USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1893 > Part 5
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Respectfully submitted, CHARLES RODERICK,
Truant Officer.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 27, 1893.
80
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PROPOSED
Report of Committee on Proposed New School Building, 1892=1893.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT:
The undersigned were appointed a committee to make in- quiries concerning the purchase of additional land and to re- port plans for a modern six-room school building on the old site. These plans are now on file at the Town Clerk's office as per instructions.
Mrs. Wiley asks five thousand dollars for her place, and Mr. Richardson is unwilling to sell his land for any considera- tion. As a majority of your committee have done the work in harmony with instructions from the town rather than by the dictates of their own judgment, we herein submit to the citizens of Swampscott the following:
We have carefully studied the school and school house problem in all its bearings. We have done this as faithful servants, that we might give a good account to the town.
Future needs as well as present conditions have been con- sidered. In taking counsel of leading educational men in other towns we have done what all wise men are wont to do.
We have visited outside to find what has proved highly satisfactory in other places, we trust the disposition to keep abreast the times in this age of progress, is a commendable one. It is only by so doing that we can foster a just local pride on the part of our youth. We shall thus stimulate their mental and moral progress. We shall thus keep them at home and secure for ourselves that credit for their educa- tion which is now being given to other towns.
We believe that with proper support, Swampscott can be
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NEW SCHOOL BUILDING-1892-1893.
so noted for her public schools as to increase her popularity thereby. We now invite attention to the following points :
I .- The present High and Grammar School Building has been pronounced unsuitable by a committee of nine respon- sible men, including selectmen and school committee.
Patrons of the school are emphatic in their protest against its continuance.
State authorities have put upon it the seal of condemna- tion. The opinion is nearly or quite unanimous that repairs cannot make it suitable.
II .- The town at an adjourned meeting last spring, instruc- ted that plans for a modern school building should be re- ported at the coming town meeting. Such plans are now on file at the Town Clerk's office, and present an economical and substantial building, suitable only for the present site.
III .- We call attention to the fact that seven out of nine of the committee above alluded to, have expressed themselves as averse to building on the old site, unless the situation makes such procedure inevitable.
IV .- Does the condition of things make such a procedure inevitable?
At the corner of Rockland and Highland streets there is a lot known as the Breed lot. Now let us note the points of contrast between the old site and the Breed lot. First com- pare the area of the two lots. The old site, when increased by the Wiley lot which must necessarily be purchased in order to make room for the proposed new building will con- tain 19,808 feet. The Breed lot contains 43,560 feet, or one acre.
Second, let us compare cost. The old site as it is, will realize thirty-six hundred ($3,600) dollars. Mrs. Wiley asks five thousand ($5,000) dollars for her lot.
We see therefore, that the old site with its necessary addi- tions will cost eighty-six hundred ($8,600) dollars.
The Breed lot can be purchased for three thousand ($3,000) dollars. Note the contrast:
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PROPOSED
Eighty-six hundred ($8,600) dollars for only 19,808 feet, or three thousand ($3,000) dollars for 43,560 feet!
V .- The Breed lot will of course entail some additional expense for grading.
Contractor and architect stood together on that lot, last spring, and agreed that the building could be so placed there as to make the cost of grading amount to much less than would seem possible at first view. The contractor stated that a grade could be put upon the lot for one thousand ($1,000) dollars that would give a fine effect.
VI .- The Breed lot can be supplemented by as much land as may be thought necessary by purchasing from the adjoin- ing Swampscott land trust, at the rate of only five cents per foot. a suggestion which will at least bear careful consideration.
VII .- The street in front of the present building is but 36 feet wide, and the proposed plan gives us but 12 feet yard room in front of the new building, and comes within 12 feet of the abutting property on either side, a fact which is likely to give us less light and air in some parts of the new build- ing, than we now have in the old.
Added to the above fact, is the greater liability from fire, owing to the proximity of a hay loft upon adjoining property.
Contrast this congestion with the roomy and attractive frontage and elegant approaches which are possible with the more than doubled area of the Breed lot.
VIII .- We see at once how much superior the Breed lot is in point of light, air and scenery.
IX .- When the electric cars pass on Humphrey street, as ultimately they inevitably will, there must necessarily be far greater liability to accident and loss of life on the old site than on the Breed lot.
X .- If we build on the old site, more than two hundred scholars must for months pursue their studies in the im- mediate rear of the uprising walls, subject to such darkness, straitness, noise, as will subject them to serious and even dan-
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NEW SCHOOL BUILDING-1892-1893.
gerous disadvantages. On the Breed lot all this will be avoided.
XI .- It may be agreed that in Lynn and Boston, school houses are built right on the street. This is not from choice surely, but from necessity. It cannot be claimed that we are under such necessity. Cities and towns are more and more providing resting places, breathing spots, parks and gardens, according to their ability. Where room is necessarily denied them, they are quick to avail themselves of every other possi- ble advantage.
We are denied many of the advantages which cities possess, but let us not deny ourselves this great advantage of room, especially when it is offered to us at such cheap rates. Room, beauty, and attractive scenery are a chief part of our stock in trade. Let us make the most of them. We do great wrong to deny our children the light and air, and room and scenery which Providence has so munificently provided. They spend a large part of the formative period of their lives in the school room. Let their surroundings be elevating and of pleasant memory. As a matter of fact, all over the coun- try. the people are, wherever they find it possible, providing ample grounds for their school buildings, with opportunities for planting trees.
XII .- It may be objected that the Breed lot is too far to one side. Let us note : First, it is only four minutes walk from the present site. Second, there will not be two minutes difference between the old site and the Breed lot so far as the walk from the Lower Beach and Farms portion of the town is concerned.
Third : In many cases the difference for children from the above mentioned portions of the town, favors the Breed lot by more than two minutes.
Fourth: Of about one hundred houses which have been built during the last four years within the more central limits of the town, nearly seventy of them are within ten minutes
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PROPOSED
walk of the Breed lot, and every one of them is within 13 minutes walk.
If there is not already, there soon will be as many houses in our town situated nearer to the Breed lot than to the old site, so that there is every promise that the future growth of the town is to make the Breed lot the more central of the two proposed sites.
XIII .- It may be objected that the Breed lot will necessi- tate the climbing of hills on the part of the children. Many of our children must now climb the same hills in going home from school, and the number of such must increase as time goes on because the future growth must necessarily be on the hills. Moreover nothing but the strong arm of the law can prevent the children from climbing the hills fifty times a day, in coasting time.
W. M. ROGERS, 1 School F. E. INGALLS, § Committee.
J. H. FARWELL, }
A. R. BUNTING, Board A. C. WIDGER, of Selectmen.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 18, 1893.
85
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING-1892-1893.
Report of Committee on Proposed New School Building, 1892=1893.
MINORITY REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :-
Inasmuch as the Special Committee appointed by the town was instructed to make terms for land adjacent to the pres- ent Grammar School lot, and to file suitable plans for a new building, to be erected thereon, the undersigned supposed that the duties of the committee ceased when these results were accomplished. It is, therefore, with considerable sur- prise he learns that a statement, signed by a majority of that body, and originally intended for private distribution in the form of a circular, is to be incorporated into the annual printed town documents, as the report of that committee. Let this fact be his apology for intruding upon the favor of his fellow-townsmen the following observations :-
The town has twice decided, each time by a large majority, in favor of the present site. On this point the advice of the committee was not sought.
There is nothing new to present in favor of the Breed lot.
Why is this land worth almost seven cents per foot, and adjoining land worth only five cents ?
If we want much land for the money, why not get back still further into the woods ?
Who has offered $3,600 for the old lot ?
To whom is it worth more than to the town ?
The town has voted to keep it, and it is still the best avail- able for school purposes.
Wouldn't the present winter be a charming season to en- joy the " light and air " and the " attractive frontage and ele- gant approaches " of the Breed lot '
Respectfully submitted,
W. R. HASTINGS.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 27, 1893.
86
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES-1892-1893.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES, 1892=1893.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The year just closed finds the Library in its usual prosper- ous condition, about the usual number of new books have been added, (208) which makes our collection 5,848 volumes. A large proportion of the books purchased are from works of fiction. This is necessarily the case, because of the somewhat limited means at our command for the general support of the Library, and after paying the running expenses, we do not feel that it is in justice to its patrons to lumber up our shelves with matter that but few of our people take enough interest in to read. We however, in our purchases, endeavor to select only the best of its kind, and as fast as worn out eliminate such as in our opinion are not first-class.
A perusal of our acquirements the past year, will disclose the best works published in Biography, Travels and Science as well as fiction.
In the matter of donations, our Library does not appear to be fortunate, and it occurs to us that great gains could be accomplished if citizens having books at home for which they have no use, would send them to the Library and result in a very good beginning in gifts to the Library. We are indebted to our representative Mr. Chas. T. Jackson for several documents published by the state of Massachusetts.
Our circulation for the year has been 13,233; fines and catalogue sales amount to $22.00.
Miss Honors the librarian, and assistants Masters Ingalls. and Macpherson deserve a word of praise for their faithful attention to duty.
JAMES E. PEASLEY, Trustees CURTIS V. MERRITT, of
FRANK F. STANLEY, Library.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., February 17, 1893.
87
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS-1892-1893.
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS, 1892=1893.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
The Engineers herewith present their annual report for the year ending February 28, 1893.
APPARATUS AND LOCATION.
Steamer, ladder-truck, hose wagon and hose-reel at engine house, New Ocean Street ; hose-reel and hose, Mountain Park; hose-reel and hose, Lynn & Boston Railroad Co.'s stable, Essex Street ; hose-reel and hose, D. P. Stimpson's stable, Redington Street ; hose-reel and hose, John Shepard's, Atlantic Avenue, and 400 feet hose at Washburn's stables, Orient Street.
LOCATION OF BOXES.
3. Corner Essex and Danvers Streets.
4. Boston & Maine flag station. Burrill Street.
5. Engine house, New Ocean Street.
6. Opposite Jeffers' Drug store, Humphrey Street.
7. Corner Hillside Avenue and Cherry Street.
8. Roy Street, Mountain Park.
9. Corner Humphrey Street and Forest Avenue.
12. Allen Rowe's, Humphrey Street.
13. Hotel Preston, Atlantic Avenue.
14. Corner Orient Street and Lincoln House Avenue.
15. Opposite Washburn's stable, Orient Street.
16. John Jeffries, Orient Street.
17. Corner Highland and King Streets.
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REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS-1892-1893.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
May 10. Box 6, George E. Gilbert's store, Humphrey Street. Cause, breaking of lamp.
May 12. Box 6, George E. Gilbert's store, Humphrey Street. Cause, spontaneous combustion.
July 20. Box 6, Kelley & Grant's stable. Cause, boys with matches.
September 21. Box 13. Hotel Preston, Atlantic Avenue. Cause unknown.
November 7. Box 6. Arioch Wentworth's stable, Monu- ment Avenue. Cause unknown.
December 5. Box 13. S. C. Heald's residence, Atlantic Avenue. Cause, defective chimney.
December 6. Box 5. William G. Earp's house, Burrill Street. Cause unknown.
December 6. Box 5. Same house.
Owing to the unsafe condition of the old hose wagon the engineers deemed it expedient to have the opinion of practical wagon builders as to its safety in carrying the heavy load re- quired. After being examined by three experienced men, the engineers were informed that the wagon was unsafe and unfit for service. Upon consultation with the Selectmen an order was placed with James B. Duffy, of Lynn, for the con- struction of a two-horse hose wagon, with all modern im- provements, for the sum of $450, he allowing $50 for the old wagon. That the new wagon combines all the elements of strength and is a thing of beauty in itself, all who have seen it will admit. Upon the purchase, by the town, of horses, it was deemed best to procure the old wagon, which was done at the price allowed ($50).
When the appropriations were made at the annual town meeting, the engineers did not have in mind the expense for the care and feeding of horses and cost to properly fit up the stable by remodelling the stable and laying sanitary drains
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REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS-1892-1893.
for the same. In addition to these items a platform was built in the rear of the stable, also a wagon-shed adjoining the town store-house.
These improvements, with hay and grain bills and the ser- vices of a man for the care of the horses, are the causes for the amount overdrawn in our department, which appears in the auditors' report of expenditures.
The following proposition from Engineer Downing, chief of the fire department of the City of Lynn, we present for your consideration :
Connect the fire alarm of our engine house with the new engine house in Lynn, which contains a chemical engine and is situated at the corner of Elsmere Place and Lewis Street. The expense of connecting the fire alarms to be divided equally between the City of Lynn and the Town of Swampscott.
The chemical engine in Lynn to answer all alarms in Swamp- scott and the apparatus in Swampscott to answer alarms from two of the Lynn boxes, viz: box 57, Essex, near Tremont Street, and box 82, Lewis, corner New Ocean Street, both of these boxes being near the division line between Lynn and Swampscott.
A petition has been presented to the Selectmen, to be in- serted in the warrant for the annual town meeting, asking that a fire alarm striker be connected with the bell on the Congregational church, Blaney Street.
The engineers are of the opinion that if this striker should be placed on the church bell that it would be of great utility in giving the firemen additional means of hearing alarms, as frequently the bell at the Town Hall cannot be heard in all sections of the town, on account of strong currents of wind conveying the sound in other directions, also that the box number could be more easily counted in this locality, and in the event of the striker at the Town Hall not being in work- ing order, would be an additional means of giving a general alarm.
90
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS-1892-1893.
Below we present the following recommendation for your consideration :-
First, we recommend the location of a fire-alarm box on the Mudge Estate, at junction of Sheridan, Andrew and Farragut roads ; also a box opposite the Phillips' Beach Sta- tion of the Boston & Maine Railroad Co., and that the sum of $125 be appropriated for this purpose.
Second, that the town place a fire-alarm striker on the Congregational Church, Blaney Street, and that the sum of $225 be appropriated for same.
Third, that the town purchase one thousand feet of hose, estimated price, 65 cents per foot, and that an appropriation for the same be made.
We trust that our recommendations will meet with your approval.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. CAHOON, DAVID H. PRATT, }
CHARLES K. ROBERTS, Board of
Engineers.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 17, 1893.
91
HORSES FOR FIRE APPARATUS-1892-1893.
Report of Committee to Purchase Horses for Fire Apparatus.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :-
The undersigned who were appointed as such committee, respectively submit the following report :
We have purchased five horses, two for use on Steamer One, two for the Hose Wagon, and one for the Ladder Truck. They have been used on the several pieces of apparatus, and been found well adapted for the work. We would recommend that carts and suitable harnesses be purchased and that the Engineers co-operate with the Superintendent of Streets in the use of the horses upon the highways; by so doing the ex- penditure will be one of profit as well as of protection to our town.
Respectfully submitted,
C. K. ROBERTS, ) A. C. WIDGER, Committee. A. R. BUNTING,
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 27, 1893.
92
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH-1892-1893.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH, 1892=1893.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Board of Health respectfully submit the following report :
During the past year we have received and investigated all complaints brought to our notice, and have official notice of seventeen cases of contagious diseases ; nine (9) of scarlet fever, six (6) of typhoid fever and two (2) of diptheria, one of which proved fatal. During the past year we have been put to considerable trouble by citizens not being prompt in notifying us of contagious diseases, as required by law.
The collecting of offal has been carried on the same as last year.
The manner in which the beaches have been kept has given general satisfaction; except the lower beach where there are several cesspools and privies that should be re- moved from the beach. The residents along King's Beach had considerable trouble the first of the year, from the over- flowing of their cesspools, caused by the surface water filling them. After considerable discussion in relation to what should be done to dispose of it, they decided to provide ex- tra cesspools to receive the overflow.
The Board suggest that the citizens be as prompt in clean- ing up their premises, as they were last year, and also to follow out the Health Regulations of the town.
JOHN I. ADAMS, Board EDWIN F. WILEY, of
JOSEPH W. GLASS, Health.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., February 27, 1893.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH-1892-1893.
Health Regulations of Town of Swampscott.
The following Regulations have been adopted by the Board of Health :
SECTION 1. The owner, agent or occupant, having care of any tene- ment used as a dwelling-house, shall furnish the same with sufficient drain, under ground, to carry off the waste water ; and also with a suit- able privy, sufficient for the accommodation of all who may use it.
SECT. 2. All vaults or privies shall be so constructed that the inside of the same shall be at least two feet distant from the line of every ad- joining lot or street, and the same shall be kept tight ; nor shall the con- tents of any vault be allowed to accumulate within twelve inches of the even surface of the ground, or otherwise become offensive.
SECT. 3. All waste water shall be conveyed through sufficient drains, under ground, to a common sewer, or to such reservoir, sunk under ground, as shall be approved by the Board of Health, and no person shall suffer any waste or stagnant water to remain in any cellar, or upon any lot or vacant ground, by such person owned or occupied.
SECT. 4. Whenever, upon due examination, it shall appear to the Board of Health that the number of persons occupying any tenement or building in the town is so great as to be the cause of nuisance or sick- ness, or the source of filth; or that any tenement or building is not furnished with vaults constructed according to the provisions of the regulations, or with sufficient privies, or drains under ground for waste water, or from any cause has become unfit for habitation, they will thereupon issue their notice in writing to such persons, or any of them, requiring them to remove and quit such tenement or building within such time as they shall deem reasonable.
SECT. 5. No person shall throw or put into any public place, or pond, or running stream or body of water, or in any other place where the Board of Health may deem it a nuisance, any dead animal, dirt or rub- bish whatsoever, nor shall any person throw into or upon any flats or tide water within the jurisdiction of the town, any dead animal, filth or offensive matter.
SECT. 6. No person shall erect or maintain, within the limits of the town, any building or structure used for a slaughter house, or for the manufacture or refining of kerosene oil or soap, the trying out of lard, the business of tallow chandler, or the tanning, dressing or coloring of
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH-1892-1893.
leather or skins, or any other noxious or offensive trade, or exercise or carry on such trade, business or employment, without a license from the Board of Health. defining a place for the same, and any such license may at any time be revoked.
SECT. 7. No person shall collect any house offal or night soil within limits of the town without a license from the Board of Health.
SECT. 8. No person shall bring into the town for sale any diseased, putrid, stale or unwholesome meat, vegetables or provisions.
SECT. 9. No person shall burn, boil or decompose in the town any bones or other refuse parts of meat cattle or other animal, without a a license from the Board of Health.
SECT. 10. No person shall keep any swine within the limits of the town without a license from the Board of Health.
SECT. 11. Any person sick with the small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, membraneous croup, together with all persons in attend- ance upon him, will be subject to the control of the Board ; and no per- son shall enter or leave a house wherein any person is or has been sick with the disease, or in any way come in contact with the inmates of such house, except by permission of the Board.
SECT. 12. All persons are warned not to approach a house or the sur- rounding premises whereupon is displayed either a health card, a red flag by day or a red light by night.
SECT. 13. When a householder knows that a person within his family is taken sick of small-pox, scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, mem- braneous croup, typhoid fever, or any other disease, dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health.
SECT. 14. When a physician knows that any person whom he is · called to visit is infected with small-pox, scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, membraneous croup, typhoid fever, or any other disease dan- gerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health.
SECT. 15. No child from any family or house infected with scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, small-pox, or membraneous croup shall be per- mitted to attend school without a permit from the Board of Health.
SECT. 16. The bodies of all persons dying of small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, membraneous croup, typhus or typhoid fever, must be imme- diately disinfected and placed in a tight coffin, which shall not be re- opened. No certificate of death from either of the above-named diseases will be endorsed by the Board of Health until above regulations have been complied with. In above cases no public funeral will be allowed without permission from the Board of Health.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH-1892-1893.
SECT. 17. Notice of domestic animals or cattle suffering witli con- tagious disease, or suspected of suffering from contagious disease, sliall immediately be given to the Board of Healthi by those having the charge of such animals or cattle.
EXTRACT FROM THE TOWN BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE VII.
SECT. 6. The contents of any sink, cesspool, or privy shall only be removed in a vehicle effectually covered and water-tight, and the same shall not be emptied on any beach or into the sea adjacent to any beach in the town, but shall be carried in suchi cart and disposed of in the earth or otherwise as the Board of Health may by rules provide, but apart from dwelling houses.
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