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TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT
1952 annual Report
SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
SWAMPSCOTT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION --- FOUNDED 1853
ONE HUNDRED and FIRST YEAR
SWAMPSCOTT LIBRARY ASSOCIATION,
At a town meeting, held Oct. 9, 1852, by adjournment from the 25th of September, 1852, it was
Voted, that we accept the proposition made by a gentleman from out of the town, respecting the establishment of a Public Library, and that the selectmen proceed to appoint all suitable officers,-to wit : President, Clerk, Librarian, Collector, and Treasurer, whose duty it shall be to provide a suitable place for the safe keeping of said Library, receive all donations, and report of their proceedings at some future meeting.
In accordance with the vote of town, in town meeting, held October 9th, 1852, the selectmen would appoint, for officers of the Library, the following named gentlemen :
J. B. CLARK, President. H. H. HALL, Secretary. EBENEZER WEEKS, Treasurer. J. L SEGER, Collector. D. H. MILLETT, Librarian.
Signed, SAM'L C. PITMAN, Selectmen
EBEN. B. PHILLIPS, of
HENRY J. THING, Swampscott.
A true Copy of Record,
Attest,
J. L. SEGER, TOWN CLERK.
Town of
SWAMPSCOTT
Massachusetts
SETTLED A.D. 1629.
· INCORPORATED
.
T. A. D. 1852.
AS SWAN
1952
ANNUAL REPORT
Under direction of your Board of Selectmen we have endeavored to present in brief, readable form the essen- tial facts regarding the activities of your town government during the year 1952. Your comments and suggestions on this new edition are invited. It is our hope that a permanent committee will be continued to carry on the purpose for which this committee was organized.
RICHARD CHAMBERS, Chairman A. DORIS WHIPPLE, Secretary
J. CAMPBELL DEVENEY EVERETT C. HOWE
EDITH N. SNOW SAMUEL FREEDMAN
HARVEY NEWCOMB FRED W. MAHAN
PHILIP N. CLERKE MALCOLM F. MACLEAN, JR.
TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE
Town of Swampscott
General Information
Swampscott was incorporated as a Town on May 21, 1852.
Situation: About 15 miles northeast of Boston.
Population: 11,580
Area: 3.05 square miles.
Assessed Valuation: $28,954,813 as of January 1, 1952.
Tax Rate: $47.00.
Administration Building: 22 Monument Avenue.
Senators in Congress: Leverett Saltonstall and John F. Kennedy.
State Senator: Charles V. Hogan of Lynn (1st Essex District) .
Representative in Congress: William H. Bates of Salem (6th Congressional District) .
Representatives in General Court: Thomas M. Newth of Swampscott; John A. Davis, Marblehead, and Ernest W. April of Salem (14th Essex District) .
Member of Governor's Council: Arthur A. Thomson of N. Andover (5th District) .
Qualifications of Voters: Must be 21 years of age, born in United States or fully naturalized; a resident of Massachusetts one year and Swampscott six months. Registration Monday through Friday, 9-12 A.M. - 1-5 P.M. Special sessions held preceding elections
Where to vote:
Precinct 1 - Machon School on Burpee Road.
Precinct 2 - Clarke School on Norfolk Avenue side adjoining Abbott Park.
Precinct 3 -- Old Town Hall on Burrill Street.
Precinct 4 - Hadley School on Redington Street.
Precinct 5 - Essex Oil Filling Station, 638 Humphrey Street.
Precinct 6 - Phillips Beach Fire Engine House, Phillips Avenue.
Tax Bills: Due and payable on or before October 1. Law provides for addi- tion of interest from October 1 on bills unpaid after November 1. Poll and motor excise taxes are payable 30 days and water bills are payable 60 days from date of issue.
2
1952 Annual Report
Contents
General Information
2
Board of Selectmen
5
Contributory Retirement System
6
Town Clerk
7
Board of Assessors
49
Town Accountant
50 50 53 57
Balance as of December, 1952
Treasurer's Report
60
Building Inspector
Board of Appeals
Engineering Department
Inspector of Wires
64
Sealer of Weights and Measures
64
Centennial Committee
65
Swampscott Centennial Committees
73
Police Department
79 83
Cemetery Department
83
Department of Civil Defense
85
Dog Officer
86
Board of Health
87
Sewer Department
88
Water Department
89
Board of Park Commissioners
93
Department of Veterans' Services
93
Highway Department
94
Housing Authority
95
Board of Public Welfare
97 99
Public Library
101
In Memoriam
103
Jury List
104
Clarke School Building Committee
106
School Department 109
Town Officers - 1952
119
Town Meeting Members
122
Index
124
SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
3
Where the Money Came From
Where the Money Went
61 61 63 63
Planning Board
Fire Department
World War II Memorial Fund
1852-SWAMPSCOTT-1952
"View of Town Administration Building during Centennial Week."
1952 Annual Report
Board of Selectmen
FREDERICK R. CHAMPION, Chairman
ANDREW R. LINSCOTT
RALPH I. LINDSEY
The Board of Selectmen submits its report for the Centennial Year. Swamp- scott's successful Centennial Celebration is covered in detail in the report of the Centennial Committee. Our proclamation for the occasion is printed herewith:
"WHEREAS on May 21, 1852 by enactment of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Town of Swampscott was incorporated and established as a municipality, with the right in its citizens to govern their own public affairs through their own locally elected officials and that most democratic of institutions, the New England Town Meeting, and
"WHEREAS the period from June 14th through June 21st 1952 has been officially decreed Centennial Week in the Town of Swampscott to be devoted to the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of our Town's incor- poration, and
"WHEREAS during this one hundred years the Town has developed, prospered and flowered as a true New England community and its people have enjoyed the traditional democratic principles of government and of individual liberty for which our country is known and respected, and
"WHEREAS through the blessing of the Almighty God the Town has been singularly fortunate both in having its townspeople continuously interested in and active in its welfare as a community, and in its location on a part of the Atlantic Coast noted for its great natural beauty, and
"WHEREAS during the one hundred years the inhabitants of the Town of Swampcott have accounted for themselves well and proudly in peace, and given of themselves unselfishly in war
"NOW THEREFORE, we the Selectmen of Swampscott do hereby pro- claim a week of public observance of the Centennial of Swampscott, com- mencing June 14th and ending June 21st, 1952.
"We urge each and every man, woman and child of Swampscott to co- operate in the observance of the Centennial Week.
"We ask the townspeople to take this occasion to venerate the memory of the people who have lived and died here before us, from whose hands we have received our corporate existence and to rededicate themselves to the American principles which have made our community what it is today."
This year we reviewed the precinct boundaries and redistricted the Town. No change had been made since 1932. The precincts had become disproportionate in size and the Town meeting had not been representative for many years. Starting at the 1953 Town election, there will be six precincts and 324 Town meeting mem- bers elected. The number of precincts has no relationship to the number of Town meeting members. In other words, whether we continued with eight precincts
5
Town of Swampscott
or increased to as high as twelve precincts, the total Town meeting membership must be 324. We are confident that there is enough interest in the Town and repre- sentative Town meeting form of government to secure the election of this number of Town meeting members. We feel that recourse to referenda, which has become frequent in the last few years, will be eliminated by the increased Town meeting membership. We appreciated the help of Mr. Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr., in the redistricting work.
On Memorial Day we named and dedicated the junction of Humphrey Street, Puritan Road, and Atlantic Avenue, as "Brine Square." This is a memorial to Lt. Robert J. Brine and Lt. William C. Brine, brothers and Swampscott residents who were killed in action in World War II. The memorial was suggested by the Director of Veterans' Services, Newton S. Courtney and approved by the veterans' organizations.
On May 15 we recorded our opposition to the Lynnway Extension, so-called. Although we realize that a new road from the vicinity of General Edwards Bridge to the Lynn boulevard may be an asset to Greater Lynn, it seems evident that a great deal more traffic will come into the center of the Town. It was our suggestion that a rotary be made at the ocean side of Eastern Avenue, and traffic rerouted to Route 1A.
Contributory Retirement System
JOHN G. MCLEARN, Chairman THOMAS F. COLLINS
I. MURRAY ADAMS, Secretary
There are 141 members of the Retirement System, and 19 are receiving pensions. Membership is growing as all new employees must join the system. Income from investments and deductions from employees' salaries are sufficient to pay administrative costs and pensions. The money contributed by the town is invested each year as soon as received. Total amount invested to date is $185,- 763.00.
Total pension payments are $25,903.00 and of this sum $405.00 a month is paid to widows whose husbands were killed in the line of duty.
On file at this office is a financial statement which may be examined by members.
6
1952 Annual Report
Town Clerk
MALCOLM F. MACLEAN, JR., Town Clerk
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 1952
Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to rescind its action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 1 of the Warrant for the said meeting whereby it was voted as follows:
"Voted Article 1. That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to pur- chase or take by eminent domain for public school purposes the land as described in this Article and that the sum of $8,000.00 be appropriated therefore from the Excess and Deficiency Fund. For: 77, Against: 12."
Petitioned for by more than 200 registered voters.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to rescind its action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 2 of the Warrant for the said meeting whereby it was voted as follows:
"Voted Article 2. That the Town authorize the School Committee to engage an architect and enter into a contract with said architect to prepare detailed working plans, drawings and specifications and determine the approximate cost thereof for the construction of an addition to the present Stanley School and that the sum of $25,000.00 be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund. Unanimous."
Petitioned for by more than 200 registered voters.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to rescind its action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 3 of the Warrant for the said meeting whereby it was voted as follows:
"Voted Article 3. That this article be adopted; That the Town authorize and direct the Selectmen to petition the legislature for authority to borrow the sum of $500,000.00 outside the debt limit for school purposes."
Petitioned for by more than 200 registered voters.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to rescind its action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 4 of the Warrant for the said meeting whereby it was voted as follows:
"Voted Article 4. That the Water and Sewerage Board is hereby authorized and directed to repair and re-lay the drain located in the rear of the New Ocean House property and that the sum of one hundred thousand ($100,000.00) dollars be appropriated therefor, to be raised as follows:
"That ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not to exceed the remainder; viz., ninety thousand ($90,000.00) dollars; and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws (Ter. Cent. Ed.) so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than ten (10)
7
Town of Swampscott
years from the date of issuance of the first bond or note or such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen may determine. Unanimous."
Petitioned for by more than 200 registered voters.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, January 15, 1952
In accordance with the warrant the Town Meeting Members assembled at the Hadley School, and were called to order by the Moderator, Vincent P. O'Brien at 7:48 P.M. the necessary quorum being present (96).
The warrant with the return thereon was read by Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr., Town Clerk.
Voted Article 1. That the Town not rescind the action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 1 of the Warrant for the said meeting.
Voted Article 2. That the Town not rescind the action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 2 of the Warrant for the said meeting.
Voted Article 3. That the Town not rescind the action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 3 of the Warrant for the said meeting.
Voted Article 4. That the Town not rescind the action taken at the Special Town Meeting held on Tuesday, December 4, 1951 under Article 4 of the Warrant for the said meeting.
WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
Tuesday, February 5, 1952
1. Shall the Town vote to approve the action of the Representative Town Meeting whereby it was voted under Article 1 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held Tuesday, January 15, 1952 not to rescind its action under Article 1 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held December 4, 1951 authorizing the Board of Selectmen to take certain lands by eminent domain from the public school purposes and appropriating the sum of Yes $8,000.00 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund therefor? No
2. Shall the Town vote to approve the action of the Representative Town Meeting whereby it was voted under Article 2 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held Tuesday, January 15, 1952 not to rescind its action under Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting held December 4, 1951 authorizing the School Committee to engage an architect to prepare detailed working plans, drawings and determine the approximate cost for the construction of an ad- dition to the present Stanley School and appropriate the sum of Yes $25,000.00 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund therefor? No
3 . Shall the Town vote to approve the action of the Representative Town
8
1952 Annual Report
Meeting whereby it was voted under Article 3 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held Tuesday, January 15, 1952 not to rescind its action under Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting held December 4, 1951 authorizing and directing the Selectmen to petition the legislature for authority to Yes - borrow the sum of $500,000.00 outside the debt limit for school purposes ? No
4. Shall the town vote to approve the action of the Representative Town Meeting whereby it was voted under Article 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held Tuesday, January 15, 1952 not to rescind its action under Article 4 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held December 4, 1951 authorizing the Water and Sewerage Board to repair and re-lay the drain lo- cated in the rear of the New Ocean House property and appropri- ating the sum of $100,000.00 therefor from the Excess and De- Yes ficiency Fund and by a bond issue? No |
SPECIAL ELECTION February 5, 1952
The following number of votes were cast:
Precinct 1
250
Precinct 2
320
Precinct
3
238
Precinct 4
293
Precinct 5
371
Precinct 6
279
Precinct 7
505
Precinct 8
447
Total vote cast
2703
Precinct
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
Question 1.
Yes
51
48
60
69
140
101
218
285
972
No
196
263
171
219
219
165
265
152
1650
Blanks
3
9
7
5
12
13
22
10
81
Question 2.
Yes
68
62
76
94
158
110
249
304
1121
No
182
252
159
196
202
157
238
137
1523
Blanks
0
6
3
3
11
12
18
6
59
Question 3.
Yes
58
56
58
83
136
109
217
278
995
No
189
253
168
200
221
155
262
151
1599
Blanks
3
11
12
10
14
15
26
18
109
Question 4.
Yes
155
168
138
207
275
215
362
365
1885
No
93
149
98
84
93
61
137
75
790
Blanks
2
3
2
2
3
3
6
7
28
9
Town of Swampscott
TOWN WARRANT Monday, March 17, 1952
Article 1. To choose a Moderator for one (1) year.
To choose three (3) members of the Board of Selectmen for one (1) year.
To choose a Town Clerk for three (3) years.
To choose a member of the Water and Sewerage Board for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the Board of Assessors for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the Park Commission for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the School Committee for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for one (1) year.
To choose one member of the Board of Public Welfare for three (3) years. To choose one member of the Board of Health for three (3) years.
To choose three Constables for one (1) year.
To choose one member of the Planning Board for five (5) years.
To choose one member of the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds for three (3) years.
To choose one member of the Swampscott Housing Authority for two (2) years. To choose one member of the Swampscott Housing Authority for (1) year.
To choose eight (8) representative Town Meeting Members in each precinct for three (3) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct One for two (2) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Two for two (2) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Four for two (2) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Five for one (1) year.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Six for one (1) year. To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Six for two (2) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Seven for one (1) year.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct Eight for two (2) years.
And to vote on the following questions:
10
1952 Annual Report
Question 1. Shall the town vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 31 of the General Laws, therefor providing civil service for the non-elected official and the labor services of the Town of Swampscott?
Question 2. Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year 1951, entitled, "An Act Establishing a Town Manager Form of Government for the Town of Swampscott" be accepted by this town?
Yes -
No
Yes
-
No
All to be voted by ballot.
Article 2. To hear and act on the reports of town officials, boards, and committees. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 3. To hear and act on the report of the Committee appointed to plan for the Town's observance of the one hundredth anniversary of its incorpora- tion and to appropriate money therefor or take any action relative thereto. Spon- sored by the Centennial Committee.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1952, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and Town Treasurer.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1953, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and Town Treasurer.
Article 6. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recom- mendations calling for the appropriation or expenditures of money, and creation of a debt, or the disposition of town property, as set forth in the report of officers, boards or committees. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to increase the salaries of all permanent employees of the various departments except employees of the Police, Fire and School departments in the amount of $520 per year, and appropriate the necessary money therefor or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Em- ployees' Wage Committee, John G. McLearn, Chairman.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to grant an increase in annual salary to the members of the Police Department effective as of January 1, 1952 equal to 20 percent of their present annual salary and appropriate the necessary money therefor or take any action relative thereto. Petitioned for by Thomas F. Collins et al.
Town of Swampscott
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to grant a 15 percent increase in salaries for the permanent members of the Fire Department retroactive to January 1, 1952 and appropriate the necessary money therefor or take any action relative thereto. Petitioned for by Roy F. Olson et al.
Article 10. To see what action the town will take in relation to the appro- priation of money for departmental and other expenses, as listed in the budget in the Selectmen's report of the annual town report for the year 1951. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 11. To see what action the town will take in relation to salaries of elected town officials for the ensuing year. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 12. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Public Welfare to appoint one of its own members as agent and fix the salary of such appointee at $572.00 as provided by Chapter 41, Section 4A of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.). Sponsored by the Board of Public Welfare.
Article 13. To see if the town will authorize the Bureau of Old Age Assis- tance to appoint one of its own members as agent and fix the salary of such ap- pointee at $3,028.00 as provided by Chapter 41, Section 4A of the General Laws (Ter. Ed.). Sponsored by the Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
Article 14. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Assessors, the Board of Park Commissioners and the Planning Board each, to appoint a member of such boards to act as secretary thereof and receive pay therefor, as provided by Chapter 41, Section 4A of the General Laws (Ter Ed.). Sponsored by the Board of Assessors, the Board of Park Commissioners and the Planning Board.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to the account of unpaid bills for the purpose of settling all bills contracted prior to January 1, 1952 and remaining unpaid at the time of the closing of the town's books for the year 1951 according to the records of the Town Accountant. Spon- sored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Fund of the town to the account of Current Revenue a sum of money to be used and applied by the Board of Assessors in reduction of the tax levy, or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to appropriate an additional sum of money to be used with the monies appropriated under Article 4 of the Warrant of the Special Town Meeting of December 4, 1951 to carry out the purposes set forth in said Article 4 or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to purchase or take by eminent domain land adjoining the Stanley School lot and on said land and on the Stanley School lot construct, originally equip and furnish an addition to the Stanley School, and appropriate the necessary money therefor by transferring from available funds, by borrowing or otherwise, or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the School Committee.
12
1952 Annual Report
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to petition the legislature to enact appropriate legislation to establish a public works department in the Town of Swampscott. Petitioned for by Charles R. Sellman, Jr., et al.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to adopt the following by-law .:
Section 1. All regular employees of the Town of Swampscott, other than those appointed by the School Committee, shall be granted an annual vaca- tion of not less than two weeks during each year of their first ten years of continuous employment, subject to the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 41, Section III.
Section 2. All such regular employees, after ten years of continuous service, shall be granted an annual vacation of three weeks, subject to the provisions of General Laws. Chapter 41, Section 111.
Section 3. Such vacations shall be granted by the heads of the respective departments of the town at such time as in their opinion will cause the least interference with the performance of the regular work of the town.
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