USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1912 > Part 17
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That an appropriation of seven hundred dollars ($700) be made for the purchase of a new engine for use at the stone crusher.
That an appropriation of nine hundred dollars ($900) be made for the purchase of a tank wagon for use in spreading oil on the Town streets.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., December 31, 1912.
229
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING REPORT.
1912]
Report of Plumbing Inspector.
To the Board of Health, Swampscott, Mass. :
GENTLEMEN-, I herewith submit my tenth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1912 :
Plumbing permits issued 153
Plumbing permits refused
3
Complaints investigated
I2
Cases reported to Board
6
Cases settled by Board .
6
Registered plumbers, local
24
Registered plumbers, all others
90
Cesspools inspected
30
Cesspool locations changed
4
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN E. NIES, Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., December 31, 1912.
230
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Engineers Fire Department.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN, - In compliance with the law we take pleasure in submitting to you our report ending December 31, 1912 :
Apparatus.
The apparatus consists of one Auto Combination, new ; one horse-drawn Chemical held in reserve, both at Phillips Beach House. At Central House, one Ladder Truck, one Hose Wagon and Engine, one Chief's Wagon, one Supply Wagon, one Pung and one Wire Wagon.
Hose.
There are at present 3,650 feet of 23 inch cotton hose in excellent condition, as follows : 1,000 feet at Phillips Beach and 2,650 feet at Central House ; 500 feet condemned as unfit to use.
Manual Force.
The manual force consists of thirty-four men, as follows : eight permanent men, including the Chief, and twenty-six call men, including two Assistant Engineers, two Captains and two Lieutenants.
Horses.
At present there are eight horses, five of which are in good condition. Three are getting along in years, and may not last through the present year.
Fire Stations.
Both houses at present are in good condition, with the exception of the stable at Central House. Something must be be done with the floors.
Fire Alarm System.
The system is in good condition at present writing. There have been 23 miles of wire added to take the place of old, and three new boxes added the past year.
231
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
1912]
Recommendations.
We recommend that 500 feet of 22 inch rubber lined hose be purchased, and $400 be appropriated for same.
We recommend that $300 be appropriated for the stable floors.
We recommend the placing of a fire alarm box at the junction of Rockland street and Greenwood avenue, and that $90 be appropriated for the same.
We recommend the purchase of a Combination Hose and Pumping outfit, and we recommend an appropriation for the same.
Current expense and pay rolls ·
$13,050 00
Hydrant rent .
2,300 00
Five hundred feet of hose .
·
400 00
Repairs on stable
.
300 00
One Fire Alarm Box
.
90 00
$16,140 00
Fires and Alarms.
There have been 37 bell alarms, 52 telephone calls and 5 still alarms, making a total of 94 alarms this past year. The no- school signal has been sounded three times. The Department has responded to 9 out-of-town calls. Combination A was called into service 58 times and chemical 4, 19 times. Number of feet of hose used, 790,000. Number feet of Ladder used, 68,700. Gallons chemical used, IS8,000. Number of miles, 293.2, and number of hours working at fires, 1333.
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
·
$41,400 00 18,130. 00
Total
$59,530 00
Insurance on buildings
$26,600 00
Insurance on contents
10,600 00
Total
$37,200 00
Damage to buildings
·
$3,130 40
Damage to contents
896 00
Total
.
$4,026 40
Value of contents
·
·
.
232
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Insurance paid on buildings $3,130 40 643 00
Insurance paid on contents
Total
Net loss above insurance
$3,773 40 $253 00
Applications Received and Permits Granted.
Applications received for blasting
35
Permits granted for blasting 28 ·
Applications received for transporting explosives .
I
Applications received for storing explosives
0
Applications received for the sale of fireworks
.
6
Permits granted for the sale of fireworks
.
2
Applications received for burning rubbish .
150
Permits granted for burning rubbish
. .
144
.
.
Remarks.
In making these remarks, we wish to refer back to our recom- mendations on Auto apparatus, and give the reasons why. We have watched our Combination for the last sixteen months very carefully, and the ability of such a piece of apparatus to get there quick and stop or retard a fire has been fully demon- strated several times during the past year. Another reason, the actual running expenses are greatly in favor of Auto apparatus.
Hoping that these few remarks will meet with your approval, we will conclude by thanking the Board of Selectmen, the citi- zens and the Police Department for their good will and services rendered during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. CAHOON. GEORGE F. CLAY, FRANK W. OULTON, Board of Engincers.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., December 31, 1912.
SWAMPSCOTT FIRE ALARM BOXES AND LOCATION
Burrill cor. Railroad ave.
35 Beach Bluff ave.
36
6 Stetson ave. opp. Franklin ave.
7 Hillside ave. cor. Cherry
8 Jessie st. Mountain park
9 Middlesex ave. cor. Berkshire 331
Orient st. near Lincoln House ct.
51 Essex near Burrill
52 Essex near Danvers
53 Beach ave. near Mountain ave.
Highland near King
54
Farragut cor. Ellis rd. Thomas cor. Elmwood rd. Walker rd. near Devens rd. Walker rd. near Banks rd.
3=3
2=2
1=1 All Out Signal Police Call 7.20 A. M. High School begins at 8 30 A. M. 7.50 A. M. No school, morning
Jct. Sheridan, Andrew, Farragut rd. 2=2 Chemical House, Phillips ave.
25 Humphrey cor. Forest ave.
Humphrey cor. Glen rd.
Telephone Fire Department 82
Chief Engineer's residence 3806
Steamer Signals I blast, start up; 2 blasts, coal; 3 blasts, hosemen ; 4 blast, engineer ; 4-1, limber up
Running Card for Combination A and Chemical 4, Lynn
Hose I out on Still, Combination A Engine Co. 5 and Ladder Co. I to answer answers all bell alarms
Combination A to cover all alarms when Engine I is at a fire
Combination A to pull in at Central House when Engine I is out on 2nd or 3rd Alarm or 10 Blows Special Call for Fayette Street House, Engine Co. 5 and Ladder Co. I, 3 blows followed by box number
all alarms while Swampscott is at a fire
Special Call for Chemical 4, Lynn, 4 blows followed by box number Special Call for Combination A, I blow followed by box number
Lynn Boxes on First Alarm
315 Michigan ave. cor. Seymour
316 Swampscott Engine House
317 Ocean cor. New Ocean
318 Lewis St. Chemical Engine House
321 Columbia Ave. Standard Oil Co.
323 Empire cor. Brookline
324 Chatham St. East Lynn station
371 Essex st. near Bessom
Second Alarm
31 Fayette st. Engine House
37 Oakwood ave. opp. Clinton
38 Eastern ave. opp. Oakwood
352 Harvest cor. Boylston
353 Ingalls cor. Jackson
424 Union opp: Green
Third Alarm
21 Maple cor. Chestnut
313 Chestnut cor. Olive
331 Union cor. Mailey
Washington cor. Munroe
443 Market cor. Munroe
461 Union cor. Silsbee
462 Silsbee cor. Friend
45 Howard cor. Green
521 Essex cor. Market
524 Pleasant cor. State
525 Pleasant near B. R. B. & L. R. R.
416 Central sq.
432 B. S. S. R. R. Power Station
441 Andrew cor. Central ave.
442 Market cor. Liberty
41 42 Broad st. Engine House
43 Washington sq.
412 Mulbery cor. Oxford
414 Washington cor. Broad
326 Timson cor. Brook
341 Lafayette Park
312 Jackson cor. Essex
325 Essex cor Chatham
10=10 Out of Town Call, all call mem- bers report at Station
26 27 Rockland head of Rose
31 Atlantic ave. cor. Phillips ave.
32 Humphrey opp. Manton
34 Humphrey opp. Blaney estate
312 Millett rd. near Ocean View
New Ocean House
14 15 Orient st. opp. Livery stable 16 Orient st. opp. Galloup's Point
56
2=2 12.50 P. M. No school, afternoon
17 112 121 122 123 124 125 21 23 24 Monument sq.
4 5 Engine House, New Ocean st.
37 38
233
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1912]
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN, -Herewith I submit the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1912 :
Arrested or summoned to appear at court for the following offences :
Males
141
Females.
2
Total
I43
Assault and battery
IO
Bastardy
I
Breaking and entering
3
Carrying weapon
2
Cruelty to animals
I
Disorderly conduct
4
Disturbing the peace
I
Drunkenness .
36
For officers of other places.
24
Insanity
3
Keeping slaughter house without permit . Larceny
6
Manslaughter
2
Malicious mischief
I
Neglected children
I
Rape attempt
I
Slaughtering meat without permit
I
Violating automobile law
44
Violating school law
.
I
Total .
.
.
143
Deposition of cases in lower court : Appealed
IO
Committed to House of Correction .
8
I
234
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
Committed to Insane Hospital, Danvers .
3
Committed to State Industrial School for Boys
I
Committed to House of Correction, non-payment of fine
4
Delivered to officers of other places
.
24
Discharged by court
9
Discharged without complaint
I
Fined and paid
40
Ordered to pay costs
16
Placed on file
9
Placed on probation
2
Released for drunkenness
9
Sent to Superior Court .
7
Total .
143
Disposition of cases in Superior Court :
Cases fined and paid
4
Cases nol prossed .
1
Cases pending in the Superior Court
16
Total
21
Miscellaneous Business.
Accidents reported .
59
Assisted other officers
31
Attempted to break and enter .
5
Ambulance calls
47
Buildings found open and secured
44
Bicycles reported lost
3
Complaints
338
Cases of larceny reported
I7
Cases of breaking and entering reported .
19
Defective streets and sidewalks reported . Disturbances suppressed without arrest
22
Dogs reported lost .
28
Dogs killed by dog officer
6S
Dogs returned to owner .
16
Extra hours of officers on ambulance
128
Fire alarms given by telephone
20
Fire alarms responded to by officers
47
Fires extinguished without alarms .
I2
Horses found cast in buildings
IS
42
235
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1912]
Injured and sick persons assisted
54
Intoxicated persons assisted home
20
Lights furnished for dangerous places
38
Lights reported out in streets .
240
Lights found burning in buildings
13
Lost children restored
34
Obstructions removed from streets
22
Poles and trees reported on fire
I7
Search warrants served for stolen property
4
Teams found and returned to owners
5
Water and gas leaks reported .
23
Wires reported down
26
Value of property lost or stolen
. $5,825 50
Value of property recovered
. $5,396 00
Recommendations.
I would respectfully recommend that there be an increase of three dollars ($3.00) per week in the pay of the regular patrol- men of this department, my reasons for this being as follows :
The greatly increased cost of living, including increased rents, higher prices of clothing and uniforms, increased costs in all foods and provisions and living in general. The prices in the above instances have doubled in the past ten years, while the wages of the patrolmen have only been raised three dollars per week in the same period.
The valuation and population of the Town having doubled in the past few years and the number of dwelling houses more than doubled, has necessitated a large amount of extra work and time being put in by all the officers, while all beats throughout the Town have been lengthened.
The large amount of increased traffic during a greater portion of the year has caused me to use the regular patrolmen a great many extra hours, especially during the summer months, for which they do not receive extra compensation.
Remarks.
In closing my report I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen for the many courtesies shown the department and myself during the past year, and also the voters of the Town for providing the department with an ambulance which has been of great assistance since its installation. It has been the direct means of furnishing a much greater efficiency in the department, especially in the matter of sick and hospital calls and many other occasions.
236
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
I also tender thanks to the officials of the Lynn Court and the members of the Lynn Police Department, who have assisted in many ways during the past year.
I also wish to thank the officers of the Swampscott Police Department for their careful attention to duty, willingness and promptness in cooperating with me at all times in the discharge of their manifold duties and for the many extra services rendered.
Respectfully submitted. U. M. CORSON, Chief of Police
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS, January 10, 1913.
237
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1912]
Report of the Board of Assessors.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
Your Board of Assessors have finished their duties for the year 1912. The property assessed for 1912 amounted to $12,387,906, a gain over the previous year of $565,889.
Every citizen knows that Swampscott has grown in the last ten years, but perhaps all the citizens do not know the exact figures, and do not realize how the work of this department has grown. The Board will quote a few figures. In 1902 the property assessed was $6,507,539 ; in 1912 it was $12,387,906, a gain of $5,880,367. The Town has about doubled in valua- ation in ten years.' Polls assessed in 1902 were 1, 154: in 1912 there were 1,803, a gain of 649. The number of dwelling houses assessed in 1902 were 1,067; in 1912, there were 1,482, a gain of 415.
The Board thinks that the citizens generally wish to grant a compensation to the members of the Board of Assessors, in com- parison to the growth of the Town. We therefore recommend to the action of the citizens the following : That the salary of the chairman be increased $100 per year, and to the other two members $50 each per year. As the members of the Board have taken work upon themselves formerly done by outside parties, we ask that the sum of $1,Soo be appropriated for the year 1913. This would cover the increase in salaries if granted.
The Board wishes to call to the attention of the Town the inadequate quarters the department has in the Town Hall. The department now has over 1,600 different parcels of real estate to assess, and with the room we need for our plans, card system and other records, we are very much cramped for space. At certain times in the year we have many tax-payers call at the room, and we have heard much criticism from them as to this. Several non-resident tax-payers were surprised at our quarters, as most towns and cities, recognizing the great importance of the work of Assessors, give them ample room, and thus the Boards can do more satisfactory work. At present our Board does not see exactly how there could be more room allotted to
238
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
it, but thought it would make its wants known, so when the Town is in a position to give something better in the way of accommodations, it will take the matter under consideration.
The Board of Assessors has to raise all the revenue each year to pay the State Tax, County Tax and the appropriations voted by the Town, less what money is borrowed, and certain receipts. The Board believes that all current expenses should be raised each year, but any improvement that is going to last for more than the current year should be borrowed, so the amount to be raised each year by taxation should pay the actual current expense of all expenditures each year. The Legislature this year will probably pass legislation in regard to matters of borrowing, and the Towns will then know for just what ex- penditures it would be legal to borrow, and the term of years which for the loan could be made.
The valuation of Real Estate in this Town increases each year, but the personal estate fluctuates every year. Last year the valuation of intangable personal property ; that is, stock and bonds, etc., that the Board has to practically estimate on, was $2,740,221. It certainly takes a great deal of the time of the Board, and as persons are changing their residences. and persons are deceased, it is almost impossible to tell the exact Tax rate for the year until about the first of July, when the Assessors have to close the accounts and make a rate so the collector can have the charges the first of August. In closing, the Board of Assessors would say that if the Town is to keep its personal property, and that also means $20,000 of corporation and Bank Tax receipts, which alone reduces our tax rate $1.75 per thou- sand, we do not want our tax rate much above our present rate for 1912, that is, $16.00 per thousand. The Board is trying to do its part in keeping a low rate of taxation. In ten years we have increased the land valuation $2,597,922, and we are working all the time we have on personal taxation. It is up to the citizens to see that the expenditures are made as low as possible, and keep the Town up at its present high standard, which the Board is satisfied attracts people to locate here.
EDWARD A. MAXFIELD, PELEG GARDNER, OSCAR G. POOR,
Assessors of Swampscott.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., December 31, 1912.
239
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
1912]
Report of Public Library Trustees.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Library and its work have remained without change dur- ing the past year, due largely to the fact that your Board of Trustees felt it inadvisable to commence any improvement work under present condition, because of lack of room and other facilities to enable them to advantageously carry out any plan for such work.
The Library, as stated in our previous yearly reports, is in great need of more room, and we would add that, in conse- quence, its growth and added usefulness is retarded, and must continue to be retarded, until some means is found to bring about a change for the better.
Some time since a Committee was appointed at Town Meet- ing to consider and report upon a plan for providing a location and a library building. The Committee met and the matter was discussed at some length, but the matter of a plan for providing money for the purpose, in a way likely to meet with success, did not suggest itself. The chance for a good suggestion seemed so remote that the Committee dropped the whole subject for the time being as being one concerning which the vital question of money for the purpose would first have to be met and provided for before any plan would be feasible.
To raise money for a library without any help from the Town would, we believe, be most difficult. It seems to us, therefore, that the question of what the Town is willing to do should first be ascertained, and if some sum of money is appropriated, to consider it as a start made toward having a library building. With that as a basis for encouragement to those who may inter- est themselves in the matter, their work would perhaps then have some chance in ultimately obtaining the object sought. Otherwise, at least without some starting point, we believe the matter will drag along indefinitely.
The Librarian reports that the circulation of books for the past year has been 33,383, that the number of books now in the Library is 12,968, of which 472 were added during the past year. The number of names on the Library Register is 2,071.
240
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Library has received gifts from Miss Ames and Mrs. Tisdale of several volumes, and Mrs. Fernald made a gift of a subscription for the "Woman's Journal and Suffage News," for which the Trustees express their thanks and that also of the citizens of the Town.
The charges for lost books and overtime have been $18.75. This amount we should like to see much smaller, the thought being that a charge for overtime means that someone has kept others waiting. We wish to ask of the readers of the books to be considerate of the rights of others and thus help promote the good work of the Library among all its patrons.
The excellent care and attention that the librarian and her assistants have given to their work at the Library deserves praise- worthy mention, and we therefore take this occasion to commend it.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK F. STANLEY, ELIZABETH J. HADLEY, FRANK E. INGALLS,
Trustees.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., December 31, 1912.
241
SEALER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES' REPORT.
1912]
REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN, - I herewith submit my Annual Report for the year ending January 1, 1913 :
Total number of balances and platform scales tested :
January 1, 1912, to January 1, 1913 . 77
Number of weights tested . 166
Number of measures tested II2
Number of weights condemned . 5
Number of measures condemned IO
Number of balances condemned 2
Number of yard sticks sealed 4
Total amount received for above $22.77, which I have 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 quart, two quarts, one gallon ; one set of dry measures, five divisions, one quart, two quarts, one- half peck, one-half bushel; one yard measure ; ten fifty pound weights; one balance for testing small weights; one steel stamp, 1912 ; one hammer, two drills, one bitstock, one breast drill, one tripod, one tin tube and ten graduating glasses.
ALFRED G. WATTS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 11, 1913.
16
242
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Overseers of the Poor.
To the citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Overseers of the Poor submit the following report :
At the close of the year we found that owing to conditions unavoidable the department expenses had increased to such an extent that we required $400 to meet our unpaid bills for the year January Ist, 1913.
We called upon the Selectmen and reported the financial conditions of our department and after consultation the Select- men decided to call a special Town Meeting for the purpose of appropriating money for our needs.
This meeting was called for December 20th, 1912, but as the Town By-Laws require that 100 citizens be present to make a quorum and as they were only 50 citizens in attendance, no action could be taken.
Our sick and hosptial expenses have increased this year, other- wise the conditions of our department are as usual, and on the whole the past year is about the average.
We would recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars ($4,000) for the maintenance of the De- partment for the ensuing year.
We wish to thank all officials and citizens who have in many ways assisted us in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman. EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary WILLIAM H. CARROLL
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 1, 1913.
243
OVERSEERS OF POOR REPORT.
1912]
Secretary's Report.
Meetings held by the Board in past year
34
Visits made by the Board in past year . 16
Personal visits made by the Secretary, 1912 . .
44
Cases investigated and aid granted II
Cases investigated and aid refused 1
Number of persons having settlement in Swamp-
scott, aided by other cities and towns 15
Number of persons fully supported
2
Number of families partially supported
13
Number of persons, men, women and children receiving aid, 1912 . 59
Settlement in Swampscott . ·
47
Settlement elsewhere in State
.
I2
Financial Report.
Reimbursed by cities and towns .
$456 47
Due from cities and towns .
177 32
Reimbursed to outside towns by individuals . 4 00
Total expenditures, 1910
3,929 94
Total expenditures, 191 I ·
.
3,624 60
Total expenditures, 1912 .
3,798 39
EDMUND RUSSELL,
Secretary.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January Ist, 1913.
244
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE PUTTING ALL WIRES UNDERGROUND.
At a Special Town Meeting, held in the Town Hall on July 24, 1912, a Committee was appointed in pursuance of the adoption of Article 8 to investigate and report at the next Annual Town Meeting, to be held on the third Monday in Feb- ruary, 1913, as to the advisability of having all wires placed underground.
Your Committee, first, had a consultation with the Town Council, in regard to the law relating to the placing of wires underground. It finds that there is no general legislation regarding same, but certain cities and towns have special acts passed for them.
Second. A conference was then held with representatives of the Lynn Gas and Electric Company, and they expressed a will- ingness to cooperate with the Town and place all of their wires in conduits, also to furnish and put in one especially for the use of the Town, free of charge, in which to place its Fire Alarm and Police System wires, the only expense to the Town being the actual expense of putting wires in the conduits furnished.
At a conference with representatives of the New England Telegraph and Telephone Company, very satisfactory results were obtained. They were willing and were making prepara- tion, and presented to the Committee drawings of a section of the Town, showing wires that they intended to put in conduits the coming year. The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company also agreed to place with its underground construction, a separate conduit for the use of the Town wires, free of charge.
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