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YLVANIA
ELK
TOWN OF IPSWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
1959
CH
MASS
JIMS
34
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE 1687
ANNUAL REPORT
COVER PICTURE
SYLVANIA LIGHTING PRODUCTS A Division of Sylvania Electric Products Inc. A Subsidiary of General Telephone & Electronics Corp. IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS
Manufacturers of Wafer Coils for Traveling Wave Solenoids, Tungsten Coils, Electronic Transformers, Coated Coils, Circuit Breakers, and Airport Lighting Products
SS
34
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN / INDEPENDENCE 1687
ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1959
The 326th 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
MEMORIAN
Charles T. Ames, M. D. Board of Health September 26, 1959
Edward Blauvelt Former Chief of Police January 15, 1959
Harland Burke Selectmen -- Moderator August 29, 1959
Louise Haskell Cafeteria -- School May 7, 1959
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Nathaniel M. Quint, Chairman
To the Citizens of Ipswich
After many years of planning and deliberations by the Sewerage Committee, Municipal Sewerage in Ipswich has become a reality, and the Town Buildings, with the exception of the Burley School are now being serviced by the system; also, the Sewerage system has been made available to all abutting owners of property on the trunk line.
There appears in the Town Warrant an article for extending the Sewerage System to the Burley School. The Board of Selectmen recommend its adoption, as it is sorely needed. The addition will be available to many homes and to some industry, which will help defray the expense of the school tie-in.
The cost of operating Town Government continues to rise and will be re- flected in the 1960 tax rate.
The Board met with the Trustees of Reservations and while final arrange- ments have not been made, it is believed that the Trustees will construct a 200 car parking space on the Light House property at no cost to the Town, and and will not limit the number of local residents that desire to use their parking facilities.
Because of the anticipated growth of the Town and the greater consumer use of electricity, planning must now be made for additional power in the Town.
The Board of Selectmen recommend that a Committee be appointed to study same and report at the 1961 Town Meeting.
During the year, the Town regretfully lost, because of resignations, sev- eral heads of departments, with many years of experience in their respective fields, including the Superintendent of the Generating Plant, and the Town
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Accountant. Both have been replaced with competent men.
After the vacancy of the Office of Executive Secretary, the Board received about forty applications from men all over the United States. After interview- ing and traveling to many places in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to in- vestigate the backgrounds of these Candidates, the Board appointed Mr. Gordon Dillon, who has had extensive experience in Municipal and Industrial manage- ment. We believe we have made an excellent choice.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Town Employees and the vari- ous Boards and Committees for their fine cooperation.
During the year, your Board of Selectmen have attended a great many Power, Legislative, County and Committee meetings and hearings and Select- men meetings and have tried to serve you in the best interests of the Town.
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
Gordon Dillon, Executive Secretary
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The following pages represent a report of the Town Departments for the fiscal year of 1959.
I commenced work for the Town on November 9, 1959, and do not feel qualified to make an accounting for the entire town during 1959.
I realize that the Town is faced with a number of problems, and I will devote all my efforts to correct as many of them as possible and to operate the community in a most economical manner.
Next year, I will be happy to submit a complete report regarding my stewardship.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Harold M. Willcox, Town Counsel
Consultation with the Selectmen and with other departments of the Town was the most important activity of Town Counsel during the year, advice or legal opinion having been sought by almost every department. The availa- bility of such consultation when needed is becoming more and more important as the Legislature continues to expand the Regulatory Statutes affecting Town Government.
With respect to court litigation, the Town has been in both the District and Superior Courts.
In the District Court, Town Counsel participated in three cases for the Police Department, one for the Fire Department, and one for the Harbor- master, who secured the first conviction in this part of Massachusetts for the reckless operation of an outboard motorboat.
In the Superior Court, the School Committee has been engaged in a lengthy litigation concerning its power to remove for cause a teacher employed on tenure. The case, which has not been decided at this writing, is the first case of its kind under a new statute and is expected to reach the Supreme Judicial Court regardless of the decision in the trial court.
Also in the Superior Court was an action against the Town by Thomas Hixon Company for twenty thousand dollars said to be owed on account of architectu- ral services ordered by a town committee. The case was tried in Suffolk County, and Judge Vincent Brogna found no liability on the part of the Town. There has been no appeal from this decision.
The opinion of Town Counsel has been asked from time to time concerning various problems arising under the zoning by-law, and the first action by the Town to enforce this by-law has been filed in Superior Court. There will undoubtedly be further activity in this area as the Town continues to grow .
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FINANCE DEPARTMENT
ACCOUNTING DIVISION
Robert Leet, Accountant
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 releasedfor payment. Complete financial detail will be found in the text.
COLLECTION DIVISION
Gladys Poole, Collector
$1, 822, 079.24 was committed for collection in 1959. Collections totaled $1741, 301. 10. a detailed statement of taxes and departmental accounts re- ceivable, exclusive of Electric Light and Water, is shown in the financial sec- tions.
TREASURY DIVISION
Gladys Poole, Treasurer
Receipts paid into the Town Treasury totaled $3, 721. 150. 12. Expenditures amounted to $3, 888, 366. 41. $109, 600 was paid on maturing debt. New Electric Light debt was bonded in the amount of $120, 000. One Water loan was paid off. The following payment will be due in 1960: $19, 600 from water revenue, $35, 000 from Electric Light revenue and $62, 000 from taxation.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
Seward Tyler, Assessor
Assessedvaluation's on Real and Personal property in 1059 was $12, 979, 654. This was an increase of $322, 804 or 2. 3 per cent. There were 14 Motor Ve- hicle Commitments with a total of 4245 excises commited to the Collector. The total valuation was $2, 433, 860 and the total excise was $129, 120.06
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Gordon Dillon, Purchasing Agent
During the year 6, 168 ordere were sent out, of which 5, 923 were field pur - chase orders and 245 were purchase orders. During the year 21 sealed bids were processed for the various departments. 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 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 upthe process. All items over $100.00 were either sent out on bids, request for quotations, or telephone quotations.
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VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Anthony Murawski, Veterans' Agent
The Veterans' Services Department in this town is combined with the Office of the Town Clerk, who acts as Veterans' Agent. The function of this office is tohelp out veterans, their families and in some instances their dependent par- ents. Aid is not only extended financially; but also as to information concerning VA benefits. The amount expended for benefits in various forms of aid can be found in the Financial Section of this text. The total number of cases aided fin- ancially during the year totaled forty-three.
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Walter Callahan, Welfare Director
The Welfare Department is made up of a board of three members, sitting in executive session on Monday nights at seven o'clock, notice of said meetings being posted on the town bulletin board. In the Administrative Department, there is a Director, Social Worker and a Senior Clerk Typist. The office sta- tistical work is carried on by these three people. Cases are visited regularly to establish continuing eligibility. All Old Age and Disability cases are visited once in six months. Aid to Dependent Children cases are visited monthly and General Relief cases as is necessary. The following is an account of the number of cases in each category administered during the year and a clear picture of the department expenditures and reimbursements will be found in the Auditor's section.
Old Age Assistance: January, 148; February, 148; March, 148; April, 148; May, 151; June, 148; July, 148; August, 148; September, 146; October, 143; November, 144; December, 141.
Aid to Dependent Children: January, 2; February, 2; March, 2; April, 3; May, 3; June 3; July 3; August 4; September 3; October 3; November 2; December, 3.
Disability Assistance: January, 24; February, 24; March, 24; April, 24, May, 24; June, 24; July; 23; August, 23; September, 21; October, 20; November, 20; December, 21.
General Relief: January, 12; February, 12; March, 12; April, 9; May, 11; June, 7; July, 6; August, 5; September, 3; October, 4; November, 7; Dec., 9.
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PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
Gordon Dillon, Personnel Director
During the year, there were 12 employees hired to various town positions and there were 5 separations. 2 leave of absence were granted. 364 days of sick leave were used and 95 employees took their vacations. Ten paid holidays were allowed during the year. The Personnel Rules and Regulations as adopted in 1951 were amended on November 24, 1959 to liberalize the sick leave pro- visions. It is now possible for employees to accumulate 18 weeks of full pay sick leave. All increases in 1959 were retroactive to January 1.
TOWN CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Anthony Murawski, Town Clerk
VITAL STATISTICS: Comparative vital statistics recorded during the year were as follows:
1958
1959
Births
297
305
Deaths
114
1 32
Marriages
63
76
Of the total number of births recorded, 197 were to Ipswich residents, 108 to non-residents. There were 4 sets of twins and 1 set of triplets. Of the to- tal number of deaths recorded 101 were of Ipswich residents, which included 11 children under 5 years of age. The oldest Ipswich resident who died during the year was 93 years, 2 months and 5 days of age. Of the total number of marriages recorded, the age of the youngest bride was 16, of which there were 3; and the age of the youngest groom was 17.
REVENUES: Disposition of receipts received in this office were as follows:
Payments to the Commonwealth for Sporting Licenses
$1, 609.00
Payments to the Town Treasurer. $3, 055.00
(This amount included $1, 805. 50 for Dog Licenses
which are paid to the County Treasurer by the Town)
TOWN MEETING AND ELECTIONS:
March 2
Annual Town Meeting, Warrant con- tained 52 articles, completed in one meeting. Voters present 611.
March 9
Annual Town Elections. Total vote cast 3, 012.
October 20
Special State Primary, for Represent- ative to the General Court, vacancy.
Total Republican vote cast. .. . . 832 Total Democratic vote cast. .. .. 219
November 10
Special Electionfor Representative to the General Court, vacancy.
Total Votes cast. . 2,286
The total number of registered voters as of December 31 was 2, 286.
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Polio Clinic -- Health Department -- Town Physicians
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
John J. Doheny, Health Officer
The State requirement that all towns with a population of 5000 or more adopt a plumbing code and employ a Plumbing Inspector made it mandatory that the Town adopt the plumbing code and secure an inspector from the State Civil Service list. After complying with the above, several meetings were held with plumbers in the Town.
The following clinics were held throughout the year:
Well Child Clinic: The Well Child Clinic for pre-school children was held the first Wednesday of each month throughout the year. A total of 231 young- sters attended the clinic. Of these 79 were new babies, present for the first time. The children are weighed, measured, examined and immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. Dr. Frank Collins conducted the clinic with the assistance of School Nurse, Violet DeMille. The clinic was held at the Winthrop School.
Immunization Innoculations: 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 645 children were immunize d.
Polio Vaccine Clinic (No Cost To The Town): During the summer months, four Polio vaccine clinics were held on Sundays at the Cable Memorial Hospital. Approximately 1500 attended the clinic and received1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th shots. The Clinic was open to residents in Rowley, Essex, Ipswich, Wenham, and Hamilton. All doctors gave their time at no cost to the Town.
A rabies Clinic for dogs was held at the Town Garage. All dog owners were notified in advance to bring their dogs. The charge was 75 cents per animal.
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A large number of dog bite reports were received during the year. All dogs who bit people were quarantined.
All cattle arriving here from out of state were inspected to detect any illness in these animals. The barns in which they were housed were also inspected.
Routine inspections were made of all kinds and types of food establishments at frequent intervals.
Many new laws and regulations were adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and forwarded to your Health Officer.
On two occasions, a State Registered Sanitarian accompanied your Health Officer on inspections of camps, cabins, and eating establishments. Water samples were obtained for analysis by the State Department of Public Health.
Several Planning BoardMeetings were attended to determine if our respective regulations might be in conflict.
It was not necessary to serve many abatement notices, as most violators promptly complied with State and Town Regulations.
A large number of permits and licenses were issued after fees for same had been paid to the Town Treasurer. The monies received for these exceed the amounts received inprevious years, reducing the cost of operating the Board of Health.
A large number of U. S. Public Health Vaccination Certificates were valida- ted by your Health Officer for persons leaving the United States for foreign countries .
WATER DEPARTMENT
Dana Parsons, Foreman
During the year, the Water Department cut brush away from the sides of roads at Dows Basin, and the Pump House at Mile Lane. Planking was put a- round 8-inch pipe in bed of creek in marsh off Jeffrey Neck Road. Approximately 20 tons of patch was used where services and mains were installed or repaired. The personnel worked with the Highway Department on snow removal, hauling gravel and patching.
Operation: Department personnel installed 38 new year round and 3 new summer services during the year. There were another 20 new services installed by local contractors. Eleven were discontinued, 2 renewed from main to curb cock, l from main to house, and 1 from curb cock to house. Fourteen year round and 12 summer service leaks were repaired. At Little Neck and Tread- wells Island, there were 136 summer and 120 year round services turned on and 165 summer and 92 year round shut off. Four new curb cocks were cut in and 16 curb boxes repaired. Meters were cleaned, tested and repaired. Sixty- six meters were installed where none were on previous, 47 put back on, 73 re- moved where service was shut off or discontinued, and 43 changed. Mains were installed at Topsfield Road, Appleton Park, Howard Street, Hillside Drive and at the Sewerage Treatment Plant, Fowler's Lane. Mains were lowered at Jeffreys Neck Road at Ocean Drive. Thirteen main leaks were repaired, and 13 gate boxes raised and repaired. Four new hydrants were installed, 5 were broken, l replaced at the same location and 60 painted. There were 11 new gate valves installed and gate boxes set.
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CIVIL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Elmer Cowperthwaite, Director
Upon being appointed Civil Defense Director in July 1959, the following has been completed.
A stand-by generator has been installed in the basement of the Town Hall to supply current during any interruption of incoming power. This generator will operate the oil burner, the police radio, and emergency lights in the lower corridors.
The Auxiliary Fire Department sent men to the Topsfield Training Center for instruction in light rescue work and it is our hope that heavy rescue instruc- tion can be taken this coming spring. They have also cleaned and painted the DUKW truck for rescue work which is now in top notch condition. Instruction has been given in the operation of this vehicle both in and out of water.
The Auxiliary Police Department has been briefed in their responsibility should the occasion demand their services in the handling of incoming traffic due to war conditions.
As suitable items are released at the Taunton Warehouse, they have been purchased, and delivered to various town departments at a considerable saving to the town.
The Ipswich Operations Plan has been written and accepted putting us now in the position of receiving matching funds.
PLANNING BOARD
Richard Mansfield, Chairman
The Planning Board, which meets every other Tuesday evening in the Town Hall Courtroom, held 25 meetings in 1959, Board members are Chairman Richard Mansfield, Chester J. Patch, Jr., John Markos, Charles Herrick, and Joseph Weltchek.
The majority of meetings were concerned with subdivisions, both new plans submitted and problems that arose, and mainly with regard to drainage, in previously-approved ones. Many plans were submitted to be stamped as Not Requiring Approval. Several discussions were held with Health Officer Doheny and Town Counsel regarding trailers, both individual ones and parks. The Board requested the Selectmen to ask the County to make a layout of Spring Street and one of Linebrook Road, and also approved the County layout of East Street.
At the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1959, the Board requested and re- ceived the sum of $1000 which was to be matched with federal funds and used in drawing up a Capital Budget program. Early in the summer the State Dept. of Commerce notified the Board that the Government had cancelled its contract. Two meetings were held with George Tizizik of the State Department who ex- plained that it was felt that Ipswich would not be able to fulfill all the require- ments for a Capital Budget in the specified time and so the money earmarked for the Town was given to another community. Mr. Tzizik felt that it was too late, being October, to doanything and furthermore federal funds had been dras- tically slashed. The $1000 therefore was turned back to the Town Treasury, but the Board plans to try to enter the program again in 1960, feeling that. a Capital Budget is very important in Ipswich.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
Russell Scahill, Chief
The Fire Department answered a total of 365 calls during the year 1959. Of these, 226 were still alarms, 89 were bellalarms and 50 were ambulance calls. Eighteen of these fires were house or building fires, 67 were grass, woods and brush fires, and 11 car and truck fires. Seven false alarms were telephoned in and a great many more were bell alarms. Other calls for emergencies were re- ported, such as, people locked out, flooded œllars, leaky refrigerators, flooded oilburners, and inhalator and resusicitator work.
Fire Department equipment covered a total of 15, 477 miles during the year. A total of 10, 000 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 6900 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose was laid. There were 913 feet of ladders raised and a total of 51, 800 gallons of booster tank water used.
The total value of property threatened was $111, 250, but the total losses were only $17, 885. The total insurance on these buildings was $834, 200.
Miscellaneous activity :
Inspection of Oil Burners 300
Connection of Country Gas Installations 100
Spraying of Christmas trees during the Christmas Holidays 250
Complaints checked out 275
Blasting permits 50
The checking and filling of soda and acid extinguishers 275
The checking and filling of foamite extinguishers 50
Fire burning permits 500
The regular periodic inspections of all nursing homes, rest homes, the hos- pital, and churches and business establishments were made. The Fire Alarm extension program was continued with more boxes being added.
BOARD OF APPEALS
Arthur W. Marsh, Chairman
In our second year of existence, the Board of Appeals has developed into a well organized unit, attempting to temper statute with reason and act in the best interests of the Town
Fred J. Casali was named to fill the vacancy left by Edward A. Wegzyn. Mr. Casali's place as alternate was filled by Julian Kasuba.
The Board held 17 meetings during the year and of this number, 10 were formal hearings.
The Board also adopted a revised procedure for the Application for a Hearing and copies were made available to parties in interest. The adoption of these Rules enabled us to make a copy of the entire file, concerning the request, avail- able to each member for his study in advance of the hearing date.
Of particular significance also was the adoption of a joint Administrative Resolution by the Planning Board and the Board of Appeals. This much needed document was brought about largely through the efforts of Town Counsel Harold Willcox who has been of great assistance during the year .
Aswe enter our third year of operation we sincerely hope we can continue to function in the balanced best interests of the Town and the individual.
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RESCUE EQUIPMENT
DR. THIBEAULT'S STABLE FEBRUARY 21, 1959
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SHELLFISH DEPARTMENT
Arthur Moon, Commissioner
During the year, the following clam permits were issued: Commercial, 121; Resident, 695; and Non-Resident, 1214. There were about 14, 000 bushels of clams dug by the commercial digger. 5 commercial diggers lost their permits for a period of 2 days for digging small clams. 63 out-of-town people were caught digging without a permit. They were made to put the clams back into the flats.
Greenhead crabs werefewthis year, and there were about 18, 711 horseshoe crabs destroyed. There were 111 bushels of clams taken from the Ipswich River and transplanted in clean barren area. 74 yards of gravel was put in Patterson Island for the upkeep of the road and parking area for the clammers.
Harbor Division -- Arthur Moon, Harbormaster
2 new floats were purchased by the town for the town warf. There were a number of objects, such as logs, trees, etc., taken out of the Ipswich River for the benefit of navagation. 132 warning tickets were issued for minor violations. The Police Department patrolled the river on weekends and holidays where traffic was extremely heavy. 4 boating accidents occurred; one court case was held. The town boat was called out a number of times for people who were in trouble or lost in foggy weather. Complaints were received from Hood's Pond because of boats and skiers coming in too close to the swimmers.
Clam Commissioner with a Clammer
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
Stanley Surpitski, Chief of Police
The police car traveled 37, 414 miles and the ambulance traveled 2593 miles.
With the increase of summer traffic and population, a safety problem is cre- ated in Market Square during the summer months, and although we have been very fortunate in the past of any serious accident, I believe there should be traf- fic lights installed in Market Square for the safety of pedestrians crossing this busy intersection and to relieve congestion of traffic in this area during the summer months.
There were three hundred and forty-nine arrests during the year of 1959 and are classified as follows:
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