Town annual report of Swampscott 1950, Part 9

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 9


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Uncollected Unapportioned Sewer Assessments


$1,194,949.71


Miscellaneous Departmental Accounts Receivable $ 200,079.04


19.19


Cr.


93


TREASURER'S REPORT


1950]


Treasurer's Report


Robert G. Byrne, Treasurer


In account with the Town of Swampscott for the year ended December 31, 1950.


Balance on hand, January 1, 1950


$478,445.84


RECEIPTS


Tax Collector


$1,429,677.14


Dog Licenses


1,205.20


Comm. of Massachusetts


79,957.78


Temporary Loan Notes, Issued in Anticipation of Revenue, Discounted


300,000.00


Tax Titles


1,247.26


Withholding Taxes - 1950


66,048.70


Trust Funds


12,863.93


Fines


410.90


School Lunch Counter Program


12,201.23


Athletic Fund


4,457.66


Proceeds from Sale of Notes


Water Main Extension Loan


40,034.13


Proceeds from sale of Bonds School Building Loan


121,679.80


Chapter 90


18,767.78


$ 2,091,942.98


$ 2,570,388.82


DISBURSEMENTS


Warrants Paid


$ 2,062,687.84


Balance on hand, December 31, 1950 $ 507,700.98


BONDS AND NOTES PAYABLE Issued Inside Debt Limit


Sewer Loans:


1928 Loan


$ 3,000.00


1929 Loan


27,000.00


1930 Loan


12,000.00


1931 Loan


12,000.00


1946 Loan


20,000.00


1948 Loan


255,000.00


Total Sewer Debt Outstanding Issued Inside Debt Limit $ 329,000.00


Miscellaneous Loans :


Highway Equip. Loan - 1946 $ 6,000.00


Town Hall Loan - 1944


8,000.00


Field House Loan - 1947


20,000.00


Water Mains Extension


Loan - 1950


40,000.00


School Bldg. Loan - 1950


120,000.00


Total Misc. Debt Outstanding Issued Inside Debt Limit $ 194,000.00


Total Debt Outstanding Issued Inside Debt Limit $ 523,000.00


94


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Issued Outside Debt Limit


High School Addition Loan - 1936. Sewer Loans:


$ 78,000.00


1921 Loan $ 1,000.00


1922 Loan


1,000.00


Total Sewer Debt Oustanding Issued Outside Debt Limit $ 2,000.00


Total Debt Outstanding


Issued Outside Debt Limit $ 80,000.00


General Debt as of Dec. 31, 1950 $ 603,000.00


STATEMENT INDICATING BORROWING CAPACITY As of December 31, 1950


Valuation 1948, Less Abatements


$26,300,288.00


Valuation 1949, Less Abatements


27,263,533.00


Valuation 1950, Less Abatements


28,725,497.00


Total Valuation Average Valuation


$82,289,328.00


$27,429,776.00


Five Per Cent (5%) of Average Valuation


$ 1,371,488.80


Less Outstanding Debt


Issued Inside Debt Limit $ 523,000.00


Borrowing Capacity as of Dec. 31, 1950 $ 848,488.80


Respectfully submitted,


ROBERT G. BYRNE, Town Treasurer.


TREASURER'S REPORT OF Principal and Interest Due in 1951


GENERAL DEBT


Inside Debt Limit


Outside Debt Limit


TOTAL


Month


Principal


Interest


Principal


Interest


Principal


Interest


January


$ 7,000.00


$ 465.00


$. ....


...


$ ..


$ 7,000.00


$ 465.00


February


697.50


13,000.00


826.24


13,000.00


1,523.74


March


April


2,000.00


2,790.00


2,000.00


2,790.00


May


2,000.00


1,130.00


2,000.00


1,130.00


June


8,000.00


421.25


8,000.00


421.25


August


10,000.00


697.50


1,500.00


696.26


11,500.00


1,393.76


September


October


15,000.00


2,750.00


15,000.00


2,750.00


November


14,000.00


1,122.50


14,000.00


1,122.50


December


$58,000.00


$10,073.75


$14,500.00


$1,522.50


$72,500.00


$11,596.25


$84,096.25


..


GRAND TOTAL OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE IN 1951


95


TREASURER'S REPORT


1950]


July


96


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Trust Funds


The following is a list of Trust Funds held by the Town Treas- urer as Custodian of all Funds and Securities as provided for by Chapter 282 of the General Acts of 1915 and indicates interest, de- posits and/or withdrawals made during 1950:


Balance Jan. 1, 1951


Joanna Morse Library Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$5,196.00


Income Accrued


117.57


$5,313.57


Less Withdrawal


117.57


$5,196.00


Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$2,000.00


Income Accrued


45.25


$2,045.25


Less Withdrawal


45.25


$2,000.00


Mary L. Thomson Library Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$1,000.00


Income Accrued


22.62


$1,022.62


Less Withdrawal


22.62


$1,000.00


Hattie F. Sherman Cemetery Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$ 500.00


Income Accrued


11.26


$ 511.26


Less Withdrawals


11.26


$ 500.00


Emma Y. Stocker Cemetery Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$ 505.00


Income Accrued


10.15


$ 515.15


Less Withdrawal


10.15


$ 505.00


Perpetual Care of Cemetery Lots Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$5,668.29


Income Accrued & Deposits


12,244.56


$17,912.85


Less Withdrawals


12,495.47


$5,417.38


Cemetery Gifts & Bequests Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$5,100.50


102.51


$5,203.01


Income Accrued.


97


BOARD OF HEALTH


1950]


Phillips Medal Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


Income Accrued


$2,622.19 54.58


Less Withdrawal


61.61


$2,615.16


Municipal Insurance Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$11,260.10


Income Accrued


254.77


$11,514.87


Manuel Ross Scholarship Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$ 683.25


Income Accrued


13.73


$ 696.98


Less Withdrawals


100.00


$ 596.98


*High School Alumni Fund


Balance Jan. 1, 1950


$ 409.33


Income Accrued


8.72


Bond Interest


100.00


$ 518.05


Less Withdrawal


100.00


Cash Balance, Dec. 31, 1950


418.05 $


U. S. A. Savings Bond, Series G


4,000.00


$4,418.05


*This fund is held by the Town Treasurer in behalf of the Alumni Fund Committee. It is not a Trust Fund as defined by law but is included in this report so that all concerned may be informed as to its status.


Respectfully submitted,


ROBERT G. BYRNE,


Town Treasurer.


HENRY S. BALDWIN, DANA V. HUMPHREY, HAROLD R. AUSTIN, Trust Fund Commissioners.


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, 1950, together with those of its various officers.


Because of the demands of private contractors, stores and hotels along with individuals for a place to dispose of their waste materials other than those collected by the contractor, we believe that the town should provide a dumping place for the convenience of the towns-


$2,676.77


98


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


people. However, if any action is taken ample means should be pro- vided to care for a dump by sanitary methods, so that conditions which usually emanate from such places will be eliminated.


Communicable diseases have dropped to the lowest level in years. This past season we inaugurated a new system of school releases whereby these slips are delivered directly to the homes; in so doing we have saved the parents and children much valuable time and inconvenience.


We have been very unfortunate in having to accept the retire- ment of Dr. James J. Fenelon, effective Jan. 11, 1951, from the head of our School Dental Clinic. We will be extremely fortunate if we are able to fill this position and carry on this work as in the past. A solution possibly may be arranged through joint participation of the various dentists in the town.


The Civil Defense program has hit us as well as a great number of our fellow townspeople. We are organizing a Health and Medical set up along the lines recommended by the Federal and State agencies, and will give all assistance and cooperation that is possible to the Civil Defense Director.


Respectfully submitted,


LORING GRIMES, M.D., Chairman, H. ALLEN DURKEE, E. WALLACE DONALD,


Board of Health.


Health Officer


To the Board of Health:


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950.


I am exceedingly grateful that you allowed me to attend the "New England Field Training Center" this fall. I feel that this course was justifiable in that the knowledge and experience obtained will be of help in carrying on the work of the Health Department.


The following is a summary of the work of the department during the year:


SUMMARY OF WORK


Number of communicable diseases reported 155


Number of cases placarded


11


Cases investigated 39


Cases released 103


Certificates issued to attend school and work


73


Children excluded from school 80


0


Quarantine violations 0


Number of communicable disease complaints


3


Number of communicable disease conferences


111


Number of communicable disease inquiries 51


Number of children given Schick test 118


Number of immunizing doses of toxoid given


283


Number of dogs inoculated against rabies


163


Number of laboratory supplies distributed


846


Reports to :


State District Health Officer 165


Suspected cases of cummunicable diseases


1950]


HEALTH OFFICER


99


State Department Public Health (Deaths)


53


Other cities and towns


11


Schools


Laundryman


4


Milkman


10 8


Inspector of Animals


88


Miscellaneous


2


Number of patients admitted to Isolation Hospital


7


Number of patients admitted to sanatorium


5


Number of patients discharged from sanatorium


3


Number of adults examined and X-rayed for tuberculosis at Essex Sanatorium 48


Number of children examined and X-rayed for tuberculosis at Essex Sanatorium


23


Number of feces submitted for examination


10


Number of sputum specimens submitted for examination


12


Number of premature births


8


Complaints received :


Rubbish


137


Garbage


423


Dead animals


23


Miscellaneous


193


Number of inspections made


230


Food establishments inspected


112


Number of water samples taken


6


Bacteria Swab tests taken on utensils


160


Verbal notices given


104


Written notices to abate


18


Legal notices to abate


0


Number of letters written


861


Number of conferences


666


Number of inquiries


821


Number of telephone calls


2279


Number of office visits


1850


Miscellaneous


776


PERMITS AND LICENSES


The following permits have been issued during the past year :


Burial 73


To torch for fish 1


To construct cesspools or septic tanks 28


To funeral director 1


To transport rubbish (garden trimmings, etc.) 3


The following licenses have been issued during the past year :


To sell methyl alcohol 13


To maintain a recreational building 1


To collect soap grease


3


To massage


1


To operate a day nursery school


3


The sum of $21.50 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.


ББ


Library


100


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Milk Inspector


To the Board of Health:


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950:


The following licenses and permits have been issued during the year :


To sell milk (Dealers) 23


To sell milk (Stores) 40


To sell frozen desserts 38 To sell oleomargarine 10


The sum of $57.50 has been collected for the licenses and permits issued during the year and the said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.


14 Samples of milk and 6 samples of ice cream were taken during the year from various dealers to check and see that the quality and control of their products were being maintained.


19 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.


Health Nurse


To the Board of Health:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950:


Communicable diseases placarded


7


Communicable diseases investigated 39


Examinations for contagious diseases


2


Examinations for release 33


8


Physical examinations


126


Dental examinations


1344


Home visits


1225


School visits


338


Kindergarten visits


63


Number of pupils patch tested for tuberculosis


3


Schick tests 118


4


Sanitary investigations


123


Clinic and meetings


55


New baby conferences


Consultations


33


Exclusions from school


461


Pre-school examinations


131


Tuberculosis patients visited


1950]


INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING


101


Parochial children weighed 354


Parochial children given ear examinations 346


Patients taken to sanatorium clinics 41


Miscellaneous


196


Respectfully submitted,


MARION M. THOMPSON, R. N.,


Health Nurse.


Inspector of Plumbing


To the Board of Health:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950 :


Plumbing permits issued 240


Installations approved 246


The sum of $852.00 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.


Dental Clinic


To the Board of Health:


Gentlemen :


Herewith is submitted a report of the activities of the dental clinic for the year ending December 31, 1950. All children of first six grades elementary and also all kindergarten classes were examined and all necessary work done for those who requested it when noti- fication cards were sent out.


A summary of operations completed :


Extractions, (Temp. teeth) 105


Extractions (Perm. teeth) 0


Local Anaesthetic 78


Pulp Cappings 4


Fillings (Perm. teeth) 254


Fillings (Temp. teeth) 513


Prophylaxis 160


Miscellaneous 161


Examinations 2338


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES J. FENELON, DMD, Dentist in charge.


102


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Building Inspector


To the Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1950:


Permits


Issued Estimated Costs


Dwellings:


New


139


$1,603,300.00


Alterations and additions


16


27,850.00


Private Garages :


New


133


129,625.00


Alterations and Additions


3


5,200.00


Miscellaneous


Office Building


1


15,000.00


Stores (Alterations)


3


5,850.00


Church (Alterations)


1


4,500.00


Office


1


800.00


Beach House


1


650.00


Tool House


1


100.00


Demolish Dwellings


3


Demolish Garages


2


Demolish Store


1


305


$1,792,875.00


Building Permits


305


Permits to Shingle


94


399


Number of Inspections (Buildings)


429


Number of Inspections (Shingling)


94


523


Amount of Building Fees Collected


$455.00


Elevator Operators' Licenses Issued :


New


4


4.00


Renewals


4


2.00


$461.00


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.


103


SCHOOL REPORT


1950]


School Report For the Year Ending December 31, 1950 SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1950


Edward K. Hempel, Chairman 37 Farragut Road Term Expires 1951


Madeline M. Clark 151 Phillips Ave.


Term Expires 1952


Blanche E. Doyle 44 Crosman Ave.


Term Expires 1951


Walter H. Forbes, Jr. 28 Greenwood Terr.


Term Expires 1953


Theodore C. Sargent 9 Clarke Road


Term Expires 1953


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.


School Calendar 1950


Winter term begins Tuesday, January 2


Winter term closes Friday, February 16


Spring term begins Monday, February 26


Spring term closes Friday, April 13


Summer term begins Monday, April 23


Fall term begins Wednesday, September 5


To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott: Ladies and Gentlemen :


Many things that were called to your attention in our 1949 re- port are still uppermost in the minds of your School Committee as we report to you for the year ending December 31, 1950.


Again this year one of the paramount concerns has been housing. All buildings are being used to capacity ; many rooms are overcrowded. Nothing that we can say on the subject can add to the excellent resume by the Superintendent of Schools in his report to the com- mittee, and we strongly recommend that our fellow townspeople read it carefully and thoughtfully. We feel, too, that what Mr. Dunn says in regard to the High School applies to all buildings.


It had been our hope that the New Clarke School would be ready when the fall term of 1951 opened next September, but circumstances beyond both the control of the Building Committee and the School Committee have delayed its progress. The School Committee. at this time, wishes to commend the Building Committee for their willing- ness to overcome all obstacles that were placed in their path, and we feel confident that the New Clarke School will be ready for oc- cupancy early in 1952.


104


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Last year a summary of business approved or adopted during the year by the committee was incorporated in our report. Business for 1950 followed very much the same trend. However, in addition, we are happy to report that we have made several very definite steps forward. Recommendations made by the Superintendent asking for tł .? creating of the following departments have received our unani- "lous approval :


1. Department of Guidance and Testing.


2. Department of Social Studies.


3. Department of Physical Education.


In addition the committee has approved the expansion of the Speech Department and also the Manual Arts Department. Further- irore, it is planned to install a course in Driver Education.


At the present time a professional survey is under way which, upon completion, will give the School Committee an overall picture of the needs for several years to come. Until this survey is completed we shall make no recommendations to the Town Meeting nor to the citizens. This survey was undertaken with the support of the Select- men, the Finance Committee, and the Planning Board. It is our hope that it will completely answer any questions that may have been left unanswered by the three previous committees that have been ap- pointed from among our fellow townspeople.


In order to present the picture of the School Department finances in their true light, we call your attention to the report which shows a refund to the town of $16,793.47. This, as noted, consists of gen- eral receipts, tuition, and state refunds.


The understanding cooperation and patience shown the School Committee and the staff by the parents is gratefully acknowledged. To all in the system - the Superintendent, the Principals, the Teach- ers, the Secretarial and Lunchroom Staff, and the Custodians, again our appreciation and thanks for carrying on so well under such tremendously trying circumstances.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD K. HEMPEL, Chairman,


MADELINE M. CLARK,


BLANCHE E. DOYLE, WALTER H. FORBES, JR. THEODORE C. SARGENT.


FINANCIAL STATEMENT


Appropriation


$402,740.00 2.25


Refund


$402,742.25


Expenditures :


General Control


$ 12,018.33


Instructional Service


307,129.76


Operation of Plants


51,844.22


Maintenance


8,994.88


Capital Outlay


3,169.61


Auxiliary Agencies


16,571.65


Warrants Payable


2,625.00


402,353.45


Unexpended Balance


$ 388.80


105


SCHOOL REPORT


1950]


Credits to the Department:


General Receipts


396.78


Tuition Received - General


1,598.75


State Refund, Trade and Vocational Schools


275.54


State Refund, General School Fund


14,522.40


Net Cost of Schools


16,793.47


$385,559.98


To the School Committee of the Town of Swampscott:


Ladies and Gentlemen :


I submit herewith my annual report of the year 1950, the twen- tieth report which it has been my privilege to make as Superintendent of your schools.


Putting a report to you into this form, of course, a matter of custom rather than of necessity from an informational standpoint. You are well acquainted with what it will present. More properly, a report of this kind is for the information of the people of the town, who, I sometimes feel, are all too accustomed to accept it as a matter of form and to treat it accordingly.


The great problem at the present is our lack of school housing facilities in the face of rapidly growing enrollment. So much has been said upon the subject over the past two years that further discussion seems almost trite; yet, in spite of all that has been said, in spite of all the data that has been presented, and in spite of fore- casts by three investigations, all agreeing the one with the others, there still remain those who, judging by their attitude, look upon our troubles as arising not from natural and logical social trends but as something originating in our own minds. They almost seem to believe that the School Department is engaged in some connivance to build schoolhouses just for fun.


It seems useless to point out to them such trends as these facts indicate :


1. School enrollment for November over the past four years has been : 1462 pupils in 1947; 1623 pupils in 1948; 1704 pupils in 1949; 1812 pupils in 1950. Our enrollment has never before reached this last figure.


2. The 9th grade has been moved to the High School to make room for elementary pupils in the Hadley School area; and this transfer would have been necessary whether or not Clarke School pupils had had to be accommodated in the Hadley and Machon buildings.


3. Two years ago the Stanley School had two unused rooms. Those rooms are now in use, and in addition the auditorium is being used as a classroom.


4. Three classes at the Stanley School, one at the Hadley, and one at the Machon have 40 or more pupils. These groups should be divided, but there is no room in town available, unless we extend the iwo-platoon arrangement.


5. There is the probability that at least one grade in the Stanley School will go on two platoons next year, anyway, unless a drastic change takes place to lessen enrollment. This is a case of simple arithmetic. Enrollment requiring two kindergarten groups next year, as this, will give us not less than ten classes to be housed in nine available locations including the auditorium.


106


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


6. The Machon School auditorium seems certain to be required for kindergarten use next year. This is a certainty if kindergarten enrollments increase in the area. It may become a necessary expedient to avoid two platoons.


7. The hope is that the new Clarke School may be finished in time to help solve any difficulties arising at the Machon School, but it can be no help at all in taking care of the pupils due to arrive in the Stanley School from the new housing developments on Nason Road, off Salem St., and along Atlantic Ave. Moreover, there is little thought that it will relieve the Hadley School Elementary-Junior High situation more than partially.


Three different commissions of local citizens have studied the situation and have arrived at the conclusion that we need more housing facilities. As a final report another professional group, brought in from out-of-town, is now engaged in the same process.


Their report, however, whatever it may be, can do little to relieve immediate conditions. The first prospect for relief will be the completion of the new Clarke School. We hope this can be completed by January 1, 1952, but a delay into February or March would be no surprise under existing conditions. Under any circum- stances, parents must be prepared to face two-platoons, probably in areas where it does not exist at present, into the school year 1952-53.


The old Clarke School is a thing of the past. Three days after school closed in June all materials and equipment worth saving had been removed and the building abandoned so far as the School De- partment was concerned.


The transferring and re-allotment of the pupils affected was completed in mid-summer. Wherever any hardship to a family was occasioned, or wherever any error in assigning arose, I made every effort to correct the situation. Assignments had, of course, to be arbitrary in some cases, but on the whole parents were cooperative and understanding - and the new year opened with a minimum of friction. A considerable number of pupils went to the Machon School, but most to the two-platoon organized at the Hadley School. A few Hadley School pupils were transferred to the Stanley School to pre- vent overcrowding certain classes.


Locating the ninth grade in the Senior High School building likewise was accomplished with little difficulty, and the pupils have been readily assimilated into the High School organization. Moving ninth grade teachers along with their pupils undoubtedly was an im- portant element in this adjustment. I see little prospect that a change back can be made for a number of years, but you should be aware that before the present ninth grade reaches the graduation stage the building may have reached its pupil capacity.


In this connection you may be interested in Mr. Dunn's comment. He writes :


"What often escapes attention, in estimating our housing capac- ity, is the fact that some of our space is devoted to such activities as art, band, and domestic science. Mechanical drawing, typewriting, office machines and library also require rooms that cannot be used for homerooms. We have managed to carry on our full program comfortably thus far. As the school grows in size, it will be neces- sary for us to use the assembly hall and cafeteria as study or classrooms.


"With the expansion of our guidance facilities, which should come as a result of our increased numbers, space for such services


107


SCHOOL REPORT


1950]


as pupils guidance, counseling and testing will be hard to find. Art, choral music, band, guidance and a school library are not frills, but are recognized necessities in a modern school."


I have several recommendations for your attention for the coming year:


1. We have now on our faculty a person trained for and . capable of handling Automobile Driver Education. I feel we should make definite plans to undertake such a course in the spring provid- ing necessary equipment is available. If a dual control car can be obtained through a local dealer on the same basis as in other com- munities, the cost of the course including instruction, insurance, operation and maintenance should be about $2500 a year.




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