USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1920 > Part 4
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The tale of want and wretchedness, of privation and suf- fering might be prolonged to a considerable extent. The Red Cross, Associated Charities, District Nurses, and Church workers witness scenes right in our midst which the average citizen does not think exists. These organizations render invaluable aid to the Overseers Department and are to be encouraged and supplied with funds from the private purse in order that they may continue their much-needed work of benevolence.
But notwithstanding the foregoing, the conditions in our town have evidently not been so bad during the period of unemployment as in many other industrial centers, where bread-lines have been formed and soup-kitchens opened to
102
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
feed the hungry; nor has the comparatively moderate in- crease in cost of the care of our poor been such as to create alarm. The Overseers Department has been well-organized, has worked harmoniously and industriously for the public good, with the general result that the poor have not suffered nor the tax-payers' dollars been allowed to slip carelessly through their fingers.
The statement that forty cents out of every dollar of state tax is applied to the taking care of those who cannot care for themselves will be an eye-opener to most people. It will serve to show what is the state of society at large, how crippled is its condition. The cost to Ipswich is far below that of the average of the Commonwealth.
A recent report of Mayor Peters shows that there has been, during the period of unemployment, an increase of ninety per cent. in the poor cases of the city of Boston. There has not been an increase of over twenty per cent. in Ipswich.
TOWN FARM
In accordance with a vote of the town, a steam heating plant was installed the past year, and we dare say that for the first winter season in history the inmates of our Alms- house have been provided with sufficient warmth and com- fort. The entire cost of the plant was paid for from the balance of the insurance on the barn that was destroyed by fire in 1912. The boiler is sufficiently large to meet our present need and something beyond it. It is a sectional boiler, so that, if future requirements should call for much increase in capacity, other sections can be added and the grate lengthened at small expense and without disturbing the original plant. Between seasons or in mild winter
103
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
weather when occasional flashes of fire will be sufficient, four-foot lengths of refuse wood, knots, knurls, tree-trim- mings, etc., can be burned and thus effect a saving in coal. Steam can be generated and the rooms in which there are radiators heated with surprising quickness. In conformity with the instructions of the town, the rooms that are in use were surveyed and a blue-print drawn by one of the leading architects and heating experts in the state. The plan was submitted to the State Inspector of Almshouses and the State Police Chief who pronounced it satisfactory. Bids were then advertised for and a copy of the blue-print with accompanying specifications presented to each prospective bidder. There were sealed bids from Ipswich, Newburyport and Boston, and as the bid of Mr. Arthur J. Brennan of Ipswich was considerably the lowest the contract was awarded to him. The work of installation was done under the superintendence of Mr. Bardwell, State Inspector of Almshouses, and when completed was pronounced by him eminently satisfactory. Mr. Brennan saved the town some money, performed a nice piece of work, and is entitled to commendation.
The farming operations the past year fell somewhat be- hind the previous year, owing in part to the unfavorable weather conditions. For this reason the income has fallen below our expectations.
The policy of raising all our likely heifer calves is in- creasing the number of the herd and soon we shall have cows to sell each year. The breed is a good milking strain of Holsteins, the milk never falling below the standard.
The inventory has been increased, but in fairness it should be stated that the increase in property has been
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
caused by the outlay for heating plant, water tank, etc., and not by income derived from our work.
Owing to the exhaustion of our appropriation, there have been no outside repairs on the buildings the past year. The coming year we should be able to continue the work of chingling the walls of the stock barn. The roof is as yet in fairly good condition.
The average number of inmates has been nine and one- half. We arrive at this figure by adding together the num- ber of months spent at the Almshouse by regular and tran- sient inmates and dividing the sum by twelve. The number of inmates does not vary greatly from year to year. The weekly cost per inmate was a little more last year than the previous year. With better conditions we hope to reduce the expense this year.
We have not been able to move the kitchen from the basement to the addition in the rear of the main building, but have this work in mind for future accomplishment, after which conditions will be much improved for the matron and her helpers.
In conclusion let us say that, as we have heard no com- plaint from those closely connected with our work and therefore competent to judge as to its difficulties and re- sponsibilities, we are warranted in assuming that our ef- forts have met with satisfaction and approval, and there- fore it is with feelings of mingled pleasure and pride that we present this account of our stewardship.
FRANK T. GOODHUE, JOHN G. SPERLING, CHARLES G. HULL,
Overseers of the Poor.
105
1
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
I present herewith the annual report of the doings of the office of the Town Clerk. Some progress has been made along the line of preserving the old records and putting them in shape for the binding of those volumes and papers that need to be done; but the high cost of all that is needed for that work has caused the Clerk to hesitate about doing much in that line. Some of the books that were needed for constant use were after a great deal of trouble repaired and rebound but the fact that the book binders were unable to obtain the help needed for that work greatly retarded the placing of any more work although much required. I shall ask that any money remaining from the amount appro- priated one year ago be allowed for me to continue the work of repairs.
VITAL STATISTICS
The whole number of births reported to the Town Clerk and recorded is 204, as follows: Parents residing in Ipswich, 185
"
"' Essex
5
"' Gloucester
1
" Hamilton
7
" Rowley
4
"
"' Taunton
1
-
"' Wenham
1
204
106
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Fathers born in Ipswich 31
Mothers born in Ipswich 25
Mass.
26
Mass. 43
U. S.
11
U. S.
5
Rus., Aus., Poland
57
Rus., Aus., Poland
57
Greece,
35
Greece
35
Br. Prov.
29
Br. Prov.
29
Eng. and Ireland
2
Eng., Ire., and Scot.
5
Italy
3
Italy
2
Denmark
1
Finland
1
Sweden
1
France
1
Unknown
8
Sweden
1
204
204
1
MARRIAGES
Whole number received and recorded
Grooms born in Ipswich
24 Brides born in Ipswich
30
Mass.
25
Mass.
20
U. S.
12
U. S.
12
Br. Provinces
13
Br. Provinces
15
Rus., Aus., Poland
13
Rus., Aus., Poland
13
Greece
27
Greece
26
Italy
4
Italy
2
Germany
1
Germany
1
Portugal
1
Portugal
1
Ireland
1
Ireland
1
Turkey
1
Turkey
1
122 122
Married in Ipswich, 108; Boston, 4; Beverly, 2; Dan- vers, 1; Derby, Ct., 1; Newbury, 1; Norwalk, Ct., 1; Pitts- field, 1; Salem, 1; Rowley, 1 and Wakefield, 1. Total, 122.
122
107
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
DEATHS
Whole number recorded
97
Males, 51 Females, 46
Less than one year
19
One year and less than two
4
Two years and less than ten
3
Ten years and less than twenty
1
Twenty and less than thirty
3
Thirty and less than forty
2
Forty and less than fifty
9
Fifty and less than sixty
5
Sixty and less than seventy
11
Seventy and less than eighty
28
Eighty and less than ninety
11
Ninety and over
1
97
Buried in Ipswich, 79; in Chelsea, 1; in Rowley, 2; in Salem, 2; in Essex, 1; in Hamilton, 2 in Portland, 1; in Stoneham, 1; in Newbury, 1; in Everett, 1; in Newburyport, 1; in West Boylston, 1; in Malden, 1; in Gloucester, 1; in Maynard, 1; and in Woburn, 1. Total 97.
The following persons were at the time of their death over eighty years of age :
Ellen V. Lang, died February 8th, 1920, aged 92 years, 1 month, 3 days.
William Goodhue, died February 13th, aged 84 years, 4 months, 23 days.
Lavina H. Woodworth, died March 1st, aged 81 years, 7 months, 11 days.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Hannah N. Murphy, died March 27th, aged 89 years, 1 month, 22 days.
Mary A. Clark, died March 17th, aged 85 years, 2 months, 23 days.
· Mary C. Canney, died June 1st, aged 86 years, 6 months, 20 days.
Ellen B. Low, died September 30th, aged 84 years, 2 months, 16 days.
LICENSES
The following licenses were issued during the year : Resident hunters' certificates 259
Non-resident property owner 3 1
Total number of hunters, licenses 260
Resident fishermen's licenses 24
Unnaturalized foreign fishermen's licenses 10
Total fishermen's licenses 34
Dog Licenses
Whole number of licenses, 193; kennel, 1.
Male dogs 166
Fen.ale 26
Kennel 1
Total 193
The kennel license was for five dogs, making the whole number of dogs, 197.
109
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Other Licenses
Pool 11
Billiard
1
Bowling Alley
1
Motor Car Business
3
Innholders
2
Common Victuallers
3
· Coffee Houses
3
Itinerant vender
1
Druggist liquor license
1
CHARLES W. BAMFORD,
Town Clerk.
Ipswich, Feb. 1, 1921.
110
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
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, 1920.
Total number of arrests 271
Arrests by months :
January 31
February
11
March .
5
April
13
May
26
June
23
July
33
August
26
September
42
October
23
November
8
December
30 -
Total 271
Classification of Crime :
Drunkenness
55
Gaming 53
Larceny
9
111
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Non-support 5
Violation Fish & Game Law 6
Assault and Battery 11
Assault on Police Officer
1
Bastardy
2
Non-Attendance at school
2
Violation Town By-Laws
16
Threats
1
Violating Automobile Law
51
Lewdness 10
Fornication
4
Liquor Nuisance 1
Sale of Intoxicating Liquor
7
Keeping Liquor with intent to sell
8
Maintaining Liquor Still
2
Breach of the Peace
10
Vagrancy
9
Violation Board Health. Regulations 4
Operating Auto while under influence of Liquor 3
Carrying a loaded revolver without a permit 1
271
Crimes against Persons 11
Crimes against Property 9
Crimes against Public Order 251
271
Disposition of cases :
Fined 153
Probated
2
Committed to House of Correction 9
Filed
20
Appealed 15
Continued 21
112
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Discharged 18
Suspended 27
Defaulted 6
271
Stolen property :
Value of property reported stolen $605
Value of property recovered 399
Lost property :
Value of property reported lost $287
Value of property recovered and restored to owners 236
Miscellaneous Business :
Assistance rendered to persons in distress 9
Buildings found open and secured 46
Complaints investigated Police Duty 417
Complaints investigated as Field Driver 59
Committed to Danvers State Hospital 4
Lost children restored to parents
3
Number of dogs killed
21
Number of hours of special duty for private parties 955
Inventory of Police Department :
Number of Badges 14
Number of Chain Twisters 12
Number of Electric Flashlights 5
Number of pairs of Handcuffs 4
Number of Keys 30
Number of Metal Whistles
6
Number of Clubs
14
Amount of Fines received from the Third District Court $1,267 98
Money received from the Ipswich Mills for
1
113
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
police work 1,080 00
Money received from private parties 6 00
Reimbursements on telephones
13 93
Total
$2,367 91
In submitting the above report, I desire to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the Board of Selectmen, Judge G. H. W. Hayes and all other officials of the Court, Town Counsel Frank E. Raymond and to the officers and all others who have assisted me in the per- formance of my official duties.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD LEAVITT, Chief of Police.
114
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, 1920. No. of men in the department 40
No. of box alarms
10
No. of still alarms 31
Total number of alarms 41
Value of department equipment $21,500 00
Value of buildings occupied by dept. 20,000 00
Value of fire alarm equipment 4,000 00
Property threatened by fire 61,000 00
Property damaged by fire 14,600 00
Insurance on property 29,900 00
Insurance paid 9,935 00
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
Steamer 1
Hook and Ladder
1
Auto Combination Chemical and Hose 1
Auto Triple Combination Pumper 1
Hose Wagons
2
Hose reels
3
Fire Alarm Boxes 19
Number feet of hose 5500
115
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
We wish to report that the new pumper which the Town voted to purchase was received and put into commission October 2, 1920, making a valuable asset to the Department equipment. In installing this new piece of Apparatus we have eliminated the use of the hose wagon and steamer, which we would recommend the Town dispose of. We would also recommend that the Town motorize the Hook and Lad- der truck.
We recommend the purchasing of 500 feet of new hose to replace some of the old.
ARTHUR H. WALTON, EDWIN M. POOLE, EDWARD H. SMITH,
Engineers.
--
116
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH FOR 1920
Chapter 75, Section 49, 50 and 52 of the Revised Laws require that all diseases dangerous to the public health shall be reported by the attending physician within twenty- four hours of their occurrence. Thirty-seven diseases are in- cluded in that list. These diseases must also be reported immediately to the State Department of Health.
The following is the list for the year:
Chicken Pox 4
Diphtheria 3
German Measles
1
Suppurative conjunctivitis
3
Measles
3
Mumps
7
Scarlet Fever 18
· Pulmonary Tuberculosis
3
Typhoid Fever
33
Whooping Cough 57
Total 132
There was one death from Typhoid fever.
While it is most important that the best of care and surveillance be maintained when such diseases occur, it is still more vitally important that everything possible be done to prevent their occurrence.
117
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
The number of diseases reported for the year was 132. This is a larger number than the average. The most of the diphtheria and scarlet fever cases were cared for at the Salem Contagious Hospital, where excellent service was rendered. We have been fortunate the past few years to have an arrangement with the Salem health department whereby these cases could be cared for.
The largest number of cases reported were whooping cough, there being 57 cases. The most of these cases were reported by the school nurse, who discovered them in the course of her duties. There are many cases that should be reported to whom no physician has been called and while the regulations require that parents shall report such cases they do not generally understand, that they are required to do so. It is fortunate for the public health that the nurse who is also connected with this department, is in a position to get this necessary information.
TYPHOID FEVER
For the first time in ten years there was an epidemic of typhoid fever last fall and 33 cases of this disease were reported. About half of them were cared for at the Cable Hospital and the rest at their homes. Careful investigation of these cases was made by this department and the State District Health Officer, and while it was perfectly clear as to the channel through which the infection was spread, it was not so clear as to its origin. One suspicious circum- stance was discovered, a party who had to do with the handling of milk, ceased to handle it, and the spread of primary cases immediately ceased. This does not prove any- thing, but the fact that the spread of the disease stopped short must be accepted as a satisfactory outcome of what threatened to be a very serious matter.
118
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSE
Miss Martha J. Stewart, R. N., who for several years has acted as welfare nurse for the Division of Child Welfare, began in September last as a regular Department Nurse, devoting one third of her time to the Health Department and two-thirds to the school department. In addition to the child welfare which includes pre-natal maternity work, she is also looking after tuberculosis in a supervisory and educational way. She gives instruction in the family how to care for the sick, and how to prevent the well from be- coming infected. She has had under observation nineteen cases of pulmonary, and eight cases of other forms of the disease. Her work enables the department to keep informed of the exact status of these cases. It is a most important addition to the department work and meets in every way the requirements of the Division of Tuberculosis of the State Department.
In the death of Mr. Aaron Lord, for the past ten years agent for this department, the town not only loses an ex- cellent and upright citizen, but the department loses a most efficiency sanitary officer. Mr. Lord had his part, and it was an important one, in making the department what it is today-always on the job, nothing unsanitary escaped his observation and prompt action. He was a rare combina- tion of firmness and diplomacy, and accomplished results without friction, where many men would have failed. His place will be hard to fill, and we, his associates, who knew his worth, and how efficiently he performed his duties to the last, tender to his bereaved family our sincerest sym-
119
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
pathy.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. MacARTHUR, GEORGE W. SMITH,
Board of Health.
Ipswich, Feb. 1, 1921.
AGENT'S REPORT
Number of complaints received and investigated during the year, 53. Contagious disease cards posted as follows :
Diphtheria 5
Scarlet Fever 16
Influenza
5
Measles 4
Dead animals buried or otherwise disposed of :
Dogs
B
3
Cats
?
Hens
5
Respectfully submitted,
AARON LORD, Agent.
January 15, 1921.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
In submitting my report for the year 1920 I wish to say that the producers and distributors of the milk product are living up to their previous good record and are entitled to the good wishes of the public for the same. In my in- spection of their barns and milk rooms everything was found in a good clean and sanitary condition and at all times they are always willing to comply with the regulations of the
120
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
Board of Health governing the same, and so long as these conditions continue we shall have nothing to fear as regards our milk supply.
In my inspection of all places where Ice Cream is sold I also found the same care was being taken to keep every- thing clean and in good condition as in the past. Number of milk licenses issued 15
Number of Ice Cream licenses issued 17
Oleomargerine dealers registered 13
Total amount received for license fees $19.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. SMITH,
Milk Inspector.
Ipswich, January 14, 1920.
THE FARLEY BROOK
Attention is again called to this perennial nusiance which has confronted this Board for years, which to all intents and purposes serves as a public sewer for a large number of persons and interests. This Board of course, does not officially recognize it as a public sewer, it passing through. private land and serving private interests. The ultimate remedy of course, is a system of sewerages, the necessity of which this Board has many times pointed out, and recom- mended. We have for years collected from its users, money enough to keep it reasonably clean. Last fall, we appointed Mr. E. C. Brooks a special agent to interview the users and make collections. The interesting report of Mr. Brooks is herewith published. It contains several practical suggestions which it might be well to carry out. This Board will be glad to cooperate with the Selectmen or any Committee the
121
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
town may choose to see if conditions cannot be improved. GEORGE E. MacARTHUR, GEORGE W. SMITH.
Ipswich, Mass., Nov. 22, 1920.
To the Honorable Board of Health of Ipswich, Mass. Gentlemen :
I have this day turned over to Mr. F. S. Witham, Clerk of your Board, a detailed statement of the Farley Brook Collection, made by me, together with the final payment, to him, of the net collections. From my report, you will see that eighty-five (85) different persons, or interests, contrib- uted a total of $322.50. The expense of collection, including commission, was $42.50, leaving a net balance of $280.00 that can be applied to work on the Farley Brook.
In making this collection, practically everyone who was approached was very willing to contribute at least something to keep this work along. Some cases were dis- covered, and one in particular, when by reason of having contributed in other years when known users of the brook had not done" so, the person asked to give refused so to do, on the ground that if one gave everybody should give. The mere fact that a person contributes to this work does not in any way give him a claim to any right to use the brook. His contribution simply helps to make it possible to get along from year to year without forcing everybody to keep out of the brook, and it seems to me that in the future, it would be much better, instead of conducting the so-called cleaning campaign each year, for all persons using the brook to consider the question of tiling the brook, in order to for- ever do away with the work of raising a fund every little
122
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
while. As the town uses this brook to a very considerable extent in order to get rid of street surface water, it might perhaps be a question that the town could look into prop- erly, for if I am correctly informed, a number of years ago a similar condition existed across land owned by Abram Caldwell. An open drain existed on this property, empty- ing further on into the brook, and carried off street surface water from High Street. Through an agreement entered into between the town and the owner, the open drain was tiled, and the expense was shared by both parties. This matter is cne well worth being looked into by the Board of Health, with possible recommendations to be included in the annual report of the Board of Health.
In the Farley brook, work should be done as early as possible, in replacing a retaining wall near the house of Arthur C. Damon.
Mrs. Gaudet, who lives very near that section of the brook between Hammatt Street, and the store of John W. Goodhue, complains that the brook does not flow properly, and that she is being damaged because of that fact.
That section of Washington Street and Broadway that feeds the Farley Brook by a drain that crosses Washington Street, very near the corner of Washington Street and Broadway, is being called upon to undergo the disadvan- tages of very bad odors arising from this feeder, and some- thing should be done there as soon as possible. The open drain flows through the low land in the rear of the property on Broadway, and the corner of Broadway and Washington Street that is owned by Stavoula Geanakountjas, and the condition there is a bad one. This open drain should either be cleaned out very soon, or else tiled. With so much avail- able labor at this time, it would be possible, perhaps, to
123
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
have some of these matters attended to this fall to better advantage than it could be done later perhaps.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD C. BROOKS.
List of Contributors to the Farley Brook Fund.
Walter G. Brown $6 00
Mayer & Porter
$2 00
John. A. Brown
5 00
H. K. Damon 4 00
S. H. Thurston
, 2 00
H. K. Damon, Agent 5 00
Mabel R. Smith 4 00
Rees Jenkins
2 00
A. H. Walton 4 00
Howard Blake
2 00
E. F. Brown
2 50
W. F. Poole
4 00
Grace M. Dodge
4 00
A. I. Savory, Agent 2 00
Joseph Burnham
4 00
G. H. W. Hayes 4 00
Alice Blake
4 00
Charles Lampropoulos
2 00
W. F. Gould
2 00
D. E. Measures 5 00
C. H. Brooks
4 00
L. A. Lord
2 00
Etta Wentworth
2 00
Mabel C. Lord
2 00
Gus Vlahos
2 00
John Fannon 2 00
Jewett Sisters
2 00
Dustbane Mfg. Co. 5 00
J. W. Goodhue
5 00
George B. Brown
5 00
Mary A. Young
2 00
Robert Matheson 2 00
T. J. Broderick
10 00
Ipswich Gaslight Co.
3 00
Canney Lumber Co.
5 00
A. D. Kinsman 2 00
W. G. Horton
5 00
George Hills
4 00
Joseph Lemieux
2 00
Mary Rutherford
2 00
John Waleiko
5 00
J. E. Gallagher
2 00
Anthony Geanakas
2 00
Louis Lampropoulos 5 00
James Doucette
2 00
A. J. Barton, Jr.
2 00
Ellen Lange
2 00
Joseph P. Martel 2 00
M. B. Phillip
5 00
L. S. Millard
2 00
124
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT.
W. A. Mitchell
2 00
A. Giankintgios 3 00
F. L. Burke & Son 20 00
Peter Galanis 3 00
Heirs of N. S. Kimball
2 00
Peter Haritas 4 00
D. A. Grady 2 00
Mrs. G. G. Bailey
4 00
First National Bank 3 00
Louis Bixby
5 00
Dr. E. J. Smith
4 00
Charles Canelos
5 00
Trustees Manning Sch'l 5 00
Pauline Benedix
5 00
W. J. Riley 4 00
Fred G. Ross
2 00
Fred G. Ross
2 00
William Brown
2 00
Louis Nikolakakis
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