Town annual report of Swampscott 1920, Part 4

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


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With reference to the increase requested for school teachers the Com- mittee believes that the Swampscott teachers are being underpaid, that to continue this course it is detrimental to the interests of the town, and further that the general situation throughout the country makes it imper- ative that a higher standard of wage be granted to those to whom is intrusted the all-important work of the public schools.


With reference to wage increases requested in other departments the Committee believes that such adjustments should be made as to provide a fair compensation for the work performed and to keep the same some- where near the average of wages paid for similar work by other towns, and has recommended accordingly.


In passing upon requests for wage increases, the Committee in no case has felt justified in recommending the full amount asked. In failing to recommend the full amounts, the Committee has had in mind, among other things, the permanency of the employment, the fact that those employed are not subject to the hazards, uncertainty and reverses that are bound to occur in industrial and commercial lines, and the amount of revenue available.


In addition to the requests for appropriations to be raised out of current revenue there are other articles in the warrant calling for the appropriation of substantially $175,000 to be raised by borrowing on notes or bonds of the town. At the beginning of the year the towns borrowing capacity within the debt limit as fixed by the State was $164,100. Since then it has voted to borrow $128,000 for the erection of the new Machon school, thereby cutting its borrowing capacity to $36,160, a margin so narrow that it cannot with safety be reduced further. In order to continue necessary extension of the town's sewerage system, the Sewer and Water Board has petitioned the legislature for permission to borrow $100,000 outside the debt limit for this purpose and the appropriations here recom- mended for sewer construction will come out of this amount. The only bonded appropriation within the debt limit contemplated by this report is a portion of the $30,000 which will be necessary to resurface Atlantic avenue, and with reference to this the Committee has in mind that the general debt will be reduced by the payment of $9,700 on May 1, $3,117 additional by June 1, $2,900 additional by July I and $8,000 additional by August I, making a total of $23,717. Other than this, however, the Committee feels that the general bonded debt of the town should not be increased during the present year.


Article 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; Over- seers of the Poor; Trustees of the Public Library; Library Building Committee ; Sealer of Weights and Measures ; Building Inspector ; Super- intendent of the Cemetery ; Victory Committee; Memorial Committee ; Board of Selectmen ; Town Accountant; Finance Committee.


Such portions of the above reports, as call for the appropriation of money, are set forth separately under later articles in the warrant and there reported on by the Finance Committee.


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


3


34


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


&We recommend that the bond required of the Town Treasurer for the ensuing year be in the sum of $30,000.


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


We recommend that the bond required of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year be in the sum of $20,000.


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


We recommend that the bonds required of the Water and Sewerage Board for the ensuing year be in the sum of $6,000 for each member.


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


We recommend that the bond required of the Town Clerk for the ensuing year be in the sum of $1,000.


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


We recommend that the salaries of town officials remain the same as last year excepting the Surveyor of Highways, whose salary is reported on in a later article.


Article 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.


We recommend that the salaries of school teachers be increased as follows : Maximum teachers $400 per year; teachers who have not yet reached the maxium and who, under the present system, may receive when reappointed an automatic increase of $50, $350 per year in addition to the amount received by such automatic increase. Said increases to be paid beginning with April 1, 1920, except to teachers who have served for less than a year, and as to them, said increases to begin upon their reappoint- ment in September, 1920. The appropriation required for such increase is covered in Article 24.


Article 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.


The Finance Committee has conferred with the committee appointed to consider the advisability of appropriating money for a new police station. In view of the plans under way for a group of municipal buildings, or civic centre, referred to in a later article, the reduced borrowing capacity during the present year, and the many additional expenditures which must be made, we recommend that action upon the question of a new police station be indefinitely postponed.


Article 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.


We believe that the efficiency of the department and the protection of property require the adoption of certain of the recommendations referred to in the above article and accordingly we recommend :


That the present gas lighting system on combination A be replaced with electric lights.


That 500' of 2}"' double jacket hose be purchased.


That three of the present Stevens type of boxes be replaced with three new boxes as requested.


That one punch register be installed at fire headquarters.


That the Phillips Beach House be painted.


That action on the installation of starting motors on combinations B and C be indefinitely postponed.


That the salaries to members of the department be increased as follows : Privates from $1,400 per year to $1,600; Captains from $1,425 to $1,650; Assistant Chief from $1,475 to $1,700; Chief from $1,760 to $1,960; said increases to become operative from April 1, 1920.


The appropriations for the foregoing are covered under Article 24.


Article 14. To see what action the town will take in relation to the


35


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


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.


We recommend that the sum of $111.77, being a balance remaining after completion of laying mains in Palmer avenue and Orchard road, and that a sum of $114.84, being a balance remaining after completion of main in Phillips circle, be transferred to the emergency fund of the Water Department.


We recommend that the appropriation asked for on page 123 under this article be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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.


ASHES AND GARBAGE.


The Board of Health is responsible for the collection of ashes and garbage. Two years ago the Board, acting under a vote of the town, entered into a contract for the collection of ashes for $3,500 per year and garbage for $1,800 per year. These contracts have three years to run. During the past year increased costs and scarcity of labor of the kind required have made it impossible to perform the contracts at a profit, and as a result, in trying either to avoid or to minimize a loss, the contractor has given very unsatisfactory service, particularly with reference to gar- bage. For the town to cancel the contracts and do the work itself, through the Highway Department, would, in the estimate given by the Surveyor of Highways, mean an expense of $25,000 the first year, this to include equipment, stable and garbage station, and $15,000 a year thereafter as long as present costs prevail. To cancel the contracts and advertise for new ones would, in the opinion of the Board of Health, only result in higher bids and the probable later development of a situation like the present. To bring suit on the contracts would be of doubtful benefit. Apparently, more money must be spent this year for the work in question. The Board of Health believes with a supplementary fund of $4,000 it can meet the needs of the town. If an extra sum is appropriated, however, we do not believe that it should be regarded or used merely as an addi- tional consideration under the present contracts. We recommend that the sum of $4,000 be appropriated to be used by the Board of Health from time to time for the purpose of affording collection of garbage and ashes.


We recommend that the other appropriations asked for under the fore- going article be taken up under Article 24.


Article 16. To see what action the town will take in relation to recom- mendations in the report of the Surveyor of Highways, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1919, on page 143.


We recommend that the stone crusher and roller be repaired at an expense not to exceed $900. The appropriation for this is included in Article 24.


The other special recommendations made on page 143 are taken up and reported on under special articles.


Article 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.


We understand that the willow trees on Puritan road need attention and that they can be cared for from the appropriation asked for under Article 24. We recommend the appropriation asked for be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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.


We recommend the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointiy under Article 24.


Article 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.


36


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


The recommendation regarding the purchase of a building on the Katherine E. Finnegan property is taken up under a special article.


We recommend that other appropriations asked for under this article be taken up under Article 24. .


Article 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.


We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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.


We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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.


We recommend the salary of the Sealer of Weights and Measures remain the same as last year.


We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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.


We recommend that the pay of the Superintendent of the cemetery be increased from $750 to $850 per year.


We recommend that the pay of the employees of the Cemetery Depart- ment be at the rate of $4.50 per day.


We recommend that the appropriations asked for under this article be taken up jointly with Article 24.


Article 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 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188.


The recommendations on pages 175 to 181 inclusive have been dealt with under separate articles in the warrant or in the following department appropriations.


We recommend the appropriation of the following amounts for the several town departments.


GENERAL GOVERNMENT.


Legislative


$200 00


Selectmen


1,860 00


Accountant


1,600 00


Treasury


1,200 00


Certification


200 00


Collector of Taxes


1,550 00


Assessors (including valuation book)


2,700 00


Town Clerk


600 00


Law


1,200 00


Election and Registration


1,000 00


Engineering


5,700 00


Town Hall


2,600 00


PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.


Police


$18,310 00


Fire-General


22,700 00


Electric Lights Comb. A


150 00


New Hose


500 00


Painting Phillips Beach House


300 00


New Boxes


450 00


Punch Register


210 00


Horses and Pungs


792 24


1920]


Hydrant Rental


$1,000 00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


300 00


Moth Department


4,000 00


Forest Warden


100 00


Tree Warden ·


1,200 00


Dog Officer .


150 00


Building Inspector


450 00


HEALTH AND SANITATION.


Board of Health-General .


$2,342 00


Inspector of Plumbing


625 00


Quarantine


500 00


Tuberculosis .


200 00


Vital Statistics


325 00


Health and School Nurse


1,100 00


Inspector of Slaughtering and Animals


565 00


Refuse and Garbage


Night Soil


142 00


Cleaning Beaches


1,000 00


Ashes


3,645 00


Garbage


1,800 00


Sewer Maintenance


8,600 00


Particular Sewers


500 00


Care of Brooks


1,100 00


Hawthorne Brook


1,500 00


Grading and seeding at Pumping Station .


1,000 00


HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.


Administration


$2,160 00


Repairs, Equipment and Maintenance


30,000 00


Snow Removal


19,000 00


Sidewalks and curbing


2,000 00


Street Construction


2,000 00


Street Watering and Oiling


5,000 00


Continuous Sidewalks


5,000 00


Street Lighting


16,000 00


Repairs to Stone Crusher


900 00


Seal Coating


2,500 00


CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF.


Poor Department


$5,300 00


State Aid


2,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


2,000 00


Pensions


1,663 25


EDUCATION.


Schools


.


$91,567 28


Libraries


.


.


.


5,200 00


RECREATION.


Monument Lot


$50 00


Memorial Day


300 00


Metropolitan.Park Maintenance


6,300 00


Park Department :


Jackson Park


$500 00


Blaney Beach


1,700 00


Monument Ave.


750 00


Paradise


300 00


Phillips Park


500 00


Water Rates


200 00


Sundries .


150 00


Phillips Park Dumping Purposes .


4,100 00 250 00


37


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


.


38


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


CEMETERY.


Cemetery


.


$2,950 00


UNCLASSIFIED.


Town Reports


$1,000 00


Reserve Fund


2,500 00


G. A. R. Hall


100 00


Insurance Premiums


3,000 00


District Nurse


300 00


Soldiers' Exemptions


50 00


Overlay, 1916


2 00


Overlay, 1917


310 82


INTEREST.


Temporary Loans


· $10,000 00


General Debt


13,066 50


Sewer Bonds


9,300 75


Metropolitan Parks


3,900 00


MUNICIPAL DEBT.


General Debt


31,500 00


Sewer Bonds


.


.


.


13,350 00


AGENCY.


State Tax


40,000 00


County Tax


23,000 00


State Enterprises


2,700 00


Total


$453,686 84


We further recommend that in the foregoing budget under the sub-head "Highways and Bridges," of the $19,000 there recommended for snow removal, $10,000 of this amount be provided by transferring the sum of $10,000 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund of the town to the High- way Department's account to be used for this purpose.


Article 25. To see if the town will vote to 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.


According to a recent court decision the act in question applies to enlisted men only. Roy H. Walch not being an enlisted man, we must recommend that in his case action under this article be indefinitely post- poned. William L. Quinn entered the military service of the United States by an enlistment August 1, 1917. At the time he had been employed by the town since June 15, 1917, as a patrolman under a three months' provisional appointment approved by the Civil Service Commis- sion which automatically expired on September 15, 1917. We recommend that he be paid the difference between his military compensation and the amount he would have received from the town during the term of such provisional appointment and that the sum of $111.50 be appropriated therefor.


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


An appropriation of $5,000 for continuous sidewalks being included under Article 24, we recommend that no action be taken under the fore- going article.


Article 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.


We recommend that the sum of $2,500 be appropriated for the purpose


.


39


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


of finishing the paving of that portion of Essex street to and including the junction of Cherry street, in accordance with the plans and specifica- tions of the Massachusetts Highway Commission.


Article 28. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three thou- sand 'dollars to finish Banks terrace, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


We recommend that $3,000 be appropriated for the purpose of finishing the laying out and grading of Banks terrace.


Article 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.


As a rule, the Finance Committee is opposed to the acceptance of streets until the same are in suitable condition for use as public highways. We regard Forest avenue as an exception to this rule, however, in that it affords a much needed means of access to a well settled and rapidly grow- ing portion of the town and accordingly we recommend that the town 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, and that the sum of three thousand dollars be appropriated for the repair of same ; provided and upon condition that satisfactory waivers in accordance with said plan and with the usual provisions be first obtained from all abutters and any person or persons having any interest therein.


Article 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.


We believe the construction of a highway connecting New Ocean street and the Lynn boulevard to be a matter not of a necessary character and, therefore, we recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 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.


We recommend the salaries of the following elected town officers : Board of Selectmen, Moderator, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Assessors, Water and Sewerage Commissioners, Overseers of Poor and Board of Health remain the same as last year.


We recommend the salary of the Surveyor of Highways be increased to $1,960 per year, from April 1, 1920, The appropriation covering the same has been included in Article 24.


Article 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.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


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


We recommend the salary of the Chief of Police be increased to nine- teen hundred and sixty dollars per year and that the salaries of the regular patrolmen be increased to sixteen hundred dollars per year from April 1, 1920.


The appropriations covering the foregoing have been included in Article 24.


Article 34. To see if the town will vote to pay the Special Policemen 622 cents per hour, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.


40


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


We recommend that the pay of the Special Policemen remain the same as last year.


Article 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.


We believe the town desires to recognize the services of its soldiers, sailors and marines by a permanent and suitable memorial. We hardly feel, however, that satisfactory results, either to the men or the town's people, would be obtained by and embarking upon this undertaking with too much haste, particularly in view of the fact that a general study for a Civic Centre, of which such a memorial may form a part, is likely to be made. Accordingly, we recommend that action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 36. To see if the town will vote to empower the Board of Selectmen 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.


We recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to procure plans and make a study with reference to the question of a group of municipal buildings, or Civic Centre, including a police station, upon the location in question, and that they be instructed to report thereon at the next annual town meeting. We have conferred with the Committee appointed to investigate the question of a police station and it seems to be agreed that the purpose of this article can be carried out without incurring expense at present. Accordingly we recommend that no appropriation be made hereunder.


Article 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.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 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 light- ing fixtures and 270 combination seats and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Edward A. Maxfield, et als.


We recommend the sum of $500 for painting the interior of the upstairs main hall and the repairs or replacement of worn-out settees.


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


If any old settees are replaced by new ones we recommend the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sell those settees replaced.


Article 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.




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