USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1948 > Part 7
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Again we wish to say that all new capital expenditures should be carefully considered and well planned with the thought that everything should be done to avoid, as much as possible, the increasing of our tax burden. These are most crucial years and your patience and help are needed to make possible the adjustments that will be for the ultimate better- ment of all property owners and citizens of our town.
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1948 RECAPITULATION
Total Appropriation Voted Since 1947 Tax Rate Was Fixed Debt and Interest Charges
Figures Used in Fixing Tax Rate (G. L. Chap. 59, Sections 23 and 25) $2,214,891.05
937.50
Deficits Due to Abatements in Excess of Overlay of Prior Years
185.48
Revenue Deficits-1947
13,417.74
State: Tax and Assessments
39,609.41
147,569.51
County: Tax and Assessments Overlay of Current Year
27,352.63
2,343,963.32
$625,058.32 430,525.00 1,055,583.32
Total Taxes Levied On Polls and Property
$1,288,380.00
Number of Polls: 6,717 at $2.00
Poll Tax $ 13,434.00
Valuation: Personal Property
$ 1,152,800.00 }
Tax Rate 46,112.00
Real Estate
30,720,850.00 S
$40.00 1,228,834.00
Total Valuation
$31,873,650.00
$1,288,380.00
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Gross Amount to be Raised Estimated Receipts Available Funds
State Audit
Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Braintree for the period from May 25, 1947, the date of the previous audit, to May 22, 1948, the following report being submitted thereon:
The financial transactions as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection were examined and checked with the books and records in the town accountant's office, and with the records of the town treasurer.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the receipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments being compared with the warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The appropriation accounts and loan orders were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting proceedings and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were verified by comparison with authorizations on file in the town accountant's office.
The necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit were made and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on May 22, 1948.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the payments were compared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to dis- burse town funds. The cash book additions were verified and the cash balance on May 22, 1948, was provided by reconcilia- tion of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks in which town funds are deposited, by verification of the cash and cash memoranda in the office, and by examination of the savings bank books and securities.
The payments made on account of maturing debt and interest were compared with cancelled securities and coupons on file and were proved with amounts falling due.
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The savings bank books and securities representing the trust, investment, and retirement fund accounts in the custody of the town treasurer and the treasurer of the library trustees were examined and listed. The income and disbursements were proved and the transfers to the town were verified by compari- son with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and listed. The additions to the tax title account were compared with the tax collector's records, the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the foreclosures were veri- fied. Tax title transactions were further verified by comparison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The payroll deductions for federal taxes and for the purchase of bonds were examined and checked. The payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue for taxes withheld from salaries of em- ployees and the payments for the purchase of bonds were verified, and the balance remaining in the general treasury was proved to the respective ledger accounts.
The record of assessments apportioned by the assessors were examined and checked. The apportionments added to taxes were verified, and the apportioned assessments not due were listed and reconciled with the deferred revenue accounts in the town accountant's ledger.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The taxes, excise, and assessments outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all sub- sequent commitments, were audited and proved to the warrants issued for their collection. The payments ot the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were checked with the as- sessors' records, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
The records of departmental, electric light, and water ac- counts were examined and checked. The recorded collections were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the abatements were checked with the records of the departments authorized to grant them, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the respective ledger accounts.
The outstanding tax, excise, assessment, departmental elec- tric light, and water accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicat- ing that the outstanding accounts, as listed, are correct.
ยท The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined for dog and sporting licenses issued. The payments to the town
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treasurer were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the payments to the State were checked with receipts on file from the Division of Fisheries and Game.
The surety bonds of the various town officials required to file them for the faithful performance of their duties were ex- amined and found to be in proper form:
The records of the selectmen, the building inspector, and the sealer of weights and measures, of the health, school, and library departments, as well as of all other departments col- lecting money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked, the recorded collections being compared with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the several cash ac- counts, summaries of the tax, excise, assessment, tax title, de- partmental, electric light, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust, invest- ment, and retirement funds.
During the progress of the audit, cooperation was extended by the various town officials, for which, on behalf of my as- sistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE Assistant Director of Accounts
Detailed tables on file in Town Clerk's Office.
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Trustees Braintree School Fund
ARTHUR L. HALE, President JOSEPH H. BRAMBLE, Clerk MORRILL R. ALLEN, Treasurer
H. IRVING CHARNOCK RALPH B. WOODSUM
CHARLES G. JORDAN CARROLL D. WELCH
In accordance with the advice of the State Auditors, this fund is not treated 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 scholar- ships awarded to graduates of the Braintree High School to be applied toward first year's expenses in pursuing higher educa- tion.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTS
Real Estate (Assessed Value)
$3,650.00
Quincy Savings Bank
1,022.50
Weymouth Savings Bank
1,000.00
Braintree Savings Bank
2,270.65
Randolph Savings Bank
600.00
$8,543.15
INCOME ACCOUNT
RECEIPTS:
Balance on Hand January 1, 1948
$611.41
Rents
300.00
Interest on Savings Bank Deposits
114.81
$1,026.22
PAYMENTS:
Fidelity Bond
$ 23.00
Repairs
50.00
Scholarships
250.00
Real Estate Taxes
146.00
469.00
Balance on Hand December 31, 1948 .. $557.22
Scholarships were awarded in 1948 to the following gradu- ates of the Braintree High School: Thayer Anastos Doris Heebner
Walter Harmon
Phyllis Ann Robery
Marylin Shaylor
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Planning Board
FRANK L. HEANEY, Chairman
HELEN M. ELLSWORTH EDWARD J. ROSE
JOSEPH M. MAGALDI, Secretary
A. WINTON CAIRD JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Ex-Officio
The Planning Board is required to report annually regard- ing the condition of the Town and any plans or proposals for its development and estimates of the cost thereof.
The Braintree Planning Board functions under the pro- visions of Chapter 41-Sections 70, 71 and 72. A subsequent act of the General Court relating to improved method of muni- cipal planning was submitted to Town Meeting in 1938 but failed of adoption. Problems of street layouts in real estate development, therefore, still remain with the Board of Select- men performing as a Board of Survey.
ZONING LAW CHANGES
At the 1948 March Town Meeting a series of articles pertain- ing to zoning law changes were considered. Most of the recom- mendations were made as the result of the work of a special committee which had been appointed to survey the zoning law.
All the articles pertaining to zoning were subsequently adopted by the Town by the required two-thirds vote of the Town Meeting in March, 1948.
Following the required procedure all the amendments and changes which had been adopted, were submitted to the At- torney General for final approval.
With one exception, approval was granted to all the changes voted. The single exception was Article 19 which called for, 1. An industrial change in East Braintree; 2. Exten- sion of Business area in North Braintree; 3. Extension of Busi- ness area in South Braintree. This article was approved by the Town by a vote of 137 to 9, however, the Attorney General's office withheld approval of this article. The decision was based on a technicality stating that the notice of the public hearing did not state where the map showing the changes could be seen, although such maps were posted alongside of the warrant throughout the town, and that the areas to be changed were not described in detail.
In view of the Zoning Committee's work, the advice of zon- ing experts which the committee retained informing us that
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the changes recommended were desirable and for the best in- terests of the town, and the conclusive confirmation of these opinions by the Town Meeting vote, the changes called for in Article 19 last year, have been set forth in detail in an article especially drawn to meet all the technical legal re- quirements of the Attorney General's office and will be pre- sented for ratification at the 1949 Annual Town Meeting.
TRANSPORTATION STUDY
An investigation and report was made of the transporta- tion situation as affected by the possibility of discontinuance of Old Colony passenger service and the inauguration of Metro- politan Transit Authority rapid transit.
Our investigation led us to believe that some scheme other than that proposed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority would be better for the town. The financing of the MTA serv- ice was not clearly explained but from information which was brought out from records of legislative joint committee meetings a proportionate part of operating expenditures and annual deficit would be assessed upon the town's property owners.
An adverse report on the adoption of the State's plan to sanction the MTA plan was circulated prior to the plebiscite held May 11, 1948. Both Braintree and Quincy voted against the establishment of the MTA service.
The transportation problem was further considered by the Board in recording bus routes through various sections of the town as a step in general planning for the betterment of trans- portation facilities. Both the Eastern Massachusetts Street Rail- way Company and the Hudson Bus Lines were most coopera- tive in assisting in the plotting of routes and in furnishing infor- mation on passenger volume and bus schedules. Many of the roads now traversed by the buses are narrow and in need of repairs. It appears that the town may be burdened with an extensive highway repair and maintenance program to accom- modate further enlargement of bus systems.
DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS
The problem of dangerous intersections has been consid- ered at several of our meetings. The matter was also discussed with the Police Department. Sgt. Illingworth attended one of our meetings devoted entirely to Dangerous Intersections. A sur- vey was made and most prominent dangerous intersections surveyed were, junction of Middle, Adams and Elm Streets; Hancock and Grove Streets; junction of Union, Adams and Commercial Streets, and Hayward and Shaw Streets.
Through the efforts of the Police Department and the High- way Department, corrective measures have been taken in some
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instances where no great expenditures were involved, and the work of these two departments is highly commendable.
At one of our meetings, Sgt. Illingworth of the Police De- partment, said, "ALL DANGER SPOTS CAN BE MADE SAFE BY CAREFUL DRIVING AND THE OBSERVATION OF TRAFFIC RULES."
We urge all the townspeople to follow this simple axiom, yet important to the point that it may be instrumental in saving a life, maybe yours.
POST OFFICE
The Planning Board considered the possibility of securing a new Post Office building for Braintree. It was felt that, with a possible change in the transportation set-up, we had ample reason to do what we could, to at least secure some informa- tion from the Federal Government on the possibility of a new building for Braintree.
With the cooperation of Congressmen Wigglesworth and McCormack, we secured the following information in a letter from Asst. Postmaster General Walter Meyers who informed us, "the erection of a Federal Building to house the Braintree Branch of the Post Office has been listed as an eligible project -and will be given careful consideration in the distribution of any construction funds that may later be made available".
The Planning Board intends to continue to urge this project until it becomes a reality.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Two members of the Planning Board are serving.on the Committee on Park and Playground Investigation as authorized by the last Annual Town Meeting. It is expected that the report of this committee will incorporate suggestions for the develop- ment of small neighborhood parks. These small parks, many on small parcels of land now owned by the Town, can be devel- oped for the use of small children or can be landscaped for beautification and use for persons of all ages. Work of this na- ture has already been accomplished by the Water Commis- sioners in their development of the Standpipe Lot at Tremont Street, West Street, and Hollingsworth Avenue. There is a need of these areas in many sections of the Town.
HIGHWAY STUDIES
The Master Highway Plan for the Boston Metropolitan Area was released in February by a State appointed committee. This plan shows the route of the proposed Southeast Express-
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way passing through Braintree. This proposed expressway would enter Braintree, crossing Independence Avenue at Holmes Street, crossing Washington Street north of Hawthorn Road, crossing Elm Street just north of Blanchard Boulevard, passing over Adams Street, the Monatiquot River and the railroad to Arnold's Farm, crossing Union Street south of Hillside Road, crossing Liberty Street and continuing into Weymouth where it would cross Summer Street north of Federal Street. This road, planned as part of a large Public Works Department program, is not scheduled for immediate construction.
REVISED PLANNING BOARD MAP
The Planning Board map was brought up-to-date showing all new houses and new streets which have been added. Copies of this map may be obtained (without charge) by inter- ested citizens from the Town Engineer.
CHAPTER 340
It is our understanding that in the 1949 March Town Meeting Warrant there will be an article asking the Town to adopt the provisions of Chapter 340 of the General Laws as passed by the Legislature in 1947.
The law is entitled, "An act to clarify and amend the laws providing an improved method of municipal planning".
The provisions of the Act call for several pertinent changes in the make up of the Planning Board, it's powers and duties.
The opinion of the Planning Board is that this article should be submitted to the town by interested parties other than, mem- bers of the Planning Board because by its adoption the Plan- ning Board would be directly involved, in. that, its authority would be extended to include the functions of the Board of Sur- vey, and it could also be authorized to take over the powers and duties of the park commissioners thereby eliminating the present Park Board.
Under the act, the MANDATORY duties of the Planning Board includes the following, "to make and submit studies, to make an annual report and to take custody of the records and plans of a planning board or a board of survey which it super- sedes, to make a master plan, and to pass on subdivision plans submitted to it for approval". It also provides for the doing away with the Park Board and giving the duties to the Planning Board, this latter item is optional, the others mandatory.
REDEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS DISTRICTS
As a part of a preparation of a Master Plan, a study was started for the' redevelopment of Braintree's three shopping
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centers. A. A. Shurcliff and S. N. Shurcliff, a prominent firm of city planners, was engaged to study and report on the North Braintree shopping district, or as it is commonly called, the Storrs Square business district.
The questions considered in their report are:
1. Should Dearing Avenue be extended north to Storrs Avenue to provide a roadway parrallel to Washing- ton Street?
2. What are the possibilities in developing the large tract of land on the south side of Storrs Avenue be- tween Washington Street and Cochato Road as a shopping district similar to that at Wellesley or that planned for Beverly?
3. Is it practicable by establishing building lines to provide for future street widening, especially of Storrs Avenue and of River Street?
4. What can be done to correct the discrepancies in the street pattern for the area lying west of Wash- ington Street and north of Storrs Avenue?
Space does not permit the inclusion of their report. Copies of it, however, will be made available to interested citizens.
The city planners referred to above are the consultants for the well known Beverly plan and they also made the report on Dedham which attracted considerable attention a year ago.
ACKNOWLEDEGMENT
The Planning Board wishes to thank their ex-officio member, Mr. John J. Drinkwater, Jr., Town Engineer; Mrs. Marjorie Mat- thews and Mr. Warren Cuff of the Town Engineers' staff, and Messrs. Robert and Howard Hamilton of the Sewer Department, for the splendid cooperation and assistance which they have extended at all times.
INVITATIONS
The Planning Board meets regularly at the Town Hall at 7:45 P. M., on the third Tuesday of each month, except during July and August. Any person wishing to make suggestions or desiring information on matters relating to town planning are cordially invited to attend any of these meetings. It is earnestly desired that many citizens will take an active part in the plan- ning activities.
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Jury List
AS PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN
Abell, Charles F., 17 Holden Road
Adams, Charles H., Jr., 110 Elmlawn Road
Adams, Charles W., 95 Pond Street
Adams, Harold A., 45 Harrison Avenue Ahearn, Edwin S., 6 Elliott Street Akins, Christopher C., 75 Bickford Road Albert; Alfred O., 91 Cabot Avenue Aldrich, W. Malcolm, 36 Bellevue Road Alger, Melville C., 54 Allen Street Allen, Ernest D., 293 Middle Street Allsopp, George F., 49 Sagamore Street Anderson, Gustave W., 46 Arborway Drive Anderson, Henry T., 62 Standish Avenue Andrews, Harrison B., 1 Kew Road Annnis, Frank R., 268 River Street Arbuckle, Wyman O., 108 Cedar Street Armstrong, Joseph W., 305 Hancock Street Atkinson, Courtenay, 21 Azel Road Atkinson, John J., 9 Fairmount Avenue Ayers, Sidney S., 29 Brewster Avenue
Bagnell, Oscar W., 169 Hawthorn Road Bailey, Joseph G., 20 Union Street
Baker, James E., 442 Washington Street Barrett, John F., 15 Carter Road Bean, George A., 116 Hobart Street Bean, Irwin K., 164 Hollis Avenue Bennett, Charles M., 33 Cochato Road Beverage, Charles T., 43 Fountain Street
Black, Francis E., 131 River Street Blake, Charles A., 114 Hollis Avenue
Blewett, Howard B., 188 Hollingsworth Avenue Blunt, Arthur A., 259 Washington Street Bond, Harry W., 30 Monatiquot Avenue Bowker, George E., 45 Sagamore Strete Bradley, George L., 26 Judson Street Brock, Walter M., 36 Charles Street Brown, Edward D., 15 Mt. Vernon Street Byam, Raymond E., 3 Smith Terrace
Campbell, Archibald, 11 Beechwood Road Campbell, Frank J., 160 Town Street Cannon, John E., 98 Beechwood Road Carlozzi, Frank J., 26 Randall Avenue Carter, Francis S., 50 Burroughs Road Cassidy, Robert F., 1510 Liberty Street Church, Arthur B., 1431 Washington Street
. Clark, Donald D., 119 Elmlawn Road Clark, Herbert A., 19 Sycamore Road Clay, Richard J., 12 Elmlawn Road Coburn, William C., 65 Cedar Street Corliss, Guy L., 7 Pleasant Street Constantino, Domenic, 37 St. Michael Road Crandall, Albert L., 48 Oak Street
Clerk
Boiler Maker Machinist Foreman
Guard Ship Worker Mechanic Cashier Salesman Plumber Mechanic Tel. Emp. Prod. Engr. Draftsman Cabinet Wkr.
Manager Pipefitter Clerk Salesman Banker
Salesman Retired Mariner
Janitor Machinist Lumber Bus. Clerk Electrician Manager Printer Dept. Mgr. Retired Cashier Draftsman Clerk Salesman Investigator Electrician
Foreman Mechanic Clerk
Ship Worker Executive Retired Garage Prop. R. R. Empl. Edison Co. Clerk Executive Mechanic Shoe Worker Insurance
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Dacey, William, 195 Elm Street Daily, Chester W., 467 Granite Street Dalton, Patrick L., 174 Washington Street Dalton, Thomas J. F., 46 Elliot Street Davis, Wilbur, 76 Newton Avenue Day, Archibald G., 160 Wampatuck Road DeCoste, Harold J., 29 Norton Street Delaney, John W., 39 Hobart Avenue DeGiso, Alphonse, 548 Pond Street
Derrah, A. Joseph, 106 Parkside Avenue Doucette, John P., 34 Pleasant View Avenue Dowd, Edward T., 34 River Street Doyle, John J., 74 French Avenue Drake, Walter W., 42 Howard Street Drollett, Robert A., 686 West Street Dugan, William F., 78 Cedarcliff Road
Eason, Claude M., 8 Primrose Street Elliott, Walter C., 101 Prospect Street, North Ellis, Chester O., 117 Adams Street
Fabiano, Percy, 460 Pond Street Farrell, Thomas V., 327 Elm Street Farnsworth, Richard W., 30 Perry Road Ferguson, Charles T., 125 Allen Street Ferrand, Harold C., 42 Jersey Avenue Ferranti, Stephen, 105 Pond Street Fisher, C. Edward, 4 Weston Avenue Fitts, Walter M., 255 Middle Street Flower, Frank J., 159 River Street Folmsbee, John J., 9 Fairmount Avenue Foss, Carroll P., 32 Windemere Circle Frazier, Peter, 76 School Street Fredericksen, James P., 7 Weston Avenue
Gage, M. Gardner, 30 Sheraton Avenue Galbraith, Bayard L., 15 Jefferson Street Gallagher, John P., 31 Peach Street Getchell, Albert E., 652 Washington Street Gillies, Charles W., 83 Windemere Circle Gogan, Edward J., 3 Robinson Avenue Griffin, Daniel W., 18 River Street Gunville, Louis B., 54 Brookside Road Gurney, James P., 36 Bowditch Street
Hall, Stephen N., 39 Wilmarth Road Hallett, Milton B., 7 Victoria Avenue Hamilton, Charles G., 1870 Washington Street Harvey, Walter T., 385 Middle Street Higgins, Henry D., 490 Washington Street Hill, Benjamin C., 126 Brewster Avenue Hitchcock, George A., 20 Cochato Road Hobbs, William J., 23 Miller Street Holbrook, George E., 29 Harrison Avenue Horsman, Orra P. K., 21 Wilmarth Road Hughes, William J., 10 Frederick Road Hutchinson, Amos, 19 Morrison Road
Ireland, J. William, 34 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Ship Worker Farmer Merchant Foreman Messenger Salesman Retail Liquor Machinist Machinist Sales Manager Welder R. R. Empl. Shoe Wkr. Sheet Metal Wkr. Superintendent Tel. Emp.
Jeweler Auditor Florist
Shoe Worker Salesman Clerk
Loftsman Salesman Ship Wkr. Retired Salesman Retired Salesman Salesman Carpenter Quality Man
Clerk Insurance Clerk Salesman Broker Carpenter Meat Cutter Electrician Painter
R. R. Empl. Gardener Manager Machinist
Horologist Salesman Retired Wool Bus. Ship Wkr. Salesman Driller
Janitor
Salesman
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Jackson, Albert W., 389 Commercial Street Johnson, Bert C., 599 Liberty Street Johnson, Walter R., 45 Bickford Road Jones, Edward H., 51 Ash Street Jope, Hugh, 549 West Street Jordan, Charles G., 111 Liberty Street Jordan, Donald M., 8 B Street Jordan, Percy E., 29 Stedman Avenue Joyce, John, 85 Cedarcliff Road Joyce, William D., 56 Stonewood Lane Julian, Joseph N., 53 Adams Street
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