USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1913 > Part 2
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ART. 35. To see if the Town will vote to purchase the Morris land adjoining the Town Hall, and appropriate the sum of $3,000 for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 36. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Ontario street and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Frank H. Bradford and others.
ART. 37. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Rockland street from a point 250 feet from Greenwood avenue to the sewer in Greenwood avenue and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by N. R. Martin and others.
ART. 38. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Red- ington street, in the section between Mapledale avenue and the junction of Devens road and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Charles S. Goodridge and others.
ART. 39. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Humphrey street from Pumping Station to Phillips corner, thence through Atlantic avenue to Beach Bluff avenue, thence through Beach Bluff avenue to Humphrey street and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John A. Heath and others.
25
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
ART. 40. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Roy street from the junction of Hillside avenue and Roy street, about 250 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John H. Keating and others.
ART. 41. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Cherry street from Hillside avenue easterly to Essex street and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John H. Bryson and others.
ART. 42. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Melvin avenue and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by James J. Downey and others.
ART. 43. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in King street from the present sewer easterly to Highland, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Amito Pagnotta and others.
ART. 44. To see if the Town will construct a sewer in Huron street and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Stephen W. Watts and others.
ART. 45. To see if the Town will install lights on Walker road, between the railroad bridge and the State road, and appro- priate money for the same, as petitioned for by Archibald Miller and others.
ART. 46. To see if the Town will install an incandescent light on Millett road, also on Ocean View terrace, at the end of said terrace, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Hiram W. Rowell and others.
ART. 47. To see if the Town will install an incandescent light on Humphrey street at a point nearly opposite the sewer pumping station, and appropriate money for the same, as peti- tioned for by Hiram W. Rowell and others.
ART. 48. To appropriate and raise by borrowing or other- wise such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for all or any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
The polls to be closed at sunset.
26
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
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, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this third day of February, in the year nineteen hundred and thirteen.
JAMES F. CATON, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, ELIAS G. HODGKINS.
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, Post Offices, Depots and three other public and conspicuous places in Swampscott, on Thursday, February 6, 1913, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
RICHARD G. GILLEY, Constable.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the Town met at the Town Hall on Monday, February 17, 1913, and were called to order at 6 o'clock A. M. by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The Warrant up to and including Article 6 and the officer's return thereon was read by the Town Clerk, when on motion it was voted to defer the reading of the balance until 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
The following were qualified by the Clerk for their respective duties : Special Election Officer, John A. Cullen, (Dem.), Ballot Clerks, John B. Ryan, (Dem.), William R. Patten, (Rep.).
27
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
The package containing 1740 General Ballots and 180 Special Ballots were delivered to and receipted for by the Ballot Clerks and at 6.05 A. M. the polls were declared open for balloting.
At 10 o'clock A. M. the remainder of the Warrant was read by the Clerk.
The following were sworn as Tellers : Fred A. Oliver, Joseph G. Reed, Freeman A. Baker, Arthur C. Eaton, Thomas E. Berry, George D. R. Durkee, John J. Mehegan, Benj. B. Blanchard, (Rep.) ; Andrew Olsen, Joseph P. Mather, James A. Ryan, John B. Cahoon, Sidney M. Shattuck, George H. Stone, Frank G. Melvin and Francis M. Kennedy (Dem.)
The polls closed at 5.19 P. M. There were five Special Ballots and 917 General Ballots cast, both check lists agreeing.
At 8.30 o'clock the following result of balloting was an- nounced.
For Moderator - Daniel F. Knowlton, 726, elected ; scatter- ing, I ; blanks, 190.
For Town Clerk - George T. Till, 751, elected ; blanks, 166.
For Selectman for three years - Elias G. Hodgkins, 529, elected ; Thomas B. P. Curtis, 372 ; blanks, 16.
For Treasurer - William H. Bates, 777, elected ; blanks, 140.
For Assessor for three years - Oscar G. Poor, 733, elected ; blanks, 184.
For Collector of Taxes - Nathan G. Bubier, 782, elected ; blanks, 135.
For School Committee for three years - J. Henry Welch, 700, elected ; blanks, 222.
For Overseer of Poor for three years - Joseph F. Crowell, 732, elected ; blanks, 185.
For member of Board of Health for three years - George C. Webster, 463, elected ; David W. Nisbett, 377 ; blanks, 77.
For member of Water and Sewerage Board for three years - I. Irving Edgerly, 730, elected ; scattering, I ; blanks, 86.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
For member of Water and Sewerage Board for one year - Charles E. Hodgdon, 546, elected ; Leon L. Dennis, 317; blanks, 54.
For Park Commissioner for three years - Arthur T. Tapper, 462, elected ; Nathan K. Atkins, 377; blanks, 78.
For Trustee of Public Library for three years - Frank F. Stanley, 704, elected ; blanks, 213.
For Tree Warden - Everett P. Mudge, 608, elected ; George Newhall, 281 ; blanks, 28.
For Constables -Frank H. Bradford, 645, elected ; William H. Carroll, 610, elected; Richard G. Gilley, 660, elected ; blanks, 836.
Shall Chapter 635, Acts of 1912, an Act relative to tenement houses in Towns be accepted ? Yes, 412 ; no, 332 ; blanks, 173.
Shall Chapter 498, Acts of 1908, authorizing cities and towns to establish Pension funds for teachers in public schools be ac- cepted? Yes, 394; no, 326; blanks, 197.
To see if the Town will vote to increase the number of its School Committee from three in number to six in number, to take effect at Annual Election for the year 1914? Yes, 247; no, 497 ; blanks, 173.
License Question - Shall Licenses be granted for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors in this Town? Yes, 156; no, 666; blanks, 95.
Voted. At 8.45 P. M., to adjourn to Tuesday evening, Feb- ruary 18, at 7.45 o'clock.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,
Town Clerk.
29
TOWN CLERK'S' RECORDS.
1913]
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, February 18, 1913.
In accordance with the foregoing adjournment the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, February 18, 1913.
The meeting was called to order at 7.45 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The records of the last meeting were read by the Clerk and declared approved.
On count it was decided that there was not a sufficient num- ber present to transact business, but after a few moments more voters having arrived the business of the meeting was resumed.
Voted, that a committee of three members be appointed by the Chair to draft suitable resolutions upon the death of our late Treasurer, Benjamin O. Honors, and report the same to the Town at the next adjourned meeting.
Committee on Resolutions, Aaron R. Bunting, Milton D. Porter, Edward A. Maxfield.
Voted, Article 7, that all reports not bearing recommendations be accepted and such as bear recommendations be referred to the Ways and Means Committee, the report of the School Com- mittee in its entirety to be referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, to adopt the following resolution. (Unanimous.)
Resolved, that it is the sentiment of the Town that Humphrey street should be straightened and widened to a uniform width of seventy feet, substantially in accordance with the plan submitted to the Highway Commission and the County Commissioners by the Selectmen of Swampscott, provided that the expense of said widening is divided among the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the County of Essex, the Bay State Street Railway Company and this town, upon a basis of cost to the Town not to exceed that proposed by the Highway Commission in its report to the Legistature, as set forth in the Town Report.
Be it further resolved that the Selectmen be instructed to urge the passage of appropriate legislation for this purpose.
Voted, Article 8, that the amount of bonds to be required of the Town Treasurer be fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).
30
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Voted, Article 9, that the amount of bonds to be required of the Collector of Taxes be ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Voted, Article 10, that the amount of bonds to be required of members of the Water and Sewerage Board be three thousand dollars ($3,000).
Voted, Article II, to allow 2 per cent discount on all taxes of the current year paid on or before October 1, 1913, and that on all taxes remaining unpaid December 1, 1913, interest be charged and collected at the rate of 6 per cent per annum.
Voted, Articles 12 to 28 inclusive to refer to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, Article 27, that it is the sense of this meeting that the Ways and Means Committee view favorably some expendi- ture for the celebration of the Fourth of July.
Voted, Articles 28 to 48 inclusive, to refer to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, that a committee of seven be appointed by the Moder- ator to study the matter of a new Town Hall in all its phases, including the best method of financing the same, a report to be made to the Town at a future meeting.
Voted, that the Board of Selectmen and the Ways and Means Committee investigate the matter of condition of the property used as Grand Army Hall and see what can be done to put the building in a more presentable condition.
Voted, that when we adjourn it be to Tuesday evening, March 18, at 7.45 o'clock.
Voted, to adjourn at 9 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,
Town Clerk.
31
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, March 18, 1913.
In accordance with the foregoing adjournment the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, March 18, 1913.
The meeting was called to order at 7.45 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, there being a sufficient number present to transact business.
The records of the last meeting were read by the Town Clerk and declared approved.
Report of the Committee appointed to draft resolutions upon the death of our late Treasurer, Benjamin O. Honors.
Resolutions upon the death of Benjamin O. Honors for many years treasurer of the Town of Swampscott :
In the death of Benjamin O. Honors our Town has lost a valued citizen and one whose services as Town Treasurer were those of a distinguished character. Until suddenly stricken down by the fatal illness which so suddenly terminated a long and useful life, he had served the Town for more than a quarter of a century as its treasurer, not only with that fidelity which marked every act of his official life, but also with those gifts of quick intelligence, sound judgment and practical wisdom which in all his varied relations with the financial business of the Town, made him a valued advisor in our Municipal affairs.
Whether in the public interest of his Town, in efforts for the improvement of its local administration, or in the numerous matters which concern the general welfare, he was ever alert to assist in the execution of any task which a keen sense of duty imposed upon him.
While diligently and successfully pursuing his own calling in the fear of God and in the esteem of the community in which he lived, his life illustrates again, as the lives of many of our towns- men have done, a noble type of citizen.
His associates in the administration of the affairs of the Town through those many years, will cherish the memory of his delightful personal intercourse. A genial spirit, a lively wit, a cultivated mind and a kind heart, made his companionship unusually pleasant.
While they live his colleagues and former associates will miss his lively and judicious temperament, his personal charm and his untiring devotion to the best interests of his native Town of Swampscott.
32
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Records of the Town.
AARON R. BUNTING, EDWARD A. MAXFIELD, MILTON D. PORTER,
Committee on Resolutions.
SWAMPSCOTT, March 18, 1913.
Voted, by a unanimous standing vote to adopt the resolutions upon the death of Benjamin O. Honors as reported by the com- mittee.
Report of the Committee on Ways and Means.
SWAMPSCOTT, March 13, 1913.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
Your Committee on Ways and Means submits herewith its report on the Warrant for the annual Town Meeting of the year 1913.
ARTICLE 12. Salaries of Town Officials.
We recommend that the salaries of Town officials be the same as last year with the following exception :
BOARD OF ASSESSORS. In their report, the Board of Assess - ors give statistics showing the increase of business of the Town during recent years and requests additional salary on this account. The Board is also handling the records of transfer of property, The resultant work formerly done by another department.
burden is borne almost entirely by the Chairman of the Board, on whom devolves a large amount of clerical work. We there- fore recommend that the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Assessors be increased from $500 to $600 and that the salaries of the other members remain unchanged.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN. This Department is in general charge of the Town's affairs, and although in some towns mem- bers serve without pay, Swampscott has for a considerable num- ber of years paid its Selectmen a nominal salary. The work of the department is changing from year to year-the creation of the Board of Survey and the assumption of the work formerly
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
done by the Street Lighting Committee, have increased their work, while the employment of a permanent Town Accountant has materially lessened it. Altogether your Committee does not see any convincing reason for increasing the salary of the Board of Selectmen.
We recommend that the salaries of the Board of Selectmen remaid unchanged.
ARTICLE 13. Town Debt.
[Page 177.]
One of the questions of greatest importance in the financial affairs of the Town is that of the bonded indebtedness and the annual interest charges. The amount of this indebtedness has been constantly increasing, until it now amounts to more than $700,000- and the interest charges alone are nearly $25,000- an increase of more than $1,000 over last year. This means a town debt of more than $100 for each man, woman and child in Swampscott. According to the latest report of the State Bureau of Statistics, this is 50 per cent greater than the per capita debt of any other Massachusetts town having a popula- tion of more than 5,000. These figures are self-explanatory. The need of the strictest economy must be apparent to everyone, especially to the heads of the several departments in the Town, who are responsible in a large measure for the spending of the Town's funds.
We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts for these fixed items :
General Debt
$27,400 00
Sewer Bonds 10,596 00
Metropolitan Park Sinking Fund 1,000 00
$38,996 00
Interest on General Debt
$10,608 00
Interest on Sewer Bonds
7,238 84
Interest on Temporary Loans
4,000 00
Metropolitan Park Interest Assessment
3,000 00
$24,846 84
In addition to the above, there are certain other items, the appropriations for which are required and the amounts fixed.
3
34
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts for the purposes stated :
State Tax
$17,000 00
County Tax
15,700 00
Moth Extermination
4,955 16
State Aid
3,000 00 .
Soldiers' Relief
3,000 00
Metropolitan Park Maint. Assessment
3,000 00
$46,655 16
General Government.
[Page 175.]
We recommend the following appropriations for the several departments mentioned :
Legislative
$300 00
Selectmen
1,500 00
Engineering
1,500 00
Auditing
1,000 00
Treasury
950 00
Collector
950 00
Town Clerk
300 00
Law
800 00
Election and Registration
725 00
Town Hall
2,200 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
125 00
Dog Officer
168 00
Street Watering and Oiling
.
4,300 00
Street Lighting
10,900 00
Printing Town Reports
703 35
Care of Monument Lot
50 00
Heat and Light-G. A. R. Hall
75 00
$26,546 35
Contingent Fund.
[Page 176.]
We recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for the Contingent Fund.
Memorial Day.
[Page 176.]
We recommend that the sum of $200 be appropriated for the observance of Memorial Day.
.
·
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
Public Library. [Page 176.]
We recommend that the sum of $1,400 be appropriated for Library Maintenance.
Sidewalks. [Page 167.]
We recommend that the sum of $6,000 be appropriate for the construction of new sidewalks as asked for by the Selectmen, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Fire-Proof Vault for Town Hall. [Page 174.]
At present no adequate facilities exist for preserving the plans and records of the Town. Some of these are required by law to be kept in fire-proof vaults and the present vault in the Select- men's room is much too small to accommodate all that should be so kept. The construction of a new fire-proof vault seems to be much needed, and, in fact, may be required by the State authorities. We recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appro- priated for the construction of a vault and the necessary equip- ment as asked for by the Board of Selectmen, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
School Department.
[Page 176.]
The amount asked for by the School Committee for their work the current year is $48,000, an increase of $5,650 over the amount appropriated last year. The requirements of the School Department have increased this year, owing to the new school building, the automatic advance in salaries of teachers and instructors and to the natural increase in school population, which is about one hundred (100) pupils a year. In addition there are several other particular items, among which should be mentioned :
Vacuum Cleaner Outfit for the Hadley school, $700 00 Piano for Hadley school . 600 00
Expense for additional manual training . · 400 00
We recommend that the sum of $48,000 be appropriated for the School Department, of which $1,300 for new equipment for the Hadley school be raised by a bond issue.
36
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ARTICLE 14.
Board of Health.
The amounts appropriated last year for this department proved insufficient for the work and the year closed with a deficit of about $600. As in the case of the Overseers of the Poor, an attempt was made to provide for this deficit at the Special Town Meeting called for December 20, 1912, but no action could be taken owing to the lack of a quorum.
The estimates for this year are based upon the work done last year with the addition of this $600 to settle last year's accounts.
We recommend $3,396 to be appropriated for sanitation and $3,450 for the collection of refuse and garbage.
ARTICLE 15. Park Department.
An increase of $50 over the amount spent last year is asked for the care of the Blaney Beach property. This is for the pur- pose of repainting the Fish House. Also, an increase of $50 is asked for the Paradise Road Playground, so that a new surfac- ing of loam may be put on this property. Otherwise, these items are the same as last year and we recommend the following appropriations as asked for by the Park Commissioners :
Monument avenue
. $700 00
Blaney beach
· 850 00
Playground .
·
350 00
Sundries
· 150 00
Making a total of $2,050 for Park Maintenance.
In accordance with the vote of the Town at the Special Town Meetings on July 24, and November 15, 1912, a portion of the Phillips property on Humphrey street, amounting to about 14.8 acres, has been acquired by the Town. The sum of money voted at that time ($3,600) has been paid and it is now necessary to provide the balance required. The Park Commissioners have reached a satisfactory agreement with Mr. Phillips, on a basis of $7,500 total, which leaves the sum of $3,900 yet to be pro- vided.
We recommend that the sum of $3,900 be appropriated for the purpose of completing the payment of the Phillips property and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
Jackson Park.
At the Special Town Meeting on July 24, 1912, the Town voted the sum of $700 for the purpose of laying a drain in Jack- son Park and to do some preliminary work. This work has been done and engineers' plans have been made.
According to the engineer, it will be necessary to raise the level of the field considerably higher than at present in order to grade the land so that it may be properly drained.
This property was purchased by the Town with the definite purpose of making a baseball field there as soon as possible, so as to relieve the Paradise Road Playground, which is unsuitable for baseball.
From the plans and estimates at hand, the Park Commissioners are confident that the $2,500 now asked for will be sufficient to complete the ball field for service this year.
We recommend that the sum of $2,500 be appropriated by the Town for the improvement of Jackson Park, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Phillips Park.
The improvement of the Phillips property recently acquired by the Town, is a matter of considerable importance and involves the expenditure of much money. For this to be done economi- cally and well, your Committee believes that expert advice, definite plans and estimates should be obtained. We under- stand this has not yet been done and the amount now asked for does not represent a part of any definite programme for its improvement or any particular piece of work to be done.
The ball field which some citizens have in mind for this property, could not in any case be made this year for the $2,000 asked for. Your Committee are of the opinion that nothing would be lost by deferring action until definite plans and esti- mates can be obtained for the improvement of this property as a whole.
After conferring with the Park Commissioners, we recom- mend that they be instructed to consult with some recognized authority on park development and make definite recommenda- tions looking to the gradual improvement of Phillips Park and submit them, together with estimates of cost to the Town, at a subsequent meeting and that the sum of $600 be appropriated to meet the necessary expenses.
38
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ARTICLE 16.
Highway Department.
The Surveyor of Highways asks for $24,000 for the general expenses of his department, a slight increase over last year. The largest item of this amount is for labor and the balance is for stone crushing, re-surfacing of streets, catch-basins, fence building, street signs, etc. In addition to this amount, there are two other appropriations required, one for the sum of $1,100 for sidewalk and curbstone maintenance and another for the sum of $1,000 for street construction.
We recommend the following appropriations for the High- way Department :
For General Expenses . $23,200 00 For Sidewalks and Curbstone Mainte-
nance 1,100 00 .
For Street Construction . 1,000 00
Making a total of $25,300, of which the $1,000 for street con- struction be raised by a bond issue.
ENGINE FOR STONE CRUSHER. According to the High- way Surveyor, the engine now in use at the Stone Crushing Plant, is worn out and in such condition as to render it hazardous to operate. He recommends that the Town purchase a new one, the estimated cost of which is $700. The Town has all other necessary facilities and your Committee believes it to be more economical and convenient for the Town to crush its own stone.
We recommend that $700 be appropriated for a new engine for the stone crusher, to be purchased under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
TANK WAGON. There is a recommendation by the Highway Surveyor that the Town purchase a tank wagon at an estimated expense of $900, for the purpose of laying heavy oil and tar on the streets. The Town does not at present own such a wagon, having had to rely upon borrowing one for the purpose. This Committee does not consider it advisable to continue such a con- dition, as the borrowed wagon is frequently not available when most needed.
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