USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1921 > Part 13
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Before precinct voting could be applied to town elections, it was neces- sary to accept Chapter 39, Section 20, of the General Laws. A special meeting was called for this purpose. After failing to obtain a quorum on December 28, it was finally passed at an adjourned meeting held December 31.
This will cause some added expense for precinct officers, also for a place for voting for Precinct 1. Precinct 2 will vote in the Town Hall as usual, and Precinct 3 at the Phillips Beach engine house.
This system of voting, while convenient to residents in various parts of the town, will require a larger appropriation for " Election and Registra- tion " than heretofore.
It is recommended that $1,200 be appropriated for election and registra- tion for 1922.
XVIII. Rule to Limit Opening of Streets in Winter.
On December 30, 1921, the board adopted the following rule :-
"That no openings in streets shall be made, except in case of an emergency, before April 1, 1922."
The object of this regulation is to prevent, except in cases of emergency, the excavation of our streets and sidewalks while there is frost in the ground. By a little forethought and planning on the part of citizens, work of this kind can be done during the warm months, thus avoiding much trouble and expense to the departments of the town in filling and resurfacing work done when the ground is frozen.
The board finds that this is a provision adopted by most well-regulated towns and cities.
XIX. Brooks.
HAWTHORNE BROOK-In the Town Report for 1920, page 176, the committee on Hawthorne brook reported in favor of building a cement culvert from Salem street in a northerly direction to a point in the Rowe' field, in accordance with plans of the town engineer. The matter was presented to the town, but it was felt that this improvement might be postponed, in view of the fact that the town had corrected the grade and widened the brook so that obstructions which had previously backed the water at the time of heavy rainfalls or in the spring were entirely removed.
A portion of this brook divides the property of a number of citizens, particularly in that part referred to in the report.
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The board feels that it would be highly desirable to provide a permanent cement culvert, previously recommended, as has been done in other parts of the town under similar circumstances.
A culvert of this kind would prevent the washing out of the banks in the spring and would, also, prevent filling up of the brook from other causes.
It is estimated that the cost of this section of the culvert would be $4,000. The board, therefore, recommends that $4,000 be appropriated for this purpose.
STACEY BROOK-A bill in equity was brought by the town to restrain the city of Lynn from polluting Stacey brook with sewage. This is referred to by the Town Counsel in his report on page 153. The case was referred to a master, and much evidence has been submitted by our engineers, and from time to time expert opinion has been added.
Feeling that a settlement might be arrived at, the board requested a conference with the Mayor and Commission on Ways and Drainage of Lynn. This was held on January 16th, 1922, and the matter was taken under advisement, and a decision as to the attitude of the city of Lynn is expected soon.
The board is of the opinion that the section of the culvert between New Ocean street and Humphrey street should be undertaken jointly with the city of Lynn during the present year, not only from the standpoint of health, but to avoid possible damage suits.
An estimate has been made by Town Engineer W. W. Pratt and City Engineer W. L. Vennard, indicating a probable cost of $31,000. Assum- ing that this expense is shared, as was done in the case of the work already accomplished, an appropriation of $15,000 would be required as Swampscott's part.
The board recommends that $15,000 be appropriated for the purpose of constructing a culvert jointly, with the city of Lynn, the expense to be borne proportionately, in accordance with plans of the Town Engineer and of the City Engineer of Lynn.
XX. Soldier Funerals
On January 14 the caskets containing the bodies of Elmer R. Bolinder and John E. Blocksidge were received in Swampscott from France. The caskets lay in state in the Town Hall, guarded by members of the Leon E. Abbott Post 57, American Legion, surrounded by the national and legion colors, and bedecked with floral tributes from the town and citizens.
On January 16 a most impressive funeral procession was formed at the Town Hall and escorted the remains to the Congregational Church on Blaney street. Solemn service was there held, addressed by Chaplain Rev. Robert Campbell, Jr., Rev. Edward Tillotson and Rev. Nils W. Lund, after which the procession was reformed and continued to the Swampscott cemetery, where every military and civic honor was paid to the heroic dead.
On December 31 the casket containing the body of Harry W. Eastman was received in Swampscott from France. Again, as in the case of the previous military funerals, the body was placed in the Town Hall under a guard of honor, composed of members of the Leon E. Abbott Post 57, American Legion. National, State and legion colors were placed about
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the casket, which was banked by many floral pieces from the town, frater- nal organizations and citizens. On Sunday, January I, a military funeral was held, escorting the remains from the Town Hall to the Congrega- gational Church on Blaney street. The address of Chaplain Rev. Robert Campbell, Jr., was followed by the ritual funeral service conducted by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Many citizens were present and the services were most impressive. The military procession reformed with officers of the town, and the remains were borne to their last resting place in the Legion lot in the Swampscott cemetery. The interment was solem- nized according to military custom by a firing of three volleys by a squad of soldiers,
XXI. Insurance.
We feel that one of the principal accomplishments during the past year has been the readjustment of the fire insurance of town property. After months of exhaustive study this has been put on a strictly business basis, and the old method of insuring the property specifically has been replaced by a modern municipal schedule. This is the method pursued by many municipalities, and gives the town a standard policy contract incorporat- ing all property under one form of description. The average cost on this basis is lower than under the former method.
Early in the year a careful appraisal of all town property was made by a Special Committee, consisting of Harry E. Hardy and Oscar G. Poor, who were appointed by the board. This disclosed the fact that the insurance in force at that time did not much more than half comply with the require- ments of the co-insurance clauses. In the event of a large loss the town would, therefore, have been a heavy loser.
After a careful study of the facts as disclosed, the board felt in duty bound to correct the situation by adopting a star. dard policy contract, based upon 90 per cent. sound replacement value of the public buildings in the town. Before definite action was taken, however, a conference was held with the Finance Committee, resulting in their agreement and the transfer of funds to permit the new plan to be put into operation at once.
At the start of the investigation the average fire insurance rate figured a little over 40 cents per $100, but the engineers having the details in charge were so painstaking in their efforts to secure the most favorable rate possible, that they exceeded their original expectation of securing a 36 cent rate and obtained an average rate of 31 cents under date of June 15th. Later in the year further efforts were made by them, until on November Ist a rate of 29 cents per $100 was secured.
Our former inadequate amount of insurance, namely, $360,000, cost as approximately $1,500 per year ; whereas to-day we are insured for $775,000, or 90 per cent. of the sound replacement value, at an annual expense of about $2,000. It will be noted, therefore, that this shows an increase of over 100 per cent. in insurance protection at a cost of only one- third more than we were previously paying.
In the readjustment our policies have been so arranged that a relatively equal amount of premium will come due each year, although we are still securing the saving obtained by writing the policies on the three or five year basis.
Furthermore, your board has secured full rebate on all policies which were affected by the reductions in rates, and the return premium thus
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secured total, approximately $600, on the first and $150 on the second reduction.
In order to continue this plan of insurance, it is recommended that the amount of $2,000 be appropriated for the year 1922.
XXII. Fire Department.
Acting under the Statute, the following Board of Fire Engineers was appointed on April 29, 1921 : Thomas S. Leadbetter, George F. Clay, Harry E. Hardy.
XXIII. Rules for Police and Fire Deparments.
For some time the board has felt that there should be uniform rules applying to vacation and days off in both the Police and Fire departments. This we found is customary in most towns and cities, and is necessary in justice both to the men and to the town. Furthermore, in the past there have been a number of cases of extended sick leave, and the board found it necessary to make frequent special rulings.
A conference was held resulting in the adoption of the following rules by the Board of Selectmen for the Police Department and by the Board of Fire Engineers for the Fire Department :-
VACATIONS.
Every permanent man who has been in the department for at least six months previous to June I, shall be allowed a vacation of fourteen days with pay.
DAYS OFF.
Days off may be exchanged during the vacation season so that one may fall immediately before and one immediately after a vacation, permitting an absence of sixteen consecutive days when such arrangement is made.
SICK LEAVE.
For disability incurred in the performance of duty.
Full pay, with doctor's certificate approved by the Board of Selectmen, until recovery.
SICK LEAVE.
For disability not incurred in the performance of duty.
One-half pay, with doctor's certificate approved by the Board of Select- men, not to exceed thirty days.
LEAVE FOR DEATH IN FAMILY.
A man shall be allowed three days with pay in case of the death of his wife, child, father or mother, sister or brother, or death of his wife's father or mother, or sister.
ATTENTION TO DUTIES.
Each member of the regular police force shall devote his whole time and attention to the business of the department, and he is expressly forbidden to follow any other business or calling.
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In order to assist the Chief of Police in maintaining discipline, other rules will be added from time to time, when necessary.
Police Station.
At the annual meeting the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for the pur- pose of reconstructing the police station. Plans were prepared by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, and proposals were advertised in the usual manner.
The following bids were received :
N. Belben
$5,750 00
F. Feldman
3,640 79
Coleman M. Wood
2,980 00
The contract was awarded to Coleman M. Wood, the lowest bidder.
As it was evident that the entire work as contemplated by the town, including heating and plumbing, could not be accomplished for the amount appropriated, the board conferred with the Finance Committee, which approved the transfer of $800 from the reserve fund. Proposals for heating and plumbing were advertised and the following bids received :
Edward C. Phillips $814 00
Buist & Libbey
846 00
Connell & McDermott
712 00
George H. Stone ·
729 00
The contract was awarded to Connell & McDermott, the lowest bidder. The work was completed and the remodeled station opened on August 5, 1921.
Owing to the limited appropriation, it was not possible to add the new cells or to install heating apparatus in the garage. The work which was actually accomplished, however, is gratifying, and the station now presents a more modern and business-like appearance than heretofore.
There is a large office on the main floor, together with a private office for the Chief of Police. On the second floor there is a guard room, together with room for lockers, and a toilet.
With these changes and the possible addition of a number of cells and minor repairs, the station should be adequate for police purposes for many years.
XXV. Building Inspector.
An application for Building Inspector was received by the board early in the year from Mr. John T. Lee. He at the same time presented a number of letters from men of prominence who were familiar with his work as a constructor and training as an engineer. He is a graduate of the Lowell Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, having successfully completed courses in mechanical, electrical and structural engineering. During the period of the World War he served with distinction in the American Expeditionary Force.
The board has felt for some time that it would be desirable to have the position of Building Inspector filled by a man of technical training.
Mr. Lee's qualifications together with the recent vote of the town, giving service men preference in appointive offices, led the board to appoint him to the position of Building Inspector.
11
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XXVI. Preservation of John Humphrey House. AN OLD LANDMARK.
A noteworthy civic achievement of the year was the preservation of the historic John Humphrey House through the efforts of the Swampscott Historical Society.
Seven hundred and seven citizens of Swampscott and surrounding towns and cities contributed to this worthy object. A little over $4,300 was thus made available.
Although the house has passed through many vicissitudes since its erection by Deputy Governor John Humphrey, some time prior to 1637, it is still in a fair state of preservation. This is probably the oldest house now standing in New England, and is a relic of the early days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Its history is long and interesting.
The society at once made such repairs as were immediately neces- sary to preserve the house. These included shingling of the roof, and making the house tight against weather conditions. It is the inten- tion, as soon as funds are available, to make more extensive restoration and place the house in conditon for historical use of citizens of this and other towns to perpetuate the memory of our forefathers who first settled The Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England.
The board desires to congratulate the society and its members on this most worthy accomplishment.
XXVII. Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital.
So much comment has appeared in the press during the past year, relative to the Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital, that the board believes it unnecessary to review this subject here. Nevertheless, it is a real prob- blem which will confront Swampscott and other towns and cities which are called upon to bear the great expense of this enterprise.
As estimated by the County Commissioners, Swampscott's share of the first cost is $79,000, which in no way includes the cost of maintenance and operation.
The approximate cost of the hospital and grounds to date is $1,500,000. From the present outlook, the total cost of the hospital, buildings and equipment, when completed, will be much in excess of the above figure.
The people of Essex county stand ready and willing to provide every reasonable facility for the care of those who are so unfortunate as to be afflicted with tuberculosis. Nevertheless, there is a general feeling that the hospital, as laid out and built, is of much greater capacity than will be required for many years, and that money has been spent for expensive features which will not add to the comfort of the patients.
Accordingly, a conference of the mayors and selectmen of the cities and towns directly involved was recently held at Beverly, at which the follow- Ing resolutions were drawn up and signed. These were presented to the General Court on January 12, 1922 :
We, the undersigned representatives of communities in Essex County called upon to pay an unjust proportion of the cost of the Middleton Tuber- culosis Hospital, erected by the County Commissioners of Essex County, in meeting assembled in Beverly City Hall, January 10th, submit the following :
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
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WHEREAS, By Chapter 286 of the General Acts of the year 1916 (General Law III, Sections 78-91), the Legislature of Massachusetts gave the County Commissioners of Essex County a right to spend unlimited funds in the erection of a County Tuberculosis Hospital, one of the most astounding pieces of legislation ever enacted by a Massachusetts Legisla- ture, and as a result of which certain cities and towns of Essex County are subject to an uncalled for and excessive demand for a proportionate share of the expense of the erection and maintenance of said hospital, con- taining accommodations for approximately two hundred fifty beds, and
WHEREAS, The cities and towns called upon to pay a proportionate part of the cost of erection and maintenance of this hospital require accom- modations for only fifty beds, one-fifth of the accommodations provided for by the County Commissioners of Essex County, and
WHEREAS, An injustice has been done to the communities now called upon to pay this excessive proportionate cost of construction and main- tenance of this hospital by this act of the Legislature, and
WHEREAS, Communities outside of Essex County are sending patients to the Middleton Tuberculosis Hospital for treatment, and
WHEREAS, This Middleton Tuberculosis Hospital is constructed on the principle of a State or national hospital and not a county hospital, and
WHEREAS, It is common knowledge that municipal taxation is extremely heavy and burdensome, and that municipalities have enough local prob- lems and expenditures to meet without this additional burden, be it
RESOLVED, That we, the undersigned representatives of the communities in Essex County affected by the above named legislation, do hereby peti- tion in behalf of the communities which we represent, for substantial relief in the way of either State aid, by the taking over by the Common- wealth of this hospital, or by some other legislation or relief as the legis- lature may deem just and proper ; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we, the representatives of the citizens of the various municipalities affected by this legislation, urge that strong representation be made to the great and general court that this relief is necessary and proper and should be given forthwith.
The matter is now pending before the General Court.
XXVIII. Point of Pines Bridge.
The reconstruction of the Point of Pines bridge, over the Saugus River, in ten days of actual building, attracted world-wide attention, not only as a remarkable engineering feat, but also as an example of what can be accomplished in civic affairs by united and harmonious effort, properly directed.
The idea originated with the chairman of your board, who received the hearty support of his associates, as is indicated in the following letter, which is the first request of a municipality for a temporary bridge :
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., June 22, 1921.
Subject : Point of Pines Bridge over Saugus River.
MR. JAMES A. BAILEY,
Chairman Metropolitan District Commission,
18 Tremont street, Boston, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-The partial destruction on the morning of the 17th inst. of the boulevard bridge crossing the Saugus river, is a serious blow to the
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people of the cities and towns along the entire North Shore of New England.
It is needless to point out that at this time of the year traffic along the boulevard is particularly heavy. Many citizens of our town depend on this route to reach their places of business in Boston and elsewhere, and our large hotels and summer resorts rely upon this avenue, both for patronage and supplies.
Of course, we realize that your division is fully cognizant of these facts and conditions, and alive to the necessity for prompt action. We note from a press account of last evening, that it is planned to commence the erection of a concrete bridge immediately. If the report be correct, and this plan be carried out, traffic along the boulevard will be cut off for a period of several months at least, and probably during the entire summer season, which is now nearing its height.
Speaking on behalf of the Town of Swampscott, we would respectfully urge that a temporary structure of wood or steel be erected in the shortest possible time, leaving the permanent work to be done later in the fall. We believe that this will not only accommodate many business interests, but will be a source of great relief to the thousands of tourists who come to this section of New England during the summer months.
The cost of the temporary structure, we believe, is fully warranted by the conditions set forth herewith, and, we trust, that the Metropolitan District Commission will view the matter in the same light and erect a temporary bridge, which may be completed within a week or ten days, at the most.
This matter is of vital interest to our community and the Common- wealth at large, and we strongly urge favorable action.
Respectfully,
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WILLIAM E. CARTER, JOHN B. EARP,
Selectmen of Swampscott.
On June 29, the day before the hearing, which was granted by the Met- ropolitan Division Commission, your Chairman called on Mr. R. H. Rice, Manager of the General Electric Company, and expressed the opinion that the General Electric Company could rebuild the bridge in short order. Mr. Rice immediately agreed to this, and authorized your Chairman to state that the Company would undertake to do the work on a no-profit basis, and to open the bridge within a week or ten days from the com- mencement of actual operations.
Your Chairman presented this offer at the hearing of the Commissioners on June 30th, and it was favorably received by them.
The question of financing the project was raised, and Mayor Walter H. Creamer stated that the City of Lynn would provide the necessary funds by bond issue.
The hearty support of Governor Channing H. Cox was given to the enterprise, and on July 1 the Metropolitan Division Commission author- ized the General Electric Company and the City of Lynn to build the bridge.
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In order to obtain the approval of the War Department and the Depart- ment of Public Works, special engineering plans were required, and these were completed in a few hours, so all formalities had been attended to, proper authority obtained and the work placed under the direction of your Chairman, Henry S. Baldwin, as Chief Engineer, representing all inter- ested parties, including the Commonwealth, the City of Lynn, and the General Electric Company.
As work progressed, it was found that this concentration of power in the person of Chief Engineer was most helpful. All departments of the General Electric Company were placed, without reserve, at his disposal. These included plant engineering, under Mr. John J. Trudinger ; construc- tion and superintendence, under Mr. John E. Morse ; purchasing, black- smith, woodworking and many other departments. The illuminating depart- ment supplied floodlights so that the work could be carried on at night, and the New England Telephone and Telegraph company installed tele- phones at each bridge head, which resulted in saving a great amount of time in transmitting messages.
Although it was not a part of the original plan, it was decided to remove all of the wreckage of the old bridge before starting on the new work. This was commenced on July 5, and was not completed until the 8th. In spite of the fact that all the work was done in tide water, with unusually high tides, storms and difficulties in obtaining material, the bridge was ready to be opened to the public on July 18, or in ten working days of actual bridge construction.
It is an interesting coincidence that Cæsar's Bridge, across the River Rhine, built in the year 55 B.C., was of nearly the same design and size, and was, also, built in ten days.
Some 420 feet of bridge were actually rebuilt, in addition to bracing and repairs which were made on work which had not been destroyed.
The original estimate of June 30th, of the cost of reconstruction, was $33,000 ; and it is interesting to note that the actual cost of the work then contemplated was $29,700, or 10 per cent. less than the estimate.
After the work had been started a number of changes were decided upon, including tearing out the burned platform, new oak piles, and a spruce deck or wearing surface.
It was also decided to insure the bridge and to provide two pontoons for future fire protection. These items, in addition to the bridge work, brought the total cost of the enterprise to $37,853.15. The bridge, there- fore, was built in the time agreed and for 10 per cent. less than the original estimate.
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