USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1951 > Part 9
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Under the auspices of the Department of Civil Defense we are most fortunate to have our fire trucks equipped with modern two- way radios. It is a credit for any town or city to have their fire ap- paratus equipped with these machines.
This communication system enables us to cut our running cost to a minimum. These radios help speed the arrival of additional help or summons mutual aid in time of need. It also keeps each fire truck in constant touch with headquarters where a man is continuously stationed at the radio controls. Through this method a direct com- munication service will be established with civil defense control center.
APPRECIATION
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Board of Select- men, members of the Finance Committee, the Auxiliary Fire De- partment and all other town officials for their fine cooperation during the year. I especially wish to thank the personnel of my department for their excellent assistance to me.
RECORDS OF DEPARTMENT
Number of calls 430
Calls to Lynn (Mutual Aid) 14
Calls to Marblehead (Mutual Aid) 8
First Aid
Inhalator Cases 16
General First Aid 7
Permits Issued
Oil Permits 189
Propane 21
Blasting 61
99
PLANNING BOARD
1951]
I urge all persons discovering fires in buildings to sound the nearest fire alarm box (if within reasonable distance). This is quicker and more accurate than the telephone. If possible stay at the box and direct the apparatus to the fire. If the telephone must be used, DIAL LYnn 2-0082 or dial Operator and give her the location of the fire as well as your name and address. Please be calm to avoid confusion.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. LAMPARD, Chief of Department.
The Planning Board
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Planning Board has held seventeen regular meetings during the year of 1951 plus a number of meetings as part of other groups.
There was only one plan for a major subdivision submitted to the Board during the year, but a number of small subdivisions kept the building of new homes at a better than average rate.
The Board after studying the report submitted to the School Committee by the Educational Service Associates felt that many of its recommendations called for land and buildings beyond the needs of the Town. The Board later at a meeting with the School Commit- tee agreed to recommend the extension to the Stanley School as presented to the Special Town Meeting of December 4, 1951. This plan contemplated taking for the Stanley School extension only slightly more than one-third of the land reserved for the same pur- pose in the survey of the above Associates, and in addition it eliminated the passage of a future major street through the pro- posed school property.
The entire land taking which the Board has felt justified in recommending for the Stanley School extension and for possible future needs of the Town is only about one-fifth of the land shown by the Associates in their report of May 1, 1951. The Town must provide sufficient school facilities, but within the limits of a reason- able tax base.
The new Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board, expected to be issued in 1951, have been delayed until the early part of the year 1952.
The revised Plumbing Code sponsored by the Planning Board is well along and is expected to be presented to the coming annual Town Meeting for acceptance.
The Board strongly urges similar revision and modernization of the Building By-Law.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH L. WILLIAMS, Chairman, JAMES R. MADDOCK, Secretary, GORDON L. BROWN, HAROLD M. KING, ALEXANDER B. WAY, JR.,
The Planning Board.
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Trustees of Public Library
January 7, 1952
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Trustees of the Swampscott Public Library sub- mits its annual report.
Since this is practically the centennial of the Library, as well as of the town, it has seemed timely to review in brief the develop- ment of the institution.
In 1852, first year of the separate corporate existence of Swamp- scott, " a gentleman from out of town", Dr. William R. Lawrence, a summer resident on Galloupe's Point, offered 166 books and one hundred dollars "as a permanent foundation either of a town or social library." The Town Meeting of October 9 voted to accept this, and the Library was opened on January 15, 1853, with 246 volumes as book stock. In our small local history collection, we are fortunate to have both the printed copy of the "Constitution and By-Laws of the Swampscot (sic!) Library Association, January, 1853," and "The First Report of the Board of Officers of the Swampscott Library Association, made to the Selectmen of the Town, March 12, 1853." The first report explains "We do not understand that, being a town library, it must necessarily be free for all to take books as they choose, any more than the town treasury should be free to replenish their pockets when they become empty." The Library, therefore, was of the subscription type which meant that it cost a dollar to be- come a member. Annual payments were set at fifty cents, 'payable in advance'. Daniel H. Millett was the Librarian in charge. A sum- mary in columns illustrates the difference between:
"Then" (1852)
Books
246 volumes
Terms of $1.00 membership plus
use $.50 per year
Number of 29
users
Loans per card
1 book at a time
As many as 15 pieces, in- cluding magazines and record album
Length of loan
2 weeks - no renewals
7 days or 2 weeks; re- newals by telephone
Fines
3 cents per day
2 cents per day. 1951 to- tal - $1,409.56 2650 (in 1951)
Hours open
None permitted 6-9 P.M. Saturdays
52 hours weekly, including 6-9 P.M. on 6 nights
Govern-
Board of 5 appointed offi- cers
3 trustees elected
ment
Aside from increased size - to be expected - this illustrates the more liberal philosophy common to public libraries today.
This Association was dissolved about 1862 - perhaps a war casualty. In the spring of 1867, the Town appropriated 50 dollars to establish a library, following it with 100 dollars the next year. A sum of 150 dollars more was raised from individuals, and the Library opened on June 13, 1868, this time in a "7 by 9" room in the Town Hall. Fees were still charged for its use, five cents per book, for two weeks. By 1873, the book stock was 1,798 volumes, the
"Now" (1952) 33,082 volumes
FREE to residents, work- ers, or students of the Town 3,716
Reserves
101
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
1951]
circulation 5,282, the income $492.95 (of which the Town appro- priated $200, the rest being received from fees). Until the annual meeting of 1874, the Selectmen "managed" the Library, aided by the Librarian, who was listed in the Town report as an "appointed official". In 1874, to relieve the Selectmen, E. E. Boynton, D. W. Fuller, and F. O. Ellis were appointed Trustees. A larger room was also occupied, to advantage.
In 1879, a quaint arrangement was adopted (apparently it lasted only one year) by which the position of librarian was to be let to the lowest bidder! Curtis Merritt, who had been Librarian since 1868, resigned early in 1880, though his experience was not lost to the Library (he continued to serve as a Trustee until his death in 1895). Miss Kittie Honors was appointed - the Library archives contain the original letter notifying her - as Librarian on May 3, 1880. The Library was now open from 2 to 9 P.M. on Saturdays and 4 to 9 P.M. on Wednesdays the year round.
The room was again improved and shelving enlarged in 1883; in 1903 more stacks were added, but crowded conditions were reported again in 1908. In 1917, the separate building for which the Trustees had held out, was completed and occupied. Two years later stacks were added in their present location at the rear of the desk. By 1931, the building had to be enlarged by moving the work with children to the upper floor - to the room now called the Jean G. Allen Room, in memory of the Trustee who did so much to make it possible.
If any lessons are to be learned from history, this factual ac- count of the growth of the Library would seem to indicate that though Swampscott has been slow to enlarge the Library - each expansion was asked for by the Library Board for a number of years before its achievement - the response to improved facilities has always been enthusiastic; which would seem to prove that the Board knew whereof it spoke: When the change to a free library was made 11,903 volumes were borrowed in a year, as against 5,606 the year before; there was an increase from 11,119 (1915) to 24,045 (1916) which reflects the move into the new building; the circulation nearly doubled again in 1917, the first full year in the building, 45,564. Upon opening the upstairs children's room, the circulation jumped from 66,726 to 82,163.
It is worth recording that the first contribution toward a new building was a gift of $25 in 1898 from the Swampscott Woman's Club. Citizens subscribed $4,600 in 1916 when the building was be- coming a reality, and the rest of the cost is listed in the town report of 1916 as $19,620.
Three bequests have been made to the Library: In 1909 Mrs. Joanna Morse of Cambridge left the first such gift - 5,196 dollars; in 1916, the Mary L. Thomson fund of 1,000 dollars was received; and in 1919, 2,000 dollars came from Ellen R. Whittle. The income re- ceived from these is spent for books, appropriately bookplated, though the Thomson fund is designated "For library purposes."
In this anniversary year, with the continuance of crowded, cramped quarters, which means that the Library can perform only routine services (and the staff spends much time picking up some- thing in order to have a place to lay something else down!) our immediate past is of less inspiration than the remote. However, a few events stand out in 1951: Public Library week was observed in May all over the state, as the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Public Library Law in Massachusetts. A major effort was made to advertise the Library outside the building. Merchants were
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
generous in donating window space; the staff members did original and excellent posters to accompany 7 displays of varied books.
A Community Calendar to serve as a clearing house for dates was started in the fall. Letters were sent to 43 clubs, to the school principals, departments of the town, etc., during the summer. The newspapers, as usual, gave us good publicity. About 2 dozen organi- zations are using it regularly. Its value can be assessed only after a longer period. Both cost and work of upkeep are very slight.
To meet some expressed interests of our clientele - which may be in a small town, but is not "small town" in its requirements - we have added some recent books in French, the first in many years; subscribed to Moody's Industrials, both the current volume and semi-weekly service. This has been supplemented by recent volumes of Moody's Banks, Insurance, Real Estate, Investment Trusts; Gov- ernments and municipals, Public utilities; and Railroads, as gifts of Mr. Edwin M. Murphy. The Library is getting the weekly "Facts on file", since questions on public affairs are more frequent than they were a few years ago. A new encyclopedia - Collier's - has also been added. Consumer publications, house decoration, all types of how-to-make-it books, and sailing continue to be in great demand, and we buy them rather liberally.
Other non-routine happenings have been inquiries about where to obtain films; interviews by students from civics classes who wanted information about the Library organization and support; a public relations study done by a college student last spring. In response to his suggestion, publicity releases have been sent to the Dory, which has used some of them. Two Great Books groups now use the Jean G. Allen Room, two evenings each per month. The third-year group includes members from several surrounding towns where groups were started but did not continue. The Trustees sponsor the first-year group, though the Library provides no leaders. The Board of the Provisional League of Women Voters also uses the room when it is free on their meeting night. We have had other occasional re- quests indicating a real need in town for a convenient neutral meeting place.
As the year closes we are confronted with the fact that the Children's Room is so busy this fall that it has not been possible to hold the once-a-month story hour on Saturday mornings; too many borrowers come and go to make it any longer feasible, and there are also reference users of the room at that time. An enlarged, efficient charging desk is a MUST for this room, and has been in- cluded in the budget. The room has been open on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 12 since October 16, to accommodate the children who go to school afternoons. Average attendance has been 17, and it is a service which has been appreciated by parents also. 294 children in classes visited the room in 3 mornings of Book Week. To meet the needs particularly of the younger group, more of the book budget (30 per cent rather than the standard 25) has been spent. The col- lection is in good shape, thanks to Mrs. Linden's thoroughness, and a count of it this summer showed that the room owns 7,607 volumes, nearly 500 more than had been recorded as we added to and sub- tracted from the figure handed down to us. We have received requests for 1952 work with Girl Scouts who want to work for a reading badge. It is another case for which a small separate meeting room would be most useful, but we shall try to work it out under the present set-up. Such interests do not wait indefinitely!
In addition to the gift of Mr. Murphy, mentioned above, the Library has been enriched by publications on government from the
103
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
1951]
League of Women Voters; by subscriptions to several magazines for a "Conservation" project from the Garden Club of Swampscott. From the Tuesday Garden Club came a most welcome addition of two shrubs - Taxus cuspidata - for the front lawn, which had long been neglected; from G. Norman Albree of Winchester, a small Italian marble statue, "The Dying Gaul"; from Harold S. Walker, two early Swampscott scenes. The flower arrangements from the various Garden Clubs arrive each week, and are always a pleas- ure to behold. The names of other donors of gifts of books follow at the end of the report.
The resignation of Mrs. C. Fred Smith, Jr., as Trustee, since she was moving away from town, was a real loss. With a background of library experience and of varied civic service, she brought genuine understanding to our problems. In the spring, the Trustees partici- pated in a meeting of Trustees from many North Shore libraries held under the auspices of the Lynn Library, with Mr. Howe as one of the three main speakers on the program.
In November the janitor, Andrew Tennent, resigned because of ill-health. Angelo Losano was appointed to take his place, beginning in December. He has tackled the rather considerable arrears with industry and proves to be very able. The Christmas decoration of greens and lights which he arranged around the door brought com- pliments.
The Library staff has remained the same - the usual thanks is due them for industry and good nature.
As a closing thought to pass on to the townspeople in this 100th year should not we agree not to be satisfied with keeping the Library going as it was - however satisfactory it has been at certain periods of its existence - but to insist upon progress; we need not aspire to be first in the country, but as good as any of like size and as well supported.
NAMES OF DONORS OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS TO THE LIBRARY
B'nai B'rith of Massachusetts
Miss Mary A. Clapp
Dr. G. J. Esselen
First Church of Christ Scientist Lynn
Mrs. John A. Lord
Michael Ó. Friedlander
Miss Ruth E. Pollard
Miss Ida Gough
Greater Lynn Zionist District
Mrs. J. Andrew Heath
State Street Trust Company
Walter Henshaw
Mrs. Catherine Van Alen
George W. Howe
Harold S. Walker
Mrs. Richard Ward
STATISTICS
Circulation
Adult fiction
28,084
Adult non-fiction
16,691
Adult periodicals
6,105
First Ironworks Association of Saugus, Massachusetts
Miss Mary C. E. Jackson
W. Carlton Jones
Rev. Abraham J. Karp
Robert A. Linden
Mrs. Harry C. Robbins
Miss Ruth Shattuck
50,880
104
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Juvenile fiction
27,297
Juvenile non-fiction
6,423
Juvenile periodicals
748
34,468
Grand Total
85,348.
Victrola records (adult)
1,081
Pictures (children's room)
980
Books:
Books in Library January 1, 1951
32,083
Books added (Adult 1057 - Juv. 797)
1,854
Books discarded (Adult 858 - Juv. 364)
1,222
Correction in juvenile count
368
Books in Library January 1, 1952
33,083
33,083
Attendance
Adult
25,462
Juvenile
12,868
38,330
38,330
Registered Borrowers
Adult
2,822
Juvenile
894
3,716
3,716
Fine Receipts turned over to the town LIBRARY STAFF
Edith N. Snow, Librarian
Doris B. Linden, Children's Librarian
Susan Duval, Assistant
Ruth E. Pollard, Assistant
Marjorie K. St-Cyr, Library Secretary
Andrew Tennent, Janitor (January-October)
Angelo Losano, Janitor (December-
)
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. HOWE, Chairman, RUTH M. BARRY, Secretary, BENJAMIN F. CORNWALL, Board of Trustees.
Dog Officer
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year 1951:
There were 764 complaints about animals and lost dogs, all of which have been investigated and settled to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned. Nineteen (19) stray dogs were disposed of. There were 612 licenses issued from April 1st to December 31st.
Again I wish to express my appreciation to all departments and personnel who have cooperated with me.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN A. BOSTON, Dog Officer.
$1,409.56
105
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
1951]
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for 1951.
SCALES AND MEASURES
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Con- Sealed demned
Scales, over 10,000 lbs.
3
Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
6
Scales or Balances under 100 lbs.
16
62
1
Weights, Avoirdupois
1
21
Weights, Metric
11
Weights, Apothecary
7
53
Liquid Meas., 1 gal. or under
37
Meters, Inlet 1" or less, Gasoline
5
40
Meters, Inlet 1" or less,
Oil, Grease
18
5
1
Meters, More than 1" Vehicle Tank
8
29
Meters, Less than 1", Kerosene
1
...
Meters, Bulk
4
Yardsticks
2
Totals
38
278
5
2
TRIAL WEIGHINGS
Incorrect
Commodity
Number Number Tested Correct
Under
Over
Bread
36
36
Butter
158
158
Dry Commodities
275
274
1
Flour
36
34
2
Fruits and Vegetables
291
246
5
40
Lard
40
40
Meats and Provisions
45
41
4
. Potatoes
133
94
14
25
Totals
1014
923
20
71
INSPECTIONS
Paper or fibre cartons
134
Pedler's licenses
17
Milk jars
19
Marking of
Bread
82
Food Packages
664
Wholesale milk cans
5
Clinical thermometers
145
Ice cream cans
16
Oil jars
112
Other inspections
241
Total
1435
......
11
Dry Measures
.....
......
106
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TESTS MADE
Approved paper cartons 3
Mfrs. sealed milk jars
10
Miscellaneous
6
Total
19
Gravel
Remeasurements made for municipality 132 loads 1178.0 Cu. Yds.
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 and Measures.
Highway Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is my annual report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1951.
Again I am listing the expenditures of this department for the past four years :
Wages
Others
1948 $ 75,856.80 56,310.40
1949 $ 78,570.52 32,232.81
1950 $ 77,899.04 24,664.60
1951 $ 86,014.27 23,051.04
$132,167.20
$110,803.33
$102,563.64
$109,065.31
You will note that the expenditures for this year increased $6,- 501.67 over the previous year. This increase was authorized by vote of the Annual Town Meeting which granted increases in wages to all town employees from April 1, 1951. However, it should interest the townspeople to know that this department has reduced its ex- penses in the Others Account for the third successive year.
There are 26 men on your Highway Department which func- tions under the Civil Service Rules and Regulations of the Com- monwealth.
During the year there are always two or more men who are loaned to the Sewer Department for the installation of drains and other work which results in added expense to this department.
Sidewalks
Under the Continuous Sidewalk Act new sidewalks were con- structed on streets designated by the Board of Selectmen as follows: Magnolia Road Superior Street
Huron Street Puritan Road
In 1949 the town enacted a By-Law whereby the Town En- gineer has to furnish street and sidewalk lines before any construc- tion work can be done.
Due to the abundance of work and a loss of personnel in the Engineering Department during the year additional sidewalks on
107
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1951]
streets designated by the Board of Selectmen were not constructed, as the Engineering Department did not have the necessary help to furnish lines for the Highway Department as required by the Town By-Laws.
However, sidewalks will be constructed on streets designated by the Board of Selectmen starting May 1, 1952 as follows:
Morton Road Bellevue Road
Francis Road
Bradlee Avenue
Bond Street
Palmer Avenue
Lodge Road
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting a new side- walk was constructed on Cherry Street at the Veterans' Housing Project.
Sidewalk Maintenance
Sidewalks were repaired or resurfaced on the following streets:
Atlantic Avenue Aspen Road Orchard Road
Devens Road Mountwood Road
Burrill Street
Streets
Under Chapter 90 of the General Laws, a portion of Atlantic Avenue was resurfaced and curb stones were reset to eliminate a serious drainage problem which existed in this street.
On Essex Street near the Salem line a culvert was extended to take care of a drainage problem on this street.
Surface water drains were constructed on Forest Avenue Extension, Lexington Park, Eureka Avenue Extension.
Essex Street Bridge
The Essex Street Bridge had to be redecked with new wood planking. The maintenance of this bridge is quite expensive to the town and because of its location it would be hazardous to use steel plates for a decking due to the vast amount of heavy traffic over this bridge.
The following streets were resurfaced and seal coated during the year: Estabrook Road, Hawthorne Road, Cliff Road, Orchard Road, Dale Street, and Dennison Avenue.
General Maintenance
Following the practice of the department, every catch basin in town, all streets, and sidewalks were cleaned during the year.
During the summer months Fisherman's Beach, Whales Beach, and Preston Beach are cleaned every working day.
In the fall months the department is kept busy cleaning up leaves from the trees. By doing this work it prevents the surface water drains from blocking up.
Personnel
Clifford S. Dedrick, an employee of this department for ten years, passed away suddenly on January 27, 1951; Stephen W.
108
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Madden, a former employee of this department who retired eight years ago, died on April 12, 1951. The members of this department regret the passing of their fellow workers.
On December 27, 1951, Frank G. Melvin, one of the most con- scientious employees the town has ever had, was forced to retire as Superintendent of the Sewer Department because he had reached the age of 70. Frank first started working in the Highway Depart- ment forty-five years ago, and transferred to the Sewer Department where he worked up through the ranks to become Superintendent of that Department.
This department had the pleasure of working together with Frank in carrying out the duties of the town. As a former Highway employee, the members of this department wish him many happy and healthful days of retirement.
SUMMARY
I recommend that the town purchase a Scoop Loader which would be used for loading trucks and clearing debris from the streets in place of hand shoveling.
Again I extend my appreciation to the Board of Selectmen and to all town departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
Superintendent of Cemetery
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1951.
The total interments for the year were 84. All receipts for funerals, foundations, and sale of lots were paid to the Collector of Taxes.
Sunken graves were filled and seeded.
I recommend the installation of water in the office of the Superintendent.
I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Theodore Cooke of the Lynn Sand and Stone Co. for his gift of Pea Stone for the Cemetery and my appreciation to all departments which have cooperated with me during the year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. WOOD, Superintendent.
109
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
1951]
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors submit herewith all figures used by them in the determination of the Tax Rate and other figures of a statis- tical nature.
The property in the town assessed by the local assessors January 1, 1951 amounted to $27,371,507, an increase over the previous year (1950) of $1,494,177.
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