USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to resurface Burrill street, from Paradise road to Essex street, in accordance with specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Commission and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.|
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to resurface Salem street, from Humphrey street to Vinnin square in accordance with specifi- cations of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and appropriate money for the same.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to recind the vote taken at an adjourned meeting of the annual town meeting held March 27, 1917, under Article 64 of the warrant for said meeting, whereby it voted to appropriate the sum of $11,500, by issuing bonds or notes of the town, for the purpose of laying a concrete pavement on that part of Essex street from the easterly side of Burrill street to the Lynn line.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to lay a concrete pavement and curb both sides of that portion of Essex street, from the easterly side of Burrill street to the Lynn line, in accordance with specifica- tions of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and to appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 47. To appropriate and raise, by borrowing or otherwise,
18
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
such sums of money as may be necessary for any or all of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
The polls will be kept open until 4.30 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 conspicuous places in the town, seven days before the day ap- pointed 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 1919.
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 war- ant at the Town Hall, Post Offices, depots and three other conspicious places in Swampssott on Saturday, February 8, 1919, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD,
Constable.
Annual Town Meeting, February 17, 1919. .
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Monday, Feb. 17, 1919, and were called to order at 6 A. M. by Daniel F. Knowlton Moderator.
The warrant to and including Article 2, 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, Sidney M. Shattuck (Dem.), William R. Patten (Rep.) and William J. Lynch (Dem.).
The ballots as prepared by the Town Clerk were then delivered to the ballot Clerks, the polls being declared open for the balloting im- mediately.
The following tellers were qualified :- Republicans-Samuel M. Kehoe, Harry E. Cahoon, Alfred F. Frazer, C. Ernest Melzard, Charles H. Thomas, Harold Spinney, Horace R. Parker, Harold C. Snow. Democrats-W. P. Bergin, John A. Finnigan, Patrick A. Devine, Frank T. Roach, John B. Cahoon, Geo H. Stone, Peter J. Blaser, James J. Finnigan.
The patent ballot box was found to be out of order, so the use of same was discontinued early in morning, the old ballot box being used for the balance of the day.
The polls were closed at 4.30 P. M. There were 947 general ballots cast and seven special ballots, the number of checks on both voting lists agreeing with the number of ballots cast.
At 7.45 P. M. the following result of balloting was announced:
For Moderator -- Daniel F. Knowlton, 778, elected; blanks, 169.
Town Clerk-Geo. T. Till, 791. elected; blanks, 156.
Selectmen-Henry S. Baldwin, 644, elected; Frederick H. Timson,
19
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1919]
590, elected; Grant S. Hilton, 520, elected; William E. Carter, 495; Elias G. Hodgkins, 167; blanks, 417.
Treasurer-James W. Libby, 790, elected; blanks, 157.
Assessor for three years-Oscar G. Poor, 796, elected; blanks, 151. Collector of Taxes -- Nathan G. Bubier, 813, elected; blanks, 134. School Committee for three years-John Vannevar, 750, elected; blanks, 204.
Overseer of the Poor for three years-Joseph F. Crowell, 756, elected; blanks, 191.
Member of Board of Health for three years-Harold H. Bartol, 410, elected; Benjamin B. Blanchard, 259; George C. Webster, 239; blanks, 39.
Member Water and Sewerage Board for three years-George D. R. Durkee, 722; elected; bianks, 225.
Park Commissioner for three years-James T. Lyons, 736, elected; blanks, 211.
Trustee of Public Library for three years-Frank F. Stanley, 718, elected; blanks, 229.
Tree Warden-Everett P. Mudge, 757, elected; blanks, 190.
Constables-Frank H. Bradford, 701, elected; Charles Walter Bur- rill, 673, elected; Clarence W. Horton, 69, elected; blanks, 768.
Commissioner of Trust Funds, one year -- C. Irving Lindsey, 721, elected; blanks, 226.
Commissioner of Trust Funds, two years -- Weston K. Lewis, 733, elected: hlanks 214.
Commissioner of Trust Funds, three years-Henry B. Sprague, 714, elected; blanks, 233.
License Question-Yes, 123; No, 672; blanks, 152.
Voted, at S P. M. to adjourn to Tuesday evening, Feb. 18, 1919, at 7.45 o'clock.
Attest: GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, February 18, 1919
In accordance with the adjournment of the previous evening, the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, Feb. 18, 1919.
The meeting was called to order by Daniel F Knowlton, Moderator, at 8.15 P. M.
The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved. More than one hundred voters were present.
Voted, Article 3. 'To accept and adopt the provisions of Section 73, of Part 2 of Chapter 344 of the Acts of 1917. an act to establish a building line in the town. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 4 and 5. To accept reports of town officers and Committees as printed, all recommendations requiring an appropria- tion being referred to the Finance Committee.
Articles 7, 8, 9, 10. 11 refered to Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 12. To accept the report and adopt the recommen- dations of the Finance Committee 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, 1919, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate, the sum of $300,000, 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).
Voted, Article 13 That a committee of four be appointed by the Moderator to act with the School Committee and Board of Selectmen,
20
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
to select a site for a proposed new school building in the Machon School district, and report to the town at adjournment of this meeting.
Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 referred to the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 30. That the Selectmen be authorized to confer with the Massachusetts Highway Commission and the County Commis- sioners of Essex County, to devise some plan for the elimination of the "S" curve, so called, at the junction of the State Road and Burrill and New Ocean streets.
Article 31 to 44 inclusive referred to Finance Committee.
Voted, To consider Articles 45 and 46 together.
Voted, To refer Article 45 and 46 to the Finance Committee, to be reported upon jointly.
Article 47. Referred to Finance Committee.
Voted, That when we do adjourn, it be to Wednesday evening. April 2 at 8 P. M.
Attest: GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Swampscott, Feb. 24, 1919 ...
The Moderator appointed as members of the Machon Schoolhouse Site Committee to act with School Committee and Board of Select- men the following: George H. Lucey, 49 Devens Road; Henry C. Bulfinch, 40 Beach Avenue; William E. Houghton, 21 Beach Avenue; and James D. Bentley, 14 Beach Avenue.
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Swampscott, March 10, 1919.
The Moderator appointed Charles S. Doughty, 33 Roy Street, as a member of the Finance Committee to fill the unexpired term of Charles F. Hathaway, resigned.
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Swampscott, Mar. 17, 1919.
Harold C. Snow has been appointed Assistant Town Clerk for the current year and qualified for the office.
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 2, 1919
In accordance with the adjournment of the previous meeting the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, April 2, 1910.
The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowi- ton, Moderator, the necessary quorum being present.
The records of the previous meeting were read by George T. Till, Town Clerk, and were declared approved.
The report of the Finance Committee was read by John F. Luther. Chairman, as called for.
Report of the Finance Committee
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our report on matters in the Warrant referred to us for the adjourned Annual Town Meeting of 1919.
The town is confronted by the following situation. Loans must be paid from taxes, hence must ultimately affect the tax rate and the amount available for current expenditure.
21
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1919]
It is vital that the tax rate not exceed $20. A. higher rate is detri- mental to the town, not only because of increased cost to citizens but because it indicates inefficient management and retards growth.
Last year the town paid from money raised by taxes loans totalling $53,800 and incurred only $7,500, a decrease in debt of $45,300. This year there must be paid from money raised by taxes $46,100 of debt. The next three years' debt matures as follows: 1920, $27,500; 1921, $23,100; 1922, $21,100.
It is accordingly clear that in 1920, without increase in the tax rate, there will be available for pubilc improvements $18,600 additional, plus the saving in interest on loans paid this year.
There have been only three new buildings constructed the last year, and there is legislation pending which, if passed, will take away from the town a part of the Income Tax, amounting to about $5,000 this year, with an annual increase of $5,000 until the total annual deduc- tion is about $50,000.
If expenditures are kept down this year more money will be avail- able for improvements next year.
A cut in appropriations requested or on adverse recommendation on a special article does not necessarily mean that the appropriation requested or the article proposed lacks merit. The town has a cer- tain amount of money to spend. The money available will increase from year to year if bond issues are not made. Having this in mind, the committee has considered the various proposed expenditures as a whole, and in order to make the amount expended come within the sum available has recommended those articles of appropriation that seem most urgent and advised against those which may well be postponed.
Article 3. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the School Committee, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on pages 74, 75, 79, 84, 85, 86.
We believe the compensation of teachers should be on as high a plane as is consistent with their work and the revenues of the town.
We recommend that the salaries of the teachers be increased $50 per year each.
We recommend the employment of a woman teacher for physical training.
The appropriations are taken up under Article 28.
Article 4 To see if the town will vote to accept Chapter 186, of the Acts of 1907, entitled "An act to authorize the payment of pensions to widows or children of members of Police and Fire Departments in towns," as petitioned for by George W. Baldwin and otners.
Under the above article a pension not exceeding $300 per year may be paid to the widow or children under sixteen years of age of police- men or firemnen dying from injuries received in the discharge of his duty. The act takes effect in a town upon receiving an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voters present and voting. We recommend adoption of this act.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to accept Chapter 254 of the Acts of 1917, entitled "An act to authorize cities and towns to pay to their employees who enlist in the service of the United States the difference between their military and their municipal compensation."
This act becomes effective in a. town upon an affirmative vote of a majority present and voting.
We recommend adoption of this act.
Article 7. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds required of the Town Treas- urer be $30,000.
22
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Article 8. To see what amount of bonds w !!! be required of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds required of the Collector of Taxes be $20,000.
Article 9. 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 required of the Water and Sewerage Board be $6,000 for each member.
Article 10. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Clerk for the ensuing year.
We recommend the amount of bonds required of the Town Clerk be $1,000.
Article 11. 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.
Article 14. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Water and Sewerage Board, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on pagès 103 and 106.
We recommend the annronrinations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 15. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Assessors, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918 on page 108.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 16. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Superintendent of Cemetery, as tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on page 108.
We recommendd that the sum of $5,000 be transferred from the Cemetery Lots Fund for extension and developinent of the cemetery. We recommend that the other appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 17. 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, 1918, on page 114.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 18. 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, 1918, on page 115.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 19. 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, 1918, on page 116.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 20. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recomiendations in the report of the Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures,as contained in the Annual Report dated December 31, 1918, on page 118.
We recommend that the salary of the Scaler of Weights and Meas- ures remain the same as last year.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for unuer this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 21. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Chief of Police, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on page 123.
23
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
1919]
The present police station is inadequate and it seems a waste of money to repair it. It is inadvisable to build a new one this year, owing to high construction cost. We recommend that a committee be appointed by the moderator to consider plans for a new police station and also to consider in this connection a general scheme of a group of municipal buildings to be heated from the same plant, of harmonious architecture of which the new police station would form a part, and that $250 be appropriated for general plans.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 22. To see what action the town wil Itake in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Overseers of the Poor, as con- as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Fire Engineers as contained in the Annual report, dated December 31, 1918, on page 129.
Your conimittee feeis that the safety of the property and citizens of the town would be increased by the addition of two permanent men to the Fire Department.
We recommend the addition of two permanent men to the Fire Department and that the number of call men be reduced from 22 to 12. The appropriation required by this change is covered in Article 28.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 24. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Construction Committee Sew- erage Pumping Station as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on page 131.
The subject of heating and sheathing is considered with Article 28, and we recommend that it be taken up therewith. The Con- struction Committee on the Sewerage Pumping Station will shortly go out of existence. We accordingly recommend that the matter of heating the main building and dry pit, also floor of main building, sheathing for ceiling and other necessary work be provided for and carried out by the Sewerage Department, and after that all future salvage on obsolete apparatus be transferred to the main- tenance fund of the Water and Sewerage Department.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 25. 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, 1918, on page 135.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 26. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Surveyor of Highways, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on pages 140 and 141.
We have inspected Manton road where a 12-inch prpe and catch basin are recommended. This is on a curve with the railroad on one angle and a vacant lot on the other. While water does collect in wet weather there is no travel on that side and no great incon- venience. We recommend that this be indefinitely postponed.
On Puritan road there is a small stretch without a curbing and the condition is dangerous. We recommend that curbstones be laid as recommended, and that $125 be appropriated for the same.
24
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We have examined Atlantic avenue from Humphrey street to Ocean avenue, where it is recommended that $3,500 be appropriated to put it to grade. This work is not imperative and therefore we recommend that this be indefinitely postponed.
We believe that seal coating is a temporary and expensive method of maintenance. If followed as new streets are constructed it will shortly reach prohibitive cost. It is our opinion that the town should adopt a permanent construction that would not require seal coating. We recommend that this be indefinitely postponed.
The two remaining recommendations are taken up in special articles.
Article 27. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Park Commissioners, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on pages 143 and 144.
We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 28.
Article 28. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Selectmen, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1918, on pages 150, 152, 155, 156, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165 and 166.
Sidewalks. We recommend that action under this recommendation be portponed on account of the financial condition this year.
Town Hall Painting. While conditions are not ideal, action on this recommendation can be well postponed until next year, par- ticularly in view of a prospect report on a general building scheme. We therefore recommend that it be indefinitely postponed ..
Insurance Sinking Fund. As failure to appropriate under this article has only the effect of postponing the time when the town will carry its own insurance, we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Pensions. We recommend the appropriation of $352, $377 and $300 respectively for the purpose of paying pensions to Peter Coan. Michael Haley and Nettie Smith. The teachers' pensions are taken up under Article 28.
We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts for the several town departments:
General Government
Legislative
$250 00
Selectmen
1,800 00
Auditing
1,325 00
Treasurer
1,097 50
Certification, Printing and Advertising
100 00
Collector of Taxes
1,562 00
Assessors
2,000 00
Town Clerk
500 00
Law
1,200 00
Registration and Election
775 00
Engineering
4,700 00
Town Hall
2,477 00
Protection of Life and Property
Police
$14.060 00
Fire-General
19,537 00
New Fire Hose
525 00
New Box
175 00
Painting Car
100 00
Hydrant Rental
1,000 00
1919]
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
25
Sealer of Weights and Measures
310 00
Moth
5,000 00
Forest Warden
100 00
Tree Warden
1,100 00
Building Inspector
450 00
Dog Officer
1.75 00
Board of Health
General Expenses
$2,374 00
Quarantine
450 00
Tuberculosis
400 00
Vital Statistics
250 00
Inspection of Animals
100 00
Health and School Nurse
1,000 00
Refuse and Garbage
Ashes
$3,500 00
Garbage
1,800 00
Miscellaneous
60 00
Night Soil
90 00
Unpaid Bills
213 87
Cleaning Beaches
580 00
Sewer Maintenance
8,500 00
Particular Sewers
500 00
Care of Brooks
300 00
Highways and Bridges
Administrative
$1,910 00
Repairs, Equipment and Maintenance 22,000 00
Snow Removal
1,200 00
Sidewalks and Curbing
2,000 00
Street Construction
2,000 00
Street Watering and Oiling
7,000 00
Street Lighting
15,000 00
Charities and Soldiers' Relief
Poor Department
$4,700 00
State Aid
2,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
2,500 00
German War Aid
1,000 00
Education
Schools
$70,720 00
Teachers' Pensions
675 00
Libraries
4,827 50
Recreation
Monument Lot
$50 00
Memorial Day
300 00
Metropolitan Park Maintenance
5,300 00
Parks and Gardens
Blaney Beach
$1,400 00
Jackson Park
600 00
Monument Avenue
750 00
Paradise Road
300 00
Phillips Park Upkeep
500 00
Water Rates
200 00
Sundries
150 00
$3,900 00
26
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Unclassified
Town Reports
$838 94
Reserve Fund
1,750 00
G. A. R. Hall
75 00
Insurance Premiums
1,300 00
District Nurse
300 00
Soldiers' Exemption
50 00
Deficiency, 1916 Overlay
47 80
$4,361 74
Cemetery
Cemetery
$2,125 00
Interest
Temporary Loans
$10,000 00
General Debt
10,430 50
Sewer Bonds
8,342 75
Metropolitan Parks
3,700 00
$32,473 25
Municipal Debt
General Debt
$46,100 00
Sewer Bonds
13,950 00
Metropolitan Park
1,000 00
$61,050 00
Agency
State Tax
$35,000 00
County Tax
25,000 00
State Enterprises
2,700 00
$62,700 00
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars to be used in celebrating and welcoming the return of soldiers and sailors from the Great War, as recom- mended by the Victory Committee.
In expenditures, the Finance Committee believes in and endeavors to affect the strictest economy consistent with the public welfare. The appropriation requested hardly keeps within this policy. There are times, however, when citizens may well depart from the strictly practical and spend money for an ideal. If the celebration proposed helps to impress upon the returning men the feeling that their service was appreciated, and to impress upon the gratitude the town owes them, the Finance Committee feels that the appropriation is justified.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.