USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1942 > Part 1
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FOR REFERENCE
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS ROOM
NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY
PUBLIC
PORT
NEWBURYP
LIBRARY
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....
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1854
FOUNDED
Received January 16, 1945 ref. No.974.4512 M966m 1942
PRESENTED BY
Cutter
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
To the City Council
OF
CITY
NEWBURYPORT YPORT.
TERRA MARIQUE MDCCCLI
FOR THE YEAR
1942
1943 NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
To the City Council
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT YPORT.
TERRA
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
FOR THE YEAR
1942
1943 NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
30JUNE1043 Don City Bd. Deci, 1944 Wello 1.25 Culture
994.4512 M966m 1942
132
City Government 1942
MAYOR HON. JOHN M. KELLEHER
CITY COUNCIL President EDWARD G. PERKINS
COUNCILLORS AT LARGE
John F. Robinson
James A. Croteau
Term 2 years Roy Kerkian
*Arthur D. Harrington Edward G. Perkins
Albert J. Bateman
*Resigned to enter Armed Services of the U. S. A.
** Elected by the City Council to fill the unexpired term of Arthur D. Harrington
WARD COUNCILLORS
Term 2 years
Theodore P. Stanwood, Jr .. ... Ward One
Andrew J. Parasso Ward Two
Joseph J. Curley . Ward Three
Thomas R. Ronan. Ward Four
A. Vincent Kelleher Ward Five
*Sidney N. Towle. Ward Six
** Frank W. Hardy Ward Six
*** Herbert G. Poland Ward Six
*Resigned to enter Armed Services of U. S. A.
** Elected to fill unexpired term of Sidney N. Towle.
** Died in office.
Elected to fill unexpired term of Frank W. Hardy.
CLERK WILLIAM D. KELLY
COMMITTEES OF CITY COUNCIL
General Government Mayor John M. Kelleher, Councillor Edward Perkins, Councillor A. Vincent Kelleher
Public Service Chairman, Theo. P. Stanwood, Jr., Thomas R. Ronan, *Frank W. Hardy, Herbert G. Poland
*Died in office.
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Public Safety Chairman, Joseph J. Curley, Roy Kerkian, Andrew J. Parasso
Public Welfare
Chairman, James A. Croteau, *Arthur D. Harrington, John F. Robinson
*Resigned. Albert J. Bateman appointed to fill unexpired term of Arthur D. Har- rington.
Clerk of Committees
John J. Kelleher
CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor. Hon. John M. Kelleher
City Clerk. . William D. Kelly
Treasurer and Collector Charles E. Houghton
Auditor. . Norbert A. Carey
City Messenger
William H. Donahue
City Solicitor
Bernard J. Lojko
Superintendent of Highways
. James H. Ronan
Relief Commissioner
James F. Creeden
City Marshal James E. Sullivan
Chief of Fire Department C. Frank Creeden
Superintendent of Fire Alarm and Wires
.Chester Hall
Inspector of Meats and Provisions and Slaughtering .
Dr. Franklin C. Blakely
Building Inspector. George W. Hussey
Tree Warden and Superintendent Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths. .Walter O. Noyes
Superintendents of Cemeteries. Francis J. Saint and James H. Ronan
Soldiers' Relief Agent
John J. Kelleher
Clerk of Committees John J. Kelleher
Dog Officer
Curtis Gerrish
ASSESSORS
John H. Shea, Chairman. Term expires 1942
Charles A. Morse, Clerk
Term expires 1943
Everett F. Landford . Term expires 1944
BOARD OF HEALTH
*Edward W. Eaton. Term expires 1944
Dr. Lawrence Murphy Term expires 1945
Russell Hoyt. . Term expires 1943 *Died in office.
Wilbur N. O'Brien, Clerk and Agent Wilbur N. O'Brien, Inspector of Milk Dr. Frank W. Stockwell, and Dr. Lawrence Murphy, School Physicians Patrick J. Duffy, Inspector of Plumbing Martin Dugan, Deputy Inspector of Plumbing
5
CITY GOVERNMENT
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
John J. O'Brien, Chairman. Term expires 1944
John O'Donnell. Term expires 1945
Leon E. Oliver
Term expires 1943
William D. Kelly, Clerk, ex-officio
ATKINSON COMMON COMMISSIONERS
Hon. John M. Kelleher, Mayor, ex-officio Edward G. Perkins, President, ex-officio
Cassine H. Nelson Term expires 1944
Richard Williams Term expires 1945
Walter P. Coen.
Term expires 1943
TRUST FUND COMMISSION
Hon. John M. Kelleher, Mayor, ex-officio Edward G. Perkins, President, ex-officio Norbert A. Carey, City Auditor Henry B. Little John T. Lunt
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Dr. C. F. A. Hall, Chairman Term expires 1946
Thomas P. McGrath. Term expires 1945
Willard S. Little. . Term expires 1944
Daniel J. Reardon Term expires 1947
John F. Cutter
Term expires 1943
Gertrude C. Gorwaiz, Clerk
TRUSTEES MOSELEY WOODS
*Everett M. Follansbee. Term expires 1944
Arthur P. Brown Term expires 1945
William Peebles Term expires 1948
*Resigned. J. Arthur Rochette to fill unexpired term.
RETIREMENT BOARD
Norbert A. Carey *Dana P. French Walter E. Houghton
*Resigned. Luren Stevens to serve for Dana P. French.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Edward F. Murphy . Term expires 1944 *George L. Marshall Term expires 1943
John W. Stevens. Term expires 1945
*Resigned. Dennis O'Keefe to fill in unexpired term.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
PLANNING BOARD
Clarence E. Fogg.
Term expires 1944
Edward E. Hicken.
Term expires 1944
George E. Moulton .
Term expires 1944
Richard F. Churchill.
Term expires 1943
Claude E. Briggs
.Term expires 1947
George O. Fecteau.
Term expires 1944
William Ilsley
Term expires 1947
Oscar Cox
. Term expires 1947
William A. Kinsman
Term expires 1947
APPELLATE BOARD
William Balch ..
Term expires 1944
Edumnd H. Burke.
. Term expires 1943
George L. Horsford
Term expires 1942
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Everett G. Perkins Term expires 1943
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
Mayor Kelleher's Address
Mayor Kelleher's address was as follows:
"Members of the city council and people of the city of Newburyport:
"Today, as in 1917 and 1918, we Americans are at war. A war so far reaching in its scope that almost the entire world is locked in a death struggle. As your mayor, of the second World War, I call upon you to support our President, and our government in its 'all out effort' to crush the Nazi plague and its Axis partners from the face of the earth.
"In your daily contact with all races, colors and creeds, your attention will many times be called to the workings of sinister and treacherous influences which hope to undermine the morale of our people. It is your sacred duty to inform your mayor at once of such activity, so that he may take steps to exterminate it.
"Much time and effort is being spent to build up home defense. You are reminded that the interests of your community and your country, can best be served if you join such defense units as have been organized to protect the lives and property of every member of the community.
"Many of our boys in the armed service are doing their duty without complaint, and a tremendous sacrifice. Hence it is only fitting and proper that we should do ours, by whole-hearted support of any endeavor, whether national or local, which will help win this war. So let us give of our time, of our energy, of our money and of our lives, if necessary, to cast off the yoke of tyranny, and to bring back the principles of equality, fraternity and freedom which are our birth-right as American citizens.
"Being mindful of the approaching shadows of the ruthless dictators and with con- stant alertness to avoid a second 'Pearl Harbor', let us turn to our municipal problems.
"During the recent campaign I promised you that I would reduce your tax rate. I honestly believed that this could be done when I made that statement, but in going over the financial condition of our city, with certain state officials and in keeping with a more important promise, that I would constantly keep you informed of city affairs and finances, I am sorry to state that the financial condition of Newburyport is de- plorable.
"Evidently, past administra tions were so bent upon keeping the tax rate down that they used everything which had any value as collateral to build up our municipal in- debtedness for they were confronted with a need for money with which to function properly. This indebtedness was spread out over a period of years in the past through to the current year, so that although your tax rate did not jump a great deal during these years, the day of reckoning is now at hand. Since I am in no way responsible for the financial condition of our city at the present time, I refuse to accept the respon- sibility of an increased tax rate for the coming year.
"To give you a better understanding, as I see it, of the reason for the poor financial condition of our city, let me illustrate. Assume that you, a home owner, are making $20 a week in wages, with which to run your home. Then let the $20 weekly wage rep- resent the tax rate and let your home represent the city. Now, if the cost of living for
1
8
ANNUAL REPORT
you, due to sickness, accident, or education of your children is $40 a week, or $20 a week beyond your earning power, what can you do to meet the added expense?
"Naturally you begin to mortgage your home, or your car, or you might borrow, . the money from a friend, and in turn give him your written promise, in a form of a note that you will repay him with interest. With the money you have raised in this manner, you pay your current expenses for the year. But, is it not a fact, that only a fool would state to the world that on a mere $20 a week, he was able to meet expenses under those conditions?
"That, my friends, is what happens when a mayor for his own reasons tries to keep the tax rate down by borrowing on tax-titles, on bond issues, and other forms of se- curity. As time goes on, like the home owner, who has to meet the interest on the mort- gage, the city has to meet its bonded indebtedness and its financial obligations. True, the tax rate does not jump, but what about the city bills? Do you think that by a simple stroke of the pen the taxpayers, who pay those bills, can wipe off their obligations? Mere juggling of the figures to keep a tax rate down might fool the taxpayers for a time, but in the end the truth will come out.
"With a view of turning the city back to the taxpayers, I propose to do no juggling of the figures, but I will tell you the truth of the matter as each situation arises.
"Because the figures have been juggled in the past your municipal government finds itself in the real estate business. As you know, the principal source of revenue to the city treasury is taxes. If the city goes into the real estate business by selling real estate for taxes, the amount of taxable property is reduced and consequently, an ad- ditional tax burden is thrown upon the tax-payers. It is the advice of State Auditor Waddell's office that the city unload taxable property to prospective buyers, so that this real estate will again bear fruit in the form of taxes, instead of being collateral upon which to borrow money to keep the tax rate down and thereby plunge the city into debt. It is my intention to clear up this tax title mess.
"To give you a better understanding of what happens when the city deals in tax titles, let us see how they are handled.
"Suppose that you own your home, and for some reason or other, you can not meet the taxes, the city following the law, advertises the property and takes a tax title to it. Armed with this tax title, the city goes to the state, signs a tax title note for the amount of money represented by the tax title and thus receives a loan. The money so borrowed is used to pay city expenditures. Of course that much less money is now necessary to be raised by taxation for the time being. But remember this, that the debt incurred by the city remains.
"Now comes the juggling. By a 'disclaimer' and by the 'abatement' in part or in full of the taxes due on the property, taken for unpaid taxes, the obligation of the origi- nal owner is partially or fully wiped out. But the debt of the city to the state is not wiped out. The one who should have paid the taxes goes fully or partially free of any obligation. The city borrows money on the tax titles from the state and you, Mr. Tax- Payer, may have to pay the price this year.
"If the situation happened only in isolated instances involving workingmen and their families, I would not bother you with these details, but when this act of magic is used in connection with industrial property and factory buildings which, after the taxes are abated on them are turned over to outside capital for almost nothing, in order
9
CITY GOVERNMENT
to induce them to come here, stay a while and then leave our city 'holding the bag' so to speak, then it is high time to do something and do it fast.
"You may rest assured that your present mayor will do everything in his power to correct this condition. It is my intention to call upon the tax-collector to give me a complete financial story of the tax title situation in Newburyport for your edification. A manipulation of tax titles has placed the city in the 'red' to the amount of $15,067.04 which you taxpayers will have to eventually pay. During the year 1938, the city of Newburyport borrowed $77,891.50 on tax titles. As soon as the city auditor has closed the books for the year 1941, I shall cause to be published a balance sheet for the city of Newburyport as of December 31, 1941, that you may have an opportunity to study the figures of the financial condition of our city.
"Four years ago there was a balance in the City's reserve fund to the tune of $25,019.63. The incoming mayor has a balance of $1,559.66 in the reserve. Four years ago, the gross debt of the city was $848,350.30. Today, the gross debt of the city as of December 31, 1941, is $1,041,684.33. Four years ago your incoming mayor had tax titles upon which to borrow money from the state and thus reduce your tax rate. To- day your incoming mayor is without that source of revenue. Furthermore, your in- coming mayor has $24,000, approximately, less money to work with in the city's reserve fund.
"With the ever-increasing national debt, due to the national emergency, and with our city in a poor financial condition, I find that certain city employees are asking for increases in pay, when I looked over the estimates filed by the various departments of the 1942 requirements. With reference to that request, let me say that the financial situation which I inherit, is the worst faced by any man in the long history of our city. Although I well realize that some of our city employees are underpaid, I cannot see where any increase in salary, whatsoever, can be granted during the year 1942.
Departments
GENERAL STATEMENT
"This city like any other corporate business, in order to be financially sound, must do everything possible to keep down over-head expense. It is my intention to see that no waste is committed in any of our many departments. In order to secure a general picture of city-owned property, I recently requested the heads of the various depart- ments to submit an inventory of all property in their department, which was owned by the city of Newburyport. These inventories I shall check very carefully in an effort to carry out my aim of economy.
"In the interest of efficiency and harmony throughout the various departments of the city, it is my plan to sit down with each department head in order to discuss the problems which might present themselves to the department and, in that way, to iron out differences and difficulties. I will tolerate no political activity in any depart- ment nor will I permit wastefulness or laxity to exist to the detriment of the tax-payers. I will not put a chip on my shoulder and go to look for trouble, but I will insist that city employees produce a day's work for the day's pay which they receive.
"So much for the general discussion of department heads. However, there are certain departments which need particular attention.
10
ANNUAL REPORT
W. P.A.
"Government relief work is primarily W. P. A. work in Newburyport. There are already indications that this work may be curtailed. If it is curtailed, it will add to our unemployment situation and thereby swell our relief rolls. It is the intention of the mayor to co-operate one hundred percent with every federal agency in order to secure for the city all federal relief work which might be obtained. I will not miss one oppor- tunity to obtain governmental relief grants.
Welfare Department
"The welfare of our city is a heavy load upon the tax-payers, and some drastic changes should be made in this department. For the years 1939 and 1940, our city spent $231,906.06-nearly one quarter of a million dollars-in this department including administration, and for verification of the above figures you may turn to pages 23 and 24 of the 1939 Annual City Report and pages 25 and 26 of the 1940 Reports. The above figures do not include the amounts spent by our city for old age assistance, soldiers' relief, aid to dependent children, or for material purchased for W. P. A. projects. In- dications are that after the books are closed, the city will have spent approximately $95,000 during 1941 for welfare.
"Let me tell you, taxpayers, that the city of Newburyport has outstanding on its books municipal relief loan bonds in the amount of $266,500, which have been contracted since 1936. Despite this situation, let it be borne in mind that not a single worthy case will be neglected, for, all legitimate welfare recipients will be treated with kindness and consideration.
Highway Department
"Some of our streets are in great need of repairs.
Moseley Avenue-With all the state and county grants which have been given to numberless cities and .owns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for work to be done under Chapter 90 of the acts of the legislature, and with Moseley Avenue coming within this category, it is to be regretted that the city of Newburyport had turned down an out-right gift of thousands of dollars from the state and county and has re- fused to rebuild this avenue. From the above stated expenses of our welfare department indications are that the able-bodied men were given welfare rather than being put to work on Moseley Avenue.
"High Street-Something should be done on this street, from Atkinson Common to State Street, or on one of these rainy days, no doubt, there will be a very serious automobile accident. The grade of oil which was applied to this street during the fall of 1936, causes a very slippery condition when this street is wet and it seems too bad, that after spending a large sum of money on this street during the 1936 administration that one of our main streets remains in such a slippery and dangerous condition on wet days.
"The 'Barn' .- In the past, it is my belief, that much needless waste of city time, city gas, city tools, and equipment has existed at the so-called 'Barn.' which is under the control of the highway department. Hereafter, one man will have the job of ration- ing gas for city trucks, checking mileage of city trucks, and the elimination of all un- necessary trips by city trucks. This man will be personally responsible for the shovels and tools which leave the 'Barn' and all equipment which is allotted to the workers by
11
CITY GOVERNMENT
a system of 'checking-in and checking-out' of all tools and equipment. In this way waste can be eliminated and economy practiced.
"Furthermore, I will insist that a man on the job will give the city and taxpayers a day's work for a day's pay. The loafers and sluggards will be relieved of their jobs the moment their names are called to my attention.
"With a view of keeping our streets cleared of snow in the winter time, and in order to provide parking space in our business areas, thereby helping the merchants of our city I will recommend the purchase of a snow-loader. The acquisition of this equip- ment would cut down the expense of truck-hiring and labor and would result in a sav- ing for the taxpayers. Thus, in one season alone, this loader would pay for itself.
Water Department
"The fiasco at the Artichoke River basin will be thoroughly investigated. Steps will be taken to remove, once and for all, this eye-sore from our country-side. For some reason or other, at the present time, we are faced with a serious water shortage. I in- tend to ferret out the reason for the bogging down of this project. Furthermore, I in- tend to do something about it.
"This project has cost the taxpayers of Newburyport the sum of $30,007.04, since 1938 to December 29, 1941, with December bills estimated at an additional $2,800. The amount which is quoted does not include the many thousands of dollars which the Federal Government spent in supplying the labor and some of the materials. I will personally contact the W. P. A. officials in Boston this week to see if I can come to some amicable agreement in order that this project may be completed and our water system protected.
"Keeping faith with the electorate and the people of Newburyport, I intend to fulfill my promise made during my campaign, that I would give the City of Newbury- port, and the taxpayers, a decent, honest, economical and dignified administration. I will seek to make qualified appointments, regardless of race, color or creed, and in that connection you are informed that I have in my possessions, names and qualifications of the various applicants who are seeking jobs with the city. If a man has the necessary qualifications you may rest assured that he will hold a very high place in my considera- tion of him for the job. Economy must be practiced by our entire municipal system and I will see that it is practiced and enforced. In order to economize, I will, if necessary, consolidate two or more departments under a single head.
"It is my intention to recommend the establishment of school luncheons of all children in all schools. This is a federal project and you will hear more of it through the newspapers. The importance of proper nutrition for children was sharply brought out when a large percentage of selectees were turned down because of physical defects due to poor nutrition. What could be a more worthy war defense project than the feed- ing of proper food to our children of the grades, thereby building up their bodies and their minds, and thus making the children better citizens and more useful to their country in times of stress such as these?
"From information which I have gleaned in other cities and towns, I find that the stamp plan for distribution of food to needy people has met with much approval and approbation. The advantages of this plan are that we will have no further need of the commissary. The W. P. A. worker can buy stamps of certain color and he will receive
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ANNUAL REPORT
approximately half as many again of other stamps. For instance, if one buys $10 worth of stamps he gets an additional $6 worth of stamps of another color. For his $10 he gets $16 worth of stamps with which to buy food. With the stamps in his possession, he uses them in the place of money and can go from store to store to pick out what best suits his fancy, in the line of food.
"No longer will the recipient be forced to take a slip to a particular store and re- ceive low quality food. The merchants on the other hand, will no longer have to wait a month or more for their money, but in turn will take the stamps and place them on a card, which will be deposited with the bank. This card will be given the same credit on his deposit slip as actual cash is. This plan appears to be one which should be given serious consideration, and after more careful investigation it might be well to adopt it.
Conclusion
"The success of the administration during the coming year depends in a large meas- ure upon the assistance and co-operation which I receive from you, members of the city council. I honestly solicit your co-operation. I have brought to your attention the con- dition of our city's finances and we must be aware of the resulting dire consequences to our city unless every unnecessary cost is eliminated and sensible economy practiced The difficulties to which I have referred are not insurmountable. These problems can be solved.
"With the co-operation from the council, the heads of the various city departments, and with patience and understanding from the citizens and taxpayers of Newbury- port, I feel sure, that although our problems are many and difficult, if we meet our ob- stacles with unity of purpose and a desire to do the right thing, the success of the ad- ministration for 1942 and 1943 are assured."
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CITY GOVERNMENT
Mayors of Newburyport
*Hon. Caleb Cushing. 1851-1852
Hon. Henry Johnson 1852-1853
** Hon. Moses Davenport. 1854-1855-1861
Hon. William Cushing. 1856-1857-1858
Hon Albert Currier. 1859-1860
Hon. George W. Jackman, Jr. 1861-1862-1864-1865-1877
Hon. Isaac H. Boardman 1863
Hon. William H. Graves 1866
Hon. Eben F. Stone
1867
Hon. Nathaniel Pierce
1868-1869
Hon. Robert Couch .
1870-1881
Hon. Elbridge C. Kelley
1871-1872
Hon. Warren Currier.
1873-1874
Hon. Benjamin F. Atkinson.
1875-1876
Hon. Jonathan Smith
1878
Hon. John James Currier 1879-1880 Hon. Benjamin Hale.
.1882
Hon. William A. Johnson
1883-1884
Hon. Thomas C. Simpson. 1885
Hon. Charles C. Dame . 1886
1887
** Hon. William H. Huse.
1888
Hon. Albert C. Titcomb
1888-1889
Hon. Elisha P. Dodge
1890-1891
Hon. Orrin J. Gurney 1892-1895
Hon. Andrew R. Curtis. 1896-1897
Hon. George H. Plumer
1898
Hon. Thomas Huse
1899-1900
Hon. Moses Brown ..
1901-1902
Hon. James F. Carens.
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