USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1955 > Part 7
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173.09
Vets Services
357.78
Schools
977.07
Parks
250.00
Old Age Recovery
243.40
Welfare Recovery
15.00
Water Rates
10,497.73
Water Services
57.08
Water Liens Added to '55 Taxes
309.15
1953 Overlay
282.85
1954 Overlay
28,676.45
1955 Overlay
29,062.38
Overlay Reserve
40,988.53
Cemetery Recording Fees
1.00
Cemetery Receipts Res. for Appro.
14,362.59
Petty Cash Reserve
255.00
Water Available Surplus
36,949.34
Insurance Fund
147.55
Cemetery Trust Fund
36.89
Morse Library Fund
66.98
Thomson Library Fund
31.20
Trust Fund Transactions
12.50
Whittle Library Fund
60.68
Amount carried forward
552,161.20
165,190.82
68
1955 Annual Report
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1955
Amount brought forward
552,161.20
165,190.82
A/R State and County Aid to Highways
5,944.08
State Aid to Highways
1,621.23
County Aid to Highways
2,021.55
State and County Highway Aid to Revenue
11,012.46
Reservations 1955
1,260.14
T. B. Hospital 1955
5,531.83
County Tax 1955
1,846.99
Boston Arena
453.05
Tailings 1955
209.67
Excise Revenue
7,699.62
Special Assessment Revenue
3,415.98
Tax Title Revenue
11,814.52
Tax Possession Revenue
2,340.66
Departmental Revenue
4,614.09
Water Revenue
10,863.96
Estate of Deceased Persons Revenue
2,730.08
Surplus Revenue
147,463.93
Transit 1955
43.50
Central Fire Station
2,500.00
Civil Defense Supplies
28.64
Civil Defense Municipal Protection
71.72
Sewer Temple Drain
1.00
Sewer Chimney
1,006.25
1955 Sewers
24,366.62
Jessie Street Drain
957.83
Oakledge Road Sewer
1,472.50
1955 Sidewalks
1,258.88
Chapter No. 90
6,563.53
Banks Circle
2,400.00
Porter Court
1,350.00
Shepard Road
76.92
Harrison Avenue
1,203.11
Eureka Avenue
760.76
Young Avenue
678.06
Worcester Avenue
2,260.76
Smith Lane
151.94
Swampscott Avenue
3,142.64
Longley Avenue Land Taking
1.00
Highway Land Purchase
1.00
U. S. Grant-ADC Administration
2,025.28
ADC Assistance
4,716.58
Disability Asst. Administration
853.67
Disability Assistance
1,043.63
O.A.A. Administration
1,487.13
O.A.A. Assistance
10,301.67
School Lunch
574.17
High School Add. Facilities
6.49
Hadley Fire Alarm
106.61
Stanley School
10,037.09
Amount carried forward
565,308.24
454,336.60
69
Town of Swampscott
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1955
Amount brought forward
565,308.24
454,336.60 536.40 7.40
Athletic Account
Hadley School Repairs
22,162.33
New High School
10,625.00
Library Addition
37,994.92
Library Lighting
6,187.50
Park Truck
77.33
Ball Field
2.28
Phillips Park
34.98
Park Land Taking
1.00
Walker Road Eminent Domain
1.00
Real Estate Disposal
219.25
Humphrey Street Land Taking
1.00
Fisherman's Beach Land Court
143.87
Building By-Laws
40.00
1955 By-Laws
687.50
Boiler Emergency Account
1,200.00
Wage Committee
36.93
Public Building Committee
1,335.07
Departmental Accounts
191.00
Centennial Committee
285.66
Public Works
32.30
Water Mains
52.92
Foster Dam Main
24,789.55
Cemetery Lot Purchase
.91
Cemetery New Section
6,650.83
Cemetery House Repairs
583.24
Interest
742.00
Bond Premium
233.47
$567,250.24
$567,250.24
Rent Control Board
SPENCER E. OLSON, Chairman
JOHN R. COOPER
EVERETT C. HOWE
LOUIS A. HERSHMAN GORHAM L. DERMODY
The Board has met periodically, holding a total of twelve meetings. Thirty-nine petitions were received to be acted upon: twenty-nine requests for increase were granted while ten were denied.
The cost of administering the Rental Control law for the year was $1335.00 paid as salary to Mrs. Phyllis V. Doane, part-time clerk, plus $33.50 office expenses, making a total of $1368.50, forty percent of this amount being reimbursable by the State.
Since the Rent Control Act expired on December 31, 1955, this office was closed on that date.
70
Hadley Building Committee
1955 Annual Report
Engineering Department
HOWARD L. HAMILL, Town Engineer
Engineering services furnished by this Department for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1955, included surveys, computations, record plans, cost estimates, assess- ment quantities, designs for construction projects, assignment of house numbers, preparation of contracts, including specifications and drawings, description of properties and easements, and furnishing of information and engineering data to private engineers, surveyors, attorneys and other persons.
The apportionment of these engineering services is shown in the following table :-
Department
Man-Hours
%
Department
Man-Hours
%
Sewer
2284
23.47
Health
318
3.27
*Engineering
1657
17.03
Park
47
0.48
Selectmen
1251
12.86
Planning Board
41 0.42
Highway
988
10.15
Finance Committee
41 0.42
Cemetery
696
7.15
School
26
0.27
Water
685
7.04
Town Counsel
21
0.22
Assessors
657
6.75
Town Clerk
10
0.10
Private Citizens
505
5.19
Town Accountant
9
0,09
Police
494
5.08
Fire
1
0.01
TOTALS
9731
100.00
*Includes administration, clerical work, and work not chargeable to a particular department or individual, e.g. keeping Town Map up to date.
The various departments which require the services of this department usually mention in their respective reports a detail of the projects requiring such service; therefore, no listing of specific projects is included herein.
The work load on the department has continued to increase. More projects are voted at the Annual Town Meeting than the department can handle, and catch- up on the previous carry-over. Therefore, the projects most important to each department are completed first.
More funds were necessary to complete the Cemetery project, these funds having been appropriated. This project will be completed in the Spring of 1956.
Inclement weather has stopped the 1955 Sewer Project and it will be started again as soon as weather permits.
This Department is deeply grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown by the personnel of the various Departments with which we have had the pleasure of working during the past year.
Before concluding my Annual Report, I should like to take this opportunity to publicly express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. George H. Melcher, who has been Assistant Town Engineer for some years, for the very capable and efficient manner in which he carried on the work of the Engineering Department through my absence from the Office because of illness during part of 1955.
71
Town of Swampscott
Water Department
HAROLD C. HUDSON, Chairman GEORGE B. ATKINS ALFRED N. FRAZIER
CHESTER E. BRADLEY, Water Superintendent
We respectfully submit our annual report of the activities of the Water Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1955.
SERVICES:
61 New Services have been installed
26 Services renewed completely
14 Services renewed from main to sidewalk
4 Services renewed from sidewalk to meter
65 Service leaks repaired
66 Services cleaned out
379 Services on request have been turned on or off
33 Service boxes dug and repaired
3 Services extended
15 Frozen services thawed out
METERS:
35 Obsolete meters have been replaced with new ones
75 Meters have been cleaned, tested and repaired
162 Meter leaks have been repaired in the field
2 Meters relocated
10 Meters damaged by freezing
92 New meters installed
4 Meters frozen
MAINS:
Installed in following streets:
Walnut Road 317 feet 6" cast iron pipe
Boulder Way 208 feet 6" cast iron pipe
Lewis Road 315 feet 6" cast iron pipe
Orchard Terrace 103 feet 2" copper tubing
2 Breaks in our large mains were repaired
13 Main line gate boxes dug up and repaired
3 Main line gates dug up and repacked
HYDRANTS:
Flushed in the Spring, painted during the Summer, flushed, inspected and winterized in the late Fall.
3 Hydrants relocated
3 Hydrants damaged by motor vehicles were repaired
1 Hydrant had new valve installed
3 Hydrants were frozen
1 Additional hydrant was installed in Lewis Road.
All excavations made by this department have been brought to grade and tarpatched or cemented.
Meter basins were installed at Vaughan Place, Elwin Road, Fisher Avenue, Sampson Road and Nichols Street, to enable the residents that are not on the
72
1955 Annual Report
permanent Town water supply to have a surface line water supply for the Summer and early Fall months.
This department was helped on numerous occasions this year by the Police Department when the Police Patrol cars were contacted by radio to get in touch with our employees in different parts of the town to take care of emergencies.
We wish to thank all departments for their splendid spirit of co-operation.
HYDRANTS
In use December 31, 1954
353
Added in 1955
1
354
GATES
In use December 31, 1954
719
Added in 1955
2
SERVICES
In use December 31, 1954
3568
Added in 1955
61
3629
Abandoned in 1955
-2
3627
Wrought
Cast
Cement
Size
Iron
Iron
Lined
Brass
Total
114"
303 ft.
303 ft.
11/2" 2" 4"
4067 ft.
1365 ft.
2,839 ft.
518 ft. 8,271 ft.
6"
150,575 ft.
150,575 ft.
11,851 ft.
11,851 ft.
10"
26,393 ft.
26,393 ft.
12"
14,604 ft.
14,604 ft.
14"
4,812 ft.
4,812 ft.
16"
1,502 ft.
1,502 ft.
4067 ft.
214,231 ft.
1,748 ft
3,277 ft.
223,323 ft
Total miles of mains - 42.29
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY - WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Mains and Standpipe (distribution system)
$248,123.10
Meters and Parts (in service in system)
59,593.62
Stock on Hand (pipe, fittings and etc.) 11,500.00
Land on Pine Street
5,000.00
Brick Building on Pine Street
9,400.00
Two Car Garage on Pine Street
4,500.00
Water Shop and Garage
5,300.00
1-1947-11% Ton Chev. Platform Dump Truck
200.00
1-1954-11% Ton Chev. Platform Dump Truck with Crane
1,995.00
1-1954-34 Ton Chev. Pick Up Truck
825.00
1-1954-Lindsey Portable Air Compressor
850.00
1-1955-Miller Welding Machine 200 Amp. (Skid Mounted)
700.00
$347,986.72
73
4,494 ft.
4,494 ft.
80 ft.
438 ft.
721
Town of Swampscott
Sewer Department
HAROLD C. HUDSON, Chairman
GEORGE B. ATKINS ALFRED N. FRAZIER
EDWARD F. BURKE, Superintendent
Whereas the Town of Swampscott has adopted a Board of Public Works, which will eliminate the Water & Sewerage Board and others, this will be the final Sewer Department Report.
Main sewer lines were installed in Sargent Road, Pleasant Street, Banks Terrace and are being installed in Essex Street, for a distance of 2423 feet making a total of 33 miles of sewers in the town. A diversionary sewer was installed at junction of Farragut and Grant Roads.
The Special Town Meeting of December 12 voted to extend the sewer in Oakledge Avenue for a distance of 92 feet in order to abate a health menace. This work will be started in January 1956.
Drains were installed in Eulow Street, Jessie Street and from Humphrey Street across land of Temple Israel and Sarah E. Kimball et al to Atlantic Avenue.
New particular sewers laid and inspected
41
Particular sewers rodded 192
Main sewers rodded, cleared of roots and grease 116
Sand and debris catcher pans replaced
Noisy manhole covers sealed 31
Brooks and drains were cleaned out after every storm
19
and as often as necessary
Sewage Pumpings for 1955
522 million gallons
The Board had anticipated the development of the so-called Whitney Estate, now the site of the New High School, by extending the trunk-line sewer in Pleasant Street to Forest Avenue.
At the Annual Town Election it was voted to accept the sewer department under Civil Service. We feel that this was a wise move and a reward to the em- ployees for faithful service.
Approximately 40 feet of brick chimney at Sewer Pumping Station was repaired and pointed.
The town continues to grow despite the talk of "no available land for building," so does the need for sewer and drainage installations. Our personnel force of three men is hardly adequate to properly maintain all the brooks, drains and sewers in the Town. We recommend that 2 additional men be employed so that a program of preventive maintenance be carried out to correct problems before they become major and expensive to repair.
We believe that the actions of the Special Town Meeting of December 12, to make a survey of all the brooks and drains in the town is a step in the right direction to solve a long neglected problem.
Over the years the Board has held weekly meetings or as often as required to offer its services to those who have desired it. We have tried to the best of our ability to solve the problems in the best interests of the town. We have also tried
74
1955 Annual Report
to be fair and just in our dealings and it is hoped that we have acted wisely in all matters pertaining to this department.
It is with deepest sorrow that we mention the death of our beloved Sewer Superintendent, Albert Enholm. He was associated with this department for over 32 years. During the years of his leadership, his sound judgement and earnest devotion to the welfare of this department have been of inestimable value. He will never be forgotten.
In September our senior maintenance man, Edward F. Burke, was promoted to Sewer Superintendent, subject to passing the qualifying examination established by the Division of Civil Service.
No department in the town can function alone, and with this thought in mind, we wish to thank all departments and our employees for having made our problems easier.
In closing we want to wish our successors, the Board of Public Works, success in its new venture and we shall be glad to cooperate in any way we can.
Building Inspector
RAYMOND O. DOANE, Building Inspector
Dwellings
Permits Issued
Estimated Cost
New
Alterations and Additions
51 30
$ 617,500.00 58,510.00
Private Garages
New
50
62,200.00
Alterations and Additions
6
5,800.00
Miscellaneous
Temple
1
550,000.00
Church
1
150,000.00
Library (Alteration)
1
37,000.00
Store (Alteration)
1
2,000.00
Office (Alteration)
1
1,800.00
Summer House
1
1,800.00
Demolish Dwellings
3
Demolish Garage
1
147
$1,486,610.00
Building Permits
147
Permits to Shingle
55
Number of Inspections (Buildings)
240
Number of Inspections (Shingling)
55
Amount of Building Fees Collected
Elevator Operator's Licenses Issued
5
5.00
New
4
2.00
Renewals
202
295
$530.00
$537.00
75
Town of Swampscott
Highway Department
TIMOTHY J. RYAN, Surveyor
Year
Employees
Budget
Expenditures
1950
26
$108,490.68
$102,563.64
1951
26
111,584.91
109,415.81
1952
26
131,579.79
118,715.64
1953
26
129,491.26
122,255.29
1954
26
132,191.26
126,319.17
1955
26
137,106.12
100,053.62
This is the final report of the Highway Department under our present form of town government.
Starting March 19, 1956 the Highway Department will operate under the Board of Public Works, which is the will of the Townspeople.
The new Board of Public Works will co-ordinate many departments under one Commissioner which should eventually prove beneficial to the Town.
New Homes are continually being built in the town and this year our valuation has been increased by approximately one and one-quarter million dollars. This continuous growth affects the demand on all departments for added service.
Each year new sidewalks are constructed on streets designated by the Board of Selectmen.
The following new streets, Shepard Road, Harrison Avenue, and Smith Lane, accepted by the Town, were built to grade and resurfaced.
The Essex Street and Danvers Road Bridges have been repaired with new heavy wood planking. These bridges are a constant expense to the Town because of the large amount of traffic on these highways.
Our Representative in the State Legislature, Hon. Thomas W. Newth, at the present time is trying to obtain some assistance from the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts on the maintenance of these two bridges.
As in previous years the Highway Department has continued to take care of the maintenance of Preston and Whale Beaches and other matters pertaining to highway maintenance.
At the present time the Highway Department has the following equipment:
1-1936 White five ton truck 3-1947 White three ton truck 1-1953 White three ton truck 1-1949 Jeep 1/4 ton truck 1-1954 Jeep 3/4 ton truck 1-1945 Sidewalk Tractor with plow
3-1947 Sidewalk Tractors with plow
1-1955 Cement Mixer
1-1947 Conveyor 1-1947 Sno Go
1-1949 Lull Loader
1-1941 Compressor, 2 jack hammers and 2 paving breakers
1-1947 Street Cleaner
1-1949 Chevrolet Coupe
2-Small Gasoline pumps for drain.
76
1955 Annual Report
John R. Conklin, a member of the department for many years, has retired on pension March 25, 1955.
Daniel Ronzano, a retired employee and a Veteran of three wars, passed way on February 14, 1955. He served both his country and his town with honor and integrity.
The Town should make every effort to obtain assistance from the State and County for the reconstruction of Puritan Road, under the Chapter 90 program.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all town departments and the men of my de- partment for their cooperation during the year.
I also wish to advise that this department will do everything to assist and co-operate with the new Board of Public Works, who ever they may be, to render good service to the townspeople.
The Planning Board
HAROLD M. KING, Chairman JAMES R. MADDOCK, Secretary
GORDON L. BROWN
A. B. WAY, JR.
RALPH L. WILLIAMS
The Board held twenty-nine meetings in 1955. They signed thirty plans of lots and lot changes on the basis that, approval under the Subdivision Control Law was not required. Seven proposed subdivisions were discussed with the owners. Two public hearings were held, one on subdivision and one on rezoning.
The Board investigated the advisability of accepting eleven streets as requested by articles in the 1955 Town Meeting Warrant. They also investigated the advis- ability of enclosing Hawthorne Brook from Tedesco Country Club to Humphrey Street.
Two general hearings in regard to the brook across Littles Point were attended by members of the Board.
After having recommended for three successive years that the sewer and drain- age problems of the Gale Estate and Littles Point Areas be studied and having been refused an appropriation for a survey each time, we found a way to get a topo- graphic map which will give us a start on this, long delayed, but very vital project.
Members of the Board have studied and reported on every request for Zoning Variance made to the Board of Appeals.
Members of the Board have attended two Regional and one State Planning Board meetings.
The Board has conferred with other Town Boards and Departments when questions pertinent to their responsibilities arose.
The Board appreciates the help and co-operation given it by the Engineers Office, the Water and Sewer Board and other Boards and Departments.
77
Town of Swampscott
Board of Health
ROBERT C. THOMPSON, M.D., Chairman E. WALLACE DONALD ROBERT H. BESSOM, M.D. JOHN E. LAPLANTE, Health Officer
Deeply touched by the sudden loss of our co-worker and chairman, Dr. Loring Grimes, the Board of Health of Swampscott would pause to pay tribute to him.
As member and chairman of the Board, Dr. Grime's first thought was of the whole community, not of the individual person, place or case: he stressed the fact that he was only one member of the board and seldom expressed his opinion first. His zeal was for a fair, just and proper disposition of all problems, charges and violations which arose was inspiring and gratifying. He never departed from the principle of settlement on the basis of merit as against personalities. By his example he inspired the board and its personnel to act with honesty, fairness and thoughtfulness in service to the community and its citizenry. We shall miss the doctor's sound, mellowed judgement and long experience.
The Board of Health received 135 resident death certificates this year and composed the following figures: A crude death rate of 10.3-per thousand popula- tion and an average life expectancy of 68.4 per years at birth. The two leading causes of death continues to be the same as last year. Diseases of the heart and circulatory system claimed 85 persons and 30 deaths attributed to cancer. We may anticipate these diseases to be among the leading causes of death as our life expectancy increases.
We have received a total of 197 birth returns through December 3rd, two of these were stillbirths, and fifteen were premature births. This relatively large number of premature births may be explained by the fact that prematurity is de- termined according to State Law by a weight of 51/2 pounds or less at birth, and full term babies, especially twins, not infrequently weigh less and must be con- sidered premature.
When birth returns are received, a visit into the home is made by the public health nurse. The primary reason for this contact with the mother is to stress immunization for diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough at an early date. The nurse is also ready to discuss any problem concerning child care and direct the mother to her private physician or to the proper health facilities.
Visits to the home of premature infants are made before the return of the baby from the hospital in order to appraise the mother and environment and insure adequate care for the baby.
The following list is a comparison of communicable diseases reported during the past 3 years:
1955
1954
1953
Chicken Pox
207
216
169
German Measles
8
6
14
Hepatitis (Infectious)
0
3
1
Measles
222
162
4
Mumps
299
186
41
Poliomyelitis
16
5
0
Salmonellosis
5
1
0
Scarlet Fever
25
14
12
Tuberculosis
2
3
2
78
1955 Annual Report
The variable incidence of measles, mumps and chicken-pox continues as in past years ; however, relatively few cases of these diseases were reported during the last quarter of the year. Our TB cases remain at a low level and this is largely due to our residential type of community and a vigorous contact and follow-up program. The polio incidence showed a marked increase in 1955 over the past 2 years and this increase is commensurate with the rest of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has experienced one of its worst polio epidemics this year and a high percentage of these cases were the paralytic form.
When Dr. Francis made his favorable report on the 1954 Salk Polio Vaccine Field Trials, Swampscott, like many other communities, proceeded to administer the new vaccine to all eligible children in the first four grades who desired it, and 80% of these children received vaccine without developing any untoward reactions. Also, none of this group developed polio during the epidemic period.
In September after 1 dose of the vaccine had been administered, the State Department of Public Health indefinitely postponed the distribution of vaccine for public immunization programs as they felt further evidence was needed before it could be definitely considered safe and effective. However, State Health authorities are continuing to study the vaccine and its effect upon children, and we are most hopeful that our program may soon be resumed.
Dental Health continues to be one of the major problems of the Health Department in spite of the fact that dental inspections are done on all public and parochial school children in Kindergarten through Grade VI twice a year.
As a result of these inspections dental defect notices are sent to the parents, and this year 450 children out of the 1300 inspected had defects. Visits are made by the Public Health Nurse to the homes of those children who continually receive defect notices in an effort to educate the parents to the need for good dental health. Provisions are also made for financial assistance when the need is indicated.
As these inspections were performed it was gratifying to note a substantial increase in the number of children showing evidence of having been seen by the dentist.
It is the opinion of dental authorities that tooth decay can be attributed largely to poor nutrition, inadequate brushing, and lack of regular visits to the dentist, and in the effort to focus the children's attention on the importance of good dental health, a film was shown and a talk by Dr. Paul McNeil was presented in all the schools during National Children's Dental Health Week, February 7-11.
Our regular diptheria and tetanus immunization program was performed with a total of 16 children receiving a complete 3 dose immunization and 299 receiving boosters. The number of children receiving the complete treatment continues to be small compared to the boosters group; this is an indication that most children receive their initial diptheria and tetanus immunization as recommended during infancy and booster doses at periodical intervals in the schools.
The Health Department wishes to extend its sincere thanks and appreciation to the local dentists, physicians and volunteer lay persons, for their assistance in the successful administration of these dental and immunization programs.
At the annual rabies clinic held September 18-23, Dr. John J. Nilan inoculated 206 of the 634 Swampscott licensed dogs.
79
Town of Swampscott
A total of 490 plumbing permits were issued this year; a decrease of 122 from 1954.
As a result of the heavy rains in August the Board of Health's attention was focused on pollution at the public beaches. An investigation of Stacey Brook revealed the presence of raw sewage flowing across King's Beach, and upon our recommenda- tion the State Department of Public Health and the M.D.C. closed and posted the premises. Since this time the Swampscott Health Department has been making a survey of its drains and brooks throughout the town in order to locate and remove any possible sources of pollution.
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