USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1928 > Part 19
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1,023.68
From Excess and Deficiency to Overlay, 1925 22.93
251.66
From Excess and Deficiency to Overlay, 1926 From Excess and Deficiency to Awards and Executions
500.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Blasting Com- mittee
125.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Mapledale Place Drain
1,200.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Atlantic Ave- nue Seal Coating
1,100.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Foster Road From Excess and Deficiency to Hillcrest Cir- cle 900.00
1,200.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Oceanview Road
400.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Banks Circle
400.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Lodge Road
1,400.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Bates Road
2,000.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Kensington Lane and Northern Avenue
1,500.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Norfolk Ave- nue
9,452.17
From Excess and Deficiency to Blaney St. Widening 105.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Fourth of July
1,000.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Continuous Sidewalks 5,000.00
From Excess and Deficiency to School Re- pairs
2,635.00
From Humphrey Street Resurfacing to Nor- folk Avenue
47.83
From Barnstable St. Water Main to Emer- gency Water
1,291.82
From Burnett Fund to Pensions
308.00
From Excess and Deficiency to Atlantic Road Sewer
400.00
From Highway Stable to Excess and Defi- ciency
9,900.00
From Reserve Fund to Selectmen
173.37
From Excess and Deficiency to Hastings Lot Taking
10,000.00
From Reserve Fund to Selectmen
270.00
From Reserve Fund to State and County Taxes 51.43
From Reserve Fund to Police
220.50
Amount carried forward
$72,390.89
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward
$72,390.89
From Reserve Fund to Library
$170.00
From Reserve Fund to Public Welfare
990.57
From Reserve Fund to Election and Regis- tration From Reserve Fund to Town Hall
921.17
84.23
$74,556.86
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet, December 31, 1928
Cash
$116,450.55 100.00
Petty Cash
Uncollected Taxes 1927 Poll
$44.00
Uncollected Taxes 1927 Personal
902.72
Uncollected Taxes 1928 Real Estate
1,224.97
2,171.69
Uncollected Taxes 1928 Poll
92.00
Uncollected Taxes 1928 Personal
2,518.43
Uncollected Taxes 1928 Real Estate
81,114.93
Uncollected Moth 1927
8.25
Uncollected Moth 1928
315.00
Uncollected Unapportioned Sidewalks
1,095.38
Uncollected 1927 Sidewalks
88.40
Uncollected 1928 Sidewalks
718.18
Uncollected Unapportioned Sewers
792.22
Uncollected 1928 Sewers
235.46
1,027.68
Property Taken by Town for Taxes Tax Titles
1,988.42
2,243.77
Water Accounts Receivable 1928
10,025.78
Water Services
1,354.27
Water Interest
309.64
Water Rent
40.00
Departmental Accounts Receivable, Health
1,918.96
Departmental Accounts Receivable, School
225.00
Departmental Accounts Receivable, Public Welfare
1,968.19
Departmental Accounts Receivable, Cem- etery
65.00
Overlay 1926
96.58
Loans Authorized
3,000.00
$226,947.68
Debt
Net Bonded Debt
585,650.00
Trust Funds
Securities and Cash
26,996.96
Securities, Income and Interest
5,919.13
32,916.09
Sidewalks and Sewers Apportioned but Not Due
3,635.61
83,725.36
323.25
1,901.96
255.35
11,729.69
4,177.15
209
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
1928]
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet, December 31, 1928 Accounts Current
Water Rates 1927 Overpayment
Excess and Deficiency
Revenue
Water Revenue
$11,726.17
Moth Revenue
323.25
Sidewalk Revenue
1,901.96
Sewer Revenue
1,027.68
Tax Title Revenue
2,243.77
Departmental Accounts Receivable Revenue
4,177.15
Overlay 1927
2,161.46
Overlay 1928
3,948.60
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
100,000.00
Foster Road
100.00
Kensington Lane and Northern Avenue
238.60
Burnett Fund
2,156.00
Joanna Morse Library Fund, Income
179.77
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund, Income
48.78
Hastings Land Taking
10,000.00
Water
21,274.94
Land for Cemetery
491.25
General Debt Maturing
93.75
162,093.13
Non-Revenue
Redington Street School
801.90
Emergency Water
1,291.82
Emergency Sewer
262.27
Foster Road Water Main
3,000.00
Franklin Avenue Sewer
5,851.36
Fuller Avenue Sewer
605.97
Eastern Intercepting Sewer
9.06
11,822.38
Debt
Permanent Improvement Notes
$259,600.00
Sewer Bonds Serial
187,550.00
Water Bonds Serial
87,500.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Serial Loan
51,000.00
$585,650.00
Trust Funds
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund
$2,000.00
Joanna Morse Library Fund
5,196.00
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund
1,000.00
Phillips Medal Fund
1,000.00
Cemetery Lots Fund
13,898.96
Municipal Insurance Fund
3,902.00
Phillips Medal Fund, Income
1,291.37
Municipal Insurance Fund, Income
2,133.45
Cemetery Lots Fund, Income
2,494.31
5,919.13
$32,916.09
Apportioned
Sidewalks
$1,548.03
Sewers
2,087.58
$3,635.61
No bills incurred during the year are reported as unpaid. Respectfully submitted, HORACE R. PARKER, Town Accountant.
$3.52 53,028.65
$226,947.68
$26,996.96
210
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Selectmen for 1928 submits herewith its annual report, together with the reports of all other Boards and Officers and Committees required to submit annual reports, either by law or cus- tom, or which would assist the town in making judgment concerning questions of future development of the town.
In submitting this report the board feels that its first duty is to compile one that will be worthy of consideration-one that will record any historical event or happening in a way that it may be referred to conveniently and easily in the years to come, thus being of benefit to future generations. Such a report, in our minds, is neither an extrava- gance or a waste of the town's money.
Representative Town Meetings
This year marked the establishment of the new form of repre- sentative town meetings. In 1927, the town voted to submit to the Legislature a bill authorizing Swampscott to adopt this form of gov- ernment which had already proved successful elsewhere. With minor perfecting changes this bill was adopted and approved as Chapter 300 of the Acts of 1927, submitted to the voters at a special town meeting. who voted favorably by ballot to accept the same. As a consequence the town was divided by the Selectmen into eight precincts, each having 18 representatives.
At the annual meeting in 1928, therefore, 144 representative town meeting members were elected and the first meeting for the consid- eration of business by these representatives was held on Monday, February 27. The selection of representatives was a credit to the town, especially as it brought to the consideration of town affairs many men and women who had hitherto left such determination to those who had a more or less personal interest in the decision, who now have a privi- lege of speaking upon a question but no power to vote, but whose rights are safeguarded through referendum action by the entire voting popula- tion on appeal. The result has been a business rather than a personal consideration of every question. There have been so many inquiries regarding the chapter establishing this form of government that we are publishing the same as an appendix to this report.
Safety Campaign
In response to the national and state wide agitation for a safety campaign, the Board appointed a Safety Council, consisting of the Chief of Police, Chief of the Fire Department and three citizens, which has brought forth many new ideas tending toward greater safety for the children in an educational way. In these matters Chief Walter F. Reeves and Chief James Warnock have been especially active and in- terested. This safety campaign is one which should be carried out intensively during the coming years, because of the constantly increasing motor traffic on our highways. The board has noted with interest how carefully the children observe the traffic lights in crossing our main thoroughfare and commend to their parents and all adult members of the community a similar observance of the signals whose sole reason for existence is for their protection.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1928]
Codification of By-Laws
Many times it has been brought to our attention that there are mistakes and ambiguities in our present code of By-Laws. Since the last codification there have been many changes and additions to the By-Laws, and there will be others in the year that is ahead of us and which will come up at the annual town meeting. We recommend that a committee be appointed to make a recodification during the coming year.
Contracts
Contracts approved by the board during the year have been care- fully considered, as have also all bonds covering the same. A standard form of bond drawn up by the Town Counsel has been printed and will hereafter be required as a part of every contract or wherever a bond is required. In all cases awards have been made to the lowest reliable bidder and careful inspection made to see that the town has received its just due.
Tercentenary Observance
It seems quite fitting that the town should take some notice of the tercentenary celebrations to be held during the year 1929. Al- though Swampscott as a town is but 75 years old. as part of the ancient grant, which included Saugus, Lynn and Nahant, it had its own particular traditions and there were settlers here who helped make history for the community. Lewis' and Newhall's History of Lynn states that: "The first white men known to have been inhabitants of Lynn were Edmund Ingalls and his brother, Francis Ingalls." "Francis Ingalls was born in England in 1601. He was a tanner and lived at Swampscott. He built a tannery on Humfrey's brook, where it is crossed by a stone bridge in Burrill street. I saw the vats before they were taken up in 1825. This was the first tannery in New England." In view of this we believe that the town should not let the tercentenary go unnoticed.
Town Hall
The present town hall, built in 1865 and added to in 1903, has abundantly served its purpose during the years that have passed, but the time has now come when it is much overcrowded. It lacks proper and safe storage place and proper rooms for committee meetings and hearings. Valuable records which could not be replaced are endan- gered, plans of untold value are wholly unprotected, because of the short sightedness of those who should be the first to heed the appeals of town officials for greater vault protection. To avoid the present conflictions more vault space and more rooms should be added to pro- vide for the rapidly growing business needs of the town. In this con- nection it might be well to call to the attention of the voters that the total receipts of the town during the year 1928 were $1,369,144.57, and the total expenditures $1,252,694.02.
Honor Rolls
The town has in its possession a number of Swampscott Honor Rolls, the book which gives the record of the Swampscott boys who served in the World War. The Board feels that these books should no longer be allowed to lie in the vaults when they might be appre- ciated by someone. It has notified the American Legion and the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars, the Library and the School Department that these books can be obtained at its office in Town Hall by those who desire them. After March first they will be given without charge to any others who desire them.
212
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Eastman Avenue
During the year it was suggested by Robert B. Hegarty, one of the representative town meeting members, that the name of Belmont avenue, which had no particular significance as to the choice of name, be changed to Eastman avenue, in honor of Harry W. Eastman, who gave his life for his country in France, and who in his boyhood days resided there. The suggestion was followed by the filing of a petition signed by practically every owner of property on the street, and after due notice and hearing the Board adopted unanimously the following resolution :
Resolution Relative to Eastman Avenue
Whereas, There has been presented to the Board of Selectmen a petition signed by Robert B. Hegarty and many residents of Belmont avenue and other interested citizens of Swampscott, praying that the name of Belmont avenue be changed to Eastman avenue,
And Whereas, such change would honor the memory of Harry W. Eastman, who for many years was a resident of Belmont avenue, volun- teered his services to his country in its time of need, and gave his life in its service,
And Whereas, a public hearing has been held by the Board of Selectmen, of the Town of Swampscott, as required by law, of which every owner of property upon the street was duly notified,
And Whereas, at said public hearing no voice was raised in oppo- sition, but many spoke words in favor of the proposed change,
Now Therefore, the Board of Selectmen, by virtue of the authority vested in it by the laws of the Commonwealth, does hereby unanimously declare that, on and after Monday, November 12, 1928, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, the name of Belmont avenue shall be changed to Eastman avenue and the thoroughfare shall hereafter be known as Eastman avenue.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of the Board of Selectmen, that a copy be presented to the father of Harry W. Eastman and a copy be hung in a conspicuous and public place as an evidence of the regard of the town for all those who served in its behalf.
Given under our hands and the seal of the Town of Swampscott this ninth day of November, A. D. 1928.
The Dedication
Arrangements for the dedication on Armistice Day were placed in the hands of the Secretary of the Board and were carried out under his direction. Town Clerk Ralph D. Merritt was appointed Chief Mar- shal of the parade, with Harry E. Cahoon Chief of Staff. The roster of the parade was as follows:
Platoon of Police, under Chief Reeves Chief Marshal and Staff Gove's 12th Regt. Band Section, Battery "D" 102nd F. A., M. N. G. Leon E. Abbott Post 57, American Legion Joseph L. Stevens Post 1240, Veterans of Foreign Wars
The exercises at the unveiling of the memorial street sign con- sisted of: Reading of the Governor's proclamation on Armistice Day by Selectman Daniel F. Knowlton; selection, "America," by band; in- vocation by Rev. Edson Gould Waterhouse, a member of the American Legion; selection, "Marseillaise," by band; three minutes of silence at 11 A. M .; remarks, Chairman Howard K. Glidden, of the Board of Selectmen; presentation of framed copy of resolution to Robert B. Hegarty and acceptance by him; presentation of copy of resolution to Hiram B. Eastman, father of Harry W. Eastman, who had come from his home in Gilmanton Iron Works, N. H., with his four sons to be present at the ceremony, and acceptance by him read by his son, Wil- liam A. Eastman; unveiling of memorial sign by J. Warren Doherty,
213
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1928]
of Stevens Post, V. F. W., and Alfred N. Frazier, of Abbott Post 57, A. L .; selection, "Boston Commandery March," by band; address, Chaplain Robert Campbell, Jr., who was Chaplain of the regiment in which Eastman served; sounding of "Taps" by Chief Bugler Ralph H. Russell; "Star Spangled Banner," by band; benediction, Rev. E. G. Waterhouse.
The exercises were short but impressive, and were attended by a goodly gathering of friends, neighbors and boyhood classmates of the young man.
Grade Crossing Warning Signals
The Boston & Maine R. R. has requested the Board to sanction the use of a new type of railroad crossing signal at all its grade cross- ings in Swampscott. The town is fortunate in having but three of these crossings, all of them on the Marblehead branch, where there are but 22 trains in all in both directions during the 24 hours of the day. These signals consist of two red lights placed seven feet above the surface of the highway and flashing alternately 30 times per minute from the time a train approaches within 1500 feet of the crossing until the last car has passed the signal itself. The Marblehead Board of Selectmen, we are told, have already approved the installation on all but two crossings in Marblehead, at which latter the signals would not be possible because of switching trains.
The board has viewed not only a temporary installation in Swamp- scott but also one in actual operation in Salem, and is inclined to grant the request concerning the Beach Bluff avenue and Bellevue road cross- ings. It is not prepared, however, to sanction the installation at the Humphrey street crossing at Phillips Beach and the consequent doing away with the gates and gate tender there, especially in view of the large number of children who must cross there on the way to school. The first two crossings named are practically without protection at the present time, having no gates or gate tenders.
Caring for Police Prisoners
For a great many years persons arrested by the police have, under an agreement made by the late Chief Corson, been taken to Lynn and cared for at the Lynn Police Station. The town is obliged by law to provide a lockup, and an article has been placed in the Warrant for the erection of the same. The matter was called to the attention of the board by the Mayor of Lynn, and after a conference at his office Mayor Ralph S. Bauer gave permission for the continuation of the present arrangement until the matter could be brought before the town at the annual town meeting. The board feels that the City of Lynn has been very generous in this matter, and that the town should in a very short time be prepared to care for its own trouble makers.
Overgrown Hedges
The board has found it necessary during the past year to call to the attention of many property owners that hedges placed along the edge of their properties have overgrown so as to encroach upon the sidewalks. Lines have been given by the Town Engineer, and in most of the cases the hedges have either. been set back or cut back of the line. There are many others, however, that have not been brought to the attention of the board, and owners of hedges or those proposing to set them out, should see that they are set back far enough so that when they attain their full growth they will not interfere with those using the sidewalks.
Vacancies Filled
Following the death of Charles W. Hobbs, a member of the School Committee, and the resignation of F. Keeler Rice, Chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, who has removed from town, joint conven- tions were held with the remaining members of the School Committee and of the Library Trustees and Arthur M. Wyman was elected in
214
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
place of Mr. Hobbs and Dr. Gustavus J. Esselen, Jr., in place of Mr. Rice. Both of these elections were for that part of the unexpired terms ending with the annual town meeting, at which time the voters will have opportunity to confirm these elections for the balance of the unexpired term of one year.
White Way Lights
The extension of the white way lights along the main thorough- fares is a step in the way of progress, and we recommend their con- tinuance on Essex street to the railroad bridge and on Humphrey street to Phillips corner.
Cemetery Lots
There has been an extra or over demand for cemetery lots during the year, the amount received being far in excess of any previous year. The increased cost, instead of decreasing the demand has increased it. Therefore, there is still further need for new lots, and the board recom- mends that action looking toward increasing the size of the cemetery be taken this year, there being plenty of land in the cemetery takings for this extension.
Wire Inspection
As the town grows there is need for a more strict inspection of installation of electric wires and a system of permits before work can be done. The board has had prepared a new By-Law covering wire installations, and same will be ready for action by the annual town meeting.
Conclusion
Your board feels that while the greater part of its work is of more or less routine nature, it has had a few perplexing questions before it, which it has tried to solve impartially and impersonally for the very best interest of the town as a whole. The board has worked harmoniously and as a unit, with the result that a unanimous decision has been reached in every case, with one single exception. In this case a decision to secure a judicial determination of the point in question was unanimously agreed upon, and the matter is up for hearing before a master early in January. Appended to this report is a resume of the administrative work of the department and the budgets submitted by the various boards and town officials.
ADMINISTRATIVE Bonds of Town Officers
Bonds of the following officers are given by the American Surety Co., of New York, in the amounts stated:
James W. Libby, Town Treasurer $46,000.00
Ralph D. Merritt, Collector of Taxes 46,000.00
The above amounts are set by the State.
Ralph D. Merritt, Town Clerk 1,000.00
Ralph D. Merritt, Collector of Water Rates 5.000.00
George D. R. Durkee, Harold G. Enholm, Charles E. Hodgdon. Water Commissioners as Custodians of Sink-
ing Fund, each 6,000.00
These bonds were written for a six months' period, as the Sinking Fund was paid off in July.
Licenses
Auctioneer
Clifford E. Myers, 61 Morton road.
Bowling Alley
James D. Bentley, 217 Burrill street.
215
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1928]
Express
William H. Carroll, 148 Burrill street, with Sunday privilege.
Willis E. Shephard, 645 Humphrey street, with Sunday privilege. Harvey H. Beadle, 328 Essex street.
Swampscott Transportation Co., Beadle Bros., 328 Essex street. Arthur R. Chesley, 38 Claremont terrace.
William A. Dunham, 125 Stetson avenue.
Millard A. Roberts, 9 Suffolk avenue.
Thorner's Express, Marblehead.
Liberato Corriere, 21 Superior street.
Joseph W. Bruley, 26 Puritan road.
Emilio Iarrobino, 670 Humphrey street.
Common Victualers
Blaisdell Confectionery Co., 131 Humphrey street.
St. Clair's, Inc., 146 Humphrey street.
Grant's Cafe, Geo. F. and John S. Grant, 60 and 408-410 Humphrey street.
John A. and Mary Mulligan, Johnny's Lunch, Humphrey street.
George H. Eaton, 416 Humphrey street.
Swampscott Women's Exchange, Pauline R. Maxfield, 6 Blaney street, transferred to 99 Paradise road.
Edith Rabinowitz, 156 Humphrey street.
Lillian A. Little, Gen. Glover Farm Tea House, Salem and Tedesco streets.
Fred M. Eichel, 17 Railroad avenue.
Nellie A. Carey, 1016 State road.
Bertha Sherin, 252 Humphrey street (not issued).
M. Alice Murray, 252 Humphrey street.
Grover and Grover, 1008 State road.
Francis G. Wadleigh and Lilla M. Littlefield, Burrill street Pharmacy, 205 Burrill street.
Wilfred B. Hobdon, 2 Puritan road.
Henry E. Fleming, Essex street railroad yard.
Bruno D. Himberg, Bell-in-Hand, 1 Marshall street.
Robert B. Hegarty, 357 Essex street.
Lillian A. Little, Sunbeam Inn, State road.
Itinerant Vendors (Fireworks)
E. Stanley Flagg, 430 Humphrey street.
Charles H. Ketchen, 461 Humphrey street. Innholders
New Ocean House, Inc., 208 Puritan road.
E. R. Grabow, Hotel Preston, North Stone road.
Burt K. Filer, The Arkaven, 80 Humphrey street.
Catherine J. Wade, Prescott-Cliff, 175 Humphrey street.
John N. LeVine, Deer Cove Inn, 747 Humphrey street.
Bessie Sherin, Sherin House, 28 Claremont terrace.
Antonio and Leila Tuttle Squillari, Hotel Bellevue, 1092 Humphrey street.
Junk Dealers
Louis Zletz, 26 Cherry street.
Jacob Goldberg, 26 Elm place.
Nathan E. Zletz, 26 Elm place, transferred to 91 Eastman avenue. Intelligence Office
Swampscott Women's Exchange, 99 Paradise road.
Hawkers and Peddlers
Speros Kolatsonis, Lynn.
Vincent Albacento, Lynn.
Used Car Dealers
Oceanside Garage. 12 Pine street.
Jacob W. Cohen, 155 Burrill street.
Fuel Oil Geo. S. Briggs Coal Co .. Columbia street.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Dance Studio
Frances L. Young, 154 Humphrey street.
Pool Table
James D. Bentley. 217 Burrill street.
Joseph F. Crowell, Jr., 424 Humphrey street.
Taxi
William H. Carroll, 148 Burrill street.
Burrill St. Garage, Harry A. Tirrell, 145 Burrill street.
Joseph W. Bruley, 26 Puritan road.
John E. Burns. 489 Humphrey street.
Permits
The following permits to sell materials to and to do work for the town have been granted to town officials under Section 4. Chapter 5. of the town By-Laws:
Dr. Howard K. Glidden
Daniel F. Knowlton
Horace R. Parker
Clarence B. Humphrey
Dr. Loring Grimes
George D. R. Durkee
Archibald Miller
Stuart P. Ellis
Everett P. Mudge
Harry E. Cahoon
John B. Cahoon
John B. Earp
Harold H. Bartol Ralph D. Merritt
Howard L. Hamill
Clarence W. Horton
Frank G. Melvin
Willis E. Shephard
George J. Place
Frank H. Bradford
Walter F. Reeves
Board of Survey
During the year the Board of Survey has approved the following plans: Oak road. Cardillo terrace, Plymouth avenue. Duke street. Linden avenue extension and Stanley street.
Traffic Signals, Essex Street
The board feels that the installation of traffic signals at the junc- tion of Burrill and Essex streets is a matter that should shortly be considered, especially for the safety of children on their way to school. Since the completion of the pavement in Salem continuing that on Essex street in Swampscott. the traffic has become very heavy at this point.
THE TOWN BUDGET
The following are the amounts requested by the various officers. boards and committees for the conduct of their departments during the year 1929:
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