USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1940 > Part 13
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1940]
Adjusted Sealed
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Not
Con- Sealed dem'ned
Volumetric Measures:
Liquid Measures over 1 gal.
0
5
0
0
.
Liquid Measures
0
60
0
2
Dry Measures
0
10
0
0
Automatic Liquid-Measuring Devices :
Gasoline Pumps:
1
2
0
0
Stops on Pumps
0
10
0
0
Gasoline Meter Systems
9
49
11
6
Oil Pumps
0
2
0
0
Tank Truck Meter Systems
8
28
0
0
Bulk Station Meter Systems
0
3
0
0
Grease-Measuring Devices
3
41
1
0
Linear Measures:
Yard Sticks
0
4
0
0
Totals
63
478
16
14
Trial Re-Weighings
Total No. Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Beans
159
153
5
1
Bread
60
60
0
0
Butter
344
338
5
1
Charcoal (in paper bags)
6
6
0
0
Coal (in paper bags)
88
68
1
19
Coal (in transit)
3
0
0
3
Confectionery
127
127
0
0
Dry Commodities
102
99
1
2
Flour
120
111
4
5
Fruits and Vegetables
225
179
17
29
Lard
93
92
0
1
Meats and Provisions
45
39
0
6
Potatoes
253
171
27
55
Totals
1625
1443
60
122
Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
10
Pedler's licenses
17
Milk jars
654
Coal certificates
10
Markings of:
Bread
70
Food packages
523
Coal in paper bags
47
Coke in paper bags
14
Kindling wood in paper bags
46
Clinical thermometers
111
Ice cream eans
3
Oil jars
48
Other inspections
164
Totals
1717
1
Incorrect
Adjusted Sealed
159
SUPERINTENDENT OF CEMETERY
1940]
Tests Made
Approved paper cartons
11
Retests of gasoline devices after sealing Manufacturers' sealed milk jars Oil jars
26
6
3
Municipal re-weighings or measuring
28
Miscellaneous
3
Totals
77
Respectfully submitted, C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures,
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my 26th report as Superintendent of Swamp- scott Cemetery.
Interments for the year 1940 numbered 67.
Lots were sold and the money turned over to the Collector of Taxes. As usual our work consists of mowing and keeping the Cemetery looking well. Necessary repairs were made, sunken graves were filled in, and the Chapel, tool shed and all signs and gates were painted. Avenues and walks were given attention where needed, several trees were planted and the shrubbery was cared for. All work of the department went smoothly for the year 1940.
THOMAS HANDLEY,
Superintendent.
Board of Appeals
To the Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals acted upon eight matters during the year of 1940.
On January 30th the Board granted the petition of the Broleo Realty Trust to build three single family dwellings with a setback of twelve feet to correspond with the setback of other houses on Lots No. 216, No. 218 and No. 219 Aspen Road.
On March 6th the Board granted the petition of Silas E. Smith to construct a front vestibule not nearer than five feet from the street line at No. 24 Phillips Street.
160
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
On April 22nd the Board granted the petition of Robert R. Zic- cardi to construct a sun parlor and porch not nearer than eight feet two inches from the street line at No. 77 Pine Street.
On May 9th the Board denied the petition of Mary Gordon, No. 16 Puritan Road, to build a piazza within the setback distance on the Humphrey Street side of this property.
The Board also denied the petition on May 9th of Walter H. and Evelyn R. Hill to construct a single family residence on Lot No. 130, Ocean View Road.
The petition of Karine Gustavsen, 19 Minerva Street, seeking permission to build a piazza within the setback distance was granted by the Board on May 23rd.
On September 5th the Board granted the petition of Fred R. Sullivan, 19 Thomas Road, to construct a porch within the setback distance.
On October 31st the Board denied the petition of Edith S. Childs seeking a variance in the Zoning By-Law, "Lot Area Regulations", adopted May 9, 1939, so as to permit the erection of a single family dwelling on Lots No. 55, No. 56, No. 58, No. 59, No. 75, No. 66, and No. 65, Bates and Sheldon Roads. Petitioner appealed from the Board's decision and the matter is pending in the Essex Superior Court at the time this report is written.
Yours truly,
CONRAD P. RICHARDSON, Chairman, CHARLES V. EASTERBROOKS, C. GLOVER BOWES, Board of Appeals.
Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Forest Warden for the year 1940. Several small fires were extinguished in the rear of Jack- son Park and the area on top of the Greenway. As most fires oc- curred on week-ends, it was believed that they were of incendiary origin and a uniformed police officer was hired to patrol the area. The results were gratifying. Other fires were numerous in the region between the State Road and Essex Street, due probably to the care- lessness of passing motorists.
Several requests were made by residents adjacent to the Palmer Pond area, as well as residents bordering vacant fields, to eliminate the fire hazard of dry marsh grass. In response to these requests, the men of this department joined with the men of the Phillips Beach fire station to eliminate these hazards by supervised burning.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. BURK,
Forest Warden.
161
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
1940]
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year of 1940 there were 297 complaints received con- cerning dogs, all of which have been investigated and remedied. There were 304 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 47 having been restored to their various owners, and 329, proven to be stray dogs, were disposed of.
All owners who had neglected to license their dogs as prescribed by statute, have been notified and required to apply for the necessary licenses. The total number of licenses granted were 709. During the past year there were about 121 dogs which succumbed to natural causes.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS E. SHEPHARD, Dog Officer.
Fourth of July Committee
Because of the inclement weather, one of the finest parades ever planned in Swampscott failed to materialize to its fullest extent. However, because it would have been disappointing to our young people if called off, a late starting order was set by the Chief Mar- shall, and the parade was held with many of the out-of-town units not reporting.
On July 3rd we received a courtesy visit from the U. S. S. Thatcher with Lt. Cmdr. H. E. Richter in command. The destroyer remained at anchor in our bay until July 5th. On the evening of July 3rd a reception and dinner was tendered the Officers at the New Ocean House at which time many notables attended including the Hon. Geo. J. Bates, United States Congressman from this district. The festivities were broadcast over Station WESX, a feature never before attempted in the Town's history.
During the afternoon of July 4th a band concert took place at Abbott Park but all field activity was postponed until the Saturday following the holiday due to wet grounds and the danger of injury to the participants in the races. At that time ice cream and candy were served after the racing program.
At night an excellent display of fireworks was shown at Jackson Park after the evening band concert.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all those who assisted the Committee or in any other manner participated in the success of the day.
ROBERT G. BYRNE, Chairman, JOSEPH P. HINES, HAROLD P. BOUDREAU, FREDERICK J. HAY, LOUIS LaPARRELLA.
162
TOWN DOCUMENTS [Dec. 31
Water and Sewerage Board
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1940.
We have replaced 2776 feet of 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe in Salem Street with 12-inch.
Nothing was done on the Lewis Road Water Main due to un- finished road construction.
The details of Water Pipe construction follows and cost of same can be found under the Town Accountant's report.
Salem Street
2776 ft.
12-in.
C. I. Pipe
Walnut Road
303 ft.
6-in.
C. I. Pipe
Plymouth Avenue
377 ft. 6-in.
C. I. Pipe
Lexington Park
125 ft.
4-in.
C. I. Pipe
Sherwood Road
84 ft.
6-in.
C. I. Pipe
Table of Distributing Pipe in Feet, December 31, 1940
Wrought Iron
Cast
Cement
Brass
Total
114 -in.
303
303
112-in.
80
288
368
2-in.
4,732
1,468
1,977
8,177
4-in.
4,119
4,119
6-in.
125,184
125,184
8-in.
8,208
8,208
10-in.
21,800
21,800
12-in.
13,726
13,726
14-in.
4,712
4,712
16-in ..
150
150
. 4,732
177,899
1,851
2,265
186,747
Hydrants :
In use December 31, 1939
300
Added in 1940
4
In use December 31, 1940
304
Gates:
In use December 31, 1939
551
Added in 1940
6
In use December 31,. 1940
557
Services:
In use December 31, 1939
2,855
Added in 1940
46
Abandoned in 1940
2
44
In use December 31, 1940
2,899
Meters:
60 5/8-in. bought 6 34 -in. bought
$540.00
85.02
$625.02
-
Iron
Lined
1940]
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
163
Water Debt
Bonds and notes issued to December 31, 1940
Bond and notes paid to December 31, 1940
$368,300.00 360,800.00
Net debt, December 31, 1940
$7,500.00
Decrease during year 1940
1,500.00
Due during year 1941
1,500.00
Inventory of Property, Water Department, December 31, 1940
Water mains and stand pipes
$219,003.09
Land on Pine Street
2,000.00
Brick building on Pine Street
2,000.00
Work Shop and garage
2,500.00
Two auto trucks
1,400.00
Office furniture
900.00
Meters and parts
37,525.02
Stock on hand
4,000.00
$269,328.11
HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water and Sewerage Board.
Sewer Department
There have been no new sewers laid this year.
The Commonwealth Avenue Outdrain Sewer was not put in as the low bid was higher than the amount of the appropriation.
Inventory of Property, Sewer Department, December 31, 1940
Pumping Station
$20,000.00
Pumping Plant
10,588.59
Land
5,000.00
Office Furniture
350.00
Tools and Equipment
450.00
Truck and Garage
775.00
$37,163.59
HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS. HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water and Sewerage Board.
Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1940.
All asphalt, road oil, sand, crushed stone used by this depart- ment and also all material used by the WPA was bought under contract.
The patching material used for the maintenance of streets and sidewalks is mixed by our department using sand, crushed stone and asphalt.
Our appropriation for sealcoating is far too limited each year to take care of all our streets, so only the following few were done:
164
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dee. 3!
Crosman, Hillside, Linden and Suffolk Avenues, Clarke, Ellis, Manton, Bellevue and Stanley Roads, Eulow, Hampden and Mostyn Streets, Redington Street from King to Greenwood Avenue, Greenwood Ter- race and Lexington Circle. Also by a vote of the Town, Kensington Lane. This list of streets was sealed with hot asphalt and covered with coarse sand.
Following is a list of streets sealed with hot asphalt then covered with crushed stone and rolled with our steam roller, also showing the amount of material used on each: Puritan Road, 8470 gallons of asphalt, 236 tons of 1/2-inch and 156 tons of 3/8-inch stone; Burrill Street from the Monument to Boynton Street, 2480 gallons of asphalt and 70 tons of 3/8-inch stone; Redington Street from Humphrey to King Street, 700 gallons asphalt and 35 tons of 3/8 -inch stone. After the cars have traveled over these streets, a week or more, a certain percentage of this crushed stone is thrown to the side of the road. This is all reclaimed by the department, taken to the town yard and mixed into our asphalt patch.
Repairs on tar, asphalt or cement sidewalks either in whole or in part have been made on the following streets: Burrill, Highland, Humphrey, Redington Streets, and Railroad Avenue.
The end of Lewis Road was extended 100 feet further by bring- ing sidewalks and road to grade, then sealcoating street with hot asphalt and covering same with sand.
On Aspen Road a new surface drain was laid using 132 linear feet of 12-inch reinforced concrete pipe, and 2 catch basins were rebuilt. For a distance of about 300 feet, a fill of about two feet was required to bring this road to grade. Material used here included 37 tons of stone dust, 66 tons 2-inch and 3 tons of 34-inch stone. For the surface application, 14 tons TL fine patch and 1590 gallons of asphalt penetration were used. The entire street was then sealcoated using 2490 gallons of liquid A asphalt covering same with 140 tons 1/2-inch stone, then rolled with steam roller.
A fence 90 feet long was rebuilt on Highland Street and one 65 feet long on Cherry Street.
The decking on Essex Street bridge, also the board sidewalk had to be repaired.
In various sections of the town, 14 curbstones were lowered to make driveways.
All streets in town were cleaned at least twice during the year. Burrill Street from Essex Street to the Monument, and Humphrey Street, from the Lynn line to Millett Road were cleaned every day during the summer months. Essex Street from the Lynn line to the cemetery, and New Ocean Street were cleaned once a week during the summer. The Danvers and Essex Street bridges were cleaned three times a week.
During the months of June, July and August, both Fisherman's and Whales Beaches, the latter being in front of the New Ocean House, were cleaned every day. Also Phillips Beach, in front of the Beach Club and in front of the Hotel Preston were cleaned almost every day.
In the fall of the year, the leaves falling from the trees keep this department very busy for about four weeks cleaning them up and carting them to the dump.
Our catch basin digger cleaned our basins in town at least three times this year. A few basins too small for the digger to take care of are done by hand. There are now about 550 of these in town.
New equipment bought this year includes one new 5-ton truck, the money for purchase of same being voted for at the annual Town Meeting. Also one new snow plow for this truck, an old plow being
.
165
REPORT OF SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS
1940]
turned in toward the purchase price, and two sidewalk plows to take the place of worn out ones.
Our snow fighting equipment includes the following: one 1927 5-ton White, one 1936 5-ton White, one 1940 5-ton White, one 11/2-ton Ford truck and one 5-ton tractor bought in 1927 which can only plow snow after a depth of 10 inches or more has fallen, and 2 sand spreaders.
All trucks are equipped with removable bladed plows and the tractor has a V plow. We have 14 sidewalk plows which are horse drawn. On hand at the yard we have about 350 yards of sand treated with calcium of chloride, to be used in slippery streets and sidewalks.
Our snow fences this year were taken down in April and put up again in December as follows: Salem Street, Crosman and Linden Avenues, Stanley and Sumner Roads, Dale Street, Dennison Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue near the Marblehead line.
All our equipment was overhauled and tuned up as follows: Both White trucks, three mixers used for mixing cement and asphalt patch, catch basin digger, Ford and Pontiac and the tractor.
Under the heading Chapter 90 work the following streets were done: Humphrey Street from the Marblehead line to Phillips corner where Atlantic Avenue and Humphrey Street meet. The car tracks were taken out and replaced with a new penetration asphalt road. Two catch basins were rebuilt. The material used was 15,585 gallons OA 3 asphalt, 26 tons 3/8-inch, 224 tons 1/2-inch and 795 tons 2-inch stone and 54 tons of stone dust.
Atlantic Avenue from the Preston Hotel to the Marblehead line was sealcoated with asphalt using the following material: 1265 gal- lons RC 3 asphalt and 58 tons 3/8-inch stone and 2 tons of type D mix.
Beach Bluc Avenue from Burton's driveway to Atlantic Avenue was sealcoated with asphalt using the following material: 344 gal- lons RC 3 asphalt and 15 tons 3/8-inch stone.
On Humphrey Street from Glen Road to the New Ocean House garage the car tracks were covered over with asphalt hot top mix and then rolled. The amount of material used: 142 tons of asphalt mix and 2 drums AE 3 emulsion.
W. P. A.
WPA projects under the supervision of the Surveyor of High- ways were as follows:
On Morton Road a drain was laid with six new catch basins. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 646 linear feet of 15-inch.
On Bradlee Avenue a drain was laid with one new manhole and three catch basins. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 160 linear feet of 15-inch, 170 feet of 18-inch and 30 feet of 12-inch.
On Stanwood Road a drain was laid with four new catch basins and two manholes. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 570 linear feet of 12-inch.
On Manton Road a drain was laid using reinforced concrete pipe 710 linear feet of 12-inch. Connecting this drain with the Hawthorne Brook a drain was laid with one new manhole through the Burton estate. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 260 linear feet of 12-inch.
On Beach Bluff Avenue a drain was laid with four new catch basins. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 470 linear feet of 12-inch.
On Lexington Circle a drain was laid with four new catch basins and two manholes. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 339
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
linear feet of 15-inch .. An outlet drain for the above was laid through the Nestor estate using 132 linear feet of 24-inch reinforced con- crete pipe.
·On Magnolia Road a drain was laid with two new catch basins and one manhole. Reinforced concrete pipe was used including 443 linear feet of 12-inch.
On continuous sidewalks and curbstone program WPA labor is used.
Following is a list of streets done this year and the amount of material used: Essex Street, 894 linear feet curbing and 1604 square yards of type E mix; Puritan Park, 1291 linear feet of curbing and 723 square yards of type E mix; Ocean View Road, 1333 linear feet of curbing and 831 square yards of type E mix, and Shaw Road, 657 linear feet of curbing and 516 square yards of type: E mix.
I wish to recommend that the town purchase the following new equipment: Compressor, 11/2-ton truck to replace the 1934 Ford which is worn out, and buy new street signs to be placed over the town.
At the rear of the Highway property located on the State Road, a dangerous condition exists owing to a steep ledge being there, at the top of which a great many children play. The town should erect a fence here to save the possibility of a serious accident.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
Town Engineer
To the Board of Selectmen
I herewith submit my annual report of services rendered by the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1940.
The Engineering Department has had charge of the following lines of work: designing and superintending the construction of all sewers and drains, together with plans, specifications and estimates for the same; the establishing of street lines and grades for the setting of curbing and laying of sidewalks and all engineering ques- tions which came before the several departments.
Drains
All surface water drains were constructed by W.P.A. labor in the following streets: Beach Bluff Avenue between Humphrey Street and the Boston and Maine Railroad, 470 feet of 12-inch concrete pipe and 4 catch basins; Lexington Circle Drain, 132 lin. feet of 24-inch concrete pipe, 339 lin. feet of 15-inch concrete pipe, 4 catch basins and 2 manholes; Magnolia Road Drain, 443 lin. feet of 12-inch concrete pipe and 2 catch basins; Morton Road Drain, 646 lin. feet of 15-inch concrete pipe, 60 lin. feet of 12-inch concrete pipe and 6 catch basins; Bradlee Avenue Drain, 170 lin. feet of 18-inch concrete pipe, 160 lin. feet of 15-inch concrete pipe, 30 lin. feet of 12-inch concrete pipe, 3 catch basins and 1 manhole; Stanwood Road Drain, 570 lin. feet of 12-inch concrete pipe, 4 catch basins and 2 man- holes; Manton Road Drain, 970 lin. feet of 12-inch concrete pipe, 4 catch basins and 1 manhole.
167
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
1940]
Curbing and Sidewalk
The town has constructed, by W.P.A. labor, 3673 square yards of sidewalk with Type E mixture on the following streets; Essex Street, 1604 square yards; Puritan Park, 723 square yards; Ocean View Road, 830 square yards, and Shaw Road, 516 square yards, at a cost of $0.774 per square yard.
The W.P.A. labor set 4175 lineal feet of curbing on the follow- ing streets: Essex Street, 894 lin. feet; Puritan Road, 1291 lin. feet; Ocean View Road, 1333 lin. feet, and Shaw Road, 657 lin. feet, at a cost of $1.20 per lin. foot. One half of the above materials cost is assessed to the abutters.
Assessors' Department
The yearly routine work required to bring the plans and card index up to date has been completed for this department.
Selectmen's Department .
Data and estimates have been furnished for this department and plans submitted for their approval.
At the request of property owners, street lines and grades have been given for the grading of lawns, etc.
WALLACE W. PRATT,
Town Engineer.
Park Department
Tree Work
The effects of the 1938 hurricane have continued to show up during this past year. The Town's shade trees in general are characterized by low vitality and the appearance of weakened root systems. Many of the Norway Maples along the waterfront have been infected with a disease called Bleeding Canker of Maple. This disease was possibly caused by the force of the hurricane and the accompanying salt water spray.
The control of the Bleeding Canker disease is still in the experi- mental stage, but by fertilization and constant watering we hope to so improve the vitality of the trees that the disease will be auto- matically thrown off.
Many new trees were set out during the year, these being chiefly, Pin Oaks, Sugar Maples, Moline Elms and Norway Maples. In most cases, these trees were wrapped to prevent summer desicca- tion and winter freezing until they become established.
Six trees were lost because of gas leaks and restitution was made by the Lynn Gas and Electric Company.
It is with regret that we report the loss of John Slattery, a veteran employee of the Tree Division. Mr. Slattery was injured doing gypsy moth work and was unable to continue, so was retired.
Moth Work
A W.P.A. moth project was carried on this year. 1600 acres were covered for the elimination of tent caterpiller, gypsy moths and oriental moths. All of the pines in the rear of Jackson Park, badly covered with scale, were sprayed with a dormant oil spray. The browntail moth still seems to be avoiding our town, and this
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
fall, when the required gypsy moth work was done, less than 100 egg masses were found on private property.
The usual infestation of the Elm Leaf Beetle was a little less severe this year but the elm leaf skeletonizer was still with us. Late in the fall, a bad outbreak of fall canker worms appeared, par- ticularly on red oaks.
Abbott Park
This park has seen more actual use during this past year than ever before.
An unusual winter season gave us six continuous weeks of excel- lent skating and the ice surface was constantly crowded with people of all ages, many of whom hadn't been on skates for years.
The hockey rink was in constant demand and many well-played games were played before appreciative fans.
The W.P.A. Recreation Unit did a fine job in organizing and supervising children's and adults' exercise. Evening Badminton Classes were crowded and floodlights were installed so that more people could enjoy this game, even after darkness set in.
Additional benches have been installed around the Park and the little tots' playground equipment has been repaired and replaced where necessary.
Blaney Beach
The Fish House was given a coat of paint improving its appear- ance considerably. Eighteen lockers were installed on the third floor to provide space for the storage of sails, oars, etc., by the yachts- men. These new storage spaces were quickly enjoyed and did much to relieve the congestion in the first floor fishermen's lockers.
A new lifeboat was put in service to replace the old dory in use for years.
Jackson Park
At Jackson Park the stone wall started last year as a W.P.A. project was completed on Essex Street to a point where the little tots' playground adjoins the baseball field, and this fall, with the regular department men, continued to the rock ledge. The banking above, and parallel to the wall, was planted with climbing roses and various flowering shrubs. The approach to the newly-constructed tennis courts has been landscaped with rockery plants and low- growing shrubs. A hedge of rugosa roses was planted at the street entrance. Many of these shrubs were weeded from other parks or donated by the cemetery department and citizens adjoining the park land.
The tennis courts proved very popular during the summer season and certainly justified the expense of erection.
As soon as the Massachusetts Legislature grants permission of the land swap on the Greenway entrance, the wall can be completed, the sidewalk finished, and the banking graded.
The pines at the rear of the park suffered greatly from van- dalism. In most cases, the work was apparently done by small boys making lean-tos, and in general trying to emulate the days of Daniel Boone.
Monument Avenue
Many compliments were passed by both Townspeople and visitors on the attractive appearance of this plot during the past spring and summer.
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