USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1921 > Part 10
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
630.50
Respectfully submitted,
U. M. CORSON, Chief of Police.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1921.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT.
117
Defective streets and sidewalks
39
Lost children found and returned to parents .
29
Poles and trees reported on fire
22
LIS
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Surveyor of Highways.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I herewith submit my annual report ending on December 31, 1921.
The Town Streets.
There have been about one and one-half miles of streets resurfaced with gravel and about three miles of tar resurfacing, while seal coating has been done on several streets.
Redington street, from Humphrey street to Blaney street, was excavated to the depth of two feet, filled with large pit stone to the sub-grade, then rolled with steam roller, resurfaced with six inches of No. I broken stone, bonded with Standard Asphalt Binder B, covered with pea stone and rolled. The filling removed from this street was delivered to dump belonging to the town on Pine street.
Burrill street from Boynton street to Railroad avenue, has been put to grade, curb stones on both sides of street lowered, and one sidewalk laid. Two catch-basins were also built, and 231 feet of 12-inch drain pipe laid. The driveway on this street was filled with six inches of broken stone bonded with Standard Asphalt Binder B, covered with pea stone. All the gravel excavated from this street was used in resurfacing side streets, while the filling was taken to the town dump on Pine street. Burrill street will need to be sealed this year.
Eureka avenue has been extended 125 feet, large stone removed and the road bed reshaped.
Aspen road and Belmont avenue, where water and gas pipes have been laid, have been leveled and gravel used for resurfacing, and rolled with the steam roller.
We are still at work at Forest avenue. Two catch-basins and one man- hole have been built, 105 feet of 12-inch pipe drain laid. Thirty-two feet of 8-inch pipe drain and 392 cubic yards of ledge were removed in the construction of the basins and drains. There also were 240.62 cubic yards of ledge removed from the sides of this avenue and there is still considerable work to be done here.
The streets of the town have been patrolled and repaired wherever found necessary, using Tar, Asphalt Oil and broken stone.
Gutters in all streets have been cleaned twice and the main streets most every Saturday. All catch-basins were cleaned in the spring and fall.
There have been two catch-basins built and four retopped this year. In connection with this work there have been laid 76 feet of 6-inch drain, 120 feet 8-inch drain pipe, 159 feet 10-inch drain pipe, 14 feet 12-inch drain pipe and 12 feet of 24-inch pipe. Puritan road received a dressing of stone dust from Orient court to Phillips corner.
119
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAY'S REPORT.
1921]
Many gutters have been treated with tar mixed stone. About 1, 153 square yards have been laid and 157 square yards of gutters paved with cobble stone.
There were 1,293 feet of guard rail fence repaired this year.
The Sidewalks.
Continuous sidewalks have received attention. The number of feet of curbstone laid has been 853 and the number of feet of curbstone reset, 1,846. The granolithic pavement was laid by the M. McDonough Company.
For repairing and resurfacing sidewalks, the following amounts of material have been used : Loads of screened gravel, 127; tons of stone dust, 322; loads of cinders, 407; for sanding icy sidewalks 49 loads of sand.
Several concrete sidewalks (tar) have been repaired to the extent of 1,639.04 square yards at a cost of 70 cents a yard.
Gravel sidewalks were built on Salem street, from Harrison avenue to entrance to golf links; . Atlantic avenue, from Beach Bluff avenue to Phillips avenue ; Atlantic avenue, from Humphrey square to the Appleton estate ; Humphrey street at Foster field. These sidewalks were all rebuilt, especially on Atlantic avenue, where the work of resurfacing the road caused a change in the grade.
Street Oiling.
Bids for furnishing oil for street purposes were asked for, opened in the Selectmen's room at Town Hall. The Texas Oil Company being the lowest was given the contract for the dust laying oil. Price, 7 cents per gallon.
About 26,995 gallons of Texas Number 30 was applied. There were 2,598 gallons of 65 per cent. asphalt road oil used, 22,506 cubic feet of water, and 11,757 gallons of tar used on the streets for all purposes. The price of this tar ranged from 15 to 17 cents delivered. The compound used for patching ranged in price from 17 to 19 cents per gallon.
The 1,900 gallons of Standard Asphalt Binder B on Redington street, and the 11,250 gallons Standard Asphalt Binder B used on Burrill street, were applied by the Standard Oil Company truck, at 14 cents per gallon.
The streets did not receive but one application of road oil this year, owing to the fact that last year there were 51,340 yards of surface treated with 45 per cent. of asphaltic oil, which did not need further treatment, but will need it this year.
Resurfacing Bridges.
The surface of Danvers street bridge has been replanked with 4-inch hard pine, the Highway Department paying for the lumber, and the Lynn Sand and Stone Company furnishing the labor.
The surface of Essex street bridge has been repaired several times dur- ing the year. This bridge will have to be all replanked this year.
120
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Recommendations.
That the town appropriate the sum of $1,200 to replank Essex street bridge.
That the town appropriate the sum of $2,500 for repairs and building new sand shed at the town yard, State road.
That the town appropriate the sum of $600 to be used in purchasing one pair of horses for the department, to take the place of one pair unfit for use.
That the town appropriate the sum of $2,000 for building sidewalks, resetting curbstones and gutters on Atlantic avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1921.
:921]
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
121
Report of Fire Engineers.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,- Following is the report of the Board of Fire Engineers and the Chief of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1921.
Fire Alarms and Service Record.
Bell alarms
· 50
Telephone calls
114
Still alarms
16
Woods fire calls
I
Lynn calls
7
No school calls
2
Combination A.
Times called in service
58
Miles traveled
132.9
Time at fires
30 hrs. 46 min.
Number feet å in. hose used
550
Gallons of chemicals used .
280
Feet of ladders used
48
Number feet 2₺ in. hose used
1,150 .
Combination B.
Times called in service
102
Miles traveled
·
164.8
Time at fires
46 hrs. 44 min.
Feet of 24 in. hose used
. 6,650
Gallons chemicals used
138
Number extinguishers used
46
Out on drills
3
Combination C.
Times called in service
70
Miles traveled
ICI
Time at fires
26 hrs. 20 min.
Feet of å in. hose used
2,250
Gallons chemicals used
524
Number extinguishers used
2I
Number feet ladders used
763
Out on drills
.
2
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Service Car.
Times called in service
72
Time at fires
42 hrs. 27 min.
Gallons chemicals used
III
Number extinguishers used
37
Feet of 23 in. hose used
1,850 .
Pyrene used
I
Valuation, Losses and Insurance.
Value of buildings
. $68,850 00
Damage to buildings
5,219 00
Insurance on buildings
62,800 00
Insurance paid on buildings. .
3,964 00
Loss over insurance on buildings
1,255 00
Value of contents
92,340 00
Damage to contents
24,317 33
Insurance on contents
90,300 00
Insurence paid on contents
21,054 33
Loss over insurance on contents
3,263 00
Six automobiles, value $4,700 ; damage slight.
One electric car, value $3,500 ; damage $250.
Out of a loss of $5,219 on buildings $3,300 was at one fire, the W. H. Carroll garage, January 3.
Out of a loss of $24,317.33 on contents, $23,230 was also at the same fire as above, at which time assistance was called from Lynn, Engine 5, and Ladder I responding.
Apparatus.
The apparatus is in very good condition, with the exception of Com- bination A., at Phillips Beach, which, in our opinion, should have a thorough overhauling. This Combination went in service August, 1911, and has done good work, having only had ordinary running repairs to date.
The size of tire in use on this machine is out of date, being one of the sizes discontinued some time ago. We believe it would be good economy to put up-to-date pneumatic tires on the rear wheels of this machine, as we have a very reasonable estimate covering the work.
Large Hose.
We now have 3,750 feet of first-class, 450 feet of poor hose and will require 500 feet additional this year.
Chemical Hose.
We have 650 feet first class and 350 feet of poor chemical hose.
Central Fire Station.
The Central Station has been repaired and painted outside and renovated inside with the money made available last year. There remains the roof of the house to be put in condition this year, as it leaks badly.
123
FIRE ENGNIEERS' REPORT.
1921]
A manhole should be built at this house to make the drain more acces- sible in case of stoppage.
Phillips Beach Station.
This house is in very good condition, with the exception of a few minor repairs.
Fire Alarm System.
Several miles of old wire have been replaced by new during the past year. This wire has been run under, instead of over, the high tension wires, making it safer to work on in bad weather. Additional lightning arresters have been installed at different places on the line, giving better protection. We cannot urge too strongly the replacing of several of our old unreliable Stevens boxes each year with the modern non-interfering successive type of boxes, and we have so recommended. We believe that the district formerly covered by Box 514 (which was moved to the new Machon school on its completion) should be covered by a new box, as there are a number of hazardous fire risks in that locality. We are of the opinion that the old obsolete type of indicator now in use at the Phillips Beach Station should be replaced by a modern punch register, similar to the one in use at the Central House. The latter is more reliable besides keeping a record of each alarm.
Summary.
The usual number of inspections have been made by officers of the department to keep them familiar with the various buildings.
The Central House has been refinished on the inside at very little expense to the town.
The officers and men have accepted and done this work in a very credit- able manner, and the Board of Engineers feels that they should be extended the thanks of the board and take this occasion to so do. Various officers and men have done fire duty on their time off. This is to be desired, the department being short of call men. In deserving cases this time has been refunded to them.
In conjunction with the Board of Selectmen a set of rules have been adopted and are now in force in the department. These, we think, will on the whole react to the benefit of the town and the department. We extend our thanks to the Chief of Police; Tree Warden; Surveyor of Highways; Lynn Fire Department and all others who have co-operated with this department during the past year.
Recommendations.
That the town appropriate $1,000 for hydrant rental.
That the town appropriate $170 to install a new fire alarm box on Essex street, near Elm place.
That the town appropriate $480 to replace three of our old fire alarm boxes of the Stevens type with modern Gamewell boxes.
That the town appropriate $185 for a punch register for the Phillips Beach Station.
That the town appropriate $400 for 500 feet of 23-inch hose.
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
That the town appropriate $300 for work on roof and building at Central Station.
That the town appropriate $75 to build sewer manhole at Central Station.
That the town appropriate $700 to overhaul Combination A and put pneumatic tires on the rear wheels.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS S. LEADBETTER, GEORGE F. CLAY, HARRY E. HARDY,
Board of Engineers. JAMES WARNOCK,
Chief of Department.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1921.
125
PLUMBING AND SLAUGHTERING REPORTS.
1921]
Report of Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1921.
Plumbing permits issued 118
Installations approved .
. 97
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. PHILLIPS,
Inspector of Plumbing.
Report of Inspector of Slaughtering.
To the Board of Health :
There has been less slaughtering carried on in town this year than usual, but there have been more places operating, which has somewhat evened up the work. There have been no licenses issued, but permission has been granted to those desiring to slaughter, with the understanding that their places should be properly drained, that there should be no accumu- lation of refuse and that the premises should be kept clean and free from nuisance. These conditions have been complied with in each case and I have had no occasion to revoke any permit.
Most of the animals slaughtered have been swine, although there have been a few cattle. About all of these animals have been in good condi- tion for slaughtering and have passed the inspection ; there have been a few, however, which I have refused to stamp, owing to the condition of the carcasses. While there were no positive signs of contagious diseases about these animals, in my opinion they should not be sold for food. There were evidences that they were not in a healthy condition at the time of slaughter, and, while it may have been a harmless condition, as a matter of public safety I considered it unwise to allow them to be placed upon the market.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON, M. D. V., Inspector of Slaughtering.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1921.
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Park Commissioners.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1921.
The board organized with the election of James T. Lyons as Chairman and Stuart P. Ellis as Secretary.
Robert H. Marsh was placed in charge of the Blaney Beach Reservation and George A. Twitchell, a man of several years' experience in gardening and the care of private estates, was appointed Superintendent of Parks, a position which he has filled with credit to himself and the town.
Monument Avenue Parkway.
These grounds probably never appeared to better advantage than during the past year, the grass plots and shrubbery beds having been unusually well cared for, while the flower beds near Burrill street were a delight to all who passed through this section.
Some changes and additions are contemplated in the shrubbery beds this year. Other than this nothing more than the usual upkeep is planned for this reservation.
Jackson Park.
This park and athletic field has had the usual attention and care during the season, the ball field having been kept in fine condition for all the games, and a reasonable amount of labor expended in the clearance of the upland as a measure of fire protection to the trees on the hilltop. The town has here several thousand pine trees of various species, all planted by the Park Department within the past seven years which are making a wonderful growth and which within a few years will present an entirely different aspect to this locality. Early last spring a tile drain was laid along the westerly border of the field, an improvement which entirely eliminates the surface water which formerly stood near the locker building.
The board renews its recommendation of the previous year; that the town take steps to acquire the land bordering the westerly edge of the ball field and fronting on Essex street.
Abbott Park.
These grounds were more liberally patronized the past summer than usual, due no doubt to the installation of apparatus for games of basket- ball, quoits, volley ball and tennis, most of which was furnished by the Childs' Welfare Association and the Swampscott Community Service.
Tennis especially proved very popular here, the improvised grass court being in great demand all summer and until the late fall. The Commis- sioners feel that dirt courts should be constructed at this spot this sum- mer, there being a large popular demand for them from those of High
1921]
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
127
School age and upward. The courts could be enclosed with wire netting and in the winter season could be used as a safe and central location for hockey games by the addition of low wooden sides within the wire.
The band stand was enclosed with portable panels this year, painted and made into a valuable storage space for department equipment. Particular attention has been given this winter to the provision for good skating conditions, this being made largely possible by the park super- intendent, who attends to flooding the ice during the night, thus insur- ing a good surface the following morning, without loss of time to the skaters.
Blaney Beach Reservation.
Because of the increasing numbers of people resorting to the beach last summer, and in order to properly safeguard the women and children who came to enjoy the beach and the bathing, we were compelled to maintain a uniformed officer at this spot for several hours each day dur- ing nine weeks of the season. Good results having been obtained, it is planned to extend the time of a man there next summer, in order that all persons may feel safe to enjoy themselves while there. The fish house and shelters were painted, some minor repairs made on the building, and the grounds maintained in a generally satisfactory manner.
Phillips Park. .
Your commissioners are strongly in favor of the general sentiment tending to a decided improvement in the conditions at Phillips Park. The town has owned this tract for about ten years, and although every Board of Park Commissioners during that period has asked for an appro- priation which might put a large portion of the field in a proper condi- tion for use, yet the voters have refrained from granting more than a small proportion of the amounts asked each year. We are of the opinion that the people owning property and living in that section are entitled to the same consideration as those in other parts of the town, who have well improved park lands in their neighborhood, and with this in mind are ask- ing this year for an amount for Phillips Park which will place the play- ing field in a first class condition for the use of the hundreds of young people in that section.
For the purpose of carrying out the recommendations herein contained and to provide for the maintenance and care of the parks, the appropria- tions of the following amounts are recommended :
Phillips Park
$2,000 00
Care of dump
250 00
Jackson Park
800 00
Abbott Park
1,400 00
Monument Avenue
1,200 00
Blaney Beach
1,500 00
Water rates
200 00
Administration
200 00
$7,550 00
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. LYONS, STUART P. ELLIS, ARCHIBALD MILLER.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1921.
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Water and Sewerage Board.
Water Department.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1921.
Concerning the defalcation of our late clerk, S. Russell Ingalls, we report as follows :- In August last Mr. Ingalls acknowledged to the board that for several years he had been improperly using the funds of the town. This confession was in consequence of an investigation made by the board because of certain rumors that had come to it from various sources Without delay the board communicated with the Director of Accounts at the State House and auditors were immediately detailed from that depart- ment to investigate. They worked continually for six weeks, and found that the clerk had misappropriated the sum of $11,611.48.
The board believed that its first duty was to prevent any financial loss to the town. It desires to state that in performing this duty, it was greatly assisted by Mr. Ingalls. After making his confession to the board, Mr. Ingalls informed his parents of the situation. They immediately com- municated with the board and declared they felt morally responsible for their son's acts and that they would do everything in their power to pre- vent any loss to the town in consequence thereof. This position they assumed voluntarily without any urging or pressure from the board or from any other source, and as soon as the exact amount was ascertained by the auditors, a sufficient sum of money or its equivalent was turned over by them and Mr. Ingalls himself to cover all losses. The board therefore, is glad to report that the town has been reimbursed to the last penny.
The board feels that it should not close this report without saying a word concerning the manner in which its books have been audited in the past. Several years ago the town voted to have the books of all officials handling money audited by the Director of the Bureau of Statistics, a department of the State established by Chapter 524 of the Acts of 1910. Since then the books and accounts of the Water and Sewerage Board have been examined by the Auditors from this Department semi-annually, and at the completion of each examination, a report in writing has been made to the town that the books and accounts were examined and checked in detail, and that they were found to be well kept and easily verified. Only few days before the clerk made his confession, the auditors from this department had completed their examination, and had orally reported to the board that they found everything in regular order.
After the true situation was discovered, however, it was learned that there never had been a thorough audit; that no attempt, for instance, had ever been made by this department to determine whether the outstanding accounts reported by the clerk as payable to the town, were in fact owed;
1921]
WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD REPORT. 129
that no attempt had ever been made to verify figures on office cards, and no comparison of office cards with register. The failure to make a careful and complete audit was indeed regrettable, because, if this had been done, his improper handling of money would have been discovered during the first year of his employment.
The board had every reason to rely upon the reports of these auditors. They are employed by the State for the express purpose of examining the financial condition of municipalities, and are presumed to be experts in this field. The board, in common with other town officials, always felt that the reports from this department represented a careful and thorough examination and was surprised to learn to the contrary. Certainly there was never anything about the reports submitted, indicat- ing that the work had been superficially done. The board comments upon this lack of thoroughness in the past to indicate the necessity of insisting that every effort be made by the auditors in the future, to detect anything in the nature of any irregularity in handling money of the town.
The outside work of this department for the year has been principally the completion of work authorized in 1920, which owing to late delivery of pipe, we were unable to finish that year. Several small extensions to supply houses being built have been put in by vote of the board under authority granted by the town.
The financial statement, regardless of the serious trouble through which we have been during the last five months, shows a better standing than for some years, notwithstanding that we have returned to those entitled to it over $2,500, which sum covers overcharges made during the last four or five years. The amount of outstanding accounts is necessarily larger than usual, because while the auditors were examining the books we were unable to make collections as close as they should have been. We have now received from the auditors the list of outstanding accounts and propose to start collection of same at once.
The net water debt is now $138,296.92, a reduction of $14,033.22 from that of last year. We hope to report next year a reduction in water rates and, unless the unexpected happens, see no reason why it will not be possible.
Another matter we wish to call attention to, is the expense to this department of lowering water pipes on Atlantic avenue. At the time this street was resurfaced, the grade was changed to such an extent that it was necessary to lower our mains and some services at an expense of between $600 and $700. This work should be provided for as a part of the whole and provision made for payment of any expense incurred thereby as a part of the appropriation.
We would also call attention to the large amount of building in the Shaw estate during the last few years and the possibility of more this year, all of which has a tendency of reducing the water pressure in that district, therefore we would recommend that the town authorize the board to lay a ten-inch pipe in Forest avenue from Redington street about 1, 100 feet, to connect with the pipe now laid in Aspen road, and to continue on Forest avenue with a 6-inch pipe to Magnolia road.
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.