USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1949 > Part 10
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The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked. The taxes, motor vehicle and trailer excise, and assess- ments outstanding at the time of the previous examination, and all subsequent commitments were audited and checked with the assess- ors' warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treas- urer were checked to the treasurer's cash book, the abatements were compared with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the transfers to the tax title account were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger ac -. counts.
The records of departmental and water accounts receivable were examined and checked in detail. The recorded payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the abate- ments were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
Verification of the outstanding tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, assessment, departmental, and water accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The assessors' records of apportioned assessments not due were examined and checked. The apportionments added to taxes were verified, and the apportioned assessments not due were listed and proved.
The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined. The records of dog and sporting licenses were checked, the payments to the Division of Fisheries and Game being compared with the receipts on file and the payments to the town treasurer being compared with the treasurer's cash book.
The surety bonds of the officials required by law to furnish them were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts of the selectmen, the sealer of weights and measures, and of the school, library, and cemetery departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
107
CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT
1949]
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, assessment, tax title, tax possession, departmental, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust, investment, and retirement funds.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from the officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts
HBD:JRB
Contributory Retirement Board
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
This is the thirteenth annual report of the Retirement Board.
The Massachusetts Association of Retirement Boards, through legislation which was introduced and passed by the legislature in 1949, was able to secure increased benefits for the members. Gen- erally, each retiring employee will receive an extra $250.00 per year. Efforts are under way this year to bring benefits under our state law up to those paid in private industry. During the past year a number of large corporations agreed to pay their employees a pension of $100.00 per month, with survivorship. It is our belief, that in time, pension benefits under our system will approximate those paid in private industry. It should be kept in mind that our employees now pay 5% of their wages towards their retirement, while in private industry but 11/2 % is paid.
It should be noted that the interest of each member is necessary to secure those benefits to which we feel our members are entitled. If each employee all over the commonwealth would contact his repre- sentative and senator we could make much better progress. Again we emphasize that under the Old Age Assistance program, recipients, who have contributed nothing, receive cash payments of approxi- mately $100.00 per month, with extras for doctors, medicine and hospital care, which makes the monthly total much higher. The Old Age group is well organized and any bill which is presented in its name commands careful consideration, whilst our employees, who have no state wide association, are given but little attention.
Our programs will not cost the employing group; state, counties, and towns; much more, as they are now on a cash basis, as contrasted with a reserve plan, thus their contributions are limited to the actual cost; i.e., money paid out. Under the old system the employing units were required to pay out a sum based upon actual payments, plus additional money to be held in reserve. This reserve feature has been done away with, thus saving money.
It is our wish that any employees who have any questions will communicate with the board, as we are willing to cooperate, and do our utmost to explain the law, despite its many intricate difficulties.
108
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY
A. Membership December 31, 1948
119
1. Enrolled during 1949 3 122
2. Deaths
1
3
B. Membership December 31, 1949
1. Retirements for :
12
A. Superanuation
B. Ordinary Disability 2 C. Accidental Death Benefit 1 15
Total Membership December 31, 1949 134
The following is an income statement for the period January 1, 1949 to December 31, 1949.
Balance December 31, 1949
$113,767.80
INCOME
Amortization
Contribution by members
Contribution by town
For Pension Fund ... $16,794.76
For Expense
Fund 1,882.76
18,677.52
Investment Income
3,242.85
Amortization Bonds
160.00
38,656.32
DISBURSEMENTS
Refunds to members
Death
464.61
Interest
5.74
Refund Adjustment
5.89
Accrued Interest
on Bonds
237.06
Depreciation on Stocks
436.12
679.07
Administrative Expenses :
Clerical Hire
1,072.72
Extra Clerical
140.00
1,212.72
Other Expenses
Stationery & Postage ..
20.15
Printing & Binding ...
72.45
Bonds for members ....
62.50
Furniture & Fixtures
49.47
Telephone
63.70
Conferences & Travel
86.21
Reimbursement of Board Memberfs
120.00
Miscellaneous
33.90
508.38
Pensions :
Annuities
541.78
Pensions
12,450.61
12,992.39
15,862.91 136,561.21
3. Retirements 2
119
$3.79 $16,572.16
152,424.12
470.35
109
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
1949]
INVESTMENTS
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
$13,000.00
U. S. Savings Bonds
$73,000.00
American Tel. & Tel. Co.
5,099.80
Boston Edison
2,049.83
Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co.
2,075.00
Cleveland Electric Ill.
2,115.00
Connecticut River Power Co.
1,065.00
Consolidated Edison Co.
2,010.00
Consolidated Gas & Electric
2,035.00
Duquesne Light Co.
2,050.00
Ill. Bell Tel. Co.
3,006.17
Kansas City Power & Light
2,025.00
Mountain States Tel. & Tel. Co.
962.50
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
2,042.50
N. Y. Tel. & Tel. Co.
2,110.00
Pacific Gas & Electric
1,990.00
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co.
993.18
Philadelphia Electric Co.
2,020.00
Southwestern Bell & Tel. Co.
2,015.00
$108,664.40
First National Bank of Boston
8,440.88
National Shawmut Bank
1,010.00
9,450.88
Security Trust Co.
5,435.93
5,435.93
Petty Cash
10.00
10.00
136,561.21
ROBERT H. MCAULIFFE, Chairman, HOWARD L. HAMILL, I. MURRAY ADAMS, Secretary, Contributory Retirement Board
Board of Fire Engineers
Board of Selectmen Swampscott, Massachusetts.
January 1, 1950.
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit the following, our annual report for the past year.
It is a pleasure to report that all equipment of the department is in good condition. Major repairs have been made to Engine No. 1 and repairs are now underway on Engine No. 2, together with the purchase of the new chief's car have put this department in very good shape as far as fire fighting equipment goes.
The manpower situation is a very different matter however, as we are badly undermanned. (See Chief's Report). We must have at the least, three men to man our equipment anywhere near properly. Engine No. 3 an $8000.00 investment to the town and a much needed piece of apparatus cannot be used with the present man-
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
power. A year ago we recommended a 63 hour work week only if we were to have three more men.
Much good work has been done on our fire alarm system in the past year. With the addition of a new set of batteries and replacing of wire, along with the new boxes we now have a very fair setup with the exception of the old whistle which must be replaced at once.
The Central Engine House is not adequate for fire department needs today and is poorly located. We suggest that definite plans for the replacement of this station be made at once and that no changes or repairs, not absolutely necessary, be made to this build- ing. The old wooden floor at the Phillips Beach house must be re- placed with a reinforced concrete one and then painted inside on the lower floor. This building we believe would then be in good shape for some years to come.
May we take this opportunity to commend the officers and men of the department and to express our thanks to all others who have helped us in any way during the past year. Particular thanks to Mr. Edward J. Allard who engineered the new heating plant at the Phil- lips Beach Station, at no cost to the town.
Yours very truly,
LAWRENCE A. SAGER, HAROLD F. HARVEY, THOMAS J. FLAHERTY, Board of Fire Engineers.
Fire Chief's Report
To the Board of Fire Engineers
January 1, 1950. Gentlemen :
I submit the following report for the year 1949.
Delayed alarms and improper notification of fire are the main causes of disaster. Use the fire alarm box nearest you in case of fire. If the telephone is used call LY2-0082.
FOR FIRE CALL ONLY LY2-0082
FOR BUSINESS CALLS LY5-4050
APPARATUS
Its general condition is good. Although much if it is not new and subject to repair and maintenance costs I would say we are well prepared at this time.
PERMANENT MEN
We are very much undermanned. With the acceptance of the 63 hour week for the firemen, without any additional men, we find the department very much in need of manpower. We have the equip- ment but these machines are useless without men to operate them. We are now operating with six men at the Central station and two at Phillips Beach on each shift. This is the winter schedule, no vaca- tions and is far below the minimum requirements of the report of the Insurance Rating Bureau in 1945. We are operating two pumps and one ladder truck having not enough men to man our third pump. A fire of any large proportions would be disastrous under these con- ditions. We need seven men. These would only give us minimum
111
SCHOOL REPORT
1949]
coverage. I suggest a thorough investigation into the manpower needs of this department and a progressive program adopted.
FIRE ALARM
The town is fast expanding and we should have a definite pro- gram covering this situation. I am requesting four new boxes in the Galloupe's Point area this year. Other localities will require coverage in the near future. A few boxes installed each year will mean smaller appropriations and not burden the town at some future date.
BUILDINGS
The Phillips Beach House still needs finishing, painting down- stairs and a new floor.
The Central Engine House is fast becoming inadequate for the needs of the department. It has been altered and repaired on many occasions but has reached its limit. Traffic conditions here are very bad and getting worse each year. The widening of the "S" curve will not improve this situation. Taking this into consideration I recom- mend that some action be taken to relocate and build a modern fire station in some other part of the town. This present building is not worth any expenditure you could make on it.
SCHOOLS
With the destruction of many schools in our country, by fire, some very near to us, I suggest again that something be done to pro- tect ours. This I have suggested year in and year out and this past year prices were obtained on vigalarm systems and meetings were held on this subject. Articles have been submitted in the town war- rant, all steps in the right direction, but they do not protect our schools. I recommend that definite action be taken in regards to this problem in a yearly program. In this way a school or public building could be protected each year until completed.
I have had a very fine Board of Engineers for which I am very thankful. My department has functioned beautifully. I feel that we are giving the citizens the type of protection that they expect. I want to thank all of my officers and men and all persons who have con- tributed to this fine year.
Very truly yours, CHARLES H. LAMPARD, Chief of Fire Department.
RECORDS OF DEPARTMENT
Fire Records
Number of calls
429
Calls to Lynn
25
Calls to Marblehead
15
First aid Inhalators
9
Permits
Oil
209
Propane gas
12
Blasting
47
Fire Loss
$8,750.00
Buildings
Contents
3,575.00
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
School Report For the Year Ending December 31, 1949
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1949
Ralph N. Murray, Chairman 79 Banks Road
Term Expires 1950
Madeline M. Clark 29 Outlook Road
Term Expires 1952
Blanche E. Doyle 44 Crosman Ave.
Term Expires 1951
Herbert R. Anderson 34 Farragut Road Term Expires 1950
Edward K. Hempel 37 Farragut Road
Term Expires 1951
Regular meeting, second Wednesday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of the School Committee Frank L. Mansur
2 Palmer Avenue .LYnn 3-2193
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is open on school days from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M .; Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1949
Winter term begins Tuesday, January 3
Winter term closes Friday, February 17
Spring term begins Monday, February 27
Spring term closes Friday, April 14
Summer term begins Monday, April 24
Fall term begins Wednesday, September 6
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott
Ladies and Gentlemen :
Last year the School Committee felt that the report of the Super- intendent of Schools covered all the business of the year in a compre- hensive manner, and that they would spare the public the reading of another long report. This year, however, with the crowded conditions in the various areas of the town, they feel that they have some def- inite recommendations to make. At the same time they would like to acquaint the public with matters pertaining to the conduct of business in the School Department.
Your Committee has spent a great deal of time conferring with different groups representing various interests in the carrying on of school affairs. They have considered many communications regarding policies. They have adopted whatever proposals seemed to the best interests of all concerned and have rejected such as seemed imprac- ticable at the present time.
The following business was approved or adopted during the year 1949:
113
SCHOOL REPORT
1949]
Overcrowded classrooms in the kindergartens have created the necessity of operating on a two platoon system with additional tea- chers at the Clarke and Hadley Schools. This is inconvenient and ex- pensive.
The election of additional teachers for several grades which had to be divided because of overcrowding.
The election of a full-time librarian at the High School.
The adjustment of teachers' salaries to maintain and attract a personnel of high standard.
The adjustment of substitutes' salaries.
Reelection of teachers not on tenure. The committee feels that the election of a teacher to a position of permanence in Swampscott is of great importance.
An amendment to the rule governing school age of entrance to grade one.
New report cards.
Establishment of insurance coverage for athletes, athletic equip- ment, band instruments and office training equipment.
Repairs, redecorating, and new equipment.
Tuition for out-of-town pupils attending our schools.
The High School gymnasium evening assignments.
The transfer of pupils from one school to another because of overcrowding in their districts.
Swampscott School Survey by Department of Public Safety.
Reports of Building Committee of 1948-49.
Bills before the Legislature pertaining to Massachusetts schools.
Report on 3rd Annual Convention of Massachusetts Association of School Committees held at Fall River.
Report of Physical Education Survey in Swampscott Schools by Mr. Daniel J. Kelly of the State Department of Education.
Awarding of contracts.
Budget for 1950.
Consideration of all complaints and, now and then, letters of approval.
Recommendations :
1. Last year the congestion in our schools seemed to center in the Hadley School district. The School Committee and the Building Committee were in agreement that a school center in the Hadley School area was the best solution of the problem. However, the build- ing of such a center as that proposed last year would take consid- erable time. The Clarke School is now operating at more than its full capacity with one kindergarten class meeting in the afternoon, and is facing the probability of a division in its first grade in the fall. Such a division would mean more afternoon clases. Furthermore, there is the possibility of crowding at the Machon School because of the Vet- eran's Housing Development. Faced with these facts, the feeling of the School Committee now is that a new building on the Clarke School
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
site will furnish more immediate relief for the Clarke and Machon Schools, and they therefore strongly endorse the recommendations of the Building Committee that plans for construction of such a building start immediately, since the situation at the Hadley School can be met temporarily by other means.
However, if the Clarke School is to be replaced, its pupils must be housed while construction is going on. There are no facilities avail- able for this purpose in our present plants. It, therefore, seems advis- able, and indeed necessary, to erect a Junior High School on a new site first, to provide housing for the Clarke School pupils while their own building is being erected. The program would then be to return them to a new Clarke School, transfer all Junior High School pupils to the new Junior High and turn the Hadley School into an elemen- tary unit.
2. The School Committee recommends that the town accept and adopt the long-range program incorporated in the report of the Building Committee. This report anticipates the probable future needs for additions to the present Stanley and Machon Schools, and the remodelling of the Hadley School.
3. Reluctantly and as a temporary arrangement, the School Committee recommends that in September, 1950 the ninth grade shall be transferred to the High School to ease the overcrowded con- ditions at the Hadley School.
4. Finally, the School Committee recommends an adequate sys- tem of fire prevention at the High School.
In conclusion, your Committee wishes to express appreciation to the teaching staff for carrying on so valiantly under very trying circumstances; to the Superintendent for his patience and his business ability to guide the budget through the pitfalls of ever-rising costs; to the public for its acceptance of conditions and policies which we recognize as upsetting and in some cases annoying to the daily pro- gram of the home; and we are cognizant of the cleanliness and smoothness of the operation which is largely due to our efficient staff of custodians.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH N. MURRAY, Chairman
MADELINE M. CLARK,
BLANCHE E. DOYLE,
HERBERT R. ANDERSON, EDWARD K. HEMPEL.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$ 369,880.00
Transfer
814.00
$ 370,694.00
Expenditures :
General Control
10,959.99
Instructional Service
282,004.24
Operation of Plants
51,587.10
Maintenance
14,622.56
Capital Outlay
1,906.86
Auxiliary Agencies
9,324.14
Warrants Payable
172.84
370,577.73
Unexpended Balance
$ 116.27
115
SCHOOL REPORT
1949]
Credits to the Department:
General Receipts
494.06
Tuition Received General 2,216.01
State Refund, Trade and
Vocational Schools .
330.84
State Refund, General School Fund
14,522.40
Net Cost of Schools
$ 353,014.42 Ladies and Gentlemen :
17,563.31
To the Members of the Swampscott School Committee,
The one matter of paramount importance to discuss in this re- port to you for the year 1949 seems to be how to house our elemen- tary grades in September, 1950. Adequate preparation requires plan- ning for the worst that can happen or to risk the possibility of being caught in a situation that will have no feasible solution.
The circumstances are obvious and clear-cut :
Every room at the Clarke School, every room at the Hadley School, every room at the Stanley School and every room but one at the Machon School is in use for classroom purposes.
The Junior High School building has given up three rooms to elementary classes, and every room is in use. The prospect for next year is that we shall need a minimum of one more classroom in the Hadley elementary organization, certainly one more in the Junior High School, and probably one more in the Clarke. These rooms sim- ply do not exist, and some means of providing their equivalents must be found.
If the problem is obvious, so, too, are the causes:
1. The birthrate, which since 1940 has increased locally approx- imately one hundred percent and which furnishes a reasonably re- liable factor in anticipating school enrollments.
2. The opening of kindergartens in September, 1948, in response to pressing demands from parents. These classes have proven popular beyond all expectation. Their enrollment in November, 1948, was 125. It is now 163 and has expanded to the point where six classes are in operation, two of them in the afternoon. Kindergartens are now occupying four of the rooms that had been counted on to accom- modate the natural expansion due to birthrate.
3. An unusually large number of families with children moving into Swampscott from other communities. Since school closed in June, 115 children have moved into town and enrolled in the first six grades alone, while only 18 have moved away .The distribution of the new- comers is: Clarke School 22 pupils, Stanley School 36 pupils, Machon School 22 pupils, Hadley School 35 pupils.
I have given mature thought to this general picture. I have stud- ied it from the standpoint of every possibility and expediency that I can think of, because we must be in a position almost immediately to say what we are going to do. Our budget must be presented shortly, and must be prepared in such a way as to anticipate every conceivable major expense that may be entailed in whatever plan we adopt. With the many variables present, a small margin of safety is not sufficient, for in view of present trends the picture at the moment can easily be- come a much more complicated one eight months from now.
It has seemed to me that any solution must involve these factors :
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
1. Above all other considerations, it must provide classroom space.
2. It must result in as little inconvenience as possible for as few as possible.
3. It must be accomplished at the least cost consistent with re- sults.
4. It must avoid sacrificing educational opportunity for exped- iency.
Possibilities that I have tested against these requirements, and rejected, have been :
1. Acquiring quarters outside of school houses. There are prac- tically no quarters available in the areas where we need them, and what there are inadequate and unsuitable. They would involve extra cost for heating, extra janitor service, extra equipment and extra teachers. No one-pupils, teachers or parents-would be happy. In every case alterations probably would be required before use as a school would be permitted.
2. Two platoons. This plan probably makes the biggest sacrifice of educational opportunity except perhaps at kindergarten level, and is the most expensive from a financial standpoint in that every class going on two platoons requires an additional teacher. Moreover, there would be great inconvenience to pupils, teachers, and parents, and again nobody would be happy.
3. Transferring pupils. This remedy we applied this fall and in doing so used up our remaining available classrooms to relieve others. Any transfers for next September would have no purpose except to regain classrooms now in use. No transfers that I can devise regain classrooms we need, and I am forced to reject the idea as failing in its main purpose.
There remains one solution which we have considered before. That is transferring the ninth grade to the High School builiding on a temporary basis, and making more room available in the Junior High School for elementary classes.
I have been reluctant to consider this move because I have no wish to disturb the Junior High organization. However, lacking any other avenue for relief, I find myself forced into the position of hav- ing to consider it. There are, after all, a considerable number of our best regarded school systems that have never adopted the so-called 6-3-3 system of organization. Indeed, an examination of the school systems in towns 5,000 population or over in the state reveals that 49 out of 75-Brookline, Winchester, Dedham and Hingham among them-are operating on the basis of a four-year high school and con- sider it the better educational procedure. From the educational stand- point, therefore, there would seem to be no well-founded objection to our operating on this basis as a way of meeting an emergency.
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