USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1931 > Part 11
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*French Medal Winners.
THOMAS A. WATSON SCHOOL
Ida Mary Arnold Paul Frederick Bailey Souren Barsamian *Mary Alice Blanchard Arthur Edward Boynton, Jr. Arthur Brandenburg Charlotte Frances Chenette Miriam Howe Cogswell Wallace Rouseville Dagley, Jr. Alan Norman Donkin Russell Elmer Falardeau William George Falardeau Edward Lawrence Galligan Edith Frances Gropp
244
James Arthur Hales Jesse Arthur Hebert Durant Elmore Lathrop, Jr. Anna Gibson Littlejohn *Florence Elizabeth Ludy Robert James Matthews, Jr. John Theodore McPherson, Jr. Marian Rita Murphy Elizabeth Gaston Neil William Laurence Richardson Richard Palmer Smith Bernadine Frances Sullivan John Kenneth Symons Hugo Weinstock, Jr. Leo Kenneth Westfield
*Ruth Alice Winkler Myrtle Genevieve Wright
*French Medal Winners.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN SCHOOL
George Averd Bean
Thomas Joseph Buckley
Helen M. Campbell
Lowell Edward Frazier
Dorothy Evelyn Fredette
Custano Giovanni
Virginia Dare Harmon
Shirley Marguerite Hartmann Mildred Hennebury Russell John Hennebury
Helen Wilder Kusic Emma Ashie Lang
*Barbara Putnam Lawrence
245
Flora Rose Leth Mary Josephine Lowe Douglas McLarnon John Clifton Neal Harry Frederick Pinches Gladys May Roberts
*Blanche Christine Robinson Edwin Arthur Rudolph Robert Thomas South Catherine Helen Spillane Katherine Tardif Peter Francis Trainor *Isabel Mary Veno· William M. Wainionpaa Charles Watt John Wilson
*French Medal Winners.
BRAINTREE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL
*Thomas Francis Clougherty Beatrice Eleanor Dolloff Mary Elizabeth Dwyer Henry Ervin Hedvig *Donald A. MacDougal, Jr. Ernest Wendell Nelson
*John Lennart Ohlson Nahum Roy Pillsbury, Jr. Robert Earl Simpson Mary Anna Vehstedt Ruth Louise White James Walter Wright
*French Medal Winners.
246
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL
Minnie Catherine Argentina Rose Louise Azzato *Mary Rita Barrett Edith Vorce Battey Evelyn Marie Boyle Catherine Mary Burke Howard Maxwell Burke Francis Joseph Canavan Catherine Althea Carlson Elsie Jane Church Francis Gerald Crocker Patrick Lawrence Cronin Louise Marie Dalton Thomas DelGiacco Ida Edith Draghetti Lois Evelyn Drollett
Josephine Corinne Farina Louis Paul Farina Evelyn Louise Fitzsimmons Olive Porter Fitzsimmons Wendell Dana Fogg Frederick William Foley Raymond Charles Furlong John Bartlett Gerrish Doris Louise Govoni Robert G. Grey
*Evelyn May Hall George Joseph Hanlon
*John Thomas Lawry John C. Lorusso Angelina Lucy Manganello James Q. McCarthy
247
Robert John McGahey John Raymond Meehan Frances Rita Monaghan George C. Pilalas Mary Theresa Pouche Albert Principi Americo Principi George Herbert Proctor Linwood Emerson Raymond Doris Granger Richards William Morton Rogers John Benedict Russell Leslie Herbert Savage Florence Alfreda Simonds Charles Edward Smith Kenneth Henry Stacy Arthur Paul Sullivan William Joseph Talbot, Jr.
James Tully Templeton, Jr. Melvin Edward Thayer Angelo Thomas Leonard Charles VanGemert Evelyn Charlotte Warburton William J. Zamer Josephine Mary Zanghi
*French Medal Winners.
248
PARENT-TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
Hollis School
President, Mrs. William J. Cordes, 145 Monatiquot Avenue, Braintree.
Secretary, Mrs. Donald J. Gillespie, 137 Oak Street, Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. John J. Alves, 37 Maple Street, Braintree.
Penniman School
President, Thomas R. Huleatt, 273 Middle Street, Brain- tree.
Vice-President, Mrs. Lillian Drinkwater, 68 School Street, Braintree.
Recording Secretary, Miss Marie G. Sward, 130 Hayward Street, E. Braintree.
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Harry Christie, 54 Middle Street, Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. William Field, 5 Burroughs Road, Brain- tree.
Jonas Perkins School
President, Fred Hardy, 5 Lisle Street, East Braintree.
Vice-President, Mrs. Mason B. Cook, 131 Commercial Street, East Braintree.
Secretary, Mrs. Walter Hansen, 35 Lisle Street, East Braintree.
Treasurer, Harris Brown, 39 Sheppard Avenue, East Braintree.
Thomas A. Watson School
President, Raymond P. Palmer, 69 Edgehill Road, East Braintree.
249
Vice-President, Edwin C. Wright, 56 Audubon Road, East Braintree.
Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Edward Frey, 26 Arthur Street, East Braintree.
Abraham Lincoln School
President, Harvey Clayton, 623 Commercial Street, East Braintree.
Vice-President, Dennis Pafford, 33 Newton Street, East Braintree.
Recording Secretary, Miss Elizabeth Pillsbury, 580 Wash- ington Street, Braintree.
Corresponding Secretary, I. Raymond Libby, 36 Adams Street, Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. Clement Brooks, 35 Newton Street, East Braintree.
Noar Torrey and Pond Schools
President, Mrs. Carl Benson, 34 Winthrop Road, South Braintree.
Vice-President, Mrs. E. P. Rankin, 4 Highland Avenue, South Braintree.
Recording Secretary, Miss Ida E. Stratton, 38 Franklin Street, South Braintree.
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. C. A. Sullivan, 20 Pond Street, South Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. L. S. Howland, 10 Central Street, South Braintree.
Montiquot School
President, Mrs. Elva S. Belyea, 23 Sampson Avenue, Braintree.
250
First Vice-President, Mrs. Lyman King, 65 Mt. Vernon Street, Braintree.
Second Vice-President, Chester Durgin, 82 Brow Avenue, Braintree.
Treasurer, Mrs. Helen Simmons, Robinson Ave., Brain- tree.
Secretary, Mrs. Olive Kelley, 42 Sampson Avenue, Brain- tree.
Highlands School (Braintree Highlands Neighborhood club)
President, Mrs. Gordon Drake, 39 Bellevue Road, South Braintree.
Corresponding Secretary, Miss Catherine Galotti, 2085 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Recording Secretary, Miss Elinor Stimson, 45 Hobart Avenue, South Braintree.
Treasurer, Miss Albina Cain, 44 Plymouth Avenue, South Braintree.
BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
Total 769
James L. Jordan
Batés College
23 years
Sept. 1918
Secretary 1
Post-Grad
14
Kathleen L. Welch
Braintree High
2 years
Oct. 1929
Sub-Master,
Science Seniors 121
Samuel E. Lawrence
Rhode Island State
15 years
Sept. 1921
Science
Juniors 157
Paul V. Toolin
U. of N. H.
3 years
Sept. 1930
Science,
German Sophomores 218
Almeda M. Walker
Mass. State College
6 years
Sept. 1927
Science, Math,
Civics Freshmen 259
Vinal G. Good
Colby College
2 years
Sept. 1931
Mathematics
Katherine K. Waldron
Boston University
22 years
Sept. 1924
Mathematics
Alton C. Perry
U. of Maine
6 years
Sept. 1928
Civics and Guidance
G. Vinton Jones
Colby College
4 years
Sept. 1929
History
Raymond B. Chapman
Bates College
5 years
Sept. 1928
History
Albert J. Murphy
Bridgewater Normal
Boston University
3 years
Sept. 1931
English
Constance F. Stecher
Boston University
5 years
Sept. 1928
English
James L. Heggie
Boston University
2 years
Sept. 1931
251
English
Marion L. Billings
Smith College 10 years
Sept. 1924
English English, Latin
Gladys E. Maxfield
U. of Maine 10 years Sept. 1926
Bernadine McCusker
Boston University 1 year Sept. 1931
Latin, Spanish
Ida Wilsker
Brown University 9 years Sept. 1924 Sept. 1924
French, Spanish
Josephine A. Keany
Boston University 10 years
French, Latin
Hazel M. Summerville
U. of N. H.
7 years
Sept. 1926
Household Arts Household Arts
Bertha C. Emerson
Fairmount Normal
20 years Sept. 1927 Sept. 1929
Librarian Drawing
Ruth P. Strout Aldo D. Chiesa
Mass. School of Art 41/2 years
Apr. 1929
Commercial
Raymond L. Strangford
Northeastern U.
14 years
Sept. 1922
Commercial
Lorimer E. Goodwin
Northeastern U.
6 years
Jan. 1931
Commercial
Mildred B. Ahlgren
Salem Normal
12 years
Sept. 1923
Commercial
Olive M. Avery
U. of Maine
14 years
Sept. 1923
Viola P. Evans
Salem Normal
6 years
Sept. 1928
Commercial Commercial
Hazel M. Fitts
Salem Normal
9 years
Sept. 1923
Commercial
Margaret C. Kirby
Salem Normal
17 years
Sept. 1923
Commercial
Ruth W. Thrasher
Boston University
10 years
Sept. 1924
Commercial
Anna M. Tilley
Boston University
5 years
Sept. 1928
Ruth J. Bennett
Framingham Normal 16 years
Sept. 1919
Boston University 4 years
252
HOLLIS SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
379
Richard W. Johnson
Fitchburg Normal
11 years
Sept. 1922
Grade 8
39
Minnie M. Tibbetts
Castine Normal
11 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 7
38
Marjorie E. Hunt
Framingham Normal
5 years
Sept. 1928
Grade 6
35
Mabel I. Priestman
Farmington Normal
4 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 5
22
Florence M. Jeffers
Westfield Normal
41/2 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 5
39
Dorothy Russell
Fitchburg Normal
5 years
Sept. 1929
Bridgewater Normal
Grade 4
36
Mildred S. Nickerson
Bridgewater Normal
18 years
Sept. 1913
Grade 3
39
Rosalie S. Bayley
Thayer Academy
32 years
Sept. 1899
Grade 2
31 Hannah C. Whelan
Weymouth Training
39 years
Sept. 1890
Grade 1
32 Rena E. Hemenway
Salem Normal
13 years
Sept. 1922
Grade 1
32
Julia F. Young
Gorham Normal
5 years
Oct. 1928
Kindergarten
36 Ann R. Howard
Page Kindergarten
27 years
Sept. 1910
253
PENNIMAN SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Experience
Service Began
Principal
373
Leverett T. Holder
Bridgewater Normal
9 years
Mar. 1927
Grade 8
30
Ruth W. Nesbit
North Adams Normal
8 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 7
36
Ella E. Day
Farmington Normal
4 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 6
27
Eleanor G. Brown
Bridgewater Normal
101% years
Sept. 1922
Grade 6
26
Juliet Douty
Framingham Normal
8 years
Sept. 1926
Grade 5
32
Marguerite N. McCarthy
Bridgewater Normal
3 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 4
35
Mary E. Mills
Castine Normal
21 years
Sept. 1926
Grades 3 & 4
11-14
Marie G. Sward
Atlantic Union
6 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 3
29
Mildred Hazeltine.
Plymouth Normal
6 years
Dec. 1930
Grade 2
32
Ilo L. Sullard
Willimantic Normal
6 years
Dec. 1930
Grades 1 & 2
14-17
Marion Geiger
Bridgewater Normal
9 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 1
34
Bessie M. Scott
Aroostook Normal
7 years
Dec. 1930
Kindergarten
36
Cecilia C. Whelan
Wheelock Kindergarten
15 years
Sept. 1916
254
.
JONAS PERKINS SCHOOL
Service
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Began
Principal
309
Alberto M. Eldridge
Bridgewater Normal
33 years
Sept. 1918
Grade 8
31
Bertha E. Hinchcliffe
Salem Normal
16 years
Sept. 1924
Grade 7
33
Ena M. Bell
Aroostook Normal
8 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 6
33 Nellie E. Bolles
Braintree High School
42 years
Sept. 1899
Grade 5
35
Eulalia C. Greenlaw
Castine Normal
14 years
Jan. 1931
Grade 4
39
Irma M. Killian
Bridgewater Normal
17 years
Sept. 1916
Grade 3
33
Helen C. Dignan
Bridgewater Normal
13 years
Sept. 1921
Grade 2
30 Martha V. Scully
Plymouth Normal
7 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 1
44
Marguerite L. Sumner
Page Kindergarten
35 years
Sept. 1904
Kindergarten
31 Sylvia L. Cox
Fannie A. Smith, Kdg.
2 years
Sept. 1930
255
THOMAS A. WATSON SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 193. Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
382
Charles W. Brooks
Bridgewater Normal
16 years
Jan. 1916
Grade 8
26
A. Eugenia Wilbas
Bridgewater Normal
11 years
Sept. 1922
Grade 7
38
Ruth I. Clarke
North Adams Normal
8 years
Sept. 1925
Grade 6
25
Helen E. Porter
Keene Normal
5 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 5
31
Mary T. Madden
Bridgewater Normal
12 years
Sept. 1923
Grade 5
21
Catherine T. Tobin
Bridgewater Normal
2 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 4
26
Louise B. Chandler
Farmington Normal
5 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 4
24
Gladys M. Pierce
Castine Normal
11 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 3
25
Georgianna B. Barrows
R. I. College of Ed.
4 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 3
29
Doris M. Varney
Keene Normal
5 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 2
32 Aileen L. Kingsbury
Plymouth Normal
8 years
Sept. 1925
Grades 1 & 2
13-16
Helen A. Hadden
Bridgewater Normal
1 year
Sept. 1931
Grade 1
36 Violet Pirovano
Keene Normal
4 years
Sept. 1931
Kindergarten
40 Mary B. Warren
U. Lincoln School
Lesley Normal
9 years
Sept. 1929
256
ABRAHAM LINCOLN SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
339
I. Raymond Libby
Boston University
Farmington Normal
7 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 8
24
Helen H. MacDonough
Plymouth Normal
6 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 7
29
Mary G. Leahy
Keene Normal
10 years
Sept. 1928
Grade 6
38 Anna V. Galligan
Bridgewater Normal
23 years
Sept. 1916
Grade 5
25
Elizabeth Pillsbury
Boston University
Farmington Normal
3 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 4
36
Emily A. Landry
Bridgewater Normal
15 years
Sept. 1918
Grades 3 & 4
15-11
Beatrice P. Ryan
Bridgewater Normal
1 year
Sept. 1931
Grade 3
39
Eleanor Davis
Farmington Normal
4 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 2
39
A. Gladys Herring
Lowell Normal
13 years
Sept. 1922
Grade 1
27
Helen F. Moore
Bridgewater Normal
2 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 1
28
Laura M. Snow
Gorham Normal
41% fears
Jan. 1930
Kindergarten
28 Florence M. Ladrigan
Perry Kindergarten
8 years
Sept. 1927
.
257
1
MONATIQUOT SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
323
Edmund C. Ritchie
Castine Normal
6 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 8
34
Mildred B. Edwards
Farmington Normal
6 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 7
31
Mary Halloran
Bridgewater Normal
2 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 6
41
E. Aldana Coleman
Castine Normal
21 years
Sept. 1926
Grade 5
45
Elizabeth G. Rogers
Framingham Normal
33 years
Sept. 1915
Grade 4
32
Elizabeth R. Griffin
Farmington Normal
3 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 3
39
E. A. Maude. Craig
Hyannis Normal
17 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 2
42
Cora M. Coffill
North Adams Normal
18 years
Sept. 1918
Grade 1
36 Gwendolen Vaughan
Farmington Normal
7 years
Nov. 1928
Kindergarten
23 Esther W. Hallowell
Perry Normal
8 years
Sept. 1928
258
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
161
Charles G. Lord
Boston University
12 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 8
12
Elinor Stimson
Gorham Normal
3 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 7
16
Mary B. Arnold
Tufts College
7 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 6
29 Dorothy G. Harvey
Framingham Normal
5 years
Mar. 1930
Grade 5
18
Margaret V. Thompson
Keene Normal
7 years
Sept. 1928
Grade 4
16 Eunice M. Brown
North Adams Normal
3 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 3
24
Loretta M. McGinty
Bridgewater Normal
3 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 2
19
Josephine M. Foster
Braintree High School
2812 years
Sept. 1905
Grade 1
19 Helen Redgrave
Framingham Normal
3 years
Sept. 1930
Kindergarten
8 Ethel M. Fletcher
Wheelock Kindergarten
4 years
Sept. 1930
259
NOAH TORREY SCHOOL
Department
Oct. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Principal
528
Winthrop H. Lamb
Hyannis Normal
18 years
Sept. 1927
Grade 8
31
Sadie M. Haslam
Castine Normal
10 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 8
31
Blanche Hinds
Boston Normal
19 years
Dec. 1924
Grade 7
37
Clara B. Ferguson
Lowell Normal
19 years
Sept. 1929
Grade 7
36
Marguerite V. Murphy
Bridgewater Normal
15 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 6
44
M. Alice Fountain
Plymouth Normal
3 years
Sept. 1931
Grade 6
45
Florence E. Richardson
Gorham Normal
28 years
' Apr. 1926
Grade 5
38 Clara W. Bickford
Gorham Normal
15 years
Feb. 1926
Grade 5
38
Gertrude H. Falt
Gorham Normal
8 years
Apr. 1926
Grade 4
41 Esther F. Drake
Bridgewater Normal
6 years
Sept. 1928
Grade 4
39
Margaret E. Perkins
Colby College
12 years
Sept. 1922
Grade 3
37 Louis R. Hatch
Miss Niel's Training
3 years
Sept. 1930
Grade 3
38 Grace E. Rowe
Salem Normal
8 years
Sept. 1924
Grade 2
36 Mildred Hayes
Plymouth Normal
5 years
Sept. 1928
Grade 2
37 Ida E. Stratton
Newburyport Training
20 years
Apr. 1926
260
POND SCHOOL
Service
Department
October. 1, 1931 Membership
Name
Education
Experience
Principal
83
Grade 1
24 Claire E. Shay
Thayer Academy
28 years
Sept. 1903
Grade 1
24
Leta M. Weston
Brookfield High 20 years
Sept. 1918
Kindergarten
35
Harriet M. Hill
Shaw Normal 38 years
Sept. 1893
SOUTHWEST SCHOOL
Grade 1
21
Clara N. M. Holbrook
Thayer Academy
22 years
Sept. 1909
Kindergarten
12 Ethella M. Nichols
Perry Normal
15 years
Sept. 1916
261
SUNDRY PERSONS
Department
Name
Education
Experience
Service Began
Vocal Music
Ingrid E. Ekman
N. E. Conservatory
21 years
Sept. 1919
Instrumental Music
Frederick W. J. Lewis
Boston University
24 years
Sept. 1923
Drawing
Ruth H. Johnson
Mass. School of Art
7 years
Sept. 1927
Physical Education
Ellsworth R. Thwing
Aurora College
4 years
Sept. 1929
Physical Education
Alice E. Daughraty
Posse Nissen School
4 years
Sept. 1929
Nurse
Mary E. Collins
Malden Hospital
29 years
Sept. 1929
Special
Mildred S. Flewelling
Bridgewater Normal
5 years
Sept. 1931
Special
Alice Crocker
Bridgewater Normal
23 years
Sept. 1925
Special
Bertha L. Jennings
Bridgewater Normal
23 years
Sept. 1925
Superintendent
C. Edward Fisher
St. Lawrence University
Brown University
31 years
Oct. 1921
Secretary
Thelma Mackenzie
Braintree High School
6 years
Sept. 1925
Carpenter
Edward O. Long
June 1922
Attendance Officer
Charles S. Hannaford
Jan. 1918
Physician
Dr. R. E. Ross
Physician
Dr. C. A. Sullivan
Physician
Dr. F. H. Gile
..
.
262
263
Janitors
George W. Jennings, 317 Washington Street, Braintree William G. Benham, 10 May Avenue, Braintree Joseph E. Hayden, 55 Pearl Street, South Braintree Frank T. Lindsay, 26 Frederick Road, South Braintree Omer W. Hollis, 282 Union Street, Braintree Edward C. Holyoke, 24 Liberty Street, East Braintree James Cassidy, 47 Bellevue Avenue, East Braintree James L. Parker, 66 Hillcrest Road, East Braintree John L. Shepard, 1318 Washington Street, South Brain- tree
J. Herbert Annis, 40 Summer Street, South Braintree Howard Harrington, 74 Liberty Street, South Braintree Marion C. Gillette, 21 Hancock Street, South Braintree Nelson E. Hayden, 305 Pond Street, South Braintree
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Teachers' Salaries
$217876.50
Superintendent
4500.00
Secretary
1200.00
Attendance Officer
500.00
Nurse, School Physicians &
Health Supplies
2647.74
Janitors' Salaries
16856.19
Fuel
7633.15
Light, Water & Miscellaneous
Operating
4853.94
Text Books & Supplies
15914.29
Transportation
10257.12
Tuition
3713.92
Repairs
10040.01
Outlay
2216.97
Miscellaneous
3136.57
$301346.40
264
RECEIPTS BY THE TOWN ON ACCOUNT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Massachusetts School Fund .. $26520.00
State Reimbursement (on tuition
paid) 1255.14
State Tuition (Wards)
188.86
City of Boston (Wards)
104.69
Miscellaneous
539.64
28608.33
Net $272738.07
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Planning Board OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
December 31, 1930 to December 31, 1931
BRA
WN
A ATE D
REE
1640
Printed by Order of the Town
266
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board presents its report for the year 1931.
Comprehensive Plan
In this time of economic difficulty many people are realizing more clearly than before the importance of public planning.
Now more than ever we all feel that every dollar raised by taxation should be used with the utmost wis- dom, that every kind of waste and inefficiency in public business should be stopped. Our president and other leaders urge that the slack of industrial unemployment in dull times be taken up so far as possible by the hir- ing of men for public work. It is evident that if this is to be done without squandering the hardearned money of the tax-payers upon ill-advised undertakings it is nec- cessary that such work be executed according to care- fully prepared plans, with due consideration of the rela- tion of each project to the other projects and to the needs of the whole situation. Such plans cannot be pro- duced on the spur of the moment, in the stress of an emergency ; they must be made long enough in advance to permit thorough study.
In ordinary times as well we all agree that public funds should be administered in as business-like a man- ner as possible; and this cannot be done without careful planning for the future. The difference between success and failure in business often lies in the amount of fore- sight exercised. For instance, the wise manufacturer, looking ahead, foresees perhaps that he is going to need some additional space for expansion of his plant. He does not delay action until the time actually comes when
267
he must have the space, because he knows that at that time he will probably have to pay a high price. Instead he watches the market and buys for his future needs when he can do so at best advantage. The prudent com- munity does likewise in purchasing land for future build- ing sites, parks, playgrounds, street widenings and other civic purposes before the cost of such land rises.
Your Planning Board does not advocate the pur- chase of any land by the town this year because we realize the necessity of a restricted budget at this time, but we do urge the continuance of a careful study of probable future needs of the community and of the ways by which those needs may best be met, in order that when conditions do become favorable for action the town may be ready to take advantage of the situation. A sci- entific survey of this kind makes possible a comparison of the relative importance and urgency of the difference proposed projects and permits the making of a tentative program of execution for several years in advance-sub- ject to change according to conditions-thus distributing the expenses so that they are not too heavy in any one year.
Such a study is called a "Comprehensive Plan." In our last year's report was a detailed explanation of this by Prof. Arthur C. Comey of Harvard University School of City Planning, in which he said that the work may be divided into three stages :- (1) a "pathfinder survey", a gathering of accurate information about present con- ditions in the town and surrounding district; (2) the formulation of a preliminary draft of a town plan show- ing what provisions will probably be required in order to care for the needs of the future, so far as those needs can be foreseen at the present time; and (3) the finish- ing of the official draft of the plan, its adoption by the
268
Town Meeting, and the securing of any legislation which may seem desirable to aid in its establishment. It was and is expected that these three stages would occupy three successive years.
During 1931, in accordance with the vote under Ar- ticle 19 of the last Annual Town Meeting, your Planning Board has been working with Prof. Comey and an as- sistant on the first stage, the preliminary survey. The results, in the form of 24 maps, together with various pages of statistics and other data, are now on file in the Town Hall, and it is anticipated that the most important of them will be published later. Meanwhile town offi- cials and other citizens interested in consulting them are invited to communicate with the Chairman or the Secre- tary of this Board. The detailed report from Prof. Comey on this work is appended.
If the town is to reap the full benefit of this past year's accomplishment and avoid having to do any of it over again it will be necessary to proceed with the second stage of the task this year while the facts just gathered are up to date. Your Planning Board strongly feels that this study should be pushed vigorously to a con- clusion as soon as possible. The spreading of population in Boston and Quincy, the new sewer, and the improved train service at Braintree, all indicate that there will be a rapid growth in our town as soon as economic condi- tions permit. We must be ready with well thought out plans for this development when it comes. There is no time to lose. We trust that our request for $600 to pay for the second stage in the preparation of the Compre- hensive Plan and for the general expenses of the Plan- ning Board may be granted.
Civic Center
We believe that as soon as the town is able to do so
269
it should acquire land opposite the Town Hall for civic center development. We have urged this repeatedly in previous reports. However we feel that under the pres- ent conditions we should not press the matter this year. Nevertheless it must be borne in mind that this land is on the market, and too long a delay on the part of the town may mean a disposal of the property in a way which most citizens would regret.
Hancock Street
in last year's report we discussed in some detail the need of a widening of Hancock Street between South Braintree Square and Plain Street. During the past summer while this piece of highway was blockaded by sewer construction many citizens realized anew the im- portance of this link in our thoroughfare system and the undesirability of making it a permanent one-way street. Your Planning Board believes that the widening of this street should be the next major project to be undertaken by our Highway Department.
Washington Street Building Lines
We recommend the establishment of building lines on Washington Street between South Braintree Square and Franklin Street in order to save expense when the time comes for widening this narrow place.
Invitation
Again we invite any citizen having suggestions to make regarding developments of the town to let us know about them. This year while we are working on the pre-
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liminary draft of the Comprehensive Plan such sugges- tions would be especially valuable.
A report of the Zoning Committee and Prof. Comey's second report follow.
Respectfully submitted,
THERON I. CAIN, Chairman, J. CALEB JUSTICE, Secretary, JOHN F. CLINTON, SAMUEL M. ELLSWORTH, JOSEPH W. PARKER,
Members of the Planning Board.
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BRAINTREE TOWN PLANNING SURVEY
Herewith is presented a series of graphic town plan- ning surveys which have been selected because of their certain value as a basis for the next stage in Braintree's planning program, a general preliminary town: plan.
Some of the ways in which each of these maps will be useful in actual planning may be indicated, though it is equally sure that many now unforeseen applications of this material will arise. Likewise, it is clear that ad- ditional survey data will be needed as each phase of plan- ning is taken up, but to try to anticipate such possible needs prior to a demonstrated demand would be waste- ful and they have not been included in the present ad- vance survey.
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