USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1952 > Part 3
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3. To plan and carry out recreational activities for all age groups and interest groups and to co-ordinate the present recreational activities being conducted by the many diversified leisure time groups in the Town.
It is hoped that this budget request will be approved.
Summer Playground Program
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Hester Mitchell, Librarian
CIRCULATION: While the circulation of books is only a part of library work, the increase of 10,897 in circulation over the year 1951 indicates not only that more people are reading, but also that the li- brary is succeeding in its efforts to be- come a vital part of the community.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S DIVISION: 1951 was a busy year with young people as well as adults, with school classes from grades four through eight visiting the library for instruction in the use of reference materials. During the year, twenty-nine story hours were held for youngsters in the elementary grades of the local schools, with a total attendance of approximately 2,255. A Spring Book Festival took place in May, and National Children's Book Week was observed in November. Two most successful movie hours were held with a total of 314 youngsters in attendance. We thank Mr. Joseph R. Rogers, teacher at the Shatswell School, who helped to make this possible. And finally, for children, classroom deposits of books were loaned to schools for a two month period, thus providing read- ing material for some children who other- wise might not become acquainted with the library. All of this work with young people was successful only because of the excellent cooperation between the school department and the library.
NEW BOOKS: Inter-Library-Loan service was used throughout the year in securing for the public the use of books not owned by the library, while 1,822 volumes were added to the shelves. Of these, 808 were gifts, a complete list of which is avail- able at the library. Needless to say, all presentations of books and periodicals subscriptions are valuable assets to the function of the library, and we thank both the individual doners and such groups as The Ipswich Woman's Club and The Friends of the Library.
Through the thoughtfulness of Mr. John Woodbury of Ipswich, a beginning collection of over four hundred records has been presented to the library, in memory of his grandfather, Mr. John Russell; a gift greatly appreciated as it
No. of Employees 2 (Full Time) 1 (Part Time)
1952 Expenditures $8,607.56
is a rare small library which can boast a record collection!
LIBRARY SPACE: In addition to regular routine efforts at the library, a storage room was converted into a much needed periodical room, open to the public, and containing the 1952 magazines, a read- ing table and chairs. This not only creates more space available to library users, but releases the use of tables in the adult read- ing room. At the same time, the lower stacks and the balcony have been opened to the public, with gratifying response.
LIBRARY AIDS: Volunteer service by Girl Scouts has resulted in help for the library staff during busy hours, and Library Aide service pins for the girls. Graduates of this service have first con- sideration as part-time employees, as they are trained in library methods.
LIBRARY STATISTICS:
Total No. of books circulated 33,948
No. of adult books 20,956 No. of juvenile books 12,992 No. of books added 1,822
Children's Story Hour At Library
LIBRARY HOURS:
Mondays and Wednesdays 10-6 Tuesdays and Fridays 1-8:30
Thursdays and Saturdays 1-6
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HIGHWAY DIVISION
Robert Hills, Acting Foreman
SUMMER MAINTENANCE: General main- tenance of roads and sidewalks was con- tinued in the usual manner during 1952. A total of 19,238 gallons of asphalt was used in resurfacing 32 streets in Town. Also 3,930 gallons of asphalt was used in mixing 279 tons of patch material and another 281 ton of patch was purchased and applied to Ipswich Streets.
Guard rails were replaced on Turkey Shore Road, County Street, Prescott Road, and Gould's and Willowdale Bridges. Catch basins were cleaned peri- odically, and a nightly sweeping program was established for the center of Town. Gasoline used by all Departments through the Highway Division tank totaled 16,- 914 gallons in 1952. All Gravel roads were shaped and graded periodically throughout the summer.
Under Chapter 90 maintenance 380 feet of guard rail was erected on Line- brook Road, 39 tons of patch was used on Linebrook and Topsfield Roads, and 3,862 gallons of asphalt was used in re- surfacing Topsfield Road.
WINTER MAINTENANCE: There was a total snowfall of 541/2 inches during January and February of 1952, and an- other 3 inches in December. Hired plows worked a total of 303 hours while Town- owned plows worked 582 hours during the year. Bulldozers were hired for 191/2 hours to push snow into the river, and
New Loader Operating in Town Pit
No. of Employees
10
1952 Expenditures :
Summer Maintenance $41,133.69
Winter Maintenance 11,788.91
Construction 29,305.48
New Surfacing - Hillside Road
removal trucks were hired for 104 hours. During the year, 1,147 tons of sand and 62 tons of salt were used in clearing ice from our roads.
NEW CONSTRUCTION: Chapter 90 con- struction was continued on Topsfield Road where 150 feet of hedge was trans- planted, a stone wall torn down and re- located, and new drainage installed. This road is being widened and straightened from the end of present Chapter 90 con- struction in to the railroad crossing, and should be completed in 1953.
New surface drainage was installed on Broadway and Broadway Extension, Da- mon Avenue, and Masconomet Road at a total cost of $5100. Damon Avenue was partially reconstructed after the installa- tion of the new drainage, and this road will be given a final grade and surfaced next year. Broadway and Masconomet Roads will also be resurfaced in 1953.
At the Town's property on Great Neck 3,070 yards of gravel were used in bring- ing Hillside Road up to grade and in the construction of a new side road off Hill-
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بجودة وسطوة
IPSWICH MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT FREE PARKING
ENTRANCE ONLY
-
New Parking Lot Before, During and After
side. This new road was constructed to give access to several more lots of Town
property in this area. 3,834 gallons of asphalt was used in surfacing Hillside.
The new parking lot was constructed in the Spring at a total cost to the Town of $4,779.09. 3,000 yards of fill were removed, and several trees cleared. 2,421 yards of gravel were used for a base and 4,288 gallons of asphalt applied for sur- face.
In November a new cable guard rail was constructed on the County Street Bridge at a cost of about $700.
1,916.5 feet of sidewalks were built adjacent to the property of 16 abutters. The total sidewalks expenditure for 1952 was $5,424.98, 50 per cent of which was reimbursed by the abutters.
NEW EQUIPMENT: A new 34 yard front- end loader was purchased in April, and two new Ford V-8 trucks with Frink plows and wings were purchased in June.
CEMETERY DIVISION
Benjamin W. Homans, Superintendent
There were ninety interments in the five Ipswich Cemeteries during 1952. This was twelve less than the one hun- dred and two interments made during 1951.
Fifty-nine graves were raised, and sev- eral foundations were prepared for monu- ments and headstones. All the ceme- teries were limed and fertilized during the year, and mowing and raking oper- ations were carried out from April to November.
A small avenue in Highland Cemetery was excavated and graveled, and 1,000 gallons of asphalt was applied to other cemetery avenues. Five tons of bitumi- nous patch was used in the Cowles Me- morial Cemetery and the Highland Cemetery. The flower beds were kept in bloom with tulips in the early spring, and later were replanted with geraniums and border plants. In the fall four hun- dred narcissus bulbs were planted in the Linebrook and Old South Cemeteries. During the summer months much time was spent on the chrysanthemum beds in the Highland Cemetery.
No. of Employees:
Permanent 2
Seasonal 4
1952 Expenditures $15,994.45
BUILDING MAINTENANCE: The roof of the office and storage building was re- shingled in September. The outside of the office and storage building was also scraped and painted during the summer. EQUIPMENT: Three hundred feet of new chain-link fence was erected on the North side of the Old North Cemetery on High Street replacing an old wooden fence at a cost of $512. One of the old power mowers was traded in for a new model.
REVENUES: Revenues to the Cemetery Division for 1952 were as follows:
Perpetual Care of Lots
and Graves $2,017.21
Foundations 487.82
Setting Posts 16.00
Annual Care 952.50
Grading 122.00
Removals 93.50
Interments 2,581.00
Liners 56.00
Also during the year $327 was re- ceived from the sale of lots and $1,450 was added to the perpetual care trust funds.
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SANITATION DIV.
John Ladderbush, Foreman
No. of Employees ...... 3
1952 Expenditures
$11,951.51
SERVICE: Refuse and garbage collection have been maintained by the Sanitation Division without interruption during 1952.
EQUIPMENT: In July a new covered sanitary-type garbage truck was pur- chased to relieve the refuse packer of hauling wet garbage. For the remainder of the year the Refuse Packer was used only in the collection and disposal of dry rubbish. In October, the Refuse Packer was sent to the Gar-Wood Company for a complete overhaul, after which the chassis and body were repainted.
WORK LOAD: During the year this Divi- sion picked up and disposed of sixty-six tons of garbage and 3,125 cubic yards of refuse.
The Refuse Packer traveled 4,626
miles, and the garbage truck, after it was acquired in July, traveled 2,488 miles.
EXPANDED COLLECTION ROUTES: There has been a great deal of demand for the extension of the garbage and refuse col- lection routes to cover the entire Town. The 1953 budget requests for this De- partment the addition of one permanent laborer, and it is hoped that with this staff, both of the vehicles may be kept operating full time. It is impossible to determine until this plan has been tried whether the addition of one man will be sufficient to do the entire job satisfac- torily, but it will be attempted. It is possible that another man may have to be added in order to achieve the best utilization of the equipment and do the job properly.
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HELP KEEP IPSWICH CLEAN!
IPSWICHI Cháu
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GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS DIV.
Gardner Caverly, Foreman
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: Regular maintenance work was carried on this year as usual on all public park areas in the Town. This included the North and South Greens, Honor Roll and Linebrook Playground. At this particular spot, sev- eral shade trees were planted at strategic points in an attempt to eventually add in- terest and relieve the monotony of such an expansive area. More planting will take place in the rear of the skating rink in the future. As usual, bedding plants were set out in the early summer in the plots at Market Square, South Green, and North Green, and were followed by tulips in the fall.
The Lighthouse property was inspected regularly throughout the year, and new screens built for the windows of the building. These were removed in the fall and replaced by shutters.
PEST CONTROL: Insect control consumed a large part of the time from the first of May until the last of July. The chief problem is the Elm Leaf Beetle, which is now widespread in the North Shore area. Results were very satisfactory in Ipswich, although there is promise of a heavy in- festation next year. Dry weather is taking a heavy toll among the shade trees, and there is no practical method of over- coming it. During August and Septem- ber, the elm foliage showed the effects of the lack of moisture throughout most of Massachusetts.
FOREST FIRE DIV.
Russell Scahill, Forest Fire Warden
The Forest Fire Division had a total of 69 runs for the year and investigated 164 complaints.
Forty-five runs were for grass fires, twelve runs for brush fires, six for marsh
No. of Employees
1
1952 Expenditures
$16,544.08
The Dutch Elm disease is apparently due to spread rapidly through Ipswich. In 1951, three trees were confirmed to be carriers. In 1952, twenty-three trees were confirmed to be diseased. It is impossible to predict what our loss will be in the following year.
The 1953 Budget includes a request for additional funds for Dutch Elm Dis- case control, and it is hoped that some assistance may be obtained from the State Conservation Department for this work.
FORESTRY: Brush cutting along with roadside mowing received considerable at- tention during the year on our many miles of rural roads. This work is done each year for reasons of safety in par- ticular, and to facilitate snow plowing. The 1953 Budget includes a request for a rubber-mounted tractor which, among other things, will be used for roadside mowing.
On Town Hill and Dow Memorial Park, a considerable amount of time was spent in cutting out brush along the roadways which encircle each of these attractive areas. Tentative plans have been made to further improve both tracts of land which have for a long time been overlooked.
It is planned in 1953 to start a muni- cipal nursery, where seedlings will be planted and maintained. This will pro- vide the Town with future stock for replacing trees that have to be removed.
No. of Employees 1 part time 1952 Expenditures $569.00
fires, and six for woods fires.
1952 was a bad year for brush fires and burning permits had to be suspended dur- ing September.
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ELECTRIC DEPT.
Charles Mallard, Manager
GENERATING PLANT: A total of 11, 738,832 kilowatt hours were produced in 1952, representing an increase of 2.7 per cent over the previous year. The peak demand was 2970 kilowatts, an in- crease of 220 kilowatts, or 8 per cent over 1951. The present plant capacity is 4115 kilowatts, which allows for a reserve of 1145 kilowatts, or the capacity of either of the new 1600 horsepower units.
The entire Generating Plant was sur- veyed in December, 1951, by represen- tatives of the Fairbanks Morse Co., the manufacturers, and it was suggested that the generators be completely overhauled at an estimated $30,000, the work to be spread over a three-year period. Later developments made it necessary to over- haul all the units in the Plant as soon as possible. One unit was damaged beyond repair, during the year, and is being sold for salvage. The five remaining units have been completely overhauled at a cost of $15,332.50 which is a substantial savings over the original estimate.
A new machine shop building was added to the Generating Plant, allowing repairs to be made in a heated building. In order to conserve on cooling water used at the Plant, which now runs to waste, proposals are being requested for the erection of either a cooling pond or tower. This will be expensive, but water must be conserved as much as possible.
Bids have been requested for the re- pairing of the entire interior of the Gen- erating Plant. It is also planned to sand
5000000000
Power Production - -
No. of Employees 18
1952 Expenditures:
Construction $ 7,582.70
Operations 252,632.19
Depreciation 17,215.31
blast and treat with aluminum paint the outside exhausts.
OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: There are now five circuits operating out of the Power Plant on High Street, as fol- lows:
The Rowley Circuit: It is expected to increase the voltage on this circuit by adding the fourth wire to the present three, thus increasing the voltage from the present 2400 to 4160.
TOWN 02199
ELECTRIC DEPT.
- - And Distribution
No. 1 Circuit: This is the new aerial cable supplying the central part of the business district and the Sylvania Plant. This circuit should be equipped with automatic regulators to maintain the voltage at a constant level.
No. 2 Circuit: This supplies electri- city to the eastern and southern sections, including the Summer colonies at Great Neck and Little Neck. This circuit must be regulated before the summer season in order to care for the increasing demands.
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No. 3 Circuit: This was put into operation the past year by separating the wires that formerly serviced all of the sections west of the Boston and Maine Railroad. It should, in the future, have the fourth wire added so that the voltage can be increased from 2400 to 4160 volts, thereby correcting the present fluctuating voltage conditions.
No. 4 Circuit: This was a part of the old No. 3 circuit supplying electricity to all consumers on Linebrook Road to the Topsfield Line. This circuit is at present single-phase, two-wire, 2400 volts, and should be made into a three-phase cir- cuit as soon as possible.
STREET LIGHTING: As a result of the survey made last year, twenty-four modern Mercury-vapor fixtures have been installed on Market Street, Depot Square, Hammatt Street, and Central Street to Market Square. Many favorable comments have been received in regard
to the improved lighting and it is recom- mended that this new system be extended this year from Market Square up North Main Street to High Street.
REVENUES: The receipts for electricity increased from $260,408.49 in 1951 to $275,356.44 in 1952. Most of this is due to increased use of television sets and electric ranges, and in new domestic consumption. As these appliances are sensitive to voltage fluctuations, the De- partment must continually add capacitors and regulators and use higher voltages to care for the increased demands.
FINANCE: Much of the financial oper- ations was transferred to the Central Fi- nance Office during 1952, and all Elec- tric bills are now being prepared on post cards on an automatic bookkeeping ma- chine. This relieves the Electric Depart- ment of a responsibility which is financial in nature, and which can be handled by the Central Finance Agency more effi- ciently.
New Street Lighting - Before and After
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WATER DEPT.
Ralph Preble, Manager
REORGANIZATION: The editorial page of your daily paper probably has a column entitled "The News Fifty Years Ago", or perhaps it is headed, "When Grandma was Courting." When "Grand- ma was Courting," the Water Depart- ment was one of the biggest things that had happened in Ipswich.
Since then, however, turning a tap at the kitchen sink and getting water has become an accepted certainty. The aver .. age citizen is reminded of where his water comes from only when he doesn't find water in his tap or when a bill is re- ceived for water use. A similar attitude was prevalent within the municipal family as well, until the submission of a Water Department report to the Select- men last summer stating that drastic changes in the financial structure, oper- ations and maintenance procedures, and new construction policies would have to be made.
No major change comes about over- night. However, in the last three months of 1952, the revenue problem was studied and various recommendations instituted.
No. of Employees . . 6 1952 Expenditures :
Construction $13,978.10
Operations $38,883.37
1952 Revenue:
Cash Receipts $44,245.12
A metering program, which concerns both revenue to maintenance procedures, has been formulated and new equipment for proper repair and accurate testing has been ordered. Problems of operations and maintenance have been recognized and procedures for remedies have been instituted.
Two factors are important to the proper operation of any Department; first, equipment and manpower to do the work properly; second, proper planning and "follow through". The second item might be restated as the "what, when, and where" of proposed work and of work completed.
New rules and regulations were drawn up and put into effect January 1, 1953 after approval by the Board of Select- men. Copies of these are available at the Department office to anyone inter- ested.
REVENUE: A new rate structure was also developed, to be put into effect in 1953. This will be the second change in rates since the system was established in
Another New Water Service Goes In
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1894. The first rate change was made after twenty-five years of operation, in 1920. The new rates will still deliver a ton of water for between five and ten cents, depending on the amount used, and are among the lowest in the state.
The metering program to be started in 1953, will provide a small amount of added revenue. Primarily, the recom- mendation for such a program is to in- sure that all year-round services are metered and that all meters are working properly, so that each consumer is paying his proportional share.
WATER SUPPLY: During 1952 a total of 206,728,700 gallons of water was pumped. This is equivalent to 3 1/2 times the water in the Dow's Brook storage res- ervoir when full. This amount of water is a 73 per cent increase over the amount pumped in 1942, when the Brown well and Mile Lane well were built.
Although it was stated in the 1951 Town Report that the combined reser- voir and well system would be sufficient for some years to come, it now appears, for several reasons, that immediate in- vestigation and planning should be con- ducted regarding the adequacy of the supply. Water from the Brown well, in particular, is getting harder each year, and may eventually become unusable. There has also been considerable sand seepage in this well.
OPERATIONS: Proper maintenance in- cludes such items as leakage surveys; main cleanings; hydrant repair; gate and valve surveys, including repair, replace-
ment, lubricating, and locating; pressure and flow tests; and care of pumps, reser- voirs, and grounds. The past year, ex- cept for 628 feet of main replacement, only new service installations and servic- ing the summer colony on turn-ons and shut-offs, and emergency work on breaks was carried on. Added income and plan- ning should allow for a better mainten- ance program in the future.
A total of fifty-one new year-round services were installed in new buildings. Nine new summer services were put in, and four summer services were replaced by year-round services. Part of the 3- inch galvanized wrought iron water line to Island Park was replaced by 578 feet of six-inch transite pipe and 48 feet of 6-inch cast iron, and a new hydrant was set on this line.
CONSTRUCTION: Every water works is confronted with the problem of extend- ing water service to new or undeveloped areas. A definite policy has now been established, but the operation will con- tinue to be observed so that new de- velopment will be encouraged without undue financial burden to the Water Department. Construction costs, poten- tial future use, need for development of new areas, and many other matters of re- lated importance affect the problem.
Future plans should include relief for over-burdened sections of the system, as well as plans for main extensions. A re- view of pressure requirements of the present and expected extensions will have to be made to prepare for future de- mands.
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BALANCE SHEET
For the Year Ending December 31, 1952
GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash and Treasury Bills : Caslı 139,751.01
Treasury Bills 198,768.47
338,519.48
Accounts Receivable : Taxes :
Levy of 1951 : Real Estate 8.339.24
Levy of 1952 :
Poll 6.00
Personal Property 4,140 98
Real Estate 30,519.84
43,006.06
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise :
Levy of 1952
5,075.87
Special Assessments :
Moth 1950
6.00
Moth 1951
14.00
Moth 1952
51.50
71.50
Tax Title and Possessions :
Tax Title
1,882.82
Tax Possessions
6,360.14
8,242.96
Departmental A/R :
Town Property
1,727.50
Police
1,217.00
Moth
652.75
Health
926 66
Highway
36.75
Highway Machinery
53.13
Welfare
840.35
Aid to Dependent Children
499.29
Old Age Assistance
454.37
Disability Assistance
23.22
Veterans Services
2,359.02
Education
15.00
Cemetery
1,553.75
10,358.79
Electric Light Dept.
31,970.24
Shellfish Benefits 1.46
Comm. of Mass .- Shellfish Reimb. 906.30
Health
126.25
Sewer Committee
765.69
State and County Aid to
Highway
13,750.00
Loans Authorized :
40,000.00
Masconomet Road 612.23
Damon Avenue 1,075.65
Auditing Tax
504.35
Sidewalks 2.043.42
288.62
Parking Lot
220.91
Broadway Surface Drain
419.59
Manning School Grading
Committee on School Red. 63.25
Playground Equipment 226.65
Memorial Building 276.35
Capital Equipment 2,281.83
Light House Property 517.82
Plans & Surveys 467.42
39,667.66
Federal Grants : Aid to Dependent Children, Adm. 66.39
Aid to Dependent Children, Aid 477.98
Old Age Assistance, Adm. 714.96 Old Age Assistance, Aid 11,971.28 Disability Assistance, Aid 2,228.78
Disability Assistance, Adm. 94.79
Tailings : 82.98
Excess Proceeds from Sale of Lands of Low Value -Sec. 79, Chap. 60 3.85
Overestimates: 1952 County Tax 2,025.74
Essex Sanitorium 1.677.42
3.703.16
Dog Licenses Due County : 3.60
Pavroll Deductions : Retirement 245.81
Federal Taxes
4.595.52
Blue Cross 32.25
4,873.58
Sale of Cemetery Lots Fund : 931.00
Highway Machinery Fund : Sale of Real Estate Fund : Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes :
Levy of 1951 5.432.73
Levy of 1952 3,443.64
8.876.37
Reserve Fund-Overlay
Surplus :
13,540.31
Loans Authorized-Unissued :
40.000.00
Revenue Reserved until Collected :
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