USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1938 > Part 18
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Trust Fund Custodian's Bond
237
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
1938]
Amount brought forward
$650,263.73
Fourth of July
Fireworks
$300.00
Prizes
50.66
Music
185.00
Children's Entertainment
83.70
Parade Expense
272.14
Transportation
87.00
All Others
21.50
1,000.00
1,000.00
Park Storm Emergency
Repairs Administration Building
$71.54
Repairs Abbott Park
30.00
Plants and Shrubs
187.65
Tools and Equipment
30.15
319.34
319.34
Armistice Day
Wreaths
55.00
Music
155.00
Parade Expense
122.50
Ammunition
28.00
Transportation
23.00
All Others
16.50
400.00
400.00
Amount carried forward
$651.983.07
SUMMARY OF RECREATION AND UNCLASSIFIED
From Last Year
Transfer to
Appropri- ations
Expendi- tures
Transfer from
Balance to Revenue $97.11
Recreational Project ..
$193.42
... 750.00
943.42
Printing Town
Reports
1,279.56
1,279.56
Park Truck Hire
500.00
State Road
Underpass Fill
1,000.00
1,000.00
Warrants Payable
$2,162.53
1,753.37
$34.26
§374.90
Gould Case
120.00
120.00
Curtis Case
3,000.00
3,000.00
Phillips Claim
96.53
96.53
Trust Fund
Custodian's Bond ..
50.00
50.00
Lewis Case
1,500.00
1,500.00
Legion Lease
1,350.00
1,350.00
V. F. W. Lease
650.00
650.00
Unpaid Bills
3,357.26
3,357.26
Memorial Day
500.00
498.98
1.02
Tennis Courts
Jackson Park
2,800.00
12.31
§2,787.69
Reserve Fund
3,900.00
1,100.00
4,088.49
911.51
Sewing Project
400.00
400.00
Fourth of July
1,000.00
1,000.00
Park Storm
Emergency
425.00
319.34
§105.66
Armistice Day
400.00
400.00
$693.42
$9,287.53 $30,681.35 $31,861.66
$4,522.75
$4,277.89
Park
$14,128.00 $14,030.89
500.00
§ To 1939
238
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward
$651,983.07
ENTERPRISES Water
Salaries and Wages:
Commissioners
$450.00
Superintendent
3,016.00
Registrar and Clerk
1,560.00
$5,026.00
Labor:
Maintenance
$4,268.31
Services
991.99
Relay
501.71
Meters
2,440.00
Brooks Terrace
426.46
Plymouth Avenue
10.45
Lexington Circle
67.07
Other Expenses:
Administration:
Printing and Advertising
$223.25
Stationery and Postage
46.12
Telephones
95.14
Recording Liens
59.10
Use of Auto
250.00
Furniture and Fixtures
289.23
Loans and Interest:
Loans
$5,500.00
Interest
790.00
6,290.00
Metropolitan Assessments:
Sinking Funds
$976.04
Serial Bonds
9,990.98
Interest
13,345.34
Maintenance
7,978.57
Brookline Credit
1,154.49
General Expense:
Pipe and Fittings
$2,297.97
Meters and Fittings
555.92
Fuel
113.40
Supplies
149.37
Tools and Materials
245.01
Medical Services
17.00
Auto Expense
193.79
Gasoline and Oil
136.35
Light and Power
34.68
Drilling and Blasting
355.94
Repairs to Roof
155.00
Paving Material
104.00
All Others
36.92
4,495.35
58,925.60
Emergency Water
Contractor
$107.00 288.85
Compressor
$395.85
395.85
Amount carried forward .
$711,304.52
8,705.99
962.84
33,445.42
239
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
1938]
Amount brought forward
$711,304.52
Lewis Road Water Main
Pipe
$217.90 75.00
Contractor Compressor
197.17
$490.07 490.07
Norfolk Avenue Water Main
Pipe
$2,571.34
Labor
2,365.06
Compressor
41.65
All Others
21.95
5,000.00
5,000.00
Cemetery
Salaries and Wages:
Superintendent
$1,820.00
Labor
3,860.00
5,680.00
Other Expenses :
Tools
$98.08
Chapel
29.38
Telephone
24.97
Water and Water Pipe
57.08
Seed
19.60
Signs
33.00
Weed Killer
60.00
Police
5.00
Garage Rent
52.00
Renovating Arch
75.00
Sand and Cement
4.70
Loam
66.17
Plants and Shrubs
85.00
Auto Expense
39.61
Gasoline and Oil
77.70
All Others
15.70
742.99
6,422.99
Cemetery Storm Emergency
Labor
$330.00
Resetting Stones
50.00
Tools
12.75
Use of Truck
25.00
Loam
50.00
467.75
467.75 $723.685.33
SUMMARY OF ENTERPRISES
Transfers to
Appropri- ations $72,279.00
Expendi- tures $58,925.60 6,422.99
Transfers from $13,353.40
Balance to Revenue
Water
Cemetery
$5,000.00
1,475.00
Emergency Water
5,000.00
395.85
4,604.15
Cemetery Storm
Emergency
1,000.00
467.75
§532.25
Lewis Road Water Main
700.00
490.07
209.93
Norfolk Avenue
Water Main
...
5,000.00
5,000.00
........ ...
...
$6,000.00
$84,454.00
$71,702.26
$18,167.48
$584.26
§ To 1939
Amount carried forward
$52.01
Labor
240
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward
$723,685.33
INTEREST, MATURING DEBT AND AGENCY
Interest:
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
$124.58
General Debt Inside Limit
13,974.25
Sewer Loans Outside Limit
1,968.75
T. B. Hospital Notes
780.00
High School Loan
4,960.00
$21,807.58
21,807.58
Maturing Debt:
General Debt Inside Limit
$32,700.00
Sewer Bonds Outside Limit
9,350.00
T. B. Hospital Notes Outside
3,000.00
High School Loan Outside
14,000.00
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
150.000.00
Loans in Anticipation
of Bond Issue
1,500.00
210,550.00
210,550.00
State and County Taxes:
State Tax
$61,710.00
County Tax
36,000.06
97,710.06
97,710.06
Agency:
Essex County Dog Licenses
$1,394.40
Essex County T. B. Hospital Assessment
9,653.93
Petty Cash
60.00
11,108.33
11,108.33
Charles River Basin Taxes:
Loan Fund, Serial Bonds
$71.26
Sinking Fund
6.56
Interest
750.48
Maintenance
1,593.94
2,422.24
2,422.24
Metropolitan Park Taxes:
Loan Sinking Fund
$204.14
Serial Bonds
13.60
Interest
1,095.34
Maintenance
7,808.59
Metropolitan Planning Division
140.95
Metropolitan Parks Loan Sinking Fund Series 2
115.70
Metropolitan Parks Serial Bonds
488.21
Interest
527.19
Metropolitan Parks Loan Fund, Nantasket Maintenance
717.91
Wellington Bridge Maintenance
20.73
West Roxbury Brookline Parkway
.18
11,132.54
11,132.54
State Assessments:
Auditing Municipal Accounts
$1,366.89
Veterans' Exemption
80.87
1,447.76
1,447.76
Amount carried forward
$1,079,863.84
1938]
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
241
Amount brought forward
$1,079,863.84
Trust Fund Transactions :
Phillips Medal Fund Income
$101.07
Cemetery Lots Fund Income
21.00
Emma Y. Stocker Lots Fund Income
12.66
Cemetery, Sale of Lots
2,449.50
Cemetery Perpetual Care
630.00
$3,224.23
3,224.23
Refunds:
1937 Taxes Poll
$2.00
1937 Taxes Personal
6.60
1937 Taxes Real Estate
1,283.04
1938 Taxes Poll
6.00
1938 Taxes Real Estate
1,249.38
1937 Excise Taxes
115.35
1938 Excise Taxes
1,118.84
Water
131.58
1937 Moth
1.50
Petty Cash
10.00
Interest on Taxes
30.28
Charges and Fees
.78
Newsboys' Badge Fund
1.75
Bounty on Seals
1.00
3,958.10
3,958.10
Cash Transfers:
To Retirement Funds
$8,894.11
To Special P.W.A. Fund
10,000.00
From New High School to: Special Account
1,500.00
To General Funds
32,515.59
52,909.70
52,909.70
Checks Returned and Deducted from Expenditures
Public Welfare
$240.14
Old Age Assistance
59.50
U. S. Grant Old Age Assistance
125.50
Soldiers' Relief
43.00
New High School
4.00
472.14
472.14
NON-REVENUE
New Police Station: Contractor
$2,041.94
2,041.94
2,041.94
New High School:
Contractor
$1,277.40
1,277.40
1,277.40
Special Account New High School:
Contractor
$1,600.00
Expenses
16.00
1,616.00
1,616.00
Total Expenditures Balance January 1, 1939
$1,145,363.35
135,777.34
$1,281,140.69
242
TOWN DOCUMENTS [Dec. 31
TRANSFERS
From Reserve Fund
$4,088.49
$250.00
To Accounting To Highway
1,164.69
To Sidewalk Construction
196.13
To Engineering
20.00
To Police
388.96
To Soldiers' Relief
600.00
To State and Military Aid
40.00
To Law
950.00
To Atlantic Avenue Resurfacing
378.71
To Finance Committee
100.00
From Water To Water Available Surplus
8,219.71
8,219.71
From Cemetery Lots Fund
6,000.00
To Cemetery
5,000.00
To Cemetery Storm Emergency
1,000.00
From Water Available Surplus To Lewis Road Water Main
5,700.00
700.00
To Norfolk Avenue Water Main
5,000.00
From Sale of Real Estate
3,500.00
To Police Station Construction and Equipment
3,500.00
1938]
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet, December 31, 1938
Cash
$135,777.34
Petty Cash
185.00
Uncollected Taxes 1937 Real Estate
4,387.27
Uncollected Taxes 1938 Poll
$438.00
Uncollected Taxes 1938 Personal
1,630.75
Uncollected Taxes 1938 Real Estate
118,371.46
120,440.21
Uncollected Moth 1937
$6.00
Uncollected Moth 1938
297.25
303.25
Uncollected Sewer 1937
$25.85
Uncollected Sewer 1938
744.02
769.87
Uncollected Unapportioned Sidewalks
$6,428.82
Uncollected Sidewalks 1938
305.08
6,733.90
Property Taken by Town for Taxes Tax Titles
1,387.01
30,159.81
31,546.82
Water Accounts Receivable 1936
$238.13
Water Accounts Receivable 1937
1,073.41
Water Accounts Receivable 1938
9,996.94
Water Services 1936
26.93
Water Services 1937
151.20
Water Services 1938
741.39
Water Liens Added to Taxes 1937
97.34
Water Liens Added to Taxes 1938
2,985.01
Water Interest
817.03
Water Rent
40.00
Departmental Accounts Receivable:
Health
$616.43
Old Age Assistance
410.91
Public Welfare
4,435.92
Park
168.10
Cemetery
343.50
Fire
79.84
Tree Warden
68.00
School
39.75
Town Hall
5.00
Moth
10.00
1938 Excise Taxes on Motor Vehicles
$895.05
895.05
Committed Interest
$188.64
188.64
1926 Overlay
$1.40
1927 Overlay
12.20
1928 Overlay
1.20
1929 Overlay
1.20
Amount carried forward
$323,572.18
243
16,167.38
6,177.45
244
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward
$323,572.18
1930 Overlay
1.20
1931 Overlay
1.27
1935 Overlay
112.61
131.08
State Tax
32,613.54
State Assessments
13.81
$356.330.61
Debt
Net Bonded Debt
$623,500.00
Trust Funds
Securities and Cash
$32,847.89
Securities Income and Interest
6,441.48
$39,289.37
Sewers Apportioned But Not Due
$6,098.28
Sidewalks Apportioned But Not Due
1,237.56
7,335.84
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1938 Accounts Current
Water Available Surplus
$38,234.06 506.15
Excess and Deficiency
81,066.99
Revenue:
Water
$16,167.38
Moth
303.25
Sidewalk
6,733.90
Sewer
769.87
Tax Title
31,546.82
Departmental Accounts Receivable
6,177.45
Committed Interest
188.64
Excise Tax
895.05
62,782.36
1936 Overlay
$5,166.34
1937 Overlay
1,919.84
1938 Overlay
2,500.45
Overlay Reserve
2.35
9,588.98
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
100,000.00
Dog Licenses
28.20
Selectmen's Contingent Fund W.P.A.
112.68
Selectmen W.P.A.
1,209.32
Atlantic Avenue Resurfacing
1,425.70
Millett Road Ledge
175.00
Tid Street
1,200.00
Neighborhood Road Drain
1,703.61
Amount carried forward
$298,033.05
Sale of Real Estate
1938]
ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT
245
Amount brought forward
$298,033.05
Special Highway Fund
18,150.00
Nason Road Drain, P.W.A. 1543F
14,031.40
Beach Bluff Avenue Drain
8,450.00
U. S. Grant Old Age Assistance Administration
58.60
U. S. Grant Old Age Assistance Assistance
958.39
U. S. Grant Aid to Dependent Children
21.84
High School and Grounds
303.17
Tennis Courts, Jackson Park
2,787.69
Park Storm Emergency
105.66
Cemetery Storm Emergency
532.25
Maturing Debt
9,698.75
Charles River Basin Assessments
122.79
Metropolitan Park Assessments
494.02
Newsboys' Badge Fund
4.25
Emergency Water
1,894.34
Lincoln Circle Sewer
309.51
Warrants Payable
374.90
$356,330.61
Debt
Permanent Improvement Notes
$548,100.00
Sewer Bonds Serial
43,900.00
Water Bonds Serial
13,500.00
Tuberculosis Hospital Loan
18,000.00
623,500.00
Trust Funds
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund
$2,000.00
Joanna Morse Library Fund
5,196.00
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund
1,000.00
Phillips Medal Fund
1,000.00
Cemetery Lots Fund
19,249.89
Municipal Insurance Fund
3,902.00
Emma Y. Stocker Cemetery Lots Fund
500.00
32,847.89
Trust Fund Incomes
Phillips Medal Fund Income
$1.751.88
Municipal Insurance Fund Income
4,677.02
Emma Y. Stocker Cemetery Lots Fund Income
12.58
6,441.48
Apportioned
Sewers
$6,098.28
Sidewalks
1,237.56
$7,335.84
The following were reported as unpaid at the close of the year:
Town Hall
$.60
Board of Public Welfare
1.240.55
Tree Warden
1.90
Park
23.55
Soldiers' Relief
59.54
$1,326.14
HORACE R. PARKER,
Town Accountant.
246
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Jury List
Approved January 26, 1939
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
Addison, Charles D.
50 Aspen rd.
Allen, Henry B.
67 Aspen rd.
Anderson, Arthur O.
12 Shelton rd.
Optometrist Manager Gardener
Bailey, Earl M.
77 Kensington lane Library
Balfour, Roy E.
11 Redington st.
Clerk
Ballard, Egbert H.
22 Farragut rd.
Superintendent
Bassett, Herbert F.
12 Banks cir.
Salesman
Bates, Leonard H.
146 Essex st.
Janitor
Bergin, Edward H. R.
448 Humphrey st.
Home
Bessom, Richard H.
16 Barnstable rd.
Engineer
Bickford, Frank I.
137 Burrill st.
Salesman
Black, A. Shirley
19 Mostyn st.
Insurance
Browne, Robert L.
10 Hillcrest cir.
Engineer
Bruyere, George J.
9 Kings Beach ter. 26 Suffolk ave.
Adjuster
Bufalino, Julius F.
667 Humphrey st.
Salesman
Burk, Frederick C.
100 Stetson ave.
Forester
Burt, Arthur L.
15 Porter pl.
Foreman
Burt, Everett L.
9 Arbutus rd.
Last maker
Cahill, Thomas J.
39 Grant rd.
Chauffeur
Call, Thomas K.
7 Tid st.
Manager
Callahan, Henry J.
58 Burrill st.
Salesman
Caproni, Royal C.
34 Highland st.
Machinist
Carey, Bernard F.
63 Orchard rd.
Banker
Carr, Wesley E. Carroll, William H.
148 Burrill st.
Mechanic Taxi Salesman
Carter, William Edgar
259 Humphrey st.
Carver, Paul F.
24 Estabrook rd.
Merchant
Chaisson, George H.
27 Blaney st.
Boat letting
Clancy, Joseph G.
11 Paradise rd.
Proprietor
Clarke. John H., Jr.
28 Blaney st.
Clerk Painter
Coville, John E.
251 Burrill st.
Last maker
Creighton, Albert M.
11 Little's pt.
Merchant
Cryan, Patrick J., Jr.
45 Pleasant st.
Clerk
Curtis, Irving A.
122 Redington st.
Laborer
Damsky, Mark
72 King st.
Tailor Shoe retailer
Dinan, Henry P.
60 Humphrey st.
Driscoll, John C.
250 Burrill st.
Shoeworker
Duncan, Thomas W.
38 Crosman ave.
Contractor
Duratti, Leonard V.
986 Humphrey st.
Steamfitter
Durgin, William F., Jr.
70 Buena Vista st.
Ice
Elliott, Wilbur P.
76 Ocean View rd.
Epps, Thomas B.
Esselen, Gustavus J.
34 Berkshire st. 437 Puritan rd.
Dealer Architect Chemist
Farrell, Harry C. Felch, Harry O.
42 Rock ave.
Finch, Clarence M.
48 Grant rd.
Engineer
Shipper Insurance
22 Thomas rd.
Manufacturer
Bryant, Charles L.
79 Roy st.
Cole, Sydney C.
29 Essex st.
1938]
Name
Folger, Ernest M. Frechette, Leo W. Fuller, Edwin A.
George, Harold G. Gough, Joseph H.
Halloran, Harry G. Hampe, Carl F.
Hayes, William E.
Healey, John D. Heath, Edward H., Jr. Hegarty, Robert B. Hillery, Fred W. Holmes, Andrew B.
Jackson, Almer A. Johnson, Harold A.
Kausel, Theodore T. Knowles, Frank W. Knowlton, George H.
Lalime, Arthur W. LaParrella, Louis L. Ledbury, George W. Legro, Frank A. Linden, Frederick E. Ludlam, Albert E. Lynch, William J.
JURY LIST
Residence
73 Ocean View rd. 3 Plymouth ave. 85 Walker rd.
51 Crescent st.
26 Beverly rd.
3 Devens rd.
57 Roy st.
71 Millett rd.
30 Franklin ave.
66 Beach ave.
350 Essex st.
8 Hardy rd.
86 Cherry st.
57 New Ocean st.
37 Crosman ave.
25 Sumner st.
40 Magnolia rd.
164 Burrill st.
11 Rock ave.
53 Jesse st.
154 Aspen rd.
Inspector
19 Orchard cir.
Accountant
9 Hillcrest cir. Manager
186 Norfolk ave.
Caretaker
8 Stearns st.
Painter
42 Essex ave.
Salesman
51 Beach ave.
Manager
15 Beach ave.
Salesman
120 Stetson ave.
Salesman
48 Franklin ave.
Elec. engineer
73 Fuller ave.
Insurance
91 Walker rd.
Engineer
8 Bellevue rd.
Engineer
22 Hardy rd.
Insurance
201 Forest ave.
Gardener
Nagle, John R.
2 Stearns st.
Salesman
Owen, Owen H.
30 Grant rd.
Electrician
Paine, Francis W. Palmer, John S.
83 Banks rd.
Pearce, Harry E.
77 Walker rd. 2 Linden ave.
Salesman Engineer
Phillips, Robert K. Poor, Frank A.
157 Paradise rd.
Buyer
Pope, Roger W.
Powers, Elmer F.
16 Banks rd. Cutter
Powers, Leslie F.
40 Norfolk ave.
Clerk
Putnam, Ralph G.
Rabinovitz, Isidor Ranger, Walter L. Roberts, Charles P. Robinson, Willard H. Rohrer, Arthur M. Ross, Leland S.
11 Atlantic rd.
7 Hampden st. 64 Fuller ave.
11 Hillside ave.
1 Little's pt.
16 Curry cir.
Occupation
Insurance Manager Contractor
Greenhouse Dealer
Clerk Shoeworker C. P. A.
Accountant
Salesman
Storekeeper
Broker
G. E.
Cabinet worker Banker
Manufacturer Stockkeeper N. E. T. & T.
Secretary Machinist
Marsh. Frank M. McKennon, Fred A. McLean, Delmar H. Meaney, Patrick J. Miller, Frederick Miller, Raymond P. Moffett, John T.
Morrison, Ralph A. Munsey, Dean A. Muthe, John F.
22 North Shore rd.
Broker Publisher
Peaslee, Dana N.
202 Atlantic ave. 52 Bay View dr. Plumber
Treasurer
Chemist
Salesman Salesman
Carpenter
8 Brewster ter.
Salesman
Stylist Accountant
247
248
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Name
Residence
Occupation
Rowen, T. Carlton Ryan, William J.
Stover, Alfred L.
187 Burrill st.
Strickland, Ernest H.
304 Forest ave.
Sullivan, Frederick R.
151 Burrill st.
Builder Electrician
Thurston, Harold L. Twomey, Harry F.
1 Berkshire st.
Consultant
Watson, Harold L.
15 Orchard rd.
Weinstein, Aaron
168 Burrill st.
Wheeler, Harold I.
58 Redington st.
White, Guy T.
142 Norfolk ave.
Clerk
Wiley, Edward T.
700 Humphrey st.
Architect
Wormwood, Daniel W.
185 Aspen rd.
Insurance
Ximiness, Joseph R.
99 Windsor ave.
G. E.
Young, Charles F.
30 Paradise rd.
64 Humphrey st.
Pharmacist Shoeworker
Young, Clyde R.
90 Mountwood rd.
85 Morton rd.
Engineer Linen supply
Radio Salesman
Sundquist, Carl J.
34 Suffolk ave.
17 Elmwood rd.
Painter
Engineer Salesman Janitor
249
REPORT OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1938]
Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our report for the year ending December 31, 1938, together with the reports of all officers, committees, and boards which we have received.
During the past year, which has been an unsettled one through- out the business world, it has been our policy to encourage and bring about as many public improvements as possible, at the same time being mindful of the town's desire to retain a low tax rate. The town was again fortunate in bringing about a further reduction in its tax rate as a result of the continued cooperative action on the part of its officials.
W. P. A. Activities
The Federal Government endeavored during 1937 to curtail the W. P. A. activities throughout the nation, and as a result the number of W. P. A. workers in Swampscott was reduced to 46. In view of the unfavorable business conditions during the latter part of that year. we endeavored to bring about an increase in the activities of the W. P. A. in Swampscott, and as a result the number of workers was gradually increased to 71 at the beginning of the past year. Through our continued efforts we have been successful in further increasing the number of W. P. A. workers in Swampscott to 148.
We have given much time and thought during the past year to Federal projects and point with particular pride to the worthwhile work which has been carried on.
At the annual town meeting, an appropriation of $5,000 was made for W. P. A. projects to be carried out under our supervision and this sum was augmented by an additional $2,000 appropriated at the special town meeting of October 4, 1938.
We have endeavored to bring about improvements in the town hall and to stimulate so-called "white collar" projects with this fund. A project for the modernization of the town hall basement has been completed, and we now have a clean well-lighted basement with im- proved storage facilities for many of the records of the town. At the same time, the foundation of the building has been strengthened and reinforced.
The "white collar" projects are intended to provide employment for men and women accustomed to office work; and on these projects the labor item, which is financed by the Federal Government, far exceeds the cost of materials provided by the town. The projects of this type which we have financed out of our fund during the past year have included a general revision of the Town Clerk's records, the cleaning and repairing of books in the School Department, and a similar project for books in the Public Library. Some of this work is still being carried on, and we also anticipate receiving approval in the near future for a project covering the revising of the records of the Fire Department. A project for the classification of shade trees throughout the town has been completed and one calling for the preparation of a contour map of Jackson Park is now in progress.
The recreational project, which is under our supervision, has been expanded considerably during the past year, and we were suc- cessful in renting the old Bell-in-Hand property at the corner of Humphrey and Marshall Streets as headquarters for the project. This property has been placed in condition fit for the purpose of a recreational center, and there has been a constantly increasing num- ber of persons availing themselves of the facilities afforded at the center.
250
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Public Improvements Accomplished
A new underpass has been constructed on Paradise road to elimi- nate the former serious traffic hazard which the town has endeavored for several years to remedy. This project was carried on under the direction of the State Department of Public Works, without cost to the town, having been entirely financed by the Federal Government.
In accordance with our recommendations of last year, the town meeting established a W. P. A. sidewalk fund, and under the capable direction of Timothy J. Ryan, Surveyor of Highways, a total of 8,495 square yards of sidewalks were constructed and 6,841 lineal feet of curbing were laid throughout the town.
We have continued our policy of improving the lighting condi- tions throughout the town. It is our belief that this is particularly important and we feel that continued efforts should be made to bring about better lighting facilities on the streets of the town.
In an attempt to relieve the flood conditions existing in the Or- chard section following each rain storm, we called a special town meet- ing on October 4, 1938, at which time a P. W. A. project for the construction of a culvert was authorized. This project is now under- way and we believe that when it is completed, the previous flood con- dition will have been overcome.
Public Improvements Recommended
We recommend and advocate a continuance of the W. P. A. side- walk construction program. It is our belief that as rapidly as possi- ble all portions of the town should be equipped with permanent side- walks. We consider that this is one of the best types of W. P. A. projects available, since it furnishes the town with a much needed form of improvement, and at the same time furnishes the property owners concerned with permanent sidewalks at a reasonable cost, since they are not assessed any part of the labor charge.
In our report last year we pointed out that we did not believe that a new town hall should be constructed at that time, owing to the uncertainty of business conditions. This is still our belief and as a result we have attempted to bring about various improvements in the hall. However, if we are to long defer the time when the con- struction of a new hall will be imperative, it is necessary that we take some steps to provide much needed additional room, and for that purpose we have had plans drawn up covering a new ell to the hall, which we believe could be constructed as a W. P. A. project. We recommend serious consideration of the merits of this project on the part of the town meeting members, and advocate favorable action on the article covering it, which we have placed in the warrant.
A project has been prepared covering repairs and alterations at the Central Fire Station, which will provide more satisfactory sleeping quarters for the members of the Fire department. The con- ditions at the Central Fire Station, as pointed out in the report of the Board of Fire Engineers, are almost unbearable, and favorable action on this project should be taken at the town meeting.
We believe that definite steps should be taken towards the re- moval of the car tracks along Humphrey street from Phillips circle to the Marblehead line and along Essex street. In order to start this program, we are endeavoring to obtain State and County assistance towards removing the tracks along Humphrey street from the Marble- head line to the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks, and resurfacing of the roadway between those points. Should State and County assist- ance be forthcoming for this work, it will be necessary for the town to appropriate its proportionate share.
Under the provisions of Chapter 500 of the Acts of 1938 of the Legislature, an allotment of $18,150.00 was made to the town of Swampscott for highway work for the purpose of alleviating the con-
251
REPORT OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN
1938]
ditions resulting from unemployment. It has been our hope that this fund might be used directly in reducing the tax rate. However, this cannot be done under the present law, unless amended, and we are therefore studying various projects towards which this fund might be applied. Under the provisions of the act, it is the duty of the selectmen to designate these projects, which must then be approved by the state Department of Public Works. After such approval has been granted, the projects come under the supervision of the Surveyor of Highways.
Hurricane Damage
On September 21, a devastating hurricane swept over New Eng- land, taking a tremendous toll in human lives and causing an appalling amount of property damage. Fortunately Swampscott was on the outer edge of the hurricane area, and consequently there were no casualties resulting from the storm, although there was a tremendous number of trees uprooted and considerable damage done to boats lying in the harbor. Through the whole-hearted cooperation of the various town departments, the conditions resulting from the hurricane were quickly alleviated.
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