USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1911 > Part 15
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8
Cases investigated and aid refused .
5
Cases investigated and aid granted . Number of persons fully supported .
17
10
Number of families partially supported .
18
Number of persons, men, women and children, receiving aid, 1910
87
Having settlement in Town
65
Having settlement elsewhere in State
22
Reimbursed by cities and towns
$589 49
Due from cities and towns
106 38
Reimbursement to outside towns by individuals
25 00
EDMUND RUSSELL,
Secretary.
256
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Report of Street Lights Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The most important matter coming before the Committee since the last Annual Town Meeting has been to provide for a continuance of our street lights, power having been given the said Committee at the Annual Meeting to make such arrange- ment or agreement by contract as would in their judgment be for the best interests of the Town.
Late in the summer the Committee asked for bids through advertising, and the only response came from the Lynn Gas and Electric Co .. the Company which has always furnished the street lights for the Town since we went into the Electric Light System.
A number of meetings were held by the Committee, with the contract men of the Lynn Gas and Electric Co., and after having submitted to us the bottom prices on a five years' contract we concluded to close with them and the result is we get our lights at still lower prices than ever before.
Starting in the first year at $73.00 per arc which is fifty cents less than ever before. we drop on a sliding scale to the fourth and fifth year to $71.50 per arc. Incandescent lamps will be $17.50 per year which is fifty cents lower than formerly. The committee consider that this town is well lighted, and would remind the citizens when comparing cost that our contracts the past ten years have been for an all night light on every dark night. Many towns shut off the power at two o'clock A. M. and also on moon schedules, but whenever the silvery orb of night, goes behind a dark cloud which blankets the precincts
257
STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT.
1911]
and homes in this beauty spot by the sea the powerful rays of man's benignly light comes forth to guide us on our way.
Your committee recommend an appropriation for the current year of $10,500.
E. A. FARNHAM, J. R. MERRITT. M. L. QUINN, JAMES F. CATON, E. G. HODGKINS,
Committee.
This agreement made this thirteenth day of September, 1910. by and between the Lynn Gas & Electric Company, a corporation duly organized under the laws of Massachusetts, and established in the City of Lynn in the County of Essex in said State, herein- after called the Electric Company, and the Town of Swampscott in said County and State acting by
E. A. Farnham,
J. F. Caton,
J. R. Merritt,
M. L. Quinn, E. G. Hodgkins.
its Committee on Street Lights hereunto duly authorized by vote of the Town, witnesseth that
Whereas, said Town desires to continue to light certain of its streets and public places by electric light supplied by both the arc and incandescent systems,
And Whereas, the Electric Company is ready to continue to furnish such light for the term of five years upon the terms and conditions and for the prices hereinafter mentioned, provided the Town grants the necessary licenses, permits and easements therefor,
Now Then, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained to be kept and performed by the parties hereto respectively, it is hereby mutually covenanted and agreed as follows :
I. The Electric Company agrees to furnish one hundred and twenty (120) more or less arc lamps of the enclosed alternating
17
258
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
type of nominal twelve hundred candle power each, and ninety (90) more or less incandescent lamps of nominal thirty-two candle power each, said lamps to be operated in the locations already established. The Electric Company agrees that it will at its own cost and expense maintain all the necessary poles, wires, circuits and other apparatus required for the operation of said lamps, and properly connect said lines and circuits with the generating and controlling apparatus at its Electric Light Station in Lynn, so as to constitute a complete and efficient lighting plant for the purposes above named, but all the property, apparatus and fixtures mentioned in this article shall be and remain the property of the Electric Company.
2. The Electric Company agrees, during the term of this contract so to maintain and operate its generating and controlling apparatus, wires, circuits and lamps, as to furnish light from said lamps at their respective capacities, during the times and hours hereinafter specified, and in such manner that said light shall be practically steady and continuous, The Electric Com- pany guarantees that each so-called 1,200 candle power arc lamp and each so-called 32 candle power incandescent lamp shall be as efficient, as regards steadiness and quantity of light, as any lamp of like rated capacities now in general use.
3. The Electric Company agrees to light and keep lighted all the arc and incandescent lamps upon each and every night of the year whenever the moon is not out or is obscured, and to keep lighted such lights such parts of the nights in the year as the moon may be temporarily obscured, as well as upon such nights as the moon is not out.
On and after the first day of October, 1910, the Town of Swampscott agrees to pay for said arc and incandescent lights, furnished lighted and maintained to the satisfaction of the Com- mittee on Street Lights of the Town of Swampscott, as per schedule hereto attached marked A.
4. All amount accruing under the above items or any of them shall be paid by the Town of Swampscott to the Electric Company in instalments as follows :
On the first day of each and every month there shall be due
259
STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT.
1911]
and payable such sums as shall, according to the rates and prices hereinbefore specified, pay for all the lights furnished up to said first day of the month.
5. It is further agreed that in case the Town should desire to change the location of said lamps or any of them, the Electric Company will relocate the same and put them in such new places as the Committee on Street Lights for the time being may designate, provided, however, that actual cost and expense occasioned the Electric Company for such changes in location shall be paid by the Town in addition to the other amount accruing from it to the Electric Company.
6. If for any reason not due to the fault or negligence of the Electric Company there shall be any cessation or an interruption to the supply of electric light under contract, the Electric Company shall not be liable in damages therefor, but there shall be deducted from the consideration to be paid as aforesaid, such amounts as shall be a just proportionate discount on account of such failure to supply light, except that such temporary failures of the lights to burn, as are ordinarily incident to the operation of electric light plants, shall not entitle the Town to any rebate or discount. The Electric Company shall nevertheless be bound throughout the terms of this contract to use its best endeavors to start the lights again with all reasonable dispatch and burn the same continuously, after any cessation or interruption.
7. It is agreed that the lights herein contracted for shall be in operation as soon after the first day of October, 1910, as is possible and that this contract shall be and remain in force for a period of five (5) calendar years from and after said date.
8. Finally, it is understood and agreed that if during the continuance of this contract the Town of Swampscott shall vote to establish a municipal lighting plant after the expiration of two (2) years from the date hereof, in accordance with Acts of Legislature now in force or hereafter to be enacted, the Town of Swampscott shall not be liable for the balance of this contract and all further liability under this contract shall cease.
260
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
In witness whereof said Town of Swampscott has caused these presents to be signed in its name and behalf by said
E. A. Farnham J. F. Caton
J. R. Merritt
M. L. Quinn E. G. Hodgkins
Its Committee on Street Lights hereunto duly authorized ; and said Lynn Gas and Electric Company has caused same to be signed in its name and behalf by its Committee on Contracts hereunto duly authorized.
THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT
By Committee on Street Lights.
EDWIN A. FARNHAM, JOHN R. MERRITT, By E. A. F. JAMES. F. CATON, MARTIN L. QUINN, ELIAS G. HODGKINS.
LYNN GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
By Committee on Contracts.
J. S. BARTLETT, MICAJAH P. CLOUGH, CHARLES H. BAKER.
Schedule A.
Enclosed Alternating Arc Lamps.
First year
$73 00
Second year
72 50
Third year .
72 00
Fourth and fifth years
71 50
Incandescent Lamps.
Per annum during term of Contract $17 50
261
CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT'S RPEORT.
1911]
Report of Cemetery Superintendent.
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report as Superintend- ent of the Cemetery.
Lots Sold During the Year.
Three (3) in the uew part at $40.00 each.
Three (3) in the new part at $45.00 each.
Two (2) in the new part at $50.00 each.
Four (4) single graves at $15.00 each.
One (1) single grave at $10.00.
Number of interments fifty-nine (59).
Broken stone was placed on some of the avenues, and the stone wall was pointed. Necessary repairs were made on the building, and the same painted outside. A new Record Book, for the recording of interments was furnished me, which I believe will be valuable for records of same.
Recommendations.
That the avenues in the old part be named and suitable signs be placed thereon.
For the care and maintenance of the Cemetery I would recommend an appropriation of $1,400 and receipts.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD A. SMITH,
Superintendent.
January 31, 191I.
262
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Committee on Stacey Brook.
This Committee appointed under Article 12 of the Warrant for Town Meeting of June 15, 1910, working in conjunction with the Lynn Drainage Committee, investigated the conditions which exist along Stacy brook where it flows through the Town of Swampscott, and agreed that these conditions warrant the enclosing of these waters within a culvert. The question of building this culvert from New Ocean street to Humphrey street was taken up at the joint meeting of the two Boards on July 1, 1910, at the office of the Board of Selectmen. Plans had pre- viously been prepared by the Town Engineer, and the estimated cost of this work was about $10,000. Neither Committee having authority to enter into any agreement, we, at their sug- gestion wrote them making this proposition, that a culvert of sufficient size be built, and that each municipality pay their pro- portionate part of the expense thereof, and if this met with their approval, we would submit same to the people at the next Town Meeting with recommendation that an appropriation be made for and the work done. This communication was referred to the Finance Committee of the City of Lynn, and no report hav- ing been made previous to the change in governments it will probably be taken up by the new Municipal Council.
We recommend that this Committee be continued.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, JAMES F. CATON, MARTIN L. QUINN, AARON R. BUNTING.
February 1, 1911.
Committee.
263
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT.
1911]
REPORT OF
Local Superintendent of Moth Work.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-At once after receiving official notice of my appointment, I made a survey of the Town to ascertain where the moth work had not been done. I found about ninety per cent of the private property and a few street trees uncleaned, March 28, 1910.
As the brown-tail caterpillars emerge from their web about the middle of April, or earlier, if the weather is warm, it was necessary to accomplish all I could before they came out. There were fifteen men employed in the work until the treating of the nests and removing the webs were completed. This was the largest number of men on the work at any one time. The small- est number was four.
The method of carrying on the work has. been the same as in previous years, with the exception of spraying and tinning.
Tinning.
Tinning was substituted for cementing, which has been unsatisfactory, because the cementing was not properly done. To do it properly was too expensive, as many trees were not worth it. Tin patches nailed over cavities and tarred on both sides make a neat, durable, and inexpensive means of keeping the moths from laying their eggs in the holes where it is impos- sible to find and treat them.
26.4
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Spraying.
Spraying has been done more extensively this year than in years past, and one and one-half tons of arsenate of lead were used. The addition of a power sprayer to the equipment of the department make the facilities for fighting the moths complete.
With this machine it is possible :-
First. To throw a spray over the highest trees in town from the ground, thus eliminating dangerous climbing.
Second. To do all the spraying necessary in the spraying season, which is very short (from the middle of May until the last of June ).
With the old hand apparatus it was impossible to spray the town trees properly in that time, to say nothing of the many calls from private individuals for spraying. This year over one hundred acres were sprayed besides the town trees. The results were very satisfactory, and many large estate owners at the lower end of the town took advantage of the opportunity to have their trees sprayed.
Third. To spray at a minimum cost. It takes one horse and five gallons of gasoline more to run the power sprayer one day than it does to run the hand outfit, but on an average it has sprayed twelve to fifteen elm trees on the street in an hour, while it would take almost a whole day by hand power.
Although the power sprayer was bought from the appropri- ation for moth work, the work to-day is farther advanced than it was when I took it much later in the season than this, March 28th. The appropriation was five thousand dollars, but the actual expense to the town is only three thousand six hundred dollars, because fourteen hundred dollars was assessed the tax payers for private work done. and reverts to the town treasury. Then the gasoline sprayer and hose cost one thousand dollars, and this deducted from thirty-six hundred dollars leaves twenty-six hundred dollars, actually spent for moth work this year.
Tanglefoot.
Tanglefoot was used on trees near stone walks and rocky places that were badly infested. thus preventing the the larva
265
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT.
1911]
that hatched from eggs under the stones from ascending the trees. About six hundred pounds were used.
Burlap.
There were twenty-five hundred yards of burlap used this year. In the future it will not be necessary to use so much, because spraying is being substituted for it. The neighboring towns are using very little burlap and some have abandoned it entirely.
I have reason to believe spraying is one of the most practical and modern methods of combating the moths. By saving the expense of so much burlap as has been used in the past and the greater expense of having it turned three or four times a week, it seems that the whole area of the town, woods as well as the residental part could have the attention of the moth department and that our woods would no longer be left to the devastations of the pest and to continually furnish a supply for the residental part.
I do not say we can exterminate them after they have such a foothold, but we certainly can suppress them to a limit.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE, Local Superintendent.
February 1, 1911.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I herewith submit the following report :
In the spring, as soon as was practical, I had all dead trees removed, and live, thrifty ones planted in their places. The best on the market were bought, because a tree planted by the roadside has more adverse conditions to withstand than in nearly any other place.
The dead trees removed were as follows : Humphrey street, + ; Walker road, I : Andrew road, I : Hampden street, 2 : High-
266
'TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
land street, I ; Thomas road, 2 ; Farragut road, 3; Shaw road, I ; Norfolk avenue. 2; Stetson avenue, 3; Burrill street, 2 ; Ocean avenue, 1 ; State road, I ; Middlesex avenue, 2 ; making a total of twenty-six trees.
One tree on Humphrey street, although alive was unsafe, and was removed. The trees set out are as follows : Essex avenue, 4 ; Stetson avenue, 3 : Burrill street, 2; State road, 2; Norfolk avenue, 2 ; Middlesex avenue, 3 ; Hampden street, 2 ; Andrew road, 1 ; Farragut road, 3; Walker road, I; Thomas road, 2 ; Elmwood road, I ; Humphrey street, I ; Redington street, 2 ; Highland street, I ; making a total of thirty trees.
Protection of Trees.
Every tree planted on a highway ought to have a wire pro- tector which must be adjusted every year as the tree grows. As soon as the planting was done all the old wires were adjusted and four rolls of new wire were put on where it seemed most needed.
Cavities in Trees.
This year there has been but one large cavity treated and filled with cement, as it is very expensive and the small amount appropriated would not allow of more being filled. All the old fillings were painted over and look well. As has been stated before there are three or four reasons for this kind of work ; first, it improves the appearance of the tree; second, it keeps out the moth and last it strengthens and preserves the trees. Tin could be used on the highway, but it does not resist wheel hubs.
Trimming.
A lot of trimming has been done but there is still a pressing need for a great deal more. The larger trees are full of dead wood, evidences of which are seen after every storm and strong wind. While doing the moth work we break out all that we can, but that leaves stubs sticking out that ought to be sawed off close to the tree so that nature can callous over the wound. There are a lot of dead limbs too large to break off with a
267
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT.
1911]
pruning pole and these are a menace to the public. There was considerable low trimming to be done so that people could pass under trees with an umbrella. In all nine hundred and fifty-nine trees were trimmed.
Insect Pests.
In addition to the foregoing we have the elm leaf beetle and the leopard moth to deal with. The last season the beetle has given very little trouble. In the early spring they were out in great numbers and ready to strip the elm trees of their foliage. The first week of June nearly all elm trees on town streets were sprayed and not a tree was defoliated and in many places all evidences of the pest disappeared.
The other insect pest is not so easily handled, because it lives and feeds on the wood of the limbs, tunneling around and up and down under the bark. It matures in two years, then pupates and lays its eggs singly on the bark of the tree. The eggs hatch and the young borer enters a young sucullent branch and in many cases weakens it so that it breaks off. To fight this borer it was necessary to be on the lookout for these broken off limbs constantly and cut them off below the break and thus catch the borer before he got out and into another larger limb. Di- sulfide of carbon injected into the hole made by the borer will kill it. But it is not at all an easy matter to find the holes.
Recommendations.
I recommend the following; supervision $75, for new trees $75, for removing trees $50, for pruning and trimming $400, for elm leaf beetle and leopard moth $100, and for wire and tree guards $50, making a total of $750.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
Tree Warden.
268
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 14, 1911.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report for the year end- ing February 10, 191I.
Total number of balances and platform scales tested . . 79
Number of weights tested . . 190 ·
Number of dry measures tested . · 47
Number of liquid measures tested
Number of yard sticks tested
.
3
Total amount received $23 for above.
The Standard embraces the following : one avoirdupois bal- ance, fifty pounds; one set of avordupois 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 ; two sets of liquid measures of six dimensions, one gill, one-half pint, one pint, one quart, two quarts, one gallon ; 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 1910; one hammer, two drills, one bitstock, one breast drill, one tripod, one tin tube, ten graduating glasses.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED G. WATTS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
269
AIR WHISTLE.
1911]
REPORT OF COMMITTEE TO LOCATE AND INSTALL COMPRESSED AIR WHISTLE.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., February 10, 1911.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
Your Committee appointed to locate and install a Compressed Air Whistle in connection with the Fire Alarm System, for the use of the Fire Department, would report as follows :
After visiting several of the cities and towns using such a system, and deciding what the Town would need, calls for bids to install the same were made as required by the By-Laws. The contract was awarded to R. W. LeBaron of Arlington, Mass., for $1,845 this amount to include the entire expense of installing the said system complete, and ready for use.
The question of location was a serious one with your Com- mittee, and after looking the situation over thoroughly it was decided to place it in the basement of the Town Hall, that being the only Town building of anything like a proper location, that would accommodate and spare the room necessary for placing the air tanks operating the whistle. It is located in that portion of the basement used formerly by the Police Department.
The Committee feel that the Town has an Air Whistle System second to none. One that will be sufficient for the needs of the Fire Department for many years, and that the cost of operation will be very small as compared with that necessary to operate a steam plant either by maintenance or by contract.
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, JAMES F. CATON, GEORGE P. CAHOON, FRANK L. CHAPMAN, FRANK N. BESSOM.
270
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
GENTLEMEN, -The Committee appointed by the Town to arrange for the celebration of the Fourth of July, beg leave to submit the following report :
Before completing the arrangements, your Committee found that the amount appropriated by the Town, ($600) was inade- quate to make the celebration a success, and were forced to call upon some public-spirited citizens of the Town, who contributed $92, the amount required to complete the plans and assure the success of the celebration.
The Committee desires to take this opportunity to thank those who contributed, and also all other citizens who assisted in making the affair a success, especially to Mr. E. R. Grabow, of the New Ocean House, and Mr. Andrew W. Preston, of the United Fruit Company.
Your Committee is of the opinion that the proper observance of our National Holiday is a good investment for the towns- people, both socially and financially, as it provides, for a nomi- nal sum, entertainment at home for parents and children alike.
Therefore, your Committee recommends that the Town con- tinue to celebrate the Fourth of July on the same lines as has been done in the past two years.
FRANK W. HOMAN, JOHN M. NELSON, NATHANIEL R. MARTIN, STANLEY M. STOCKER, JOHN F. KEEFE.
Fourth of July Committee.
February 8, 1911.
271
TOWN ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT.
1911]
Report of the Town Accountant.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit the fourth annual report of this office for the year ending Feb. 1, 1911.
I have compared the Treasurer's accounts with the Collector of Taxes, and with all departments, and find them correct.
A detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures of de- partments and the standing of Trust Funds together with a state- ment of the town debt follow.
Respectfully submitted, C. G. ROWELL, Town Accountant.
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT.
Selectmen's Department.
Balance February 1, 1910
$677 52
Expenditures February I to March IS,
1910 . · ·
$664 22
Reverts to Treasury March 18, 1910 ·
13 30
$677 52
Appropriation
. $6,550 00
Receipts .
422 53
$6,972 53
Expenditures March 18, 1910 to Febru-
ary 1, 19II ·
. $5,582 79
Balance February 1, 1911
· 1,389 74
$6,972 53
EXPENDITURES.
SALARIES.
Bartlett, Nathaniel F., auditor ·
$ 75 00
Bubier, Nathan G., collector of taxes
.
400 00
Cahoon, Harry E., auditor 50 00
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