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TOWN OF IPSWICH MASSACHUSETTS
1953
MASS.
U .S A
1634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
1637
ANNUAL REPORT
PRIZE WINNING TOWN REPORT
We are pleased and proud to announce that your last year's Annual Town Report was awarded First Prize in the Massachusetts Selectmen's Town Report Contest, and Third Prize in the New Eng- land Council Town Report Contest, for all the Towns of our popula- tion in New England.
We sincerely hope that the citizens of Ipswich find our report interesting and informative. Your comments, criticism and sugges- tions are welcome.
Board of Selectmen Town Manager
COVER PICTURE: Shellfish Commissioner, Lionel Sheppard, planting seed clams on Ipswich flats
IA
IPSWV
U.S.A.
INC.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
1634
1637
ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1953
The 320th of the Town's Incorporation
The 3rd year under the Selectmen-Manager Plan
Area of Town, 33 square miles
Population 6895
Photos in this Report were supplied free of charge by Herndon Studio, Zaharis Studio, and the House of Hinlin, or taken by the Town of Ipswich.
Ipswich Chronicle Publishing Co., Printers Ipswich, Mass.
IN MEMORIAM
Town Employees and Officials Who Died in 1953
Byard W. Horsman - May 5, 1953 Chief of Police
Samuel C. Gordon - June 27, 1953 Former Park Commissioner
William E. Garrette-Mar. 29, 1953 Former Chief of Police
Other Officers and Employees Who Died in 1953
Annie A. Jewett - June 26, 1953
Former Electric Light Department Clerk
Edward W. Willis - May 21, 1953 Former Member of Finance Committee
2
THE MUNICIPAL FAMILY
December 31, 1953
TOWN MODERATOR Edmund Kelleher
BOARD OF SELECTMEN Nathaniel M. Quint, Chairman Frank J. O'Malley John F. Conley Roland L. Singer Barclay II. Warburton, III
CEMETERY COMMISSION Harmon Cole Benjamin Homans
FINANCE COMMITTEE Robert T. Bamford, Chairman George C. Parsons Wilmont E. Hall Richard W. Davis Stephen Tlumacki Leon B. Turner George J. Soffron Timothy F. Carey, Jr. Ernest F. Stone
BOARD OF HEALTH Lawrence M. King, Chairman Frank L. Collins, M.D. Ernest J. Smith, D.M.D.
TRUSTEES OF GREAT NECK Horace Dunbar Harold D. Bowen Harry Leno
BOARD OF ASSESSORS C. Chester Caldwell Joseph W. Hinckley Henry Plander
SCHOOL COMMITTEE C. Louise Richardson, Chairwoman William II. Wallace Richard Mansfield Edward Foley John V. Hubbard, Jr. Seward Tyler Harold E. Staunton
PLAYGROUND COMMISSION John Bialek, Chairman Louise Hodgkins Dr. J. J. Pallotta Robert Savitt Barbara Cole
BOARD OF REGISTRARS Henry F. Hills, Chairman George Mourikas John A. Kobos
TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS George C. Parsons Edward J. Marcorelle Charles E. Goodhue, Jr.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE George R. Hovey, Chairman William Dunbar J. Alcide Lombard
PLANNING BOARD G. Amos Haywood, Chairman Gordon S. Hughes Chester J. Patch, Jr. Bernard M. Sullivan Rev. C. Daniel Boone
THE TOWN ADMINISTRATION
Executive Department Accounting Division
Assessing Department Civil Defense Department
Collection-Treasury Division Constable
Electric Department Engineering Department
Finance Department Fire Department Health Department Legal Department Personnel Department Police Department Public Works Department Cemetery Division Grounds and Buildings Division Highway Division Refuse Division Purchasing Department
Records Department
Recreation Department
School Department Wilbur S. Stanton Bertram Bennett Bertram Bennett Lena J. Atherley Frank L. Collins, M.D. Eleanore Richardson, R.N.
Shellfish-Harbors Department
Veteran's Services Department Water Department
Weight and Measures Division Welfare Department
Joseph R. Coupal, Jr., Town Manager James D. Smyth, Accountant C. Chester Caldwell, Chief Assessor Barclay H. Warburton, III. Director Gladys M. Poole, Collector-Treasurer George Ewing. Constable Charles Mallard, Manager Ralph Preble James D. Smyth, Finance Director Samuel Atherly, Chief Ernest Romano, Health Officer William Hayes, Town Counsel Joseph R. Coupal, Jr., Personnel Mgr. Stanley Surpitski, Acting Chief Joseph R. Coupal, Jr., Superintendent Benjamin Homans, Superintendent Gardner Caverly, Foreman Joseph H. Doty, Foreman John Ladderbush. Foreman Joseph R. Coupal, Jr, Purchasing Agent Anthony A. Murawski, Town Clerk Pennell S. Eustis. Director Robert Savitt, Superintendent High School Principal Burley School Principal Shatswell School Principal Winthrop School Principal School Doctor School Nurse Lionel Sheppard. Sr., Director Anthony A. Murawski, Veteran's Agent Ralph Preble, Manager Ernest Romano. Sealer Walter Callahan, Director
Judiciary Clerk of Court
THE MUNICIPAL COURT George H. W. Hayes, Judge Robert Bamford
3
T
IPSWICH TOWN HALL
BEFORE AND AFTER REMODELING
TOWN HALL
4
Report of the Board of Selectmen
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The renovation of the Town Hall has been completed with the exception of the detention room in the Police Station. We invite the public to inspect the new and enlarged offices of the Engineering Department, Board of Health, and Veterans' Services on the second floor, and the Assessing Department, Central Finance Agency, and a Con- sultant's Office in the Welfare Department on the first floor. The building is structur- ally sound and should give the Town good services for at least 25 years. We wish to thank the Ipswich Garden Club for their contribution of the shrubbery in front of the Town Hall.
The parking situation in the business area continues to be a problem although it is somewhat relieved by the Municipal Parking Lot which is filled to capacity during the summer months. We recommend that steps be taken to acquire ownership of the present parking area instead of leasing and to plan to acquire additional area from Farley Brook to the rear of buildings at Depot Square.
Work had been started on Chapter 90 Project on Argilla Road but had to stop because of the weather but will continue early this spring. The State has allocated $14,000, and the County $7,000 for the continuance of this project. Your Selectmen believe that the best interests of the Town will be served by relocating this proposed new road beginning on Argilla Road at the Beach to North Gate Road and continuing on North Gate Road to the Essex Road on Route 121 and will petition the County Commissioners for a layout and the Department of Public Works for its acceptance.
During the year many new homes were built in Ipswich without the protection of zoning. Therefore, the Board of Selectmen would recommend that the Ipswich Planning Board investigate and take such action as necessary to develop a set of zoning rules and regulations and bring them before the Town's people at an early date.
Mercury-vapor street lighting has been extended to North Main Street and will be added to from time to time on other streets each year.
The Board of Selectmen wish to take this opportunity to thank all members of the various departments for their fine cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathaniel M. Quint, Chairman
Frank J. O'Malley John F. Conley
Roland L. Singer
Barclay H. Warburton III
5
0
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
(1. to r.) Frank J. O'Malley, Barclay H. Warburton III, Chairman Nathaniel M. Quint, Roland L. Singer, and John F. Conley
TOWN MANAGER JOSEPH R. COUPAL, JR.
6
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
This is your 1953 Town Report, the third under the Selectmen-Manager form of Government.
For the second consecutive year Ipswich citizens benefited from a lower tax rate. The 1953 tax rate was established at $46.00 per thousand which was $1.50 per thousand less than the 1952 rate. The total debt was reduced from $108,400 to $88,800. The assessed valuation increased from $9,857,705 to $10,277,780. Of this increase of $420,075, ninety percent was due to the new construction, while the other 10 percent was a result of eliminating gross inequities.
Ipswich citizens also were offered more and better municipal services during 1953. The garbage and refuse routes were extended to cover the entire town with additional equipment and man power. One patrolman was added in the Police Depart- ment to provide citizens with increased protection. A new Recreation Department with a full-time Recreation Director under the guidance of the Recreation Committee was established to provide more and better leisure-time activities for more people.
The Water Department was reorganized under the supervision of the Town Engineer, and old and obsolete equipment was replaced. A new rate structure went into effect on January 1, 1953 increasing water rates by about 30 per cent. This was necessary to put this revenue department on a self-supporting basis. It was the first change in water rates in Ipswich since 1920 and still keeps the cost of water lower than in the average community in the Commonwealth.
Municipal employees also benefited during the year through the first cost-of- living adjustment to be paid under the classification and compensation plan. This cost-of-living adjustment of 4 per cent was paid in addition to regular salaries because of the increase in the cost-of-living over 1952.
Again in 1953 substantial sums of money were spent in capital improvements and capital equipment for the Town. The Town Hall was renovated and repaired to provide adequate and attractive office space at a cost of $30,000. The second phase of the street lighting improvement plan was completed, with new street lights on North Main Street and around North Village Green. New Highway construction and surface drainage during the year amounted to $41,000, including Chapter 90 recon- struction of sections of Topsfield Road and Argilla Road. Included in this item also was the reconstruction of Damon Avenue, Island Park, Arrowhead Trail, and sections of Jeffries Neck Road and Stage Hill. Surface drainage was installed on Broadway, Farley Avenue, Bay View, and Linebrook Road, and both Goulds and Willowdale Bridges underwent substantial repairs.
New equipment costing $24,000 was purchased during 1953, including two dump trucks, one pickup truck, one tractor-mower, a new back-hoe, a power sweeper, and a converted bulldozer.
The contract for the preparation of new tax maps at a cost of $13,500 was awarded during the year. These tax maps, covering the entire Town, will be ready for use in the fall of 1954.
1953 was a year of progress in Ipswich. The complete story of this progress is told in text and pictures on the following pages. These pages tell you what you received for your tax money. If you have questions or comments about this report, or about any phase of our municipal service, the entire municipal organization stands ready at all times to serve you.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph R. Coupal, Jr. Town Manager
7
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
James D. Smyth, Acct. - Fin. Dir. Gladys Poole, Treasurer-Collector
The Finance Department, consisting of the Divisions of Accounting, Treasury, and Collection, was centralized physically with the reconstruction of the Town Hall.
During October, the Accounting Division was relocated in its new office, making for the interconnecting of the offices of the Accountant, the Town Treasurer and Col- lector, and the Billing Clerk, thus centra- lizing the activities of those departments concerned with the financial data of the Town.
ACCOUNTING DIVISION: The Ac- counting Division maintains the general fi- nancial records of the Town, including the books of account of the Water and Light Departments. All billings for water and light are processed on our bookkeeping ma- chine, and all customer payments on these bills are recorded on individual customer cards. Purchases by the different Town De- partments were checked before payments were made. Receipts of the Collection De- partment were post-audited.
Monthly activity statements were made during the year, showing at the end of each month the Town's expenses to date, and the balance of each appropriation. Monthly balance sheets and profit and loss statements for the Water and Light Depart-
Finance Director James Smyth
No. of Employees
1953 Expenditures $20,979.76
ments were compiled, and the 1954 Budget was prepared.
Complete financial statements for the year 1953 will be found in the Financial Section of the text.
COLLECTION DIVISION-A total of $1,020,- 239.85 was collected during 1953. Sources of collection were as follows:
Taxes $466,322.36
Motor Vehicle Excise 59,529.06
Electric Department Bills 312,068.24
Water Department Bills 73,959.70
Departmental Revenue
105,526.47
Miscellaneous 2,834.02
A break-down of taxes collected and out- standing is included in the financial section of this report. Approximately 92 per cent of the 1953 commitment was collected dur- ing the current year. A complete statement of tax collection is included in the financial section of this report.
During 1953 the following tax bills were sent out:
Motor Vehicle 3,331
Polls
2,236
Personal 770
Real Estate 2,752
A new cash machine was purchased and installed during the year.
TREASURY DIVISION - The Treasury Divi- sion maintained all of the checking and sav- ings accounts during the year, and check register balances were reconciled with bank balances bi-monthly. A complete Treasury Report is included in the financial section.
An average of $170,000 was invested in treasury bills, and the income and interest amounted to $2,380.51.
$107.26 was added to tax title. No new titles were taken. There are now 10 titles on hand in the amount of $1,968.85.
Salary cards showing gross pay, withhold- ing tax, retirement, blue cross deductions and net pay were kept on each employee, and a complete schedule of receipts was . rendered to the Town Accountant monthly.
8
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
William F. Hayes, Town Counsel
No. of Employees : Part Time
1
1953 Expenditures $800
ARGILLA ROAD: One of the matters which attracted considerable attention during the year and required extra legal work was the rebuilding of Argilla Road to relieve con- gestion of heavy traffic to the Beach.
The suggested layout of Argilla Road under the Statute required the County Com- missioners to give notice of a public hearing as to the proposed layout. This layout met with considerable opposition from various residents of Argilla Road. Hearings were held at the County Commissioner's Office at Salem, then adjourned to the Court Room in Ipswich. Following the hearing, the County Commissioners laid out the road as proposed, but it was recommended that a new road be constructed along the present layout of North Gate Road.
TOWN HALL: At the Annual Town Meet- ing an appropriation was made for renova- tion and repairs to the present Town Hall, and pursuant to this vote the Town Manager advertised for bids. Upon consideration and knowledge of the contractors making bids, the Town Manager awarded the contract to the Estate of Donald G. Trussell of Hamil- ton. The Estate of James Wood of Boston who also bid and who had the lower bid by $600 brought proceedings in the Superior Court in Boston that the contract should have been awarded to him. The contractor contended that under a recent statute which provides that contracts from municipalities should be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder possessing equal skill and ability. While the Estate of James Wood was un- known to any of the officials in Ipswich it claimed it had the skill and ability to per- form the work. After a hearing of 21/2 days the Court decreed that it found as a fact that James Wood Estate had the skill and ability to do the work and ordered the Town of Ipswich to award the contract to James Wood Estate. This case aroused con- siderable attention and comment among lawyers as it was among the first of this
type of case, and made law on the subject.
GREAT NECK LAND: At the last Annual Meeting it was voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell the land owned by the Town of Ipswich in the Great Neck area. The Town Engineering Department has drafted a plan locating roads and house lots in this area, and the house lots have been offered for sale to the present tenants. Many of the tenants have purchased the land formerly leased and deeds have been drafted to these persons so that now various people own not only the cottages but the land on which the cottages are located. The persons who have purchased the lands have indicated that they now intend to improve their homes, and many of them suggest that their cottages will be converted into per- manent homes.
OPINIONS: Various Departments have re- quested opinions relative to their depart- mental work during the year; however, two Departments have had extra activities this year, namely, the Sewer Committee and the School Committee. The State Depart- ment of Public Health gave notice that the Town should abate certain nuisances claimed to be caused by lack of a sewer system in Ipswich and further stated that if the nuisances were not abated the State would institute legal proceedings to command the Town to construct a sewer system. This problem, of course, necessitated an examina- tion of the law and conferences with various State officials.
The School Building Committee has had legal problems which arose out of the sug- gestion of the construction of a new High School. Town Counsel has met with the Committee and with various members from time to time relative to these problems.
There have been the usual requests from various Departments for opinions relating to affairs in their Departments.
9
1
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
C. Chester Caldwell, Chief Assessor
ASSESSMENTS : Assessed valuation on real
and personal property in 1953 was
$10,278,150. This was an increase of $420,445 over the 1952 assessed valuation. During the year every parcel of taxable real estate in the Town was reviewed and the assessment checked. In the cases of new buildings, wherever possible, the entire structure was inspected. The Town was also canvassed to bring up to date the poll tax list, personal property assessments, and dog tax lists. Commitments were made out for all taxes due the Town and appeals for abatement were handled.
The tax rate was set on April 22 at $46.00, which represented a $1.50 reduc- tion.
PERSONNEL: The Board of Assessors was organized with C. Chester Caldwell as Chairman for the 24th consecutive year. Mr. Donald F. Perkins was elected Clerk of the Board.
No. of Employees :
Full Time 2
Part Time 1
1953 Expenditures $9,014.94
Mr. Perkins resigned on November 1 to accept a position in the Assessing Depart- ment of Midland, Michigan.
On December 15 Mr. Joseph W. Hinkley was appointed as Assessor-Trainee.
TAX MAPS: Considerable work was done on the tax maps for which the Town voted $15,000. On September 2 the contract for these tax maps was let to the James W. Sewall Company of Old Town, Maine. Aerial photographs of the Town in con- nection with the construction of tax maps will be taken by the Sewall Company in April, 1954.
GENERAL: A summary of the recapitula- tion sheet showing comparative assessment statistics for 1952 and 1953 may be found in the financial section.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS (1. to r.) Henry Plander, Joseph Hinkley, and Chairman C. Chester Caldwell
10
RECORDS DEPARTMENT
Anthony Murawski, Town Clerk
No. of Employees 1953 Expenditures : Records Election
1
$3,913.62 2,355.55
LICENSES: Comparative statistics on licenses issued for 1953 as compared to 1952 are as follows:
1952
1953
Dog licenses
647 661
Hunting and fishing licenses 503
556
In addition to the above dog licenses, there were ten kennel licenses issued.
VITAL STATISTICS: Comparative vital statis- tics recorded for 1953 were as follows:
1952
1953
Births
280
303
Marriages
84
72
Deaths
106 109
Included in those totals are 53 out-of- town births to Ipswich parents; 19 out- of-town marriages; and 27 deaths of Ipswich residents which occurred elsewhere.
REVENUES: Receipts in the Records De- partment for 1953 totaled $4,098.14. Disposition of these receipts was as follows:
Payment to the State $1,455.50
Payment to the County . $1,508.60
Turned over to Ipswich Treasurer $1,034.04
Payments made to the State are for hunting and fishing licenses and to the County for dog and kennel licenses.
Payments made to the Town Treasurer are for fees received on births or deaths or marriage certificates, marriage permits, re- cording of mortgages and discharges, gas renewals permits, the issuance of dog and kennel licenses, and the issuance of hunting and sporting licenses.
ELECTIONS AND TOWN MEETINGS: Only one election was held in 1953 which was the annual town election on March 9.
State Examiners Fairabers
Town Clerk Anthony Murawski
Four Town Meetings were called during the year for the following purposes:
February 12-Regional School March 2-Annual Town Meeting July 31-Rent Control October 29-Sewerage and Alternate School Plan Committee
The question of the Regional School was passed by a ballot vote of 323 to 164, but the other Town of the Regional School Dis- trict did not approve.
At the Annual Town Meeting the war- lant was completed and the meeting ad- journed by 11:50 p.m.
The meeting on Rent Control was ad- journed without date for lack of a quorum.
At the last Town Meeting on October 29 the article of sewerage was laid on the table until the Annual March Meeting, and the Alternate School Plan Committee was ap- pointed by the Moderator.
The total number of registered voters as of December 29 was 4,245.
11
1)
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Amos Hayward, Chairman
INTRODUCTION: Just as there is great vari- ability in the effects of aging on the indi- vidual, there is no set rule which applies to the decline or growth of a community. A good Town depends on the energy, strength, and vision of a well-informed public for the promotion of its well being. The Planning Board, as the name implies, is the steering committee of the Town's future. Its powers are mainly advisory, but the opportunities to be useful are countless.
CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: Pro- viding municipal services is a considerable business enterprise. No business can long continue without applying forethought to the efficient development of its responsibi- bilities to the public in the form of goods and services, its financial capacity to im- prove its operations, and its physical plant. The Planning Board in 1952 made recom- mendations concerning the Sewer Project, School Building Needs, Town Hall office space requirements, and Town Garage needs when these physical improvements were in their planning infancy. The Planning Board has followed the growth of information, plans, and problems of these proposed im- provements during 1953. Joint meetings
No. of Board Members 5 1953 Expenditures $200.00
have been conducted for dispensing of information and the consolidation of the programs.
Planning is not a method of finding ways for spending more tax dollars, but rather a process designed to gain the greatest effi- ciency and lasting benefit from each dollar spent in physical development of the com- munity.
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT: Planning should encourage not only public improvement, but also healthy private development in all its phases. Towns and Cities are today com- peting among themselves for industry, business, and new growth. The Board's influence is still advisory, except for resi- dential development where Sub-division Rules and Regulations have been formulated to provide the residential developer with certain obligations to the community. During the past year five sub-divisions were brought before the Board. Two were granted approval and the remaining three did not request final approval.
PERSONNEL: Upon the resignation of Mr. Jerome Richardson, Mr. Bernard Sullivan was appointed to maintain the five-man membership.
Town Engineer Ralph Preble discusses problem with Draftsman Daniel Counihan
12
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Ralph Preble, Town Engineer
INTRODUCTION: The Municipal Engineer is a general practitioner in his line of endeavor. Among his diverse duties are included ad- ministration, organization, inspection, and control of public works, estimation and measurement of quantities, preparation of specifications and design. His outlook must be broad, but conversely, he cannot be ex- pected to be an expert on all phases of the work for which he is reponsible.
SUPERVISED MANY PROJECTS: Probably the most important project undertaken by the Engineering Department was the renovation of the Town Hall. The Department car- ried through from design and specifications to the completion of the job, employing a private architect only on the design and layout of the new front door.
The Engineering Department also worked with the Public Works Department estab- lishing lines and grades for the relocation of two sections of Jeffries Neck Road, the Island Park Street widening, and reconstruc- tion work on Stage Hill Road, Arrowhead Trail, and Damon Avenue. General super- vision and engineering work was provided for three drainage projects completed during the year. In this respect the engineer and his assistant were called in to carry on the sidewalk construction program, provide plans and specifications for water extensions, and aid in preliminary work involved with the construction of a cooling pond for the electric generating plant.
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