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TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT
1953 annual Report
Vault
SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
新站
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SWAMPSCOTT FISH HOUSE ··· BLANEY BEACH
PHOTO BY ROBERT G. BYRNE, JR.
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND YEAR
Blaney's Beach Reservation
(About the Cover)
The Fish House at Blaney's Beach (also known as Fisherman's Beach) was built in 1896 for purposes of boating, fishing and sailing to replace the privately owned fish houses which lined the edge of the beach.
Stalls and lockers are rented at a nominal fee to fishermen and boat owners for storage.
The Swampscott Yacht Club is located on the second floor.
Supervision of the building and Blaney's Beach Reser- vation is under the jurisdiction of the Park Department.
Jackson & Phillips, Inc., Printers 24-68 Mt. Vernon Street, Lynn, Mass.
L 33
SETTLED A.D. 1629
· INCORPORATED
T. A. D. 1852.
D AS
SWA
Town of SWAMPSCOTT Massachusetts
1953 ANNUAL REPORT
TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE Richard A. Wales Everett C. Howe Fred W. Mahan A. Doris Whipple Samuel Freedman Harvey Newcomb Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr.
Town of Swampscott
Index
Appeals, Board of 66
Assessors, Board of 41
Balance Sheet 48
Building Inspector
52
Cemetery Department
55
Civil Defense, Department of
59
Contributory Retirement System
41
Dog Officer 75
Engineering Department 54
Fire Department 73
Health, Board of 65
Highway Department
63
Housing Authority
71
Information, General 99
In Memoriam
98
Jury List 79
Library, Public 77
Park Commissioners, Board of 69
Planning Board 55
Police Department
67
Town Officers Elected
3
Public Library 77
Public Welfare, Board of 74
Treasurer's Report 53
Rent Control Board 52
Selectmen, Board of 9
Sewer Department 58
Weights and Measures, Sealer of 69
Where Money Came From 42
Superintendent of Schools, Report of
85
Where Money Went 44
Wires, Inspector of S2
World War II Memorial Fund S2
ILLUSTRATIONS
Air View of Blaney (Fisherman's) Beach 50-51
Auxiliary Police 60
Auxiliary Fire Department Rescue Demonstration 61
Old Fisherman's Beach 68
Housing Unit of Veterans' Project .. 70
Signing Her First Library Card 76
Everyone in the Family at the
Swampscott High School 84
English Teaching in the Elementary Schools 87
Getting Ready for College Boards 88
Two Electric Kitchens in High School Square Dancing in Elementary School 91
89
Upper Blaney Beach __ Inside Back Cover Old Lincoln House Inside Back Cover Library 78
GRAPHS
How the School Dollar Was Spent 87 Swampscott School Enrollment
2
Town Accountant 42
Town Clerk, Records of 13
Special Town Meeting, January 20, 1953 13
Town Warrant, March 16, 1953 13
Annual Town Meeting, Monday, March 16, 1953
20
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, March 24, 1953 26
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, Tuesday, March 31, 1953 31
Special Town Meeting, Tuesday, July 21, 1953 40
Adjourned Special Town Meeting. Tuesday, July 28, 1953 40
Town Counsel 64
Town Meeting Members G
Town Officers Appointed 3
Town Telephone Numbers 100
Veteraus' Services, Department of 76
Water Department 56
School Department
83
Pupils enrolled
94
School Directory
96
95
1953 Annual Report
Town Officers - 1953
ELECTED
MODERATOR
SELECTMEN Vincent P. O'Brien
TOWN CLERK AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
TOWN TREASURER
WATER AND SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS Alfred N. Frazier, 1956
ASSESSORS Ernest Manchin, 1954, Secretary
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS Lewis H. Berry. 1956, Secretary
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Edward K. Hempel, 1954* George A. Chadwell, 1954 Blanche E. Doyle, 1954
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY Ruth M. Barry, 1954, Secretary
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Paul C. Curtis, 1955
BOARD OF HEALTH
H. Allen Durkee. 1954
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
CONSTABLES Leonard H. Bates
PLANNING BOARD
Ralph L. Williams, 1954 James R. Maddock, 1955, Secretary
COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS Dana V. Humphrey, 1954
SWAMPSCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY Walter F. Livermore, 1954* Robert L. Yasit
C. Frank Hathaway
Frederick R. Champion, Chairman Edward K. Hempel
Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr., 1955; 1956 Robert G. Byrne, 1956
Harold C. Hudson, 1955, Chairman George B. Atkins, 1954
John A. Holmes, 1955, Chairman Thomas F. Collins, 1956
Roland C. Booma, 1955, Chairman Frederick C. Burk, 1954
Walter H. Forbes, Jr., 1956, Chairman Theodore C. Sargent, 1956
William H. Rothwell, 2nd, 1955
George W. Howe, 1955, Chairman Nelson J. Darling, Jr., 1956
Norbert A. Ulman, 1954, Chairman Donald Redfern, 1956
Dr. Loring Grimes, 1956, Chairman E. Wallace Donald, 1955
Timothy J. Ryan, 1954
Wayne Anderson John J. Mattera
Harold M. King, 1958, Chairman Alexander B. Way, Jr., 1955 Gordon L. Brown, 1956
Harold R. Austin, 1956 Henry S. Baldwin, 1955
John A. Massey, 1958, Chairman Thomas W. Duncan, 1955 David F. Doherty, 1956 Gerald H. Pashby (State Appointee)
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
SECRETARY OF SELECTMEN TOWN COUNSEL TOWN ACCOUNTANT TOWN ENGINEER ASSISTANT ENGINEER DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Richard A. Wales James W. Santry, Jr. I. Murray Adams Howard L. Hamill George H. Melcher Robert O'Neill
3
Town of Swampscott
SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY FOREST WARDEN
MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
BUILDING INSPECTOR
ASSISTANT INSPECTOR SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CUSTODIAN OF ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ASSISTANT CUSTODIANS
DOG OFFICER FENCE VIEWERS
MEASURER OF LUMBER SHELLFISH CONSTABLES
Harold O. Durgin Stanley G. Potier John J. Mattera
DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES and BURIAL AGENT
Newton S. Courtney
VETERANS' SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD Carl Glazer, M. D. Anthony F. D'Agnese
Clement E. Kennedy, Chairman Eustis B. Grimes Albert F. Pashby
Moses Shectman
TRUSTEES OF WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL FUND Ernest Manchin, 1956, Chairman Clement E. Kennedy, 1956 Philip H. Stafford, 1954 John R. Cooper, 1954 Benjamin Goldberg, 1955, Secretary Albert F. Pashby, 1955 David F. Doherty, 1956
BOARD OF REGISTRARS Dorothy M. Collins, 1955 William J. Thompson, 1954* Donald L. Sawyert
Patrick A. Devine, 1956 Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., Clerk Ex-Officio
SMOKE INSPECTOR
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Raymond O. Doane Edward J. Connell
CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF OF POLICE and KEEPER OF LOCKUP
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT
BOARD OF APPEALS Eustis B. Grimes, 1954
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD Thomas F. Collins, 1955* Harold R. Austint
ARMISTICE DAY COMMITTEE Austin D. Mosco Anthony F. D'Agnese
FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE Robert O'Neill Antonio Parletta Edward F. Flynn, Jr. Francis P. Wall, Chief of Police
Charles H. Lampard Francis P. Wall Cedric L. Arnold C. Glover Bowes, 1956, Chairman T. Paul Corcoran, Jr., 1955 John G. McLearn, 1956, Chairman I. Murray Adams, Secretary
Harry M. Shanahan Albert F. Pashby
Lewis H. Berry Samuel S. Fallon Frederick C. Burk Lawrence O. Witter Charles H. Lampard, Fire Chief
Arthur E. Hardy Charles H. Lampard Frederick C. Burk Raymond O. Doane Eldridge T. Davis C. Walter Burrill John G. McLearn Leonard H. Bates John Cameron John A. Boston Howard L. Hamill Raymond O. Doane
4
1953 Annual Report
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Robert B. Hegarty Irving E. Doliber
TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE Samuel Freedman Everett C. Howe Fred W. Mahan
Richard B. Johnson, Chairman Richard P. Breed John S. Way
Richard A. Wales Harvey P. Newcomb Edith N. Snow* A. Doris Whipple Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr.
APPOINTED BY MODERATOR
FINANCE COMMITTEE J. Dane Chandler, 1955 Kenneth W. Ulman, 1955 Edward E. Jaffee, 1956
Harold P. Willett, 1955, Chairman Vera F. Gould, 1956 Fred S. Brennan, 1955 Richard Coughlin, Secretary
STANLEY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Blanche E. Doyle Walter H. Forbes, Jr.
Fred S. Brennan, Chairman Crawford H. Stocker, Jr. George Sanderson
Raymond O. Doane Edwin A. Fuller John F. Milo
WAGE COMMITTEE Frederick N. Balsor Charles F. Hammann Harvey P. Newcomb
Philip N. Clerke, Chairman William E. Carey Grace C. Whiteacre Thomas M. Sullivan, Secretary
BY-LAWS COMMITTEE Lewis H. Berry Albert S. Hills# Thomas M. Newth
COMMITTEE TO STUDY BEACII RIGHTS
Roger J. Cornell Anthony F. Pierre
PUBLIC BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE Iver K. Johnson Laurence B. Leonard George J. Place
COMMITTEE TO STANDARDIZE BUDGETS
David F. Doherty Eugene L. Abrams
* Resigned t Appointed # Deceased
Henry R. Mayo, Jr., Chairman James F. Ryan James W. Santry, Jr. Kenneth W. Ulman
Dr. Charles E. Donovan John J. Foley Norbert Ulman
Andrew R. Linscott, Chairman Mahlon G. Knowles Roger N. Howes Richard Chambers
Harold R. Austin, Chairman I. Murray Adams Charles L. Blatchford
5
David J. Abrahams Donald C. Goss
BUILDING BY-LAWS REVISION COMMITTEE
Town of Swampscott
Town Meeting Members
Expiration 1954
Reno S. Bisegna Theodore A. Brown Mary A. Cappucio Joseph Fiore Nicoletta Foglietta Nicholas Gallo Ann Marie Granese Eric A. Holmgren Selden D. Hulquist Ralph H. Jackson, Jr. Hazel I. Johnson Doris B. Linden Davis A. Nickerson Raymond H. Nickerson Joseph S. Rodrick Arthur Ventre Ralph W. Wade Roger A. Williams, Jr .*
Expiration 1954
Edmund F. Curley John R. Daley George H. Dee David F. Doherty Eva A. Hardy William S. Healey Herbert C. Heggie Leonard A. Homan Ralph T. Homan Harold M. King Raymond P. Legro Walter F. Livermore Gertrude G. Massey Philip H. Stafford John Stone Donald J. Warnock Philip M. Whitten Margaret M. Yasi
PRECINCT ONE
Expiration 1955
Frederick N. Balsor Gertrude P. Balsor James E. Champion J. Dane Chandler Laura M. Cole Anthony M. D'Agnese Virginia L. Doughty Geremia Foglietta
Lillian T. Friedman Bennett Gallo James E. Hanley Robert B. Hegarty William A. Hinch Karl V. Johnson Kenneth T. Johnson Robert A. Linden Frank T. Roach
Charles F. Snow
Expiration 1956
I. Murray Adams Leonard H. Bates Leonard H. Bates, Jr. Lewis H. Berry Chester E. Bradley William J. Carlin Frederick R. Champion
John H. Cropley, Jr. Frank A. Drinkwater William F. Durgin, Jr. Alfred N. Frazier Herbert F. Frazier, Jr. Otto W. Friedman C. Frank Hathaway Andrew B. Holmes, Jr. Paul L. Koch J. Richard Maitland Arnold L. Snow
PRECINCT TWO
Expiration 1955
Charles L. Blatchford Archie C. Cornish, Jr. Harvey A. Craig Robert L. Cunningham Eldridge T. Davis Charles B. Fontaine* Stuart W. Graham Lotta A. Hempel Robert P. Loring John A. Massey Elmer E. Morley
Constance M. Newth Gerald H. Pashby Walter L. Ranger Joseph P. Ryan Kenneth W. Uiman Norbert A. Ulman Kenneth S. Whittier
Expiration 1956
Thomas E. Andresen Laurence A. Blood* Philip J. Blood Frederick P. Brown Frederick C. Burk* Thomas J. Cahill Peter Cassidy George A. Chadwell Richard Chambers Albert E. Devitt Raymond O. Doane Lyndon W. Ellis Arthur E. Hardy Edward K. Hempel Harold J. Keating Thomas M. Newth Albert F. Pashby Fred H. Whittier, Jr.
6
1953 Annual Report
Expiration 1954
Robert L. Benford Alfred F. Chatterton J. Campbell Deveney Roland N. Devitt Howell E. Estey Irving E. Guay William R. Homan* John Clarke Kane John G. McLearn Dorothy W. Mills
Ernest O. Mills
Edward E. Moore Spencer E. Olson Margaret M. Scanlon Harry M. Shanahan Roger G. Skinner Henry A. Sleeper George W. Smith
Expiration 1954
Keith Anthony Robert F. Baur P. Starr Cressy Ralph B. Earle Clementine L. Emery Lester B. Farwell Loring R. Frazier Helen E. Gillen George W. Howell Harold G. Hussey Walter F. Livermore, Jr. James R. Maddock Harold I. Power Frederick J. Rudd Willard F. Stearns Hatherly A. Stoddard, Jr. B. Shapleigh Symonds Thomas B. Thurston
PRECINCT THREE
Expiration 1955
Eugene L. Abrams
Lillian M. Atkinson
Egbert H. Ballard John T. Coan, Jr .* Jean W. Cobbett Arthur F. Connelly Donald W. Fessenden Leon A. Hackett
Roger W. Henry
Harold C. Hudson
Alfred B. Jones Fred W. Mahan William J. McGettrick Ralph N. Murray Fred M. Seaton Harold B. Vray J. Henry Welch
Lawrence O. Witter
Expiration 1956
George B. Atkins Harold R. Austin
Henry S. Baldwin
Clarence C. Bates Ralph E. Bicknell John A. Boston Robert G. Byrne Harry E. Cahoon
Thomas F. Collins
Harold G. Enholm Clarence M. Finch Loring Grimes Edward E. Jaffee
Philip H. Kitfield John J. Lally
Ernest Manchin
Robert C. Mansfield* Harvey P. Newcomb
PRECINCT FOUR
Expiration 1955
Benjamin F. Allen Leta E. Anderson Barbara Bailey Frederick P. Barker William E. Carey Edward P. Carroll Henry J. Collins John R. Cooper Gorham L. Dermody
Roger L. Farnum* John J. Frazier Burt F. Harding Everett C. Howe Wendell F. Jones Wilbur T. Moulton George J. Place Robert C. Smith Frank S. Stowell
Expiration 1956
Walter K. Anderson
Chester A. Brown
Edward F. Burke
Harold F. Carlson
Walter M. Champion, Jr.
Frank G. W. Coletti Richard Coughlin Paul C. Curtis Albert G. Doane
Elizabeth W. Forbes
Walter H. Forbes, Jr.
Vera F. Gould George E. Hutchinson
Philip L. Knowlton Andrew R. Linscott
Harry D. Linscott
Raymond P. Miller Vincent P. O'Brien
7
Town of Swampscott
Expiration 1954
David J. Abrahams C. Howard Black Maxwell Field John H. Folger Philip M. Folger Michael M. Ingalls
Ruth F. Jackson
Francis M. Kirkpatrick Linthall E. Leatherby* John S. McKenney* Elihu N. Morse Ervin D. Remick, Jr. Francis L. Smith
Thomas W. Southward Harold P. Symmes Ethel C. Varney Donald J. Whidden C. Wendall Wood
Expiration 1954
Dorothy K. Allison Richard G. Appel, Jr. Richard E. Blake Philip N. Clerke Charles M. Ewing Edward F. Flynn, Jr. George J. Harrington Robert U. Ingalls Bertram C. Jacobs Harold A. Johnson Arnold S. Potter Arnold C. Reynolds
Kenneth G. Sites Owen J. Southwick George F. Vincent Frank B. Wallis
Lillian I. White Robert I. Williams
* Resigned
PRECINCT FIVE
Expiration 1955
Glenn W. Bartram
C. Glover Bowes Joseph Cardillo
Robert F. Chick* Edward D. Cook
Kenneth V. Curtis
Vincent B. Easterbrooks
M. Virginia Fallon Edwin A. Fuller
Eustis B. Grimes
Walter V. Hatfield Francis N. Lang Louis J. Marino
John J. Mattera*
Ralph S. Maxwell June Morse
William H. Rothwell, 2nd Harold P. Willett
Expiration 1956
Thomas A. Bailey
Israel Bloch
Dorothy M. Booma
Roland C. Booma
James W. Buchanan
Louis C. Bufalino
Edward T. Chamberlain Donald E. Costin John P. Costin
Samuel S. Fallon
Mary T. Heath* Roger N. Howes Edward D. Loveday
Francis H. Maitland
Lester B. Morley
Marion Doen Morse
Amos E. Russell James W. Santry, Jr.
PRECINCT SIX
Expiration 1955
Douglas F. Allen
Fred S. Brennan
William F. Bufalino
Bernard F. Carey
Frederic P. Clark
Charles E. Donovan Stephen W. Howe*
Richard B. Johnson
Forrest E. Mason, Jr.
William H. McCarthy, Jr.
Charles G. Price William W. Prichard Joel W. Reynolds Albert N. Rothermel Theodore C. Sargent A. Hall Stiles, Jr.
Kenneth T. White
Ralph L. Williams
Expiration 1956
John H. Blodgett
Richard P. Breed
Richard P. Breed, Jr.
William T. Carpenter Nelson J. Darling, Jr. A. Bruce Durkee Paul W. Fitzpatrick Bruce Hamlin
George W. Howe
Robert F. Kimball Joseph Langmaid
Laurence B. Leonard
Henry R. Mayo, Jr. Fred L. Mower* Robert F. O'Neill
E. Benjamin Redfield, Jr. Crawford H. Stocker, Jr. John S. Way
8
1953 Annual Report
Board of Selectmen
FREDERICK R. CHAMPION, Chairman VINCENT P. O'BRIEN EDWARD K. HEMPEL
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT:
We submit the following report for your information and consideration.
INTRODUCTION
The members of the Board of Selectmen hold the titular position of chief ad- ministrators in the organizational setup of the town government. The primary function of the town government is to supervise and conduct the business of the town as authorized either directly by the voters or through their town meeting rep- resentatives.
It is the responsibility of the various officials of the town government to pro- vide for and furnish those public services for which appropriations have been made by the Town Meeting. The cost of those services must be met, in large measure, through the taxes levied upon owners of property within the community.
We are of the opinion that the residents of Swampscott are entitled to the fullest degree of efficient public services consistent with sound and prudent ex- penditures of the public funds.
TAXES
During the past few years we have witnessed the rapidly increasing costs of government on the national, state, and local levels. Our 1953 tax rate of $48 is the highest in the Town's history. The fact that this represents an increase of $19 since the close of World War II, only eight years ago, becomes more alarming and thought provoking when we consider that during the same period our outstanding bonded indebtedness has risen from $301,500 to $1,371,000.
Swampscott, in common with other municipalities, has been faced with mount- ing expenditures resulting from the rising prices of inflation such as we have all encountered in our private lives. This has imposed a heavy burden upon the owners of property. The hue and cry throughout our nation has been for tax relief through reductions in the cost of government.
ECONOMY
Upon learning of the 1953 tax rate, we immediately announced that the rate of increase in our taxes must be stopped and a reduction brought about. We then issued instructions to all town officials and department heads under our jurisdiction to practice rigid economy and to use extreme care in their expenditures. We asked all other elected officials and committees to unite with us in a concerted effort to economize wherever possible. We appreciate the cooperation we received in our economy efforts and confidently expect that they will result in a reduction in this year's rate.
All departments in the town government should be supplied with good equip- ment. The persons who work for the town should receive fair and adequate com- pensation in return for which they should devote themselves to the faithful per- formance of their respective duties. With such a basic structure, the foundation is well built for the further deveolpment of an economically sound public service.
9
Town of Swampscott
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department consists of a Chief of Police, three Captains, and twenty Patrolmen, plus a Reserve Police Force of five men. All members of the Department are appointed by the Board of Selectmen and are under Civil Service classification.
During the past year, we have devoted considerable time to the study of prob- lems affecting the Police Department. We believe that a constant study should be made of methods to enhance the efficiency of the Department. Unless the De- partment is fully staffed and properly equipped at all times, the citizens are not receiving the protection which they expect and to which they are entitled.
We have had the Department's twenty-year old inhalator, which we deemed obsolete, replaced with a new Resuscitator-Inhalator-Aspirator. This improved life- saving unit is constantly available for any emergency.
The Department has three prowl cars, so called, and it has been the custom to replace one of these cars each year. This practice has resulted in what the Board considers excessively high expenditures for maintenance and repairs as the cars advance in age. We believe that it would be far wiser to replace the two cars gen- erally used by the Department for patrol work each year. The savings on main- renance and repairs, together with the increased turn in value of one-year old cars, should prove satisfactory from an economy standpoint and at the same time keep the Department provided with newer and better equipment.
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
The Automobile Age has furnished every modern day community with many problems. During the past year, we have amended the traffic rules and regulations to take care of changing conditions. Early in our administration we removed the seemingly unnecessary ban against parking on either side of Humphrey Street at Fisherman's Beach and voted to permit limited parking on both sides of the street along the beach reservation in a desire to facilitate use of the beach by more of the townspeople.
Many motorists passing through our town drive at excessively high speeds, particularly along Essex Street, Paradise Road, and Humphrey Street. This has been a continuing problem for a long time. Under our direction the Police Department has made much progress in controlling this menace to the safety of our citizens.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department consists of a Fire Chief who is appointed by the Board of Selectmen, a Deputy Chief, five Captains, and twenty-five Firefighters, all of whom are appointed by the Fire Chief. All members of the Department are under Civil Service classification.
We have been informed by the Chief that, based on information that he has obtained at various meetings of fire chiefs and with other firefighting officials, he believes that our Department is basically well equipped.
It has been brought to our attention that the town will be faced in the com- paratively near future with the necessity of replacing its two fire pumpers, one of which was purchased in 1932 and the other in 1935. While this will involve a substantial expenditure, it is the type of purchase which should not be too long delayed.
The Phillip's Beach Engine House is in good condition, and with reasonable maintenance should be useful for many years. The Central Fire Station is a very old building. It is to be regretted that the town did not seek federal assistance to-
10
1953 Annual Report
wards the building of a new station during the depression years when the national government was spending large sums for similar purposes throughout the country. No doubt the Building Needs Committee authorized at the 1953 Annual Town Meeting will have some recommendations in this connection and we await their report with interest.
CIVIL DEFENSE
Swampscott can be justly proud of its Auxiliary Police Force and its Auxiliary Fire Department. These are two of the best equipped and enthusiastically manned units in the whole Commonwealth. The members of those units have devoted many, many hours to their duties.
It is unfortunate that so many of us take little actve interest in the Civil De- fense Program. As long as our nation is threatened by the forces of Godless Com- munism there will be a continuing need for Civil Defense. Many more of us should become participants in the program.
WORCESTER TORNADO
On June 9th a devastating tornado struck the Worcester area leaving an apal- ling trail of death and destruction. We are happy to say that men and equipment from our Park Department, Auxiliary Fire Department, and Auxiliary Police De- partment were sent to that area where their services were utilized by the disaster officials.
His Excellency, Governor Christian A. Herter, organized a Central Massachu- setts Disaster Relief Committee and appointed Lieutenant Governor Sumner G. Whittier as coordinator of all fund-raising activities outside of Worcester County.
At the request of the Lieutenant Governor the Selectmen organized a fund raising campaign in Swampscott. We are happy to report that a little over $2,000 was collected and turned over to the Disaster Committee.
GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE
His Excellency the Governor held a Conference on State, County, and Munici- pal relations at the State House on October 27, 1953. This Conference, the first of its kind ever held, was attended by the members of your Board of Selectmen.
Many problems affecting all towns were discussed, and the exchange of ideas at the various panels was most informative. It is expected that further conferences will be held at least once a year.
SELECTMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS
Swampscott has membership in both the Massachusetts Selectmen's Associa- tion and in the Essex County Selectmen's Association.
The members of your Board have attended the meetings of both associations and feel that much of the information obtained through those sources was beneficial to us and enabled us to more effectively carry out our official duties.
RELEASE OF POW
In April the entire Greater Lynn community was thrilled to hear that Corporal Vincent Dandreo of 48 Jessie Street, previously reported missing in action in Korea, had been released by the Red Chinese Forces following his imprisonment in North Korea.
Corporal Dandreo was flown home from Korea and Japan to be reunited with his family. Thanks to Senator Leverett Saltonstall's personal efforts the Board was
=
Town of Swampscott
kept informed of the released POW's progress across the country so that a reception committee, hastily organized, was able to greet Vincent at the Westover Airfield and escorted him to his home.
The Leon E. Abbott Post 57, American Legion invited Corporal Dandreo to be its guest at the Post's Annual Dinner and Ball at the New Ocean House on May 21. The Board of Selectmen extended an invitation to all other returned Korean Veterans from Swampscott to attend the dinner as guests of the town. We are pleased to say that approximately twenty Korean Veterans were in attendance as your guests and appreciated the town's hospitality.
HUMPHREY STREET WIDENING
During 1952 the portion of Humphrey Street extending from the beginning of Atlantic Avenue to Palmer Avenue was widened and resurfaced as a Chapter 90 project. The extension of the project to Salem Street was started last fall and while it is now inactive due to winter weather, it is to be resumed and completed this spring.
CONCLUSION
Swampscott, originally settled in 1629, is now in the 102nd year of its in- corporation as a town. We who live here are fully aware of its many favorable features including its scenic beauty and attractive beaches. Thousands of visitors come to Swampscott each year particularly as a result of the many conventions that are held here. Our town is considered a most desirable community within which to live and raise a family. We believe that it is the duty (and that it should be the continuing responsibility) of all those connected with the town government to see that Swampscott remains in its present favorable position.
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