USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1923 > Part 11
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Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman, EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary, HARRY E. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
Secretary's Report.
Persons having settlement in Swampscott aided by other cities and towns 26
Persons full support in Swampscott
8
Families partially supported in Swampscott
12
Men, women and children receiving aid from Swampscott, during 1923 102
Settlement in Swampscott
85
Settlement elsewhere in State
17
Persons aided in 1923 in Swampscott
76
Persons fully supported in State Hospital
3
Financial Report.
Reimbursed by State
$733 25
Reimbursed by cities and towns
$232 40
Due from State
$335 56
Due from cities and towns
$13 50
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary.
Overseers of the Poor Budget for 1924.
Salaries of Overseers
$350 00
Salary of Secretary
100 00
Telephone
40 00
General expense
6,010 00
Total
$6,500 00
List of Property.
Safe
$35 00
Supplies
25 00
Total
$60 00
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
127
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
1923]
Report of Building Inspector
Board of Selectmen, Town of Swampscott, Massachusetts:
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith is my report as Building Inspector for the Town of Swampscott, for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Permits Issued
Estimated Cost
Garages
90
$61,900 00
Dwellings
81
534,700 00
Alterations
37
78,560 00
Stores
3
3,400 00
Shop
1
1,200 00
Club-house
1
50,000 00
Chapel
1
30,000 00
Stable
1
1,500 00
Hen-coop
1
30 00
Sheds
5
1,130 00
Total
221
$762,420 00
All inspections required by the Commonwealth were made and re- turns filed with the Commissioner of Public Safety.
Four elevator operator licenses were issued and the fees from same deposited with the Town Collector, and his receipt obtained. Twenty-two complaints were received and investigated.
Three structures were condemned as being unsafe.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. LEE, Building Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
Report of Inspector of Smoke Nuisance
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., JAN. 10, 1924. Board of Selectmen, Town of Swampscott, Massachusetts :
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith is my report as Inspector of Smoke Nui- sance for the Town of Swampscott for the year ending Dec. 31, 1923.
One complaint was received and investigated and the nuisance was abated without further action.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. LEE, Inspector of Smoke Nuisance.
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Our public shade trees contribute more than any other one factor to the beauty of our town and make it an inviting locality as a resi- dential section. Each year young trees are set out and it becomes necessary to remove old trees that have passed their usefulness. Sixty- four Norway maples have been planted during this year to fill in va- cant places where trees have died or have been destroyed and to com- plete plantings formerly started on streets where there were no trees. Four loads of loam were used, as the soil in most places has to be replaced to ensure the tree a good start. Twenty-eight trees have been removed because they were dead or dying.
Wire guards have been repaired and adjusted, and applied to all newly set out trees.
Dead wood has been removed from all street trees at the lower end of the town. Low limbs in the way of or endangering travel have been removed and all wounds sterilized and painted.
Leopard moth borers have been treated in small trees by hooking them out with a wire from their burrows in the trunks and limbs, and by cutting off and destroying the infested terminal growths. This is a most serious insect pest, because it is not controlled by spraying. All of the leaf eating insects have been cared for by the usual spraying with arsenate of lead.
The damage from high voltage wires to trees increases each year and limbs are constantly being burned off by the electric current. There are no evidences of any trees being killed by gas the past year. There are six old willows in front of the Eiseman estate on Puri- tan road, that ought to be taken down, and I hope the appropriation for the ensuing year will be sufficient to include their removal.
I rcommend $1,850.00 for the Tree Warden Department as fol- lows:
New trees
$275 00
Removing trees
300 00
Tree guards 200 00
Leopard moth
200 00
Trimming and repairing
800 00
Tools and supplies
75 00
$1850 00
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE, Tree Warden.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
129
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
1923]
Report of Superintendent of Moth Work
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- In spite of the fact that the infestations of the gypsy moth are usually more severe after a winter with an abundance of snow, the general condition of the town is no worse than last year. The Danvers Road colony has been held in check and no new serious outbreaks have shown up. No trees have been defoliated excepting by the tent caterpillar, and this infestation was extremely severe. Many requests were received to have them suppressed, but owing to the de- crease in the Moth appropriation this year it was impossible to handle the situation satisfactorily.
However, much work was done on tent caterpillar suppression by spraying for them and the gypsy moth simultaneously.
One ton of dry powdered arsenate of lead was used, which was about 500 pounds more than the year previous. Fortunately most of that amount was left over from the year before, for the price ad- vanced from eleven cents to twenty-four cents per pound.
Besides spraying other methods of attacking the pests were creo- soting, cutting brush, and improvement thinnings, which was done when the trees were dormant. About a barrel of gypsy moth creo- sote was used.
At this time a good start has been made on the season's work, for the weather has been ideal for treating the egg clusters since the foliage has fallen. The street trees have been gone over and a start has been made on the private property work.
If satisfactory results are to be obtained in this department and the tent caterpillars are to be included in the work, I recommend an ap- propriation of $5,000 as follows:
Salary and wages
$3,948 00
Telephone
18 00
Insecticides
400 00
Tools
35 00
Teams and teaming
200 00
Gas and oil
75 00
Water
50 00
Hose
100 00
Storage on sprayer
24 00
Repairs
100 00
New ladders
50 00
$5,000 00
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE, Superintendent of Moth Work.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- After a winter with so much snow the ground was quite wet in the spring, and all of the severe woods fires occurred during the fall. The long continued dry spell in the summer caused the turf to be very inflammable and many fires burned in the soil for days before it was possible to extinguish them.
Twenty-eight fires were put out and reported to the State Forester on blanks furnished by the State Conservation Department.
Two hundred ninety-two fire permits for burning rubbish have been issued.
There have been no portable saw mills at work in the town during the past year.
All slash has been cared for according to law.
"Prevent Forest Fires," notices have been posted in all parts of the town as in previous years.
For the ensuing year, I recommend $300.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
Forest Warden.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
131
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY
1923]
Report of Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my eighth annual report as Super- intendent of the Cemetery for the year ending Dec. 31, 1923.
Lots sold during year 1923 $2,130 25
Interments during year 1923 64
For care and maintenance I would recommend $3,000 to be used as follows:
Superintendent's salary
$950 00
Labor
1,500 00
Plants for beds
85 00
Teaming and loam
50 00
Stone dust
50 00
Canvas
30 00
Grass seed
15 00
Tools and supplies
100 00
Water and repairs
150 00
Telephone
20 00
New charts for cemetery
50 00
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Town Engineer
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-Herewith I submit my eleventh annual report of the service rendered by the Engineering department for the various de- partments for the year ending December 31, 1923.
The Engineering department has had charge of the following line of work: The designing and superintending of the construction of all drains and sewers, surfacing of all streets built by contract, together with the specifications and estimates for the same; the establishing of street lines and grades for curbstones and granolithic' sidewalks; all data and plans relating to the laying out of private streets for ac- ceptance as public ways, and all engineering questions which come before the boards of the several departments.
During the past year the estimates approved by this department have amounted to $21,000 and all contracts have conformed with the specifications therein described.
Sewers and Drains
The sewer system of the town has been extended in the following streets: Claremont terrace, Humphrey street and Mountain avenue, a total distance of 1,735 feet.
At the Humphrey street pumping station the total number of gal- lons of sewage pumped amounted to 241,165,000 at a power cost of $0.5765637 per 100,000 gallons.
There still remains the open section of Stacey's brook, from New Ocean street to Lynn line. The town appropriated its portion of the cost for enclosing this section, but was unable to co-operate with the city of Lynn, although it is possible that the ensuing year will bring about the desired results.
Continuous Sidewalks
Lines and grades have been given in the various streets as desig- nated by the Board of Selectmen, for the laying of 1,138 feet of curb- stone, 919 square yards of granolithic sidewalks and 1,764 square feet of parking.
Selectmen's Department
The contract for grading the discontinued portion of Middlesex avenue in front of the Clarke School, was awarded to P. J. McDermott of Lynn, at a cost of $1,741.46. This gives a safe approach for the school children to Abbott Park.
133
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
1923]
Data and estimates have been furnished at various times for use in the Selectmen's department, and plans submitted for their approval.
Assessors' Department
A set of thirty-three plans has been completed and each lot card indexed, which greatly assists the work of this department.
At the request of property owners, street lines and grades have been given from time to time for grading lawns, building walls, etc.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesies shown me by the various departments and by private engineers, who kindly furnished me with their data, thereby greatly assisting the work of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
WALLACE W. PRATT, Town Engineer.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31st, 1923.
134
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Health herewith submits its report for the year end- ing December 31, 1923, together with those of the various officers.
The general health of the town during the year 1923 has been very good, notwithstanding that there has been an increase, as has been true in other communities, of what is commonly, but erroneously, called "minor diseases." This has been due in a large measure to those parents who still believe that the children must have the dis- ease and have failed to take the necessary steps to protect their own, but have permitted others to come in contact with those suffering with the disease. This applies, particularly, to children suffering from mumps, measles, chicken pox and whooping cough and applies, especially, to those cases where the service of a physician is not called.
Although diphtheria has appeared in exceedingly large numbers in surrounding cities and towns, this town has fortunately escaped its attack, only seven cases being reported during the year. As a pro- tection against the disease, the department during the month of April offered, free of charge, to give the children in the public schools the "Schick" test for diphtheria. By means of this test it is now possible to tell whether a child or person is free from or liable to contract the disease. If the test is found to be negative nothing further is done. Those found susceptible are given three injections of vaccine which will undoubtedly give them lifelong immunity. As there is constant danger of an outbreak of diphtheria in our com- munity we urge those who did not take advantage of this test to do so at the earliest opportunity. The material is furnished by the State Department of Public Health, free of charge, and can be given by the family physician. The results of the tests will be found in the report of the health officer.
The several reports and tables appended to this report offer con- vincing evidence of the increasing work of the department. These reports and tables should prove interesting to the citizens.
Contracts.
As the contracts for the collection of ashes and garbage expired on April 30, 1923, it became necessary for the board to advertise for new bids on this work. Previous experience having taught us that the making of contracts for a long period of years was not a feasible proposition, the board decided to shorten the term of the new con- tracts. It was also decided to so arrange the length of the contract that it would expire on December 31st, instead of the middle of the year. By so doing, it will hereafter enable the board to advertise for and receive new bids before presenting our budget to the finance com- mittee.
On January 13th, the board advertised for bids for the collection of ashes and garbage from May 1, 1923, to December 31, 1925. Said
135
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1923]
bids to be in accordance with specifications on file in the office of the board. On February 1 five bids were received and found as follows :
M. McDonough Co.
Ashes and garbage
Per year $15,000 00
Herbert C. Brown.
Garbage
6,200 00
Ashes
4,800 00
Abram French.
Ashes
6,900 00
Garbage
3,200 00
Louis Marino.
Ashes
7,635 00
Garbage
1,740 00
Ashes and Garbage from May 1, 1923, to Dec. 31, 1925 $24,999 00 Ralph Lebel. Garbage $2,700 00
Upon examination, we found that, while the bids for the collection of ashes were somewhat higher than the price then being paid, the bids for the collection of garbage were in several instances, several thousand dollars below the price being paid for the same work. In view of the wages being paid to laborers at that time and the steadily increasing territory to be covered and material collected, it seemed that the bid for the collection of ashes, as submitted by Herbert C. Brown, was a reasonable one, and it was voted to award him the contract. We could not, however, believe that there could be such a difference between the cost of collecting the ashes and that of the garbage as but four days were required for the ashes and six days to make the garbage collections. After investigation we became thoroughly convinced that the work could not be done satisfactorily for the amount specified, and all bids were rejected. The following new bids were then received:
Herbert C. Brown
$7,300 00
Abram French 5,500 00
Louis Marino
5,250 00
These bids were all submitted on a yearly basis. After talking with the contractors, the contract was awarded to Louis Marino, the lowest bidder. Notice was sent Mr. Marino that he must appear at the office of the board and sign the contract within seven days from the date of the notice. This he failed to do, and after several un- successful attempts to see him, a notice was sent him requesting his presence at the next meeting of the board. At the meeting Mr. Marino informed us that he did not intend, for various reasons, to sign the contract. As the other contractors had withdrawn their bids, it was again necessary to call for bids, which were received as follows:
Fitz & Co. Herbert C. Brown
$8,000 00
7,300 00
Abram French
5,500 00
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The board then awarded the contract to Abram French, he being the lowest bidder. The contract was signed and the bond filed with- in the required time.
It was then decided that if the town was to receive satisfactory service, under the new contract, a decided change should be made in the methods of collection. Several plans were considered. It finally was decided to divide the town into two districts, and the districts into three subdivisions or routes. The subdivisions or routes were then so laid out that the routes collected on Monday would be again collected on Thursday, and so on until each district had received two collections during the week. A form of daily report was also pre- pared upon which the contractor is now required to record and file the names of all streets upon which collections have been made. As these reports must be filed each day, we are now able to keep in touch with what is being done. The new program has been in effect since Mr. French took over the work on May 1st, and thus far has proved very satisfactory. It is our opinion, and we believe the citi- zens will agree with us, that the town is now receiving better service and collections than ever before.
Sewers
There are still some sections of the town in which the installation of the public sewer is fast becoming a necessity. The more urgent and extremely important is that known as the "Shaw estate." Con- ditions there have been bad ever since this section was opened for development, and have steadily grown worse until the present time. If we are to permit the continued occupancy of many of the premises, immediate action must be taken. There is no particular section where conditions are any different than another. The whole section is in need of relief and immediately. We recommend that the sewer be extended to all streets possible, this year.
Recommendations
We recommend that a sewer be laid in the "Shaw estate" and that money be appropriated for the same.
We recommend that a health clinic be established and that the sum of $1,500.00 be appropriated for the same as provided for under Chapter 111, Section 50 of the General Laws.
Appropriations
The board recommends the following appropriations for the year 1924:
Health and Sanitation
$6,460 00
Refuse and Garbage
11,661 00
Health Nurse
1,500 00
Respectfully submitted
LORING GRIMES, M. D., HAROLD H. BARTOL, JOHN B. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1923.
137
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
1923]
Report of Health Officer
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Complaints
The following is a list of the complaints received at this office dur- ing the past year:
Ashes and paper uncollected
97
Brooks and drains
11
Building stable without license
2
Crowing roosters and filthy hen yards
9
Crowded and dirty tenements
6
Collecting garbage without permits
18
Dust
8
Dumping without permits
15
Dirty and wet cellars
5
Dead animals
73
Food not properly covered
11
Fish and seaweed on beaches
14
Fires and dumps
17
Filthy pig pens
3
Garbage deposited on dumps
16
Garbage receptacles not properly covered or leaking 47
Garbage uncollected Jan. 1 to April 30
378
Garbage uncollected May 1 to Dec. 31
184
Keeping fowl without license
4
Keeping swine without license
8
Leaky and overflowing cesspools
26
Loose paper on dumps
51
Manure not properly covered
4
Offensive catch-basins
18
Offensive privies and vaults
13
Rubbish in yards
12
Ragweed
3
Sick and stray animals
51
Stagnant water
19
Unsanitary buildings
9
Unsanitary toilets
16
Miscellaneous
868
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Licenses and Permits.
The following licenses and permits have been issued during the past year:
To sell alcohol
8
To keep swine
6
To practice manicuring
5
To collect grease and tallow
3
To undertakers
2
To erect and occupy stables
2
To manufacture non-alcoholic beverages
1
To collect garbage
1
To hawkers and peddlers
1
To construct cesspools and drains
11
To keep fowl
234
The sum of $43 has been collected from licenses and the said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.
Communicable Diseases
The following is a list of the various diseases, reported to this office during the past year:
Diseases reported
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Anterior poliomyelitis
0
0!
0
0
0
0
0
1|
0
0
0
0
1
Chicken pox
7
7
1
1
3
2
0
0
0
2 10
6
39
Diphtheria
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
7
Dog-bite
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Encephalitis lethargica
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Lobar pneumonia
1
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
5. 80
Measles
42 27
6
0
2
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
62
Ophthalmia neonatorum
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
Pulmonary tuberculosis
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
6
Scarlet fever
1
2|
61
0
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
14
Syphilis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
Typhoid fever
0
0.
0
0
1
0
0
0.
0
0
1
0
2
Whooping cough
1
2|
6
6 17|18
8|
0
0
0
0
0
58
Total .
.
54 43 52 25 33 |29 13
3
2| 8|12|
8
282
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Mumps
0
4 30 16
7
2
1
2
0
0
There has been a slight increase again this year in the number of diseases reported, due, no doubt, to the failure of some of the parents to report the disease to this department, as required by law. In some instances, failure to report, as well as the failure on the part of the parents to keep their children properly isolated, has resulted in an unwarranted spread of the disease among the children of that imme- diate neighborhood. Parents should bear in mind that it is not only their duty to report the appearance of a communicable disease among the members of their own household, but that of their neighbor as well. If prompt reports are made they will greatly assist the de- partment in checking the spread of the disease.
Gonorrhœa
1
139
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
1923]
Six new cases of tuberculosis were reported during the past year. Of this number two have died and the others are at the present time receiving sanatorium treatment, making a total of six patients from this town who are receiving treatment at sanatoriums. There are also four patients who have been discharged from the sanatorium and are now receiving home treatment under medical supervision, and three cases under the supervision of this office.
During the month of April the department, with the assistance of the school physicians, and the consent of the parents, gave 356 child- ren in our public schools the "Schick" test to determine whether they were safe from or liable to contract diphtheria. Of this number there were 196 girls and 160 boys. As a result of this test the department is convinced that those parents and citizens who have not taken ad- vantage of the opportunity offered them to protect themselves and their children from diphtheria should do so at once. During Septem- ber and October diphtheria appeared in many of our surrounding cities and towns in epidemic form, several deaths resulting therefrom.
This disease appears without warning. It may appear in this town at any moment. The time to prepare is now. Why wait until it ap- pears ? It may be too late. The test is simple and requires the placing of but a single drop of the test liquid into the skin. It will not make you ill or leave a scar. If the test shows that you are safe, nothing further need be done. If it shows that you may catch the disease, three injections of vaccine will almost surely give you or your child- ren a life-long protection. This test is given free by this department or it may be given by your family physician. Don't risk waiting. Re- ports from the cities and towns where this disease has recently ap- peared show that not one case was reported where the person ill had taken this test.
The following is a summary of the work done at the various schools:
School
Positive
Positive Combined
Pseudo Negative Took test only
Clarke
Boys
23
3
0
2
3
Girls
44
3
0
3
1
Hadley
Boys
32
4
0
6
4
Girls
42
6
0
11
3
Machon
Boys
42
3
0
12
2
Girls
37
1
0
5
0
Palmer
Boys
5
1
1
10
1
Girls
13
1
0
7
1
Phillips
Boys
7
4
0
4
0
Girls
15
3
0
7
0
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Many of those who only took the test at school, and were found to be susceptible to the disease have since been given the vaccine by their family physicians. There were also several teachers, and sev- eral children not within the school age, who took the test, as did the physicians who gave it.
School Inspection
Under the General Laws of this State the School Committee of every city and town must cause every child in the public schools to be tested and examined at least once in every school year to ascertain whether he or she is suffering from defective sight or hearing or from any other defect or disability tending to prevent them from re- ceiving the full benefit of their school work or requiring a modification of the school work in order to prevent injury to the child or to secure the best educational results. Notices of any defect or disability re- quiring treatment must be sent to the parent or guardian of the child, and a physical record of each child must be kept in such form as the State Board of Education shall prescribe.
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