USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 14
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1,217 33
Sports and Athletics
408 03
Decorations
376 50
Fireworks
300 00
Parade
217 68
Food for out-of-town participants in parade, and Bandmen
177 00
Special police protection
75 00
Official program
48 00
General Expenses (printing, postage and station-
ery)
37 72
Sunday Memorial Services
8 30
Memorial Volume (Expenses to date)
155.99
$5,719 65
Balance on hand, December 31, 1919
$2,029 10
Respectfully submitted, HENRY S. BALDWIN, Chairman. JAMES W. LIBBY, Sec'y-Treasurer. Executive Committee.
165
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT.
1919]
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measurements
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report from Jan. 1, 1919, to Jan. 1, 1920:
Not
Condemned Adjusted sealed
Platform scales sealed over 5,000 pounds
4
Platform scales sealed under 5,000 pounds
29
2
1
Counter scales sealed.
40
2
3
8
Beam scales sealed.
2
Spring balances sealed
38
2
4
Computing scales sealed.
11
6
Slot weighing scales sealed.
5
4
Prescription scales sealed.
5
Avoirdupois weights sealed 252
3
15
Apothecary weights sealed. 59
3
4
Dry measures sealed. 12
Liquid measures sealed. 145
15
2
Oil measuring pumps sealed. 23
14
14
Molasses measuring pumps sealed. 1
Ice cream cans sealed. 143
3
1
-
-
752
19
50
25
Trial Weighing
Commodity
No. Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Dry groceries.
884
878
6
Flour in bags.
170
125
14
31
Butter in print
41
41
Meats
3
1
2
Fruit and vegetables
651
613
28
10
Ice
10
10
Bread
34
14
16
4
Bottled milk.
126
124
2
Massachuestts sealed bottles
61
27
3
1
31
Coal in paper bags.
729
720
Wood in bags.
219
219
Wood in baskets.
30
28
2
Coal in wagons
8
1
7
Gasoline and oil pumps.
11
9
1
1
2968
2799
73
96
1
1
Linear measures sealed.
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Number of certificates made out
Correct
Under Over
Inspecting of scales outside regular visit
74
66
4 4
In stores outside regular visit. 28
Of hawkers and peddlers
4
Itinerant vendors
4
Junk dealers
6
Ice dealers.
10
Coal certificates
13
Violation of the law.
3
Number of seals broken.
3
146
Total amount received for above, $53.91, which I have turned over to the Town Treasurer, and for which I hold a receipt.
The standard embraces the following: One avoirdupois balance, fifty pounds; one set of avoirdupois weights, sixteen divisions; drams, one, two; ounces, one-quarter, one-half, one, two, four, eight; pounds, one, two, four, five, ten, twenty-five, fifty; one set of liquid measures of five dimensions, one gill, one-half pint, one pint, one quart, two quarts, one gallon; two graduating glasses, one two-ounce, one thirty- two ounce; one dry measure of four dimensions; one quart, two quarts, one-half peck, one peck, one-half bushel; one yard measure; working set, same as above, with fifty-pound weights, one portable drill, one hand press, one sealing clamp, one pointer wrench, screwdriver, dies, wrenches, one five gallon can, etc.
With the tremendous high prices of all commodities and the conse- quent sharp buying and selling comes the call for greater vigilance on the part of sealers all over the State. The re-weighing of com- modities; the advent of the gasoline pump, and the ever need of frequent inspection; the testing and sealing of apothecary weights and measures; the enforcing of the new kindling-wood laws, effective on January 1st. of this year; and the exacting requirements of the State Commissioner, who frequently sends his Inspectors here to observe conditions, all call for an unusual amount of energy and time from your sealer. This condition is general all over the State and is being recognized by advances in salaries commensurate with this extra work, and in towns increases have been made general. I there- fore respectfully ask an advance of $100 for the ensuing year.
I recommend for the ensuing year the salary of the Sealer to be $300; books and printing, $30; teaming and help, $40; miscellaneous, $30; total, $400.
BENJAMIN A. MARTIN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
167
BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT.
1919]
Building Inspector's Report
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1919:
Estimated cost of construction
Number of permits issued 144
Permits for new buildings 39
$303,500 00
Permits for remodeling 37
56,860 00
Permits for garages
68 26,700 00
$387,060 00
All hotels within the town have been inspected and proper returns made to the State.
All elevators have been inspected and returns made to State.
Six elevator operators' licenses were issued.
Number of inspections, 142.
In addition I have received and attended to many complaints re- garding different buildings around town.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. MORRISON,
Building Inspector.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Super- intendent of Cemetery:
Lots sold for the year 1919, $1,920 00.
Internments for year 1919, 65.
For the care and maintenance, I would recommend the sum of $3000 to be spent as follows:
Salary of Superintendent
$750 00
Labor
1,500 00
Planting of beds
75 00
Telephone
20 00
Manure and dressing
20 00
Loam
35 00
Stone dust
75 00
Canvas
50 00
Grass seed
20 00
Supplies
100 00
Water and repairs
150 00
Trees for new part
100 00
Teaming
35 00
Repairing fence at railroad
100 00
Repairing wall
100 00
I would recommend that the salary of the superintendent be in- creased to $80 per month and employees be paid $4.50 per day.
THOMAS HANDLEY,
Superintendent.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
169
COMMITTEE ON MEMORIALS REPORT
1919]
Report of Committee on Memorials FOR Men and Women of Swampscott Who Gave Their Lives For Their Country in the World War, 1917-1918
Report and recommendation of the committee appointed to consider plans for a suitable memorial or memorials in memory of those who lost their lives in the service of our country in the great war.
At the meetings of the committee appointed by the town, which consisted of Henry S. Baldwin, Eldredge H. Blood, Grant S. Hilton, Gilbert Hodges Jr., John T. Lee, James T. Lyons. Frederick H. Timson; Frederick H. Timson was elected chairman, and John T. Lee was elected secretary. At the various meetings it developed that there are four parks which are available to be renamed for the four men killed in action, and it was unanimously voted that they be re-named as follows:
Paradise Road Park to be called Abbott Park, in memory of Leon E. Abbott, killed in action.
The park bounded by Monument avenue and Andrew road to be called Howland park, in memory of Raymond L. Howland, killed in action.
The park at Blaney Beach to be called Blocksidge Park, in memory of John E. Blocksidge, killed in action
Phillips Park to be called Eastman Park, in memory of Harry W. Eastman, killed in action.
It was voted that a native Swampscott boulder with a suitable tablet commemorating the death of these heroes be erected on each park.
Your committee has also unanimously agreed that they believe it appropriate that the following intersections of streets and squares be named for the other of Swampscott's hero dead who took part in and died in the service of our country in the great war. The fol- lowing squares we would suggest be named or re-named as follows:
Intersection of Phillips avenue and Ocean avenue, near the resi- dence of Mr. Chatman, be named Bunting square, in memory of William M. Bunting.
The square at the intersection of Hampden street and Middlesex avenue, near Ellis road, to be called Bolinder square, in memory of Elmer Bolinder.
170
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The square at the junction of Farragut and Grant roads, to be called Pott's square, in memory of Miss Alice O. Potts.
The square at the junction of Cherry and Essex streets to be called Colclough square, in memory of Wilfred G. Colclough.
The square at the junction of Walker and Sheriden roads to be called Wright square, in memory of Samuel G. Wright, and the square at Beach Bluff avenue and Mostyn street to be called Morrill square, in memory of George H. Morrill.
The square at the junction of Elmwood and Sheridan roads to be called Williams square, in memory of Ralph E. Williams.
The square at the intersection of Monument avenue and Elmwood road to be called Thomson square, in memory of Stuart Thomson.
And it is recommended by your committee that an appropriate bronze tablet, set in a native Swampscott boulder, be placed in these squares commemorating these hero dead, and that these squares and parks be put in proper condition under the jurisdiction of the Park Commissioners, that flowers and shrubs be placed therein, to beautify the various sections of the town, and be kept in proper condition out of respect for these heroes.
Your committee would further recommend that when this work is completed and these parks and squares are in proper condition that appropriate exercises be held at each park and square to properly commemorate and perpetuate the names of these heroes.
Your committee also recommends that something should be done by the town toward the building of a Memorial Club House or Me- moriał Municipal Building which would be available as a club house and as a memorial to those men who served our country in the great war.
It is our recommendation that money be appropriated by the town to carry out the plans as set forth in this report for beautifying these parks and squares.
HENRY S. BALDWIN ELDREDGE H. BLOOD GRANT S. HILTON GILBERT HODGES, JR. JOHN T. LEE JAMES T. LYONS FREDERICK H. TIMSON.
171
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1919]
Report of Board of Selectmen
GENERAL REMARKS
The armistice having been signed on November 11, 1918, America at once turned her energies to reconstruction and the repair of the great damage done to her industries by nearly two years of the most intensive and wasteful warfare. The year of 1919 has, therefore, been a trying one, owing to the abnormally high cost of materials and labor which usually follows economic disturbances such as the World War.
In our town affairs we have found it necessary to pay much more for commodities of all kinds than in the past, and at the same time there has been no increase in our taxes. The reason for this is the co-operation of the citizens with the Board in carrying out economies which have partly made up for the higher cost. In other words, we have been thrifty. The Board strongly urges a continuation of this policy, at the same time we must recognize that it has certain definite limitations, and that the safety of life and property and education must not be considered on a dollar and cent basis alone. There is a limit also to economy in the matter of street construction and maintenance of buildings and equipment.
It is well understood that apparent economies sometimes indicate real losses, and any retrenchment that is based simply on partly done work is false economy. It is felt that there has been a growing tendency on the part of our citizens to too closely regard small or even large savings without considering the broad questions which confront the several departments of the town. Undoubtedly, the people of Swampscott have a high standard of requirements in all public matters; and, assuming that they desire to maintain this, it must at once be recognized that costs have increased from 75% to 100% during the past five years.
Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon the necessity for paying our school teachers enough to enable them to live in a suitable man- ner, and lay aside something for the future.
The Board has endeavored this year to place all items of expense in the budget, as submitted in the Selectmen's report, the only items omitted being special appropriations which could not be so included. This permits ready comparison of expenditures of past years, and should be of much assistance to our citizens. As a town we cannot stand still. We must either go forward or backward, and we trust that this will be borne in mind when you are called upon to act on the recommendations of the several departments, and if additional
172
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
amounts are required, will grant them for the welfare of the town.
The events of the past year have shown the necessity for the entrance of men of business and professional ability into public work. Never in the history of our country has there been a time when there is so much tearing down and so little building up. Self interest is placed before public duty. Take for example, the offices of our own town. How few men are willing to come forward and put their shoulder to the wheel to insure that the affairs of the town will be honestly and efficiently administered. Unfortunately under our sys- tem of government the man in political o .... ce is looked upon by his fellows with suspicion and his motives are questioned for the slightest cause. For this reason many men who do not begrudge the time, hesitate in submitting themselves to the attacks of petty politicians.
The time has come, however, when either they must make the sacrifice and do this, or turn the government over to irresponsible and incompetent men who are either self-seekers, or, perhaps some- thing worse. It is hoped that the citizens will consider this matter carefully, and that they will support those whom they may elect to carry on the work of the town so long as they are working for the interest of the community. This support does not mean the occa- sional attendance at town meetings and public gatherings, but a real and intellegent interest in all activities of the town. A careful study of the town report should be made by every voter to know what has been done during the past year and what it is proposed to do during the coming year.
The American citizen of today has great responsibilities to his country and to his family; and with the vast influx of the foreign element, it is high time for the American to take an active part in political life, which, after all, is as much his personal business as his daily profession. The American must stand for America first, last and all the time. and this can only be done by facing conditions as they are, and taking an active part in town, state and national affairs. Petty and false economies must not be allowed to outweigh real necessities. For two years we met the responsibilities of war; now let us meet the responsibilities of peace.
ADMINISTRATIVE
1. Bonds of Town Officers
Bonds of the following officers are given by the American Surety Company, of New York, in the amounts stated:
James W. Libby, Town Treasurer
$30,000 00
Nathan G. Bubier, Collector of Taxes
20,000 00
George D. R. Durkee, Water and Sewer Commissioner 6,000 00
Harold G. Enholm, Water and Sewer Commissioner 6,000 00 Charles E. Hodgdon, Water and Sewer Commissioner 6,000 00 John M. Mather, Water Collector 2,000 00 George T. Till, Town Clerk 1,000 00
173
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1919]
Il. Licenses
Auctioneers:
George N. Foster Willard D. Martin Charles G. Woodbridge 3
$6 00
Automobile Permits:
29
$53 25
Used Car Dealers' License:
1
$5 00
Bowling Alley:
James D. Bentley 1 $2 00
Carriages:
William H. Carroll
Joseph F. Bruley 3
$3 00
.
Circus:
Irvin Brothers 1 $12 00
Express:
John A. Boston
Joseph W. Bruley
William H. Carroll
A. Colclough
Willis E. Shephard 5 $5 00 .
Innholders:
E. R. Grabow & Company James I'. Horton Frank R. Mullin J. A. Sherrard
Jitney Busses:
Eugene P. Brogan
J. Collier M. Collier M. Chatis T. F. Eastwood
George A. Elliott V. Fabucci
A. A. Hartshorn J. LaFortune Walter L. Libby, Inc.
J. H. Love H. Maron A. Mayhew H. Miller
174
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
J. K. Ray M. S. Segall M. Stasinopolons John C. Welch 19 $412 50
Junk Dealers:
Harry Sherman Louis Zletz Nathan Zletz 3 $192 75
Pool and Billiards: James D. Bentley Joseph F. Crowell, Jr. Arthur Dedrick E. R. Grabow Company ..
5 $10 00
Vendors:
Jackson and Company
Hoffman 2 $35 00
Victuallers:
Blaisdell Co., 131 Humphrey street
John H. Bryson, 29 Essex street
John H. Peach, 503 Humphrey 'street
Mary A. Smith, corner Humphrey and Marshall streets H. O. Swain, 410 Humphrey street
George B. Watts, 60 Humphrey street
Herbert H. Weld, 34 Humphrey street
Ill. Permits Granted
Under Chapter 5, Section 4, of the Town By-Laws To sell material and to do work for the town
C. Walter Burrill James T. Lyons
George D. R Durkee
Archibald Miller
Loring Grimes M. D.
Frank E. Morrison
Grant S. Hilton
Everett P. Mudge
Clarence W. Horton
Orcar G. Poor
IV. Contract for Coal
Proposals for coal for the several departments of the town were advertised for in the usual manner. The contract was awarded to the Honors-Lee Coal Company, at the prices given herewith, they being the lowest bidder.
George S. Briggs Coal Company:
Fifty cents per ton less than regular price at delivery.
175
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1919]
Honors-Lee Coal Company:
Egg and broken
$11 75
Cumberland
8 50
Stove
11 75
Provided anthracite can be delivered before September 1, 1919.
Prices on Cumberland to hold to May 1, 1920.
A large part of the coal required by the town was supplied by the Honors-Lee Coal Company, but later they were unable to carry out their contract in full, and the board decided that under the circum- stances it was justified in obtaining lots of coal as required at market prices.
V. 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:
1000 Sq. in.
4000 Sq. in. 8 Pt.
4000 Sq. in. 10 Pt.
Balance Page
Thomas P. Nichols & Son Co.
$0.16
$0.085
$0.05
$1.85
Perry & Elliott Company
.1175
.11
.05
1.25
Frank S. Whitten
.07
.06
.02
1.10
The contract was awarded to Frank S. Whitten, who was the lowest bidder.
The total cost of
Printing and binding for the Report of 1918 was
$726 74
Editing
75 00
Distribution, typewriting and advertising
37 20
Total
$838 94
The Town Report for the year 1918 contains 235 pages as against 288 of the previous year. At the same time it contains all records and information which may be required by the citizens. The Board is pleased to note the co-operation of the several departments in making their reports concise and clear. This not only makes a read- able report, but at the same time reduces the cost.
VI. Sidewalks
For several years no appropriation has been made for continuous sidewalks. During the war there was good reason to omit this work. We believe, however, that there is a necessity for a certain amount of progress in this direction each year; and it will be recalled that the board recommended the amount of $3,000 for 1919. This amount was not voted by the town. Your board now feels that citizens who desire concrete pavement and edgestones should be permitted to have them, and, therefore, recommends that the amount of $10,000 be ap- propriated for the purpose of continuous sidewalks.
6 Pt.
176
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
VII. Public Buildings
The following is a list of rents' received from public buildings:
Town Hall $78 25
Tenement over Police Station: 68 50
Tenement, 82 Burrill street 156 00
$302 75
VIII. Street Lighting
The last contract with the Lynn Gas and Electric Company for street lighting will expire on July 1st of this year.
The following is a list of lights used in the town for 1919:
Arc, every night 11
Arc, moonlight 86
Incandescent 333
This shows an increase of one arc light and sixteen Incandescent lamps.
Flood lights have been placed on Humphrey street at the corner of Reddington, at the monument, and at the corner of. Burrill street and State road for the purpose of protecting traffic officers at these points at night. With the great increase in motor travel, it will, un- doubtedly, be necessary to continue this practice during the coming year, and a sufficient appropriation will be asked to cover this special service.
Owing to comparative darkness on Humphrey street near the monument, the Board is of the opinion that there should be another arc lamp of the ornamental type with spherical globe. It is esti- mated that this will cost about $850.00. This amount to be included in the lighting budget for 1920.
The cost of the street lights for the town in 1919 was $14,148.29; flood lights $106.85; making a total of $14,255.14.
The Board recommends an appropriation of $16,500 for street light- ing, and this amount will appear in the budget.
IX. Forest Warden
Everett P. Mudge was appointed Forest Warden on January 15, 1919, as provided by the Revised Laws. This appointment was ap- proved by the State Forester.
X. Gipsy 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 147. While the gypsy moth has been less troublesome during the past year, the cost of labor has increased, so that your Board feels that the same amount of money should be available as usual. It is recommended that $5,000 be appropriated for gypsy moth work in the town.
177
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1919]
Owing to the serious effect of the corn borer on crops, the govern- ment made a special effort in 1919 to destroy this pest. For this reason the Board decided to grant Mr. Mudge a leave of absence from town work to assist the government. He was engaged in corn borer work for a period of one month, from April 18, 1919, to May 18, 1919, at which time his services could be spared by the town.
XI. Law
Board of Selectmen, Swampscott, Mass .:
Gentlemen :-- I herewith submit my report as counsel for the town for the year 1919.
The only important litigation which is now pending in which the town is a party is the suit brought by the town against the City of Lynn, arising from the condition of Stacey Brook caused by the flowing of sewerage into the same from the outlet maintained by the City of Lynn at Herrick's factory. This condition arises only during periods of heavy rains. Recently a conference was held be- tween the officials of the city and the town, seeking the building of a concrete culvert connecting the two culverts under Humphrey and New Ocean streets. The culverts under these streets have been built jointly by the city and the town, each bearing half the expense thereof. At the above conference it was suggested that the expense of building the proposed culvert be likewise borne equally by the parties, and the matter is now under consideration by the Commission on Ways and Drainage of the City of Lynn. In the event of failure upon the part of the city to agree to the building of this culvert, I advise that the town proceed with its suit against the City of Lynn, the purpose of which is to secure an abatement of this nuisance.
Acting under your instructions, I have appeared during the year at various hearings before committees of the legislature concerning several matters in which Swampscott in cominon with other munici- palities was interested. These pertained chiefly to transportation matters and to the distribution of the proceeds from the Income Tax Law. So far as the Legislature is concerned, both of these matters seem to be settled for the present at least. The act passed by the legislature concerning the distribution of the proceeds from the In- come Tax vitally affects the town because it will take away a large percentage of the revenue heretofore available for the direct use of the town.
In accordance with the vote of your board, I have recently filed with the Department of Public Utilities a petition to correct the dangerous conditions existing at the Swampscott Station of the Bos- ton & Maine railroad, and there will be a hearing very shortly upon the same.
During the year I have represented the Police department in several prosecutions in the District Court of Southern Essex, have advised officials of the several departments on legal matters arising in the course of the performance of their duties, and have attended
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
to all other legal work in which the town was in any way interested.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES W. SANTRY.
XII. Selectmen
At the annual meeting of 1914 the town voted that when the terms of the Board of Selectmen expired, members should be elected each year. Under this vote three members of the Board will be chosen at the next annual election.
MISSCELLANEOUS
I. Salaries
At the special meeting of September 25, 1919, a petition was sub- mitted asking for an increase of 50% in the salaries of most of the elected town officers. Action on this was indefinitely postponed on the principle that is should be considered in making up the annual budget for the year. Attention of the citizens is called to the fact that there has been no general change in the salaries of elected officials for a number of years, during which time there has been a marked increase in the cost of living affecting everyone. If a certain salary was right five years ago, it would be necessary to increase this from 75% to 100% to represent a corresponding amount today. The officers of the town are not seeking an increase in salary, but only an equalization in order to make the amounts relatively as much as they were before. This appears to be simply a matter of justice; and the Board therefore recommends that the salary of the elected officers of the town be increased 50% over the salaries of 1919, this to include the following Boards:
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