Town annual report of Ipswich 1948, Part 8

Author: Ipswich (Mass.:Town)
Publication date: 1948
Publisher: Lynn News Press / J. F. Kimball
Number of Pages: 292


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1948 > Part 8


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23


Milk samples tested for butter fat


47


Milk samples tested for solids


46


Sediment test taken during the year


36


Milk tested for bacteria (Plate count)


50


Milk tested by microscopic Breed Test


9


Milk tested by phosphotase test (Pasteurized milk)


38


Cream tested for bacteria (Plate count)


23


Cream tested Microscopic Breed Test


3


Ice Cream tested for butterfat 3


Ice Cream tested for bacteria (Plate count)


3


Milk refused during the year 40 quarts, not properly cooled.


Respectfully submitted,


PAUL M. JODOIN,


Milk Inspector.


Cream tested for butter fat 20


196


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of Inspector of Slaughtering


To the. Board of Health


Dear Sirs:


I hereby submit the annual report of slaughtering for the year of 1948, at Ipswich.


Month


Horses


Cows


Veal


Sheep


January


94


8


February


80


4


March


128


April


79


1


10


May


173


3


12


June


199


4


10


1


July


113


2


10


2


August


213


3


6


1


September


251


4


14


1


October


251


5


12


8


November


257


4


9


December


251


6


15


1


Total


2089


40


88


28


Respectfully submitted,


HILMER H. LINDGREN,


Slaughter Inspector.


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


197


Report of Inspector of Animals


Board of Health, Ipswich, Mass.


Gentlemen :


I submit herewith my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1948.


Cows


532


Heifers


160


Sheep


104


Horses


85


Goats


14


Pigs


12


Bulls


29


Steers


59


Number of cattle from


out of State


220


Dog Bites


9


Respectfully submitted,


G. LORING WOODBURY,


Inspector of Animals.


198


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of Superintendent of Streets


The Honorable Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit the annual report of the Highway Department for the year 1948.


As the general maintenance varies a little each year the most serious conditions are attended to first and the l'est later as time and finances allow.


Each year more cars and trucks use our Highways and the wear and tear is greater in addition to the changing weather conditions. Last winter the continuous use of chains during the icy and slippery weather raised havoc with our streets, even the permanent constructed streets.


The general public demands better conditions on our streets, more streets are accepted and the prices of every- thing are higher so that considerable planning has to be done to keep within the budget.


In addition to sweeping the business section of the Town two and three times a week a great deal of time was used to sweep and clean other sections after so much sand had been used to sand the streets and sidewalks last winter. Most of the 581 catch basins were cleaned three and four times and tons of excess sand from the streets were cleaned out.


Over five hundred ninety (590) tons of patching ma- terial was used to fill the holes in most of our streets, now amounting to one hundred forty-five (145) streets.


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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


The drainage system consisting of seventy-nine thou- sand eight hundred six (79,866) feet of pipe, one hundred ninety-nine (199) culverts, ten (10) drop inlets, twenty-four (24) manholes, and five hundred eighty-one (581) catch basins, were checked and repaired as needed.


There are twelve bridges in Ipswich, one is maintained by the Railroad, four by the State and seven by the Town. They are Argilla Road, County Street, Green Street, Labor In Vain Road, Mill Road, South Main Street and Willowdale Road. Minor repairs were made on five of the bridges main- tained by the Town.


Major repairs are needed on the Willowdale Bridge. Girders, floor and guard rail are serious.


Considerable repairs are needed on Argilla Road bridge guard rail.


County Street bridge should be widened for pedestrians and guard renewed as this is a dangerous place when it is slippery. Traffic is increasing on this street each winter and summer.


The guard rail needs to be replaced on the south side of Green Street bridge.


Retaining wall on the Northeast side of Green Street bridge is bulging out and the street settling. This wall will have to be rebuilt in the near future.


Choate's Bridge on South Main Street will also have to have considerable repairs on the under side. It should also be widened to relieve the bottle neck that exists at that point.


200


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Considerable repairs were done on our guard rails throughout the town.


Street lines and parking lines were laid out and painted this year.


Traffic signs and posts were painted and repaired when needed. This begins to take up considerable time as we have over eight hundred (800) street and traffic signs to take care of.


Several of the one hundred forty-five streets maintained by the Town were gravelled as time allowed. On Argilla Road near the Crane estate a section of clay was excavated and replaced with gravel improving the bad condition that existed there the year round.


Some of the gravel sidewalks were gravelled in sections.


Minor repairs were made on some of the cement side- walks. Considerable repairs will be needed on the cement sidewalks in 1949.


Thirty-two thousand four hundred seventy-four (32,474) gallons of bituminous material was used on sections of twenty-four streets covering approximately nine-seven thousand four hundred twenty-two (97,422) square yards.


The fleecy white mantel of snow may be a delight to children, photographers and sportsmen but the removal of it sure was a pain in the neck to this department last year. The amount of snow that fell broke all records and nature did very little in regard to thawing it any as the temperature went above the freezing point only three days for several months.


201


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Snow fences were erected, then the stock piles of sand hauled in and treated after which the endless plowing of snow started. It was a continuing drag, day and night to plow snow, sand streets, haul away snow and overhaul and repair equipment.


With all of the snow we had no street that was un- passable for more then two or three hours in case there was a fire or sickness in any section.


Sand piles were restocked several times as hundreds of tons of sand was used on the icy streets and sidewalks to eliminate the slippery conditions. More salt than usual was used with sand to help thaw the ice and hold the sand in place so that it would not blow away after it froze.


We were fortunate that we had the length and width on the river at Water Street to dump the snow. Some places the river was filled twenty feet deep half way across the river and several hundred feet along the shore. Thousands of yards of snow was hauled away from the business section and churches to relieve the congested conditions.


The two heavy Walters Snow Fighters trucks with their big snow plows, and the snow loader purchased by the Town in the past certainly proved their value this year in keeping the roads open at all times and removing the snow in the congested areas.


Repairs from continuous use of the equipment on re- moving snow day and night are still appearing on the ex- pense side.


The same old headache still stays with us of cars parking on sidewalks and streets all night as the plows try to plow sidewalks and streets, this leaves a bad mess to freeze after the plowing is done.


202


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


In addition to the general maintenance of the Highway Department and removal of snow the department worked on several construction projects.


The Topsfield Road 1947 Chap. 90 project was com- pleted last spring from the Hayward estate to the old Dyar House improving the conditions there.


The Chap. 90 allotment for 1948 construction on Tops- field Road was started this fall. Essential drainage was completed so that work can be started any time in the spring on the section between the Dyar House and Mill Road. This will improve the bad condition that has existed there for a number of years.


On Safford Street a large metal culvert was installed to relieve the bad bottle neck when the spring floods came. The streets were gravelled and widened in that section. Head walls for the culvert will be finished in the spring.


North Ridge Road project, the road was widened, re- graded, drainage installed where needed, gravelled and treated with bituminous materials. The construction on this road will make it passable at all times, and improve the conditions there. More taxable property will be en- couraged to build in this beautiful location now.


I would recommend Chap. 90 Construction to complete Topsfield Road and Chap. 90 Construction on Central Street and High Street. On Central and High Street a bad con- dition exists where the old railroad ties are decaying and settling making the road very rough.


When these streets are completed there should be pos- sibilities of getting Chap. 90 construction on Argilla Road, East Street and Jeffrys Neck Road, as a large percentage of the traffic is out of town traffic going to the sea shores.


203


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Tabulation of Time Equipment Worked 1948


Miles Hours Gals. Gas Qts. Oil


Truck-Walters No. 1


7219


1340


3574


408


Truck-Walters No. 2


7325


1329


3536


184


Truck-Old Ford No. 3


3287


958


703


22


Truck-New Ford No. 3 6827


1271


883


35


Truck-Chevrolet No. 4 11688


2249


1375


82


Tractor


325


545


29


Roller-Gasoline


306


533


16


Grader-Rome


1636


852


1584


35


Mixer-Cement


32


24


4


Loader-Gravel


48


24


4


Loader-Snow


283


358


7


Highway Department Inventory December 31, 1948


No. Article


Amount


1 Cart, Two Horse


$ 5.00


1 Derrick, Hand


72.00


1 Forge & Anvil


20.00


Snow Fence, 6000 Ft.


450.00


1 Grader, Rome


1300.00


1 Kettle, Tar


10.00


1 Loader, Gravel


150.00


1 Loader, Snow


5300.00


1


Mixer, Cement


70.00


1 Marker, Street


50.00


1 Plow, Road


15.00


3 Plows, Blade-Snow


800.00


1 Plow, V-Shaped-Truck


800.00


1 Plow, V-Shaped-Tractor


550.00


2 Plows, One Way-Truck


900.00


1 Plow, Sidewalk-Tractor


30.00


5 Plows, Sidewalk-Two Horse


250.00


1 Roller, Stone-Two Horse


10.00


1 Roller, Gasoline


5300.00


204


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


6 Spreaders, Sand


850.00


1 Sweeper, Two Horse


30.00


5 Screens, Gravel


10.00


1 Tractor, Cletrac


1200.00


2 Trucks, Small Dump


3000.00


2 Trucks, Large Dump, Walters


20000.00


1 Truck, Pickup


1000.00


Others Tools Etc.


5251.06


Total $47423.06


Respectfully submitted,


FRANCIS E. WOOD,


Superintendent of Streets.


205


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of Board of Public Welfare


To the Citizens of Ipswich :


Herewith is the annual report of your Board of Public Welfare for the year ending December 31, 1948.


General Relief


Generally speaking there has been an increase in un- employment this past year, throwing persons out of work onto this department. The heaviest load, however, has been the cases in other cities and towns of people having a settle- ment in Ipswich. In this catagory called General Relief, we aid those who are temporarily out of work and unable to collect Unemployment Insurance, the injured or sick who cannot collect because they leave employment voluntarily, the individual who is unemployable and always has been. There are non-citizens reaching the age of 65, who cannot collect Old Age Assistance because citizenship is a require- ment. These people must be aided if they can't help them- selves.


The only way we can measure our relief rolls for the coming year is by industry. So long as industry goes on without dropping employees, our situation will not be too bad. There is, however, every indication that there will be a drop this year. Already the plants around us are laying off workers. Most of them will collect Unemployment In- surance and if no work is available when that runs out, they may become relief recipients.


Everything depends upon the country's industrial con- dition-we rise and fall with it. Unemployment Insurance


206


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


runs out after a period of time and when that happens, these people have no more money coming in and aid of some kind is necessary.


Old Age Assistance


There was an increase granted in Old Age Assistance cases this last year due to the rise in the buyer's market. This increase was ordered by the State.


Our rolls have increased to 148 cases. This is controlled only by the number of people who are citizens in need reaching the age of 65. Citizenship is a factor in this category. Only citizens receive consideration for Old Age Assistance. There have been many rumors as to dropping the age limit to 60 and bringing in the non citizens, but at this date nothing definite has been done.


The State supplies a Standard Budget for these people to live by and our cases are checked by the State from time to time to see that these figures are complied with. It is impossible for us, from year to year, to tell what is going to happen to this budget, whether it will go up or down.


Recipients aided Jan. 1, 1948 140


Applications received during year 31


Approved 27


167


Not approved 4


Closed during the year for various reasons 19


Total cases as of Dec. 31, 1948 148


207


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Aid to Dependent Children


This catagory has held fairly steady during the year. It has to do with the families wherein the bread earner, through sickness, death or desertion, is missing from the family. These children must be cared for until the earning capacity of the family is re-established.


Again, in determining the budgets of these families, the State furnishes the budget we use. These cases too are supervised by the State. Citizenship is not a factor in these cases.


There was a budgetary increase in this category this year as in Old Age Assistance but what next year will bring us we can't tell.


Total cases as of Dec. 31, 1948


7


Recipients being aided Jan. 1, 1948


14


New cases


5


3


Cases closed during year


6


3


Total cases as of Dec. 31, 1948


7


Persons aided as of Dec. 31, 1948


13


We wish to thank all those whose cooperation enabled us to keep our expenditures at a minimum. We wish especially to thank the Town Clerk, John Dolan, for his invaluable aid in securing vital statistics so necessary in determining eligibility for various categories of relief.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE R. HOVEY, Chairman WILLIAM T. DUNBAR J. ALCIDE LOMBARD


WALTER E. CALLAHAN, Agent.


19


10


-


-


208


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of Veterans Service


To the Citizens of the Town of Ipswich:


At present there are 56 cases on file ; 15 are active cases and the rest are finished cases with a few that may become active in the future.


All Veterans Administration work, which was formally handled by a Contact Agent, is now handled by the local Veterans Agent. This means that instead of the Veteran having to take time off from his work and going into Bos- ton on his case, he turns his case over to the Local Veterans Agent, who than handles the case and sees it through.


In conjunction with Veterans Benefits there are 21 forms covering this work and each case has to be inves- tigated upon application and every three months thereafter. On each case such information as marriage certificates, birth certificates, assessors reports, court record, bank statements from the banks in the community in which the veteran lives, wage reports and letter from last employment, fuel and medical bills under consideration, and any other information relative to the case must be on file before case can be sent in for approval. This information is always checked by state investigators. In some cases emergency aid is given until benefits are approved.


In the course of a week the Veterans Agent is called upon to assist the Veteran or his dependents in answering questions. This information is given when known and when necessary, they are referred to those who can assist them further when it does not involve benefits or any other unit under Veterans Services. Many times information is sought


209


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


after hours over the telephone and the information is given promptly as possible.


Veterans Services expenditures have gone up yearly until this years expenditures are 600% over 1945, 300% over 1946 and 50% over 1947 which shows that during periods of national unemployment the increase to benefits are equally as great. At the low point of benefit costs the employment conditions were good and age mattered little. After the war employment conditions slackened and the cost to benefits increased. Part of the increase is due to the health conditions of the older veterans and lack of employment in most cases. It is quite safe to assume that the cost of Veterans Benefits will continue to rise somewhat until such time as remedies are made to create employment. In most cases the veteran would rather have a job by which to earn the benefits that are handed to them.


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES T. PASSALES,


Veterans Agent.


.


210


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of the Trustees of the Memorial Building


To the Citizens of Ipswich :


The year of 1948 has brought increased activity in the administration of the Memorial Building.


The building has been used more than at any other period of its history. The organizations to which rooms are assigned have been active not only in their own work but in many instances have acted as hosts to other groups.


The building has been used for meetings of other groups definitely interested in patriotic and civic affairs.


During the year in addition to the routine operation of the building the repairs planned have been completed as far as possible. The greater part of the lower floors have been covered with rubber tile and seem to be in excellent condi- tion. The outside of the building has been repaired and the woodwork painted. A cement floor has replaced the wooden floor under the porch at the end of the building. A cement step at the rear of the building replaces a decayed and unsafe wooden step.


It was necessary to have some work done on the roof.


The heating system is reaching the point at which re- pairs are necessary and some emergency repairs have been made this year.


211


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


It is the opinion of the trustees that we should continue to improve the interior of the building and we hope to do necessary work in the auditorium during the coming year.


Those interested feel that two rooms on the ground floor not covered with tile should be covered to match the rooms done this year.


Every effort has been made to operate the building to the best advantage of the tenants and in accord with the intent at the time of its erection.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN F. CONLEY


NATHANIEL M. QUINT RALPH C. WHIPPLE THOMAS H. REEDY JAMES P. O'BRIEN


Trustees.


212


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of the Cemetery Commissioners


To the Citizens of Ipswich:


Gentlemen:


The Cemetery Commissioners herewith submit the fol- lowing report for the year ending December 31, 1948.


The work done in this department has been much the same as last year. We have however planted tulip bulbs in the cemeteries. As this is the first time we have had tulips, we are looking forward to a beautiful array of blooms this Spring.


The Boys in the Service Committee have agreed to spend the sum of $2200.00 in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery. There is to be a flag pole erected, also a memorial. At the present time plans for same have not been completed. Flower beds will be laid out and shrubs planted around this section of the cemetery.


Again this year . we have tried to get estimates and information concerning the water situation in the Highland and Cowles Memorial Cemeteries. Due to the erecting of the new motor in the municipal water and light departments, the manager has been very busy, and we have not been able to obtain the desired information.


During the year 1949 we would like to tar part of the avenues in the New Highland Cemetery. Two years ago we graveled the avenues and the heavy rains washed away the gravel. We find it better and cheaper to tar the avenues and have a permanent surface.


213


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


In our meeting in December the following regulation was adopted:


"No body shall be interred in a cemetery in Ipswich unless before interment, the grave shall have been suitably lined with a material to prevent a sinking or caving of the grave."


This we have inserted in the warrant for your approval.


Since the hurricane of 1937, the quality of wood used in the boxes has been very poor. In one or two years after a burial the grave begins to sink. We are asking the citizens at the Town Meeting to appropriate the sum of $500.00 that the department may furnish liners to replace the wooden boxes. The funds received from the sale of same goes into estimated receipts, and therefore does not come out of the tax rate.


Respectfully submitted,


HARMON COLE


ARNOLD R. RICHARDS


RICHARD S. SHEPPARD


214


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Report of Superintendent of Cemeteries


To the Cemetery Commissioners


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1948.


During the year there were ninety-eight inter- ments and one removal.


The following lots were sold: six four grave lots; one eight grave lot.


The total expenditures for all the cemeteries including the Henry Cowles Memorial being $14,433.87.


Receipts for the year 1948 are as follows :


Interments


$2090.00


Transfer of Cemetery lot fund


2000.00


Care of Perpetual Care lots


1557.94


Sale of lots and graves


330.00


New Perpetual Care funds


3275.00


Respectfully submitted,


BENJAMIN W. HOMANS,


Superintendent of Cemeteries.


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


215


INVENTORY OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT FOR 1948


11 Hand Mowers


$110.00


2 18" Power Mowers


220.00


1 21" Power Mower


120.00


1 24" Power Mower


200.00


1 Onan Generator


150.00


2 100' Cables


40.00


2 Electric Trimmers


120.00


1 Sulky


50.00


2 Sets Grass


175.00


1 Gasoline Hammer


250.00


Ground Canvasses


60.00


5 Grind Stones


40.00


2 Sod Lifters


18.00


4 Wheelbarrows


35.00


Block and Tackle


15.00


1 Tripod and Chain Falls


35.00


18 Sheep Sheers


9.00


1 1948 Ford Truck


2000.00


1 Tent


25.00


2 Lowering Devices


350.00


1 Sweeper


35.00


Other Tools and Supplies


250.00


$4307.00


216


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Town Property, 1948 December 31, 1948


High School


Land $10,000.00


Buildings $265,000.00


Burley School


1,500.00


75,000.00


Shatswell School


1,000.00


65,000.00


Memorial Building


2,000.00


58,000.00


Town Hall


2,500.00


50,000.00


Winthrop School


1,000.00


50,000.00


Manning School


4,000.00


Fire Station


3,500.00


40,000.00


Highway Department


750.00


5,000.00


Payne School


1,500.00


4,000.00


Infirmary


4,000.00


1,000.00


Wharf Property


3,350.00


Cemeteries


5,000.00


Public Grounds


32,500.00


500.00


Great Neck


8,300.00


Veterans Housing Project


4,200.00


19,500.00


Light House Property


200.00


1,300.00


Store High Street


500.00


1,100.00


R. F. Kinsman Land (County Road)


2,300.00


Woodland-Linebrook


125.00


Woodland-Common Fields


75.00


$88,300.00


$635,400.00


Tax Title Possessions


Land Assessed


Buildings Assessed


Lot 52 Bar Island


$100.00


$500.00


Lot 404 Bar Island


100.00


150.00


Grape Island (Fuller Trust)


600.00


950.00


$800.00


-$1,600.00


217


IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


List of Jurors


Abbott, Charles, 44 Washington Street Abbott, John, 16 Argilla Road


Adams, Edgar F., Currier Park Altman, Horace F., 26 East Street


Amerio, Veto, 54 East Street Andreozi, Benedict A., Topsfield Road Appleton, Clifford H., 5 Newmarch Street Arnold, Russell M., 9 Summer Street Atherley, Samuel W., Woods Lane Bamford, Earle B., North Main Street


Salesman Foreman


Barrows, Raymond, 4 Hovey Street


Office C'erk


Beaulieu, Joseph A., 30 North Main Street Bell, William F., 16-A Argilla Road Bennett, Arnold E., Lakeman's Lane Bennett, Percy E., County Road


Carpenter Insurance


Blake, Howard, 45 North Main Street Bokron, Louis, 36 Washington Street Boylan, Vincent, 27 Mineral Street


Clam Dealer Railway Express Clerk


Boucher, Victor N., 34 Washington Street


Bowen, Henry S., 3 Summer Street Printer


Budzianowski, Edward A., 32 Estes Street Bulger, Roy, 108 High Street Manager


Machinist


Burns, Peter, 23 Turkey Shore Road Bookkeeper Chadbourne, Frank, 8 Agawam Avenue Chaput, Roland H., Kimball Avenue Teacher Meat Cutter Auditor


Cooper, Edson H., Poplar Street


Cowles, Henry T., Spring Street


Sylvania Real Estate


Currier, Benjamin E., 45 Central Street


Dudley, Edmund W., 12 First Street Elliott, Earl L., Argilla Road


Meat Cutter Merchant


Ellsworth, Waldo, 25 Turkey Shore Road


Photographer


Eustace, Stanley E., 25 High Street


Hosiery Knitter


Eustace, Wayne E., 23 Turkey Shore Road Sylvania


Farley, Bernard V., Nabby's Point Road Clammer


Lea. Worker Engineer Tree Surgeon State Housing Clam Dealer Foreman Sylvania Accountant


Gen. Electric


Real Estate


Undertaker


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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT


Fairbanks, Boyd C., 80 Central Street Farquhar, Douglas, 9 Spring Street Galanis, William J., 11 Putnam Road Gallant, Theodule, 31 Turkey Shore Road Garrett, Charles S., 22 Woods Lane Goodhue, Paul R., 20 Woods Lane Goot, John C., 9 Brownville Avenue Gordon, Samuel F., Essex Road Greene, George W., 20 Topsfield Road Hamm, Gordon W., 16 Argilla Road Heard, Roger S., Linebrook Road Hebb, Horace, 71 High Street Herndon, G. Dexter, County Road Herrick, Charles W., Old Wright Road Hind, Fred E., Damon Avenue Hovey, George R., High Street Hull, Everett P., 27 Summer Street Kaszuba, Joseph, 61 Topsfield Road Kaszuba, Peter, 3 Saltonstall Street Kennedy, Daniel F., 84 Central Street Kroll, Ignatius, 2 Wayne Avenue Levere, John, 84 High Street


Manager Sylvania Chef


Lea. Worker Manager Merchant




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