USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1917 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
That the sewerage system in the Mountain Park district be continued through Jessie and Roy streets, and that money be appropriated for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON,
Health Officer.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
-
I34
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Milk Inspector.
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN, -I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
There seems to have been a steady improvement in our milk supply during the past year. Less complaints have been received and examina- tion has shown that the dealers are endeavoring to keep their milk up to the required standard. Attention has been directed toward the production of a clean and wholesome milk, the result of which seems to show that the producer seems to realize the necessity of producing milk of good quality. Added interest, possibly due to the increase in price, has been shown by the consumer to know the quality of milk which he is getting, as there has been a steady increase in the number of inquiries received at this office relative to the same. These demands have resulted in more stringent regulations concerning the sanitary conditions associated with the milk supply, and has required additional care, attention and extra expense on the part of the producer. "While this expense may not be large, it is only fair that the consumer should pay his share of the cost of improving the quality of milk, especially when its value as a food is taken into consideration. Dirty milk may prove expensive even as a gift, while clean milk may be economical at even a higher price, therefore the consumer cannot expect to obtain clean, safe milk at the same price as a dirty milk which endangers the health of his family.
The following is a summary of the work of your inspector during the past year :
Samples of milk taken and analyzed I57
Samples of milk found under legal standard II
Samples of milk taken for bacteria test 25
Samples of milk that passed bacteria test
. 20 Samples of ice cream taken and analyzed .
18
Samples that passed bacteria test 15
Stores licensed to sell milk
39
Dealers licensed to sell milk 19
Stores licensed to sell oleomargarine 3
Amount received from licenses, twenty-five dollars ($25), which amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON,
Milk Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
I35
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1917]
REPORT OF Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
To the Board of Health :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
The general inspection was made in the spring as usual. In most cases the animals were found in good condition and the premises were kept clean and well ventilated.
During the year there have been several dogs and horses quarantined as a matter of precaution. These animals had been bitten, and although they were all in a healthy condition at the time, as a matter of safety it was thought best to keep them under restraint for at least two weeks. At the end of this time no symptoms of rabies had developed and the quarantine was raised.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON,
Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering. SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
I36
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report for the year of 1917.
Plumbing permits issued . 107
Plumbing permits refused
9
Complaints investigated 31
Cases reported to the Board
4
Cases settled by Board
4
Registered Master Plumbers
9
Registered journeyman plumbers
12
All others
58
In accordance with your instructions, I have made a study of existing laws relating to house drainage.
In order to accomplish this necessitated a careful study of the rules governing other communities, the advice and counsel of sanitary experts and recognition of approved fixtures and appliances.
To supplant the present complicated system by more simple methods, I believe to be in the interests of the town and the householder. This much is true, that in the past ten years much has been done, in not only simpli- fying sanitary house drainage, but giving better sanitary results at less material cost.
The installation of house drainage under present economical conditions, both as to materials and labor, would seem to require the adoption of methods bearing the endorsement of qualified thought and practice ; parti- cularly where the installation of plumbing in nearly all our public institu- tions have successfully stood the test for years.
This is not theory, but actual practice. Space forbids technical detail. Sufficient is it to say that some of the old rules are left optional with the owners of premises having drainage installed, enabling him to use a more complicated system at greater outlay if he so desires.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN E. NIES,
Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
137
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR REPORT.
1917]
Report of Overseers of Poor.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
In making our report for 1917, we are pleased to say that we have not exceeded our appropriation. While the number of persons aided this year is 34 less than in 1916, we find that the increased cost of living and a number of new cases for continuous help brings the annual cost to the town up to the average. The six families of 34 persons referred to have taken care of themselves this year, and we see no reason why they should not continue to be self supporting. We have no disputed cases with State or towns. Our financial statement will be found under the head of the Secretary's report. We appreciate all the assistance given by the District Nurse and other charitable Institutions of our town. The Board extends its thanks to all officers and citizens who have in many ways assisted in the past year.
We would respectfully recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $3,300 for the maintenance of its Poor Department for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman, EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918. HARRY E. CAHOON.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Persons having settlement in Swampscott aided by other cities and towns 8
Persons fully supported in Swampscott
6
Families partially supported in Swampscott 5
Men, women and children receiving aid in Swampscott during 1917,
38
Settlement in Swampscott
36
Settlement elsewhere in State
.
I3
Persons aided in 1917 in Swampscott ,
41
Aided in other cities and towns, settlement in Swampscott
8
49
Financial Report.
Reimbursed by State
$80 36
Reimbursed by cities snd towns
150 01
Due from State
269 0I
Due from cities and towns
116 52
Expenditures in 1912
3,798 39
Expenditures in 1913
3,876 03
Expenditures in 1914
3,798 45
Expenditures in 1915
3,351 97
Expenditures in 1916
3,495 06
Expenditures in 1917
3,297 52
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND RUSSELL,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
Secretary.
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Surveyor of Highways.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Surveyor of Highways herewith submits his annual report for the year ending December 31, 1917 :
During the past year there has been about one mile of street resurfaced with gravel. Andrew and Shaw roads have been resurfaced with No. I crushed stone with a gravel binder; while Shaw road has been resur- faced with tar Macadam.
All the roads on the Shaw estate (with the exception of Prospect ave- nue) have had the water and gas trenches levelled, surfaced with crushed stone and gravel, and rolled with the steam roller.
There is still considerable work to be done on these streets, such as sidewalks to be graded and guard rails to be built; also Prospect avenue should be resurfaced.
Hillcrest circle has been rebuilt and put to a grade, the gutters have been paved, and the roadway has been resurfaced with gravel, rolled and oiled, and the sidewalks concreted. A guard rail fence ought to be built on this street the coming year.
Sheridan terrace bas been put to grade, the roadway resurfaced with gravel and rolled, gutters have been laid and the sidewalks have been concreted.
Harrison avenue has been graded, the roadway resurfaced with gravel and two catch basins and a concrete culvert have been constructed.
Manton road has been put to grade and sidewalks built. The driveway on this road was excavated for a depth of twelve inches, refilled with pit stone, surfaced with gravel and rolled with the steam roller. There is still work to be done on this road, and the town should provide some means to take care of the surface water on same.
Cedar Hill terrace has been rebuilt and put to grade, the gutters have been paved, sidewalks have been laid, 250 cubic yards of ledge removed, a new fence built, and the entire roadway resurfaced, oiled and rolled.
On Millett road new steps and retaining walls have been constructed and the fence has been rebuilt.
Bradlee avenue and Stanwood road have been accepted by the town and are now public ways, and while no work has been done on these ways this year, they should be put in safe condition for travel. I recommend that $2,000 be appropriated for the purpose of resurfacing and putting these streets in good condition.
Puritan road, from Humphrey street to the willow trees, has received a coating of tar, covered with pea stone and sand; for this purpose 3,290 gallons of tar were used.
All the streets of the town have been patrolled, and wherever breaks in the street surface were discoverd, the same were patched with gravel,
I39
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS' REPORT.
1917]
crushed stone and tar or oil. For this work 1,759 gallons of tar were used.
There were 300 square yards of cement concrete road-bed laid on Hum- phrey street.
There were 490 feet of new guard rail fence built this year.
Thirty-three new street signs have been placed at different parts of the town where required.
All gutters of the town have been cleaned at least twice and on Hum- phrey street, from the Lynn line to the sewer station, they have been cleaned every Saturday.
New gravel sidewalks have been constructed on Phillips avenue, Crescent street and Orient court.
For resurfacing work the following amounts of material were used : 156 loads of gravel ; 492 tons of stone dust ; 558 yards of cinder walk.
There were 190 loads of sand used for sanding icy sidewalks.
During the past year 545.50 square yards of tar concrete sidewalk have been laid at various places in the town.
On continuous sidewalks, 1,321 feet of straight curbstone and 204 feet of curved curbstone have been reset.
Eight new catch basins have been built the past year. In connection with this work there have been laid 402 feet of 6-inch pipe drain, 68 feet of 8-inch pipe drain, and 12 feet of 12-inch pipe drain.
Gutters to the amount of 1,012 square yards have been paved.
The culvert on Huron street has been taken up, cleaned its entire length and relaid.
The overflow pipe drain on Columbia street has been taken up, cleaned its entire length and relaid.
Bids for furnishing oil for street purposes were asked for, received and opened in the Selectmen's room in the Town Hall and were as follows :-
Bids for Dust Layers.
Barrett Company :
Tarvia B
.0679
Tarvia B, delivered and applied
.08
Tarvia X, hot
.09
Standard Oil Company :
Socony No. 4 and 5
.0725
Same applied
.085
Alden Speare & Son Company :
Non-Asphaltic
.086
30 per cent .
.085
Independent Coal Tar Company :
Tar binder, No. I
.08
Tar binder, No. 2 and 3
.085
Taric patching .
.105
Headley Good Roads Company :
No. I, Non-Asphaltic .
.1064
No. 12, Non-Asphaltic
.0964
No. 13, Non-Asphaltic
. .0939
No. 9, 45 per cent Asphaltic
.0714
· No. 4, Asphalt Binder
.0729 .
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Boston Engineering and Supply Company :
Non-Asphaltic
.0945
The Island Petroleum Company :
Colonial Non-Asphaltic
.. 085
Emerald Non-Asphaltic
.095
American Tar Company :
Rotar Tank Cars
.069
Tank Wagons
.0775
Motor Trucks
.08
.
The streets have been watered on 72 days the past year and 47,179 gallons of oil have been applied to the streets of the town.
The lighter oils this year have proved to be failures, and where the black oils were applied they had to be covered with sand.
Humphrey street, from Glen road to Phillips corner, is in bad shape. A sewer was constructed there this year, and the tracks of the Bay State Street Railway Company will have to be relaid before any surfacing work can be done.
Recommendations.
No work having been done on Essex street during the past year, owing to the fact that the Bay State Street Railway Company did not want to lay new tracks, I would recommend that the same amount be appropri- ated as was appropriated last year.
That a curbstone be laid on Puritan road, from Orient court to Marshall street, and that the lines of the street be straightened.
That $2,500 be appropriated to be spent on the streets of the Shaw estate, to be used for building sidewalks, fences and resurfacing the streets which are not in good condition.
This department last year lost one horse, and there have been two horses turned over to it from the Fire department.
Respectfully submitted,
A
MICHAEL J. RYAN,
Surveyor of Highways.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
1917]
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
141
REPORT OF Trustees of the Public Library.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The passing of the year 1917 has given us our first complete year of occupancy and work in our new library building. The experience thus derived has shown us that it is a most enjoyable place to our many patrons, who come for the selection of books, and who often stop and look over the magazines and papers and to read a little. The children come in considerable numbers, and they spend many a pleasant hour in the building in reading and looking at the pictures in the books set apart for them.
Our circulation for the past year was 49,683 volumes, whereas for the previous year it was only 24,045, showing a very gratifying gain of 25,638 volumes. Our circulation while we were in the Town Hall hardly averaged half of that number. This large gain in the number of books in circulation has necessitated our employing additional help, our librarian and her assistant not always being able to return promptly to the shelves the books the borrowers return to the library. Without prompt return of books to the shelves there would often be disappointment in not finding a looked for volume in its place by one who wanted it.
The cost of light and heat has been much larger than anticipated, espec- ially the electric light, which has cost a deal over the estimate. Most of the increase in cost of heat comes from the advance in the cost of coal. We do not look for any opportunity to reduce the cost of these two items unless the library is not kept open as many days in the year as is now our practice. At present the library is open every week day and for part of the year every Sunday and holiday. The opening of the library on Sundays and holidays has, so far as we have tried the experiment, resulted in an attendance of an average of 14 persons each Sunday and holiday. The cost of heat and light has been about $49. The cost of the janitor and attendant has been about $91. Not a very favorable showing, considering the small number of persons who availed themselves of the privilege.
The gifts to the library for the past year include, besides a generous number of valuable books, a large framed steel engraving of "Authors of the United States," presented to the library by Mrs. Blanche Baldwin. Among the books presented was an historical sketch of the primitive Tannery of Francis Ingalls in Lynn about 1630, given by Elisha W. Cobb. Rev. Richard B. Callahan gave several books. There were twenty-two volumes of bound "Review of Reviews" received from Mrs. Donald Foster. A volume of poems was given us by the author, Ann E. Hathaway. A book entitled "Swampscott Beaches" was given by John Albree. "The Boy Scouts of America" handbook for boys, was given by
.
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Alan Morse. A collection of nineteen volumes of fiction was given by Irving N. Doe. Another collection of several books was given by Elbridge H. Blood. Two books were given by Miss Mary Smith. Mrs. H. K. Gardiner gave a volume and the remaining volumes among the gifts came from F. H. Jackson.
The library has endowments, which together with accumulated interest, amount to between $8,000 and $9,000. In the past we have not drawn upon the interest only in part, desiring that the fund should gradually accumu- late until it amounted to a total of $10,000, feeling that when that sum was reached we would have a fund that would yield, when well invested, an income of about $500. Through such an income we felt we could materially increase our number of class books without drawing upon the money appropriated by the town, thereby necessarially lessening the number of popular novels that can be purchased, for which we have a large demand.
We suggest that the town take such action at the annual meeting as will lend support to this plan, and that one or more persons be appointed to see to the proper investment of the funds, with instructions that the income is to be subject to the order of the trustees of the library for the purchase, in their discretion, of class books.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
During the year which has passed since the new library building was opened to the public, a large number of books have circulated and many people have enjoyed reading room privileges.
With us the open shelf system is new and, except for the experience of the past year, is untried. Its success, we feel, is dependent upon com- plete co-operation between the public and the librarian, toward which we trust the public will lend its assistance. So far there has not been that good result that more care in the handling of books and magazines would have brought about. In some instances it is felt that books have been selected from the shelves and carelessly taken away without being offered for record. We regret to note also that in some instances the books so taken have been books difficult to replace, and unless returned will prove a considerable loss to the library. We trust, therefore, that those who have been at fault will make amends by returning books that they may find have been overlooked, and will exercise more care hereafter.
The library now contains 12,153 volumes, of which 4,837 are books of fiction and 4,861 are class books, all of which are for adults. Of books for children there are in all 2,455 volumes, divided into two classes, one of fiction, numbering 1,754, and the other of non-fiction, numbering 701 volumes.
The number of books added to the library during the year was 430. There were also added twenty-four volumes of the International Encyclo- pædia to increase our list of needed reference books.
The circulation of the library books was divided among works of fiction and non-fiction as follows :
The adults selected for their reading 26,329 books of fiction and 3,788 non-fiction. To the children were issued 16,400 books of fiction and 3, 166 of non-fiction. The combined circulation among adults was 30,117 and that among children was 19,566, making the total circulation of the library
143
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
1917]
49,683 volumes. The amount collected for fees and dues was $140, which amount has been paid as required by the by-laws to the Town Treasurer.
To those who have made gifts to the library we extend for the citizens of the town and ourselves our sincere thanks.
A detailed report of our expenditures will be found in the Auditor's report published on another page.
Our library force has been faithful in their several tasks and they fully deserve favorable mention, which we take pleasure in according them.
It is with regret that we have to mention that our co-trustee, Miss Hadley, who has served with us for many years, has lately moved her home to Louisville, Ky., and consequently will not be a candidate for re-election to our board. We feel it fitting that we take this occasion to record the feeling of good fellowship that has come to us through so many years of pleasant and helpful co-operation in our work and the loss that will be felt by the board to be without her helpful assistance and wise counsel. In this expression of appreciation we feel that the citizens of the town cordially join us.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK F. STANLEY, FRANK E. INGALLS,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
Trustees.
144
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF Library Building Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Library Building Committee finished its work, in so far as the con- struction of the building was involved, about January Ist, 1917.
During the past year the only duties of the Committee have been to con- sider the payment of various items, such as the flag pole, iron spikes on roof, relaying the sidewalk, etc., and all these have been paid except one or two bills yet to be adjusted, for which there are sufficient funds. Full details of our disbursements will be found in the auditor's report.
The Library Trustees have taken charge of the building and report con- ditions all that can be desired.
FRANK F. STANLEY, Chairman, HENRY B. SPRAGUE, ELIHU THOMSON, FRANK E. INGALLS, ELIZABETH J. HADLEY, F. KEELER RICE, Secretary,
Library Building Committee.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 2nd, 1918.
I45
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1917]
Board of Assessors Report.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Your Board of Assessors submits the following report for the year 1917. The property assessed in town by the local assessors April 1, 1917, amounted to $13, 142,003, a decrease over the previous year (1916) of $3,318,510. The decrease in valuation is caused by the State Income Tax Law, which went into effect this last year. The State assesses all income from personal intangible property, and local assessors only assess the value of personal tangible property. The State paid the town this year $83,999.96 of the amount of taxes collected under the Income Tax Law, which makes up the loss in the valuation.
The real estate valuation April 1, 1917, was $12,141,321, an increase over the previous year (1916) of $608,889. The valuation of personal estate April 1, 1917, was $1,000,682, a decrease of $3,927,399 from the previous year (1916).
The total amount of appropriations this year (not bonded) as given to the assessors to be raised by taxation and receipts, was $389,154.85, an increase over the previous year (1916) of $11,279.13. The tax rate this year per $1,000 was made by the board, $20, the same as 1916, and the following table shows how the Assessors arrived at the rate, and also what each department spent of the $20 :
Appropriations
Receipts Pro rata
Taxation on Property Per $1,000
State Taxes
$46,435 14
$15,157 77
$31,277 37
$2 40
County Tax
24,699 12
7,578 89
17,120 23
1 30
Payment of Debt
·
60,194 48
20,2 10 36
39,984 12 3 00
Interest
29,788 00
8,842 04
20,945 96
I 60
Sehool Department
66,740 00
21,473 51
45,266 49
3 50
Highway Department
.
41,600 00
13,894 63
27,705 37
2 10
Fire Department
22,539 00
7,578 88
14,960 12
I IO
Police Department
13,151 00
3,789 44
9,361 56
70
Street Lighting
12,700 00
3,789 44
8,910 56
70
Moth and Tree Warden
6,125 00
2,526 30
3,598 70
30
Health Department .
8,450 00
2,526 30
5,923 70
45
Sewer and Water Dept.
8,347 50
2,526 30
5,821 20
4.5
State Aid and Soldiers' Relief
6,000 00
2,526 30
3,473 70
25
Poor Department,
3,300 00
1,263 15
2,036 85
15
Park Department
4,000 00
1,263 15
2,736 85
20
Library Department .
4,600 00
1,263 15
3,336 85
25
General Government
·
18,115 00
6,315 74
11,799 26
90
Other Appropriations
12,370 61
3,789 44
8,581 17
65
Total
· $389, 154 85 $126,314 79 $262,840 06 $20 00
10
·
.
146
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Last year the Assessors found a very substantial increase in valuation, the increase in buildings amounting to $432,739.00. There has not been very much building in town since April 1, 1917, so the Assessors do not expect much, if any, increase in the valuation of the town for the coming year. If the citizens want to keep their tax rate at $20 or lower, the greatest economy must be used in voting the appropriations for the various departments, and all money should be borrowed that is legal under the law.
The Board of Assessors moved into their new office in the Town Hall this last year, and we think that now we can do a great deal better work for the the town, and certainly we can keep the records in much better shape than formerly. The Board wishes to express thanks to the town and especially to the Board of Selectmen and Town Engineer for the fine quarters and furniture furnished them, and we think the citizens who visit our office, and we have a large number in the course of the year, will appreciate the more roomy quarters in which to transact business.
Recommendations.
The Board of Assessors would like to have the town vote on the ques- tion :- " Shall all persons who are assessed for a poll tax only have a bill rendered to them by the 10th of July each year, and collected according to law?" The Board has the power by act of the Legislature to send to the Tax Collector all, or a part, of the poll taxes previous to the property tax, but would like to have the opinion of the town on this matter. Because at present only about 90 per cent, of the poll taxes are collected, owing to the constant changing of residents each year, and that the property tax bills will be rendered later than formerly, the board advises favorable action on this matter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.