USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1941 > Part 4
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7
Summons served by police
134
Warrants served by police
18
Inventory of Police Department: Automobile
1
Ambulance
1
Dragiron sets
1
Radio receiving set
1
Flashlights
10
Handcuffs
9
Pistols
9
Riot gun
1
Rifle
1
80
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Streets
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the annual report of the Highway Department for 1941.
The general maintenance of the highways varies little from year to year as we have a very small percentage of per- manent highways and therefore a great deal of time is necessary to maintain them. Surface treatment is planned for the streets where the greatest traffic is and then general repairs, such as patching, scraping and graveling.
We have one hundred twenty-seven (127) streets and roads, covering approximately seventy and twenty-six hundred- ths (70.26) miles.
Type : Macadam Oiled Gravel
Miles: 12.83 34.47
22.96
The first three months-January, February and March- the department plowed snow, sanded streets and sidewalks, and opened waterways that water ould run off before freezing. It was also important to clear a number of catch basins. When the weather was warm enough, considerable patching was attended to. Each year, as the traffic increases, the sanding problem becomes more important as a great deal of sanding is done at night when it freezes. This expense increases each year.
The new Walters truck with the new plows had only two bad storms to test its value. It has proved that it will be an
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
asset to the Town in more ways than one. If the department is notified in time, in case of sickness or fire, the Walters will clear the way under very severe conditions.
Unless the abuttor clears his sidewalks it will soon be necessary to get two or three tractors and sidewalk plows. Each year it is more difficult to get horses enough to do this work. At the present time four pairs of horses are doing the work that ten pairs of horses used to do.
The last two months-November and December-it was necessary to put up snow fences, get the snow removal equip- ment, and stock sand piles for the winter.
In April the department began the spring cleaning pro- gram and patched the streets where it was needed before surfacing.
Thirty-eight streets were surfaced with tar or asphalt, using approximately 45,000 gallons. Eighteen hundred tons of sand were used for covering.
The streets surfaced with tar or asphalt were Boxford Road (part), Willowdale, Pleasant, Estes, Kimball, Brown- ville, East, Riley, Poplar, Wood's Lane, Meeting House Green, Elm, River Court, Peatfield, First, North Main, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Kimball Avenue, Town Farm Road (part), Warren, Manning, Newmarch (part), Cogswell, Sawyer, Wainright, Waldingfield Road (part), Candlewood (part), High Street Annex, Heartbreak (part), Beach Cause- way, Brown, Maple, and Appleton Park (part.)
Sections of sixteen streets were treated with calcium choride to lay the dust, using about twelve (12) tons. The streets treated were Blaisdell, Boxford Road, Broadway Ext., Cleveland, Eagle Hill, Grant, Labor-in-Vain, Masconomet,
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Mile Lane, Newmarch, Newbury, Old England, Old Right, and Paradise.
Forty-two streets were scraped and shaped up as needed, twenty-six streets were graveled in sections, forty-five streets were cold patched where pot holes appeared in the oiled sur- faces. Two streets were widened. Six culverts were repaired, nine sidewalks were graveled in sections, and eight sidewalks were repaired. Guard rails were repaired on seven streets.
Sweeping has increased yearly from extra sand used in the winter time. It is quite important that we do our street clean- ing early in the spring before the sand is washed into the catch basins.
Traffic line marking has increased as it is now necessary to do them two and sometimes three times a year.
For some unknown reason a number of street signs dis- appear each year and have to be replaced. This year thirty- two signs were replaced. Twelve new signs were made up, painted and lettered.
The catch basins have been cleaned from one to five times as they are filled with debris. Several repairs were needed for damage caused from tree roots and broken pipes.
The two wooden bridges were replanked where needed and guard rails repaired on the other bridges. Labor-in-Vain bridge will soon have to be closed to traffic as the abutments are spreading and the wooden girders have decayed beyond repairing.
The construction on (East Street) Jeffrey's Road Cause- way has improved the condition there a great deal. The short bad curves were eliminated to one gradual curve. The road
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
was raised high enough to be above the high tides. A certain amount of settling is expected and will have to be raised ac- cordingly.
The Chapter 90 Maintenance, sections of Topsfield Road and Linebrook Road, were treated with RC3-4 and covered with pea stone. Two hundred twenty feet of wooden guard rail was replaced with cement posts and wire cable which should last for a number of years.
Thirty-five hundred feet of mixed-in-place stone was constructed on Topsfield Road Chapter 90 Construction. The road was excavated, widened, banked and graveled where needed. Two inches of stone were then mixed with RC3. Nine hundred feet of drainage were laid, also four hundred feet of side drain.
TABULATION OF TIME EQUIPMENT WORKED, 1941
Miles
Hours
Gals. Gas
Qts. Oil
Truck No. 1
12,221
2,310
1,783
55
Truck No. 2
11,023
2,299
1,558
52
Truck, Walters
688
227
433
41
Grader
936
1,846
56
Roller
526
898
35
Tractor, Cletrac
507
572
35
Tractor, Fordson
37
37
8
Mixer
108
52
4
INVENTORY, DECEMBER 31, 1941
No.
Amount
1 Cart, two horse
25.00
1 Cart, watering
25.00
1 Forge and anvil
30.00
Snow fence, 7,000 feet
700.00
1 Grader, Whier
75.00
1 Grader,Rome
2,500.00
2 Hones, Road
100.00
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
1 Kettle, Tar
25.00
1 Loader, Gravel
300.00
1 Road, Machiner 75.00
1 Mixer, Cement
150.00
2 Plows, Road
25.00
3 Plows, Blade Snow
800.00
1 Plow V-shaped truck
1,240.00
1 Plow V-shaped tractor
800.00
1 Plow, one-way snow
470.00
1 Plow, tractor sidewalk
75.00
6 Plows, sidewalk
375.00
1
Roller, stone two horse
25.00
1 Roller, gasoline
2,000.00
1 Sweeper, two horse
50.00
3 Screens, gravel
15.00
1
Shovel, scoop tractor
20.00
1
Tractor, Cletrac
2,250.00
1 Tractor, Fordson
50.00
2
Trucks, dump
1,600.00
1
Truck, Walters
9,000.00
1 Truck, Pickup
450.00
1 Wagon, oil
25.00
1
Machine, sanding
50.00
1 Street Marker
175.00
1 Derrick, hand
100.00
23,600.00
Other Tools and Supplies
3,452.28
27,052.28
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have cooperated with the Highway Department.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS E. WOOD
Superintendent of Streets
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
85
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Work performed from January 1 to December 31, 1941,
Scales
Ad- justed
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
inclusive:
ยท Platform over
10,000 3
6
Platform, 100
to 5,000
12
33
Counter, 100
to 5,000 1
5
Counter,
under 100
5
22
1
Beam, 100
100 to 5,000
1
Beam,
under 100
1 11
1
Spring,
100 to 5,000 2
8
Spring,
under 100
25
34
1 3
Computing,
under 100 7 31
1
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Scales
Ad- justed
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Person weigher,
(slot)
15
Prescription
2
4
Jewellers
1
Weights
Avoirdupois
8 235
Apothecary
62
Metric
19
Troy
30
Automatic Liquid
Measuring Devices
Gas Pumps
7
61
3
Stops on Pumps
119
Gasoline Meter systems
58
Oil Pumps
26
Tank Truck
Meter Systems 5
11
Kerosene Pumps
27
Molasses Pumps
I
Grease measuring
Pumps
13
1
Yard sticks
9
-
Total
79
841
3
9
Trial weighing and measuring of commodities sold or put up for sale.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Article
Total Number Tested
Number Correct
Number Incorrect Under Over
Beans
39
39
Bread
109
42
22
45
Butter
70
58
12
Charcoal (bags)
10
10
Coal (bags)
75
36
39
Coke (bags)
10
10
32
Dry commodities
59
33
19
7
Flour
10
10
Fruits and vegetables
43
16
27
Kindling wood in bags, paper
30
30
Lard
30
30
Oil in cans, 1qt., 2 qt.,
1 gal. and 5 qts. 935
935
Hams and meats
wrapped in paper
29
11
18
Potatoes
33
33
Spinach, wrapped in (bags)
7
4
3
Cakes
59
59
Sugar
47
47
Milk bottles, 1/2 pt., 1 pt. and 1 qt.
750
750
Totals
2,377
2,094
140
143
There have been fewer peddlers around this year, due to the fact that industrial centers are booming on National Defense contracts. This condition likewise applies throughout the State.
I have cooperated with the State and Federal governments with all their requests for data on National Defense. One item
Confectionery
32
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
out of many was the listing of all bulk storage tanks, names and addresses of owners, location and capacities of tanks, and whether located above or under ground.
The usual listings of reweighing commodities sold or put up for sale appear in my report. I have collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $121.56-the largest amount ever collected. A steady increase in this amount has been reflected every year since I assumed this position.
I would like to make a suggestion that persons buying any commodities do not buy by weight markings on the package, but pay for actual weight as they see it weighed.
Numerous complaints have been investigated by my de- partment resulting in two court cases; one for peddling without a license and the other for short weight in the sale of coal. Both persons pleaded Nolo, which was accepted by the Court, and a $10 fine was lodged against each and paid by the de- fendants who came from Mattapan and Stoneham.
I have had the cooperation of the State Department in the person of Inspector Jones, also all Town officials have co- operated with my department, for which I am very grateful.
I want to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for the privilege of heading this department, and I am pleased to pre- sent my report which justifies their consideration in my behalf.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. H. EWING
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
89
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
Following is a list of contagious diseases reported to the Board during the year:
Bacillary Dysentery
12
Chicken Pox
4
Dog Bites
14
Dog Bites requiring serum
3
Epidemic Meningitis
2
German Measles
14
Measles
50
Mumps
1
Lobar Pneumonia
16
Scarlet Fever
7
Whooping Cough
24
Total 147
1941 has been a year of many outbreaks of communicable disease. We feel that the people should get health-minded and give every assistance possible to the Board and to those who are working in their interest, as many cases were traced to care- lessness.
First, we had a very serious outbreak of grippe and bad colds, during February and March of last year; at one time we were on the verge of closing down all the schools. One day the outbreak would seem to abate and the following day a quick rise would threaten action. The highest percentage of school children out at one time reached 22%, together with
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
two school teachers; also noticeable was the high number of grown-ups thrown out of work in the Hygrade and Hayward factories during this flurry. Your Board was in constant touch with the school authorities and other officials and we feel the right action was taken as the decline was very rapid.
During the summer months we had another serious out- break which demanded quick action in stopping the spread of Bacillary Dysentery. We state here that through the splendid cooperation of Dr. Ernest Archibald, District Health Officer, we were able to keep this disease in check, at a slight cost to the Town.
Fall came and another outbreak fell upon us. This time Measles was very prevalent. A recent article in the newspaper by the Board explained that situation. We are including that article as part of this report.
There has been, and still is, a mild epidemic of Measles, which through carelessness has gone on unabated. Unless these cares are reported by the doctors and parents, your Board cannot keep a check on them.
All contagious diseases regardless what their nature might be are subject to being reported.
To the doctors or physicians-Chapter 111 Section 111 of the General Laws. If a physician knows that a perso- whom he visits is infested with smallpox, diptheria, scarlet fever or any other disease declared by the department dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give written notice thereof, over his own signature, to the Board of Health of the town; and if he refuses or neglects to give such notice he shal. forfeit not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars.
To the householder or parent-Chapter 111 Section 109 of the General Laws. Whoever knows that a person in his family or house is sick of smallpox, diptheria, scarlet fever or any other infectious disease declared by the department dangerous
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
to the public health shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Board of Health of the town where he dwells. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
The Board wishes to stress and emphasize the need of this cooperation during the war emergency that we are now passing through when most anything can happen, when food, clothing and heating shortages may occur, when disease can be spread by our enemies, when health conditions are at their lowest ebb, when we must act first and not after if we are to prevent disaster. We ask you to please cooperate with your health authorities and the Civilian Committee on Health, who are endeavoring to have Ipswich prepared for any emergency.
The Board has no intentions of causing any hardships on anyone, especially the farmers and milk producers. We know that they are struggling for a livelihood, also that it is prac- tically impossible to get equipment for pasteurizing plants, but if any serious outbreak occurs during this war as did in the last, your Board will, and we feel we will be justified, apply any protective health measures. We will declare an emergency and require that all milk sold in the Town must be pasteurized. (This will be an emergency law only and will be in effect until ruled otherwise by your Board.)
We ask all milk dealers not having pasteurizing plants to make arrangements in case of any emergency or contact the Health Board or the Committee on Health, Civilian Defense Headquarters.
Our Child Hygiene program, under the direction of Dr. Collins and Miss Riley, is showing good results and we recom- mend that the clinic work be continued.
We are most pleased with the action of the Board of Selectmen in granting the Board of Health a room of their own
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
which was greatly needed. We feel it will prove a great benefit in carrying on our work.
We wish to thank all those who helped in any way in making our duties a pleasure during the year.
Our best wishes to "Ken" Damon as we called him, who worked so many years for your Board.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE M. KING, Chairman
FRANK L. COLLINS, M. D.
PAUL M. JODOIN, Member and Clerk
93
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Clam Commissioner
-
To the citizens of the Town of Ipswich the following is the report of the Clam Commissioner for the year ending December 31, 1941:
Clamming for the year 1941 could only be called fair insofar as the production was concerned, but the substantial rise in prices to the digger made it an average year financially. Due to the fact that the greater part of our flats are filled with a very heavy setting of seed clams makes it very difficult to find clams that were in those flats when the seed came; therefore, there is a heavy drop in production. When a condition like this exists there is very little that can be done about it except to wait until the seed matures. Some of these beds are now being dug into and it is hoped that by midsummer a large part of them will be ready for digging.
The closing and opening of flats was not as successful this year as in other years. This was due to the fact that we had to open them in the middle of the summer for one month and when we closed them again they did not have time to level down before we had to open them for winter digging.
We had a W. P. A. seeding project in operation for a short time in the spring and I think it as very successful. When the clams were planted in April and May they were from one-half to one inch in length. When they were dug in December they were from two to two and one-half inches. The real value of this project will not be known for some time, for we have to wait and see if nature will seed them. These clams were all planted in flats that have never had clams in them and they grew fine.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We issued 225 permits up until January 1. Of this num- ber a great many have since gone into our armed forces or in defense work so that we have now (December 31) about fifty digging.
There have been very few violations of the clam laws this year. This is due to the fine cooperation given me by the diggers for which I wish at this time to thank them.
The future of the clam industry in Ipswich can be deter- mined by time only. We have every reason to believe that with the large amount of seed clams that are now in the flats and with propr supervision it should last indefinitely.
I wish at this time to thank the Board of Selectmen, the Town Counsel and all others who have in any way assisted me in the last year.
Sincerely, HENRY SHAW
Clam Commissioner.
1
95
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Moth Superintendent
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my eighth annual report as Moth Superintendent.
A recent survey of most of the woodland areas in Ipswich reveals a comparatively small deposit of egg clusters of the Gypsy Moth, which means that we can look forward to a lighter infestation during 1942 than that of 1941. Small sections of woodland territory appeared quite badly defoliated during the latter part of June in two sections of the town, but seemed to be confined within these two areas. No wide- spread deposit of eggs into surrounding territory appeared to result from this summer feeding. Conditions in general with regard to this insect were greatly improved as compared with the last few years.
Although the Browntail Moth problem does not compare with what it was years ago, each year the Department cuts several thousand webs of this insect on private property during the winter. The result is that it presents no problem to speak of during the growing season. However, one season of neglect to carry on control measures against this pest would cause a serious outbreak which would in a very short time get entirely out of control. It is, therefore, most important to carry on the fight each year in the suppression of both of the above- mentioned insects, in order to reduce their number to a mini- mum.
96
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The fight against the Elm Leaf Beetle was very successful during the past year. Two well timed applications of poison applied to the foliage of the trees prevented the beetle from gaining a foothold or causing any appreciable amount of damage to the elms. By the middle of May, the adult beetles emerged from hibernation and flew into the trees in tremendous numbers, and it was at this time that the first application was made. About three weeks later, when the larvae hatched, the second spray was applied with equally devastating effect to the beetles. Nevertheless, we should not take it for granted that the danger from this insect has passed. What the situation will be for 1942 is hard to tell at the moment. I have every reason to believe that a substantial number of adult beetles went into winter quarters late in the season, and they will be our chief concern again this May. It will be quite safe to say, however, that the problem will be less severe than that of last year.
The new truck purchased by the Department last year did splendid work throughout the spraying season. Mounted with the 300 gallon tank, it proved to be a most valuable auxiliary unit for the large shade tree sprayer and truck. Without this new piece of equipment, the Elm Leaf Beetle would have been far more severe than it was. When the danger from this insect is over, the additional equipment will be just as valuable in the control of' many others which the Department has to fight when at the peak of their cycle.
There is little to report on the tent caterpillar, satin moth and the canker worm, due to the fact that the peak of their infestations occurred not long ago.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Moth Superintendent.
97
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I submit herewith my eighth annual report as Tree Warden.
It is with a certain degree of anxiety that I call your at- tention to the fact that the much dreaded Dutch Elm Disease has gained a foothold in Massachusetts during the past season. At the moment there appears to be little to report concerning its present status, but tree wardens will undoubtedly be well in- formed through authentic sources in a short time concerning the progress it has already made within the State. The disease was first discovered in the southwestern part of Massachusetts border- ing New York State, and it quite obviously entered from that point.
During the past year careful observation was made by the Federal government as well as by the Department for early signs of the disease. Several trees were tagged and samples of wood taken from them and sent to the government laboratory to ascertain if any of our elms had become infected. As no report was received, it is certain that the trees in question were not carrying the spores of the disease. It should be borne in mind that the Elm Leaf Beetle which is attacking our trees at the present time is not in any way connected with this new threat to our finest of shade trees.
A large quantity of dead wood was removed from trees in various parts of the town during the summer months. A small amount of cabling and bolting of weak branches was also ac-
98
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
complished. For several weeks during the fall a large amount of line clearing was performed again for the local electric light plant, in order that efficient service could be rendered to its customers.
Fortunately, there was little storm damage to the public shade trees during the past year. This fact is quite unusual, and can be attributed in a large measure to the lack of rain storms during the summer and fall months.
Respectfully submitted,
C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Tree Warden.
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit their annual report.
During the past year there was no work undertaken that could be considered of a new type. The regular maintenance of the public parks was carried on in the same usual manner.
During the hot dry spell last summer there was little to be done in the way of mowing the various grass plots about the town. Much injury was caused by the lack of rainfall at that time, a good deal of which will be in evidence next year.
99
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The routine planting of tulips in the several beds on the North and South Greens, followed by bedding plants in the spring has been carried on as in former years. We felt it necessary to apply another coat of paint to the flagstaffs during the season, as one in particular was beginning to check very badly.
The plot of land known as Arthur W. Dow Park on the easterly side of Town Hill has had but very little attention in late years. This is due largely to the fact that the Department operates with a very small budget, most of which is used on the lawn areas in the center and south side of the town.
Your Commission has been carrying on for one year with only two active members, since the third member, Mr. Robert Lord, has been engaged in other duties outside of Ipswich for some time. His tenure of office expires this year, and we will be pleased to welcome his successor after the annual election in March.
Respectfully submitted,
C. GARDNER CAVERLY
SAMUEL C. GORDON ROBERT D. LORD
Park Commissioners.
100
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Town Forest Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Town Forest Committee herewith submit their annual report.
During the last of April your committee planted a total of five thousand red pine seedlings on the Water Shed property. These trees were given to the town free of charge by the Depart- ment of Conservation for the express purpose of reforestation.
On the twelve acres of land located between the Old Right Road and the Newburyport Turnpike some clearing was done preparatory to planting a few hundred seedlings this spring. It will require a few years to change the growth of this tract of land to a more desirable type.
Nothing has been attempted with the five acres on the slopes of Town Hill in the way of planting. Until the boundaries are definitely set and we know where our authority begins and ends, it would appear logical for us to disregard this property for the present.
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