USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1955 > Part 2
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EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS: Seventy-six inspections were made of all eating and drinking establishments. Some restaurants continue to show improvement.
MILK ANALYSIS: During the year 109 milk and cream samples were collected from milk trucks and pasteurization plants. These
School Nurse Violet De Mille prepares a preventive "shot"
were taken to the Essex Agricultural School for analysis.
BATHING BEACHES: During the summer of 1955 swimming water samples were col- lected from the various bathing sites, and sent to the Lawrence Experiment Station for Analysis.
HORSE SLAUGHTER: This year a total of 925 horses were slaughtered as compared with 1080 for the previous year. Slaughter fees totaling $925.00 will be turned over to the town treasurer.
NUISANCE COMPLAINTS: Thirty-four nui- sance complaints were reported and investi- gated compared with thirty for 1954.
POLIOMYELITIS PROGRAM: During the month of May a polio immunization pro- gram was started in Ipswich together with many other; Massachusetts communities. Two hundred and forty-two first and second grade children in the public and parochial schools were immunized with the Salk
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Polio vaccine. Booster shots will be given at some future date.
CABINS AND CAMPS: During the year a camp and cabin survey was made and water samples were collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Notices were for- warded to those owners whose establish- ments were in violation of the local regula- tions.
LICENSES AND PERMITS: The following were issued during the year:
Slaughter House 1
Funeral Directors
3
Day Nurseries 6
Milk (store) 25
Methyl Alcohol 12
Cabin and Camp
8
Milk (vehicle)
11
Oleomargarine
8
Ice Cream Manufacture
1
Clean Cesspools and Septic Tanks
1
Collection of Garbage
3
Collection of Grease and Tallow
2
Keeping Pigs
4
Sewage Permits
110
SUB-DIVISIONS: Investigations were made of the six sub-divisions that were brought before the board during the year. In order to determine soil and ground water condi- tions percolation tests were conducted at each of the sites. All six sub-divisions were approved by the Board.
SEWERAGE INSPECTIONS: During the year 110 permits were issued for the installation of sewage disposal systems. Fees totaled $210.00.
BURIAL OF DEAD ANIMALS: During the year, fifty dead animals were collected from various parts of town and buried so as not to create a nuisance or health hazard.
LIVESTOCK INSPECTION: An annual farm survey was conducted and 43 farms were visited. Attention was focused on the sani- tary condition of the premises.
Eartags of 27 cattle coming into Ipswich from out of state were recorded.
BOARDING AND NURSING HOMES: Two boarding and nursing homes were inspected prior to reissuance of licenses.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES DEPARTMENT
Ernest F. Romano
DEVICES INSPECTED: The following tabu- lation represents the various devices in- spected and sealed during the year. The sealing fees amounted to $103.25 as com-
pared with $91.50 for the previous year.
Scales 40
Gasoline pumps
34
Oil trucks 13
Tanks
1
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NURSING PROGRAM
Violet DeMille, R.N.
During 1955 the following program has been carried on under the sponsorship of the Ipswich Board of Health.
1. The annual Diptheria immunization clinic was held last spring in the Health Room at the Town Hall. Slips were distributed to all the children in the public schools, the parochial school and the private kindergartens; and no child was treated in the clinic until they presented the slip signed by the parent or guardian stating that they wished the child to be innoculated. Notices were in all the local papers, several weeks prior to the opening date, so as to reach the pre-school child. Triple Antigen, that immunizes simul- taneously against diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough was used for all infants and pre-school children. Double Antigen, that immunizes against diptheria and tet- anus was used for the school children. 39 children received their initial immuniza- tion of 3 doses, given at four week in- tervals; and 370 Booster doses were given.
2. In May, 1955 the Salk Polio Vaccine was given to 242 children. The clinic was held at the 3 Public elementary schools and the Parochial school. The two Clinics mentioned above were in charge of Miss Eleanore Richardson R.N. our former School Nurse. I wish to thank her for the excellent and complete records she left for me of her fine work. At the present time I have great hope that all the children in Ipswich will have the op- portunity to receive the Salk Polio Vac- cine by the end of this year. No definite plans have been made for the polio pro- gram, a great deal depends on when the Vaccine will become available.
3. One adult and ten students working in the High School and Burley School cafeteria were taken to Middleton for chest X- Rays. All new teachers, bus drivers, cus- todians and anyone entering the Ipswich School System last September were also sent to Middleton for a chest X-Ray. Also all school personnel who did not have a X-Ray within the past three years. In
this group there were 47 sent to Middle- ton in November.
4. The Well Child Clinic has been held the first Wednesday of each month in the Health Room at the Town Hall. During the past year 128 babies and pre-school children have been seen in the clinic. The children were weighed and measured, got a physical examination and received the diptheria immunization if the parent consented. 50 babies were given their ini- tial immunization of Triple Antigen (diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough) given at four week intervals for 3 doses. 22 children, already immunized, were given "booster doses" of Triple antigen. Any child with a defect was referred to another clinic specializing in that parti- cular field.
5. In November and December the students in the 1-4-7-9 and 11 grades were given the opportunity of having the Vollmer Tuberculin Patch Test. Consent slips were sent home and testing was done only on those students who returned the slips with the parent or guardians consent. Out of 564 eligible for the test 485 were tested. Seven of these showed a posi- tive reaction to the test, and will therefor be x-rayed, together with all contacts at a future date.
Respectfully subnitted,
Violet DeMille, R.N.
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Social Worker Marjory Von Suck
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WELFARE DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION : This department handles four categories of relief, namely, Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and General Relief.
On three of these categories we receive reimbursement from State and Federal funds but in the fourth category, General Relief, we receive no funds. General Relief funds are raised by the town and spent without supervision by the State or Federal Govern- ments.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE: This category of relief we feel has just about reached its peak in recipients. One drops off and another takes its place. We do not anticipate any great increase in recipients but must be prepared for them when they apply. Start- ing on January 1, 1956 each case was in- creased by $2.50 a month and labeled as a travelling allowance. This was a uniform change throughout the state. The budget- ing system used in determining the amounts in all cases is also uniform throughout the state. This also applies to all categories. We have made a definite attempt to collect from children in the family who have a legal contribution to make to their parents.
The eligibility factors in these cases are, the applicant must be a citizen, over six- ty-five years of age, and in need. Federal Share $55,872.61 State Share 53,693.76
Town Share 27,031.02
Total expenditure $136,597.39
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN: This type of relief is granted to families with children where the wage earner of the family is absent through death or desertion or in- capacitated by illness and unable to support the family. The purpose of this category is to keep the family together rather than breaking it up and placing the children in foster homes.
These cases are visited once a month to keep a close check on the children and the family welfare. It is our endeavor to re- establish the family as soon as possible and to put it on a self-supporting basis.
State and Federal participation tend to keep the town's share quite low compared with the total amount spent.
Federal Share $3,178.77
State Share 2,427.15
Town Share 2,036.91
Total expenditure $7,642.83 DISABILITY ASSISTANCE: This category of relief is based upon the applicant being permanently and totally disabled and unable to provide for himself. A medical examina- tion is made by a local doctor or a medical evaluation is made at a hospital and the facts contained therein are submitted to a medical panel in the State Department. This medical review team determine the extent of the disability and send their findings to the local board. Cases are very carefully con- sidered and put into two classes. Group one, waived, which is a total disability and ac- cepted as such or Group two, which calls for a six months check to determine whether or not the disability is going to continue.
Citizenship is not considered in this type of case but the applicant must be over 18 years of age.
We try to get as many General Relief cases accepted in this category as possible, because we receive State and Federal reim- bursement which we do not get under General Relief.
Federal Share $7,273.31
State Share 4,760.67
Town Share 5,622.30
Total Expenditure $17,656.28 GENERAL RELIEF: General Relief is gen- erally a temporary aid program for people who are out of work or who do not qualify for any other type of aid. The wage earner may be sent to the County jail for a crime he has committed, sickness may take him from his work and if he lives from pay check to pay check, he cannot make both ends meet. Hospitalization and medication are very high today and these are two of the items we are called upon to pay.
There are older people who are carried on this type of relief because they qualify for no other. They are either non-citizens or under age 65. We are trying to bring these people under Disability Assistance so that the town may get some reimbursement for the money spent.
Total Expenditures 1955: $15,053.63
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"With a Whistle and a Dab"
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Halloween Window Painting Competition
RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT
Pennell S. Eustis, Director
RECREATION: January-March activities in- cluded:
1. Skating under lights and supervision at Linebrook & Baker's Pond.
2. Gym classes for boys and girls in grades 5-8 at the high school.
3. Dancing classes for grades 5-8 at the high school.
4. Bowling program for grades 4-12 at the Depot Square Bowling Alleys.
5. Adult basketball and craft classes at the high school.
April-June activities included:
1. After school recreation program for grades 5-6 at Linebrook, Burley and Winthrop.
2. Supervisory aid for the school outdoor living program.
3. Start of the Men's Community Soft- ball League.
4. Annual Crane's Beach Picnic Program for grades 1-6.
July-September activities included:
1. Summer Playground Program.
2. Red Cross Swimming Program and AYH Groups.
3. Boy's baseball leagues.
4. Annual field day.
October-December activities included:
1. After and pre-school activities for grades 5-7 at Linebrook.
2. Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest.
3. Two adult sewing classes and adult basketball program.
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4. Gym classes for grades 5-7 and skating at two areas.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: Projects com- pleted in 1955 included:
1. Design and construction of 400 square feet of storage area at Linebrook Play- ground.
2. Construction of concrete ping-pong table and handball backboard.
3. Reenforcement of the Little league and baseball backstops.
4. Painting of all playground apparatus at Linebrook Playground.
5. Addition of a slide and merry-go- round at Shatswell Playground.
6. Assembly of playground apparatus at Burley School.
7. Mowing maintenance of all park and several school areas.
8. Erection of a new all steel softball backstop.
9. Regrading and maintenance of Line- brook ball diamonds.
10. Clearing debris from Firmin Park Pool.
11. Care and planting of town flower beds.
12. Snow and spray maintenance of skat- ing areas.
13. Construction of four new, and repair of four old, picnic tables.
14. New roof, chimney, ceilings, and walls at the Lighthouse.
15. New septic tank put in at the Light- house.
Mrs. Beatrice King conducts a dancing class as a part of the Winter! Recreation Program( +
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Herring Fishermen about to unload at the Town Wharf
SHELLFISH AND HARBOR DEPARTMENT
Lionel Sheppard, Clam Commissioner and Harbor Master
There are more clams on the flats now then any time in the last three years. In 1955 seventy five bushels of small clams under two inches were dug in Neck Cove and planted one at a time inside of an in- closure to keep out the green crabs and horseshoe crabs. Approximately one bushel was lost.
In 1955 there were 223 barrels of clams dug by the commercial diggers at a value of $4,683. There were 9,613 horseshoe crabs destroyed in 1955 by Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Bayley besides all those destroyed by mess
diggers. The Town floats have had a new top put on, and new barrels under the floats. The Town Wharf had a coat of oil. The ramp to the floats needs replacing in 1956. The Boat called NANCY was burned to the water line on one side, the other side is covered with ice. The department plans to burn more in the Spring after the ice has gone. The Assistant Harbor Masters have done a fine job checking boats and slowing down speeding along Little Neck and Plum Island River. The department plans to in- crease patrol work in 1956.
If this extra cold winter weather and heavy ice helps the flats, there should be plenty of seed in the flats in 1956.
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LIBRARY
0
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Susan Howard and her horse, Mike, at the Library entrance
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
Hester L. Mitchell, Librarian
STATISTICS: The year 1955 has been one of expansion, progress and improvement. The circulation of books has increased by 8,596 volumes to a yearly total of 46,707. November was the month of largest book circulation, with a total of 5,317 volumes borrowed. In 1950, five short years ago, the number of volumes borrowed from the li- brary was 22,138, proof of the growth of the library facilities. Also in 1950, the total number of registered borrowers was 2,825, while in 1955, 3,887 (over half the popula- tion) of the townspeople have library cards. 428 new borrowers were registered during the year, of which 236 were adults and 192 were children. The circulation of books per
capita was 6.7 and the library appropriation per capita, $1.67. (According to the latest American Library Association standards, a library should have an income per capita of at lea t $1.50 for limited service; $2.25 per capita for reasonably good service, and $3.00 per capita for superior service) Al- though the library is a small one compared with many in the country, it has been in operation since its founding in 1868, and now serves a population of 6,895 (1950 census). Its present book stock, as of De- cember 31, 1955 is 27,419 with 2,035 volumes added this year. The library is open forty hours per week for lending and reference, and the staff includes: Miss Barbara James, Assistant Librarian; Mrs. Lawrence R. Sweetser, High School Assist-
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ant and Record Librarian : Mrs. Raymond A. Klinger, Jr., Clerical Assistant; Irene Doucet, Children's Assistant ; Guy E. Wells, Building Custodian ; and Harry C. Rogers, Assistant. The new library hours are: Mon- days and Wednesdays, 1-8; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-6; Fridays and Saturdays, 1-6.
BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS: During the year, building improvements were made by painting the adult reading room and by renovating the basement area with lighting and paint. A catalog cabinet was also made for the children's room so that boys and girls could be taught how to locate books in their own department. Cards for juvenile books were previously located in the adult card catalog. Inlaid linoleum was installed on the floor of the High School Room to complete the improvement of that space. Additional wood shelving was built on the balcony and new steel shelving was installed in the stack room.
GIFTS: The library is fortunate in having been the recipient of many gifts, including 877 new or used books ; magazine subscrip- tions ; recordings; flowers : table and chairs in memory of Miss Anne Boardman Moritz; duplicating and addressing machines from The Friends of the Library ; complete pay- ment for a Webcor record player from the Reading Group of the Ipswch Woman's Club; and a library membership in the Massachusetts Audubon Society from Mrs. Laura U. Kohn, one of many staunch sup- porters of the library.
SCHOOL-LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: Thirty story hours were held both at the library and in the schools with a total attendance of 2,086 boys and girls. Library exhibits of school arts and craft work were displayed in The Rogers Room throughout the school year. Class instruction in the use of the library
was given at the library during school hours, and deposits of books were available for classrooms in all schools. These books were used both as supplementary reading to textbook study and as recreational reading. Several hundred State Reading Certificates were issued to school children who had read library books from State approved lists, and juvenile books were purchased on the basis of the reading level of the child.
PROFESSIONAL NOTES: Through the Amer- ican Library Association, the Ipswich library was the recipient of a gift set of Great Books, awarded to worthy public, private, and school libraries in the United States. This represents not only a saving of several hundred dollars from the book budget, but gives the library a complete collection of great works of the western world, beautifully bound by the Encyclo- paedia Britannica.
Both full-time and part-time employees at the library have joined the Massachusetts Library Association to give the library 100% membership in both that and the Merrimac Valley Library Association. The library holds institutional membership in the American Library Association and the librarian is also a member. She is on the Planning Committee of the Massachusetts Library Association which has participated in panel discussions at many of the regional library associations in the state, and is plan- ning a series of television programs on the various library services. Massachusetts li- brarians, trustees, authors and other edu- cators will take active part in the program which the committee hopes will place the libraries of the state before the public as agencies dispensing knowledge free to all. As Harold A. Wooster, Newton librarian has stated, "The money which a community invests in the educational, recreational pro- gram of a modern library pays substantial dividends in making the community a bet- ter, more satisfying place to live."
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"Power for Ipswich"
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Alfred Tobias, Sales and Distribution Manager
DISTRIBUTION: During the year several ad- ditions were made to the Distribution Sys- tem. Step regulators were installed on No. 1 circuit which supplies power to the business district and Sylvania Electric Products Inc. The voltage spread on this circuit is now within the accepted limits which is neces- sary for appliance and television operation.
Number two circuit at the present time is overloaded. This condition will be cor- rected by installing another circuit and dividing this load at Willcomb's Corner. Number three circuit which supplies power along Topsfield Road was changed from 2400 volt three phase three wire to 4160 volt three phase four wire. This conver- sion will provide about 75% more capacity and should take care of the load growth
for about two years. Number four circuit is operating at 2400 volts three phase three wire. The third phase wire was installed on Upper Linebrook Road to relieve the overloaded condition that existed on the single phase branch. This circuit should be changed to operate at 4160 volts in the near future.
Another circuit feeder must be installed from the Power Station to the center of Town if we are to carry the additional load expected in December 1956. An average 4/O circuit operating at 4160V will pro- vide about 1200 kilo watts which should supply enough power for about two or three years, depending upon the rate of demand.
A new aerial ladder truck was purchased and put in operation in September.
The number of service connections in- creased from 2524 in 1954 to 2648 in 1955.
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The average yearly power consumption for each domestic customer was 2095 KWH. The net sales of electricity in 1954 was $318,269.46 and $356,241.27 in 1955.
POWER PLANT
Ralph H. Wetmore, Plant Supt.
During the year 1955 the Power Plant produced a total of 15,751,200 K.W. an increase of over 121/2% over last year. The engines ran a total of 18173 hrs. 25 min. Of this total, No. 2 engine, our newest unit produced 9,180,000 K.W. and ran 7851 hrs. 50 min. with a large portion of that power being produced on natural gas at savings over $15.000. Because of long continued cold weather early in the fall, gas was not available most of November and all of December.
All repairs and maintenance, overhauls, and new construction was carried out by plant personnel. Complete log sheets and records were kept, all necessary tests and inspections were made and recorded. No break down of machinery was experienced and at the end of the year all units are operating satisfactorily.
Peak load for the year occured December 21 and was recorded as 3870 K.W. an in- crease of about 10% over last year. Firm capacity of the plant (largest unit out) is 4115 K.W. so a safe reserve of power was available at all times even had it been necessary to take the largest unit off power during the peak load period.
Extensions were made to the cooling sys- tem to take in two more units and another pump added to the raw water system. Lighting arresting gear was installed on
Line Crew replaces old installation on corner of Manning and Central Streets
the bus bar to provide protection for rotat- ing machinery. A new lube oil system was installed and a tank put underground to allow us to purchase oil in bulk with re- sulting savings and convenience. Experi- ments were run using a cheaper fuel and savings recorded. Provisions are being made to take advantage of these savings early in 1956. At the end of the year Plant con- dition good, engine condition good and all machinery operating satisfactorily.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Benjamin W. Homans, Superintendent
I herewith submit my twenty-third an- nual report of the activities of the Cemetery Department for the year 1955.
During the year there were ninety-six interments, five of which were crema- tions, and nine infants.
There were seven single graves sold in the New Highland Cemetery, also seven four grave, one six and three eight grave lots. Twenty-five lots were placed under perpetual care.
MAINTENANCE: Forty-two graves were raised during the year. Foundations for
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monuments and headstones were prepared, and twenty-seven sets of boundary posts were set in the ground.
Through the months of January, Feb- ruary and part of March five men worked on storm damage caused by the two hurricanes. Brokens and hanging limbs were cut off. Trees cut up and roots dug up and trucked away. Wood that could be used for fire places and stoves was given to the needy. Regular maintenance work was carried on during the year.
The avenues were patched where needed. Shrubs and trees trimmed. Walks and drives weeded and edged. The flower beds cul- tivated and watered. In July the undeveloped
part along the main avenue in Highland Cemetery was mowed with a tractor cut- ting bar.
The six cemeteries that are mowed by power mowers were cut fifteen times dur- ing the season, and trimmed twelve times, The flag in Cowles Memorial Cemetery was raised 'and lowered each working day,
weather permitting. Two Korean Dogwood trees were planted in the Highland Ceme- tery replacing the Blue Spruce and White Birch that were blown down by the hur- ricane.
An old wooden fence in the Old North Cemetery was replaced by a chain link fence. A new power mower and generator was purchased to replace old ones.
Office records were kept up to date and bills due the town were committed for collection. There were 5 6-grave, 1 8-grave and 6 4-grave lots awarded in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery during the year.
RECEIPTS:
Annual Care 800.00
Perpetual Care 2404.00
Interments 2837.00
Liners 84.00
Lots and Graves 525.00
Foundations
737.34
Posts 55.00
New Perpetual care Funds 3300.00
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
SUMMER MAINTENANCE: A total of 22,- 501 gallons of asphalt was used in resur- facing various streets, the parking area at the Town Hall and the Town Wharf. In addition to this oiling was done at the Line- brook Playgrounds, the Shatswell School and the Power Station.
With special construction appropriations 26,121 gallons was used in resurfacing other streets. Also 4602 gallons was used in making 270 tons of patch and another 428 tons of patch was purchased.
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