USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1950 > Part 5
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To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen:
The following is a list of contagious diseases reported to the Board during the year ending December 31, 1950:
Chicken Pox 63
Tuberculosis 3
Whooping Cough
11
Scarlet Fever
1
Gonorrhea
1
Dog Bite
7
-
86
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. BLAKE,
Reporter of Communicable
Disease
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
133
Sanitary Agent's Report
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1950:
Overnight Cabin and Camp licenses granted 8
Collection of swill and garbage 1
Collection of tallow and soap grease
3
Cleaning cesspool and vaults
1
Funeral Directors
5
Methyl and Wood Alcohol
15
Slaughter House
1
Slaughter House (Poultry)
1
Burial permits granted
69
Pig permits granted
1
Day Nursery School permit granted
1
Cesspool and septic tank permits granted
6
Nuisance Notices
30
Bakery inspection
4
Complaints
46
Garbage complaints
10
Rubbish collection complaints
6
Slaughter House inspections
8
Store inspections
27
Soda Fountain inspections
11
Restaurant inspections
36
Property inspections
10
Public Toilets
10
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Contagious Disease posted 1
Overnight Cabins and Camp inspections 9
Trucking Fish permits granted 4
Cider Mills inspected 2
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. BLAKE,
Agent
Diphtheria Clinic
Held through Department of Public Health and Ipswich Board of Health:
Number of less than 3 doses 2
Number of booster shots 66
Number of first inoculations 400
Tuberculosis Report
Held through Essex County Health Association, Ipswich Board of Health and Ipswich School Department:
Number of children patch tested 374
Number of positive reactors
15
Number of negative reactors 359
Number of refusals
20
Number having X-rays
15
Number of school personnel having X-rays 44
Arrested child type tuberculosis
3
Tuberculosis 1
12 students have been taken to Middleton for chest X-rays during the year, every six months.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Well Child Conference
-
Number of babies present 69
Number of babies' defects 4
Mass. Audiometer test done on all children - first grade through High School.
Students tested 853
Students failed 39
These figures include 62 children tested at the Parochial School. Retests will be done on the children that failed as soon as school opens again.
Mass. Vision Test done on all children in the Elementary Schools.
Students tested 661
Students failed 64
Screening test done on the High School students.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. COLLINS, M.D.
ELEONORE RICHARDSON, R.N.
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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 1950, at Ipswich.
Month
Horses
Cows
Calves
Sheep
Elk
January
128
3
2
February
87
2
March
82
3
4
April
73
2
9
5
May
99
2
1
3
June
133
1
3
July
123
1
2
August
198
September
219
October
285
3
1
November
340
3
3
2
December
209
1
2
-
-
-
-
1,976
20
21
15
2
Respectfully submitted,
HILMER H. LINDGREN,
Slaughter Inspector
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
137
Report of Inspector of Animals
I submit herewith my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1951.
Cows
594
Heifers
165
Horses
71
Goats
15
Sheep
109
Pigs
25
Bulls
24
Steers
12
Cattle from out of state
80
Dog bites
21
Respectfully submitted, G. LORING WOODBURY,
Inspector of Animals
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Town Clerk
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I herewith submit to you, the citizens of the Town of Ipswich, a report of the Town Clerk for the year 1950.
The regular duties of this office have been completed this year in much the same manner as in past years. Maximum and efficient service has been maintained at all times with the thought of cutting expenses whenever possible.
John F. Dolan was duly re-elected to the office of Town Clerk in March and served in that capacity until early Sep- tember. At that time he was recalled to active service with the U. S. Navy, and was granted an indefinite leave of absence. Mrs. John F. Dolan was then duly appointed to serve in the absence of the regular Town Clerk.
VITAL STATISTICS
Births:
During the year 1950 the number of births in Ipswich was 190 - a decrease of 18 from the previous year.
Males - 80
Females - 110
Parents residing in:
Ipswich
107
Essex
20
Hamilton
12
Rowley
15
Gloucester
2
Manchester 4
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Topsfield
7
Wenham
6
Wilmington
1
Merrimac
1
Beverly Farms
1
Beverly
4
Newburyport
1
Magnolia
1
Georgetown
2
Allston
1
Salem
2
Brockton
1
Rockport
1
Hampton, N. H.
1
190
Births:
The number of out-of-town births to Ipswich parents that were reported and recorded during 1950 - 35.
Males - 21 Females - 14
Marriages:
During the year 1950 the total number of marriages in Ipswich was 77; an increase of 11 from last year.
The number of marriages of Ipswich residents that were reported and recorded from other towns and cities was 23 - a decrease of 3 from 1949.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Deaths:
The total number of deaths for the year 1950 is 68 - a decrease of 7 from 1949.
The number of former residents of Ipswich who passed on elsewhere but are buried in Ipswich total 45 - an increase of 10 from last year's reports.
Males -- 57 Females - 56
NOTICES
The attention of all parents is called to the law relating to the registration of births. The present requirements are as follows:
Chapter 46, Section 6, of the Revised General Laws: Parents within forty days after the birth of a child ... shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the town or city in which the child is born.
The attention of Physicians and Midwives is called to the following:
Chapter 46, Section 6, General Laws:
Section 1. Physicians and midwives, shall within forty- eight hours after the birth of every child in cases which they are in charge, mail or deliver to the Clerk or Registrar of the City or Town in which the birth occurred, a notice stating the date and place of birth, giving the street number, if any, the number of the ward in a city and the family name. Failure to mail or deliver the said notice shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars for each offense.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
It is very important that all vital statistics records be cor- rect. If any errors are discovered, the Town Clerk will con- sider it a favor to have them reported at once so that correction 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.
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.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The following licenses under the jurisdiction of the Divi- sion of Fisheries and Game of the Department of Conservation were issued through this office in 1950 -
Resident Citizens Fishing 90
Resident Citizens Hunting 223
Resident Citizens Sporting 67
Resident Citizens Minor and Female Fishing 25
Resident Citizens Minor Trapping
3
Resident Citizens Trapping
11
Resident Citizens Sporting and Trapping To those over 70 yrs. (Free) 33
Duplicate Licenses 2
Resident Citizens Military or
Naval Service (Free)
7
Non-Resident Citizens Hunting
1
Non-Resident Citizens Fishing
2
The following Licenses under the jurisdiction of the Essex County Treasurer were issued by the Town Clerk in 1950:
Dogs -
Male 218
Female
21
Spayed Female
86
Kennel - $25.00
2
Kennel - $10.00
4
Military (Free) 7
Transfers 2
143
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
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 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.
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 sub- ject 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 number, 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 sub- stitute 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 an- other 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 provisions of this section shall not apply to such dog.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
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: As in last year's report, a special note was made of the number of unlicensed dogs in Ipswich and that some action should be taken to correct this condition. The same situ- ation still exists this year and it is again brought to the town's attention. There are many dogs being sadly neglected and this brings costly damage to dog owners and public and pri- vate property. The town also loses the benefit derived from lost revenue on those dogs not legally licensed and tagged.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the various town officials and members of their departments who have given the Town Clerk generous advice and co-operation during the entire year.
As we face a new year which will bring its changes and improvements, let us trust that all town officials and the citizens will work together to solve all our town's problems justly, and thereby maintain the basic essentials of a true democratic government.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCY J. DOLAN,
Acting Town Clerk
145
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Superintendent of Streets
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
Following is a report of the Highway Department for the year 1950.
First I must say that in the passing of the late Francis E. Wood I have lost a real friend and I am sure that his value to the town will be more fully realized as time goes on.
With an increased budget much more oiling was done than in the past few years. South Main St., Central St., Market St., Depot Square and Hammett St. were seal coated and covered with crushed stone. In addition oil was applied and covered with sand on part or all of twenty-six streets not including those done under Chapter 90. This program should be con- tinued.
This present winter of constant freezing and thawing is causing frost heaves on many of our streets which means that a great deal of patching will have to be done.
Several of our so-called back roads were gravelled but a great deal more is needed as these streets are fast becoming the sites for new homes.
Considerable time was spent on sweeping the streets not only to clear them of the many tons of sand used during the winter months but also to keep them clean during the entire year.
Traffic and street signs were repainted and replaced as needed. Traffic and parking lines were painted. The town was fortunate in having the state paint the center lines of the road from the South Common to High Street Bridge.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Some planking and guard rails on our bridges had to be replaced and much more needs to be done, especially on guard rails.
Chapter 90 construction was done on Topsfield Road and a start was made on widening Lord's Square. Topsfield Road now has a permanent surface from a point near Farley Avenue to the Topsfield line.
Chapter 90 maintenance work was done on Linebrook Road, Topsfield Road and Mill Road.
Construction work was completed on Farley Avenue to a point where it meets with the intersection of Broadway Exten- sion.
Masconomet Street and Upper River Road were completed with the exception of minor work on the road and sidewalks.
A good start was made on Hillside Road at Great Neck. Because the Water Department was unable to procure the necessary pipe for this project it was thought best to let the rest of the work go until the water pipe was put in rather than have a new road dug up with ditches and cross ditches.
Under snow removal the usual type of work was done and although last year as with this present winter not too many heavy storms were in store for us we had many storms which were expensive because of the sanding problem. The time has come when something should be done to stop all night parking on the streets during the winter months. Each year the problem of parked cars seems to grow worse causing a great deal of extra work and in many cases slowing up not only the plowing of snow but also snow removal.
This past year the department was furnished with a new road grader and a crawler type sidewalk plow. Both of these pieces of equipment have proven their worth and I recom- mend that another sidewalk plow be purchased.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
The first Walters Snow Fighter that the town purchased in 1941 has now reached the point where it should be traded in for a new one. If a new truck is purchased I recommend that one be purchased having an automatic sand spreader.
During 1950 we had two storms of hurricane proportion which caused a great deal of work that could not be foreseen and meant that about two weeks of the entire year were spent on this work thereby eliminating some of the scheduled work.
In closing I wish to thank all of the town departments for their fine co-operation and also the telephone workers for their prompt and untiring efforts in completing the many calls we gave them.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT D. HILLS,
Acting Supt. of Streets
Report of the Trustees of the Memorial Building
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
During the past few years your Trustees have followed a plan of completely refinishing and repairing the Memorial Building. When we entered upon this program, the building was sadly in need of this work. Each year a certain amount has been accomplished, and, with a few small jobs to be done during the coming year, our program will be completed, and the building should be in excellent condition for several years.
148
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Because of the many requests the Trustees have received for the use or rental of Memorial Hall or other rooms in the building, we believe that the policy of the Trustees over the years should be restated. The Trustees have held that the use of the Memorial Building should be confined to the various veterans' organizations and their auxiliaries or to the groups sponsored by these organizations.
The Trustees sincerely regret that Ralph C. Whipple found it necessary, due to his increased school duties, to submit his resignation as a member of the Trustees. Mr. Whipple has served the Town as a Trustee of Memorial Building for many years, most of which time he has acted as Secretary of the Board. He has worked untiringly, giving much time. thought, and effort to this duty. His sound judgment and fairness have the respect and admiration of all the veterans' organizations and the Trustees. We are sure that the Town is grateful for his service.
We are pleased to announce that the vacancy caused by Mr. Whipple's resignation has been filled by Dr. Frederick C. Wilder.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. CONLEY JAMES P. O'BRIEN NATHANIEL M. QUINT FREDERICK C. WILDER THOMAS H. REEDY
Trustees
149
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Veterans' Services
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I herewith submit a report for the Veterans' Agent for the year 1950.
At present there are 84 cases on file; 16 are active with the rest either in the inactive file or becoming active again as the time goes on.
It appears at present that the local case load will increase each year, since not only are the Veterans of the past wars eli- gible for Veterans' Benefits but since the recent strife in Korea the men serving over there have been declared eligible. Many of the World War I Veterans are starting to incur the ailments that come on with age. Your local Agent trys to get Non-service Connected Pensions as soon as possible, but until they are re- ceived, which may take anywhere from three to eight weeks, these Veterans have to be taken care of by Veterans' Benefits. Many of the World War II Veterans, who stayed in the Re- serves, are being called into active duty and until their family allotments come through, the families have to be taken care of by Veterans' Benefits. In conjunction to Veterans' Benefits there are 11 forms that have to be made out for each case and each case has to be investigated every three months.
In addition to the Veterans' Benefits, the local Agent has performed the following services for the Veterans and their dependents:
Reinstated Government Insurance, 11 cases; Installed on- the-job training, 3 cases; Widow's pension, 3 cases; Schooling, 7 cases; Procured beds in VA Hospitals, 8 cases; Dental, 15
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
cases; Appeared before Rating Board for compensations, 1 case; Burial allowance, 3 cases; Tombstone, 1 case; Non-service con- nected pensions, 9 cases.
In the course of the month the Veterans' Agent is called upon to answer many questions by the Veterans or their depen- dents. This information is given when known and if not known is found from other agencies and then given.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES T. PASSALES,
Veterans' Agent
Report of Superintendent of Cemeteries
To the Citizens of Ipswich:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Cemetery De- partment for the year 1950.
The general maintenance work that is required each year has been carried on in the same manner as in previous years.
The Waters Plot was completed. This was graded as much as possible, and new loam spread in the low spots. Same was limed, fertilized and seeded, and a good catch of grass resulted. This year it will again need rolling and fertilizing.
The new water system in the Highland Cemetery was started and a portion completed. A pressure tank was installed in the Old North Cemetery with a booster pump, and this was tested the latter part of October with good results. At the time of the test we had a pressure of twenty-two pounds at the highest point in the Highland Cemetery. Before that time there was little or no pressure. New galvanized pipes have been laid in the New Highland, Cowles Memorial and the Old
151
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Highland. There is a two inch pipe used as a main that runs through the center of the hill, and several one inch pipes branch off to various sections of the hill. Several new standpipes have been installed. We are held up at the present time for lack of material, but the work will be completed in early spring. The cost of this project has been held to a minimum.
The Perpetual Care funds are increasing. This year I re- ceived $2700.00 in new funds in addition to the old fund. At the close of 1950 the total amount of Perpetual Care is approxi- mately $72,000.00.
1950 Inventory of the Cemetery Department
2 Grass Sets
150.00
Canvasses
75.00
4 Wheelbarrows
40.00
1 Gasoline Hammer
225.00
12 Hand Mowers
150.00
1 24" Power Mower
175.00
3 21" Power Mower
300.00
2 Lowering Devices
250.00
2 Sets Trimmers 300' Cable
35.00
1 Sulky
30.00
2 Sod Lifters
15.00
5 Grind Stones
40.00
1 Tripod and Chainfalls
35.00
18 Sheep Shears
9.00
1 Tent
20.00
1 Sweeper
25.00
1 Ford Truck, 1948
950.00
Heater and Pump
90.00
150' Hose
21.00
Other Tools and Supplies
350.00
$3,280.00
1 Annan Generator
175.00
120.00
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of the Cemetery Commission
The avenues in the Highland and Cowles Memorial Ceme- teries have all been tarred. Each year a sealing coat will be needed, at the approximate cost of $200.00.
The galvanized fence at the Locust Grove Cemetery will be needing a coat of paint as the metal is now showing in places.
The old wooden fence at the Linebrook Cemetery has rotted so badly it is beyond repair.
The department has been and is now receiving complaints about children playing in the cemeteries. This usually happens after the men have left for the day and on Sundays. They not only play on the stones, leave faucets open but pull up and destroy markers. One very old marker was found not long ago in a backyard in the center of the town. I have sent the chil- dren out of the yards and gone to the parents but we still continue to have trouble.
It would be very helpful to the department if the parties making complaints would give the names of the children and call the office at the time the damage is being done, rather than after the children have left the yards.
We are trying to improve the Old Yards each year. This past fall five tons of lime were spread on the South Cemetery and on a portion of the Old North Cemetery.
During the year 1950 there were seventy-nine interments, two of which were cremations.
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Receipts:
Interments
$1439.00
Perpetual Care Income
1763.73
New Perpetual Care Funds
2700.00
Sale of Lots
90.00
Refund on Gas Tax
3.30
$5996.03
I wish to thank the members of other departments and all persons who have in any way assisted us during the past year.
RICHARD S. SHEPPARD
HARMON COLE
ARNOLD R. RICHARDS
Cemetery Commissioners
BENJAMIN W. HOMANS,
Superintendent of Cemeteries
154
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Report of Clam Commissioner
To the Citizens of the Town of Ipswich:
I would like to state that our clam flats are in the same condition as they have been for the past several years.
There are a number of our flats that have some seed, but not too plentiful.
The horseshoe crab has multiplied so fast that it is use- less to plant seed at any time. We disposed of many thou- sands of these in the warm months but it is useless to try to eliminate this menace unless the surrounding towns do the same.
I have been informed that the experimental station oper- ated by the State has taken one horseshoe crab, caged it for twenty-four hours and it devoured one hundred clams. Now, if one horseshoe crab can do this in twenty-four hours, it can be easily seen what a good many thousand are doing to our flats every day. I honestly believe that if the horseshoe crab was eliminated that our flats would come back to normal.
We seeded fifty bushels of seed oysters, and they are com- ing along better than expected. It takes three years for an oyster to grow sizable. They require a hard bottom and these were seeded in three different beds.
I wish at this time to thank all those who helped me in any way the past year.
Respectfully, BERNARD V. FARLEY,
Clam Commissioner
IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
155
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 1950.
Bell Alarms
56
Still Alarms
170
Ambulance Calls
41
Total Calls 267
Classification of calls were as follows:
Building Fires
24
Chimney Fires
18
Grass, Woods and Brush Fires
57
Dump and Rubbish Fires
33
Automobile Fires
19
Flooded Oil Burners
19
Electrical Fires and Wires Down
14
Persons Locked Out
4
Ambulance Calls
41
Calls for Floodlights
8
Persons Lost
1
Calls for Inhalator
2
Miscellaneous Calls
27
267
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IPSWICH TOWN REPORT
Runs made by apparatus were as follows:
Engine 1 (White)
7 - 40 miles
Engine 1 (Seagrave)
14 - 30.4 miles
Engine 2
55
- 240 miles
Engine 3
172
- 728 miles
Ladder 1
80 - 302 miles
1605 motor miles
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