USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1911 > Part 4
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We submit to the Town our recommendations as follows :
TOWN WARRANT.
ARTICLE I. Consideration of this Article has been under- taken in conjunction with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Auditors and Ropes, Gray & Gorham, attorneys. We recommend that the particulars of the $14,000 " Swampscott Sewerage Loan" bonds, authorized by the vote under Article 27 at the Town Meeting on March 21, 1910, and chapter 401 of Acts 1903, be as follows : Fourteen bonds of $1,000, numbered from 1 to 14, Series H, dated July 1, 1910, payable in gold coin of the present standard of weight and fineness, maturing one each year on July Ist of the years 1911 to 1924, with interest at 4 per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, bearing the Town Seal, signed by the Town Treasurer, countersigned by the Sewer Commissioners, authenticated by the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston and subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of the coupons and appropriate endorsement. The principal and interest shall be payable at the Town Treasurer's office or at
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such Boston trust company or bank as the Town Treasurer and the Sewer Commissioners designate. All other particulars as to the form, issuance and sale of said bonds shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and the Sewer Commissioners, but the bonds shall not be sold at less than par and interest. Except as inconsistent with the foregoing particulars, the vote under said Article 27 is confirmed.
ART. 2. Article has been considered in conjunction with Board of Selectmen and Board of Auditors. We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds to be issued by the Town under the following votes of the Town : On November 15, 1909, under Article S, $2,200 for ladder truck ; on April 20, 1910. under Article 7, $4,000 for macadam streets and gravel pit, $900 for catch basins and gutters, $1,500 for sidewalks, $500 for fire department : under Article 23, $1,500 for laying out Fuller avenue ; under Article 24, $1,000 for laying out Banks road, Section 1 ; under Article 25, $800 for laying out Banks road, Section 2 ; under Article 35, $3,000 for con- struction purposes in water department ; under Article 37; $1,800 for compressed air whistle ; under Article 43, $300 for culvert from junction of Banks road across Farragut road to the Brook ; a total of $17,500. There shall be seventeen bonds of $1,000 each, numbered from 1 to 17, and one for $500, numbered IS. They shall be dated July 1, 1910 and mature on July Ist, $2,000 a year for eight years and $1,500 in the ninth year. The bonds shall bear the Town Seal, be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen, and shall be authenticated by the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston. They shall be subject to registration, at holder's option, on presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation
of the coupons and appropriate endorsement. The principal and interest shall be payable at the Town Treasurer's office or at such Boston trust company or bank as the Town Treasurer and Selectmen designate. They shall be called "Town of Swampscott Miscellaneous Bonds 1910." All other particulars as to the form, issuance and sale of said bond shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and the Selectmen, but the bonds shall not be sold at less than par and interest.
1911]
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS. 65
We learn from various sources that through some confusion in preparation of the last Annual Town report, the customary pro- vision for appropriating certain sums for the various depart- ments together with the use by those departments of their receipts during the year, was inadvertently changed so that at the last meeting these departments were by vote provided only with the appropriations called for but were not given the benefit of their receipts, in accordance with custom. Therefore, to put these departments in their customary basis, it is necessary to grant them the use of their receipts and to do this and cover the over- sight referred to, we report as follows :
ART. 3. We recommend its passage.
ART. 4. We recommend its passage.
ART. 5. We recommend its passage.
ART. 6. We recommend its passage.
ART. 7. We recommend its passage.
ART. 8. We are informed by Selectmen that this Article appears in the present warrant through an error, as the approria- tion alloted the Moth Work Department does not need to be supplemented by its receipts in order to properly prosecute the work in accordance with custom. We therefore recommend that consideration of this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 9. We Recommend its passage.
ART. 10. We Recommend its passage.
ART. II. At the last Annual Meeting, the Park Department was voted an appropriation, the matter of receipts being over- looked, as in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10, and a special appropriation of $150 for the purpose of making certain im- provements in a small piece of property known as Monument Park. The Park Department informs us that this special appro- priation is too limited to enable it to carry out the work for
5
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which the sum is intended, consequently, this $150 is available for other purposes. We believe the installation of standard public playground apparatus, such as is in use in the various Lynn playgrounds, would be both beneficial and wise. We are given to understand by members of the Park Department that if the $150 referred to could by vote of the Town be diverted for the purpose of playground apparatus, they would gladly see to its installation on the northerly end of the playground opposite the Clarke school. We, therefore, recommend that this article be amended and passed as follows: To see if the Town will vote to allow the receipts of the Park Department for the use of that department during the current year as petitioned for by George R. Durkee and others, and also permit the Park Depart- ment to spend the sum of $150, authorized by vote at the last Annual Town Meeting for improvements in Monument Park, for the purchase and installation of playground apparatus on the public playground opposite the Clarke school.
ART. 13. In order that the findings of this and succeeding Committees on Ways and Means may be subject to a general understanding and comprehensive digest before the meetings, we believe it would be in the interest of good government to have the reports printed and distributed at least three days previous to such meetings. We recommend the passage of this Article, the slight expense therefor to be paid from the Selectmen's fund.
ART. 14. The petitioners were requested to appear and ex- plain their reasons for suggesting the creation of the office of an Inspector of Buildings with its consequent expense but, as noth- ing was subsequently heard from them or anyone advocating the Article, the Committee has been unable to find any justification for a commendatory report and we, therefore, recommend that consideration of this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 15. Relating to the purchase of 500 feet of hose cost- ing $400, as recommended by the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department, appears to be necessitated by the fact that
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1911]
through a recent accident, some of the department hose was destroyed and it becomes necessary to replace it. We recom- mend the passage of this Article, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, for the purpose of raising the amount called for, namely, $400.
ART. 16. With reference to oiling Farragut road, was explained to the Committee by Mr. Robert Leslie, petitioner. To do this, the Committee is informed, would cost roughly $450. The complaint of dust created by automobiles through this road might be urged with equal force in connection with several other thoroughfares not at present oiled, and as there is under consideration at the present time a comprehensive scheme by which oiling of roads in various traveled sections of the town may be accomplished with a view to corresponding economy in the street sprinkling service, we believe it to be good policy to allow those officials at present working on this question to com- plete their plan, unhampered, at this time, by instructions as to oiling this or that particular section. The plan of oiling certain sections referred to, if subsequently carried out, admits of the economy entailed by the discontinuance of certain street sprink- lers. We, therefore, recommend that consideration of this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 18. Pertaining to action in regard to the laying of water mains through a new thoroughfare to be laid out through the Lodge estate, off Orient street, and appropriating money for the same, has been explained by the Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Board and others. We are told that about 2,000 feet of 6-inch pipe would be required which, together with labor and other expenses, would cost the Town about $2,500. Mr. Henry E. Lodge, the petitioner, has offered to pay the Town interest on the cost at 6 per cent. per annum, the amount of interest so paid to be reduced in proportion as new sources for water mains are made available on the lots now being opened. In other words, when the Town is finally receiving the full benefit of the pro- jected number of water takers on this estate, payment of this
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interest on the part of Mr. Lodge will wholly cease and the Town's source of income from this locality will be on the same basis as in any other section. We recommend that this Article be accepted and adopted and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town with the approval of the Selectmen for the purpose of raising the amount called for, namely, $2,500.
ART. 19. Calling for an appropriation of $300 for re- surfacing sidewalks with tar concrete as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways. It appears that certain work of this character has become necessary, and we recommend the passage of this Article and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen, for the purpose of raising the $300 necessary to do the work.
ART. 20. With reference to an appropriation of $500 to provide for transportation of children to and from schools. Our investigation shows the necessity for some such action as that petitioned for inasmuch as a limited number of children are at present required to walk daily a distance in excess of what might be termed reasonable. The amount requested was originally intended to cover a full school year but as the School Committee agrees that a less amount will amply cover the point raised until the next Annual Town Meeting, we recommend that Article 20 be accepted and adopted with the substitution of the sum of $300 in place of the $500 called for; that said sum be appro- priated and placed at the disposal of the School Committee to be expended at its discretion for the purpose covered by the article.
ART. 21. Pertaining to increasing the compensation of the permanent drivers of the Fire Department from $16 to $18 per week, commencing March 21, 1910. Our judgment, based on information from parties both interested and disinterested is that the request is a reasonable one and should be granted. We recommend that this article be amended to provide for the
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1911]
increase requested to commence on the date the article is accepted and adopted and in this form, recommend the passage of the article.
ART. 22. We recommend that this Article be accepted and adopted and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen, to the amount of $200 to cover expense, the acceptance to be effective when all waivers are signed.
ART. 23. We recommend the passage of this Article and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen, to the amount of $500, the acceptance to be effective when all waivers are signed.
ART. 24. In relation to authorizing the Water and Sewerage Board to build and maintain a sewer in Suffolk avenue. We recommend that this matter be referred to the Water and Sewer- age Board. We believe that if the work requested can be done and paid for out of the receipts of that department and such action will not interfere with the installation of sewers more urgently needed, it would be advisable to have the work under- taken. We further believe that the matter can be safely left to the discretion of the Water and Sewerage Board.
ART. 25. Relating to extending the sewer south in Orient court. We recommend that disposition of this article be made in a manner similar to that advocated on Article 24.
ART. 26. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $124 for the purchase of a portion of the Brook estate on Humphrey street for the purpose of widening that street. This matter has been considered by the Board of Selectmen in con- junction with the Mayor of Lynn and should the Town vote to accept and pass this article, a corner at present in a generally unsatisfactory and dangerous condition will be much improved. Swampscott's portion would be the sum called for and the City of Lynn, on its part, agrees to make necessary improvements in
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the curb and sidewalk on the portion of the land lying within its limits. We recommend the passage of this article and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen, for the sum of $124.
ART. 27. Calling for an additional $1,000 for street water- ing and oiling is recommended by the Selectmen. Previously, the street watering division has had the sum of $4,000 at its dis- posal for sprinkler service but this year, by vote, $1,500 of this was diverted for the purpose of oiling certain streets. While this implies a benefit to the streets so treated, the rest of the town is left with but $2,500 for sprinkler service which sum is inadequate. We recommend the passage of this article and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note or notes of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen, for the sum of $1,000 to cover the expense.
ART. 28. In relation to an increase in the salary of the janitor of the Town Hall from $14 to $16 per week. What the Committee has learned in considering this question leads it to the belief that in view of the demands made on the custodian of the Town Hall, a compensation of $16 per week is reason- able. It is explained that this increase could readily be paid out of receipts of Town Hall, and that no especial provision would be necessary. We recommend the passage of this article to take effect on the date of acceptance.
ART. 29. In relation to increasing the compensation of the Town Treasurer from $400 to $600 per year and the Treasurer's assistant from $100 to $150 per year and appropriating the necessary funds as recommended by the Board of Selectmen. In our judgment, the matter of increasing the salary of a town official at a special town meeting is both unwise and injudicious. Without, at this time, going into detail as to the merits of the question, we believe the town should, at this meeting, take no action on the application for an increase in the Treasurer's
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1911]
salary. Mr. Honors has served the town long and faithfully, but as a matter of precedent, we consider it inadvisable to advo- cate increasing his salary at this meeting. Mr. Honors explained to the Committee that detail work in his department has in- creased to such an extent that he requires more assistance than he feels he should expect from an assistant at the present rate, namely $100 per year and that if the $50 additional recom- mended for the clerk is granted, he will feet at liberty to transfer to the clerk much of the detail work now involving on him. With this in mind and with the wish to assist Mr. Honors all possible, we recommend that consideration of that portion of Article 29 relating to increase in the compensation of the Treas- urer from $400 to $600 per year be postponed until the next Annual Town Meeting and that the salary of the Treasurer's assistant be made $150 per year, taking effect at once, and that the increase be covered by an appropriation.
ART. 30. Pertaining to the extension of the sewerage system in Essex street in an easterly direction. The Committee is informed by the Board of Health and others that this is for the purpose of providing several houses on Essex street with sew- erage service, particularly the Florence Crittenton Home the sewerage provision for which is in such dangerous and unsatis- factory shape as to necessitate the closing of the home within a short time if some action of this nature is not taken. We under- stand the sum of $750 would be sufficient to cover the expense and that work could and would be undertaken immediately if author- ized. We recommend that this matter be committed to the Water and Sewerage Board with full authority to prosecute the work, the expense to be paid out of funds at present within its control.
The Warrant convening this meeting contains no provision by which the meeting itself may authorize the Town Treasurer to isssue notes for the amounts required and voted. As it will be impossible to borrow the sums called for in any way other than by holding another Town Meeting with a specific article in the Warrant authorizing the Town Treasurer with the approval
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of the Selectmen to negotiate such notes as may be required, we recommend this matter to the Selectmen for their thoughtful con-' sideration.
HARRY O. RUSS, W. W. SEYMOUR, C. I. LINDSEY, WILLIAM PLUMMER, FRED W. NEWCOMB, HARRY M. DOANE, CHARLES W. TUCKER. Committee on Ways and Means.
SWAMPSCOTT, JUNE 15, 1910.
June 15, 1910. Filed in the Town Clerk's Office.
MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
Voted, that the report be accepted and placed on file, and that Articles be taken up separately.
ART. I Voted, unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 2. Voted, to adopt the report of the Committee on this Article.
Voted, unanimously, to take up Articles, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 II. and to allow the receipts of their departments to the Select- men's, School, Cemetery, Town Hall, Continuous Sidewalk. Street Watering, Engineering and Park Department for the use of those departments during the current year.
ART. 8. Voted, as recommended by the Committee to indefi- nitely postpone.
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1911]
Article 12. On motion of M. E. Nies, Voted, that a Committee to consist of the Selectmen and two citizens appointed by the chair, make a general investigation of con- dition of the brooks located along or near the border line between Lynn and Swampscott, to devise a method for abolishing the objectionable conditions now existing and report at next special or regular meeting, or as soon as practicable, the chair named Aaron R. Bunting and Martin L. Quinn to act with the Selectmen.
ART. 13. Voted, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 14. Voted, to refer back to Ways and Means Commit- tee to be taken up at next Annual Town Meeting.
ART. 15. Voted, unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article, to appropriate $400 for 500 feet of hose for Fire Department.
ART. 16. Voted, as recommended by the Committee to indefinitely postpone.
ART. 17. Voted, to refer back to the Ways and Means Com- mittee.
ART. 18. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 19. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 20. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on Article 20.
ART. 21. Voted unanimously, as recommended by the Com- mittee that the compensation of the permanent drivers of the Fire Department, be increased from $16 to 18 per week; said
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increase to commence on June 15, 1910. On motion of Mr. Maxfield it was voted to appropriate $350 to be expended under Article 2 1.
ART. 22. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 23. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ARTS. 24 and 25. Voted, to adopt the Committee's report to refer these Articles to the Water and Sewerage Board.
ARTS. 26 and 27. Voted unanimously, to adopt the Com- mittee's report on these Articles.
ART. 28. Voted, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 29. Voted, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
ART. 30. Voted, to adopt the Committee's report on this Article.
Voted, to lay Article 17 on the table.
Voted, at 10.35 P. M. to dissolve meeting.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER,
Town Clerk.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
Special Town Meeting Monday, June 27.
TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX SS.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Swampscott, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs to meet at the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of June, nineteen hundred and ten, at 8 o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
ARTICLE I. To see whether the Town will vote to issue notes to supply the moneys appropriated at the Town Meeting of June 15, 1910, as follows : Under Article 15, $400 for Hose ; under Article 18, $2,500 for the extension of the Water Main on the Lodge Estate ; under Article 19, $300 for Resurfacing Side- walks; under Article 22, $200 for Laying Out Suffolk Avenue ; under Articie 23, $500 for Laying Out Orient Court ; under Article 26, $124 for the purchase of land on the Brock Estate and fix the particulars of such notes or take any action with reference to the issuance and sale of Notes for said purposes.
ART. 2. To see what action the Town will take in regard to selling land in Thompson's Meadow, Salem, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Depots, Post Offices, and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
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Given under onr hands this fifteenth day of June, in the year nineteen hundred and ten.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, JAMES F. CATON, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
RICHARD G. GILLEY, Constable.
Return on the Warrant.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott by posting attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Depots, Post Offices and three other public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the eighteenth day of June, 1910, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
RICHARD G. GILLEY,
Constable.
Meeting called to order at 8 P. M. by the Moderator, Mr. H. O. Russ, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee read and submitted the following report upon the Articles contained in the Warrant.
Committee on Ways and Means. TOWN WARRANT.
ARTICLE I. We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the notes to be issued by the Town under the following votes of the Town, on June 15, 1910.
Under Article 15, $400 for hose.
_ Under Article 18, $2,500 for the extension of the water main on the Lodge estate.
Under Article 19, $300 for resurfacing sidewalks.
Under Article 22, $200 for laying out Suffolk avenue.
Under Article 23, $500 for laying out Orient court.
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1911]
Under Article 26, $124 for the purchase of land on the Brock estate ; the total being four thousand twenty-four dollars ($4,024.00) ; that the Town issue its notes to the principal amount of $4,024, dated July 1, 1910. There shall be one note of $1,024.00, numbered I, maturing July 1, 1911, and three notes of $1,000.00 each, numbered 2 to 4 inclusive, one maturing on July Ist of each of the succeeding three years, with interest meantime at not exceeding 43 per cent per annum, payable semi- annually. The notes shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen, and shall be authenticated by the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston. They shall be sub- ject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of the cupons and appropriate endorsement. The principal and interest shall be payable at the Town Treasurer's office, or at such Boston Trust Company or Bank as the Town Treasurer and the Selectmen designate. They shall be called "Town of Swampscott Miscellaneous Notes, 1910." All other particulars as to the form, issuance, and sale of said notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and the Selectmen, but the notes shall not be sold at less than par and interest.
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