Town annual report of Swampscott 1900, Part 7

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 246


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1900 > Part 7


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CHAPTER 203-Malicious Injury to Buildings.


SECTION 78. Whoever wilfully and maliciously or wantonly and without cause destroys, defaces, mars or injures a school-house, church or other buildings erected or used for purposes of education or religious instruction, or for the general diffusion of knowledge, or an out-building, fence, well or appurtenance of such school-house, church or other building or furniture, apparatus or other property belonging to or connected with such school-house, church or other building, shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in jail not exceeding


Authority of Teachers over Pupils.


Section 1 of chapter 44 of the Public Statutes imposes upon the teachers of the public schools the duty of instructing their pupils in good behavior.


The Constitution of the State makes it the duty of all institutions of learning to train those committed to them in the practice of every virtue. To attain these ends it is necessary that a wise government over the pupils shall be uniformly and persistently maintained. The teacher is therefore vested with the authority of the parent in the control of the children in their relation as pupils of his school.


I. In the school room he has exclusive control of his pupils, subject only to the direction of the school committee.


2. He may rightfully exercise the same full control over his pupils at any time while they are on any part of the school premises.


3. While the pupils are on their way to and from the school, the authority of the teacher may be considered as concurrent with that of the parent or guardian. If the pupils in coming to school, or in going from it to their homes, commit an offence against the civil laws, it will be well to leave the offenders in the hands of judicial or parental authority. But


108


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


if the children quarrel on their way, or are wilfully tardy, or use indecent and profane language, or in any way by their conduct injure the good order and discipline of the school, the teacher may take notice of such conduct by subjecting the offenders to such wise and judicious treatment as will have a tendency to prevent a repetitiou of the offence. In such cases the teacher should exercise great caution not to use any doubtful authority, or any questionable modes of correction.


CHAPTER 44-Female Assistants.


SECTION 14. In every public school having an average of fifty scholars, the school district or town to which such school belongs, shall employ one or more female assistants, unless such district or town votes to dispense with such assistant.


Patriotic Exercises.


Chapter III of the Acts of 1890 provides that in all the public schools of the Commonwealth the last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature.


CHAPTER 498-An Act Relative to Vaccination.


SECTION 9. The school committee shall not allow a child who has not been duly vaccinated to be admitted to or connected with the public schools.


CHAPTER 515.


Section 2 of this act provides that "all children who shall present a certificate signed by a regular practising physician that they are unfit subjects for vaccination shall not be subject to the provisions of section nine of chapter forty-seven of the Public Statutes excluding unvaccinated children from public schools.


CHAPTER 598-An Act Relative to Infectious Diseases.


SECTION 10. The school committees shall not allow any person to attend the public schools while any member of the household to which such pupil belongs is sick of small-pox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, or during a period of two weeks after the death, recovery or removal of such sick person ; and any pupil coming from such household shall be required to present, to the teacher of the school the pupil desires to attend, a certificate, from the attending physician or board of health, of the facts necessary to entitle him to admission in accordance with the above regulation.


1900]


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. J09


Report of Truant Officer.


To the School Board:


GENTLEMEN,-I have investigated seventy-four complaints from teachers during the past year, with the following results : Truancy, first offense, 5; second, I; third, I; fourth, I ; sev- enth, I. All others gave satisfactory reasons for absence.


Respectfully submitted,


RICHARD G. GILLEY, Truant Officer.


SWAMPSCOTT, February 7, 1900.


-


IIO


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


Fire Department.


To the Board of Selectmen:


We hereby present to you the Report of the Engineer of the Fire Department for the year ending Feb. 23, 1900.


Manual Force.


The department consists of thirty-one men, assigned as fol- lows, viz .: One Chief and two Assistant Engineers, four per- manent men, one foreman, one assistant foreman, five pipemen, eight hosemen, six laddermen, and four men on steamer.


Apparatus.


The apparatus is kept in the best possible condition, and at present consists of One Steam Fire Engine, One Two-Horse Hose Wagon, One Two-Horse Ladder Truck and Five-Hand Hose Reels, all in service.


Horses.


There are six horses in service in the department. During the year one has been sick and is still unfit for duty, and the Board of Engineers would recommend that the sum of two hundred ($200) dollars be appropriated for the purchase of a new horse.


Hose.


This branch of the department requires and receives constant care and attention.


In testing the 3,050 feet of hose at the engine house this year we found 1,200 feet unfit for fire purposes, and therefore condemned it.


We would recommend the purchase of five hundred (500) feet of cotton hose, and that three hundred ($300) dollars be appropriated for the same.


III


REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS.


1900]


Fires and Alarms.


During the past year there has been forty-four alarms of fire, divided as follows :


Bell alarms, including four out of town calls


23


Still alarms


4


Telephone calls . ,


17


Total .


44


No school signal sounded 4 times.


Value of property exposed to fire


. $134,385 00


Insurance on property exposed to fire


93,200 00


Insurance paid on damaged property


2,696 79


Loss with no insurance


195 00


Total loss by fire .


$2,891 79


Remarks.


The agreement with the City of Lynn in regards fire apparatus remains the same as in years past.


The cellar of the Engine-house is in a deplorable condition, particularly so during the spring and fall, when the water rises at times so as to make it impossible to run the boiler without con- stant pumping.


This state of affairs has existed for some time, but has become much more serious since the Marblehead Water Works shut down.


It is not only a constant source of expense to take care of the water, but the foundation of the boiler is becoming undermined, and will cause a considerable outlay to repair the same, even if the boiler is not ruined.


We would recommend that a committee be appointed to inves- tigate, and report at the adjourned meeting the best way to remedy the matter.


We wish to call attention to one serious obstruction to the department in responding to alarms, which is the bicycle rider, who seems to feel it his duty to respond to every alarm, and endeavor to reach the scene, before the apparatus.


II2


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 28


Our drivers need all their skill and strength to safely guide their teams through our streets, in order that they may reach the fire at the earliest possible moment, without having to watch out for such nuisances as we have spoken of.


We would recommend a police regulation covering this matter, as it would add greatly to the efficiency of the department, mak- ing a great saving of time, thus causing a decreased fire loss and possibly prevent a loss of life.


The horses and men have been employed on the streets and have received credit for the same, viz :


Street Watering


Highway Department


$1,042 50 10 50


Total credit for labor


$1,053 00


In conclusion we wish to thank the Police Department for the promptness in which they have responded to alarms.


The plan of having a certain number of officers answer every alarm is a good one, as it keeps the crowd back, giving the men a better chance to work and also protects property. We there- fore hope the plan will be continued.


We also wish to thank the citizens of the Town, in behalf of the members of the department, for the courtesies shown them the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE P. CAHOON, GEORGE H. LAMPARD. E. B. TAYLOR,


Board of Engineers.


II3


REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS.


1900]


Swampscott Firemen's Relief Association.


The Association was organized shortly after the Lynn fire of November, 1889, the one hundred dollars received from the Lynn Institution for Savings for services rendered at that fire, being the foundation of the relief fund.


The Association was founded for the purpose of giving aid to members who were injured going to, working at, or coming from a fire, or from sickness contracted from fire service.


The first list of officers were as follows :


President, William G. Earp.


Vice-President, George D. Foster.


Secretary, Lemuel W. Pickard.


Treasurer, Charles K. Roberts.


Board of Trustees, J. G. Owens, George D. Foster, C. D. Kendrick.


Since that time the Association has grown until at the present time we have a membership of forty, and a relief fund of about three hundred dollars ($300).


We have paid in benefits over two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).


Our only sources of revenue are from private donations, our annual ball and the receipts from a pool table which is owned by the association.


We have also been successful in procuring a cemetery lot and have one of our past members buried there.


We wish to thank the citizens of the Town in behalf of the members of the Association for the liberal way in which they have always patronized our annual ball, and trust we will be able in the future to warrant a like patronage.


II4


TOWN DOCUMENTS. .


[Feb. 23


The present list of officers is as follows :


President, Frank L. Chapman. Vice-President, Albert T. Barnes. Secretary and Treasurer, John B. Earp.


Board of Trustees, George P. Cahoon, Lewis F. Kezar and George H. Lampard.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK L. CHAPMAN, President. JOHN B. EARP, Secretary.


115


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


1900]


Board of Health Report


We respectfully submit for the consideration of the citizens of Swampscott our annual report as follows :


The Board organized March 25, 1899, with Joseph W. Glass, chairman, and I. A. Ulman, secretary.


Regular meetings were held every two weeks till June 3, when, owing to the increasing business of the Board, it was found necessary to hold weekly meetings in order that the duties of this office might be systematically arranged, which will tend to place the Town, from a health standpoint, in a position to compare favorably with other towns.


In accordance with a vote of the Town the Board has done all fumigating in cases of contagious diseases, and we feel that the absence of spread of contagion in a single case is sufficient proof of its efficiency.


The contract for the collection of house offal for this year was awarded to M. McDonough and has been carried out in a gener- ally satisfactory manner; the exceptionally few complaints having been attended to immediately.


The contract for the disposal of night soil was awarded to Allen S. Rowe, which has also been attended to as satisfactorily as is possible by this method.


Benjamin C. Pedric was appointed to dispose of refuse material from Fisherman's Beach, so called, and the fish markets.


The beaches have also been kept clean, although there have been a few instances, however, that they have been covered with a scum, but it was not deemed prudent to hire this removed, for the next tide has invariably carried it away.


II6


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


On May IS the Board received report of a case of small-pox in Mr. William A. Rust's family, at No. 16 Essex street, and im- mediately every precaution was taken to prevent the spread of this most dreaded disease. The Fowler family, learning that it was a case of small-pox, left the premises before the case had been reported to the Board, but on being requested to return, did so, and absolutely strict quarantine measures were adopted. Being unable to reach the Salem Board of Health, word was sent to the City Marshal, stating that the daughter of the patient had gone to Salem, and asking that she be sent back ; but on the fol- lowing day, May 19, word was received that they had decided to keep the girl in Salem.


Mr. Fred Connors' house, Mountain Park, to which the Fowler family had removed, was thoroughly fumigated, and all persons who had visited the patient, from the time he was taken ill until the case was reported, were carefully watched.


On May 22, Mr. A. C. Bennett, who had acted in this capacity in a number of epidemics, was employed as nurse.


Free vaccination was started, and the pupils at the Phillips School, also the neighborhood in the vicinity of the small-pox case, were inspected regularly.


On May 29 we were notified that the Salem Board of Health would hold a consulation with Drs. Kittredge and Brown of Salem and Dr. Judkins of Lynn in regard to Rena Rust's condi- tion, which revealed the fact that she was afflicted with small- pox ; on May 30 we received word from the Salem Board requesting that we remove Miss Rust at once; we considered the fact that by leaving her in Salem would incur at least double the expense and decided to remove her, which was done in the even- ing of May 30. We were unable to hire a carriage for this pur- pose, but were fortunate enough to get a bargain which we have kept for future emergencies. Late in the afternoon Dr. Judkins sent word to the board that Mr. Rust could survive but a few hours and preparations were made for the interment at Swamp- scott cemetery. The other three cases recovered, and, on June 30, the premises were thoroughly fumigated, all infected articles destroyed, and the quarantine was raised.


II7


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


1900]


The sewage pipes which heretofore have discharged into the brooks and catch-basins about town have been disconnected, numbering in all sixty-nine. This necessitated considerable work, for in many cases the owners, in their effort to conceal them, had resorted to very perplexing modes of drain-laying.


On August 20 the Board adopted a drain regulation, which has been a great aid in checking the overflow pipes which for- merly were connected with nearly every cesspool.


The brook running from Paradise Road to the pumping station was cleaned and all the sewage which had been collecting in it was removed, thus abating this source of filth.


The dump which had been established on Forest Avenue was discontinued and the Humphrey Street dump, which is large enough to accommodate the Town for many years, has been levelled off and covered from time to time and now presents quite a respectable appearance.


A complaint from Orient Court, commonly called "the Acre," was investigated and as a consequence the plumbing in the tenements was repaired and all drain pipes were properly trapped ; also cesspools were constructed for the different houses and the privys were removed to a proper distance from the dwellings and the grounds generally cleaned up. However, we do not consider nor wish to confer the idea that the many nuisances previously existing here have been effectually abated yet, but further steps cannot be taken until weather conditions are more favorable, at which time the work on this locality will be renewed, with a view of putting it in a more healthy condition.


We take this opportunity to state, furthermore, that there are many other nuisances existing within the Town which are sup- posed by some to have escaped our notice ; however, this is not the case, but owing to the large amount of work that has come under this Board it has been impossible to attend to them all this year.


The tenements at Little's Point, in which the diphtheria cases were discovered, have been closed and are not to be again occupied as dwellings until put in a proper sanitary condition satisfactory to the Board.


118


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


To the present time there have been thirty-two (32) cases of contagious diseases, viz : Small-pox, 4; diphtheria, 7; scarlet fever, 8; measles, 12; typhoid, I. Of these three have died (one small-pox, one diphtheria and one typhoid) and twenty-nine recovered.


During the year there have been fifty-three complaints received and investigated.


Before closing our report we feel it is our duty to enlighten the citizens, especially those who are not in a position to know, on the present system of sewerage, viz : Cesspools, catch-basins, street drains, brooks, etc., and we feel confident that if every citizen of the Town understood the situation as clearly as we do that the sewer would be well started before another twelve months.


Naturally, the cost is the principal point with the few who may be opposed to it ; but under the present system it is not only more expensive, but filthy, unhealthy, dangerous and disagreeable in many ways. It is more expensive, for this reason : the aver- age cesspool will cost four dollars a year, more of them will cost eight dollars, and quite a number will cost twenty dollars or more, as soon as their overflows have been disconnected, and will always be a source of more or less trouble. Besides, every year that a sewer is put over this condition grows worse, for overflows are constantly being disconnected and the owner forced to rely on his cesspool alone, which, if constructed in a clay soil or low swampy land, is almost an impossibility to keep from overflowing, and is a perpetual expense and nuisance.


The sewer would be less expensive, for if put in on the front- age assessment plan, the assessments could be paid in ten annual assessments, and when once paid would be paid forever. Be- sides, these annual assessments, in the majority of cases, would probably not be more than the present cost of maintaining a cesspool, and in those few cases in which they were larger the cesspool would soon exceed, for the cost of a cesspool never grows less. These annual installments would pay for the con- struction of the sewer, but, of course, the running expenses and interest on the bonds would be paid by taxation. This should


119


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


1900]


not amount to over seven thousand dollars ($7,000) a year, and possibly less, which could not increase taxes more than one dol- lar on a thousand, and by appearing in the taxes the small prop- erty owner would only be obliged to pay his proportionate part, which, will be readily seen, would be extremely cheaper than the present system, to say nothing of the other benefits which are always derived from such improvements.


It is apparent to all that the present condition cannot exist much longer, for there are many thousands of gallons of water forced into the Town daily which the ground is expected to absorb, which fact alone makes it plain that a sewer must come, sooner or later, and every year that it is put over is so much money thrown away for the care of cesspools.


To us, the only ones benefited by the present system are the contractors who clean out cesspools and vaults.


Recommendations.


That the Town collect the ashes and rubbish, under the same method as is now in vogue with house offal.


That the brooks be placed in the charge of some board of officers, and a sum of money appropriated for the care of same, in order that they may be kept in proper condition.


That the surveyor be instructed to furnish gutter scrapings to cover the public dump.


The following is a list of property on hand :


2 I fumigating generators


$105 00


I desk


30 00


I hack


20 00


I wagon .


25 00


I sled


38 75


I case for generators


4 00


I barrel for alcohol .


I 25


I wheelbarrow


2 00


5 gallons wood alcohol


5 00


I dory


5 00


I pair oars


1 00


2 lanterns


I 50


I20


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


2 forks 90


4 shovels


.


I 80


3 rakes .


90


I trowel .


1 00


I-2 barrel cement


I 50


JOSEPH W. GLASS, Chairman, WILLIS E. DOUGHTY, FRANK B. STRATTON,


I. A. ULMAN, Secretary. Board of Health.


121


REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.


1900]


Report of the Surveyor of Highways.


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


Stone, gravel and crushed stone have been used as follows on the highways :


Name of Street.


No. Loads Gravel.


Stone.


Crushed Stone.


Atlantic avenue


26I


139


Blaney street


I7


Burrill street


5I


Beach Bluff avenue


67


17


II


Berkshire street


9


5


Columbia street


IOI


4


I6


Crescent street


I33


18


Cherry street


·


270


Danvers street


II


Essex street


620


96


8I


Elliott street


70


Farragut road


14


Humphrey street


673


458


Hillside avenue


II3


Highland street


7


Marshall street


4


Middlesex avenue


IIO


Norfolk avenue


96


Orient street


51


Pine street


2I


Rock avenue


5


Redington street


34


Rockland street


47


Railroad avenue


8


122


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


Name of Street.


No. Loads Gravel.


Stone.


Crushed Stone.


Salem street .


.


16


109


18


Stetson avenue


14


3


Thomas road


II


2,834


388


587


Number of new streets built, 3. Material for same used as follows :


Name of Street.


No. Loads Gravel.


Stone.


Filling.


Maple avenue


489


285


98


Orient court


183


I34


Roy street


.


.


I2I


-


Sidewalks.


Material used as follows :


Name of Street.


No. Loads Gravel.


Stone.


Crushed Stone.


Atlantic avenue


89


Andrew road


5


2I


Burrill street


23


4


Beach Bluff avenue


27


7


Columbia street


4


Cherry street


19


Crescent street


I6


23


Essex street .


559


229


Elliott street .


II


Farragut road


32


2


Humphrey street


352


Marshall street


4


Middlesex avenue


62


Norfolk avenue


41


Orient street


160


31


Pine street


16


Ontario street


II


Railroad avenue


7


.


·


.


.


793


419


98


.


.


1900]


REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.


123


Name of Street.


No. Loads Gravel.


Stone.


Crushed Stone.


Redington street


15


Rock avenue


19


Stetson avenue


3


3


Thomas road


.


44


14


1,519


291


51


Number of loads of sand used for sanding sidewalks, 23.


Gutter scraping removed from streets as follows :


Name of Street.


No. of Loads.


Atlantic avenue


91


Andrew road


7


Blaney street


7


Burrill street


86


Beach avenue


II


Beach Bluff avenue


34


Boynton street


4


Berkshire street


22


Columbia avenue


30


Cherry street


2I


Crescent street


7


Essex street


8I


Elliott street


4


Eulow street


5


Farragut road


18


Humphrey street


367


Hillside avenue


21


Huron street


IO


Highland street


9


Hampton street


42


King street .


9


Marshall street


6


Middlesex avenue


79


Mostyn street


II


Norfolk avenue


87


New Ocean street


17


8


124


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23


Name of Street.


No. of Loads.


Orient street


169


Ontario street


I2


Pine street .


38


Phillips street


17


Pleasant street


5


Rock avenue


7


Redington street


13


Rose street .


4


Rockland street


1I


Railroad avenue


4


Salem Street


I5


Stetson avenue


65


Thomas Road


31


Woodbine avenue


5


1,482


Catch Basins and Gutters. Material used as follows for paving gutters :


No. Loads Stone.


Filling Removed.


Sand.


Elliott street


II


4


Humphrey street across Forest ave.,


8


S


6


Rock avenue


24


II


9


Beach Bluff avenue


17


II


Phillips street relaid


. .


4


60


19


34


Catch Basins.


Number of catch basins built


2


Number of feet of 12-in. sewer pipe laid for same


300


Old box drains taken up across sidewalks and replaced by pipe


5


Two with 16 feet of 12-in. pipe. One with 8 feet of 6-in. pipe. Two with 16 feet of 8-in. pipe.


Name of Street.


125


REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS.


1900]


New Fence.


There has been built 267 feet of new fence, also 98 feet of old fence repaired.


Street Crossings.


Material for same :


Name ol Street.


No. Blocks


Ft. Crossing Stone Laid.


Loads Sand.


Essex, cor. Burrill street


463


IO0


5


Burrill street, near bridge


282


57


6


Thomas, cor. Elmwood road


2SI


42


5


Thomas road


282


51


2


Farragut road


278


35


3


Rockland street


93


I5


1 I


Rose street


175


29


2


New Ocean street .


482


I20


S


2,356


449


32


Number loads filling removed, 44.


Number crossings relaid, 3 ; sand used for same, 9 loads.


Concrete and Curbstones.


Number feet curbstone laid .


1,125


Number feet reset


298


Material used for same, 21 loads sand.


Brick sidewalk, 4,100 bricks.


Norfolk Avenue Drain.


There has also been built a 24-inch pipe drain from the Stacey Brook culvert under New Ocean Street through New Ocean Street and Paradise Road into Norfolk Avenue for a distance of 1,275 feet, together with eight manholes. There was removed from this work 254 loads of filling, most of which was good gravel and was used on Maple Avenue and other streets in the neighborhood.


I 26


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 23.


Gravel Pit.


The gravel in our gravel pit is nearly exhausted and will not be sufficient for the next year's demands. I would recommend that other land be secured at once for a gravel pit.


Stone Crusher.


The Town owns a large lot at the rear of the cemetery on Essex street, which is at the present time almost entirely covered with ledge, and is not available for cemetery purposes. This ledge, if properly crushed, would make good material for road- building, and is about one mile nearer the Town than the material which is now used, and is much better quality for use in making roads. I would recommend that the stone crusher be removed from its present position to the lot in the rear of the cemetery, and a sum of money appropriated yearly to blast and crush the ledge for use on the streets.




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