USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1941 > Part 12
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What fill was obtained was picked up from Town Construction Jobs and from private operations; such as, Lynn Sand and Stone Company The fill has now reached the point where this space is un- usable and a complete filling and grading job must be done to make this area usable.
An Artisan Well was started and will be finished early in 1942. The cost of the water used on the football field alone will pay for this well in a very few years. The water from this well has been tested and approved and the Health Department has designated it as an emergency source of water in the National Defense Program.
Tree Work
We regret to announce that Benjamin C. Pedrick, a member of the Tree Department for over 37 years, died on May 16, 1941.
Mr. Arthur Lees, an experienced tree surgeon, was employed to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Pedrick's death.
The W.P.A. Moth Project destroyed over 60,000 egg mass of the Tent Caterpillar and gave valuable assistance in the spraying of woodlands and creosoting of Gypsy Moth egg clusters.
A definite progressive scheduling of pruning was started to permit a systematic coverage of the town in giving proper care to its shade trees.
A plan of underplanting of matured trees was also started in order that no gaps will exist whenever it becomes necessary to remove the large, dangerous trees.
All new developments in town are being planted with a definite plan in mind so that there will be no interference with sidewalk and curbing construction. Over 75 new, small trees were planted con- sisting mainly of Sugar Maples, Norway Maples, Pin Oaks and Moline Elms.
149
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
1941]
The Elm Leaf Beetle was again prevalent, but was kept under control. Gypsy and Browntail Moths gave no serious trouble, due in great part to the work of the W.P.A. Moth Projects. Respectfully submitted,
Park Commissioners. JOHN HOMAN, Chairman, FRED C. BURK, RALPH R. LINDSEY,
Public Library
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith present their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Circulation
The best measure of the usefulness of the library to the citi- zens of the town is the number of books borrowed. This year, de- spite a general decrease in circulation throughout the country, here in Swampscott there has been a total increase of 1,113. In both adult fiction and non-fiction, however, there has been a slight de- crease in circulation over the preceding year on account of the fact that so many more people are at work. This trend in circulation is likely to continue for the duration. The decrease in non-fiction is negligible, supplying still further evidence of the serious type of reading done by the users of the library.
In the juvenile department the circulation has increased by more than 3,000 books. More boys and girls have made use of the library this year in response to the interesting and varied activities initiated by the Children's Librarian.
This trend is very encouraging, because it means more and bet- ter readers. Better reading means faster reading, and that means better progress in school. There is a definite correlation between habitual use of the public library and educational achievement.
Statistical details as to circulation appear at the end of this report.
Lighting
The installation of fluorescent lights in the children's room has increased the quantity and improved the quality of the light in that room. The result, of course, is a reduction of eye strain.
A Repository
The library is becoming a repository for historical material of great local value. Stored there is the Roll Book of the James L. Bates Post, Number 118, Grand Army .of the Republic; the complete records, original constitution, by-laws, and other material of the Swampscott Woman's Club; a complete file of the "Swampscotta," the High School magazine; and a complete file of annual town re- ports.
Mrs. Arthur Widger has presented to the library a collection of "Farmer's Almanacs," fifty-six in all, dating from 1861.
Through the interest of the Reverend James D. Cummins, Sec- retary of the Board of Trustees, it was learned that Dr. William
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
R. Lawrence, who founded the Swampscott Public Library in 1852, was an uncle of the late Bishop William Lawrence, who presented to the library volumes by Dr. Lawrence and by himself, and phot- tographs of Dr. Lawrence and his wife.
Professor Thomson Portrait
On May 11, 1941, at the library was held the unveiling ceremony of the portrait of Professor Elihu Thomson. This portrait was presented to the library by Mrs. Elihu Thomson, who unveiled it.
Library Staff
The library staff, under the direction of Mr. Arthur H. Parsons, Jr., as librarian, is doing a constructive piece of educational work in Swampscott. On account of their special training the library is rendering a broader and more efficient service than ever. It is a highly important professional type of service, which is much ap- preciated by the townspeople.
The Board of Trustees takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Parsons and the members of his staff for their unselfish, intelligent, and effective work throughout the year.
Library Statistics-1941
Circulation :
Adult fiction
50,649
Adult non-fiction
18,458
Adult periodicals
3,845
72,952
72,952
Juvenile fiction
21,742
Juvenile non-fiction
5,208
Juvenile periodicals
1,109
28,059
28,059
Books:
New books added
2,096
Books discarded
238
Books in library, January 1, 1942
25,557
Fines: Fine receipts turned over to the town
$879.27
Gifts
The Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledges gifts of books from the following:
Mrs. Walters
Mrs. Donald Goss
Mrs. Clayton Rock
Mrs. Norman S. Dillingham
Miss Prudence Potter
Miss Leila M. Dominick
Mr. Oscar Raymond
Miss Mary C. E. Jackson
Miss Olive Pitman
Mr. Thomas Hunt
Miss Bessy Creighton
Mrs. Willard S. Porter
Miss Madeline Lawrence
Mrs. Fred Eveleth
Mrs. Rose H. Roberts
Miss Ruth Whiting
Mr. Harold Whitmore
Mr. Charles Addison, Jr.
The Misses Friedman
Mrs. Arthur Widger
Mrs. Georgie Currant
Mr. Freeman B. Hudson
Mrs. Harry C. Robbins
Mr. H. C. Robbins
Rt. Rev. William Lawrence
Respectfully submitted, LEE T. GRAY, JAMES D. CUMMINS,
Board of Trustees.
101,011
151
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1941]
Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1941.
At the present time we are carrying on our rolls only unem- ployable persons.
The people we are aiding are physically unable to obtain em- ployment, or aliens not eligible for defense work. The majority of them are between the ages of fifty to sixty-four years.
People in this age group find it practically impossible to obtain work. As fast as these people reach the age of sixty-five years, we then transfer them to our Old Age Assistance Department, as the Federal Government and the State participate, along with the town in payments made to recipients of this class.
In the past there have been wide diversities of granting relief. Now we have a uniform standard budget, which is issued by the State Department of Public Welfare and is adjusted to the cost of living every six months.
Swampscott now administers assistance on a budgetary basis, which takes into consideration the actual needs of the individual family in relation to an accepted standard, and providing adequate assistance on such a basis leads to a fair distribution of agency funds and conservation of the taxpayer's money.
The Board has made a concerted action to collect all monies due the town for aid granted by this department.
We have tried to operate on a pay as you go policy and at the close of the year all bills will be paid, except those now in litiga- tion, which are being handled by our Town Counsel.
In accordance with the State Department of Public Welfare, we are obliged to create a separate department for the administra- tion of Aid to Dependent Children. This action will insure the town of its reimbursements from the State and Federal Govern- ments, who participate in the payments with the town in Aid to Dependent cases.
We wish to convey our thanks to the various fraternal and social service organizations for their fine co-operation with our de- partment, during the year.
The town has been reimbursed for aid granted to the amount of $6,706.25, plus a balance of $1,958.00 on hand December 31, 1941 from Federal Funds, Aid to Dependent Children, which deducted from our expenditures makes a net cost to the town of $15,445.00. This is a saving of $3,296.59 over the previous year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED M. SEATON, EDWARD F. FIEDLER, DONALD REDFERN, Board of Public Welfare.
152
COMPARISONS OF PERSONS AIDED
Families Aided
1939
1940
1941
1939
1940
1941
1939
1940
1941
1939
1941
1939
1941
January
64
44
27
6
9
16
4
8
7
310
225
164
11
16
12
February
55
41
25
6
8
16
5
8
7
280
201
163
11
16
13
March
48
37
27
5
9
15
6
8
7
244
192
169
12
16
14
April
46
28
14
6
14
16
6
9
7
230
143
119
12
16
14
May
17
23
5
9
13
16
8
10
7
76
128
67
12
16
13
June
15
24
9
12
15
16
8
9
7
81
119
88
12
15
14
July
15
20
6
12
16
19
8
8
7
75
106
70
12
15
13
August
18
17
6
8
15
22
9
7
5
87
90
76
12
15
14
September
26
14
7
8
15
20
8
6
5
121
73
87
12
13
14
October
. .
23
22
3
7
15
20
8
6
5
92
101
67
13
13
13
November
·
30
26
12
11
13
18
8
6
5
154
125
91
14
13
13
December
·
42
29
13
10
14
17
8
6
5
209
146
98
14
12
13
· ·
. . . .
...
·
.. .
.
.
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
·
Single (non-family) persons aided
Persons Aided In Inst.
Total Number of Persons Aided on P.W.A. 1940
Total No. of Families Aided on A.D.C. 1940
SUMMARY OF TEMPORARY RELIEF
1939
1940
1941
Families aided during the year .
135
109
81
Families being aided at the present time
62
49
31
Families aided at the expense of other cities and towns
18
14
11
Families aided at the expense of the State .
25
17
15
Families aided with settlement in Swampscott
83
67
48
Persons supported in State Institutions
9
11
7
Number of new applications rejected during the year
.
5
4
3
Number of new applications received during the year
22
22
16
Number of requests for aid rejected during the year .
166
132
114
SUMMARY OF AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Families aided during the year
1939
1940
1941
14
17
16
PAID TO OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS
1939
1940
1941
Lynn
$2,765.78
Lynn
$2,553.57
Lynn
$2,331.90
Brockton
42.94
Millis
544.30
Cambridge
67.92
Brockton
307.51
Brockton
310.30
Cambridge
15.00
Salem
163.85
Framingham
72.85
Boston
19.61
Palmer
13.43
Somerville
16.00
Peabody
11.00
Revere
45.00
Salem
1.25
$2,808.72
$3,579.91
$2,893.68
153
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1941]
REIMBUR SEMENTS
1939
1940
1941
Cities and Towns
$404.34
Individuals
378.24
State
Temporary Aid
1,230.56
Aid to Dependent Children
848.68
Federal Grant A. D. C. 1,258.63
Federal Grant A. D. C.
2,554.00
Federal Grant Admin. 133.60
Federal Grant Admin. 261.65
$6,821.60
$11,393.02
AMOUNTS DUE TOWN
1940
Individuals
$814.60
Individuals
$706.19
Peabody
14.00
Peabody
14.00
Peabody
5.47
Lynn
642.42
Lynn
135.94
Lynn
140.53
State Temporary Aid
327.30
State Temporary Aid
545.34
State Temporary Aid
471.31
State A. D. C.
2,526.97
State A. D. C.
437.13
Worcester
123.65
Worcester
92.59
Revere
6.25
Boston
170.01
$4,455.19
$2,101.20
$878.06
154
TOWN DOCUMENTS
1941
Individuals
$107.67
Boston
153.08
Cities and Towns
$1,412.44 388.41
Individuals
598.94
State
State
Temporary Aid
1,555.16
Temporary Aid
1,622.30
Aid to Dependent Children
5,154.22
Aid to Dependent Children
2,015.15
Federal Grant A. D. C. 2,365.67
Federal Grant Admin. 282.29
$6,676.25
1939
Cities and Towns
$2,426.59
Individuals
[Dec. 31
155
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
1941]
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
Your Bureau of Old Age Assistance has endeavored to render their best service in the interest of the town and in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State Department during the past year.
The number of cases as of January 1, 1941, was 161 and at the close of the year ending December 31, 1941 there are 162 cases on our rolls.
The cost of administering Old Age Assistance is problemat- ical for the year 1942, as we are awaiting the interpretation of Chapter 729 of the Acts of 1941 as passed by the legislature lib- eralizing the grants in the Old Age Assistance Law.
The changes made by the 1941 legislative session can be sum- marized as follows:
Residence requirements reduced from 5 to 3 years out of the past 9.
Minimum grants subject to deductions of other income and resources are increased from $30 to $40 for individuals living alone; from $50 to $65 for married couples, both eligible, living alone, or brothers and sisters both eligible living alone after April 30, 1942. For all others, living in a family group, the present minimum amounts will continue to apply. The determination as to what constitutes a family group shall be made in accordance with the State Department's rules and regulations.
Deductions from the minimum amounts because of income or resources shall be made in accordance with the State Department's rules.
Local boards and bureaus shall comply with all rules and reg- ulations adopted by the State Department.
A scale is set up exempting legally liable relatives living apart from Old Age Assistance applicants or recipients as follows:
Unmarried child living apart from parents $1,000
Married child with 1 child living apart from parents 2,000
Married child with 2 children living apart from parents 2,500 Married child with 3 children living apart from parents 3,000 All others shall be determined on the merits of the particular case. This scale is effective April 30, 1942.
Equity in real estate shall be based on the five year average and $3,000 is clearly exempt.
Recovery may be sought from a person or his estate or any property not otherwise exempted by law. The State Department must approve such suits.
Insurance of $1000 or less, regardless of date of issue, does not disqualify an applicant. This is now in effect.
A recipient will be allowed up to 90 days per year visit out of the State, or longer to avoid hardship, instead of the present 30 day law. Rules must be issued to cover exceptions on hardship cases.
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
During the latter part of the year at the request of the State Department of Public Welfare, it was necessary to review the bud- gets of many of our people receiving assistance, because of the large income of children employed on defense work. The result of this survey meant a reduction in some cases. This action was taken because of the fact final approval had to be given it by the State to insure us of our full reimbursement.
Recently we have remodeled our offices, so that we now have a private interview room for the Old Age Assistance applicants. This was done to conform to the State law, which requires that proper quarters should be available, both for the meeting and re- ception of applicants.
This improvement in our offices has met with the full approval of the many people, who find it necessary to do business with our department. The expense of these alterations was borne by funds, which we received from the Federal Government, which money can only be used for administration expense.
We are pleased to state that practically all monies due the town have been collected.
Following is a financial summary of the work accomplished by this department during the past year:
EXPENDITURES
Local Assistance
$60,334.39
Swampscott cases aided in other Cities and Towns
2,065.99
Salaries and Wages
1,892.00
Office Administration
1,023.14
Total
$65,315.52
REIMBURSEMENTS
From Federal Government:
For Assistance
$28,696.81 958.46
For Administration
Total
$29,655.27
From State Department
21,170.53
From Cities and Towns
2,424.41
Total
$53,250.21
Total Expenditures
$65,315.52
Total Reimbursements 53,250.21
Balance $12,065.31
Balance on hand from Federal
Funds, December 31, 1941 $9,228.35
Bills due from Cities and Towns 20.66
Total 9,249.01
Net Cost to Swampscott for 1941
$2,816.30
157
SURPLUS COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION
1941]
SUMMARY OF CASES
Total receiving assistance
191
Number receiving aid December 31, 1941
162
Cases closed
29
New applications
34
Cases accepted
30
Cases rejected
4
Respectfully submitted,
FRED M. SEATON, DONALD REDFERN,
W. B. CHAPMAN,
Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
Surplus Commodities Distribution
During the year 1941, we have continued the distribution of Federal food and clothing commodities from the W.P.A. distribu- tion center at 442 Humphrey Street, Swampscott.
Those entitled to receive Federal commodities are the employ- ees of the W.P.A., Old Age Assistance Recipients, Aid to Depend- ent Children families and General Relief cases, all of whom are certified by the Board of Public Walfare.
The following list of foods were distributed during the year:
Apples
15,920 lbs.
Cereal
5,596 lbs.
Potatoes
17,375 lbs.
Carrots
9,575 lbs.
Lima Beans
1,500 lbs.
Pea Beans
9,500 lbs.
Beets
4,275 lbs.
Bacon
543 lbs.
Cabbage
3,160 lbs.
Celery
60 lbs.
Corn Meal
2,800 lbs.
Prunes
4,150 lbs.
Flour (Graham)
7,840 lbs.
Flour (Wheat)
19,600 lbs.
Grapefruit
9,672 lbs.
Ham
2,410 lbs.
Lard
8,352 lbs.
Peaches
4,275 lbs.
Fresh Corn
425 Doz.
Carrots
360 Cans
Fresh Milk
31,082 qts.
Grapefruit Juice
326. Cans
Eggs
2,580 Doz.
The above food commodities represented a total valuation of $18,212.65. In addition to the food we received 82 pairs of men's shoes and 9,802 articles of clothing valued at $7,572.20. The clothing was a variation of about 25 kinds of apparel for men, women and children.
Beginning January 1, 1942, we are moving the Commodity Store from 442 Humphrey Street, to 29 New Ocean Street, Swamp- scott, which is more centrally located and accessible to the greatest number of recipients. This change in location should also result in a saving to the town.
It is of interest to note that we have had very few requests from welfare recipients for clothing and we believe our welfare costs have been kept at a minimum in this respect.
FRED M. SEATON, Chairman, Board of Public Welfare.
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
W. P. A.
The following is submitted by the W.P.A. Co-ordinator for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Many worthwhile projects have been in operation under the W.P.A. program during the year and as reports submitted by va- rious town departments, who have sponsored these projects have incorporated details of work accomplished it will suffice for this report, to enumerate the projects upon which the labor expense was furnished by W.P.A. and the town furnished equipment and mate- rial as follows:
Fire Records, Housekeeping Aid, Recreation, Moth, Salem Street Water Main and Commodity Food Center and surface water drain construction in the following locations:
Kings Brook Drain between Cherry Street and Hillside Avenue, also Hemenway Road Drain which will provide work for the men this winter. We also have a Town wide Park Project which will give work to the men for the coming year.
The Sidewalk Project in various sections of the town is ideal work through the summer months, as it not only provides work that can be handled by unskilled workers but one-half of construc- tion costs, except Federal labor, is assessed to abutters.
The Recreation Project carries on a program for all the year round activities and is very popular with both youth and adults, and many fine comments have been expressed regarding work accom- plished by supervised outdoor and indoor activities.
Private industry made inroads in our personnel due to defense work that is to say about all the younger men were absorbed by private employment.
We also have waiting a project for a Garage at the Swampscott Cemetery but owing to defense work we could not obtain the mate- rial so will have to let it wait till later on when restrictions will be lifted.
In January we had 110 men and women working on W.P.A. which was the peak for the year. The W.P.A. took a drastic cut in personnel in June and July and combined with private employment dropped our workers to about 43. By keeping in touch with the State Office we had fourteen workers returned that had been dropped by the quota reductions and today we have about fifty-five workers. The Federal Government gave the W.P.A. workers in the lower brackets a raise in pay in November of this year. In March and April we had seven men dropped by a new ruling by the Federal Government that any one having employment compensation coming to them could not work on the W.P.A., but later it was modified so that unless the worker received more than six dollars per week and did not apply for same were allowed to work.
Federal relations have been very helpfully extended in the hand- ling of the problems involved in our co-operative program, and we are deeply appreciative of the results and courteous attitude wherein matters pertaining to the work have been involved and the kind co- operation of the Field Engineer from the Salem Office.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES D. ADDISON, Sponsors Agent W.P.A.
159
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
1941]
W. P. A. Referral Agent
As Referral Agent of the W.P.A. it has been my duty to cer- tify all persons eligible for work on W.P.A.
When a person is certified, his application is immediately for- warded to Boston and they in turn, assign him or her to the various projects.
Listed below you will note a tabulation of the number of work- ers employed and certified for the year 1941.
Number of persons employed December 1940 105
Number of persons employed December 1941 54
Peak of workers employed January 1941 110 Number of applications certified and recertified 112
The large number employed on the W.P.A. has been a great assistance to the town and has helped many persons to stay off wel- fare rolls. I have at all times demanded that persons asking for aid, apply for W.P.A. and at the present time, there are only a few awaiting assignments.
I have received the fullest co-operation from the State Head- quarters of the W.P.A. in Boston and from Mr. Harry M. Shanahan, Area Supervisor of the Salem Regional Office to whom I wish to. extend my thanks and appreciation at this time.
FRED M. SEATON,
Referral Agent.
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year of 1941 there were 396 complaints received con- cerning dogs, all of which have been investigated and remedied. There were two complaints of serious nature relative to dogs, which after investigation, a report was submitted to the Board of Select- men. Hearings were held by the board concerning these cases and were disposed of after necessary action had been taken in behalf of the complainants.
A total of 404 dogs were turned over to the Dog Officer, 77 were restored to their various owners, and 399 later 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 procure the necessary licenses. The total number of licenses issued during the year were 750.
I wish to thank the Chief of Police for the helpful co-operation extended by his department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIS E. SHEPHARD,
Dog Officer.
160
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, 1941.
We have replaced 878 feet of 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe in Salem Street with 12-inch.
We have replaced 375 feet of 2-inch Wrought Iron Pipe in Pur- itan Lane with 4-inch Cast Iron Pipe.
We have installed 337 feet of 6-inch Cast Iron Pipe in Blodgett Avenue.
124 Services have been cleaned out.
37 Leaks on services have been repaired.
31 New Services have been installed.
18 Services have been renewed from the main to curb box.
7 Services have been renewed from curb box to meter.
6 Breaks in distributing mains have been repaired.
2 Services have been abandoned.
14 Flush manholes were abandoned for the Sewer Dept.
Hydrants were flushed in the Spring to clear out mains and assure us that the town would receive a plentiful supply of clean water.
This Fall the hydrants were not flushed due to having had such a dry summer. However, the regular Fall checking of the hydrants was made to ascertain if any repairs were necessary and those found in the need were attended to.
Through the Highway Department, who purchased a compres- sor last year, and through the co-operation of the Surveyor of High- ways, who has so generously allowed this department the use of it; a great saving has been made both to this department and the property owners.
The roofing paper on the garage roof was in such poor condition it became necessary for it to be repaired.
The front stairway to the shop building was also repaired.
All pipe and fittings with few exceptions have been cleaned and given a protective coating of black paint.
All excavations made by this department during the year have been brought to grade and tar patched.
Nothing was done on the Essex Street, Worcester Avenue, Ply- mouth Avenue, Forest Avenue, or Pine Hill Road water mains due to unfinished road construction.
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