USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1924 > Part 8
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The Clarke School was built in 1906 and serves that section of the town west of Thomas and Walker roads not cared for by the Machon School. It is now attached to Abbott Park, which allows playground facilities. It is an eight-room building, no assembly hall, but has small play-room facilities in the basement. The seating capacity is 342. Last May there were being taught two first grades, one each of the second, third, fourth and fifth, and two sixth grades. Total number of pupils 273. Every room was occupied. In September the enrollment was 247, a decrease of twenty-six, thereby eliminating one first grade and leaving one vacant room.
The Hadley School was built in 1912, is situated on Redington street near Humphrey street, and serves that section of the town lying west of Pleasant street not taken care of by the two schools above mentioned. It was originally planned for a grade school and has scant outdoor playground facilities. Since the adoption by the town of the 6-3-3 system the building has been used jointly for the six primary grades and three junior high grades. The seating ca- pacity is 658, which with twenty-one seats in the room planned as a library makes a total of 680. Last May there were 215 pupils in the first six grades and 408 in the junior high school, making a total of 623. In September the enrollment was 225 in the grades and 416 in the junior high, an increase of eighteen pupils-ten in the grades and eight in the junior high. This building, with domestic
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science and manual training rooms in the basement, class rooms overflowing into rooms previously planned for rest rooms, and the library room used as a school room, has all the appearance of being overcrowded.
The Palmer School, built in 1908 and enlarged in 1922, serves the Phillips Beach section of the town. It has playground facilities. There are four rooms with a seating capacity of 155. Last May there were 123 pupils divided among six grades, and in September the number was increased to 129. The maximum number that could be taken care of in this school is probably 155.
St. John's School (parochial), built in 1922, is situated on Blaney street near the Hadley School. It is an eight-room building front- ing on a narrow street, and has scant playground facilities. Last May the first five grades were being taught and the average number of pupils per grade was 32, making a total of 161 pupils. In Sep- tember there were six grades being taught and the average number of pupils was thirty-four, making a total of 206. The first-grade enrollment in September was thirty-two. The opening of this school has reduced the number of pupils attending the public schools and retarded the time when a new grade school is needed.
North Shore Country Day School. This is a private pay school and is situated in the Phillips Beach section of the town. In Sep- tember, 1923, the attendance was sixty-two, and in September, 1924, it increased to sixty-eight. While the higher grades are being taught at this school the largest classes are the first and second grades, which naturally are drawn from the Palmer School district.
After a careful examination of the above conditions and figures one naturally comes to the conclusion that the enrollment in the pub- lic schools during the past four years has not been abnormal, and that there has not been the same accelerated growth experienced in years previous to 1921; also, that the average attendance has re- mained surprisingly near the same number, namely, 1510. One also notes that while there are plenty of school rooms and school seats for the total enrollment that the domiciles of the pupils are so situ- ated that while one building may have an excess of seats another may be overcrowded. This is especially true of the Hadley School, and is the real problem before us.
The School Committee has for the past four years been calling to the attention of the town the fact that a new grade school would soon be needed to relieve the conditions at the Hadley School and Palmer School. The adding of two additional rooms to the Palmer School in 1922 has temporarily relieved the conditions in that district.
In 1922 the School Committee in its annual report stated that in the near future the town would need a new high school building, and that the present building after certain alterations then be used for a grade school to accommodate that section of the town which is being developed to the east. They also recommended that the land adjacent to the Hadley School and fronting on Redington street, then belonging to the Methodist Church and Isaac Chick, be ac- quired as a playground for the Hadley School. In 1923 this land was taken by right of eminent domain, with the idea, as expressed in the Finance Committee's recommendation, that it should be used for enlargement of the Hadley School when needed. It is now prop- erty of the town and added 10,826 square feet to the Hadley School property. The amount of the settlement with the Methodist Church
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was $7,210. At the date of this report no agreement has been made with Mr. Chick as to the amount of damages.
In 1923 the School Committee, after careful consideration, sug- gested that due to present conditions there be erected on the prop- erty acquired on Redington street a nine-room school unit connected with the Hadley School, the new building to be used as a grade school and the present Hadley School then to be used exclusively as a junior high.
The committee as a whole has been assured by the School Commit- tee and by the School Superintendent that the vacant rooms in the Ma- chon School and the one vacant room in the Clarke School cannot be used to relieve the situation at the Hadley School. Your committee finds that the Hadley School is overcrowded and that steps should be taken to relieve the condition by the erection of a new grade school.
School Building Sites
The erection of a new building and the discussion of possible sites has not only meant a study of present conditions, but we have at- tempted to anticipate future requirements that some comprehensive plan might be developed along which the school needs might grow. Besides building another grade school to relieve conditions at the Hadley, the School Committee has favored building a junior high gymnasium as part of such addition. With the present conditions and future needs in mind your committee has considered the fol- lowing propositions:
1. The erection of a six-room grade school with administra- tive offices, additional manual training room in basement, and a gymnasium on the land adjacent to the Hadley School, all of which are to be housed in one building and connected with the Hadley School.
2. The erection of a six-room grade school with administra- tive offices and additional manual training rooms on land adja- cent to the Hadley School but without gymnasium.
3. The erection of a gymnasium on the land adjacent to the Hadley School and attached to the present building.
4. The erection of an eight-room grade school building on Forest avenue near its junction with Aspen road, to care for the six grades now in the Hadley School and to care for this rap- idly growing section.
5. The erection at some future time of an eight-room grade school building at Phillips Beach in the vicinity of the present Phillips Beach B. & M. Station, to care for that section of the town.
6. As an alternative to numbers 4 and 5, the erection of a school building on Phillips Park which could be added to from time to time, to be used as grade school for all that section east of Redington street and thus eliminate all other grade school buildings in this district.
7. The remodelling of and addition to the building now used as a senior high school as well as an improvement of the grounds that this building might grow better adapted for modern high school needs.
The committee is not called upon to make any recommendations with reference to senior high school needs. The present building
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is not crowded and the grounds afford ample room for future en- largement if required.
The facilities for the junior high and Hadley grade school are inadequate, due to both being crowded into one building.
ยท The committee is unanimous in recommending the erection of a grade school in the district served by the Hadley School building. The committee is not unanimous on the questions of (a) site for new building (b) addition of gymnasium to junior high.
A majority of the committee favors the proposition numbered two in the propositions set forth above. Accordingly the committee re- ports and recommends the erection of a six-room grade school with administrative offices and additional manual training rooms on land adjacent to the Hadley School.
In the course of its investigation the committee, keeping within its appropriation of $500, employed Peare & Quiner, architects, for advice and to draft tentative plans. Plans were drawn for a build- ing on the lot next to the Hadley School. Without the gymnasium the expense of the proposed school building, including architects' fee, but not including equipment, is estimated at $84,800. Following is the architects' estimate:
"October 1, 1924.
To the Building Committee for proposed Redington Street School, Building, Swampscott, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :- We have received careful estimates of the cost of building the contemplated school building and the gymnasium ac- cording to our drawings and specifications, which are as follows: School building, including architects' fee $84,800
Gymnasium, including architects' fee 57,240
Our drawings were carried far beyond the sketch stage and ap- proached working drawings in their completeness. Our estimates were made by first-class contractors and we have every reason to feel very sure that our figures are safe and conservative.
Yours respectfully, Peare and Quiner."
This concludes the committee's report. Further action rests with the School Board, Finance Committee and Town.
Signed: EDWARD TILLOTSON, MABEL A. HARDY, JOHN VANNEVAR, FRANK E. MORRISON, NORMAN S. DILLINGHAM,
JOHN F. LUTHER. HARRY E. HARDY, CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, HARRY D. LINSCOTT.
Voted, that report be accepted and referred to the Finance Com- mittee.
Finance Committee's Report
The Finance Committee report was read by Charles I. Porter, Chairman.
Article 2. To see if the town will authorize the School Committee to dispose of the building, but not the land, known as the Metho- dist Episcopal Church on Redington street.
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We recommend that the School Committee be authorized to dis- pose of building, but not the land, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church on Redington street, provided this can be done at no ex- pense to the town, and in such manner that no danger to persons or property shall exist during the work or from the condition in which the land is left.
Article 3. To see if the town will accept Chapter 236 of the Acts of 1924 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being an act authorizing the town of Swampscott to pay an annuity to Elizabeth J. Hadley, which act is as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by authority of the same, as follows: Section 1. For the purpose of further discharging its moral obligation to Elizabeth J. Hadley, a former school teacher in its employ, the town of Swampscott may pay to her annu- ally, so long as she shall live, the sum of two hundred and sixty- six dollars, the same to be in addition to any pension payable to her by said town at the time this act takes effect. Sec- tion 2. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by vote of the inhabitants of said town at a town meeting; provided, that such acceptance occurs prior to December thirty-first in the current year.
We feel that a dangerous precedent would be established if this appropriation were approved by the Finance Committee, and there- fore we recommend that action on this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 4. 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 monument 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."
It is possible that the income from $150 might not be sufficient to carry out the terms of this bequest, but in view of the fact that a beautiful memorial chapel has been built in this cemetery from another bequest of Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews, we recommend that this bequest be accepted.
Article 5. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey a certain triangular piece of land on New Ocean street, containing about 513 square feet, bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point on New Ocean street; thence running southerly by land of the town 102.76 feet; thence westerly 9.98 feet; thence northerly by land of Bradford 103.31 feet to the point of beginning; as shown by plan on file with W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer.
As petitioned for by Frank H. Bradford.
We recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to sell and con- vey a certain triangular piece of land on New Ocean street, bounded and described as follows:
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Beginning at a point on New Ocean street; thence running southerly by land of the town 102.76 feet; thence westerly 9.98 feet; thence northerly by land of Bradford 103.31 feet to the point of beginning; as shown by plan on file with W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer.
As petitioned for by Frank H. Bradford.
containing about 513 square feet at a minimum price of 50 cents per square foot.
Article 6. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Select- men to convey to Irene Koch a certain piece of land situated at 379 and 381 Essex street, bounded and described as follows:
Northerly by Essex street one hundred feet; northeasterly by land of Hattie A. Kain ninety-five feet; southeasterly by land of William McCarty one hundred feet and westerly by land of Wendel and Mary E. Gassman one hundred and five feet.
It has been impossible, in the limited time allowed us, to get suf- ficient information on this matter to arrive at a conclusion. We recommend that this article be taken up at the next annual town meeting.
C. I. PORTER, HENRY A. SADLER, W. B. ANDERSON, JAMES C. SOUTTER, LOUIS H. ATTWILL, MAURICE YOZELL, Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 2. That the report of the Finance Committee be accepted and their recommendations be adopted: that the School Com- mittee be authorized to dispose of the building, but not the land, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church on Redington street, provided this can be done at no expense to the town, and in such manner that no danger to persons or property shall exist during the work or from the condition in which the land is left.
Voted, Article 3. To accept and adopt Chapter 236 of the Acts of 1924, authorizing the town to pay an annuity to Elizabeth J. Hadley.
Voted, Article 4. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and their recommendations be adopted: that the town accept the bequest under the will of Mrs. Ellen E. Andrews.
Voted, Article 5. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations: that the town authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey a certain triangular piece of land on New Ocean street, bounded and described as follows: beginning at a point on New Ocean street; thence running southerly by land of the town 102.76 feet; thence westerly 9.98 feet; thence northerly by land of Bradford 103.31 feet, to the point of beginning; as shown by plan on file with W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and containing about 513 square feet at a minimum price of 50 cents per square foot.
Voted. Article 6. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and their recommendations be adopted that this article be taken up at the next annual town meeting.
Voted to dissolve at 8.50 P. M.
Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
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Law and Order By-Law
By-law adopted at the special town meeting, April 8, 1924.
No person shall behave himself in a rude or disorderly manner, or use any indecent, profane or insulting language, in any street, lane, alley, or public place in the town, or near any dwelling-house or other building therein; or be or remain upon any sidewalk, or upon any door step, portico, or other projection from any building to the annoyance or disturbance of any person. No person with one or more other persons shall stand or loiter in a group or near such number of persons on any sidewalk in a public street or in any public place in the town in such manner as to obstruct the free passage of foot travelers; nor after a request to move on made by any police officer. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this by-law shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars for each offence.
Boston, Mass., April 24, 1924.
The foregoing by-law is hereby approved.
JAY R. BENTON, Attorney General.
Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
Amended By-Law
By-law Section 1 of Chapter 2 as amended at the special town meeting, April 8, 1924.
Section 1. The annual town meeting shall be held on the third Monday in February, in each year. For the election of officers, polls shall be open at twelve o'clock noon and shall remain open until eight o'clock at night. After the declaration of votes for officers the meeting shall adjourn to Tuesday next thereafter at 7.45 P. M., when the remaining articles of the warrant shall be acted upon.
Boston, Mass., April 24, 1924.
The foregoing by-law is hereby approved.
JAY R. BENTON, Attorney General.
Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
Zoning By-Law Zoning by-law adopted at the special town meeting, April 8, 1924.
ARTICLE I AUTHORIZATION AND DIVISION
By virtue and in pursuance of the powers delegated by Section 25 to Section 33, inclusive, of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, the town of Swampscott is divided into the following districts, viz., 2. General Residence District; 3. Single Residence District.
ARTICLE II GENERAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT
In District 2, except as herein otherwise provided, no building shall be used, and no building shall be erected or altered which is intended
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or designed to be used for a store or shop, or for manufacturing or commercial purposes, or any other purpose except one or more of the following:
1. Residence for not more than two families.
2. Boarding, rooming, or lodging house.
3. Church.
4. Public school or other municipal building.
5. Private school, library, museum, or other building of an educa- tional character.
6. Club, except a club which carries on a business or is in the nature of a business.
7. Park, playground, or community purpose.
8. Farm, market garden, nursery or greenhouse.
9. Private garage to be used by the occupants or owners of the premises, except that space in the same for not more than two cars may be rented.
10. Private stable with provision for not more than two horses.
11. Such accessory purposes as are customarily incident to the foregoing purposes, and are not injurious to a neighborhood as a place of residence, but such accessory purposes shall not include any business, industry, trade, manufacturing or commercial purpose.
ARTICLE III SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT
In District 3, except as herein otherwise provided, no building shall be used, and no building shall be erected or altered which is intended or designed to be used for a store or shop, or for manu- facturing or commercial purposes, or any other purpose except one or more of the following:
1. Residence for a single family.
2. Church.
3. Public school, or other municipal building.
4. Private school, library, museum, or other building of an educa- tional character.
5. Club, except a club which carries on a business or is in the nature of a business.
6. Park, playground, or community purpose.
7. Farm, market garden, nursery or greenhouse.
8. Private garage to be used by the occupants or owners of the premises, except that space in the same for not more than two cars may be rented.
9. Private stable with provision for not more than two horses.
10. Such accessory purposes as are customarily incident to the foregoing purposes, and are not injurious to a neighborhood as a place for single family residences, but such accessory purposes shall not include any business, industry, trade, manufacturing or com- mercial purpose.
ARTICLE IV BUSINESS DISTRICTS
In those areas in District 2 and indicated on the map (on file) in solid black, buildings may be used for business purposes provided that, in each case, after a public hearing of which fourteen days' notice shall be given in such manner as the Board of Selectmen may prescribe, said Board shall determine that the purpose for which the building is sought to be used will not be substantially detrimental to the use of property in the vicinity thereof.
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ARTICLE V
EXISTING BUILDINGS
Any building or part of a building which, at the time of the adop- tion of this by-law, is being used for a purpose forbidden by the provisions of articles two and three may continue to be used for the same purpose or for a purpose not substantially different in char- acter. Any such building or part of a building and any addition thereto made by permission of the Selectmen as hereinafter provided may be structurally altered or added to at any time provided the alterations or additions do not substantially enlarge the part of the building used for such purpose; and any such building or part of a building or such addition which is partially or wholly destroyed by fire or other casualty may be repaired or replaced by a structure of substantially the same size and character and used for the purpose for which it was formerly used or for a purpose not substantially different in character.
Any such building may be added to or enlarged at any time and such addition or enlargement used for the purpose for which the original building may lawfully be used under the provisions of the foregoing paragraph of this section provided, in each case, that, after a public hearing of which fourteen days' notice shall be given in such manner as the Selectmen may decide, the Selectmen shall determine that such addition or enlargement and the use to be made thereof will not to any substantial degree be detrimental to the use of other property in the vicinity thereof.
ARTICLE VI ZONING MAP
The Zoning Map, prepared by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated January 1924, bearing the signatures of the Zoning Committee and showing the boundaries of each district and the designation of each district by means of a numeral is declared to be a part of this by-law.
ARTICLE VII
SETBACK DISTANCE IN GENERAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT
In District 2 no new buildings except those described in Article 4 shall be constructed and no building shall be altered, enlarged, ex- tended, reconstructed, raised, or moved so that any part thereof, except steps, shall be located nearer than ten feet to any street line, ** but if there are any buildings on any street that do not conform to said building line, obedience to this by-law shall not be required .**
ARTICLE VIII
SETBACK DISTANCE IN SINGLE RESIDENCE DISTRICT
In District 3 no new building shall be constructed and no building shall be altered, enlarged, extended, reconstructed, raised or moved so that any part thereof, except steps, shall be located nearer than twenty feet to any street line, ** but if there are any buildings on any street that do not conform to said building line, obedience to this by-law shall not be required .**
ARTICLE IX ENFORCEMENT
Whoever violates any of the provisions of this by-law shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars for each violation. Upon any well-founded information from any citizen that this by-law is being violated or upon his own initiative, the Inspector of Build- ings shall take immediate steps to enforce the by-law.
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ARTICLE X VALIDITY
The invalidity of any section or provision of this by-law shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof.
Boston, Mass., April 24, 1924.
The foregoing by-law is hereby approved with the exception of Articles 7 and 8, which are disapproved as indicated.
JAY R. BENTON, Attorney General.
Those lines between and indicated thus ** are not approved by the Attorney General.
Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
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Town Clerk's Statistics
Births Recorded, 211
Males, 97; Females, 114.
In January, 21; February, 20; March, 19; April, 24; May, 20; June, 14; July, 21; August, 21; September, 6; October, 20; November, 11; December, 14.
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