USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1934 > Part 7
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In the Fire Department Ipswich has always had an efficient fire department and this year has been no ex- ception. We have been thoroughly satisfied with the work of the men in that department.
We desire also to extend our thanks and apprecia- tion to Town Counsel George A. Schofield for his advice and assistance during the year and also to Robert T. Bamford, Esq., who was the Acting Town Counsel during the absence of the regular Town Counsel while in Europe.
We fully realize that the people are looking for economy in town government and the situation is such that the word economy must be kept continually in mind. In going over the budgets of the departments for this vear we have had that in mind and we have made a very careful study of the actual needs of the various depart- ments and we feel that the amounts requested are actu- ally needed to carry on the work efficiently. Neglect to do needed work is usually not a saving but a loss and in spite of hard times needed work should be done.
During the year the Board has attended all public hearings where matters of interest to the town of Ipswich were to be discussed and has labored at all times, to- gether with the Town Counsel, to put forward the claims of Ipswich to the end that we might receive a fair, pro- portionate part of whatever is being expended from out- side sources.
We made the following recommendations : That the streets be given at least the same care as last year, that Chap. 90 Work, so called, for the Topsfield and Line- brook Roads be continued and Chap. 90 Work, so called for Mill Road shall be adopted. We also recommend that the town take advantage of any P.W.A. allotments
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
that the federal government may make available for Public Works Program. All of our neighboring towns and cities are reaching out to get a share of this work and ultimately we will have to pay our share in taxes to the federal government for all the work done. It seems to us that to neglect to get a part of that work for Ips- wich for its future betterment and at the same time be paying for the betterment of other places is not a wise course. We certainly have needs in Ipswich which might be met under the P.W.A. plan and our opinion is that we ought not to neglect the opportunity to get assistance for something which is actually needed.
There is a concerted movement at the present time on the part of the President and the Governor for a wise program for the suppression of crime. To make such a movement a success every town and city must contribute its part. To the end that Ipswich may do its share, we recommend that a generous appropriation be given for police work and that no false economy shall prompt the cutting down of a fair appropriation for that department.
Respectfully submitted, BRAINARD C. WALLACE, Chairman, HARLAND BURKE, FRANK R. STARKEY.
181
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk's Office, Feb. 1, 1935.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith present to your Honorable Board the re- port of the Town Clerk for the year 1934.
VITAL STATISTICS
Births
During the year 1934 the births numbered 118, a decrease of 4 from the previous year.
Males 62
Females 56
Parents residing in :
Ipswich
90
Rowley
12
Essex
6
Newbury
2
Hamilton
3
Belmont
1
Gloucester
1
Duxbury
1
Wilton, Me.
1
So. Hampton, N. Y.
1
Fathers born in :
Mothers born in :
Ipswich
28
Ipswich
27
Mass.
49 Mass.
46
U. S. A.
15 U. S. A.
13
British Prov.
9
British Prov.
18
Poland
1
Poland
2
Greece
6
Greece
3
England
2
England
1
Sweden
1 Denmark
1
Denmark
1 Cermony
1
Unknown
5 Ireland
1
Italy
1
Italy
182
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MARRIAGES
Total number received and recorded
Grooms born in :
Brides born in:
Ipswich
20
Ipswich 25
Mass.
33
Mass.
25
U. S. A.
5
U. S. A.
5
British Prov.
2
British Prov.
8
Poland
2
Greece
1
Greece
2
Ireland
2
Scotland
1
DEATHS
During the year 1934 the deaths numbered 92. an increase of 10 from the previous year.
Males 46
Females 46
The following persons were, at the time of death over eighty years of age:
Years Months
Days
Jan. 5-Lucy S. Brewer
96
3
18
Feb. 3-Samuel Lavoie
88
7
Feb. 6-Eustace P. Grant
87
Feb. 12-Edwin H. Crane
84
Mar. 19-Phebe O. Parsons
83
June 7-Elizabeth Davenport
82
4
13
July 6-Frank W. Thompson
80
10
July 6-Arthur Sheppard
80
7
4
Sept. 15-William Henry Fessenden
81
3
16
Oct. 10-Ward M. Tenney
85
3
15
Oct. 14-Hannah S. Bond
94
7
Nov. 10-Elizabeth Ellsworth
83
10
12
Dec. 16-Aaron Wells
89
10
8
Ireland
2
England
1
......
183
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
NOTICE
The attention of parents is called to the law relating to the registering of births. The present requirements are as follows :
Chapter 29, Section 6 of the Revised Laws. Parents with- in forty days after the birth of a child . . . shall cause notice thereof to be given to the Clerk of the town or city in which such child is born.
Section 8. A parent ... who neglects so to do for ten days after the time limited therefor . .. shall forfeit not more htan five dollars for each offense.
ATTENTION OF PHYSICIANS AND MIDWIFES IS CALLED TO CHAPTER 280, SEC. 1 ACTS OF 1912
Section 1. Physicians and midwifes shall, within forty- eight hours after the birth of every child in cases which they were in charge, mail or deliver to the Clerk or Reg- istrar of the City or Town, in which the birth occurred, a notice stating the date and place of the birth, giving the street number, if any, the number of the ward in a city and the family name. Failure to mail or deliver the said notice shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty- five dollars for each offense.
I wish to call attention to the following vital statis- tics :
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 re- corded :
To prove legitimacy.
To establish identity.
To prove nationality.
To show when a child has the right to enter school.
184
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
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 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 hospi- tals' officers applying therefor.
The following licenses were granted through this office :
Auctioneer's License
2
Amusement
1
Billiard and Pool
2
Bowling Alleys
Hawkers and Pedlars
2
Innholder's
2
Junk Collector's
2
Motor Vehicle Junk Class 3
2
Motor Vehicle New and Second Class 1
3
Victuallers
20
Alcoholic Liquors and Wines and Malt Beverages License
25
Dogs
272
Hunting
141
Fishing
22
Sporting
36
185
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Citizen Trapping
3
Minor Trapping
5
Non-resident Hunting
1
Duplicate
1
Lobster
6
Minor Fishing
7
Citizen Sporting (Free)
11
For the benefit of the owners and keepers of dogs, the following extract of the General Laws is hereby submitted :
General Laws, Chapter 140, Sections 136A-175 Amended by Ch. 289 of 1932 and Ch. 320 of 1934
SECTION 137. Licenses and Tags. 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 April first following, if the dog is kept in Bos- ton in the office of the police commissioner, or if kept in any other town in the office of the clerk thereof. The license shall be in a form prescribed by the director, upon a blank to be furnished, except in the county of Suffolk, by the county in which the town is located, and shall be subject to the condition expressed therein that the dog which is the subject of the license shall be controlled and restrained from killing, chasing or harassing live stock or fowls. The owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall cause it to wear around it's neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material to which shall be securely attached a tag in a form prescribed by the director, and upon which shall appear the license number, the name of the town issuing such license and the year of issue. Such tags shall be furnished in the same manner as the license blanks, and if any such tag shall be lost the owner or keeper of such dog shall forth- with secure a substitute tag from the town clerk, at a cost of ten cents which shall be retained by the town clerk unless otherwise provided by law. Any person may bring or cause to be brought from another state or country any dog licensed under the laws thereof and keep such dog
186
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
in this commonwealth for a period not exceeding thirty days without licensing it hereunder, and during such period the foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to such dog.
SECTION 138. Licenses. The owner or keeper of a dog may at any time have it licensed until April first following; and a person who after April first becomes 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, collared or harnessed and tagged as required by section one hundred and thirty- seven.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. COGSWELL,
Town Clerk.
187
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
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, 1934. Total number of arrests :
January
19
February
8
March
17
April
41
May
37
June
27
July
17
August
26
September
33
October
29
November
19
December
36
Total
309
Classification of Crime :
Assault
16
Bastardy
2
Breaking and entering
6
Breaking, entering and larceny
2
Carrying firearms without license
1
Delinquents
7
Defacing property
2
Drunkenness
136
Disturbance of peace
5
Gaming
23
Gaming house maintaining
3
Larceny
15
188
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Larceny automobiles
5
Non-support
5
Operating so as to endanger
7
Operating without license
3
Operating under influence of liquor
18
Operating without registration
1
Improper number plates
1
Operating unregistered car
2
Operating uninsured car
1
Operating after right suspended
2
Allowing improper person to operate
2
Refusing to stop on signal from officer
2
Speeding
5
Suspicious person
2
Violation of clam laws
2
Violation of labor laws
6
Violation of pure food laws
1
Violation term of probation
2
Vagrants
24
Total
309
Disposition of cases :
Committed to Industrial School
2
Discharged
20
Dismissed
6
Fined
77
Fined-Appealed
5
Filed
65
Held for Grand Jury
1
Probation
34
Released
54
Sentenced and committed
10
Sentenced and suspended
23
Sentenced and appealed
5
Turned over to outside police
7
Total 309
Miscellaneous :
Assistance rendered persons in distress 29 Buildings found open and secured 41
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
189
Committed to State Hospital
5
Complaints investigated by police 2,345
Lost children restored to parents
9
Number of persons struck by automobiles
17
Number of persons died of injuries 2
Number of auto accidents investigated 76
Number of persons reported injured 59
Number of automobiles transferred 721
Number of warrants served for outside police 16
Number of warrants served for local police 10
Number of summons served for outside police
69
Number of summons served for local police
68
Number of hours police duty for outside parties 3,6.41
Number of hours police duty at Crane's Beach 1,411
Number of hours special duty for the town 1,548
Number of children before juvenile court 15
Number of ambulance calls assisted by police
60
Number of stolen automobiles recovered
7
Number of persons bitten by dogs
8
Number of dogs gassed or shot
43
Number of fire alarms answered
29
Number of street lights reported out
29
Number of auto licenses revoked or suspended
34
Number of auto registrations revoked
37
Number of telephone calls in
5,066
Number of telephone calls out
1,832
Number of local calls 4,836
Number of telephone complaints 732
Number of calls in from outside police 289
Number of calls to outside police 155
Number of out of town calls in
886
Number of miles patroled by cruising car 33,303
Number of miles patroled by motorcycle
1.820
Inventory of Police Department :
Police badges
12
Clubs
7
Flashlights
8
Automobiles
1:
Motorcycles
1
190
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Handcuffs
Pistols Riot gun 1.
Gas club 1
Gas gun 1
Drag iron sets
6 8
1
In summary, may I say that the arrests for the year 1934 increased about 30% over the previous year.
Drunkenness showed a marked increase as did oper- ating while under the influence of liquor, while other violations remained about the same.
The automobile situation in this town, the same as many others, has arrived to the point wherein some pro- visions must be made relative to parking, and as a com- mittee is already working on that particular thing, let us hope that the citizens will get behind this project and see that it is carried out. Automobiles are here to stay and we must make provisions for them.
The town should also adopt rules and regulations governing parking, that is, parking on the side only, one hour parking in some sections and wherein stop signs are displayed, make them mean something.
There are several had corners which display stop signs and if automobilists would heed them, there would be a lot less accidents.
It is noticeable the number of cars that park on Choate Bridge and without any question of doubt, it is one of the most dangerous places we have within our jurisdiction.
Some over six hundred cars were tagged for irregu- lar parking and were simply requested to park within the lines as there was no other method to pursue.
It should be that the Police would have the power to stop all these irregularities by a town ordinance gov- erning same.
191
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
I just want to call your attention to cramped quart- ers at the Police Station. We have one room only which has to be used by officers and prisoners alike and if a party wants to talk in privacy, we have absolutely no place to take them.
We have four cells in the lock-up and although they are painted and kept clean, they are unfit for habitation. They are not ventilated and are very cold and damp, and regardless who the party is that may be unfortunate enough to be locked up, they still remain a human being.
In conclusion, I want to thank the Board of Select- men for the efficient way they have handled the Police Department and also that they have made it possible to confer with them as a body and not individually.
Respectfully submitted
WILLIAM E. GARRETT,
Chief of Police.
192
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
During the past year considerable work has been done in the Old North, Highland and Locust Grove Cem- eteries, where with the kind co-operation of Chairman Wallace of the Board of Selectmen and who is also local E.R.A. Administrator. and the members of the Board, noticable improvements have been accomplished.
In the Old North the old stones have been straight- ened and cemented and others were repaird. The old tombs also were repaired and put in first class sanitary condition. On one of the terraces, because of erosion, it was deemed necessary to build a wall. The trees through- out were trimmed and thinned.
In the Locust Grove Cemetery the grass avenues were dug to the depth of 10-in. and gravelled, giving a good solid road bed. Single graves which were in poor shape and for which no funds were available, were for the improvement of the cemetery, reloamed and seeded.
The Commissioners are asking this year for a some- what larger appropriation than last year, for the follow- ing reasons : The acreage of the grounds has been con- siderably increased, entailing more work to keep them presentable. The fence in the Locust Grove Cemetery, on the Lower Farm Road and Locust Road, is wholly down and 35 feet of the fence on the Northwest, bound- ing the Foster estate, has blown down during the high winds, and the rest is in bad shape. A section of fence in the Old North Cemetery also needs replacing. Both tool houses require shingling.
193
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Acknowledgment is hereby made to all persons who by acts or suggestions have assisted the Commissioners in their work during the past year, or who have contributed in anywise toward the improvement of the town's burial grounds.
Respectfully submitted, RALPH K. WHITTIER, HOWARD BLAKE, BENJAMIN W. HOMANS,
Cemetery Commissioners.
194
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superinten- dent of the Moth Department.
During the past year this department has carried on the usual routine of insect control. The gypsy and browntail moths have been found in considerable num- bers in various sections of the town. The tent caterpillar and elm leaf beetle were more or less numerous during the summer. Evidently the low temperatures of last winter had no effect upon them. Apparently these in- sects intend to stay with us indefinitely, consequently the work of suppressing them must still be carried on.
Considerable work was accomplished in this depart- ment during the early winter by means of an E.R.A. project. Through this project insect control work was carried on on Town Hill, Dow Memorial Park, Highland Cemetery, and the territory surrounding the Ipswich Basin. Sixteen men and a foreman were employed in the work, which consisted of painting the egg clusters of the gypsy moth with creosote and cutting the webs of the browntail moth. Throughout this territory the insect conditions were found to be about normal. This project was under the supervision of the local Moth Superin- tendent.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Local Superintendent.
195
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
I herewith submit my annual report as Tree Warden.
During the past year the usual routine of this de- partment has been carried out.
Many of our shade trees have received careful at- tention with regard to the removal of dead and diseased limbs. Many low-hanging limbs were also removed, as they constituted a danger to passing vehicles.
A great deal of work was accomplished last winter in the nature of brush cutting along the rural streets through C.W.A. projects. There is much more to be done, and will be done this coming year.
Four shade trees were taken down during the past year. Two of these were in a very dangerous condition, while the remaining two were growing on the edge of the highway and were very much in the way of traffic. It will be necessary to remove several more during the coming year which are already dead. New trees will be planted in their places.
Dutch Elm Disease. Your attention is again called to the possible menace of this disease to our fine old elms. As yet, this disease has not entered Massachusetts, al- though several trees in Connecticut have succumbed to its ravages. The tree warden urges all those who are interested in the welfare of the elm to procure informa- tion from this department or from the government. It is hoped that an extra sum of money can be obtained this coming year in order that our elms may be thorough- ly cleaned of dead and diseased wood. It would be a wise investment for us to take preventative steps at this time rather than to wait until the disease suddenly strikes into such trees as are in a low state of vitality and which may possibly infect healthy trees.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY, Tree Warden.
196
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit their annual report :
Arthur W. Dow Park: With the assistance of an E.R.A. project, this tract of land received a thorough cleaning out of underbrush and old trees which disfig- ured the landscape. This is a beautiful piece of property which is deserving of considerable care.
North and South Greens : As in former years, tulips have been planted in the beds on both Commons.
Due to the excessive dry spell of the past season, the parks have not looked as well as formerly. Many brown and bare spots throughout the park areas which showed themselves during the drought have provided favorable inroads for many of our common weeds, which are diffi- cult to eradicate after they become well established. The Park Commissioners feel that a slightly higher appropri- ation should be made this year to combat this condition. Re-loaming many of the bare spots, reseeding, and fertil- izing should be done early this spring in order that these areas may be benefited before the hot summer months arrive.
Giles Firmin Garden : A tulip bed was added to this plot of ground last fall. A new lawn area on one side of the pond was seeded last spring and is now well estab- lished. The developments that have been made on these grounds during the last two years have added much to their beauty.
The Park Commissioners wish to take this oppor- tunity to express their sorrow in the loss of one of their members, Ernest H. Pickard, who passed away last fall.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL C. GORDON, C. GARDNER. CAVERLY,
Park Commissioners.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
197
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Ipswich, Mass., January 9, 1935.
Board of Selectmen :
The following is the report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1934 :
Number of woods, grass, and brush fires 28
Paid men for fighting fires and patroling
$97.00
Paid for apparatus 82.10
Paid for supplies
24.58
Paid for printing
5.00
Paid for repairs
1.50
Total expenditures
$210.18
Appropriation for year
$250.00
Unexpended balance
$39.82
Department equipment :
12 pump cans
4 dozen brooms
There was no loss from the fires during the year. Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. BROWN,
Forest Warden.
198
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
Ipswich, Mass., January 30, 1935.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the annual report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1934.
In addition to the general maintenance work, 49,783 gallons of tar and asphalt were applied to the streets improving some of the main streets a great deal. The department also assisted the C.W.A. and E.R.A. work.
Tabulation of Time Equipment Worked
Miles
Hours
Gallons Gas
Quarts Oil
Ford Dump
10,908
2,355
1,597
76
Chevrolet Dump
12,059
2,343
1,556
69
Autocar
1,283
1,201
144
Tractor No. 1
639
628
72
Tractor No. 2
1,018
1,120
184
Loader
192
60
16
Mixer
288
72
10
Roller
614
1,019
46
Hours Hours
Worked Plowed
Rate
Total
Grand Total
Ford Dump
2,198
1.25
2,747.50
Ford Dump
157
4.00
628.00
3,375.50
Chevrolet Dump
2,178
1.25
2,722.50
Chevrolet Dump
165
4.00
660.00
3,382.50
Autocar
1,283
1.25
1,603.75
Tractor No. 1
639
2.00
1,278.00
Tractor No. 2
1,018
2.00
2,036.00
Loader Gravel
192
1.00
192.00
Mixer Cement
288
.75
216.00
Roller
614
3.00
1,842.00
199
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Inventory
1 pair blankets, street $ 10.00
1 cart, two horse
50.00
1 cart, watering 50.00
1 crawler, tread and Sargent plow 600.00
200.00
1 drag, stone
5.00
1 forge and anvil fences, snow
600.00
1 grader, Weir
400.00
1 kettle, tar
35.00
1 loader, gravel
200.00
4 machines, road
350.00
1 mixer, cement
400.00
2 plows, road
50.00
5 plows, blade, snow
1,000.00
1 plow, V-shaped, snow 300.00
1 plow, tractor, sidewalk 300.00
7 plows, sidewalk, snow
300.00
2 plows and wheels, Fordson, snow 200.00
1 roller, stone, 2 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
25.00
3 trucks, dump
1,200.00
1 truck, pickup
500.00
2 tractors, Fordson
700.00
1 wagon, oil
150.00
All tools and supplies
2,000.00
$15,015.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS E. WOOD,
Supt. Highway Department.
5 drags, road
35.00
200
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
FIRE RECORD FOR YEAR 1934
Alarms
Still
80
Bell
44
Total
124
False
1
Out of town
5
Building fires
29
Wood and grass
28
Chimney fires
20
Automobiles
11
Dump fires
7
Oil burners
6
Calls to assist rescuing persons from river
4
Miles covered by apparatus
345.2
Hose laid, 21/2-in.
10,600 ft. 550 ft.
Hose laid, 11/2-in.
Water from Booster tank used
1,765 gallons
Chemical used
123 gallons
Pump cans used
24 times
Ladders used
1,165 feet
Engine pumped
11 hours
Total property loss
$8,079.40
Total insurance paid
$7,979.40
Cause of Fires Where Loss Was Sustained
Oil stove 2
Thawing frozen water pipes 2
Burning grass 1
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