Town annual report of Swampscott 1915, Part 4

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 322


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Your Committee has investigated the condition of Atlantic Avenue at the point named and is of the opinion that the grade need not be changed at this time.


We recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.


ART. 59 .- There were seven streets accepted by the Town last year, and in order to put them in proper condition it will be necessary to expend a considerable amount of money. Your Committee is of the opinion that this work is desirable.


We recommend that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated.


ART. 60 .- During the past year a sewer has been constructed through Humphrey Street and as a result the roadway has been left in unsuitable condition for traffic. Your Committee has been over the ground and believes that work must be undertaken at once.


We recommend that the sum of $6,000 be appropriated for reconstruct- ing Humphrey Street and Commonwealth Avenue to Humphrey Square with macadam pavement-under specifications approved by the Highway Commission-the amount to be raised by notes or bonds of the Town.


ART. 61 .- The Superintendent of Cemeteries informs us that there is a demand for small lots, requiring the preparation of more land. These additional lots will be disposed of in the near future.


We recommend that the sum of $1,200 be appropriated for cemetery extension.


ART. 64 .- Cedar Hill Terrace has been laid out by the Selectmen. Your Committee has given this proposition careful consideration and finds that it is impossible to obtain waivers from all the abutters. If waivers could be obtained in the usual way, it would be highly desirable to accept this street. Under existing conditions, however, we are compelled to recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.


ART. 65 .- There are two pieces of private property at the corners of Humphrey and Redington Streets that are being used by the Town as sidewalks. It is estimated that these amount to So square feet.


We recommend that the sum of $120 be appropriated to pay for this property.


ART. 66 .- There is a small triangular piece of private property at the southwest corner of Burrill and Essex Streets now being used as a highway.


We recommend that the sum of $90 be appropriated to purchase this land as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 67. - We recommend that a Saturday half-holiday with pay for the employees of the Highway, Water, Sewer and Moth Departments be granted under the same regulations as for 1914.


ART. 68 .- We recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated to be drawn upon by the Board of Selectmen to pay premiums on insurance policies and adjusting the insurance of the Town.


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TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


ART. 69 .- The Board of Assessors is required this year to issue a list of valuations of estates in the Town, thereby giving full information regard- ing the items of taxation.


We recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.


ART. 70 .- The Town Meeting of last July refused to authorize the pur- chase of the fence referred to in this article. The Park Board, neverthe- less, had prior to this meeting entered into an agreement to purchase it and we are informed have actually made part payment for it. Attention is called to the fact that the Park Board has acted contrary to the vote of the Town. They now propose that the fence be erected at Phillips Park, where in our opinion a new fence is not required. Our attention has been called to another indication of laxity in the Park Department, by the fact that expenditures of this Board during 1914 have exceeded their appropriations by an amount of over $600, a practice which is contrary to the by-laws, destructive of good government, and which must at once be discontinued if the Town Meeting is to control the affairs of the Town.


In view of the situation, the Town having already paid half the purchase price of the fence, it appears that it would be more economical to complete the payment and dispose of it with the least possible loss.


We recommend that the sum of $75 be appropriated to complete payment for the fence.


We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth in Articles 31, 32 and 33, which relate to the appropriation of $250 for Linden avenue water main, $1,250 for Bertha street water main and $2,500 for Sargent and Aspen roads water main, said appropriations aggregating the sum of $4,000.


There shall be four bonds or notes for $1,000 each, numbered one to four inclusive. They shall be dated during the current year. Bond or note numbered one shall be payable one year from the date thereof, and one bond or note shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order. Said bond or notes shall bear the Town seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Water Commis- sioners (now Water and Sewerage Board), shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, shall be authenti- cated by some bank or trust company, or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics, shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presen- tation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of coupons ( if coupon bonds are issued) and appropriate endorsement.


Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treas- urer or at such bank or trust company as the Town Treasurer and Select- men shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear on their face the words, " Swampscott Additional Water Loan, Act of 1912." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen.


All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds or notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen, but said bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par and interest.


We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth in Articles 14, 16, 34 and 35, and 55, which relate to the appropriation of $20,000 for Mudge Brook culvert, $1,000 for Marshall's Brook outlet, $2, 100 for drain in Banks Road, and $900 for Humphrey Street drain, said appropriations aggregating the sum of $24,000.


There shall be twenty-four bonds or notes for $1,000 each, numbered one to twenty-four inclusive. They shall be dated during the current year. Bond or note numbered one shall be payable one year from the date thereof, and one bond or note shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order. Said bonds or notes shall bear the Town Seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per centum per annum, payable semi-annually, shall be authenticated by some bank or trust company or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics, and shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town


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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1915]


Treasurer for cancellation of coupons (if coupon bonds are issued), and appropriate endorsement.


Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such bank or trust company as the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear upon their face the words "Swampscott Sewerage Loan, Act of 1913." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen.


All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds or notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and Board of Select- men, but said bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par and interest.


We recommend that the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the town for the purposes set forth in Articles 14 and 60 relating to the appropriations of $6,000 for sidewalks and $6,000 for macadam pavement, said appropriations aggregating $12,000.


There shall be twelve bonds or notes for $1,000 each, numbered one to twelve inclusive. They shall be dated during the current year. Bonds or notes numbered 1, 2 and 3, shall be payable one year from their date. Bonds or notes numbered 4, 5 and 6 shall be payable two years from their date, and two bonds or notes shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order. Said bonds or notes shall bear the Town Seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per centum per annum, shall be authenticated by some Bank or Trust Company or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics, shall be subject to registration at the holder's option upon presentation to the Town Treasurer for cancellation of the coupons (if coupon bonds are issued) and appropriate endorsement.


Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer or at such Bank or Trust Company as the Town Treasurer and Selectmen shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear on their face the words " Swampscott Miscellaneous Loan, 1915." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen.


All other particulars as to form, issuance and sale of said bonds or notes shall be determined by the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen, but said bonds or notes shall not be sold for less than par and interest.


(Signed)


HENRY S. BALDWIN, WIEAR L. ROWELL,


DAVID C. LASH, W. E. CARTER, E. HAROLD NEWHALL, SIDNEY M. SHATTUCK, Committee on Ways and Means.


TOWN DEBT.


Voted. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating the following amounts for the purposes specified :


General Debt


$39,200 00


Sewer Bonds


13,150 00


Interest on General Debt


13,294 77


Interest on Sewer Bonds


7,728 25


Interest on Temporary Loans


5,000 00


Total


. $78,373 02


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee transferring to "General Debt" maturing this year, the sum of $1,177.25 being the amount shown on the Town Balance Sheet December 31, 1914, to credit of "Premium Notes and Bonds."


36


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee transferring the sum of $10,328.58 from the surplus revenue to appropriation overdrafts as shown on the Town Balance Sheet, Decem- ber 31, 1914.


Voted. That the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee regarding the transfer of $25,000 from surplus revenue be laid upon the table until plans and specifications of a library building can be presented together with Articles 27 and 54 of the Warrant which the meeting voted to take up in connection with this subject.


AGENCY.


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating as follows :


State Tax


$32,000 00 .


County Tax .


21,000 00


Highway Tax and Bureau of Statistics


1,200 00


Total


$54,200 00


METROPOLITAN PARK ACCOUNTS.


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating as follows :


Metropolitan Park Maintenance .


$36,000 00


Metropolitan Park Interest . -


2,500 00


Metropolitan Park Sinking Fund


475 00


Total


$6,575 00


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating as required by the Commonwealth as follows :


Moth Extermination


$4,500 00


State Aid


3,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


3,000 00


Total


. $10,500 00


GENERAL GOVERNMENT.


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee as amended appropriating for the several departments as follows :


Legislative


$200 00


Selectmen


1,410 00


Auditing


900 00


Treasurer


785 00


Collector of Taxes


900 00


Town Clerk


300 00


Law


600 00


Election and Registration


700 00


Engineering


4,000 00


Town Hall


2,200 00


Assessors


2,950 00


Total


$14,945 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures .


90 00


Dog Officer


150 00


Care of Monument Lot


50 00


Memorial Day


200 00


Heating and Lighting G. A. R. Hall


.


75 00


Town Reports


820 58


Total .


$1,385 58


Sewer Maintenance


$5,500 00


.


.


·


.


.


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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1915]


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating as follows :


General Expense .


.


·


$19,100 00


Sidewalks and Curbs . .


. 1,500 00


Catch Basins and Gutters


2,000 00


Street Lighting


· 12,500 00


Street Watering and Oiling


.


5,000 00


$40,100 00


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating for the maintenance of the Public Library the sum of $1,400.


Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee appropriating the sum of $2,000 for the Contingent Fund.


Voted. As recommended by the Ways and Means Committee that the amount of bonds to be required of the Town Treasurer be $15,000. -Article 8.


Voted. As recommended by the Ways and Means Committee that the amount of bonds to be required of the Collector of Taxes be $10,000- Article 9.


Voted. As recommended by the Ways and Means Committee that the amount of bonds to be required of the Water and Sewerage Commission be $3,000 for each member .- Article 10.


Voted. Article II. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the salaries of Town Officials remain the same as last year.


Voted. Article 12. To strike out the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee on this article, the same having been acted upon under the head of General Government appropriations.


Voted. Article 13. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee as amended as follows: That the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen may be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year beginning the first day of January, A. D., 1915, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $200,000, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the taxes of said municipal year. (Unanimous ).


Voted. Article 14. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $6,000 for continuous side- walks, as amended. That the amount be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, to be raised by notes or bonds of the Town.


MUDGE BROOK CULVERT.


Voted. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $20,000, to construct a culvert for Mudge Brook according the report of the Town Engineer, as contained in the Selectmen's Report, and that this amount be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.


MUDGE BROOK ASSESSMENT.


Voted. That the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee in regard to Mudge Brook Assessment be not adopted and that the matter be referred to the Board of Selectmen.


Voted. That when we do adjourn it be to Thursday evening, March 18, at 7.45 o'clock.


4


.


.


38


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Voted. To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee, indefinitely postponing any action upon the matter of borrowing money for permanent improvements.


Voted. To adjourn at 10 P. M.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


Adjourned Annual Meeting, March 18, 1915.


In accordance with the adjournment of March 16, the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Thursday, March 18, 1915, there being a sufficient number present to legally transact business.


The meeting was called to order by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, at 7.45 o'clock.


The records of the last meeting were read by the Clerk and approved by the meeting.


ART. 15. No action was taken on this matter as suggested by the Ways and Means Committee report.


ART. 16. Voted. To take this matter up with Article 37.


MARSHALL BROOK.


Voted. To accept and adopt the recommendation on the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $1,000, to construct a cement concrete culvert at Marshall Brook outlet, the same to be raised by notes or bonds of the Town.


Voted to accept and adopt the further recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating as follows :


Sanitation . Refuse and Garbage .


$3,150 00


3,175 00


$6,325 00


Voted. Article 17. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating the sum of $3,800 for the Poor Department.


Voted. Article 18. To lay this article on the table to be acted on in connection with Article 70.


Voted. Article 19. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating the sum of $56,000 for General Expenses of the School Department.


Voted. Article 20. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, indefinitely postponing the matter of repairs on Essex street.


Voted. Article 21. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating the sum of $750 for the Tree Warden.


Voted. Article 22. To divide the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee on this article.


Voted. To accept and adopt the last section of the report of the Ways and Means Committee on Article 22, appropriating for the Fire Depart- ment as follows :


Current Expenses and Pay Roll


$13,200 00


Hydrant Rent.


2,580 00


500 Feet Hose


400 00


One Fire Alarm Box


60 00


Underground Cables


525 00


Total


$16,765 00


The recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee contained in the first section of its report was not adopted.


39


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1915]


Voted. That the sum of $400 be added to the appropriation for the Fire Department in order to provide for increases of salary, as recom- mended by the Engineers.


Voted. Article 23. To accept and adopt the last section of the report of the Ways and Means Committee on this article, appropriating the sum of $11,500 for maintenance and expense of Police Department.


A motion was made to appropriate the sum of $260 to be added to the appropropriation for the Police Department to carry out its recommendations.


Henry B. Sprague raised a point of order that after appropriations for a Department had been fixed the meeting could not increase the amount.


The Chair ruled that an appropriation having been fixed could be increased by vote.


The Chair was sustained in his ruling by vote of the meeting.


Voted. To increase the appropriation for the Police Department $260, for the purpose of carrying out the recommendation contained in the report of the Chief of Police.


Voted. That it is the sense of this meeting that action taken on Art. II be construed to mean elected Town Officials only.


Voted. Article 24. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating the sum of $1,600 for care and mainten- ance of the Cemetery.


Voted. Article 25. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, recommending that no separate appropriation be made under this article.


Voted. Article 26. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee, appropriating the sum of $500 for Forest Warden.


Voted. To take from the table Articles 27 and 54 and to proceed to the discussion of this matter in connection with the disposition of $25,000 surplus revenue.


A motion was made to appropriate $25,000 of surplus revenue to apply on General Debt maturing 1915.


Voted. As an amendment to appropriate and set aside the sum of $15,000 of surplus revenue toward Library Building Fund.


A motion was made to use the balance, $10,000 of surplus revenue, to apply on General Debt maturing 1915.


Voted. As an amendment to appropriate the balance $10,000 of surplus revenue toward Library Building Fund.


Voted. That when we adjourn it be to next Monday evening, March 22, at nine o'clock.


Voted : To adjourn at 10.05 o'clock.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


Adjourned Special Town Meeting, March 22, 1915.


In accordance with the adjournment of March 16, the voters assembled at the Town Hall on Monday evening, March 22, 1915.


The meeting was called to order at 7.45 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, many more than a quorum being present.


The records of the meeting of March 16, were read and approved.


Voted, Article 2. To accept and adopt the report of the Water and Sewer Board.


Voted, Article 3. To accept the report of the Ways and Means Com- mittee and adopt their recommendation appropriating $1,000, to put water pipes, hydrants and sewers in such condition on Paradise Road that it will not be necessary to dig up the street for 10 years, the amount to be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.


Voted. To accept the report of the Ways and Means Committee and adopt their recommendation appropriating $1,000, for the purpose of


40


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


laying a 12 inch pipe in Burrill street, from New Ocean to Essex street, the amount to be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.


Voted, Article 3. To accept and adopt the report of the Ways and Means Committee appropriating $500, for Particular Sewers, as may be necessary during the year.


Voted, Article 3. To indefinitely postpone action on Auto Truck for Water Department, as recommended by the Ways and Means Committee.


The report of the Board of Selectmen on Article 4, Paradise Road, was read by Clarence B. Humphrey, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.


Voted. To refer the subject matter of Article 4 to the Ways and Means Committee, to be reported upon at a subsequent meeting.


Motion was made to accept and adopt the subject matter of Article 5. After much discussion a motion for the previous question was not carried.


Motion. To refer motion of Article 5 to the By-Law committee not carried.


Motion. To indefinitely postpone matter of Article 5, not carried.


Voted. To request all those not voters to retire from the Hall.


Motion. To adopt Article 5, not carried.


Voted. That when we do adjourn it be to March 23, tomorrow, Tuesday evening, at 7.45 o'clock.


Voted. To adjourn at 9 P. M.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,


Town Clerk.


Adjourned Town Meeting, March 22, 1915.


In accordance with the adjournment of March 18th, the voters were called to order at nine o'clock, March 22, 1915, for the purpose of continu- ing the business at the Annual Meeting.


Voted. To dispense with the reading of the records of the previous meeting.


Henry B. Sprague gave notice to the meeting of Prof. Elihu Thomson's offer to the Town of land for Library Building.


Voted by a unanimous rising vote : That a vote of thanks be conveyed to Prof. Thomson for his very generous offer.


By vote of the meeting, F. Keeler Rice, Aaron R. Bunting and John Albree were added to the Library Building Committee.


Voted. To refer the matter of further subscriptions for Library Build- ing to the Library Building Committee.


Voted. Article 29. To refer this matter to the Ways and Means Com- mittee for further investigation and report at a subsequent meeting.


A motion to appropriate $24,000 to continue the easterly end of the Humphrey street sewer, so-called, to Palmer lane, was not carried.


Voted. To proceed to the business of Article 53 of the Warrant. Voted. That we do not adopt the recommendation of the Ways and Means Committee on Article 53.


Voted. Article 53. To appropriate the sum of $860 for an additional permanent man at the Phillips Beach Engine House.


Voted. That when we adjourn it be to Tuesday evening, March 23, at close of adjourned special meeting.


Voted. To adjourn at 10 P. M.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


Adjourned Special Meeting, March 23, 1915.


In accordance with the adjournment of March 22, the voters again assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, March 23, 1915, many more than a quorum being present.


41


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1915]


The meeting came to order at 7.45 o'clock, Moderator Daniel F. Knowlton presiding.


Voted. To dispense with the reading of records of last meeting.


Voted. To indefinitely postpone action on Article 5.


Voted. To indefinitely postpone action on Article 6.


Voted, Article 4. To accept the supplementary report of the Ways and Means Committee and adopt their recommendations that action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.


Voted, Article 7. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Ways and Means Committee, as follows :


That the following be fixed as the particulars of the bonds or notes to be issued by the Town for the purposes set forth under Article 1, which relate to the appropriation of $47,000 for the construction of an addition to the High School building and the original equipment and furnishings. There shall be forty-seven bonds or notes for $1,000 each, numbered I to 47 inclusive. They shall be dated during the current year. Bonds or notes numbered 1, 2 and 3 shall be payable one year from the dates thereof, and three bonds or notes shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order for six consecutive years, and two bonds or notes shall be payable each year thereafter in numerical order for thirteen years. Said bonds or notes shall bear the Town Seal, shall be signed by the Town Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen ; shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding 42 per cent per annum, payable semi- annually ; shall be authenticated by some bank or trust company, or by the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics ; shall be subject to registration at the holder's option on presentation to the Town Treasurer for canceila- tion of coupons (if coupon bonds are issued) and appropriate endorse- ment. Principal and interest shall be payable at the office of the Town Treasurer, or at such bank or trust company as the Treasurer and Select- men shall designate. Said bonds or notes shall bear on their face the words, " Swampscott High School Addition Loan, 1915." Said bonds or notes shall be sold under the direction of the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen.




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