USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1936 > Part 17
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219
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
of Selectmen I accepted this duty in the interest of the town. Since becoming Certifying Agent I have sincerely functioned along these lines, as our Welfare rolls will indicate.
We want the citizens to know that we have received the utmost consideration throughout the year from Federal authorities under the Supervision of Daniel W. Mahony, District Director located in Salem. This has relieved distress and has allowed us to keep our welfare costs to a minimum by assignments of able bodied men and women to work on P. W. A. and W. P. A. projects. At times we were allowed to exceed our quota and allotment of money, otherwise we would have been confronted with the embarrassing situation of tak- ing some person off a project who was in very needy circumstances and who would have eventually come on our welfare rolls for as- sistance. As of December 1, 1936, our records indicate that we did not have one able-bodied person capable of working on W. P. A. proj- ects who had not been assigned. We want to call your attention to the fact that our report shows the number of persons aided cover- ing supplementary aid only or of persons who were not physically able to work on W. P. A. or P. W. A. projects.
Since December 1, however, we have not been so fortunate, as Federal funds were exhausted and during December 25 persons were laid off W. P. A. or P. W. A. This not only effected Swampscott but every city and town throughout Massachusetts.
The recent budget submitted to Congress by the President indi- cates that possibly there may be further reductions or drastic cuts in W. P. A. projects, which will put the burden on local communities to take care of their own problems.
It would seem that from a financial standpoint the town would be very much better off as well as those who are out of work and have to be helped, where work is not available on W. P. A. projects, to lay out a program of work which will be beneficial to the town and able-bodied men given work and provided with the means of sup- port through the Welfare department.
Until such time as assignments are made to projects or jobs are secured in private employment, they are in arrears in rent, light, fuel and according to law we must consider such cases. The major- ity of these people have large families and are willing to work if given an opportunity. We have made arrangements during the month of December with Mr. Burk, our Moth Superintendent, to take all able-bodied men on our relief rolls and have them work out aid ren- dered. We followed this same procedure with the Park Depart- ment last year. In this way the town is receiving work in return for the aid rendered and the persons involved feel much better about accepting help.
It would not have been possible for me to have taken care of all the details without the help of our Co-ordinator, Edward A. Sawyer, and I wish at this time to thank him in behalf of the Board for help- ing me to perform my duties.
JAMES W. BUCHANAN, Certifying Agent.
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
That part of the Social Security Act which went into effect Sep- tember 1, 1936, changed the requirements pertaining to Old Age As- sistance extensively. The law was revised to better the living con- ditions of deserving citizens of the United States who have reached the age of sixty-five or over.
Many laws governing the granting of "Relief to the Needy" were changed, such as that pertaining to the equity in property. If an applicant has more than $2,000 equity in property, where he makes his home, relief may be secured providing a Penal Bond for the excess of $2,000 is made out and turned over to the town, so that the town will have first claim for the amount of aid rendered.
220
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
An applicant may have up to $1,000 in insurance and $300 cash in the bank. It must be understood, however, that cash or proper- ty which has been assigned or transferred within the past five years may disqualify a person for assistance.
In order for applicants to qualify for Old Age Assistance they must submit a birth certificate or naturalization papers to prove age and citizenship. They must have resided in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts five out of the last nine years, and for one year continuously immediately preceding their application.
It can be readily understood, with all these changes in the law, why there has been a steady increase in the number of applications and in the office work.
It has taken considerable time and effort on our part to con- vince those applying that this is not a pension, but "Relief for the Needy," and that we are following the laws in deciding their partic- ular case. It still is, and will continue to be, until the laws are changed, the duty of children who are able to help or contribute in any way towards the support of their parents, to do so. In granting aid we take this fact into consideration. We point out these facts because we want the citizens, as well as those applying, to know that we pride ourselves in handling cases based on their merits. Since the laws are new we have had to spend considerable time in educat- ing ourselves so that we may properly function.
It may also be interesting to know that all cases must receive the approval of the State Bureau of Old Age Assistance before aid, or the amount of aid, is rendered. We have considered the import- ance of keeping the cost of aid down by making contracts on fuel, with town doctors, druggists and oil concerns, and we issue cards showing discounts may be obtained by those to whom aid is granted. When we determine the amount of aid to be given we take contract prices into consideration.
To Function Indefinitely
There has been some talk about the Bureau of Old Age Assist- ance going out of existance in 1941. In our opinion the Bureau will continue to function indefinitely. The pension allotted to those work- ing in private employment, who will retire within 10 or 15 years, will be very small, because they have not contributed a very large amount toward their pension. This will mean the Bureau of Old Age Assistance will have to supplement aid. We also point out that we will have the same procedure to follow in the cases where persons are not employed and who do not come under the pension system.
During the year a change in personnel took place in the Welfare Department. Richard Chambers, our very efficient assistant clerk, went to private employment and we replaced him with Mrs. Eliza- beth H. Burckes, who is now Clerk of the Bureau of Old Age Assist- ance. At the time of the change new laws covering Old Age Assist- ance were put into effect, which definitely stated that a separate division must be established in each Board of Public Welfare, desig- nated as the "Bureau of Old Age Assistance," as provided in section two of the law, said Bureau to maintain independent records and personnel. We persuaded the State Department that we would be cre- ating unnecessary additional expense by following the law to the letter, and for the time being we were allowed to continue with Miss Abbie E. Robinson, Executive Secretary of the Board of Public Wel- fare, as bookkeeper for both departments, providing the accounts were kept separate. We also were allowed to continue with our pres- ent investigator, Donald Redfern, for both departments.
In view of the fact the two clerks agreed to handle the work, and as our quarters were limited for desk room we voted to grant an in- crease to each clerk. The Federal Government in reimbursing our department allows approximately 3% for administrative expenses, which more than takes care of the increases granted. Regardless of
221
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1936]
whether this source of income was available or not, we would have followed the same procedure.
The responsibility of granting aid and knowing the law, submit- ting reports on time, making proper notification within the required time and being able to depend on our clerks to function properly, due to the fact we do not function as a full time Board, calls for unusual consideration.
We feel that the abatements in the past years is an indication that we have used good judgment in deciding this matter. It may be of interest to the citizens to note the losses due to ignorance of the law and improper handling of accounts has cost the tax-payers $4,538.10 prior to the year 1934. If this condition was allowed to continue with our present expenditures the town, which is the tax- payer, would have lost many more thousands of dollars.
Following are the duties of this department:
1. Take applications.
2. Check with Banks and Insurance Companies.
3. Verify Swampscott settlements or those of other cities and towns.
4. List names and amounts on Old Age Assistance payrolls twice a month.
5. Take care of all communications.
6. Notify outside cities and towns when applicants have outside settlements.
7. Make out monthly Social Security Act report in detail.
8. Make out monthly rejection report for the State.
9. Copy all applications and forward to State, and notify the State thereafter of all business pertaining to the individual cases.
10. Arrange a weekly calendar.
11. Keep up to date a detailed annual report for the State on all applicants.
12. Figure individual bills to other cities and towns on each recipient with outside settlement.
13. Make out detailed individual bills to the State for each ap-
plicant aided during the year. ยท
14. Many other varied duties which present themselves during the course of regular work.
Summaries for Old Age Assistance
1934
1935
1936
Number receiving relief and support during the year
32
54
131
Number receiving relief and support at present time
31
47
114
Number of new applications received during year
22
37
95
Number of cases closed during year
1
7
17
Number unable to prove age
2
4
1
Number unable to establish residence
2
0
0
Number having children able to support them
2
1
3'
Number having too much equity
0
4
2
Number not in needy circumstances
0
5
5
Number of new applications accepted
16
23
84
We hereby close our report, and at this time we wish to extend our thanks to the Executive Secretary of the Board of Public Wel- fare, Miss Abbie E. Robinson, and to the Clerk of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance, Elizabeth H. Burckes, for the fine co-operation re- ceived during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. BUCHANAN, DONALD REDFERN, WALTER H. FORBES, JR.,
Board of Public Welfare,
Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
222
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
INVESTIGATOR OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Board of Public Welfare:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my second annual report as In- vestigator and Visitor for the Board of Public Welfare.
The 154 Public Welfare cases this year show a decrease of 36 cases over the peak of the Welfare cases during the previous winter. This result was made possible by our being able to get work on the W. P. A. Projects for our neediest and largest families. Needy fam- ilies thus taken off our relief rolls had only to be provided with fuel during the winter months and an occasional supplementary food order. This of course, caused an immediate saving on our welfare expenditures.
However, this year, as during the previous year, W. P. A. work- ers were left occasionally stranded for a few days by the temporary hold up of their pay checks by the government. I have been forced to act as complaint officer, hear complaints and pass upon the indi- vidual merits of each W. P. A. worker's case who applied for emer- gency supplementary aid.
Although business conditions in this community, as is true of the whole country, have greatly improved, yet requests for aid have not decreased to any appreciable extent. Out of the 422 requests for aid 206 were dropped after a thorough investigation showed that they had an income through part time work or assistance from some- body in their immediate family and were, therefore, ineligible for town aid, in accordance with the General Laws governing the func- tioning of welfare departments.
On September 1, 1936, the new law which reduced the age lim- it for Old Age Assistance from 70 to 65 years, became operative and immediately the Old Age Assistance bureau was besieged by appli- cants and new applications came in at the rate of 4 or 5 a day. To most persons the making out of an Old Age Assistance application would seem a simple matter, but in our office we have found out the quickest time it can be done is about three-quarters of an hour and often it takes the elderly person applying one and one-half hours to answer all the questions. Fortunately a new room had been given us in the Town Hall so that the Bureau of Old Age Assistance could have an entirely separate room and office, although still remaining under the supervision of the Board of Public Welfare, as explained elsewhere in the Report of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
As each new person applied I had to visit them in their home to make a report on their circumstances and home conditions before their application could be granted. The law requires that each Old Age recipient has to be visited four times each year and the chart given below will show how enormously my work has increased in this department.
Old Age Assistance Statistics
1935 1936
August-persons aided 37 54
September-persons aided 40 85
December-persons aided 47 115
This chart also explains factually the reason for the great in- crease in expenditures by the Public Welfare Department during the past year.
Were it not for the reduction of Welfare demands made possible by the W. P. A. projects I could not possibly find time to make the necessary Old Age Assistance calls and investigations, but as con- ditions are now and portend to be in the future I will gladly do both.
The finding of suitable homes for aged people who desire to live in Swampscott is still quite a problem and the number of new temporary aid cases which were investigated has shown no falling off in number from the previous year.
223
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1936]
Ten boys have been sent to C. C. C. camps during the course of the year and many more boys from needy families could have been sent had they but applied. Out of 59 boys who have gone to camp since the C. C. C. first began to operate only 6 have returned dissat- isfied. These statistics must show that the average boy receives fine treatment at camp besides getting the practical vocational work of- fered him, the better to prepare him for his place in life once he quits camp. Considerable investigation is required before the boys are accepted for C. C. C.
I have received from and rendered to the Swampscott Welfare Committee and other charitable organizations the fullest co-opera- tion.
I again wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the other two members of the Board of Public Welfare and all others who have so kindly co-operated with me.
Yours respectfully,
DONALD REDFERN.
Planning Board
To the citizens of Swampscott:
The Planning Board submits herewith its report for the year 1936:
High School
During the year, one of the most pressing needs of the town has been satisfied by the alteration and enlargement of the High School. This has been recently completed and the building is now adequate in all respects and should serve the town in a very satis- factory manner for many years to come.
Special Town Meeting, March 30, 1936
Report on Article Four:
The Planning Board has examined the plans for the building proposed in this article and feels that they are adequate for the pur- pose.
Therefore, favorable action on this article is recommended. JOHN R. NAGLE, Chairman, DANIEL SANTRY, Secretary, EDWARD E. CALL, RALPH J. CURTIS, THOMAS BYRD EPPS.
Report on Article Thirteen: The Chief of Police has informed us that this building is not suitable for a Police Station. We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
JOHN R. NAGLE, Chairman, DANIEL SANTRY, Secretary, EDWARD E. CALL, RALPH J. CURTIS, THOMAS BYRD EPPS.
224
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report on Article Fourteen:
A public hearing was held by the Planning Board on this ques- tion on March 27, 1936, at which time many persons living in this neighborhood protested against any change in the zoning.
We are of the opinion that there is no need of any additional tea rooms, restaurants, or gift shops in this part of the town and that it is better for the health, safety, and welfare of the town that the zoning of this property remain as it is.
We therefore recommend that action on this article be indefi- nitely postponed.
JOHN R. NAGLE, Chairman, DANIEL SANTRY, Secretary, EDWARD E. CALL, RALPH J. CURTIS, THOMAS BYRD EPPS.
King's Beach
The Board has received many complaints in the last year of the lack of toilet facilities at King's Beach. This beach is under the jur- isdiction of the Metropolitan District Commission, so that the town itself can do nothing to remedy the present condition. However, the Planning Board has consulted with the Metropolitan District Com- mission and has arranged with a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives to introduce a bill in the legislature call- ing for an appropriation of money to build comfort stations for the use of bathers on this beach. The board hopes to have this matter cleared up this year.
Proposed Gas Station
During the year, an attempt was made to establish a gas sta- tion at the corner of Humphrey street and Puritan road. While there was no necessity of the Board's holding a public hearing on this question, as the property is already zoned for business, how- Ever, the Board felt that the health, safety, and welfare of the town did not demand any additional gas stations in this area. There- fore, the Chairman of the Board appeared before the Selectmen and opposed the granting of the permit. The permit was denied by the Board of Selectmen.
Playgrounds
The Planning Board is still of the opinion that one of the more pressing needs of the town is adequate playgrounds for the smaller children. It therefore recommends to the citizens that favorable ac- tion be taken on the articles in the warrant for the annual meeting for 1937, calling for an appropriation of money to equip portions of Jackson Park and Abbott Park with playground equipment as a start on this project.
Traffic Control
During the year, the Planning Board has made several recom- mendations to the Board of Selectmen concerning the advisability of placing stop signs at street intersections throughout the town, and the Board of Selectmen has very kindly co-operated with us in these matters.
Historical Spots
It was called to our attention that the town of Manchester has succeeded in establishing a W. P. A. project for the gathering of information about the historical spots in that town, and for the establishment of suitable markers thereon. This seems to your Board a very worthwhile project, and an attempt is being made to obtain a similar grant for the town of Swampscott.
225
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
1936]
Bus Service in the Shaw Estate
This section is a very fast-growing part of the town. In fact, it is the only part of the town where any new construction is going on. The Board is of the opinion that this growth should be fostered as much as possible by the town, with the view of obtaining new taxable values to off-set what the town has lost through the tearing down of old buildings in the last few years. One of the best ways to aid in this development is to obtain bus service for the residents in that vicinity. At the present time they have a long walk to Hum- phrey street to the street car line. Next June the Eastern Massa- chusetts Street Railway Company is to abandon the use of street cars and substitute buses throughout the whole town. The Board feels that if a bus line is established in the Shaw Estate, it will be favorable both for the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Com- pany and for the town. The Planning Board has already called this to the attention of the Board of Selectmen and will do its utmost to accomplish this end.
Another great aid to the development of this section of the town would be opening' up Forest avenue as a public way all the way through to Humphrey street. This would not only open up a new area for the development, but would also make the present area much more accessible and would provide a more direct route to the Stanley school and the High school.
New Planning Board Statute
The Planning Board has caused the following article to be placed on the ballot for the annual town election for 1937:
"To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Chap- ter 211 of the Acts of 1936, entitled 'An act providing an improved method of municipal planning'."
This act, if adopted by the town, will abolish the present Plan- ning Board and establish a new one with greater powers. The pres- ent Board will go out of existence and a new Board will be elected at the annual town meeting in 1938. One of the greatest benefits to be obtained by adopting this new Statute will be to give the Plan- ning Board jurisdiction over all new proposed real estate sub- divisions. Under the new act before a builder can lay out a new street and start construction, the plans for the sub-division must be submitted to the Planning Board and approved by it. The Board will have authority over such matters as the width of the street, the size of the lots, and to a certain extent, the type of building to be constructed. In view of the sad experience that the town of Swampscott has had in the development of the Swampscott High- lands, the Board urges strongly that this new act be adopted by the town so that any repetition of the Swampscott Highlands may be avoided.
JOHN R. NAGLE, Chairman, DANIEL SANTRY, Secretary, EDWARD E. CALL, RALPH J. CURTIS, THOMAS BYRD EPPS.
226
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Jury List Approved January 21, 1937
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
Bartol, Harold H.
45 Beach ave.
Clerk
Bee, James D.
5 Suffolk ave.
Real Estate
Bergin, Edward R.
448 Humphrey st.
Home
Bergin, William P.
448 Humphrey st.
Garage
Berry, Carl J. 39 Essex ave.
Bessom, Frank N.
250 Essex st.
Investigator
Biggers, James M.
80 Middlesex ave.
Salesman
Blodgett, John H.
100 Beach Bluff ave.
Retired
Boston, John A.
19 Orchard rd.
Insurance
Bufalino, Henry F.
8 Bates rd.
Bookkeeper
Burdett, Edgar W.
Burdett, Leonard F.
15 Hampden st.
Bd. of Park Com.
Burke, Edward F.
82 Redington st.
Shoeworker
Burns, Dennis H.
54 Aspen rd.
Chauffeur
Caproni, Royal C.
34 Highland st.
General Electric
Carroll, Edward P.
148 Burrill st.
Chauffeur
Carver, Paul F.
24 Estabrook rd.
Manager
Chaisson, George H.
27 Blaney st.
Curtis & Chaisson
Chausse, Alfred L.
15 Norfolk ave.
Meat Cutter
Clark, Peter J.
198 Humphrey st.
Watchman
Connell, Charles R.
23 Redington st.
Plumber
Coville, John E.
251 Burrill st.
Lastmaker
Creighton, Albert M.
11 Littles Point
Merchant
Cryan, Patrick J., Jr.
45 Pleasant st.
Clerk
Curtis, Ralph J.
24 Bristol ave.
Electrician
Damsky, Mark
72 King st.
Tailor
Dempsey, John C.
1 Devens rd.
Displayman
Dinan, Henry P.
60 Humphrey st.
Shoe Retailer
Driscoll, John C.
250 Burrill st.
Shoeworker
Drummond, Frank B.
50 Franklin ave.
Insurance
Duffy, George W.
400 Puritan rd.
Shoe Production
Duncan, Thomas W.
38 Crosman ave.
Contractor
Durgin, William F., Jr.
70 Buena Vista st. 5 Chesterlee lane
Machinist
Edwards, Hamilton P.
55 Atlantic ave.
Insurance
Ellis, Stuart P. Emery, Clyde S.
12 Porter place 7 Elmwood ter. 34 Berkshire st. 15 Hardy rd. 42 Rock ave. 76 Walker rd.
Shipper Clerk Insurance
Folger, Ernest M.
73 Ocean View rd.
Insurance
Folsom, Elsworth E.
468 Humphrey st. 23 Puritan rd.
Salesman
Forbes, Crandall W. Gannon, Cyril J.
1109 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Gill, Herman G.
32 Hillside ave.
Salesman
Glidden, George M.
30 Banks ter.
Boston & Maine
Gray, George H.
8 Humphrey st.
Retired
Gray, Lee T.
79 Morton rd.
Prin. High School
Bogardus, Frederick R.
48 Atlantic ave.
Manager
Timekeeper
Breed, Robert W.
56 Elmwood rd.
Salesman
Burk, Frederick C.
100 Stetson ave.
Tree Warden
Edmunds, Norman
Photographer
Fisherman
Epps, Thomas B.
Architect
Erickson, Arioch W., Jr.
Engineer
Felch, Harry O.
Fenelon, Eugene S. Finch, Clarence M.
22 Thomas rd.
Salesman
Ice
57 New Ocean st.
Accountant
1936]
JURY LIST
227
NAME
Hannifey, William H.
Healy, John D.
Hegarty, James A.
Hempel, Carl A.
Hill, Walter G. Hillery, Fred W. Holmes, Andrew B.
8 Hardy rd. 86 Cherry st.
Carpenter
Hoover, Samuel S.
129 Sherwood rd.
WPA Adviser
Humphrey, John S.
111 Stetson ave.
Assist. Supt.
Hurley, Richard T.
Manager
Hutchinson, Harry G. Johnson, Harold A.
Banker
Kehoe, John C.
Carpenter
LaParrella, Louis
Machinist
LeComte, Robert A.
130 Humphrey st.
Mechanic
Lee, John T.
146 Aspen rd.
Engineer
Livingston, Ralston D. 1050 Humphrey st.
Stocks
Looney, Thomas E.
16 Elm place
Printer
Lord, George M.
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