Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1950, Part 6

Author:
Publication date: 1950
Publisher: The town
Number of Pages: 150


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1950 > Part 6


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9


Metro Parks 1950


Metro. Sewer So. System 1950


County Tax 1950


Charles River Basin Bond . Int. 1950


Metro. Parks 1950


Respectfully submitted,


R. W. MAGLATHLIN,


Town Accountant


77 C


Balance 1-1-50


Appro- priations


Receipts


Transfers 21,924.77


Refunds


Total 21,924.77


28,031.00 53,422.26


28,031.00 50,297.70


36,003.46


7,972.46 Dr.


3,124.56 Cr.


151.44


151.44 Dr.


94.63


94.63 Dr.


.


.


*


.


.


·


.


Transfers Expended Revenue Etc. 12-31-50 22,645.04


TOWN OF BRAINTREE Balance Sheet December 31, 1950 GENERAL ACCOUNTS ASSETS


Cash


$1,152,585.23


Accounts Receivable:


Taxes:


Levy of 1950 Real. $81,382.55


Levy of 1950 Personal


2,643.16


Levy of 1950 Poll. 46.00


84,071.71


Judgement on 1947 Per-


sonal Tax


148.00


Judgement on 1949 Per-


sonal Tax


42.40


Bankruptcy Claim 1949


Personal Tax .


250.16


Bankruptcy Claim 1949


Poll Tax


2.00


442.56


Bankruptcy Claim 1949 Motor Vehicle Excise


123.01


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 1950


21,492.67


Special Assessments:


Unapportioned Sewer. .


55,643.09


Apportioned Sewer 1950


1,336.10


Sewer House Conn. Un- appor.


22,715.22


Sewer House Conn.


Appr. 1950


253.24


Streets Unapportioned .


2,804.13


Streets Apportioned 1950


128.00


Committed Interest 1950


554.71


Sidewalks


38.75


83,473.24


Tax Titles Possessions:


Tax Titles


9,878.64


Tax Titles Possessions


35,259.17


45,137.81


Departmental Revenue:


A.D.C. "118"


6,624.97


Welfare


1,760.73


O.A.A.


14,089.24


Health


49.50


Police Ambulance


601.25


Veterans' Benefits


568.08


Slaughtering


17.00


Tree Warden


25.00


23,735.77


State and County Aid to Highways


26,330.43


Water Dept. Liens 1950 ..


589.05


Water Dept. Rates and Services


22,029.42


22,618.47


Water Dept. Petty Cash. .


200.00


78


Electric Light Dept. Light and Power


61,451.72


Electric Light Dept. Petty Cash


200.00


Norfolk County Hospital 1950


4,398.15


Metro. Parks 1950


720.27


Metro. Sewer South Sys- tem 1950 Charles River Basin 1950


7,972.46


151.44


Metro. Parks Bonds and Ins. 1950


94.63


13,336.95


$1,535,199.57


LIABILITIES AND RESERVES


Defense Bonds


$284.72


Withholding Tax


10,662.59


Apportioned Sewer Not Due


297.00


Apportioned Sewer House


Conn. Not Due


75.00


Overlay Reserve


25,707.27


Overlay 1950


8,720.13


Sale of Real Estate Funds. .


902.20


Sale of Cemetery Lots


70.00


Sewer Receipts Reserved for Appro.


66,245.06


Dog Licenses


40.20


Tailings


317.01


Water Dept. Available Surplus


11,108.00


Federal Grants:


O.A.A.


$44,826.01


O.A.A. Recovery


14.43


52,007.57


O.A.A. Admr.


7,167.13


A.D.C. "118"


5,089.86


A.D.C. "118" Admr.


1,758.86


6,848.72


Unexpended Appropriation Balances:


Treasurer Extra Clerical Parking Meters .


38.47


Treasurer Expense


225.00


Assessors Witness Fees.


1,000.00


Settlement of Claims


664.00


Land Damages


1,090.00


Special Counsel Health Planning Board


636.21


Police Ambulance Reserve


1,022.62


Fire Dept. - Painting E. Bra. Station


275.00


Fire Alarm Dept .- 3 Air Tanks


1,033.00


Sewer Dept .- 1950 New


28,124.13


Construction


750.00


79


Prevention Dutch Elm Disease


1,080.40


Highways -


- Chapter 90 Construction


18,542.80


Highways - 1950 New Construction


1,450.00


Highways - 1949 New


1,350.00


Highways - 1948 New Construction


3,750.82


Highways - Elliot Street


937.50


Highways-Street Resur- faced 2,064.70


Highways-Vets. Housing Development 769.74


Highways-Parking Area E. Braintree 5,000.00


T.A., O.A.A., A.D.C,


6,796.70


Infirmary-Painting Barn, etc.


101.00


Veterans' Benefits


200.00


School


Dept.


George


Barden Fund


133.04


School Dept. - Lunches Elementary


2,600.21


School Dept. Lunches


High


24.43


School Dept. School


Plans


1,000.00


School


Dept.


High


Sprinkler System


2,706.72


School Dept. - Lakeside Drive Purchase . 4,700.00


School Dept. Athletic Fund


1,553.10


School Dept .- Remodeling A. Lincoln School


28,338.50


School Dept. - Plans, Spec., Drawings


1,200.00


School Dept .- New Ele- mentarv


411,297.23


School Dept .- Land Pur- chase E. Braintree School Dent. - Eminent Domain E. Braintree. .


250.00


School Dept-New Addi- tion High


51.58


Library-Plans and Specs.


225.00


Library-New Building. .


50,000.00


Hollis Field-New Stadium


82.76


Insurance-Buildings and Contents


6,391.17


Insurance-Bo'ler


100.00


Parking Meter Receints. .


2,396.41


Revision Building Code.


25.00


Building Code Committee


500.00


Vets. Hsg. Reserve for Ground Rent 4,920.00


80


65.00


Construction


Vets. Hsg. Sewer Pump- ing Station


13,900.00


Braintree Airport Com-


394.70


mittee


Civil Defense Expense. ..


656.00


Revenue Reserved until Collected :


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Revenue .


21,615.68


Special Assessments Rev- enue


83,101.24


Tax Title Revenue .


45,137.81


Departmental Revenue


23,75.77


State and County Aid to Highways Revenue


26,330.43


Water Dept. Revenue


22,618.47


Water Dept. Petty Cash Revenue


200.00


Electric Light Dept. Rev-


enue


61,451.72


Electric Light Dept. Petty Cash Revenue


200.00


Electric Light Dept. Depre- ciation Fund


133,095.90


Electric Light Dept. Con- struction Account


41,385.54


Surplus Revenue E & D


273,006.04


Premiums


6,414.64


Accrued Interest


65.14


1950 Smoke Inspection


$18.22


1950 County Tax


3,124.56


3,142.78


$1,535,199.57


DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS


Apportioned Assessments Not Due:


Apportioned Sewer $118,310.48


Apportioned Sewer House Conn.


44,484.50


Apportioned Streets


6,459.50


Apportioned Sidewalks 369.00 $169,623.48


$169,623.48


Apportioned Sewer Assessment Revenue:


Due in 1951


$17,652.68


Due in 1952


14,848.32


Due in 1953


14,574.61


Due in 1954


14,414.61


Due in 1955


14,285.61


Due in 1956


14,208.60


Due in 1957


13,398.65


Due in 1958


10,021.40


Due in 1959


4,906.00


118,310.48


81


Apportioned Sewer House Connections Revenue:


Due in 1951


6,978.50


Due in 1952


6,267.50


Due in 1953


5,870.50


Due in 1954


5,632.50


Due in 1955


5,304.50


Due in 1956


4,980.50


Due in 1957


4,354.50


Due in 1958


3,341.00


Due in 1959


. . .


44,484.50


Apportioned Streets Revenue:


Due in 1951.


924.00


Due in 1952


904.00


Due in 1953


904.00


Due in 1954


894.00


Due in 1955


884.00


Due in 1956


869.00


Due in 1957


713.50


Due in 1958


367.00


6,459.50


Apportioned Sidewalks Revenue:


Due in 1951


41.00


Due in 1952


41.00


Due in 1953


41.00


Due in 1954


41.00


Due in 1955


41.00


Due in 1956


41.00


Due in 1957


41.00


Due in 1958


.


41.00


Due in 1959


41.00


369.00


$169,623.48


DEBT ACCOUNTS


Net Funded and Fixed Debt


$2,037,000.00


$2,037,000.00


Sewerage


$290,000.00


Water Dept. Replacing


Pump, etc.


3,000.00


Water Dept. Improving Sys- tem


132,000.00


Water Dept. Booster Sta- tion, etc.


33,000.00


High School New Addition . .


728,000.00


High School Remodeling .


128,000.00


New Grade School E. Brain- tree


670,000.00


New Highway Garage


53,000.00 $2,037,000.00


$2,037,000.00


82


1,755.00


TRUST ACCOUNTS


Trust Funds :


Cash and Securities in Cus- tody of Town Treasurer


$163,777.67


$163,777.67


In Custody of Town Treasurer:


Charles H. Thayer Fund $20,789.57


Ann M. Penniman Fund


505.78


George W. Kelley Ceme- tery Fund 200.31


Charles E. French Fund


2,452.98


Nathaniel H. Hunt Fund


24,376.99


Hannah R. Hollis .


107.34


Julia A. Minchin Fund


115.06


Library Foundation Fund


11,020.91


Caleb Stetson Library Fund


2,500.00


Post War Rehabilitation


Fund


497.04


Rachel R. Thayer Library Fund


172.50


Avis A. Thayer Fund


507.89


Joseph S. Miller Cemetery Fund 142.28


Stabilization Fund


25,847.04


Henry H. Musick Fund ..


284.35


Charles C. Hill Cemetery Fund


115.07


James W. Colbert School


Fund


30,188.43


James W. Colbert Library Fund


43,954.13


$163,777.67


$163,777.67


CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SYSTEM


Cash and Securities $300,520.74


$300,520.74


Annuity Savings Fund $196,973.31


Expense Fund 156.98


Pension Accumulation Fund


80,079.83


Annuity Reserve Fund


14,044.55


Income Fund


6,049.79


Annuity Savings Fund-Mil-


itary


3,216.28 $300,520.74


$300,520.74


Respectfully submitted, R. W. MAGLATHLIN Town Accountant


83


Town Treasurer JOHN W. HARDING, Town Treasurer in account with THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE


Cash Book Balance, January 1, 1950


$601,659.32


Receipts from the Collector of Taxes


1,902,814.91


Receipts from Electric Light Department


710,104.85


Receipts from Water Department


183,871.80


Receipts from all other sources


2,189,935.49


$5,588,386.37


Paid on Selectmen's Warrants for:


Bonds, Notes and Interest


$660,202.54


Electric Light Department Vouchers


698,201.23


Water Department Vouchers


225,665.83


All other Appropriations and Expenditures


2,851,731.54


Cash Book Balance, December 31, 1950


1,152,585.23


$5,588,386.37


The Cash Book Balance is made up of the following items:


General Town Account Balance


$966,995.79


Water Department Balance


11,108.00


Electric Light Department Balance 41,385.54


Electric Depreciation Fund


133,095.90


$1,152,585.23


LIMITATION OF INDEBTEDNESS STATEMENT January 1, 1951


Prepared in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44 Section 10 of the General Laws.


Valuations for three preceding years less abatements :


1948


$33,372,428.


1949


35,466,926.


1950 40,542.033.


$109,381,387.


Average Net Valuation 36,460,462.


5 % of Average Valuation


$1,823,023.


Total Debt Outstanding December 31, 1950 $2,037,000.


Less Debt Outside the Debt Limit 661,000.


1,376,000.


Present Borrowing Capacity $447,023.


OUTSTANDING FUNDED DEBT December 31, 1950


First Sewer Loan, 3 1/2 %, due 1951-1961 $159,000.00


Second Sewer Loan, 5%, due 1951-1953 12,000.00


Third Sewer Loan, 31/4 %, due 1951-1954


28,000.00


84


Sewer Loan, 1%, due 1951


6,000.00


Sewer Loan, 2 1/4 %, due 1951-1958


40,000.00


Sewer Loan, 11/2 %, due 1951-1959


45,000.00


Water Equipment Notes, 34 %, due 1951


3,000.00


Water Mains Bonds, 11/4 %, due 1951-1961


132,000.00


Water Construction Bonds, 11/4 %, due 1951-1961. .


33,000.00


728,000.00


High School Addition Bonds, 2 1/4 %, due 1951-1968 . . High School Remodeling Bonds, 21/4 %, due 1951-1958 Highway Garage Bonds, 21/4 %, due 1951-1958


53,000.00


Elementary School Bonds, 134 %, due 1951-1970


670,000.00


$2,037,000.00


Year


Bonds and Notes


Interest


1951


$159,000.


$42,831.25


1952


150,000.


39,410.00


1953


150,000.


36,030.00


1954


146,000.


32,750.00


1955


139,000.


29,570.00


Tax Titles and Tax Title Possessions


Tax Titles held by the Town of Braintree, Jan. 1, 1950


$7,150.09


Tax Titles acquired in 1950, including subsequent taxes added


7,888.55


Tax Titles Redeemed in 1950


4,840.90


Tax Titles Foreclosed in 1950


319.10


Tax Titles Held, December 31, 1950


9,878.64


The book value of Tax Title Possessions held by the


Town on December 31, 1950 was


35,259.17


TRUST FUND TRANSACTIONS-Year 1950


Principal


of Fund


Balance


of Income


Jan. 1. '50


Income


Receipts


Payments


Balance


1950


of Income


Dec. 31, '50


N. H. Hunt Trust


$24,376.99


$657.41


$657.41


...


Chas E. French Trust


2,419.50


$24.19


51.71


42.42


$33.48


Ann M. Penniman Trust


500.00


5.10


10.68


10.00


5.78


Geo. W. Kelley Trust


200.00


4.04


4.27


8.00


.31


Hannah R. Hollis Trust


100.00


5.10


2.24


7.34


Julia A. Minchin Trust


100.00


12.67


2.39


15.06


Charles Thayer Trust


20,329.06


460.11


460.40


460.00


460.51


Avis A. Thayer


500.00


6.18


10.71


9.00


7.89


Jos. S. Miller Trust


123.66


15.65


2.97


18.62


Chas C. Hill Trust


100.00


12.68


2.39


15.07


Colbert School Trust


25,000.00


4,540.17


648.26


5,188.43


Henry H. Musick Trust


250.00


28.41


5.94


34.35


Colbert Library Trust


40,443.76


2,511.91


998.46


3,510.37


Post War Fund


7,152.95


497.04


7,152.95


497.04


Stabilization Fund


25,000.00


829.33


17.71


847.04


1950


from Income


Dec. 31, '50


85


128,000.00


Trust Funds of the Trustees of Thayer Public Library December 31, 1950


Principal-Foundation Fund


$11,020.91


Principal-Caleb Stetson Fund


2,500.00


Principal-Rachel R. Thayer Fund


172.50


Receipts :


Cash on deposit, Jan. 1, 1950


2,753.02


Income-Foundation Fund


253.03


Income-Caleb Stetson Fund


51.88


Income-Nathaniel H. Hunt Trust


657.41


Income-Rachel R. Thayer Fund


.


3.44


$3,718.78


Expenditures :


Purchase of Books


$519.78


Purchase of Microfilms


321.75


Cash on Deposit, Dec. 31, 1950


2,877.25


.


Contributory Retirement System TREASURER'S REPORT FOR YEAR 1950


Under the General Laws the Town Treasurer is The Treasurer- Custodian of all Funds and Securities of the Contributory Retirement System.


Cash Balance, January 1, 1950


$8,100.70


Cash Receipts for Year 1950


72,816.02


$80,916.72


Payments by Vouchers of Retirement Board


$70,316.28


Cash Balance, December 31, 1950


10,600.44


$80,916.72


Securities Held-December 31, 1950


$4,000


American Tel. & Tel. Co.


2 3/4 %


due


1980


5,000


Boston Edison Co.


2 3/4 %


due


1980


3,000


Central Maine Power Co.


3 1/2 %


due


1970


4,000


Consolidated Edison Co. of N. Y.


2 5/8 %


due


1977


5,000


Detroit Edison Co.


2 3/4 %


due


1985


5,000


Green Mountain Power Co.


3 3/4 %


due


1963


4,000


Illinois Bell Telephone Co.


3 %


due


1978


5,000


Indianapolis Power & Light Co.


2 7/8 %


due


1979


5,000


Montana Power Co


2 7/8 %


due


1975


3,000


Narragansett Electric Co.


3 %


due


1978


2,000


New England Power Co.


2 3/4 %


due


1979


4,000


New England Tel. & Tel. Co.


3 %


due


1974


4,000


New Jersey Bell Telephone Co.


3 1/8 %


due


1988


4,000


New Jersey Power & Light Co.


2 7 %


due


1979


1,000


New York Telephone Co.


2 3/4 %


due


1982


4,000


Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.


2 3/4 %


due


1980


. .


$3,718.78


86


4,000


Pacific Gas & Electric Co.


2 7/8 %


due


1980


4,000 Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co.


3 1/8 %


due


1983


4,000 Philadelphia Electric Co.


2 7/8 % due


1978


2,000 Westchester Lighting Co.


3 1/2 %


due


1967


3,000


West Penn. Power Co.


2 7/8 %


due


1979


15,000


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1953


35,000 U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1954


25,000


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1955


16,500


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1956


30,000


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1957


3,000


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1958


17,500


U. S. Savings Bonds


2 1/2 %


due


1959


$5,000


Deposit-Braintree Savings Bank


3,000


Deposit-Randolph Savings Bank


1,000


Deposit-Second Federal Sav. & Loan Ass'n., Boston


4,000 Deposit-South Weymouth Savings Bank


1,000 Deposit-Suffolk First Federal Sav. & Loan Ass'n., Boston


3,000 Deposit-Weymouth Savings Bank


200 Shares First National Bank of Boston


38 Shares Manufacturers Trust Co., N. Y.


200 Shares National Shawmut Bank of Boston


44 Shares National City Bank of N. Y.


20 Shares Rockland-Atlas National Bank of Boston


25 Paid-up Shares Braintree Co-operative Bank


10 Running Shares


Braintree Co-operative Bank-Series 105


10 Running Shares Braintree Co-operative Bank-Series 106


15 Paid-up Shares


Holbrook Co-operative Bank


10 Paid-up Shares


Home Co-operative Bank


5 Paid-up Shares


Lawrence Co-operative Bank


10 Paid-up


Shares


Lincoln Co-operative Bank


10 Paid-up Shares


Mattapan Co-operative Bank


10 Paid-up Shares


Middleborough Co-operative Bank


10 Running Shares


Orange Co-operative Bank


Series 124


20 Running


Shares


Pilgrim Co-operative Bank


Series 134


20 Running


Shares


Quincy Co-operative Bank Series 187


15 Paid-up


Shares


Randolph Co-operative Bank


10 Running Shares


Randolph Co-operative Bank


Series 123


10 Paid-up


Shares


Shirley Co-operative Bank


15 Paid-up Shares


South Shore Co-operative Bank


10 Paid-up


Shares


Ware Co-operative Bank


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN W. HARDING,


Town Treasurer.


87.3


Report of Tax Collections GEORGE H. GERRIOR, JR., Tax Collector Year Ending December 31, 1950


LEVY OF 1950


Real Estate


Commitments $1,605,013.52 20,048.85


Cash Receipts $1,501,992.23 18,342.75


Abatements Less Refunds $17,393.79


Tax Titles and Apportionments $4,245.83 380.00


Balance Outstanding $81,381.67


Sewer Betterment Apportionments


1,326.10


Sewer Connection Apportionments


7,922.72


7,422.17


6.00


494.55


Street Betterment Apportionments .


1,032.25


864.25


40.00


128.00


Water Liens


4,383.53


3,319.25


475.23


589.05


Committed Interest


7,611.58


6,994.25


1.50


61.12


554.71


Poll


13,852.00


12,460.00


1,346.00


46.00


Excise


160,668.14


135,886.22


3,289.18


21,492.74


& Personal Property


59,499.22


55,936.02


920.04


2,643.16


$1,880,031.81


$1,743,217.14


$22,950.51


$5,208.18


$108,655.98


LEVY OF 1949


Real Estate


$69,068.23


$66,674.40


$126.36


$2,267.47


Sewer Betterment Apportionments


1,686.63


1,592.31


94.32


Sewer Connection Apportionments


655.32


655.32


Street Betterment Apportionments


142.17


142.17


Water Liens


251.04


189.04


62.00


Committed Interest


602.01


580.75


21.26


Poll


102.00


56.00


44.00


2.00


Excise


7,647.61


7,253.69


270.91


123.01


Personal Property


3,337.77


2,901.05


144.16


292.56


$83,492.78


$80,044.73


$585.43


$2,862.62


Unapportioned and Deferred Asses.


231,068.11


76,675.00


125.77


73,372.46


80,894.88


TOTAL


$2,194,592.70


$1,899,936.87


$23,661.71


$81,443.26


$189,550.86


·


.


.


.


.


.


.


·


·


.


.


.


.


· . .


.


.


.


·


.


· ·


.


MISCELLANEOUS INCOME: Interest


Fees Lien Statement


$2,413.06 35.98 429.00


TOTAL


$1,902,814.91


Analysis of Unapportioned and Deferred Assessments Prepaid


Cash Receipts


Balance


Sewer Betterment


$140,885.57


$30,576.17


Abatements $118.51 7.26


Apportionments $54,547.80 18,416.91 407.75


$55,643.09


Sewer Connection


62,495.46


21,662.38


22,408.91


Street Betterment


4,698.33


1,447.70


2,842.88


DEFERRED ASSESSMENTS PREPAID


20,201.75


20,201.75


Sewer Connection


2,159.00


2,159.00


. .


Street Betterment


628.00


628.00


. .


89


$231,068.11


$76,675.00


$125.77


$73,372.46


$80,894.88


Analysis of Abatements


1950 Real Estate


Committed Interest


Poll


1,380.00


34.00


Excise


1,177.44


257.40


Personal Property


4,033.94


3,907.58


1949 Real Estate


44.00


Poll


401.17


130.26


Excise


144.16


Personal Property


3,620.00


3,620.00


1948 Real Estate


UNAPPORTIONED ASSESSMENTS


Sewer Betterment


118.51


Sewer


Connection


7.26


. .


.


.


.


$50,115.35


$26,453.64


. . . . .


.


*


·


·


·


.


.


.


·


.


·


.


.


. .


. .


·


·


.


Abatements $32,519.50 1.50


Refunds $15,125.71


6,667.87


3,378.69


Sewer Betterment


Board of Assessors Arthur E. Boynton, Chairman


Norris H. Pinault Charles R. Furlong, Clerk


Chapter 59, Section 2: All property, real and personal, situated within the commonwealth, and all personal property of the inhabitants of the commonwealth, wherever situated, unless expressly exempt, shall be subject to taxation.


Chapter 59, Section 38: The assessors of the city and town shall at the time appointed therefor make a fair cash valuation of all the estate, real and personal, subject to taxation therein.


1950 was a busy year for your board of assessors. In accordance with the vote of the 1949 town meeting the pro- gram of revaluating all properties within town was completed. Every property was inspected and listed providing a most valuable fund of data and information which in our opinion of itself justifies the effort and investment made in the attempt to equalize values. We realize that such a large project regardless of how well done, would still not reach that goal of perfection that we all desire because value is opinion and can well be controversial. You may be sure, however, that the entire pro- ject was carried through in an absolutely impartial manner, and while there may be some who are not pleased, we are sure that as time goes on more and more will appreciate the bene- fits that are found to result from this large program.


Since time immemorial the question of taxation has been one of much concern. Biblical students will recall that much of the grandeur and splendor of Solomon was brought about by heavy taxation. Mary and Joseph were on their way to their native city to be taxed when the Savior was born. Things haven't changed a great deal relative to the popular- ity of officials, if we will recall that Levi Matthew was most hated of the twelve disciples that the Master called to follow Him.


So long as we have a property tax proper administration of the tax laws and equitable values are highly essential. Our local government must have streets, sidewalks, adequate schools, fire protection, police protection, sanitation, recreation and many other things that we all demand.


In order to secure the revenue needed for things essen- tial to the growth and prosperity of our town a well equipped assessors office is vital. We are slowly making progress in this direction.


90


1950 Recapitulation


Figures Used in Fixing Rate (G. L. Chap. 59, Sections 23 and 25)


Total Appropriations Voted Since 1949 Tax Rate Was Fixed


State: Assessments


County : Tax and Assessments


Overlay of Current Year


$2,675,670.58 58,572,52 83,783.08 43,822.59


Gross Amount to be Raised


$2,861,848.77


Estimated Receipts - Available Funds


$890,156.27 294,083.40


Total Deductions


$1,184,239.67


Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation on Polls and Property $1,677,609.1C


Number of Polls : 6,885 at $2.00 each $13,770.00


Valuation : Personal Estate $1,352,255.00) Tax Rate 59,499.22


Real Estate 36,462,270.00) $44.00


1,604,339.88


Total Taxes Levied on Polls and Property


$1,677,609.10


Planning Board


A. Winton Caird, Chairman


Edward J. Rose


Joseph M. Magaldi, Secretary Mitchell W. Gawlowicz


Ralph M. Soule


John J. Drinkwater, Ex-Officio


The Planning Board has completed the second year of its operation as a Board of Survey under the provisions of Chapter 41 of the General Laws, Section 81A to 81Y, as amended.


In April Mrs. Helen M. Ellsworth, for many years a member of the Planning Board, tendered her resignation which was regretfully accepted. Mr. Mitchell W. Gawlowicz, an engineer associated with the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, fills the unexpired term.


During the year public hearings were held for seven pro- posed subdivision developments involving seventeen new street layouts.


A number of studies were made for projects included in the long-range planning program of the Board. Representatives of various civic organizations conferred with the Board during the year and joint meetings were held with neighboring Plan- ning Boards.


Requests were made to the Norfolk County Commission- ers for revised layouts of Pearl Street and Peach Street. Hear- ings have been held on both developments.


Studies have been made for laying out new streets and alterations to existing streets. An article has been inserted in the warrant for the extension of French Avenue to Pearl Street.


Both the Zoning Map and the Planning Board Map have been brought up to date and new prints made. The Zoning Map shows precinct layouts. Nearly 800 buildings have been added to the Planning Board Map making a total of about 6500 buildings. Copies of these maps may be obtained (with out charge) from the Town Engineer.


Zoning By-laws have been revised and printed in pamphlet form. These may be obtained (without charge) from the Town Engineer.


The Planning Board meets regularly at the Town Hall at 7:45 P.M. on the third Tuesday of each month, except dur- ing July and August. During 1950 the Board held 21 regular and special meetings. Anyone wishing to make suggestions or desiring information on matters relating to town planning is cordially invited to attend any of these meetings.


92


ENGNEM


2


THE LATEST IN FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT


Fire Department


Harry T. Sears Chief of Fire Department and Superintendent of Fire Alarm Department.


In 1950 out of a total of 671 calls of all descriptions only 65 fires resulted in losses. These losses totaled $49,508.70 with a property valuation involved by fires of $908,795.00.


Fire Prevention is considered one of the most important duties of the Fire Department. A special effort has been made to increase the number of inspections of all classes of build- ings. Fire Prevention should be carried out the entire year. Due to the increase in population and buildings it has become necessary to increase the personnel of the Fire Department. I have recommended five (5) additional men; one man .for the East Braintree district, now covered by an officer and two men with two pieces of apparatus, a 750 gallon pump and a Squad truck. The second man to be stationed in the Highlands dis- trict, now covered by one man with a 500 gallon pump. It takes the time of two and one-half men to cover a tour of duty (24 hours) under the 70 hour per week system. This in- crease is very urgent and essential at this time.


The apparatus, equipment, fire stations and the fire alarm system are in very good condition. The new triple combination purchased last year is in service at the Central Station. This piece of apparatus is the latest in fire fighting equipment, being equipped to take care of all types of fires.


93


Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the protec- tion of life and property. We are grateful to have automatic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.


Fuel oil in excess of ten gallons shall not be kept in a structure without a permit having been obtained from the head of the Fire Department. In 1950 there were 717 inspec- tions of fuel oil burner installations. These installations are increasing each year. A person, firm or corporation shall not make nor alter a fuel oil burner installation until a certificate of competency has been obtained from the State Fire Mar- shall.


We recommend the installation of an approved metal guard for protection against breakage on glass fuel oil con- tainers installed before January 1, 1948. The law calls for this protection on installations made after January 1, 1948.


A permit is required from the head of the Fire Depart- ment for the installation and storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas systems. 20 permits were issued in 1950 for such installa- tions.


Last year the Braintree Fire Fighters Association, Local 920, presented the Fire Department with a combination re- suscitator, inhalator and aspirator.


By making funds available last year our High School has the latest in fire protection with a complete sprinkler system, connected to an automatic fire alarm system with all auxili- ary pull stations. An alarm from either will automatically register at fire headquarters. I have requested that this pro- cedure continue until all second and third class school build- ings in Braintree are protected by sprinkler systems.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.