USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1891 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
Swampscott Band
1 00
Swampscott Base Ball Club
I 50
Wardwell & Bros.
5 00
Stephen H. Wardwell .
1 00
Universalist ball.
2 00
Twenty Associate ball.
I 50
Police Court and Essex County .
50 16
$64 16
WALLACE WRIGHT, Chief of Police.
-
REPORT OF ENGINEERS.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Engineers herewith present their annual report for the year ending February 28, 1891.
LOCATION OF APPARATUS.
Steamer, ladder truck, hose wagon and hose reel at engine. house on New Ocean street ; hose reel and hose at Jacob Cooper's, Beach Bluff ; hose reel and hose at D. P. Stimp- son's, Redington street ; hose reel and hose at Horse Railroad stable, Essex street ; hose reel and hose at Highland Hall, Mountain Park ; hose and fittings at John Washburn's stable, Humphrey street.
Horses, when needed, are furnished by the Lynn and Bos- ton Horse Railroad Co., as heretofore.
LOCATION OF BOXES.
During the year new boxes have been added and the old ones re-numbered. Their locations are as follows :
3 Key at Bridget Lyon's.
4
" B. & M. Flag Station.
" Engine House and Martin Carpenter's. 5
6 .6 " C. P. Jeffers' drug store.
7 " Mrs. Patch, cor. Hillside ave. and Cherry st.
8 .6 " John Jefferies'.
9 66
" Abner Hayford's.
I2
66
" Allen Rowe's.
13
66 " Hotel Preston.
14
.. " Chas. P. Curtis' and Lincoln House.
66 " Seth C. Kendrick's.
I5
93
REPORT OF ENGINEERS.
ALARMS.
June 8. Box 12. False alarm.
Sept. 12. Box 7. False alarm.
The Engineers would recommend the location of a new fire alarm box, to be placed near the corner of King and High- land streets, and a new box, to be placed near Highland Hall, Mountain Park, and that $200 for the same be appropriated.
During the past year the Engineers have purchased a double hitch for the hose wagon, which leaves a good single harness of no use. We would recommend that the same be sold, and the amount realized be placed to the credit of the Department.
As we reported in the last Town Report, the buildings of the Department were in poor condition, and as nothing has been done the past year, their condition has not improved. More jars for the fire alarm have been added, an extra hitch for the hose wagon has been secured, and therefore the De- partment is more cramped for room than ever. The whole Department should be in one house, the surroundings should be free from rocks, bricks and lumber, and be properly graded in order to look neat and tidy. The Engineers hope that the Article in the Warrant, relative to the building of a new house, will be adopted.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. K. ROBERTS, GEO. P. CAHOON, Engineers. DAVID H. PRATT,
Report of Superintendent of Streets.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Stone and gravel used on streets as follows :
Name of street. No. loads gravel.
No. loads stone.
Essex street.
. 551 1 I 48
Humphrey street .
. 522 (Crush stone 229) 38
Atlantic avenue
233
45
Salem street .
84
35
Orient street .
383
25
Beach avenue.
14
Cherry street .
58
IO
Sheridan street
3
Blaney street .
5
New Ocean street .
13
Pine street .
151
King street.
· 323
58
Redington street. . I55
Rose street. 44
Rockland street.
41
Phillips street.
I44
I5
Rock avenue .
73
I5
Gravel and stone used on sidewalks as follows :
Name of street. No. loads gravel.
No. loads stone.
Humphrey street . 246
Orient street .
97
Redington street.
37
Essex street
28
Burrill street .
2I
Cherry street
5° 14
Rock avenue
25
Humphrey street, (No. I crush rock, 4 loads).
Number of loads of sand used for sanding sidewalks, 65.
95
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Gutter scrapings removed from streets as follows :
Name of street. No. of loads.
Humphrey street. 3º7
New Ocean street . I7
Essex street . 27
Orient street.
64
Woodbine avenue. 12
Burrill street. 3 1
Rock avenue 11
Pine street IO
Railroad avenue 2
Phillips street .
3
Atlantic avenue
I7
Blaney street
IO
Redington street .
5
Rose street 3
Highland street . 3
Beach Bluff avenue
20
Columbia street .
5
Beach avenue
5
King street .
7
Gutter scrapings disposed of as follows :
Name of street. No of loads.
Humphrey street culvert . 287
S. A. Newcomb's lot I35
Pine street school-house 26
Cherry street 27
Road to beach . 64
Widening Orient street
I7
Phillips street sidewalk
3
ESSEX STREET IMPROVEMENT.
Gravel and stone used on Essex street as follows :
Number of loads of gravel . 193
Number of loads of stone . 20
Number of loads of gravel used on sidewalk 65
Removed and used for filling on same . 50
96
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
PAVING DEPARTMENT.
Stone and sand used in paving gutters as follows :
Name of street.
No. loads stone.
No. loads sand.
Redington street .
. 20
I2
King street
. 33 IO
Rose street
4
6
Rock avenue
27
15
Hillside avenue 67
Cherry street
. 15
3
Orient street
8
5
Humphrey street. . 39 19
.
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Twenty-seven picks. $30.00
Twenty-four shovels. 15.00
Four bars . 4.00
Five lanterns 1.50
Three street hose .
1.50
Two hammers .
3.00
Two rakes
1.00
Three stone rakes
1.50
Two snow ploughs
30.00
1 One road machine
200.00
One tool box
4.00
Three mattocks
6.00
One H. W. Clapp grating
8.00
Very respectfully,
JAMES P. M. S. PITMAN.
Report of the Street Light Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
By authority of a vote passed by the Town, March 17th, 1890, your Committee on Street Lights made a contract with the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. for about 75 Arc Lights, together with several Incandescent Lights; the latter of which have been located at points where in the Committee's judg- ment, the Arcs were impracticable.
The contract is for five years, and is appended to this report. In our last Annual Report, printed in the town documents of 1 890, the recommendations were favorable to the Incandescent System together with a continuation of the 2000 Candle Power Arc Lights by an addition of 6 to the 10 then in operation ; but by investigating the subject carefully and with due consideration, the Committee decided that the Arc System would be much more satisfactory to the town than the Incandescent and acted accordingly.
With the Arc System it was found that Incandescent Lamps could be placed at intervals anywhere on the line, without the necessity of an additional line of wire, while on the other hand the arc lights could not be taken from an incandescent wire or what is termed the alternating system.
Your Committee visited the City of Malden among other places, and investigated the 1200 candle power arc light. They gave general satisfaction in that city and distributed the light better than the 2000 candle power light, which is more expensive and better adapted for large cities.
It was hoped the work of building the line would have been finished earlier, but some delay was occasioned by the Light Company being unable to get the required poles when wanted. In justice to the Company and to our Selectmen it is proper to state, however, that all appointments were punctually met
98
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
in locating the poles and pushing the work in season to receive the electric current, which was turned on the entire line on the evening of August 6th, 1890.
With regard to the efficiency of electricity for lighting it is not claimed to be absolutely perfect. Like all new work the · longer it is operated and the better care it receives, the better will the results be.
The Committee are pleased to say that the service furnished by the Light Company has been satisfactory in every respect and fully up to the requirements of the con- tract executed.
Concerning the merit of electrical appliances manufactured by the various companies, it became evident that the product of the Thomson-Houston Company stood at the head.
The founder of so many of these wonderful electrical inven- tions, having recently made his home in Swampscott, it is not improbable that discoveries will be made within our boundaries as useful to the world as the electric light, heat, power and welding.
As regards the old line of poles owned by the N. E. Tele- graph and Telephone Co., your Committee are fully convinced that they have no legal location in our streets, and as they are eye-sores to the citizens, it is hoped their existance will no longer be tolerated, and that all wires will soon be carried on one line of poles as intended. There are parallel cases now pending in several cities and towns in this state, but unless action is taken by our Board of Selectmen or an amiable disposition is manifested by the Telephone Company (not looked for) the poles may remain indefinitely thereby gaining a location through non-action on the part of the town. In closing we recommend an appropriation of $6,000 to continuc the street lighting this year. And would especially urge a more thorough trimming of the trees particularly in centres of road ways where shade is not needed. Finally, your Com- mittee desire to thank the Citizens for the confidence reposed in them by the motion of last year, granting the power to
99
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
transact the street lighting business as in their judgment was for the best interest of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL F. CROSMAN, E. A. FARNUM, Street CURTIS V. MERRITT, Light Committee.
IVORY EMMONS,
WILLIAM F. NORCROSS, j
COPY OF CONTRACT.
Town of Swampscott, and The Lynn Gas and Electric Company.
THIS AGREEMENT, made this thirtieth day of April, 1890, by and between the Lynn Gas and Electric Company, a coporation duly organized under the laws of Massachusetts, and established in the City of Lynn in the County of Essex in said State, hereinafter called the Electric Company, and the Town of Swampscott in said County and State, acting by Samuel F. Crosman, Ivory Emmons, Curtis V. Merritt, Charles E. Durgin, Edwin A. Farnum and William F. Norcross, its Committee on Street Lights, hereunto duly authorized by vote of the Town, Witnesseth That.
Whereas said town is desirous of lighting certain of its streets and public places by electric light, supplied by both the arc and incandescent systems ;
And Whereas the Electric Company is ready to furnish such light for the term of flve years, upon the terms and conditions and for the price hereinafter men- tioned, provided the town grants the necessary licenses, permits, and easements therefor :
Now Then, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained to be kept and performed by the parties hereto respectively, it is hereby mutually covenanted and agreed as follows :-
(1). The Electric Company agrees to furnish seventy-five (75) arc lamps of nominal twelve hundred candle power each, and incandescent lamps of nominal twenty-five candle power each, in numbers as ordered by the Street Lighting Committee for the time being, and to establish the same in such places in said Town as the Committee on Street Lights for the time being may designate. If said Committee so elects, at the time the original locations are made, the town may require the Company to substitute fifteen incandescents for three of said arcs, but such substitution shall not be made afterwards, unless by mutual agree- ment of the parties. The Electric Company agrees that it will at its own cost and expense set up and maintain all the necessary poles, wires, circuits, and other apparatus required for the operation of said lamps, and properly connect said lines and circuits with the generating and controlling apparatus at its electric light station in Lynn, so as to constitute a complete and efficient electric lighting
100
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
plant for the purposes above named. But all the property, apparatus and fixtures mentioned in this Article shall be and remain the property of the Electric Company. All posts used in said construction shall be of wood, reasona- bly straight, and firmly set in the ground.
(2). The Electric Company agrees, during the terni of this contract, so to maintain and operate its generating and controlling apparatus, wires, circuits and lamps, as to furnish light from said lamps at their respective capacities, during the times and hours hereinafter specified, and in such manner that said light shall be practically steady and continuous. The Electric Company guarantees that each so-called 1200 candle-power arc lamp and each so-called 25 candle-power incandescent lamp shall be as efficient, as regards steadiness and quantity of light, as any lamps of like rated capacities now in general use.
(3). Said Town of Swampscott shall have the option, at the beginning of each year of the term of this contract, to specify under which of the following schedules the lamps above described shall be operated : and any schedule so selected shall be and remain in force for a period of one year from and after such selection. That is to say,
(a). From dusk till four o'clock A. M., during not to exceed in all 240 nights per year.
(6). From dusk till two o'clock A. M., during not to exceed in all 240 different nights per year.
(c). From dusk till one o'clock A. M., during not to exceed in all 240 different nights per year.
(4). The Electric Company will also, from time to time as requested, operate said lamps beyond said limits of time, provided the Town shall pay, in addition to the prices hereinafter specified, a pro rata amount for the lights so furnished beyond the hours specified under the given schedule, or beyond said number of nights in one year. It is also distinctly understood and agreed that when the lights are furnished for only a portion of a night, the streets during the remain- ing portion between the limits above specified being well lighted by the moon, the same shall be counted as a full night's run. But the particular nights on which the plant is to be started and the lamps operated, shall be specified from time to time by the Committee on Street Lights.
(5). The Town of Swampscott agrees to accept said seventy-five arc lights, or their equivalent in 72 arcs and 15 incandescents, to be furnished by the Electric Company as aforesaid, and such number of incandescents, outside of those substituted in place of three arcs, as the Street Lighting Committee may order, and to make payment therefor in cash, at the times, on the terms, and at the prices hereinafter set forth. That is to say,
(a.) If and whenever option (a) of Article (3) is exercised, the sum of $80 per arc lamp per year, and $19 per incandescent lamp per year.
(b.) If and whenever option (6) of said Article (3) is exercised, the sum of $72 per arc lamp per year, and $16 per incandescent lamp per year.
(c.) If and whenever option (c) of said Article (3) is exercised, the sum of $70 per arc lamp per year, and $15 per incandescent lamp per year .
101
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
(d.) If and whenever lights are operated at the Town's request beyond the hours specified, such additional sums as shall accrue accord- ing to the provisions of Article (4).
Said prices are based upon service on two hundred and forty nights per year, and the Electric Company shall not in any calendar year be required to furnish light on more than said number of nights, without the payment of extra com- pensation as provided in Article (4). Said incandescent lights outside of those (if any,) substituted for three arcs, may be ordered at any time, and from time to time; but when any are once ordered, the same shall be furnished and paid for throughout the remainder of the term of this contract.
All amounts accruing under the above items or any of them, shall be paid by the Town of Swampscott to the Electric Company in instalments, as follows :
All amounts for lights furnished under this contract shall accrue and be payable in monthly instalments, that is to say, on the first day of each and every month there shall be due and payable such sums as shall, ac- cording to the rates and prices hereinbefore specified, pay for all the lights furnished up to said first day of the month.
(6). It is further agreed that in case the Town should desire to change the location of said lamps or any of them, after the same have once been put in place and established in pursuance of this contract, the Electric Company will relocate the same, and put them in such new places as the Committee on Street Lights for the time being may designate; provided, however, that the actual cost and expense occasioned the Electric Company by such changes in location, the re- setting of lamps and posts, and the reconstruction of the circuits connected therewith, shall be paid by the Town in addition to the other amounts accruing from it to the Electric Company. The Electric Company will, however, at the Committee's request, relocate and reconstruct, without any cost or expense to the Town, any of said 75 arc lights, or their equivalent, not exceeding ten in number, provided such request be made in writing within thirty days after they are originally established and put in operation, and provided further that the change asked for will cause the streets to be more effectively lighted.
(7). If for any reason not due to the fault or negligence of the Electric Com- pany, there shall be any cessation of, or interruption to, the supply of electric light under this contract, the Electric Company shall not be liable in damages therefor, but there shall be deducted from the consideration to be paid as afore- said, such amounts as shall be a just proportionate discount on account of such failure to supply light, except that such temporary failures of the lights to burn, as are ordinarily incident to the operation of electric light plants, shall not en- title the Town to any rebate or discount. The Electric Company shall, never- theless, be bound, throughout the term of this contract, to use its best endeav_ ors to start the lights again with all reasonable dispatch, and burn the same con- tinuously, after any cessation or interruption.
(8). Finally, it is agreed that the lights here incontracted for shall be in oper- ation on the first day of August, 1890, and that this contract shall be and remain in force for a period of five (5) calendar years from and after said date.
(The words "or beyond said number of nights in one year," interlined in the
102
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
fifth line of Article (4) before signing), and the words "or their equivalent," likewise interlined in the second line from the bottom of the fourth sheet.
In witness whereof, said Town of Swampscott has caused these presents to be signed in its name and behalf by said Crosman, Emmons, Merritt, Durgin, Far- num and Norcross, its Committee on Street Lights, hereunto duly authorized ; and said Lynn Gas and Electric Company has caused the same to be signed in its name and behalf by C. H. Newhall, its President, and Charles C. Fry, its Treasurer, hereunto duly authorized; the day and year first above written.
The Town of Swampscott by
SAMUEL F. CROSMAN, IVORY EMMONS, CHARLES E. DURGIN, CURTIS V. MERRITT, EDWIN A. FARNHAM, WILLIAM F. NORCROSS.
Committee on Street Lights.
LYNN GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
By CHARLES H. NEWHALL, President. CHARLES C. FRY, Treasurer.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
BIRTHS RECORDED.
Males, 28; Females, 34; Total, 62.
In January, 4; February, 3; March, 3; April, 6; May, 3; June, 7: July, 5; August, 7; September, 3; October, 6; November, 4; December, I I.
Nativity of Fathers .- Massachusetts, 38; Maine, 8; Nova Scotia, 4; New York, 3; England, Ireland, 2 each; New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Norway, I each.
Nativity of Mothers .- Massachusets, 28; Ireland, 12; Nova Scotia, 6; Maine, 5; New Brunswick, England, Scotland, Norway, Canada, Washington, D. C., Iowa, New York, Con- necticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, I each.
Fathers born in Swampscott, 10; Mothers, 6.
DEATHS RECORDED.
Males, 26; Females, 23; Total, 49
In January, 4; February, 4; March, 3; April, 4; May, 2; June, 5; July, 5; August, 7; September, 3; October, 4; November, 5 ; December, 3.
Under 5 years, II; 10 to 20, 4; 20 to 30, 4; 30 to 40, 3 ; 40 to 50, 5 ; 50 to 60, 7 ; 60 to 70, 1 ; 70 to 80, 4; 80 to 90, 9; Unknown, I.
Causes .- Lung Diseases, 8; Paralysis, 4; Cancers, 4 : Old Age, 3; Debility, 3; Apoplexy, Bronchitis, R. R. Accident, Typhoid Fever, Heart Disease, Exhaustion, Hem- orrhage, 2 each : Chloral Poisoning, Meningitis, Disease of Bone, Diarrhœa, Still Born, Asthma, Whooping Cough, Malig- nant Spotted Fever, Puerperal Convulsions, Erysipelas, Parotitis, Tuberculosis, Drowning, I each.
104
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
70 years of Age and over .- Geo. P. Sanger, 70 years, Heart Disease; Nathan Harding, 73 yrs., II mos., Paralysis ; Philander Holden, 77 yrs., 8 mos., Debility ; Ann Blaney, 79 yrs., I mo., 15 days, Old Age; Rebekah Daly, 80 yrs., 2 mos., 7 days, Old Age; Jeremiah Hayes, 81 yrs., Pneumonia ; Walburga Nies, 81 yrs., Paralysis; Mary P. Ellis, 82 yrs., Paralysis; Clementine Godshall, 83 yrs., II mos., Parotitis ; Emelia P. Collins, 83 yrs., 5 mos., Cancer of Stomach ; Philo S. Shelton, 84 yrs., 6 mos., 12 days, Pneumonia; Mary Etta Scales, 84 yrs., 6 mos., 20 days, Apoplexy ; Eliza J. Brooks, 87 yrs., 5 mos., Old Age.
MARRIAGES RECORDED, 37.
In January, 4 ; February, 2; March, I; April, I; May, I ; June, 3; July, 5; August, 4; September, 4; October, I ; November, 9; December, 2.
Nativity of Grooms .- Massachusetts, 22; England, 3 ; Ireland, 2; Nova Scotia, 2; New York, 2; Scotland, New Brunswick, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, I each.
Nativity of Brides .- Massachusetts, 26; Ireland, 3 ; Maine, 2; Sweden, Labrador, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Penn- sylvania, New Hampshire, I each.
Occupation of Grooms .- Clerk, 5; Merchant, 4; Coachman, 3; Hostler, Gardner, Jobber, Shoemaker, 2 each; Stock Fitter, Draughtsman, Blacksmith, Salesman, Shoe Cutter, Stone Cutter, Druggist, Carpenter, Brakeman, Hatter, Lawyer, Tinsmith, Fisherman, Foreman, Bookkeeper, Retired, Unknown, I each.
Number of Dogs Licensed .- Males, 120; Females, 20. Total 140.
GEO. T. TILL, Town Clerk.
105
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
Record of Town Meetings for the Year 1890-91.
TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swamp- scott qualified to vote in Elections, and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the Fifteenth day of March, current, at Seven o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following Articles, viz. :
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose a Town Clerk for one (1) year. To choose a Board of Selectmen for the year ensuing. To choose one member of the Board of Assessors for three (3) years.
To choose a Town Treasurer for one (1) year.
To choose a Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing ..
To choose one member 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 three members of the Board of Auditors for the year ensuing.
To choose one Overseer of the Poor for three (3) years.
To choose a Board of Health for one (1) year.
To choose one or more Surveyors of Lumber for the ensuing year.
To choose one or more Measurers of Wood and Bark for one (1) year.
106
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
To choose two or more Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
To choose all necessary Constables and Field Drivers for one (1) year.
All to be chosen on one ballot.
ART. 3. To vote by ballot "Yes " or " No" upon the ques- tion, Shall Licenses be granted for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors in this Town.
ART. 4. To hear and act upon the. Reports of the Auditing Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Superintendent of Streets, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, the Engineers of the Fire Department, the Superinten- dent of the Cemetery, the Board of Health, the Chief of Police, the Milk Inspector, and the Committee on Street Lights.
ART. 5. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropria- tions therefor.
ART. 6. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Treasurer for the current year.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer to hire money, under the direction of the Selectmen, in anticipation of the taxes to be assessed and collected for the current year.
ART. 8. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Collector for the collection of taxes for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see what compensation the Town will allow the Collector for the collection of taxes for the current year.
ART. 10. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes, and what rate of discount, if any, will be allowed for prompt payment on or before a certain date.
ART. II. To see if the Town will accept the list of names for Jurors as prepared and posted by the Selectmen.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will appropriate the money re- ceived from the County Treasurer for dog licenses to aid in sup- port of the Public Library.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.