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SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
vault
Town of SWAMPSCOTT
ELIHU THOMSON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
F
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112th Annual Report Town of Swampscott For the Year Ending December 31, 1963
COVER
Administration Building (formerly Elihu Thomson Residence) Opened July 1945
Cover Photo by Robert G. Byrne, Jr.
Town Report Editor - Leonard H. Bates, Jr.
Deschamps Printing Co., Inc.
19, Salem, Mass.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWELFTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
SWAMPSCOTT MASSACHUSETTS
SETTLED
A.D. 1629.
INCORPORATED
T. A.D. 1852.
AS
SWAM
for the year ending December 31, 1963
INDEX
PAGE
Appeals, Board of
77
Assessors, Board of
109
Balance Sheet
65
Building Inspector
69
Civil Defense, Department of
90
Central Fire Station Building
Committee
92
Conservation Commission
80
Contributory Retirement System
81
Election Commissioners, Board of
77
Dog Officer
69
Fire Department
73
Forest Warden
70
Health, Board of
133
Housing Authority
135
Information, General
144
In Memoriam
3
Jury List 140
Personnel Board
93
Planning Board
134
Police Department
74
Public Library 129
Public Welfare, Board of
130
Public Works, Board of
110
Railroad Bridge Study Committee.
89
School Department
117
Superintendent of Schools,
Report of
118
Pupils Enrolled
127
PAG
Selectmen, Board of
1
Swampscott Economy & Revenue
Committee
8
Taxes, Collector of
10
Town Accountant
5
Town Clerk, Records of
1
Town Warrant
1
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting,
March 26, 1963
1
Special Town Meeting,
July 9, 1963
4
Town Counsel
5
Town Government Study
Committee
Town Meeting Members
Town Officers Appointed
Town Officers Elected
Town Telephone Numbers Inside Back Cov. Transportation Study Committee
Treasurer's Report
.10
Veteran's Services, Department of
7
Weights and Measures, Sealer of.
7
Where Money Came From
5
Where Money Went
Wires, Inspector of
Workmen's Compensation
World War II Memorial Fund,
Trustees of
2
In Memoriam
CHARLES H. ADGURSON
Board of Public Works - Water Department, 1950-1963 Died March 3, 1963
EDWARD F. BURKE
Public Works Department - Superintendent, Sewer Department, 1943-1963 Died August 1, 1963
WALTER C. BURRILL
Engineering Department, 1913-1955 Truant Officer Sealer of Weights and Measures, 1920 - 1955 Died July 2, 1963
GEORGE D. HORTON
Police Department, 1925 - 1963 Died February 21, 1963
BENJAMIN T. M. JOHNSON
Public Works Department - Park Department 1946 - 1952 Died March 30, 1963
WILLIAM H. SUTHERLAND, JR. Assistant Building Inspector 1929 - 1931-1935 - 1946 - 1948 and 1949 1951 and 1955 Died March 7, 1963
We are grateful for the years of faith- ful service to the Town of Swampscott
3
TOWN OFFICERS - 1963 ELECTED
Moderator: Richard B. Johnson
Selectmen:
Henry R. Mayo, Jr., Chairman George B. Thomson Edward K. Hempel
Collector of Taxes: Oliver W. Coughlin (1965)
Town Clerk: Oliver W. Coughlin (1964)
Town Treasurer: Robert G. Byrne (1965)
Assessors: Anthony F. Pierre (1964) Thomas F. Collins, Chairman (1965) Ernest Manchin, Secretary (1966)
Board of Public Works:
Alfred N. Frazier, Chairman (1964) George J. Burke (1965) Roger A. Williams (1966)
School Committee:
Jacob Shactman (1964) Theodore C. Sargent, Chairman (1965) Philip H. Stafford (1965) Charles F. Buckland (1966) George A. Chadwell (1966)
Trustees of Public Library:
George W. Howe, Chairman (1964) Andrew R. Linscott (1965) Ruth M. Barry, Secretary (1966)
Board of Public Welfare: Paul C. Curtis (1964) Richard Chambers, Chairman (1965 Norbert A. Ulman (1966)
Board of Health:
E. Wallace Donald, Chairman (1964 Dr. Robert H. Bessom (1965) Dr. Edward L. Cashman, Jr. (1966)
Constables:
Leonard H. Bates (1965) Herbert C. Ellis (1965) Joseph P. Ryan (1965)
Planning Board:
Ralph L. Williams (1964) Alexander B. Way, Jr. (1965) John F. Milo (1966) James R. Maddock, Secretary (1967 Glenn W. Bartram, Chairman (1968
Swampscott Housing Authority:
Leonard H. Bates, Jr., Chairman (1964) Richard T. McIntosh, Vice Chairman (1965) David F. Doherty, Treasurer (1966) Martin C. Goldman (State Appointee (1966) John A. Massey, Assistant Treasurer (1968) Austin D. Mosco, Director-Secretary
Commissioner of Trust Funds:
Armand Leone (1964) Harold R. Austin, Chairman (1965) John R. Cooper (1966)
4
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN
cretary of Selectmen: Richard A. Wales own Counsel: Richard Coughlin Martin C. Goldman
ting Town Counsel: Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr.
ecial Counsel to the Planning Board: Israel Bloch
wn Accountant: I. Murray Adams
sistant Town Accountant: Anne M. Doughty
rector of Civil Defense: Forrest E. Mason, Jr.
ilding Inspector: John F. Burke
stodian of Administration Building: John G. MacLearn
sistant Custodians: Leonard H. Bates John Cameron
nstable to Post Warrants and her Similar Work: Leonard H. Bates
g Officer: John J. Mattera
nce Viewers: John F. Burke George H. Melcher George B. Thomson
Forest Warden: Walter M. Champion, Jr.
Harbormaster: Thomas E. Andresen
Inspector of Wires: Fred D. Sargent
Measurer of Lumber: A. Hall Stiles, Jr.
Sealer of Weights and Measures: George A. Holt, Sr.
Shellfish Constables: Stanley G. Potier Joseph C. Cardillo
Smoke Inspector: John F. Burke
Director of Veterans' Services and Burial Agent: David F. Doherty
Chief of Police and Keeper of Lockup: Francis P. Wall
Workmen's Compensation Agent: Douglas F. Allen
Board of Appeals: T. Paul Corcoran, Jr. (1964) ¿C. Glover Bowes, Chairman (1965) Eustis Grimes (1966) Kathleen F. Way, Associate Member Israel Bloch, Associate Member
Board of Election Commissioners: Donald L. Sawyer, Chairman (1964) Dorothy M. Collins (1965) Lewis H. Berry (1966) Everett C. Howe (1967)
Building Code Advisory Board: Edward Weinshanker (1964) John Didio, Chairman (1965) John F. Milo (1966) Donald C. Goss (1966) John F. Burke
Citizens' Traffic Safety Committee:
Lewis Athanas (1964) Dr. Charles E. Donovan (1964) Stanley G. Potier (1964) Barbara MacGregor (1965) Harold Norton (1965) Maxwell Field (1966) John J. Halloran (1966) Dr. Lincoln A. Palmer (1966)
Civil War Centennial Committee:
Robert B. Hegarty, Co-Chairman Harry E. Cahoon, Co-Chairman George E. Hutchinson, Co-Chairman John I. Mclaughlin
Edith N. Snow Richard A. Spence Alfred N. Frazier A. Richard Stone Robert M. Leonard David W. Callahan
Committee to Investigate Hazards: Philip A. Brine, Jr. Albert DeLisio Ralph L. Williams Saul Gilberg Frederick D. Greehan
Committee to Plan the Erection of an Honor Roll:
Edward K. Hempel Otto W. Friedman Herbert C. Ellis Robert M. Leonard Howard H. Vatcher
Committee to Study Erection of Memorial for Veterans of Korean War:
Donald J. Stinson Charles E. Snow, Jr.
Francis J. Cassidy Irving Bloom Harold Janakas
Conservation Commission:
Douglas F. Allen (1964)
Peter Beatrice, Jr. (1964) Mrs. Ellen Bond, Secretary (1964) Robert L. Yasi (1964) John A. Gregory, Jr., Chairman (1965) John F. Milo (1965) Robert G. Byrne, Jr. (1966) Otto W. Friedman (1966) Mrs. Carlyle Holt (1966)
Contributory Retirement Board:
Harold R. Austin (1964)
Edward P. Carroll, Chairman (196 (elected by employees) I. Murray Adams, Secretary
Economy and Revenue Committee:
Robert C. Hunt, Chairman R. W. Hubbs
Donald Sullivan
Richard Breed, Jr.
Samuel Freedman
Edward Weinshanker
John P. Thompson
Donald S. Warnock
Herbert Gold
John P. Ingalls
John P. Drislane
Harrison J. Lesses
William J. McGettrick
Gerald J. Kaloust
John Der Bogosian Austin Mosco
David F. Doherty
Chester E. Bond
Walter H. Forbes
Essex Street Bridge Advisory Committ Alfred N. Frazier, Chairman Alfio Cerone Philip H. Kitfield Edward T. Lotti Harold Norton
urth of July Committee:
Forrest E. Mason, Jr., Chairman Stanley Bondelevitch Frederick C. Burk John R. Cooper William J. Carlin Carl J. Pagano Michael A. Palleschi
oup Insurance Advisory Committee: Harold P. Willett Joseph C. Cardillo Edward D. Flynn, Jr. John G. McLearn Walter L. Ranger
rbor Committee: John J. Foley, Chairman Cedric L. Arnold Paul A. Polisson Joseph A. Cardillo Louis J. Williams Mrs. Phyllis M. Blanchette
storical Sites Committee: Edith N. Snow Margaret C. Tatro A. Dick Stone Frank L. Mansur Vera F. Gould
urance Advisory Committee eneral Insurance) : David Eigner Richard P. Breed, Jr. Daniel W. Wormwood Felix E. Dine Martin Sylvester
Massachusetts Transportation Commission, Community Council, Swampscott Representatives:
Howell E. Estey John F. Milo John F. Burke
Memorial Day Committee:
Howard M. Vatcher, Chairman Fred Tirabassi Jack Ralph Philip H. Stafford Joseph E. Shanahan
Trustees of World War II Memorial Fund:
Benjamin Goldberg (1964)
Richard B. Johnson (1964)
David F. Doherty (1965)
Clement Kennedy (1965)
Ernest Manchin, Chairman (1965)
John R. Cooper (1966) Philip H. Stafford, Secretary (1966)
Veterans' Day Committee:
Austin Mosco Jack Ralph Robert M. Leonard Mrs. Louise Benevento
Mrs. Gladys M. Newhall
Waste Collection and Disposal Committee:
Douglas F. Allen Thomas E. Burke, Jr. John P. Ingalls, Jr. Roger A. Williams, Jr.
APPOINTED BY MODERATOR
ance Committee: Harry G. Davis, Chairman (1966) Howell E. Estey, O.D. (1964) Paul C. Miller (1966) Douglas F. Allen (1965) Bernard L. Baker (1965)
Otto W. Friedman (1965) Israel Bloch (1965) įMartin C. Goldman (1965) Lester B. Farwell (1966) Selden D. Hulquist (1966) Roger N. Hawes (1966)
7
Fire Apparatus Purchase Committee:
Donald J. Warnock, Chairman Harvey P. Newcomb Edward N. Ludlow John F. Grynkraut Chief Walter M. Champion, Jr.
Hadley School Building Committee:
Burt Harding Lillian White Roger G. Skinner, Chairman
High School Building Committee:
Theodore C. Sargent Charles F. Buckland George A. Chadwell Jacob Shactman Philip H. Stafford
Machon School Building Committee:
Sidney A. Simmons Donald C. Goss
Frederick Small Michael A. Palleschi
George A. Chadwell Selden D. Hulquist
Thomson Memorial Committee:
Edith Snow Donald J. Warnock Henry R. Mayo, Jr.
Committee to Study and Investigate the Possibility of Removal of the Railroad Bridges Over Stetson and Bradlee Avenues and Walker and Paradise Roads:
Bradlee M. Backman John F. Burke Herbert D. Klein
Committee to Study Drainage Conditions on Juniper and Tupelo Roads:
George C. Lyons John H. Thomson
Committee to Study Drainage Conditions on Eastman Avenue, Fairview Avenue, and Brookview Road:
John J. Palleschi
Michael A. Palleschi Roger A. Williams, Jr. George J. Burke Alfred N. Frazier
Committee to Study Possible Acquisition of the New Ocean House Garage:
Glenn W. Bartram
Stanley W. Bondelevitch Richard P. Breed, Jr. Charles F. Buckland
Alfio Cerone Nathan N. Challant Oliver W. Coughlin, Chairman Virginia Ellis Martin C. Goldman
Ann Hughes Martin Kirkpatrick
Edward I. Robinson
George B. Thomson
Roger A. Williams, Jr.
Committee to Study the Possibility of a Addition to the Field House:
Glenn W. Bartram
Stanley W. Bondelevitch
Richard P. Breed, Jr.
Charles F. Buckland
Alfio Cerone Nathan N. Challant Oliver W. Coughlin, Chairman Virginia Ellis Martin C. Goldman
Ann Hughes Martin Kirkpatrick
Edward I. Robinson
George B. Thomson
Roger A. Williams, Jr.
Committee to Study Taking of Land o Ocean Avenue for Beach Purposes:
Alfred N. Frazier Otto W. Friedman
Robert L. Yasi Nelson J. Darling, Jr. Charles E. Donovan John F. Milo Vincent P. O'Brien
8
APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN AND MODERATOR
Central Fire Station Committee:
George J. Burke J. Dane Chandler Chester E. Bond
Frederick C. Burk (1964) Walter H. Forbes, Jr. (1965) #Raymond A. Harriman (1965) Edward I. Robinson, Chairman (1966) John G. McLearn, Clerk
Pensions Committee:
Jacob Shactman, Chairman Frank G. Williams, Jr., Secretary
Martin P. Sylvester . Gerald H. Pashby
Mary A. Clapp
Personnel Board:
Frederick N. Balsor (1964)
Transportation Study Committee: Howell E. Estey, Chairman Edward K. Hempel, Secretary
Nelson J. Darling, Jr.
Edwin D. Crowley Samuel Freedman David H. Smith
APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Bureau of Old Age Assistance:
Norbert A. Ulman, Chairman Paul C. Curtis Richard Chambers +Moved ¿Resigned
*Deceased
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
PRECINCT ONE
Adams, I. Murray Balsor, Frederick N. Balsor, Gertrude P. Bates, Leonard H. Rates, Leonard H., Jr. Berry, William H. Bisegna, Reno S. Bradley, Chester E. Cappucio, Mary A. Chandler, J. Dane Cole. I aura M. Corcoran, Lawrence R. Corcoran, Pauline H. Croplev. John H., Jr. Crowell, Frank E. Crowell, Virginia E. T'Agnese. Ralph J. Douglas, Thomas
*Deceased
Fiore, Joseph Flynn. Edward F., Jr. Foglietta. Geremia įFrancis, Marilyn E. Frazier, Alfred N. Friedman, Lillian T. Friedman, Otto W. Gallo, Ann M. Gallo. Bennett Hathaway, C. Frank Hawley, Juliet C. #Hegarty, Robert B. Hinch, William A. Holmgren, Eric A. Holt, George A. Hulquist, Selden D. Jackson, Ralph H. Johnson, Karl V. +Moved
Johnson. Kenneth T. Lotti. Mary R. Lougee, Carlton T. ĮMackey, William E. Maitland, J. Richard Norton. Harold Picariello, Laurence F.
Promise, George A. Rodrick, Joseph S. Rodrick, Woodbury L., Jr. Simmons, Sidney A. Smith, Clayton W. Snow, Charles E., Jr. Snow, Mary E. Thornton, Charles E Videtta. Antonetta M. Whitten. Norman C. Williams, Frank, Jr.
¿Resigned
9
Blatchford, Charles L. Boyce, Thomas J., Jr. Burns, Laurence Cahill, Thomas J. Carlin, William J. Cassidy, Francis J. Chadwell, George A. Champion, Marjorie C. Craig, Harvey A. Daley, John R. Denahy, John F.
Doane, Raymond O. Doherty, David F. Ellis, Lyndon W. Emery, Clementine L. Estey, Howell E. Flynn, Cecelia H. Flynn, Joseph F.
Andelman, Ezra Atkins, George B. Baker, Marvin J. Bogardus, Deborah M.
Bogardus, Frederic R., III Brine, Philip A., Jr. Byrne, Robert G. Caswell, Orville G.
Chapman, Charles F. Devitt, Roland N. Doherty, Warren J. Dow, Howard E. Enholm, Ann V. Enholm, Harold G. Farwell, Lester B. Foye, Edwin I. Gould, Ralph E. Gallo, Nicholas
Ackerman, Edward D. Benford, Robert L. Benson, Benjamin M. Bickford, Charles H. *Burke, Edward F. Burke, George J. Butterworth, Edward R. Carey, William E. Carroll, Edward P. Carroll, Edward P., Jr. Champion, Walter M., Jr. Coletti, Frank G. W. Cooper, John R. Corcoran, Francis J., Jr. Coughlin, Richard Curtis, Paul C. Davis, Harry G. Dilk, Joseph W.
*Deceased
PRECINCT TWO
Frechette, Leo M. Genest. Edmond A. Graham, Stuart W.
Gregory, John A., Jr. Gross, Israel H.
Healy, William S. Heggie, Herbert C.
Hempel, Edward K.
Janvrin, Philip E.
Keating, Harold J.
Klein, Herbert D.
Klein, Semah M. +LaPlante, John E. Leawood, Cleo Loring, Robert P. Ludlam, Edward N.
Massey, John A.
Mattera, John J.
McCarriston, James D. McManus, Charles J. Miller, John R. Miller, Paul C. Milo, John F. Morley, Pearl D.
O'Shea, John J.
Patten, Irvin R.
Polisson, Paul A.
Ranger, Walter L.
Ryan, Joseph P.
Stafford, Philip H. Stone, John Ulman, Norbert A.
Warnock, Donald J. Warnock, Dorothy F. Watts, John H.
Whitten, Philip M.
PRECINCT THREE
Hawkins, Vernon M., 3rd Hayden, William V., Jr. Henry, Roger W. Howard, Joseph P
Hudson, Harold C.
Kane, John Clarke
Kane, Katherine L.
Kessel, Abraham
Kline, Bernard M.
Lally, John J.
ĮLees, Arthur T.
Losano, Francis A. Manchin, Ernest Maston, Ester I. McCarriston, James J.
McLearn, John G. Mosco, Austin D. Myers, Daniel J.
Newcomb, Harvey P. Newcomb. Priscilla O.
Pedrick, Edna
Pedrick, James H.
Rappoli, Peter M.
Rice, Ashley W.
Scanlon, Margaret M.
Scanlon, Thomas M.
Skinner, Roger G. Smith, George W.
Snow, Arnold L. Snow, Carole A. Snow, Pearl A. Theisen, Ellen Dunn Wales, Richard A. Witter, Lawrence O. Worthy, George H.
PRECINCT FOUR
Dillon, James A.
Doane, Albert G.
Dwyer, Charles W.
Earle, Virginia E. Earle, Ralph B.
Ellis, Virginia T. Farber, Irving L.
Frazier, Loring R. Gould, Vera F. Hanley, James E.
Harding, Burt F. Hughes, John J. Hutchinson, George E. Ingalls, John P., Jr.
Kraft, Robert W. Leonard, Robert M.
Linscott, Andrew R. Linscott, Harry D.
+Moved
Ludlam, William A. Maddock, James R. Martin, Vernon A. McHugh, Joseph A. Phinney, Harris T. Power, Harold I. Robinson, Edward I. Sargent, Fred D. Smith, Robert C.
Snow, Robert W. Stoddard, Hatherley A., Jr Stowell, Frank S. Summers, James I. Thomson, George B.
Tisdell, John W. Waite, Herbert R.
Williams, Roger A., Jr. Yasi, Robert L.
¿Resigned
10/
Ackermann, Carl A. Baker, Bernard L. Bartow, William L. Beckert, William C. Bloch, Edith M. Bloch, Israel Bond, Chester E. Booma, Dorothy M. Booma, Roland C. Bowes. C. Glover
Broadbridge, Leslie L. Buchanan. James W. Buckland, Charles F. Burk, Frederick C. Cardillo, Joseph Collins, Thomas F. Costin, Donald E. Easterbrooks, Vincent B.
Allen, Douglas F. Allen, Louise B. Allison, Dorothy K. Appel, Richard G., Jr. Backman, Bradlee M. Backman, Ruth Blodgett, Donald W. Blodgett, John H., Jr. Breed, Dorothy S. Breed, Richard P., Jr. Darling, Nelson J., Jr. Deveney, J. Campbell Donovan, Charles E. Durkee. Donald D. Ewing, Charles M. Fitzpatrick, Paul W. Garland, Paul E. Goldberg, Theodore *Deceased
PRECINCT FIVE
Freedman, Myron Grimes, Eustis B. Grynkraut, John F.
Howes, Roger N.
Johnson, Warren A.
Kennedy, Leonard N., Jr. Kirkpatrick, Marion Kirkpatrick, Martin
Lang, Francis N. Lippa, Sherman J.
Loveday, Edward D.
Maitland, Francis H.
Mattera, Joseph M.
Maxwell, Ralph S.
Mayo, Ralph
McKenna, Charles A.
Morse, June Morse, Marion Doen
O'Brien, Vincent P. Pagano, Carl J. Remick, Ervin D., Jr. +Rothwell, James M., II Rothwell. William H., 2nd Santry, James W., Jr.
Sargent, Theodore C. Shactman, Jacob Smith, Samuel Soutter, J. Campbell, III
Stevenson, Richard D. Symmes, Harold P. Way, Kathleen
Weiner, Maurice M.
Whidden, Donald S.
White, Kenneth T.
White, Lillian I.
White, Thomas B., Jr.
PRECINCT SIX
Goldman, Martin C. Hanson, Josephine E. Harrington, George J. Howe, George W. Ingalls, Robert U.
Jacobs, Bertram C. Johnson, Chloe
Johnson, Harold A.
Kane, E. Leonard Lilly, John M.
Mayo, Henry R., Jr. McCarty, Jeanne W. McCarty, William H., Jr. McKenney, John S. Murray, Richard F.
Myers, Allen
Myers. Lois
Nevils, Thomas
+Moved
Newth, Thomas M. Nylander, Arnold L. O'Keefe, Edward S. O'Neill. Robert F. Pierre, Anthony F.
Powers, Lawrence W.
Prichard, William W.
Reynolds, Arnold C.
Reynolds, Joel W. Rothermel, Albert N.
Shectman, Moses Sites, Marjorie C. Stiles, A. Hall. Jr. Stocker, Crawford H., Jr.
Waldo, John A. Wallis, Frank B.
Weinshanker, Edward M. Williams, Ralph L.
¿Resigned
11
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
HENRY R. MAYO, JR., Chairman
GEORGE B. THOMSON
EDWARD K. HEMPEL
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Selectmen are pleased to submit to you our annual report for the past year.
Every effort has been made during the year to carry on the business of the Town in as objective, thorough and effective manner as possible within the limitations restricting the operational powers and duties of our office.
aspects of this vexing problem. While the Department is active and alert, we are fortunate not to have experienced major serious crime within the Town during the year. As in prior years and as in neighboring communities, cases of
1
At the outset, we would like to ex- press our appreciation to those generous citizens and officials of the Town who have given us such splendid assistance and cooperation throughout the year. The inter-departmental relationship of the various Town departments with the Board of Selectmen is the best that it has been within the memory of any members of the present Board, and we believe that this harmonious spirit of mutual cooperation is reflected in im- proved teamwork and efforts in your behalf on the part of all Town em- ployees.
Additional increases in the through traffic load have added to the problems of the Police Department, and the Board of Selectmen believes that it has helped to alleviate this situation to some extent by the appointment of an additional Lieutenant, which made it possible for an officer to be assigned specifically to traffic and to coordinate all the various
breaking and entering and larceny from dwellings continue to plague us. How- ever, steps in furtherance of the final State Police plan for our Department were taken by this Board and Chief Wall. which should reduce this problem.
Automobile accidents are also on the increase due in large part to the addi- tional traffic flow through our Town. A member of our Board and Mr. George Burke, of the Board of Public Works. have been named to represent Swamp- scott in a joint effort to insure that North Shore highway planning meets our Town's needs.
The long-standing program, updatec by this Board, for the improvement of the Town's street lighting has been con- tinued and several streets have been im- proved as envisioned by the early pro- graming. This will continue with the streets which need the most attentior receiving it first.
The same long range program of prior
12
ity for street and sidewalk construction and reconstruction under the supervision of the Public Works Department has been continued and provides an orderly, eco- nomical procedure, although some citi- zens in various parts of the Town be- come understandably impatient. The order of work is limited to a priority system based on traffic load, date of acceptance and condition of the street surface. This has proven to be the best way for the work to proceed.
The effective date of the new State law on the so-called conflict of interest was May 1st, 1963, and this necessitated several changes in practices and proce- dures among some Town officials. The Selectmen, as required by law, have clas- sified all Town employees, boards and officers, both elected and appointed, and we believe we have carried out not only the letter but also the spirit of the law relating to the conflict of interest and protection of the Town. Participation in the Town's business has been denied to some employees who fall within the pro- hibition of the statute, and this has re- sulted in resignations from official posi- tions in some instances and relinquishing Town business in others.
By far the most serious matter to con- front not only the Board of Selectmen but the entire Town was the unexpect- edly large increase in the tax rate. After some preliminary study, the Board ap- pointed a committee to investigate pos- sible causes, and their report was received February 5, 1964, and is printed else- where in this Town Report for all citi- zens to read. We have examined the report and we have met with the com- mittee, weekly, since the report was filed, in an effort to see if some action can be
taken which may result in some reduc- tion in our tax rate. As of the date of this writing, it is still too early to pre- dict what if any action may be taken and what its effect might be.
As in 1963, we again point out that in Swampscott, unlike some neighboring towns, the Selectmen's powers have been curtailed to such an extent that the Selectmen are reduced in many instances to acting as an unofficial liaison between departments and as a placating agency to console and advise with citizens who naturally but mistakenly assume that we have a central administrative responsi- bility which unfortunately we do not have. We can and do, however, serve as a clearing house for some information and the channeling of inquiries and com- plaints to the proper source and also act in an advisory capacity to point out where possible what matters are believed to require attention of the Town. The Town meeting in the last analysis makes the determination and historically have not always agreed with the proposals of Boards of Selectmen. This is to be ex- pected and is the democratic process.
We believe that the participation and interest shown by many of our citizens in serving on formal and informal ad- visory boards, committees and groups in- dicates a sincere and conscientious effort toward improvement and striving to make our Town a better place for all of us. It is also our belief that, though the Town is indebted to those able and conscientious volunteer citizens who give so freely of their time and effort to accomplish this result, they deserve more public appreciation than the small ex- pression of gratitude we are able to extend to them here - as do our col- leagues in the Town service.
13
TOWN CLERK OLIVER W. COUGHLIN, Town Clerk
TOWN WARRANT Monday, March 18, 1963
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator for one (1) year. To choose three members of the Board of Selectmen for one (1) year. To choose one member of the Board of Assessors for three (3) years. To choose one member of the Board of Public Works for three (3) years. To choose two members 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 Public Welfare for three (3) years. To choose one member of the Board of Health for three (3) years.
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 five (5) years. To choose eighteen (18) representative Town Meeting Members in each precinct for three (3) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct 1 for two (2) years.
To choose one (1) representative Town Meeting Member in Precinct 2 for two (2) years.
To choose two (2) representative Town Meeting Members in Precinct 3 for one (1) year.
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