USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1935 > Part 13
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Replacements this year have been replacement of 2-inch iron_with 2-inch brass, as follows:
Elm place,
450 feet,
cost cost
$516,85
Upland road,
150 feet,
221.94
Hydrants in use December 31, 1934
287
Hydrants added during year
1
Hydrants in use December 31, 1935
288
Gates in use December 31, 1935
522
Services in use December 31, 1934
2746
Services added during year
10
Services abandone 1 during year
5
Services in use December 31, 1935
2751
Meters:
Total cost to December 31, 1934
$34,808.61
Exchanged during year
23 cost
201.55
Total cost to December 31, 1935
35,010.16
Table of Distributing Pipe in Feet December 31, 1935
Wrought Iron
Cast Iron
Cement
Lined
Brass
Total 303
2 in.
5766
1468
1345
8,579
4 in.
5,269
5,269
6 in.
121,394
121,394
8 in.
7,375
7.375
10 in.
21,800
21,800
12 in.
6,714
6,714
14 in.
3,721
3,721
5766
166,273
1851
1345
175,235
1 14 in.
303
112 in.
80
80
2756
1935]
Water Debt
Bonds and notes issued to December 31, 1935
$368,300.00 336,800.00
Bonds and notes paid to December 31, 1935
Net debt
31,500.00
Decrease during year
7,500.00
Due during 1936
7,000.00
Inventory of Property, Water Department, December 31, 1935
Water mains and stand pipes
$207,395.33
Land on Pine street
2,000.00
Brick building, Pine street
2,000.00
Workshop and garage
2,500.00
Two auto trucks
1,150.00
Office furniture
600.00
Meters and parts
35,010.16
Stock on hand
5,000.00
$255,655.49
SEWER DEPARTMENT
All work voted by the town has been completed and detailed below. We have also replaced an old truck in service since 1930. Sewer Maintenance: Appropriation $9,840.00
Expended
9,256.60
Balance
583.40
Particular Sewers:
Appropriation
400.00
Expended
84.00
Balance
316.00
Emergency Sewer:
Appropriation
1,500.00
Transferred 1934 balance
619.75
Transferred to construction account
1,619.75
Balance
500.00
Expended
131.65
Balance
368.35
Sewer Construction:
Aspen Road
Item 1
362 lin. ft. 8 in. vit. pipe
@ $1.00
$362.00
Item 2 130 lin. ft. 5 in. vit. pipe
@ .70
91.00
Item 3 240 cu. yds. rock excavation
@ 3.00
723.00
2 manholes
@ 40.00
80.00
Extras:
364 cu. yds. gravel
@
1.25
$455.00
3 bags cement
.75
2.25
140 bricks
.02
2.80
12 ton sand
2.00
1.00
461.05
Plus 15%
69.16
$530.21
2,119.75
WATER AND SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS
135
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Advertising Water Department Manhole cover and rings
$7.12
17.24
21.71
$46.07
Total Cost
$1,832.28
Nason Road Sewer
Item 1
196 lin. ft. 8 in. vit. pipe
@
.95
$186.20
Item 2
85 lin. ft. 5 in. vit. pipe
@
.63
55.25
Item 3
156 cu. yds. rock excavation
@
2.85
444.60
Item 4
1 manhole
35.00
Extra:
153 cu. yds. gravel
$1.25
$191.25
6 bags cement
@
.75
4.50
300 bricks
@
.02
6.00
1 Ton sand
2.00
12 hours labor
@
.75
9.00
212.75
Plus 15%
31.91
Advertising
7.13
Water Department
28.41
Manhole cover and rings
10.85
$46.39
Total Cost
$1,012.10
Inventory of Property, Sewer Department, December 31, 1935
Pumping station
$20,000.00
Pumping plant
14,500.00
Land
5,000.00
Office furniture
350.00
Tools and equipment
450.00
Truck and garage
700.00
$41,000.00
Care of Brooks
The Hawthorne brook is now under construction by vote of the town, under a PWA project and when completed will help take care of a much needed improvement and many complaints.
Appropriation
$200.00
Expenditures
16.00
Balance
$184.00
GEORGE D. R. DURKEE, HAROLD G. ENHOLM, CHARLES E. HODGDON, Water and Sewerage Commissioners.
$244.66
137
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1935]
Report of Chief of Police
To the citizens of Swampscott:
I have the honor to submit, as Chief of Police, the following report for the year ending December 31, 1935:
Roster of Department Chief Walter F. Reeves
Captain James M. Kennedy
Sergeant Francis P. Wall
Patrolmen
J. Henry Pedrick
Almon B. Owens
Frank T. Roach
Samuel Hooper
John P. Costin
Joseph P. Ryan Frederick J. Rowe
J. Warren Doherty
Reserve Force Robert L. Cunningham
Temporary Provisional Appointees
A. Earl Gallup
James H. Pedrick Jr.
Mary M. Pedrick, Clerk
Pensioned Members
Eugene P. Brogan, appointed regular March 29, 1909; appointed Captain Dec. 10, 1920. Placed on pension roll July 1, 1935.
Joseph D. Spinney, appointed regular March 20, 1902; pensioned on March 31, 1922.
In Memoriam Charles Connell
Appointed Regular March 22, 1901 Pensioned on Sept. 20, 1934. Died May 20, 1935
Arrests
Total number of arrests
105
Male
87
Female
3
Juvenile
15
Residents
46
Non-Residents
59
Causes of Adult Arrest
Assault and battery
4
Begetting with child
1
Breaking, entering, larceny in nighttime
3
Carrying revolver without a license
2
Concealing mortgaged property
1
Default
1
Destroying property of U. S. Government
1
Drunkeness
25
Gaming on Lord's Day
9
Illegitimacy
2
Larceny of Motor Vehicle
4
Lewd and Lascivious person
1
Motor Vehicle Laws, violating:
Allowing improper person to operate
Going away unknown after knowingly causing injury to person .
2
1
Joseph L. Shanahan
George D. Horton James T. Jordan Herbert F. Frazier Francis E. Delano
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Going away unknown after knowingly causing damage to property
2
Operating negligently so as to endanger lives or safety
2
Operating while under influence of liquor .
7
Operating within eight feet of lowest step of street car
1
Operating without a license
Passing to left of street car
Speeding
Neglect of children
1
Non-support of wife and children
1
Obtaining money under false pretense
1
Robbery while armed
2
Using auto without authority
4
Vagrant
2
Total adult arrests
.
90
Causes of Juvenile Arrest
Breaking and entering in daytime
1
Breaking and entering in nighttime
5
Delinquency
1
Larceny of motor vehicle
2
Neglected child
6
Total juvenile arrests
15
Summonses served for other police departments
166
Disposition of Adult Cases
Appealed
3
Committed to Concord Reformatory
2
Committed to House of Correction
10
Committed to State Farm at Bridgewater
2
Dismissed
2
Filed
18
Filed on payment of costs
4
Fined
21
For other departments
12
Found not guilty
5
Placed on probation
5
Released by court
6
Disposition of Juvenile Cases
Committed to State Industrial School for Girls
1
Continued to 1936
1
For other departments
1
Placed on probation
7
Turned over to State Department Public Welfare permanently.
5
Miscellaneous Work
Accidents reported and assistance rendered
30
Auto accidents reported
77
Passengers reported injured
55
Pedestrians reported injured
9
Bicyclists reported injured
3
Pedestrians killed by motor vehicles .
1
Pedestrians killed by street cars
1
Autos tagged for violation of parking rules
401
Breaking and entering cases reported and investigated, 14 of which were unfounded
71
Breaking and entering attempts reported and investigated.
9
Complaints investigated :
92
In regard to dogs
366
Miscellaneous complaints
Defects in streets and sidewalks reported and attention given
16
6
2
2
1935]
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
139
Disturbances reported and quelled
39
Dogs reported injured by motor vehicles
11
Dogs reported killed by motor vehicles
5
Dogs reported missing
124
Dogs found and turned over to owner or dog officer
101
Dogs shot by police
1
Gas leaks reported
1
Doors and windows found unlocked and secured
287
Lights burning in vacant buildings
13
Messages delivered for other departments
88
Missing persons located
44
Missing persons not located
Obstructions reported and attention given
24
Police signal system :
Calls to hospital
60
Calls to fires
88
Miscellaneous calls
213
Duty calls reported
22,981
Residences temporarily unoccupied and special attention given.
143
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle reports filed
301
Sale of second-hand motor vehicle reports filed
377
Sick persons assisted
30
Street excavations reported
3
Street lamps reported defective
180
Suicides reported
1
Suicide attempts reported
1
Suspicious persons interviewed
75
Water leaks reported
5
Windows reported broken, cases investigated
54
Wires reported broken or burning .
21
Stolen Property
Amount of property stolen here and recovered here
$400.00
Amount of property stolen elsewhere and recovered here
4,125.00
Amount of property reported stolen and not recovered :
By breaking and entering
6,000.00
Miscellaneous larceny
1,800.00
Automobiles reported stolen here and recovered elsewhere.
6
Automobiles reported stolen elsewhere and recovered here
10
Automobiles reported stolen here and not recovered
REMARKS
Appointment
J. Warren Doherty was appointed a regular patrolman on April 1, 1935, to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Patrolman Charles Connell.
Retirement
Captain Eugene P. Brogan was placed on the pension roll on July 1, 1935, because of physical disability received in the performance of duty. He served the department and citizens to the best of his ability from March 29, 1909, up to the time of his retirement.
Promotion
The rank of sergeant in the police department was created by the Board of Selectmen. Patrolman Francis P. Wall was appointed Sergeant on October 11, 1935.
Physical Examination
By order of the Board of Selectmen, all members of the police department reported to Doctor Loring Grimes for physical examination. The medical re- ports were submitted directly to the Board.
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Special Police
Particular care has been exercised in the recommendation and appoint- ment of special police officers, and many appointments made in 1934 were rescinded.
Sergeants
During the year I recommended the appointment of two sergeants; one to take charge of the morning division and the other to supervise the men assigned to patrol duty on the night division, thereby assisting them in their work in the prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals. This, I believed would increase the morale, good order, and discipline of the depart- ment at no additional expense. One sergeant was appointed by the Board of Selectmen at a salary of $2410.00. On my recommendation, after learning the different salaries paid to sergeants in cities and towns in Essex County, the rate of pay for the Swampscott sergeant was set at $6.30 per day, or approximately $2300.00 per year.
Police Rules Rescinded
The police rules and regulations adopted by members of the 1934 Board of Selectmen, which proved injurious to the efficiency and discipline of the police department, were rescinded by our present Board of Selectmen.
Morale of Department
The discipline of the police department has been excellent during the past year, to the best of my knowledge.
Traffic
During the summer months, traffic was exceedingly heavy, necessitating the placing of a traffic stand illuminated with flood-light at the intersection of Humphrey and Redington Streets, and another at the junction of Humphrey street and the Lynn Shore Drive.
Motor Patrol Cars
Our patrol cars are equipped with short-wave radio. Orders and inform- ation are first teletyped to the State Police at Framingham and broadcast by radio to the patrol officers. The contact is speedy, and excellent co-operation has been received.
Buildings
The police station is in very poor condition. The building is old and di- lapitated. Any expenditure for repairs, other than operating expense, would be a waste of funds.
Juvenile Delinquency
Much can be accomplished among youth in the prevention of crime, which I believe is the most important function of any police department or law en- forcement agency. Considerable effort is made to reform persons confined to houses of correction and prisons, but the greatest success in the prevention of crime lies in our work with the youth. The minds of the very young are plastic and can easily be moulded into a vessel of honor or a vessel of dishonor. No effort should be spared by police departments when an opportunity arises to assist parents in supervising the conduct of boys, who by their behavior, may grow up to lead immoral or criminal lives. Unless absolutely necessary, I do not believe in placing first offenders before the court for misdemeanors com- mitted, if their wrongs can be remedied to the benefit of the community and offender without court action. The time to know a boy is before it becomes necessary to place him before the court, and police officers can do much along this line, for after all the problem of juvenile delinquency requires the co- operation of the police and parent for the welfare of the youth.
Transfer to Appropriation
At the end of the year I found it necessary to request an additional transfer to the police appropriation.
1935]
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
141
Officers' Time Off
During the year each member of the department had forty-five regular days off and fourteen days vacation, plus the following additional days off: Due to Sickness By Special Request 1
John P. Costin
Frances E. Delano
5
J. Warren Doherty
Herbert F. Frazier
3
Samuel Hooper
23*
George D. Horton
5 **
2
James M. Kennedy
5* *
Almon B. Owens
55
3
J. Henry Pedrick
Frank T. Roach
1
2
Frederick J. Rowe
2
Joseph P. Ryan
9
6
Joseph L. Shanahan
3
Francis P. Wall
3
* 16 because of injury in line of duty.
2 because of injury in line of duty.
3 because of death in family.
Recommendation
I recommend that traffic signal lights be installed at the intersection of Paradise road and Burrill street. This is located on Route 1.A, a through way, used also by buses owned by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company and the Greyhound line. It is a busy section, with a number of places of business, and the installation of signal lights at this point would promote safety and control traffic.
Conclusion
I take this opportunity to assure the Board of Selectmen of my gratitude and appreciation for the unreserved confidence they have imposed in me, both personally and as chief of police. I will spare no effort to serve the public faithfully, and to retain the confidence and esteem of the citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. REEVES, Chief of police.
James T. Jordan
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Public Welfare in submitting its report for the year 1935 wish the citizens to know the facts that confronted their Welfare Board during the year and hope that due consideration will be given to our efforts by reading our report. We desire at this time to extend our thanks to all who have helped by their courtesy and support during the year. Out of the depression we have learned some valuable lessons. Closer co-operation be- tween Public Welfare and private relief organizations has grown out of need for mobilizing all of the community resources to meet the emergencies.
Demands for relief, advice and encouragement have multiplied greatly. Many in our town who have never felt want before, including trained men and experienced workman, have suffered the fate of the unemployables.
To handle intelligently the cases produced by the long period of un- employment is a test of the patience and justice of the department. We feel that our endeavor to judge cases on their merits have resulted in few complaints of unfair treatment. We have striven to discharge our duties to those supplying or furnishing the means to aid, as well as to those requiring it.
Cumbersome and obsolete methods and systems would not take care of the immense volume of work thrust upon the department, therefore it was necessary to replace them with modern business equipment and an up-to-date filing system, which are included in the net cost of welfare.
The facilities for handling welfare were inadequate and the charges for renovating two offices and the paying of rent outside the town hall for equip- ment of the Sealer of Weights and Measures department is also a part of the welfare costs. No one can fully appreciate what this means to the efficiency of the office. Still we are not satisfied, as their is need for a private room that is sound proof in which to talk with applicants.
All forms had to be revised and brought up-to-date to include the neces- sary laws to protect the town, also to make sure that those who sign appli- cations for aid may realize the seriousness of doing so if they are not in need of help.
Accurate records and prompt notifications in accordance with law re- quirements and thorough investigations have made it possible to turn back many thousands of dollars to the town.
In many cases people who have been fortunate enough to secure private employment and are now in a position to pay back to the town the amount of aid rendered, are doing so.
We are grateful for the sewing machines which were given or loaned, in answer to our advertisement, for the sewing project which comes under the Welfare Department and employs thirty-three women.
A considerable amount of time is spent each month by this department on the WPA reports which are sent to the Federal office. The Federal allot- ments to the town depend on this report, therefore it requires much thought and care. Many other statistical reports are required, such as State cases, Old Age Assistance cases, Mothers' Aid cases, etc., which shortens the time for the regular routine work which has grown heavier each month.
Although we have eliminated considerable expense by following the suggestions of the Committee on Salaries and Wages for the year 1935, we find it necessary to request additional help this coming year to take care of the requirements.
Many requests are received by the department from the citizens of the town for men to do odd jobs or women to do housework or sewing. We realize this has been a factor in reducing welfare costs and have set up a cardex system showing occupations. We gladly recommend these men and women, who would rather work, to any citizen and we hope to receive more requests in the future. Because of many unemployed recipients who preferred to work out aid given we have relieved costs in other departments, especially the Park Department in the grading and filling in of Phillips Park. Eleven men were assigned, putting in a total of 30714 hours' work without pay.
143
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
19351
We wish to thank the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools for their co-operation and assistance given in completing an investi- gation arising from complaints received that there were a number of under- nourished children attending public schools coming from families who are being aided at the present time. A report submitted by the Superintendent of Schools listed fourteen school children as cases in which there might be a question of mal-nutrition. A further survey indicated that seven of these children were from families aided by the Welfare Department and that the School Department had been taking care of these children by serving hot lunches through one means or another, thus making it unnecessary for our department to help out.
We are also very grateful to the Police Department in helping us in many ways, such as apprehending for non-support, use of transportation for investigations, and hospitalization cases.
We are of the opinion that State laws pertaining to welfare should be changed or revised to help home owners who have equity in property, to the extent beyond which we cannot aid them.
We have gone on record as opposing substitute for House Bill No. 1024, which would give the State complete control over all Welfare Departments in cities and towns in the State. We believe that a town or a city is in a better position to know the wants of its particular community.
We have a suit pending at the present time to collect for moneys paid out for aid, which if collected will further reduce welfare costs. We have straightened out many difficulties with the State, other cities and towns where suits were to be brought against the town for moneys paid out by them for people who were on their welfare lists but whose settlements belonged in Swampscott. This matter has involved considerable time, as we had to go over the records as far back as 1929. The settlement laws as a basis of reimbursement operates quite differently from the subsidy basis of reim- bursement and is highly controversial.
Local physicians and druggists have been very considerate in relieving the burden by making flat rates on Welfare cases. Hospitals, institutions and practically all those who are furnishing the necessities for the functioning and taking care of welfare cases have made liberal discounts or substantial reductions.
Public Welfare
The government coai was a tremendous help to our department in 1934. We were obliged to assume the full cost of this item in 1935 and we advertised for bids on coke and were fortunate in keeping costs on this item to a minimum, having obtained a 29% reduction over the town contract for coal.
During the year a large amount of government commodities and clothing has been distributed. These are given with no reduction in food orders, as was the ruling of the Federal government.
Probably few know the additional expense for the fiscal year to the department for rental of stores for the storing of government foods and the cost of distribution and other miscellaneous items, such as trucking, etc., and again our cost of welfare included approximately $1000 for such items.
The Board of Public Welfare selected and made ready thirty young men from 16 years to 25 years of age who wished to enroll for the Civilian Con- servation Corps. These young men come from large families who were on welfare rolls. Many of these boys enlisted and re-enlisted. They gained in weight and in health; but better still they regained their self respect. They were able to help at home. They were paid $30 a month, $25 of which was alloted to their mothers and was a great help in reducing the amount of aid given to families on welfare.
The present WPA rules and regulations state that those receiving wel- fare, supplementary or medical assistance after November 1, 1935, cannot be assigned to WPA projects even if there are vacancies. Unless this ruling is changed the welfare costs for 1936 will triple over the welfare costs of 1935.
144
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Duties of the Public Welfare Department
1. Direction of public relief, both indoor and outdoor, given to unsettled persons by other cities and towns.
2. Supervision of mothers' aid rendered by the town.
3. Supervision of old age assistance rendered by the town.
4. Care and maintenance of delinquent, reglected and dependent children coming into the custody of the department through court commitment or otherwise.
5. Institutional custody and treatment of juvenile offenders committed by the courts and the care of these children in families.
6. Investigation and assigning of young men between the age of 16 and 25 to the Civilian Conservation Corp.
7. Notification of the state, other cities and towns within the required time to obtain reimbursements on all cases.
8. Investigation of bank accounts, postal savings and any other source of income or equity in properties.
Among the other supervisory and inspectional duties of the department may be mentioned the following:
1. Visitation and inspection of care given children supported by the town.
2. Visitation and investigation of care given to all adults supported in families other than their own.
3. Reception and classification of persons supported or relieved and the cost thereof.
4. Visitation and inspection of public lodging houses.
5. Investigation of legal settlement of all cases who are supported, relieved or buried by the town.
Mothers' Aid
There has been a steady increase in the number of Mothers' Aid cases for the past five years. A number of cases were added during the last fiscal year and we are aiding at the present time six Mothers' Aid cases with a number of dependent children under sixteen years of age.
The francial burden upon cities and towns of supporting large numbers. of families which have become destitute because of the continued unemploy- ment of heads of families has been great, in spite of State and Federal aid. If the mother aided has a legal settlement within the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth reimburses the town rendering the aid for one-third of the amount.
The benefit of Mothers' Aid extends not only to mothers with more: than a number of dependent children under sixteen years of age, but it also includes other members of the household, the incapacitated fathers who are living at home, the children over sixteen years of age who cannot secure work, but who nevertheless must be housed and fed, and aged and destitute grand- parents of the children, who have no other available refuge, and who receive little or no support. Many of these elderly dependents were able to work. and they contributed generously to the support of the family until the de- pression deprived them of their livelihood.
Mothers' Aid is one of the most important as well as one of the most costly forms of public relief. It is important chiefly because it profoundly affects the lives and the welfare of a large number of dependent children, citizens of tomorrow, in that it provides for them home-life under the care of their own mothers. Moreover, the need of Mothers' Aid is likely to con- tinue for a number of years, until the children have grown up, and the family becomes self-supporting.
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