USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1934 > Part 19
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Cemetery Lots Fund, Perpetual
Care
265.50
Refunds
1932 Personal Estate
1,320.00
1933 Real Estate
127.76
1934 Real Estate
779.63
1931 Excise Tax
.79
1932 Excise Tax
2.00
1933 Excise Tax
59.92
1934 Excise Tax
1,096.92
1932 Water
5.99
1934 Moth
1.50
Newsboy Badge Deposit
1.00
National Bank Tax
129.36
Old Age Assistance Tax to State
1.00
2,219.07
2,219.07
Total Payments Balance
$1,251,828.44 123,347.74
$1.375,176.18
3,828.59
3,828.59
222
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TRANSFERS
From Contributions
$2,969.91
To Police
$759.84
To Fire
1,042.74
To School
1,167.33
From Cemetery lots fund and income
9,130.00
To Cemetery improvement
900.00
To Public Welfare Wages
5,025.00
To Sewer Construction
4,500.00
To Sel. Cont. Fund ERA Elmwood Rd Drain
500.00
To Petty Cash
25.00
From Reserve Fund
16,998.74
To Sel. Cont. Fund CWA
1,953.00
To Fire
900.00
To Health Dumps
312.00
To Sel. Cont. Fund ERA Investigator
400.00
To Sel. Cont. Fund ERA
1,771.78
To Treasury
45.00
To Engineering
199.00
To Barnstable St. Drain
1,215.50
To Bradlee Ave. Drain
1,732.00
To Barnstable St. Drain Extension
332.85
To Phillips Park Dump
3,060.00
To Public Welfare
175.00
To Sel. Cont. Fund Hampden St. drain
2,300.00
To Collector of Taxes
450.00
To Town Meeting
400.00
To Jackson Park Wall
300.00
To Election and Registration Wages
6.63
To Election and Registration Others
173.50
To Selectmen's Cont. Fund
60.50
To Planning Board
1.55
To Town Hall
147.87
To Heat and Light G. A. R. Hall
62.56
To Sel. Cont. Fund U. S. S. Southard
350.00
From Wage Restorations
16,837.79
To Moderator
10.00
To Selectmen
300.00
To Accounting
350.00
To Treasury
160.00
To Collector of Taxes
170.80
To Assessors
340.00
To Town Clerk
50.80
To Election and Registration
275.00
To Engineering
1,116.00
To Town Hall
268.00
To Fire
3,441.62
To Tree Warden
676.00
To Inspector of Buildings
105.00
To Sealer of Weights and Measures
40.00
To Dog Officer
30.00
To Constable
10.00
To Inspector of Animals
20.00
To Health
343.80
To Health Nurse
130.00
To Health Dump
162.00
9,130.00
From Public Welfare Others
900.00
From Excess and Deficiency
650.00
To Police Station Garage
1934]
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
223
To Dental Clinic
$100.00
To District Nurse
30.00
To Sewer
617.00
To Highway
5,187.27
To Park
512.90
To Heat and Light G. A. R. Hall
54.00
To Water
1,515.60
To Cemetery
482.00
To Public Welfare
300.00
To Soldiers' Relief
40.00
From Overlay Reserve
$892.05
Hospital Ambulance
30.07
Fire Alarm System
13.50
Fire Hose
34.50
Hillcrest Circle Sewer
449.51
Bay View Avenue Drain
254.85
Highway Truck
46.64
Bradlee Avenue Drain
747.05
Barnstable Street Drain
474.03
Barnstable Street Drain Ext.
173.23
Park Truck
5.60
Memorial Day
.08
Unpaid Bills
.08
To Board of Public Welfare Others
3,121.59
From Town Meeting Salary Com.
224.68
Selectmen Others
2.81
Treasury Others
5.00
Planning Board Wages
25.00
Dental Clinic Others
1.90
Highway Others
251.69
Danvers Road and Essex Street Bridges
422.91
Public Welfare
77.11
Soldiers' Relief
96.68
School
942.30
Legion Lease
49.17
Fish House Repairs
42.07
Phillips Park Dump
2,451.00
To Warrants Payable
4,592.32
From Water Receipts Res. For Appropriation
56,760.40
To Water Others
43,120.00
To Water Wages
13,640.40
From Water Available Surplus
5,000.00
Water Emergency
5,000.00
From Emergency Sewer
2,100.00
To Hillcrest Circle Sewer
2,100.00
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet, December 31, 1934
Cash
$123,347.74 130.00
Petty Cash
Uncollected Taxes 1933 Poll
$242.00
Uncollected Taxes 1933 Personal
525.58
Uncollected Taxes 1933 Real Estate
16,848.39
17,615.97
Uncollected Taxes 1934 Poll
364.00
Uncollected Taxes 1934 Personal
2,541.97
Uncollected Taxes 1934 Real Estate
189,846.36
192,752.33
224
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Uncollected Moth 1933 Uncollected Moth 1934
$77.50 628.25
Old Age Assistance Tax 1933
159.00
Uncollected Sidewalks 1934
207.97
Unapportioned Sewers
978.44
Uncollected Sewers 1933
142.60
Uncollected Sewers 1934
2,054.76
3,175.80
Property taken by town for taxes
255.35
Tax Titles
62,266.07
Water Accounts Receivable 1931
17.69
Water Accounts Receivable 1932
152.29
Water Accounts Receivable 1933
4,763.43
Water Accounts Receivable 1934
15,097.52
Water Services
2,304.91
Water Liens
3,584.12
Water Interest
700.17
Water Miscellaneous
11.00
Departmental Accounts Receivable Health
728.48
Departmental Accounts Receivable School
271.25
Departmental Accounts Receivable Fire
79.84
Departmental Accounts Receivable Public Welfare
5,483.24
Departmental Accounts Receivable Cemetery
495.00
Departmental Accounts Receivable Park
68.60
Excise Tax on Motor Vehicles 1933
874.54
Excise Tax on Motor Vehicles 1934
2,450.24
3,324.78
1932 Overlay overdraft
530.66
530.66
Cemetery Lots Fund Income
26.00
26.00
$438,254.96
Debt
Net Bonded Debt
$546,200.00
Trust Funds
Securities and Cash
40,451.16
Securities, Income and Interest
6,484.64
Sidewalks and Sewers Apportioned but not due
18,393.10
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet, December 31, 1934 Accounts Current
Excess and Deficiency
Water Available Surplus
$70,685.71 41,303.95
Revenue
Water Revenue
$26,631.13
Moth Revenue
705.75
Sidewalks Revenue
207.97
Sewer Revenue
3,175.80
Tax Titles Revenue
62,521.42
Excise Revenue
3,324.78
D. A. R. Revenue
7,126.41
$705.75 159.00
62,521.42
26,631.13
7,126.41
46,935.80
1934]
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
225
Overlay 1933
$2,340.56
Overlay 1934
4,901.02
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
200,000.00
Selectmen's Cont. Fund ERA Investigator
35.00
Selectmen's Cont. Fund Elmwood Road Drain
437.00
Sewer Construction
2,547.54
Widening Beach Bluff Avenue
100.00
Cemetery Improvement
1,021.66
Warrants Payable
4,592.32
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund Income
35.30
Joanna Morse Library Fund Income
1.23
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund Income
70.61
Newsboys' Badge Fund
4.00
Special Police Badge Fund
28.50
$316,788.46
Non-Revenue
High School Committee
1.90
Emergency Water
1,894.34
Emergency Sewer
619.75
Stanley School
41.71
Monument Avenue and Walker Road
624.38
Atlantic and Phillips Avenue Drains
65.29
Phillips Avenue Roadway Extension
1,541.09
Whitman Road Roadway
1,668.84
6,457.30
Debt
Permanent Improvement Notes
395,900.00
Sewer Bonds Serial
81,300.00
Water Bonds Serial
39,000.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Serial Loans
30,000.00
546,200.00
Trust Funds
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund
2,000.00
Joanna Morse Library Fund
5,196.00
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund
1,000.00
Phillips Medal Fund
1,000.00
Cemetery Lots Fund
27,353.16
Municipal Insurance Fund
3,902.00
40,451.16
Philips Medal Fund Income
1,722.34
Municipal Insurance Fund Income
3,695.00
Cemetery Lots Fund Income
1,067.30
6,484.64
Apportioned
Sidewalks
335.97
Sewers
18,057.13
18,393.10
Unpaid Bills
The following bills incurred by the departments named have been reported as unpaid up to December 31, 1934:
Board of Public Welfare
$3,119.23
Police
234.36
*Highway
50.85
*Received after books closed.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE R. PARKER, Town Accountant.
438,254.96
226
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Honor Roll Committee
The report of the Committee on Permanent Honor Roll of World War Veterans, made under Article 52 of the warrant of the last annual town meeting, which reads as follows:
"To see if the town will vote to provide a suitable and perma- nent honor roll of World War veterans, who were residents of Swampscott at the time of answering the call to arms, said memorial to replace the temporary honor roll formerly located on the Town Hall lawn, and appropriate money therefore, as petitioned for by Leon E. Abbott Post 57, American Legion, and the Joseph L. Ste- vens Post 1240, Veterans of Foreign Wars."
'It was voted that a committee, consisting of Henry S. Baldwin, Richard H. McNamara and Byron E. Porter, should investigate as to the form and cost of an honor roll for the town of Swampscott, and report at the next town meeting.
After consideration of various types of World War memorials and honor rolls the committee decided that a flag pole with a suitable bronze base to carry the names of Swampscott's honor roll, would best express the sentiment of the citizens and would be in keeping with the locality. Placed on the Monument avenue park, well back from Burrill street or preferably in the circle at the intersection of Monument avenue and Elmwood road, it would form a fitting part of a scheme of Soldiers' Memorials, consisting of the shaft erected by the town in 1883 in honor of the men who served during the Civil War and particularly those who gave their lives at that time, together with the World War boulder dedicated in 1920 to those who gave their lives in our last and greatest conflict.
The matter of location has been taken up with the Planning Board and meets with their approval. The circular plot referred to has certain advantages and is favored by the committee. It would lend itself to a suitable approach to the bronze monument forming the base of the flag pole.
The bronze would be raised several feet above the grade of the roadway, and would rest on a granite base with a series of wide circular steps forming a gentle ascent from the road surface to the granite base. It would be necessary to remove the electric light pole now in the center of the plot to the Monument avenue parking, either above or below the circle.
The honor roll monument would be of cast bronze of original design especially modeled with eagles at the four points of the compass, all surmounted by a bronze ring or collar about the flag pole. Tablets for the nearly five hundred names would be placed on the four quarters of the monument. In general, the dimensions of the bronze would be about four and one-half feet in diameter and eight and one-half feet above the granite base.
The approach would consist of five concentric steps, each from three to five feet in width, with a rise of only six inches for each circle. The circles would be formed by cut granite sectors with North River stone fitted at random to form each level. A suitable concrete foundation would be provided to support the granite base for the monument and to receive the flag pole.
The pole would be of Douglas fir, fifteen inches in diameter at the base and seventy feet above the foundation. It would be provided with bronze swivel sheave for the halyards and would be finished either in the natural wood varnished or painted a suitable color.
227
HONOR ROLL COMMITTEE
1934]
Aside from the World War memorial boulder the town, as yet, has not erected a monument to commemorate the patriotism and loyalty of her sons and daughters who responded to the call of their country during the period of the World War. An honor roll as de- scribed would not only serve this purpose but would also beautify the town and provide a suitable flag pole at a point where it could be seen by those passing on the main thoroughfare of the town.
Estimates for the modeling, bronze, pole and stone approach have been obtained from reliable sources. These indicate that the cost for the honor roll as described will be $4,800.
The committee favors this form of honor roll and has inserted an article in the warrant for the annual town meeting recommending the appropriation of the sum necessary for its erection.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, Chairman, RICHARD H. McNAMARA, BYRON E. PORTER.
228
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Jury List Approved January 10, 1935
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
Acker, Henry E.
446 Humphrey st.
Fisherman
Addison, Chas. D.
50
Aspen rd.
Jeweler
Anderson, Wayne
58 Crescent st. Radio
Arsenault, Wilbert J.
6 Fisher ave.
Toolmaker
Banks, E. Kinsman
80 Banks rd.
Manager
Bennett, Ralph O.
4 King st.
Clerk
Berry, Carl J.
39 Essex ave.
Accountant
Biggers, James M.
80 Middlesex ave.
Salesman
Boston, John A.
57 New Ocean st.
Timekeeper
Boyce, Thomas J.
145 Walker rd.
Salesman
Brown, Frank W.
12 Banks ter.
G. E.
Brundage, Thomas R.
3 Rock ave.
Auto Instructor
Burk, Frank L.
88 Rockland st.
Contractor
Burke, Edward F.
82 Redington st.
Shoework
Caverly, Donald P.
16 Elmwood rd.
Rigger
Chase, Donald H.
97 Norfolk ave.
Draftsman
Clay, George F.
19 Pine st.
Painter
Clinch, Charles S.
72 King st.
Designer
Clish, Fred C.
10 Elmwood rd.
Salesman
Cogswell, Michael J.
2 Eliot rd.
Mechanic
Collins, Walter C.
123 Aspen rd.
Electrician
Colton, Chas. A.
57 Redington st.
Shipper
Connell, Frank L.
108 Redington st.
Electrician
Coughlin, Leo J.
5 Essex ter.
Manager
Delano, Louis A.
24 King st.
Teamster
Deshon, George W. 146
Elmwood rd.
Engineer
Devitt, George E.
196 Aspen rd.
Salesman
Doane. Arthur W. L.
70 Crescent st.
Carpenter
Dudley, Chas. R.
58 Stetson ave.
Fitter
Duffy, George W.
400 Puritan rd.
Shoe Production
Eaton, Arthur C.
45 Blaney st.
Engineer
Edgerly, Lloyd I.
58 Magnolia rd.
Salesman
Ellis, Stuart P.
12 Porter pl.
Photographer
Finnegan, John A.
32 Puritan rd.
Plumber
Fogg, Berton A.
16 Blaney circle
Motorman
Foster, James
25 Ingalls ter.
Machinist
Fournier, Wilfred J.
62 Windsor ave.
Salesman
Fuller, Edwin A.
85 Walker rd.
Builder
Gilbert, John M.
144 Elmwood rd.
Broker
Hadaway, John B.
21 Bay View drive
Engineer
Hall, Walter A.
53 Bay View drive
Engineer
Hannifey, William H.
521 Humphrey st.
Plumber
Hannon, Edward W.
30 Mountwood rd.
Merchant
Hanson, Howard E.
47 Mountwood rd.
Salesman
Harvey, Loran J.
55 Blaney st.
Foreman
Hodges, Tom
39 Puritan rd.
Chauffeur
Hoffman, Max H.
8 Bay View drive
Retired
Hudson, Harold C.
18 Devens rd.
Manager
Burgess, Charles V.
15 Boynton st.
Architect
Chaisson, Francis E.
59
Walker rd.
Secretary
Chandler, Ernest
25 Fuller ave.
Salesman
1934]
JURY LIST
229
NAME
RESIDENCE
Ingalls, Herbert E.
188 Aspen rd.
Real estate
Ingell, Homer P.
3 Grant rd.
Electrical eng.
Jackson, Almer A.
57 New Ocean st.
Cabinet worker
Jacobs, Herbert F.
76 Banks rd.
Salesman
Kimball, Louis H.
75 Banks rd.
Salesman
LeComte, Robert A.
130
Humphrey st.
Mahan, William
115
Aspen rd.
Diemaker
Martin, Albert T.
68 Rockland st.
Laborer
Martin, Nathaniel R.
21 Cedar Hill ter.
Superintendent
McArthur, Clarence O.
195 Aspen rd.
Manufacturer
McCarthy, Richard
127 Redington st.
Manufacturer
Mclaughlin, Harold J.
20 Hillside ave.
Timer
McLearn, John G.
Messenger
Salesman
99 Banks rd.
Salesman
Miller, Raymond P.
73 Fuller ave.
Insurance
Monty, Leon D.
1 Superior st.
Chauffeur
Morrison, Frank E.
28 Bay View ave.
Contractor
Munroe, John M.
11 Banks ter.
Foreman
Newhall, E. Harold
175 Redington st.
Merchant
Nichols, Raymond E.
38 Sherwood rd.
Artist
Nichols, William H. E.
11 Cherry st.
Carpenter
Nickerson, Geo. E.
7 Thorndike ter.
Carpenter
Norcross, William P.
10 Valley rd.
Electrician
Norris, Harry L.
22
Devens rd.
Salesman
Nugent, Daniel F.
12 Essex ave.
Manager
Orcutt, Clarence W.
96 Banks rd.
Salesman
Parker, J. Edgar
47 Millett rd.
Manufacturer
Patterson, Frank C.
74 Aspen rd.
Cutter
Phillips, Edward J.
7 Sheridan rd.
Retired
Porter, Byron E.
15
Superior st.
Architect
Pratt, Wm. H.
51 Windsor ave.
Cutter
Queena, Quy
17 Elmwood rd.
Laborer
Ralph, John A.
151 Redington st.
Painter
Ranger, Allen B.
9 Farragut rd.
Salesman
Reed, Ralph H.
78 Aspen rd.
Retired
Rowe, Charles
62 Crescent st.
Welder
Saville, Thomas
6 Redington st.
Laborer
Sawyer, Edward A.
56 Middlesex ave.
Engineer
Sears, Winthrop M.
55 Sherwood rd.
Contractor
Sellman, Charles R.
71 Essex st.
Truck Driver
Shanahan, Harry M.
4 Ellis ter.
Banking
Soutter, James C.
37 Arbutus rd.
Manager
Spinney, Joseph D.
56 Crescent st.
Retired
Thompson, Bertram H.
3
Essex ter.
Brass Molder
Tibbetts. Edwin W.
22 Walker rd.
Dealer
Trenholm, Victor E. Ventre, Harry J.
328 Essex st.
Laborer
Webb, Reginald L.
63 Beach ave.
Bookkeeper
Winkpaw, Albert V.
17 Rockland st.
Clerk
Wood, Lewis F.
14 Thomas rd.
Shoeworker
Zwicker, Aubrey E.
52 Greenwood ave.
Jeweler
802
62 Humphrey st. Humphrey st.
McNamara, Richard H. Melville, George C. Melzard, Ralph
65 Salem st.
Electrician
Mechanic
OCCUPATION
28 Blaney st.
Expressman
230
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Selectmen submits herewith its annual report for the year 1934, 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 1935.
Federal Unemployment Relief
On assuming office the most pressing problem aside from rou- tine business was the proper administration of the CWA projects and details connected therewith.
At the beginning of the CWA some few individuals, knowing it to be a Federal project, displayed questionable ethics by seizing every advantage to better themselves financially at the expense of the town and the Federal government, which from press reports was unfortunately a common practice in too many communities.
After a thorough investigation the Selectmen remedied these conditions and at or about that time the CWA ceased to function and was replaced by the ERA, so-called.
Edward A. Sawyer was named by the Federal ERA authorities as administrator, replacing Harry E. Cahoon, resigned, who had giv- en freely of his time without remuneration, for which the town can- not give him too much credit.
Under the ERA Harold H. Jones was appointed supervisor, suc- ceeding Harold F. Merrill, who was supervisor under the CWA.
It would seem that the CWA functioned in a rather loose man- ner, as was evidenced by several bills overlaping from the previous board of selectmen which were presented and reduced from 30 to 50 per cent by voluntary consent of those presenting them.
With the inauguration of the ERA more strict regulations were promulgated by the Federal authorities in regard to approving pro- jects and the method of handling finance and the board of Select- men arranged to have the supervisor be responsible for all bills con- tracted in the name of the town, thus having a check at the source of delivery and by the users of town material.
In accordance with an order from the State ERA authorities, stating that, if a neutral and experienced investigator were not ap- pointed, all ERA projects must cease, these authorities approved the appointment of Mary E. Wakefield, of Marblehead.
This was not an unusual procedure, for to conform with orders from the state ERA two Swampscott residents have held similar appointments in Lynn.
Under the CWA it was found that the town was paying the supervisor, Mr. Merrill, $50 per week from town funds. This condi- tion was immediately corrected by having the salary of the new ERA supervisor, Mr. Jones, paid from Federal funds, thus saving the town the amount of his salary.
231
REPORT OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1934]
The administration of the ERA under Mr. Sawyer has pro- gressed as well as could be expected, considering the difficulties and details involved. An investigation of his administration was request- ed by the Finance Committee but was shortly waived for reasons best known to themselves.
In regard to expenditure of town funds on these projects may we be priviledged to explain to the taxpayers who, although the CWA and ERA have been in force since November, 1933, may not realize that these different projects, which in the near future would have to be financed by the town in whole, have been completed at a cost to the town for the price of the material only. All cost of labor is financed by the Federal government.
We feel that it is good economy to take advantage of every es- sential and necessary project that the Federal ERA officials may see fit to approve, for the reason that the town will never have another opportunity to secure permanent improvements at the cost of mate- rial only.
A resume of the accomplishments of CWA and ERA administra- tion is appended :- Extension and improvement of town Cemetery; painting inside and outside of Town Hall; painting inside and outside of Phillips Beach engine house; remodelling, painting and repairing G. A. R. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) building.
Construction of surface drains: Barnstable street, Plymouth avenue, Phillips and Bradlee avenues, Berkshire and Hampden streets.
Construction of sewers: Dale and Summer streets.
Clearing out Phillips Park area.
Eradication of pests (moths).
New work contemplated includes: Further improvement of Cem- etery; extension of sewer work; Jackson Park construction of fire break.
In addition to work relief, the Federal ERA during the early months of 1934, provided needy residents of the town with coal at the cost of delivery.
This distribution was handled through the department of Pub- lic Welfare, 258 tons of coal being distributed to 194 families. Also, there has been a continuous distribution of food and clothing, the clothing, sheets, etc., being the product of women's sewing projects in Swampscott and elsewhere. Surplus food products distributed in- cluded butter, eggs, rice, cereal, potatoes, cabbages, canned meats, pork and veal. The food distribution points in the town are Lynch's store and Hegarty's store, and the clothing is now distributed under the direction of the Swampscott Welfare Committee at its head- quarters on Columbia street. These commodities were all donated by the Federal government.
The Federal government has paid for wages to those under the ERA an average of $6,800 monthly. During the year CWA and ERA employment has been furnished to approximately 300 residents of the town, representing over 1200 dependents. Many of these workers have later returned to private employment, 135 men and women be- ing employed on the average.
A careful analysis of these figures will prove that the Federal government has paid in 14 months some $95,000 in wages, and if the Selectmen had not sponsored these projects these ERA workers would have been thrown on the welfare list, a major part of the $95,000 must then have been paid by the town in welfare aid with a resultant great increase in the tax rate.
232
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Alcoholic Beverages Licenses
At the last annual town meeting the voters of Swampscott de- cided that the sale of alcoholic beverages should be legalized in this town.
Following the mandate of a substantial majority we issued the following licenses: Three hotel licenses, four package goods stores, three restaurants, and one club license. No licenses for the sale of hard liquors were issued except to two hotels and three package goods stores.
Licenses were granted only to those persons who by the nature of their business were eligible for a liquor license and had been established from three to forty years.
Six permits to conduct restaurants were refused on the grounds that the petitioners' main interest was to later ask for a liquor li- cense, and we believe that this class of license should be limited to a minimum. If these permits had been granted and the principals had later petitioned for a liquor license our refusal to grant the same would have probably been appealed to the State Alcoholic Bev- erages Control Commission, who as a general rule have always de- cided in favor of the petitioners. We have endeavored to respect the wishes of the minority by proper control and limitation of liquor licenses and our action in this matter has the strong approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Protection of Life and Property
Early in our administration we were questioned in regard to the assignments of the several patrolmen by many citizens who were of the opinion that the town was not being efficiently patroled, espec- ially in the early morning division.
It seemed some of the officers were so often detailed to special duties, plain clothes and inspectorships, which is customary only in large crime ridden municipalities, that they had no time to reas- sure the peaceful and respectable citizens by occasionally appear- ing on patrol.
In deference to the rights of these citizens, Chief Reeves was called in conference and positively asserted it was no concern of these citizens nor the Board of Selectmen, and that he would place the men where and when he desired, claiming in this respect that he was a law unto himself and responsible to no one.
It is to prevent the illegal and self-centered usurpation of au- thority by such an appointive official that the General Laws provide for, and Chapter 7, Section 4, of the Town By-laws reads as follows:
"The board of Selectmen shall be in charge of the police depart- ment and shall make rules and regulations for the government there- of. This department shall consist of a Chief of Police, and such other commissioned and non-commissioned officers and patrolmen as the Selectmen may appoint; their compensation shall be fixed by the town."
Please notice that this by-law is mandatory and it is a specific duty of the Selectmen to enforce it, and they are delinquent if they do not.
On three separate occasions the Chief displayed the same atti- tude of insubordination, on the last of which he declined to deliver certain records of the Swampscott police department, on the grounds that they were his private property, although assembled at the expense of the town. It was necessary to issue an arbitrary order to secure these records.
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