USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1939 > Part 4
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Moved: To extend for a period, or periods, not exceeding in the aggregate six months beyond the maximum term provided by law for an original revenue loan, any loan issued in anticipation of the revenue of 1938, provided that the loans so extended shall not exceed the total amount of $100,000.00.
Mr. Anderson offered the following amendment: To substitute the word "Refund" for the word "Extend." Not carried.
Mr. Grady moved: That this matter be laid on the table until next Monday night. Carried-10:09.
ARTICLE 21-ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
Mr. Grady moved: That this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen for a report at an adjournment of this meeting on next Mon- day evening specifying the amount of money necessary for W.P.A. and Special Aid Work projects .- Carried 10:23.
Moved: That we adjourn until one week from tonight-Not car- ried 10:24.
ARTICLE 22.
Mr. Trainor moved: That Article 22 be laid on the table until next meeting. Not carried.
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Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $1,000.00 to meet certain incidental and miscellaneous expenses not otherwise provided for, namely, General Government Incidentals, the same to be in addition to any sums previously appropriated for said purposes. Car- ried-10:30.
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
ARTICLE 23.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the protection of persons and property the present year:
1. Lifeguard at Sunset Lake
$ 300.00
2. Building Inspector : Salary
$1,000.00 100.00
Expenses
$1,100.00
3. Sealer of Weights and Measures:
Salary-April 1 to the end of year $ 375.00
Expenses
200.00
$ 575.00
4. Tree Warden :
General Expenses
$ 300.00
5. Moth Department:
Salary of Superintendent
$ 125.00
Labor
2,000.00
Expenses
600.00
Repairs to Equipment.
600.00
$3,325.00
6. Fire Department:
Salaries $39,286.46
Expenses
4,620.00
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $200.00 for the purchase of one new automobile for the use of the Fire Chief, and that the Town authorize that one old automobile now used by the Fire Chief be turned in to the vendor as partial payment for the new automobile. Carried-10:40.
Mr. Foley moved: That we adjourn at 11 o'clock. Carried 10:42.
Mr. Grady moved: That a committee of three, consisting of Mr. Arthur Hillier, Mr. W. J. Connell and Mr. Ira Young investigate the necessity and advisability of buying a new 65 Ft. Aerial Ladder Truck and report back at an adjournment of this meeting on next Monday night. Not carried-10:55.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the Moderator appoint a Committee of three, one member of which shall be the Chief of the Fire Department, said committee to be authorized to purchase on behalf of the Town one 65 Ft. Service Aerial Ladder Truck at a cost not to exceed $14,000.00, which sum is hereby appropriated for that purpose. Carried-11:00.
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Motion of Mr. Foley: That the Annual and Special Town Meet- ings now adjourn until one week from tonight, Monday-March 20th- at 7:45 P.M .- Carried 11:00 P.M.
A true copy, Attest :
ERNEST C. WOODSUM,
Town Clerk.
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March 20, 1939.
The adjourned Annual and Special Town Meetings were called to order by the Moderator, William F. Rogers, at 8 P.M. There were 211 Town Meeting Members present.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the reading of the minutes of the last meeting be dispensed with .- Carried.
All Town Meeting Members present were duly sworn into office by the Town Clerk, Ernest C. Woodsum.
Notice was served for reconsideration of Item 5 under Article 23 in relation to the Moth Department.
ARTICLE 23.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the protection of persons and property the present year :
6. Fire Alarm System:
Salary, Repairman $2,000.00
Extra Help 565.38
Expenses 1,585.00
$4,150.38
7. Police Department:
Mr. Foley moved: That the salary of the Janitor of the Police Department be $975.00 .- Carried.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the salary of the Dog Officer be $200.00. -Carried.
Police Department :
Salaries $38,725.00
Vacations
1,209.60
Sick Leave
400.00
Expenses
2,772.30
$44,281.90
Voted: That there be raised and appropriated the sum of $500.00 for the purchase of two new automobiles for the use of the Police De- partment, and that the Town authorize that two old automobiles now used by the Police Department be turned in to the vendor as partial payment for the new automobiles .-- Carried-8:18.
Pensions : Former Police Chief- Jeremiah Gallivan $1,250.00
Former Patrolman-August Johnson 1,000.00
Former Patrolman-John P. Shay 1,000.00
$3,250.00
HEALTH AND SANITATION
ARTICLE 24.
Voted: That the following sums of money be appropriated for Health and Sanitation the present year:
Health Administration : Salaries, Board of Health $ 300.00 $100.00 to each member.
Salary, Health Agent, Milk Inspector and Meat and Provision Inspector 1,750.00 Expenses 650.00
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Contagious Diseases
9,000.00
Collector of Garbage.
2,000.00
Inspection of Plumbing
1,600.00
Inspector of Animals
200.00
Testing of Milk
100.00
Diphtheria Clinic
325.00
Tuberculosis Prevention
480.00
Dental Clinic
2,500.00
Vital Statistics
50.00
Rabies Clinic
50.00
Inspector of Slaughtering.
75.00
$19,080.00
Mr. Murphy offered the following Resolution: That the heads of departments be instructed to give one employee a vacation and that the employees remaining on duty will cover his work .- Not carried-8:28.
ARTICLE 25.
Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $95,532.44 for the maintenance and operation of the water supply system, laying and re- laying of water mains, the same to be taken from the surplus of the water revenues as shown on the books December 31, 1938, and from the revenues of the Department for the year 1939; and that the un- expended balances in the following accounts be transferred to Water Department Available Surplus:
Filtration Plant
Commercial Lines and Standpipe $ 175.07
556.99
Dike-Great Pond
103.08
ARTICLE 2.
Mr. Ira Young offered the following Resolution: All town officials are hereby appointed as a committee to open the books and records of their respective departments during regular office hours to any town meeting member, except such welfare records as the law requires to be kept confidential .- Carried-8:33.
Mr. Canavan moved: Reconsideration of the vote of the Town under Article 23 with relation to a Service Aerial Ladder-Truck.
The Moderator appointed the following to serve as tellers: Messrs. Skinner, Almquist, Simon, Rice; Jordan, Hale, Allen and Newcomb.
There being 148 in the affirmative and 34 in the negative, the motion to reconsider Article 23 with relation to a Service Aerial Ladder Truck was carried-9:15.
Mr. Atherton Hunt moved: That the subject matter of this article (Article 23) which we are now discussing be referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration and report .- Carried-9:30.
ARTICLE 26.
Voted: That the sum of $300.00 be appropriated from the income of the Water Department for the salaries of the Water Commissioners.
ARTICLE 27.
Voted: That the sum of $300.00 be appropriated from the income of the Electric Light Department for the salaries of the Electric Light Commissioners.
Mr. G. Arnold Prescott moved: That the Town instruct the Munic- ipal Lighting Board to give to the citizens a report of progress each year in the Annual Town Report .- Carried-9:36.
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ARTICLE 28.
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 of this Warrant for the 1939 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 sale of appliances and jobbing during the current fiscal year, be appropriated for the use of the Municipal Light Plant, the whole to be expended under the direction and control of the Municipal Light Board, for repairs, renewals, new construction and operating ex- penses 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 .- Carried.
ARTICLE 2.
Mr. Cavanaugh offered the following Resolution: That the Electric Light Department cease selling appliances and doing jobbing. Not car- ried-9:42.
ARTICLE 29.
Voted: That the following sums be appropriated for the purpose of the Sewer Department, to be expended by the Board of Sewer Com- missioners:
For Maintenance $9,700.00
For House Connections 7,500.00
$17,200.00
To be raised as follows:
From the Tax Levy $7,200.00 From Sewer Receipts - Reserved for
Appropriation 10,000.00
$17,200.00
ARTICLE 30.
Voted: That the sum of $300.00 be raised and appropriated for the salaries of the Board of Sewer Commissioners .- Carried-9:54.
Mr. Henry Storm asked the privilege of the meeting, and stated, "It has been customary from time to time when one of our public ser- vants has been taken from us by death, for an official of the Town to arise to record the feeling of the Town toward the departed.
"Since we met here last Monday evening, our community has suf- fered a bereavement that touches us all. No words that I might say now would enhance the value of Father Holland's life. He was a true public servant, a servant of his parishioners, a servant of his community, a servant of God. The story of his good works and his loving kindness will long remain a precious memory to all who knew him.
"I consider it a great honor that my Precinct Members have asked me to say these things. Father Holland was one of my own father's best friends, and many a time, a generation ago, these two men quietly arranged help for some family where help was desperately needed. As a boy, I learned to respect and honor this man whose saintly face could often be seen as he went about his errands of mercy and good cheer. By his presence, he made better neighbors of us all.
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"Now, I move you, sir, that this meeting stand for a moment, in honor of this good man's life, and that this action of the meeting be inscribed on the records of the Town for a perpetual memorial."
The assembly stood in silent prayer in memoriam.
Voted: That Article 21 be taken from the table at this time .- Carried.
ARTICLE 21.
Mr. Storm moved: That the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $46,000.00 to be expended by the Selectmen to cover the Town's share for materials, trucking, and other necessary expenditures in con- junction with W.P.A. activities or other Special Aid Projects in con- junction with the State or Federal Government, said sum to be allocated approximately as follows:
For the Sewer Department $15,000.00
For the Highway Department 15,000.00
For the School Department. 2,500.00
For the Miscellaneous projects and Adminis- tration 7,000.00
For Town Rehabilitation 6,500.00
$46,000.00
Mr. Trainor moved: That this appropriation be increased by $10,000.00 making it in the aggregate $56,000.00 .- Not carried-10:12.
The original motion as offered by Mr. Storm .- Carried.
RECREATION
ARTICLE 31.
Voted: That in addition to such other sums as may be appropriated for the use of the Park Department, there be appropriated the sum of $319.00 to extend the Chain Link Fence bounding the Hollis Field, from a point in the rear of the High School, a distance of 225 feet, by prop- erty of Mortimer Peck, Bessie Rogers and Sarah M. Higgins, to a point near the main entrance to the Hollis Field on Washington Street .- Carried -- 10:16.
Mr. Herbert Boardman moved: That the sum of $500.00 be appro- priated for the general uses of the Board of Park Commissioners in Precinct three and four .- Not carried.
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 1 and 2 $ 925.00
For Precinct 3 and 4 275.00
For Precinct 5 and 6 425.00
For Organized Play 700.00
$2,325.00
CEMETERIES
ARTICLE 32.
Voted: To raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the improvement of the Cemetery the present year:
For Superintendence and Labor $ 300.00
Expenses 280.00
$ 580.00
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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.
Voted: That there be appropriated the sum of $3.00, the same to be taken from the income of the Joseph S. Miller Trust Fund, for care of lot.
Mr. Grady moved: That the Annual and Special Town Meetings adjourn until 7:45 P.M. next Monday night .- Carried-10:20 P.M.
A true copy, Attest:
ERNEST C. WOODSUM,
Town Clerk.
March 27, 1939.
The adjourned Annual and Special Town Meetings were called to order at 7:55 P.M. by the Moderator, William F. Rogers. There were 209 Town Meeting Members present.
All Town Meeting Members present were duly sworn in by the Town Clerk, Ernest C. Woodsum.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the reading of the records of the last session be dispensed with .- Carried.
Mrs. Lewis served notice of desire to reconsider the item in relation to a fence under Article 31.
· Mrs. Lewis moved: Reconsideration of the vote of the Town under Article 31 with relation to a fence .- Not carried.
ARTICLE 33.
Voted: That the Town in accordance with Chapter 114, Section 34 of the General Laws, will authorize the use of the following parcel of land for burial purposes as an extension of the present Blue Hill Ceme- tery. A certain parcel of land situated in said Braintree, bounded and described as follows: Westerly by a Way forty feet wide, shown on the plan hereinafter referred to twelve hundred forty-six and 71/100 (1246.71) feet; Northeasterly, six hundred seven and 44/100 (607.44) feet; and Northerly, twelve hundred sixty-six and 42/100 (1266.42) feet by land now or formerly of Robert L. Ryder; Northeasterly by land now or formerly of Peter Cahill, two hundred fifty-six feet; South- easterly by land now or formerly of Blue Hill Cemetery, four hundred sixty-six and 70/100 (466.70) feet; and Southerly by land of said Blue Hill Cemetery, twenty-one hundred fifty-two and 15/100 (2152.15) feet. Said parcel is shown as lot A on a plan drawn by Roland H. Barnes and Henry F. Beal, Civil Engineers, dated February 1938, filed in the Norfolk Registry District of the Land Court as plan number 11973-B with Certificate of Title No. 21843 .- Carried .- 8:09.
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
ARTICLE 34.
For Soldiers' Relief :
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the sum of $1,560.00 be appropriated for the Salary of Agent .- Not carried .- 8:24.
Mr. Higgins moved: That the sum of $1,300.00 be appropriated for the Salary of Agent .- Not carried.
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The vote on the motion as offered by Mr. Higgins being questioned, the Moderator appointed the following tellers: Messrs. E. J. Rose, E. Almquist, E. G. Smith, J. H. Jenkins, L. J. Hart, W. R. Howland, W. D. Ewing and James Corrigan.
There being 79 in the affirmative and 89 in the negative, the motion offered by Mr. Higgins was not carried.
Mr. Grady moved: That the sum of $325.00 be raised and appro- priated for the Salary of Agent for 13 Weeks .- Carried-8:28.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the sum of $225.00 be appropriated for Office Expense .- Not carried.
Mr. Grady moved: That the sum of $200.00 be raised and appro- priated for Expenses .- Carried.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the sum of $300.00 be appropriated for Automobile Expense .- Not carried .- 8:35.
Mr. Grady moved: That the sum of $75.00 be raised and appro- priated for Automobile Expense for the first three months .- Carried.
Voted: That the sum of $18,798.00 be raised and appropriated for Aid to Recipients .- Carried.
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appro- priated for State Aid and Military Aid the present year:
For State Aid and Burials
$1,250.00
For Military Aid 1,800.00
PUBLIC WELFARE
ARTICLE 35.
Voted: That the following sums of money be raised and appro- priated 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 $ 565.40
$200.00 each for 2 members, $165.40-1 member
Salary, Administrator 2,500.00
Salaries of two Investigators 2,420.00
Salary of Clerk. 908.00
Salary of Bookkeeper 1,560.00
Office Expense and Supplies 390.00
Automobile Expense and Repairs
900.00
$9,243.40
Mr. Bartlett served notice of desire to reconsider the action of the Town under Article 34 .- 8:45.
For Temporary Aid:
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the sum of $95,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Temporary Aid .- Not carried.
Mr. Anderson moved: That the sum of $90,000.00 be raised and appropriated for Temporary Aid .- Carried .- 8:53.
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For Aid to Dependent Children $16,500.00
For Infirmary :
Mr. Sylvester moved: For Salary of Superintendent-$1,500.00 .- Not carried.
Mr. Bartlett moved: Salary-$1,200.00 .- Carried.
For Labor $ 900.00
Expenses 4,762.00
$6,862.00
For Old Age Assistance :
Salary of Supervisor $1,560.00
Salary of Clerk 1,000.00
Office Expense
230.00
Automobile Expense
200.00
New Automobile
790.00
Assistance to Recipients
78,000.00
$81,780.00
Mr. Ira Young moved: The Town Counsel be appointed a Commit- tee of one to bring suit as soon as possible to recover from John H. Cahill the amount of salary he illegally drew from the Town for his services in the Old Age Assistance Department in the years 1937-1938. -Not carried .- 9:06.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the total amount appropriated under this article-$204,385.40-be raised as follows:
From the Tax Levy $154,385.40
From Surplus Revenue E. & D. 50,000.00
$204,385.40
Mr. Grady moved: That this matter be laid on the table. Carried. -9:10.
HIGHWAYS
ARTICLE 36.
Voted: That the Town raise and appropriate the following sums of money for the support of the Highway Department, including labor, repairs to highways, Town Ways and Bridges; also for repairs and build- ing sidewalks, stone roads and removal of Snow, Oiling and Tarring of Streets; purchase of equipment for said department:
For Salary of Superintendent $ 3,000.00
For labor, repairs to highways, Town Ways and Bridges, re- pairs to sidewalks and other maintenance, not includ- ing new construction : General Maintenance $53,500.00
New Construction :
Resurface and regrade Elm Street Hill. $1,800.00 Wildwood Avenue, asphalt sidewalk from Highland School to Liberty Park Avenue -North side 900.00
West side Hancock Street, asphalt sidewalk from Washington Street to 250 feet south of Frederick Road 660.00
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East side Liberty Park Avenue, asphalt side- walk from Wildwood Avenue to Liberty Street 90.00
Braintree Square, drain through land of
Parsons and Emerson 823.00
Mill Lane Drain . 670.00
$ 4,943.00
Quincy Avenue Bridge:
Moved: That there be appropriated the sum of $10,000.00 to be expended under the provision of Chapter 315, the Acts of 1917 .- Not carried-9:26.
Church and Center Streets $8,000.00
New Equipment:
Mr. Fogg moved: That the sum of $5,000.00 be raised and appro- priated for the purchase of a 31/2 ton Dump Truck and that the equip- ment be a new Snow Plow and equipment to go with it .- Not carried- 9:42.
Mr. Bartlett moved: That the sum of $4,500.00 be raised and appropriated for a 31/2 Ton Dump Truck.
Mr. Austerberry moved: That the words "three and one-half ton" be stricken out and that the sum of $4,500.00 be raised and appro- priated for a Dump Truck .- Carried.
Two Tractors $2,000.00
Two Sand Spreaders 600.00
Two Snow Plows 650.00
$ 7,750.00
Voted: To authorize the sale, by the Selectmen, of one-24" x 36" Farrell Stone Breaker, now located at the Liberty Street Pit, to the Anderson Engineering Company for the sum of $1,500.00 and to accept as payment thereof, two (2) snow plows at $350.00 each, two (2) sand spreaders at $250.00 each; and the balance thereof in the form of such machinery and equipment as may be needed by the Highway Depart- ment, at prices to be approved by the Selectmen; the breaker to be transferred to the buyer upon execution by it of proper agreement to make payment as specified .- Carried-10:00 P.M.
For Snow Removal and Sanding $15,000.00
Mr. Bartlett moved: Reconsideration at this time of Article 23, Item 5, Repairs to Equipment .- Carried-10:03.
ARTICLE 23.
5. Moth Department:
Voted: That the sum of $940.00 be appropriated for Repairs to · Equipment .- Carried-10:06.
ARTICLE 37.
Voted: That this be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. Project, to be accepted when completed .- Carried-10:07.
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ARTICLE 38.
Voted: That this be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. Project, to be accepted when completed .- Carried.
ARTICLE 39.
Voted: That Wayne Avenue, so-called, from Pond. Street to Logan Road, be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. Project .- Carried-10:08.
Mr. Trainor moved: That all Articles pertaining to unaccepted streets be tabled until next week and that the engineer for this district be consulted by our Highway Superintendent .- Carried-10:15.
ARTICLES 59-60.
Voted: That Articles 59 and 60 be taken up at this time.
The Special Committee gave the following report:
To Mr. William F. Rogers, Town Moderator Braintree, Massachusetts
We, the undersigned, duly appointed by you as members of the Committee to consider the desirability of Civil Service for the em- ployees of the Town of Braintree, beg leave to present the following report:
At our first meeting this Committee unanimously reached the con- clusion that the Thayer Public Library and its Branches should not be included under any Civil Service regulations applicable to the employees of the Town. The Committee feels that this is a branch of Town service which is a separate entity, ably administered by a Board of Trustees who thoroughly understand the situation; that therefore any Civil Service regulations would have a tendency to hamper rather than im- prove the quality of library service.
This Committee is also agreed that the condition of Civil Service in the Commonwealth is too disturbed and uncertain at the present time to justify any recommendation in advocacy of its adoption in the Town of Braintree for the coming year.
In order to sense the public sentiment of the employees of the Town, an open meeting, duly announced in the press, was called to- gether by this Committee on the evening of Tuesday, February 28.
It seemed to be the unanimous opinion of those who participated in the discussion that no encouragement should be given for a petition to the State Legislature to place Town employees under Civil Service regulations in the immediate future.
In view of the sentiment expressed in this meeting and the decision of this Committee through its own investigation, it is recommended that no action be taken on Article 59 of the Town Warrant.
At the meeting of the employees, already referred to, a strong majority sentiment was expressed that action should be taken to give security in their jobs to faithful employees who had proved their worth to the Town.
If this is to be brought to pass, it will have to be, this Committee assumes, by a Tenure of Office Act applicable to the Town of Braintree, passed by the State Legislature.
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Should a petition be made to the State Legislature, this Committee recommends that Tenure of Office should apply specifically to the em- ployees of the Fire Department, the Highway Department, the Electric Light Department, the Water Department, and to such employees of the Town as are not covered by any other act assuring security.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. FOLEY, Chairman
WALTER B. SKINNER BERNARD R. ANDREWS
EDWARD E. PALMER STACY B. SOUTHWORTH
Voted: That the Moderator appoint a committee to include Repre- sentative Raymond P. Palmer to procure an Enabling Act of the Legis- lature to permit the Town of Braintree to protect its employees, not otherwise provided for, under a Tenure of Office Act .- Carried-10:20.
Mr. Peterson served notice of desire to Reconsider Articles 37, 38 and 39.
ARTICLE 55.
Voted: No action under Article 55 .- Carried-10:22.
ARTICLE 40.
Voted: That this be referred to the Highway Department for a W.P.A. Project .- Carried-10:27.
ARTICLE 41.
Mr. Storm moved: That Articles 41 through 54 be laid on the table .- Carried-10:34.
ARTICLE 56.
Voted: No action under Article 56.
ARTICLE 57.
Voted: No action under Article 57.
ARTICLE 58.
Voted: That the Town discontinue the practice of electing Con- stables by ballot and authorize the Selectmen to appoint such Constables as they may deem necessary under the provisions of Section 91A, Chapter 41, General Laws .- Carried-10:35.
ARTICLE 61.
Voted: That the sum of $2,878.85 be raised and appropriated to meet the payment of certain bills contracted in several departments prior to January 1st, 1939 .- Carried-10:42.
Mr. Grady moved: That the Annual and Special Town Meetings adjourn until next Monday night at 7:45 P.M .- Carried-10:44.
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