USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1929 > Part 3
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FRANK H. BRADFORD, Constable.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING February 18, 1929
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the voters of Swampscott assembled at the voting places in the several precincts and were called to order at 6 o'clock A. M., by the presiding officers, the warrant calling the meeting with the return thereon being read by the clerk in each precinct.
The following were appointed precinct officers and qualified for same:
Precinct 1. Edward H. Jordan, Warden; Robert B. Hegarty, Clerk; Robert L. Cunningham, Lewis A. Coleman, Inspectors; Addie F. Nelson, John D. Healey, Charles A. Bryson, William H. Dow, Tellers. Precinct 2. James D. Bentley, Warden; John E. Coville, Clerk; William P. Norcross, John H. Burns, Inspectors; Martha F. Duren, Mary G. Stone, Belle M. Walsh, Louis Sherman, Tellers.
Precinct 3. Edmund Young, Jr., Warden; Albert Stone, Clerk; Milton E. Morrill, Robert L. Douglass, Inspectors; Charles E. Melzard, Chester Lowe, Harold R. Young, Burton R. Carroll, Tellers.
Precinct 4. Lewis N. Crocker, Warden; Donald L. Sanger, Clerk; John B. Cahoon, Charles E. Souther, Inspectors; Warren P. Melzard, James W. Robertson, Thomas T. McManus, Bessie F. Maguire, Tellers. Precinct 5. Albert Enholm, Warden; Raymond H. Owen, Clerk; L. Kehoe, Irving A. Curtis, Inspectors; Alice E. Leslie, Winnifred G. Jacobs, Mary G. Boyce, John T. Morrison, Tellers.
21
Precinct 6. Herman E. Story, Warden; Timothy J. Ryan, Clerk; Arthur C. Eaton, George H. Coan, Inspectors; John T. Merchant, Harry G. Hutchinson, John T. McDermott, Mary Turner, Tellers.
Precinct 7. Henry J. Burt, Warden; James D. Mulligan, Clerk; Walter Lofmark, Charles J. Dolan, Inspectors; Charles L. Martin, Helen E. Peach, Helen A. Parker, Tellers.
Precinct 8. Charles A. Flagg, Warden; Mary Collins, Clerk; Selwyn P. Drown, Olive Flagg, Inspectors; Cyril Gannon, Mary Donlan, Tellers.
The balloting was started at 6 o'clock A. M., the count started at 2 o'clock P. M. The ballot boxes registered correctly and the checks on the voting lists were the same as the votes cast. Polls closed at 6 o'clock.
There were cast in Precinct 1, 285; Precinct 2, 268; Precinct 3, 265; Precinct 4, 249; Precinct 5, 253; Precinct 6, 311; Precinct 7, 324; Pre- cinct 8, 303; total vote cast, 2258. Result of the balloting was declared at 8:30 P. M.
Precinct 5 was the first to make their returns at 6:20 P. M. and Precinct 6 the last at 7:50 P. M.
For Moderator:
Precincts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Tot.
John R. Hurlburt, elected
177 188 185 187 203 206 214 253 1613
Blanks
108 80
80
62
50 105 110 50 645
For Town Clerk:
Ralph D. Merritt, elected
194 189 207 203 214 241 223 261 1732
Blanks
91
79
58
46
39
70 101 42 526
For Selectmen:
Howard K. Glidden, elected
114 140 131 141 164 197 182 172 1241
R. Wyer Greene, elected
95 113 111 127 142 180 157 128 1053
Daniel F. Knowlton, elected
114 111 130 105
89 130 115
90 884
Frederick J. Rudd
87
68
92
86 103 140 122 134
832
C. Frank Hathaway
102 165
112
99
53
89 44 726
Edward LaCroix
31
32
46
49
62 83 44 14
83 53 14
86
41 482
Joseph B. Abbott
63
57
Blanks
137
71
80
58
58
83
25 116 97 700
For Treasurer:
199 214 224 216 213 248 244 262 1820
James W. Libby, elected Blanks
86
54
41
33
40
63
80
41
438
For Assessor for 3 years:
191 208 211 202 216 237 221 246 1732
Edward A. Maxfield, elected Blanks
94 60
54
47
37
74 103 57 526
For Tax Collector :
Ralph D. Merritt, elected- Blanks
190 210 217 207 204 241 231 259 1759 95 42 44 70
For School Committee for 3 years:
Geo. C. Thomas, elected
111 141 130 146 182 166 133 169 1178
Eleanor Ingelfinger, elected
64 103 110 100 142 168 179 180 1046
Mabel W. Simpson
30
67
55
77
53
66
86
53 487
Andrew B. Holmes
107
65
40
24
16
41
33 60
32 358
Albert M. Abbott Blanks
62
59
80
51
37
35
61 445
196 101 115 100 76 146 157 111 1002
For School Committee for 1 year (to fill vacancy) :
Arthur M. Wyman, elected Blanks
171 197 189 194 198 206 221 257 1633 114 71
For Board of Public Welfare, 3 years:
Harry E. Cahoon, elected Blanks
179 199 204 196 203 224 220 233 1658
106 69 61
53
50
87 104
70
600
Board of Health, 3 years: Loring Grimes, elected Blanks
189 203 202 210 212 238 233 250 1737 96 39 41 73
65 63
91
53
521
49
93
499
Ernest Corrado
112
47
52 41
47 35
80 179 583
24 273
58 48
76 55
55 105 103 46 625
1929]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
22
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Water and Sewerage Board, 3 years:
Harold G. Enholm, elected
176 194 196 198 211 229 219 236 1659
Blanks
109
74
69
51
42
82 105 67
599
Park Commissioner for 3 years:
186 194 199 202 199 230 210 241 1661
Blanks
99
74
66
47
54 81 114
62
597
Trustee Public Library, 3 years:
Jean G. Allan, elected
113 117
92 118 120 104 147 123
Donald Redfern
82
91 125
93
81
154
99 121
846
Blanks
90 60
48
38
43
53
78
59
469
Trustee Public Library, 1 year Gustavus J. Esselen, Jr., elected Blanks
115
89
77
61 54
99 111
64
670
For Tree Warden:
Everett P. Mudge, elected
202 209 206 206 211 239 231 251 1755
Blanks
83
59
59
43
42 72 93
52
503
For Constables, 1 year:
Willis E. Shephard, elected
160 187 194 192 201 220 235 237 1626
Frank H. Bradford, elected
169 190 192 188 198 217 207 234 1595
George J. Place, elected
157 180 186 188 189 205 202 228 1535
Blanks
369 247 223 179 171 291 328 210 2018
Commissioner of Trust Funds, 1 year:
Scattering
0 0
0
2
5
1
1
1
10
Blanks
285 268 265 247 248 310 323 302 2248
Commissioner of Trust Funds, 2 years:
Scattering
0
0
1
1
7
1
2
0
12
Henry S. Baldwin, elected
0 0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
Blanks
285 268 264 247 246 310 322 302 2244
Commissioner of Trust Funds, 3 years:
James W. Libby, elected
155 193 187 162 178 211 201 214 1501 130 75 78 87 75 100 123
89 757 Blanks
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 1
Ernest Corrado, elected
174
for 3 years
C. Sanford Doughty, elected
154
for 3 years
James W. Buchanan, elected
148 for 3 years
Franklin H. Keating, elected
143 for 3 years
LeRoy V. Perry, elected
137 for 3 years
Leo Vaughan, elected
21
for 3 years
Andrew B. Holmes
11
Scattering
10
Blanks
916
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 2
Harry W. Stanley, elected
156
for 3 years
Henry A. Andersen, elected
155
for 3 years
Joseph B. Abbott, elected
143 for 3 years
C. Walter Burrill, elected
138 for 3 years
James F. Etter, elected
134
for 3 years
Elmer Forest, elected
121
for 3 years
Earl Abrams
118
Blanks
643
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 3
Chester P. Brown, elected
175
for 3 years
Stuart P. Ellis, elected
171
for 3 years
Albert M. Abbott, elected
137
for 3 years
Willis B. Cressy, elected
130 for 3 years
William E. Henry, elected
124
for 3 years
Leland S. Ross, elected
121
for 3 years
Clarence M. Finch
111
74
Harry M. Shanahan Blanks
547
943
(to fill vacancy) :
170 179 188 188 199 212 213 239 1588
Stewart P. Ellis, elected
23
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 3 (to fill vacancy)
B. Malcolm Martin, elected
Blanks
for 2 years 77
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 4
William P. Mower, elected
180
for 3 years
Robert C. Mansfield, elected
187
for 3 years
Leon W. Howard, elected
178 for 3 years
Edward A. Sawyer, elected
169 for 3 years
Orin L. Smith, elected
160
for 3 years
George J. Harvey, elected
162
for 3 years
Beatrice Wadleigh
99 359
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 4 (to fill vacancy)
Mervin J. Davis, elected Blanks
196
for 1 year 63
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 5
George C. Thomas, elected
196
for 3 years
George B. Learned, elected
192
for 3 years
Florence E. Preston, elected
191
for 3 years
Alfred B. Brackett, elected
190 for 3 years
Forrest M. Adams, elected
189 for 3 years
Charles S. Goodridge, elected
176
for 3 years
Blanks
384
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 6
Donald Redfern, elected
213
for 3 years
Frederick J. Rudd, elected
211
for 3 years
Eleanor Ingelfinger, elected
201
for 3 years
Frank S. Newton, elected
197 for 3 years
Warren H. Colby, elected
196
for 3 years
Loran J. Harvey, elected
157
for 3 years
Maurice Yozell
150
Blanks
541
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 7
Roger W. Pope, elected
172
for 3 years
Frank E. Morrison, elected
168
for 3 years
Conrad P. Richardson, elected
155
for 3 years
John Homan, elected
146
for 3 years
James C. Soutter, elected
136
for 3 years
Eben G. Pedrick, elected
132
for 3 years
Annie H. Bourke
127
Ernest M. Folger
123
Raymond E. Nichols
115
Blanks
670
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 7 (to fill vacancy)
G. Lloyd Smith, elected
196
for 2 years
Blanks
128
Town Meeting Members, Precinct 8
Alonzo F. Titus, elected
220
for 3 years
John R. Hurlburt, elected
196
for 3 years
Edward LaCroix, elected
219
for 3 years
Herbert A. Johnson, elected
180
for 3 years
Frederick A. Hale, elected
174
for 3 years
Blanks
188
1929]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
24
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Gustavus J. Esselen, Jr., elected
153
for 3 years
Robert C. McKay
146
Wilmot R. Hastings
144
Blanks 386
Adjourned to Monday, February 25, 1929, at 7:30 P. M., at the Town Hall. Attest:
RALPH D. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 20, 1929.
John R. Hurlburt, Moderator, appointed Donald Redfern, 292 Humphrey street, Precinct 6, a member of the Finance Committee for 3 years.
Attest:
RALPH D. MERRITT,
Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING February 25, 1929
In accordance with the adjournment of February 18, 1929, the voters were called to order by John R. Hurlburt, Moderator, at 7:30 P. M., the necessary quorum being present.
Voted, to dispense with the reading of records of last meeting. Voted, Article 2 be taken up with Articles 6 and 7.
Voted, Article 3. That the bond of the Town Clerk and of the Custodian of Trust Funds be fixed in the penal sum of one thousand dollars and ten thousand dollars respectively.
Article 4 referred to the Finance Committee.
The Finance report was read by James W. Santry, Chairman.
Report of the Finance Committee
To the Members of the Limited Town Meeting:
The Finance Committee has been considering the articles in the warrant for the annual town meeting and has decided that it would be helpful to make a report covering the work that it has done.
The other parts of the warrant are now under consideration and reports under them will be made at an adjourned meeting.
Article 3. We recommend that the bond of the Town Clerk and of the Custodian of Trust Funds be fixed in the penal sum of one thousand dollars and ten thousand dollars respectively.
Article 5. We recommend, for the purposes specified in this article, that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1929, to an amount not to exceed in the aggregate five hundred thousand dollars and to issue a note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year, the debt or debts incurred thereby to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 7. We recommend that so much of Article 7 that relates to the recommendation of the Chief of Police concerning a new police station, which appears on page 168 of the annual report, be considered with Article 45.
We recommend that so much of Article 7 that relates to the recommendation of the Chief of Police concerning the appropriation of $650 for the purchase of uniforms for the captains and patrolmen of our Police Department be considered with Article 53.
25
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1929]
Article 30. This article relates to the Eastern Intercepting Sewer. Last year the town appropriated $13,000 for work upon this sewer. This appropriation carried the sewer across Ocean avenue and into Shepard avenue. It is the purpose now to complete this sewer.
The Finance Committee conferred with the Water and Sewerage Board and many residents of the part of the town affected. It appeared at this conference that one of the owners of property in this vicinity has six cesspools on his land; that all of them have more than two, and that the annual cost of cleaning these cesspools is substantial.
An examination of the records shows that during the past seven years only $81,000 has been expended on sewers for the entire town. This represents an expenditure of about $11,000 each year, although during the above mentioned period new buildings to the value of several million dollars have been added to the valuation of the town. This shows that the construction of sewers has not kept pace with the needs of the town. The Water and Sewerage Board and the Board of Health strongly recommend the completion of this intercepting sewer.
We recommend, therefore, that work on the Eastern Intercepting Sewer be resumed from its present terminus to Salem street and Beach Bluff avenue, a distance of approximately 5547 feet, and that the sum of fifty-four thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 31. Before the eastern section of the town can receive any benefit from the intercepting sewer, lateral sewers must be built. This article relates to the building of one of these laterals. There is pressing need for the construction of this sewer, and it is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We recom- mend, therefore, that a sewer be built in Phillips avenue from Estabrook road to Stanwood road, a distance of about 1150 feet, and that the sum of fifty-one hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 32. This article relates to the building of another lateral sewer in connection with the intercepting sewer. It is greatly needed in the district which it will serve. It is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We recommend that a sewer be built in Bradlee avenue and Atlantic avenue south-westerly from Ocean avenue, a distance of about 2000 feet, and that the sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 33. This article concerns the construction of another lateral sewer. It will also serve a district that is greatly in need of sewer facilities. It is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We recommend that a sewer be built in Humphrey street and Ocean avenue, a distance of about 330 feet, and that the sum of fourteen hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 34. This article relates to the construction of a sewer in Bristol avenue. This sewer is in another part of the town and is in no way connected with the intercepting sewer to which we have referred in the above mentioned articles. It is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We believe that there is pressing need for this sewer and we therefore recommend that a sewer be built in Bristol avenue for a distance of 385 feet from Stetson avenue, and that the sum of forty-three hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 35. This article relates to a sewer in Sargent road and Prospect avenue. The owners of property in these streets are having difficulty with overrunning cesspools. It is a condition that should not be permitted to exist. The construction of these sewers is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We recommend that a sewer be built in Sargent road and Prospect avenue,
,
26
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
a distance of approximately 430 feet from Aspen road, and that the sum of forty-five hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 36. This article concerns the building of a sewer in Barn- stable street. The owners of property along this street are also having difficulty with overflowing cesspools. This sewer is also recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board and by the Board of Health. We recommend that a sewer be built in Barnstable street for a distance of approximately 230 feet from Stetson avenue, and that the sum of nine- teen hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 45. This article concerns the erection of a building for the detention of persons arrested in Swampscott for the commission of crime. This article was inserted in consequence of a conference between the Mayor of the City of Lynn and the Board of Selectmen that was held some time during the past year.
For many years persons arrested in Swampscott have been brought to the police station in Lynn where they have been detained, at the expense of the city of Lynn, pending their appearance in court.
Section 34 of chapter 40 of the General Laws requires a town con- taining more than 3,000 inhabitants to maintain a suitable and con- venient lockup. A careful reading of this section, however, shows that it does not require that the lockup be maintained within the territorial limits of the town. Acting under this provision, the Mayor of the city of Lynn stated to the Board of Selectmen at the above mentioned con- ference, that provision should be made at the annual town meeting for the erection of a lockup so that persons arrested in Swampscott would be detained there without placing any burden upon the city of Lynn.
The Finance Committee found that the erection of a suitable build- ing for this purpose would mean the expenditure of a substantial sum of money, and would occasion other expenses. On January 29th we wrote to the Mayor setting forth all of the facts and suggesting to him that the practice of detaining persons arrested in Swampscott in the police station in Lynn be continued, and that for this service the town of Swampscott pay the city of Lynn a reasonable annual sum. On January 31st the Mayor replied that Swampscott might continue to use the Lynn police station as it had heretofore done, with the understand- ing that it should pay the annual sum of $100 to the city of Lynn for this service.
The erection of a building for this purpose would cost several thousand dollars. We feel that it would cause other expense to the town. We believe that the amount stipulated by the Mayor of the city of Lynn for this service is reasonable. We, therefore, recommend that the present practice of using the Lynn police station for the purpose of detaining persons arrested in Swampscott be continued, and that the sum of one hundred dollars be paid annually therefor to the city of Lynn, to be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
We recommend that further action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
With reference to the recommendation of the Chief of Police con- cerning the needs of a new police station. We have investigated the condition of the police station. We believe that this building is large enough to satisfy the needs of the police department for many years,. and we see no occasion for the erection of a new building, or making any addition to the present structure. The construction of a new build- ing would undoubtedly require an additional annual expense for main- tenance. In our opinion, care should be exercised before the fixed expenses of this department are in any way increased. We therefore recommend that consideration of this recommendation of the Chief of Police be indefinitely postponed.
Article 53. This article and the above mentioned recommendation of the Chief of Police under Article 7 relate respectively to an annual
27
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1929]
increase of $200 in the salary of the captains in the police department, and to the appropriation of $650 for the purchase of uniforms for cap- tains and patrolmen.
In considering this article, we must bear in mind that the budget of the police department is still large. This year it amounts to more than $35,000. It is a great deal larger than the amount of money expended by police departments in communities having substantially a population similar to that of Swampscott. In addition to that, the members of our department have the benefit of a pension to which they in no way contribute. Our patrolmen receive the same salary as patrolmen of the city of Boston and those under the Metropolitan Park Commission.
A very interesting article appeared in the "New York Times" in its Sunday issue of January 27, 1929, concerning the police department of that city. In connection with this article the following statement appears concerning the salary paid patrolmen of that city:
"The New York policeman receives $1,769 a year for the first three years he is on the force. Out of that, in his first year, he must pay more than $250 for equipment, and he has many other expenses. Then after three years he receives salary raises-and at the end of the fifth year he is receiving $2,500-his total maximum salary as a patrol- man. *
"In buying uniforms for summer and winter, overcoat, raincoat, gun, holster, night-stick, and day-stick, he spends more than $250. * * *
"A policeman, in addition to all his other expenses pays 2 per cent. of his salary into the pension fund every year and has to wait twenty- five years before he can retire on half pay."
We believe that the patrolmen of New York City are underpaid. We are merely calling their condition to your attention in order to show that the patrolmen and the captains in our police department are far better off in this respect than are the patrolmen of New York City, although the work of police officers there must be more hazardous and more exacting than the work of any of our officers. We believe that the town should do nothing to add to the fixed expenses of this department.
We therefore recommend that action under this article, and on the recommendation of the Chief of Police herein referred to, be in- definitely postponed.
Article 56. We recommend that the town appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars for the observance of the Fourth of July and that this sum be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
JAMES W. SANTRY, Chairman, RALPH J. CURTIS, CHARLES F. HATHAWAY,
CHESTER A. BROWN, RALPH H. CARY, PAUL W. BRICKETT, FREDERICK J. RUDD, JOHN A. WALDO,
Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 5. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1929, to an amount not to exceed in the aggregate five hundred thousand dollars and to issue a note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year, the debt or debts incurred thereby to be paid from the revenue of said financial year. (Unanimous.)
Voted, Article 6. To accept the report of the Board of Appeals.
Voted that all of the report of the Board of Selectmen that does not ask for an appropriation of money be accepted, and that the Mod- erator appoint a committee of five citizens to make a recodification of the By-Laws, and that said committee after appointment grant public hearing on said By-Laws.
28
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Voted, that the report of the Planning Committee, and report of the Purchasing Committee that do not ask for appropriations be accepted.
Voted, Article 7. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That so much of Article 7 as relates to the recommendation of the Chief of Police concerning a new police station, be considered with Article 45.
That so much of Article 7 as relates to the recommendation of the Chief of Police concerning the appropriation of $650 for the purchase of uniforms for the captains and patrolmen of our Police Department be considered with Article 53.
Voted that balance of Article 7 and Articles 8 to 29 inclusive be referred to Finance Committee.
Voted, Article 30. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That work on the Eastern Intercepting Sewer be resumed from its present terminus to Salem street and Beach Bluff avenue, a distance of approximately 5547 feet, and that the sum of fifty-four thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. (Unanimous.)
Voted, Article 31. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That a sewer be built in Phillips avenue from Estabrook road to Stanwood road a distance of about 1150 feet, and that the sum of fifty- one hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. (Unanimous.)
Voted, Article 32. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That a sewer be built in Bradlee avenue and Atlantic avenue south- westerly from Ocean avenue, a distance of about 2000 feet and that the sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town. (Unanimous.)
Voted, Articles 33 to 36 inclusive be taken up together.
Voted that the several reports of the Finance Committee be ac- cepted, and their several recommendations be adopted as follows:
That a sewer be built in Humphrey street and Ocean avenue, a distance of about 330 feet and that the sum of fourteen hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
That a sewer be built in Bristol avenue for a distance of 385 feet from Stetson avenue and that the sum of forty-three hundred dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
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