USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1962 > Part 10
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"An officer placed in charge of any unit in the Fire Department (including presumably the entire Department) has
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the duty of promoting the morale of that unit. . .
"It is of the utmost importance that an officer be considerate in his dealings with his subordinates. He should never use abusive, intemporate or threatening language to them. . . . He should never make caustic comments about the work of a subordinate if the latter is doing that work to the best of his ability."
Less than a handful of the men inter- viewed by the Board of Selectmen seemed to feel that the foregoing standards have been adhered to, and the vast majority believe that the failure to observe them is the primary cause of difficulty in the Department.
The State Manual pin points, better than can we, the weaknesses in the De- partment's leadership. Apparently what is needed, in addition to Town super- visory control, is a calm, unprejudiced, mature approach to relationships in the Department which we believe does not exist at present. The Manual points the way and fixes the responsibility.
It is our further opinion and that of nearly the entire Fire Department that the poor morale could have been pre- vented and can be corrected by placing
the Department under some supervisory control in a manner similar to every other Department in the Town. It should be understood that the reason no such con- trol exists today is because of a Town Meeting vote in 1950 which changed the Fire Department organization. The Chief now has complete control, acting as ac- cuser, judge and sole local appeal in all Department matters. This has proven un- workable and a deterrent to proper morale.
In our questioning of the Department personnel, it was evident that the un- easiness within the Department has in no way impaired their efficiency in so far as actual fighting of fires is concerned. To a man, there is tremendous loyalty to the Town, to the Department and its personnel with the exception of the Chief who we believe does not have the confidence of the majority. We believe that this condition will not change until favoritism and discrimination have been eliminated and all are treated alike.
Respectfully submitted,
George B. Thomson Henry R. Mayo, Jr. Edward K. Hempel
November 21, 1962
TAX TITLE LAND REPORT - NO. 3
February 18, 1963
After more than two months, the arduous task of reviewing the Town's voluminous tax title file is complete.
This job is not new, but each time it is completed and no action is taken, as before, it must be redone from the beginning because of accumulated changes.
FIRST REPORT
We FIRST did the job in 1956 and '57 with the late Harold King, then Planning Board Chairman. About all we accomplished was to establish certain rules to protect the Town which should govern us still. The balance of our work was negated because the Town's records
turned out to be faulty. Many tax fore- closures had been initiated but improp- erly processed. After Mr. King and I had reported, a public auction was held to dispose of lots. Land was sold which the Town did not own. Obviously, our background records were useless. Special counsel was put to work to correct the
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half-done job, the product of many years of disinterest and failure to perform a vital town function.
SECOND REPORT
When the special counsel had nar- rowed the confused area sufficiently, the task started from scratch and a detailed set of facts, figures and recommenda- tions was ready for the board's considera- tion and action for the SECOND time. Not much of anything was done with this detailed report for various reasons. Another auction might have served large developers, at Town expense. They could have bought up large areas of Town land for profit, negating the policy of im- proving property values of neighborhoods by giving abuttors a chance to add to and thereby enhance their property.
Quite possibly, it is just as well that little was done even though we still had the sound advice of Mr. King and our Tax Revenue Study Committee.
THIRD REPORT
For this THIRD, and, I trust, final attempt, the Selectmen sought and re- ceived detailed recommendations from the Public Works Department, our new Con- servation Commission, and the Waste Disposal Committee to add to our prior advice.
While there was no overall difference in approach and general agreement on the method we used and the views Mr. King and I held in 1956, in 1962 and 1963, these other boards and officials pin- pointed new areas for use in the public interest. We agreed, from 1956 to 1963, that provision of costly development facilities, by the Town, to almost inac- cessable areas was a serious and needless threat to our taxpayers when positive action to protect and improve the Town was otherwise possible through proper land use.
We can now proceed sensibly to help protect the future of certain areas of
Swampscott through the preservation of dwindling open spaces for conservation and recreational purposes while prevent- ing developments, costly to the Town, in areas not suitable for them by any modern planning standards.
Meanwhile, we have had most of the Town's foreclosure records corrected - a time-consuming chore in itself, on which our Town Counsel, our Town Treasurer and Special Counsel spent weeks and months. They made it pos- sible to review the entire tax title situa- tion, over the past few months, with reasonable assurance I was dealing with factual records - not the former sloppy accumulation of years of neglect.
Naturally, there will be new needs and requests, but these can be dealt with in- dividually and promptly, on a current basis, if this board and its successor fol- low a tight schedule to clean up the backlog. To this end, I trust that all demonstrably reasonable proposals can be adopted promptly. They are the sum- mation of:
(1) Our original thinking in 1956 to which Mr. King contributed SO much.
(2) The cooperation of the Assessors, Public Works Department, Planning Board, Tax Revenue Study Commit- tee, Waste Disposal Committee, Town Counsels Morley & Coughlin, Town Treasurer Byrne and many others joined by the new Conserva- tion Commission whose recommen- dations filled in final gaps and re- solved old questions.
In recommending that proposals be adopted much as they stand, I do so only because I'm satisfied that, after detailed study by and agreement among all appropriate Town boards and offi- cials, they represent proposals in the pub- lic interest. I further propose: (a) That every citizen with an open question be notified of the plans for their case at
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once. (b) That a rigid time schedule be followed by this year's and next year's Boards of Selectmen to insure that they are on a current basis around the end of April. A suggested time schedule follows:
(1) Notification by 3/1/63 of all inter- ested parties that sealed bids on all unresolved cases be in by 4/4/63.
(2) Action by the Selectmen on all re- solved cases and assignment of cus- tody of certain parcels to other Town boards and committees on 3/7/63 and 3/14/63.
(3) Action by the Selectmen on bids on unresolved cases by 5/2/63.
Procrastination now will allow the situation to deteriorate again toward the almost hopelessly confused state in which we found it in 1956 and to which it had reverted by the time the present board took office. It doesn't take long for new cases to pile up and for old ones to change.
CONCLUSION
The public interest deserves primary consideration particularly with a view to the future of Swampscott. The Board can be accommodating only within the limits imposed by the proposals suggested to us by other boards and officials. No board can satisfy everyone - nor should it try. We intend to be objective and prompt in initiating action on tax title land sale and assignment.
Human errors may have been made in
preparing the tax title situation for final disposal. However, the Town can be sure they are honest errors due solely to the mass of material with which we have had to deal. Everyone involved has been completely objective in considering 1st Swampscott's best interests and 2nd the people living in the areas involved. If there are questions, we will welcome con- structive advice.
We're hopeful that the people of Swampscott will be aided by what has been and will be done promptly to re- solve this bothersome and long-standing tax title muddle. All of those who have worked on it for so long are naturally pleased to see it now in reasonable order - actually, for the first time.
Now this Board and its successor can bring the matter to a positive, construc- tive solution by putting acres of land back on the tax roles for revenue, pro- viding Swampscott with conservation and recreation facilities, improving neighbor- hoods and individual parcels of property, and, above all, protecting the taxpayers against exorbitant future taxes for utilities by land use which is in accord with modern planning standards.
The Selectmen will do their utmost to live up to the responsibilities and obligations imposed by these criteria and their duties as Town officials.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. THOMSON, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
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JURY LIST
In accordance with Section 9 of Chapter 234 of the G.L. the following list is published in the Annual Town Report:
Name
Address
Anderson, Arnold O.
69 Pine Street
General Electric
Carpenter
H. P. Hood & Sons
Ansin, Nathan
7 Blodgett Avenue
Antoniello, Charles J.
12 Ryan Place
Auratin, Arnold
39 Puritan Road
Ball, Kendall M.
60 Blaney Street
28 Claremont Terrace
Barnett, Morris
26 Devens Road
8 Neighborhood Road
Engineer
Engineer
Repair Aircraft Instruments
Custom Pedlar, Self Employed
Machinist
Mason
Milk Man
Maintenance Dept.
Land Developer
Salesman
Machinist and Operator, Automatic Screw Machine Self Employed
Salesman
Machine Operator
Route Salesman, Wholesale Creamery
Husband is Tool Estimator
Electrician
Salesman
Salesman
Salesman
Driller
Bank Teller
Vice President and Sales Manager
Road Agent
Construction Superintendent Clerk
Sylvania
President and Treasurer
Insurance Agent
Maintenance
Waitress
Telephone Operator
Machinist
Proprietor
Engineer
Marine Machinist President
Steam Fitter
Shoeworker
Salesman
Machine Worker
Department Manager for Women's Sportswear
Ferguson, Margaret F. Fermon, Jack Fromer, George Fierstein, Abraham S. Ford, Thomas M. Ford, Vivian G. Frawley, Elizabeth Gaffney, James J. Garber, Maurice J. Gardella, Frederick J. Gatto, Carmen Gibbs, Henry T. Goffi, Joseph J. Gordon, Meyer Green, Nathan Gross, Christy M. Grover, Patricia
20 Beach Avenue
11 Barnstable Street
36 Burpee Road
34 Banks Terrace
133 Stetson Avenue
52 Pine Street
40A Roy Street
176 Burrill Street
6 Thorndike Terrace
259 Paradise Road 56 Essex Street
196 Aspen Road
150 Atlantic Avenue 25 Orchard Road 297 Salem Street
88 Rockland Street
47 Duncan Terrace
62 Columbia Street 3 Beverly Road
1 Bellevue Road
3 Parsons Drive
23 Phillips Avenue 40 Banks Road 21 Roy Street
128 Aspen Road
14 Elliott Street
11 Orchard Circle
Occupation
Anderson, Eric
29 Blaney Street
Anderson, George V.
22 Stetson Avenue
Salesman
Mechanic
Broker
Pipe Fitter
Self Employed, Lobster Fisherman
Merchant
Bellin, Albert I.
Bingle, Adolph J., Jr.
45 Sheridan Road
Blanchette, Phyllis
25 Puritan Road
75 Barnstable Street
13 Shelton Road
69 Cherry Street
40 Mountain Avenue
49 Sampson Avenue
11 Bay View Avenue
42 Bates Road
27 Shaw Road
79 Rockland Street 8 Dennison Avenue
107 Aspen Road 80 Norfolk Avenue
Cunningham, Helen A. Davidson, Andrew S.
Davis, William
Denenberg, Ralph
Deschenes, Charles E. DiCarlo, Albert Evitts, Leonard J. Fallon, Samuel S.
Cohen, Jacob Cohen, Roger
Cooper, John R. Covitz, Melvin
Bogus, Arthur H.
Boratgis, Demetrios Caron, Louis B.
Carroll, W. Glidden
Cashman, Robert W. Cass, Robert H.
Caswell, Jack H. Clark, John J.
Barnes, Willard S.
Farnum, Roger L. Farrer, R. A.
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Name
Guilmain, Alfred J., Sr. Halloran, Fred J. Hark, Samuel D. Hart, Reginald S., Sr.
Hartley, Herbert V. Hawley, George S.
Address
35 Crescent Street 21 Salem Street 21 Bradlee Avenue
187 Burrill Street
128 Burrill Street
27 Beach Avenue
Henderson, Walter A. Hennessey, Raymond J. Henrickson, Edward O. Hill, Edward F.
Holbry, Joseph B. Holzman, Beatrice S. Hotz, Louis
Hussey, Ellery F.
23 Elmwood Road
98 Paradise Road
108 Burrill Street
1 Brooks Terrace
Salesman
Glass Blower
Sales Manager
Purchasing Agent
Telephone Co.
Garage Mechanic
Accountant Salesman
Foreman
Machinist
Shoe Salesman
Junk and Express (Self Employed)
Bowling Alleys
General Electric
Head Stockkeeper
Assistant Treasurer
Engineer
Retired
Mechanic
Methods Planning
Retired
Branch Manager
Patkin, Stanley J.
Pearson, Roy E.
33 Eastman Avenue
18 Paradise Road
12 Beach Avenue
22 Shelton Road
9 Boynton Street
26 Parsons Drive
80 Roy Street 147 Burrill Street
81 Beach Bluff Avenue
5 Ocean View Road 179 Burrill Street 12 Banks Road
317 Paradise Road
15 Banks Road
12 Boulder Way
164 Norfolk Avenue
37 Puritan Avenue 31 Claremont Terrace
Occupation
Auto Body Repairman Die Manufacturing Wholesale Meat Dealer Retired Machinist Sales of Appliances, Investments
Salesman General Electric Service Manager Shoe Salesman and Sales Supervisor
Retired
Husband Self Employed Clerk
Supervisor
Salesman
Hutchings, Earle L. Israel, Maurice M.
Kahn, Maurice E. Kohlier, Rodger Lavoie, Joseph A. Lewis, Carl S. Lougee, Carlton T. Lundstrom, Lennart R. McMahon, John P., Jr. Macomber, Lynward W. Mailloux, Joseph H. Malcom, Martin B. Marder, Samuel Melamed, Bernard
7 Edgehill Road 88 Banks Road 102 Norfolk Avenue 31 Maple Avenue 35 Pitman Road 106 Burrill Street 75 Burrill Avenue 2 Parsons Drive
74 Paradise Road
139 Paradise Road
35 Beverly Road
62 Shelton Road
54 Plymouth Avenue 64 Beach Street
309 Paradise Road
16 Beverly Road
37 Beach Avenue
22 Burpee Road
92 Paradise Road
17 Berkshire Street 3 Chesterlee Lane 32 Ross Road
Auto Dealer
Machinist Salesman
Hume Pipe of N.E.
General Electric Machinist
Office Manager
Janitor Jordan Marsh
(Husband, President and Treasurer)
General Electric Co.
Exterminator
Machinist
Foreman
Mechanic
Winder
(Husband, Schneider's Cleaners )
Salesman Assembler
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Reiley, James M. Richard, Donald J. Rogers, Malcolm H. Rosen, Nathan A. Rosenfeld, Frank H.
Rossi, Gertrude Schneider, Celia
Schwartz, Samuel W. Seward, Peter A.
43 Berkshire Street
21 Outlook Road
1 Bond Street 3 Paton Terrace
37 Magnolia Road 5 Alden Road
65 Phillips Avenue
Melnik, Theodore F. Moen, Francis P. Moran, Edwin F.
Mudge, Walter T. Nellis, Veeder C. Nichols, John M. O'Blenes, Henry J. O'Shea, John J. Park, Harrison E. Parker, Alonzo F.
Perreault, Raymond E. Perry, Donald W. Pierro, Victor C. Pike, Dana L. Pollak, Robert S.
Popp, Charles H., Jr. Powell, Fred A. Read, Catharine
Salesman
Name
Address
45 Rockland Street
Salesman
Snow, Phyllis J.
14 Beach Avenue
Sonigan, Lillian R.
148 Phillips Avenue
Swerker, Ruth C.
64 Aspen Road
I.B.M. Operator
Tibbetts, Esther F.
36 Stetson Avenue
Production Worker
Travascio, Antonio, Jr.
14 Norfolk Avenue 9 Huron Street
Laborer Salesman
Vernava, Robert M.
101 Eastman Avenue
Lineman
Viens, Florence
55 Thomas Road
Window Dresser
Vincent, George F.
49 Bellevue Road
Self Employed, Proprietor
Walton, James A.
30 Hillside Avenue
Die Maker
Watts, John H.
101 Norfolk Avenue 80 King Street
B&M Railroad
Webster, Carroll J., Jr.
General Electric Co.
Weinberg, Joseph
12 Blaney Circle
Contractor
Weinswig, Irving
24 Bristol Avenue
Manager
Whidden, Donald S.
90 Puritan Lane
Treas. and Gen. Manager
Whittier, Prescott G.
53 Magnolia Road
Retired
Wilkinson, John F.
155 Aspen Road
Retired
Williams, Ralph L.
27 Morton Road
Engineer
Williams, Reade
14 Bay View Drive
General Electric Co.
Willis, H. Jack Winick, Eli A.
16 Millett Road
Auto Parts
Witherell, George E.
94 Middlesex Avenue
Buyer-Manager
Yannetti, Ronald
Durant Paint
Young, Stanley A.
Manufacturer
Zeman, Donald
105 Phillips Avenue
Sales Manager
Zukoff, Benjamin
44 Humphrey Street
General Electric Co.
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Occupation
Siegel, Nathan S.
(Husband, Electrician)
(Husband, Food Broker)
Venner, Alton J.
21 Priscilla Road 12 Dale Street
90 Blodgett Avenue
Salesman
GENERAL INFORMATION
Swampscott was incorporated as a Town on May 21, 1852.
Situation: About 15 miles northeast of Boston.
Population: State Census 1960 - 13,294.
Town Census January 1962- 8933 *.
*Persons Twenty Years and over taken every year.
Area: 3.05 square miles.
Assessed Valuation: $34,988,895.00.
Tax Rate: $70.00.
Form of Government: Representative Town Meeting (accepted May 17, 1927. First Meeting held February 27, 1928).
Governing body of Town: Board of Selectmen.
Administration Building: 22 Monument Avenue.
Senators in Congress: Leverett Saltonstall and Edward M. Kennedy.
State Senator: Charles V. Hogan of Lynn (1st Essex District) .
Representative in Congress: William H. Bates of Salem (6th Congressional District) .
Representatives in General Court: George B. Thomson of Swampscott; Auville W. Putnam of Marblehead; and Thomas M. Newth of Swampscott (14th Essex District) .
Member of Governor's Council: John Joseph Buckley of Lawrence (5th Dis- trict).
Qualifications of Voters: Must be 21 years of age, born in United States or fully naturalized; a resident of Massachusetts one year and Swampscott six months. Registration Monday through Friday, 9-12 A.M., 1-5 P.M. Special sessions held preceding elections.
WHERE TO VOTE:
Precinct 1-Machon School on Burpee Road.
Precinct 2-Clarke School on Norfolk Avenue side adjoining Abbott Park.
Precinct 3-Central Fire Station, Burrill Street.
Precinct 4-Hadley School on Redington Street.
Precinct 5-Alice Shaw Jr. High School on Forest Avenue.
Precinct 6-Phillips Beach Fire Engine House, Phillips Avenue.
Tax Bills: Due and payable on or before October 1. Law provides for addi- tion of interest from October 1 on bills unpaid after November 1. Poll and motor excise taxes are payable 30 days and water bills are payable 60 days from date of issue.
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FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
-
CIVIL DEFENSE
LYnn 8-9622
AMBULANCE
LYnn 5-1111
FIRE
LYnn 5-4050
POLICE
LYnn 5-1111
Information on:
Call:
At:
Assessments
Assessors
LYnn 5-1644
Bicycle Licenses Bills and Accounts
Police
LYnn 5-1111
Town Accountant
LYnn 5-1648
Birth Certificates
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Building Permits
Building Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Cemetery Superintendent
LYnn 3-4369
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Dog Officer
LYnn 8-6369
(If no answer, LYnn 2-9896)
Draft Board
Draft Board No. 68
LYnn 8-9144
Elections
Elections and Registrations
LYnn 3-1873
Engineering
Town Engineer
LYnn 2-1696
Entertainment Licenses Fire Permits
Fire Department
LYnn 5-4050
Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Garbage Collection
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
Housing Authority
Executive Director
LYnn 3-5516
Library
Public Library
LYnn 3-8380
Lights, Street
Selectmen
LYnn 5-1645
Marriage Certificates
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Milk Inspection
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
Mortgages, Personal Property
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Old Age Assistance
Old Age Assistance
LYnn 8-4400
Parks and Playgrounds
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Plumbing Permits
Plumbing Inspector
LYnn 5-1643
Resident Listing
Elections and Registrations
LYnn 3-1873
Rubbish Collection
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
Schools
School Department
LYnn 2-2067
Sewers
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Streets
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Tax Collections
Tax Collector
LYnn 5-1646
Trees
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Veterans' Benefits
Veterans' Service Department
LYnn 3-4313
Elections and Registrations
LYnn 3-1873
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Sealer
LYnn 5-4764
Welfare
Welfare Department
LYnn 8-4400
Wiring Permits
Wire Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Zoning
Building Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Selectmen
LYnn 5-1645
Cemetery Death Certificates Dog Licenses Dogs - Lost and Found
Voting Registration Water Weights and Measures
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