USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1927 > Part 3
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During the past year, but few changes were made in valuations already existing, and the net increase of $158,- 793.00 in the 1927 valuation, as compared with that of 1926, came about as the result of natural development.
During the past year the board met with excellent co-operation on the part of motor vehicle owners in the matter of assessing this class of property, and with the general public in the matter of the general assessments of the town. To all who co-operated with the board, and to the various town officials and boards, the members of which co-operated, we wish to extend our appreciation for the same.
Appended to, and forming a part of this report, will
69
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
be found the work-sheet used by the board in determin- ing the tax rate of the year just closed, and also a table of aggregates, showing the classes of property assessed, and the respective amounts.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. BROOKS, Chairman, RICHARD R. GLASIER, GEORGE FALL,
Assessors of Ipswich.
WORK SHEET FOR 1927
Appropriations
$271,380.86
State Tax
15,120.00
County Tax
14,968.28
State Highway Tax
3,564.93
Municipal Electric Light Tax Total
20.89
Less Estimated Income
63,207.37
Balance
241,847.59
Plus Overlay for 1927
1,275.00
Total
243,122.59
Less 1863 Polls at $2.00 each
3,726.00
Balance
239,396.59
Plus Excess Abatements of 1926
311.75
Total to Raise by Direct Taxation
$239,708.34 .
Amount of Valuation on Real Property
$6,754,385.00
Amount of Valuation on Personal Property 1,511,662.00 Total Valuation
$8,266,047.00
$239,708.34
equals $28.999 plus Rate.
$8,266,047.00
305,054.96
70
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
NOTE : It will be noted that the amount to be raised was $239,708.34, as shown above, while the amount act- ually raised and committed was $239,715.99. This dif- ference of $7.65 is due to the difference between the fig- ured rate of $28.999 plus, and the actual rate of $29.00 that was established, and applied to the valuation.
TABLE OF AGGREGATES FOR 1927
Number of Residents Assessed on Property :
(a) Individuals 1519
(b) All others 49
Total 1568
Number of Non-Residents Assessed on Property :
(a) Individuals 220
(b) All others Total 243
23
Number of Persons Assessed
1811
For Poll Tax Only
892
Total
2703
Number of Male Polls Assessed
1863
Tax on each poll
$2.00
Value of Personal Estate
$1,511,662.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate
(a) Buildings, excluding land $4,901,688.00
(b) Land, excluding buildings 1,852,697.00
Total Real Estate Valuation $6,754,385.00
Total Valuation assessed $8,266,047.00
Tax for State, County, or Town Purposes
including overlayings
(a) On Personal Estate
$43,838.74
(b) On Real Estate
195,877.25
(c) On Polls
3,726.00
Total $243,441.99
Rate of Taxation, $29.00 per $1,000.00.
71
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Number of horses assessed
213
Number of cows assessed 655
Number of neat cattle other than cows 20
Number of swine assessed
74
Number of dwelling houses assessed 1,491
Number of acres of land assessed 17,730
Number of fowl assessed 4,856
AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL VALUATIONS AS- SESSED AS OF DECEMBER 19, 1927
Real Estate Personal property Total Additional polls
$9,150.00 250.00
$9,400.00
8
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Town Clerk's Report
Town Clerk's Office, February 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I, herewith, present to your Honorable Board the report of the Town Clerk for the year 1927.
VITAL STATISTICS
Births
During the year there has been returned to this of- fice the following number of births : 70
Males 79 Females 80 Total 159
Parents residing in
Ipswich
124
Essex
5
Hamilton
7
Rowley
14
Wenham
2
Beverly
4
Danvers
2
Boston
1
Fathers Born in
Mothers Born in
Ipswich
23
Ipswich 29
23
Massachusetts 39
Massachusetts 45
15 U. S. A. 15
U. S. A.
9
13
2 6 British Provinces
23
Ireland
2.4
vo Rus. Aus. Poland 22
British Prov.
21 - 20
3 Greece
27
Rus. Aus. Poland
22 - 17
73
IPSWICH TOWN RPEORT
1 Italy
3
Greece
28 13
1 Scotland
1
Italy
3 - V
Turkey
1
2
Unknown
5
1
159
159
Marriages
Total number received and recorded
58
Grooms Born In
Brides Born In
6 Ipswich
10
Ipswich 18
13
2 ( Massachusetts 22
Massachusetts 18 .
3- U. S. A.
9
U. S. A.
8 - 6
England 2
British Prov.
8 - 8
& British Prov. 9
Ireland 2-1
Holland 1
Sweden
2
Rus. Aus. Poland
2
Greece 1-
1
1 France
France
1
r
5,
Deaths
During the year 1927 the deaths numbered 76 and the same are recorded in the records, a decrease of thir- ty-five from the previous year
Male 34 57
Female 42 25
The following persons were at the time of death over eighty years of age.
years mos. days
Jan. 14, Abbie Tyler
84
1 15
Mar. 13, Ruth I. Short
97
8 23
Mar. 23, Rachel S. Tucker
88
1 29
May 2, Ithamar Irving
89
3
2
May 11, Lucy Slade Lord
92
7
29
June 7, Hannah E. Dodge
88
10
11
Aug. 27, Otis C. Hardy
80
11
7
2-1
3 Greece 3
58
58
1
-1
74
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Sept. 2, Effie MacAskill
85
0 0
Nov. 11, Ellen C. Reed 84 7 19
Nov. 17, Lois H. Hardy
81 2 29
Dec. 27, Amanda K. Nichols
81
11
0
The following Licenses were granted through this office during the past year.
Billiards and Pool
9
Common Victuallers
38
Second Hand Motors
1
Druggist
1
Junk
4
Innholders
5
Hawkers and Pedlers
3
Coffee House
3
Motor Vehicle Junk
1
Bottling
1
Slaughtering
1
Bowling Alley
1
Auctioneers 1
The Standard Oil Company filed noticed of intention to continue business at the usual place as in former years.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. COGSWELL,
Town Clerk.
Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superinten- dent of Moth Suppression.
Work the past season has been carried along on the same general lines as in other years, consisting of creo- soting and spraying. Only such creosoting was done, however, as required no climbing. When webs of the Browntail Moth were found climbing was resorted to as the early hatching of these eggs makes it difficult to kill them by spraying. Due to the large increase of Gypsy moths on the outskirts of the town especially in the Line- brook and Topsfield Road sections some extra spraying was done last year. As the increase in these same local- ities is somewhat greater this year still more spraying will have to be done.
The increase of the Gypsy moth in this section of Es- sex County last summer was tremendous and unfortun- ately Ipswich has received its full share. This was evi- denced by the large areas of woodland defoliated which caused considerable inquiry from the general public. The brown-tail moth still seems to be lightly scattered about the town in spite of the fact that some 5,000 webs were destroyed last winter.
The Satin Moth, Elm-leaf Beetle, and Tent Caterpil- lar are still somewhat numerous but the annual spraying seems to keep them in check.
The equipment of the department is in general good condition and except for a few minor repairs will not require much expenditure.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS C. WADE,
Moth Superintendent.
1
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
I herewith submit my seventh annual report as Tree Warden. The work of this department varies but little from year to year. It consists mainly of removal of dead branches and such others as may have become too low so as to interfere with traffic, over-head wires, or dwellings. Also some planting of new trees is done each season and brush cut on some of the outlying roads. This latter is not only a help to traffic in the summer when the foliage is on but also assists in snow disposal in the win- ter months.
This department held one public hearing for the re- moval of a public shade tree the past year. This permit was granted and the tree was removed by the petitioner in a very satisfactory manner. Two maples which were in a dying condition were cut down by the department.
Twenty young trees were planted last spring, mainly Sugar Maples and American Elms. I would advocate that the practice of planting a few trees each year be con- tinued, as this is the only way in which the present gen- eration can leave for the future trees such as were the gift of the past to us.
In line with the policy of economy which seems im- perative at this time I am asking for no increase in the appropriation of this department for the current year. However, I do sincerely believe that the SHADE TREES of Ipswich is a subject for serious consideration that in future years we may not mourn the unneccessary loss of one of the community's greatest assets.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS C. WADE,
Tree Warden.
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit their annual report.
In general the work of this department the past season has been along the customary lines of other years. Maintaining as far as possible nice appearing lawns on the North and South Commons and at The Giles Firmin Garden.
In the Spring beds of tulips were grown on the two Commons and these have again been planted for the com- ing Spring. In the summer attempts are made to grow flowering plants in these same beds but a small amount of funds does not allow of anything elaborate in this line.
New work done the past season, was repairing and painting the bandstand and painting the two flag poles on the North Green. A flag was purchased and has been displayed from the Town staff on all holidays and patri- otic occasions.
Park property suffers somewhat each year from vandalism. This is prevented as far as possible but as most of it occurs at night it is often difficult to apprehend the guilty parties. During the last year two of the mar- ble seats on the South Green have been broken. As this makes four of these marbles which have been broken in as many years we do not recommend replacing them as the financial outlay is large for the benefit received.
This past Fall permission was granted the Rotary Club to plant a spruce tree on the bandstand lot. This tree will serve as a permanent Community Christmas Tree and will add to the attractiveness of the central part of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS C. WADE, SAMUEL C. GORDON, ERNEST H. PICKARD, Park Commissioners.
Engineer's Report
To the Selectmen of Ipswich
Gentlemen :
The following is a report of the Engineers of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1927 :
Number of men in Dept. 35
Number of Alarms
91
Number of Box Alarms
30
Number of Still alarms
61
Number of feet of 21/2 in. hose used
14,200
Number of Gallons chemical used 730
Value of property threatened by fire $61,484.00
Insurance on same 53,575.00
Loss of property 31,397.00
Insurance allowed
28,048.90
Included in the 91 alarms, there were seven out-of- town calls, six to Rowley, and one to Asbury Grove. Com- bination 2 was sent to Asbury Grove and one call to Row- ley, and Engine 1 to five calls for fires in Rowley.
We wish to call attention to the willingness and promptness of the fire department authorities of Hamil- ton and Beverly in sending us valuable assistance when we called for it on the occasion of the Agawam Stable fire on June 7. We also take advantage of the opportunity to thank all who have helped us during the past year, espec- ially at the above named fire.
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
Motor Hook and Ladder Truck 1
Auto Combination Chemical and Hose 1
Auto Triple Combination 1
79
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Hose Reels in use 3
Fire Alarm Boxes Number of feet of 21/2 inch hose
22
6100
During the past year we purchased 500 ft. 21/2 inch double jack fire hose, and have installed at the Central Station, a fire alarm transmitter, which has proved very useful. We recommend that traffic sirens be installed to work separately or in conjunction with the alarm sys- tem, for the purpose of clearing traffic, getting help for still alarms when it is not necessary to send out a box alarm and for an outside alarm if the steam whistle fails to work.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. SMITH, FRANK W. MALLARD, JAMES H. SHEPPARD,
Eng. of the Fire Dept.
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 Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1927 :
Sealed Non Sealed Condemned
Platform scales over 5000 lbs. 6 Platform scales under 5000 lbs. 41
1
Counter scales under 100 lbs. 25
Spring scales over 100 lbs. 6
Spring scales under 100 lbs. 37
4
Computing scales over 100 lbs.
2
Computing scales under 100 lbs 48
8
Personal weighing scales
8
2
Prescription scales
2
1
Avoirdupois weights
237
Apothecary weights
36
Metric weights
12
Liquid measures
46
1
Dry measures
6
Gasoline pumps
67
12
6
Kerosene pumps
20
Quantity measuring stops on
gasoline pumps
366
Yard measures
22
Sealing fees and adjusting charges collected and paid to Town Treasurer $107.46.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. STONE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The year of 1927 was a busy one for the Health Depart- ment. Not because there was a large number of diseases dangerous to the Public Health; as a matter of fact the to- tal number was less than for a number of years. There were only 126 as compared with 215 in 1925.
Two diseases stand out conspiciously, viz: Infantile Paralysis and Scarlet Fever. £ The expense incidental to these diseases was large, so that an extra appropriation was necessary to pay the department bills.
Below is the list of diseases reported to the Department as required by Statute.
Anterior Polio-myelitis
27
Chicken Pox
10
German Measles
2
Measles
2
Mumps
22
Pneumonia, lobar
4
Scarlet Fever
50
Septic Sore Throat
1
Tuberculosis, pulmonary, 2 other forms 3
5
Whooping Cough
3
Total
126
One outstanding fact is that our records show no cases of Diphtheria. This is the first year since the department was established that that disease does not appear in the list.
The expense for Polio-myelitis and Tuberculosis was of course very large, because of extra quarantine and hospit- alization rendered necessary by the conditions with which the Board was confronted.
1
: 82
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Division of Child Hygiene and Tuberculosis
Report of the Director
The work carried on by the Nurse in following up cases of Tuberculosis is an important one. It has been going on since 1916, and much has been done in instruction not only to patients, but to members of households where such cases are found, both in the care of the patients, and how to pre- vent the spread of the infection.
At the present time there are 39 cases under observa- tion and advice, 24 of which are pulmonary, and the rest other forms of the disease. There are 2 cases in sanitoria, making a total of 41 cases.
Follow-up work among children from the time of birth until they reach their second birthday is also carried on and the mortality rate among these children is very low. The year this work was begun there were 27 deaths of children under 2 years of age, while in 1927 there were only 7 cases, the smallest number yet. There has been a gradual de- crease in deaths within this age period, each year.
Respectfully submitted,
-
GEO. E. MACARTHUR, M. D.
Director.
The Board took up with the Harvard Infantile Paraly- sis Commission the matter of establishing a follow-up clinic for the treatment of these cases and as a result of these ne- gotiations arrangements were made to conduct a clinic here for one year. The first clinic was held on January 16, and a goodly number responded. Clinics are to be held every Monday morning at 9 o'clock, at the Cable Hospital. The Board is very grateful for the assistance and cooperation rendered by the Hospital authorities.
83
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The regulation pertaining to the pasteurization of milk which the Board had had under consideration for several years became effective the first of June last year. It is work- ing very satisfactorily. The report of the Inspector of Milk will deal with the matter more in detail.
The Board asks for a special appropriation of $650.00 to defray the expense of the above mentioned Clinic, which is the price asked by the Infantile Paralysis Commission for a weekly clinic for one year.
Respectfully submitted, GEO. E. MACARTHUR, M. D. J. DELLINGER BARNEY, M. D. THOMAS G. GAULD
Board of Health.
Ipswich, February 1st., 1928.
/
REPORT OF THE SANITARY INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health,
Ipswich, Mass.,
Gentlemen:
I beg to submit the following report of the Sanitary Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Sanitary conditions this year would compare favorably decrease in the bacteria. Laboratory tests show a count of with other years. Outside of the Infantile Paralysis epi- demic our contagious disease cases would have been lower than usual. Sanitary conditions as a whole have been about the same as past years. We cannot expect that they will be better until we have a sewerage system to take care of ex- isting conditions. Conditions at the town dump have been somewhat improved over last year. An incinerator has been installed and a man employed to burn all inflamable material, which has been a decided improvement over past years.
84
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Number of contagious disease cards posted 77
Number of complaints received and investigated 72
Number of dead animals disposed of 25
Number of hogs slaughtered
188
Number of hogs condemned
0
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. MOULTON,
Sanitary Inspector.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
On the first day of June 1927 the new regulation of the Board of Health in regard to milk was put into operation. All milk sold after that date had to be either pasteurized or produced from tuberculin tested cows. There are now three pasteurizing plants in operation and the balance is sold in the raw state from tuberculin tested cows. The test has shown that there is a great need of testing cows if the milk is to be sold in the raw state. Pasteurizing has shown a great 15,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter where under the old system it would run as high as 2,000,000. There have been complaints but by another year the product will be, satis- factory to all. New departures in any line call for severe criticism. Owing to the fact that a large percentage of the milk sold in the Commonwealth is pasteurized we should consider ourselves lucky to be on the side of the majority for our childrens' sake if for nothing more.
Number of milk producers permits issued 24
Number of milk dealers licenses issued 44
Number of ice cream licenses issued 31
Number of olemargarine licenses issued 6
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. MOULTON,
Milk Inspector.
85
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Again the Overseers of the Poor come to report their findings of the year 1927 of their services rendered to the unfortunate ones in distress and in need of a helping hand to lift them from their destitute conditions.
Nevertheless in spite of careful supervision and stren- uous efforts to economize, the expenditures have increased over the preceeding years. In spite of the economy the ne- cessities are growing from year to year, not only in Ipswich, but in all other communities which has caused alarm among those responsible for the raising and disbursing relief funds.
The question may be raised, "why all this extra ex- pense." We might say that, no doubt, a great deal of this is due to the Enactment of Legislation tending to make ade- quate provision for the needy.
Three families have become eligible to receive Mothers' Aid this year which increases Mothers' Aid expenditures but decreases the expenditures of aid that would pauperize the applicant.
Persons having little or no knowledge regarding the ad- ministration of Poor relief are easily misled by their sym- pathies, especially in cases where they are friends or rela- tives of those seeking aid. We have accordingly endeavored to treat each case according to its merits. If we approved of the recommendations and words of friends, few would have been refused and expenditures would have been greatly increased. We have endeavored to detect the worthy ones from the imposters.
We find many of the applicants will accept all that is donated them and still look for more, with no exception on their part, while others accept what they receive and appre- ciate it, realizing their desperate financial condition. Careful judgment and caution has been used in all cases, basing each case on present conditions.
86
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Through the Acts of the Legislature of the year of 1923 we have accepted the provisions of Chapter 26, entitled, "An Act to change the name of the Board of the Overseers of the Poor to the Board of Public Welfare." Therefore the de- partment will be known as the Board of Public Welfare, be- ginning January 1, 1928. This change is now in line with the general trend among relief Agencies to disassociate the name of the organization with that to which the stigma of pauperism may attach.
The depression of business for the last few months has greatly increased the demand for aid of which the Public Welfare has been pressed to solve the problem of how best to handle the situation. Unfortunately some do not lay aside when they have employment to care for their needs when that time arrives.
The appropriation not being sufficient to care for the needy it was necessary to create a number of unpaid bills to care for the demand of aid through the depression of busi- ness for the past year of 1927, it being compulsive to care for the poor and indigent persons.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the different. societies, organizations and individuals for their coopera- tion in assisting this department in the past year of admin- istration.
WALTER F. POOLE, Chairman
FRANCIS E. WOOD JOHN R. MORRIS
Department of Public Welfare.
87
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
TOWN INFIRMARY
The work of the farm has been carried on as in the pre- ceding years by the present superintendent, Mr. Hart, in a very satisfactory way the past year, Mrs. Hart, the matron has been patient and consciencious with her duties caring for the inmates and supervising their needs and care.
The much needed telephone has been installed at the farm making it safer and more convenient for inmates in case of fire or sickness. Also saving a great deal of time for the superintendent doing the Town business.
Electric lights might be installed at the farm now that poles have been erected which would increase the safety of the feeble inmates far more than it has in the past. At night some of the inmates have to be watched very closely when going about the house that they do not tip over the lamps and start a fire and cause the loss of life and also ruin the buildings. We recommend the electric line to be extend- ed to the Farm and the buildings be wired for electric lights.
The condition of the house is very bad and is in need of a great many repairs inside and out. The ceilings and walls in most of the rooms need to be reconditioned. A coat of paint is needed inside and on the trimmings out side. The windows and casings are weather beaten and decayed so that a heavy wind is liable to blow them in most any storm.
The cattle at the farm are in fine condition and the re- turns from them have been very good financially. Several healthy heifers are being raised that should be an improve- ment to the farm later.
Several acres of land were laid down this year as last of which better returns will be received this coming year. It has been planned that next year several more acres will be laid down and finally get all of the land in a profitable bear- ing condition. A number of acres were turned over last fall to decay as in the preceding fall.
88
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The yield of the produce was not as good as expected on account of the season not being favorable for potatoes and produce. The sales of the produce was less than last year as the market was not high at the time the produce was gath- ered. It was advisable to store them until the market would return the Town a better price.
Therefore the returns not being as large and allowing a ten percent depreciation on the inventory of tools etc; the inventory was over fifteen hundred dollars greater than last year, which was mostly increased by produce on hand.
We take this opportunity to extend a word of apprecia- tion to those who have assisted in the work at the farm, also those who have left a word of cheer to lighten the minds of the unfortunate ones.
WALTER F. POOLE, Chairman. FRANCIS E. WOOD JOHN R. MORRIS
Department of Public Welfare.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
89
Board of Public Welfare.
Inventory, Stock, Tools, etc., at Town Infirmary
Jan. 1, 1927
Jan. 1, 1928
No
Value
No.
Value
Gain
Loss
Cows
11
$ 700.00
12
$900.00
$ 200.00
Bull
1
75.00
1
100.00
25.00
Heifers
2
60.00
6
100.00
40.00
Horses
4
225.00
3
200.00
$ 25.00
Fowl
50
75.00
180
270.00
195.00
Ducks
4
8.00
22
44.00
36.00
Geese
3
15.00
Hog
1
22.50
4 80.00
60.00
Carts & Wagons
5
325.00
6
342.00
17.00
Spreader
1
135.00
1
122.00
13.00
Mowing Machine
1
52.00
1
47.00
5.00
Plows
2
22.50
2
20.00
2.50
Cultivators
3
13.50
3
12.00
1.50
Horse Hoe
1
5.00
1
4.50
.50
Hay Fork
1
34.00
1
31.50
2.50
Harrows
2
10.00
2
9.00
1.00
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