USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1945 > Part 9
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The rehabilitation program, chest x-ray of expectant mothers and mass x-ray of industrial workers has been carried on through Christmas seal money.
I wish to express my thanks to Mr. Johnson for his help and co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, CATHERINE L. MURPHY, R.N.
Supervisor, Braintree Visiting Nurse Assoc.
103
Tuberculosis, other forms
Report of the Dental Clinic
January 8, 1946
Braintree Board of Health
Dear Sirs:
The School Dental Clinic conducted by the Board of Health under the direction and supervision of the Superintendent of Schools per- formed 2,617 operations of which 487 were cleanings, 1,928 fillings, and 202 extractions at a net cost to the Town of $2,025.48 during the year 1945. Twenty-five cents is the charge made for each operation which accounts for receipts amounting to $654.25. The expenditures were $2,582.94 for professional services; $60.79 for supplies and re- pairs, and $36.0,0 for 9 movings of equipment from one building to another which make a total expenditure of $2,679.73, leaving a bal- ance from the appropriation of $2,700.00 of $20.27.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD FISHER Superintendent of Schools
-
104
School Dental Clinic Report JANUARY 1945 -DECEMBER 1945
Exp. Prof. Service
Hours
Dates of Work
Receipts
No. of Cleanings
No. of Fillings
No. of Extractions
Total Operations
School
Name
Total Hours
Amount
$ 32.09
9
1/22-1/23
$ 4.00
3
11
2
16
Lincoln
E. C. Berry Dr. Veale
7241/2 724 1/2
$ 499.95
304.82
851/2
1/24-2/27
79.25
59
236
22
317
Perkins
304.82
851/2
2/28-3/27
80.00
69
229
22
320
Penniman
304.81
851/2
3/28-5/3
69.25
51
189
37
277
Monatiquot
320.86
90
5/ 4-6/1
81.75
50
248
29
327
Highlands
224.61
63
6/ 4-6/21
65.00
46
188
26
260
Torrey
369.00
1031/2
9/10-10/10
94.25
66
286
25
377
Hollis
288.77
81
10/11-11/7
70.25
67
199
15
281
Penniman
304.82
851/2
11/ 8-12/7
83.00
59
251
22
332
Lincoln
128.34
36
12/10-12/19
27.50
17
91
2
110
Watson
$2,582.94
7241/2
$654.25
487
1,928
202
2,617
$2,582.94
60.79
Supplies
36.00
Moving
$2,679.73
Amount expended 1945
20.27
Balance to Town, December 1945
$2,700.00
Amount of Appropriation
$2,025.48
Net Cost to the Town of Braintree for the School Dental Clinic for the Year 1945.
105
2,082.99
Report of Meat and Provision Inspection
December 31, 1945 Braintree, Mass.
To the Board of Health of the
Town of Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report of Meat and Provisions for the Town of Braintree.
Twenty-six stores, and two delicatessens were inspected monthly and all meats and provisions were in good condition.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. MATTHEWS Inspector of Meats and Provisions
Report of the Inspector of Slaughtering
Braintree, Mass. December 31, 1945
To the Board of Health of the
Town of Braintree, Mass. 1
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the Town of Braintree for the year 1945.
January, 1945
127
February, 1945 117
March, 1945
82
April, 1945 50
48
November, 1945
122
December, 1945
268
Total
814
October, 1945
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. MATTHEWS Inspector of Slaughtering
106
Report of the Plumbing Inspectors
Braintree, Mass. January 19, 1946
To the Board of Health, Town of Braintree
Gentlemen:
Following is a report of the Plumbing Inspectors of the Town of Braintree for the year ending December 31st, 1945:
Plumbing fixtures installed at an approximate cost of $25,990.00 were as follows: 83 water closets, 29 sinks, 12 sink and tray combina- tions, 47 washbowls, 24 bath tubs, 8 sets of washtrays, 10 shower baths, 9 urinals, 2 soda fountains, 8 drinking fountains, 112 pressure range boilers, 1 cistern range boiler, 1 tank heater, 10 automatic gas storage systems, and 3 gas stack heaters. There were 45 sewer con- nections made and tested.
Respectfully submitted, ISRAEL P. WESTON Plumbing Inspector
ARTHUR SULLIVAN Additional Plumbing Inspector
Report of the Animal Inspector
Braintree, Mass., December 31, 1945
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the report of the Animal Inspector of the Town of Braintree for the year 1945:
Bulls
2
Cows
73
Young Cattle
13
Goats
20
Swine
422
Ponies
3
Horses
1
Mules
1
Dog bites investigated. 113
Dogs quarantined
113
Dogs released
113
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. MATTHEWS, Animal Inspector
107
Report of Aid to Dependent Children
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare
Town Hall, South Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The case load was more constant than the previous year and we anticipate a slight rise in case load for the coming year.
Cases 17
38
Added during the year
8
23
Total
25
61
Closed during the year
4
15
Cases January 1, 1946
21
46
Expenditures
$20,743.04
Receipts-Federal Grants and Refunds
3,531.65
Net Expenditures
$17,211.39
Unexpended from Appropriation of $17,500.00
$ 00.00
Carried Forward-Federal Grant 288.61
Receipts from State to June 30, 1945
6,102.32
A.D.C. Administration:
Receipts-Forward from Jan. 1, 1945 $ 79.14
Federal Grant Receipts-1945 552.94
632.08
Expenditures
207.16
Balance forward to 1946. $ 424.92
Unexpended Town Appropriation Balance
258.00
Unexpended Salary Board. 32.15
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK D. LAWLEY,
Agent.
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare Town Hall, South Braintree, Mass. Gentlemen:
As predicted in the report submitted January 1, 1945, the low level of assistance was reached during the month of August, and after cessation of the war, with reduction of wages and shortening of hours in industries, we are faced with supplementing, to a slight degree, of a few large families. You will note that the above condition is reflected in the comparison of case load and persons assisted on January 1, 1946, of 31 cases and 63 persons as compared with that of January 1, 1945, of 30 cases and 47 persons. Included in above are 7 children aided in foster homes.
108
Children
January 1, 1945
Comparative expenditures in 1944 and 1945 are as follows:
1944
1945
Food
$ 2,976.17
$ 3,164.60
Rent
765.00
688.00
Fuel
331.64
274.27
Light
95.06
87.74
Doctors
663.00
745.50
Hospital
516.81
1,305.40
Convalescent Homes
2,423.40
3,439.03
Pharmacies
291.66
337.38
Shoes
0.00
9.40
Clothing
15.77
0.00
All Others (including Burials)
298.33
218.46
Cash
260.00
326.00
Board and Care.
860.00
1,153.00
Institutions
2,977.43
2,574.50
Cities and Towns
2,171.03
2,197.72
Total
$14,645.30
$16,521.00
Discounts
$ 5.60
$ 1.08
Refunds
542.18
385.82
Unexpended Appropriation
5,896.88
864.82
Receipts from State.
2,936.52
2,168.63
Receipts from Cities and Towns
681.51
2,053.69
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK D. LAWLEY,
Agent.
Report of the Town Infirmary
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare,
Town Hall, South Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
No unusual change took place during the year, so far as case load was concerned, except for a slight decrease to our average of 11 cases which was reflected in the total expenditures.
1944 Appropriations
Refunds
$4,900.00 447.00
Total
$5,347.00
Expenditures
4,809.44
Unexpended Balance
$ 537.56
Reimbursements from State Cases
974.90
Reimbursements from Cities & Towns Cases.
380.00
Both of which go into E. & D. Fund.
It was unfortunate that we were unable to obtain bids for paint- ing the structure and making the necessary repairs, to come within the amount appropriated. However, a portion of this money was spent in installing an entirely new floor in the kitchen which was very es- sential. All living quarters have been thoroughly cleaned and painted and the expense charged to maintenance.
I sincerely trust that the appropriation requested this year will be a sufficient amount to make the necessary repairs and painting to the outside of the building which is very much needed.
The Town is very fortunate in having such a capable Superin- tendent and Matron in charge.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK D. LAWLEY,
Agent.
1
109
Report of Milk Inspector
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree:
Gentlemen :---
I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector for the Town of Braintree in 1945.
Milk Licenses issued to Stores 64
Milk Licenses issued to Milk Dealers 21
Oleomargerine Licenses issued. 16
Milk Pasteurization License 1
One hundred and eighty-eight samples of milk were seized from milk dealers and analyzed at Steele's Dairy Service Laboratory, in East Bridgewater, in 1945. While the bacteria counts in some in- stances were above the maximum for pasteurized milk, in no case was a disease carrying bacteria in evidence. No milk borne disease or epidemic occurred in Braintree in 1945. In the cases where the bacteria counts were found to be high, due notices were given the dealers and improvements noted in the quality of the dealers milk on re-examination.
The following list of dealers are graded according to their average bacteria counts for the year on pasteurized milk.
White Brothers Good
Penn's Hill Dairy
Good
J. George English Good
Blue Hill View Farm
Fair
Whiting Milk Company.
Good
Whiting Milk Company (Store)
Fair
Ridder Farm
Good
Woodworth Milk and Cream Co.
Good
Warren Blanchard
Good
Crompton's Dairy
Fair
United Farmers
Good ,
E. M. Dwyer
Good
H. P. Hood & Sons Co.
Good
H. P. Hood & Sons Co. (Store)
Good
Ashland Farm
Good
Bellows Falls, First National Store Milk
Good
Charles McIntyre
Good
H. R. White
Fair
Kramer's Dairy
Good
Herlihy Brothers
Good
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. JOHNSON, Milk Inspector.
110
1
Annual Report
OF THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, 1944, to December 31, 1945
-
111
N
Report of the Fire Department
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1945
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit to you the annual report of the Fire Department of the fiscal year ending December 31, 1945.
Total number of calls during the year - 534 - divided as fol- lows :
Box Alarms
Month
Still Alarms
6
January
23
2
February
18
5
March
.87
10
April
81
10
May
19
4
June
22
2
July
18
32
August
39
4
September
26
17
October
34
12
November
31
8
December
24
112
Total
422
Month
(21/2)
(11/2)
Booster . Ladders Used Used (Feet) (Gals.)
Engines Pumped Water (Hrs.) (Mins.)
January
975
154
1
30
February
150
28
19
35
March
2,550
2,250
9,360
45
16
35
April
2,000
3,050
10,910
14
20
May
250
250
2,985
70
2
25
June
1,635
25
2
55
July
1,300
705
2
35
August
250
900
1,650
30
2
55
September
450
650
2,410
24
4
5
November
350
1,135
65
2
50
December
2,200
300
1,530
59
3
15
Total
9,350
7,400
34,905
550
75
25
TOTAL CALLS IN EACH DISTRICT
District No. 1
District No. 2
District No. 3 162
Out of Town Calls 2
TOTAL CALLS THAT EACH PIECE ANSWERED
Eng. 1
Eng. 3
Eng. 4
Aerial 1
Squad A 253
Squad B
Squad C
69
61
93
140
339·
73
-
1,460
50
2
25
October
199
171
Hose Laid (Feet)
112
113
Month
Grass, woods, dumps, bonfires
Buildings
Automobiles
Sprinkler and false alarms
Investigations
Accidents
Locked in/out of house
Call for inhalator
Out-of-town
Refrigerator leaks
Lighting
Oil in street
Miscellaneous
29
January
2
8
3
0
0
2
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
20
February
78
6
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
92
March
75
5
4
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
91
April
10
5
0
7
1
0
2
2
0
1
0
1
0
26
May
11
6
2
3
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
20
June
00
9
2
25
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
0
2
0
30
August
6
8
2
2
2
12
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
51
September
33
62
4
9
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
43
October
18
November
1
14
7
H
5
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
32
December
272
87
33
65
20
3
8
13
2
10
2
13
6
534
-
-
-
-
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
71
July
24
8
6
1
4
0
1
2
0
2
0
2
0
0
2
1
1
3
0
4
3
29
3
Month
Valuation of Buildings
Insurance on Buildings
Damage to Buildings
Ins. Paid on Buildings
January
$320,000.00
$320,000.00
February
272,500.00
221,500.00
$ 4,821.00
$ 4,821.00
March
88,000.00
85,500.00
637.00
637.00
April
10,800.00
9,000.00
96.00
96.00
May
17,000.00
11,500.00
1,285.00
1,285.00
June
20,500.00
16,300.00
105.00
105.00
July
62,500.00
60,500.00
August
39,500.00
33,000.00
693.00
693.00
September
41,200.00
26,000.00
302.00
200.00
October
12,200.00
9,000.00
350.00
350.00
November
37,800.00
29,000.00
80.00
50.00
December
36,050.00
31,700.00
3,370.00
3,295.00
Total
$958,050.00
$853,000.00
$11,739.00
$11,532.00
Month
Valuation of Contents
Insurance on Contents
Damage to Contents
Ins. Paid on Contents
January
$ 15,000.00
$ 15,000.00
February
2,100.00
1,500.00
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
March
252,500.00
252,000.00
50.00
50.00
April
3,000.00
2,000.00
64.00
64.00
May
4,500.00
3,500.00
1,579.40
1,579.40
June
6,000.00
5,000.00
8.00
8.00
July
78,500.00
77,500.00
115.50
115.50
August
6,300.00
3,000.00
45.00
20.00
September
13,000.00
10,500.00
October
3,500.00
3,000.00
82.00
82.00
November
8,000.00
7,000.00
December
8,030.00
6,500.00
103.64
73.64
Total
$400,430.00
$386,500.00
$2,147.54
$2,092.54
PERMITS GRANTED DURING THE YEAR
Inspected and granted for range oil burners
89
Inspected and granted for heating apparatus burners 57
Granted for use of dynamite.
7
Granted to set fires in open air
138
Total
291
114
STATE LAW
A State Law was enacted regulating the passage of Fire Appa- ratus responding to fires. The law requires the driver of a vehicle to drive to the right hand curb and stop until the apparatus has passed. To remain at a distance of three hundred (300) feet behind the apparatus and restricting the parking of a vehicle within six hundred (600) feet of a fire.
-
In conclusion: I wish to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, to the members of the Finance Committee, and to the Police Department for their co-operation and interest in the . welfare of the Department.
To all others that have volunteered their services or assisted the Department in any manner.
The Officers and Members of the Department have my commenda- tion and sincere thanks for the efficient and faithful manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED A. TENNEY, Chief of Fire Department.
115
.
Report of the Fire Alarm Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit to you the annual report of the Fire Alarm System for the year of 1945.
The Fire Department has the supervision of the installation, re- pairs, equipment and maintenance of the Fire Alarm Signal System.
WORK DONE DURING THE YEAR
Painted all fire alarm boxes and bands.
Replaced all poor bands on poles.
Put new back boards on fire alarm boxes where needed.
Checked all circuits daily and cleared the same of grounds.
Inspected and tested all fire alarm boxes monthly and after every severe storm.
Weekly box test at noon on Saturdays.
Renewed 94 cross arms.
Repaired and replaced 20 gongs.
Removed 3 gongs.
Installed 1 gong.
Installed 2 new fire alarm boxes- 312 and 511.
Renewed 4,300 feet of line wire.
Renewed 9,500 feet of telephone wire.
Installed 93 new batteries on fire alarm circuits.
Trimmed 8 miles of trees along fire alarm lines.
In conclusion: I wish to extend my sincere thanks to our Tree Warden for the valuable assistance rendered in allowing us to trim trees through which Fire Alarm wires pass, to the New England Tel- ephone and Telegraph Company and to the Braintree Electric Light Department for their co-operation and assistance rendered.
Respectfully submitted, FRED A. TENNEY Superintendent of Fire Alarm
116
١
Annual Report
OF THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, 1944, to December 31, 1945
117
Report of the Police Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1945.
ARRESTS
Whole number
347
Male
335
Female
12
No. 1-Crimes Against Person:
Male
Female
Total
Assault-Battery
14
1
15
Assault-Dangerous Weapon
1
1
15
1
16
No. 2-Crimes Against Property :
Breaking-Entering-Larceny
3
3.
Larceny
7
7
Larceny of Auto.
5
5
Malicious Mischief
1
1
16
16
No. 3-Crimes Against Public Order, etc .:
Affray
2
Default
2
2
Delinquency
15
1
16
Deserter-Army-Navy
3
3
Disturbing Peace
2
2
Driving to Endanger
6
Driving Under Influence
22
22
Drunkenness
151
6
15
Idle-Disorderly
2
2
Illegitimacy
1
Labor Laws, Violation
3
3
Motor Vehicle Laws, Violation
44
2
46
Neglect, Desertion, Non-Support
12
1.0
Non-Payment Wages
2
.
Probation, Violation
5
C
Stubbornness 1
1
Traffic Regulations & Rules, Violation 27
1
28
Health Laws, Violation.
1
1
Railer-Brawler 1
1
School Law, Violation
1
1
Selling Firearms Without License
1
1
-
304
11
315
-
.
Profanity, Using
1
1
118
Recapitulation:
1. Against Person 15
1 16
2. Against Property 16
16
. Against Public Order, etc. 304
11
315
335
12
347
COMPLAINTS, ETC.
Ambulance Trips
234
Buildings Found Open
97
Cat Complaints
140
Dog Complaints 627
Drunk Releases
73
Fire Alarms Answered
132
Holes in Streets Reported
73
Insane Cases:
MR
5
FR
8
FNR
2
Lanterns Put Out
25
Lodging Given
20
Messages Delivered
247
Missing Persons:
MR
64
FR
27
MNR 10
FNR
5
Stolen Cars-Braintree
24
Recovered
24
Sudden Deaths:
MR
10
FR
5
Street Lights Reported Out
96
Sunday Permits-Labor
32
Wagon Trips
30
Car Trips
109
Dog Bite Cases
45
Miscellaneous Complaints
2,362
Code: On Missing Persons, Sudden Deaths and Insane Cases. MR-Male Resident. FR-Female Resident. MNR-Male Non-Resident. FNR-Female Non-Resident.
For the coming year, 1946, I have asked for an appropriation for three new men. I intend also to ask for three new cars, to replace the 1942 cars which are now in service.
I wish to extend my thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and to all who have shown a spirit of coopera- tion toward my department.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief of Police
119
Braintree, Mass., January 1, 1946
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit report of the activities of the Police Depart- ment with regard to traffic for the year ended December 31, 1945:
ACCIDENTS
Minor
114
Serious
76
Fatal
3
Cases prosecuted in Court:
Male
Female
Operating to endanger
6
0
Operating under influence
22
0
Larceny of auto
5
0
V. M. V. Laws.
44
2
Violation traffic violations
27
1
104
3
Violation Traffic Regulations:
Male
Female
1. Vehicles on crossings
16
1
2. Too close to hydrants
4
0
3. Parking without lights
133
27
4. Wrong side of street
91
10
5. Motor running
0
0
6. All night parking.
241
39
7. Restricted place
133
25
8. Defiance corner law
5
2
9. Right wheel not at curb
5
5
10. One-hour parking law
17
4
11. Miscellaneous violations
14
1
659
114
Violations Committed By :
Residents
605
Non-residents
168
During the year I have recommended parking restrictions on Washington Street, between Clark and Webster Road; on Washington Street, between Hall Avenue and Franklin Street. Have recommended erection of signs on Adams Street to protect children in that vicinity.
I have also warned all owners and operators of taxicabs within the town that they must cooperate with this department and reduce their speed.
A special traffic detail has been arranged whereby school crossings are now covered by regular police officers.
It is my hope that during the year, through engineering, enforce- ment, and education, we may reduce the accident toll below the level of 1945.
I wish to thank your Honorable Board and the Finance Committee for the cooperation given me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief of Police
120
Annual Report
OF THE
WATER DEPARTMENT
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, 1944, to December 31, 1945
121
Report of Water Commissioners
The Board of Water Commissioners submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1945.
The Board announces with sorrow the death of their Chairman Mr. George A. Walker. Resolutions regarding his death are attached and made a part of this report.
Following Mr. Walker's death Mr. Willard P. Sheppard was elected to fill Mr. Walker's unexpired term. The Department organ- ized and elected Thomas E. Sears, Chairman and Willard P. Sheppard, Clerk. Meetings of the Board are held the first Thursday of each month at 4 o'clock at the office of the Water Board.
During the year we employed Mr. George N. Watson to manage the affairs of the Department under the supervision of the Com- missioners. Mr. Watson is a graduate engineer of wide experience in handling municipal engineering and water supply problems. During the war he was a consulting engineer, supervising water supply and sewerage installations in various cantonments throughout Eastern United States.
Mr. Walter Hatch, who served the Department efficiently in sev- eral capacities and prior to his leaving for overseas service, was our superintendent, continues on leave from this department.
We regret to announce that Mr. H. A. Morton, an efficient mem- ber of this department for many years, and who served as acting superintendent during Mr. Hatch's absence, has been obliged to retire on account of ill health.
We are indebted to Mr. Frank O'Rourke, our chief engineer emeritus, who returned from retirement after many years of con- spicuous service with the department to supervise our engineering problems at Great Pond. We appreciate his loyalty and efficient co- operation. He has been a great help to the department during these war years.
The Braintree Water Department has a plant, equipment and property worth approximately $1,500,000. Weston and Sampson, our consulting engineers, who advise with us on all matters of importance relating to the Department, and have drawn specifications and super- vised the installation of all of our major improvements for the past fifteen years, advise us that 20% of the investment in water facilities for large cities and 65-70% for small towns are on account of fire pro- tection. They conservatively estimate that at least 35% of our present investment is on account of fire protection.
The reservoirs at Great Pond are adequate to supply the town for twenty years. The Filtration Plant is adequate for present needs, but must be increased in the not distant future if the town continues to grow. Our electrically driven pumps are adequate for immediate needs, but must shortly be increased. Our reserve pump is obsolete and inadequate to supply our present average daily consumption, let alone our maximum daily consumption. A reserve pump is absolutely necessary and an accepted installation in all properly managed water departments to be available immediately upon cessation of power or breakdown in the primary pumping equipment. We have had numerous
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occasions when the town would have been without water but for the presence of our reserve pump. It is essential that a new pump be in- stalled at the earliest opportunity. Our standpipes at Braintree and East Braintree are adequate, and unless the town grows more than anticipated should be sufficiently large for many years. The water supply for Braintree Highlands is quite unsatisfactory and would have been improved but for the intervention of the war. It now re- quires early attention.
The water system in spite of insufficient income has been ex- panded from year to year giving prior consideration to the needs of che town for domestic water supply. It has, however, during this time made numerous major improvements which while essentially for domestic purposes have nevertheless improved materially the fire pro- tection of the town. These projects include the building of the East Braintree standpipe, new arteries to East Braintree, the filtration plant, the commercial pumping system, built not only to supply com- mercial users with water but also to relieve the then strain on Great Pond. More recently the new supply main from the Great Pond pump- ing station to the Braintree standpipe has relieved the strain on the pumps and materially improves the water supply.
We have over 90 miles of water mains of which 82 miles are 4-16 'inch in size. These mains are inadequate to give the desired fire flow in numerous cases. The Fire Underwriters in their last test dis- closed some 48 out of 53 locations tested where the water supply is not adequate to meet the requirements of the Underwriters. Twenty-four of these tests showed insufficient water for two good fire streams and seven showed insufficient water for even one standard stream. Prior to 1917 the town paid the Water Department at the rate of $25.00 per hydrant for maintenance of fire protection. In that year the contribu- tion was reduced to $500 and after several years was reduced to $1.00 per year. Since 1917 the town would have paid the department approximately $270,000 computed at the rate of $25.00 per hydrant as compared with $8,010 actually paid. Since the department has re- ceived little from general taxation since 1917 except the $8,010 noted above it has been unable to expand its fire protection as much as needed.
It is estimated that at least 5 miles of our present pipe should be replaced and additional arteries installed. The cost of this improve- ment will approximate $250,000.
The anticipated receipts from water consumed both domestic and commercial for 1946 is approximately $100,000. Since the department has been almost entirely self-supporting since 1917 it has been the practice to liquidate loans for improvements over ten-year periods, thus reducing the amount of money available for operation and for further expansion.
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