Town annual report of Swampscott 1896, Part 6

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 212


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1896 > Part 6


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We would respectfully recommend that the sum of seven thousand dollars ($7,000) be granted for the maintenance of this department.


A particularly sad event occurred during the past year, in the death of our highly esteemed fellow-citizen, CURTIS V. MERRITT, who was associated with us as a member of this Committee. Mr. Merritt was a man of sterling integrity, prominently identified with the business interests, and whatever pertained to the moral and intellectual wel- fare of our Town.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWIN A. FARNHAM, SAMUEL F. CROSMAN, AARON R. BUNTING, J. ROSWELL WIDGER,


Committee on Street Lights.


SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 7, 1896.


8


102


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


Copy of Contract.


This Agreement made this first day of August, 1895, by and between the Lynn Gas and Electric Company, a corporation 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 Edwin A Farnham, Samuel F. Crosman, Aaron R. Bunting, J. Roswell Widger, its Committee on Street Lights, here- unto duly authorized by vote of the Town, Witnesseth That


Whereas, said Town desires to continue to light 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 continue to fur- nish such light for the term of five years, upon the terms and condi- tions, and for the prices hereinafter mentioned, provided the Town grants the necessary licenses, permits, and easements therefor,


Now then, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agree- ments 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 ninety-three (93) or more arc lamps of nominal twelve-hundred candle power each, and twenty or more incandescent lamps of nominal twenty-five candle power each, said lamps to be operated in the locations already estab- lished. The Electric Company agrees that it will at its own cost and expense maintain all the necessary poles, wires, circuits and other apparatus required for the operation of said lamps, and properly con- nect 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 lighting 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.


2. The Electric Company agrees, during the term of this con- tract so to maintain and operate its generating and controlling appara- tus, wires, circuits and lamps, as to furnish from said lamps at their respective capacities, during the times 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


1896]


REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.


103


lamp shall be as efficient, as regards steadiness and quantity of light, as any lamp of like rated capacities now in general use.


3. The Electric Company agrees to light and keep lighted said arc and incandescent lights upon each and every night of the year until 2 o'clock A.M. whenever the moon is not out or is obscured, and to keep lighted such lights such parts of nights of the year until 2 o'clock A.M. as the moon may be temporarily obscured, as well as upon such nights as the moon is not out.


The Town of Swampscott agrees to pay for said lighting on and after the first day of August, 1895, to the Electric Company, the sum of seventy dollars ($70.00) per annum for each and every arc lamp, and sixteen dollars ($16.00) per annum for each and every incandes- cent lamp.


4. The Electric Company further agrees, if requested by the Town of Swampscott, to light and keep lighted said arc and incandes- cent lights upon each and every night of the year until 4 o'clock A. M. whenever the moon is not out or is obscured, and to keep lighted such lights, such parts of nights of the year until 4 o'clock A.M. as the moon may be temporarily obscured, as well as upon such nights as the moon is not out.


The Town of Swampscott agrees to pay for said lighting on and after the first day of August, 1895, to the Electric Company the sum of seventy-seven dollars and fifty cents ($77.50) per annum for each and every arc lamp, and eighteen dollars ($18.00) per annum for each and every incandescent lamp.


5. The Town of Swampscott shall have the option at the begin- ning of January and July of each year, of the term of this contract, to specify under which of the above schedules the lamps above de- scribed shall be operated, and the schedule selected shall be and re- main in force for a period of twelve months from and after such selection.


6. All amounts accruing under the above items or any of them, shall be paid by the Town of Swampscott to the Electric Company in installments as follows:


. On the first day of each and every month there shall be due and payable such sums as shall according to the rates and prices herein- before specified, pay for all the lights furnished up to said first day of the month.


7. It is further agreed, that in case the Town should desire to change the location of said lamps, or any of them, the Electric Com-


104


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


pany will re-locate the same and put them in such new places as the Committee on Street Lights, for the time being, may designate, pro- vided, however, that actual cost and expense occasioned the Electric Company for such changes in location, shall be paid by the Town in addition to the other amount accruing from it to the Electric Company.


8. If for any reason not due to the fault or negligence of the Electric Company there shall be any cessation of, or any interruption to, the supply of electric light under the contract, the Electric Com- pany shall not be liable in damages therefor, but there shall be deducted from the consideration, to be paid as aforesaid, such amounts as shall be a just proportionate discount on account of such failure to supply light, except that such temporary failures of the light to burn, as are ordinarily incident to the operation of electric light plants, shall not entitle the Town to any rebate or discount. The Electric Company shall nevertheless be bound, throughout the term of this contract, to use its best endeavors to start the lights again with all reasonable despatch, and burn the same continuously, after any cessation or interruption.


9. Finally it is agreed that the lights herein contracted for shall be in operation on the first day of August, 1895, and that this contract shall be, and remain in force for a period of five (5) calendar years from and after said date.


In witness whereof, said Town of Swampscott has caused these presents to be signed in its name and behalf by said Edwin A. Farn- ham, Samuel F. Crosman, Aaron R. Bunting, J. Roswell Widger, its Committee on Street Lights, hereunto duly authorized; and said Lynn Gas & Electric Company has caused the same to be signed in its name and behalf by Charles H. Baker, Micajah P. Clough, John S. Bartlett, its Committee on Contracts hereunto duly authorized.


THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT,


By EDWIN A. FARNHAM, SAMUEL F. CROSMAN, AARON R. BUNTING, J. ROSWELL WIDGER,


Committee on


Street Lights.


LYNN GAS & ELECTRIC CO.,


By CHARLES H. BAKER, MICAJAH P. CLOUGII, JOHN S. BARTLETT.


Committee on Contracts.


105


REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.


1896]


Report of Library Trustees.


TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :


Since our last report to you there has been taken from us one to whom the Library owes its beginning and present successful position ; one without whom it is doubtful if we should have had a Library, one whose judgment, knowl- edge of and devotion to the Library can not be replaced.


The Library contains 6583 volumes. 245 books have been added this year. The circulation of books has been 18,675.


Received from fines and catalogues $25.50.


We wish to acknowledge the book " Science and Health," from Miss Hattie Ames; also the " Blue Book of Amateur Photographers," from Mr. Walter Sprange, Beach Bluff.


FRANK F. STANLEY, FRANK E. INGALLS, JAMES E. PEASLEY.


106


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


Report of the Board of Health.


TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :


Herewith we present for your consideration the Annual Report of the Board of Health for the fiscal year ending Feb. 28, 1896.


During the year we have received and investigated twenty complaints ; also have received official notice of thir- teen (13) cases of diphtheria, four (4) of scarlet fever, one (1) of typhoid fever, three (3) of measles, and one (1) of membraneous croup. One case of diphtheria and one of membraneous croup proving fatal.


The contract for the collection of house offal was award- ed to Michael McDonough, for the sum of $720.00; which duties have been performed in a very satisfactory manner, few complaints having been received.


A dumping place for the health carts was furnished by John Chase for the sum of $100.00, to be paid semi-annually.


The contract for cleaning the beaches was awarded to B. F. Pedrick, for the sum of $8.00 per week, which duty has been performed in a satisfactory manner.


The Board have been successful in obtaining three dump- ing places, which have been very much appreciated by the general public, and the Board would recommend that the Surveyor of Highways be instructed to provide the Board with gutter scrapings, whenever it is needed to cover dump.


The Board feel confident that the Town will compare favorably with other Towns in regard to health and cleanliness.


107


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


1896]


PROPERTY OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT.


One dory, $12.00; one pair oars, $1.00; one anchor, 50c ; three shovels, $2.25; four rakes, $2.00; one wheel- barrow, $3.00 ; one pair rollers, $1.00, and four forks, $3.00.


Respectfully submitted,


JOS. A. GLASS, Board EDWIN F. WILEY, of


JOHN I. ADAMS, Health.


Attest :


WILBUR B. AMES, Clerk.


SWAMPSCOTT, February 14, 1896.


Health Regulations of the 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 suitable 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 adjoin- ing lot or street, and the same shall be kept tight; nor shall the contents 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 of 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


108


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


building in the town is so great as to be the cause of nuisance or sickness, 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 underground 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 may deem reason- able.


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 rubbish what- soever, 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 man- ufacture or refining of kerosene oil or soap, the trying out of lard, the bus- iness of tallow chandler, or the tanning, dressing or coloring of 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 the 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 neat cattle or other animal, without 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, diphthe- ria, membraneous croup, together with all persons in attendance upon him, will be subject to the control of the Board; and no person 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 per- mission 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, membraneous croup, typhoid fever, or any other disease, dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health.


109


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


1896]


SECT. 14. When a physician knows that any person whom he is called to visit is infected with 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. 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 immedi- ately disinfected and placed in a tight coffin, which shall not be reopened. No certificate of death from either of the above-named diseases will be en- dorsed 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.


SECT. 17. Notice of domestic animals or cattle suffering with conta- gious disease, or suspected of suffering from contagious disease, shall im- mediately be given to the Board of Health 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 such cart and disposed of in the earth or other- wise as the Board of Health may by rules provide, but apart from dwelling houses.


SECT. 26. No person shall put, or cause to be put, into any catch basin in the highway any filth, sewage, slops or dirty water.


JOHN I. ADAMS,


EDWIN F. WILEY,


JOSEPH W. GLASS,


Board of Health.


SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 28, 1896.


110


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


Report of Inspector of Cattle, Swine, Fish, Provisions, Etc.


TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :


Whole number of cattle, 103. Cows, 87; young cattle, 13 ; bulls, 3. Whole number swine, 230; slaugh- tered, 93. Number provision stores, 5 ; number provision wagons, 2. Number fish markets, 3; number fish wagons, 4. Special calls to diseased cattle, 3 ; reported to cattle com- missioners, 2; killed by order of commissioners, 1; by owner. 1. Diseases, tuberculosis, 1; general debility. 1.


REMARKS.


I find the cows of this Town are well kept and in very healthy condition, but swine, in some places, are kept in a very bad state of filth, which, in my opinion, renders the flesh unhealthy for food.


GEORGE NEWHALL, Inspector.


111


REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR.


1 896]


Report of the Milk Inspector.


TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :


The number of licenses granted for the sale of Milk for the season of 1895-1896, was 17, for which the sum of eight dollars and fifty cents ($8.50) was received and paid into the Town treasury, as follows :


J. Bryson . .50


Hanafry C. Drisland .


.50


R. V. Bessom .50


Martin Enholm . .50


Allen S. Rowe . .50


Frank Newhall .


.50


J. F. Brown


.50


H. J. Pierce


.50


W. F. Lewis


.50


George Melzard


.50


W. O. Fuller


.50


A. F. Pyne


.50


M. T. Roberts


.50


J. Murphy & Co.


.50


N. H. Clements .


.50


F. A. Tisdale & Co. . .50


C. H. Short


.50


C. E. HARRIS, Milk Inspector.


112


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


Report of Fire Engineers.


TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :


The Engineers herewith present their Annual Report for the year ending Feb. 28, 1896 :


AGREEMENT.


The agreement with the City of Lynn is the same as last year, in regard to fires.


FIRES AND ALARMS.


April 15. False alarm. Box 23. Time, 2.45 A.M.


June 4. Fire, Ocean House. Box 15. Time, 6.30 P.M.


June 15. Call to Lynn. Box 5. Time, 3.25 A.M.


July 3. Call to Lynn. Box 5. Time, 11.10 P.M.


July 19. Mr. B. French, Beach Bluff. Box 12. Time, 1.15 A.M.


Aug. 3. John Rich. Box 15. Time, 9.40 P.M.


Aug. 28. H. C. Whittle. Box 6. Time, 10.20 P.M.


Oct. 27. J. A. Bubier, Beach Bluff. Box 12. Time, 7.40 P.M.


Nov. 25. C. V. Merritt estate. Box 4. Time, 6.20 P.M.


Dec. 12. Mrs. Child's estate. Box 12. Time, 8.20 P.M. Feb. 4. Phillips estate. Box 23. Time, 9.40 P.M.


REMARKS.


The apparatus and horses are in good condition. The horses and men have been employed upon the streets, and


113


REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.


1896]


have been credited for the same for watering, $445.00, and on highways, $244.65, which gives the department credit for $689.65.


The cause for the department over-running its appro- priation the past year was largely on account of being obliged to change the boiler, shift the chimney and build a chimney on the new Hose House on Mountain Park. Many things we were obliged to buy for our department which you will see came out of our appropriation. We were compelled to exchange one of the horses the past year. He was crippled and unfit for fire purposes. We tried in vain to cure him. Dr. Emerson did all he could, and by his advice we disposed of him.


WATER SUPPLY.


In case of fire, the pressure on all the hydrants is very poor. We feel that steps should be taken to increase the pressure, especially during the winter months.


We thank the citizens of Swampscott, in behalf of the members of the Fire Department, for the courtesies shown them the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE P. CAHOON, C. K. ROBERTS, Board of Engineers. JAMES E. PHILLIPS,


114


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb 28


Report of the Chief of Police.


TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :


Whole number of arrests .


48


Assault with a dangerous weapon


1


Assault with intent to rape


1


Adultery · .


1


Obtaining money under false pretenses


1


Lewd and lascivious conduct


1


Larceny .


3


Assault and battery


5


Fornication


1


Violation of liquor laws .


5


Violation of Town By-Laws


4


For keeping a place for illegal gaming


1


For insanity


1


For safe keeping


1


For drunkenness


11


For causing false alarm of fire


·


5


For other officers


4


On capias for Superior Criminal Court


1


Non-support of family


1


-48


Disposed of as follows : - Committed to House of Correction Fined and paid Fined and served the same


1


·


·


6


Discharged by Court .


.


4


.


·


·


.


1896]


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.


115


Placed on file .


12


Discharged without complaint .


3


Appealed


1


Bound over to Grand Jury, January term


3


Continued cases


6


Delivered to other officers .


5


-48


SUPERIOR COURT, OCTOBER TERM.


Violation of liquor law


1


Defaulted, was fined one hundred dollars and served the same.


SUPERIOR COURT, JANUARY TERM.


Assault and battery 1


Assault with intent to rape


1


Assault with a dangerous weapon


1


The assault and battery case was nolle-prossed.


For assault with intent to rape, a plea of guilty was entered and the defendant was sentenced to nine months in the House of Correction.


For assault with a dangerous weapon. A plea of guilty of simple assault was accepted and a sentence of three months in House of Correction was imposed.


MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.


Complaints made 157


Complaints investigated 157


Buildings found open and secured .


11


Disturbances suppressed without arrests


6


Dogs killed .


6


Defective places in street reported .


3


Lights reported out


37


Fires extinguished without alarm


0


116


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


Intoxicated persons assisted home .


36


Intoxicated persons put off train at depot


15


Injured and sick persons assisted


5


Lost children restored to their parents


6


Stolen property recovered


+


Stray teams restored to owners


4


Search warrants for gaming implements served


1


Search warrants for liquor served


8


Tramps found sleeping in freight cars and around private residences and sent out of Town .


48


Accidents reported . 5 ·


Street obstructions removed .


.


8


Lynn Police ambulance calls .


13


Cases of breaking and entering reported .


11


Value of property reported stolen


$385 00


Amount of property recovered ·


$180 00


POLICE IMPLEMENTS.


Revolvers


7


Badges


30


Handcuffs


8


Twisters


9


Billies .


16


Whistles


6


Helmets


11


Cap


1


Lantern


1


Belts


3


Gun


1


Buttons


200h


VALUATION.


Revolvers and badges


$74 75


Handcuffs and twisters 35 00


1896]


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.


117


Billies and whistles


$18 50


Helmets, cap and lantern


30 50


Gun, belts and buttons .


35 50


$194 25


RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS.


Mercantile Insurance Company of Boston


$171 75


John Jeffries


22 00


Wardwell Brothers


3 50


Samuel Crosman


4 00


F. H. Nunns


2 00


William Stone


2 00


Fred Baker


75


Lynn Police Court, fines


95 00


$301 00


Amount of fines imposed by court .


$295 00


Fines paid .


95 00


Unable to pay and served the same


200 00


REMARKS.


A large number of petty larcenies have been committed during the past year, chiefly confined to the taking of hens and carpenters' tools. We have been unable to secure much evidence against these thieves, as it is impossible for the own- ers to identify their property should we recover it.


Because of the many attempts at breaking and entering which have occurred during the past year, the day officer was transferred to night duty, making a total of three officers on duty during the night. This has made possible a regular patrol of officers at night through the principal streets of the Town, and the Mudge and Stetson estates ; and it is but just to say that this improvement has been much appreciated by


9


118


TOWN REPORT.


[Feb. 28


the residents of those two sections which have materially in- creased in population and valuation during the past two years.


A few successful breaks have been recorded the past year, the most serious being those which occurred at the Upper Swampscott stables of the Lynn and Boston Railroad. and at the Phillips Beach station of the Boston and Maine Railroad. In both instances the safes were blown open, and in the former instance the contents were taken, the work be- ing evidently done by professionals.


Large numbers of tramps have been found sleeping in freight cars and other private places, but constant and vigor- ous work by the department in raiding their haunts has re- sulted in relieving the town of their presence to a large extent.


Violations of the liquor laws have not been frequent during the past year. Nevertheless the department has not been inactive, a greater number of search warrants having been served than during 1894.


RECOMMENDATIONS.


I would respectfully recommend the addition of two more officers to the regular force, by which means an officer will be on duty at all times. In my opinion, the Chief should be a day officer, and should have an office for his private use where all complaints could be made. Ninety-five per cent. of the complaints are made to the Chief, and a great many need immediate investigation. If he is a day officer he can render this service, which under the present conditions is im- possible. It is also the duty of the Chief to procure war- rants, prepare cases and present them before the courts until they are disposed of, a service which also requires his atten- tion in the day time. With the addition of two more offi- cers, the efficiency of the force will be greatly increased.




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