USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 5
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FRANK_H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Special Town Meeting, September 25, 1919
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the legal voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, September 25, 1919, there being a large number present. The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator, who stated that on account of the large number present, the business of the evening would begin at once.
The Town Clerk read the warrant calling the meeting and the return thereon.
John F. Luther, Chairman of the Finance Committee, read the report of that committee.
Finance Committee's Report
Facing a warrant for a special town meeting containing thirty-one articles, twenty of which call for an appropriation totalling, accord- ing to the estimate of a local paper, $289,000, the Finance Committee believes it should point out to the town the evil of presenting at a special town meeting articles calling for the expenditure of money raised either from general revenues or by borrowing, except for emergencies, the happening of which could not have been foreseen at the last annual meeting and where action cannot be postponed until the next annual meeting.
For the last few years the town has adopted voluntarily the budget system, to its great financial benefit. There is general agitation urging that states and municipalities adopt that system, and it is
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being strongly urged that congress do the same for the purpose of avoiding reckless expenditures. Under this method the Finance Committee consider the appropriations requested in the warrant for the annual town meeting in the following manner:
An estimate is made of the probable amount of money that can be raised without an excessive tax rate, and from this is deducted certain fixed charges like interest and state and county tax, beyond the control of the town, and which cannot be varied. This leaves the money available for expenditure during the year. The committee then totals the various appropriations asked and ascertains how much must be cut from this sum in order to come within the amount available. It then considers each article and department estimate separately, inquiring into the advisability and necessity of the ap- propriation asked. With this understanding of the warrant as a whole, the committee reports against the articles that seem of least urgency, and reduces appropriations where there seems a possibility of getting the desired result with less expenditure until a figure is reached which is within the amount of money available. An adverse report on a particular article does not necessarily mean that the appropriation asked is not reasonable or that the work proposed would not be beneficial. It simply means that the town connot afford it-that other things are more necessary.
The town is in exactly the position of a man with a certain amount of money above his actual living expenses, whose home must be shingled to prevent its going to pieces, representing the condition of Essex street; who figures that he must have ten tons of coal to heat the house during the winter, representing a request for an ap- propriation for a certain department; and who also knows that his clothes show signs of wear and he needs a new suit, representing re- quest for an appropriation to paint the engine house. All of these are reasonable requirements, but he has only a certain amount of money to spend.
The Finance Committee decides that the house must be shingled, and votes to relay Essex street; it decides that with strict economy it will be possible to heat the house using only eight tons of coal, and accordingly cuts down the department appropriation requested; it decides that while the clothes show signs of wear, they will, if cleaned and pressed, last another year, and recommends to postpone painting the engine house-in this way reducing expenses to the available cash. In other words, its work is simply application to town affairs of the ordinary common sense that every man uses in his own life.
In the same way where money can be raised by borrowing, the committee considers the borrowing limit of the town as fixed by law; how much it can borrow and still have a margin available to meet any sudden necessity; how much the debt will be reduced in the next year; and how much the current revenue available for town pur- poses will be reduced in the future by interest and retiring charges if a further loan is made. With all of the facts it treats the articles for which nioney can be borrowed in the same way as articles call- ing for appropriation from current revenue.
The committee does not claim to have any brains or ability above that of the ordinary citizen of the town, but it does have a knowledge of the general situation and the appropriations that are asked, con- sidered as a whole, in relation to the tax rate and the debt limit, be- cause it is the business of the members to look into these subjects and they do what they are appointed to do. The work of the com- mittee is based upon consideration of the various requests for ap- propriations as a whole as well as individually, and the value of their work is practically nullified if after their report for the year is com- pleted, separate unrelated articles which cannot be considered in
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connection with general town expenses are brought up at a special meeting.
A few of the articles in the warrant do not involve appropriations; a few may be properly considered subjects requiring action before the next town meeting; the majority do not come within either head and are, in the opinion of the committee, improperly presented at this time.
A considerable number of the increases in salary of town officers were asked at the last annual meeting and were refused by the town. Can it be claimed that there is any change in general conditions since that town meeting, justifying a new application, or that any such urgency exists that action cannot be postponed until the next annual meeting? If not, what legitimate reason exists for present- ing the articles at this time?
The above discussion is largely for information and upon general principles, in order that the town may understand the situation.
As the tax rate is fixed and there is no method by which the money can be raised, no appropriations to be paid from current revenue can be made. The committee is confirmed in this by Mr. Santry and the State authorities.
That there may be no uncertainty as to the position of the Finance Committee we think it proper to say at this time that we believe offi- cers, from Selectmen down, holding more or less honorary positions, giving only a small portion of their time to town business, and where salary is simply an addition to their incomes, should serve without any idea of complete compensation for the time they give based upon so much an hour. The Finance Committee serves without pay and does not want pay. Without going to that extreme, certain town officials should serve without the idea of compensation in mind. The committee, in making up its annual budget. considered the work done by various officials, fees received, the total of salaries drawn by one individual in various capacities and based their recommenda- tion upon this careful examination. There seems no reason to change it at this time.
So far as concerns men whose entire time is given to town business or town employment, the Committee believes that they should re- ceive the same compensation paid by similar towns for similar work and that the increased cost of living should be considered. It will be glad at the proper time to go into this subject thoroughly, con- sider all arguments, and will welcome the co-operation of any per- son interested. The committee is as desirious of paying every em- ployee all he should get as it is to prevent unnecessary expense.
The committee is not hostile to any reasonable request. It believes in spending money so far as fair or necessary and so far as it will benefit the town and the town can afford it. It is made up of rep- resentatives from all parts of the town and of men who want to serve the interest of the town, the various sections and the various individuals comprising the sections. It does not represent any sec- tion or faction and wants the support and help of the citizens as a whole.
We suggest that so far as possible the persons interested talk over proposed articles with us before they go into the warrant, with the attitude that we want to help anything that is right and not to ob- struct it. In many cases some compromise measure might be devised for insertion in the warrant. If the patrolmen, firemen or laborers want more pay we suggest that they secure the approval of their department heads, then talk with us personally, hear our position and let us hear theirs. The Machon School is an instance of co-operation between the committee and the citizens of that section. It would make our work easier and lead to a better understanding if this co- operation were more frequent.
On certain propositions the citizens may think that the committee
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is wrong. Beyond question the committee does make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. But we do ask the voters to realize that we are acting honestly, independently, without affiliation with any particular section or faction, and that our reports are based upon a more careful study of the entire situation of the town, than is probably given by any group of individuals supporting a particular article, and for that reason our recommendation should be generally followed.
The recommendations of the committee on the various articles follows:
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to join the association of towns and cities, which is to test the constitutionality of the present method of distribution of the proceeds from the income tax, and ap- propriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
This article involves appropriation of money from current revenue, and while we approve of the article, no such appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to discontinue that portion of Lincoln House avenue situated within the estate of Frank E. Paige and Ella C. Adams, as shown on plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated August, 1919, as petitioned for by Frank E. Paige, et als.
The section covered by this article is a "dead end" of no use to the town and by the discontinuance the town will be freed from any liability to maintain it as a public highway. In addition it will in- crease the taxable property in the town. The town has not known until recently that it owned the property; the persons naving a moral but not a legal right to this land, about 3100 feet, took it under a deed, in good faith, there being no record of the taking by the town in the registry and they have expended a considerable amount of money in improving it. We recommend that the town discontinue that part of Lincoln House avenue described in Article 3.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to lay a sewer in Lincoln House avenue for a distance of about 400 feet, to connect with the sewer now laid in the Lincoln House Point property, and appropriate money for same, as petitioned for by Frank E. Paige, et als.
We regard this as construction" that should not be postponed until next year and the money can be raised by borrowing. The work proposed is to connect a sewer system already installed by the owners in the development of Lincoln House Point, with the public sewer. The development is of great benefit to the town. We accordingly recommend that the town lay a sewer on Lincoln House Avenue for a distance of about four hundred (400) feet to connect with the sewer now laid in the Lincoln Point property and that it appropriate $4000 for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase or to take by right of eminent domain for the purpose of erecting a school building thereon, a certain parcel of land located in Burpee Road, in Swampscott, and bounded and described as follows, namely: Beginning at a point on the north- easterly side of Burpee road, which is about 298.37 feet distant from the northerly side of Essex street, thence northwesterly along the northeasterly line of Burpee road, for a distance of 350.00 feet; thence turning at right angles to the northeast for a distance of about 127.50 feet; thence running southeasterly for a distance of about 350.42 feet; thence running southwesterly for a distance of about 130.00 feet to the point of beginning, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Frank F. Morrison, et als.
The proposed lot containing about 45,200 square feet, is about 350
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feet front by 128 feet depth, is near the top of a small hill on the north side of Burpee road about 300 feet from Essex street extending from Burpee road to Jackson Park. It is sheltered from north winds by a high hill or ledge. The fact that it is not a main street and is on the park which can be used as a playground is a great advantage. It is extremely well situated for the proposed type of construction and can be obtained at a reasonable figure. It is also well located to serve the probable growth of the district. The owner of this property believes that the line of Jackson Park is not properly located and that the lot has additional depth but is willing to convey to Jackson Park. We recommend that the town authorize the Board of Select- men to purchase or to take by right of eminent domain for the pur- pose of erecting a school building thereon, a certain parcel of land located in Burpee road, in Swampscott and bounded and described as follows, namely; Beginning at a point on the northeasterly side of Burpee road, which is about 298.37 feet distant from the northerly side of Essex street, thonce northwesterly along the northeasterly line of Burpee road, for a distance of 350.00 feet; thence turning at right angles to the northeast for a distance of about 127.50 feet; thence running southeasterly for a distance of about 350.42; thence running southwesterly for a distance of about 130.00 feet to the point of be- ginning, comprising all land between Burpee road and Jackson Park between the side lines above described or their prolongation, and appropriate for the same the sum of $5000 to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to erect a school building on a lot described in the preceding article, in accordance with plans and specifications, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Martin L. Quinn, et als.
Last summer, at their request, a committee from the Machon School district met the Finance Committee. As a result the Finance Com- mittee and these representatives visited and examined the Machon School.
This school is an old, two-story, four-room building. It is too small to accommodate the pupils of the district, is in poor repair, with no modern conveniences and is in the opinion of the committee an ex- tremely dangerous fire risk; the only exits are two stairways, side by side, with a thin partition between, directly over one of the fur- naces. There are no fire escapes. The school Committee, with the support of this committee, is now planning a temporary emergency exit for protection this winter. A new schoolhouse is imperative, both for service and safety.
The committee then consulted three different architects and con- sidered two sets of plans for a two-story building and three sets of plans for a bungalow or one-story construction. In connection with this it visited and examined several schools of both types. Some of the architects and some of the citizens criticised the bungalow type of construction and the committee made inquiries from officials in towns having this type of school and found that the objection, without exception, did not exist. The School Committee and Superintendent favor this type. It costs about two-thirds as much as the two-story building and every town investigated stated that it considered the school satisfactory. One town built three in succession. These bun- galow schools were all by McLean.
The committee then examined the various plans, specifications and estimates for bungalow schools, considering not only the price but the merit of the construction. In this they had the assistance of an architect entirely disinterested, of many years' experience.
The estimates of the architects who submitted plans were accom- panied by a personal bond guaranteeing construction at the price stated.
In the opinion of the consulting architect and Mr. Whitman, the
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McLean plan contains everything necessary for a good up-to-date school and the architect stated that the specifications call for a good building and that the estimate is sufficiently high to secure honest construction. A few minor changes were suggested.
The McLean figure, nearly $30,000 below one plan carefully con- sidered, was obtained by skilful arrangement by which equal or supe- rior accommodations were secured in about three quarters of the area.
The building is of the grade of the Concord school, with some improvements and additions and this Concord school was actually inspected by the committtee We also believe that a man who has specialized in one type of construction and has learned something from each building, is the best man for a job of the same kind.
The third architect did not submit information enough to enable the committee to determine upon what his bid was based.
We recommend that the town erect a school building on the lot described in Article 6 in accordance with plans and specifications of William H. McLean of 110 Tremont street, Boston, Massachusetts, said school to be in accordance with plans submitted, identified by the name of the chairman of the Finance Committee, said school to be in quality of construction at least equal to the Harvey Wheeler school of Concord, Massachusetts, and at least equal to the specifi- cations for that school: to comprise construction, furnishing and equipment as shown by cost sheet attached to bond of architect and to include detailed changes and additions stated therein and that the sum of ninety thousand ($90,000) dollars be appropriated therefor, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
We further recommend that a committee of three be designated to serve as a Building Committee for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing recommendations, with power to make all necessary con- tracts in accordance therewith, consisting of one member of the Board of Selectmen to be chosen by them, one member of the School Committee to be chosen by them, and one citizen residing in the Machon School District, to be appointed by the Moderator.
The Finance Committee calls attention to the fact that the Archi- tect's bond guaranteeing price of construction becomes void unless the Building Committee advertises and acts upon bids within forty days.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to construct a conduit be- tween the culverts already constructed at Humphrey street and New Ocean street to carry the waters of Stacey Brook, and make ap- propriation therefor, as petitioned for by Henry J. Hatch, et als.
On Stacey Brook at the two ends near Humphrey street and New Ocean street the water has washed away the banks and undermined buildings so that emergency repairs must be made at once or serious damage may result. We recommend that the town appropriate for this work the sum of $4000 to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. Residents complain that the brook contains sewerage so that a nuisance is created. Investigation shows that this, if it exists, comes from the Lynn sewer system. The expense of building a covered conduit is estimated at $40,000 and the questions involved require careful and expert investigation. The situation is objection- able only in the summer. We further recommend that the Selectmen, the town counsel, the water and sewer board and the town engineer investigate the situation, including possible action against or agree- ment with Lynn and report at the next annual town meeting.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to accept Forest avenue, so-called, laid out by the Board of Selectmen, as shown on a plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, town Engineer, dated August, 1919, and re- ported to the Town at this meeting, as soon as the waivers are signed, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by James C. Soutter, et als.
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This article involves appropriation from current revenue. No such appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to build a flight of steps from Ingalls Terrace to the way leading to Rockland street, and ap- propriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
The Committee is in favor of the proposed construction but it in- volves an appropriation from current revenue. No such appropria- tion can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefi- nitely postponed.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to pay William L. Quinn and Roy C. Walch for military compensation, under Chapter 254, General Acts, 1917, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
This article involves appropriation from current revenue. No such appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell the surplus safety razor kits, which were bought for the men who anticipated entering United States' service, but who were not called, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
There being no apparent reason to the contrary we recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to sell the surplus safety razor kits as requested.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of nine, to consist of the Selectmen, Assessors and three other citizens, to consider the advisability of establishing a civic centre upon which to erect future public buildings, to report at the next annual town meeting, said committee to be empowered to expend a sum not to exceed $300.00, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
This article involves appropriation from current revenue. No such appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to pay the counsel fee of police officers Brogan and Pedrick incurred in the recent hearing before the Board of Selectmen, and appropriate money to pay for same, as petitioned for by Howard B Aborn, et als.
This article involves an appropriation from current revenue. No appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to resurface Atlantic avenue from Humphrey street to the Marblehead line, in accordance with specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways.
Money could be borrowed on bonds to do the proposed work. We do not, however, believe that anything except temporary repairs should be made on the location mentioned in the article until after the sewer has been laid in the street. The patching done by the sur- veyor of highways in other parts of the town has been extremely effective and this street can be kept in fair condition by similar tem- porary work. Substantially the same article was considered at the last annual town meeting and was rejected. For the reasons pre- viously stated we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to resurface Burrill street from Monument square to Essex street, in accordance with specifi- cations of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and appropriate money for the same as petitioned for by William H. Carroll, et als.
This work also could be financed by a bond issue. It is an article that was considered at the last annual town meeting and rejected,
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and for the reasons above stated we recommend that it be indefi- nitely postponed.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salaries of the following for the balance of the current fiscal year:
Town Accountant
$75 00
Treasurer
62 50
Collector of Taxes 50 00
Town Clerk
25 00
Town Engineer
100 00
First Assistant Engineer
62 50
Second Assistant Engineer
62 50
Janitor Town Hall
87 50
Dog Officer 12 50
Sealer of Weights and Measures 25 00
Health Officer
62 50
and appropriate money for the saine, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
This article involves appropriation from current revenue. No such appropriation can be made at this time and we recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
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