USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1912 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
Gentlemen :- We have the honor to present the following report of the Department of Inspectors of Plumbing for the year ending December 31st, 1912.
One hundred and fifteen ! (115) permits to perform plumbing have been issued by us on application. The approx- imate valuation of this work being twenty-four thousand six hundred and three dollars ($24.603). One hundred and eight inspections were made by us, seven permits unfinished.
We thank the Board of Health and master plumbers for the aid they have given us in helping to properly carry out the plumbing ordinance; which has greatly improved the sanitary conditions of our buildings, and done mnuch to safe- guard the health of our citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. SKINNER, Inspector of Plumbing, - J. E. LUDDEN, Dept. Inspector of Plumbing. Respectfully submitted,
C. A. SULLIVAN, M. D. F. H. GILE, M. D. W. B. SKINNER.
1
1
225
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Braintree, Jan. 22, 1913.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
By the order of the Department of Animal Industry, State House, Boston, Mass., an inspection was made in Feb. and March, 1912.
In making this inspection there was found in this town at one hundred and twelve places I visited, 523 neat cattle, consisting of 418 milch cows, 50 young cattle, a few sheep, and quite a large number of goats, which were not counted.
Those who are making milk for sale in this Town are as a rule careful about the cleanliness of the places where the cows are kept, and about the hay and grain fed, some of them feed- ing nothing but the best clover mixed hay, and the finest grain they can buy. Some others are not quite up to this standard. But, a more liberal feeling seems to prevail that good care and the better feeding pays best. The 9 cows that were kept in this town last year for making cream, have been removed to another town.
The general health of the cows seem to be very good. Only one during the year has been in quarantine, that one was cared for by the State officers and destroyed. In the milk business in order to have a supply of milk on hand to meet the demand of the trade, there must continue to be cows placed in the herd that have very recently freshened, and that means those which are giving little milk, must be removed and new ones take their places. The only reliable place to find a supply is at Brighton. At this place generally can be found all kind of cows, the best and also the cheapest priced. Some of these lower priced ones come to market in rather poor con- dition, but if young and healthy, they will recruit in time, and be among the best. The oxen are a thing of the past. I do not know of any in town.
1
226
During the summer just passed four valuable cows were killed by lightening, and were a total loss to the owner.
While making this inspection I found at twenty three places, 368 hogs and pigs. I do not mean that there were no more than this number in town at this time, for I did not visit every place where hogs were kept, and the number is continually changing and especially so at this time of year, for very many small pigs are sold to out of town parties. The general health of this department of animals I found to be very good. Very largely are they kept in healthy condition, some exceedingly so. I also found the owners with rare ex- ceptions willing to accept and adopt any recommendation or changes that would add to the comfort or health and growth of these animals.
During the year Mr. Frank C. Marion, (a gentleman worthy of respect) of the Department of Animal Industry, has been in the town twice, looking over the cattle, barns and other things pertaining to the business, his recommendations have in many cases been adopted, and found to be helpful. During the month of December just passed, there was called at the State House, Boston, by the Commissioner, Mr. Fred F. Walker, a meeting of the local inspectors of this district, at which place and time 89 towns were represented, and some over one hundred were present. There were with us at this meeting several prominent veterinary surgeons, who gave some valuable information, making it a very helpful and in- structive meeting.
There is another feature in the animal inspection of the Town that is of great importance. It is the contagious dis- ease of glanders and farcy, to which horses and some other animals are exposed. Our present system of watering troughs in the public squares of the Town are one of the greatest sources of danger that we have. Where all horses sick or well can drink, and dogs drink and bathe in the summer sca- son, the time when water is most needed and used. This should be remedied in some good sensible form where man and beast can drink with perfect safety.
227
Five horses have been quarantined and condemned for glanders, and two for farcy during the year by the Depart- ment of Animal Industry, and killed and buried by myself. Some of these were valuable horses the owner of one told me his cost him $250. I made special inquiry as to how they be- came affected and nearly all referred to the open watering trough as the source. I would therefore recommend for the public and private good that all who must water their animals on the road, to take with them a good clean galvanized pail and use the same for no other purpose.
There has been one dog killed by me during the year by order of the Animal Industry, bitten by a dog said to have hydrophobia.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
JOSEPHUS SAMPSON,
Animal Inspector.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEP'T
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
For the Year ending December 31, 1912
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN
-
OF
EE
rs
1640 SSACHUSET
1
GEORGE W. PRESCOTT PUBLISHING CO. BRAINTREE, MASS.
1913
231
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.
We invite a careful reading of the report of our Manager, herewith appended, which gives in a compact form the statis- tics of a successful year of service.
An unusual amount of repairs, and the reduction of the rate from 12 to 10 cents per kilowatt, leaves only a small balance on hand. The plant is in such an excellent condition, that the repairs for the coming year will be only nominal. The coal famine has not troubled us, as we placed an order early, and now have some five or six months supply on hand.
Recently a citizen of the town visited the Station and ex- amined its condition, and afterwards in talking with one of our Board, expressed his great pleasure and satisfaction that the town was in possession of so complete a plant for furnish- ing light and power to its inhabitants, and he wished that more of our people would visit the Station, and thus in- crease their interest in the Light Department. While most every one has a general idea of engines, dynamos, switches and wires, it might be difficult to give a satisfactory explana- tion of how these elements are brought into working harmony, so as to produce a current of electricity that is sent along the wires to every part of the town, for instant use, night and day, for light and small power. We cordially invite all to visit the Station and see and study the machinery in action. The manager or the engineer in charge will cheerfully give all necessary information to make the inspection interesting.
We urge householders to confer with the manager re- garding electric stoves, water heaters and other appliances. Note what he says about those already installed and inter- view the ladies who are using them. It can be shown that no fuel is safer or cheaper than electricity.
CHARLES T. CRANE, ALEXANDER A. CARSON, NORTON P. POTTER.
232
REPORT OF MANAGER.
To the Municipal Light Board,
Town of Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit to you my report of the operations of this department, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1912.
The Electric and Steam plants, Station and other build- ings have received the necessary repairs and attention, and are in excellent condition.
There has been extensive repairs made on lines as indi- cated by the large expenditure in that particular account, and we think same were fully warranted in view of our in- creasing patronage.
We had in service Dec. 31, 1912-1124 Meters
We had in service Dec. 31, 1911-1042 Meters
82 or nearly 9% increase.
Number of Kilowatt hours registered at Station 1912-485680 Number of Kilowatt hours registered at Station 1911-431350
or an increase of nearly 9%. 54330
Streets were lighted 343 nights, consuming 130650 Kilo- watt hours, and paid for by the Town thus : Appropriation for lighting $5832.00
Less cost renewals 454.09
5377.91 or at
approximately 4 cents per Kilowatt hour.
To this system have been added 15 new lights at a cost "not including poles" $225.87 making a total now in opera- tion 663 and same were lighted 2769 hours during the year, or an average of 8 hours and 15 minutes each night.
Several cooking and water heating installations have been added to our service mains, and the general satisfaction and convenience consequent to same, together with the will-
233
ingness of the users to testify to the remarkable satisfying re- sults obtained, has been the means of producing many pro- spective customers for the coming season, and this with other new business along different lines "induced by the prevailing low rates for service in comparison with the majority of towns" should make the year of 1913, one of the most suc- cessful in the history of this department.
Respectfully Submitted,
FRED B. LAWRENCE, Manager.
CASH ACCOUNT.
Receipts and Disbursements for Year 1912.
Received Light and Power Regular
Meters
$19,400.63
Prepayment Meters
2,662.75
Meter Rents
805.57
Consumers Lamps
1,774.41
Consumers Supplies and Connec- tions
1,130.19
$25,773.55
From sale Arc Lamps "Junk"
157.50
From Appro. Street Lighting
5,832.00
From Depreciation Fund
456.16
From Appro. unexpended balance
1911
2,501.61
$34,720.82
Paid Manufacturing Account
$21,581.81
Dep. Fund
4,490.75
Sinking Fund
430.00
Interest Bonds
660.00
-
234
For Consumer's Lamps
1,555.80
For Consumers Supplies
802.23
Fuel
2,512.50
Meters
1,706.55
Street Lighting Extensions
225.87
Electric Plant Additions
244.05
Steam Plant Additions
276.02
Office Furniture and Fixtures
44.00
Cash Office Dec. 31st.
157.50
Balance Treas. Hands . . 33.74
$34,720.82
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
Stable
$846.99
Electric Plant Repairs
280.10
Steam Plant Repairs
766.96
Oil Waste and Packing
326.96
Line Lamp and Meter Repairs
3,966.11
Fuel
4,637.10
General Salaries
1,724.98
Station Wages
5,542.14
Distribution Wages
1,336.74
Office Expense .
315.42
Series Street Lamps
454.09
Water Account
507.04
Station Tools and Appliances
10.24
Dist. Tools and Appliances
55.28
Real Estate Repairs
504.78
Insurance
296.88
Rent Right of Way N. Y. N. H.
10.00
$21,581.81
235
STATEMENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES DECEMBER 31, 1912.
Electric Plant
$12,577.57
Steam Plant
12,358.52
Real Estate
10,090.40
Electric Lines
29,095.64
Transformers
5,092.28
Meters
14,343.22
Street Lighting Fix. and Lines
2,452.23
Stable Account
1,514.70
Electric Plant Repair Parts
875.00
Steam Plant Repair Parts
480.80
Oil Waste and Packing
152.15
Line Repair Stock
750.66
Consumer's Supplies
854.65
Fuel on hand Dec. 31.
2,512.50
Street Series Lamps
.
245.60
Consumer's Account
9,036.23
Sinking Fund Com.
12,061.83
Depreciation Cash
15,986.14
Station Tools and Appliances
741.75
Distribution Appliances
375.00
Consumer's Lamps
278.22
Office Furniture and Fixtures
459.00
Profit and Loss Account
22,992.41
Cash Town Treasurer
33.74
Cash Light Office
157.50
$155,517.74
Appropriation Construction Account
$66,691.91
Bonds for Construction
16,500.00
Appropriation Note Payments
64,000.00
Appropriation Sinking Fund
8,170.00
Interest accrued not due 155.83
$155,517.74
236
APPROPRIATIONS REQUIRED FOR 1913.
Depreciation on :
Notes payable issued . $66,500.00
Bonds
16,500.00
Appro. construction . . 66,691.91
$149,691.91 at 3% $4,490.75
Interest on Bonds
660.00
Sinking Fund
430.00
Construction Street Lights
386.25
$5,967.00
The above to be paid from the income from Street Light- ing, Thus:
Six hundred and sixty-three Lights at
$9.00 each
$5,967.00
Braintree, Mass., February 4, 1913.
We have examined the accounts of F. B. Lawrence, Man- ager Electric Light Department, and find the same to be cor- rect as stated. The amount of cash revenue was ($25,773.55) twenty-five thousand seven hundred and seventy-three and 55-100 dollars, and the same has been paid to the Town Treasurer as per receipts given by him to said F. B. Lawrence for the above amount. We have also examined the inventory given in this report, comparing it with the various accounts" and the same is hereby approved.
WILLIAM A. MCKEAN, OTIS B. OAKMAN,
Auditors for 1912.
237
SHADE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The work the past year has not been as successful as I had hoped. The spraying was cut short two weeks on account of breaking down of the power sprayer. We spent over $150 in repairs, etc., in attempting to finish the season. We had the machine overhauled and supposed it was in perfect condi- tion in the spring but the pump gave us continual trouble and a new one will have to be put in now. We were obliged to leave many places I had planned to spray. Conditions as to Elm Leaf beetle are excellent, but the Gypsy Moth and Brown Tail are numerous. We are sending out notices to property owners as per law. The men are engaged at present destroy- ing nests. Some criticism has been made that we do not go into the wood lands and make a clean job. Suppose we had the money and succeeded in getting every Brown Tail moth nest in this town, during August when the moths are flying we would get thoroughly infested again, so I believe the only way is to get along as cheaply as possible and keep them down. This is all the State Department and U. S. Department are trying to do. Probably on the whole we have just about held our own as regards the Gypsy and Brown Tail moth work. In some sections they have increased and other places they are pretty well cleaned out. This department as usual shows an overdraft, but a few words in explanation, in the first place we were obliged to spend $150 on the sprayer, then another $100 on removing dead trees that had become dangerous. We have considerable poison on hand owing to cutting the spray- ing season short. I shall ask you to place this work in other hands the coming year. I cannot put the time in necessary for the work. I wish to thank the citizens for their generous and hearty support, also your Honorable Board for their courteous treatment. I believe you should elect a man who can give his entire time to this work. With the private work and Town work a man would have enough to do and be on the job every minute.
238
Recommendation that twenty-five hundred ($2500) be appropriated for the coming year. I ask for the increase to allow a new pump for power machine which would cost about $250.00
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Sundry persons and payroll $3,025.50
Supplies, repairs and printing 442.39
$3,467.89
CREDITS.
Bills rendered to the Selectmen for collection
$1,024.48
$2,443.41
Appropriation
2,000.00
Overdraft
$443.41
Respectfully submitted,
O. A. HUBBARD.
239
JURY LIST
As prepared by the Selectmen, February 4, 1913.
Aitkin, William D., Shaw street, salesman. Akerstrom, John, 130 Hayward street, harnessmaker. Anderson, George L., 358 Elm street, salesman. Andrews, George W., 43 Pleasant street, salesman. Arnold, George A., 242 Middle street, farmer. Arnold, Ralph W., 491 Washington street, salesman. Beal, George C., 335 Tremont street, retired. Bond, Francis D., 35 Spruce street, clerk. Bridgham, Oakes A., 985 Washington street, merchant. Cain, Ralph C., 2070 Washington street, farmer. Carmichael, Fred R., 5 Canal street, clerk. Cavanagh, Arthur J., School street, contractor. Coleman, Daniel H., 85 Hillside road, clerk. Cowing, William H., 22 Quincy avenue, druggist. Crocker, Luther O., 30 Liberty street, manufacturer. Cummings, Charles R., 30 Pond street, clerk. Davis, Walter S., Soper House Lane, dentist. Dee, J. Edwin, 103 Academy street, clerk.
Dickinson, Walter R., 30 Academy street, carpenter. Dow, M. Alva, 87 Middle street, electrician. Drinkwater, Joseph S., 11 Jersey avenue, bookkeeper. Dutton, Worthen S., Dearing avenue, salesman. Emerson, Merton L., 135 West street, superintendent. Field, William E., 14 Elm Knoll road, architect. French, George A., 660 Washington street, retired. Gilman, Charles E., Franklin street, blacksmith. Gould, Thomas H., 1461 Washington street, painter. Gutterson, William B., 15 Bellevue road, time keeper. Haley, Joseph A., 65 Prospect street, broker. Hannaford, Charles S., 4 Hancock street, real estate. Harding, Charles E., 62 Walnut avenue, paper hanger. Harding, William C., 132 Hollis avenue, bookkeeper.
240
Hawes, Benjamin, 516 Middle street, carpenter. Hayden, Nelson E., 305 Pond street, shoeworker. Hayward, Francis E., 445 Quincy avenue, florist. Hayward, Lemuel A., 495 Quincy avenue, florist. Hobart, Charles A., 691 Washington street, painter. Hobart, Edward W., Hobart avenue, retired. Hobart, Sanford W., 699 Washington street, carpenter. Holbrook, Alfred H., Cleveland avenue, carpenter. Hollis, Henry M., Middle street, farmer.
Hollis, Orrin W., 22 Cleveland avenue, clerk. Hood, Edward A., 266 Liberty street, broker.
Horte, Robert F., Liberty street, farmer.
Hubbard, Ray S., 2106 Washington street, organizing sec.
Hunt, Charles Q., 385 West street, farmer.
Illingworth, John W., 1724 Stedman avenue, lineman. Jennings, George W., 317 Washington street, engineer. Jones, George H., 34 Stedman avenue, inspector. Jordan, Charles G., 155 Allen street, grain dealer. Kingsbury, George D., 115 River street, bookkeeper. Kinna, James T., 159 Hollis avenue, foreman. Knight, Bradford Y., 193 Shaw street, carpenter. Leben, L. Francis, 76 Howard street, machinist. Madan, George C., 38 Franklin street, shoeworker.
Martin, Willis H., 322 Washington street, undertaker. McManus, John P., 12 Thayer place, R. R. employee. McRae, Augustus, 30 Sheppard avenue, carpenter. Mellen, Charles F., 48 Taylor street, shoeworker. Monroe. Oscar H., 157 Elm street, clerk.
Newcomb, Willie A., 37 Sherbrooke avenue, shoeworker.
Nickson, William, 685 Union street, mill hand. Pack, Fred P., 16 Brookside road, undertaker. Porter, Elbridge F., 138 Franklin street, clerk.
Potter, Norton P., 40 Tremont street, salesman. Pratt, Stillman F., 365 Washington street, editor. Randall, Cyrus F., 95 Howard street, retired. Shaw, Frederick W., 659 Washington street, retired. Shepard, John L., Shepard road, shoeworker.
241
Sheppard, Charles G., 120 Quincy avenue, coal dealer. Simonds, H. Willie, 50 Tremont street, coachman. Simonds, Walter E., 55 Tremont street, shoeworker. Slade, George H., 454 Washington street, shoeworker. Smith, Frederick R., Hayward street, salesman. Stevens, James, 54 Liberty street, machinist. Stocker, Robert R., 240 Pond street, cutter. Stone, George E., Frederick road, shoeworker. Storm, J. Sidney, 156 Town street, teamster. Streiford, Carl, 290 Quincy avenue, florist. Sullivan, Edward J., 654 Washington street, merchant. Sullivan, John F., 36 Oak street, painter. Summers, William B., Norfolk road, draftsman. Thayer, Emery S., 89 Plain street, poultry dealer. Watkins, Edwin F., 533 Washington street, R. R. employee. Welch, George, Jr., 105 Tremont street, shoeworker. Wetherbee, George H., Jr., 123 River street, civil engineer. White, Hartley L., 40 Maple street, civil engineer. White, Henry Arthur, 831 Washington street, machinist. Whiton, Marshall L., 9 Allen street, retired. Willey, Morris G., 328 Elm street, farmer.
242
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Norfolk, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree. Greeting :
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 No. 1, Braintree Club, Wash- ington Street.
Polling place in Precinct No. 2, Hose House, Hollis Ave.
Polling place in Precinct No. 3, Hose House, Allen Street,
on Monday the third day of March, 1913, at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to bring in to the Wardens of their respective precincts their votes on the official ballot for a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, three Selectmen, one member of the Board of Assessors for a term of three years, three Overseers of the Poor, three Highway Surveyors, three Auditors, three Fence Viewers, a Tax Collector, a Tree Warden, two members of the Board of School Committee for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Health for a term of three years, one Water Commissioner and Commis- sioner of Sinking Funds for a term of three years, one Elec- tric Light Commissioner for a term of three years, two Trustees for Thayer Public Library for a term of two years, and fifteen Constables.
Also to vote "Yes" or "No" upon the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town ?"
The polls shall be opened at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at one o'clock P. M.
243
You are further directed to notify and warn said inhabi- tants qualified to vote as aforesaid to meet at Bates' Opera House, Commercial Street, in said Braintree on Monday, the tenth day of March, 1913, at seven and one-half o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, name- ly :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers except those elected by ballot.
Article 3. To see if the Town will authorize its Treas- urer with the approval of the majority of the Selectmen to borrow money in anticipation of taxes and issue notes of the Town therefor.
Article 4. To see if the Town will hold its Treasurer harmless on his bond from 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 Selectmen.
Article 5. To hear and act upon the reports of the sever- al boards of Town Officers and of any committee, and to choose any committee the Town may think proper.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
Article 6. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the salaries of the Town officers and the expenses of the several departments, including the bond of the Town Treasurer.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Assessors in making their annual report for the year 1913 to publish a full statement of each tax payer's posses- sions, both real and personal, describing each parcel of prop- erty, its location, and its valuation, keeping separate the resi-
244
dent and non-resident tax payers; and that the sum of one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars be appropriated for this purpose.
Article 8. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the expenses of Registration and Elections.
TOWN HALL
Article 9. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for furnishing, equipping and maintaining the Town Hall and Town offices and for the ser- vices of a Janitor.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Article 10. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for its Police and for the neces- sary expenses required for the enforcement of the law.
Article 11. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the payment of Court ex- penses.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Article 12. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support and maintenance of the Fire Department, and for Hydrant Service.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for extra pay of firemen on the 30 cents per hour basis.
Article 14. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate a sum of money for repairs of Hose Wagon No. 2, and House No. 2, Hollis Avenue.
Article 15. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate $85.00 for painting Hose No. 2 of Braintree.
245
Article 16. To see if the Town will raise and appropri- ate a sum of money for the purchase of new hose.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the purchase of additional fire apparatus.
Article 18. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support and mainten- ance of the Fire Alarm System.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to place a new Fire Alarm box near Shaw Street and Cotton Avenue and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
INSPECTION
Article 20. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the sealing of Weights and Measures.
Article 21. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purchasing of weights, measures and balances to replace those destroyed by fire.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.