USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1934 > Part 16
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64
Coal certificates
10
Markings of bread
28
Markings of food packages
22
Milk jars
90
Pedlars' licenses
2
Pedlars' scales
1
Cartons
12
Berry boxes
3
Ice cream boxes
6
Gasoline devices
28
Scales
21
Oil jars
165
Vehicle tanks
9
Oil trucks
7
Total
468
C. WALTER BURRILL,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Town Counsel
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- It seems to me that during the past year I have been called upon to render more service and time to town affairs than has been required of a Town Counsel during past average years. This has been the result of a number of court cases and other matters which were not the usual town hall routine duties, but were exceptional on account of changing and other conditions.
Cases have come up before the Lynn District Court, before a Master, the Superior Court in Salem, the Supreme Judicial Court and the Tax Appeal Board in which the interests of the town have demanded appearance and action.
Innumerable opinions have been furnished to various boards and officers of the town. The controversy of the firemen's and police- men's pay, the Foster Dam situation, and Welfare claims demanded a great deal of time, consideration, and subsequent opinions; hear- ings before various departments, boards and officials have been at- tended by counsel; I have been obliged to supervise and draw con- tracts, leases and bonds in reference to divers matters directly and indirectly having effect on town interests.
With the exception of one or two occasions I have been present at all of the town meetings of the Board of Selectmen. Naturally my advise has been necessary on many of the matters and affairs com- ing before these meetings.
In general, the present year has been one in which some matter or other has arisen requiring almost daily attention and service on my part.
Respectfully submitted,
E. J. COUGHLIN, Town Counsel.
178
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Public Welfare herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1934:
Applications for welfare aid and relief have increased somewhat over last year, the continued high rate of unemployment being the cause. These cases have been carefully investigated and aid and as- sistance given where needed.
There has been a noticeable increase in application for old age assistance this year. This is due to financial reverses and the unem- ployment situation affecting other members of the family. These cases were also granted relief and support when warranted.
All able-bodied persons on the welfare list have been placed on E. R. A. projects, thereby relieving the cost temporarily to the de- partment.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY E. CAHOON, DONALD REDFERN, WALTER H. FORBES, JR.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
To the Board of Public Welfare:
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1934:
Summary of Temporary Relief
Families aided during the year
194
Families being aided at the present time 63
Families being aided by other cities and towns 21
Families being aided at the expense of the State 10
Families with settlement in Swampscott
124
Families with settlement in other cities and towns 30
Persons supported in State Institutions 8
Persons supported in Salem Home
1
Summary of Old Age Assistance
Number receiving relief and support during the year ..
32
Number receiving relief and support at the present time 31
Number of new applications received during the year .. 22
Number of cases closed during the year Number unable to prove age
1
Number having children able to support them
2
Number unable to establish residence
Respectfully submitted,
2
2
DONALD REDFERN, Secretary.
179
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
1934]
Trustees of Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith present their annual report.
The library continues to grow annually in circulation, atten- dance, and number of volumes. Over a period of five years, this growth has been marked, as shown by the following table:
Circulation
1930
1934
Per Cent.
Adult fiction
30,360
54,205
77.4
Adult non-fiction
6,658
14,295
111.0
Juvenile fiction
11,693
18,276
56.3
Juvenile non-fiction
2,693
7,732
187.0
Periodicals
886
2,132
140.6
Books in library
13,743
17,500
34.7
Books purchased
1,048
1,744
66.4
Over this five year period 8,320 new books have been purchased and 3,911 books of fiction, unfit for use, discarded.
Although a complete record of attendance has been kept for on- ly two years, there has been an increase from 77,044 to 85,841, or 11.4 per cent.
The steady and rapid growth in the circulation of non-fiction, both adult and juvenile, indicates the increasing use of the library for the purpose of study. Many adults, too, are using their leisure to better prepare themselves for the employment which they expect to obtain.
The Board of Trustees feel that this form of educational ser- vice is one of the most important functions of the library and believe that more extensive opportunities should be offered.
The rapidly increasing circulation and attendance, and the aver- age net annual addition of 1664 books are hastening the time when more room must be provided for the library.
During the year the basement and hallways have been painted, and dry wells have been built to take care of the water from the gutters, thereby preserving the walls and foundation.
The library is fortunate in its friends and benefactors. During the past year five valuable works of art have been given and now adorn the building.
John Albree donated the classic statue, "The Wrestlers," which has been placed in the children's room where its beauty should be a source of inspiration.
Mrs. Carrie Page, widow of the late Edward A. Page, noted Swampscott artist, presented four paintings by Mr. Page, each of which depicts a typical Swampscott scene. Their titles are as fol- lows: "The Swampscott Dory," "The Interior of the Old Fish House at Blaney Beach," "Gathering Kelp on the Beach," "Early Houses in Lower Swampscott."
These pictures grace the walls of the reading room and reveal the beauty of everyday life to all who look upon them.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge gifts of books and periodi- cals from the following persons: Richard Thurston, Master Eugene Champion, John Sutherland, Miss Marion Stevens, Mrs. Thomas Car- son, Mrs. Ludwig Eiseman, Miss Ruth Shattuck, Mrs. Gertrude Ti- tus, Harold C. Whitmore, and Weston K. Lewis.
180
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Librarian
Circulation:
Adult fiction
54,205
Adult non-fiction
14,295
Adult periodicals
2,132
70,632
Juvenile fiction
18,276
Juvenile non-fiction
7,732
Juvenile periodicals
1,026
27,034
New books added during the year
Books discarded
436
Books in the library January 1, 1935
17,500
Fine receipts turned over to the town
$435.69
Attendance:
Week days
Sundays
Adult
67,269
Juvenile
18,572
Total
85,841
576
Respectfully submitted,
GUSTAVUS J. ESSELEN, LEE T. GRAY,
RALPH H. NUTTER,
Board of Trustees.
97,666
1,744
181
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
1934]
Building Inspector
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1934:
Permits Issued
Estimated Cost
Dwellings
New
2
$20,800.00
Alterations and additions
24
24,125.00
Private garages New
14
5,810.00
Alterations and additions
3
875.00
Town building's
New (Police Station Garage)
1
1,800.00
Alterations and additions (G. A. R. Hall) (Administration Building, Park)
2
7,100.00
Miscellaneous
Locker
1
800.00
Tea Room
1
300.00
Tool Houses
2
185.00
Green Houses
2
600.00
Storage Shed (alterations)
1
60.00
Demolish dwellings
4
Pigeon Coop
1
50.00
Building permits
58
Permits to shingle
57
Total
115
$62,505.00
Number inspections (buildings)
135
Number inspections (shingling)
57
Amount of building fees collected
Elevator operators' licenses issued
No.
Fees
New
9
$9.00
Renewals
1
.50
10
$9.50
All hotels and elevators have been inspected and returns made to the State. Several complaints of violations of the building laws have been investigated and in all cases adjustments made.
Frequent examinations were made of buildings in course of con- struction and repair.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND O. DOANE, Building Inspector.
192
$57.00
182
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Town Engineer
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my twenty-second annual report of the ser- vice rendered by the engineering department for the various depart- ments during the year ending December 31, 1934.
The engineering department has had charge of the following line of work: the designing and superintending the construction of all sewers and drains; resurfacing of all streets built by contract, together with the specifications and estimates for the same; the establishing of street lines and the grades for curbing and gran- olithic sidewalks, and all engineering questions which come before the boards of the several departments.
Sewers and Drains
The sewer system of the town has been extended 382 feet in Hillcrest circle and Upland road at a total cost of $1,650.49.
The improvement of the surface water drainage system, as an E. R. A. project, has greatly benefited the flood conditions which existed in the following streets: Atlantic avenue, Plummer avenue, Barnstable street, Plymouth avenue, Hampden street, Cedar Hill terrace, Bay View avenue and adjacent areas. The total length of mains laid, including manholes, catch basins and the necessary connections for the same, was 2,477 lin. feet, at a cost to the town for materials, etc., of $3,264.92.
The surface water drainage of the town becomes a serious problem with the present type of road construction and the develop- ment of the low areas along the brook courses.
In most cases where the brook has been walled in or covered by the abutters, the cross section is less than one-half the capacity that it should be.
The major project which the town should consider under the present E. R. A. conditions is relocating and enclosing Hawthorne brook from the outfall on the beach to Humphrey street, a distance of about 3,100 feet.
Hawthorne brook has a water shed of about six hundred acres and drains a greater portion of the eastern section of the town, a detailed report of which has been submitted to the Board of Select- men.
Assessors' Department
The yearly routine work necessary to bring the plans and card index up to date for the Assessors' Department has been completed.
Selectmen's Department
Data and estimates have been furnished for the Selectmen's Department and plans submitted for their approval.
At the request of property owners, street lines and grades have been given for the grading of lawns and building of walls, etc.
Respectfully submitted,
WALLACE W. PRATT,
Town Engineer.
183 .
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1934]
Report of Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1934:
Several streets were scarified with steamroller, honed with road machine and sealed with retread tar or asphalt road oil, and sanded.
All streets where drains were laid this summer were reshaped. with the exception of Hampden and Berkshire streets, oiled with No. 6 asphalt road oil and covered with sand.
Plummer avenue, where a drain was laid this summer, was re- shaped with steamroller and put to grade. It should be sealed next year.
Hampshire street, reshaped, ledge removed, sidewalks built and resurfaced with Tarvia-lithic and rolled.
Plymouth avenue reshaped and put to grade, sidewalks and street resurfaced with Tarvia-lithic.
No street construction was done this year by the town.
Several streets have been oiled with asphalt road oil and cov- ered with sand.
The usual work of patrolling street surfaces has been done.
Repairs have been made on sidewalks where needed, the follow- ing amount of material being used: 162 tons of stone dust, 139 loads of gravel; 215 yards of granolithic sidewalks were repaired.
The number of loads of sand used for sanding icy streets and sidewalks was 246.
The wood block pavement on Humphrey street has blown up 14 times during the year. The pavement has now been in place for 20 years.
Tar or asphalt concrete sidewalks on the following streets were repaired either wholly or in part: Eulow street, Fuller avenue, Ce- dar Hill terrace, Burpee road, Bay View avenue, Essex terrace, Bur- rill street, Rock avenue, Franklin avenue, Atlantic road, Puritan park, Ocean avenue, Essex street at bridge, Hillcrest circle, Hum- phrey street from Railroad crossing to Salem street, Greenwood av- enue, Mountain avenue. All this work was done by the men of the department.
Shoulders on Atlantic avenue and Essex street have been re- shaped six times during the year.
Fisherman and Ocean House beaches have been cleaned every day from June to September, and Preston Beach eight times during the summer season.
Two manholes were repaired and 142 feet of pipe drain laid.
Five man-holes were brought up to grade; two catch basins were rebuilt and 465 feet of guard rail fence has been repaired.
Gutters and catch basins in all streets have been cleaned when needed. About 2,200 yards of tarred and mixed stone have been laid in gutters to prevent washing out. Forty-eight driveways were lowered.
The number of feet of curbstone reset during the vear was 210.
Danvers street bridge has been resurfaced with hard pine planks, work being done by men of the department.
Essex street bridge was rebuilt and replanked. it being neces- sary to relav not only the ton surface but also the under surface, which was found in bad condition.
184
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Some 44,445 gallons of asphalt road oil and tar were used on the streets, the same being purchased under contract. The prices paid were: Cold patch asphalt at town yard and put in barrels, 12.89 cents; cold patch tar, 1.45; No. 3 and 6 asphalt road oil, 9.47 applied; retread tar, 11.25 applied, All tar or oil applied on streets was covered with sand.
New equipment has been added to the department as follows: a one and a half ton Ford truck and one Pontiac coupe to take the place of the Dodge in service for the last nine years.
The heavy snows of last winter and the constant cold weather caused many catch basins and pipe drains to freeze.
The working force of the department consists of 28 men, the same number as employed last year.
In accordance with the vote of the town, all employees of the department, except the Surveyor, are now under Civil Service.
Respectfully submitted, MICHAEL J. RYAN,
Surveyor of Highways.
Report of Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1934, 57 complaints concerning dogs were re- ceived, each of which was investigated and remedied. Sixty-four dogs were turned over to the dog officer, 42 being restored to their own- ers, and 22, which were proven to be stray dogs, were done away with. All owners who have neglected to license their dogs, as called for in the public statutes, have been notified and required to take out the necessary licenses. There were 527 licenses granted.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK H. BRADFORD,
Dog Officer.
185
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS
1934]
Board of Appeals
July 16, 1934, the newly appointed Board of Appeals held its first meeting for the purpose of organizing. Conrad P. Richardson was elected Chairman and Charles V. Easterbrook Secretary.
New rules for the conduct of the business of this board were adopted, they having been first approved by the Town Counsel. These were duly filed with the Town Clerk according to law and are open to public inspection for the guidance of those concerned. Among the changes from the rules followed by former Board of Appeals are:
1. The Board meets only at the call of the Chairman, or up- on the call of the Selectmen. This obviates routine delay and an appellant is thus able to obtain speedier hearings.
2. No set fee for filing appeals is established, the appellant bearing the costs incident to his appeal and being required to de- posit with his appeal the amount estimated to be necessary. This amount is accounted for to the appellant and any unused surplus is returned to him. This has resulted in a saving to the appellant in each case to date.
The unexpended balance to the credit of the new Board at its inception was "wages, $25.00; others, $39.69." Of this amount $3.50 has been spent for stationery and Leonard Bates, who was appoint- ed clerk, was paid $25 for his services. At the present writing there is an unexpended balance to the Board's credit of $36.19. The Board estimates that its financial requirements for the ensuing year will be $19.75 less than those of the former Board. This is due to the requirement of its new rules which imposes the cost of each appeal upon the individual appellant.
There have been but two appeals brought before the Board up to this writing. The first was that of James and Mary Ventre, who desired to build a piazza within nine feet of the street line at No. 45 Essex street. After due notice and hearing this appeal was al- lowed and the requested permit granted.
The second appeal was that of Mrs. Annie L. Emerson, who re- quested permission to build a two-car private garage in the rear of her premises at No. 64 Middlesex avenue. The original application in this matter was denied by the Health Officer and the Building In- spector, on the ground that the erection of such a garage on these premises would violate the provisions of the statute commonly known as the "Tenement House Act." An appeal being taken to this Board, the Health Officer gave notice in writing that the Board's jurisdiction was disputed and that the legality of any action taken by it would be questioned. The Board took jurisdiction, held hear- ings and granted the permit, but before its decision was filed the Health Officer and Building Inspector had signed their approval to the granting of the original application.
CONRAD P. RICHARDSON, CHARLES V. EASTERBROOK, HARRY M. SHANAHAN.
LEONARD H. BATES, Clerk.
186
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Planning Board
During the year 1934 the personnel of the board was as follows: George M. Glidden, Chairman; Herbert E. Ingalls, Secretary; Henry S. Baldwin, Ralph J. Curtis and John R. Hurlburt. Mr. Hurlburt resigned as of October 19, 1934. Mr. Glidden was re-elected for a term of three years at the annual town meeting of February 19, 1934.
Town Plan
There was no new construction or improvement in public build- ings during the year, but as time goes on the need becomes more and more urgent that some action be taken by the town along lines already recommended by this board.
In view of a possible grant of 50 per cent. by the government, and as general plans are already in the possession of the town and detailed in the Annual Report of 1931, it was decided at a joint meet- ing of the Board with the Board of Selectmen to recommend that the town proceed with the project of construction of a new High School at a cost of but 50 per cent. to the town, should the govern- ment approve this set-up, which is now seriously under consideration.
State Zoning By-Laws
The Board recommends that the town adopt the amendments to the State Zoning By-Laws, allowing our laws to confirm with the laws of other communities.
Street Widening
The widening of Humphrey street, between the junction with Atlantic avenue and the easterly end of Orchard circle is almost im- perative at this time. The Board realizes that it will be but a short time before the car-tracks will be obsolete, but, inasmuch as the road- way will be too narrow even with the tracks removed, it has re- quested the Town Engineer to prepare plans for such widening, and recommends that the Board of Selectmen investigate the possibility of obtaining E. R. A. funds for this project.
Humphrey Street Paving
The replacement of the wooden block paving on Humphrey street with a modern surface has been recommended to the town by the Board several times as a measure for public safety, and post- poned each time because of the expense. We recommend that this be seriously considered again, and, as it is eligible as an E. R. A. project, that the Board of Selectmen include it in their list of proj- ects and put it through now at a minimum of expense to the town.
Reports on Articles in the Warrant of Annual Town Meeting February 26, 1934
Article 20. The Planning Board cannot concur in the recom- mendation offered by the Finance Committee to postpone the remov- al of the wooden blocks on Humphrey street. This surface is a menace to public safety and is a constant expense to the town for maintenance and repair.
To the recommendation of the Finance Committee, therefore, the Board offers an amendment that the town vote to remove the wooden blocks on Humphrey street and resurface with some kind of permanent paving and appropriate money therefor, as recommend- ed by the Surveyor of Highways.
187
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1934]
Articles 29-33 inclusive. On this project the Board reaffirms its recommendation made in the annual report for 1933, and wishes to emphasize the fact that any appreciable postponement of the relief to the existing conditions may seriously jeopardize the health of the entire town.
Article 34. The Board feels that an artery from Aspen to Mil- lett roads should be established just as soon as economic conditions warrant the expenditure of the necessary money.
Article 45. The Board recommends the continuation of the fill- ing and grading of Phillips Park, for the purpose of eliminating the present objectionable conditions, but does not recommend the appropriation of money for the developement of this land for ath- letic purposes.
Article 46. The Planning Board has examined and approved the plans submitted by the Park Commission for the repair and al- teration of the so-called Administration Building at Blaney Beach, and recommends that this work be done.
Article 48. The acquiring of this land is part of the town plan, but the board feels that it may be postponed until conditions are more suitable.
Article 49. The Board feels that, inasmuch as the town has ap- proximately 42 acres of park or playground property, of which only 8 acres are under development, the town should further develop its present holdings before purchasing additional land for similar pur- poses.
Article 52. The Board has under consideration a plan for a permanent Honor Roll of World War Veterans, but it is not as yet developed to the point of making a definite recommendation at this meeting.
Article 55. The Board is opposed to changing the zoning of this property from residential to business, and therefore recom- mends that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 56. The Board is cognizant of no demand or necessity for a theatre in the town which will justify the re-zoning of this property, and recommends that action be indefinitely postponed.
Special Town Meeting, April 4, 1934
Article 8. Complying with Chapter 269, section 27 of the Acts of 1933, a public hearing on this article was held on March 21, 1934, after due notice was given in the Daily Evening Item, a newspaper published in and having a general circulation in the town of Swamp- scott.
The petition is as follows: "To see if the town will vote to change from a residential zone to a business area, the property lo- cated at 646 Humphrey street, bounded on the east by Cardillo ter- race and on the west by Glen road and shown on Assessors' Plan No. 23, as Lot No. 10 as petitioned for by Abram French et al."
Having considered the subject matter of this petition for re- port and recommendation, and having duly considered the evidence presented at the hearing, it is the opinion of the Board that the granting of this petition would not promote the health, safety, con- venience, morals, or welfare of the inhabitants.
Zoning is a device of democratic people for mutual protection. The character of the town in general and more especially this par- ticular area is of a residential nature. To place a business district within a residential area would be contrary to all principles of zon- ing and would constitute a hardship upon those home owners within the immediate area. Therefore the Planning Board recommends that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 9. Complying with Chapter 269, Section 27 of the Acts of 1933, a public hearing on this article was held on March 28, 1934,
188
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
after due notice was given in the Daily Evening Item, a newspaper published in and having a general circulation in the town of Swamp- scott.
The petition is as follows: "To see if the town will vote to change from a residential zone to a business area the property lo- cated on Humphrey street, between land of Henry B. and Bessie F. Lombard and land of the Kings Beach Garage, shown on Assessors' Plan No. 1 as Lots numbered 181 and 122; and also land located on King's Beach terrace as shown on Assessors' Plan No. 1 as Lots numbered 175 and 176 as petitioned for by John J. Foley."
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