USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1944 > Part 7
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1944 > Part 7
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The tentative Master Plan and zoning revisions are nearing com- pletion, and it is hoped that a report will be ready for the Town's approval at the adjourned annual meeting. There remain, however, certain additional details to be completed which the Board will rec- ommend, for consideration by the Town, in an article in the Warrant.
The Planning Board is well pleased with the progress made on this project and is further convinced that its completion will prove to be a sound investment for the Town, as well as being a vital factor in aiding Post War Developments.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES R. MADDOCK, Chairman; GEORGE J. NICHOLS, Secretary; CHESTER A. BROWN, RALPH L. WILLIAMS, GORDON L. BROWN,
The Planning Board.
67
FIRE ENGINEERS AND FIRE CHIEF
1944]
Board of Fire Engineers and Fire Chief's Report
To the Board of Selectmen:
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 the person who discovers the fire. The fire alarm box is much quicker and registers more accurately than other means of notification. An emergency telephone was in- stalled at the Phillips Beach Engine House during the past year. Its purpose is for EMERGENCY CALLS (OUTGOING CALLS ONLY). If the telephone must be used, regardless of which part of the town, DIAL, LY 2-0082. The department maintains a business telephone to be used for all non-fire calls. PLEASE REMAIN AT THE BOX TO DIRECT THE COMING APPARATUS.
FOR FIRE-CALL LY 2-0082 BUSINESS-CALL LY 5-4050
DEPARTMENT RECORDS
Swampscott:
Box Alarms
79
Still Alarms
306
Lynn Alarms
25
Marblehead Alarms
14
.
424
Equipment Used
21/2 Inch Hose
12,900 Feet
11/2 Inch Hose
8,950 Feet
3/4 Inch Hose
41,200 Feet
Booster Tanks
196
Indian Pumps
246
Ladders Used
1,233 Feet
FyreFighters
3
Hand Chemicals
1
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers
2
Foamite Extinguishers
2
Salvage Blankets
15
Hours of Duty
343
Fire Loss Record
Value of Buildings
$279,100.00
Damage to Buildings
11,488.00
Damage to Contents
5,475.00
Insurance Paid on Buildings
10,723.00
Insurance Paid on Contents
4,025.00
Inspections
Regular inspections are carried out by our department. All Mer- cantile, Public Buildings and Hotels are inspected at regular intervals. Recommendations are made to comply with the law. Follow up in- spections are made for enforcement purposes.
Drills
The permanent members of this department are subjected to daily drills covering all phases of our operations. Fire drills were held in all the schools in town in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.
68
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Auxiliary Firemen were drilled through the medium of burning haz- ardous areas in the town, namely dumps and large grass areas.
Fire Alarm System
Our Fire Alarm System is in good condition at the present time. Due to the expansion of the town during the past years, we find many spots in town badly in need of fire notification equipment. We have at least 6 areas that should receive immediate attention. Requests have been received from these areas. We are placing an article in the an- nual warrant to cover this expenditure.
Buildings
The Phillips Beach Engine House is badly in need of repairs. The last work done on this building was during the W.P.A. regime. This building will need a general overhauling. An article is being inserted in the annual warrant to cover this expenditure.
The Central Engine House needs some repairs, namely painting exterior, repair main roof and repair tower. This tower was struck by lightning, causing some damage. The town has already received compensation for this damage. An article is being inserted in the annual warrant to cover this expenditure.
The building located on Sherwood Road used as an auxiliary fire station was given to the Sewer Department for a tool house located on their Humphrey Street premises. This building being of no fur- ther use to this department, the Board of Engineers recommended to the Board of Selectmen that a transfer of this building be made to the Sewer Board.
PERMANENT MEN
In the near future the permanent personnel of this department will have to be increased. The operation of our motorized apparatus is dependent on adequate manpower. At the present time it is impossible to obtain men suitable for our needs. Therefore, no immediate action is being taken.
We are facing what is known as the 70 Hour Law. This working program is in operation in many of the surrounding communities. Those not having it are presenting it to their governing bodies as a post-war program. This will require a few additional men. Our men average 84 hours a week at the present time. We feel that serious consideration should be given this program when presented to the Annual Town Meeting.
Apparatus
Our apparatus is in fine condition with the exception of our Lad- der Truck. The Town voted to purchase a Junior Aerial Truck at its last meeting. Under normal conditions the delivery date would have been in December 1944. Due to war conditions this will be delayed until early spring. With the arrival of this new truck our department will be adequately equipped with good apparatus.
Equipment
Hose was tested and the normal breakage was discovered, about 250 feet. We purchased 1000 feet of 21/2 inch hose last year. We are requesting 500 feet of 21/2 inch hose this year. This will replenish our badly depleted stock. With this supply on hand along with a rotating program of about 250 feet each year, it should eliminate any future large expenditures for hose.
Retirements
Fred R. Morrison was retired after 22 years of service in our department. Subjected to poisonous gases at the Allied Chemical
69
FIRE ENGINEERS AND FIRE CHIEF
1944]
Supply Company's fire on Brookline Street, Lynn, Mr. Morrison was declared by examining physicians to be unfit for further duty in the Swampscott Fire Department. He was retired by the Board of Select- men, June 8, 1944.
With regret we accepted the resignation of Albert N. Rothermel of the Board of Engineers. He served three years and was Chairman of the Board during 1943. Chief Charles H. Lampard was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Rothermel.
The Board reorganized as follows: Chairman, Chief Charles H. Lampard; Secretary, Frederick T. Rooke; Roy F. Olson.
Appointments
William Pratt, heading the Civil Service list for appointment, was appointed to Mr. Morrison's position. He being in the services of the United States Army and located in England, accepted the position, but was unable to fulfill the duties of this department. John R. Mait- land was appointed, September 15, 1944, a Military Substitute for Mr. Pratt and is serving the department as such.
Military Service
We have 5 permanent members in the services of our country: Captain Walter M. Champion, Jr., George Balthaza, Arnold Millberry, Roy Johansen and William Pratt. We have military substitutes for these men with the exception of Mr. Balthaza, our mechanic, whom we have been unable to replace.
War Emergencies
Our Auxiliary Fire Force is functioning well under the guidance of its officers. Auxiliary Chief Roy F. Olson, Deputy Chief John Blodgett, Deputy Chief Winthrop Sears, Captain Herbert Jacobs and Captain Thomas Rogers. Much fine work has been and will be per- formed by these units when and where the emergency might arise.
Recommendations
1. We recommend that a general repair program be carried out at the Phillips Beach Engine House.
2. We recommend that repairs be made at the Central Engine House, namely painting exterior, repair main roof and repair tower.
3. We recommend that 6 Fire Alarm Boxes be purchased and in- stalled in areas needing them.
4. We recommend the adoption of the 70 Hour Law as a post-war program.
Articles requesting the above recommendations are being in- serted in the Annual Town Warrant.
We sincerely appreciate the excellent work of our own personnel during the past year and are most grateful for the co-operation of all the town boards and departments.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF CHARLES H. LAMPARD, FREDERICK T. ROOKE, ROY F. OLSON,
Board of Engineers and Chief of Fire Department.
70
TOWN DOCUMENTS Town Engineer
[Dec. 31
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith respectfully submit my fourth annual report of the services rendered by the Engineering Department for the various departments for the year ending December 31, 1944.
The Engineering Department has had charge of the following line of work: the designing and superintending of the construction of all sewers and drains; resurfacing of all streets built by contract or by the Highway Department together with the specifications and esti- mates for the same; the establishing of street lines and grades for curbing and sidewalks; and all engineering questions which come before the several town departments.
Sewers and Drains
A contract for building sewers on Windsor Avenue, Shelton Road and Chesterlee Lane was awarded to H. DiTullio Co., of Hyde Park, Mass., and the cost for the construction is as follows:
483.0 Lin. Ft. 10" Vit. Pipe @ $ 3.75 $ 1,811.25
460.5 Lin. Ft. 8" Vit. Pipe @ 3.40
1,565.70
302.0 Lin. Ft. 6" Vit. Pipe @ 2.90. 875.80
47.0 Cu. Yds. Rock Ex. .... @ 1.00 47.00
8.0 Manholes ...
75.00 600.00
109.0 Cu. Yds. Gravel.
2.00 218.00
284.0 B.M. Sheeting in place a 60.00
17.04
8 Hrs. Extra Labor plus 15% @ 1.15 9.20
Advertising
21.00
8 M.H. Frames and Covers Inspection
84.60
8 M.H. Sandpans Entrance Fee, City of Lynn
28.00
3 houses @ 25.00
75.00
Total Cost $ 5,550.59
The above cost was assessed to the abutters as follows: Total Cost $5,550.59
Deductions: House Connections 879.80
Total Cost of Main Sewers $4,670.79
One-half Total Cost of Main Sewers $2,335.395
$2,335.395 Amount Assessed to Abutters
$1.5377
1,518.71 Lin. Ft. of Assessable Frontage
Particular Sewers (House Connections)
Total Cost $879.80
$2.913
Total Lin. Ft .. 302.00
Voted by the Sewer Commissioners that the amount of $1.54 per lin. ft. of frontage be assessed to those abutting on sewer construc- tion of this year, and that the particular sewers or house connections be assessed at the rate of $2.91 per lin. ft.
There is a need for sewers in several sections of the town due to
198.00
71
TOWN ENGINEER
1944]
the overflowing of cesspools. New cesspools cannot be built because of ledge formation in these districts.
The open brooks of the town have been cleaned and will need to be cleaned each year because of the growth of weeds during the Summer months, when the brook bed is dry.
Several drains carrying surface water have been cleaned of tree roots and debris which caused flood conditions in some areas.
The flood condition under the Burrill Street railroad bridge is bad and I recommend that the present 10 inch drain be replaced and a study made to better these conditions. The existing drain was built in 1894 and was only intended to carry the surface water which col- lected under the bridge. Since the installation of this drain, additional drainage has been turned into it, cutting down the efficiency of the 10 inch drain. A study of the drainage in this area might relieve some of the flood conditions under Stetson Avenue Bridge also.
Curbing and Sidewalks
Sidewalks were built under the Continuous Sidewalk program on Humphrey Street from Salem to Dennison Avenue.
Town Parks
New stands have been placed on the west side of the football field.
Grading the field so as to raise a good turf by next year has been done this Fall. The parking area and baseball field still needs fill to bring it to a finished grade.
Assessors' Department
The yearly routine work necessary on the plans and index cards of the department has been completed and there were about one thou- sand abstracts from the Registry of Deeds for the year 1944.
Water Department
We are progressing as fast as possible with our small force on water pipe plans and have given the necessary lines and grades for water pipe on several streets.
Selectmen's Department
War gardens were laid out on the Palmer Estate and land owned by Barrie M. White with all the available space taken. Five gardens were made and much garden stock obtained from the same.
ยท Danvers Road Bridge question has been settled and the new bridge built, fixing the future cost of maintenance as follows:
(a) The Town of Swampscott shall maintain at its own cost the wearing surface of the roadway upon said bridge.
(b) The remainder of said bridge including its railing, founda- tions, abuttments and walls of the bridge, including the approaches to said bridge, but excepting the wearing surface of the roadway upon the bridge, shall be maintained by the County of Essex, paying 75% of the cost thereof; the Town of Swampscott paying 15% of the cost thereof; and the Boston and Maine Railroad paying 10% of the cost thereof.
The award of the Special Commission hearing this case has saved the Town of Swampscott quite a sum of money this year and will effect a similar saving on future repairs.
Planning Board
This year a study is being made by an expert on city and town
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
planning. At the request of the Planning Board we have given much information from this department for this study.
Board of Health
At different times, upon request of the Health Department, we have made investigations on drainage and sewerage problems, some of which will be submitted to the Annual Town Meeting for action.
At this time I wish to thank all the different departments for their fine co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD L. HAMILL, Town Engineer.
Annual Report of Forest Warden, 1944
The Board of Selectmen,
Swampscott, Massachusetts. Gentlemen:
The past season was one that will long be remembered in the annals of this department, as we were fortunate to be able to play host to the Essex County Forest Wardens' Association on May 16th. Fire Chiefs, Forest Wardens, and Department of Conservation Ward- ens from Essex County were in attendance.
The fire season was not a bad one and only one fire at the rear of Jackson Park reached any proportion. About an acre of white pine was destroyed. It is believed that this fire and many other small fires were set by boys driving rabbits.
Supervised burning of brush and grass was again carried on by the Fire Department and the Auxiliary Fire Department. Much credit goes to these men for keeping fire loss at a minimum.
I wish to thank the many citizens who cooperated by burning their leaves and garden refuse in incinerators, garden plots, or on rainy days.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. BURK, Forest Warden.
73
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1944]
Highway Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is my annual report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Streets
The following streets were sealcoated by the process of spraying hot asphalt on the road and covering same with sand:
Bradlee Avenue, from Atlantic Avenue to Ocean Avenue.
Eastman Avenue, Eureka Avenue, Fairview Avenue.
Harrison Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Woodbine Avenue.
Aycliffe Road, Bates Road, Burpee Road.
Cutting Road, Danvers Road from Essex Street to the Bridge.
Elmwood Road, from Monument Avenue to State Road.
Francis Road, Hemingway Road, Lodge Road.
Lawrence Road, Lewis Road, Morton Road.
Nason Road, Sumner Road.
Stanley Road, from Linden Avenue to Sumner Road.
Shelton Road, Stanwood Road, Thomas Road.
Buena Vista Street, Crescent Street, Dale Street. Elliott Street, Jessie Street, Minerva Street.
Roy Street, Stearns Street, Lincoln Circle.
Orient Court, The Greenway, Ryan Place.
The above work required 25,637 gallons of RC2 asphalt, 2,105 gal- lons MC2 asphalt and 1,045 cubic yards of sand.
Brooks Terrace and Sargent Road were accepted by the vote of the Town Meeting this year. These streets will be built to grade in 1945 and the Highway Department will work with the Sewer Depart- ment, which plans on installing sewers. This work will be done in ac- cordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
Listed below are new installations or replacement improvements made on the following streets:
Shelton Road: A drain and sewer were laid with 2 catch basins for which 2,500 common brick, 32 bags of cement, 4 tons of sand, 65 tons 1/2 inch stone, 356 feet 15 inch reinforced concrete pipe, 12 feet 12 inch reinforced concrete pipe. Two type D frames and grates were used. The drain and sewer were laid at the same time, and the street and sidewalk will be built to grade in 1945. This work was done in accordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935, of the General Laws of Massachusetts.
Burrill Street: Across from the Soldier's Monument the surface water drain was found broken and a new drain was relaid requiring 36 feet of 12 inch reinforced concrete pipe, 5 bags of cement and 1/2 ton of sand.
Under the Boston & Maine Railroad Bridge, on the northeast side of Burrill Street, the iron rail fence was condemned and a new one was erected by this Department.
74
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Humphrey Street: At the corner of Marshall Street a special man- hole cover had to be built for this culvert, 45 inches by 35 inches, with a steel lined recessed hole at the top of the cover.
Pine Street: One catch basin was rebuilt, using 300 brick, 5 bags of cement and 1/2 ton of sand.
Puritan Road: In front of the Gale Ledge a surface water drain was found broken and replaced with a new one requiring 12 feet of 8 inch pipe and 2 bags of cement.
On Puritan Road at Fisherman's Beach the sea wall was torn down and repaired. This wall retains the sidewalk and the street.
Chesterlee Lane: A sewer was laid and the street built to grade, and 36 tons of bituminous concrete mix was used.
Danvers Road Bridge: This bridge was built by the Boston Maine Railroad, and the road was resurfaced by the town to a depth of two inches for which 12 tons of bituminous concrete was used.
Eureka Avenue: A surface water drain was laid and extended for a distance of 84 feet westward, using 8 inch pipe.
Rockland Street: A new picket fence was erected near Highland Street to replace one that had worn out.
Ocean Avenue: A new sea wall was erected at Preston Beach to replace one that was torn down by the heavy surf.
Redington Street: From the Hadley School yard to Humphrey Street a new drain and catch basin were installed requiring 176 feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe, 2,500 brick and 15 bags of cement. The pipe was supplied by the Water and Sewer Department. In the installation of this drain bricks were removed from the Hadley School Yard and hauled to the Town Yard on Paradise Road. The Highway Department prepared a base for the resurfacing of the school yard and the fin- ished surface was completed on contract by the Warren Brothers Roads Company. This drain will take care of the surface water from the school property.
All underbrush was cut down with our small tractor on the fol- lowing streets:
Bay View Drive, Dennison Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Cherry Street, Salem Street, Hawthorne Road, Puritan Road, Sumner Road, Lincoln Circle, Fuller Avenue, Phillips Avenue, Dale Street, Allen Road, Manton Road, Stanley Road, Bradlee Avenue, Linden Avenue, Stetson Avenue, Essex Street, Elmwood Road, Nason Road, Shepard Road.
For about a month in the Fall of the year the department is kept very busy cleaning the leaves and the debris that has fallen from the trees. This is necessary to prevent the surface drains from clogging up and averting serious floods.
There are 630 catch basins in the town. These are cleaned at least three times a year with a motorized basin cleaner.
During the months of June, July, and August, Fisherman's Beach, Whales Beach and Preston Beach are cleaned every working day.
All streets are cleaned twice during the year and more often when needed.
Brooks
All brooks and culverts located within the town were cleaned of all debris by the department.
75
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1944]
Sidewalks
New sidewalks were installed on Humphrey Street from Salem Street to Dennison Avenue under the continuous sidewalk act and in accordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the General Laws of Massachusetts. One hundred tons of bituminous concrete was used on this installation.
Sidewalks were repaired or replaced on Andrew Road, Thomas Road, Redington Street from Hadley School to Stone Court, and the southwest side of Grant Road. There was 50 tons of D13 Mix, 70 tons bituminous concrete and 12 tons of 1/2 inch stone required for these sidewalks.
In addition to the above there was 364 tons of bituminous con- crete used in repairing all sidewalks in the town which required attention.
Stone dust was laid on sidewalks to help retain their stability on Atlantic Road, Bates Road, Huron Street, Puritan Road, Paradise Road, and Sargent Road.
Snow fences were taken down in April and erected again in December, on Salem Street, Crossman and Linden Avenues, Stanley Road, Sumner Road, and Dennison Avenue.
The steps on Fisherman's Beach, near Puritan Road, were put up May 27, and taken down October 11, 1944.
In accordance with the Town By-Laws all hay, grain, gasoline, sand, bituminous concrete and asphalt was bought under contract.
Street Signs
One hundred street signs which are a replica of the "Swampscott Dory" were erected on steel posts that were already standing.
Additional signs and posts are now under construction and will be installed throughout the coming year. This project is sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and the Highway Department.
Civilian Defense
This department has continued to co-operate in the interest of Civilian Defense on the home front and during the year plowed and harrowed Victory Gardens, and participated in the collection of all scrap metal and paper salvage drives. We will continue to assist with our men and equipment during the coming year in the interest of the war effort.
Equipment
During the year a rebuilt 10 ton Hercules Road Roller with a new factory guarantee was purchased. This road roller is equipped with a 7 tooth hydraulic scarifier, 51 inch length digger, powered by a spring motored gasoline model JXC, Hercules heavy duty 6 cylinder motor, complete with magneto and electric starter, water tank, scrapers, and sprinkling system. Two horses were also purchased during the year.
Snow Fighting Equipment
1 1927 5 ton truck
1 1940 312 ton truck
1 5 ton tractor
1 1936 5 ton truck
1 1934 1% ton truck
3 sand spreaders
All trucks are equipped with removable bladed plows and the tractor has a V type blade.
We have 14 horse drawn sidewalk plows and one large V plow that can be attached to our large trucks. We have on hand at the yard 435 cubic yards of sand treated with calcium chloride to be used for sanding slippery streets caused by ice or other elements.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
All motor equipment has been overhauled and put in good condi- tion for the coming Winter.
Personnel
Donato Ronzano, a member of this department and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, was retired on October 21, 1944, by the Town.
Horace R. Parker, who was clerk of the department for many years and was on the retirement list, passed away on March 23, 1944.
John E. Burns, the blacksmith of the department for many years, died on June 8, 1944, while still in the employ of the Town.
This department is also represented in the Armed Forces by James Champion, clerk of the department, who is a member of the United States Coast Guard, and entered the service of his country August 19, 1943.
William S. Healy, chauffeur in the department for a great many years, and who entered the service of the United States Army on March 20, 1942, is still serving his country somewhere in the Euro- pean area.
Recommendations :
For many years the employees of this department have had no locker room to store their storm boots, rubber coats and clothes, or a suitable place to eat their lunches. During these years they have been forced to partake of their meals in a very unsanitary atmosphere awrong wet horse blankets and wet storm clothes in addition to odors emanating from the barn where the horses are. As this is not in the best interest of good health and the fact that the employees of this department are working in all kinds of weather, I recommend that the Town build a new locker room for the men of this department.
I further recommend that the Town purchase a Pick Up Motor- ized Street Sweeper and that they resurface Salem Street from Hum- phrey Street to Tedesco Road at the Salem line.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY J. RYAN,
Surveyor of Highways.
77
TOWN COUNSEL'S REPORT
1944]
Town Counsel's Report
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report as Town Counsel, from January 1. 1944, up to and including December 31, 1944.
At the time I submitted my 1943 report to you, the trial of the Danvers Street Bridge case had just been concluded and the Town was awaiting the finding of the Commissioners. I stated in my report that "Even if the Town of Swampscott had heretofore paid the entire cost of repairs of this bridge. nevertheless, it is my opinion that it should not continue to do so and the cost of these alterations should be equitably apportioned between the County of Essex, the Boston & Maine Railroad, and the Town of Swampscott."
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