USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1925 > Part 4
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We are recommending the purchase of a new Police ambulance which we believe should take care of the department for this year. We recommend that action on a Police automobile be indefinitely postponed.
Article 22. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Surveyor of Highways, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1924, ơn pages 203 and 204.
There are no recommendations on page 203. With reference to recommendations on page 204, the matter of resurfacing Orchard road is taken up for consideration under Article 27. The Surveyor of Highways informs us that the department truck is doing satis- factory work and he wishes to keep it even if a new one is bought. We believe the duplication of apparatus and expense of operation is unjustified. We recommend that action on this matter be in- definitely postponed.
Article 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Board of Selectmen, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1924, on page 211.
37
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1925]
There being no recommendation on page 211, the Finance Com- mittee has no report.
Article 24. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the report of the Park Commission, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1924, on page 209.
We recommend that the budget of the Park Commission be taken up for consideration under Article 25.
Article 25. To see what action the town will take in relation to the recommendations in the Annual Report of the Board of Select- men, as contained in the Annual Report, dated December 31, 1924, on page 217.
Under this article we shall consider the items in the budget sub- mitted by the Board of Selectmen in its report on pages 217 to 224, inclusive, of the Annual Town Report. On page 221 of this report there is an item "New construction $15,000." This appears in that part of the budget pertaining to "Highways and Bridges"; the words "New construction" apply to streets and highways.
In this connection we recommend that Humphrey street from Forest avenue to the railroad tracks at the Phillips Beach Station be resurfaced by the Surveyor of Highways with Bituminous Ma- cadam constructed in accordance with specifications approved by the Division of Highways at a cost not to exceed $6,000; and that the Board of Selectmen be and hereby are authorized to make a con- tract in behalf of the Town for resurfacing with Bituminous Ma- cadam in accordance with the specifications approved by the Division of Highways, Stetson avenue, Norfolk avenue, and Middlesex ave- nue to Burrill street, or as large a portion thereof as can be done for a sum of $21,000 be appropriated in the manner following, viz: $5,000 in the tax levy for the current year and $16,000 by bonds or notes of the Town.
With reference to a request for an appropriation to pay for a clerk for the Board of Health, we find there is at times a need for additional help. In the Budget of the Board of Health, we are recommending the appropriation of a sum equal to $12.00 a week from January 1 to April 15. We believe a clerk can do the neces- sary extra work for this department and also for other departments in the Town Hall, therefore, we recommend the appropriation of a sum equal to $15.00 per week from April 15 to December 31 to provide for a Town Hall Stenographer for the work of Town De- partments, and that this stenographer shall be under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen.
With reference to other matters on pages 217 to 224 in the Annual Town Report, and other matters referred to this Article we recom- mend the appropriation of the following amounts for the several Town Departments and for the other specific purposes as set forth.
General Government
Legislative
$ 350 00
Selectmen
4,800 00
Auditing
2,000 00
Treasurer
1,400 00
Certification,
Printing and Advertising
500 00
Collector of Taxes
3,375 00
Assessors
3,100 00
Assessors Special : Tax Valuation Book 1,200 00
Town Clerk
600 00
Law
1,000 00
Election and Registration
1,085 00
Engineering
5,768 00
Town Hall
3,500 00
Town Hall Stenographer
550 00
Census
300 00
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Protection of Life and Property
Police Department
$32,800 00
Fire Department
. 36,145 00
Fire Specials : Hydrant Rental
1,000 00
Two Punch Registers
150 00
Three New Boxes New Box, Puritan Road
200 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
530 00
Moth Department
4,800 00
Tree Warden
1,800 00
Tree Warden Special: Wagon
100 00
Forest Warden
200 00
Dog Officer .
150 00
Building Inspector
700 00
Building Inspector Special: Equipment
200 00
Health and Sanitation
Board of Health
$ 7,250 00
Health Nurse
1,250 00
Refuse, Garbage and Night Soil
10,555 00
Cleansing Beaches
1,100 00
Sewer Maintenance
8,200 00
Particular Sewers
1,000 00
Brooks
500 00
Highways and Bridges
Administration
$ 2,600 00
Repairs and Maintenance
36,150 00
New Equipment : Open Express Body
Auto
975 00
Watering Cart
800 00
Stone Bogie
425 00
Tar Kettle
450 00
Seal Coating
2,500 00
Street Construction
2,000 00
Street Watering and Oiling
5,000 00
Sidewalks and Curbing
2,500 00
Snow and Ice
7,500 00
Continuous Sidewalks
10,000 00
Special: Humphrey Street Sidewalk
1,000 00
Street Lights
18,000 00
Permanent Street Construction
21,000 00
Charities and Soldiers' Relief
Poor Department
$ 7,200 00
State Aid
700 00
Soldiers' Relief
3,800 00
Pensions
4,860 00
Education
School Department
$140,500 00
Library
6,000 00
Cemetery
Cemetery .
$ 3,100 00
Recreation
Park Department : Administration
$ 125 00
Blaney Beach Reservation
1,440 00
Monument Avenue
500 00
Abbott Park
300 00
Jackson Park
975 00
Phillips Park
1,700 00
General Expense
2,460 00
Metropolitan Park
Assessment
7,500 00
Unclassified
Memorial Day
$ 300 00
Town Reports
1,525 15
Reserve Fund
3,450 00
Heat and Light, G. A. R. Hall
350 00
Insurance Premiums
2,800 00
Soldiers' Exemption
50 00
Trust Fund Commissioners
40 00
District Nurse
300 00
Firemen's Memorial Sunday
200 00
Armistice Day
200 00
Repairs, G. A. R. Hall :
300 00
.
·
480 00
39
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1925]
Interest
Loan in Anticipation of Revenue
$ 9,500 00
General Debt
12,987 30
Sewer Bonds
9,242 75
T. B. Hospital
1,307 20
Metropolitan Park
3,400 00
Municipal Debt
General Debt
$ 32,200 00
Sewer Bonds
18,350 00
Metropolitan Park
700 00
Agency
State Tax
$ 30,000 00
County Tax
25,000 00
State Enterprises
1,500 00
County Commissioners
T. B. Assessment
. 3,976 79
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to purchase an ambu- lance for the Police Department and appropriate twenty-five hun- dred ($2500) dollars for the same, as recommended by the Board of Selectmen.
We find the old ambulance to be in poor condition, requiring a considerable annual cost for repairs. We recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to buy for the Police Department a new ambulance embodying the following specifications in addition to others that may be deemed advisable by them, namely: 34 ton chassis, 140 inch wheel base, disc wheels with 30 x 5.77 inch low pressure tires, body dimensions: length, 8 feet, width at least 5 feet 3 inches, height at least 4 feet 9 inches, rear doors at least 4 feet 3 inches, side windows 3 feet by 1 foot 9 inches, sliding window between cab and rear compartment, 2 dome lights in body, heater, shock ab- sorbers, folding seat, folding stretcher, folding rear step, one spare wheel and tire, front bumper, and painting and lettering; that the old ambulance be turned in as part of the transaction and that in addition the sum of $2,400 be appropriated for this purpose.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to place a fire alarm box in the vicinity of Orchard road or Orchard circle and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Arthur C. Lewis, et als.
We recommend that $200 be appropriated for the purpose of this article.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to appropriate two thousand ($2000) dollars for surfacing Orchard road and Orchard circle, as petitioned for by Howard B. Aborn, et als.
We recommend that the sum of $2000 be appropriated to resur- face Orchard circle and that part of Orchard road now accepted by the Town.
Article 29. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Se- lectmen 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.
The scope of this article is not broad enough to include all mat- ters at issue between the Town and Irene Koch. The moving of her house on Wright street is a necessary part of the transaction to free her lot for cemetery use. We believe these matters should be presented to the town in a more definite and complete form before asking a vote.
40
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 30. To see what action the town will take in reference to Danvers Street Bridge and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
We recommend that the Town vote to replank and place steel tread on Danvers Street Bridge, and that the sum of $500 be appro- priated for this purpose.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to build drains on Apsen road and Bay View avenue and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
Thirty-six hundred dollars is required to build the drain on Bay View avenue, and fourteen hundred dollars to build the drain on Aspen road. We believe the need for a drain for the catch basins on Aspen road is urgent and therefore recommend that the Town vote to build this drain after easements have been obtained, and that the sum of $1400 be appropriated for this purpose.
We recommend that the building of a drain on Bay View avenue be indefinitely postponed.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to place street signs at the intersections of streets and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to curb and build grano- lithic sidewalks on Stetson avenue from Norfolk avenue, to Essex street and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
Under the Continuous Sidewalk Act full power is vested in the Board of Selectmen to designate where appropriations for sidewalks shall be spent. A recommendation has been made for an appropria- tion for continuous sidewalks. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to take a strip of land, the property of Chester A. and Emily T. Merrill and appropriate money for the same, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the southerly line of Essex street, said point is 60.82 feet distant from the point of curve; thence running northerly for a distance. of 2.04 feet; thence westerly for a distance of 5.21 feet; thence southwesterly for a distance of 44.79 feet; thence southeast- erly for a distance of 1.52 feet; thence northeasterly for a distance of 49.66 feet to the point of beginning; above parcel of land con- taining 95 square feet, as petitioned for by the Board of Selectmen.
We recommend that the Town vote to take the strip of land de- scribed in Article 34 and appropriate the sum of $47.50 for this purpose.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to take a strip of land the property of Sophia A. Fox and appropriate money for the same, bounded, and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the southerly line of Essex street, said point is 110.48 feet distant from the point of curve; thence running northwesterly for a distance of 1.52 feet; thence southwesterly for a distance of 43.07 feet; thence southeasterly for a distance of 0.83 feet; thence northeasterly for a distance of 43.08 feet to the point of beginning. Above parcel of land containing 51 sq. ft., as petitioned for by the Board of Selectmen.
41
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1925]
We recommend that the Town vote to take the strip of land de- scribed in Article 35 and appropriate $25.50 for this purpose.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Shel- ton road and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Michael Pierro, et als.
As this is not an accepted street, we recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Fuller avenue from Bay View avenue to Bond street and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Frank A. Newton, et als.
We have recommended the building of sewers in streets where there is an urgent need. The need for this sewer does not appear to be urgent and would cost $7300.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Bond street from the junction of Bond street and Fuller avenue to Sher- wood road and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by Frank S. Newton, et als.
The need for this sewer does not appear to be urgent, and could not be used until a Fuller avenue sewer were built.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Fuller avenue for a distance of about two hundred fifty (250) feet more or less from the intersection of Fuller avenue and Bay View avenue and appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by John C. Fox, et als.
The need for this sewer does not appear to be urgent.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 42. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of one thousand three hundred thirty-five dollars ($1335) to permit the School Committee to give "instruction in the use of English for adults unable to speak, read or write the same, and in the funda- mental principles of government and other subjects adapted to fit for American citizenship," in accordance with the provisions of Sec- tions 9 and 10 in Chapter 69 of the General Laws and Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto, as petitioned for by the School Committee.
To continue the present classes will cost $1125. To provide for additional home classes will cost $210. We recommend that $1125 be appropriated to continue the present classes.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of five thousand nine hundred sixty dollars ($5960) to permit the School Committee to secure equipment for and give instruction in Industrial Training at the Swampscott High School, as petitioned for by the School Committee.
We recommend that the sum of $1800 be appropriated to provide for the teaching of Domestic Science in the Swampscott High School.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take by right of eminent domain for public school purposes and to appropriate money for the same, a certain parcel of land with the buildings thereon in Swampscott bounded and de-
42
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
scribed as follows: Beginning at a point at the southwesterly corner thereof at land of the town of Swampscott now occupied by the Hadley School, so called, and land now or formerly of the First Methodist Episcopal Society; thence, northerly by said land of said town 51 feet more or less to a point; thence, easterly approximately at right angles 69 feet more or less to a point; thence, southerly approximately at right angles 51 feet more or less to a point at land of said Episcopal Society; thence, westerly approximately at right angles by land of said society 69 feet more or less to the point of beginning, as petitioned for by the School Committee.
The purpose of this article is to provide for a retaking of the so-called Chick lot in the rear of the old Methodist Episcopal Church property on Redington street. As the legality of the former taking is not yet determined by the court, no action on this article is required.
We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to accept and adopt the recommendations in the report of the Special Committee appointed by the Moderator by virtue of a vote of the town at the adjourned An- nual Town Meeting of 1924 and appropriate money for the carrying out of the same, as petitioned for by the School Committee.
We recommend that this article be taken up in conjunction with Article 46.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to determine a site and erect thereon a public school building and appropriate money there- for, as petitioned for by the School Committee.
We have considered from many angles the subject of a new Ele- mentary School and gymnasium on Redington street adjacent to the Hadley School on the land which was taken by the Town for play- ground purposes, and have reached the following conclusions.
1. The architect's estimates call for $84,800.00 for the new school building and $57,240.00 for the gymnasium. We are informed that owing to increases in cost of some building materials, these estimates are too low and that an additional ten or fifteen thousand dollars would be needed. As individuals, we favor the idea of a gymnasium, but as a committee, considering the need, benefits and cost, we feel there are more pressing needs which should be provided for first.
We recommend that the building of a gymnasium be indefinitely postponed.
2. If the question of building a gymnasium now is eliminated, we then consider this article solely from the standpoint of how to relieve the overcrowded condition existing at the Hadley School. This should be done by providing adequate facilities for the first six grades in the location which will best provide for their needs for the next ten to twenty years.
We are unable to agree with the majority of the School Building Committee that Redington street should be selected because:
(a) The Hadley School is in a congested neighborhood on a nar- row street, which carries a continuously increasing automobile traffic. The normal increase in the Junior High School pupils together with Elementary School pupils, as well as the pupils of the Parochial School on Blaney street, is likely to render necessary the widening of this street by taking land in a high priced section of the town. The price paid for the Methodist Episcopal Church property was over one dollar per square foot.
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TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
1925]
(b) The proposed school is planned to be placed six feet from the line. Undoubtedly within a short time the town would be asked to take the next lot for light protection and quite likely further takings to provide playground space for an increased number of school children.
(c) A location, central and accessible to the whole town is neces- sary for a Junior High School. The same location, unless centrally located for the district it should serve, is not the proper one for an Elementary School. The new homes for families with young children are increasing very rapidly on the hill, away from the older streets, and this condition will be more and more pronounced each year.
There is at present one unused room in the Clarke School and two in the Machon School. Several pupils attend the Hadley School ele- mentary grades who live in other school districts. A slight change in the Elementary School districts should permit locating the new school where it can best serve present and future needs.
We have considered the available locations and unanimously favor Forest avenue, opposite the end of Aspen road, as shown on the map printed herewith, together with a list of pupils by streets in the dis- trict to be served. We believe the town should vote to build on this site a school building sufficiently large to provide for the normal in- crease in number of Elementary School pupils for at least ten years. The proposed addition to the Hadley School would provide for little more than the present needs. Thus the immediate cost will be greater, but in ten years the total cost will be less.
We favor this site because:
(a) It is accessible to the pupils of the district.
(b) It will provide for the future school population.
(c) It takes the children away from the congested highways instead of toward them.
(d) A large school lot with playground space can be provided at a cost which would pay for only a small lot on Redington street.
(e) It will leave the newly taken land on Redington street for play space as was intended.
We recommend that the town vote to build an Elementary School building on Forest avenue opposite Aspen road, that one from the Board of Selectmen, one from the School Committee, one from the Finance Committee, the Town Counsel and the Building Inspector be appointed a Building Committee to secure plans and estimates, and report at a special Town meeting, and that the sum of $500 be ap- propriated for the use of this committee.
The Following is a List of Streets and the Number of Children Living Upon Each, in the Tentative School District Shown in the Accompanying Map.
Streets
Totals
Arbutus Road
1
Aspen Road .
20
Banks Terrace
1
Bayview Avenue
2
Blaney Street
4
Cedar Hill Terrace
3
Chapman Place Cliffside
3
Crest Road
1
Devens Road
5
Elmwood Road
4
Elmwood Terrace
2
Fuller Avenue
.
.
.
.
.
2
1
DIVISION
CASTERN
BRANCH
SWAMPSCOTT
PURPOSED
PALMIER SCHOOL
SHERWOOD
TULLEA
SHERIDAN
SARGENT
ROAD
RO.
ELMWOOD
OCEAN
MILLET
HUMPHREY
ST.
RESERVATION
BEACH
BLANEY
BEACH
1-A PORTION OF THE CLARKE SCHOOL DISTRICT. 2-PURPOSED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WHALES BEACH
[Dec. 31
44
LNJOUVS
LTALNUY
PLEASANT
AVE
ESPERO
BAY VIEW
TOWN DOCUMENTS
BEACH
alook wins
New
Voceon PAITAN
SCHOOL SITE
ONOy
FOREST
45
TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS
Greenwood Avenue .
.
9
Highland Street .
.
Humphrey Street
16
Humphrey Terrace
1
Ingalls Terrace
4
King Street
15
Millett Road
Monument Avenue
1
Ocean View Road .
2
Orient Court
Prospect Avenue
Puritan Road
Redington Street
Rockland Street
Sheridan Terrace
Sherwood Road
Thorndike Terrace
Walker Road
7
Wyman Road
4
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to extend a six (6") inch water main in Magnolia road, a distance of one hundred and eight (108) feet and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
We recommend that a six inch water main be laid in Magnolia road a distance of 108 feet, when the Town Engineer certifies that the street conforms in line and grade to the plan accepted by the Board of Survey, and that the sum of $750 be appropriated therefor, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town, interest at the rate of 6 per cent. to be paid on the investment until the water rates of the users are equal to the interest thereon, agreements and waivers first to be obtained from the abutters to the satisfaction of the Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to lay a six (6") inch water main in Orchard, Nason and Neighborhood roads, a distance of about eight hundred and fifty (850) feet and appropriate money for the same, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
We recommend that a six inch water main be laid in Orchard, Nason and Neighborhood roads a distance of about 900 feet, when the Town . Engineer certifies that the streets mentioned conform in line and grade to the plan accepted by the Board of Survey, and that the sum of $2400 be appropriated therefor, to be raised by notes or bonds of the town, interest at the rate of 6 per cent. to be paid on the investment until the water rates of the users are equal to the interest thereon, agreements and waivers first to be obtained from the abutters to the satisfaction of the Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer through Sargent and Aspen roads, a distance of about nine hundred and seventy (970) feet and appropriate money for the same, as rec- ommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
We recommend that the town vote to extend the sewer through Sargent and Aspen roads a distance of about 970 feet and appropriate for this purpose the sum of $10,000 as follows: $5000 from current revenue, $2000 from the Sewer Emergency Fund and $3000 to be raised by notes or bonds of the town.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to expend the balance left from Stacey Brook appropriation to extend King's Brook Culvert, as recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board.
We recommend that the sum of $4500, the balance from Stacey Brook appropriation, be expended to extend King's Brook Culvert.
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1925]
1
46
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to transfer from excess and deficiency the sum of four thousand six hundred eighty-three dollars and forty-three cents ($4683.43), overdrawn appropriations, and carried forward to 1925 by authority of the Department of Cor- porations and Taxation, Division of Accounts.
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