USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1959 > Part 5
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VOTED ARTICLE 35. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to sponsor a winter swimming and recreation program for school children and that the sum of $1,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 36. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
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1959 Annual Report
VOTED ARTICLE 37. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works and the School Com- mittee to study the advisability to lay out or construct two Little League Baseball fields on the Stanley School play area and report back at the next Special or Annual Town Meeting.
VOTED ARTICLE 38. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to install a perma- nent surface on one tennis court at Jackson Park and that the sum of $2,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 39. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town purchase a Jeep for the Public Works Department and that the sum of $3,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 40. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town purchase a Root Remover for the Public Works Depart- ment and that the sum of $3,200.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 41. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 42. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to enclose the unen- closed portion of the Laurel Road Brook in the Town owned easements, and that the sum of $15,400.00 be appropriated therefor under Article 81 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting for 1959.
VOTED ARTICLE 43. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town extend the drain in Worcester Avenue from Barnstable Street for approximately 300 feet and that the sum of $7,000.00 be appropri- ated therefor under Article 81 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting for 1959.
VOTED ARTICLE 44. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to install a sewer in Forest Avenue from Laurel Road to Sargent Road and that the sum of $9,200.00 be appropriated therefor under Article 81 of the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting for 1959.
VOTED ARTICLE 45. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to make the appli- cations, and to pass the votes and resolutions described in the article.
VOTED ARTICLE 46. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct Stetson Avenue and that the sum of $4,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 47. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to reconstruct For- est Avenue from Greenwood Avenue to Walnut Road and that the sum of
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Town of Swampscott
$11,200.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 48. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town accept and bring to grade the unaccepted portions of For- est Avenue from Laurel Road to Pine Hill Road as a public way, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with Plan drawn by Howard Hamill, Town Engineer, on condition that all abuttors sign the necessary waivers and that the sum of $19,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 49. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town take favorable action on this article by use of the avail- able funds in the Chapter 90 Account in the amount of $19,282.50.
VOTED ARTICLE 50. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to widen the corners on Monument Avenue, Farragut Road, and Walker Road and to construct granite curbs and that the sum of $2,300.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 51. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 52. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct the accepted portion of Harrison Avenue and that the sum of $1,750.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 53. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct Muriel Road and that the sum of $3,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 54. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct a portion of Bay View Drive from Millett Road to Crest Road and that the sum of $2,600.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 55. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town accept and perform certain work on the unaccepted por- tion of Bates Road from Charlotte Road to Beverly Road, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with Plan drawn by Howard L. Hamill, Town Engineer upon condition that all abuttors sign the necessary waivers and that the sum of $6,600.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 56. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct Crossman Avenue and that the sum of $3,500.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 57. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct Cutting Road and that the sum of $3,950.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 58. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
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1959 Annual Report
VOTED ARTICLE 59. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town reconstruct the remaining portion of Nantucket Avenue and that the sum of $3,100.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 60. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 61. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 62. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 63. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town accept and reconstruct Longley Avenue as laid out by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with Plan drawn by George H. Melcher, Town Engineer, on condition that all abuttors sign the necessary waivers, and that the sum of $7,100.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 64. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town accept and reconstruct the unaccepted portion of Millett Road for a distance of approximately 200 feet on condition that all abuttors sign the necessary waivers and that the sum of $2,400.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 65. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 66. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 67. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Public Works to study the advisa- bility to acquire or take by eminent domain the land at the junction of Roy Street, Jessie Street, and Eureka Avenue for purpose of widening said way.
VOTED ARTICLE 68. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 69. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to study acquisition, either by purchase or eminent domain proceedings, the land on the Southerly corner of Paradise Road and Walker Road shown on the Board of Assessors records as lot 5, Plate 15 containing approximately 5,137 square feet of land for the purpose of widening and improving the intersection of Walker and Paradise Road and make its report and recommendations at the next Special or Annual Town Meeting.
VOTED ARTICLE 70. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
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Town of Swampscott
That the Town reconstruct Clarke Road and that the sum of $2,000.00 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 7. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town carry on the Sidewalk Construction Program under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 83, Section 25 and 26 and that the sum of $3,919.24 be appropriated therefor.
VOTED ARTICLE 72. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to make the application described in this article.
VOTED ARTICLE 73. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 74. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 75. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 76. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That a committee be appointed by the Moderator to study the overall area and building needs of the Machon School, and that said committee shall report to the next Special or Annual Town Meeting.
VOTED ARTICLE 77. To accept the report of the Planning Board and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Zoning By-Laws, Article III, Section 4, Sub-Paragraph 4, be amended by adding the sentence:
"However, a display area of up to and including 120 square feet in size may be used when the sign is a physical part of a building designed as part of the architectual decor of that building, provided that such building has a setback from the highway line of at least 75 feet and provided that per- mit is obtained from the Board of Appeals as provided in Article VI, Section 5."
Affirmative, 167. Negative, 5.
VOTED ARTICLE 78. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as amended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or otherwise dis- pose of all or part of the Real Estate Described in Article 78, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the article.
VOTED ARTICLE 79. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That this article be accepted.
VOTED ARTICLE 80. To accept the report of the Finance Committee and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That action on this article be indefinitely postponed.
VOTED ARTICLE 81. To accept the report of the Finance Committee, as emended, and adopt their recommendations as follows:
That for the purpose of carrying out the construction of sewers and
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1959 Annual Report
drains under Articles 42, 43, and 44 the sum of $31,600.00 be appropriated to be raised as follows:
That $8,600.00 be raised and appropriated from the tax levy for the cur- rent year and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Select- men, be authorized to borrow a sum not to exceed the remainder, viz, $23,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor payable in ac- cordance with the Provisions of Chapter 44 of the General Laws in not more than ten (10) years from their dates.
Dissolved at 10:34 P.M.
Board of Public Works
Roger A. Williams, Jr., Chairman
Alfred N. Frazier Francis N. Lang
Paul A. Polisson, Superintendent. Austin D. Mosco, Administrative Asst. & Secretary
George H. Melcher, Town Engineer Timothy J. Ryan, Highway Supt.
Edward F. Burke, Sewer Supt. Chester E. Bradley, Water Supt.
Arthur E. Hardy, Cemetery Supt. Frederick C. Burk, Park Supt.
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its fourth annual report to the citizens of the Town of Swampscott for the year 1959.
CEMETERY DIVISION
This Division has four employees, and with assistance from other Divis- ions, especially before Memorial Day, the Cemetery is maintained properly. There were 94 interments, as of December 11, 1959, and all receipts for in- terments, sales of lots, liners, foundations etc., were paid to the Town Treas- urer.
A new underground Buckner sprinkler system of irrigation was installed in the Swampscott War Veterans Lot, and a cast bronze plate has been placed on the boulder. Yews were placed on each side of the boulder.
Two small park areas, one on each side of the Veterans Lot, were re- landscaped with yews. A white dogwood tree was placed in the center of each. This replaces trees that were dying and overgrown so that no grass would grow in this area.
A large section in back of the Chapel has been re-landscaped into a rock garden. All old shrubs and trees were removed and new loam, yews, hem- locks, flowering shrubs and flowers set out. This should be one of the most beautiful places in the Cemetery.
The work of removing pea stone and laying bituminous concrete on main avenues was completed.
Several large diseased trees were removed by the Park Division. All dead limbs on the other trees were also removed.
With the assistance of all other Divisions we were able to maintain a Cemetery the Town can be proud of.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
This Division has 4 permanent employees and 2 student engineers. Engineering services furnished by this Division for the year 1959 includ-
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Town of Swampscott
ed land surveying, preparation of record plans, writing descriptions of pro- erties and easements, correcting maps for the Assessors' Department in ac- cordance with land transfers as received from the Registry of Deeds, com- putation of assessment quantities, cost estimating, designing of various works and structures, preparation of contracts including specifications and drawings, laying out and supervising the work on various construction projects, and the furnishing of engineering data to private engineers, surveyors, attorneys and the general public. The apportionment of these services is shown in the following table:
DEPARTMENT OR DIVISION
MAN HOURS
PER CENT
Highway Division
3730
34.93
Water Division
1709
16.00
Sewer Division
1237
11.58
Selectmen
992
9.29
Cemetery Division
984
9.21
*Engineering Division
772
7.23
Assessors Department
397
3.72
Housing Authority
354
3.31
Private Citizens
176
1.65
School Department
144
1.35
Police Department
65
0.61
Park Division
55
0.51
Finance Committee
25
0.23
Library
24
0.22
Town Counsel
5
0.05
Planning Board
4
0.04
Welfare Department
4
0.04
Building Inspector
2
0.02
Health Department
1
0.01
Totals
10680
100.00
*Includes administration and work not chargeable to a particular division or department.
Specific projects requiring engineering services are usually described in the reports of the various departments or divisions concerned. For this rea- son, and in the interest of brevity, no listing of such projects is included herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it seems fitting to report the comple- tion of a topographical map and layout plan of the undeveloped section of the Cemetery between Capen Road and the City of Salem. In the belief that our own forces would be unable to complete this project prior to its need in expanding cemetery facilities, the sum of $4000 .- had been appropriated for use in employing private engineers to do the work. This appropriation was turned back in total.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
This Division has 22 employees, and from this Division assistance is given to the other Divisions requiring added personnel for short periods of time.
As voted by the Annual Town Meeting various streets were reconstruct- ed with Bituminous Concrete, Storm Drains were installed, and streets were oiled and covered with sand. Under general maintenance all catch basins in the Town were cleaned, and all sidewalks, i.e., sweeping, patching, plowing, sanding, grading, beach cleaning etc .. were carried out by this Division. From May through November the street Sweeper swept the streets in the entire Town. A remarkable job was performed this Fall with the Leaf Loader and Catch Basin Cleaner.
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1959 Annual Report
All Traffic lines and signs were replaced by this Division for the Police Department. Cross walks on Humphrey Street were painted a solid Traffic Green for the safety of the pedestrians.
Garrett H. Coan, retired employee of this Division passed away on No- vember 26, 1959.
PARK DIVISION
This Division has 12 employees and is responsible for the maintenance of the Parks, Playgrounds, planted areas, trees, Administration Building grounds and beaches.
A very good ice skating season was experienced. All flood lights were re- placed at an unnecessary cost. The facilities are for the young people without charge, and it must be assumed that it is the young people who destroy them. A total of thirty-two days were available for skating.
Spring football was serviced and at the same time all diamonds were readied for High School boys' and girls' teams,-as well as Junior High, Little League and Babe Ruth League. It now has become necessary to schedule prac- tice sessions on the several fields.
A freakish winter with but little snow, deep frost and early high winds, which caused a drying-out condition, took its toll on the shrubs. The tulip beds suffered as well.
During the storms and bad weather, all men and equipment were under the supervision of the Highway Superintendent.
Spring planting was carried on with the thought that before the large elms were taken down the little trees were planted. New streets were planted if the sidewalks were completed.
Sugar maples, Kwangan Cherries, Crimson King Maples, Almy Crabs and Red Maples were planted.
The Dutch Elm removal program was carried out with forty-seven elms being removed by private contractors. Several more are still being removed by the Division crew.
The acquisition of a "Vermeer" Stump Cutter has made it possible to re- move the stumps below the ground and totally eliminate that unsightly and dangerous condition of dead tree stumps. This was a wise and timely invest- ment.
The tree crew, best suited for climbing, assisted the project of Christmas tree lighting.
The spray program was carried out,-the early dormant spray of elms by a contractor, and the spring and summer sprays by the permanent and sum- mer crews.
A new pest was introduced on Oaks this year,-the Oak leaf skeletonizer. We have not had this insect previously, although there have been similar ones.
An underground sprinkling system was installed in the G.A.R. lot and along the mall on Monument Avenue. This sprinkler system saves approxi- mately 4 man-hours per day. This was done with the cooperation of the Cem- etery and Water Divisions.
The construction of a "doubles" tennis court with a permanent surface was completed, and will be available for a much earlier and later tennis sea- son without any maintenance.
The Summer Service Program was carried on which gave great assist- ance to the work load of the division.
A large section of the Chain Link fence at Phillips Park was painted.
The beaches were kept clean, and the rubbish removed to a Lynn dump.
Excellent work on the Beach was carried out by two fine life guards, -- Judith Hinch and Charles Carlyn. The addition of Miss Hinch progressed the swimming instruction, but when the test came for emergency aid, Charles
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Town of Swampscott
Carlyn and Judy Hinch were commended for doing a fine job, ably assisted by Officer Delano.
Due to the dredged channel, a string of life buoys were put out as warn- ing markers.
The other summer extras worked with the tree men, on spraying, caring for tennis courts, and on the Recreation Project under Coach Stanley Bondel- evitch.
For the late fall work, men were transferred to the Highway Division, which in turn transferred a crew, and a fine job was done in the culture of the shrub beds and lawn areas. It was a job long needed and well done.
SEWER DIVISION
This Division has 4 employees.
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting of March 24, 1959, a sewer was voted for Forest Avenue from Laurel Road to Sargent Road. This contract was completed in August, 1959. Our total main sewer lines are now 34 miles.
Private sewers are being installed at the Winsor Park Development and the Development off Paradise Road.
A total of 1,180 feet of main sewers was installed at Winsor Park and 500 feet at the Development off Paradise Road. All expenses to install these main sewers are paid by the developers, with no expense to the Town.
The following work was completed in 1959:
(a) Particular Sewers laid and inspected 32
(b) Main Sewers rodded and cleaned 210
(c) Sewer Lines repaired 16
(d) Sand catcher pans replaced in manholes 18
(e) Loose manhole covers sealed in 22
(f) Sewerage Pumpings for 1959
531,588,000 Gallons
All Brooks were cleaned and inspected after every rainfall. The Pump- ing Station, the Comminutor Building and Garage were painted on the out- side, and all repairs were made by the personnel of the Public Works Depart- ment.
The increased capacity of the Sewer Rodding Machine permitted main- tenance work to be carried on with a minimum of labor and eliminated costly emergency work.
The Diversion Chamber and the continued operation of the Chlorinator alleviated the pollution in Stacey Brook. The City of Lynn and the Town of Swampscott on a cooperative basis assumed the costs of operating the Chlor- inator for treating part of the effluent in Stacey Brook. The combined oper- ation of the Diversion Chamber and the Chlorinator eliminated the pollution which allowed Kings Beach to remain open for bathing purposes.
During excessive rain storms twenty-four hour surveillance must be main- tained at the Pumping Station, and standby service is in operation to attend the equipment and to control the flow of excessive surface water into the sewer trunk line, when the Diversion Chamber is in operation.
WATER DIVISION
This Division has 8 employees.
From January 1 to December 11, 1959, the following work was completed by the Water Division:
Five frozen services and two frozen meters were thawed; 43 leaking services were repaired; 20 services cleaned; 41 new services installed, 14 ser- wices renewed completely; 64 services renewed from main to sidewalk; 16 services renewed from sidewalk to meter; all iron services were renewed from the main to the sidewalk with copper tubing or brass pipe, in streets sched-
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1959 Annual Report
uled for construction or resurfacing this year,-and 55 graves in Cemetery were excavated.
One hydrant was relocated, 7 repaired, 6 replaced (2 of which had been demolished by automobiles). The hydrants were flushed in the spring, painted during the summer and inspected and winterized in the late fall. Hydrants were added to the system in Pleasant Street, Belleair Drive, and Forest Ave. New cast iron cement lined mains installed were: 8 inch in part of Bell- eair Drive and Morningside Drive, 8 inch in Millett Road from Aspen Road to a point near 72 Aspen Road, 12 inch in Carter Road, 10 inch in Forest Avenue completing a loop in Forest Avenue from Laurel Road to Walnut Road, 8 inch in Sargent Road from Forest Avenue to Pleasant Street, 8 inch in Pleasant Street from Sargent Road to end of pipe near Prospect Avenue, tied in 6 inch main in Lewis Road with 8 inch main in Pleasant Street, 6 inch in Elmwood Road from Thomas Road to Hardy Road, completing another circulation loop.
Relaid Clark Street with 2 inch copper tubing.
Meters were read quarterly and all routine work necessary to turn-ons and turn-offs, installations, repairs, etc., were carried on in the usual manner.
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