USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1927 > Part 7
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1
2,200
Public Garages, Stores, Office buildings, etc .:
New
2
25,900
Alterations and additions
6
7,450
Schools, Churches, Halls, etc .: New
0
Alterations and additions
Palmer School
1
Congregational Church
1
2
4,400
Permit to Shingle
1
Total
209
$734,600
Number Building Inspections,
458
Number Inspections of proposed sites, and for alterations, additions, etc.,
15
Total
473
1927] REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
87
Elevator Operators' Licenses Issued New
No.
Fees
11
$11.00
Renewal
6
3.00
Deposited with Collector of Taxes
$14.00
Elevators and hotels within the town have been inspected and returns made to the State.
All notices and complaints of violations of the building laws and of smoke nuisance have been investigated and adjustments made.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY E. HARDY,
Building Inspector.
Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We herewith submit our annual report for the year 1927.
We find that 1927 has been an average year as to the number of persons aided and there have been no unusual calls for expenditure of money. By a new law the title of this board was changed from Overseers of the Poor to Board of Public Welfare, with which we are in full accord and deem it a wise change.
The Board is pursuing the same plan for the care of our de- pendents that we have followed for the past five years.
The statistical report will be found under the heading of the Secretary's report.
JOSEPH F. CROWELL, Chairman. EDMUND RUSSELL, Secretary.
HARRY E. CAHOON.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Persons having settlement in Swampscott aided by other
cities and towns
32
Persons fully supported in Swampscott
10
Families partially supported in Swampscott 10
Men, women and children receiving aid from Swampscott, during 1927 132
Settlement in Swampscott
102
Settlement elsewhere in State
16
State settlements
12
Persons aided in Swampscott in 1927
104
Persons fully supported in State Hospital
2
Persons fully supported in Salem Home
2
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Collector of Taxes
Ralph D. Merritt, Collector of Taxes, In Account Current with the Town of Swampscott 1927
Dr.
State tax
$31,200.00
County tax
30,886.93
Metropolitan Park tax
12,600.64
Charles River Basin
1,756.16
Auditing Municipal Accounts tax
833.06
State Highway tax
971.94
Metropolitan Planning Commission
145.97
Southern route
1,364.08
Brighton street bridge
277.54
Town taxes
495,128.03
Moth tax
2,513.50
Sidewalk assessment
1,786.38
Sewer assessment
2,324.21
Overlay
4,500.00
Poll tax
5,722.00
Poll tax (Supplementary )
74.00
Supplementary tax
700.45
Supplementary moth tax
13.00
Supplementary sidewalk assessment
54.66
Interest on taxes at 6 per cent from October 15, 1927 to January 1, 1928
165.45
$593,018.00
Cr.
Cash paid on moth tax
$2,165.00
Cash paid on sidewalk assessment
1,245.77
Cash paid on sewer assessment
1,118.94
Cash paid on poll taxes
5,566.00
Cash paid on taxes
488,684.13
Cash paid on interest on taxes from October 15,
1927 to January 1, 1928
165.45
Abatement on poll taxes
126.00
Abatement on taxes
1,756.89
Abatement on moth assessment
64.25
Abatement on sidewalk assessment
88.40
Uncollected moth taxes
297.25
Uncollected sidewalk assessment
506.87
Uncollected sewer assessment
1,205.27
Uncollected poll taxes
104.00
Uncollected taxes
89,923.78
$593,018.00
Water 1921
Dr.
Water rates
$5.00
Cr.
Cash paid
$5.00
89
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
1927]
Water 1922 Dr.
$58.76
Water rates
Cash paid Abatements
$14.14 44.62
Water 1923
Dr.
$304.29
Cr.
Cash paid Abatements
$281.45 122.84
Water 1924
Dr.
Water rates
$1,220.55
Cash paid
$1,124.95 95.60
Water 1925
Dr.
Water rates
$1,532.28
Cash paid
$1,422.70 109.58
€
Water 1926 Dr.
$8,306.35
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
Cr.
$8,005.03 177.19
124.13
Water 1927
Dr.
Water rates
$61,272.08
Cr.
$54,154.98 139.55 6,977.55
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
Cr.
Abatements
Cr.
Abatements
Water rates
Cr.
Water rates
90
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Water Service 1922 Dr.
Water service
$64.01
Cr.
Cash paid
Abatements
$44.01 20.00
Water Service 1923 Dr
Water service
$15.46
Cr.
Cash paid
$5.07
Abatements
10.39
Water Service 1924 Dr.
Water service
$67.45
Cash paid
$7.63
Abatements
59.82
Water Service 1925
Dr.
Water service
$318.66
Cash paid
$159.04 159.62
Water Service 1926 Dr.
$894.22
Cash paid
$794.49
Abatements
28.10
Uncollected
71.63
Water Service 1927 Dr.
$5,676.52
Cr.
Cash paid
Uncollected
$5,142.92 533.60
Miscellaneous, Rents 1923
Dr.
Miscellaneous, Rents $10.00
Cr.
Abatements
$10.00
Cr.
Abatements
Water service
Cr.
Water service
Cr.
91
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
1927]
Miscellaneous, Rents 1924 Dr.
Miscellaneous, rents
$10.94
Cash paid Abatements
Cr.
$ .94 10.00
Miscellaneous, Rents 1925
Dr.
Miscellaneous, rents
$140.71
Cash paid
Abatements
$110.71 30.00
Miscellaneous, Rents 1926
Dr.
Miscellaneous, rents
$30.00
Abatements
$30.00
Miscellaneous, Rents 1927
Miscellaneous, rents
$6,230.50
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
Cr.
$5,698.82 47.81 483.87
Respectively submitted,
December 31, 1927.
RALPH D. MERRITT, Tax Collector.
Cr.
Cr.
Dr.
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Appeals
During the six months ending June 6, 1927, nine petitions were heard, of which three were granted and six rejected.
The following is the resume of these hearings:
Date
Petitioner
Petition Decision
March 9 James Scally
To build sun-parlor and piazza within the set back area at 14 Paradise road
March 31 Bonetti and Goss
To build within 15 feet of Humphrey street and Crosman avenue respec- tively
April 13 Amato Pagnotta
To build two family house at 16 Woodbine Avenue
Denied
April 27 Mount Carmel Lodge To change lot on Para- dise Rd from residential to business
April 27 Frank T. Shirley
To build garage within five ft. of the street line on Rose street
Denied
April 27 Rocco Pascucci
April 27 Albert E. Ludlam
To build garage within three ft, of the sidewalk To build piazza within seven feet of the side- walk at 186 Norfolk ave- nue
Denied
Denied
April 27 Mary E. Muscillo
To build two family house on street line of Clark street, corner of Crescent street
Granted
May 25 Eldredge H. Blood
To use house at 280 Humphrey street as a tea room Granted Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE YOZELL, JAMES L. TAYLOR, HENRY A. SADLER, Board of Appeals.
Maurice Yozell, James L. Taylor and Henry A. Sadler having been re-appointed as members of the Board of Appeals and George M. Glidden and Clarence E. Cahill also appointed, bringing the membership of the Board up to five members, the Board organized on June 8 with the choice of Maurice Yozell as chairman and Horace R. Parker as clerk.
The dates of meetings were established as the second and fourth Mondays of each month, and meetings have been held on these dates except when there have been no petitions for consideration.
Granted
Denied
Denied
1927]
The rule of the Board that petitions must be in the hands of the Clerk at least four days prior to a meeting was confirmed.
During the year eight petitions were heard, of which three were granted and five denied. The following is a resume of the hearings held between June 8 and December 31.
Date Petitioner
Petition Decision
June 8 Jeanette Eigner and To permit the mainten-
Fannye Oskervitz
ance of piazzas at 182 and 176 Norfolk avenue respectively, within the ten foot set back area
Denied
July 11 Ellen M. Wardwell
To change the property at 225 Humphrey street from residential to busi- ness zone
Denied
July
25 Evelyn Moore and Lucille B. Tuttle
To use building at 8 Orient court as a gift shop during August and September
Granted
July 25 William L. Carroll
To use building in rear of 78 Pine street for auto repairing
Denied
July
25 Clarence I. Lander
To build within the set- back area on Cedar Hill terrace, at the corner of Bay View avenue
Granted
August 8 Ellen A. Collins
To erect a two car gar- age in addition to an- other two car garage at 35 Rock avenue
Nov.
14 Carmine Garafalo
To build a piazza with- in the set back area 58 Roy street
Granted
To build a store with living quarters overhead in the residential area on Essex street adjoin- ing Jackson park Denied In each of the above cases, findings giving the reasons for the decision and the restrictions if any under which they were granted were filed with the Town Clerk as required by law where they may be seen by anyone interested.
Denied
Dec. 27 Rosina Mastromarino
Respectfully submitted,
MAURICE YOZELL, JAMES L. TAYLOR, HENRY A. SADLER, GEORGE M. GLIDDEN, CLARENCE E. CAHILL, Board of Appeals.
93
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1927.
All construction work this year has been by contract. Humph- rey street, from the Boston and Maine Railroad crossing to the Marblehead line, has been resurfaced with bituminous macadam asphalt.
Greenwood avenue from Redington street to King street, has been resurfaced with bituminous macadam asphalt. The work on Humphrey street and Greenwood avenue was done by the McDon- ough Co., of Swampscott.
Magnolia road, from Forest avenue to Arbutus road, was resurfaced with gravel. The work on this was done by M. D'Agnese of Marblehead.
Norfolk avenue, from Middlesex avenue to State road, has been resurfaced with bituminous macadam. Work on this road was done by the Department.
Banks circle, that part owned by the town, resurfaced with cinders, covered with stone dust and rolled.
Middlesex avenue, from Boston and Maine bridge to State road, where sewer was laid this year, was reshaped, surfaced with gravel and rolled.
Rockland street, from Highland street to Greenwood avenue, reshaped, resurfaced with 34 tared mixed crush stone and rolled.
Greenwood avenue, from King street to Rockland street, re- shaped, surfaced with gravel and rolled.
Puritan Park, reshaped and sidewalk built.
Puritan avenue, reshaped and sidewalks built.
Atlantic road, reshaped and sidewalks built.
These streets were picked up with the steam roller and rolled.
Fuller avenue, from Forest avenue to Bond street, reshaped, large stones removed, sidewalks built, covered with stone dust and rolled.
Morton road, from Humphrey street, to Bradlee avenue, the whole street was put to grade, reshaped, sidewalks built, covered with stone dust and rolled.
Mountwood road, reshaped, ledge removed, sidewalks built and the road bed put to sub-grade. This street ought to be resurfaced with some kind of pavement the coming year.
Huron street, from Pine street to the Lynn line, rebuilt, filled to the depth of 44 inches and two catch basins built.
No work done this year on Millett and Wyman roads, as no sewer has been laid in Wyman road. I suggest that a sewer be built and these streets be resurfaced the coming year.
The gravel roads in town are in fair condition, considering the miles that the department has to maintain. As the citizens know, this type of road, although all right for the short-side streets, is hardly fit to stand up under the heavy traffic conditions exist- ing today, therefore, I suggest that enough money be appropriated each year for new macadam construction on our main streets.
Repairs to sidewalks have been made where needed. Mater- ial was used as follows: 923 tons of stone dust, 626 loads of gravel, 215 loads of cinders and 92 loads of sand for icy sidewalks.
95
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1927]
The following tar concrete sidewalks have been repaired at a price of $1.00 per yard for new work, 60 cents for skim coating: Monument avenue, 557.1 sq. yds., skim; Monument avenue, 20 sq. yds., new; Elmwood road, 301 sq. yds., skim; Elmwood road, 28.9 sq. yds., new; Outlook road, 56.2 sq. yds., new; Greenwood avenue 272.2 sq. yds., new; Bay View avenue, 150 sq. yds., new; Millett road and Ocean View roads, 472.2 sq. yds., new; Rock- land street, 9.8 sq. yds., new; Rockland street, 61 sq. yds., skim; Hillcrest circle, 120 sq. yds., skim; Hillcrest circle, 10 sq. yds., new.
Three catch basins have been built and eight retopped this year. There have been laid 18 feet of 6-inch drain; 70 feet of 8-inch drain; and 166 feet of 12-inch drain. Gutters have been treated with tar and mixed stone, about 1,500 square yards having been laid. The number of manholes lowered, 8. Fifty-four driveways have been lowered. The number of feet of curbstones reset, 302; number of yards of granolithic sidewalks repaired, 174.
All catch basins about town have been thoroughly cleaned the past year and the refuse carted to any person asking for the same or to the different town dumps.
About 325 feet of guard rail fence was repaired this year.
There were 81 street signs placed on the various streets, and seven wooden street signs were also put up.
All the streets have had an application of road oil, about 30,450 gallons being used in this work. This consisted of 8,400 gallons of 90 per cent binder, 17,295 gallons of tar being used on the streets for all purposes. Price paid for cold patch delivered at yard put in barrells, .155 cents; Tarvia delivered and applied, .125 cents; Barber winter patch, .175 cents in barrells; Penetration asphalt applied, .1116 cents; 65 per cent asphalt road oil applied .708 cents; 30 percent asphalt road oil, .0810 cents, applied. All oil applied to the streets was covered with sand. There was used on the streets 18,926 cubic feet of water.
About six miles of streets have been seal coated in whole or in part during the past year.
The department during the year did the usual work of patrol- ling or patching street surfaces.
Number of large trees removed, 6. These trees were dangerous to public travel. One was at Estabrook road and Phillips avenue; one at Bradlee avenue and Phillips avenue; one at Hawthorne road and Phillips avenue; one at Standwood and Phillips avenues; one on Barnstable street and one on Stetson avenue.
Equipment added to the department this year as follows: Two two-horse tip carts; three sets of harness; one mixer; one pair horses; one five-ton White truck and snow plow.
Recommendations
That the town appropriate the sum of $10,000 to be used in building a stable on land owned by the town on State road.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN,
Surveyor of Highways.
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Trustees of Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith submit their report covering the administration of the Library Department during the past year. With the unexpended balance of trust fund in- come, further additions were made to the library in the form of books covering literature, travel and science, so as to provide a library not only balanced with entertaining reading, but giving sources for use in research work and for educational purposes. The income from these trust funds have now been entirely ex- pended and our trust income is the only source outside of the funds supplied by the town for use in purchasing books. This income, of course, is now reduced by reason of the expenditure of the income funds formerly treated as a temporary fund.
During the past year conditions have been somewhat un- fortunate, due to illness of members of the library staff, but it has been possible to meet the emergencies as they have arisen.
The evening attendance at the library, particularly during the winter months, has averaged between 35 and 50 persons act- ually occupying and using the reading rooms between 8 and 9 in the evening.
With the discussion of providing improved school facilities in the school district covering the Phillips Beach and Beach Bluff sec- tions, it would seem feasible to consider at the same time providing a branch of the Swampscott Public Library in one portion of any new building considered in those sections. In fact, in the town of Brookline, such provision was made in connection with one of their school districts. The Board feels, however, that it is for the citizens to consider whether or not they wish to provide the funds for improving the library facilities.
The Board wishes to record the kind and thoughtful custom of the High School students of honoring the memory of Miss Honors by placing flowers in the main library on the anniversary of her death.
The custom of holding the story-telling hours on Sunday af- ternoons was discontinued, due to the fact that the persons on whom the Board relied to provide this service have been unable to act due to removal from town or for other reasons.
The trustees and librarian tender their thanks and apprecia- tion for the gifts of books to the library received during the past year from the following persons:
Mr. William A. Cook, 61 Broadway, New York City. American Legion, Swampscott.
Mr. Eben H. Spencer, 47 Farragut road, Swampscott.
Mr. Ernest L. L. Mansfield, 212 Humphrey street, Swampscott.
Mr. Walter W. Johnson, 8 Palmer avenue, Swampscott.
Mr. James L. Hill, Salem, Mass.
Mrs. Abbott R. Rutledge, 16 Mapledale place, Swampscott.
Mrs. Frederick J. Rudd, 312 Humphrey street, Swampscott. Mrs. Elihu Thomson, Swampscott.
Respectfully submitted,
F. KEELER RICE, LOUISE C. STANLEY, ELIHU THOMSON.
1927]
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
97
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Circulation Adult
Fiction
Non-Fiction
30,581 4,777
35,358
Juvenile Circulation
Fiction
12,836
Non-Fiction
1,840
14,676
Current Periodicals
709
Total
50,743
New books added, 377.
Books in Library, January 1, 1928, 12,867.
(429 books were discared during year)
Fine receipts turned over to town, $232.00.
LUCY M. EVELETH,
Librarian.
Inspector of Wires
There is submitted herewith the annual report of this department for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Sixty (60) new buildings have been inspected for roughing in and fixtures passed and approved.
Thirty-six (36) inspections for roughing in and fixtures have been made in old houses passed and approved.
Forty-four (44) inspections were made on additions to present wiring, and were passed and approved.
Hazards were found in fifteen (15) buildings, corrections were ordered made, and subsequently corrected.
Nine (9) rejections in new wiring in old and new houses, and were subsequently corrected.
One (1) building was shut off on account of fire until same had been repaired.
Respectfully submitted,
J. A. COOK, Inspector of Wires.
98
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Animal Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen:
The work this year has increased considerably over former years, which has been due, to a great extent, to the prevalence of rabies.
There were six cases of rabies in town; five dogs and one cat. There were a number of suspicious cases reported, but these were generally found to be suffering from fits or co-called "fright disease." This disease is quite prevalent through this section at the present time and the recent order of the Division of Animal Industry that all dogs shall be kept under restraint for ninety days is the only effective way of checking the spread of this disease. It would seem, however, that the immunization of all dogs, by the inoculation of rabies serum would be an excellent adjunct to the restraint order.
Moreover, this restraining order is a very humane measure as well as an efficient check to the spread of the disease, for in this re- spect it would seem as though any person who owned a pet dog would much rather have him confined, so that if he was unfortunate enough to become infected he could be humanely treated instead of being chased all over the streets, back-yards, etc., and finally shot.
'The general inspection of farm animals was ordered from Jan. 1, 1927, to Feb. 15. This consisted of a physical examination of all farm animals, including poultry. It also applied to the condition of the premises with regard to cleanliness, light and ventilation.
The animals, as a rule, are kept by families for their own use and are taken good care of. There were no contagious cases found. The premises were also found in good condition and there was no reason for the recommendation of any changes.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON,
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1927. There have been sixty-eight lost, stray or dead dogs taken care of this year. Of this number twenty-four have been returned to their owners; twenty-six have been placed in good homes; ten have been found dead, probably killed by automobiles; four have had incurable diseases and have been humanely put to sleep and we have four on hand now that we will place in good homes. There have been fifty-three complaints investigated.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON,
99
1927] REPORT OF SEALER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my report from January 1, 1927, to January 31, 1927.
This department tested, sealed or condemned all the various measuring devices, and records were made thereof, the summary of which is as follows :-
Sealed
Adjusted
Condemned
Platform
scales
over under
50001bs.
7
1
0
Counter
over
100
2
0
0
Beam
over
under
2
0
0
Spring
30
5
0
Computing
27
4
5
Prescription
4
0
0
Personal
7
0
0
Avoirdupois weights
249
5
3
Apothecary
69
0
2
Metric
35
0
0
Liquid measures
66
0
0
Dry
9
0
0
Gasoline pumps
43
1
5
Quantity stops
219
8
0
Yard sticks
1
0
0
Total
838
39
13
Trial Weighing
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Coal in wagons
bags
82
68
10
4
Flour
30
29
1
0
Dry commodities
183
171
11
1
Meats and provisions
10
10
0
0
Fruits and vegetables
124
89
5
30
Bread
28
28
0
0
Confectionery
14
14
0
0
Total
510
446
27
37
1
0
2
Butter
36
36
0
0
Frequent inspections were made with satisfactory results. Respectfully submitted,
19
6
0
under
48
9
0
1
0
0
3
C. WALTER BURRILL Sealer of Weights and Measures.
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I herewith submit my eleventh annual report as superintendent of the Swampscott Cemetery.
Interments for year 1927, 55.
I would recommend that the committee appointed by the Moderator at the last annual town meeting to deal with special cemetery matters be retained as a permanent committee of advice on matters pertaining to the cemetery.
I would recommend that the sum of $200 be appropriated for shrubs to be placed in the newly prepared territory in the vicinity of the Chapel.
I would recommend that a sum not to exceed $500 be appro- priated for the purchase of a light half-ton truck for cemetery purposes.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.
101
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE
1927]
Report of the Cemetery Committee
In the Annual Town Report for 1927 the Superintendent of the Cemetery, Page 210, recommended action by the town as regards price of lots in the cemetery.
The Finance Committee reported on the article, as follows: "In regard to the price of burial lots in the Swamp- scott cemetery, we recommend that a committee be ap- pointed consisting of the Board of Selectmen, Superin- tendent of Cemetery and two other citizens of the town to be appointed by the Moderator, to consider revision of the price of lots in keeping with prices in other cemeteries and that this committee report at subsequent town meet- ing."
This recommendation was adopted, and Henry S. Baldwin and R. Wyer Greene were appointed by the Moderator to serve with the Board of Selectmen and the Superintendent of the Cem- etery. The first meeting of the committee was held on Sept. 20, 1927, and organized with Henry S. Baldwin, Chairman, R. Wyer Greene, Secretary.
In order to ascertain the manner in which the nearby munici- palities handle cemetery 'affairs, a questionnaire was sent to Lynn, Salem, Marblehead and Saugus.
The answers which were received and tabulated have been helpful in the preparation of this report.
For many years the town has sold lots to residents only, at a fixed price, including perpetual care, of 50c per square foot. An examination of the records shows that the actual cost of this land, developed, with perpetual care, was $1.00 per square foot, or twice the amount being charged citizens.
It is evident that the cost of lots, as well as the cost of operating the cemetery, has never been given thorough study, and for this reason your committee has found it necessary to review the entire situation, not only as regards the small section of cem- etery which has been developed during the year 1927, but also with relation to the future requirements of the town and the development of the large area, Section "C", about nine acres in all, purchased in 1925.
At this point Town Engineer, W. W. Pratt, was requested to prepare a plan showing all land bought by the town for cemetery purposes, and to make a topographical survey of the new section acquired by the town in 1925. The plan is divided into three parts: A-The original cemetery purchased in 1852.
B-Land purchased in 1909-1925.
C-Land taken in 1925.
Sq. Feet
Roads
The total area of that part of the new land is
162,000 68,000
Available for lots 94,000
It is estimated to improve this land and make it suitable for lots, including roads, trenching, shrubbery and water, together with the cost of the land itself, would cost $1.00 per square foot.
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