Town annual report of Swampscott 1920, Part 5

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 5


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We recommend the construction of a sewer in Puritan road, for a dis- tance of about three hundred feet east from Puritan lane and that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.


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


We recommend the construction of a sewer in Eureka avenue a distance of about 150 feet connecting the same with the sewer now in Jessie street, and appropriate one thousand dollars for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.


Article 43. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Burpee


41


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


road, for a distance of about 650 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend the construction of a sewer in Burpee road, for a distance of about 650 feet, and appropriate $5,000 for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.


Article 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 recom- mended by the Board of Selectmen and Water and Sewerage Board.


The total amount required for this work is estimated by the Town Engineer at $30,000. No agreement has been reached with the City of Lynn with reference to paying half of this expense and there seems to be no prospect of an agreement at present. In any event the amount required is too large to be taken out of current expense, in view of the other appropriations which must be made this year, and the present borrowing capacity of the town is too low to permit the raising of the money by a loan. We recommend that action upon this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 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.


It is estimated that at least $25,000 would be required for the above construction. For obvious reasons the town cannot enter upon such an undertaking at present. We are advised that the sum of $1,500 will suit- ably repair the outfall of the brook at Phillips Beach, near the Hotel Preston, and as the Water and Sewerage Board is responsible for the care of brooks we recommend that it make such repairs. An appropriation of $1,500 to cover this has been included under Article 24.


Article 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.


As this is in line with the development and extension of the sewer sys- tem we recommend that the Humphrey street sewer be extended from its present terminus at Northend avenue to the northerly junction of Humphrey street and Forest avenue and that the sum of $5,000 be appro- priated therefor to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 47. To see if the town will vote to extend the proposed Humphrey 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.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 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.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Belmont avenue for a distance of about 350 feet, and that the sum of two thousand dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 49. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Columbia street for a distance of about 470 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Columbia street for a distance of about 470 feet, and that the sum of seventeen hundred dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 50. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Bellevue road for a distance of about 270 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Bellevue road for


42


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


a distance of about 270 feet, and that the sum of $900 be appropriated for the same, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.


Article 51. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Superior street for a distance of about 435 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Superior street for a distance of about 435 feet, and that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 52. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Huron steeet for a distance of about 350 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Huron street for a distance of about 350 feet, and that the sum of thirteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 53. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Mapledale place for a distance of about 500 feet, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Mapledale place for a distance of about 500 feet and that the sum of eighteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 54. To see if the town will vote to lay a ten-inch water main in Burpee road for a distance of about 1,000 feet and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a ten-inch water main be laid in Burpee road for a distance of about 1,000 feet and that the sum of $9,000 be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.


Article 55. To see if the town will vote to lay six-ineh water main in Aspen road for a distance of about 750 feet and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Aspen road for a distance of about 750 feet and that the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town, provided interest at the rate of six per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest, the work to be done when in the discretion of the Water Board the same shall become necessary.


Article 56. To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch water main in Magnolia road for a distance of about 300 feet and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.


We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Magnolia road for a distance of about 300 feet and that the sum of eighteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the same, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town, provided interest at the rate of six per cent is paid on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest, the work to be done when in the discretion of the Water Board the same shall become necessary.


Article 57. To see if the town will vote to resurface Atlantic avenue from Humphrey street to the Marblehead line, in accordance with specifica- tions of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways and Board of Selectmen.


We regard the resurfacing of Atlantic avenue as necessary. We have taken up with the Massachusetts Highway Commission and the Essex County Commissioners the question of the State and the County contrib- uting a portion of the $30,000 needed to do this, and we postpone report on this matter pending their decision.


Article 58. To see if the town will vote to resurface Essex street from the Boston & Maine freight house to the Salem line, in accordance with specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 59. To see if the town will vote to construct a sidewalk from the private way leading to Galloupes Point to the Gale estate and appro-


43


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


priate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways. As your Committee does not consider this improvement immediately necessary


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 60. To see if the town will vote to build a flight of steps from Ingalls terrace to the way leading to Rockland street and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.


The Ingalls terrace steps constitute a public way for which the town is responsible. The steps are in a condition which subjects the town to a considerable liability.


We recommend that the sum of $1,800 be appropriated for the purpose of building a flight of steps, in place of the present steps, upon the public way known as Ingalls terrace.


Article 61. To see if the town will vote to resurface Burrill street from Monument avenue to Essex street in accordance with the specifications of the Massachusetts Highway Commission and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 62. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of forty-five hundred dollars for edgestones and granolithic walks to be placed around the Paradise road playgrounds, as recommended by the Park Commissioners.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 63. To see what action the town will take, if any, relative to having the Highway Department collect the ashes and garbage, and appropriate money for the same as recommended by the Health Officer. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 64. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Health to cancel the present contract for the collection of ashes and garbage, and award a new contract, and appropriate money for the same, as recom- mended by the Health Officer.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 65. To see if the town will authorize the Park Commissioners to open Phillips park for dumping purposes, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Health Officer.


We recommend that Phillips park be opened for dumping purposes. The necessary appropriation, amounting to $250, is provided for under Article 24.


Article 66. To see if the town will vote to establish a dental clinic in the public schools, under the supervision of the School Committee, and appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred dollars for the same, as peti- tioned for by Clarence W. Horton, Health Officer.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 67. To see if the town will vote to increase the pay of the employees of the Sewer Department fifty cents per day, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John E. Peach, et als.


There are three permanent employees of. this department. They are hired and their duties are fixed by the Water and Sewerage Board. We believe that the question of their compensation should be left to the Board, and accordingly we recommend that action upon this article be indefinitely postponed.


Artcle 68. To see if the town will vote to raise the pay of the perma- nent employees of the Water Department to $30 per week, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by James D. Bentley, et als.


There are four permanent employees of this department. They are hired and their duties are fixed by the Water and Sewerage Board. We believe that the question of their compensation should be left to the Board, and accordingly werecommend that action upon this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 70. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Select- men to appoint an inspector of wires, as provided by Section 18 of Chap-


44


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


ter 122 of the Revised Laws, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Nowell Ingalls, et als.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 71. To see if the town will vote to pay the counsel fees of Officers Brogan and Pedrick, incurred in the recent hearing before the Board of Selectmen, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Howard B. Aborn, et als.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 72. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $200 to defray the expenses of the Firemen's Memorial Sunday, as petitioned for by Carl J. Berry, et als,


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 73. To see if the town will vote to increase the pay of the call men of the Swampscott Fire Department to two hundred dollars per year, to date from January 1, 1920, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Charles L. Stover, et als.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 74. To see if the town will vote to install a fire alarm box in the vicinity of Aspen, Sargent, or Arbutus roads and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Philip E. Bessom, et als.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 75. To see if the town will vote to set aside in the Swampscott Cemetery such plot of ground therein to be used for the burial of deceased soldiers, sailors and marines of the World War and for the erection of such memorials as may be placed thereon and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Harry E. Cahoon, et als.


We recommend that the town set aside in the Swampscott Cemetery a suitable plot of ground to be used for the burial of deceased soldiers, sailors and marines of the World War. We are informed by the peti- tioners that the immediate erection of a memorial is not contemplated and that no present appropriation is required under this article.


Article 76. To see if the town will instruct the Board of Fire Engineers for the ensuing year to elect in place of a permanent Chief of the Fire Department, as heretofore, a Call Chief of the Fire Department, and fix the compensation of said Chief of Fire Department at a sum not exceed- ing five hundred dollars per year, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Coleman M. Wood, et als.


The Town of Swampscott, by vote at the polls, recently accepted Chapter 4, of the Special Acts of 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." The present Chief of the Fire Department was appointed under this Act and thereupon became subject to the Civil Service Laws and Regulations. Apparently, the acceptance of the Act and appointment of an incumbent thereunder pre- cludes the action contemplated by the above article. The Finance Com- mittee requested an opinion by the Town Counsel on this question, which opinion coincides with this view, and accordingly we recommend that no action be taken under this article.


Article 77. To see what action the town will take toward purchasing the building owned by Katherine E. Finnegan, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Park Commissioners.


We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.


Article 79. 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, for the purposes specified in Articles 41, 42, 43 and 46, which relate respectively to the appropriation of $2,000 for a sewer in Puritan road, $1,000 for a sewer in Eureka avenue, $5,000 for a sewer in Burpee road and $5,000 for the extension of the sewer in Humphrey street, said appropriations aggregating $13,000, that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $13,000 and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor; said bonds or


45


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


1920]


notes shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen and shall be issued and payable in accordance with the pro- visions of Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913 and acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, 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; such bonds or notes shall be denomi- nated on the face thereof, " Swampscott Sewerage Loan Act of 1920," and shall bear such rates of interest as may be fixed by the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen.


We recommend, for the purposes specified in Articles 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56, which relate respectively to the appropriation of $2,000 for a six-inch water main in Belmont avenue, $1,700 for a six-inch water main in Columbia street, $900 for a six-inch water main in Bellevue road, $1,500 for a six-inch water main in Superior street, $1,300 for a six-inch water main in Huron street, $1,800 for a six-inch water main in Maple- dale place, $9,000 for a six-inch water main in Burpee road, $5,000 for a six-inch water main in Aspen road and $1,800 for a six-inch water main in Magnolia road, said appropriation aggregating $25,000, that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $25,000 and to issue bonds or notes of the town there- for ; said bonds or notes to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, and shall be issued and payable in accord- ance with Section 14 of Chapter 719 of the Acts of 1913 and acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, 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 ; said bonds or notes shall be denominated on the face thereof, "Swampscott Water Loan Act of 1916," and shall bear such rates of interest as may be fixed by the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen.


HARRY D. LINSCOTT, Chairman, HERBERT A. CAHOON, Secretary, BENJAMIN B. BLANCHARD, FRANK A. MOWATT, LOWELL E. SPRAGUE, PHILIP E. BESSOM.


Purpose


Appropriated, 1919


Spent, 1919


Asked, 1920


Recommended


Departmental Budgets, Article 24 General Government


Legislative


.


.


·


$250 00


$187 26


$275 00


$200 00


Selectmen


1,800 00


1,915 24


2,310 00


1,860 00


Accountant


.


.


1,325 00


1,315 72


1,650 00


1,600 00


Treasury


1,097 50


1,152 67


1,575 00


1,200 00


Certification


100 CO


168 70


200 00


200 00


Collector of Taxes


1,562 00


1,512 02


1,812 00


1,550 00


Assessors


2,000 00


1,981 14


3,450 00


2,700 00


Town Clerk


500 00


500 00


700 00


600 00


Law


·


1,200 00


1,018 15


1,200 00


1,200 00


Election and Registration


775 00


773 70


1,064 00


1,000 00


Engineering .


4,700 00


4,826 72


5,700 00


5,700 00


Town Hall ·


2,477 00


2,532 80


2,684 00


2,600 00


Protection of Life and Property


Police


14,060 00


15,253 03


16,835 00


18,310 00


Fire


21,337 00


21,621 49


24,995 00


26, 102 24


Sealer of Weights and Measures


310 00


294 94


400 00


300 00


Moth Department


5,000 00


5,038 21


5,000 00


4,000 00


Forest Warden


.


.


100 00


92 52


100 00


100 00


Tree Warden


·


.


1,100 00


1,095 87


1,850 00


1,200 00


Dog Officer


175 00


161 50


150 00


150 00


Building Inspector


450 00


450 00


450 00


450 00


Health and Sanitation .


3,574 00


355 38


4,752 00


4,557 00


Health and School Nurse


1,000 00


919 42


1, 100 00


1,000 00


Refuse and Garbage


6,243 87


6,243 44


7,399 33


5,587 00


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


46


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


Purpose


Appropriated, 1919


Sewer Maintenance


$8,500 00


Spent, 1919 $8,358 24


Asked, 1920 $8,375 00


Recommended $8,600 00


Particular Sewers


500 00


421 39


500 00


500 00


Care of Brooks


300 00


279 90


1,100 00


1,100 00


Stacey Brook


12,500 00


Hawthorne Brook


25,000 00


1,500 00


Grading and Seeding Lawn


.


...


..


.


. .


1,050 00


1,000 00


Highways and Bridges


Administration and Maintenance


23,900 00


26,392 63


33,100 00


32,160 00


Snow Removal


.


1,200 00


152 50


5,000 00


19,000 00


Sidewalks and Curbing


2,000 00


1,971 93


2,500 00


2,000 00


Street Construction


2,000 00


2,001 II


2,000 00


2,000 00


Street Watering and Oiling


7,000 00


4,328 26


7,000 00


5,000 00


Street Lighting


15,000 00


14,255 14


16,500 00


16,000 00


Seal Coating


2,500 00


Paradise Playgrounds Edgestones


4,500 00


. .. ....


Continuous Sidewalks


10,000 00


5,000 00


Repairing Stone Crusher .


900 00


900 00


Charities and Soldiers' Relief


Poor Department


4,700 00


4,704 89


4,875 00


. 5,300 00


State Aid


.


.


2,000 00


1,752 00


2,000 00


2,000 00


Soldiers' Relief


.


.


2,500 00


2,169 19


2,500 00


2,000 00


German War Aid


1,000 00


302 00


.....


.


Pensions


675 00


659 00


1,663 25


1,663 25


Education


1


Schools


70,845 00


70,831 29


96,167 28


91,567 28


Libraries


4,827 50


4,825 08


5,454 21


5,200 00


·


.


.


...


...


..


.


·


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


47


1920]


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


.


Purpose


Appropriated, 1919


Spent, 1919


Asked, 1920


Recommended


Recreation


Monument Lot ·


$50 00


$53 25


$50 00


$50 00


Memorial Day


300 00


300 00


300 00


300 00


Metropolitan Park Maintenance .


·


.


5,300 00


6,288 91


6,300 00


6,300 00


Park Department .


.


.


3,950 00


4,197 92


6,500 00


4,100 00


Public Service Enterprises


Cemetery


2,125 00


2,118 64


3,130 00


2,950 00


Unclassified


Town Reports


838 94


838 94


1,000 CO


880 09


Reserve Fund


·


.


.


2,500 00


2,500 00


G. A. R. Hall


75 00


75 00


100 00


100 00


Insurance Premiums


1,300 00


1,290 56


3,000 00


3,000 00


District Nurse


300 00


300 00


300 00


300 00


Soldiers' Exemptions


50 00


27 24


50 00


50 00


Overlay, 1916


47 80


47 80


2 00


2 00


Overlay, 1917


.


.


Interest


Temporary Loans


10,000 00


7,456 30


10,000 00


10,000 00


General Debt


10,430 50


10,430 50


13,066 50


13,066 50


Sewer Bonds


8,342 75


8,342 75


9,300 75


9,300 75


Metropolitan Parks


3,700 00


3,879 93


3,900 00


3,900 00


Municipal Debt


General Debt


·


.


46,100 00


46,100 00


31,500 00


31,500 00


Sewer Bonds


13,950 00


13,950 00


13,350 00


13,350 00


Metropolitan Park


·


·


.


·


.


1,000 00


926 75


.


. .


[Dec. 31


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


48


.


.


.


.


·


·


.


·


.


.


.


310 82


310 82


·


·


·


1,750 00


Purpose


Appropriated, 1919


Spent, 1919


Asked, 1920


Recommended


Agency


State Tax


$35,000 00


$31,860 30


$33,000 00


$40,000 00


County Tax


25,000 00


22, 163 89


23,000 00


23,000 00


State Enterprises


2,700 00


2,609 00


2,700 00


2,700 00


Forest Avenue


3,000 00


Ingalls Terrace Steps


1,800 00


Painting Town Hall, etc.


500 00


William L. Quinn and Roy M. Walch, Article 25


1,078 00


III 50


Phillips Park Pumping Purposes


250 00


Extra for Ashes and Garbage


4,000 00


Ersex Street Pavement


·


·


·


.


2,500 00


2,500 00


Banks Terrace


.


·


.


4,000 00


15 00


3,000 00


3,000 00


Sewers (Articles 41-42-43-46)


·


13,000 00


Water (Articles 48-49-50-51-52-53-54-55-56)


25,000 00


Total Appropriations Recommended .


$506,478 46


·


·


.


·


. . ·


.. ....


.


..


...


. . . . .


....


1920]


TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.


49


.


50


TOWN DOCUMENTS.


[Dec. 31


Supplemental Report of Finance Committee at Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, April 6, 1920.


Article 4. On recommendations of Committee on Memorials as shown on pages 169 and 170 of the Annual Report of the town of Swampscott.


The Finance Committee questions the advisability of changing the names of places and landmarks fixed by record and custom. It seems also that the town might well erect a memorial, either in the form of a tablet, monument or piece of sculptured art, in the centre of the town which might possibly be more appropriate than the one proposed. A permanent memorial, whatever form it eventually takes, should be planned for, not hurriedly, but in connection with the proposed municipal centre referred to in later articles. Accordingly, we recommend that the matter of the appropriation referred to in said report be indefinitely postponed.


Article 57. Since the printed report of the Finance Committee went to the press the committee has completed conferences with the Massachusetts Highway Commission, now known as the Massachusetts Board of Public Works, and with the Essex County Commissioners. As the budget of each commission is made up from the beginning of the year an appropri- ation from the county and the state to help pay the expense of resurfacing Atlantic avenue cannot he hoped for this year. In our conferences with the Commissioners of the state and of the county, we were encouraged to think that favorable consideration might be given for this proposed work to be done in 1921, provided petitions were filed in time to have the same heard and the proposition fully investigated before the end of the present year. Provided favorable action were taken, it would mean a saving to the town of perhaps two-thirds of this expense.




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