USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1932 > Part 5
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We have also purchased additional signal wheels for our fire alarm transmitter (imaginary boxes) as they are marked on the fire alarm cards.
Inspection of the business buildings in the center of the town for possible fire hazards was started during the Fire Prevention Week in October, and will continue through the year. The co-operation of the owners and proprietors of the various buildings was very gratifying, their willingness to adopt suggestions offered by the men inspecting for bettering conditions, will surely mean lessened fire hazards.
We have recently secured the services of Mr. John M. Murney of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company, an expert on first aid, to give weekly instruc- tions during the winter, to the firemen and others that are interested, at the Fire Station on that subject. The men are very much interested in this, and we feel sure that some of them will take the full course and make themselves proficient in this art. There is an oxygen inhalator kept here at the Fire Station, with men trained to handle it, subject to call in case of any emergency arising requiring the use of any such instrument.
The permanent men experienced another gratifying success in their efforts to supply children with toys at Christmas time, and desire through this report to thank all those who helped make this success possible.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. SMITH, GEORGE W. BROWN, SAMUEL W. ATHERLEY,
Board of Engineers.
128
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT
To the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1932.
Number of grass and brush fires 49
EXPENDITURES
Fighting fires
Equipment and supplies
$178.00 58.96
Total expenditures
$236.96 13.04
Unexpended balance
Appropriation
$200.00
Transfer from Reserve Fund
50.00
$250.00
I recommend an appropriation of $300.00 for a port- able fire pump that we can carry in the woods and pump from brooks or ponds. This pump will be kept on Com- bination No. 3 and be hooked up to a booster tank and can be used for small house fires.
GEORGE W. BROWN,
Forest Warden.
129
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH SUPPRESSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superinten- dent of Moth Suppression.
The work is this department varies but little from year to year. The gypsy and browntail moths have now been established so long and thoroughly in the East that the work has become practically standardized. This con- sists of two main phases, the Fall, Winter and early Spring work or creasoting the egg clusters of the gypsy moth and cutting the webs of the browntail moth. The second phase is the annual summer spraying campaign. It might be interesting to note here some of the other insect pests which are also controlled by this spray and which would otherwise cause a large economic loss. Principally they are the elm-leaf beetle, tent caterpillar, summer cankerworm and satin moth.
The moth situation in Ipswich this season is what might be termed normal, which is practically the same as has prevailed for the past couple of years, i.e. no marked increase or decrease in both the gypsy and browntail moths. However, both are still with us in ap- preciable numbers and the infestation is general through- out the township.
The satin moth which feeds only on willows and poplars was the past season at a very low ebb. The elm-leaf beetle was again especially abundant, but was held in check by an extra heavy spraying program.
It might be well to call attention to other pests which are now quite abundant or perhaps due to become so. These are the Fall webworm, which we have had with us the past two summers in ever increasing num- bers, the Japanese beetle which has been reported to have been found in Ipswich, the Oriental moth, which while not found locally as yet is rapidly spreading in this
130
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
direction, and the apple magot, which is causing real concern to fruit growers. All of the above while they do not come directly under the work of this department are nevertheless controlled to some extent by the other work of the department or more especially by the private spraying done for individuals.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS C. WADE, Supt. Moth Suppression.
, 3
131
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
I herewith submit my annual report as Tree Warden. The work of this department the past year has been along the customary lines. It consists mainly of removal of dead branches and such others as have become too low so as to interfere with overhead wires, dwellings and traffic. Also considerable work has been done in con- junction with the local Light department in trimming so that the electric wires may be as free as possible from unnecessary interference from the trees.
Two public hearings have been held upon petitions for removal of public shade trees. One of these petitions was disallowed and the other granted. In the second case the trees have been removed. In addition to the above removals two other trees which were dead or in a dangerous condition have been cut down. Last winter and again this season considerable work in the line of brush cutting is being done on the outskirt roads. The men who are doing this work are sent to the department from the Board of Public Welfare in co-operation with the Unemployment Committee.
There is much work that should be done on the public shade trees in our town, but can not be accom- plished without the funds necessary. As I have men- tioned before the future of the shade trees in Ipswich is a matter of interest to all public spirited citizens and should bring forth a renewed interest in one of our great- est civic assets.
I desire to express my appreciation to all those who have assisted or shown an interest in the work of the department and I hope that this interest may grow threefold.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS C. WADE,
Tree Warden.
132
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF BOARD 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 same general lines as in other years. Maintaining as far as possible neat and attractive lawns on both the North and South Greens, at the Giles Firmin Garden and Elm Street landing. Tulips have again been planted in the beds on both Greens and we hope for the usual Spring display of bloom.
Through the co-operation of the Board of Public Welfare and the Unemployment Committee special work has been done at the Giles Firmin Garden, Turkey Shore Pasture and Arthur Wesley Dow Park. At the first men- tioned place the pond which had been previously started in a small way was considerably enlarged and is now two-thirds completed. This undertaking has already proved its worth in furnishing a safe place for the young- er children to skate. There have been as high as fifty of the younger children enjoying themselves there of a night after school. On Turkey Shore the river bank on both sides of the Green Street Bridge has been given a thorough cleaning. Further improvement might be made here by leveling the areas adjacent to the sidewalks and erecting new guard rails of a more permanent character. At the Arthur W. Dow Park work is still in process, which we hope will make this wonderful location more accessable to the public. Dead and otherwise useless trees are being cut, paths and roads cut out, and a gen- eral cleanup given a long neglected area.
We would again call attention to the ever increasing tendency of the younger children to use the Memorial Plot on the North Green as a playground, especially at night. This is proving very detrimental to the grass and also
133
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
does not seem in keeping with the dignity of this plot. With an increased co-operation from the neighbors and parents we believe that this practice could be consid- erably lessened.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS C. WADE, S. C. GORDON, E. H. PICKARD, Park Commissioners.
134
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit to you the annual report of the Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1932 :
Sealed Non-Sealed Condem'd
Platform scales over 5,000 lbs.
3
......
..
Platform scales under 5,000 lbs.
22
......
1
Counter scales over 100 lbs.
1
......
......
Counter scales under 100 lbs.
23
......
......
Spring scales over 100 lbs.
6
......
......
Spring scales under 100 lbs.
33
......
5
Computing scales
41
......
....
Personal weighing scales
13
......
2
Prescription scales
3
......
......
Avoirdupois weights
168
......
......
Apothecary weights
36
......
......
Metric weights
9
......
......
Liquid measures
80
......
......
Dry measures
4
..
Gasoline pumps
72
21
2
Kerosene pumps
13
1
Quantity measures on pumps
389
...
..
1
Yard measures
11
....
Amount of sealing fees and adjusting charges col- lected and paid to Town Treasurer, $99.69.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. STONE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
135
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 1932.
Lobar pneumonia
5
Measles
2
Mumps
5
Pulmonary tuberculosis
-
2
Tetanus
2
Whooping cough
8
Dog bite
1
Chicken pox
1
Scarlet fever
1
Total
27
There were no deaths from any of these diseases which from one point of view is an excellent showing, but there is another side to the story. The expense for the care of these diseases, particularly tuberculosis, was larger than in any previous year. For tuberculosis it amounted to $2,490.70. For care of the other diseases to $537.47, a total of $3,028.17.
A number of these cases were in other cities and towns where they were cared for, but their settlements being in Ipswich bills were sent to this department, which was obliged to reimburse the places where the aid was given. Ipswich will receive this year a subsidy of $386.99 from the State, which goes to the Treasury, but not to the credit of the Health Department, from which it was paid.
The Department of Child Hygeine and Tuberculosis has been handicapped because the appropriation for 1932 was $450.00 less than the sum requested. Because of this fact the Board was unable to appoint a nurse but the work was carried on by the Director. This Division had previously maintained a daily clinic in connection
136
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
with the schools, but this year, having no official connec- tion with the schools, no information has been forth- coming from the School Department, so if an epidemic should occur among the school children delay in prompt action would be likely to result. In any case, the Division will do its best to obtain results, should an epidemic occur.
It is impossible to predict what the expenses will be in 1933. Already notices have been received from other places that they are furnishing aid to patients having an Ipswich settlement. We shall be obliged to meet condi- tions as they arise, as has been done heretofore.
The Board realizes that in these times of stress it is not wise to ask for large appropriations. We therefore request that the Finance Committee recommend that the appropriation be the same as last year, $4,550.00.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. E. MacARTHUR, M.D., CHARLES T. AMES, M.D., JOSEPH SALTZBERG,
Board of Health.
Ipswich, February 1st, 1933.
137
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
During the past year I have devoted a large portion of each day in following up complaints of unsanitary conditions existing in the Town of Ipswich. I have also inspected places reported to me as being injurious to public health, and in many instances have found it neces- sarv to warn property owners to eliminate nuisances existing on their property. In most instances the warn- ing has been sufficient. At times it has been necessary to use more drastic measures. although by the use of tact and diplomancy, I have not found it necessary to resort to court action. I feel that the position of Sanitary In- spector is one which should be considered of vital im- portance, in so far as the prevention of contagious diseases and the elimination of obnoxious conditions are concerned. During the past year contagious diseases have been reduced to a minimum. and I consider it proper at this time to report to vour Board, that the general conditions as far as sanitation is concerned, are greatly improved over those existing a year ago when I assumed office and I attribute this improvement to an unceasing and unfailing following up of complaints from whoever they may emanate. I do suggest, that in the future, whoever is appointed Sanitarv Inspector should be one who has the mental and physical makeup to appreciate the importance of the position, and temperamentaly fitted to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with cases where firmness and fairness will accomplish the desired result,.
When I assumed office I found that serums which at times are absolutely necessary and should be so situated as to be quickly and easily accessible, were not being properly attended to. I have made it a point to see that
138
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
there is a fresh supply of these serums kept at the loca. drug stores at all times. These serums are kept in a refrigerator at a temperature which makes them proper for use at a moment's notice.
During the past year I have devoted considerable time in company with the Superintendent of the Schools in making a thorough inspection of all school buildings. I have followed these up by making periodic inspections from time to time. Experience has taught me that in- spections of restaurants are very necessary, and I have therefore during the past year, made every effort to see that restaurants and other establishments handling cooked foods have been thoroughly inspected, and the procedure followed in their kitchens and dining rooms have been kept up to a high standard of sanitation.
I attach hereto a list showing the number of permits and licenses issued by me during the past year.
Complaints received and investigated 38
60
Milk producers permits issued
Number of bakeries registered 8
Pasteurizing licenses issued 4
Cesspool and vault licenses issued
2
Tallow and soapgrease licenses issued 3
Contagious cards posted
5
Respectfully submitted,
BRAINARD C. WALLACE,
Sanitary Inspector, Board of Health.
139
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MILK INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Number of milk dealers' licenses issued 48
Number of ice cream licenses issued 44
Number of oleomargerine licenses issued 5
Number of samples tested for butter fats 126
Number of timers at pasteurizing plants inspected 62
Number of sediment tests 80
Number of bacteria tests 59
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. MOULTON,
Milk Inspector.
140
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Number of hogs slaughtered and inspected 102
Number of calves slaughtered and inspected 37
Beef slaughtered and inspected 2
Sheep slaughtered and inspected
1
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN B. MOULTON,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
141
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I beg to submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1932. I have inspected all cattle and the premises in which they are kept and find all in first-class condition.
Number of barns inspected 81
Number of cattle inspected 678
After the State Tuberculin Test :
Number of cattle that reacted 200
Number of swine 81
Number of sheep 2
Respectfully submitted,
G. LORING WOODBURY,
Inspector of Animals.
142
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
At a Special Town Meeting held on July 5, 1932, the following motion was adopted : That the sum of $8.000 be raised and appropriated for the unemployment situa- tion ; that a Committee of three be appointed by the Mod- erator; that no member of the Committee shall be a Town office holder, and that the work be given to the most needy.
The Moderator, Mr. Charles E. Goodhue, appointed Thomas H. Reedy, George E. Hodgkins and Harcourt Amory to serve.
The Committee was specifically directed that Dun- ham's Corner be straightened and widened to prevent the numerous automobile accidents which had occurred at that spot. The Committee proceeding under these in- structions spent the following sums on the projects as listed :
Project
Dunham's Corner Widening
Labor $1,001.26
Supplies $419.15 31.07
Total $1,420.41
Town Farm Road
430.50
461.57
Topsfield Road Drainage
1,160.55
846.91
2,007.46
Liberty Street Drainage
748.32
395.71
1,144.03
Spring Street Drainage
120.00
26.40
146.40
Tree Warden's Department
237.00
237.00
School Department
51.00
51.00
Water and Light Department
49.50
49.50
Board of Health Department
20.00
20.00
Highway Department
32.00
32.00
Selectmen's Department
52.88
74.64
127.52
Cement Sidewalks
648.23
353.57
1.001.80
Highland Cemetery
2,986.34
228.03
3,214.37
Under ARTICLE 6 of the same Town Meeting, it was unanimously voted that the sum of $1.394.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of maintaining during the ensuing vear, the Mosquito Control work as estimated and certified by the State Reclamation Board, in accordance with the provision of Chapter 112, Acts of 1931.
143
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
As this work was carried on under the State Recla- mation Board supervision, and the men paid by the same Board, we are appending to this report the names of the men employed, and the sums that they were paid.
List of Names of Mosquito Maintenance
Arsenault, Clement
Labor
$ 24.00
Barney, Joseph
30.00
Brockelbank, Ralph
60
57.00
Comeau, Clifford
48.00
Dolan, Charles
43.50
Fraser, Howard
51.00
Gallant, Alfred
49.50
Gallant, Joseph S.
24.00
Gilmore, Leslie
33.00
Glover, Percy
48.00
Goody, Gilbert
48.00
Grant, George
46.50
Haskell, Harold
51.00
Hodgkins, Richard (Supervisor)
128.00
Holm, Oscar
42.00
Lind, John
51.00
Martel, Edward N.
27.00
Manthorn, Fred
51.00
Morgan, Frank (Foreman)
91.50
Pickard, Chester
51.00
Rose, Charles
18.00
Schlapa. Lagada
42.00
Smith, Edgar
42.00
Sweeney, John
66
30.00
Total
$1,163.00
John W. Goodhue Corp., supplies $4.35
Bigelow & Dowse Co., supplies
9.87
$ 14.22
$1,177.22
Appropriation
$1,394.00
Amount expended
1,177.22
Unexpended Balance
$216.78
Kelley, Louis
36.00
144
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
At a Special Meeting of the Town on September 19, it was voted to appropriate $2,000 additional funds to continue the work of the Committee. This was almost entirely expended on the Highland Cemetery project.
During the life of the Committee, it met once or more times each week, and, in addition, weekly with the Department of Public Welfare. Helpful suggestions for the expenditure of the unrestricted funds were received from the Board of Selectmen and from various depart- ment heads. In considering the various projects which were placed before them, the Committee acted under two principles :
First: to undertake projects where the maximum amount of funds was expended directly on labor and the minimum on material and supplies, and
Second: to undertake projects which seemed most necessary for the improvement of the Town and in as many different sections of the Town as was pos- sible, consistent with the importance of the work.
The Committee was enabled to procure work on the various projects listed above for 125 citizens of the Town, the basis of pay being $3.00 a day, and the number of days a week for which each man was employed being largely dependent upon his individual circumstances as recommended by the Department of Public Welfare and the Board of Selectmen.
In addition, your Committee has been able to furnish men for several Federal and State propects, being suc- cessful in supplying and keeping about 95% local labor on the Federal Aid State Road project.
In closing, we wish to thank Michael Ryan, Fred Harris and Chester J. Patch, who, by their cheerful dona- tion of trucks, for many weeks without any compensa- tion, have enabled us to carry on working facilities for many men, and to make ready for the Town to sell many hundreds of lots in the new Highland Cemetery.
(Signed) THOMAS H. REEDY, GEORGE E. HODGKINS, HARCOURT AMORY.
145
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report and inventory of the Highway Department for the year 1932.
Along with the general maintenance work of the department 33,554 gallons of tar and oil were applied to the streets, covering approximately 134,216 square yards, and 24,000 lbs. of calcium chloride was applied covering 18,000 square yards.
The following table gives the mileage and amount of hours the trucks have worked on the department, also the amount of gasoline and oil used.
Miles
Hours
Gasoline Gallons
Oil Quarts
Autocar
3,032
105
861
75
Ford Truck
6,313
2,273
970
61
Chevrolet Truck
4,508
1,573
682
41
INVENTORY
1 pair blankets, street $ 10.00
1 cart, two horse
50.00
1 cart, watering
50.00
1 crawler, tread and Sargent plow
1,000.00
3 drags, road
50.00
1 drag,stone
5.00
1 forge and anvil Fences, snow
600.00
1 grader, Wheir
400.00
1 kettle, tar
35.00
1 loader, gravel
300.00
4 machines, road
350.00
1 mixer, cement
200.00
2 plows, road
50.00
35.00
146
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
2 plows, blade snow 500.00
1 plow, V-shaped snow 375.00
1 plow, tractor sidewalk 375.00
7 plows, sidewalk snow
100.00
2 plows and wheels, Fordson snow
300.00
1 roller, stone two-horse 25.00
1 roller, gasoline and scarifier 5,000.00
1 sled, two-horse
25.00
1 sweeper, two-horse
250.00
10 screens, gravel
55.00
1 shovel, scoop tractor
45.00
3 trucks, dump
1,700.00
1 truck, pickup Ford
200.00
2 tractors, Fordson
700.00
1 wagon, oil
150.00
All other tools and supplies
2,000.00
Total
$14,935.00
Respectfully submitted,
-
FRANCIS E. WOOD,
Supt. of Streets.
147
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk's Office, February 1, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith present to your Honorable Board the report of the Town Clerk for the year 1932.
VITAL STATISTICS
During the year 1932 the births numbered 128, a decrease of seven from the previous year.
Females 61 Males 67
Parents residing in :
Ipswich
93
Topsfield 2
Hamilton
5 Wenham 2
Rowley
13
Essex
6
Danvers
1
Gloucester 1
Waltham
1 Beverly
4
Fathers born in :
Mothers born in :
Ipswich
27
Ipswich 25
Massachusetts
48
Massachusetts 48
U. S. A.
9
U. S. A. 11
British Prov.
19 British Prov.
19
Poland
8
Poland
8
Greece
7 Greece
7
Italy
4 Italy
3
England
2 England
2
Sweden
1 Ireland
2
Turkey
1 France
1
Unknown
2 Sweden
1
Turkey
1
148
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MARRIAGES
Total number Grooms born in :
Brides born in : 52
Ipswich
14
Ipswich
17
Massachusetts
23
Massachusetts
22
U. S. A.
7
U. S. A.
4
British Prov.
5
British Prov.
6
Greece
1
Ireland
2
Scotland
1
Scotland
1
DEATHS
During the year 1932 the deaths numbered 76, a decrease of six from the previous year.
Males 41
Females 35
The following persons were, at the time of death, over eighty years of age:
yrs.
mos.
dys.
Jan. 22-Caroline B. Kinsman
85
7
3
Jan. 28-John H. Nicholson
90
8
8
Feb. 16-Henry S. Willcomb
87
10
Feb. 17-Rose D. Thuot
83
Mar. 1-Emma J. Safford
85
7
29
Mar. 2-Maria A. Preston
82
1
Apr. 9-Maria L. Russell
88
3
May 14-Anna E. Thurston
81
4
23
June 10-Almeria B. Brown
85
23
June 21-William H. Andrews (of Rowley)
81
11
9
June 30-Cyprien Doiron
86
1
10
Aug. 31-Mary L. Hull (of Essex)
90
4
8
Oct. 8-Sylvester W. Wentworth
80
......
Oct. 16-Christopher F. Chisholm
82
...
...
Nov. 5-Philip Kimball
93
14
Nov. 12-Stephen R. Harris
84
2
7
Nov. 18-Martha A. Fenno
86
Dec. 24-Celina Berthianna Lemieux
87
.....
......
......
Germany
1
149
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
I wish to call attention to the following in regard to vital statistics :
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 :
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 possible 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.
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