felt. Her un- tiring efforts for the physical and financial welfare of the staff are
The men of this division were very busy during and after the hurricane when great damage was done to our town and private trees. Approximately twenty large town trees were up-rooted and had to be removed from the highways. Approximately 50 trees of all sizes bad to be removed as a result of private trees falling across the sidewalks.
Sixty new trees, most of which were donated by Mr. Sweeney, were planted on various streets throughout the town.
All town owned elms have been sprayed with 6% D.D.T. for elm leaf beetles and elm bark beetles. Poison ivy vines were sprayed in various sections of the town.
This division maintained all town-owned greens, cut and maintained all the town playgrounds in addition to reconstructing baseball diamonds at Stackpole's Field and playgrounds, Had charge of the care, maintenance and lining of Stackpole's Field for the football games.
We also constructed skating rinks at the Oaklandvale playgound, Stocker playground and Lynnhurst playground.
This division was also responsible for the flooding of the skating rinks.
During inclement weather this department assisted in the location and bringing to grade water main gates.
The men of this division also assisted on maintenance work at the Sewer Pumping Station.
At the request of our Fire Alarm Superintendent the men of this division trimmed around the wires at fire alarm boxes.
General grading, loaming, seeding, improvements and general policing was done at the various town playgrounds in addition to setting up swings, tables, bleachers, sea-saws, etc. This division also set up and dismantled bleachers at various playgrounds in the town.
In addition to the above work this division has also done other work since becoming part of the Public Works Department. This division participated in emergency work, such as cleaning out brooks, road patching, snow removal, etc.
The total cost of operating all divisions of the Public Works Department for 1960 was as follows: Salaries and Wages ..... $181,865.03
Expenses
78,394.00
TOTAL .$260,259.03
I want to thank the members of the Public Works Department for their loyalty and co-operation resulting in a very successful year.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all who in any way assisted the Public Works Department, for their sincere co-operation through- out the year. I wish to thank the citizens of Saugus who were so kind and considerate in understanding the many problems that face this department.
Very truly yours, Ernest F. Pesce Supt. Public Works
deeply apprceiated. Her love of books and her personal interest in all phases of the library work will long be remembered. It is with deep regret that we note the passing of this sincere friend of the library.
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the son and daughter of Mrs. Silver recording our heartfelt symphathy.
Mrs. Silver's place on the Board of Library Trustees was filled by the appointment of Mr. Frederick A. Bonsal, resident director of the Saugus Iron Works Restoration.
The statistical table recom- mended by the American Library Association follows:
Name of the library:
Saugus Free Public Library. Town: Saugus, Massachusetts. Librarian: Huldah Blackmer
Date of founding: 1887
Population served (1960 census) 20,066
Library appropriation per capita: $1.29
Tot.number of agencies 6
Consisting of: Main Library Lynnhurst
Cliftondale Branch No. Saugus E. Saugus Branch Oaklandvale Hours open for lending and refer- ence (per week):
HOURS
Main Library 37 1/2
Cliftondale 25
East Saugus 11
*Lynnhurst 3
*No. Saugus
3
*Oaklandvale 3
*Juvenile circulation only-during school sessions. Book Stock:
Volumes at beginning
of year 35,847
Volumes added 1,884
Volumes withdrawn ... 1,062
Volumes(Dec.31,1960) .. 36,669
Registration: (active borrowers)
Adult Juve. Total
Main Library 2,276 1,680 4,056
Cliftondale
578 1,173 1,751
E. Saugus
147 424 571
Lynnhurst 87 87
No.Saugus 137 137
Oaklandvale 99
99
3,101 3,600 6,701
Library staff:
Libranian Huldah Blackmer First Assistant Gladys H. Warren Second ..
Margaret D. Adams Branch Assistants:
Frances Sperry, Elizabeth Platt, M. Hazel Cryan, Jean Neville. General assistants:
Phyllis Brown, Robert Bertrand, Robert Metzler
Pages:
Susan Anderson, Maureen Car- mody, Joan Huggins, Margaret Minichiello, Anita Orlando, Paula Robleski.
Board of Library Trustees:
Harold J. Adlington Frederick A. Bonsal
Lillian D. George Kaler A. Perkins Catherine Reynolds
Ernest L. Shapiro, chairman
Be Informed
Know Your
Town Report
The Saugus Advertiser March 16, 1961
1960 Report
Library Trustees
To the Honorable Board of Se- lectmen:
We have again rounded out an- other year of library service to the town of Saugus. We feel that this year and the next one to come will be banner years in the history of our department. At 1960 Town Meeting we were able to get a special article passed which pro- vided money for the building of a new wing on the Main Library in Saugus Center. This area for expansion has long been the dream of the Board of Trustees and the members of the staff. We all are most grateful to the Town Meet- ing members for making this dream a reality.
mains installed by the Public. Works Department, namely: Essex Street
Fabens Street
Wendall Street
Seagirt Avenue
Central Street
Winter Street Avon Street
(b) Engineering check, inspec- tion, approval and recording of water mains installed by private parties (builders, developers, con- tractors, etc.) namely:
Saugus Avenue Hobson Street
Tuttle Lane
Forest Street
Hull Drive
Stockade Road
Sterling Avenue
Zito Drive
Maderia Street
Laurine Road;
1960 Report Town Clerk
To the Town Manager
I hereby submit my report as Town Clerk of the Town of Saugus for the year 1960:
During the year of 1960 the following vital statistics were re- ceived and recorded by the Town Clerk's Department. There were 635 birth records received at the Town Clerk's office and copies of said birth records were pre- pared and sent to the office of the Secretary of State as well as to the Town or City where the parents reside, subsequent to the recording and indexing of said birth records at this office.
There were 192 marriage re- cords received and recorded at the office of the Town Clerk, and copies were prepared and sent to the office of the Secretary of State.
Records of death numbered 236, and copies of death records were prepared and sent to the Secretary
of State and to the Cities and
Towns where the deceased re- sided.
Upon request the office of the Town Clerk prepares certified copies of vital statistics and issues the same to citizens for various government and personal uses.
The following Town Clerk's fees were received: Marriages. $ 396.00
Financing Statements 2,334.00
Discharges 92.00 Entertainment, 300.00
Juke Box. 650.00
Junk 20.00
Auctioneers 8.00
"2nd" Hand Furniture ... 5.00
Auto Dealer. 210.00
Taxi licenses 41.00
Amusement Rides. 100.00
Pool & Bowling. 28.00
Miniature Golf. 10.00
Amusement machines. 40,00
Driving Range, 10.00
Archery. 10.00
Carnival, 10.00
Scrap Iron. 10.00
Paid to Town
Treasurer $18,257.00
The following Hunting and Fish- ing Licenses were issued for the year 1960, by the Town Clerk's office.
269 Res. Citizen Fishing
at $4.25. .$1,143.25
205 Res. Citizen Hunting at $4.25 871.25
55 Res. Citizen Sporting at $7.25 398.75
29 Res. Citizen Minor
Fishing at $2.25 .. 65.25
27 Res. Citizen Female
Fishing at $3.25.
87.75
2 Res. Citizen Trapping
at $7.75 ... ....: 15.50
1 Non-resident Fishing at $8.75. 8.75
7 Duplicate licenses at .50ยข 3.50
50 Res. Cit. Sporting
(Free)
Total $2,594.00
Fees paid to Town
Treasurer 147.00
Paid to Division of
Fisheries and Game $2,447.00
Acting for the Board of Regis- trars, the Town Clerk's Depart- ment filed all Census slips, made records of all residents brought in by the Census Takers, reviewed and brought up to date the voting list of the Town of Saugus which numbered 10,965. All candidates nomination papers were checked to verify signatures on said nomination papers, and further the Town Clerk's Department handled all the detail work for the Presidential Primary on April 26, 1960, State Primary Election on Sept. 13, 1960 and Presidential Election on Nov. 8, 1960.
With the passing of Chapter 434 of the Acts of 1960 prohibit- ing the opening of ballot boxes and the counting of votes in Town until the polls are closed, a genuine personnel problem arose. Towns, in most instances, and particularly in precinct town, have precincts which run in number several times larger than precincts in cities. In conclusion, the law now pro- vides that the counting of ballots
1960 Report
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Town Manager:
The following is the Annual Report of your Sealer of Weights and Measures. This report includes the number of gasoline pumps, gasoline trucks, oil trucks, scales and other weighing and measuring devices, tested and inspected during the year from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1960.
Included is a list of trial weighings, retests and other inspections made during this period. SCALES SEALED
Over 10,000 pounds 3
100 to 5,000 pounds 13
Under 100 pounds 120
WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois 22
VOLUMETRIC MEASURES
Liquid Measure, 1 gal.
or under 19
Liquid Measure, over
1 gal.
7
AUTOMATIC LIQUID MEASURING DEVICES
Gasoline
144
Oil, Grease 41
Vehicle Tank
52
Bulk Storage 2
LINEAR MEASURES
Yard Sticks
TRIAL WEIGHINGS
COMMODITY TOTAL NO. TESTED NO. CORRECT
Under
INCORRECT Over
Bread
35
28
7
Butter
44
42
2
Confectionery
36
28
2
6
Flour
6
3
2
Fruits & eg's
120
25
2
93
Grain & Feed
6
6
21
99
Potatoes
12
0
12
Lobster Meat
8
6
2
A total of 455 food packages were inspected, 18 pedler licenses . checked, one pedler's scales, 28 fuel trucks, 12 gasoline trucks and 43 retests were made on gasoline pumps after sealing.
A total of $431.55 was turned in to the Town Treasurer during the year for Sealing Fees.
Respectively submitted,
Wesley W. Gage Sealer of Weights and Measures
shall commence with the close of the polls; and shall continue without adjournament, until the counting is complete.
In addition to the foregoing ac- tivities, records were made of Town Meetings for the Town of Saugus, annual and special, for which permanent records are kept in the office of the Town Clerk, and certified copies of all votes taken are furnished to various departments and for Town, City, County and State boards.
Records are also kept by the Town Clerk's Department for the Board of Selectmen and certified copies of votes of the Board of Selectmen are available in the Town Clerk's office for all Town Departments and various boards throughout the Commonwealth. All Selectmen's correspondance is handled by the Town Clerk's De- partment, in addition to keeping a permanent file of all Select- men's correspondance.
Respectfully submitted JOHN T. RAICHE Town Clerk
1960 Report Board Of Zoning
And Appeals
To The Honorable Board Of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The Board of Zoning and Building Appeals submits herewith its report for 1960.
As provided by Chapter 40 of the General Laws, as amended, the Board is a tribunal created 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.
The legislature, in its wisdom, has provided for Boards of Appeals, who after conducting public hearings and complying with all provisions of the statute, may, under special conditions, and only by unanimous vote, grant vari- ances and special permits order- ing the Superintendent of Buildings to' issue either building or occupancy permits.
During the past year, the Board of Appeals has heard thirty-one (31) appeals for variances. Of this total twenty (20) petitions have been granted and nine (9), denied and two (2) were given leave to withdraw. Many weekly meetings and field trips to view various properties throughout the town, were conducted. The Board was pleased to announce that during an organizational meeting at mid- year, Mr. Walter F. Hogan was again unanimously elected Cbair- man.
In closing, the Board would like to express its gratitude to the members of your honorable body; The Town Manager; Town Coun- sel C. Carroll Cunningham, mem- bers of the Planning Board, The Building Department, The Board of Assessors, and all other officials who have helped them perform their duties, during the past year.
Respectfully, Walter F. Hogan, Chairman William B. Merrithew Thomas A. Hashern Board of Appeals
Richard J. Spencer Irving E. Campbell James F. Hanion
Associate Members
Richard J. Spencer, Clerk
.
Tax RATE $76.40
$2,436,988.78
The Saugus Advertiser, March 16, 1961
Fees paid to Town
Treasurer 373.50
Paid to County
Treasurer
$3,101.50
The Town Clerk also serves as Clerk of the Board of Select- men; and the Town Clerk's of- fice collected in behalf of the Board of Selectmen the follow- Ing license fees.
Liquor. $16,325.00
Victualer. 480.00
Business Certificates. 9.00
Pole Locations 84.00
Poll Books 21.00
Certified Copies 290.25
Gasoline Registration ....
27.50
Paid to Town l'reasurer
$3,253.75
The Town Clerk's Department collects the fees for all dog lic- ences issued by the Town of Saugus and records the same. The follow- ing schedule lists the dogs licensed in the Town of Saugus during 1960: 804 Males at $2.00. $1,608.00
133 Fernales at $5.00 665.00 551 Spayed Females at $2.00 1,102.00
5 Kennels at $10.00 50.00
1 Kennel at $50.00. 50.00
1,494 Total
$3,475.00
1960 Report Assessors Department
During the past year the Assessors placed a value upon the following type properties:
Real Property
11,592
Personal Property 222
Polls
Motor Vehicle Excise
COST OF OPERATING THE ASSESSORS DEPARTMENT
FOR 1960 WAS AS FOLLOWS:
Salaries
$15,450.00
Expenses AN ANALYSIS OF THE TAX RATE FOR 1960
EXPENDITURES
. . . Town Appropriation $3,181,326.54
Appropriations taken from Available Funds 237.254.05
Tax Title Foreclosure
3,000.00
Court Judgments 23,667.64
Overlay Deficits
10,306.91
Metropolitan Water Purchase
42,268.32
State Parks and Reservations
25,246.44
State Audit of Municipal Accounts 48.33
State Examination of Retirement System 54.65
Smoke Inspection Service
398.48
Metropolitan Water Connection Charge County Tax
71,707.61
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
20,061.48
Overlay GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED
3,716,002.82
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS Income Tax
222,306.49
Corporation Taxes
72,215.67.
Old Age Tax (Meals)
6,296.04
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
250,378.00
Licenses
24,742.00 928.00
Fines
7,020.00
General Government
3,860.00
Protection of Persons and Property
10,273.50
Health and Sanitation
19,186.00
Charities (other than federal grants)
27,177.00
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants) Veterans' Services
9,293.00
Schools (Funds from Income Tax not to be included) Libraries
1,516.00
Public Service Enterprises (such as Water Dept. ) ...
162,038.00
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots) Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
3,590.00
State Assistance for School Construction 69,554.90
Reimbursement: Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22 & 22A County Tax
1,264.38
County TB Hospital
6,372.10
Metropolitan Parks
2,177.17
Essex County Project
3,804.00
Amount to be taken from Available Funds
Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation ou Polls
$2,496,088.78 and Property
RECAPITALIZATION
Number of Polls -- 5,224 @ $2.00 each 10,448.00
Personal Property: Valuation -- $$ 2,666,197. @ 76.40. 203,697.415
Real Estate Valuation -- $29,094,799.@ 76.40 .... 2,222,842.61
Total. ...... $ 31.760,996.
Fraction
69 Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property
32,519.00
8,758.00
1,205.74
Meats & Provisions 183
63
237,245.05
95,294.00
Special Assessments
11,870.24
88,801.13
5,224
8,558
4,453.00
TOWN REPORT PageT19
TOWN REPORT Page 20
Public Health (Continued from Page 16)
It was with deep regret that the resignation of Roger P. Beckman DMD was accepted as of April .7, 1960. Doctor Beckman, director of the Dental Clinic for approximately thirty-five years, served the people of Saugus very faithfully, conscientiously and efficiently. 1 am very proud to have been so closely associated with him for the past six years.
Earl E. Chadsey DMD who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Doctor Beckman's resignation has done an excellent job. The Health Department has been very fortunate in procuring his services.
3. Each month cards are sent out to parents of infants four months of age to remind them to have their children immunized against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. 311
No. of cards sent out to date
4. Inspections
No. of Nursing Homes .3
No. of Kindergartens .. 5
5. Well Child Conference
The Well Child Conference is conducted the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Legion Hall. Walter V. Gilman M.D. is in charge of this clinic.
Total no. of visits 268
No. of new patients .34
No. of old patients .24
No. of patients immunized 58
No. of patients vaccinated .39
No. of patlents revaccinated 20 No. of Pollo Inoculations 105
22 No. of clinics held
6. Immunization Clinics
Clinics for immunization against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Per- tussis were held at the Board of Health Office on October 1st, November 5th and December 3rd for the pupils of the first grades and Kindergartens.
Total no. of inoculations given 122
A clinic for booster inoculations for students of the sixth and eleventh grades was held at the Board of Health Office on November 5th.
Total no. of inoculations given .154
7. Premature Babies
The Premature Baby Law states that the Board of Health is liable for the care of premature infants weighing five pounds or less at birth providing 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.
No. of premature births 17
No. of applications made for assistance 7 No. of applicants assisted 2 8. Polio Clinics
Two Polio inoculation clinics were held at the Saugus General Hospital on April 2nd and May 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. These clinics were held for those who had not completed the series of three in ections and those in need of a booster or fourth injection. Total no. of injections given .1316 9. Asiatic Flu Clinic
Organization Of Saugus Town Government
Voters - Elect
Board of Selectmen
School Committee
Appoint
Board of Appeals Library Trustees
Election Officers Registrars of Voters
Town Manager Appoints
NN.OF . SAU
...
Town Clerk
Town Collector
Town Treasurer Town Assessors
1629
Town Counsel Police Fire
Engineers Water
Superintendent Public Works Dog Officer
Harbomaster Sealer ot Weights & Measures
Planning Board
Weltare Board
Health
DA GR
Cemetery Commissioners Playground Commissioners Civil Detense
Member Retirement System
1960 Report Playground
Commission
To the Town Manager:
The Playground Commission during 1960 again accomplished its primary objective of providing a program of recreation and super- vised activities for the children of the Town. . Perhaps the best measure of our success is in the number of participants, which sharply increased over any pre- vious year. With ten playgrounds in operation for a period of eight weeks the attendance averaged approximately 750 children a day.
The principle activiry on our playgrounds takes place during the summer months. The Recreation Director, Mr. Jack White, and his staff planned and presented a pro- gram designed to attract children of all ages and tastes. Among other things were featured Soft- ball, Basketball, Volley ball and other sports; children's games, folk dances, story telling, nature walks; an outstanding Arts and Crafts program; swimming trips and educational trips. All who attended this Summer Program found a place where they could be healthy, happily and safely occupied.
An innovation was the 4th of July observance held at Stack- pole Field for all the children of the Town. The feature event was a road race for older boys. Follow-
Ing this, a series of contests and races were conducted for all comers. Prizes were awarded the winners of all events. Before leav- ing, every child had his fill of free ice cream and "coke".
Playground activity no longer stops at the end of Summer. This winter the Peanut Hockey and Pea- nut Basketball programs are being enjoyed by some 300 boys. These programs are possible only because of the willingness of the many unselfish men who give their time and talent to teach and super- vise these sports. We are glad of this opportunity to publicly thank these men.
During 1960 the program of modernization of playground facilities was further advanced. Effort was, concentrated on bring- ing the older locations up to par with playgrounds built in recent years. New equipment was added and old worn out swings and see saws were replaced at Anna Parker, Stocker, Stackpole and North Saugus. Equipment at all playgrounds is now in from good to excellent condition.
From time to time we have had occasion to ask for assistance from the Fire Department, the Police Department and the Auxiliary Police. Their willing cooperation has helped our effort to a large extent and deserves public recog- nition.
Maintenance and repairs con- tinue to be a serious problem. The Public Works Department and Building Department, upon whom we must depend for all this work,
A clinic was held in the Board of Health Office for the Town employees requesting Asiatic Flu inoculations in October. Total no. of inoculations 36
10. Contagious Diseases reported to the Board of Healtb.
+ Disease No. of cases
Chicken Pox 175
Bacillary Dysentry 8 German Measles 12
Infectious Hepatitis .. 7
Measles
40
Meningitis (Meningococcal) 1
Meningitis (Influenzal) Mumps 5
Pneumonia (Lobar) 1
Poliomyelitis (non-paralytic) 1
Scarlet Fever 15
Tuberculosis (Pulmonary) 10
Whooping Cough
5
Total 281
Reportable non-contagious
Dog bites 122
I have performed various clerical duties, planned clinic programs which included having consent forms distributed, signed and collected, contacted volunteer workers, doctors and nurses, investigated and checked all settlement cases coming under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health.
1 have donated forty-four hours to the Red Cross Blood Mobile Unit.
During the year I attended several health conferences conducted at various intervals by the Massachusetts State Nurses Association, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, New England Health Institute, Staff Educational Program of Public Health Nurses of the Northeastern District, Greater Lynn Conference of Health, Educa- tion and Social Workers. I have also attended the meetings of the Saugus General Hospital Disaster Plan Committee of which 1 am a member.
At this time I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Graduate Nurses, Mrs. Herbert Amidon and her volunteer workers who gave so generously of their valuable time and assistance to the Polio and Diphtheria Inoculation Clinics. The success of these clinics was due in no small measure to their very fine cooperation.
1 am most grateful for the very fine cooperation I have received during the year from Mr. Vincent Pendleton, Administrator of the Saugus General Hospital, Miss M. Genevieve Flood, Directress of Nurses, doctors and hospital personnel
I am deeply indebted 10 the members of the Board of Health, Mr. John V. Spencer, agent, Mrs. Mildred Robinson, clerk, doctors and the School Department for their excellent cooperation and as- sistance in carrying out the various projects for the year.
Respectively submitted, Mildred Hl. Derrah R.N. Public Health Nurse Board of Health
APPROVED Harry E. Wentworth Peter L. Grady Edwin B. Faulkner, M.D.
do an outstanding job considering the difficulties involved. However, until more manpower is made available for playground work, our playgrounds are going to be sub- standard in appearance and in state of repair.
Looking forward, this Commis- sion sees two major areas in which improvement must be made if the present level of service to the townspeople is to be maintained: 1. Due to the increasing attend- ance at the playgrounds the number of people to supervise them must be increased.
2. There is urgent need for additional playing fields for team sports.
Finally, we wish to acknowledge the great contribution to Saugus' Recreation Program made by for- mer chairman Westhy F. Rogers, and former Commissioner Arthur Metzger.
Respectfully submitted, Herbert L. Kimball, Chairman Dorotby Maher Edward Koschei Andrew P. Sorens on
The archaelogical research carried on at the Saugus Iron- works Restoration often has been described as part detec- tive story and part treasure hunt.
Working many times from meager clues found ' among faded manuscripts, the arch- aelogist and his work crew probed the site for physical evidence of the three-century old pioneer ironworks. Oc- casionally their shovels would turn up a "treasure" in the form of a relic whose finding would reveal a significant fact about the early plant. A prime example was finding the tuyere pipe which funneled the 'air. from the bellows into the blast furnace. With the original tuyere pipe to study, the architects were able to design a replica of the original furnace bellows. Archaeologist for the project was Roland Wells Robbins of Concord, Massachusetts.
The butt of a huge oak tree, already 150 years old when Columbus discovered America, was used at the First Iron Works forge as the base for an anvil.
The age of the mammoth tree discovered while excava- ting the forge area, recently was determined by experts from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation.
Forester John H. Lambert and Chief Forester Harold O. Cook counted the tree's annual growth rings and agreed the tree must have been between 300 and 305 years old when cut. The tree probably was felled when the forge was built in 1647. If so, it must have started as an acorn shortly after 1340.
In a temporary museum at the Iron Works Restoration hun- dreds of relics found at the site are on display.
CLOCK TURNED BACK
The clock is turned back three centuries as the visitor enters the quaint Ironmaster's House, with its old Bible box, court cupboard and other pre- cious antiques. Even the mmes of the rooms bespeak a bygone era such names as the Great Room, the Keeping Room and the Weaving Room.
Town Accountant
Highways Sewers Parks & Playgrounds Tree & Moth
TOAA ADC
The Saugus Advertiser, March 16, 1961
1
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