Town annual report of Swampscott 1927, Part 6

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1927
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 160


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Lynn general 6, Total


76


Telephone alarms


117


Still alarms


7


Total 200


Losses and Insurance


Damage to buildings $11,765.39; insurance $10,765.39; loss $1,000. Damage to contents $9,936.02, covered by insurance; no loss.


Remarks


We wish to bring to the attention of the citizens the good work done by our Motor Supervisor, Capt. F. T. J. McNamara, and our Department Painter, Charles L. Stover, both of whom have been re- warded by extra days off.


This department co-operating with the School Department fur- nished speakers and held fire drills in the schools in observance of Fire Prevention Day, Oct. 9.


Recommendations


That the town appropriate $1,000 for hydrant rental.


That the town appropriate $480 to replace the last three of our old style fire-alarm boxes with the modern non-interfering successive type.


That the town appropriate $1050 for a new automobile and equip- ment to take the place of the old 1921 Dodge runabout, now used by the Chief, which will be turned in toward payment for the new car


That the town appropriate $1,200 to replace boiler and re-model boiler room at the Central Station, and also dispose of the old boiler.


That the town appropriate $375 to paint the outside of the Fire Station on Phillips avenue.


That the town appropriate $490 for 500 feet of 21/2 inch fire hose.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES WARNOCK, GEO. B. LEARNED, BENJ. B. BLANCHARD, Board of Fire Engineers.


JAMES WARNOCK, Chief.


75


REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS


1927]


.


Park Commissioners


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commis- sioners for the year ending December 31, 1927.


The board was organized with the choice of Archibald Miller as Chairman and Stuart P. Ellis, Secretary.


Regular meetings of the board have been held every week at Town Hall, while many inspections of the park properties were made during the year.


Monument Avenue Parkway


This reservation has been given the usual care during the past season. The grass plot nearest Burrill street was rolled after re- ceiving a dressing of screened loam to fill the depressions. The ever- green planting nearest Elmwood road was rearranged to fill in the vacant places caused by some of the specimens having been winter killed. The four large silver willows in the corner nearest Thomas road were removed. They had reached a normal decline and were a menace because of the dead and decaying trunks and limbs. Small specimens of the same variety were planted in the same location. The grading and seeding of the plot south of the rhododendrons was completed. The results were most satisfactory, as there was a re- markable catch of the grass which remained green throughout the summer. Five sixteen-foot indestructible park benches were erected on the plot adjacent to the sidewalk. One hundred hemlock were planted on the hillside back of the rhododendrons, also Canada yew, and twenty-five Euonymus vegetus. Late in the fall the underbrush was cut and the general effect in the locality is a decided improve- ment over the old arrangement.


Jackson Park


In years to come this area will be the only natural woodland in the town. To carry out the original plan of having a stand of pine there, three thousand red and white pine seedlings, purchased from the State Forester's Department, were planted on the hilltop. The grove of hemlock planted some years ago on the hillside, have now attained considerable size and furnishes one of the beauty spots of the park. The street water was this year turned on for the use of those patronizing the school and twilight league games. The athletic field is used continually during the summer, both as playground for the children and for athletics by the older set. Four benches for the use of ball players were erected near the back stop. During the in- clement weather last winter one of the department's workmen con- structed ninety concrete posts in the locker building at this park. These were used as part of the many park benches which have been erected on the various reservations of the town.


Abbott Park


The removal of the old band stand, which had passed its usefulness, has added to the appearance of the park.


Several loads of loam were used on the grounds to grade the bankings and fill the depressions caused by the installation of two extra flooder pipes, and to properly finish the grounds at the


76


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


easterly end. Five sixteen-foot oak benches were erected near the sidewalk at Ellis road.


The usual care of snow and ice provided hundreds of per- sons with pleasure on the skating pond and the benches were greatly appreciated by skaters and others.


Blaney Beach Reservation


A few repairs and renewals on the fish house were found necessary, after which the building and structures were painted two coats. The bathing raft was thoroughly reconstructed and should continue to give good service for several years to come. Eleven of the new type of park seats have been added to the grounds and are considered a decided improvement over the old style of wooden bench.


The bathing beach was kept clear of rubbish and driftwood the past season, many loads having been removed by park em- ployees. Provisions must be made the coming year for gasoline storage in a structure apart from the fish house.


A fire proof locker with individual compartments is a necessity on the grounds.


Phillips Park


It was the aim of the Board to finish enough grading on the field so that the new baseball diamond might be completed this year. The ashes collected in the vicinity were dumped there all winter and in the spring loam was spread over this filling. Owing to the many other activities and the lack of enough subgrade filling to complete the job, it was necessary to postpone that work until a later date. When lower Humphrey street was rebuilt last summer a large quantity of the evcavated material was dumped on this park. In the fall much of it was spread and dur- ing the coming season the completion of the grading and seeding of this area seems to be assured.


The hockey rink has been boarded and flooded as previously, and the workmen have given good care to the removal of snow and the restoration of the ice surface. The grass on field and bankings has been mowed constantly, and considerable brush was cut and removed from the back section.


Triangular Plots


The triangular plots at the intersections of Elmwood and Sheridan roads, Walker and Sheridan roads, and at Walker and Devens roads have been cared for by the park employees. The grass was cut regularly, the shrubbery trimmed, and a marked improvement made over previous years.


Respectfully submitted,


ARCHIBALD MILLER, STUART P. ELLIS, EVERETT P. MUDGE.


Park Commissioners.


77


TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICS


1927]


Town Clerk's Statistics


Births Recorded-241


Males, 121; Females 120.


In January, 20; February, 22; March, 22; April, 13; May, 17; June, 21; July, 22; August, 27; September, 17; October, 27; November, 18; December, 15.


Marriages, Recorded-104


In January, 9; February, 4; March, 3; April, 13; May, 8; June, 16; July, 7; August, 5; September, 12; October, 12; Novem- ber, 10; December, 5.


Deaths, Recorded-136


Males, 66; Females, 70.


In January, 14; February, 11; March, 11; April, 14; May, 16; June, 8; July, 10; August, 8; September, 11; October, 8; Novem- ber, 11; December, 14.


Dogs Licensed-341


Males, 295; Females 46.


Breeders, 3.


Money paid to County Treasurer.


Lobster Fishermen's Licenses


Resident, 18 at $1.00


Fishing and Hunting, Combination Licenses


Resident,


118 at $2.25


Alien,


2 at 15.25


Minors' Licenses


Resident,


1 at $.75


Trapping Licenses


Resident,


1 at $2.25


Duplicate Licenses


Resident,


2 at $.50


Money Paid to the Commissioner of Fisheries and Game


2


Auctioneer Licenses


at


$2.00


$4.00


3 Pool Table


at


2.00


6.00


1 Bowling Alley


at


2.00


2.00


3 Junk dealers


at


75.00


225.00


3 Itinerant Vendors


at


2.00


6.00


1 Itinerant Vendor


at


5.00


5.00


Paid Town Treasurer


$248.00


Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT,


Town Clerk.


December 31, 1927


[Dec. 31


TOWN DOCUMENTS


The Town Clerk


To the Board of Selectmen:


The following committees were appointed during the year 1927 by the Moderator, Kendall A. Sanderson.


To investigate the school needs of the Palmer school district: Jessie C. Torrey, 35 Orchard circle, Mary T. Herrick, 15 Bradlee avenue, to serve with the School Committee.


Fourth of July Committee: Philip R. Babcock, from The Ameri- can Legion; Stuart P. Ellis from the Park Commission; Leon D. Monty, from Veterans of Foreign Wars; Lewis A. Coleman, for the G. A. R .; Joseph M. Hanifey, at large. Stuart P. Ellis resigned from said committee and Archibald Miller was appointed in his place.


On committee to consider the price of lots in the cemetery: R. Wyer Greene and John Albree. Mr. Albree resigned, and Henry S. Baldwin was appointed a member in his place.


At the special town meeting, November 8, 1927, the following were elected to investigate the manner of entrance into the town of the Lynn Sand and Stone Company, under Article 1 of the war- rant of said meeting: Martin E. Nies, James D. Bentley, G. Edwin Allen, Grover C. Hambrecht, Joseph Cogswell, Joseph B. Abbott, John Herbin.


The Town Clerk appointed Nina C. Merritt, Assistant Town Clerk, on March 1, 1927, and qualified for the office.


Amendment to Section "h" By-Laws:


Notice received from Attorney General that amendment to Sec- tion "h" of the By-Laws adopted by the town of Swampscott, at the adjourned annual town meeting, March 22, 1927, were approved by Arthur K. Reading, Attorney General, with the exception of those lines as indicated which are disapproved.


"No water pipes shall be laid in an unaccepted street or way nor shall any other public construction be done in or upon the same until such street or way has been built to not less than sub-grade in conformity with a plan duly approved by the Board of Survey, and some or all of the abutters have filed with the Board of Select- men a written agreement accompanied by a bond with surety or sureties, if required by said Board of Selectmen, said agreement and bond to be approved by the Board of Selectmen that such abut- ter or abutters will cause said street to be built to grade in con- formity with such plan within six months from the time of com- pletion of said work. It shall be the duty of the Town Engineer to certify in writing to the Board of Selectmen, when said street is to sub-grade and when it is to grade.


No street or way shall be accepted by the town until it has been built in conformity with a plan duly approved by said Board of Survey. **


"This provision shall not apply to streets or ways laid out by the Board of Selectmen in compliance with the laws of the Com- monwealth relating to the laying out of streets, prior to the accept- ance by the town of the Board of Survey Act, so called, being now General Laws Chapter 41, Sections 73 to 81."


79


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


1927]


Boston, Mass., May 27, 1927 The foregoing By-Law is hereby approved except as indicated. ARTHUR K. READING, Attorney General.


Those lines between and indicated thus are not approved by the Attorney General.


Amendment to Article 4 and 5 of the Zoning By-Laws


Amendment to Article 4 and 5 of the Zoning By-Laws by chang- ing the word fourteen in the fourth and fifth lines respectively to seven, so as to read:


"after a public hearing of which seven days' notice shall be given."


Boston, Mass., August 3, 1927.


The foregoing amendment to the Zoning By-Laws is hereby


approved.


ARTHUR K. READING, Attorney General.


Amendment to Zoning By-Laws


To amend the Zoning By-Laws by changing from general resi- dence districts to single districts, the area included in the follow- ing streets and the land contiguous thereto or in the vicinity there- of, so that said area shall be subject to the provisions of Article 3 of said Zoning By-Laws namely: Greenwood avenue, Bond street, Sherwood road, Cedar Hill terrace, Bay View drive, Aspen road, Millett road, Wyman road, Ocean View road, Arbutus road, Magnolia road, Sargent road, Crest road.


The foregoing amendment to the Zoning By-Laws is hereby approved.


Boston, Mass., August 3, 1927.


ARTHUR K. READING, Attorney General.


Respectfully submitted, RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.


December 31, 1927.


So


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Tree Warden


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


Requests to have the street trees thinned out so as to admit more light and air have been more numerous than ever before. As soon as spraying was finished the work of pruning was started systematically at the upper part of the town. At the end of the season it was finished as far south as Thomas road, where many large limbs as well as dead wood overhanging residences were removed.


Low limbs in the way of travel have been taken care of in all parts of the town.


Leaf feeding insects have been suppressed during the spray- ing season and the usual leopard moth work has been done. The cottony maple scale is again in evidence on the silver leaf maples and they should be sprayed with oil which is on hand.


One hundred forty-four trees have been planted and thirty- five have been removed for various causes. Every new tree has been provided with a guard of No. 16 galvanized wire. Wounds have been treated in the usual way.


Injury from high tension wires has been slight. Three gas leaks have been detected and reported to the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. Repairs to the pipes have been made and the company has agreed to make good by replacing trees that were killed.


Respectfully submitted, EVERETT P. MUDGE, Tree Warden.


Superintendent of Moth Work


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :- Each year the preservation of the foliage from the ravages of insect pests seems to be a more serious problem. After ways and means are discovered to combat effectively certain leaf feeding caterpillars and they are under control, new species make their appearance.


During the past year the attacks of the satin moth have been most severe. In many instances it was necessary to spray poplars and willows twice in order to prevent them from defolia- tion by the ravenous feeders which were in greater numbers than ever before. Because of so much rain during the month of June the work of spraying was seriously handicapped and necessarily had to be continued over a longer period than usual in order to cover all the territory. However, no defoliation was caused by either the gypsy moths or tent caterpillars. The number of egg


81


REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN


1927]


clusters of the gypsy moths this winter is slightly less than a year ago.


This year $5,364 was appropriated for the work, but less than $5,000 was spent. The amount charged for moth work on the tax bills amounted to $2,500. This is the largest charge as yet and reverts to the town treasury.


The winter work of creosoting has been started and the usual amount of territory has been covered at this time.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT P. MUDGE, Superintendent of Moth Work.


Forest Warden


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :- Again this year the bulk of the woods fires came in the month of April, fourteen having occurred this year during that month which is less than half the number for the same period during 1926. In all there were only twenty-two. Two hundred eighty-three permits for fires in the open air have been issued.


Notices warning against making open air fires without a permit and also requesting the prevention of woods fires have been posted in all parts of the town.


Respectfully submitted,


EVERETT P. MUDGE, Forest Warden.


8 2


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Board of Assessors


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Board of Assessors submit the following report for the year 1927. The property in town assessed by the local Assessors April 1, 1927, amounted to $22,294,782, an increase over the previous year (1926) of $1,062,320. The real estate valuation April 1, 1927, was $20,417,314, an increase over the previous year (1926) of $833,106. The valuation of personal estate assessed by the local assessors April 1, 1927, was $1,877,468, an increase over the previous year (1926) of $229,214.


The tax rate for 1927 was $26. per $1,000, a decrease of $2.00 per $1,000, over the previous year (1926).


The following tables show how the assessors arrived at the tax rate.


Liabilities, Town of Swampscott, 1927.


Town appropriations (not bonded)


$580,259.20


State tax


31,200.00


State assessments


17,949.39


County tax


30,886.93


Overlay-current year


4,500.00


Total liabilities


$664,795.52


Assets, Town of Swampscott, 1927


Poll taxes


$ 5,722.00


Estimated receipts


79,409.17


Total valuation $22,394,782. ($26 per $1,000) 579,664.35


Total assets


$664,795.52


Assessors' Property Report


Valuation of the Town of Swampscott, April 1, 1927. Table af aggregate of polls, property, and taxes as assessed April 1, 1927.


Number of residents assessed on property 3,296


Number of firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property 54


Number of non-residents assessed on property 454


Number of non-residents, firms, corporations, etc., assessed on property 42


Number of persons assessed on property 3,846


Number of persons assessed on poll tax only


1,202


Total number of persons assessed


5,048


Number of male polls assessed


2,861


Value of assessed personal estate


$1,877,468


Value of assessed buildings, excluding land


$13,533,567


Value of assessed land, excluding buildings


$6,883,747


Total value of assessed real estate


$20,417,314


Total value of assessed estates


$22,294,782


Number of horses assessed


50


83


BOARD OF ASSESSORS' REPORT


1927]


Taxes for State, County, and Town Purposes


On personal estate On real estate On polls Total tax Tax rate per $1,000


$48,814.19


530,850.16


5,722.00


585,386.35


26.00


Recommendations


For departmental expenses we recommend a general appro- priation of $3,500.


The Board of Assessors would respectfully again call attention to the amounts paid assessors in Swampscott, and those paid in other towns of like valuation and population. A list showing expenses of assessors in twenty-six towns in or near Metropolitan Boston has been compiled by the assessors of a neighboring town and a copy is on file in this office. We would recommend that the financial committee give this data due consideration when recom- mending salaries for the Assessors for the ensuing year. The continued growth of the town, and the increase in laws in regard to taxation and the detail work that these make, greatly increase the work of the Assessors.


The amount raised for appropriations for state, county, town and overlay for the year 1927 from receipts and taxation was $664,795.52. In order not to increase the tax rate for the year 1928 over that for 1927 the amount to be raised by receipts and taxation should, in our opinion, be not more than $650,000.


EDWARD A. MAXFIELD,


CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, JOHN B. EARP,


Board of Assessors.


8 4


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Statistics of the Town of Swampscott, 1885-1927


ASSESSORS' VALUATION APRIL 1.


JANUARY 1.


Year.


Real


Personal


Total Valuation


per $1,000


Year.


Debt


1927


$20,417,314


1


$1,877,468


$22,294,782


$26.00


1928


$296,800.00


1926


19,584,208


1,648,254


21,232,462


28.00


1927


338,000.00


1925


17,870,147


1,643,644


19,513,791


26.00


1926


345,200.00


1924


17,088,098


1,546,498


18,634,596


25.00


1925


246,900.00


1923


16,157,425


1,526,754


17,684,179


26.00


1924


291,900.00


1922


15,321,512


1,414,422


16,735,934


25.00


1923


343,900.00


1921


14,226,510


1,391,298


15,617,808


24.00


1922


341,500.00


1920


14,007,916


1,316,938


15,324,854


23.00


1921


344,100.00


1919


12,771,170


1,179,422


13,950,592


20.00


1920


236,600.00


1918


12,619,556


1,110,776


13,730,332


20.00


1919


251,750.00


1917


12,141,321


1,000,682


13,142,300


20.00


1918


312,000.00


1916


11,532,432


4,928,181


16,460,513


20.00


1917


330,800.00


1915


10,810,305


5,028,193


15,838,498


17.80


1916


363,900.00


1914


10,508,225


3,531.119


14,039,344


16.80


1915


344,100.00


1913


10,028,325


3,174,590


13,202,915


16.40


1914


293,500.00


1912


9,413,525


2,974,381


12,387,906


16.00


1913


276,600.00


1911


9,050,850


2,771,167


11.822,017


15.00


1912


273,150.00


1910


8,489,200


2,698,340


11,187,540


15.00


1911


194,639.00


1909


7,675,905


2,450,021


10,125,926


16.00


1910


184,295.00


1908


7,312,165


2,680,490


9,992,655


16.00


1909


191,295.00


1907


7,099,090


2,317,468


9,317,468


14.50


1908


176,420.00


1906


6,303,625


2,093,820


8,397,445


14.50


1907


167,320.00


1905


6,030,185


2,117,442


8,147,627


14.50


1906


151,320.00


1904


5,489.121


2,206,172


7,695,293


12.90


1905


110,020.00


1903


5,135,124


1,286,981


6,422,105


11.50


1904


114,770.00


1902


4,762,665


1,744,874


6,507,539


12.00


1903


75,270.00


1901


4,668,985


1,598,745


6,267,730


12.00


1902


70,600.00


1900


4,446,900


1,138,275


5,585,175


11:00


1901


68,100.00


1899


4,200,175


1,199,045


5,399,220


11.50


1900


64,3,00.00


1898


4,135,582


1,318,591


5,454,173


14.00


1899


59,000.00


1897


3,997,975


1,304,163


5,302,138


12.00


1898


71,000.09


1896


3,896,059


1,245,245


5,141,304


12.00


1897


78,250.00


1895


3,756,900


1,444,947


5,201,847


12.00


1896


84,500.00


1894


3,619,525


1,529,675


5,149,200


11.00


1895


66,333.30


1893


3,439,975


1,649,953


5,989,928


11.00


1894


71,166.66


1892


3,271,279


1,504,170


4,775,449


10.00


1893


37,499.90


1891


3,122,350


1,771,373


4,893,723


10.00


1892


42,333.36


1890


3,001,550


1,857,777


4,859,327


10.00


1891


48,666.66


1889


2,585,431


1,453,301


4,038,732


8.40


1890


52,500.00


1888


2,465,256


1,501,530


3,966,792


8.50


1889


56,000.00


1887


2,417,556


1,288,498


3,706,054


8.00


1888


57,500.00


1886


2,383,055


1,275,405


3,658,460


9.50


1887


55,500.00


1885


2,365,280


1,130,863


3,496,143


9.00


1886


47,500.00


Rate Taxes


Net


Estate


Property


85


TOWN ENGINEER'S REPORT


1927]


Town Engineer


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :- Herewith I submit my fifteenth annual report of the service rendered by the engineering department for the various departments for the year ending December 31, 1927.


The engineering department has had charge of the following lines of work: The designing and superintending of the construction of all drains and sewers, resurfacing of all streets built by contract, together with the specifications and estimates for the same; the establishing of street lines and grades for curbstones and grano- lithic sidewalks; all data and plans relating to the laying out of private ways for acceptance as public streets and all engineer- ing questions which come before the boards of the several de- partments.


Sewer and Drains


The sewer system of this town has been extended in the following streets; Norfolk avenue, 440 feet; Buena Vista street, 417 feet; and Tid street, 189 feet, a total distance of 1,046 feet.


The above sewers required 592 feet of house connections and 556 cubic yards of rock excavation.


The amount of sewage pumped totaled 280,425,000 gallons. No construction has been done on the Eastern Intercepting sewer for the last seven years, and to date the town has reached the limit of sewering its eastern section, without extending this trunk line.


There remains to be built about 4,200 feet of this main sewer before any laterals can be constructed to serve the abutters within this section. Therefore it seems advisable for the town to be- gin at once and extend a portion of this sewer each year until it is completed.


King's Brook concrete culvert should be extended for a dis- tance of about 225 feet, as the banks of this brook are in a very unstable condition and support a heavy cast iron pipe sewer line.


Continuous Sidewalks


Lines and grades have been given on the various streets, as designated by the Board of Selectmen, for the laying of 1,754 square yards of granolithic sidewalks and 4,672 square feet of parking.


Resurfacing Roadways


The following streets have been resurfaced with a first class asphalt penetration macadam, Massachusetts Highway specifica- tions: Humphrey street, from Phillips Beach station to the Marble- head line, an area of 9,644 square yards which required the con- struction of a 5 by 6 concrete culvert for Hawthorne Brook. Greenwood avenue widening, from Forest avenue to King's street, an area of 2,226 square yards.


Assessors' Department


The yearly routine work necessary to bring the plans and card index for this department up to date has been completed.


86


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Cemetery Department


A small area near the chapel, in section "C" of the cemetery, has been trenched, graded and Sumach avenue laid out. This portion includes thirty-two new lots with a total area of 8,414 square feet.


Selectmen's Department


Data and estimates have been furnished for the Selectmen's department and plans submitted for their approval.


At the request of property owners, street lines and grades have been given from time to time for grading lawns, building walls, etc.


Respectfully submitted,


WALLACE W. PRATT, Town Engineer.


Building Inspector


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :- I hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1927.


Permits Issued


Estimated Cost


Dwellings:


New


63


$600,200


Alterations and additions


34


46,310


Private Garages:


New


89


38,375


Alterations and additions


10


7,325


Private Storage, Outbuildings,


etc .:


New ( Greenhouse)


1


2,500


Alterations and additions




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