USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1936 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
The provisions of the special legislature act relating to sewer connections, which was accepted at the Annual Town Meeting in March, are not generally known. Property owners are no longer re- quired to pay in advance for a sewer connection. The Act provides for the Sewer Department to make a sewer connection upon written application of the owner and apportion the cost over a ten year peariod.
There have been many requests for sewers on a number of streets of the town. Some construction work should be undertaken each year in order to provide relief for property lying outside the present sewered area.
The report of the Superintendent of Sewers, George F. Brous- seau, is appended hereto.
SAMUEL M. ELLSWORTH, Chairman DWIGHT A. CHANDLER
WALTER E. THOMPSON Board of Sewer Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWERS
January 2, 1937.
To the Board of Sewer Commissioners,
Braintree, Massachusetts. Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of the Sewer Department for the year ending December 31, 1936.
CONSTRUCTION:
Street sewer construction for this year consisted of finishing a WPA project started November 29, 1935, for 8-inch sewers in Cleve- land Avenue and Union Street.
The work was completed on July 10, 1936 at a total cost of $26,237.53 of which the Town paid $6,423.27 or 25%.
The following is a summary of the total mileage of sewers now constructed and in operation :
Street From
Length
Cleveland
Union
To Putnam Cleveland
2145 Feet
Union
Main Sewer
148 Feet
2293 Feet
Total 1936 Construction
0.43 Miles
Previous Construction
16.30 Miles
Total Constructed to Date
16.73 Miles
207
Another WPA project will be started soon after the first of the year for the construction of sewers in Circuit Road, Bradley Road, Coolidge Avenue and Harrison Avenue. The Town's share of the cost for this work has already been appropriated and is available for expenditure.
There have been a number of urgent requests during the year for sewers in the following streets: Bower Road, Burroughs Road, .. Claremont Street, Cochato Road, Cotton Avenue, Edgehill Road, Elmlawn Road, Faxon Street, Hayward Street, Hobart Avenue, Hol- den Road, Holmes Street, Judson Street, Marshall Street, Meadow -. brook Road, Morrison Road, Mt. Vernon Avenue, Mt. Vernon Street,, Newton Avenue, Norton Street, Oak Street, Pleasant Street, Robin- son Avenue, Sherbrooke Avenue, Spruce Street, Storrs Avenue, Wal- nut Street, Weston Avenue, Wilson Avenue and Wyman Road.
CONNECTIONS:
There were 107 house connections, totaling 6650 linear feet, made to the sewer system during the year. These were installed by the Sewer Department at a total cost of $10,860.21. The total num- ber of connections to the system is now 274.
At the Annual Town Meeting, Chapter 45 of the Acts of 1936 was accepted. This act permits the Sewer Department to make: house connections upon application by the owner, without requiring an advance deposit of money. The actual cost of the job is. billed to the owner when the work is completed. The bill may be. appor -. tioned over a maximum period of ten years, provided no payment is: less than $5.00. Interest at the rate of 6% is charged annually on outstanding balances. The first apportionments for connections made this year will appear on the 1937 tax bills.
The cost of any particular connection varies with the length and depth and the kind of excavation. The average cost ranges from: $1.10 to $1.50 per linear foot, except for very short connections; where most of the work is in the street.
The Sewer Department does all the work necessary to bring the pipe inside of the building. The five foot length of soil pipe that: goes through the building wall is usually furnished by the owner's: plumber ..
The Sewer Department is glad to give anyone an estimate of the cost of a house connection. There is no charge for this service, and there is no rental charge for the use of the sewer after a connection is made.
MAINTENANCE:
No stoppages have occurred in any of the lateral and main sewers or house connections since the system has been in operation. Most of the laterals were cleaned by flushing and dragging early in the fall. The 24-inch siphon on the main sewer has not required any maintenance. The 8-inch siphon under the Monatiquot River off Shaw Street was cleaned by dragging a one-inch chain through sev -- eral times.
The main sewer has been inspected at periodic intervals and a. number of flow measurements have been taken. The quantities com- puted from the flow measurements indicate no excessive infiltration,, and velocities sufficient to prevent deposits.
208
:
Flow measurements, using a hydrant service to obtain sufficient water, taken in several flat sections on Cedar Street and Cleveland Avenue indicate an excellent job of pipe laying and jointing. The Cedar Street sewer was constructed by town labor under the PWA and the Cleveland Avenue sewer by town labor under the WPA.
The automatic pumping station in East Braintree off Brookside Road has required very little maintenance during the year. There was some minor electrical trouble both inside and outside of the sta- tion which was promptly remedied. One of the pumps clogged twice. It is about an hour's work for two men to remove the impeller casing and clean a clogged pump. The cost of electricity to operate the station for the year amounted to $93.30.
Complete cost records have been kept on the cost of operating the Department's truck and compressor which were purchased new in 1935. The 1.12 ton Chevrolet dump truck was operated a total of 1848 hours this year at an average cost of $0.91 per hour. The 105 cubic foot Ingersoll-Rand air compressor, which is mounted on a Ford truck, was operated a total of 1519 hours at an average cost of $1.48 per hour including the cost of the truck mounting. The above rates include the operator, depreciation, insurance and all other charges necessary for operating and maintaining the equipment.
ASSESSMENTS:
There were 3 sewer assessment. plans prepared covering the work 1 done under the WPA in Cleveland Avenue and Union Street.
There were 41 sewer assessments levied amounting to $7,202.46. Bills for these assessments were sent out by the Tax Collector on December 31. The total assessment levy is now $215,667.72.
The total sewer assessment collections to date are $108,877.84. The collections for the year 1936 amounted to $34,055.35.
:
FINANCIAL STATEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$ 10,000.00
Transfers (WPA)
1,439.23
Total
11,439.23
Expenditures: (All for WPA Work)
Inspection
$ 1,172.00
Equipment Operators
553.96
· Labor Compensation Insurance
299.87
Equipment Repair Parts.
61.66
Equipment Operation Expense
205.84
"Equipment Rented
824.58
Small Tools
106.59
" Tool Sharpening Materials
895.49
Expenses
147.69 .
Total Construction Expenditures
4,416.65
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1936
148.97
209
HOUSE CONNECTION ACCOUNT
Appropriation Transfers
$ 10,000.00 1,228.67
Total
$ 11,228.67
Expenditures :
Labor
$ 6,129.65
Labor Compensation Insurance
953.88
Registry of Deeds
38.67
Equipment Repair Parts
246.88
Equipment Maintenance and Insurance
245.48
Gasoline and Lubricating Oil
623.55
Tool Sharpening
129.35
Small Tools
311.18
Jointing Materials
111.33
Kerosene
146.00
Sand and Gravel
248.86
Soil Pipe
356.37
Vitrified Pipe
788.92
Street Patching Material
397.99
All Other Materials
500.56
Total House Connection Expenditures
$ 11,228.67
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT
Appropriation Transfers
30.00
Total
$ 10,030.00
Expenditures :
Superintendent
$
3,000.00
Asst. Superintendent
1,986.00
Clerk
858.00
Foreman
1,820.00
Labor
777.45
Labor Compensation Insurance
176.30
Office Supplies
148.69
Assessment Expenses
Prints
70.00
Registry of Deeds
39.20
Telephone
107.05
Water
33.15
Electricity
103.23
Rent Storage Space
308.00
Auto Maintenance and Insurance
148.38
Materials
210.94
Small Tools
177.14
Expenses
43.60
Total Maintenance Expenditures
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1936
10,007.13 $ 22.87
NEW EQUIPMENT ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$ 200.00
Expenditures :
Hose Mask
198.00
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1936 .
$ 2.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU,
Superintendent.
$ 10,000.00
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Light Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, '35 to December 31, '36
.NMOI
REE
-
·
MA
1640
rs
212
BRAINTREE ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Fred B. Lawrence, Manager. Report of Year 1936.
To the Municipal Light Board,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
Submitted herewith for your approval is a financial statement, of the Braintree Electric Light Department for year ending Decem -. ber 31, 1936.
In order to make the report as brief as possible, as requested by the Chairman of Selectmen, we have omitted all physical descriptions ..
STREET LIGHTING COST
Kwhrs. used Year 1936 - 807,467 at .011642 $9,400.53
Labor
835.24
Lamps and Supplies
961.42
Maintenance & Material
1,411.03.
12,608.22
Cash received from Town
12,000.00
Deficit
$ 608.22
The above deficit is the result of wanton destruction by the pub -- lic of globes and fixtures, therefore, it will be necessary to have the appropriation for Street Lighting increased to cover this amount,, also provide for the large number of lights that are being added each. year.
ANALYSIS OF SALES 1936
Residential
151,181.77
Industrial
113,977.16,
Municipal
9,075.65
Street Lighting
12,000.00
Total
$286,234.58
Net Increase over 1935
$ 25,780.40
OPERATING. EXPENSES,
Superintendence
16,469.24
Boiler Fuel
56,581.62
Water for Steam
2,352.13,
Lubricants
91.09
Station Supplies and Expenses
3,200.20;
Various Maintenance Accounts
7,644.70
Electric Energy Purchased
12,497.6.6;
Total
98,836.64
Transmission & Distribution of Lines
6,275.79
Distribution of Tools
413.47
Inspect, Test, Reset, Meters
7,241.21
Maintenance of Lines
22,080.59:
Total
36,011.06;
213
STREET LIGHT EXPENSES
Labor Replacements
961.42
Maintenance
1,411.03
Total
3,207.69
GENERAL EXPENSE
Consumers' Installations
6,767.21
Office Expenditures
14,671.78.
New Business and Advertising
733.05
Wiring and Appliances
1,631.92
Board, Manager & Office Salaries
8,825.89,
General Office Expenses
3,414.31
Insurance, Accidents & Transportation
3,740.71
Miscellaneous General
235.31
Depreciation
27,816.01
Total
67,836.19
GRAND TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE
$205,891.58
BOOK VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY
786,954.56
PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT
January 1, 1936 Balance
677,561.47
Transferred from Income
79,154.59
Balance December 31, 1936
$756,716.06
INCOME STATEMENT
Operating Revenue
286,234.58
Operating Expenses
205,891.58
Manufacturing Surplus
80,343.00
Miscellaneous Deductions
1,188.41
Transferred to Profit & Loss Account $ 79,154.59
OPERATING FUND Credit
Balance, December 31, 1935
2,716.06
Receipts
292,015.79
Street Lighting
12,000.00
$306,731.85
Debit
Accounts Payable
5,280.54
Transferred to Depreciation
17,816.01
Fiant Extension
85,402.81
Operation
191,476.38
Balance, December 31, 1936
6,756.11
$306,731.85
TOTAL ASSETS, December 31, 1936
$949,512.82
TOTAL LIABILITIES, December 31, 1936
$949,512.82
835.24
214
ACCUNTS RECEIVABLE:
Braintree
8,352.07
East Braintree
4,339.14
South Braintree
11,522.47
Contracts
8,790.22
Municipal
3,962.17
TOTAL
$ 36,966.07
DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT
January 1, 1936 Balance
72,529.53
Net Transfer from Income
17,16.01
Interest
583.62
Balance December 31, 1936
$ 90,929.16
Cash Received as per Cashbook
$304,015.79
Paid to Town Treasurer
$304,015.79
Accounts Payable Balance
10,998.38
Operation Fund Balance December 31, 1936
6,756.11
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD OTIS B. OAKMAN, TOWN TREASURER.
DEBIT
Balance, January 1, 1936
2,716.06
Fred B. Lawrence, Mgr. 304,015.79
$306,731.85
CREDIT
Paid by Orders of Commissioners 299,975.74
Balance, December 31, 1936
6,756.11
$306,731.85
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Thayer Public Library
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
December 31, '35 to December 31, '36
BR
O
NMOI
REE
..
S
1640.
S
216
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS FEBRUARY 4, 1937
To the Citizens of Braintree:
The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library submit the following report for the year 1936 concerning the main library and its branches:
The Thayer Public Library was open 303 days of the year.
The total circulation of books was 155,591, distributed as follows:
Thayer Public Library 83,516
Braintree Branch Library 36,662 East Braintree Branch Library 35,413
In the year 1935 the largest day of circulation was on January 12th (652) ; this past year the crest was reached on January 11th, with a circulation of 564 books. This reveals the interesting fact that the heaviest reading is done during the long winter month of January. During the months of February and March there is a decrease in cir- culation, and from April through the summer months there is a mark- eddecrease. In September the circulation picks up again, and there is a steady increase during the fall months.
During 1936 there was a decrease in circulation as compared with 1935 of approximately 7000 books. All the Massachusetts li- braries with whose circulation the Trustees are familiar have suffered a corresponding decrease. This has probably been due in large meas- ure to increased employment, more varied and time-consuming adult activities, the larger use of radio, and increased newspaper reading. Be this as it may, the circulation of books in Braintree this past year compares favorably with the towns of the Commonwealth in our classi- fication group.
Braintree, in its classification, belongs to Group 9. This includes towns ranging in population between 15,000 and 25,000. Among the requirements of this classification is a Children's Librarian. The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library are glad to report that during the past year Braintree has been able to conform to this requirement by the employment of a Children's Librarian.
This past year there has been an increase of 1.4% in non-fiction reading; also the largest demand we have ever had for scientific books. Books of this type are expensive, and the Trustees are, of necessity, restricted in the number of scientific books they can purchase. They wish, however, to lend every possible encouragement to this type of reading.
It is important for the citizens of Braintree to inform themselves as to how our library standards measure up with the Massachusetts library standards, outlined for the towns in the Division 9 classifica- tion. These are the standards expected :
1. LIBRARIAN and STAFF: The Librarian and her staff should have had college and library school training, or their equivalent in education and library experience, executive and administrative ability on the staff.
217
In all these respects the Trustees feel that our library staff measures. Miss Holbrook has as full time assistants two graduates of Radcliff College, a graduate of Simmons College, and a graduate of the Keene Normal Scchool whose training has been enriched by special courses taken in Boston University. Of our part time assistants, one is now a Junior in Simmons College.
2. INCOME: One dollar per capita the minimum; or from two to three per cent of the Town's total appropriations.
On the basis of one dollar per capita, the appropriation for our library and its branches would be in excess of $17,000. Last year our total appropriation was $1,204,053.51. On a two per cent basis, which is the State recommendation, our library appropriation would slightly exceed $24,000. If we accepted a medium figure between one dollar per capita and two per cent of the total Town appropriation, the amount would be at least $20,500. How lamentably we have fallen short of this Massachusetts library standard !
Last year the appropriation granted us by the Town was $12,736, approximately $4,000 less than the barest minimum recommended by the Massachusetts library standard, and only slightly in excess of 50% of an appropriation determined on the basis of two per cent of the total Town appropriation !
The Trustees of the Braintree Library and its branches cannot too strongly call attention to the meagerness of our annual appropria- tion.
3. BOOKS: They should be adequate to the community; care- fully selected and purchased frequently from recommended lists. Sys- tematic inspection and revision of the collection. Proportion : Children's books, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction, approximately one-third each.
In all these respects Braintree not only conforms, but now stands conspicuously high in comparative rating. Miss Louise Jones, Super- visor of State Libraries, comments that for a small library Braintree has made an excellent selection of books, and has maintained an ad- mirable balance between fiction and non-fiction books.
4. SPECIAL ATTENTION to CHILDREN'S and REFERENCE SERVICE: In this requirement, also, Braintree measures up. I would add that the Town has most intelligent and co-operative reference book service from every member of our full time library staff.
5. HOURS OF LIBRARY SERVICE: 60 hours recommended.
Under our present time schedule, recently put into effect, the Thayer Public Library is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 A. M. to 9:00 P. M .; and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1:30 P. M. to 5:30 P. M., making a total of 46 1-2 hours.
On the mornings of Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 9:30 A. M. to 12:00 Noon, either two or three members of the staff are at work in the Thayer Public Library, and during this time they are glad to render service to any library readers. This additional use of our library facilities adds seven and a half hours to our time sched- ule and brings the total hours of service at the Thayer Public Library to a total of 54 hours. This is only six hours short of the State standard recommended.
218
6. BOOK CIRCULATION. Seven books per capita recommended.
Braintree should pride itself that even with a decrease in circu- lation during the past year it has maintanied a circulation equivalent to nine books per capita.
The comment is pertinent, however, that with a heavy increase in our circulation during the past few years, the wear and tear on our books, and a small annual appropriation for the purchase of new books, there has been a constant accumulation of worn-out books waiting for the binders. At present there are five hundred books out of circulation, and the number is increasing every week.
Several years of rigid economy make a substantial increase in the appropriation for binding and repair imperative.
7. ASSISTANTS: Four to seven full time assistants recom- mended.
Braintree is coming up to standard in this respect. As has been pointed out, we now have four full time assistants and three part time assistants.
8. EXTENSION SERVICE to outlying districts, schools and clubs. Continuous publicity. Registered borrowers should constitute from thirty to fifty per cent of the Town population.
Here, too, the library comes up to standard, save in one respect. Our schools and clubs, as well as individuals, are rendered invaluable help. Weekly press notices announce the important new books and stimulate interest in their reading by admirable book reviews. Our registered borrowers in 1936 were 6,550, constituting approximately 38% of our total population.
The one great weakness to which I have referred in our exten- sion service is the entire lack of library facilities for people who live in Braintree Highlands. Library users from this district have to make a special trip of from one to three miles to the Thayer Public Library in order to secure their books. As a matter of justice, this situation should be remedied as soon as possible, and an additional appropria- tion added to our budget to provide Braintree Highlands with a mod- est branch library.
9. LIBRARY QUARTERS: They should be adequate for serv- ice, attractive inside and out.
Braintree is pitiably short of the standard requirements in this respect. When are we, as forward-looking citizens, to meet the situa- tion as it should be met, and either. construct a substantial addition to our Thayer Public Library or provide a new central library building?
In the balcony of the Thayer Library, Miss Holbrook and her staff are obliged to have a double row of books on the shelves, for lack of room. 2,000 books are now in the basement, in double rows, also for lack of room in the library stacks. The reading facilities consist of two rooms, high-studded and capacious, but so severely restricted in reading space that they are quite inadequate to meet the demands of our reading public. Moreover, there is no opportunity whatever for quiet reflection.
219
We, as Trustees, would be derelict in our duty if we did not forcibly call to the attention of our fellow citizens the urgent need for definite and positive action to remedy our inadequate library facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman
ALBERT E. AVERY
MABEL S. ROGERS
CLARA G. WETHERBEE
JOHN W. HARDING
Trustees of Thayer Public Library.
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1936 FOUNDATION FUND
Principal Account :
$500 U. S. Treasury 3 1/4 % Note $ 500.00
Deposit, Quincy Savings Bank 1,000.00
Deposit, Weymouth Savings Bank 2,520.91
Deposit, Abington Savings Bank 1,000.00
Deposit, Hingham Saings Bank 1,000.00
Deposit, Braintree Savings Bank
5,000.00
$ 11,020.91
CALEB STETSON FUND
Principal Account :
Deposit, Quincy Savings Bank $ 1,000.00
Deposit, Braintree Savings Bank
1,500.00
$ 2,500.00
RACHAEL R. THAYER FUND
Principal Account:
Deposit, Home Savings Bank, Boston $ 172.50
$ 172.50
220
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1936
RECEIPTS:
Cash on Deposit, January 1, 1936 $ 2,140.17
Income from Foundation Fund
244.82
Income from Caleb Stetson Fund
75.00
Income from Rachel R. Thayer Fund
4.30
$ 2,464.29
EXPENDITURES:
Books
$ 121.88
Rent Safe Deposit Box
11.00
Treasurer's Surety Bond
25.00
Supplies, Printing & Postage
30.17
Furniture & Fixtures
37.00
Travelling
55.81
Cash on Deposit, December 31, 1936
2,183.43
$ 2,464.29
NATHANIEL H. HUNT TRUST INCOME ACCOUNT
INCOME:
Cash on deposit, January 1, 1936
$ 1,785.22
Income received for year 1936
681.61
$ 2,466.83
EXPENDITURES :
Books and papers $ 669.05
Cash on deposit, December 31, 1936
1,797.78
$ 2,466.83
221
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN, TOWN OF BRAINTREE, MASS., 1936
To the Citizens of the Town of Branitree, Mass. :--
I herewith respectfully submit the report of the Tree Department for the year 1936:
Appropriated and expended for general care of trees $300.00 Transfers from reserve fund for emergency work 659.02
Total expended on care of trees $959.02
Our trees suffered heavy damage this year through severe storms. A large portion of the original appropriation was used up caring for storm damaged trees and the transfers from the reserve fund were expended on trees that were storm damaged, in each case the select- men having declared an emergency existing and your finance commit- tee making the funds available.
We have a peculiar situation at present. There are many trees in severe and even dangerous condition which should be taken care of. I asked at the last annual town meeting for a larger appropriation which would have been sufficient to care for the worst cases. You appropriated but $300.00. I have submitted a WPA project to care for the trees and which I believe has approval of state and federal authorities, and on which I have spent days of time endeavoring to have it made available for our trees. I still have hopes that our trees shall benefit from it. I have in company with a member of the board of selectmen made a survey of several extremely dangerous trees and have made written request for sums of money to care for them. I have done all in any Tree Warden's power to protect our trees and shall continue to do all I can to preserve and beautify our trees.
In addition to the regular duties of, the office and the above work, I sponsored a Tent Caterpillar Egg Nest or Mass Collecting Cam- paign. The school department and the school children and the news- papers gave splendid co-operation. A tremendous number of masses were collected and destroyed under my personal supervision thereby saving many trees from the ravages of the tent caterpillar. The Lyric Theater awarded prizes to the winner in each school in Thayerlands and the public schools. In this way we are instilling a love for and a pride in our trees in the hearts of our children.
Yours in citizenship,
CLARENCE R. BESTICK,
Tree Warden.
222
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT TOWN OF BRAINTREE
February 3, 1937.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Hall,
South Braintree, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith the Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Plain Street Cemetery, for the year ending December 31, 1936.
There were twelve adult burials and four minors during the year 1936.
All graves that had caved in from settling were ragraded and seeded.
All walks were raked, weeded and the edges cut. Grass was mowed when necessary.
A large variety of flowers were planted prior to Memorial Day in several locations, which were in bloom until late October. Many lot owners supplied their own flowers which enhanced the beauty of the Cemetery.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.