USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1931 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Article 8. We recommend that the item for water of $63,606 and also the item for emergency water of $2,500 under the heading of En- terprises, be taken from the estimated receipts of the Water Depart- ment for the current year.
We recommend that the following amounts be appropriated for the various departments for the ensuing year.
General Government
Legislative
$950.00
Selectmen
3,960.00
Selectmen's Contingent Fund
1,000.00
Accounting
3,600.00
Treasury
2,403.00
Certification of Notes and Bonds
500.00
Collector of Taxes
4,006.88
Assessors
4,500.00
Town Clerk
815.75
Election and Registration
2,760.00
Engineering
7,700.00
30
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Town Hall
4,400.00
Law
2,000.00
Board of Appeals
250.00
Planning Board
600.00
Protection of Persons and Property
Police
$44,925.99
Fire
45,120.00
Moth
5,117.00
Tree Warden
4,482.00
Forest Warden
200.00
Inspector of Buildings
1,300.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
555.00
Subordinate Officials
630.00
Care of Prisoners
100.00
$102,429.99
Health and Sanitation
Health
$9,251.00
Dental Clinic
1,200.00
Health Nurse
1,375.00
Cleaning Beaches
1,250.00
Refuse and Garbage
12,915.00
Dumps
1,700.00
Sewer
9,975.00
Particular Sewers
1,000.00
Brooks
4,500.00
Emergency Sewer
1,500.00
$44,666.00
Highways and Bridges
Highway Administration
$3,280.00
Highways
45,000.00
Seal Coating
4,000.00
Street Watering and Oiling
4,000.00
Sidewalks and Curbing
4,000.00
Snow and Ice
10,000.00
Continuous Sidewalks
5,000.00
Lighting Streets
24,265.00
$99,545.00
Charities and Soldiers' Benefits
Public Welfare
$25,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
10,600.00
State Aid and Military Aid
800.00
Pensions
3,912.00
Burnett Fund
1,166.00
$41,478.00
Schools and Libraries
Schools
$198,650.00
Libraries
11,900.00
Traveling Expenses Outside State
100.00
Recreation and Unclassified
Parks
$10,060.00
Memorial Day
525.00
Firemen's Memorial Sunday
200.00
Heat and Light G. A. R. and V. F. W. Halls
800.00
District Nurse
300.00
Legion Leases
1,340.00
Trust Fund Custodians Bond
40.00
Reserve Fund
5,000.00
Printing Town Reports
1,334.31
Insurance
2,763.00
Veteran's Exemption
50.00
$39,445.63
$210,650.00
$22,412.31
31
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1931]
Enterprises
Water
$63,606.00
Cemetery
6,810.00
Emergency Water
2,500.00
$72,916.00
Interest, Maturing Debt and Agency
Interest on Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
$10,000.00
Interest on General Debt
24,567.75
Interest on Sewer Loans
5,312.50
Interest on Tuberculosis Hospital Bonds
1,640.00
General Debt Maturing
54,200.00
Sewer Bonds
14,000.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Bonds
4,000.00
Essex Sanatorium Assessment
6,308.68
Tuberculosis Hospital Addition
3,779.81
$123,808.74
$757,351.67
Article 9. Practically all of the necessary highway improvements can be taken care of out of the general budget or have been taken care of in special articles in this Warrant. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 10. This article has to do with the reconstruction of Puritan road from the Administration Building, so-called, to the New Ocean House. The estimated cost of the work would exceed $15,000, and while it is one of the principal arteries of travel along our shores, the fact that it is traveled principally only in the summer months, and then by people a vast majority of whom are residents of places other than Swampscott, it seems only fair that a part of the expense should be borne by the State and County. At the present time the Town Engi- neer advises us that the road is in fair condition for travel and that it could be seal coated at an expense of not more than $1,000 which would insure its good condition for at least two years. We recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for the purpose of seal coating this road, between the points named, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 11. The Town Engineer advises us that the ledge referred to in this article should be removed for the purpose of widening the roadway and completing the work which was started some time ago. We therefore recommend that the sum of $450 be appropriated for the purpose of removing the balance of the ledge on the southerly side of Buena Vista street, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 12. The Town Engineer advises us that the roadway itself is in fair condition. In view of this, we feel that action on this article is unnecessary at the present time. We recommend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 13. We are convinced that the continuous resodding and repairing of the various grass plots and parking, except as heretofore done by the Highway Department, would not result in any permanent improvement, as it would have to be done over and over again. We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 14. At the junction of Roy street, Jessie street and Eureka avenue, the Town Engineer advises us that there is a sufficient amount of travel to require that the roadway be widened so as to correspond with the street lines as laid out by the town. We recommend that the roadway at this point be widened as set out in said article, that the work be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and that the sum of $300 be appropriated for this purpose.
32
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Article 15. We find that this corner, as it exists at present, is a menace to the safety of the children who play in that section and also to motorists. There should be sufficient land taken on the southerly side of Buena Vista street at its junction with Cherry street to allow for a corner curve and curbing. We recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to make the necessary taking and award damages and that the sum of $250 be appropriated for the same, provided however that the necessary land to be taken can be obtained for not over $85.00.
Article 16. Beach Bluff avenue is in bad condition principally due to the building of the sewer therein last year. The Surveyor of High- ways and the Town Engineer recommend that the street be resurfaced with some kind of smooth pavement.
We recommend therefore, that this street be resurfaced with bituminous macadam construction in accordance with specifications approved by the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth and that the sidewalks be regarded to conform therewith and that the necessary surface drains be constructed and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to make, sign and deliver a contract in behalf of the town therefor, subject to the pro- visions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and for this purpose the sum of $16,800 be appropriated, to be raised as follows: $624.38 by transfer from the account of Monument avenue and Walker road, $1,668.84 by transfer from the account of Whitman road roadway and the sum of $14,506.78 from the tax levy, the entire project however to be contingent upon the town receiving releases from all abutting owners, so that no land damages result.
Article 17. We were advised by the Town Engineer and the Sur- veyor of Highways that it will be good policy and economy for the town to continue the pavement on Phillips avenue from its present terminus to Humphrey street and through Chatman avenue to Ocean avenue.
We recommend therefore that this street be resurfaced with bitu- minous macadam construction in accordance with specifications ap- proved by the Division of Highways of 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, subject to the provisions of the by-laws relating to the making and awarding of contracts, and for this purpose the sum of $7,616.82 be transferred from the account of Phillips avenue roadway to the account of Phillips avenue roadway extension and the sum of $200 be transferred from the account of Monument avenue and Walker road to the account of Phillips avenue roadway extension.
Article 18. With reference to this article it seems to be a matter of good judgment to lay a mixed top, so-called, on the hills on Barn- stable street and thus prevent the gravel from continuously being washed away, and consequently avoid the continuous repairs which necessarily follow. We recommend that this work be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for this purpose, $392.23 to be raised by transfer from the account of Bay View drive, $45.00 by transfer from the account of Minerva street and the balance $1,562.77 from the tax levy.
Article 19. Upon the advice of the Town Engineer we recommend that Foster road be resurfaced with some kind of a mixed top, so-called, from Jessie street to the Griswold property, and that the work be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways and the sum of $550 be transferred from the account of Bay View drive for this purpose.
Article 20. It seems to us that a fence along this ledge would by no means accomplish the purpose for which it was intended, and that instead of keeping children from falling over the ledge, it would really result in an invitation for them to climb the fence and that there would be more accidents with a fence than without. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
33
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1931]
Article 21. After careful consideration of the situation here and acting upon the advice of the Surveyor of Highways, it would appear that any money spent at the present time in an attempt to remedy the condition which exists would be money thrown away. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 22. Conditions at this point are not bad and there is no emergency which must be met in any hurry. The same conditions have existed for many years past and with so many other more necessary expenses to be met, we feel that action on this article can well be delayed. We recommend, that further action under this article be in- definitely postponed.
Article 23. In view of the fact that the town for a long time past has been permitted to carry by pipe or otherwise a large quantity of its surface water into the brook which flows through this property at the end of Atlantic road, it seems only a matter of courtesy and fair- ness on the part of the town that it now construct a culvert which would be about 70 feet long, over the brook at the foot of the street. We recommend that the sum of $700 be appropriated for this purpose and that the work be done under the direction of the Water and Sewer- age Board, $97.94 to be transferred from the account of Salem Street Culverts and $602.06 raised from the tax levy.
Article 24. At the present time in the Highway Department sand is spread over the streets after every storm in the winter and in the summer after the streets have been oiled, so that it has become an im- portant part of the work of the Highway Department to have this done in such a manner as to obtain speed and efficiency. A machine of this kind could be attached to any one of the trucks owned by the Highway Department. We recommend that the sum of $800 be appropriated for purchasing a sand spreader for the use of the Highway Department.
Article 25. We have given careful consideration to this article and after many conferences with the Surveyor of Highways we are con- vinced that such a truck could be used to excellent advantage by the Highway Department. At the present time the Department has only two trucks and they are both heavy and not calculated to do the work intended for a lighter one such as is called for in this article. We recommend that the sum of $3,200 be appropriated for the purchase of a 21/2 or 3 ton truck for the use of the Highway Department.
Article 26. At a special meeting held about three months ago we gave it as our unanimous opinion that in view of conditions existing at that time we could not see our way clear to recommend any increase in wages. Since that time there has been no substantial change in conditions and our attitude on this question remains the same. We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 27. At the present time it does not seem feasible to con- struct a sewer in Pitman road for the reason that it involves the taking of easements through private property from Pitman road to Burrill street and until that can be arranged for it does not seem a practical thing to do. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 28. At the Town Meeting on February 21, 1927, it was voted under Article 16 to borrow the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of extending the water main in Foster road. This extension was not made for the reason that easements could not be obtained and the $3,000 has never been borrowed. It still remains as a "loan authorized" and reduces the borrowing capacity of the town to that extent and so as a matter of good bookkeeping it seems as if the town should vote to rescind this article. We recommend that the town rescind the action of the Town Meeting of February 21, 1927, wherein it was voted to borrow the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of extending the water main in Foster road.
34
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Article 29. At the present time we do not feel like recommending any increases in salaries for any town officials. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 30. We have at the present time a combination motor pump at the Central Fire Station which has been owned and operated by the town for nearly 18 years, but during that time its mileage has been only a little in excess of 4,000 and it has seen approximately only 150 hours of service. A careful consideration of the entire matter leads us to the conclusion that while the pump may not be strictly up to date it will serve the town for some years to come and answer any demands that may be reasonably anticipated. A new pump would cost about $12,000. We therefore recommend that action on this article be in- definitely postponed.
Article 32. It is a matter of necessity to repaint the ladder truck at the Central Fire Station and install a starter on the same. We recommend that the sum of $460 be appropriated for this purpose.
Article 33. We recommend that the town vote to purchase 400 feet of 11/2 inch hose and fittings and that the sum of $250 be appro- priated therefor.
Article 34. After conferring with the Board of Engineers we recommend that the sum of $350 be appropriated for the purpose of painting the Central Fire Station and making such other repairs as seem to them necessary.
Article 35. At the present time there seems to be no need of installing any more fire alarm boxes in this section. We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 36. This article simply calls for a continuation of the policy which has been followed by the town during the last three years and the present appropriation will result in practically completing the fire alarm system when the underground cables are laid from Ingalls ter- race and Humphrey street to the Central Fire Station with necessary loops, connections, and changes as recommended by the Board of Fire Engineers. We recommend that the sum of $5,925 be appropriated for this purpose.
Article 37. The sewer recently constructed in front of the Phillips Beach Fire Station necessitates a change in the plumbing in that station. We recommend that the sum of $225 be appropriated for that purpose.
Article 38. There seems to be considerable merit in the request of the Board of Health for an incinerator. However, the matter has come before us so recently and involving as it does an estimated cost of $25,000 we feel that we have not had sufficient time in which to prop- erly consider the subject. Consequently, we are not in a position to make any report at this time. We recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 39. We are advised by the Committee appointed at the special Town Meeting December 4, 1930 to consider the advisability of having a scientific revaluation of the real estate in the town by some outside experts in this line of work that the cost therefor would be about $6,000. Few places have adopted the system as yet and it is our opinion that the system at the present time would not be worth $6,000 to us. We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 40. We understand that this article is being taken up by the Planning Board and that the Board will make a report to the town on the subject involved.
Article 42. With reference to this article, some time ago, a con- tractor doing work for the town of Swampscott damaged some con- duits of the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. during sewer construction; as a result the Lynn Gas & Electric Co. have made a claim against the town involving some $298.80. We recommend that the Board of Select- men be authorized to make a settlement with the Lynn Gas & Electric
35
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1931]
Co. for damage done to conduits during sewer construction in 1929 on such terms as they may deem for the best interest of the town and that the sum of $298.80 be appropriated therefor.
Article 43. We recommend that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for the observance of the Fourth of July, 1931 and that the Moderator be authorized to appoint a Committee of three to conduct such ob- servance.
Article 44. We have given careful consideration to this article and feel that in view of the general condition of the buildings and the uncer- tainty as to its future that it would be unwise to expend any large amount of money for repairs and changes. We do, however, feel that to presently protect the building it should be repainted outside and some minor repairs made. We recommend that the sum of $500 be appro- priated for this purpose.
Article 45. We recommend that the town vote to transfer from the Excess and Deficiency Account the sum of $10,000 to be used by the Assessors in fixing the tax rate for the year 1931.
Article 46. In reference to the old Palmer School, while the build- ing as it stands has little or no value, we are convinced that the prop- perty should be disposed of to the best advantage possible. We recom- mend that the Selectmen be authorized to sell or dispose of at their discretion the old Palmer School building and land on Humphrey street now owned by the town.
Article 47. That portion of Windsor avenue has been laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with a plan made by W. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, dated January, 1931. We recommend that the section heretofore referred to be accepted as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and in accordance with the above plan, and that the sum of $550 be appropriated to put it in condition for public travel, the work to be done under the direction of the Surveyor of Highways.
Article 48. In reference to this article the sum of $400 has been available for some time by vote of the town but due to the fact that the necessary easements and releases could not be obtained, nothing has been done by the town in pursuance of that vote. We now under- stand that these casements and releases can be obtained and we recom- mend that Commonwealth 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 already ap- propriated be used to put it in condition for public travel; this vote to become effective as soon as the Selectmen have obtained such waivers from abutting owners as it deems necessary for the protection of the town, and the Town Engineer certifies in writing that the street is at line and grade.
Article 49. There is nothing about the situation here which calls for any action at the present time. No sidewalks seem to be necessary at this point and the road itself is in very fair condition. We recom- mend that action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 50. Upon the advice of our Town Counsel that this article is clearly illegal and void, we are not making any report or recom- mendation upon it.
Articles 53 and 54. The Committee has carefully considered these articles but as we understand that the Planning Board is studying the questions involved therein, we do not consider it within our province at this time to make any report or recommendations until the question of site has been determined. We therefore recommend that action on these articles be indefinitely postponed.
Respectfully submitted,
C. FRANK HATHAWAY, Chairman, LESLIE F. ALLEN, LEROY S. AUSTIN, PAUL W. BRICKETT, HARRY E. WHITTEN,
RALPH H. CARY, DONALD REDFERN, JOHN A. WALDO,
Finance Committee.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1930
1931
Appropriation
Expended
Budget
Recommended
Legislative
$600.00
$600.00
$950.00
$950.00
Selectmen
8,700.00
3,699.95
3,960.00
3,960.00
Selectmen's Contingent Fund
700.00
695.67
1,000.00
1,000.00
Accounting
2,730.00
2,730.00
3,600.00
3,600.00
Treasury
2,353.00
2,051.92
2,403.00
2,403.00
Certificate of Notes and Bonds
1,000.00
415.50
500.00
500.00
Collector of Taxes
3,479.50
3,446.29
3,443.88
4,006.88
Assessors
5,200.00
5,159.74
4,500.00
4,500.00
Town Clerk
866.00
717.21
815.75
815.75
Election and Registration
4,103.00
3,994.71
2,760.00
2,760.00
Engineering
7,000.00
6,995.08
7,700.00
7,700.00
Town Hall
4,700.00
4,673.60
4,400.00
4,400.00
Town Hall Repairs
3,145.74
3,145.74
Law
2,004.00
1,868.63
2,000.00
2,000.00
Board of Appeals
250.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
Planning Board
600.00
$39,445.63
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police
$40,751.50
$40,750.15
$45.405.99
$44,925.99
Fire
42,997.57
42,997.29
45,120.00
45,120.00
Moth
4,673.00
4,660.92
4.877.00
5,117.00
Tree Warden
3,550.00
3,549.61
4,242.00
4,482.00
Forest Warden
200.00
166.91
200.00
200.00
Inspector of Buildings
1,250.00
1,249.04
1,300.00
1,300.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
555.00
555.00
555.00
555.00
Subordinate Officials
630.00
600.00
630.00
630.00
Care of Prisoners
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
$102,429.99
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
36
HEALTH AND SANITATION
1930
1931
Appropriation
Expended
Budget
Recommended
Health
$9,220.00
$8,721.75
$9,251.00
$9,251.00
Dental Clinic
1,200.00
1,163.18
1,200.00
1,200.00
Health Nurse
1,350.00
1,350.00
1,375.00
1,375.00
Cleaning Beaches
1,250.00
1,243.05
1,250.00
1,250.00
Refuse and Garbage
12,865.00
12,865.00
12,915.00
12,915.00
Dumps
1,700.00
1,666.50
1,700.00
1,700.00
Sewer
10,365.00
9,412.90
9,975.00
9,975.00
Particular Sewers
1,000.00
518.29
1,000.00
1,000.00
Brooks
500.00
68.08
1,500.00
4,500.00
Emergency Sewer
950.00
175.24
1,500.00
1,500.00
$44,666.00
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
Highway Administration
$2,900.00
$2,900.00
$3,280.00
$3,280.00
Highways
45,050.00
44,228.49
47,500.00
45,000.00
Seal Coating
5,000.00
4,573.72
4,000.00
4,000.00
Street Construction Street Watering and Oiling
4,000.00
3,898.34
5,000.00
4,000.00
Sidewalks and Curbing
4,000.00
3,607.78
4,000.00
4,000.00
Snow and Ice
6,000.00
4,778.85
10,000.00
10,000.00
Continuous Sidewalks
10,000.00
9,748.04
20,000.00
5,000.00
Lighting Streets
24,302.00
23,472.64
24,265.00
24,265.00
1931]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
$99,545.00
37
.
3,000.00
2,538.50
CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
1931
Public Welfare
1930 Appropriation $14,456.81
Expended $14,451.12
Budget $25,000.00 10,600.00 800.00
Recommended $25,000.00 10,600.00 800.00
Soldiers' Relief
8,842.50
8,834.06
State Aid
516.00
516.00
Military Aid
480.00
170.00
Pensions
5,677.80
5,074.44
3,912.00
3,912.00
Burnett Fund
1,144.00
1,144.00
1,166.00
1,166.00
$41,478.00
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Schools
$181,366.35
$181,365.89
$196,620.00 11,900.00 100.00
$198,650.00
Libraries
13,525.00
9,797.72
11,900.00
Traveling Expenses outside State
100.00
80.38
100.00
$210,650.00
RECREATION AND UNCLASSIFIED
Parks
$8,500.00
$8,498.68
$9,500.00
$10,060.00
Memorial Day
500.00
467.28
525.00
525.00
Firemen's Memorial Sunday
200.00
185.13
200.00
200.00
Heat and Light G. A. R. and V. F. W. Halls
750.00
740.04
800.00
800.00
District Nurse
300.00
300.00
300.00
300.00
Legion Lease
1,350.00
1,330.71
1,550.00
1,340.00
Trust Fund Custodians Bond
40.00
40.00
40.00
40.00
Reserve Fund
5,000.00
4,938.74
5,000.00
5,000.00
Printing Town Reports
1,256.77
1,264.37
1,250.00
1,334.31
Insurance
5,404.07
5,404.07
2,763.00
2,763.00
Veteran's Exemption
50.00
39.06
50.00
50.00
Unpaid Bills
2,027.89
2,026.39
$22,412.31
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
38
--
ENTERPRISES
Water Cemetery Emergency Water
1930 Appropriation $60,113.75
Expended
Budget
Recommended
$59,276.67
$63,606.00
$63,606.00
4,678.00
4,678.00
5,610.00
6,810.00
2,500.00
2,378.23
2,500.00
2,500.00
$72,916.00
INTEREST, MATURING DEBT AND AGENCY
Interest Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
$10,000.00
$4,248.55
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
General Debt
22,324.75
22,324.75
23,567.75
24,567.75
Sewer Bonds
5,906.50
5,906.50
5,312.50
5,312.50
T. B. Hospital Bonds
1,800.00
1,800.00
1,640.00
1,640.00
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.