USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1943 > Part 4
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(2)
That the heads and boards in charge of such departments be directed to put such increases into effect; with the following ex- ceptions; where an employee subsequent to December 31, 1940, has been hired or appointed to fill a vacancy in a position existing on December 31, 1940, the established compensation of such position as of December 31, 1940, shall be taken as the basis on which to compute said 15%.
(3)
That the said increases recommended by this report become effective as of the first day of January, 1943; that each employee, as referred to in Section 1, in the service of the town on January 1, 1943, or entering said service while the above recommendations are in effect shall be entitled to receive the compensation of his or her position as thus increased; that the compensation adjustments made thereby, be deemed, for the purposes of Gen. Laws, Chap. 32 and otherwise, cost of living bonuses and not a portion of the established wage or salary of the recipient; and that such bonuses may be con- tinued after Dec. 31, 1943, and until such action by the annual town meeting of 1944 thereon.
(4)
No consideration is given to the salaries of elected officials, since the annual town meeting voted that they remain unchanged
38
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
and this fixes them for the current year. These recommendations do not apply to elective town positions, nor to appointive positions held by such elected town officials, nor to appointed positions not covered by the definition of full and part time employee, excepting, however, the position as investigator for the Board of Public Wel- fare and Old Age Assistance, which position shall be treated as other employees, aforesaid.
(5)
That the town accountant be instructed to compute and credit the departments affected such sums as may be necessary to carry out these recommendations.
(6)
There are some town employees who work the full number of hours, constituting a work week but whose time is divided between departments and paid for from more than one appropriation; and in another instance, some work the full number of hours constituting a work week, but are paid in part by the town and in part by the Federal Government. In reference to the employees falling in these catagories, it shall be the duty of the town accountant and the heads of the respective town departments affected thereby to adjust and allocate such increase or increases upon the following basis:
The said bonus in the case of such employee serving on a part- time basis in a town department shall be adjusted to an amount which bears the same ratio to said bonus as his service bears to full-time service and in the case of any such person paid in part by the town and in part by the Federal Government shall be adjusted to an amount which bears the same ratio to said bonus as the amount of salary paid by the town bears to his total salary.
CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, KENNETH W. ULMAN, ARNOLD S. POTTER, HAROLD F. HARVEY.
The Chairman of this committee, Harry D. Linscott, did not concur with this report and did not sign the same.
This report was accompanied by charts or graphs showing data compiled by the committee relative to existing salaries paid in Swampscott and in other Towns of like valuation and population. These charts are on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
June 22, 1943
Voted: Article 1. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted: Article 2. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted: Article 3. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the salaries and wages of the Town's permanent full-time employees, excepting laborers in the Highway and Park Depart- ments, be increased at the rate of $125.00 per annum retroactive to January 1, 1943 and that the sum of $20,142.50 be transferred from the Excess & Deficiency Fund to the Salary and Wage Accounts of the respective Town Departments as follows:
39
RECORDS OF TOWN .CLERK
Wage Accounts
Amount
Selectmen
$ 125.00
Town Accountant
312.50
Collector of Taxes
187.50
Town Clerk
187.50
Assessors
125.00
Engineering
375.00
Town Hall
250.00
Police
2,125.00
Contributory
62.50
Fire
2,500.00
Health
375.00
Sewer
392.50
Highway
125.00
Public Welfare
250.00
Old Age Assistance
125.00
Schools
11,750.00
Park Department
1,125.00
Library
750.00
$20,142.50
That the sum of $375.00 be transferred from The Cemetery Lots Fund to the account of Cemetery Salary & Wage Account.
That the sum of $857.50 be transferred from the account of Water Available Surplus to the account of Water Salary & Wage Account.
These aforesaid increases at the rate of $125.00 per annum shall terminate on March 31, 1944 unless continuance shall be provided for at the next Annual Town Meeting.
Voted: Article 4. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the sum of $408.35 be appropriated by a transfer from the Cemetery Lots Fund to the account of the Cemetery Department, Salaries and Wages.
Voted: Article 5. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Voted: Article 6. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the sum of $4,000.00 be appropriated by transfer of that amount from the Excess & Deficiency Fund for this purpose.
Voted: Article 7. To accept the report of the Finance Com- mittee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this Article be indefinitely postponed.
Dissolved at 9:45 P.M.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
October 6, 1943
On the above date John R. Hurlburt, Moderator, appointed Harry M. Shanahan, 4 Ellis Terrace, as a member of the Finance Com- mittee to fill the vacancy in Precinct 3.
1943]
40
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
October 13, 1943
On the above date John R. Hurlburt, Moderator, appointed Harold F. Carlson, 7 Blaney Circle, a member of the Finance Committee to fill the vacancy in Precinct Six.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, October 26, 1943
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 Swamp- scott, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall in said Swampscott on Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of October, 1943 at 7:45 P.M., then and there to act on the fol- lowing articles, viz .:
Article 1. To see if the Town will authorize and direct a special committee, of not exceeding five town meeting members, to be ap- pointed by the Town Moderator, said committee to investigate, study and consider the possibility, advisability and practicability of the Town's acquiring by purchase, eminent domain or in any other legal manner the real estate consisting of large brick dwelling house, garage, and land of the late Elihu Thomson, numbered 22 Monument Avenue, Swampscott, for a town administration building and any other municipal purpose; and also to determine or estimate the cost of acquiring the same, and the cost and feasibility of any alterations, changes or additions that may be necessary to adapt said property to municipal uses; said committee to file its report with the Town Clerk as soon as it conveniently can and in any event before or im- mediately after January 1, 1944, in order that its report and action by the Town thereon may be taken at a time not later in any event than the next annual town meeting; and that for the purpose of said committee in making such investigation and report the Finance Com- mittee be requested to transfer from the Emergency Fund the sum of Five Hundred ($500) Dollars to the use of the committee; and that the committee's report when ready be put in proper printed or typewritten form and mailed to each town meeting member as peti- tioned for by Henry S. Baldwin and others.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of uniforms as requested by members of the the Auxiliary Police Force or take any action relative thereto. Spon- sored by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to accept Brooks Terrace so-called as a public way as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with plans drawn by Howard L. Hamill, Town Engineer, dated March 15, 1943 and appropriate money therefor or take any action relative thereto as petitioned for by J. Harold Gillen and others.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of
41
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK
1943]
money for the purpose of alterations and painting the Police Station or take any action relative thereto. Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an at- tested 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 fourteenth day of October, A. D. 1943.
JAMES W. BUCHANAN, PHILIP E. BESSOM, ALBERT S. HILLS, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest.
LEONARD H. BATES, 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 Monday, October 18, 1943, the posting of said notices being seven days before the time of said meeting.
LEONARD H. BATES, Constable.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, October 26, 1943
There being no quorum present, the special town meeting was adjourned to the next annual town meeting.
Attest:
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
42
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Department of Corporations and Taxation
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Robert G. Byrne, Chairman Swampscott, Massachusetts
April 15, 1943
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and ac- counts of the town of Swampscott for the fiscal year ending Decem- ber 31, 1942, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman 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:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Swampscott for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1942, the following report being submitted thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by comparison with the records of the town accountant.
The town accountant's general and appropriation ledgers were analyzed. The appropriations and transfers, as entered, were com- pared with the town clerk's record of financial votes passed in town meetings and with the finance committee's records of transfers au- thorized from the reserve fund, and a balance sheet showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1942, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The accounts of the town treasurer, including those of the late treasurer and of the temporary treasurer, were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and com- pared with the various sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the records of disbursements were com- pared with the accountant's books and with the treasury warrants approved by the board of selectmen.
The treasurer's cash balance on February 23, 1943, was proved
43
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1943]
by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks in which town funds are deposited.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and checked with the cancelled notes and coupons on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust, investment, and retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer were listed. The income and withdrawals were verified, and the balances were reconciled with the books of the town accountant, and, in the case of the retirement funds, with the books of the retirement board.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and listed. The taxes transferred by the collector were proved, the re- ported redemptions were checked with the treasurer's receipts, and the outstanding accounts were verified by checking with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked in detail. The tax, departmental, and water accounts outstanding at the time of the previous examination, and all sub- sequent commitments, were audited and compared with the war- rants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the town treasurer and with the town ac- countant's ledger, the abatements were compared with the records in the departments authorized to grant them, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the town accountant's ledger.
The outstanding tax, departmental, and water accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The cash books were footed, and the collector's cash balance on February 23, 1943, was verified by actual count of the cash in the office and by reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
It is recommended that the collector post all interest and poll costs collections to the commitment books, and that all costs col- lections be entered in the cash book so as to show the total amount paid by the tax-payer.
"Difficulty was encountered in auditing the water accounts. A new form of commitment list was installed during the year, and while this form has several definite advantages over the one which was previously used, the new form requires the footing and proving of all columns in the commitment list promptly at the close of each quarterly period. When this is not done, as was the case in the past year, the accounts do not lend themselves readily to audit. Ac- cordingly, it is recommended that the water commitment lists be balanced promptly at the end of each quarter, and that all transac- tions be recorded in the proper spaces for each quarter concerned."
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked. The receipts from dog and from sporting licenses were proved, and the payments to the town, county, and State were verified.
The surety bonds of the financial officials required by law to furnish them were examined and found to be in proper form.
44
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The records of licenses and permits issued by the board of selectmen, building inspector, inspector of plumbing, and by the police and health departments, and of receipts from the sealer of weights and measures, school, library, and cemetery departments, were examined and reconciled with the town treasurer's receipts and with the town accountant's records.
It was noted that it has been the custom for the cemetery superintendent to retain fees collected for interments, foundations, etc., as compensation for the work done. This practice is contrary to Section 53, Chapter 44, General Laws, which requires all receipts of a department to be paid into the town treasury. It is therefore recommended that all such cemetery receipts be paid into the town treasury and used by the assessors as an estimated receipt deduc- tion, while a sufficient appropriation be provided to pay for all salaries and wages of the cemetery department.
The petty cash advances in the various town departments were verified by actual count.
In addition to the balance sheet, there are appended to this report tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and of the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, tax title, departmental, and water accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust, investment, and retirement funds.
For the cooperation extended by the several town officials dur- ing the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
HBD:MC
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1943 there were 550 complaints concerning dogs, all of which have been investigated and remedied.
There were 456 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 97 being restored to their various owners and 366 later proven to be stray dogs, were disposed of. During the past year, many complaints were received relative to dogs being poisoned. With the cooperation of the Police Department many of these cases were investigated. Also many dogs were reported killed on the highways of the town.
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 690.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS E. SHEPHARD, Dog Officer.
45
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
1943]
Board of Fire Engineers
December 16, 1943
To the Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Fire Engineers submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1943. The Chief of Department will file his customary report separately.
On January 19th the Phillips Beach telephone was discontinued to insure that all emergency fire calls are received at the Central House. A new line was installed at the Central House for all per- sonal and business calls. The old number, Lynn 2-0082, is reserved for FIRE EMERGENCY CALLS ONLY, thus insuring an open line at all times, which should not be subject to a busy signal be- cause of other use.
We regret that in spite of the wide publicity given this change several times, some citizens have been inconvenienced by trying to reach the Phillips Beach House for various reasons.
Still additional telephone protection was obtained on October 27th when with the cooperation of the Police Department an extension to the Fire Emergency line was installed at their headquarters. This will insure the proper transmittal of any fire call should our de- partment be out at the time.
Audible Fire Alarm System
The Annual Town Meeting voted the cost of an audible alarm system that could replace the present one which is not over ef- ficient, but probably useable for a long time to come as a callman fire signal. Its replacement was called for by the Committee of Public Safety who were having difficulty in securing a simultaneous Air Raid signal.
Application was made for the necessary priority and it was denied, as also was the appeal to the War Production Board's deci- sion. The final word from the latter board termed our requirements entirely too elaborate for the use of the critical materials involved, their recommendation being for separately controlled air horns such as were being used.
Personnel
With the Board's meeting of April 27th the department lost the services of Chairman Albert S. Hills, who became Military Sub- stitute Selectman for Robert G. Byrne.
His untiring efforts and accomplishments during his term of office have been appreciated by this Board and the entire depart- ment.
We are not a young department, but we are proud of our mili- tary service record. Details are recorded in the Chief's report.
Fire Protection Survey
Last year a survey was made by the New England Fire Insur- ance Rating Association. Up to this writing we have made several requests for the findings without result. It is, however, promised for December 15th, too late to be studied and expenditures, if neces- sitated by it, included in this coming year's budget. It is reason-
46
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
able to believe that no serious shortcomings could have been found in the department or the report would seemingly have been sub- mitted promptly.
Fire Flow Tests of hydrants picked at random were received late in August. These disclosed that a fair percentage of hydrants discharge at a lower rate than a desired required flow. Chief Lampard reports that this is a general condition found in all com- munities.
Office of Defense Transportation
This agency requested that all unnecessary running of depart- ment vehicles be eliminated. We have cooperated to the full ex- tent of our ability.
Hose, Policy, and Recommendations
We have been mindful for the past two years that our supply of 21/2 inch hose is about a thousand feet short of an amount judged desirable. It is, however, our considered opinion that the amount on hand is adequate for any reasonable fire requirement without jeopardizing public safety or property.
We did not include in either this year's budget or town warrant a sum to cover the purchase of hose, and it is not our intention to include any amount for this purpose in either for 1944.
Reliable sources of supply advise that hose of our usual stand- ard cannot be purchased at this time, and rather than accept inferior hose, we prefer to postpone purchase until such time as quality becomes available again.
If during the coming year hose of prewar standard is offered for sale, we will requisition the Finance Committee for the money to purchase our requirements. In view of the need and our inten- tion to delay purchase only because of quality, we feel confident that the money will be forthcoming when asked for.
While on the subject of hose (a costly but normally a long wearing item) we cannot recommend too strongly that a hose re- tirement program be put into operation. After our stock is brought up to par, an amount equal to ten percent of the total should be purchased each year, thus insuring a complete renewal every ten years.
It is our opinion that the money necessary for this and other yearly renewals should be included in the regular "Others Account" of the department, rather than an article in the warrant as has been customary. The actual dollar cost of the department can be followed much closer by any board or committee if the monies voted go into the regular budget rather than special amounts that are easily lost sight of after being expended.
In accordance with the above policy we inaugurated last year and continued this year a retirement program for the storage bat- teries that supply energy to the alarm system. Under this plan a complete change of batteries will be made every six years insur- ing efficient operation at all times with uniform yearly expenditure.
War conditions while greatly improved over last year still con- tinue to make it injudicious to recommend any special appropriations for consideration or any increase in the regular budget. Priorities and labor would be lacking for worthwhile expenditure, and pur- chasable material in most cases is of an undesirable quality.
47
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
1943]
It is only reasonable to expect that with depreciation and ordi- nary wear going on without replacement or repair to the alarm system, apparatus, equipment and buildings, certain expenditures will be absolutely necessary just as soon as conditions permit.
Appreciation
We are most grateful for the cooperation of all Town Boards and Departments, as well as the continued pleasant relationship of our mutual aid association with Lynn and Marblehead.
We sincerely appreciate the excellent work of our own Per- sonnel during the entire year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT N. ROTHERMEL, FREDERICK T. ROOKE, ROY F. OLSON, Board of Fire Engineers.
Fire Chief's Report
Important Notice
Co-operation of the Fire Department and the citizens is not only desirable but of invaluable assistance in the extinguishing of fires. There can be no more beneficial co-operation than by the practice of sounding the nearest fire alarm box by persons who discover fires. The fire alarm box is much quicker and registers more ac- curately than other means of notification. If the telephone must be used, regardless of which section of the town, dial LY 2-0082 for Fire calls only. We have a business telephone LY 5-4050 to be used on any non fire call. PLEASE REMAIN AT BOX to direct coming apparatus.
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