USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1923 > Part 4
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Beginning at a point at the northwesterly corner of the above described lot ; thence northerly for a distance of fifty-one feet; thence easterly for a distance of sixty-nine feet; thence southerly for a distance of fifty-one feet; thence westerly along the above described lot for a distance of sixty- nine feet to the point of beginning.
The two lots in question adjoin the Hadley School. The first lot is owned by the First Methodist Church and consists of 7,085 square feet of land with the church building on same. The second lot belongs to Isaac W. Chick, is in the rear of the first lot, apparently has a right of way over the first lot, and consists of 3,641 square feet of land with a small cottage on same. Having in mind that more school room may soon be needed in the center of the town and that this might well be provided by an addition to the Hadley
36
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
School, we are in favor of the town acquiring these two pieces of property if it can be done at a reasonable expense. The trustees of the church prop- erty have offered to sell the same for $6,000, but, in our opinion, this is more than should be paid. The assessed value of the rear lot is $1,725. The other lot is not assessed. The front land adjoining the same is assessed at about 20 cents per foot. Under General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 14, in purchasing land for municipal purposes, the town cannot pay in excess of twenty-five per cent over the assessed value. Unless a price within the statute is agreed to the value is determined by legal proceedings. We recom- mend that the Selectmen be authorized to take by right of eminent do- main for school purposes the premises described in Article 19 and that the sum of $6,000 be appropriated therefor to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.
In case the property is taken, we are advised that the School Board has in mind using the church building for gymnasium classes from the Hadley School and has already used the same to a limited extent. Ac- cordingly, we requested an inspection of the building to be made by Harold G. McCann, District Inspector for the Department of Public Safety of the State, who reported :
"In my opinion present egress from the auditorium is inadequate in that it is all located at one end. Approved hardware will be required for all doors used for exits. If this building is to be used to any great extent, the supervisor may require proper ventilation and sanitaries."
Mr. McCann advises that it could be used for gymnasium classes pro- vided suitable alterations were made as indicated, plans for such altera- tions to be filed at the State House. The question of what shall be done with the building, which is no longer used by the church, is not before us in this article and we have not undertaken to express an opinion on whether it should be torn down. But in its present condition it is ques- tionable whether school children should use it.
Article 20-To see if the town will vote to place a fire alarm box at the junction of Sheridan and Elmwood roads and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
We recommend that the town place a fire alarm box at the junction of Sheridan and Elmwood roads for the sum of $225, to be appropriated therefor.
Article 21-To see if the town will vote to transfer from Excess and Deficiency the sum of three thousand five hundred forty-one dollars and fifty-nine cents overdrawn appropriations, and carried forward to 1923 by authority of the Department of Corporations, Division of Accounts.
The overdrawn appropriations are as follows :
Certification of Notes and Bonds
$ 260 50
Special Assessments abated .
15 14
Election and Registration
632 07
Police
1,281 06
Forest Warden .
163 66
Refuse and Garbage
330 38
Poor
222 98
Interest on Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
500 07
Interest on Sewer Bonds
05
General Debt
100 00
Refunds
33 68
$3,541 59
We recommend that the town transfer from Excess and Deficiency the sum of $3,541.59 to care for the same. We would also call attention to the fact that in addition to overdrawn appropriations, bills to the extent of $2,049.20 were left unpaid at the end of the year as shown by page 241 of the Town Report. Some of the overdrawn appropriations and unpaid bills were doubtless necessary, but we do not believe they all were. As pointed out by the State Examiner, on page 247 of the Town Report, the
37
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1923]
departments have no right to spend more than the sum appropriated by the town, except in case of extreme emergency involving the health or safety of persons and property, and then only by two-thirds vote of the Selectmen. We believe that each department head should carefully fig- ure his appropriation at the beginning of the year with a view to keeping within same.
Article 22-To see if the town will accept the bequest under the will of Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews, as follows:
"All the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal, of which I shall die seized and possessed, or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my death, to be paid to the Town of Swampscott for the purpose of erecting a Memorial Chapel in said cemetery in memory of my late husband, Isaac H. Andrews, said Chapel to be named, 'The Andrews Memorial Chapel.' I desire that said Chapel be built either of light colored brick or of split stone, according to the remaining funds, the design of said Chapel to be chosen by said Augustine H. Rich, and I desire that my piano be placed in said Chapel and kept covered when not in use. It is my wish that only the five persons whose names are on the monument on said lot shall be buried there, and as each person passes away the year to be cut in the stone."
We are informed by the executors of the estate that the amount avail- able under this bequest will be between twenty-nine thousand ($29,000) dollars and thirty thousand ($30,000) dollars. The design of said chapel has not yet been chosen. We do not know whether a suitable chapel could be erected within the amount available. This ought to be deter- mined with reasonable certainty. We recommend that the town accept said bequest under said will and that the Board of Selectmen be author- ized to erect a chapel as therein set forth, provided and upon the condi- tion, however, that upon a design being chosen by said Augustine H. Rich and upon specifications being made and bids called for, bids are received from responsible persons and the Board of Selectmen thereupon determine that such chapel can be erected complete, including any and all heating, ventilating, lighting, seating, grading or any other equipment or fixtures that may be necessary and including all architect's fees or other expense in connection with such erection, within the amount avail- able under said bequest; and provided that no work shall be done by the town or contract made until said money has been paid over to it; and that in case the Board of Selectmen then determine that said chapel com- plete and fully equipped cannot be erected within the amount so avail- able that they thereupon report the matter again to the town to see what further or other action the town will take. This recommendation and the vote thereon shall in no way authorize said Rich to bind the town, engage architects or agents in its behalf, create indebtedness against it, or act as its agent.
Article 23-To see if the town will accept the bequest under the will of Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews, as follows :-
"I direct that my Executors hereinafter named shall pay one hundred and fifty dollars to the Town of Swampscott, for the care of the monu- ment and urn on my cemetery lot No. 455 in said Swampscott, the same to be kept clean and when repaired to be done in a workmanlike manner; and to purchase a new urn when necessary and place flowers on said lot during each year. This sum is in addition to the sum already paid to said Town of Swampscott for the perpetual care of said lot."
We are advised that the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) is not sufficient to comply with the provisions of this bequest, and accord- ingly we recommend that the bequest be not accepted.
Article 24-To see if the town will vote to lay a six-inch (6") water main in Sherwood street, Bond street and Fuller avenue for a distance of about twelve hundred feet (1200') and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Frank H. Van Blarcom, et als.
We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Sherwood street, Bond street and Fuller avenue for a distance of about 1200 feet, and that
38
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
the sum of $4,000 be appropriated therefor to be raised by notes or bonds of the town, interest at the rate of six per cent. to be paid on the invest- ment until the water rates of the users are equal to the interest thereon, proper waivers to be obtained from abutters, if in the judgment of the Water and Sewerage Board waivers are necessary for the protection of the town.
Article 25-To see if the town will vote to purchase a fourteen-ton road roller with scarifier, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
The present road roller has been in use for twenty years, and examina- tion of the same by experts indicates that to endeavor to repair it would be a waste of money. We recommend that the Surveyor of Highways be authorized to purchase a fourteen-ton road roller with scarifier and to dispose of the present road roller, in exchange or otherwise, and that the sum of fifty-three hundred dollars ($5300) be appropriated therefor.
Article 26-To see if the town will vote to place street signs on the different streets of the town, and appropriate fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
On account of the extra expense already provided for in this depart- ment for the present year, we recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 27-To see if the town will vote to curb and build a sidewalk on the north side of Humphrey street from Phillips Beach station to Forest avenue for a distance of about twelve hundred feet (1200') and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
We recommend that the town build a curb on the north side of Hum- phrey street from Phillips Beach station to Forest avenue for a distance of about twelve hundred feet (1200'), and that the sum of twenty-nine hundred dollars ($2900) be appropriated therefor, waivers from abutters first to be obtained.
Article 28-To see if the town will vote to purchase sidewalk plows and road machines for the Highway Department and appropriate fifteen hun- dred dollars ($1500) for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
We recommend that the Surveyor of Highways be authorized to pur- chase plows and road machines for the Highway Department and that the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) be appropriated therefor.
Article 29-To see if the town will vote to accept Valley road as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated December, 1922, and appropriate money for the same.
We recommend that the town accept Valley road as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and that the sum of three hun- dred dollars ($300) be appropriated therefor.
Article 30-To see if the town will vote to accept Mountwood road as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated Decem- ber, 1922, and appropriate money for the same.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 31-To see if the town will vote to accept Roy street as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated December, 1922, and appropriate money for the same.
We recommend that the town accept Roy street as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and that the sum of three hundred dollars ($300) be appropriated therefor.
Article 32-To see if the town will vote to accept that portion of pri- vate way known as Burpee road, and all of the private way known as Bertha street, and to be known as Burpee road, as laid out on a plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated February, 1921, and ap- propriate money for the same.
We recommend that the private way known as Burpee road, and the
39
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1923]
private way known as Bertha street, as laid out on plan drawn by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated February, 1921, be accepted and the sum of $5,200 be appropriated therefor, provided and upon condition that such acceptance shall take effect and such appropriation be expended only in case, within 90 days from the date of this vote, the Board of Selectmen call for and receive a bid or bids for the construction of a suitable road- way for the entire length of said Burpee road and Bertha street at an expense not to exceed $5,200, and enter into a contract therefor, and that proper waivers are signed by abutters.
Article 33-To see if the town will vote to accept Phillips cricle as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated December, 1922, and appropriate money for the same.
We recommend that the town accept Phillips circle as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, that the sum of three hun- dred dollars ($300) be appropriated therefor, proper waivers first to be obtained from abutters.
Article 34-To see if the town will vote to accept Bradlee avenue as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated January, 1923, and appropriate money for the same.
We recommend that the town accept Bradlee avenue as laid out on a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and that the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) be appropriated therefor.
Article 35-To see if the town will vote to accept Palmer avenue, so- called, from Humphrey street to its intersection with Orchard road, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Arthur C. Lewis and others.
We recommend that the town accept Palmer avenue, so-called, from Humphrey street to Orchard road, provided said way be made to con- form to the plan filed with the town and that the Town Engineer so certify.
Article 36-To see if the town will vote to accept Orchard road, so- called, from Humphrey street to its intersection with Palmer avenue, and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Arthur C. Lewis and others.
We recommend that the town accept Orchard road, so-called, from Palmer avenue to Humphrey street, provided said way is made to con- form to the plan filed with the town and that the Town Engineer so certify.
Article 37-To see if the town will vote to enclose in a cement culvert a portion of Hawthorne brook from Salem street easterly for about six hundred fifty feet (650') and appropriate money for the same, as recom- mended by the Board of Selectmen.
The cost of this would be four thousand dollars ($4,000). While it would be a convenience to the citizens living in this neighborhood, the town has a great deal of money to spend and we do not feel that the town should undertake it this year. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 38-To see if the town will vote to construct a culvert for a part of King's brook, extending from Stacey brook to Huron street, a distance of about five hundred feet (500'), in accordance with the plans prepared by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and appropriate ninety-five hundred dollars ($9500) for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
We recommend that action under Article 38 be indefinitely postponed.
Article 39-To see if the town will vote to construct a culvert for a portion of King's brook extending from Cherry street to Essex street, a distance of about two hundred seventy feet (270'), in accordance with the plans prepared by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and appropriate forty-five hundred dollars ($4500) for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
The purpose of the culvert proposed by this article would seem to
40
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
be to prevent water accumulating in the vicinity of the playground off Essex street near the car barn property. We are informed by the Water and Sewerage Board that the situation probably can be taken care of by laying a drain pipe at the place in question at an expense of $100, which expense can be paid from the Board's regular appropria- tion. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 40-To see if the town will vote to lay a sewer in Claremont terrace for a distance of three hundred feet (300') to connect with private sewer already laid across town's sewer easement to main sewer, and to appropriate money for the same; also to reimburse Fred M. Collins for a part of cost of said private sewer, as petitioned for by Stuart P. Ellis, et als.
.We recommend that the town lay a sewer in Claremont terrace for a distance of 300 feet to connect with private sewer already laid across the town's sewer easement to the main sewer and that the owner of said private sewer be reimbursed for part of the cost of the same, and that the sum of $425 be appropriated for the purpose of this article.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Humphrey street from the Palmer school to Palmer avenue, a distance of about 700 feet (700'), and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by William C. McNamara, et als.
We recommend that the town build a sewer in Humphrey street from the Palmer school to Palmer avenue, a distance of about 700 feet, and that the sum of $6,100 be appropriated therefor, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.
Article 42-To see if the town will appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred dollars ($1800) for the purpose of extending the present sewer at the corner of Palmer avenue and Humphrey street, a distance of two hundred fifty feet (250') east on Humphrey street, as petitioned for by Edward N. Carpenter, et als.
We recommend that the present sewer be extended from the corner of Palmer avenue and Humphrey street about 250 feet east on Humphrey street and that the sum of $1,800 be appropriated therefor, to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 43-To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer in Moun- tain avenue a distance of two hundred seventy feet (270'), from Beach avenue, and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Board of Health.
We recommend that the sewer in Mountain avenue be extended a distance of about 270 feet from Beach avenue and the sum of $1,200 be appropriated therefor to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.
Article 44-To see if the town will vote to sell to the E. R. Grabow Company, Inc., owners of the New Ocean House, an irregular strip of land, adjoining the property of that Company, on the southern extremity of the pumping station lot located on Humphrey street, belonging to the Town of Swampscott, containing approximately fifty-three hundred eighty square feet (5380 sq. ft.) of land, as shown on plan submitted. for the sum of five hundred dollars ($500), as petitioned for by the Water and Sewerage Board.
We recommend that the town sell to E. R. Grabow Company, Inc., for the sum of $500 the parcel of land described in this article, and that the Water and Sewerage Board be authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver a deed in conformance with this vote.
Article 48-To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to acquire suitable quarters for the use of the veterans of the various wars, as petitioned for by E. Stanley Flagg, et als.
The town has always allowed and encouraged patriotic organizations to have the use of portions of existing public buildings not actually required for the departments or business of the town. It is within the
41
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1923]
town's rights to do this. For many years the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic has occupied quarters in the unused public school house on Pine street and the American Legion also had quarters here until last fall when, at the Legion's request, the Park Board provided the use of rooms on the second floor of the building known as the Fish House. The town has never undertaken, however, to purchase, erect or acquire a building for the purpose of affording quarters for any organization or group and, in addition to the question of whether it is advisable to do so, it seems to be settled and we are advised that the town can not legally appropriate or borrow money for this purpose. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 49-To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1200) for the construction and enclosing of double tennis courts on Abbott park, as petitioned for by Arthur E. Willard, et als.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 50-To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the purchase and installation of portable bleachers for Jackson and Phillips parks, as petitioned for by Robert W. Campbell, Jr., et als.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 51-To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars ($2200) for playground activities, including the purchase and installation of equipment, the same to be expended under the joint supervision of the Park Commissioners and the School Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 217, Section 1, of the General Laws, as petitioned for by Arthur F. Bent, et als.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 52-To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the celebration of the Fourth of July and to appoint a committee to have charge of the celebration, as petitioned for by Alfred F. Frazier, et als.
We recommend that the sum of $500 be appropriated for the purpose of this article.
HARRY D. LINSCOTT, Chairman, JOHN A. HOLMES, Secretary, BENJAMIN B. BLAN CHARD, WILL B. ANDERSON, ARTHUR M. WYMAN, FRANK A. PAYNE,
Finance Committee.
42
General Government
1922 -
1923
Appropriated
Expended
Asked
- Recommended
Legislative
$ 400 00
$ 271 20
$ 400 00
$ 300 00
Selectmen
2,160 00
2,154 34
2,200 00
2,200 00
Accountant
·
2,000 00
1,981 34
2,000 00
2,000 00
Treasurer
1,175 00
1,174 75
1,320 00
1,320 00
Collector of Taxes
2,471 93
2,471 93
3,100 00
3,100 00
Assessors
3,125 00
2,970 40
3,125 00
3,125 00
Printing and Certification of Notes
300 00
560 50
500 00
500 00
Town Clerk
100 00 2
589 57
802 00
700 00
Law
.
.
.
1,000 00
965 55
1,000 00
1,000 00
Election and Registration
1,200 00
1,832 07
875 00
875 00
Engineering
6,035 00
6,030 73
5,775 00
5,775 00
Town Hall
.
.
3,000 00
3,000 00
3,000 00
3,000 00
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
600 00 S
Protection of Life and Property
1922
1923
Police
Appropriated $25,000 00 26,690 00
Expended $26,281 06 26,690 00
Asked $29,585 00 26,700 00
$26,281 00
Hydrant Rental
1,000 00
1,000 00
3 Alarm Boxes
480 00
480 00
Hose Wagon
1,150 00
500 00
Punch Register
185 00
Horses-Snow
427 33
Sealer of Weights and Measures
455 00
472 82
530 00
530 00
Moth
5,000 00
4,998 82
5,000 00
4,500 00
Tree Warden
1,485 00
1,483 16
1,750 00
1,485 00
Forest Warden
100 00
263 66
200 00
200 00
Dog Officer
150 00
147 00
200. 00
150 00
Building Inspector
450 00
450 00
550 00
450 00
Health and Sanitation
Health
$4,661 25
$ 4,659 22
$ 7,025 00
$ 6,850 00
Nurse
1,114 00
1,080 00
1,250 00
1,250 00
Garbage-Ashes-Night Soil
9,000 00
10,021 38
10,321 38
10,000 00
Cleaning Beaches
691 00
952 20
991 00
691 00
Sewers-Maintenance and Operation .
8,200 00
7,740 21
8,200 00
8,200 00
Particular Sewers
500 00
500 56
500 00
500 00
Brooks
500 00
127 03
500 00
500 00
...
. .
· ....
. .
.
. .
.
.
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
43
1923]
Recommended
Fire
26,700 00
44
Highways and Bridges
1922 -
1923 -
Administration
Repairs, Equipment and Maintenance
36,350 00
39,500 00
39,500 00
Snow Removal
5,000 00
$ 5,687 00
15,000
00
20,373 21
Sidewalk and Curbing
3,000 00
2,983 74
3,000 00
1,500 00
Street Construction
2,000 00
2,096 87
2,500
00
2,000 00
Water and Oiling
5,000
00
4,875 04
5,000
00
5,000 00
Seal Coating
2,500 00
2,000 00
3,500
00
2,500 00
Continuous Sidewalks
5,036 13
3,978 58
5,000
00
2,500 00
Street Lights .
19,500 00
17,558 76
17,000
00
17,000 00
Extra-Roller
5,900 00
5,300 00
Snow Plows
.
Street Signs
Charities and Soldiers' Relief
$6,500 00
$6,722 98
$6,500 00
$6,500 00
State Aid
1,700 00
1,392 50
1,500 00
1,500 00
Soldiers' Relief
6,000 00
3,787 38
3,800 00
3,800 00
Military Aid
1,000 00
375 00
500 00
500 00
Pensions
3,000 00
2,899 62
3,750 00
3,750 00
Education
Schools · Library
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
.
$130,000 00 5,800 00
$129,321 71 5,784 84
$136,963 00 5,800 00
$135,463 00 5,800 00
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Appropriated
Expended
Asked $ 2,500 00
Recommended
$ 2,500 00
.
1,500 00
1,000 00
1,500 00
Poor
.
.
$ 2,500 00
Recreation
1922
1923
Parks Metropolitan Park . . .
.
. .
. .
.
Appropriated $5,600 00 7,000 00
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