USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1938 > Part 3
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
HEALTH AND SANITATION
ARTICLE 25.
Voted: That the following sums of money be appropriated for Health and Sanitation the present year:
Health Administration :
Salaries, Board of Health, $100.00 each member $ 300.00
Salary, Health Agent
1,300.00
Expenses 550.00
Contagious Diseases
9,000.00
Collection of Garbage
3,250.00
Inspection of Plumbing
1,200.00
Inspector of Animals.
200.00
Inspector of Meats and Provisions
350.00
Diphtheria Clinic
325.00
Tuberculosis Prevention
480.00
Dental Clinic
2,000.00
Vital Statistics
50.00
$19,005.00
ARTICLE 26.
Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $94,940.00 for the maintenance and operation of the water supply system, laying and relaying of water mains, including $300.00 for the salaries of three Water Commissioners, the same to be taken from the surplus of the water revenues as shown on the books December 31, 1937, and from the revenues of the department for the year 1938.
ARTICLE 27.
Voted: No action under Article 27.
ARTICLE 28.
Voted: That Article 28 be referred to the Water Department for a W.P.A. project .- 9:09.
ARTICLE 29.
Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $300.00 for salaries of the Electric Light Commissioners, the same to be taken from the revenues of the Electric Light Department for the year 1938.
ARTICLE 30.
Voted: That there be included in the tax levy for electricity used for Street Lighting the sum of $12,000.00 as appropriated under Article 12 in this Warrant for the 1938 Annual Town Meeting, and that said sum together with the income from sales of electricity to private con- sumers, or for current supplied to municipal buildings or for municipal power, and from sales of appliances and jobbing during the current
25
fiscal year, be appropriated for the use of the Municipal Light Plant the whole to be expended under the direction and control of the Munici- pal Light Board, for repairs, renewals, new construction, and operating expenses of the plant for the present fiscal year, as defined in Section 57 of Chapter 164 of the General Laws, and that, if said income shall exceed the expenses for the fiscal year, such excess shall be transferred to the Construction Fund of said plant and appropriated and used for such additions to the plant as may thereafter be authorized by the Municipal Light Board.
ARTICLE 31.
Voted: No action under Article 31.
ARTICLE 32.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the purposes of the Sewer Department, to be expended by the Board of Sewer Commissioners :
For maintenance, including $300.00 for the salaries of three Commissioners $10,000.00
For Drainage Study 1,250.00 For House Connections 10,000.00
Voted: That there be appropriated for the Sewer Department's share of materials, trucking, and other necessary expenses in connection with W.P.A activities or other special aid projects in conjunction with State or Federal Government the sum of $15,000.00 to be raised as follows:
From the Tax Levy $13,060.13
From the unexpended balance of
the Sewer construction fund of the
Third Sewer Loan 1,939.87 $15,000.00.
$36,250.00
RECREATION
ARTICLE 33.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the following sums of money for the general uses of the Board of Park Commissioners the coming year:
For Precinct One $ 350.00
For Precinct Two 500.00
For Precinct Three 500.00
For Organized Play
500.00
$1,850.00
CEMETERIES
ARTICLE 34
Voted: To raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the improvement of the Cemetery the present year:
Superintendence and Labor $ 300.00
Expenses 200.00 $ 500.00
Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $4.00 the same to be taken from the income of the Julia Minchin Trust Fund, for care of lot.
26
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
ARTICLE 35.
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appropri- ated for Soldiers' Relief, State Aid and Military Aid, the present year:
For Salary, Soldiers' Relief Agent-42 Weeks .. $1,050.00
For Expenses, Soldiers' Relief Dept. 100.00 For Soldiers' Relief 13,850.00
$15,000.00
For State Aid and Burials 450.00
For Military Aid 500.00
Mr. Pratt moved: That the appropriation for Memorial Day Ob- servance be laid on the table and taken up after Article 66. So voted -9:15.
PUBLIC WELFARE
ARTICLE 36.
Moved: That Article 76 be taken up in conjunction with Article 36. Unanimous vote.
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appropri- ated for the PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT, including Aid for Dependent Children, and Adequate Assistance to Certain Aged Persons under the provisions of Chapter 118A, Acts of 1931:
For Welfare Department Administration :
Salaries, Board of Welfare, $200, each mem- ber 600.00
Salaries of two investigators. 2,420.00
Salary of Clerk 1,092.00
Salary of Bookkeeper. 1,560.00
Office Expense and Supplies. 540.00
Automobile Expense and Repairs. 700.00
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $700.00 for the purchase of one new automobile for the use of the Welfare Department, and that the Town authorize that one old automobile now used by the Welfare Department be turned in to the vendor as partial payment for the new automobile 700.00
$ 7,612.00
ARTICLE 76.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $1,875,00 for the salary of a Welfare Administrator for 39 Weeks .- 9:20.
ARTICLE 36.
For Temporary Aid.
$90,000.00 $11,000.00
For Aid to Dependent Children
For the Infirmary:
Salary
$1,200.00
Labor
900.00
Expenses
4,915.00
$ 7,015.00
For Old Age Assistance:
Salary of Administrator-11 weeks
$ 423.08
Salary of Clerk
1,092.00
Office Expense 100.00
Assistance to Recipients
65,000.00
$66,615.08
27
HIGHWAYS
ARTICLE 37.
Mr. Colbert moved: That the sum of $2,900.00 be raised and appro- priated for the Salary of the Superintendent of Highways as follows:
Salary of Superintendent:
10 Weeks (old Superintendent) $ 480.00
42 Weeks (new Superintendent) 2,420.00
$ 2,900.00
The vote being doubted, the Moderator appointed the following to serve as tellers: Messrs. Schell, Rose, Arnold, Trainor, Harmon, B. Johnson, Wade and Hitchcock.
There being 461 in the affirmative and 236 in the negative, the original motion as made by Mr. Colbert was carried .- 9:36.
Voted: For labor, repairs to highways, Town ways and bridge, repairs to sidewalks, and other maintenance, not including new construc- tion, as follows :
Supplies $ 500.00
Gasoline and Oil
6,200.00
Patching Highways 10,350.00
Street Cleaning
8,250.00
Drains and Catch Basins
3,000.00
Tarvia and sanding
12,000.00
Repairs to Equipment.
3,550.00
Repairs to Sidewalks
2,500.00
All Other
4,700.00
$51,050.00
Mr. Starr moved: That the Highway Department be authorized to set aside one day a month to collect rubbish, ashes, and tin cans, effective May 1, 1938.
Mr. Palmer moved: That the motion as made by Mr. Starr be laid on the table. So voted-9:42.
Mr. Palmer moved: That no action be taken on the purchase of one new 5-ton Auto Truck. So voted .- 9:44.
Mr. Palmer moved: That an appropriation for Snow Removal be laid on the table and taken up at the adjourned meeting. So voted.
ARTICLE 38.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $410.00 to construct a sidewalk on ARBUTUS AVENUE, from Standish Avenue to Wildwood Avenue, on the east side, a distance of approximately 615 feet.
ARTICLE 39.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,333.00 to construct a sidewalk on WILDWOOD AVENUE, from Arbutus Avenue to the Braintree Highlands School, on the north side, a distance of approximately 2,000 feet .- 9:53.
ARTICLE 40.
Voted: No action under Article 40.
ARTICLE 41.
Voted: No action under Article 41.
28
ARTICLE 42.
Voted: No action under Article 42.
ARTICLE 43.
Voted: No action under Article 43.
ARTICLE 44.
Voted: No action under Article 44.
ARTICLE 45.
Voted: No action under Article 45.
ARTICLE 46.
Voted: That Article 46 be referred to the Highway Department for- a W.P.A. project .- 9:57.
ARTICLE 47.
Voted: No action under Article 47.
ARTICLE 48.
Voted: That Article 48 be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A project.
ARTICLE 49.
Moved: That the sum of $810.00 be raised and appropriated to construct a sidewalk on MIDDLE STREET, from Elm Street to No. 105 Middle Street, a distance of approximately 1,205 feet on the west side. Not carried-9:59.
ARTICLE 50.
Voted: That the sum of $1,320.00 be raised and appropriated to. construct a sidewalk on HANCOCK STREET, from Washington Street near Plain Street to Washington Street, a distance of approximately 1,980 feet on the west side.
ARTICLE 51.
Voted: No action under Article 51.
ARTICLE 52.
Voted: That the sum of $450.00 be raised and appropriated to widen. a portion of UNION STREET, opposite No. 351 Union Street, approxi- mately 80 square yards of construction.
ARTICLE 53.
Moved: No action on Article 53-Not a vote.
Mr. Ira Young moved: That Article 53 be referred to the Highway Department under a W.P.A. project to put it in such condition so it can be accepted. Voted-10:00.
Mr. Blewett served notice for the reconsideration of Article 49.
Mr. Anderson moved: That the Meeting now adjourn until two weeks from tonight, Monday, March 28th, at 7:45 P.M .- Voted 10:13.
A true copy. Attest:
ERNEST C. WOODSUM,
Town Clerk.
29
WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Brain- tree.
Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree,. qualified to vote in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Braintree.
On Monday, the twenty-eighth day of March, 1938, at eight o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely.
ARTICLE 1. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the payment of certain unpaid bills contracted in several Town departments prior to December 31, 1937, or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select- men to sell property, title to which has been acquired by the Town under tax title foreclosure procedure, at public auction, provided notice of such auction sale be published in one or more newspapers published in the Town at least one week before the date of said sale, and to authorize the Selectmen to execute deeds conveying said land.
ARTICLE 3. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for the payment of overdrafts or liabili- ties incurred in excess of the appropriations, voted by the Selectmen under Section 31, Chapter '44, General Laws, of the following depart- ments for the year 1937:
Police Department-Extra Men. $ 156.60
Highway Department-Snow Removal 2,802.06
Soldiers' Relief 7,036.91
Military Aid 330.00
Welfare-Temporary Aid
27,887.74
Old Age Assistance. 11,382.07
Infirmary
1,370.57
$50,965.95
You are directed to serve this Warrant by posting true and attested copies thereof in three public places in each voting Precinct in said Town of Braintree ten days at least before said twenty-eighth day of March, 1938, and by publishing the same once each week for two successive- weeks in the Braintree Observer, first publication to be at least eight days before said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk before said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight.
HENRY D. HIGGINS ALBERT E. ROBERTS EDWARD AVERY Selectmen of Braintree
A True Copy: Attest:
JOHN J. HEANEY Constable of Braintree
30
Braintree, Mass., March 17, 1938.
Pursuant to the foregoing Warrant, I hereby notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, qualified as expressed therein, to meet at the time and place mentioned, for the purposes therein men- tioned.
JOHN J. HEANEY Constable of Braintree
Braintree, Mass., March 17, 1938.
Pursuant to the foregoing Warrant, I have hereby notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Braintree, qualified as expressed therein, to meet at the time and place mentioned, for the purposes therein mentioned.
JOHN J. HEANEY Constable of Braintree
March 28, 1938.
The adjourned Town Meeting was called to order at 7:45 P.M. by Moderator William F. Rogers. The voters were checked on entering building-1,504 present. Amplifiers were installed throughout the lower hall and lobbies for the convenience of the voters.
Notice was given of desire to reconsider Articles 35, 36 and 49.
ARTICLE 54.
Voted: That Article 54 be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 55.
Voted: That Article 55 be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 56.
Voted: Favorable action on acceptance of Walnut Street, so called, from Storrs Avenue Extension to Oakland Road, a distance of 400 feet, as laid out by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 57.
Voted: No action under Article 57.
ARTICLE 58.
Voted: No action under Article 58.
ARTICLE 59.
Voted: No action under Article 59.
ARTICLE 60.
Voted: That the Town accept as and for a Town Way, BREWSTER AVENUE, so-called, from Washington Street to Standish Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 61.
Mr. Foley moved: That Article 61 be laid on the Table until we reach Article 64. Unanimous vote - 7:48.
31
ARTICLE 62.
Voted: That Article 62 be referred to the Highway Department as a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 63.
Voted: That Article 63 be referred to the Highway Department as a W.P.A. project.
Mr. Foley moved: That Article 61 be taken up at this time. Unani- mous vote.
ARTICLE 61.
Voted: That Article 61 be referred to the Highway Department as a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 64.
Voted: That Article 64 be referred to the Water Department as a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 65.
Voted: No action under Article 65. - 7:52.
Mr. Trainor moved: That Article 35 be taken from the table and con- sidered with Article 66. So voted.
ARTICLE 66 - ARTICLE 35.
Mr. Trainor moved: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $650.00 for the proper observance of Memorial Day in 1938 under the auspices of the following :-
Braintree Post No. 86, The American Legion
Antietam Camp, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War
Lenon-Murray Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War.
Not carried - 7:57.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $500, for the proper observance of Memorial Day in 1938.
ARTICLE 67.
Voted: No action under Article 67.
ARTICLE 68.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $750.00 for the maintenance of the Legion Building, so-called, and occupied by Brain- tree Post No. 86, The American Legion.
ARTICLE 69.
The Committee appointed under Article 71 of the 1937 Annual Town Meeting rendered the following report:
"This committee was appointed to determine what areas are suit- able for a Town Forest and to report its recommendations at the next Town Meeting. During the past year, the committee has met and con- ferred with reference to available sites and the members of the committee have examined several areas, with particular attention being given to areas near Great Pond, where the Town already owns substantial acreage under control of its Water Department.
32
The committee has conferred at length with the Water Board with reference to the advisability of designating that area as a Town Forest. In a joint conference with the Water Board, it was determined that inas- much as the Water Board is now engaged in extensive projects directly connected with those areas, that it would be advisable to defer definite action as to the establishment of a Town Forest in that area until their work is substantially completed. The committee, therefore, desires to report progress and to ask that it be continued in office for another year and to report at the 1939 Annual Meeting. We therefore move that the committee be so continued in office.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. HAROLD W. RIPLEY FRANK R. ARNOLD C. R. BESTICK RICHARD A. HUNT."
Voted: That the committee be so continued in office.
ARTICLE 70.
Voted: That Article 70 be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 71.
Voted: No action under Article 71.
Moderator William F. Rogers announced that the Special Town Meet- ing called for eight o'clock is in session and will run concurrently with the Annual Town Meeting,-8 P.M.
Annual Town Meeting -
ARTICLE 72.
Voted: No action under Article 72.
Mr. Jonathan French offered the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That this Town Meeting be recorded as against the proposed closing of the railroad station of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad at East Braintree and the proposed curtailment of the train service now furnished at the South Braintree and Braintree High- lands Stations of said railroad. Unanimous vote. 8:05.
ARTICLE 73.
Voted: No action under Article 73.
ARTICLE 74.
Voted: That the Town accept the Joseph S. Miller Fund; the in- come from said fund to be used for the care of the Miller lot in the Plain Street Cemetery.
ARTICLE 75.
Voted: No action under Article 75.
ARTICLE 77.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the expenses of the Planning Board.
33
ARTICLE 78.
Voted: That Article 78 be referred to the next Annual Town Meet- ing. - 8:11.
ARTICLE 79.
Voted: That Article 79 be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. project.
ARTICLE 2.
Voted: That there be appointed a committee of five citizens, not more than two of them Town employees, to study and consider the advis- ability of placing under Chapter 31 of the General Laws as amended, headed, "Civil Service", any or all Town Employees. Said committee to make their recommendations at the next Annual Town Meeting. - 8:13.
Moved: That Article 13 be taken from the table. Unanimous vote. ARTICLE 13.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $1410.48 for the payment of printing and distribution of the Annual Report of the Town of Braintree for 1937.
Mr. Foley moved: That the recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee be followed when the Selectmen are satisfied with the number of Town Reports and the delivery of the reports are completed. Carried - 8:18 P.M.
ARTICLE 2.
Voted: The Selectmen are hereby appointed as a committee to see to it that hereafter the portion of the Town Report known as the Ac- countant's Report shall be compiled in such a way as to show the name of every company and person, except welfare recipients, who receive over $25. from the Town during the year, the purpose for which the money was paid, the amount paid, and the appropriation to which it was charged.
Voted: The Selectmen are hereby appointed as a committee to see to it that the Annual Town Report shall be expanded to include :
1. A report of their own doings as required by the State law, Section . 49 of Chapter 40.
2. A report of the Town Counsel which shall be similar in form to that which appears in the annual reports of the town of Belmont.
3. A report of the Board of Assessors, such as they submitted an- nually previous to 1936.
4. A report from the Board of Registrars of Voters similar to that appearing in the town report of Weymouth.
5. A report of the Board of Public Welfare in sufficient detail to give the taxpayers a true picture of the welfare situation.
6. A report of the W.P.A. authorities in sufficient detail to give the taxpayers a true picture of the W.P.A. situation.
Carried - 8:24.
The following Resolution was offered:
WHEREAS the Town voted last year to restore full salaries as of July 1 and
34
WHEREAS figures in the Annual Town report indicate that several Town officials received their full salaries for the full year,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Selectmen are hereby directed to see to it that such excess salaries be returned to the Town treasury.
Carried - 8:25.
Mr. Higgins informed the Town that it will be impossible to take any action on the foregoing resolution as the bills have already been paid and there is nothing left to be paid.
Mr. Palmer moved: That we take Article 21, Section 3 from the table. Unanimous vote.
ARTICLE 21.
Item 3 - Selectmen's Expenses.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $3,500.00 for Selectmen's Expenses.
Voted: That Article 21, Item 13 - Pensions - be taken from the table. Unanimous vote.
ARTICLE 21 - Item 13.
PENSIONS
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the following sums for retirement pensions :
J. H. Annis
1937
$220.65
1938
480.00
$700.65
J. W. Mulcahy
1937
$22.18
1938
1,375.00
1,397.18
J. Cullinan
1937
$46.48
1938
910.00
956.48
E. C. Holyoke from April 1, 1938
466.74
O. B. Oakman from Mar. 10, 1938
1,023.59
H. W. Macomber from Feb. 4, 1938
435.71
ARTICLE 37 - Snow Removal
Moved: That Article 37-Snow Removal-be taken from the table. Unanimous vote.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $16,000.00 for Snow Removal for the year 1938. - 8:30.
Mr. Palmer moved: Reconsideration on Article 35. Unanimous vote.
ARTICLE 35.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $18,850.00 for Soldiers' Relief.
Mr. Anderson moved: Reconsideration on Article 49. Unanimous vote.
ARTICLE 49.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $810.00 to construct a sidewalk on MIDDLE STREET, from Elm Street to No.
35
105 Middle Street, a distance of approximately 1,205 feet on the west side.
Mr. Palmer moved: Reconsideration of Article 36. Unanimous vote. ARTICLE 36.
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $1170.00. for the salary of an Old Age Investigator for 39 weeks. Carried 8:36.
The Special Committee appointed to ascertain the facts relative to overdrafts reported in detail.
Mr. Anderson moved: That the report of the Special Committee appointed to ascertain the facts relative to overdrafts be accepted, and that the committee be continued with authority to investigate any and all of the expenditures of Town funds made during 1937 and up to the time of the Town Meeting of 1938. Unanimous vote - 9:25.
Mr. Anderson moved: That the Selectmen be and hereby are in- structed to place in the hands of the District Attorney a copy of the report submitted to this Town meeting by the special committee ap- pointed to ascertain the facts relative to overdrafts and that the District Attorney be requested to take appropriate action.
Mr. Ira Young offered an amendment: That the words "Vigorous and prompt" be added. Carried 9:29.
The original motion made by Mr. Anderson, as amended, carried unanimously.
Mr. Morrison reported on Referendum No. 3 on the ballot and offered the following motion: That the Committee appointed by the Moderator as authorized by vote of the Town on March 7, 1938, be, and hereby is, empowered to continue its studies regarding a Controller's Department for the Town of Braintree, with free access to the books of the Town's several departments and be further authorized to prepare plans for the installation and operation of a Controller's Department in the Town of Braintree and to make application to the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts to permit the Town of Braintree to set up and operate such a department. Voted - 9:33.
The following Resolution was offered:
WHEREAS the citizens of Braintree here assembled, believe that Mr. Avery has in too many cases acted in a manner detrimental to the best interests of the tax payers;
BE IT RESOLVED, that it is the wish of this meeting that Mr. Avery resign promptly all the Town offices he now holds.
Carried - 9:37.
Mr. Trainor reported for the Committee on a War Memorial and made a report of progress.
Moved: That the Committee on the War Memorial be continued. So voted - 9:38.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
ARTICLE 1.
Voted: That action under this article be referred to the various de- partments for their recommendations. Carried - 9:45.
ARTICLE 2.
Voted: That the Selectmen be and are hereby authorized to sell property, the title to which has been acquired by the Town under tax
36
title foreclosure procedure, at public auction pursuant to a notice of such sale published in one or more newspapers published in the Town, at least one week before the date of said sale, and to execute such deeds or instruments of conveyance as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this vote. - 9:46.
ARTICLE 3.
Voted: No action under Article 3.
Appropriations to be raised by taxation $1,034,207.50
Appropriations not in tax levy 130,922.33
Total Appropriations $1,165,129.83
Mr. Palmer moved: That the Annual and Special Town Meeting be adjourned. So voted - 9:50 P.M.
A true copy. Attest :
ERNEST C. WOODSUM Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR STATE PRIMARY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree. Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town who are qualified to vote in Primaries to meet in
Polling Place in Precinct 1, Town Hall, Polling Place in Precinct 2, Legion Building, Hollis Avenue, Polling Place in Precinct 3, Hose House, Allen Street,
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.