USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1948 > Part 5
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United States of America
Cash G Bond 21/2% $1000 1 share
$ 812.05 1,000.00
(Feb. 1958)
$1,812.05
Income received during 1948 used for Library purposes Value December 31, 1948 is the lower of cost or market
$45.30
DANIEL W. POOR, JR.,
Treasurer, Spiller Fund
IPSWICH PUBLIC LIBRARY - ABBY L. NEWMAN FUND
Securities Issued By
Description
Amount of Shares
Value
Dec. 31, 1948
Ipswich Cooperative Bank
1 share
$ 200.00 984.12
Ipswich Savings Bank United States of America
Paid Up Shares Cash G Bond 31/2% ($1000 Apr. 1958)
1,000.00
First National Bank, Ipswich Cash
15.00
$2,199.12
Income received during 1948 added to principal in 1948 Income of Newman Fund not to be used for operations expense. Value December 31, 1948 is the lower of cost or market
$53.69
DANIEL W. POOR, JR.,
Treasurer, Newman Fund
1634
1949
REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
IPSWICH, MASS.
WICH
MASS
A
INC.
1634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN IM DEPENDENCE 1667
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1948
AND THE
THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH YEAR
OF THE
TOWN'S INCORPORATION
Ipswich Chronicle Publishing Co., Printers Ipswich, Mass.
125
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Selectmen's Report
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
We submit herewith the report of the activities of the Board for the year ending December 31, 1948. During the year the Board has at all times tried to administer the affairs of the Town as efficiently and economically as possible and in a manner that would be for the best interests of the Town at large. All departments coming directly under the control of the Board have been operated as economically as possible without impairing public service. Reports of the activities for the year ending December 31, 1948 of the various boards coming under our control have been sub- mitted to the Board and approved, and will be found in this Annual Town Report. The Board is quite satisfied with the manner in which these departments have been operated and are pleased with the cooperation given by the depart- ment heads in keeping expenditures at a minimum. The Board, in preparing budgets for the year 1949, have made every effort to keep them at the lowest possible figure, and we feel that the amounts requested are needed to carry on the work in an efficient manner.
During the year the Board has attended all public hear- ings and meetings where matters of interest to the Town of Ipswich were discussed, and has made every effort to put forward all claims of the Town to the end that we might receive a fair proportionate part of whatever was to be expended from outside sources. The Town Counsel has appeared with the Board whenever requested and has at all times been cooperative in rendering advice and counsel in connection with the affairs of the Town.
.
126
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The Superintendent of the Highway Department has endeavored to maintain the public ways in the Town in as good a condition as possible with the funds allocated to his department. During the past few years many new develop- ments have been carried out in the Town and many new streets accepted, and these have to be maintained by the Highway Department. The time has come when additional funds will be required to carry out the ordinary maintenance of these new additions.
Due to the severe winter and the extraordinary heavy snowfall the sum of $20,000.00 was required for snow re- moval. We are very well pleased with the exceptionally fine manner in which this problem was handled by the Su- perintendent of Highways. We feel that the work was performed very efficiently and as economically as possible. During the year we received many favorable comments from the citizens of Ipswich in regard to the manner in which this problem was handled. We also wish to state at this time that the wisdom of former members of the Board in recommending and securing the snow removal equipment in the Highway Department was proven beyond any doubt this year. .
Construction of North Ridge Road was started in the fall of 1948. Drainage was installed, widening and sub- grading completed and gravel placed before winter set in. In the spring some additional drainage will be necessary, more gravel placed and final grading will be required. When this work is completed the surface will be treated with an application of asphalt and pea. stone. At the time plans were made to start construction of this road the Board was of the opinion that it would be advisable to secure specifica- tions and advertise for bids from private contractors. Bids were received and the prices quoted were so high that the Board rejected all bids and requested the Superintendent
127
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
of Highways to construct the road with the equipment and personnel of the Highway Department. The Superintendent expressed a willingness to cooperate with the Board and as a result the road will be constructed within the appro- priation, and an exceptionally fine piece of road obtained. A great deal of credit should be given to the Superintendent for his cooperation and the fine manner in which this pro- ject has been handled.
The construction of Topsfield Road from the entrance to the Hayward Estate to the property line of the Crocker Snow Estate was completed this year, under Chapter 90 Construction. Additional work will be carried out in 1949 and by 1950 we expect to see the completion of the construc- tion of Topsfield Road under Chapter 90.
Chapter 90 Maintenance work was carried out on Line- brook Road, Topsfield Road and Lakeman's Lane, and we expect that funds will be provided in 1949 to continue addi- tional work of this nature.
An appropriation was made at the Annual Town Meet- ing for construction work on Safford Street. Part of this work has been completed and will be finished in the spring of 1949.
The Board has received requests for improvements on Paradise Road, Fourth and Kimball Streets, and Farley Avenue. Articles will appear in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting calling for appropriations to carry out this work. It is impossible to do this work with funds allocated to the Highway Department for the regular maintenance and repair of our highways.
An article will appear in the Warrant requesting an appropriation to resurface Great Neck Road. This road
128
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
was completed in 1937 under W.P.A. Funds and the condi- tion of the surface is such that an application of asphalt and pea stone will be required to protect the surface. If this work is not done this year the road will deteriorate to the point where the Town will be required to appropriate a much larger amount to keep the road in proper repair.
It is the opinion of the Board that the time has arrived to make a study of the advisability of the construction of a Municipal Garage and storage building. The facilities of the Highway Garage are inadequate to properly take care of the storage of materials and equipment and as a result, equipment is stored in private places at rental costs. While we have no direct control of many other departments we find that the Moth and Tree Department, the Board of Health Department, the Cemetery Department, and others, are renting private places for the storage of equipment and supplies. If a study of this question is approved it should include a building of sufficient size to care for the storage of the equipment and materials of all Municipal Depart- ments.
At the Annual Town Meeting an appropriation was made for Shellfish Benefits said sum to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Clam Com- missioner, for the purpose of improving the clam flats and the removal and destruction of shellfish enemies. Confer- ences were held with the Clam Commissioner and repre- sentatives of the Division of Marine Fisheries for the purpose of determining the best possible way to deal with this problem and to get the most desirable results from the funds to be expended. A landing barge was purchased and outfitted and work was started on the removal of mussels from the clam beds. We realize that this was, and still is, an experiment, and only time will tell whether or not the work accomplished and the amounts expended justify the
129
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
continuance of this work. It is the opinion of the Board that additional funds should be appropriated in 1949 to continue this project. The State-wide interest that has been shown in this project by various State, County and Town officials and members of private organizations who have made many visits to Ipswich to study and see in oper- ation this project, leads us to believe that it has some merits and should continue at least another year and the results studied, and if proven to be successful, should be continued in order to improve the productivity of our clam flats.
At the Annual Town Meeting a Committee was ap- pointed to study and recommend a suitable location for a Town Dump. This Committee, after a careful study of the question, informed the Board of Selectmen, that in their opinion the Town Dump should be located on the land of the Town of Ipswich on Town Farm Road. The Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Committee, ordered that the Town Dump be opened at this location, and at the present time we feel that it is working out very satisfac- torily.
A vote was taken at the Annual Town Meeting instruc- ting the Board of Selectmen to convey to Mrs. Arvanites of County Road a certain part of the property owned by the Town of Ipswich. Upon investigation we found that there were no definite property lines established. We en- gaged the services of a civil engineer to check the deeds, establish property lines, and prepare a map of the land. After receiving this information we have held several con- ferences with representatives of Mrs. Arvanites and have come to a decision as to the location and amount of land to be conveyed, and the cost of the same. We have not included any land that we feel might be of some future use to the Town of Ipswich.
130
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The Police and Fire Departments come directly under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. The affairs of these departments are directed and administered by the Chief of Police and a Board of Fire Engineers. The Board is very well satisfied with the manner in which these two departments have been conducted during the past year. The efficient and capable manner in which the affairs of these departments has been administered is a credit to the heads of their respective departments.
The affairs of the Veterans Service Department are administered by an Agent appointed by the Board of Select- men. The Board is well satisfied with the efficient and capable manner in which Mr. Charles T. Passales, Veterans Service Agent, has administered the affairs of this office.
Each year the Board of Selectmen have included in the Town Hall budget an amount that would be sufficient to take care of the ordinary maintenance and repair of the Town Hall. We feel that the time has arrived when many extensive repairs are badly needed and we have caused to be inserted in the Town Warrant an article calling for an appropriation to take care of the same.
L
In closing our report we wish to express our appreciation of the fine cooperation given to us by the heads of the various Town Departments and Boards. We are especially grateful to Mrs. Lucy E. Dolan, Clerk of the Board of Selectmen and Brainard C. Wallace, Town Accountant. Due to their knowledge and experience dealing with the conduct of Mu- nicipal Government, we have found it necessary to call upon them for their advice and counsel. We have at all times found them to be most cooperative, and always willing to
131
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
give us their time and the benefit of their experience in order that the Town's business might be conducted in an efficient and capable manner.
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN H. DAMON CHARLES L. ROSE STUART McROBBIE
Board of Selectmen, Town of Ipswich.
132
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Town Counsel
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I wish to submit the report of your Town Counsel for the year 1948.
At the end of the year 1948 there were no outstanding cases or claims in any Court pending against the Town of Ipswich. There had been two minor cases wherein claims were made against the Town but at the time the cases were called in Court, it was agreed that the evidence would be insufficient to secure a judgment against the Town and, therefore, the cases were dismissed without trial.
There have been a few assertions of claims against the Town of Ipswich but these assertions were never perfected in legal form.
During the past year, as always, various officials have called upon the Town Counsel for legal opinions relative to the duties of such Town Officials. Such requests always involve considerable time and research and rightly this should be so because of the position of the Town Counsel in Town affairs. The attitude of the Town Officials has been that they wish to cooperate with the general public to the fullest extent within the limitations of each office. The requests for opinions in most instances have been for rulings which would enable various officials to render assis- tance to the public and still be within the statutory definition of the department. This, of course, entails an exhaustive examination of Court decisions in an effort to decide on the
133
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
statutory prohibitions attached to the office. Many times there are no Court decisions on the particular point and in such cases it becomes necessary for the Town Counsel to give his own opinion based upon the generalities set forth in various decisions.
In all this work I have found the heads of all the depart- ments most cooperative and most sincere in a desire to be as useful to the general public as possible. If criticism is directed towards any Town Official, it has been my experience that such criticism is occasioned by the legal limitations of the office or the lack of sufficient appropriations to permit the officials to be of maximum benefit to the Town, and not from any lack of a spirit of cooperation on the part of the Official.
Yours respectfully,
3
WILLIAM F. HAYES,
Town Counsel.
134
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Inspector of Wires
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report from August 25, 1948 ending December 31, 1948.
I completed ninety-eight (98) requested inspections which consisted of new buildings; wiring of oil burners, electric ranges, hot water heaters; changing entrances from two to three wires.
I found cases of violations of wiring not by electricians alone, but mostly by owners wiring their own houses.
In some cases, I would inspect a place three or four times before submitting approval.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, the electricians, and the citizens of Ipswich for their cooperation for the year 1948.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE J. DUPRAY,
Inspector of Wires.
135
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Town Accountant's Statement
I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer as of December 31, 1948 and have found them correct and the balance in his hands to agree with the balance shown by his books.
BRAINARD C. WALLACE,
Town Accountant.
Essex, ss.
Then personally appeared Brainard C. Wallace, Town Accountant of the Town of Ipswich and made oath that the above statement made by him is true,
WALTER E. CALLAHAN,
Notary Public.
My commission expires February 27, 1954.
Reconciliation of Treasurer's Cash
Balance, January 1, 1948
$282,221.21
Receipts, January 1, to December 31, 1948
900,000.37
$1,182,221.58
Payments to Treasurer, January 1, to December 31, 1948 988,771.62
136
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
First National Bank of Ipswich
145,900.42
First National Bank of Boston 10,290.05
Merchant's National Bank of Boston
30,993.80
Ipswich Savings Bank
5,964.07
Cash in Office, verified
301.62
$1,182,221.58
First National Bank of Ipswich
Balance, December 31, 1948 per statement
$139,180.24
Deposit in transit, verified
58,466.18
$197,646.42
Balance, December 31, 1948 per register
$145,900.42
Outstanding Checks, December 31, 1948
51,746.00
$197,646.42
First National Bank of Boston
Balance, December 31, 1948, per Statement $10,290.05
Balance, December 31, 1948 per Check Book 10,290.05
Merchant's National Bank of Boston
Balance, December 31, 1948, per statement $30,993.80
Balance, December 31, 1948, as per check book 30,993.80
Ipswich Savings Bank
Balance, December 31, 1948, per statement $ 5,964.07
Balance, December 31, 1948, per bank book 5,964.07
JOHN E. GRANT,
Treasurer.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
137
Report of the Town Treasurer
To the Citizens of the Town of Ipswich:
The report of the Town Treasurer for the year 1948 is herewith submitted.
Cash Balance, January 1, 1948 $282,221.21 900,000.37
Receipts
$1,182,221.58 988,771.62
Expenditures
Cash Balance, December 31, 1948
$
193,449.96
Detailed reports of all financial transactions of the town for the year may be found in the tables in the report sub- mitted by the Town Accountant. In view of the fact an- other year has passed during which it was not necessary to borrow any money in anticipation of revenue, no effort was made to determine the Town's borrowing capacity for borrowing on temporary notes.
That the cash balance as shown above will not be mis- leading, it includes the depreciation fund, construction fund, and cash balances of the Electric Light and Water Depart- ments amounting to $113,465.93.
May I call your attention to the improvement of the Tax Title account. Although $1,733.91 was added to the Tax Title account, there was $2,078.00 redeemed, leaving the balance of the account as of December 31, 1948 $2,272.70 less than the balance of the account as of December 31, 1947.
138
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
In general, the Town is in very good financial condition due to the fact that it has been unnecessary to borrow any money in anticipation of revenue and that the outstanding general debt is now reduced to $61,000.00.
I would also like to call your attention to the fact that we point with pride to the fact that Miss Gladys Poole on the first of February of this year completed her twenty-fifth year in this department.
She came to work in the Treasurer's office under the then Treasurer, Mr. William Riley and served under the following Town Treasurers
Mr. Joseph Morton Mr. James Reilly Mr. Elwyn McCarthy Mr. George Hodgkins
Her record of service has been an admirable one and we hope she may be with us many more years.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. GRANT,
Treasurer.
139
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Tax Collector's Report John E. Grant, Collector MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE 1945
Outstanding January 1, 1948 $ 2.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
$ 2.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$ 29.28
Collections Outstanding December 31, 1948
$ 8.00
21.28
$ 29.28
$ 29.28
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$1,674.50
Refunds
29.08
Collections
$ 624.20
Abatements
32.93
Outstanding December 31, 1948
1,046.45
$1,703.58
$1,703.58
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE 1948
Commitments
Refunds
$21,792.22 451.56
Collections
$19,080.76
Abatements
828.08
Outstanding December 31, 1948
2,334.94
$22,243.78
$22,243.78
140
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
POLL 1941
Refunds Abatements
$ 16.00
$ 16.00
POLL 1942
Refunds Abatements
$ 14.00
$ 14.00
POLL 1943
Refunds Abatements
$ 10.00
$ 10.00
Refunds Abatements
$ 8.00
$ 8.00
POLL 1945
Refunds Abatements
$ 4.00
$ 4.00
POLL 1944
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
141
REAL ESTATE 1945
Outstanding January 1, 1948 Collection
$ 82.80
$ 14.40
Outstanding December 31, 1948
68.40
$ 82.80
$ 82.80
POLL 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$ 26.00
Refunds
18.00
Collections
$ 6.00
Abatements
18.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
20.00
$ 44.00
$ 44.00
PERSONAL 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$429.30
Collections
$179.98
Outstanding December 31, 1948
249.32
$429.30
$429.30
REAL ESTATE 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$4,933.93
Collections
$4,148.59
Added to Tax Title
489.60
Outstanding December 31, 1948
295.74
$4,933.93 $4,933.93
142
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
POLL 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$216.00
Refunds
6.00
Collections
$ 68.00
Abatements
2.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
152.00
$222.00
$222.00
PERSONAL 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$4,195.56
Collections
$2,823.46
Outstanding December 31, 1948
1,372.10
$4,195.56
$4,195.56
REAL ESTATE 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$30,492.60
Refunds
16.00
Collections
$27,112.52
Added to Tax Title
510.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
2,886.08
$30,508.60
$30,508.60
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
143
POLL 1948
Commitments Refund
$4,534.00
To be adjusted
2.00
Collections
$3,774.00
Abatements
316.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
448.00
$4,538.00
$4,538.00
PERSONAL 1948
Commitments
$27,341.02
Refunds
46.92
Collections
$21,838.05
Abatements
151.57
Outstanding December 31, 1948
5,398.32
$27,387.94
$27,387.94
REAL ESTATE 1948
Commitments
$347,756.09 450.80
Collections
$304,728.06
Abatements
4,012.76
Added to Tax Title
626.75
Outstanding December 31, 1948
38,839.32
$348,206.89
$348,206.89
Refunds
2.00
144
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
TAX TITLES
Tax Titles on hand January 1, 1948
$8,503.64
Added to Tax Title
1,733.91
Tax Titles Redeemed
$2,078.00
Abatement
233.07
Adjustment
50.87
Land of Low Value Foreclosures
1,644.67
Tax Titles on hand December 31, 1948
6,230.94
$10,237.55
$10,237.55
TAX TITLES
WATER
Added to Tax Title $11.94
On hand December 31, 1948
$11.94
MOTH
1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$ 8.00
Collection
$ 8.00
$ 8.00
$ 8.00
145
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
MOTH
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948 Collections Added to Taxes 1948
$678.00
$537.00
141.00
$678.00
$678.00
MOTH
1948
Commitments Refunds
$141.00
12.00
Collections
$115.00
Abatements
12.00
Outstanding December 31, 1948
26.00
$153.00
$153.00
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1948
$ 22.14
Collection $ 22.14
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1948 $451.96 Outstanding December 31, 1948 $451.96
146
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
WATER LIENS 1948
Commitments Collections Added to Taxes 1948
$710.32
$ 47.99
662.33
$710.32
$710.32
WATER LIENS ADDED TO TAXES 1948
Commitments
$662.33
Collections
$274.07
Added to Tax Title
11.94
Outstanding December 31, 1948
376.32
$662.33
$662.33
147
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Assessor's Report
To the Citizens of Ipswich :
In making this, the annual report of the Board of Assessors there has been included the work sheet that is used in computing the tax rate and Tables of Aggregates covering the work of this department.
The assessed valuation of both Real and Personal Property in 1948 was about $300,000.00 more than in 1947, but with an increase in appropriations, and the refusal of Tax Commissioner to allow the use of $21,000.00 of available funds, we were faced with a $46.00 Tax Rate.
Respectfully submitted,
C. CHESTER CALDWELL JOHN E. NORMAN JOHN A. SINGER Board of Assessors, Ipswich.
1948 RECAPITULATION
Town Appropriations
$593,557.05
Overlay Deficits for the years
1941-1942-1943-1944
672.48
State Parks and Reservations
421.99
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,826.81
County Tax
14,665.39
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
5,145.32
Overlay
7,611.43
GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED
$623,900.47
148
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
39,107.13
Corporation Taxes 18,664.85
Reimbursement on accounts State Owned Land 2,077.43
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
15,000.00
Licenses 5,600.00
Fines
643.00
Grants and Gifts
1,400.00
Special Assessments
556.25
General Government
1,500.00
Protection of Persons and Property
590.00
Health and Sanitation
2,500.00
Highways 900.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants for aid to dependent children) 2,712.58
Old Age Assistance (other than Federal Grants) 33,852.81
Old Age Tax (meals), General Laws, Chapter 64B 2,466.84
Veterans' Benefits
990.00
Schools
4,340.00
Public Service Enterprises (such as
Water Dept. etc.) 36,000.00
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots)
3,089.11
Interest: On Taxes and Assessments
404.40
Chapter 498 Acts 1948
7,080.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
244,462.76
Net Amount to be raised by Taxation on Polls and Property
379,437.71
Number of Polls 2260
4,520.00
Valuation: Personal Property
594,370.00
Tax on Personal Property
27,341.02
Valuation: Real Estate
7,556,015.00
Tax on Real Estate
347,576.69
Tax Rate-$46.00
Net Amount to be levied on Polls and Property 379,437.71
149
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Water Liens
662.33
Moth Liens
141.00
Total of all other commitments
803.33
Total Amount of 1948 Taxes on Polls and
Property and of Assessments added to Taxes as committed to Collector
380,241.04
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
On Personal Estate Only
603
On Real Estate Only
1509
On Both Personal and Real Estate
344
Number of Persons Assessed
2456
Number of Polls Assessed
2260
Value of Assessed Personal Estate:
Stock In Trade
189,740.00
Machinery
103,600.00
Live Stock
50,870.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property
250,160.00
Total Value
594,370.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Land exclusive of Buildings
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