2013 TOPSFIELD ANNUAL REPORT CHARTING OUR COURSE Town of Topsfield Massachusetts July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 The Annual Reports, Receipts, and Expenditures of the Town Officers for the 2013 Fiscal Year Credits and Acknowledgments: Annual Report Committee: Beth Johnson, Roberta Knight, Gretchen Rehak, Donna Rich Design and Production: E.T. Johnson & Associates, Cotuit, MA www.etjohnson.com Photography Credits: Kindra Clineff Photography, Topsfield, MA Sam LaRussa, Masconomet High School Juliette Rehak, Masconomet High School Joseph Yutkins, Masconomet Photography Archives Cover photo courtesy Kindra Clineff Photography, Topsfield, MA www.kindraclineff.com Note: All financial data cover the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. However, for the reader’s benefit, and to make this a more meaningful publication, individual reports may list more current significant events. TOWN OF TOPSFIELD 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Charting our Course Coordinates: 42°N 38’ 30.357” / 70°W 57’ 39.708” Topsfield, Center of Essex County, Northeastern Massachusetts, North of Boston by 21 miles, bordered by Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham, Danvers, Middleton and Boxford. Encompasses 12.76 square miles with land elevation of 53% and 60 miles of roads. STEADYON has been the mantra for Topsfield. Stormy seas and financial and political unrest have been on the horizon for much of the country and beyond. Yet Topsfield has weathered the storms, planning and charting for the future, maintaining a steady course. A new town administrator at the helm, active selectmen, involved committees of citizens and compassionate families have banded together. Strategic planning for the future has continued to keep our schools exceptional, our Town govern- ment intact, our library a haven. Steady leadership has allowed our parks and open space to be maintained well, our roadways and homes safe, our way of life in this small town of exceptional beauty, a constant beacon of light and hope. The seas may be tumultuous around us, but Topsfield is firmly rooted, with a clear navigational plan, and a solid framework to weather all storms. 70°W 57’ 39.708” 42°N 38’ 30.357” iii Town Population Residents who 6,702 turned in up 16 from last year absentee ballots in 2013 Percentage of 120 Topsfield population over 65 Registered Dog licenses Independent 15.4 issued Registered as voters Green Rainbow Party Number 1,069 2,737 of deaths 1 Baby Girls 69 Baby Boys Acres mowed born in 2013 born in 2013 by the Park & Cemetery 23 staff per week in summer Trees removed as 18 safety hazard 450 30 Most popular name of Topsfield babies in 2013 – Stop Signs Tons of road salt used Joshua & Abigail in Topsfield in 2013 80 1,800 Number of students enrolled K-6 Number of truckloads of snow Average class size of 6th removed from sidewalks grade at Proctor 563 50 19 Charting Our Course Who Are We in 2013? To chart a course for the future, we have to know who we are. What is Topsfield all about? Here is a snapshot of our town with some things you might not have known...but should! Registered cars in Topsfield Number of flu shots Hot Dogs sold at the administered to Town 5,797 Strawberry Festival: residents by the 3,212 Board of Health Books in the 226 Library book drop after Visitors to the Parson a long weekend Capen House Yearly Number of DVD’s checked out 125-150 1,000 of Library daily 85 Most Famous Person to Live in the Capen House: The most popular DVD checked Writer Henry Beston Sheehan, who wrote out in 2013: several books while living there, most notably, Silver Linings Playbook “The Outermost House” Large Print books at the Library Building Permits Volunteer hours at issued in 2013 the Library 927 295 Average number of 1,391 Registered paying Fair visitors (card holding) Library annually borrowers Average number of Attendees at the 250,000 patrons daily at the Library 5,514 Angie Miller concert 236 3,200 The most popular book Number of Topsfield Fair checked out of the Library in 2013 – Volunteers The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman 700 Most popular elementary Percentage of trash Number of cars that can school lunch – Topsfield recycles park at the Rivergate Lot Chicken patty on a roll 43 2,500 CHARTING OUR COURSE In Memoriam Natalie Kalscheur Anderson Natalie (Nat) Anderson and her husband Tom met at the University of Wisconsin where she earned a BS in journalism. They moved to Boxford in 1962, and then to Topsfield where they raised four daughters. She served as Children’s Librarian at the Ipswich Library and the Topsfield Library. An avid gardener, she earned the Presidential Award in 2012 from the New Meadows Garden Club. She served as a trustee of the Topsfield Library and was involved in numerous volunteer activities in the schools and in town, cherishing family, friends, flowers and books. John Eben Borden John was a well-known man in Topsfield, living in town for over fifty years. He served on the Finance Committee from 1986-1990, as Selectman from 1990-1993, and later as Town Moderator, where he was known for his keen mind, humor and fairness. A graduate of Harvard Business School, he worked for many years at General Mills and Gorton’s of Gloucester, while raising his two sons, with his wife Margaret (Mimi). He also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and was on the Vestry at Trinity Church in Topsfield, among many roles at the church. Leonard C. Broughton Leonard (Len) Broughton was a man feared and admired by hundreds of youth at Masconomet. He taught and then was Principal of the Middle School for 38 years, implementing new curriculum and training teachers, leading Masconomet to become one of the best regional schools in the state. Nicholas W. Rench Nicholas Rench was devoted to the Congregational Church of Topsfield, serving as Moderator, President of the Board of Trustees, Chair of Christian Education and two search committees, as well as Chair of Strategic Planning. His commitment to the church spanned over 37 years. Additionally, as an engineer and longtime executive with GTE as Director of Information Systems, he was instrumental in recom- mending and implementing the first computer system for the Town of Topsfield. An avid fisherman, he delighted in the outdoors, especially in his role as father and grandfather. vi TOWN OF TOPSFIELD 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents GENERAL INFORMATION CULTURE AND RECREATION 1 Town of Topsfield 68 Board of Library Trustees 2 General Town Information 72 Parks & Cemeteries Commission 6 Elected State Officials 74 Rail Trail Committee 7 Elected Town Officials 75 Open Space Committee 8 Appointed Town Officers PLANNING AND LAND USE GENERAL GOVERNMENT 76 Conservation Commission 12 Board of Selectmen 78 Planning Board 16 Town Clerk 80 Zoning Board of Appeals PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN MEETING MINUTES & 20 Police Department ELECTION DOCUMENTATION 24 Police and Fire Rosters 82 Annual/Special Town Meeting Minutes 26 Fire Department May 7, 2013 30 Inspectional Services 106 Annual Town Election: April 30, 2013 108 Special State Election: June 25, 2013 PUBLIC WORKS 32 Board of Road Commissioners APPENDICES 34 Board of Water Commissioners 109 Appendix A: Fiscal 2014 Operating Budget EDUCATION 36 Elementary School Committee FINANCIAL REPORTS 48 Masconomet Regional School District 118 Board of Assessors 120 Finance Committee HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 122 Town Accountant 52 Board of Health 148 Town Collector 56 Council on Aging 150 Town Treasurer 59 Topsfield Housing Authority 151 Trust Fund Commissioners 60 Tri-Town Council 66 Recycling Committee vii Photo: Sam LaRussa TOWN OF TOPSFIELD 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Town of Topsfield Incorporated:......................................................................................................................... 1650 (363nd Year) Government: ...................................................................................................................... Open Town Meeting Five-member Board of Selectmen with Town Administrator Annual Town Meeting: ....................................................................................................... First Tuesday in May Annual Town Election: .....................................................................................................First Thursday in May Town Census: ................................................................................................................(January 1, 2013) 6,702 Area: ...........................................................................................................................................13 Square Miles Town Roads: .........................................................................................................................................60 Miles Fiscal 2013 Tax Rate: ................................................................................................................................$15.95 Tax Levy: .........................................................................................................................................$18,330,215 Congressional District: ................................................................................................................................Sixth Senatorial District: ......................................................................................................First Essex and Middlesex Representative District: ............................................................................................................ Thirteenth Essex Town Hall Hours: ...............................................................................................................