USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 6
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Article 21. To see if the town will vote to make an increase of fifty per cent. in the amounts now paid the following elected Town Offi- cers: Board of Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of the Poor, Board of Health and Water and Sewer Commissioners, the same to take effect January 1, 1920, as petitioned for by Edward A. Maxfield, et als.
In apparent appreciation of the fact that an appropriation for in- crease in salaries during the current year could not be made, at this time, this article calls for an increase in salaries of certain town officers to take effect January 1, 1920. As money to pay such increases cannot be made available until after the next annual town meeting, there is no reason to consider the article now. The Finance Com- mittee has indicated above its present view as to such increases, but is open to argument at the proper time in connection with the budget for the next annual town metting. We recommend that it be indefi- nitely postponed.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to increase the wages of the Surveyor of Highways and the employees of the Highway De- partment one dollar each per day, straight time, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by T. S. Dyer, et als.
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 23. To see of the town will vote to increase the salaries of the Chief of Police and permanent patrolmen four hundred dollars cach per year, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by James D. Bentley, et als.
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 24. To see if the town will vote to pay the special officers sixty-one cents per hour, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John W. Richardson, et als.
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 25. To see if the town will vote to increase the salaries of the permanent firemen, both officers and privates, four hundred
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1919]
dollars each per year, and appropriate money for the same, as peti- tioned for by Francis W. Kennedy, et als.
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 26. To see if the town will vote to increase the pay of the call men of the Swampscott Fire Department to $200.00 per annum, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by C. H. Lampard, et als.
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 27. To see if the town will vote to increase the salary of the Superintendent of the Cemetery, seventeen and 50/100 dollars per month, and the men one dollar each per day, and appropriate money for same, as petitioned for by Thomas Handley, et als.
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 28. To see if the town will vote to increase the wages of the employees of the Water and Sewer Department one dollar each per day, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Forrest E. Beals, et als.
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 29. To see if the town will vote to increase the wages of the employees of the Moth Department one dollar each per day, straight time, and appropriate moncy for the same, as petitioned for by Edward M. Kehoe, et als.
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 30. To see if the town will vote to place the care of plots at the intersection of streets under the direction of the Park Com- missioners, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
This article involves an adjustment of the appropriation of the Park Department, is not an emergency matter and can be best con- sidered in connection with the annual budget. We accordingly rec- ommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 31. To appropriate and raise, by borrowing or otherwise, such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for any or all of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles.
We recommend that, for the purpose specified in Article 4, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmeen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding four thousand dollars, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the treasurer, and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
We further recommend that, for the purpose specified in Article 6, the 'Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer, and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions
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of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen may determine.
We further recommend that, for the purposes specified in Article 7, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be autthorized to borrow a sum not exceeding ninety thousand dollars, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer, and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
We further recommend that, for the purpose of constructing a sewer as specified in Article 8 the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding four thousand dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signeed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine.
J. F. LUTHER, Chairman, CALVIN S. TILDEN, Sec'y, HERBERT A. CAHOON, H. D. LINSCOTT, C. SANFORD DOUGHTY.
Voted, Article 1. To accept and adopt "Jitney Regulations" in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 293 of the General Acts of 1916.
Voted. Article 2. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee indefinitely postponing the matter of joining the Association of cities and towns and appropriate money for the same.
Voted, Article 3. To accept and adopt the report of the Finance Committee, as follows: To discontinue the part of Lincoln House avenue as petitioned for and described in this article.
Voted, Article 4. To accept the report and adopt the recommen- dations of the Finance Committee, appropriating $4000 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 property, the money to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 5. To discharge the committee heretofore appointed to consider the matter of the purchase of land and the erection of a school building in place of the Machon School.
Voted, Article 6. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda .- tions of the Finance Committee authorizing the Board of Selectmen to purchase or to take by right of eminent domain for the purpose of erecting a school thereon, a certain parcel of land located on Burpee road, in Swampscott and bounded and described as follows, namely; Beginning at a point on the northeastorly 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
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1919]
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, comprising all land between Burpee road and Jackson Park between the side lines above described or their pro- longation, appropriating for the same the sum of $5000 to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 7. To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee as follows:
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 St., Boston, Mass., said school to be in accordance with plans submitted, identified by the name of the Chairman of the Finance Comniittee, said school to be in quality of construction at least equal to the Harvey Wheeler School of Concord, Massachu- setts, and at least equal to the specifications for that school; to com- prise 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. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 7. That the Building Committee to carry out the vote on Article 7 consist of members of the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen.
Voted, Article 8. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda- tions of the Finance Committee, appropriating $4000 to be raised by bonds or notes of the town for emergency repairs at the two ends near Humphrey street and New Ocean street, further that the Select- inen, the Town Counsel. the Water and Sewerage Board and the Town Engineer investigate the situation including possible action against or agreement with the City of Lynn and report at the next Annual Town Meeting. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 9. To refer the matter of accepting Forest avenue to the next Annual Town Meeting.
Voted, Article 10. To indefinitely postpone the matter of building steps from Ingalls Terrace to Rockland street as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 11. To indefinitely postpone the matter of paying military compensation to William M. Quinn and Roy C. Welch as recommended by the report of the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 12. To authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell the surplus safety razor kits, as recommended by the report of the Finance Conimittec.
Voted, Article 13. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda- tions' of the Finance Commitee indefinitely postponing action on this article.
Voted, Article 14. To indefinitely postpone the matter of appro- priating money to pay the counsel fees of police officers Brogan and Pedrick, incurred in the recent hearing before the Board of Select- men as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 15. To grant the prayer of the petitioners so that Stimpson road and Ocean View terrace may be known under one name, that name to be Ocean View road.
Voted, Article 16. To indefinitely postpone the matter of estab- lishing a building line on Elmwood road.
Voted, Article 17. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda-
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tion of the Finance Committee indefinitely postponing the matter of resurfacing Atlantic avenue.
Voted, Article 18. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda- tions of the Finance Committee indefinitely postponing the matter of resurfacing Burrill street.
Voted, Article 19. To refer to the next Annual Town Meeting the inatter of laying out and constructing a highway connecting New Ocean street and the Lynn boulevard.
Voted, Articles 20 10 30 inclusive. To accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee on these articles severally reported upon and indefinitely postponing each article.
Voted, Article 31. To accept the report and adopt the recommen- dations of the Finance Committee as follows: That for the purpose specified in Article 4, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceding $4000 and to issue bonds' or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectinen said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14, of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of issue of first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectnien, may determine. (Unani- mous).
Voted, Article 31. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda- tions of the Finance Committee as follows: That for the purposes specified in Article 6, the Treasurer with the approval of the Select- men be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $5000 and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than twenty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine. (Unani- mous).
Voted, Article 31. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt the recommendations as follows: That for the purposes specified in Article 7, the Treasurer with the approval of the Select- men be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding ninety thousand ($90,000) dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer, and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be pard in not more than twenty years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine. (Unanimous).
Voted, Article 31. To accept the report and adopt the recommenda- tions of the Finance Committee as follows: That for the purpose of constructing a sewer as specified in Article 8, the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $4000 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen; said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 14, of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than thirty years from the date of its issue of the first bond or note,
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or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, may determine. (Unanimous).
Voted to dissolve at 11.05 P. M.
Attest: GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk
Special Town Meeting, Monday, October 27, 1919
ESSEX, SS
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are di- rected to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of October, at 8 P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz .:
Article 1. To see if the town will vote transfers from the overlay reserve fund to the highway, moth. Town Hall, and Engineer's de- partments, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to lay a sewer in Puritan road, to be extended about three hundred feet east from Puritan lane and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Orchard road, for a distance of about 400 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 4. To appropriate and raise ,by borrowing or otherwise, such sums of money as may be necessary for any or all of the pur- poses mentioned in the foregoing articles.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Post Offices, and three other public places in the town, seven days before the day appointed for said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this seventeenth day of October in the year 1919.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, FREDERICK H. TIMSON, GRANT S. HILTON, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Return on the Warrant
Pursuant to the within warrant to me directed, I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott by posting attested copies of said warrant at the Town Hall, Post Offices and three other public and conspicuous places in Swampscott on Monday, the 20th day of Octo- ber, 1919, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before said meeting.
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
Special Town Meeting, October 27, 1919
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Monday evening, October 27, 1919. Called to order at eight o'clock, there being the necessary quorum
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of more than 100 voters present, by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator. The warrant calling the meeting and the return thereon was read by the Town Clerk.
The report of the Finance Conunittee was read by John F. Luther, Chairman.
Report of Finance Committee
Article 1. To see if the town will vote transfers from the overlay reserve fund to the highway, moth, town hall, and Engineer's de- partments, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
The demanded dollar per day increase for town laborers, now paid $3.50 per eight hour day with a half holiday on Saturday and two weeks' vacation with pay, is based upon two arguments:
(1) that they lose time on account of bad weather;
(2) that their pay is less than contractors pay for the same grade of work.
The committee tabulated the pay rolls for September and October, 1918, and for September and to and including October 16, 1919, and find that the claim of loss of time on account of weather and the claim that men are getting only twelve and fifteen dollars per week appears to be without foundation.
The men in the period covered in 1918 averaged the following per week, excluding from the figures the engineer and watchman-paid each $24 per week; 1, $23.33; 1, $22.00; 1, $21.97; 1, $21.00; 1, $20.22; 2, $20.03; 2, $19.25; 1, $19.06; 2, $18.86; 1, $18.50; 1, $18.08; 1, $17.93; 4, $17.50; 2, $16.14; 1, $15.53. Average $18.91 per man per week. In 1919, an exceptionally rainy fall as everyone knows, the weekly average is as follows: 1, $25.72; 1, $23.75; 1, $22.50; 1, $21.50; 3, $20.50; 1, $20.25; 6, $20.00; 1, $19.54; 1, $19.25; 3, $19.00; 1, $18.50; 1, $18.00. Average per man per week $20.27.
As a matter of fact, we believe that they lose less time than ordi- nary laborers, as the Surveyor of Highways says he tries to give them inside work in bad weather, and the figures show that his at- tempt is successful. It is to be noted that this period includes two holidays of which we have given the men the benefit. Loss of time appears to be entirely due to the individual man. They have the advantage of working continuously near their homes.
On the question of rate of pay, we find that contractors are paying as the highest regular rate for work of this kind 55 cents per hour and the high weekly pay of laborers is due to the fact that they work nine or ten hours per day. Some contractors are paying only 45 cents. The town laborers are paid $21 per week for 44 hours, or 48 cents per hour. A raise of 50 cents per day would give them almost exactly 55 cents per hour of actual work, the highest present pay of private contractors. The town should not be asked to pay for 44 hours the same week's pay that contractors pay for 50 to 60 hours. The men work short hours, and an increase to $4.00 per day gives them the prevailing high rate per hour for the time they work. Lynn and Brookline are now paying $4.00 per day.
'The town can only fix the minimum wage. The Surveyor of High- ways fixes the amount paid, if any, above the minimum wage, and is controlled only by the money available.
We recommend that there be transferred from the overlay reserve fund to the Highway department the sum of $780.00, which is suffi- cient to give the laborers an increase of 50 cents per man per day to January 1, 1920, if the Surveyor of Highways deems it necessary.
We further recommend that there be transferred from the overlay reserve fund to the Moth department the sum of $97.50, which is sufficient to give the laborers an increase of 50 cents per man per day to January 1, 1920. if the Superintendent of the Moth work deems it necessary
We further recommend that there be transferred from the overlay
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reserve fund to the Town Hall department the sum of $40 for the purpose of increasing the pay of the Janitor and Agent of the Town Hall to January 1, 1920.
We further recommend that there be transferred from the overlay reserve fund to the Engineering department the sum of $30 for the purpose of increasing the pay of the second assistant engineer to $21 per week to January 1, 1920.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to lay a sewer in Puritan road, to be extended about three hundred feet east from Puritan lane and appropriate money for the same as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
The proposed construction would cost about $2000. It would serve only one house that is under construction and will probably not be occupied this winter. The owner has not requested the sewer. It is clearly not an emergency matter.
We recommend that it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Orchard road, for a distance of about 400 feet, and appro- priate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board.
The Sewer Board reports that it can take care of the work called for by this article without special action by the town.
We recommend that it be referred to the Water and Sewerage Board.
JOHN F. LUTHER, Chairman CALVIN S. TILDEN, Secretary C. SANFORD DOUGHTY.
Voted, Article 1. To transfer from the overlay reserve fund the sum of $1560, so that the employees of the Highway department may have increases of wages amounting to $1.00 per day.
Voted, Article 1. That sufficient money be transferred to the Moth, Engineering and Town Hall departments from the overlay reserve fund, so that employees of those departments may have an increase of wages amounting to $1.00 per day.
Voted, Article 2. 'To indefinitely postpone laying a sewer in Puri- tan road as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 3. To accept and adopt the report of Finance Com- mittee, referring matter of laying a water main in Orchard road to Water and Sewerage Board.
Voted, Article 4. To indefinitely postpone.
Voted. As moved by Rev. Edward Tillotson.
To stand in silent respect to Theodore Roosevelt, a truly great American, today being the 61st anniversary of his birth.
Voted. To dissolve at 8.25 P. M. Attest: GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
State Election, November 4, 1919
TOWN WARRANT
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are di- rected to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, Mass., qualified to vote in elections, to assemble in the Town Hall, in said Swampscott, on Tuesday the fourth day of November, next, it being the Tuesday next after the first Monday in said November, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to bring in their votes to the
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