USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1929 > Part 14
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January 7, 1927
Patrolman
Herbert F. Frazier
March 23, 1928
Arrests
Total number of arrests.
329
Male
291
Female
24
Juvenile
14
Residents
69
Non-residents
260
Causes of Arrests
Crimes against the person:
Assault
7
Assault and battery
3
Manslaughter
1
11
Crimes against property :
Breaking and entering
1
Breaking, entering, and larceny
4
Burglary
1
Burglary while armed and assault and battery.
1
Larceny
6
Larceny-attempt
1
14
1
1929]
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
137
Crimes against public order :
Bastardy
Collecting junk without a license
Drunkenness, 1st offence : 39
Drunkenness, 2nd offence
2
Drunkenness, 3rd offence
1
Drunkenness, 5th offence
2
Drunkenness, 6th offence.
1
Drunkenness, 7th offence
2
Drunkenness, 8th offence
1
Fugitive from justice
1
Gaming on the Lord's Day
7
Indecent exposure
1
Insane
2
Lewd, wanton, and lascivious
1
Liquor laws, violating
2
Motor vehicle laws, violating (15 for operating under the influence of liquor)
184
Neglected child
1
Non-support of wife
1
Stubborn child
2
Terms of probation, violating
1
Traffic rules, violating
47
Vagrant
1
Uttering forged instruments
1
304
Recapitulation
11
Crimes against property
14
Crimes against public order
304
329
Summonses served for other police departments. 231
Disposition of Cases
Appealed
9
Committed to Danvers State Hospital
3
Committed to House of Correction
2
Committed to Lyman Industrial School
2
Committed to Lancaster School for Girls, sentence suspended.
1
Committed to Shirley Industrial School
2
Committed to State Prison
2
Continued to 1930
5
Discharged
2
Dismissed
4
Filed
47
Filed on payment of costs
51
Fined
164
For other departments
7
Held for Grand Jury
3
Placed on probation
7
Released
18
Crimes against person
3 1
48
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31 .
Classification of Arrests by Months
Male
Female
Juvenile
Residents
Non- Residents
January
2
0
0
2
0
February
5
0
0
2
3
March
9
1
1
4
7
April
4
1
0
3
2
May
11
0
4
4
11
June
13
2
0
7
8
July
57
3
0
7
53
August
12
1
0
6
7
September
22
2
4
10
18
October
46
3
1
10
40
November
65
5
4
9
65
December
45
6
0
4
47
Totals for year 291
24
14
68
261
Miscellaneous Work
Accidents reported and assistance rendered
10
Auto accidents reported
60
Passengers injured
48
Pedestrians injured
15
Pedestrians killed
2
Autos tagged for traffic violations
673
Breaking and entering cases investigated.
8
Breaking, entering, and larceny cases investigated
23
Complaints investigated
676
In regard to dogs
64
In regard to blasting by Lynn Sand and Stone Company
75
Defects in streets and sidewalks reported ..
26
Disabled horses reported and ordered from work
1
Disturbances quelled
15
Dogs killed by motor vehicles
11
Dogs reported missing
90
Dogs shot by officers
5
Gas leaks reported
1
Lights burning in vacant buildings
18
Messages delivered
65
Notices of intended transfer of motor vehicles filed
183
Nuisances reported
5
Obstructions and dangerous places lighted up
26
Officers detailed at request of citizens.
175
Persons found and cared for
26
Persons reported missing
7
Residences temporarily unoccupied and special attention requested Runaway horses caught.
65 1 3
Stores and offices found open and secured
267
Stray dogs turned over to owner or dog officer
57
Street excavations reported
20
Street lamps reported defective
78
Suicides reported
1
Transfers of second-hand motor vehicles recorded and filed 105
Water leaks reported
12
Wires reported broken or burning
27
Sick persons assisted
139
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1929]
Investigations
Suspicious persons examined
38
Amount of property reported stolen in Swampscott and recovered by this department $7,548.00 Amount of property reported stolen in Swampscott and recovered by other departments. $5,000.00
Automobiles stolen in Swampscott and recovered by other departments 5
Automobiles stolen elsewhere and recovered by this de- partment 11
Police Signal System
The police signal system has given the same satisfactory service as in the past three years. There are fifteen boxes or stations from which the men on street duty communicate with the police station. The duty calls reported during the year amounted to 17,288, and 452 wagon calls were received.
Traffic
The handling of traffic is a problem which is becoming more serious each year. The shortage of patrolmen has necessitated me to ignore requests for officers at various places in the town. The condition of the wooden pavement on Humphrey street, during wet weather, has been the cause of a number of motor vehicle accidents. An automatic flashing beacon has been installed, for trial, at the junction of Burrill and Essex streets.
Motor Vehicle Service
The motor vehicle equipment of the department consists of one Reo ambulance, one Studebaker automobile, two Ford roadsters, and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles. As in the past years, certain parts of the town are covered by patrolmen in Ford cars and motorcycle officers. The motorcycles are in good condition, the Fords are in poor condition, while the Studebaker, having covered about eighty thousand miles, is in a dangerous and unserviceable condition. This car should be ex- changed for a new one.
The Force
The discipline of the department has been good. Charges have been made against one patrolman for violation of the rules governing the department. In this case, the man was punished by being deprived of a certain number of days off. The members of the department have responded cheerfully to all calls for extra duty for, which no com- pensation is received. They have been particularly zealous in perform- ing their duties, thereby preventing crime and clearing up cases after crimes actually have been committed.
I have devoted considerable time during the year to instructing the members of the department in revolver practice.
Patrolman Samuel Hooper is deserving of special mention for meritorious service performed on June 8, when he arrested a common and notorious thief for burglary and larceny in dwelling houses while armed. Patrolman Herbert Frazier deserves credit for the arrest of a boy for breaking into and entering seventeen dwelling houses in the day and night time.
I believe that two appointments should be made to increase the number of patrolmen to thirteen.
The police officers of Swampscott are among the lowest paid in the State. Considering the cost of uniforms, which must be kept in first class condition, high rents, working seven days with one off in eight, I believe the officers' salaries should be increased.
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The sum of $95.56 was transferred to the Police Department budget to cover a shortage in salaries, caused by running over my appropriation. The same policy governs the distribution and use of the police force. It is my constant endeavor to dispose the men under my imme- diate command to the best possible advantage, and especially in such manner that the public might have a full measure of their services and continuous adequate protection.
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 to duty.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER F. REEVES, Chief of Police.
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my 14th report as Superintendent of the Swampscott Cemetery.
Interments for the year 1929 numbered 76.
The town has received for sale of lots and perpetual care $4,184.50.
The Andrews Memorial Chapel has been in frequent use during the year. The new development in rear of cemetery made available some 28 lots, some of which have already been sold. Shrubs and trees were planted on new lots. Preparations are being made for future developments of the recently acquired land on Essex street.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.
Inspector of Wires
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- Report of the Inspector of Wires for the town of Swampscott for the year 1929:
Sixty-nine new buildings have been inspected for roughing in wiring and fixture installation, and subsequently approved.
Nine old houses have been inspected for roughing in wiring and fixture installation, and subsequently approved.
Twenty-nine additions to wiring in old installation were inspected and subsequently approved.
Twenty-one rejections in new wiring were made, and when prop- erly corrected were approved.
Three buildings were cut off on account of fire, and ordered rewired before service was restored.
Respectfully submitted,
J. A. COOK, Inspector of Wires.
-
141
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
1929]
Trustees of the Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith submit their annual report. The report of the Librarian indicates the increasing use of the library by the townspeople the past year.
The number of new books added during 1929 has exceeded the accessions of any previous year. Members of the Board of Trustees and of the committee on book selection have given special attention to the acquisition of those books of reference which form basic material for the adult reader, and without which the library cannot give proper reference service to the high school or college student.
A real effort has been made by the school and library authorities to encourage the students to use the library. The Librarian has visited classes in the High School, and pupils in the lower grades have come to the library for instruction in the scope and use of material which we have to offer. This instruction is an important phase of progressive library work, but resultant increase in patronage makes the inadequacy of our present building more apparent than ever. There should be some arrangement which would provide a room in which adults would not be disturbed by the children, or by the work at the circulation desk.
Our overcrowded stacks form an equally pressing problem. It is difficult to see how room is to be found on the shelves for the books which should be added during the coming year.
In view of the foregoing facts, the Trustees recommend the addi- tion of a room at the rear of the present_building to be used as a study and reference room, such a room to provide facilities and quiet for the ever increasing number of students in the town, and those adults who would avail themselves of the opportunities for undisturbed reading and study. The present rooms, arranged as they are, with the circulation desk in the center, can never of course be entirely quiet. They are well adapted for general reading and periodical rooms. The cost of such an addition with the proper furnishings is estimated by the architect, in whose office the plans for the present building were made, as $31,000.
The Trustees recommend the finishing and furnishing of the upper room in the present building for a children's room. Such a room would relieve the present congestion and, even more important, make it possi- ble for the library to improve and extend one of its most important de- partments. Providing for the educative influence of reading and foster- ing of an interest in good books is the duty and privilege of every community. It calls for an adequate and well equipped library. The cost of finishing and furnishing such a children's room is estimated at $10,000.
During the past year, Miss Lois Lane, who had given a year of efficient service, resigned from her position in the library in order to continue her studies. Miss Mildred Parker, a student in the Swampscott High School, was appointed to take her place.
The Sunday attendance during the winter of 1928-1929 was as follows: Total attendance, 439; adults, 106; students, 149; children, 184.
At the request of the Trustees the following citizens have given valued service in the reading and recommendation of books being con- sidered for addition to the library: Miss Louise C. Stanley, Donald Redfern, Mrs. James W. Santry, Mrs. Gustavus J. Esselen, Lee T. Gray.
Thanks are due the many friends of the library for their interest, suggestions and gifts. In particular we would mention the very fine edition of 12 volumes of Italian Literature given by Mrs. Tillotson
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
from the library of the late Rev. Edward Tillotson, for twenty-three years an honored and public spirited member of this community. Miss Esther Treat has presented the library with a bas-relief from Hunt's painting, "Horses." These and gifts of books from Mrs. Henrietta Esselen, Miss Esther Treat, Mrs. Louis Underwood, Mrs. Frederick J. Rudd, Miss Helen Smith and Miss Lissey Mills, the Trustees and Librarian gratefully acknowledge.
Respectfully submitted,
GUSTAVUS J. ESSELEN, JR., Chairman JEAN G. ALLAN, Secretary, ELIHU THOMSON,
Board of Trustees.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Circulation :
Adult fiction
30,625 5,652
Adult non-fiction
36,277
Juvenile fiction
12,632
Juvenile non-fiction
2,072
14,704
Current periodicals
913
51,894
New books added during the year, 938.
Books in the library, January 1, 1930, 13,091. There were 778 volumes discarded during the year, mostly fiction.
Fine receipts turned over to the town, $386.91.
Inspector of Animals
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- At the general inspection this year all animals were found to be healthy and in good condition, also the premises where these animals were kept were clean, well ventilated and had sufficient light as prescribed by law.
This general inspection is ordered each year by the Division of Animal Industry, and consists of a physical examination of all neat cattle, sheep and swine within the town and the work must be done during January and February, so that the books may be returned to the State House by March 15.
There have been several people bitten by dogs this year, but there have been no cases of rabies reported. Under a ruling of the Division of Animal Industry all dogs that have bitten people shall be kept under restraint for two weeks and if, at the expiration of this period they appear healthy, upon physical examination, they are released. Of course, this is a precautionary measure for the protection of the persons that have been bitten. If the dog doesn't develop symptoms of rabies within the quarantine period of two weeks it is usually safe to release it as healthy.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK B. STRATTON, M.D.V.,
Inspector of Animals.
143
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1929]
Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1929. All con- struction work this year has been done by contract. Franklin avenue, from Stetson avenue to State road, has been resurfaced with bituminous macadam asphalt, the work being done by Antonio Mogavero of Pea- body. The same contractor also resurfaced Monument avenue, Walker road, to Boston and Maine bridge.
Nason road and Cedar road were reshaped and surfaced, sidewalks built, the work being done by Mark Kelley, of Peabody.
Francis road reshaped, surfaced with gravel and sidewalks built.
Bay View drive; no work done on this street.
Puritan park streets reshaped, surfaced with tar and mixed stone where needed, and rolled.
Fuller terrace, resurfaced with asphalt mixed top.
Lewis road, reshaped, put to grade, sidewalk built. No surface laid there on account of sewer being built next year.
About one-half mile of streets has been resurfaced with tar or asphalt mixed stone and gravel.
Atlantic avenue. Shoulders of this street have been shaped and gravel used for filling four times during the year.
The usual work of patrolling or patching street surfaces has been done. About six miles of streets were seal coated in whole or in part.
Wood block on Humphrey street has caused the department a lot of extra work during the year. On August 2, September 10 and Octo- ber 3, the street was torn up from the Monument to the Lynn line. In all, the blocks have come up ten times since August. This street ought to be resurfaced with some kind of pavement suitable for this thorough- fare.
Danvers street bridge. The abutment to this bridge was pointed with cement work done by employees of the Boston & Maine Railroad, also new fence built.
Essex street bridge. This bridge has been resurfaced with 3-inch hard pine plank, sidewalk with 2-inch hard pine plank and 276 feet of guard rail built.
Crescent street. Sidewalk ledge removed, reshaped, surfaced with stone dust.
Catch basin, Puritan road. Basin built and 12-inch pipe drain laid to the beach.
Catch basin, Cherry street. Basin built and 10-inch pipe drain laid to manhole in culvert.
Manhole, Palmer pond. No work has been done on this drain this year.
Aspen road drain. No work has been done on this drain on ac- count of waivers not being signed.
Humphrey street resurfacing. No work has been done this year.
Repairs on sidewalks have been done where needed. The following amounts of material used: 468 tons of stone dust, 329 loads of gravel, 82 loads of cinders. Number of loads of sand used for sanding icy side- walks and streets, 159.
Tar concrete sidewalks were repaired at a cost of $1 per yard for new work and 65 cents per yard for skim coating. This work was done under contract by F. P. Hard of Lynn. Number of yards laid, new
144
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
819.2, skim coat 1125.5. Some 183 yards of granolithic sidewalks were repaired, and 2200 yards of either tarred or asphalt mixed concrete sidewalks were laid by the department.
Four catch basins were retopped and all catch basins in town were cleaned at least twice, others oftener where needed. The following drain pipe was laid: 6-inch, 12 feet; 10-inch, 94 feet; 12-inch, 24 feet.
Gutters in all streets have been cleaned when needed and about 1400 square yards of tar and mixed stone have been laid in gutters to prevent washing out.
Three manholes and 35 driveways were lowered; 195 feet of curb- stone reset; 932 feet of new curbstone laid; 770 feet of guard rail fence repaired.
There were 41,710 gallons of asphalt road oil used on the streets and 24,543 gallons of road tar and asphalt, same being purchased under contract from the Alden Speare's Sons Co. and The Barrett Co. The prices paid were: Cold patch delivered at town yard and put in barrels, $.147; 45 or 65 per cent asphalt road oil applied, $.0459. All oil applied to the streets were covered with sand. Price of sand delivered at town yard, $1.25; teamed by the town trucks, $.90 per ton.
The amount spent for repairs on wood block pavement on Humphrey street, from Lynn line to Blaney street, was about $750; Blaney street to Fish House, $60.
Repairs on equipment. New bodies have been built on two 2-horse carts and one single cart. There has been erected one new combination building stable and garage on land owned by the town on State road, which seems to fill the needs of the department.
There has been erected this fall 1200 feet of snow fence on Salem street, permission having been given the town from the Tedesco club, which I want to thank.
The working force of the department consists of thirty men who report every morning at the town yard, State road. The equipment, in good working order, is as follows: Two 5-ton White trucks, one Mead Morrison tractor and eight horses and carts.
Respectfully submitted, MICHAEL J. RYAN,
Surveyor of Highways.
145
REPORT OF HIGHWAY STABLE COMMITTEE
1929]
Highway Stable Committee
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
At the annual town meeting in 1929 it was voted that the sum of $17,500 be appropriated for the erection of a stable suitable for the needs of the Highway Department in pursuance of plans and specifica- tions made by Charles V. Burgess, architect. The same committee which had been appointed the previous year, namely, the members of the Board of Selectmen, Building Inspector and the Surveyor of High- ways, were authorized to proceed with the work and have completed and turned over to the Highway Department a building which is satis- factory to the Surveyor of Highways and a credit to the town.
The building is fully equipped to meet the needs of the department for many years. The contract for the erection of the building was awarded to C. S. Cunningham & Sons Construction Co. for $15,600. Changes which seemed to appeal to the committee as apt to improve some minor conditions were authorized, so that the final bill was $15,952.60. The architect's fee was $966.90, which with the cost of insurance and advertising left a small balance which was utilized in fitting up the building with lockers, benches and other essentials neces- sary to the comfort of the men and which could not ordinarily be classed as a part of the building contract.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD K. GLIDDEN,
R. WYER GREENE, DANIEL F. KNOWLTON, HARRY E. HARDY, MICHAEL J. RYAN, Stable Committee.
Park Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1929. The board organized with the choice of Archibald Miller, chairman, and Stuart P. Ellis, secretary.
Monument Avenue Parkway
The usual necessary care and attention was given this area during the year. In response to the requests of several citizens the Board has planted a specimen blue spruce near Elmwood road. The tree was illuminated in the Christmas season, and presented a very handsome appearance during that period. It is the wish of the commissioners that automobilists and pedestrians use more care at this park, and avoid crossing or trespassing on the grass plots. This causes damage not easily repaired, and tends to deface what is otherwise a well kept beauty spot.
Jackson Park
A large section on the hill was cleared during the early season of an undesirable growth, fire breaks were made, and the recently planted pines and hemlocks given a better opportunity for growth. A start has been made and work will continue the present winter in clearing a space in the woods bordering Essex street for the construction of two lawn tennis courts. When these are completed they will be prettily located, surrounded by pine trees, have good parking space, and will no doubt be much enjoyed.
146
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The School Department has promised co-operation in the construc- tion of a short roadway from the playing field to Burpee road, and this should be completed before the fall games. It will be of great value in handling automobiles at the football games and will be a start on the improvement of the grounds between the Machon school and Essex street.
Abbott Park
It is expected that a number of concrete benches will be added to this park the coming year. These will be placed on the north and south sides of the field as an extra accommodation, especially for skaters. Full use was made of the field the past season by the Junior High baseball and football teams, also for High school girls' hockey games. Practice and playing dates often conflict, and it is apparent that some system will need to be devised, in order that each team may be free to use the grounds.
Blaney Beach Reservation
The largest number of bathers ever to use this beach came last summer. Excellent temperature conditions, and the cleanly condition in which the beach was kept, made it very enjoyable for visitors. The diving raft was improved at small expense by the use of steel drums, and with good care it should be serviceable for several more seasons. A thirty-day clock was installed on the sea wall and proved a valuable feature, especially for children. The time is approaching when it will be necessary to provide better toilet facilities at this point. The present rooms have been in use thirty-three years and have long since proved insufficient for the accommodation of the people. We do not make any recommendation at this time, but the matter should be given serious consideration by the townspeople.
Phillips Park
The commissioners had the opportunity in January to secure a large amount of loam at a very moderate price per yard. This was spread and seeded early in the spring, and a large area was thus added to the playing field. The baseball diamond was completed and for the first time at this park there is a first class baseball field, well graded, and with ample space for games and spectators. In the late fall the field was used by the St. John's Junior High football team, also by the Junior High girls' hockey players. Goal posts were erected for their use and full advantage was taken of the large outfield by the players.
Work is progressing in the direction of providing a large ice hockey rink, further removed from the street than the one now in use. It is hoped this will be ready for use next winter, so that the original rink may be used as a safe skating place for children. The board made ar- rangements for securing the ashes and material collected by the Health Department, and all loads collected east of Blaney street are now being spread in the park. The best of this material is being used as the base for tennis courts, which may be completed the coming year.
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