USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1923 > Part 16
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There were no objectors to the layout, and the Board, therefore, ap- proved this so that it may now be presented at the annual meeting for acceptance by the Town.
Taking of Methodist Church and Chick Property For School Purposes.
At the adjourned annual Town Meeting of April 3, 1923, the Board of Selectmen was instructed to take certain pieces of property ad- joining the Hadley School, on Redington Street, for school purposes, and an amount of $6,000 was appropriated.
The Board promptly called a conference of the owners of the prop- erty in question, Finance Committee, School Committee and Town Counsel. As a result it was found that the amount voted was en- tirely inadequate for the purpose. The Board, therefore, did not feel justified in proceeding with the taking until the matter had again been referred to the Town and the facts clearly presented. At the Special Meeting September 10, this was done by the Finance Com- mittee, and no objection being raised to the increase necessary, the Board at once proceeded with the formal taking of the property and awarded damages. After the award was made conference between the Board and the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church resulted in an offer by the Trustees to accept $7,000.00, with interest from October, 1923, in settlement.
The Board recommends the sum of $7,210.00 be appropriated to pay for the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as described in the taking.
No estimate has been received from the owners of the Chick property, and the settlement of Mr. Chick's claim will, therefore, proceed in the usual manner.
In view of the new law, relating to borrowing money, it will be necessary to rescind the previous vote.
Stacey Brook.
Under article 38, of the last annual meeting, the Town voted the sum of $9,500.00 to complete the cement-concrete culvert, which sev- eral years ago was undertaken jointly with the City of Lynn. The
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section in question is about 570 feet in length, extending northerly from the present culvert at New Ocean Street to the Lynn culvert.
The matter was taken up by the Board promptly with the Mayor and the Commission on Ways and Drainage of Lynn, but as the an- nual budget had already been prepared and approved, it was decided to defer the work until 1924. The Board agreed to this.
Mayor McPhetres has recently assured the Board that the necessary funds had been included in the budget for 1924, and that Lynn stands ready to complete its part of the enterprise.
In view of the new statute relating to appropriations of this kind, it will be necessary to rescind the previous vote and again make an appropriation for the purpose. Suitable articles have been prepared, and will appear in the warrant.
It is strongly urged that this important project, which has been before the Town for many years, be disposed of at this time.
There is an unexpended balance of $4,726.86 left over from the previous appropriation, which can be used for this work.
It is recommended that the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the purpose of constructing a culvert jointly with the City of Lynn; the expense to be borne in equal proportions, in accordance with the plans of Town Engineer, W. W. Pratt, and Engineer Vennard of the City of Lynn.
Railroad Underpass.
In September a petition was received by the Board, signed by a large number of citizens, requesting that they take up the matter of an underpass at the Station of the B. & M. R. R. in Swampscott with the Department of Public Utilities, with a view to having this very desirable improvement put through.
A hearing was granted on October 10, at which the Chairman of the Board appeared and presented a map showing the existing conditions and also the desired underpass. Serious objection was raised by the Counsel for the Boston & Maine Railroad, principally on the ground of cost and the inability of the Road to undertake any important projects.
On October 23 the Department of Public Utilities announced that under the conditions, it was not justified in ordering this work done.
The underpass would undoubtedly be a great convenience, and in time it is hoped that it will be put through by the Railroad, and also that a new station will be erected on the in-going side of the track.
There is an urgent demand for many improvements at this point, and it is felt that the Railroad will not only see that it is to their in- terest to effect these, but that necessary funds will be available.
Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Police Department.
For many years no adequate rules have been provided for the in- struction of members of the Police Department as to their duties and responsibilities. The Board made a thorough investigation, and found that most important towns and all cities of the Commonwealth are provided with such rules. A number of these were obtained from towns and cities where conditions might be properly compared with Swampscott; and, after a careful study, a code was drawn up by the
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Board. This not only governs the conduct, discipline and responsi- bility of all members of the Police Department, but also specifies uni- form and equipment, and gives legal instructions, regarding arrests and court evidence, together with first-aid rules. These were adopted by the Board on June 8, and were put into convenient book form. To make this book more complete a new street directory was compiled, which not only located the streets but showed those which have been accepted by the Town. The directory was followed by a list giving the location of all fire-alarm boxes and special calls. These rules should be of the greatest value in increasing the efficiency of the Police De- partment by giving its members a full and definite knowledge of their duties.
As the street directory and list of fire-alarm boxes appeared to be in such convenient form for reference, the Board had several thous- and of these printed without the police rules. These were sent to the citizens for their convenience. Additional copies can be obtained on application to the Clerk of the Board.
Forest Warden.
Everett P. Mudge was appointed Forest Warden for 1923, as pro- vided by statute.
Gypsy Moth Department.
Everett P. Mudge was reappointed to superintend the gypsy moth work.
The Board recommends that the amount of $5,000.00 be appropriated for the gypsy moth work for 1923.
Fire Department.
Acting under the statutes, the following Board of Fire Engineers was appointed on April 27, 1923: Thomas S. Leadbetter, Harry E. Hardy, Horace R. Parker.
Building Inspector.
At the meeting of March 2, John Lee was appointed Building In- spector for the ensuing year. He was later appointed Inspector of Smoke Nuisance.
Police Department.
Owing to the death of Ulysses M. Corson, who for many years had been Chief of the Police Department, the Board requested the De- partment of Civil Service to supply an eligible list to fill the vacancy. An examination was held and the following list submitted: Captain Eugene P. Brogan, 85.30; Patrolmen: William L. Quinn, 77.06; Albert L. Simpson, 71.50.
On January 26 the Board voted to appoint Patrolman William L. Quinn to be Chief of the Police Department, Selectmen Delano and Morrison in the affirmative, and Baldwin in the negative.
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Law.
To the Board of Selectmen:
Swampscott, Mass.
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my report as counsel for the town for the year 1923.
The petition of Moorfield Storey, et als, trustees of the Maria L. Phillips estate, against the town for the assessment of damages aris- ing from the taking of easements in connection with the building of the eastern intercepting sewer, has been settled by the Water and Sewerage Board by an agreement to pay $1,000. This will be sub- mitted to the town for confirmation. The town was very fortunate in the construction of this sewer since the above sum is the only amount that will be paid for damages, although easements were taken in various other parcels of property. In my opinion this settlement is a reasonable one and I advise its confirmation by the town.
The subject of the cost and maintenance of the Essex County Tuber- culosis Hospital has occupied the attention of various officials of the town during the past year. The statute under which this Hospital was built required its cost and maintenance to be paid by cities and towns that had not at a certain date established such hospital facil- ities of their own. Representatives of municipalities upon which the expense falls have held various conferences during the past year to devise means of meeting this burden. Under the direction of the Board of Selectmen I have represented the town before a Recess Committee of the Legislature appointed for the purpose of studying the situation and have urged that all cities and towns in the county, because of the great outlay involved, should be required to contribute to the cost and maintenance of this Hospital. To accomplish this, a bill is now pending in the Legislature and plans should be made without delay to assist its passage.
Another matter of importance that came before the Legislature last year was a change in assessing the tax on national bank shares. Under a provision in our statutes these shares had always been as- sessed for their fair cash value like other tangible property. The banks, however, objected on the ground that this method of assess- ment was illegal. Various hearings were held before the committees of the Legislature, with the result that a compromise was reached whereby the tax, instead of being assessed upon the fair cash value of the shares, is now assessed upon the income therefrom at a sub- stantially higher rate than that upon the income from shares in other corporations. This will materially reduce the amount of taxes from this source, but since the burden of reimbursing the banks for taxes that had been theretofore paid was borne by the Commonwealth, the compromise seemed a fair and reasonable one.
The infrequency of claims against the town for damages arising from defects in its streets is quite noticeable. One was settled during the past year by the payment of a small sum. A very substantial sum is paid each year by most municipalities in the settlement of claims of this nature. Their absence in our town is due to the good
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condition in which our streets are kept by the Surveyor of Highways.
The only litigation now pending in which the town is interested are the cases of the town against the City of Lynn in connection with the Stacey Brook matter, and the petition of Mary L. Burk for the assessment of damages to her property in Burrill street by reason of the construction of a sidewalk in front thereof. The first suit is grad- ually being settled by enclosing the waters of Stacey Brook in a cement culvert, the expense of the construction of which in the past has been borne equally by the city of Lynn and the town. When an- other link in this culvert is constructed, the nuisance arising from the sewerage system of the city of Lynn will be substantially abated. This is a matter I understand that is to be taken up by the Board of Selectmen and the Water and Sewerage Board with the city of Lynn.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES W. SANTRY.
Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital.
The Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital problem still remains un- solved, no plan which seems to be equitable to all parties concerned having yet been found.
During the present year there have been a number of hearings before legislative committees, and conferences of the towns and cities on which the burden of expense of this institution has been placed. Hearings were held at the State House on March 8, August 29 and October 2, at which the subject was discussed from every possible standpoint, including .purchase by the Government for use of veterans of the World War; by the State; by several counties jointly, and also by all of the municipalities of the County of Essex.
While no tangible results are yet apparent, and the report of the Legislative Committee has not been acted upon, it is quite possible that one of the plans under consideration may be carried through in such manner as to relieve the present situation.
As has been stated elsewhere in this report, the total assessment against the town of Swampscott is $96,027.80, which, together with the cost of operation for last year and various principal and interest charges, will mean an expenditure of over $12,000 for the present year and increasing amounts as time goes on.
On August 21 a conference of the interested municipalities was called by Mayor Whittemore, of Beverly, to consider some action in regard to the assessment which had been levied by the County Commis- sioners for the first time. The benefits derived by the several small towns and cities of the county involved seemed so out of proportion to the assessments, that it was felt that some relief should be sought.
The Board was represented at all of these hearings by the Chair- man and Town Counsel, both of whom were named on a Special Com- mittee to confer with the County Commissioners to see if the pay- ment of the amount assessed could not be deferred until the begin-
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ning of the year, when it could be considered in connection with the entire budget and necessary adjustments made.
A hearing was given the Committee by the County Commissioners on August 23, and it was later announced that the request would be granted. This has resulted in some additional interest charges, but it is felt by the towns and cities represented that this is fully war- ranted by the opportunity which was afforded to place the matter before the several municipalities at the time of the regular annual meeting.
In the meantime the entire proposition has been opened up for discussion, which is gradually enlightening the public on several points in connection with this great enterprise. Some of these may be stated as follows :---
That the original bill of 1916, authorizing the construction of a. tuberculosis hospital in the County of Essex, to be erected by the County Commissioners, without limit as to expenditure, was not equitable.
That the law exempting several of the largest cities in the County of Essex from responsibility for this hospital, and permitting them to erect local sanitoria, within city limits, and of an entirely different standard from that of the Middleton Sanatorium, was not equitable.
As has been brought out in the hearings at the State House, there is no reason why the small towns of Essex County should maintain an institution costing more than $1,700,000.00, with a capacity of over 200 beds, when large cities, such as Lynn, Salem, Newburyport, Law- rence, and the like, have escaped their apportionment by an expendi- ture of not more than $125,000.00 for all combined.
It is very evident that the same high standard for the treatment of our citizens who are unfortunate enough to be afflicted with tuber- culosis should be applied to all cities and towns in the county alike. Any other arrangmeent is not only unjust, but a wrong to those who suffer from this dread disease.
As the County Commissioners greatly exceeded reasonable limits of expense in the erection of the Middleton Hospital and over-esti- mated the number of beds required for the care of patients of Essex County, this is equally the fault of the Legislature which passed the bill in question, and certainly all of the cities and towns in the County of Essex are equally responsible for the acts of their Commissioners.
If the present plan of the Government, which we understand is now under consideration, goes through and the hospital is taken over at. some just price for use of veterans; or if the Legislature comes to the relief of Essex County, and arranges for some just division of this great expense, well and good. The least, however, that should be ex- pected is that all of the cities and towns of Essex County unite to give their tuberculosis patients the same high standard of care, and în doing this, assume their proportion of the expense of the Middle- ton Sanatorium. It is sincerely hoped that the efforts of those who are interested will bring about the adoption of one or the other of these plans.
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Andrews Memorial Chapel.
At the adjourned annual Town Meeting of April 3 it was voted to accept the report of the Finance Committee relating to the be- quest of the late Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews, whereby the residue of her estate was to be paid to the Town of Swampscott for the purpose of erecting a chapel in the cemetery in memory of her late husband, Isaac H. Andrews, who for a number of years had served the town faithfully as a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1880 and 1883, and of the Board of Assessors from 1880 to 1885.
Owing to the form of the report of the Finance Committee and the vote of the town, the Board found itself in a somewhat difficult po- sition, as no money was provided for the preliminary sketches, speci- fications and advertsiing, without which the trustees of the estate could not be assured that it would be possible to erect a chapel for the amount available. Furthermore, the amount itself was not definitely known.
After a thorough investigation of the subject by the Board, in which Professor Emerson, of the Department of Architecture, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, gave his assistance, it was decided that a building could be erected for a sum which would prob- ably fall within the amount of the estate.
The Board worked out a general scheme as to the size, material and the style of architecture of the chapel; and at this point pro- posed to Mr. Charles V. Burgess that he undertake to put this material in the form of specifications, drawings and plan view, which could be submitted to Mr. Augustine H. Rich, by whom they must be approved under the terms of the will. Mr. Burgess consented to carry out this plan, without even a promise by the Board that his designs would be used. Later two other sketches were prepared by local architects, all being submitted to Mr. Rich for approval.
On May 29 Mr. Rich selected the plans of Mr. Burgess, who, there- upon, proceeded at once with detail drawings and specifications, which were required before bids could be obtained.
In the meantime the Board made a careful study of the three differ- ent locations: The so-called tool-house site, the chapel site and a loca- tion on the knoll at the entrance to the new part of the cemetery. In advertising these were called location "A", "B" and "C".
The following bids were received and opened on July 27 :-
Mack Construction Company:
Site A- $26,789 00
Site B-
27,789 00
Site C- 27,539 00
Cunningham & Burdwood:
Site A- 24,950 00
Site B- 25,750 00
Site C- 25,450 00
Duncan Construction Company :
Site A-
27,900 00
Site B-
28,400 00
Site C- 28,000 00
F. C. Alexander:
Site A- 27,578 00
Site B -- no bid
Site C-
28,730 00
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O. Marino:
Site A- 28,605 00
Site B- 29,005 00
Site C- 28,865 00
The figures of Cunningham & Burdwood showed that it would be possible to erect a chapel within the terms of the will.
On June 11 the Board decided that the chapel site, or plan "C", was in every way the best suited for the purpose, and also that it avoided many serious objections which had arisen in connection with the removal of a large number of bodies from the Potter's Field, if the tool-house site was chosen.
In passing it should be stated that the location of the Chapel rested entirely with the Board of Selectmen, and not with the trustees of the estate. Nevertheless, it was the desire of the Board to co-oper- ate, so far as possible, without detriment to the interests of the town.
The question of location caused serious delays in negotiations which . put off the construction to so late a date that it could, with difficulty, be carried through. A final letter to the trustees was written by the Board on August 15 which brought about the desired result, and the sum of $30,500 was turned over to the town on October 18. Al- though the date was late, the Board, after consulting with the archi- tect and the contractor, felt that it would be possible to start and complete the work in from three to five months.
The contract was made with Mr. Burgess, whose plans had been accepted, and also with Cunningham & Burdwood Company, who were the lowest bidders. Work was commenced at once, with as many men as possible; and owing to the almost unprecedented weather condi- tions during the months of November, December and January, stone work is well along; and it is expected that by the time this report is issued all exterior work will be complete.
The final account of the estate has recently been approved by the Board, and a number of extras have been specified with a view to improving the quality of the interior finish and also of the roof. These are shown by the following figures :-
Payments on bequest, Oct. 18, '23
$30,500 00
Payments on bequest, Oct 18, 1923
$30,500 00
Bequest
$32,210 86
$32,210 86
General contract
$28,355 00
Extra heavy variegated slate
575 00
Oak trim inside
700 00
Oak pews
200 00
$29,830 00
Architect's fee
1,800 00
$31,630 00
$31,630 00
Balance
$580 86
1
ES.R.
CHARLES V. BURGESS, Architect
THE ANDREWS MEMORIAL CHAPEL
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This leaves a balance of $580.86, which may be used to further beau- tify the chapel itself, or provide for any extra work that may be decided on.
As will be seen from the full page insert, the building is of Norman Gothic design, constructed of seam-face granite, which, together with the many buttresses, gives a most artistic appearance to the exterior walls. The roof is of heavy variegated slate, mottled green and purple, and all flashings are of lead and copper. The exterior ornament of the building is of cut lime-stone. A tablet is placed on the tower, as called for by the will, on which are the words: "The Andrews Memorial Chapel."
Although this project has required a great amount of effort, the Board feels well repaid, as it has insured to the town of Swampscott, for all time, a suitable memorial chapel for such funeral services as may be held at the cemetery.
The Board, in behalf of the town, wishes to here record its appre- ciation of this splendid memorial made possible by the thoughtful- ness and generosity of the late Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews.
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Additional Land for Cemetery.
As work has progressed on the Memorial Chapel, the Board has been impressed with the desirability of acquiring at this time more land for cemetery purposes. As there are only sixteen lots now available, Mr. Thomas Handley, Superintendent of the Cemetery, was planning to request additional space which would involve an expendi- ture of $8,000. The Board, however, wishes to recommend that the land just north of the cemetery, as shown on a drawing recently made by Town Engineer, W. W. Pratt, some 91/2 acres, be acquired.
There is a cemetry fund of $16,000, so that no money will be re- quired from the tax levy. The land can be taken by right of eminent domain and should not be very expensive, as there is only one house, and that a fairly old one, on the property, much of which is low and must be filled in. .
The Board feels that this front land should be acquired to add to later developments of back land, and that the scheme will work out with great beauty and artistic effect in connection with the Andrews Memorial Chapel.
It is recommended that the Board be authorized to take land, by right of eminent domain, for cemetery purposes, in accordance with the plan prepared by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and that money be appropriated for the same.
Death of President, Warren Gamaliel Harding.
On August 3, at 4 o'clock' in the morning, the sad news of the death of our beloved President, Warren Gamaliel Harding, was re- ceived in this town. Bells of the Town Hall and churches commenced to toll in the early hours of the morning.
The Board at once started plans for suitable memorial exercises, and a meeting was held on the evening of August 7, at which the clergy and the Commander of the American Legion were present. Commander Place was requested to take charge of the public exer- cises on the day of the funeral, and arrangements were made by the clergy for services in the several churches on the morning of that day.
It was also voted to send the following resolutions to Mrs. Harding :-
WHEREAS, Warren Gamaliel Harding, President of the United State of America, has been taken from us under the providence of God, these resolutions have been adopted by the Board of Selectmen, the Clergy and American Legion of the Town of Swampscott, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in behalf of the citizens of the Town.
WHEREAS, in the death of our beloved President, our country has suffered the loss of a leader of high Christian character; one who
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