USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1949 > Part 6
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As usual, I want to express my sincere thanks to any and all the citizens of Ipswich who have taken an active interest in the welfare of public shade trees, and have helped me to carry on the responsibilities of the office.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY,
Local Tree Warden
150
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit their annual report.
The usual maintenance work required of this Department has been carried on in the same manner as in former years.
Dry weather again prevailed during the Summer months, which let up considerably on the activities of the Department as far as grass maintenance was concerned. On the other hand, a number of trees standing on the public parks received a thorough overhauling which had been needed for some time.
Tulips were again planted in the several beds on the Greens, and fertilized to insure a good healthy growth in the Spring.
The Giles Firmin Garden is in need of a considerable amount of improvement. Your Commissioners have from time to time talked over the possibility of effecting various changes at this beauty spot, such as thinning out the tangle of over- grown trees and shrubs, filling in the sluggish pond and making a recreation area there; also to provide facilities for the same.
Last Summer a good deal of undergrowth was cut down on the southwesterly side of the Garden with the idea in mind of eventually converting it to a lawn area.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Realizing that the cost of doing the job all at once would amount to a considerable sum of money, we plan to do a small amount each year, thereby absorbing the expense from the labor item from each annual appropriation.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY, Chairman HENRY S. BOWEN SAMUEL C. GORDON
Park Commissioners
152
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Town Forest Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Town Forest Committee herewith submit their annual report:
Other than periodic inspection of the areas already planted in the Town Forest Domain, your Committee reports no fur- ther activity during the year 1949.
Respectfully submitted, C. GARDNER CAVERLY, Chairman JOSEPH E. THOMAS
153
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Town Accountant's Statement
I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer as of December 31, 1949, and have found them correct and the balance in his hands to agree with the balance shown on his books.
BRAINARD C. WALLACE,
Town Accountant
Essex. s.s.
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.
154
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Town Treasurer
To the Citizens of the Town of Ipswich:
The report of the Town Treasurer for the year 1949 is herewith submitted.
Cash Balance, January 1, 1949 $193,449.96
Receipts
997,533.38
$1,190,983.34
Expenditures
986,509.19
Cash Balance, December 31, 1949 $204,474.15
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 that 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 borrow- ing on temporary notes.
The cash balance as shown above includes the deprecia- tion fund, construction fund and cash balances of the Electric Light and Water Departments amounting to $101,491.20.
It was not necessary to borrow any money this year in anticipation of revenue, due to the fact that, the Assessors were very co-operative by passing the real estate committments
155
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
over to me during the month of May, and by having an extra typist for one week, we were able to get the bills delivered June 8, 1949, which is at least two months earlier than prior years, thereby increasing the cash balance from a dangerous low point.
May I call your attention to the improvement of the Tax Title account. Although $1,783.86 was added to the Tax Title account, there was $2,142.41 foreclosed leaving the balance of the account as of December 31, 1949 $530.32 less than the balance of the account as of December 31, 1948.
Since it has been unnecessary to borrow any money in anticipation of revenue and the outstanding general debt now reduced to $50,000.00 the town is in very good financial con- dition.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. GRANT,
Treasurer
156
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Reconciliation of Treasurer's Cash
Balance, January 1, 1949
$ 193,449.96
Receipts, January 1 to December 31, 1949
997,533.38
$1,190,983.34
Payments to Treasurer, January 1 to December 31, 1949 $ 986,509.19
First National Bank of Ipswich
191.570.95
First National Bank of Boston 290.05
Merchant's National Bank of Boston
993.80
Day Trust Co.
5,015.35
Ipswich Savings Bank
1
6,304.00
Cash in Office, verified
300.00
$1,190,983.34
First National Bank of Ipswich
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Statement
$144,318.82
Deposit in transit, verified
107,103.83
$251,422.65
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Register
191,570.95
Outstanding Checks, December 31, 1949
59,851.70
$251,422.65
.
157
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
First National Bank of Boston
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Statement $ 290.05
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Check Book $ 290.05
Merchant's National Bank of Boston
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Statement $ 993.80
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Check Book $ 993.80
Ipswich Savings Bank
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Statement $6,304.00
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Bank Book $6,304.00
Day Trust Co.
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Statement $5,015.35
Balance, December 31, 1949, per Check Book $5,015.35
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Tax Collector's Report
John E. Grant, Collector
Motor Vehicle Excise 1945
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 2.00
Abatement
$ 2.00
Motor Vehicle Excise 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 21.28
Collection
$ 2.00
Abatements
19.28
$ 21.28
$ 21.28
Motor Vehicle Excise 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$1,046.45
Collections
$ 265.64
Abatements
413.73
Outstanding December 31, 1949
367.08
$1,046.45
$1,046.45
Motor Vehicle Excise 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$2,334.94
Commitment
287.29
Refund
7.32
Collections
$1,564.13
Abatements
152.38
Outstanding December 31, 1949
913.04
$2,629.55
$2,629.55
159
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Motor Vehicle Excise 1949
Commitments
Refunds
$33,038.69 521.50
Collections
$28,899.80 1,216.10
Abatements
Outstanding December 31, 1949
3,444.29
$33,560.19
$33,560.19
Real Estate 1945
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 68.40
Collection
$ 68.40
Poll 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 20.00
Collection
$ 2.00
Abatements
18.00
$ 20.00 $ 20.00
Personal 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 249.32
Collections
$ 126.13
Abatements
76.51
Outstanding December 31, 1949
46.68
$ 249.32
$ 249.32
160
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Real Estate 1946
Outstanding January 1, 1949 Collections Abatements
$ 295.74
$ 80.75
214.99
$ 295.74
$ 295.74
Poll 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 152.00
Collections
$ 52.00
Abatements
66.00
Outstanding December 31, 1949
34.00
$ 152.00
$ 152.00
Personal 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$1,372.10
Collections
$ 690.50
Abatements
154.00
Outstanding December 31, 1949
527.60
$1,372.10
$1,372.10
Real Estate 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$2,886.08
Collections
$1,347.93
Abatements
1,348.15
Outstanding December 31, 1949
190.00
$2,886.08
$2,886.08
161
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Poll 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 446.00
Refunds
2.00
Collections
$ 222.00
Abatements
110.00
Outstanding December 31, 1949
116.00
$ 448.00
$ 448.00
Personal 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$5,398.32
Collections
$4,222.35
Abatements
27.60
Outstanding December 31, 1949
1,148.37
$5,398.32
$5,398.32
Real Estate 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$38,839.32
Refund
92.00
Collections
$36,007.77
Added to Tax Title
1,214.40
Abatements
560.05
Outstanding December 31, 1949
1,149.10
$38,931.32
$38,931.32
162
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT :
Poll 1949
Commitments
$4,630.00
Refunds
6.00
Collections
4,144.14
Abatements
384.00
Outstanding December 31, 1949
107.86
$4,636.00
$4,636.00
Personal 1949
Commitments
$27,350.09
Collections
$22,056.96
Abatements
127.93
Outstanding December 31, 1949
5,165.20
$27,350.09
$27,350.09
Real Estate 1949
Commitments
$355,986.13
Refunds
986.79
Collections
$308,783.05
Added to Tax Title
423.55
Abatements
11,947.02
Outstanding December 31, 1949
35,819.30
$356,972.92
$356,972.92
163
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Tax Titles
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$6,230.94
Added to Tax Title
1,783.86
Foreclosure
2,142.41
Tax Titles Redeemed
171.77
Tax Titles on hand December 31, 1949
5,700.62
$8,014.80
$8,014.80
Tax Titles Water
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 11.94
Added to Tax Title
834.04
Collections
$ 11.94
Tax Titles on hand December 31, 1949
834.04
$ 845.98
$ 845.98
Moth 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 26.00
Collections
$ 9.50
Outstanding December 31, 1949
16.50
$ 26.00 $ 26.00
164
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Water Lien Added to Taxes 1947
Outstanding January 1, 1949 $ 451.96
Added to Tax Title
$
451.96
Water Lien Added to Taxes 1948
Outstanding January 1, 1949
$ 376.32
Collection
$ 52.28
Added to Tax Title
324.04
$ 376.32
$ 376.32
165
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Playground Committee
To the Selectmen:
The Playground this year has seen more activity than in several years. The ball diamond has been used nearly every evening and Saturdays and Sundays. The softball field has also seen games every night. The new tennis courts have been well patronized and are very satisfactory.
For the younger children there are many swings, a merry- go-round, chutes, sea-saws and other equipment. For the very young there are chair swings and sand boxes; besides there are picnic tables scattered over the grounds so that many mothers bring their children to the playgrounds and stay under the trees and at the tables. The Committee feels that Ipswich has a well balanced playground. There are just two things that they would like to see added, these are bleachers at the two ball diamonds and a fence along the Linebrook Road border. These two things are really needed and need not be too expensive. Th bleachers can be bought a few sections each year. The bleachers we have been using from the High School are in such a condition that it is not practical to make any attempt to move them up to the playground another year.
The fence is needed to protect the equipment we have and to keep autos from driving onto the grounds.
There has been some vandalism though not as much as in some other years.
This summer we have had one corner of the grounds that was rough and unusable improved so that another softball
. 166
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
diamond may soon be available. The brook was covered over and a lot of fill was procured and the whole area leveled off.
Another activity at the Playground was the Skating Rink. The rink was flooded with the assistance of the firemen and lights were installed and it was well patronized when there was any ice. In addition to these regular playground activities the school program was carried out and, everything taken into consideration, there were a lot of people who got a lot of enjoyment out of the Linebrook Playground and the Committee feels that the citizens were well rewarded for the money and time put into this project, and we are asking your support that we may do an even better job this year. The most important thing we need is a new power mower. The old one is definitely out and gone.
STANLEY E. EUSTACE, Chairman HENRY S. BOWEN, Clerk
167
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
r
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
The duties and functions of the Board were carried on in an efficient manner and no phase of the work neglected in spite of the fact that the Agent resigned unexpectedly, requir- ing the appointment and training of a successor to carry on the many and varied duties. At the present time everything is once more functioning smoothly and the present Agent is prov- ing himself capable in all respects.
The Commonwealth promised to accept the responsibility of all milk inspections for a period of one year until the newly appointed Agent could learn all aspects of this phase of his work, and this has been done to date, with the local Agent accompanying the State representative. Our Agent has arranged to complete a course at the Essex County Agricultural School and will be in a position to take over completely this important work during the coming year.
Restaurants have been inspected at regular intervals and we wish to thank the owners of the local establishments who have co-operated wholeheartedly, accepting and immediately acting, upon our suggestions to further safeguard the health of their patrons. A simple code of regulations has been about completed and will be discussed with a group of owners before adoption. We feel sure that in their present state, they will invoke little if any hardship on the owners, and may prove entirely unnecessary if the present excellent understanding and co-operation persists between the owners and the Board of Health.
168
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The number of patients at the Middleton Sanitarium con- tinued to be above average, and we have no choice but a mandatory assumption of the expenses involved, but we are happy to say that a partial refund was obtained, in the form of a state subsidy, in every single instance, insuring a return of several thousand dollars into the general reserve fund. At the present assessment, the future costs of the Board promise to be still greater as we have six present incumbents and two waiting, which is a larger proportion than we have averaged in recent years. We continue to urge periodic examinations of all discharged and exposed persons to still further cut down the dangers of recurrence and to save the potential cost of readmittance, to the Town of Ipswich.
The local rubbish and garbage collections were maintained at a high level of efficiency for eleven months of the year, but your Board found it necessary to curtail the rubbish collections for the month of December due to lack of funds. From the hundreds of complaints and requests received during this short period, we are convinced that these services have become an integral part of local utilities and are desired by the large ma- jority of townspeople. The Board wishes to pay tribute to one of the hardest working units in the Town's employ, and one who, many times in the course of the year, go beyond the call of duty and work unselfishly overtime without compensation, due to the limited budget we operate under. A recent survey of two neighboring towns reveals the interesting fact that our efficient services are operated at approximately 50% of the cost of hired services in these respective communities. We call to the attention of the Finance Committee that our equipment for these services is getting older all the time and recommend that the revenue of the sale of refuse be placed in a special fund to amortize the equipment necessary to continue these valued services. We wish to publicly commend the personnel and particularly Mr. John Ladderbush who has charge of this work and who has, in our opinion, done an outstanding job
169
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
in keeping costs as low as possible, commensurate with the services received.
A series of well child clinics were held throughout the year and were generally well attended. These have long be- come a well accepted part of the local board's activities, and have proved no little part in the prevention of more serious future illnesses. We feel that this program should be continued and improved upon, but any further expansion is obviously im- possible under our present budget. Miss Eleanore Richardson was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Naves, and her experience should make a valuable con- tribution to the overall program in the future.
A series of conferences have been held with State authori- ties and also with officials of all the surrounding communities, exploring the possibilities of a joint Health Unit covering several communities, and employing a trained sanitarian available to all. This would mean the co-ordination of the work of the present milk inspectors and sanitary agents in the various towns with a consequent savings to all. One such unit is apparently working satisfactorily in the western part of the state and we continue to watch its progress as a possible guide to our own future plans.
We would like to outline the workings of the compensation of the slaughter inspector in this department as recent criticisms indicate that this is not entirely clear to all. His salary is not paid by the Town but by the owner of the local slaughter house who reimburses the Town for every cent expended. By law it is necessary that this work be supervised by the local Board and payment made through it, so this part of our budget expended is returned in its entirety to the general reserve fund. It is merely a bookkeeping fund. A cut in our budget this year exposed the Town to possible litigation as fees were regu- larly received from the slaughter house while this part of our budget pruned by the finance committee prevented our paying the slaughter inspector. Thus the Town possesses the money
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
and has for some time but Mr. Lindgren remains unpaid in the amount of $512.00 until the regular town meeting. This inspector is appointed by the Commonwealth and merely oper- ates under our jurisdiction without cost to the town.
We wish to point out that nearly $5000, or one-third of our budget, is returned to the Town as a result of subsidies, sale of refuse, and license fees. The major part of the remain- ing amount pays for the public services. The incidence of T.B. and other contagious diseases is, of course, out of our hands, and this part of our budget can be merely estimated on previ- ous experience. We feel that past experience has proven our budget estimations reasonably accurate and deplore another year when all members must serve without salary, with sub- stantial back payments due the slaughter inspector and truck driver, and the faithful workers on short time during the holiday season through no fault of their own.
We wish to thank the members of other boards and many private citizens for the fine co-operation received throughout the year and every effort will be made to continue and expand the services you have a right to expect in this growing com- munity of ours.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE M. KING, Chairman DR. ERNEST SMITH DR. FRANK COLLINS
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
171
Communicable Disease Reporter
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The following is a list of contagious diseases reported to the Board during the year ending December 31, 1949:
Poliomyelitis
5
Chicken Pox
4
Dog Bite
9 1
German Measles
Measles
8
Mumps
2
Scarlet Fever
13
Tuberculosis
2
Whooping Cough
2
Gonorrhea
1
Typhoid Fever
1
Syphilis
1
Pneumonia Lobar
1
50
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. BLAKE,
Reporter of
Communicable Disease
172
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Sanitary Agent's Report
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1949:
Overnight cabin and camp licenses granted 9
Collection of swill and garbage 1
Collection of tallow and soap grease
3
Cleaning cesspool and vaults
1
Funeral Directors
4
Methyl and Wood Alcohol
15
Slaughter House
1
Slaughter House (Poultry )
1
Burial permits granted
75
Pig permits granted
2
Day Nursery School permit granted
1
Cesspool and septic tank permits granted
Nuisance notices
20
Bakery inspections
1
Complaints
38
Garbage complaints
12
Rubbish collection complaints
4
Slaughter House Inspections
1
Store Inspections
14
Soda Fountain Inspections
10
Restaurant Inspections
28
Property Inspections
5
Public Toilets
9
Contagious Disease Posted
2
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. BLAKE,
Agent
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
173
Report of Milk Inspector
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1949:
Number of licenses issued to milk dealers 15
Number of licenses issued to stores and restaurants 49
Number of producers permits granted 43
Number of pasteurize licenses granted 4
Number of licenses issued to manu- facture ice cream 2
Number of oleomargerine licenses granted
15
Number of dairy barns scored
12
Number of dairy barns not approved
1
Pasteurizer checked during the year
8
Milk samples tested for butter fat 8
Milk samples tested for solids 8
Milk tested for bacteria (Plate count)
8
Cream tested for butter fat 5
Cream tested for bacteria (Plate count) 5
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. BLAKE,
Milk Inspector
174
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 1949, at Ipswich:
Month
Horses
Cows
Calves
Sheep
January
161
3
9
February
132
2
5
2
March
197
2
2
1
April
122
1
7
3
May
145
4
3
1
June
75
4
2
4
July
109
2
3
August
230
5
5
September
213
5
3
1
October
179
3
2
November
250
3
December
253
2
2
1
-
Total
2066
36
43
13
Respectfully submitted,
HILMER H. LINDGREN,
Slaughter Inspector
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
175
Report of Inspector of Animals
I submit herewith my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1949:
Cows
495
Heifers
295
Bulls
23
Horses
74
Sheep
90
Pigs
14
Goats
9
Steers
42
Number of Cattle from out of State
79
Dog Bites
16
Respectfully submitted,
G. LORING WOODBURY,
Inspector of Animals
176
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Streets
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Ipswich
I submit herewith the annual report of the Highway De- partment for the year 1949.
Considerable road construction was accomplished by the department in addition to the routine of general maintenance.
Under snow and ice removal, ice was the worse factor we had to contend with. We had an average snowfall of forty- seven (47) inches, less than half the amount of snow that fell in 1948 which was one hundred and thirteen inches (113).
Little Neck Road was sealed and should last for several years, the surface was getting very bad there.
Construction projects were completed as fast as time would allow.
Drainage was extended on North Ridge Road and the sur- face sealed with bituminous material and covered with pea stone.
Safford Street was finished this summer when the water was at its lowest point.
Chap. 90 1948 project on Topsfield Road was completed between the Dyar House and Mill Road, improving the bad curves a great deal. Considerable ledge had to be moved so that progress was slow and expensive.
The Chap. 90 allotment for 1949 on Topsfield Road was completed at the unusual low cost of five ($5.00) dollars per linear foot and three hundred ninety-four (394) feet of drain- age installed on another section that should be done in 1950. The 1949 section extends twenty-five hundred (2500) feet towards Topsfield from Mill Road.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Farley Avenue has been excavated, graded, and drainage installed. The street will be finished as the weather allows.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the different de- partments and citizens who have co-operated with the depart- ment this year.
Tabulation of Time Equipment Worked in 1949
Gallons Quarts
Equipment
Miles
Hours
Gas
Oil
No. 1 Walters Truck
5087
953
2468
136
No. 2 Walters Truck
3969
649
1665
94
No. 3 Ford Truck
7721
2138
1194
48
No. 4 Ford New Truck
4832
1305
726
25
No. 4 Chevrolet Old Truck
3597
756
426
22
Grader- Rome
1322
624
1386
16
Roller-Gasoline
300
450
10
Tractor-Cletrac
47
114
3
Mixer
30
15
4
Loader-Gravel
106
53
4
Loader-Snow
52
69
6
Highway Department Inventory December 31, 1949
No. Article
Amount
1 Cart, Two Horse
$ 5.00
1 Compressor
200.00
1 Derrick, Hand
65.00
1 Forge and Anvil
10.00
Snow Fence, 5800 feet
400.00
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
I Grader, Rome
1,100.00
1 Hone, Road
700.00
1 Kettle, Tar 10.00
1 Loader, Gravel
125.00
1 Loader, Snow
4,800.00
1 Mixer, Cement
65.00
1 Marker, Street
45.00
1 Plow, Road
15.00
3 Plows, Blade, Snow
1,000.00
1 Plow, V-Shaped, Truck
750.00
1 Plow, V-Shaped, Tractor 500.00
2 Plows, One Way, Truck
800.00
5 Plows, Sidewalk, Two Horse
225.00
1 Plow, Sidewalk, Tractor
25.00
1 Roller, Stone, Two Horse
5.00
1 Roller, Gasoline
4,800.00
6 Spreaders, Sand
750.00
1 Sweeper, Two Horse
25.00
5 Screen, Gravel
10.00
1 Tractor, Cletrac
1,050.00
2 Trucks, Small Dump
4,000.00
2 Trucks, Large Dump, Walters
18,000.00
1 Truck, E-Ton, Pickup
900.00
$41,280.00
Other Tools and Supplies
4,731.00
$46,021.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS E. WOOD,
Supt. of Streets
179
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of the Town of Ipswich:
Herewith is the annual report of your Board of Public Welfare for the year ending December 31, 1949.
There has been a great deal of discussion this year about Public Welfare and the different categories handled by this Board. It is only proper that the citizens of this town know how these categories are handled and the way in which our work is done.
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