USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1931 > Part 5
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$3.90
$3.90
BRUSH CUTTING - UNEMPLOYMENT
Standard Oil Co., supplies $ 8.34
John W. Goodhue, Corp., supplies 12.65
Ciolek Hardware Co., supplies 47.50
$68.49
ELECTION AND REGISTRATION
George Hayes, balance salary 55.35
Walter Lezon, balance salary 50.00
$105.35
Total Unpaid 1931 bills
$1,320.99
140
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The care of the public highways being one of the most important duties connected with the Selectmen's Department, it may be well to begin the report of the year's work with an account of what has been done on our streets.
Some idea may be gained of the magnitude of this work when it is considered that Ipswich territorially is the second largest town in the County and has about one hundred miles of public highways. As the Selectmen cannot be expected to cover this extent personally with any great degree of frequency and must therefore depend to a considerable extent upon the knowledge of the Sup- erintendent of Streets, the following vote was passed on March 19, 1931 :
"On motion of Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Claxton, it was voted that the Superin- tendent of Streets be requested to attend each meeting of the Board so that the Board can keep in touch with all the highway work performed and contemplated."
In accordance with this vote the Superintendent has attended every meeting during the year to report on work previously performed and to consult and advise the Board as to work proposed to be done. This plan we feel has worked well and has enabled the Board to form correct ideas as to conditions prevailing on our streets and the work being done to improve them. The work has been carried on so far as conditions and finances would permit, and the Town has received an equivalent for every dollar expended. Not all has been done that needed to be done, but this is true of every year in the Town's history. After going as far as we can, the remainder must be left over to the following year.
To be specific as to performance, Linebrook Road was rebuilt from Lord's Square to a point opposite the house of Michael Ryan. This was done in conjunction with the State and County, each bearing one-third of the
141
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
expense. Farley and Perley Avenues have been graded and sidewalks built. The road was widened and straight- ened at Lombard's Corner on Lower East Street, thus eliminating a dangerous curve. Eagle Hill Causeway was widened and built up beyond the reach of the highest tides, the material being contributed by the Executors of the Clark Estate, for which thanks are due and extended. Drainage and catch basins at various points have been given attention and much improvement in these respects has resulted. Space forbids further remarks in connec- tion with the highway work, but while this, like every- thing else attempted by the Town, is perhaps not beyond the reach of criticism, we feel that the work as a whole has been satisfactory.
Those who were selected for employment by the Unemployment Committee were assigned to suitable work on the highways under the direction of the Superintend- ent. We forbear further report on this topic as the Committee presumably will prefer to make its own report.
The Selectmen were able to turn back to the Treas- ury on December 31st about $600.00 as unexpended bal- ance in the Soldiers' Relief appropriation. This was wholly unexpected and came about through the sudden removal of several long continued cases, some by loss of settlement and one by death. The Board endeavored to conserve the funds as far as possible, and yet not to deprive any veteran of that which he might need.
On recommendation of the Clam Commissioners a certain area of flats was closed in the summertime so as to be kept in reserve for winter digging. This plan appeared to have good results.
The question of parking automobiles in the center of the town has been a somewhat difficult one for both the Selectmen and the Police Department. The Police Chief has given this matter personal supervision on Sat- urday evenings and at other times when the parking has been heaviest. Now that the Town has authorized the Board to open up the land on Saltonstall Street and Depot Square for parking, we think the congestion will be con- siderably relieved.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The heads of the Fire and Police Departments, al- though coming under the supervision of the Selectmen, prefer to make their own reports and these will be found in another part of the Town Report.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN H. DAMON,
Chairman.
The citizens will undoubtedly notice three individual reports from the members of the Board, rather than the usual single report signed by the entire membership. While it is in order for each member to make a separate report, a word of explanation may not be out of place. As Chairman of the Board, I wrote the report as printed above and submitted copies thereof to the other members at our meeting on Thursday evening, January 28th, and at that time I asked if they wished to add to or eliminate anything from my report, or to alter or amend it in any respect. My colleagues said they wished to study what I had written and would make a decision before the next meeting, at which time, Thursday, February 4th, they said they had decided not to sign my report, but that each had determined to write his own. As they did not submit their reports to me I have no knowledge of what they contain, but ask for theirs the same careful consid- eration as for my own.
EDWIN H. DAMON.
143
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
SELECTMAN CLAXTON'S REPORT
In order to let the voters of Ipswich know the way I feel about the expenditures of the various departments under jurisdiction of the Selectmen, I could not sign the Chairman's report for the year.
The $600.00 saved on Soldiers' Relief was not caused by death and loss of settlement, in my opinion, this money was saved by the Board of 1930, whereby we raised money at special town meetings for an emergency that existed here. The Chairman of the Board of that year put much time and thought into the subject and took charge of the unemployment committee which was in di- rect contact with ex-service men who received first pref- erence, which relieved the whole situation. It is my opin- ion that money raised for special work for unemployment is a direct saving to the town instead of a dole through Soldiers' Relief and Welfare Department. The citizen is given work, which the most of them want, and instead of coming to the town for help, they would rather work for the compensation they receive.
The manner in which work was given out in the Highway Department has not met with my approval in many cases. With conditions as they have been in Ips- wich, it was my opinion that ex-service men and men with large families should be given preference. Instead of this being done, single men with a relationship and political workers were made favorites and kept at work when the other men were discharged. It was not until Mr. Wallace sided with me that an end was put to that situation and even then an attempt was made to continue it over our heads. I have understood that the Superin- tendent of Streets was not at fault for this condition but that he received his orders from higher up. If this is so, the blame should be put where it belongs. I am going to cite an incident that happened. The name I am going to with-hold, but the case I can prove by the Assessors. A respectable tax payer was willing to go to work at re- duced wages, either with pick and shovel or with a pair of horses. He was refused work, and in order to keep this man from going to jail, the Assessors were forced to make
144
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
an abatement of $55.00 which, of course, the town lost. I do not call this business or efficiency on the part of the Board of Selectmen.
I cannot agree that the closing of certain areas of clam flats by the Clam Commissioners met with good re- sults. As a dealer and naturally interested in the shell fish industry of Ipswich, the whole thing seemed to me a failure. One hundred bushels of seed clams were trans- planted, of which we never received ten bushels in re- turn, they being eaten by horse shoe crabs and sea gulls. I believe that unless some drastic measures are taken the clam industry of Ipswich will be a thing of the past.
The Police and Fire Departments making their own reports, I feel that these two departments were handled efficiently.
In making this report I felt that the voters of Ips- wich should know just how I stand.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CLAXTON, JR.
145
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
ASSESSORS' REPORT
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
In making this, the annual report of the Board of Assessors, there has been included the work sheet that is used in computing the tax rate, and tables of aggre- gates covering the work of this Department.
Your Board this year made a very thorough canvass of all Real Estate with the idea not of increasing values, but of getting a more equitable assessment.
This work performed was according to a card sys- tem installed during the past year with very satisfactory results, we finding some property that had not been assessed for a great many years.
Owing to a large reduction in revenue we were obliged to increase our rate sixty cents on a thousand to $32.40. We were very careful in estimating our re- ceipts this year. Owing to conditions being as they were, and wanting to get a true tax rate, it is very gratifying to say that we received about $600.00 more than was estimated.
We are also pleased to announce that we have no excess abatements of past years to be taken care of in this year's levy.
From what information we can get at this time it appears that our receipts from the State will fall off in about the same proportion as last year.
We feel that the work started the past year, namely viewing all property, should be carried out in the future, not only for the results obtained, but also it is one of the duties contained in our oath of office.
By strict economy we were able to carry out this work without any additional appropriation.
Respectfully submitted, C. CHESTER CALDWELL, GEORGE FALL, JOHN E. NORMAN,
Assessors of Ipswich.
146
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
WORK SHEET, 1931
Town Appropriations
Carpenter Settlement
$288,459.23 225.00
State Tax
8.400.00
State Parks and Reservations Tax
120.93
State Municipal Lighting Tax
25.20
State Highway Tax
256.00
Special State Tax, Old Age Assistance
1,719.00
County Tax
13,741.58
Less Estimated Income
66,149.32
$246,797.62
Less 1704 Polls
3,408.00
$243,389.62
Plus 1931 Overlay
3,598.24
$246,987.86
Plus 1928 Excess Abatements
690.71
Less 1719 Old Age Assistance
1,719.00
$245,959.57
Valuation Real Estate
$6,860,830.00 730,515.00
Total
$7,591,345.00
$ 245,959.57
equals $32.40 rate
$7,591,345.00
$247,678.57
Valuation Personal Estate
$312,946.94
147
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons Assessed on Property
1,502
Number of Polls Assessed 1,704
Valuation of Personal Estate
$ 730,515.00
Valuation of Real Estate
$6,860,830.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate :
Buildings, excluding land
$5,094,665.00
Land, excluding buildings
1,766,165.00
$6,860,830.00
Amount raised on Real Estate
$222,290.89
Amount raised on Personal Estate
$ 23,668.68
Amount raised on Polls
$ 3,408.00
$249,367.57
Rate
$32.40
Number of Horses Assessed
194
Number of Cows Assessed
482
Number of Swine Assessed
30
Number of Neat Cattle other than Cows
173
Number of Fowl Assessed 4,325
Number of Acres of Land
17,730
148
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk's Office, Feb. 1, 1932.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith present to your Honorable Board the re- port of the Town Clerk for the year 1931.
VITAL STATISTICS
Births
During the year 1931 the births numbered 134, a decrease of 14 from the previous year.
Males 67
Females 67
Parents residing in :
Ipawich
91 Rowley 19
Hamilton
15
Essex 7
Bo ford
1
Newburyport 1
Fathers born in :
Mothers born in :
Ipswich
18
Ipswich 23
Nousychusetts
48
Massachusetts
48
T. S. A.
13 U. S. A.
12
British Prov.
15
British Prov.
10
11
I oland
9
Greece
15 Greecc
17
Italy
5 Raly
5
England
1 England
2
Denmark
1 Denmark
1
Sweden
1 Ireland
3
Scotland
1 Scotland
1
2 Norway
1
France
1
Unknown
Portugal
1
149
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MARRIAGES
Total number received and recorded 55
Grooms born in :
Brides born in :
Ipswich
13
Ipswich 11
Massachusetts
22
Massachusetts 20
U. S. A.
12 U. S. A. 11
British Prov.
British Prov.
4 9
Greece
4 Greece 3
Treland 1
DEATHS
During the year 1931 the deaths numbered 83, a decrease of 10 from the previous year.
Males 37
Females 46
The following persons were, at the time of death, over eighty years of age:
Jan. 3 -- Leonard F. Brown 85
Jan. 4-Mary E. Howe 93
Jan. 10 -- Frances C. Parlee 90
Jan. 27 -- Anna K. Moon
82
Feb. 5-Walter E. Tuck (of Hamilton)
81
Mar. 29-Laura A. Dole 89
April 20 -- Ellen A. Torrey 85
May 1-Joseph Chaput 90
88
Sept. 15-Lydia Mary Dodge 84
Sept. 30-Margaret Young
81
Dec. 6-Albert N. Nichols
85
Aug. 23-Clara O. Hunkins
I wish to call attention to the following vital sta- tistics :
It is important that these records shall be correct. If any errors are discovered, the Clerk will deem it a favor to have them reported at once, so that correction may be made :
150
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Some of the many reasons why births should be recorded :
To prove legitimacy.
To establish identity.
To prove nationality.
To show when a child has the right to enter school.
To show when a child has the right to seek employ- ment under the Child Labor Law.
To show when a child has the right to apply for a license to operate a motor vehicle.
To establish the right to inheritance to property.
To establish liability to military duty as well as ex- emption therefrom.
To establish the right to vote.
To establish the right to hold public office.
To qualify to hold title to, and to buy and sell real estate.
To prove the age at which the marriage contract may be entered into.
To make ~~ ~ sible statistical studies of health condi- tions.
As required by Chapter 46, Section 15, General Laws of Massachusetts notice is hereby given that the Town Clerk will furnish blanks for returns of births to parents, householders, physicians and registered hospitals' officers applying therefor.
The following licenses were granted through this office :
Billiard and Pool 5
Common Victuallers 30
Druggist, Third Class
1
Junk 3
Junk Shop 1
Slaughtering 1
151
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Innholders 9
Hawkers and Peddlers
1
Coffee House
2
Bottling
1
Bowling Alley
1
Auctioneers
1
Motor Vehicle Agent, Class 1
4
Motor Vehicle Junk, Class 3
1
Pasteurization 4
Amusement
1
Dogs
313
Sporting 213, Trapping 9, Lob-
ster 7, Crab 1, Duplicate 2
For the benefit of the owners and keepers of dogs the following extract of the General Laws is hereby sub- mitted :
General Laws, Chapter 140
SECTION 137. The owner or keeper of a dog which is three months old or over shall annually, on or before March thirty-first, cause it to be registered, numbered, described and licensed for one year from the first day of April following.
The owner or keeper of a ilcensed dog shall cause it to wear around its neck a collar distinctly marked with its OWNER'S NAME and its REGISTERED NUMBER.
SECTION 138. The owner or keeper of a dog may at any time have it licensed until the first day of April following, and a person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog after April first, which is not duly licensed, and the owner or keeper of a dog which becomes three months old after March thirty-first in any year, shall, when it is three months old, cause it to be registered, numbered, described, licensed and collared as required by the preceding section.
1
152
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
(Example under Section 138 above.) If a dog is born on June 1, 1930, he becomes three months old on Sep- tember 1, 1930 and should be licensed on that date for the period Sept. 1, 1930 to April 1, 1931, when it be- comes necessary to relicense him for the year April 1, 1931 to April 1, 1932.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. COGSWELL,
Town Clerk.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
153
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit to you the report of the duties performed by the Police Department of Ipswich for the year ending December 31, 1931:
Total number of arrests :
January
15
February
3
March
8
April
4
May
30
June
9
July
26
August
19
September
16
October
47
November
26
December
12
Total
215
Classification of Crimes :
Assault
10
Adultery
2
Breaking and entering
2
Bound over to Grand Jury
3
Being present where gaming implements were found
8
Drunkenness
45
Disturbance of peace
8
Delinquents
17
Driving so as to endanger
7
Illegal sale of liquor
5
Keeping with intent to sell
5
Liquor nuisance
2
Larcency
154
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Lewdness
2
Leaving scene of accident without making self known
1
Maintaining gambling nuisance
1
Non-support
3
Operating while under influence of liquor
9
Operating without license
4
Refusing to show license
1
Speeding
5
Vagrancy
11
Violation Fish and Game Laws
11
Violation Pure Food Laws
7
Violation Clam Laws
38
Total
215
Disposition of Cases :
Appealed
6
Committed to House of Correction
12
Committed to Lyman School
1
Discharged
16
Dismissed
3
Filed
81
Fined
56
Filed on restitution
2
Fined-suspended
6
Probation
13
Pending
6
Sentenced
13
Sentenced-suspended
17
Total 232
Miscellaneous :
Assistance rendered to persons in distress
17
Buildings found open and secured
28
Committeed to State Hospital
4
Complaints investigated by Police
2,260
Lost children restored to parents
8
Number of persons killed by automobiles
0
Number of children struck by automobiles 14
Number of adults struck by automobiles
11
155
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Number of automobile accidents investigated 76
Number of automobiles transferred 477
Number of warrants served for outside police 3
Number of summons served for outside police 47
Number of warrants served by local police 3
Number of summons served by local police 101
Number of hours police duty for outside
parties
2,082
Number of children before Juvenile Court 17
Number of ambulance calls assisted by police 18
Number of stolen automobiles recovered
7
Number of telephone calls from outside police
342
Number of telephone calls to outside police
67
Number of persons bitten by dogs
21
Number of buildings entered by boys
27
Number of dogs gassed and shot
16
Number of cats gassed 19
Number of dogs and cats struck by automobiles 24
Number of lost dogs restored to owners 15
Number of fire alarms answered 25
Number of street lights reported out 20
Inventory of Police Department :
Police badges
12
Special Police badges
8
Clubs
7
Flashlights
9
Ford Touring car
1
Handcuffs
6
Keys
35
Lungmotor
1
Pistols
5
Twisters
6
Whistles
12
Gas Club
1
Gas Gun
1
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. GARRETT,
Chief of Police.
156
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Engineers of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1931: Number of men in the Department 35
Bell Alarms 41
Still Alarms 86
Total 127 -
Number of feet 216-in. Hose used
25,600
Number of gallons Chemical used
574
Foamite used, gallons 10
12
Water used from small lines (booster tank)
2,135
Assessed value of property threatened by fire $39,975.00
Loss on property by fire
$36,066.00
Insurance on same
$74,350.00
Insurance paid on same
$36,541.00
Value of contents
$31,300.00
Loss on contents
$7,917.00
Insurance paid on contents
$5,667.00
Total loss
$43,983.00
Total insurance paid
$42,208.00
DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT
Sanford Hook and Ladder
1
White Triple Combination Pump
1
White Combination Chemical and Hose
1
G. M. C. Hose and Chemical
1
40 Gallon Chemical Tank at Little Neck
23
Number feet chemical hose
600
Number feet 21%-in. hose
3,700
Number feet 216-in. inferior hose
200
Value of Fire Department equipment owned
$45,000.00
by Town
Fire alarm boxes
Number of hours pump worked
157
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We recommend the appropriation of $500.00 this year for the purchase of new hose. We also recommend that the supports in the basement of the Central Station that hold up the apparatus floor be strengthened. New treads will be required on the stairs to the second floor to make them safe as they are now badly worn.
We also recommend that new toilet arrangements be provided on the first floor, as the fixtures there now have become broken and unsanitary. We also advise that the recommendation of the Superintendent of Fire Alarm be adopted.
During the past year a hose tower for the purpose of taking better care of hose was built within the build- ing, thereby doing away with the necessity of laying the hose out on the sidewalk to dry after being used.
In September the boiler of the heating system of the Station was condemned by the State Boiler Inspector, and it became necessary to install a new one which was done, and proves very satisfactory.
We also want to call your attention, and the attention of the public at large, through this report. that the efforts started by the permanent men in the Station to repair toys, and give some children a happy Christmas was suc- cessful, far beyond their anticipation. Able assistance by others who were unemployed during that time, and by all the firemen when it came time to distribute them on Christmas Eve, made this very gratifying success possible. In all, 640 children were provided with presents at that time, some of whom might not otherwise have received any. A nohle and unselfish effort, conceived wholly for the purpose of spreading Christmas cheer to those who might not otherwise receive any. Their success was well deserved, their reward, the hearty approbation of those who were familiar with their efforts, and the many heart warming letters that they received from parents since Christmas Eve.
These men desire, through this report, to express their thanks to all those who assisted them in any way, by contributing or otherwise, to the splendid success that they achieved.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD H. SMITH, GEORGE W. BROWN, SAMUEL W. ATHERLEY, Board of Engineers.
158
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF FIRE ALARM
Ipswich, Mass., Jan. 26, 1932.
Board of Fire Engineers,
Edward H. Smith, Chief.
I would respectfully submit the following recom- mendations for the year 1932 :
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
That some money be spent for necessary repairs to the outside lines each year.
That a Fire Alarm box be purchased for use in emer- gencies. This past year when one was needed very badly I had to visit three neighboring towns before one could be borrowed for such an emergency.
That a new set of battery units be bought for the Alarm System as the present units are on their fourth year and that is the average renewal time for them.
C. A. MALLARD,
Supt. Fire Alarm.
159
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT
Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1931 :
Number of grass and brush fires 45
Expenditures
Fighting fires Patrol Supplies
$129.00 36.00 34.16
$199.16
Unexpended balance
.84
$200.00
Appropriation
$200.00
I recommend the same appropriation for 1932.
This year the State Forester ordered a patrol on April 18, 19 and 20. The patrol consisted of two men and a truck equipped with brooms and hand water pumps. This patrol stopped ten fires which had been started along the side of the roads. Seven persons were ordered to stop fires which they had started in the woods. This precaution was without doubt the means of saving us money.
I also wish to call to the attention of the people that the law requires all persons who wish to build a fire in the open to obtain a permit from the Forest Warden. A violation of this law is punishable by a fine.
GEORGE W. BROWN,
Forest Warden.
160
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The Public Statutes require that all diseases danger- ous to the public health shall be reported to the local Board of Health.
Below is given a list of such diseases reported to this Board in 1931.
Chicken Pox
17
Diphtheria
27
Dog Bite
3
Influenza
2
Lobar Pneumonia
3
Measles
2
Scarlet Fever
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
5
Encephalargica Lethiasis
3
Tetanus
2
Total 65
While the number of contagious diseases reported was not large, there were among them 27 cases of diph- theria, which was a large number, considering that the disease was not epidemic. There was found in one of the schools a child who on test was shown to be a carrier, although she had no history of any sickness. As several of the positive cases were pupils of that school, it is at least suggestive. After that was discovered and general preventive measures applied in all the schools, there were no more cases reported for several months.
One of the things carried on by the Board working in conjunction with State District Health Officer Dr. Rob- ert Archibald was several Immunization Clinics includ- ing the Schick test. The School Nurse, Miss Stewart, Dr. Ames and the Chairman collaborated with Dr. Archibald in carrying on this work. It was the intention of the Board to take up the work again at the beginning of the present school year, but because of the illness of the School Nurse and other conditions resulting therefrom,
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