USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1950 > Part 3
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ARTICLE 63. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to appropriate for the purpose of creating a Stabilization Fund under the authority of Section 5B of Chapter 40 of the General Laws. or take any action relative thereto.
Voted: That there be appropriated and transferred from avail- able funds in the Treasury the sum of $25,000.00 to the Stabilization Fund and made subject to the provisions now applicable to that fund.
ARTICLE 64. To see what sums of money, in addition to that appropriated under any other article, the Town will vote to raise or borrow and appropriate for Land Damages .-- No action necessary.
26
State Primary
September 19, 1950
Republican ballots cast
3120
Democratic ballots cast
297
Total ballots cast
3417
For nomination of candidates for
Governor
Clarence A. Barnes
(R)
464
Arthur W. Coolidge
(R)
1271
Louis E. Denfeld
(R)
422
Franklin W. L. Miles
(R)
403
Daniel Needham
(R)
339
Edward M. Rowe
(R)
90
Paul A. Dever
(D)
200
Lieutenant Governor
Laurence Curtis
(R)
1454
Warren G. Harris
(R)
188
Daniel E. McLean
(R)
229
Harris S. Richardson
(R)
515
Robert H. W. Welch, Jr.
(R)
483
Charles F. Jeff Sullivan
(D)
116
William M. Bergan
(D)
58
G. Edward Bradley
(D)
29
John Francis Cahill
(D)
34
J. Frank Murphy
(D)
29
Secretary
John Adams
(R)
355
William B. Bailey
(R)
440
Henry Clay
(R)
122
Douglas Lawson
(R)
298
Randall W. (Ranny) Weeks
(R)
423
Russell A. Wood
(R)
985
Ada F. York
(R)
89
Edward J. Cronin
(D)
143
Anthony L. Bruno
(D)
18
Stephen J. Carr
(D)
18
Martin Graham
(D)
14
Paul V. Shaughnessy
(D)
32
Alfred L. Smith
(D)
10
Alfred R. Vitale
(D)
14
John F. Welch
(D)
11
Treasurer
Fred J. Burrell
(R)
1746
Roy C. Papalia
(R)
1051
John E. Hurley
(D)
238
27
Auditor
William G. Andrew
(R)
2273
Warren A. Rodd
(R)
281
Thomas J. Buckley
(D)
239
Attorney General
Frederick Ayer, Jr.
(R)
991
Edward Robert Butterworth
(R)
598
George Fingold
(R)
758
Edwin W. Hadley
(R)
250
Frank F. Walters
(R)
190
Francis E. Kelly
(D)
217
Benjamin F. Chesky
(D)
10
Eli Y. Krovitsky
(D)
9
Isadore H. Y. Muchnick
(D)
37
Congressman
Richard B. Wigglesworth
(R)
2779
David J. Concannon
(D)
232
Councillor
Clayton L. Havey
(R)
2060
Joseph Z. Corkin
(R)
709
Israel Grossman
(D)
39
Charles J. McGrath
(D)
230
Senator First Norfolk District
Charles W. Hedges
(R)
2742
Edward M. McMahon
(D)
236
Representatives in General Court
Third Norfolk District
John L. Gallant
(R)
1125
Raymond P. Palmer
(R)
1461
Albert E. Roberts
(R)
1942
Arthur E. Boynton, Jr.
(R)
855
Everett E. Callahan
(R)
230
Herbert B. Hollis
(R)
1872
Harry F. Vinton, Jr.
(R)
554
George J. Anderson
(D)
53
Raymond J. Brickley
(D)
207
Henry T. Calnan
(D)
108
Irving G. Couglilin
(D)
88
Henry B. Fall
(D)
160
District Attorney, Norfolk District
Edmund R. Dewing
(R)
2631
George Philip Carney
123
Joseph F. X. Doherty
128
County Commissioner, Norfolk County
Frederick A. Leavitt
(R)
1417
Frederick G. Cliff
(R)
253
Arthur J. Forrest
(R)
529
Charles J. Vaughan
(R)
506
Robert S. Brown
(D)
59
John Francis Foley
(D)
169
28
Sheriff, Norfolk County
Samuel H. Wragg
(R)
2729
Frederick O. Wilbee
(D)
220
County Treasurer Norfolk County
Thomas J. Hill, Jr.
(R)
290
Jerome F. Wadsworth
(R)
358
Raymond C. Warmington
(R)
2228
Bertrand Remillard
(D)
223
RECOUNT
Petitions having been received from all precincts for a recount of the Republican Votes cast for "Representative in General Court", at the State Primaries held September 19, 1950:
- Upon examination of the petitions it was found that Precincts 1-A, 1-B, 2 and 3 were the only ones in proper order, whereupon the recount of Precincts 1-A 1-B, 2 and 3 was ordered for Thursday, September 28, 1950 and all candidates were duly notified. The result of the Recount was as follows:
Total Number of Ballots Cast
Original
1685
Recount
1685
PRECINCT'S OFFICER'S RETURNS Representative in General Court
1-A
1-B
2
3
Total
Gallant
71
72
182
290
615
Palmer
85
88
233
340
746
Roberts
122
163
344
496
1125
Boynton
43
42
124
204
413
Callahan
14
18
28
50
110
Hollis
101
110
310
498
1019
Vinton
34
44
74
136
288
Blanks
52
153
229
305
739
Recount by Board of Registrars
1-A
1-B
2
3
Total
Gallant
71
72
182
289
614
Palmer
85
88
233
341
747
Roberts
122
163
345
496
1126
Boynton
43
42
123
206
414
Callahan
14
18
28
51
111
Hollis
101
110
310
499
1020
Vinton
34
44
77
136
291
Blanks
52
153
226
301
732
ERNEST C. WOODSUM,
Town Clerk.
29
State Election
Ballots cast PRECINCT 1-A
604
Ballots cast PRECINCT 1-B
1027
Ballots cast PRECINCT 2 1481
Ballots cast PRECINCT 3 1596
Ballots cast PRECINCT 4
1733
Ballots cast PRECINCT 5
1512
Ballots cast PRECINCT 6
1209
Total Ballots cast
9162
Governor
Paul A. Dever
(D)
3513
Arthur W. Coolidge
(R)
5488
Horace I. Hillis
(SL)
37
Mark R. Shaw
(P)
29
Scattering
2
Blanks
93
Total
9162
Lieutenant Governor
Charles F. Jeff Sullivan
(D)
3177
Laurence Curtis
(R)
5794
Lawrence Gilfedder
(SL)
53
Blanks
138
Total
9162
Secretary
Edward J. Cronin
(D)
3184
Russell A. Wood
(R)
5619
Ellsworth J. M. Dickson
(P)
62
Fred M. Ingersoll
(SL)
58
Blanks
239
Total
9162
Treasurer
John E. Hurley
(D)
3735
Fred J. Burrell
(R)
5037
Henning A. Blomen
(SL)
63
Harold J. Ireland
(P)
59
Blanks
268
Total
9162
Auditor
Thomas J. Buckley
(D)
3719
William G. Andrew
(R)
5118
Robert A. Simmons
(P)
47
Francis A. Votano
(SL)
36
Blanks
242
Total
9162
30
Attorney General
Francis E. Kelly
(D)
2832
Frederick Ayer, Jr.
(R)
6001
Anthony Martin Howard B. Rand
(SL)
50
(P)
18
Blanks
261
Total
9162
Congressman
Richard B. Wigglesworth
(R)
6535
David J. Concannon
(D)
2406
William R. Ferry
(P)
31
Blanks
190
Total
9162
Councillor
Clayton L. Havey
(R)
5776
Charles J. McGrath
(D)
2959
Blanks
427
Total
9162
Senator (First Norfolk District)
Charles W. Hedges
(R)
5472
Edward M. McMahon
(D)
3437
Blanks
253
Total
9162
Representatives in General Court (Third Norfolk District)
John L. Gallant
(R)
5170
Raymond P. Palmer
(R)
5290
Albert E. Roberts
(R)
6227
Raymond J. Brickley
(D)
3590
Henry T. Calnan
(D)
2031
Irving A. Coughlin
(D)
1856
Blanks
3322
Total
27486
District Attorney
Edmund R. Dewing
(R)
5849
George Philip Carney
(D)
3003
Blanks
310
Total
9162
County Commissioner
Frederick A. Leavitt
(R)
5708
John Francis Foley
(D)
3032
Blanks
422
Total 9162
31
Sheriff
Samuel H. Wragg Frederick O. Wilbee Blanks
(R)
6057
(D)
2626
479
Total
9162
County Treasurer
Bertrand Remillard
(D)
2438
Raymond C. Warmington
(R)
6231
Blanks
493
Total
9162
Question No. 1
YES
6294
NO
1042
BLANKS
1826
Total
9162
Question No. 2
YES
5547
NO
1728
BLANKS
1887
Total
9162
Question No. 3
YES
4182
NO
3951
BLANKS
1029
Total
9162
Question No. 4
YES
2911
NO
5239
BLANKS
1012
Total
9162
Question No. 5
YES
591
NO
7840
BLANKS
731
Total
9162
Question No. 6
Item A
YES
4731
NO
3585
BLANKS
846
Total
9162
32
Item B
YES NO BLANKS
4143
3796
1223
Total
9162
Question No. 7
Item A
YES
5204
NO
3198
BLANKS
760
Total
9162
Item B
YES
5186
NO
2958
BLANKS
1018
Total
9162
Item C
YES
6350
NO
2022
BLANKS
790
Total
9162
Question No. 8
YES
4775
NO
2764
BLANKS
1623
Total
9162
Question No. 9
YES
3439
NO
5075
BLANKS
648
Total
9162
33
State Audit
Mr. Francis X. Lang
Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston.
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 June 24, 1949, the date of the previous audit, to September 30, 1950, and submit the following report 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 reconciled with the reports and records on file with the town accountant and with the treasurer's records.
The town accountant's ledger was analyzed, the receipts being checked with the treasurer's books and the payments be- ing compared with warrants authorizing them and with the treasurer's records of payments. The appropriation accounts 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.
The necessary adjusting entries resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this re- port, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on September 30, 1950.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments col- lecting 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 treas- urer to disburse town funds. The cash book additions were verified, and the cash balance on September 30, 1950 was prov- ed by reconciliation of the bank balance with statements furn- ished 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.
Attention is called to the provisions of Section 55, Chapter 44, General Laws, limiting town deposits in any one bank to 60% of the capital and surplus of the bank, unless satisfactory security is given by the bank for the excess.
34
The payments made on account of maturing debt and in- terest were compared with the cancelled securities and coupons on file and proved with the amounts falling due.
The savings bank books and securities representing the in- vestments of the trust, investment and retirement funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the treasurer of the library trustees were examined and listed. The income and disburse- ments were proved and the transfers to the town were verified by comparison with the treasurer's cash book.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and listed. The transfers to the tax titles account were com- pared with the tax books, the redemptions were checked with the treasurer's recorded receipts, and the foreclosures were verified. The tax title transactions were further verified by comparison with records in the Registry of Deeds.
The payroll deductions for federal taxes and for the pur- chase of bonds were examined and checked. The payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue for taxes withheld from salaries of employees and the payments for the purchase of bonds were verified, and the balances in the general treasury were proved to the respective ledger accounts.
The books and accounts to the tax collector were examin- ed and checked. The taxes, excise, and assessments outstand- ing at the time of the previous examination, as well as all other subsequent commitments, were audited and proved to the warrants issued for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were verified, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessors' records, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling account in the general ledger.
The records of apportioned assessments not due were ex- amined and checked. The apportionments made by the as- sessors were proved, the payments in advance were checked with the treasurer's recorded receipts and with the warrants issued for their collection, the abatements were compared with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the aport- ioned assessments not due were listed and reconciled with the deferred revenue accounts in the town 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
35
to grant them, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling accounts in the town accountant's ledger.
The outstanding tax, excise, assessment, departmental, electric 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 there- to indicating that the outstanding accounts, as listed, are correct.
The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined for dog and sporting licenses issued. The payments to the town treasurer were checked with the treasurer's recorded receipts and the payments to the Division of Fisheries and Game were checked with the receipts on file.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to file them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The books and accounts of the school department were examined ard checked. The records of recipts from the cafeteria and from miscellaneous sources were checked, the cash on hand was verified, and the payments to the town treasurer were compared with the treasurer's recorded re- ceipts.
The records of the selectmen, the building inspector, and the sealer of weights and measures, of the health and library departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection, wcie examined and checked, the recorded collections being com- pared with the treasurer's recorded receipts.
There are appended to this report, in addition to the bal- ance sheet, tables showing reconciliations of the several cash accounts, summaries of the tax, excise, assessment, tox title, departmental, electric light, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust, investment, and retirement funds.
During the progress of the audit co-operation was extend- ed by the various town officials for which, on behalf of my assistants 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.
36
THE BRAINTREE WATERFRONT
Board of Selectmen
John W. Mahar, Chairman
Raymond P. Palmer, Clerk
Albert E. Roberts
Population. The Mid-Century population of Braintree this year is 23,130, an increase of 41.2% in the last ten years. This rapid growth is one of the important factors in the increased cost of operating our town. It means more schools, fire, police, highway and utilities services, more welfare and old age assist- ance. To be sure our valuation has also increased but it has been very largely in residential property which in many cases produces more expense to the town than it does income. How-
37
ever, we are glad that our town is growing, that people want to live here and we hope to be able to induce more industries to locate here to give employment to our people and to help in carrying the operating expenses of our town.
Meetings. During the past year the Selectmen have held 35 regular meetings open the press and public and 16 special meetings. We meet regularly on the first, second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 P.M. The meetings are open to the public and anyone having business with the Selectmen is invited to attend at that time.
Union Village. During the year the Federal Government relinquished all claims on the Union Village Housing Project so that it is now entirely owned by the town and is being operated at a profit by the Braintree Housing Authority.
Post Office. Early in February our office was informed that federal money was available for the purchase of a site for a new Post Office in Braintree. On February 14th we appoint- ed a committee of fifteen under the chairmanship of Waldo E. Niles to investigate possible sites and report their findings to us. This report was received on October 10th and the recom- mendations forwarded by us to the Post Office Department. We await their action.
Parking Meters. The last annual town meeting authorized us to install parking meters in the town. After a study and demonstration of the principal meters on the market we award- ed contracts for 115 Dual meters at $66.00 each and 115 Park- O-Meters at $61.50 each. Both are the automatic type. After approval as to location and regulations had been received from the State Department of Public Works, the meters were in- stalled and placed in operation on September 16th. Half of the receipts from the meters is paid to the meter companies until they are paid for. The balance is retained by the town. So far they seem to be satisfactory and have helped to control park- ing in our business areas.
Civil Defense. The 1950 legislature passed a Civil Defense Act directing every town and city to set up a Civil Defense organization to act in any emergency threatening the lives of our people. On August 1st the selectmen appointed Mr. Regi- nald P. Fitzgerald to the post of Civil Defense Director for Braintree. He has proceeded to build our organization very carefully and thoroughly and deserves the support and confi- dence of all our citizens in this most important matter.
Ray Oil Company Suit. The December 1949 special town meeting authorized the Selectmen to appoint a special counsel
38
for the Board of Health in their suit against the John L. Ray Oil Company. The Board of Health nominated attorney Francis P. Garland of Boston and he was appointed by the selectmen. In-as-much as this case is still before the court and in view of the fact that the company has stopped the nuisance and we no longer have complaints about it, we feel that this suit should be withdrawn by the Board of Health and the unexpended funds for counsel closed out to the E.&D. account.
Town Hall Maintenance. A building of the size and age of our Town Hall requires constant expense for repairs. This year we have continued our program of interior painting, re- pairs to roof and gutters and installed modern light fixtures in the corridors and sides of the main auditorium. The Com- monwealth paid us $800.00 for use of the hall for the National Guard and the Federal government allows us 5% of the total maintenance cost of the Town Hall because of the Federal Old Age Assistance program administered there.
Insurance. Fire insurance on all town property is handled through our office. This year we obtained the lowest rate in the history of the town, 21 cents on one hundred dollars.
Income. Income received through our office for licenses and permits amounted to $8,061.35. Rent of the Town Hall amounted to $75.00. We sold at public auction tax title property for $6,171.80.
Board of Public Welfare
Raymond P. Palmer, Chairman
Albert E. Roberts John W. Mahar, Clerk
H. J. Gaffney, Agent
The Board of Public Welfare is charged with the duty of administering the public assistance program of the town. The details of administration are handled by our agent, Mr. H. J. Gaffney and a staff of three social workers and three clerks all of whom are under civil service. We endeavor to see that each applicant for assistance is given courteous treatment and such aid as he may be entitled to under the law, and no more. This program will be considered under the following classifica- tions :
39
Infirmary. The town infirmary under the supervision of our superintendent and matron, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Donahue, is used for the care of single persons who are homeless and have no means of support. We have eight more or less per- manent cases of this kind. In addition we have used the in- firmary to provide temporary shelter for evicted families. There have been two of these: one a man and wife and eight children and another man and wife with four children. The cost of operating the infirmary was $5,257.29 and we have been or will be reimbursed for approximately 20% of this amount which reimbursement goes into the town's Excess & Deficiency Account.
General Relief. General Relief or temporary aid is that class of relief that is given to persons who for one reason of another such as unemployment, sickness, and broken homes are unable to support themselves temporarily. Such assistance is only given after careful investigation and in such amounts as the circumstances warrant. We are required to assist quali- fied cases found in our town but we can bill other towns and cities or the state for those cases that do not have a legal settle- ment in Braintree. Likewise other towns and cities can charge us for Braintree settled cases that they may aid. In this type of aid the highest number of cases we have had at one time during the year is 40, not including Braintree settled cases in other cities and towns. Our expenditures under this category were $31,974.41 of which we will get back about 25 % .
INNOWY
EXPENDED
WELFARE TEMPORARY AID
1938 -950
120000
180
AVERAGE NO CASES MONTHLY
150
ATHANOW SESYSON JOYCEAV
20000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
0
0
29
41-
42
43
44.
45
146
48
49
50
YEAR
60000
40000
40
AMOUNT
EXPENDED
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN 1940-1950
in
40500
40
30000
3
AVERAGE NO CASES
MONTHLY
2000+1
10000 AMOUNT EXPENDED
10
42
43
44 YEAR
45
46
49
50
Aid to Dependent Children. This type of assistance is set up to care for mothers and their dependent children when the father has died or for other reasons is unable to provide support. The theory back of this is that it is better to have the mother stay home and take care of the children than to be away at work and leave the children uncared for. Both the federal government and the state contribute to this pro- gram which has to be administered according to their regu- lations. We have had as many as 38 cases of this kind at one time. The cost was $48,984.51. Of this total the Town of Braintree's share was only $17,208.00 the balance being paid by the state and federal government. However, the town has to supply the original amount and then be reimbursed later.
Old Age Assistance. By far the most expensive form of assistance is in the category of financial help to needy persons over 65 years of age. This must be paid to the individual in cash. The highest number of persons receiving this assistance during the year was 347. Both the federal government and the state contribute to this program. But we have to provide the money for the expenditures and then are reimbursed for about 5/6 of the total amount. The state reimbursements go to the E. & D. Account but the federal payments are in the
41
AHINOW S3SVD DM 30443NY
50000
nature of a revolving fund which can be used when received. Our total expenditures for Old Age Assistance in 1950 were $259,660.45 of which the town's share was $38,428.32. We carried forward a balance of approximately $50,000.00 in fed- eral funds which can be used for this program and Aid to De- pendent Children in 1951.
Ever since this program was instituted there have been continual efforts made to liberalize it. The latest of these was the vote of the people on a referendum at last state election. This provided for a minimum payment of $75.00 per month, eliminated the necessity for children to contribute to the sup- port of their parents, reduced the eligibility age from 65 to 63 and made aliens eligible. This matter is now before the court for a decision on its legality. If the law stands as voted by the people it could easily cost our town $50,000.00 more than we have asked for in our budget and so would necessitate the calling of a special town meeting to provide the funds. We are not asking for additional money now because we be- lieve that if the law is found to be legal then the present legislature is likely to amend it to substantially reduce the cost.
OLDAGE ASSISTANCE 1940 -1950
560
2400.00
480
200000
400
60000
AVERAGE NO CASES
320
MONTHLY
20000
240
AMOUNT EXPENDED
80000
1160
AVERAGE-NO-CASESMONTHLY
40000
80
O
4
42
43
44
45
46
47
48 149
50
YEAR
280.000
AMOUNT EXPENDED
INTHDOLLARS
1+
42
While our welfare and Old Age Assistance expenditures are heavy, we believe that they are being efficiently handled. We have always been supported by the state in any ap- peals from our decisions. This indicates that those we have decl' -d to assist have not been entitled to assistance under the law. It is our constant effort to administer the affairs of this department with symp. 'hy and understanding of the p.ob- lems of both the recipient and the taxpayer.
Department of Veterans' Services George A. Shortle, Director
During the past year, aid to eligible Veterans, their de- pendents or dependents of deceased Veterans has been granted under Chapter 584 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The budget as set up by the Commissioner of Veterans Services is the basis for aid granted to an applicant for Veter- ans Benefits. All money, regardless of the source, received by an applicant is to be considered as income, and deducted from the budget. This includes pensions, earnings of dependent and non-dependent children, allotments, subsistance payments re- adjustment allowance, unemployment compensation, etc. The Commissioner stresses the fact that Veterans Benefits is not a pension but a temporary aid program.
During the year assistance has been granted to 98 fam- ilies involving 294 persons.
The facilities of this office are available at all times to any veteran.
43
Jury List
AS PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN
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