USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1926 > Part 7
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G. E. Warren 36.92
American Railway Express
62.93
Geo. A. Caldwell Co.
64.00
Cambridge Plumbing Supply Co. 77.32
Hingham Water Co.
56.19
139
Sumner & Dunbar
88.20
Rhines Lumber . Co.
56.83
Mueller Co., Inc.
89.70
United Cork Companies
106.10
Conard & Buzby
124.09
Waldo Bros. & Bond Co.
140.80
A .. A. Drollett
152.74
The A. P. Smith Co.
360.51
United States Cast Iron Pipe 1,032.95
Builders Iron Foundry Co. 1,678.28
Rennselear Valve Co.
2,506.07
Chadwick Boston Lead Co.
3,025.71
N. Y. N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
3,259.89
A. C. Trojano
21,808.13
Donaldson Iron Co.
28,113.22
Pay Roll 1,439.80
$64,369.71
MAIN PIPE REPAIRS
G. E. Warren
4.20
Weymouth Water Dept. 20.43
$24.63
WATER PROTECTION
N. Y. N. H. & H. R. R. Co. 87
Otis B. Oakman, Collector
10.25
Fields Point Mfg. Co. 40.50
John P. Shay 159.00
Wallace & Tiernan
774.30
$984.92
140
2
GARAGE
D. A. Chandler 9.34
H. W. Borden
10.46
Grossman Coal Co.
97.00
Pay Roll
433.00
$549.80
INSURANCE
James F. Burke
12.50
Employees Liab. Ass. Corp.
142.16
George E. Sampson
387.46
$542.12
SUPERINTENDENT
John W. Mulcahy 2,100.00
$2,100.00
AUTOMOBILES
SUPERINTENDENT'S CAR (Dodge Coupe)
South Braintree Tire & Vul. Co. 3.60
H. T. West Co. 6.05
Batchelder Motor Co. 7.00
Register of Motor Vehicles
12.00
Tide Water Oil Sailes Corp. 11.36
Standard Oil Co.
175.46
Haskell's Garage 474.75
$690.22
141
METER CAR (Ford Truck)
Register of Motor Vehicles
4.00
H. T. West Co.
6.05
Tide Water Oil Sales Corp.
11.30
Braintree Tire & Battery Service
57.20
Haskell's Garage
130.41
Standard Oil Co.
144.00
Braintree Motor Co.
342.53
$695.49
DODGE TRUCK
Register of Motor Vehicles 4.00
H. T. West Co.
6.05
So. Braintree Tire & Vul. Co.
6.10
Tide Water Oil Sales Corp .. .
11.30
Braintree Tire & Battery Service 32.60
Standard Oil Co.
132.00
Haskell's Garage
189.47
$381.52
REO TRUCK
H. W. Macomber .38
Norbet A. Fredette
.85
Quincy Reo Co.
.75
Braintree Tire & Battery Service
.75
Register of Motor Vehicles
2.00
So. Braintree Tire & Vul. Co
5.60
Doane's Garage
5.85
H. T. West Co.
6.05
Tide Water Oil Sales Corp.
11.30
142
4
Community Garage
22.25
S. Scammell & Sons 25.60
Linscott Motor Co.
33.39
Haskell's Garage
140.50
Standard Oil Co.
148.50
A. C. Trojano
72.00
$475.77
NEW STANDPIPE
Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co. 12,495.00
$12,495.00
STANDPIPE FOUNDATION
Weymouth Water Dept. 57.89
Rhines Lumber Co. 69.24
Woodsum Coal Co. 341.25
Edward T. Dwyer
426.00
A. C. Trojano
1,244.16
$2,138.54
ENGINEERING
Symonds & Stevens
1,084.48
$1,084.48
143
RECAPITULATION
Maintenance
5,936.31
Great Pond
14,760.52
Little Pond 667.79
Service Maintenance
3,541.40
Service Work Outside Street
13,919.41
Service Work in Street
5,306.90
Meters
3,806.86
Meter Repairs 810.21
Reading, Inspecting & Testing Meters 1,415.06
Hydrants
2,243.86
Hydrant Repairs
510.50
Testing and Flushing Hydrants
172.11
Tools 156.71
Main Pipe Extensions 64,369.71
Main Pipe Repairs
24.63
Water Protection
984.92
Garage
549.80
Insurance
542.12
Superintendent 2,100.00
New Standpipe 12,495.00
Standpipe Foundation 2,138.54
Symonds & Stevens, Engineers 1,084.48
Automobiles
2,243.00
$139,779.84
REGISTRAR'S REPORT
Water Rates charged 1926 . $67,931.79
Pipes, Labor etc. 14,963.15
Water
Rates
Outstanding
Jan. 1, 1926
7,129.04
Pipes, Labor etc., Outstand-
ing Jan. 1, 1926
3,183.45
144
Town of Braintree (Hy- drants)
500.00
Mrs. E. A. Hollingsworth . .
78.00
Salvadore Cordaro (Rent of Farm)
500.00
Frank C. Walsh (Rent)
50.00
Sam Beer
5.00
Telephone Acct., etc.
9.78
Collections
$82,548.57
Water Rates Outstanding Dec. 31, 1926
7,703.42
Pipes, Labor etc., Outstand-
ing Dec. 31, 1926
3,746.55
Abatements
351.67
$94,350.21
$94,350.21
SECRETARY'S FINANCIAL REPORT
Balance, Dec. 31, 1925
28,982.21
Otis B. Oakman, Treas. (in-
cluding Town of Braintree Hydrants)
82,548.57
Braintree National Bank, in-
terest on open account 50.90
First National Bank, interest on open account 99.59
Braintree National Bank, in-
terest on Special Deposit 806.09 First National Bank, interest on Special Deposit 67.61
National Mt. Wollaston Bank, interest on Special Deposit
242.29
Chadwick-Boston Lead Co.
(Reels returned) 204.00
145
E. H. Rollins & Sons, Water main and Standpipe Bonds Discounts for Cash
Paid sundry bills, as per vouchers
Balance, Dec. 31, 1926
50,000.00 356.93
$139,779.84
23,578.35
$163,358.19
$163,358.19
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Balance, January 1, 1926 . . $
600.00
Collected, 1926 82,548.57
Paid Treasurer, on his re- ceipts
$ 82,548.57
$ 83,148.57 $ 83,148.57 Examined and approved withe vouchers for ex- penditures and balance on hand as outlined above.
RALPH W. ARNOLD,
PAUL MONAGHAN, HERBERT W. CURTIS,
Auditors.
January 19, 1927.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer,
In account with Board of Water Commissioners: Dr. Cr
Balance from 1925 $ 28,982.21
146
Received from H. W. Ma-
comber, Collectors 82,048.57
Received from Town of Braintree (Hydrants) 500.00
Received interest on deposits 1,266.48
Water Main
& Standpipe
Loan
50,000.00
. Paid orders of Commis-
sioners
$139,218.91
Balance, December 31, 1926
23,578.35
$162,797.26 $162,797.26
Examined and approved with balance on hand as follows :
·On Deposit :
First National Bank
$ 20,993.94
Brainrtee National Bank
1,984.41
Cash in hands of Secretary
600.00
$ 23,578.35
RALPH W. ARNOLD, PAUL MONAGHAN, HERBERT W. CURTIS,
Auditors.
January 5, 1927
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Water Commissioner of the Town of Braintree : Gentlemen :
Two hundred and fifty-nine new services were laid during the year.
147
Kind of pipe and number of feet laid :
Feet
In.
Five-eighths-inch lead pipe
10155
Three-fourths-inch lead pipe 163
Three-fourths-inch iron pipe :654
One-inch iron pipe 1932 :
One-and one-fourth-inch iron pipe. :163:18
Two-inch iron pipe
52 .1.
Two-inch brass pipe 140
Total 13259
Total service pipe in System December 31, 1926: 42 miles, 437 feet.
Seventy-Five Services were renewed.
Five-eighths-inch lead pipe 2479 7
Three-fourths-inch lead pipe
58
6
One-inch iron pipe
904
Two-inch iron pipe
279
Total 3720 13
Fourteen-inch cast iron pipe on Faxon St.
1020
Twelve-inch cast iron pipe on Commercial Street - Union Street 7284
Twelve-inch cast iron pipe at Pumping Station 60
Ten-inch cast iron pipe at Pumping Station
15
Eight-inch cast iron pipe on West Street
7121
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Wilkins Street
246
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Mashal Street 404
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Bellevue Ave. 241
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Buckminster Rd. 663
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Oakland Road 197
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Cotton Ave. 100
Six-inch cast iron pipe on Pearl Street
185
2036
148
Four-inch cast iron pipe on Crawford Road
(Upper) 278
Four-inch cast iron pipe on Crawford Road (Lower) 270
Four-inch cast iron pipe on View Ave. 585
Four-inch cast iron pipe on Bay Road 233
Four-inch cast iron pipe on Sheppard Ave. 194
1560
Two-inch Galvanized iron pipe on Wil- marth Road 12.4
Two-inch Galvanized iron pipe on Vernon 213 Two-inch Galvanized iron pipe on Norfolk Road 162
Two-inch Galvanized iron pipe on High- land Ave. 65
564
"One-and one-half-inch iron pipe on Azel
Road 136
One-and one-half-inch iron pipe on Argyle Road 212
348
One-inch iron pipe on Wilkins Street 270
One-inch iron pipe on Hamilton Street 88
One-inch iron pipe on Standish Ave. 140
One-inch iron pipe on Morrison Road 65
«One-inch iron pipe on Trefton Drive 75
638
149
DISTRIBUTION MAINS IN OPERATION December 31, 1926.
Sixteen-inch Cast iron pipe 741
Fourteen-inch Cast iron pipe 1151
Twelve-inch Cast iron pipe 26079
Ten-inch Cast iron pipe
10517
Eight-inch Cast iron pipe 28341
Six-inch Cast iron pipe 184585
Four-inch Cast iron pipe 37171
Two-inch wrought iron pipe 15174
One-and one-half inch wrought iron pipe 4001
One-and one-fourth inch wrought iron pipe 5405
One inch wrought iron pipe 19078
Three-fourths inch wrought iron pipe
1409
63 miles, 1012 feet. 333,652 ft.
-
150
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF HYDRANTS
SET DURING 1926.
Number
Location
Maker
354
Faxon St., near Com'l St.
Corey
355
Union St., near Texas Oil Co. Corey
356
West Street
Corey
357
West Street
Corey
358
West Street
Corey
359
West Street
Corey
360
Crawford Road
Corey
361
Bellevue Road
Corey
362
Buckminster Road
Corey
363
Buckminster Road
Corey
364
Cotton Avenue
Corey
365
Marshal Street
Corey
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VALVES SET DURING YEAR 1926
Valve No.
6 Inches
4 Inches
2 Inches
609
Five Corners
1
610
Bellevue Road
1
611
Oakland Ave.
1
612
Pearl Street
1
613
Crawford, upper
1
614
Crawford, lower
1
615
View Ave.
1
616
Bay Road
1
617 Wilmarth Road
1
618
Vernon St.
1
619
Norfolk Road
T
151
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VALVES SET DURING YEAR 1926
Valve No. 14 Inches
12 Inches 10 Inches 8 Inches 6 Inches
620
Faxon-Commercial St.
1
621
Faxon-Stetson St.
1
622
Faxon-Commercial St.
1
623
Union St. opp. 673
1
624
Miller
1
625
66
Middle
1
626
Middle
1
627
66
opp. 259
1
628
opp. Texas Oit
1
629
French Ave.
1
630
Wash. St.
1
631
Great Pond Pumping Station
1
632
Great Pond Pumping Station
1
633
West St., near Wood Road . .
1
634
at Heurlin s.
1
635
at Burtons
1
636
66
opp. 407
1
637
66 opp. 407
638
Five Corners
152
1
1
153
METER RECORD FOR 1926
5/8
34
1
1 1/2
2
3
4
6 Total
Empire
2906
50
4
10
3
3
2
1
2982
Crown
21
21
Gem
3
3
Hersy
2
2
2904
74
4
10
6
3
2
1
3008
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. MULCAHY,
Superintendent.
PUMPING RECORD FOR 1926
Gallons
Coal burned
run
pumpe i
with
100 1bs.
of coal
January
28,079,961
71,455
444.
37,207
February
25,499.090
65,165
411.50
39,237
March
28,762,694
75,645
478.45
39,228
April
29,100,309
72,825
472.
38,030
May
27,182,652
71,680
439.30
39,986
June
28,546,218
77,285
458.35
37,182
July
32,633,286
83,770
530.25
36,949
August
31,978,044
86,805
511.10
38,955
September
29,501,325
81,750
481.40
36,608
October
30,536,457
83,670
498.40
36,332
November
29,556,261
78,400
476.15
36,400
December
31,439,961
84,500
500.20
36,678
Totals
352,816,558
932,950
5,703.10
Averages
966,621
2,556
15.54
37,795
Largest day's pumping, Wednesday, July 21st, 1,310.946.
Smallest day's pumping, Sunday, May 30th, 705,373.
FRANCIS J. O'ROURKE,
Chief Engineer.
Time
Gallons
pumped
154
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Fire Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1925 to Dec. 31, 1926
Printed by Order of the Town
LATE
MOJ
R
E
..
·1640.
S
SS
Printed by THE BRAINTREE OBSERVER PRATT & PRATT, Publishers 1927
156
وتيهس +
157
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit to you the annual report of: the Fire Department of the fiscal year ending Decem -- ber 31st, 1926.
Total number of calls during the year-313, divided as follows:
Box Alarms Month
Still Alarms.
1
January 6
February 9 3
4. March
15.
9 April
93
37 5
May
7
June
9
11
July
29
13 1 August
3
September
8:
6
October
9 .
3
November
8:
3
December 14
56
Totals 257
158
Month
Buildings
Woods, Dumps, Grass and
Automobiles
Oil Tanks
False Alarms
Cat in. Trees
Boy in. Pond
Totals ..
Jan.
9
40010 0
14
Feb.
10
0100
1
0
12
March
10
7
00
2
2
0
19
April
7
93
200
0
0
102
May
6
35
1000
0
42
June
5
7
2 0 2
0
0
16
July
5
27
2 0 60
0
40
Aug.
5
70100
1
14
Sept.
8
3
000 0
0
11
Oct.
7
7
1000
0
15
Nov.
4
5
1010
0
11
Dec.
11
1
5000
0
17
Total
87
196 15
1 12
1
1 313
,
Bonfires
159
Valuation on Insurance on Damage to Ins. Paid
Mo.
Buildings
Buildings Buildings on Buildings.
Jan.
$105,000.00 $ 97,000.00 $ 1,750.00 $ 1,750.00
Feb.
60,300.00
58,300.00
8,226.40
8,226.40
Mar.
69,000.00
63,500.00
313.00
313.00.
Apr.
36,100.00
33,000.00
8,555.00
8,545.00
May
16,000.00
14,000.00
115.00
115.00
June
23,000.00
15,000.00
2,970.00
2,770.00;
July
38,100.00
30,900.00
721.00
721.00
Aug.
244,000.00
231,500.00
35,304.00
35,304.00
Sept.
41,000.00
38,300.00
1,960.00
1,960.00
Oct.
52,700.00
47,500.00
2,963.00
2,963.00
Nov.
19,300.00
14,000.00
2,200.00
2,200.00
Dec.
79,885.00
69,585.00
5,333.50
5,333.50
Tot. $764,385.00 $712,585.00 $70,410.90 $70,000.90 Fire May 5th, Blanket Insurance Policy.
Insurance
$1,700,000.00
Damage
33,000.00
Insurance Paid
33,000.00
Valuation on Insurance on Damage to Ins. Paid
Mo.
Contents
Contents
Contents on Contents.
Jan.
$ 57,500.00 $ 55,000.00 $
276.83 $
276.83
Feb.
20,020.00
20,020.00
2,000.00
2,000.00
Mar.
24,600.00
22,700.00
50.00
none
Apr.
9,600.00
9,000.00
835.00
835.00*
May
3,500.00
3,000.00
Blanket
none
June
9,300.00
5,800.00
1,725.00
1,700.00
July
32,200.00
25,500.00
233.00
233.00
Aug.
204,105.00
203,605.00
2,652.60
2,652.60.
Sept.
47,300.00
47,000.00
1,240.00
1,225.00·
Oct.
9,200.00
9,000.00
718.00
718.00
Nov.
8,500.00
8,500.00
2,200.00
2,200.00
Dec.
24,200.00
17,500.00
554.25
554.25
Tot.
$450,025.00 $426,625.00 $12,484.68 $12,394.68
160
Hose Laid (feet)
Chemical Ladders
Used (gals.)
Used (feet)
Pumping Engine Pumped Water Hrs.
Min.
Jan.
1,300
18
335
25
Feb.
850
15
160
10
March
1,750
30
197
10
April
11,750
237
240
3
15
May
5,100
139
230
1
30
June
2,800
120
35
40
July
2,300
145
155
35
Aug.
1,800
12
1
40
Sept.
950
18
50
15
Oct.
2,300
53
175
30
Nov.
1,500
44
90
5
Dec.
450
21
185
1
40
Total
32,580
850
1,852
10
55
Total Calls That Each Piece Answered
Jan.
12
8
8
0
3
8
2
0
Feb.
10
5
8
0
3
7
0
2
March
15
8
10
5
4
10
3
0
April
88
14
12
84
14
36
3
0
May
34
7
8
29
5
10
5
0
June
15
5
8
7
4
12
2
0
July
22
11
13
7
7
18
16
0
Aug.
14
5
5
7
1
9
0
0
Sept.
10
4
5
1
2
3
2
0
Oct.
14
6
7
5
3
10
3
0
Nov.
10
2
5
4
2
6
1
0
Dec.
15
13
9
0
3
10
1
0
-
Totals
259
88
98
149
51
139
38
2
161
Total Calls in Each Precinct.
Month
Precincts One
Two
Three
January
8
5
1
February
6
4
2
March
9
6
4
April
56
21
25
May
23
7
12
June
4
5
7
July
10
19
11
Aug.
5
5
4
Sept.
5
1
5
Oct.
5
6
4
Nov.
8
2
1
Dec.
9
5
3
-
-
Totals
148
86
79
-
Permits Granted During the Year
Transport Oil in Harbor
62
Gasolene
13
.
Dynamite
8
1
Fuel Oil
23
Fireworks
9
Set Fires in open air 179 1
Removal of Gasolene tanks
5
1
-
1
162
Deaths and Accidents
September 7, Frank Plumber, 138 Town St., 73 years old, fatally burned about body. Cause, clothing ignited from oil stove, Fire Department not called ..
September 12, Box 47, Luigi Pizzella, King Hill Road,. received second degree burns on back. Cause, attempting to extinguish fire.
August 3, Box 48. House fire; property owned by Guertino Giannini, Woods Road. Squad A was. in collision with a State Highway truck. Harold Gilman, call fireman, was thrown from truck. Fractured right leg; treated at Quincy Hospital; Returned from Hospital November 4th.
State Law
A State Law was enacted regulating the passage. of fire apparatus responding to fires. This law re- quires the driver of a vehicle to drive to the right hand curb and stop until apparatus has passed. To remain at a distance of 300 feet behind the apparatus and restricting the parking of a vehicle within 600 feet. of a fire.
The co-operation of all drivers is respectfully asked in aiding the department to respond without delay.
In conclusion, I wish to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and to the members. of the Finance Committee for their co-operation and interest in the welfare of the department.
To all others that have volunteered their services. or assisted the department in any manner.
163
The officers and members of the department have my commendation and sincere thanks for the efficient and faithful manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted, FRED A. TENNEY,
Chief of Fire Department.
164
1
165
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board presents its report for the year of 1926.
This year the Planning Board has devoted its time almost exclusively to the preparation of a com- prehensive zoning plan, in accordance with instructions voted under Article 109 at the last Annual Town Meet- ing, on the joint recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee and the Planning Board. This vote provided that a committee of six citizens, two from each pre- cinct, be appointed by the Moderator to work with the Planning Board on zoning, and that $1700 be appro- priated for the expenses of this task.
Citizens Advisory Committee
Herbert A. Bryant Charles O. Miller
Merton L. Emerson Paul V. Monaghan
Rev. J. Caleb Justice Joseph W. Parker
As soon as this committee was appointed, we joined with them in the organization of a "Zoning Committee", which has functioned very harmoniously as a unit throughout the work. The Committee's first endeavor was the securing of a consultant. After care- ful investigation we decided upon Mr. Arthur C. Comey, of Cambridge, who has a national reputation as an expert on town planning and zoning. We feel that his work has been very satisfactory and that his high recommendations were well deserved.
He, with the Committee, first carefully studied conditions all over the town, then formulated a tenta- tive draft of the by-law and map. This was informally talked over with the citizens in meetings held for the purpose at the Town Hall, Cochato Club, South School,
166
Jonas Perkins School, Braintree Point Welfare Club, Hollis School, Noah Torrey School and Penniman School. In the light of the opinions brought out in these discussions a revised draft was prepared, and as this report goes to press, plans are being made for a general hearing in the Town Hall preparatory to the final submitting of the proposition to the Town Meeting.
It seems unnecessary to repeat here many argu- ments for zoning, as most citizens are probably already familiar with the subject. We will simply say that zoning is the only effective means yet devised that will tend to promote the growth of our town along well defined and orderly lines by establishing definite dis- tricts for industry, business and homes. Our home neighborhood or "residential zones", are thus protected from invasion by commercial activities detrimental to them, while, on the other hand, business and industrial enterprises are encouraged by being given special ad- vantages such as parking space, spur tracks, and other facilities, which can be secured to a greater extent be- cause of this segregation than would be possible other- wise. Zoning also provides. for a certain minimum amount of space around dwellings, ensuring for every- one adequate sunshine and air-so essential to health -and preventing the dark, unsanitary slums that dis- grace so many cities.
After zoning is accomplished, our next task should be the study of the other factors that make up a com- prehensive plan for the town's growth. We are in a peculiarly advantageous position right now to do this work with less expense than will probably ever, be possible again, because now advantage can be taken of the information regarding present local conditions which has already been gathered in connection with
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the study of the zoning plan. Therefore we recom- mend that the Town raise and appropriate $600 and, adding to it the unexpended balance from last year's zoning appropriation, authorize the use of the total for this purpose. We believe there is no other way the citizens can spend $600.00 and receive so much value in return for the investment.
One feature of town planning which it is impera- tive should be advanced as rapidly as possible is the establishment of building lines on our business and industrial streets, many of which are much too narrow for future-in some cases for present-needs. Build- ing lines will prevent structures being built in such po- sitions as to be in the way of future widenings. We urge that the Board of Survey give this matter imme- diate attention, and offer our active co-operation.
Another matter of pressing importance is the widening of our main thoroughfares. Now that the congestion in the vicinity of Storrs Square and Norfolk Square is being relieved, the next most urgent needs should be attended to. We feel that these are on Han- cock Street between Thayer Avenue and Plain Street, and Washington Street at the Braintree Highlands bridge. In both these places the street is so narrow as to be seriously dangerous, and at the bridge the added hazard of the S curve makes it one of the most deadly spots in this part of the state.
There are many other needs, such as the widen- ing and straightening of Liberty Street and Common Street which are not so urgent but should be kept in mind as projects for the near future.
We are glad that the Town has carried out the recommendations of former reports regarding the widening of the corner of Central Avenue and Tremont
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Street. This action has not increased visibility there, but it has given more room for vehicles to avoid each other, and so made the crossing safer.
We also feel that the Town is to be congratulated on the acquirement of the piece of vacant land lying between Tremont Street and the rear of the Common, thus giving easy access to the Common from the west and adidtional playground space for which future generations will be very grateful.
We wish that a part of the French estate across Washington Street from the Town Hall could be ac- quired as a future site for a public building. We have not had time this year to study this situation in detail, but we feel that it is a matter which should be given serious consideration.
Another civic development which we have in mind for immediate study is near the East Braintree Station, on the south side of Commercial Street opposite Allen Street. · Here is land which is too wet and too much below the grade of the street to be very valuable for building purposes, but which would make a beautiful park. A railroad station is one of the most important gateways to a community but it frequently happens that its surroundings give anything but a pleasing first impression to the arriving stranger. Here is an oppor- tunity to make the principal entrance to East Braintree very attractive indeed. We hope to report definite plans on this proposal in the near future.
Another project which deserves attention is a park around Morrison's Pond, off Elm Street. Here is another location where the land is so far below the street grade and of such shape that it does not readily lend itself to residential development, but would make an admirable park and playground with very little
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more expenditure than that required for the purchase of the land.
We recommend that the Town acquire this year the vacant lot adjoining on the north the land now owned by the Town at the corner of Washington and Pond Streets. This small addition would be a great asset to our future park and public landing site, as it affords a much better view of the Blue Hills and the sunset than the property owned at present, and the increased shore frontage will be very useful for recrea- tion. This year seems to be the logical time to secure this land, before its value is increased by the new cir- cumferential highway, and before it is built upon.
It is hardly necessary for us to express our gratifi- cation that the circumferential highway is planned to come through Braintree. It will be a great benefit to our citizens, as well as to the public at large.
The fact that it will enter the town near the shores of Great Pond relates it to another matter which is of great importance to us all, namely our water supply. As we remarked in our last report, there is consider- able popular dissatisfaction with our water supply. We are not able to say whether or not this is justified, but in any case the fact remains true ; and we do assert our belief that this suspicion will never be fully allayed until the land surrounding the pond is owned by the public, as is the water-shed of most reservoirs in thickly-settled regions. If the land is to be bought the sooner it is done the better, because when the new highway is built the property will undoubtedly in- crease greatly in value. Since the people of Randolph and Holbrook also receive their water supply from this source, and since part of the pond is in Randolph, it would seem proper to act in conjunction with these towns if they will co-operate. It is possible that the
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Blue Hills Reservation might be extended to include this district. We recommend that a committee, com- posed of two members each from the Board of Select- men, Water Board, Board of Health, and Planning Board respectively, be formed to consider this matter and report at the next Annual Town Meeting.
The need of a modern sewer system becomes more and more imperative as the population of Braintree in- creases with its present rapidity . It is evident that the citizens are now generally aware that action is incum- bent upon them in the immediate future. Foreseeing the likelihood of an extensive program of street re- surfacing, we feel that, in the interest of economy, sewer as well as all other needed pipes and conduits should be installed in advance of this resurfacing, insofar as is possible.
"Poems are made by fools like me But only God can make a tree."
Poetry seems out of place in a committee report yet these lines carry to us a timely warning that our trees, especially where they adorn our highways should be preserved to the greatest possible extent. Already during the past year, particularly on Wash- ington and Hancock Streets, many have been cut down and there have been no plantings to replace them. In some instances removal has been apparently unavoid- able, yet their loss may be and should be compensated for by the planting of others at the earliest possible moment. That section of Washington Street between Hollis Avenue and Storrs Square, now modern in width, should so far as practicable be provided with trees. Business districts need not be bare of trees and a careful selection of species and sites would yield satisfaction, pleasure and pride to all citizens. Let us
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