USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1936 > Part 16
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Last year we established a State Commodity distribution center. By so doing we tripled the amount of clothing and food coming into the town. As we have previously stated, these commodities are giv- en with no reduction in Welfare aid in accordance with the ruling of the Federal Government. However, as the cemetery project closed down and the W. P. A. truck was discontinued we were confronted with a very embarrassing situation of not getting our allotment of clothing and food unless we hired a truck and men to remove prompt- ly the clothing and food from the warehouse at Salem. We are very grateful to Mr. Timothy J. Ryan of the Highway Department for his co-operation in coming forward during this emergency and willingly allowing us to use his men and truck. He has further undertaken the task of going to Salem every Wednesday morning for this pur- pose and delivering sewing garments from our sewing project with no thought of compensation, which would create expense to our de- partment and the town.
The Town Counsel has been very helpful in clarifying the new Mothers' Aid and Old Age Assistance laws and giving our depart- ment the utmost consideration and co-operation which we greatly appreciate.
We wish to thank the Police Department for helping us in many ways and to the local physicians and druggists as well as fuel con- cerns who have relieved the Welfare burden by making flat rates on Welfare cases.
We desire at this time to again extend our thanks to the private welfare organization which has given temporary aid and put itself out in many ways in our behalf.
We pointed out last year that obsolete methods of bookkeeping and filing systems existed and that office equipment was inadequate, and it was necessary to revise and modernize them. Our new facil- ities for handling Welfare, Mothers' Aid, and Old Age Assistance have proven very satisfactory, especially since it is necessary that so many reports be sent out by this department. Each week it is re- quired that we give to the Salem W. P. A. Regional Office full par- ticulars of our weekly case load. On the eighth of each month a de- tailed report on all aid rendered must be made in duplicate and for- warded to the Salem Office. W. P. A. allotments are based on these reports, so it is readily understood why it is necessary that the work
20
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
must be kept up to date at all times. The numerous statistical re- ports require much thought and care and there are many items to take in consideration when making same. These reports are extra work and take a considerable amount of time from the regular work which has grown heavier each month. However, with the separat- ing of the offices of the Board of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Old Age Assistance, we find we have a much better arrangement. Accurate and full records must be kept of persons supported at the expense of the town and the amount paid for such support and re- lief. In April of each year a record of those being aided and the cost of same is sent to the State Department of Public Welfare. If the Board of Public Welfare neglects to comply with these require- ments, the town forfeits one dollar for each day's neglect. We are very glad to say that we have not had to pay any fines for failure to comply with the above rules.
The Federal Government has requested a monthly report for both Mothers' Aid and Old Age Assistance to be submitted immedi- ately at the close of each month. Other reports are requested at different intervals during the year relative to Federal reimburse- ments.
We have had many requests during the year for workers for private employment, such as mothers' helpers or housework and odd jobs, and we gladly recommended men and women whom we feel would be qualified for the employment. We have appreciated this interest and hope it will continue in the future.
We believe that local committies will be compelled to take care of their own immediate needs, in view of the fact Congress may cut allowances for relief, which will do away with many W. P. A. proj- ects.
We have tried unceasingly and have been successful in helping unfortunate people to obtain steady private employment and are very glad to say that these people have once again had the opportun- ity to live normally.
It is not the function of our department to make sure the town collects money that is due from commitments made from expendi- tures in our department. We have assumed this responsibility, as we found no effort had been made on the part of those responsible, and the town stood to lose thousands of dollars because of this fact. The intricate laws covering reimbursements state in effect that com- mitments to other towns, cities and the state are outlawed after two years, if steps are not taken within two years to collect.
We particularly wish to go on record as thanking all cities and towns, especially Lynn, for waiving the two year law. As a result of conferences we settled disputes and questions arising over a con- siderable number of cases as far back as 1928, leaving only a few cases which have been turned over to the town counsel. This was done by mutual agreement and consent of the cities and town in- volved. We wish to state that in making payments we received prac- tically the same amount as we paid out, and we established good will and relations with other towns and cities which has not existed for years.
We also wish to stress that although we have never recorded our- selves as being a party to the tax rate reduction made in 1936, it might be well to keep in mind that as a result of the above procedure and the amount we turned back to Excess and Deficiency Fund, mak- ing an available surplus of $11,670 which represents 53% of the amount drawn from this Excess and Deficiency Fund, possibly Com- missioner Long might not have allowed the Excess and Deficiency Fund to be reduced by $22,000.
We expect to be of assistance again this year. You will note from the following tabulations that we have already received $10,- 724.18 from outside cities, towns, individuals aided, and the state. If we include a balance of $372.57 left from our "Wage appropria- tion" we will be responsible for $11,096.75 returned to the Excess
208
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
and Deficiency Fund. This can be used to reduce or keep our tax rate low this year.
Reimbursements
Amounts received in reimbursements turned back to Excess and Deficiency account during the years 1935-1936 and the years show- ing the amounts for which payments were made.
Total
1935
1936
1935
$9,319.42
1932 $42.00
1933 $2,080.88
1934 $4,608.41
$2,588.13
1936
10,724.18
308.84
540.38
1,470.71
5,368.41
$3,035.84
1935
1936
Cities and Towns
$2,339.08
Cities and Towns
$4,721.19
Individuals
420.00
Individuals
399.40
State
State
Temporary Aid
3,269.17
Temporary Aid
44.58
Old Age Assistance
3,026.37
Old Age Assist.
4,361.19
Mothers' Aid
264.80
Mothers' Aid
1,197.82
$9,319.42
$10,724.18
The amount received from the Federal Government relative to Old Age Assistance during the year 1936 came back to the Welfare account as U. S. grant to be used over again:
Federal Grant Administration
Federal Grant Assistance
$198.20 $5,947.31
Total
$6,145.51
Many citizens in the town do not realize that the above amounts are returned to the town from money that has been spent by the Wel- fare Department and that in addition to the above amount received we have made commitments in accordance with the following which is due and the most of which will be paid to us within the next few months, except bills which are in dispute and have been turned over to the Town Counsel.
AMOUNTS DUE TOWN
Amounts due the town by other cities and towns and State as of January 1, 1937, and the years, covered by amounts due.
1935
Total $5,166.79 6,865.00
1930 $9.49
1931 $259.43
1932 $341.66
$676.59
1934 $1,824.16
1935 $2,055.46
1936
1936
9.49
44.43
247.82
126.26
410.11
3,373.30
$2,653.59
1935
1936
Individuals
$520.32
Individuals
$530.79
Lynn
2,161.80
Lynn
890.22
Boston
18.50
Boston
115.02
Brookline
88.54
Danvers
38.00
Revere
28.02
Newton
64.99
Wakefield
12.99
Haverhill
219.11
Saugus
83.14
State T. A.
2,746.69
Haverhill
439.57
Old Age Assistance
118.65
State T. A.
1,638.33
State M. A.
2,141.53
Old Age Assistance
175.58
$5,166.79
$6,865.00
1936]
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1
209
1933
210
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
We feel that an explanation should be made concerning the spe- cial articles we inserted in the 1936 town warrant calling for the pay- ment of unpaid bills contracted for prior to 1936, to other cities, towns and merchants, amounting to $3,732.40 for the year 1934 and prior, and $3,732.84 for the year 1935, which includes $1,044.61 owed merchants in the town. It may be of interest to know that Swamp- scott is the only town in the vicinity against which no suit is pend- ing because we have not paid our just bills.
The actual bills on hand in our department presented to us by other cities and towns for payment amounted to $13,688.43, which we later turned over to the Town Accountant. Before the annual town meeting last year we had convinced other cities and towns that the settlements and commitments of Swampscott were not proper charges, and in many cases the charges against the town were cancelled. This represents a difference of $6,223.19 which the town might have paid otherwise. We point out that previous to the annual town meeting last year we were prepared to amend our articles to call for the amount that was actually paid at a town meeting called for this pur- pose later in the year.
Paid to Cities and Towns
Amounts paid to other cities and towns from 1935 appropriation:
Salem
$186.00
Beverly
2.00
$188.00
Amounts paid to other cities and towns from special articles in 1935 warrant submitted for unpaid bills. These bills were contract- ed for in 1933 and 1934.
1933
1934
Lynn
$2,214.39
Beverly
71.60
Danvers
96.00
$1,343.29
$1,643.60
Salem
455.25
Worcester
146.65
Peabody
3.00
$2,986.89
Please note amount paid to other cities and towns from our 1936 appropriation compared with other years:
Boston
$35.29
Lynn
2,584.27
Revere
308.00
Marblehead
86.00
Medford
235.53
Peabody
98.38
Salem
136.00
Somerville
450.89
Worcester
216.00
Weymouth
6.38
$4,156.74
Amounts paid to other cities and towns from special articles in 1936 warrant submitted for unpaid bills contracted for in years 1934 and 1935:
211
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
1934 $3,732.40
1935 $2,688.23
Total $6,420.63
Lynn
$4,974.40
Marblehead
111.55
Medford
36.00
Peabody
70.75
Salem
184.50
Somerville
455.15
Saugus
82.27
Revere
80.00
Weymouth
50.01
Worcester
376.00
$6,420.63
Amount paid to merchants in the town from special article in 1936 warrant for unpaid bills contracted for in 1935, $1,044.61.
Last year we submitted our budget to the Finance Committee and estimated to the best of our ability our requirements for year 1936. Considering the conditions under which an estimate of this kind is made, such as not knowing how many people will come on Welfare, Mothers' Aid or Old Age Assistance, or how much other cities, towns and the State would charge us, you will note from the comparison of persons aided in our report which follows that we may have 100 persons or we may have as low as 32 persons. Many of those being reported as on Welfare rolls are receiving supplement relief to their W. P. A. wages, as they have large families, consist- ing of 5 to 13 persons per family. We do not function on a budget, but in accordance with the law, which states you shall aid according to circumstance.
Our actual total expenditures were $45,439.44 as against our est- imate at the beginning of the year of $47,691. You will note that we requested $2,251.56 more than we actually spent. We ask the town meeting members and the Finance Committee to give due con- sideration to our estimated budget for 1937, which we feel is conserv- atively estimated and we welcome any criticism or comment.
The law in effect states that all Town Departments must submit an estimated budget to our Finance Committee showing the amount of money that will be necessary to carry on their particular depart- ment for the coming year.
All Town Departments follow the routine of forwarding their budget to the Town Accountant, who inserts expenditures of the pre- vious year in accordance with the various accounts set up for a par- ticular department. This is so that the Finance Committee may make a comparison of actual expenditures as against the estimates to determine if the expenditures were reasonable as well as the est- imates which were submitted.
The Town Accountant's report forwarded to the Finance Com- mittee showing actual expenditures of the Welfare Department for the year 1936 indicates that approximately $5,300.00 was not report- ed; that is, we spent approximately $5,300.00 more than the figures shown.
In view of the fact that Welfare Expenditures under the head- ing of Accounting Department in the Town Report may show ap- proximately $5,300.00 less than our actual expenditures during the year 1936, we wish to inform the citizens of the town that the total expenditures of our department are $45,439.44 including $1,142.32, which is the amount paid to our Investigator.
You will note that our total expenditures are shown in our re- port under comparison of welfare costs.
We also wish to explain the Federal funds which come back direct to our department to be used over again. The reimbursements on Old Age Assistance come back into the Welfare fund direct, in- stead of going into the Excess and Deficiency fund, which is the ac-
212
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
counting procedure on all other reimbursements from our expend- itures.
It was not known until August 12, 1936, that this portion of Old Age Assistance would come back direct to be used over again and we do not know what changes may take place this coming year. How- ever, we have anticipated that we will receive twelve months' reim- bursements from the Federal government, which is one-half of all expenditures up to $30 on all cases, providing the Federal auditors approve of the procedure we have followed and do not reject cases on minor technicalities.
The Board of Public Welfare has again selected and made ready ten young men who wished to enroll for the Civilian Conservation Corps. These young men came from large families who were on relief rolls. These people not only benefited themselves but were able to help at home. The $25 which is sent to their families by the Federal government is a great help in reducing the aid rendered by this department. The remaining $5 is used by the person enrolled for his needs.
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. Care and maintenance of delinquent, neglected and depend- ent children coming into the custody of the department through court commitment or otherwise.
4. Institutional custody and treatment of juvenile offenders committed by the courts and the care of these children in families.
5. Investigation and assigning of young men between the age of 16 and 25 to the Civilian Conservation Corp.
6. Notification of the state, other cities and towns within the required time to obtain reimbursements on all cases.
7. Investigation of bank accounts, postal savings and any oth- er source of income or equity in properties.
Among the other supervisory and inspectional duties of the de- partment 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 sup- ported in families other than their own.
3. Reception and classification of persons supported or relieved and the cost thereof.
4. Investigation of legal settlement of all cases who are sup- ported, relieved or buried by the town.
Summary of Temporary Relief
1934
1935
1936
Families aided during the year
170
186
141
Families being aided at the present time
63
93
48
other cities and towns
30
24
25
Families being aided at the expense of the State
10
27
21
Families being aided with settlement in Swampscott
12
126
95
Persons supported in State institutions ..
8
8
6
Persons supported in Salem home .
1
1
0
Number of new applications received dur- ing the year .
31
31
Number of new applications rejected dur- ing the year
10
15
Number of requests for aid rejected during the year
41
174
206
Families being aided at the expense of
COMPARISONS OF PERSONS AIDED
Families Aided
Single Persons Aided
Old Age Assistance Aid
Mothers' Aid Cases
1934
1935
1936
1934
1935
1936
1934
1935
1936
1934
1935
1936
January
21
103
67
12
18
17
16
36
47
2
5
6
February
32
74
73
15
14
16
16
35
48
2
5
6
March
48
66
63
14
17
15
18
34
48
1
5
6
April
55
38
40
21
17
13
24
35
48
2
5
6
55
24
29
20
15
10
24
38
49
2
5
6
May
39
21
28
13
15
11
26
35
49
2
5
6
June
22
17
28
17
13
11
23
38
53
3
6
6
July
36
17
28
12
17
12
24
37
54
3
6
6
August
31
20
19
13
15
13
27
40
85
3
6
6
September
23
42
15
11
16
12
30
43
1.04
3
6
6
November
27
52
34
12
18
12
30
45
111
3
6
6
December
55
70
37
13
17
11
31
47
115
3
6
6
1936]
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
213
.
October
.
214
COMPARISONS OF PERSONS AIDED
People aided in Institutions
Total Number of Persons Aided
1934
1935
1936
1934
1935
1936
January
7
6
5
182
519
386
February
7
6
212
332
396
March
7
6
291
330
357
April
6
6
308
212
254
May
6
6
325
167
178
June
8
7
235
148
198
July
7
7
157
144
185
August
6
7
7
207
139
194
September
6
7
7
201
142
187
October
6
7
6
167
273
180
November
·
6
6
6
188
324
291
December
6
6
6
329
388
305
5 10 00 - 00 00 00 6 8 7 8 8
You will note deducting the number of persons on Old Age Assistance, Mothers' Aid, single persons and people in institutions that the thirty-seven families we are aiding average about five to a family. In the figures showing the total number of persons aided are those receiving supplementary aid to W. P. A. wages. You will also note that W. P. A. projects close down and reduce the number of workers employed usually around November, therefore our relief rolls begin to increase at this time, but from January on we show a downward trend again because of persons being re-assigned or going to private employment.
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
215
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
Mothers' Aid Department
We are aiding under the Mothers' Aid law six cases at the pres- ent time. With the Social Security act coming into effect it was necessary, according to the new law, for us to change the allotments over to a semi-monthly cash basis. This is not likely to work out well in all cases, as we lose the close contact we had with the indi- viduals when this department paid the bills direct. However, to protect the town's share of reimbursement we must conform with the law.
Mothers' Aid is one of the most important as well as one of the most costly forms of relief. It is most important because it affects the future lives of a large number of dependent children who are the citizens of tomorrow and whose homelife is under the care of their own mother. Mothers' Aid is not a form of relief which is on- ly temporary, but one which is likely to continue until the children have grown up and the family becomes self-supporting.
Summary of Mothers' Aid
1934
1935
1936
Families aided during the year
3
6
6
Families aided at the expense of other cities and towns
0
1
1
Families aided at the expense of the State
0
1
1
Families being aided with settlement in Swamp- scott
3
4
4
-
COMPARISON OF WELFARE COSTS
Appropriation
Transfer from
Overlay Reserve Fund
3,121.59
Wages Restoration Fund
300.00
Reserve Fund
175.00
Emergency Overdraft
U. S. Grant
4,681.55 6,145.51
$24,996.59
$34,759.00
$46,624.06
Special appropriation to cover Unpaid Bills (Special Articles in Warrant)
8,246.81
3,732.84
33,243.40
38,491.84
46,624.06
205.74
2,350.36
372.57
33,037.66
36,141.48
46,251.49
Balance on hand of U. S. Grant carried over to 1937
812.05
33,037.66
36,141.48
45,439.44
Commitments made from Expenditures owed us not paid as yet
410.11
3,373.30
2,653.59
32,627.55
32,768.18
42,785.85
Reimbursements during the year as of December 31 from the State, Other Cities and Towns and funds .
2,092.48
9,319.42
10,724.18
30,535.07
23,448.76
32,061.67
Amount abated-Committed from Expenditures
430.71
205.94
213.26
30,965.78
23,654.70
32,274.93
Approximate amounts not collectible that will probably have to be abated
104.50
349.07
54.94
Approximate net cost of Welfare
$31,070.28
$24,003.77
$32,329.87
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
216
·
1934 $21,400.00
1935 $34,759.00
1936 $35,797.00
Amount returned to town from appropriations
217
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
Last year a report similar to the previous page was submitted. In making comparisons you will note that it becomes necessary each year to bring figures up to date because of the unknown facts which appear the following year, such as abatements or unpaid bills.
In the past a number of bills have been sent to us for payment after the year has closed. These bills come from other cities and towns who are aiding persons with a settlement in Swampscott.
This year we have gone to the trouble of having cities and towns forward their bills before the closing of the fiscal year. Included in our expenditures for 1936 you will note that $5,156.75 has been paid to other cities and towns, making it unnecessary, insofar as we know, to present special articles in the warrant to cover such items. We have unpaid bills representing $1,624.99 which have been turned over to the Town Counsel. We claim the town does not owe these bills which date as far back as 1932. However, it is possible that the courts may decide at some future date the town owes part or all, in which case our comparison of Welfare costs will have to be re- vised again.
You will note Old Age Assistance has increased during the year 1936 over 1935 in the amount of $8,468.36, while the costs of Wel- fare decreased in the amount of $1,177.92.
·
218
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SURPLUS COMMODITIES DIVISION
A few outstanding facts regarding the Food and Clothing Dis- tribution Project located at 154 Humphrey street and at Hegarty's store, Essex street, Swampscott.
During December, 1936, a total of 196 different families were given food commodities. An average of 144 families called weekly, representing about 650 persons.
In December our distribution center received:
6620 1bs. (over 3 tons) of grapefruit
2575 lbs. (11/4 tons) turnips 414 lbs. prunes
In the six months ending December 31, 1936, the following nine varieties of food were distributed:
Pea beans, canned beef, evaporated milk, flour, onions, dried peas, prunes, turnips and grapefruit.
During December 166 families received clothing. This comprised 28 different kinds of apparel, including nearly all clothing required by men, women and children except stockings, shoes, gloves and hats. Sheets, pillow cases and towels were household articles available. Clothing is dispensed once a month in regular alphabetical rotation.
Our sub-commissary located in Hegarty's store, opposite the Swampscott Cemetery, serves from 25 to 30 families living in the upper end of the town near the Salem line. This service is especial- ly appreciated in cold and stormy weather. It saves the applicants (many of whom are women) a long walk of two or more miles.
Thanks is also due Max Shribman for allowing the use of a va- cant store in the Eaton building for the temporary storage of per- ishable fruit and vegetables.
The facts and figures included in this report were furnished by Reginald L. Webb, Chief Clerk of our center.
We wish to point out that in spending money for rent and trans- portation, which comes out of Public Welfare appropriation, the Fed- eral government in return furnishes commodities to the town with- out charge, which has been very helpful to those who are in need.
It has been my endeavor to make sure that the town receives its share of commodity distributions from the Federal government and keep people employed who might otherwise be out of work.
JAMES W. BUCHANAN,
Chairman Board of Public Welfare.
CERTIFYING AGENT
Before taking over duties of Certifying Agent for the town my idle time was well occupied with the responsibilities which go with the chairmanship of the Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance, and I was not desirous of further burdens if I could have conscientiously avoided them. In view of this fact I hope that the citizens will appreciate my efforts in their behalf to act as Certifying Agent, which involves considerable time and work and as a matter of fact without compensation.
The Federal government issued instructions pointing out new rules and regulations which were to be followed if cities and towns expected to relieve Welfare rolls by assigning able-bodied persons to work on P. W. A. or W. P. A. projects.
In brief, these instructions insisted that starting August 1, 1936, persons who were actually in needy circumstances would be assigned to work providing Mayors and Boards of Selectmen of all cities and towns would appoint a Certifying Agent who would be held respons- ible and who would make sure that persons on Welfare rolls were given the preference. They insisted that the chairman of the Boards of Public Welfare should be the recognized source for such certifications, and if towns and cities expected to relieve Welfare costs these rules should be carried out. At the request of the Board
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