USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1946 > Part 16
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$1,395,132.83
Balance January 1, 1947
391,108.19
$1,786,241.02
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1946
Cash
Petty Cash
$391,108.19 215.00
Special Tax
499.32
Reserve for Special Tax
$ 499.32
O. A. A. Reimbursement
3,497.30
Reserve for Petty Cash
215.00
Tailings
56.89
1944 Poll
26.00
1945 Poll
110.00
1945 Real Estate
2,080.38
1946 Poll
132.00
1946 Personal
770.16
1946 Real Estate
40,397.00
1944 Excise
58.67
1945 Excise
73.50
1946 Excise
471.13
1945 Moth
1.39
1946 Moth
359.50
Sewers Added to 1946 Taxes
2,582.32
1945 Sewer
160.26
Unapportioned Sewer
5,439.31
Unapportioned Sidewalks
485.59
1946 Sewer
616.69
1946 Sidewalk
26.97
Tax Titles
6,967.90
Property Taken by Town for Taxes
7,824.81
Water Rates
5,405.26
Water Services
205.05
Liens Added to 1945 Taxes
43.20
Liens Added to 1946 Taxes
529.47
Water Interest
59.04
Water Rents
302.00
Amount carried forward
$464,570.62
$6,648.00
Dr.
Cr.
Overdraft
192
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward
Dr. $464,570.62
Cr. $6,648.00
Water Miscellaneous
115.00
D. A. R. Health
549.86
Park
171.10
66
Welfare
1,513.27
66
Old Age Assistance
1,197.58
A. D. C. State
617.04
O. A. A. State
2,133.59
State Aid
210.00
1,073.89
Burials
1946 Committed Interest
Water Available Surplus
44,741.61
Special Revenue
16,369.90
Water Revenue
5,644.92
Moth Revenue
360.89
Sewer Revenue
7,565.20
Sidewalk Revenue
458.62
Tax Title Revenue
14,792.71
D. A. R. Revenue
1,261.62
Excise Revenue
603.30
Committed Interest Revenue
69.04
Cemetery Revenue
548.00
Excess and Deficiency
91,067.17
1942 and Previous Overlays
117.86
1943 Overlay
70.33
1944 Overlay
257.17
1945 Overlay
4,485.31
1946 Overlay
4,896.88
Overlay Reserve
12,437.48
Loans in Anticipation of Revenue
200,000.00
D. A. R. Cemetery Perpetual Care
100.00
Cemetery Receipts
9,241.58
Old Town Hall
2,730.00
Fire Alarm Boxes
7.49
Ladder Fire Truck
5.86
Phillips Beach Engine House
2,460.06
Outfall Sewer
3,909.15
Vinnin Street Sewer
1,911.18
Sargent Road Sewer
243.24
Lexington Circle Drain
600.00
Elm Place
4.62
Beverly Road Sewer
438.72
Bates Road Sewer
668.73
Brewster Terrace Sewer
102.32
Brooks Terrace, Lexington Circle and Park Sewers
1,237.89
Ocean Avenue Sewer
544.34
Plymouth Avenue Sewer
3,038.22
Hawthorne Road Sewer
1,364.71
Continuous Sidewalk Construction
2,118.05
Sargent Road Repairs
278.04
Salem Street
1,549.61
Essex Street
5,000.00
Blaney Street
320.20
Rockyledge Road
266.00
Amount carried forward ...... $486,788.47
$436,626.79
School
41.25
World War II Allowance
Military Aid
150.00
19.00
69.04
448.00
1946]
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
193
Amount brought forward
$486,788.47 $436,626.79
Gale Road
115.40
Highway Department Equipment
35,801.81
U. S. Grant-O. A. A. Administration
840.85
Old Age Assistance A. D. C. Administration A. D. C. Assistance
699.97
J. Morse Library Fund
190.82
E. R. Whittle Library Fund
42.50
M. L. Thomson Library Fund
35.13
Veterans' Celebration
851.89
Warrants Payable 1945
356.00
Painting Library
25.00
Fourth of July
194.00
Armistice Day
69.40
Recreational Program
456.60
Park Department Plans
50.00
Park Department Plaques
471.62
Warrants Payable 1947
2,469.23
Fish House Drive
746.28
Essex Street Water Main
1,456.41
Ocean Avenue Water Main
62.09
Pine Hill Road Water Main
2,584.08
Gale Road Water Main
823.94
Rockyledge Water Main
1,746.31
Balance carried forward
$486,788.47
$495,211.18
Amount brought forward
$486,788.47
$495,211.18
Winshaw Lane
1,241.30
Bradlee Avenue Water Main
177.00
Blodgett Avenue Water Main
2,362.64
Trust Fund Transactions
10,699.92
State Assessments
1,503.73
Dr.
Cr.
$498,992.12 $498,992.12
I. MURRAY ADAMS, Town Accountant.
8,099.51
395.55
194
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
World War II Committee
Swampscott, Mass., May 10, 1946.
Board of Selectmen, Administration Building, Swampscott, Mass.
Gentlemen :
In accordance with vote on Article 21 at the Town Meeting held April 9, 1946, the undersigned Committee appointed by the Moderator has held several meetings during the past four weeks and have dis- cussed the matter of an appropriate celebration very thoroughly.
After considerable deliberation and investigation as to sentiment among our townspeople and World War II Veterans, we have con- cluded that a celebration in honor of those men and women of Swamp- scott who served in the armed forces during the recent war, is not only feasible but desirable as well.
While this Committee has made an exhaustive survey into the approximate cost of the proposed observance and has many definite plans and programs in mind, we do not believe it is our function or authority to make any specific recommendation at this time as to type of celebration. We do desire, however, to bring to your attention that observances of this character are and will be held throughout the State and Nation during this year. Some of our neighboring communi- ties on the North Shore are planning to officially welcome home their service men and women during the summer months, and the City of Lynn is devoting one full week for this occasion.
We feel that a suitable celebration, to be carried out by a sub- sequent Committee, is a reasonable and appreciative recognition of the sacrifices made by nearly 1600 of our fellow citizens during World War II.
We, therefore, recommend that a Special Town Meeting be called by your Board at which time sufficient funds may be appropriated for this observance.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT G. BYRNE, Chairman; DR. LEONARD J. KRAMER, HARVEY P. NEWCOMB, HARRY M. SHANAHAN, JOHN H. CROPLEY, JR.
Welcome Home Committee
Board of Selectmen Swampscott, Mass.
Gentlemen:
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting, a committee was named by the Town Moderator to formulate plans for a Welcome Home Celebration to the residents of our Town who had been in active service of the United States during World War II. This committee
195
WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE
1946]
began its work immediately upon notification and met several times weekly in order to formulate its plans in the shortest time in order that all concerned might be able to take advantage of all the functions planned for the celebration. As there was not any available list of names and addresses of veterans from the Town it was necessary to compile this information, so that any eligible veteran would not be slighted, and this was done, and letter of invitation was sent to every known address and newspaper notices were inserted giving all the information regarding the various functions.
At the organization meeting of the committee, Harry M. Shana- han was elected Chairman and Jane Hathaway, Secretary. At the various meetings all possible forms of entertainment were discussed that would provide the very best in entertainment, as disclosed by many contacts with veterans themselves, and also to keep within the sum of $8,500 voted by the Town Meeting.
It was finally decided that a dance, banquet and church service on three separate days would appeal to the great majority of the men and women veterans, and accordingly the Chairman named the follow- ing sub-committees:
Entertainment-Rev. Leonard J. Kramer, Harvey P. Newcomb, Win- throp M. Sears.
Dance-Charles P. McGettrick, Jane Hathaway, John H. Cropley, Jr.
Gifts-Robert G. Byrne, Frederick R. Champion, Jacob Shactman. Credentials-Henry S. Baldwin, Mrs. Harold Fletcher, Robert B. Hegarty.
Finally the following Program was approved: Wednesday, October 2, 1946, Dance at New Ocean House. Saturday, October 5, 1946, Banquet at New Ocean House.
Sunday, October 6, 1946, Church Services at all the Town Churches.
Herewith is a resume of the various functions:
Wednesday evening, October 2, 1946. An informal Ball was held at the New Ocean House with Shep Fields' New York Orchestra pro- viding the music, at which approximately 1500 people were present, as any veteran was allowed to bring a guest. During intermission 32 gifts of radios, electrical appliances of all sorts, leather luggage, clocks, etc., were given to all veterans whose names were drawn from the container which held the names of every person from Swampscott who had served in the armed forces during World War II. Also during intermission refreshments were served to all present. This party con- tinued until 1:00 A.M. and all present expressed the thoughts of a most pleasant occasion.
Saturday evening, October 5, 1946. A banquet was held at the New Ocean House at 7:00 P.M. This occasion was for veterans only and approximately 800 men and women enjoyed a delicious dinner and an elaborate entertainment program after the dinner. Short addresses were made by Chairman Shanahan and Robert G. Byrne, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Reading of the names of all veterans who had made the supreme sacrifice was made by Rev. Leonard J. Kramer. Guests included Selectmen Kenneth W. Ulman and Roger J. Connell, Town Moderator Vincent P. O'Brien and Town Accountant I. Murray Adams. After the banquet a drawing was made for a fully equipped Ford 1947 automobile, and this gift was won by Theodore P. Nordin, of 96 Kensington Lane. The entertainment provided was acclaimed by all present and this party ended at 12:00 P.M. after a most enjoyable evening.
Sunday, October 6, 1946, Solemn Welcome Home Services were held in all the churches in the Town at which the veterans attended in
196
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
large numbers. While the ceremonies were held for those veterans present, there were also solemn memorials for those boys who failed to return from the war.
These services brought to an end the period of celebration and since then many commendatory letters have been received showing that the various functions provided had been well received by all.
The expenditures as shown on the books of the Town Accountant amount to $7,648.11. This leaves a balance of $851.89 and whereas the Committee has provided a celebration for the returned men and women, it is suggested that this sum be used toward a memorial for those boys who failed to return. This amount should help immeasur- ably to provide a lasting memorial to be established in their memory.
While the work of this Committee has made it necessary that the various members give much of their time and energy in order that all the various functions culminate successfully, the members of this Wel- come Home Celebration Committee are especially proud to have been named to this Committee and they feel that any time or energy used, was to further a most worthy cause, in welcoming back home all the boys and girls of Swampscott who served in the armed forces of our country, and who fought in defense of our nation.
To them, may it always be a most sincere and honest "Welcome Home."
HARRY M. SHANAHAN, Chairman.
JANE HATHAWAY, Secretary.
Henry S. Baldwin
Robert B. Hegarty
Robert G. Byrne
Rev. Leonard J. Kramer
Frederick R. Champion
Charles P. McGettrick
John H. Cropley, Jr.
Harvey P. Newcomb
Mrs. Frances Fletcher
Winthrop M. Sears
Jacob Shactman
Report of the Park Commissioners
Fisherman's Beach
Blaney Beach, or as called by most people, Fisherman's Beach, is one of the most popular on the North Shore and presents many problems. Each year the crowds get larger, so that the administration problems also get larger. By far the worst condition to contend with is the problem of garbage and floating matter arriving on the beach from an unknown source. The Board of Health, through its Health Officer, has been most cooperative and has left no stone unturned in trying to get the Commonwealth to act. Several tests were made of the water, but the condition is still with us.
Athletic Fields
With the return of the veterans, the baseball field was used at Jackson Park every day throughout the entire summer season. Or- ganized teams from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (County Champions), the C.Y.O., as well as the High School team brings forth the fact that the second diamond at Phillips Park is necessary. It is a healthy condition to see the youth of the Town again interested in the national pastime of baseball.
The Junior High School is still without adequate play fields and feel that only with the proposed new fields and locker building will these boys and girls be properly taken care of for sports. This was
197
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
1946]
well brought home to us, as we happened to see a group of football players walking up Burpee Road well after dark. They were coming from the stadium at Phillips Park and were still in their football clothes. This fact would not alter the distance from playing fields but with the addition of a locker building the boys would have at least shower facilities and be able to walk home in their street clothes.
Skating: Skating was not too good, due mainly to the few cold days that are so necessary to make good ice. A new hockey rink has been constructed at Jackson Park in the rear of the tennis courts. With the use of this rink, we hope to make Abbott Park less dangerous to the little tots by eliminating the hazard of enthused hockey players.
Administration Grounds
The application of the hot-top to the parking area and the plant- ing of the memorial trees marked the continuance of the development program. We still have a few trees to go in and welcome any further donations of memorial trees or groups of flowering shrubs.
Phillips Park Dump
An honest effort has been made this past season to control the dump which started out as a dumping spot for garden refuse and building materials, and now has become a regular dump of auto bodies, garbage, and just any waste. At a recent conference with the Board of Health and this Board, it was brought out that a member of the Board of Health has made a study of surrounding municipal dumps and found that control was accomplished only through the means of water, a fence, and a crawler type bulldozer.
We inquired into the price of a caterpiller bulldozer and the cost was high. We petitioned the War Assets Administration, who referred us to the National Housing Administration. Both of these agencies had what we wanted at greatly reduced prices, but we were not able to cut the red tape necessary to obtain one. Perhaps the fence with gates opened only at definite hours might help.
Tennis Courts
The tennis courts became more popular this season than any time since the start of the war. We felt, however, that not a sufficient number of people used the courts to warrant opening the second set of Courts at Jackson Park and did so only at the request of towns- people. A careful nightly check-up substantiated our belief that out- of-towners were the users. Again at the request of citizens, we will put back the tennis court attendants this coming season and hope that people will really take advantage of the fine clay courts.
Shade Tree Work
The influx of the Dutch elm disease into the Greater Boston area is just another terrible threat to the future of already hurricane torn and pavement starved New England monarchs. Wherever and when- ever possible, we are replacing them with traditional sugar maples, the rugged pin oaks, or the beautiful lindens. We are at the point when the future must be considered. We have many matured trees close to the property lines which are bringing complaints from the house owners that the trees are dominating the street. This is a situation in which many of the property owners have just cause to complain. One of the remedies lies in "under planting" and rotating shade trees on a cycle; so that they never become nuisances, but a thing of beauty and something the adjacent property owner is proud of and not distressed by having to reshingle, repaint, and finally petition for its removal. This also makes the work of the Highway Department easier, for it should eliminate the pitches in the side- walks, caused by large roots. It really becomes an issue between sentiment and hard common sense.
198
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
At the same time we wish to go on record as desiring grass plots in future residential developments to give the newly planted trees a chance for survival.
Spraying
Each year emphasis is placed on the Gypsy, Brown-tail, and elm leaf beetle, while the average small house owner worries about his evergreens or apple trees. We have, at the present time, the Gypsy and Brown-tail moths pretty well under control, and the elm leaf beetle with timely application can be controlled; so we will try to tell the property owners that in all fairness, there is quite a bit in trying to produce edible fruit. First the apple trees should be pruned of criss- cross branches and too much wood, yet bearing in mind not to take off too much in one season to produce sun-scald, or blistering the branches that have previously been sheltered, by killing the tender cells of the growing wood. What we are trying to say is that the size of the fruit is in part governed by the amount of branches. The trees also must be fed. In a forest there is a natural food in the form of dead and decaying vegetation. The home owner keeps his yard spic and span; so that there is no food going into the ground. A simple and effective method is applying a balanced tree fertilizer in a circle, extending to the outside branches, to the soil at a depth of approxi- mately ten inches by a crow bar. Ten pounds per inch in diameter should be sufficient. A healthy tree will withstand a lot and look a lot better too. When this has been done, it now becomes our problem to help.
Rainy seasons produce fungii, or spores, such as happened this past season to McIntosh Reds, which are black spots on the leaves and fruit and yield rot. Liquid lime sulfur at frequent intervals or a new mercurical compound, help hold in check. We have other rots which require spraying with wettable sulfur. Arsenate of lead is still used for the control of leaf eating insects, but may give way to D.D.T., when more is known about its application. The sucking aphids must be controlled with nicotine sulfate and a sticker, rotenone pyre- thrum, or summer Volck and the same treatment, but a timely appli- cation to the Railroad Worm that stings the fruit lays its eggs and thus a worm in the fruit. The Massachusetts Extension Service Bulle- tin No. 100D on Apple Spraying recommends several sprayings. The information from this bulletin obtained from the Massachusetts State College and a small knapsack or hand sprayer can help supplement the limited spraying that we are able to do.
For most of the evergreens, liquid lime sulfur, nicotine sulfur or summer Volck will give a control. This department is pretty well equipped to do the job, but it is a big task and if you will bear with us, inform us of your troubles in time, we will try to solve them.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN HOMAN, RALPH I. LINDSEY, FREDERICK C. BURK,
Board of Park Commissioners.
IN MEMORIAM
EVELYN I. ANDERSON
Health Nurse 1939-1946 Died May 20, 1946
ELBRIDGE G. BLANEY
Member Fire Department 1908 Died June 5, 1946
HAROLD C. BLANEY
Member Board of Fire Engineers 1916 Died May 23, 1946
WILLIAM J. PRATT Member Fire Department 1944-1946 Died December 3, 1946
200
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Selectmen's Report
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
The Board of Selectmen submits herewith its annual report for the year 1946.
At the Annual Town Election March 18, 1946, in the contest for Selectmen, a tie vote resulted for the third Selectman, between Mr. Roger J. Connell and Mr. Edgar U. Burdett. As a result of this vote, a recount was necessary and Mr. Connell was determined the winner. The first meeting of a full board of three members was held on April 4, 1946.
Cemetery Department
On May 16, 1946, Thomas Handley, who served for a long period of years as Superintendent of the Cemetery, retired, and John E. Wood was appointed his successor.
The Board held many conferences with the new Superintendent, Mr. Wood, and as a result of these, it was found that most of the single grave lots in the Cemetery had been sold. Upon authorization from the Board of Selectmen, the Superintendent, assisted by the Town Engineer, Howard L. Hamill, was authorized to establish more single grave lots. The Board ordered the use of cement vault liners to be placed in the grave lots in place of the old type wooden boxes as it was believed that this would prevent the sinking of graves and require less maintenance by the cemetery workers.
The town owns land adjoining the cemetery which was taken by tax title. Though offers have been made to the Board for the purchase of this land, the Board is of the opinion that this land should be re- tained for the enlargement of the Cemetery and has referred this matter to our Planning Board for further study.
Sale of Land
In accordance with Article 78 and the vote of the Town Meeting in the Annual Warrant of 1946, the Selectmen held a public auction on October 31, 1946, for the sale of real estate owned by the town acquired for non-payment of taxes.
There were thirty-two parcels offered for sale. Ten of these sold for a total sum of $1,935.27 and were restored to the tax list to bring future revenue to the town. Before these lots were placed on sale veterans in need of housing were given a preference through the Veterans' Housing Committee and the Board of Selectmen to purchase any lots that were desirable to them; however, only two veterans took advantage of this opportunity before the auction sale.
Street Lights
The extension of the new type lumen street lamp along the main thoroughfares and other streets is a progressive step.
We have had the Lynn Gas & Electric Company make a survey for added improvements during the coming year and have requested funds in the street lighting budget for this purpose.
Bus Service
During the year we held conferences with the officials of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company and were fortunate
201
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
1946]
to obtain direct bus service from Phillips Beach to Boston and return via Humphrey Street. The buses in the morning now leave Phillips Beach between 7:00 and 9:00 A. M. and return from Boston between the hours of 5:00 to 7:00 P. M.
We also obtained the extension of the five cent fare limit in upper Swampscott on the Lynn-Salem Loring Avenue line via Essex Street from the corner of Eastern Avenue and Essex Street to the Lynn- Swampscott line, so that the residents of upper Swampscott now en- joy the same service as those in lower Swampscott.
Police Department
At the Annual Town Meeting the town voted to authorize the addition of four permanent patrolmen to the Police Department.
Your Board requisitioned the Civil Service Commission for a list of eligible men and although there were four on the list who were eligible, there were only three who wished to accept the position.
On April 25, 1946, the Selectmen appointed as permanent patrol- men, to become effective May 1, 1946, the following men: Clark W. Wood, 8 Arbutus Road; Joseph Doane, 55 Puritan Road, and William A. Hinch, 14 Maple Avenue.
On recommendation of Chief of Police Wall, your Board, with the approval of the Civil Service Commission, appointed Edward P. Carroll, a resident of 80 Stetson Avenue, a permanent patrolman effective July 1, 1946. Mr. Carroll was formerly a member of the Re- serve Police force and at the time of his appointment was serving as a regular member of the Metropolitan District Police and transfer was made with the approval of the Metropolitan District Commission and the Civil Service Commission.
Fire Department
The Fire Department comes under the jurisdiction of the Board of Fire Engineers appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
The Board held various conferences during the year with the Board of Fire Engineers and as a result of this were able to consoli- date the positions of Forest Warden and Fire Chief, thereby eliminat- ing the salary of Forest Warden.
We were also successful, with the cooperation of the Board of Fire Engineers and the approval of the Board of Fire Underwriters, in eliminating the sounding of the fire whistle after 10:00 P. M., which was formerly a source of annoyance to the residents in the vicinity of the old Town Hall.
Electrical Wire Inspection
Since 1928 the town has been advocating more strict inspection of installation of electric wires and a system of permits before work can be done. Your present Board feels this is a matter that requires serious and immediate attention for the safety of all residents of the town, with the ever increasing amount of electrical appliances and automatic heating systems being installed in homes.
We are, therefore, inserting an article in the Warrant for the appointment of a Wire Inspector and recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to create the position of Wire Inspector and a salary established or to create a new position in the Fire Department of a Superintendent of Fire Alarms and Wire Inspector similar to other cities and towns whichever will be for the best interests of the town.
202
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Chapter 90 Highways
On Article 20 of the Warrant of 1946, the town appropriated a sum of money for the resurfacing of Essex Street. This work was to be done by the State which was to contribute $10,000, the County $5,000 and the Town $5,000.
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