USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1915 > Part 11
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GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
Your committee has carefully considered the condition of buildings with reference to fire hazard and feels that its recommendations are conservative and necessary for safety.
221
While the automatic alarm has been recommended for the High School only, the low cost of installation, compared with the additional safety secured, makes it well worthy of consideration for installation in other schools of the town.
Your committee urges that the old non-adjustable desks and chairs which are still in use in several rooms of our schools, be replaced at once by those of the modern adjust- able type.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT.
To correct a statement which has obtained considerable standing, that "members of the School Committee have been unfaithful in attendance at their meetings," your committee examined the records for the last two years and found that no individual member of the school board has been absent more than two out of ten meetings during either of these years.
The established precedent of having the Superintendent of Schools act as the recording secretary of the School Com- mittee, is one which should be discontinued. It is impor- tant that the board should be in close touch with its Super- intendent. It is equally important that it should retain a separate entity.
TEACHERS.
A comparison of the present salaries of teachers in Braintree schools with those of other towns in Massachusetts similar in size shows that our present schedule is better than the average.
Your committee feels confident that when the citizens of Braintree raised the maximum for grade teachers to $700, they felt that this would mean that the services of more efficient teachers would be secured and retained. This has not been accomplished, because the increase until the max- imum is reached has been made too automatically, and not with sufficient reference to the comparative merits of the teachers.
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Teachers whose services do not warrant an increase should be replaced by more efficient teachers.
ADMINISTRATION.
The rules for promotion made by the School Committee on May 9, 1907, are not enforced. Scholars are passed from one grade to another before they are properly prepared, thus doing an injustice to the pupils and placing an unjust burden upon the succeeding teacher.
More attention should be paid to the faithful but less brilliant scholars, particularly through cooperation be- tween teacher and parent.
The committee endorses the recommendation of many parents that the problem of two grades in one room should receive the special attention of the school committee, as no teacher can do justice to more than one grade.
DISTRICT LINES.
District Lines should be more strictly maintained. Too many children are now attending school outside their dis- trict without sufficient reason.
The present excessive cost of $2000 per year for trans- porting pupils is constantly increasing, and a large portion could be saved by the exercise of a reasonable discrimina- tion. Two-thirds of this amount is spent for barges which are over-crowded, and it would be far more healthful for many pupils to walk.
CONCLUSION.
There is considerable criticism of the School Board, yet when vacancies occur no concerted effort is made by parents or members of school associations to see that the best pos- sible candidates are selected and urged to accept nomina- tions.
There is much criticism of the Superintendent, but who takes pains to see that it reaches the School Committee, which is responsible for his being at the head of our schools ?
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Criticism of school teachers flows through the channels of neighborhood gossip, but how often do parents visit schools and have frank talks with the teachers of their children ?
The crying need of the school situation is more hearty cooperation among all concerned.
The schools of Braintree are not all that they should be, and there is doubtless much room for improvement even within the limits of present appropriations. But what is needed most is that parents shall realize that the problem is peculiarly their own, and that the power to get any- thing that they feel is needed and that they are willing to pay for, lies in their hands and may be obtained by con- structive effort and their votes at the caucus and at the polls.
E. M. ALEXANDER,
H. F. ARNOLD, ELLA M. EDSON, F. C. FOLSOM,
Chairman, ELLA V. GALLAGHER, ARTHUR L. HALE, ETHEL B. HAYWARD,
R. S. HUBBARD, MIRIAM B. PATTEN.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Water Commissioners AND Commissioners of Sinking Fund OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
For the Year Ending December 31, 1915
:
Printed by Order of the Town
TOWN
EE
M
TA
1640.
SSA
BRAINTREE BEE PRINT BRAINTREE, MASS.
1916
ORGANIZATION.
Report of Water Commissioners and Commissioners of the Sinking Fund for the Year 1915. HON, JAMES T. STEVENS, Chairman JOHN KELLEY WILLIAM C. HARRISON BENJAMIN F. DYER, Treasurer WILLIAM E. MAYBURY, Superintendent W. L. GAGE, Secretary and Collector JOHN W. MULCAHY, Engineer
1
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REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND
In accordance with Art. 2, Section 2, of the By-Laws, there is herewith submitted the annual report of the Board of Water Commissioners, together with a report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners for the year expiring Dec. 31, 1915.
In accordance with a vote of the Town at the annual meeting in March, 1914, the rent of two dollars per year for water meters was eliminated beginning with Jan. 1, 1915. This has reduced the tax on consumers something over $4000, and it was hoped would have a tendency to bring about a more prompt settlement of water bills, but such appears not to have been the effect. Rule No. 20 of the Water Department Rules and Regulations, authorized by vote of the Town, is printed on the reverse side of every bill rendered, and yet many consumers allow their bills to lap over from one quarter to another, entailing extra work making duplicate bills and an additional expense to the Department of no small amount for postage. The Commis- sioners dislike very much to have to use threats to enforce the payment of water bills, and they trust that in the future consumers will pay more prompt attention to the payment of their water bills when due. The Department desires to keep its own credit good by meeting all obligations when due, and can do so only by receiving prompt returns after bills are rendered, as we depend solely on our revenue from con- sumers for operating expenses.
At the annual meeting in 1913 this Board caused to be inserted in the Warrant, Article No. 55, "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be ex- pended under the direction of the Water Department for the extension of mains in streets on private property under development, or to instruct the Water Department relative
228
to what action the Department shall take on applications for · such extensions." The Town voted on this article of the Warrant to refer the whole matter to the Water Commis- sioners, and no appropriation was made. The Board is of the opinion an action for trespass would hold against the Town for entering upon and digging up streets on private land, and has demanded under any such conditions a writ- ten guarantee releasing the Town from any and all liability. On April 1, 1915, Mr. George H. Hatchard made formal ap- plication for an extension of the water mains on Holmes Street and Fairfield Street, at Washington Park, so-called, in Precinct 2, and the matter was taken under advisement by this Board. On April 8, 1915, a communication was sent Mr. Hatchard advising him that after an examination of the premises by our Superintendent, we were of the opinion that the work would entail an expense of about $1000, and that we had not sufficient funds available to meet so large an outlay, but if he, Mr. Hatchard, would guarantee the Water Department one-half the actual expense when completed we would undertake the work. Mr. Hatchard came before the Board at a meeting held May 3, 1915, and the matter was discussed, and on May 4, 1915, we again wrote Mr. Hatchard, holding to our position as stated to him in our letter of April 8, 1915. On May 10, 1915, Mr. Hatchard ad- dressed a letter to the Board, of which the following is a сору :
Allerton, Mass., May 10, 1915.
Braintree Water Department,
Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen : I herewith accept your proposition of May 4 to pay one-half of the expenses of extension of water pipes on Washington Park; the cost of laying same not to exceed 75 cents per foot.
Yours truly,
(Signed)
GEORGE H. HATCHARD.
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It was uncertain whether or not the work could be com- pleted for 75 cents per foot, and we wrote Mr. Hatchard on May 10, 1915, stating we would hold to our original proposition of assuming one-half of the actual cost, be it 75 cents per foot, more or less. While awaiting a reply to our letter from Mr. Hatchard, the matter was taken out of our hands by action of a special Town Meeting held June 4, 1915. Under Art. 2 of the Warrant for said special meet- ing, "To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate a sum of money to be used for the extension of water mains," it was voted on petition of Mr. E. E. Aber- crombie and others that if Mr. Hatchard will furnish proper grades and build complete, acceptable to the Town, Holmes and Fairfield Streets as laid out on plan of land divided into house lots and known as Washington Park, located in Pre- cinct 2, and also lay a 6-inch water main 645 feet on Holmes Street and 340 feet on Fairfield Street with a hydrant connected at the ends of each line, the same to be installed under the direction of and satisfactory to the Board of Water Commissioners, that the Town will reimburse Mr. Hatchard for installing said water mains when said streets are accepted by the Town. If this matter had been left with the Board, as we believe it properly should have been, the Town would have been saved an outlay of some five hundred dollars.
At the annual meeting in 1915 the Town voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $4000 to extend the water main on Liberty Street from Holbrook line to the house of S. F. Hawes, and on June 4, 1915, at a special meeting it was voted to extend the water mains on Liberty Street from near the house of William Buker to a point near the house of Otto W. Schrader, and $5000 was borrowed on two notes of the Town for that purpose. In accordance with these votes, the Water Board prepared plans and specifications, and advertised for bids, to be submitted on or before August 21, 1915. The Board met on that date to open and consider the bids submitted. There were ten bidders and representatives were present from each bidder. The bids were opened and
230
read by the Secretary in the presence of the Commissioners and the several bidders, and were taken under consideration. The Henry Spinach Construction Co. was the lowest bidder, at $8,500 for both jobs, but on being advised of its accept- ance, Mr. Spinach claimed a misunderstanding and desired to withdraw his bid and was allowed to do so. The next lowest bid was from Mr. Hamilton Flood at $9,400. This was $400 above the appropriation, but the Board after care- ful consideration thought wise to assume the payment of the extra $400 from the revenue of the Department, and awarded the contract to Mr. Flood at $9,400. The work has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifica- tions, and to the satisfaction of the Commissioners.
The rapid growth of the work in the Water Department has forced upon us the necessity of providing more rapid transit about Town, and with that end in view we have pur- chased an auto truck and contemplate in the near future the purchase of a smaller car for use of meter readers and repair men, eventually doing away entirely with horse-drawn vehi- cles. The economy of this may well be seen by referring to the large expenditure of money for stable expenses and team hire. A garage on modern lines is now in process of con- struction near the Little Pond Station for the housing of the cars. We believe this will eventually result in a substantial saving to the Department.
Early in October the Treasurer of the Board and of the Sinking Funds, Mr. Benj. F. Dyer, was stricken with an illness that made it necessary for him to relinquish his du- ties, and Mr. Otis B. Oakman having been appointed to the position of Town Treasurer pro tem., he was elected as Treasurer pro tem. of the Water Board and Sinking Funds. In the interest of both of these gentlemen, the Sinking Fund Commissioners thought it wise that an audit of the funds by a certified accountant be made, and accordingly the Board employed Mr. Herbert S. Child, expert municipal account- ant. and there follows a complete summary of his report. The full details are very complete and satisfactory. They are, however, so voluminous it would be impracticable to
231
print them in full, but the report is on file at the office of the Commissioners, and open at all times for the inspection of the public.
TOWN OF BRAINTREE.
To the Sinking Fund Commissioners,
Gentlemen: In accordance with your instructions I have examined the securities at the Security Vaults, Boston, and find them as reported by the Town Treasurer, and have listed them in detail. I have also examined the Savings Bank Book and have verified the totals as reported and have listed them. The four funds, namely, the Water Loans of 1888, 1891 and 1896, and the Municipal Lighting Loan of 1893 have all been examined and found correct.
I have also examined the records kept by the Town Treasurers of these funds from the date they were estab- lished to January 1, 1916, and have tabulated the amounts of the funds reported annually, and have checked the income and expenses and tabulated these amounts. See Tables.
Securities purchased prior to 1900 were listed at the purchase amount, regardless of whether they were bought above, below or at their par value. This, of course, placed a value above par on some of the securities which was not a correct figure. In the year 1900 all securities that had been listed above par were listed at their par value, but those bought below par were listed still at the amounts for which they were purchased, and this custom is still in force.
If the amounts at which they are reported, represented their value if disposed of before maturity, it would, to my mind, be the proper way, but with a continuous change in values of the bond held, and even those which were bought at their par value, the only reasonable way, it would seem, would be to list all the securities at their par value. Al- though I am not positive, I presume the reason for reporting securities at their purchase price by your Town Treasurer was, because when a bond is purchased below par and listed at par you do not actually receive any money to be credited to the fund to make up the difference between the amount
.
232
paid and the par value of the security. These amounts could have been shown as discounts on securities purchased in his annual statement, and then your securities could all be listed at their par value.
All four of the funds show a steady increase from year to year, and there does not seem to be any question of a doubt but what they all will reach an amount in excess of the loan at their maturity date, with the same efficient man- agement. All of the securities, at the time they were pur- chased, were good investments, but the railroad bonds of today are of uncertain and changeable values.
There are at the present time approximately $48,000.00 worth of railroad bonds whose maturity dates are later than the maturity dates of the Sinking Fund, and these will have to be disposed of in the next five years at least. Their ma- turity dates vary from 1925 to 1956.
Water Loan of 1888-Due January 1, 1918, $100,000.00.
The value of this fund on January 1, 1916, with the securities listed at par value, amounts to $100,369.15. Of this amount $87,000.00 is represented by securities, and the balance is cash in Savings Banks. Of the $87,000.00 in securities, $17,000.00 mature prior to 1918, $40,000.00 con- sists of the Water Loan Bonds which were issued when the fund was established, and $30,000.00 does not mature until after the loan is due. This necessitates the changing of these $30,000.00 worth of bonds with the other funds, or dis- posing of them in some manner. There are $14,000.00 worth of bonds of the 1918 maturity in the Sinking Fund of 1921, which to my mind should be exchanged for an equal value of securities in the 1918 fund, leaving $16,000.00 to be dis- posed of. These could be exchanged for securities of other funds which are now held, or will be purchased, so that it will not be necessary to sell any bonds at a discount prior to 1918. The income of this fund for 1915, not including the Town's appropriation, was over $3,800.00. With this amount of income for the next two years, the fund will amount to
233
over $108,000.00, and if securities had to be sold below par the loss surely would not equal $8,000.00. I do not consider it necessary for the Town to make any further appropriation. to this fund.
Water Loan of 1891-Due June 1, 1921. $150,000.00.
The amount of this fund on January 1, 1916, with all securities listed at par value is $117,908.08. Of this amount,. $110,500.00 is in securities and the balance is in cash, depos- ited in Savings Banks. Of the $110,500.00 in securities, $27,500.00 matures before the maturity date of the fund, $55,000.00 represents bonds of the loan, and $28,000.00 does. not mature until after the fund is payable. With the ex- changes suggested in the fund of 1918 maturity, I figure. there would be about $50,000.00 worth of securities that. would have to be disposed of, providing any further pur- chase of securities does not include any bonds which will mature after 1921. The income of this fund in 1915 was. over $4,400.00, not including the town appropriation. With this income each year, and which increases every year, the. increase will exceed $25,000.00, and with an appropriation of $2,000.00 annually the fund at maturity should be able to- withstand a loss on securities sold below the par value.
Water Loan of 1896-Due August 1, 1926. $6000.00.
The amount of this fund on January 1, 1916, was $3,359.85, of which $1,000.00 is a Water Bond of 1921 maturity, and $2,359.85 is on deposit in Savings Banks. The income of this fund for 1915 was $129.43 and the Town ap- propriation $120.00. With a steadily increasing income and the same appropriation, there is no question but what the. $6,000.00 will be available at maturity.
Municipal Lighting Loan of 1893 Due April 5, 1917. $16,500.00.
The amount of this fund on January 1, 1916, was $14,886.91 with the securities listed at par value. Of this. amount, $4,000.00 is securities and $10,886.91 is on deposit in the Savings Banks. The $16,500.00 in bonds which the
234
town issued for this loan, are held in the Sinking Fund of 1918 and 1921 maturity, so all that will be necessary will be to consolidate this fund with the funds where the bonds are held. With the appropriation of $430.00 for 1916 and 1917 and the accrued interest on securities and deposits, this fund will meet its requirement at maturity.
The Town of Braintree is fortunate in having had such efficient management of their Sinking Funds, and with the same continued efficiency they will meet all the requirements when due.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT S. CHILD, Expert Municipal Accountant.
All of the above is respectfully submitted for the careful consideration of the citizens of the Town. There follows the reports of the Treasurer, Registrar, Collector and Super- intendent.
JAMES T. STEVENS,
JOHN KELLEY,
WILLIAM C. HARRISON, Water Commissioners
and Commissioners of Sinking Fund of the Town of Braintree.
MAINTENANCE.
Electric Express
$2.65
Adams Express
2.38
W. A. Torrey
3.60
George H. Holbrook
6.15
J. F. Burke & Co.
10.00
Thomas Groom & Co.
8.40
G. W. Prescott Pub. Co.
33.00
Hill, Smith & Co.
27.66
Pratt & Pratt 50.50
235
Randolph Water Works Co. 112.06
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
116.32
Moses T. Dyer
3.26
W. F. Murray, Postmaster
193.30
Hartley L. White
38.55
W. L. Gage
1,040.00
W. L. Gage, sundry cash expenses . .
24.60
James T. Stevens
100.00
John Kelley
100.00
William C. Harrison
100.00
Pay of men as per pay roll
514.75
$2,487.18
LITTLE POND STATION.
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, Inc. $81.66
Braintree Electric Light Co.
4.80
Curry Brothers Oil Co.
12.54
C. H. Hobart .
3.71
Pay of men as per pay roll
6.00
$108.71
GREAT POND STATION.
Curry Bros. Oil Co.
$90.24
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co.
10.00
Standard Oil Co.
4.00
R. A. Gage 4.25
C. H. Hobart 20.35
M. A. Haskell & Co.
3.17
Crandall Packing Co.
21.46
Eagle Oil & Supply Co.
66.31
Lunkenheiner Co.
4.01
F. H. Hayes Machinery Co. 151.75
Garlock Packing Co.
62.29
H. W. Johns Manville Co.
6.38
Lumsden & Van Stone Co.
25.13
American Tool and Machine Co.
2.50
L. Pizzella
4.80
A. W. Chesterton Co. 30.92
236
Braintree Electric Light Co. 59.00
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, Inc. 1,672.59
Pay of men as per pay roll
65.50
Pay of Engineers (day and night)
2,002.80
$4,307.45
REBUILDING KING HILL ROAD.
Pay of men as per pay roll $112.50
$112.50
SERVICE WORK OUTSIDE STREET LINES.
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co.
$7.55
R. A. Gage
14.18
Edward Shay
4.70
Electric Express
1.45
Adams Express
5.71
Alfred McGlone
1.25
F. L. Chandler
5.48
Woodsum Coal Co.
11.64
Tenney Morse & Co.
86.96
W. I. Jordan
16.50
H. Mueller Mfg. Co.
69.27
Chadwick Boston Lead Co.
339.06
Walworth Mfg. Co.
234.76
Pay of men as per pay roll
1,464.68
$2,263.19'
SERVICE WORK IN STREETS.
Thomas South
$1.25
Standard Oil Co.
4.55
Woodsum Coal Co.
2.51
Rhines Lumber Co.
.98
R. A. Gage
12.28
Walworth Mfg. Co.
73.60
H. Mueller Mfg. Co.
203.68
Chadwick Boston Lead Co.
286.66
Pay of men as per pay roll
764.75
$1,350.26-
237
SERVICE REPAIRS IN STREETS.
Estate of O. M. Rogers
$7.17
Pay of men as per pay roll
148.00
$155.17
HYDRANT REPAIRS.
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co. 45.00
Rensselaer Valve Co. 7.14
Pay of men as per pay roll
65.50
$117.64
RENEWAL OF SERVICE.
Chadwick Boston Lead Co.
$91.68
Pay of men as per pay roll 155.00
$246.68
STABLE.
H. W. Borden 5.41
T. South
11.10
H. B. Whitman
6.00
W. I. Jordan
2.45
Edward Shay
17.50
T. J. Cain
199.25
Pay of men as per pay roll
33.00
TOOLS.
Fairbanks Co.
$4.10
Walworth Mfg. Co.
8.75
Edson Mfg. Co.
6.35
R. Belyea
1.00
Curry Bros. Oil Co.
1.80
Pinel Tool Co.
5.23
H. A. Simonds
1.50
W. H. Cobb
17.15
J. Nicol
9.00
R. E. Whitman
10.00
W. I. Jordan
6.85
$274.71
$71.73
238
METERS.
National Meter Co.
$787.87
R. A. Gage 3.13
$791.00
READING, INSPECTING AND TESTING METERS.
M. A. Haskell & Co.
12.43
T. J. Cain
96.33
Pay of men as per pay roll 1,098.20
$1,206.96
METER REPAIRS.
National Meter Co. $75.73
Adams Epress
3.13
R. A. Gage
3.54
T. J. Cain
230.00
Pay of men as per payroll
488.00
$800.40
MAIN PIPE EXTENSIONS.
Builders' Iron Foundry Co.
$37.98
A. J. Carlson
6.40
Harold L. Bond Co.
13.78
Standard Oil Co.
3.50
Quincy Water Dept.
32.50
R. A. Gage
47.17
Chadwick Boston Lead Co.
53.68
Rensselaer Valve Co.
267.60
Hamilton Flood
1,138.13
Pay of men as per pay roll
833.14
$2,433.88
MAIN PIPE REPAIRS.
Pay of men as per pay roll
$68.50
$68.50
LIBERTY STREET EXTENSION.
Boston Post, advertising
$8.30
Boston Globe, advertising 6.60
Engineering News, advertising 9.90
239
Pratt & Pratt, printing plans and spe- cifications 50.00
G. H. Wetherbee, Jr., survey and plans 59.00
Hamilton Flood 8,930.00 $9,063.80
POLICING SOURCES OF WATER SUPPLY.
· John P. Shay
$114.70
$114.70
INSURANCE.
George E. Sampson
$341.70
Hartford Boiler Insp. and Ins. Co. .. 122.00
$463.70
AUTOMOBILE.
W. A. Carson
$375.00
T. South
78.00
G. W. Walsh
49.50
Chandler & Farquhar
9.25
B. Kupferman
10.00
Central Garage
64.56
A. S. Morss & Co.
1.33
W. E. Maybury, cash expenses
5.00
Curry Bros. Oil Co.
13.00
Curry Bros. Oil Co.
14.00
C. N. Glines
2.50
Monatiquot Garage
7.25
F. W. Bent
84.36
M. A. Haskell & Co.
1.85
Quincy Oil Co.
10.50
W. E. Maybury Auto Express
112.08
GARAGE.
W. F. Bourbeau
$.40
Woodsum Coal Co.
11.27
Alfred McGlone
62.50
New Truck
Supt. Auto.
$838.18'
240
J. W. Pratt 500.00
Pay of men as per pay roll
156.00
$730.17
SUPERINTENDENTS.
W. E. Maybury
$1,500.00
W. E. Maybury, car fares and postage
10.75
$1,510.75
RECAPITULATION.
Maintenance $2,487.18
Little Pond Station 108.71
Great Pond Station 4,307.45
Rebuilding King Hill Road 112.50
Service work outside street lines
2,263.19
Service work in streets
1,350.26
Service repairs in street
155.17
Hydrant repairs
117.64
Renewal of service
246.68
Stable
274.71
Tools
71.73
Meters
791.00
Reading, inspecting and testing meters
1,206.96
Meter repairs
800.40
Main pipe extensions
2,433.88
Main pipe repairs
68.50
Liberty Street extension
9,063.80
Policing sources of water supply
114.70
Insurance
463.70
Automobile
838.18
Garage
730.17
Superintendent
1,510.75
$29,517.26
261 Orders drawn on Treasurer
$29,517.26
241
Benjamin F. Dyer, Treasurer. Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer Pro Tem. In Account with Board of Water Commissioners, January 1, 1915, to December 31, 1915, inclusive.
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