USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1941 > Part 12
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These funds were expended in removing dead trees, dead and broken branches and limbs on the following streets: Shaw, Front, Middle, Dewey, Quincy, Stetson, Hollis, West, Cedar, Faulkner, River, Washington, How- ard, Adams, Faxon, Hancock and Jersey.
The storm of December 24 damaged further trees on Washington, Union and Faxon Streets, which were cared for immediately at a cost of $9.50, said amount being carried into 1942 as an unpaid bill in as much as there were no funds available.
These expenditures have been for work almost entirely of emergency nature. It has left untouched a tremendous amount of work that should be done for the proper care of our trees.
I have requested in my 1942 budget an amount of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500.00) which in my opinion should be appropriated for the proper care of the trees. This includes an allotment of five hun- dred dollars ($500.00) for new trees.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE R. BESTICK, Tree Warden
164
Annual Report
OF THE
Town Treasurer
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
JOHN W. HARDING, Town Treasurer In account with the TOWN of BRAINTREE
Dr.
Cash Book Balance, January 1, 1941
$ 249,836.25
Received from Tax Collection Department
966,094.72
Received from Anticipation of Revenue Notes
600,000.00
Received from Electric Light Department
452,010.96
Received from Water Department
100,459.00
Received from all other sources
600,813.64
$2,969,214.57
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants for:
Cr.
Matured Anticipation of Revenue Notes
$ 700,000.00
Bonds, Notes and Interest
108,787.20
Electric Light Department Vouchers
418,559.89
Water Department Vouchers
101,296.75
All other Appropriations and Expenditures
1,335,180.64
Cash Book Balance, December 31, 1941
305,390.09
$2,969,214.57
The cash book balance is made up of the following items:
General Town Account Balance
$ 135,525 23
Ellis Hollingsworth Bequest
50,000.00
Water Department Balance
1,538.72
Electric Light Department Balance
35,683.82
Electric Depreciation Fund Balance
82,068.18
Charles E. French Trust, Income Balance
24.19
Hannah R. Hollis Trust, Income Balance
1,17
George W. Kelley Trust, Income Balance
.49
Joseph S. Miller Trust, Income Balance
1.28
Julia A. Minchin Trust, Income Balance
2.56
Ann M. Penniman Trust, Income Balance
37.53
Avis A. Thayer Trust, Income Balance
6.38
Charles Thayer Trust, Income Balance
237.39
Charles C. Hill Trust, Income Balance
2.07
Colbert School Trust, Income Balance
261.08
$ 305,390.09
ANTICIPATION OF REVENUE LOANS
On January 1, 1941, there were outstanding $200,000 Anticipation of Revenue Notes which matured on November 17, 1941, and were paid.
During the year a total of $600,000 was borrowed in anticipation of revenue for 1941 and notes issued as follows:
$300,000 dated Jan. 15, 1931, due Nov. 24, 1941, @. 20% discount
$200,000 dated Jan. 15, 1941, due Dec. 15, 1941, @. 20% discount $100,000 dated Dec. 1, 1941, due Nov. 23, 1942, @. 186% discount.
The notes which matured in 1941 were paid when due. The cost of the borrowings in anticipation of revenue in 1941 was $1,072.38
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FUNDED DEBT
During the year 1941, funded debt in the amount of $82,000 ma- tured and was paid. Interest on the funded debt. amounting to $22,- 609.75 came due and was paid.
Outstanding Funded Debt, as of December 31, 1941:
First Sewer Loan 312% due 1942-1961
$294,000
Third Sewer Loan 314% due 1942-1954
94,000
Second Sewer Loan 5% due 1942-1953 50,000
*Sewer Loan 1% due 1942-1951 68,000
Fire and Police Station Loan 4% due 1942-1945
28,000
*Fire Station Notes 34% due 1942-1945
30,600
Highlands School Loan 412% due 1942-1944
24,000
Lincoln School Loan 412% due 1942-1944
18,000
Watson School Loan 4% due 1942
4,000
*Issued in 1941
$610,600
Year
Bonds & Notes Maturing
Interest
Funded Debt to be Outstanding, Dec. 31st
1942
$68,600
$19,732.25
$542.000
1943
64,000
17,495.00
478.000
1944
62,000
15,448.75
416,000
1945
47,000
13,431.25
369,000
1946
33,000
12,102.50
336.000
TAX TITLES AND TAX TITLE LOANS
Tax Titles held by Town of Braintree, Jan. 1, 1941, $25,331.62 Tax Titles acquired in 1941 (including subsequent taxes added)
$55,622.19
Tax Titles redeemed in 1941
$14,865.77
Tax Titles foreclosed in 1941
$1,598.22
Tax Titles held by Town of Braintree, Dec. 31, 1941, $64,549.82
The tax title loan which was outstanding on December 31, 1940, in the amount of $2,999.37 was paid off on April 2, 1941, together with interest amounting to $105.70.
TAX TITLE POSSESSIONS
Book value of Tax Title Possessions held Jan. 1, 1941, $51,708.75
Book value of T.T. Possessions acquired in 1941, $1,598.22
Book value of T.T. Possessions sold in 1941, $2,348.80
Book value of T.T. Possessions held Dec. 31, 1941, $50,958.17 Number of T.T. Possessions held December 31, 1941, 512
TRUST FUNDS
Colbert School Trust Fund:
(To be used to build an addition to the Colbert School).
Iinvestments :
Bristol County Savings Bank $ 1,000 Brockton Savings Bank 4,000
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Quincy Savings Bank Randolph Savings Bank Weymouth Savings Bank
9,100
4,900
6,000
$25,000
Income accumulations to Dec. 31, 1941
$261.08
Nathaniel H. Hunt Trust Fund: (Income for purchase of books for the Public Library).
Investments :
Braintree Savings Bank $ 8,526.05
Quincy Savings Bank
2,650.94
Weymouth Savings Bank 4,000.00
Boston & Maine R.R. 4's-1960
600.00
Boston & Maine R.R. income 4's-1970
. . 1,500.00
C. B. & Q. R.R. (I11. Div.) 4's-1949
2,000.00
N. Y. N. H. & H. R.R. Deb. 4's-1955 2,000.00 · .
N. Y. N. H. & H. R.R. Deb. 4's-1956 . . .. .
2,000.00
New England R.R. Cons. 4's-1945
.. 1,000.00
$ 24,276.99
Income received in 1941 $ 679.57
Income paid to Library Trustees
679.57
Charles Edward French Trust Fund:
(Income for purchase of silver medals to be distributed for best scholar- ship in the High and Grammar Schools).
Investment:
Braintree Savings Bank $ 2,419.50
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $ . 30.24
Income received in 1941 48.68
Income spent for purchase of medals $ 54.73
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
24.19
Ann Maria Penniman Trust Fund:
(Income for prizes in reading and declamation of Noah Torrey School).
Investment:
Braintree Savings Bank $ 500.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $ 46.75
Income received in 1941 10.78
Income expended in 1941 $ 37.53
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941 37.53
Hannah R. Hollis Trust Fund: (Income for care of lot in First Parish Cemetery).
Investment: Braintree Savings Bank $ 100.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $
1.66
Income received in 1941 2.01
Income expended in 1941 $ 2.50 1.17
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
.
.
.
.
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· .
George W. Kelley Trust Fund: (Income for care of lot in Lakeside Cemetery).
Investment:
Braintree Savings Bank
200.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941
.47
Income received in 1941
4.02
Income expended in 1941 $ 4.00
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
.49
Julia A. Minchin Trust Fund: (Income for care of lot in Plain Street Cemetery).
Investment: Braintree Savings Bank $ 100.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $ 4.47
Income received in 1941 2.09
Income expended in 1941 $ 4.00
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
2.56
Charles Thayer Trust Fund:
(Income for care of lot in Lakeside Cemetery and such other purposes as the Town may determine).
Investments:
Braintree Savings Bank
$ 4,230.05
Quincy Savings Bank
4,410.60
South Weymouth Savings Bank
3,365.29
Warren Inst. for Savings
4,262.53
Weymouth Savings Bank
4,060.59
$ 20,329.06
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $ 346 91
Income received in 1941
440.48
Income expended in 1941
$ 550.00
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
237.39
Avis Ann Thayer Trust Fund: (Income for awards to fourth grade pupils of the Hollis School for scholarly improvements or attainments).
Investment: Braintree Savings Bank 500.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941
8.29
Income received in 1941 10.09
Income expended in 1941 $ 12.00
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941
6.38
Joseph S. Miller Trust Fund:
(Income for care of lot in Plain Street Cemetery).
Investment:
Braintree Savings Bank $ 123.66
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941 $
1.77
Income received in 1941
2.51
Income expended in 1941 $ 3.00
Balance of income, Dec. 31, 1941 .
1.28
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Charles C. Hill Trust Fund :
(Income for care of lot in Plain Street Cemetery).
Investment:
Braintree Savings Bank S 100.00
Accumulated income, Jan. 1, 1941
3.78
Income received in 1941 2 03
Income expended in 1941 $ 3,78
Balance of income. Dec. 31, 1941
2.03
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HARDING,
Town Treasurer
TOWN OF BRAINTREE CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM Treasurer's Report For the Year 1941
Under authority of Section 31H of Chapter 318 of the Acts of 1936 the Town Treasurer is custodian of all funds and securities held by the Contributory Retirement System.
CASH RECEIPTS
Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1941 (Retirement Fund) $ 1.135.03
Cash Balance, Jan. 1, 1941 (Expense Fund)
189 81
Receipts for year 1941 (Retirement Fund)
40,686.64
Receipts for year 1941 (Expense Fund)
100.00
$ 42,111.48
CASH PAYMENTS
Pay'ts by vouchers of Retirement Board (Retirement Fund) .. $ 39,640.06 Pay'ts by vouchers of Retirement Board (Expense Fund) 110.18
Cash Balance, Dec. 31, 1941 (Retirement Fund) 2,181.61
Cash Balance, Dec. 31, 1941 (Expense Fund)
179.63
$42. 111.48
SECURITIES HELD
(As of December 31, 1941)
Par Value
Bonds
$ 2,000
Atlantic City Electric Co.
31/4% due 1964
2,000
Brooklyn Edison Co.
31/4% 66
1966
3.000
Central Maine Power Co.
31/2 % 1970
5,000
Cumberland County Power and Light Co.
31/2% 1966
5,000
Green Mountain Power Co.
3 3/4 %
1963
5,000
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
31/2% 66
1966
1,000
Pennsylvania Electric Co.
4 %
1971
5,000
Public Service Co. of Indiana
4 %
1969
1,500
U. S. Government Savings Bonds
1948
15,000
U. S. Government Defense Bonds
2 1/2 %
1953
2,000
Westchester Lighting Co.
31/2%
66
1967
$46,500
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DEPOSIT
$ 4,000
Savings and Co-operative Banks Braintree Co-operative Bank Lincoln Co-operative Bank
1,000
Mattapan Co-operative Bank Randolph Co-operative Bank Abington Savings Bank
1,000 3,000 2,000 1,000
Braintree Savings Bank
Bridgewater Savings Bank
1,000
Dedham Inst. for Savings
2,000
East Bridgewater Savings Bank
3,000
East Weymouth Savings Bank
1,000
Hingham Int. for Savings
1,000
Lynn Inst. for Savings Milton Savings Bank
1,000
3,000
Quincy Savings Bank
1,000
Randolph Savings Bank
2,000
South Weymouth Savings Bank
1,000
Weymouth Savings Bank
$31,000
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. HARDING,
January 2, 1942
Town Treasurer
BRAINTREE SCHOOL FUND
In accordance with the advice of the State Auditors, this fund is not traeted as a trust fund of the town, but is administered by the Trustees of the Braintree School Fund, an incorporated body; and, following a vote of the town, the income is used for scholarships awarded to grad- uates of the Braintree High School to be applied toward first year's ex- penses in pursuing higher education.
Following is Financial Statement:
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT
Real Estate (Assessed Value)
$ 3,650.00
Quincy Savings Bank
1,022.50
Weymouth Savings Bank
1,000.00
Randolph Savings Bank
600.00
Braintree Savings Bank
2,270.65
S 8,543.15
INCOME ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1941
S 512.98
Rent
300 00
Interest on Deposits
142.24
Miscellaneous Receipts
12.00
967.22
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2.000
1,000
Brockton Savings Bank
PAYMENTS
Repairs on Property
$
8.00
Taxes
116.80
Scholarships
300.00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1942
532.42
$ 967.22
Scholarships were awarded in 1941 to the following graduates of the Braintree High School:
Robert F. Cashen
Mildred C. Griffiths
Robert W. Johnson
Thomas R. Huleatt
TRUSTEES OF BRAINTREE SCHOOL FUND
James E. Folsom
Arthur L. Hale, Pres.
Roger Lakin
Morrill R. Allen, Treas.
George E. Sampson
George A. Walker, Clerk
Ralph B. Woodsum
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Annual Report
OF THE
Highway Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
herewith submit my annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1941.
General Maintenance increases to be somewhat of a problem, each year we keep adding additional accepted streets, sidewalks, drains, parking spaces, etc., along with an increase in materials and labor. However, the appropriation for the work remains approximately the same.
Our maintenance this year as every other year has been distributed over the entire Town on streets that needed attention the most, leaving go, those that in our opinion would carry over for another year. Our new construction for the year has been completed and consists of the following work:
Allen St. Drain-180' _ 10" pipe, 2 catch basins
Walnut Ave. Drain-125' - 15" pipe, - catch basin, 1 manhole
Wampatuck Rd. Drain-300' - 12" pipe, 1 manhole
Hawthorn Rd .- 262' concrete sidewalk
Hollis Ave .- 470' Asphalt Sidewalk, from Washington St. to Maple St. Maple St .- 200' Asphalt Sidewalk
Quincy Ave .- 250' Asphalt Sidewalk, 115' Gutter, from Bridge to R.R. Tracks
Elmlawn Rd .- 2430' Asphalt Sidewalk
Dean St .- 460' Asphalt Sidewalk
Cochato Rd .- 690' Asphalt Sidewalk
Liberty St .- 900' Asphalt Sidewalk, 20 CY stone wall
Storrs Ave .- 250' Asphalt Sidewalk
Ehnlawn Rd .- Resetting Curb
Bower Rd .- Resetting Curb
Haven Rd .- Resurfaced
Washington St .- Resurfaced from Nat'l Bank to Common St.
Washington St .- Resurfaced from Monatiguot Ave. to Central Ave. Windemere Circle-Resurfaced
Perry Rd .- Resurfaced
Parking Spaces-North and South Braintree
In addition to this work we had a Chapter 90 job on West Street, which in our opinion has greatly increased the safety of autoists using this highway. This project was sponsored by the Town with the State paying one-half of the cost.
For 1942 we are planning a similar project on Elm Street, start- ing at the intersection of Elm and Commercial Streets and working in a westerly direction toward the intersection of Adams and Elm Streets. We suggest that this work be done over a period of two years rather than appropriate money for the entire project in the one vear.
W.P.A.
The Highway Department has not achieved the most from W.P.A. assistance this year. We worked about 30 men through the winter months on a portion of Liberty Street which made a good winter proj-
174 -
ect, due to the extensive amount of excavation. However, when the good weather arrived, our man power was cut about 50%, the men being transferred to other projects. We carried through the sum- mer. and early fall with the remaining 15 men. The first of October the remaining men were transferred to the Water Department project leaving the Highway Department without any W.P.A. There is however a possibility that some of these men may be transferred back to the Highway projects in the spring.
The work listed below was done with the aid of W.P.A .:
STREETS
Sonth St .- 849'. 50' drain, 2 catch basins, 1 manhole rebuilt
Sagamore St .- 350'
Newport Ave .- 550'
Hawthorn Rd .- 700'
Spencer St .- 540'
Putnam Ave .- 350'
Liberty St .- 2000', 785' drain, 12 catch basins, 1 manhole
Weston Ave .- Retaining Wall
SIDEWALKS
Bower Rd-1360' Asphalt
Middle St .- 700' Asphalt Commercial 1250' Asphalt, 310' precast curb
DRAINS
May St .- Patching settlement, etc. Foggs-Furnished 237' - 18" pipe. N. Bowditch St .- Patching settlement, etc.
RUBBISH
The cost of removing rubbish has shown a steady increase. In 1940 there were approximately 150 new homes. In 1941 there were approximately 250 additional homes. In May of last year Mr. Fogg's dump in East Braintree was filled in with material taken from the Fore River in constructing two new so-called wet slips, thereby eliminat- ing his dump for rubbish disposal. All the material that is collected in East. Braintree at the present time is hauled to our centralized dump off Union Street.
The fact that all other surrounding Towns were paying labor at the rate of $5.00 per day for an S hour day and we were paying $4.00 per day, necessitated a 25% increase in our labor, which we feel the men were deserving of. This increase has been in effect since the first of June.
The general public as a whole do not abide by the rules and regula- tions We are requested to handle Xmas trees, old stoves, oil barrels, mattresses, paper cartons, etc. I wish the public would please familiar- ize themselves with the rules and regulations, which are as follows:
RUBBISH RULES AND REGULATIONS
All rubbish must be placed in suitable standard ash or rubbish barrels. Rubbish must be placed on the curb line or property line, or public way, or private way.
- - 175 -
The Department cannot, and will not, enter upon private property to make collections.
Rubbish must be set out for collection before the time designated for the collection.
No collections will be made out of order, or on a special call.
Please refer to the Town Accountant's report for expenditures in the Highway Department.
In closing, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Select- men, members of the Finance Committee and to my able staff for their co-operation in helping me carry on my work for the Highway Department for the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent of Highways.
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Annual Report
OF THE
Town Engineer
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
DECEMBER 31, 1940 to DECEMBER 31, 1941
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith the twelfth annual report of the Engineering De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1941.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Lines and grades have been furnished for the following:
ROAD CONSTRUCTION-W.P.A.
Liberty Street-from Plain Street 2000' south
Newport Avenue-from Franklin Street 550' west
Putnam Avenue-from Cleveland Avenue 350' east Sagamore Street-from Fountain Street 350/ east Spencer Street-from Arborway Drive to Trefton Drive 540' South Street-from Washington St. to Hospital Drive-Wset Rd.
DRAINS-W.P.A
Liberty Street-785' South Street-50'
SIDEWALKS-W.P.A.
Middle Street-from No. 174-700' south and east
ROAD CONSTRUCTION-GENERAL
Faxon Street-700' Perry Road-from Burroughs Road to Bower Road
DRAINS-GENERAL
AAllen Street-180' Faxon Street-180' Fogg's Drain-550' Liberty Street-440' Wampatuck Road-300'
SIDEWALKS-GENERAL
_Cochato Road-from Storrs Avenue to Dean Street-west side Commercial Street-from Shaw Street to Mill Lane-north side Dean Street-from Cochato Road to Oak Street-north side Elmlawn Road-from Elm Street to Robert Street-west side Harrison Avenue-from Middle Street 300' west-north side Hollis Avenue-from Washington Street 470' west-south side Liberty Street-from No. 285-1100' south-west side Maple Street-200' -- east side
Quincy Avenue-from Commercial Street 250' north-west side Storrs Avenue-from Cochato Road 250' west-south side Summer Street-from Franklin Street 180' west-south side
178
CURBING-GENERAL
Commercial Street-from Shaw Street 160' west-north side
GUTTER GRADES-GENERAL
Cleveland Avenue-225'-east side
Hawthorn Road-7700'-west side Shaw Street-100'-west side Standish Avenue-265'-north side
MISCELLANEOUS
Elm Street-Lines and grades for retaining wall near Fore River R.R. Hollis Field-Survey and plans for proposed development Howard Street-Plan of proposed widening
Shaw Street-Plan of proposed widening
Washington Street-Lines and grades from President Rd .- 300' south- east side
Washington Street-Measurements for resurfacing road Elm Street to Capen's Bridge
Monatiquot School to Holbrook Avenue Survey of town land-Logan Road, Sheridan Road, Butler Road New Fire Station-Hayward and Commercial Streets-Survey and Grades Faxon Street-Lines and grades for skating area
Storrs Square-Layout of Traffic Island
South Braintree Square-Layout of Traffic Island
Braintree Parking Area-Survey, Plans, Lines and Grades
So. Braintree Parking Area-Survey, Plans and Lines and Grades
Lines and grades were given to property owners on accepted streets upon request.
PARK DEPARTMENT
Hollis Field-Layout of football field Watson Field-Layout of baseball diamond Adams Field-Layout for girls' field hockey
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Sixty-three pole locations have been staked out to be set.
ASSESSORS
All deeds and subdivisions have been checked and plotted on plans accordingly.
Two hundred ninety-four new buildings and additions have been lo- cated and plotted on plans.
PLAIN STREET CEMETERY
Two lots staked out.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Columbian Street near Weymouth line-Survey and plan of accident Quincy Avenue near Dewey Road-Survey and plan of. accident
I wish at this time to extend my appreciation for the co-operation I have received from the Selectmen and all Town Departments.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Town Engineer
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REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
Since the last annual report of the Town Counsel, the work has con- tinued throughout another year under the same incumbent. It may be well again to call attention to the peculiar nature of the Legal Depart- ment or office of the Town Counsel. Ordinarily, the department does not function on its own initiative on business pertaining solely to the Legal Department. its duties consist largely of assisting the other operating departments of the Town in the disposition of their problems which arise in the course of the year's work.
This is particularly true in the broad general classification of work in giving advice or counsel to the departments which request it. Almost daily during the year, problems arise in one department or another on which advice is sought by the department head and on which the Town Counsel is obligated to, and does, spend considerable time in studying the problem before rendering an authoritative opinion on which the de- partment head may safely rely. Most of the problems which arise in this manner are disposed of in accordance with that advice and, there- fore, need not and in fact could not be reported in detail.
The attention of the Town should be called to the fact that the burdens on the Town Counsel and his responsibilities have been greatly increased during recent years as a result of a very noticeable tendency to regulate more closely the operations of our municipal life locally through new By-Laws, building codes and zoning ordinances, as well as through the channels of State and Federal government. The bi-ennial session of the Legislature, just completed, has been a prolific source of such legisla- tion affecting Old Age Assistance, Welfare Department, Retirement Act and numerous other branches of our local government. The most re- cent Federal legislation has passed from the relief phase, which was prominent during depression years, into the emergency and war phase which necessarily affects the Town through the establishment of ration- ing boards, defense agencies and other military or civilian protective measures. In keeping abreast of this current flood of legislation, the services offered by the state and national organizations of municipal law officers are of great value to the department which makes full use of them.
The problems connected with the proposed addition to the High School have required much attention during the past year, both internally, with reference to contracts and appropriations, and externally, with ref- erence to necessary enabling legislation which was enacted, and attempts to obtain a Federal subsidy. It is unfortunate that due to the prior de- mands of war effort, the fruits of these labors must, apparently, be de- layed.
Considerable time during the year has been spent with reference to complicated title and land damage questions arising from the establish- ment of public parking places in Braintree and South Braintree, which are now in operation, the legal work in connection with them being near completion.
Our local emergency preparations and war efforts have required considerable attention of your Counsel in connection with general advice as to whether we can lawfully establish and maintain as a municipal government the various agencies connected with the war effort, such as State Guard and civilian defense units.
180
With reference to claims and litigation against the Town, during the past year there has been the usual crop of small claims, some of which have been disposed of by settlement and nominal damages where the liability appeared obvious, and others which have been tried in the lower courts.
On the more serious pieces of litigation, the claim of the Crystal Con- crete Corporation, referred to in our last two reports, has been finally dis- posed of after appeals taking the case through the Supreme Judicial Court, on which the amount for which the Town was ultimately held liable was substantially the amount which your Counsel had previously advised the Selectmen we should be liable for.
A serious land damage case affecting the Water Department, and re- ferred to in the last report, has been retired during the current year. While the finding on the second trial was substantially larger than the verdict on the first trial, which the Court set aside as inadequate, both parties have decided to accept the new result without undergoing the expenses and hazards of appeal.
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