USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1938 > 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 | Part 18 | Part 19
In order to construct the main lines between Common and Centre Streets and between Common Street and Storrs Avenue, it was necessary to make seven takings of easements and rights of way, and one land taking in fee for a pumping station site. The surveys and plans of these takings were made by the Sewer Department.
The following is a summary of sewers constructed this year :
Gravity District:
Marshall Street-Station 2+23 to Station 6+24. . 401' 8" V.C.
Town Brook Pumping District:
Church Street-Washington to Pleasant.
706'
8" V.C.
Common Street-Town Brook to Station 2+39
239'
10" V.C.
Common Street-Station 2+39 to Staten.
781' 8" V.C.
Common Street-Station 2+51 to Washington
914' 10" C.I.
Independence Avenue-Traffic Circle to Northerly
200'
8" V.C.
Right of Way-Common to Northerly
794'
10" V.C.
Traffic Circle-Independence to Washington
171'
8" V.C.
Traffic Circle-Railroad to Independence.
117'
8" C.I.
Washington Street-Church to Northerly
250'
8" V.C.
Total
4,573'
Total 1938 Construction
0.87 Miles
Previous Construction
17.63 Miles
Total Constructed to Date
18.50 Miles
177
The sewers in the Town Brook Pumping District will not be available for use until the pumping station is built and put into operation.
It is proposed to continue with W.P.A. construction in the Town Brook Pumping District and complete during 1939 the main line to Centre Street and the main between Common Street and Storrs Avenue and the pumping station sub-structure.
House Connections:
The following table shows sewer connection statistics for the five year period since 1934 when the sewers were first put into operation:
Year
1934
1935
Connections
84
83
1936 107 6,650
1937 120
1938 80 4,145 $6,422
Totals
Length in Ft.
3,541
4,523
Total Cost
$7,021
$6,809 $10,860
Average Cost/Ft.
$1.98
$1.50
$1.63
6,515 $9,524 $1.46
$1.55
474 25,374 $40,636 $1.60
Average Cost/Con-
nection
$84.00
$82.00 $102.00
$79.00
$80.00
$86.00
A count of the number of possible connections to the present sewer system shows that only 40% have connected. There remain about 725 connections to be made.
The actual cost of each connection is billed to the owner of the property. No advance deposit is required and the cost may be appor- tioned over a period of ten years. There is no rental charge for the use of the sewer after a connection is made. The Sewer Department is glad to give anyone an estimate of the cost of a sewer connection.
Maintenance:
Early in January there was a stoppage in the Tremont Street sewer due to a small root growth. This is the first trouble experienced from tree roots during the five years the sewers have been in operation.
Two of the manholes in the right of way between Pearl and Union Streets were broken into and it was necessary to install two new lock manhole covers.
The cost of electricity to operate the automatic pumping station off Brookside Road, including heating, amounted to $103.62. Except for one pump clogging several times no mechanical or electrical diffi- culty was experienced.
The Sewer Department's 11/2 ton dump truck was operated a total of 1583 hours at an average cost of $0.88 per hour. The Department's air compressor was operated a total of 1514 hours at an average cost of $1.52 per hour. The above rates include the operator, depreciation, insurance and all other charges necessary for operating and main- taining the equipment.
Two per cent discounts taken during the year amounted to $260.07.
There were 20 sewer assessments levied amounting to $2,108.43. The total assessment levy is now $231,633.29. The total sewer assess- ment collections to date, including interest on apportioned assessments, is $148,112.79 or 64% of the levy.
Drainage Study:
At the annual Town Meeting in March, 1938 a sum of money was appropriated to be used by the Sewer Department in making a drainage study of the Town.
178
The purpose of the drainage study is twofold. The first step is to obtain an accurate record of the location, size, depth, slope and condition of the existing drains, as at present there is no available record of the location of the greater part of the Town's drains.
The second part of the study is to establish a comprehensive drainage plan for the entire Town, fitting into it as many of the existing drains as is economically practical.
In this way all future drains will be of the proper size and conform to the general drainage plan. It will mean that henceforth money expended for drainage will be used to most efficiently serve the needs of the Town.
During the past year a careful study of existing drains, catch basins and manholes in the Town Brook drainage district has been made. This district is comprised approximately of the area lying be- tween West Street, Washington Street and the Quincy Line. Practically all of the existing catch basins and manholes within this area have been located and opened, their condition noted and their location plotted on black and white prints of the Assessor's block plan rolls at a scale of 1-inch equals 40 feet.
After the severe rain storms in July, the elevations of high water and velocities at the various culverts and bridges from Great Pond to tide water, were recorded for use in future study.
Work will be continued on the Drainage Study during the coming year and pushed to completion if possible.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
Balance from 1938
$ 4,808.12
Refunds
161.50
Appropriation
15,000.00
Total
$19,969.62
Expenditures :
Inspection, Surveying and Plans
$ 3,664.99
Equipment Operators
835.50
Labor
743.23
Labor Compensation Insurance
673.87
Rent Storage Space
308.00
Equipment Repair Parts
235.85
Equipment Operation Expense
380.14
Equipment Rented
807.14
New Equipment
1,118.60
Small Tools
732.54
Tool Sharpening
198.50
Registry, Testing, Mileage
421.97
Materials
7,903.51
Total Construction Expenditures
18,023.84
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1938
$ 1,945.78
179
HOUSE CONNECTION ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$10,000.00
Transfer
-2,500.00
Refund
12.68
Total
$ 7,512.68
Expenditures:
Labor
$ 3,451.31
Labor Compensation Insurance
228.54
Registry of Deeds
26.64
Tool Sharpening
76.08
Small Tools .
69.07
Equipment Repair Parts
229.84
Equipment Operation Expense
464.07
Jute and Jointing Compound
74.21
Kerosene
80.15
Sand and Gravel
215.39
Soil Pipe and Fittings
347.34
Vitrified Pipe and Fittings
530.68
Street Patching Material
307.41
All Other Materials
140.83
Total House Connection Expenditures
6,241.56
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1938
$ 1,271.12
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$10,000.00
Expenditures:
Superintendent
$ 3,000.00
Clerk
936.00
Foreman
1,820.00
Labor
1,363.90
Labor Compensation Insurance
126.06
Rent Storage Space
210.00
Office Supplies
187.53
Office Expenses
78.83
Telephone
82.30
Water
26.21
Electricity
120.05
Maintenance Expenses
410.14
Maintenance Materials
393.07
Auto Maintenance and Insurance
107.09
Compressor Maintenance
59.03
Truck Maintenance
36.86
Sewer Cleaning and Maintenance Equip- ment
811.17
Equipment Repair Parts
95.46
Registry of Deeds
45.50
Total Maintenance Expenditures
$ 9,909.20
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1938
$ 90.80
180
DRAINAGE STUDY ACCOUNT
Appropriation
$ 1,250.00
Expenditures:
Labor
$ 187.31
Plans
56.02
Expenses
5.20
Total Drainage Study Expenditures
248.53
Unexpended Balance, December 31, 1938
$ 1,001.47
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU,
Superintendent
181
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Light Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, '37 to December 31, '38
182
BRAINTREE ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT REPORT OF YEAR 1938
To
Municipal Electric Light Board,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
Submitted herewith for your approval is a financial statement of the Braintree Electric Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1938.
STREET LIGHTING COST
Kw. Hrs. used year 1938-521,460 @ .0153002
$ 7,978.44
Kw. Hrs. used year 1938
equals
1,393.22
Maintenance Labor
1,055.05
Replaced Lamps
Material fixtures renewed
1,973.41
Total Cost to Department.
$ 12,400.12
Cash received from Town
12,000.00
Net Loss
$ 400.12
ANALYSIS OF SALES 1938
Kw. Hrs. Sold
Revenues
Residential
6,042,586
$171,252.25
Industrial
8,949,531
117,172.36
Municipal
668,476
7,978.60
Street Lighting
521,460
12,000.00
Total Kw. Hrs. 16,182,053
$308,403.21
OPERATING EXPENSES
Production :
Superintendence
$19,418.02
Boiler Fuel
56,718.73
Water for Steam
1,218.92
Lubricants
54.16
Station Supplies and Expenses.
2,987.67
Maintenance of Station Structures
1,603.20
Maintenance of Boilers.
4,503.96
Maintenance of Turbines
11,994.40
Maintenance of General Equipment
906.73
Maintenance of Accessory Equipment.
365.83
Electric Energy Purchased
18,738.12
Total
$118,509.74
Transmission and Distribution :
Operation of Transmission and Distribution of Lines
$ 7,223.83
Transmission and Distribution Supplies
534.94
Testing Meters
989.10
Removing and Resetting Meters. 882.74
Removing and Resetting Transformers
245.42
Maintenance of Transformers
Station and Sub-station Equipment. 39.38
183
Maintenance of Transmission and Distribu- tion of Lines
37,150.29
Maintenance of Transformers 470.85
Maintenance of Consumers' Meters
929.14
Total
$ 48,465.69
Utilization :
Operation of Street Lights $ 958.05
Replacements of Street Lamps.
1,055.05
Supplies and Maintenance
2,408.58
Total
$ 4,421.68
General Expense :
Maintenance of Consumers' Installations $ 9,875.96 $ 9,875.96
Commercial Salaries
15,540.43
15,540.43
Advertising
5.00
5.00
Salaries of Municipal Light Board and Man. ager
5,300.00
Office Salaries
3,773.10
General Office Supplies and Expenses.
2,942.76
Insurance
3,718.13
Transportation
462.27
Maintenance of General Structures.
65.90
Depreciation
34,353.71
Miscl. General Expense
155.08
Total
$ 50,770.95
Grand Total of Operating Expenses
$247,589.45
Book Value of All Property.
$890,263.99
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
January 1, 1938, Balance
$836,435.28
Transferred from Income 60,430.22
Balance December 31, 1938
$ 896,865.50
INCOME STATEMENT
Operating Revenue
$308,403.21
Operating Expenses
247,589.45
Manufacturing Surplus
$ 60,813.76
Miscellaneous Deductions
383.54
Transferred to Profit & Loss Account.
$ 60,430.22
COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET
Plant Investment
$890,263.99
Cash Operating Fund
3,573.26
Special Deposits
2,661.49
Accounts Receivable
41,856.44
Materials and Supplies
23,971.70
Depreciation Fund
109,168.64
Prepaid Insurance
7,200.21
Total Assets
$1,078,695.73
184
Accounts Payable
.00
Consumers' Deposits
2,661.49
Loans Repayments
133,000.00
Appropriations for Construction Repayment. 46,168.74
Profit & Loss
896,865.50
Total Liabilities
$1,078,695.73
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Braintree
$ 7,680.47
East Braintree
5,127.11
South Braintree
11,949.61
Contracts
15,818.41
Municipal
1,280.84
Total
$
41,856.44
DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT
January 1, 1938, Balance
$121,985.98
Net Transfer from Income
34,353.71
Interest 507.10
$156,846.79
Expended for Construction Purposes
47,678.15
Balance December 31, 1938
Cash Received as per Cashbook
Paid to Town Treasurer
$ 109,168.64 325,866.91 325,866.91
Accounts Payable Balance
.00
Operation Fund Balance, December 31, 1938
3,573.26
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD JOHN W. HARDING, Town Treasurer
Debit:
Balance, January 1, 1938. $ 15,143.84
Fred B. Lawrence, Manager 325,866.91
$
341,010.75
Credit:
Paid by Orders of Commissioners $337,437.49 Balance, December 31, 1938 3,573.26
$ 341,010.75
185
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Thayer Public Library
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, '37 to December 31, '38
186
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Braintree, Massachusetts January 26, 1939.
To the Citizens of Braintree:
In behalf of the Board of Trustees I submit the following annual report for the year 1938 in reference to the Thayer Public Library and its branches.
The Trustees are glad to announce that during 1938 there has been an increase of 16,597 in the total circulation of our books. In 1937 our annual circulation was 154,068; in 1938, 170,665. This increase in circulation is distributed as follows: In the Thayer Public Library, 5,057; in the Braintree Branch, 2,230; in the East Braintree Branch, 6,410. On September 1, 1938, the Trustees opened a modest new library branch at Braintree Highlands. During the four months. of operation there has been a circulation of 2,903 books.
The total circulation of our books is made up as follows: Thayer Public Library, 90,106; the Braintree Branch, 39,398; the East Brain- tree Branch, 38,261; and in the Highlands Branch, as before stated, 2,903.
It may be interesting to note that of our total circulation of 170,665, 44,016 were adult non-fiction books; 88,948, adult fiction books; and 37,701, children's books. The relative percentages in this. classification are 25.8% adult non-fiction, 52.1% adult fiction, and 22.1% children's books. The Board notes with interest the marked increase in circulation in the adult non-fiction group. Last year the circulation of books in this group was less than 29,000.
This increase in our circulation of books is relatively high when compared with the circulation for a similar period in the other towns of our Group II classification.
The Board feels that this large circulation of books is due largely to the able, untiring service, and the invariably cheerful rendering of it, by Miss Holbrook and her Library staff. The librarian and her staff are exceptionally competent in reference book work. Moreover, the suggestions they are constantly giving our readers concerning new and worthwhile books and magazine articles are most helpful and constructive.
Our circulation has also been stimulated by the interesting weekly announcements Miss Hall has made in the Quincy Ledger and the Braintree Observer concerning new books added to our Library of special interest to adults. Once a month Mrs. Blackburn has made a similar announcement concerning new books for children.
In connection with our circulation the Trustees would call atten- tion to the fine collection of pictures, now numbering over 6,000, that have during the past few years been cut out and mounted by our Library staff. These pictures reveal in a most vivid way the life and scenery of the various countries of the world. They are in great demand in our schools, and also in Sunday School classes. This past year 3,000 such pictures were distributed for use among the school children of the Town.
The Trustees are proud of the high morale of the library staff. They are constantly on the alert to improve the quality of their service. Four of the staff this past year have been doing valuable extra work in enriching their background, one by selected courses in Simmons
187
College, another by courses in Art and History in the Boston Uni- versity College of Liberal Arts, and two by taking Professor Rogers' series of lectures on important new books. This bears witness to the earnest desire of our staff for constant self-improvement.
On January 1, 1938, our Library and its branches had a total of 35,686 volmes. During the year 2,386 new books were added, and 514 withdrawn from circulation because of old age; so our total number of volumes as of December 31, 1938, is 37,558, the largest number in the history of the Library.
Last year the Thayer Public Library subscribed to 3 newspapers and 96 different periodicals.
During the year 1938 we had 6,375 registered borrowers, and 197 non-resident borrowers.
Braintree, as I commented last year in my report, is in the Class II division, comprising towns and cities in the Commonwealth ranging in population between 10,000 and 25,000. I might add that no town last year in this Class had a population exceeding 19,000.
In order to qualify for good standing in Class II, a town library should meet four of the following requirements, two of which should be the starred items given in this summary:
A. STAFF: The librarian and assistants needed to meet the demands of the service (on the basis of one full- time assistant for every 20,000 to 25,000 books circulated).
B. BUDGET: $1.00 per capita, minimum.
*C. BOOK CIRCULATION: 7 per capita, minimum.
D. REGISTERED BORROWERS: 40% of population.
*E. HOURS OPEN: 48 up.
F. COMPENSATION OF LIBRARIAN: ($2,100 to $2,700).
ITEMS C and E
In the two starred items of qualifications Braintree is well above the minimum requirements but still far below a position of leadership.
Our book circulation is now 10 per capita; 7 per capita is the minimum requirement. Of the 14 towns in Class II, Braintree in Item C has a rank of fifth.
The minimum requirement for library service to the public, as indicated in Item E, is 48 hours a week. Four years ago the Braintree Library was, as I recall, the lowest in the list of towns in Class II. The Thayer Public Library is now open 57 hours a week. This is a noteworthy gain, but the Town should realize that even now Braintree stands only ninth among the fourteen towns in Class II. The Greenfield Library is open 76 hours a week, Newburyport 74, Wellesley and West- field 72, Norwood and Winchester 66, Milton 61, and West Spring- field 60.
ITEM D. REGISTERED BORROWERS
Item D demands 40% of the population as a minimum requirement for registered borrowers. On the basis of our population last year of 17,122 our registered borrowers should have been, in order to meet the minimum requirement, 6,849. The number of registered borrowers was 6,572. This places us slightly below the requirement of Class II in Item D. It is the hope of our Board that the number of our registered borrowers in 1939 will pass the minimum requirement.
188
ITEM A. THE STAFF
It Item A the Thayer Library and its branches fall far short of the minimum requirement. The requirement demands one full-time assistant for every 20,000 to 25,000 books circulated.
On this basis, with Braintree's circulation of 170,665 last year, the number of full-time assistants should have been 7. At the present time our library system has three full-time assistants and five part-time assistants working 30, 22, 20, 15, and 6 hours respectively. This total of 93 hours is no more than equivalent to two and one-third full-time assistants, for the time service of a full-time assistant is 40 hours a week. It is evident that we are almost 2 full-time assistants short of the number required to maintain adequate library service. This should give us real concern to the end that the situation be remedied as soon as possible.
ITEM F. COMPENSATION OF LIBRARIAN
We are still $100 below the minimum salary recommended and $700 below the maximum salary recommended for our librarian. After years of faithful and highly competent library service given the Town of Braintree at a salary we are ashamed to mention, our librarian has at last been raised to a salary $100 below the minimum requirement. The Trustees should, in justice, during the next four years make every effort to advance our librarian's salary by yearly increments of increase to a maximum of $2500. This would be $200 below the maxi- mum salary recommended for towns of our class.
ITEM B. BUDGET
Braintree does not measure up in this item to the minimum re- quirement. The budget is estimated in the standard qualifications on the basis of $1.00 per capita. On the basis of our population last year of 17,122 our budget should have been $17,122. What the Town actually appropriated was $15,425. Had we had for use the $1,700 that the Board was entitled to, in order to make up the minimum requirement of the budget, we could have brought Item A-Staff, Item B-Budget, and Item F-Compensation of Librarian, up to the mini- mum requirement. We should strive to realize this during the next. two years.
In closing this annual report the Trustees feel it their duty to stress to the utmost the utter inadequacy of the Thayer Public Library to meet modern day conditions. As I commented last year, the delivery desk is not properly located to supervise the reading rooms, the shelves of books, and the entrance. The librarian's quarters are crowded to the utmost and subject to constant interruptions. The book stacks are crowded beyond capacity, and there is no possible opportunity for expansion in the present building. The storage of books in the basement is lamentable, and the mending of books, a library enterprise that concerns human beings, in a part of the room used for the storage of coal, is even more deplorable.
Then, too, there is the fire hazard due to wooden floor construction.
Mrs. William F. Rogers of our Board of Trustees has set before us in a single sentence what should be the goal of our endeavor: "The
189
idea of an adequate modern building must be planted in the minds of our citizens NOW."
It is manifestly our duty as Trustees of the Public Library to impress this imperative need upon our fellow citizens with greater and greater urgency until positive action results.
Respectfully submitted,
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman, ALBERT E. AVERY, JOHN W. HARDING, MABEL S. ROGERS, CLARA G. WETHERBEE, Trustees of Thayer Public Library.
FUNDS AND ASSETS OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY As at December 31, 1938
FOUNDATION FUND
Principal Account:
$500 U. S. Treasury 31/4 % 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 Savings 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
RACHEL R. THAYER FUND
Principal Account:
Deposit, Home Savings Bank, Boston $ 172.50
$ 172.50
190
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY For the Year Ended December 31, 1938
Receipts :
Cash on Deposit, January 1, 1938
$2,230.05
Income from Foundation Fund
303.33
Income from Caleb Stetson Fund.
62.49
Income from Rachel R. Thayer Fund.
3.44
$2,599.31
Expenditures:
Books
$ 62.49
Rent Safe Deposit Box
5.50
Treasurer's Surety Bond
5.00
Printing, Postage & Supplies
46.22
Maintenance & Repairs
443.11
Iron Step Rails
228.00
Cash on Deposit, Dec. 31, 1938
1,808.99
$2,599.31
NATHANIEL H. HUNT TRUST INCOME ACCOUNT
Income:
Cash on Deposit, January 1, 1938
$1,538.46
Income received for year 1938
522.65
$2,061.11
Expenditures:
Books and Papers
$ 929.70
Cash on deposit, Dec. 31, 1938
1,131.41
$2,061.11
1
191
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT -1938
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree, Massachusetts.
I hereby respectfully submit the report of the Tree Department for the year 1938; Appropriated and expended for care and removal of dead and dangerous trees and limbs on the following streets, Tremont, Com- mercial, Middle, Franklin, Shaw, Hollingsworth, Adams and Washing- ton-the sum of ($300.00) Three Hundred Dollars.
The recent hurricane wrought terrific havoc upon our beautiful shade trees. Many were torn up by the roots, others twisted beyond re- covery and practically every tree left standing was so injured that bracing and pruning work was absolutely necessary to preserve its life and beauty. Your Tree Department worked diligently and unceasingly to clear up the wreckage of our trees from the streets. A veritable army of men and trucks efficiently operated to make the storm damage seem to melt away so that within 24 hours of the storm all streets were passable and within a week all of the most hazardous conditions were eliminated. Simultaneously with this action your Tree Warden and Selectmen sponsored an emergency W.P.A project which through special dispensation was permitted to go through within 10 days. This gave the Town the majority of labor for the work and conserved the Chapter 500 funds for materials and equipments.
At the same time a long term W.P.A. project was instigated by your Tree Warden and Selectmen to take care of the tremendous amount of work needed by the trees previous to the storm and multiplied a thou- sandfold by the storm. This project started on completion of the spe- cial emergency project, using available money in said Chapter 500 fund but will need to be supplemented by further money in the 1939 town appropriation. One of the outstanding features of the present project is the fact that the Town of Braintree is to receive as a Federal contri- bution some 500 much needed shade trees. Your Tree Warden is proud to report his success in obtaining this special concession for the town from the Federal Government.
Through the splendid co-operation of the Selectmen, the Town Ac- countant and later the W.P.A. Coordinator, your department has been able to give you a tremendous service without one cent burden on your tax rate. This chiefly through the Emergency Fund from the State allocated to Braintree under Chapter 500.
Through the combined sources as outlined above your Tree Warden has obtained about Twenty Thousand Dollars' worth of rehabilitation work on your storm damaged trees without adding one cent to your tax rate. Furthermore, he has given his undivided time and attention to the work, being personally on the job all day and every day on which the crews are working. A tremendous amount of work still lies ahead which demands the continued supervision of one who is capable and trained in the proper care of your trees and who has the ability and courage to see that your trees are carefully and properly cared for under this new W.P.A. project that will benefit our trees with over $40,000.00 worth more of Federal funds.
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.