USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1949 > Part 9
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Respectfully submitted,
RALPH I. LINDSEY, FREDERICK C. BURK, ROLAND C. BOOMA, Board of Park Commissioners
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1949.
The total interments for the year were 85. All receipts for fun- erals, foundations, and sale of lots were paid to the Collector of Taxes.
Sunken graves were filled and seeded.
We have taken down a number of trees, and replaced some to improve the lots.
I recommend that the Town replace the building in the Ceme- tery, which is in a deplorable condition.
I wish to express my appreciation to all departments which have cooperated with me.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. WOOD, Superintendent
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1949:
Dwellings:
New
76
Alterations and additions
25
Estimated Costs $947,550.00 41,450.00
Private Garages:
New
52
56,700.00
Alterations and additions
2
1,350.00
Miscellaneous
Theatre
125,000.00
Lubritorium
3,000.00
Hot House
1
500.00
Tool House
1
150.00
Store (Alterations)
5
6,600.00
Veterans Housing (9 Units)
1
320,460.00
Demolish Garage
1
166
$1,502,760.00
Building Permits
166
Permits to Shingle
42
208
Number of Inspections (Buildings)
196
Number of Inspections (Shingling)
42
238
Amount of Building Fees Collected
$242.00
Elevator Operator's Licenses Issued :
New
3
3.00
Renewals
4
2.00
$247.00
All hotels and elevators have been inspected and returns made to the State. Several complaints of violations of the building laws have been investigated and in all cases adjustments made.
Frequent examinations were made of buildings in course of construction and repair.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND O. DOANE, Building Inspector.
Permits Issued
95
POLICE REPORT
1949]
Chief of Police
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my report as Chief of Police for the year 1949.
ROSTER Chief of Police Francis P. Wall
James M. Kennedy
James W. Doherty
Patrolmen
Almon B. Owens
Robert L. Cunningham
Frank T. Roach
James H. Pedrick
Joseph L. Shanahan
Harold J. Keating
George D. Horton
Owen E. Smith
John P. Costin
Clark W. Wood
Herbert F. Frazier
Joseph H. Doane
Joseph P. Ryan
William A. Hinch
Francis E. Delano
Edward P. Carroll
Frederick J. Rowe
Reserve Patrolmen
Thomas J. Cahill
John Stone
James E. Hanley
Herbert F. Frazier, Jr.
Eugene S. Moreau
Clerk Kathryn B. Ingell
Pensioned Member Samuel Hooper
ARRESTS
On warrant
Without warrant
52
Summonsed to appear in Court
9
Summonses to appear in Court served for other Police Depts.
236
OFFENSES CHARGED
Abandonment of minor child
1
Absent without leave from United States Army
1
Accosting and annoying a person of the opposite sex
1
Assault
1
Assault and battery
1
Assault with dangerous weapon with intent to rob
1
Breaking and entering and larceny in the daytime
6
Breaking and entering and larceny in the night-time
7
Breaking and entering in the night-time with intent
to commit larceny
1
Collecting junk without a license
1
Disorderly conduct
1
Drunkenness
27
Larceny
4
Lewd and lacivious behavior
3
Lewd and Malicious hehavior
3
Motor vehicle laws:
Allowing an improper person to operate motor vehicle
1
Failure to produce license to Police Officer
1
Going away after causing personal injuries
without making self known
1
Captains
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
Leaving scene of an accident after causing
property damage 3
Operating motor vehicle without a license 2
Operating motor vehicle after revocation of license 1
Operating motor vehicle after suspension of license
1
Operating motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor 5
Using motor vehicle without authority
3
Receiving stolen goods 1
Trespassing in a building
1
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Appeal cases to Superior Court
2
Cases continued to 1950
6
Committed to Youth Service Board
1
Filed
10
Fined
16
Not Guilty
2
Probation
5
Released (Drunkenness, first offense)
1
Sentenced to House of Correction
13
Suspended sentence to House of Correction
6
Turned over to State Parole Authorities
4
MISCELLANEOUS
Accidents :
Automobile accidents reported and investigated
72
Fatalities
0
Property damage only
36
Personal injuries
49
Pedestrians injured
6
Bicyclists
2
Operators and passengers
41
Ambulance Service :
To fires
53
Persons conveyed from Doctor's Office to home
5
Persons conveyed to Hospitals
173
Persons conveyed from Hospital to home
37
Persons conveyed to Rest Home
5
Automobile thefts investigated
4
Breaking and entering investigated.
31
Complaints investigated
781
Doors and windows found open and secured
281
Duty calls made by patrolmen from police boxes.
40,724
Gas leak reported
1
Identification lights (fire alarm boxes)
reported out
3
Larcency reports $50 and over investigated
13
Larcency reports under $50 investigated 42
Licenses Issued :
Bicycle licenses
144
Pistol permits
107
Permits to perform necessary work on the Lord's Day
50
Lights in vacant buildings investigated
27
Messages delivered for other Police Departments, etc.
149
Motor Vehicle plates taken and delivered to Registry of Motor Vehicles
12
Parking violations:
Motor vehicles tagged 1540
Court Summonses issued
943
Sentenced to Reformatory
97
DOG OFFICER
1949]
Persons reported missing and located
44
Residences temporarily closed and special attention given 173
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle notices filed 395
Sale of second-hand motor vehicles, dealers' reports filed. 333
Sick and injured persons assisted by conveyance in Patrol Car
96
Street and sidewalk defects reported
20
Street lamps reported out
165
Water leaks reported
10
Windows reported broken and cases investigated
40
Wires reported defective
8
DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT
The equipment of this department is regularly inspected and tested and no effort is spared to have it ready for instant use at all times.
NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD
An honor was bestowed on this Town during the year by the presentation of a citation and Silver Star by His Excellency, The Governor of the Commonwealth, Paul A. Dever, for the outstanding record of being free from any fatality caused by motor vehicles for the six year period from 1943 to 1948 inclusive. We are one of only four municipalities in the entire Country in a population group of 10,000 to 25,000 inhabitants so recognized and rewarded. The resi- dents of our town may well be proud of this achievement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that the Town purchase a new motor vehicle to be used as a patrol car, to replace the 1946 DeSoto Sedan now in use.
APPRECIATION
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Select- men, to the members of my department, to the officers and members 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.
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
There were 130 complaints received by me concerning dogs within the town during the year 1949 all of which were investigated and remedied.
There were 376 dogs turned over to the Dog Officer, 287 being restored to their various owners having their license tags on collar or harness, and 42 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 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 1949 was 600.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS E. SHEPHARD, Dog Officer
98
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
Department of Veterans' Services
The Department of Veterans' Services hereby submits its report for the year 1949 :
The present Director assumed the duties of this office on July 5th, 1949. All figures, other than financial are from July to Decem- ber inclusive. Financial figures are for the entire year.
Regular office hours are being maintained from nine until noon, Monday through Friday. Appointments are made to meet individuals at their convenience, if they are unable to visit the office.
This Department is operating under a State budget that was com- piled October 1948. The amounts allowed have been found to be in- adequate to meet the needs of large families. However, last Novem- ber the State increased the hospital per diem allowance from eight to ten dollars per day for hospitalized recipients over thirteen years of age.
The majority of applicants for assistance are veterans of both World Wars who are temporarily out of employment or are awaiting the arrival of their government check.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES PERFORMED (JULY to DECEMBER 1949)
Total individuals receiving aid locally (11 cases) 30
Total individuals receiving aid in other towns (3 cases) 4
New cases accepted (WW I-4; WW II-9) 13
New cases rejected (WW I-10; WW II-15) 25
Cases investigated (WW I-15; WW II-24) 39
Number of conferences attended 5
Number of letters written 360
Number of telephone calls to office 222
Number of office visits by individuals
92
Number of photostats ordered made
24
Number of papers notarized
14
Number of Veterans assisted in V. A. matters (other than NSL insurance)
15
Number of Veterans assisted in NSL insurance matters 32
APPRECIATION
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, to all Town departments and to the Departments of Veterans' Services of neighboring cities and towns who have been exceptionally co-op- erative with me during the six months I have held this office.
Respectfully submitted,
NEWTON S. COURTNEY,
Director of Veterans' Services
99
BOARD OF HEALTH
1949]
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, 1949, together with those of its various officers.
It seems almost impossible to create a realization that public health like other municipal functions must take on additional tasks and must alter routine procedure if it is to keep pace with public health advancement and if it is to give to the citizen what he has a right to expect for protection of himself and family. Public Health practice has progressed at a rapid pace since the beginning of the century and any community which wishes to maintain its public health in keeping therewith must expect to provide means for nec- essary expansion.
Further, one must not lose sight of the fact that costs of exten- sions must be met from the tax levy and this levy affects very directly the tax payer who already is well burdened. A change of emphasis on seeming community necessities would provide funds for public health without an increase in taxes. And, too, it must be remembered that improved public health facilities pay dividends, which may not always be collected in monetary value but do make a fuller and more healthful existence.
The following outline of public health needs for Swampscott may not be in order of importance nor is it necessarily complete. It is a basis for study and should be so regarded.
HEALTH COUNCIL
Health councils composed of representatives of civic and social organizations have been organized in many communities and have aided in stimulating public health mindedness with a resulting im- provement in public health work.
If and when such a council should be considered, the Board of Health should be the organizer and should retain final power of ap- proval over any proposed procedure because all public health mea- sures must be drawn strictly in accord with law or regulation as it 's difficult to make one not familiar with laws to realize that public workers are limited in their official actions. The Board of Health should be at all times careful to retain full control of all its activities; t should not accept any plan for supervision of any of its activities or of its employees by any agency however feasible or efficient the agency or its plans may seem; it should accept no aid, financial or otherwise, except such aid under its full supervision and direction.
AUDIOMETER
The use of an Audiometer for testing hearing of school children will quickly demonstrate its usefulnes, not only to detect impaired hearing but also to detect other imperfections, which if uncorrected may lead to permanent impairment. At the present time our Health Nurse borrows a machine from the State Department of Public Health whenever one is available.
DUMPS
At the present time there are no legalized dumps in the town. Invariably our attention is called to many vacant lots, dead end streets and isolated areas where gardeners, contractors, truckers and others are creating nuisances which are detrimental to the well being of the town. For a past number of years the town has been
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
fortunate to contract to have its refuse collected and removed from the community. The Board of Health realizing that at any time the town may be forced with the problem of having a place whereby the refuse being collected about the town must be taken care of, is ad- vocating that the town establish a municipal dump. With modern methods it is now possible for a dump to be so controlled that it will not be a nuisance in any sense of the word. This would also be a great convenience to all of the town's people who at sometime or other have waste material which they wish to dispose of themselves.
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M. D., Chairman, H. ALLEN DURKEE, E. WALLACE DONALD,
Board of Health.
Health Officer
X-RAY SURVEY
From October 17, 1949 through November 1, 1949, an X-ray Survey was held in the town for any person, 15 years of age and over. This service was co-sponsored by the Essex County Health Associa- tion, the Swampscott Tuberculosis Christmas Seal Committee and your local Board of Health. Four locations were selected so as to give every opportunity to the residences to avail themselves of this free service which was paid for out of Christmas Seal Funds. The break- down according to final diagnosis following a re-take clinic on Nov- ember 29th is hereby listed :
Total number of X-rays 3,584
Number of negative reports 3,454
Primary type 38
Adult type presumably active
(1) known case 5
Adult type questionably active or suspicious 14
Adult type inactive
6
Other pathology (37 Heart disease) 66
Diagnosis deferred 1
Number of Pupils X-rayed 367
Number of School Personnel X-rayed 96
Our appreciation to the School Department and Board of Select- men for their cooperation in this worth while project.
MOSQUITOES
Through the cooperation of the Park Department and their Superintendent, Mr. Burk, we carried on a new form of Mosquito control. In the early spring catch basins and various bogs and ponds were oiled. The remainder of the project consisted of spraying insec- ticides on the various places and this together with a dry season has made our Mosquito Control work very satisfactory. We will again attempt to maintain a control of this insect.
FOOD REGULATIONS
During the past year we broadened our regulations for food es- tablishments and set up an inspection service to help owners maintain clean places of business and also gave personal instruction to employ- ees on handling food and utensils. Laboratory checks were made to show establishments the trouble spots that needed correction.
101
HEALTH OFFICER
1949]
SUMMARY OF WORK
Number of communicable diseases reported
406
Number of cases placarded
19
Cases investigated
46
Cases released
448
Certificates issued to attend school and work
242
Children excluded from school
204
Suspected cases of communicable diseases
0
Number of communicable disease complaints
5
Number of communicable disease conferences
210
Number of communicable disease inquiries
152
Number of children given schick test
299
Number of immunizing doses of toxoid given
283
Number of dogs inoculated against rabies
362
Number of laboratory supplies distributed
494
Reports to :
State District Health Officer
288
State Department Public Health (Deaths)
52
Other cities and towns
7
Schools
196
Laundryman
3
Library
14
Milkman
17
Inspector of Animals
52
Miscellaneous
207
Number of patients admitted to Isolation Hospital
9
Number of patients admitted to sanatorium
1
Number of patients discharged from sanatorium
3
Number of adults examined and X-rayed for tuberculosis at Essex Sanatorium
84
Number of children examined and X-rayed for tuberculosis at Essex Sanatorium
19
Number of feces submitted for examination
7
Number of sputum specimens submitted for examination
2
Complaints received :
Ashes
115
Garbage
481
Dead animals
68
Miscellaneous
205
Number of inspections made
412
Food establishments inspected
37
Bacteria Swab tests taken on utensils
109
Verbal notices given
101
Written notices to abate
16
Legal notices to abate
1
Number of letters written
543
Number of inquiries
1157
Number of telephone calls
2543
Number of office visits
1812
Miscellaneous
1242
PERMITS AND LICENSES
The following permits have been issued during the past year:
Burial
78
To keep fowl
1
To keep ducks
1
To keep goats
1
To keep pigeons
To keep turkeys
1
930
Number of conferences
72
Quarantine violations
3
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
To torch for fish 1
To construct cesspools or septic tanks 16
To funeral director 1
To maintain a stable 1 To keep horses 1
To transport rubbish (garden trimmings etc.) 6
The following licenses have been issued during the past year:
To sell methyl alcohol 12
To maintain a recreational building 1 To collect soap grease 3 To massage 1
The sum of $19.50 has been collected for licenses and permits issued during the year and the said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
G. JEFFREY NICHOLS,
Health Officer
Milk Inspector
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the following report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1949:
The following licenses and permits have been issued during the year :
To sell milk (Dealers) 22
To sell milk (Stores) 38
To sell frozen desserts 32 Tt sell oleomargine 12
The sum of $52.00 has been collected for the licenses and per- mits issued during the year and the said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.
41 Samples of milk were taken during the year from various dealers to check and see that the quality and control of their pro- ducts were being maintained.
22 Dairies were visited to check whether the cows producing for this area had been tuberculin tested during the year. Also inspections of other facilities were made so that Swampscott residents would be sure of having clean and wholesome milk delivered at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
G. JEFFREY NICHOLS,
Milk Inspector.
103
HEALTH NURSE
1949]
Health Nurse
To the Board of Health
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1949:
Communicable diseases placarded
15
Communicable diseases investigated
66
Examinations for contagious diseases
656
Examinations for release
92
Exclusions from school
8
Quarantine violations
3
Physical examinations
1427
Pre-school examinations
99
Dental examinations
2136
Home visits
496
School visits
199
Kindergarten visits
5
Tuberculosis patients visited
72
Tuberculosis follow-up visits
40
Number of pupils patch tested for tuberculosis
4
Schick tests
299
Sanitary investigations
3
Clinic and meetings
40
New baby conferences
205
Consultations
16
Parochial children weighed
409
Parochial children given eye examinations
318
Patients taken to sanatorium clinics
36
Miscellaneous
236
Respectfully submitted,
MARION M. THOMPSON, R. N.
Health Nurse.
Inspector of Plumbing
To the Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
" herewith submit the following report for the year ending ember 31, 1949 :
Plumbing permits issued 194
Installations approved 188
The sum of $589.00 has been collected for the plumbing permits issued during the year and said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. PHILLIPS,
Plumbing Inspector.
104
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
Dental Clinic
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
Herewith is submitted a report of activities of the Dental Clinic for the year ending December 31, 1949 :
Every child in the kindergarten and elementary grades up to and including grade VI in both public and parochial schools was ex- amined in the fall and notification sent to all needing dental care and permission to do the work was asked and work done. In April another examination was made and efforts made to treat all children who had neglected to take advantage of our offer. Sodium fluoride treatment is given every child who goes through the clinic.
Below is a detailed summary of operations completed :
Extractions (temporary teeth)
84
Extractions (permanent teeth)
1
Local anaesthetic 66
Pulp cappings 3
Fillings (permanent teeth)
126
Fillings (temporary teeth)
492
Prophylaxis
272
Miscellaneous
205
Examinations
2385
Charts made out
554
Notifications sent out
554
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. FENELON, D. M. D.
Dentist.
Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
Permits are required for all outside fires. This does not include Fireplaces, incinerators, or ash barrels. Persons requesting super- vised burning are required to obtain a permit from the fire depart- ment. This permit will be issued to the owner or his agent. He thereby assumes all responsibility as far as damages occur to his or any other properties.
As this is an office set up by law it requires a small outlay of money. I therefore request the sum of $100.00 be appropriated as has been the practice of the past few years.
I have no report to make as most of the details are included in our Fire department records.
Very truly yours, CHARLES H. LAMPARD, Forest Warden
105
DEPT. OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION
1949
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, 33
November 3, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Edgar U. Burdett, Chairman Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and ac- counts of the town of Swampscott for the period from February 7, 1948 to April 30, 1949, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS X. LANG, Director of Accounts.
FXL:JRB
Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and ac- counts of the town of Swampscott for the period from February 7, 1948, the date of the previous examination, to April 30, 1949, and submit the following report thereon :
An examination and verification was made of the recorded finan- cial transactions of the town as shown on the books of the depart- ments receiving or disbursing money or committing bills for collec- tion.
The books and accounts in the office of the town accountant were examined and checked. The receipts as recorded on the ledger were checked with the records of the various departments making payments to the treasurer while the recorded payments were com- pared with the treasury warrants signed by the selectmen and with the treasurer's cash book. The appropriations and transfers from the reserve fund were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the authorizations of the finance committee.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on April 30, 1949.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded, were compared with the records in the departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds. The cash bal-
106
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31,
ance on April 30, 1949 was proved by reconciliation of the bank bal- ances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by veri- fication of the cash in the office.
The payments of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled bonds and coupons on file. The bond and coupon account was reconciled and the out- standing coupons were listed.
The transactions of the several trust, investment, and retire- ment funds in custody of the town treasurer were verified, and the securities and savings bank books representing the investment of these funds were examined and listed.
The deductions from employees' salaries for federal taxes were listed and reconciled with the amount due and paid to the federal government.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the tax titles redeemed were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles on hand were listed and compared with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
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