USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1885 > Part 3
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The work of the year, so far as it relates to the Police Department, has required a greater amount of time and energy than will be needed during the year ensuing if the present policy is continued. In view of what has been ac- complished, we entertain the belief that the prohibitory policy adopted by the Town year after year, almost without exception, will be continued, and we hope our successors in office will be encouraged to prosecute all who engage in the traffic, for by so doing, the peace and prosperity of the Town will be promoted.
EXTENSION OF THE LYNN AND BOSTON RAILROAD CO.'S TRACK.
One of our first official duties after the organization of the present board was to act upon the petition of this com- pany, asking for the extension of their tracks from Mudge Square through to the Marblehead line.
We advertised the petition. and also gave notice that there would be a hearing on the proposed extension at the Town Hall. After hearing the petitioners, together with the remonstrants, and carefully considering the matter, we decided to grant said petition, reserving the right to locate all turn-outs and switches.
The road was promptly built, and although opposed by many, we feel confident in saying that since it has been in operation any prejudice which may have existed, has been entirely removed ; and none would willingly part with this public convenience, furnishing as it does com- fortable and frequent communication with adjoining towns and cities. The company have erected a large stable and car-house near the Lynn line, which add greatly to the appearance of this portion of the Town.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ORIENT STREET SIDEWALK.
An appropriation of five hundred dollars ($500) was made at the last annual meeting, for the purpose of building a sidewalk from the Jeffries estate on Orient Street to Humphrey Square, near the junction of Atlantic Avenue and Humphrey Street. The Selectmen solicited proposals for doing the work according to plans and speci- fications furnished by C. W. Gay.
After much delay we received several bids varying from seven hundred and fifty ( $750) to fourteen hundred dollars ($1400). The estimates submitted being largely in ex- cess of the amount appropriated, we decided to submit the matter to the Town and ask for further instruction.
Later, Mr. H. Scott Tuttle contracted to build the pro- posed sidewalk for the amount of the appropriation, and, although not strictly in accordance with the original plans and specifications, the work was performed entirely satis- factory.
This street at. the south-east part of the Jonathan F. Phillips' estate has been much improved by rounding the corner-the land being generously deeded the Town by the heirs.
TOWN DEBT.
More than one-half of the entire Town debt, amounting to twenty-six thousand dollars ($26,000), came due Nov. 13, 1884, the notes being held by the Lynn Institution for Savings, and the Trustees, P. A. Chase, and C. F. Coffin. This indebtedness has extended through a period of ten years, with interest at seven per cent. per annum.
We solicted loans for the extension of these notes from several banks and individuals, to see from whom the most favorable terms could be obtained, and decided to take the amount from the Lynn Institution for Savings, for a term of
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ten years, at four per cent. per annum, the bank paying the Town, as a premium on the loan, two hundred and sixty dollars ($260), or one per cent. on the principal, which makes the actual interest payment three and nine-tenths per cent. per annum.
With one exception only, (note due May 21, 1887 for $4500 at five per cent.,) all Town notes bear interest at the rate of four per cent. The interest payment for the pres- ent year will be reduced seven hundred and eighty dollars ($780). Our citizens, we feel, are to be congratulated upon the favorable rate of interest at which the debt is now placed.
BELL TOWER.
Having been instructed by a vote of the Town at the last annual meeting to erect a Bell Tower on the Town Hall, and to contract with the lowest responsible bidder for the building of same, the Selectmen solicited proposals for the work upon plans and specifications furnished by H. W. Rogers, Esq., architect, and received three estimates, the lowest of which was eleven hundred and sixty-five dollars ($1165), from Mr. Z. C. Coffin, to whom the contract was awarded, and Mr. Rogers was employed to superintend the construction.
The work has been completed, and in a manner highly creditable to the contractor, and entirely satisfactory to the the architect and Selectmen.
CLOCK.
When the Bell Tower was nearly completed it was sug- gested by a number of our towns-people that the tower would be incomplete without a clock upon its dome, which from its prominence as a land-mark, and being situated upon our main thoroughfare, seemed admirably adapted to this purpose. In consideration of nearly three hundred
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
and fifty dollars ($350) being pledged for the purpose of purchasing a clock, conditional upon the required amount being secured, the Selectmen caused to be circulated sub- scription papers to obtain funds for purchasing a four-dial tower clock to be placed on the Town Hall building, and also defray the extra expense of making the necessary changes in the original plan of the tower, some of which included the following, viz. : Building the four dials, cop- pering the roofs, placing the floor above the bell to enclose the shaft above the hands, a floor eight feet below the bell deck to support the clock-works, and a shaft on one side of the tower to enclose the two thousand pounds striking weight, in its eight days' journey of forty-five feet from the floor above to the ground.
The subscription list being presented, our citizens re- sponded liberally, and with our summer residents, who are deserving of special mention for their generous donations to this fund, sufficient amount was obtained to enable us to purchase of the E. Howard Watch and Clock Co. of Bos- ton, an A No. I Tower Clock with striking attachment, which is warranted by the manufacturers for a term of five years, whose reputation in this line of their business is in itself sufficient guarantee of the quality of the material furnished and labor performed.
The Selectmen have been requested by the donors, whose names are herewith appended, to ask the Town at the annual meeting to accept the clock as Town property.
CONTRIBUTORS.
James A. Knowlton, Samuel F. Crosman, Asher Ratchesky, Percival L. Everett, Frank F. Stanley, George A. Jackson, James A. Mott, Wardwell Brothers, Charles H. Andrews, Char- les H. Allen, R. W. Carter and Brother, Benjamin G. Ingalls, D. Holman Millett, James L. Little, Philo S. Shelton, Fred N. Tappan, Jacob M. Haskell, Colonel Henry G. Parker, William H. Stuart, Charles W. Galloupe, Miss Collamore, John T. Brad-
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ley, Colonel Joseph A Ingalls, Honorable William Gaston, Mrs. John Wilson, Augustus Richardson, Charles E. Morrison, Char- les P. Hemmenway, David K. Phillips, Leonard H. Phillips, Aaron R. Bunting, George A. Crosman, Z. Churchill Coffin, Frank Willey, J. Roswell Widger, John Washburn, Jabez B. Hawes, Wilmont D. Nelson, Eben H. Wardwell, Peleg Gardner, Winfield S. Hendrick, Dudley Evans, Stephen A. Randall, Arthur C. Widger. Christopher Howes, William Granger, Geo. W. Marshall, James L. Taylor, Nathan Harris, George W, Peirce, J. Watson Butcher, James E. Phillips, V. Wallace Holt, Charles A. Haskell, Elbridge G. Blaney, Jr., Gratin Martin, Thomas P. Nichols, S. Henderson Green, Daniel F. Knowlton, Washington Melzard, George P. Bamford, James Wheeler. Charles Harmon, Denison P. Moore, William McFoote, A. Wesley Clough, John S. Higgins, John W. Follen, E. Eugene Chute, Charles S. Lewis, Daniel Marshall, Thomas Bergin, David Warren, Harry Norton, Jesse Hawes, Nathaniel Galeucia, Francis C. Thing, Horace N. Hastings, J. Henry Widger, L. Chester Smith, Gilbert Carroll, J. Frank Blaney, Charles E. Phillips, Charles E. Thomas, Horace M. Norton, Everett Boyn- ton, Charles H. Hastings, Daniel P. Stimpson, William Galeucia, Benjamin F. Rich, Curtis V. Merritt, Charles P. Jeffers, John H. Rogers, William C. Boynton, William D. Brackett, George S. Hall, George H. Holden, A. Frank Nesbett, Charles E. Durgin, Edmund P. Barker, Meriweather H. Griffith, Charles Rowell, Wilmot R. Hastings, Philbrick & Pope, Reuben B. Jordan, Charles P. Curtis, Robert Harris, Benjamin O. Honors, Amos O. Cahoon, Samuel J. Pettingill, John P. Russell, Frank O. Ellis, George F. King, Benjamin W. Currier, John P. Roberts, P. Tyler Marshall, Frank E. Ingalls, Nathan Robbins, Benjamin J. Lindsey, George E. Gilbert, Clarence B. Delano, Iber L. Chap- man, Edmund F. Knowlton, James A. Willey, John I. Adams, John G. Stanley, J. Frank Hawes, James P. M. S. Pitman, Richard V. Bessom, Daniel Roberts, Amos F. Breed, Joseph S. Brown, Mrs. Dr. W. R. Lawrence, Elisha F. Ames, Edgar Swan.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The recommendation by the Trustees of the Public Li- brary, in their last general report, that the Trustees be elect-
7
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ed by ballot, in place of being appointed by the Selectmen, having been adopted by a vote of the town, we have in- serted in the warrant an article calling for the election of a member of the Board of Trustees for the term of three years.
CURBSTONES.
The appearance of our public streets are much improved where curbstones have been placed, and we trust the· lib- eral inducements that have been granted in the past will be continued the coming year. This we consider as money judiciously expended and should be encouraged by the Town.
We recommend the usual appropriation.
ENTENSION OF THE PIPES OF THE LYNN GAS LIGHT CO.
This company petitioned the Selectmen for permission to extend their pipes from their terminus on Humphrey Street to Ingalls Court, their petition was granted, and the pipes have been laid to this point.
PROPOSED TOWN-WAY THROUGH CEDAR SWAMP.
A petition was presented from Jonathan Blaney and oth- ers asking the Selectmen to lay out a Town-way through Cedar Swamp so called, commencing on Humphrey Street at the terminus of the road now leading to Clam Bake Hill, thence running in a southerly direction to a point on Orient Street to connect with the way now leading to Whale Beach, near the Jefferies' estate. The Selectmen viewed the premises, appointed a hearing, and decided that in their judgment the public demand for the proposed Way would not justify so large an expenditure as the prob- able cost would be, and granted the petitioners leave to withdraw.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
APPOINTMENT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
Mr. Merritt E. Porter, Collector of Taxes elect, having resigned his position, the Selectmen appointed Mr. John W. Brooks to fill the vacancy, as provided by law.
CLAIM OF J. B. MURRAY BLANEY.
By vote of the Town at the annual meeting held March 20, 1883, Mr. Blaney was awarded the sum of one hund- red dollars ($100) as compensation for land damages caused by the widening of Rose Street in 1881, according to a plan made by Charles W. Gay, engineer, and the Se- lectmen have paid the amount of this award.
PRESERVATION OF TOWN DOCUMENTS.
:
It has been a custom in our Town to destroy receipted bills, vouchers and papers, after having been audited and approved, at the close of the financial year.
This in our judgment should not be continued. Papers for reference are of great value, especially at the time when new officials are.chosen, who can have no possible knowledge of the transactions of their predecessors only as they may appear from vouchers on file or records.
We would recommend that the Selectmen be instructed to carefully preserve all papers belonging to the Town, as the spacious vault in the Town Hall will be ample for any emergency in the near future.
CONTRACT FOR COAL.
We have contracted with Messrs. Newhall & Thing, Lynn, for supplying all coal to be used by the Town until May 1, 1885.
This plan of purchasing fuel we consider decidedly for the best interest of the Town, 'in place of each department
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
purchasing of different parties as has formerly been the custom. We recommend that the Town purchase its fuel by contract each year, advertising for proposals to furnish the estimated quantity required.
STREET LIGHTING.
The past year has shown a large increase in the number of street lamps erected by our citizens,-thirty new lamps have been added, making a total of one hundred and forty- six. Our contract with the Globe Gas Light Co. expires May Ist of the current year.
We trust an appropriation sufficient for the maintenance of this department will be granted.
HUMPHREY STREET IMPROVEMENT.
In locating the track for the extension of the Lynn and Boston Railroad Co. through the Town, difficulty was en- countered in locating turnouts, owing to narrowness of our streets, especially so at the point on Humphrey Street below the hay-scales, where the street was found to be not over thirty (30) feet in width. In order to locate the turnout at this point, it required the widening of the street to fifty (50) feet, and necessitating the building of a retain- ing wall, at more than the usual cost, owing to the low land at this point requiring a timber foundation. A fence has been erected on the wall and the general appearance of the street much improved. The Railroad Co. have borne a part of the expense, such as grading and paying for a portion of the wall.
The expenditure made by the Selectmen amounts to nearly three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($375) for which no appropriation was granted.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
BEACH BLUFF AVENUE, EULOW AND MOSTYN STREETS.
Late in the season a petition was received from Dr. J. M. Grosvenor and others, asking that Beach Bluff Av- enue, Eulow and Mostyn Streets be laid out and accepted as public highways. We have caused a plan of these streets to be made and filed with the Town Clerk, notified parties in interest, and petitioned the County Commis- sioners to lay out Beach Bluff Avenue across the railroad. No information having been received by us from the Com- missioners, we would recommend the matter receive the early attention of our successors.
REFERENCE PLAN OR MAP.
Having no complete map or plan of the Town, the Se- lectmen have caused one to be prepared, showing lines of estates, street lines, additional new streets and ways, loca- tion of Lynn & Boston Railroad Co.'s track, water mains, branches, stop gates, hydrants, blow-outs, etc., the plan is at the Selectmen's room in the Town Hall, and will be val- uable for reference.
WATER.
In accordance with a vote of the Town at the adjourned meeting held March 18, 1884, the Selectmen petitioned the Legislature for an act authorizing the City of Lynn to supply the Town with water for domestic and other pur- poses, which was granted.
The protection of the Town against fire being a matter of such importance, after mature deliberation we peti- tioned the City of Lynn for a supply of water for fire pur- poses, and contracted with the Public Water Board for one year, from July 1, 1884. Several petitions have been received for water for domestic purposes, but our contract
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
being for fire purposes only, these petitions were placed on file.
We were instructed by a vote of the Town to re-locate the hydrant on Redington Street, which has been done by extending the pipe to Rockland Street.
A supply pipe has been connected with the Burrill Street main, and extended through New Ocean Street to the Steam Fire Engine House.
We would recommend that the Town petition the City of Lynn at an early date for a supply of water for domestic and other purposes.
Drains have been extended for the blow-outs on the main pipes at King's and Whale Beaches.
In conclusion we would say there has been an unusual amount of work accomplished in our department during the year, as will be seen by accompanying report, and trust that it will be appreciated ; all of which is respectfully submitted.
G. A. CROSMAN, Selectmen of
J. A. KNOWLTON,
A. R. BUNTING, Swampscott.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
The Library is now entering upon the eighteenth year of its existence, and is, we consider, in an unusually good con- dition, although as much money has not been expended upon it-about $275.00 of the appropriation and receipts not being used.
Our circulation for the past year has been 17,730 copies, an increase of seven per cent. over last year. 206 new books have been added, making our collection now 4,735 volumes, inclusive of 335 reference books and pamphlets.
A glance at our catalogue will show a good collection of reading for all classes, our aim in purchase being the selection of such books as will not lie dormant upon the shelves, but those that will prove attractive to our readers.
Occasionally we hear a remark relative to the " trash " in the Library, and in self justification would say, that we do not consider a Public Library, supported by all, should be so narrowly conducted to the exclusion of all works of fiction. Our readers, in the main, read for their amusement, and as they help pay for it, we think it but proper they should be able to find a share of light literature in the Li- brary.
Among the annual production of the bookmakers there seems to be no end of the fiction making, and the selection of the best is by no means an easy task ; as personal re- view cannot be given to all books bought - and also be- cause we think it better authority - we select those first, whose authors have established a good reputation ; and second, those whom the best reviewers pronounce good.
-
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
In the selection of books of travel and history, we still hold that illustrated works are the most desirable, and many fine books of this class are constantly being added.
Suggestions as to reading matter desired - if not al- ready purchased - are solicited.
CURTIS V. MERRITT, Trustees F. F. STANLEY, Public
GEO. H. HOLDEN, Library.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
MARRIAGES.
Certificates issued, II.
Marriages recorded, 14. In January, o; February, I ; March, o; April 1; May, o; June, I ; July, 3 ; August, o; September, 3; October, I; November, 4; Decem- ber, o.
Oldest couple, 41 and 40 ; youngest couple, 19, and 17 years, 10 months. Oldest groom, 41 ; bride, 40. Youngest groom, 19; bride, 17 years, 10 months. Grooms 20 years and less, 3 ; brides, 5.
Grooms born in Swampscott, 5 ; brides, 2.
Nativity of Grooms .- Maine, 2; New Hampshire, I ; Nova Scotia, I ; Illinois, I ; Ireland I ; Massachusetts, 8.
Nativity of Brides .- Maine, 3; Massachusetts, II.
Occupations of Grooms .- Shoemakers, 2; shoe trim- mers, 2; fisherman, I; physician, I; stone mason, I; janitor, I ; clerk, 2; farmer, I ; mason, I; Eastern Rail- road, I; machinist, I.
Married by W. H. Rogers, 4 ; Geo. A. Jackson, 2 ; Geo. W. Coon, I; J. C. Harrington, Lynn, 2; T. Clarkson Russell, Henry Hinckley, Lynn, W. S. Perkins, Lynn, J. Coleman Adams, Lynn, W. H. Coates, Marblehead, I each.
BIRTHS.
Males, 15 ; Females, 21. Total, 36.
Nativity of Fathers .- Maine, I; New Hampshire, I ; 8
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
New York, I; England, 3 ; Ireland, 2; Canada, I; France, I ; Massachusetts, 24.
Nativity of Mothers .- New Hampshire, I ; Connecticut, I; Nova Scotia, 5; Canada, I; Ireland, 3; England, I ; Massachusetts, 23.
Fathers born in Swampscott, 5 ; mothers, 4.
Births in January, o; February, 4 ; March, 7; April, 3 ; May, I ; June, 2; July, 4; August, 9; September, 2 ; October, I ; November, o; December, 3.
DEATHS.
Males, 24; Females, 12. Total, 36.
Deaths in January, o; February, I ; March, 2 ; April, 3; May, I; June, 2; July, 4; August, 5; September, 9; October, I ; November, 2; December, 6.
Under 5 years of age, 12 ; 5 to 10, 1 ; 10 to 20, 3 ; 20 to 30, 3 ; 30 to 40, 2 ; 40 to 50, 3 ; 50 to 60, 1 ; 60 to 70, 7 ; 70 to 80, 2 ; 80 to 90, 2.
Causes. - Consumption, 3 ; still born, 3 ; whooping cough, 2; premature birth, I; cancer, 2; Bright's disease, 3 ; diphtheria, I ; apoplexy, I ; cholera infantum, 2; heart disease, 3 ; nervous irritation, I; abscess, I; in- flammation of bowels, I; typhoid fever, 2; old age, I ; general debility, I ; phthisis, I ; pneumonia, 2; accident, 2; unknown, I.
Sixty years and upwards .- Rufus Delano, 61 ; Laura K. Atkins, 62; Samuel Hooper, 62; Geo. Stanley, 63 ; Mary A. Knowles, 66; Edward Knowles, 68; Henry Martin, 66; William Mixter, 75; Maria S. Jones, 78 ; Mark G. Phillips, 82 ; Araminta Atkins, 84.
DOG LICENSES.
Number of dogs licensed : males, 108; females, 18.
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Engineers herewith present their annual re- port for the year ending February 28, 1885.
The organization of the Department is as follows : Chief and two Assistant Engineers, and a company of eighteen men.
APPARATUS.
The Apparatus consists of a steam fire engine, hose carriage, supply wagon, ladder truck and ladders, and two thousand and fifty feet of cotton hose, all in good condi- tion.
We have added to the Department, during the year, a hose and supply wagon, ladder truck, remodeled the old hose carriage, and made it serviceable to be drawn either by hand or attached to the steamer. We have also pur- chased five hundred feet of cotton hose from the Boston Woven Hose Co.
A place has been provided at Washburn's stable on Orient Street, free of expense, and two hundred feet of hose, pipe, and hydrant wrench, placed there ready for use.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
The Department has been called out three times during the year. First, at " Cedar Hill " cottage on the morning
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ENGINEERS' REPORT.
of April 25 ; the fire having made considerable headway before the alarm was given, it was impossible to save more than the surrounding buildings. The loss was about three thousand five hundred dollars on which there was an in- surance of two thousand and eight hundred dollars.
On the morning of June 14, the house of F. A. Tweed was discovered to be on fire on the roof ; the Department responded promptly, and the fire was extinguished with a small loss, fully covered by insurance.
On Tuesday night, February 17, we received a message from Lynn calling on us for assistance at the fire in C. A. Coffin & Co.'s factory. The alarm was given and the De- partment responded ; upon our arrival at the fire, the Lynn Department had it under control, and our services were not required.
HORSES.
At the annual March meeting, an appropriation was made for the purchase of horses, and also a small amount to be expended on the old engine house to provide a place for their keeping.
After carefully considering the whole matter, the board were of the opinion that the building was not at all suitable for the purpose, and the small amount appropriated wholly insufficient to carry out what we believed the wants of the Department require. We have therefore continued the arrangement with Mr. Washburn to furnish horses when- ever needed.
The Board would therefore submit for your consideration the following recommendations :
I. That a sufficient amount of money be appropriated to build a stable in rear of the engine-house, large enough for the accommodation of three horses, that they be used in the Highway Department, an account kept of their earnings, and the amount credited to the Fire Department.
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ENGINEERS' REPORT.
2. That authority be given the Selectmen to sell the hand-engine, and the amount received for it be placed towards the purchase of a hose carriage.
3. That a telephone be placed in the engine-house connected with the Lynn Exchange, which would make every telephone practically a fire-alarm station, as under the present arrangement all communication is shut off dur- ing the night, excepting through the fire alarm circuit.
Respectfully submitted,
D. HOLMAN MILLETT, Chief Engineer.
ROBERT HARRIS,
IVORY EMMONS, Assistants.
REPORT SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY.
In last year's report was recommended placing a six-feet picket fence in rear of Cemetery, which was adopted; a sufficient sum was appropriated for the same with instruc- tions to build; as it has not been complied with, will here renew my recommendation that the said fence be built as soon as the ground is clear of frost.
Some improvements have been made as follows :- fifty loads of screen gravel on the avenues ; two new avenues have been laid out ; twenty head-stones for Town lot. Will also recommend an appropriation of $75.00 for grav- eling avenues.
The total expenditures have been $273.63. The number of lots sold during the year was six, and the price obtained was $25.00 each. The number of interments, 31. Whole number interred in Cemetery, 758.
Respectfully,
J. S. BROWN, Supt.
SURVEYOR'S REPORT.
SIDEWALK DEPARTMENT. Account of Gravel used on Sidewalks.
Humphrey Street
217 loads.
Humphrey Street 17
Orient Street 75
Burrill Street
42
Pine Street, sidewalk and filling 22
Essex Street
72
Corner Redington and Rockland Streets
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