USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1940 > Part 6
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Edmond Talbot, Jr., Salem
John J. Walsh Salem
214 174 231 129 177 141 205 136 1407
Blanks 698 503 617 395 463 472 629 420 4197
For Clerk of Courts: Archie N. Frost, Andover Blanks
636 656 636 557 725 596 718 674 5198 . 212 150 181 120 123 142 178 116 1222
For Register of Deeds:
Maurice Kimball, Salem A. Franklin Priest, Haverhill
244 176 224 144 194 120 235 148 1485
506 564 518 485 617 555 596 595 4436 37 98 66 75 48 63
For County Commissioners: James D. Bentley, Swampscott 585 620 589 524 673 580 657 638 4866
Frederick Butler, Andover Michael F. Conway, Peabody
403 508 428 413 537 459 487 520 3755
132 83 102
74
91
69 105
66
722
J. Fred Manning, Lynn Blanks
296 231 278 205 240 191 292 196 1929 280 170 237 138 155 177 251 160 1568
Question 1. Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages (whisky, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages) ?
Yes 483 435 445 360 508 425 629 531 3816 No 218 274 267 217 227 200 155 165 1723 147 97 105 100 113 113 112 94 881
Blanks
Question 2. Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages) ?
Yes 464 410 425 366 493 417 589 518 3682 No 196 245 241 187 193 168 135 135 1500
Blanks 188 151 151 124 162 153 172 137 1238
Question 3. Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so called, not to be drunk on the premises ?
Yes 490 433 449 394 526 455 609 544 3900
No 177 215 225 161 164 143 123 108 1316
Blanks 181 158 143 122 158 140 164 138 1204
Question of Public Policy No. 1 . Shall the Senator from this district be instructed to vote for legislation providing for ten-dollar weekly payments to each recipient of old age assistance ?
550 509 521 375 454 420 476 368 3673
Blanks
Yes No 79 119 134 152 197 133 222 234 1270 219 178 162 150 197 185 198 188 1477
65 47 499 Blanks
58
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Question of Public Policy No. 2. Shall the Senator from this district be instructed to vote for the establishment of a lottery con- ducted by the Commonwealth which shall be known as the Old Age Assistance Sweepstakes and shall not be held oftener than once a month.
Yes 452 379 372 268 280 299 388 285 2723
No 167 245 253 262 356 246 304 314 2147
Blanks 229 182 192 147 212 193 204 191 1550
Adjourned at 12:00 Midnight.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
October 9, 1940
The quinquennial perambulation of the bounds of the Town of Swampscott was made on the above date in accordance with Chapter 42, Section 2, of the General Laws.
All the monuments were found to be in position except the one on Huron Street and the one on Essex Street at the Salem line.
Attest: MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Thursday, November 7, 1940
Essex, ss.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Swampscott, in the said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall in said Swampscott on Thursday, the seventh day of November, 1940, at 7:45 P.M., then and there to act on the follow- ing articles, viz .:
Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and direct the Moderator to appoint a committee to investigate the matter of the construction of a new bridge on Essex Street, replacing the present bridge now extending over the tracks of the Boston and Maine Railroad; said Committee to render a report to the Town Meeting Members at the next Annual Town Meeting, or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to relocate King's Brook, so-called, from Cherry Street to the Lynn line, for a distance of about 1110 feet, the same to be done as a W.P.A. project and raise and appropriate money for the same. Sponsored by the Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to construct a Sewer and Surface Water Drain from Hemenway Road to the rear of the lots on Puritan Road, for a distance of about 1125 feet for the pur- pose of abating an existing public health nuisance as ordered by
59
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1940]
the Board of Health, the same to be done as a W.P.A. project and raise and appropriate money for the same. Sponsored by the Water and Sewerage Board.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended as the Town's proportionate share to carry on a general town-wide Park project, the same to be done by W.P.A., or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Park Commissioners.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the salaries of the members of the Board of Fire Engineers and the clerk thereof for the period from January 1, 1940, to May 1, 1940, or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used by the Board of Public Welfare for the payment of certain unpaid bills of 1938 and 1939, or take any action relative to said bills. Sponsored by the Board of Public Welfare.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the follow- ing sums, to the accounts designated for the purpose of clearing the accounts from the Town Accountant's books: From Emergency Water to Salem Street Water Main, 34 cents; From Lincoln Circle Sewer to Commonwealth Avenue Outdrain Sewer, 1 cent; From Fire De- partment 3-year Plan to Fire Others, 36 cents; From Fire Hose to Fire Others, $6.00; From Fire Department Service Truck to Fire Others, $5.00; From Highway Truck to Highway Others, $7.81; From Memorial Day to Armistice Day, $1.65; From Fourth of July to Armistice Day, 80 cents; From Park Department Truck to Park Others, $1.50, as recommended by the Town Accountant and spon- sored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the account of Excess and Deficiency to the account of Unpaid Bills the sum of $138.46 to cover bills contracted by the Police Department for gasoline and motor oils in 1939 and remaining unpaid at the present time, as recommended by the Chief of Police and sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the account of Town Engineer Wages to Town Engineer Others the sum of $80.00, or take any action relative thereto, as recommended by the Town Engineer and sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the accounts hereinafter named to the account of Federal Projects Selectmen or such other account as the Town Meeting may determine, such amounts as are specified in said accounts, as follows:
Crosman Avenue Drain $ 564.48
Morton Road Drain 1341.97
Bradlee Avenue Drain 1476.66
Total $3383.11
or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to make repairs, renova- tions, additions, alterations and changes, and install heating equip- ment at the Central Fire Engine House on New Ocean Street and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action rela- tive thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
60
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the account of Fire Department Wages to Fire Department Others the sum of $400.00, or take any action relative thereto, as recommended by the Board of Fire Engineers and sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 13. To appropriate and raise by borrowing or otherwise under any general or special law which authorizes the Town to raise money by borrowing or otherwise, such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for any or all of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof at the Town Hall, Post Office and in at least two public and conspicuous places in each precinct in the Town and at or in the immediate vicinity of each railroad station in the Town not less than seven days before the day appointed for said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this thirtieth day of October, A.D., 1940.
ROBERT G. BYRNE, JAMES W. BUCHANAN, PHILIP E. BESSOM, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest: WAYNE ANDERSON, Constable.
RETURN ON THE WARRANT
Pursuant to the within warrant to me directed, I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott, by posting attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Post Offices, at least two public and con- spicuous places in each precinct in the town, and at or in the imme- diate vicinity of each railroad station in Swampscott on Wednesday, October 30, 1940, the posting of said notices being seven days before the time of said meeting.
WAYNE ANDERSON, Constable.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Thursday, November 7, 1940
The meeting was called to order by John R. Hurlburt, Moderator. A quorum not being present (80), it was voted to adjourn to Tuesday evening, November 19, at 7:45 P.M.
Adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
Attest:
. MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
61
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1940]
November 16, 1940
I, Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., Town Clerk of the Town of Swamp- scott, hereby certify in accordance with Chapter IIB, Section 2, of the By-Laws of the Town of Swampscott, the following ad was pub- lished in the Lynn Daily Evening Item and the Lynn Telegram-News on November 16, 1940.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, November 19, 1940, at 7:45 P.M.
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Chapter II "B", Section 2 of the By-Laws of the Town of Swampscott, that the adjourned Special Town Meeting called Thursday, November 7, 1940, has been adjourned by vote of said meeting to Tuesday, November 19, at 7:45 P.M. at the Town Hall.
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR.,
Town Clerk.
and the following notice was mailed to the Town Meeting Members on November 15, 1940:
"Notice is hereby given in accordance with Chapter II "B", Section 2, of the By-Laws of the Town of Swampscott, at the adjourned Special Town Meeting called Thursday, November 7, 1940, has been adjourned by vote of said meeting to Tuesday, November 19, at 7:45 P.M., at the Town Hall."
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, November 19, 1940
In accordance with the adjournment of Thursday, November 7, 1940, the Town Meeting Members assembled at the Town Hall and were called to order at 7:55 P.M. by John R. Hurlburt, Moderator. There were 111 Town Meeting Members present.
Voted: That the reading of the records of the last meeting be omitted.
The Warrant with the return thereon was read by the Town Clerk.
The report of the Finance Committee was read by James W. Santry, Chairman of the said committee.
Voted: Article 1. That the Moderator appoint a committee to investigate the matter of the construction of a new bridge on Essex Street, replacing the present bridge now extending over the tracks of the Boston and Maine Railroad; said committee to render a report to the Town Meeting Members at the next Annual or some subsequent Town Meeting.
Voted: Article 2. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town relocate King's Brook, so-called, from Cherry Street to the Lynn line for a distance of about 1110 feet; that the work be done as a Works Progress Administration project under the supervision of the Water and Sewerage Board, and that the sum of $3500.00 be appropriated therefor as follows: By a transfer of $564.48 from the Crosman Avenue Drain Account, by the transfer of $1341.97
62
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
from the Morton Road Drain Account, by the transfer of $1476.66 from the Bradlee Avenue Drain Account, and by the transfer of $116.89 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Voted: Article 3. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town construct a sewer and surface water drain from Hemenway Road to the rear of the lots on Puritan Road for a dis- tance of about 1125 feet, and that the said work be done as a Works Progress Administration project under the supervision of the Water and Sewerage Board, and that the sum of $6000.00 be appropriated therefor by a transfer of that sum from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Voted: Article 4. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the sum of $1000.00 be appropriated by a transfer from the account of Excess and Deficiency as the Town's proportionate share to carry on a general town-wide park project to be done as a Works Progress Administration project under the supervision of the Board of Park Commissioners.
Voted: Article 5. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed. :
Voted: Article 6. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted: Article 7. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town transfer the following sums to the accounts designated for the purpose of clearing the accounts from the Town Accountant's books: From Emergency Water to Salem Street Water Main, 34 cents; from Lincoln Circle Sewer to Commonwealth Avenue Outdrain Sewer, 1 cent; from Fire Department 3-year Plan to Fire Others, 36 cents; from Fire Hose to Fire Others, $6.00; from Fire Department Service Truck to Fire Others, $5.00; from Highway Truck to Highway Others, $7.81; from Memorial Day to Armistice Day, $1.65; from Fourth of July to Armistice Day, 80 cents; from Park Department Truck to Park Others, $1.50.
Voted: Article 8. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the sum of $138.46 be appropriated by transfer from the account of Excess and Deficiency to the account of Unpaid Bills to pay for gasoline and motor oil supplied to the Police Department during the year 1939.
Voted: Article 9. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town transfer from the account of Town Engineer Wages to the account of Town Engineer Others the sum of $80.00.
Voted: Article 10. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted: Article 11. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Moderator appoint a Committee of three to install heating equipment only at the Fire Engine House on New Ocean
63
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1940]
Street, and that the sum of $1000.00 be appropriated therefor by transfer of that sum from the account of Excess and Deficiency.
Voted: Article 12. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the sum of $400.00 be transferred from the account of Fire Department Wages to the account of Fire Department Others.
Voted: Article 13. To accept the report of the Finance Commit- tee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
Dissolved at 8:15 P.M.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
November 20, 1940
On the above date notice was received from the Moderator of the following committee to supervise the installation of a heating system at the Central Fire Station: Albert S. Hills, Chairman, 137 Norfolk Avenue; Chester A. Brown, 17 Middlesex Avenue, Albert N. Rothermel, 72 Bradlee Avenue.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
RECOUNT OF VOTES
In accordance with a petition filed with the Town Clerk for a Recount of votes cast for County Commissioners at the State Elec- tion, November 5, 1940, said recount was held on Thursday evening, November 21, 1940, at 7:00 P.M., by the Board of Registrars assisted by the following tellers: Henry E. Acker, George H. Chaisson, Charles M. Cahoon, John Yasi, Louis N. Crocker, John D. Healy, Francis C. Parker, Irving Curtis, John T. Morrison, Francis P. Byrne, Walter L. Kehoe, Thomas J. McManus, Charles T. Vray, John G. Callahan, Ralph J. Taylor, Leonard H. Bates, John G. MacLearn, Horace R. Parker (Tabulator).
The results were as follows:
Original Vote
Recount Vote
James D. Bentley
4866
4855
Frederick Butler
3755
3748
Michael F. Conway
...
722
720
J. Fred Manning
1929
1925
Blanks
1568
1590
12,840
12,838
HERBERT W. ANDREWS, CHARLES P. McGETTRICK, HAROLD R. YOUNG, MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR.,
Clerk
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
64
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
November 21, 1940
On the above date notice was received from James W. Libby that he had resumed his duties as duly elected Treasurer of the Town of Swampscott, thereby releasing Olive L. Libby as temporary treasurer.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
RECOUNT OF VOTES
In accordance with a petition filed with the Town Clerk for a Recount of Votes cast for Governor at the State Election, November 5, 1940, said Recount was held on Monday evening, December 2, 1940, at 7:00 P.M. by the Board of Registrars assisted by the following tellers: Henry E. Acker, George H. Chaisson, Charles M. Cahoon, John Yasi, Louis N. Crocker, John D. Healy, Francis G. Parker, Irving Curtis, John T. Morrison, Walter L. Kehoe, Charles T. Vray, John G. Callahan, Ralph J. Taylor, Leonard H. Bates, Donald L. Sawyer, John G. McLearn, William G. Burns, Thomas J. McManus (Tabulator).
The results were as follows:
Original Vote
Recount Vote
Henning A. Blomen
6
6
Jeffrey W. Campbell
9
9
Paul A. Dever
1623
1629
Otis Archer Hood
3
3
E. Tallmadge Root
3
3
Leverett Saltonstall
4687
4665
Blanks
.........
89
104
6420
6419
HERBERT W. ANDREWS, CHARLES P. McGETTRICK, HAROLD R. YOUNG, MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR.,
Clerk.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk
December 20, 1940
On the above date notice was received from John R. Hurlburt, Moderator, that he had appointed the following Committee to inves- tigate and report on the proposed plan for the relocation of the bridge at Essex Street:
Henry S. Baldwin, Chairman, 141 Elmwood Road Philip W. Blood, 33 Rockland Street Gordon F. Fuller, 14 Ocean View Road
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
..... ...
......
.....
·
·
......
........
65
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1940]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Department of Corporations and Taxation DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON
May 21, 1940
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Robert G. Byrne, Chairman Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Swampscott for the year ending December 31, 1939, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Her- man B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
TNW:MC
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Swampscott for the year end- ing December 31, 1939, and submit the following report thereon.
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the sev- eral departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by a comparison with the books of the town accountant and the treasurer.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked with the treasurer's books and with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town.
The appropriations and transfers as entered in the ledger were checked with the town clerk's record of appropriations and transfers voted by the town. A balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on De- cember 31, 1939.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the records in the departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds. The cash balance on
66
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
March 8, 1940, was proved by a reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securi- ties on file.
The securities and savings bank books representing the invest- ment of the trust, investment, and municipal retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, and the bank balances were reconciled. The income was proved and the with- drawals were checked with the receipts as shown on the treasurer's cash book.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked with the deeds on file. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records and the redemp- tions were checked with the receipts as recorded on the treasurer's cash book.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The property and motor vehicle excise taxes, special assessments, and the departmental and water accounts receivable outstanding at the time of the previous examination were audited, and all subsequent commitments were checked to the warrants for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were checked to the treasurer's cash book, the recorded abatements were compared with the records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was made by sending notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The books and accounts of the town collector have been neatly and accurately kept, the work of the audit being facilitated thereby.
The records of receipts from licenses issued by the selectmen were examined, and the payments to the treasurer were checked with the treasurer's cash book.
The town clerk's records of sporting and dog licenses were ex- amined, the payments to the State being verified with the receipts on file and the payments to the town treasurer being compared with the treasurer's cash book.
The surety bonds of the several town officials required by law to furnish them were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts of the health, library, school, and ceme- tery departments were examined and verified by a comparison with the treasurer's and the accountant's books.
The vouchers and pay-rolls of the public welfare department, including the bureau of old age assistance, were examined and found to meet the necessary legal requirements.
In addition to the departments and accounts mentioned, the records of all other departments wherein money is collected for the town were examined and checked.
There are appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet. tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, sum- maries of the tax, assessment, tax title, departmental and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the several trust and investment funds.
While engaged in making the audit, co-operation was received from all town officials, for which. on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE,
Assistant Director af Accounts.
HBD:MC
67
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
1940]
Board of Assessors
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Assessors submits the following report for the year 1940:
The property in the town assessed by the local assessors Jan- uary 1, 1940, amounted to $23,868,602, an increase over the previous year (1939) of $158,452.
The real estate valuation January 1, 1940, was $22,664,771, an increase over the previous year (1939) of $178,589. The valuation of personal estate assessed by the local assessors January 1, 1940, was $1,203,831, a decrease over the previous year (1939) of $20,137.
There was charged on the excise tax on automobile for the year 1940, $44,251.88, an increase over the previous year (1939) of $6,784.32.
The following tables show how the assessors arrived at the tax rate:
Liabilities, Town of Swampscott, 1940
*STATE ASSESSMENTS:
State Tax 1940
$58,080.00
Auditing Municipal Accounts
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