USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1930 > Part 4
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Voted that when we adjourn it be to April 8, 1930, at 7:30 P. M. Voted to adjourn at 8:15 P. M.
Attest: RALPH D. MERRITT. Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING March 26, 1930
In accordance with the adjournment of February 24, 1930, the voters were called to order by Kendall A. Sanderson, Moderator, protem.
Voted to dispense with the reading of the records of the last meeting.
The Finance Committee report was read by James W. Santry, Chairman.
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Members of the Limited Town Meeting:
The Finance Committee herewith submits its report concerning all articles in the warrant that were referred to it at the meeting held February 24, 1930.
Article 4. We recommend that no changes be made in the salaries of the town officials for the ensuing year, except those of the inem- bers of the Board of Registrars of Voters and we recommend that the salaries of each of the members of this Board be increased $50. We have made provision for this increase under Article 8 of the warrant under the heading of Election and Registration.
1930}
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
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Article 7. There are articles in the warrant covering the matters described in this article upon which we have reported. We, therefore, recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 8. We recommend that the item for "water" of $60,113.75 and also the item for "emergency water" of $2,500 under the heading of "Enterprises," be taken from the estimated receipts of the Water Department for the current year.
We have made provision in this article for the purchase of new equipment for the Highway Department consisting of a gasoline pump at an estimated cost of $500, a catch basin cleaner at an estimated cost of $4,500, and an oil burner tar kettle at an estimated cost of $300, the cost of said articles aggregating $5,300. In talking with the Surveyor of Highways he informed us that the purchase of the catch basin cleaner would permit the cleaning of all catch basins in the town within a very short time and with the use of a few men. The work now takes almost the entire force of this Department for the period of about six weeks.
We recommend that the following amounts be appropriated for the various departments for the ensuing year.
General Government
Legislative
$550.00
Selectmen
3,700.00
Selectmen's Contingent Fund
500.00
Accounting
2,730.00
Treasury
2,353.00
Certification of Notes and Bonds
1,000.00
Collector of Taxes
3,479.50
Assessors
5,200.00
Town Clerk
866.00
Election and Registration
2,903.00
Engineering
7,000.00
Town Hall
4,300.00
Town Hall Repairs
3,000.00
Law
2,000.00
Board of Appeals
250.00
$39,831.50
Protection of Persons and Property
Police
$35,971.50
Fire
40,840.00
Moth
4,673.00
Tree Warden
3,550.00
Forest Warden
200.00
Inspector of Buildings
1,250.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
555.00
87,039.50
Health and Sanitation
Health
$9,220.00
Dental Clinic
1,200.00
Health Nurse
1,350.00
Cleaning Beaches
1,250.00
Refuse and Garbage
12,865.00
Health Dumps
1,700.00
Sewer
10,365.00
Particular Sewers
1,000.00
Brooks
500.00
Emergency Sewer
1,500.00
40,950.00
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
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Highways
Highway Administration
$2,900.00
Highway
45,050.00
Seal Coating
5,000.00
Street Construction
3,000.00
Street Watering and Oiling
4,000.00
Sidewalks and Curbing
4,000.00
Snow and Ice
6,000.00
New Equipment
5,300.00
Continuous Sidewalks
10,000.00
Lighting Streets
24,302.00
$109,552.00
Charities
Public Welfare
$11,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
7,261.77
State Aid
500.00
Military Aid
480.00
Pensions
5,677.80
Burnett Fund
132.00
25,051.57
Schools and Libraries
Schools
$178,866.35
Library
10,525.00
Traveling Expenses of Superintendent of
Schools Outside State
100.00
189,491.35
Recreation and Unclassified
Parks
$8,500.00
Subordinate Officials
630.00
Memorial Day
500.00
Firemen's Memorial Day
200.00
Heat and Light G. A. R. and V. F. W. Hall
750.00
District Nurse
300.00
Legion Lease
1,350.00
Trust Fund Custodian's Bond
40.00
Reserve Fund
5,000.00
Printing Town
Reports
1,256.77
Insurance
5,404.07
Care of Prisoners
100.00
Veteran's Exemption
50.00
Unpaid Bills
3,597.36
27,678.20
Enterprises
Water
$60,113.75
Cemetery
4,678.00
Emergency Water
2,500.00
67,291.75
Interest and Maturing Debt
Interest on Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
$10,000.00
Interest on General Debt
22,324.75
Interest on Sewer Bonds
5,906.50
Interest on Tuberculosis
Hospital Bonds
1,800.00
General Debt Maturing
46,443.45
Sewer Bonds Maturing
14,850.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Bonds Maturing
4,000.00
105,324.70
Agency
Tuberculosis Hospital Maintenance
$5,587.89
5,587.89
$697,798.46
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1930]
Article 9. Phillips avenue from Atlantic avenue to Plummer avenue is in bad condition owing partly to the building of the sewer therein last year. We have talked with the Surveyor of Highways and the Town Engineer and they recommend that this part of the street be permanently paved. We recommend, therefore, that a re- surfacing of bituminous macadam be laid in that part of Phillips avenue from Atlantic avenue to Plummer avenue in accordance with specifications approved by the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth and that the Board of Select- men be authorized to make, sign and deliver a contract, in behalf of the town therefor subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that for this purpose the sum of $16,000 be appropriated and raised in the manner re- commended in our report under Article 93.
Article 10. This article relates to the rebuilding of Puritan road from the administration building, so called, to the New Ocean House. The cost of this work would exceed $15,000. This road is the main artery of travel along the North Shore. It is used to a greater extent by persons living outside of Swampscott than by those who live within the town. Under these circumstances it would seem unfair to have the cost of this work borne entirely by Swampscott. We have con- ferred with the Board of Selectmen about this and find that at the proper time they plan a conference with the state and county officials to obtain contributions from these sources towards the cost of the work. We recommend that this be done, and that further action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 11. This article seeks the resurfacing of Humphrey street between Commonwealth avenue and Glen road. Last year we re- commended the appropriation of $9,500 for this purpose, but because of the division of opinion among the committee having the work in charge, no vote could be passed. We recommend that repairs be made along that part of Humphrey street between Commonwealth avenue and Glen road under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, the Surveyor of Highways, and one voter of the town appointed by the moderator, who shall make a contract in behalf of the town for the doing of this work subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts and that for this purpose the sumn of $10,000 be appropriated from the tax levy for the current year.
Article 12. During a heavy rainstorm last summer the wooden blocks constituting the pavement in Humphrey street were displaced in many places. Necessary repairs were immediately made by the Surveyor of Highways and the inconvenience was of short duration. The work contemplated by this article would cost $9,000. When Humphrey street was built in 1913 the cost was borne by the state, county and town. Since it was built the cost of maintenance has been borne alone by the town. We have made no objection to this. If, however, there is to be any substantial repairing to the street, or any rebuilding thereof, we believe that the cost should be distributed on some fair basis among the state, the county and the town. We recom- mend, therefore, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 13. There are three culverts along Salem street that have been in use for a long time. They are now in such a condition that they cannot be cleaned; they must be rebuilt. The cost of this work will be $2,500. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways, and that the sum of $2,500 be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Articles 14 and 15. The trouble sought to be remedied by these articles consists in the collection of surface water on Phillips avenue and on other streets in the vicinity thereof. The collection of this water at certain times during the year becomes a nuisance, and does substantial damage to the streets over which the water flows. It is the purpose of these articles to conduct this water through drains to
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Palmer's Pond. We recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make a contract in behalf of the town and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, to remedy the conditions described in these articles by laying drains in accordance with plans and specifications made by the town engineer; that all easements in connection with said work be obtained before any obligations are incurred, and without the payment of any money therefor, and that for this work the sum of $7,300 be appropri- ated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Ar- ticle 93.
Article 16. We have conferred with the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways concerning the work contemplated by this article. We believe that this work should be done. We, therefore, recommend that the pipe drain to Palmer's Pond be enlarged; that three manholes be built, and that a tidegate be located at the outlet to said pond: that said work be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways and that for this purpose the sum of $2,600 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 17. A fence is badly needed at this point to protect trav- elers along this part of Essex street. We recommend that such a fence be built under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and that the sum of $300 be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 19. This article seeks the removal of the old buildings in the yard of the Highway Department and the building of a storage shed. We have conferred with the Surveyor of Highways and he informs us that it would cost $6,000 to erect a suitable building for storage purposes. He advises that the present buildings be retained and repaired, and estimates that the cost will be $2,500. This will also enable him to close certain entrances. There will then be sufficient space in these buildings for the storage of the equipment of the Moth Superintendent. We recommend that $2,500 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways, subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, for the purpose of repairing the old buildings in the stable yard of the Highway Department and the closing of entrances in connection therewith.
Article 20. The projector of this street has complied with all the statutes relating to the laying out and acceptance of ways, and has expended a substantial sum of money thereon. We, therefore, recom- mend that Barnstable street as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, be accepted as a public way, and that $1,000 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel.
Article 21. Plymouth avenue has complied with all laws relating to the laying out and acceptance of public ways. A large sum of money has been spent upon it by the owner in placing it in condition for acceptance. We recommend that Plymouth avenue be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, and that $400 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in con- dition for public travel.
Article 22. Last year the meeting passed a vote authorizing the acceptance of this street when all waivers were signed. There are about fifty owners of property abutting upon this street and all of these owners, except one, have duly executed and delivered to the town a waiver of all damages in consequence of the acceptance of this street. There is one owner, however, who refuses to sign. His property is located at the southerly end of the road. It appears that before erecting his house he sent an engineer to the town engineer's office to ascertain the condition of the grades. The Town Engineer
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
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showed this representative the plans that had been approved by the Board of Survey that clearly showed the grades that should be ob- served in the erection of buildings. It was quite evident from the talk of this representative with the Town Engineer that there was nothing about the plans that was obscure. When, however, the building was erected, no attention was paid to these plans, but the building was built to satisfy the ideas of 'he owner. There are at the present time buildings along this road that represent an investment of more than $100,000 to their several owners. Other buildings are in contemplation. It seems unfair that one person should be able to withhold a much needed public improvement. We believe that the owner, who will not sign a waiver, has suffered no legal damage. We, therefore, recommend that Bay View drive be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, and that the sum of $3,500 be appro- priated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel.
Article 23 We are informed by the Town Engineer that Stanley road has not been built to the grades established by the plans approved by the Board of Survey. It is therefore not in a condition to be accepted as a public wav. We recommend, therefore, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 24. Much taxable property has been added to Common- wealth avenue during the past several years and is now in a condition to be accepted as a public way. We, therefore, recommend that Com- monwealth avenue be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, and that the sum of $400 be appropriated there- for from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel; this vote to become effective as soon as the Board of Selectmen have obtained such waivers from all abutting owners as it deems necessary for the protection of the town.
Article 25. Ocean avenue leads from Atlantic avenue to Phillips Beach. At present it is a private way, and the owners of property abutting thereon might have the power to exclude persons from using it in passing to and from the beach. No question of this nature has ever arisen between the public and the owners, and so far as we know, there has never been any attempt to exclude the public from approach- ing the beach over this wav. We believe, however, that there should be no opportunity for this question to arise. We, therefore, recommend that Ocean avenue be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with a plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer; we further recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make a contract in behalf of the town for building said road, and for the construction of necessary catch basins and other appurtenances in connection therewith, subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that for these purposes the sum of $3,500 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 26. Last year we carefully considered the acceptance of Prospect avenue and decided that it would be unwise to do so. There are no buildings upon the part of the way to be accepted. It consists of a piece of waste land running at a sharp grade to Pleasant street. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 27. Minerva street is now in a condition to be accepted as a public way. We understand that all persons owning property on this street have signed and delivered to the town waivers of all damages in the usual form. We recommend, therefore, that Minerva street be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with a plan made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer, dated January, 1927, and on file with the office of the town clerk,
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
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and that the sum of $470 be appropriated therefor from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to put it in condition for public travel.
Article 28. This is a short street running from the northerly side of Humphrey street to Kensington lane. We understand that no plan has been approved by the Board of Survey, nor has the street been laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the pro- visions of the statutes. These steps must be taken before it can be reported to the town for acceptance. We recommend, therefore, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 29. In talking with the Board of Selectmen and the Sur- veyor of Highways it appears that the town has no further use for the stone crushing plant and boiler now located at the highway stable yard, and that in the opinion of these officials this equipment should be sold. We recommend that the Board of Selectmen and the Sur- veyor of Highways be authorized to sell the equipment described in this article subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the sale of property belonging to the town.
Article 30. This road has been accepted by the town as a public way in connection with the building of the Stanley School. It now must be built. The Town Engineer estimates that the cost will be $6,000. We recommend, therefore, that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make a contract for the building of Whitman road sub- ject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and under specifications approved by the Div- ision of Highways of the Department of Public Works, and that the sum of $6,000 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Article 32. The trouble described in this article arises in connec- tion with an open brook, the outlet of which becomes stopped. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Surveyor of Highways and that the sum of $475 be appropriated therefor in the manner following, namely: $165.12 from the Humphrey street drain account and $309.88 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Article 33. It appears that water runs from the ledge adjoining the northerly side of Humphrey street in the vicinity of Millett road and settles upon the sidewalk and street causing much inconvenience to travelers. At a conference with the Board of the Selectmen and the Town Engineer no plan, however, was submitted to correct this trouble. We, therefore, recommend that further study be given to it, and that for the present further action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 34. A very large ledge projects into Buena Vista street. It is estimated that the cost of removing this ledge would be from $6,000 to $7,000. We do not believe that this work should be under- taken in one year, but do feel that a beginning should be made. We recommend, therefore, that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated from the Excess and Deficiency Fund to be used in removing so much of said ledge as may be possible by the expenditure of this sum, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Articles 35, 36, and 37. Articles relating to the matters covered by these articles appear in the warrant for the special town meeting. We, therefore, recommend that action under these articles be indefinitely postponed.
Article 38. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board and by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that a sewer be built in the streets named in this article, a distance of about 2,880 feet, under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board, in accordance with plans made by the town engineer, and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that the sum of $21,500 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1930]
Article 39. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board and by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that a sewer be built in the streets named in this article a distance of about 2,350 feet under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board, in accordance with plans made by the town engineer, and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that the sum of $20,000 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Article 40. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board and by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that a sewer be built in the streets named in this article a distance of about 1,440 feet under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board, in accordance with plans made by the town engineer, and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that the sum of $12,000 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Article 41. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board and by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that a sewer be built in the streets named in this article a distance of about 7,250 feet under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board, in accordance with plans made by the town engineer, and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that the sum of $31,500 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Article 42. We are informed by the Water and Sewerage Board that a large part of this sewer would have to be laid through unde- veloped land. The cost of the work would be $13,000. It is not recom- mended bv the Water and Sewerage Board nor by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 43. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board and by the Board of Health. We, therefore, recommend that a sewer be built in the streets named in this article a distance of about 450 feet under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board, in accordance with plans made by the town engineer, and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and that the sum of $2,900 be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Article 44. We have talked with the proponent of this article and find that there is trouble with overflowing cesspools. We recom- mend, therefore that a sewer be built from Rockland street to King street under the direction of the Water and Sewerage Board in ac- cordance with plans made by the Town Engineer and subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts and that the sum of $2,200 be appropriated and raised there- for in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
Articles 45 and 46. We are informed by the Water and Sewerage Board that there are no completed houses on the streets described in these articles. We recommend, therefore, that action under these articles be indefinitely postponed.
Article 47. This sewer would have to pass through a large stretch of undeveloped land. The cost would be substantial. It is not re- commended by the Water and Sewerage Board. We, therefore, re- commend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 48. The Water and Sewerage Board does not recommend this work. Easements through private land would have to be taken. We recommend, therefore, that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 49. This work is recommended by the Water and Sewer- age Board. Last year this brook was covered from the railroad to Essex street and $13,000 was appropriated therefor. The purpose of this article is to extend the work to Cherry street, a distance of about
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
280 feet. We, therefore, recommend that the Water and Sewerage Board be authorized to make a contract in behalf of the town for the extension of Kings Beach Culvert to Cherry street, a distance of about 280 feet, in accordance with plans and specifications made by W. W. Pratt, town engineer; that all necessary easements be obtained without the payment of any money; that all property owners sign waivers releasing the town from any damage that may be done; and that the sum of $2,800, be appropriated and raised in the manner recommended in our report under Article 93.
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