USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1908 > Part 5
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
79
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1 908]
against something over $1,000.00 last year. This would substantially account for the shortage.
Street Lights, $662.00. For some reason, there has been a bill for one month's lighting held back each year for some time, and consequently that bill has had to be paid from next year's appropriation.
Curb Stones, $629.00. Of this amount, a considerable portion will be returned by property owners but such sums will not come in during the current year.
Health, $400.00. Owing to the necessary construction of a culvert, for which no special appropriation had been made, the cost threof was charged to this department and accounts for the overdraft. In fact aside from this, there would probably be a small balance left to their credit.
Continuous sidewalks, $1, 160.00. A portion of this amount will also be returned during the coming year.
Fire Department, $1,219.00. This overdraft seems to be caused by the confusion of the ending of the fiscal year with the ending of the year for which the appropriations were made.
It is the judgment of your committee that so far as possible, the receipts of each year should be planned so as to cover the year's expenditures, and that each department should endeavor to render all bills for outstanding obligations before the close of the year ending with the March town meeting-nothing can be gained by withholding bills to create an impression of lessened expenditures. It will of course be borne in mind that while our fiscal year ends January 31st, the appropriations are made for the year ending with March Town Meeting.
In order that as little money as possible need be raised at the present time, we therefore recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to use unexpended balances of the various depart- ments for the expenditures of the town in other departments.
We also recommend that the Selectmen and Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow, on short time loans, such sum or sums as may be needed to defray the charges maturing before the annual Town Meeting, March 16th, 1908, such sum or sums
80
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
not to exceed a total of $11,100. The payment of such loans shall be provided for in the tax levy for 1908.
Respectfully submitted,
ELGAR H. TOWNSEND, ROBERT B. WARDWELL, JAMES E. PHILLIPS, GEORGE A. HEATH, WILLIS E. DOUGHTY, JOHN ALLREE,
Committee on Ways and Means.
Voted, to accept the report of the committee.
Article 2 was taken up with Article 1, when the report with recommendations of the Committee was adopted, and it was unanimously
Voted, That for the purpose of procuring a temporary loan to, and for the use of the Town, the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to borrow, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a sum or sums in the aggregate not to exceed $11, 100 and to execute and deliver the note or notes of the Town therefor, payable 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 year 1908.
Martin L. Quinn offered the following, which was
RESOLVED, That whereas the Swampscott railroad station of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company is inadquate for the proper execution of the company's passenger business, and under the present system passengers are obliged to cross and recross the tracks of said railroad, over which pass a great many trains daily, both passenger and freight, many of which do not stop at Swampscott, but pass through the station at a high rate of
1908]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
speed ; wherefore the citizens of Swampscott, in town meeting assembled, do hereby express their disapproval of the existing condition of affairs, and do hereby authorize and empower the Board of Selectmen to appear before the Railroad Commission- ers, or by other appropriate means to procure an improvement of existing conditions.
Carried.
Voted at 8.15 P. M. to dissolve the meeting.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER,
Town Clerk.
S2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 3I
Town Clerk's Statistics.
Births Recorded.
Males, 58; females, 64. Total, 122.
Nativity of Fathers-Massachusetts, 50; Italy, 21 ; Canada, 14; Maine and Newfoundland, 7 each; New Hampshire and New York, 4 each; Vermont and England, 3 each; Ireland and Sweden, 2 each; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Scotland and Russia, I each.
Nativity of Mothers -Massachusetts, 45; Italy, 22; Can- ada, 14; Ireland, 10; Newfoundland, 6; New York and England, 4 each ; Maine, New Hampshire and Sweden, 3 each ; New Jersey, 2; Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Scotland and Russia, I each.
Fathers born in Swampscott, 8; mothers, 7.
Marriages Recorded, 72.
In January, 5; February, 5; March, 3; April, 8; May, 2 ; June, 11; July, 5; August, 5; September, 9; October, 8; November, 9; December, 2.
Nativity of Grooms-Massachusetts, 34; Canada, It ; Italy, 5; Maine and New Hampshire, 4 each; Newfoundland, 3 ; England, Ireland, and Pennsylvania, 2 each; New York, Indiana, Connecticut, Kentucky, and North Carolina, I each.
83
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1908]
Nativity of Brides,-Massachusetts, 41 ; Canada, 10; Ireland, 6; Italy, 4; Maine, 3; Newfoundland, 2; England, Sweeden, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois, I each.
Grooms born in Swampscott, 3.
Brides born in Swampscott, 9.
Deaths Recorded.
Males, 56; females, 52. Total, 108.
In January, 8; February, 2 ; March, 21 ; April, 6; May, 10; June, 7; July, 7; August, 7; September, 10; October, 9; November, 9; December, 12.
Under 5 years, 23 ; 5 to 10, 1 ; 10 to 20, 1 ; 20 to 30, 6; 30 to 40, 5 ; 40 to 50, 12 ; 50 to 60, 8 ; 60 to 70, 18 ; 70 to 80, 18 ; 80 to 90, 12 ; over 90, 3. Unknown, I.
Eighty Years of age and over-Mary A. Wade, 80 yrs. 3 mos. 8 days, senility ; John Barnes, 80 yrs. 10 mos. 21 days, exhaustion ; Sarah E. Carroll, 81 yrs. 3 mos. 29 days, pneu- monia ; Susan Frances Haskell, 81 yrs. 8 mos. 20 days, pneu- monia ; Samuel Field Crosman, 81 yrs. 10 mos. 14 days, old age; Caroline Saxton, 82 yrs. 22 days, fractured hip bone, William W. Gordon, 83 yrs, pneumonia ; Abbie Baker Rich, 83 yrs. 7 mos. 18 days, cerebral hemorrhage; Thirza Jane Alger, 83 yrs. 7 mos. 29 days, old age; John Henry Crosman, 83 yrs. II mos. 21, apoplexy ; Julia M. Arnold, 86 yrs. 2 mos. 7 days, arterio sclerosis; Susan Giles, 89 yrs. 6 mos. 12 days, senility.
Ninety years of age or over - Eliza J. Davenport, 90 yrs. I mo. 14 days, senility; Stephen Harrison Wardwell, 90 yrs. 6 mos. 25 days, congestion of brain, old age; John G. Collins, 90 yrs. 7 mos., old age.
84
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Jan. 31
Dogs Licensed.
Males, 245. Females, 57. Total, 302.
Licenses Issued to Junk Dealers.
Two at $75 each.
Peddlers of Foreign Fruits, etc.
Four at $2 each.
Pool Table Licenses.
Two at $2 each.
Auctioneer. One at $2. Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
85
JURY LIST.
1908]
Jury List.
·
Prepared and posted by the Selectmen, for the consideration of the Town at the Annual Meeting, March 16, 1908.
Albree, Edward C.
Accountant
Andrews, Isaac H. Bailey, Sidney E.
Carpenter
Teacher
Barker, George
Superintendent
Bartol, Samuel S.
Salesman
Bassett, Joseph M.
Merchant
Bemis, William W.
Retired
Blanchard, Charles A.
Sole cutter
Blanchard, Horace W.
Superintendent .
Blaney, John J.
Salesman
Butterworth, Charles W.
Superintendent
Cahoon, L. Frank
Salesman
Collins, Fred M.
Bookkeeper
Curtis, Thomas B. P.
Merchant
Daniels, Frank W.
Retired
Dean, Leander N.
Counter worker
Ellis, Stuart P.
Photographer
Eno, Fred L. Foster, Arthur F.
Attorney
Freeman, Frank I.
Clerk
Gardner, Charles H.
Barber
Gilbert, George E. Hardy, Elmer E.
Insurance
Salesman
Haskell, Charles S. Hilton, Grant S. .
Salesman
Printer
Hurd, Stephen H.
Grocer
.
Clerk
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Jan. 3
Ingalls, Frank E.
Salesman
Iverson, William E.
Machinist
Jennings, Harry
Hay and grain
Jeffers, Charles P.
Druggist
Kehoe, Samuel M.
Merchant .
Kitfield, Edward H.
Civil engineer
Lampard, George H.
Painter
Martin, Walter T.
Salesman
Melzard, George T.
Superintendent
Merritt, John R.
Manufacturer
Millett, Orlando R.
Carpenter
McDermott, John T.
Machinist
Newcomb, Harry B. .
Plumber
Norcross, W. Percy
Clerk
Olsen, Andrew
Shoe cutter
Otis, William H.
Clerk
Pope, James M.
Plumber
Randall, William A.
Manufacturer
Russ, Harry O.
Clerk
Shattuck, Sidney M.
Merchant
Stalbird, Charles E.
Gasfitter
Stone, Martin V. B.
Master mariner
Tatro, Lewis W.
Salesman
Thing, Ernest B.
Fisherman
Tuttle, Edgar M.
Paper hanger
Wardwell, Robert B. .
Hotel keeper
Waters, William J.
Carpenter
Whipple, Albert C.
Bookkeeper
Willey, James A. ·
Agent
87
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
1908]
Report of the Selectmen.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Selectmen present the following as their report and recommendations for the past year :
Atlantic Avenue.
The Selectmen call attention to the following communication to the State Highway Commissioners :
Petition for an allotment under Chapter 47, Section 17 of the Revised Laws.
To the Massachusetts Highway Commission :
Respectfully represents the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swampscott in the County of Essex, that the valuation of said ` Town exceeds the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) ; that the average annual appropriations for the repairs of highways in said Town for the preceding five years - 1903 to 1907, both inclusive, - is about $10,000.
The Board of Selectmen of Swampscott respectfully petitions your Board to make an allotment to the Town of Swampscott for the purpose of aiding in the construction and repair of a highway in said Town called Atlantic avenue and extending from the easterly end of Orient street to the Marblehead line, a dis- tance of about one mile and one-eighth. Said highway is a much travelled road and a part of the direct road between Lynn and Marblehead.
The Selectmen and Highway Surveyor will recommend at the annual March meeting of the Town of Swampscott that the
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Town appropriate a sum not exceeding seven thousand dollars for the repair and reconstruction of said highway, and your petitioners believe that the town will make that appropriation in addition to the regular annual appropriation of about $10,000 for the repairs of highways.
The Selectmen and Highway Surveyor would request that the repairs be made in a manner to be approved by your Board, after an examination of the highway, and your petitioners do not desire that said Atlantic avenue shall become a State high- way.
Your petitioners respectfully request that one-half the cost of the repairs and reconstruction of said highway, not exceeding thirty-five hundred dollars, be appropriated and allotted by your Board in aid of the Town of Swampscott in the construction of said highway.
ARTHUR C. WIDGER, MARTIN L. QUINN, FRED C. MARSH,
Selectmen.
Dated at Swampscott, Mass., Jan. 13, 1908.
BOSTON, Jan. 22, 1908.
DEAR SIRS : - In behalf of the Commission I beg to acknowl- edge the receipt of a petition from your Board, dated Jan. 13, for an allotment under the provisions of the "Small Town" Act, for the improvement of a portion of Atlantic avenue, so called, in the Town of Swampscott.
Yours truly,
A. B. FLETCHER, Secretary.
We are informed that the Highway Commission will be unable to reach any conclusion as to an allotment before April I. The Selectmen would recommend that the Town appropriate a sum not to exceed seven thousand dollars for the work, and if an
89
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
1808]
allotment is made, the money will revert to the Treasury. The Board are particularly indebted to Mr. George E. Smith of Atlantic avenue for information given and services rendered in the above matter.
Widening of Orient street.
On April 13 the Selectmen met with the abutters interested in the widening of Orient street from about opposite the entrance to the estate of Charles W. Galloupe to Humphrey square and con- sulted in relation to the matter. It developed that two of the abutters had misunderstood the original plan and were not in harmony with the movement. As the parties interested and the Selectmen could not arrive at a mutual conclusion the Selectmen do not think it advisable to make any recommendations.
Culvert Across Essex Street.
During the past year the attention of the Board was called to the condition of the old culvert under Essex street near the Salem line. The stone work had become unsafe and the opening obstructed. As this was a natural water course, arrangements were made with representatives of the Pickman Park Realty Co., for its entire reconstruction, they to bear one-half the expense. The work was completed at a cost of $75 to the Town.
Danvers Street Improvement.
At the junction of Danvers and Essex streets, on the boundary line of the land of Daniel J. Myers and the Town, the old retaining wall placed there by reason of the Town's raising the grade of Danvers street had become dangerous to travel because of its falling down in places and allowing the gravel walk to cave. Mr. Myers, in calling the attention of the Board to the matter, suggested that if the Town would rebuild the wall, he would deed to the town a narrow strip of land on Essex street, now used by the Town to strengthen the boundary line. If Mr. Myers had fenced in the land properly belonging to him it would have necessitated moving the curbing into the street about six feet and changing the flag-stone crossing to the Cemetery gate.
90
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
The Board thought favorable of the suggestion and arranged with Mr. Myers to rebuild the wall. The cost of the work was $150 and the deed of the land given is in the hands of the Selectmen.
Continuous Sidewalks.
During the past year considerable work in this department has been done. The Board think that money expended on this work is in the right direction, and we would recommend that an appropriation of $1,000 be made to carry on the work the current year. We have read the recommendations in the High- way Surveyer's Report as to where work should be done the coming year and are favorable to the same.
Stacey Brook.
(COPY.)
King's Beach Res., Plan.
March 12, 1907.
John Woodbury, Esq., Secretary Metropolitan Park Com- mission :
DEAR SIR : - In accordance with order No. 2461 the follow- ing estimates of cost of reconstruction of outlet for Stacey brook have been prepared :
To construct reinforced concrete extension of the present cul- vert for about 40 feet from the face of the sea wall, of such strength as will be required to withstand the action of the sea, I estimate will cost about $2,655.
To replace the old wooden box culvert with new work, for a distance of about 40 feet from the face of the wall, I estimate will cost about $400.
I recommend that the box culvert be built at this time, as it is not definitely known that by extending about 40 feet the end would not fill up as it does now, and if this seems to be the proper length the permanent construction could be put in at
91
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
1908]
some future time when the box has been destroyed. I think that it is probable that a wooden box would last from 5 to 10 years, perhaps longer.
Yours truly, (Signed) J. R. RABLIN,
Secretary's Order No. 2,461 - Engineer's Order No. 2,997
Partial.
Engineer.
We recommend that this matter be referred to the Sewer Commissioners with power to act, and that an appropriation for the same be made.
Claim of John G. Stanley.
Several years ago when the tracks of the street railway were raised along Humphrey street, arrangements for a new grade of the sidewalk in front of the property of Mr. Stanley were not made. The sidewalk has remained at its original grade to which Mr. Stanley objects.
The Board has consulted with him, and have had a plan made of proposed changes.
The custom in such matters are for the abutters to waive claims for damage upon plans submitted before the Selectmen recommend an appropriation for changes. This Mr. Stanley refuses to do, signifying that when the work is done he will pass his opinion as to its acceptability. Under these conditions the Selectmen are unable to make any recommendations.
Ambulance
We are acquainted with the recommendations of the Chief of Police on this subject, and while we do not fully indorse the same, we recommend an appropriation for its care and mainte- nance.
Fire Alarm Bell.
The Chief of the Fire Department and the Selectmen appointed as a committee at the annual Town Meeting, made a contract
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
with the Gamewell Fire Alarm Co. to install a bell at the Phil- lips Beach Chemical House. This has been done at the amount of the appropriation $875.
The installing of this bill has given general satisfaction to the residents in that vicinity.
Marshall Brook.
After assuming office the Board were presented with a bill by M. McDonough, approved by the Board of Health, which was refused payment the previous year, for building the culvert bor- dering the estates of Mrs. Sarah Marshall and Mr. George T. Melzard. On advice of counsel the bill was paid. Also on advice of counsel one-third of the cost of the same was assessed Mrs. Marshall and Mr. Melzard. Both parties have taken exceptions to this arrangement and the matter is now in the hands of our attorneys.
Cemetery.
According to recommendations made in last year's report relating to the plotting of the entire land owned by the Town for Cemetery purposes, the Board employed Mr. Clarence B. Humphrey of this Town who has presented a plan to the Select- men. The Board while admiring the same have asked that a few changes be made which Mr. Humphrey will do in the near future. There are about twenty-five lots available at the present time. We recommend that the Town take some action toward increasing this number the coming year, and that an appropria- tion for the same be made.
Beuna Vista Street.
On the old lay out of Beuna Vista street we find the present road is about forty feet from the original lines at one point. Should Mr. Greenleaf fence in the land that he owns at this point, the street as constructed would be about ten feet in the clear. Mr. Greenleaf now offers to exchange land at no cost to the Town for the purpose of relocating, and also offers to give land for the continuance of Crescent street from Elliott to Beuna Vista street. We recommend that this matter be referred to the incoming Board for action.
93
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
1908]
Claims Against the Town
In the matter of the claim of W. H. Carroll, no report has been rendered by the Auditor before whom the matter has been heard.
The claim of Sisk Bros. is in the hands of the Town Counsel. The claim of Michael Haley is still pending.
Contracts.
Repairs at Police Station-Gilbert Delano, $40; George H. Doane, $38.50; W. J. Waters, $37.50. Awarded Waters, later awarded Doane.
Culvert across Essex street - James T. Lyons, $150. No other bidder.
Concrete - J. H. Mclaughlin, 43c. yard. No other bid.
Coal-B. O. Honors & Son-Egg and Broken, $6.25 ; Cumberland, $4.50.
Printing Town Reports- Thomas P. Nichols & Sons, $1.45 per page; G. H. & A. L. Nichols, $1.30 per page; Salem Press, $1.29 per page. Frank S. Whitten, $1.25 per page. Awarded to Whitten.
After consulting the various boards the following amounts are recommended as appropriations for the current year :
Highway
. $12,000
School § General, $33,000
Repairs, 7,000
· 40,000
Selectmen's .
.
.
· 6,000
Poor
2,400
Police .
· 6,500
Fire .
9,000
Library
800
Street Lights
·
10,000
Cemetery
1,000
Sidewalks
800
Town Hall .
· 1,400
Crushing stone
.
.
2,000
Catch Basins and Gutters
. 1,000
·
.
·
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Curbstone .
500
Resetting Curbstones
.
·
400
Memorial Day
200
Care Monument Lot
35
Tree Warden
350
Street Watering
3,500
Water Rates
1,300
Health
.
4,500
Soldier's Relief
2,400
Park
2,000
Care Brooks
300
Assessors
.
.
1,500
Care Snow .
1,500
State Tax (estimated)
16,000
County Tax (estimated)
12,000
Interest (estimated)
6,800
Interest Sewer Bonds
.
.
7,000
Sewer Maintenance
.
·
·
5,000
Sewer Bonds
4,600
As the work of the Town Treasurer has greatly increased, we recommend that a separate appropriation be made for his depart- ment, so that he can have assistance, and the needs of the office better cared for.
We would recommend that the salary of the Sealer of Weights and Measures be $60, so that a fair compensation may be received by him for measuring and marking jars.
We again call attention to the fact that the Town owns practi- cally no sidewalk at the junction of Essex and Burrill streets, and we would recommend an appropriation of $100 for the purchase of land and the carrying out of this improvement.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR C. WIDGER, MARTIN L. QUINN, FRED C. MARSH,
Selectmen of Swampscott.
.
·
·
.
.
95
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1908]
Report of the School Committee.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :
During the year ending January 31, 1908, the School Com- mittee applied itself assiduously to the task of securing for the . Town the best results possible with the funds placed at its dis- posal. Though confronted with many perplexing problems dur- ing the year the committee feels justified in stating that it has administered the affairs of the schools with strict impartiality and for the best interests of all the people of the Town.
Though the new Clarke school building has been but recently added to the Town's facilities for properly housing the school children the committee has had no easy task to so distribute the pupils as to bring them all within reasonable access to their homes. That Swampscott is a rapidly growing Town may be gathered from the fact that the number of school children registered last fall numbered over one hundred more than the previous year. This is more than enough to fill two rooms.
The greatest problem of last year was perhaps the many demands made for extensive repairs and alterations. The Essex street school building was fitted with sanitaries at an expense of nearly $2,000 and nearly as large an amount would have been expended at the Beach school building had not the Board of Health kindly consented to suspend its order for another year. As much of its funds as it could possibly spare was expended by the School Committee in necessary repairs and alterations, and yet but very little of what should have been done was accom- plished.
All of the wooden buildings are badly in need of paint, both
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
inside and out. If the Beach School building is to be used about $3,000 will have to be expended upon it in order to meet with the requirements of the Board of Health and the increasing demands of the School Department. At the Phillips School building it is conservatively estimated that about $3,000 will have to be expended to make such alterations and repairs as have been needed badly for several years. The school property is running down and unless prompt action is taken there will not be much of anything to repair in a few years.
The annual appropriations have not been sufficient to make repairs as they have been needed and in consequence only such work as could not be avoided has been done. This year the .committee recommends a special appropriation of $7,000 for the purpose of making a large amount of much needed repairs and alterations. It is not economy to allow the school property to deteriorate.
Next September the School Committee will undoubtedly be greatly perplexed in making adequate provision for housing the increased number of pupils. The Redington and Essex Street School buildings will probably have to be used for some years to come, notwithstanding their many objectionable features, but the Beach and Farm Schools should be abolished and a modern four room building be substituted, the location of which should be such as to take care of the pupils of both these schools. The School Committee recommends that a four room wooden school building be constructed this year.
Through the generosity of Henry B. Sprague the School Committee was enabled to inaugurate a new departure in school work and last September opened a manual training department at the High school. Four modern lathes, a dozen fully equipped benches of the most approved style for school work, complete sets of tools, a motor, shafting and other equipment were installed in a commodious room in the basement of the building. This department was a success from the start and will be enlarged as rapidly as the funds of the School Committee will allow. The entire cost of the equipment was sustained by Mr. Sprague, who with Prof. Elihu Thomson, manifested a
97
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1908]
most public spirited interest in giving the members of the School Committee much of his time and advice.
The cost of operating the new manual training department amounted last year to a sum which will equal about $600 annu- ally, the instructor of this department spending two days of each week in the Town. In addition to his instruction the supervisor of drawing is called upon to give instruction in mechanical draw- ing. This is a most important department of the school work and every effort will be made by the school committee to increase its value.
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.