USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1951 > Part 10
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The Real Estate valuation January 1, 1951 was $25,846,681, an increase over the previous year (1950) of $1,440,105.
The valuation of Personal Estate January 1, 1951 was $1,524,- 826, an increase over the previous year (1950) of $54,072.
The Excise Tax on Motor Vehicles and Trailer for 1951 was $137,634.20, an increase of $23,404.64 over 1950.
LIABILITIES 1951
State Assessments :
Auditing Municipal Accts. $ 1,273.86
Examination of Retirement System
65.64
Reservation
14,118.75
Metropolitan Water
15,286.76
1950 Underestimates
677.68
Total State Assessments
$ 31,422.69
County Assessments :
County Tax
$ 79,002.07
Tuberculosis Hosp. Assessment
19,917.33
Total County Assessment
Tax Title Foreclosure
$ 98,919.40 850.00
Town Appropriation :
(a) to be raised by Taxation
1,364,224.97
(b) raised by Available Funds
111,463.44
Total Town Appropriations Overlay 1951
$1,475,688.41 26,566.66 88,350.28
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$1,721,797.44
ASSETS 1951
Property Tax Valuation $27,371,507 @ 44.00 M
$1,204,346.30 6,764.00
Poll Taxes
111,463.44
County Tax
7,469.63
County Tuberculosis Hospital
3,799.57
Estimated Receipts (State Accts.)
132,404.22
Estimated Receipts (Town Accts.)
255,550.28
Total Assets
$1,721,797.44
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS (STATE)
Income Tax
$ 66,921.20
Corporation Tax
63,326.25
Old Age Tax (meals)
2,156.77
$ 132,404.22
Water
Available Funds
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS (TOWN)
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise .
$ 100,000.00
Licenses and Permits
5,000.00
Fines
400.00
General Government
200.00
Protection of Personal Property
1,000.00
Health and Sanitation
1,000.00
Charities
5,000.00
Old Age Assistance
50,000.00
Schools
2,000.00
Libraries
1,000.00
Recreation
600.00
Water
88,350.28
Interest
1,000.00
S
255,550.28
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations Assessed on Property
3134
Number of polls assessed
3382
Value of Land
$ 6,972,581
Value of Buildings
18,874,100
Value of Assessed Real Estate
25,846,681
Value of Stock in Trade
53,299
Value of Poles and Wires
163,792
Value of Machinery
75,259
Value of Live Stock
40
All other tangible personal property
1,232,436
1,524,826
Tax Rate per $1000
44.00
Number Horses Assessed
none
Number of Acres
1675
Number Dwelling houses
3078
TAXES FOR STATE, COUNTY AND TOWN PURPOSES
On personal estate
67,092.34
On real estate
1,137,253.96
On polls
6,764.00
Total taxes assessed
$1,211,110.30
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. MORRISON. JOHN A. HOLMES, ERNEST MANCHIN,
Board of Assessors.
111
Aid to Dependent Children
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Department of Aid to Dependent Children submits the following report for the year 1951.
SUMMARY OF CASES AIDED
1950
1951
Total Families Aided
Children in Families Aided
Total Families in Families Aided
January
9
22
8
16
February
10
25
8
13
March
10
25
7
12
April
10
24
7
12
May
8
18
7
12
June
10
25
7
12
July
11
25
7
12
August
12
26
7
12
September
10
21
7
14
October
9
17
7
13
November
10
18
8
15
December
10
18
8
16
The following is a summary of the financial operations of the department for the past year.
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance
From town appropriation $7,081.11
From federal funds
2,426.96
Total Expenditures
$9,508.07
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Assistance
From State Department
$3,879.21*
From Federal Government 3,220.72
Total Reimbursements
$7,099.93
For Administration
From Federal Government
228.08
Total Reimbursements
$7,328.01
Net Cost to Swampscott for 1951
$2,180.06
* (Not available for use of this department.)
Balance of Federal Funds on Hand December 31, 1951:
For Assistance $3,887.48
For Administration
899.69
Total
$4,787.17
Respectfully submitted, WALTER L. RANGER, FRED M. SEATON, DONALD REDFERN, Bureau of Aid to Dependent Children.
1951]
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Children
Aided
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Department of Civil Defense
Mr. Harold S. Walker, former Civil Defense Director, submitted a very complete report to the citizens of Swampscott a year ago outlining his plans for our Civil Defense organization for 1952. I am glad to report that these plans have for the most part been closely adhered to and very few basic adjustments have been nec- essary. I feel that through Mr. Walker's efforts and the cooperation of our Town Department Heads and many of our citizens, we have a very fine Civil Defense organization.
I have, since taking over the duties of Director in November, endeavored to see that all Divisions were fully staffed and the necessary personnel enrolled and the overall plans for our Civil Defense carried out.
I would like particularly to compliment the Auxiliary Fire and Auxiliary Police Departments on the splendid work both have done in developing their groups to a high point of efficiency.
The development of the Auxiliary Fire Department under Chief Lampard and Auxiliary Deputy Chief Charles L. Stover has been outstanding and the present personnel of thirty men are a well trained and well equipped group. Albert W. Lalime of our Fire Department, a certified Red Cross instructor, has started our Auxi- liary Fire Department in a First Aid Course. Chief Charles Lampard has appointed Roy F. Olson, Auxiliary Chief to replace Frank W. Oulton who recently resigned. Mr. Olson headed up the Auxiliary Fire Department during the last war and we are very pleased to have him take over this responsible assignment.
The Auxiliary Police Department has been organized under the direction of Chief Francis P. Wall and Auxiliary Chief Charles Scanlon. Bi-weekly meetings of the force have been held and instruc- tion in standard police procedure has been given to all members by Captain John Costin of the regular force who also acts as liaison between the regular department and the auxiliaries. First Aid in- struction has been given this group by officer Harold Keating of the regular force who is a certified Red Cross instructor. We have at present a force of twenty-nine men under Auxiliary Chief Scanlon and Auxiliary Captains Ralph Day, Eustis Grimes, and John Cooper and it is planned to immediately increase the personnel from twenty- nine men to thirty-five men. The men have been completely uni- formed, are well trained, loyal and capable of meeting any type of emergency.
The Warning and Protection Division is headed by Deputy Di- rector Donald C. Goss who also acts as Chief Air Raid Warden. Mr. Goss will have two assistants and with a District Warden and two assistant Wardens in each of our eight districts we have at present a supervisory warden system of twenty-seven men. The eight districts have been divided into from seven to nine sub-districts and the District Wardens and their assistants will enlist the aid of sufficient neighborhood Wardens to cover these sub-districts. On these men will rest the responsibility for the education and training of the general public in the fundamental principles of self-preservation.
It is essential that adequate and proper warning be given to the public promptly in event of an air attack. We have a fire alarm whistle which has been re-installed in the Old Town Hall Tower. This whistle will be sounded to summon the off-shift of the fire de- partment in event of a major fire and in case of an air raid. Federal air raid warning regulations require a certain number of blasts
113
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
1951]
(by siren or other warning device) over a specified period of time to be used as an air raid signal. The "red alert" public warning signal will be of three minutes duration and will consist of eight blasts on the fire alarm whistle repeated seven times. The "all clear" signal will be a series of three steady one minute blasts interrupted by a silent period of two minutes each.
In accordance with instructions from the State Civil Defense Agency a special radio receiver has been installed in the police station tuned to the State Police wave length of 44.74 megocycles. This device supplements the teletype equipment used by the State Police.
To promote greater efficiency in communications and to assure the transmission of messages during an air attack or other emer- gency the Department of Civil Defense has equipped the Fire Chief's car, three pumps and the ladder truck with three-way radios. In event of disruption of other means of communication this radio would be available for Civil Defense use and as it can be operated on current supplied by a portable gasoline-driven generator, it would remain in service even in event of a power failure.
Additional radio communication facilites are available from the Police Department and from the Fuller Taxi service. Radio com- - munication to outside communities will be established through the integration and cooperation of local radio "hams" with the C. D. organization.
The Civilian War Aid Division was organized under the leader- ship of Mr. Arnold Reynolds who, for a long time, had served as Vice-Chairman of the Disaster Committee of the Greater Lynn Chap- ter of the American Red Cross. Due to reasons of health Mr. Reynolds resigned as Deputy Director and Mr. Fred M. Seaton was appointed in his place. Mr. Seaton brings to the job an excellent background of experience and with his working staff appointed and the necessary data completed this important organization is well prepared to cope with any emergency.
A great deal has been accomplished in First Aid training this past year due to the efforts of Mr. George E. Hutchinson and through the cooperation of the Greater Lynn Chapter of the American Red Cross. First Aid classes covering standard, advanced and instructor training were given to many of our teachers in both Junior and Senior High Schools, as well as all pupils in both schools.
Under the direction of Superintendent of Schools Frank L. Mansur, excellent work has been done in our schools with regard to bringing Civil Defense activities before both teachers and pupils. Several of the school faculty have been briefed on the effects of atomic warfare and instruction has been given to all teachers and pupils on the effects of atomic weapons. A procedure has been set up for air raid drills at all schools and safe areas have been indicated.
The employees of the Highway and Park Departments have been enrolled in the Civil Defense organization bringing our total volunteers close to three hundred. No concentrated effort has been made to enlist the services of volunteer workers. However, it is hoped that when our Warden Service asks for help in building up their group, those contacted will accept this responsibility. At the suggestion of the State Civil Defense Agency identification cards have been supplied to all C.D. workers and C.D. automobile stickers issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be distributed to all key personnel.
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Attention is called to the fact that all persons in the Civil Defense organization in whatever capacity must sign a loyalty oath. The signing of the oath and acceptance of a post in Civil Defense automatically qualifies the individual for protection under the laws of the Commonwealth in the event of injury or death while in per- formance of Civil Defense duties.
The major expenses for Civil Defense, other than the Director's salary, have been for a two-way fire department radio, protective clothing for the auxiliary firemen, uniforms for the auxiliary police, radio receiver for air raid and other warnings tuned to the State Police wave length, and the rehabilitation of the Phillips Beach Fire Station for a Report Center and Director's office. All of these expenditures, while definitely Civil Defense items, are also of value in the normal activities of the town. Should Civil Defense be aban- doned as such, none of the investment we have made would be lost and the equipment purchased would all be used to advantage by peace-time town departments.
I know Mr. Walker would wish me to express his thanks to all members of the Civil Defense organization for their cooperation and willingness to serve the community. I know I can look forward to their continued assistance and cooperation.
ROBERT O'NEILL,
Director, Civil Defense.
Chief of Police
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my report as Chief of Police for the year 1951 :
ROSTER Chief of Police Francis P. Wall
James W. Doherty
Captains John P. Costin James H. Pedrick
Frank T. Roach
Patrolmen Clark W. Wood
Joseph L. Shanahan
Joseph H. Doane
George D. Horton
William A. Hinch
Herbert F. Frazier, Sr.
Edward P. Carroll
Joseph P. Ryan
Thomas J. Cahill
Francis E. Delano
James E. Hanley
Frederick J. Rowe
Eugene S. Moreau
Robert L. Cunningham
John Stone
Harold J. Keating
Herbert F. Frazier, Jr.
Owen E. Smith
Reserve Patrolmen
William J. Carlin John R. Daley Charles H. Bickford
Francis M. Cahoon
Temporary Reserve Patrolman James J. Wallis
Clerk Kathryn B. Ingell
1951]
POLICE REPORT
115
Samuel Hooper
Pensioned Members James M. Kennedy
Almon B. Owens
ARRESTS
On warrant
10
Without warrant
26
Warrants served for other Police Departments
2
Summonsed to appear in Court
5
Summonses to appear in Court served for other Police Depart- ments
210
OFFENCES CHARGED
Assault and battery
1
Assault with intent to rape
1
Breaking and entering and larceny in daytime
2
Breaking and entering and larceny in nighttime
3
Collecting junk without license
1
Delivering alcoholic beverages to minor
2
Drunkenness
22
Larceny
4
Lewdness
1
Maintaining rooms to register bets
1
Malicious destruction to property
1
Motor vehicle laws:
Operating motor vehicle negligently so as to endanger lives or safety of the public
1
Operating motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor
1
Neglect of minor children
2
Non-support of wife
1
Vagrancy
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Cases continued to 1952
2
Defaulted
1
Dismissed
2
Filed
8
Fined
5
Not Guilty
1
Probation
6
Released (Drunkenness, first offence)
8
Sentenced to House of Correction
6
Suspended sentence to House of Correction
4
1950 Cases cleared in 1951
Fined
1
Probation
1
MISCELLANEOUS
Accidents :
Automobile accidents reported and investigated
Fatalities
2
Property damage only
49
Personal injuries :
12
Bicyclists
2
Operators and passengers
58
Ambulance Service :
To accidents
8
To fires
61
Persons conveyed to Hospitals
181
1
Sentenced to State Farm
2
Pedestrians injured
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS [Dec. 31
Persons conveyed from hospital to home
24
Persons conveyed to Doctor's office 7
Persons conveyed to Rest Homes, etc. 17
Motor Patrol Car Service :
Assistance given to sick and injured persons 44
Persons conveyed to Hospitals 52
Persons conveyed to Rest Homes 5
Breaking and entering investigated
17
Complaints investigated
843
Doors and windows found open and secured
214
Duty calls made by patrolmen from police boxes
45,775
Larceny reports $50 and over investigated
7
Larceny reports under $50 investigated
34
Licenses issued :
Bicycle licenses 223
Pistol permits 104
Permits to perform necessary work on the Lord's Day 12
Manhole covers reported loose
5
Messages delivered for other Police Departments, etc.
177
Parking violations: Motor vehicles tagged 1966
Court Summonses issued
718
Persons reported missing and located
39
Residences temporarily closed and special attention given 187
Sale or transfer of motor vehicle notices filed 439
Sale of second-hand motor vehicles, dealers' reports filed 281
Street lamps reported out
172
Street and sidewalk defects reported
20
Trees reported down
4
Water leaks reported
11
Windows reported broken and cases investigated
48
Wires reported defective
9
PERSONNEL
During the year Reserve Officer Herbert F. Frazier, Jr., was appointed a permanent Patrolman.
Charles H. Bickford was appointed a Reserve Patrolman.
James J. Wallis was appointed a temporary Reserve Patrolman.
These appointments were made by the Board of Selectmen from lists certified by Civil Service.
During the year Reserve Officer John R. Daley was called into the United States Armed Forces.
In February of this year Patrolman Clark W. Wood attended and graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Training School. This training proved to be very beneficial to the officer and the department.
AUXILIARY POLICE
During the year the Auxiliary Police was reactivated and is receiving general police training under the direction of Captain John P. Costin assisted by Patrolmen Harold J. Keating and Joseph H. Doane. This Civil Defense Unit is now ready for any police emergency.
117
VETERANS' SERVICES
1951]
NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD
An honor was again bestowed upon the 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 out- standing record of being free from fatality caused by motor vehicles during the period from 1943 to 1950 inclusive. The residents of our town may well be proud of this achievement. However, during 1951 two fatal accidents occurred.
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.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that the town purchase a new motor vehicle to be used as a patrol car, to replace the 1949 DeSoto Sedan now in use.
APPRECIATION
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, 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.
Department of Veterans' Services
The Department of Veterans' Services herewith submits its report for the year 1951:
Despite considerable publicity in the local press during the past year, there are still many veterans who are not aware of the services available to them through this office. All veterans, their de- pendents and the families of servicemen are urged to contact this office if they have any problem or questions they desire to have an- swered connected with the service, veterans rights or laws and the Selective Service law. Office hours are from nine until noon Monday through Friday. The director may be contacted at other times by telephoning LYnn 3-4313.
Veterans of all wars are again urged to have this office photo- stat and register their discharges. No charge whatever is made for any of the services rendered by this department.
VETERANS' BENEFITS
Number of cases aided 16 Individuals aided 46
(WW I-5; WW II -11)
Applications filed at this office and referred to other cities or towns because of veterans' settlement in that locality ........ 48
Applications denied because minimum requirements of State
Law were not met 15
118
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
WAR ALLOWANCE
Cases aided 2 Individuals aided 6
All of the above cases aided were approved by the Mass. Dept. of Veterans' Services, thereby reimbursing the town for one-half of the funds expended.
VETERANS' SERVICES
The services rendered by this department during the past year were many and varied. Some of them are listed below for the infor- mation of the veterans who may not be aware of the services avail- able to them:
Widows assisted in filing pension and headstone applications 8 National Life Insurance matters handled through this office 42 Veterans assisted on VA matters other than NSL Insurance 51
Discharges and other papers photostated
104
Powers of attorney executed
12
Papers notarized 18
Positions of employment found for veterans 6
Housing found for veterans families 3
Veterans conveyed to or from hospitals
9
Requests for Selective Service or Service information 104 Discharges registered in accordance with State Law 26
Miscellaneous services rendered :
A serviceman was placed in contact with his parents who he had not seen since he was two years of age. Information pertaining to veteran laws was given to various persons speaking before organi- zations. Several veterans were aided in filing papers for G.I. real estate loans. Information was given to many as to how to obtain real estate tax abatement allowed certain veterans. Congressman William H. Bates was appealed to more than 25 times during the year on matters pertaining to veterans or their dependents. A few of these matters were in connection with aiding servicemen to secure their pay which had been delayed. One particularly deserving case was that of a young marine earmarked for early shipment for Korea who had not been paid for several months. Within a few days after notifying Representative Bates of the situation the marine received more than $400 in back pay. Other cases in which Mr. Bates' assis- tance was requested pertained to National Service Life Insurance matters; Veterans Administration matters; Requesting his influence in backing bills seeking to increase pensions for widows and many similar type requests.
This office instituted a card index system in which vital informa- tion is listed pertaining to the veteran. More than one thousand veterans are so listed from information obtained from discharges and/or the various service departments.
An attempt has been instituted to have an official list of Swamp- scott boys who lost their lives in World War II established by town officials. At present the only list contains names of some men who were not Swampscott boys. The information obtained was from the press and other sources not official. This office has been able to contact relatives or next of kin of every veteran listed on the present list with the exception of ROBERT E. CASWELL, Lieutenant, Army Air Corps, killed in North Africa. Despite considerable publicity given the request for information, no call has been received. Anyone knowing of this officer is requested to phone this department.
119
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSSISTANCE
1951]
At Christmas time six baskets containing food were distributed to deserving families by a public spirited couple, the names of the families being obtained by this department from the Police, Welfare Board, Family Welfare House and the Visiting Nurse.
APPRECIATION
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and all others whose cooperation greatly assisted this office. The local press has been exceptionally helpful by disseminating information that it was de- sired to place before the public. Congressman Bates aided the cases of more than a dozen Swampscott veterans or their families by making high level contacts to expedite action. To them I wish to extend my very special appreciation and thanks for their valuable assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
NEWTON S. COURTNEY, Director.
Bureau of Old Age Assistance
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits herewith, its report for the year 1951.
As was anticipated, the referendum approved by the voters in 1950 which greatly liberalized the Old Age Assistance Law, was de- clared unconstitutional and did not go into effect on June 1, 1951. The only general change in assistance grants during the past year, was an increase of 5.4 per cent due to the rise in the cost of living which became effective October 1, 1951.
The 1951 Legislature has made several changes in the Old Age Assistance Law which becomes effective on January 1, 1952. The four most important changes are as follows: (1) Provision for a legal monthly minimum grant of $75.00 per month, plus a Leisure Time Activity allowance of $4.00 for persons who live outside of a family group and a legal monthly minimum grant of $55.00 plus a Leisure Time Activity allowance of $4.00 to persons living in a family group. (2) An increase of $500.00 per annum in the statutory exemptions for children. (3) Provision that the town shall have a lien against the property of any applicant, or recipient of Old Age Assistance, said lien to be filed in the appropriate registry of deeds or registry district of the land court. (4) A provision eliminating the present requirement under which the full cost of the $4.00 monthly Leisure Time Activity item is reimbursed by the Common- wealth. These changes in the new law will increase our monthly pay- rolls by approximately $900.00 per month.
We again wish to express our appreciation to the Swampscott Community Service, Inc., whose visiting nurse service made a total of 1275 visits to recipients of assistance during 1951. Our department has received the usual prompt and courteous service from Chief Francis P. Wall and the members of his department in moving pa- tients to and from Hospitals, Convalescent Homes and State In- stitutions.
120
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[ Dec. 31
Summary of Cases
1950
1951
Total Receiving Assistance
194
192
Total Receiving Aid in Other Cities and Towns
23
21
Number of Cases Receiving Aid December 31
160
169
Cases closed
35
32
New Applications
35
50
New Applications Withdrawn
1
6
Cases Accepted
34
43
Cases Rejected
0
1
The following is a summary of the financial operations of our department for the year 1951:
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance
From town appropriation $59,165.50
From federal funds 53,675.87
Total
$112,841.37
For Salaries and Wages
From town appropriation 5,262.56
From federal funds 1,000.00
Total
$ 6,262.56
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