USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1963 > Part 8
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Auto excise taxes for the years 1957-1960 in the amount of $8,964.71 and personal property taxes for 1957-1959 amounting to $2,235.90 have been written off as uncollectible with the concurrence of the Department of Corporations and Taxation. This situation was created prior to Mr. Coughlin's term in office.
Mr. Coughlin's program should protect the Town from such losses in the future.
D. Preferential Real Estate Tax Treatment by Board of Assessors
Situation:
The Committee checked one complete line of business enterprise conducted in Swampscott consisting of three (3) different companies to determine the effective
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tax rate paid by them for the year 1962 after giving consideration to the real estate tax abatements granted by the Board of Assessors.
Result:
Business "A" paid an effective tax rate of $50.50
Business "B" paid an effective tax rate of $56.54 Business "C" paid an effective tax rate of $59.95
MR. AND MRS. SWAMPSCOTT TAXPAYER PAID $70.00
Memo:
The Committee cannot at this time do a similar calculation for 1963 for all three of the above companies since the Assessors' actions cannot be forecast. How- ever, we can tell you that while Mr. and Mrs. Swampscott Taxpayer paid a tax rate of $81.00, one of the above paid an effective tax rate of $65.42 per thousand. This was accomplished by the Board of Assessors reducing the assessment on this par- ticular business property by $40,000.00 for the year 1963. To appreciate the im- pact of this matter, this one "transaction" effectively cancels over 44% of the total reported growth in the Town's real estate valuation between 1962 and 1963.
E. Comparison of Board of Assessors' Fund for Tax Abatements
Situation:
Abatement fund included in tax rate of :
Increase
1962 1963
Amount Percent
$46,194.86 $95,623.30 $49,428.44 107%
Result:
The Committee met with the Board of Assessors on October 24, 1963 and requested to be furnished:
1. Reason why their fund included in the 1963 tax rate more than doubled.
2. An analysis of the amounts contained in the 1962 and 1963 tax rate as to:
(a) Amounts to be exempted under the statutes.
(b) Amounts to be abated on their own judgment.
After waiting over three months, the Assessors met with us on January 30, 1964 and furnished an answer that was not in accord with our request.
We again requested the information.
The Board of Assessors in their letter dated January 31, 1964 answered 1. above by stating that the amount is arrived at "by estimation". Their answer to 2. above was with figures that did not agree with those contained in the tax rate calculation.
F. Comparison of Building Permits vs. Assessed Valuation Realized
Situation:
The Committee, at a loss to understand any valid reason for the sharply de- creasing rate of growth in the Town's assessed valuation base, studied the Building Permits issued by the Building Inspector. We deleted from consideration property
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of a non-taxable nature such as schools, and churches. We also noted the very con- servative value assigned to a building permit estimate. We applied a time cycle of one (1) year to allow for construction completion.
Taxable Building Permits Issued
Real Estate Assessed Value Realized
Year
Amount
Year
Amount
Ratio
1960
$728,400
1961
$599,375
82%
1961
$596,225
1962
$209,985
35%
1962
$693,600
1963
$ 90,540
13%
Results:
The Committee brought this situation to the attention of the Board of Assessors informally in August 1963 and formally on October 24, 1963 and asked for an explanation. The Board of Assessors replied on January 30, 1964 by saying that they could not explain the reason and that their present record system did not pro- vide for this cross-check between building permits and assessments. The Assessors stated that they now were in the process of changing their record system so this information would be known for future years.
Certainly, over a period of three (3) years there should have been some corre- lation of building permit estimated value and assessed valuation realized but, unfortu- nately, the above proves otherwise and we still cannot give the taxpayers a valid reason.
G. Details of 1963 Real Estate Assessments
Situation:
The Committee noted that the 87 taxable type building permits issued in 1962 with estimated value amounting to $693,600 resulted in but a $90,540 increase in the assessed real estate valuation to the Town of Swampscott for the year 1963.
Result:
The Committee requested the Board of Assessors to furnish the details of the increment of increase ($90,540) of assessed real estate valuation between the years 1962 and 1963 as indicated by the Assessors on the 1963 tax rate calculation.
We requested that this information be by individual parcel noting:
1. Building Inspector's Permit Number.
2. Owner's name and property location.
3. Amount and basis of assessment applied thereto.
We also requested the basis of establishing the Overlay amount in 1963 tax rate.
The Assessor's letter dated September 18, 1963 in answer to the above is quoted as follows except that the Committee has coded the building permit number, owner's name and location:
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"Mr. Robert C. Hunt, Chairman
Town Economy & Revenue Committee
30 Magnolia Road
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Hunt:
"The information that you requested regarding: A - Building Inspector's Permit Number; B-Owner's Name and Property Location;
C- Amount and Basis of Assessment applied thereto;
is as follows:
Building Permit Owner and
Number
Location
Amount and Basis Assessment
XXXX
A
$ 5,450
Unfinished
XXXX
B
10,000
Unfinished
XXXX
C
100
Unfinished
XXXX
D
1,500
Unfinished
XXXX
E
1,000
Unfinished
XXXX
F
2,000
Unfinished
XXXX
G
1,000
Unfinished
XXXX
H
1,500
Unfinished
XXXX
I
1,500
Unfinished
XXXX
J
2,000
Unfinished
XXXX
K
6,200
Unfinished
XXXX
L
1,000
Unfinished
XXXX
M
5,000
Unfinished
XXXX
6,000
Unfinished
XXXX
O
3,020
Unfinished
XXXX
P
6,000
Unfinished
XXXX
5,000
Unfinished
XXXX
3,200
Unfinished
XXXX
S
3,200
Unfinished
XXXX
T
3,200
Unfinished
XXXX
U
3,200
Unfinished
XXXX
V
3,650
Unfinished
Total
$74,720
XXXX
W
1,000
XXXX
X
13,000
XXXX
Y
50
XXXX
Z
400
"This totals to $89,170. The remaining $1,370 is apparently in the adjustment of land values.
"The amount used in the Overlay is an estimation governed by past experiences.
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
s/ Thomas F. Collins, Chairman s/ Ernest Manchin s/ Anthony F. Pierre"
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Comments:
Apparently parcels W, X, Y and Z were the only construction completed in the entire year of 1962. The basis of assessments to the completed properties was not noted by the Assessors.
Property "B" above is a commercial building.
In analyzing the building permit dates applicable to the 26 properties reported in the Assessors' letter above, nine (9) permits were issued in the year 1961 and 17 permits were issued in 1962.
H. Future Building Construction in Swampscott
Situation:
Mr. Thomas F. Collins, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, is quoted in part in the Lynn Daily Evening Item of September 18, 1963, as follows:
"The extremely important fact that the assessed valuation of the Town increased by but $75,000 this year is indicative that development of new properties in Swampscott has practically reached its limit. The saturation point can now be said to have been reached and it is timely to remind the taxpayers that there is no prospect of any tax rate reductions in future years because of the virtual certainty that there will be no extensive new building in Swampscott."
Results:
With regard to 1963, the facts completely contradict Mr. Collins' statement. The Committee requested and has been furnished the actual taxable building permit value for the year 1963 which is $911,800.
TRUSTEES OF WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL FUND
ERNEST MANCHIN, Chairman
PHILIP STAFFORD, Secretary
DAVID F. DOHERTY BENJAMIN GOLDBERG CLEMENT KENNEDY
JOHN R. COOPER RICHARD B. JOHNSON
The thirteenth annual report of the Trustees follows:
Two meetings of the Trustees were held at the New Ocean House as the guests of Col. Kennedy. The thirteenth annual scholarship was awarded to Sheryl Tanch who enrolled at the State College at Salem. The amount of the scholarship was $350.00.
The total of the scholarships awarded to date is $3900.00.
The balance in the Fund as of December 31, 1963 follows: Salem Five Cents Savings Bank $ 5,541.57 Salem Savings Bank 6,995.92
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Provident Institution for Savings
128.85
Total balance
$12,666.34
Due Sheryl Tanch
150.00
Net balance
$12,516.34
The Swampscott World War II Memorial Fund welcomes gifts and bequests. It is suggested that those contemplating gifts or bequests, confer with any of the trustees of the Fund. Contributions made to this Fund are deductible by their donors in computing their taxable net income.
REPORT OF RAILROAD BRIDGE STUDY COMMITTEE
JOHN F. BURKE, Chairman
HERBERT D. KLEIN
BRADLEE M. BACKMAN
Purpose of Committee: "To study and investigate the possibility of removal of railroad bridges over Stetson and Bradlee Avenues and Walker and Paradise Roads", as per Article 44 of the 1963 Town of Swampscott Warrant.
Report: The above appointed committee having given consideration to the referenced matter makes the following recommendations:
1. Demolish the superstructure of the bridges on Paradise Road, Walker Road and Stetson Avenue. The Bradlee Avenue bridge has already been removed. Also remove the abutments on the Walker Road overpass.
2. Have an examination made, by competent personnel, of the remaining abutments to determine their structural soundness and stability.
3. If the abutments remaining in place are found to be structurally sound, then a fence or guard rail should be constructed across the top of each abutment to protect public safety.
From information available we find that the cost of the above recommendations will be as follows: (Estimated)
a. Removal of superstructures of the three named bridges $3000.00
b. Removal of abutments and sloping of embankments on Walker Road $2000.00
c. Fences or guard rails for Paradise Road and Stetson Avenue abutments $1000.00
Our recommendations are based upon the following reasoning:
1. The bridges in question serve no useful purpose.
2. The bridges present a hazard to children who play upon these structures and who cause damage to passing vehicles by the throwing of rocks, etc.
3. In the case of the Walker Road bridge, such a removal would provide safer road conditions and passage for vehicles.
4. Such a removal would increase the land values of the respective neighbor- hoods.
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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL DEFENSE
FORREST E. MASON, JR., Director
The Swampscott Civil Defense organ- ization has intensified the training pro- gram of the Auxiliary Police, Auxiliary Fire, Rescue Squad, and Communications Departments during the past year. Two contributing factors for the accelerated training are national disasters and na- tural disasters. The potentiality of the latter happening within our town in- creases yearly what with a greater num- ber of aircraft flying over town and the ever increasing number of "tanker trucks" carrying highly inflammable materials on our highways. There is na- turally nothing that can be done about these problems or severe storms but we can be prepared to assist our regular town departments in times of emer- gency.
In my past Town Reports, I have stated a few simple steps for "family disaster action" and again I am repeating them as I feel that it is most important that each family in town take appropri- ate action and do the following:
1. Know your air raid alert signals, and what to do if they sound.
2. Prepare a room, or area, in your cellar that will afford you the most protection.
3. Have at least one member of your family take a Red Cross First Aid course.
4. Have at least twenty-one (21) days supplies of canned foods and water stored for each member of your family.
5. Have a planned family Civil De- fense action so that each member will know what to do in case of any emer- gency that might arise.
I again want to stress to the towns- people that all personnel of Swampscott Civil Defense are volunteers and deserve the highest praise for their willingness to devote so much time to Civil Defense.
A. Auxiliary Police Department
By direction of the Chief of Police and the Board of Selectmen, their training program has been accelerated to the ex- tent that these men are training with the men of the regular department on motor patrol work as well as traffic duty.
At the present time, by direction of the Chief of Police and the Board of Selectmen, Lieutenant Stephen J. Boraizis is the liaison officer between the two departments with Auxiliary Chief Charles Scanlon in direct charge of the men.
The men of this department are quali- fied to carry revolvers having trained with the State Police. In addition, they have been trained in the Red Cross First Air course.
Aside from training with the regular department, meetings are held at which time speakers give lectures on police work. They are also on call for duty on such holidays as Hallowe'en, Fourth of July and at such times as directed by the Chief of Police. Also on Sundays, during periods of heavy traffic, etc., to supplement the regular department at no cost to the taxpayers, giving the town better coverage.
The emergency radio equipment at- tached to this unit has already proved its worth to the town and has been used on several occasions during the last year.
B. Auxiliary Fire Department
Through the cooperation of the Fire Chief this department has been able to maintain its high degree of efficiency by having its members and equipment re- spond to Central Headquarters in case of a multiple alarm fire in town or if the regular equipment is called out of town. The opportunity to train with the men of the regular department has been a tremendous help to these men.
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Captain James Champion is the liaison officer between these departments with Auxiliary Chief Charles Stover in direct charge of the men.
The equipment of this department is in A-1 condition and consists of two engines, one Junior Aerial Ladder Truck and two Lighting Units. Engine #4 has Captain Daniel Wormwood in charge, Engine #5 has Captain Maurice Caproni in charge and Ladder Truck #2 has Cap- tain Frank Hardy in charge. These men have been in the organization since its inception and have done much in the training of volunteers in this depart- men.
C. Rescue Squad
This squad is headed by Captain Roy Maston who through his tireless efforts has kept this unit together despite the difficult training exercises that must be held continually to keep abreast of all the new rescue methods. These men have attended the Rescue School in Tops- field which is conducted by the Massa- chusetts Disaster Service.
A fully equipped Rescue Truck and
Lighting Unit is attached to this squad and both are in A-1 condition.
D. Communication Department
This department is headed by Daniel O'Connell who has done an outstanding job in seeing that the radio equipment and auxiliary power plant is in the best of condition and available for instant use.
The members of this fine department are the unsung workers in Civil Defense because their real work comes in time of disaster. It is at this time when all other types of communication fails that these men work to get outside help for our Town and to those in trouble around us.
I am profoundly grateful to the wives and families of the members of the Swampscott Civil Defense for their un- derstanding when their husbands are at work and are unable to be at home.
I am also grateful to the Board of Selectmen, to the Chief of Police, to the Chief of the Fire Department, and to all Town departments who have done so much to improve Swampscott Civil De- fense during the year.
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SPECIAL REPORT OF THE CENTRAL FIRE STATION BUILDING COMMITTEE
George B. Thomson Board of Selectmen Town Hall Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
In accordance with your letter of October 22, 1963, the Fire Station Build- ing Committee was reactivated in ac- cordance with a vote by the Board of Selectmen at their meeting of October 17, 1963, with the approval of the Town Moderator.
The Board of Selectmen noted in the above letter that there is approximately $6,000.00 in the Central Fire Station Fund and requested an investigation by the Fire Station Building Committee to determine if those funds were to be used to pay bills submitted by Mr. James J. McCarriston.
The Fire Station Building Committee has made the following determinations relative thereto:
1. By letter dated April 20, 1961, David Abrahams and Associates, Archi- tects, noted that they had issued a cer- tificate of completion with a final requi- sition on March 22, 1961.
2. The Contract Documents contained a maintenance bond from one year after the date of completion.
3. Prior to the notification by the Board of Selectmen, the Building Com- mittee, the Architects and the Consult- ing Mechanical Engineers were not con- tacted and had no knowledge of any defects as alleged.
The Mechanical Engineers (Samuel Lesburg Associated) and the Architects (David J. Abrahams and Assoc.) have made reports to the Committee and copies thereof are contained herewith.
Letters addressed to Chief Walter M.
Champion, Jr., Swampscott Fire Depart- ment, dated October 29, 1963 and November 7, 1963, were not answered. The Board of Selectmen received copies of these letters.
The following bills were received on November 5, 1963 from the Swampscott Plumbing & Heating Company and not from the Fire Chief as requested:
No. 2497-$617.00 Angle brackets for fin type radiation.
No. 2458-$153.63 New air lines to expansion tanks.
No. 2525-$21.88 Bleeder valves.
No. 2545-$22.30 Line voltage ther- mostat.
No. 2848-$20.00 Installation of drain.
The Fire Station Building Committee does not recommend that any of these bills be paid from the $6,000.00 in the Central Fire Station Fund and suggests that this amount be returned to the Town as previously recommended at Town Meeting.
The replacement of the thermostat is a matter of maintenance and does not merit consideration in this report.
The following letter is from David J. Abrahams and Associates, Architects, of 651 Boylston Street, Boston 16, Massachu- setts and addressed to Mr. George J. Burke, Chairman, Central Fire Station Building Committee, 285 Forest Avenue, Swampscott, Massachusetts.
December 19, 1963
Dear Mr. Burke;
We are enclosing a copy of a letter from our heating engineer, Mr. Samuel. Lesburg, that refers to certain invoices from the Swampscott Plumbing & Heat-
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ing Co. and an on-the-site-inspection of these items mentioned.
From our previous discussions you know that we concur with his findings. In my letter of November 22, 1963 I indi- cated that the Webster Walvector base- plate is especially fabricated for the proper support of the fin elements and a revision in the method of support substituted was not necessary.
I have had occasion to talk to the person who made the original installa- tion, Mr. Tocci of De Bona Corporation, an offshoot of Fantasia & De Bona, and he was astounded to learn that someone had stated that "brackets had never been installed." His comment was that it would have been impossible to support the long runs without hangers. More than that, he knows because he put them on personally.
Sincerely yours,
David J. Abrahams & Associates Israel Nigrosh
IN:Id Enclosure
The following letter is from Samuel Lesburg Associates, Consulting Mechani- cal Engineers, of 262 Washington Street, Boston 8, Massachusetts and addressed to David J. Abrahams and Associates, 651 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
December 17, 1963
Attention: Mr. Il Nigrosh
Re: Fire Station - Swampscott Heating System
Dear Mr. Nigrosh:
The following is in answer to your
letter dated December 6, 1963 re: heat- ing work performed at the above project.
A. The fin type radiation as installed is enclosed in casings that are provided with means of supporting the fin pipe. It was absolutely unnecessary to install angle brackets supporting the fins, when hangers can be obtained from the radia- tor manufacturer for this purpose.
B. All other items in invoices 2458, 2525, 2545, and 2848 is work performed on heating system that were not neces- sary for the operation of the heating plant except the replacement of a ther- mostat.
C. The tank drain and valved lines to expansion tanks are not necessary for system operation.
D. The bleeder valves on expansion tanks are not necessary.
I also want to remind you, that at no time was our office informed that problems of any kind were being encoun- tered in the operation of the heating system.
Yours truly,
Samuel Lesburg Associates
Samuel Lesburg
SL/hfb
Respectfully submitted,
George J. Burke
Chester E. Bond
J. Dane Chandler
PERSONNEL BOARD
EDWARD I. ROBINSON, Chairman
FREDERICK N. BALSER
FREDERICK C. BURK
WALTER H. FORBES, JR. JOHN G. MCLEARN, Clerk
In accordance with Section 8, Article 9, the Personnel Board herewith submits
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its fourth annual report to the Board of Selectmen and to the citizens of the Town of Swampscott.
The Personnel Board wishes to re-echo the sentiments of the Board of Select- men, who extended, on behalf of the townspeople, their sincere appreciation for the dedicated services rendered by Raymond A. Harriman, while a member of the Per- sonnel Board. The Personnel Board was truly sorry to hear of his retirement.
During the year, the Personnel Board met with every Board and every employee who requested a meeting. The Board also met with many of the part-time employees.
Due to the resignation of Charles A. Kenison, the Senior Engineering Aid, a request was made by the Board of Public Works for the hiring of a suitable replace- ment. It was stated that Mr. David B. Hilton, now hired in a different community, would come to Swampscott as a Senior Engineering Aid if he could start in Grade 6, Step 3. The Personnel Board unanimously agreed to grant the Board of Public Works permission to hire Mr. David B. Hilton as a Senior Engineering Aid in Grade 6, Step 3.
During the past year, the Personnel Board exchanged information with many of our neighboring cities and towns. This exchange has been mutually beneficial.
The Personnel Board is considering submitting an article to the Annual Town Meeting, permitting time off, not to exceed four days, to a person who has a death in his immediate family.
.-.
TRANSPORTATION STUDY COMMITTEE
HOWELL E. ESTEY, O.D., Chairman EDWARD K. HEMPEL, Executive Secretary EDWIN D. CROWLEY NELSON J. DARLING, JR. SAMUEL FREEDMAN DAVID H. SMITH GEORGE J. BURKE
This has been a year of action in the work of this committee in a distinct endeavor to give support to the program of providing adequate, co-ordinated transportation to serve the Metropolitan and adjacent areas in the Commonwealth. And by so doing, enhance the purpose to maintain an integrated Bus, Highway and Rail service within these areas; and particularly toward a planned, continued service upon the Boston and Maine Rail- road in keeping with that possible and demonstrated, by the twelve-month ex- periment under the supervision of the Mass. Transportation Commission in increased passenger traffic thereon. We feel that any suspension of passenger service by the Boston and Maine as
threatened, would be a tragic loss to Swampscott and other North Shore com- minuities, economically, socially and cul- turally, that could not be retrieved for a decade, should this happen. A form of Rapid Rail Transit must be assured by Public Demand, and Governmental and Legislative action to accomplish it.
At the time of this report, the recom- mendations of the Mass. Transportation Commission are upon the desk of the Governor, with specific, positive and definite proposals that advocate moving toward a solution of the Transportation crisis that is upon us. Public Demand and responsive action by Senators and Repre- sentatives in the Legislature, from all of the communities' repesentatives, should .
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now provide the incentive to move to- ward the possible solution, and thus jus- tify the expenditure of $10.2 million of Public Funds for the purpose. Public apathy can no longer be justified upon any basis, or Legislative inaction suffi- cient to defeat any positive solution that is possible. This Committee was given the responsibility by the Town Meeting of last March to bring in our recommen- dations concerning the central Boston and Maine Railroad station in Swamp- scott. Our report follows:
The Swampscott Transportation Study Committee at the request of the Town Meeting has made a careful investigation relative to the acquisition of the Boston and Maine Railroad station property on Railroad Avenue and Columbia Streets by the Town, and reports as follows:
As a result of contacts made with the Boston and Maine Railroad by members of this committee, we learned via Mr. W. A. Kirk, Assistant to Vice President- Industrial Development, that the sale of the property could be made to us on a conditional basis at a price of $7,500. "The Town providing satisfactory wait- ing room space, automobile parking for patrons, suitable access and snow re-
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