Town annual report of Swampscott 1945, Part 5

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1945
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 210


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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, 1944, 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:MMH


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 ac- counts of the Town of Swampscott for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1944, 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 compared with the Town Clerk's record of financial votes passed in town meet- ings and with the Finance Committee's records of transfers authorized from the reserve fund, and a balance sheet showing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1944, was prepared and is appended to this report.


The books and accounts in the Town Treasurer's office were ex- amined and checked. The cash book was added throughout, the re- ceipts being analyzed and compared with the several departmental records of payments to the Treasurer, with other sources from which the town received money, and with the Town Accountant's books. The recorded payments were checked with the Selectmen's warrants au- thorizing the disbursement of town funds.


49


DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS & TAXATION


1945]


The cash balance on January 31, 1945, was verified by reconcilia- tion of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks in which town money is deposited.


The payments on account of debt and interest were compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.


The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the Town Treasurer were examined. The income was proved and all transactions were verified.


The securities and savings bank books representing the invest- ment of the municipal contributory retirement funds were personally examined. The receipts and disbursements were checked and the cash balance on January 31, 1945, was proved.


The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and listed. The taxes and assessments transferred to the tax title account by the Collector were proved, the reported 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 out- standing at the time of the previous examination, and all subsequent commitments, were audited and compared with the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were checked with the pay- ments to the Town Treasurer and with the Town Accountant's ledger, the abatements were compared with the records in the departments authorized to grant them, the taxes transferred to the tax title ac- count were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed.


The outstanding tax, departmental, and water accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names ap- peared 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 January 31, 1945, 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.


A considerable amount of detailed checking was required to prove the tax and water accounts due to errors in posting.


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 and to the Division of Fisheries and Game were verified.


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 licenses and permits issued by the Board of Select- men, 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 exam- ined and reconciled with the Town Treasurer's receipts and with the Town Accountant's records.


In addition to the balance sheet, there are appended to this report tables showing a reconciliation of the Treasurer's and of the Col-


50


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


lector'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.


During the progress of the audit, co-operation was extended by all officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.


Respectfully submitted,


HBD:MMH


HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.


Annual Report of the Forest Warden 1945


The Board of Selectmen Swampscott, Mass.


Gentlemen:


Please accept the following as my tenth annual report as Forest Warden for the Town. A very moderate fire season was enjoyed with even fewer than usual grass and woodland fires.


Phillips Park dump was a source of annoyance. Through the co- operation of the water and fire departments a hydrant was placed within easy distance to control any fire. Burning during the summer months, with the New Ocean House such a short distance, makes it necessary to try to cover the dumped material; this the Park Com- missioners will try to do in the future.


At last the repeal of a law unnecessary in this Town, allows people to burn with a permit during the months of April and May. Through this report, I wish to thank the citizens of Swampscott for their fine co-operation with this law.


Respectfully submitted,


FREDERICK C. BURK, Forest Warden.


51


WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD


1945]


Water and Sewerage Board


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1945.


Building construction is still at a standstill and we are continuing our policy of making only necessary repairs and installations. The following is the work accomplished by this department in the past year:


Services :


2 New Services have been installed


3 Services abandoned


20 Services renewed


9 Services renewed from main to service box


5 Frozen services thawed


51 Service leaks repaired


72 Services cleaned out


Meters:


No Meters have been purchased this year.


225 Meters have been cleaned and repaired and tested.


Mains:


The 2" main in Sheridan Terrace had to be renewed due to its bad condition.


250 feet of 6" C. I. Main was laid during the year.


4 Breaks in our large mains were repaired.


Hydrants:


The spring and fall flushing of hydrants was carried on in the usual manner after first having had notices posted in the daily paper informing the public of our schedule. During the year all hydrants were repainted in their usual colors of aluminum bottom and yellow top. An added feature, however, is the fact that all dead end hydrants now have red tops in order that they might be more readily distinguished from the others, for the benefit of the Fire Department, who requested this added feature. After the fall flushing a check was made on all hydrants in order to make any necessary repairs before winterizing.


1 New Hydrant has been installed in Phillips Park.


1 Hydrant replaced.


18 Hydrants repaired.


Gauge pressures were taken on all hydrants.


All excavations made by this department have been brought to grade and tar patched or cemented.


The continued spirit of co-operation shown by all Town Depart- ments has been greatly appreciated.


The details of Water Pipe construction follows and cost of same can be found under the Town Accountant's Report.


ManTr PUBLIC LIBRARY


52


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Table of Distributing Pipe in Feet, December 31, 1945


Size


Wrought Iron


Cast Iron


Cement Lined


Brass


Total


11/4


........


........


303


303


11/2


........


........


80


438


518


2


4,067


........


1,468


2,117


7,652


4


........


4,494


........


........


4,494


6


........


127,984


........


........


127,984


8


........


8,208


........


........


8,208


10


........


22,050


........


........


22,050


12


........


14,604


........


........


14,604


14


........


4,712


........


........


4,712


16


........


........


4,067


182,202


1,851


2,555


190,675


Hydrants:


In use December 31, 1944


310


Added in 1945


1


In use December 31, 1945


311


Gates:


In use December 31, 1944


580


Added in 1945


2


In use December 31, 1945


582


Services :


In use December 31, 1944


2,943


Added in 1945


2


Abandoned in 1945


3


In use December 31, 1945


2,942


Water Debt


Bonds and notes issued to December 31, 1945


$368,300.00


Bonds and notes paid to December 31, 1945


368,300.00


Net debt December 31, 1945


Decrease during year 1945


1,500.00


Due during year 1946


Inventory of Property, Water Department December 31, 1945


Water mains and standpipe


$190,844.59


Land on Pine Street


2,000.00


Brick building on Pine Street


2,000.00


Workshop and garage


2,500.00


Two auto trucks


600.00


Office furniture


1,000.00


Meters and parts


39,062.97


Stock on hand


7,500.00


$245,507.56


HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water & Sewerage Board.


150


150


53


DOG OFFICER


1945]


SEWER DEPARTMENT


Three sewers, namely: Bates and Charlotte Road, Beverly Road, and Sargent Road, were laid this year at a total cost of $18,360.73.


Several sewer connections have been dug up this year and roots have been removed. This work has to be done each year.


During the very rainy season in December, the Outfall Sewer was overloaded. The capacity of this Outfall Sewer is six and one-half million gallons of water a day and during this period it was coming in at the rate of eight million gallons a day. We have pumping equip- ment for fifteen million gallons but the Outfall Sewer will only take care of six and one-half million gallons.


Inventory of Property, Sewer Department, December 31, 1945


Pumping Station


$19,400.00


Pumping plant


10,633.25


Land


5,000.00


Office furniture


350.00


Tools and equipment


450.00


Truck and garage


1,375.00


$37,208.25


Comminutor Building and Equipment:


Building


7,000.00


Machinery and equipment


5,841.11


$50,049.36


HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water & Sewerage Board.


Dog Officer's Report for the Year 1945


To the Board of Selectmen:


There were 703 complaints received by me throughout the town concerning dogs during the year 1945, all of which have been inves- tigated and remedied.


There were 675 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 165 being restored to their various owners and 444, 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 pro- cure the necessary licenses. The total number of licenses issued dur- ing the year 1945 was 700.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIS E. SHEPHARD, Dog Officer.


54


TOWN DOCUMENTS Highway Department


[Dec. 31.


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:


The Highway Department submits herewith its report of the services rendered for the year ending December 31, 1945.


The Highway Department, like the Police and Fire Department, is ready at all times to render service to the citizens in any emergency which is permissible under the Town's By-Laws.


During the recent heavy rain storms, in the latter part of Novem- ber, it was the privilege of this department to aid and assist in the alleviating of flood waters in the homes of many of our citizens. Our department was glad to co-operate in this emergency with the townspeople and also in the interest of a healthful community.


Streets


The following streets, having been accepted by the Town, were built to grade and sidewalks were constructed, namely:


Arbutus Road Brooks Terrace Shelton Road Extension


.


These streets and sidewalks were constructed in accordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, and required 207 cubic yards of gravel, 3861/2 tons of bituminous concrete, 883 gallons of #4 tar, 1000 gallons RC2 asphalt, 1 ton concrete sand, 1419 gallons MC3 asphalt, 5 bags cement and 51 tons 34" stone.


Our department seal coated Greenwood Avenue from Forest Ave- nue to King Street, Greenwood Terrace and Franklin Avenue. In seal coating a street, asphalt is sprayed over the present road bed and 1/2" stone is spread over the asphalt and then rolled in by our high powered gasoline road roller. We used 3415 gallons of RC2 asphalt and 173 tons of stone to resurface the above streets.


In addition to the above, many streets were patched and given attention where needed.


Drains


On Eulow Street a drain was laid using 168 feet of 12" rein- forced concrete pipe tongued and grooved, 10 bags of cement, 1000 brick, 2 tons of brick sand, and 30 tons of patch material. This drain was constructed in accordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.


Sidewalks


In accordance with our program of previous years, new sidewalks were constructed on streets authorized by the Board of Selectmen under the Continuous Sidewalk Act and in accordance with Chapter 461, Acts of 1935 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.


The new sidewalks were erected on Atlantic Avenue and Puritan Road, Puritan Avenue to Atlantic Road, Forest Avenue from Aspen Road to Magnolia Road and Magnolia Road from Forest Avenue for a distance of 176 lineal feet. The remainder of the sidewalk on Mag- nolia Road will be constructed in 1946, provided the Board of Select-


55


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


1945]


men authorize the continuance of this work and provide the necessary funds.


As an explanation to the citizens, under the Continuous Side- walk Act, the Board of Selectmen authorize the new sidewalks to be constructed, determine the assessment to the property owner and the actual work is performed by the Highway Department.


In the construction of the new sidewalks during the year it re- quired 705 lineal feet of granite edgestone and 94 tons of bituminous concrete.


The department repaired sidewalks on the streets listed as follows:


Blaney Street


Fuller Avenue


Boynton Street


Greenwood Avenue


Burrill Street


Monument Avenue


Cherry Street


New Ocean Street


Claremont Terrace


Norfolk Avenue


Columbia Street


Phillips Street


Elmwood Road


Puritan Avenue


Essex Avenue


Puritan Road


Farragut Road


Rock Avenue


Thomas Road


The maintenance of the above sidewalks required the use of 6081/2 tons of bituminous concrete and 67 tons of stone dust.


Chapter 90-Highways


Chapter 90-Highways are roads that come under the above Chapter of the General Laws of Massachusetts, and the Town, State and County each contribute to the cost of maintenance or rebuilding of a road.


In our town, Atlantic Avenue, Humphrey Street and Essex Street come under this chapter and therefore when any work is done on these streets the State, County and Town participate in the cost of construction or maintenance.


During the year Atlantic Avenue was seal coated from the junc- tion of Humphrey Street and Puritan Road to the Hotel Preston and necessitated the use of 20 tons of patch material, 5764 gallons of RC8 asphalt and 31834 tons of 1/2" stone.


On Essex Street a hazardous condition has existed for years and this year we obtained the necessary funds and approval from the State and County to correct this condition between Elm Place and Hillcrest Circle. This situation was corrected by reconstructing and changing the catch basins and resurfacing the road bed.


This work required 1601/2 tons of Class I Hot Top Material which was laid and rolled.


We believe this work will eliminate the hazardous condition which formerly existed.


Street Signs


This is a project sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and the work performed by the Highway Department. During the year about 35 new signs were erected in addition to the maintenance of those already installed.


This is a project that required constant attention because of the


56


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


fact we have so many signs destroyed by vandalism in all sections of the town.


Brooks and Catch Basins


All brooks and culverts were cleaned of all debris and the 630 catch basins in the town were cleaned at least three times during the year and more often if needed.


General Maintenance


All streets in the town are cleaned twice a year and more often if needed.


During the summer months this department co-operates with the Park Department by cleaning Fisherman's Beach, Whales Beach and Preston Beach every working day.


Snow fences are erected and taken down annually on Salem Street, Crosman Avenue, Linden Avenue, Dennison Avenue, Stanley Road and Sumner Road.


In the fall of the season, the department is kept busy for about a month cleaning the leaves from the streets. This also aids in pre- venting surface drains from blocking up and causing floods.


Civilian Defense


As in previous years we continued to co-operate in Civilian De- fense work by plowing and harrowing Victory Gardens and partici- pating in the collection of salvage with both men and equipment. The department was pleased to render this assistance in the war effort and final victory.


Equipment


We have continued to operate with the equipment we have on hand and have taken care of the maintenance of same by the per- sonnel in our own department where possible.


Some of the trucks are quite aged and within the coming years will have to be replaced with new and sturdier equipment.


We purchased a sidewalk tractor which we believe will aid us materially in the plowing of snow from the sidewalks during the winter months.


In accordance with the Town By-Laws all purchases in excess of $500.00 were bought under contract.


Snow Equipment


At the present time we have the equipment listed to fight snow- storms :


One 1927 Five-ton Truck.


One 1934 One-half Ton Truck.


One 1936 Five-ton Truck.


One 1940 Three and One-half Ton Truck.


One 1927 Tractor.


One 1945 Sidewalk Tractor and Plow.


Three Sand Spreaders.


One "V" Plow for large truck on deep snow. 7 Horses.


14 Sidewalk Plows.


1


57


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


1945]


400 Cubic Yards of Sand treated with Calcium Chloride used on streets.


5 Tons of Rock Salt.


10 Tons of Calcium Chloride to treat sand.


200 Tons of Sand for sidewalks not treated.


All equipment has been overhauled and put in condition for the winter.


Personnel


With the cessation of World War II and victory attained, men of the department who served their country admirably have returned to their former positions.


William S. Healey, who was in the service of the U. S. Army, returned to work on October 1, 1945, after three years' service on foreign soil.


James E. Champion, former clerk of the department and a mem- ber of the U. S. Coast Guard, will return to work on January 1, 1946.


Joseph Cardillo, a veteran of World War II and a former mem- ber of the U. S. Army, was appointed from the Civil Service List to the Highway Department on April 6, 1945.


Daniel Regan, a member of the department, entered the service of the U. S. Army on April 20, 1945, and at the present time is on military leave of absence.


Thomas L. Meade, an employee of the High Department for many years, was placed on the retirement list June 8, 1945.


Recommendations


Again I am calling to the attention of the citizens of the town the need of a suitable locker room for the employees of this depart- ment who brave the elements of all kinds of weather. In the in- terest of good health they should be provided with a sanitary locker room where they may partake of their noon-day lunch and also have suitable lockers to store their equipment, and accordingly I am again requesting the Town to build a new locker room for the men of the department.


Salem Street


This is a street in deplorable condition which should be resur- faced from Humphrey Street to Tedesco Road at the Salem line, and if not given urgent consideration by the Town Meeting may result in accidents from persons traversing this road.


Essex Street Bridge


This bridge is one of the heavily travelled and most dangerous spots in the community which is maintained by the Town, and as the County also has an interest in the maintenance of the bridge, I am recommending, by the insertion of an article in the Warrant for the Town Meeting, that this bridge be deeded and transferred over to the State of Massachusetts with the approval of the Town Meeting and the County Commissioners, in accordance with Chapter 690, Acts of 1945 of the General Laws of Massachusetts.


Respectfully submitted,


TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.


58


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Town Clerk


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1945:


Births recorded, 174; males-83; females-91.


January 10 April .. 18 July


11 October 17


February ... 14 May ... 15 August


22 November ... 8


March 23 June


22 September 14


Marriages recorded-138.


January 9 April


12 July


10 October ... ...


9


February 3 May


10 August


19 November ... 16


March 7 June


23 September


12 December ...


8


Deaths recorded, 133; males-56; females-77.


January 14 April


10 July 19 October 13


February 13 May


5 August 17 November ...


9


March 5 June 10 September 10 December ...


8


Dogs licensed, 699; males-381; females-42; spayed-224; military-50; 2 transfer licenses.


Money paid to the Town Treasurer


Resident citizen fishing licenses


58


@ $2.00


Resident citizen hunting licenses


134 @ 2.00


Resident citizen sporting licenses


34


@ 3.25


Resident citizen minor and female fishing licenses


17


@ 1.25


Resident citizen trapping licenses


1 @ 5.25


Resident citizen minor trapping licenses


1


@ 2.25


Resident citizen sporting licenses


10


@ Free


Resident citizen military and naval sporting licenses.


16 @ Free


Duplicate licenses


1


@ .50


Money paid to the Commissioner of Fisheries & Game.


MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.


1945]


COLLECTOR OF TAXES


Collector of Taxes


Malcolm F. Maclean, Jr., Collector of Taxes, in account with The Town of Swampscott


1945


Dr.


Real Estates Taxes


$648,972.66


Moth Assessments


2,354.00


Sewer Assessments


772.74


Sidewalk Assessments


534.41


Committed Interest


118.45


Water Liens


2,328.04


Personal Taxes


34,718.37


Poll Taxes


7,848.00


Poll Taxes (supplementary)


14.00


Excise Taxes


12,349.67


Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


11,214.00


$721,224.34


Cr.


Cash paid on Real Estate Taxes


$598,295.37


Cash paid on Moth Assessments


2,181.10


Cash paid on Sewer Assessments


429.13


Cash paid on Sidewalk Assessments


379.71


Cash paid on Committed Interest


102.54


Cash paid on Water Liens


1,453.94


Cash paid on Personal Taxes


33,857.70


Cash paid on Poll Taxes


5,328.00


Cash paid on Poll Taxes (supplementary)


14.00


Cash paid on Excise Taxes


11,934.14


Cash paid on Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


711.57


Abatements on Real Estate Taxes


9,522.32


Abatements on Moth Assessments


31.00


Abatements on Personal Taxes


318.37


Abatements on Poll Taxes


2,406.00


Abatements on Excise Taxes


130.22


Uncollected Real Estate Taxes


41,154.97


Uncollected Moth Assessments


141.90


Uncollected Sewer Assessments


343.61


Uncollected Sidewalk Assessments


154.70


Uncollected Committed Interest


15.91


Uncollected Water Liens


874.10


Uncollected Personal Taxes


542.30


Uncollected Poll Taxes


114.00


Uncollected Excise Taxes


285.31


Uncollected Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


10,502.43


$721,224.34


...


59


60


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Town Counsel's Report


To the Board of Selectmen:


I submit herewith my report as Town Counsel from the date of my appointment on October 4, 1945, up to and including December 31, 1945.


Upon my appointment, I took over from my predecessor in office, John J. Foley, Esquire, all pending matters. Mr. Foley, who had re- signed the office of Town Counsel because of the demands made upon his time in his private law practice, turned over to me all existing files and information on matters being considered by him on behalf of the various Town Boards and Department Heads. All of these files contained detailed information on the respective Town matters with which they were concerned. The accuracy and thoroughness of these files and the information therein was of great assistance in succeed- ing to the task of advising town departments and protecting the Town's interest in matters which were in litigation.


During the period of approximately three months, many legal problems have arisen in matters of Town Administration. At the re- quest of the various departments, I have rendered numerous written opinions on these matters. Among these opinions was that to the School Committee involving the interpretation of the Act of the Massachusetts Legislature providing that women teachers in our school system who are employed in the same grades and who are doing the same type of work with the same preparation and training as men teachers, shall be paid at the same rate as men teachers. Further, all town departments have been furnished with opinions concerning the rights of veterans of World War II, who left their employment with the Town to enter the military or naval service and who, following their honorable discharge, have returned to their former positions with the Town.




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