Town annual report of Swampscott 1903, Part 2

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 328


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1903 > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14


Our fellow citizens will easily recall the taking of King's Beach when the Metropolitan Park Commissioners made liberal awards, not only for land but buildings as well, to the unani- mous satisfaction of the owners, surely the Town cannot afford to do less.


To briefly state the situation we find that A. O. Cahoon did hold a land lease, and was possessed of buildings, trade fixtures, and other personal property, that the Superior Court for the County of Essex, by the award against the Town, and in favor of the said A. O. Cahoon, established the validity of said lease.


That the Town did enter and take said property and destroyed same, without making compensation therefor. A careful inves- tigation as to the value of property in his possession, at the time of the taking, fixes the amount at ($764.00) seven hundred and sixty-four dollars, consisting of buildings, trade fixtures, and other personal property. We therefore unanimously recommend that said sum with the legal rate of interest added thereto, from the time of the taking be appropriated and that the Board of Selectmen be, and are hereby authorized to draw an order on the ,


1903]


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK. 25


Town Treasurer for such sum, in favor of the said A. O. Ca- hoon, or his assigns.


We believe that the Town by so doing, will enact simple justice, not charity, to a deserving citizen.


MARTIN E. NIES, EDMUND RUSELL, M. V. B. STONE.


Voted, To accept and adopt the report of the Committee.


Edmund Russell now submitted the following motion which was carried unanimously.


Moved, That the sum specified in the Report of the Com- mittee be appropriated and that the Selectmen be and are hereby authorized to draw an order on the Town Treasurer in favor of A. O. Cahoon or his assigns in full settlement. of all claims the said A. O. Cahoon may have against the Town.


Voted, At 9.20 P. M., to dissolve the meeting.


Attest : MILTON D. PORTER,


Town Clerk.


Annual Town Meeting, March 17, 1902.


TOWN WARRANT.


ESSEX, SS.


· To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, GREETING:


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, to meet at the


3


26


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


Town Hall in said Swampscott, on Monday, the seventeenth day of March, current, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :-


ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.


ART. 2. To choose a Town Clerk for one (1) year. To choose a Board of Selectmen for the year ensu- ing.


To choose one member of the Board of Assessors for three (3) years.


To choose a Town Treasurer for one (1) year.


To choose a Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing.


To choose one member of the School Committee for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for three (3) years.


To choose a Board of Auditors for the year ensuing.


To choose one Overseer of the Poor for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the Board of Health for three (3) years.


To choose a Surveyor of Highways, for the year ensuing.


To choose three Constables for the year ensuing.


To choose a Park Commissioner for three (3) years.


To choose a Water Commissioner for three (3)


years.


To choose a Sewer Commissioner for three years.


(3)


To choose a Tree Warden for the year ensuing. All to be chosen on one ballot.


ART. 3. To vote by ballot " Yes " or "No " upon the ques- tion : Shall Licenses be granted for the sale of Intoxicating Liquors in this Town.


27


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


ART. 4. To hear and act npon the reports of the Auditing Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, the Engineers of the Fire Department, the Superintendent of the Cemetery, the Board of Health, the Chief of Police, the Milk Inspector, the Committee on Street Lights, the Water Commissioners, the Sur- veyor of Highways, the Inspector of Cattle, Provisions, etc., the Park Commissioners, the Sewer Commissioners, the Tree War- den, and the Committee on the Collection of House Offal and Ashes.


ART. 5. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropria- tions therefor.


ART. 6. To see if the Town will accept the list of names for Jurors, as prepared and posted by the Selectmen.


ART. 7. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the . Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.


ART. 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes.


ART. 9. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing.


ART. 10. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes, and what rate of discount, if any, will be allowed for prompt payment on or before a certain date.


ART. II. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars to be placed in the hands of James L. Bates, Post 118, G. A. R., towards defraying the ex- penses of Memorial Day.


ART. 12. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chap. 427 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1901, entitled, " An


28


TOWN DOCUMENTS. .


[Feb. 20


Act to provide for the abatement of the smoke nuisance," as petitioned for.


ART. 13. To see what sum of money, if any, the Town will appropriate for the maintenance or repair of a certain drain lead- ing from Redington street through Sheridan road, so called, to a stone culvert in said road, and to make appropriation therefor, or to take such other action as the meeting may determine.


ART. 14. To see if the Town will appropriate four hundred dollars to be paid Harriet N. Emmons, in full settlement of dam- age sustained by said Emmons for land taken, and for all other damage resulting from the acceptance, laying out and construc- tion of Paradise road.


ART. 15. To see if the Town will place an arc light at the junction of Bradlee and Phillips avenue, as petitioned for.


ART. 16. To see if the Town will light that part of the State highway between the hill, and the Salem line, as petitioned for.


ART 17. To see what action the Town will take towards the proper observance of the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town, and to appropriate money therefor, as petitioned for.


ART. 18. To see what action the Town will take, if any, in relation to placing a public drinking fountain for man and beast at the junction of Essex street, and Stetson avenue, and appro- priate money for the same, as petitioned for.


ART. 19. To see what action the Town will take in relation to connecting the stone culvert under the Boston & Maine Rail- road, with a drain pipe into the Norfolk avenue drain, through the lot numbered 23, on the plan of the Stetson Land Co., and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for.


29


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


ART. 20. To see what action the Town will take in procuring a playground for the children, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for.


ART. 21. To see what action the Town will take in placing an " arc " light at the corner of Greenwood avenue and Green- wood terrace, as petitioned for.


ART. 22. To see what action the Town will take in placing a single stone crossing across Franklin avenue, at the junction with Stetson avenue.


ART. 23. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $1,500 for the resurfacing of Atlantic avenue, from the juncton of Humphrey and Orient streets, to the Marblehead line, as petitioned for.


ART. 24. To see if the Town will accept Elmwood road as laid out by the Selectmen, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 25. To see if the Town will accept Roy street, Jessie street, Buena Vista street and Eureka avenue as laid out by the Selectmen, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 26. To see if the Town will accept Walker road from Mounment avenue to Devens road, also Sheridan road from its junction with Walker road as far as its junction with Redington street, as laid out by the Selectmen, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 27. To see if the Town will accept Belmont avenue and Minerva steeet as laid out by the Selectmen, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 28. To see what action the town will take for the col- lection of House Offal and Ashes, and appropriate money for the same.


30


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


ART. 29. To see if the Town will extend the Norfolk avenue drain from New Ocean street, the present terminus, to the sea, or devise some other means of disposing of the surface water from said drain, now discharged on Farwell's meadow, and ap- propriate money for the same.


ART. 30. To see if the Town will authorize the Water Com- missioners to use the unexpended balance of the twenty thous- and dollars borrowed by the Town under vote of April 22, 1901, for the purpose of laying a 12-inch iron pipe on Orient street from the Hay Scales to a point east of the Ocean House.


ART. 31. To see what action the Town will take in regard to laying a single crossing at the junction of Middlesex avenue and Ellis road across Hampden street and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 32. To see what action the Town will take in remodel- ing the Town Hall and appropriate money for the same, as left over from the last annual Town Meeting.


ART. 33. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to serve an injunction against the City of Lynn for letting the water from the sewer near Herrick's shoe shop in Lynn overflow and run down through Swampscott to the beach, as it is injurious to health and a damage to property as petitioned for.


ART. 34. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the use of Water Meters for the Town's people, the rates to be . the same as in force in the City of Lynn, as petitioned for.


ART. 35. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to take proper action to the end that hereafter no person or persons be employed by said Town of Swampscott, either directly or in- directly, to build, alter, change or repair any street or highway that has or may hereafter be built or established within said Town


31


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


of Swampscott, unless such person or persons at the time of such employment be actual residents and taxpayers of said Town and citizens of the United States, as petitioned for.


ART. 36. To see what action the Town will take to construct a stone crossing across the end of Salem street, at its junction with Humphrey street as petitoned for.


ART. 37. To see what action the Town will take in regard to placing an electric arc lamp in front of No. 39 Harrison avenue and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for.


ART. 38. To see what action the Town will take in regard to furnishing free transporation for school children as petitioned for.


The polls to be closed at sunset (5.54 P. M.)


And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Depot, Post Office, and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.


HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.


Given under our hands this fourth day of March in the year nineteen hundred and two.


GEORGE A. R. HORTON, JOSEPH M. BASSETT, CLARENCE B. DELANO.


Selectmen of Swampscott.


A true copy. Attest :


RICHARD G. GILLEY,


Constable.


32


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


Return on the Warrant.


Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott to meet at the time and place and for the purpose herein mentioned, by posting up attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Depots, Post Office and twenty-five other public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott, on Friday, March 7, 1902, the posting of said notices being seven days before the time of said meeting.


RICHARD G. GILLEY, Constable of Swampscott.


In pursuance of the foregoing Warrant, the voters of the Town met in the Town Hall on Monday, March 17, 1902, and were called to order at 6 o'clock A. M., by the Town Clerk, who read the Warrant calling the meeting and the return thereon.


.


ARTICLE I. Moderator. The polls for choice of Moderator closed at 6.30. Edward H. Thomas had 41, Daniel F. Knowlton had 56, and was declared elected Moderator and qualified by the Clerk. Willard M. Hatch (Rep.), and David W. Nisbett, and Willis C. Paul (Dem.), having been appointed were duly qualified by the Clerk as Special Election Officers and Ballot Clerks. The packages of ballots prepared by the Town Clerk were delivered to the Ballot Clerks, they receipting therefor. All requirements of the law relating to the conduct of elections having been com- plied with the polls were declared open for balloting at 6.40 A. M.


The following having been appointed Tellers were duly qualified for that duty by the Clerk: W. Herbert Webster, J. Henry Widger, Jos. D. Spinney, Benj. F. Rich, Jas. L. Taylor and Freeman A. Baker (Reps.) ; and H. Byron Martin, Frank D. Thurston, Wm. H. Collins, Edward H. Thomas, Daniel J. Kain and Henry P. Peters (Dems.).


33


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


The polls were closed at 5.56 P. M., 845 general and 14 special ballots having been cast, the ballot box register and both check lists agreeing, at 8 P, M. the following vote was declared :


For Selectmen-Joseph M. Bassett, 664, elected ; L. Herbert Cahoon, 135; Clarence B. Delano, 607, elected ; George A. R. Horton, 360 ; Edward A. Maxfield, 452, elected ; Frank Wiley, 78 ; blanks, 239.


For Town Clerk-Milton D. Porter, 698, elected ; blanks, 147.


For Treasurer-Benjamin O. Honors, 680, elected ; blanks, 165.


For Collector of Taxes-Michael P. Carroll, 706, elected ; blanks, 139.


For Assessor for three years-Albert R. Ellis, 281 ; D. Holman Millett, 480, elected ; blanks, 84.


For School Committee for three years-Sidney E. Bailey, 455, elected ; Earl A. Mower, 322 ; blanks, 82.


For Overseer of Poor for three years-Thomas P. B. Curtis, 633, elected ; blanks, 212.


For Trustee of Public Library for three years-Everett Boynton, 165; Frank E. Ingalls, 544, elected ; blanks, 136.


For Surveyor of Highways-I. Irving Edgerly, 411 ; James P. M. S. Pitman, 415, elected ; blanks, 19.


For Sewer Commissioner for three years-Andrew L. Harris, 227 ; Henry B. Sprague, 520, elected ; blanks, 98.


For Board of Health for three years-Joseph W. Glass, 68; James E. Phillips, 354 ; Frank. B. Stratton, 384, elected ; blanks, 39.


34


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


For Water Commissioner for three years-William H. Bates, 454, elected ; Charles T. Jackson, 175 ; Hezekiah Newcomb, 156, blanks, 60.


For Auditors-Robert Aery, 398, elected ; Herman F. Ashton, 406, elected ; John B. Earp, 412, elected ; George R. Hussey, 332 ; Augustine H. Rich, 353 ; blanks, 634.


For Park Commissioner for three years-William Granger, 219; Jerome Paul Jackson, 318, elected; Orlando R. Millett, 169; blanks, 139.


For Tree Warden-James T. Lyons, 344; George Newhall, 418, elected ; blanks, 83.


For Constables-Richard G. Gilley, 487, elected ; Samuel T. Harris, 502, elected ; Jefferson G. Owens, 13, elected ; scattered, 33 ; blanks, 1,500.


License Question-No, 584; yes, 134; blanks, 127.


Shall Chapter 427 of Acts of the Legislature of 1901, entitled : An act to provide for the abatement of the Smoke Nuisance, be adopted by this Town ?- No, 147; yes, 329 ; blanks, 369.


Voted, at 8.15 P. M., to adjourn to to-morrow, Tuesday even- ing, March 18, at 7.30 o'clock.


Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.


35


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1 903]


Adjourned Town Meeting, March 18, 1902.


In accordance with the previous adjourment the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, March 18, 1902, and were called to order by the Moderator at 7.30 o'clock.


The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved.


D. H. Millett moved that the recommendations in the Auditor's Report relative to condensing the records of the Town Clerk in the published report be accepted and adopted, when after some discussion the motion was lost. It was Voted, To accept the reports of the several departments which do not contain recom- mendations.


Voted, That the part of the report of the Board of Selectmen in relation to repairs on the Town Hall, be laid upon the table, on motion of Mr. Burton, it was Voted, To refer to the new Board of Selectmen that portion of the Selectmen's Report re- lating to the Beach Bluff Avenue culvert and to the Atlantic Avenue culvert for further consideration, and to report with rec- ommendations at the April adjournment of this meeting.


Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Selectmen in the matter of the claim of Harriet N. Emmons, and that the sum of $400 be approprtated to satisfy said claim.


Voted, That the heads of the different departments be asked to give information in cases where increased appropriations are asked for.


Several explanations were made in answer to the above vote.


On motion of H. B. Sprague, it was Voted, That Articles 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 36, 37 and 38, be referred to a committee to consist of the Moderator, the Town Clerk, the incoming Board of Selectmen,


36


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


the outgoing Board of Selectmen, and twenty-five citizens to be appointed by the Moderator, to report at an adjourned meeting to be held in April next.


Voted, To take up Article 30. On motion of Benjamin G. Ingalls, it was Voted, That, whereas, at a Town meeting held April 22, 1901, the Water Commissioners were authorized to borrow upon the bonds of the Town $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing land for the erection of a water stand-pipe and the laying of such pipe as might be necessary to connect the water supply of the Town with said stand-pipe and whereas the sum of $2,237.44 of the money so raised is unexpended and there is more urgent need that said balance should be expended in pro- viding and laying a 12-inch cast-iron pipe from the Hay Scales at the corner of Humphrey and Orient streets, through Orient street to a point thereon east of the Ocean House, instead of spending said balance upon the water pipes as specified in said vote. The Water Commissioners are therefore authorized and directed to apply said balance towards supplying and laying said 12-inch pipe on Orient street as aforesaid.


Voted, To appropriate the following sums :


For the Selectmen's Department $5,000


For the Highway Department 8,000


For Sideswalks 1,500


For Crushed Stone 1,000


For Catch Basins and Gutters · 900 For Resetting Curbstones 300


For use of the Tree Warden, $600; $200 of which to be used for the purpose of destroying the brown tail moth.


J. F. Keefe moved that the sum of $21,000 be appropriated for the School Department. Mr. Stubbs moved to amend, that the sum of $2,000 be added to the appropriation for the purpose of enlarging the Essex Street Schoolhouse. On motion of M. E. Nies, the amendment of Mr. Stubbs was referred to the com- mittee of twenty-five, they to report estimates, after which the motion to appropriate $21,000 for the School Department was carried.


37


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


Voted, To appropriate :


For Street Watering . $2,500


For use of the Health Department . ·


1,500


For the Police Department 4,900


For Street Light Department 8,000


For the Poor Department 3,000


For the Fire Department and receipts


5,400


For the Town Hall Department 900


For Concrete and Curbstones .


500


For Cemetery Department


750


For the Public Library, with Dog Tax and receipts 700


For Care of Monument Lot . 35


For Gen. J. L. Bates, Post IIS, G. A. R. 150


For Water Rates 900


For Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid


1,000


Voted, To appropriate for interest, $2,800; for State tax, $3,500 ; for County tax, $5,500 ; as estimated and recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Board of Fire Engineers, to appropriate $175 for painting and general repairs on the Engine House.


Voted, That the Board of Health be accommodated with office room in the Town Hall as suggested in their report.


Aaron R. Bunting having tendered his resignation as a member of the Street Light Committee, it was


Voted, That Mr. Bunting's resignation be accepted, that the same committee on Street Lights serve for the current year, with Frank J. Linnehan in place of A. R. Bunting, resigned.


Voted, That $1,000 be appropriated for Park purposes, And that the Park Commissioners be instructed to report to the Town at the adjourned meeting the exact relations of the Town to the Kings Beach Reservation, and the reason the same has not been turned over to the Town, as moved by M. E. Nies.


Voted, That when we adjourn, it be to tomorrow, Wednes- day evening, March 19, at 7.45 o'clock,


Voted, That Art. 5 be laid upon the table.


38


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


ART. 6. At their request, the names of Sydney N. Pearson, Samuel J. Pettingell, Allen S. Rowe and Willis E. Doughty were excused from the list of jurors as posted by the Selectmen, . when the following list as amended was accepted and adopted :


List of Jurors.


Prepared and posted by the Selectmen, for the consideration of the Town at the annual meeting, March 17, 1903.


Adams, John I.


Finney, Winslow.


Ashton, Herman F.


Heath, George A. Jackson, Charles T.


Bassett, Frank H.


Blanchard, George H.


Jameson, John A.


Blanchard, Horace W.


Lyons, James T.


Bradford, Frank H.


Merritt, John R.


Cann, John W.


Moore, J. Frank.


Cahoon, L. Herbert.


Nies, Martin E.


Collins, William H.


Nisbett, David W.


Conner, George M.


Nisbett, J. E. O.


Crowell, Joseph F.


Phillips, James E.


Cullen, John A.


Quinn, Martin L.


Curtis, T. B. P.


Stone, M. V. B.


Delano, Gilbert.


Spinney, George F.


Doane, Harry M.


Taylor, James L.


Douglass, Henry E.


Tuttle Edgar M.


Douglass, Rodney A.


Wiley, Edwin F.


Earp, John B.


Widger, J. Henry.


ART. 7. Voted, That the amount of bonds required of the Town Treasurer be $10,000.


Voted, at 9.55 P. M., to adjourn.


Attest : MILTON D. PORTER,


Town Clerk.


39


RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.


1903]


Adjourned Town Meeting, March 19, 1902.


In accordance with previous adjourment the voters of the Town met at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening March 19, and were called to order by the Moderator at 7.45 o'clock. The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved.


ART. 8. On motion of D. H. Millet it was Voted, That for the purpose of procuring a temporary loan to, and for the use of the Town, in anticipation of the taxes of the present year. The Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to borrow from time to time, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, at an interest rate not to exceed four (4) per cent. a sum or sums in the agregate amounting to forty thousand dollars, and to execute and deliver the note or notes of the Town therefor, pay- able within one year from the time the loan is made, and any debt or debts incurred by a loan or loans to the Town, under this vote, shall be paid from the taxes of the present year.


ART. 9. Voted, That the amount of bonds required of the Collector of taxes shall be $5,000.


ART. 10. Voted, That a discount of two per cent. be allowed on all taxes paid on or before October I, of the current year.


Voted, To take up Art. 34.


Voted, That Art. 34 be indefinitely postponed.


Voted, That Article 33 be referred to the Committee of Twenty- five.


Voted, That when we adjourn it be to Monday, April 21, 1902 at 7.45 P. M.


Voted, To refer Article 35 to the Committee of Twenty-five.


The Moderator here announced the following to constitute the Committee of Twenty-five.


Moderator .- Daniel F. Knowleton.


Town Clerk .- Milton D. Porter.


Selectmen .- Joseph M. Bassett, Edward A. Maxfield, Clarence B. Delano.


40


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Feb. 20


Citizens at large .- Geo. A. R. Horton, Ex .- Selectmen, H. B. Sprague, Benj. O. Honors, Wilmot R. Hastings, W. E. Plummer, Edgar M. Tuttle, Geo. S. Burton, A. E. Bingham, Geo. H. Webster, Martin L. Quinn, Willis E. Doughty, John F. Keefe, J. Frank Moore, fas. P. M. S. Pitman, D. H. Millet, Samuel M. Kehoe, Geo. T. Melzard, Percy F. Munsey, Albert R. Ellis, Wm. H. Bates, Frank E. Ingalls, Jasper H. Stone, Mar- tin E. Nies, Wm. H. Carroll, Chas. L. Taylor, Jas. T. Lyons. Voted, At 8.20 P. M. to adjourn.


Attest : MILTON D PORTER, Town Clerk.


Recount of Votes Cast for Surveyor of Highways.


A sworn statement having been filed with the Town Clerk on March 19, 1902, asking for a recount of the ballots cast for the candidates for the office of Surveyor of Highways, at the Annual Town Election, held March 17, 1902, and due notice having been given to the contestants, the Board of Registrars of Voters met at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, March 20, 1902, and canvassed and recounted said vote, with the following result :


Whole number of ballots 845


Jas. P. M. S. Pitman had 419


I. Irving Edgerly had 405 Blanks 2I


and James P. M. S. Pitman was declared elected.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.