USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1890 > Part 3
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Fence Viewers.
PELEG GARDNER. GILBERT DELANO.
Measurers of Wood and Bark.
GILBERT DELANO. DANIEL F. KNOWLTON.
Surveyor of Lumber. SAMUEL HORTON.
Pound Keeper. J. B. HAWES.
APPOINTED OFFICERS, 1889-90.
Librarian. MISS S. L. HONORS.
Assistant Librarians.
FRED COLLINS. J. PAUL JACKSON. WILLIE GRAVES. EDDIE W. HAWES. Resigned
Police.
WALLACE WRIGHT, CHIEF. GEORGE M. CONNORS.
Special Police.
BEMJAMIN F. RICH.
ELBRIDGE G. BLANEY.
WILLIAM GRANGER.
NATHANIEL A. CAHOON.
WILLIAM D. HUTT. STEPHEN D. MORRIS.
DAVID W. NESBITT. A. F. NESBITT.
Town Weigher. THOMAS B. PEDRICK.
Nealer of Weights and Measures. GEORGE W. HARRIS.
Milk Inspector. CHARLES E. HARRIS.
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APPOINTED OFFICERS.
Superintendent of Streets. J. P. M. S. PITMAN.
Superintendent of Cemetery. JOSEPH S. BROWN.
Janitor of Town Hall.
JOSEPH F. CROWELL. A. F. NESBITT. Resigned.
Town Forrester. J. P. M. S. PITMAN.
Town Counsel. ROBINSON & BLANEY.
Engineers of Fire Department. GEORGE P. CAHOON. CHARLES K. ROBERTS. J. P. M. S. PITMAN.
Registrars of Voters.
. GEORGE T. TILL. FRANK E. INGALLS. LUTHER G. PITMAN.
WILLIAM G. EARP.
LIST OF JURORS.
Prepared by the Selectmen for the consideration of the Town at the Annual Town Meeting, to be held Saturday, March 15, 1890.
ALDEN, ISAIAH. ANDREWS, ISAAC H.
BURNHAM, ALFRED M. BURNHAM, ELI H.
CARROLL, MICHAEL P. CHAPMAN, JOHN. CROSMAN, JOHN H.
DOUGLASS, SYLVESTER F. ELDREDGE, ZIBA. FARWELL, JOHN H. GALEUCIA, NATHANIEL. HARRIS, GEORGE W.
HAYFORD, ABNER. INGALLS, SAMUEL O. JACKSON, CHARLES T. LEWIS, WARREN. MELZARD, GEORGE T.
MERRITT, JOHN R. NIES, MARTIN.
NISBETT, JAMES E. O. PEASLEE, JAMES E. PHILLIPS, JAMES E. PORTER, MILTON D. POTTER, BENJAMIN. RICH, DANIEL. ROWE, ALLEN. SEGER, HENRY. SMALL, ZEBEDEE. STANLEY, JOHN. STIMPSON, DANIEL P. STONE, WILLIAM C. STORY, JOSHUA F. TRULL, GEORGE E. TUCKER, CALVIN.
TWISDEN, JOHN G. WARDWELL, EBEN N. WHIPPLE, ALBERT M.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1889-1890.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
" COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE," is a trite old axiom with which we choose to illustrate our subject of " Town Management." There are many theories by as many theorists who believe their views are the correct ones, and we give to each all the merit they possess. Experience is the best teacher, and to know what experience has taught us we look not to our own, but to other towns as well, and we find that liberality and justice to all sections is the best policy to follow to satisfy the public sentiment. It has been our aim in our official capacity to so administer the affairs of this Town.
There are many things which engross the minds of our citizens, all of which should be considered in a just manner, so as to be acceptable to the permanent as well as the summer residents-many of the latter of whom pay large taxes into our treasury-and who feel they have a voice, if not a vote, in the consideration of these matters. We shall not have to go far back in our memories to the time when division was a yearly question in our Legislature, which not only taxed our time but our money to oppose. What was it that silenced entirely this annual appeal for division ? It was simply liber- ality and justice to that dissatisfied section of the Town, and so long as this policy is followed out we shall be a united and contented community. It is not alone enough that we have improved their roads, that we have given them water, that we
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have given them better protection from fires, but that we have shown them we wish to give them justice. This will have a healthy and enduring effect and call public attention to the importance of all public improvements, and induce more care- ful thought to this subject. One of the most important prin- ciples of town government is safety and convenience to all- in the home as on the highway-in the school as well as the sanctuary-these are all assured in having due regard to good roads and sidewalks for public travel-a good fire department and an efficient police-together with the watchful care of those in authority. With these considerations as " shadows" we trust " events " will follow to justify the quotation above.
HIGHWAYS.
Our annual appropriation for highways is thought by many to be excessive for our needs ; but if all will take into consid- eration the necessities of road making, and the circumstances under which we labor in keeping them in a satisfactory con- dition, we think they will become convinced that it is money well expended. In the first place, with the uneven surface of the streets, it is almost impossible to prevent the washing away of the surface of the roads with the frequent heavy rains of the past two years. It requires constant attention to
keep them in good repair. Then on the line of the horse railroad from the Lynn line there is a constant wear of the roadway consequent upon travel on either side of the track, which calls for an expenditure of fully three times of what it was before the location of the rails, none of which is borne by the Corporation, which enjoys a free franchise of our streets.
The long haul of gravel necessary for the roads is another factor in increasing the expenditures of this department. We have demonstrated that crushed stone is the best material for a foundation, and in the end is the most enduring and cheapest. We therefore recommend that the Town adopt this system of road making by authorizing the Selectmen to either purchase all necessary machinery to do the work, or to
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contract with other parties to furnish, on contract, all the material needed, as may seem to them to be for the best interests of the Town.
In the matter of Street Crossings we think the small annual appropriations for them are well appreciated by the public, and as the demands for them increase, we recommend an ap- propriation this year for a crossing over Monument Avenue, along Burrill Street, and one across Humphrey Street, oppo- site George H. Holden's store. This latter is needed in alighting from the horse cars by the citizens of the hill district as well as for the general travel.
As no street improvements add more to the looks of a town or the comfort of its people than good sidewalks, we ardently urge upon the Town to make liberal appropriations both for curb stones and concreting. And in furtherance of these im- provements we hope to see shown a willingness on the part of owners of estates on our principal streets to come forward and make early application for them. The expense is small and the Town liberally pays one-half of it. Each owner can readily estimate the cost to his estate for curb stones by measuring his front and adding it up at 56 cents per running foot, including setting. For concrete ascertain the square yards and multiply by 36, which gives the entire cost, of which you are required to pay only one-half.
The Paving of Gutters during the past year has more than demonstrated the utility of the outlay. It prevents the wash- ing away of gutters and the consequent filling up of the catch-basins, besides being a great preventive of accidents from washouts. For these and other reasons we confidently recommend an appropriation, to be expended by the Select- men as in their judgment is required. Many streets require immediate attention.
KING STREET.
We have had our attention called to the drainage of King Street. It is a subject that has been brought before the
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Town a number of times previous to this, and conditional appropriations have been made for that purpose. But up to this time nothing has been done. It is a subject that needs attention, and we recommend to the Town action thereon and that an appropriation be made for the purpose.
MISCELLANEOUS.
TOWN BY-LAWS .- Excellent as are our By-Laws for gen- eral purposes, we find there are omissions which should be supplied ; one of paramount importance is in not giving the Selectmen authority to protect the community from danger- ous blasting accidents. Our attention was repeatedly called to accidents from this cause, but we were powerless to act because the Town had not incorporated into its By-Laws authority to so act, and which the revised Statutes permits. From this and other imperfections existing we recommend that a committee be appointed to revise our By-Laws and to submit them to an adjourned meeting.
FIREMEN'S FUND .- It is well known that firemen take their lives in their own hands when duty calls them to fight their implacable enemy ; and no one is more worthy of recognition than the fearless fireman when he does his duty. At the recent disastrous fire in Lynn we believe our firemen acquit- ted themselves with credit to themselves and to the town they represented. And that they received a recognition for their services is apparent from the fact that they were pre- sented by the Lynn Institution of Savings of Lynn, with a check for $100.00, as a nucleus for a Relief Fund, for the benefit of firemen injured while in the exercise of their duty at fires. To assist and further this worthy cause it would be a fitting testimonial to our firemen for the Town to appro- priate a sum of money annually to this fund. If the unex- pended balance of the appropriation for the Fire Department could each year be added to this fund it would encourage
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
economy and would not be felt by the Town. We recommend this subject for consideration at the annual meeting.
[NOTE .- We have received a petition from the requisite number of citizens to insert in the Town Warrant, to see if the Town will vote to have the Select- men appoint the Fire Engineers for a term of three years, but as the Revised Statutes require their appointment annually, we have omitted to comply with their request.]
FIRE HOSE .- If it is well " in Peace to prepare for War," it is well in security to prepare for calamity, and we cannot better do this than to thoroughly equip our Fire Department. More hose is needed, and the Engineers suggest that one thousand (1,000) feet more be added to the present supply, which request is submitted for your consideration.
MUNICIPAL APPROPRIATIONS. - It has been the custom heretofore for the Town to choose a Committee on Appropri- ations, which has always been attended with much inconve- nience, besides causing some dissatisfaction in several departments. It was thought advisable at our last annual meeting to remedy this defect, and the duty was placed on the Selectmen, thinking as they had the disbursements of all appropriations, they were better able to know the needs of the Town than a committee selected promiscuously from the citizens. However, this view may be true or the reverse, it was not of our seeking or desire, but as it was placed in our hands by a confiding constituency, we have accepted the re- sponsibility and have given it our careful consideration, and trust our efforts will meet your approval. If this method is satisfactory, we recommend that the same authority may be given our successors.
WATER PIPES .- We have received petitions for the exten- sion of our water service for various localities, which will be found in the Warrant. It has been the principle of the Town since the laying out of the original pipes to extend the same to other streets, as may have been petitioned, for taking care not to expend too much in any one year. Water is not so
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
much desired for domestic purposes as it is for protection from fire, though for both they are a necessity. We recom- mend a liberal consideration of the petitions.
NEW STREETS. - We have received petitions for the acceptance of Hillside Avenue and Newhall Court as laid out by us according to plans drawn by Charles W. Gay. These petitions are renewals of last year and are doubtless familiar to all. For reasons that were given in last year's Report, they were not acted upon ; but now those reasons do not exist and consequently we present them for your consideration. We think the petitioners are entitled to liberal action at this time for their patient waiting.
EXTENSION OF ROCKLAND STREET. - We have had a petition presented for the extension of Rockland Street, through from Redington Street to Elmwood Avenue, on the Swampscott Land Trust. To do so, the Town would have to bear the expense of obtaining all the land and paying for the same. That the extension of Rockland Street would be of service and present another avenue through which a por- tion of the travel now passing through Humphrey Street might be diverted to, is fair to presume and would be a relief at times to the crowded portion of Humphrey Street. Could the land be obtained at no expense to the Town, our judg- ment would be for the Town to lay out and build the street. One of the owners of the land, needed on Redington Street and Stone Court, Monseigneur Strain, stated in an interview with him, if the Town of Swampscott wanted the land for any improvements, he would not stand in their way and would put a fair price upon it. But what the price would be he de- clined to say until he knew it would be wanted.
The Swampscott Land Trust, as they at one time thought they might do, could they arrange to make an exchange for another lot to the party they had sold to, the same being the outlet needed to pass through their grounds to Elmwood Ave-
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
nue. As he declined to make an exchange, they are unable to do anything further. For the above reasons we have taken no further action than to obtain these facts, believing it to be better to lay before the Town for whatever action they may deem best.
STEPS TO KING'S BEACH .- Our Beaches are an attraction and source of pleasure-"for footprints on the sands of time"-for a large portion of our summer visitors, as well as our Town's people. Beside that a portion of our Town are engaged in business that make an easy access to the beaches of service to them. To King's Beach we have but one point of access and that near the Lynn line ; so that we have almost to go out of town to find an entrance on to King's Beach. If a flight of steps were constructed near the line of William Galucia's, fronting the monument grounds, they would be a great convenience, and remedy a want long existing. We recommend that action be taken by the Town for the con- struction of, and appropriation for, the same.
ATLANTIC ENGINE .- We have had a number of inquiries through the year for a price at which Atlantic Fire Engine could be purchased. To all such we have replied, she was not for sale, a vote of the Town being on record to that effect. In view of the fact that hand-engines are a system of the past and that Atlantic Engine is now in the way, blocking up room where now kept, would it not be for the best interests of the Town to dispose of her? We recommend that some action be taken on the subject.
TOWN HALL. - It is evident to us that our Town Hall needs repairs as the roof is in a leaky condition-leaks about the tower appear now and then during a storm. We deem it a matter of economy that some repairs be made this spring, and would recommend that action be taken by the Town toward a committee being appointed to make a thorough examination
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
of the building, and report to the Town its needs, and an ap- propriation be made for whatever may be repuired, if the judgment of the Town is in its favor.
DOGS .- The excitement produced on our citizens on the 13th of January, is fresh in the minds of all ; it was occasioned by the appearance in our streets of a rabid dog, which attacked and bit several local dogs, among others some very valuable ones which were killed. The Selectmen at once issued an order that all dogs running at large should be muzzled, which order was cheerfully complied with by all owners of valuable ones, while others were at once killed, and now there are few dogs running at large in our streets. It was a funny specta- cle to Swampscott to see so many on the war-path, some with guns, some with revolvers, and many with clubs, in pursuit of the culprit. It has been said by many they hoped we might have another " dog scare," if it would rid the Town of all worthless dogs.
THE SWAMP ROAD, or Humphrey Street, as it is called in the directory, one of our principal thoroughfares, leading to Atlantic Avenue and Beach Bluff, a growing section of our Town, is susceptible of needy improvement and calls loudly for action. Its boundary lines are undefined :- on one side an unsightly ditch, throwing out in the summer season its stench, while on the opposite side numerous ledges project into the highway, making travel dangerous, and to sight incongruous. Many complaints are made of this state of things by those who have daily to traverse its length. It is estimated by those competent to judge that eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800) will put it in thorough condition, which sum we recommend be appropriated. .
PATRONAGE .- In every town much honest rivalry exists to ยท secure to their own counters the trade which all departments have to dispense ; the artisan to obtain all the business in his line ; the laborer all the work on the highway or elsewhere he
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can get. It has been our aim during the past year to have the patronage of the Town in every line of trade or labor equitably divided so all should receive their proportion, and so stated our desires to the heads of departments. In our own department we have followed this line, and we believe it has given general satisfaction. Our motive in alluding to this subject here is to call attention to it so that the Town can, if they approve of it, take action either by a vote of instructions or by resolutions.
Having thus briefly laid before you our views, we trust they will receive your careful consideration and action there- on which in your judgment they may merit. We congratulate our fellow citizens on the general prosperity of Swampscott as regards its finances, its good order, its love of justice, the good will of our neighbors ; all of which, with a firm reliance in God, will insure a continuance of all these blessings.
For a full exhibit of all expenditures, in detail, in all departments, we refer you to the Town Report which has been passed upon by the Auditors, all of which is submitted in full confidence that it will meet your approval.
Very respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. FARWELL, Selectmen
AARON R. BUNTING, of
ANDREW L. HARRIS, Swampscott.
SWAMPSCOTT, February 28, 1890.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
BIRTHS RECORDED.
Males, 25; Females, 23 ; Total, 48.
In January, I; February, 9; March, 3; May, 3; June, 4; July, 4; August, 7; September, 6; October, 4 ; November, 5 ; December, 2.
Nativity of Fathers .- Massachusetts, 29; Maine, 3; New York, 2; Ireland, 5; England, 2; New Hampshire, Prince Edward Ireland, New Brunswick, Canada, Sweden, I each ; Unknown, 2.
Nativity of Mothers .- Massachusetts, 23; New Hampshire, 2; Pennsylvania, I ; Ireland, 6; England, 2; Nova Scotia, 5 ; Cape Breton, 3; Prince Edward Island, 2; Canada, Scotland, Sweden and Unknown, I each.
Fathers born in Swampscott, 13; Mothers, 7.
MARRIAGES RECORDED, 33.
In January, I; February, 3; March 2; April I; June 3 ; August, 2; September 6; October 8 ; November 6; Decem- ber, I.
Nativity of Grooms .- Massachusetts, 23; Maine, 4; New Hampshire, 2; New Jersey, I ; Nova Scotia, 3.
Nativity of Brides .- Massachusetts, 20; Maine, 3; New Hampshire, 2; New York, I; Nova Scotia, 3; Ireland, 2; Canada, I; England, I.
Occupation of Grooms .- Fishermen, Clerks, 4 each. Farm- ers, 3; Blacksmiths, Barbers, 2 each; Physician, Baggage Master, Plumber, Milkman, Horse Car Conductor, Carpenter, Shoemaker, Engineer, Machinist, Civil Engineer, Keeper of
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
Insane, Shoe Business, Sole Cutter, Coachman, Shoe Laster, Bookkeeper, Glass Blower, Merchant, I each.
DEATHS RECORDED.
Males, 28; Females, 30; Total, 58. In January, 2; Feb- ruary, 2 ; March, 2; April, 5; May, 5; June, 8; July, 6; Aug- ust, 7; September, 7; October, 4; November, 4; Decem- ber, 6.
Under 5 years, 14; 10 to 20, 4; 20 to 30, 2 ; 30 to 40, 5 ; 40 to 50, 5 ; 50 to 60, 7; 60 to 70, 8; 70 to 80, 7; 80 to 90, 6.
Causes .- Lung diseases, 10; Heart Disease, 6; Old Age, 6; Paralysis, 5; Brain Diseases, 6; Kidney Diseases, 3 ; Cancer, 3 ; Still Born, Tumor, Debility, Septicaemia, 2 each ; Epilepsy, Croup, Gastritis, Convulsions, Pneumonia, Apop- lexy, Premature Birth, Cholera Infantum, Hemorrhage, Atro- phy of Liver, Anaemia, I each.
70 years of age and over .- Stephen S. Stone, 72 yrs., heart disease; Sarah K. Philbrick, 72 yrs., 7 mos., gastritis; Nancy R. Gregory, 74 yrs., 6 mos., old age; John R. Honors, 76 yrs., 10 mos., II days, heart disease; Jabez S. Baker, 77 yrs., 2 mos., 24 days, paralysis; Mary F. Norcross, 78 yrs., 9 mos., paralysis; James L. Little, 79 yrs., 2 mos., 5 days, cerebial disease; John Nies, 82 yrs., II mos., 22 days, old age ; Alice P. Blanchard, 83 yrs., 6 mos., pneumonia; Rebecca Roundy, 85 yrs., 9 mos., 2 days, old age; Julia Touhill, 86 yrs., old age; Deborah Newcomb, 86 yrs., I mo., 17 days, old age; John G. Phillips, 88 yrs., old age.
Number of Dogs Licensed. - Males, 166; Females, 19; Total, 185.
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
It is now ten years since our Library has been free to our residents, and in reviewing the progress it has made in the year just passed, it is gratifying to record the usual signs of prosperity.
Our Librarian reports our collection to number 5,240 vol- umes, and a total circulation of 15,148 for the year. We have added 177 books since our last report, and have received $29.85 as fees and from the sale of, catalogues. We note that each year increases the number of worn out volumes, so many of which have to be replaced, that our appropriation is hardly sufficient to keep pace with the times in our purchases.
Of course, what we know as light reading is the most sought, still we find those books the favorites that seek to in - struct as well as to amuse. Of late years, the "trashy" novel has been considerably superseded by a better class of fiction, and many, especially our younger readers, who gained their impetus for reading by the perusal of Alger, Optic and Reid, have given their attention to works of travel and science.
We gratefully acknowledge the gift of one volume by Mr. J. H. Farwell; also several United States documents from the government. We endeavor to add to our collection new books as fast as published, and desire to promote the interests of our patrons by procuring such works as may aid them in any line of thought, study or business, so far as our limited means will permit. We close by renewing our invitation, made often before- that suggestions in regard to new books are always desirable. The librarian will receive all such with pleasure, and the trustees will endeaver to give them as much considera. tion as possible.
BARNETT W. REDFERN, Public FRANK F. STANLEY, Library CURTIS V. MERRITT, Trustees.
SWAMPSCOTT, FEB. 26, 1890.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Board of Health respectfully submit the following report of their doings for the past year.
During the past year we have received and investigated all complaints brought to our notice, and have had official notice of seven cases of contagious diseases, three of diphtheria, one of measles, one of scarleteina, one of typhoid fever, and one of scarlet rash which proved fatal.
The collecting of offal was conducted the same as last year.
Since the introduction of water through the Town, the Board find that the present system of cleaning out cesspools and vaults is inadequate, as they have to be cleaned out so often; and a number of our citizens have been obliged to hire Lynn Health Department to clean out the same.
The Board recommend that some action be taken towards procuring some such system as Lynn has got.
In relation to health and sanitary condition, the Town has improved the last year.
JOHN I. ADAMS, Board C. E. HARRIS, of
W. S. KENDRICK, ) Health,
REPORT OF ENGINEERS.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
THE Engineers herewith present their Annual Report, for the year ending February 22, 1890.
The organization of the department consists of one chief and two assistant engineers, and a company of seventeen members, divided as follows : foreman and assistant foreman, engineer of steamer and assistant, fireman, driver, seven hosemen and four laddermen.
APPARATUS AND LOCATION.
The apparatus consists of a steam fire engine, supply wagon, ladder truck and seventeen hundred feet of hose and necessary fittings on New Ocean Street ; hose reel and four hundred feet of hose at Jacob Cooper's, Beach Bluff ; hose reel and four hundred feet of hose at D. P. Stimpson's, Redington Street ; hose reel and four hundred feet of hose at Horse Railroad stable on Essex Street, and four hundred feet of hose, wrench and spanner at John Washburn's stable on Humphrey Street. The old steamer reel and three hundred feet of hose has been temporarily located on Roy Street. There are at present fifty-five hydrants, four having been added the past year, one on King Street and three on Roy and Jesse Streets.
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