USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1916 > Part 17
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Suitable inspection blanks and forms have been provided, and now that the revised by-laws have been accepted as approved, they will be regularly filled out whenever new buildings are erected or alterations made.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. MORRISON,
Building Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1916.
175
SOLDIERS' WELFARE COMMITTEE REPORT.
1916]
.
REPORT OF Swampscott Soldiers' Welfare Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
On June 19th President Wilson issued a call for 100,000 troops for the . Mexican border to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the United States from attacks of Mexican revolutionists. Since this duty was outside of the state, it was necessary for the militia to be mustered into the service of the federal government. Twenty-four Swampscott men answered the summons as members of the State militia.
After a short period in camp they were sent to the border, where they served their country faithfully for over four months.
The Board of Selectmen took an active interest in the welfare of our men from the beginning. On June 23d a special meeting was called by the board to take necessary action to create a committee to look after the interests of Swampscott men while at the front, and to care for their wives and families. The committee organized at once and held meetings regu- larly each week thereafter.
Most of our men were in the Second Battalion, First Regiment, Field Artillery, with headquarters at Salem, and it was learned from the officers that a field kitchen would be very helpful and add to the comfort and health of the men. The committee found that this could be purchased from the McClary Manufacturing Company at a cost of $1,040. Lynn was also interested in this enterprise, having a number of men in the battery.
No funds for the purpose being available, subscriptions were requested and were generously responded to by the citizens of both Swampscott and Lynn. The field kitchen was purchased and immediately sent to El Paso. Numerous reports from the officers and men were received from time to time, indicating that it was a great blessing to the soldiers.
Shortly after the organization of the committee, steps were taken to aid the wives and families, and this work was carried on with money sub- scribed by the citizens, until it was possible, by an Act of the Legislature, to obtain the necessary appropriation.
Great appreciation has been expressed by the men for the thoughtful- ness and interest of the citizens as expressed through their committee, it being stated that Swampscott showed more interest in the welfare of her men than most other towns.
In August the ladies held a benefit whist in the Town Hall, from which was received over $200. Part of this was sent directly to the men for use of the Second Battalion, and part was turned over to the committee.
The soldiers returned about November Ist, and on the 9th a banquet was held in the Town Hall in their honor.
176
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The committee wishes to express its appreciation of the support given by the citizens of the town in carrying out this patriotic work, a sum of $772.50 in all having been contributed.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, WILLIAM E. CARTER, NATHAN G. BUBIER, ALFRED F. FRAZIER, JOHN R. MERRITT, OSCAR G. POOR.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1916.
177
BY-LAWS' COMMITTEE REPORT.
1916]
Report of By-Laws' Committee.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 23, 1917. To the Citizens of Swampscott:
By vote of the town at the meeting held on the 20th day of October, A. D. 1916, this committee was empowered and instructed to present the by-laws adopted by vote of the town to the Attorney-General for his for- mal approval, and if they should be approved to attend to their publication as required by law.
Previous to your committee's presentation of these by-laws to the town, they had been tentatively approved by the Attorney-General. Upon the final presentation, however, the Attorney-General disapproved certain provisions which had formerly been tentatively approved.
It appeared that the provisions regulating the conduct of hawkers and peddlers, which had been drawn by the Attorney-General's office for the department in charge of hawkers and peddlers, had been nullified by an act of the Legislature, which took effect between the time that we sub- mitted the tentative draft of the by-laws to the Attorney-General and the time of the action of the town.
The other by-laws disapproved, were disapproved for the following reasons :
Section 4, of Chapter 2, was disapproved because towns are not authorized to make such a by-law.
Section 3, of Chapter 5, was disapproved because it would prevent the depositing of cash as security. The Attorney-General suggests that it be recast so as to read as follows :- " Every contract exceeding the sum of five hundred ($500) dollars shall be accompanied by security by bond or otherwise."
Chapter 7. Since the informal approval of this Chapter by the Attorney-General, the Legislature has passed Chapter 242, of the Acts of 1916, materially changing the situation, and he suggests that the town adopt the standard form covering this matter recently approved by his office, a copy of which the committee secured from the Commissioner of Weights and Measures.
Section II, of Chapter 10. This is covered by Section 113, of Chap- ter 208, of the Revised Laws.
Inspector of Buildings. Section I is unnecessary, because Section 79, of Chapter 635, of the Acts of 1912, the " Tenement House Act," so- called, provides as follows :- " In a town which accepts the provisions of this Act, the Selectmen shall annually appoint an Inspector of Buildings." The Attorney-General says that the power to appoint carries with it the power to remove and also to fix the compensation for the office. The other part of the Section he deems unnecessary.
-
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Section 4 of the same Chapter. He objects to this because it does not properly differentiate between an ordinary building and a building com- ing within the provisions of the " Tenement House Act," and suggests that we insert after the word " building," in the second line, the words " Of a character not described in Chapter 635 of the Acts of 1912." With this alteration, the Section may be retained.
The same objection applies to Section 5.
Section 10 he disapproves.
Section II. He suggests the insertion of the following words :-- "Except such as described in Chapter 635 of the Acts of 1912." The Section will then meet with his approval. The citation inserted is found in Section 10 of Chapter 635, which fixes the location of non-fireproof tenement houses no nearer than ten feet to the line of any adjoining lot.
Sections 21-22-23-24-26-27 are covered by Section 46 of Chapter 32, of the Revised Laws.
We herewith submit a new draft of by-laws for the regulation of hawkers and peddlers which conforms to the new law. Also Section 3, Chapter 5, as amended in accordance with the suggestion of the Attorney General.
From the Commissioner of Weights and Measures, State House.
Tentative Form of Ordinance of By-Law Relating to Hawkers and Peddlers.
SECTION I. No person shall go from place to place in this town sell- ing or bartering, or carrying or exposing for sale or barter, any fruits, vegetables, or fish in or from any cart, wagon or other vehicle, or in any other manner, without a license therefor from the Board of Health; provided, however, this section shall not apply to any person who sells only fruits or vegetables raised or produced by himself or his family, or fish which is obtained by his own labor or the labor of his family.
SECT. 2. The Board of Health shall have authority to grant such license to any person of good repute for morals and integrity who is, or has declared his intention to become, a citizen of the United States. Said licenses, unless sooner revoked by the Board of Selectmen, shall expire one year after the granting thereof, and each person so licensed shall pay thereof a fee of two dollars.
SECT. 3. No hawker or peddler shall sell, or offer or expose for sale, any of the articles enumerated in Section 15, of Chapter 65 of the Revised Laws, or in any acts in amendment thereof or in addition thereto, until he has recorded his name and residence with the Board of Health. Every person licensed under the provisions of the preceding section as hawker or peddler of fruits, vegetables and fish shall record his name and residence in like manner with the Board of Health.
SECT. 4. No person hawking, peddling, or carrying or exposing any articles for sale, shall cry his wares to the disturbance of the peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the town, nor otherwise than in vehicles and receptacles which are neat and clean and do not leak.
SECT. 5. Every hawker and peddler licensed by the Board of Health shall be assigned a number and shall be provided by the said Board with a badge which shall be conspicuously worn by him; and every other such hawker and peddler as described in Section 3 shall provide himself with a
179
BY-LAWS' COMMITTEE REPORT.
1916]
badge, of such type and design as may be approved by said Board of Health, which he shall wear in like manner. Whoever neglects to wear, or wears such badge without authority, shall be punished by the penalty provided in Section 10 of this by-law.
SECT. 6. Every vehicle or other receptacle used by a licensee as a con- veyance for articles offered or exposed for sale by him shall have attached thereto on each side a number plate, to be furnished by the town with his license, bearing the number and date of expiration of such license.
SECT. 7. No person shall be registered or assigned a badge or number plate under the provisions of Sections 3 and 5 of these By-laws, until he presents a certificate from the Sealer of Weights and Measures stating that all weighing and measuring devices intended to be used by such person have been duly inspected and sealed as required by law. The use of, or possession by such person with intent to use, any false or unsealed weighing or measuring devices shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of his license, or the cancellation of his registration.
SECT. 8. Nothing in these by-laws shall be construed as conflicting with any license issued under the authority of the Commonwealth.
SECT. 9. Any license granted under these by-laws or any by-law amendatory or additional thereto, may be revoked by the Board of Health.
SECT. 10. Whoever violates any provision of these by-laws shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars for each offence.
SECT. II. All by-laws or part of by-laws inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
The by-laws approved have been duly published as required by law, and now have full force and effect.
Those provisions which failed of approval in no sense destroy the effect of those adopted. In most instances the provisions sought to be made have been covered by a statute to the same effect, so that the disapproval means simply that the subject matter was not one for local regulation, it having been covered by a general act affecting all towns alike.
Chapter 5, Section 3. Every contract for a sum exceeding the sum of $500 shall be accompanied by a bond, by securities or deposit of cash, in such sum (if bond with surety or sureties) as may be required and approved by the board in charge of the same, conditioned by the faithful performance of the contract.
Respectfully submitted,
H. ASHLEY BOWEN, ELGAR H. TOWSEND, DANIEL F. KNOWLTON, JAMES W. SANTRY, GEORGE T. TILL,
Committee.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Board of Selectmen.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
In submitting the following report for the year of 1916, the Board of Selectmen desires to call attention to a number of important matters affecting the welfare of the town.
In our report we have given tabulations showing yearly financial statements and various appropriations, beginning with 1912, when the town adopted the uniform system of book-keeping of the State Bureau of Statistics. We suggest a careful study of these tables by all thoughtful citizens, as they will show clearly the gradual increase of cost of running the town, thereby pointing out where possible reductions may be made.
Taking the matter more in detail, a table is submitted showing the special appropriations for 1916, amounting in round figures to $39,000. These are exclusive of fixed charges over which the citizens have no immediate control or the running expenses and maintenance of the departments of the town.
It is impossible at this time to predict how the new State law regarding personal tax will affect the rate of Swampscott. The increase in 1916, however, was marked. While the town is active and progressive in all matters, affording most of the advantages and conveniences found in large cities, the citizens must halt at some point, since a high tax rate is detrimental to the well-being of any town. It is true that Swampscott is entirely a residential locality, and that her citizens require special advan- tages and are willing to pay for them. There must, however, be a limit, and the Board feels that this has been reached, and that greater thought must be given from now on to economies along all lines of activity in the town.
The board desires to express its appreciation of the help and cooperation received during the past year from the several boards of the town. No organization can exist and carry on work efficiently without this spirit of cooperation. It is the organization as a whole and not the individual, that makes for success. This applies particularly to town work.]
We have refrained from making any suggestion regarding a changed form of town government, as we believe that this is something which will have to be worked out naturally, and cannot be forced unduly. Much thought is now being given to this subject, and, with increasing popula- tion, it is possible that a more representative system will in time be required. Be this as it may, we now have the original form of govern- ment, handed down to us from our fathers, having many admirable features, but requiring the intelligent cooperation of the voters to insure an expression of the will of the people. In order to make our town meetings effective, it is of the utmost importance that the citizens of Swampscott interest themselves in the affairs of the town and become
1916]
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
familiar with details so far as possible, so that they may come to the town meetings prepared to take an active and intelligent part. This is not only their privilege but their duty, and one which should appeal to every man and citizen as much as his daily business, or more immediate personal interests. The Town Hall, at best, is of small capacity. It should, therefore, always be filled with citizens who have the welfare of the town at heart. This should also be true of the special meetings. which, on several occasions, have been adjourned owing to the lack of a quorum.
The citizens of the town of Swampscott must help if they wish to have public work well and economically done. The Board of Selectmen is on duty all the year round, and will do everything possible to stimulate and encourage the general spirit of cooperation. It must be kept in mind, however, that the board is only an executive one, and that the initiative is in the hands of the people themselves.
ADMINISTRATIVE.
I. Bonds of Town Officers.
Bonds of the following officers are given by the American Surety Com- pany, of New York, in the amounts stated :
William H. Bates, Town Treasurer $15,000 00
Nathan G. Bubier, Collector of Taxes . 10,000 00
Samuel M. Kehoe, Water and Sewer Commissioner 3,000 00
Charles E. Hodgdon, Water and Sewer Commissioner . 3,000 00
George D. R. Durkee, Water and Sewer Commissioner 3,000 00
George T. Till, Town Clerk
1,000 00
II. Licenses.
Auctioneers :
George U. Foster Willard D. Martin
Charles G. Woodbridge
3
.
$6 00
Bowling Alley :
James D. Bentley
I
.
$2 00
Carriages :
William H. Carroll Clifford Diedrick
Twoomey & McDougal 6
$6 00
Express :
Clifford Diedrick W. E. Shepard
2
.
$2 00
Innholders :
R. F. & C. F. Bergengren J. A. Sherrard E. R. Grabow & Company
13
182
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Junk Dealers : Henry Sherman Louis Zeltz
2
.
$150 00
Pool Tables :
James D. Bentley J. F. Crowell, Jr.
2
.
$4 00
To Transport Liquor : North Shore Express Co Portsmouth & Lynn Express Co. W. E. Shepard
Automobile Permits : 28
$28 00
Elevators :
4
.
$4 00
Victuallers :
H. J. Blaisdell, 141 Humphrey street F. H. Bradford, 21 Ontario street
Scott C. Booma, Humphrey street J. H. Bryson. 29 Essex street J. H. Peach, 503 Humphrey street A. G. Shumway, 17 Railroad avenue
H. W. Wagenfeld, 422 Humphrey street
George B. Watts, 60 Humphrey street
Total $202 00
III. Permits Granted Under Section 4, Chapter 6, of Town By-Laws. To sell material to the town.
James T. Lyons,
Oscar G. Poor.
IV. Permits Granted
Under Section 5, Chapter 6, of Town By-Laws. To do work for the town.
C. Walter Burrill, Alfred F. Frazier,
Clarence W. Horton,
George D. R. Durkee,
Dr. Loring Grimes,
Everett P. Mudge,
George C. Webster.
V. Contracts for Walks and Edgestones.
Proposals for granolithic walks and edgestones were advertised for in accordance with Section 4, of Chapter 3, of Town By-Laws, and the follow- ing bids received :
1916]
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
183
M. McDonough Co. D. J. Sheehan Abram. French
Straight curb
$ 90
$ 84
Curved curb
I 25
1 00
Driveway
$1 80
Granolithic
I 60
I 52 I 80
Parking
IO
84
IO
Tar concrete
60
Tar concrete resurface,
35
Contract was awarded to the McDonough Company, who were the low- est bidders.
VI. Contract for Coal.
Proposals for furnishing coal for the several departments of the town for the current year were advertised in accordance with Section 4, Chap- ter 3, of town by-laws, in the following amounts :
400 Tons Lackawanna, egg or broken 150 Tons Georges Creek 50 Tons Burnside 150 Tons Coke.
The following bids were received :
Honors, Holder & Sons, Lynn.
Lackawanna egg $7 65
George S. Briggs Coal Co. $7 80
Lackawanna broken 7 10
7 20
Burnside 8 30
8 30
Cumberland
5 75
Otto coke
5 50
Contract was awarded to the Honors, Holder & Sons, who were the lower bidders.
VII. Printing Town Reports.
Proposals for printing the Town Reports for the current year were advertised on the basis of 30 square inches to the page, 300 pages and 2,000 copies. The following bid was received :
1,000 sq. in. 4,000 sq. in. 4,000 sq. in.
6 point 8 point Io point
Frank S. Whitten .8
.05
.02₺
Balance page 80
Contract was awarded to Frank S. Whitten.
The total cost of :
Printing and binding for the report of 1915 was
$883 99
Editing
75 00
Distribution, typewriting and advertising
61 90
Total
$1,020 89
Attention is called to the above statement covering the report for 1915. The business of the town is increasing from year to year, which, together with the present high cost of labor and material, makes the town report an expensive volume. Much of the matter must be inserted according to
184
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
law. The board recommends, however, that the various departments condense their reports so far as possible consistent with giving the citi- zens of the town information which they may require.
VIII. Sidewalks.
Petitions for granolithic sidewalks, edgestones and parking were received during the current year from residents of the following streets :
Devens Road,
Humphrey Street,
New Ocean Street,
Palmer Avenue,
Paradise Road,
Puritan Road,
Rock Avenue,
Rockland Street,
Sheridan Road.
These were carefully considered by the board with relation to a general plan of development of sidewalks for the town, and granted.
The following tabulation shows the amount of work done under each division of the contract, together with the corresponding cost, also cost of laying edgestones and engineering inspection :
Granolithic sidewalks, 2,105.4 sq. yds. @ $1.60 $3,368 64
Straight edgestones, 1,201.I linear ft. @
.90
1,080 99
Curved edgestones, 109.2 linear ft. @ 1.25 136 50
Parking,
6,571 sq. ft. @ .08ª 574 96
Reparking,
1,761 sq. ft. @
.04 ·
7.0 44
$5,231 53
Laying Edgestones
535 73
Engineering inspection
232 74
Total .
$6,000 00
For the information of the citizens, one-half of the cost of granolithic walks, edgestones and parking is assessed to the abutters. It is impor- tant that this work be carried'on moderately from year to year, accord- ing to a definite plan whereby principal points of the town will be connected, and the Board accordingly recommends an appropriation of $6,000 for this purpose.
IX. Sale of Real Estate.
At the annual meeting it was voted to authorize the sale of town land on Pine street under the joint direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Water and Sewerage Board. The land was duly advertised, but only two bids were received, and these were considered too low for acceptance. It is the opinion of the Committee that the land in question should not be sold for less than 20 cents per square foot or thereabouts. It is recommended that a committee consisting of the Board of Select- men and the Water and Sewerage Board be continued with power to dis- pose of land when, in their opinion, this can be done to the best interests of the town.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1916]
X. Public Buildings.
Following is a list of rents received from public buildings :
Town Hall .
$365 50
Tenement over Police Station 143 00
Tenement over 88 Burrill Street
132 00
XI. Town Hall.
Owing to the removal of the library, much needed space is made available for offices of the departments. The following plan is proposed :
Assessors at the front.
Tax Collector at rear. Town Engineer and Building Inspector at rear. Board of Health to be located in the room occupied at present by the Park Board, with a small additional room at the corner.
Park Board and Overseers of the Poor to be located in the present Assessors' office, and the present office of the Board of Health to be retained for meetings of the Finance and other committees.
The relocation of the office of the Town Engineer will leave an office available on the second floor for the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
It is further proposed that the office of the Board of Selectmen be rearranged to give greater convenience.
Plans and estimates for this work have been prepared by the Town Engineer, and it is recommended that $1,500 be appropriated to carry out the improvements, work to be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
For many years the Town Hall has not been connected with the sewer, and it was felt by the board that the town should comply with its own rules and regulations. The necessary connection was, therefore, made, at a cost of $150.
During the year numerous carbon lamps have been replaced by those of later and more efficient design, thus economizing in the use of electricity.
XII. G. A. R. Building.
In accordance with a vote of the town, the Board advertised for heating equipment for the G. A. R building. The following bids were received :
Boynton Company $235 00
Ingalls & Kendrickden
265 00
The contract was awarded to the lower bidder.
The apparatus was promptly installed, and is giving satisfactory ser- vice.
Appropriation was also provided for certain repairs to the building and redecorating the interior, all of which have been done, meeting the approval of the members of the G. A. R. and the Board.
The Board decided to place the G. A. R. building in the new insurance fund.
XIII. Flag Pole.
The flag pole, located on the town hall grounds, was struck by lightning late in 1915 and badly damaged, requiring an entire new pole. This was ordered of the Pigeon-Hollow-Spar Company, of East Boston, at a price of $257.70, including erection, necessary rigging and painting. The
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
board decided to place this in the insurance fund. In July the pole was struck by lightning, again badly damaging the top-mast. The board con- sulted with Professor Thomson, who kindly offered his services, and accordingly decided to provide a lightning rod to protect the pole in the future.
A new flag, suitable for the pole at the Monument, was generously pre- sented to the town by Mr. H. Stanbon, and accepted by the board.
XIV. Street Lighting.
The contract between the town and the Lynn Gas & Electric Company expires July 11, 1918. This provides for a charge of $72 for each arc lamp and $17.52 for each incandescent lamp on moonlight schedule. It would undoubtedly be desirable to have the town lighted on an every-night basis, and, while the board is strongly in favor of this system, we do not feel justified in recommending the additional expense with the present high tax rate. The town now has the following lights :
Arc, every night II
Arc, moonlight
.
88
Incandescent
. 301
In 1916 these cost the town $12,218.87.
With the natural increase in lights due to the development of new streets, an additional sum will be required for new lights. The Board recommends an appropriation of $12,700 for street lighting during 1917.
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