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Vault Keep
SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
.....
1954 annual Report
SWAMPSCOTT
One Hundred and Third Year
Jackson & Phillips, Inc., Printers 24-68 Mt. Vernon St., Lynn, Mass.
o 33
SETTLED
A.D. 1629
-
·
INCORPORATED
TT. A.D. 1852
DAS
S
SWA
Town of
SWAMPSCOTT
Massachusetts
1954 ANNUAL REPORT
Town of Swampscott
Index
Appeals, Board of Så
Assessors, Board of 61
Balance Sheet 70
Building Inspector
112
Cemetery Department
88
Civil Defense, Department of 79
Contributory Retirement System 80
Dog Officer 78
Engineering Department 74
Fire Department 95
Health, Board of 83
Highway Department
81
Housing Authority 91
Information, General
132
In Memoriam
131
Jury List 110
Library, Public 108
Park Commissioners, Board of
89
Planning Board 72
Police Department
86
Public Library
108
Public Welfare, Board of
97
Rent Control Board
90
Selectmen, Board of
9
Sewer Department
78
School Department
114
Superintendent of Schools, Report of 115 Pupils enrolled 129
School Directory 129
Town Accountant 62
Town Clerk, Records of
13
Town Warrant, March 15, 1954
13
Annual Town Meeting, March 15, 1954
24
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting March 23, 1954 27
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting March 30, 1954 38
Warrant for Special Election, April 26. 1954 44
Special Town Meeting, May 11, 1954 45
Warrant for Special Town Meet- ing, June 22, 1954 50
Special Town Meeting, June 22, 1954 52
State Primary, September 14, 1954 54
Warrant for State Election, November 2, 1954
57
State Election, November 2, 1954
58
Town Counsel 82
Town Meeting Members 6
Town Officers Appointed
3
Town Officers Elected
3
Town Telephone Numbers
Inside Back Cover
Treasurer's Report
73
Veterans' Services, Department of 99
Water Department 75
Weights and Measures, Sealer of 85
Where Money Came From 62
Where Money Went 64
Wires, Inspector of
93
World War II Memorial Fund
113
ILLUSTRATIONS
Proposed Addition to Swampscott Public Library 66-67
Dental Examination Given to All Elementary School Pupils 83
Diphtheria and Tetanus Immuniza- tion Clinic in All Elementary Schools 83
Blood Donors for Polio Field Trials 84 Air View of Town of Swampscott .. 94
Civil War Monument and Flagpole in Monument Square 99
World War I Boulder in Monument Square 102
World War II Memorial Flagpole 103
Club Officers Consult Community Calendar 109
Junior High Pupils eat in five shifts - all as crowded as this one 116
With all classrooms in use, the High School Cafeteria is used for Testing 117
Woodworking is an important part of the Industrial Arts Program 119
Home Nursing and Child Care tech- niques are demonstrated by our Public Health Nurse 120
More than play - a team effort and the best each has to give 121
Modern teaching uses a variety of materials to challenge the skills and interests of all pupils 123
Up-to-date equipment and skillful testing catch hearing loss in time 124
2
1954 Annual Report
Town Officers - 1954
ELECTED
MODERATOR
Kenneth W. Ulman
SELECTMEN
Frederick R. Champion
TOWN CLERK AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., 1955; 1956
TOWN TREASURER
WATER AND SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS Alfred N. Frazier, 1956
ASSESSORS Thomas E. Andresen, 1955
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS Lewis H. Berry, 1956, Secretary
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
William H. Rothwell, II, 1955 Theodore C. Sargent, 1956
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Ruth M. Barry, 1957, Secretary
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Paul C. Curtis, 1955
BOARD OF HEALTH
Dr. Robert C. Thompson, 1957
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
CONSTABLES Leonard H. Bates
PLANNING BOARD
Alexander B. Way, Jr., 1955 Gordon L. Brown, 1956
COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS Dana V. Humphrey, 1955*
SWAMPSCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY
Thomas W. Duncan, 1955 David F. Doherty, 1956 * Appointed t Deceased
# Resigned
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
SECRETARY OF SELECTMEN
Richard A. Wales
TOWN COUNSEL
James W. Santry, Jr.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
TOWN ENGINEER
ASSISTANT ENGINEER DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Vincent P. O'Brien, Chairman Edward K. Hempel
Robert G. Byrne. 1956
Harold C. Hudson, 1955, Chairman George B. Atkins, 1957
Thomas F. Collins, 1956, Chairman Ernest Manchin, 1957, Secretary
Roland C. Booma, 1955, Chairman Frederick C. Burk, 1957
Walter H. Forbes, Jr., 1956. Chairman George A. Chadwell, 1957 Lillian I. White, 1957
George W. Howe, 1955, Chairman Nelson J. Darling, Jr., 1956
Norbert A. Ulman, 1957, Chairman Donald Redfern. 1956
Dr. Loring Grimes, 1956, Chairman E. Wallace Donald, 1955
Timothy J. Ryan, 1957
Wayne Anderson John J. Mattera
Harold M. King, 1958, Chairman Ralph L. Williams, 1959 James R. Maddock, 1957, Secretary
Harold R. Austin, 1956 Henry S. Baldwin. 1955
Gerald H. Pashby, Chairman (State Appointee) Eugene S. Moreau, 1959 John A. Massey, 1958
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
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 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 Schectman
TRUSTEES OF WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL FUND Ernest Manchin, 1956, Chm'n. Clement E. Kennedy, 1956 Philip H. Stafford, 1957 John R. Cooper, 1957 Benjamin Goldberg, 1955, Secretary Albert F. Pashby, 1955 David F. Doherty, 1956
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Dorothy M. Collins, 1955 Donald L. Sawyer, 1957
SMOKE INSPECTOR
Raymond O. Doane Fred Sargent, Edward J. Connellt
INSPECTOR OF WIRES CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Charles H. Lampard Francis P. Wall
CHIEF OF POLICE and KEEPER OF LOCKUP
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT
Cedric L. Arnold
BOARD OF APPEALS Eustic B. Grimes, 1957
C. Glover Bowes, 1956, Chairman T. Paul Corcoran, Jr., 1955
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD Harold R. Austin, 1955
John G. McLearn, 1956, Chairman I. Murray Adams, Secretary
Albert F. Pashby
VETERANS' DAY COMMITTEE Austin D. Mosco Karlo D'Agnese Harvey H. Beadle
FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE Antonio Parletta Edward F. Flynn, Jr. : Francis P. Wall, Chief of Police
Patrick A. Devine, 1956 Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., Clerk Ex-Officio
Lewis H. Berry Samuel S. Fallon Frederick C. Burk Lawrence O. Witter Charles H. Lampard, Fire Chief
4
1954 Annual Report
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Robert B. Hegarty Irving E. Doliber
Richard B. Johnson, Chairman Richard P. Breed John S. Way
APPOINTED BY MODERATOR
FINANCE COMMITTEE
J. Dane Chandler, 1955 Richard Chambers, 1956 Harvey P. Newcomb, 1956 Vera F. Gould, 1956 Richard Coughlin, Secretary;
Harold P. Willett, 1955, Chairman Richard B. Johnson, 1955 Francis N. Lang, Secretary Herbert C. Heggie Jacob Shactman
BUILDING BY-LAWS REVISION COMMITTEE
David J. Abrahams Donald C. Goss
Raymond O. Doane Edwin A. Fuller John F. Milo
WAGE COMMITTEE Frederick N. Balsor Charles E. Hammann Harvey P. Newcomb
Philip N. Clerke, Chairman William E. Carey Thomas M. Sullivan, Secretary
BY-LAWS COMMITTEE James W. Santry, Jr. Frank B. Wallis Paul C. Stevens
Richard Blake, Chairman Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr. William Carey Richard Chambers
COMMITTEE TO STUDY BEACH RIGHTS Roger J. Cornell Anthony F. Pierre
Dr. Charles E. Donovan John J. Foley Norbert Ulman
Andrew R. Linscott, Chairman Doris Linden Richard G. Appel, Jr.
Harold R. Austin, Chairman I. Murray Adams Charles L. Blatchford
Fred S. Brennan, Chairman Crawford H. Stocker, Jr. George Sanderson
HADLEY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Precinct 1 - George Knowlton Precinct 2 - Philip H. Stafford Precinct 3 - Roger G. Skinner Precinct 4- Burt Harding
Precinct 5 - David M. Roach
Precinct 6 - Fred Brennan Mrs. Kenneth T. White, Member-at-Large
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Precinct 1 - Mahlon G. Knowles Precinct 2 - Albert H. Waite
Precinct 3 - George W. Smith
Precinct 4 - Frederick P. Proughton
Precinct 5 - Marion Doen Morse Precinct 6 - Bruce Hamlin
Frank B. Wallis, Member-at-Large Harvey P. Newcomb, Member Finance Committee
George A. Chadwell, School Committee
5
PUBLIC BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE Nelson J. Darling, Jr. Philip Kitfield
COMMITTEE TO STANDARDIZE BUDGETS David F. Doherty Eugene L. Abrams
STANLEY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Blanche E. Doyle Walter H. Forbes, Jr.
Town of Swampscott
Town Meeting Members
Expiration 1955
Frederick N. Balsor Gertrude P. Balsor 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 E. Snow Carl F. Turner
Expiration 1955
Charles L. Blatchford Archie C. Cornish, Jr. Harvey A. Craig Robert L. Cunningham Eldridge T. Davis Stuart W. Graham Lotta A. Hempel Robert P. Loring John A. Massey Elmer E. Morley Constance M. Newth Gerald H. Pashby Anthony F. Pierre Walter L Ranger Joseph P. Ryan Kenneth W. Ulman Norbert A. Ulman Kenneth S. Whittier
PRECINCT ONE
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
Expiration 1957
Reno S. Bisegna Thomas J. Boyce, Jr. Theodore A. Brown Mary A. Cappucio Joseph Fiore Nicholas Gallo Eric A. Holmgren Seldon D. Hulquist
Ralph H. Jackson, Jr.
Hazel I. Johnson Doris B. Linden John J. Mattera Davis A. Nickerson Raymond H. Nickerson
Joseph S. Rodrick Pearl A. Snow
Arthur Venture Ralph W. Wade
PRECINCT TWO
Expiration 1956
Thomas E. Andresen Philip J. Blood Frederick P. Brown 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 Herbert D. Klein Thomas M. Newth Albert F. Pashby Fred H. Whittier, Jr. Vacancy
Expiration 1957
James E. Champion Jeanne M. Craig John R. Daley
George H. Dee
David F. Doherty Leo W. Frechette Eva A. Hardy William S. Healey
Herbert C. Heggie
Harold M. King
Gertrude G. Massey Philip H. Stafford John Stone Richard A. Wales Donald J. Warnock John H. Watts Norman C. Whitten Philip M. Whitten
6
1954 Annual Report
Expiration 1955
Eugene L. Abrams Lillian M. Atkinson Egbert H. Ballard Jean W. Cobbett Arthur F. Connelly Donald W. Fessenden Leon A. Hackett
Roger W. Henry Harold C. Hudson Alfred B. Jones Charles Losano, Jr. Fred W. Mahan William J. MeGettrick Ralph N. Murray Fred M. Seaton Harold B. Vray J. Henry Welch* Lawrence O. Witter
Expiration 1955
Benjamin F. Allen Leta E. Anderson Barbara Bailey Benjamin B. Blanchard William E. Carey Edward P. Carroll John R. Cooper Gorham L. Dermody John J. Frazier Burt F. Harding Everett C. Howe Wendell F. Jones Wilbur T. Moulton George J. Place Robert C. Smith Frank S. Stowell C. Wendall Wood Vacancy
PRECINCT THREE
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
Adolph G. DiBenedetto
Harold G. Enholm
Clarence M. Finch
Loring Grimes Philip H. Kitfield
John J. Lally Ernest Manchin
Daniel J. Myers
Harvey P. Newcomb
PRECINCT FOUR
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
Expiration 1957
Robert L. Benford Alfred F. Chatterton J. Campbell Deveney Roland N. Devitt Howell E. Estey Ralph E. Gould 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 n. Sleeper George W. Smith
Henry J. Zimmermann
Expiration 1957
Richard B. Coan P. Starr Cressey Harry G. Davis Edith P. Deutsch Ralph B. Earle Clementine L. Emery Lester B. Farwell Loring B. Frazier Helen E. Gillen George W. Howell Harold G. Hussey James R. Maddock Harold I. Power
Willard F. Stearns Hatherly A. Stoddard, Jr. B. Shapleigh Symonds Robert L. Webster Roger A. Williams, Jr.
7
Town of Swampscott
Expiration 1955
Glenn W. Bartram C. Glover Bowes Leslie L. Broadbridge Joseph Cardillo 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 Ralph S. Maxwell June Morse Anthony J. Queena
William H. Rothwell, 2nd Harold P. Willett
Expiration 1955
Douglas F. Allen
Fred S. Brennan
William F. Bufalino
Bernard F. Carey Frederic P. Clark Charles E. Donovan
Richard B. Johnson
Forrest E. Mason, Jr.
William H. McCarty, Jr. Charles G. Price William W. Prichard Joel W. Reynolds Albert N. Rothermel Theodore C. Sargent A. Hall Stiles, Jr.
A. Stuart Walker Kenneth T. White Ralph L. Williams * Deceased
PRECINCT FIVE
Expiration 1957
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
Roger N. Howes
Edward D. Loveday
Francis H. Maitland Ralph Mayo Lester B. Morley
Marion Doen Morse
Amos E. Russell
James W. Santry, Jr.
Expiration 1956
David J. Abrahams Bernard L Baker Edith M. Bloch Joseph Braccio Frederick C. Burk Maxwell Field Philip M. Folger Michael M. Ingalls
Francis M. Kirkpatrick Elihu N. Morse
Carl J. Pagano Ervin D. Remick, Jr.
Harold S. Rubin
Jacob Shactman
Francis L. Smith
Thomas W. Southward
Harold P. Symmes Donald J. Whidden
PRECINCT SIX
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. Jeanne W. McCarty Robert F. O'Neill E. Benjamin Redfield, Jr. Crawford H. Stocker, Jr. John S. Way
Expiration 1957
Dorothy K. Allison
Richard G. Appel, Jr.
Bradlee M. Backman
Richard E. Blake
Philip N. Clerke Charles M. Ewing George J. Harrington
Robert U. Ingalls
Bertram C. Jacobs
Harold A. Johnson
Arnold C. Reynolds Ezra V. Saul Owen J. Southwick George F. Vincent Frank B. Wallis
Lillian I. White
Grace C. Whiteacre Robert I. Williams
8
1954 Annual Report
Board of Selectmen
VINCENT P. O'BRIEN, Chairman FREDERICK R. CHAMPION EDWARD K. HEMPEL
To The Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit the following report for your information and consideration. It is the second report which we as a Board have submitted.
INTRODUCTION
Last year we called attention to the rapidly increasing costs of government being encountered on the national, state and local levels. We pointed out that with our tax rate having reached an all-time high of $48, it was imperative that prudent economy be practiced in the expenditure of public funds and that accord- ingly we had initiated a rigid economy program. Through the combined efforts of various town officials and departments and with the cooperation of the Finance Committee and the Town Meeting Members, Swampscott enjoyed its first tax reduction in thirteen years. This reduction was brought about without in any way curtailing essential services and in fact it was done during a period in which many progressive improvements were being made.
HURRICANES CAROL AND EDNA
On August 31st a devastating hurricane officially known as Carol struck New England with little warning. Many lives were lost throughout New England, how- ever there were no deaths or serious injuries in Swampscott for which we are most grateful. Property damage was very heavy and exceeded even that of the 1938 hur- ricane. We declared a "state of emergency" while the storm was at its height. This action empowered the various town departments to take every appropriate step including the hiring of extra help and equipment to clear the highways and facili- tate the normal movement of people and vehicles throughout the town. Although hundreds of trees were felled, many blocking the public thoroughfares, every street was made passable before the day was over thanks to the wonderful work of the emergency crews.
Telephone and electrical services were seriously disrupted and were not re- stored in many parts of the town for several days. We kept in touch constantly with the Lynn Gas and Electric Company and the New England Telephone and Tele- graph Company and we wish to record our thanks to them for their cooperation and to commend them for their herculean efforts to restore normal services through- out the town.
The Director of Accounts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts authorized us to spend up to $60,000 for hurricane relief work. The actual expenditures made by the town amount to $48,021.25. It is expected that nearly all of this sum will be reimbursed to the town by the Commonwealth as a result of special legislation proposed by His Excellency Governor Christian A. Herter and enacted at a special session of the Legislature held September seventh.
A second hurricane Edna swept over us on September 11th before the fallen trees and resulting slash from Carol had been completely cleared away. Fortunately
9
Town of Swampscott
the second storm was not as serious in Swampscott as the first, but it did cause more trees to fall and again disrupted the public utilities.
One of the principal problems encountered after the first hurricane was the disposal of tree trunks and slash which rapidly developed into a serious fire menace throughout the town because of the dehydrating effect of the wind-driven ocean spray on the leaves and branches. Mr. Theodore C. Cooke, President of the Lynn Sand & Stone Company, offered the use of one of that Company's quarries for the burning of all hurricane debris. This offer was gratefully accepted and the town is indeed indebted to Mr. Cooke since the carting of material out of town would have been a costly and delaying task.
The Board of Selectmen has officially commended the Park, Highway, Street and Sewer Departments as well as the regular and auxiliary Police and Fire Depart- ments for their participation in the hurricane relief work. We are happy to express again our praise to them and to all those who helped in any way.
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.
Last year we pointed out that in the not too distant future it would be neces- sary to replace the 1932 and 1935 fire pumpers now in use in the town. In line with our recommendations which were supported by the Finance Committee, the Town Meeting Members authorized the purchase of two new 750 gallon pumpers. This is a progressive step which will assure the town of increased fire protection. The new apparatus is now on order from the Maxim Motor Company, Middleboro, Mass., which was the low bidder for furnishing the equipment.
The continuing need for a modern Central Fire Station is a problem which requires serious consideration. We believe that this subject should receive the study of a special committee and recommend that the Town Meeting authorize such a committee under an article which we are sponsoring in conjunction with the Chief of the Fire Department.
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.
We have continued our close study of methods to enhance the efficiency of the Police Department. Last year we called attention to the fact that the town's custom of replacing one of the three police cars each year resulted in excessively high ex- penditures for maintenance and repairs as the cars advanced in age. We recommended that the town replace the two cars generally used by the Department for patrol work each year. The Finance Committee and the Town Meeting Members accepted this recommendation and authorized the purchase of two prowl cars at the last Annual Town Meeting. We are sure that if these cars are replaced each year, sub- stantial savings will be affected.
10
1954 Annual Report
We have requested the Chief of Police to purchase two shotguns and a teargas gun and these weapons will be readily available in the event of any major difficulty. We have arranged to have the members of the Department given periodic target practice so that each of them will be ready for any emergency.
During the year and particularly last summer, there was some difficulty with teenage groups or gangs coming to Swampscott and causing disturbances. The Board directed the Chief of Police to take very firm action to end such disturbances, even to the point of having our patrolmen carry night sticks. Fortunately it was not neces- sary to go to this extreme since the firm action taken by the Department appears to have discouraged any further difficulties of this type.
TRAFFIC AND DRIVING PROBLEMS
The Automobile Age has furnished every modern-day community with many problems concerning the driving and parking of motor vehicles. During the past year we have made further amendments to the Traffic Rules and Regulations after obtaining recommendations from the Chief of Police and as necessitated by chang- ing conditions.
The excessive speed of motorists passing through our town, particularly along Essex Street, Paradise Road and Humphrey Street, is a continuing problem with which we are greatly concerned since it so vitally effects the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike. We have had the Police Department carry on periodic cam- paigns against speeding. We believe that this has helped considerably in reducing that danger in our town. Safety on the highways is so important that constant study must be made to improve and enforce safe driving conditions.
CIVIL DEFENSE
The need for increased activities in Civil Defense is constantly impressed upon us as we see the world divided into two armed camps, each holding completely dif- ferent ideologies. We of the West advocate and believe in national and individual freedom under God's protection. We find ourselves endangered by the forces of atheistic Communism whose leaders seem bent on world domination. We are warned of the danger of atom and hydrogen bombs falling on American cities, and we are appalled at the thought of the mass destruction which would follow.
We are compelled to think in terms of self-preservation. We must not think of this as a task for someone else to handle. 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 rest of our Civil Defense Program needs to be stepped up. Additional willing hands, both leaders and workers, must be called upon to help prepare for conditions we all sincerely hope and pray will never develop.
STREET LIGHTING
The present annual cost for street lighting in Swampscott is approximately $40,000. This is a substantial sum and it is important to know whether we are re- ceiving the best lighting possible for that amount of money.
During the past year we invited the Lynn Gas and Electric Company and the General Electric Company to conduct a complete survey of street lighting conditions
11
Town of Swampscott
throughout Swampscott. They have submitted a splendid report indicating various steps that might be taken to modernize the street lighting in our town. The ques- tion now arises as to whether we can have some of these improvements without materially increasing our expenses. We have requested figures indicating the costs involved and hope to have sufficient data available prior to the Annual Town Meeting to enable the town to consider taking an initial step in this matter.
HENRY S. BALDWIN GIFT
Early in the year Mr. Henry S. Baldwin, a past Chairman of the Board of Selectmen and one of the town's most outstanding citizens, offered to present his superb collection of historical papers to the Town of Swampscott to be stored in the new Public Library Addition authorized at the 1954 Annual Town Meeting. He also offered to give the sum of $10,000 to defray the expense of a special memorial room in which these valuable documents could be stored. On September 16th which was Mr. Baldwin's 80th birthday, he came to the Town Hall and at a joint meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, the Library Building Committee and the Board of Selectmen, he presented his check for $10,000 and signed a deed con- veying his historic papers to the town. This very generous action on the part of a remarkable citizen of our town is indeed inspiring and we are sure that the name of Henry S. Baldwin will be esteemed and honored down through the years to come.
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