Town annual report of Swampscott 1920, Part 12

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 272


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1920 > Part 12


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 | Part 20


To add to the dissatisfaction there was a severe outbreak of tent cater- pillars early in the spring. While their suppression is not provided for by law, it has been customary in the past to suppress them as much as possible in conjunction with other moth spraying. The spring was so backward that the gypsy moths did not hatch until unusually late, the foliage was not full, which necessitated a delay in spraying. Hence the tent which hatch caterpillars early, had attained considerable size, and in some localities completely defoliated the wild cherry which they are partial to. This department was appealed to for help in suppressing these pests, but under the conditions nothing could be done. There are evidences of another severe outbreak of tent caterpillars next spring.


Being short of men at spraying time and also because of the short spraying season, only one and one-half tons of arsenate of lead were used.


The price of tanglefoot advanced so as to make its use prohibitive.


About fifty gallons of creosote were used and all the usual methods of carrying on the work have been in practice this year only in a restricted amount.


Each year for five years, in order to keep pace with the increase in materials and labor, the number of men has been reduced until now there are only four employed by this department.


Considering there is no overhead expense and that two other depart- ments use the same men when there is no moth work, I fail to see how the work can be carried on properly with an appropriation any less than $5,000, and I recommend that amount.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT P. MUDGE, Superintendent of Moth Work.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


124


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Report of Tree Warden


To the citizens of Swampscott :


Each season of the year brings with it different duties to be attended to by the Tree Warden.


In the early spring, when all vegetation starts into growth, it is neces- sary to have all trees that are to be planted in their places. This year seventy-five trees were set out on the highways. As soon as planted they must be protected from horses and because the price of wire was high, guards were taken from trees that had outgrown them and were fitted to the new trees. At the same time all old protectors were taken off and repaired and readjusted and put on trees where they were most needed.


When the guards were off all wounds were properly dressed and treated and leopard-moth borers in the trunks were pulled out with a wire hooked on the end, and killed. By the time this work was finished the trees were in full foliage and short dead terminal tips of limbs were cut off. Most of these contained tiny leopard moth larva which were destroyed.


With the foliage comes the leaf eating insects, elm-leaf beetle, tussock- moth, canker worms and many others which were controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead, at the same time that spraying was done for the gypsy and brown tail moths.


As the new wood and foliage grows in the early summer, weight is added to the lower branches which pulls them down, and the heavy rains cause them to incommode travel if not trimmed. A tour of the town was made and all low branches removed.


After each storm the trees have been looked over and limbs that were partly blown off or were hanging have been taken down. Crutches which have split have been bolted together and twenty-eight trees have been removed entirely and the roots dug out.


Dead wood was trimmed out of all large trees excepting those in the upper part of the town, which will need to be attended to next year.


The six willows reported last year as partly dead are unsafe and should be removed. Parts of one were removed this year.


I recommend $1,200 for the ensuing year, and a special appropriation of $300 to remove the six willows on Puritan road.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT P. MUDGE,


Tree Warden.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


125


1


FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT.


1920]


Report of Forest Warden


To the Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN,- The dry pleasant weather during the late summer and early fall made conditions in the woods exceedingly favorable for woods fires, which have been more numerous and severe than for a number of years.


Twenty-two fires have been reported to the State Forester on blanks pro- vided for that purpose. Two hundred thirty-eight permits for burning rubbish and debris have been issued during the period from March Ist to December Ist. Cloth warning notices have been posted through the woods, as has been the usual custom each spring.


As weather conditions have a most direct influence on woods fires it is impossible to foresee to what extent they will occur during the coming year.


I recommend $100 be appropriated for the Forest Warden Department.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT P. MUDGE, Forest Warden.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


I26


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Report of Board of Assessors


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


Your Board of Assessors submits the following report for the year 1920.


The property in town assessed by the local assessors April 1, 1920, amounted to $15,324,854, an increase over the previous year (1919) of $1,374,262.


The real estate valuation April 1, 1920, was $14,007,916, an increase over the previous year (1919) of $1,236,746.


The valuation of personal estate assessed by the local assessors April I, 1920, was $1,316,938, an increase over the previous year (1919) of $137,516.


The appropriations this year (not bonded) as given to the assessors, to be raised by taxation and receipts, was $481,465.25, an increase over the previous year (1919) of $77,082.11.


The return of the Income Tax from the state was $75,779.67, an increase over the previous year (1919) of $3,324.41. The receipts for 1921 will be considerably less on account of the new distribution and general conditions.


During the past year the various card indexes have been brought up to date and the personal and real estate cards reprinted and newly typewritten. The plans now in use were drafted in 1898 and have been modified each successive year. The coming year a beginning should be made upon a new set. We have in mind sheets that would show graphically not only the lots themselves but buildings, areas and owners' names on a block system. Part of the work can be done by the engineering department and part must be done by outside assistants. To defray the extra expense involved and that a start may be made the coming year we recommend an additional appropriation of $500 to be drawn upon for this purpose.


For departmental expenses we recommend a general appropriation of $2,725 for the fiscal year 1921.


EDWARD A. MAXFIELD, OSCAR G. POOR, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY. Board of Assessors.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


127


ASSESSORS' REPORT.


1920]


ASSESSORS' PROPERTY REPORT.


Valuation of the town of Swampscott April 1, 1920. Table of aggregate of polls, property and taxes as assessed April 1, 1920.


Number of residents assessed on property . 1,880


Number of firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property,


43


Number of non-residents assessed on property . .


400


Number of non-resident firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property


28


Number of persons assessed on property


2,351


Number of persons assessed poll tax only


1,395


Total number of persons assessed


3,746


Number of male polls assessed


2,335


Value of assessed personal estate


· $1,316,938 00


Value of assessed buildings, excluding land


8,189,034 00


Value of assessed land, excluding buildings


·


5,818,882 00


Total value of assessed real estates


14,007,916 00 ·


Total value of assessed estates


15,324,854 00 ·


Number of horses assessed .


54


Number of cows assessed


12


Number of dwelling houses assessed .


1,827


Taxes for State, County and Town Purposes.


On personal estate


$30,289 75


On real estate


322,182 69


On polls


9,850 00


Total tax


362,322 44


Tax rate per $1,000


23 00


I28


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Statistics of the Town of Swampscott, 1878-1920.


ASSESSORS' VALUATION APRIL I.


JANUARY I.


YEAR.


REAL


PERSONAL


TOTAL


RATE TAXES PER $1,000


YEAR.


PAYABLE


1920


$14,007,916


$1,316,938


$15,324,854


$23.00


1921


$344, 100.00


1919


12,771,170


1,179,422


13,950,592


20.00


1920


236,600.00


1918


12,619,556


1,110,776


13,730,332


20.00


1919


251,750.00


1917


12,141,321


1,000,682


13,142,003


20.00


1918


312,000.00


1916


11,532,432


4,928, 181


16,460,513


20.00


1917


330,800.00


1915


10,810,305


5,028,193


15,838,498


17.80


1916


363,900.00


1914


10,508,225


3,531,119


14,039,344


16.80


1915


344,100.00


1913


10,028,325


3,174,590


13,202,915


16.40


1914


293,500.00


1912


9,413,525


2,974,381


12,387,906


16.00


1913


276,600.00


19II


9,050,850


2,771,167


11,822,017


15.00


1912


273, 150.00


1910


8,489,200


2,698,340


11,187,540


15.00


1911


194,639.00


1909


7,675,905


2,450,02 I


10, 125,926


16.00


1910


184,295.00


1908


7,312,165


2,680,490


9,992,655


16.00


1909


191,295.00


1907


7,099,090


2,317,468


9,317,468


14.50


1908


176,420.00


1906


6,303,625


2,093,820


8,397,445


14.50


1907


167,320.00


1905


6,030,185


2, 117,442


8,147,627


14.50


1906


151,320.00


1904


5,489, 12I


2,206,172


7,695,293


12.90


1905


I10,020.00


1902


4,762,665


1,744,874


6,507,539


12.00


1903


75,270.00


1901


4,668,985


1,598,745


6,267,730


12.00


1902


70,600.00


1900


4,446,900


1,138,275


5,585,175


11.00


1901


68,100.00


1899


4,200, 175


1, 199,045


5,399,220


11.50


1900


64,300.00


1898


4,135,582


1,318,591


5,454,173


14.00


1899


59,000.00


1897


3,997,975


1,304,163


5,302, 138


12.00


1898


71,000.09


1896


3,896,059


1,245,245


5,141,304


12.00


1897


78,250.00


1895


3,756,900


1,444,947


5,201,847


12.00


1896


84,500.00


1894


3,619,525


1,529,675


5,149,200


11.00


1895


66,333.30


1893


3,439,975


1,649,953


5,989,928


11.00


1894


71,166.66


1892


3,271,279


1,504,170


4,775,449.


10.00


1893


37,499.90


1891


3,122,350


1,771,373


4,893,723


10.00


1892


42,333.36


1890


3,001,550


1,857,777


4,859,327


10.00


1891


48,666.66


1889


2,585,431


1,453,30I


4,038,732


8.40


1890


52,500.00


1888


2,465,256


1,501,530


3,966,792


8.50


1889


56,000.00


1887


2,417,556


1,288,498


3,706,054


8.00


1888


57,500.00


1886


2,383,055


1,275,405


3,658,460


9.50


1887


55,500.00


1885


2,365,280


1,130,863


3,496, 143


9.00


1886


47,500.00


1884


2,371,610


1,135,215


3,506,825


11.00


1885


49,000.00


1883


2,259,855


1,589,566


3,849,41I


8.50


1884


50,500.00


1882


2,228,330


1,264,938


3,493,268


6.00


1883


49,000.00


1881


2,121,080


807,159


2,928,239


7.20


1882


30,500.00


1880


1,991,880


1,133,247


3,125,127


7.00


188I


31,750,00


1879


1,930,205


418,904


2,349,109


8.30


1880


39,424.80


1878


2,049,980


384,841


2,434,82 I


8.00


1879


42,424.00


1903


5,135,124


4,286,981


6,422, 105


11.50


1904


114,770.00


NOTES


ESTATE


PROPERTY


VALUATION


129


BUILDING INSPECTOR'S REPORT.


1920]


Report of Building Inspector


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1920 :


Estimated cost of Construction.


Number of permits issued I16


Permits for schoolhouses I


· $128,000 00


Permits for new buildings 18


· 138,300 00


Permits for remodeling 41


90,157 00


Permits for garages and sheds 56


49,560 00


$406,017 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 the State.


Six elevator operators' licenses were issued.


Number of inspections, 105.


In addition I have received and attended to many complaints regarding different buildings around town.


Respectfully submitted,


F. E. MORRISON, Building Inspector.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


·


9


130


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures


To the Board of Selectmen :


I herewith submit my report from January, 1920 to December 31, 1920 :


Ad- Not Con- Tested justed Sealed demned


Platform scales over 5,000 pounds


8


O


I


O


Platform scales under 5,000 pounds


29


I


O


I


Counter scales


46


O


O


O


Beam scales


4


O


O


O


Spring balances


41


5


I


6


Computing scales


19


4


I


O


Slot weighing scales


3


O


O


4


Prescription scales


5


O


O


0


Avoirdupois weights


241


2


O


O


Dry measures


23


O


3


Liquid measures .


68


O


2


Oil measuring pumps .


52


18


I


Molasses measuring pumps


O


O


0


2


Yard measures


3


O


O


O


Tapes


I


O


O


O


Total


543


30


3


19


Trial §Weighing.


Tested Correct


Under Over


Coke and charcoal


219


219


O


O


Coal in wagons


6


O


O


6


Coal in paper bags


487


452


O


52


Wood in bags


76


76


O


O


Flour


.


225


169


15


41


Butter (print)


19


19


O


O


Dry groceries


1,195


1,103


30


62


Fruits and vegetables


137


107


16


14


Bread .


47


47


O


0


Confectionery in boxes


396


361


O


35


Gasoline and oils


2


2


O


O


Oil measuring pumps


25


19


2


4


Total


· 2,837


2,576


63


198


-


Meats


3


2


O


I


I3I


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT.


1920]


Inspections.


OUTSIDE OF REGULAR VISITS.


Stores .


48


Scales, etc.


70


Coal certificates ·


12


Milk dealers


I


Junk dealers .


2


Gasoline pumps


25


Total


158


The total amount received for above, $50.81, has been turned over to the Town Treasurer, for which I hold the receipt.


Amount on hand, $8.44; amount uncollected, $2.51 ; total value of work done, $62.76.


Inspections.


The tabulations do not include many additional inspections made in connection with this work, the aim being to obtain results which would be of real value rather than to follow prescribed procedures or to accumu- late statistical records. Special attention has been given to those com- modities wherein the weight is hard to verify by the consumer, and more frequent inspections are required on this basis. The important feature is to protect the merchant and consumer from fraud in the labelling and contents of package goods.


Re=Weighings.


Economic conditions have been responsible for placing upon the market various new food products, and the tendency of the manufacturer is to decrease the size and weight of package goods rather than to increase prices. Print butter, bagged flour, sugar, rice tea, salt, etc., require special attention. The variation mostly found in commodities was due in most cases to careless boy clerks not realizing the seriousness of the work intrusted to them. At present there are several candy kitchens supplying the public with package confectionery. The inspections of these kitchen products have been gratifying, as good weight was recorded in every test. The same result was found in re-weighing coal in transit varying from five to fifty pounds overweight. A large portion of packages found short were put up outside of the town. The result of all the inspections shows that the cooperation between the merchant and consumer is of the highest standard, and their honesty is greatly appreciated by the citizens of the town.


Miscellaneous.


More gasoline and oil pumps have been installed this year. As these pumps are in an experimental stage they are unreliable and require fre- quent testing and regulating. The old method of testing proved very unsatisfactory, so an up-to-date testing apparatus was purchased, con- sisting of a five gallon and a one gallon testing can.


The work as required by the Director of Standards is very exacting. Sealers find more laws enacted every year, making more duties to per-


132


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


form, and more stringent laws on commodities of life to enforce. To carry out the work in an efficient manner requires a great deal of energy and time on the part of your sealer. The compensation of the sealer should be placed on the same standard as of other towns of its size, there- fore I recommend that the salary be increased $100 for the ensuing year.


To properly perform the work of this department it is essential a suit- able equipment be available. At present the department has ten fifty pound weights to test scales of a ton or more. To properly test these scales more weights are transported from the city of Lynn when con- venient. The amount paid out for expressing these weights to and from Lynn would have purchased a set for the department. This department also needs a prescription scale testing apparatus. Up to the present this has been done by the city of Lynn at an additional expense. Therefore, I recommend $150 be appropriated for additional apparatus.


Administration.


I recommend for the ensuing year the following :-


Sealer of Weights and Measures


$300 00


Printing and books


40 00


Teaming and help


75 00


Miscellaneous


50 00


Additional apparatus


150 00


Total


$615 00


Respectfully submitted, C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures. SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


I33


CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT ..


1920]


REPORT OF Superintendent of Cemetery


To the Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN,- I herewith submit my fifth annual report as Superin- tendent of Cemetery :


Lots sold for the year 1920 .


$2,031 25


Interments for the year 1920


61


For care and maintenance I would recommend $3,000 to be spent as follows :


Salary of superintendent


$950 00


Labor .


1,500 00


Planting of beds .


80 00


Manure and dressing


20 00


Loam .


20 00


Stone dust


100 00


Canvas


30 00


Grass seed


20 00


Supplies


100 00


Water, supplies and repairs


150 00


Teaming


35 00


$3,005 00


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


134


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Report of Town Engineer


To the Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN, - Herewith I submit my eighth annual report of the service rendered by the Engineering Department for the various town departments for the year ending December 31, 1920 :


The Engineering Department has had charge of the following line of work: The designing and superintending of the construction of all drains and sewers, together with the specifications and estimates of the same; the establishing of street lines and curb grades for curbstones ; all data and plans relating to laying out of streets for acceptance as public ways, and all engineering questions which come before the boards of the several departments.


During the past year the estimates approved by this department have amounted to $33,000, and all completed contracts conformed with the specifications therein described.


Storm Water Drainage.


A portion of Hawthorn brook, near Harrison avenue, has been widened and deepened to a true grade to relieve the flooding conditions which have existed in this vicinity for a number of years.


The flooding of land caused by the overflow from Stacey brook has - without a doubt been abated, for during the excessive spring rains all the storm water and a portion of Lynn's sewage flowed out to sea without flooding the surrounding territory.


The embankments of the open channel, between the new concrete cul- vert and New Ocean street, are of a very unstable material. These are being washed away both by wave action and the flow of water, thereby under- mining the adjoining property.


In a rainfall of less than one inch in eight hours, Lynn's sewage is deflected into this brook. Therefore, there is little doubt but this pollution of a storm water brook is unsightly and a menace to the public health of a residental section of the town.


Sewers.


The sewer system of the town has been extended in the following streets : Burpee road, 445 feet ; Eureka avenue, 150 feet ; Humphrey street, 335 feet ; Lincoln House avenue, 397 feet ; Puritan road, 273 feet.


This is the first time since the sewer system was in operation, that it has been possible to have a daily chart record of the number of gallons pumped and the efficiency of the pumps at each pumping.


The total number of gallons pumped amounted to 262,485,000, at a power cost of 0.65791 cents per 100,000 gallons.


135


TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT.


1920]


Cemetery.


The improvement to a portion of the cemetery has been completed and the area properly prepared for burial purposes is 10,400 square feet, which is subdivided into seventy-six lots.


This section required the blasting and excavation of 392 cubic yards of rock and refilling with suitable material for graves in addition to the earth excavation of 2,500 cubic yards.


Continuous Sidewalks.


Lines and grades have been given in the various streets as designated by the Board of Selectmen for the setting of curbstone.


Although the curbstones were ordered in August they were not deliv- ered until late in December, and it seemed inadvisable at that date to set the total amount.


On account of the high cost of granolithic this year and the late ship- ment of curbstones no pavement was laid.


Selectmen's Department.


Data and estimates have been furnished at various times for use in the Selectmen's Department and plans submitted for their approval.


Assessors' Department.


The card index and sectional plans of the Assessors' Department have been brought up to date.


Town Survey.


The coordinate survey of the town has been extended when it did not interfere with the construction work of the town, and at date there are completed fifty sectional sheets of 1,500,000 square feet each.


In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesies shown me by the various departments and by private engineers, who have kindly furnished me with their data, thereby greatly assisting the work of this department.


Respectfully submitted,


WALLACE W. PRATT,


Town Engineer.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


I36


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Report of Overseers of the Poor


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


We submit herewith our annual report for the year 1920. While we have aided more persons this year than in 1919, we had a balance of $469.42 to turn back to the town. This is very gratifying when you take into consideration the industrial conditions of the last six months.


We were relieved of a heavy expense and care, October 30, when one large family returned to another state to be, supported by the father and husband, who had deserted this family last winter.


The Board wishes to suggest to the townspeople that a fund be raised by contribution to relieve temporary want, in cases where parties do not care to receive direct aid from the Poor Department.


While we appreciate the great amount of good accomplished by the charitable associations of the town, we still realize there are many cases which come to our attention where such a fund would temporarily tide over our citizens. We firmly believe the plan could be worked out, along the lines of the Associated Charities of Lynn, and earnestly solicit your endorsement.


We appreciate all good work done by the district nurse and we are aware of aid rendered by individuals and charitable organizatious of our town.


The financial and statistical reports will be found uuder the head of the Secretary's report.


Recommendations.


We would recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $4,500 for the maintenance of the Poor Department for the ensuing year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman. EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary. HARRY E. CAHOON.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


SECRETARY'S REPORT.


Persons having settlement in Swampscott aided by other cities and towns


16


Persons full supported in Swampscott 8


Families partially supported in Swampscott 7 Men, women and children receiving aid by Swampscott, during 1920, 66 Settlement in Swampscott . 57


Settlement elsewhere in state 9


1920]


OVERSEERS OF POOR REPORT.


137


Persons aided in 1920 in Swampscott


47


Persons fully supported in State Hospital


2


Aided by other cities and towns, settlement in Swampscott


. 15


Financial Report.


Reimbursed by State


$673 47


Reimbursed by cities and towns .


399 06


Due from state


250 54


Due from cities and towns .


30 00


Expenditures in 1920


$4,230 58


Respectfully submitted,


EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary.


SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.


138


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Town Clerk's Statistics


Births Recorded, 177.


Males, 82 ; Females, 95.


In January, 9; February, 17; March, 12; April, 17; May, 18; June, 19; July, 14; August, 21 ; September, 16; October, 16; November, 5 ; Decem- ber, 13.


Marriages Recorded, 96.


In January, 5; February, 6; March, 2; April, 8; May, 6; June, 22; July, 5; August, 2; September, 5; October, 11 ; November, 12; Decem- ber, 2. 1


Deaths Recorded, 90.


Males, 47 ; Females, 43.


In January, 4; February, 12; March, 13; April, 11; May, 5; June, 3; July, 6; August, 7; September, 12; October, 4; November, 7; Decem- ber, 6.


Dogs Licensed, 189.


Males, 157 at $2 ; Females, 32 at $5.


Money paid to County Treasurer.


Lobster Fishermen's Licenses.


Resident, 15 at $1 expiring October 31, 1920.


Resident, 8 at $1 expiring October 31, 1921.


Gunners' Licenses.


Resident, 177 at $1.


Fishermen's Licenses.


Resident, 24 at 50c.


Money paid to Commissioners on Fisheries and Game.


Other Licenses Issued ..


3 Auctioneers


6 Pool Tables


2 00


12 00


I Bowling Alley .


2 00


2 00


3 Junk Dealers


75 00


225 00


I Itinerant Vender


25 00


25 00


$270 00


Paid Town Treasurer $270.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,


Town Clerk.


December 31, 1920.


at $2 00


$6 00


139


LIBRARY BUILDING COMMITTE REEPORT.


1920]


REPORT OF Library Building Committee


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


The Library Building Committee is still keeping its organization intact by reason of the fact that it has a small balance on hand, which it has need for in connection with the building.


The committee hesitates to take any action with regard to the use of the money, because of the same conditions existing now, as to labor and materials, as existed at the time of its previous report. Your committee is now awaiting a favorable opportunity to finish whatever remains to be done.




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.