USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1948 > Part 11
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7
Obstruction removed or lighted
2
Parking violations:
Motor vehicles tagged 1,077
Court summonses issued 15
45
Residences temporarily closed and special attention given
225
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle notices filed
372
Sale of second-hand motor vehicles, dealers'
reports filed
592
Street and sidewalk defects reported
25
Street lamps reported out
221
Water leaks reported
10
Windows reported broken and cases investigated 42
Wires reported defective
16
DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT
The equipment of this department is regularly inspected and no effort is spared to have it ready for instant use at all times.
During the year the efficiency of this department was im- measurably improved by the acquisition of a Mobile Police Tele- phone System, which has already been installed and tested, and is now in actual operation. Many of the larger towns and cities of the Commonwealth now have such a system in use, and its results are very satisfactory. It is an invaluable asset to the town and a great contribution to the guarantee of public safety; and I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who made it possible for us to have it, including the Town Meeting Members; the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen.
NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD
An honor was bestowed on this Town during the year by the presentation of a plaque by His Excellency, The Governor of the Commonwealth, Robert F. Bradford, for the outstanding record of being free from any fatality caused by motor vehicles for the five year period from 1943 to 1947 inclusive. We are one of only six municipalities in the entire Country so recognized and rewarded. The residents of our town may well be proud of this achievement.
REPAIRS TO STATION
Much needed repairs and renovations were made to the interior of the Police Station, which is now greatly improved in appearance.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend :
(1) That the Town purchase a new motor vehicle to be used as a patrol car, to replace the 1947 Ford Sedan now in use.
(2) That the Town purchase a new motorcycle to be used for
certain kinds of patrol and other work.
(3) That there be appointed two additional patrolmen.
APPRECIATION
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Select- men, to the members of my own department, to the officers and mem- bers of the Auxiliary Police, to all Town departments, and to all others who have co-operated with me during the year.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS P. WALL, Chief of Police.
Persons reported missing and located
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Assessors 1949
The Board of Assessors submit herewith all figures used by them in the determination of the Tax Rate and other figures of a statisti- cal nature:
The property in the town assessed by the local assessors January 1, 1948 amounted to $24,510.856, an increase over the previous year (1947) of $302,018.
The Real Estate valuation January 1, 1948 was $23,101,735, an increase over the previous year (1947) of $287,805. The valuation of Personal Estate assessed by the local assessors January 1, 1948 was $1,409,121, an increase over the previous year (1947) of $14,213.
The Excise tax on motor vehicles and trailers for 1948 was $63,713.43, an increase of $20,734.85 over 1947.
LIABILITIES 1948
State Assessments :
Auditing Municipal Accounts $2,031.49
Charles River Basin
2,198.21
Metropolitan Parks
5,192.77
Nantasket Beach Maintenance
582.01
Boulevards
91.08
Metropolitan Water
14,964.12
State Retirement System Audit
49.59
1947 Under-estimates
424.34
Total State Assessments
$25,533.61
County Assessments :
County Tax
$48,221.80
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment 12,547.53
Total County Assessments
60,769.33
Tax Title Foreclosure
300.00
Court Judgment Settlement
670.00
Town Appropriations :
(a) to be raised by Taxation $1,157,571.64
(b) raised by Available Funds 98,088.70
1,255,660.34
Overlay deficits :
1942
$103.95
1943
4.00
Overlay 1948
107.95 25,505.05
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$1,368,546.28
ASSETS 1948
Property Tax Valuation $24,510,856 @ $38 per $1000 $931,412.39
Available Funds
98,088.70
Estimated Receipts (State Accounts)
151,452.14
Estimated Receipts (Town Accounts)
145,982.25
Chapt. 198 Acts of 1948
23,280.00
Over-Estimates 1947
10,668.80
Poll Taxes: 3,831 @ $2.00
7,662.00
Total Assets
$1,368,546.28
129
BOARD OF ASSESSC-RS
1948]
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS (STATE)
Income Tax
$40,409.78
59,371.85
Corporation Tax
13,235.45
Gas & Electric Franchise Tax
1,400.79
Old Age Tax (meals)
2,463.47
$151,452.14
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS (TOWN)
Motor Vehicle-Trailer Excise
$40,000.00
Licenses
7,502.63
Fines
52.00
General Goverment
560.25
Protection of Persons & Property
721.65
Health & Sanitation
624.71
Charities
38,000.00
Veterans Benefits
511.50
Schools
1,751.49
Libraries
1,198.50
Recreation
435.10
Public Service Enterprise (Water Dept.)
52,572.11
Interest
1,836.95
Town Hall Rent
215.36
$145,982.25
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of persons, Partnerships and Corporations Assessed on Property
4,207
Number of polls assessed
3,831
Value of land
$6,716,660
Value of Buildings
16,385,075
Value of Assessed Real Estate
23,101,735
Value of Stock in Trade
86,830
Value of Machinery
120,957
Value of Live Stock
140
Value of Poles, Wires etc
114,850
All other Tangible Personal Property
1,086,344
1,409,121
Tax Rate per $1000
38.00
Number of Horses Assessed
2
Number of Fowl
40
Number of Acres
1675
Number of Dwelling Houses
2813
TAXES FOR STATE, COUNTY AND TOWN PURPOSES
On personal Estate
$53,546.60
On Real Estate
877,865.79
On Polls
7,662.00
TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED
$939,074.39
We are sorry to report that Clarence B. Humphrey retired from The Board of Assessors during the year 1948, after having served the Town thirty years on that particular Board. Clarence B. Humphrey has served the Town in many capacities over a long period of years and always put service to the Town ahead of his personal desires. Through his retirement the Town has lost a staunch worker and very popular Town Official.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK E. MORRISON, JOHN A. HOLMES ERNEST MANCHIN, Board of Assessors.
34,570.80
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Planning Board
The Planning Board has held meetings as necessary during the year with the exception of the summer months. A large number of minor subdivisions and changes of subdivisions have been considered and approved.
The Zoning Ordinance and Map accepted by the Town at the last Town Meeting has been published in pamphlet form by the Board and is available at the Town Clerk's office for residents who need a copy.
A few minor modifications of the new law have been suggested and these are being presented to the next Town Meeting as articles in the warrant.
We have considered the advisability of preparing at this time an Official Map as authorized in Chapter 340 Acts of 1947 and have decided that at the present it is not necessary.
In our Master Plan prepared in 1943 and 44 we recommended the construction of a gymnasium for the Junior High School and felt at the time that the schoolroom capacity was adequate. Since then the birth rate has been climbing and based on a brief survey we feel that some action should be taken very soon on the matter of enlarged school facilities. It would seem to be an unnecessary waste of public funds to build a gymnasium if in 2 or 3 years we are going to be faced with heavy expenditures for enlarging or rebuilding the Junior High School. We recommend that this be referred either to the Planning Board or to a special committee for investigation and report on the probable needs of the town over the next 10 years so that intelligent action can be taken.
Additional space is needed in the Public Library and a study of the rearrangement required and estimated cost should be made, since there is adequate land available.
Respectfully submitted,
THE PLANNING BOARD
Ralph L. Williams, Chairman James R. Maddock, Secretary Gordon L. Brown
Harold M. King
Alexander B. Way, Jr.,
Board of Appeals
Swampscott, Mass. January 1, 1949
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Administration Building 22 Monument Avenue
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Board of Appeals herewith submits its report for the year 1948.
It was with sincere regret that due to his poor health it became necessary for Conrad P. Richardson, Esquire, to resign as member and Chairman of the Board of Appeals, which office he held for over fourteen years. Mr. Richardson was always deeply interested in the
131
DOG OFFICER
1948]
duties of the Board of Appeals and was meticulous in his fairness to all parties concerned, during his tenure of office. He took a great pride in setting up a record and filing system. The Town of Swamp- scott and the Board of Appeals in particular have already missed his able services.
Also it was necessary for the Clerk, Mrs. Dorothy M. Richardson to resign for the above reasons.
The Board of Selectmen appointed Mr. T. Paul Corcoran, Jr., to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Richardson's resignation.
Miss Mary McDonough was appointed clerk to replace Mrs. Richardson and held this position until October when she also found it necessary to resign for business reasons. Mrs. Margaret M. Scanlon was then appointed as clerk of the Board.
At the annual town meeting of this year new Zoning By-Laws were accepted, and approved by the Attorney General on July 12, 1948, which resulted in new kinds of cases being heard by the Board of Appeals, heretofore heard by the Board of Selectmen. This to- gether with the increased number of new dwellings which required approval by the Board of Appeals resulted in much more activity on the part of the Board.
During the year there were 25 appeals, three times the number of cases heard in 1946.
There were no cases heard before the Emergency Housing Com- mission this year. All cases to date have been disposed of.
Respectfully submitted, C. GLOVER BOWES, EUSTIS B. GRIMES, T. PAUL CORCORAN Board of Appeals.
Dog Officer
Town of Swampscott January 3, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen
Administration Building
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
There were 910 complaints received by me concerning dogs within the town during the year 1948 all of which were investigated and remedied.
There were 496 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 458 being re- stored to their various owners and 38, 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 1948 was 639.
Respectfully submitted, Willis E. Shephard, Dog Officer
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Contributory Retirement Fund
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
This is the twelth annual report of the Retirement Board.
We suffered a severe loss when Clarence W. Horton, the em- ployee's representative died on August 26, 1948. He was vigilant, aggressive and fearless in his efforts to secure greater benefits for the small wage earner, and was of great help in forwarding the goals we have in mind. We shall all miss him.
As stressed in our previous reports: the pensions to small wage earners, and their survivors, continue pitiably small, much lower than benefits under Old Age, or Social Security. Last year this board ap- peared four times before legislative committees at the State House, urging the payments of pensions sufficient to support a retired employee, and meet his minimum needs. We failed of our purpose, but we did convince the legislators that under our present laws, our pensions are not adequate, and are far below what is paid under Social Security and Old Age. It is now generally agreed that it is unjust to grant larger benefits to those who contribute nothing, and that some revision should be made of our pension laws so that the benefits will be sufficient to provide retired employees the bare essentials.
The State Association of Retirement Boards has introduced to the present legislature, several bills. It is attempting to secure the same treatment for veterans of World War II as are now granted veterans of the first World War. House Bill No. 985 has been filed, seeking to grant half pay to an employee who has had twenty five years service. The adoption of legislation of this type will go far to remove many of the existing inequities.
The Board has also caused to be placed on the Town Warrant an article permitting the Town Meeting members to vote on the acceptance of Chapter 558, Acts of 1948, which grants a $200.00 increase to pensioners who retired before January 1, 1946, provided that the entire annual payment does not exceed $1,500.00. The As- sociation has introduced a bill before the legislature seeking to apply this principle to those who retired after January 1, 1946.
The inadequacy of present pensions is forcefully realized when we consider that of 14 pensioners, 8 receive less than $50.00 per month. This is scarely adequate to sustain a man and wife under present conditions.
This matter is of most vital interest to town employees, and it can only be corrected by bringing pressure to bear upon the members of the state legislature to secure the passage of legislation bringing town employees up to the benefits granted under Old Age.
Present indications are that it will be very difficult to secure increased benefits this year, as a number of bills, upon other subjects, calling for large appropriations of money, will likely pass, and the tendency is to postpone any legislation which does not have the support of a large and active group. However, it is our considered opinion that in time laws will be passed providing more equitable treatment of those in the lower pay brackets.
The Massachusetts Association of Retirement Boards has now placed itself on record as favoring more equitable treatment of
133
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT FUND
1948]
employees in the lower wage brackets, and this factor alone will add considerable weight to our pleas to the legislators.
However, we again urge each employee to exert himself in urging a correction of present laws, as it is impossible for a man after 20 years service with the town to support himself and his wife on a pension of $50.00 per month.
MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY
A. Membership December 31, 1947
114
1. Enrolled during 1948
9
123
2. Deaths
1
3. Withdrawals
3
4
B. Membership December 31, 1948
1. Retirements for :
12
2 B. Ordinary Disability C. Accidental Death Benefit 1 15
C. Total Membership December 31, 1948 134
The following is an income statement for the period January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1948: Balance December 31, 1948 $98,641.73
INCOME
Contributions by members
$15,162.20
Contributions by Town :
For Pension Fund $12,710.36
For Expense Fund 1,739.79
14,450.15
Investment Income
2,539.04
$32,151.39
$130,793.12
DISBURSEMENTS
Refunds :
Withdrawals
$2,165.05
Interest
1.58
$2,166.63
Administrative Expenses :
Clerical Hire
$1,039.79
Extra Clerical
120.00
1,159.79
Other expenses:
Stationery & postage
22.33
Printing & Binding
122.08
Furniture & Fixtures
73.58
Bonds for members
25.00
Travel
76.49
Telephone
27.01
Reimbursement of Board member
120.00
Medical examinations
45.00
Miscellaneous
20.00
531.49
1,691.28
119
A. Superannuation
134
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Pensions :
Annuities
$455.54 $12,145.21
$12,600.75
Pensions
497.87
Depreciation
58.79
Amortization of Bonds
10.00
566.66
Adjustment Petty Cash
$17,025.32
Cash on hand and
investments
$113,767.80
INVESTMENTS
Danvers Savings Bank
$2,000.00
Lynn Five Cents Savings Bank
4,000.00
Lynn Institution for Savings
3,000.00
Salem Five Cents Savings
Bank
4,000.00
Salem Savings Bank
2,000.00
$15,000.00
U. S. Savings Bonds
72,680.00
American Tel. & Tel. Co.
5,109.51
Boston Edison Co.
2,051.50
Conn. River Power Co.
1,069.79
Illinois Bell Tel. Co.
1,024.13
Pacific Tel. & Tel.
993.18
82,928.11
Equitable Co-op. Bank
1,000.00
1,000.00
First National Bank, Boston
9,067.00
National Shawmut Bank
960.00
10,027.00
Security Trust Co. Cash
Petty Cash 10.00
$113,767.80
ROBERT H. MCAULIFFE, Chairman, HOWARD L. HAMILL I. MURRAY ADAMS, Secretary
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, 1948.
SANITARY SEWERS
New sanitary sewers were constructed in Burpee Road, Forest Avenue, and Pine Hill Road.
A new surface water drain was constructed on Pitman Road with the necessary catch basins for proper drainage.
The Engineering services required by the Sewer Department included preliminary surveys, completion of preliminary plans, esti- mate of quantities and cost of construction, preparation of specifi- cations, designation of lines and grades in the field, supervision of construction, preparation of final plans, computation of final quanti-
4,802.69
135
TOWN ENGINEER
1948]
ties 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 various times in locating cesspools, and inspecting septic tanks in areas where there are no sanitary sewers.
ASSESSORS DEPARTMENT
From time to time, as real estate transfers and land develop- ment plans became available, corrections were made on the plans in the files of the Assessors Department. This work included a study of over one hundred fifty abstracts and four land development plans.
PARK. DEPARTMENT
Engineering services required by the Park Department included designation of line and grades of the whole of Phillips Park and the areas adjoining said park for the purpose of making a master plan of the area for future study and planning. Lines and grades at this park were also given for grading the new field and erecting temporary football stands, and laying out an extra football field.
At Abbott Park lines and grades were given for the laying out of a girls' Hockey Field.
At Jackson Park, lines were given on the West side of the park for a new fence, supervision of the erection of a new baseball back- stop was made, and lines were given on the East side of the park off the Greenway. 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 we have made traffic study sketches at intersecting streets, and submitted them for study by that department.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The Engineering services required by the Highway Department included preliminary surveys, completion of preliminary plans, esti- mate of quantities and cost of construction, and designation of lines and grades in the field, as follows: Drains-Gale Road and rockyledge Road to the ocean; Sidewalks-Andrew Road, Farragut Road, Lincoln House Avenue, Walnut Road.
At the request of the Highway Department lines and grades were given on Puritan Road opposite Puritan Avenue for the purpose of regrading gutters; also the new Highway trucks were measured, capacity computed and data given that department.
STREET LINE SURVEYS
At the request of citizens concerned, fourteen surveys were made for the purpose of locating street lines as established by 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, esti- mates and listing of the several streets for the purpose of laying new sidewalks were made.
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
A layout plan of Bates Road was made for Town Meeting. A survey of land at the end of Blaney Beach was made for the purpose of making a plan to register said land in the Land Court, the title for this land not being on record.
A survey of land and a plan of the East intersection of Walker and Paradise Roads was made for the Town Meeting for the purpose of widening the intersection.
Several sketches and plans were made for the Veterans' Housing Committee for study.
A resubdivision plan of lots on Cedar Path in Swampscott Cemetery, and the placing of names on Cemetery plans, have been completed.
Several sketches and plans including descriptions were made for the Legal department.
Engineering advice was given from time to time regarding Zoning and Planning Laws in the different districts.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The Engineering services required by the Water Department included preliminary surveys, preliminary plans, estimate of ledge excavation, final surveys and plans. Water pipe location plans were made for the following streets: Ocean Avenue near Longley Avenue ; Charles Road; Foster Road and extension; Bradlee Avenue tie into Ocean Avenue; Winshaw Road; Gale Road and Duke Street.
A set of Hydrant Location Plans were made for the purpose of locating fire hydrants in a heavy snowfall or any emergency.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
At the Machon School, a new play area was resurfaced by the placing of sheet asphalt over a large area. The Engineering required for this work included preliminary surveys and plans, designation of lines and grades in the field and supervision of construction.
At the Hadley School preliminary plans and valuation estimates have been made of land adjacent to said school for the purpose of land takings.
In addition to the work requested by the several departments of the town, surveys were made and plans prepared for two private sewers at Puritan Lane and Deer Cove Road, for which there have been no plans or records in the past.
Twenty-five stone bounds were set on several streets for the purpose of defining street lines.
Estimates for Chapter 90 work were made and stone bounds were set, with the aid of the County Engineering Department, on Salem Street to define the recent layout by the County Commissioners.
Many requests have been made for Town Maps by citizens of the town, business houses, U. S. Army etc.
PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT
This department functioned with a Chief Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Transitman, and Rodman- Inspector.
The department still needs more filing cabinets, a calculating machine, drafting equipment and field equipment, some of which we hope to purchase in 1949.
In closing I wish to thank the different departments for their fine cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD L. HAMILL, Town Engineer.
137
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
1948]
Board of Fire Engineers
January 15, 1949.
Board of Selectmen Swampscott, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Board of Fire Engineers respectfully submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The past year, by a comparison of figures, shows many fewer fire calls and much less equipment used. On the other hand the type of fires this year have been different and fire losses have actually increased. With fewer runs and less wear and tear we have in the face of increased costs been able to keep within our requested budget.
Repairs to buildings etc., voted at the last town meeting, were completed at slightly under the amounts provided. The one job un- done is the Phillips Beach station which still needs minor repairs and painting outside and in.
The Chief's car, now twelve years old, should be replaced this year.
With the cooperation of the Finance Committee we have been able to equip all apparatus with self-contained air masks as provided by State law. This saved the town about $600.00, as the price of these has now advanced and is going still higher.
We would like to commend the officers and men of this depart- ment and also to express our thanks to other departments and in- dividuals for their assistance, particularly during the heavy snows of last winter.
Yours very truly,
THOMAS J. FLAHERTY, HAROLD F. HARVEY, LAWRENCE A. SAGER, BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Fire Chief's Report
To the Board of Fire Engineers
Gentlemen :
January 1, 1949.
I submit the following report for the year 1948.
Delayed discovery and improper notification are the two big causes of loss of life and damage to property by fire.
The surest way is to use your nearest fire alarm box. If however the telephone is used, call LY2-0082.
Equipment
Our apparatus and equipment is in good condition. This is due to continuous repair and replacement of necessary parts by our own department mechanic. We should however replace the Chief's car this year.
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Buildings
The Phillips Beach engine house should be finished this year. This should not be too big a project.
The 58 year old Central House is in poor condition and a major repair job will soon have to be done. Traffic conditions make it difficult and at times impossible to get in or out. Because of these facts I believe that a new location should be considered.
Housing
I recommend that a study be made of building codes for the town for the protection of owners and tenants, particularly during this housing shortage.
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