USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1925 > Part 8
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We endorse the proposed widening of Norfolk and Washington Squares, provided that assessments for betterments are made in accordance with Chapter 80 of the General Laws, thus providing for the adjust- ment of a balance between betterments and damages which will be fair to both the abutters and the public.
The corner of Independence Avenue and Centre Street is now very dangerous. This situation would be much improved if, in addition to relocation of street lines, the grade of Centre Street were raised for a distance of at least one hundred feet from the corner.
Another dangerous corner which would be im- proved by a change of grade is the junction of Middle and Elm Streets.
We recommend that the town execute this year the widening of the corner of Central Avenue and Tre- mont Street as shown on plan filed by Mr. White, in ac- cordance with the recommendation in last year's Plan- ning Board report. This will remove some of the danger; but nothing short of the moving of two houses. which now interrupt the view will make this corner safe. Eventually the whole of Central Avenue will have to be widened, since it is on an important traffic route from Franklin Street to East Braintree. In view of this, building lines should be established at once, so that when the traffic increases to such extent as to make the widening necessary, it can be done at min- imum cost.
The town was very wise in accepting the building line law and is now in a position not only to protect property values along our streets as they now exist by preventing undue nearness of buildings to the street line, but also to make future widenings possible with- out the excessive damage which the removal of build- ings would entail. The Planning Board will be very glad to co-operate with the Board of Survey in a com-
.
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prehensive study of the needs of the whole town in this connection.
The so-called "Southern Artery" which has been proposed by the Metropolitan Planning Division as a part of a great circumferential highway leading around Boston will be of immense importance to Braintree. It is planned to enter the town from the Blue Hills Res- ervation, follow West Street to Five Corners, then Franklin, Washington, Plain and Grove Streets to Weymouth. This will eliminate several danger spots such as at the bridge over the river at Plain Street and at the intersection of Grove and Liberty Streets.
We renew the recommendation of previous Plan- ning Board reports that a complete set of assessors' plans of the town be gradually accumulated until the whole area of the town is covered. Plans of subdiv- isions required by the Board of Survey should be at the same scale. The new map of the town ordered by the last annual meeting will be a great assistance to all departments, but the assessors' maps and subdi- vision maps are needed to supplement this.
We feel that the town should proceed with the installation of a sewer system as soon as possible. Not only does the rapid growth of population make the need increasingly acute, but many of our important streets require resurfacing, and it will be much more economical to install sewers before this is done than afterward.
In view of these same prospects, it also seems de- sirable that a survey of our water system be made in the near future so that we may be sure that all mains will be adequate for the probable future needs of the districts they serve, or if not, that new ones may be laid before the streets are reconstructed. There has been so much popular dissatisfaction with the quality of the water that the proposed survey might well in-
185
clude the consideration of supply as well as distribution.
Of course the process of widening streets will ne- cessitate the cutting of many of our beautiful shade trees. This is to be greatly regretted and should be avoided wherever feasible. When the sacrifice of trees is unavoidable, new trees should be system- atically and promptly planted in their stead wherever circumstances permit. The species should be carefully selected, with consideration of the surrounding condi- tions. In localities where open lawns seem likely to continue, trees demanding considerable open space for their roots, like the American Elm, can be planted. The elm is particularly valuable not only for its grace- ful beauty but also for its high habit of branching which does not interrupt the view beneath. The water- proof surfacing of our modern streets and sidewalks however makes it impossible for the elm and many other desirable varieties to grow in some situations. This does not mean that our business centers must be entirely bare of trees, for there are a few species that will still thrive, even when surrounded on every side by pavement, if only a small area of open earth is al- lowed them near their trunks. Illustrations of this may be seen on Huntington Avenue, Boston, and in other places. - Whenever in the future the making of granolithic or tarvia sidewalks is contemplated, it would seem very desirable that the Superintendent of Streets and the Tree Warden collaborate in planning for this kind of provision wherever it is needed.
We renew the recommendation made in previous Planning Board reports that a certain amount of hard- surfaced side-walk be made each year.
The Surveyors of Highways and Superintendent of Streets are to be commended for their work in plac- ing warning signals at critical points. It is to be hoped that the town will provide ample means for future ef-
186
forts in this direction. The cost of these is trifling when compared with the value of the human life they protect.
We renew the recommendation of previous years that a set of traffiic regulations be added to our town By-laws.
The town is to be congratulated on the excellent new street lighting near the town hall and at South Braintree Spuare. All places where large numbers of people walk should be especially well lighted in the interests of safety. Other places where better pro- vision of this sort is needed are at the junction of Allen Street and Quincy Avenue, at Norfolk Square, and at the Elm Street railroad crossing.
Owing to present financial conditions, the pros- pects of abolition of railroad grade crossings seem rather remote, but it is to be hoped that people will not lose sight of the fact that with the increase of traffiic using them comes a corresponding increase of menace to human life, to say nothing of the time wast- ed whenever traffic is blocked by trains.
The citizens were very wise at the last annual town meeting in ordering a study of future needs with regard to school sites. , Since real estate throughout the community is rising rapidly in value it behoves the town to buy land for future use as soon as possible.
The Planning Board believes that this policy should be applied to land for street, playground and park purposes as well, and is working on a comprehensive plan for the whole town which we hope to be ready to report on in detail next year.
There is one part of this plan, however, which is already clearly enugh defined to make consideration possible at this time and which we feel needs imme- diate attention.
187
Braintree is fortunate in possessing a number of opportunities for water-side parks. The voters were very wise in securing Watson Park some few years ago. We believe there should likewise be a water-side park in each of the other parts of the town, in order that the inhabitants of all sections may have an easily ac- cessible place for bathing, boating and skating, which they can use without trespassing on private property. We are now ready to report on provision of this sort for South Braintree.
The shores of Sunset Lake, especially in the vi- cinity of the pumping station, are used by large num- bers of people for recreational purposes. As the pop- ulation of the town increases the popularity of this place likewise grows, until now the crowds frequently overflow beyond the limits of the area owned by the town and use land that is private property. While the owners have been remarkably indulgent about this treaspassing, the time will surely come if the present condition persists when the owners will lose patience and rigorously exclude all intruders. The obvious so- lution of this problem is the purchase by the town of a strip of this property along the shore for a park.
This unusually beautiful spot would require very little expenditure to adapt it for public purposes. When it is financially expedient the town might well build a public boat-landing there and improve the bathing facilities ; but the place would be very useful for the present without these. It is centrally located, within easy reach of large numbers of people-near enough to several industrial plants so that the employees can enjoy it during their lunch hour-yet far enough from the main high-ways so that the noise and confusion of traffic will not interfere with its usefulness as a place for rest and recreation.
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We recommend that the town acquire a tract of land extending from the north-west boundry of Lake- view Cemetary along the shore a distance of approx- imately eight hundred and fifty feet, bounded on the north-east by a line parallel with Franklin Street, two hundred and forty feet from the same; also a strip of land forty feet wide connecting the northern end of the park with Franklin Street. This will give a width to the park along the lake front ranging from about sixty to one hundred and eighty feet.
We appreciate both the interest shown in our work by the citizens of the town and the courtesies extended to us by officials of other departments.
At this critical period in the town's history it is imperative that every inhabitant take an active inter- est in the solution of these problems, which affect not only the present but future generations as well.
THERON I. CAIN, Chairman MERTON A. TUNER, Secretary WALLACE W. WILSON JOHN A. RYAN MARK HENNEBURY
Members of the Planning Board
189
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
This Committee has proceeded to construct a grade school in South Braintree which, it is now ex- pected, will be completed by the date of the annual business meeting. It believes that this building is well planned and well constructed and is one for which the Town need make no apologies, either at this or any fut- ure time. The appropriation made by the Town will cover all costs in connection with the building itself and leaves a substantial balance for grading.
As this report goes to press, bids for the high school have been requested. The Committee believes that the plans and specifications upon which these bids are to be based, conform to the wishes expressed by the Town in adopting the School Housing Committee's report at the Annual Meeting of 1925. The Committee is hopeful as to the result of the building, but has had inserted in the warrant, as a precautionary measure, article 101 under which it may ask for a further ap- propriation, should the contractors' prices exceed the amount now available.
The School Committee feels that a 500 pupil building will be inadquate in size by the time that it is ready for occupancy or at a time almost immediately subsequent thereto and that an addition to the build- ing will then be required. Accordingly, alternative bids have also been asked for on plans incorporating this "addition" (if, in the case of a non-existing build- ing, it may be properly so called) as a part of the or- iginal scheme. Article 102 of the Warrant has been inserted in order that the Town may make this incor-
190
poration, if it so desires. This Committee believes that it is in the interest of economy and good man- agement so to do and so recommends. It ·perhaps should be said that if the amount already appropriated in 1925 is found to be sufficient for the 500 pupils building the plans are so laid out that matters can and will proceed without financial loss and without prejudice to any favorable action that may be taken under Article 102.
Respectfully submitted, SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE, by FRANK A. EWART, Secretary.
February 3, 1926.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE :
School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1924 to Dec. 31, 1925
Printed by Order of the Town
UNSER
RATE
T
TOWN
EE
..
M
·1640. SSACHU
PRINTED BY H. W. BAILEY PRESS South Braintree, Mass. 1926
194
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. C. Frederick Tarbox, Chairman, 27 Willard Street, East Braintree.
Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, Recording Secretary, 75 Tremont Street, South Braintree.
Dr. Franklin H. Merriman, 1000 Washinggton Street, South Braintree.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, 110 Front Street, East Baintree. Mr. Falph B. Woodsum, 45 Hollis Avenue, Braintree. Mr. Henry D. Higgins, 490 Washington Street, rBaintree.
Superintendent of Schools
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, 39 Oak Street, Braintree. Office Telephone 0782.
Office Hours : 1
On school days from from four to five p. m., except on Tuesday.
Secretary Miss Emily Erickson, 766 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Office Hours :
Eight to twelve, one to five, on days when schools are in session. Saturdays, nine to twelve.
Meetings of the School Committee
Second Monday evening of each month at eight o'clock in the Town House, Washington Street, South Braintree:
195
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 2, 1926.
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree :
Your Committee in submitting its report for the fiscal year just closed, with the exception of a few facts herein mentioned, will deal primarily with financial matters pertaining to its department.
The educational features pertaining to the School Department may best be summed in the report of the Superintendent together with the reports of the several department heads, including all data which is made a component part of the Committee's report.
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL 1
The Committee plans to take over the new grade school on April first. It will be known as the Noah Torrey Primary School, and will care for second, third, fourth, and fifth grade pupils. The relief afforded by the use of this building is greatly appreciated by the Committee, as it is thereby enabled to lay out an effective and satisfactory school program in conjunc- tion with the Noah Torrey Grammar as well as the Pond School. The classroom now conducted in Ho- bart's Block will be discontinued at the close of the present school year. The portables in the Noah Tor- rey yard will also be discontinued beginning April first. However, it will be necessary to make some use of them upon the opening of the next school year, pending the availability of the Monatiquot School for grade purposes in September 1927.
196
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The School Building Committee has submitted to the School Committe a complete set of plans for the New High School. We have studied these plans and find that they provide for properly caring for 500 pu- pils based on our present High School Curriculum, but allow for no growth. This Committee desired to point out to the citizens, in its judgment based on facts, that when the Building is opened in September, 1927, the numbers to be cared for will equal 500 and possibly · more. We, therefore, feet it wise and good business judgement to now add during its construction the wing provided for in the plans.
PENNIMAN SCHOOL
The situation at this school as regards housing is such that the Committee recommends the addition of six regular classrooms thus establishing a ten room unit. The following facts represent the conditions at present existing at this school.
January 11, 1926.
September 1926.
Kindergarten
23
25 Probably
Grade I
23
32
Grade II
32
23
Grade III
22
32
Grade IV
24
One teacher
22
*Grade V
26
22
*Grade VI 27
26
Grade VII
28
27
Grade VIII
17
One Teacher
28
-
*These two classes occupy improvised rooms in the assembly hall.
An examination of Grade III and Grade IV probable enrolment for September 1926, and also of
197
Grade VII and Grade VIII show that the condition will be almost if not quite impossible. The situation will no doubt oblige the Committee to establish half time for some grades if additional accommodations are not available in September. To carry out an efficient half time schedule the services of three additional tachers will be required in order that such pupils affected may lose the least part of the required number of school hours.
The construction and development taking place in the neighborhood accommodated by this building suggests that the number of children likely to seek enrolment will be increased. At present approximate- ly 80% of the attendants reside within a radius of one half mile of the building.
The Committee believe that in the establishing of a ten room unit there should be provided an assembly hall of sufficient seating capacity to properly accommo- date such unit. The educational advantages derived therefrom are manifold, offering as it does opportuni- ty for group instruction in many subjects, a suitable place wherein to conduct its graduation exercises, and a place for the convenient assembly of the community for educational, social, and recreational activities.
SCHOOL SITES
The Committee is pleased that the Town at its last annual meeting sanctioned the appointment of a committee to bring in a report of a method for, and cost of, acquiring additional land and sites for grade school purposes. The School Committee has informally dis- cussed this subject matter with the Special Committee and it is expected they will recommend to the town a suitable and wise program to follow relative thereto.
198
TRANSPORTATION
The Committee in order to more properly care for the transportation of school pupils employed the ser- vices of two busses from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company. They care for both high and grade pupils, and the program adopted has worked out very satisfactorily, providing as it does a safe, convenient, and reliable method of transporta- tion.
FENCING SCHOOL PROPERTY
One of the fundamental duties entrusted to all school committees is the safety of the child. There is nothing with which school authorities can concern themselves more precious than this, nor of graver im- port. The child's life and the child's safety must first be protected, all else is of secondary importance. And to do this, as far as school authorities can control, it is necessary to properly protect school grounds.
The ever increasing traffic problem is, or ought, to be, of grave concern to all school boards who have jurisdiction over buildings facing or boarding on heav- ily traversed highways. The Town of Braintree has several schools adjacent to such highways, and they should, as a measure of safety to the children attend- ing them, be properly fenced. While it is true that state laws are usually drawn in a manner to absolve school boards from liability for injuries in and about the school grounds, it is also a fact that courts are in- creasingly holding boards of education liable on the theory that it is essential that every possible precau- tion be taken to safe guard the physical welfare of the children against their possible injury. The Commit- tee, therefore, places itself on record as favoring a progressive program to effectually carry out the object herein expressed. 1
1
199
FINANCIAL
Expenditure 1925
Budget 1926
Increase
$ 6,871.72 General Control $ 7,185.00
$ 313.28
138,990.50 Tachers' Salaries 156,612.50 12,637.98 Text Books and Supplies 12,000.00
17,622.00
No. Increase*
18,799.82 Operating
21,225.00
2,425.18
15,129.44 Maintenance
16,794.68
1,665.24
. . 11,915.14 Auxiliary
14,980.00
3,064.86
1,778.08 Outlay
2,000.00
221.92
$206,122.68
$230.797.18
$25,312.48
21,359.20 Actual Credits
*Deduct
637.98
$184,763.48 Net
$24,674.50
Estimated Credits
21,000.00
Net Increase
$3,674.50
EXPLANATION OF INCREASE
General Control :
Covers contract for Superintendent, Clerk increas- ed telephone rates, additional telephone in new build- ing, printing, office forms and supplies, and Superin- tendent's expenses.
Teachers' Salaries :
(Covers 8 principals, 60 grade teachers, 18 high teachers, 2 continuation school teachers, 6 special teachers, 3 evening teachers, total 97.)
Present Contract
$148,922.50
1925 Expenditures 138.990.50
Present contracts excess over 1925 expen-
ditures $ 9,932.00
200
Salary Increases 2,520.00
Increase in personnel on account of new building and physical director 4,570.00
Sick leave 600.00
$ 17,622.00
The item of $9,932.00 is the remaining part of the basic appropriation made at the last annual town meet- ing, covering increase in teachers salaries as well as increase in personnel of department. The item of present salary increase is only a normal one to care for certain increases to teachers whose excellent services merit financial consideration. The Committe does not contemplate any general salary increase this year. The Noah Torrey Primary School will require the ser- vices of five additional teachers. The Committee is very desirous of adding a physical director to its de- partment, in accordance with State Regulations requir- ing such. The item for sick leave covers agreement already existing between teachers and the Committee, and for purposes used is fair and just.
Text Books and Supplies: This item covers $4,500.00 for text books and $7,500.00 for supplies for high, the department will have one more building to provide grade and continuation schools. Considering the fact the department will have one more building to provide for the amount is not excessive.
Operating: The increase is occasioned by the engage- ment of a new janitor for the Noah Torrey School; increased quantity and cost of fuel, as well as janitors supplies.
Maintainance: The Committee feels that to properly maintain the school plant and equipment, the valuation of which is conservately estimated at $839,734.00, there should be appropriated each year 11/2 to 2% of
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said sum for upkeep. The sum named in the Budget is 2%, which includes salary and expenses of repair man ($2,150.00).
Auxiliary: Covers increase in school health depart- ment, transportation, high school clerk, including high and grade school graduation expenses.
Outlay: This item covers cost of any and all new equipment and for a department of our size which is continually growing, the sum is not at all excessive.
The answer why pupils educational costs are con- tinually increasing is due to the fact that schools are today doing more than formerly, and for a greatly increased number of pupils, and that the increased service in educational facilities are being paid for with dollars that have a purchasing power of only about 60 cents as compared with 100 cents in 1914.
The Committee appreciates the splendid spirit and loyalty manifested on the part of its Superintendent and his able corps of instructors in their endeavors to keep and improve the high standing of our schools.
The Citizens attention is called to the Committee's regular meeting dates, the second Monday in every month. Suggestions and constructive criticism are most welcome.
Respectfully submitted, 1
C. FREDERICK TARBOX,
CARRIE F. LORING, ALIDA N. STEVENS,
FRANKLIN H. MERRIAM,
RALPH B. WOODSUM,
HENRY D. HIGGINS,
School Committee.
:
202
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
January 2, 1926.
To the School Committee: I herewith present. Superintendent of School's report for the year 1925. with the usual other reports in this department.
During the year there has been an effort in many ways to improve the. quality and quantity of work. done in the class room, and our efforts have been dir- ected along many different lines with very satisfactory results. Systematic effort along the lines of testing pupils with standardized tests has been stimulating, not alone to the pupils, but also to the teachers, and it will not be long before we shall have accumulated data of great value not only in the determination of each individual pupil's accomplishments, but also his. capabilities. In April the Stanford Achievement Tests. were given all children in grades V to VIII inclusive : in December tests were given in arithmetic to grades V, VI, and VII, and also the Multi-Mental Scale Tests, prepared by Professor William A. McCall of Teachers' College, Columbia University, were given in grades III to VIII inclusive. The results are now available for- use in making a careful analysis of the capabilities and needs of each individual child, which is being done as fast as time will permit, for with the three cards,. the Life Card, the Physical Education Record Card, and the Educational Measurement Card, a sufficient .. amount of information is presented and so far inde -. pendent of mere opinion that a sufficient amount of data is now available to make possible, probably, much more effective expenditure of time and effort by our- teachers.
203
The three special teachers who are working with our retarded pupils have produced results beyond our greatest hopes, and to enumerate specific cases of im- proved work by children, of change of attitude toward school work, of children who have resumed their places in regular classes, and who are doing better than av- erage work, would be most interesting I am sure, but this is not the proper place for such information. I
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