USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1917 > Part 15
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The citizens generally who come before the Assessors want to know why the valuation of all real estate is not shown on the tax bill, as this is gen- erally the rule in cities and large towns in the State. The statutes do not require the Assessors to make out the tax bills, but the Assessors could give this information on the warrant book to the Tax Collector, and he could then give valuation of all real estate on the tax bill. This would require more clerical work in the Assessors' department, and also for the Tax Collector. The Board recommends that the Finance Committee look into this matter, and report if they think it is necessary to give this information on the tax bill, and if so recommend an additional appro- priation, if necessary, covering the additional work.
The Board of Assessors recommend an appropriation of $1,900 for this department for the year 1918.
EDWARD A. MAXFIELD, OSCAR G. POOR, PELEG GARDNER,
Assessors of Swampscott.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
147
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1917]
ASSESSORS' PROPERTY REPORT.
Valuation of the Town of Swampscott April 1, 1917. Table of aggre- gates of Polls, Property and Taxes as assessed April 1, 1917.
No. of residents assessed on property
1,546
No. of firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property
75
No. of non-residents, assessed on property
350
No. of non-resident firms, corporations, etc., assessed on
property
36
No. of persons assessed on property
2,007
No. of persons assessed poll tax only
1,42I
Total number of persons assessed
3,428
No. of male polls assessed
2,140
Value of assessed personal estates
$1,000,682 00
Value of assessed buildings, excluding land
6,518,716 00
Value of assessed land, excluding buildings
5,622,605 00
Total value of assessed real estate
12,141,321 00
Total valuation of assessed estates
13,142,003 00
Taxes for State, County and Town Purposes.
On personal estate
$20,013 64
On real estate
242,826 42
On polls
4,280 00
Total tax
267,120 06
Rate of total tax per $1,000 .
20 00
No. of horses assessed
183
No. of cows assessed
43
No. of dwelling houses assessed
1,78I
148
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[ Dec. 31
Statistics of the Town of Swampscott, 1875=1917.
ASSESSORS' VALUATION APRIL I.
JANUARY I.
YEAR.
REAL
PERSONAL
TOTAL
RATE TAXES PER $1,000
YEAR.
NOTES
PAYABLE
1917
$12,141,321
$1,000,6S2
$13,142,003
$20.00
1918
$312,000.00
1916
11,532,432
4,928,181
16,460,513
20.00
1917
330,800.00
1915
10,810,305
5,028,193
15,838,498
17.80
1916
363,900.00
1914
10,508,225
3,531,119
14,039,344
16.80
1915
344,100.00
1913
10,028,325
3,174,590
13,202.915
16.40
1914
293,500.00
1912
9,413,525
2,974,381
12,387,906
16.00
1913
276,600.00
19II
9,050,850
2,771,167
11,822,017
15.00
1912
273, 150.00
1910
8,489,200
2,698,340
11,187,540
15.00
19II
194,639.00
1909
7,675,905
2,450,021
10,125,926
16.00
1910
184,295.00
1908
7,312,165
2,680,490
9,992,655
16.00
1909
191,295.00
1907
7,099,090
2,317,468
9,317,468
14.50
1908
176,420.00
1906
6,303,625
2,093,820
8,397,445
14.50
1907
167,320.00
1905
6,030, 185
2, 117,442
8,147,627
14.50
1906
151,320.00
1904
5,489, 12I
2,206, 172
7,695,293
12.90
1905
110,020.00
1903
5,135,124
4,286,981
6,422, 105
11.50
1904
114,770.00
1902
4,762,665
1,744,874
6,507,539
12.00
1903
75,270.00
1901
4,668,985
1,138,275
5,585,175
11.00
190I
68,100.00
1899
4,200, 175
1,199,045
5,399,220
11.50
1900
64,300.00
1898
4,135,582
1,318,591
5,454,173
14.00
1899
59,000.00
1897
3,997,975
1,304,163
5,302, 138
12.00
1898
71,000.00
1896
3,896,059
1,245,245
5,141,304
12.00
189
78,250.00
1895
3,756,900
1,444,947
5,201,847
12.00
1896
84,500.00
1894
3,619,525
1,529,675
5,149,200
11.00
1895
66,333.30
1893
3,439,975
1,649,953
5,989,928
II.OO
1894
71,166.66
1892
3,271,279
1,504,170
4,775,449
10.00
1893
37,499.99
1891
3,122,350
1,771,373
4,893,723
10.00
1892
42,333.32
1890
3,001,550
1,857,777
4,859,327
10.00
1891
48,666.66
1889
2,585,431
1,453,301
4,038,732
8.40
1890
52,500.00
1888
2,465,256
1,501,530
3,966,792
8.50
1889
56,000.00
1887
2,417,556
1,288,498
3,706,054
8.00
1888
57,500.00
1886
2,383,055
1,275,405
3,658,460
9.50
1887
55,500.00
1885
2,365,280
1, 130,863
3,496, 143
9.00
1886
47,500.00
1884
2,371,610
1,135,215
3,506,825
11.00
1885
49,000.00
1883
2,259,855
1,589,566
3,849,41I
8.50
1884
50,500.00
1882
2,228,330
1,264,938
3,493,268
6.00
1883
49,000.00
1881
2,121,080
807,159
2,928,239
7.20
1882
30,500.00
1880
1,991,880
1,133,247
3,125,127
7.00
1881
31,750,00
1879
1,930,205
418,904
2,349,109
8.30
1880
39,424.80
1878
2,049,980
384,841
2,434,82I
8.00
1879
42,424.00
1877
2,04.1,935
340,323
2,382,258
8.50
1878
42,424.80
1876
2,108,462
360,961
2,469,423
12.00
1877
45,524.80
1875
2,074,850
389,441
2,464,291
10.00
1876
50,224.80
1900
4,446,900
1,598,745
6,267,730
12.00
1902
70,600.00
ESTATE
PROPERTY
VALUATION
149
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT.
1917 ]
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,- Herewith I submit the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1917.
Arrested or summoned to appear in court for the following offences :
Males
I39
Females
3
142
Assault and battery
3
Adultery
I
Bastardy .
3
Breaking and entering
2
Cruelty to animals
2
Drunkenness
36
For officers of other places
35
Insane
4
Intimidation
I
Larceny
5
Non support of children
3
Trespass .
2
Violating automobile law
40
Violating liquor law
2
Violating Lord's day
13
I42
Disposition of cases in lower court :
Committed to State farm (Bridgewater)
I
Committed to House of Correction
I
Committed to State Hospital (Danvers)
4
Delivered to officers of other places
35
Discharged by court
9
Fined and paid
26
Placed on file
22
Placed on probation
8
Released by Probation Officer
I6
Filed on payment of cost
20
142
Miscellaneous Work.
Accidents and assistance rendered
67
Assisted other officers
48
Attempted robbery
I
,
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Ambulance calls for sickness and accidents .
III
Ambulance calls for drunkenness .
35
Ambulance responded to fire alarms
27
Buildings found open and secured
45
Bicycles reported lost
6
Bicycles returned to owner
4
Complaints
606
Cases of larceny reported
16
Cases of breaking and larceny reported
8
Defective streets and sidewalks
26
Dead body found
I
Disturbance suppressed without arrest
II
Dogs reported lost
39
Dogs returned to owner or dog officer
30
Fires put out by officers
4
Horses found cast
7
Intoxicated persons assisted home
8
Lost children found and returned
29
Lights furnished for dangerous places
27
Lights reported out in streets
140
Lights found burning in buildings
31
Liquor raids made
3
Poles and trees reported on fire
29
Water and gas leaks reported
15
Wires reported down
7
Value of property reported lost or stolen
$629 80
Value of property recovered and returned
875 30
Recommendations.
The present electric driven ambulance is totally inadequate for the uses of the town, especially in cases where speed is one thing most desired in getting injured persons to a hospital or to a doctor. Not only is it slow moving, but it also lacks the power necessary to carry it any extra dis- tance. Many cases have occurred where it was desired that citizens be removed to out of town hospitals quickly and with comfort, and it has been necessary to decline to attempt the journey, not because of any lack of willingness on the part of the department, but because it is known that the machine would not be able to make the distance even at a slow rate of speed. In order to make even the present wagon available for extraordinary calls upon it, new batteries, costing in the neighborhood of $700, will be required.
I therefore recommend that a motor driven ambulance, using gasoline instead of electricity, be obtained to replace the present ambulance or that a new chassis thus equipped be obtained and the present ambulance body be transferred thereto.
Respectfully submitted,
U. M. CORSON,
Chief of Police.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
151
SEALER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES' REPORT.
1917]
REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report from January 1, 1917, to January 1, 1918.
Con- Not demned. Adjusted. Sealed.
Platform scales sealed over 5,000 pounds .
4
Platform scales sealed under 5,000 pounds,
30
Comparting scales sealed .
6
I
I
I
All other scales sealed
84
I
3
3
Slot personal sealed .
6
I
Avoirdupois weights sealed
206
Capacity measure dry sealed '
8
3
Capacity measure liquid sealed
125
IO
40
Oil measuring pumps sealed
20
I
3
8
Molasses measuring pumps sealed
2
Liquid measures sealed
3
494
17
47
12
Trial Weighing.
Number
Incorrect
Commodity.
Tested. Correct.
Under.
Over.
Dry groceries
.
749
662
36
51
Sugar
· 1,025
1,025
Flour in bags
99
61
26
12
Butter print
46
46
Meats
II
II
Fruit and vegetables .
182
142
20
20
Bread
123
22
IOI
Milk jars tested .
76
74
2
Gasoline and oil
3
3
Coal in bags
177
177
Wood in basket .
12
12
2,503
2,235
84
184
Number of certificates made out .
II4
Inspection in stores outside of regular visits
68
Inspection of hawkers and peddlers
8
Inspection of itinerant venders
5
Inspection of junk dealers
6
152
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Inspection of coal certificates
9
Inspection of ice dealers
·
6
Violation of the law
4
Total amount received for above $42.54, which I turned over to the Town Treasurer, and for which I hold a receipt.
The standard embraces the following : One avoirdupois balance, fifty pounds ; one set of avoirdupois weights, sixteen divisions ; drachms, one, two divisions; ounces, one-quarter, one-half, one, two, four, eight; pounds, one, two, four, five, ten, twenty-five, fifty ; one set of liquid measures of five dimensions, one gill, one-half pint, one quart, two quarts, one gallon ; two graduating glasses, one two-ounce, one thirty-two ounce ; one dry measures of four dimensions ; one quart, two quarts, one peck, one half bushel ; one yard measure ; working set, same as above, with ten fifty-pounds weights, one portable drill, one hand press, one sealing clamp, one pointer wrench, screwdriver, dies, wrenches, etc.
I feel satisfied that the work accomplished has been for the protection of the public. It is the aim of this department to correct evils where they exist, and see that they continue corrected, without resorting to sensa- tional or radical means when they can be avoided and still retain the desired result ; to protect the public from unscrupulous dealers or dealers not understanding the law.
I wish to thank the town officials, the merchants and the public for the courteous manner in which I have been received in the discharge of my duty. I recommend the sealer's salary be the same as last year, $200.00 ; also recommend for books and printing, $35.00; for teaming and help, $30.00 ; for miscellaneous supplies, $31.00 ; a total of $296.00.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN A. MARTIN, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
153
1917] ) CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE REPORT.
Report of Construction Committee, Sewerage Pumping Station.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-At the annual town meeting in 191.7, under Article 67 of the warrant, the town voted to accept the report of the committee to investi- gate conditions at the sewerage pumping station, and as recommended by the finance committee their recommendations were adopted and $12,000 appropriated for the purpose specified in their report. It was further stipulated in the vote that the Sewerage Board, Board of Selectmen and one other member to be appointed by the Moderator, be a committee to have charge; of the work. The seventh member appointed by the Moderator was Malcomb F. MacLean. The committee organized as follows :- Samuel M. Kehoe, Chairman, Clarence B. Humphrey, Secretary.
Work Proposed.
The work proposed and new equipment to be installed having been planned for and reported upon, your committee duly advertised for bids with the following results :
Equipment.
Bids opened June 15, 1917.
Worthington Company
Power and Equip. Co.
Lynn Gas & Electric Co
Fourteen-inch motor driven hor. centrif. pump, 4,500 gal. per minute
$3,777 00
Ten-inch motor driven hor. cen- trif. pump, 2,000 gal. per minute, Four-inch x 6-inch single acting vertical triplex force pump ·
$5,859 00
1,610 00
680 00
One hundred horse power 60 cycle motor ·
$1,008 90
Twenty-five horse power 60 cycle motor
448 88
Three horse power 60 cycle motor,
195 50
$5,859 00
$6,067 00
$1,653 28
Bids accepted, Power & Equipment Co., their bid being in form as called for so that it could be subdivided. Contract awarded for one 14-inch pump and one 100 horse power motor.
154
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Concrete Pumping Station.
Bids opened June 25, 1917.
Contractor
Concrete and Excavation 170 cu. yds.
3-4 inch steel bars 4,000 lbs.
Totals.
D. D. Sheehan
27.50
$4,632 50
0.12
$480 00
$5,112 00
M. McDonough .
23.25
3,952 50
0.20
800 00
4,752 00
Scott Tuttle
29.00
4,930 00
0.10
400 00
5,350 00
Abram French
27.00
4,590 00
0.12
480 00
5,070 00
Bid accepted, M. McDonough Company.
Summary of Bids.
Fourteen-inch pump
$3,777 00
Ten-inch pump
1,610 00
Four-inch x 6-inch pump
680 00
$6,067 00
One hundred horse power 60 cycle motor
1,008 90
Twenty-five horse power 60 cycle motor
448 88
Three horse power 60 cycle motor
195 50
1,653 28
Concrete pumping station
4,752 00
Brick wall and masonry
400 00
Iron hip skylight
550 00
Miscellaneous details
500 00
$13,422 28
From the summary of bids received it was at once apparent to your committee that all of the work as planned for could not be carried out, due to increased cost in labor and materials since the preliminary figures were obtained. The work, however, being of such a nature that public necessity required its completion practically in accordance with the report as submitted, your committee proceeded with the work, and under present contracts the basin is complete with all pipes for installing the three pumps. The 14-inch pump with 100 h. p. motor which are contracted for are now due to arrive on or about May 1, 1918.
The expenditures from the original appropriation are as follows :
Amount appropriated .
$12,000 00
Power and Equipment Co. .
$789 98
M. McDonough Co., contract
4,800 00
M. McDonough Co., waterproofing
100 00
O. J. Markee, masonry
217 35
George C. Blakely & Son, bricks
37 50
Jay E. Day & Co., bricks
133 45
W. C. Whittredge & Co., lime and cement
II 70
E. Ball & Son, contract
112 37
E. Van Noorden & Co., skylight
550 00
Water Department, pipe and fittings .
214 54
Louis Bourneuf Corporation, valves .
18 57
Advertising bids
43 50
Builders' Iron and Steel Co., rods and bolts
69 80
Miscellaneous labor, express, etc.
28 53
The Lumsden & Van Stone Co.
460 20
$7,587 79
Balance
$4,412 21
155
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE REPORT.
1917]
Amounts Due on Contracts :
M. McDonough .
$ 74 65
Power & Equipment Co.
2,987 02
Lynn Gas & Electric Co.
1,008 90
$4,070 57
Net Balance
$341 64 The previous report being so clear and concise, it is not necessary to again touch upon the details of the system, but without the balance of the equipment the town would not obtain the efficiency and maintenance sought, and we therefore recommend that an additional appropriation of $3,500 be made to complete this work, the individual items being approximately as follows :-
Io" pump .
$1,610 00
4" x 6 " pump
680 00
25 h. p. motor
448 88
3 h. p. motor
195 50
Wiring
350 00
Stairway
150 00
$3,434 38
We recommend that the amount, namely $3,500, be obtained by trans- fers from unexpended balances now standing to the credit of the Sewer Department for construction purposes.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL M. KEHOE, Chairman, HENRY S. BALDWIN, GEORGE D. R. DURKEE, HAROLD G. ENHOLM, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, Clerk.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
I56
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[ Dec. 31
Park Commissioners' Report.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :
Herewith is submitted the annual report of your Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1917. The board organized immediately after the town meeting, with the choice of Alfred F. Frazier, as chairman, Stuart P. Ellis, as secretary, and Perley C. Foss, as superintendent. Regular meetings have been held each Friday evening during the year. Special meetings have been held from time to time as occasion required, both at the town hall and upon the several park properties.
Monument Avenue.
The Monument avenue reservation continues to be the show reservation of the town. To keep it in proper shape demands much time and atten- tion. People little realize the extent of it and the care that is necessary. The increased cost of labor during the past two years makes the grass cutting item one of importance. To neglect the upkeep of this plot for one season would detract from the appearance of one of the best sections of the town and result in an increased cost for the next season. The area of this plot, the grass upon which has to be constantly cared for, is about I, I-IO acres. There is also considerable shrubbery on this reservation, and this has to be gone over and prunned at least once in two years. The decorative plots in the lower section also need constant care. The work of replanting the large circular plot, which divides Elmwood road, was begun last year and should be continued this year. The old shrubs in this plot, set out when the reservation was originally laid out, have many of them died or are dying and must be replaced. There is much to do each year, for, if it is not one thing it is another, so that the expense of upkeep is about the same each year.
Your commissioners are now in conference with some of the owners of real estate adjoining this property relative to the property lines, and it is likely that some additional expense may be incurred the present year for new fences and bounds. Your commissioners therefore recommend $700 for Monument avenue.
Paradise Road.
The Paradise road playground owing to its being centrally located, constitutes one of the most important park reservations: Used by the smaller boys for baseball; by the High School for football; by all schools for all kinds of outdoor field athletics and for skating in the winter, is more generally used than any other of the park reservations. The flooding of the grounds for skating is one of the most important features. Through the cooperation of the Water Department, arrange-
I57
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1917]
ments have been made to flood on short notice and frequently. By this means good skating has been maintained whenever the weather was favorable. Hundreds of persons, both old and young, are on the ice day and evening, and the cost is very little when the number of people enjoy ing the sport are considered. Particular attention is paid to making the skating good, safe and as constant as possible. Extra electric lights have been installed through the cooperation of the Selectmen and extra police protection has been furnished. Early in the season, in response to urgent requests, it was unanimously decided by your commissioners to forbid hockey playing on the reservation ice, in order that the younger children and women might use the ice for skating in safety.
During the coming season repairs will be necessary to the flooding arrangements, in order to stop the leaking out of the water around the flooding pipes, which causes the ice to settle and break up. Alterations must be made to the band stand, so that the lower part can be used for the storage of department equipment. Attention has to be given to the surface of the grounds each year, and here again the grass cutting becomes an important item. Additional rope and iron stakes must be secured the present year to replace equipment which is beyond use. We there- fore recommend $400 for this reservation.
Blaney Beach.
Blaney Beach, owing to the maintenance of the fishhouse building, which is located on this reservation, and the constant care and policing of the beach, which is necessary in summer, makes the appropriation expended here the largest of the park department budget. The pay of the superintendent and other administrative expenses are charged to this fund. Many repairs to the reservation building have beeu made the past year, but other repairs will have to be made the coming year. The building has been built some years, and each year is needing more attention. The shelters, which have been in existence ever since the reservation was laid out, are in poor shape and need attention. The bathing raft needs some repairs. It also must be calked, painted and put in the water in the spring and taken out in the fall. The iron fence along the stone wall needs painting at the opening of the summer season. For the maintenance of this reservation and the necessary work upon it, your commissioners recommend $1,200. While it may seem to some that this appropriation is a large one, it should be taken into consideration that from the reser- vation the town receives a revenue of over $300, no part of which the commission is allowed to use, but which reverts to the treasury of the town, thus making the park appropriation materially less than what appears upon the surface.
Jackson Park.
During the past year the commissioners have planted on the hillside of Jackson Park fifteen hundred white pine and five hundred Austrian pine trees of four years' growth. This stock was grown at the State nurseries and came especially recommended by the State Forester for growth in this locality. We have also added fifty Canadian hemlocks to the grove planted on the hillside in 1916. All of this planting appears to be in a thriving condition, and the commissioners are of the opinion that addi-
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
tional trees should be set out from year to year, to the end that this reser- vation may eventually resume its former wooded character.
The locker building at Jackson Park, for the use of athletic teams, has been doubled in size since 1916, and is now able to accommodate both home and visiting teams at the same time. It is unfortunate that adequate toilet accommodations are lacking in this building, but the Commis- sioners do not feel justified at this time in asking for a sufficient appro- priation to cover this expense. A blind drain along the eastern border of the ball field is greatly needed to care for the surface water near the locker building. This can be constructed at very slight expense, and will serve to enlarge the playing area and at the same time tend to drain off the surface water during the early summer.
Phillips Park.
The commissioners feel that this reservation should be made available for the use of the people for whom it was intended. Because of insuf- ficient appropriations it has been impossible to do this, or to fill and grade a really good field for athletic purposes. However, a start has been made in this direction and a considerable area was covered with cinders during the past summer, resulting in a fairly good surface, which was used by the boys for their games. It is hoped that in a short time still further improvements can be made on the field, in order that it may rank with the other playgrounds of the town.
During the present winter the commissioners have arranged with various citizens to remove a large number of trees in the swamp on this reservation.
This has served the double purpose of having the ground cleared of an undesirable growth, leaving the land clear and in good condition for future filling ; and has also aided in relieving the local coal situation.
The borders of this park should be properly enclosed with bound fences this year, in order that the property lines may be defined, and to aid in guarding the trees which are to be preserved by the commissioners near the back line of the reservation.
The commissioners are of the opinion that all available material suitable for filling purposes, such as street cleanings, ashes, etc., should be deposited at Phillips park. The dumping and grading of this material could then be properly controlled by the Park department, a clean and unobjectionable surface maintained, and a large amount of filling spread at a minimum expenditure.
We are mindful of the fact that the general expenses of the town must be reduced this year, and so have made the estimates for the department as low as possible. However, the general expense for upkeep averages about the same yearly, and it does not seem to be wise economy to neglect the ordinary work which is necessary to maintain the properties in their present condition. We therefore recommend $500.
1917]
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
159
Appropriations.
The amounts recommended for the Park department are therefore :
Blaney Beach
$1,200 00
Paradise Road
400 00
Jackson Park
400 00
Monument Avenue
700 00
Phillips Park
500 00
Water Rates
200 00
Sundries .
300 00
Total appropriation
$3,700 00
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED F. FRAZIER, STUART P. ELLIS, JAMES T. LYONS.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
Park Commissioners.
160
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Water and Sewerage Board.
Water Department.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
We herewith submit our annual report for the year, 1917.
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