USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1899 > Part 7
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Committee on Sewerage.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 6, 1899.
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of Inspector of Cattle, Swine, Fish, Provisions, Etc.
First regular inspection was made between April 1st, and April 8th, 1898 ; second inspection between Jan. 20th, and Feb. 1st, 1899, besides attending to all notices and calls between those dates.
Whole number of cattle, 138; cows kept for sale of milk, 98; cows kept for family use, 23; young, 15; bulls, 2. Whole num- ber of swine, 86; killed for food, 21; sold to go out of town, 38 ; Provision stores, 7 ; provision wagons, 2; fish markets, 4; fish wagons, 3; fruit pedlars, many.
Contagious diseases have been tuberculosis, farcy and rabies. Cows quarantined, 9; condemned, 2. Horses quarantined, 1; condemned, 1. Dogs quarantined, 16; killed and proved to have had rabies, 2; killed by request of owners after being exposed, 5; heads of dogs sent to Harvard College for test, 3; last head sent Feb. 7, has not had time to be reported on.
REMARKS.
I find in most places cows are kept in clean, well-ventilated stables, which renders the milk much healthier than if kept in dirty and poorly-ventilated stables. While there was no ap- propriation made in 1898 to pay for animals condemned, there is no change in the law, so the Inspector's duties remain the same. I wish to call the attention of Cattle owners to Chapter 496, Section 2 of the Acts of 1895.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE NEWHALL, Inspector.
111
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
1899]
Report of the Library Trustees.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Library contains 7160 volumes. 222 volumes have been added this year. The circulation of books has been 22,929. Re- ceived from fines and catalogues, $31.65. The thanks of the Trustees are given to the Swampscott Woman's Club for a con- tribution of twenty-five dollars ($25 00), the same to be used toward the erection of a new Town Library Building; also to Miss Ames, Miss Collamore, Miss Lodge, Miss Millett, and Mr. C. P. Curtis for books and periodicals.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. PEASLEY, FRANK F. STANLEY, Trustees. FRANK E. INGALLS,
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of Milk Inspector.
To the Board of Selectmen :
Twenty-five licenses for the sale of milk in the Town of Swampscott for the season of 1898-9 were granted, receipts for the same being twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) that amount having been paid into the Town Treasury as follows :
Martin Enholm
.50
P. J. Hanafry
.50
W. F. Lewis .
· · ·
.
.50
C. R. Sibley
.50
J. F. Brown
.50
Michael Martin
.50
S. & M. Palmer
.50
Frank Newhall
.50
Henry L. Mudge
.50
W. O. Fuller .
.50
C. H. Libbey .
.50
C. E. Stillings
.50
Allen S. Rowe
.50
Charles H. Proctor
.50
Maurice E. Hayes
.50
George F. Watkins
.50
W. H. Boynton
.50
C. E. Stewart .
.50
George Melzard
.
.50
John Buckman. ℮
.
.50
.
.50
R. V. Bessom
1899]
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR.
113
Furguson Brothers
.50
E. A. Sparks .
.50
H. J. Pierce
.50
L. S. Hall
.50
No complaints of any kind have been received. Twenty-one samples have been tested by analysis during the year.
C. E. HARRIS, Milk Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 14, 1899.
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of Fire Engineers.
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Engineers herewith present their Annual Report from August 9, 1898.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
Aug. 13, 1898. Box 8; time, 9 20 A.M .; I C. Mattatall.
Aug. 15.
Box 5; call to Lynn, box 82; time, 5.28 A.M.
Aug. 24. Box 3; time, 7.42 A.M. ; F. J. Linnehan.
Oct. 10. Box 8; time, 9.09 A.M .; John Mudge.
Nov. 5. Box 7; time, 3.37 P.M .; Peterson.
Nov. 14. Box 6; time, 4.30 A.M .; T. E. Garland.
Nov. 28. Box 4; time, 5.07 A.M .; T. W. McNichol.
Dec. 25. Box 16; time, 5.57 P.M .; C. W. Galloupe.
Jan. 22, 1899. Still; time, 3.30 P.M .; fire in woods.
Jan. 26. Box 8; time, 6.50 P.M .; false alarm.
The agreement with the City of Lynn, with regard to fires, remains the same.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Board of Engineers would recommend that 500 feet of cotton hose be bought and that the sum of $300 be appropriated for the same.
We deem it necessary for the Department to have a new Hook and Ladder Truck, as in our opinion, it will be better economy, than to continue the old one in service, and would rec- ommend that the sum of $650 be appropriated for the purchase of the same.
1899]
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
115
We think the Department would be very much improved by the employment of 3 permanent drivers, and estimate the ad- ditional yearly expense to be only about $400.
As extensive repairs must soon be made on the Engine House, we would recommend that a committee be appointed for that purpose, and that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for the same.
We would call the attention of the citizens of the Town to the advisability of using a 3 horse hitch on the Steamer, as in our opinion, it is needed.
Respectfully submitted,
J. E. MELZARD, M. MCDONOUGH,
E. M. TUTTLE, Board of Engineers.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 28, 1899.
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of the Chief of Police.
To the Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Police Depart- ment, as follows :
Whole number of arrests
44
Larceny
3
Assault .
4
Drunk .
26
Truancy
1
On suspicion
·
1
Breaking and entering and larceny
.
2
Assault on officer
1
Lascivious conduct
.
2
Bicycle riding on sidewalk
2
Assault and battery
2
Disposed of as follows :-
Committed to House of Correction .
3
Committed to Danvers Asylum
1
Fined and paid
3
Fined and served the same .
5
Committed to State Farm
2
Fined and House of Correction
1
Fined and appealed
1
Placed on file .
15
Truant School at Lawrence
1
On probation
2
Discharged
10
-44
.
-44
.
·
·
117
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
1899]
SUPERIOR CRIMINAL COURT.
Appealed case .
1
Plea of guilty entered, Paid fine.
RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS.
Police Court fines
$15.00
C. R. Sibley, special police service
5.00
Special service at Town Hall
4.00
Police Court fines .
50.00
Committing A. Rich to Danvers
3.20
Mrs. John Jeffries
6.00
Mrs. Mary E. Lodge
253.00
Service at Town Hall
·
2.00
$338.20
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Complaints investigated
173
Buildings found open and secured
35
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
6
Fires extinguished without alarm .
7
Defective places in streets reported
12
Street obstructions removed
5
Street lights reported out .
107
Lost children restored to parents .
6
Stray teams restored to owners
.
4
Search warrants for stolen property served
2
Injured and sick persons assisted .
6
Intoxicated persons assisted home
13
Dogs killed .
8
Accidents reported .
6
Tramps sent out of town .
3
Cases of breaking and entering reported
5
Cases of larceny reported .
9
Ambulance calls
21
Value of property stolen .
$267.00
Value of property recovered
98.00
118
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 2S
Assisting other officers
6
Lights furnished for dangerous places
7
Electric wires reported down
3
Intoxicated persons put off train at depot
7
POLICE IMPLEMENTS.
Ten Revolvers
$37.00
Nine handcuffs
29,00
Ten billies
10.00
Thirty-one badges
30.00
Seventeen helmets
26.00
Nine twisters
9.00
Six whistles
1.00
One gun
20.00
One cap
3.50
Six belts
7.50
Buttons
15.00
$188.00
Respectfully submitted,
SETH C. KENDRICK, Chief of Police. SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 15, 1899.
119
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY.
1899]
Report of Superintendent of Cemetery.
To the Board of Selectmen :
Nathan M. Harris, services as Superintendent from March 1st, 1898, to March 1st, 1899
$350 00
N. M. Harris, 522 days' labor at $2.00 per day 105 50
Marblehead Water Company 15 00
E. G. Blaney, flowers for cemetery
36 00
David Proctor, 162 days' labor at $2.00 per day
33 00
Wellman Osborne, 14 rubbish barrels
14 58
S. N. Breed, 2 planks
97
J. S. Brown, 81 days' labor at $2.00 per day 17 00
John Nyberg, 2 days' labor with team at $3.00 per day 6 00
J. B. Merrill & Co., 25 grave markers for public lots . 15 00
Thomas McPhail, 362 days' labor at $2.00 per day 73 00 90
Arthur Rowell, labor on wall
Daniel Kane, 1 day's labor
2 00
George H. Holden, supplies
5 18
John Widger, ¿ day
1 00
John M. Mather, 1 day
2 00
George Lampard, 1 day
2 00
Michael McDonough, 2 feet of dressing
1 50
$680 63
Number interments during the year, 30; bodies in tomb, 13. Number of lots sold during the year, 2; at $40,00 each, $80.00. Lots No. 426, 427. Sale of debris, $3.00.
120
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
LIST OF PUBLIC PROPERTY IN CEMETERY.
Receiving tomb
$2,000 00
Old tomb
20 00
House .
·
.
500 00
Implements
45 00
$2,565 00
RECOMMENDATIONS.
That the house in the cemetery needs painting; that the matter be left to the Selectmen, to investigate and report at the adjourned Town Meeting, with appropriation for the same. That all new lots be staked off with iron stakes or pins, to be driven by the surveyor or under his directions. I would recom- mend that the Selectmen select one lot in the cemetery to be used for the sale of single graves, to townspeople only.
NATHAN M. HARRIS, Superintendent.
121
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
1899]
Report of Street Light Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Your Committee under whom this department has been in charge submit this report as to the care of Street Lights during the past year.
We have now upon our circuits one hundred and eight arc lamps, twenty- six incandescents, with two gas lamps near the Burrill Street bridge of the B. & M. R. R.
Our lights continue to burn on the common sense plan every dark night in the year and until two o'clock A. M.
As can be seen by consulting the expenditures of the depart- ment nearly the whole amount of the appropriation is required for running the lights, with hardly a dollar left for the Committee to spend investigating new systems, or the cost of a local plant.
Realizing the large amount of money now required for main- taining our present system, and with the knowledge that our present contract with the Lynn Gas and Electric Light Co. will expire Aug 1, 1900, your Committee would recommend that the Town take some action by making a thorough examination and investigation of the various systems of street lighting, and re- porting not later than the next annual Town meeting, thereby en- abling the citizens to determine whether it will be expedient to continue with the present system by renewing our contract with perhaps more favorable terms with the present company, or whether we may consider some new device or attempt the estab- lishment of a municipal plant of our own.
While the electric light has been very much improved in steadiness and brilliancy since its first introduction, it is by no means as yet perfect or thoroughly reliable for a steady all night ray of regular power, it certainly is a great and powerful light
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
and necessarily very expensive, particularly so when compared to the light of other days, but who would care to go back to the dark lanterns of kerosene, naphtha, or even gas in its old forms, when compared to the cheerful and brilliant light of a modern electric.
However the inventive brain of this progressive and enter- prising age has apparently been watching this powerful new fac- tor for reflecting daylight, and studying new schemes whereby they may produce a rival equally as good, and a money saver to the consumer.
Not a few are the methods now upon the market as substi- tutes for the electric light, claiming as they do, to be equally as good, and of course at less cost, the vital point which interests all who are alive to the steady increase of municipal appropria- tions
Your Committee have investigated to some extent several of the new systems now on the market and while they would not at this time feel justified in recommending any new system in par- ticular, they will remind the citizens there is one company which seems to have attracted the attention of many of the cities and towns in Massachusetts ; cities like New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Omaha, the town of Brookline, Mass., and our State Park Commission, by displacing thousands of electric lights with this new system.
It may be well for the Town to look this question over, and have some estimates presented on a Town plant, either electric, or otherwise, that the people may be fully informed when the time comes to act.
Appended is a list of cities and towns which have made con- tracts, with number of arcs displaced by the new system.
CONTRACTS.
Arcs Displaced.
Arcs Displaced.
Brookline
350 Somerville
125
Cambridge
300
Fells Parkway
· 200
Charles River
50
Fellsway West
· 200
123
REPORT OF STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE.
1899]
Arcs Displaced.
Ares Displaced.
Haverhill
400
Fellsway East
200
Harvard Bridge
35
Keene, N. H. .
60
New Britain, .
150
Nahant, Mass.
60
Newport
200
Philadelphia
1000
Mystic Valley
70
N. Y. City
.
9000
Methuen
100
Omaha, Neb. .
.
1000
Worcester
300
Cleveland, Ohio
3000
Charlesbank
25
Your Committee recommend an appropriation of $8,000 for Street Lights for the current year.
EDWIN A. FARNHAM, AARON R. BUNTING, JOHN R. MERRITT, FRANK L. BONNEY, MARTIN L. QUINN,
Committee.
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Fifth Annual Report, Board of Park Commissioners.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
Of the contested cases for increased award noted in our last report, four have been tried, and verdicts rendered in the several cases as follows : Capt. John Smith, $850.40 ; Amos O. Cahoon, $25.00; Wm. C. Stone, $678.46; Stone Estate, $4,192.80 ; aggre- gating $309.84 less than the awards made them by the Com- mission.
The remaining contested cases mentioned in our last report are still pending and are in order for trial.
March 18th, shortly before the expiration of the 2 years al- lowed by law in which to assess betterments on the neighboring estates, we decided, unanimously, upon the several amounts of such betterments, and assessed one-half of such amounts upon the several parties liable to assessment, and had them committed in due form to the Collector, amounting in all to the sum of $4,241.99, none of which have as yet been paid, and for the col- lection of which it may become necessary to distrain.
In the early summer we did some further grading and sup- plied some seats and awnings which were thought to be indis- pensable.
After an experiment with a cess-pool for the sewerage of the Reservation Building, we felt that the well-being of all concerned would be promoted by a conduit to low water, which we have supplied, and so far it has appeared to be satisfactory.
On January 3rd, last, we received from the Metropolitan Park Commission an indenture of transfer, for our acceptance,
125
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
1899]
of the King's Beach Reservation, which we have laid on our table, in the hope that the conditions therein contained may be modified or omitted. We have never had any understanding with the Metropolitan Commission relative to such conditions at any time since the beginning of our intercourse with them, and we do not feel that we should take the responsibility of accepting the conditions imposed, which are as follows :-
"This transfer is made subject to the following restrictions, which shall remain in force during the whole term of this inden- ture, (99 years) to wit, no building nor structure, nor part thereof of any kind, shall be erected, placed or maintained upon any por- tion of the land hereinbefore described, unless the written consent of the Board of Metropolitan Park Commissioners for the time being shall first have been obtained.
"In case of any breach of the foregoing restrictions, the Metropolitan Park Commissioners for the time being, shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy, to enter by its servants, or otherwise, upon the said land and destroy any structures erect- ed, or in process of erection contrary to the provisions of this indenture, and neither the said Park Commission of the Town of Swampscott, nor any persons or corporations claiming under it as licensees or otherwise, shall be entitled to any claim for dama- ges on account of such entry or destruction as above provided for.
"Nothing shall be deemed nor taken to be a waiver upon the part of the Metropolitan Park Commission of any breach of the foregoing restrictions, unless the same be expressed in a writing signed by a majority of the said Metropolitan Park Commission for the time being."
Upon receipt of the indenture containing the above condi- tions, we replied as follows :-
SWAMPSCOTT, JANUARY 5TH, 1899.
Mr. JOHN WOODBURY, Secretary Metropolitan Park Commission.
DEAR SIR,-Please convey to your honored Board of Commissioners the respectful regards of the Park Commission of Swampscott, and also their regrets that the transfer of the King's Beach Reservation, which
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
is received for their approval, is not quite in accord with what they were lead to expect.
Namely, that there were to meet in conference the several parties at interest, viz, the Metropolitan Commission, the Commissions of the City of Lynn and the Town of Swampscott, that thereby each should have knowledge of the intent and desires of each.
If the proposition, as you suggest, be submitted to the inhabitants of the Town by our Board without comment or recommendation, we make no doubt it would be rejected.
Because the residents of the Mudge Estate and all that vicinity have very frequently importuned us to make some provision for bathing at the easterly end of King's Beach.
Because our people interested themselves and the General Court to enact a concession which contains exactly what you deny.
Because any unnecessary restraint put upon the public in their de- sire to bathe, boat or fish, will impair the value of the Reservation almost to a minimum.
And because notwithstanding there can be no doubt that your Honorable Board would grant any reasonable concessions we may desire, yet it seems absurd to sign away what we are sure we must have in the immediate future, and place ourselves in position to be justly criticised for a breach of trust.
E. H. KITFIELD, Secretary.
We call the attention of the citizens to the plans and speci- fications, on file with the Town Clerk, for the improvement of the Reservation, as contemplated, in connection with the widen- ing of Humphrey Street, by the town, in this locality.
The two improvements, developed in conjunction, seem to your Commission as the most feasible of any they can suggest at present, if the Town feels warranted in making any expenditure at this time.
We estimate the cost of the suggested improvements on the Reservation to be $4,100. And the widening of the street is in the control of the Selectmen, who, no doubt, will give their estimate of cost together with their plans of widening.
Your Commission have felt under some restraint, not only from lack of sufficient appropriations, but also from an apparent lack of interest by the public, which would warrant them recom- mending such changes and improvements as they might other- wise suggest.
127
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
1899]
The Commissioners are public servants and any manifest consensus of the desires of the public is what they need for guidance.
BENJ. POTTER, EDWARD H. KITFIELD, Park
FRANK L. EARL, Commisioners.
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
Report of Board of Water Commissioners.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The purchase of the Marblehead Water Company's plant created the need of a Board of Water Commissioners, and at a Town meeting, held July 25th, the present Board was elected. Our first duty, with the co-operation of the Town Treasurer, was to negotiate the $100,000, 3 1-2 per cent, 30 year Gold Bonds, authorized by the Town for the purchase of the Marblehead Water Company's plant. We voted unanimously to advertise and invite proposals for the same, right reserved to reject any and all bids, if it was deemed best. August 3rd, at 2 p. M., time limit having expired, the proposals were opened at the Town Hall, and the bonds awarded to E. H. Rollins & Sons, Boston, at $105.27, with accrued interest to date of delivery, theirs being the highest bid of the sixteen competitors.
On September 2nd, by order of Town Counsel, deeds having passed, your Commissioners took possession of the property of the Marblehead Water Company's plant, both real and personal, and also assumed control of the pipes belonging to the Town. At this date we were supplying the Town with water from three sources : Thompson's Meadow, Paradise Road and Stetson Es- tate; realizing that the first two sources would furnish all the water required for the winter months, we abandoned the wells on the Stetson Estate, thereby considerably reducing expenses.
By a vote of the Town, we were instructed to lay a 10- inch cast iron pipe from corner of Atlantic Avenue and Humph- rey Street to Salem Street, and the contract for trenching, blasting and refilling was given to Tuttle & Edgerly, our Super- intendent laying the pipe: We have also laid 343 feet, 6-inch
129
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1899]
cast iron pipe on Franklin Avenue, and 499 feet of 2-inch pipe on Manton Road. Total cost, including hydrant, gates, etc., $3,063.60.
About the time we were elected, the Selectmen had received a communication from the Metropolitan Water Board stating price for which they would supply Swampscott with water, and the Town voted to put the matter into our hands for investiga- tion. This question we considered of vital importance and worthy of our immediate attention, and after several interviews with the Metropolitan Water Board and its Engineers, who re- ceived us very courteously and gave us all the information de- sired, we concluded that the terms and conditions offered were favorable, so we decided to call a Special Town Meeting at once, which occurred October 24th. In our report at this meeting a full statement was presented, receiving the approval of the citi- zens, as evidenced by the almost unanimous vote in its favor, which was an act of gratification to your Commissioners. We were instructed to make a ten year contract with the Metropoli- tan Water Board, terminating December 31, 1908. The Town also voted to issue $20,000 3 1-2 per cent 30 year Gold Bonds, bearing date August 1st, 1898, under the same conditions as the $100,000 Bonds previously issued; also to establish a sinking fund.
These Bonds were disposed of, by a vote of the Commission- ers and Town Treasurer, to E. H. Rollins & Sons, Boston, at $105.27, and accrued interest to date of delivery.
On October 25th a formal application was presented to the Metropolitan Water Board and a reply from them was received under date of October 26th noting receipt of same, and inform- ing us the contract would be fulfilled on payment of the $20,000. On Nov. 29th the contract was signed by the Metropolitan and Swampscott Water Boards, a copy of which we herewith append.
AGREEMENT BY THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT.
INDENTURE, by and between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by Henry H. Sprague, Wilmot R. Evans and Henry P. Walcott, constitu-
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 28
ting the Metropolitan Water Board, under the Acts of the year 1895, and the Town of Swampscott, a municipal corporation in the County of Es- sex and Commonweath of Massachusetts, by Benjamin G. Ingalls, Charles S. Haskell and Martin Van B. Stone, its Board of Water Com- missioners, WITNESSETH as follows :-
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Metropolitan Water Board shall furnish water to the Town of Swampscott from the time when the Metropolitan Water Works shall be so far completed that they can in the opinion of the Chief Engineer supply water thereafter to the said town, and until the 31st day of December, 1908, it being understood and agreed that the said Board may furnish water to said town through such main pipe, built or to be built, as may be deemed necessary by the Metropolitan Water Board for the supply of the towns of Swampscott and Nahant, and through a pressure regulating valve reducing the press- ure beyond the valve to that due to a head of 200 feet above Boston city base, or to such smaller head as the town may from time to time by its Board of Water Commissioners request, that said pipe may be used for the supply of the town of Nahant, and may also be used for the supply of other communities at the discretion of the Metropolitan Water Board, to the extent that it can be so used without reducing the pressure be- yond the valve during the day time on ordinary occasions below that due to the 200 feet head, or other head substituted therefor, as aforesaid.
The Town of Swampscott shall, in addition to the payment of the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.) make annual payments to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on or before the first day of May in each year, of the following sums : In 1899, fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) ; in 1900, two thousand dollars ($2,000); in 1901, twenty-five hundred dol- lars ($2,500); in 1902, three thousand dollars ($3,000); in 1903, thirty-five hundred dollars ($3,500); in 1904, forty-one hundred dollars ($4,100); in 1905, forty-six hundred dollars ($4,600); in 1906, forty-eight hundred dol- lars ($4,800) ; in 1907, forty-eight hundred dollars ($4,800); in 1908, forty- eight hundred dollars ($4,800) ; except that the town shall not be required to make any annual payment until after the first day of the month suc- ceeding that on which the Metropolitan Water Board begins to furnish water to the town, and that there be deducted one-twelfth of the assess- ment for the current calendar year for each full calendar month which shall elapse after December 31, 1898, before the said Board begins to fur- nish water.
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