USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1918 > Part 5
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This overflowing of the adjoining land and streets has been rendered more serious by the fact that during periods of heavy surface drainage the overflow from Lynn eastern intercepting sewer flows into the brook, this adding an element of offensiveness and danger to the health of the neigh- boring owners.
For the first time in many years of more or less constant discussion between the representatives of the two municipalities, the city of Lynn has recognized its moral and legal obligation to bear a portion of the expense of remedying the above conditions.
The special committee, consisting of the Board of Selectmen and the Water and Sewerage Board and the Engineers of the city and town, has studied the matter from an engineering point of view and is satisfied that the proposed improvement as set forth in the report of the special com- mittee will be adequate for all demands made upon the new culverts for many years.
We are informed that the City of Lynn, through a special committee of its municipal council appointed to consider this matter and the Mayor, is prepared to enter into a contract with the town whereby it will undertake to bear one-half of the proposed expense of the proposed undertaking, such one-half not to exceed the sum of $10,000.
We therefore recommend that, for the purpose of constructing a sewer, as provided in Article 2, the Treasurer with the approval of the Select- men, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $7,500 and to issue notes of the town therefor; said notes to be payable in accordance with the provision of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of issue of the first note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
We further recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized in behalf of the town, to enter into a contract with the City of Lynn, properly safeguarding the interests of the town with reference to the prosecution of the work as outlined in said report.
Article 3. Voted, To accept and adopt the following By-Law :-
By-Law to regulate the Transportation of Passengers in motor vehicles.
SECTION I. No motor driven vehicle, except cars of a Street Railway Company and trackless trolley vehicles, so-called, shall transport for hire passengers in or into the Town of Swampscott unless the owner thereof
47
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
19[8]
shall have first obtained a license in accordance with the following sections :--
SECT. 2. All licenses shall be issued by the Board of Selectmen, and any license so issued may be revoked without a hearing before its expira- tion for a violation of any of the provisions thereof or for any other cause. Said licenses shall expire on the thirtieth day of April of each year.
SECT. 3. No license shall be issued unless the person, partnership or corporation applying for the same shall file with the Board of Selectmen an application in writing stating the name, age and residence of the applicant, who must be at least twenty-one years of age, his experience in the operation of motor driven vehicles, or the experience of such person or persons as he may intend to drive such vehicle. It shall further state the make, year, model and the number of the vehicle to be used, the seat- ing capacity and the registration number thereof, the points between which the applicant is to operate, and the names of three citizens of the town as references. The statements made in the application shall be sworn to before a person having authority to admisister oaths, and if the applicant for a license is a corporation, it shall be signed and sworn to in its behalf by the president or treasurer thereof.
SECT. 4. Every motor vehicle licensed under the provisions hereof shall have the license number in a conspicuous place on the vehicle, and there shall be displayed at all times on said vehicle the license issued hereunder. There shall also be displayed on said vehicle a sign indicat- ing the route and the fare charged.
SECT. 5. The part of motor vehicles licensed hereunder, reserved for passengers, shall be sufficiently lighted so as to insure the safety of pas- sengers in entering and leaving the same and while riding thereon.
SECT. 6. Before said license is granted, the vehicle described in said application shall be inspected by some qualified person designated by the Board of Selectmen, and no license shall be granted until a report in writing is submitted by him to said Board as to strength, seating capacity and equipment of said vehicle. Said vehicle, after said license has been granted, shall be inspected semi-annually, or as often as may be deemed advisable, by a competent person designated as aforesaid, and a report from him to the Board of Selectmen that said vehicle is, in his opinion, unsafe, shall, in the discretion of said Board, result in the suspension of said license until such time as said vehicle shall be rendered safe for the transportation of passengers. Nothing, however, in this section shall render the town liable by reason of any such inspection, nor shall such inspection decrease liability of the owner of said vehicle for any acci- dent caused by defective construction, mechanical defects or lack of repair in the same.
SECT. 7. No license issued hereunder shall become operative until the licensee therein named shall have deposited with the Town Treasurer a bond in the sum of five thousand ($5,000) dollars with sureties, condi- tioned as provided in Chapter 293 of the Acts of 1916, or other security satisfactory to the Board of Selectmen and approved by the Town Treas- urer ; and the Board of Selectmen shall revoke any license unless such bond or other security has been deposited as herein before provided, within forty-eight hours of the date of issuance of said license, provided, how- ever, than no such bond or other security shall be required if the licensee shall have deposited a bond or other security in any other city or town in which he or it has taken out a license under the provisions of said Chapter ; and if he or it files with the Town Treasurer a certificate from the City or Town Clerk in which said motor vehicle is licensed, setting forth that said licensee has filed in said city or town a bond which is in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 293 of the Acts of 1916, and providing further that said bond is not for a less sum than is required by this Section.
Nothing, however, in this section shall be construed as imposing any liability upon the inhabitants of the town, upon members of the Board of
48
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Selectmen or upon the Town Treasurer by reason of the approval of such bond'or other security.
SECT. 8. Licensees shall immediately report in writing to the Board of Selectmen any accident in which any motor vehicle covered by a license issued hereunder is involved.
SECT. 9. No license issued hereunder shall be transferable or appli- cable to any other vehicle than to the one specified therein, nor shall any change be made in the termini specified in said license; provided, how- ever, that, upon application by the licensee the Board of Selectmen may permit the substitution of a motor vehicle for the one specified in said license subject, however, to the provisions of Section 6 of this By-Law, or may change the termini stated therein upon the payment of an additional fee of one ($1) dollar.
SECT. 10. Each licensee shall, before receiving a license, pay to the Town Treasurer a fee of fifteen ($15) dollars if the seating capacity of the motor vehicle is less than eight passengers, and twenty-five ($25) dollars if the seating capacity is more than eight passengers.
SECT. II. Whoever violates any of the provisions of the preceeding sections shall be liable to the payment of a fine of not less than twenty ($20) dollars.
Voted, Article 4. To accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee indefinitely postponing the matter regarding telephones for town officials.
Voted, Article 5. To accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee appropriating $200 for the purchase from the City of Lynn of plans and data relating to Swampscott now in possession of the City of Lynn compiled by the late Charles W. Gay.
Voted, Article 6. To accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee authorizing the Surveyor of Highways to sell the curbing formerly around the Monument plot.
Voted, Article 7. To accept the report and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Committee as follows :
That for the purpose of constructing a sewer, as provided in Article 2, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not to exceed $7,500 and to issue notes of the town therefor, said notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of issue of the first note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine. (Unanimous.)
Voted, to dissolve at 10 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Special Town Meeting, Friday, July 19, 1918. TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Friday, the nineteenth day of July, at 8 P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
ARTICLE I. To see if the town will vote to increase the wages and salaries of town employees and town officials, in view of present war conditions, and appropriate money for same as petitioned for by the employees of the following departments, namely :- Cemetery, Fire, High- . way, Moth, Police, Water and Sewerage, and others.
49
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
ART. 2. To see if the town will vote to appropriate additional money for street lights for the current year.
ART. 3. To appropriate and raise, by borrowing or otherwise, such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for all or any of the purposes mentioned in the forgoing articles.
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 fifth day of July, in the year 1918.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WILLIAM E. CARTER, FREDERICK H. TIMSON, 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 said Swampscott on Wednesday, the tenth day of July, 1918, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Special Town Meeting.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Friday Evening, July 19, 1918.
The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock P. M. by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The Warrant calling the meeting and return thereon was read by the Town Clerk.
The necessary quorum was present.
The report of the Finance Committee was read by the Chairman, F. Walker Johnson.
Report of the Finance Committee on the Articles in the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting called for July 19, 1918.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Finance Committee has considered the articles in the Warrant and begs to submit herewith its report.
Article 1. The Finance Committee has repeatedly and emphatically stated objections to the presentation at special meetings of requests for appropriations. Its views on this subject and the reasons therefor are too well known to require repetition. It calls attention to them at this time only to dispel any misconception of the grounds for the recommend- ation which follows.
In spite of the sudden and almost suspicious unanimity with which the town's employees-whose numbers are more than sufficient to constitute a quorum at Town Meeting and who at this season of the year are reason- ably certain of being in the majority-have made their application for increases in pay, the Finance Committee has come to the conclusion that the present and prospective high cost of the necessities of life constitutes a real emergency requiring it to make an exception to its rule. We
4
50
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
accordingly recommend the following increase in pay to take effect as of July 1, 1918, and to continue during the present emergency and until further action by the town :-
Laborers in the Highway, Cemetery, Moth and Water and Sewerage Department fifty (50) cents a day.
Police, Regular Officers
$200 00 a year
Special Officers Seven (7) cents an hour
Fireman, Regulars and Officers
$200 00 a year
Surveyor of Highways .
200 00 a year
Chief of Police 200 00 a year
Superintendent of Cemetery
150 00 a year
Town Engineer
200 00 a year
Town Engineer's First Assistant
156 00 a year
Town Engineer's Second Assistant
156 00 a year
For the foregoing purposes we recommend the following appropriations in addition to the amounts heretofore appropriated for the following departments :
Highway Department
$2,180 00
Police
900 00
Fire
900 00
Moth
350 00
Cemetery
200 00
Sewer Department
234 00
Engineer's Department
244 00
$5,008 00
The foregoing appropriation if made will increase the Tax Rate about 38 cents a thousand.
ART. 2. The contract between the town and the Lynn Gas and Elec- tric Company for street lighting expired July 11th. Negotiations have been made between the representatives of the Company and the Select- men for renewal of the contract. These negotiations have resulted in a tentative agreement for a renewal for the period of two years at an increase of 122 per cent. on the present charge for arc lights and of 10 per cent. on the present price for incandescent lamps, with a provision for an increase or decrease in the rate based upon variations in the price of coal from an established standard of $8.50 a ton. The Board of Select- men are in favor of accepting a contract on substantially the terms of the previous contract, modified as above stated. We recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to enter into a contract with the Lynn Gas and Electric Company for lighting the streets of the town for a period of one, two or more years on substantially the terms of the previous contract, as modified in the foregoing.
In order to meet the increased charges under the proposed new contract for the balance of the year at the present price of coal it is estimated that substantially the sum of $1,300 will be needed. In addition thereto an appropriation should be made to cover possible adjustments due to increase in the price of coal. For these purposes we recommend the appropriation of the sum of $1,500.
Respectfully submitted,
F. WALKER JOHNSON, Chairman, JOHN F. LUTHER, Secretary, H. A. WOOFTER, L. M. ATHERTON, Finance Committee of the Town of Swampscott :
Voted, Article I. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as amended as follows :
That the following increases in pay be granted to take effect as of July 1, 1918, and to continue during the present emergency and until further action by the town.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
Laborers in the Highway, Cemetery, Moth and Water and Sewerage Departments fifty (50) cents per day.
Police, Regular Officers
$200 00 per year
Special Officers
Seven (7) cents an hour
Firemen, Chief Engineer
$460 00 per year
Regular and Officers
200 00 per year
Surveyor of Highways
200 00 per year
Chief of Police .
200 00 per year
Superintendent of Cemetery
150 00 per year
Town Engineer
200 00 per year
Town Engineer, Ist asst. .
156 00 per year
Town Engineer, 2nd asst.
156 00 per year
appropriating for the foregoing purposes the following amounts in addi- tion to the amounts heretofore appropriated for the several departments.
Highway Department
$2,180 00
Police Department
900 00
Fire Department
.
900 00
Moth Department
350 00
Cemetery Department .
200 00
Sewer Department
234 00
Engineers' Department
244 00
$5,008 00
Voted, Article 2. To accept and adopt the report of the Finance Com- mittee making an additional appropriation for Street Light Department of $1,500.00.
Voted, Article 3. To take foregoing appropriation from tax levy of current year.
Voted, to dissolve at 8.20 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. Till, Town Clerk.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. State Primary, Tuesday, September 24, 1918. TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town who are qualified to vote in Pri- maries to meet in the Town Hall, Tuesday, the twenty-fourth day of September, 1918, at 12 o'clock M. for the following purposes :
To bring in their votes to the Primary Officers for the Nomination of Candidates of Political Parties for the following offices :
Governor for this Commonwealth.
Lieutenant Governor for this Commonwealth.
Secretary of the Commonwealth for this Commonwealth.
Treasurer and Receiver General for this Commonwealth.
Auditor of the Commonwealth for this Commonwealth.
Attorney-General for this Commonwealth. U. S. Senator in Congress for this Commonwealth.
Congressman for Sixth Congressional District.
Councillor for Fifth Councillor District.
Senator for First Senatorial District.
One Representative in General Court for Fifteenth Representative District.
52
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
County Commissioner for Essex County.
County Treasurer for Essex County.
Register of Probate and Insolvency for Essex County.
District Attorney Eastern District to fill vacancy for Essex County.
And for the Election of the following officers :
District Member of State Committee for each political party for the First Senatorial District.
Seven Members of the Democratic Town Committee.
Seven Members of the Republican Town Committee.
Seven Members of the Socialist Town Committee.
Seven Delegates to State Convention of the Democratic Party. Seven Delegates to State Convention of the Republican Party.
Seven Delegates to State Convention of the Socialist party.
All the above candidates and officers are to be voted for upon one ballot. The polls will open from 12 M. to 8 P. M.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies seven days at least before the time of said meeting as directed by vote of the town.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this thirteenth day of September, A. D., 1918.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WILLIAM E. CARTER, FREDERICK H. TIMSON, 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 the town on Saturday, September 14, 1918, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the date of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
State Primaries, September 24, 1918.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall and were called to order at 12 M. on Tuesday, September 24, 1918, by Henry S. Baldwin, Chairman of the Selectmen and the Presiding Election Officer.
The Warrant calling the meeting and the return thereon was read by George T. Till, Town Clerk.
The following Primary Officers were appointed by the Selectmen :- Ballot Clerks, John A. Cullen, (Dem.), William R. Patten, (Rep.), Francis M. Kennedy, (Dem.). Tellers : Republican, Harold H. Bartol, George F. Clay, Harry E. Cahoon, Thomas E. Berry, Alfred F. Frazier, Horace R. Parker, Charles E. Melzard, Harold C. Snow. Democrats, William P. Bergin, John B. Cahoon, John A. Finnegan, Peter J. Blaser, Thomas M. Noonan, Robert Leslie, Frank G. Melvin, George H. Stone.
All the Primary Officers were qualified for their respective duties by the Town Clerk.
The packages of ballots were delivered by the Ballot Clerks and the polls were declared open for balloting at 12.05 P. M., remaining open until 8.30 o'clock by vote of the meeting.
53
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
The ballot box registered 629; there were 612 ballots cast, as follows : Republican, 580 ; Democratic, 32 ; Socialist, o. The result of balloting was declared at II P. M., as follows :
Republican Ballots.
Governor.
Calvin Coolidge, of Northampton . .
493
Blanks
.
Lieutenant Governor.
Channing H. Cox, of Boston
373
Guy Andrew Ham, of Milton
157
Blanks
50
Secretary.
Albert P. Lantry, of Springfield
481
Blanks
99
Treasurer.
Charles L. Burrill, of Boston
475
Frank W. Thayer, of Boston .
30
Blanks
75
Auditor.
Alonzo B. Cook, of Boston
386
Alonzo P. Grinnell, of Lynn .
I20
Blanks
74
Attorney General.
J. Weston Allen, of Newton
49
Henry C. Attwill, of Lynn
489
Blanks
42
Senator in Congress.
John W. Weeks, of Newton
483
Blanks
97
Congressman, Sixth District.
Wilfred W. Lufkin, of Essex .
474
Blanks
106
Councillor, Fifth District.
405
James F. Ingraham, Jr., of Peabody
150
Blanks
25
Senator, First Essex District.
32
Charles B. Frothingham, of Lynn
59
George H. Jackson, of Lynn .
130
Martin L. Quinn, of Swampscott
345
Blanks
14
Representative in General Court, Fifteenth District.
James D. Bentley, of Swampscott .
520
Blanks
60
County Commissioner, Essex.
James C. Poor, of North Andover .
460
John K. Smith, of Lawrence .
40
Blanks
80
County Treasurer, Essex.
David I. Robinson, of Gloucester .
474
Blanks
.
.
106
.
87
Eugene B. Fraser, of Lynn
Charles H. Annis, of Lynn
54
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
Register of Probate and Insolvency, Essex County.
Horace H. Atherton, Jr., of Saugus .
487
Blanks
93
District Attorney, Eastern District (to fill vacancy).
John J. Burke, of Gloucester .
27
William H. McSweeney, of Salem
109
Henry G. Wells, of Haverhill
396
Blanks
48
State Committee, First Essex District.
Charles S. Goodridge of Swampscott
474
Blanks
.
106
Delegates to State Convention.
Edward A. Maxfield
500
Clarence W. Horton
493
Ellery Brown .
488
Arthur C. Widger
504
Oscar G. Poor
503
Fred M. Collins
499
Blanks
Town Committee.
Alfred F. Frazier
470
Charles F. Hathaway
476
Harry E. Cahoon
486
Stuart P. Ellis
476
Charles D. C. Moore
459
James D. Bentley
483
Fred H. Druehl
457
Blanks
753
Democratic Ballots.
Governor.
Edward P. Barry, of Boston
6
William A. Gaston, of Boston
9
Richard H. Long
13
Blanks
4
Lieutenant Governor.
Blanks
32
Blanks
32
Blanks
32
Auditor.
32
Blanks
32
Senator in Congress.
David I. Walsh, of Fitchburg
28
Blanks
Congressman, Sixth District.
Blanks
32
Blanks
Councillor, Fifth District.
32
.
Blanks
Attorney General.
4
Secretary.
Treasurer.
493
55
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1918]
Senator First Essex District.
John R. Wallace, of Lynn
22
Blanks
IO
Representative in General Court, Fifteenth Essex District. Robert L. Cassell, of Salem . . . .
17
Blanks .
15
County Commissioner, Essex.
Blanks
32
County Treasurer Essex.
Blanks
32
Register of Probate and Insolvency, Essex County.
Blanks
32
District Attorney Eastern District (to fill vacancy).
Blanks
32
State Committee, First Essex District.
Charles H. McGlue, of Lynn
18
Blanks
I4
Delegate to State Convention.
Blanks
Town Committee.
William P. Bergin
(elected)
I
George H. Stone
· (elected)
I
John A. Finnegan
(elected)
I
Frank G. Melvin
· (elected )
I
Michael J. Ryan
(elected)
I
John A. Cullen
(elected)
I
Blanks
218
Socialist ballots, none cast.
Voted : To dissolve at 11.05 P. M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,
Town Clerk.
State Election, November 5, 1918. TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, Mass., qualified to vote in elections to assemble in the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Tuesday, the fifth day of November, next, it being the Tuesday next after the first Monday in said November, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to bring in their votes to the Selectmen on one ballot, for
Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Attor- ney-General, Senator in Congress, Congressman, Councillor, Senator, one Representative in General Court, County Commissioner, County Treasurer, Register of Probate and Insolvency, District Attorney Eastern District to fill vacancy for Essex County.
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