USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1918 > Part 12
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143
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1918]
Jackson Park.
During the past year your Commissioners have continued the policy of reforestration inaugurated in 1916 by setting out 1,500 white pines on the upland, and 15 rock maples on the Essex street border of the field. Four thousand pines were purchased in the spring, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining labor to plant in the early season, we arranged to have 2,500 of these held at the nursery till this year, when they may be planted under more favorable conditions.
By the improvement at Monument avenue we secured several loads of loam, which were used to grade a low area of the ball field. A sod border was laid at the Essex street sidewalk, and the grounds left in condition for seeding and rolling this spring. In order that the full width of the ball field may be used it is essential that a manhole be constructed at the end of the tile drain crossing the field, and a small amount of grading done along the western border. For the care of this reservation and to carry out the improvements as outlined above we recommend the appro- priation of $700 for Jackson park.
Phillips Park.
The principal work on this reservation the past year has been the cutting and removal of the trees in the rear of the park. More than four hundred citizens were benefited by the cord wood derived from this source, thus relieving the fuel situation, the land at the same time being cleared for future filling without any cost to the town.
The concrete drain recently constructed here has lowered the water level several feet in this locality, and as there is a good-sized field levelled and filled nearly to a finished grade, it would be an easy matter to lay land tile near the surface and cover with a few inches of loam, thus making this plot immediately available for the recreation of the large number of people residing in this locality.
A large area of this reservation still remains unfilled.
The most economical filling is ashes if it can be placed where needed. The contractor who has the disposal of this material will haul only to the nearest dump, and when Phillips park happens to be the nearest, it is difficult to control the dumping so that the town will not have to move the material again and stand needless expense. Your commissioners feel that if this kind of material is to be used they should have an appropria- tion, so that in the interest of economy they could arrange with the con- tractor to have this filling placed where needed. There have been no funds available for any extensive improvement on this tract since it was acquired, but it is our endeavor to remove as quickly as possible the unsightly appearance of a public dump on one of our most travelled thoroughfares. We recommend the appropriation of $1,000 for Phillips park.
Monument Avenue.
Monument avenue reservation, the beauty spot of the park properties, has been maintained, we believe, during the past season in a very satis- factory manner. All shrubbery was pruned during the winter and the beds spaded up in the spring, the grass being frequently cut, but not as often as it should be, owing to the shortage of labor and funds.
144
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We found it advisable to discontinue the small flower beds at the entrance to the parkway, and have sowed them down to grass, thus making a decided improvement in the general appearance, beside the saving of labor and expense.
We found that because of the volume of traffic at Elmwood road at its crossing with the parkway, and because of the nuisance created by pedes- trians crossing the grass ground, that it would be best to reduce the width of the circle at this point. This was done in a very satisfactory and pleasing manner, and we feel well repaid by the improvement, many compliments having been received on the completion of this much needed change.
In the coming year we hope to be able to make some further improve- ments on this reservation, such as the planting of a solid bed of evergreens in the circle mentioned above, the setting of specimen evergreens of low- growing varieties at the entrance near the monument, and some improve- ments to the beds at the base of the cliff on Farragut road. For the main- tenance and improvement of this reservation, and because of the increased cost of labor and material, we recommend the appropriation of $850.
JAMES T. LYON, Chairman, ARCHIBALD MILLER, STUART P. ELLIS, Secretary.
Park Commissioners.
I45
AUTOMOBILE COMMITTEE REPORT.
1918]
Report of Automobile Committee
Shortly after appointment the Committee met and organized by the election of Mr. Baldwin as Chairman and Mr. Tilden as Secretary.
After a general discussion it was unanimously voted that Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Blaney and the Chief of Police constitute a sub-committee to investi- gate automobiles and prices. The Committee investigated and reported informally, and advertisements for bids were then published, as required by the By-Laws.
On April 23d, the Committee met and the bids were opened. Two bids were received, one for a second hand Viele touring car, not stated to have been overhauled and with no specific offer of guaranty, the price being $800; the other from the Cadillac Company of Boston offering an over- hauled and rebuilt 1916 Cadillac for $1,350, plus $100, for lengthening the frame.
In the opinion of the committee, the Viele did not come within the class of the cars they were authorized in buying under the vote of the town.
The committee, as a result of its investigations, was unanimously of the opinion that the Cadillac car offered was the best available car within the appropriation for the purposes required. They were also satisfied that it would be useless to attempt to secure other bids from other makers. The committee, accordingly, unanimously voted to accept the bid of the Cadillac Company, and that Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Blaney and the Chief of Police be a sub-committee to take charge of the details of delivery, lengthening the frame, transferring the old body, and selling the old chassis and equipment.
The Committee met at the Town Hall on Friday evening, August 16. They also inspected the ambulance which had been delivered. Owing to war conditions there had been great delay in having the necessary work done. The ambulance, however, was finally completed about August 15.
It was voted to have a leaf inserted in the springs, to have the wheel houses cut out so as to give more clearance, and to have sides and top curtains for the driver's seat.
It appeared that there was an appropriation of $1,500, that the old Rectifior sold for $100 and the chassis of the old ambulance for $250, making available $1,850.
The following bills were approved :
Cadillac Company
$1,450 00
Advertising . ·
8 40
Car fares and small expenses
5 75
Alterations to garage . ·
98 96
10
146
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
A bill of $307 rendered for painting and doing the necessary work of attaching the body, much in excess of the original estimate, was held for further investigation by Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Blaney. This was reduced to $295. Electrical work $9.22.
Summary.
Expended. $1,450 00
Available. $1,850 00
8 40
5 75
98 96
295 00
9 22
1,867 33
Deficit
$17 33
HENRY S. BALDWIN, Chairman,
WILLIAM E. CARTER,
FREDERICK H. TIMSON,
HAROLD C. BLANEY,
ULYSSES M. CORSON,
CALVIN S. TILDEN, Secretary.
147
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1918]
Report of Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
A year ago we were engaged in a great war. The twelve months which have just passed have witnessed the greatest effort which the people of this country have ever put forth. The man power and wealth of the nation were devoted to the cause of freedom.
On November IIth a sweeping armistice was signed by the Germans - virtually ending the war. Seldom in history has so signal a victory been won by a nation in so short a time.
Swampscott has met every demand of the government. About 500 of her sons have entered some branch of the United States' service, and many of her daughters have eagerly accepted the opportunity to serve as Red Cross nurses, or in such branches of the army or navy as were open to them.
Up to the present time ten Swampscott men and one woman have made the great sacrifice, and steps are now being taken toward a suitable memo- rial to commemorate the deeds of our soldiers, sailors and Red Cross nurses.
The Board had planned to publish again the Honor Roll in this report, but, owing to the fact that so few of our men have returned, the list could not be complete, nor would it be a true record. However, it has been recommended to the Victory Committee that a book be published giving the history of our men and women in the service.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the splendid work of the women of the Swampscott Section of the American Red Cross in preparing both surgical material and clothing for our sick and wounded in the service, also for refugees in various parts of the world.
The Public Safety Committee, in its several branches, has fully met all demands upon it in a most patriotic manner, and a separate report will will be issued to the citizens by the Committee at a later date. The mem- bers of the local Selective Draft Board have ably performed their arduous duties, and have been highly commended by the Government for the thoroughness of their work.
The Third and Fourth Liberty Loans, together with the War Chest movement, all went "over the top;" and the citizens' Committees in charge are entitled to much credit in upholding the reputation of our town. Wherever possible local affairs have been set aside for the larger objects of the war. Our people have loyally supported the Government in all its war objectives, no matter what personal inconvenience or sacrifice might be involved. This is particularly true regarding the conservation of food and fuel. To name all the patriotic activities of the citizens of Swampscott would require a complete history of everything that has been done in the town during the year. There has been but one thought in the minds of all, and that has been-the Winning of the War.
148
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
During the year the Board has urged economy wherever possible, and the number of Articles in the Annual Warrant was kept at a minimum. Only one Special Town Meeting was held.
At the request of the Government, money was not borrowed, except in the case of the Stacey brook culvert, where conditions of health and policy would not permit delay in carrying out the work.
On November IIth news of the signing of the armistice was received with great rejoicing, bringing, as it did, an end to the war. Peace is now assured, and it only remains to work out such terms as will prevent the recurrence of the terrible events of the past four years. While peace is in sight, we still have many grave problems yet to solve, and must not relax in our endeavors until a lasting peace has been concluded and all of our men are home once more, and places have been found for them in our industries.
The Board must again urge strict economy in expenditures during the coming year. At the same time appropriations must be sufficient for carrying on the work of education and for protection of life and property. Labor and material are still abnormally high on account of the war, and, for this reason, new work should be avoided whenever possible.
The several boards of the town have shown cordial co-operation throughout the year in the unusual and trying situations that have arisen in connection with the epidemic of influenza and the somewhat general freezing of water services and mains during the early months of the year.
Again, the Board must urge the citizens to attend town meetings and take an active interest in the affairs of the town.
ADMINISTRATIVE.
I. Bonds of Town Officers.
Bonds of the following officers are given by the American Surety Com- pany, of New York, in the amounts stated :
James W. Libby, Town Treasurer pro tem $15,000 00
Nathan G Bubier, Collector of Taxes 10,000 00
George D. R. Durkee, Water and Sewer Commissioner 3,000 00
Harold G. Enholm, Water and Sewer Commissioner 3,000 00 Charles E. Hodgdon, Water and Sewer Commissioner 3,000 00
George T. Till, Town Clerk .
1,000 00
II. Licenses.
Auctioneers :
George N. Foster
Willard D. Martin
Charles G. Woodbridge
3 .
$6 00
Automobile Permits :
14
$21 00
Bowling Alley :
James D. Bentley
I
$2 00
149
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1918]
Carriages : Joseph F. Bruley Burk, Mader & Burk William H. Carroll
3
$5 00
Elevators :
6
$6 00
Express :
W. E. Shepard
I
.
$1 00
Innholders : Emily L. Brown E. R. Grabow & Company J. A. Sherrard
Jitney Busses : George N. Elliott Forrest N. Ross
2
.
$30 00
Junk Dealers : Harry Sherman Louis Zletz
$150 00
Pool Tables : James D. Bentley Joseph F. Crowell, Jr.
2
$4 00
To Transport Liquor : Willis E. Shepard
Vendors :
Jackson & Company I
.
$25 00
Victualers :
John H. Bryson, 29 Essex street. Peter Frank, 374 Humphrey street.
John H. Peach, 503 Humphrey street.
Albert R. Potter, 34 Humphrey street. Mary A. Smith, corner Humphrey and Marshall streets. George B. Watts, 60 Humphrey street.
III. Permits Granted.
Under Chapter 5, Section 4, of Town By-Laws. To sell material and to do work for the Town.
C. Walter Burrill, George D. R. Durkee,
Clarence W. Horton, James T. Lyons,
Archibald Miller, Everett P. Mudge, Horace R. Parker, Oscar G. Poor,
Wiear L. Rowell.
2
.
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
IV. Town Treasurer.
In February, William H. Bates, who had served long and faithfully as Town Treasurer, found it necessary to resign on account of his health. Under authority of Section 427, Chapter 835, of the Acts of 1913, James W. Libby was appointed treasurer pro tem to fill the vacancy, and has been continued through the remainder of the term.
V. Contract for Coal.
Owing to war conditions, all prices of coal were fixed by the Committee on Fuel Conservation, and, therefore, no bids were requested. Coal was furnished to the various departments of the town by the Honors-Lee Company and the G. S. Briggs Coal Company in the quantity and at the prices given herewith :
Per Ton Tons
Hard coal
$1I 25
345
Soft coal
10 00
276
VI. Printing Town Reports.
Proposals for printing the Town Reports for the current year were advertised on the basis of 30 square inches to the page, 300 pages and 2,000 copies. The following bids were received :
1,000 sq. in. 6 point
4,000 sq. in. 8 point
4,000 sq. in. lo point
Balance. Page.
Thomas P. Nichols Son Co., $.144
.08I
.052
.90
Frank S. Whitten .07
.08
.02
$1.10
The contract was awarded to Frank S. Whitten.
The total cost of :
Printing and binding for the Report of 1917 was
$789 62
Editing
75 00
Distribution, typewriting and advertising
53 90
Total .
$918 52
For the past three years it has been the policy of the Board to condense the annual Town Report so far as possible without impairing its value as a book of record and reference. Although the Honor Roll added many pages, attention is called to the fact that the total cost of the report has been reduced.
The Board had printed 500 copies of the Honor Roll, bound in a suit- able cover, for the citizens of the town. These were presented by Frank S. Whitten without charge, and the Board desires to express its appreciation of this gift.
VII. Sidewalks.
Owing to war conditions, your Board recommended that no work on continuous sidewalks be undertaken during 1918. However, we consider this an important matter, and believe that it should not be delayed longer than is necessary. Each year a number of requests are received from citizens for sidewalks, and, for this reason, your Board recommends the appropriation of $3,000 for the purpose of continuous sidewalks.
151
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1918]
VIII. Essex and Cherry Streets Improvements.
At the annual Town Meeting the sum of $1,000 was voted to cover the taking of a small parcel of land at the junction of Essex and Cherry streets. The vote was carried out and proper papers recorded. This was done on an emergency basis to prevent the erection of a building on the land which would interfere with future widening of Cherry street, which is the natural entrance to a large and growing section of the town.
On October 27th a hearing was held in Swampscott before the County Commissioners on the petition of the Board of Selectmen to ascertain what part of the above work should be borne by the county, the Board feeling that this was something which concerned the county as a whole, as well as the citizens of Swampscott. We are gratified to report that the Commissioners made a decree in which the county assumes $800 of the expense of the taking. This amount has been paid into the treasury of the town.
Your Board has also conferred with the Commissioners of Essex county on the subject of removing the sharp bend at the junction of State road and Burrill street. Some years ago this matter was taken up, but the town felt that the conditions at that time were not right for a change. Your Board now believes that an arrangement can be made with the Massachusetts Highway Commission, the County Commissioners and the town, whererby this dangerous spot can be made permanently safe ; and it is recommended that the Board be authorized to proceed along this line.
IX. Public Buildings.
The following is a list of rents received from public buildings :
Town Hall .
$64 00
Tenement over Police Station
44 00
Tenement, 82 Burrill street
143 00
The Town Hall has been used almost exclusively during the past year for the Swampscott Section of the American Red Cross and for other patriotic meetings. All spare rooms on the first floor were required for work of the Selective Draft Board and meetings of the Committee on Public Safety.
X. Town Hall.
In accordance with a vote at the Annual Meeting, proposals for painting the Town Hall were advertised, and the following bids were received :
Henry B. Falls
$366 00
George H. Lampard
412 50
J. A. Ralph
391 00
E. Harding
650 00
The contract was awarded to Henry B. Falls, who was the lowest bidder. These bids included only the labor, all material being purchased by the Town Engineer, under the direction of the Board.
It was decided to paint the Town Hall white, which is the most durable of all colors, and that which has been adopted by long custom for public buildings of our New England towns.
152
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
It has been many years since the interior of the Town Hall proper and the lower hall and stairways have been painted, also the room of the Board of Selectmen. The Board feels that this is something which the Town should do, in order to make these rooms, where public meetings are held, more modern and attractive. It is estimated that this work, together with the necessary rearrangement of the electric light wires, would cost about $2,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation be made, the work to be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen.
XI. Street Lighting.
The contract with the Lynn Gas & Electric Company expired on July I, 1918. A joint conference with the Lighting Company and the Board was held, and it was agreed that a new contract should be drawn up to cover the period of two years, and that Swampscott would receive the most favorable terms on the basis of the contract with Lynn. This involved 12} per cent. increase for arc lights and 10 per cent. increase for incandes- cent lights, with an adjustment for an increase or decrease in the cost of coal.
For the information of the citizens the following figures are given to show comparative cost for lights under the old and new contracts :
Contract, 1917.
Contract, 1918.
$90 00
$101 25
72 00
81 00
17 50 19 25
The following is a list of the lights now in use :
Arc, every night .
II
Arc, moonlight
85
Incandescent
317
At a special Town Meeting, held July 19, the amount of $1,500.00 was appropriated to cover the increased cost of street lighting under the new contract.
The total cost of street lighting for the year was $13,278.28.
XII. Forest Warden.
Everett P. Mudge was appointed Forrest Warden on January 10, 1918, as provided by the Revised Laws. This appointment was approved by the State Forester.
XIII. Gypsy Moth Department.
Everett P. Mudge was reappointed to superintend the gypsy moth work. His report on the work of the past year appears on page 114. The Board recommends an appropriation of $5,000 for the work of the Department, as suggested by the State Forester.
XIV. Law.
Board of Selectmen, Swampscott, Mass. :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report as Counsel for the Town for the year 1918.
The legal work has consisted largely of hearings before the Public
153
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1918]
Service Commission concerning schedules filed by the Bay State Street Railway Company or the Receiver thereof, seeking an increase in fares. The Public Service Commission in every instance has modified these schedules and has required the sale of tickets at a lower rate than that charged for an individual fare.
By a recent decree of the Commission, all zone lines in this town have been eliminated, and now the rate of fare is the same throughout the town, and Swampscott is on the same basis as the city of Lynn in every respect.
During the year, the case of John Benson vs. the town was settled. This was a suit to recover for injuries sustained by him by reason of a blast made by Louis Marino in the course of the construction of a trench for the Water and Sewerage Board. The plaintiff was seriously injured. It was found that Mr. Marino had filed a blasting bond with the town in the sum of $1,000. Suit was brought against the town in the sum of $10,000. A settlement was made with the plaintiff for $1,300, $1,000 of which was paid by the American Surety Company, $200 by Mr. Marino, and $100 by the town. It was felt that this was a good adjustment of the case, since it removed all risks incident to a trial.
There have been various hearings before Committees of the Legislature concerning the distribution of the Income Tax, so-called. This is a very important question. Attempts have been made to have the money collected from this tax distributed among the cities and towns in propor- tion to the amount of the State Tax imposed upon each of them. This is an unfair method of distribution. It would result, in many cases, in taking money collected from the residents of one community and giving it to another. No such result was contemplated by the Legislature when the Income Tax Law was passed. The law merely designated the Com- monwealth, acting through the office of the Commission on Taxation, the agent to collect the tax. When this money is collected, after the payment of expenses incident thereto, the balance, in fairness, should be returned to the municipalities from which it was received. Acting under your instruction, I appeared at hearings before committees of the Legislature and advocated this method of distribution. A Recess Committee has had the matter under consideration for several months, and its report will be considered by the Legislature now sitting.
At the last Annual Town Meeting, a vote was passed to take, by eminent domain, the premises located at the junction of Cherry and Essex streets, belonging to Frederico Marino, and $1,000 was appropriated for this purpose. Mr. Marino was dissatisfied with this amount, and brought a petition in the Superior Court for the assessment of damages. Later, however, he offered to accept $1,050 in settlement, and this sum was paid to him. Shortly after that, at the suggestion of your Board, a petition was filed with the County Commissioners to have the county bear some of the expense of this taking. This petition was based upon the theory that all persons using that part of Essex street would be benefited by the taking as much as the residents of Swampscott, and, consequently, the county should bear a part of the cost. There was a hearing before the County Commissioners October 27th, and recently they have decided to assume $800 of the above expense. This amount has been paid to the town, so that the net expense to the town for the taking of this land will
I54
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
be $250 plus the small expense of filling in the lot to make it safe for public travel.
The suit of Swampscott vs. the City of Lynn, growing out of the nuis- ance created by Stacey brook, has been satisfactorily adjusted. During the year, many conferences were held between the Board of Selectmen and the Water and Sewerage Board, representing the Town of Swampscott, and the Mayor and other officials, representing the City of Lynn. The result was an agreement between the two municipalities whereby the expense of widening and deepening the brook and increasing the capacity of the conduits is to be borne equally by them. This work is now in progress and its completion will not only eliminate litigation but also a nuisance which has existed for many years.
Several years ago, an agreement in writing was made between the town and some of the persons owning property adjoining Blaney beach, by the terms of which the town agreed to build a retaining wall along their premises in consideration of their releasing to the town any interest they may have in the beach. This was to be done by 1920. Only a few abut- ters, however, have signed this agreement. At the last Annual Town Meeting, a vote was passed, authorizing your Board to secure an extension of this agreement, and acting under your instruction I communicated with all such property owners for this purpose. With one or two excep- tions, no reply was received. To be of any value, the agreement should be signed by all, but it is doubtful if this can be accomplished. The public have used this beach for fishing, boating and recreation purposes for many years, and no right should be recognized in these abutters, the exercise of which would tend in any way to deprive the people of the enjoyment of this part of the beach.
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