USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1916-1918 > Part 14
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Selectmen
$2133 96
$100 00
$2233 96
$ 2212 20
$ 21 76
Auditing and Accounting
1450 00
1450 00
1447 95
2 05
Treasurer and Collector
3153 33
300 00
3453 33
3152 13
1 20
Assessors
860 00
860 00
840 25
19 75
Law
3876 60
3876 60
3811 60
65 00
Town Clerk
563 25
563 25
563 17
08
Election and Registration
659 35
659 35
519 55
139 80
Town Hall
2145 49
2145 49
2132 91
12 58
Police
4532 85
1200 00
· 5732 85
5675 67
57 18
Fire
6990 40
6990 40
6798 79
191 61
Forest Warden
100 00
.
15 00
115 00
101 44
13 56
Weights and Measures
225 00
225 00
201 68
23 32
Moth
2695 11
1479 60
4174 71
4174 71
Trees
400 00
400 00
341 34
58 66
Health
3583 56
3583 56
3514 21
69 35
Highways
17112 44
806 33
17918 77
17864 63
54 14
Essex Road
2500 00
2500 00
286 67
2213 33
Town Farm
3672 344
600 00
4272 34
4203 68
68 66
Out Poor
7711 56
7741 56
7425 47
316 09
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Appropriations and Payments --- Continue
Department
Appro.
Refunds and Transfers
Total
Expended
Balance
State Aid
2500 00
2500 00
2061 91
438 0
Soldiers' Relief
1511 25
1511 25
1158 90
352 35
Education
43450 86
43450 86
43235 25
215 61
Parks
350 00
350 00
349 80
20
Play Grounds
25 00
25 00
17 94
7 €6
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
250 00
Shell Fish
200 00
200 00
180 00
20 (0
Water Front Improvement
100 00
100 00
54 66
45 34
Public Safety Committee
900 00
900 00
897 47
2 53
Cemeteries
1800 00
349 75
2149 75
2134 52
15 23
Interest
6785 50
450 00
7235 50
7221 57
13 93
Maturing Debt
12000 00
12000 00
12000 00
Reserve Fund
3000 00
3000 00
2865 00
135 00
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
55
56
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
ASSESSORS REPORT.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Memorial Day
$ 250 00
Play Grounds
25 00
Averoff Wharf
100 00
Essex Road
1000 00
Selectmen's Department
1950 00
Auditing and Accounting
1450 00
Treasurer and Collector's Department
3130 00
Assessors Department
860 00
Law
500 00
Town Clerk
560 00
Election and Registration
650 00
Town House
2060 00
Police
4500 00
Fire Department
6800 00
Forest Warden
100 00
Tree Warden
400 00
Parks
350 00
Weights and Measures
225 00
Health Department
3450 00
Highways
17000 00
Snow
1500 .00
.
57
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Soldiers' Relief
$1500 00
State Aid
2500 00
Cemeteries
1800 00
Poor Department
7350 00
Town Farm
3600 00
Notes Payable
12000 00
Interest
6785 50
Schools
43000 00
Light- Depreciation
2450 00
Clam Commissioners
200 00
Public Safety Commission
900 00
Gypsy Moth
2419 40
$13:364 90
Total appropriations
$131364 90
County Tax
9144 93
State Tax
12870 00
State Highway Tax
2210 00
Auditing by Bureau of Statistics
177 11
Overlay
1500 00
$157266 94
Estimated income
38847 34
Amount assessed on Polls and property
$118419 60
1493 Polls
2986 00
66
" Property
115433 60
Amount of Personal estate assessed
$1140533
" Real 66
4380456
Value of Buildings assessed
3040600
" Land
1339856
IPSWICH TOWN REFORT.
-
Number of horses assessed
090
.OWS . .
.97
" Sheep
None
· other neat cattle assessed
140
"' swine assessed
78
. .
" fowl assessed
4840
" acres of land assessed
17645
persons assessed
2213
6
on property
1225
$6
" poll only
988
dwelling houses
1294
Rate of Taxation, $21 00 on $1000.
Additional assessments in December :
Personal property
$ 715 00
Real estate 7270 00
Tax on December assessments
167 69
The amount received from the >tate out of its collections un- der the new Income Tax law is at this date (Feb. 1, 1918) $12125.33. a sum which approximates closely to the amount that would have been assessed on personal property lost by reason of the new law from the local assessment. But the provisions of that law are such that the increase of assessed personal property from 1915 to 1916 will probably result in the Town receiving a larger sum from the Commonwealth in 1918.
JOHN W. NOURSE, Assessors
WILLIAM B. RICHARDS, of Ipswich.
RICHARD R. GLASIER,
5 1
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT. .
POLICE REPORT.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit the annual report of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1917.
Total number of arrests, 581
By months-January 24, February 37, March 11, April 14, May 88, June 53, July 96, August 86, September 54, October 57, November 27, December 34.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME.
Attempt to rape,
3
Assault and battery,
27
Assault on officer,
2
Bastardy,
1
Breach of Peace.
9
Carrying concealed weapon,
1
Drunkenness,
387
Deserter from Camp Devens,
1
Breaking and entering,
6
Fraud,
1
CO
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Gaming,
11
.
Larceny,
21
Lewd cohabitation,
4
Liquor nuisance,
4
Keeping gaming house,
1
Keeping liquor with intent to sell,
2
Illegal sale of liquor,
9
Interfering with officer,
1
Indecent language,
2
Operating auto without license,
6
Operating auto under influence of liquor,
11
Non-support,
6
Receiving stolen goods,
1
Vagrants,
30
Violating food law,
3
Violating school law,
2
Violating labor law,
2
Violating traffic rules,
17
Violating fish and game law,
9
Violating Town By-Laws,
1
581
Crimes against persons,
33
Crimes against property,
29
Crimes against public order,
519
581
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Committed to State Farm,
1
Committed to House of Correction,
122
Fined,
262
Probated.
69
Discharged,
39
Filed,
37
Appealed,
7
Suspended,
3
Defaulted, 4
61
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Held for Grand Jury,
4
Continued, Released,
18
15
Total,
581
Value of property reported stolen,
$ 467 00
Value of property recovered, 408 00
Value of property reported lost, 35 00
Value of property recovered,
23 00
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS,
Accidents reported,
21
Buildings found open and secured,
9
Complaints investigated,
125
Dogs killed,
16
Insane persons committed,
6
Lost children restored,
2
Injured and sick persons assisted,
4
Dangerous dogs reported,
3
Horses killed,
1
Dead bodies cared for,
5
Arrests for out of town officers,
2
Electric Lights reported out,
61
Amount of fines received from the Third District Court, $1511 79.
In closing my report I wish to express my thanks to the Board of Selectmen, Judge Geo. H. W. Hayes and other officials of the Court, Town Counsel Albert F. Welsh, and to the officers and all others who have assisted the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DUPRAY,
Chief of Police.
62
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
To the Selectmen of Ipswich:
Following is the report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1917: Number of men in the Department, 40
" box alarms, 14
" still alarms,
55
Total number of alarms,
69
Number of feet of hose laid,
5950 feet
Property threatened by fire,
$56250 00
Insurance on same,
43650 00
Insurance paid, 5523 00
Property loss, 6373 00
Value of department equipment, $15000 00
" buildings occupied by department, 20:00 00
" Fire Alarm equipment, 3500 00
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT.
Steamer, 1
Hook & Ladder,
1
Auto-Combination Chemical and Hose, 1
Hose Wagons,
2
Hose Reels,
4
Fire Alarm Boxes, 19
Number feet of hose,
6000
63
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
To the property owners, we wish to call your attention to the facts that the majority of our fires ore caused by defective chimneys and rubbit. See that you chinmeys are inspected and cleaned at least twice a year Do not let rubbish colect in your cellars and yards, dis- pose of it often; as it is one of the wor-t hre menaces we have. espec- ially in the business district. Wherever new shingling is to be done. we would recommend the use of wooden shingles be discontinued; all these things are considered by insurance companies, if you wish to keep your rate down, it is for you to see that the conditions are bettered in this respect.
We wish to report that we have moved the jumper house from the land of Gustavus Kinsman on Payne street to the land of A. Story Brown in Candlewood, to house the jumper in that district.
Owing to the condition of the steamer at the present time, and being advised by the builder not to expend any more on it, in its present condition, as the only thing advisable to do, would be to equip with a new boiler at a probable cost of $1000. Rather than to expend that amount on the steamer, we would recommend that the town pur- chase a triple combination, pump, chemical and hose of modern type. ARTHUR H. WALTON, EDWIN M. POOLE, WALTER G. BROWN, S Engineers.
64
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
BOARD OF HEALTH. Report For The Year 1917.
1
The report this year will be brief in order to save space. We have followed and developed the policy adopted five years ago with in- creasing good results. More time has been given to the work the past year than ever before. This year it is proposed to keep all reeord‹ of work done in card index files in order that all divisions may be better co ordinated. This already being done by the Milk Inspection and Infant Welfare Divisions The reports of the Agent and Milk Inspector give summaries of the work done by them, The report of the Division of Infant Welfare is also condensed as far as possible consistant with giving an idea of what has been done.
Following is a list of Diseases dangerous to the Public Health reported in 1917:
Chicken Pox
69
Diphtheria
12
German Measles
3
Lobar Pneumonia
5
Measles
57
Mumps
3
Opthalmia Neonatorum
2
Scarlet Fever
4
Tuberculosis
12
Typhoid Fever
6
Whooping Cough
1
Total 174
65
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Of the tubercular cases eight were pulmonary and four oth.r forms. We have sent these cases to sanatoria as far as possible, and when this for various reasons could not be done. they have been follow- ed up in their homes by the Welfare Nurse and her associates. We hope the coming year to follow up these cases as systematically as we are now following up Child Welfare, which was our most pressing problem, and which we believe we now have well in hand.
AGENT'S REPORT.
Whole number of complaints received and investiga ted Number of Contagious Cards posted 61
57
Number of dead animals buried or otherwise cared for 20
Dogs
7
Cats
5
Hens
6
Cows
2
-
Total
20
You will see that the number of complaints rece!ved is some- what larger than the previous year owing to the fact of the condition which has existed at Brownville district which condition was caused by the owners of this property having one large cesspool located for all these houses and having sold the land upon which same was located thereby shutting off their right to enter their sewage to this cess-pool. In consequence of which all the trouble was caused which was to the effect that all of the sewerage emptied into the cellars of these houses and to avoid an epidemic the Board was obliged to take drastic meas- ures which they did at once.
This property has now changed hands and the new owners have shown a ready disposition to aid the Board in every way and at once adopted the recommendations as suggested and now the sanitary conditions will compare favorably with any part of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
AARON LORD, Agent.
66
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR.
In submitting my report for the year 1917, I would say that there seems to be nothing to add to what I have stated in my previous reports, as facts speak for themselves and, as no complaints have been reported to me during the year, as regards the quality of the milk snp- phed is proof in itself, of the purity of the same and shows that the producers are living up to the high standard which they believe to be for the interest of the consumers as well as for themselves. In my in- spection of these barns and milk rooms, I found the same care had been taken to keep them in the same clean and sanitary condition as in the past, which certainly can but be highly pleasant to all concerned.
In my inspection of all places where ice cream is sold, I also found the same care was being taken to keep everything in a clean and sanitary condition as has been done in the past
Number of milk licenses issued
27
" ice cream licenses issued 13
Oleomargerine dealers registered
8
Amount received from all license fees
$21.50
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE W. SMITH, Milk Inspector.
Ipswich, Jan. 21. 1918.
Preventive work is the keynote in health administration today' The lines laid down by the State Department of Health are brcad and constructive, and we are endeavoring in every possible way to build up our department in conformity with these ideas. All bills against the department have been paid and there is left in the Treasury a balance of $69 35. We ask for the year of 1918 an appropriation of $3500 00.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. E. MACARTHUR, M. D., ) Board AARON LORD, of
GEO. W. SMITH, Health.
Ipswich, Feb. 1st, 1918.
Division of Child Welfare. Report of Director.
A summary is herewith presented of the Infant Welfare work arried on in Ipswich for the year 1917. In order to make this sum-
67
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
mary plain for purposes of comparison I will quote certain statistical facts pertaining to Infant Mortality for the five years 1912-1916 in- clusivc.
Much has been said and published about the high infant mortali- ty rate in Ipswich and figures have been given, but thus far nobody has come forward with an anlayses of these figures It is my purpose to make certain analysis and deductions and for that reason I am giving the figures above referred to As a result of intensive study of the causes of death I have grouped the diseases under four different classes as follows :
Class 1. Congenital Heart Disease. Premature Birth. Still- born.
" 2. Broncho-Pulmonary Diseases.
66 3. Gastro-Intestinal Diseases.
" 4. Unclassified Diseases
Conditions under 1 and 4 average about the same the year round. 2 and 3 are seasonal diseases, 2 prevailing in winter and 3 in summer. It is obvious from these facts that these diseases must be studied from four different angles. This I have done, and shall point out my deductions later in this report when all the facts have been sub- mitted.
During that five years there were 517 deaths of all ages. Of these 147 were under one year of age. This is about 28 per cent. which is of course high.
Here follow figures for the deaths of these years under the above classification :
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916.
Class 1
8
15
12
8
14
57
Class 2
5
7
5
3
4
24
Class 3
16
12
6
12
7
53
Class 4
3
0
4
0
3
10
32
34
27
23
28
Total for the five years
144
The number of cases in each class for the five years is as follows
Class 1
57
Class 2
24
Class 3
53
Class 4
10
68
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
This shows that 134 cases, or all but 10 were classed under the first three headings. It also shows that only two cases per year on the average tell outside the first three classes This made very distinct angles from which to work in 1917, which brings us to the considera- tion of this year's work
During the year there have been 24 deaths. In class 1 there were fifteen, in class 2 seven, in class 3 NONE, and in class 4 two. We made a special drive in class 3 and for the first time in any year of whico we have a record there were NO DEATHS in that class. Dur- ing the season in which the deaths in class 2 occurred no Welfare work was being done We are now making a drive in class 2, and with the facilities at hand we may confidently expect good results. In class 1 the prospect of immediate results is not encouraging, but it is not hope- less The causes of the high rate there are many and complex and it will doubtless be some time before we can make much of a dent in it. It is obvious that pie-i atal work among prospective mothers is the only channel open for the attack upon that problem, and that work is now going on. Our Nurse is sending the names of prospective mothers to the State Department of Health from which they receive regularly a series of instructive letters during the pre-natal period. She is trying to teach them the right way to live in order that they may bear good, healthy babies. She is trying to teach them to employ physicians instead of mid-wives in confinement, which many of them do following a custom prevelent in continental Europe from which the most of them came. That practice is doubtless the cause of a material percentage of still- births, and those who engage in it are really practicing medicine con- trary to Law. and are liable to heavy fines for such practice.
Much credit is due Miss Stewart for her faithful and efficient work among the children and her instructions to the mothers as to how the children should be fed and cared for. It certainiy shows results in clean slate which has been produced in elass 3.
From May fifteenth when the service began until December. 3) st. 2354 visits were made 10 babies in their homes and 88 hours time was given to work in the dispensary between July and October. There are at present 253 children under the care of the Nurse in their homes
Respectfully Submitted,
CEO. E. MACARTHUR, M. D., Director. Ipswich, Feb. 1, 1918.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
69
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
OUT POOR DEPARTMENT.
The detailed financial statement of this department published in another part of this book shows the following totals :-
Appropriation for 1917
$7350 00
Appropriation to cover unpaid bills of 1916, coming in after Jan. 1 of last year, 391 56
Total appropriation for 1917
7741 56
Total expenditures for 1917 7425 47
Unexpended balance returned to Town Treasury, 316 09
To find the actual cost of this department to the Town for 1917, we must deduct the following from the total expenditures :-
Total expenditures, $7425 47
Reimbursements from other cities and towns, $428 67
Reimbursement due from State, 632 27
Transfered to Farm account, 200 00
$1260 94
Total cost to town,
$6164 53
1
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
We know of no unpaid bills against this department
This creditable showing we know will be a source of much gratifi- ration to the tax-payer. It has not been brought about by niggardliness en the part of the Overseers. The worthy poor have not been allowed to suffer for lack of necessities, but due attention has been paid to all cases and relief afforded in proportion to need. Careful investigation, however, has been made, close supervision maintained, work found whenever possible for the unemployed, children encouraged to render as- sistance to the family, non-support cases brought before the court, and aid discontinued as soon as necessity has ceased to exist. It is felt that the work of this department will more than favorably compare with that of other towns cf similar circumstances
Prospects for the coming year, however, are not so bright as could be desired. While the cost of necessities is high, and liable to be still higher unless the government affords relief, the curtailing of the hours of labor is liable to create distress which this department must find a way to alleviate. Several cases have been added t the number since Jan. Ist, and it is anticipated that others will follow. To meet this need the Overseers have found it necessary to recommend an appropriation of $8000.00, which they trust will prove sufficient.
ALMSHOUSE.
The figures for the Almshouse were as follows :---
Appropriation,
$3672 34
Transfer from Reserve Fund,
400 00
Transfer from Out Poor Dept.,
200 00
$4272 34
Total expenditures,
4203 68
Total reverting to Town Treasury $68 66
There are no unpaid bills.
While the inventory has remained about stationary, the Farm sales of 1917 were practically double those of 1916. The net cost of the Farm is as follows :---
Total expenditures 1917,
$4203 68
Total income 1917.
1677 06
Net expense,
$2526 62
71
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
The net cosf of the Farm for 1917 was about $500. less than the previous year. It must be understood that the appropriation is all the money which the Overseers have to use for the Farm, the entire income being paid into the town treasury. By careful management in 191", the Overseers have reason to expect that the income from Farm Sales will reach at least $2000.
Affairs at the Farm are steadily moving in the right direction. We are raising our likely young stock and annually increasing by this means our herd of cows. To save expense we are not feeding much grain. There is an abundance of pasture in the summer season, and nearly all the feed in the winter is hay and roots. Another season will fill the barn with cows, giving more manure for the crops and top dressing for the hay land. This, together with the advanced price of milk, will afford considerable increase in income. When the tie-ups arc filled with cows, however, we will be facing the necessity of an addition to the barn.
For several years the State inspector has been strongly urging the installation of a telephone, saying that he would order the same had he the power to do so. We have secured an estinate of the cost of in- stalling a 'phone from the New England T. & T. Co., which together with the service charge amounts to substantially $325.00. The plan is to set a line of poles from the house to the nearest point on the rail- road, and then secure hitches on the Western Union poles into town. The Overseers believe the 'phone to be a necessity, not only for. general use, but in case of fire, sickness or other urgent need, and therefore re- commend that the same be installed this year.
There has been an average of 9 inmates the past year, and the number is now 10, with prospects of increase shortly.
After six years of faithful and painstaking service, for which they are entitled to our thanks, the superintendent and matron, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gidney, resigned on November 1st. Because of the in- crease in wages paid farm help the Overseers did not expect to secure a competent man and wife for the same money they had been paying; but, contrary to expectations, they found a superintendent and matron in the persons of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar I. Holland who were willing to assume the duties for the same compensation. They were installed No- vember 1 and are giving promise of satisfaction.
The affairs of the Overseers Department have been managed in a most pleasant manner without friction. The work has been carried
72
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
along smoothly and we feel successfully. Our ideas may not always conform to those of every other citizen, but we believe that careful and thorough investigation will show that good judgment has prevailed to a satisfactory extent.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK T. GOODHUE, 1 Overseers JOHN G. SPERLING, of the CHARLES G. HULL, Poor.
-
73
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :--
I have the honor to present to you the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures of the Town of Ipswich for the year ending De- cember 31, 1917.
The importance of the subject of weights and measures is proba- bly attracting more attention today than at any time in history. The advanced cost of food products and fuel brings home to the consumer the fact that ounces and pounds are important factors. When you step into the grocers and ask for a pound of sugar you wonder if it really weighs 16 ounces, while a short year ago you bought 10 pounds not giving the ounces a thought.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
All fruits and vegetables are now sold by dry measure weight. The old dry measure method has been superceeded by weights affixed by law.
COAL:
Coal can be sold only by weight. While the consumers may order it by the bushel, barrel, or basket, the dealer must weigh each quantity he sells.
BREAD:
Heretofore the weight of a loaf of bread was 32 ounces and was sold as either 1/4, 1/2, or 34 loaves, hence the baker was not confined to
74 '
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
any particular weight, as he could call his bread a 1/4, 1/2' or 34 loaf. The law did not protect the consumer. Today under the ruling of the Food administration all bakers who use three or more barrels of flour a month must be licensed. The licensee shall manufacture bread and of- fer it for sale only in the following specified weights or multiples there- of, which shall be net weight, unwrapped, 12 hours after baking :-
16 oz. units (not to run over 17 oz.)
24 oz, units (not to run over 2542 oz.)
Thus the baker is confined to these rulings as to over and under welght. WOOD:
The present scarcity of coal has caused a great increase in the use of wocd as fuel. A number of bills are pending before the General Court, which are designed to regulate the sale of cord-wood, kindlings, etc. to secure uniformity in the measurements and sale of this fuel.
I wish again to urge upon the people of the community, and es- pecially the the farmers who buy and sell more or less produce, the importance of having in their homes scales which have been proper- ly tested and sealed.
Respectfully, WILLIAM A. STONE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
7 sealed
1 condemned ٤٠
Platform Scales under 5000 lbs.
51
2
Counter Scales;
38
Beam Scales
13
1 condemned
Spring Bal, Scales
40
2
Computing Scales
24
Slot weighing Scales
5
Prescription
4
1 non-sealed
Avoirdupois weights
396
40 adjusted
Apothecary
66
82
4 condemned
Metric
32
Troy
. 8
Dry measures
10
Liquid
133
2 condemned
Oil and gas pumps
18
1
Molasses pumps
2
Yard measures
20
Cash received as fees $70.68 and amount paid to town treasurer.
75
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
INVENTORY OF EQUIPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
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