USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1913 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
More pruning than ordinarily was done this year, and nearly every tree in Town had the dead wood removed. Particularly on Phillips and Atlantic avenues, where the trees were headed low and there were many crowding branches, it was necessary to cut out much wood. On that part of Humphrey street which is to be widened the trees have not been trimmed because they are to be removed.
I recommend for the ensuing year : New trees, $200; remov- ing trees, $150; elm beetle, $100 ; wire guards, $50; trimming, $100; leopard moth, $300; supervision, $75 ; and emergen- cies, $25.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE. Tree Warden.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1913.
198
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Park Commissioners.
To the Citizens of Swampscott ;
Herewith is respectfully submitted the Annual Report of the Board of Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1913.
At the first meeting of the Board, held at the Town Hall, Friday evening, February 21, the oganization was effected by the choice of Arthur T. Tapper, chairman ; Alfred F. Frazier, Sec- retary ; Robert Leslie, and Horace W. Blanchard, Superinten- dent of the Blaney Beach Reservation. During the year the Board has held forty-two regular meetings and four special meetings.
Blaney Beach Reservation.
By the unanimous vote, Horace W. Blanchard was re-elected as the Superintendent of Blaney Beach Reservation for the year, and he has given faithful service.
At a special meeting held April 28, bids for the painting of the buildings and shelters at the Reservation were opened as follows : L. F. Kezar, $160 ; E. S. Sawyer, $150; J. C. Thomas & Son, $150; G. H. Lampard, $148, and Nelson Gagnon, $145. The contract was awarded to Mr. Gagnon, as he was the lowest bidder. The work was done according to the written specifi- cations, and was entirely satisfactory in every way. Previous to the beginning of the work of painting it was found necessary to make a number of repairs to the building and shelters. The sill on the easterly side of the building was almost entirely rotted away, and the sill on the Orient street side was also in bad shape. Several minor repairs were also badly needed. The roof of the building was shingled, as far as it was possible to do so under the appropriation. The repairing was done by George D. R. Durkee by the day, and the shingling was done by him for $9.50 per thousand.
At present all of the compartments in the fish house are occu- pied by the same tenants as in previous years and at the same
199
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1913J
rentals. There are no special improvements to be made the coming year upon the buildings, but the experience of the past year, when it was necessary to clean the beach nine times, has shown the Board that more attention will have to be paid to this work the coming year. The widening of Humphrey street will also make necessary, without doubt, the giving of extra attention to the grounds of the reservation during the coming year.
Monument Avenue Reservation.
April 11 bids were opened for the care of this property during the summer as follows : Felix D' Agnesse, $120 per season ; Felix Merino, $18 per month ; J. B. Hawes, $79 per season. The contract was given to Mr. Hawes, as he was the lowest bidder. In addition to the work called for in the contract, the Board has been obliged to do considerable work upon the shrubs and beds at a considerable expense, and there is still much more work to be done to put the grounds in first-class condition. Owing to the fact that for several years, after planting, no proper care was kept of the grounds, many of the shrubs and bushes have died out and the grass in places is in a very bad condition.
Paradise Road Playgrounds.
Bids for the care of these grounds for the summer were opened April II and were : Felix D'Agnesse, $70 per season ; Felix Merino, $11 per month; J. B. Hawes, $45 per season. Mr. Hawes was awarded the contract, he being the lowest bidder.
During the year basket ball boards have been erected on the smaller and raised part of the grounds, and a jumping box installed. Upon the opening of Jackson Park the playing of baseball games upon the grounds by boys above the grammar school age was transferred to the new grounds. It is the inten- tion of the board during the coming year, if possible, to install upon the grounds, swings, tilts, sand boxes and other play- ground apparatus. Just previous to the fourth of July of the present year, a flag staff was erected upon the grounds, and on the fourth of July a flag raising was held under the direction of the Board with appropriate ceremonies as a part of the fourth of July celebration. The flag staff was the gift to the Town of Mr. and Mrs. Harry N. Thomas, of Swampscott, for which the thanks of the Town have been tendered.
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Jackson Park.
At the annual Town meeting in February, 1913, $2,500 was appropriated for the improvement of the park. On March 21, 1913, it was voted by the Board to advertise for bids for the construction of the ball field according to the specifications furnished by engineer F. H. Eastman. The bids were adver- tised for March 26, 1913, and on April 2 were opened as follows : David Sheehan & Company, $3,350; H. Scott Tuttle, $2,850 ; James T. Lyons, $2,760; M. McDonough Company, $2,700. As all of the bids were above the appropriation the contract was not awarded.
At the meeting of the Board on April 4, Michael McDonough, representing the M. McDonough Company, was in conference with the Board, together with Engineer Eastman, Town Engineer Pratt, and C. B. Humphrey, consulting engineer for the Board, and offered, rather than put the Town to the trouble and expense of advertising for new bids, to do the work for $2,500. This offer was unanimously accepted by the Board after due consideration. After the contract was signed by Michael McDonough, of the M. McDonough Company, and the Board, it was approved by the Selectmen, as required by the Town By-laws. The work was pushed as rapidly as possible, and on the afternoon of May 30 the grounds were used for the first time.
There is considerable work to be done upon the park, and the Board recommends that the coming year the point of ledge near the upper end of the drain be taken out, and that the base ball field be given a light coating of loam and seeded this spring. For this work an amount will be asked in the list of appropria- tions recommended for the department.
Phillips Park.
The purchase of Phillips Park was completed early in the year, as voted at the annual Town Meeting of last February. In compliance with the vote of the Town that plans for the development of the park be procured for presentation to the Annual Town Meeting of February, 1914, the Board has con- ferred with Warren H. Manning of Boston, G. Alderson Clark of Waltham and Boston, and John N. McClintock of Boston, relative to furnishing the Board with a complete set of plans and specifications for the development of the property. After care- ful consideration of the propositions offered by each of the above-
201
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1913]
named landscape architects, it was unanimously decided to retain the services of Warren H, Manning, who is considered to be one of the best men in his line of business. The Board is now in possession of a full set of plans and specifications for the devel- opment of the property at an expense of $470, which is much less than the appropriation of $600, which was given the Board for the purpose. A report upon the conditions found at the park by Architect Manning accompanies this report, and the plans will be exhibited at the Annual Town Meeting and explained if the meeting so desires.
Report on Phillips Playground.
EXISTING CONDITIONS .
This area, known as the proposed Phillips Playground, is located in the east portion of Swampscott on the south side of Humphrey street.
It comprises approximately 152 acres, which varies but slightly in its topographical elevations as shown on survey No. 1025-2, which accompanies this report.
The high portion indicated in the northeast part of this play- ground is the result of filling which has been permitted by those in charge of the playground area. The high ground in the southeast corner of the playground area is a portion of a natural hillside, to which I will refer later in this report.
The entire playground area within the foliage line indicated on No. 1025-2, is covered with a heavy growth of large oak and maple, mixed in places with a thick undergrowth of deciduous trees. The general elevation of this playground area is approx- imately 11.5. All elevations as shown on the survey were taken with reference to the bench marks, which were established by the Town of Swampscott. Most of this area is covered with water during the Spring and during a period of heavy rain. This water collects in large quantities from the area on the north side of Humphrey street, and therefore, during a wet season, a large amount of water must be disposed of through this swamp. The soundings indicated on this plan show the depth of muck which lays over a subsoil of blue clay.
A brook extends across the north side of the property and practically parallel with Humphrey street, taking water from the surface of the slopes on the north side of Humphrey street. The flow line of this brook at its easterly extremity is 13.2, and at its
202
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
westerly end, where it intersects the west property line of the Phillips playround area, is 10.8.
Along the southerly boundary of the property there is another brook which empties into a 24 inch vitrified sewer pipe, the ele- vation of the flow line being 8.7.
The sloping property in the southeast corner of the playground has excellent natural drainage, and is composed of a poorer gravelly loam with considerable ledge.
This playground area was evidently at sometime a swamp, which had its natural drainage to the ocean .* "The ordinary rise and fall of the tide is substantially 10 feet, so that the surface of this swamp is from one to two feet higher than the ordinary stages of the tide. High tide, however, rises as high as twelve feet, and at such times, were there a clear way for the sea to come up in, a large portion of this swamp would be flooded" with the salt water.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROBLEM.
In developing this playground area the following requirements are to be considered :
I. To provide a permanent way in which to drain this play- ground area.
2. To lay out upon this area a suitable distribution of game fields to provide for the various sports.
3. To lay out a plan for the location of permanent trees and shrubs.
I. Drainage.
This is without question the most serious problem with which the Commission must deal.
I can refer to no better study of this question than that included in the report made by Mr. Worthington to the Swamp- scott Sewerage Commissioners under date of August, 1903.
As shown by my own study of this drainage problem, as out- lined on plan No. 1025-1I, I doubt very much if this area can be adequately drained unless a tide gate is installed, as outlined in Mr. Worthington's report. This soil is of such a character that one or two drains as deep as five or six feet would serve to take a great amount of water from this playground. Drainage within the area indicated on plan No. 1025-II, as a "woodland ramble and picnic ground," would undoubtedly kill the majority
* A quotation from the report of Mr. E. Worthington, submitted to the Swampscott Sewerage Commissioners dated August, 1903.
203
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1913]
of a large number of trees which are growing at the present time. For this reason, and also for the reason that we must have a firm surface over this entire playground, I have recommended a fill of approximately two feet. This fill should be made in the following manner : A layer of litter composed of such rubbish as small brush, paper and wood which comes from city waste, will make a mat which will be firm and compact. The fill should then be made over this to a depth of not more than 18 inches or 2 feet, of cinders and ashes, with the necessary sur- facing to provide a good playground surface rather than to make the fill of loam or gravel. It would be much safer to make this litter mat deep, and the cinder surface 6 to 10 inches, and not deeper, unless it is found to be inadequate, or unless it is found that the soil will hold it up.
A heavy fill made over this existing soil, which becomes so unstable with moisture, is very likely to sink and also to squeeze the peaty muck out from under it at the edge of the fill. If such a condition should arise while the fill were being made, a much greater amount of material would be required than is called for in the estimate.
By constructing the surface of the playground in this way, the weight of the fill will push the wood and the branches under the water sufficiently to prevent them from decaying, provided drain- age is not later installed which will keep the ground water at a lower level than at present.
I would recommend that no drainage be installed on this play- ground until after the fill has been made as shown by the plans. The condition can then be studied, and if drainage is essential the trenches can then be excavated and pipes installed. Unless provision for the installation of a tide gate is made at the shore, the level of the drain pipes cannot be placed below the grades which I have indicated on the drainage plan No. 1025-II. I should prefer to have a greater fall on these pipes than is shown on this plan, and this also is not possible without the installation of a tide gate.
The soundings shown on plan No. 1025-2, which indicate the depth of the top of the blue clay subsoil, were taken specifically with reference to the location of the proposed grandstand. Any structures which are erected on this playground must seek this blue clay subsoil as a foundation. Mr. Worthington's report shows that the depth of this peat varies from 4 to 16 feet over the different parts of the playground.
204
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
2. Distribution of Game Fields, etc.
In designing the different features to be embodied in this play- ground study, I have taken into consideration that this is a playground developed specifically to meet the needs of a subur- ban population.
I have also taken into consideration that this playground is lo- cated within a short distance of the seashore, and that it prob- ably will not be used during the winter months, other than for the purpose of providing a possible toboggan slide, which I have shown on the plan.
The following is a list of sports which have been provided for in the field as now planned :
Base ball field. Football field with running track. Broad jump and high jump.
Pole vault. Short put and quoits. Gym apparatus. Swings.
Teeter boards. Merry-go-round. Roque court.
Bowling greens. Croquet courts. Tennis courts. Toboggan slides. Picnic grounds.
The proposed grades where each of these features is located are shown on plan No. 1025-10, together with sufficient explana- tion wherever explanations are necessary in order to interpret the intent of the plan.
A parking space for automobiles is provided on the south side of Humphrey street, which is made by a fill over the area now occupied by the brook running parallel to Humphrey street.
I have also shown a low iron pipe fence separating this parking space from the baseball and football fields, and also defining at the east and west ends the main entrance ways to this play- ground.
205
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1913]
3. General Planning of Trees and Shrubs.
The main solution of this problem from the planting stand- point lays mostly in a proper thinning of the existing growth. If drainage is installed and many trees are killed, then it will be necessary to work out provision for additional new planting.
I think the Commision will understand that it would not be good economy to attempt to work out in detail at this stage of its development, a planting plan for this playground.
I have indicated on this study a proposed road along the east and west boundary of the Phillips playground area which should eventually be planned as a direct communcication between Hum- phrey street and Orient street. If this area becomes congested with buildings, it is quite evident that such a connection must be provided, and I can see no better location for such proposed roads than in close touch with this playground.
I am accompanying this report with an approximate estimate for the probable cost of the work outlined in plans No. 1025-10 and No. 1025-II, I have not attempted to provide in this estimate the additional cost of installing provision for the drainage out- side of the playground area itself. This additional provision is estimated in Mr. Worthington's report at a total of $1,600. I have assumed that when this section of Swampscott was devel- oped, there would be sufficient demand for this drainage, so that much of the expense would be borne by property owners benefiting from the installation of the main lines. With this proposed fill and the two outlets, one at the northwest corner of the playground and the other at the southwest corner, the drainage should be taken care of for the present.
On plan No. 1025-13 I have indicated in red lines and figures, a subdivision of this playground property into five sections. The sections are numbered in the order that appropriations will be made for their probable development, and the estimate has been compiled with a total figure for the cost of the development for each section.
I am tabulating below the sections in the order that they are numbered, which also corresponds with the section numbers shown in the estimate.
Section 1, Base ball field.
Section 2, Foot ball field and running track area.
Section 3, Playground, bowling green, roque courts and cro- quet courts.
Section 4, Woodland ramble and picnic grounds.
Section 5, Tennis court areas.
206
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
I have not recommended a heavy fill over the area marked Section 4, which is the Woodland ramble and Picnic ground. I believe a fill as recommended for the other portions of the playground placed over this area, would do serious injury to a great many trees. Therefore, I recommend that the low places throughout this area be filled and the general area evened in this way, possibly by using for fill a leaf mould with some sand or light sandy loam. The trees which are cut will be split into logs which should be laid under the line of these trails. Over these logs a fill will be made and the trails constructed. This seems to be the safest way to handle this part of the problem.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN H. MANNING.
December 15, 1913.
Plans and Estimates.
The following is a list of plans, which together with the esti- mate, accompany this report :
Plan No. 1025-2. Survey of Existing Conditions.
Plan No. 1025-10. Plan for Arrangement.
(1) A colored whatman drawing, mounted and framed.
(2) A blue print on cloth.
Plan No. 1025-II. Grading and Drainage Plan.
Plan No. 1025-13. A general study with the various sections indicated by red lines and numbered in the order of their probable development.
In the opinion of the Board, Section I of the plans for the development of the park should be constructed the coming year. This Section includes the base ball grounds and its approaches.
After carefully considering the needs of the different pieces of park property under the control of the Board, and consulting with competent authorities upon the several contemplated im- provements, the following appropriations are recommended for the work of the board for the coming year :-
1913]
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
207
Monument avenue
$700
Jackson Park
· 500
Blaney Beach Reservation
850
Phillips Park
·
3,000
Paradise Road Playgrounds
350
Sundries
150
ARTHUR T. TAPPER, ROBERT LESLIE, ALFRED F. FRAZIER,
Park Commissioners.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1913.
208
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Land Plots at Intersecting Streets.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Park Commissioners, to whom was referred the article in the warrant for the annual town meeting of February, 1913, ask- ing that all plots of land at intersecting streets be placed in the hands of the Park Commissioners, have carefully considered the matter and beg leave to report as follows :
We find that some of these plots have in the past been cared for by private parties, and that some have not received any care and are anything but ornaments to the localities in which they are. We have consulted private parties and other Town depart- ments, and the general opinion seems to be that they should be looked after by the Park Department. We therefore recommend that the plots at the intersection of streets, namely, at the junc- tion of Hampden and Berkshire streets; Grant and Farragut roads ; Walker and Devens roads ; Walker road and Monument avenue ; Sheridan road and Elmwood road; Redington street, Banks and Devens roads; Humphrey square; and Mostyn street and Beach Bluff avenue, be placed under the care of the Park Commissioners and that $300 be appropriated for the care of the same for the year 1914.
ARTHUR T. TAPPER, ROBERT LESLIE, ALFRED F. FRAZIER, Park Commissioners.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1913.
1913]
FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE REPORT. 209
Fourth of July Committee.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
GENTLEMEN : The Committee appointed by direction of the citizens to furnish entertainment on the Fourth of July, 1913, beg to report as follows :
The appropriation of $800 has been expended, as below :
Harding Uniform and Regalia Co. .
$3 35
F. E. Vincent Co. .
7 02
Willis E. Shepard .
16 50
William Read & Sons
18 75
Earle H. A. Goodwin
2 00
American Fireworks Sales Co.
250 00
Morse & Prentiss
3 00
O. J. Markee
5 00
Samuel Jasinski
5 00
J. B. Hawes .
5 00
Roberts' Express
3 75
Sawtelle & Pratt
19 90
Joseph Yarrick
42 00
J. B. Blood Co.
4 79
E. G. Hodgkins
7 40
Lynn Sporting Goods Co.
8 00
Curtis & Bruley
10 00
Lurvey's Band
220 00
F. W. Woolworth & Co. (Mr. Rushton)
50 00
Smith Brothers
13 62
H. D. Smith .
3 00
W. F. Newhall & Son
.
99 21
Friend Brothers
96
George H. Holden & Co.
60
Titus & Buckley .
I
$799 96
14
210
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The thanks of the citizens are hereby extended through this Committee to the following named gentlemen for their assist- ance in making the entertainment of the day a success : Henry S. Baldwin, Elisha W. Cobb, Edward R. Grabow, the Lynn Gas & Electric Co., M. McDonough, Leonard H. Phillips, Oscar G. Poor, and Andrew W. Preston.
EDWARD E. CALL, JOHN A. FINNEGAN, JOSEPH McBRIEN, ARTHUR T. TAPPER, ROBERT LESLIE, A. F. FRAZIER, THOMAS S. LENNOX.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., November 7, 1913.
211
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS' REPORT.
1913]
Report of the Surveyor of Highways.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Surveyor of Highways herewith submits his annual report for the year ending December 26, 1913.
During the past year, Orient street, from the George Brooks estate to the crossing at the Fish house, has been macadamized. This street was first picked up by the steam road roller, then reshaped, rolled, and six inches of crushed stone spread over the same and the whole bonded together with "Tarvia X," some 14,281 gallons of this preparation being used for this pur- pose.
Grant road, from Farragut road to Walker road, was resurfaced with six inches of crushed stone, bonded with "Tarvia X," covered with sharp stone dust and rolled. About 1,800 gallons of "Tarvia X" was used on this road.
Burrill street, from Boynton street to New Ocean street, and from Thomas road to Claremont terrace, was picked up by the steam roller, reshaped, surfaced with six inches of crushed stone, bonded with "Tarvia X," covered with pea stone and rolled. About 4,200 gallons of "Tarvia X" was used for this work. Tarvia for all these streets was furnished, delivered and put in place on the work for 82 cents per gallon.
These streets were constructed by the penetration method.
Ocean avenue, from Atlantic avenue to Humphrey street, and Melvin avenue its entire length in Swampscott, received a re- surfacing of pit stone ten inches in thickness, rolled and bonded with gravel. These streets have never before had anything done on them since they were accepted by the Town.
There have been about two miles of street resurfaced with gravel during the past year.
The streets of the town have been patrolled and fixed wherever necessary. For this purpose there have been used 131 loads of crushed stone, 76 loads of gravel and 1,100 gallons Standard Road Oil.
Streets, which have been accepted by the town and in which
212
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
sewer and water pipes have been laid, have been levelled, surfaced with stone and gravel and rolled with the steam roller.
Gutters in all streets of the Town have been cleaned at least twice, and on the main streets nearly every Saturday. The scrapings from these gutters have been placed on the different dumps of the Town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.