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TOWN OF IPSWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
1958
634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE 1687
ANNUAL REPORT
IPSWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY IPSWICH, MA 01938
"Government is that POWER by which individuals in society are kept from doing injury to each other, and are brought to cooperate to a common end"
Alexander Hamilton 1794
COVER PICTURE
"For a man's house is his castle, and his home is his safest refuge."
Sir Edward Coke 1644
CH
ASS
S
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE 1687
1634
ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1958
The 325th of the Town's Incorporation
Area of Town, 33 square miles
Population 7841 (as of 1955)
Photos by Zaharis Studio
PRINTED IN U.S.A. BY BRADFORD & BIGELOW IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS
MEMORIAM
Clifford I. Comeau Former Town Employee January 12, 1958
JohnA. Singer Assessor - Sewerage Committee November 23, 1958
Anthony Frank Gillis Former Town Emplo yee January 12, 1958
Edward Hwalek Inspector of Wires School Building Committee April 13, 1958
Maude Hayward High School Building Committee June 1, 1958
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
In the processes of government there is occasion each year for the Board of Selectmen to report to the Inhabitants of the Town, both as to general conditions of the Town and activities of your Board of Selectmen, in the performance of their official functions. It is to be noted in town reports that the various departments submit reports to the Board of Selectmen. The office of Selectmen, by virtue of election by the people, in turn report to the people.
The present charter of the Town of Ipswich provides that the only Boards elected by the people are the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. All department heads are appointed by the Board of Selectmen or by the Executive Secretary, subject to approval by the Board of Selectmen. Under this system the Board of Selectmen must assume a responsibility for the functions of all town government, except certain matters relating to public schools.
A casual glance at the reports indicate the numerous and varied problems presented and decisions required by the Selectmen. It is the opinion of the Board of Selectmen that decisions made during the year 1958 will have an impact upon the town more influential than the Board of Selectmen have been called upon to render in any one year. These problems have their basis in the sudden expansion of the Town and the realization that a foreseeable growth will demand additional municipal services and attention.
Various department superiors will render reports of accomplishments of each department. However, a reference to these accomplishments and related problems, which were of major concern to your Board, should be mentioned as directing the attention of the public to civic problems and responsibilities.
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The State Department of Public Health issued a mandate that the Town should constructa sewerage system. A town meeting in 1958, after discussing the issue at many prior meetings, voted to authorize a bond issue to start the work. It is expected that Stage 1 of the proposed sewerage system will be completed some time in September of this year, thereby filling a need for the Town which had been recommended for many years.
The contract for the widening of lower East Street, or Jeffreys Neck Road, to meet the increasedflow of traffic from the Great Neck and Little Neck areas, has been awarded.
An additional source of water at the Winthrop Property, so called, on Tops- field Road, was discovered after many tests, which will give a much needed addi- tional source of water for future use to provide for relief on the occasion of exces- sive demands or a critical water shortage.
The municipal parking area between Central, Hammatt, and Market Streets at the suggestion of, and with the cooperation of, the Chamber of Commerce was enlarged to accommodate the increasing number of customers being served by the business interests in Ipswich.
The increase in the parking area and the construction of the sewer directed attention to Farley Brook, a traditional byword in Ipswich. This brook will now be drained by a 5 foot main drainage pipe.
The requirements of the Town necessitated an enlargement of the electric light and power plant and an increased generating system to provide for the present and for foreseeable demands in the future.
Vehicles of the Town will now be housed in a municipal garage constructed during the year 1958, which garage was built at the Town Gravel Pit and was so constructed it could be enlarged.
The Board of Selectmen have had occasion to attend public hearings, both in Ipswich and outside of the Town. The curtailing of passenger service by the Boston & Maine Railroad Line required the Selectmen to protest at the hearing outside of Ipswich. There have been hearings, both in Ipswich and outside of the Town, on the petition of the Merrimack-Essex Electric Company to locate trans- mission wires over a right of way across Ipswich and by request of the citizens it is necessary to protest this petition to preserve property values in the Town.
Pending matters, which have the attention of the Board of Selectmen is con- sideration of the widening and application for construction of County Street to County Road and the widening of Central Street under a Chapter 90 project.
There is the continuing attention to the school housing problem and the need of new schools, or school space, to make possible the furnishing of adequate edu- cation to all children.
All of the above matters naturally reflect the tax rate in the Town of Ipswich. The tax burden is of utmost importance, not only to present residents of Ipswich but an attractive tax rate is an indusement for new business and housing develop- ments within the framework of the recently adopted zoning laws. An attractive tax burden, however, is not the only determining factor for obtaining new revenues within the Town. Your Board is of the opinion that adequacy of services and faci- lities in the Town, together with definite plans which will encompass future deve- lopments, is the requirement of decisions and functions by your board. It is this approach which resulted in the accomplishments recited and give occasion to the mentioned problems.
In all deliberations and decisions the various town departments have given complete cooperation and support and the Board of Selectmen gratefully acknow- ledge this fulfillment of civic responsibility by all Town employees.
Nathaniel M. Quint, Chairman Frank J. O'Malley John A. Pechilis Walter J. Dziadul John W. Trudel
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REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The following pages present the report of the town departments for the year 1958. Printed by the photo offset method this report has been produced at a saving in excess of $1, 200 as compared with the cost of the 1956 report. We hope as you peruse these pages you will gain information about your town government for a well informed electorate is wise and prudent in Town Meeting. Presented below are the highlights of governmental activity, of projects accomplished, and of problems that will require our best thinking to solve.
Highways and Drainage - The reconstruction of Jeffreys Neck Road under Chapter 90 allocation was begun in 1958. The decision to construct this road was made by the Board of Selectmen after the Sewerage System was voted by the town. Hottopfor the entire length of Central and Market Streets was originally planned. However, the areas that this would include would have to be excavated for the s ewers, the wise decision was made to improve the inadequate access road to our rapidly growing Neck area. This work will be completed in the coming year.
Piping of Farley Brook was made possible by funds voted at the annual Town Meeting under the provisions of Chapter 91. The State has made the survey and preliminary engineering study of the project and it is anticipated that acutal con- struction will begin this spring. Additional funds have been provided in the 1959 budget to continue this vital project. Approval will enable the work to be carried through to the point where flooding conditions and unsightliness in the center of town can be eliminated completely in 1959.
Dangerous corners on East Street, Linebrook Road, and Pine Swamp Road were improved in both width and sight distance to make for greater safety and convenience. A bad drainage condition on Turkey Shore Road, Hayward Street, Fellows Road, Heartbreak Road, and near the Library were corrected during the year .
Sewerage - Construction of the Sewerage System was begun at the Town Wharf with considerable progress being made before years end. An improvement of great import to the town, this system will ultimately result in the elimination of pollution of Farley Brook and the Ipswich River. The tax increase resulting from the financing of this project will unquestionably be burdensome. However, the ever increasing costs of construction indicates that over the long term this invest- ment in mains, pumping station, and treatment plant is an excellent one for the community to make.
Water - The water resources of the community proved barely adequate during the summer of 1957 even though restrictions were placed on water use for two and one half months. This experience resulted in the sum of $5, 000 being set up in the water department budget for exploration and drilling to attempt to locate an additional ground water supply for the town. A surface geologist and siesmic testing group were engaged to locate likely areas for test drilling with the dis- covery of a suitable source on the Winthrop property near the Ipswich River. Continuous pumping tests established that this area can produce a minimum of one half million gallons per day of pure, soft, sparkling clear water. Negotiations are underway to secure the land surrounding this water source as well as the necessary easements for discharge pipe and power line.
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Installation of the main to bring this supply into the system will also serve to correct the extremely low pressures that have been experienced in the Tops- field Road, Mill Road area during periods of heavy draft in the summer. Plans have been made to install a 12 inch main in Topsfield Road over a five year period. Funds for the first year are expected to come from the moneys left from the monies left from the erection of the elevated tank on the Neck, and the Board of Selectmen have petitioned the legislature for permission to make use of this balance. If this project can be continued with the funds within the department, it will be possible to develop this water source at the time it will be needed. The ever increasing cost of operating the department as a result of rising material and labor costs places the department in a difficult financial conditions. Improvements to the system to keep pace with the demands placed upon it must eventually result in an increase in rates .
Power - Funds authorized to increase the generating and distributing facili- ties have been put to use during the year with the building designed to house the new diesels nearing completion. Transformers and switchgear for the new sub- station have been delivered and will be installed in the Spring to put in operation the new high voltage circuit. These improvements enable the department to meet anticipated demands for some time to come and are engineered to allow further expansion at a minimum of cost.
Conclusion - A great deal has been accomplished in 1958 to make Ipswich a better community in which to live and work, and I look forward to 1959 and the problems that face us knowing that cooperation and close coordination by all con- cerned will see these problems solved in the best interests of the Town. I wish to thank the Boards and Committees of the town for their most valuable efforts, the Board of Selectmen for their guidance and direction, the town employees for their devotion to duty, and the Townspeople for their faith and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Norris W. Stilphen
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FINANCE DEPARTMENT
ACCOUNTING DIVISION
The general financial records of the Town are maintained in this office, as well as the books of accounts for the Water and Light Departments. Municipal activity reports were prepared monthly for all departments and for other inter - ested persons. The annual budgets, both preliminary and actual, were prepared and distributed. The Town's cash balance was verified with the Treasurer's Office each month. All purchases were post audited by this department before being released for payment. Complete financial detail will be found in the text.
COLLECTION DIVISION
$1, 697, 564. 40 was committed for collection in 1958. Collections totaled $1,606, 606. 42. A detailed statement of taxes and departmental accounts recei- vable, exclusive of electric light and water is shown in the financial section.
TREASURY DIVISION
Receipts paid into the Town Treasury totaled $2, 968, 450.80. Expenditures amounted to $2, 864, 689.57. In addition to the Cash Balance of $501, 612. 38, there was $397, 314 of the proceeds of the Sewerage Construction loan in Treasury Bills. $82, 600 was paid on maturing debt. New debt was bonded in the amount of $612, 000. The following payments will be due in 1959: $20, 600 to be paid from water revenue, $27, 000 to be paid from electric light revenue and $62,000 to be paid from taxation. One tax title was redeemed. Five new Titles were taken. There are now sixteen Titles on hand, amounting to $2,767.43.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
Assessedvaluations on Real and Personal property in 1958 was $12,656, 850 . This was an increase of $400, 044 or 3.26 per cent. In 1958 there were 19 motor vehicle commitments with a total of 4987 cards. The total valuation was $2, 845, 460. 00 and total excise was $133, 649, 06, an increase of 17.18 per cent.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
During the year 9, 870 orders were sent out, of which 925 were field purchase orders and 8, 945 were purchase orders. During the year 26 sealed bids were processed for the various departments. All of these bids were advertised in the localnewspaper, 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 correct Department Head. On many occasions telephone quotations were obtained to smaller items that were needed quickly. In some instances where the price on specialized items differ very slightly, requests were sent out for quotations in order to speed up the process. All items over $100.00 were either sent out on bids, request for quotations, or telephone quotations.
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
During the year there were 4 emp- loyees appointed to various Town posi- tions, and there were 3 separations. 147 days of sick leave were used up, and 87 employees took vacations. All increases in 1958 were retroactive to January 1. All job vacancies were advertised in all Town Departments and the local news- paper .
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LEGAL DEPARTMENT
A report of all the activities of the Town Counsel for the year 1958 would be lengthy and varied as many issues arose in 1958 requiring attention by the Legal Department. It seems better to summarize the subjects which have been of great- est interest to the public.
Two matters, which have been of continuing interest to the Town, have been the initiation of the construction of the sewage disposal system and the petition of the Merrimack-Essex Electric Company for an easement to erect poles and wires for the transmission of electricity from Newburyport to Gloucester.
The voters of Ipswich voted a bond issue which made it possible to start con- struction of the sewage system. From a legal standpoint this involved the draft- ing of votes, conferences with State officials for the approval of the bonds, the examination of bids for construction of the system, and the contracts of the suc- cessful bidders. The plans for the laying of the trunk sewer line provided for locations over private properties. This involved interviews and conferences with the various owners of land and the procuring of executed deeds of easement. Some of the owners of private lands were reluctant to willingly execute a voluntary easement and consideration and conferences were held with the Sewerage Board on the subject of eminent domain. Fortunately, the Board has had occasion to use eminent domain in only one instance and this instance was primarily occasioned from the obscurity as to the title of the land and the indefiniteness of the actual owners; conferences and negotiations resolved the objections and problems arising in other cases.
The Merrimack-Essex Electric Company filed a petition with the Department of Public Utilities to establish an easement 100 feet wide in the Town of Ipswich for the purpose of running wires from the electrical plant in Newburyport to the plant in Gloucester. The petition, as submitted, requested a right of way over residential properties in Ipswich and involved the lands of many persons. Not only the owners of lands, but persons in the vicinity, objected to the granting of the easement. The Board of Selectmen took an official position on the subject. There have been a number of hearings in Ipswich and in Essex which have been attended by the Board of Selectmen and your Town Counsel. The position of the Selectmen is that the right of way should not be granted in the Town of Ipswich but it it is necessary, then it should be in a location to do the least amount of damage to residential properties. The hearings by the Hearing Masters of the Depart- ment of Public Utilities are still continuing and it has been suggested by at least one member of the Department of Public Utilities that this hearing may possibly establish a record for length of hearings with the Department of Public Utilities.
There have been many legal problems which might be classified as normal in the growth of the Town, such as obtaining easements for road widening, leases for the increased parking area and issues arising from the adoption of Zoning Laws and the regulations of the Planning Board. While the various problems have been many and varied, and sometimes complex, it can be said that they have been resolved to the benefit of the Town's people and for a continuance of the normal functions of local government.
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TOWN CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
VITAL STATISTICS: Comparative vital statistics recorded during 1958 were as follows:
1957
1958
Births
318
284
Deaths
118
113
Marriages
67
63
Of the total number of births recorded, 183 were to Ipswich residents, which included1 set of twins. Of the total number of deaths recorded 87 were of Ipswich residents, which included 8 children under the age of five. The oldest Ipswich resident who died during the year was 99 years, 7 months and 28 days of age. REVENUES: Disposition of receipts received in this office were as follows:
Payments to the Commonwealth for Sporting licenses
$1694.00
Payments to the Town Treasurer .
$2725.00
(This included $1724.00 for Dog Licenses which are
paid to the County Treasurer by the Town. )
TOWN MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS:
January 27
March 3
July 17
Special Town Meeting on a new High School on the former Baroway property. Voters present 588. Balloting on new High School July 28.
March 10
Annual Town Elections Total vote cast 2959 Special Balloting on new High School. Votes cast 2912. A 2/3 vote of 1942 was needed. Yes .. 1836. No .. 1001. Blanks .. 75. Motion not passed.
July 28
Special Balloting on new High School. Votes cast were 2557. A 2/3 vote of 1705 was needed Yes .. 1197. No .. 1355. Blanks .. 5. Motion was not passed.
September 9
State Primary
Total Republican ballots cast. . 1174
Total Democratic ballots cast . . 193
November 4
State Elections.
Total votes cast. .. .3486
The total number of registered voters as of December 31 was 4558.
VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The total amount expended by this department can be found in the financial section of this report. The amount expended for benefits is reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Mass. by 50 per cent. This Department helps veterans and their families not only with financial aid but also to information concerning the many problems which usually confront them. Total number of veterans' cases handled during the year, 48.
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Special Town Meeting with a ballot vote on Re- gional School. Voters present 472.
Annual Town Meeting. Voters present 539.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The chest x-ray clinic was held September 22nd to the 29th. 1874 persons availed themselves of this free clinic. Of this number only one person was found to require hospital treatment which proves that new techniques and the new drugs used by our physicians are resulting in fewer persons being afflicted with Tuberculosis.
A Rabies clinic was held at the Town Garage. 142 dogs were vaccinated to prevent rabies within the Town. All dogs who bit persons were placed und er quarantine for 14 days.
Health regulations require a permit to install a sewage system or to have repair work done on an existing system. A new regulation requires that any person installing or repairing such systems be licensed by your Health Depart- ment. All such work must be inspected by your Health Officer to be certain that this work was accomplished in accordance with the prevailing Health Regu- lations of the Town.
A new State Law requires that all Towns having a population of 5, 000 or more must employ a plumbing inspector. Ipswich, therefore, will have to obtain the services of such a person in 1959. License fees obtained for such inspections will offset the renumeration received by the inspector .
The number of complaints received this year were far greater than previous years. Most of these were regarding sewage overflowing. Upon investigation by your Health Officer it was found that many persons assumed that the new Town sewage installation would relieve them of abating this nuisance.
The number of dog bites during the Spring, Summer and Fall were numerous. All such animals were quarantined for 14 days and both the State Department of Health and the State Department of Agriculture were notified in writing of all such incidents.
Your Health Officer has been appointed Commissioner of the Essex County Mosquito Control Board which is a year round operation to exterminate these disease-carrying pests. This 12 month year round program to eliminate mos- quitoes in Essex County should begin operations in March of this year and by the second year of operation, the mosquito should be a thing of the past in Ipswich.
All barns and the livestock housed therein were inspected during the year. During such inspections it was found that certain milk cows were infected with Boucellosis (Bangs Disease) and were condemned and order killed at once to prevent the spread of this disease and insure a wholesome milk supply.
All food establishments were regularly inspected at frequent unanounced intervals to determine that all foods of all kinds and type were wholesome and fitfor human consumption and that the sanitary requirement were being complied with.
All sewage systems, public and private, were installed after a permit was obtained from your Health Officer and inspected upon completion, except for covering up the work to determine that the installation complied with the Board of Health requirements.
Your Health Officer also acts as Sealer of Weights and Measures and as Sealer of Weights and Measures and as Animal Inspector. The total appropria- tion for these three offices for 1958 was $10, 539. Monies received and turned over to the Town Treasurer for permits and licenses was approximately $3900. leaving a net cost to the Town of $6639 for these three offices or $2213 per position; the most economical per capita cost in the county.
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NURSING PROGRAM
The Well Child Clinic for pre- school children was held the first Wednesday of each month, with 264 youngsters attending compared with 221 during 1957. Of these 70 were new babies, present for the first time. The children are weighed, measured, examined and immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough and polio. Dr. Frank Collins conducted the clinic with the assis- tance of School Nurse, Violet DeMille. The clinic was held at the Winthrop School.
The annual diphtheria immunization clinic was held last spring throughout the public and parochial schools. Any child who had not received a "booster dose" within four years was eligible. A total of 340 children were immunized compared with 217 last year.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
During the latter part of the year, the Ipswich Conservation Commission was appointed, met and organized and thus became the newest unit of our muni- cipal government. Although we are organized for future service and action, we are in need of some limited funds in order to present our future reports and recommendations to the town.
The Ipswich Conservation Commission is presently making an inventory of all town owned lands which will also be set forth on a future land utilization map or outline. After sufficient information has been gathered, we can submit to the townfor future action our recommendations for the better protection and utili- zation of some of our choice conservation areas.
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