USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1947 > Part 8
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$201,729.78
Land on Pine Street
2,000.00
Brick building on Pine Street
2,000.00
Two car garage on Pine Street
2,500.00
Work shop and garage on Pine Street
2,500.00
Three auto trucks
4,500.00
Office furniture
1,200.00
Meters and parts
40,784.00
Stock on hand
6,500.00
$263,713.78
HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS. HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water & Sewerage Board.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Emergency sewers constructed for 1947, amounting to $2,130.50, were laid in the following streets: Sargent Road, Suffolk Avenue, Porter Court, and the department also constructed a drain from Stanley School to Orchard Road for the sum of $3,100.00.
Several sewer connections have been dug up this year and roots have been removed. This work has to be done each year.
Boston 8, Mass.,
December 31, 1947.
Mr. Harold G. Enholm, Chairman
Water & Sewerage Board
Swampscott, Mass.
Subject: Progress on New Outfall Sewer Project
Gentlemen:
Since the annual town meeting, in the spring of 1947, made an appropriation of $300,000 for constructing a new outfall sewer, the necessary work preliminary to actual construction has been carried forward and is now nearly completed.
Under date of May 6, 1947, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, after reviewing the engineering report of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, recommended the adoption of the project for a new out- fall sewer.
On May 8, 1947, the Water & Sewerage Board conferred with a representative of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike regarding the necessary engineering work in preparing for actual construction.
On May 12, 1947, the Water & Sewerage Board authorized Fay, Spofford & Thorndike to proceed with the engineering work for plan- ning and constructing the new outfall sewer project.
84
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
On May 19, 1947, extensive sounding work was undertaken by the Engineers in Nahant Bay as the basis for determining an exact loca- tion to be adopted for the new outfall sewer. On completion of the sounding work and records of this work, a conference was held with representatives of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on July 3. The proposed location chosen by the Engineers for the new outfall sewer was explained and was satisfactory to the representatives of the department.
Specifications for making borings along the line of the proposed outfall sewer were prepared and on July 31, 1947, bids were received. A contract for the boring work was awarded to the low bidder, Charles A. Leary Co., at a unit price of $6.20 per linear foot of boring.
The boring work was started September 3 and completed Septem- ber 10. Results of the borings showed the location chosen for the new outfall sewer to be a proper one, with minor revisions only.
The necessary license plans for obtaining permits from the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Works and the U. S. Engineers to construct the new outfall sewer have been prepared and submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Action of the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Works upon the application is being awaited, and upon receipt of approval a request for approval by the U. S. Engineers will be made.
Plans for the construction of the new outfall sewer project are well underway and work is proceeding upon the preparation of speci- fications and other contract documents.
It is the intention that competitive bids for the actual construction work will be advertised in January, provided the necessary permits have been obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and from the U. S. Engineers.
Very truly yours, FAY, SPOFFORD & THORNDIKE.
The splendid cooperation shown by all Department Heads has been greatly appreciated.
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY, SEWER DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1947
Pumping station
$19,400.00
Pumping plant
10,004.82
Land
5,000.00
Office furniture
350.00
Tools and equipment
450.00
Truck and garage
2,375.00
$37,579.82
Comminutor building and equipment:
Building
7,000.00
Machinery and equipment
5,495.90
$50,075.72
HAROLD G. ENHOLM, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD C. HUDSON, Water & Sewerage Board.
85
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
1947]
World War II Memorial Committee
To: The Honorable Board of Selectmen
From: World War II Memorial Committee
Subject: Recommendations for a Swampscott World War II Memorial.
The Committee, duly appointed by the Board of Selectmen to look into the matter of an appropriate War Memorial for the Town of Swampscott, has studied same and makes the following report.
The Veterans feel that a Memorial which has no practical value to the community is not in accordance with their wishes. We have all heard expressed in the past seven years the following thought, "I hope my home town does not place any more cannons in the square, in memory of the war" or "Here's hoping that they invest the money in a park or athletic field or something worth while." With this oft- expressed feeling in mind, the Committee recommends:
1. That the new Field House, on a field that is now a memorial to World War I, in all respects, named after John E. Blocksidge, be ded- icated as the Swampscott Memorial to World War II.
2. That, in some appropriate place, either in front of or on the building, a bronze tablet be placed, bearing the names of all the Swampscott citizens who gave their lives in the services of their country during the period of the last conflict.
3. That a memorial book be published with the names of all those who served in the Armed Forces in the last world conflict, with a short summary of their services, similar to the one published for the First World War, the book to be distributed to the Veterans or their families.
4. That the Town of Swampscott establish a Memorial Scholarship Fund as a "living memorial" to further the cause of world peace, for which the men fought and died; that this scholarship be awarded each Memorial Day at exercises held at the Field House if such is the World War II Memorial; that the scholarship be open to all residents of Swampscott who are in their senior year of High School, whatever high school they may be attending, the award being made on a literary composition of the most important news topic of the year to further the cause of peace.
A committee should be appointed each year to judge said com- positions. Such a committee should consist of the Principal of the High School, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Commanders of the Veterans' organizations, and two Professors of higher education, one a Professor of Political Science and one of Literature. The subject should be announced January 1st so sufficient time will be given the competitors.
The Committee feels that the town should appropriate a minimum of $5,000 and use its influence to obtain the balance in possession of the War Service Committee to add to it giving a total of at least $10,000, the money to be set up in trust and the interest of which will be the scholarship of that year.
Education is the foundation of our form of government and with- out it, it will perish. It is the desire of this Committee to further that education to maintain our form of government and world peace.
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
We can think of no better way of expressing the purpose of this scholarship for a living War Memorial to further world peace, than that which Abraham Lincoln expressed himself in his Gettysburg Address:
"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought here have thus so far nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task of remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we have highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this Nation, of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the earth."
The Bronze Tablet for those who gave their lives should cost about $600 and the Memorial Book about $1800.
In submitting this report we wish to point out that we have re- ceived favorable comment from all veterans whom we have contacted and to whom we have expressed our ideas, and that if the Honorable Board of Selectmen receive this with favor and it is acted upon, it is the desire of this Committee that they be allowed to serve on the Com- mittee until such time as the program is completed.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST MANCHIN, CHARLES P. McGETTRICK, WALTER C. BOUILLET.
Board of Fire Engineers' and Fire Chief's Report
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Fire Engineers:
Cooperation 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 telephone is to be used, DIAL LY 2-0082. This line is kept open for FIRE CALLS ONLY. For business call LY 5-4050.
Please remain at the fire alarm box to direct the apparatus.
For Fire DIAL LY 2-0082. For Business DIAL LY 5-4050.
Inspections
Regular inspections are carried out by our department. All mer- cantile and public buildings and hotels are inspected at regular in- tervals. Being governed by Section 148, General Laws, we make such recommendations as are allowed. We follow up these inspections for enforcement purposes. I feel that new town ordinances should be drawn up to allow better and more thorough inspections to be made.
87
1947] FIRE ENGINEERS' AND FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
Drills
Drills are daily functions of this department. These cover all phases of our operations. Fire drills and Fire Prevention Week are held at all schools. I feel that Fire Prevention should be a daily prac- tice and I feel that by educating the public to their part in this pro- gram we will be able to reduce our tremendous property and life loss that is ever increasing in our country. The personnel of our schools do a fine job in this line and I extend my thanks for their fine work.
Fire Alarm System
Due to the prohibitive cost of material we have not endeavored to expand our system. We have been able to maintain it. It is in very good condition at the present time. Major changes are and should be contemplated when conditions warrant it. Undeground cables will have to be replaced with larger cables. New overhead construction along with replacing some overhead wires now nearing a point of un- serviceable condition is necessary. A new transmitter should be in- stalled to replace the antiquated system now in use at the central station.
Equipment
High cost of equipment prohibits any expansion in this line. Aging apparatus makes repairs and maintenance cost rise. This year we are facing major repairs on the front ends of Engine 1 and Engine 2, timing gears, brakes on Engine 2, and replacing booster tank· on Engine 1. Money for these repairs has been included in my budget. Our equipment is in good condition due to the fact that we have two good mechanics employed in our department.
Buildings
The Board of Fire Engineers will probably make a report on this part of my report.
Records for 1947
1946
1947
Number of calls
688
567
Calls to Lynn
21
23
Calls to Marblehead
28
16
Equipment Used
21/2" Hose
19,450 feet
12,850 feet
11/2" Hose
8,540 feet
9,300 feet
3/4" Hose
123,600 feet
58,400 feet
Booster Tanks
357
289
Indian Pumps
307
344
Ladders Used
1,699 feet
1,486 feet
Salvage Covers
11
8
Foamites
4
5
Gas Masks
18
0
Hours of Duty
367
3411/2
Carbon dioxide
6
1
Carbon tetrachloride
5
8
Oil Permits
Oil permits renewed
1,529
Oil permits (new issue)
149
Installations (oil) burners
149
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Fire Loss Records
Value of Buildings
$675,025.00
$353,825.00 Fire Loss
18,700.00 5,380.00
Value of Contents
$134,550.00
$13,500.00
Fire Loss
7,796.00
818.00
Considering chimney fires, burned out electrical motors and all other runs which show no loss, the value of property protected would show a much higher amount than the 1947 report shows.
In Memoriam
I regret the passing of Harold L. Jacobs, a member of this depart- ment for many years. Appointed sub-call man December, 1913. Reg- ular call man, June 1, 1914. Permanent fireman, November 10, 1917. Passed away April, 1947. He served the town well and is missed by all who knew him.
Appointments
Paul T. Dunn was appointed to the force to fill the vacancy caused by the passing of Harold L. Jacobs, Sr. Mr. Dunn topped the civil service list at that time. By vote of the town, two permanent men were added to this department as of May 1, 1947, Thomas J. Boyce and Joseph Braccio. These men headed the civil service list and were appointed from same. These three men have the distinction of serving in the Armed Forces of our country and I am proud to have them as permanent firemen.
I sincerely appreciate the excellent work of my personnel during the past years. I am most grateful for the cooperation of the Board of Fire Engineers and all other Town Departments.
CHARLES H. LAMPARD, Chief.
Report of Board of Fire Engineers
Gentlemen:
The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submit their report for the year 1947.
Work at the Phillips Beach Engine House has progressed to a point where little is to be done except for painting. The roof, sidewalls, windows and doors are now in very good condition. The old bathroom has been replaced by an up-to-date shower and the room itself com- pletely rebuilt.
The department now has a fire alarm truck for fire alarm use only. This was designed and built by the men at the Central Engine House on a chassis acquired for auxiliary use during the war years.
We have this year acquired a drill press and now maintain a machine shop that will take care of almost all repair work.
The Chief's car has been overhauled and refinished. This work has been done by department mechanics and we hope now to keep this car, a 1938 Buick, for at least another year.
89
FIRE ENGINEERS' AND FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
1947]
We find that repairs are necessary at once to the roof at the Central Engine House, after which we can report that buildings and equipment are in very good condition, excepting of course, the work to be done at Phillips Beach.
The members of this board wish to express their thanks to the Chief and members of the department for their cooperation, also to the various others who have aided during the year. We do particularly want to thank the Park Department officers and men who so ably assisted during the October dry spell, also the members of the Aux- iliary Fire Department, the Upper Swampscott Improvement Asso- ciation and the Shaw Estate Association for shoveling out hydrants.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS HAROLD F. HARVEY, THOS. J FLAHERTY, LAWRENCE A. SAGER.
90
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Treasurer's Report
Robert G. Byrne, Treasurer
In account with the Town of Swampscott for the year ended December 31, 1947.
Balance on hand, January 1, 1947
$408,935.45
RECEIPTS
Town Collector
$1,209,188.44
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
68,940.78
Temporary Loan Notes, Issued in
Anticipation of Revenue, Discounted Tax Titles Redeemed
1,135.86
Essex County, Dog Tax Refund
1,039.63
Town Clerk, Dog Licenses
1,353.00
Trust Funds Income
10.00
Withholding Income, Tax 1947
56,932.52
Withholding Income, Tax Refund, 1947
7.60
Fines
62.00
Chapter 90, Essex Street
6,215.72
Miscellaneous
13,178.15
$1,658,063.70
$2,066,999.15
DISBURSEMENTS
Warrants Paid
1,583,826.50
Balance on hand, December 31, 1947
$483,172.65
BONDS AND NOTES PAYABLE Issued Inside Debt Limit
School Loans:
Stanley School Loan, 1929 (41/2 %) $10,000.00
Total School Debt Outstanding
$10,000.00
Sewer Loans:
1928 Loan (4%)
$ 6,000.00
1929 Loan (41/2 %) 36,000.00
1930 Loan (4%) 21,000.00
1931 Loan (4%)
18,000.00
1946 Loan (1%)
35,000.00
Total Sewer Loans Outstanding Issued Inside Debt Limit $116,000.00
Miscellaneous Loans :
Stable and Vault Loan 1929 (41/2 %) .... $ 2,000.00
Town Hall Loan 1944 ( 3/4 % ) 15,000.00
Highway Equipment Loan 1946 (1%) .... 24,000.00
Total Miscellaneous Loans Outstanding $41,000.00
Total All Loans Outstanding Issued Inside Debt Limit
$167,000.00
300,000.00
91
TREASURER'S REPORT
1947]
Issued Outside Debt Limit
High School Addition Loan 1936 (2%)
$117,000.00
Sewer Loans:
1921 Loan (5%)
1922 Loan (41/4%)
$4,000.00 2,500.00
Total Sewer Loans Outstanding Issued Outside Debt Limit
$6,500.00
Total All Loans Outstanding
Issued Outside Debt Limit
$123,500.00
General Debt as of December 31, 1947
$290,500.00
STATEMENT INDICATING BORROWING CAPACITY As of December 31, 1947
Valuation 1945, Less Abatements
$23,569,768.00
Valuation 1946, Less Abatements
24,240,902.00
Valuation 1947, Less Abatements
25,358,918.00
Total Valuation
$73,169,588.00
Average Valuation
$24,389,862.66
Five Per Cent of Average Valuation
$1,219,493.13
Less Outstanding Loans Issued Inside Debt Limit
$167,000.00
Less Field House Loan 1947
34,000.00
Less Outfall Sewer Loan 1947
285,000.00
486,000.00
Borrowing Capacity as of December 31, 1947 $733,493.13
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT G. BYRNE, Town Treasurer.
92
TREASURER'S REPORT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE IN 1948
GENERAL DEBT LIMIT
SEWER LOANS
TOTAL
Month
Inside Debt Limit Principal
Interest
Outside Debt Limit Principal
Interest
Principal
Interest
Principal
Interest
January
$ ..
$ 595.00
$.
$.
$.
$.
$
$ 595.00
February
1,320.00
13,000.00
1,170.00
153.10
13,000.00
2,643.10
March
2,000.00
360.00
2,000.00
360.00
May
3,000.00
56.25
3,000.00
56.25
June
8,000.00
807.50
8,000.00
807.50
August
16,000.00
1,320.00
1,040.00
1,500.00
153.15
17,500.00
2,513.15
October
320.00
320.00
November
45.00
..
..
..
....
................
..........
................
Totals
.$29,000.00
$4,823.75
$13,000.00
$2,210.00
$1,500.00
$306.25
$43,500.00
$7,340.00 $50,840.00
..
..
....
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
September
.......
..
...
..
45.00
December
TOTALS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
..
April
July
93
TREASURER'S REPORT
1947]
Trust Funds
The following is a list of all Trust Funds held by the Town Treas- urer as Custodian of all Funds and Securities as provided for by Chapter 282 of the General Acts of 1915 and indicates deposits and/or withdrawals made during 1947 :-
Balance Jan. 1, 1948
Joanna Morse Library Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$5,196.00
Income Accrued
104.43
$5,300.43
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$2,000.00
Income Accrued
40.20
$2,040.20
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$1,000.00
Income Accrued
20.10
$1,020.10
Hattie F. Sherman Cemetery Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$500.00
Income Accrued
10.00
$510.00
Less Withdrawal
10.00
$500.00
Emma Y. Stocker Cemetery Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$510.05
Income Accrued
10.25
$520.30
Perpetual Care of Cemetery Lots Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$18,626.88
Income Accrued and Deposits
9,535.07
$28,161.95
Less Withdrawal
10,639.20
Phillips Medal Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$2,727.89
Income Accrued
54.81
Less Withdrawal
64.95
$2,717.75
Municipal Insurance Fund
Balance January 1, 1947 ....
$10,607.56
Income Accrued
213.20
$10,820.76
$17,522.75
$2,782.70
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Manuel Ross Scholarship Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$1,035.45
Income Accrued
18.79
$1,054.24
Less Withdrawal
100.00
$954.24
*High School Alumni Fund
Balance January 1, 1947
$380.47
Income Accrued
16.99
Bond Interest
100.00
$497.46
Less Withdrawal
100.00
$397.46
*This fund is held by the Town Treasurer in behalf of the Alumni Fund Committee. It is not a Trust Fund as defined by law but is in- cluded in this report so that all concerned may be informed as to its status.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT G. BYRNE, Town Treasurer.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, CONRAD P. RICHARDSON, HAROLD R. AUSTIN, Trust Fund Commissioners.
95
BOARD OF HEALTH
1947]
Board of Health
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
The Board of Health herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1947, together with those of its various officers.
During the past year there were 231 cases of chicken pox reported which caused a substantial increase in the total number of communi- cable diseases reported when compared with those reported during 1946.
Chicken pox is one of the diseases having a long incubation period and has been well spread among the school population before its presence is known. There is no isolation of contacts required, therefore it is impossible to prevent the spread of the disease.
Increases will also be noted in the number of cases of mumps, scarlet fever and whooping cough during the year over those reported in 1946.
None of these diseases appeared in epidemic form as in the ma- jority of cases there were several cases in the same family.
One case of Paratyphoid Fever (Salmonella bacilli) was reported. This was an infant of 3 months. Investigation of this case failed to reveal the source of infection. None of the other members of the family had the disease.
Four cases of Bacillary Dysentery (Sonne type) were reported during the month of November. All of the cases were members of the same family. Attempts were made to locate the sources of infection but due to the lack of cooperation on the part of those who had been in contact with the patients or had prepared food consumed by those afflicted with the disease we were unable to determine the sources of infection.
Five new cases of pulmonary and one case of other forms of tuberculosis were reported this past year. One of the cases came from another community and is charged to that community.
All of the patients are veterans of World War I and II. One case is hospitalized in the Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Mass., one in the Veterans Hospital at Northampton, Mass., one in Essex Sanatorium and the other two cases are being treated at home under the super- vision of this department.
There are three patients receiving treatment at the Essex Sanatorium.
There were no deaths from tuberculosis during the year.
We are pleased to report that there were no cases of Anterior Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) or Diphtheria reported during the past year although both disease were prevalent in surrounding com- munities.
At this time we wish to warn our citizens that there has been a substantial increase in the number of Diphtheria cases reported throughout the State and there is every possibility of its appearing here; therefore we strongly recommend that parents of those children who have not been immunized against the disease see that their children are given such protection at the earliest opportunity. In this connection we suggest that you consult your family physician for information about Diphtheria immunization.
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Twenty-nine residents and eleven non-residents were bitten by local dogs this year and five of our citizens were bitten by dogs of other communities. None of those bitten required anti-rabic treatment.
389 dogs were inoculated against rabies this year.
After a lapse of two years we were able to resume the School Tuberculosis Clinics this year and 331 of a total enrollment of 368 pupils at the High School were tuberculin tested.
16 pupils or 4.8% of those tested reacted to the test. The reactors were X-Rayed and 1 case of childhood-type tuberculosis was found.
In addition to the above there were 11 children X-Rayed by special request, 9 contact and follow-up cases and 13 of the school personnel X-Rayed.
The construction of emergency sewers in Sargent Road and Suf- folk Avenue was necessary in order to abate unsanitary conditions being created by overflowing cesspools.
Coal dust, garbage, gull feathers, oil, old lumber and other ob- jectionable floating matters were again prevalent along our beaches during the bathing season.
The conditions were called to the attention of the State Depart- ment of Public Health each time they occurred but we received little assistance from that department in our efforts to locate the sources responsible for the existing conditions.
Being convinced that more definite action must be taken by that department to locate the sources responsible for the disgusting con- ditions that have been and are still existing on our shores and along our beaches we have solicited the assistance of our legislative repre- sentatives in bringing about a thorough investigation of the situation. Through Representative Kendall A. Sanderson a petition has been filed with the legislature for a full investigation by the State Depart- ment of Public Health of the sources causing nuisances to exist along our beaches and shores and the means of rectifying the same. This petition will be heard by the Committee on Public Health sometime after the first of the new year and we earnestly hope it will receive favorable action.
As the contract for the collection of ashes and garbage expired on December 31st, it was necessary to advertise for new bids for the collection and removal of this waste material.
Under the terms of our former contract, the contractor was not required to remove builders' waste materials, furniture, tree trim- mings and other surplus waste materials and there has been consid- erable criticism of his declining to do so.
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