USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1958 > Part 2
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As we move forward with the new year, 1959, we plan to meet and cooperate with other town agencies and civic groups to promote a program for balanced conservation in the years ahead. We do, in closing, recommend that more definite steps be taken to preserve for town uses some of our natural resources such as our local gravel supply and lands adjacent to our watershed areas before they become completely depleted.
Conservation Commission
Left to right - Nathaniel R. Harris, Chmn; John F. Dolan, George C. Mourikas Carroll B. Hills, and A. W. Smith
11
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The Welfare Department has a three member board which sits at regular meetings on every other Friday during the year, at 7 p. m. at the Town Hall. There are three full-time employees, namely an Agent, a Social Worker and a Clerk-Typist. The regular office and statistical work is carried on by these three people. Their primary work is to process all applications for relief and determine what arrangements can be arrived at to better fit the needs of the applicants and rehabilitate them, if possible. Regular visits are made with recipients at six month intervals to determine what, if any, changes have taken place during the period between visits. All resources are determined by check- ing with children and the recipients and applied to their budget needs.
When a person applies for public assistance, a complete study is made of the applicant and the family. Children are checked to see if any contribution is required by law and necessary steps are taken to collect the resource. Under the Uniform Support Act we start cases in our own court to be processed in some other state where a legally liable relative is living. Settlements are determined to establish the proper towns and cities to be charged with the aid rendered under our programs. Banks are checked for resources that may be applied to the budget, not alone in this town but wherever the applicant may have resided. Need is determined from the overall investigation and budgets are drawn up for each case.
General Relief is a non-contributory category of assistance wherein the town is charged with every expenditure required by law. Our General Relief load is an unstable thing depending upon weather and business conditions existing at the time. It is a measure of relief granted for those out of work, sick or unable to support themselves for some other good reasons. Business conditions, not only in the town but in surrounding industries have a bearing on this category. Unemployment Insurance, in most cases, cover this class of people but when they have drawn their last amounts due they must turn somewhere else for aid. Single persons are required to work out orders given them so that the town may receive something of value for the money spent.
Old Age Assistance: The case load is holding rather steady in this category. One drops out and another application takes place within a few days. The case load has been as follows this year: January, 145; February, 146; March, 146; April, 146; May, 146; June, 144; July, 146; August, 143; Sept., 142; Oct. 145; Nov. 145; December 147.
The medical bills on older people are creeping higher and higher each year. As people grow older there is an increasing call for medical assistance and more an the Old Age recipients are moving into Nursing Homes because there is no one to care for them in the home.
Aid to Dependent Children: Our cash load in the last two years has been very light. This year instead of one case we now have three cases on this list. This is one of the categories that can cause a lot of trouble because of the number of persons that may be involved in a single case. In this category we deal with the family, generally, rather than with an individual.
Disability Assistance: This case load is still remaining stable but again medical costs are rising steadily. We feel that for the next few years there will be no great change in this category, yet it is impossible to tell when a person will be permanently disabled any more than we can tell what the weather will be from day to day.
12
RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
The Recreation Department is pleased to report much progress during the past year. In addition, we had two personnel changes. The Director, Manuel Ferris, resignedhis position in early October to ac- cept a similar position at Dow Air Force Base in Maine. Ipswich regrets losing him and wishes him well in his new position. On December 1, Mr. Robert Burke was appointed to serve as part-time interim director to serve in that capacity until a new full-time director is obtained.
There was just one change on the committee with Louise Hodgkins resigning after seven years of faithful work. Mrs. Carolyn Cruickshank was appointed to fill the vacancy. The Recreation Committee is now composed of Mrs. Barbara Cole, Chairman, Mr. James Daly, Secretary, Mr. Stanley Eustace, Mr. Joseph Rogers, and Mrs. Carolyn Cruickshank.
In the way of construction the tennis courts at the Linebrook Playground were resurfaced, a skating shelter was erected, a garage was moved from the lighthouse property to the Linebrook area to be used as a supply and equipment storage shed, and the baseball diamond was re-positioned and renovated into an excellent playing surface. Work has been started on the proposed Giles-Firmin Playground. Solid fill is being deposited to build up the area and drainage pipe is to be installed. The newly acquired Recreation park atop town hill has seen many changes. A large area has been cleared for the development of a picnic area adjacent to Baker's Pond, a huge fireplace has been erected at the pond for warming of skaters, the ski slope and toboggan run have been cleared of trees, the access road from Spring Street has been widened, and a sizeable parking area has been made. Present plans call for a great deal of work in the spring so that picnicing may be enjoyed by townspeople in the coming season. The light- property at Crane's Beach was widely used this past year by in-town and out-of town groups. The American Youth Hostel groups used the property extensively and many thanks were conveyed to this department by all users. The property continues in its popularity and shows increased usage each year .
The playgrounds at Linebrook and Shatswell School areas showed a marked increase in attendance and a continued improvement in program. The summer program was highlighted by the Herald-Traveler Sports Day when many children receive prizes and awards for participation in athletic events.
The swimming program at Crane's Beach proved to be a very successful one. With the addition of one instructor plus an every other day schedule, much more time and individual teaching was given to each youngster. The children seemed more enthusiastic with the schedule and smaller class sizes. A total of 168 youngsters advanced to the next highest class in swimming.
The dancing program was successfully conducted for fifteen consecutive Sat- urdays with again a record attendance of over 300 children each class day. This program has proved to be very popular during the last few years and will cer- tainly remain in the Recreation Program.
The Junior Recreation Committee met regularly during the past year, and made many constructive suggestions for program inovations and in addition, con- ducted various record hops and block dances. Their work has been much appre- ciated.
13
Youth - The Greatest Time of All
Skating on Bakers Pond
14
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The Engineering Department is a service department as well as an adminis- trative one. It serves in an advisory capacity to the administrative officials of the Town. It lays out and supervises most Public Works projects.
During the past year demonstrations were arranged and specifications drawn up for the purchase of major equipment such as the new highway department truck and paint striper, water department front end loader and backhoe, and the fire department 750 gallon pumper. Specifications for construction projects were prepared, analyzed, and advertised for bids such as the guniting of Gould's Creek Bridge and the resurfacing of the Linebrook Tennis Court.
Studies, plans, specifications and supervision were given on numerous pro- jects. Many Town owned lots at Great Neck and cemetery lots on Town Hill were staked out and plans made of the same. The following are some of the projects on which studies, plans, and supervision were given during the year: The new expanded municipal parking lot, the new highway garage site, Stage Hill Road Drainage extension, High Street drainage, Union Street widening, Meeting Hou se Green resurfacing, Pineswamp Road widening, East Street widening, County Street widening, Lakeman's Lane widening, Broadway Avenue sidewalk and Turkey Shore Road sidewalk and widening.
A great deal of time was spent preparing preliminary plans and specifications for the new municipal garage and drawing up new leases and deeds for the mini- cipal garage and drawing up new leases and deeds for the municipal parking lot as well as preparing studies and plans for the then proposed expansion of the municipal parking lot.
Many months were spent preparing and developing complete new planning of board rules and regulations for the Town. Studies and proposals were made during the year for the following: the extension of the Town Wharf, piping Farley Brook, new Gravel Pit rules and regulations, Marina at Great Neck, completion of the municipal parking lot, enforcement of the Zoning By-Law, and a great deal of thought towards the future planning of Ipswich.
Engineering Staff at New Town Garage
15
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The Ipswich Planning Board during the year 1958 held twenty- eight open meetings. Discussions with the respective committees and individuals, covered subjects of present and future plans, capital improvements, schools, recreation subdivisions.
The subdivisions in Ipswich, discussed at nineteen meetings, consumed considerable time of the Planning Board. Results of these discussions prompted the Board to revise and inaugurate new Rules and Regulations governing sub- divisions. We anticipate these rules will reduce the number of problems, because they are more concise and detailed.
The Board with Mr. Nord Davis, our Planning Consultant, had eight meet- ings for discussing work on the Master Plan program, which was instituted with matching funds from the Federal Government. We now have reports on popula- tion trends and economic base studies. We have maps showing land use, land availability, recreation areas, public facilities, existing streets, etc. These represent preliminary facts to establish a Master Plan. The summary report mentions the need of expansion in schools, water lines, sewerage lines, recrea- tion. Highways and highway traffic flow should be given considerable thought The increase in population with relating problems is a trend we hope the Towns- people will recognize and try to keep pace with the needs of the Town to avert both material and financial inconvenience. The next important step, in our consideration, is to prepare and establish a Capital Budget on capital improve- ments, covering a period of six to ten years, to stabalize the tax rate and at the same time realize the facilities we are going to need. Mr. Donald F. Whiston resigned from the Board with regret and Mr. Joseph Welchek was appointed to fill the vacancy .
BOARD OF APPEALS
At a Special Town Meeting held on November 4, 1957, it was voted to adopt with amendments a Protective Zoning By-Law and Zoning District Map. In December, the By-Law was approved by the Attorney General and became effective on January 23, 1958 after publication for three consecutive weeks in the Ipswich Chronicle. The Board of Selectmen immediately became the Board and functioned as such until April 22nd, when they appointed William H. Davis, Armand M. Brouilette, James F. Tedford, James Theodosopoulos and Edward A. Wegzyn as regular members and Fred J. Casali and Arthur W. Marsh as Associate members. In May, James Tedford resigned from the board and Arthur W. Marsh was appointed a regular member and Thomas Gregory, Jr. the new Associate Member .
The first organizational meeting was held on April 29th and shortly there- after Mrs. Joan Hardy was employed as Secretary. During the following eight months, eleven public hearings were held on applications for zoning variances. A great many letters requesting zoning information and property rights were received and answered. An abbreviated set of instructions for anyone desiring a zoning variance was drafted by the Board and given to the Town Clerk for distribution. The Board will continue in its efforts to, "give due consideration to promoting the public health, safety, convenience and welfare, encouraging the most appropriate use of land, and conserving property values, that it shall permit no building or use of land that is injurious, noxious, offensive or detri- mentalfor a neighborhood and that it shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in each case."
16
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Total books circulated
62, 599
Gain this year
8, 886
New borrowers registered
388
Books purchased
1,337
Gifts of new and used books
568
Hours open: Mondays 1-8 p.m/Tues. - Sat. 10 a. m. - Noon: 1-6 p.m.
The following survey of the Ipswich Public Library was made by a con- sultant at the request of Miss Hester Mitchell, Librarian. Members of the Board of Library Trustees approved and agreed that an objective evaluation of the facilities and program is desirable at this particular time. There is an imme- diate need to develop a definite plan for expansion of the library to meet growing demands being made upon it. Recommendations included in this report are based upon standards of library service given us by the American Library Association and by the Massachusetts Library Association.
The increase in the library's circulation total over the period from 1951 to 1957 is almost phenomenal. Where about 24, 000 volumes were circulated form- erly, the circulation total for 1957 nearly reached 54, 000. This indicates a keen awareness on the part of the community of the value of their library. It indicates also that the librarian and her staff are doing a fine piece of work in offering the public the kind of service it wants. One reason why the library is used a great deal is the fact that it is kept open for 40 hours a week. This meets the national standard for hours of service and far exceeds the more modified stan- dard recently established by the Massachusetts Library Association for libra- ries of the Commonwealth. According to MLA, a library serving a community of 5000 to 9999 people should be kept open a minimum of 25 hours a week. Des- pite the fact that the circulation has grown when certain obstacles to increased library use are removed.
One reason why the library has been unable to plan regular story Hour programs for the children, and group activities for adults is the fact that present limited space cannot be utilized for programs which require isolation from the rest of the library. Another factor which must inhibit adult use of the library I believe is the fact that the present school situation has made the library the headquarters for school children mornings, afternoons and evenings. We hope that the problem will soon be solved not only for the sake of the school children but for the sake of the many residents of Ipswich who might find it easier to use the library if this present pressure from the school were relieved. Expansion of the present public library building should also help the situation considerably
While friends of the library have been organizing in a great many communi- ties in recent years, we understand that Ipswich has enjoyed the support of an activefriends group for over 22 years. The fact that it boasts several hundred members speaks well for the community interest in the public library. Would that every public library in the Commonwealth enjoyed similar support.
The most immediate concern of your librarian and trustees centers about your obvious need for a larger library building. There can be little question as to the urgency of this space problem, but there are several questions related to the best method of building expansion. The final decision as to which method of expansion is best, might wellhinge upon comparative costs of the various possi- bilities. You are mostfortunate to have a library-minded community to support your library and to use it; a highly competent and devoted Librarian and Board of Trustees to operate it; and a program of service which is a truly fine one in spite of the obstacles which hamper it.
Miss Marie T. Sullivan Public Library Consultant
17
CIVIL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
This year, the town has benefited greatly from the Civil Defense Program. Much valuable equipment has been ac- quired through the Government Surplus Program. The two diesel engines for the electric plant, an army duck for rescue work and about $3, 000 of small equipment for all departments through our 3 trips to the Taunton Warehouse. Also, under this same program 3 two-way radios and two short wave sets were purchased through matching funds. Under Public Law 603, a master municipal plan was drawn up. When accepted by the state, it will allow Ipswich to acquire ever more equipment and Federal Funds. Civil Defense is now a very important and valuable program for the Town which can only be carried out properly with a full time director.
SHELLFISH DEPARTMENT
During the year 80 bushels of clamshells were spread in Bluff Creek to make a bed for oysters. There were 80 bags two feet square filled with shells and picked up by the State truck and taken down below the Cape to col- lect oyster seed. In September they brought back forty bags which were planted over the shells in the creek. There were 12, 373 bus- hels of clams dug by the commercial diggers in 1958 as compared to 6, 224 bushels dug in 1957.
There were 143 commercial permits app- lied for in 1958 as compared to 82 permits in 1957. 711 resident permits were issued and 1, 129 non-resident permits.
Greenhead crabs were few until late summer. 4, 467 horseshoe crabs were destroyed in 1958 as compared to4, 094 in 1957. The life rings were put up again this year at the wharf, Green Street bridges and foot bridge. Town floats were repaired this spring. The drift pins holding the top of floats to the logs are rusted badly and have loosened up and allowed top to come loose from logs. I recommend one new float to take the place of the two floats now in use. Story's Island was opened to the commercial clammers 10 months of the year accept July and August. 29 keys were issued to clammers to the chain on the gate. The road to Story's Island has been scraped and holes filled up. After Smiths Island flats were opened in December, 1957 until April 1, 1958, there were 3400 bushels of clams dug on the flats in 3 1/2 months.
18
POLICE DEPARTMENT
There were two-hundred and thirty one arrests during the year of 1958 and are classified as follows:
With the increase of summer traffic and population in the summer resident area, a police problem is created in policing this area during the summer months. An extra police cruiser and extra officers should be available to remedy this situation during this period.
Assault
8
Delinquents
12
Disturbing the peace
2
Drunkeness
79
Excessive speed
33
Failing to keep right of road
3
Larceny
3
Murder
1
Misappropriation of car
3
Operating under influence
13
Operating so as to endanger
4
Operating after suspension of license
1
Operating without a license
6
Violation of inspection sticker
6
Passing where view obstructed
2
Non support
10
Miscellaneous
45
These cases were disposed of as follows:
Appealed
10
Discharged
26
Filed
17
Filed cost of court
29
Fined
94
Held for Grand Jury
3
Probation
1
Restitution
3
Released
12
Suspended sentence
22
Sentenced to House Correction
10
Committed to Youth Service Board
4
Automobiles stolen
1
Automobiles recovered
1
Ambulance runs
191
Automobile accidents over $200 damage or injury
78
Automobile accidents under $200 and no injury
194
Automobiles transferred
1257
Animals found
59
Animals lost
81
Animals destroyed
41
Animals reported killed
50
Persons bitten by dogs
46
Bicycles registered
122
19
Businesses found open at night and secured
285
Clam permits issued non resident
1129
Clam permits issued resident
711
Criminal summons served
85
Persons reported injured
45
Parking summons issued
705
Resident Crane Beach stickers issued
1937
Summer resident Crane Beach permits issued
434
Complaints investigated
1630
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department answered a total of 363 calls during the year. Of these 281 were Still Alarms, 54 were Bell Alarms, and 28 Ambulance Calls. Twenty- nine of these fires were building fires, sixty-two were grass and brush fires, fourteen were automobile fires, and twenty-eight were dump fires. Many calls were to aid and assist citizens in such emergencies as flooded cellars, leaky refrigerators, people locked out of their homes, flooded oil burners, and inha- lator and resuscitator calls. Fire Department equipment covered a total of 13, 554 miles during the year. 10, 400 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose and 8200 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose was laid. 582 feet of ladders were raised, 41, 770 gallons of the booster waterwas pumped. The total value of property threatened was 213, 000 but total losses were only $24, 000. The approximate insurance paid was $19, 000. Eight new fire alarm boxes were added during the year. A new 750 gallon pump- ing engine was purchased during the year. The 1938 forest fire truck was traded.
ENGINE S
--
Underwriter Test - New 750 GPM Pumper
20
WATER DEPARTMENT
During the year a water source was located that is capable of supplying the town with one half to three quarters of a million gallons of excellent quality water. To bring this source into the system will require the installation of a 12 inch main up Topsfield Road, and the development and installation of a gravel packed well and pump. Barring a severe drought the present supply capability of the depart- ment should be adequate for the next five years, thus steps must be taken now to provide for the utilization of this water source at that time. Negotiations are under way to secure the land and necessary easements as well as to provide the necessary funds for the installation of the first section of the 12 inch main. This main will also relieve the inadequacy of the present six inch line to serve the rapidly expanding Topsfield Road area. Thus it can be seen that two problems are being eliminated by the installation of this new main.
Finances - The financial condition of the water department continues to be a source of concern, not because the department is not solvent and not because stringent steps have been lacking in a continuing attempt to pare operating costs to the bond. Indeed these efforts have resulted in a $5, 000 reduction in costs of operation in the past two years despite dramatically increased labor and materials costs. The real problem lies in the inability of the department to gather a suffi- surplus to expand the system as rapidly as the increased demands are placed upon it. The Board of Selectmen have enlisted the aid of the General Court to use funds within the department for the first 2, 000 foot section of the 12 inch main that must be installed at Topsfield Road. The remaining four years of construction on this line must come from departmental surplus, and, as the income situation now stands, it is doubtful that this will be possible. An answer to this problem must be found, whether it be in the form of charges for services now rendered the town gratis, or in the form of a water rate increase.
Operation - Department personnel installed 57 new services during the year, laid 743 feet of six inch mains, and worked on seven hydrants. Six services were renewed, eleven services were discontinued, and sixteen service leaks were re- paired. Sixty-four services were metered for the first time, seventy- seven meters were changed, and 264 services were turned on in the Spring and off in the Fall In addition to these activities the personnel of the department located mains on Jeffreys Neck Road and East Street for the sewer contractor and repaired two main breaks and a pulled corporation cock resulting from the sewer excavation
Conclusion - The department has kept costs down by employing no temporary help to assist during the heavy work load of the summer. This has been possible due to the lessening of building activity over the past two years and the reduced demand for main extensions. Let us hope that this situation will continue as it then be possible to in some degree catch up on the vital work of expanding the capacity of the system. Should rapid home building occur with the resulting demand for new services and main extensions the department will be hard pressed to find the funds to meet these needs.
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