USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1950 > Part 7
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Supervised drills and schooling in the Department are carried out the entire year.
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ALICE
POLICE
-
BRAINTREE'S NEW POLICE CRUISER
Police Department Edward D. Cahill, Chief.
On August 11, 1950 our new Cadillac Ambulance was de- livered and since that time has been used to good advantage for the benefit of our citizens. For instance, in December we made 42 trips with this vehicle.
Our parking meters were installed and put in operation on September 16, 1950 in all business centers. Since then ad- ditional meters have been installed on Washington Street near West Street. The meters are working out well in the regula- tion of parking; our municipal parking areas are now being used more than ever before.
For the year 1951 I have requested the addition of three men. This will provide coverage of the Town by two prowl cars on both night shifts. It will also provide a man to relieve the patrolman-mechanic so that he will have sufficient time to service and enforce the regulations on parking meters, and will also provide an extra relief man to cover days off. At the present time there are five day off periods that are un- covered.
I have also recommended the trading of three prowl cars and the two 1941 motorcycles.
95
NEW POLICE AMBULANCE
A request has also been made for an appropriation to en- able us to send two men to State Police School at Framing- ham. This school has been sponsored by the Selectmen's Association, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, and is a most worthwhile endeavor.
An item in the budget also calls for an appropriation for the printing of new Rules & Regulations for the Department and for printing of up to date Traffic Rules & Orders. Our last Rules & Regulations were printed in 1927 and our Traffic Rules and Orders in 1940.
During the past ten years our population has increased 41.2 per cent to a total of 23,130. Construction of new homes and buildings has increased necessitating more supervision and Police work. Our motor vehicle registrations have in- creased; in 1950 there were 9,691 vehicles registered in Brain- tree. This adds to the work load of this department.
We are at the present time starting an Auxiliary Police Force in an effort to be prepared in the event of disaster. We contemplate having an Auxiliary force of 150 men.
We are experimenting with the matter of lettering our prowl cars. One car has been lettered with the word Police on both sides, front and back. This seems to have a deterring effect on speeding motorists. It also identifies a car at night
96 .
when an occasion arises when officers have to stop a car-or when a citizen wants to contact the Police on the highway.
Our accident record shows we had 270 accidents in 1950 as against 276 in 1949. We did, however, have a sad experi- ence in that we had five fatal accidents from May 1st. to De- cember 31st. after completing 1207 days without a fatal.
During the year we have submitted many "Safety Sug- gestions" to the Selectmen and have had splendid cooperation by the Board and the Highway Department in having these suggestions put into effect.
Building Inspector
John C. Pafford, Building Inspector Daniel A. Maloney, Deputy Permits Issued
Dwellings
394
All other new construction
54
Additions, Alterations and Repairs
174
Estimated Values $2,707,189.00 738,858.00 997,649.00
Elevators
2
Razing
14
Estimated value of construction
$4,443,696.00
Fees received for permits 3,230.00
Total permits issued 638
Zoning Board of Appeal
Frank A. Ewart, Chairman
Earl R. Grant, Clerk Ralph B. Woodsum Herbert J. Redman, Alternate
A total of twenty-three petitions were received and after public hearings twenty-one were granted and two denied.
Tree Warden John F. Leetch, Tree Warden
During the year we have given general care to trees on the following streets : Elliot, Elmwood Park, Hobart Ave., Elm, Tremont, Pond, Granite, Washington, Commercial, Middle, Liberty, Adams, Cherry, Hancock, Independence Ave., Arbor-
97
way Drive, Parkside Circle, Cleveland Ave, Legion Building Parking Space and Kinghill Road for which $1,150.00 was appropriated and spent. In addition we had an emergency transfer from the reserve fund of $697.00 to take care of storm damage in various parts of the town.
Sixteen dead trees were removed as listed in the Town Accountant's report at a cost of $1,190.00.
Five Hundred dollars was spent for planting new trees on the following streets: Watson, Union, Washington, Tremont, Peach, Walnut, Blake, Lake, Pond, Bushnell Terrace, Hunt Ave. Lawrence Drive and Pinecrest Road.
The condition of Braintree's trees is not one which we can look at with pride. Many are diseased and in need of immediate attention. More adequate funds should be provided for general care and removal of dead trees and to carry on a planting program that is necessary to maintain the normal tree population of the town.
Sealer of Weights and Measures Calvin E. Young
I herewith submit the annual report as required by the General Laws, Chapter 98, Section 34. A total of 894 sealings, adjustments, etc. were made during the year 1950. In addition there were 810 inspections and reweighings.
A new pump was installed in the Town's 50 gallon test can. This is used to test fuel truck meters and has seen 13 years of hard service. With the growth of the Cities Service truck fleet, and continuing wear and tear, a new testing outfit will be needed in the near future. The 5 - 10 and 20-pound working weights were chromeplated and adjusted. The 50- pound weights were cleaned and given a coat of aluminum paint. With the approval of the 1950 Town Meeting a 20- pound Ansul fire extinguisher was added to the equipment of the Department. It is kept near at hand when gasoline pumps are being tested. The 5-gallon gasoline testing can was cali- brated with the official State 5-gallon measure.
Sealing and adjusting fees collected and turned in to the Town Treasurer amounted to $612.30.
Following is a summary of work done during the year.
Not
Con-
Adjusted
Sealed Sealed demned
Scales over 10,000 lbs.
3
Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs. 24
98
Scales under 100 1bs.
2
161
Weights
1 143
4
Vehicle Tanks:
First 100 gallons
16
Each additional 100 gallons .. Liquid 1 gallon or under
243
10
Meters:
Inlet one inch or less
16
103
Inlet more than one inch
Vehicle Tank systems
14
47
Bulk Storage
8
20
3
Kerosene, Oil or Grease Pumps.
33
38
Yardsticks
5
Total
41
808
41
4
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities put up for sale:
Total Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Butter
34
3
3
28
Fruits and Vegetables
20
0
2
18
Meats and Provisions
608
571
37
0
Potatoes
14
4
2
8
Cheese
134
115
9
10
Totals
810
693
53
64
Inspections and Retests :
Paper and fiber cartons
3
Pedlar's licenses
4
Thermometers
5
Berry
baskets
7
Scales
.
.
Board of Health
Deane R. Walker, Chairman
Herbert B. Hollis, Clerk
John J. Atkinson
Your Board of Health hereby submits its annual report for the year 1950.
We are pleased to report a favorable trend in communi- cable disease cases in 1950 with the exception of scarlet fever which showed a decided increase. Most scarlet fever cases were mild in character and with the treatment with penicillin eradicated complications which formerly occurred following this disease. Our most sincere thanks is again extended to the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association as well as to the School Health Department for their valuable co-operation in assisting in the control of communicable diseases.
99
. .
26
Incorrect
The usual Diphtheria Clinics were held in the Spring and innoculations of a combination of; Diphtheria Toxoid and Whooping Cough Vaccine were given to children of pre-school age. About five hundred school children were given booster shots for further diphtheria prevention.
The program for the inspection of all eating and drinking establishments, including the school and industrial cafeterias, was continued. Bi-monthly swab-tests of all establishments were made and the results of the bacteria count were mailed to each establishment. Where high counts were found re- checks were made immediately and steps were taken to im- prove the conditions in such establishments. The overall re- sults indicate steady improvements. We thank all establish- ments for their co-operating to make eating and drinking places in Braintree clean and Healthy places to visit.
Samples of milk were taken from all the milk dealers de- livering milk in Braintree. The milk in all cases showed un- usually good bacteria counts throughout the year. No milk- borne epidemic occurred in Braintree in 1950.
Meat and provision stores were inspected periodically and no food-borne epidemic occurred during the year.
The expanded Dental Clinic has shown excellent results under the full co-operation of the School Department. At the beginning of each school year dental examinations are given to all the pupils from kindergarten through the eighth grade. We sincerely thank the local dentists who volunteered their services to assist in this program. Under the direction of Miss Hayden, the Visual Aid Instructor, the educational film "Teeth" was shown to the students of the fourth through the eighth grades. The colored and sound film "The White Guard" was shown to the students of the first three grades. Sodium Fluoride treatments were continued with excellent results. We regret the resignation last December of our first Hygienist, Miss Frances Sylvester, who did an excellent job in setting up the dental program. She was succeeded in March by Mrs. Sabena Arsenault who is also doing excellent work. The town can well be proud of the children's teeth in Braintree.
We are pleased to announce that arrangements have final- ly been completed to conduct, over a period which includes the last week of August and the entire month of September 1951, a Massachusetts X-ray program in the town. Many volunteer helpers will be needed to asist in this program and we earnestly urge the co-operation of all citizens in this worth- while program.
100
Chapter 5 of our Health Regulations pertaining to per- mits for keeping horses, cows, goats, swine and poultry were amended during the year. Copies of these amended regula- tions are available at the Health Office in the Town Hall.
Sewer Department
Commissioners Bernard R. Andrews, Chairman
Charles C. Temple
Earl D. Gilliatt
George F. Brousseau, Superintendent
New Construction :
Street
From
To
Pipe Size Inches
Sewer Length Feet
Acorn Circle
Howie
Howie
8
707
Acorn Street
Parkside
Northerly
8
143
Bushnell Terrace
Church
Capen
8
423
Capen Road
Bushnell
Northerly
8
50
Cedar Street
Washington
Easterly
8
194
Cedarcliff Road
Quincy
Summit
8
821
Commercial Street
Wilkins
Elm
8
731
Conrad Street
Robert
Quincy Line
8
196
Southerly
8
91
66
Edwards
East & West
8
79
Crawford Road
Crawford
Summit
8
327
Crawford Street
Pearl
Crawford
8
234
Easement 66
Hayward
Northerly
8
1,087
Edwards Road
Robert
Conrad
8 421
Ellsworth Street
West
Summit
8
400
Elm Street
Commercial
8
476
Elm Terrace
Easement
Northerly
8
54
Elmlawn Road 66
Robert 66
Northerly
8
98
Erickson Street
Easement
Westerly
8
36
Haley Avenue
Shaw
Summit
8
184
Hayward Street
Easement
Commercial
8
436
Holden Road
Commercial
End
8
448
Howie Road
Worthington
Acorn
12
662
Pinecrest Road
Blanchard
Easterly
5
97
Beech
Hayward
10
1,219
Main Sewer
Elm Terrace
8
233
Washington
Robert
8
987
Summit
8 655
101
Pleasant Street Church
Summit
8 619
Robert Street Edwards
Conrad
8
646
Vinton Avenue
Elm Terrace
Summit
8 266
Washington Street Church
Cedar
8 398
Wilkins Road
Easement
Commercial
8
536
Worthington Circle Main Sewer
Howie
12
238
Total 14,192
Total 1950 Construction
2.7 Miles
Previous Construction 34.2
66
Total Construction to Date 36.9 Miles
INSTALLING WELLPOINTS HOWIE ROAD SEWER CONSTRUCTION
102
The above work was advertised and proposals were re- ceived from 17 contractors on a unit price basis in accordance with plans and specifications prepared in the Sewer Depart- ment Office. The job was let to the lowest responsible bidder, N. Cibotti & G. Andreassi Company of Roslindale, and work was started on June 1. Construction operations were suspended after December 15 for the winter.
The work in Howie Road proved to be very difficult and expensive because of fine sand, high ground water level and two water mains near the center of the street. It was neces- sary to relocate one water main for 254 feet and leave con- siderable sheeting in place to prevent damage to the utilities in the street. It finally became necessary to use a system of well points to control the water during excavation. There still remains, to be completed, about 1,200 feet of 12-inch sewer in Howie Road and about 260 feet of 8-inch sewer in Acorn Street.
The total cost of all the completed work amounted to $131,938 or an average of $9.30 per linear foot.
STARTING EXCAVATION
CEDARCLIFF ROAD SEWER CONSTRUCTION
103
1
The sewer in Haley Avenue was constructed by and at the expense of the developer under the inspection of and in accor- dance with plans and specifications of the Sewer Department. Assessments :
235 Sewer Assessments, amounting to $56,343.60 were lev- ied. Assessments against property on Haley Avenue, where the sewer was constructed at the expense of the developer, were levied at 60% of the normal rate in accordance with the new policy adopted by the Sewer Board. 26 Assessments amounting to $7,477,.52 were temporarily withheld because the sewers in Howie Road and Acorn Circle will not be avail- able for use until next spring. House Connections :
There were 217 sewer connections, totaling 10,741 feet, made to the system during the year at a total cost of $39,589 .- 21. This year's new construction made the sewer available to 228 more buildings and applications for connection were re ceived from 87 of them. There were 48 applications on file at the end of the year that will have to wait until next spring be- fore work can be started.
On Elm Street, between Commercial Street and the Fore River Railroad, all the sewer connections were extended to the street line before the street was widened and resurfaced. Maintenance:
During the winter months nearly all of the main and lateral sewers were inspected and cleaned. There was a stop- age in Tremont Street sewer due to root growths.
Eight sewer connections became blocked by root growths during the year. All connections, where trouble with roots had been experienced in the past, were inspected and cleaned.
Upon complaint from the M.D.C. regarding the discharge of oil into the sewer, the valve on the industrial waste connec- tion to the John L. Ray Oil Company was closed until the Oil Company installed new equipment and completely revised their method of separating oil wastes. A weekly report, showing the result of samples taken several times each day, is now required from the Oil Company and no further complaints have been received from the M.D.C.
All of the manholes on route 128 on Washington and Franklin Streets were raised just before the State Highway was resurfaced.
A signal system, using telephone circuits, was installed between the automatic pumping stations and the Police station
104
so that any trouble in operation can now be immediately detected.
At the Common Street pumping station both pumps were completely overhauled and the copper floats replaced. One 15 H.P. motor burned out and had to be rewound. During the storm of September 11 power was cut off for about 7 hours.
At the Brookside Road pumping station the old copper floats were replaced with stainless steel floats. During the storm of September 11 power was cut off for about 10 hours. Smelt brook overflowed its banks during another severe storm and water rose 8-inches above the door still and washed out the fill on one side of the station.
The flow into the pumping stations has greatly increased during the past few years due to the construction of additional sewers and it is no longed safe to operate these stations with- out some source of auxiliary power.
All of the sewer assessments and record plans of the Sewer Department were micro-filmed this year and the film is stored in the Treasurer's safe deposit box in the Braintree Savings Bank.
Financial Statement :
A complete financial analysis of all expenditures during the past year is on file in the Sewer Department Office and has been summarized in the Town Accountant's report.
Highway Department John Q. Wentworth, Superintendent
Maintenance :
Snow Removal-Plowing and sanding, removal from business centers was carried on according to the snow fall. Some form of mechanical snow loading equipment should be provided as a means of speeding up snow removal especi- ally in metered areas.
Street Cleaning-Business centers swept daily, all streets were cleaned. Catch basins (about 1400) cleaned out and check- ed for line troubles. Line failures due to root growth (see cut) debris and broken pipes were located and corrected on Middle St., Edgemont Rd., Bickford Rd., off Howie
105
WASHINGTON STREET AT HAWTHORN ROAD (Before)
Rd., Elm St. and Union St. Waterways under the sev- eral bridges were cleared of all sorts of debris that inter- fered with a free flow of water.
Street Resurfacing -- Church St., Elm St. 500' northerly Type "I" Asphalt.
West St., 5 Corners to junction of Rte. 128, R. C. 5 Asphalt and oil treated stone cover, rolled.
Streets opened in 1949 for sewer main construction T-6 Tar and sand honed 13,658 lin. ft. Approximately 35% of all other streets were given this same treatment of level- ing, sealing and re-conditioning. The most expensive type of modern road must receive periodical attention to keep it from deteriorating.
Patching, Repairs-To Sidewalks, Fences and Guard rails, at- tended to as needed.
Signs and Street Marking-Street Name Signs 109
Regulatory 26 Warning 19 154 total
106
WASHINGTON STREET AT HAWTHORN ROAD (After)
The large oval signs erected at the entrances to the town were removed, refinished and replaced as were 26 street name signs. 12 warning signs damaged by traffic accidents were repaired and reset.
Center lines, Bus stops, Taxi stands, Cross walks and Parking meter areas painted.
Permits Issued-Total 542
Sewer Dept. for house connections 192
Sewer Contractor for construction of mains 8
Water Dept. mains, services and repairs 196
Gas Co. mains, services and repairs 107
N. E. Tel. & Tel. conduits and man hole repairs. 2
Misc. for all other openings and uses 37
Town Dump-off Union St. Keeper on duty daily, 8.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. except Sundays and Holidays.
Rubbish Collection :- Some idea of the ever increasing number of pick-ups required each rubbish collection period can be derived from the 394 permits issued for new dwellings in 1950 and more than 50 permits already issued in 1951.
107
GLENROSE AVEUNE (Before)
Schedule-
First Monday of each month collection starts in Precincts 1, 1A, & 2.
Second Monday of each month collection starts in Pre- cincts 3, & 4.
Third Monday of each month collections start in Pre- cincts 5, & 6.
Collections are made on regular daily routes throughout each collection week. Each individual collection will be made the same Day (not date), the same day each collec- tion week unless delayed by bad weather or a holiday. When a holiday falls on the First, Second or Third Monday the collection for that week will start the next Day.
108
GLENROSE AVENUE (After)
New Construction
Streets-
Washington St. traffic circle to Hawthorn Rd. 1000 lin. ft. 66 66
Hillside Rd. extended to end of acceptance 200
66 66 Holden Rd. extended to end of acceptance 160
66 Glenrose Ave. (Betterment) 360
285 66
Plymouth Ave. surfaced only
Chapter 90 Elm St. 25% complete
Sidewalks and C C Curb-
1920 lin. ft.
Washington St.
1200 6
Independence Ave.
Sidewalks and Retaining Wall-
2500 lin. ft.
Adams St.
109
ROOT GROWTH REMOVED FROM 12" V. C. P.PE
42" C. C. PIPE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES EASEMENT :
110
Drainage-6724 lin. ft. cc pipe layed, min. dia. 10"-max. dia. 42". New Catch Basins 47. New Man Holes 35.
Easements-Storrs Ave. southerly from Culvert, Industrial Properties, Commercial St. northerly opp. Jonas Perkins School, Allen St., extended to river, Glenrose Ave. north- erly to river. Regular Strect-Shaw St., Park Ave., Con- rad St., Dobson Rd., Hillside Rd., Commercial St., Pond St., Pleasantview Ave., Union St., Elm St., Common St., Washington St., Glenrose Ave.
Streets Accepted (New)
The acceptance of seven streets as built by contractors in new developments adds 0.9 mile to the street mileage. Walnut St. Parkside Ave. to end 1580 lin. ft.
Lawnview Drive, Elm St. northerly 1480 66
Pinecrest Rd. Lawnview to Blanchard Blvd. 200 66 66
Reservoir Ave. Walnut St. westerly 300 66 Lake St. Off Pond St. southerly 650
Reservoir Circle, Reservoir Ave. southerly ... 120 66
In addition to the seven (7) new streets accepted as listed there are on file at the present time plans and profiles for new developments that include 24 new extended streets, a total of 12,900 lin. ft. or 2.4 miles. These streets must be constructed in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Planning Board and Supt. of Streets. During the construction of these streets all work and materials are in- spected to insure that the street when completed will be satisfactory and acceptable by the Town of Braintree.
Moth Department
John Q. Wentworth, Superintendent
Shade tree spraying was done in compliance with the schedule and types of insecticides recommended by the Mass. Dept. of Conservation, Moth Control Division. Special atten- tion was given the elm trees, periodic spraying was done in an attempt to curtail the spread of the Dutch Elm Disease. Elm trees were scouted and specimens taken from 84 and sent to the University of Massachusetts, Shade Tree Laboratories at Amherst, Mass. Specimens were studied and a report of the diagnosis returned to us. The fungus which causes Dutch Elm Disease was present in the specimens of 47 trees. Speci- mens taken from dead elm trees do not respond to the tests
111
therefore can not be definitely classed as victims of the disease. Spray sanitation and removal of diseased trees is the decision of the experts, as the only possible hope of saving any of our elms. A program is being worked out, State Moth Control Board and Town Moth Superintendents co-operating, where- by the elms will be scouted, specimens taken and studied, and trees marked for removal. This will require an appropriation of money specifically for Dutch Elm Disease Control.
Private property spraying applications, 109 were received and sprayed. The procedure for spraying on private property for other then elm trees is as follows. The party for whom the spraying is to be done makes application and payment to the Town Treasurer, who in turn forwards to us a copy of the receipt-of-payment. The copy of the receipt is our authoriza- tion to spray.
Mosquito Control by airborne spraying was tried, swamp areas were given three sprayings at intervals of thirty days. The results and favorable comments urges me to recommend that airborne spraying be continued as a mosquito control pro- ject.
The Town Dump was sprayed bi-monthly to control the spread of insects that infest the dumping areas.
Electric Light Commissioners
Norton P. Potter, Chairman
Shelley A. Neal
Frank P. Lord
Ernest T. Fulton, Manager
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Braintree Electric Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1950.
The kilowatt hours generated during 1950 increased 5,804, 000 Kwhrs.
The kilowatt hours, 37,323,965, sold to town consumers showed an increase of 5,447,821 Kwhrs. over the year 1949.
The maximum peak demand was 10,900 Kw., an increase of 2,200 Kw: over 1949. The average yearly increase in peak demand over the previous ten years was 400 Kw. This year's abnormal increase was the equivalent of four or five years
112
previous experience. This unusual growth in demand and future commitments will require the purchase of additional generating equipment to give the Department adequate capac- ity for this future expansion.
Operating Expenses
1950
1949
$544,808.42
$477,219.58 increase $67,588.84
Fuel Oil Cost
1950 1949 $225,299.17
$196,659.09 increase $28,640.08
Kwhrs. Generated and Purchased
Kwhrs. Generated
1950 42,332,000
1949 36,528,000
increase
5,804,000
Kwhrs. Purchased
74,360
425,196 decrease 350,836
Total
42,406,360
36,953,196 increase 5,453,164
Kwhr. Sales
Total Sales
1950 37,323,965
31,876,144 increase
5,447,821
The major expansion program this year has consisted of the new Plain Street sub-station foundation. The metal clad switchgear for same is due to arrive in March, 1951. It has also been necessary to provide several extensions for new housing developments. The Department has installed new mercury street lighting in North and South Braintree busi- ness sections and we have received favorable comment on this improvement.
The expansion program for 1951 will consist of a new 4160 K.V. construction in South Braintree and Braintree Highlands section, providing that copper and other necessary materials are available.
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