USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1929 > Part 5
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We recommend that the sum of $5,000.00 be transferred from the account of Excess and Deficiency to the account of Humphrey street repairs for the purpose of making necessary repairs to the cement pavement in the vicinity of Phillips park, this amount together with the sum of $4,500 appropriated in the Highway budget to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and Board of Selectmen.
We recommend that the sum of $2,133.45 be transferred from the Municipal Insurance Fund Income and the sum of $1,019.70 be trans- ferred from the Municipal Insurance Fund for the purpose of paying premiums coming due this year on insurance held by the town on town property.
Under the provisions of Chapter 396 of the Acts of 1928 it is necessary that the town make an appropriation for the conduct of the Water Department as it does for all other departments. We therefore recommend that the sum of $61,955 be appropriated for the Water Department, the same to be taken from the Water revenue of the present year.
We recommend that the following amounts be appropriated for the various departments for the ensuing year:
General Government
Legislative
$550.00
Selectmen
3,775.00
Accounting
2,545.00
Treasury
2,303.00
Collector of Taxes
3,489.59
Assessors
4,200.00
1929]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
37
Town Clerk
$716.00
Law
2,000.00
Election and Registration
3,000.00
Engineering
6,600.00
Town Hall
4,000.00
Town Hall Repairs
1,500.00
Certification of Notes and Bonds
1,000.00
Board of Appeals
250.00
Protection of Life and Property
Police
$35,374.42
Fire
39,840.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
555.00
Moth
4,673.00
Tree Warden
3,540.00
Forest Warden
200.00
Forest Warden Special
500.00
Inspector of Buildings
1,250.00
Subordinate Officials
630.00
Health and Sanitation
Health
$9,670.00
Dental Clinic
1,200.00
Health Nurse
1,350.00
Cleaning Beaches
1,256.00
Refuse and Garbage
12,865.00
Health Dumps
1,700.00
Sewer
9,000.00
Particular Sewers
1,000.00
Care of Brooks
500.00
Highways
Highway Administration
$2,900.00
Highway
42,800.00
Seal Coating
4,000.00
Street Construction
3,000.00
Street Watering and Oiling
4,000.00
Sidewalk and Curbing
4,000.00
Snow and Ice
6,000.00
Lighting Streets
23,729.00
Continuous Sidewalks
5,000.00
Repairs on Equipment
600.00
Humphrey Street Resurfacing
4,500.00
Charities and Soldiers' Benefits
Public Welfare
$9,500.00
Soldiers' Relief
5,500.00
State Aid
500.00
Military Aid
400.00
Pensions
5,677.88
Schools and Libraries
School
$164,446.50
School Repairs
1,800.00
Development of School Grounds
1,000.00
Traveling Expenses Outside Commonwealth
116.00
Library
7,500.00
Recreation and Unclassified
Parks
$8,500.00
Memorial Day
500.00
Firemen's Memorial Sunday
-
200.00
Heat and Light G. A. R. Hall
625.00
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Heat and Light V. F. W. Hall
$200.00
District Nurse
300.00
Legion Lease
1,350.00
Trust Fund Custodian's Bond
40.00
Reserve Fund
5,000.00
Printing Town Reports
1,270.10
Unpaid Bills
250.00
Overlay 1926
96.58
Enterprises
Cemetery
$4,680.00
Interest and Maturing Debt
Interest on Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
$10,000.00
Interest on General Debt
12,457.50
Interest on Sewer Loans
6,518.75
Interest on Tuberculosis Hospital Bonds
1,960.00
General Debt Maturing
35,606.25
Sewer Loans Maturing
14,850.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Bonds Maturing
4,000.00
Agency
Tuberculosis Hospital Maintenance $5,834.29
Article 9. This article seeks the permanent surfacing of Franklin avenue from Stetson avenue to Paradise road. The building of a sewer in this street last year left it in bad condition. From our recent in- spection of this street we believe that a new surface of a permanent character should be built. We recommend that a surface of bituminous macadam be laid in Franklin avenue from Stetson avenue to Paradise road in accordance with specifications approved by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth, and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make, sign and deliver a contract in behalf of the town therefor, and that for this purpose the sum of thirteen thousand dollars be appropriated to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 10. Before any permanent work is done on the streets mentioned in this article, we are advised by the Town Engineer that provision should be made for the draining of water that collects on Humphrey street in the vicinity of Forest avenue. We have considered this feature under Article 18. The streets, however, are in bad condition and some work should be done on them. We therefore recommend that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to be used in placing the streets named in this article in a safe condition for travel, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 11. We have conferred with the Surveyor of Highways and the Town Engineer concerning the work contemplated by this article. They recommend that more study be given to it. We therefore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 12. The Surveyor of Highways, on page 217 of the town report, recommends the appropriation of $20,000 for new construction. In conferring with the Surveyor, he recommended the resurfacing of the eastern part of Monument avenue from Burrill street to its junction with Walker road, and from this point, the resurfacing of Walker road to the bridge of the Boston & Maine Railroad. This street is in bad condition. We recommend that the Board of Selectmen make, sign and deliver a contract in behalf of the town for the resurfacing of said Monument avenue and Walker road with bituminous macadam con- struction, in accordance with specifications approved by the Depart- ment of Public Works of the Commonwealth, and that for this purpose the sum of twenty thousand dollars be appropriated to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1929]
Article 13. We are advised by the Town Counsel that the town meeting has nothing to do with the change of the lines of streets, but that this power can be exercised only by the Selectmen. We therefore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 14. The ledge described in this article extends into Crescent street and makes the street dangerous for travel at this point. We recommend that two hundred fifty dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to reduce this ledge, to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 15. This article contemplates the exercise of powers that are possessed only by the Board of Selectmen and we therefore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 16. A bad condition results from the collection of surface water on Puritan road. The Surveyor of Highways recommends that a catch basin be built in Puritan road to collect this water and to drain it through the way at the easterly end of Whales Beach. We recom- mend that this work be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways, in accordance with the pro- visions of the by-laws relating to the awarding of contracts, and that the sum of seven hundred dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 17. The Surveyor of Highways recommends the building of a catch basin at the corner of Cherry street and Hillside avenue to care for surface water that collects in this vicinity. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways, in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws relating to the awarding of contracts, and that the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 18. Water collects on Humphrey street near Forest avenue and Puritan road. Frequently this water spreads over Humphrey street and in cold weather becomes frozen on the surface of the road. This presents a dangerous condition for travel. We are advised by the Town Engineer that the present condition of some of the streets mentioned in Article 10 is due to the presence of water from this source. We have conferred with the Town Engineer and he has made a plan for a drain that will correct the condition arising from this water. We recommend that a drain be laid in accordance with plans made by the Town Engineer; that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sign and deliver a contract in behalf of the town for this work, and that the sum of four thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 19. The Surveyor of Highways recommends the construc- tion of a gate at the outlet to Palmer's Pond and estimates that the cost thereof will be $200. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and that two hundred dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 20. This article concerns the building of a drain in Aspen road to care for surface water. During heavy rains this area becomes flooded, and great annoyance and some damage result. To correct the condition easements must be obtained through certain premises. We believe that this work should be done, but not until easements are granted by the owners of the land through which the water must be drained. We recommend that this work be done in accordance with plans made by the Town Engineer, and in compliance with the by-laws relating to the letting of contracts, and that for this purpose the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make, sign and deliver a contract in the name and behalf of the town, and that the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund, on the condition, however, that any vote passed under this recom- mendation shall not become effective until all necessary easements have
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
been granted to the town without the payment of any money, and until waivers have been signed by all property owners releasing the town from all damage in consequence of this work.
Article 21. The work required to be done by this article is covered by an article in the warrant for a special town meeting and we there- fore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 22. We recommend that Lewis road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen be accepted as a public way and that the sum of four hundred seventy-five dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel and to be ex- pended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways; on the con- dition, however, that this vote shall not become effective until the Town Engineer certifies in writing to the Board of Selectmen that there has been a compliance with Section 8 of Chapter 7 of the by-laws, and that all property owners have signed waivers releasing the town from all damage in consequence of such acceptance and of any work that may be done thereon.
Article 23. There are about four houses upon this street. These houses abut on that part of the street that is in fair condition for travel. The remaining part of the street, however, descends in a sharp grade to Pleasant street for a distance of about 330 feet and there are no houses upon this part of the street. No road has ever been wrought upon this part of the street, and it exists merely on paper. If this street were accepted as a public way, the Town Engineer estimates that $3,500 would be required to put it in condition for public travel. The direct benefit would be confined to four abutters. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 24. All the land abutting on Nason road is occupied by houses. The street is in bad condition. We recommend that Nason road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen be accepted as a public way, and that the sum of thirteen hundred dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for travel to be ex- pended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways; on the con- dition, however, that this vote shall not become effective until the Town Engineer has certified in writing to the Board of Selectmen that there has been a compliance with section 8 of Chapter 7 of the by-laws, and that all property owners have signed and delivered waivers releasing the town from all damage in consequence of such acceptance and of any work that may be done thereon.
Article 25. Cedar road leads from Nason road. Houses occupy all land abutting on this street. It is in bad condition. We recommend that Cedar road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen be accepted as a public way and that the sum of four hundred and seventy-five dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in con- dition for public travel, to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways; on the condition, however, that this vote shall not become effective until the Town Engineer has certified in writing to the Board of Selectmen that there has been a compliance with Section 8 of Chapter 7 of the by-laws and that all property owners have signed and delivered waivers releasing the town from all damage in conse- quence of such acceptance and of any work that may be done thereon.
Article 26. Mr. William D. Rowe, whose name is attached to this article, states that it would be unwise for the town at this time to accept the street therein described. We therefore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 27. Francis road is a short street connecting Humphrey street with Morton road. There are houses upon all the land abutting on this street. It is in bad condition. We recommend that Francis road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen be accepted as a public way, and that the sum of six hundred dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways; on the
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1929]
condition, however, that this vote shall not become effective until the Town Engineer has certified in writing to the Board of Selectmen that there has been a compliance with Section 8 of Chapter 7 of the by-laws and that all property owners have signed and delivered waivers releas- ing the town from all damage in consequence of such acceptance and of any work that may be done thereon.
Article 28. An inspection of Ocean View road shows a sharp grade to Pleasant street. There is only one house upon this street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen. It would cost $5,600 to do the work that would be required to put this street in safe condition for public travel. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 29. There was an article in the warrant for the annual town meeting last year requesting the acceptance of Bay View Drive. At that time there was only one house upon this street. Since then, how- ever, other houses have been built and plans for several other buildings are now under contemplation. The road was built by the person who developed the section at great expense, and in a manner to conform with the requirements of the Board of Survey Act. There is at present a great deal of travel over the road, and it should be placed in a condi- tion so that it can be conveniently used by the property owners thereon. We recommend that Bay View Drive, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, be accepted as a public way, and that the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put in condition for public travel, to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways; on the condition, however, that this vote shall not become effective until the Town Engineer has certified in writing to the Board of Selectmen that there has been a compliance with Section 8 of Chapter 7 of the by-laws and that all property owners have signed and delivered waivers releasing the town from all damages in consequence of such acceptance and of any work that may be done thereon.
Article 37. We are informed by the Board of Selectmen that this article appears in the form of an article in the warrant for a special meeting and we recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 38. This article contemplates the extension of King's Brook culvert from the railroad to Essex street. This territory is now drained in part by an open brook and in part by pipes under the ground. This method of drainage is inadequate, and frequently results in damage to abutting property owners and might easily become a nuisance en- dangering the health of the community. The article provides for the extension of the culvert from the railroad to Essex street. Our exanı- ination of the area shows that the water for a substantial distance passes through an open brook and thence into the culvert at Superior street. We believe that the area between the terminus of the culvert at Superior street and the railroad should be included in this improvement. We recommend that the Water and Sewerage Board be authorized to make, sign and deliver a contract in behalf of the town for the building of a drain from the present terminus of the culvert in Superior street to Essex street, in accordance with plans and specifications made by the Town Engineer; that all necessary easements be obtained by said Board without the payment of any money; that all property owners sign waivers releasing the town from any damage resulting from any work that may be done thereon; and that the sum of thirteen thousand dollars be appropriated therefor to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 39. The laying of this water main is recommended by the Water and Sewerage Board. We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Dukes street from Stetson avenue, a distance of about 400 feet, and that the sum of eighteen hundred fifty dollars be appro- priated therefor from the revenue of the Water Department, but on the condition that the Town Engineer shall certify in writing to the Board
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
of Selectmen that the street conforms in line and grade with the plan approved by the Board of Survey; that all abutters shall sign an agree- ment to pay six per cent interest on the investment until the water rates of the users equal the interest thereon; and that proper waivers, without the payment of any money, shall be obtained from all abutters if, in the judgment of the Water and Sewerage Board, waivers are necessary for the protection of the town.
Article 40. We recommend that a six-inch water main be laid in Plymouth avenue from the end of the present main in said avenue, a distance of 250 feet, and that the sum of thirteen hundred twenty-five dollars be appropriated therefor from the revenue of the Water Depart- ment subject, however, to the conditions contained in the recommenda- tion under Article 39.
Article 41. We are informed that there are no buildings upon this road and that there is no immediate use for water. We therefore recom- mend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 42. We are informed that this article is covered by an article in the warrant for a special town meeting and we therefore recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 43. This article seeks the location of a fire alarm box near the corner of Kensington lane and Lewis road. This is recommended by the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department. We recommend that this work be done and that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 44. This article relates to the installation of a fire alarm box near the corner of Humphrey street and Harrison avenue. This is recommended by the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department. We recommend that this work be done and that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 50. For some time there has been need for added space for keeping safely those records of the town that are at present exposed to loss or damage. The officials chiefly interested are the Town Clerk, Town Accountant, Town Treasurer and the Town Engineer. We conferred with these officers and recommended that an architect be employed for making an addition to the Town Hall that would provide sufficient space for storage purposes. This has accordingly been done. The plans show a space adjacent to the offices now occupied by the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer about six feet in width with a cellar thereunder. We are informed that this will provide ample means for the storage of all records that should be safeguarded. The estimated cost of this work will be $6,000. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen in accordance with plans and specifications made by Charles V. Burgess, architect, and in pur- suance of the provisions of the by-laws relating to the letting of con- tracts, and that for this purpose the sum of six thousand dollars be appropriated to be raised by bonds or notes of the town.
Article 51. This article concerns the appropriation of money to reduce mosquito breeding in Palmer's Pond. It describes a condition that might be regarded as a public nuisance. We are advised, however, that the town meeting has no power to abate a nuisance, but that this authority can be exercised only by the Board of Health under the pro- visions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws. We recommend, there- fore, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 52. We recommend that action under this article be in- definitely postponed.
Article 54. We recommend that the following unexpended balances from sewers be transferred to the Emergency Sewer Fund, namely: Franklin avenue sewer, $5,851.36; Fuller avenue sewer, $605.97; and Eastern Intercepting sewer, $9.06.
Article 55. We recommend that action under this article be in- definitely postponed.
1929]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
43
Article 57. We have made provisions for the commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Lynn. We recommend therefore that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 58. There is a balance of $163.97 due the contractor who did the work in connection with the cemetery during the year 1927. We recommend that this amount be paid and that it be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 59. This article relates to the payment of $4,665.53 repre- senting our share of the loss sustained by the county by reason of the closing of the Tremont Trust Co. in 1921. When the Tremont Trust Co. was closed, the County of Essex had on deposit a substantial sum of money. Some dividends have been paid by the liquidating agent, but it is now necessary for the county to absorb the remaining loss. Sec- tion 1 of Chapter 66 of the acts of 1929 authorizes the County Com- missioners to assess this loss upon the communities within the hospital district at that time. The amount assessed upon Swampscott is $4,665.53. We recommend that this amount be paid and that it be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 60. We have made provision for this matter in the budget and we recommend that further action concerning it be indefinitely postponed.
Article 61. We have made provision in the budget for the appro- priation of $500 for the observance of Memorial Day, and we recommend that this amount be apportioned by the Board of Selectmen among the Grand Army, Leon E. Abbott Post 57 of the American Legion, and Joseph L. Stevens Post 1240 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. SANTRY, Chairman, RALPH J. CURTIS,
CHARLES F. HATHAWAY,
CHESTER A. BROWN,
RALPH H. CARY,
DONALD REDFERN,
PAUL W. BRICKETT,
JOHN A. WALDO,
Finance Committee.
44
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1928
1929
Appropriated
Expended
Asked
Recommended
Legislative
$450.00
$450.00
$550.00
$550.00
Selectmen
3,801.37
3,801.37
3,775.00
3,775.00
Accounting
2,578.00
2,575.00
2,545.00
2,545.00
Treasury
2,253.00
1,916.01
2,303.00
2,303.00
Collector of Taxes
3,580.50
3,235.62
3,489.50
3,489.50
Assessors
3,900.00
3,894.34
4,200.00
4,200.00
Town Clerk
644.00
641.74
716.00
716.00
Law
1,000.00
1,000.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Election and Registration
4,921.17
4,921.17
3,000.00
3,000.00
Engineering
7,000.00
6,971.21
6,600.00
6,600.00
Town Hall
3,854.23
3,854.23
4,000.00
4,000.00
Town Hall Repairs
200.00
200.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
Certification of Notes and Bonds
500.00
139.25
1,000.00
1,000.00
Board of Appeals
245.00
237.75
250.00
250.00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police
$35,918.50
$35,914.93
$35,470.00
$35,374.42
Fire
39,840.00
39,827.52
39,840.00
39,840.00
Moth
4,683.00
4,675.91
4,673.00
4,673.00
Tree Warden.
3,500.00
3,499.33
3,540.00
3,540.00
Forest Warden
200.00
200.00
200.00
200.00
Forest Warden Special
500.00
500.00
Inspector of Buildings
1,100.00
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