USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1913 > Part 3
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39
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
We recommend that the sum of $900 be appropriated for a tank wagon, 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.
CORNER CURBING. There is a further recommendation by the Highway Surveyor that $300 be appropriated for street corner curbing. A like appropriation is made yearly for this purpose. We therefore recommend that $300 be appropriated for corner curbstones.
ARTICLE 17.
Fire Department.
To meet the requirements of the Fire Department, the sum of $16, 140 is asked for.
Current Expenses and Payrolls
$13,050 00
Hydrant Rent
2,300 00
Five hundred feet of Hose
.
4.00 00
Repairs on Stable ·
300 00
One Fire Alarm Box
90 00
Total
$16,140 00
This is a slight decrease over the amount appropriated last year, the reduction being partly in the item of current expense and partly in that only one new box is asked for instead of two, as last year.
We recommend the appropriation of $16,140.00 for the Fire Department.
The Board of Engineers also recommend the purchase of a combination hose and pumping outfit. This Committee has con- ferred with the Board of Engineers and from information obtained, are impressed with the possibilities for economy and efficiency of such an outfit over the present horse drawn steamer and hose carriage, both of which it is designed to displace. We understand, however, that no definite decision has been made as to the particular make of apparatus desired, or as to what the expense would be.
We therefore recommend that the question of purchase of a combination hose and pumping outfit be referred to a special committee, to consist of the Board of Fire Engineers and the Board of Selectmen, with instructions to investigate this subject and report to the Town at a subsequent meeting as to the most suitable outfit for the Town's use and the probable cost of same.
40
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ARTICLE 18.
Police Department.
The Chief of Police recommends that the salaries of the regular patrolmen be raised from $18 to $21 per week and gives in some detail his reason therefor. While not all of the reasons advanced by the Chief seem conclusive to this Committee, yet there can be no question that owing to the rapid growth of the Town, together with the greatly increased automobile traffic through our streets, the duties and demands made upon the Police Force have largely increased. Furthermore, a comparison of the salaries paid shows that Swampscott is not paying its Patrolmen as well as other Towns of the same class.
We recommend that the salaries of the regular patrolmen of the Town be fixed at $20 per week.
The Chief of Police asks for the sum of $10,000 to meet the general expenses of the department for the current year. With the addition of the above mentioned increase in salary, the total amount required would be $10,728.
We therefore recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $10,728 for the Police Department.
ARTICLE 19.
Board of Assessors.
The recommendation of the Board of Assessors, as regards the salaries of the Board, has already been considered under Article 12. The other expenses of the Department are estimated as approximately the same as last year. The sum of $1,700 is recommended to cover salaries and general expenses of the Board of Assessors.
ARTICLE 20.
Overseers of the Poor.
The Overseers of the Poor ask for $4,000. Of this amount $400 is required to meet bills contracted last year. A special Town Meeting was called December 20th, 1912, for the purpose of providing this amount, but no action was taken owing to the absence of a quorum.
We recommend that $4,000 be appropriated for the Overseers of the Poor.
4I
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
ARTICLE 21.
Committee on Underground Wires.
The Committee appointed to consider the advisabilty of putting all wires underground has reported the conditions as they found them to exist. In the course of their investigation, they became convinced of the inefficiency of the signal system used by the Police Department and recommend the installation of a new system at an estimated' expense of $3,250. Upon considering this, your Committee has ascertained that while the present police signal system is not wholly satisfactory, it is nevertheless operative and that the wires for the proposed system would have to be placed on poles, which is what it is desired to avoid. We believe that the installation of a new system should not be under- taken until the proposed underground conduits are laid. Accord- ingly we recommend that the matter of a new police signal sys- tem be indefinitely postponed.
The Committee on Underground Wires also recommends the appropriation of $950 for placing a certain section of the fire alarm wires underground. This is in line with the general proposition of placing all overhead wires underground, a plan which your Committee heartly favors. Inasmuch, however, as there are no conduits at present available and as it is uncertain how soon any will be ready, there does not seem to be need of any immediate expense on the part of the Town.
We recommend that such portion of the report of the Com- mittee on Underground Wires as relates to the policy to be pur- sued by the Town relative to putting all wires underground, be adopted and that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to take such action as may be necessary to insure the speedy and system- atic laying of underground conduits throughout the Town and otherwise carry this policy into effect. We further recommend that no money be appropriated at this time.
ARTICLE 22.
We recommend for the Department of Tree Warden an appro- priation of $1,000.
ARTICLE 23.
We recommend that the sum of $1,600 be appropriated for the care and maintenance of the cemetery.
42
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ARTICLE 24.
We recommend that $5,500 be appropriated for sewer main- tenance and $1,000 for particular sewers as asked for by the Water and Sewerage Board.
ARTICLE 25.
In view of the fact that the Town at its annual meeting voted to adopt Chapter 498 of the Acts of 1908; Sections I and 2, we recommend that the sum of $500 be appropriated and placed in the hands of the Town Treasurer to be disbursed by him in accordance with the provisions of the above mentioned Statute.
ARTICLE 26.
In the belief that this Town should adopt as liberal a policy torwards its employees as other communities in this vicinity, your Committee has made an investigation as to the subjects of hours and wages in surrounding cities and towns. As a result of this investigation (which includes ten cities and towns), we find that Swampscott is now paying as high wages, and in most instances higher, than other places, and no city or town investigated grants half-holidays for any greater length of time (in most cases less) than Swampscott, where the employees who are the subject of this Article are now granted Saturday half-holidays for six months in the year.
We recommend that the employees of the Highway, Water, Sewer, and Moth Departments be granted Saturday half-holidays for the same number of months and under the same conditions as last year.
ARTICLE 27.
It is the settled practice of many towns and cities to make an annual appropriation for the observance of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We believe it to be desirable that Swampscott should also celebrate this day in a befitting manner.
We recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $500 for the observance of the Fourth of July, said sum to be expended under the direction of the Park Commissioners and a committee of citizens to be selected by them.
43
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
ARTICLE 28.
As there is no estimate given as to the probable cost of the care of these plots, we recommend that the matter be referred to the Park Commissioners and that they report to the Town at a later date as to the advisability of the Town undertaking the care of these and the estimated annual expense.
ARTICLE 29.
During the past year the Town has been without the services of a permanent Engineer, various departments requiring engineering services having employed an Engineer from time to time as the necessity has arisen. This method has not proven satisfactory. To secure uniformity in the records and the work in general, the Selectmen now ask for authority to employ an engineer to supervise the engineering work of all the departments of the Town. This will not involve the expenditure of any more money than was expended last year, nor more than the estimated amount as provided for under Article 13-($1,500).
We recommend that the Town grant the authority asked for.
ARTICLE 30.
The sum of $3,600 was voted at the special Town Meeting, July 24, 1912, for the acquisition of the Phillips property on Humphrey street, and as no provision was made for borrowing the amount, it had to be taken from the general funds of the Town. As this is a permanent improvement, the money can be borrowed on bonds and the purpose of this article is to raise the sum by borrowing and to refund the amount to the Town Treasury.
We recommend that the Town appropriate the sum of $3,600 for the purpose of refunding to the Town according to the pro- visions of Article 30, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
ARTICLE 31.
We have conferred with the Water and Sewer Board in regard to this article. They recommend that a six-inch water main be installed in Phillips avenue from the intersection at Bradlee avenue to the intersection at Atlantic avenue. We can find no reasons why this main should not be laid, and therefore
44
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
recommend that $1, 100 be appropriated to lay a six-inch water main as petitioned for and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
ARTICLE 32.
The matter of an increase in salaries of members of the Board of Selectmen has been considered under Article 12.
ARTICLE 33.
As it has always been customary for the Board of Selectmen to decide what sidewalks should in their opinion be covered with suitable material and as money is appropriated each year for this purpose, we recommend that this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 34.
Your Committee is well aware of the congested condition of the traffic in Monument square and is in favor of making such changes as will render the travel through the square safer and more convenient, both for autoists and pedestrians. Inasmuch as some action will doubtless be taken in the near future in regard to the widening of Humphrey street and the re-location of the street car tracks in the vicinity of Monument square and as nothing definite can be known as to the action that will be taken by the State, County and Town, your Committee is of the opinion that it would be unwise to make any change in the Monument Lot at this time, and accordingly we recommend that the subject matter of this article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 35.
An option for the purchase of the Morris land adjoining the Town Hall has been held by the Town for a number of years, having been renewed from time to time, and expires on May 9, 1913. The price of $3,000 named in this option was fixed several years ago, and your Committee feels that at this price the Town should purchase the property. We recommend that the sum of $3,000 be appropriated for the purchase of the Morris land, with the understanding that the land is acquired for the purpose of erecting thereon a building to be used as a Town Hall, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
45
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
ARTICLES 36 to 44 (inclusive).
Last year the Town voted loans for sewer construction to within a few hundred dollars of the limit set by the original Act of the Legislature, authorizing the Swampscott sewer system. The Act of the Legislature authorizing a further bond issue was not approved by the governor until February 28, 1913, and the warrant under which we are now acting is dated February 3, 1913. In the opinion of the Town Counsel "the Town cannot act under this authority, for the reason that any action taken at this meeting is to be taken upon the condition of affairs existing at the time the warrant was issued by the Selectmen." Accord- ingly, if these sewers are to be constructed, they will have to be authorized by a subsequent Town Meeting. We recommend that the subject matter of Articles 36 to 44 inclusive, be indefi- nitely postponed.
ARTICLES 45-46-47.
As to the petitions for street lights contained in Articles 45, 46, 47, the Committee on Ways and Means do not feel that it is within their province to act in matters of street lighting. As this is a matter to which the Selectmen as Lighting Committee have given consideration in asking for an appropriation for street lighting purposes, we recommend that the placing of the street lights petitioned for in Articles 45, 46, 47, be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
ARTICLE 48.
We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth in the votes under Articles 13, 15 and 16, which relate to the following appropriations :
$1,000 for the construction of vault in Town Hall. $6,000 for the construction of sidewalks.
$1,000 for street construction.
$2,500 for improvement of Jackson Park. $1,600 for Highway Department equipment. $1,300 for new equipment for Hadley School.
There shall be ten bonds for $1,000 each,-six bonds for $500 each and one bond for $400. The five hundred dollar bonds shall be numbered one to six, and the $400 bond shall be num-
46
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[ Dec. 31
bered seven, and the remaining ten bonds shall be numbered eight to seventeen. They shall be dated during the current year and shall bear interest payable semi-annually at a rate not exceed- ing 4 per cent per annum. Bonds No. I and No. 8 shall be pay- able one year from their date; bonds No. 2 and No. 9, two years from their date ; bonds No. 3 and No. 10, three years from their date ; bonds No. 4 and No. 11, four years from their date ; bonds No. 5 and No. 12, five years from their date ; bonds No. 6 and No. 13, six years from their date ; bonds No. 7 and No. 14, seven years from their date, and the remaining three bonds shall be payable one year each thereafter in their numerical order.
Said bonds shall bear the Town seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen ; they shall be authenticated by the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston, and shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of the cou- pons and appropriate endorsement. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such Boston Trust Company or Bank as the Town Treasurer and Selectmen shall designate. Said bonds shall bear on their face, the words, "Swampscott-Miscellaneous Loan-1913." All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Selectmen, but said bonds shall not be sold for less than par and interest.
We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth in the votes under Articles 15, 30 and 35, which relate to the appropriation of $3,900 under Article 15, and $3,600 under Article 30, for the payment of land taken for the purposes of a public park known as the Phillips Park, and to the appropria- tion of $3,000 under Article 35, for the payment of land acquired for the purposes of a Town Hall, known as the Morris land.
There shall be twenty-one (21) bonds for $500 each, num- bered one to twenty-one. They shall be dated during the current year and shall bear interest payable semi-annually, at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Bonds numbered 1 and 2 shall be pay- able one year from their date, and the remaining bonds one each year thereafter in their numerical order. Said bonds shall bear the Town seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Selectmen. They shall be authenti- cated by the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston, and shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation
47
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of the coupons and appro- priate endorsement. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such Boston Trust Com- pany or Bank as the Town Treasurer and Selectmen designate. Said bonds shall bear on their face, the words, "Swampscott Park and Town Hall Loan-1913." All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Selectmen, but said bonds shall not be sold at less than par and interest.
We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth in the vote under Article 31, appropriating $1,100 for water main construction.
There shall be eleven bonds for $100 each, numbered one to eleven. They shall be dated during the current year and shall bear interest payable semi-annually at a rate not exceeding 4 per cent annum. Bond No. I shall mature one year from the date thereof, and one bond shall mature each succeeding year in its numerical order for the period of eleven years. Said bonds shall bear the Town seal and shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by the Water and Sewerage Board. They shall be authenticated by the First National Bank, Boston, Mas- sachusetts. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such Boston Trust Company or Bank as the Town Treasurer and Water and Sewerage Board shall designate. Said bonds shall bear on their face the words, "Swampscott Additional Water Loan-Act of 1912." All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and the Water and Sewerage Board, but said bonds shall not be sold or pledged for less than par and interest thereon.
(Signed),
GEORGE D. R. DURKEE, LEON L. DENNIS, HENRY S. BALDWIN, HORACE B. INGALLS, HARRY F. PHILLIPS, RICHARD B. HUSSEY,
Committee on Ways and Means.
The reading of the report was waived.
48
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Voted, to act upon each subject separately.
Voted, to accept and adopt the report of the Committee upon Article 12, recommending 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 the same.
Voted, Article 12, to accept and adopt the report of the Com- mittee recommending that the salaries of the Board of Selectmen remain unchanged.
Town Debt.
Voted, Article 13, to accept and adopt the recommendations of the Committee appropriating as follows :
General Debt
$27,400 00
Sewer Bonds
10,596 00
Metropolitan Park Sinking Fund
1,000 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 OO also for
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 Maintenance Assess- ment
3,000 00
General Government.
[Page 175.]
Voted, Article 13, to accept and adopt the recommendations of the Committee appropriating as follows for the several depart- ments as 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
.
1913]
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
49
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
Contingent Fund
1,000 00
Memorial Day
200 00
Public Library
1,400 00
Sidewalks.
[Page 167.]
Voted, Article 13, to accept and adopt the recommendation of the Committee appropriating the sum of $6,000 for the con- struction of new sidewalks as asked for by the Selectmen, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Fireproof Vault for Town Hall. [Page 174.]
Voted, Article 13, to accept and adopt the recommendation of the Committee appropriating the sum of $1,000 for the con- struction of a vault and the necessary equipment as asked for by the Board of Selectmen, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
School Department. [Page 176.]
Voted, to take up at this time the special report of the Ways and Means Committee upon the School Department. .
Voted, to accept the special report of the Ways and Means Committee upon the School Department.
Voted, to take from the table the printed report of the School Committee for action.
Voted, to accept the report of the School Committee as printed.
Voted, Article 13, to accept and adopt the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating $48,000, as asked
4
50
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
for by the School Committee for their work the current year, of which $1,300 for new equipment for the Hadley School be raised by a bond issue.
Voted, Article 14, to accept and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating for the Health Department as follows :
Sanitation
$3,396
Collection of Refuse and Garbage 3,450
Voted, Article 15, to accept and adopt the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating as follows for the Park Department :
Monument Avenue
$700
Blaney Beach
850
Playground
350
Sundries
150
Voted, Article 15, to accept and adopt the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating $3,900 for the purpose of completing the payment for the purchase of the Phillips property for park purposes and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Voted, Article 15, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee recommending an appropriation of $2,500 for the improvement of Jackson Park and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Voted, Article 15, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the Park Commis- sioners be instructed to consult with some recognized authority on park development and make definite recommendations look- ing to the gradual improvement of Phillips Park and submit them together with estimates of cost to the Town at a subse- quent meeting, appropriating the sum of $600 to meet the neces- sary expense.
Voted, Article 16, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating for the Highway Depart- ment as follows :
51
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1913]
General Expenses $23,200
Sidewalks and Curbstone Maintenance . 1,100 Street Construction (bond issue) . 1,000
Corner Curbstones .
300
Voted, Article 16, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $700 for a new engine for the stone crusher to be purchased under the super- vision of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways, and that the amount be raised by a bond issue.
Voted, Article 16, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $900 for a tank wagon 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.
Voted, Article 17, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating for the Fire Department as follows :
Current Expense and Payrolls .
$13,050
Hydrant Rent .
2,300
500 feet of Hose . . .
400
Repairs on Stable
.
300
One Fire Alarm Box
90
Voted, Article 17, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the question of pur- chase of a combination hose and pumping outfit be referred to a special committee to consist of the Board of Fire Engineers and the Board of Selectmen, with instructions to investigate this sub- ject and report to the Town at a subsequent meeting as to the most suitable outfit for the Town's use and the probable cost of the same.
Voted, Article 18, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the salaries of the regular patrolmen of the Police Department be fixed at $20 per week and appropriating for the Police Department for the cur- rent year the sum of $10,728.
Voted, Article 19, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $1,700 for the Assessors' Department for the current year to cover sal- aries and general expenses.
52
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Voted, Article 20, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating $4,000 for the Poor Depart- ment for the current year, $400 of this amount being required to meet bills contracted last year.
Voted, Article 21, to accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee in consideration of the report of the Com- mittee on Underground Wires recommending that the matter of a new police signal system be indefinitely postponed and that such portion of the report of the Committeee on Underground Wires as relates to the policy to be pursued by the Town relative to putting all wires underground be adopted, and that the Board of Selectmen be instructed to take such action as may be necessary to insure the speedy and systematic laying of underground con- duits throughout the Town and otherwise carry this policy into effect, further recommending that no money be appropriated at this time.
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