USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1954 > Part 3
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FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: During 1954 the Friends of the Library organization has been busy raising funds to help with the renovations for the high school room, as well as to give to the library money for expensive books. It also held a very suc- cessful winter meeting, open to the public, during which Mr. Lovell Thompson spoke concerning his new publication "The Youth's Companion," and Mr. Albert Bur- rage and Mrs. William Brown, authors of current publications, were guests of honor. Approximately 125 members and friends of the organization attended the program which included selections from Mr. Thomp- son's book dramatized by members of the sixth grade of the Shatswell School, under the directon of their teacher, Miss Ethel Archer.
SUMMARY: None of the above accomplish- ments could have been done without the constant encouragement and approval so willingly given by not only the library borrowers but all of the people in town with whom the library comes in contact. All of us here at the library resolve for 1955 to merit your continued support.
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GROUNDS AND BUILDING DIVISION
Gardner Caverly, Foreman
Eleven young shade trees were planted within the limits of the highways this past year. This number falls short of the anti- cipated planting, as fall work along these lines was curtailed because of the hurricane.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: During the year, the regular maintenance work was carried out on the school grounds, public parks, and playgrounds. Our own cub tractor, with mowing attachment, was used on this program.
ROADSIDE MOWING: Roadside mowing and brush cutting was carried on during the summer months, with approximately twelve miles of roads maintained. This program was also curtailed because of the hurricanes.
FORESTRY: Because of diseased condition, seven large elm trees were removed. How- ever, the hurricanes principally Carol, make this removal figure seem negligible. As a consequence of the hurricanes, it is esti- mated that approximately 300 trees were downed, and another 300 will have to be removed because of their dangerous condi- tion-i. e. split crotches, root displacement, etc. Hundreds more, which are worth saving, must be heavily pruned and shaped and in some instances, cabled, in order to preserve them. Approximately 37 of the damaged trees have been cut down since the hurricanes.
PEST CONTROL: In April 600 gallons of 12% Dormant D.D.T. was used for the control of Elm Bark Beetle. This was applied by helicopter.
In May a second aerial spray of 25%
D.D.T. was applied to all Elm trees for the control of Elm Leaf Beetle.
In June, using our own crew and the mist blower, a third application of 25% D.D.T. was applied to control the larvae of Elm Leaf Beetle. The comparative absence at this time, of feeding in the foliage, was proof that the earlier sprays were a tremendous success. It is hoped that this modern, efficient spraying method will be continued from year to year. This aerial spray is the most efficacious method of properly reaching the upper sections of the large trees, which sections are the main points of attack of the Elm Beetle.
Of the sample sent into the Shade Tree Laboratory at Amherst four were returned confirming the presence of Dutch Elm Disease.
Construction of Cooling Pond for the power plant engines
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HIGHWAY DIVISION
Joseph H. Doty, Foreman
SUMMER MAINTENANCE: Maintenance of roads and sidewalks was continued in the usual manner. A total of 14,266 gallons of asphalt was used in resurfacing the various town streets. In addition to this 1639 gal- lons were used on school yards and drive- ways, 1030 gallons on the Linebrook play- ground, and 33,261 gallons on different streets under construction appropriations. Also 4,534 gallons was used in making 263 tons of patch, and another 275 tons of patch was purchased.
A total of 27.984.2 gallons of gasoline was supplied the various town departments through the highway department tank.
As usual the few remaining gravel roads: Town Farm, Greens Point, Lowes Lane, Old Right Plains, Newbury and Old England were scraped and graded several times during the year.
A new parking lot for municipal em- ployees which necessitated hauling in 1046 yards of gravel was constructed in the field at the rear of the Town Hall and will help materially in reducing traffic congestion on Elm St. In addition to this the end of Ward St., Farley Ave. extension, and part of Old England Road were gravelled.
During September, because of the hurri- canes, it was necessary to work almost wholly on hurricane clearance work, and because of this fewer town streets than usual were oiled. However, with hurricane funds, sev- eral sections of cement sidewalk damaged by uprooted trees were replaced.
A total of 346 catch basins were cleaned out, many of them twice, during the year.
"Go Slow Children" signs were set up in several places. Six limited parking signs were erected on South Main St., and several parking signs along the riverbank from Green St. bridge to Water St.
Traffic lines were repainted during the summer months, and in May the depart- ment constructed one new catch basin and laid a new drain at the Winthrop School.
WINTER MAINTENANCE: A total of 82 tons of salt, and 950 tons of sand was used in
clearing ice and snow from the roads. In addition to our own equipment, hired plows worked a total of 218 hours, hired trucks 63 1/2 hours and a hired bulldozer 25 hours pushing snow in the river. Town owned plows worked 695 hours, town trucks 223 hours, the snow loader 66 hours, and the front end loader 13 hours in removing snow from the various streets, cemeteries and the municipal parking area.
NEW EQUIPMENT: The following new equipment was added to the Department in 1954: an F-6 Ford truck, and a new salt spreader. Funds for the purchase of another automatic sander have been asked in the 1955 budget. With this it will be possible to greatly reduce the time spent in sanding.
NEW CONSTRUCTION AND SPECIAL APPRO- PRIATIONS: Chapter 90 construction work was continued. The 1953 contract for im- proving 4050 feet of Argilla Road was completed, and the entire drainage system of the 1954 contract, consisting of 983 feet
ST
COUNTY
New Street Signs being erected by Highway Division
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of concrete pipe, 850 feet of corrugated metal pipe and five catch basins, installed. In the spring, gravel will be brought in, and this section of the road will then be resur- faced, and at the same time work begun on the 1955 contract.
Several projects were completed under special town appropriations. Stage Hill Rd. was gravelled and oiled, Bay View Rd. oiled, and the corner of 4th and Kimball St. widened. The curbing at the Honor Roll on South Main St. was taken up and the road widened and resurfaced. On Market St. at the Farley Brook several lengths of 4' con- crete pipe were used to replace the old brick arch which was no longer safe. Three traffic islands were built, one in Market Square, one at the junction of East, High and North Main, and one at the junction of East and County, and flashing beacons installed on two of them.
A new sidewalk was constructed on East St. from Agawam Ave. to Newmarch St., and a new ramp and sidewalk at the new Gulf station on South Main St. Repair work on guard rails was done at Argilla Rd., North Gate, Heartbreak Rd. and at the town wharf. A retaining wall and sidewalk was put in at the Agawam Diner and the grade of Market St. at that point corrected to provide better parking. Jeffrey Neck cause-
Highway Department
way was gravelled and the grade raised. This called for bringing in 3635 yards of gravel. A new roof surface was put on the highway garage with the department as- sisting the contractor in part of the work. Forty new street signs were purchased and set up on various streets. Cement sidewalks were replaced on both sides of Market Street. On Union St., Mount Pleasant Ave., North Main and East Street asphalt sidewalks were replaced under private contract.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Ralph Preble, Manger
OPERATIONS: In this section coverage is given to both new work put in and repairs to the old system. During the year 91 serv- ices were replaced or installed; this figure includes 60 new services, 3 new summer services 13 complete replacements because of leaks, and 15 summer services replaced with winter lines.
The one inch line servicing Treadwell's Island gave considerable trouble after the Fall hurricane. A break was discovered to have parted the line in the channel of the Ipswich River. Several attempts to repair the pipe failed but after blowing air through the line for location purposes and several dragging operations it was finally raised and spliced. Whether the change in the river
channel location during the storm or a boat dragging an anchor caused its parting wasn't determined.
Water was discovered coming out of the road on Spring Street on Sat., Feb. 13th. Digging started early afternoon and un- covered a complete fracture of the cast iron 6 inch main between East Street and Highland Ave. The work continued into Sat. night with the Highway Dept. assisting with their equipment and the Fire Dept. provid- ing lighting. Repairs were completed just prior to midnight. Two other serious leaks were repaired during the year, both were on the 12 inch main supply line on High Street. The first occurred Aug. 30th near Mitchell Road and the second near the pumping station. Both were repaired with bell joint repair clamps. The use of the small hydraulic digging machine averted a
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serious supply problem as it uncovered the pipe in approximately 21/2 hours compared with 16 to 20 hours hand work required prior to purchase of this equipment.
The new construction program on main extensions was handled entirely by the Dept. in 1954. Installation was completed on 372 feet of 8 inch main and 7,416 feet of 6 inch main on twelve separate jobs; one of which had been held over from 1953.
WATER CONSUMPTION AND SUPPLY: Dur- ing 1954 Engineers and trade publications were expressing their concern over the fail- ure of water systems to maintain a reason- able safety factor between system capacity and water useage. This situation is not lim- ited to a few towns or cities, as it is largely due to the generally improved economic con- ditions in the United States, with resultant increase in the use of water consuming devices. Ipswich is experiencing a steadily rising figure for average per person con- sumption in line with this universal trend. Ten years ago the average person in Ipswich used 56 gallons per day; by 1954 this had increased to 86 gallons of water per day per year-round resident. It is estimated that by 1980 the per capita consumption will amount to 125 gallons per day. The total amount pumped in 1944 was 132,424,900 gals. and in 1954 246,372,291 gals. The consulting engineering firm of Camp, Dres- ser & McKee was engaged to make a report on the water supply problem, water quality, and the Great Neck-Little Neck distribution system. This study involved a ground water investigation involving fifty-two test wells and additional observation wells. This in- vestigation discovered additional possible well locations which might in the future augment the current supply. The hope that a supply could be found that would be of sufficient quantity to replace the hard water received from Brown's Well was practically eliminated. This conclusion resulted in start- ing construction of a new well at the old Brown's Well which had for several years pumped sand at an alarming rate. A 5600 foot force main between the well source and the feeder to the distribution reservoir should be scheduled for immediate construc- tion.
WATER QUALITY: Several years ago the problem of water quality dealt mainly with obtaining a sanitary safe supply and state control and periodic examinations were established to insure that public water supplies remained free from pollution. Now most consumers are aware of processes that control tastes, odors, clarity, color, hardness, etc. but may not realize the magnitude of the problem facing the Dept. relative to improvement of the current system.
The Engineers' report previously men- tioned recommends construction of a soften- ing plant in the near future and considera- tion given to covering or replacement of the distribution reservoir to improve the water quality.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: The present distri- bution system of Ipswich contains long dead-end mains which are too small to provide satisfactory fire protection. This condition is present to a greater or lesser degree in every major road outside the center of Town. The Great Neck-Little Neck sections present the greatest problem. In this area during periods of greatest con- sumption some of the water users are with- out service. Maximum usable fire flow at present is approximately 200 gallons per minute, this wouldn't adequately supply one fire hose. If building in this area con- tinues, the domestic use alone will exceed this in a few years. 1500 gallons per min. fire flow was the minimum recommended by the New England Fire Insurance Rating As- sociation after an inspection of the Great Neck area. To provide any relief at all will require construction of an elevated tank and a booster pump. Some additional reinforce- ment of the existing mains would be also required.
SUMMARY: An initial construction program of providing additional main capacity from the supply to Town, booster station, pipes and elevated tank on Great Neck, should be completed within the next two years. The cost of this program is estimated at $215,000. It is expected that bonding for this can be done under current water rates. During this time the water softening prob- lem will be analyzed.
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ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
Alfred Tobiasz, Superintendent
OUTSIDE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: The exten- sive damage caused by the two hurricanes has been repaired, and we are now operating under nearly normal conditions. The one and only advantage of these hurricanes was the considerable knowledge gained by the utility men as regards improved construc- tion and maintenance.
We feel that installation of aerial cable is a must, in areas where trees are hazardous to power lines. This cable is fully insulated and small tree limbs breaking off and drop- ping on the lines will not burn the cable or cut off the power supply. This reconstruc- tion program will have to be projected over a period of years, because cable is costly and our working crew is small.
No. 1 CIRCUIT: This is an aerial cable sup- plying the central part of the Town and the Sylvania Plant. At peak load periods this circuit has an eight per cent drop in voltage which must be corrected by in- stalling voltage regulators.
No. 2 CIRCUIT: This circuit supplies power to the eastern and southern parts of the Town. It is carrying a full load now and in the near future should be separated to re- lieve the expected overload on account of growth.
No. 3 CIRCUIT: This is a 2400 volt circuit supplying the western section of the Town from Liberty Street to upper Topsfield Road. Following several complaints of low voltage, a complete survey was made and we found that this circuit must be converted to 4160 volts in 1955 if the electrical serv- ice to the consumers in this area is to be adequate.
No. 4 CIRCUIT: This 2400 volt three phase circuit supplies power to Mile Lane and Line- brook Road. The single phase branch on Linebrook Road at the junction of Mile Lane extending to Hood's Pond is over- loaded. Because of the existing overload and the anticipated increase in demand caused by
new housing already under construction, a third phase wire must be installed before the winter of 1955.
SURVEY: The demand for electricity con- tinues to increase every year. Our records show an increase of one hundred per cent since 1946. Because of the continuously growing demand a report has been submitted to the Town Manager and Selectmen stat- ing the conditions of the Plant and request- ing that a survey be made by qualified en- gineers to determine what policies we should follow regarding the future supply of elec- tricity.
The total kilowatt demand in 1946 was 1690 and in 1954 it was 3490. The average electrical consumption in one year for each domestic customer was 800 kilowatt hours in 1938 and 2000 KWH in 1954. The net sales of electricity in 1953 was $297,321.66 and in 1954 $318,269.46, an increase of $20,947.80.
Construction Crew repairing hurricane damage
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ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT - Continued
Ralph H. Wetmore, Superintendent
GENERATING PLANT: During 1954 repairs and maintenance were carried on by Power Plant personnel. Complete log sheets and repair records were kept. The necessary tests and inspections of engines, lube oil, fuel oil, water etc. were carried out and recorded. No break down of machinery was experienced and the engines ran a total of 19,199 hours 50 minutes and produced a total of 13,905,200 K.W. General condition of Plant good, engines good, electrical gear good.
COOLING SYSTEM: The old cooling system installed some 25 years ago and added to with each new engine installation, has become greatly out-moded, heavily scaled and corroded. A large part of the raw water used for cooling came from the reservoir with a resulting waste of several thousand gallons per day. It was decided that a new cooling system was necessary and should be constructed during the year. Tentative bids received put the price of a cooling tower adequate for a limited capacity at $25,000. A complete survey of the Plant was made and plans drawn for a complete cooling system and a pond. These plans were approved by a competent engineer at no cost to the Town
and the site for the new pond laid out.
The entire cost of the cooling system in- cluding repiping two engines complete, came to $7,005., a saving of nearly $18,000. This saving was due to the fact that all work, except for the actual digging of the pond, was handled by station personnel.
NEW ENGINE: Early in the year requests for bids were sent to all the major Diesel manufcaturers for a new engine generator. A survey was made to determine the possi- bility of utilizing cheap natural gas avail- able to us on an interrupted basis. As a result of this survey it was decided to buy an engine equipped to burn this type of fuel as well as No. 2 fuel oil. Bids were re- ceived from five manufacturers and after an analysis was made it was decided to accept the lowest bid. Fairbanks, Morse & Company agreed to supply us with a 1920 H.P. 1360 K.W. dual fuel engine completely installed and properly guaranteed for $166,800. This figure represents about $10,000. additional for dual fuel equipment. By operating this unit on gas, fuel savings of from $15,000. to $20,000. per year should result. (By actual experience we operated 16 days on gas and saved $1350.00 on total fuel costs.)
As the year progressed the engine was manufactured and shipped, arriving here in September. The new engine installation was complete November 29, and a period of
Vov
Generating Plant personnel, left to right: Ralph H. Wetmore, Superintendent of Plant, Chester L. Pickard, Arthur L. Cole, John I. Blonda and George E. Brown.
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testing begun to determine any weak spots and to prove fuel economy. Acceptance were carried out December 9 and 10, and the engine met all fuel and electrical require- ments satisfactorily. At this date the engine was put on power operation using natural gas as a basic fuel.
During this period the Haverhill Gas Company constructed a building to house gas compressors, motors, and valving equip- ment for the new engine. This building was without cost to us and is located in such a manner to cut fire and explosion hazard to a minimum.
Alfred L. Tobiasz, Superintendent of Electric Department and Caroline M. Damon
CEMETERY DIVISION
Benjamin W. Homans, Superintendent
I herewith submit my 22nd annual report of the activities of the cemetery department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
During the year there were 76 interments, four of which were cremations, 16 less inter- ments than in 1953.
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The following lots were sold:
1 eight-grave lot with perpetual care
4 four-grave lots with perpetual care
2 four-grave lots
6 single graves
2 of the single grave lots with perpetual care
12 six-grave lots were awarded by the Veterans
2 four grave lots were awarded by the Veterans
MAINTENANCE: 52 graves were raised. Foundations for head stones and monuments were prepared.
One-half ton of fertilizer was applied to the Highland Cemetery and to necessary areas in the South Cemetery.
On April first four seasonal workers were placed on the payroll. The cemeteries were raked and the winter debris cleared away and burned. Sunken graves were raised. Posts were set for all lots previously sold. Around April 25th the first mowing was made in all cemeteries. The tulip beds were cleared in preparation for the summer plants. These were set in the ground in the several beds, in May.
As 1954 was an unusually wet season, much of the time was spent in keeping the grass down to a minimum.
On August 31st when the hurricane Carcl struck, all maintenance work in the cemetery ceased, and the men in this depart- ment, together with equipment were used on the highway for emergency work. After a week or so the men in this department finished with the highway and returned to work in the cemetery.
There were eight trees in the Highland Avenue uprooted and broken. A birch on the top of the Highland, together with a blue spruce in the circle were both uprooted. Six large trees in the Old North were up- rooted and four in the South Cemetery. All through the cemeteries trees were broken and limbs hanging. Several monuments were tipped over. Marble head stones were tipped and broken. This department was assisted by men and equipment from outside with power saws.
Late in the season leaves were raked and cleared away. Drains opened. Old graves that had begun to fall were raised. Because of the hurricane damage, the shrubbery was not trimmed until late in the fall. Work on the trees was carried along during this time, and is now being finished.
The office records were kept up to date, and bills due the town were turned over to the collector. Perpetual care bills were made out and given to the Town Treasurer.
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THE MUNICIPAL FAMILY
December 31, 1954
TOWN MODERATOR Edmund Kelleher
BOARD OF SELECTMEN Nathaniel M. Quint, Chairman Harry E. Munro John F. Conley Roland L. Singer Barclay H. Warburton, III
CEMETERY COMMISSION
Harmon Cole Benjamin Homans
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Robert T. Bamford, Chairman
Chas. T. Passales
Wilmont E. Hall
Richard W. Davis
Stephen Tlumacki
Leon B. Turner
George J. Soffron
Timothy F. Carey, Jr.
Ernest F. Stone
BOARD OF HEALTH
Lawrence M. King, Chairman Frank L. Collins, M.D. Ernest J. Smith, D.M.D.
TRUSTEES OF GREAT NECK
Horace Dunbar Harold D. Bowen Harry Leno
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Seward S. Tyler Stephen J. Prescott Henry Plander
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
C. Louise Richardson, Chairwoman
William H. Wallace Richard Mansfield Frederick C. Wilder
John V. Hubbard, Jr.
Seward Tyler Harold E. Staunton
PLAYGROUND COMMISSION
John Bialek, Chairman Louise Hodgkins Dr. Robt. E. Waite Robert Savitt Barbara Cole
BOARD OF REGISTRARS Henry F. Hills, Chairman John A. Kobos James Lampropolous
TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS
George C. Parsons Edward J. Marcorelle Charles E. Goodhue, Jr.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE George R. Hovey, Chairman William Dunbar J. Alcide Lombard
PLANNING BOARD
Chester J. Patch, Jr., Chairman Bernard M. Sullivan Rev. C. Daniel Boone Richard Mansfield
Donald Whiston
THE TOWN ADMINISTRATION
Executive Department
Accounting Division
Assessing Department
Civil Defense Department
Collection-Treasury Division Constable
George R. Player, Jr., Constable Alfred L. Tobiasz, Superintendent Ralph Preble
Electric Department
Engineering Department
Finance Department
Fire Department
Health Department
Legal Department
Personnel Department
Police Department
Cemetery Division
Moth-Dutch Elm Forestry
Highway Division
Refuse Division
Purchasing Department
Records Department
Recreation, Playgrounds and Parks
School Department Wilbur S. Stanton
Bertram Bennett
Be: tram Bennett
Lena J. Atherley
Frank L. Collins, M.D. Eleanore Richardson, R.N.
Shellfish-Harbors Department
Lionel Sheppard, Sr., Director
Veterans' Services Department Water Department
Weight and Measures Division
Welfare Department
Anthony A. Murawski, Veterans' Agent Ralph Preble, Manager Ernest Romano, Sealer Walter Callahan, Director
THE MUNICIPAL COURT
Judiciary Clerk of Court
Thomas A. Johnson, Judge Robert Bamford
Nathaniel M. Quint, Manager James D. Smyth, Accountant Seward S. Tyler, Chief Assessor Harold Bowen, Director Gladys M. Poole, Collector-Treasury
James D. Smyth, Finance Director Samuel Atherley, Chief Ernest Romano, Health Officer William Hayes, Town Counsel Nathaniel M. Quint, Personnel Director Stanley Surpitski, Acting Chief Benjamin Homans, Superintendent Joseph E. Poirier, Foreman Joseph H. Doty, Foreman John Ladderbush, Foreman Nathaniel M. Quint, Purchasing Agent Anthony A. Murawski, Town Clerk Pennell S. Eustis, Director Robert Savitt, Superintendent High School Principal Burley School Principal Shatswell School Principal Winthrop School Principal School Doctor School Nurse
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