USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1957 > Part 7
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195,000.00
Clark 50
1.75
78,000.00
Clark 51
1.75
55,000.00
Stanley 53
2.00
440,000.00
Hadley 56
2.25
123,000.00
Miscellaneous:
891,000.00
Fire Trucks 55
1.7
14,000.00
Library Addition 55
1.7
75,000.00
89,000.00
Total
1,354,000.00
*Issued outside debt limit
Loans authorized but unissued :
High School, 12-15-55
1,260,000.00
Public Works Equipment, 10-16-56,
authorized $100,000.00,
borrowed $88,000.00, balance
12,000.00
Total unissued
1,272,000.00
Dog Officer
JOHN J. MATTERA, Dog Officer
I herewith submit my Annual Report covering the year 1957.
Six-hundred-sixty-six dogs licensed and five kennels, making a total of six- hundred-eighty-eight dogs.
Eight hundred complaints or requests for assistance were made, all of which were acted upon, and in most cases settled to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and Department Heads and their personnel for their cooperation.
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1957 Annual Report
Board of Public Works
ALFRED N. FRAZIER, Chairman PAUL A. POLISSON, Superintendent
HAROLD C. HUDSON
ROGER A. WILLIAMS, JR.
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its second annual report to the citizens of the Town of Swampscott for the year 1957. This report constitutes an entire year of operation of the six service divisions consolidated under the Department of Public Works. At a meeting of the Board of Public Works held on Tuesday, June 11, 1957 the Superintendent of Public Works was reappointed for a three year period from July 1, 1957 to July 1, 1960.
CEMETERY DIVISION
This division has four employees, and with assistance from other divisions especially before Memorial Day, the cemetery is maintained and developed properly. There were 88 interments, all receipts of interments, sale of lots, liners and foundations were paid to the Town Treasurer. One hundred bridal wreath shrubs were set out on the new section of the cemetery, continuing this type of hedge.
The Board of Public Works intends to take definite measures this year to increase the price of cemetery lots and services in keeping with realistic costs.
For 1958 it is planned to remove more crushed stone from the roads in the cemetery and replace with bituminous concrete, at an estimated cost of $4,000.00, subject to approval of the 1958 Annual Town Meeting. By removing the loose crushed stone and paving the roads the appearance of the cemetery is improved and the maintenance costs are reduced.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
Engineering services furnished by this division for the year ending December 31, 1957 included surveys, computations, record plans, cost estimates, assessment quantities, designs for construction projects, assignment of house numbers, prepara- tion of contracts including specifications and drawings, descriptions of property and easements, and the furnishing of informations and engineering data to private engineers, surveyors, attorneys and other persons.
The Highway Division used these services on the following streets: Humphrey Street, The Greenway, Puritan Road, Pine Hill Road, Stanley Road, Linden Avenue, Swampscott Avenue and Oakledge Road.
The Town Counsel used these services for deed descriptions and rough staking of land on Forest Avenue to be used for school purposes.
The Police Department requested service for an accident survey on Norfolk Avenue and a Traffic Survey on Andrew Road, Monument Avenue and Thomas Road.
The Selectmen's Department required our service in making street acceptance plans and the setting of stone bounds upon the Public Ways after acceptance, and the carrying out of the continuous sidewalk program.
The Town Clerk required the service of the division to make maps of the new zoning changes for the Attorney General's approval.
71
Town of Swampscott
The Water Division required the service for laying of water mains on Sherwood Road, Fisher Avenue, Sampson Avenue and Nichols Street.
The Assessors' Department required the service of the division as real estate transfers and land development plans became available. Corrections and changes were made on all plans of the Assessors' Department.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
During the year the working force of this division was reduced, the table of organization shows the number of employees assigned to each division. As voted by the Annual Town Meeting various streets were reconstructed with bituminous con- crete, storm drains were installed and approximately four miles of streets were seal coated with asphalt and pea stone. Under the continuous sidewalk program, side- walks and curbs were installed, using bituminous curb as a saving to the Town and taxpayer. Under general maintenance all catch basins in the Town were cleaned, and all sidewalks, i.e., sweeping, patching, plowing, sanding, grading, beach clean- ing, etc., were carried out by this division.
From May through November, every Monday and Friday morning, the street sweeper was in operation from 4:00 A.M. to 12 Noon. The following schedule was used, Blaney Street, Redington Street Hill, Monument Avenue, Burrill Street, New Ocean Street, Railroad Avenue, Essex Street, Danvers Road Bridge, Middlesex Avenue, Stetson Avenue and Humphrey Street. For the remainder of each week the residential area streets were cleaned. A remarkable job was performed this fall with the new leaf loader and catch basin cleaner. All traffic lines and signs were replaced by this division for the Police Department at a saving for the Town, in previous years it was done by contract.
PARK DIVISION
This division is responsible for the maintenance of the parks, playgrounds, planted areas, trees, administration building grounds and beaches. A summer program is still carried on, which allows for additional labor, recreation, and beach supervision. Forty-five elms were taken down and where possible, the new backhoe excavated around the stump to allow the tree truck to remove the stump. Other stumps were cut below the surface by means of pneumatic tools. The residents of Clarke Road requested the removal of certain trees, all trees were properly posted and a satisfactory settlement was made. Assistance was rendered toward the land- scaping of the library grounds. The job was not finished as the dry weather made it inadvisable to transplant well established plants. The garden clubs should be commended on their fine work toward civic betterment.
Several articles have appeared in publications that the dutch elm is being controlled but it is the Park Superintendent's personal opinion that this statement is open to debate and we are attempting to look to the future by starting new trees, so that barren streets will not appear in this Town. The Monument Parkway, as far as the flagpole, was kept green and that off-sets the flower beds. The new trucks have proven a fine savings in time and ease of work, good equipment is bound to be a morale booster.
SEWER DIVISION
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting of March 27, 1956, sewers were voted for Sargent Road, Walnut Road, and Commonwealth Terrace. Swamp- scott Avenue and The Greenway were completed in 1956. The vote of the Town
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1957 Annual Report
Meeting of March 26, 1957 voted sewers for Bay View Drive and Crest Road. The contract for Sargent Road and Walnut Road has been awarded to Doerico & Forth Construction Co. and work will start in January, 1958. Plans and specifications for the Bay View Drive sewer should be completed by February, 1958 with con- struction starting by March, 1958. In accordance with the vote of the Special Town Meeting of October 27, 1957, plans and specifications have been completed for the construction of a diversion chamber off New Ocean Street to alleviate the pollution in Stacey Brook Culvert. The condition on King's Beach will necessitate the con- tinuing operation of the chlorinator until further investigations are completed to determine all sources of pollution, this investigation may require an additional diversion chamber at another location.
The following work was completed in 1957:
(a) Particular sewers laid and inspected 25
(b) Particular sewers rodded and cleaned 163
(c) Main sewers rodded and cleaned 115
(d) Sand catcher pans replaced in manholes 36
(e) Loose manhole covers sealed 18
(f) Sewage Pumpings for 1957 420,000,000 Gallons
(g) Sewer lines excavated and repaired 8
During excessive rain storms, twenty-four hour surveillance must be maintained at the Pumping Station to attend to the equipment, and standby service is in order during weekends, nights, and holidays.
WATER DIVISION
In the spring of this year in anticipation of road construction all necessary services were relaid from the main to the sidewalk in the following streets: Hum- phrey from a point near the Fish House to Pleasant, Puritan Road from a point near the Fish House to the southeasterly entrance to Orient Court.
Service boxes and gates boxes were located, raised and painted in preparation for street and sidewalk work in Humphrey Street, Puritan Road, Stanley Road, Linden Avenue, Curry Circle, Swampscott Avenue, Oakledge Road, The Greenway, Pine Hill Road.
Sixty new services were installed, 13 services renewed completely, 31 services renewed from main to sidewalk, 5 services renewed from sidewalk to meter, 50 service leaks repaired, 29 services cleaned out, and 5 services thawed out, 4 breaks in mains, 7 hydrants repaired.
Twenty-three obsolete meters replaced with new ones, 40 meters cleaned, tested and repaired, 70 meter leaks were repaired in the field, 270 meters turned on, 170 meters turned off, 55 new meters installed.
Hydrants were installed in Fairview Avenue (1), Fisher Avenue (1), Ross Road (1), Sampson Avenue (2), Nichols Street (2).
Because of the street sweeping, sewer and brook cleaning and road construction work of this year the hydrants were used more, thus requiring more periodic and careful checking.
All hydrants were flushed, checked and winterized.
Assistance was given in the plowing of snow, snow removal and cleaning of catch basins. All excavations have been brought to grade and tar patched. This year the majority of trench tar patching has been done by the Highway Division.
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Town of Swampscott
A case 320 Tractor with Backhoe and Shovel Loader attachments was purchased by this Division. This piece of equipment started paying for itself from the date of delivery. It has been used for work in all divisions of the Public Works Depart- ment and is in constant demand.
Equipment of this division has been used to advantage in other divisions to expedite the work program.
A 10' x 11' opening was made and an overhead door installed in one of our garage buildings to enable us to garage the new piece of equipment.
A 500 gallon underground gasoline tank and an electric gasoline pump was replaced at our plant at 8 Pine Street.
Our Work Shop and buildings at 8 Pine Street were given a new coat of paint.
Hydrants in use December 31, 1957
363
Gates in use December 31, 1957
742
Services in use December 31, 1957
3739
Size
Wrought Iron
Cast Iron
Cement Lined
Brass
Total
11/4"
303
303 ft.
11%"
80
438
518 ft.
2"
4,067
1,365
2,839
8,271 ft.
5,406
5,496 ft.
156,881
156,881 ft.
11,894
11,894 ft.
10"
26,719
26,719 ft.
12"
14,604
14,604 ft.
14"
4,812
4,812 ft.
16"
1,502
1,502 ft.
4,067
221,818
1,748
3,277
230,910 ft.
Total miles of mains - 43,732.
It is with sorrow and regret that we record the death of Mrs. Elizabeth E. Kehoe, an employee of the Park Division and Mr. James Donlon, a retired employee of the Highway Division.
In accordance with the vote of the Annual Town Meeting of March 26, 1957 the following Public Works projects were accomplished :
Article 12. Curb and Sidewalk - Swampscott Avenue, Oakledge Road; Curb -
Pine Hill Road, Stanley Road, Bradlee Avenue; Sidewalks - Shelton Road, Puritan Road.
Article 14. Stanley Road partially reconstructed with bituminous concrete (from Salem Street to Linden Avenue) the remainder of Stanley Road to be completed in 1958.
Article 16. Oakledge Road reconstructed with bituminous concrete.
Article 30, 31 and 33. The Board of Public Works has employed the firm of Fay, Spoffard & Thorndike, consulting engineers, Boston, to prepare the necessary forms and estimates for presentation to Federal Government for advance planning funds for the drainage and sewers for Little's Point area.
Article 36. The Cemetery Chapel was painted both exterior and interior.
Article 37. Repairs were made on Sargent Road, Walnut Road, Forest Avenue, Priscilla Road, Millett Road Extension.
Article 49. Pine Hill Road reconstructed with bituminous concrete.
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1957 Annual Report
Article 35. The sum of $5,000.00 was transferred from the amount received by the Town from the State under Chapter 718 and Humphrey Street was recon- structed from the Fish House to Pleasant Street, new sidewalks were also installed, this work was done by Town employees under Chapter 90, at a cost of approximately $17,000.00 as compared to the State estimate of $25,000.00.
In accordance with the vote of the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1956 the following Public Works projects were accomplished:
Swampscott Avenue reconstructed with bituminous concrete.
The Greenway reconstructed with bituminous concrete.
In accordance with the vote of an Annual Town Meeting and the vote of the Special Town Meeting the Water Division extended the water mains on Sampson Avenue, Fisher Avenue and Nichols Street.
The following Public Works projects were completed: extended 6" water main in Fairview Avenue, The Greenway, Ross Road, Sherwood Road, and Ingraham Terrace.
Replaced rotted planks at Phillips Park bleachers, redecorated the interior of the Field House, the interior of the Sewer Pumping Station, new oil tank installed at Field House, three additional urinals installed in Field House.
Storm drains installed on Oakledge Road, The Greenway, and Pine Hill Road. Road extended at Millett Road to Aspen Road.
New trees were planted on Pine Hill Road, Linden Avenue, Young Avenue, Dale Street, Franklin Avenue, Huron Street, Nason Road, Beach Bluff Avenue, Shepard Avenue, Puritan Park, Blodgett Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic Road and Swampscott Avenue. The following tree species were used: sugar maple, crimson king maple, schedleri maple and modesto ash.
New oil burner installed at the Cemetery Chapel, which is a protection to the building and to the newly painted interior. The following avenues and paths in the Swampscott Cemetery were constructed with bituminous concrete: Summit Avenue, Hackmatack Avenue, Oak Avenue, Beach Avenue, Cypress Patch, Poppy Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Columbine Avenue, and Hollyhock Avenue.
During the year the standardization of wages of all craftsmen, foremen, and a new classification of motor equipment operators (MEO) was put into operation. The new equipment was put to test during the past year and has proven its worth, all repairs are being accomplished in the Public Works Garage which is temporarily housed at the Highway Division on Paradise Road.
The remainder of the articles voted in the 1957 Town Meeting will be com- pleted early in 1958.
Humphrey Street will be completed in May, 1958 under Chapter 90 and a section of Puritan Road will also be included under Chapter 90, subject to approval by Town Meeting. This department cannot stress too strongly the importance of establishing a Stabilization Fund to replace worn out equipment at a minimum expense to the Town.
Major projects planned for 1958, subject to the approval of the Town Meeting,. are:
1. Chapter 90 - To resurface Humphrey Street from Pleasant Street to junction of Humphrey Street and Puritan Road and from said junction down Puritan Road to Gale Road.
75
Town of Swampscott
2. Chapter 718 - To resurface Puritan Road from Orient Court to Gale Road.
3. Sidewalk Replacement Program - to repair and replace approximately $20,000. worth of over-aged public sidewalks.
4. 1000 Bleacher Seats - for Blocksidge Field.
5. Survey of Water Distribution System.
Particular Sewers - Over the years to present day the Town has been rendering a courtesy service - free of charge, - of relieving all stoppages in particular sewer lines, from main to cellars.
At the present time the sewer division, three men, is spending approximately 60%-70% of its time on stoppages. In checking with surrounding communities we find that we are the only Town that furnishes such a service.
This department is of the opinion that the residents, especially those with "Disposals", are abusing the privilege by repeated calls on this department to remove grease and sludge caused by lack of grease traps.
In order to control this service the department is inserting an article in the 1958 Annual Town Meeting requesting funds for a Sewer Rodding Machine.
The following is a Table of Organization of the Public Works Department, and the list of all equipment under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works.
The Board of Public Works wishes to extend their thanks to the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Economy Planning Committee, the Planning Board, the Board of Health, the Citizens of Swampscott, the supervisors and per- sonnel of the Public Works Department for the assistance and cooperation given to the department in making the second year under Public Works a success.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Adm.
Eng.
Sewer Cem. Highway Park Water Mech.
Total 1957
Supt. of Public Works
1
Department Head
1
1
1
1
1
5
Foreman
1
1
1
1
4
*Clerks
4
1
2
12
4
3
4 22
M.E.O.
1
11
4
3
19
Meter Reader
1
Tree Surgeon
1
1
Tree Climber
1
1
Head Mechanic
Asst. Mechanic
Town Engineer
1
1
Asst. Engineer
1
1
Cons. Engineer
1
1
Transitman
1
1
Student Engineers
2
2
*two clerks charged to water division
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64
-
-
1
Craftsmen
1
1957 Annual Report
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS
Adm.
Eng.
Sewer
Cem. Highway Park
Water Mech.
Total 1958
Supt. of Public Works
1
1
Department Head
1
1
1
1
1
5
Foreman
1
3
1
1
6
* Clerks
1
1
Craftsmen
1
9
5
19
M.E.O.
1
1
9
3
3
17
Meter Reader
1
1
Tree Surgeon
1
Tree Climber
1
1
1
Asst. Mechanic
1
1
Town Engineer
1
1
Asst. Engineer
1
1
Cons. Engineer
1
1
Transitman
1
1
Student Engineers
2
*two clerks charged to water division
PUBLIC WORKS MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION JANUARY 1, 1957 (Requiring gas, oil, maintenance and repairs)
ENGINEERING:
1-1956 Ford Ranch Wagon
CEMETERY :
1-1957 4-WD One Ton Dump Jeep Truck with/plow
1-1953 Lindsey Compressor on Trailer
SEWER :
1-1954 1/2 Ton Chevrolet Pick-up Truck WATER:
1-1947 11/2 Ton Chevrolet Platform Dump Truck with/plow
1-1954 11/2 Ton Chevrolet Platform Dump Truck with/crane and winch
1-1954 3/4 Ton Chevrolet Pick-up Truck
1-1954 Lindsey Compressor on Trailer
1-1957 Case Loader and Backhoe
PARK:
1-1956 Dump Truck (F-600) with/plow 1-1956 Platform Dump Truck (F-700) with/broom
1-1957 4-WD Dump Jeep Truck with/plow 1-1957 4-WD Dump Jeep Truck with/plow 1-1952 2 Ton Ford Spray Truck (F-6) 1-1951 11/2 Ton Ford Dump Truck 1-1955 3/4 Ton Ford Dump Pick-up Truck
1-1955 Ferguson Front End Loader with/beach rake 1-1950 Toro-Turf Tractor 1-1952 Essick Roller and Trailer
1-1954 Fitchburg Chipper
77
63
1
1
Head Mechanic
Town of Swampscott
HIGHWAY:
1-1956 (F-800) Dump Truck with/plow and Sand Spreader
1-1956 (F-600) Dump Truck with/plow and Catch Basin Cleaner
1-1956 (F-600) Dump Truck with/plow and Sand Spreader and Catch Basin Cleaner
1-1956 (F-600) Dump Truck with/plow and Sand Spreader
1-1957 Motor Grader with/V plow
1-1957 Street Sweeper
1-1957 4-WD 1 Ton Jeep Dump Truck with/plow
1-1957 Sidewalk Tractor and Plow
1-1957 Sidewalk Tractor and Plow
1-1957 Sidewalk Tractor and Plow
1-1957 Sidewalk Tractor and Plow
1-1957 Ford Ranch Wagon
1-1956 Michigan (1-Cu. Yd.) Front End Loader
1-1953 3 Ton White Dump Truck with/Plow and Sand Spreader 1-1947 SNO-GO
1-1927 Model 1020 Hercules Road Roller
1-1954 3/4 Ton Jeep Dump Truck with/Plow
1-1941 Compressor
1-1955 One-Bag Cement Mixer
1-1957 Gledhill Elliotte Leaf Loader with/Trailer
Town Counsel
RICHARD COUGHLIN
During the period January 1 through April 10, 1957, former Town Counsel, Lester B. Morley handled all matters relating to preparation of the Annual Town Warrant, and the routine and other special duties of the office, specific detail of which is not available to me at this time.
During the balance of the year, April 11, 1957, to date, I have attended all regular and special meetings of the Board of Selectmen as well as Board of Public Works, Board of Health, Planning Board, Board of Assessors, and on occasion, Board of Appeals and other departments. On all matters requiring legal assistance pertaining to function and conduct of the Boards, advice and legal opinions have been submitted.
I have met, conferred and assisted the various Committees established by the Town Meeting and by the Board of Selectmen. I have prepared various contracts for the Board of Selectmen and the Public Works Department, and attended to execution of all agreements which require approval of the Board of Selectmen.
During my tenure of office in 1957, it was necessary to prepare the Warrants for Special Town Meetings of May 21, September 29, and December 3, (Adjourned and Special Town Meeting), including preparation of the necessary votes in con- nection therewith.
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1957 Annual Report
Actual litigation during the year was as follows:
The first involved the trial of land damage cases as the result of the taking of the Whitney Estate for the school site. This involved several days of trial and resulted in an award and execution, which includes interest from the date of petition together with court costs, of $41,604.72. Added to this amount was a charge of $427.54, representing fees charged by the deputy sheriff to whom the execution was presented for demand against the Town.
The second involved a Bill in Equity brought in Essex Superior Court against the Planning Board and Town Clerk appealing the decision of the Planning Board relative to its approval of sub-division of property off Atlantic Avenue near Palmer Avenue. Several days of trial were involved in defense of the Planning Board and Town Clerk, and subsequent decision was rendered sustaining the action of the Planning Board.
The third action involved a tort action brought against the operator of the fire engine ladder truck in 1955 for personal injuries and damage caused as the result of going through a red light and causing a collision at an intersection while re- turning to the station in a non-emergency situation. This action resulted in the finding for the plaintiff, and cost the Town on an execution, $1768.00, including costs.
With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a claim was settled for $300.00 for serious personal injuries resulting from an alleged defect in the way. There was some question of liability, and the actual settlement amounted to a reimbursement to the claimant of actual losses for medical expenses and property damage.
There have been several recent claims for injuries resulting from alleged defects in way. There are many cases now pending before the Appellate Tax Board against the Town. There is one case pending in the Superior Court for land damages as the result of the taking of Forest Avenue in February 1957.
There was a very serious situation developed relative to collection of trash and garbage, which required me to cause to cancel the contracts with the contractor. Further complications developed requiring the Town to find a temporary dumping site within the town. Subsequently, separate agreements have been prepared and executed through this office with the trash collector, the garbage collector, and the owner of the dumping site in Lynn.
There is pending in this office innumerable requests for advice and rulings to the different departments and the committees performing work in connection. with the school building problem, the fire station study committee, new fire station committee, and the wage and job classification study committee.
The controversy which developed following action taken by the Town Meetings resulted in the present law suit brought by the architect on the proposed high school. Reports will be made from time to time to the townspeople on the status of this matter which involves in excess of a $100,000 claim.
The work load in this office seems to be on the increase, due in large part perhaps to an expansion of services rendered the Town and increase in population.
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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
Problems and concepts in the field of Public Health have undergone substantial changes during the past fifty years, and these changes are reflected in our major causes of death and reported communicable diseases. The trend has shifted from infectious diseases to organic diseases a factor which is causing an increase in our life span.
This year Swampscott deaths totaled 120 resulting in a crude death rate of 9.2 per thousand and an average life expectancy of 64.7 years at birth. Of these deaths 72 were due to diseases of the heart and circulatory system, 15 were caused by cancer and 9 from pneumonia.
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