USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1916 > Part 3
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ART, 16. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 134.
In view of the increased duties imposed by the State we recommend that the salary of the Sealer of Weights and Measures be increased to $100 and that amount, together with $70 for general expenses, be appropriated under this article.
ART. 17. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Superintendent of Cemetery, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 135.
We recommend that the appropriation of $1,600 be made for the care and maintenance of the cemetery as recommended by the Superintendent of Cemetery.
ART. 18. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Health, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 139.
We recommend the appropriation of $3,300 for Health and Sanitation ; $4,000 for Refuse and Garbage.
ART. 19. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Surveyor of Highways, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on pages 147 and 148.
We recommend the following appropriations for the Highway Depart- ment :
General Expenses
$20,000 00
Sidewalk and Curbing
1,500 00
Street Watering and Oiling
5,000 00
Street Construction
2,000 00
Tar Penetration work on Humphrey street, Puri-
ton road and New Ocean street 6,000 00
$34,500 00
DANVERS STREET BRIDGE.
In view of the dangerous condition of the Danvers Street Bridge, we recommend an appropriation of $850 to reconstruct said bridge.
CONCRETE MIXER.
Your committee does not believe the requirements of the Town justify the expense of $1,800 for a concrete mixer, at this time, and accordingly recommend that action on this recommendation be indefinitely postponed.
HUMPHREY STREET PAVEMENT.
At the last special Town Meeting, the Ways and Means Committee recommended that $6,000 be appropriated to be expended on concrete roadway construction on Humphrey street, extending.eastward from Com- monwealth avenue, and that this work should be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
The work was completed in a thorough and economical manner, so far as possible, during the season, at a low cost per square yard. This state- ment is made in view of the fact that there has been criticism of the work in the public press, intimating that charges were improperly made with a view to creating a more favorable impression than was warranted by the facts.
27
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
Your committee investigated the matter at the time, and is of the opinion that the Surveyor of Highways was justified in his use of the material excavated from the roadway for filling in the sidewalk, repairing and resurfacing the remaining portion of Humphrey street to Phillips corner, which latter was the recommendation of this committee.
It is clear that by careful planning work of this nature can frequently be done by the departments of the town to good advantage; and this committee feels that in the future similar road and sidewalk construction in the town should be done so far as possible by the Surveyor of High- ways, and that there should be close co-operation between him and the Town Engineer to insure that such work be accurately done to grades.
After inspection of that part of Humphrey street, between Pleasant street and Phillips corner, we do not believe it is necessary for the town to go to the expense of $7,000 for the laying of a concrete pavement there at this time.
We find, however, that there is an unexpended balance of $893.87 remaining from the appropriation made last year for a concrete pavement on Humphrey street, and we recommend the appropriation of this unex- pended balance for the purpose of continuing the concrete pavement on Humphrey street, easterly from Pleasant street as far as it can be carried for this amount. The work to be done under the direction of the Sur- veyor of Highways.
ESSEX STREET PAVEMENT.
While Essex street, a much-travelled thoroughfare, is undeniably in bad condition between the Lynn line and the entrance to the Boston & Maine freight yards, we feel that it would be poor policy for the town to lay a permanent pavement at this time, on that portion of the street between the Lynn line and Burrill street.
The Bay State Railway Company is likely to ask soon for a double- track location between these points. If granted this would save the town about $1,700, as the company must pay for the paving of the space occu- pied by its tracks and eighteen inches outside. The Board of Selectmen should enter into negotiations with the New England Tel. & Tel. Co. and the Lynn Gas & Electric Co., looking towards the laying of conduits for their wires. A sewer should be built between Essex avenue and Burrill street.
We would, however, recommend that $8,500, as estimated by the Sur- veyor of Highways, be appropriated to lay a concrete pavement on, and curb both sides of, that portion of Essex street between the easterly side of Burrill street and the entrance to the Boston & Maine freight yards, the work to be done by the Highway Department, in accordance with the specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and the money to be raised by bonds or notes of the town ; provided, however, that the work shall not be started until the Board of Selectmen shall have secured agreements from the Public Service Corporations, having rights on or under this street, which shall ensure the pavement not being disturbed for at least five years.
Because of the large quantity of surface water turned into Millett road and Ocean View terrace, from the streets of the Shaw estate, we are informed by the Surveyor of Highways that it is necessary to build drains, catch basins and pave the gutters in order that the surfaces of Millett road and Ocean View terrace may be maintained in a passable condition. We recommend that $2,000 be appropriated for this work.
ART. 20 .- To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Overseers of the Poor as contained in the annual report, December 31, 1915, on page 149.
We recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $3,500 for the maintenance of the Poor Department for the ensuing year. We are requested by Mr. Russell, secretary of the Overseers of the Poor, to state that the sum of $390, appearing on page 226 of the Selectmen's report, is erroneous and should be $270. This amount is not an over-draft but an over-lap, which is included in the appropriation of $3,500 asked for.
28
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ART. 21 .- To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in report of the Sewer Commissioners as contained in the annual report, December 31, 1915, on page 158.
We believe that it would be a matter of economy to purchase a small, inexpensive truck for the use of the Water Department, to take the place of the present horse and wagon, and recommend that the sum of $650 be appropriated for the purchase of the same.
We also recommend the appropriation of $200 for a building to house the truck, to be built on land of the department on Pine street.
We recommend that the sum of $700 be appropriated to extend the water pipe on Galloupe's Point from the dead end, opposite the Clapp estate, to the dead end in Tupelo road, provided proper easement is obtained from the owners through whose property the pipe must run, said sum to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
We recommend the appropriation of $6,000 for sewer maintenance ; $800 for particular sewers.
CONDITIONS AT SEWER PUMPING STATION.
Because of the condition of the boilers and pumps at the Sewer Pump- ing Station, it is very evident that a change of some kind will soon have to be made there. Your committee believes that before any changes are made, the proposition of installing a complete electrically driven pumping plant should be given careful consideration, because of the large saving in maintenance and operation that could annually be made.
ART. 22. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Park Commissioners, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on pages 164, 167, 168, 169 and 170.
Your committee has conferred with the Board of Park Commissioners and has come to the conclusion that, in view of the large sums of money already invested by the town in its parks, it is wise to make some curtail- ment in the appropriations for parks this year. Therefore, we recommend the following sums of money be appropriated for work to be done under the direction of the Board of Park Commissioners.
Blaney's Beach Reservation (including repairs to building) . . $1,200 00
Jackson Park (loam, seeding, care and trees) 500 00
Monument Avenue Reservation 500 00
Paradise Road Playground 400 00 Sundries 200 00
PHILLIPS PARK.
In conference with your committee, the Park Commissioners stated they desired to withdraw their recommendation for the appropriation of $10,000 for this park.
We recommend an appropriation of $200 for the care of the public dump in Phillips Park, repairing fences and the clearing away of the debris.
MONUMENT AVENUE.
In reference to the recommendation for a new drain at the easterly end of Monument Avenue Reservation, we recommend that the subject be referred to the Water and Sewerage Board to investigate, they to report at a subsequent Town Meeting.
ART. 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Chief of Police as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on page 172.
We recommend an appropriation of $11,000 for expenses of the Police Department for the year 1916.
ART. 24. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the committee on Drainage, as con- tained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on Page 186.
29
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
PHILLIPS PARK DRAIN.
We have investigated this subject very carefully and believe, in view of the extensive improvements now being made in this vicinity, it is abso- lutely necessary that the drainage situation be taken care of without longer delay.
We recommend the acceptance of the report of the Committee on Drainage and the appropriation of the following amounts for the purposes therein mentioned :-
Six thousand five hundred dollars for the construction of Phillips Park drain, provided that the owners of the New Ocean House property grant an easement to the town for the maintenance of the drain.
Six hundred and fifty dollars for the extension of the Marshall Brook drain.
These sums to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
We recommend the appropriation of $200 for the cleaning of the brook in the rear of Phillips Park.
ART. 25. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Selectmen, as contained in the Annual Report, December 31, 1915, on pages 195, 196, 200, 204, 205, 206, 213, 216, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226.
CONTINUOUS SIDEWALKS.
We recommend an appropriation of $6,000 for isolated and continuous walks, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
STREET LIGHTING.
We recommend that the present schedule of street lighting remain unchanged and that $12,500 be appropriated for this purpose for the year 1916. In this connection we would call the attention of the Selectmen, as the street lighting committee, to the very large number of lights, 241, reported to the police as being out, and also to the fact that it is not the habit of the Lynn Gas & Electric Co., to turn on the lights promptly when the moon is obscured, and would suggest that they take up the matter and see if the service cannot be improved.
MOTH DEPARTMENT.
After having a conference with the superintendent of moth work, we find the work of his department can be done for $4,500,and we recommend that this appropriation be made.
CEMETERY LOTS.
In connection with the development of the additional lots in the ceme- tery, for which an appropriation was made last year, the Town Engineer reports that $450 is necessary to finish the driveway and sodding, and we recommend that this sum be appropriated for that purpose.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT.
Because of the increased duties of the Town Accountant, due to the methods of town accounting required by the State officials, we recom- mend his salary be increased to $1, 100.
PHILLIPS PARK FILLING.
As the matter of the bill of M. McDonough Co., for work on Phillips Park, is in dispute between the Park Commissioners and the Selectmen, and is also a subject of dispute between M. McDonough Co. and the Selectmen, we recommend that no appropriation be made.
GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL BUILDING.
We believe that the citizens of the town desire to have the town take its part in the new Memorial to the Father of our country, therefore we recommend the sum of $450 be appropriated as a contribution to the fund required for the George Washington Memorial in the city of Washing- ton, D. C.
30
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SALARIES OF TOWN OFFICIALS.
With reference to the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen that the Ways and Means Committee study the subject of the town salary list and revise it, it has seemed to the committee that in the short time avail- able between the publication of the Selectmen's report and the time of the adjourned town meeting, the thorough investigation required in fairness to the town and the salaried officers could not be made, and as indicated by our recommendation under Article 10, we believe that no changes, other than those specified in that article, should now be made. It is the intention of the committee before the next Annual Meeting to take up the matter and make a report.
BLANEY'S BEACH WALL.
In view of the fact that the proposed plan is dependent on obtaining releases from all the owners fronting on Blaney's beach, and as certain of the owners have not signed the agreement prepared on behalf of the town, it seems inadvisable to your committee to invest money in building a portion of the wall and to pay interest on the same prior to the time that the whole wall can be built. We recommend no appropriation be made at present.
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION.
We are advised by the Selectmen that the average annual disbursements, for injuries to employees of the Town, have not exceeded $75, and as insur- ance rates are based on actual experience, it would seem to be inadvisable to pay a large premium for liability insurance when the experience of the town indicates that the risk is so slight. We recommend that no appro- priation for this purpose be made.
FIRE INSURANCE.
The town having adopted Chapter 576, Acts of 1907, Section 102-105, we recommend that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for the establish- ment of the Municipal Building Insurance Fund as provided in that act. In view of the fact, however, that insurance policies amounting to over $65,000 expire this year, seems to your committee to be inadvisable to permit this insurance to lapse, until the fund has arrived at an amount which will in some measure replace the insurance at present carried. We further recommend that the sum of $1,200 be appropriated for payment of insurance premiums.
CEDAR HILL TERRACE.
This matter will be dealt with under Article 30.
STATE AUDITOR'S REPORT.
We find that the Sewer Department has from time to time assessed against land under control of other Town Departments the sum of $773.45. In order to close these accounts on the books of the Sewer Department and to release the other departments from the corresponding charges we recommend the appropriation of the sum of $773-45.
OVERDRAFTS.
Overdrafts amounting to $1,300.68 and unpaid bills amounting to $2,217.98, are reported by the various departments. The latter figure has been revised and brought up to date since the publication of the Select- men's Report.
We recommend the sum of $1,300.68 be appropriated to reimburse the Treasurer for overdrafts and the sum of $2,217.98 be appropriated for the payment of unpaid bills in the various departments.
ART. 30. To see if the town will vote to accept Cedar Hill terrace, so called, as laid out by the Selectmen, shown on a plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated April, 1915, and reported to the town at this meeting, as soon as the waivers are signed, and appropriate money for the same.
- After thorough consideration of the subject of this Article, we recom- mend that the town accept Cedar Hill terrace, so called, as laid out by the
31
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
Selectmen as soon as the waivers have been signed by all the abutters except those to whom damages have been awarded by the Selectmen and recommend the appropriation of the sum of $1,743 for the purpose of pay- ing the damages awarded to the following :-
Mary D. Farnham Philbrick & Pope Charles E. Phillips
ART. 31. To see if the town will construct a sewer from Ontario street to Erie street, so called, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by A. E. Matthews, et als.
The committee recommend the sum of $2,000 be appropriated to con- struct a sewer from Ontario street to Erie street, so called, according to plans prepared by the Town Engineer, provided the necessary easements are granted, money to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
ART. 32. To see if the town will vote to extend Marshall Brook, so called, northerly from its northerly end, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen, and appropriate $300 for the same.
We are informed by the Town Engineer that this brook is in bad con- dition because previous work has not been carried to completion, with the result that the banks have caved in and the course of the brook has become obstructed. We recommend an appropriation of $300 for the purpose of this Article.
ART. 33. To see if the town will vote to extend the Eastern end of the new trunk sewer and appropriate $20,000 for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
After careful investigation we are satisfied that the needs of a large pro- portion of the residents of the eastern end of the town require as soon as possible the extension of the town sewer system to that locality.
We recommend an appropriation of the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of extending the easterly end of the new trunk sewer, according to the plans of Town Engineer, the sum to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
ART. 34. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Gale avenue, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Herbert E. Gale, et als.
Your committee favors this Article provided the necessary easements are obtained without expense to the town, and that interest at the rate of 6 per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest. We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid under the above conditions and the amount of $3,000 be appropriated to pay for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
ART. 35. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Hill Crest avenue, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by George D. R. Durkee, et als.
Your committee favors this Article, provided interest at the rate of six per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest.
We recommend a six inch water main be laid under the above conditions and that the amount of $800 be appropriated for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the Town.
ART. 36. To see if the town will vote to lay a six inch water main in Ocean and Palmer avenues, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
Your committee favors laying a 6 inch water main in Ocean avenue, provided interest at the rate of 6 per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest.
We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid under above condi- tions and the sum of $1,100 be appropriated for same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
32
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ART 37 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the Trustees of the Public Library to sell or otherwise dispose of any books or magazines, that for any reason they may deem unsuitable for further use in the library, as petitioned for by Frank F. Stanley, et als.
We recommend that the Trustees of the Public Library be authorized to sell, or otherwise dispose of, to the best interest of the town, any obsolete books, magazines or papers.
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.
We are advised by the Surveyor of Highways that the cost of the work proposed in this article would be $12,000. This sum could be raised by bonds maturing in not more than five years, and we are advised that the street surface at the end of that time would probably need to be done over. As this street is some distance from the center of the town, and with very few houses on it we do not believe the expense of the proposed work is justified, and we accordingly recommend this article be indefinitely post- poned.
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.
We recommend that the town 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 Commis- sioners, and the cost of excavation to subgrade.
We recommend an appropriation of $1,500 to pay for the same. It might be added, in explanation, that the amount paid by the town under this article is to be repaid it by the county.
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.
Owing to the fact that there has been no petition filed for such side- walks in this section of Paradise road, we recommend this article be indefinitely postponed.
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.
As we are advised by the abutters that they do not desire the walk laid this year, we recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.
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.
This portion of Walker road is in very bad condition, due to the unusual travel caused by the closing of the State Highway last summer, and we recommend that $2,000 be appropriated for the purpose of resurfacing this street, 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.
For the reasons stated in this report under article 25, we recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
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.
Inasmuch as the subject matter has been dealt with under Article 25, we recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 46 .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $500 for the observance of Fourth of July, the money to be spent under the direction
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1916]
of the Park Commissioners and four of the citizens to be appointed from the floor, as petitioned for by Oscar G. Poor, et als.
We recommend the sum of $500 be appropriated for the Fourth of July celebration, money to be spent under the direction of the Park Commis- sioners and four citizens to be appointed from the floor.
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.
We recommend that the sum of $300 be appropriated for the employ- ment of District or other nurses.
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 estabtish a pension fund for teachers in the public schools."
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