USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 13
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All limbs in the way of, or endangering travel, and all dead wood have been removed. Wounds have been painted over.
For three years the cost of supplies and wages has constantly increased without a corresponding increase in appropriation. I have done my best to maintain the same results as formerly and sincerely hope that it will not in the future be necessary to economize to the extent that it will be a detriment to our public shade trees, which contribute more than any other one factor to the beauty of the town and make it an inviting place in which to live.
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
I recommend for the ensuing year an appropriation of $1850.
Planting 100 new trees
$ 400.00
Removing trees 100.00
Maintenance 1000.00
Trimming (4 men 6 weeks); making, applying, ad-
justing guards (4 men 2 weeks); leopard moth control (4 men 1 week).
Teams and teaming 150.00
Wire for guards (3825 sq. ft.) 200.00
A census of tree guards shows 425 trees that ought to have guards. There are 297 available, but 261 of these are only large enough for small, newly planted trees. That makes 36 that can be used on the larger trees and leaves 389 needed, which takes 3825 sq. ft. of wire at a cost of $208.91.
I recommend a special appropriation 01 $300 to remove six willows in front of the Eiseman estate on Puritan road. In 1916 they were severely headed in to stimulate growth, but they did not respond to the treatment and a sap-rot fungus has appeared, indicating that they are at least partly dead.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE, Tree Warden.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
151
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT.
1919]
Report of the Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- The unusually wet summer and fall reduced forest fires to a minimum. Twelve fires were attended during the year and reports made to the state forester for each one. Two hundred twenty-seven permits were issued according to the law, which makes it unlawful for any person to set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air between the first day of March and the first day of Decem- ber, except by written permission from the forest warden.
Fifty cloth warning notices were posted through the woods in the spring, as has been customary each year to caution those walking through them the danger of setting fires. We have been very for- tunate this year but, with the first continued dry spell, woods fires will demand more attention than for the past two years.
I recommend $100 be appropriated for the forest warden's depart- ment.
Respectfully sumbitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
Forest Warden.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
152
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Park Commissioners' Report
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1919.
The Board organized with the choice of James T. Lyons as Chair- man, and Stuart P. Ellis as Secretary. Perley C. Foss was reappointed Superintendent of the Blaney Beach Reservation.
Regular meetings of the Board have been held each Friday evening during the year, and many special meetings and inspections at various times on the Park properties.
Monument Avenue Parkway
These grounds have been maintained during the last year in a very satisfactory and efficient manner, the grass lawns and flower beds having been given close attention, the shrubs pruned and all shrubbery beds dug and raked clean in the early season. In the Circle at the intersection of Monument avenue and Elmwood road we have planted a number of Colorado blue spruce and other lower growing specimens, which combined with the new layout of the plot gives a very handsome appearance to this locality.
Paradise Road Reservation
The Commissioners feel that the time is at hand when further improvements should be made on this Reservation to make it what it was originally planned to be; a well-equipped public playground. With this end in view it is the desire of the Board to install at the easterly end of the grounds a moderate amount of apparatus, includ- ing swings, tilts, slides and travelling rings for the benefit of the large number of children who resort to these grounds for their recrea- tion. There is a large and growing demand for the construction of a tennis court on these grounds, and as there is an abundance of space which might be used for this purpose, we are heartily in favor of the idea, and recommend that a court be built this year.
Early last year we planted on the Ellis road and Middlesex avenue sides of the grounds, a line of rock maple trees, thus completing a border of trees around the entire reservation. Under the direction of the Boy Scouts and with proper ceremonies there was planted last summer on these grounds a sturdy young oak, which it is hoped may flourish for years in memory of the late lamented Col. Theodore Roosevelt.
On the Paradise road side of the grounds there exists a condition
153
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
1919]
which reflects no credit to the town. We refer to the lack of a suit- able sidewalk on this border, and believe that a granolithic walk and curb, similar to all walks in front of private estates on this road, should be constructed by the town this year. In order to further improve and provide this plot with necessary conveniences, it is our intention to erect a number of park benches at this reservation dur- ing the coming summer.
Jackson Park
Your Commissioners have continued the policy of re-foresting the upland of Jackson Park, and during last spring, by employing fifteen service men recently returned from the war, were enabled to plant 2600 white pines averaging four to five feet high. These trees are taking hold in fine shape and in a few years will greatly alter and improve the land in their vicinity. Four thousand pines and one hundred hemlocks have been planted here during the last four years by the Commissioners. These trees represent an increasing value each year, but in the present condition of the Park they are en- dangered by brush fires, some of which do not originate on Park land, and steps must be taken to protect the property. We propose to make a start in this direction early this coming spring, dividing the land into sections with fire lines, thus making the handling of a grass fire an easier matter, and creating a safer condition on the entire property. We earnestly desire the co-operation of the citi- zens and especially of the Boy Scouts of the town in assisting the Board in the matter of protection for trees and shrubs on Park lands. Reports of persons destroying or mutilating trees, setting fires, or causing damage to the town parks will be gratefully received and properly investigated.
The condition of the ball field has remained about the same during the past two years, and this season the grounds will need several loads of loam on the playing surface.
Some work should be done this year on the sloping ground next to the ball field, the brush cut off and the land grubbed over, graded and seeded. This will provide a large and comfortable area for those in attendance at the ball games.
Phillips Park
In case the collection of ashes is taken over by some town depart- ment this year, the Commissioners wish to be prepared to receive this material for filling at Phillips Park. There is a large area at this park which might well be used for the purpose, and because of the high cost of any other filling material we feel that it would be a matter of economy for the town to haul all its ashes to this spot. If this is done we would have a man on the ground to direct the dumping and to maintain the surroundings so as to make them unobjectionable to anyone. If this idea is consumated it will be but a few years before a tremendous improvement will be made and this entire fif- teen acre tract will be available for the purposes for which it is gradually being improved.
154
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
[Dec. 31
Last year a number of loads of loam were spread over the surface of the field now being used for baseball, a wire backstop erected and a fairly good field made. It should have an additional amount of surfacing this year to make it as good and as safe for the players as are other Park ball fields in the town. The terrace along the Humphrey street border is now about all shaped out and is in readi- ness for the finished grading. We recommend that the town purchase the small store building now standing on land of the Finnegan estate adjoining the Park. This is offered to the town at a reasonable figure and would well serve the Park for a locker building in connection with the athletic activities which will shortly come here.
Blaney Beach Reservation
In making preparations for the bathing season of 1919 we found it imperative to make extensive repairs to the bathing raft, so employed an expert in this line of work, with the result that the raft was placed in a practically new condition and should last, with due care in handling, for a considerable term of years. This created an ex- pense which was not foreseen in making our last budget, as the condition of the raft was not apparent till it was about to be placed in the water early in June.
Repairs to some of the sills at the fish house will be necessary this spring, the building is 'also in need of a coat of paint at the present time, therefore we ask for a sufficient appropriation to cover this expense.
For the purpose of carrying out the recommendations contained in this report, we recommend the appropriation of the following amounts :
Blaney Beach
$1800
Jackson Park
800
Monument Avenue
850
Paradise Road
1500
Phillips Park
1200
Water rates
200
Sundries
150
$6500
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. LYONS, Chairman, STUART P. ELLIS, Secretary, ARCHIBALD MILLER,
Park Commissioners.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
155
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1919]
Board of Assessors' Report
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Your Board of Assessors submits the following report for the year 1919:
The property in town assessed by the local assessors April 1, 1919, amounted to $13,950,592.00, an increase over the previous year (1918), of $220,260.00.
The real estate valuation April 1, 1919, was $12,771,170.00, an increase over the previous year (1918), of $151,614.00.
The valuation of personal estate assessed by the local assessors April 1, 1919, was $1,179,422.00, an increase over the previous year (1918), of $68,646.00.
The return of the Income Tax from the State was $72,455.26, a decrease of $18,892.58 over the previous year (1918). The new law went into effect this year, in regard to the distribution to the cities and towns of the Income Tax assessed and collected by the State. The Town of Swampscott lost $5,000 in 1919 receipts, and in 1920 will lose $10,000 on account of this law, and at the close of the 10 year period when the distribution shall be based on the State Tax paid by the cities and towns, Swampscott will lose about $50,000 in its in- come from this source each year.
The appropriations this year (not bonded) as given to the Asses- sors, to be raised by taxation and receipts, was $404,383.14, a decrease of $2,656.02 from the amount of 1918.
The increase found by the Assessors in valuation, and the careful work done by the Finance Committee, enabled the Assessors to make the tax rate $20 per thousand, the same as the previous year (1918).
The increase in wages and the cost of material, will increase the amount the town has to levy on the citizens in taxation this next year, and, in order that the tax rate shall not increase unreasonably, it is the duty of the Assessors to find all personal tangible property that should be assessed, and also to put a fair cash value on the constantly increasing value of the real estate in town. This, with the new law on poll taxes that goes into effect this next year, will ma- terially increase the work of the Assessors. The State, and a large number of cities and towns, recognizing this fact, have increased the pay of the Assessors, and we hope the Finance Committee will take this in consideration in recommending the salaries of the Assessors for the ensuing year.
The Assessors recommend an appropriation of $2,200 for the de- partment for the year 1920.
According to the by-laws of the town, every five years the Assessors
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
must prepare and publish a valuation book of all the property in town, to be distributed to all tax payers. The ensuing year (1920) a book should be prepared by the Assessors and distributed. The Assessors recommend an appropriation of $700 for this purpose.
EDWARD A. MAXFIELD, OSCAR G. POOR, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY.
Assessors.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
Assessors' Property Report
Valuation of the Town of Swampscott April 1, 1919. Table of aggre- gate of polls, property and taxes as assessed April 1, 1919 :-
Number of residents assessed on property
1,736
Number of firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property
35
Number of non-residents assessed on property 388
Number of non-resident firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property 30
Number of persons assessed on property
2,189
Number of persons assessed poll tax only
1,380
Total number of persons assessed
3,569
Number of male polls assessed
2,201
Value of assessed personal estate
$1,179,422
Value of assessed buildings, excluding land
$6,987,365
Value of assessed land, excluding buildings
$5,783,805
Total value of assessed real estate
$12,771,170
Total valuation of assessed estates
$13,950,592
Number of horses assessed
63
Number of cows assessed
17
Number of dwelling houses assessed
1,809
Taxes for State, County, and Town Purposes
On personal estate
$ 23,588.44
On real estate
255,423.40
On polls
3,866.00
Total tax
282,877.84
157
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
1919]
Statistics of the Town of Swampscott, 1877-1919.
ASSESSORS' VALUATION APRIL I.
JANUARY I.
Year
Real Estate
Personal Property
Total Valuation
Rate Taxes per !.. $1.000'
Year
Notes Payable
1919
$12,771,170
$1,179,422
$13,950,592
$20.00
1920
$236,600.00
1918
12,619,556
1,110,776
13,730,332
20.00
1919
251,750.00
1917
12,141,321
1,000,682
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
1911
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
1911
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
5,489,121
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
1,598,745
6,267,730
12.00
1902
70,600.00
1900
4,446,900
1,138,275
5,585,175
11.00
1901
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
71,000.09
1896
3,896,059
1,245,245
5,141,304
12.00
1897
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
11.00
1894
71,166.66
1892
3,271,279
1,504,170
4,775,449
10.00
1893
37,499.90
1891
3,122,350
1,771,373
4,893,723
10.00
1892
42,333.36
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
3,849,411
8.50
1884
50,500.00
1882
2,228,330
1,264,938 807,159
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
2,434,821
8.00
1879
42,424.00
1877
2,041,935
340,323
2,382,258
8.50
1878
42,424.80
3,493,268
6.00
1883
49,000.00
1881
2,121,080
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Overseers of the Poor
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year 1919 :-
The number of persons receiving aid was less than last year, but owing to the steady increase in the cost of all things pertaining to our department, it was necessary to use all of our appropriation.
We appreciate the good work done by the District Nurse, and we are aware of the substantial aid rendered by other organizations and persons in the town.
The financial and statistical reports will be found under the head of the Secretary's report.
We would recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $4,700 for the maintenance of the poor department for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman. EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary. HARRY E. CAHOON.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Person having settlement in Swampscott aided by other cities and towns
6
Persons fully supported in Swampscott
10
Families partially supported in Swampscott 10
Men, women and children receiving aid by Swampscott, during 1919 58
Settlement in. Swampscott
46
Settlement elsewhere in State
12
Person aided in 1919 in Swampscott
50
Persons fully supported in State hospital
2
Aided by other cities and towns, settlement in Swampscott 6
Financial Report
Reimbursed by State, $583 71
Reimbursed by cities and towns, 842 11
Reimbursed by individuals, 21 00
1919]
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR REPORT.
159
Due from State,
168 03
Due from cities and towns,
173 34
Expenditures in 1919
$4,699 89
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND RUSSELL,
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
Secretary.
160
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Trustees of the Public Library
The growth of the Library since we have been in the new building has been rapid, both in the number of volumes of books added and in the general circulation.
The town report for the year ending December 31, 1916, the Library then being in the Town Hall, shows the circulation of books to have been 24,045, this circulation being a little less than in the two prior years because the books were called in November 15, 1916, prepara- tory to moving into the new building.
The year 1917, the first in the new building, the circulation jumped to 49,683 volumes. In the year 1918, although the Library was closed three weeks because of the epidemic of influenza, the circulation was 45,564 volumes. In the year just past, 1919, the circulation as shown in the report of the Librarian as submitted to the trustees is 52,975.
In the years in the new building, 1917-1919, inclusive, the following books were added: 1917, 430; 1918, 427; 1919, 528.
With this constantly increasing circulation and addition of new books, new stack room is needed. It is therefore planned to add new steel shelves or a new steel stack during the year 1920 at the rear of the main hall.
During the past year your trustees have introduced new features and extended as much as possible the facilities of the Library. Dis- play boards have been provided to advertise special additions to the Library. A notice of opening hours has been provided to aid strang- ers and those not familiar with the hours of the Library.
The custodian of the building has been appointed a special police officer as a protective measure.
The panels outlining the windows and corners of the building and the fence at the front of the building were painted.
During the year the very generous legacy of the late Ellen R. Whittle was received, and this was invested by the Trust Fund Com- missioners in the Fifth Liberty Loan. This legacy enabled the trus- tees to realize and establish with the other trust funds a basic trust fund of $10,000, the income of which is to be largely used for the purchase of new books. It is the aim of the trustees to stimulate the interest of all townspeople in the Library in the hope that the public- spirited citizens will provide further additions to these funds to add books and more facilities for the Library, now that the Trust Fund Commissioners assure their care and safe investment.
1919]
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
161
Gifts
During the year two gifts were made to the Library which we think deserve special mention and appreciative thanks, one being the beau- tiful and artistic clock now over the entrance door given by Henry B. Sprague; the other being two sets of encyclopedias of 16 volumes each, one an American edition and the other Catholic, the gift of Rev. Father Colman, of St. John's Church in Swampscott.
Other gifts of books were made to the Library by Mrs. Myra W. Flanders, Charles Hobbs, Miss M. E. E. Jackson, Lucian Price, F. F. Stanley, Rev. M. M. Thornburg and Miss Ellen R. Whittle.
For all the gifts received the Trustees wish to express their thanks to the donors and assure them that their generous donations are much appreciated.
The amount of money received for fines and lost books was $200, which sum has been paid into the Town Treasury as required by the town by-laws, and goes to pay the general expenses of the town.
The number of active books now in the Library is 13,113.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK F. STANLEY, FRANK E. INGALLS, F. KEELER RICE, Board of Library Trustees.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
162
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Library Building Committee
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Library Building Committee is in the same position as at the time of filing its report one year ago, no work having been done in the past year changing the status of the situation, due to the fact that the cost of labor and materials is such that it has discouraged and now discourages any action toward the completion of what little work the committee contemplates having done.
The committee feels that conditions at this time do not warrant taking any action and will await a more favorable opportunity.
FRANK F. STANLEY, HENRY B. SPRAGUE, ELIHU THOMSON, FRANK E. INGALLS, F. KEELER RICE,
Members of the Library Building Committee.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
163
VICTORY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1919]
Report of Victory Celebration Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
On the 17th of June, 1919, the inhabitants of the town, through its Victory Celebration Committee, welcomed home her sons and daugh- ters who had served their country in the World War, either in the army or navy.
The celebration commenced on the evening of the 16th with band concerts and fireworks. At sunrise on the 17th there was ringing of bells and at 9.30 in the morning the parade started. All organ- izations and the citizens in general entered into the spirit of the parade, which was one of the most successful in the history of the town. In the afternoon there were athletic events and band con- certs in various parts of the town. A most inspiring and delightful day was brought to a close by a banquet held in the dining room of the New Ocean House. About 350 World War veterans, with their mothers or fathers, were seated at the tables. After brief speeches by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Henry S. Baldwin, Rev. Edward Tillotson and Captain Frank S. Perkins, the floor was cleared for dancing, which continued until midnight. The Executive Com- mittee and the Sub-Committees devoted much time to working out the details of all the events, and the results were much appreciated by the men and their parents. The soldiers' welcome-home exer- cises will be long remembered by all who were present and took part in them.
Appended hereto is a schedule of the receipts and expenditures. In accordance with arrangements by the Executive Committee, these were received by the Town Treasurer and turned into the general funds of the town. All items of expense are represented by properly approved vouchers, signed first by a majority of the sub-committees, then by the Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of the Executive Committee. After this they were passed to the Town Accountant and treasury warrants were issued by the Selectmen in the usual manner.
The Honor Roll Book Committee has done a large amount of work in collecting material. This necessarily has taken much time. The records are now very nearly complete, and it is expected that the book will be published before long. A final accounting will be made as soon as this work has been finished.
164
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Receipts
Appropriated by the Town $4,000 00
Received from subscriptions 2,650 00
Received from sale of tickets to Banquet and Ball
1,008 00
Received from sale of unused cigars and cigaretts 40 75 Received from the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. for advertising in Official Program 50 00
$7,748 75
Disbursements
Banquet and Ball
$2,698 10
Bands and Orchestra
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