Town annual report of Swampscott 1950, Part 14

Author: Swampscott, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1950
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 216


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1950 > Part 14


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I wish also to thank the Red Cross representatives for their helpful advice and for their cooperation in furnishing first aid instructors.


This report would not be complete if I did not express my ap- preciation to Chief Lampard and his associates for the outstanding work done by members of the fire department in fixing up a room in the Phillips Beach fire station for use as a control center. Their co- operation has saved the Town considerable expense and has made it possible for us to have a control center which will be second to none in any town of comparable size in the State.


HAROLD S. WALKER,


Director, Civil Defense.


149


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


1950]


Sealer of Weights and Measures Dept.


To the Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit my report for 1950.


SCALES & MEASURES


Adjusted


Sealed


Not Sealed


Con- demned


Scales, over 10,000 lbs.


1


1


0


0


Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.


2


8


0


0


Scales or Balances under 100 lbs.


25


62


2


3


Weights


8


73


0


1


Liquid, 1 Gal. or under


0


19


0


0


Dry Measures


0


4


0


0


Vehicle Tank Meter System


16


25


0


1


Bulk Storage Meter System ....


1


3


1


0


Gasoline Pumps Meter System


2


42


0


1


Grease Pumps Meter System ....


0


19


1


0


Yard Sticks


0


1


0


0


Totals


55


257


4


6


TRIAL WEIGHINGS


Incorrect


Commodity


Number Tested


Number Correct


Under


Over


Bread


27


27


0


0


Butter


315


315


0


0


Confectionery


5


5


0


0


Dry Commodities


299


296


2


1


Flour


7


7


0


0


Fruits & Vegetables


266


228


4


34


Lard


41


41


0


0


Meats & Provisions


75


73


0


2


Potatoes


189


134


7


48


Totals


1184


1086


13


85


INSPECTIONS


Paper or fibre cartons


89


Pedlar's licenses


9


Milk jars


251


Coal Certificates


4


Marking of:


Bread


110


Food Pkgs.


852


Wholesale milk cans


4


Clinical thermometers


96


Oil jars


166


Other inspections


271


Total


1852


TESTS MADE


Berry boxes


2


Approved paper cartons


6


Mfrs. sealed milk jars


10


Total


18


...


Gravel


Remeasurements made for municipality 162 loads 1280 cu. yds.


150


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


This department wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to those who co-operated in the performance of my duties as your Sealer of Weights and Measures.


Respectfully submitted,


C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer of Weights & Measures.


Water and Sewerage Board


SEWER DEPARTMENT


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


We hereby submit our annual report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1950.


Sewers constructed in 1950 totaled 4044 feet and amounted to $42,338.05, were installed in the following streets:


Pine Hill Road


Stanley Road


Forest Avenue


Linden Avenue


Walnut Road


Duke Street


Salem Street


Pleasant Street


Sumner Street


Brown Road


Dennison Avenue


Muriel Road


Sherwood Road


(Mountwood Road not yet completed 1205 lineal feet)


Sewers constructed by Realtors totaled 2125.37 feet at no ex- pense to the town.


Numerous sewer connections have been dug up this year and roots have been removed. This work has to be done each year.


The New Outfall Sewer was completed this year at a total cost of $206,429.40.


Gas Engine purchased during year is now being installed, re- placing 30 year old equipment.


The assistance and co-operation shown by all Departments has been appreciated.


INVENTORY OF PROPERTY, SEWER DEPT.


Pumping Station


$19,400.00


Pumping Plant


9,131.24


Land


5,000.00


Office Furniture


350.00


Tools & Equipment


450.00


Truck & Garage


2,167.64


36,498.88


Comminutor Building & Equipment


Building


7,000.00


Machinery & Equipment


5,015.96


$48,514.84


HAROLD C. HUDSON, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD G. ENHOLM,


Water & Sewerage Board.


151


WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD


1950]


WATER DEPARTMENT


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1950.


With profound regret we note the passing of our esteemed and capable member Harold E. Morse.


At a joint meting of the Board of Selectmen and remaining members of the Water & Sewerage Board, Harold G. Enholm was elected to serve until the town election.


SERVICES:


119 new services installed


3 services abandoned


24 services renewed completely


8 services renewed from main to sidewalk


6 services renewed from sidewalk to meter


6 frozen services thawed


55 service leaks repaired 47 services cleaned out


517 services have been turned off and on when requested


METERS :


19 obsolete meters have been replaced with new ones


74 meters have been cleaned, repaired and tested


166 meter leaks have been repaired in the field


MAINS :


A total of 6942 feet of cast iron pipe was laid in the following streets: Essex Street, tie in with the City of Salem, 245 ft. of 6"; Alden Road, 490 ft. of 6"; Blodgett Road, 575 ft. of 6"; Shepherd Avenue, 270 ft. of 6"; Pine Hill Road, 190 ft. of 6"; Duke Street, 100 ft. of 6"; Foster Road, 290 ft. of 6"; Tidd Street, 330 ft. of 6"; Phillips Beach Avenue, 90 ft. of 6"; Swampscott Avenue, 275 ft. of 6" Dale Street, 360 ft. of 6"; Linden Avenue, 500 ft. of 6"; Cliff Road, 285 ft. of 6"; Charlotte Road, 155 ft. of 6"; Sherwood Road, 72 ft. of 6"; Nantucket Street, 48 ft. of 6"; Laurel Road, 730 ft. of 6"; Worcester Avenue, 212 ft. of 6"; Muriel Road, 470 ft. of 6"; Stanley Road, 345 ft. of 6"; Lewis Road, 270 ft. of 6"; Young Road, 640 ft. of 6".


The above installations have been or are in the process of being drawn on scale plans and the continuance of the co-operative spirit shown by the Town Engineer and his assistants in preparing these plans is deeply appreciated.


1 break in our large mains was repaired.


HYDRANTS:


1 hydrant broken off by a motor vehicle was replaced.


2 hydrants relocated due to road construction.


Additional hydrants were installed in the following Streets: Alden Road, near Deer Cove Road; Shepherd Avenue, near Blodgett Road; Foster Road, at McArthur Circle; Dale Street, near Linden Avenue; Worcester Avenue, near Hampshire Street; Stanley Road, near Salem Street; Young Road, near Linden Avenue; Nason Road, near Laurel Road; Laurel Road, near Forest Avenue.


The spring flushing of hydrants was carried on in the usual manner after notices had been posted in the local papers informing the public of our schedule.


The fall inspection, repairing and winterizing of hydrants was performed and all town departments having occasion to use same


152


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


were notified by mail to notify us of the use of any hydrant during the winter months.


This year will go down in the records of the town as the greatest building development year in its history. All departments have had an extra heavy work schedule, the Water Department, in particular. The greater part of building was done on streets in newly developed areas and necessitated the installation of a great deal of pipe and fittings.


The sewer construction program in Mountwood Road, ordered by the Board of Health, made it necessary for us to relocate 433 ft. of the water main in the street, in order that the sewer program could be carried out.


One sad case had to be remedied when a water consumer who had been continuously serviced with water for 40 years through anothers property had his water pipe cut off due to the first party moving his house. (Originally, both houses were owned by one owner.) The result making it necessary to lay an unplanned for amount of 6" water main at an added expense to this department.


On top of this our average of 38 new home installations a year jumped to the abnormal amount of 119, causing an extra heavy drawing on our smaller pipe and fittings, thereby depleting our in- ventory long before the year was over. In fact, the extra heavy construction program created an emergency shortage, which neces- sitated the calling of a special town meeting for the purpose of empowering this department to float a 5-year loan for $40,000.00 in order that the necessary pipe and fittings might be purchased to complete the program. Due to this $40,000.00 loan plus the potential increase of $6,000.00 yearly to the Metropolitan Water Commission for the cost of water, a debt of $46,000.00 was incurred and as this debt must be paid out of Water Department Receipts, it became im- perative that we increase the water rates in order that these obliga- tions might be met. Also an additional $10,000.00 had to be appro- priated from the Water Available Surplus Fund leaving it with an unhealthy balance.


Several developers came into the program after all the pipe and money had been allocated and in order that water mains might be installed in their developments they were obliged to furnish their own pipe and fittings, and also dig and back-fill their own trenches. Such were the cases of Mr. Folger, in his Lewis Road Development; Mr. Weinstein, in his Young Road Development and Mr. Brown in his Muriel Road Project.


During the summer months due to the extremely dry weather and heavy draft not only on our system but all towns and cities in the Metropolitan System, it became necessary for the Board of Health to declare an emergency non use of hose and lawn sprinklers during the daylight hours of 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in order that the water supply might be diverted for household purposes and to allow the standpipe to fill. The co-operation of the public in this emergency is deeply appreciated. However, in the coming year this water sup- ply shortage should be eliminated, as the Metropolitan Water Com- mission informs us that the new 36" water main to Swampscott will be completed by August 1951. The latest report being that the con- tract for the last link from Wyoma Square to Swampscott has been let out.


To the Department Heads and Personnel of all Town De- partments; your individual and collective co-operation throughout


153


WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD


1950]


the past year is gratefully acknowledged. To Timothy J. Ryan, Sur- veyor of Highways, an extra word of thanks should be given for his unselfish aid in several emergencies.


The details of water pipe construction follows and the cost of same can be found under the Town Accountant's Report:


Size


Wrought Iron


Cast. Iron


Cement Lined


Brass


Total


1 1/4


....


..


303


303


1 1/2


80


438


518


2


4067


1,468


2,117


7,652


4


4,494


4,494


6


144,369


144,369


8


......


11,158


11,158


10


.......


22,286


22,286


12


........


14,604


......


........


14,604


14


.......


4,712


....


........


4,712


16


........


150


....


........


150


4,067


201,773


1,851


2,555


210,246


Total miles of water mains


39.79


HYDRANTS:


In use Dec. 31, 1949


327


Added in 1950


10


In use Dec. 31, 1950


337


GATES:


In use Dec. 31, 1949


641


Added in 1950


30


In use Dec. 31, 1950


671


SERVICES :


In use Dec. 31, 1949


3,117


Added in 1950 (minus 3 abandoned)


116


In use Dec. 31, 1950


3,233


INVENTORY OF PROPERTY, WATER DEPT.


Water Mains and Standpipe


$214,579.27


Land on Pine Street


2,000.00


Brick Building on Pine Street


2,000.00


2-Car Garage on Pine Street


2,500.00


Work Shop and Garage on Pine Street


2,500.00


3-Trucks


3,195.00


Office Furniture


1,800.00


Meters and Parts


45,284.00


Stock on Hand


17,292.95


$291,151.22


CHESTER E. BRADLEY, Superintendent HAROLD C. HUDSON, GEORGE B. ATKINS, HAROLD G. ENHOLM,


Water & Sewerage Board.


.....


........


.......


.....


154


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Board of Park Commissioners


To the Citizens of Swampscott:


We wish at this time to express our sincere appreciation for the splendid cooperation we have received from the many citizens and for their continued faith in the activities of our department.


It was with great regret that we heard of the desire of Mr. Ralph I. Lindsey to leave the Board of Park Commissioners, with whom he so ably served for over 15 years. Due to his great personality, initia- tive and forcefulness, the Park Department expanded to its present. day level.


We wish him the best of luck in his new civic honor.


We were pleased to welcome Mr. Lewis H. Berry to the Board. We believe his keen interest in the future of our youth, his ever energetic interest in Civic affairs and his sound judgment will be well appreciated.


We appreciate the cooperation of the Engineering Department, Highway Department, Water and Sewer Board, School Department, Cemetery Department, Police, Fire and Health Departments, and the Custodians, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the many civic minded men of the Town who have supported our various activities.


PHILLIPS PARK


The new baseball field was completed in time for our annual game with Marblehead and we wish to congratulate our employees for the excellent construction job which has the praise of every sport minded citizen of our Town and is considered the best schoolboy baseball diamond in Essex County.


We completed the construction and erection of a Junior Baseball Diamond and Backstop, an adult Softball Diamond and Backstop. The addition of filling and loaming and seeding a large area to in- crease our Football Field was completed also.


The erection and completion of an additional Artesian well has allowed us to increase the water system which was completed in conjunction with this project. This will now allow us to water all areas of the Park insuring an ideal playing area for our children without any drain on our town supply during the critical summer months.


It has been brought to our attention by the Civil Defense Au- thority that these wells may well serve as a potential water supply in a local emergency which might impair the use of our present system.


The construction of a Parking area for Bathers is underway with hopes for further progress this year.


Construction of Refreshment Stands by the Veterans of Foreign Wars was permitted and the able and efficient manner in which they were conducted is a credit to the Veterans of our Town.


A Bicycle Rack accommodating forty bicycles was purchased and installed directly behind the Junior Baseball diamond backstop.


The erection of a new basketball court was completed at this park and the response for its use more than justified its construction.


155


BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS


1950]


ABBOTT PARK


The erection of a new Basketball Court was completed at this park and the response for its use more than justified its construction.


A Junior Baseball Backstop was installed at the Ellis Road end of the park.


Because of the size of this park, the Board wishes to go on record as limiting this park to Midget Baseball and Junior Softball.


We also believe additional fencing is required for the protection of the children.


Further plans for activities at this park are limited due to its size. Final construction of a Softball diamond and a Midget Baseball diamond is contingent upon the completion of the new Elementary school.


JACKSON PARK


The erection of a new Basketball Court was completed at this park and the response for its use more than justifies its construction.


The Tennis courts continued to be immensely popular to the Citizens of Swampscott as well as many out of towners.


The annual greater Lynn Camp Fire Council Day Camp was again carried on at the Lodge for two full weeks of the summer and words cannot measure the expression of the happiness of the little girls whose privilege it was to attend these sessions.


The dismantling of the controversial baseball backstop has met with the hearty approval of all.


The erection of a new backstop and the construction and com- pletion of the new softball diamond for adults at the Jackson Park entrance opposite Elm Place has made a decided improvement in the layout of the Park.


The painting of the new hockey rink, the construction of a top rail and laying of a hot top floor on the rink gives the citizens a rink which is the envy of the North Shore. This rink is eighty feet wide and two hundred feet long.


The installation of a watering system for flooding, the erection of a field house, and construction of better roadways and parking spaces have added greatly to the beauty and usefulness of the area.


The rink can also be used for roller skating and other functions during the year.


Floodlights have been erected so that evening skating can be enjoyed whenever ice is available.


We wish at this time to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for the citizens of our town and others whose generous con- tributions made this Hockey Rink and Field House the outstanding project that it is, an area which can be enjoyed by young and old together.


The Board wishes to go on record as being in favor of hot topping the Burpee Road entrance to Jackson Park, the entrance to the tennis courts from Essex Street, and also the widening of the road to Jackson Park Lodge as this lodge is utilized by many of our citizens throughout the year for various occasions.


156


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


The filling in of the stone wall opposite the Essex Oil entrance of Jackson Park has been an eyesore and a fire hazard which we hope to complete this coming year.


FOSTER DAM PLAY AREA


The Board of Selectmen granted this department the use of a lot of land on Windsor Avenue as a play area for small children, Swings and Teeter Boards have been purchased and we hope to have this area completed for use early next Spring.


BLANEY BEACH


Under the able supervision of Mr. William Friberg of Spring- field College and Robert Clark of Temple University, modern methods of life saving were carried out. Rope restriction areas were inau- gurated in conjunction with the tower chair and life saving boat which enabled a perfect safety record to again be maintained.


Swimming classes were again carried on teaching the basic art of life saving. We wish to acknowledge the fine work of Mrs. Kehoe, Reserve Officer Philip Dunphy and Parking Police Officer Warren Dunphy.


RECREATION PROJECT


The recreation program continues to be immensely popular under the guidance and leadership of Mr. Keith Jordan and his assistants, Mr. Charles Gallagher of Merrimac College, Mr. Kenneth Sewall of Dartmouth College, and Mr. John McNary, Dartmouth College Varsity Football player.


We also introduced a program for girls which was conducted under the excellent leadership of Miss Elizabeth Smith of the Sargent School of Physical Education. The success with which this project functioned is well observed in the following report submitted by Mr. Jordan :


SWAMPSCOTT SUMMER RECREATION. PROGRAM


For Boys Ages 6-16 For Girls Ages 6-16


At three Parks: Jackson Park, Abbott Park, and Phillips Park.


Program opened on July 3rd and closed on September 2nd (9 weeks).


Program :


Boys' Activities : Baseball


Junior Olympic Program Track Meets


Midget League Ages 7-8-9-10


Baseball


Basketball Skill Contests


Football J Basketball Volleyball Tennis Junior League Senior League


Touch Football League


Soccer


Dodge Ball


Softball


Tennis Dodge Ball


Girl's Activities : Field Hockey Basketball Hikes


Cookouts


Bike Trips Track


Junior League Ages 11-12-13


Senior League Ages 14-15-16


157


BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS


1950]


Summer Fun Club program - visits to points of interest :


Peabody Museum Shoe Factories


Pioneer Village Ice Cream Plant


Etc.


This program was carried on for the girls six days weekly with an average of 37 at Jackson Park, 42 at Abbott Park and 36 alt Phillips Park.


Because of this excellent response to the girls program it is recommended that a girls' supervisor be employed for each Park. This past season Miss Smith had to divide her time for supervision at the three Parks thus spending only two days per week at each Playground.


I wish at this time to thank the mothers who so willingly gave of their time to visit Miss Smith in some of her projects for the children as all this went to make our first year a successful one.


Fundamentals and skills were taught the Boys and Girls in the sport activities listed.


Leagues were formed for inter-playground competitions and again many contests with teams from Nahant, Danvers, Marblehead, Revere and Lynn were played.


Senior Baseball title was won by Jackson Park.


Junicr Baseball title was won by Abbott Park.


Midget Baseball title was won by Phillips Park.


Senior Track title was won by Phillips Park.


Junior and Midget Track titles were won by Abbott Park.


Senior Basketball title was won by Phillips Park.


Junior Basketball title was won by Jackson Park.


Swampscott Seniors-ages 13-16 were the winners in baseball against an "All-Star" team picked from 8 of the greater Lynn Play- ground Areas, one game being played at Phillips Park and one at Fraser Field.


The boys' program was carried on six days weekly with an ) average of 42 Boys at Jackson Park, 56 Boys at Abbott Park, and 45 Boys at Phillips Park.


The boys in the Summer Recreation Program who were faithful in their attendance at the various Parks during the summer were rewarded by the Park Board by being taken to two Red Sox-American League Games and to a Braves-Cardinal Game.


The boys were transported to and from the games by buses and were under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor and his assistants.


At the end of the season prizes were awarded to the boys and girls showing the best all-round performances by the Upper Swamp- scott Improvement Association.


THOMSON ESTATE


The memorial flowering trees burst forth in splendid glory to usher in the spring season which, combined with Dutch tulip bulbs,


158


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


crocuses, hyacinths, and jonquils, gave the entrance of the Town a beautiful appearance.


We are proud to report that the fine formal garden generously donated by the Swampscott Garden Club received an "award of merit" at the summer meeting of Federated Garden Clubs of Massa- chusetts.


MONUMENT AVENUE


From the turf of the G.A.R. monument to the bluff of Howland Park, we feel that this area continues to be one of the show spots of the North Shore.


This department continues to care for the squares at Cherry Street, Walker Road, Grant Road, Fuller Avenue, Beach Bluff Sta- tion, and Beach Bluff Avenue.


CIVIC AFFAIRS


We have cooperated with the school department in tree removals, the Stanley School P.T.A. in the erection of playground equipment, The Swampscott Business Men's Association in the erection of poles and a Christmas tree, St. John's Church in the removal and re- erection of basketball standards, the removal of "Dutch elm trees" at no further cost to the property owners, the cooperative spraying of D.D.T. for mosquito control, a part in the Civil Defense program, and many incidental matters.


SHADE TREES


This year the continuance of "under-tree" planting is beginning to show results, for the usual large gap caused by tree removals is being minimized by the two-year catch planting of the smaller trees.


We are also continuing with the planting of upright (columnar) trees, so much more suitable to narrow streets and the many new types of ranch houses.


INSECT CONTROL


The Japanese beetle seems to be on the control list with the application of arsenate of lead to the soil and D.D.T. during the winged or adult stage.


The numerous scale insects were, or can be controlled with timely applications of light oils, tobacco concentrates, and the many combinations of cube, pyrethrum, and rotenone sprays.


The bronze birch borer has been very difficult to control, due to the type of work of the larvae.


The peach borer can be controlled by a liquid form of para-di- chlor-benzene.


Almost all of the other insect pests were of the nuisance, rather than the economic variety.


DUTCH ELM DISEASE


The Dutch Elm Disease has spread to Essex County with a known count of infected trees of 387. This Town had 14 new cases, making a total of 16 since 1938. All trees have been removed and destroyed. The situation is not good, as there has been no cure found, meaning that a condemned tree must be taken down and the wood burned. This is a terrible potential loss to the Town.


The control of the carriers, the elm bark beetles, is the only meth- od of holding down its spread. Dead elm wood should not be allowed


159


INSPECTOR OF WIRES


1950]


to remain with its bark. Stored elm wood for fireplaces is a great source of bark beetles, if the bark is allowed to remain.


Repeated sprays during the adult stage of the beetles is a great help.


Where possible, fertilization by the "ground hole method" is recommended, as there has been no reversing of the fact that "a healthy tree can better withstand disease."


Our elms need pruning badly! This sanitation method of pruning dead branches is a must, but an impossibility for two men along with other required maintenance work and so once again it is the recommendation of the superintendent that an additional man be added to the Shade Tree division.


We regret the passing of Walter L. DeLory, custodian of the Memorial Field House, who gave his best even though his physical condition made it difficult many times to perform his daily tasks.


We wish to take the opportunity at this time to express to the citizens the diligent effort of our employees in accomplishing and completing the many projects which faced them this past year and we feel their excellent cooperation made this possible.


Respectfully submitted,


ROLAND C. BOOMA, FREDERICK C. BURK, LEWIS H. BERRY, Board of Park Commissioners.


Inspector of Wires


To the Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950. This report covers the period from October 2, 1950, the date of my appointment, to December 31, 1950.




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