Town annual report of Swampscott 1920, Part 2

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 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 | Part 20


Although the architect had given a bond to produce bidders who would submit figures to enable procedure on the project, at an ultimate cost of $90,000, it must be recorded that he failed to do so. Your committee pro- ceeded throughout in the regular and orderly manner prescribed by the by-laws and in every way sought to facilitate bidding and to induce con- tractors to enter the list, but without avail. As the matter now stands the committee has a lot and $90,000 with which to build a school building of eight rooms and assembly hall in accordance with plans and specifications of Architect McLean. The town is in identically the same position it was on September 25, excepting that it now has the plans and specifications in hand, together with such information as is contained in actual bids. It seems to be a question of either an additional appropriation to carry out the present project or its abandonment, with instructions to your committee to secure plans and specifications of a building that can be erected at the lowest possible cost, consistent with the health and comfort of the children. Whatever is done, it should be borne in mind that the need of more schoolroom has reached a critical point and the earliest possible action is demanded.


(Signed) EDWARD TILLOTSON, ARTHUR W. STUBBS, HENRY S. BALDWIN, GRANT S. HILTON.


Voted, To accept the report.


The further reports of the Machon School Building Committee, majority and minority, were read respectively by John Vannevar and Edward Tillotson.


2


IS


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Additional Report of the Machon School Building Committee.


Adjourned Town Meeting, January 22, 1920.


To the Citizens of Swampscott :


Voted to recommend, because of increased cost of labor and material, an additional $40,000 to the $90,000 already appropriated, for the erection of the school house for the Machon district as previously voted by the town.


JOHN VANNEVAR, HENRY S. BALDWIN, F. H. TIMSON, GRANT S. HILTON.


Machon School Building Committee.


Minority report filed January 22, 1920.


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :


When the town accepted and adopted the plans of William H. McLean for a bungalow type of school building of eight rooms and an assembly hall, we assume that such action was based largely upon the fact that the architect guaranteed, over his personal bond of $10,000, that a building in accordance with his plans and specifications could be erected and equipped, ready for occupancy, for an appropriation of $90,000 and that he would bind himself to an agreement to bring in bidders which would assure the town of its fulfilment.


The type of building was a new venture upon the part of the town, and while it has its advantages it likewise has its disadvantages. But the strong appeal which the proposed building made to the town and which overtopped all other considerations, was the claim that it could be erected and equipped at a cost far below that of a two-story structure and at the same time provide the town with everything that the latter could hold forth.


Your building committee has been approximately four months in an effort to find bidders who would build this structure at a cost to enable it to deliver it to the town within the appropriation. Notwithstanding the fact that bids have been called for no less than three times and that the architect has been given every opportunity to fulfill his agreement to the town, your committee was unable to get bids that were anywhere near low enough to encourage it to proceed with the work. Briefly Mr. McLean failed to make good his promises and the town finds itself facing a propo- sition to expend something like $40,000 more if his plans are to be carried out.


While the bungalow type of building is not without attractions the very nature of its construction offers a problem in heating that does not obtain in a two story structure. The plant proposed for the bungalow school may or may not be adequate to properly heat the building in all kinds of weather. The wide area over which the heat has to be carried and the fact that the roof contains large areas of glass make the heating proposi- tion a difficult one. On the other hand a two story structure has been proven to be self-aiding in the matter of heating. One story above another lends the heat of each in attaining a proper degree of temperature.


The lot selected by the town on which to build the proposed new build- ing, while large enough to take care of a bungalow type, is far better adapted to a two story affair which, also, would make a much better showing from the surrounding territory. The town owns a set of plans for a two-story building. They are the work of Charles V. Burgess, a local architect. Bona fide estimates, guaranteed to the town through the town counsel, for a period of three weeks have been secured, and these will allow for the erection of the two-story building, equipped and ready for occupancy, at a cost no greater than the figures submitted for the bungalow school.


19


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


We, therefore, feel that we owe it to the town to recommend that the vote adopting the McLean plans be rescinded, that the committee be instructed to secure bids in accordance with the by-laws for the Burgess plans and that this meeting adjourn for 21 days to take final action on the matter.


EDWARD TILLOTSON, ARTHUR W. STUBBS.


Voted, To accept the reports.


The report of the Finance Committee on the articles in the warrant was read by John F. Luther, Chairman.


Finance Committee's Report.


Filed January 22, 1920.


On the advertisement for bids for the Machon School, the following were received : General contract 6, plumbing 3, wiring I, heating and ventilating 3, besides some that did not comply with condition as to certi- fied check and two proposals on the cost plus basis.


From the beginning of the attempt to build a school for the Machon district, there have been two factions, one favoring a two-story and the other a one-story construction.


The two-story, or Burgess plan, was rejected by the town some years ago on the ballot at the town meeting. The one-story type was adopted almost unanimously, recently, in a large town meeting. Specific bids on this type have been received and contracts can be closed at once. Under the above circumstances we consider the time is past for any consideration of the relative merits of the two types of school.


Bids actually received for general contract, plumbing, wiring, heating and ventilating, total $108,870. Adding to this the architect's fee and an allowance of $4,000 for rock excavation, and $5,000 for furnishings, totals $117,870. Rock excavation called for on the original plans is partly unnecessary, and there should be a saving on this item. We, accord- ingly, recommend that in addition to the $90,000 already voted, the further sum of $30,000 be appropriated to build and equip the Machon School, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.


We further recommend that the building committee be authorized to omit any unnecessary rock excavation.


J. F. LUTHER, Chairman. CALVIN S. TILDEN, Secretary. C. S. DOUGHTY, L. M. ATHERTON.


A motion to accept and adopt the report of the Finance Committee was lost.


Voted, To adjourn to Thursday evening, January 29, 1920, at eight o'clock.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


Adjourned Special Town Meeting, January 29, 1920.


The moderator declared the meeting dissolved, no quorum.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


20


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Special Town Meeting, January 30, 1920. 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 directed 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 Friday, the thirtieth day of January, at 8 P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :


ARTICLE I. To see if the town will vote to rescind the vote taken at the special town meeting, held September 25, 1919, under Article 31 of the warrant for said meeting, whereby it voted to appropriate the sum of $90,000 by issuing bonds or notes of the town therefor for the purposes stated in Article 7 of said warrant.


ART. 2. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money in addition to the ninety thousand dollars ($90,000) already appropriated to construct the Machon School, so-called, in accordance with certain plans and specifications made by William H. McLean, architect, in accordance with the vote of the town at the special town meeting held September 25, 1919.


ART. 3. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Machon School Building Committee, consisting of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, to procure bids in accordance with the provisions of the By- Laws for the erection of a school building in accordance with the plans, specifications and addenda made by Charles V. Burgess, architect, now the property of the town, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 4. 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.


And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Post Offices and three other public and con- spicuous 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 twenty-second day of January, A. D. 1920.


HENRY S. BALDWIN, FREDERICK H. TIMSON, GRANT S. HILTON.


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 said Swampscott on Friday, the twenty-third day of January, 1920, the posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.


FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.


Special Town Meeting, January 30, 1920.


In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the legal voters of the town assembled at the Town Hall on Friday evening, January 30, 1920.


The meeting was called to order promptly at 8 o'clock by Daniel F. Knowlton, moderator, there being several hundred voters present.


21


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


The warrant calling the meeting and the return on same was read by George T. Till, Town Clerk.


The report of the Finance Committee was read by Calvin S. Tilden.


By consent of the meeting, Architect McLean was granted privilege of the floor.


Voted, Article I. That the vote taken at the special town meeting, held September 25, 1919, authorizing the appropriation of $90,000 for the building of a school in accordance with certain plans and specifications made by William H. McLean, be rescinded.


Voted, Article 2. To indefinitely postpone the matter of this article.


Voted, Article 3. That the Machon School Building Committee appointed at the special town meeting held September 25th, last, consist- ing of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, be authorized to procure bids in conformity with the by-laws of the town for the erec- tion of a school building on land recently acquired by the town, and located on Burpee road, so-called, in accordance with certain plans, speci- fications and addenda made by Charles V. Burgess, architect, now the property of the town ; to make and sign in behalf of the town all necessary contracts in connection with the erection of said building, in accordance with said plans, specifications and addenda ; to supervise the construction of said building, to employ an architect, if deemed by them advis- able; and that the sum of $128,000 be appropriated for these purposes. (Unanimous.)


Voted, To add Harry E. Hardy to the Machon School Building Committee.


Voted, To reject the report of the Finance Committee.


Voted, Article 4. That for the purposes specified in Article 3 of this warrant and the vote thereunder, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $128,000 and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor; said bonds or notes to be issued and 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 issuing of the first bond or note, or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, shall determine. Said bonds or notes shall be denominated on the face thereof, "Machon School Building Loan, 1920." (Unanimous.)


Article 4. The Finance Committee made a verbal report on this article, which was accepted and adopted by vote of the meeting.


Voted, To dissolve at 9.20 P. M.


Attest : GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.


Town Meeting, February 16, 1920. 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 directed 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 sixteenth day of February, at 6 A. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :


ARTICLE. I. To choose a Moderator for one (1) year. To choose a Town Clerk for one (1) year.


To choose three members of the Board of Selectmen for one (1) year.


To choose one member of the Board of Assessors for three (3) years.


22


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


To choose a Town Treasurer for one (1) year.


To choose a Collector of Taxes for one (1) year.


To choose one member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the School Committee for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the Overseers of the Poor for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the Board of Health for three (3) years.


To choose three Constables for one (1) year.


To choose one Park Commissioner for three (3) years.


To choose one member of the Water and Sewerage Board for three (3) years.


To choose one Tree warden for one (1) year.


To choose one Trust Fund Commissioner for three (3) years.


All to be chosen on one ballot.


ART. 2. To vote by ballot "Yes " or "No" upon the question : " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?"


ART. 3. To vote by ballot "Yes" or "No" upon the question : " Shall the town accept the provisions of Chapter 4, Special Acts 1920, entitled an act to establish the office of chief of the Fire Department of the town of Swampscott, and to place the office under the civil service laws."


ART. 4. To hear and act upon the reports of the :


Town Clerk.


School Committee.


Chief of Police.


Board of Fire Engineers.


Water and Sewerage Board.


Board of Health.


Health Officer.


Inspector of Animals.


Inspector of Slaughtering.


Inspector of Plumbing.


Surveyor of Highways.


Town Engineer.


Park Commissioners.


Superintendent of Moth Work.


Tree Warden.


Forest Warden.


Board of Assessors.


Overseers of the Poor.


Trustees of the Public Library.


Library Building Committee.


Sealer of Weights and Measures.


Building Inspector.


Superintendent of the Cemetery.


Victory Committee.


Memorial Committee.


Board of Selectmen.


Town Accountant.


Finance Committee.


ART. 5. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Treasurer for the ensuing year.


ART. 6. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year.


ART. 7. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Water and Sewerage Board for the ensuing year.


ART. 8. To see what amount of bonds will be required of the Town Clerk for the ensuing year.


23


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


ART. 9. To see what action the town will take in relation to salaries of town officials for the ensuing year.


ART. 10. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in antici- pation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1920, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, the debt or debt incurred thereby to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.


ART. II. 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, 1919, on page 89.


ART. 12. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Chief of Police, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 109.


ART. 13. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Fire Engineers, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 115.


ART. 14. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Water and Sewerage Board, as con- tained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on pages 116 and 123.


ART. 15. 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, 1919, on pages 127, 128, 131, 134, 137 and 140.


ART. 16. 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, 1919, on page 143.


ART. 17. 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, 1919, on page 150.


ART. 18. 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, 1919, on page 151.


ART. 19. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Park Commissioners as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 154.


ART. 20. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Assessors, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on pages 155 and 156.


ART. 21. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Overseers of the Poor as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 158.


ART. 22. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 166.


ART. 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Superintendent of Cemetery, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 168.


ART. 24. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Selectmen, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on pages 147 to 166.


ART. 25. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to pay Roy H. Walch and William L. Quinn the difference between their military and municipal compensation under Chapter 254, Acts 1917, accepted at the Annual Town Meeting, February 17, 1919. Approved and recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 26. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of ten thousand dollars for continuous sidewalks, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


24


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


ART. 27. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars to pay for the balance of the Essex street pavement work, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 28. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars to finish Banks terrace, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 29. To see if the town will vote to accept Forest avenue, so-called, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, shown on a plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated August, 1919, reported to the town at this meeting, and appropriate money for the same.


ART. 30. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to take up with the Massachusetts Highway Commission and the Essex County Commissioners the question of laying out and constructing a highway connecting New Ocean street and the Lynn boulevard and report at the next annual town meeting, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 31. To see if the town will vote to grant an increase of fifty per cent. in the amount now paid to the following elected town officers : Board of Selectmen, Moderator, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Assessors, Water and Sewerage Commissioners, Overseers of Poor, Board of Health and Surveyor of Highways, the same to take effect January 1, 1920, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 32. To see if the town will vote to place the care of plots of land at the intersection of streets under the direction of the Park Commis- sioners, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 33. To see if the town will vote to pay the Chief of Police $6 per day, and the regular patrolmen $5 per day, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 34. To see if the town will vote to pay the special policemen 62} cents per hour, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 35. To see if the town will vote to erect a suitable memorial municipal building commemorating the services and sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors and marines who served their country in war, and appro- priate money for the same in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 61 of the General Acts of 1919, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 36. To see if the town will vote to empower the Board of Select- men to procure competitive plans for a civic center on land bounded by Burrill and Phillips streets and Rock avenue upon which might be erected at some future time a municipal building or group of municipal buildings. and appropriate five hundred dollars for the use of the committee.


ART. 37. To see if the town will vote to increase the number of men on the police force to ten (10) men, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 38. To see if the town will vote to establish a building line on Elmwood road as provided for under Section 73, part 2, Chapter 344, Acts 1917, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


ART. 39. To see if the town will vote to paint the interior of the Town Hall and authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase new lighting fixtures and 270 combination seats and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Edward A. Maxfield, et als.


ART. 40. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of the old settees at the Town Hall.


ART. 41. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Puritan road, for a distance of about three hundred feet east from Puritan lane, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


ART. 42. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Eureka avenue a distance of about 150 feet, connecting the same with the sewer


25


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


5920]


now in Jessie street, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Fred E. Russell, et als.


ART. 43. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Burpee road, for a distance of about 650 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


ART. 44. To see if the town will vote to construct a covered conduit for that portion of Stacey brook lying between Humphrey street and New Ocean street, for a distance of about 560 feet, to carry the water of said brook, and appropriate twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the same, provided the City of Lynn will appropriate a like amount, as rec- ommended by the Board of Selectmen and Water and Sewerage Board.


ART. 45. To see if the town will vote to construct a permanent con- crete culvert and outfall at Phillips Beach, near the Hotel Preston, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways and Board of Selectmen.


ART. 46. To see if the town will vote to extend the Humphrey street sewer from its present terminus at Northend avenue to the Palmer school, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Wilmot R. Hastings, et als.


ART. 47. To see if the town will vote to extend the proposed Hum- phrey street sewer in Forest avenue for a distance of about 150 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Wilmot R. Hastings, et als.


ART. 48. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Belmont avenue for a distance of about 350 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.




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.