USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1962 > Part 9
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This year we are making another effort to secure the State grant to which we feel we are entitled, since we meet the standards set by the Board of Library Commissioners. To try to satisfy all parties concerned, we have asked the Finance Committee to designate certain items in our 1963 Budget as coming from State Aid.
We hope eventually to be further aided by another State statute recently passed which will enable libraries to have recourse to regional reference libraries supported by State money. Under this system a reference library will be set up to cover Eastern Massachusetts and from
this library we will be able to borrow books and thus augment our resources for serious borrowers. The need for regional library service supported by the Commonwealth is obvious. It has been estimated that library service satisfactory for today's needs cannot be provided by a budget of less than $100,000 a year.
The present libraries in the high school, the junior high school, and one elemen- tary school have not curtailed the use of our library by students. In fact, our statistics indicate that a larger number of students have used the library this year than last. We have assumed that this is due to larger school enrollments, longer and more difficult school assign- ments and the need to do research in many fields where developments occur faster than publishers can turn out text- books. We share with most of the libra- ries in the United States a problem in this regard which we expect with the cooperation of the school department to solve. Our problem is that in many in- stances the teachers do not advise us of assignments, nor in making assignments take into consideration the library facili- ties. For example, to give one hundred students identical library assignments and a limited time to report back with- out regard to the number of books avail- able in our library and without notice to us so that we may get all possible reference material together in anticipa- tion, causes havoc in the library.
Parents and students often do not un- derstand the situation and are apt to feel that the public library is not adequate. We feel the solution lies in more realistic viewing of assignments, stagger- ing assignments within classes, lengthen- ing of reading lists, and certainly the checking of what materials we have available and in what quantity.
112
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
RICHARD CHAMBERS, Chairman
PAUL C. CURTIS
NORBERT A. ULMAN
WALTER L. RANGER, Director
During the year 1962 cur case load showed a slight increase over the previous year and our expenditures for assistance increased from $189,257.92 to $199,231.30. However due mainly to increased Federal reimbursements, and recoveries under the Old Age Assistance lien law the net cost to the Town for the operation of the department for both Assistance and Administration was $26,431.75, a decrease of $10,180.94 from the previous year.
We were saddened by the sudden death on April 11, 1962 of Dr. Harry M. Lowd, who had served as medical adviser for the department since 1954 and who had been extremely helpful with advice and counsel in carrying out the provisions of our Medical Care Plan.
In September the State Legislature increased the exemptions of children whose parents are receiving Old Age Assistance or Medical Assistance for the Aged and increased the travel allowance for Old Age Assistance recipients from $4. to $5. monthly. These two changes will add approximately $8000. annually to our expen- ditures.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Swampscott Visiting Nurse Associa- tion who made 305 visits during 1962 to recipients of public assistance, and to the Police Department for their usual prompt and considerate service in moving recipi- ents to and from nursing homes and hospitals.
CASES AIDED
1961 Cases Persons
1962 Cases Persons
Old Age Assistance*
154
154
149
149
Medical Assistance for the Aged
33
33
47
47
Aid to Dependent Children
9
27
8
22
Disability Assistance
11
11
10
10
General Relief*
21
69
22
62
*Includes Swampscott Settled cases aided out of town
and bill to Swampscott.
The following is a summary of the financial operations of the department for the year 1962:
GENERAL RELIEF
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages
$ 14,307.90
Relief by Town
In Town
$ 1,550.76
Other Cities and Towns
3,085.84
4,636.60 $
18,944.50
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Relief Other Cities and Towns
685.31*
State Department
365.01*
1,050.32
Net Cost to Town
$ 17,894.18
113
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance: Town Funds Federal Funds
$
70,784.03
52,708.70 123,492.73
For Administration:
Town Funds Federal Funds
1,540.00
9,316.05 10,856.05 $ 134,348.78
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Assistance:
Federal Funds
$
68,824.49
State Department
39,387.42*
Other Cities and 'Towns
2,113.79*
Recoveries-Real Estate Liens
8,915.20*
119,240.90
For Administration:
Federal Funds
8,659.83
State Department
4,279.77*
Miscellaneous
105.00 13,044.60
132,285.50
Net Cost to Town
$ 2,063.28
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE AGED
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance:
Town Funds
$ 20,520.91
Federal Funds
27,470.49 47,991.40
For Administration:
Federal Funds
3,035.44 $
51,026.84
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Assistance:
Federal Funds
24,710.46
State Department
17,225.28*
41,935.74
For Administration:
Federal Funds
3,674.84
State Department
1,807.76*
5,482.60
47,418.34
Net Cost to Town
$ 3,608.50
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance:
Town Funds
$ 5,594.56
Federal Funds
3,415.71
9,010.27
For Administration:
Federal Funds
925.98 $
9,936.25
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Assistance:
Federal Funds
3,261.00
State Department
2,981.52*
Support Payments
800.00
7,042.52
For Administration:
Federal Funds
1,826.00
State Department
853.20*
2,679.20
9,721.7“
Net Cost to Town
$ 214.5;
114
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
EXPENDITURES
For Assistance: Town Funds
$
7,926.07
Federal Funds
6,174.23 14,100.30
For Administration: Federal Funds
1,771.24 $ 15,871.54
REIMBURSEMENTS
For Assistance:
Federal Funds
4,150.10
State Department
5,949.24*
Recovery-Real Estate Lien
1,698.74*
11,798.08
For Administration:
Federal Funds
954.06
State Department
468.14*
1,422.20
13,220.28
Net Cost to Town
$ 2,651.26
FEDERAL FUNDS ON HAND, DECEMBER 31, 1962
For Assistance
For Administration
Old Age Assistance
$ 62,130.96
$ 6,704.76
Medical Assistance for the Aged
6,385.23
2,110.39
Aid to Dependent Children
6,618.67
1,308.83
Disability
900.00
1,983.73
BOARD OF HEALTH
E. WALLACE DONALD, Chairman
ROBERT H. BESSOM, M.D.
EDWARD L. CASHMAN, JR., M.D.
JOHN E. LAPLANTE, Health Officer
The number of Births reported for Swampscott residents total 145 through October. This is a decrease of 45 from the corresponding period last year, indi- cating a sharp decline in our birth rate. Ten of our births were premature, with three fatalities. This mortality rate com- pares favorably with our five year aver- age of 37.5%.
142 Deaths occurred among our resi- dents this year providing a crude death rate of 10.7 per thousand population, a moderate increase over last year's rate of 9.9. The average age was 67.4 years; diseases of the Heart and Circulatory System continue to lead the causes of death with 92 followed by Cancer with 22, Pneumonia 10, Prematurity 3, Acci-
dents 3, Tuberculosis 1, Nephritis 1 and 10 miscellaneous causes.
Following is a list of Communicable Diseases reported during the year and the preceding three years:
Communicable Diseases
1962
1961
1960
1959
Chicken-pox
115
109
150
52
German Measles
9
7
371
20
Hepatitis
Infection
3
1
4
3
Measles
83
99
445
4
Mumps
23
16
43
19
Salmonellosis
6
2
1
2
Scarlet Fever including
Strep Throat 28
51
93
11
. Tuberculosis
2
3
0
2
Whooping cough 0
0
0
1
115
*Not Available for use of this Department.
The incidence of reported Communi- cable Disease dropped slightly from last year. Of special note is our seventh con- secutive year with no cases of Polio. We attribute the absence of this disease to the high level of immunity in town. Salk vaccine has drastically reduced this crippling affliction, and the use of live Sabin vaccine last spring for Type I and Type III polio viruses indicates an even greater reduction nation-wide. In con- nection with the Sabin vaccine, Swamp- scott expanded its state sponsored pro- gram by purchasing additional vaccine to include all children three months of age through high school. We are plan- ning a further expansion of this program to include the entire town next year.
We experienced our third consecutive year without a case of Whooping Cough, and we feel this is another example of our immunization program's effect on a specific disease. A survey of our Pre- school age children indicated over 95% had received their Basic Immunization series before entering school and annual Booster Immunization of the 1st, 6th and 11th grade pupils maintain a high level of immunity in the school children.
The six cases of Salmonella Infection represented an increase in this disease, which may be spread directly from per- son to person or more often by contami- nated food especially poultry products that are not adequately cooked or prop- erly handled.
Two cases of Tuberculosis were rc- ported, one being a Non-pulmonary in- fection which was treated with drugs at home; the second case was Far Advanced and the patient died after a brief hospi- talization in the County Sanatorium. This is the last year the Essex County Sana- torium will be open for Tuberculosis pa- tients. Beginning next year all new Tu- berculosis patients from Swampscott will be hospitalized at the Middlesex Sana- torium in Waltham. The declining inci- dence of Tuberculosis and shortened hos- pitalization periods are responsible for the
State's consolidation of these hospital facilites. However, Tuberculosis is still a major Public Health problem and will continue to be as long as Active cases remain undetected and untreated.
Dental Defects among our school chil- dren continues to be a major problem as indicated from our semi-annual inspec- tion program in the kindergarten through sixth grade. However, we are pleased to note parents are taking an increased in- terest in Dental Health as 88% of kin- dergarten pupils entering school in Sep- tember had completed Dental Examina- tion Cards.
As a result of a Poisoning incident in Boston during September from acciden- tal eating of a Jequirity Bean, public at- tention was focused on native jewelry from Central American countries, which use these beans as beads. A substantial amount of this material has been brought home by persons traveling in Central America as evidenced by several residents who brought articles of jewelry contain- ing these beads to our office for disposal. These beans are very potent, one bean containing a lethal dose of poison.
During our annual Rabies Clinic 278 dogs were inoculated and an additional 52 received rabies vaccine privately out of an estimated 596 licensed dogs.
Our routine Food Inspection and con- trol program has maintained a generally high level of restaurant, grocery stores and milk sanitation. However, we have encountered a few chronic offenders and in one instance it was necessary to re- voke a milk dealer's license.
We were pleased with the Town Meet- ing's favorable action taken on the first portion of the Little's Point Drainage project. The poor sewage disposal and drainage facilities in this area have been a serious Public Health problem for sev- eral years, and we hope this first step will. be followed with additional construction. each year until adequate sanitary facili- ties are provided for the whole area.
116
Routine Inspection and Samples from our Town Bathing Beaches and Swim- ming Pools indicated these facilities were relatively free from sewage polution with the exception of Kings Beach in the vicinity of Stacey Brook due to faulty operation of the chlorinator during brief periods in July and August.
Plumbing Permits total 442, an in- crease of six over the preceding year.
Early in January the State Regulatory Board ruled the 1961 Town Meeting had not adopted a By-Law for implementing the State Gas Code. In an effort to
remedy this situation the Board of Health sponsored an Article for this year's Town Meeting establishing a proper By-Law for the Gas Code. However, the Town Meet- ing laid the Article on the table, and we are presently without a Gas Piping and Installation Inspection Program. The ab- sence of this program is in violation of the State law and we hope the condition will be corrected soon.
In keeping with the town policy this report is submitted in narrative form and complete detailed information will be furnished on request.
PLANNING BOARD
RALPH L. WILLIAMS
JOHN F. MILO, Chairman JAMES R. MADDOCK, Secretary ALEXANDER B. WAY, JR. GLENN W. BARTRAM
No major problems were presented to the Board during the year but numerous requests were received as to the proper procedure on the business under consideration.
At its hearing prior to the Annual Town Meeting the Board voted as follows on required articles in the warrant. For acceptance numbers 29-30-31-33 and for rejection 32. The Board favored re-zoning of 41 acres of land of the Little Estate on Paradise Road to business B-1 (with certain restrictions as requested by the Board of Public Works). The article did not pass because the sponsors of the original article objected to the changes and moved that the matter be returned to the Board for further study and reintroduction in a later warrant. Creative Bldrs. corrected certain unsatisfactory work at Sterling Heights so that the Board was enabled to release the bond which they had given the Town for protection.
During the year the Board held ten meetings and also was represented at the meetings of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards, the Regional meetings and the ASPO Conference at Atlantic City. The Zoning By-Law, Subdivision Regulations and Maps are planned for revision.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
MARTIN C. GOLDMAN, Chairman
JOHN A. MASSEY, Assistant Treasurer DAVID F. DOHERTY, Member
LEONARD H. BATES, JR., Vice-Chairman RICHARD T. MCINTOSH, Treasurer
AUSTIN D. Mosco, Director-Secretary
The Swampscott Housing Authority is pleased to submit its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1962.
The Authority is an independent Cor- poration from the Town. Four members are elected by the voters of the Town and the fifth member is appointed by antee a majority of experienced members the Chairman of the State Housing Board to carry out the business of the Author-
for a five year term. The other four members elected for a five year term with staggered expiration dates to guar-
117
ity at all times. All vacancies are filled by vote of a joint meeting between the Authority and the Board of Selectmen until the next annual election, to fill the unexpired term.
Officers are elected annually and con- sist of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treas- urer and Assistant Treasurer. All checks and withdrawals against the accounts of the Authority must be signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman and the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.
The Executive Director, Counsel and Insurance Brokers of Record, are all ap- pointed by the Authority. It also employs a call maintenance man on an hourly rate based on actual hours worked. Trades- men are called as needed at the prevailing wage.
Albert F. Pashby, Counsel for the Au- thority since 1948, submitted his resigna- tion and Atty. Malcolm F. McLean, Jr. was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Periodic inspection of grounds and apartments are made by the members of the Authority and/or its representa- tive for both the aforementioned pro- grams. Regular and special meetings are held as often as necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority.
Veterans Project 200-1 :
In September the Annual Re-examina- tion of family income was completed in accordance with the Law and approved procedures. The average rent for the year amounted to $50.00 per month. The minimum average monthly rentals can- not fall below $42.00, an amount estab- lished by the State Housing Board for financial stability of the project.
During the year the Authority received a subsidy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts amounting to $10,150. which is the maximum of 21/2% of the total $406,000. bond issue that can be obtained for debt requirements and oper- ation. The Debt Schedule requires that
all bonds be retired in 1991 and/or a period of 40 years. At any time the Au- thority, with the approval of the State Housing Board, may sell the Project if in their opinion find there is no need for such a program. The proceeds from such a sale is used to pay the balance of Bond Issue due, reimburse the Common- wealth for the amount advanced by sub- sidy up to date of sale, and the balance is given to the Town to use as it sees fit.
A continuous program of preventive maintenance is constantly being carried out before they become major and ex- pensive to repair. The second year of cycle exterior painting has been very effective and has improved the general appearance of the buildings. In addition a chain link fence was extended along boundary line of project in rear of Build- ing A. Also, colonial wooden fences were extended along Buildings fronting on Cherry Street.
A total of $2,387.50 was paid to the Town during the year; $1,296. represent- ing payment in lieu of taxes and $1,- 091.50 for water bills.
After many years of consultations and meetings with the State Housing Board, Oil and Gas Industries, the Authority, with the approval of the State Board, voted to replace the 36 existing oil burner units with gas units for economi- cal operation together with 36 hot water tanks at a cost of $26,100. Also, the 36 electric ranges were replaced with gas ranges to reduce maintenance costs and to take advantage of the lower gas rates to the tenants, at a cost of $2,160.
The contracts for the two above proj- ects were awarded to the Lynn Gas Co. Due to the limited funds for the total conversion, arrangements were made with the said firm to make 5 year payments for the heating units and 3 year pay- ments for the gas ranges, free of interest charges.
The aforementioned conversion became a necessity as the yearly maintenance cost
118
amounted to approximately $2,000. which was prohibitive due to the ineffi- ciency of the old equipment and en- dangered the financial operation of the Project. The gas units will be serviced free of charge for a period of five years and the years thereafter the cost will be negligible.
The Project consists of 9 multiple buildings, 4 apartments in each for a total of 36 apartments. There are 20-4 room apartments and 16-5 room apart-
ments. There are 36 individual cellars and heating units. Each apartment is equipped with a gas range and electric refrigerator. The tenant supplies its own fuel and electricity, and the Authority furnishes domestic water.
The Development was originally occu- pied in July 1950 and since this date the Authority has enjoyed a 100% rent col- lection record which reflects the degree of management being carried out at all times.
BALANCE SHEET 200-1 For the year ending December 31, 1962 Assets
Administration Fund
$ 3,566.05
Petty Cash
20.00
Tenants Accounts Receivable
186.00
Debt Service Fund
$
11,817.50
Investment Debt Ser. Trust Fund (U.S. Treasury Bills)
4,000.00
Investment Administration Fund (Savings)
28,302.95
State Treasurer's Account
252.00
Debt Service Trust Fund
5 17.64
44,890.09
Prepaid Insurance
2,121.15
Development Costs
$ 406,000.00
Less: Dev. Costs Liq.
84,000.00
322,000.00
$
372,783.29
Liabilities
Matured Interest and Principal
$ 11,817.50
Bonds Authorized
$ 406,000.00
Less: Bonds Retired
84,000.00
322,000.00
Debt Service Reserve
$
14,690.02
Unam. Bond Premium
4,517.64
Res. from Sale of Property
252.00
Operating Reserve
15,248.56
Earned Surplus
4,257.57
38,965.79
$ 372,783.29
119
Duncan Terrace Golden Age Housing Project 667-1
Elderly Housing Project 667-1 :
Fourth Series Notes in the amount of $580,000 were authorized and issued for a period of one year ending September 1963. After this note issue final develop- ment costs were established at $563,000, the balance was invested in short term Treasury Notes. The unit cost per 40 apartments amounted to $14,075.
The Annual Contribution for the fiscal vear from October 1, 1962 to Septem- ber 30, 1963 amounts to $14.075 which represents the 21/2% of development costs of $563,000 and/or the maximum that can be obtained for the operation of the Project from the Commonwealth.
Land damage case with Anthony Cap- puccio was settled out of court for the sum of $5850. Similar cases with Donald Hunt and Harry B. Hunt were settled by jury trial in the amounts of $656.80 and $4624.32 respectively.
Sump pumps were installed in all six buildings and a contract for weather- stripping all exterior doors was awarded as part of the final construction costs. The latter work will be completed in carly 1963.
The minimum average monthly rentals
cannot fall below $53.00 per month which includes gas heat, hot water and cooking. This figure has been in effect since the initial occupancy in August 1, 1961. The tenants assume their re- spective electrical bills which average ap- proximately $4.15 per month depending on individual usage.
BALANCE SHEET 667-1
For year ending September 30, 1962
Assets
Administration Fund Cash $ 17,089.16
Development Fund Cash 2,216.97
Prepaid Insurance 7,372.95
Investments (U.S. Treasury Bills ) 15,000.00
Development Costs 564,722.20
$606,401.28
Liabilities
Accounts Payable
$ 8,719.72
Contracts Retentions 1,411.37
Notes Authorized
5 80,000.00
Accrued Interest on Notes 527.80
t
Operating Reserve 1,445.21
Earned Surplus 14,297.18
$606,401.28
2
120
-
SPECIAL REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
(In accordance with Chapter 98 Acts of 1959)
As authorized by Massachusetts Gen- eral Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 41 s. 23B, the Swampscott Board of Selectmen have recently conducted an investigation into the Fire Department of the Town and we herewith submit our report.
This investigation was brought about by persistent reports and complaints to present and past Selectmen and Boards, of dissatisfaction within the Department and certain alleged grievances. These re- ports and complaints had resulted in decisive votes of the Town Meetings of 1961 and 1962 favoring a change in the administration organization to relieve the morale problem and tension that seemed to exist. However, the will of the Town Meeting members was not accepted by the necessary majority of the Legislature, more influenced by locally inspired poli- tical lobbying than the will of the Townspeople.
Thus, the complaints and grievances continued and the Selectmen felt it ad- visable to conduct an investigation.
We deemed it in the best interest of the Town and for the men in the De- partment to hold executive sessions, without publicity, and in such a man- ner that each person interviewed would be heard alone and his confidences re- spected. Accordingly, we scheduled and held hearings with all of the officers and men of the Fire Department and with some citizens of the Town whom we be- lieved were in positions to know first- hand something about the operation of and the personnel in the Department.
Our investigation has led us, reluc- tantly, to the irresistible conclusion that there is a serious morale problem within the Department, in spite of the opinion of the Fire Chief to the contrary. It appears to us that this problem is caused
to a great extent by favoritism and dis- crimination practiced by the Chief. This is an unfortunate situation which never should have come about, which should not be allowed to continue and which can be corrected. Indicative of the scope of this problem, it is sufficient to note that virtually identical information con- cerning it came from over 90% of the members of the Department. The prob- lems most definitely do not originate with "two or three troublemakers", but from the Department's leadership. They are serious, unusual and out of line with what might be normally expected in a Department of this size. We believe no useful purpose would be served by going into specific detail as to the tense atmos- phere existing in the Department.
It is evident that the 1939 Fire De- partment Manual should be brought up to 1962 standards and that all of the articles should be applied to all of the Department members from the Chief on down into the ranks.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Department Manual, page 79, lists "Qualifications and Standards of Con- duct for Men in Charge of Departments". The following seem to have some bearing on the Swampscott morale problem:
"In order for an officer in the Fire Department to be a good officer, he must be a leader and must be proficient in the handling of men, in as much as his work calls for the constant supervision and in- struction of the men under him. Other qualifications of a good Fire Department officer are coolness, self-control, consider- ation of others, fairness, impartiality, and knowledge of his work."
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