USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1936 > Part 7
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The rapid increase in the use of automobiles and trucks of various kinds has made a problem in almost every town and city and that is the problem of parking space where reason- able convenience can be had by the owners of cars without de-
188
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
priving others of the use of the streets to which they are en- titled. We are in hopes that the Committee appointed on revision of by-laws will be able to work out some form of rules and regulations which will improve conditions as they new exist. We feel this problem is so important we hope the town will decide before the final adjournment of the coming annual town meeting, at a time when the Committee is ready to submit its report, that one whole evening may be devoted to a full and fair discussion of that report to the end that all who are interested may have the opportunty of inquiring in regard to the proposed by-laws and of being fully satisfied that their adoption will be beneficial and fair to all parties concerned.
To the Town Counsel, the Hon. George A. Schofield, may we take this opportunity to publicly express our apprecia- tion of his valued and able advice and assistance.
In conclusion, we call attention, taking everything into consideration, to the fact that the town has made a very ex- cellent showing during the past year. The result has been brought about by the earnest endeavor of the various town of- ficials to give care and attention to the work in the various departments and to the fact that the great body of people have stood behind the officials and have given them encouragement
and support. We make no claim for praise, neither do we desire unfair criticism. We accepted the position to which you elected us and to the best of our ability have sought to perform the duties in a satisfactory manner. We submit the record of our work for your inspection, trusting it will deserve and meet your approval.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK R. STARKEY BRAINARD C. WALLACE HARLAND BURKE
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT 189
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Town Clerk's Office, Feb. 1, 1937.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith present to your Honorable Board the report of the Town Clerk for the year 1936.
VITAL STATISTICS Births During the year 1936 the births numbered 135 an in- crease of one from the previous year.
Males 70
Females 65
Parents residing in:
Ipswich
100
Rowley
18
Rockport
1
Essex
3
Hamilton
5
Gloucester
1
Beverly
1
Wenham
2
Danvers
2
Topsfield
1
Haverhill
1
Fathers born in:
Mothers born in:
Ipswich
41
Ipswich
47
Mass.
57
Mass.
55
U. S. A.
15
U. S. A. 13
British Prov.
10 British Prov. 13
Poland
1 Greece
2
Greece
2 Italy
2
Italy
2
Ireland
1
Scotland
1
Sweden
1
Germany
1
Unknown
4
190
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MARRIAGES
Total number received and recorded
80
Grooms born in:
Brides born in:
Ipswich
21
Ipswich 34
Mass.
36
Mass. 33
U. S. A.
11 U. S. A.
6
British Prov.
5
British Prov.
6
England
2
Sweden
1
Scotland
1
Ireland
1
Sweden
1
Greece
2
DEATHS
During the year 1936 the deaths numbered 102 an in- crease of 38 from the previous year.
Males 54 Females 48
The following persons were, at the time of death, over eighty years of age.
Years Months Days
Jan. 3-Joseph Noel Boucher
80
0
6
Jan. 23-Mary Rosalie (White) Surette
80
3
0
Feb. 6-Charles Albert Caswell
82
10
17
Feb. 18-Sarah N. Sheppard (Died in Conway, N. H.)
80
3
29
Mar. 9-Lucy E. Condon
88
..
. .
Mar. 20-William H. Jewett
84
Apr. 16-Amanda M. Hodgkins
91
2
16
May 3-Susan C. Whipple
83
11
7
May 18-George H. Day
86
8
9
May 17-Catherine Frazier McDonald 80
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
June 14-Joseph I. Horton
84
11
0
June 28-George Bodwell
82
9
7
June 20-Isabelle T. Spinney
82
July 21-Georgia C. Kyes
81
6
7
Aug. 4-Mary A. Foster
91
0
0
Aug. 28-George Fall
85
0
0
Sept. 4-Elisha N. Brown
91
0
0
Sept. 25-Charles A. Bayley
90
0
0
Oct. 29-A. Story Brown
80
11
2
Nov. 26-Alice W. Jewett
85
Nov. 27-Maria K. Ormsbee
81
Dec. 14-Jennie A. Ellsworth
83
3
21
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 within forty days after the birth of a child . . . shall cause notice there- of 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 than 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 of Registrar 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
192
IPSWICH TOWN REPOR I
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 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 employment 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 exemption 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 conditions.
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: Amusement
1
Billiard and Pool
1 Bowling Alleys 2
193
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Hawkers and pedlers
Innholders
6
Junk Collector's
1
Motor Vehicle Junk Class 3
2
Motor Vehicle New and Second Class 1
5
Victualer's
25
Alcoholic Liquors and Wines and Malt Beverages
26
Dogs
285
Hunting
100
Fishing
34
Sporting
5
Citizen Minor Trapping
11
Duplicate
2
Lobster - Crab
9
Resident Citizen Minor and Female Fishing
8
For the benefit of the owners and keepers of dogs, the fol- lowing 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 an- nually, on or before March thirty-first, cause it be registered, numbered, described and licensed for one year from April first following, if the dog is kept in Boston in the office of the police commissioner, or if kept in any other town in the office of the clerk thereof. The Iciense 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
1
30
Citizen Trapping
194
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material to which shall be securely attached a tag in a form pre- scribed 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 forthwith secure a substitute tag from the town clerk, at a cost of ten cents which shall be re- tained by the clerk unless otherwise provided by law. Any per- son may bring or cause to be brought from another state or country any dog licensed under the laws thereof and keep such dog in this commonwealth for a period not exceeding thirty days without licensing it hereunder, and during such period the foregoing provisions of this section 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 follow - ing; 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.
195
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, 1936.
Total number of arrests:
January
36
February
15
March
25
April
24
May
28
June
39
July
27
August
38
September
27
October
28
November
28
December
23
Total Arrests
338
Classification of Crime:
Assault
4
Breaking, entering and larceny
11
Delinquent
16
Drunkenness
127
Disturbance of peace
10
Illegal attachment of number plates
1
Larceny 10
Leaving scene of accident without making self known 2
Non Support 4
196
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Obtaining money under false pretence
1
Operating so as to endanger
2
Operating without license
9
Operating under influence of liquor
23
Operating unregistered car
4
Operating uninsured car
3
Passing counterfeit money
2
Speeding
15
Violation liquor law
1
Violation clam law
15
Violation health law
1
Violation game law
2
Violation labor law
4
Violation road law
34
Violation town by-laws
1
Vagrants
36
Total 338
Disposition of cases :
Committed to Industrial School
3
Committed to Lyman School
2
Discharged
15
Fined
109
Filed
87
Held for Grand Jury
2
Probation
16
Released
57
Sentenced and Committed
15
Sentenced and Suspended
25
Turned over to outside Police
5
Turned over to U. S. Secret Service
2
Total 338
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
197
Committed to Danvers State Hospital Miscellaneous :
7
Assistance rendered to persons in distress 39
Buildings found open and secured 72
Complaints investigated by police
2,978
Lost children restored to parents
15
Number of persons struck by automobiles
19
Number of persons reported injured
51
Number of persons reported killed
1
Number of automobiles transferred
1,330
Number of automobile licenses revoked and suspended
26
Number of automobile registrations revoked
24
Number of ambulance calls 56
Number of Warrants served 11
Number of summons served 168
3,422
Number of hours police duty at Cranes Beach
2,809
Number of children before Juvenile Court
16
Number of stolen automobiles recovered
5
Number of persons reported bitten by dogs
12
Number of dogs gassed or shot
77
Number of fire alarms answered
27
Number of street lights reported out
32
Number of telephone calls in
4,079
Number of telephone calls out
1,440
Number of local calls
3,528
Number of telephone complaints
414
Number of calls from outside police
338
Number of calls to outside police
173
Number of out of town calls in
1,066
Number of miles patrolled by cruising car
42,920
Inventory of Police Department:
Police badges 18
Clubs 7
Number of hours special police duty
198
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Flashlights
10
Automobiles
1
Motorcycles
1
Handcuffs
9
Pistols
8
Riot Gun
1
Gas Gun
1 1
Gas Club
Searchlight
1
Dragiron Sets
1
Respectfully submitted, .
WILLIAM E. GARRETT
Chief of Police
199
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Moth Superin- tendent.
The routine work of this department has been carried on in practically the same manner as in former years.
During the past year the gypsy and browntail moth infesta- tions were comparatively light throughout the town. This was due largely to the effectiveness of creosoting the egg clusters of the gypsy and cutting the webs of the browntail during the win- ter, also through early summer spraying.
The elm leaf beetle, tent caterpillar, and forest tent caterpillar were here in considerable abundance, and the canker worm should also be added to this list; undoubtedly more damage was caused by this insect in our woodland trees than by any other.
Although the elm leaf beetle made a start in a few sections of the town, an early spray soon checked its destructive work.
As usual, the Eastern tent caterpillar was quite noticeable this season although probably not in as large numbers as in 1935.
Another insect pest which is beginning to attract our atten- tion more is the forest tent caterpillar. Although not a new comer, his depredations have been confined largely to forest trees in years past. However we now find him in larger numbers each year, feeding beside the various other pests which attack our roadside trees. Like other leaf eating insects, he may be con- trolled by a poison spray.
As heretofore stated, our forest trees suffered considerably more from the devastations of the canker worm than from any other pest. In some sections of the town woodland areas were nearly defoliated by its ravages. Fortunately, we can keep our shade trees within the interior of the town fairly free from the cankerworm, if not large woodland tracts, through timely
200
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
spraying.
To the above list of injurious insects might be added the tussock moth, satin moth, and the leopard moth. All three of which we have with us each year to a certain degree.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Moth Superintendent.
TREE WARDEN REPORT
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I herewith submit my third annual report as Tree Warden.
Considerable maintenance work was accomplished on our shade trees during the past year. Some of this work consisted of removing low hanging limbs, the removal of dead wood, cable work, and setting out new trees. £ It was also necessary to remove five trees from the side of the highway this season, of which two were elms, one a linden, and two maples. The first elm was removed from Market Street due to its dying condition, and the W. P. A. program. The second, beside the old ceme- tery on High Street, had died during the summer from natural causes. The linden growing on Linden Street was removed late in the year by petition. A young maple on Turkey Shore Road succumbed to the maple leaf wilt, and another on Wash- ington Street did also.
To all those who are interested in shade tree planting I would like to say that this department is planning a five year planting program throughout the town, particularly on our rural streets, and insofar as may be advisable within the in- terior of the town. Such a plan will replace some of the trees which have been necessarily removed in recent years and
201
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
also fill in many open areas on our rural streets where trees are greatly needed.
Dutch Elm Disease: We have yet to find a case of this disease on our elms within the borders of Massachusetts, and, although its entrance may be imminent, it is apparently mak- ing slow progress now throughout those states which have been infected with it.
In general, the condition of our trees throughout the town is very good, although we have many old trees which should be removed from the highway and replaced by new ones or made safe by cabling and bolting. Much more money could be used to good advantage for this work, but as our watchword seems to be Economy, no increase in the bud- get is being asked for in 1937.
Signs and Marks on Shade Trees
"Whoever affixes to a tree in a public way or place a notice, sign or advertisment, or other thing, whether in writing or otherwise, or cuts, paints or marks such tree, except for the purpose of protecting it or the public and under a written permit from the officer having the charge of such trees in a city or from the tree warden in a town, or from the division in the case of a state highway, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars. Tree wardens shall enforce the provis- ions of this section; but if a tree warden fails to act in the case of a state highway within thirty days after the receipt by him of a complaint in writing from the division, the division may proceed to enforce this section." Extract from Gen. Laws Chapt. 87 Sec. 9.
Respectfully submitted,
C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Tree Warden.
202
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit their an- nual report :
The usual routine work of this department has been car- ried out as in years past. Most of the work consists of keep- ing the lawn areas cut at regular intervals throughout the sum- mer months, and generally maintaining areas which have been injured by dry spells during the hot weather.
Again this year tulips have been planted in all the beds on the parks, and we would like to call your attention to a slight change in the style of the two on the grass plot in Market Square. For a good many years these two beds were circular in shape, as they are on the other park areas within the town. However, it was decided that a change in their formation on this particular plot might be more in keeping with the shape of the grass panel.
A small amount of fertilizer was applied to the parks this year, and the areas which received it showed considerable im- provement in the quality of grass. The commissioners recom- mend the appropriation of sufficient funds this coming year to apply a generous amount to those areas which did not receive it last year.
Very little work in the way of improvement or main- tenance was carried on at Dow Park, due to the lack of funds. The commissioners feel, however, that seventy-five or one hun- dred dollars could be set aside each year for maintenance if the appropriation for the department could be raised from seven to eight hundred dollars. This additional amount would take care of the undesirable growth, as well as dead trees standing on this site.
203
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
It is not our purpose to cut down plant life heavily on this area, as such a procedure would be particularly harmful and destructive to our natural resourses, more especially to our native birds.
We do feel, however, that a carefully planned program of pruning would eliminate some of the growth which offers refuge for many insect pests.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY HENRY S. BROWN SAMUEL C. GORDON
Park Commissioners.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Forest Warden for the year 1936:
Number of Grass and Brush Fires 46
Number of acres burned 24
As all the woods fires were underbrush, there was no loss for the year.
Supplies on hand:
Knapsack pump cans 10
Brooms 24
Shovels 10
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. BROWN
Forest Warden.
204
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
Ipswich, Massachusetts
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Highway De- partment for the Year ending December 31, 1936. Along with the general maintenance of the highways, 24,088 gallons of asphalt and tar has been applied to the streets, covering about 77, 668 square yards.
The small balance left from the 1935 Chap. 90 appropria- tion was used on the Linebrook Road to seal a section that has defection in it from the reaction of last winter.
Saltonstall Street was widened, and graveled, also one coat of tar, financed by Chap. 464, Bond Issue, Act of 1935, and has improved those roads a great deal.
Peabody Street has been widened, graded, and graveled, as laid out, making it passable as it is now a Town Highway to the brook.
The new Cletrac tractor and snow plow bought to replace the old tractor and snow plow is bound to be a big help in penetrating snow drifts in the future.
I recommend the town ask for assistance of Chap. 90, from the State and County, for Topsfield Road and Mill Road, their help being seventy five per cent of the cost and the town's share twenty five per cent on these two roads.
Tabulation of Time Equipment Worked
Gals.
Qts.
Miles
Hours
Gas
Oil
No. 2 Truck
8365
2199
1401
49
No. 1 Truck
8812
2187
1234
51
Tractor No. 1
671
865
99
Tractor No. 2
274
354
67
205
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Roller Gasoline
316
487
30
Mixer
266
138
15
Loader
221
133
10
Plowed
Other
Rate
Total
No. 2 Truck
132
400
52,800
No. 2 Truck
2067
125
258,375
No. 1 Truck
145
400
58,000
No. 1 Truck
2042
125
255,250
Tractor No. 1
69
400
27,600
Tractor No. 1
602
150
90,300
Tractor No. 2
47
400
18,800
Tractor No. 2
227
150
34,050
Roller Gasoline
316
300
94,800
Mixer
266
50
13,300
Loader
221
50
11,050
Inventory
1 pair blankets, street
$ 4.00
1 cart, two horse
25.00
1 cart watering
50.00
1 crawler, tread and Sargent plow
200.00
6 drags, road
250.00
1 drag, stone
10.00
35.00
1 forge, and anvil fences, snow
900.00
1 grader, Whier
400.00
1 kettle, tar
35.00
1 loader, gravel
700.00
4 machines, road
300.00
1 mixer, cement
350.00
2 plows, road
50.00
5 plows, blade snow
900.00
1 plow, V-shaped truck
200.00
1 plow, V-shaped tractor
1,000.00
206
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
1 plow, sidewalk, tractor snow 200.00
7 plows, sidewalk snow 300.00
1 roller, stone, two horse 25.00
1 roller, gasoline and scarifier
5,000.00
1 sweeper, two horse
200.00
8 screens, gravel
40.00
1 shovel, scoop tractor
25.00
2 tractors, Fordson
200.00
1 tractor, Cletrac
2,500.00
3 trucks, dump
1,000.00
1 truck, pickup
400.00
1 wagon, oil
50.00
Other tools and supplies
2,000.00
$17,359.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS E. WOOD,
Supt. of Highways.
207
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Depart- ment follows.
There were:
36 Bell Alarms 94 Still Alarms 130 Total Alarms Including one out of town call.
Including :
42 Grass and wood fires
23 House fires
9 Dump fires
9 Chimney fires
7 Oil burners
5 Oil stoves
6 Auto and truck fires
5 False alarms
24 Other calls 1 Out of town call
Engine 1 made 28 runs
Engine 2 made 56 runs
Ladder 1 made 37 runs
Engine 3 made 48 runs
Ladders used, 499 feet
15,200 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose laid 2,250 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose laid
2,125 gallons of water from Booster Tank 190 gallons of chemical used
Engine 2 pumped 14 hours
Engine 1 pumped 4 hours
208
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Property loss by fire for the year was $30,814.83 and that was the amount of insurance paid. The total amount of insurance on this property damaged was $201, 198.00. Fires where the larger losses occurred were:
March 2 - Conley's Drug Store fire
June 1 - Norcross rendering works, Argilla road
September 28 - Grinnell barn and studio fire, Argilla road October 9 - Martin & Tickelis factory fire, Union street October 31 - The Dow House fire, Spring street
The Norcross, Grinnell and Dow fires were of suspicious origin and an officer from the State Fire Marshall's office was called here to investigate.
At the Martin & Tickelis factory fire, five firemen were removed from the building in a helpless condition on account of being overcome by gas and smoke.
The Norcross, Dow and Grinnell fires required long lines of hose to be laid and made use of the pumping engine necessary. Engine 2 easily proved its stability on these occasions.
The apparatus at the present time consists of:
Ladder 1 Sanford combination booster and ladder truck
Engine 1 White pumper of 500 gallon capacity
Engine 2 Seagrave pumper of 1000 gallon capacity
Engine 3 White combination hose and chemical truck and all are in good condition.
We recommend that Engine 3 be replaced by purchasing some standard truck chassis and placing the body and equipment now on Engine 3 on it with the addition of a booster pump and a 200 gallon tank, such a job would cost no more than $1600. Such a change would do away with the chemical tanks which are completely out of date and give us a faster and more powerful unit than we now have.
The W. P. A. project of changing the space on the second floor of the Station that was formerly used as a hay loft to a fin shed room was completed and makes a big improvement.
209
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
During the year an oil burner was installed in the heating boiler at the Station and that is an improvement that is greatly appreciated, the only cost to this department was for installa- tion, as it was turned over to us by the School Dept. at the time the new heating unit at the new High School was installed.
We have added to the equipment this year, one Co-2 Fire Extinguisher otherwise known as fire-freeze, as it is more ef- fective on certain kinds of fire than any other. One Akron Fog nozzle for use at oil fires. 3 It is very effective on that par- ticular kind of fire. One cellar pipe to use where a straight stream of water would not be effective, and a water thief, an appliance used to facilitate the use of 11/2 inch lines.
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