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INTHROP SCHOOL
TOWN OF IPSWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
1956
H
MASS . U.
PSWI
IN
1634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE
1687
ANNUAL REPORT
"The final end of government is not to exert restraint but to do good." RUFUS CHOATE Early Ipswich Jurist
COVER PICTURE NEW WINTHROP SCHOOL
MASS.
PSW
. U.S
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE 1687
1634
ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1956
The 323rd of the Town's Incorporation
Area of Town, 33 square miles
Population 7841 (as of 1955).
Photos by Zaharis Studio
IPSWICH CHRONICLE PUBLISHING CO., PRINTERS IPSWICH, MASS.
Chester A. Caldwell Chief Assessor December 11, 1956
Edward S. Sullivan Member of School Committee September 27, 1956
George W. Brown Chief of Fire Department and Engineers, Forest Warden December 22, 1956
William J. H. Ewing Sealer of Weights & Measures, Member of Housing Authority February 6, 1956
Frank W. Mallard Engineer of Fire Department July 31, 1956
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Seated: Nathaniel Quint and Chairman John Conley Standing: Frank O'Malley, Harry Munro and John Pechilis
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
Your Board of Selectmen wish to take this opportunity to report briefly to you on the Town's affairs for the year 1956.
When we survey the present scene, our thoughts often go back with longing to the tranquil, uncomplicated days of a century or even a half-century ago, and we realize with great vividness how times have changed. No-where have the changes been more far-reaching than in the demands made upon local municipal government. The pressures of a growing population, the increasing need for greater services by the citizens, and the complexities of present-day living have required that we, too, take steps to modernize our municipal services. Much of this process of modernization has been carried on during the past year.
Of first importance is the fact that the town has continued to operate for the second year under the Selectmen-Executive Secretary Charter, and it is pleasant to be able to report that the Board has worked harmoniously and cooperatively within its mem- bership and with the Executive-Secretary to give the Town an honest, businesslike and money-saving administration. Not that the Board feels satisfied in all respects, because, in the spirit of the Charter, there is always room for improvement ; yet the Board unani- mously feels that, with some allowance made for our human imperfections, the Charter is giving good up-to-date government to the Town.
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A major accomplishment of modernization, we feel, has been the purchase and installation of a new generator at the Municipal lighting plant and the improvement of our distribution system by the installation of a second cable from the plant to Town. These changes should provide the Town with economical electric power for the fore- seeable future.
Another major project which is still in the process of completion is the installa- tion of an auxiliary pumping station on Jeffrey's Neck Road and a water tower on Great Neck for the purpose of increasing the water pressure to the Great and Little Neck areas and in order to give greater fire protection to those areas.
The Board, although not directly concerned, viewed with considerable pride the completion of the new Winthrop School because we realize what an important part it will play in the continued healthy growth of the Town. An innovation that received your enthusiastic approval was the use of the school's new auditorium for balloting for the national election in November. This was carried out by the Board with the wholehearted cooperation of the School Department.
The board feels that we have made this much real progress; yet what of the road ahead? As we have studied the Town's many other problems, we have come to the sharp realization that no one problem can properly be considered by itself alone, because each has such an important bearing on the whole future of the Town. One very im- portant problem, for instance, is the tax-rate. Although it is just a little above average, naturally we would like to see it decreased; and yet we know that we are faced with the necessity of making large, capital investments for schools and sewerage. At the present time, we find that 79% of our revenue comes from residential properties, 14% comes from industrial and commercial properties and the balance of 7% from miscel- laneous sources. Thus it is obvious that the best source of additional revenue would be the further development of those industries and businesses that we have and the attraction of new ones. We have several industries, whose welfare and prosperity we are always anxious to promote ; we have an infant recreation industry which certainly has our blessing. However, to attract new industries, or even the larger, more expen- sive residences that pay for themselves tax-wise, means that we must provide schools, sewerage and zoning in order to meet the competition which other towns are offering.
Thus it is our belief that we must move ahead to meet these problems with deter- mination and with faith in the future.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
John F. Conley, chairman Nathaniel M. Quint
Harry E. Munro
Frank J. O'Malley John A. Pechillis
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REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
It is a pleasure to submit to you your Town Report for 1956 covering the activities of all your Town Departments.
The financial position of Ipswich is excellent. Collections are current and the sur- plus revenue balance is $230,537.53 up from $129,204.21 last year. The assessed valuation of the Town has increased over $1,000,000 in the last two years with the valuation now at $12,078,751.00. The total bonded debt of the Town is $1,155,000. However, only $600,000 in School Debt is to be paid from taxation as the remainder is owed by our Water and Light Departments and is paid from their revenue. Due notice should be taken that there remains but $206,261 of borrowing capacity inside the statutory debt limit.
The vision and foresight of the Townspeople enabled recommended improvements to be made to the Water and Electric systems of the Town. The water system now has the pumping capacity to meet the normal and emergency needs of the community. The electric system has been strengthened in both its distribution and generation branches, thus assuring continuity of service. Installation of a heavy fuel system has enabled the department to hold the line on electric rates despite a 27 per cent increase in the cost of fuel and line construction materials during the past two years. The Winthrop School has been completed providing an extremely fine building for our young people.
Progress has been made in the past year with even greater opportunities facing us in the coming year. Our school system faces capital expenditures in the order of $2,000,000 for additional elementary and secondary classrooms that must be constructed over the next few years.' The Department of Environmental Sanitation of the State insists that the Town install a sewerage system that will cost at least $600,000 even with any assistance that may be forthcoming from the Federal Government. Assuming a 20 year borrowing at 3 per cent interest, the School construction and resultant increase in operating costs will amount to around a $14.00 increase in the tax rate even though all State Aid is utilized. The sewerage system and its operating costs will add around $5.50 to the tax rate. Despite these sobering figures I am convinced that Ipswich badly needs both of these projects. Consequently, I raise the question as to whether the time is not ripe to take steps to attract industry to Ipswich. Certainly not every type of industry would be desirable, however, by exercising care, it might be possible to build increased industrial valuation that would bring a degree of relief to the hard pressed home owner. Unless immediate steps are taken in this endeavor Ipswich will have all the children to educate while neighboring Towns will have the industrial plants we so badly need.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have served as your Executive Secretary in the past year. My heartfelt thanks go to the Board of Selectmen for the high standards they have set, to the Town employees for their unselfish devotion to duty, and to the Townspeople for their faith and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Norris W. Stilphen
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FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Wayne F. Briggs, Town Accountant
ACCOUNTING DIVISION: The Town's general financial records as well as the books of accounts for the Water and Light departments are maintained in the Accounting Office. Water and Light billing is also done in this office.
Monthly activity statements were pre- pared and released to all department heads, and to other interested persons. These state-
ments show the amount spent in the various categories and also show the unexpended balance of each departmental appropriation.
All purchases were post audited before being released for payment. Balance sheets were also prepared monthly for the Water and Light departments. The 1956 Budgets, both preliminary and actual were prepared and distributed.
Complete financial detail will be found in the financial section of the report.
VETERANS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Anthony A. Murawski, Veterans' Agent
The Veterans' Services Department in this town is combined with the Office of the Town Clerk.
The main function of this department is to be of assistance to the veteran and his family either with financial aid or informa-' tion. Financial aid is given to veterans and their families, who are deserving and an application made to this department. Final decision on granting financial aid is with the office of the Commissioner of Veterans' Services at the State House. The reason for
this is that on all financial aid granted, the town is reimbursed 50% by the Common- wealth. Another form of assistance given to veterans is photostat work. When pho- tostat copies are made, one copy remains on file in this department so that if the veteran loses or misplaces his original dis- charge a copy can be more easily obtained.
The total number of cases aided finan- cially during the year totaled forty-five.
The total sum expended for veterans' benefits in various forms of aid can be found in the Financial Section of this text.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
William F. Hayes, Town Counsel
Town activities which required advice and counsel from the Legal Department during the past year were numerous and at times involved. No court litigation has been engaged in during the past year with all matters of contention being settled by conference and discussion. Legal advice was sought by many departments and Town Of- ficials during the year. All deeds and ease-
ments were accomplished for Town depart- ments during the year, and your counsel attended various hearings at the State House pertaining to the Town Government in Ips- wich. Land takings for public use were discussed and compromised settlements ar- rived at. It has been fortunate during the past few years that despite rapid growth of the community, no involved court pro- cedil.gs have resulted.
ASSESSOR'S DEPARTMENT
Seward S. Tyler, Chief Assessor
ASSESSMENTS: Assessed valuations on Real and Personal property in 1956 was $11,778,751.00. This was an increase of $877,226 or 8% over the 1955 valuation.
The Town continues to grow with an in- crcase of 117 new homes last year.
In 1956 there were nine motor vehicle commitments with a total of 3090 cards. The total valuation was $1,804,535.00 and total excise was $86,434.59.
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RECORDS DEPARTMENT
Anthony A. Murawski, Town Clerk
It is the duty of the Town Clerk to record for the Town of Ipswich all public and vital records of the Town relative to Vital Statistics, Town Meetings and Elec- tions, Records of Appointments and other such records. Such records to be forever a recording of the doings of the Town in all matters of interest, and also to furnish whatever information is necessary to the citizens of the Town.
VITAL STATISTICS: Comparative vital sta- tistics recorded during 1956 were as fol- lows:
1955
1956
Births
278
3 27
Deaths
117
114
Marriages
78 74
Of the total number of births recorded, 181 were to Ipswich residents, which in- cluded 3 sets of twins.
Of the total number of deaths recorded, 75 were to Ipswich residents, which included 5 children under the age of three.
The oldest resident who died during the year was 88 years 7 months and 10 days of age.
REVENUES: Receipts in the Town Clerk's
Office for 1956 totaled $4,870.64, classified as follows:
Marriage Permits $ 132.00
Certified Copies 109.75
Recordings 790.59
Gas Renewals 4.50
Dog Licenses 1,978.80
Dog Fees
165.50
Sporting Licenses
1,565.00
Sporting Fees
124.50
Disposition of these receipts was as fol- lows:
Payments to Dept. of Con- servation for all Sporting
Licenses $1,565.00
Payments to Ipswich Town Treasurer 3,305.64
(This includes $1,978.80 for Dog Li- censes which are paid to the County Treas- urer by the Town.)
LICENSES: The following number of li- censes issued by this office during 1956 as compared to 1955 are as follows:
1955 1956
Dog Licenses
736 806
Sporting Licenses 546 537
Included in the above Dog Licenses are 21 kennels which were issued during 1956, a gain of 1 over 1955.
TOWN MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS
March 5-Annual Town Meeting, which took action on 27 articles of the 42 on the warrant. Voters present 823.
March 6-Adjourned Annual Town Meet- ing. No action taken, lack of quorum. Voters present 385.
April 9-Adjourned Annual Town Meeting which completed action on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting. Voters present 811.
April 9-Special Town Meeting within ad- journed Annual Town Meeting. No Action, Annual Town Meeting lasted too long.
April 23-Adjourned Special Town Meet- ing of April 9. No action taken, lack of quorum. Voters present 139.
May 14-Adjourned Special Town Meeting
of April 9. No action taken, lack of quorum. Adjourned without date. Voters present 149.
March 12-Annual Town Elections. Vote cast - 2,740.
April 24-Primary (Presidential). Vote cast - 362. Democrat vote: 70; Re- publican Vote: 292.
April 30-Voting Day. Voters submitted petitions in accordance with Chapter 345 of the Acts of 1922 requesting that ac- tion taken on Articles 13, 14, 38, and 39, of the Annual Town Meeting, be put on a printed ballot. Vote cast: 2,202. Article 13: Zoning by-law was rejected.
Yes 908
No 1,142
Blanks 152
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Article 14: Zoning District Map was rejected.
Yes 963
No 1,145
Blanks 94
Article 38: To purchase Baroway
property, not passed.
Yes 808
No
1,336
Blanks
58
Article 39: New 4-year High School, not passed.
Yes 783
No 1,336
Blanks 58
September 18-State Primary. Vote cast:
1,494. Democrat vote: 179; Repub- lican Vote: 1,315.
November 6-Presidential and State Elec- tion. Vote cast: 4,093.
The total number of registered voters as of December 31, 1956 was 4,498.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Chester J. Patch, Jr., Chairman
The Planning Board originated in 1951 and has been active since that time in the preparation and administration of subdivi- sion rules and regulations. The Board meets regularly every other Tuesday. The mem- bership consists of the following: Chester J. Patch, Jr., The Rev. C. Daniel Boone, Richard R. Mansfield, Donald F. Whiston, and John G. Markos. Mrs. Isobel Coulombe is the permanent Secretary. The Board re- gretfully received notification of the resig- nation of Bernard M. Sullivan who had served with the Board since 1953, for which we are deeply grateful.
During the year 1956 a Zoning By-law was prepared, hearings held, and submitted to the Annual Town Meeting on March 5, 1956. This was overwhelmingly accepted by the Town Meeting but was later defeated in a Special Town Election held in April which was authorized by a special act of the Legislature in 1922 and never used up to this time. The Board feels that a Zoning By-law can be the salvation of our Town and plan to resubmit a revised Zoning Plan and By-law to the Town at the earliest opportunity in the coming year.
The year 1956 was a very busy one as far as subdivisions go, with final agreements being reached with the Whitten Bros., Inc., for the development of their subdivision on Linebrook Road. Negotiations were carried on for the better part of the year, culmi- nating in the Board giving approval for the construction of 250 homes or approximately
one-half of the number originally requested. Approval was granted on the basis of a complete water system, including a 500,000- gallon standpipe, complete storm water drainage system, and a complete road system with black top streets. We estimate that approximately 1,000 new homes in Ipswich are being considered by various subdividers and that, with the advent of new and im- proved roads, we are but on the threshold of what the future holds for the construc- tion of new homes in our Town. We wish to bring - again - to your attention the impact that this will have on the Town and the problems that will face the Town in the way of increased school needs, in- creased municipal facilities such as water, electric power and distribution, police, fire, sanitation, and all the other things that we take for granted such as the hospital, li- brary, etc.
The Board has retained Mr. Nord W. Davis as a Planning Consultant who assisted the Board in the preparation of the Zoning By-law and who is currently working on the preparation of a Master Plan for our Town.
The Board would like to thank the Board of Selectmen and Executive Secretary for their fine cooperation and backing during the past year.
The Board is grateful for the fine sup- port it has received from the people of our Town in its efforts to preserve and protect, so that the future growth of the Town will be a credit to the traditions of our community.
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SANITATION DEPARTMENT
John Ladderbush, Foreman
In 1956 rubbish and garbage was picked up on all Town streets. In the summer months the garbage was sold, while in the winter months the collection of rubbish
and garbage was combined and a sanitary landfill operated at the Town Dump on the Town Farm Road. In view of this, it was possible to use one truck for only seven months of the year and to operate the de- partment without four full time employees.
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
Norris W. Stilphen, Personnel Director
During the year 1956 eight employees were appointed to various town positions, and there were six separations and two transfers. Three hundred and sixteen days
of sick leave were used up, and eighty-four employees took vacations. Ten paid holidays were allowed during the year. All increases in 1956 for employees were retroactive from April. The 4 per cent cost of living was incorporated in the regular salary.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Norris W. Stilphen, Purchasing Agent
PURCHASE ORDERS: During the year, 8,374 orders were sent out, of which 7,850 were field purchase orders and 524 were pur- chase orders.
SEALED BIDS: During 1956 thirty-one sealed bids were processed for the various depart- ments. All of these bids were advertised in the local newspaper, and a separate file was set up on each one. At the time of the bid opening, all bids were tabulated and
the tabulations were forwarded to the cor- rect Department Head.
On many occasions telephone quotations were obtained on smaller items that were needed quickly. In some instances where the price on specialized items differ very s'ight- ly, requests were sent out for quotations in order to speed up the process. All items over $100.00 were either sent out on sealed bids, request for quotations, or telephone quota- tions. All purchase orders from every de- partment must be signed by the Purchasing Agent before they may be processed.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Benjamin W. Homans, Superintendent
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my 24th annual report of the activities of the cemetery department for the year 1956.
During the year there were 88 interments, 8 less than in the year 1955. Four of these being cremations.
2 single graves, 1 eight grave lot and 7 four grave lots were sold with perpetual
care. 10 other lots were placed under per- petual care and additional money was added to 2 old funds. 1 new flower fund was established. There were 11 four grave lots awarded by the American Legion in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery.
MAINTENANCE: 47 graves were raised. Foundations for monuments and headstones were prepared, and 23 sets of boundary posts were set.
The avenues in the Highland and Cowles
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Memorial Cemeteries were patched and por- tions were tarred. Shrubbery was trimmed. Walks weeded and edged, and flower beds watered and cultivated. Regular mowing and trimming were made during the grow- ing season. The first mowing was started April 26 while the last was made October 23.
Considerable time was spent in clearing the Highland Annex, known as the (Greek Cemetery) and the old Linebrook Cemetery.
The office and storage building was scraped and partly painted outside. During the winter months the inside was washed and painted. All machinery was checked.
Three tons of fertilizer and four tons of lime were applied to parts of the several cemeteries. 900 feet of 4 foot chain link fence were erected from the office building to the receiving tomb on Highland Drive, at a cost of $1,530.00.
Two power mowers were added to the equipment during the year, one a reel type and the other a rotary.
Office records were kept up to date, com- mitments were made and turned over to the town clerk at the end of each month.
There are two regular men and four seasonal workers in the department. The flag is raised and lowered each working day during the season.
RECEIPTS:
Opening graves $2,794.00
Sale of liners 102.00
Foundations & setting posts 766.00
Sale of lots and graves 405.00
Annual care 796.00
New perpetual care funds 2,375.00 Perpetual care lots 2,530.00
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DEPARTMENT
Ernest F. Romano, Sealer
DEVICES INSPECTED: The following tabula- tion represents the various devices inspected and sealed during the year. The sealing fees amounted to $120.00 as compared with $103.25 for the previous year.
Scales over 10,000 lbs. 2
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs. 7
Scales under 100 lbs. 29
Weights-Avoirdupois 15
Gasoline pumps
351
Grease Meters 10
Oil Trucks 15
SHELLFISH AND HARBOR DEPARTMENT
Lionel Sheppard, Clam Commissioner and Harbor Master
During the year 25 bushels of small clams were planted inside of an enclosure which was made to keep out green crabs and horse- shoe crabs. 79 bushels of large quahogs were received from the State and planted in Eagle Hill River. The Commissioner and deputy dug 2212 bushels of small quahogs in Salem and planted them on the flats in Plum Island River. The last time they were checked they showed signs of growing fast. All the flats have a good deal of seed and the small clams are the best they have been for five years.
There were 2,413 bushels of clams dug in 1956 compared with 669 bushels dug in 1955. There were 604 residence permits and 824 non-residence permits and 45 com- mercial permits issued in 1956.
Green crabs were not as plentiful as in 1955 due to the cold winter of 1955-1956. Horseshoe crabs dropped off from 9,613 in 1955 to 8,871 in 1956. A patrol boat will be stationed at Cranes Boat House to patrol the flats in Essex River in 1957. The old ramp to the flat has been replaced by a new one. The new channel markers worked satis- factorily in the Ipswich River.
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ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Philip Pattison, Town Engineer:
PERSONNEL: Mr. Paul A. Polisson resigned during the past summer and Mr. Philip Pat- tison was appointed as Town Engineer Oc- tober 1, 1956 by the Executive Secretary.
GENERAL: The Engineering Department is a service department as well as an adminis- trative one. It serves at times in an ad- visory capacity to the administrative officials of the town. It lays out and supervises most Public Works projects.
EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT: Through this office, demonstrations and specifications were arranged for the purchase of major equipment. Plans and specifications for proj- ects were prepared, analysed and advertised for bids. In order to prevent further wash- outs of County Street Bridge, a contract for guniting was prepared which will be let out in the early spring of 1957.
PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION: Studies, plans, specifications and supervision were made for numerous projects. The depart- ment surveyed and made plans of many Town lots at Great Neck. Plans and lay- outs were prepared for road widenings at Fowlers Lane, Linebrook Road at the inter- section of Leslie Road, Brown Square, Ham- mett Street, Jeffreys Neck Road, Water Pumping Station location and the Plover Hill Standpipe location. Assistance was given on the new Chapter 90 Road con- struction on Argilla Road. A new drain plan was drawn up to eliminate the icing conditions on North Ridge Road.
MISCELLANEOUS: A Public Works hearing in Boston was attended and funds were re- quested from the State and later appro-
Town Engineer Philip Pattison
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