USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1928 > Part 16
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Due in 1929
$35,700.00
Due in 1930
33,200.00
Due in 1931
29,200.00
Due in 1932
22,200.00
Due in 1933
21,200.00
Due in 1934
20,200.00
Due in 1935
16,700.00
Due in 1936
13,700.00
Due in 1937
13,700.00
Due in 1938
13,700.00
Due in 1939
13,700.00
Due in 1940
13,700.00
Due in 1941
7,700.00
Due in 1942
6,000.00
Due in 1943
6,000.00
Due in 1944
5,000.00
Due in 1945
5,000.00
Due in 1946
1,000.00
Due in 1947
1,000.00
Due in 1948
1,000.00
Due in 1949
1,000.00
Due in 1950
1,000.00
Due in 1951
1,000.00
Due in 1952
1,000.00
Due in 1953
1,000.00
$284,600.00
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Issued Outside Debt Limit
Due in 1929
$4,000.00
Due in 1930
4,000.00
Due in 1931
4,000.00
Due in 1932
3,000.00
Due in 1933
3,000.00
Due in 1934
3,000.00
Due in 1935
3,000.00
Due in 1936
3,000.00
Due in 1937
3,000.00
Due in 1938
3,000.00
Due in 1939
3,000.00
Due in 1940
3,000.00
Due in 1941
3,000.00
Due in 1942
3,000.00
Due in 1943
3,000.00
Due in 1944
3,000.00
$51,000.00
Sewer Loans, Issued Outside Debt Limit
Due in 1929
$14,850.00
Due in 1930
14,850.00
Due in 1931
14,000.00
Due in 1932
13,850.00
Due in 1933
12,850.00
Due in 1934
10,850.00
Due in 1935
9,350.00
Due in 1936
9,350.00
Due in 1937
9,350.00
Due in 1938
9,350.00
Due in 1939
8,350.00
Due in 1940
7,350.00
Due in 1941
7,350.00
Due in 1942
6,350.00
Due in 1943
1,750.00
Due in 1944
1,750.00
Due in 1945
1,500.00
Due in 1946
1,500.00
Due in 1947
1,500.00
Due in 1948
1,500.00
Due in 1949
1,500.00
Due in 1950
1,500.00
Due in 1951
1,500.00
Due in 1952
500.00
$162,550.00
Water Loans, Issued Outside Debt Limit
Due in 1929
$8,500.00
Due in 1930
8,000.00
Due in 1931
8,000.00
Due in 1932
8,000.00
Due in 1933
8,000.00
Due in 1934
8,000.00
Due in 1935
7,500.00
Due in 1936
7,000.00
Due in 1937
5,500.00
Due in 1938
5,500.00
Due in 1939
4,500.00
Due in 1940
1,500.00
Due in 1941
1,500.00
Due in 1942
1,500.00
Due in 1943
1,500.00
Due in 1944
1,500.00
Due in 1945
1,500.00
$87,500.00
1928]
REPORT OF TREASURER
157
Temporary Loan Notes Issued in Anticipation of Revenue
No.
Date
Payable at
Rate
When Payable
Amount
428
Dec. 7, 1928
1st Nat'l Bank, Boston
4.09%
Nov. 12, 1929
$25,000.00
429
Dec. 7, 1928
1st Nat'l Bank, Boston
4.09%
Nov. 12, 1929
$25,000.00
430
Dec. 7, 1928
1st Nat'l Bank, Boston
4.09%
Nov. 12, 1929
$25,000.00
431
Dec. 7, 1928
1st Nat'l Bank, Boston
4.09%
Nov. 12, 1929
$25,000.00
$100,000.00
TREASURER'S REPORT Principal and Interest Due in 1929
GENERAL DEBT
Inside Debt Limit Principal
Interest
Principal
Interest
SEWER LOANS Outside Debt Limit Principal
WATER LOANS Outside Debt Limit Interest
January
$2,426.25
$446.25
February
1,030.62
$1,039.88
$393.04
March
22.50
1,127.00
April May
2,200.00
399.50
$3,250.00
730.50
500.00
147.50
June
3,000.00
486.25
July
10,500.00
2,426.25
August
6,500.00
1,030.63
3,500.00
1,040.12
1,500.00
393.21
September
1,000.00
22.50
4,600.00
1,127.00
October
9,000.00
1,897.50
940.00
2,000.00
395.00
1,500.00
770.04
November
500.00
353.00
1,500.00
664.25
1,000.00
136.25
December
1,000.00
425.00
Total
$35,700.00
$12,457.50
$4,000.00
$1,960.00
$14,850.00
$6,518.75
$8,500.00
$3,555.00
-----
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
158
$2,000.00
1,937.50
$4,000.00
$1,020.00
395.00
$3,000.00
822.46
1,000.00
446.25
Outside Debt Limit
Interest
Principal
1928]
REPORT OF TREASURER
159
Town Debt December 31, 1928
General Debt Bonds and Notes
Inside Debt Limit. Issues
$284,600.00
Outside Debt Limit Issues
51,000.00
Sewer Loan Bonds and Notes
162,550.00
Water Loan Bonds and Notes
87,500.00
Total Debt
$585,650.00
General Debt Statement Indicating Borrowing Capacity as of December 31, 1928
Valuation 1926, less abatements
*$21,134,422.00
Valuation 1927, less abatements
* 22,254,822.00
Valuation 1928, less abatements
* 22,771,346.00
Gross three years' valuation
$66,160,590.00
Average valuation
$22,053,530.00
Three per cent of average valuation
$661,605.00
Less:
Bonds and Notes issued within the debt limit
284,600.00
Borrowing Capacity $377,005.00
*Figures furnished by the Board of Assessors.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. LIBBY, Town Treasurer.
160
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Trust Funds
Joanna Morse Library Fund
Balance, January 1, 1928 Principal Income accrued, 1928
$5,196.00 263.03
Less withdrawals
Balance, December 31, 1928
$5,196.00
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund -
Principal, January 1, 1928
$2,000.00
Income accrued, 1928
101.25
$2,101.25
Less withdrawals
101.25
Balance, December 31, 1928
$2,000.00
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund
Balance, January 1, 1928 Principal Income accrued, 1928
$1,000.00
50.63
$1,050.63
Less withdrawals
50.63
Balance, December 31, 1928
$1,000.00
Fund for Perpetual Care of Cemetery Lots Balance, January 1, 1928 ·
$10,242.26
Deposits
5,646.00
Dividends, 1928
$15,888.26 505.01
Balance, December 31, 1928
$16,393.27
Municipal Insurance Fund
Balance, January 1, 1928 Principal
$3,902.00
Income accrued
$1,857.17
Dividends, 1928
276.28
2,133.45
Balance, December 31, 1928
$6,035.45
Phillips School Medal Fund
Balance, January 1, 1928 Principal
$1,000.00 1,219.21
$2,219.21
Dividends, 1928
112.28
$2,331.49
Less, withdrawals for medals
40.12
Balance, December 31, 1928
$2,291.37
Income accrued
$5,459.03 263.03
161
REPORT OF THE TRUST FUNDS
1928]
High School Alumni Fund (see note)
Balance, January 1, 1928 Receipts
$3,604.09
Received from Swampscott
Woman's Club
$163.00 172.02
Dividends, 1928
335.02
Total Income, 1928 Less
Withdrawal, payment made on account
of Scholarship awarded by Executive
Committee of High School Alumni Association 100.00
Balance, December 31, 1928 $3,839.11
Note .- This is not a town of Swampscott trust fund as defined by Chapter 282 of the General Acts of 1915, but is held by the Town Treasurer as Trustee for the Swampscott High School Alumni. It is included in this report in order that the members of the High School Alumni may be kept informed of its existence.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. LIBBY, Town Treasurer.
Treasurer of Trust Funds and Custodian of all funds and securities, as provided for by Chapter 282 of the General Acts of 1915.
Swampscott, December 31, 1928.
The Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my 13th report as superintendent of the Swampscott Cemetery.
Interments for the year were 74. The town has received during 1928 for sale of new lots, $4,346.00; for placing old lots in perpetual care, $1300; total, $5,346.00.
The demand for lots is so great that it is evident that there must be a continuation of the development of that portion of the cemetery that was recently acquired by the town and has not yet been prepared for use.
I recommend that the sum of $3000.00 be appropriated for the ex- cavations of new lots.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.
$3,939.11
162
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Collector of Taxes
Ralph D. Merritt, Collector of Taxes, In Account Current with the Town of Swampscott.
1928
Dr.
State tax
$28,475.00
County tax
39,934.48
State highway
745.50
Auditing municipal accounts
797.89
Charles River Basin
2,409.31
From Essex Brookline
640.10
Traffic artery, Cambridge
1,167.75
Southern route
1,669.15
Metropolitan Park
12,237.24
Metropolitan Planning
152.64
Moth tax
2,509.50
Sidewalk assessment
1,798.82
Sewer assessment
636.68
Town tax
453,914.29
Overlay
6,000.00
Poll tax
6,080.00
Poll tax (supplementary)
108.00
Supplementary tax
230.60
Supplementary sidewalk assessment
73.02
Supplementary sewer assessment
20.92
Special warrant (vessel)
70.67
Interest on taxes at 6 percent from October 15, 1928, to January 1, 1929
180.67
$559.851.79
Cr.
Cash paid on moth tax
$ 2,177.75
Cashı paid on sidewalk assessment
990.45
Cash paid on sewer assessment
422.14
Cash paid on poll taxes
5,878.00
Cash paid on taxes
463,073.26
Cash paid on special warrant (vessel)
70.67
Cash paid on interest on taxes from October 15, 1928, to January 1, 1929
180.67
Abatement on poll taxes
218.00
Abatement on taxes
1,481.64
Abatement on moth assessment
178.82
Uncollected moth assessment
702.57
Uncollected sidewalk assessment
235.46
Uncollected sewer assessment
92.00
Uncollected poll taxes
Uncollected taxes
83,818.61
$559,851.79
2.00
Abatement on sidewalk assessment
329.75
1928]
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
163
Water 1926 Dr.
Water rates
$119.90
Cash paid Abatements
$66.91 52.99
Water 1927
Dr.
Water rates
$6,974.96
Cr.
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
$6,780.67 176.79
17.50
Water 1928
Dr.
Water rates
$64,804.07
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
$54,647.56 130.73 10,025.78
Water Service 1926
Dr.
Water service
$71.63
Cash paid
$71.63
Water Service 1927
Water service
$755.70
Cash paid
$663.43
Abatements
33.67
Uncollected
58.60
Water Service 1928
Dr.
Water service
$7,179.62
Cr.
$5,865.86
Cash paid Abatements
20.39
Uncollected
1,293.37
Cr.
Cr.
Dr.
Cr.
Cr.
164
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Miscellaneous, Rents 1927 Dr.
Miscellaneous, rents
$436.26
Cash paid Abatements Uncollected
Cr.
$300.74 20.00 115.52
Miscellaneous, Rents 1928
Dr.
Miscellaneous, rents
Cr.
$6,421.07 139.35
Respectfully submitted, RALPH D. MERRITT, Tax Collector.
Dog Officer
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
There have been 34 complaints investigated this year. Thirty-one dogs have been restored to their owners and forty-four stray dogs have been taken care of. Have notified owners who have neglected to license their dogs, as called for in the public statutes, and as a result 526 dogs have been licensed, which is the largest number ever licensed in the town of Swampscott in one year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK H. BRADFORD, Dog Officer.
$6,560.42
Cash paid Uncollected
December 31, 1928.
165
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1928]
Police Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- It is my privilege, once again, to transmit to you the summary and review of the manner in which the Police Department performed its duties during the year.
ROSTER
Rank
Name
Date of Appointment
Chief
Walter F. Reeves
November 14, 1925
Captain
Eugene P. Brogan
March 29, 1909
Captain
James M. Kennedy
May 31, 1918
Patrolman
J. Henry Pedrick
April 14, 1904
Patrolman
Charles Connell
March 22, 1901
Patrolman
Almon B. Owens
November 28, 1919
Patrolman
Frank T. Roach
November 19, 1920
Patrolman
Samuel Hooper
June 7, 1924
Patrolman
John P. Costin
January 8, 1926
Patrolman
Joseph L. Shanahan
January 8, 1926
Patrolman
George D. Horton
January 8, 1926
Patrolman
Francis P. Wall
January 8, 1926
Patrolman
James T. Jordan
January 7, 1927
Patrolman
Herbert F. Frazier
March 23, 1928
Arrests
Total number of arrests
130
Male
114
Female
9
Juvenile
7
Residents
35
Non-Residents
95
Causes of Arrest
Crimes Against the Person:
Assault and battery
3
Manslaughter
1
Crimes Against Property :
Breaking, entering, and larceny
7
Larceny
1
Larceny of automobile
2
Unlawful taking of automobile
1
Crimes Against Public Order, etc .:
2
Contempt of Court
1
Drunkenness 32
Motor Vehicle Laws, Violating:
Allowing four to ride on front seat of motor vehicle. 1
Going away knowingly after causing property damage. 1
Ignoring signal of police officer 1
Operating a motor vehicle with improper brakes 2
Breaking glass on public street
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS [Dec. 31
Operating a motor vehicle not equipped with brakes 1
Operating after license had been suspended 1
Operating negligently so that the lives or safety of the public. might be endangered
Operating under the influence of liquor.
12
Operating without a license
7
Operating without authority
1
Parking within fifteen feet of hydrant
1
Parking without lights.
13
Passing to the left of a street car
1
Speeding 29
Rules for the Regulation of Traffic, Violating:
2
Traffic light, violation
1
Stubbornness
1
Town By-Laws, Violating:
Allowing water to flow across sidewalk
1
Vagrant
1
Recapitulation
Crimes against the person
4
Crimes against property
11
Crimes against public order, etc. 115
Summonses served for other police departments 240
Disposition of Cases
Appealed
5
Committed to the Danvers Hospital
1
Committed to the House of Correction
1
Committed to the Shirley Industrial School
2
Continued to 1929
7
Discharged
3
Dismissed
4
Filed
16
Filed on payment of costs
19
Fined
48
For other departments
8
Held for Grand Jury
1
Placed on probation
7
Released
8
Amount of fines imposed by Court $1,750.00
Miscellaneous Work
Ambulance calls :
Conveying persons to hospital
54
Responding to fires
34
Miscellaneous calls
320
Automobile accidents
72
Automobiles recovered
2
Automobiles recovered for other departments
6
Automobiles reported stolen
3
Automobiles tagged for violations of traffic rules.
759
Buildings found open and secured or owner notified
612
Cases of breaking and entering investigated
4
Cases of breaking, entering, and larceny, investigated
19
Complaints received of which 104 concerned dogs 647
Defective streets and sidewalks reported 43
Defective wires reported 18
3
Parking on Blaney street
167
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1928]
Dogs killed by automobiles
19
Dogs reported lost
100
Dogs returned to owner or turned over to dog officer. 57
Dogs shot by officers 9
Gas and water leaks reported
9
Lights found burning in buildings 49
41
Obstructions reported and lanterns furnished
24
Persons located
24
Persons reported missing
10
Residences temporarily unoccupied and special attention given.
55
Street lights reported out
107
Suicides or attempts reported
4
Value of property recovered
$10,367.17
Value of property reported stolen or lost
$10,084.89
Police Signal Service
Duty calls reported 17,631
Telephone calls :
Incoming
18,318
Outgoing
3,078
Remarks
The motor patrol system has worked with great success. Our record of arrests proves that a motorized department is far superior to the old method of police work in the detection and prevention of crime. In 1925, the arrests totaled 447; in 1926, 262 arrests were made; 302 arrests were made in 1927; and these figures were reduced to 130 during the past year. Fewer complaints were received during 1928 than in former years.
During the year, Patrolmen George A. Philcrantz and Henry D. Rehberg, resigned as regular members of the department, and only one appointment was made in their places, an extra Ford runabout being furnished instead.
Herbert F. Frazier was appointed a regular patrolman by the Board of Selectmen, from the Civil Service list.
Patrolman Samuel Hooper was granted a leave of absence for three months, from August 24th to November 22, 1928. During his absence Francis E. Delano was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The instructions given at our weekly school by Patrolman Francis P. Wall, who was detailed to attend the Massachusetts State Police school and who passed the course with a high mark, have assisted in increasing efficiency in the performance of our numerous duties. Each member receives instructions in the Japanese system of self-defence, target practice, and first aid.
A safety campaign, including field lectures and demonstrations to the school children, was carried out by members of the department. Safety parades with police and fire apparatus were staged. Small safety buttons inscribed, "Junior Safety Club-Swampscott" were issued to all children. The ice on all ponds used for skating is measured daily and if it is found to be less than four inches in thickness warning signs are posted.
Safety contests were promoted in all schools and silver loving cups will be presented to the winners. This contest created much interest among the school children and in the homes. The superintendent, prin- cipals, and teachers, of all schools including private schools and the Saint John Parochial school, assisted in every possible way.
The traffic signal system, rendering twenty-four hour service in the area served, has given excellent protection to our town, promoting safety and facilitating the flow of traffic.
With the continually increasing number of automobiles on Hum- phrey street free flow of traffic and traffic regulation are greatly ham-
Messages delivered for other departments
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
pered by the amount of parking along this thoroughfare. In my opinion it will become necessary to limit parking on Humphrey street, between 6.00 A. M. and 6.00 P. M., to thirty minutes.
The patrolmen of the Swampscott Police Department should be furnished without cost to them, the regulation blue uniforms. Police officers are expected to present a neat appearance at all times and a well dressed patrolman presents a better impression and has more confidence in himself than a shabbily dressed officer who, through circumstances, is compelled to wear an old uniform.
For many years, Swampscott has housed its prisoners, without cost, at the lock-up in the City of Lynn. On October 2, a conference was held at the mayor's office at Lynn. Mayor Bauer stated that he would allow Swampscott to use the police lock-up at Lynn until the town could enter an article in the Town Warrant which would remove the burden from the City of Lynn of caring for Swampscott's prisoners. The present building used as a police station in Swampscott is old and improperly constructed for a police station. We have very little garage room and the present garage is not suitable for the storing of our equip- ment. There is no space to construct cells for male and female prison- ers. The town is in need of a new police station. I believe it should be small and inexpensive. If the present building is remodelled it will be a matter of only a few years when a new police station will be necessary.
Recommendations
I recommend the installation of four traffic signal lights at the junction of New Ocean and Burrill streets and that the sum of $500.00 be appropriated for the same.
I recommend two J.D.L. 74 Twin Harley-Davidson motorcycles to replace unserviceable equipment, and that the sum of $530.00 be ap- propriated for the same.
I recommend that $230.00 be appropriated for the purchase of two Harley-Davidson side cars to be used on J.D.L. 74 Twin Harley-David- son motorcycles.
I recommend that the captains and patrolmen of the Swampscott Police Department be furnished blue uniforms, and that the sum of $650.00 be appropriated for the same.
I recommend that steps be taken to investigate the necessity of a new police station or remodelling the present building.
Conclusion
I wish to thank the town officials and citizens generally for their co-operation and assistance, and also to express to the members of the department my appreciation of their performance of duty.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. REEVES,
Chief of Police.
169
1928] 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, 1928, to December 31, 1928.
This department tested, sealed or condemned all the various meas- uring devices, and records made thereof, the summary of which is as follows:
Sealed
Adjusted Condemned
Platform scales over 5000 1bs.
7
2
0
Platform scales under 5000 1bs.
18
9
0
Counter scales over 100 1bs.
3
0
0
Counter scales under 100 1bs.
40
6
2
Beam scales over 100 1bs.
3
0
0
Spring scales under 100 1bs.
31
2
0
Computing scales under 100 1bs.
28
6
0
Prescription scales
4
1
0
Personal scales
7
0
0
Avoirdupois weights
240
5
2
Apothecary weights
63
0
21
Metric weights
62
0
2
Liquid measures
76
1
1
Dry
9
0
0
Gasoline pumps
45
1
7
Quantity stops
233
17
0
Yard sticks
1
0
0
Gasoline truck tanks
4
0
0
Total
874
50
35
Trial Weighing
Number tested
Correct
Under
Over
Bread
79
68
2
9
Butter
148
143
5
0
Coal in bags
284
259
6
19
Coal in transit
8
1
0
7
Coke in bags
45
45
0
0
Confectionery
385
385
0
0
Dry commodities
217
208
4
5
Flour
156
150
4
2
Fruits and vegetables
103
78
0
25
Meats
21
15
0
6
Total
1446
1353
21
73
This department made 1492 inspections and tests during the year with gratifying results.
Respectfully submitted,
C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
170
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1928.
Permits Issued
Estimated Cost
Dwellings:
New
72
$702,700.00
Alterations and additions
50
81,125.00
Private Garages:
New
111
57,470.00
Alterations and additions
17
14,625.00
Private storage, outbuildings, etc .: New
6
3,265.00
Alterations and additions
3
450.00
Public Garages:
New
1
25,000.00
Alterations and additions
1
8,000.00
Stores, office and factory buildings, etc .:
4
5,200.00
Assembly halls, clubs, etc .:
1
8,000.00
Alterations (Italian club)
1
450.00
Hotels:
New (Knowlton Arms, Inc.)
1
700,000.00
Alterations and additions
1
(New Ocean House-elevator) (New Ocean House-piazzas)
1
12,000.00
Permits to shingle
118
Total
388
$1,618,285.00
Number inspections
544
Amount of building fees collected
$302.00
Elevator operators' licenses issued New
No
Fees.
11
$11.00
Renewals
7
3.50
Totals
18
$14.50
All hotels and elevators have been inspected and returns made to the State. The many complaints of violations of the building laws and some of smoke nuisance have been investigated, and in most cases ad- justments made. Some are yet to be settled.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY E. HARDY. Building Inspector.
Alterations and additions
New (Swimming club)
270
171
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
1928]
Park Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1928. The organization of the board was the same as the previous year, Archibald Miller, chairman, and Stuart P. Ellis, secretary. Regular meetings were held weekly at the Town Hall and continuous visits and inspections on the various park properties.
Monument Avenue Parkway
All the shrubbery in this park was pruned, the beds spaded and raked, and the lawns fertilized and rolled at the opening of the season. The growth of pine was sprayed with insecticide and changes made in the arrangement of some of the shrubbery groups. A number of Canada yew have been planted near the ledges at the head of the property and the entire reservation maintained in a very fine manner. A choice collec- tion of Darwin tulips will show their color in the beds near Burrill street early in the spring.
Jackson Park
Having attained a size which caused crowding it became necessary to remove every alternate maple tree on the Essex street border of the park. These trees, eight in number, were planted at Abbott Park. Those remaining are now properly spaced to develop into their normal size and shape without interference with each other. Several white pines were lost in a brush fire early in the spring. These will be replaced by transplanting from other sections of the woods. Several hundred loads of stone and gravel have been excavated at the westerly border, all of which material has been spread at Phillips Park. Wire guards were placed on all border trees and the roof of the locker building was reshingled. The aid of citizens is requested in the prevention of forest fires and the mutilation of trees at this park.
Abbott Park
Eight maple trees were planted in two groups at the easterly end of the grounds, and in a few years will be a decided asset to the park in that section. The usual care and attention has been given the grounds during the summer, and in the winter every possible opportunity to provide skating has been availed of.
Blaney Beach Reservation
Provision for the storage of gasoline was made by the erection of a structure containing sixteen compartments. Concrete blocks and iron doors were used, thus insuring a safe and substantial storage space for the gasoline and oil used by the tenants of the fish house. An extra amount of labor was necessary last summer to keep the beach free from refuse, and never before were conditions so good for bathers. The largest number of people ever to come for bathing were present during the past season, and the commissioners received many commendations for the efficient manner in which the crowds were supervised and the protection of all, especially women and children, looked after by the superintendent and life guard, Dr. N. R. Martin. The diving raft is in good condition and continues to be a popular and valuable adjunct to the bathing facilities.
172
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Phillips Park
A large amount of filling from Jackson Park, also from street and sewer construction, has been placed here the past year. Considerable loam was purchased and spread on the new layout for baseball and every effort is being made to complete this project during the coming summer. Negotiations are in progress toward securing the ashes of the town at this park. If successful, it will be possible to make rapid strides in the filling of low portions of the field.
Triangular Plots
All of the plots at street intersections in the town are now placed in the care of the Park Commissioners. Considerable improvement was made at nearly all of these spaces the past year. New shrubbery, sod and loan were provided, and the planting of several of the plots was re- arranged. Further improvements and maintenance will be provided the coming year.
Attention of the citizens should be called to the vandalism now rampant in town which particularly affects the property of this depart- ment. Signs are torn down and destroyed, glass in the buildings smashed, locker buildings broken into, expensively kept lawns are crossed by pedestrians and automobiles, trees and shrubs are cut and ruined. A little more civic pride and reports of offences to the proper authorities will be appreciated by the commissioners.
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