USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1939 > Part 8
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$821.17
Abatements January 1 to February 3, 1939,
2.80
Outstanding February 3, 1939,
5,476.87
Cash balance February 3, 1939,
132.80
$6,433.64
$6,433.64
$280.00
75
DIVISION OF 'ACCOUNTS
1939]
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES-1936
Outstanding July 1, 1938,
$82.91
Payments to treasurer July 1 to December 31, 1938, Abatements July 1 to December 31, 1938,
$61.99
20.92
$82.91
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES-1937
Outstanding July 1, 1938,
$1,507.16
Tax titles disclaimed July 1 to December 31, 1938,
14.45
$1,521.61
Payments to treasurer July 1 to December 31, 1938,
$1,175.25
Tax titles taken July 1 to December 31, 1938,
249.02
Outstanding December 31, 1938 and February 3, 1939, per list,
97.34
$1,521.61
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES-1938
Outstanding July 1, 1938,
$4,678.02
Overpayments, refunded, July 1 to December 31, 1938,
24.92
$4,702.94
Payments to treasurer July 1 to
December 31, 1938,
$1,717.93
Outstanding December 31, 1938,
2,985.01
$4,702.94
Outstanding January 1, 1939,
$2,985.01
Payments to treasurer January 1 to February 3, 1939,
$174.29
Audit adjustment:
Water liens added to taxes 1938
reported as taxes 1938,
18.97
Outstanding February 3, 1939, per list,
2,715.76
Cash balance February 3, 1939,
75.99
$2,985.01
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT Accounts Receivable
Outstanding July 1, 1938,
$343.50
Outstanding December 31, 1938 and
$343.50
Miscellaneous Receipts
Receipts July 1 to December 31, 1938: Sale of lots and graves, Bequests,
$783.00 450.00
$1,233.00
Pay ents to treasurer July 1 to .... her 31, 1938,
$1,233.00
February 3, 1939, per list,
76
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Receipts January 1 to February 21, 1939: Sale of lots and graves, Payments to treasurer: January 1 to February 3, 1939,
$365.00
$100.00
February 4 to February 21, 1939,
265.00
$365.00
PHILLIPS SCHOOL MEDAL FUND
Savings Deposits .
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$2,780.08
$2,780.08
On hand at end of year 1938,
$2,751.88
$2,751.88
On hand February 3, 1939,
$2,751.88
$2,751.88
1938
Receipts
Payments
Withdrawn from savings deposits,
$28.20
Transferred to town,
$101.07
Income,.
72.87
$101.07
$101.07
January 1 to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
JOANNA MORSE LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$5,196.00
$5,196.00
On hand at end of year 1938,
$5,196.00
$5,196.00
On hand February 3, 1939,
$5,196.00
$5,196.00
1938
Receipts
Payments $157.04 Transferred to town,
$157.04
January 1 to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
ELLEN R. WHITTLE LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
On hand at end of year 1938,
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
On hand February 3, 1939,
$2,000.00
$2,000.00
1938
Receipts
Income,
$60.45
Payments Transferred to town, ..
$60.45
January 1 to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
Income,
77
DIVISION OF 'ACCOUNTS
1939]
MARY L. THOMSON LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
On hand at end of year 1938,
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
On hand February 3, 1939,
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
1938
Payments
Income,
$30.23
Transferred to town,
$30.23
January 1 to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
MUNICIPAL INSURANCE FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$8,327.33
$8,327.33
On hand at end of year 1938,
$8,579.02
$8,579.02
On hand February 3, 1939,
$8,579.02
$8,579.02
1938
Receipts
Payments
Income,
$251.69
Added to savings deposits,
$251.69
January 1 .to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
EMMA Y. STOCKER CEMETERY LOT FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$512.66
$512.66
On hand at end of year 1938,
$512.58
$512.58
On hand February 3, 1939,
$500.00
$500.00
.:: 1938
1
Receipts
Withdrawn from savings
Payments Transferred to town,
$12.66
deposits,
$.08
Income,
12.58
$12.66
$12.66
January 1 to February 3, 1939
Withdrawn from savings deposits,
Transferred to town,
$12.58
$12.58
$12.58
$12.58
Receipts
78
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
CEMETERY INVESTMENT FUND
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
$21,655.62
$21,655.62
On hand at end of year 1938,
$19,248.89
$19,248.89
On hand February 3, 1939,
$19,248.89
$19,248.89
1938
Receipts
Payments Transferred to town, $6,031.00
Withdrawn from savings
deposits,
$2,406.73
Income,
544.77
Sale of lots,
2,449.50
Perpetual care bequests
630.00
$6,031.00
$6,031.00
January 1 to February 3, 1939 No transactions recorded
MUNICIPAL CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT FUNDS
Cash
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1938,
: $1,394.20
$1,000.00 $2,394.20
On hand at end of year 1938,
$873.03 $11,000.00 $11,873.03
On hand February 3, 1939,
$709.80 $11,000.00 $11,709.80
1938
Receipts
Payments
Income,
$172.50
Deposited in savings banks,
$10,000.00
members,
4,364.75
Refunds to members,
223.54
Appropriations from town: Pensions, 8,663.00
Pensions,
3,524.52
Expense Fund, 1,100.00
Interest deficiency,
15.11
Administration ex- penses, Cash on hand Decem-
1,086.55
Cash on hand January 1, 1938,
1,394.20
ber 31, 1938, ⑈
873.03
$15,709.56
$15,709.56
January 1 to February 3, 1939
Contributions from members,
$402.75
Annuities,
.16
Cash on hand Jan-
Pensions,
365.40
uary 1, 1939,
873.03
Administration ex- penses, 90.00
Cash on hand February 3, 1939, Security Trust Company of Lynn, 709.80
$1,275.78
$1,275.78
:. 11 .127
Refunds to members,
$110.42
Contributions from
Annuities,
1.92
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT Balance Sheet-December 31, 1938 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
1939]
Assets
Liabilities and Reserves
Cash:
General,
$135,777.34
Temporary Loans: In Anticipation of Revenue 1938,
$100,000.00
Petty Cash Advances:
Selectmen,
$10.00
Warrants Payable,
374.90
Collector,
50.00
Accountant,
5.00
Tree Warden,
5.00
4.25
Health,
25.00
Public Welfare,
25.00
Sale of Real Estate Fund,
506.15
Soldiers' Relief Agent,
25.00
School,
25.00
Dog Licenses-Due County,
28.20
Library,
15.00
185.00
Accounts Receivable:
Taxes:
Levy of 1937: Real Estate,
4,387.27
Assistance, Administration,
58.60
Levy of 1938:
Poll,
$438.00
Personal,
1,630.75
Real Estate,
118,619.58
120,688.33
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes: Levy of 1938,
939.02
Special Assessments: Moth 1937,
Metropolitan Park Sinking Fund,
377.88
Moth 1938,
295.75
Nantasket-Maintenance, 1.54
79
DIVISION OF 'ACCOUNTS
Federal Grants: Aid to Dependent Children,
$21.84
Old Age Assistance:
958.39
1,038.83
Highway Fund, Chapter 500, Acts of 1938,
18,150.00
Overestimates: State Assessments: Charles River Basin, $122.79
$6.00
Special Deposit: Newsboys' Badges,
.
Sewer:
Added to taxes 1937,
Added to taxes 1938,
25.00 1,205.04
Sidewalk:
Unapportioned,
6,428.82
Added to taxes 1938,
354.99
Committed Interest:
Added to taxes 1937,
.85
Added to taxes 1938,
188.64
Tax Titles,
Tax' Title Possessions,
Departmental: Town Hall,
$5.00
Fire,
79.84
Moth,
10.00
Tree Warden, Health,
68.00
Departmental,
6,177.45
Water,
16,167.38
Public Welfare,
4,435.92
Old Age Assistance,
410.91
School,
39.75
Park,
168.10
Cemetery,
343.50
Water:
Rates:
1936,
$238.13
1937,
1,081.94
1938,
10,001.25
Services: 1936, $26.93
$11,321.32
Wellington Bridge, Land Taking Revere, County Tax,
3.50
80
690.44
Unexpended Balances,
43,939.08
38,234.06 5,168.69
4,666.91
TOWN DOCUMENTS
Surplus Revenue, 81,068.49
6,177.45
Water Department-Available Surplus, Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus, Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: $1,919.84 Levy of 1937, Levy of 1938, 2,747.07
8,505.09 30,159.81 1,387.01
·Revenue Reserved Until Collected: Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, $989.02
8,505.09
Special Assessments, Tax Title and Tax Posses- sions,
31,546.82
616.43
63,385.76
[Dec. 31
128.27
56.46
1937, 1938,
142.67 807.95
Overlay Deficits:
Levy of 1926, Levy of 1927,
$1.40
12.20
Levy of 1928,
1.20
Levy of 1929,
1.20
Levy of 1930,
1.20
Added to taxes 1937, $97.34
Levy of 1931,
1.27
Levy of 1935,
112.61
Added to taxes
1938, 2,985.01
3,082.35
State Tax,
$32,670.00
Metropolitan Planning, 16.99
Veterans' Exemption, 13.81
West Roxbury-Brookline Parkway, .18
32,700.98
$357,255.76
$357,255.76
DIVISION OF 'ACCOUNTS
81
1939]
Interest,
977.55 746.16 40.00
Rentals, Liens:
131.08
Underestimates-State Tax and Assessments:
16,167.38
DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Special Assessments Apportioned But Not Due,
$7,335.84
Apportioned Sewer Assessment Revenue:
Due in 1939,
$2,245.89
Due in 1940,
2,235.86
Due in
1941,
1,286.46
Due in
1942,
116.12
Due in
1943,
101.81
Due in
1944,
74.13
Due in 1945,
19.01
Due in 1946,
9.50
Due in 1947,
9.50
Apportioned Sidewalk Assessment Revenue:
Due in 1939,
$159.82
Due in 1940,
159.82
Due in
1941,
159.82
Due in
1942,
159.94
Due in
1943,
119.51
Due in
1944,
119.51
Due in 1945,
119.51
Due in 1946,
119.51
Due in 1947,
120.12
1,237.56
$7,335.84
$7,335.84
82
$6,098.28
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt: Inside Debt Limit, Outside Debt Limit,
$307,100.00 316,400.00
Loans Inside Debt Limit:
Police Station,
$17,000.00
Sewer,
180,500.00
School,
98,000.00
Park and Miscellaneous,
11,600.00
$307,100.00
Loans Outside Debt Limit: County Tuberculosis Hos- pital,
$18,000.00
Sewer,
43,900.00
School,
241,000.00
Water,
13,500.00
316,400.00
$623,500.00
$623,500.00
TRUST, INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT FUNDS
Trust and Investment Funds: Cash and Securities: Principal,
Phillips School Medal Fund: Principal, Income,
$1,000.00
Income,
7,327.08
$39,288.37
Municipal Contributory Retirement Funds: Cash and Securities,
11,873.03
Library Funds: Joanna Morse Fund, Principal, $5,196.00 Ellen R. Whittle Fund, Principal, 2,000.00
Mary L. Thomson Fund, Principal, 1,000.00
8,106.00 83
1939]
DIVISION OF 'ACCOUNTS
$31,961.29
1,751.88
$2,751.88
Municipal Insurance Fund: Principal, Income,
3,902.00
4,677.02
Emma Y. Stocker Cemetery Lot Fund: Principal, Income,
$500.00
12.58
Cemetery Lots Fund: Principal,
$18,363.29
Income,
885.60
Municipal Contributory Retirement Funds:
Annuity Savings Fund, $6,055.67
Annuity Reserve Fund,
10.80
Pension Accumulation Fund,
5,270.44
Expense Fund, 362.22
Undistributed Income,
173.90
11,873.03
$51,161.40
$51,161.40
84
8,579.02
512.58
19,248.89
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
85
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
1939]
Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the following report for 1939:
Permits Issued
Estimated Cost
Dwellings
New
42
$254,350.00
Alterations and Additions
27
9,840.00
Private Garages
New
51
19,595.00
Alterations and Additions
2
900.00
Miscellaneous
Candy Shop (Alterations)
1
6,500.00
Restaurant
1
1,500.00
Elevator
1
1,800.00
Hotel (Alterations)
1
1,000.00
Fire Escape
1
400.00
Signs
2
225.00
Sheds
2
167.00
Demolish Dwellings
4
Building Permits
135
Permits to Shingle
52
Total Permits
187
Number of Inspections (Building)
354
Number of Inspections (Shingling)
52
Amount of building fees collected
Elevator operator's licenses issued: New
3
3.00
Renewals
2
1.00
$178.00
All hotels and elevators have been inspected and returns made to the State. Several complaints of violations of the building laws have been investigated and in all cases adjustments made.
Frequent examinations were made of buildings in course of construction and repair.
RAYMOND O. DOANE, Building Inspector.
406
174.00
135
$296,277.00
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for 1939: Scales
Not
Adjusted
Sealed
Con- Sealed demned
Platform, over 10,000 lbs.
0
2
1
0
Platform, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
4
15
0
3
Counter, under 100 lbs.
2
28
2
1
Beam, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
0
1
1
0
Spring, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
0
3
0
2
Spring, under 100 lbs.
6
36
0
2
Computing, under 100 lbs.
10
29
2
3
Person weigher (slot)
0
8
0
2
Prescription
0
7
0
0
Weights
2
85
9
0
Apothecary
0
45
0
10
Metric
0
37
0
0
Volumetric Measures
Liquid Measures over 1 gallon
0
14
0
0
Liquid Measures
0
63
0
0
Dry Measures
0
9
0
0
Automatic Liquid-Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
2
5
4
0
Stops on Pumps
0
10
0
0
Gasoline Meter Systems
4
48
5
1
Tank Truck Meter Systems
16
29
0
0
Bulk Station Meter Systems
1
3
0
0
Grease-Measuring Devices
0
32
0
1
Linear Measures
0
1
0
0
Totals
47
511
33
25
Trial Re-Weighings
Total No. Tested
Number Correct
Incorrect
Under
Over
Beans
130
110
19
1
Bread
24
24
0
0
Butter
317
311
5
1
Charcoal (in paper bags)
6
6
0
0
Coal (in paper bags)
38
38
0
0
Coal (in transit)
5
1
0
4
Confectionery
201
201
0
0
Dry Commodities
136
133
2
1
Flour
87
85
0
2
Fruits and Vegetables
298
234
29
35
Kindling wood (in paper bags)
7
7
0
0
Lard
73
72
1
0
Meats and Provisions
51
47
0
4
Potatoes
249
199
17
33
Totals
1622
1468
73
81
Avoirdupois
Yard Sticks
87
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
1939]
Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
32
Pedler's licenses
6
Milk jars
548
Coal Certificates
10
Markings of:
Bread
52
Food packages
413
Coal in paper bags
15
Coke in paper bags
19
Charcoal in paper bags
6
Kindling wood in paper bags
23
Clinical thermometers
95
Ice cream cans
11
Oil jars
181
Other inspections
298
Totals
1709
Tests Made
'Approved paper cartons
9
Retests of gasoline devices after sealing
23
Berry baskets
8
Manufacturers' sealed milk jars
12
Oil jars
8
Municipal reweighings or measuring
60
Miscellaneous
4
Total
124
Respectfully submitted, C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my 25th report as Superintendent of the Swampscott Cemetery.
Interments for the year 1939 numbered 67.
Many lots were sold and the money turned over to the Collector of Taxes. New trees were planted where needed and all trees thor- oughly gone over for broken branches and dead wood was taken out. All walks and roads were treated with weed killer and resur- faced with gravel where needed. The Chapel was used several times during the year. All signs and gates were painted and everything in general went smoothly for the year 1939.
THOMAS HANDLEY,
Superintendent.
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Police Department
Swampscott, Mass., January 5, 1940. To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I respectfully submit the following report pertaining to the per- sonnel and operation of the Police Department during the year of 1939:
ROSTER Chief of Police Walter F. Reeves
Captain of Police James M. Kennedy
Sergeant of Police Francis P. Wall
Patrolmen
James T. Jordan
Almon B. Owens
Herbert F. Frazier
Frank T. Roach
Francis E. Delano
Samuel Hooper
Joseph P. Ryan
John P. Costin
Frederick J. Rowe
Joseph L. Shanahan
J. Warren Doherty
George D. Horton
Robert L. Cunningham
Reserve Police
James H. Pedrick
Harold J. Keating
Leonidos L. Papadoyiannis
Clerk
Mary M. Pedrick
Pensioned Members
Captain Eugene P. Brogan and Patrolman Joseph D. Spinney
Arrests
Total persons charged
60
Male
52
Female
2
Juvenile
6
Residents
31
Non-residents
29
Total offenses charged
67
By warrant
15
Without warrant
25
By summons
27
Summonses served for other police departments
184
Causes of Arrest
Assault and battery
4
Attempt to burn a dwelling, 2 counts
1
Breaking, entering, larceny in nighttime
2
Breaking, entering, larceny in daytime
1
Breaking and entering nighttime with intent to commit theft
1
Causing malicious damage to personal property
4
Delinquency
3
Drunkenness
10
Illegitimate child act violating
1
1939]
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
89
Larceny
Larceny of automobile
Motor Vehicle Laws, violating:
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Operating after suspension of license
2
Operating while under influence of liquor
4
Operating without a license
4
Refusing to stop on signal of uniformed police officer Speeding
7
Probation violating
1
Promoting a lottery
3
Robbery while armed
2
Throwing missiles at passing train
2
Traffic Rules and Regulations, violating : Parked in restricted area
2
Parked within 25 feet of intersecting way Trespassing
1
Vagrancy
1
Wearing improper bathing suit
2
Disposition of Cases
Committed to House of Correction
4
Committed to State Prison
1
Dismissed
4
Filed
9
Filed on payment of costs
7
Filed to locate
1
Fined
20
For other police departments
4
Found not guilty
5
Held for Grand Jury
3
Placed on probation
8
Released
1
67
Traffic Violations
Non-criminal disposition notices issued for violations traffic rules :
Parked in restricted area
174
All night parking
78
Double parking
10
Overtime parking
13
Parked in front of driveway
3
Parked at left side of street
5
Parked upon crosswalk
6
Parked upon sidewalk
1
Parked within 15 feet of hydrant
4
Parked within 25 feet of intersecting way
. . .. . .
1
Miscellaneous Work
Accidents reported and assistance rendered
45
Fatality on private property
1
Automobile accidents reported
69
Fatalities
0
Causing property damage only
37
Causing personal injury
32
Passengers reported injured
31
2 2
Going away unknown after causing damage to pro- perty
2
1
1
67
. .
295
90
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Operators reported injured
12
Pedestrians injured
5
Bicyclists injured
2
Coasters injured
1
Automobile thefts and attempted thefts investigated . .
Reports unfounded
3
Breaking, entering, and larceny reports investigated Reports unfounded
0
Breaking and entering reports investigated Reports unfounded
2
Not to commit felony or theft
1
Breaking and entering attempts reported and investi- gated
9
Reports unfounded
1
Complaints investigated
510
Dog complaints investigated or reported to dog officer
Dogs reported injured by motor vehicles
20
Dogs killed by motor vehicles
14
Dogs reported missing
119
Dogs found and turned over to owner or dog officer
114
Doors and windows found open and secured
239
Lights in vacant buildings investigated
12
Larceny reports $50 and over in value investigated Reports unfounded
1
Larceny reports under $50 in value investigated Reports unfounded
127
Messages delivered for other departments
105
Obstructions removed or lighted
4
Persons reported missing and located
23
Residences closed and special attention requested
105
Robbery reports filed
0
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle notices filed
189
Sale of second-hand motor vehicles, dealers' reports filed Search warrants for gaming implements served
1
Sick persons assisted
18
Signal system:
Duty calls reported
24,483
Calls to fires
76
Calls to hospitals
125
Street lamps reported out
224
Suicides reported
1
Suicide attempts reported and investigated
1
Suspicious persons interviewed
40
Water leaks reported
10
Windows reported broken, cases investigated .
57
Wires reported defective
9
Stolen Property
Amount of property stolen here and recovered by this department $1100
Amount of property recovered for other police depart- ments $210
Amount of property reported stolen and not recovered:
By breaking and entering
$3050
By robbery
None
Miscellaneous larceny
$4300
Automobiles reported stolen here and recovered else- where
3
1
4
Defects in streets reported
26
Disturbances quelled
21
62
Dogs shot by police
2
17
9
375
.
Automobiles reported stolen here and not recovered . . . Automobiles recovered for other police departments ...
8
28
18
91
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
1939]
REMARKS
Police Force
The development of a good police force is no easy task. Success in developing a fine department in Swampscott would have been im- possible but for the co-operation of the citizens, who can be justly proud of the fact that our reputation and standing today as com- pared with other police departments of similar or greater size is regarded as outstanding.
Cost of Maintenance
The cost of maintenance in this department has decreased dur- ing the past fourteen years. Expenditures for the year of 1926 to- taled $43,704.32. In 1939 the total expenditures were $43,047.46. The budget submitted to the town accountant for 1940 estimates a total of $43,322.60.
Care of Prisoners
The cost of feeding prisoners during the year amounted to $1.70. From 1929 to 1937 the town paid the City of Lynn $900.00 for the use of their jail and for providing Swampscott prisoners with food. Prior to 1929 the City of Lynn performed the service gratis.
Cleaning Station House
During the year the work of cleaning the police station was per- formed by the town hall janitors and two young men employed by the town under the National Youth Administration. During 1938 a reserve officer was assigned to this work, at a cost of $415.63. The cleaning can be performed more economically by a member of this department.
Special Police Officers
In view of the manner in which certain special police officers conducted themselves during the year I recommend that no future appointments be granted unless absolutely necessary. The town has a special police force consisting of 178 men. These men have all the powers of regular police officers but only a few have any knowl- edge of police work, and it is doubtful whether some of the ap- pointees can read and write. One special officer was arrested during the year and others were guilty of drunkenness and improper con- duct. Seventy-five per cent of the 178 appointments are unnecessary. Only an adequate number of men should be equipped with the police badge.
Time Off for Police
During the year it was necessary for me to object to the grant- ing of one day off in every six days because of the following rea- sons: Prior to August 13, 1937, members of the regular force were allowed 1 day off in every 8 days or 45 days annually plus two weeks vacation with pay. In 1937, upon my recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, Chapter 85 of the Acts of 1937 providing for 1 day off in every 7 days was accepted by the Board. In 1938 an article was inserted in the town warrant petitioning 1 day off in every 6 days. Had favorable action been taken by the town on this article it would have created a shortage in man power and would have handicapped the force in rendering adequate protection. The depart- ment adequately manned prior to August 13, 1937 when only one day off in every eight days was allowed could not render equal pro- tection in allowing one day off in every six days unless there is an increase in personnel. Appointments to the department are granted by the Board of Selectmen. On January 10, 1939 I recommended the appointment of two additional patrolmen. No action has been taken by the Board in the matter.
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Chief's Convention
I attended the annual convention of the International Associa- tion of Chiefs of Police held in San Francisco, California, from Oc- tober 9 to October 12, at no cost to the town, after receiving the permission of the Board of Selectmen. If a chief desires to do his full duty it is necessary for him to keep abreast of his profession, and the best way to accomplish this is to meet with other chiefs of the country and exchange ideas. For a chief of police to neglect such an opportunity is like neglecting to observe the regulations of his own department. Approximately one thousand chiefs of police, Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, head of the Department of Justice, and many other law enforcement officials from all parts of the country attend- ed the congress. There was never a more acute time in the history of the United States nor more serious moments than the present for every chief of police in the country, and only by working in close accord with each other can the best interest of the people be pro- tected.
Commendations
It is a very fine practice of the Board of Selectmen to commend members of this department for services performed. A police officer is due praise when he performs an act of unusual nature, and recognition in the form of a public commendation is a just reward. Commendations should be issued impartially. It is unfair to overlook the fine work performed by two young officers in detecting and ap- prehending the operators of one of the cheapest swindling games to cheat the public ever operated in Massachusetts, and to perhaps officially commend another officer for stopping a street fight or for apprehending a common thief. There should be a uniform method of granting commendations.
Motor Equipment
Two new patrol cars were purchased from the J. W. Rose Mo- tor Co. in August. The remainder of our motor equipment consists of a 1934 Ford ambulance, a 1937 Terraplane coupe, and a 1934 Indian motorcycle. The ambulance was purchased by the Board of Selectmen from the Marblehead Motor Co. in July 1934 at a cost of $1750.00. The Terraplane coupe was purchased from the Oxford Garage Company in February 1937 at a net cost of $400.00. It is in need of considerable repairs and should be traded at this time. The motorcycle was purchased from the Crandall-Hicks Co. in April 1934 at a net cost of $190.00. It is in an unserviceable condition and should be traded.
Recommendations
I recommend that a committee be appointed by the Town Mod- erator to investigate as to the necessity of purchasing a new police ambulance.
I recommend that an additional patrolman be appointed to the regular police force from the reserve force effective as of April 1, 1940 and that the sum of $1352.46 be appropriated for the same. (This will enable me to assign one member who is physically inca- pacitated and unfit for general police work to labor on motor equip- ment, janitor work, labor on traffic signs, etc. This man at present is assigned to patrol duty, covering a route.)
I recommend that the 1934 Indian motorcycle be traded for a 1940 motorcycle and that the sum of $350.00 be appropriated for the same.
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