USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1910 > Part 10
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Walker Road, from Grant Road to the Boston & Maine Rail- road bridge has been widened five feet on each side, a catch basin built, part of the gutters paved and the street resurfaced with gravel and rolled. There is need of another catch basin on this Road, at the junction of Banks Road. And I would recommend that a catch basin be constructed at the junction of Banks Road which will put it in first-class condition. The work on this Road was much needed and is a great improvement.
Parts of Elmwood Road, Sheridan Road, Walker Road, Thomas Road and Essex Street where sewer and water pipes were laid this year, also Farragut Road, from Ellis Road to the State Highway will have to be resurfaced the coming year.
There have been placed on the different streets of the town, eighty-four signs, defining the names of each street where placed.
170
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
All streets on the Town have been patroled and all holes and dangerous places have been filled with crushed stone or gravel.
The gutters on all streets of the Town have been cleaned twice and on the main street six times.
Catch Basins and Gutters.
Number of yards of gutters paved
604
Number of loads of stone used . 76
Number of loads of gravel or sand
56
Number of catch basins built .
8
Number of feet of 12-inch pipe laid .
227
Number of feet of 10-inch pipe laid .
16
Number of feet of 8-inch pipe laid
70
Number of feet of 6-inch pipe laid
231
Crossing Laid.
A stone crossing has been laid at Monument Avenue, across Elmwood Road.
Gravel Sidewalks.
Material used for making and repairing Sidewalks.
Number of loads of gravel 447
Number of loads of sand . .
59
Number or tons of stone-dust
102
The larger part of the gravel was used in filling sidewalks where continuous curbstones were laid this year.
The Town ought to take some immediate action toward the purchase of a gravel-pit.
Brooks.
Stacey Brook, from Humphrey Street to the Lynn line; King Brook, from Stacey Brook to the Boston & Maine Railroad ; also from Essex Street to Cherry Street; Mudge Brook, from the old pumping station to Elmwood Road, have been cleaned twice this year.
I71
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS' REPORT.
1910]
The Stacey and King Brooks are something that the Town ought to take immediate action on as they are constantly being filled with refuse from the dumps which are located nearby, and it is impossible to keep them clean. What is needed is that a covered concrete culvert be constructed with manholes at con- venient points for cleaning purposes.
The sooner that this work is done, the better it will be for the Town.
New Fences.
New fences have been built as follows : on Essex street near the Martin Nies estate, 127 feet ; Essex street, near the Boston & Maine railroad bridge, for a distance of 296 feet; Buena Vista street, for a distance of 90 feet.
I would recommend that some action be taken toward having the plank driveway at the Boston & Maine railroad bridge on Essex street, renewed.
Concrete and Curbstone.
Number of feet of curbstone laid 1,588
Number of feet of curbstone relaid 627
Number of square yards of tar concrete
2,557
Price of tar concrete, forty cents a square yard.
Number of square yards of granolithic laid = 69 1-3
For granolithic sidewalk, the abutters have paid the extra cost above the price paid for tar concrete sidewalks.
Recommendations.
I would recommend that tar concrete sidewalks be laid as follows : On Norfolk avenue, from Middlesex avenue to the railroad bridge at Stetson avenue ; on Orient street, on the beach side, from Blaney Beach Reservation to Lincoln House avenue, where curbstones were laid this year.
I would also recommend that a continuous line of curbstone be laid on Essex street, on the southerly sidewalk, from Burrill street to the Lynn line.
172
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
LJan. 31
I recommend that Essex street, opposite the Pitman estate, be widened and part of the ledge removed.
I recommend that the Town devise some means by which the nuisance now existing on Jessie street at the end of Tidd street, caused by the overflow of water through Tidd street, may be abated.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
January 31, 1910.
173
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
1910]
REPORT OF Engineers Fire Department.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-We have the honor to submit to you the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending February 1, 1910. This being the fifteenth annual and the thirty-first since the organization of the paid department.
Manual Force.
The department consists of thirty-four men, assigned as follows :
One chief, two assistant engineers, seven permanent men including the chief, two captains, two lieutenants, five pipemen, seven hosemen, six laddermen and four men assigned to the steamer.
Apparatus.
The apparatus consists of one steam fire engine with three horse hitch, one two-horse hose wagon, one two-horse chemical, three hand reels, one two-horse hose pung, two relief wagons, one wire wagon, one single wagon, one ladder truck, all in good condition, with the exception of the truck.
Fire Alarm.
This system is in good condition with the exception of the rack and elements of the storage battery which will have to be renewed this present year.
Hydrants.
There has been one new hydrant added this year making the total number one hundred and forty at the present time.
1
I74
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Hose.
There is twenty-eight hundred and fifty feet of 22-inch cotton hose, rubber lined, in good condition, and one thousand feet worthless for fire service, four hundred feet &-inch rubber hose in good condition.
Horses.
The Department has ten horses, nine in good condition and one well along in years. None have been bought, none ex- changed, but one has been sold during the past year.
Fire Station.
The Phillips Beach Station has been repaired and painted and is in perfect condition on the inside, but will need to be painted outside this coming year.
The Central House on New Ocean Street is still in sad need of repairs. The appropriations of last year were wholly inade- quate for the purpose. It needs painting on the outside and in, new floors and repairs in bath room.
Recommendations.
On account of the increased cost of maintaining the Steam Fire Whistle, we would recommend that the Town take some action in regard to the purchase and installing a Compressed Air Whistle. The cost of maintaining the Steam Fire Whistle after May 1, 1910, will be $520 per year, and four (4) years would pay for a Compressed Air Whistle, while the cost to operate the same would be about $5 per year.
We would recommend that the following amounts be appro- priated for the ensuing year :
Current expenses, receipts and .
$9,500 00
Paint and repairs on Central House .
600 00
Paint and repairs on Chemical House,
125 00
Repairs on Fire Alarm System
505 00
175
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
1910]
We also recommend that the pay of the Chief Engineer be increased to $21 per week, and the first and second assistant to $100 per year, and also that there be an increase in the pay of the call officers of the company.
Fires and Alarms.
There have been 21 bell alarms, 41 telephone calls and II still alarms, making a total of 73 alarms this past year. The no-school signal has been sounded 3 times and the Department has responded to 13 out-of-town calls. Chemical No. I Phillips Beach called in service 17 times. Chemical No. 4, Lynn, 8 times.
Loss by Fire.
The value of property, amount of insurance paid and net losses at fires where a portion of the department has responded, is as follows :
Value of buildings .
Value of contents
.
$97,400 00 66,500 00 .
Total
$163,900 00
Insurance on buildings
$54,500 00 ·
Insurance on contents
37,200 00 ·
Total
$91,700 00
Damage to buildings
$3,994 79
Damage to contents.
511 00
Total
$4,505 79
Insurance paid on buildings
$3,994 79
Insurance paid on contents
361 00
Total
$4,355 79
Net loss above insurance.
$150 00
Total
$4,505 79
.
176
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Remarks.
The affairs and conditions of the Department are in good shape at the present time. The storms of recent date have caused us considerable extra expense that could not be antici- pated. Also the sickness of one of the permanent drivers has added to the expense of maintenance.
There is as you will notice a difference of $191 in the receipts from street watering caused by the reductions of the pay of the Water Carts of the Department from $5 to $4 per day and as the recommendations of the last year's Board of Engineers, the Finance Committee and the vote of the town were on the $5 basis, we believe that we were justified in considering that we were still entitled to that amount even in face of the notification from the Board of Selectmen of a reduction.
Conclusion.
In closing we wish to extend our thanks to the citizens of the Town for the many courtesies extended to the Department ; to the Police Department for their generous service at all times, and last but greater than all, to the individual members of the Department for their willing and cheerful service under every condition.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. CAHOON, Chief. ELIAS G. HODGKINS, FRANK N. BESSOM. Board of Fire Engineers.
January 31, 1910.
177
HOOK AND LADDER TRUCK.
1910]
REPORT OF Committee to Purchase Ladder Truck.
At a special Town meeting held November 15, 1909, it was voted to purchase a hook and ladder truck, and the sum of $2,200 and receipts from old truck be appropriated for same. The Board of Selectmen and the Board of Fire Engineers were appointed a committee to purchase same.
Your Committee met November 17th to make arrangements to look at different types of apparatus to find out which would be the most practical for the Town's needs. After careful con- sideration they decided to visit the Combination Ladder Co.'s factories, Providence, R. I .; American La France Fire Engine Co., Boston, Mass., and O. F. Kress & Co., Lawrence, Mass., the above named firms being the largest manufacturers of fire apparatus in this part of the country. Individuals of the Com- mittee also visited engine houses in Marblehead, Beverly, Salem, Peabody and Lynn. After looking at the different apparatus made by each concern the Committee proceeded to draw up specifications which they considered most practical and suited to the needs of Swampscott. After which they advertised for bids, all being accompanied by a five hundred dollar certified check, and to be opened in the presence of the bidders with the following results : Combination Ladder Co. and Rhode Island Coupling
Co., of Providence, R. I. :
Seagrave truck including frame and ladders . $2,500 00
Steel frame truck with Seagrave type of ladders · 2,200 00 Steel frame truck with American La France type of ladders . . 1,890 00
No allowance for old truck.
12
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Jan. 3I
American La France Fire Engine Co., Boston, Mass. :
Steel truck American La France type of ladders 1,990 00
Steel truck with Seagrave type of ladders 1,880 00
Allowance on old truck ·
150 00 1
O. F. Kress & Son, Lawrence, Mass. :
Steel truck with either Seagrave or American La
France type of ladders 2,145 00 ·
Allowance on old truck
400 00
Your Committee unanimously voted to adopt the American La France type of ladders, and awarded the contract to O. F. Kress & Son, Lawrence, Mass., same to be delivered on or before April 1, 1910, the Committee being allowed the privilege of looking at truck at any time during process of construction ; also to be allowed to make any minor changes that would be of benefit to the apparatus, without extra cost to the Town; also truck guaranteed to be in first-class condition for one year after delivery, same to meet with the approval of the Committee after delivery, before truck is paid for, truck to be delivered f. o. b. Swampscott, Mass.
The Committee feel that the Town of Swampscott will have a hook and ladder truck second to none in the country and one that will meet the needs of the department for many years to come.
As the truck will not be delivered until after March 21th, and the unexpended balance of the appropriation reverts to the treasury, we have placed an article in the warrant for the annual meeting to appropriate funds to pay for the apparatus.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. HASKLLL, WALTER A. DAVIS, ARTHUR C. WIDGER, GEORGE P. CAHOON, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, FRANK N. BESSOM,
Committee to Purchase Ladder Truck.
179
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1910]
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-Herewith I submit the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending January 31st, 1910.
Financial Report.
Balance February Ist, 1909
$651 25
Overdraft, March 15, 1909 . .
192 29
$843 54
Expenditures from February Ist to March 15th,
1909
·
$843 54
Appropriation March 15th, 1909
$7,000 00
Receipts to February Ist, 1910 .
1,745 II
Due from fines
112 00
$8,857 II
Expenditures from March 15th, 1909, to February
Ist, 1910
8,019 08
Balance, February Ist, 1910
$838 03
Arrested or summoned to appear at court for the following offenses :
Males . Females . .
. · Total .
·
· 159
·
7 - I66
.
18c
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Assault
.
14
Assault on an officer .
I
Assault felonious
.
7
Attempt at rape
I
Breaking and entering
.
7
Capias
Cruelty killing an animal
.
I
Carrying weapons
I
Drunkenness
· 53
For officers of other places
13
Giving cigarettes
I
Insane
5
Larceny
4
Neglected child
.
I
Obstructing an engine
2
Tramps
2
Threats
I
Violating automobile law
·
41
Violating Town ordinance
I
Violating liquor law .
6
Violating Sunday law
2
Walking on railroad
I
Total
166
Disposition of cases :
Appealed . · I2
Committed to House of Correction 6
Committed to Dipsomaniac Hospital, Foxboro
.
I
Committed to Danvers Insane Hospital
5
Committed to Salem Jail, non-payment of fine 5
Committed to State Farm, Bridgewater
5
Committed to State Industrial School, Shirley ·
I
Defaulted . 2
Delivered to officers of other places 13
Discharged by court 14 ·
Fined and paid .
. 60
Placed on file
.
. 15
I
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
·
.
1910]
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT. 181
Placed on probation . 3 ·
Released for drunkenness by probation officer ·
16
Sent to Superior Court
·
7
Surrendered to State Board of Charities
I
Total .
166
Disposition of cases in the Superior Court :
Fined and paid .
. 5
Filed
3
Committed to House of Correction
2
Cases pending in Superior Court
.
S
Total . .
IS
Miscellaneous Business.
Accidents reported
37
Assisted other officers
30
Attempt to break and enter
6
Ambulance calls
37
Buildings found open and secured
2
Bicycles found by officers and returned to owners
3
Cases investigated
346
Cases of larceny reported
13
Cases of breaking, entering and larceny reported
15
Defective streets and sidewalks reported
·
47
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
.
27
Dead persons found and cared for
2
Dogs reported lost
47
Dogs killed by dog officer .
71
Dogs returned to owners
23
Extra hours of officers on ambulance .
92
Fire alarms given by telephone .
5
Fire alarms responded to by officers
2 I
Fires extinguished without alarm
4
Horses found cast in buildings
6
Horses reported stolen
2
Injured and sick persons assisted
49
.
.
61
Bicycles reported lost
.
.
.
182
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Intoxicated persons assisted home
18
Lights furnished for dangerous places .
19
Lights found burning in buildings
.
30
Lights reported out in street
86
Liquor raids made
7
Liquor forfeited to Commonwealth
7
Lost children restored
28
Obstructions removed from streets
14
Poles reported down .
3
Poles and trees reported on fire .
7
Stray horses found
8
Search warrants served for stolen goods
3
Teams found and returned to owners .
5
Team found and the owner not known
I
Water and gas leaks reported
16
Wires reported down .
30
Value of property reported lost or stolen
$2,022.00
Value of property recovered
873.00
.
Recommendations.
I feel the urgent need of once more calling the attention of the voters to the important question of better ambulance service and facilities, as I did in my report of two years previous, as there have been many occasions, some being very urgent calls, when there has been delays in getting the ambulance, under the present existing conditions.
This however, has not been the fault of those who have the care of the vehicle, as they cannot afford to maintain a constant service or keep horses in readiness for the amount appropriated.
Remarks.
In closing my report, I would like on behalf of the members of the Police Department, to thank the voters of the Town for the handsome endorsement with which the Department was granted the Civil Service regulations, and also the one day off in thirty, which is highly appreciated by the members of the force.
.
183
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1910]
I wish also at this time to extend my thanks to the Board of Selectmen for their courteous co-operation during the past year, and also to the officers of the department, for their readiness and willingness at all times in the performance of duties, and to the Lynn Police Force and Court Officials for courtesies rendered on various occasions. I recommend as an appropriation for this department $7,300 and receipts.
Respectfully submitted,
ULYSSES M. CORSON, Chief of Police.
January 31, 1910.
184
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Report of the Board of Health.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Health herewith present for your consideration this report for the year ending January 31, 1910. The Board organized March 17, 1909, with George C. Webster as Chair- man.
The following appointments were made :
Clerk, Harold H. Bartol. Milk Inspector, Herbert D. Smith. Care of Offal at Beach, Charles Melvin.
· Inspector of Fruits and Provisions, Fred W. Drake. Inspector of Plumbing, Martin E. Nies.
Previous to this year Mr. Nies has been receiving pay for inspections made at the rate of $5 for a new inspection and $2 for an old inspection. The Board, after carefully considering the matter and investigating the same, as it exists in other towns of the size of Swampscott, decided that a regular salary of $45 per month would be more satisfactory to all concerned and con- sequently voted to pay Mr. Nies $45 per month.
Bids for the disposal of night soil were advertised for and but one proposal was received, that of Allen S. Rowe for the sum of $95.00. The contract was awarded to Mr. Rowe.
During the year the contract for the collection of Swill and Ashes, which has existed for the past five years expired. A new contract was drawn up and bids on same were received as fol- lows :
185
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1910]
New England Live Stock Co. $2,300 00 a year .
Thomas S. & Mary A. Robinson . 2,090 00 a year .
Henry S. Mudge & Sewall N. Boynton
1,800 00 a year
George F. Busby . 999 90 a year
Thomas Mannix . 999 00 a year
The Board, after carefully considering the merits of the bids received, decided in favor of George F. Busby, and therefore the contract for collecting Swill and Ashes for five years was signed on May 25, 1909.
Although there have been some complaints during the year, after careful investigation of said complaints, the Board con- siders the service has been generally satisfactory. As much of our trouble arises from paper being blown from the various dumps, it is the opinion of the Board that some action will have to be taken in the near future, whereby the same may be col- lected separately.
By an Act passed by the legislature during the year, the Inspection of Milk and Dairies was placed under our supervision and the Board has inspected the several dairies in and about Town, and found them generally in good condition. The report of our Milk Inspector herewith presented, will give a further idea of the quality of milk sold about Town. There has been reported forty-three cases of contagious diseases during the past year as follows :
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
·
I
Diphtheria .
8
Scarlet Fever
15
Chicken Pox
5
Typhoid Fever
4
Tuberculosis
·
7
Measles
·
2
Whooping Cough
I
Total .
43
By an Act of the State Board of Health, tuberculosis has been placed, as other contagious diseases, in the hands of the Board
186
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
of Health, and it has been the good fortune of the Board, by an arrangement with the Lynn Tuberculosis Association, by allowing them the use of the pest house for a day camp to have them care for all such cases which have been brought to our attention free of charge. At the close of the day camp, the Board inspected the pest house and found that they had left everything in good condition.
The Board granted the following permits :
To keep swine
To kill fowl
·
.
. 3 I
During the year the Board received the following complaints :
12 Pertaining to overflowing or leaky cesspools.
4 Filthy conditions about premises.
2 Stagnant water.
4 Where the plumbing was unsanitary.
After careful investigation, the same were abated.
During the year the Board has received several complaints in regard to the condition of the brooks, and we find that the appropriation is insufficient to accomplish the required work, we recommend that $1,000 be appropriated for the same.
The Board finds that in the portion of the Town known as Mountain Park, that in many instances it is impossible for the owners to build cesspools so that the conditions can be made sanitary, therefore the Board recommends that the sewer be extended in that direction as soon as possible.
The Board recommend that the sum of $4,000 be appropriated for the next year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. WEBSTER, Chairman, LORING GRIMES, M. D., JOHN B. CAHOON,
Board of Health.
187
MILK INSPECTOR REPORT.
1910]
Report of Inspector of Milk.
To the Board of Health, Swampscott, Mass. :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector for the year 1909-10.
Of the number of samples analyzed only three were found to be below the standard. The parties who sold this milk were notified and warned in regard to same, and all samples taken from them thereafter were found to be fully up to the standard.
Number of samples of milk taken and analyzed . 20
Number of samples of milk found under the standard . 3
Number of samples of milk analyzed from various dairies . 7
Number of complaints made and investigated ·
I
Number of licenses issued for sale of milk . . .
14
Number of stores registered for sale of milk .
18
Amount received for licenses
$7 00 .
Amount received for registration
9 00
Total
$16 00
Which amount I have paid to the Town Treasurer and hold his receipt for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT D. SMITH, Milk Inspector.
Swampscott, Mass., January 28, 1910.
188
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Report of Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, February 10, 1910.
To the Board of Health, Swampscott, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN, - I herewith submit my seventh annual report for the year 1909-10.
The work of the office is shown as follows :
Plumbing permits issued . I33
Complaints investigated
9
Licenses, renewed and issued .
38
Registered Plumbers .
106 .
Cases reported to Board .
.
2
Cases settled by Board
·
2
The laying of branch sewers the past year, together with the active building operations indicate an increase in the work of this office the coming year. There still remains several public buildings not connected with the sewer. Chapter 536 of the Acts and Resolves of 1909 relieves your Board of any further action in relation to the examination and licensing of plumbers, said action devolving entirely on the State Board for the Com- monwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN E. NIES,
Inspector of Plumbing.
·
189
MEAT AND PROVISIONS INSPECTOR REPORT.
1910]
REPORT OF Meat and Provisions Inspector.
Board of Health, Town of Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-Meat and provisions sold in Town I believe to be of the best quality, kept and put out in a manner consistent with a first-class trade.
FRED W. DRAKE,
January 31, 1910.
Inspector.
190
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Report of Inspector of Animals.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen. Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-During the past year I have made two general inspections of animals. In November, when a general report of number of animals, sanitary conditions of stables, etc. is sent to the State Cattle Bureau, there were 56 cows in milk, 4 young cattle, 28 swine and 2 goats.
There has been but one case of tuberculosis among cattle. This was where only one cow was kept and the animal was killed.
The dairies producing milk for public use are, I believe, sani- tary and the water supply first class. There is a chance for improvement in several stables where cows are kept for family use.
Respectfully,
FRED W. DRAKE,
Inspector of Animals.
191
TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.
1910]
Report of the Town Engineer.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit the first annual report of this department, for the year ending February 1, 1910.
Since the appointment of a Town Engineer, by your Board, on April 23, 1909, the number of days' work performed for each department is as follows :
Board of Assessors
54 days
Cemetery Department
I-2 day ·
Curbstone and concrete
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