USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1931 > Part 16
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The floor joists for all floors in dwellings, except the attics, shall not be less than the following sizes:
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REPORT OF BY-LAW COMMITTEE
1931]
First and second floor joists not less than 2 inch x 8 inch-16 inches on center for a span of 14 feet or under; over 14 foot span joist must be 12 inches on center. All spans over 8 feet in width to be bridged in center with one row of 1 inch x 3 inch bridging; over 13 feet in width to be bridged with two rows of 1 inch x 3 inch bridging. Floor joists for attics shall be not less than 2 inch x 6 inch-18 inches on centers.
Plates and Rafters
Section 16. All dwellings over one story in height shall have plates not less than four by four inches, or the equivalent, and if over sixteen feet in width shall have rafters not less than two by six inches set not more than twenty inches on centers.
No studding for any part of the outside walls of any building over one story in height shall be less than two by four inches and sixteen inches on centers.
All boards which form any part of the frame of the building shall be nailed at each bearing with not less than two eight-penny nails, or the equivalent.
Fire Protection of Woodwork
Section 17. Woodwork shall be kept at least one inch away from the outside brick work of chimneys and in no case shall nails be driven into the masonry of a chimney for the support of woodwork.
Smoke pipes from furnaces and heaters shall be kept at least eighteen inches away from any woodwork unless the woodwork is pro- tected to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
Registers, connected with hot air furnaces shall be set in non- combustible borders, at least two inches wide.
Steam pipes shall be kept at least one inch from all woodwork or shall be protected by an incombustible ring or tube, or rest on iron supports.
Fire Stopping
Section 18. Fire stopping shall be provided to form an effectual horizontal fire barrier between stories and roof spaces. The stopping shall consist of pieces of wood not less than two inches thick fitted tightly, cement mortar, or brick filling. Fire stopping shall not be con- cealed from view until opportunity has been given the Building In- spector to approve it.
Before the chimney is plastered, a metal strip two inches wide on the floor, and turned up one-half inch against the chimney shall be provided at each floor level, including the attic.
Opening in Party Walls
Section 19. No opening or door-way shall be cut through a party or partition wall of any building without a permit from the Building Inspector, and when required by the Building Inspector every such doorway shall be protected by standard self-closing fire doors with approved fire resistive frame and hardware.
Chimneys
Section 20. Chimneys less than 8 inches thick shall have a tile flue lining covered with at least four inches of brickwork. Top of chimney shall be capped with cement, tile or stone.
Roofs
Section 21. No part of any roof shall be constructed in such a manner as to discharge snow, ice or other material upon a public street. Any roof hereafter constructed in the town of Swampscott, shall be covered with a fire-resistive material such as metal, tile, slate, as- bestos shingles, or surfaced asphalt shingles. If asphalt shingles are
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used, they shall weigh not less than 235 pounds per hundred square feet laid or 74 pounds per hundred square feet of material not laid.
The roofs of all public buildings hereafter erected or constructed, and the roof of any existing public building hereafter recovered, shall be covered and roofed with non-combustible or fire-retarding material as above.
Whenever twenty-five per cent. or more of a roof covering is here- after replaced, the new covering shall be one of the fire resistive mate- rials mentioned above.
Penalty for Violation
Section 22. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $20 for each offense.
CHAPTER II-"B" Town Meetings
Section 1. The annual town meeting shall be held on the third Monday in February in each year. For the election of officers, at said annual town meeting, or at any special town meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, polls shall be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and shall remain open until six o'clock at night. After the counting and declaration of votes for officers at an annual town meeting, said meeting shall be adjourned to the second Tuesday next thereafter at 7:45 P. M., and at which time, and at any further adjournment thereof, the remain- ing articles of the warrant shall be taken up.
Section 2. Notice of every town meeting shall be given by posting attested copies of the warrant for the same in at least two public places in each precinct, and by mailing such warrant to each town meeting member, not less than seven days before the day appointed for said meeting. Notice of the adjournment of any town meeting shall be ad- vertised by the town clerk at least once in a newspaper or newspapers published in Swampscott and, in case such adjournment is for a period of more than five days, notice shall be mailed to each town meeting member at least one day prior to the date set for the adjourned meeting.
Section 3. The Town Clerk shall send a copy of the warrant for every town meeting to each town meeting member as soon as said warrant is drawn and printed.
Section 4. The proceedings of town meetings shall be governed by the rules of practice contained in Cushing's manual of parliamentary practice, except as the same may be modified by law or by these by- la w.s.
Section 5. The Moderator shall preside and regulate the proceed- ings, decide all questions of order, make public declaration of all votes. If a vote so declared is immediately questioned, the Moderator may, and if immediately questioned by seven or more voters, he shall verity it by polling the voters or by dividing the meeting. In polling the voters, the Moderator shall appoint tellers, and voters in the affirmative and in the negative respectively shall be requested to rise and stand until they are counted by the tellers, and the tellers shall make report of said count to the Moderator, who shall then announce the vote.
Section 6. If a two-thirds vote of a town meeting is required by law, a count shall be taken, and the vote shall be recorded in the records. by the Clerk; but if the vote is unanimous, a count need not be taken and the Clerk shall record the vote as unanimous.
Section 7. No person shall address a town meeting without leave of the Moderator, and all persons shall, at the request of the Moderator, be silent. If a person, after warning from the Moderator, persists in disorderly behaviour, the Moderator may order him to withdraw from the meeting and, if he does not withdraw may order his removal.
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1931]
Section 8. Upon a question of order any town meeting member may appeal from the decision of the Moderator to the meeting; and upon such appeal, the grounds thereof shall be briefly stated and the question shall be decided by the meeting without debate.
Section 9. When any article in the warrant is under consideration, the meeting may decide to vote by ballot upon such article. In such case, at the close of debate on said article, the Moderator shall state the question, as finally determined upon motions and amendments, and the town Clerk shall prepare and distribute ballots to enable the town meeting members to vote Yes or No upon such question. Said ballot shall be collected and counted by the Moderator and such persons as he may then and there delegate, and the Moderator shall then announce the vote. When a vote is taken by such ballot the meeting shall not then be polled under section five.
Section 10. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except a motion to adjourn the meeting, to vote by ballot, lay on the table, to commit or refer, to amend, to postpone to a day certain, or to postpone indefinitely, or a motion for the previous question. No town meeting member shall speak upon the same question more than twice, nor more than twenty minutes, without first obtaining leave of the meeting, except for the correction of an error, or to make an ex- planation.
Section 11. Articles in the warrant shall be acted upon in their order, unless two or more articles relate to the same subject matter, when they may be considered jointly.
Section 12. No motion to dissolve a town meeting shall be in order until every article in the warrant therefor has been duly con- sidered and acted upon.
Section 13. All motions submitted for the consideration of the meeting involving the expenditure of money, the creation of a debt, or the disposal of town property shall be in writing, except motions to adopt recommendations for the above mentioned purposes which are contained in a written report. All other motions shall be in writing if required by the Moderator.
Section 14. No motion or proposition, unless germane to the sub- ject under consideration, shall be admitted under color of amendment. Section 15. Any voter may call for a division of a question when the sense will admit of it.
Section 16. The motions to adjourn, to lay on the table, to take from the table, for the previous question and for yeas and nays, shall be decided without debate.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Tree Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the present year a large part of the work of the Tree Warden's Department was devoted to removing such dead trees as were found along the streets and sidewalks of the town or any that were in an unsafe condition and therefore dangerous to the public. There were thirty of these in all taken down in various parts of the town. A careful investigation of the street trees was also made and all dangerous limbs were removed. To take the place of these trees which were removed, in most cases, other trees were planted in their places and in addition trees were placed on residential streets where they would eventually add to the attractiveness of those thoroughfares. The number of trees thus planted was 134, these being taken from the nursery in the rear of the cemetery. Each tree was provided with a wire tree guard. All old tree guards were adjusted and wounds oc- curring from mechanical injuries were treated. Only three cases of damage from escaping illuminating gas were found, and these were all on Norfolk avenue. Time will tell whether the trees were seriously injured. It is hoped that the damage was caught in time to prevent serious injury.
Respectfully submitted, BERNARD B. KENNEDY, Tree Warden.
Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
The year 1931 was another year of extreme dry conditions, and as a result there were 80 forest fires recorded, none of which was of a serious nature. The caution of the State Forester against the throwing of lighted cigars and cigarettes near the woods is repeated. There were 273 permits issued for out of door fires.
Respectfully submitted,
BERNARD B. KENNEDY, Forest Warden.
Moth Superintendent
To the Board of Selectmen:
The first work of the year 1931 was the purchase of the Ford truck by the town for the joint use of the Moth and Tree Warden's depart- ment. The late superintendent, Everett P. Mudge, had purchased in 1930 a new Ford truck with the intention of using it in the work. His sickness and death prevented this and the work of that year was carried on with the old truck. With the advice and consent of the Board of Selectmen and the co-operation of the Finance Committee this truck was purchased and is now the property of the town. As soon as these negotiations had been completed attention was turned to the purchase of the power sprayer authorized in 1930, and this was constructed to
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REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
1931]
fit the body of the new truck. It was not till early May that the sprayer was delivered, and the cold and rain of that month prevented the spray- ing from being carried on as successfully as had been hoped.
In this connection, it might be stated that the charges made for spraying which appear on the tax bills of 1931 are largely for work done the previous year, and charges for any spraying done in 1931 will appear on the tax bills for 1932. The charges on the 1931 bills were for spraying done in 1930 and moth work in 1931, as reported on the books of the late warden, as prepared by the late Joseph F. Curtis, who had kept the books for many years.
During the latter part of August the Oriental Moth which was brought into this country from Japan and appears to have established itself in parts of Boston and vicinity, began to appear at various points along the coast. Specimens were found in some 20 or 25 Norway maples in Swampscott and these infested trees were carefully sprayed. As winter approached the cocoons were cut off and burned.
No defoliation of the trees because of moths occurred in town, and it is therefore evident that the department has the situation well in hand. In some places nests of the fall web worm have been noted and in all cases where notice is received these nests will be cut off and burned by the department without charge.
Respectfully submitted,
BERNARD B. KENNEDY, Moth Superintendent.
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my sixteenth report as Superinten- dent of the Swampscott Cemetery.
The number of interments for the year was 65. The amount re- ceived by the town for sale of lots with perpetual care was $2,874.00, and for perpetual care of lots previously sold, $405.00.
Thirty-five new lots were completed during the year, giving plenty of available lots for the present. There is still, however, a shortage of single graves. Many of the new lots were sold during the year. New shrubs and trees were planted in the new part, thus relieving the bare look that would otherwise mark the new part of the cemetery. Several of the old trees in the older section were taken down and new trees substituted. The outside woodwork of the chapel was newly painted during the summer, as was also the tool house. The three gates were repainted. The imperative need is now for single graves, and these should be arranged for next year.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent of Cemetery.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Jury List
Approved January 7, 1932
In accordance with Section 9 of Chapter 234 of the General Laws, the following jury list is published in the annual town report:
NAME RESIDENCE
OCCUPATION
Aborn, Howard B.
6 Orchard Circle
Salesman
Adams, Forrest M.
3 Sheridan rd.
Insurance
Atkins, Samuel
118 Burrill st.
Cutter
Andrews, Neil M.
24 Redington st.
Inspector
Atwood, Joseph
90 Aspen rd.
Insurance
Baker, John M.
32 Hampden st.
Engineer
Bassett, Herbert F.
12 Banks Cir.
Clerk
Bates, Leonard H.
9 Boynton st.
Bookkeeper
Berry, Carl J.
39 Essex ave.
Cost engineer
Bickford, Frank I.
137 Burrill st.
Radio
Biggers, James M.
80 Middlesex ave.
Salesman
Blackford, J. Hervey M.
36 Maple ave.
Salesman
Blaisdell, Lennarde C.
12 Nason rd.
Undertaker
Blanchard, Philip A.
25 Farragut rd.
Salesman
Blaney, Harold C. Booma, Scott C.
20 Norfolk ave.
Restaurateur
Breed, Robert W.
19 Orchard rd. Suffolk ave.
Retired
Brown, Cardella D.
Brown, Chester A.
19 Middlesex ave.
Architect
Burk, Michael F.
187 Burrill st.
Burke, Edward F.
89 Redington st.
Shoeworker
Burrill, Charles W.
34 Maple ave.
Civil engineer
Butterworth, Charles W.
5 Crescent st.
Insurance
Carr, Edward P.
70 Paradise rd.
Retired
Carter, William E.
269 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Chaisson, Joseph
27 Blaney st.
Boat builder
Chapman, Willis B.
322 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Childs, Ray H.
68 Stetson ave. 6 Minerva st.
Electrician
Coleman, Lewis A.
Millwright
Condon, Everett E.
35 Grant rd.
Engineer
Connelly, Raymond P.
11 Elwin rd.
Sole sorter
Conway, Charles E.
37 Stanwood rd.
Retired
Corrow, Thomas
14 Shaw rd.
Salesman
Costigan, Michael F.
59 Millett rd.
Treasurer
Critcherson, Guy H.
30 Beach ave.
Bookkeeper
Crocker, Louis N.
106 Norfolk ave.
Shoe cutter
Davis, Walter A.
45 Orchard rd.
Manager
Delano, Clarence B.
10 Stone ct.
Retired
Doane, Leroy J.
679 Humphrey st. 52 Redington st.
Salesman
Doherty, Warren
Doughty. Chas. Sanford
41 Roy st.
Salesman
Doughty. Harold W.
15 Buena Vista st.
28 Puritan ave.
Manufacturer
Earn. John B.
87 Farragut rd.
Manager
Frickson. A. Wentworth
62 Elmwood rd.
Retired
Ftter. Tames F.
54 Stetson ave.
Salesman
Fav. Wm. L.
19 Pleasant st.
Plumber
Finch, Clarence M.
22 Thomas rd.
Mechanical engineer
100 Stetson ave.
Shoe operator
Insurance
Brougham, George R.
28 Millett rd.
Electrical engineer
Brown, William H.
14 Elliott st.
Meat business Architect
Cutter
Hardware dealer
Durkee. Harold A.
1931]
JURY LIST
177
NAME
RESIDENCE
Folsom, Frank H.
468 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Forbes, Stanley D.
25 Palmer ave.
Merchant
Frye, Roy H.
2 Valley rd.
Shoemaker
Gallup, Charles N.
53 Blaney st.
Salesman
Photographer Manufacturer
Hardy, Elmer A.
84 Essex st.
Salesman
Hatch, Chester F.
26 Puritan rd.
Mechanic
Hiland, J. Henry
68 Aspen rd.
Teller
Holden, Horace C.
6 Greenwood ave.
Manager
Homan, John
69 Oceanview rd.
Engineer
Hoover, Samuel S.
129 Elmwood rd.
Salesman
Hutchinson, Harry G.
66 Redington st.
Painter
Jackson, Edward L.
10 Berkshire st.
Printer
Kehoe, Walter L.
34 Mapledale pl.
Fisherman
Knowles, Frankland W.
40 Magnolia rd.
Storekeeper
Lewis, Arthur C.
25 Orchard rd.
Leather
Lewis, Gardner L.
1 Bond st.
Salesman
Linden, Frederick E.
9 Hillcrest Cir.
Chemist
Lowell, Ernest W.
McFarlane, Wm. H.
Manchester, William D.
17 Greenwood ter.
Civil engineer
Marsh, Clarence O.
7 Bay View Drive
Clerk
Merchant, John T.
29 Blaney st.
Manager
Miles, Douglas S.
133 Paradise rd.
Salesman
Morley, Lester B.
26 Minerva st.
Accountant
Morse, Harold E.
292 Humphrey st. 25 Orchard Cir.
Builder
O'Brien, Vincent P.
202 Humphrey st.
Accountant
Osborne, John H.
80 Atlantic ave.
Merchant
Parker, J. Edgar
47 Millett rd.
Manufacturer
Perry, Willis C.
168 Aspen rd.
Salesman
Phillips, Earle A.
17 Puritan rd.
Salesman
Pope. Roger W.
52 Bay View Drive
Plumber
Pote, Winston H.
119 Paradise rd.
Photographer
Powers, John E. C.
40 Norfolk ave.
Cutter
Redfern, Donald
292 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Rideout, George F.
19 Maple ave.
Salesman
Ross, Leland M.
16 Curry Cir.
Accountant
Rowen, T. Carlton
90 Mountwood rd.
Engineer
Sprague, Lowell E. Sullivan, Fred R.
Salesman Carpenter
Sutherland, Holton J.
10 Norfolk ave.
Manufacturer
Sutherland, John H.
16 Clark rd.
Manufacturer
Sutherland, William H.
10 Bond st.
Builder
Titus, Alfred H.
6 Dennison ave.
Builder
52 Burrill st.
Electrical engineer
45 Beach Bluff ave.
Real estate
Webber, Leslie J.
63 Stetson ave.
Clerk and musician
Willard, Arthur E.
107 Redington st.
Civil engineer
Woodbury, Wilbur L.
1 Ellis ter.
Salesman
Ximiness, Leon F.
99 Windsor ave.
Laborer
Young, Edmund, Jr.
11 Porter pl.
Clerk
Gough, Joseph H.
10 Bay View Drive
Griffin, Hulbert C.
62 Roy st.
Hackett, Leon A.
67 Monument ave.
Mill agent
11 Bay View Drive 184 Burrill st.
Agent Clerk
Contractor
Nason, James
36 Orchard rd.
151 Burrill st.
Underwood, Louis E. Vose, Harold L.
OCCUPATION
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
In Memoriam
GEORGE BURNHAM LEARNED
Sitting member and Chairman of Board of Fire Engineers, appointed March 1, 1925.
Died September 9, 1931.
MARTIN EDWARD NIES
Member of General Court, House of Representatives, 1887. Died November 17, 1931.
LOUISE C. STANLEY
Member of Library Trustees from February 21. 1921, to Feb- ruary 25, 1929.
Died December 20, 1931.
TOWN MEETING MEMBERS
George B. Learned, Precinct Five, died September 9, 1931. Fred A. McKennon, Precinct Two, died August 7, 1931. Martin E. Nies, Precinct Two, died November 17, 1931.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1931]
Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Selectmen submits herewith its annual report for the year 1931, together with the reports of all other officers, boards and committees submitted in accordance with the by-laws. There is also appended the budget of appropriations asked for the conduct of the various departments during the year 1932.
Swampscott's Finances
The town of Swampscott is in excellent financial condition. There are no outstanding taxes of 1929. For 1930 the amount outstanding is but $2,993.47. The amount of 1931 taxes outstanding is $123,343.13. This shows that over 79.8% of the levy of last year has already been collected. This compares favorably with previous years when there was no financial stringency.
We have a borrowing capacity of $199,257.82. Our total debt is $755,350. This is 3.2% of the town's valuation. If the water debt of $63,000, which is paid entirely from water receipts, is excluded, the debt is 2.9% of the valuation.
The cash on hand January 1, 1931, was $132,131.45. On January 1, 1932, it was $131,568.12. Our books have already been audited for the year 1931 by the accountants from the State Department of Cor- porations and Taxation. This audit was completed on January 22, 1932.
For several years the town has been run upon an economical and conservative basis. Overdrafts are unknown. There are no outstanding bills payable. The Board of Selectmen believes that Swampscott citi- zens need have no fear concerning its municipal finances as long as the course which has already been set is followed.
Artesian Well at Swampscott Highlands
This subject has occupied much time and thought. At a special meeting held December 4, 1930, the town voted, upon recommendation of the Finance Committee, to authorize the Board of Selectmen of that year to enter into a contract for the building of a well, fountain and approaches and appropriated five thousand dollars ($5000) therefor.
The board of that year, therefore, entered into a contract on December 12, 1930, with B. F. Smith & Co., of Boston, for the comple- tion of an artesian well at a cost of $9.50 per linear foot, and the well had been located and was under construction when the present Board of Selectmen assumed its duties in February, 1931.
On April 17, 1931, the Town Engineer reported that the well had gone to a depth of 240 feet and it was inadvisable to go further, as that depth provides 20 gallons per minute on a trial of three hours and six or seven gallons per minute indefinitely. The well was completed and a pump placed in position. The water at first was of a grayish color due to the accumulation of the dust from the drilling at the bottom of the well. When the well had been cleared of this dust the water was clear and seemed satisfactory.
On August 15, 1931, the board received a letter from the Health Officer forbidding the use of the well until it has been adequately chlorinated in accordance with the following letter from the Commis- sioner of Public Health :
"In response to your request the Department of Public Health has caused an examination to be made of the deep tubular well drilled near
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Windsor avenue, in what is known as the Swampscott Highlands section of the town of Swampscott, and has caused samples of the water to be analyzed.
"This well consists of a 10-inch and 6-inch well casing 'sunk to a depth of about 240 feet, and in driving an effort has been made to seal off the entrance of surface drainage and to permit water to enter the well only at depths of more than 27 feet below the surface of the ground. This well is located in a rather thickly settled part of the town of Swampscott where there are considerable outcrops of ledge. The ground in the vicinity of some of the houses in that section is polluted by sewage discharged into the ground.
"The results of the analyses of a number of samples of the water collected during the months of March, June and July of this year show that the water is hard and that some of the water entering the well has been previously polluted and not wholly purified in its passage through the ground. At the time of the most recent examination the water contained no objectionable bacteria, but it is the experience of the department that water from wells located in rock is of variable quality and it is possible for the water of such wells to be polluted from sources remote from the well. Under the circumstances, the department cannot approve the use of the water of this well for drinking and other domes- tic purposes unless the water is adequately chlorinated."
The subject of chlorination was ordered investigated by the engi- neer, and while this was going on he reported that he had found the pump filled with small stones about one-half inch in diameter and it would be necessary to dismantle the pump and take the pipe out before the well could be put in operation again. The Water and Sewerage Board assisted in the work of clearing the well.
At a meeting in November, at which the Town Counsel, the Town Engineer, Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Board. Health Officer and Surveyor of Highways were present, it was decided that the Town Engineer should have a report ready for action at the next meeting for the completion of the chlorination of the well, it being the feeling of the board that it would be best to spend the amount on hand in completing the work so as to allow the State to again pass on the well.
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