USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1916-1918 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
1168
on poll only,
932
dwelling houses,
1283
Rate of Taxation, $22.00 on $1000.00.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS.
On personal property valued at
$52,577
On real estate valued at
1,970
Number of horses,
3
" cows,
9
" other neat cattle,
2
" " acres of land,
13 1-2
The new safe which the Selectmen were authorized to per- chase for the Assessors' Department is now in use, and promises to be sufficient for twenty-five to thirty years to come. Incidentally the change furnishes much needed room in the old vault for the books and papers of the Town Accountant.
The Income Tax law which goes into effect in 1917 will affect to some extent every tax payer on property. If the taxpayer has been paying on intangibles he must make a return not only to the Tax Commissioner, but also to the local Assessors, in default of which he will be assessed on personal estate to an amount not less than in 1916. So that instead of being helped by the lower rates of the new law, he will find his burdens increased. And if he has not
on property,
65
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
been paying on intangibles, and is not the owner of such property, still it will be a prudent thing for him to make a return. His stock in trade may be smaller than in 1916, his cows or horses may be fewer in number, his auto may have depreciated twenty per cent, his other taxable assets may be reduced to the lowest terms, still if he fails to make a return, he must be assessed for as much as in the preceding year.
The effect of the new law on the Town's finances will be slight for the year to come. For although personal property to the amount of about seven hundred thousand dollars will go off the local lists, yet the Commonwealth will pay the Town as much as the tax on an equal amount at the rate of the year 1915: and the re- ceipts from that source, the amount of which will be known on or before the first of August, can be included as "estimated income."
During the past year the Board has met the novel contention that a person is not "above the age of twenty years" until he is fully twenty-one: and that because he cannot vote until he is twenty-one, he is therefore not liable to a poll tax. It may be pertinent to state that there is no necessary connection between the privilege of voting and the liability to taxation. There was a time when youths of sixteen were liable to pay a poll tax, and that liabili- ty continued for £ve years before they could vote. About seventy- five years ago a change was made from sixteen to twenty, but the voting age is still one year ahead.
JOHN W. NOURSE, WILLIAM B. RICHARDS, Assessors. RICHARD R. GLASIER,
66
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The past year has been a very trying one for the various Town departments as it has been in all lines of business. The esti- mates for the year were based upon the conditions as they existed a year ago. The increased cost of labor and materials made it ex- tremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, to obtain the results desired on the appropriations made.
In the highway department it was found early in the year, at the time roads should be gravelled and resurfaced, impossible to obtain teams at the price set by the Town. To meet this difficulty a special Town meeting had to be called to get the authority to pay the current prices for teams and labor. We wish to congratulate the citizens of the Town that we were able to retain the services of the Superintendent of Streets, Mr. J. A. Huckins, who has kept our highways in a condition that compares favorably with other cities and towns in the Commonwealth under very trying conditions and with an appropriation entirely inadequate. We are disappoint- ed in not having accomplished something definite on the, Essex Road but a survey has been completed and plans made that will be put in operation in the early spring. A new pair of horses should be purchased the coming year for this department for use and safety in the fire department service.
To the engineers and men of the fire department we extend our congratulations. To the Engineers for the excellent manner in which they have conducted the department and kept within their appropriation ; to the men for their prompt and faithful attendance at fires and meetings of the companies.
67
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
We wish to thank the officers of the Police depertment for the efforts they have made to enforce the laws this year and while all that we hoped for has not been accomplished, we feel that a great improvement has been made over past no-license years. The force has worked together harmoniously and considering the high cost of living their pay has been quite inadequate for the hours and service rendered and deserve the thanks of our citizens.
In the sickness and untimely death of our Town Treasurer and Collector, Mr. Chester W. Bamford, the Town has met with a serious loss. A conscientious and painstaking official who always had the interests of the Town in mind, always courteous and kind, his genial greeting to all will be missed. Great credit should be given to his assistant Mr. Wm. J. Riley and Mr. Frederick S. With- am, Town Accountant, for their efforts to get these departments straightened out in season to get out the town reports on time. They have worked days, nights and Sundays for the past two months and we extend to them our heartfelt thanks.
If results are to be obtained the coming year increased ap- propriations must be made. Labor and materials of all kinds are higher and work for the Town cannot be done any cheaper than it can for the individual. If our roads are to be kept up under the increasing hard usage and requirements of auto travel money must be spent. The cost of repairs per mile today is much beyond that of twenty-five years ago.
We wish to thank the Town officials and all others who have aided us in performing the duties of our office the past year.
FRANK W. KYES, Selectmen JOHN A. BROWN, - of GEORGE E. HODGKINS, Ipswich.
68
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
1
POLICE REPORT.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
Gentlemen :-
I submit to you the following report of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 30, 1916.
Total number of arrests, 252
Arrests by months-January 18, February 21, March 15, April 25, May 17, June 26. July 11, August 19, September 28, October 24, November 28, December 20. Total 252. Males 247. Females 5.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME.
Assault and battery,
30
Adultery,
2
Assault, 6
Assault with dangerous weapon,
4
Assault on officer,
2
Breach of peace,
4
Carrying dangerous weapon,
1
Drunkenness,
102
Gaming nuisance,
10
Larceny,
10
Liquor nuisance,
6
Non-support,
4
Illegal communication with prisoner.
1
Violating cigarette law,
1
Violating clam law,
1
Illegal transportation of liquor.
1
1
69
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Manslaughter,
2
Contempt of Court,
1
Vagrants,
28
Violating milk law,
1
Violating Fish and game law,
3
Violating motor law,
2
Violating school law,
1
Poisoning horse,
1
Violating highway rules,
1
Violating liquor law,
2
Gaming,
20
Selling mixed oil and gasoline,
1
Keeping unlicensed dog,
1
252
Crimes against persons,
32
Crimes against property,
10
Crimes against public order,
210
Total,
252
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Appealed,
12
Committed,
41
Discharged.
26
Filed,
34
Fined,
91
Probated,
18
Released,
11
Suspended,
17
Held for Grand Jury,
2
-
Total,
252
70
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Accidents reported.
17
Buildings found open and secured,
16
Complaints investigated,
120
Dogs killed,
12
Insane persons committed,
6
Injured and sick persons assisted,
7
Lost children restored,
4
Dangerous dogs reported,
2
Horses killed,
1
Dead bodies cared for,
9
Arrests for out of town officers,
1
Electric lights reported out,
74
Amount of fines received from Third District Court, $840 08.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen, Judge Geo. H. W. Hayes and other officials of the Third District Court, Town Counsel Albert F. Welsh, and to the officers and all others who have assisted me in my official duties.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. DUPRAY,
Chief of Police.
-
71
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, 1916: Number of men in the Department, 40
" box alarms,
16
" still alarms,
34
Total number of alarms,
50
Value of department equipment,
$15500 00
" buildings occupied by department, 20000 00
66 " fire alarm equipment 3500 00
Number of feet of hose laid. « 5250 feet
Property threatened by fire, $47450 00
Property damaged by fire, 11025 00
Insurance on same, 30250 00
Insurance paid, 5772 00
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT.
Steamer, 1
Hook & Ladder, 1 1
Auto-Combination Chemical and Hose,
1
Hose Wagons, 2
Reels,
6
Fire Alarm Boxes,
19
Number feet of hose
6000
We wish to report that we have installed a storage battery system "Gamewell type" for our Fire Alarm, in place of our old gravity system, which is giving the best of results.
72
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
By selling the Torrent Engine house in the Candlewood district, by vote of the town, it has left us without a place to house our jumper in that district, we would recommend the moving the house . at Lathrop Bro's stables to some place in that district to house the same.
We would recommend the purchasing of new hose to replace some of our old, the amount not to exceed $300.
ARTHUR H. WALTON, EDWIN M. POOLE, WALTER G. BROWN,
Engineers.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN,
Gentlemen,
I herewith present a report of the work done by the teams during the year ending December 31, 1916, also an itemized list of the property in the Highway Department :
Team No 1 worked 963 hours @ $0.62 1-2
$ 601 88
Team No 2
951
66
@ .62 1-2
594 38
1193
@
.75
894 75
Spare horse
66
890
@
.17 151 30
66
986
@ .23 1-2 231 71
$3371 77
Number of horses in department, 7, (including two owned by F. L. Burke & Son.)
Cost of hay, grain and water,
$1416 77
Average cost per week for each horse, 3 89
6
1197
@ .75
897 75
73
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
INVENTORY.
Five horses,
$1200 00
3 pair double harness,
125 00
2 pair street blankets,
25 00
2 pair stable blankets,
7 50
3 two-horse carts,
375 00
2 two-horse sleds,
100 00
1 two-horse barge,
100 00
1 two-horse sleigh barge,
50 00
1 two-horse sweeper,
225 00
2 road machines,
200 00
3 road plows,
20 00
10 gravel screens,
40 00
2 two-horse shovels,
10 00
1 stone drag,
5 00
3 road drags,
40 00
1 two-horse stone roller,
40 00
1 steam roller,
1500 00
1 scarifier,
400 00
2 watering carts,
375 00
7 snow plows,
100 00
1 one-horse wagon,
60 00
1 oil wagon,
600 00
1 Ford truck,
400 00
Snow fences,
120 00
All other tools, etc.,
600 00
$6717 50
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH A. HUCKINS, Superintendent of Streets.
74
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 annual report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures of the Town of Ipswich for the year ending December 31, 1916.
Within the last few years many changes in the laws pertaining to weights and measures have been made, and all weighing and measuring devices used in a commercial way must be sealed when accurate. Any person who uses an inaccurate weight, scale or measure is liable to prosecution. State inspectors and local Sealers are empowered to enforce these laws and the result has shown a great improvement in all methods of merchandising. Officials can- not supervise each sale, and we must ask the honest dealer and purchasing public to cooperate with us in that we may eliminate the very small percentage of ignorant and dishonest dealers.
HAWKERS, PEDLERS AND ITINERATE VENDORS.
The enforcement of this license law is now vested in the Com - missioner of Weights and Measures. Heretofore some of these traveling vendors have paid neither rent nor taxes and in many instances not even a license fee, making an unfair competition from which many local merchants must suffer.
All food for sale in package form must be plainly marked with the net contents. The careful purchaser should examine each
-
75
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
package, and observe the net contents, this gives the consumer the advantage of comparing packages put up by different dealers with the same goods sold in bulk form. If these precautions are neglect- ed one of the great advantages of this net weight law is lost.
Respectfully,
WILLIAM A. STONE.
Sealed Non-Sealed Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 1bs.
6
1
4
Counter
18
Beam
12
Spring Balance Scales
51
8
Computing Scales
23
1
Slot Weighing Scales
5
2
Prescription Scales
4
2
Weights, Avoirdupois
397
Apothecary
74
Metric
63
Troy
8
Dry Measures
20
Liquid Measures
138
3
Oil Measuring Pumps
13
2
Molasses Measuring Pumps
3
Linear Measures
21
Steel Tapes
1
Fees collected and paid to Town Treasurer
$64 58
under "
43
76
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
To the Selectmen of Ipswich,
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report of vital statistics of Ipswich as recorded by the Clerk.
BIRTHS.
Births in Ipswich for the year 1916. 168.
Whole number of births,
Fathers born in Ipswich
19
Mothers
15
Mass
18
66
17
US
3
7
66
England
1
66
1
Scotland
1
Russia
Austria
62
66
62
.6
Poland
Greece
32
32
Italy
4
4
Portugal
1
1
Denmark
0
1
Sweden
0
1
66
Unknown
1
0
Totals,
168
168
٤٠
Brit Prov
26
26
1
Ireland
0
.
77
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Births by months-January 9, February 10, March 10, April 12, May 17, June 9, July 15, August 25, September 16, October 16, November 16, December 13 .= 168.
Occupation of Fathers -- Laborers 23, Mill Operatives 67, Farm- ers 7, Coachman L, Chauffeur 1, Machinists 7, Superintendents 3. Teamsters 11, Bank Clerk 1, Carpenters 2, Mail Carriers 2, Dentist 1, Plumber 1, Painter 1, Heel factory workers 5, Fish Dealers 3, Foreman 2, Eatinghouse proprietors 2, Clerks 3, Grocers 4, Real Estate 1, Fruit Dealers 3, Granite Cutter 1, Insurance 1, Mason 1, Tool Maker 1, Meat Cutter 1, Merchant 4, Tailor 1 Manager 1, Milk man 1, Fisherman 1, Engineer 1, Gardener 1, Unknown 2 .= 168.
MARRIAGES.
Whole number 108.
Birthplace of Grooms.
Birthplace of Brides
Russia, Austria, Poland,
29
29
Greece
23
23
British Provinces
11
15
Ipswich
11
15
Massachusetts
21
19
United States
7
3
England
3
2
Ireland
1
0
Scotland
1
0
Sweden
1
1
France
0
1
108
108
79 Grooms, residence in Ipswich. 66
29
" other places.
108
84 Brides, residence in Ipswich. 24 " other places.
108
78
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
By months-January 10, February 7, March 4, April 4, May 11, June 9, July 15, August 6, September 8, October 11, November 18, December 5. Total, 108.
By whom married :
Roman Catholic Clergymen
5.1
Greek Clergymen 21
Congregational Clergymen 18
Methodist Episcopal Clergymen
6
Protestant Episcopal Clergymen
3
Baptist Clergymen
2
Denomination not given, (Clergymen)
5
Justice of the Peace
2
108
DEATHS.
Deaths in Ipswich, 110,
Residing in Ipswich,
105
Males, 53
$6
" other places
3
Females 57
Unknown
2
110
110
Buried in Ipswich 87. In other places 23. Total 110
Under one year of age
28
One year and under twenty
11
Twenty years and under forty
15
Forty years and under sixty
18
Sixty years and under seventy
10
Seventy years and under eighty
19
Eighty years and under ninety
6
2
Ninety years and over Unknown
1
110
79
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Deaths By months-January 7, February 5, March 13, April 7, May 11, June 12, July 12, August 6, September 11, October 12, November 7, December 7 .= 110.
Birthplace of deceased parents :
Ipswich,
Fathers
14
Mothers
25
Mass
20
13
US
9
7
British Provinces
66
23
66
17
Eng., Ire. and Scot.
11
10
Russia
Austria
16
16
Poland
Greece
8
66
8
Italy
1
1
Denmark
1
66
1
0
Germany
1
1
Unknown
6
12
110
110
LICENSES.
Whole number of dogs licensed. 168 males, 27 females.
1 Kennel license. 5 dogs.
Total number of dogs, 200.
Billiard and Pool licenses 10, Bowling Alley 1, Victuallers licenses 5, Inholders licenses 3, Junk Dealers 4, Auctioneers 2, Ex- press Liquor license 1, and Certificate from Standard Oil Company to continue business.
I have under the direction of the State Fish and Game Commis- sion issued 221 Hunters' Certificates.
. CHARLES W. BAMFORD, Town Clerk.
80
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
OVERSEERS' REPORT.
OUTSIDE POOR.
The Overseers have had this year in the Outside Poor Depart- ment the same general problem to solve that they have every year. More properly speaking, it is two problems in one, being divisable as follows : (1) How to take proper care of the Town's depend- dents ; and (2) How to conserve the Town's finances. The law makes it obligatory for the town to provide for its poor, and the town in turn demands that the Overseers perform this important work with due regard to economy. It is only fair to the Overseers to state that the application of this double principle has character- ized their labors during the past twelve months. No dependent has been made to suffer through the practice of too rigid economy, and at the same time the town has met with no unnecessary losses by means of extreme generosity on the part of the Overseers. The work has been done to the best of their ability, and it is their hope and belief that the results will prove generally satisfactory. If others could have done better, it would have been because of su- perior wisdom and not truer desire or more sincere purpose.
The following comparison of the expenditures of this and the preceding year is presented with no slight degree of pleasure :
Total expense Outside Poor 1915 1916 9,127 15
$10,733 05
Showing a reduction this year of
$1,605 90
81
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Three considerations are responsible for this gratifying result : (1) The careful and painstaking efforts on the part of the Board in the work of investigation, following up the cases with more than the usual degree of closeness, reducing allowances whenever and wherever circumstances would permit, and finding employment for those whoneeded it withcut regard as to whether they wanted it or not. (2) The coming into effect in the month of August of a law passed in 1911, by the provisions of which a person loses his or her settlement in a city or town by a five years' voluntary absence; and, in the event of inability to gain settlement elsewhere, becoming a state case, the responsibility for whose care in event of need falling upon the Commonwealth. As the result of the operation of this law, we have been relieved of the burden of providing for a number of de- pendents who had had Ipswich settlements but were actually resid- ing in other places. (3) The greatly improved business conditions, making work plentiful, with a considerable advance in wages. There has been ro need this year for any person, man or woman, who was mentally and physically able to work, to be out of employ- ment.
We have shown in the foregoing that the total expense of the Outside Poor Department for 1916 was $9,127.15. The town was not that amount out of pocket, however, as will be seen by the fol- fowing figures :
Total expense Outside Poor 1916 $9,127 15
Reimbursement from State, Cities and Towns, 1,346 84
Balance being net cost to Ipswich $7,780 31
This is a very moderate amount considering the high cost of commodities. Three dollars today will not go as far towards pro- viding for the necessities of the poor as two dollars did one year ago.
It should be stated that $3,286.64, one-third of the gross amount, has been expended for Mothers' Aid under Chap. 763, Acts of 1913. This law is a good thing, a great boon to mothers thrown upon their own resources with a family of small children to provide for. No taxpayer, with a heart of sympathy for the
82
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
unforunate, will complain because of the increase in his tax bill occasioned by the operation of a law so just and humane.
In conclusion the Overseers wish to say that it is their hope, if business and other conditions remain stationary, to effect a still further reduction in the expense of the Outside Poor Department in 1917. Yet it must be remembered that, beyond the fact that "'the poor you have always with you," very little can be predicted in regard to future calls for aid. No prophet can state with certainty the number of dependents or the extent of their needs in coming time. Present indications may be entirely at variance with future developments. .
TOWN FARM.
After August 1st, 1912, when our new and large barn was destroyed by fire, it was necessary to transform the old hay barn into a habitation for the cattle. At that time we installed our hogs in a pen situated on the easterly side of that barn ; but as this did not meet with the approval of the inspectors, it was necessary to remove the hogs to their former place in the cellar of the barn which had been burned. As these two locations are in the neigh- bood of four hundred feet apart, we had been working, up to the middle of 1916, at considerable inconvenience, as many extra steps had to be taken in the performance of labor. Besides this, the manure from the cattle had to be thrown out at the side of the barn, where it lay in the burning sun with the liquid soaking into the ground, thus occasioning no small loss.
This condition had to be endured until last year, when it was found that the barn had fallen into such a state of decay that it was necessary to put in an entirely new bottom. When the barn was built the rear sill was set close to the ground, the front sill was elevated less than a foot. and the air space was far less than it should have been. The result was exactly what might have been expected-the too early decay of sills and floor timbers,
In addition, the barn had heen built without a cellar and locat- ed at the foot of a hill where water poured under it. This, togeth- er with the impossibility of preventing the liquid from the cattle inside and the manure outside from flowing beneath the barn, made
83
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
a condition unsuitable to the production and sale of milk.
Such a state could not be longer tolerated, and the inspectors were rapidly coming to the place where patience would cease to be a virtue. Consequently, as the barn had to be jacked up in order to get the floor timbers set, the Overseers decided to slip the skids under and move the building to the cellar of the barn which was burned. This was done at a very moderate expense. The advan- tages gained may be stated as follows :
[1] The conditions, so far as we know and believe, now meet all reasonable requirements of the inspectors.
[2] The barn is situated so that decay from the former sources is impossible. The frame is strong and the appearance of the structure shapely. With the new weather boards and re-shingling on the sides, it will be in all essential respects as good as a new barn.
[3] With the horses, hogs and cattle brought together, many needless steps are avoided, and the work can be done with much saving of time.
[4] The cow tie-ups are directly over the pen, so that the ma- nure can be thrown into it from above, giving the hogs a chance to root it over and improve it for spring use. The hog pen has a cement bottom, which will save loss of liquid. By thowing in some mulch occasionally, we shall make with the same number of cattle a much larger amount of manure and of a far better quality.' This will give us the opportunity to do more planting and to top dress a portion of the hay land.
[5] In the cellar in front of the hog pen there is room for the storage of most of our carts, tools, etc., so they no longer stand out in the weather.
[6] We now have for the cattle in the winter season a natural cow-yard, sheltered from northerly winds by the hill and the barn itself.
[7] We are saved a distance of about one-sixth of a mile in driving the cows to the pasture in the morning and back to the barn at night, and they do not pass directly in front of the house to leave their droppings in the carriages way.
84
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
A member of the Finance Committee. and other gentlemen who have visited the Farm since the barn was moved, speak highly of the change and call it the best piece of work that has been done for many years. The old barn now covers half of the unsightly hole left by the burning of the new barn, and it will be a good stroke of policy for the town at some time when the finances will warrant it to cover the other half with an addition to the present structure.
As propositions for the future, the Overseers offer the follow- ing ;
(1) To remove the building used during the past four years as a stable to the site of the carriage shed which disappeared in the flames of 1912. This will shield the barn doorway from northerly drafts. It will give housing for light carriages and afford room for a proper dairy. The cellar beneath it will give storage for vegetables.
(2) To remove the ice house, hennery and corn crib to loca- tions near the barn on the southerly side of the road leading to the pasture.
(3) To stack our wood and do all work where it will be hidden by the barn, thus removing from view all unsightly clutter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.