USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1947 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
At the end of each summer each park should have a drill team, volley-ball team, and any other activity which is competitive. These teams should compete at one park with parents invited, to show the work being done by our town. This exhibition day should come about the Saturday before Labor Day.
INSTRUCTION
Park instructors should be of college age preferably because any boy younger than this would be apt to feel less sure of his instruction. Maturity is needed for the control of the children of this age. In- structors would arrange teams at the park after meeting with the Supervisor. After arranging the teams the two instructors and the Supervisor would meet again to arrange the schedule for the year. Each instructor would be required to be at the park from nine till twelve in the morning. All other time would be on his own. Women instructors would have the same hours. The reason for such short hours is because of the attraction at the beach. Saturday morning would have to be included because the older boys (Juniors) would want just as many days at the park as the younger ones (Midgets). This would provide three days each for the two groups.
INSTRUCTOR'S WORK
I have learned by experience this year that too much time spent in "teaching" tends to disinterest the boys. At the beginning of the year the instructor should allow so much time at the beginning of the day for teaching the game, then maybe an hour's time for a game. At mid-season the teaching should be at a minimum and more time spent on games and gaining the experience of handling the ball and bat.
A schedule followed during the latter part of the summer which was found to be very successful :- 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., batting practice with attention put upon the less coordinated boys; fielding practice, adjusting and readjusting the different boys to their likings and natural ability (to their likings is not always possible). 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, begin the regular scheduled seven-inning game.
Women instructors can arrange their time the way they see fit- volley-ball nets and other provisions should be made for her to keep the children interested.
72
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
I believe that the two sections of town, Beach Bluff and Abbott- Jackson Section, would provide the number of boys necessary for two or more midget teams at each park and possibly one or two junior teams at each park. Transportation will not be needed on the days that league games are being played but ... I suggest the town make provisions for at least nine games out of town, that is one a week for each group, one junior team and one midget team making one trip a week. A town truck would be adequate.
SUPERVISOR AND HIS WORK
The Head Instructor or Supervisor would have his hardest work at the beginning of the summer and at the end of the summer. His job would include enough work and figuring to warrant the extra job provided.
Business would include the meeting and instruction of the in- structors, arranging the league and placing the teams in the league, providing equipment for the parks, and arranging the exhibition at the end of the summer. Like the floor walker in a department store, he would check and recheck on the instructors at each park, making sure that everything is in order and instructors are on the job. Instructors would be on their own, naturally, but there should be some overseer or head to the department.
All expenses should be in the hands of the Supervisor. He should know how much he has to work with and how much support is behind him.
EXHIBITION
The Saturday before Labor Day should be set aside for the final day of parks being open. The exhibition should be a field day with the following events: Foot races; base running; throwing for accuracy; hitting for distance; baseball game for championship in both leagues (this could take place the day before); volley-ball; drill teams. Judges would consist of the Selectmen and whoever he wished to assist him. Prizes would be baseballs, baseball bats, books, and ribbons. These would be very inexpensive and could be donated by the local stores or people in town.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
Football in the latter part of August and through September afternoons until Junior High started their activities.
Individual instruction for children not able to catch on to the game as fast as the others. This instructor would be paid by the child's parents.
Pay for the instructors could be cut to $20 per week and the women $15 per week. Supervisor should be paid $30 per week.
Expenses have been estimated to come to around $1300 for the summer. This is including equipment, instruction and Supervisor for the period of 11 weeks.
On June - boys from eight years old to eleven reported to Jack- son Park for baseball. The following day boys from twelve to fifteen years reported. At this time there were a total of fifty-six boys in- terested in baseball.
73
RECREATION PROGRAM
1947]
For the first week the boys were arranged with two junior teams and four midget teams. After three weeks of instruction in fielding, hitting and pitching, the midgets were reduced to three teams-the Red Sox, Braves, and Indians. This reduction was due to the boys going away to summer camp and interest in other activities about town.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were devoted to the midgets and Tuesday and Thursday to the juniors. A three-team league was acti- vated for the younger boys and the juniors resorted to outside games with Lynn and Nahant.
Equipment purchased during the summer months included the following: Catchers' glove, mask, protector, and shin guards; four dozen balls and one dozen bats.
The last two weeks an expected disinterest of a great number of the boys participating in the midget league was seen. Football was the uppermost thought in their minds for a few days. Outside games with Nahant and Lynn soon drew their attention to baseball again.
Improvement could be seen in the boys toward the end of the summer. Scores were lower due to better playing on the part of the boys.
The majority of the boys did not know how to bunt at the begin- ning of the summer. A number of the boys have become good bunters and some resort to this rather than hitting. Hitting stances were im- proved much more in the midgets than in the juniors because the juniors have much more definitely formed habits of hitting.
On August 29th the Jackson Park baseball ended. The following day the midgets had a field day. Events were: Running bases, throw- ing for accuracy, and hitting for distance. Prizes were given for each event consisting of baseballs, bats, and baseball books.
Equipment was collected and turned in to the Board of Selectmen. This included catcher's equipment and bats.
Next year we hope to see an improvement, with two parks open to the boys.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT P. FRIBERG,
Instructor.
74
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Town Engineer
To the Board of Selectmen:
Submitted herewith is the annual report of services rendered by the Engineering Department during the calendar year ending December 31, 1947.
SANITARY SEWERS
New sanitary sewers were constructed in Porter Court, Suffolk Avenue, and Sargent Road.
A new surface water drain was constructed from Orchard Road to the Stanley School play area.
The engineering services required by the Sewer Department in- cluded preliminary surveys, completion of preliminary plans, estimate of quantities, and cost of construction, preparation of specifications, designation of lines and grades in the field, supervision of construc- tion, preparation of final plans, computation of final quantities and cost and computation of assessments. Record plans and descriptions of the necessary easements for these sewers and drain were completed.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
At the request of the Health Officer we have assisted him at dif- ferent times in locating cesspools, and inspecting construction of septic tanks, in areas where there are no sanitary sewers.
ASSESSORS' DEPARTMENT
From time to time, as real estate transfers became available, cor- rections were made on the plans in the files of the Assessors' Depart- ment. This work included a study of over one hundred abstracts.
PARK DEPARTMENT
Engineering services required by the Park Department included designation of lines and grades in the field, supervision of construction of a concrete apron at the Fish House, placing of new goal posts, and setting construction batters for the new Field House at Phillips Park. From time to time estimates were made for quantities of material necessary for grading at the different parks and play areas under the supervision of that department.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
At the request of the Police Department accident surveys and sketches were made on Redington Street and Beach Bluff Avenue. We have had a request from this Department for traffic study sketches which require some extra study and will be prepared in "1948."
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
At the request of the Highway Department lines and grades were supplied for King's Beach Terrace sidewalks and roadway, Hemenway Road sidewalks and roadway, Lexington Park and Circle drainage, Shelton Road catch-basins, Roy Street sidewalks, Gale Road and Rockyledge Road drain.
75
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1947]
STREET LINE SURVEYS
At the request of citizens concerned twenty-six (26) surveys were made for the purpose of locating street lines as established by old town plans. This work in some cases included the study of private deeds and visits to the Essex Registry of Deeds in Salem to straighten out errors found in old plans and deeds.
SELECTMEN'S DEPARTMENT
In compliance with a request of the Board of Selectmen, estimates and listings of the several streets for the purpose of laying new side- walks were made and on completion of the construction of the same by the Highway Department computations were made of the areas of sidewalks to be assessed each abutter, and listed according to name, address, Assessors' Plan and Lot number.
A survey was made of the Tax Title land adjacent to the Town Standpipe property, and a plan of the same was made for the purpose of passing a deed to this property to a prospective buyer.
A survey and a plan was made showing the condition of over- hanging shrubbery on Humphrey Street near the Phillips Beach Depot.
Engineering advice was given on such matters as the elimination of traffic hazard at the "S" curve, so-called, and Essex Street Bridge over the Boston & Maine Railroad tracks. Zoning and Planning laws were explained with regard to building code in the different districts.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Water pipe locations were given at Ocean Avenue, Bradlee Ave- nue, Longley Avenue, Winshaw Road, Worcester Avenue, Plymouth Avenue, Brown Road, Erie Street, Blodgett Avenue, The Greenway, Charles Road and Cutting Road; also batters for building a new garage on shop property.
The engineering for this work included preliminary surveys, pre- liminary plans, estimates of ledge excavation, final surveys and final plans.
At the request of the Welfare Department a survey was made of the property at 6 New Ocean Street, locating the buildings and com- puting the location of the Town line passing through said buildings.
PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT
The department continued functions with a Chief Engineer, As- sistant Engineer, Rodman and an Inspector.
A new counter, with filing cabinets enclosed, was made and has proved very successful in laying out plans for citizens looking for engineering information and also properly preserving the section plans of the town.
The department still needs more filing cabinets, a calculating ma- chine, drafting equipment and field equipment, some of which it is hoped may be purchased in "1948."
In closing I wish to thank the various heads of departments for their fine cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD L. HAMILL, Town Engineer.
76
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Town Clerk
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1947:
Births recorded, 203: Males-113; Females-90.
January 16 April 20 July 13 October 15
February 28 May
24 August
19 November 9
March 15 June
24 September 20 December
Marriages recorded-171.
January 11 April 17 July
10 October 17
February 14 May
12 August
13 November 15
March 10 June
28 September. 18 December 6
Deaths recorded, 146: Males-69; Females-77.
January 21 April
15 July 12 October 14
February 11 May 7 August
11 November ... 11
March 8 June 15 September 10 December 11
Dogs licensed, 663: Males-371; Females-51; Spayed-231;
Military-8; Transfers-2.
Money Paid to the Town Treasurer
Resident citizen fishing licenses
76 @
$2.00
Resident citizen hunting licenses
151
@ 2.00
Resident citizen sporting licenses
50 @ 3.25
Resident citizen minor and female fishing licenses
16
@ 1.25
Resident citizen trapping licenses
1 @ 5.25
Resident citizen minor trapping licenses
2
@ 2.25
Resident citizen sporting licenses
7
@
Free
Resident citizen military and naval sporting licenses
3
@ Free
Duplicate licenses
1
@ .50
Resident citizen fishing licenses (Old Age Assistance)
4
@ Free
Money paid to the Commissioner of Fisheries and Game.
MALCOLM F. MacLEAN, JR., Town Clerk.
77
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
1947]
Collector of Taxes
Malcolm F. MacLean, Jr., Collector of Taxes, in account with the Town of Swampscott
1947
Dr.
Real Estate Taxes
$798,491.30
Real Estate Taxes (supplementary)
70.00
Sewer Assessments
6,363.61
Sidewalk Assessments
269.42
Committed Interest
854.50
Water Liens
2.250.00
Personal Taxes
48,821.96
Poll Taxes
7,488.00
Poll Taxes (supplementary)
30.00
Excise Taxes
42.978.58
Unapportioned Sewer Assessments
1,236.47
$908.853.84
Cr.
Cash paid on Real Estate Taxes
$746,049.85
Cash paid on Real Estate Taxes (suppplementary)
70.00
Cash paid on Sewer Assessments
3.712.02
Cash paid on Sidewalk Assessments
253.10
Cash paid on Committed Interest
733.28
Cash paid on Water Liens
1,696.31
Cash paid on Personal Taxes
44,691.27
Cash paid on Poll Taxes
5,326.00
Cash paid on Poll Taxes (supplementary)
30.00
Cash paid on Excise Taxes
39,583.91
Cash paid on Unapportioned Sewer Assessments
25.00
Abatements on Personal Taxes
2.725.96
Abatements on Real Estate Taxes
9,026.74
Abatements on Poll Taxes
2.116.00
Abatements on Excise Taxes
1.775.75
Abatements on Water Liens
2.00
Uncollected Real Estate Taxes
43,414.71
Uncollected Sewer Assessments
2,651.59
Uncollected Sidewalk Assessments
16.32
Uncollected Committed Interest
121.22
Uncollected Water Liens
551.69
Uncollected Personal Taxes
1,404.73
Uncollected Poll Taxes
46.00
Uncollected Excise Taxes
1.618.92
Uncollected Unapportioned Sewer Assessments
1,211.47
$908,853.84
78
TOWN DOCUMENTS Highway Department
[Dec. 31
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
Submitted herewith is the annual report of the services rendered by your Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1947.
The biggest event of 1947 for this department was the delivery of additional equipment and with the expectance of the delivery of three sidewalk tractors sometime during the month of January 1948 this department will be completely motorized.
With the large snow storm which fell upon the town during the Christmas holidays, the new equipment-especially the Sno-Go snow loader-has proved its worth and the town should realize a substantial savings with this piece of equipment alone.
As in all previous years the Highway Department is always will- ing to render service to its citizens in any emergency provided it is in accordance with the town's by-laws.
STREETS
The streets were reasonably well maintained during the year as most maintenance materials were available.
The following streets, having been accepted by the town, were built to grade, resurfaced and seal coated and sidewalks constructed, namely; Cliff Road, Holly Circle, Winshaw Lane, Hemenway Road, King's Beach Terrace.
In addition your highway department also resurfaced the streets as listed :
Cherry Street from Hillside Avenue to Essex Street
Andrew Road-Shaw Road
Sheridan Road-Hampden Street Ocean Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to the beach
Bradlee Avenue from Phillips Avenue to Ocean Avenue Mountwood Road, Lincoln House Court
Spring Court, Porter Place-Valley Road Claremont Terrace, Phillips Street, Walker Road Farragut Road, Monument Avenue, Banks Road Phillips Avenue, Chapman Road, Palmer Avenue Middlesex Avenue, Ellis Road, Whitman Road A portion of Beach Bluff Avenue
SIDEWALKS
In accordance with the vote of the Board of Selectmen new side- walks were constructed under the Continuous Sidewalk Act on the following streets:
Jessie Street-Roy Street Forest Avenue-Plymouth Avenue Worcester Avenue-Greenwood Terrace Lewis Road
79
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1947]
Sidewalk Maintenance
Listed are the streets on which sidewalks were repaired during the year:
Hemenway Road, Ocean Avenue, Palmer Avenue
Burpee Road, Burrill Street, Atlantic Avenue
Lexington Circle-Hillcrest Circle, Valley Road
On Hillcrest Circle and Burpee Road it was necessary to erect fences on the sidewalk right of way for the protection of the citizens traversing on these particular streets.
DRAINS
New drains were laid on Blaney Street from Humphrey Street to Blaney Circle; Lexington Circle, Shelton Road.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
The Essex Street Bridge decking was repaired this fall and ad- ditional work will be necessary during the coming year.
The beaches were cleaned every working day during the summer months, also Humphrey Street, Burrill Street, Essex Street and New Ocean Street. All other streets in town were cleaned at least twice a year and more often if needed. All streets are viewed weekly.
Snow fences are erected and taken down annually on Salem Street, Crosman Avenue, Linden Avenue, Dennison Avenue and Sumner Road.
In the fall this department was kept busy for about two months clearing leaves from the streets. This also prevents surface drains from blocking up and causing floods. All catch-basins were cleaned during the year.
SNOW EQUIPMENT
At the present time we have the equipment listed to fight snow storms:
1-1946 5-ton Truck
1-1940 312-ton Truck
3-1947 3-ton Trucks
1-1927 Tractor
1-1945 Sidewalk Tractor
1-Sno-Go Snow Loader
1-"V" Plow for large truck for deep snow.
7-Horses
8-Sidewalk Plows (horse-drawn)
200 tons sand (treated with calcium chloride) 15 Tons Rock Salt
In accordance with the Town By-Laws all purchases in excess of $500.00 were advertised and obtained under contract.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
80
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of By-Law Committee
In accordance with the vote on March 17, 1947, of the Town Meet- ing members upon Article 87 of the Town Warrant, the Moderator duly appointed a committee to study the present town by-laws and regulations and make recommendations for their revision.
Soon after its appointment, the committee elected a chairman and secretary and divided the committee into sub-committees for detailed consideration and study of the present by-laws, and existing regula- tions of town departments.
Regular meetings were suspended in the fall of 1947 to allow the sub-committees further time to complete their respective work. Con- siderable progress has been made, but it is impossible to make a com- plete report without further study for at least another year.
Among the many matters considered by the committee were the proposals for amending the zoning by-laws. As to this the committee decided to take no action in view of the fact that we understand that the Planning Board is to sponsor an article in the Town Warrant for the adoption of its proposed amendments.
The By-Law Committee recommends that the town adopt a by- law providing for the appointment of an Inspector of Wires and to this end has sponsored an appropriate article in the Town Warrant.
Many other suggestions have been considered by the committee but the subject assigned to it is of such magnitude and scope that it has been impossible to complete the work and to take up the problems of each department in the nine-months period in which the committee has been in existence.
During the coming year suggestions and recommendations from Town Officials and the citizenry at large would be appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY R. MAYO, JR., Chairman THOMAS M. NEWTH, Secretary JAMES W. SANTRY, JR. KENNETH W. ULMAN ALBERT S. HILLS JAMES F. RYAN LEWIS H. BERRY
81
WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
1947]
Water and Sewerage Board
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1947.
SERVICES:
31 New services have been installed
3 Services abandoned
49 Services renewed completely
10 Services renewed from main to sidewalk
8 Services renewed from sidewalk to meter
3 Frozen services thawed
63 Service leaks repaired
93 Services cleaned out
418 Services on request have been turned on and off
METERS:
31 Obsolete meters have been replaced with new ones
100 Meters have been cleaned, repaired and tested
150 Meter leaks have been repaired in the field
MAINS:
A total of 2742 feet of 6" cast iron mains were laid in the following streets:
Blodgett Road, 336 feet; Brown Road, 576 feet; Charles Road. 324 feet; Erie Street, 270 feet; The Greenway, 696 feet; Pine Hill Road, 450 feet; Worcester Avenue, 60 feet.
1 Major break was repaired in our large mains.
A twenty scale plan of all extensions and new installations of water mains made this year has been made, thanks to the fine co- operation of the Town Engineer and his assistants.
HYDRANTS:
4 Broken hydrants were replaced.
5 Hydrants were added to the system. One in each of the fol- lowing streets:
Brown Road, Charles Road, Blodgett Road, The Greenway, Pine Hill Road.
The spring and fall flushing of hydrants was carried on in the usual manner after notices had been posted in the daily papers in- forming the public of our schedule.
The usual fall inspection, repairing and winterizing of hydrants was performed and all town departments having an occasion to use hydrants were sent letters requesting them to notify us of the use of any hydrants during the winter months.
STANDPIPE:
The Standpipe was given a general overhauling. All leaks in the plates were caulked, after which the tank was drained, cleaned, scraped, wire brushed and painted two coats of paint on the inside. The outside was then given two coats of aluminum and the word SWAMPSCOTT conspicuously painted in black letters upon it.
82
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
EQUIPMENT:
Two new trucks were purchased-One 2-ton platform dump body truck for general use; one 1/2-ton pick-up body truck for the meter department which will also be used for general work when not in use for meter work.
A crane and power winch were installed on the 1939 model Ford truck previously used for general purposes. Since its installation we have been able to handle much heavier pipe and fittings in a simpler and more efficient manner than heretofore and with a lack of the former and ever-present danger of injury to the workmen.
Due to the cramped quarters and lack of housing for stock and equipment, a new building 24 feet by 40 feet has been constructed on our property at 8 Pine Street. This building is of a permanent construction and will serve our needs for a long time to come.
BULLDOZER:
During the past years the time and labor saving offered by a Bulldozer has been proven many times. The uses to which this piece of machinery can be put are many. However, when the use of one of these machines is required it has to be hired and often times one is not available when needed. A machine of this type can be used every day by some department or other and the money paid for its use would in a short time pay for one for the Town. Therefore we would like to suggest that a town-owned bulldozer be purchased from donations by the Water Department, Park Department, Highway Department, these departments having the greatest demand for this piece of equipment.
To the Department Heads and Personnel of all Town Depart- ments, thank you for your individual and collective co-operation throughout the past years.
The details of Water Pipe construction follows and cost of same can be found under the Town Accountant's Report.
Inch
Wrought Iron
Cast Iron
Cement Lined 303
Brass
Total
11/4
303
11/2
80
438
518
2
4,067
1,468
2,117
7,562
4
4,494
........
........
132,053
8
11,158
........
..
...
11,158
10
..
........
........
........
22,050
12
..
........
14,604
........
........
14,604
14
4,712
........
........
4,712
16
.......
........
........
........
150
4,067
189,221
1,851
2,555
197,694
HYDRANTS:
In use December 31, 1946
31
Added in 1947
5
In use December 31, 1947
319
GATES:
In use December 31, 1946
597
Added in 1947
11
In use December 31, 1947
608
..
..
4,494
6
132,053
.......
......
..
22,050
..
.......
........
150
83
WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
1947]
SERVICES:
In use December 31, 1946
2,954
Added in 1947
31
Abandoned in 1947
3
In use December 31, 1947
2,982
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY, WATER DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1947
Water mains and standpipe
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.