USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1927 > Part 11
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9,700
58.15
37,729
27,768,000
26,420
333.50
1035
April
28,848,500
27,470
349.40
1050
May
28,803,000
27,050
245.30
1064
June
32,349,000
30,770
383.30
1051
July
32,175,000
30,900
388.30
1041
August
34,515,000
33,370
161.40
1034
September
32,509,000
31,320
393.00
1031
October
33,093,000
31,800
392.55
1041
November
33,121,000
31,610
395.35
047
December
35,541,000
33,920
421.10
1047
Totals
382,482,784
170,000
304,630
4,859.25
Daily Average
1,047,898
2,581
995
13.19
37,548
:041
Largest day's pumping, Monday, April 25, 1,745 000. Smallest day's pumping, Sunday, July 3, 676 000. Electric pump put in service March 5th, 1927.
FRANCIS J. O'Rourke, Chief Engineer.
246
247
Report of the Planning Board
The Planning Board presents its report for the- year 1927.
This year we have considered a number of impor -- tant problems related to a general plan for the growth of the town, but have been greatly handicapped be -- cause we have had no funds with which to work. It is possible to make rough preliminary sketches of pro -- jects by simply looking over the ground in question. and studying such maps as can be found at the town offices; but these are usually out of date, or fail to- show certain features essential to our purposes. Rec- ommendations, to be of practical service to the town,. must be based on careful estimates and exact detailed information. This necessarily involves some small ex- pense for engineering-money which the citizens will receive back again many times over in the savings. effected by planning.
For instance, take one of our most urgent needs- the establishment of building lines. There are streets. in the thickly settled centers of our town which are still lined on either side, for the most part, by dwellings. with front yards. It is a safe prediction that within ten years these streets will be largely devoted to busi -- ness, and unless widened in the meantime will be much too narrow for the traffic that will try to use them. But if no building lines are laid down, when the citi- zens feel ready to widen them it will be found to be a very expensive job, because in the meantime a num -. ber of stores will have been built right out on the edges of the sidewalks. The establishment of building lines: before the stores are built will prevent their encroach-
248
ment upon the area of the future street, and save the tax payers the expense of the damages involved in tearing down the stores. Thus, for the trifling cost of a small amount of surveying done now, the town can save immense sums for the future. The millions spent by Boston tax payers on street widenings, such as those of Stuart, Cambridge and Province Streets, would have been saved if these projects had been planned long in advance and prepared for by means of building lines.
Similar savings can be effected by purchasing land for school, park, playground and other public purposes as soon as the need for these tracts can be foreseen, since the prices of such lands are continually rising and the longer we delay the more we have to pay for them. Braintree has been wise in providing for the study and purchase of future school sites. Similar studies should be made of our future requirements along other lines as well. There is a real need of formulating a com- prehensive plan for the future growth of the town, involving studies of such subjects as transportation, street system, draining, sewerage, water supply and distribution, public lands and buildings, and the regula- tion of private building. Many of these problems have been dealt with more or less satisfactorily already, but- they have not been coordinated with each other. Their inter-relationships, one with the other, have not been considered sufficiently. A comprehensive plan should lead to the forming of an efficient, business-like pro- gram for several years in advance of the activities of all the departments of the town so that, for instance, the surfacing of a particular street would follow rather than precede the laying of a sewer in that street. All this means savings for the tax payer. It is the sort of planning that is done by every successful manu- facturer and merchant. It is simply the application of common sense business principles to town affairs.
249
But the technical data for such planning cannot be- gathered without some small expenditure for engin- eering. Your Planning Board hopes that you will see- fit to appropriate enough money to enable us, atleast,. to make a start toward the solution of the most urgent. of the problems outlined here.
As part of a comprehensive town plan, zoning- has its logical and important function. Braintree is- a rapidly growing suburb of metropolitan Boston, and it is very important that this growth be under the- control of the citizens. Zoning gives this control. In the words of the State Consultant on Housing and. Town Planning, "There is every reason to believe that. zoning as the complement of town planning will do- much for the health, comfort, convenience and effi -- ciency of city life and solve a large unmber of serious. problems which have made cities expensive, inconven -- ient and unattractive." Zoning brings protection to the people owning their own homes. It means safety to the investment in property of the merchant and manufacturer. Zoning spells progress. Your Plan- ning Board urgently recommends the town to study,. consider and adopt an adequate and forward-looking Zoning By-Law.
Braintree, in common with the nation, shares a. traffic problem imposed upon it by a steady increase- of motor vehicles. This problem is acute today, and warns us to plan not for the immediate years alone,. but for the future as well, and while existing highways demands attention, thought should also be given to- the laying out of new traffic routes to anticipate the-
250
problems for the future. In our opinion there is a definitely indicated need of a highway which will permit traffic from the north to the northwest parts of the town, and the attention of the citizens is called to the advisability of as early action as practicable in this matter.
It is evident that traffic from the north and east «of Storrs Square, which seeks a northwest exit from Braintree via Granite Street, must continue south on Washington Street to West Street before it finds a communicating road. In addition to its being a cir- «cuitous route, it brings an additional traffic burden to Washington Street and West Street, the latter of which will soon be one of the principal entrances to the town, from the new Circumferential Highway. We believe that an extension of Elm Street, opening out of Wash- ington Street at or near Storrs Square, could be laid .out to run in a westerly direction, along the northern shores of the Quincy Reservoir (Braintree Dam) to Granite Street. This could take in other roads which are already laid out, or are more or less developed. The benefits from this new highway would justify the expense and the town would be provided with a much needed artery for the increasing volume of traffic enter- ing Braintree from its own northwest.
Now that the widening of Washington Street be- tween Braintree and South Braintree has been com- pleted, we feel that the next most urgent needs are the widening of Hancock Street between Thayer Ave- nue and Plain Street, and the relocation of the Brain- tree Highlands bridge. We sincerely hope that some- thing will be done in the near future to relieve the danger of these two places.
251
The centralizing of our mail service, in accordance- with the new policy of the Federal Post Office Depart -- ment, suggests the possibility of a central post office building, to be known as Braintree Post Office, which would do quite a bit toward centralizing the town, in: a civic as well as a geographic sense. We would thus be known to the outside world as "Braintree" and not as a collection of communities or districts bearing the compass definitions of north, south, or east. After all, there is no present day reason for calling the north sec -- tion of the town "Braintree" or the central section "South Braintree," and we hope that this matter may receive consideration of the various civic bodies in the: town.
As your Planning Board, we would like to see a. civic center established, with the Town Hall serving as. its first unit. The land opposite the Town Hall on Wash -- ington Street, known as the French property, would be most desirable for this purpose, being in the exact. geographical center of the town. Here the erection of a post office, and when needed, other public build -- ings such as a central fire and police headquarters, would insure this area to future generations as a per -. manent civic center.
It is well to remember the beauty of our shade: trees along the side of the streets, and the town should - set aside a small sum of money each year to" preserve this natural beauty by planting to replace the ones that have been removed or destroyed. Also" something should be done about the unsightly poles. that line these same streets. The Telephone Company" has made a step in this direction by laying underground conduits in some localities, but as yet nothing has been: done about removing the poles in those sections.
We are glad that a set of assessors' maps cover -- ing the entire town is being prepared. This will not:
252
only greatly help the assessors in their task of fairly estimating valuations, but will also give valuable assis- tance to all the other departments of the town. We hope that this work will be pushed to completion as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
THERON I. CAIN, Chairman MERTON A. TURNER, Secretary JOHN W. ILLINGWORTH REV. J. CALEB JUSTICE WALLACE W. WILSON Members of the Planning Board
1
253
REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, BRAINTREE, MASS.
Parks and Recreation
The past year was one of the best in the experi- ence of this department. More children were accom- modated on the various playgrounds, the parents dis- played greater interest than ever before and the pub- lic in general realized that organized play is the prop- er form of recreation.
There are many things in the way of equipment that the department would like to urge on the citizens, but must refrain from doing so in the interest of econ- omy.
One must also realize that considering the small sums of money appropriated for the use of this depart- ment much has been accomplished.
Last summer, it will be remembered, saw many stormy days, so that the efforts of the teachers and supervisor were considerably handicapped. With this fact in mind the department believes that the work ac- complished under their guidance deserves the highest praise.
It will be noted that the money appropriated at the last Annual Town Meeting to gather loam on Hollis Field was expended for that purpose and a huge amount gathered for which it will be necessary to se- cure another appropriation this year to spread.
Then, too, permission was granted the Board of Health to use the far end of Hollis Field for a "dump," the purpose being to fill in and enlarge the area of the playground. When this permission was granted the
254
understanding between the two departments was that: the Board of Health would provide suitable means to prevent it from becoming a nuisance. We hope that provision will be made this year to keep this agreement or the "dump" will have to be closed.
Following is a summary of playground attendance ..
Watson
Hollis
French's
Total
576
386
647
1,609
438
276
605
1,319
301
276
620
1,197
391
273
778
1,442
409
322
770
1,501
425
407
842
1,674
589
301
765
1,455
400
302
385
1,087
3,329
2,543
5,412
11,284
French's Common, South Braintree.
French's Common has been kept in excellent con- dition all season, grass being mowed every week. Play- ing field put in condition for baseball and Girls' field hockey. Baseball has been played on these grounds every evening, Saturdays and holidays all summer. The Grove with its swings, sand boxes, teter boards, horse shoe courts, volley ball court, basket ball and croquet. has been much enjoyed by the childrn of this precinct. There has been an attendance of over 500 children on these grounds over the week. At the upper playground the new tennis court has been kept in constant use way up to late Fall. Hollingsworth Park has been kept in fair condition for sports.
255
Hollis Playground, Braintree
There has been tons of loam removed from the lower part of the field and piled up to be used on the ball field.
The field has been mowed, rolled and cleaned every week, and sand boxes filled.
The upper part of the field, mowed and cleaned for the children, during the summer months under the organized playground supervision.
New bleachers have been erected, facing West.
The Park Department turned over to the Board of Health, the lower part of the field for a dumping place, which has enlarged the grounds and made the ball field much larger.
The booth has been repaired and painted, also water and gas installed.
LAURENCE A. TRAINOR, Chairman. ALBERT F. HOLLIS, Secretary. JOHN N. ROGERS, Treasurer.
REPORT OF PARK AND RECREATION TREASURER
Income
From Appropriation $ 1,519.00
Refund
2.10
Hollis Fund
500.00
$ 2,021.10
256
Expenditures
Labor
$ 1,578.58
Equipment
393,39
Sand
10.00
Miscellaneous
35.93
$ 2,017.90
Unexpended Balance $ 3.20
Organized Play
Income
Appropriation
$ 835.00
Refund
5.00
$ 840.00
Expenditures
Supervisor
$ 280.00
Teachers
480.00
Sewing Material
21.00
Trucking
7.25
Labor
13.00
Miscellaneous
37.76
$ 839.01
Unexpended Balance
. .
$ .99
JOHN N. ROGERS, Treasurer.
257
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Electric Light Department OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1926 to Dec. 31, 1927
Printed by Order of the Town
BR
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NMOJ
FED
CREE
..
M
·1640.
TS
SACI
TUSE
Printed by H. W. BAILEY PRESS South Braintree, Mass. 1928
259
REPORT OF MANAGER
Members of the Municipal Light Board, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Gentemen :
It gives me pleasure to submit herewith the report of this department for the year ending December 31, 1927. The report consists of a complete financial state- ment in the form prescribed by the State Department of Public Utilities to whom we are requested to report annually, also my comments on the business past and future
You will note that the electric operating revenue for the year was $236,931.14 which is $11,399.93 in excess of 1926 showing a gradual but healthy growth.
The operating expenses were $177,529.39 which leaves an operating balance of $59,401.75 and that amount represents our operating profits for 1927.
Additions to the plant cost $54,657.37 this repre- sents extension of lines and replacements which are un- usually large on account of recent street widenings in the main arteries of the town where perfectly good con- struction has been removed and replaced with new poles and wires. Many of our side streets are in poor condition and need renewing. we hope to replace many of these during 1928.
RATES:
April first 1927 the Municipal Light Board reduced lighting rates from ten to seven cents, with our ten per cent discount for prompt payment. It gives our cus- tomers who wish to take advantage of same a net rate of 6 3-10 cents per kilowat hour for lighting, and this
260
is the third lowest lighting rate in Massachusetts. I want to state right here that the members of the board were entirelyresponsible for this reduction and had con- templated same for two years before putting it into effct, and I can assure the citizens that if the construc- tive policy as pursued in the past especially in reference to the generating plant is continued, and if the popu- lation increases for the next five years as it has since 1923 that you may expect another reduction within two years and that eventually you will have the lowest rates of any city in Massachusetts.
These results can only be obtained by the contin- ued operation and enlargement of our production sta- tion, greater volume of sales and the education of the public by reasonable rates to use electricity in greater quantities and for purposes for which other mediums are now employed.
NEW SERVICES.
Three hundred sixty-four new service connections were attached to lines in 1927.
STREET LIGHTS
SIZES AND LOCATION December 31, 1927.
896 60 Candle including traffic and police in Town.
13 250 4- East Braintree Bridge.
5- North Braintree.
5 400 66 4- South Braintree.
66 2- Cochato Club, Braintree.
66 1- Corner Allen St. and Quincy Ave.
66 2-Pearl Street, South Braintree.
44 1000
11- in South Braintree.
" 23- inEast Braintree.
" 10- in Braintree.
261
Which are equivalent to 103,000 candles or 1716 sixty candle lamps.
80- 60 candle lamps have been discontinued dur- ing 1927 and 39- 60 candle installed in new locations.
3-250 candle have been discontined and 22-1000 candle have been installed in new locations.
Street lights were operated 3971 hours and the fol- lowing list of replacements used in 1927 :
1704 60 C. P. 6. 6 @$.85 each less 27 % $1057.33
34 250 C. P. 6. 6 @ 1.60 each less 27 % 39.71
13 400 C. P. 6. 6. @ 2.30 each less 27 % 21.83
53 1000 C. P. 20 @ 3.60 each less 27% 139.28
Total
$1258.15
We have under construction an emergency connec- tion with The Weymouth Light and Power Company for 4000 kilowatts. This line will be available about May first of the present year and will supercede the old overhead line for 400kilowatts which is now practically useless as an emergency supply in case of any failure at our plant.
Owing to lack of space at the plant building for storage and office space we have been obliged to remove the office to 27 Quincy Avenue which will make it more convenient for our customers who wish to pay their bills at the office and will give us ample room for the present for our continually increasing office work.
I desire to take this opportunity to thank the mem- bers of the Board for their co-operation during the past year.
Yours very truly,
FRED B. LAWRENCE,
Manager.
1
262
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operation :
601 Superintending
$14,419.47
606 Boiler Fuel 69,105.15
607 Water for Steam 981.82
608 Lubricants 189.21
609 Miscellaneous Expenses 601.95
85,297.60
Maintenance :
611 Station Structure. 1,457.02
612-4 Steam Equipment
3,066.07
615-6 General Equipment. 626.94
634 Electric Energy Pur-
chased
461.16
5,611.19:
TRANSMISSION and OPPERATION
Operation : 1
638 Trans. and Dist. Lines $3,512.76
639 Supplies & Expenses 449.48
640-2 Meter and Transform er, Repair Labor 1,638.38
5,600.62:
Maintenance :
647 Transmission & Dis- tribution of Line . 35,652.83
650-1 Meters and Trans .. . 1,431.50
37,084.33:
UTILIZATION
Operation : 654 Street Lights 1,793.12:
263
Maintenance :
677 Maintenance Struc-
ture
337.41
657 Street Lihgts
2,687.90
666 Salaries Municipal
Board & Managers
5,716.71
667 Salaries Clerks
8,508.77
668 Office Expenses
2,097.70
669 Office Rent
130.00
214 Insuranec .
4,339.48
675 Transport. Equpimnet
6,360.13
678 Depreciation
11,964.43
42,142.53
Total
$177,529.39
ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUE
Commercial and Domestic :
Light
96,236.71
Power 120,868.28
Flat Rate Sales to Private
Concerns 1,078.18
$218,183.17
MUNICIPAL REVENUES
Power
5,217.25
Light
1,753.72
Street Light
11,777.00
18,747.97
Total
$236,931.14
INCOME STATEMENT
500 Operating Revenue. . 236,931.14
600 Operating Expense . . 177,529.39
59,401.75
Interest Income
946.70
264
ludse. and Jobbing 3,038.40 3,985.10
Total
$63,386.85
Interest on Bonds
1,000.00
Miscellaneous Deductions . 407.91 1,407.91
Income Bal. Transferred to Profit and Loss acct .. .
$61,978.94:
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
401 Credit Balance Janu-
uary 1, 1927
232,387.01
402 Credit Balance Trans-
ferred from Income
61,978.94
$294,365.95:
403 £ Less Bonds Paid
10,000.00
Total
$284,365.95
Investment Account
Land
1,065.00
Structure
13,137.94
Boiler Plant Equipment. .
59,704.78
Prime Movers Auxiliaries .
76,544.26
Turbines
2,290.32
Electric Plant Steam
38,308.93
Electric Plant Steam
38,308.93
Overhead Lines, Poles and Fixtures
80,182.50
Underground Conduits
16,063.42
Consumers Meters
37,917.75
'Transformers
42,687.46
$367,902.36;
265
Utilization Equipment
Street Light Equipment. . 17,101.62
General Equipment
Office 4,110.82
Transportation Equipment
3,754.58
Laboratory Equipment.
979.22 8,844.62
'Total Plant Investment
$393,848.60
Balance Sheet
Investment:
Plant Investment.
393,848.60 393,848.60
Current Assets :
Cash Operating Fund
15,774.01
Cash Depreciation Fund .
35,579.44
51,353.45
Accounts Receivable
Electric Material
1,201,88
Light Consumers.
5,294.51
Power Consumers
6,291.10
12,787.49
Inventories
Material and Supplies . 23,145.83
Prepaid Accounts
Prepaid Insurance 1,361.55
Total
$482,496.92
266
Liabilities
Appropriations : Appropriations for Con-
struction 46,168.74
Current Liabilities :
-ills Payable
18,962.23
Appropriation Surplus :
Loans Repayment
113,000.00
Londs
20,000.00
Profit and Loss
284,365.95
$482.496.92
OPERATION FUND
Debit
Dec. 31, 1927 Balance 5,815.00
Receipts-Consumers
230,460.03
Sundries
17,337.85
Street Lighting
11,777.00
Interest Receipts
444.34
$265,834.22
Credits
Bills Payable Dec. 31, 1926
11,276.37
Transferred to Deprecia-
tion Fund
12,923.07
Plant Renewals 'Additions'
49,007.38
Operation
165,564.96
Bonds
10,000.00
Stock
1,288.43
Balance on Hand Decem-
ber 31, 1926 15,774.01
$265,834:22
267
DEPRECIATION FUND
Debit
Balance January 1, 1927 22,154.01
Amount Transferred from
Income 12,923.07
Income from Interest
502.36
$35,579.44
Credit
Balance on Hand Decem-
ber 31, 1927 35,579.44
OPERATION FUND
Balance on Hand Decem-
ber 31, 1927 $15,774.01
AUDITORS' REPORT
We have examined the accounts of Fred B. Law- rence, Manager, of the Braintree Electric Light Depart- ment; and approve same. Cash received and paid to Town Treasurer as per cash book $265,834.22.
We have examined the inventories in the report and compared same with stock on hand and approve them as rendered.
Bills Payable December 31, 1927 $18,962.23
268
Bills Receivable . 1,201.88
Consumers, Light Account
5,294.51
Consumers Power Account 6,291.10
$12,787.49;
R. W. MAGLATHLIN, R. W. ARNOLD, HERBERT W. CURTIS, Auditors, 1927.
January 29, 1928.
-
260
-
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Braintree :
The Trustees of Thayer Public Library submit herewith their report for the year 1927.
During the year 1667 new books were acquired and placed in circulation.
On December 1, 1927 a branch library was estab- lished on Quincy Avenue, East Braintree, directly oppo- site the Thomas A. Watson School. A special appro- priation was made for this purpose at the last annual Town meeting, and there is every indication that this branch is greatly appreciated by the citizens in the territory which it serves.
A new floor has been placed in the children's reading room at the Library Building, and the furniture has been cleaned, and varnished.
By the death of Mr. Herbert F. Kneeland in June 1927, the Trustees of Thayer Public Library have lost a member whose services have been of inestimable val- ue to the Town of Braintree over a long period of years. his interest in Library affairs was constant, and his sound advice and kindly personality are greatly missed by his associates on the Board.
An account of the expenditure of the appropria- tions made by the Town for the support of the Library
270
may be found in the report of the Town Accounting Officer.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. AVERY, Chairman
JOHN W. HARDING, Secretary and Treasurer
AMY C. MANNING STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Trustees
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS, 1927
Number af books in the library 19180
Number of books added 1927 1667
Number of books circulated 1927 43091
Number of books circulated East Braintree 7658
Largest daily circulation Nov. 26 368
Average circulation . 140
Fiction % 68
Total number of days open 292
'Total number of borrowers 5479
Total number of borrowers East B. 1509
271
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1927
RECEIPTS
Cash on deposit, January 1, 1927
$1364.08
Income from Foundation Fund,
year 1927 500.55
Income from Caleb stetson Fund, year 1927
130.00
Income from Rachael R. Thayer
Fund, year 1927
7.74
Interest on bank balances
21.05
$2023.42
EXPENDITURES
Rent, safe deposit box
$10.00
Treasurer's Surety Bond
25.00
Water
1.50
Light
28.00
Telephone
59.20
Wages
45.02
Insurance
60.95
Transporting Books
25.00
Printing and Supplies
50.10
Repairs
216.32
Librarians" Expenses
10.50
Association Dues
5.00
272
1
Express .43
Removing Ashes 16.00
Books
49.42
Typewriter
84.20
Binding
16.00
Cash on deposit, Dec. 31, 1927
$1,320.78
$2,023.42
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY as at December 31, 1927
FOUNDATION FUND
Principal Account :
$7500 Fourth Liberty Loan4 1/4 % (at cost) . $6,479.09
5 Matured Shares, BraintreeCo-
Operative Bank
1,000.00
Deposit Weymouth Savings Bank
2,520.91
$10,000.00
CALEB STETSON FUND
Principal Account :
5 Matured Shares, Braintree Co-
Operative Bank
$1,000.00
Deposit, Braintree Savings Bank
1,500.00
$2,500.00
273
RACHAEL R. THAYER FUND
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