USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1916 > Part 2
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ART. 38. To see if the town will ratify and confirm the action of the Selectmen, accepting the deed of land given by Elihu Thomson, being a part of the Elihu Thomson estate, containing 7,128 square feet, with the restriction that it be used for the purposes of a Public Library.
ART. 39. To see if the town will vote to resurface and put in good repair Salem street, from Humphrey street to the State road, and appro- priate money for the same, as petitioned for by Allen S. Rowe, et als.
ART. 40. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to pay all land and grade damages incurred in consequence of taking and altering grade, in accordance with the layout of Essex street by the County Com- missioners of the County of Essex, and cost of excavation to subgrade, in accordance with profile of said street, and make appropriation therefor.
ART. 41. To see if the town will vote to lay granolithic sidewalks on Paradise road, between Burrill street and the railroad in all places where not now in place, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 42. To see if the town will vote to lay granolithic sidewalks and curb on Puritan road in front of the New Ocean House property and appropriate money therefor, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 43. To see if the town will vote to resurface Walker road, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
ART. 44. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,200 to pay premiums upon Employers' Liability Insurance, as provided for on page 205 of the Annual Report.
ART. 45. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,200 to be drawn upon by the Board of Selectmen, to pay premiums upon insurance policies, and in adjusting insurance rates of the town.
ART. 46. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $500 for the observance of the Fourth of July, the money to be spent under the direction of the Park Commissioners and four of the citizens to be appointed from the floor, as petitioned for by Oscar G. Poor, et als.
ART. 47. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for the employment of district or other nurses, as provided for in Chapter 72, of the Acts of 1911, as recommended by Charles H. Hersey, et als.
ART. 48. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $675 to be placed in the hands of the Town Treasurer, under the provisions of Sections I and 2 of Chapter 498 of the Acts of 1908, entitled, " An Act to authorize cities and towns to establish a pension fund for teachers in the public schools."
ART. 49. To see if the town will vote to pay the sum of $300 to Nettie Smith, widow of Everett Smith, who met his death in the performance of his duty as a fireman, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 50. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $2,000 to pay for water used in the water troughs of the town during the year 1916, as recommended by George D. R. Durkee, et als.
ART. 51. To see if the town will authorize and direct the Selectmen to petition the legislature for authority to borrow money for the purposes of playground development, and to issue therefor serial bonds or notes of the town for the period of twenty years, as petitioned for by C. Irving Lindsay, et als.
ART. 52. To see if the town will vote to add two patrolmen to the police force, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Thomas Handley, et als.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
ART. 53. To see what action the town will take, if any, towards grant- ing a Saturday half-holdiday with pay, for the employees of the Highway, Sewer and Moth Departments during the entire year, subject to the same regulations as for the year 1915, as petitioned for by Guy T. White, et als.
ART. 54. To see if the town will vote that the members of the Fire Department shall be excused from duty for one day out of every five, with- out loss of pay. The time and manner of excusing members of the Fire Department from duty in accordance with the provisions of this act shall be determined by the Chief, or other officer or board at the head of the Fire Department, as petitioned for by H. B. Sprague, et als.
ART. 55. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $7,000 to be used by the High School Building Committee in completing the work now under contract, authorized by the last Annual Town Meeting, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 56. To vote by ballot " Yes " or " No" upon the question, "Shall an act passed by the General Court, being Sections 102 to 105 inclusive of Chapter 576 of the Acts of 1907, being an act relative to establishing and maintaining municipal building insurance be accepted."
ART. 57. To appropriate and raise, by borrowing or otherwise, such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for all or any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
The polls will be closed at sunset.
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, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this fourth day of February, in the year 1916.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, JAMES F. CATON, ELIAS G. HODGKINS, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
FRANK H. BRADFORD, 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 five public and conspicuous places in Swampscott, on Saturday, February 12th, 1916, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Annual Town Meeting, February 21, 1916.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Monday, February 21, 1916, and were called to order by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, at 6 o'clock A. M.
The warrant to Article 6 and also Article 56 was read and the Constables return thereon was read by the Town Clerk, when on motion it was voted to defer the reading of the balance of the Warrant until 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
The balance of the Warrant was read to the meeting by the Town Clerk at 10 o'clock.
The following were qualified by the Clerk for their respective duties :
Ballot Clerks : John A. Cullen, (Dem.); William R. Patten, (Rep.); Francis M. Kennedy, (Dem.); Deputies, Abram G. Stone, (Dem.); W. Percy Norcross, (Rep.). The deputies appeared but were not qualified.
The packages containing 1,920 general ballots and 300 special ballots
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
were delivered to and receipted for by the two clerks in charge, William R. Patten and Francis M. Kennedy. At 6.03 A. M. the polls were declared open for balloting.
The following were qualified as Tellers : Republicans, Harold C. Snow, Fred A. Oliver, Harold H. Bartol, Alfred F. Frazier, Ralph D. Merritt, Freeman A. Baker, Harry E. Cahoon and Edward Marshall Kehoe. Democrats, Frank G. Melvin, James H. Ryan, George H. Stone, James A. Hegarty, William P. Bergen, William F. Clark, Peter J. Blaser and Francis M. Kennedy. .
Formal protest was entered and read to the meeting, as follows :
As an American citizen and mindful of the rights, privileges and duties of American citizenship, I herewith desire to enter and record my protest in casting this ballot on the following grounds :
First : That the ballot handed me by the Ballot Clerk, is an unlawful, illegal, deceptive and fradulent ballot.
Second: That said ballot contains subject matter, Article 5 of the Warrant, placed there by the Board of Selectmen without right or warrant, without sanction of law, or vote of the town in meeting assembled.
Third : That it denies to citizens the right to hear and act upon the report of the Board of Selectmen in a lawful and complete manner to which citizens are of right duly warned in Article 6 of the Warrant.
Fourth : That by reason of the foregoing, I believe this election to be unlawful and defective in principle and act.
Fifth : That it is unwise and dangerous and against public policy to empower a committee of itself and by itself to prepare and cause to be enacted legislation creating a radical change in town government without submitting its report for definite action by the citizens in town meeting assembled.
Sixth : That no definite action can be taken on the October Ist meeting as recommended by the Selectmen.
Seventh : That I believe it to be an unlawful act to place local matters of government or any other subject on the State and National ballot in November, or to employ said meeting with or without discussion by the citizens to further local schemes.
(Signed) MARTIN E. NIES.
The polls were closed at 5.30 P. M., the time being extended by vote of the meeting.
There were 955 general and 5 special ballots cast, the ballot box register- ing 955, both check lists agreeing with number of ballots cast.
At 9.15 P. M. the following result of balloting was announced :
For Moderator - Daniel F. Knowlton, 721, elected; blanks, 233 ; scattering, I.
Town Clerk-George T. Till, 743, elected ; blanks, 212.
Selectmen-Henry S. Baldwin, 567, elected; William E. Carter, 386, elected ; James F. Caton, 292 ; Elias G. Hodgkins, 151 ; Alfred B. Jones, 10; Robert Leslie. 227; Arthur T. Tapper, 95 ; blanks, 182.
Treasurer-William H. Bates, 771, elected ; blanks, 184.
Assessor for three years-Oscar G. Poor, 756, elected ; blanks, 199.
Collector of Taxes-Nathan G. Bubier, 785, elected ; blanks, 170.
School Committee for three years-Robert F. Kimball, 738, elected ; blanks, 222.
Overseers of Poor for three years-Joseph F. Crowell, 735, elected ; blanks, 220.
Member of Board of Health for three years-George C. Webster, 715, elected ; blanks, 240.
Member of Water and Sewerage Board, three years-George D. R. Durkee, 675, elected ; blanks, 280.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
Park Commissioner for three years-James T. Lyons, 394, elected ; Archibald Miller, 225; Arthur C. Eaton, 170; John R. Laxton, 91; blanks, 75.
Trustee of Public Library, three years-Frank F. Stanley, 659, elected ; blanks, 296.
Tree Warden-Everett P. Mudge, 707, elected ; blanks, 248.
Constables-Frank H. Bradford, 636, elected; Charles Walter Burrill, 627, elected ; Clarence W. Horton, 655, elected ; blanks, 947.
Chapter 655, Acts of 1913-Shall the town accept sections I to 10 inclu- sive of Chapter 655 of the Acts of the year 1913, being an Act relative to the inspection of buildings in the cities and towns, be accepted? Yes, 420; No, 188; blanks, 347.
Merging of the several departments of the town-Shall the recommen- dations of the majority of the Board of Selectmen, as contained on page 190 of the Town Report for 1915, be adopted, being a recommendation relative to the appointment of a committee to consider the merging of the several departments of the town? Yes, 266; No, 442 ; blanks, 247.
Chapter 576, Acts of 1907-Shall An Act passed by the General Court, being Sections 102 to 105 inclusive of Chapter 576 of the Acts of 1907, being an Act relative to establishing and maintaining municipal building insurance, be accepted? Yes, 356 ; No, 193 ; blanks, 406.
License Question-Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town? No, 712; Yes, 136; blanks, 107.
Voted : That when we adjourn it be to Wednesday evening, February 23, at 7.30 o'clock.
Voted : To adjourn at 9.30 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, February 23, 1916.
In accordance with the adjournment of Monday, February 21, 1916, the voters assembled at the Town Hall, Wednesday, February 23, 1916.
The meeting was called to order at 7.45 P. M., there being at that time a sufficient number of voters present to transact business.
Records of the previous meeting were read and declared approved.
Voted, Article 6. That all reports not carrying appropriations be accepted, with the exception of that portion of the report of the Select- men, which relates to the merging of the several departments of the town, all recommendations carrying appropriations being referred to the Ways and Means Committee under the by-laws
Voted, Article 6. That the recommendation of the School Committee, in regard to the situation at the Machon School, be accepted and adopted.
Voted, Article 6. That a committee consisting of the Board of Select- men and the School Committee be appointed to look into the situation at the Machon School and report with recommendations at a later town meeting.
Voted, Article 6. To refer the matter of fire alarm boxes in the school buildings to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, Article 6. To accept and adopt the report of the committee appointed August 26, 1915, to consider the subject of "establishing a sliding scale of prices for water," the committee in their report stating that they could not recommend the petitioner's request.
Articles 7 to 24 were referred to the Way and Means Committee.
Article 25 was referred to the Ways and Means Committee, except as to . merging town departments already acted upon.
Voted, Article 26. To accept Beach Bluff avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen, as soon as waivers are signed.
Voted, Article 27. To accept Bellevue road as laid out by the Selectmen as soon as the waivers are signed.
3
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Voted, Article 28. To accept Clarke road as laid out by the Selectmen as soon as the waivers are signed.
Voted, Article 29. To accept Greenwood terrace as laid out by the Selectmen as soon as the waivers are signed.
Articles 30 to 37 inclusive were referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, Article 38. That the town ratify and confirm the action of the Selectmen accepting the deed of land given by Elihu Thomson, being a part of the Elihu Thomson estate, containing 7,128 square feet, with the restriction that it be used for the purposes of a Public Library.
Articles 39 to 52 inclusive were referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, Article 53. To add the Water Department to the several depart- ments mentioned.
Article 53 as amended was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted, Article 54. To accept and adopt this article excusing from duty members of the Fire Department one day out of every five without loss of pay in accordance with this article.
Articles 55 and 57 were referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Voted : To take from the Ways and Means Committee Article II, the same to be acted upon by this meeting.
Voted, Article II. That the Treasurer with the approval of the Select- men 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., 1916, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $225,000, 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 : That when we adjourn it be to Wednesday evening, March 22, 1916, at 7.45 o'clock.
Voted : To adjourn at 9.15 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
The Moderator appointed Charles F. Hathaway a member of the Ways and Means Committee for the unexpired term of William E. Carter, and John F. Luther for the unexpired term of Henry S. Baldwin.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, March 22, 1916.
Agreeable to the adjournment of February 23, 1916, the voters assembled at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, March 22, 1916.
The meeting was called to order at 7.45 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, the necessary number of voters being present to constitute a quorum.
The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved.
Report of the Ways and Means Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Your Committee of Ways and Means herewith submit their report on the Warrant for the annual town meeting of the year 1916.
TOWN DEBT
The net bonded debt of the town on December 31, 1915, was $742,201.37, being a net increase of $26,305.97 for the year.
During 1916, bonds to the amount of $61,450 fall due and must be pro- vided for.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
The appropriations which we have recommended in our report call for the issue of bonds to the amount of $49,250. If all of these appropriations are granted and no more bonds are issued during the year, the net decrease in bonded indebtedness for 1916 will be $12,200.
We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts for the purposes specified :
DEBT AND INTEREST.
Interest on Temporary Loans
$5,000 00
Interest on General Debt
15,031 52
Interest on Sewer Bonds
8,466 75
Metropolitan Park Assessment
2,400 00
General Debt
48,500 00
Sewer Bonds
12,950 00
Metropolitan Park Sinking Fund
475 00
TAXES AGENCY.
State Tax
36,500 00
County Tax
27,000 00
State Enterprises
1,000 00
$157,323 27
The town balance sheet December 31, 1915, shows "Premium Notes and Bonds," $576.60.
We recommend the transfer of this amount to "General Debt" maturing this year.
The amount realized from the December, 1915, warrant, as reported to us by the Assessors was $2,659.88.
We recommend the appropriation of this amount for application to "General Debt" maturing this 'year.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
We recommend the following appropriation for the purposes of the general government of the town :
Legislative
$200 00
Selectmen
1,500 00
Auditing
1,300 00
Treasury
785 00
Collector of Taxes
1,050 00
Assessors
2,000 00
Town Clerk
500 00
Law
800 00
Election and Registration
750 00
Engineering
4,000 00
Town Hall
2,800 00
$15,685 00
CHARITIES.
We recommend the appropriation of the following sums for charities :
State Aid
$3,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
3,000 00
$6,000 00
EDUCATION.
We recommend the appropriation of $60,000 for the expense of the School Department.
LIBRARIES.
In view of the fact that it seems probable that the new Library will not be ready for use before next fall, your committee is of the opinion that the increased appropriations recommended by the Trustees of the Public
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Library are in excess of what will actually be required, we recommend that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for the expenses of the Public Library.
RECREATION.
We recommend the following sums :
Monument lot
$50 00
Memorial Day
200 00
Metropolitan Park Maintenance (estimated) 3,600 00
$3,850 00
UNCLASSIFIED.
We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts :
Town Reports
$1,025 89
Reserve Fund
2,000 00
Grand Army Hall-heating and repairs 500 00
ARTICLE 7 .- To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Town Treasurer to be $15,000.
ART. 8 .- To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Collector of Taxes to be $10,000.
ART. 9 .- To see what amount to be required of the Water and Sewerage Board for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Water and Sewerage Board to be $3,000 for each member.
ART. 10 .- To see what action the town will take in relation to salaries for town officials for the ensuing year.
We recommend that no changes be made, with the exception of the salaries of the Town Accountant and Sealer of Weights and Measures, reasons for which exception are stated in dealing with subsequent articles.
ART. 12 .- To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Fire Engineers, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on pages 127 and 128.
SERVICE AUTOMOBILE.
We have carefully investigated the recommendation of the Board of Fire Engineers for the purchase and equipment of a service automobile for general work in the department, and believe that it would be a matter of economy for the town to purchase such a machine, as at the present time it is necessary to hire an automobile for use because of the retirement of the Chief's horse, therefore, we recommend an appropriation of $600 for this purpose.
MOTOR LADDER TRUCK.
We do not believe the financial condition of the town is such as to warrant the appropriation of $6,500 at this time for the purchase of a motor ladder truck. The town already possesses a light, serviceable horse drawn ladder truck which has been in use but seven years and, according to the Board of Fire Engineers, is in good condition. We, therefore, recommend that the purchase of a motor ladder truck be indefinitely postponed, and that a committee, consisting of the Board of Fire Engineers and Board of Selectmen, be authorized to purchase two new horses, and that the sum of $700 be appropriated to pay for same.
In view of the faithful service of the two horses about to be retired, we recommend that said committee, under the authority of Chapter 133, Acts of 1908, transfer them to the custody of Red Acre Farm, incorporated, or make such other humane disposition as may be desirable.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
NEW BOILER IN CENTRAL ENGINE HOUSE.
We recommend the appropriation of $600 for the purchase and installa- tion of a new boiler in the Central Engine House to take the place of the present one, which has been in use for 25 years and is unfit for further service.
NEW FIRE ALARM BOXES.
We recommend the sum of $225 be appropriated to pay for three fire alarm boxes, which have been purchased and are ready for use.
REPAIRS TO AUTO PUMPING ENGINE.
We recommend that the sum of $993.60 be appropriated to cover the cost of repairs and freight on the Auto Pumping Engine, made necessary by the accident of last July.
REPAIRS TO PHILLIPS BEACH ENGINE HOUSE.
We recommend that the sum of $650 be appropriated for re-shingling the roof and general repairs at the Phillips Beach Engine House.
GAMEWELL REPEATER.
We recommend that the sum of $675 be appropriated to pay for the Gamewell Repeater, which was purchased for the fire alarm system.
A number of these appropriations are to pay bills contracted some time ago, without authority, and we suggest that from this time on no bills be contracted by this department, or other departments of the town, without first securing proper authority.
STORAGE SHED AT CENTRAL ENGINE HOUSE.
Owing to the sale of the town land on which were located the sheds used by the Fire Department for storage purposes, it is necessary that a shed be built for this purpose at the rear of the Engine House, and we recommend that $300 be appropriated for this purpose.
We recommend the sum of $15,400 for current expenses and pay roll of the Fire Department ; $2,715 for hydrant rental.
SCHOOL FIRE ALARM BOXES.
As recommended by the Board of Fire Engineers in their report, your committee has investigated the subject of installing fire alarm boxes in the schools of the town and has come to the conclusion that the safety of the school children is of too much importance to allow a matter of dollars and cents to prevent it from taking every precaution to secure their safety in case of a fire in any of the school buildings. We are advised by the Board of Fire Engineers that these boxes can be installed for the sum of $1,200 and we recommend that $1,200 be appropriated for this purpose.
ART. 13. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Tree Warden, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 130.
We recommend that the sum of $750 be appropriated for overhead expenses of the Tree Warden, and $325 for heading in willows on Puritan road and planting 25 trees on Humphrey street.
ART. 14. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recom- mendations in the report of the Forest Warden, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 131.
We recommend that the unexpended balance, $377.31, for the year 1915, be appropriated for the use of the Forest Warden.
ART. 15. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Superintendent of Moth Work, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, on page 133.
The small hand spraying outfit now being used by the Moth Department is antiquated and not economical for the town to use. We recommend that the sum of $250 be appropriated for the purchase of a small power spraying outfit, which will give increased efficiency and be a matter of economy for the Town.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We also recommend that the sum of $175 be appropriated for the pur- chase of 500 feet of hose.
Because of the sale of the Town land on New Ocean street on which was the shed where this department stored its supplies and equipment, it is necessary that a new locker be erected for its use. This can be done more economically at the stone crushing plant of the Highway Depart- ment than elsewhere. We recommend that $100 be appropriated for erec- tion of a locker at this place.
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