USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1920 > Part 7
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Miscellaneous 571.91
$8,165.68
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid :
Aid, Civil War
$1,714.00
Military Aid : Aid, Spanish-American War $40.00
Aid, German War 20.00
$60.00
96
$1,282.00
--
Soldiers' Relief :
Cash aid
$760.00
Medical aid
40.15
All other
20.00
Board and care
100.00
$920.15
Total for Charities and Soldiers' Benefits $25,053.83
EDUCATION
General expenses :
Salary of Superintendent
$2,720.00
Clerk
$556.25
Truant officer
600.00
$1,156.25
Stationery and postage
$58.25
Telephone
238.54
Traveling expense
36.69
All other
252.36
$585.84
Teachers' Salaries :
High
$16,363.25
Elementary
64,309.98
Music and Drawing
2,671.65
Domestic Science
1,130.00
Continuation School
1,520.00
Nurse
930.00
$86,924.88
Text Books and Supplies : High :
Text and reference books $523.29
Supplies . 2,094.31
Elementary :
Text and reference books 1,443.86
Supplies
3,342.60
Continuation :
Supplies '
1
763.44
Tuition :
High
$681.12
Elementary
359.72
Evening
125.16
$1,166.00
Transportation
2,392.52
Janitors' Services :
High
$1,099.80
Elementary
6,178.40
$7,278.20
97
1
$8,167.50
Fuel and Light :
High Elementary Continuation
$989.98
7,053.27 71.25
$8,114.50
Buildings and Grounds : High :
Repairs
$514.67
Janitors' supplies
4.73
All other
254.50
Elementary :
Repairs
1,959.15
Janitors' supplies
220.02
All other
988.76
Continuation :
Repairs
426.68
All other
7.50
Other expenses :
Diplomas and gradua- tion expenses
$64.65
Printing
48.00
All other
5.34
Insurance on buildings
$1,508.80
Jonas Perkins grounds :
Drain contract
$500.00
Pond School Sanitals : Contract
$3,500.00
Portable School Buildings :
Buildings
$10,259.00
Freight
61.18
Plumbing
897.35
Equipment
2,945.79
$14,163.32
Hollis School :
Remodelling hall
$836.68
Building Committee : Printing
$104.25
All other
33.44
$137.69
Housing Committee :
Printing, postage, etc.
$215.87
Clerical help
38.00
Surveys
145.27
98
1
$4,376.01
$117.99
Secretary
200.00
All other
76.22
$675.36
$144,321.54
LIBRARY
General expenses Distribution of books
150.00
Janitor
300.00
$2,750.00
RECREATION
Parks and Playgrounds :
Equipment
$136.40
Water
10.00
Labor
427.50
Loam and sand
19.00
All other
5.02
$597.92
Playground, Pr. No. 3 :
Watson Hill Development Co.
$11,000.00
UNCLASSIFIED
Legislative :
Appropriation committee
$84.37
Financial :
Adding Machine supplies
$5.15
Treasurer :
Safe Deposit Box
$20.00
Certification of notes 188.00
$208.00
Fire Department :
Committee report
Town Hall
106.80
Highways :
Filing plans
$10.90
Engineering work
27.80
Pond Cemetery Fence
321.29
Traffic count (Quincy Ave. Bridge) 67.20
$427.19
Snow :
Food (refunded)
29.50
Schools and Parks :
Engineering work
99.19
Unclassified :
Damage to persons
$100.00
99
$81.10
$2,300.00
Damage to property 99.71
1
Printing and delivering Town report
$199.71 $1,040.60 2.86
Ink
$2,284.47
Welcome Home Committee :
Printing
$ 8.00
All other
20.00
$28.00
Memorial Day :
Monk, Henry A.
$200.00
Compensation Law :
Sampson, George E.
$1,128.66
District Nurse
$1,000.00
Union School Building :
Carpenter contract
$4,000.00
Plumbing contract
1,500.00
Mason contract
510.45
Wiring
300.00
All other
186.13
1
$6,496.58
Water Mains, Audubon Road : Water Department
$156.25
High School Site : Taxes
$334.40
Plain Street Cemetery :
Superintendent
$50.00
Labor, sundry persons
292.00
$342.00
$9,685.89
Total for Unclassified
$11,970.36
Interest :
General
$350.00
Playgrounds
331.88
Schools
2,130.00
Town Hall
1,100.00
Water
2,360.00
Anticipation of Revenue
5,956.60
Tuberculosis Hospital
742.50
Municipal Indebtedness :
General
$1,750.00
Playgrounds
500.00
Schools
5,500.00
$12,970.98
100
Town Hall Tuberculosis Hospital
3,000.00 1,500.00
Anticipation of Revenue
Sinking Fund of 1891 :
O. B. Oakman, Treas.
$2,000.00
Sinking Fund of. 1896: O. B. Oakman, Treas.
$120.00 $45,319.98
Water Department
Electric Light Department
$99,957.83
Metropolitan Park Assessment
$7,586.81
State Assessment
29,026.80
County Tax
12,640.37
National Bank
1,133.40
Auditing
397.57
State Highway Tax
759.89
Street Railway Tax
525.75
Municipal Lighting Plant
33.52
Civilian War Poll Tax
8,670.00
Corporation Tax
8.88
$60,782.99
Refunds on taxes
$35.00
All other
16.00
$51.00
TRANSFERS
Transferred from Reserve Fund to
Health
$3,242.74
Police Expenses
300.00
Collector
110.00
Legal Expenses
300.00
Military Aid
60.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
284.47
Interest
400.00
$4,697.21
Total payments
$720,220.86
Balance January 1st, 1921 :
General Cash
$31,239.71
Reserve Fund Income . 261.84
$31,501.55
Water Department
14,411.78
Electric Light Department
1,369.11
$47,282.44
$767,503.30
$12,250.00 $145,000.00
101
1
GENERAL REPAIRS
Precinct 1:
Labor-sundry persons
$4,358.03
Teams
1,545.00
Stone and gravel
584.89
$6,487.92
Precinct 2 :
Labor-sundry persons
$3,057.50
Teams
970.81
Stone and gravel
373.13
$4,401.44
Precinct 3:
Labor-sundry persons
$3,364.54
Teams
1,486.64
Stone and gravel
386.45
$5,237.63
General :
Material
$319.68
Equipment and repairs
1,275.89
All other
835.98
Toll Bridge :
$223.79
$18,782.33
SPECIAL REPAIRS
Pond Street :
Appropriation
$2,500.00
Transfer from. Washington Street Washington Street to Cedar
3.19
Labor
$1,415.09
Teams
434.50
Material
120.00
· Tarvia
976.50
Fuel for Roller .
57.18
All other
5.25
$3,008.52
102
1
$2,431.55
Labor
505.33
Washington Street, Pr. 1 : Appropriation Labor Teams Material
1
$3,008.52
$700.00
$87.36
5.60
101.71
$194.67
Transferred to Pond Street
505.33
$700.00
$700.00
Tremont Street Extension :
Appropriation
$500.00
Transfer from Cleveland Avenue
71.19
Transfer from Middle Street
12.29
Labor
$253.60
Teams
105.78
Material
26.75
Tarvia
192.20
All other
5.15
$583.48
Washington Street, Pr. 2:
Appropriation
$700.00
Transfer from Washington Street-Cedar
71.70
Labor
$278.28
Teams
93.58
Material
253.61
Tarvia
140.23
All other
6.00
$771.70
$771.70
Oak Street
Appropriation
$500.00
Transfer from Middle Street
197.02
Labor
$285.72
Teams
178.10
Material
36.00
Tarvia
192.20
Fuel for Roller
5.00
$697.02
$697.02
Cleveland Avenue : Appropriation
$300.00
103
1
.
$583.48
-
-
Labor
$89.01
Teams
37.80
Material
16.75
Tarvia
85.25
$228.81
Transferred to Tremont Street
71.19
$300.00
$300.00
Middle Street :
Appropriation
$500.00
Labor
$133.56
Teams
73.75
$207.31
Transferred to Tremont Street
12.29
Transferred to Oak Street
197.02
Transferred to General
83.38
$500.00
$500.00
Lemoyne Street
Appropriation
$300.00
Transfer from Washington Street-Cedar
.28
Labor
$179.76
Teams
23.10
Material
4.60
Pipe
92.82
$300.28
$300.28
Adams Street :
Appropriation
$700.00
Labor
$237.24
Teams
79.25
Material
8.00
Fence
94 50
Fuel for Roller
9.78
Tarvia
76.92
$505.69
Transferred to General
194.31
$700.00
$700.00
104
Commercial Street :
Appropriation Labor
$1,004.82
Teams
414.75
Material
258.57
Tarvia
135.75
Pipe
13.20
All other
14.13
$1,841.22
Transferred to General
58.78
$1,900.00
$1,900.00
Howard and Hayward Streets :
Appropriation
$800.00
Labor
$374.46
Teams
210.15
Material
43.77
Tarvia
94.62
Pipe
77.00
$800.00
$800.00
Quincy Avenue :
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Norfolk County by agreement
$1,000.00
Allen Street :
Appropriation
$500.00
Labor
$154.36
Teams
84.80 .
Material
12.00
Tarvia
248.84
$500.00
$500.00
Washington Street, Cedar Street to Quincy line :
Appropriation
$500.00
Labor
$123.48
Teams
93.03
Material
13.00
Tarvia
192.20
$421.71
Transferred to Washington St., Pr. 3
71.70
Transferred to Pond, Street 3.19
Transferred to Lemoyne Street
.28
105
1
$1,900.00
Transferred to General 3.12
$500.00
$500.00
Elmwood Park, etc. :
Appropriation Material Tarvia
$300.00
$18.00
282.00
$300.00
$300.00
Holmes and Fairfield Streets :
Appropriation
$600.00
Labor
$322.62
Teams
119.65
Material
5.25
Fuel for Roller
6.81
$454.33
Transferred to General
145.67
$600.00
$600.00
Morrison Road :
Appropriation
$600.00
Received from Abutters
150.00
Labor
$370.11
Teams
209.60
Material
34.50
Pipe
47.32
$661.53
Unexpended balance -
88.47
$750.00
West Street :
Appropriation Contract-W. F. Loud & Sons Co. $5,000.00
$5,000.00
Washington Street Sidewalk : Appropriation
$5,000.00
Contract-A. C., Trojano
$5,000.00
(2089 Lineal yards @ $2.76 per yard $5,765.64
Balance due Jan. 1 on
contract $765.64.)
Total payments $22,476.27
106
$750.00
BALANCE SHEET, DECEMBER 31, 1920.
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Cash-General
$31,239.71
Loans, (Anticipation of Revenue)
Cash-Reserve Fund
261.84
Overlay, 1920
Cash-Special
6,448.32
Overlay, 1919
Cash-Electric Light
1,369.11
Overlay, 1918
Cash-Water Department
14,411.78
$3,080.14
Taxes :
Reserve Fund
$950.80
Levy of 1920
$72,580.03
Levy of 1919
14,210.08
Levy of 1918
366.25
Tax Titles
$587.38
School Fund
$443.60
French Fund Penniman Fund
31.08
107
Accounts Receivable State
$41.17 1,046.79
$4,982.84
$1,087.96
Electric Light Depreciation : Electric Light Electric Light : Miscellaneous
1,369.11
Electric Light Departmez .. Light
$2,506.37
Water Department Balance
14,411.78
Power
3,747.79
Special Appropriations : Sewerage Committee
$1,170.00
Water Department:
Relocation, Franklin & Granite Sts. 733.01
-
Rates
$4,509.92
Fire Box, Harbor Villa
150.00
Services
49.19
Sanitals, Pond School
100.00
Union School building
2,003.42
Cemetery Fence
100.00
East. Mass. St. Ry. Co.
1,500.00
1
.
/
i
$5,756.43
$87,156.36
Trust Fund Income:
40.00
514.68
French Drain
1,925.35
$6,254.16
$4,559.11
$1,235.53 840.53 1,004.08
$30,000.00
$53,730.76
.
Electric Light Revenue Water Revenue Excess and Deficiency
$4,328.81 4,599.11 81,496.68
$153,375.73
Cash and Securities
$153,375.73 TRUST $35,961.16
FUNDS Braintree School Fund
$8,853.15
Charles Edward French Fund
2,000.00
N. H. Hunt Fund
24,276.99
Ann M. Penniman Fund -
500.00
Amelia C. Hanson Fund
331.02
$35,961.16
Water Loan Sinking Fund: 1891 1896
$153,965.57 4,823.93
108
Net Bonded Debt
117,710.50
Playground Loan
11,000.00
School Land
14,000.00
Hospital
15,000.00
$276,500.00
$276,500.00
PROPERTY
ACCOUNT
Town Property
$1,060,223.66
68,177.06
366,707.64
163,411.22
$1,060.223:66
$1,060,223,66
$35,961.16 INDEBT
EDNESS
Water Loan
$157,500.00
Town Hall Loan
26,000.00
General Loan
7,000.00
$158,789.50
School Loan
46,000.00
Real Estate Personal Property Water Works Electric Light Plant
$461,927.74
RECAPITULATION General Government
App. or
Transfers
Overdraft
Account
Payments $25.00 2,066.36
$20.64
225.00
Auditors' Salaries
225.00
1,550.00
Accounting Dept.
1,528.13
21.87
800.00
Treasurer's Dept.
767.25
32.75
1,435.00
$110.00
Collector's Dept.
1,544.64
.36
2,200.00
Assessors' Dept.
2,078.81
121.19
1,220.00
Town Clerk
1,149.39
70.61
250.00
300.00
Law
545.00
5.00
1,275.00
$333.46
Election and Registration
1,608.46
3,550.00
209 73
Town Hall
3,759.73
100.00
Tablet, Town Hall
100.00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
$51.10
Police Salaries
$6,951.10
676.50
248.90
Police Expenses
923.96
$1.44
6,900.00
Pay of Firemen
6,875.00
25.00
700.00
Extra pay of Firemen
656.35
43.65
3,000.00
$15.08
General Expenses
3,015.08
1,000.00
New Hose
981.00
19.00
500.00
Hydrant Service
500.00
200.00
112.50
Fire Alarm
312.50
150.00
Fire Alarm Box-Harbor Villa
150.00
1,300.00
Qualey's Truck
1,300.00
1
149.37
Fire Alarm Whistle
149.37
700.00
Weights and Measures
652.10
47.90
6,000.00
Gypsy and B. T. Moth
5,999.78
.22
500.00
Care of Trees
497.10
2.90
500.00
Forest Fires
470.54
29.46
Balance $25.00
Moderator
Balance
2,087.00
Selectmen's Dept
109
-
$6,900.00
110
$912.00
Administration
$911.12
8.88
18,300.00
$485.26
General Repairs
18,782.33
2.93
22,300.00
Special Repairs
21,814.74
485.26
26,000.00
Snow
25,991.79
8.21
6,804.00
Street Lights
6,804.00
750.00
Morrison Road
661.53
88.47
10,000.00
Tarvia
9,975.48
24.52
805.01
Relocation, Wash. & Hancock Sts.
72.00
733.01
CHARITIES
$1,382.00
Administration
$1,282.00
$100.00
3,500.00
$4,675.50
Braintree Home
8,165.68
9.82
5,000.00
Outside Relief
4,689.07
310.93
6,500.00
$1,722.93
"763"
8,222.93
2,500.00
60.00
State Aid
1,774.00
786.00
700.00
220.15
HEALTH AND SANITATION
App. or Balance $1,450.00 800.00
Transfers $300.00 2,942.74
Overdraft
Accounts
Payments
Balance
Health Dept.
$1,715.31
$34.69
Contagious Diseases
3,720.09
22.65
420.10
Inspection of Plumbing
402.10
18.00
100.00
Vital Statistics
49.00
51.00
100.00
Inspector of Animals
100.00
300.00
Inspector of Meats and Provisions
300.00
100.00
Inspector of Milk
100.00
2,000.00
Committee on Sewerage
830.00
1,170.00
110.62
Middle Street Drain
60.00
50.62
611.20
1,046.79
French Drain
1,657.99
2,748.09
Norfolk County Hospital
2,748.09
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES
-
Soldiers' Benefits
920.15
EDUCATION
App. or Balance $123,376.00
Transfers
Overdraft $37.20
Accounts
Payments
Balance $49.71
General Expenses
$123,326.29
1,145.00
Insurance
1,182.20
3,600.00
Pond School Sanitals
3,500.00
100.00
500.00
- Jonas Perkins Grounds Portable School Building
15,000.00
500.00
Building Committee
137.69
362.31
1,000.00
Housing Committee
675.36
324.64
LIBRARY
2,300.00
General Expenses
2,300.00
300.00
Janitor's Salary
300.00
150.00
Distribution of Books
150.00
RECREATION
Parks and Playgrounds
$597.92
$2.08
Playground, Pr. 3
11,000.00
UNCLASSIFIED
Miscellaneous
$2,284.47
257.46
Welcome Home Committee
28.00
229.46
200.00
Memorial Day
200.00
1,300.00
Employees' Compensation
1,128.66
$171.34
1,000.00
District Nurse
1,000.00
334:40
Taxes, High School Site
334.40
300.00
Water Mains-Audubon Road
156.25
143.75
8,500.00
Union School Building
6,496.58
2,003.42
5,000.00
Reserve Fund
4,697.21
302.79
East. Mass. St. Ry. Co.
1,500.00
/
111
$600.00
11,000.00
$1,600.00
$684.47 ,
-
1,500.00
500.00
15,000.00
WATER DEPT. Sinking Fund CEMETERY
$2,120.00
Transfers
Overdraft
-Accounts Plain Street
Payments
$342.00
Balance $8.00 100.00
$400.00
$1,844.90
Interest
12,970.98
Maturing Debt
12,250.00
Balances and Appropriations Transfers
$5,322.59
Overdrafts
$378,895.54
Totals
Payments
$369,109.06
Balances, Jan. 1, 1921
$9,786.48
$378,895.54
112
$2,120.00 App. or Balance $350.00 100.00 10,726.08
12,250.00 $363,094.83
$10,478.12
Fence, Cemetery-Plain St.
1
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit this annual report of the Fire Department for the year of 1920.
Whole amount of calls was 106, divided as follows: Box alarms, 22; Telephone calls. 84; Building fires, 41; Woods and Grass, 39; False alarms, 8; Automobiles, 4; Lost child, Filling Engines, Tar barrels, dump fires, etc., 14.
Dynamite permits granted was 38
Gasoline permits granted was 72
Garage permits granted was
18
Setting fires in the open air 211
Permits granted to sell Fireworks
7
Whole amount of hose laid was 18,950 feet.
Whole amount of Chemical used was 855 gals.
Valuation on Buildings $208,600.00 .
Loss on Buildings 22,908.50
Insurance on Buildings 134,325.00
Valuation on Contents
209,500.00
Loss on Contents 6,019.00
Insurance on Contents
190,000.00
RECOMMENDATIONS
Salary of Chief
$2,000.00
Salary of Engineers
100.00
Salary of Steward
150.00
Permanent men-three
4,680.00
Forty-five call men
1,800.00
Poll taxes for 51 men
255.00
Extra pay of Firemen at 50 ct 700.00
General Expenses
6,000.00
Qualey's truck
700.00
Repairs on Fire Station, East Braintree
2,500.00
Fire Alarm Box, Harbor Villa 250.00
Automobile Pumping Engine
12,500.00
Combination Fire Truck 7,150.00
1,000 feet of new hose 900.00
Sleeping rooms at So. Braintree
1,400.00
Respectfully submitted,
F. A. TENNEY, Chief.
113
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Braintree, Mass., Dec. 31, 1920. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
I herewith submit the report of the Police Department for the year 1920, and recommendations for the year 1921.
The total number of cases before the District Court were 134.
Males 131
Females
3
Residents
50
Non-residents 84
Causes of complaints as follows :-
Adultery
1
Assault and Battery
12
Assault on Officer
2
Attempt to Rape
1
Bastardy
1
Burning Buildings
2
Carrying loaded revolver
4
Cruelty to Animals
1
Defacing Buildings
6
Defaults
2
Disturbing the peace
2
Disorderly Conduct
9
Drunkeness
16
Exposing Person
1
Fishing in private water
2
Forgery
1
Fornication
1
Hunting without license
2
Idle and disorderly
2
Keeping unlicensed dog
1
Larceny
12
Maliciously cutting trees
3
Malicious mischief
1 \
Murder
1
Neglect of Children
2
Neglect of Family
6
Neglect of Parents
2
Non-support
2
Operating Jitney without license
3
Operating Steam Boiler without license .
1
Operating Steam Engine without license
2
114
.
·
1
Stubborn Child
1
. Selling leased property 1
. Track walking
6
Throwing stones at train 2 1
Uttering a check
Violating Auto Laws 9
Violating Town By-Laws
7
.
Violating Jitney regulations
... ·
3
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that the Town provide headquarters for this Department.
I also recommend that the police force be increased by two more men. I find that crime is increasing every year and that the people are expecting police service like that of a city department. When we stop and think that the Police Department has no headquarters to meet in so that we can talk matters over, I have often wondered how we get along and give any kind of service. '
This department has three night patrolmen, the same number we had fifteen years ago.
It is well known that the whole country is astir over the crime wave. It is the cause for the different police depart- ments throughout the country to bring their departments to the highest point of efficiency. For this reason I am asking for two more men and a police headquarters.
Every spring until late in the fall I receive complaints of autos over-speeding on Quincy Avenue, Washington Street and Franklin Street. If the citizens want these things at- tended to, they must provide the means to do it.
Before closing I want to thank Officer Heaney on his good work in arresting a "gun man" on December 15th at 2 A. M. This man was also wanted by the Boston and Quincy police for hold-ups in their cities, and is now in Dedham Jail awaiting trial.
J. F. GALLIVAN, Chief of Police.
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BRAINTREE MASSACHUSETTS
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Sixty-Sixth Annual Report OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
Thirty-Sixth Annual Report
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OBSERVER PUB. CO., INC. BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS 1921
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1920
Dr. Franklin H. Merriam, Chairman, 1000 Washington St., So. Braintree. Tel. 380.
J. Thomas Baldwin, 21 Elm Knoll Rd., E. Braintree. Tel. 89-W.
Frank W. Couillard, 87 West St., Braintree. Tel. 262-W. Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, 75 Tremont St., So. Braintree. Tel. 129-J.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, Rec. Secretary, 110 Front St., E. Brain- tree. Tel. 326-W.
George H. Wetherbee, Jr., 105 Washington St., Braintree. Tel. 373-M.
SUPERINTENDENT
Clarence N. Flood, 276 Washington St., Braintree. Tel. 62.
Office Hours :- On school days except Tuesdays and Fridays,' from 8 to 9 A. M., and on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 5 P. M., in the Town House. Tel. 574-M.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE
Second Monday evening of each month at 7.30 o'clock at the Town House, Washington St., South Braintree. .
JANITORS
High School : Albert F. Hollis, Taylor St.
Jonas Perkins : Edward C. Holyoke, 24 Liberty St. Tei. 264-J.
Noah Torrey : F. F. Tupper, 44 Central Ave. Tel. 83-M. Penniman School: Omer Hollis, Union St.
Pond School: James Dreghorn, 52 Hancock St. Southwest School: N. E. Hayden, 304 Pond St.
South School : Anthony O'Rourke, Peach St.
Abraham Lincoln School: Parker W. Brown, 23 Willow St. Hollis School: Frank Drake, 36 Central Ave. Tel. 83-W. Quincy Ave. School : George Everett, Vinedale Rd.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
C. S. Hannaford, South Braintree. Tel. 749-M. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Braintree :
The year just closing marks one in which peculiar duties have devolved upon the School Committee in its administra- tion of school affairs. Such work as must be done by an ef- fective Committee necessitates many meetings and much study
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1
and individual investigation by its members. Earnest co-op- eration and loyal support have been given the Committee who have worked to carry the burden of the management of school affairs. Especially do we wish to express our appre- ciation of the earnest, steadfast devotion of our superinten- dent and teachers to the best interests of the schools, and their unselfish and unfailing support of the best educational policies for the Town.
While many important matters have been considered dur- ing the year, we will mention only a few of them.
The salary situation has been a burning question. The citizens hold the School Committee responsible for maintain- ing the standard of the teaching force. No one, not even the teachers themselves could foresee the demands of the past year.
Facing an acute situation, your Committee has been ob- liged to meet it, or allow a complete breakdown of our whole school system. We believe we have fully maintained the qual- ity and efficiency of the regular teaching force as well as in the necessary additions.
HIGH SCHOOLS
In the fall a Town Meeting was called to hear the report of the special committee appointed at the Annual Meeting in March. This report resulted in a vote of the Town to raise $5000 to secure plans and specifications and report at the com- ing meeting in March.
We feel gratified to know that this committee is doing so much for the relief of our crowded school accommodations, and especially quote this part of their report as of importance.
"If any citizens of the Town will visit modern high schools of nearby towns, as this Committee has done, and then made an inspection of the Braintree High School, there will be little question that there will be no feeling of pride for the building furnished by the Town for its High School, but, on the con- trary, a distinct feeling of the absolute necessity for the con- struction of a building which will properly provide the educa- tional facilities necessary for modern high school instruction.
"After a thorough examination, it was the unanimous vote of this Committee that the Town of Braintree needs a new high school building."
The teaching force has been better maintained than in many other towns, even though the attraction to other places was felt by our teachers. We now come to the item of the greatly increased cost of educating our young. The figures are much higher for the oncoming year, almost startling; but the figures are a bit deceiving unless consideration is given at the same time to the reimbursement from the state, coming as
118
a direct result of these increases, which it is estimated will amount this year to $15,000.
In the year 1916 the district police sent the following let- ter :
-
Extract from letter Mar. 17, 1916.
Sir :-
An inspection was made by me on March 15, 1916, of the Jonas Perkins School Building, E. Braintree, relative to the use of certain rooms and also in regard to the heating and ven- tilation.
I do not consider the basement room a proper place for school purposes, other than for the use now made of the same. This room is not properly heated and ventilated, and the light- ing is insufficient.
Relative to the use of the third floor for school rooms it will be necessary to submit to the supervisor of plans, State House, Boston, a plan showing a system of heating and ven- tilating the same, proper lighting, additional means of egress, etc. In its present condition I do not consider it a proper place for school purposes, and would not issue my certificate for the same.
Respectfully, WM. J. McKEWER, Building Inspector.
At the beginning of the Fall Term 1920, we received the following letter from the state police :'
From: State Building Inspector John J. Terry.
To: School Committee, Braintree, Mass.
Subject : Jonas Perkins School.
On September 24, 1920, I inspected the Jonas Perkins School, East Braintree, and in accordance with provisions of Chapter 655, Acts of 1913, you are respectfully directed to provide additional means of egress, to be located on the rear building, connecting each story with the ground.
This egress to be an enclosed tower stairway, in accor- dance with the regulations of this department, a plan of same to be submitted for approval.
The wooden escape now located on the rear of the building is, in my opinion, dangerous and unsafe to use. I am thor- oughly convinced of this fact after taking the children from the building in a fire drill on Sept. 24.
Kindly give this matter your serious consideration.
JOHN J. TERRY.
We found on investigation that it would cost too much to install a fire escape, so transferred one-half of the sixth grade to the Abraham Lincoln hall. This is not a satisfac-
119
tory solution, owing to poor heating and lighting facilities.
The present overcrowded conditions throughout the town make it difficult to arrange a program which will bring the best results. Last summer the town gave us at a special town meeting sufficient money to purchase two portables, and equip three extra rooms. We believe the purchase of more portables is not the best policy and hope that at the annual meeting the town will raise and appropriate for permanent structures.
Despite criticism at public meetings by citizens as to com- fort and heating qualities, actual temperature records taken on coldest days show that these buildings can be satisfactorily. heated.
THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
The increase in the cost of running the school system for 1920 over the amount expended in 1919 is due in a large meas- ure to many items of temporary equipment and other perma- nent expenditure for portables, etc. Most of our overdraft of this year was due to fitting up of portables in readiness for the Fall term, which necessitated some haste in proceedings.
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