USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1909 > Part 10
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The approach to the beach, east of the house adjacent to the Farnham place, is of sand and is much used by the tenants for teaming purposes. If some permanent surface could be laid it would facilitate matters and be easier to keep clean, we would recommend that this portion be surfaced with granolithic the coming year, and that the Town appropriate the sum of $400 for this purpose.
Very little space at the Fish House remained unrented this season. The occupants and rentals are as follows :
No. of Room
Occupant
Rental
I
Joseph Nickerson
$10 80
2
Lorenzo Woodbury
10 80
3
Edward Curtis
10 80
4
Joseph Crowell
9 60
6
Rodney Douglass
9 60
7
T. W. Brackett
9 60
8
Edward Wiley
10 80
9
Benjamin Martin
10 80
IO
Charles Smith
10 80
II
Fred Blanchard
10 80
I2
Nat Pierce
10 80
13
Leonard Lewis
10 80
¿ of
14
Otis Cahoon
15 00
15
Henry Douglas-
28 80
3 of
I6
Walter Kehoe
19 20
3 of
I7
Josh Acker
9 60
& of 17
Robert Marsh
19 20
163
1909]
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
18
Thing & Watts
28 00
19 William Phillips .
30 00
Loft I
Edward Doane ·
29 36
Loft 2
6 mos. Walter Boyden
II 00
Storage
Trap Co. ·
5 00
$321 16
Amount collected
295 14
Balance due
$26 02
The band stand will have to be shingled, gutters on the Fish House repaired, and the walks surfaced the coming spring.
For maintenance and improvements on this Reservation we would recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $800 and receipts.
Monument Avenue Reservation.
The usual work of maintenance on this reservation has been attended to this season by Mr. Nathan Harris, the contract price being $180. In many places old and depreciated shrubbery should be removed and the ground replanted, nothing of this sort having been done for a number of years. This strip of land lying between two travelled roadways and unprotected is being continually cut into by teams and passing vehicles ; we would suggest that a combination curb and gutter be laid on these lines, a limited amount to be built each year.
The deed conveying the land on Farragut and Walker roads from the Swampscott Land Trust to the Town has been recorded, adding one more parcel to this property.
For maintenance and improvements on this reservation we would recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $350.00.
Paradise Road Playground.
This being the only playground in Town and, although of small area, it has been much used especially for Saturday after- noon and holiday contests. Not only do the players enjoy these
164
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
games but their friends, many of whom are ladies, attend in large numbers, so that the space occupied extends into the adja- cent streets. In view of this, a small grand stand containing lockers for the players' convenience might be advisable in the near future.
The results obtained last year from spreading loam over the southerly portion were so satisfactory that early this season we purchased one hundred and fifteen yards of screened loam from Mr. Michael McDonough and contracted with Mr. Felix Marino to do the necessary grading and rolling. The results were a fine diamond for the players and the grass came up well outside the travelled lines.
A back stop, iron posts and ropes have been provided for the players and the football goals erected in the fall; the grounds have been maintained in good condition all the season and weather permitting have been flooded for skating.
This reservation, although originally planned for the use of children, is fast outgrowing this purpose, and they are obliged to use the northerly end entirely. Your commissioners believe that land should be acquired for a larger playground, even if the site were not immediately developed.
For maintenance and improvements on this reservation we would recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $400.
Respectfully submitted.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, JOHN J. BLANEY, ROBERT LESLIE,
Park Commissioners.
165
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
1909]
Financial Report.
General appropriation ·
$2,000 00
Receipts from Fish House rents
295 14
$2,295 14
Amount of expenditures
2,220 06
Balance unexpended
75 08
$2,295 14
EXPENDITURES.
Blaney Beach Reservation.
Swampscott water works to Jan. I,
1909
$46 95
Swampscott water works, meters .
32 54
Eastman & Bradford, surveying
37 50
William Miller & Son, labor
25 00
John Driscoll, plans
6 00
W. L. Fay & Co., plumbing
83 33
F. Griffin & Co., carpenter work
IO 25
Philbrick & Pope, stock and labor
5 52
B. O. Honors & Son, wood
5 75
Felix Marino, sea wall
763 50
Eastman & Bradford, engineering services ·
53 50
Lynn News, advertising
2 40
Lynn Item, advertising
·
2 40
Gilson, Hatch & Wood, labor
4 08
Horace W. Blanchard, salary
366 00
Horace W. Blanchard, sundries
36 84
Charles Melvin, labor
104 00
Police Department
59 25
Frank Griffin & Co., labor
6 25
Charles W. Gay, surveying
16 12
Evans & Cole, labor
.
75
James T. Lyons, gravel .
3 00
$1,670 83
12
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb I
Monument Avenue Reservation.
Nathan Harris, labor $185 00
Paradise Road Playground.
Michael McDonough, loam $162 50
Nathan Harris, labor 7 00
Felix Marino, labor
46 55
Eastman & Bradford, surveying
12 50
Ames Plow Company, hammer
I IO
Dinn & Co., rods .
.
17 50
American Express . .
I 60
William J. Waters, fence
7 50
F. Griffin & Co., labor .
5 81
Felix Marino, cutting grass
44 50
Swampscott Water Works
47 95
George H. Holden & Co., rope
8 16
.
$362 67
Balance January 31, 1909
$75 08
Sanitary Closet. (Special)
Appropriation
$350 00
EXPENDITURES.
W. L. Fay & Co., plumbing etc. .
$350 00
Outstanding Liabilities.
Horace W. Blanchard, salary to
March I
$59 00
·
167
CEMETERY REPORT.
1909]
Cemetery Report.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swampscott
Lots Sold 1908.
Three at $50 each . $150 00
One single grave at $10
10 00
Three single graves at $5 each
15 00
Number of interments
42
Lots unsold, 13 at $100 each.
Lots unsold, 8 at $50 each.
The appropriation showed the same.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES P. M. S. PITMAN, Superintendent of Cemetery.
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
I Feb. I
Report of Tree Warden.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Tree Warden is an elective officer with very complete powers in his own jurisdiction. He is responsible only to the body of citizens that elect him, although in the matter of making regulations and of locating trees to be planted, he must act in conjunction with the Selectmen. The warden's success in ad- ministering his office depends, in a great measure, upon the interest of the people of his town in their trees, and the support which they give him. An intelligent, capable tree warden. well supported by his constituents, may be a power for good in maintaining and improving the trees of his town. His duty is not merely the negative one of preventing cutting and disfigure- ment. He should plan systematically to maintain all existing trees at their maximum of attractiveness, by careful, well-advised pruning,-not careless cutting. Trees possess a utilitarian value, which is recognized by the courts, and for the carelesss destruc- tion of street trees the abutter is entitled to compensation. There are 1771 trees on the accepted streets and public squares of the Town. This does not include the trees around the stand-pipe on Town property. Of this number of trees, I have caused to be scientifically pruned, and the wounds antiseptically treated, 618; protected by wire and old wires adjusted, 282; dead trees re- moved, 10 ; new trees planted, 36; cavities filled, 10. It is very important that the trees on Burrill and Humphrey streets should receive extensive pruning and doctoring, and that antiseptical conditions be maintained. This is important, owing to the age of some of the trees.
169
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
1909]
Tree Surgery.
The term Tree Surgery is a legitimate one to use in describing modern methods of treating trees, and it is only too apparent that if more attention had been given to the care of trees at the proper time, they would not be in the condition we find them today. Decayed cavities in trees are very harmful, since the fungi and insects which are present extend their range of activity, causing decay and shortening the tree's life. The treatment of cavities naturally involves some expense, but if a tree is of value, if only sentimental, it is worth treating. There are many trees which to the casual observer would appear to be of little consequence, but the associations connected with them may be highly cherished. Then, again, the location is often important. The tree may fur- nish shade which cannot be dispensed with and even if old and decayed it is more satisfactory to treat it than to wait for a new tree to grow. During my term of office, I have experimented with this work, and there is every reason to believe that, if the work is properly done, and if antiseptic conditions are main- tained, the length of a tree's life may be extended. The object and process of treating decayed cavities may be summarized as follows : First, to extend the usefulness of the tree and prolong its life. Second, to remove all decayed tissue, which is done by a thorough cleaning out of the cavities. Third, to treat anti- septically all those exposed tissues which are susceptible to de- cay, preventing further disintegration. Fourth, to fill the cav- ities with some substance such as cement or to cover the surface with metal or other substance, in order that the callus may grow over the cavity and form a smooth surface. Fifth, to strengthen the trees.
Gas Poisoning.
The increased death rate from the cause of illuminating gas may be accounted for by the fact that gas is now more exten- sively used. One of the first effects of gas poisoning in summer is a yellowing of the foliage followed by a greater or less defoli- ation of the tree, according to the degree of poisoning. Trees
170
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
affected by gas disintegrate very rapidly, and should never be allowed to stand long after dying, as they become brittle and are a source of danger.
The Elm-Leaf Beetle (Golerucella Lutubola Mull).
A European insect which reached this country about seventy- five years ago. It is generally distributed over Massachusetts, and passes the winter in the adult stage. To keep this pest in check, trees infested with them should be thoroughly sprayed with arsenate of lead, about the first of June. The State does not make any provision for this pest, but leaves it to the different towns to look after.
Recommendations.
In closing my report, I would recommend that the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) be appropriated for this deparment, to be expended as follows :
Tree Warden, supervision
$75 00
Planting trees
50 00
Removing dead trees
·
50 00
Treating cavities
75 00 ·
Pruning
100 00 ·
Elm Leaf Beetle
· 100 00
Emergencies .
·
50 00
·
Remarks.
In making this recommendation, I am cognizant of the fact that it is the policy of the Ways and Means Committee to econo- mize, and I have taken this into consideration and recommend for this department a conservative appropriation for this very necessary and important work.
Respectfully submitted,
L. HERBERT CAHOON,
Tree Warden.
I71
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK.
1909 ]
REPORT OF Local Superintendent of Moth Work.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-As soon as practical after receiving my com- mission from you, I looked over the situation relative to the (Porthetrea Dispar) gypsy moth, also (Euproctis Chrysorea) brown tail moth, and judging as one who has had the neces- sary experience, I very soon came to the conclusion that the conditions were such as to demand strenuous conserted action at once. March 26th we commenced to clean the residential part of the town in a systematic way, treating egg clusters of the gypsy moth and removing the nest of the brown tail moth, but owing to the limited time before the hatching season, we were obliged to move more quickly than was expedient to get the best results. As the season advanced, the larvae of the gypsy moth in certain sections of the town were very plentiful, but by per- sistent work on the part of my men, at that time, and up to the pupae stage, the results of their work is shown in a less number of egg clusters to treat and on the whole a marked improvement in the residential section. The brown tail moth nests are more in evidence than two years past. This is owing to climatic con- ditions at the time when the moths were flying. There has been established in town a colony of European predaceous beetles (Calosoma Sycophanta), a parasite which in the opinion of the best entomologists will in the future prove very effective.
1 72
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
Reports of the State Inspector for the past year show that eighty acres of brush land have been cut over and the brush burned. Trees banded with burlap, 11,876. Trees banded with tanglefoot, 6,958. Arsenate of lead used for spraying pur- poses, 560 pounds. Four barrels of creosote, three barrels of cement used on the work. The amount of assessments for moth work done on private estate between June 1, 1907, to June 1, 1908, rendered to the assessors was one thousand three hundred and eighty-nine dollars ($1,389.00). The largest number of men on the work at any time during the year was fifteen, while the smallest was six.
Remarks.
The colony known as the Stand-Pipe Colony of the State Highway and owned by the Town, was a very badly infested place. We cleared this colony up in the summer and banded the trees with tanglefoot. By so doing, notwithstanding the great infestation around it, we were able to keep the trees from being defoliated and at no time during the summer was the foli- age skeletonized. Nevertheless, this colony needs special atten- tion to keep it clean.
With a limited amount of money at my disposal, I have used it where in my judgment, considering the infestation, it would prove the most effective. The belt cleared from Greenwood Terrace to the third trestle bridge and along the old Paradise Road, will, I believe relieve the residential part of that section ; also from the entrance of Forest Avenue, sixty-five feet cleared on each side through to Humphrey street, distance one mile. This infestation lessened, will be highly appreciated by people who use this avenue of natural beauty. With this part under control, we can take up other parts which need attention. With the large amount of shrubbery in the residential part of the town, it is, in my opinion, useless to look toward extermination with- out a power spraying machine. This, I believe, would insure to the town such a degree of suppression of the pest that it would be called extermination, practically.
173
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK.
1909]
During my term of office, some of my methods of fighting the pest have been criticised. I do not wish to appear egotistical at all in this matter, but my knowledge of the work has been acquired from long experience and training. In this work, all of my methods have the approval of the state. In answering the critics, I shall use a Biblical term, Forgive them for they know not what they say. Whatever degree of success I have achieved or mistakes made in administering this office, I am responsible, for since receiving my commission as Local Superintendent of Moth Work, I have been the head, without any interference from the powers that be.
In closing my report, I will say, that on the whole, the season has been a pleasant one, with the exception of two incidents, and in these I have taken the initiative and I trust acted wisely. Aside from this, co-operation with me in the work by the people has been given and on my part I trust courtesy has been shown.
Respectfully submitted,
L. HERBERT CAHOON, Local Superintendent of Moth Work.
I74
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 1
Report of Milk Inspector.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I beg leave to submit the report of this office for the year ending Feb. 1, 1909.
Samples of milk taken 4
Complaints investigated O
Received from licenses and paid to the Town Treasurer $5.50
Respectfully submitted,
·
FRANK H. BRADFORD,
Milk Inspector.
1909]
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. £ 175
REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The following is the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending February 10, 1909.
Total number of balances and platform scales tested from
April 1, 1908, to February 10, 1909
62
Number of weights tested 180
Number of measures tested .
15I
Number of weights condemned
2
Number of measures condemned
6
Number of balances condemned
5
Number of milk bottles sealed
2,240
Number of milk bottles condemned
2I
Yard sticks
4
Total amount received $22.00 for above, which I turned over to the Town Treasurer, and for which I hold a receipt.
The standard embraces the following :
One avoirdupois balance, fifty pounds.
One set of avoirdupois weights, sixteen divisions; drachms, one two divisions ; ounces, one-quarter, one-half, one, two, four, eight ; pounds, one, two, four, five, ten, twenty, twenty-five, fifty.
One set of liquid measures of six dimensions, one gill, one- half pint, one pint, one"quart, two quarts, one gallon.
176
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
One set of dry measures, five divisions, one quart, two quarts, one-half peck, one peck, one-half bushel.
One yard measure, ten fifty-pound weights; one balance for testing small weights ; one steel stamp, 1909; one hammer, two drills, one bitstock, one breast drill, one tripod, one tin tube, ten graduating glasses.
ALFRED G. WATTS,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
I77
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
1909]
Report of the Library Trustees.
In our previous report attention was called to the approaching need of more room for books and now that the library shelves have but little spaces remaining unfilled, the need of providing more shelf space has become urgent. To make alterations in the bookcases now in the library room, or to attempt to provide room for additional bookcases by additions to the present room, would be very expensive and would doubtless prove to be little more than a make-shift of but temporary value. It has been deemed best, therefore, by the library trustees to take from the shelves the books that are not now in active demand and pack them away until some future time when some plan for a new Town Hall or a separate library building can be carried into effect and some good and permanent plan for the growth of the library can be provided for. There are many volumes now upon the shelves that are no longer in demand and these can be removed and the space thus provided can be had for volumes of later works, which plan will make the present room available for a library room for some time to come.
The catalogues of the library books consist of one book which was published in 1887, and various supplements. The first of these supplements, one of 47 pages, was published in 1893. Then followed one published in 1897, of 35 pages, and later, in 1901, one of 46 pages in size. Since 1901, supplements in sheets, to the number of fifteen of four pages each, have been published.
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
Considering the fact that the library room has become too small for the use of the library, not only for the books but also in space for the general conduct of its affairs, and pending a de- cision as to what change would finally be decided to be best to provide suitable room, or a separate building, the question of a revised catalogue, or a more modern catalogue system for the library, has been left in abeyance until that time comes when a change in the one will do much to help decide the question of the other.
The present catalogue system is one in which the supplements are arranged in series and placed upon the library walls for easy reference. These supplements, containing as they do all the late books, afford the readers of books a ready means of ascer- taining the numbers and applying for books. It can be said, therefore, that a fully systematized card system is not a more urgent need than that of room in which to have all of the books ready at hand when called for. One would be useless without the other.
The number of volumes now in the library is 11,013. During the past year, 469 books have been added, besides 72 volumes that have been purchased to replace others which have been either worn out or destroyed. The wear and tear upon the books in the library is now a considerable item, requiring, as it did last year, the rebinding of 498 volumes. One addition has been made to the magazine list, that of "Outing."
The list of readers has been increased during the past year by 142, and the circulation now stands at 31,620 volumes per year.
For books retained over-time, thirty dollars has been paid to the library fund.
A number of books have been presented to the library during the past year, notably a number of valuable volumes from Mrs. Williams and several from Mr. John Albree. A Statistical Atlas was presented by Mrs. Cleveland. A volume of the Life of Edgar Jay Sherman was received from Mr. Grosvenor. Mrs. B. G. Ingalls presented a copy of the Life of Mary Baker Eddy. Miss Mary C. E. and her brother, Paul Jackson, presented a
179
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
1909]
steel engraving and also several volumes of books. For these several gifts, the trustees extend to the donors the thanks of the people and themselves.
The financial standing of the library will be found in the Auditor's reports.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK. F. STANLEY, FRANK E. INGALLS, ELIZABETH J. HADLEY,
Trustees.
180
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
Report of Water Commissioners.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :
The Water Board respectfully submit their eleventh annual report :
The first work of the year 1908, with the water department, was the completion of the work of replacing the eight-inch cement-lined pipe in Atlantic avenue with a ten-inch cast-iron main ; this now makes it possible to supply the Hotel Preston through an all cast-iron pipe, a condition which can only be im- proved upon when the time shall arrive to complete the circuit around Orient street.
Some inquiries having been made of the Board as to the amount of the old cement pipe now in the Town's streets, we are pleased to state that the total length has been reduced to 9, 138 feet ; this is distributed as follows: in Orient street, 4,135 feet of eight inch; Beach Bluff avenue, 1,421 feet of six inch; Essex street, 1,340 feet of six inch; Redington street, 348 feet of six inch ; Rockland street, 884 feet of six inch ; and Galloupe's Point, 677 feet of six inch and 333 feet of four inch.
No serious trouble has occurred during the year in the cement pipe ; two breaks in Redington street made it necessary to relay that street from Humphrey to Blaney street; the most of this pipe is now located in high land, and may last for some time to come, although there is no certainty that it will not go to pieces at any time.
In carrying out the vote of the Town of 1906 (that all water should be assessed at meter rates, beginning January 1, 1909, that rate to be determined by the Water Commissioners), your Board has proceeded as far as them seemed practicable.
18I
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1909]
Bills were issued, as you know, on April 1, 1908, for a period of nine months at the old fixture rate, thus avoiding the expense of an additional billing for three months upon October 1, 1908; this arrangement brought us to January 1, 1909, with but three- fourths of a year's receipts ; at that latter date it seemed best to bill out the annual minimum charge in advance (as is the cus- tom in metered cities and towns), in order to be able to meet our February interest, and ample funds have been received to provide for the same and a substantial amount toward our next large payment, which is the Metropolitan assessment of $11,200 due May I.
The two-fixture minimum rate of $16.00 and the single-fixture rate of $11.00 may in quite a few cases seem high, but if you will notice in the January billing (farther on in this report), the total under that schedule is but $21,894.00 ; it will therefore be very apparent with an outlay this year of $12,500 more for water than last year it is extremely doubtful if the receipts for excess water in addition to the amount received on the January bills will be sufficient to enable the department to meet its expenses.
The amount to be paid the Metropolitan Water Board, referred to above, for this year, is already made up, that amount having been based upon the consumption of water in Swamp- scott for the year 1908 and the valuation of Swampscott for 1908 ; it is fair to assume that the Metropolitan assessment for the year 1910, or that proportion based upon the consumption of water in Swampscott will be somewhat reduced now that the Town is fast becoming all metered, and paying upon meter rates ; the daily consumption in Swampscott for January, 1909 was 270,500 gallons or a per capita consumption of 47 gallons, this is the lowest yet recorded for Swampscott and plainly shows that the amount used by the Town will be an all important fac- tor as the year advances.
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