USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1917 > Part 7
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$4,584.25
Other expenses
338.22
ยท
Court expenses
277.91
$5,200.38
ire Department :
Pay of Engineers and Firemen
$3,253.13
Extra pay of firemen
359.25
General expenses
3,485.09
Hydrant service
500.00
New hose
600.00
Repairs, Franklin Street House
266.76
Fire Alarm
704.55
$9,168.78
Weights and Measures:
Sealer, salary
$300.00
Other expenses
. . . . 208.44
$508.44
orestry :
Gypsy and brown tail moth suppression 4,242.90
Care of trees
689.30
Forest fires
399.96
$5,332.16
ealth
Board of Health, salaries
$350.00
Other expenses
61.94
Printing
161.75
Contagious diseases
317.85
123
Fumigation
309.00
Inspection of animals
100.00
Inspection of meats and provisions. . 300.00
Inspection of milk 100.00
Inspection of plumbing
428.85
Care of dumps
103.70
Vital statistics
54.50
Collection of garbage
200.00
$2,487.59
Sanitation :
Hall Avenue Drain
915.96
Pearl Street Drain
539.95
Highways and bridges:
Highway surveyors
$549.99
Clerical help and other expenses.
181.13
General repairs
23,004.93
Snow
2,715.98
Street lights
6,525.00
Elm Knoll Road
123.50
State Highway, Washington & Hancock Streets
5,000.00
$38,100.53
Charities :
Overseers of the Poor, salaries. $550.01
Clerical help and other expenses. . 452.47
Braintree Home
5,659.89
Outside relief
3,052.91
Chapter 763, Acts, 1913
2,540.60
$12,255.88
Soldiers' Benefits :
State Aid and soldiers' burials
$2,711.33
Soldiers' relief. 839.40
$3,550.73
124
$1,455.91
Education :
Teachers' and Superintendent's salaries
$49,293.98
Janitors' salaries 5,445.05
Text-books and supplies
4,001.39
Incidentals
1.410.98
Buildings and grounds
2,105.07
Fuel
2,883.59
Transportation
2,130.00
Insurance
1,748.70
Portable schoolhouses
3,048.29
High School Heating
7,969.46
Repairs, Pond School
796.50
Band Stand
300.00
$81,133.01
Library :
General expenses
$1,400.00
Distribution of books
150.00
Janitor
250.00
$1,800.00
Recreation :
Parks and playgrounds
$732.50
Unclassified
Miscellaneous
$2,165.17
Memorial Day
200.00
Compensation Law
531.87
Abatement of Taxes
3,124.79
Refund taxes
1,882.00
Relocation of Washington and Hancock Streets
1,723.94
$9,627.77
Cemetery :
Plain Street
$221.90
Sinking Funds:
$2,120.00
Water Loans
$3,534.61
Emergency Fund
$186,909.74
Total amount of orders drawn
, 125
BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
Cash General
$9,286 07 8,281 62
$17,567 69
Taxes,
Levy of 1917
$61,642 53
Levy of 1916, Levy of 1915
218 40
$76,633 24
Reserve Fund
3,122 19
Reserve Fund Income
108 34
Selectmen
$33 22
Collector
23 62
Assessors
147 80
Law
114 00
Protested Taxes
1,701 55
Expenses of Town Clerk
5 04
Income
98 13
Election and Registration
171 69
Town Hall Maintenance Insurance (boilers)
24 36
Police Department
129 67
School Fund
212 02
Fire Department
551 09
N. H. Hunt Fund 40 00
Gypsy Moth Suppression
25
Ann M. Penniman Fund 20 20
Care of Trees
7 80
272 22
Board of Health-Fumigation Vital Statistics
4 50
Inspection of Plumbing
128 85
Electric Light Depreciation
2,979 19
Drain, Hall Avenue
215 96
Electric Light Department
439 18
Care of Dumps
3 70
Water Department
250 56
Highway Surveyors Repairs
654 32
Sewerage Committee $100 00
Removal of Snow
646 52
Fire Alarm Repairs
208 84
Relocation, Hancock Street
1,591 00
Union Street Bridge 650 00
Braintree Home, Maintenance
1,507 64
State Aid and Soldiers' Burials
205 33
Soldiers' Relief
35 40
School Incidentals
143 56
Buildings and Grounds
582 07
Insurance
83 40
Insurance on boilers
146 10
Cemetery
1 90
Interest
Excess and Deficiency
$8,075 90
Surplus of 1917
$8,350 15
$62,800 15
Surplus of prior years
54,450 00
$102,276 83
TRUST FUNDS
Cash and Securities
$35,116 99
Braintree School Fund
$8.340 00
Charles Edward French Fund
2,000 00
Nath'l H. Hunt Library Fund
24,276 99
Ann M. Penniman Fund
500 00
$35,116 99
$35,116 99
Water Loan Sinking Fund
Water Loan
$168,500 00
1888
$3,075 01 129,783 46 3,891 15
Town Hall Loan
35,000 00
1891
General Loan
13,250 00
1896
School Loan
48,000 00
$136,749 62
Playground Loan
2,000 00
Net Bonded Debt
130,000 38
$266,750 00
$266,750 00
PROPERTY ACCOUNT
$1,023,226 03
Real Estate Personal Property
65,550 00
Water Works
359,487 34
Electric Light Plant
147,238 69
$1,023,226 03
$1,023,226 03
$20,000 00
Loans, (Anticipation of Revenue) Overlay, (Reserve for Abatement) 1917
$1,971 29
1916
744 74
1915
961 39
$3,677 42
Overdrawn Appropriation Accounts:
$3,230 53
$1,799 68
474 53
Trust Fund Income
109 00
6 13
Special Appropriations
Relocation, Washington St. 869 06
State Highway, 1917
5,000 00
$6,827 90
327 45
$102,276 83
DECEMBER 31, 1917
LIABILITIES
Special
14,772 31
$450,950 00
Town Property
INDEBTEDNESS
TREASURER,S REPORT
Otis B Oakman, Treasurer In Account with Town of Braintree January 1, 1917, to December 31, 1917, inclusive
Dr.
Balance January 1, 1917
$16,401.22
Tax Collectors: F. A. Smith
G. H. Holbrook, pro tem Allen Lawson
1915, $10,343.84, int. $1,007.66. . $11,351.50
1916, $39,895.66, int. $1,285.48. 41,181.14
1917, $146,237.06, int. $129.68 146,366.74
$198,899.38
Loans in Anticipation of Taxes :
Maturing, Nov. 5, 1917
$20,000.00
Maturing, Nov. 12, 1917
20,000,00
Maturing, Nov. 19, 1917 20.000.00
Maturing, Nov. 26, 1917 20,000.00
Maturing, Dec. 24, 1917
23,206.64
Maturing, May 6, 1918
20,000.00
$123,206.64
(Average rate of interest, 430 x percent) Int. on dep. National Shawmut Bank $622.91
Int. on Collector's dep. Mt. Wollaston Bank 27.67
Treasurer of Commonwealth:
Corporation Tax, .
Business service
5,302.97
Income Tax
19,508.98
Public service
$2,359.72
National Bank Tax
955.47
Soldiers' exemption
211.28
State Aid
2,455.00
$30,793.42
127
1
Selectmen's account, miscellaneous receipts, including dog tax and school fund 20,057.33
(For details of this account see Selectmen's report) Court fees 581.87
Treasurer of Commonwealth
Additional Income Tax
788.00
Water Department refund int. advanced
1,200.00
$392,578.44
Cr.
Paid 58 Treasury Warrants
$186,909.74
Tax Notes :
April 2, 1917
10,000.00
April 9, 1917
10.000.00
April 16, 1917
5,000.00
Nov. 5, 1917
20,000.00
Nov. 12, 1917
20,000.00
Nov. 19, 1917
20,000.00
Nov. 26,'1917
20,000.00
Dec. 24, 1917
23,206.64
$128,206.64
Bonds, Lincoln School
$2,000.00
Bonds, Hollis School
3,500.00
Bonds, Hollis Playground
500.00
Bonds, Town Hall
3,000.00
Note, Water Ext., Mayflower Park
1,000.00
Note, Libary Trustees
750.00
Note, Water Ext., Liberty Street
2,500.00
Note, Hunt Trust
1,000.00
Note, Library Trustees
500.00
Note, Union Street, Water Ext.
2,500.00
$17,250.00
State Treasurer:
State, Metropolitan Park and
Charles River Basin Tax, .... . $27,874.74
(Details of this tax may be found in the Assessors' report.)
128
.
$8,498.04
County Tax
Commonwealth, 25 percent. of
druggists' licenses
.50
Interest :
Hunt Trust, $8,000, one year, to July 1, 1917 $320.00
Thayer Library, $6,000, one year to August 1, 1917 240.00
Stetson Fund, $1,500.00, one year to Sept. 22, 1917 60.00
Lincoln School Bonds, $6,000. 6 mos. to June 1, 1917 105.00
Lincoln School Bonds, $4,000, 6 mos. to Dec. 1, 1917 70.00
Playground Bonds, . $2,500, 6 mos. to
June 1, 1917 50.00
Playground Bonds, $2,000, 6 mos. to Dec. 1, 1917 40.00
Hollis School Bonds, $47,500, 6 mos. to June 1, 1917 950.00
Hollis School Bonds, $44,000, 6 mos. to Dec. 1, 1917 880.00
Town Hall Bonds, $38,000, 6 mos. to June 1, 1917 760.00
Town Hall Bonds, $35,000, 6 mos. to Dec. 1, 1917 700.00
Union Street Water Loan, 1 year to Nov. 1, 1917 280.00
Liberty Street Water Loan, $2,500, 1 year to' Oct. 4, 1917 100.00
Water Loan 1888, in part (refunded by Water Commissioners) 1,200.00
Mayflower Park Water Loan, 1 year $3,000, to July 15, 1917 120.00
Water Loan of 1896, $6,000, 1 year to Aug. 1, 1917 . 240.00
Water Loan, Great Pond, $7,500, 1 year,
to Oct. 1, 1917 300.00
. 129
Water Loan, 1891, $150,000, to Dec.
1, 1917
6,000.00
Discount on tax notes, av. basis 4.30 x percent.
2,827.45
$15,242.45
Ealance dep. in National Shawmut Bank
8,596.33
$392,578.44 Braintree, Jan. 17, 1918
We have examined the 1917 account of the Treasurer and find it correct. The disbursements are properly vouched and the bal- ance, $8, 596.33, is on deposit in the National Shawmut Bank. C. FRED TARBOX, FRANK W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN, Auditors for 1917
Reserve Fund from Overlays
Acts of 1913
Balance, Jan. 1, 1917
$3,152.98
Interest on deposit 77.55
Amount of fund Dec. 30, 1917
$3,230,53
We find the above amount on deposit in the National Shawmut Bank.
C. FRED TARBOX, FRANK W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN, Auditors for 1917
Jan. 17, 1918
Protested Taxes Account
Balance, Jan. 1, 1917 "
$1,765.23
Interest on deposit 34.45
Amount of fund Dec. 30, 1917 $1,799.68
Examined and found correct. Balance, $1,799.68, in State
Street Trust Company.
C. FRED TARBOX, FRANK W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN, Auditors for 1917
Jan. 17, 1918
130
SINKING FUNDS ACCOUNT WATER LOAN OF 1888, $100,000, 4 PER CENT., DUE JANUARY 1, 1918
The Water Loan of 1888 was liquidated January 1, 1918. A full statement of the income of the fund, payments made, and balance of Sinking Fund after liquidation will be found in the report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners.
WATER LOAN OF 1891, $150,000, AT 4 PER CENT DUE JUNE 1, 1921
Cr.
Balance Dec. 31, 1916
$122,879.73
Town appropriation, 1917
2,000.00
Income, 1917
4,903.73
INVESTMENT
Five bonds, Boston Revere Beach and
Lynn R. R., 4 1/2 percent, each $1,000. Cost
$4,850.00
Six bonds Ill. Central R. R. 31/2 percent. each $1,000. Cost
5,208.85
Seventeen bonds, C. B. & Q. R. R., 31/2 percent, each $1,000.00 Cost
14,440.68
Three bonds, C. B. & Q. R. R., 4 percent each $1,000.
3,000.00
One bond, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., 3 1/2 percent. $1,000. Cost .. 970.29
Ten bonds, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., 4 percent, each $1,000. Cost.
7,820.11
Two bonds American Tel. & Tel. Co., 4 percent each $1,000. Cost . . One bond Rumford Falls & Rangley, 5 percent, $1,000. Cost
1,660.00
880.00
One bond, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., 4 percent $1,000. Cost
935.00
Six bonds Fitchburg, 4 percent
5,450.00
Five bonds, B. & M. R. R., 4 percent each $1,000. Cost
4,440.00
131
Two notes Town of Braintree, 4 percent each $1,000, due July 15, 1918-1919 2,000.00 Sixty-three Town of Braintree Water bonds, 4 percent due 1921 63,000.00
Abington Savings Banks
221.90
South Weymouth Savings Bank
99.30
East Weymouth Savings Bank
1,953.16
Quincy Savings Bank
725.30
Braintree Savings Bank
8,285.88
Rockland Savings Bank
672.55
Hingham Savings Bank
42.03
Randolph Savings Bank
3,065.27
Weymouth Savings Bank
2,850.79
Cambridge Savings Bank
287.36
$132,858.47
Less $3,075.01 due 1888 Sinking Fund 3,075.01
Value of Fund Dec. 31, 1917
$129,783.46 $129,783.46
WATER LOAN OF 1896, $6,000, 4 PER CENT. DUE AUGUST 1, 1926
Cr.
Balance Dec. 31, 1916
$3,620.07
Town appropriation, 1917
120.00
Income, 1917
151.08
INVESTMENTS
One bond Braintree Water loan, 4 per-
cent, due 1921.
$1,000.00
South Weymouth Savings Bank
1,042.40
Randolph Savings Bank
1,580.31
Braintree Savings Bank
268.44
$3,891.15
$3,891.15
MUNICIPAL LIGHTING LOAN OF 1893, 4 PER CENT PAYABLE APRIL 5, 1917, $16,500
This loan was paid April 1, 1917. A full report of the in- come of the fund and the liquidation of the loan will be found in the report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners.
132
The securities of the Sinking Funds of 1891 and 1896 have been examined at the Security Vaults, Boston and found as stated. The sums named as on deposit in the various Savings Banks have been compared with the Pass Books and are correct. C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN Auditors, 1917
January 21, 1918
THE NATHANIEL H. HUNT TRUST Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Principal : Cr.
Seven notes Town of Braintree, $1,000,
each, date July 1, 1914, 4 percent,
due July 9, 1918-1924, inc.
$7,000.00
One bond Boston Elevated, 4 percent . 1,000.00 Three bonds, B. & M. R. R. 4 percent, each 1,000.00 3,000.00
One bond New England Railway, 4
percent 1,000.00
Two bonds, C. B. & Q. R. R., 4 percent each $1,000.00
2,000.00
Four bonds N. Y., N. H. & H R. R., 4 per- cent, each $1,000.00
4,000.00
Braintree Savings Bank, Book 5253
2,526.05
Weymouth Savings Bank, Book 13504. .
3,000.00
Quincy Savings Bank Book No. 32035 . .
750.00
$24,276.99
Income Account :
Dr.
Town notes, $8,000, one year to July 1, 1917 $320.00
Boston Elevated, $1,000, one year to Nov. 1, 1917 40.00
B. & M. R. R. $3,000. (road in receiver's hands, no interest paid in 1917) .. N. E. Railway, $1,000, one year to Jan. 8 1, 1918 40.00
133
C. B. & Q. R. R., $2,000, one year to Jan. 1, 1918 80.00
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. $2,000, one year to Jan. 1, 1918 80.00
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. $2,000 one year to Nov. 1, 1917 80.00
Braintree Savings Bank, No. 5253, div. to Jan. 1 1918, 101.04
Weymouth Savings Bank No. 13504, div. to Jan. 1, 1918 157.50
Quincy Savings Bank, div. to Oct. 1, 1917
30.00
$928.54
Paid W. C. Harding, Treasurer Trustees Thayer Library $928.54
We have examined the bank books and securties and find the list correct. The disbursements of the income, which is prop- erly stated, are properly vouched.
C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918.
CHARLES EDWARD FRENCH TRUST
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Principal :
Two Town of Braintree Water Bonds of
1891, each $1,000 2,000.00
Income account :
Balance Jan. 1, 1917 .$40.00
June 1, 1917, coupons 40.00
Dec. 1, 1917, coupons
40.00
$120.00
134
Paid Higgins Magnuson & Co 15 silver medals
$80.00
Dec. 30, 1917, balance in Braintree Sav- ings Bank, 40.00
$120.00 $120.00
Correct with proper voucher for expenditures made. Bal- ance $40.00 in the Braintree Savings Bank.
C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN,
Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918. ,
THE ANN MARIA PENNIMAN TRUST
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Fund on deposit in the Braintree Savings
Bank. $500.00
Income:
Balance Braintree Savings Bank, Jan. 1, 1917 $20.00
From Braintree Savings Bank, interest to Jan. 1, 1918 20.60
Paid Alida N. Stevens and Chester A. Maddocks, Committee $20.60
Jan. 1, 1918, balance in Braintree Savings Bank
20.20
$40.80
$40.80
Fund on deposit in Braintree Savings Bank and disburse- ment is propoerly vouched.
C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN,
Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918.
135
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer In account with Town of Braintree, Jan. 1, 1917, to Dec. 31, 1917, inclusive
Dr. Cr.
Balance Jan. 1, 1917
.$293.54
Street lights, 729 at $9.00
6,525.00
F. B. Lawrence, manager
44,822.76
Interest on deposit
17.90
Paid by orders,
$46,681.90
Interest on $16,500 Municipal Light
bonds to April 1,
330.00
Sinking Fund
397.04
Depreciation Fund
3,810.98
Exchange on check
.10
Balance
439.18
$51,659.20 $51,659.20
Examined and found correct with proper vouchers for ex- penditures. Balance of $439.18, on deposit in State Street Trust Co.
C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN,
Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918.
ELECTRIC DEPRECIATION FUND
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Dr. Cr.
Balance, Jan. 1, 1917
$7,449.15
Int. from National Shawmut Bank
70.53
Electric Light Department, 1917 3,810.98
136
Paid by orders
Balance Dec. 31, 1917
$8,351.47 2,979.19
$11,330.66 $11,330.66
The above account of the Electric Depreciation fund is cor- rect, with proper vouchers for expenditures made. The balance $2,979.19 is on deposit in the National Shawmut Bank of Boston. C. FRED TARBOX, F. W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN,
Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918.
FUNDED DEBT OF THE TOWN
WATER DEPARTMENT
Coupon Bonds, issued June 1, 1891, pay-
able June 1, 1921, 4 percent, 129 bonds, $1,000 each
$129,000.00
Registered in name of Commonwealth, January 17, 1910, one bond One bond
20,000.00
1,000.00
Notes issued Aug. 1, 1896, payable Aug- ust 1, 1926., 4 percent, Driven wells. . Notes issued July 15, 1909, payable $1,000 yearly, 1918 to 1919, 4 per- cent, Mayflower Park Extension. . Coupon Bonds dated Oct. 1, 1911, pay- able $1,500 yearly, 1918-1921, 4 percent Great Pond Pumping Station Notes dated Nov. 1, 1916, payable $2,500 1918; and $2,000, 1919, Union Street Extension 4,500.00
6,000.00
2,000.00
6,000.00
$168,500.00
137
Less Sinking Funds :
1891,
1896
$129,783.46 3,891.15
$133,674.61
Net balance Water Debt
34,825.39
$168,500.00
GENERAL DEBT
Seven notes dated July 1, 1914, $1,000 each payable yearly, July 1, 1918- 1924 $7,000.00
Seven notes dated July 1, 1914, $750 each payable yearly, July 1, 1918- 1924 $5,250.00
Two notes dated Oct. 1, 1914, $500 each payable yearly Oct. 1, 1918-1919. . 1,000.00
$6,250.00
Coupon notes issued on account of Abraham Lincoln School: 2 $2,000. each, 31/2 percent. payable yearly
. June 1, 1918-1919 $4,000.00
Bonds issued for Hollis School, each $500 at 4 percent., maturing $3,500., yearly July 1, 1918, to 1921, and maturing $3,000., yearly July 1, 1922 to 1931, inclusive $44,000.00
Bonds issued for Hollis Playground maturing $500. yearly, July 1, 1918 to 1921 4 percent $2,000.00
Bonds issued for Town Hall, $1,000, each, 4 percent, maturing $3,000., yearly, June 1, 1918 to 1922, inclusive, ma- turing $2,000. yearly, June 1, 1923 to 1932, inclusive. $35,000.00
Notes issued in anticipation of taxes, 1917: Maturing May 6, 1918 $20,000.00
$286,750.00
138
SINKING FUNDS
Loan of 1891
$129,783.46
Loan of 1896
3,891.15
$133,674.61
Net balance Funded Debt
$153,075.39
$286,750.00
December 31, 1917.
Allowing for payments and accretions to the Sinking Funds, the Funded Debt has decreased during 1917, $28,247.65. OTIS B. OAKMAN, Treasurer
BRAINTREE SCHOOL FUND
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Principal Account :
Braintree Savings Bank
$1,217.50
Quincy Savings Bank
1,272.50
Randolph Savings Bank
850.00
Weymouth Savings Bank .
1,000.00
Real Estate:
Farm on Town Street, 21.954 acres, with house and barn; 19.096 acres on Granite Street, value ... 4,000.00
$8,340.00
We find the amount stated as in the various Banks properly vouched by pass books.
C. F. TARBOX, FRANK W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN,
Auditors, 1917
January 17, 1918.
139
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer
Income Account:
Dr. Cr.
Balance, Dec 31, 1916
$152.10
Rent of land, to May 1, 1918:
F. L. Chandler, 1 year 3.00
E. Maud Anderson, 1 year
6.00
J. Petrell, 1 year
3.00
C. Q. Hunt, 1 year
12.00
F. A. Hayden, rent of farm 200.50
Dividends from Principal Account: .
Quincy Savings Bank
50.88
Braintree Savings Bank 44.71
Weymouth Savings Bank 45.00
Randolph Savings Bank 36.50
Dividend from Income Account
8.33
$562.02
Paid :
Dr.
Cr.
Town of Braintree,
$350.00
Balance, Dec. 31, 1917
212.02
$562.02
We find the above statement of income correct. The disburse- ments are properly vouched, and the balance, $212.02, in the Braintree Savings Bank.
C. F. TARBOX, FRANK W. COUILLARD, PAUL MONAGHAN, Auditors, 1917
Wood to the amount of $125, has been sold and the proceeds added to the Principal account.
140
REPORT OF THE AUDIT
OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT OF THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE
Made in Accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 192. General Acts 1917.
December 17, 1917
To the Board of Selectmen,
George H Holbrook, Chairman, Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the accounts of the town of Braintree, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 192 of the General Acts of 1917. This report is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenten, Chief Ae- countant of this Bureau, who was in charge of the work.
Very truly yours, CHARLES F. GETTEMY, Director
Mr. Charles F. Gettemy,
Director, Bureau of Statistics, State House, Boston
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the accounts of the town of Braintree, petitioned for by the Board of Selectmen, and I submit the following report thereon.
The audit covered the period from January 1st to November 30, 1917, and was confined chiefly to the accounts and funds re- - corded on the accountant's books, together with a personal ex- amination of securities held as investments of sinking and trust funds and the bank books representing deposits in savings banks. The vote did not call for an examination of the water and
141
/
electric light departments; therefore only a general check was made of these accounts by comparing the book entries with depart- mental reports, and verifying cash balances on the treasurer's books as of January 1st and November 30, 1917.
Appended to this report are balance sheets showing the finan- cial condition of the town on December 31, 1916 and November 30, 1917.
The general balancing account has been "Town of Braintree," and in reclassifyig this account I have divided it so as to show the current asset accounts in the revenue account, and the funded or fixed debt and property accounts in separate sections. The purpose of this classification is to show those accounts available, when col- lected, for meeting maintenance and operating costs; the liabili- ties to be met by revenue; and the property of the town which has be accumulated by taxation, public service enterprise activities, and public debt.
From the balance sheet of November 30th it will be seen that the town is in a most excellent financial condition, but there are a great may overdrawn accounts, the aggregate of which would practically exhaust the reserve fund if it were used to meet the same.
The town has had more than the ordinary amount of misfor- tune in the loss of faithful servants, and considering the result- ing changes it is not strange that the condition of the appropria- tion accounts was not fully realized. I feel that the extraordin- ary conditions under which town officials have been forced to operate should be taken into account in considering overdrafts, for ample funds were available for the making of additional appropria- tions to meet the needs of the several departments, had a meeting been called for the purpose.
I would recommend, however, that in the future in preparing the annual budget, proper consideration be given to the needs of the several departments and that flat appropriations be made so that a working program may be prepared by the head of each de- partment in order that the work to be done under his direc- tion can be carried on for the entire year within' the sum appro- priated for his use.
The accounts of the selectmen and accountant were checked
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in detail. The treasury warrants for the payments of bills were checked to the cash book and to the treasurer's books. The bills when approved by the selectmen are entered on warrants drawn upon the treasurer, and include all bills of all the departments, with the exception of the water and electric light departments.
The orders for those two departments are drawn by the de- partments, the bills of the electric light department being first ap- proved by the selectmen.
The payments of maturing debt and interest, and state and county taxes are made without a warrant.
The, appropriation accounts on the accountant's books were checked to the copy of records furnished the assessors by the town clerk, and were found to be correct. A special appropriation of $125 was ommitted from this list, and was not raised; this should be met in a succeeding year's levy, or an appropriation from sur- plus revenue should be made to cover it.
The cash book was footed and checked to the ledger accounts.
The several cash books of the treasurer were footed and checked to the accountant's books; the cash was counted on Nov- ember 30th, and bank balances were verified.
The accounts of the sinking and trust funds were checked, and securities held as investments were personally examined. The pass books representing savings banks were examined and compared with the amounts recorded in the treasurer's books.
The outstanding accounts of the tax collector were listed and checked to the accountant's books. Tables appended summeriz- ing the accounts show adjusting entries to bring the accounts into balance with the accountant's books. Most of the adjustments had been made prior to the audit, and only a few minor clerical errors had to be adjusted at this time.
The method of handling abatements should be changed, as there is no advantage in carrying them through cash. A list of abatements allowed by the assessors should be furnished both the collector and accountant, so that on the collector's books the items abated may be so marked, and on the accountant's books the col- lector will be credited and overlay debited. This would retain the balance on the books of the two departments and eliminate
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from the cash transactions items that do not represent either cash receipts or disbursements.
The assessors' valuation book for the year 1917 was checked to' the commitment and tax, moth, and street sprinkling assess- ments were reconciled on the accountant's ledger.
The tables appended are summary tables of the treasurer's cash, collector's accounts, and the sinking and trust funds, to- gether with the transactions of the current year and the detail of the investments.
The trust funds show in one series of tables the principal ac- count, and in another table, the consolidated income account. The latter table is also included in the treasurer's cash statement.
In addition to the trust funds mentioned the Emily C. Hanson fund, received by the town in 1896 and represented by pass book No. 18519 of the Quincy Savings Bank, aggregates $291.16 as of October 1916. The fund was originally $200 and no withdrawal has been made since 1907.
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