USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1925 > Part 15
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In regard to the signal system, upon taking charge of the depart- ment, I found that it was impossible to tell from where a man was signaling. The several boxes were on one line, so that a man might ring in from one box and say that he was at another. Why this was allowed to continue is strange, as it required but a simple rem- edy. By placing each police box on a direct, single circuit to the police station, this condition has been done away with.
The proper and most effective means for upholding law and order, and for completely safeguarding life and property is to place the greatest dependence on your police department. Therefore, too much responsibility cannot be attached to the matter of supplying for the use of the police proper facilities to enable them to give not part but full measure of service.
It is a fact and is becoming universally recognized that in policing a community it is necessary to have some reliable inter-communica- tion as a means for quickly concentrating a portion or all of the energies of the department.
Patrolmen are required to make hourly reports, known as duty calls, from certain designated points which will give evidence of service. This evidence should be transmitted to police headquarters by the policemen themselves and there automatically recorded as evidence of their whereabouts and as a protection not only to them- selves but to the central office operator. In larger cities and towns this work is commonly done by means of the Gamewell system. The number of the box and ringing time is not only recorded on tape
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1925]
when an officer makes a duty call, but an officer can also be sum- moned to a box by the flashing of a red light.
But to install this system in Swampscott would mean an initial cost of between $17,000 and $20,000, and an additional expense of an electrician to keep the system in proper operating condition.
In place of the Gamewell system, I recommend:
(1) Eight new boxes, installed by the telephone company free of charge, costing $80 each per year to operate, to be located at the following places: junction of Crosman avenue and Bellevue road, junction of Aspen road and Arbutus road, junction of Walker road and Devens road, at Vinnin square on Paradise road, junction of Sampson avenue and Windsor avenue, junction of Burrill street and Railroad avenue, and at the junction of Jessie street and Tidd street.
(2) Four red flash lights for the purpose of signaling an officer to the box, at an estimated cost of $3500, to be located at: junction of Humphrey and Redington streets, junction of Puritan road and Humphrey street, junction of Atlantic avenue and Phillips avenue, and at the junction of Burrill street and Middlesex avenue.
A new police box was placed at the entrance to Little's Point during the summer, which not only served as a protection to "White Court," but as a benefit to the officers who patrol the waterfront. The com- ing of President Calvin Coolidge and Mrs. Coolidge to Swampscott for the summer months necessitated additional precautions and added to the cost of operating the department. President Coolidge and Mrs. Coolidge were escorted by the Swampscott police to "White Court" from Salem upon their arrival and were also escorted to Salem upon their return to Washington. Upon leaving, they ex- pressed to me their appreciation for the service rendered them and their staff by the Swampscott Police Department.
The department has been without a finger print outfit, which is a very important asset. It is a necessity in any police department. An up-to-date outfit, including a camera, is now being installed.
The method of keeping the records of the Police Department has been changed. The new system is carried on by a clerk whose serv- ices are engaged for that purpose only.
The men in the department are being trained and instructed in police work and properly disciplined. Orders are enforced. Target practice has become an established part of the training.
Because it is now realized more than ever before that there is a standard to which each officer must aspire and certain requisites with which each officer must comply, the morale and spirit of the whole Police Department are more nearly as should be expected of a group of men whose primary duty is to protect the citizens of the town of Swampscott.
190
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, for their assistance and cooperation in the work of the department, and for their stand in representing only that which was right. I also wish to thank the people of Swampscott for the sup- port which we have received in trying to build up an efficient police service.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD D. CALLAHAN, Acting Chief of Police.
I was appointed Chief of Police of the town of Swampscott on December 29, 1925. I have examined this report and approve it.
WALTER F. REEVES, Chief of Police.
December 31, 1925.
191
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1925]
Report of Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1925.
All construction work this year has been done by contract, Essex street, from the freight yard of the Boston & Maine Railroad to Wright street, being resurfaced with reinforced cement concrete, and Stetson avenue, from Essex street to Norfolk avenue, and Nor- folk avenue, from Stetson avenue to Middlesex avenue, being resur- faced with bituminous macadam (asphalt). The work on Essex street was done by John W. Sheehan of Lynn under the direction of the Division of Highways of the Commonwealth, the State and County each bearing one-quarter of the expense and the town one-half. The work on Stetson and Norfolk avenues was done by the Simpson Bros. Corp. of Boston, of which Charles F. Knowlton, formerly of Swamp- scott, is president.
About one mile of streets has been resurfaced with gravel during the year and the department has been constantly patrolling the streets using tar, crushed stone or gravel according to the needs.
Rock avenue, from Burrill street to New Ocean street, has been picked up with the steam roller and regraded, sealed with 65% asphalt road oil, covered with sand and rolled.
Ingalls terrace, from Humphrey street to the top of the hill, has been resurfaced with 3/4 inch tarred mixed crushed stone and rolled.
Orient court was resurfaced the whole length with the same mix- ture, as was also Millet road, where the sewer was built last year.
Oceanview road, as far as Sargent road, where the sewer was laid last year, was put to grade, resurfaced with gravel and rolled.
Pleasant street, where sewer was laid this summer, was resurfaced with gravel and rolled.
Water pipes having been laid in Pine street from New Ocean street to Railroad avenue and in Railroad avenue from Pine street to Burrill street, it was necessary to resurface the trenches with No. 2 tarred mixed crushed stone, rolled with the steam roller.
Bond street has been reshaped, surfaced with gravel, sealed with tar, covered with sand and rolled.
Burpee road from the Machon school to Buena Vista street has been surfaced with gravel.
On Humphrey street from Phillips corner to Marblehead line, the space between the rails of the Eastern Massachusetts Railway Co.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
was surfaced with gravel where needed. The company has stated its intention of relaying these tracks in the spring of 1926, and for that reason the work of resurfacing the street, for which the money was appropriated this year, has been laid over until that relaying is completed.
On Atlantic avenue the whole length from Phillips corner to the Marblehead line, the shoulders of the street have been shaped four times during the summer, gravel being used for filling.
Orchard circle has been put to grade, sidewalks shaped, and the streets resurfaced with gravel. Part of this street was filled with pit stone and gravel to the depth of 30 inches.
Buena Vista street has been put to grade, sidewalks built and the street resurfaced with gravel. There is still more work to be done on this street, there being a large ledge projecting out into the highway which ought to be removed. On some parts of the street filling of stone and gravel was used to the depth of 32 inches.
The following streets have been seal coated in whole or in part: Cedar Hill terrace, Banks road, Devens road, Walker road, Monu- ment avenue, Burrill street, Elmwood road, Redington street, Puri- tan road, Humphrey street, Salem street and Farragut road.
One new catch basin has been built and five have been retopped. Two hundred and eighty feet of 8 inch, 170 feet of 10 inch, and 16 feet of 16 inch drain pipe has been laid;1,300 square yards of tarred mixed stone gutters; 185 of cobble stone gutters, and 42 driveways lowered; 674 feet of guard rail fences were repaired or erected dur- ing the year.
Twenty-five street signs were placed on various streets. Sample street signs, the cost of which was based on 30 cents a letter and $5 for the iron posts, were placed on Paradise road at the S curve, Burrill street at the monument, Monument avenue and Puritan road. They have been well spoken of by numbers of citizens. The town is lacking in street signs and there is need for them in very many parts of the town. Signs like these samples would be a distinct addi- tion to the appearance of the streets as well as a help to strangers.
The following tar concrete sidewalks have been repaired at a price of 90c per square yard for new work and 60c for skim coating:
Essex avenue
16.8 sq. yds. new
16.8 sq. yds 79.2 sq. yds. new
skim coat
Farragut road
179.5 sq. yds.
skim coat new
Grant road
281.3 sq. yds. 63.4 sq. yds. new
Walker road
180.0 sq. yds. new
Rockland street
228.0 sq. yds. skim coat
Millett road
76.0 sq. yds. new
Atlantic avenue
32.0 sq. yds. new
Total, 1,153.6 sq. yds.
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REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1925]
For resurfacing sidewalks the following amounts of material have been used: 258 loads of screen gravel, 112 loads of stone dust, 214 loads of cinders; 168 loads of sand were used for covering icy side- walks.
Tar mixed stone sidewalks were laid on Rock avenue and Millett road. One hundred and six blocks of granolithic sidewalk were replaced.
Number feet of new curbstones laid, straight
3281.6
Number feet of new curbstones laid, curved
427.3
Number feet of curbstone, relaid
470
Curbstone has been laid on the following streets:
Straight
Curved Lin. Ft.
Stetson avenue
605.
146.8
Norfolk avenue
996.
Humphrey street
1496.6
189.4
Middlesex avenue
112.
91.1
Claremont terrace
72
Humphrey street sidewalk from Millett road to the estate of Charles Comeau has been built of cinders, covered with stone dust. The ex- cavated filling was removed to Phillips Park.
All gutters in all streets were cleaned at least twice during the year. Catch basins were cleaned whenever needed. The number of basins cleaned was 270.
Street Watering and Oiling
About 23,277 gallons of 30% asphaltic road oil was used for dust laying. There were 1,300 gallons of 65% asphaltic road oil, 1,400 gallons of 90% binder, and 23,958 gallons of tar used on the streets for all purposes. The price paid for dust laying oil was 7 cents per gallon in tank cars; applied by auto truck 734 cents per gallon; 65% asphalt road oil applied, 9 cents per gallon; 90% binder applied, 12 cents per gallon; cold patch (special), 161/2 cents per gallon in barrels; surfacing tar applied, 1134 cents per gallon.
Danvers Street Bridge
The surface of this bridge has been replanked with four inch hard pine. Iron traffic treads, 30 inches wide, were laid for the auto trucks to run on. The guard rail was also repaired.
Miscellaneous
Sargent road and Aspen road, where sewers were built this year, will have to be resurfaced next year.
The equipment added to the department this year is as follows: One 400 gallon tar kettle, with pouring pots and strainer; one 600 gallon Studebaker steel watering cart with vertical attachments; one stone bogie built by Smith & Hudson of Lynn.
Lin. Ft.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Number of permits issued to open streets, 83.
Number of permits issued to obstruct streets, 20.
Number of times the streets were opened by the Water Depart- ment, 344, no permits being asked for or issued for this work.
Recommendations
1. I recommend that the salary of the Surveyor of Highways be $2700 per year.
2. I recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $2500 to be used in building a locker at the town yard on State road.
3. I recommend that the town purchase a 5 ton truck and appro- priate money for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
December 31, 1925.
195
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
1925]
Report of the Trustees of the Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library take great pleasure again this year in acknowledging gifts of books and funds that do much good in public service.
This past year a tablet customary in public buildings was placed in the front vestibule commemorating the completion of the build- ing and those whose generous gifts helped to make it possible.
The board wishes to acknowledge the kindness of Henry S. Baldwin and express its appreciation for his aid in connection with securing this tablet.
The trustees and librarian also gratefully appreciate and acknowl- edge the gifts of books to the library during the past year from the following:
Mr. Frederic V. Little, Swampscott, Mass.
Miss Julia Clements, Swampscott, Mass.
Miss Alice L. Forbes, Swampscott, Mass.
Mrs. Anna D. Beyer, Swampscott, Mass. Mrs. Myra Chapman, Swampscott, Mass. Mr. Donald Chase, Swampscott, Mass. Mrs. L. E. Underwood, Swampscott, Mass. Miss Mary Smith, Swampscott, Mass. Mrs. Thomas Hart, Swampscott, Mass.
Winthrop Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Stanley W. Flewelling, Swampscott, Mass.
Charles H. Smith Auxiliary, No. 77.
The Sunday attendance at the library during the winter of 1924 and 1925 totalled 1,137, divided as follows: Adults 102, students 318, and children 717. The number of children included those who were present for the story-telling hours which continue to be a fascina- tion, particularly to the children between five and ten years.
The attendance of these children is a good testimonial to the fine public service rendered by Mrs. Elgar Townsend and Mrs. James Walker.
It is with regret that this board records the resignation of Miss Ruth Fanning as assistant librarian after three years of faithful service.
196
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
At the December meeting Mrs. A. Louise Wherren of Swampscott was appointed assistant librarian, and Mrs. Clara Young of Swamp- scott became a member of the library staff.
The board welcomes any further gifts of books, or funds for their purchase, as they furnish one of the best forms of public service.
Respectfully submitted,
F. KEELER RICE, LOUISE C. STANLEY, ELIHU THOMSON,
Board of Trustees.
December 31, 1925. .
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Circulation
ADULT
Fiction
26,896
Non-Fiction
4,295
31,191
JUVENILE
Fiction
12,736
Non-Fiction
2,153
14,889
Current Periodicals
693
Total Circulation
46,773
New books added
473
Books in library January 1, 1926
12,281
Periodicals added: Country Gentleman.
Fine receipts returned to town, $215.
Approximate number of outstanding cards, 8309.
Number of cards issued during 1925, 1163.
LUCY M. EVELETH,
Librarian.
197
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
1925]
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1925.
The organization of the Board has been the same as that of the previous year: James T. Lyons, Chairman, and Stuart P. Ellis, Sec- retary.
It is with sorrow that the Commissioners record the passing of Robert H. Marsh, the late Superintendent of the Blaney Beach Res- ervation. He had served the department faithfully and efficiently for several years, and his demise is regretted by all with whom he came in contact.
Soldiers' Monument Lot
This plot was placed under the care of the Commissioners at the last annual town meeting, and will receive the same care and atten- tion which is given to the nearby park property. Necessary repairs to the flag pole were made, a new flag was secured and was displayed during the entire visit in town of President Calvin Coolidge.
Monument Avenue Parkway
Early in the spring the plot between Burrill street and Elmwood road was graded and seeded, and by midsummer a beautiful lawn had been developed. This was a very great improvement over the former uneven and patched up effect which had been an eyesore for several seasons, and it now creates a very favorable impression to those entering this section from the boulevard.
Several of the old willows near Walker road were destroyed by storms and had to be removed. This group of trees will soon have to be entirely eliminated as a measure of public safety. In the late fall a general cleaning was made of the section at the base of the bluff near Farragut road, several dead and poorly shaped trees, and all of the undergrowth removed. It is proposed to eventually replant this area with a growth of pine and hemlock, thus securing a much better effect and one which will better conform to the surroundings. Several of the spruces in the circle at Elmwood road must be re- moved next spring in the interest of traffic safety at this point.
Jackson Park
The ball field was greatly improved by the additional excavation in the hillside and the construction of a field stone wall about fifty feet in length. A substantial wire backstop was erected, and the land immediately in the rear was cleared of brush and trees. This
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
area should be filled and graded the coming year, and a continuation of the work on the retaining wall is quite essential.
When favorable weather conditions prevail the toboggan chute is well patronized and the enjoyment of this sport has been greatly increased this winter by the installation of a system of floodlighting by experts in that profession.
Abbott Park
It is an unfortunate circumstance that these grounds can not be maintained in a more orderly manner during the summer time, but as they are used as a play spot for so many of the children of that vicinity it is exceedingly difficult and practically impossible to secure the park effect which many of the citizens desire.
The park has great value, notably during the winter, when a large number of persons use it for skating purposes. Every endeavor is made to keep the skating surface in good condition, advantage being taken of all favorable changes of the weather, in order to give the maximum of use during the winter season. Floodlights have been introduced here this winter and are a decided improvement over the old style of lighting.
Blaney Beach Reservation
Greater effort was made the past summer than is usual to keep the bathing beach clear of material deposited by the tides, and it was found necessary to employ extra labor and teams to remove the large amount of refuse which accumulated on various occasions. A new up-to-date spring board was furnished for the bathing raft and proved a decided improvement over the one formerly used.
The building and structures should be painted next spring and ordinary repairs and renewals to the fish house should be made.
Phillips Park
A very valuable addition to the ball field has been made the past year by the removal of trees and stumps in the swamp, and by filling this area with ashes and any other desirable material which it was possible to procure. Approximately one acre has thus been improved and will be available next spring for the base ball diamond which will be relocated in the rear of the improved field, making a much better layout and removing all danger from traffic in the street. Ample space for parking on the grounds is one of the benefits derived by the extension of the field.
For the maintenance and improvement of the various park reser- vations for the ensuing year we recommend the appropriation of $9836.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES T. LYONS, STUART P. ELLIS, ARCHIBALD MILLER, Park Commissioners.
December 31, 1925.
199
REPORT OF BAND CONCERT COMMITTEE
Report of Band Concert Committee
To the Board of Selectmen:
At a town meeting held April 7th an appropriation of $1000 was voted for a series of band concerts. The Moderator appointed a committee consisting of Ralph H. Russell, Chairman, Harold Hudson, E. Stanley Flagg, Joseph Atwood, Earl W. Ellis.
The following series of concerts were arranged by the committee:
Y. D. Band
Blaney Beach June 25
Gove's Band
Phillips Park July 15
Salem Cadet Band Abbott Park July 29
Gove's Band
Abbott Park
August 12
Gove's Band
Blaney Beach August 26
110th Cavalry Abbott Park September 9
The expenses of the committee are listed:
Bands
$822 50
Carpenter work
70 00
Hardware
12 93
Lumber
13 78
Lighting
49 06
Rent of chairs
20 50
Erecting band stand for the six concerts
36 00
Total
$1,024 77
As there are no band stands at any of the parks, it was necessary to have the Park Commission stand rebuilt and made portable, so that it could be used for all concerts. This expense, together with replacement of hardware stolen from the stand, and a lighting bill in excess of estimate, made it necessary for the committee to ask the Finance Committee to approve an overdraft of $24.77.
The committee desires to express its appreciation to the members of the Park Commission for their cooperation, to the Highway De- partment for assistance in moving the band stand, and to all others who helped to make the concerts a success.
We recommend that an appropriation of $2000 be made for band concerts during 1926. Early approval of this measure will make it possible to arrange a more enjoyable series of concerts, probably including July 4th concerts, which it was impossible to arrange dur- ing 1925. We recommend further that the Park Commission be placed in charge of future concerts.
Respectfully submitted,
EARL W. ELLIS, Secretary,
Band Concert Committee.
December 31, 1925.
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
During the year 1925, Swampscott has had the distinction of being the summer capital of the country. The visit of President and Mrs. Coolidge at "White Court" was a noteworthy event in the town's history and one which, it is hoped, will be repeated. The board en- deavored to cooperate with the President and his representatives in every way to make his stay here agreeable. In accordance with the President's wishes no public ceremony was held. Upon their arrival he and Mrs. Coolidge were met by the board and welcomed to Swampscott in behalf of the town.
The most important task confronting the selectmen during the year has been the reconstruction of the police department. It was evident that this department had gradually become demoralized. Discipline had broken down. Personal favors were performed at the expense of the service. The station was a loafing place. Members were suspicious of one another. Good men were handicapped in an honest performance of their duty by the conditions prevailing. And there had grown up a series of persistent reports that Swampscott had become a habitual landing place for rum runners who operated without any genuine interference on the part of the police.
To investigate these reports and endeavor to establish their truth or falsity, the Board of Selectmen on February 26, 1925, requested Mayor Harland A. McPhetres of Lynn to detail Edward D. Callahan, Deputy Chief of the Lynn Police Department, to Swampscott, under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 99. Mayor McPhetres at once granted the request, and gave the board the fullest cooperation. A few days later, at the request of the Selectmen, Officer Walter F. Reeves of the Lynn Department was detailed to Swampscott to assist Deputy Callahan.
Deputy Callahan and Officer Reeves have been engaged continu- ously upon this work throughout the year. It is a task that requires much patience and persistency and is bound to proceed slowly. The investigation is yet uncompleted. From time to time reports have been made and evidence turned over to the Selectmen.
On April 29, 1925, the Selectmen, acting under the provisions of the Civil Service Act preferred charges againt Chief of Police William L. Quinn. At his request the hearings were public. They were held
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
1925]
at the Town Hall on May 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20. Twenty-one witnesses testified. A stenographic report of the evi- dence was taken. Chief Quinn was represented by counsel. A tran- script of the charges and proceedings is on file with the town, a matter of record, and need not be republished here. On May 22 the board made its decision finding that eight of the eleven charges were sustained by the evidence, and removed him from office. Mr. Quinn petitioned the District Court of Southern Essex to review the Se- lectmen's acts and determine whether their decision was justified. The petition was heard by. Judge Ralph W. Reeve on July 13, 1925. On September 25, 1925, Judge Reeve gave out his decision in which he carefully reviewed all the evidence, the conduct of the hearing by the Selectmen and held:
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