USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1931 > Part 11
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Important Notice
We would ask all persons discovering fires in buildings to ring the nearest box (if within reasonable distance), as it is quicker and more accurate than the telephone. If you think you must use the telephone be sure to ask for Emergency, Breakers 82. Do not simply ask for the Fire Department.
Fire Alarm and Service Record
Swampscott box alarms
64
Swampscott telephone alarms
221
Swampscott still alarms
9
Lynn line boxes
14
All other Lynn calls
3
Marblehead boxes
32
Marblehead telephone calls
10
Marblehead special calls
2
Salem calls
1
Total
356
Under the mutual aid system Chemical 4 of Lynn responded to 31 Swampscott calls, Engine 8 of Lynn to 19 Swampscott calls, Engine 5 of Lynn to 1 Swampscott call, Engine 12 of Lynn to 3 Swampscott calls, Ladder 1 of Lynn to 6 Swampscott calls, Engine 2 of Marblehead to 4 Swampscott calls, Combination A of Swampscott to 32 Marblehead calls, Combination B of Swampscott to 2 Marblehead calls, Combination B of Swampscott to 13 Lynn calls, Ladder 1 of Swampscott to 14 Lynn calls, Combination A and D of Swampscott to 1 Salem call.
Hose, Ladders, Chemicals used at fires
3 inch hose laid 2,700 ft.
38,900 ft.
11/2 inch hose laid
400 ft.
Chemical hose laid
7,700 ft.
Ladders used
Chemical used
1,616 ft. 1,645 gals. 406 10 234 hrs. and 8 min.
Hours of duty
Combination A answered
134 calls
Combination B answered
121 calls
Ladder 1 answered
94 calls
Combination D answered
107 calls
Service car answered
33 calls
Valuation, Losses and Insurance
Value of buildings in which fires occured
$183,600.00
Damage to buildings in which fires occured
$21,450.00
Insurance on buildings in which fires occured $164,800.00 Insurance paid on buildings in which fires occured $21,450.00 Loss on buildings over insurance None
Value of contents of above buildings
$95,134.00
Damage to contents of above buildings
$21,109.37
Insurance on contents of above buildings
$67,650.00
21/2 inch hose laid
Indian pumps used
Drills
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Insurance paid on contents of above buildings
Loss over insurance
Automobile fires
$20,759.37 $350.00 14
Dump fires 61
There have been 224 permits issued (after inspection) for the stor- age of fuel oil in connection with the use of oil burners for heating and cooking.
Twenty-one permits have been issued for the use of dynamite in blasting rock.
Eighty-seven garage building applications have been approved and inspections made.
Apparatus
Outside of the human element the reliability of our apparatus and the conditions of our equipment constitute the kind of service that can be rendered to the town. It is our desire to maintain the highest possible efficiency.
Ladder 1 at the. Central Station was put into service in 1917. This year it has been repainted, the ladders have been thoroughly scraped and varnished, and a starter and booster pump installed. It is now a very handsome and serviceable piece of apparatus. All the work of scraping and varnishing the ladders and equipment was done by the men at the Central Station.
Combination A at the Phillips Beach Station was put in service in 1911 and is in fair running condition and only the usual upkeep is anticipated. This is a chemical machine capable of discharging 70 gal- lons of liquid before recharging, and also carries 1000 feet of 21/2 inch hose. In view of its length of service in a community which has long since outgrown the ability of this apparatus to give proper protection, it is evident that before long more satisfactory service must be installed at this station.
We feel it necessary to again call attention to Combination B, our major piece of apparatus. This pumper was purchased in 1913, and due to its length of service and consequent obsolescence, is becoming an unreliable unit in the department. After careful investigation and consideration last year by the Chief and Board, as to the advisibility of reconditioning the present pumper, it was concluded, after es- timate for the work had been secured, that not only because of the expense involved but because it would also be practically a rebuilt or second hand pumper and in our opinion, as such, it would be unwise to longer maintain it as our principal piece of apparatus.
With these facts before us the Board is unanimous in recommending that the town purchase this year a 1,000 gallon pumper, and we have inserted in the warrant an article for an appropriation for this purpose. As the turn-in value for this old piece of apparatus would be small, it is our intention to hold it in reserve for use as occasion requires. During the past year we have made only such repairs as were ab- solutely required on this pump owing to lack of funds. New tires must be put on the rear wheels at once, even if it is to be kept as a spare, also a certain amount of repair work should be done on the engine.
Hose
We have in service 400 ft. of 3 inch hose, 3,600 ft. of 21/2 inch hose, 400 ft. of 11/2 inch hose and 700 ft. of Chemical hose. We will require 400 ft. of 11/2 inch hose and 500 ft. of 21/2 inch hose this year.
Buildings
Both the Central and Phillips Beach Stations will need some repair work done this year.
Fire Alarm System and Underground Cable Work
There have been 83 alarms sent out over the system this year. Three years ago the town started the first work of a five year plan to remodel and extend our Fire Alarm System to keep pace with the
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REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
1931]
growth of the town, and to provide for future requirements. We carried on this work for two years, terminating the new underground cables at Humphrey street and Ingalls terrace. There was an interruption of this work in 1931, but we hope to resume the work in 1932, an out- line of which is as follows:
Continuing the present underground main-line cable from Ingalls terrace along Humphrey street to Burrill street to New Ocean street and thence to Central Fire Station. At the junction of Humphrey street and Redington street a lateral cable will branch off to provide for No. 2 circuit and the Hadley School box. A connection will be provided at the Monument for a cable to lead to a new box which may be in- stalled at a later date at corner of Humphrey and Shore Drive.
In connection with this work we now have a very attractive prop- osition from the New England Telegraph and Telephone Co., which will enable us to take a more direct route with our main cable by going through Burrill street in a new conduit to be jointly installed by the Telephone Co. and the town if no legal difficulty arises.
When this year's work, as outlined here, is completed it will finish the third year of our five year program of fire alarm improvement.
We have inserted an article in the warrant asking for an appropria- tion for the work.
George B. Learned
It is with genuine sorrow and regret that we here record the death of our Chairman, George B. Learned, which occured on September 9, 1931. Mr. Learned served on the Board for eight years, and in his passing the loss of his valued counsel will be keenly felt in the adminis- tration of the affairs of this department. His memory will serve as an inspiration to us to carry on in the manner of his ideals the business in which we are engaged.
We also lost by death during the year Lieut. Alphonse Levesque, of Combination B, a faithful and efficient officer whose loss was keenly felt.
Remarks
This department, co-operating with the school department and the officials in charge of the parochial school furnished speakers and lit- erature in observance of Fire Prevention week.
Dump-fires
We believe that the dump-fire situation has arrived at a point where the citizens should have all the facts brought to their attention as fol- lows:
Number of dump-fires
61
Time spent at dump-fires
73 hrs. 50 min. 245 ft.
Hose used at dump-fires
Water used at dump-fires
876,000 gallons
Few people realize that this large quantity of water was used by our department on dump-fires and mostly at the State road dump. During the water shortage last summer when the people living near the High School had great difficulty in getting enough water for domestic use, we still were using great quantities of water on some of the dumps. We have had numerous fires started by burning paper flying about from the dumps. Several serious instances of this kind occured at the Walker road dump during the past year, where we had to work very fast laying water lines to save the houses in the vicinity. This danger could be eliminated by enclosing the dump with a wire fence. The question of this enormous waste of water can only be taken care of by furnishing some other place to burn the rubbish other than in the midst of a thickly settled community.
Respectfully submitted,
Chief of Department. JAMES WARNOCK,
Board of Fire Engineers.
BENJ. B. BLANCHARD, JEFFERSON G. OWENS, Jr., JAMES W. BUCHANAN.
.
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Trustees of the Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The opening of the children's room on February 17 marks one step forward in the development of the library. This new room, planned for the use of children who have not completed the eighth grade in school, has been equipped with a good collection of fine editions of children's classics, several new books for ready reference, and a large collection of new books for general reading.
One more member added to our staff has made more liberal rules possible. Children eight years of age may have cards now, and two books are issued on each one of these cards. In the adult department, each borrower may have two books of fiction on a card, with the usual number of non-fiction.
A record of attendance was kept from January 13 to February 28, 1931. This record shows that 2458 adults and 3780 students used the library. From January 13 to February 17, the day on which the chil- dren's room was opened, there was an attendance of 1796 children, making a total attendance in the adult department of 8034.
The Sunday attendance during the winter of 1930-1931 was as
follows Total, 586; adults, 138; students, 256; children, 192.
ยท total number of new books added to the library during the past war is 1893, which is the largest number of accessions since the present building was opened. The number of books and magazines circulated is 66,726, an increase of 4436 over last year.
There have been changes in the staff of the library. The comple- tion of their High School work made it necessary for Miss Anna Soutter and Miss Jean Crosby to leave us, and Miss Louise Badasarian took over their work in the early fall. Miss Lillian Ansley left us during the summer, and Miss Esther Lang was appointed to the position of Children's Librarian in her place.
Gifts have been presented to the library by the following persons : John Albree, William Zeller of New York, Arthur Anderson, Miss Priscilla Yozell, the Pastor of St. John's Parish, Eldredge H. Blood, Miss Louise Ricker and Mrs. George Bernard.
GUSTAVUS J. ESSELEN, JR.,
ELIHU THOMSON,
JEAN G. ALLEN, Board of Trustees.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Circulation :
Adult fiction
36,268
Adult non-fiction
7,178
Adult periodicals
1,210
44,654
Juvenile fiction
16,287
Juvenile non-fiction
5,394
Juvenile periodicals
391
22,072
66,726
New books added during the year, 1893.
Books in the library, January 1, 1932, 14,589. Fine receipts turned over to the town, $418:72.
LUCY M. EVELETH, Librarian.
115
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1931]
The Planning Board
At a special town meeting held on December 4, 1930, it was voted that the town establish a Planning Board as required by Section 70 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts.
Under the by-law as adopted, the board consists of five members, chosen by ballot at the annual town meeting, members to serve, after the first election, for a term of three years.
The duties of the board, under Section 3 of the By-laws of the town, are "to consider and advise upon municipal improvements, either at the request of other officials of the town, or upon its own initiative. It shall consider and develop a town plan, with special attention to main ways, land developments, zoning, play-grounds, parks, and sites for permanent school plants . .... It shall examine the plans for the exterior of any public building, monument, or similar feature and for the development and treatment of grounds about the same before the adoption thereof and may make such recommendations thereon as it may deem needful."
At the annual town meeting, held on February 16, 1931, George M. Glidden was elected as a member of the board for a term of three years, Henry S. Baldwin and Ralph J. Curtis for a term of two years, and Herbert E. Ingalls and John R. Hurlburt for a term of one year.
On February 19, 1931, the newly elected board held its first meet- ing. George M. Glidden was elected chairman and John R. Hurlburt, secretary. It was voted to hold regular weekly meetings on Wednes- days at 8 P. M.
Since that meeting the board has held 31 meetings.
Reports on Articles in Warrants
Although the board was but newly created, several articles in the Town Warrant demanded its immediate attention, and the board com- inenced its work upon those articles.
On Article 40, requesting a replacement of the tablet on the Rams- dell Monument, the board recommended indefinite postponement. The report of the board was sustained.
On Article 41, calling for a change in the zoning by-laws of all the land on the easterly side of Humphrey street, between King's Beach and Blaney Beach, from single residence district to business district, the board recommended indefinite postponement. This recom- mendation was sustained.
Article 51, calling for the re-zoning of a certain parcel of land on the easterly side of Walker road, received the support of the board. This article was passed by the town meeting.
Considerable time was spent discussing sites for the proposed High School. Conferences were held with interested parties and with the School Committee. After these conferences the Planning Board recom- mended the Forest avenue site as being suitable for High School pur- poses. This site was accepted by the special town meeting on April 27, 1931, but the action of the town meeting was later reversed by a referendum held on May 28, 1931.
Several other hearings were held with interested parties regarding changes which they wished to have made in the existing zoning laws which require no report at this time.
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Knowlton Hearing
The Knowlton heirs petitioned the Planning Board to grant them a hearing for the purpose of having their property re-zoned so that it would be possible to erect a first-class apartment hotel. The hearing was held on July 29, 1931.
The proponents of the proposition outlined their case and presented for the consideration of the board certain data, including copies of the Master's findings and Judge's decree in the case of "Inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott versus Knowlton Arms, Incorporated."
In a letter addressed to the board, requesting the hearing, the Knowlton heirs stated that they would produce evidence that "parties were at hand with plans and finances." .
At the hearing an architect's drawing was presented, showing the proposed structure, a fourteen story building, but there was no evidence presented that parties were prepared to finance this undertaking. For this reason the Planning Board decided that as there was nothing of a definite character before the town. the petition of the Knowlton heirs should be denied.
At Special Town Meeting
The article in the Warrant for the special town meeting, held on November 4, 1931, called for re-zoning for business purposes of the entire property on Humphrey street, between King's Beach and Fish- erman's Beach. The board recommended indefinite postponement on this article. The action of the board was sustained.
Town Plan
One of the duties of the board is to construct and develop a Town Plan. This is now under consideration. This Town Plan, however. is not something for immediate use, but should be considered as a plan covering the development of the town for the future. Naturally, such a plan must be worked out with great care and foresight, and the board is not as yet prepared to publish this plan. The board finds. however. that there are many things which should be done in order to enhance' the safety, convenience, and public welfare of the town.
Highways
The question of the main arteries of the town is one which must be given careful consideration. The board is not as yet ready to submit a definite plan. In the near future certain street widenings must be made, certain streets extended, and in some instances new roads laid out.
The situation at the so-called "S" curve at the junction of Burrill and New Ocean streets and the State road is very bad. We have con- ferred with the Chief of Police about this matter, and although we believe that ultimately this curve will have to be eliminated, for the present, traffic lights will help overcome the hazard which exists at the present time.
Parks
As a whole the parks are well situated and when fully developed, should serve the town adequately, we believe. However, the street known as the Greenway should be made the limit of Jackson Park. the land lying between the Greenway and the park to be taken by the town. Jackson Park could be further developed by taking the land to the northeast of the present boundary, commonly known as the Forty Acres, to provide for the possibility of a future demand for a municipal golf course. The board believes that the Park Commission should
117
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1931]
develop some plan so as to use Jackson Park as an athletic field. The first step in such plan should be the erection of a fence.
Town Hall
The present Town Hall is inadequate in every respect. Its office arrangement makes it nearly impossible to conduct the business of the town efficiently. The hall where the annual meetings are held is insufficient in size and in our opinion is a decided fire risk. In the near future this building must be replaced.
Police Station
The Police Station consists of a former residential building which has served the town long and well but is inadequate to fill the present needs. This building likewise must be replaced in the near future.
Central Fire Station
This house was built some 40 years ago. It has no cellar, the heating apparatus being located in a lean-to attached to the east side of the building. This house has been enlarged and remodeled several times since its erection, but it still requires quite an amount of money each year to keep it in reasonable condition. The sleeping quarters of the men are very poorly arranged and the floor space inadequate to properly house the apparatus.
In looking into the future we realize that before long different quarters must be provided which should set farther back from the street so that fire apparatus could come out with greater safety and with less danger from traffic.
It also should include fire-proof rooms for the fire-alarm apparatus, as the town has outgrown the present fire-alarm headquarters.
These requirements might be secured by the erection of a new station on the present site with the taking of some additional land, or a new Central Station and Fire Alarm Headquarters could be erected on a less travelled street with larger lot adjacent to other municipal buildings.
Phillips Beach Fire Station
The Phillips Beach Fire Station is very well located and its grounds are one of the beauty spots of the town in the summer season. This building will probably be adequate for the needs of this section for some time.
Town Stables
The Town Stables are in excellent condition, having been built but recently. There is sufficient space surrounding them for all present needs. The manner in which the grounds are kept speaks well for the care and attention given them by the Surveyor of Highways.
Pumping Station
The Pumping Station was remodelled in 1918 and is serviceable for many years to come.
Schools
From information which we are able to obtain, we believe that the elementary schools are in good condition and should be sufficient for some time. The present High School is undoubtedly inadequate, unsafe and unsanitary, and the voters of the town should give serious con- sideration to the erection of a new High School as soon as the finances of the town will permit such expenditure. In the opinion of the board it would be a waste of money to attempt to remodel the present building.
118
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Resources of the Town and Possibilities of Development
Swampscott is primarily a residential town. It has no resources which would tend to cause its development industrially. On the other hand, it is admirably located and has resources, such as its splendid beaches, that would materially assist in developing the town further as a residential community.
The possibilities of future development should lie along the lines of single family dwellings. If developed in this way, there is no reason why the town should not become one of the foremost residential spots within the State. On the other hand, should industries and business be allowed to creep in, the town would soon lose all that it has gained in the past and soon deteriorate and become simply another place to live.
Conditions Injurious to Health
There are at the present time certain conditions which exist in the town which are injurious to the health of the inhabitants and should be corrected. Certain low lands exist where drainage water accumu- lates, forming breeding places for mosquitoes and other pests. In co- operation with the State Department of Mosquito Control, these places should be drained in order to eliminate this nuisance.
The dumps of the town should receive more care and consideration. While perhaps necessary for the present, these could be maintained in better condition by having all loose waste material and paper covered over with gravel, thus eliminating the neglected appearance and eradi- cating the fire nuisance. It is true that this process might cost more, but the benefits received would far out-weigh any cost involved. Per- haps an incinerator might be the ultimate solution of this problem.
The business of the Lynn Sand and Stone Company has developed conditions which are detrimental to the health, comfort and welfare of the residents of the town. The heavy blasts which are felt through the town, causing damage to property, should be reduced. While no legitimate business should be unduly handicapped, at the same time such business should be conducted with due and proper regard for the safety, health and comfort of the residents of the town. This should be readily accomplished by the co-operation of the company to eliminate the damage to property and to eliminate the serious nuisance caused by the dust and smoke penetrating into the interior of homes in that vicinity. The company should give serious consideration to this condi- tion of affairs and bring about the required relief.
Proper Housing
Swampscott at the present time is confronted with a serious housing problem-the Swampscott Highlands section. Persons were apparently misled into purchasing homes in this vicinity where it is practically impossible to furnish them with the necessary conveniences of life such as water and sewerage. Many schemes have been tried and much thought given to the predicament in which these people find themselves.
The suggestion of this board is that as soon as the finances of the town will permit, the town give serious consideration to taking this entire section by eminent domain for park purposes. The cost of this would be about $50,000, which in the long run would prove to be an excellent investment for the town.
Land Development
The board desires to call to the attention of all persons interested in land development in Swampscott that they first consult with the Planning Board before proceeding with their development plans. This would benefit the developer and likewise the town and insure a har- monious development. It would also eliminate possible conflict with
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1931]
the building and zoning laws with attendant unfortunate consequences.
While the Planning Board has under consideration several plans which it feels will be of ultimate benefit to the town and which should be adopted and carried forward eventually, yet in the judgment of this board this is not the time. for embarking upon such expenditure when everybody is watching the tax rate with apprehension. The town can without undue hardship get along with conditions as they are for a short time in the hope that financial conditions will improve. The present requirement is for strict economy based upon what the tax- payer is reasonably willing and able to pay.
The present financial situation is wide spread and seriously affects not only the town, but the State, the nation and even the whole business world. It is persisting with unexpected stubbornness and challenges the efforts of all citizens until a marked improvement takes place. That desired improvement will be reached sooner if present economy is observed.
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