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1958 ANNUAL REPORT
Town of SWAMPSCOTT
Cover Photo Courtesy of Robert G. Byrne, Jr. Photo "Black Will's Cliff, better known as Dow's Rock, showing reclamation of King's Beach"
Printed By Weed Publishers Inc. Marblehead, Mass.
LED
A.D. 1629.
SE
INCORPORATED
T. A. D. 1852. .
AS
SWAM
Town of Swampscott Massachusetts
1958 ANNUAL REPORT
Town of Swampscott
Index
Appeals, Board of
89
Town Accountant 98
Assessors, Board of
77
Town Clerk, Records of ...
13
Balance Sheet
106
Town Warrant, March 17, 1958 15
Building Code Advisory Board 74
Special Town Meeting, January 21, 1958
Building Inspector 88
Civil Defense, Department of
96
Contributory Retirement System
112
Dog Officer
65
Fire Department
64
28
Forest Warden
66
Health, Board of
87
Housing Authority
71
Information, General
94
In Memoriam
95
Junior High School Building Commit- tee
66
State Election, November 4, 1958
54
Jury List
90
Town Counsel
113 6
Planning Board
87
Town Meeting Members
Police Department
67
Town Officers Appointed
3
Public Library
78
Town Officers Elected
2
Public Welfare, Board of
110
Town Telephone Numbers
93
Public Works, Board of
66
Treasurer's Report
109
School Department
79
Veterans' Services, Department of 65
Weights and Measures, Sealer of
67
80
Where Money Came From
98
Pupils Enrolled
86
Where Money Went
101
Selectmen, Board of
8
Wires, Inspector of 76
Taxes, Collector of
75
World War II Memorial Fund 112
Town Officers - 1958
ELECTED
MODERATOR
Richard B. Johnson
SELECTMEN
Vincent P. O'Brien
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., 1959
TOWN CLERK
Daniel W. Wormwood, Jr. 1961
TOWN TREASURER
Robert G. Byrne 1959
ASSESSORS
Thomas F. Collins
Ernest Manchin, 1960, Chairman Anthony F. Pierre, Secretary
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Harold C. Hudson, 1959* Francis N. Lang, 1959 **
Roger A. Williams, Jr., 1960, Chairman Alfred N. Frazier, 1961
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Theodore C .. Sargent, 1959 Osmund O. Keiver, Jr., 1959 Vice Chairman
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY Andrew R. Linscott, 1959
George A. Chadwell, 1960 Lillian I. White, 1960, Chairman William H. Rothwell, 2nd, 1961
George W. Howe. 1961, Chairman Ruth M. Barry, 1960, Secretary
*Resigned ** Appointed
*** Deceased
13 Annual Town Meeting, March 17, 1958 25
Adjourned Town Meeting, March 25, 1958
Adjourned Town Meeting, March 26, 1958
40 Special 'Town Meeting, June 17, 1958
46 Warrant, State Election, Novem- ber 4, 1958
53
Superintendent of Schools,, Re- port of
George B. Thomson. Chairman Edward K. Hempel
1958 Annual Report
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Donald Redfern, 1959
Norbert A. Ulman, 1960, Chairman Paul C. Curtis, 1961
BOARD OF HEALTH
Dr. Robert H. Bessom, 1959 Dr. Edward L. Cashman, Jr., 1960 **
Dr. Robert C. Thompson, 1960* E. Wallace Donald, 1961, Chairman
CONSTABLES Joseph P. Ryan
Leonard H. Bates Wayne Anderson
PLANNING BOARD
Ralph L. Williams, 1959 Alexander B. Way, Jr., 1960
Harold M. King, 1963, Chairman John F. Milo, 1961 James R. Maddock, 1962, Secretary
COMMISSIONER OF TRUST FUNDS Harold R. Austin, 1959
Sidney Epstein, 1960 Sherman Lippa, 1961
SWAMPSCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY
Thomas W. Duncan, 1960 Leonard H. Bates, Jr., 1959, Vice Chairman David F. Doherty, 1961, Treasurer
John A. Massey, 1963, Assistant Treasurer Martin C. Goldman (State Appointee), 1961, Chairman
*Resigned
** Appointed
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
SECRETARY OF SELECTMEN TOWN COUNSEL TOWN ACCOUNTANT
DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE BUILDING INSPECTOR
ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CUSTODIAN OF ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ASSISTANT. CUSTODIANS
SPECIAL COUNSEL DOG OFFICER FENCE VIEWERS
MEASURER OF LUMBER SHELLFISH CONSTABLES
Richard A. Wales Richard Coughlin I. Murray Adams Forrest E. Mason, Jr. Raymond O. Doane Lawson H. O'Brien George A. Holt, Sr. John G. McLearn Leonard H. Bates John Cameron Joseph G. Tauro John J. Mattera Raymond O. Doane Howard L. Hamill Harold O. Durgin Stanley G. Potier Joseph C. Cardillo
DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' SERVICES AND BURIAL AGENT
SMOKE INSPECTOR INSPECTOR OF WIRES CHIEF OF POLICE AND KEEPER OF LOCKUP * Resigned ** Appointed
Robert M. Leonard Raymond O. Doane Fred Sargent Francis P. Wall *Deceased
3
Town Swampscott
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT BOARD OF APPEALS C. Glover Bowes, 1959, Chairman BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS Theodore S. Whitehouse, 1959
Paul C. Stevens Eustis Grimes, 1960 T. Paul Corcoran, Jr., 1961 D orothy M. Collins, 1961
Frederick R. Champion, 1962, Chairman
Donald L. Sawyer, 1960 BOSTON AND MAINE RATE STUDY COMMITTEE Dr. Howell E. Estey Samuel Freedman BUILDING CODE ADVISORY BOARD John J. Milo, 1959, Chairman Edwin A. Fuller, 1959 Raymond O. Doane CITIZENS' TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Ervin D. Remick, Jr. Nelson J. Darling, Jr.
Edward Weinshanker, 1960' David J. Abrahams, 1960 ***
Joseph Beck, 1959 Harold Norton, 1959
Maxwell Field, 1960 Donald D. Durkee, 1960* Arthur L. Burt, 1961
Barbara MacGregor, 1959 Ralph Maxwell, 1960 Dr. Charles E. Donovan, 1961 Chairman
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD
John G. McLearn, 1959, Chairman* (elected by employees)
Edward P. Carroll, 1959, Chairman ** I. Murray Adams, Secretary Ex Officio
ECONOMY PLANNING COMMITTEE Robert C. Hunt R. W. Hubbs Donald Sullivan Richard P. Breed, Jr.
Gardner S. Lamson Samuel Freedman Edward Weinshanker Harold M. King
FIRE STATION STUDY COMMITTEE George J. Burke
John S. Humphrey Felix Marino
FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE Michael M. Ingalls
Edward F .Flynn, Jr. Antonio Parletta Frederick C. Burk
Lawrence O. Witter
Francis P. Wall, Chief of Police Walter M. Champion, Jr., Fire Chief Daniel W. Wormwood, Jr. Michael Palleschi Michael S. Pagnotta
HARBOR COMMITTEE
John J. Foley, Chairman Cedric L. Arnold Paul A. Polisson Joseph Cardillo
Louis J. Williams John Marino Mrs. Phyllis M. Blanchette
INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE-General Insurance Richard P. Breed, Jr.
Raymond P. Miller' Daniel W. Wormwood
Felix E. Dine Martin Sylvester
INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE-Group Insurance Harold Willett William H. Rothwell, 2nd
Edward F. Flynn, Jr. Joseph C. Cardillo John G. McLearn John A. Pagnotta Wendell F. Jones
MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE Harry M. Shanahan, Chairman TAX REVENUE STUDY COMMITTEE Thomas C. Barrett
. *Resigned
** Appointed
George Boston *** Deceased
4
Harold R. Austin, 1961
Richard P. Symmes. 1961
1958 Annual Report
John Cameron Ralph L. Dennis John P. Drislane Harrison J. Lesses
William K. Cobbett John Der Bogosian Loring R. Frazier Austin Mosco J. Campbell Deveney
VETERANS' DAY COMMITTEE Edward Corbett Austin Mosco
Grace Holden John A. Pagnotta Elaine H. Caproni
WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL COMMITTEE
Thomas E. Burke, Jr.
Douglas F. Allen
John Palmer Ingalls, Jr. Sydney Parlow Roger A. Williams, Jr.
APPOINTED BY MODERATOR
CENTRAL FIRE STATION COMMITTEE Charles H. Lampard John F. Milo David S. Kunian
Harold M. King J. Campbell Deveney
COMMITTEE TO STANDARDIZE BUDGETS
David F. Doherty
Eugene L. Abrams Charles L. Blatchford
Harold R. Austin, Chairman I. Murray Adams
COMMITTEE TO STUDY SALARIES OF ELECTED TOWN OFFICIALS Harold P. Willett Charles W. Dwyer
COMMITTEE TO STUDY BEACH RIGHTS
Anthony F. Pierre Dr. Charles E. Donovan
John J. Foley Norbert Ulman
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Harvey P. Newcomb, 1959
Martin Kirkpatrick, 1960* Bernard L. Baker, 1960 ** Selden D. Hulquist, 1960
Jacob Shactman, Chairman, 1960* Otto W. Friedman, 1960* Charles M. Ewing, 1960 Harry G. Davis, 1960 Herbert C. Heggie, Secretary
Howell E. Estey
Richard G. Appell, Jr., 1960, Asso. Chairman
HADLEY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Roger G. Skinner Thomas Duncan Burt Harding, Chairman
George Knowlton Lillian White
HADLEY SCHOOL PLAY AREA George B. Thomson Bradlee M. Backman Leon A. Hackett John F. Milo
Osmund O. Keiver. Jr., Chairman James E. Hanley John Clarke Kane Marshall Kaplan Harold I. Power
WAGE SCALE AND JOB CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE Frederick N. Balsor Joseph Cardillo Marshall Kaplan
M. Stanley Metz, Chairman John G. McLearn Arnold L. Snow William E. Carey
*Resigned
** Appointed
*Deceased
5
Spencer E. Olsen
Town of Swampscott
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN AND MODERATOR FIRE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE J. Dane Chandler Chester E. Bond JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Raymond E. Werner John Clarke Kane Charles W. Eiseman
George J. Burke
Walter H. Forbes, Jr., Chairman
Howell E. Estey
Town Meeting Members
PRECINCT ONE
I. Murray Adams
Frederick N. Balsor Gertrude P. Balsor Leonard H. Bates Leonard H. Bates, Jr. Lewis H. Berry William H. Berry Reno S. Bisegna
Thomas J. Boyce Jr. Chester E. Bradley
Joseph A. Bradley Mary A. Cappucio J. Dane Chandler Laura M. Cole Pauline H. Corcoran John H. Cropley, Jr. Anthony M. D'Agnese Ralph J. D'Agnese
Herbert Dennehy
Thomas Douglas Joseph Fiore Edward F. Flynn Jr. Geremia Foglietta Alfred N. Frazier Lillian T. Friedman Otto W. Friedman Bennett Gallo
Nicholas Gallo C. Frank Hathaway Robert B. Hegarty William A. Hinch
Andrew B. Holmes, Jr. Eric A. Holmgren
George A. Holt Selden D. Hulquist
Ralph H. Jackson
Karl V. Johnson Kenneth T. Johnson John E. LaPlante J. Richard Maitland Chandler E. Marble Davis A. Nickerson
Raymond H. Nickerson Harold Norton Charles P. Picariello Laurence F. Picariello
George A. Promise Richard S. Rawding Joseph S. Rodrick Woodbury L, Rodrick, Jr. Carl F. Turner Arthur Ventre Ralph W. Wade Frank Williams, Jr.
PRECINCT TWO
Thomas E. Andresen Frederick C. Blair Charles L. Blatchford Frederick P. Brown Laurence Burns Thomas J. Cahill
** Francis J. Cassidy Peter Cassidy George A. Chadwell James E. Champion Harvey A. Craig John R. Daley Raymond O. Doane David F. Doherty Lyndon W. Ellis
Howell E. Estey
Cecelia H. Flynn Joseph F. Flynn
Herbert F. Frazier, Jr. Leo W. Frechette
Stuart W. Graham
William S. Healy Herbert C. Heggie Edward K. Hempel Harold J. Keating Harold M. King Cleo Leawood Robert P. Loring John A. Massey John J. Mattera James D. McCarriston John J. Monahan Pearl D. Morley Thomas M. Newth Gerald H. Pashby James E. Pashby
Irvin R. Patten Anthony F. Pierre Paul A. Polisson Jean W. Potter
Walter L. Ranger Joseph P. Ryan Philip H. Stafford
Donald J. Stinson George J. Stinson John Stone Richard P. Symmes Kenneth W. Ulman
** Norbert A .Ulman Richard A. Wales Donald J. Warnock John H. Watts Norman C. Whitten Philip M. Whitten
6
1958 Annual Report
Ezra Andelman George B. Atkins Harold R. Austin
Adolph J. Benedetto John A. Boston
Philip A. Brine, Jr. Robert G. Byrne John Cameron Charles F. Chapman Alfred F. Chatterton Roland N. Devitt Warren J. Doherty
Howard E. Dow Ann V. Enholm Harold G. Enholm Lester B. Farwell Clarence M. Finch Ralph E. Gould
Edward D. Ackerman Mary E. Benford Robert L. Benford Benjamin M. Benson Charles H. Bickford Edward F. Burke Edward R. Butterworth William E. Carey Edward P. Carroll
Walter M. Champion, Jr. Harold G .Hussey
Frank G. W. Coletti Richard F. Coletti John R. Cooper Richard Coughlin James E. Curtis, Jr. Paul C .Curtis Harry G. Davis Joseph W. Dilk Albert G. Doane
*David J. Abrahams Carl A. Ackermann Thomas A. Bailey Bernard L. Baker William C. Beckert Edith M. Bloch Israel Bloch Dorothy M. Booma Ronald C. Booma C. Glover Bowes Joseph Braccio Leslie L. Broadbridge James W. Buchanan Charles F. Buckland Frederick C. Burk Joseph Cardillo William J. Carlin Thomas F. Collins
PRECINCT THREE
James A. Gregory Leon A. Hackett
Ernest O. Mills Edward E. Moore
Vernon M. Hawkins, 3rd Austin D. Mosco
Roger W. Henry
Daniel J. Myers Harvey P. Newcomb
Priscilla O. Newcomb Spencer E. Olson James H. Pedrick
Margaret M. Scanlon
Marshall Kaplan
Harry M. Shanahan Roger G. Skinner
Arthur T. Lees Charles Losano, Jr.
Francis A. Losano
Arnold L. Snow
Patsy J. Losano
Pearl A. Snow
Norman S. Stone
Lawrence O. Witter
PRECINCT FOUR Charles W. Dwyer
Wilbur T. Moulton
James H. O'Leary
Harris T. Phinney George J. Place
Harold I. Power
Gordon F. Robinson Fred D. Sargent
Robert C. Smith
Willard F .Stearns Hatherley A. Stoddard,
Frank S. Stowell
*B. Shapleigh Symonds Davis S. Thomson George B. Thomson
Roger A. Williams, Jr. Robert L. Yasi
PRECINCT FIVE Donald E. Costin John P. Costin Vincent B. Easterbrooks
Samuel S. Fallon Maxwell Field Edwin A. Fuller Eustis B. Grimes John F. Grynkraut Walter V. Hatfield Roger N. Howes Michael M. Ingalls F. Martin Kirkpatrick Francis N. Lang Sidney R. Lewis Sherman J. Lippa Edward D. Loveday Francis H. Maitland Ralph S. Maxwell
Ralph Mayo Elihu N. Morse June Morse Marion Doen Morse
Vincent P. O'Brien Carl J. Pagano Anthony J. Queena Ervin D. Remick, Jr. William H. Rothwell, 2nd James W. Santry, Jr. Jacob Shactman Samuel Smith J. Campbell Soutter, III Richard D. Stevenson Harold P. Symmes Donald S. Whidden
Thomas B. White, Jr. Harold P. Willett
George D. Horton Harold C. Hudson Benjamin Jordan John Clarke Kane Katherine L. Kane
John J. Lally
George W. Smith Owen E. Smith
Ernest Manchin
James J. McCarriston John G. McLearn Dorothy W. Mills
Ralph B. Earle
Walter H. Forbes, Jr.
Loring R. Frazier Vera F. Gould James E. Hanley Burt F. Harding Carl E. Hardy George W. Howell
George E. Hutchinson John P. Ingalls, Jr. Osmund O. Keiver, Jr. Robert W. Kraft Robert M. Leonard Andrew R. Linscott Harry D. Linscott James R. Maddock William A. McDermott
7
Town of Swampscott
PRECINCT SIX
Douglas F. Allen
Dorothy K. Allison
Richard G. Appel, Jr.
Bradlee M. Backman Richard E. Blake Donald W. Blodgett John H. Blodgett, Jr. John H. Blodgett
Dorothy S. Breed
Richard P. Breed, Jr.
Robert F. Kimball
Gardner Lamson
Henry R. Mayo Jr.
Jeanne W. McCarty
William H. McCarty, Jr. Allen Myers
Thomas Nevils
Arnold L. Nylander
Ralph L. Williams
Robert I. Williams
*Moved
*Deceased
Board of Selectmen
George B. Thomson, Chairman
Edward K. Hempel
Vincent P. O'Brien
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submits its Annual Report for the year 1958.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
In 1958 the Fire Department continued its consistently high standards of performance in protecting the lives and property of the community.
Recognizing the need for immediate action to provide proper housing for the men and equipment of the department, the Selectmen appointed an infor- mal study committee to investigate short and long range solutions to the problem. Two recommendations were reported, both of which were subse- quently formalized by the Town Meeting:
1. New siding, roofing, sash, and insulation, etc. were installed at the old Central Fire Station to preserve the building for future use as a combina- tion town garage and office building. The Selectmen's Study Committee did the work well within the $10,000.00 budget authorized. Tentative plans call for the use of this restored building to house the Auxiliary Fire Department, Civilian Defense equipment and groups now using office space at the Old Town Hall. If a new fire station is constructed, auxiliary fire and civil de- fense vehicles can be moved from the Highway Division yard to make the space available for Public Works Department vehicles and thereby eliminate the need for future expensive garage construction.
2. The Town Meeting also directed the Selectmen and the Moderator to appoint a building committee to prepare plans and estimates for a new Central Fire Station. The late David J. Abrahams was engaged by the com- mittee as architect. Preliminary estimates indicate a saving of about $125,-
8
Lawrence W. Powers William W. Prichard E. Benjamin Redfield, Jr Arnold C. Reynolds Joel W. Reynolds Albert N. Rothermel Theodore C. Sargent Marjorie C. Sites A. Hall Stiles, Jr. Crawford H. Stocker, Jr.
George F. Vincent Frank B. Wallis Kenneth T. White Lillian I. White Grace C. Whiteacre Dorothy J. Whitehouse
Constance B. Cox
Nelson J. Darling, Jr.
J. Campbell Deveney Charles E. Donovan
Donald D. Durkee
Robert F. O'Neill
Charles M. Ewing Paul W. Fitzpatrick Josephine E. Hanson George J. Harrington George W. Howe Robert U. Ingalls Bertram C. Jacobs Chloe Johnson Harold A. Johnson
Fred S. Brennan
Bernard F. Carey Andrew H. Cox
1958 Annual Report
000.00 over previous plans. An article calling for the construction of a new colonial style Central Fire Station will be acted on at the 1959 annual meet- ing.
In addition to dealing with the physical housing problem, action was in- itiated in 1958 to bring the department manual of rules up to date. At Chief Champion's request, the Selectmen are consulting with him on this project, involving study of modern regulations adopted by other communities.
Several qualified men were appointed to the "permanent intermittent," or reserve list to fill in for regulars when the occasion demands: Charles E. Fall, Junior N. Clark, Charles E. Snow. Jr., Phillip A. DeRobertis and Robert Donahue.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Our Police Department has also maintained its fine record during 1958 in behalf of the town.
Consistent with the Board's policy of having first class equipment in use for the protection of Swampscott residents, a new ambulance, two new pa- trol car-ambulettes and a new motorcycle were purchased in 1958 following favorable town meeting action on articles sponsored by your Selectmen.
The Chief and his department have continued to work closely with the Selectmen, the Massachusetts Safety Council, and the Citizens' Traffic Safety Committee in a concerted joint effort against increasing traffic and resulting hazards. Many constructive steps have been adopted in this continuing pro- gram.
The Board of Selectmen was notified by the National Police Officers' Association of Amercia that the Police Department was cited in 1958 with the Annual Walker Safety Award Certificate which award was presented to Chief Wall.
The two old narrow doors of the police garage have been replaced by a wide single door and an interior column has been removed to more easily ac- commodate the new ambulance and other vehicles.
The Station itself has been repainted and modern interior lighting in- stalled for the first time since the building was erected in the mid-thirties.
The Selectmen can thus report to the town that the police vehicles, station and garage were in first class condition as a result of 1958 action. We rec- ommend a continuation of this policy including the installation of radio sys- tems on the motorcycles, as in the other vehicles, to make them immediately available to all parts of town when the occasion demands.
Personnel changes during the year were the following: Anthony D'Agnese and Joseph A. McHugh were appointed Permanent Patrolmen on May 1, 1958. Francis J. Corcoran was appointed Reserve Officer May 22, 1958. Peter Cassidy was appointed Reserve Officer on November 20, 1958.
Also the Selectmen acted to bring uniform and extra work pay practices into line with present standards for regulars, reserves, and women traffic officers.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
The special efforts of the Selectmen in this area of vital concern, which were initiated in 1956, were rewarded by the Town Meeting in 1958 by the adoption of the Citizens' Traffic Safety Committee as a formal town organ- ization. Advisors have been appointed by the Police and School Departments.
9
Town of Swampscott
The Selectmen have continued their virtually unanimous approval of all recommendations made by this committee and by the Massachusetts Safety Council.
We are proud that the Council has seen fit to again cite our work in this field as second to none in Massachusetts.
--
The Committee has adopted a regular monthly schedule of meetings at which suggestions and complaints of town residents are studied and recom- mendations made to the Selectmen. They deserve the thanks of all their neighbors for their public spirited service.
The Board has been reviewing speed limits on main thoroughfares such as Humphrey, Essex, and Salem Streets, Paradise Road and Atlantic Avenue, and has been revising them downward to slow the ever increasing flow of through traffic.
STREET LIGHTING
In this field, closely related to traffic safety and the protection of lives and property the Board has virtually completed the long range program laid out several years ago.
In addition to the entire lengths of Humphrey, Essex, and Burrill Streets, Paradise, Walker and Farragut Roads were relighted in 1958, as well as the Administration Building section of Monument Avenue and the first section of Puritan Road.
The lighting engineers are studying other dangerous areas and will re- port their findings in the near future.
The regular lighting of new streets and specific trouble spots has con- tinued aside from the modernization program.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
The long range priority program, sponsored by the Selectmen and the Board of Public Works, is expected to be the basis for future recommenda- tions by these departments for yearly programs.
This systematic and logical basis for street and sidewalk work follows a priority system based on age, amount of use and present condition.
INSURANCE
General insurance has been maintained consistent with present replace- ment values following this Board's review of the situation in 1956, which re- vealed an immediate need for coverage changes.
The Town's Broker of Record has been instructed to increase the percent- age of coverage in mutual companies in the interest of economy.
The Group Insurance program, instituted by the Board in 1956, continued to return substantial dividends in 1958, due to a fine record among the Town's employees.
ATTENTION TO REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Nothing occurred during 1958 to cause the Board to believe the Town can relax the unrelenting special efforts initiated three years ago to combat rising taxes.
Rejection by the Town Meeting in 1957 and 1958 of Economy Planning Committee articles calling for professional studies by municipal consultants directed at increased efficiency and cost reductions, have placed the burden of effecting economies squarely on the various departments, the Finance Com- mittee, and on the Town Meeting Members.
10
1958 Annual Report
Although. in the area of general government, our costs have remained relatively stable and some constructive steps have been taken, Swampscott must squarely face the fact that continually rising costs and taxes will ult- imately reduce our real estate values. This is a community-wide responsi- bility. Although the Town was one of the few in the State to maintain a con- stant tax rate in 1958, holding it at the 1957 level, we have no cause for com- placency. The new Junior High School costs and other budgetary increases must be faced in 1959.
The Selectmen's Tax Revenue Study Committee was successful in 1958 in having cost reducing changes in subdivision regulations and zoning re- quirements adopted. These measures will result in substantial future tax savings to homeowners as more valuable real estate is attracted to the Town with no cost for utilities to be borne by tax payers in the future.
Changes in land use favored by this committee will begin to bring in sig- nificant revenue in 1960.
In addition, the creation of a stabilization fund for the future purchase of town vehicular equipment will protect the taxpayer against sharp rate in- creases in future years for this purpose.
At this writing, it is not known what effect State Tax Legislation will have on our 1959 and 1960 rates, but substantial help has been promised by the present State House Administration. It is difficult to predict whether or not this added income will be forthcoming.
Therefore, we must effect every possible economy on the local level and continue to seek prudent revenue-producing land use changes to reduce the homeowners share of the real estate tax.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Selectmen's Commuter Study Committee has worked effectively to combat service cutbacks and rate increases affecting Swampscott residents.
At present, we are facing a most serious threat to these services with the Boston and Maine petition to eliminate the Marblehead branch (and our Phillips Beach and Beach Bluff Stations).
With the Town Counsel and professional railroad experts, recommended by our committee, the Board is preparing a factual and relevant case in op- position to Boston and Maine contentions before the Department of Public Utilities in support of their petition. The Town's case will be presented at the final State House hearings. Already we have been able to raise serious questions relative to the validity of many of the railroad's exhibits.
The Board intends to follow through on its demand for a final solution to this long-time problem, with its serious implications for our commuters and Town real estate values.
The problem has been accentuated by the tragic Eastern Massachusetts bus strike in late 1958. The Board has urged the State Legislature and Ex- ecutive to adopt available legislation to make this service once again available to our inconvenienced citizens, and to aid the families of drivers and bus- inessmen hard hit by the dispute.
PHYSICAL PROGRESS
If a Central Fire Station is authorized in 1959, it will mark the end of a program that will meet all of the Town's important building needs for the foreseeable future. Continuation of revenue producing construction will pro- vide substantial tax money to offset costs.
11
Town of Swampscott
1. NEW SCHOOL
In 1958, the Town directed the Selectmen and the Moderator to appoint a committee to erect a Junior High School in the Whitney Estate. The work is well underway and classrooms are promised for the opening of school in the fall of 1959. In addition to initiating this final solution to crowded school conditions in Swampscott, the committee was able to do so within the est- imated and authorized budget figure.
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