USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1937 > Part 18
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231
REPORT OF LAW DEPARTMENT
1937]
The act provided that any person who was 70 or over on July 1, 1937, could become a member of the system on requesting and being granted an extension of not more than two years, which would mean retirement not later than June 30, 1939. On the other hand, a member of the system who reaches the retirement age of 70 after July 1, 1937, must retire on his 70th birthday.
The following persons, being over 70 years of age on July 1st, 1937, were granted extensions at their request:
L. Herbert Cahoon, Thomas S. Carroll to September 30, 1937. Nathaniel R. Martin, George D. R. Durkee, Charles E. Hodgdon, James Warnock, Clarence D. Kendrick, Jefferson G. Owens, Sr. to and including July 1, 1939. The age of retirement of members of the fire department is 65 years with credit of an additional five years.
Employees who were 70 or over, who did not join the new sys- tem, are privileged to continue as long as they desire, but will re- ceive no pension benefits.
The following persons have been retired under the new system: September 5-Leverett T. Holder, janitor of the High School.
September 30-L. Herbert Cahoon, janitor of the Town Hall; Thomas S. Carroll, assistant janitor of the Town Hall.
The retirement allowance of each member of the system is fixed by the State Department of Insurance.
The Division of Insurance has established the amount to be ap- propriated for the Pension Accumulation Fund in 1938 as $8,663 and under the law this amount must be appropriated by the town in ad- dition to the amount appropriated for the expense fund and an est- imated amount for interest deficiency on funds, established on a basis of three per cent per annum.
The number of members of the system on January 1, 1938, was 77.
DONALD REDFERN, Chairman, MARTIN P. SYLVESTER, HORACE R. PARKER.
Law Department
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1937.
At your direction I appeared at the State House on several oc- casions at hearings in which the town was interested.
A large number of legal opinions have been given to you, and to other departments and town officials on various matters arising.
There were also many minor matters of a miscellaneous nature attended to during the year.
LESTER B. MORLEY,
Town Counsel.
232
TOWN DOCUMENTS [Dec. 31
Police Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
As Chief of Police I have the honor to submit the following re- port for the year ending December 31, 1937:
ROSTER OF DEPARTMENT Chief of Police Walter F. Reeves
Captain of Police James M. Kennedy
Sergeant of Police Francis P. Wall
Patrolmen
Almon B. Owens
James T. Jordan
Frank T. Roach
Herbert F. Frazier
Samuel Hooper
Francis E. Delano
John P. Costin
Joseph P. Ryan
Joseph L. Shanahan
Frederick J. Rowe
George D. Horton
J. Warren Doherty
Robert L. Cunningham
Reserve Police
James H. Pedrick
Harold J. Keating
Leon L. Pappas
Clerk
Mary M. Pedrick
Pensioned Members Captain Eugene P. Brogan and Patrolman Joseph D. Spinney
Arrests
Total number of arrests
116
Male
101
Female
1
Juvenile
11
Residents
43
Non-residents
73
Causes of Arrest
Assault and battery
2
Assault with intent to murder
2
Breaking, entering, larceny in daytime
3
Delinquency
1
Disorderly conduct
1
Drunkenness
21
Illegitimacy
1
Indecent exposure
3
Larceny
15
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
2
Manslaughter
1
Motor vehicle laws, violating:
1
Operating to endanger lives and safety of public
3
Operating while under influence of liquor
3
Operating without a license
4
Operating after suspension of license
2
Operating with improper brakes
2
Failing to slow down at intersection
.
1937]
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
233
Refusing to stop on signal of uniformed police officer Speeding
Non-support of children
.1
Passing worthless check
1
Rules governing Blaney Beach Reservation, violating ..
1
Sounding false alarm of fire
1
Terms of probation, violating
1
Traffic rules, violating:
Parking all night
i
Parking in restricted area
2
Passing traffic signal
5
Tramp
1
Truancy
1
Unnatural act
1
Using motor vehicle without authority
4
Summonses issued for violation of parking rules
224
Summonses served for other police departments
181
Disposition of Cases
Appealed
Committed to House of Correction
8
Committed to Lyman School for Boys
1
Committed to Shirley Industrial School
1
Committed to State Farm at Bridgewater
1
Continued to 1938
2
Defaulted
1
Filed
19
Filed on payment of costs
10
Fined
39
Found not guilty
5
For other departments
3
Placed on probation
19
Released
6
Miscellaneous Work
Accidents reported and assistance rendered
30
Fatality as result of fall
1
Automobile accidents reported
89
Causing property damage only
38
Causing personal injury
51
Passengers killed
2
Passengers injured
38
Pedestrians injured
22
Bicyclists injured
3
Coaster injured
2
Automobile theft cases investigated
10
Reports unfounded
3
Burglary, breaking and entering cases investigated Reports unfounded
9
Complaints investigated
604
Defects in streets reported
40
Disturbances quelled
27
Dog complaints investigated or reported to dog officer
104
Dogs reported injured by motor vehicles
16
Dogs killed by motor vehicles
10
Dogs reported lost
115
Dogs found and turned over to owner or dog officer
121
Dogs shot by police
5
1
25
Aggravated assaults reported and investigated
55
1
234
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Doors and windows found open and secured
343
Gambling machines removed from premises 6
Lights in vacant buildings investigated
19
Larceny cases $50 and over in value investigated Reports unfounded
2
Larceny cases under $50 in value investigated
74
Reports unfounded
7
Messages delivered for other departments
72
Obstructions removed or lighted
21
Persons reported missing and located
28
Rape complaints investigated
2
Residences closed and special attention requested
152
Robbery cases investigated
2
Reports unfounded
1
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle notices filed
205
Sale of second-hand motor vehicles, dealers' reports filed
213
Sick persons assisted
26
Signal system:
Duty calls reported
25060
Calls to fires
72
Calls to hospital
93
Street lamps reported out
283
Suicides reported and investigated
3
Suicide attempts investigated
2
Suspicious persons interviewed
77
Water leaks reported
2
Windows reported broken, cases investigated
56 7
Wires reported defective
Stolen Property
Amount of property stolen here and recovered here ...
$1,000.00
Amount of property stolen here and recovered elsewhere
$60.00
Amount of property reported stolen and not recovered: By breaking and entering
$1,035.00
Miscellaneous larceny
$2,075.00
Automobiles reported stolen here and recovered here .
3
Automobiles reported stolen here and recovered else- where
4
Automobiles reported stolen elsewhere and recovered here
14
Crime
Our records show no cause for alarm as to existing crime condi- tions. The majority of house breaks were the work of boys and very little of value was stolen in most cases. We have good reason to be proud of the fact that the thief and robber have failed to find Swampscott a safe place to operate.
Police Station
I take this opportunity to thank the citizens for making possi- ble the construction of a new police station. The members of the special committee appointed by the Town Moderator to supervise the construction and equipping of the new building deserve all credit for the work that has been done. It is my sincere hope that addition- al funds will be appropriated to complete the station during the com- ing year. It was open to public inspection on December 11 so I do not feel it necessary to give a lengthy description of the place at this time. I might say, however, that I am sure our new headquarters is all we had hoped for.
9
235
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1937]
Janitor
The size of the police station does not warrant the services of a full-time janitor, but it is necessary that a man be engaged in this capacity for two days each week. The reserve force consists of three men, one of whom is now serving as janitor. In this way he is available for police work, if necessary.
Police Training
Target practice is very essential in the training of the police officer. A policeman is appointed for the purpose of protecting life and property, and it is only proper that he be trained in the various duties which he is called upon to perform. He is required and ex- pected to be expert in the proper use of his equipment and to be able to effect an arrest or protect himself or another from assault or injury. This requires considerable knowledge of the various forms of self defense, and expert use of the revolver requires a great deal of practice. For this reason, I sincerely hope our new range will be completed during the coming year.
Sergeancy
During the year I was consulted by Selectmen Robert Byrne and Kenneth Ulman relative to the necessity of a second sergeant in the police department. It was decided that such an appointment was necessary, and, at their request, I recommended that an addi- tional sergeant be named.
Firearms
Licenses to carry a pistol or revolver were issued to 107 resi- dents of the town for the protection of life and property and for target practice. In addition, 14 permits to purchase firearms were issued. Crime is a permanent institution, and the criminal can obtain weapons of death and destruction very easily. Therefore, I believe that the right of the decent citizen to keep and carry firearms should be guarded with the utmost care.
Citizens' Military Police Force
This force consisting of fifty public spirited citizens rendered valuable assistance to the police department on July 4 and October 30. These men deserve a great deal of credit for willingly giving of their time and effort in helping to preserve law and order.
Avoiding Stigma on Juveniles
In keeping with the policy of the police department, every ef- fort has been made to keep the names of juveniles off the police records of arrests. Unfortunately, there are only too many instances when it is impossible to do so.
Appreciation
Through the courtesy of Leon E. Abbott Post 57 and Auxiliary of the American Legion, the police department was granted the use of their headquarters as a temporary police station from July 23 to December 9.
WALTER F. REEVES,
Chief of Police.
236
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Park Department
To the citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commis- sioners for the year ending, December 31, 1937:
In September, 1937, Leonard F. Burdett resigned as Park Com- missioner to accept a position which made it necessary for him to move from town. Mr. Burdett's resignation was accepted with much regret, as his constant attention to the details of park business and his whole-hearted efforts to constantly improve park conditions were directly responsible for the successful completion of the many pro- jects undertaken during his tenure of office. Mr. Burdett carries with him the best wishes for every success, not only from the present membership of the Board of Park Commissioners, but also from the townspeople as well.
Mr. Burdett's place on the board was filled by Frederick C. Burk, present head of the Tree and Moth Departments. Mr. Burk was appointed unanimously by the Selectmen and Park Commission- ers and he has already shown that his selection was more than jus- tified.
Abbott Park
Following the trend of recent years this park has been devoted more and more to the playground activities of the smaller children. This year playground apparatus was placed on this park and the constant use of this equipment showed how appreciative the children were for it.
The Abbott memorial, located on this park, was rapidly being ruined because of children climbing on it. This memorial plot was enclosed this year by an ornamental iron fence which has afforded the necessary protection without destroying its beauty.
A bubbler fountain was also installed on this playground for the convenience of the children and will be kept in operation as long as it remains undamaged.
Several complaints were filed with the Park Commission during the summer by autoists whose cars had been struck by baseballs while passing this playground. Luckily no serious accidents or dam- ages resulted but the Park Commissioners feel that the possibility of serious accident is present and accordingly are discontinuing the playing of baseball at this park.
Blaney Beach
The Administration Building is in a good state of repair again after a slight fire which started in one of the lockers. The parking space was again used to capacity, once more showing the need of additional space for townspeople to park their cars at or near this beach.
Due to the activities of the Puritan Civic League, money was obtained for the placing of a special patrolman on duty on Blaney Beach Reservation to keep order and to enforce the rules and regu- lations applying to the beach. The regulations governing the con- duct of persons using the beach were printed on linen and posted in several conspicuous places for all to see. The result of this move was highly satisfactory and many expressions of approval were re- ceived from townspeople.
William McGettrick was placed on the beach as lifeguard and performed his duties in a highly efficient manner. Here, again, the
237
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
1937]
placing of the special officer on the reservation was more than jus- tified, as it permitted Mr. McGettrick to occupy himself strictly with the duties of lifeguard unhindered by trying to maintain order on the beach.
Jackson Park
The baseball diamond on Jackson Park was in use constantly during the entire season, but has in no way suffered because of this constant use. Wooden bleachers were built during this year for the convenience of those attending the games and additions will be made to these from time to time.
Playground equipment was also installed in a shady spot ideally located for children during the hot weather. This equipment received much use but was so abused that we question seriously the wisdom of its use next year.
A horseshoe court was laid out and regulation shoes provided. Here, again, we found no appreciation of these efforts, as the horse- shoes were stolen soon after the installation of the court.
A chain-link fence was erected along the street boundary of the baseball playing field to insure against accidents which might be incurred by players running into the heavy traffic Essex street now has.
The tennis courts at Jackson Park were in constant use when- ever weather permitted. New wire must be stretched around these courts next year, as the old wire has rotted beyond repair.
Monument Avenue
This area, stretching back from the Soldiers' monument to Howland Park, has been given little care in the past few years, due to lack of money for materials and labor. During 1937, however, we re-established some of the flower beds and replaced some of the evergreens. The work of planning, installing and keeping up of the flower beds was done by Prideaux, Inc., and the colorful result was appreciated by the entire town. We intend to continue to improve the appearance of this area, which is one spot in town constantly under the eyes of not only the townspeople but also of the many people passing through or visiting our town.
The Soldiers' Monument plot was regraded and sown to creep . ing bent stolons during this fall. The old turf was largely witch grass and dandelions and had been let go so long that it was neces- sary to start all over in order to get a well-kept, healthy stand of grass.
Phillips Park
Sixty feet of steel stands were added to the seven sections along the easterly side of the football playing field, thus giving us one full side of excellent appearing and sturdy bleachers.
The field itself was used practically every week for at least one game and sometimes two. The high school played five games here during the fall and the American Legion team played nine Sundays, with usually two games being played each Sunday. The turf stood up remarkably well under all of this playing and the usual comment of visiting players and coaches was that it was the finest playing field they had been on.
The tennis courts saw constant service during good weather, but the enclosing fence will have to be replaced. The wooden posts have rotted and are ready to fall, so must be replaced as well as the wire.
During the year every bit of fill that could be found was utilized to continue the work of bringing this park up to usable grade. We
238
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
wish to thank the Water Department, the Highway Department, and other committees and departments for co-operating with us to see to it that whatever fill they obtained from construction work was brought to Phillips Park.
Especially do we want to go on record as being grateful to the Lynn Sand and Stone Company for their generous donation of fill and to Mr. Ryan of the Highway Department for his loan of trucks to transport this fill.
In conclusion, the Park Commissioners wish to point out to the citizens of Swampscott that adequate playground facilities are sadly lacking. We have one excellent baseball diamond and at least eight regularly organized teams desirous of using it. We have one foot- ball field which is fit to play on. There is no adequate practice field for Senior High and Junior High field hockey. There is only Abbott Park for Junior High football, and when they are using this park there is no room for the smaller children to play.
The development of Phillips Park is necessary to provide for additional playing space, and it is time to be selecting the sites of one or more small playgrounds for use by smaller children.
JOHN HOMAN, RALPH I. LINDSEY, FREDERICK C. BURK, Park Commissioners.
Library Trustees
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith present their annual report:
Attendance and Circulation
In a public library the circulation of books among adults is definitely related to employment. When unemployment is widespread, there is a marked increase in the use of the public libraries by adults and in the circulation of books among them.
Resumption of employment results in a decreased circulation of books among adults and in less frequent use of library facilities by them. This has been true for the country as a whole and also locally.
Yet, during the past year, with employment on the increase until November, the circulation of adult non-fiction showed a substantial increase and reached the highest point in the history of the library.
Over a period of nine years there has been a threefold increase in the circulation of such non-fiction, while the total circulation of the library has been doubling.
This unexpected growth indicates that the vocational and cul- tural reading needs of the men and women of Swampscott are being served by the Public Library. This is one of the chief functions of our library, and it is the aim of the Board of Trustees to make it of still greater service.
1937]
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
239
This year, also, more young people than ever have t the li- brary. They are forming the library habit, and that sh make for better informed and more cultured citizens tomorrow
For particular items of circulation and of attendano you are referred to the figures given below.
Sunday Use of the Library
On Sundays, from November 1 to May 1, the libra y is kept open from 3 to 6 o'clock in the afternoon. This has been he custom since it has been housed in a separate building.
The attendance is rather small, however, perhaps to small, to justify the expense of continuing the practice. Before deciding to close the library on Sundays, the Board of Trustees will make a careful study of all the facts, and will be grateful for an opinion from any citizen in regard to the matter.
Data
The report concerning circulation, attendance, the number of books added and discarded, and the fines collected follows:
Circulation:
Adult fiction,
49,469
Adult non-fiction,
14,882
Adult periodicals,
2,905
67,196
Juvenile fiction,
19,283
Juvenile non-fiction,
5,378
Juvenile periodicals,
1,201
25,862
Attendance:
Adult attendance,
62,821
Juvenile attendance,
18,147
Sundays,
510
81,488
Books:
New books added,
1,590
Books discarded,
1,193
Books in the library January 1, 1938,
19,475
Fines:
Fine receipts turned over to the town,
$477.72
LEE T. GRAY,
RALPH H. NUTTER,
GUSTAVUS J. ESSELEN,
Board of Trustees.
Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report as Forest Warden for the year 1937. During the year, one hundred and sixty-three permits were issued for out-of-door fires of various nature, mainly for burning leaves and for picnic fires at the beaches.
A total of thirty-eight calls were made for brush and grass fires, covering a total of nine acres. The largest area of any one fire was one acre.
FREDERICK C. BURK,
Forest Warden.
240
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I hereby submit my third annual report as Tree Warden. The renovation of one of the Highway Department buildings has great- ly aided in the efficiency of the storage equipment and supplies. It is now possible to care for and maintain all equipment on days when weather conditions are such that tree work is impossible. We are now well equipped to carry on all phases of tree work other than large tree moving. 1
During the year 1937, as many as fifty-two men were put to work from the town relief rolls. The co-operation from these men was fine and a great deal of work was accomplished that might not have been otherwise. All shade trees were pruned and a great deal of tree surgery was practised, such as bolting, bracing and cavity filling.
This year trees, under the jurisdiction of the Park and Cemetery Departments, were also cared for.
Through the co-operation of the Surveyor of Highways and the Engineering Department, all new sidewalks were laid with openings for tree airiation and moisture. All trees bound by old tar sidewalks were relieved by the breaking of a section around the tree.
We were particularly fortunate this year in that no large trees were lost due to storms, and that only one fairly large tree was de- stroyed by a bus accident. Two small trees were totally destroyed by horses and three by autos. In all cases restitution was made.
Soil tests were made in many sections having young trees, and commercial fertilizers were applied by the crowbar system in all cases.
FREDERICK C. BURK, Tree Warden.
Moth Superintendent
To the Board of Selectmen:
The purchase of the new Fitzhenry-Guptil power sprayer great- ly aided in the suppression of injurious insects. The fall and spring canker worms were controlled by means of tanglefoot traps and an early spray. The gypsy, brown-tail and tent caterpillers were con- trolled, due mainly to the extra men detailed by the Welfare De- partment and the addition of a W. P. A. moth project. All offend- ing vacant lots and brush lands were cut-over, cleaned and burned for the elimination of wild cherries and other insect breeding places. The entire town was canvassed twice for the control of the gypsy moth by painting egg masses with creosote. The elm tree beetle made its first appearance in many years and a new pest was dis- covered which we believe and hope will never be of economic im- portance. The cottony maple scale is rapidly being eliminated but another has sprung up to take its place, the wooly maple scale on sugar maples. Miscible oil sprays will again be used and a control is possible.
A new system of posting notices when spraying was done has proven very satisfactory, as complaints and oversights were straight- ened out at once. Property owners desiring early and additional spraying will be taken care of by notifying the Moth Superintendent. FREDERICK C. BURK,
Moth Superintendent.
241
REPORT OF FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE
1937]
Fourth of July Committee
We submit herewith our report covering this committee's activ- ities as well as financial statement:
Our objective necessitated considerable effort on the part of each individual member of this committee in order to provide the children of our community with safe and educational entertainment. We believe our aims were realized fully, in that this year's celebra- tion was the most extensive and successful in two decades.
We labored under severe handicap, however, insofar as town meeting appropriation was concerned, and in order to fulfill the ex- pectations of our youth on this much observed holiday, it was neces- sary to request and solicit additional funds from public spirited cit- izens and merchants.
We strongly recommend that subsequent appropriations for this observance be sufficient so that it will not be compulsory for com- mittee members to further burden civic minded taxpayers and cit- izens and in order to eliminate possible embarrassment on the part of well-meaning committeemen.
Below is shown financial statement of receipts and disbursements: Contributions
W. C. Chick
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