USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1919 > Part 3
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Town of Ipswich, Water
300 00
City of Fitchburg, School Loan
120 00
Water Front Improvement
84 00
Liberty Bonds
132 59
Ipswich Savings Bank
9 92
$726 51
$1175 00
$736 09
-
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
69
CREDIT.
Cemetery Funds
· $735 43
Income undivided
66
$736 09
OTHER TRUST FUNDS.
ELIZABETH M. BROWN FUND.
Town of Ipswich, in trust, the income to be used under the direction of the Selectmen. by the Agent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Balance, January, 1919 $878 92
Income
17 56
Deposited in Ipswich Savings Bank, Jan. 1920
$896 48
JOHN C. KIMBALL FUND.
Town of Ipswich, Trustee, under the will of John C. Kimball, income to be used for the purchase of books for the Ipswich Public Library.
Balance, January, 1919
Income
$522 46 10 00
$532 46
Feb. 28, 1919, paid to F. A. Kimball, Treasurer 22 46
Deposited in Ipswich Savings Bank, January, 1919 $510 00
70
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Treasurer's Department.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES RECEIPTS
Balance, January, 1919
$25205 70
Taxes, 1914
$ 5 60
1915
57 89
1916
645 10
1917
4968 71
1918
15300 30
1919
98316 22
Moth, 1916
1 80
1917
27 55
1918
150 73
1919
1399 43
Department Bills :
City of Cambridge, Soldiers' Relief a/c
231 00
Comm. of Mass .. Poor a/c. 1918
424 56
Mothers' Aid
a/c, 1918
286 00
66 66
Sick support 5 00
66
Temporary Aid 8 00
State Aid, 1918 2684 00
66
66 Contagious Diseases 114 50
109 94
Miscellaneous Dept. bills
Revenue Receipts :
Comm. of Mass., Income Tax. 1917
468 00
66
66
1918 819 00
66
66
1919
10962 96
66
66
66 1919
School Fund 4460 00
71
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Comm, of Mass. Street Railway Tax 738 96
..
Corporation Tax,
Pub. Service 1942 27
. .
Corporation Tax,
Business 6731 28
National Bank Tax 9048 38
. . Nat. Bank Tax, 1917 5892 36
Soldiers' Exemption 86 53
Liquor License
1620 00
Junk Licenses
120 00
Motor Vehicle Licenses
20 00
Other License Fees and Permits
189 00
Third District Court, Criminal Fines
656 30
County of Essex, Dog Licensse 329 38
Collector's Dept., Cost", etc. 116 39
Other General Government Receipts 256 15
Ipswich Mills, Police Service
600 00
Fire Dept., Receipts
31 88
Tree Warden, Receipts
45 00
Comm. of Mass., Tuberculosis Subsidy
6 43
Mass. Highway Commission, Turnpike reimbursement
25 55
County of Essex, Turnpike rein-
bursement 1500 00
Bay State St. Ry. Co., Excise Tax, 1917 and 1918
3387 38
Comm. of Mass., Bounty on Seal
2 00
Town Farm Receipts
1879 60
Rent of Town Hall
294 00
Poor Dept., Receipts
117 75
Comm. of Mass., Tuition' of State Wards 266 00
Town of Rowley, Tuition 1072 50
Miscellaneous Receipts, School Dept. 32 28
Sale of Hay at Playground 15 00
Interest on Taxes 1456 68
72
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Interest on Deposits
905 77
Town Scale Receipts 20 30
Sale of Cemetery Lots and Graves
450 00
Town Farm Insurance Refund
2 20
All other revenue receipts
310 46
$56877 74
County of Essex, Essex Road reim- bursement
1200 00
Mass. Highway Commission, Es ex Road reimbursement
1200 00
Electric. Light Dept., light, power, etc.
28039 57
Water Dept., water rates. supplies, etc.
15153 92
Temporary Loans
85000 00
Electric Light Loan
6000 00
Highway Dept., Loan
2500 00
Sundry Persons, Perpetual Care Funds
1175 00
Cemetery Trust Funds care of lots
363 05
Income from Trust Funds
776 53
Welcome Home Committee, sale of
banquet tickets. etc.
766 10
$323788 24
$348993 94
73
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
EXPENDITURES
Accountant's Warrants :
Department Orders
$132669 37
Electric Light Dept. Payments
37727 44
Electric Light Notes
3550 00
Electric Light Interest
2284 00
Water Dept. Payments
12653 08
Water Dept. Interest
7917 00
Water Dept. Notes
2150 00
Temporary Loans
90000 00
Interest on Temporary Loans
2148 67
General Loans
6500 00
Interest on General Loans
1995 50
State Tax
14410 00
State Highway Tax
4760 50
Special State Tax
864 60
County Tax
10635 42
Non-Resident Bank Tax
457 11
Comm. of Mass., Liquor License Fees
397 50
Wm. J. Riley, Treas. Trust Funds :
Perpetual Care Accounts
1175 00
Trust Fund Income
776 53
Bay State St. Ry. Co., Refund-Over-
payment Excise Tax
144 17
Mass. Highway Comm., Turnpike re- imbursement
1500 00
Bounty on Seal
2 00
Balance, Dec. 31, 1919
$334717 89 14276 05
$348993 94
74
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
BALANCE SHEET.
DR.
Cash on hand, December 31, 1912
$14276 05
W'm. J. Riley, Collector, Tax 1913
$
97 33
1914
863 36
** 1915
16 64
66 1916
29 05
1917
8336 34
1918
5587 21
1919
17676 37
Moth 1908 '09
38 71
1911
2 26
1912
8 38
66 1913
54 95
1914
8 84
1915
21 85
1916
127 47
66
1917
58 85
1918
68 85
6 6
1919
258 62
Street Sprinkling, 1911
03
1912
10 09
66
1913
14 82
Electric Light
4304 38
Water 5223 01
Department Bills
1054 85
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1882 67
2381 98
Overlay, 1915
387 81
Water Department
658 21
1
Sinking Fund, Ipswich Water Dept. $122025 20
Net Bonded Debt 178724 80
Trust Funds
$300750 00 $20757 33
$377456 31
Revenue, 1920
$41672 93
75
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
BALANCE SHEET.
CR.
Overlay, 1912
$ 283 43
1913
100 19
1914
117 66
66
1917
290 68
1918
408 78
1919
1898 06
In urance, Fire Loss
2104 80
Temporary Loans
25000 00
Electric Light Revenue
430-1 38
Water Revenue
5223 01
Moth Suppression
2287 24
Eagle Hill Road
82 24
Essex Road
593 10
Blaisdell Avenue
89 01
Town Farm
325 00
Education
816 74
Shell Fish
20 00
Welcome Home Celebration
188 04
Electric Light Department
1383 13
$45515 49
Refunding Loan
$5600 00
Central Fire Station Loan
8000 00
Electric Light Loan
59950 00
Water Loan
195900 00
Winthrop School Loan
17000 00
Heating Plan Loan
6000 00
Water Front Improvement Loan
2100 00
State Guard Equipment Loan
3700 00
Highway Department Loan
2500 00
$300750 00
Cemetery Trust Funds
$19350 85
Kimball Library Fund
510 00
Brown Animal Fund
896 48
$20757 33
$367022 82
Excess and Deficiency
$ 10433 49
$377456 31
76
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
AUDITOR'S STATEMENT.
I certify that I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find them correct, and find the balance in the hands of the treasurer to agree with the report submitted. I have approved vouchers for all bills paid and find them to agree with the Treasurer's warrants. FREDERICK S. WITHAM, Auditor.
NOTES MATURING 1920.
Central Fire Station Loan
$ 1000 00
Refunding Loan
700 00
Winthrop School Loan
2000 00
Heating Plant Loan
500 00
Water Front Improvement Loan
300 00
State Guard Equipment Loan
1000 00
Highway Department Loan
2500 00
Electric Light Loan
4050 00
Water Loan
2150 00
$14200 00
INTEREST ON DEBT 1920
Central Fire Station Loan
$ 350 00
Refunding Loan
224 00
Winthrop School Loan
680 00
Heating Plant Loan
240 00
Water Front Improvement Loan
84 00
State Guard Equipment Loan
155 00
Highway Department Loan
57 50
Electric Light Loan
2442 00
Water Loan
7831 00
Temporary Loans (estimated)
3000 00
$15063 50
77
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
Year
Uncollected Jan., 1919
Collected 1919
Uncollected Abated Dec. 31, 1919
1913 Tax
$
97 33
$
97 33
1914
868 96
5 60
863 36
1915
631 08
57 89
$556 55
16 64
1916
66
674 15
645 10
29 05
1.917
5955 77
4968 71
150 72
836 34
1918
66
21372 58
15300 30
485 07
5587 21
*1919
66
116094 53
98316 22
101 94
17676 37
.
$119293 82
$1294 28 $25106 30
* Amount Committed.
Amount of uncollected taxes, January, 1919 $29599 87
78
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
BONDED DEBT.
Title of Loan
Amount
Payable
Central Fire Station
$ 8000 00
Serially 1920-1927
Refunding
5600 00
1920-1927
Winthrop School
17000 00
66
1920-1935
Heating Plant
6000 00
66
1920-1931
Water Front Improvement
2100 00
1920-1926
State Guard Equipment
3700 00
66
1920 1923
Highway Department
2500 00
1920
Electric Light
59950 00
Serially 1920-1938
Water Notes
35900 00
1920-1936
Water Bonds
130000 00
1924
Water Bonds
30000 00
1927
Total Bonded Debt
$300750 00
Sinking Fund, Water Dept. $122025 20
NET BONDED DEBT
$178724 80
TEMPORARY LOANS
First National Bank, Ipswich $2000 00 Sinking Fund, Water Dept. 5000 00
May 15, 1920
June 26, 1920
79
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
List of Unpaid 1919 Bills.
SELECTMEN
Essex Book Bindery, binding reports $82 99
D A Grady, auto hire 2 00
$84 99
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR
Ipswich Chronicle, advertising $25 00
Dalton Adding Machine Co., baalnce due 7 00
$32 00
ASSESSORS
John W Nourse, balance of salary $47 52
$47 52
TOWN HALL
J H Sheppard, labor $ 6 00
Alonzo L Brown, laundry
2 84
Chas L Lovell, fuel
68 84
Angus I Savory, supplies
1 20
B J Conley, supplies
9 00
F E Wood, removing ashes
5 50
Ipswich Gaslight Co, gas
34 60
George Hayes, plumbing
9 85
Water Department, water
6 91
A J Brenan, labor
50
$145 24
POLICE
John W Goodhue, supplies
$ 1 78
Sundry persons, wages
117 50
N E Tel & Tel Co, telephone
:4 17
H C Poor, labor
14 00
Cable Hospital, board
2 00
Chas S Garrette, supplies
1 80
B B Mansfield, M D, services
7 00
Heirs of S F Canney, use of camp
10 00
D A Grady, auto hire
23 50
$181 75
80
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
FIRE
Sundry persons balance of wages from
May 1, 1919, to Dec. 31, 1919 $1233 34
$1233 34
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Wm A Stone, balance of 1919 salary $9 70
American Railway Ex Co, express 74
W & L E Gurley, supplies
3 05
D A Grady, auto hire
7 00
A C Damon, supplies 4 95
F E Wood, use of team
3 00
$28 44
TREE WARDEN
,
7 E Wood, use of horse $8 75
$8 75
HEALTH
D A Grady, auto hire $
2 00
City of Salem, board and care
130 71
Dept. Public Welfare, board and care
92 00
W F Poole, groceries 24 00
A C Damon, supplies
1 30
American Railway Ex Co, express
1 22
Tougas & Tougas, groceries
12 00
Hamilton Hardware Store, supplies
9 15
E J M Scahill, transportation
96 00
Geo A Schofield, insurance
45 00
City of Boston, board and care
112 86
Town Farm Dept., board
36 00
Sundry Persons, loss of wages
131 00
Sundry persons, guard duty
29 63
Coburn Charitable Ass., services welfare nurse
350 00
Comm. of Massachusetts, epidemic
supplies 1800 00
$2872 87
81
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Water Dept., water
$20 28
John W Goodhue, supplies 98
A C Damon, supplies 4 35
$25 61
ESSEX ROAD
N J Bolles supplies $1 10
$1 10
OUT POOR DEPARTMENT
City of Chicopee, board and care $65 76
Mass. General Hospital, board and care 46 90
$112 66
EDUCATION
A J Wilkinson & Co, supplies $73 48
A H Peatfield, fuel 14 75
$88 23
Total unpaid bills
$4862 50
-
82
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
List of Town Property.
School Houses
$120000 00
Public Buildings
40000 00
Public Grounds
10000 00
Town Farm
30000 00
Cemeteries
5000 00
Heard Wharf
100 00
Averoff Wharf
3250 00
Turkey Shore Pasture
1000 00
Woodland, Linebrook
200 00
Woodland, Common Fields
75 04
Thatch Bank, Great Flats
Thatch Bank, Third Creek
Two Gravel Pits, Washington Street
1500 00
Fire Apparatus
15000 00
Highway Department 6713 00
In addition to the property enumerated above, there is the shore, beach and other property given to the Town by the Commoners, value of which is not estimated. The valu- ation of Water Works and Electric Lighting Plant will be found in the Water and Light Report.
83
Assessors Report.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Education
$49000 00
Highways
19000 00
Electric Light Department
10905 00
Out Poor
7700 00
Fire Department
6470 00
Interest
5495 50
Police Department
5200 00
Town Farm
4000 00
Health Department
3500 00
Treasurer and Collector
3275 00
State Aid
2500 00
Town Hall
2300 00
Selectmen
2275 00
Water Department
2237 50
Cemeteries
1800 00
Auditing and Accounting
1500 00
Assessors
900 00
Town Clerk
750 00
Election and Registration
550 00
Tree Warden
400 00
1
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
84
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Parks
375 00
Law Department
300 00
Weights and Measures
210 00
Forest Warden
100 00
Shell Fish
200 00
Essex Road
2000 00
Memorial Day
250 00
Moth Work
2928 33
$136121 33
Total appropriations
$136121 33
County Tax
10635 42
State Tax
14410 00
State Highway Tax
4760 50
Special State Tax
864 60
Overlay for 1919
2000 00
Excess of abatements above overlay in 1916
148 55
Total amount to be raised
$168940 40
Estimated income
53002 48
$115937 92
Non-resident Bank Tax
466 68
$116404 60
Amount assessed on 1427 Polls
$ 2854 00
Amount assessed on Property
113083 92
Amount of Personal Property assessed
$1328614 00
Amount of Real Estate assessed
4623131 00
Value of buildings assessed
3287086 00
Value of land assessed
1336045 00
Number of horses
344
COW'S
505
sheep
61
other neat cattle 197
85
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
swine
134
fowl
4463
66
acres of land
17645
66
persons assessed
2148
persons assessed on property
1218
66
66 persons assessed on poll only
930
dwelling houses
1301'
Rate of Taxation, $19.00 on $1000.
Later assessments were as follows:
$92 00
On Personal Property
21 38
On Real Estate
43 23
JOHN W. NOURSE,
RICHARD R. GLASIER,
GEORGE FALL,
Assessors
On 46 polls
86
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
1
Police Report.
- Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit to you the report of the duties performed by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1919.
Total number of arrests, 330.
Arrests by months : January 24, February 26, March 31, April 9, May 51, June 40, July 47, August 30, September 24, October 19, November 18, December 11.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME.
Drunkenness
117
Gaming
7
Larceny 12
Non-support
2
Violation of fish and game laws
7
Assault and battery
11
Bastardy
2
Non-attendance at school
3
Violation of town by-laws
9
Making threats
1
Violation of Auto law
68
Keeping house of ill fame 1 Lewdness 1
87
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Fornication
5
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
4
Liquor nuisance
9
Illegal sale of liquor
15
Keeping liquor with intent to sell
9
Breach of peace
1
Vagrancy
40
Violation of Pure Food Law
1
Adultery
1
Operating auto under influence of liquor
2
Violation of Short Weight Law
1
Violation of Board of Health Regulations
1
Total
330
Crimes against persons
12
Crimes against property
12
Crimes against public order
306
Total
330
DISPOSITION OF CASES.
Fined
89
Probated
54
Committed to House of Correction
38
Filed
35
Appealed
13
Continued
44
Discharged
24
Suspended
26
Defaulted
6
Held for Grand Jury
1
Total 330
STOLEN PROPERTY.
Value of property reported stolen
$410 00
Value of property recovered 315 00
LOST PROPERTY.
Value of property reported lost $27 25
Value of property recovered and restored to owners 27 25
.
88
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Assistance rendered persons in distress
16
Buildings found open and secured 24
Complaints investigated 315
Committed to Danvers Hospital
5
Lost children restored to parents
1
Number of dogs killed 9
Number of hours of special duty for private parties 1120
INVENTORY OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Number of badges
14
chain twisters 12
66
electric light flashlights
5
pairs of handcuffs
4
66
66 keys
30
66'
clubs 14
Amount of fines received from the Third Dist. Court $656 30
Amount of fines collected for the last quarter in hands of Court 219 25
metal whistles
6
$875 55
In submitting the above report I desire to take this op- portunity to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Se- lectmen, Judge George H W Hayes and all other officials of the Court, Town Counsel Frank E Raymond, and to the offi- cers and all others who have assisted me in the performance of my official duties.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD LEAVITT, Chief of Police.
89
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, 1919 : No. of men in the Department 40
No. of box alarms
12
No. of still alarms
31
Total number of alarms
43
Property threatened by fire
$31900 00
Insurance on same
7200 00
Insurance paid
6531 17
Property loss
15800 00
Value of department equipment
15000 00
Value buildings occupied by dept. 20000 00
Value fire alarm equipment
3500 00
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT.
Steamer
1
Hook and Ladder
1
Auto Combination Chemical and Hose
1
Hose Wagons
2
Hose Reels
4
Fire Alarm boxes
19
No. feet of hose
5800
90
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We would recommend that the Town purchase a three wray motor pumping engine at a cost not to exceed $10000.00 or make some provisions to improve our present equip- ment.
ARTHUR H. WALTON, EDWIN M. POOLE,
Engineers.
91
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.
This department comes directly under the supervision of the State Commissioner of Standards and it is his inten- tion at all times to broaden the scope of the Sealer's work. Every Sealer is supposed to make constant improvement as he acquires a larger experience. He is expected by the State Department to be steadily on the job, making inspec- tions and re-weighings and to see that the public gets hon- est weight and measure.
While the Statute requires that devices for weighing and measuring used by dealers shall be annually tested and sealed or condemned in accordance with the result of such tests, the fact that a dealer is using a sealed weight or measure does not absolve him from liability when giving short weight or measure. He is held strictly responsible to the public.
All scales, weights and measures used for buying and selling, shipping, payment of wages, or any commercial use whatsoever, must be tested and sealed, and any person us-
92
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
ing scales, weights and measures that are not properly test- ed and sealed is liable to prosecution.
"Whoever, himself or by his servant or agent or as the servant or agent of another person, gives or attempts to give false or insufficient weight or measure shall for a first of- fence be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars, for a second offence by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars, and for a subsequent offence by a fine of fifty dol- lars and by imprisonment for not less than thirty nor more than ninety days." (Chap. 394, Acts of 1907, as amended
by Chap. 163, Acts of 1911.)
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
9 Sealed
Platform Scales under 5000 lbs.
56
3 Condemned
Counter Scales
29
1
Beam Scales
17
Spring Balance Scales
45
6
Computing Scales
28
2
Slot Scales
5
66
3
Avoirdupois Weights
397
66
40 Adjusted
Dry Measures
14
Liquid Measures
115
66
4 Condemned
Oil & Gasoline Pumps
24
66
1
66
Molasses Pumps
7
Yard Sticks
22
66
66
Prescription Scales
4
66
Apothecary Weights
96
66
Metric Weights
67
66
1
Fees and adjusting charges collected and paid to Town Treasurer, $89.94.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM A. STONE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
L
93
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Streets.
Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
T herewith submit the annual report of the Street De-
partment for the year ending December 31, 1919 :
Team No. 1 worked 2296 hours @ $.90 $2066 40
Team No. 2 worked 2208 hours @ $.90 1987 20
Single Team, worked 1280 hours @ $.25 320 00
$4373 60
Number of gallons of Oil on streets 14476
· Number of sq. yds. covered by same
77379
Number of gallons of tarvia on streets 1200
3158
Number of sq. yds. covered by same Cost of oil
$817 13
Cost of labor, teams, sand covering the same
285 40
Cost of tarvia 144 00
Cost of labor, teams, sand covering the same
43 00
$1289 53
INVENTORY
4 horses
$1300 00
3 pr. double harness
175 00
2 pr. street blankets
50 00
2 pr. storm blankets
7 00
94
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
2 pr. stable blankets
7 50
3 two-horse carts
375 00
2 two-horse sleds
100 00
1 two-horse sweeper
225 00
3 road machines
475 00
4 road plows
55 00
12 gravel screens
60 00
2 two-horse shovels
25 00
3 stone drags
15 00
1 two-horse stone roller
40 00
3 road drags
40 00
1 steam roller
1000 00
2 scarifiers
300 00
2 watering carts
375 00
7 snow plows
175 00
1 one-horse wagon
60 00
1 oil wagon
600 00
1 tar kettle
45 00
1 Ford truck
250 00
1 Albany jack
13 50
1 differential hoist
25 00
Snow fences
120 00
All other tools, etc.,
800 00
$6713 00
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH A. HUCKINS,
Superintendent of Streets.
-
95
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of the Overseers' of the Poor.
OUT POOR DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for 1919 was $7706.40; the amount expended, $5567.62; leaving a balance of $2138.78 to be re- turned to the town treasury. This is the best showing made in the Out Poor Department for many years.
Four causes have contributed to this highly satisfactory result, viz: The prevailing good times, the war prohibition, the work of supervision, and the policy of education.
During the past year, work was plentiful and wages high. No person physically fit was unable to find employ- ment. In fact, the work generally sought the worker, and he had opportunity to choose that which was most to his liking and to demand a large return for his labor. This was not all gain, however, because the high cost of commodities offset in a measure the high wages. And again, the phy- sically unfit and the widow with small children were not able to take advantage of the high wages, while the town was compelled to pay the higher cost of their support. Nev- ertheless, there has been gain from the cause mentioned, and this has helped to reduce the expense of the Out Poor Department.
While liquor did not wholly disappear under war-time
96
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
prohibition, yet it was not so easily to be obtained. As a result, there was marked improvement in many homes. Men improved in health, ambition returned, they went to work, kept steadily at it, and spent their money upon the family instead of upon themselves, thus manfully assuming their obligations instead of thrusting then upon the town. These facts were noted by all charitable workers, whether public or private. For several months we have not received an ap- plication for aid where the distress was immediately trace- able to drink.
1
The work of this department has been closely super- vised. Applications for aid have been carefully examined and relief extended only where need actually existed. The cases, have been followed up and aid withdrawn as soon as the distress has passed. The tax-payers' money has been well handled, as will be seen by the large amount remain- ing unexpended. Still, the policy has not been niggardly ; for, while there has been no needless waste, the deserving poor have not been allowed to suffer. Brain and heart have worked together with gratifying results.
The continued policy of education is bearing fruit, and the people are learning the valuable le son of self-support and self-respect. The fact is dawning upon many minds that, while the town is ever ready to help those who are unable to help themselves, it does not wish to be imposed upon. The atmosphere is clearing and light is being seen ahead. The shirker is learning to be the worker; and the worker, instead of spending all, is being taught to save the proverbial penny for the rainy day. Those who fall into temporary distress are learning to look to their credit in- stead of to the town: and those who have a hidden store, to draw upon it and not upon the town treasury. Children who have passed school age are learning that they have a duty to needy parents which must not be neglected.
The policy of education is helping to save the public funds and prevent the pauperization of the people.
Is it too much to ask well-meaning citizens not to be too ready to give their, sometimes mistaken sympathy to those who have been denied aid? Why should they not first
97
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
consult the Overseers and hear their side of the story? If such persons have information to impart which will help in the work of investigation, the Board will be only too glad to receive it.
While the needs of the coming year cannot be foretold, yet from pre ent indications the Overseers feel warranted in recommending a considerably smaller appropriation than was made last year.
TOWN FARM DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for the Farm was $4000 00; the ex- penditures, $3991.54; leaving a small balance of $8.46. The net cost of maintaining each inmate per week was $4.06, a decrease of 12 cents fron 1918. The total number of in- mates registered for 1919 was 16; the average number dur- ing the year was 10.
The inventory of stock, tools, produce, etc., on Deceni- ber 31, 1919, showed an increase of $554.75 over the prev- ious year. In addition, a one-story carriage :hed, dairy. workshop and harness room combined, 54 feet long, and 18 feet wide, was built mostly of second-hand stock over the cellar of the shed which was turned in 1912. This afford‹ abundant storage for the root crops, of which there were 600 bushels of mangles, our stock of potatoes, and a large quantity of carrots, turnips, beets, etc .. for the house and feed for the stock. The building alone is insurable for $1000.
The farmning operations, with exception of the potato crop which was damaged by the continuous fall rains, were more than usually successful. 250 bushels of corn on the cob were stored, and 65 tons of English hay, estimated. The time is not far distant when extra barn room will be needed for the housing of the stock and hay. The apple orchard of young trees is doing well, and in the course of two or three years the income from this source will help to still further reduce the net expense. We are making haste slowly yet surely ; there is no plunging, no trying of doubtful experi- ments; and the gradual decrease of the cost from year to year is evidence that we are moving along right lines.
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