USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1949 > Part 5
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It is very important that all vital statistics records be correct. If any errors are discovered, the Town Clerk will consider it a favor to have them reported at once so that cor- rection may be made promptly.
Reasons why all births should be recorded:
1. To establish identity.
2. To prove nationality.
3. To prove legitimacy.
4. To show when a child has the right to seek employ- ment under the child labor law.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
5. To prove right of inheritance to property.
6. To establish liability for military service, as well as exemption therefrom.
7. To establish age and citizenship in order to vote.
8. To qualify to hold title to, and buy or sell real estate.
9. To establish the right to hold public office, and public employment.
10. To prove age at the time a marriage contract may be entered into.
11. To prove age to determine the validity of certain con- tracts entered into by alleged minors.
12. To prove age for Old Age Assistance or retirement benefits.
13. To prove age so as to have the right to take Civil Service examinations.
Your co-operation to the end that all births, marriages and deaths may be properly recorded will be sincerely appre- ciated.
The following licenses under the jurisdiction of the Division of Fisheries and Game of the Department of Conservation were issued through this office in 1949:
Resident Citizens Fishing 87
Resident Citizens Hunting 260
Resident Citizens Sporting 78
Resident Citizens Minor and Female Fishing 25
Resident Citizens Minor Trapping 2
Resident Citizens Trapping 10
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Resident Citizens Sporting and Trapping To those over 70 yrs. (Free) 29
Duplicate Licenses 7
Resident Citizens Military or Naval Service (Free)
7
Non-Resident Fishing
3
The following licenses under the jurisdiction of the Essex County Treasurer were issued by the Town Clerk in 1949: Dogs --
Male 256
Female
27
Spayed Female
96
Kennel-$25.00
2
Kennel-$10.00
5
Military (Free)
7
Transfer
1
NOTICE
For the benefit of the owners and keepers of dogs, the following extracts of the General Laws are hereby submitted for reference:
General Laws, Chapter 140, Sections 136A and 175, amended by Chapter 298 of 1932 and Chapter 320 of 1934:
Section 137: Licenses and Tags: The owner or keeper of a dog which is three months old or over, shall annually, on or before March thirty-first, cause it to be registered, numbered. described and licensed for one year from April first following. if the dog is kept in Boston, in the office of the police commis- sioner or if kept in any town, in the office of the clerk thereof.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The license shall be in a form prescribed by the director upon a blank to be furnished. except in the County of Suffolk. by the county in which the town is located, and shall be subject to the condition expressed therein, that the dog which is the subject of the license shall be controlled and restrained from killing, chasing or harassing livestock or fowl. The owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall cause it to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material to which shall be securely attached a tag in a form prescribed by the director. and upon which shall appear the license num- ber. the name of the Town issuing such license, and the year of issue. Such tags shall be furnished in the same manner as the license blanks. and if any such tags are lost. the owner or keeper of such dog shall forthwith secure a substitute tag from the Town Clerk, at the cost of ten cents, which may be retained by the clerk unless otherwise provided by law. Any person may bring or cause to be brought, from another state or county. any dog licensed under law thereof and keep such dog in this Commonwealth for a period not exceeding thirty days without licensing it hereunder. and during such period foregoing pro- visions of this section shall not apply to such dog.
Section 138. Licenses: The owner or keeper of a dog may at any time have it licensed until April first following: and a person who after April first becomes the owner or keeper of a dog which becomes three months old after March thirty- first in any year, shall when it becomes three months old, cause it to be registered. numbered, described. licensed. collared or harnessed and tagged as required by section one hundred and thirty-seven.
Note: During the year 1949, the Town Clerk received many complaints of the citizens concerning the large number of un- licensed dogs within the Town of Ipswich. This matter is be- coming more serious each year and, it is felt by this office that action should be taken by the proper authorities to correct this
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
condition in 1950. Those who keep unlicensed dogs are breaking definite laws, and are therefore making it more difficult for those who adhere to the laws. There are many dogs wandering the streets which ought to be taken care of before serious acci- dents occur to persons and property.
At this time, I want to thank the various town officials and members of their departments; especially the Board of Registrars of Voters with whom I have had the pleasure of working these past two years as their clerk, for all the splendid co-operation received from them all.
The Town Clerk welcomes any and all questions that he may assist you with at any time concerning vital statistics, licenses, and matters of public interest. For many years the office of Town Clerk has been devoted to government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" and always recog- nizing that all men being created equal in the eyes of true democratic government service are entitled to equal service from those elected to serve them, at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DOLAN,
Town Clerk
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Police Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit to you a resume of the duties performed by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Total Number of Arrests:
January
19
February
25
March
11
April
32
May
38
June
34
July
33
August
38
September
24
October
18
November
21
December
34
Total 327
Classification of Crime:
Adultry
5
Assault 5
Attaching plates to car other than one
to which they were assigned
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
133
Allowing improper person to operate Bastardy
4
1
Breaking and Entering
5
Did pilot an aircraft while carrying a passenger and while a student pilot
1
Did operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life and prop- erty of another
1
Disturbing the Peace
5
Drunkenness
129
Delinquent children
2
Evading train fare
1
Failing to keep to right of way
1
Failing to display inspection sticker
5
Gunning on the Sabbath
2
Illegal possession of lottery tickets
2
Larceny
15
Larceny of an automobile
1
Leaving scene of accident after causing property damage 2
3
Malicious mischief
1
Misappropriation of an automobile
3
Non-support
7
Neglected children
5
Neglect of minor children
3
Operating uninsured automobiles
2
Operating unregistered automobiles
2
Operating without registration in possession
1
Operating under influence of liquor
36
Operating so as to endanger
14
Operating without a license
12
Operating without a license in possession
1
Operating after rights to operate have been suspended 7
Registering bets on speed of horses
1
Setting up and promoting a lottery
1 1
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Speeding
5
Trespassing
7
Vagrancy
2
Violation Town By-laws (Stop Signs )
6
Violation Fish and Game Laws
14
Violation Probation
3
Violation Traffic Rules and Orders
2
Violation Town By-laws
1
Total
327
Disposition of Cases:
Appealed
6
Continued Generally
3
Dismissed for want of prosecution
4
Discharged
13
Defaulted (Forfeited fine )
1
Defaulted
3
Filed on costs
7
Filed
71
Fined
97
Held for Grand Jury
4
Probation
16
Released
54
Sentenced to House of Correction
12
Sentenced to State Farm (Bridgewater )
2
Suspended sentence
19
Pending 15
Total
327
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Miscellaneous:
Automobiles reported stolen
7
Automobiles recovered
9
Automobile licenses suspended or revoked
48
Automobiles transferred
1076
Ambulance runs
104
Ambulance runs out of Town
33
Assistance rendered to persons in distress
7
Airplane accidents
2
Automobile collisions
82
Automobile accidents
64
Articles reported lost
51
Articles found
57
Animals found
29
Animals disposed of
86
Animals injured by automobiles
39
Animals killed by automobiles
31
Bicycles registered 1949
141
Buildings found open and secured
123
Buildings reported entered
11
Children located and returned to parents
7
Miles covered by Ambulance
1604
Miles covered by Cruiser
23,880
Persons reported injured
54
Persons committed to psychopathic hospital
10
Persons bitten by dogs
23
Poultry killed by dogs
94
Parking summons issued
121
Remanded to House of Correction pending trial
6
Reported missing from home
23
Summons served
123
Summons served for outside departments
45
Total bicycle registration
1210
Warrants served
16
Warrants served for outside departments
5
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Inventory:
Automobile
1
Ambulance
1
Dragiron set 1
Radio equipment for station and cruiser
1
Flashlights
7
Handcuffs
5 8
Iron claws
Revolvers
9
Riot Gun
1
Rifle
1
Fingerprint outfit 1
As Chief of Police I wish to direct your attention to the increasing volume of business performed by the Police Depart- ment for the year 1949.
The protection of life and property and the preservation of the public tranquility is one of the chief duties of the police department. Violations of the laws have been held to a minimum and I believe this is due in effect to the unselfish devotion to duty of the officers comprising the department who have co- operated with me in performing the duties assigned to them without complaint and in many instances responding to calls after their period of regular duty.
Many complaints receive the attention of the police de- partment which never become part of the records of the police or our court. These cases consist primarily of domestic disturb- ances and minor transgression of young children. If after an investigation it is deemed advisable in the best interest of the public and of the offender, to waive criminal proceeding the individual is warned that a repetition of any offense will result in Court action. It is my contention that by this procedure many deserving individuals have been helped.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The organizing of the Booster Club in the interest of the Ipswich youth is a wonderful step in stamping out juvenile delinquency but the suppression of juvenile delinquency must start with the proper care of the child. It is the duty of every parent to see that their children have a good home, a proper environment, some sort of correct training, a supervision of their habits and companions, and a schooling or education which will fit them to face obstacles which they will confront in life. All working together for the youth thereby aids materially in the reduction of criminal offenses by children.
The ever-increasing traffic and the problem of parking is complex and varied and requires much study. I again recom- mend as I did last year that the town give serious thought to the installation of parking meters as I think they are essential to the control of parking just as traffic officers are necessary to control moving traffic. The meter expedites traffic movement, reduces cruising and double parking and aids public safety and conveniences by reducing traffic congestion. I further recom- mend that several bad intersections in town be studied with the thought in mind of preventing future accidents. One of these intersections is the junction of Argilla Road and County Road where you have a serious traffic hazard especially during the summer months by motorists going to and from Crane's Beach. I believe that some electrically operated traffic regulator or adequate device be put into operation and that if possible the State Dept. of Public Works be consulted to make a study of this location as to the means of eliminating a real hazard.
In many Cities and Towns throughout the Commonwealth they have put into effect the five day week. Every fair thinking citizen should endorse this plan in view of the fact that school teachers, painters, carpenters, in fact all building trade workers, all electric light, gas workers, telephone workers, town laborers, industrial workers, employees of banking institutions and prac- tically all employees of most types of business institutions enjoy a five day 40 hours work week, and in fairness the policeman should receive the same consideration.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
During the summer season when the population is at its peak and with the ever-increasing number of complaints and an ever-amounting list of duties and services being required of the police department, I would like to recommend the addition of two police officers.
Some mention should be made regarding the condition of our cell block. Recently State Health Inspector Harold D. Rose made an inspection of the block and recommended that it be painted and that other changes be made to meet state regula- tions. It is hoped that during the coming year that some work can be done to improve conditions.
A recent survey conducted by the National Safety Council under the direction of the Registry of Motor Vehicles based on information furnished by reports in the inventory sent them by this department has to do with personnel and equipment of the department. Due to the length of the report it is im- possible to outline all recommendations suggested in this report but I will endeavor to bring it to your attention.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Justice and Clerk of the District Court and to the Honorable Board of Selectmen and other Departments who have assisted me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
BYARD W. HORSMAN,
Chief of Police
139
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Following is a report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department for the year 1949.
49
Still Alarms Ambulance Assistance
42
Total 282
Classification of Calls were as follows:
Building Fires
15
Chimney Fires
12
Grass, Woods and Brush
74
Dump Fires and Rubbish
46
Automobile Fires
12
Flooded Oil Burners
21
Leaking Refrigeration
3
Boiler Trouble
1
Persons Locked Out
4
Checking on Fires Reported
7
Dogs Rescued from River
2
Persons Rescued from River
1
Electrical Fires
7
Calls for Floodlights
2
Calls for Inhalator
2
Out of Town Calls
2
Bell Alarms
191
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
False Alarms 1 27
Miscellaneous Calls
Transporting Injured Person to Hospital
1
Runs made by Apparatus were as follows:
Engine 1 19
Engine 2
47
Engine 3 206
Ladder 1
52
Total mileage covered was 1038.9
Equipment Used as follows:
2%%" Hose 3900 feet
1/2" Hose 7250 feet
Ladders Raised
582 feet
Portable Pump
38 hours
Engine 2 Pumped
3 hours
Water used from Booster Tanks
33,210 gallons
Incoming Telephone Calls
1536
Outgoing Telephone Calls
199
Total Value of Property Threatened $ 45,450.00
Insurance Carried on Buildings
116,600.00
Estimated Loss on Buildings
6,575.04
Insurance Paid on Buildings
6,450.04
Value of Contents 48,275.00
Insurance Carried on Contents
38,000.00
Estimated Loss on Contents
2,720.94
Insurance Paid on Contents
1,951.53
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Total Estimated Loss on Buildings and Contents 9,295.98
Total Insurance Paid on Buildings and Contents 8,401.57
The year 1949 has been extremely busy for the Ipswich Fire Department as it has been of all Fire Departments. Our records show that we answered 282 calls as against 246 in 1948.
We have continued to rebuild our outside Fire Alarm 'System as far as our budget would allow and hope that it can be completed this year.
There is a section of the cement flooring in the apparatus room that has got to have some repairs but we will have to get some expert advice before we can make an intelligent re- port on this matter.
The apparatus is in good condition with the exception of Engine 1 which is 30 years old and we earnestly hope that it can be replaced this year as too much depends on this ma- chine when really you can put no dependence in its perform- ance.
In closing we extend our thanks to all Town Departments for their co-operation and to the Board of Selectmen for the courtesies it has always extended to us.
Respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL W. ATHERLEY LIONEL SHEPPARD ROBERT D. HILLS
Board of Engineers
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Forest Warden
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith the report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Number of Grass and Woods Fires 74
Average Cost Per Fire, 1949 $12.09
Average Cost Per Fire, 1948
15.02
Average Cost Per Fire, 1947
13.86
Equipment on Hand:
Pump Cans
15
Brooms 40
Supplies, etc. None
The conditions this year were serious due to an extensive dry period during the spring and summer months, necessitating at times continual patrols. Many investigations were made and complaints checked, much of this work being done without pay by your Forest Warden and Deputy Wardens. To these Deputies I extend sincere thanks.
I am recommending this year the purchase of 1,000 feet of 1%" forest fire hose. The use of the regular 1/2" hose of the Fire Department is costly to that department and indefensible in the light of true economy. Also, since the State Forestry Division is equipped with this type of hose a means of quickly unified action will be ready at hand whenever they are called in to assist.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
I am grateful to Fire Chief Atherley and the Engineers for the use of Engine 3 and a great deal of their equipment in our work, and to all department heads who have so readily assisted us in many valuable ways.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL SCAHILL Forest Warden Town of Ipswich
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Submitted herewith is my report for year ending Decem- ber 31st, 1949:
The year 1949 has been a year of complaint-less, and it has been a pleasure to state same. Only two complaints were registered, and they were ironed out without court action.
The year 1949 has also been the highest in fees collected since the inception of Sealers of Weights and Measures. I have collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $208.38, and the amount of $2.00 still is uncollected. The reason of high collections is obvious, since the State Legislature passed a bill increasing all fees; this bill did not go into effect until July Ist, 1949, so as a matter of fact, the year of 1950 will still bring increased revenue to the Town of Ipswich.
It has been a pleasure to serve the Honorable Board of Selectmen during the year, and wish to thank them for their co-operation and all other Town Officials who helped me during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. H. EWING,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
144.
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 in the year just closed. A very large per- centage of our flats have a very good set or seeding.
Again this year we had the town barge in operation. We took off approximately six hundred and fifty tons of mussels and disposed of them out in deep water. The flats that we cleaned last year are now bearing a very healthy set of clams and to me it seems well worth the effort. During the months of June and July we had to curtail mussel work and concen- trate wholly on the horseshoe crab. We found the largest in- filtration of horseshoe crabs this year than any year in the history of the clam industry. We worked on the flats during the low tide, gathering as many as we could and used a spe- cial drag when the tide was up. We tried all kinds of traps - weirs to combat them and by keeping a very accurate count, found that we had disposed of 32,500 crabs during the two months.
We planted two beds of clams in the spring. In the middle of each bed we built a pen about 20 feet square, burying the sides of the pens down six inches so that nothing could go under them.
In less than three weeks all the clams on the outside of the pens were gone but those inside were all there three months later and growing, proving quite conclusively that the horseshoe crabs will eat clams.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Federal and State biologists are working on a non-corrosive wire to be used to protect the small or seed clam, but have not. up to this time, reached any conclusive findings. If this is proved practicable, it will go a long way toward bringing the industry back to its former condition. From what I have seen of this operation, I can see its possibilities. The wire is so constructed that it catches the clam spat, then it will deposit it on the flat and nothing can get at it to destroy it.
Again I do not recommend any great amount of trans- planting or seeding, as it is sometimes called, until we are sure that we have the horseshoe crab and all the other known enemies of the clams under control. I do recommend the con- tinuation of the mussel work until we have our productive flats completely cleaned.
I wish at this time to thank all those who in any way helped me in the year just closed.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY SHAW,
Clam Commissioner
146
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my seventeenth annual report as Moth Superintendent:
Again this year we have been comparatively immune to the ravages of the insect pests which attack our public shade trees. Timely applications of both arsenate of lead and DDT were most effective in reducing defoliation to a minimum.
After three years of trial, I am fully convinced that an Aero-Mist Blower would be a splendid investment for this department in preference to continually hiring a large part of our spraying done through private sources.
By purchasing one of these machines, and housing it in our own headquarters, it would be ready for instant use in all sections of the town during the entire season.
There was a noticeable reduction in the number of Fall Web Worms this year as compared with 1948. This was due largely to improved methods of spraying with the mist blower and the use of DDT sprays.
The Dutch Elm Disease has now been added to our list of enemies attacking shade trees, and this department willingly takes up the fight in an all out effort to preserve one of New England's greatest assets, the American Elm. At the present moment more than five thousand elms have been destroyed by this dread disease in Massachusetts.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
During the Summer one tree was confirmed by the Shade Tree Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts as infected with the disease. Located on lower East street, it was promptly removed by the department and completely burned up in an effort to reduce its spreading to other trees.
What the coming year will show in relation to this new disease is purely a matter of conjecture. But we are ready and willing to do whatever is possible to preserve our elms in Ipswich which have meant so much to past and present generations.
Respectfully submitted,
C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Local Moth Superintendent
148
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I herewith submit my seventeenth annual report as Tree Warden.
This department has again carried on an extensive tree repairing project during the past year.
A large number of shade trees, particularly Elms, have had dead wood removed, and in some instances cabling and bolting operations have been carried out to give strength and support to branches which might otherwise break down from their own weight.
Careful observation during the past season indicates that the long protracted dry spells of the last three years have taken a large toll on the health and vitality of many shade trees on the public highways. Trees suffer tremendously dur- ing such periods, and often times for years to come. In many cases, old trees never recover from such periods of suffering from lack of moisture, and die shortly thereafter. In such instances they must be promptly removed less they endanger public safety.
As stated in my report to the Selectmen, the Dutch Elm disease has been added to our list of enemies attacking the Elms in Ipswich. As you know, it is countrywide, and all those in authority realize the serious threat it carries to complete extinction of the American Elm. We intend to do everything in our power to suppress the disease here, by keeping the trees as healthy as possible.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
We are carrying on a tree planting program as usual in the Department as many people are aware. However, there are numerous sites that are left unplanted in the business areas because of present day conditions. If trees were to be planted in these areas, they could not possibly survive the many hazards which would confront them. Today, the street gutter offers nothing but utter failure to young shade trees. With the modern methods employed in snow removal, and the serious parking problem in the interior of the town, newly planted trees would have no chance of growing up. We are, therefore, confining our planting activities to less congested locations.
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