USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1951 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
The Board invites the help and cooperation of all interested people, and welcomes any suggestions that will assist in making our community a better place in which to live.
Police Department
Byard W. Horsman, Chief
Arrests during 1951 by the Ipswich Police Department totaled three hundred thirty-four. The most arrests in a single month occurred in June, when there were fifty. Of the total three hundred thirty-four, one hundred six were for operating under the influence of liquor, fifty-four for violation of stop sign by-laws, twenty-two for violation of inspection sticker laws and twenty for violating fish and game laws. There were also four assaults, one case of breaking and entering, eight lottery cases, four rape cases, sixteen larcenies and ninety-nine miscellaneous cases.
As to the disposition of these cases, seventy-seven were fined, sixty-eight paid costs of court, forty-nine cases were filed, forty-six were released, twenty- four were discharged, and fifteen were sentenced to the house of correction. Miscellaneous dispositions were made in the remainder of the cases.
Seven hundred fifteen complaints were investigated and forty-seven automobile accidents were reported. There were one hundred forty-three ambulance runs for a total of 1,555 miles. The cruiser traveled 26,857 miles.
Parking has been the biggest single problem during the year. A constant drive was established and maintained to enforce all parking laws rigidly. Shortage of parking space, combined with the narrow streets make the problem all the more acute, but it is hoped that off-street parking space may be obtained in 1952.
15
Your Police Department
During the year, two new parking rules and regulations were passed. One established a one-hour parking limit on Central Street, and the other banned all-night parking during the snow season. Four hundred seventy-five parking summonses were issued and one hundred ninety-nine night parking violators were tagged.
Fire Department
Samuel W. Atherley, Fire Chief
The Fire Department answered a total of two hundred six alarms during 1951, of which forty-six were bell alarms, ninety-seven were still alarms and sixty-two were ambulance calls. Actual fire losses this year were very small
SE
TRUCK
ENGINE
Your Fire Department
16
as compared to the potential losses. The total value of property threatened by fire was $1,422,675., while total losses for the year were only $7,361.94. on which $6,686.94 of insurance was paid.
Fire department personnel have rendered valuable assistance during the year on such projects as the rebuilding and reconditioning of fire hydrants and the patroling of the Winthrop school crossing.
Forest Fire Division
Russell E. Scahill, Fire Warden
During 1951 few forest fires occurred, with no severe losses. The main activity of the division was patroling danger areas during the critical season. A used pick-up truck was purchased for patrol work during the year and two new pump cans were also added.
Shellfish Department
Bernard V. Farley, Director
The function of this department is to administer the municipal shellfish propagation and protection programs. During the past year the department was engaged in projects to eliminate the horse-shoe and green crabs, caging in seeded flats, posting the patroling the flats, experimenting with traps, checking clam permits and apprehending violators.
In conjunction with the State Department of Marine Fisheries, an experi- mental project has been drawn up for 1952 to fence off the inlets to the various flats and build traps in an attempt to control the horse-shoe crabs.
Weights and Measures Department
John E. LaPlante, Sealer
On December 1, 1951, Mr. Wm. J. Havelock Ewing resigned as Sealer of Weights & Measures, and Mr. LaPlante was appointed to fill the vacancy. The following tabulation represents the various devices inspected and sealed by with Mr. Ewing or Mr. LaPlante. The sealing fees for the year amounted to a total of $176.25.
Device
Number
Scales
40
Prescription Balances
1
Weights: Avoirdupois 45
8 Apothecary Metric 5
Capacity measures gallon or under
51
Liquid measuring meters over 1" inlet 46
Liquid measuring meters under 1" inlet 70
Health Department
John E. LaPlante, Health Officer
During 1951 the divisions of Health, Milk Inspection and Animal Ins- pection were combined into a single department, and later the functions of Sealer of Weights and Measures were also added to the duties of the Health Officer. By combining these four part-time jobs into one full time position, the Town is now served on a full-time basis by a trained Health administrator, and at the same time is saving over $1000 per year in salaries.
Since the appointment of the Health Officer, two new health regulations
17
have been drawn up and adopted by the Board of Health. One, a milk pasteur- ization regulation, prohibits the sale of raw milk unless certified. The second regulation requires that all demolished building sites be filled to ground level in order to prevent rodent and insect nuisances.
It is expected that during 1952 rules and regulations governing eating and drinking establishments will be adopted.
The following statistics reflect the scope of the operations of this department during 1951:
Communicable diseases recorded:
Dog bite
26
German measles
1
Meningitis (spinal)
1
Mumps
27
Measles
17
Syphilis
1
Tuberculosis (Pulmonary)
4
Pertussis
1
Salmonellosis
1
Scarlet fever
1
Varicella
3
Premature births recorded:
7
Inspections:
Food establishments
65
Slaughtering
2,045
Out-of-state cattle
54
Dog bite quarantines
26
Farm inspections:
Heifers
572
Calves
78
Steers
144
Horses
51
Sheep
393
Goats
3
Pigs
19
Bulls
34
Milk pasteurization plants inspected:
8
Milk & cream samples checked:
140
Licenses issued :
108
Permits issued :
52
The Well Child Clinic, Eleanore Richardson, R.N., Supervisor, was active during the year as a separate unit under the Ipswich Board of Health. This office accomplished much in the sponsorship of Child Hygiene activities. Three hundred twenty children received diptheria booster shots, and thirty-two children received the initial immunization. Fifteen tuberculosis contact cases were taken to Middleton for routine check-ups and twelve students in the Ipswich schools were taken to Middleton for chest x-rays.
The Well Child Clinic was held the first Wednesday of each month. A total of forty-two babies and pre-school children were seen in the clinic.
Welfare Department
Walter E. Callahan, Welfare Director
The Welfare Department rendered aid to four general categories during the year 1951.
General Relief: This category is maintained to provide for those tem- porarily unemployed who cannot qualify for other types of welfare aid. Working conditions govern the amount of aid rendered under this category to a certain extent.
18
In 1951, an average of twenty-five cases per month were handled as compared to twenty-nine in 1950. As of Dec. 31 there were twenty-four active cases. This was a substantial decrease, and probably results from a high level of employment and a policy of requiring all able-bodied applicants for such aid to work.
In 1952, expenditures will depend a great deal on the Industrial Situation in Ipswich.
Old Age Assistance: This category provides for the needy, aged and constitutes the largest category of relief rendered. During 1951, new high minimum payments for Old Age Receipients were established and became effective January 1, 1952. These new higher minimums will result in nearly $12,000 increase in the Old Age Assistance being paid out in Ipswich in the coming year. On January 1, 1951, there were 180 Old Age Assistant receipients. During the year, twenty-one new cases were added, and twenty-eight cases were closed, making a net decrease of seven, with 173 active cases as of December 31.
Under the new law that became effective on January 1, the Welfare Department is now required to obtain liens on all property of Old Age Assis- tance receipients.
Total expenditures for Old Age Assistance during 1951 were $141,250.96. Federal reimbursements totaled $66,539.34, and State reimbursements totaled $56,861.30. Reimbursements from other Towns and Cities for cases without Ipswich settlements were $1,105.84. Net cost to the Town for Old Age Assis- tance, therefore, was $16,744.48.
Aid to Dependent Children: This category is established to provide care for dependent children and mothers where the wage earner, through death or desertion, is no longer with the family.
As of January 1, 1951, there were six active cases involving fifteen persons. No new cases were added during the year, and one case was closed, so that as of December 31 there were five active cases, including thirteen persons. Total expenditures under this category were $6,016.54, of which $2,705.20 was reimbursed by the Federal government and $1,930.18 was reimbursed by the state. Net cost to the Town for Aid to Dependent Children, therefore, was $1,381.16.
Disability Assistance: This is a new category of assistance which came into being on November 1, 1951 and aids those people who, because of some physical disability, are unable to provide for themselves. The eligibility factor in these cases is determined by a panel of physicians who examine each application and pass upon the extent of disability. The minimum age for this category is eighteen years and the budgets are figured from the State Standard Budget.
There are now ten active cases in this category and a number of appli- cations are on hand. Because this category is new it is difficult to estimate what the cost will be during the ensuing year.
Veterans Service Department
John F. Dolan, Veterans' Agent
Ninety-nine cases were handled by this Department during 1951, and at the close of the year there were eleven active cases, three transient cases, four cases pending and eighty-one inactive cases.
Total expenditures for 1951 were $12,928.38, which was a substantial decrease from the all-time high in 1950 of $17,066.54. Reimbursements from the State in 1951 for assistance payments totaled $6,365.46 making a net cost to the Town of $6,562.92.
In December the functions of the Veterans Service Department were transferred to the Records Department and a clerk was added to assist with the extra work.
19
Recreation Department
The Playground Committee held its first meeting November 13, 1951 and, all in all, had four meetings in 1951.
The Committee was instructed by the Town Manager that it was to function as a Recreation Committee or a community-wide basis. This would mean planned activities for all age groups and this, in turn, should include the services of a full-time recreational director. A limited budget made this impossible but the Committee has been fortunate, through the co-operation of the Y.M.C.A., to acquire gratis the services of the local Y.M.C.A. field worker to direct three weekly programs during the winter, planned with the help of Mr. Symonds, Y.M.C.A. Secretary. These programs include:
1. A young men's basketball league held Monday nights at the High School gymnasium, use of which was granted by the School Committee.
2. Saturday basketball at the High School gymnasium for grades five through eight - mornings for boys, and afternoons for girls.
3. Volleyball and badminton Thursday evenings at the Town Hall for adults.
The Committee also decided another skating rink was needed and received permission from the Historical Society to flood their field off South Main Street near the river for this purpose and the Sylvania Corporation promised flood lights for the rink. However, due to insufficient frost in the ground, the water sank in and the rink has not materialized. The Committee recommended the skating program at Linebrook be continued, and a shelter be erected. This has been carried out by the Grounds and Buildings Division.
The Committee feels there are so many young children on the South Side of Town that another playground should be started there for them and plans to work on this in the spring.
It is also planned to carry on the summer playground activities much as they have been in the past.
HOSE
TRUCK
Radio Equipped Vehicles in the Police, Fire and Electric Departments
20
Electric Department
Charles A. Mallard, Manager Alfred Tobiasz, Line Foreman John Blonda, Chief Station Operator
The total output by the Ipswich Electric Department generating plant during 1951 was 11,695,860 kilowatt hours. This is an increase of 12% over 1950 and nearly 100% over 1945. There were 3,051 consumers on Decem- ber 31, as against 2,857 on December 31, 1950. The revenue in 1951 totaled $256,650 with a net operating profit of $31,573.
--------
------
-----
---------
----
---------
-------
---------
ELECT
New Electric Department Equipment Added in 1952
The present total capacity of the generating plant, including the new 1600 h.p. unit, is 4,558 kilowatts. This allows for a fair safety factor above the normal peak demand of 2,800 kilowatts as well as for some future increases in demand.
However, demands for electric power will probably continue to increase rapidly over the next few years, and some long-range planning should be done to provide for this.
A three year over-haul program has been established, at an estimated cost of $30,000, or $10,000 per year, to put all of the generators at the plant in top condition. The new generator was installed at the cost of $135,000, without any additional building costs. When further expansion is required, it will require additional building space if new generators are to be installed.
During the year a large feeder cable was installed from the power plant to the junction of Manning Street and High Street to take care of increased power demands through the central part of the system. It is also proposed to split one of the circuits which serves the western section of Town into two
21
parts to eliminate the present voltage variations caused by the overloading of the present circuit wires.
It is proposed to build a small addition to the brick building which houses the generating equipment, to be used as a repair and machine shop. Also, the exterior wooden finish of the office building on Elm Street needs painting and the brick steps repaired.
A thorough survey of the Town street lighting needs has been made with- out expense to the Town by street lighting engineers of a leading electrical manufacturing company, and a completely new layout has been proposed by them. This will be referred to the Planning Board for its recommendations, and if approved will probably be started in 1952.
The New Generator Being Installed at the Power Station
Public Works Department
Joseph R. Coupal, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works
During 1951, a consolidation of the various Public Works Divisions into a central Public Works Department as required by the New Town Charter was begun. There will eventually be six divisions-those of Highways, Cemeteries, Refuse, Water, Grounds and Buildings, and Garage and Stores. At the close of 1951, four of those divisions had already been brought into the Public Works Department. These were the Highway, Refuse, Grounds and Buildings, and Cemeteries divisions, and a start had been made on bringing in the Water Division, but the full consolidation had not yet been accomplished. It is anti- cipated that this proposed consolidation will result in substantial economies. Already the amounts spent for the rental of snow removal equipment and extra snow removal labor in the Highway Department has been reduced by the inter-departmental exchange of the Water Division and Grounds and Build- ings Division equipment and employees. Even greater savings will be realized when the full consolidation is accomplished.
22
HIGHWAY DIVISION Robert Hill, Foreman
General maintenance of roads and sidewalks was continued in the usual manner during 1951.
A new 21/2 ton dump unit was purchased, for which an old truck was traded; also, a new salt spreader was purchased in the fall for more efficient ice removal.
--
--
Parks Division Gives an Assist to Highways in Snow Removal
A total of 44,528 gallons of tar and asphalt was spread on Ipswich high- ways, covering 7.64 miles. Included were Agawam Avenue, Avery Street, Fel- lows Road, Green Street, Hayward Street, Hillside Road, Liberty Street, Lord's Square, Mineral Street, Mitchell Road, Mill Road, Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Payne Street, Peabody Street, Pine Swamp Road, Summer Street and Grant Court. There was some oiling done on Cemetery Drive, and the entire Winthrop School Yard was surfaced. Most of the oiling program was of the oil and sand type, but Washington Street was oiled and a pea stone cover applied.
Under the Chapter 90 Construction Program, Lord's Square was widened, and a bituminous concrete surface applied to High Street from the State Line near High Street Bridge to Lord's Square, and thence down approximately three hundred feet of Central Street. The old street car rail ties were removed from this section and all the way down to Mineral Street. New surface drains were installed on Central Street, and two new catch basins were constructed.
23
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, an oil and pea stone cover was applied to Fellows Road, and other Chapter 90 roads resurfaced.
Paradise Road was widened, straightened, and reconstructed. This was done at a substantial savings to the Town through the cooperation of the Miles River Sand and Gravel Company, located on Paradise Road, which donated some of its construction machinery at no expense to the Town, and supplied gravel at cost.
New guard rails were erected on one section of County Street, and guard rails on many outlying sections were replaced. It is anticipated that a great deal more work must be done on guard rails in the coming year.
Esso
Esso
-
Construction on Lord's Square - Chapter 90 -
A total of four hundred and three tons of patching materials was used during the year, of which two hundred three tons were mixed and stock-piled by the department. A new blade-mix process of pea stone and gravel was used with considerable success and at a substantial savings.
Parts of Town Farm Road, Wildes Court, Broadway Avenue, and Eagle Hill, and the entire length of Arrowhead Trail, Newmarch Street, and Old England Road were newly graveled. Catch basins were cleaned, new parking lines and cross walks were painted, and many new parking signs were erected. Warning lights at Argilla Road and County Road were installed by the State, greatly reducing the possibility of accidents.
$3000 worth of new sidewalks were constructed during the year, with fifty per cent of the cost being paid by the abuttors. Sections of sidewalk were constructed under this program on High Street, County Street, Market Street, and South Village Green; and a particularly hazardous condition was eliminated on North Main Street near Warren Street.
Salt for ice clearance was purchased this year in bulk at a total saving of nearly $10 a ton in original costs and handling to the Town. Also, the
24
Highway Department has been supplying gasoline through its pumps to other town departments at a considerable savings.
There were thirteen storms during the snow season requiring plowing and sanding. In December, 1951, there was a heavy fall of snow much earlier than usual. Snow fences were erected and a constant check made of the plowing equipment. More salt is being used this year in the control of icing conditions than has been used previously.
Highway Division Mixing and Loading Road Patching Material
WATER DIVISION Charles A. Mallard, Manager, Water & Light Dept. Dana Parsons, Water Division Superintendent
A total of 196,277,600 gallons of water was supplied to consumers in Ipswich in 1951, as compared to 208,059,000 gallons in 1950.
The available water supply from the open reservoir and the underground wells seems to be sufficient for many years to come. The well supply is hard in comparison to the surface water supply, but is of excellent quality and non-corrosive. During the past few months, a bothersome algae condition has built up in the surface water supply, which gives a brackish color and empha- sizes the taste of chlorine. An attempt will be made early in 1952 to alleviate this algae condition, possibly by a copper sulfate treatment.
A new 11/2-ton dump unit and a new trailer-mounted compressor were purchased this year to replace the old truck-mounted compressor. In the past, when the compressor was required on any job, it tied up the truck and other water department equipment carried on the truck; and in addition, it was often necessary to hire a dump truck to haul gravel, patch, and other ma- terials. With the new arrangement, the compressor can be used on one job,
25
while the truck is being used on another with a resulting decrease in man hours lost.
A total of forty-three new year-round services were installed in new build- ings during 1951, three summer services were installed and three services con- verted from summer to year-round. Twenty-four services were connected to new mains being laid in anticipation of future needs. Twenty-two of these were on Hillside Road on Great Neck. It was felt that while the road was torn up to lay the new main, these services should be installed to eliminate future digging into a finished road surface.
Twenty-two permanent services were renewed or repaired during the year, some of which had been installed as long as fifty-seven years ago.
Materials used for the new and renewed services included seventy-five feet of 6-inch pipe; two hundred forty four feet of 1-inch galvanized or copper pipe, and 1518 feet of 3/4-inch copper pipe.
A new 1340-foot, 6-inch pipe was installed from Bay View Road to Plover Hill Road on Hillside Road at a cost of $5,721.66. An extension was made to connect the property known as Jeffrey Shores which consisted of twenty five feet of 6-inch cast-iron pipe and twenty five feet of 1-inch copper pipe. Sixty- four feet of 6-inch pipe was laid for an extension on Perley Avenue North and 60 feet of 11/4-inch copper pipe was installed.
Five hydrants were replaced during 1951 and five new hydrants installed.
Thirty-two new meters were installed on newly built property and one hundred twenty-five meters were repaired and replaced. A complete survey of the meter situation showed that there are still two hundred sixty-two year round services unmetered. A comprehensive program of meter installation will he carried out in 1952, and it is hoped that all year-round services will have meters by the end of next year. The cost of the meters alone will be nearly $6000, and it is planned to use a portion of the $44,000 balance transferred last year from the Water Softener Account to carry out this project.
Considerable study will have to be given during 1952 to a revised rate structure. The department has continued in the black during 1951 only because of the transfer of the $44,000 to the operations account last year. The 1952 Water Department Budget shows estimated expenditures of more than $9,000 in excess of estimated income, so that again this year we will be able to operate without a deficit, only because of the balance carried over from the Water Softener Account. Water rates in Ipswich have not been revised in over thirty years, and it is obviously impossible to continue adequate services under these conditions with the cost of labor, materials, and equipment having increased so tremendously during this period.
CEMETERY DIVISION
Benjamin W. Homans, Superintendent
One hundred-two interments and two removals were made in Ipswich Cemeteries during 1951.
Eight new lots were sold, and the receipts for the year's operation were as follows:
Interments
$2354.00
Removals
130.00
New perpetual care funds
1750.00
Annual Care
420.00
Revenue from perpetual care
1888.17
Gas tax refunds
3.16
Rental of equipment
10.00
Sale of lots & graves
305.00
Total
$6860.33
26
The Water system in the Highland and Cowles Memorial Cemteries was extended at a cost of $2300, and there is now thirty-five pounds of pressure at the highest point on the hill.
The flower beds were all spaded and replanted with various flowers, the walks and avenues were kept edged and weeded, and all the cemeteries were kept mowed. The cemeteries were limed and fertilized as necessary, sunken graves were raised, trees were trimmed, and leaves were raked and burned during the fall months.
Due to increased vandalism during the past year, chains have been put across the entrances to Highland Cemetery, and the entrances have been locked each afternoon at 4 P. M.
Beginning in 1952, all private work which does not come under perpetual care will be taken care of by the department and billed through the Town.
GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS DIVISION Gardner Caverly, Forer:an
With the consolidation of the various divisions into the Public Works De- partment, a further consolidation was made of the Tree Warden's Department, Moth Department, Parks Department, and Playgrounds Department into a Grounds and Buildings Division. It is anticipated that further duties will be delegated to this division in the future, with such town property as the Light- house area and other miscellaneous recreational areas coming under its juris- diction.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.