Town annual report of Swampscott 1946, Part 9

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1946
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 232


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1946 > Part 9


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As an explanation to the citizens, under the Continuous Sidewalk Act, the Board of Selectmen authorize the new sidewalks to be con- structed, 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 845 lineal feet of granite edgestones, 160.2 tons of bituminous concrete, 1700 feet 1"x12" pointed stakes, 111 cubic yards of loam, 107 sticks of dynamite, 2 boxes of caps and 20 pounds wire box nails.


The department repaired sidewalks on the streets listed:


Andrew Road Aspen Road Bradlee Avenue Burrill Street Elmwood Road Franklin Avenue Humphrey Street


Kensington Lane Monument Avenue Paradise Road


Railroad Avenue Redington Street Sheridan Road Thomas Road


Jessie Street


89


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


1946]


The maintenance of the above named sidewalks required 300 tons bituminous concrete, 50 tons stone dust and 25 cubic yards loam.


STREET SIGNS


This is a project sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and the work performed by the Highway Department. During the year 50 new street signs and posts were erected in addition to the maintenance of those already installed.


This is a project that requires constant attention because of the fact we have so many signs destroyed by vandalism. The same condi- tion is prevalent in all surrounding communities.


BROOKS AND CATCH BASINS


A culvert located on Atlantic Avenue and running from the Hotel Preston to Beach Bluff Avenue which had collapsed was repaired dur- ing the current year.


On Essex Street at Jackson Park a drain was constructed to re- move the surface water from the street and eliminate a bad condition and required the use of 144 feet 12 inch reinforced concrete pipe, 1 D frame and grate, 6 tons bituminous concrete, 2 tons fine sand, 1000 brick and 10 bags cement.


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. All streets are viewed once each week.


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, Sumner Road. In the harvest season, the department was kept busy for about two months cleaning the leaves from the streets. This also aids in preventing surface drains from blocking up and causing floods.


As in previous years we continued to co-operate with the citizens of the town by plowing their land for gardens.


The following fences were repaired: Greenwood Avenue Humphrey Street


Millet Raod


Salem Street


SNOW EQUIPMENT


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


1 1927 5-ton truck


1 1934 1/2-ton truck


1 1936 5-ton truck


1 1940 312-ton truck


1 1927 tractor


1 1945 sidewalk tractor and plow


4 sand spreaders


90


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


1 "V" plow for large truck on deep snow 7 horses 14 sidewalk plows


200 tons of sand for sidewalk not treated


300 cubic yards of sand treated with calcium chloride used on streets


20 tons of rock salt


5 tons of calcium chloride to treat sand


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


Some of our trucks are quite aged and this coming year will be replaced with new and sturdier equipment.


As authorized by the vote of the Town Meeting under Article 60 of the Annual Warrant we have purchased a flexible sewer rod equip- ment with all accessories to cut roots out of our drains and sewers. This equipment should prove very beneficial in speeding up this type of work.


We have placed an order for a motorized street sweeper complete with a gutter broom, rear broom and leaf rake. This new piece of equipment is scheduled for delivery about April 1, 1947.


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


PERSONNEL


Daniel P. Regan, who was in the service of the U. S. Army, re- turned to work on December 19, 1946, after service on foreign soil.


Respectfully submitted,


TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.


Dog Officer


To the Board of Selectmen:


There were 786 complaints received by me concerning dogs within the town during the year 1946, all of which were investigated and remedied.


There were 586 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 145 being restored to their various owners and 346, later proven to be stray dogs, were disposed of. Many dogs within the town have died during the past year, some being killed by motor vehicles, others died of natural causes.


All owners who had neglected to license their dogs as provided by statute have been notified and required to procure the necessary license. The total number of licenses issued during the year 1946 was 680.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIS E. SHEPHARD, Dog Officer.


91


FIRE ENGINEERS' AND FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT


1946]


Board of Fire Engineers' and Fire Chief's Report


To the Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


To the Board of Fire Engineers Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my report for the year 1946.


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 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 DIAL LY 2-0082 BUSINESS DIAL LY 5-4050


Records


1945


1946


Number of calls


414


688


Calls to Lynn


35


21


Calls to Marblehead


9


28


Equipment Used


1945


1946


21/2" hose


11,550 feet


19,450 feet


11/2" hose


5,350 feet


8,540 feet


3/4 " hose


32,600 feet


123,600 feet


Booster tanks


156


357


Indian pumps


274


407


Ladders used


1,208 feet


1,699 feet


Salvage covers


5


11


Foamites


5


4


Gas masks


8


18


Hours of duty


225 1/2


367


CO2


......


6


Fire Loss Record


Value of buildings


$347,660.00


$675,025.00


Fire loss


14,983.00


18,700.00


Value of contents


$126,500.00


$134,550.00


Fire loss


4,617.00


7,796.00


Inspections


Regular inspections are carried out by our department. All mer- cantile, public buildings and hotels are inspected at regular intervals. Being governed by Section 148, General Laws, we make recommenda- tions as allowed. Follow-up inspections are made for enforcement pur- poses. I feel that the new town ordinances should be drawn up to allow better and more thorough inspections to be made.


92


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Drills


Drills are a daily function of this department. These cover all phases of our operations. Fire drills are held at our schools. The teach- ers who are responsible for these drills certainly do a fine piece of work. I extend my thanks and praise for the fine work they do.


Fire Alarm


Our fire alarm system is in fine condition at the present time. Identification lights have been installed on all the fire alarm boxes. Under our progression program our system has been and will con- tinue to be extended as fast as our finances will allow. I would like to suggest at this time as a post war measure that a new transmitter be installed for the purpose of transmitting the fast increasing number of telephone calls received. Approximate cost, $900.00.


Permanent Men


Man power is and always will be the urgent need in our depart- ment. Our Central House is well manned. Phillips Beach is in urgent need of more men. This machine protects a very high valued district. It operates with two men. It is impossible to operate this pumper, except at incipient fires, with two men. A glance at the comparative records of this department for the past two years. Along with the fact that there has been a tremendous increase in alarms from this district I feel that at least two men be added to this company. It is an unsafe condition for the town as well as for the men who respond with this piece of apparatus.


Equipment


Our equipment is in fine condition, including hose. With our yearly hose program I do not look for any large expenditures for hose unless overtaken by some emergency. The only machine that is causing me any worry is Engine No. 1, purchased in 1932. It needs a new engine. Requests are included in our annual budget for the same. The Buick (Chief's car), purchased in 1938, should be replaced.


Buildings


Some work has been done, as voted at the annual town meetings, at Phillips Beach. The Board of Fire Engineers will report on this further.


Due to overcrowding at the Central House we will have to have more sleeping accommodations. The Board of Fire Engineers will report on this item further.


Appointments


As voted by the annual town meeting four men were added to this department: Mr. Sidney Cole, Mr. John R. Maitland, Mr. Harold Jacobs, Jr., and Mr. James Champion. Mr. Maitland, Mr. Jacobs, and Mr. Champion were appointed from permanent intermittent lists, Mr. Cole from the call force-two veterans and two civilians. Mr. Woodbury Rodrick was appointed in the place of William Pratt, who gave his life in the performance of his duty.


I sincerely appreciate the excellent work of our personnel during the past years. I am most grateful for the co-operation of the Board of Fire Engineers and all other town boards and departments.


CHIEF C. H. LAMPARD.


93


FIRE ENGINEERS' AND FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT


1946]


REPORT OF BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


Gentlemen:


The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submits its report for the year 1946.


The Board of Fire Engineers has installed a telephone system which we believe gives the town better fire protection. Engine No. 2, which is stationed at Phillips Beach Engine House, now only answers alarms in that section of the town and a switch has been installed whereby they can receive calls on Fire Department Emergency Tele- phones when the apparatus is out of Central Fire House. If both Fire Houses are empty the Police Department relays call to Lynn Fire Alarm Headquarters. This affords us complete coverage at all times at a minimum of expense.


The Tower of Phillips Beach Engine House has been removed, and a new asbestos shingle roof installed to replace slate roof which leaked badly. This work has been done as voted at the Annual Town Meeting.


The sleeping accommodations at the Central Fire Station on New Ocean Street are very crowded and the Board feels that some provi- sions should be made to enlarge sleeping quarters by addition to pres- ent room.


The Board has discontinued the blowing of the audible alarms on the old Town Hall from the hours of 9 P. M. to 8 A. M.


The Board regretfully reports that one of the members of its department died while in performance of his duty at a fire on the morning of December 3, 1946.


IN MEMORIAM


WILLIAM J. PRATT, appointed permanent fireman July 21, 1944, while in service of the United States Army. Honorably discharged from service and returned to duty November 1, 1945. Killed in the performance of his duty December 3, 1946.


This young man was a very able and willing worker and his loss is greatly felt by all members of the Fire Department.


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


BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


Lawrence A. Sager, Philip L. Knowlton, Charles H. Lampard, Chief.


94


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures


Swampscott, Mass., December 31, 1946.


To the Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit my report for 1946.


SCALES:


Adjusted


Sealed


Not Sealed


Con- demned


Platform, over 10,000 lbs.


0


2


0


0


Platform, 100 to 5,000 lbs.


4


7


0


0


Counter, under 100 1bs.


7


19


0


3


Beam, 100 to 5,000 1bs.


0


1


0


0


Beam, under 100 lbs.


0


1


0


0


Spring, under 100 lbs.


9


18


0


0


Computing, under 100 lbs.


9


23


1


0


Person weigher (slot)


0


4


0


0


Prescription


0


4


0


0


WEIGHTS:


Avoirdupois


0


36


0


3


Apothecary


4


38


0


0


Metric


0


7


0


0


VOLUMETRIC MEASURES:


Liquid measures


0


46


0


0


Dry measures


0


7


0


0


AUTOMATIC LIQUID-MEASURING DEVICES:


Oil pumps


1


4


0


0


Gasoline meter system


5


47


2


0


Vehicle tank meter systems


1


23


0


1


Bulk station meter systems


0


6


0


0


Grease-measuring devices


0


19


0


0


LINEAR MEASURES:


Yard sticks


0


4


0


0


Totals


40


316


3


7


TRIAL WEIGHINGS


COMMODITY :


Number Number Tested Correct


Incorrect


Under


Over


Bread


24


24


0


0.


Butter


65


65


0


0


Coal (in transit)


2


0


0


2


Dry commodities


54


53


0


1


Flour


19


19


0


0


Fruits and vegetables


907


805


8


94


Lard


37


37


0


0


Meats and provisions


73


68


0


5


Potatoes


391


264


0


5


Totals


1,572


1,335


37


200


...


95


BOARD OF APPEALS


1946]


INSPECTIONS


Paper or fiber cartons


Pedlers' licenses


13


Milk jars


509


Coal certificates


7


Markings of:


Bread


59


Food packages


1,138


Clinical thermometers


24


Pedlers' scales


1


Ice cream cans


28


Oil jars


52


Other inspections


420


Total


2,304


TESTS MADE


Approved paper cartons


12


Massachusetts Standard boxes


1


Re-tests of gasoline devices after sealing


19


Miscellaneous


5


Manufacturers' sealed milk jars


13


Total


50


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


Respectfully submitted,


C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


Board of Appeals


Swampscott, Mass., December 31, 1946.


Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Town Administration Building, Swampscott, Mass.


Gentlemen:


The Board of Appeals herewith submits its report for the year 1946.


May 17, 1946, a petition was received from Gerry W. Bessom and Frances P. Bessom through their attorney, Daniel Santry, Esquire, praying for a variance of the Zoning By-Law and the Tenement House Act, so called, with reference to premises at 49 Essex Street. Peti- tioners desired to make a third apartment on the third floor for the occupation of a veteran of World War II and claimed to come within the provisions of Chapter 13, Section 4 of the Acts of 1946. This section provides that the proceedings before a Board of Appeals shall not be governed by Section 30 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws where premises affected are owned by a City or Town. This raised the ques- tion as to whether the section could be applied to property not owned


53


96


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


by a City or Town and it was deemed advisable to refer the matter to Town Counsel for his opinion. This was done on May 20, 1946. Under date of June 6, 1946, Town Counsel advised that Chapter 13 of the Acts of 1946 was repealed by Chapter 372 of the Acts of 1946 but that this new Act does not substantially change Chapter 13. He further advised, in his opinion, "that Chapter 372 of the Acts of 1946 has no application where the premises concerned are owned by an individual or an entity other than a City or Town," and that therefore this Board has no jurisdiction in the present case to make any variance of the Zoning By-Laws or the Tenement House Act. Accordingly, the petition and check for filing fee was returned to Mr. Santry.


July 23, 1946, a public hearing was held at the Town Administra- tion Building on the petition of George R. and Margaret J. Balthazar for permission to erect a concrete garage on their property at 33 King Street, two feet in from the sidewalk in violation of Article VII of the Zoning By-Laws. Upon due consideration the Board voted to grant the petition "so as to permit the erection of a concrete garage 12'x20' with flat roof of reinforced concrete and having an overhead door to be erected 51/2' in from sidewalk."


After the Balthazar hearing the Board held an informal discus- sion with Mr. Raymond O. Doane, Building Inspector, and Messrs. Alfred N. Frazier and Scanlon, both of the Abbott Post of the Ameri- can Legion, relative to the effect and application of Chapter 592 of the Acts of 1946, entitled "An Act to facilitate and encourage the providing of homes during the present emergency." Question was raised as to whether the provisions of this Act permitted the Board of Appeals to vary the application of the terms of the Tenement House Act, so called. It was stated that the Board would not take any action under this Act without an opinion from Town Counsel. Mr. Frazier said that the Board of Selectmen at their last meeting had accepted the Act.


August 7, 1946, the Building Inspector refused a permit to Louis M. Nielsen to cut a doorway in the present partition at premises 57 Middlesex Avenue and so provide an apartment on the third floor as this is in violation of the Tenement House Act. Mr. Nielsen appealed to this Board under Chapter 592 of the Acts of 1946 and Town Counsel was requested to render his opinion as to whether this Board has jurisdiction to grant a variance with respect to the Tenement House Act under that chapter. The Board received the written opinion of James W. Santry, Jr., Town Counsel, under date of August 13, 1946, stating that this Board has no such jurisdiction, whereupon an explan- atory letter was sent to Mr. Nielsen and his check for $5.00 and original petition were returned to him. Mr. Nielsen appealed the mat- ter to the Emergency Housing Commission and after hearing in Boston, which was attended by Town Counsel, Messrs. C. Glover Bowes and Conrad P. Richardson, the Commission issued the following notice of its decision.


"Board of Appeals of the Town of Swampscott,


Swampscott, Mass.


Dear Sirs :--


Please take notice that the Emergency Housing Commission has considered the appeal of Louis M. Nielsen from the refusal of the Board of Appeals of the Town of Swampscott to reverse the order of the Inspector of Buildings of said Town and to grant a variance from the provisions of the Tenement House Law for Towns and from the Zoning By-Law of the Town of Swampscott by permitting the altera- tion of the building at 57 Middlesex Avenue in said Town for use as a residence for three families, in violation of said Tenement House Law and said Zoning By-Law. A hearing on said appeal was held October 23, 1946.


97


BOARD OF APPEALS


1946]


At a meeting of said Commission held in Boston on October 25, 1946, at which all of the members were present, the following orders were adopted, four members in each instance voting in the affirmative.


VOTED, that the letter of the Board of Appeals of the Town of Swampscott to Louis M. Nielsen, dated August 17, 1946, informing him that the Board of Appeals had no authority to grant any variance in the alteration of any building in Swampscott which would result in the violation of the Tenement House Act, and returning his petition asking for such variance and his filing fee, was tantamount to a denial of said petition.


VOTED, that the order of the Building Inspector of the Town of Swampscott, dated August 2, 1946, refusing a permit to Louis M. Nielsen to make certain alterations in the building belonging to him and located at 57 Middlesex Avenue in said Town, on the ground that the proposed alteration would constitute a violation of the Tenement House Act, be reversed.


VOTED, that the refusal of the Board of Appeals of the Town of Swampscott by order dated August 17, 1946, to grant a variance under the provisions of the Zoning Law under which Louis M. Nielsen would be permitted to make certain alterations in the building belonging to him and located at 57 Middlesex Avenue into a residence for three families be reversed, and the variance so prayed for be granted.


Very truly yours, (Signed) PHILIP NICHOLS, Secretary, Emergency Housing Commission."


August 26,1946, public hearing was held on the petition of St. John the Baptist Society to permit the erection of an addition on the north side of its premises on Burpee Road within the 10 foot set back area as defined by Article 7 of the Zoning By-Laws. The meeting was adjourned, the Board voting to go into Executive Session at the home of the Chairman the following Wednesday, August 28, 1946.


August 26, 1946, public hearing was held on the petition of Wil- liam H. Emerson, for permission to replace a toilet and lavatory with a sink thereby making a kitchenette out of present tiled bathroom in petitioner's premises at 2 Galloupes Point Road, thereby changing the same to a two family residence. Thomas S. Bubier, Esq., acting for Emma J. Brown, appeared in opposition. After the evidence was presented the Board adjourned to meet in Executive Session at the home of the Chairman the following Wednesday, August 28, 1946.


August 28, 1946, in Executive Session the Board unanimously voted to grant the petition of St. John the Baptist, and not to grant the petition of William H. Emerson.


The petition of Melvin Klein was considered by the Board after public hearing September 25, 1946. The petitioner sought permission to alter his premises at 58 Nason Road so that the existing garage could be extended nearer than twenty feet of the street line. No person appeared in opposition. The Board voted to grant the petition.


October 30, 1946, a public hearing was held on the petition of Samuel Levitsky. This was an appeal from the refusal of the Building Inspector to permit the installation of a pantry and a bedroom on the third floor of the two family house located at 10 and 12 Humphrey Street. The Board took this case under advisement and notified the petitioner that it desired to await the decision of the Emergency Housing Commission in the Nielsen matter. The copy of this decision was received November 7, 1946 (see supra), and Town Counsel gave his opinion to the Board, dated November 4, 1946, that the Board


98


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


should decide the Levitsky petition upon its merits without regard for the provisions of the Tenement House Act. This was accordingly done and it was voted to grant the petition "adequate sanitary facili- ties and means of egress and ingress to be installed and provided by the petitioner where needed."


Herbert P. and Marie K. Anderson of 53 New Ocean Street ap- pealed from the refusal of the Building Inspector to grant a permit to install two additional rooms and a kitchen on the third floor of their house at 53 New Ocean Street. Hearing on this appeal was held Mon- day evening, December 16, 1946, and the Board, after consideration granted the petition, subject to the following conditions, viz :- "that adequate sanitary facilities and means of egress and ingress are to be installed and maintained by the petitioner, subject to the approval of the Town Departments concerned, and that the tenancy shall be first available to a war veteran of the United States Armed Forces."


The same conditions were imposed upon the granting of the peti- tion of Isaac Raum to add an apartment on the third floor of his house at 74 Humphrey Street. Hearing on this petition was also held Mon- day evening, December 16, 1946.


On the same evening hearing was held on the petition of John DiDio to alter his property at 8 Dennison Avenue so that it shall contain four apartments under the provisions of Chapter 592 of the Acts of 1946. The Board was obliged to deny this appeal because it does not relate to "the alteration of a building containing a dwelling place or dwelling places" within the provisions of the above cited Chapter; and further that the petition could not be granted without substantially derogating from the intent and purpose of the by-law.


All of the foregoing decisions were unanimous.


Respectfully submitted,


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


Board of Appeals.


99


COLLECTOR OF TAXES


1946]


Collector of Taxes


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


1946


Dr.


Real Estate Taxes


$720,922.08


Moth Assessments


2,739.00


Sewer Assessments


3,313.35


Sidewalk Assessments


365.39


Committed Interest


402.86


Water Liens


1,948.60


Personal Taxes


40,497.40


Poll Taxes


7,944.00


Poll Taxes (supplementary)


14.00


Excise Taxes


19,136.05


Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


11,139.00


$808,421.73


Cr.


Cash paid on Real Estate Taxes


$678,146.32


Cash paid on Moth Assessments


....


2,560.50


Cash paid on Sewer Assessments


1,083.40


Cash paid on Sidewalk Assessments


338.42


Cash paid on Committed Interest


345.69


Cash paid on Water Liens


1,421.13


Cash paid on Personal Taxes


39,240.76


Cash paid on Poll Taxes


5,174.00


Cash paid on Poll Taxes (supplementary)


14.00


Cash paid on Excise Taxes


18,447.40


Cash paid on Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


3,642.08


Abatements on Personal Taxes


188.80


Abatements on Real Estate Taxes


8,218.32


Abatements on Poll Taxes


2,674.00


Abatements on Excise Taxes


402.49


Uncollected Real Estate Taxes


34,557.44


Uncollected Moth Assessments


178.50


Uncollected Sewer Assessments


2,229.95


Uncollected Sidewalk Assessments


26.97


Uncollected Committed Interest


57.17


Uncollected Water Liens


527.47


Uncollected Personal Taxes


1,067.84


Uncollected Poll Taxes


96.00


Uncollected Excise Taxes


286.16


Uncollected Unapportioned Sewer Assessments




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