USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1918 > Part 2
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Northwesterly by Cherry street about 53 feet ; easterly by the junction of Cherry and Essex streets about 16 feet ; southerly by Essex street about 47 feet ; and westerly by land now or formerly of Anton S. Selman, about 40 feet, containing about 1,311 square feet.
ART. 35. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money
2
18
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
in payment of architect's expenses in the preparation of plans and speci- fications for the Machon School building, as authorized by vote of the town on February 20, 1917.
ART. 36. To see if the town will direct the Board of Selectmen to peti- tion the General Court for authorization to abate the poll taxes assessed to all men now or hereafter in any branch of the Military or Naval Ser- vice of the United States in connection with the war now in progress.
ART. 37. To see if the town will vote to appoint a committee of three (3) citizens to investigate the matter of a more suitable ambulance for the use of the Police Department, said Committee to report at the adjourned Town Meeting, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Chief of the Police Department.
ART. 38. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $75.00 for the proper observance of Firemen's Memorial Sunday, as petitioned for by Herbert F. Jacobs, et als.
ART. 39. To see if the town will vote to determine upon and order the use of voting machines, approved, as provided in Section 249, of Chapter 835 of the Acts of the Year 1913, at all primaries and elections of State and Town officers in the Town of Swampscott, in accordance with the provisions of Section 251, of said Chapter 835, of the Acts of 1913, as amended by Chapter 43, of the Acts of 1916, as petitioned for by James F. Caton, et als.
ART. 40. To see if the town will vote to lease for the term of one (I) year five (5) American Voting Machines, described in and to be used for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Article, with the necessary appur- tenances ; to authorize the Selectmen to lease the same as aforesaid, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $240.00 to pay for the same, all in accordance with Chapter 43, of the Acts of 1916; said amount of rental to be applied on account of the purchase price in case of any purchase of said machines by the town, as petitioned for by James F. Caton, et als.
ART. 41. To appropriate and raise, by borrowing or otherwise, such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for any or all of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
The polls will be closed at 4.30 o'clock P. M.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Post Offices and three other public and con- spicuous places in the town, seven days before the day appointed for said meeting.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this first day of February, in the year 1918.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WILLIAM E. CARTER, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY,
Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Return on the Warrant.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott by posting attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Post Offices and three other public and conspicuous places in Swampscott on Saturday, February 9, 1918, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD,
Constable.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
Annual Town Meeting, February 18, 1918.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Monday, February 18, 1918, and were called to order at 6 o'clock A. M. by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The Warrant to and including Article 3 with the return thereon was read by the Town Clerk. By vote of the meeting the reading of the balance of the Warrant was deferred until 10 o'clock, at which time the rest of the Warrant was read.
The following were qualified by the Town Clerk for their respective duties. Ballot Clerks : John A. Cullen (Dem.); William R. Patten (Rep) : Peter Blaser (Dem.).
The ballots were then delivered to the ballot clerks, the polls being declared open for the balloting immediately.
Voted, To extend the time of closing the polls to 5.20 P. M. The fol- lowing Tellers were qualified : Republicans, Harry E. Cahoon, Harold C. Snow. Stuart P. Ellis, Horace R. Parker, George F. Clay, Freeman A. Baker, Thomas E. Berry, James W. Libby. Democrats : Francis M. Kennedy, James M. Kennedy, Robert Leslie, Frank G. Melvin, George H. Stone, James H. Ryan, William P. Bergin, John A. Finnegan.
The polls were closed at 5.20 P. M. There were 1,152 general ballots and 135 special ballots cast; the ballot box register showed 1, 152; the number of checks on men's and women's lists being respectively 1, 152 and 135.
At 9.30 P. M. the following result of balloting was announced :
For Moderator-Daniel F. Knowlton, 914, elected ; blanks, 208.
Town Clerk-George T. Till, 944, elected ; blanks, 208.
Selectmen-Henry S. Baldwin, 664, elected ; Frederick H. Timson, 621, elected ; William E. Carter, 488, elected ; John B. Earp, 462 ; James L. Taylor, 370; Grant S. Hilton, 285; Frederick H. Dreuhl, 246; blanks, 320.
Surveyor of Highways for three years-Michael J. Ryan, 979, elected ; blanks, 173.
Treasurer-William H. Bates, 975, elected ; blanks, 177.
Assessor for three years-Clarence Brown Humphrey, 614; elected. Peleg Gardner, 487 ; blanks, 51.
Collector of Taxes-Nathan G. Bubier, 988, elected ; blanks, 164.
School Committee for three years-Arthur W. Stubbs, 691, elected ; Della Irvin Way, 508; blanks, 88.
Overseer of Poor for three years-Edmund Russell, 920, elected ; blanks 232.
Member of Board of Health for three years-John B. Cahoon, 627, elected ; Harold H. Bartol, 480 ; blanks, 45.
Members of Water and Sewerage Board for three years-Charles E. Hodgdon, 651, elected ; Herbert A. Woofter, 434 ; blanks, 67.
Park Commissioner for three years-Archibald Miller, 554, elected ; Alfred F. Frazier, 540; blanks, 58.
Trustee of Public Library for three years, F. Keeler Rice, 869, elected ; blanks, 283.
Tree Warden, Everett P. Mudge, 946, elected ; blanks, 206.
Constables-Frank H. Bradford, 866, elected ; Charles Walter Burrill, 828, elected ; Clarence W. Horton, 883, elected ; blanks, 879.
On the acceptance of Chapter 293, Acts of 1916, entitled : An act to authorize the licensing by cities and towns of motor vehicles carrying passengers for hire, yes, 753 ; blanks, 203.
License Question-Yes, 130; no, 897 ; blanks, 125.
Voted, That when we do adjourn, it be to Tuesday evening, February 19, 1918, at 7.45 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL. Town Clerk.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Adjourned Annual Meeting February 19, 1918.
In accordance with the adjournment of February 18, the voters assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, February 19, 1918.
There was not a quorum present and on motion it was voted that when we do adjourn it be to Monday evening, February 25, 1918, at 7.45 o'clock Voted, To adjourn at 8.40 o'clock.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL. Town Clerk.
SWAMPSCOTT, February 21, 1918.
A recount of votes cast for Selectman and Park Commissioner was petitioned for in the usual manner, and was held this evening The recount was made by the Board of Registrars with assistance of Francis M. Kennedy. The result was determined to be the same as before declared.
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
SWAMPSCOTT, February 25, 1918.
James W. Libby was appointed by the Board of Selectmen under authority of Section 427, Chapter 835, Acts of 1913, as Treasurer pro tem and duly qualified.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, February 25, 1918.
In accordance with the adjournment of February 19, the voters assem- bled at the Town Hall on Monday evening, February 25, 1918.
The necessary quorum was present. The meeting was called to order at 7.50 o'clock, by Moderator.
The records of the last meetings were read and declared approved.
Weston K. Lewis, Chairman of Finance Committee, offered remarks in regard to financial conditions.
Voted, To accept the several reports of town officials and departments as published.
All articles in the Warrant in which any appropriation of money is asked were referred under the By-Laws to the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 10, To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows: That the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, may be and hereby is, authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1918, to an amount not exceeding in the aggre- gate the sum of $275,000 and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year. (Unanimous.)
Report of Finance Committee.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., February 19, 1918.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1918, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, the debt or debts incurred thereby to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
We recommend that the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, may be and hereby is, authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1918, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $275,000
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Chairman, WESTON K. LEWIS, Secretary, JOHN F. LUTHER, F. WALKER JOHNSON, HERBERT A. WOOFTER, HERBERT A. CAHOON, C. F. HATHAWAY.
Voted, To refer Article 34 to the Finance Committee in its entirety.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone the subject matter of Article 36 in regard to abatement of certain poll taxes.
Voted, Article 37. That the Moderator appoint a committee of three to investigate as to the matter of a more suitable ambulance for the Police Department and report at the adjourned meeting.
Committee. Calvin S. Tilden, Harold C. Blaney, Fred A. Trafton. Voted, To refer Articles 39 and 40 to the Finance Committee.
Voted, That when we adjourn it be to Tuesday evening, April 2, 1918, at 8.40 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 2, 1918.
In accordance with the adjournment of February 25th, the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday, April 2, 1918. The necessary number required to be present were in attendance.
The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock P. M. by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The records of the last meeting were read by George T. Till, Town Clerk, and declared approved.
Weston K. Lewis, Chairman of Finance Committee, read the preamble contained in the report of the Finance Committee and also addressed the meeting on subjects pertinent to the report.
Report of the Finance Committee.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
Your Finance Committee has the honor of submitting herewith for your consideration a report, both of its work during the year, and of the Warrant for the adjourned Annual Town Meeting of 1918.
Much time has been spent keeping in touch with the progress of the town's business and legislation affecting its interests.
In January last we arranged with the Municipal Protection Department of the New England Insurance Exchange to make, without expense to the town, a reinspection of the Water and Fire Departments in the hope that the improvements made since the date of the last inspection in 1913, par- ticularly in the Fire Department, which has been completely motorized at a large expense, might result in the town being transferred from Class B to Class A with resulting benefits to our citizens in the form of reduced fire insurance premiums.
The report of the reinspection, consisting of twenty pages of data and a large and valuable map, which space does not permit the reproduction of here, has recently been received by us. Prepared by competent and unbiassed men, it provides the town with data which otherwise would have cost a large sum to obtain. The time at our disposal for study of this report is insufficient for intelligent recommendation at this time, but it is evident that extensive changes in the water system and a complete reorganization of the Fire Department must be made before we can be rated in Class A.
We have furnished copies to the Selectmen, Water and Sewerage Board, Board of Fire Engineers and the press.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In December last we addressed letters to the chairmen of the different boards and heads of departments calling attention to the seriousness of the situation from the taxpayers' point of view, and urging the pressing need of curtailment in town expenditures, if an unprecedented rise in the tax rate was to be prevented.
That there might be no misunderstanding we also stated what we would approve in the way of appropriations.
While the response was on the whole gratifying, the aggregate of the appropriations asked for, coupled with increases in maturing debt, interest, state tax, salaries for school teachers, new contracts for removing ashes and garbage, architect's bill and an extra appropriation for completing changes at the sewer pumping station, together with a totally unexpected expense of $5,000 for thawing frozen water pipes, portended a marked increase in the tax rate, unless some way could be found of making a net reduction in the appropriations. The budgets and recommendations of the various departments, articles in the warrant, together with the extra expense for collection of ashes, and garbage, and thawing pipes, called for appropria- tions from current revenue amounting to $429,918.31. In addition there were requests for appropriations that could be bonded aggregating $9,800, or a grand total of $439,218.31. In the $429,918.31 to be raised from current revenue were liabilities of $176,614.84, which had to be met without deduction, as follows :-
Interest.
Temporary Loans
$9,089 96
General Debt .
12,120 63
Sewer Bonds
8,892 25
Metropolitan Park (estimated)
3,600 00
$33,702 84
Municipal Indebtedness.
General Debt .
$53,800 00
Sewer Bonds
13,950 00
Metropolitan Park (estimated)
862 00
68,612 00
Agency.
State Tax (estimated)
$47,400 00
County Tax (estimated)
25,000 00
State Enterprises (estimated)
1,900 00
74,300 00
$176,614 84
Deducting $176,614.84, liabilities which had to be met, from $429,918.31 proposed to be raised from current revenue, left $253,303.47 actually in control of the citizens.
The estimated income for 1918, including the town's share of the State Income Tax, is $125,929.38. Subtracting this amount from the $429,918.31 requested left $303,988.93 to be raised by taxation. The real estate valua- tion of the town last year was $12, 141,321, to which could be added an estimated increase of $300,000 in new buildings, additions and alterations. Taking the tangible personal property valuation at the same figure as last year, $1,000,682, gave us a total valuation for purposes of taxation of $13,442,003. With a tax rate of $20 per $1,000, this would produce a revenue of $268,840.06, which is $35, 148.87 less than the amount needed to meet all requests for appropriations and keep the tax rate at the present figure, or in other words, if the appropriations requested were to be granted, the tax rate would, so far as can now be foreseen, be $22.58. If the appro- priations are made as recommended, in this report, the rate, in the absence of unexpected contingencies, will be $21.14. We regret that we have felt unable to recommend appropriations in such amounts as to result in not exceeding the 1917 tax rate. We have made a net reduction from the requested appropriations of $19,949.47 but under the existing organization for handling the town's affairs, we feel that this is as far as we can go. We call your attention to the fact that every $1,344, added to the appro- priations recommended will add ten cents to the tax rate.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
TELEPHONES.
In our report last year we stated our belief that the town's business would not suffer if a reduction was made in the number of telephones furnished to the various departments and individuals employed by them.
Our recommendation that the question be taken up at once by the various departments was adopted, but to-day there are more telephones being paid for by the town than ever before, the net cost for 1917 being $1,188.20.
Our investigation of municipal telephone service in other communities shows that Swampscott is paying for more telephones than many large towns and some cities. Without any desire to criticise the recipients of this telephone gratuity and recognizing the fact that this custom which has been growing from year to year was inherited in many cases by them from their predecessors in office, we nevertheless feel that this is not only a good time to limit the privilege of free telephone service, but to cut down the service generally.
For the purpose, therefore, of bringing the matter to a head, we recom- mend that the town during the current year shall furnish free telephone service to only the following departments and individuals :
Fire Department.
George P. Cahoon, Chief, Central Engine House. Chemical Fire Station, Phillips Beach.
Residence
Board of Health.
Health Officer, C. W. Horton, Residence
Plumbing Inspector, Martin E. Nies, Residence
Park Department.
Stuart P. Ellis, Secretary, Perley C. Foss, Superintendent, Fish House.
Residence
Police Department. Police Station, Chief, U. M. Corson, Residence
Public Library.
School Department.
Clarke School,
Office, Superintendent of Schools, Hadley School.
W. M. Whitman, Superintendent, Residence
High School. Machon School. Palmer School.
Selectmen.
Henry S. Baldwin, Chairman, Residence
Town Hall.
Water and Sewer Department.
Work Shop.
Sewer Pumping Station.
John M. Mather, Superintendent,
Residence
Residence
John C. Mahan, Assistant Superintendent, Harry J. Connell, Engineer,
Residence
Collector of Taxes. Nathan G. Bubier,
Residence
Overseers of the Poor.
Edmund Russell, Secretary,
Residence
Cemetery.
Thomas Handley, Superintendent,
Residence
Assessors.
Edward A. Maxfield, Chairman,
Residence .
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Fire Warden.
Everett P. Mudge,
Residence
Highways.
M. J. Ryan, Surveyor, Residence
TOWN DEBT.
The net funded debt of the town on December 31, 1917, was $709,084, a decrease of $30,620.10 for the year.
By use of accumulated balances of previous sewer and water loans it is possible to grant the requests for sewers and water mains in the Warrant without making new loans, and if no more money is borrowed during the year the net debt will show the substantial decrease of $68,612.00 on December 31, 1918.
Article 5. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Town Treas- urer be $15,000.
Article 6. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Col- lector of Taxes for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Collector of Taxes be $10,000.
Article 7. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Water and Sewerage Board for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Water and Sewerage Board be $3,000 for each member.
Article 8. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Clerk for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds to be required of the Town Clerk be $1,000.
Article 9. To see what action the town will take in relation to salaries of town officials for the ensuing year.
We recommend that the salaries of the town officials remain the same as last year with the exception of those of the Town Accountant, Tree Warden, and Superintendent of the Cemetery, whose salaries are dealt with in our report on later articles.
Article II. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Fire Engineers, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on page 121.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 12. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Superintendent of Moth Work, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on pages 123 and 124.
We recommend that so long as the offices of Superintendent of Moth Work, Tree Warden and Forest Warden are held by one man, he receive one salary for the three offices in the sum of thirteen hundred dollars ($1,300.00) per year.
Because of the risk involved we recommend that employees of the Moth Department, while actually engaged in climbing, be paid at the rate of three dollars and twenty-five cents ($3.25) per day.
We recommend that the appropriation asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 13. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Tree Warden, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on page 125.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
Article 14. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Forest Warden, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on page 126.
We recommend that the appropriation asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 15. 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, dated December 31, 1917, on page 127.
We recommend that the salary of the Superintendent of Cemetery be increased to six hundred dollars ($600) per year.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 16. 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, dated December 31, 1917, on page 129.
We recommend the employment of a School or Public Health Nurse in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 1911 and the appropriation of eight hundred dollars ($800) for this purpose.
We recommend that the other appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 17. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations of the Health Officer, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31. 1917, on page 133.
We have taken up with the Surveyor of Highways the question of the feasibility of the collection of ashes by the Highway Department. The estimated cost of this means of collection is $9.500 for the first year. As bids have been received for a five year contract at a much lower figure.
We recommend that the removal of ashes be done by contract as in previous years.
Article 18. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations of the Overseers of the Poor, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on page 137.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 26.
Article 19. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Surveyor of Highways, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1917, on pages 138 and 140.
An appropriation was made for grading Stanwood road and Bradlee avenue together with eight other newly accepted streets at the meeting of May 9, 1917. Owing to the unusually early advent of winter, part of this work was not undertaken by the Highway Department.
We recommend the appropriation of $2,000 for the purpose of resurfac- ing and putting Stanwood road and Bradlee avenue in good condition.
Humphrey street from Glen road to Humphrey square was left in extremely bad shape last year, by reason of the construction of the new sewer. We are informed that the Water and Sewerage Board has with- held payment of a balance of the contract to cover the cost of replacing the granite block paving between the rails of the Bay State Street Railway Company. The street should be repaired, but the work should not be under- taken until the rails have been relaid and the granite block paving replaced. As macadam is not permanent in character and the town should look for- ward to extending the present concrete service on Humphrey street as soon as it is expedient, we do not favor an appropriation for macadam.
We recommend the appropriation of $1,000 for the purpose of repairing the surface of Humphrey street from the easterly end of the present con- crete pavement to Humphrey square, provided, however, that no expendi- ture shall be made from the appropriation until the Bay State Street Rail- way Company's rails have been relaid and the granite block paving replaced in that portion of the street affected by the recent sewer extension.
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