USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1952 > Part 6
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Department
Man Hours
Per Cent
Department Man Hours
Per Cent
Water and Sewer
6,477
57.95
Planning Board .. 120
1.07
Highway
2,119
18.96
Town Counsel 119
1.06
Assessors
593
5.31
Finance Com.
118
1.05
*Engineering
592
5.30
Park
107
0.96
Selectmen
356
3.19
Police
89
0.80
Private Citizens
237
2.12
Health
59
0.53
School
154
1.38
Town Clerk
36
0.32
Total
11,176 100.00
*Includes administration, clerical work, and general work for the town such as keeping the Town Map up to date.
The construction of the new culvert across the New Ocean House property was the major engineering problem of this department in 1952, and by careful inspection and supervision a substantial saving to the Town was made. This new culvert will now take care of all the town water that formerly backed up on the New Ocean House property and carry the same to the ocean. The new culvert has the capacity also to take care of any drainage from the New Ocean House property, if and when the same is properly graded.
The personnel of this department is the same as that of the previous year. The department still needs an Engineering Draftsman, but to obtain the same a higher rate of compensation must be paid.
In closing, I wish to thank all the various departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Inspector of Wires
EDWARD J. CONNELL, Inspector
During the period from January 1, 1952 to December 31, 1952 there were 425 permits issued and fees amounting to $413.00 were collected.
Frequent inspections are made of electrical installations in new buildings and of changes made in old work. Inspection standards are kept high and all work performed is to the standards of the National Electrical Code and to the Massa- chusetts State Code.
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Town of Swampscott
The Planning Board
RALPH L. WILLIAMS, Chairman JAMES R. MADDOCK, Secretary GORDON L. BROWN HAROLD M. KING ALEXANDER B. WAY, JR.
The Planning Board has held sixteen regular meetings during the year of 1952; in addition the Board has been represented at numerous meetings with other groups of Local, Regional, State and National levels.
The Board completed and adopted its Subdivision Regulations in October, 1952. These Regulations which call for a complete detail plan showing the topography of the land, the utilities and the access ways are designed to protect the interests of both the Town and the Owner. The latter knows before starting his project everything which he has to do in order to meet the Town's requirements including the cost; the Town is protected as to the completion and payment for such work by the Owner's bond.
The Board recommends an early study for the purpose of preparing plans to extend the trunk line sewer system to take in rapidly developing sections of the Town.
The Plumbing Committee originally sponsored by the Planning Board has completed its work and will submit the new code to the Town Meeting for ap- proval and acceptance.
The Board did not approve the change in Zoning from residential to busi- ness, as requested in the 1952 warrant, of land on the State Road beyond the B&MRR bridge in the direction of Salem.
The Board in conjunction with the Town Engineering Dept. inspected the condition of twelve private ways offered for acceptance to the Town Meeting. The Board found that the majority of these conformed to the Town Standards and therefore recommended their consideration for acceptance.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
C. WALTER BURRILL, Sealer
SCALES AND MEASURES
Adjusted 58
Sealed 303
Not Sealed
8
Condemned 14
TRIAL WEIGHINGS
Tested 1158
Correct 1073
Under 11
Over 74
There were 1223 Inspections and 1082 Tests made.
This department wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to those who cooperated in the performance of my duties.
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1952 Annual Report
Of
100 Bears
SETTLED
1629
.
T A.D. 1852
5/
TT
SWAMPSCO
1852
1952
Centennial Committee
FREDERICK R. CHAMPION, Chairman
Members of the Centennial Committee
HENRY S. BALDWIN
RALPH I. LINDSEY
SAMUEL FREEDMAN
LESTER B. MORLEY
CLEMENT E. KENNEDY VINCENT P. O'BRIEN
We submit herewith a report of the official observance of the 100th Anni- versary of the incorporation of Swampscott as a town in 1852, not only that we may thereby conclude our activities but also that there may be a permanent public record of the celebration which we hope will be of increasing interest and service in the years to come.
· The 1948 Board of Selectmen included an article in the warrant for the 1949 Annual Town Meeting calling for a committee to investigate the advisability of celebrating the town's centennial. Under that article the Town Meeting authorized the appointment of such a committee.
In the spring of 1949 the Moderator appointed a committee consisting of Henry S. Baldwin, Frederick R. Champion, Samuel Freedman, Clement E. Ken- nedy, Ralph I. Lindsey, Lester B. Morley and Vincent P. O'Brien. The members of the committee chose Selectman Frederick R. Champion as its Chairman. Monthly meetings were held and the committee in reporting to the 1950 Annual Town Meeting recommended that a centennial celebration be held and that a committee be appointed to plan for it. These recommendations were approved by the Town Meeting.
The Moderator appointed as the new Centennial Planning Committee the same persons who had served on the prior committee. As the new committee we continued the practice of holding monthly meetings reporting back to the 1951 Annual Town Meeting which authorized the continuation of the committee and empowered the Moderator to appoint the members of such additional committees as we deemed desirable in carrying out the celebration.
In the fall of 1951 our committee began holding its meetings weekly and at the same time invited any interested townspeople to volunteer for service on the various associated committees which were being organized. Much time was de- voted by the members of all committees in working out an acceptable program.
The 1952 Annual Town Meeting which was opened with appropriate cere-
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3S . INCORPORATED
A.D.
Progress
"Members of Chief Marshal's Staff marching in great Centennial Parade on Humphrey Street."
1952 Annual Report
monies to usher in the centennial year approved the plans for the celebration and appropriated $15,000 to cover its expenses.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
We felt that as our town completed 100 years of corporate existence our first thoughts should be those of gratitude to Almighty God who had blessed our com- munity and its citizens in so many ways and, accordingly, it was decided that the Centennial would be observed first in the Houses of Worship in Swampscott. A few years ago the custom of opening our Town Meetings with prayer was started and local Clergymen are invited to participate in the same order in which their particular Parish was established in the town. This same procedure was adopted for our centennial observance and the first service was held on Sunday, May 4th, in the First Church, Congregational. The members of the Centennial Committee and all other residents of the town were invited to join in the various religious services and many availed themselves of the invitation. On successive Sundays services were held in other Churches with the seventh and concluding service on Friday, June 13th, at Temple Israel.
The Bible used during the Fiftieth Anniversary observance in 1902 by Rev- erend George A. Jackson was presented to our committee by his daughter Miss Mary C. E. Jackson. This Bible was used at several of the Centennial Church services and, after being suitably inscribed, was turned over to the Public Library.
REVIEW OF EVENTS
The official opening of the centennial celebration took place at the World War I Memorial Flag pole on Saturday afternoon, June 14th, Flag Day. The cere- monies included the raising of a new flag bought especially for the occasion and flown throughout the week. At the conclusion of the celebration, the flag was care- fully packed away in a special case and stored in the Town Treasurer's vault where it will be preserved until the year 2002 when, we hope, it will be used in connec- tion with the town's sesqui-centennial celebration. The principal speaker at the official opening was the Honorable William H. Bates, our Congressman, who de- livered an inspiring talk to the assembled group. In the evening a band concert was held at Fisherman's Beach. As soon as darkness had fallen, and at a given signal, Fisherman's Beach was suddenly illuminated from end to end with red flares which burned for nearly a half hour giving a very beautiful effect. The harbor illumina- tion was followed by a magnificent display of fireworks which was set off on a Naval barge anchored a short distance off shore.
Sunday, June 15th, a series of beach activities and boat races were held at Fisherman's Beach and a colorful Band and Drill Team Competition was conducted at Blocksidge Field. It was a beautiful day and the brightly colored uniforms of the contestants made an appealing display that will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. A special exhibition was put on by the nationally famous Norman W. Prince Post Drum and Bugle Corps of Medford who were not contestants. In the evening a display of "Now and Then" slides were held at the auditorium of the new Clarke School. This was the first official showing of a group of slides taken in Swampscott during the preceding year and shown in contrast with others taken fifty or more years earlier at the same locations. The slides were the result of a project carried on for approximately three years under the direction of our com- mittee.
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Town of Swampscott
Monday, June 16th, a piano festival was conducted in the Clarke School audi- torium both in the afternoon and evening. A pageant fashion show entitled "A Century of Fashions" was held in the evening at the High School auditorium. This pageant based on an original script, covered styles and local events of the past 100 years and was staged entirely by Swampscott residents. It is interesting to note that the cast included the Honorable Henry T. Lummus, Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Tuesday, June 17th, a Swampscott Sea Food Dinner was served to more than 600 people at Blocksidge Field. The dinner was followed by a band concert and vaudeville show. All day long the weather had been threatening and there had been a question as to whether or not the sea food dinner could be held out of doors. The decision was finally made to proceed as planned. Lightning and the rumble of distant thunder indicated an approaching storm during the vaudeville show. As soon as the program was completed everyone hurried from the field and no sooner had it been cleared then there was a torrential downpour. This was the only un- pleasant weather during the entire week.
Wednesday, June 18th, in the afternoon a beautiful flower show was held at the Tedesco Country Club. A ball game between the Swampscott and Marblehead High School teams was held at Blocksidge Field. The first pitch was thrown by Walter Brennan who at one time had pitched for the Swampscott High School. Swampscott won the game by a score of five to one. In the evening a band concert was held at Abbott Park, while a second "Now and Then" slide display was held at the Hadley School.
Thursday, June 19th, a band concert was held in the evening at Blaney Beach, while open air dancing took place at the Jackson Park Hockey Rink. This latter event drew a very large crowd especially of younger folks. It had been planned originally to have a lighting display on this day. However, those plans were changed and the lighting display committee arranged for the flood lighting of the Town Administration Building, the Old Town Hall and the Centennial flag every evening during the celebration.
Friday, June 20th, was the great day for the children. A gigantic party was held in the afternoon at Phillips Park with everything possible being done to make it a banner occasion for the youngsters. Among the activities was the selection of a Junior Centennial King and Junior Centennial Queen, both of whom were to ride on the Centennial Queen's float in the parade on the followig day. In the evening the third "Now and Then" slide display was held at the Stanley School, while an Old Fashion Barn Dance was conducted at the New Ocean House Con- vention Hall. For this occasion, the Convention Hall had been made to resemble a great barn with farm emplements and live stock giving it a real country appearance.
Saturday, June 21st, in the morning, a five-mile Centennial Road Race was held within the town. In the afternoon the official centennial parade started from Brine Square, proceeding along Humphrey Street to Burrill Street to Middlesex Avenue to Abbott Park where it disbanded. This was a magnicent parade containing many colorful floats and musical units. Under a warm sun and a beautiful sky the various marching units proceeded amidst the cheers of a tremendous throng of spectators. the Centennial Committee and other town officials reviewed the parade from a stand at Monument Square. The stand used on this occasion, as well as at many of
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1952 Annual Report
the other outdoor functions, had been loaned to us through the kindness of the City of Salem Park Department. Colored motion pictures were taken of the parade and these will be of increasing interest and sentimental value as the years go on. Colored photography, a comparatively new development, perpetuates the warmth and beauty of this gala occasion.
In the evening the grand banquet closing the centennial was held in the main dining room of the New Ocean House with an attendance which overflowed into the hotel's lobby. Following a splendid meal the enthusiastic audience received the greetings of various visiting dignitaries headed by the Honorable Leverett Saltonstall, United States Senator from Massachusetts. The principal address of the evening was delivered by Dr. Daniel L. Marsh, Chancellor and President Emeri- tus of Boston University. A tape recording of the entire speaking program preserves for posterity an occasion that will be pleasantly remembered for years to come by those privileged to attend.
The brief outline we have given of the centennial observance serves only as a general resumé. The detailed records of the various events will be found in the contemporary clippings which are filed at the Public Library. The names of par- ticipants and much additional interesting information may be obtained from that source. A complete set of our committee records including all the data we have accumulated is being preserved at the Library for our successors in 2002.
HISTORICAL EXHIBIT
The citizens of Swampscott were invited to loan interesting items for an historical exhibit. Many such items were forthcoming and these were placed on dis- play in the Old Town Hall where they could be seen each day during the cen- tennial observance. This exhibit drew many visitors not only from Swampscott but from other communities as well. Monsieur Raymond-Laurent, a prominent member of the French National Assembly, former Minister of the French Navy and a former Mayor of Paris, who was stopping at the New Ocean House, was among those who attended the exhibit.
OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL BOOK AND PROGRAM
A beautiful centennial booklet was prepared which contains much interesting data together with many appealing pictures. We have no doubt but that in years to come people will find our present scenes of Swampscott as amusing, by contrast, as we do those of bygone years.
CENTENNIAL EMBLEM
A contest open to the students of the Junior and Senior High Schools was held to select the design for a centennial emblem. Many worthwhile entries were made and it was most difficult to choose the winning design. The first prize was awarded, after much study, to Neal Brown, a member of the Swampscott High School Class of 1953. Second and third prizes were awarded to Stanley Ellis and Doris Topp both members of the 1952 graduating class.
CENTENNIAL MARCH
In tribute to our town's centennial Joseph H. Gove of Lynn, Director of the Eighth Regiment Band, wrote a special march entitled "Swampscott Centennial March," which was played on many occasions during the celebration.
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SWAMPSCOTT
CENTENNIAL QUEEN
"Walter Brennan and Centennial Queen pictured following Official Opening Ceremonies. To Queen's left: Chair- man Frederick R. Champion and Congressman William H. Bates who had delivered the principal address."
1952 Annual Report
DECORATIONS
Many of the public buildings and business establishments were attractively decorated for the celebration. The town certainly looked attractive and inviting to its residents and visitors.
CENTENNIAL QUEEN
The Swampscott Business Men's Association sponsored the selection of a Centennial Queen. Miss Phyllis Melzard was chosen as the queen, with Miss Frances King and Miss Carol Doane as ladies-in-waiting. These young ladies were invited to attend and participate in the various centennial functions. We are confi- dent that they added a touch of beauty and loveliness to each of the functions that they graced with their charming presence.
WALTER BRENNAN
Walter Brennan a former Swampscott boy who has won national acclaim as a motion picture actor was invited to return to Swampscott for the centennial celebration. This he did with his wife, the former Ruth Wells of Lynn. They at- tended practically all of the centennial activities. This pleasant and unassuming winner of several Motion Picture Academy awards known as "Oscars," headed a sizable group of former Swampscott residents who returned to the town for a visit during the celebration period.
PUBLICITY
Our Centennial received wonderful coverage from the press, radio and TV stations. The Daily Evening Item of Lynn held its Diamond Jubilee Music Festival at Manning Bowl, Lynn, on June 11th, and included a salute to Swampscott in its program. The Swampscott Dory issued a large and interesting Centennial Edition. These two papers together with the Lynn Telegram News, the Salem Evening News and the Boston papers gave generous coverage to the entire centennial. Radio stations WLYN of Lynn, WESX of Salem and the Boston stations carried broadcasts relating to it. WNAC-TV and WBZ-TV of Boston also gave us time. We appre- ciate the very favorable publicity which our celebration received on all sides.
FINANCES
All money appropriated for our committee and expended under our authori- ty was covered by approved warrants and paid through the office of the Town Treasurer. A complete record of these expenditures will be found in the Town Accountant's Reports.
APPRECIATION
Our committee which worked more than three years in preparing for the centennial celebration has enjoyed its assignment a great deal. It was made pleasant by the gracious and generous cooperation of so many of the townspeople. We are extremely grateful to those who served on the various associated committees and to the many other citizens who took an active part in the observance. We ap- preciate the confidence placed in us by the Town Meeting Members as well as the wholehearted cooperation given to us by various town officials, departments and employees. Many deserve special recognition. But, Jest by naming some we overlook
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TEDESCO
-
"One of the many beautiful floats in Centennial Parade. The parade, a highlight of the celebration, was probably finest in Town's history."
.
1952 Annual Report
even one person we shall refrain mentioning any individuals and limit ourselves to extending a sincere "thank you" to everyone who in any way contributed to mak- ing the affair the outstanding success that it was.
CONCLUSION
Early in our committee life we adopted the following slogan; "Present recog- nition of the Past prepares for the Future." These words basically sum up the very purpose for the centennial celebration. It gave the people of Swampscott an occa- sion to consider the accomplishments of the past century weighing them with our present day activities and thus to be better prepared for the future. 'A centennial celebration or any other similar event would be a rather meaningless activity if those who took part in it failed to recognize it as an opportunity to reflect on prior accomplishments and thus prepare more wisely for the future. Our centennial cele- bration has been held at a period in world history marked with uncertainty. Since the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration in 1902 our nation has gone through two devas- tating World Wars and we have seen the advent of the Atomic Age without fully comprehending its significance. We are now engaged in a conflict in Korea and look to the future soberly and wonder what will happen between now and the Sesqui- Centennial Celebration of 2002. We confidently hope that the diabolic forces of Communistic Atheism and Atheistic Communism, which now constitute world menaces, will have been overcome. We pray that under God's guidance and pro- tection our town and our nation will have gone forward to an era of World Peace in which the principles of The Dignity of the Individual and of The Brotherhood of Man will have been firmly established.
Swampscott Centennial Celebration Committees
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Frederick R. Champion, Chairman Clement E. Kennedy, Vice Chairman Henry S. Baldwin, Executive Secretary Samuel Freedman, Treasurer Ralph I. Lindsey Lester B. Morley Vincent P. O'Brien Miss Kathryn B. Ingell, Secretary Richard Chambers, Clerk
FLAG DAY OPENING EXERCISES Philip H. Stafford, Chairman Robert B. Hegarty, Vice Chairman Mrs. Isabelle Weed Barclay, Secretary Alfred N. Frazier Mrs. Alphonso Gallo
Harold R. Austin Newton S. Courtney Eldridge T. Davis Dr. Charles E. Donovan Samuel S. Fallon Edward F. Flynn
Morton R. Jacobs
Alfred B. Joncs
Paul L. Koch
Austin D. Mosco
William R. Noyes, Jr. Mrs. Roy F. Olson John J. O'Shea Antonio Parletta Donald L. Sawyer Mrs. Benjamin Volk
Charles K. D'Agnese Donald Hammond
BAND COMMITTEE Amos E. Russell, Chairman Miss Esther Nazarian, Secretary Roger N. Howes Ernest Manchin William K. Harney
Louis J. Marino John L. Polando
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"Walter Brennan waves to cheering throng as he passes reviewing stand. Samuel Freedman representing Cen- tennial Committee rides with him."
1952 Annual Report
Roland C. Booma George H. Chaisson Charles H. Lampard Stuart Martin
FIREWORKS AND HARBOR DISPLAY Lewis H. Berry, Chairman Harold M. King, Secretary Frank G. Melvin Fred L. Mower T. Carlton Rowen Kenneth G. Sites
Arthur Ventre Louis J. Williams Ralph L. Williams
George B. Atkins Theron J. Fish
BAND COMPETITION Philip N. Clerke, Chairman William J. Thompson, Secretary Dana V. Humphrey, Assistant Secretary Walter O. Spoffard Calvin S. Tilden Miss Miriam C. Squires
CHILDREN'S DAY Mrs. Israel Bloch, Chairman Mrs. Howell E. Estey, Secretary Walter H. Forbes, Jr. Mrs. Hilda J. Gifford
Mrs. F. Kingsley Jackson Philip L. Knowlton Miss Cleo P. Leawood Miss Alice E. Leslie
Maynard N. Loring
Norman L. Lynch
Mrs. Ralph H. Martin Mrs. John G. McLearn Mrs. Stanley Meyers Miss Madeline Murphy Robert O'Neill
William L. Templer Harold W. Young
TRACK MEET AND BALL GAME Keith L. Jordan, Chairman Daniel J. Myers, Secretary Stephen Howe Philip F. Leawood Harry Lehman
Harold S. Martin John C. Ryan Jacob Shactman
I. Murray Adams Thomas E. Andresen Harry E. Cahoon Mrs. Fred P. Clark John R. Cooper John H. Cropley, Jr.
PARADE Harry M. Shanahan, Chairman Howell E. Estey, Se retary Anthony F. D'Agnese George Glazer Mrs. Stuart S. Golding
Mrs. Robert K. Phillips
Charles J. Scanlon Mrs. Salvatore Tretolo Francis P. Wall Albert F. White
Walter C. Boyden Charles M. Cahoon John J. Devine Andrew Gilbride
BOAT RACES John JJ. Foley, Forrest E. Mason, Jr., Co-Chairmen James A. Hegarty John Homan Francis N. Lang John Marino
Edward (. Phillips Charles H. Randall Charles Walker
SWAMPSCOTT SEA FOOD DINNER
Mrs. Harold R. Austin Mrs. Joseph Gallo Percy C. Hicks F. Kingsley Jackson Hyman Karp
Harold D. Spinney, Chairman Mrs. Harold W. Varney, Secretary Vernon T. Williams, Master of Ceremonies Francis M. Kennedy Mrs. Paul L. Koch Charles L. Martin Roy F. Olson
Mrs. Jennie Picariello Hartman F. Schmidt Charles L. Stover Mrs. Charles H. Whiteaere
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JJ. Dane Chandler 1 Mrs. Hazel Chase Mrs. Francis E. Delano .Gorham L. Dermody Mrs. Felix Dine David F. Doherty Miss Alice T. Durgin Miss Grace M. Farrell
John T.Coan, Jr. Melville J. Cunningham Bernard A. Friberg Irving D. Hadley
Joseph P. Hines John I. MeGougan Russell F. Perkins
CENTENNIAL
QUER
"Centennial Queen Phyllis Melzard, cuts Centennial Cake at celebration's closing banquet at New Ocean House. (Additional pictures may be seen at Public Library. Lack of space limits number included in this report.)
1952 Annual Report
LIGHTING DISPLAY Ralph J. Curtis, Chairman Edward J. Connell, Vice Chairman Mrs. John Mentuek, Secretary Howard L. Hamill Ralph H. Russell
Frank W. Brown C. Walter Burrill
Willis B. Chapman
Lawrence A. Sager Theodore C. Sargent
DANCING (BLOCK AND SQUARE) Otto W. Friedman, Chairman Mrs. Frederick R. Champion, Secretary
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