USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1948 > Part 7
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Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY SAMUEL C. GORDON JOSEPH E. THOMAS
175
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Playground Committee
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
There have been many improvements at the Linebrook Playground this year. First the tennis courts have been put in good playing condition with a new through renovation and a hot top surface. This should last for many years. A heavy net has been placed on top of the back stop at the baseball diamond, making it ten feet higher and protecting the people across the street from foul balls. The base paths on the diamond were completely rebuilt and the whole field rolled and filled in where needed. Tables and sand boxes were placed in different parts of the grounds for mothers and children and they were well patronized. Much new equipment was bought this year, including a set of chair swings for the little children, a merry go round, a combina- tion set consisting of swings, shute, see-saw, trapeze, and rings and horizontal bar also a new shute and swing. Taken with the equipment we already had it made a pretty com- plete outfit and it was well patronized all through the sum- mer.
There was an unusual amount of activities at the grounds the last year. There was baseball nearly every night, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. A large soft ball league had to play double headers much of the time to get their schedules in.
The School Summer Program was carried out as usual and there was something going on from morning until late at night.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We were compelled to close the courts and let the care- taker go a month earlier than we had planned. We had figured our budget on a 75 cent an hour basis and the Town Meeting voted a $1.00 an hour for all town employees so that 25 per cent from our allotment for labor was lost.
For the next year our great need is for bleachers. For many years we have been using the bleachers of the High School Athletic Association at a rental of $50.00 a year. These bleachers are nearly 30 years old now and probably will not be available next year. New bleachers can be pur- chased from the Huzzy people in Berwick, Maine for about $6.00 a seat, a seat is 18 inches of space including delivery and erection. A few sections could be bought this year and more added each year until the desired number was obtained. There should be a fence along Washington Street continuing the fence already there. One reason for this is to keep drivers of automobiles from going on to the grounds, some drivers, why I don't know, seem to like to drive over the soft ground in the spring to see how much they can cut up the sod. This happens not only at the playground but at all of the park areas.
There has been some vandalism as usual at the play- ground the last year. It is hard to judge the mentality of people who deliberately break and destroy equipment bought by the town for their own pleasure.
With all this new equipment and the new surface of the tennis courts should make the Linebrook playground one of the most complete in this vicinity.
Some minor repairs will have to be made to the head building but there is real need for some new bleachers and it is desirable for the fence on Washington Street.
Submitted for the Playground Committee,
HENRY S. BOWEN, Clerk Pro Tem.
177
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1948:
Adjusted Sealed Scales
Not Condem- Sealed ned 1
Platform, over 10,000 lbs. 4 6
Platform, 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
Platform, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
15
31
Counter, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
3
Counter, under 100 lbs.
8
19
Beam, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
Beam, under 100 lbs.
1
5
Spring, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
6
Spring, under 100 lbs.
16
24
2
3
Computing, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
0
0
0
0
Computing, under 100 lbs.
10
29
5
1
Person weigher (slot)
9
2
Prescription
4
Weights
Avoirdupois
5 171
Apothecary
97
Volumetric Measures
Vehicle Tanks (compartments)
15
Liquid Measures over 1 gal. 1
Liquid Measures 66
1
1
178
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Automatic Liquid-Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
2
45
Kerosene Pumps
8
Molasses Pumps
2
Oil Pumps
7
Stops on Pumps
52
Vehicle Tank Meter Systems
2
15
Grease-Measuring Devices
22
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
6
Totals
64
635
9
11
Total Number Tested Correct
Number
Incorrect
Under
Over
Bread
220
190
0
30
Butter
47
47
0
0
Coal (in paper bags)
15
12
3
0
Confectionery
60
40
0
20
Fruits and Vegetables 128
64
33
31
Ice
10
0
0
10
Lard
31
31
0
0
Liquid Commodities
66
54
0
12
Potatoes
25
20
5
0
Totals
602
458
41
103
2
During the course of the year, during my tour of inspec- tions I find commodities wrapped with weight markings on wrapper unusually correct. This is perhaps due to my in- structions to business men who purchase such items in bulk as potatoes, beans, peas etc. If when wrapped they are allowed to stand in a well heated store their weight will
179
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
shrink, this I have tried to overcome by instructions to store owners.
Once again I would like to call attention to business men, that any weighing or measuring device, whether new or second hand, must have the seal placed on same before using.
I have collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $100.12, the largest amount of collections since the year 1941 without any increase in fees.
Several departments have co-operated with me during the year for which I am very grateful, and I wish to thank the Town of Ipswich, through the Selectmen for their con- sideration in my behalf.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. H. EWING,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
180
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Clam Commissioner
To the Citizens of The Town of Ipswich :
It is quite safe to say that there is an improvement in the condition of the flats. I find that in most of the sandy flats there is a fair seeding, but the muddy flats are not doing so well.
At the annual Town Meeting this year there was an appropriation of six thousand dollars for the improvement of the clam flats. A meeting of everyone interested in the industry was called at the courtroom in the Town Hall. At that meeting those who attended threshed out all the angles of the industry and it was voted to concentrate mostly on the removal of mussels, and to do some seeding. Acting on the outcome of that meeting, the Board of Selectmen and myself paid a visit to some of the flats with a local contractor to see if some of the mussels could be removed by contract. The contractor gave us a price of forty-five hundred dollars for the cleaning of one flat, namely Lufkins. We then contacted a man who thought he could remove them with a flounder dray and he estimated the cost would be three thousand dollars for the same flat. We thought that these prices were prohibitive and we looked around for other ideas. After investigating many suggestions we decided to remove them ourselves. With this in mind we purchased a small navy landing barge and we had this barge rigged into a dragger. After using this dragger for about four months I can definitely say that up to the present time it is the most practicable way to remove mussels.
Representatives from most all of the clam towns in the State have been here to see it operate and all were in
181
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
agreement that it was a practicable idea. As near as we can estimate we have taken off about seven hundred and fifty tons of mussels. The flats that were worked on were Middle Ground, Spit, Beach Reef and Lufkins. I strongly recommend that this work be carried on until our best productive flats are free of this menace.
We also used this barge to transport some fifty tons of sand from the beach to Eagle Hill River. This was done to see if we could bring back into production some of the flats that have become soft and barren. That the sand has hardened the flats there is no doubt, but it is too soon to tell whether they will catch a natural set of clams or not.
In the spring we planted sixty barrels of seed furnished by the State. This seed was planted in five different flats to see if there would be any difference in the growth etc. Of this sixty barrels of seed about fifteen barrels survived. The seed was planted under the direction of the State and for about two months it did fine and then the horseshoe crabs hit, and they cleaned all the seed in the mud flats and did some damage to the beds in the sand flats. Those clams that did live grew faster than any clams we ever planted. They were planted in May and they were large enough to be marketed in October.
I do not advise doing much seeding at this time for two reasons. First until something is done to combat the horseshoe crab. As of now there is no known way. They are experimenting with traps and wires at the Oceano- graphic Institution at Wood's Hole at present, but have not found anything as yet. And secondly the seed that is avail- able at present is not in my judgment of very good grade. When the rocks, shells and broken clams are taken out the loss per barrel is about thirty percent. When and if we have our own seed then I would say do as much seeding as possible.
182
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We took twelve samples of soil to the Essex Agricultural School at Middleton to see if we could find out why some flats were productive and others were barren. We took soil from flats where clams were plentiful and soil from barren flats to see if there was something in one that was not in the other. When the report came back there was practically no difference in the soil, so we have to admit we learned nothing there. We have a few small beds of edible mussels in Ipswich, these of course are in no way disturbed. There are a few men who gather them in the winter months and sell them.
The mussels that are on the flats are not the edible kind, they are a menace that catches on the flats, live a year or two then die, and the next set of mussel seed catches on to the empty shells and so on until the whole flat is covered with them. The result is that the flat soon becomes a soft, muddy flat than neither clam or anything else can live in.
We are in hopes that some research work will be done in this district during nineteen forty-nine by biologists of the State and Federal governments. This was practically agreed upon at the meeting attended by the Board of Select- men, the Town Council, Clam Commissioner and State and Federal Officials.
I wish to thank all those who in any way assisted me in the year just passed.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY SHAW,
Clam Commissioner.
183
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of the Board of Health
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The collection of rubbish and garbage was continued during the past year in a most efficient manner. This serv- ice has become an accepted service by the townspeople and one well worth the expenditures involved. The Agent of the Board reported that only two substantiated complaints were received during the entire year testifying to the con- scientious efforts of Mr. Ladderbush and his assistants. Present equipment is in good shape, though entering upon- its fourth year but maintenance will naturally be greater. The Board has received so many requests for the extension of both services in more outlying sections of the Town, but due to the extensive construction in arrears already covered, new homes are compelling us to operate at full capacity and all requests had to be denied. At the request of a respon- sible citizen's committee we have an article in the warrant for the purchase of another piece of equipment to enable us to extend present services to all requests. This article, if enacted, will naturally increase the cost of labor and main- tenance and is being left to the discretion of the voters. The acquisition of additional equipment would, however, materially lessen the wear and tear on present, and would permit more even distribution of present and future efforts. We call attention in this respect that present regulations calling for the covering of trucks hauling refuse through the streets are, in many cases, being ignored, and will have to be more rigorously enforced this coming year.
Extremely successful X-Ray clinics were held through- out the Town this past year in the schools and commercial establishments sponsored by the Essex County Health Asso-
184
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
ciation. Excellent cooperation was received from those in charge of schools and local firms. For example, 87% of all employees in our largest local manufacturing plant were x-rayed. These results were very gratifying and this all important work will be carried forward this coming year. T. B. Patch tests were given to 322 pupils at the local High School with only 22 refusals. Experience has taught us that early detection of this dread disease saves the commu- nity a substantial amount and hospitalizes patients for a period of months rather than years.
Encouragement was given to a movement for the estab- lishment of a public health nursing system which the Board feels would fill a valuable place in the community. Ipswich is one of the few towns of comparable size still lacking facilities either provided alone or in conjunction with neigh- boring towns. This service would prove particularly valuable, in our opinion, along preventative lines, tuberculosis sur- vey work, care of welfare patients, could well be supported with public and private funds. For this reason a public hearing was held with the Chairman presiding for an open discussion with townspeople, doctors and local authorities. A group of public spirited citizens have met several times since and now have the outline of a workable private asso- ciation under which services would be available to the health and school boards, insurance companies, et cetera. We believe there is room here for services as outlined by Dr. Pennell, Misses Frances Frazier, Aura Koeppler and Frances Thompson, public health experts, who addressed the original hearing.
Successful Dyptheria Clinics were again held at the Winthrop School Clinic Room on April 28th, May 12th, and 26th. These clinics have now become an accepted part of local health prevention measures, and unlike the earlier inaugurational ones, are always well attended. They will be continued again this coming year.
185
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
A constant vigil was maintained over conditions in local milk plants, and we regret more than one repeat offender in careless handling of this important commodity. Regular samples were taken and tested by the milk inspector and all violations immediately called to attention. Sale of milk in the town was prohibited in one instance, and similar measures will be taken against any who do not realize the danger to health that accompanies any relaxation in strict milk control.
Restaurants were carefully inspected at intervals and many helpful suggestions were made and, in most cases adopted, by the Sanitary Inspector. His conscientious efforts have been hampered by a lack of legal restaurant regulations, a group of simple ones are now being studied by the Board, and until these are in force, we urge any and all restaurant owners to cooperate in maintaining sanitary conditions in their establishments so it will not be necessary to incorporate published ratings for cleanliness, used in many communities, in these proposed regulations.
The greatly increased duties of the Sanitary and Milk Inspector caused by the municipal collections, clerical and recording duties, supervision of labor all clearly indicate the future need of a full time Agent protected by Civil Serv- ice so that he can maintain the same high standards we have so laboriously attained, and the Board Members plan a careful analysis to determine if this time has a'ready arrived. For instance, how many townspeople are aware that we have in our midst a thriving slaughter house which handles animals annually that run into four figures. This requires constant supervision but supplies revenue to the town, and thanks to the present Agent's insistence was re- cently given a clean bill of health by State Authorities. Our recommendations will be made public.
186
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We call attention to the fact that nearly five thousand dollars of our 1948 appropriation has or will be returned to the Town through license fees, sale of refuse collected, subsidies on T.B. cases, etc. This subtraction leaves a very modest appropriation for Health considering the quality and scope of services rendered. This amount no doubt could be increased if a full time Agent was able to shop for sup- plies and bargain for sale of refuse, not now possible.
As always, we wish to thank all townspeople and local industries who have cooperated so well and enabled us to achieve the progress we have made during this past year, and to particularly point out the excellent, efficient, and conscien- tious manner in which Agent Paul Jodoin has carried out his duties.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE M. KING, Chairman,
ERNEST J. SMITH, D. M. D. FRANK L. COLLINS, M. D.
Diptheria Clinic:
Held through Dept. of Public Health and Ipswich Board of Health.
Number of first inoculations 90
Number of booster shots 39
187
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Tuberculosis Report :
Held through Essex County Health Association, Ipswich Board of Health and Ipswich School Dept.
Number of Children patch tested 341
Number of positive reactors 31
Number of negative reactors 310
Number of refusals
24
Number having x-rays
31
Number of school personnel having x-rays
25
Arrested child type tuberculosis 1
Pleurisy with effusion 1
Tuberculosis 0
Well Child Conference:
Number of babies present 112
Number of babies defects 112
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. COLLINS, M. D.
ROSE NAVES, R. N.
188
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Rubbish Collection
1949
West
South & East
Central & North
Area
Area
Area
Jan. 12, 26
Jan. 3, 17, 31
Jan. 5, 19
Feb. 9, 23
Feb. 14, 28
Feb. 2, 16
Mar. 9, 23
Mar. 14, 28
Mar. 2, 16, 30
Apr. 6, 20
Apr. 11, 25
Apr. 13, 27
May 4, 18
May 9, 23
May 11, 25
June 1, 15, 29
June 6, 20
June 8, 22
July 13, 27
July 4, 18
July 6, 20
Aug. 10, 24
Aug. 1, 15, 29
Aug. 3, 17, 31
Sept. 7, 21
Sept. 12, 26
Sept. 14, 28
Oct. 5, 19
Oct. 10, 24
Oct. 12, 26
Nov. 2, 16, 30
Nov. 7, 21
Nov. 9, 23
Dec. 14, 28
Dec. 5, 19
Dec. 7, 21
Board of Health, LAWRENCE M. KING, Chairman
FRANK L. COLLINS, M. D. ERNEST J. SMITH, D. M. D.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
189
Communicable Disease Reporter
To the Board of Health
Gentlemen :
Following is a list of contagious diseases reported to the Board during the year ending December 31, 1948.
Poliomyelitis
1
Chicken Pox
10
Dog Bite
19
Measles
72
Mumps
50
Scarlet Fever
12
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
6
Pneumonia Lobar
1
Whooping Cough
4
Gonorrhea
14
Syphillis
5
Septic Sore Throat
1
German Measles
8
204
Poliomyelitis revocation received.
Poliomyelitis out of town settlement.
I call the attention of all physicians and those of the medical profession to Chapter 111, Section 111, and to the householder to Chapter 111, Section 109, of the General Laws, that all contagious disease be reported to the Board of Health. Under Section 109 if a physician has been called in, his notification will be accepted in place of the householder.
190
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
There has been altogether to much carelessness on the part of the doctors in the Town of Ipswich in reporting communicable disease to this office, either they were late in reporting or mostly not reported at all. I further wish to state, that because a disease is no longer placarded is no reason why it should not be reported.
The local Board and the State Department of Public Health have and are willing to cooperate and assist the medical profession at anytime, I feel that they should do likewise.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL M. JODOIN,
Reporter of Communicable Disease.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
191
Sanitary Agent's Report
To the Board of Health
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1948.
Overnight cabin and camp licenses granted 7
Collection of swill and garbage 1
Collection of tallow and soap grease
4
Cleaning cesspool and vaults
2
Funeral Directors
4
Methyl and Wood alcohol
13
Slaughter House
1
Slaughter House (Poultry)
1
Burial permits granted
80
Pig permits granted
3
Day Nursery School permit granted
1
Cesspool and septic tank permits granted
47
Nuisance notices
15
Bakery inspections
4
Complaints
49
Garbage complaints
8
Rubbish collection complaints
3
Slaughter House Inspections
5
Store Inspections
36
Soda Fountain Inspections
9
Shucking Houses Inspected
6
Restaurant Inspections
35
Property Inspections
8
Public Toilets
5
Overnight Cabin and Camp Inspections
64
192
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Contagious Disease Posted 14
Funeral Homes Inspected 4
Convalescent and Rest Homes Inspected 2
Condemned during the year:
10 gallons beets, 24 gallons spaghetti, 30 gallons apple sauce, 50 pounds macaroni, 11/2 bushels potatoes, 9 pounds hamburg, 5 pounds pork, 3 pounds carrots, 5 pounds grapes, 7 bunches celery, 4 mellons, 3 chickens, 1 bushel lettuce, 1 quart milk.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL M. JODOIN,
Agent.
To the Board of Health :
I feel it appropriate to make my report a little early this year as I do not contemplate seeking reappointment in 1949 as Agent Milk Inspector or Clerk. The time has come for these positions to be put on a full time basis because of the increased amount of work that has been added to this department. Furthermore, there are many health measures that should be added in putting these positions on a full time basis. I recommend:
1. That the Agent, Milk Inspector, Animal Inspector and Clerk be put under civil service, and that an examination be open to the public for these positions. (If these recommendations are carried out, I am willing to con- tinue my work under the present setup until such time as the civil service appointment is made and to help break in the appointee.)
193
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
2. The immediate adoption of rules and regulations re- quiring all milk sold in the Town of Ipswich be pasteur- ized milk or certified raw.
3. The results of analyses and examination of milk samples be published in the local newspaper.
4. The enforcement of ice cream regulations. The Board gave me permission to draft ice cream regulation this past year and to put them in effect. I drafted a set of regulations, but because of the added work and responsibilities this past year, it was impossible to put them in effect and properly enforce them. It would require the licensing of 50 to 70 ice cream establish- ments, which is impossible at the present time.
5. Under the direction of the Board and Agent, the im- mediate adoption of rules and regulations requiring licensing of all restaurants and eating places in the Town of Ipswich. Although we have made considerable progress in this field, there is still a chance for great improvement. The only way to keep these places in line, I have learned from previous experience, is by strong enforcement of these regulations.
6. The elimination, by rules and regulations, of outside privies in areas designated by the Board.
7. The addition of another truck and personnel on the collection of garbage and rubbish. I suggest that the new equipment be a truck especially built for the col- lection of garbage, and that the present truck be used mostly for the collection of rubbish. (Because of the new homes and enlargement of areas, it is now impos- sible to take on any new collection.)
194
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
8. The enforcement of the regulation requiring all trucks carrying any kind of refuse to be covered while carry- ing such refuse through the street. We adopted this regulation this past year, but it has not been adhered to. (This regulation cannot be properly administered by part-time employment.)
9. That the Board add nursing service, whether it be part- time or full-time, to cover the parochial school, tuber- culosis, venereal diseases, and all clinics sponsored by the Board.
With the work that has been added to this department in the past years, and with the above recommendations adopted for the benefit of the public and the Town of Ips- wich, this work can be carried on and enforced only by a full-time position.
I take this opportunity of thanking the Board whom I have had the pleasure to serve in the past years, and all departments and persons who have helped in any way to make my work a pleasure rather than a burden.
Thanking you all again, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
PAUL M. JODOIN.
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
195
Report of Milk Inspector
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1948.
Number of licenses issued to milk dealers 17
Number of licenses issued to stores and restaurants 54
Number of producers permits granted 42
Number of pasteurize licenses granted 4
Number of licenses issued to manufacture ice cream
3
Number of oleomargerine licenses granted
18
Number of dairy barns scored
27
Number of dairy barns not approved
5
Milk room inspections made
17
Pasteurizer checked during the year
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