Town annual report of Swampscott 1945, Part 6

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


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Several matters in which the Town's interest is involved are presently pending in our Courts. These cases have been fully inves- tigated and preparations made to proceed to trial.


In 1946, the Congress of the United States and the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will enact many laws regard- ing Veterans of World War II, and the Town will be called upon to administer many programs and projects under this proposed legisla- tion. Preparations have been made to keep the Town Departments fully informed and advised concerning this legislation in order that the rehabilitation problems of Swampscott Veterans may be handled in a prompt and efficient manner.


Our Town department heads and employees are well acquainted with the work of their particular positions. Their promptness in seek- ing legal counsel on perplexing and unusual matters has contributed to an efficient Town Administration and a proper protection of the Town's interest in many disputed matters.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN S. McKENNEY, Town Counsel.


61


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


1945]


Board of Public Welfare


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year 1945:


At the present time the majority of the people we are aiding are physically unable to obtain employment and they are between the ages of fifty and sixty-four years. There have also been a few new cases due to the ending of hostilities and the Board therefore feels there will be an increase in the number of cases during the coming year.


Those reaching the ages of sixty-five years, if eligible, are trans- ferred to our Old Age Assistance Department, as the Federal Gov- ernment and the State participate along with the town in payments made to recipients of this class.


Swampscott administers assistance on a budgetary basis, which takes into consideration the actual needs of the individual or family in relation to an accepted standard, and providing adequate assist- ance on such a basis leads to fair distribution of agency funds and conservation of the taxpayers' money.


We wish to convey our thanks to the Swampscott Family Wel- fare and Visiting Nurse Association and Miss Sylvia Chesley, the Visiting Nurse, for their fine co-operation with our department dur- ing the year.


As we have been reimbursed by the State and other cities and towns and individuals, in the amount of $2,887.60, the net cost to the town is $8,690.47.


Respectfully submitted,


FRED. M. SEATON, WALTER L. RANGER, DONALD REDFERN, Board of Public Welfare.


62


SUMMARY OF TEMPORARY RELIEF


1943


1944


1945


Individuals aided during the year


44


40


44


Individuals being aided at the present time


25


28


24


Individuals aided at the expense of other cities and towns


6


4


5


Individuals aided at the expense of the State


3


4


4


Individuals aided with settlement in Swampscott


35


32


35


Persons supported in State institutions


5


5


4


Number of new applications rejected during the year


4


10


15


Number of new applications received during the year


17


24


27


Number of requests for aid rejected during the year


50


52


75


PAID TO OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS


Lynn


$1,136.09


Lynn


$1,104.81


Lynn


$1,434.82


Worcester


43.40


Waltham


1,238.85


Waltham


1,138.84


Cambridge


19.28


Boston


3.92


$1,179.49


$2,362.94


$2,577.58


..


..


...


......


......


..


..


..


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


1945]


COMPARISON OF PERSONS AIDED


Families Aided


1943


1944


1945


1943


1944


1945


1943


1944


1945


1943


1944


1945


January ..


5


9


4


9


16


18


4


5


5


54


30


27


February


5


6


4


10


16


18


4


5


4


61


28


26


March


7


4


9


10


16


17


4


5


4


67


26


30


.....


......


6


4


6


13


17


17


4


5


4


64


27


27


May


4


4


4


16


17


17


4


5


4


62


27


25


June


5


4


4


11


16


16


4


5


4


60


26


24


July


3


4


4


11


17


14


4


5


4


55


27


22


August


3


4


4


12


17


14


4


5


4


56


27


22


September


3


4


4


10


17


15


4


5


4


53


27


23


October


5


4


4


12


17


16


4


5


4


60


27


24


December


8


4


4


12


18


16


5


4


4


60


28


24


.....


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


63


..


...


..


..


..


..


November


..


5


4


6


15


17


17


4


5


4


56


27


27


April


..


......


Singles (non-family) Persons Aided


Persons Aided in Institutions


Total Number of Persons Aided on Public Welfare


64


1945


Lynn


$124.80


Marblehead


208.00


State


684.21


Temporary Aid


Medford


130.00


Salem


165.17


$871.00


1945


Cities and Towns


$1,617.60


Individuals


256.00


State


1,014.00


Temporary Aid


$2,887.60


AMOUNT DUE TOWN


1944


Lynn


$242.80


Marblehead


116.00


State


738.29


Sta te


396.20


Temporary Aid


Medford


90.00


$1,097.09


REIMBURSEMENTS


1943


1944


Cities and Towns


$1,600.47


Individuals


Individuals


19.00


State


Temporary Aid


.. 1,210.71


$2,721.83


$2,097.31


Cities and Towns.


$867.60


State ..


1,121.36


Temporary Aid


1943


Lynn


$352.80


Marblehead


32.00


... ....


.....


Temporary Aid


$1,312.18


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


65


AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN


1945]


Aid to Dependent Children


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:


The Department of Aid to Dependent Children submits the fol- lowing report for the year 1945:


TOTAL NUMBER OF FAMILIES AIDED


1943


1944


1945


January


7


8


4


February


7


8


4


March


8


8


5


April


8


8


5


May


8


7


6


June


7


7


6


July


9


7


6


August


9


7


6


September


8


6


6


October


8


5


6


November


8


5


6


December


8


4


7


The following is a financial summary of the work accomplished during the past year:


EXPENDITURES FROM TOWN APPROPRIATION


Local Assistance


$4,824.01


Salaries and Wages


51.00


Total


$4,875.01


REIMBURSEMENTS TO TOWN


From State Department


$2,203.90


Total


2,203.90


Net Cost to Swampscott for the year 1945


....


$2,671.11


REIMBURSEMENTS FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT


Balance on Hand, January 1, 1945


$1,300.90


Reimbursement for Assistance


983.05


Reimbursement for Administration


142.16


Total


$2,426.11


EXPENDITURES FROM FEDERAL FUNDS


Local Assistance


$797.25


Salaries and Wages


306.86


Office Administration


19.19


Total


1,123.30


Balance on Hand from Federal Funds, December 31, 1945 $1,302.81


Respectfully submitted,


FRED. M. SEATON, WALTER L. RANGER, DONALD REDFERN, Aid to Dependent Children.


66


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Bureau of Old Age Assistance


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:


The following is a report of the activities of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance during the past year:


The number of cases as of January 1, 1945, was 127; and at the close of the year ending December 31, 1945, there are 129 cases on our rolls.


During the year a survey of the rates charged by physicians was made, and we were allowed to increase our payments to $2.00 for an office call, $3.00 for a house visit, and $5.00 for a night call. All re- cipients were notified of their rights to a physician of choice.


Effective March 1, 1945, a new budget was issued and carried out by our department granting all recipients increases in their clothing allotments.


The exemptions on income of legally liable relatives during the year 1945 were as follows:


Unmarried child living with parent $ 728.00


Unmarried child living apart from parent 1,150.00


Married child with no children living apart from parent 1,725.00


Married child with 1 child living apart from parent 2,300.00


Married child with 2 children living apart from parent 2,875.00


Married child with 3 children living apart from parent .. 3,450.00


However, the exemptions on yearly wages of legally liable rela- tives will be greatly liberalized effective January 1, 1946. The new rates are as follows:


Unmarried child living with parent $1,500.00


Unmarried child living apart from parent 1,750.00


Married child with no children living apart from parent 2,750.00


Married child with 1 child living apart from parent 3,250.00


Married child with 2 children living apart from parent 3,750.00


Married child with 3 children living apart from parent 4,250.00


The above figures are based on net income; i.e., after deducting State and Federal income taxes.


Due to the increasing of the exemptions allowed legally liable relatives, the cost of Old Age Assistance to the Town of Swampscott will be considerably increased during the next year.


An Old Age Assistance recipient is allowed $3000 equity in real estate, $1000 or less life insurance, and $300 in cash or personal property.


We are pleased to state that all monies due the town have been collected.


The following is a financial summary of the work accomplished by this department during the past year:


EXPENDITURES FROM TOWN APPROPRIATION


Local Assistance $39,053.50


Swampscott Cases Aided in Other Cities and Towns 1,318.16


Salaries and Wages 2,700.08


Total


$43,071.74


67


BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


1945]


REIMBURSEMENTS TO TOWN


From State Department


$32,770.72


From Other Cities and Towns


838.08


Total


33,608.80


Net Cost to Swampscott for the year 1945 ....... $9,462.94


REIMBURSEMENTS FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT


Balance on Hand, January 1, 1945


$ 8,621.65


Reimbursement for Assistance


26,813.96


Reimbursement for Administration


893.74


Total


$36,329.35


EXPENDITURES FROM FEDERAL FUNDS


Local Assistance


$27,035.00


Salaries and Wages


412.68


Office Administration


385.49


Total


27,833.17


Balance on Hand from Federal Funds, December 31, 1945 $8,496.18


SUMMARY OF CASES


Total Receiving Assistance 155


Number Receiving Aid, December 31, 1945


129


Cases Closed


25


New Applications


25


Cases Accepted


24


Cases Rejected


1


Respectfully submitted,


FRED. M. SEATON, WALTER L. RANGER, DONALD REDFERN, Bureau of Old Age Assistance.


68


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Board of Appeals


January 1, 1946.


Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Administration Building Swampscott, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


The Board of Appeals herewith submits its report for the year 1945.


On January 31, 1945, a hearing was held at the Town Hall on Burrill Street, on the appeal of Fannie Vinecour of 76 Bay View Drive. Mrs. Vinecour desired to extend the front vestibule of her house to within approximately twelve feet from the street line in variance with the provisions of Article VIII of the Zoning By-Laws. She was represented by her son-in-law, Henry Garfield. There was no opposition. At the close of the hearing the Board went into executive session and it was unanimously voted to grant the petition "with the express stipulation that the front wall of the vestibule to be erected shall not be in excess of seven feet from the present front wall of the building."


On October 17, 1945, a hearing was held in the new Town Admin- istration Building on the appeal of Mary S. Gandolfo. The appellant asked that the application of Article VII of the Zoning By-Laws be varied so as to permit "the first piazza on first and second floors (of petitioner's premises at 55 Pine Street), to be glassed in, these piazzas are within six feet of the street line." At the hearing it ap- peared from the evidence that there is only one existing piazza on the first floor and that it was desired to erect another piazza on top of the existing one and glass both in. The appellant was represented by her son, Anthony. Chairman Richardson read and explained Article VII of the Zoning By-Laws and Mr. Gandolfo stated that it was also proposed to enlarge both the front rooms adjacent to the piazzas. He was asked by the Chairman if it would help at all if appellant were to be permitted to glass in the existing porch on the first floor and Mr. Gandolfo replied, "No, perhaps we would not do it at all." There was no opposition.


At the close of the hearing the Board went into executive session and, after discussion, a vote was taken and the petition was unani- mously denied.


Respectfully submitted,


CONRAD P. RICHARDSON, C. GLOVER BOWES, EUSTIS B. GRIMES,


Board of Appeals.


69


FIRE ENGINEERS AND FIRE CHIEF


1945]


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. The Fire Alarm box is much quicker and registers more accurately than any other means of notification. If a telephone is to be used DIAL-LYnn 2-0082. The Department maintains a business telephone to be used for all non-fire calls. PLEASE REMAIN AT BOX TO DIRECT THE COMING APPARATUS.


FOR FIRE-DIAL LYnn 2-0082 BUSINESS-DIAL LYnn 5-4050


RECORDS


Number of Calls


414


Calls to Lynn


35


Calls to Marblehead


9


Equipment Used


21/2 Inch Hose


11,550 feet


11/2 Inch Hose


5,350


3/4 Inch Hose


32,600


Booster Tanks


156


Indian Pumps


274


Ladders Used


1,208


66


Foam Extinguishers


5


Salvage Blankets


5


Gas Masks


8


Hours of Duty


2251/2 hrs.


Fire Loss Record


Value of Buildings


$347,660.00


Fire Loss


14,983.00


Value of Contents


126,500.00


Fire Loss


4,617.00


Inspections


Regular inspections are carried out by our department. All mer- cantile public buildings and hotels are inspected at regular intervals. During the war years we were handicapped by the shortage of man- power. With a full personnel, regular inspection will be maintained. Recommendations are made to comply with the law. Follow-up inspec- tions are made for enforcement purposes.


Drills


Drills are a daily function of this department. These cover all phases of our operations. Fire drills are held in our schools. The teachers who are responsible for these drills certainly do an excellent piece of work. I extend my thanks and praise for their fine work at this time.


70


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Fire Alarm System


Our Fire Alarm system is in fine condition at the present time. The six new Fire Alarm boxes purchased at the annual Town Meeting are being installed as quickly as materials and weather permit. Iden- tification lights for all Fire Alarm boxes have been purchased and will be installed as soon as possible. Due to a progressive plan for replacing batteries in our Fire Alarm system, I am pleased to state that we are in the best of condition in this branch of our system. I would suggest at this time that plans be made for the installation of a new transmitter for the transmission of telephone calls for fires as they are received at headquarters. This entails the expenditure of approximately $900.00.


Permanent Men


Manpower is and always has been the urgent need in our depart- ment. During the war years it was impossible to obtain men of suit- able qualifications for this department. With the discharge of many of our young men, I feel that the much-needed men can be obtained and should be added to our department. I recommend at this time that four permanent men be added to this department.


Apparatus


With the arrival of the much-delayed Ladder Truck, our equip- ment is in good condition and adequate to meet any normal emergency in our town if properly manned.


Equipment


Our hose is in good condition. With 250 feet of hose being added each year, as provided in our budget, I feel that we will not be faced with any large purchase of hose, unless some emergency occurs. We have added to our equipment a mask that is known as an Air Line Mask. Due to the ingenuity of our mechanic, Mr. Maitland, this was accomplished at a large saving to the town. A Scott Air Pack Mask has also been added to our equipment along with several new smoke masks. This set-up certainly equips us for about any emergency cov- ering this type of work. We are tooled for about any average repair job in our department. With a permanent mechanic I feel that we are well equipped.


Retirement


Warren A. Davis was retired after 20 years of active service in this department. He served as a fire alarm man and was a credit to himself and to the department. Mr. Davis was declared unfit for fur- ther service in the Fire Department by authorized physicians and was retired by the Board of Selectmen, September 30, 1945.


Appointments


Arnold Spediacci, heading the civil service list, was appointed to Mr. Davis's position as a permanent man in the Swampscott Fire Department. Having already served three years as a military sub- stitute, he was well qualified for this position. He assumed his duties as a permanent man August 9, 1945.


Military Service


All members of this department have been returned to regular duty in this department after having been discharged and passed


71


FIRE ENGINEERS AND FIRE CHIEF


1945]


the necessary physical examination as required by law. At this time I want to thank those who served us so nobly as military substitutes during our emergency period. These men, namely, Mr. Arnold Spedi- acci, Mr. Sidney Cole, Mr. John Boston, Mr. John R. Maitland, Mr. Linwood Clements, Mr. Charles Colwell and Mr. Ernest Gendren, performed a fine piece of work. They deserve all the praise and credit a grateful town can bestow on them. THANK YOU, BOYS.


Auxiliary Department


During the year this group of fine men went out of active service. They still are on call, if the occasion arises. The officers in charge of these men can be justly proud of the men and themselves. They did a fine job. I hope that the town will see fit some day to reward these men for their achievements. I want to thank them personally at this time, and I know that in time of trouble where I can get some fine men, well trained. I would suggest that the equipment now in town which was loaned to us by the Federal government be returned as soon as possible before deterioration sets in and we have to pay for any damage incurred.


Return to Revenue


I am at this time placing before you the accomplishments of this department as to our operating costs.


Year 1945


$3,460.57


1944


5,771.42


1943


4,011.46


1942


2,682.45


$15,925.90


Total to E. D. Funds


$15,925.90


I sincerely appreciate the excellent work of our own personnel during the past years and am most grateful for the co-operation of all the Town Boards and Departments.


CHIEF CHARLES H. LAMPARD.


In offering this report to the Town, the Board of Fire Engineers desires to go on record as being duly appreciative of the co-operation of the Chief and the entire department as well as other Town Officers and personnel.


BOARD OF ENGINEERS, Roy F. Olson, Chairman; Walter F. Livermore, Frederick P. Rooke.


72


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Building Inspector


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


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


Permits Issued


Estimated Cost


Dwellings:


New


1


$ 8,000.00


Alterations and Additions


29


11,625.00


Private Garages:


New


5


5,400.00


Alterations and Additions


3


3,050.00


Miscellaneous :


Show Room


1


7,500.00


Fire Damage Repairs


1


5,000.00


Hotels (Alterations)


2


4,000.00


Greenhouses


2


575.00


Elevator


1


500.00


Store (Alterations)


1


500.00


Henhouses


3


160.00


Demolish Dwelling


1


Demolish Sheds


3


Demolish Water Tower


1


Move Dwelling


1


Move Garage


1


56


$46,310.00


Building Permits


56


Permits to Shingle


85


141


Number of Inspections (Buildings)


68


Number of Inspections (Shingling)


85


153


Amount of Building Fees Collected


$54.00


Elevator Operators' Licenses Issued : New


8


8.00


Renewals


1


.50


9


$62.50


All hotels and elevators have been inspected and returns made to the State. Several complaints of violations of the building laws have been investigated and in all cases adjustments made.


Frequent examinations were made of buildings in course of con- struction and repair.


Respectfully submitted,


RAYMOND O. DOANE, Building Inspector.


73


SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES


1945]


Sealer of Weights and Measures


December 31, 1945.


To the Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit my report for 1945.


Adjusted


Sealed


Not Sealed


Con- demned


Scales :


Platform, over 10,000 lbs.


0


2


0


0


Platform, 100 to 5,000 lbs.


5


13


0


0


Counter, under 100 lbs.


5


15


0


0


Beam, 100 to 5,000 lbs.


1


1


0


0


Spring, under 100 lbs.


8


24


0


0


Computing, under 100 lbs.


3


26


0


0


Person Weigher (Slot)


0


4


0


0


Prescription


1


4


0


0


Weights:


Avoirdupois


1


29


0


0


Apothecary


3


50


0


5


Volumetric Measures :


Liquid Measures


0


46


0


1


Dry Measures


0


7


0


0


Automatic Liquid-Measuring Devices :


Oil Pumps


5


20


0


0


Gasoline Meter Systems


9


40


5


0


Vehicle Tank Meter System


8


20


0


0


Bulk Station Meter System


3


6


0


0


Grease Measuring Devices


1


21


0


0


Linear Measures:


Yard Sticks


0


3


0


0


Totals


53


231


5


6


Trial Re-Weighings


Commodity


Number Number Tested Correct


Incorrect Under


Over


Bread


72


72


0


0


Butter


182


182


0


0


Dry Commodities


588


580


4


4


Fruits and Vegetables


627


573


5


49


Meats and Provisions


47


45


0


2


Potatoes


246


185


13


48


Totals


1762


1637


22


103


Inspections


Paper or Fiber Cartons


134


Pedlers' Licenses


3


Milk Jars


442


Coal Certificates


2


Markings of:


Bread


83


Food Packages


1,545


74


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Wholesale Milk Cans


4


Clinic Thermometers


45


Ice Cream Cans Oil Jars


120


166


Other Inspections


315


Total


2,859


Tests Made


Approved Paper Cartons


3


Retests of Gasoline Devices After Sealing


29


Berry Baskets


3


Manufacturers' Sealed Milk Jars


14


Miscellaneous


307


Total


356


This department wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to all those who co-operated in the performance of my duties as Sealer.


Respectfully submitted,


C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


Superintendent of Cemetery


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of the Cemetery for the year 1945.


Number of Interments for the year were 87.


Lots were sold and many put under Perpetual Care during the year and all fees received pertaining to the Cemetery were turned over to the Collector of Taxes.


We started two weeks earlier than usual because the year was a very wet one, which fact necessitated extra work in mowing. There were a lot of sunken graves that had to be fixed with several founda- tions which kept the help busy; all shrubs and walks were well cared for.


I wish to extend my thanks to Mr. T. Cooke, President of the Lynn Sand & Stone Co., who gave the Cemetery Department eighty- five tons of dust for the carting of same.


All things for the year went very well and all necessary work was done to the best of our ability considering the difficulty experienced in obtaining part-time assistance.


I would recommend a garage and a good tool shed in the imme- diate future.


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS HANDLEY, Superintendent.


75


THOMSON ESTATE COMMITTEE


1945]


Report of the Committee Appointed in 1944 To Purchase and Adapt for Town Offices the Professor Elihu Thomson Estate


December 24, 1945.


The undersigned Committee, Philip W. Blood, Chairman, Henry S. Baldwin, Richard P. Breed, Loring Grimes, and Harry D. Linscott, appointed by the Moderator April 17, 1944, following vote by the Town Meeting under Articles 28 and 29 of the 1944 Warrant, submits its report. The Town Meeting's directive and the Committee's author- ity appear in the vote, a copy of which is annexed.


On May 25, 1944, the Committee purchased from the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Trustee under a trust created by the late Professor Elihu Thomson, the estate bounded by Monument Avenue, Burrill Street and Elmwood Road, consisting of the Thomson mansion, the laboratory building connected with same, the garage, the heating and lighting equipment, and 148,487 square feet of land, for $30,000. There were no agency commissions or fees of any kind.


J. Williams Beal Sons were engaged as architects for remodeling the structure for a Town Administration Building. This firm had per- formed an important and successful job for the Town in rebuilding the Swampscott High School.


In due course bids were advertised. The contract was awarded November 29, 1944 to Daniel Cunningham Co., the low bidder, at $25,070. In April 1945 the Annual Town Meeting appropriated an additional $5000. The meeting also voted to place the grounds in charge of the Park Department and appropriated $4400 to put them in shape. The remodeling job was completed and the building occupied by the town officers and departments July 30, 1945.


Need for Administration Building


The Committee appointed in 1940 to study the need for a new Town Hall reported to the Annual Town Meeting of 1944 in favor of acquiring the Thomson estate. The report appears on Pages 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the 1944 Annual Town Report. It was read at the adjourned meeting April 11, 1944, and, under appropriate articles in the War- rant, questions of necessity, cost and alternatives were fully debated. The Finance Committee recommended in favor. There was opposition, and every point, for and against, was discussed. The Town Meeting Members voted to accept the report and adopt its recommendations by 112 in favor to 16 against.


Cost and Tax Rate


The Town's appropriations for the project have been:


1944-$6000 out of tax levy; $30,000 by transfer from the excess and deficiency fund of the Town; $24,000 by a ten year bond issue, payable $2400 a year.


1945-$5000 out of tax levy for building completion; $4400 out of tax levy for grounds rehabilitation; $800 by transfer.


The tax rate for 1944 was $30 per thousand; for 1945 was $29 per thousand. Two-thirds of the cost has been paid. On existing values the bond issue adds approximately ten cents a year for ten years.


76


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


The undertaking has had no detrimental effect on the finances of the Town.


All bills were signed by the Committee, approved by the Town Accountant, and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, before payment by the Town Treasurer, as required by law.


An itemized statement of payments is annexed to this report.


The Building


The building contains nine offices on the ground floor and eight on the second floor, plus hallways, washrooms, and toilets. There is a third floor with six rooms, not in use and not likely to be needed for some years. The walls are of masonry construction. The roofs are of red slate with tar and gravel deck and copper flashings. Oak floors have been left untouched and others covered with linoleum or mastic tile. Most of the rooms have mahogany, oak, or cherry panelling. The heating, electrical, and plumbing systems are excellent and adequate. The basement is dry and in good condition. The offices and committee rooms are spacious, well lighted and ventilated, and generally excel- lent. Suitable vaults have been installed for the Treasurer, Clerk and Tax Collector, Assessors, Water and Sewerage Board, Engineers, Ac- countant, and Selectmen.




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