USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1938 > Part 1
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WATSON PARK BRANCH
Annual Report
Town of
BRAINTREE
1640
1938
Report of the Selectmen for the Year 1938
It seems appropriate that the Selectmen should make some report to the people of the Town of their doings for the year starting March 7th, 1938, when the control of the Board came into the hands of those now responsible.
A full report of the activities of the Selectmen would include detailed reports of the various departments coming under their juris- diction. These reports, however, appear more fully set forth in other portions of the Town Report.
The Selectmen have felt that far the most important part of their duties was to see that able and honest men were placed in direct charge of the departments under their control. This has been done and the reports of the various departments speak for themselves of the ability and honesty of the persons appointed. In making these appointments, the Selectmen had not sought to shirk any of their responsibilities, but rather to discharge those responsibilities by surrounding themselves with the proper assistance.
Several matters which have been troublesome in the past have been given serious attention by the present Board. Every effort was made, and with marked success, to obtain and pay bills due, from the Town of Braintree, for the year 1938 before the end of that year. This step will prevent the accumulation of unpaid bills which, annually, have been a problem and burden to the Town. There are, however, out -. standing some unpaid bills for years prior to 1938. We hope that the Town will this year take some action to pay these bills so far as they are valid obligations of the Town.
Much time has been spent on the problem of Town insurance with distinctly beneficial results. The rate has been reduced approximately 25%, effecting a very substantial saving to the Town, and the policies have been so distributed that an equal portion becomes renewable each year, in order that the insurance burden will be more evenly distributed throughout the years.
The Accountant's Department acting on instructions of the Select- men, has done excellent work in setting up an "Accounts Receivable Ledger," in such form that accounts due to the Town may be located, analyzed, and enforced.
The Selectmen have held regular meetings of the Board for public hearings for the transactions of public business and have been in at- tendance at the Town Hall for the transaction of administrative business almost daily.
While we feel we have made a start in the right direction, we are certain that there is more to be done and we therefore urge the co- operation and understanding of the voters in our effort to attain the goal of a good government in Braintree.
HENRY D. HIGGINS, Chairman. ALBERT E. ROBERTS, Clerk. Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
CONTAINING THE REPORTS OF SELECTMEN, TOWN TREASURER, TOWN CLERK TOWN ACCOUNTANT, ASSESSORS AND OTHER OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
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ITREE
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·1640.
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FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1938
Printed by THE CRAFTSMAN PRESS Boston, Mass.
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Report of Town Clerk
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree. Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, qualified to vote in elections therein, to meet at the polling places in their respective Precincts, to wit :-
Polling Place in Precinct 1, Town Hall.
Polling Place in Precinct 2, Legion Hall, Hollis Avenue.
Polling Place in Precinct 3, Hose House, Allen Street.
On Monday, the seventh day of March, 1938, at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to bring into the Wardens of their respective Precincts their votes on the official ballot for a Moderator, Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, one Selectman for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Public Welfare for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Assessors for a term of three years, one Water Commissioner and Commissioner of Sinking Funds for a term of three years, two members of the School Committee for a term of three years, one member of the Municipal Lighting Board for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Health for a term of three years, one Sewer Commissioner for a term of three years, one Park Commissioner for a term of three years, a Tax Collector, a Tree Warden, one member of the Planning Board for a term of three years, one member of the Planning Board for a term of two years, two Trustees of Thayer Public Library for a term of two years, and fifteen Constables: also to vote on the following questions on the same ballot :- 1. "Shall Part One of an Act passed by the General Court in the year 1937 entitled, 'An Act establishing in the Town of Braintree Representative Town Govern- ment by Limited Town Meeting' be accepted by this Town?" 2. "Shall an Act passed by the General Court in the year 1934, entitled, 'An Act establishing a Town Manager Form of Government for the Town of Braintree,' be accepted?" 3. "To see if the Town will authorize the Moderator to appoint a Committee of five to consider the feasibility of applying to the Legislature for permission to set up and operate a Controller's Department in the Town of Braintree and report its recom- mendations at the next Town Meeting."
The polls will be opened at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at three o'clock in the afternoon.
You are further directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants qualified to vote as aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall in said Brain- tree on Monday, the fourteenth day of March, 1938, at seven forty-five
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o'clock in the evening, then and there to act upon the following; articles, namely :-
Article 1. To choose all Town Officers, except those elected by ballot.
Article 2. To hear and act upon the report of the several boards of Town Officers, and committees, and choose any committee the Town may think proper.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year begin- ning January 1, 1938, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1939, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with the provisions of Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money for general munici- pal purposes under the authority of and in accordance with the provi- sions of Chapter 49 of the Acts of 1933, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will hold its Treasurer harmless on his bond for any loss which may arise from the failure of any National Bank or Trust Company in which the funds of the Town may be on de- posit, said Bank or Trust Company being designated by the Selectmen.
Article 7. To see if the Town will hold its Collector harmless on his bond for any loss which may arise from the failure of any National Bank or Trust Company in which the funds of the Town may be on deposit, said Bank or Trust Company being designated by the Select- men.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate a sum of money for a Reserve Fund for extraordinary and unforeseen expenditures during the current year.
Article 9. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Interest and Maturing Debt the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Insurance on Town property and Work- ingmen's Compensation, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the Norfolk County Hospital Assess- ment, for maintenance and repairs.
Article 12. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Street Lighting, to wit :- $12,900.00.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate a sum of money for the payment of printing and distribu- tion of the Annual Report of the Town of Braintree for 1937.
5.
Article 14. To see what distribution the Town will vote to make. of the income of the Thayer Fund.
Article 15. To see what sums of money, in addition to that appro- priated under any other article, the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for LAND DAMAGES.
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Article 16. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the support of the Public Schools for the present year, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing and in- stalling compressed air Whistles, and a system necessary for efficient and effective methods for notifying all parts of the Town of "No-School", or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of enlarging the Auditorium, and providing more suitable stage and dressing room accommodations at the Thomas A. Watson School, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 19. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise . or borrow and appropriate for the Public Library, the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to fix and establish the salaries of the Selectmen at $1,000.00 each per annum, and raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for this purpose.
Article 21. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for GENERAL GOVERNMENT for Salaries and expenses for the following departments and other purposes, the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
1. Moderator.
2. Finance Committee.
3. Selectmen.
4. Accountant.
5. Town Engineer.
6. Assessors
7. Treasurer.
8. Tax Collector.
9. Town Clerk.
10. Election and Registration.
11. Law.
12. Maintenance of Municipal Buildings: Town Hall, Central Fire and Police Station and Public Library.
13. Contributory Retirement System.
a. Secretary (Salary) $ 1,040.00
b. Expenses 1,300.00
c. Interest-Deficiency on funds. 29.64
d. Pensions 6,401.83
e. Pension Accumulation Fund. 13,749.00
Article 22. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a sum of money in addition to sums of money already appropriated to cover the Town's share for materials, trucking and other necessary expendi-
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tures in connection with W.P.A activities or other Special Aid projects in conjunction with State or Federal Government as may be approved by the Finance Committee, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. To see what further sums the Town will vote to raise by taxation and appropriate to meet certain incidental and miscellane- ous expenses not otherwise provided for, namely, GENERAL GOVERN- MENT INCIDENTALS, the same to be in addition to any sums previ- ously appropriated for said purposes.
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Article 24. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the protection of persons and property the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
1. Life Guard at Sunset Lake.
2. Building Inspector.
3. Sealer of Weights and Measures.
4. Tree Warden's Department.
5. Moth Department.
6. Fire Department.
1. To see if the Town will vote to increase the Fire Depart- ment by the addition of three permanent men at the salaries of $1,700.00 each per annum, and raise and appropriate the sum of $5,100.00 for this purpose.
7. Police Department.
1. To see if the Town will vote to increase the Police Depart- ment by the addition of three permanent men at the salaries of $1,700.00 each per annum, and raise and appropriate the sum of $5,100.00 for this purpose.
2. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to establish a rule governing "leave of absence with pay for sickness" as ap- plied to the Police Department, to the effect that no member of the Police Department shall receive such sick leave payment for more than fourteen days during the calendar year, or take any other action relative thereto.
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Article 25. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Health and Sanitation the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the maintenance and operation of the Water Department, including interest and debt on Water Loans, the same to be taken from the revenue of the Department, and the unex- pended balance of 1937, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money from the income and revenue of the Water Department of the Town of Braintree for the general operating expenses of the Town; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Water Commissioners to transfer said sum of money to the Town Treasurer to be used to defray the general operating expenses of the Town, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to construct a drain to extend the overflow from the standpipe over the property of Gordon Bryant to the Town drain on West Street; and raise and appropriate the sum of $410.00 from the income of the Water Department to construct said drain, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the income of the Electric Light Department, the sum of $300.00 for sal- aries of the Electric Light Commissioners.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to include in the Tax Levy for electricity used for Street Lighting the sum of $12,900.00 as appro- priated under Article 12 in this Warrant for the 1938 Annual Town Meeting, and that said sum together with the income from sales of electricity to private consumers, or for current supplied to Municipal buildings or for Municipal power, and from sales of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year, be appropriated for the use of the Municipal Light Plant, the whole to be expended under the direc- tion and control of the Municipal Light Board, for repairs, renewals, new construction and operating expenses of the plant for the present fiscal year, as defined in Section 57 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, and that, if said income shall exceed the expenses for the fiscal year, such excess shall be transferred to the construction fund of said plant and appropriated and used for such additions to the plant as may there- after be authorized by the Municipal Light Board.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money from the income and revenue of the Electric Light Department of the Town of Braintree for the general operating expenses of the Town; and to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Electric Light Commissioners to transfer the said sum of money to the Town Treasurer to be used to defray the general operating expenses of the Town, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see what sum or sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purposes of the Sewer Department, to be expended by the Board of Sewer Commissioners, or take any action relative thereto.
RECREATION
Article 33. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the general uses of the Board of Park Commissioners the coming year, or take any action relative thereto.
CEMETERIES
Article 34. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the improvement of the Cemetery the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
Article 35. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Soldiers' Relief, State Aid and Military Aid, and Memorial Day Observance, the present year, or take any action relative thereto.
PUBLIC WELFARE
Article 36. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the PUBLIC WELFARE DEPART- MENT, including Aid for Dependent Children, and Adequate Assistance to Certain Aged Persons under the provisions of Chapter 118A, Acts of 1931, or take any action relative thereto.
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HIGHWAYS
Article 37. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the support of the Highway Department, including labor, repairs to highways, Town ways and Bridges; also, for repairs and building sidewalks, stone roads and removal of Snow, Oiling and Tarring of Streets; purchase of equipment for said depart- ment, or take any action relative thereto.
Article. 38. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on ARBUTUS AVENUE, from Standish Avenue to Wildwood Avenue, on the east side, a distance of approximately 615 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $410.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 39. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on WILDWOOD AVENUE, from Arbutus Avenue to the Braintree Highlands School, on the north side, a distance of approxi- mately 2,000 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $1,333.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on WILDWOOD AVENUE, from Arbutus Avenue to 57 Wildwood Avenue, on the south side, a distance of approximately 710 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $474.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 41. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on BREWSTER AVENUE from Washington Street to Hayward Avenue, on the north side, a distance of approximately 450 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 42. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on BREWSTER AVENUE, from Washington Street to Arbutus Avenue, on the south side, a distance of approximately 2130 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $1,420.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on BREWSTER AVENUE, from Arbutus Avenue to Standish Avenue, a distance of approximately 825 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $550.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 44. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on HAYWARD STREET, from North Bowditch Street to Shaw Street, on the south side, a distance of approximately 1160 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $775.00 for the con- struction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 45. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- 'struct a sidewalk on KEW ROAD, from Middle Street to Strathmore Road, on the north side, a distance of approximately 370 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $247.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 46. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on KEW ROAD, from Middle Street to Strathmore Road, on the south side, a distance of approximately 366 feet, and raise and appropriate the sum of $243.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 47. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on STRATHMORE ROAD, from Union Street approxi- mately 247 feet north, on the east side, and raise and appropriate the
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sum of $165.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action rela -- tive thereto.
Article 48. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on STRATHMORE ROAD, from Union Street a. distance of approximately 172 feet on the south side, and raise and. appropriate the sum of $125.00 for the construction of the same, or take: any action relative thereto.
Article 49. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on MIDDLE STREET, from Elm Street to No. 105 Middle Street, a distance of approximately 1205 feet on the west side, and raise and appropriate the sum of $810.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to con- struct a sidewalk on HANCOCK STREET, from Washington Street near Plain Street to Washington Street, a distance of approximately 1980 feet on the west side, and raise and appropriate the sum of $1,320.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 51. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to widen FAXON STREET, from Commercial Street, a distance of approximately 400 feet south, and raise and appropriate the sum of $455.00 for the construction of same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 52. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to widen a portion of UNION STREET, opposite No. 351 Union Street, approxi- mately 80 square yards of construction, and raise and appropriate the sum of $450.00 for the construction of the same, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 53. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept. as and for a Town Way, VERANDA ROAD, so-called, from Marietta Avenue, a distance of approximately 200 feet, as laid out by the Select- men, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 54. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept ARTHUR STREET, between Audubon Road and Arborway Drive, as and for a Town Way, as laid out by the Selectmen, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 55. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of that portion of ARTHUR STREET situated between Edgehill Road and Gordon Road, which was accepted by the Town in 1919, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 56. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept: as and for a Town Way, WALNUT STREET, so-called, from Storrs Avenue Extension, to Lakeside Drive, Braintree, as laid out by the Selectmen, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improve- ment of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 57. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, WALNUT STREET, so-called, from Lakeside Drive to Oakland Road, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way.
Article 58. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, OAKLAND ROAD, so-called, from Walnut Street to Abbott Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and raise
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and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 59. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, LAKESIDE DRIVE, so-called, from Walnut Street to Granite Street, as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 60. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, BREWSTER AVENUE, so-called, from Wash- ington Street to Standish Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 61. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, OREGON AVENUE, a distance of 600 feet, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 62. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to accept as and for a Town Way, ROSE AVENUE, so-called, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of the said way, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 63. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the construction of a curbing and sidewalk, on the easterly side of BELLEVUE ROAD, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 64. ON PETITION. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the extension of the water main from the end of Dewey Avenue and Cedar Avenue, to Oregon and Dyer Avenue and Winthrop Road; a distance of seven hundred (700) feet; or take any action relative thereto.
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