USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1951 > Part 8
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8,568.95
Maintenance of Electro Equipment.
3,002.64
Maintenance of Accessory Equipment.
479.71
Electric Energy Purchased
10,253.47
$ 365,440.73
Transmission and Distribution
Operation of Transmission and Distribu- tion of Lines
$ 17,531.64
Transmission and Distribution on Supplies
5,054.87
Inspecting and Testing Meters
3.49
Removing and Resetting Meters
3,758.78
Removing and Resetting Transformers
760.25
Maintenance of Transformer Station and Sub-Station Equipment
339.17
Maintenance of Transmission and Distri -. bution of Lines
51,993.86
Maintenance of Meters
2,724.60
Maintenance of Transformers
2,384.57
Maintenance of Storage Batteries
2,274.58
$ 86,852.81
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Utilization
Operating of Street Lamps $ 4,535.02
Replacement of Street Lamps
1,506.93
Supplies and Maintenance
2,540.63
$
8,582.58
General Expense
Maintenance of Consumers Installations . $
5,119.25
Commercial Salaries
29,286.58
Advertising
5.00
Salaries of Manager and Municipal Light Board
7,800.00
Office Salaries
3,420.64
General Office Expense
5,923.72
Insurance
8,724.94
Maintenance of General Structures
3,230.08
Miscellaneous General Expense
306.66
$ 63,816.87
DEPRECIATION
$ 86,431.86
GRAND TOTAL OF OPERATING EX- PENSES
$ 611,097.85*
BOOK VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY
$2,282,675.80*
Profit and Loss Statement
January 1, 1951, Balance
$2,120,934.41
Transferred from Income
187,058.18
Balance, December 31, 1951
$2,307,992.59
Income Statement
OPERATING REVENUE
$ 798,155.15
OPERATING EXPENSES
611,097.85
Manufacturing Surplus
$- 187,057.30
Miscellaneous Additions
.88
Transferred to Profit and Loss
$ 187,058.18
BALANCE SHEET
Assets
Plant Investment
$2,282,675.80
Petty Cash
200.00
Special Cash for Construction
33,152.88
Special Deposits
9,867.75
Accounts Receivable
83,225.56
Materials and Supplies
28,437.12
Depreciation Fund
47,892.45
Prepaid Insurance
11,577.52
TOTAL ASSETS
$2,497,029.08*
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Liabilities
Accounts Payable
$ .00
Consumers' Deposits
9,867.75
Appropriations for Construc- tion Repayment
$133,000.00
Loans Repayments 46,168.74 179,168.74
Profit and Loss
2,307,992.59
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$2,497,029.08*
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
BRAINTREE $ 16,960.00
EAST BRAINTREE 8,866.60
SOUTH BRAINTREE
24,458.54
CONTRACTS AND SPECIAL RATES
30,677.02
MUNICIPAL
2,263.40
$
83,225.56*
DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT
January 1, 1951, Balance
$ 133,095.90 86,431.86
Interest 472.50
Expenditures
172,107.81
DEPRECIATION BALANCE, DECEM- BER 31, 1952
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
January 1, 1951, Balance $ 41,385.54
Expended for Construction 40,326.35
Balance
$
1,059.19
Transferred from Operating Balance De-
cember 31, 1951 $ 32,093.69
CONSTRUCTION BALANCE, DECEM- BER 31, 1951 $ 33,152.88* $ 788,007.49* 788,007.49* .00*
PAID TO TOWN TREASURER
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE BALANCE
OPERATING BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1951 (Transferred to Construction Account)
32,093.69*
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD Debit $ .00
Balance, January 1, 1951
788,007.49
$ 788,007.49*
Credit
Paid by Order of Commissioners
$ 755,913.80
Cash Balance, December 31, 1951 32,093.69
$ 788,007.49*
Net Transfer from Income
$
220,000.26
47,892.45 *.- $
CASH RECEIVED AS PER CASHBOOK
Ernest T. Fulton, Manager
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Water Department
THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman
JOSEPH LANDERS WILLARD P. SHEPPARD GEORGE N. WATSON, Superintendent
The Board of Water Commissioners attach hereto re- ports of the Superintendent for the operation of the Depart- ment for the year 1951.
We continue to be exposed to the same problem which confronts industry in general, namely the increasing cost of material and labor. The growth of the Town increases the problems with which we are confronted. The 271 new dwellings in 1951 require not only increasing amounts of water for daily use but require an expansion of our piping system to carry this water to the citizens in adequate volume for both domestic use and fire protection purposes.
In addition to the growth of the Town, we are con- fronted with the necessity of replacing certain old installa- tions with new of which a new Standpipe at West Street is an important consideration within the next year or two. In addition, we are reaching the capacity of the Filtration Plant and there is a necessity of expanding this plant in the near future.
These' improvements and the necessity of expanding our Distribution System calls for more money than we have available. The increasing number of water takers does not provide the increased income necessary for all of the above-mentioned improvements. While we are reluctant to increase water rates, we may have to resort to this means in the not too distant future.
We continue to receive a high degree of efficiency from our Superintendent and from all of the Water Works Organ- ization, not only from the men in the streets but from the pumping operators and the staff in our office as well.
Few people realize that Braintree is the second largest TOWN in Massachusetts which owns and operates a com- plete Water Supply System at no expense to the taxpayers ; nor do they realize that the Filtration Plant and Pumping Station are manned 24 hours per day, 365 days per year in order to assure an ample supply of high quality water throughout the Town at all times.
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There has been no shortage of water in our Reservoirs this year, and during the last few weeks water has been flowing down stream into the river. The average daily pumpage for the year was 1,446,074 gallons and the maxi- mum day's pumpage was 2,355,000 gallons.
Improvements accomplished this year include the modernizing of our accounting and billing department. The old system, which required hand posting of all charges and collections of some 6,700 accounts, has been replaced by a modern system employing a Burroughs utility accounting and billing machine built to our specifications.
Due to the difficulty in obtaining and holding sufficient labor, we have been hard pressed to keep up with the volume of work, particularly the installation of new house services. At the close of the year we have a back log of work, and should the labor shortage continue, it will be necessary to increase the use of mechanical equipment.
This year a total of 8630 feet of new main pipe and 13 new fire hydrants have been added to our Distribution Sys- tem which now consists of 101.3 miles of piping and 560 hydrants. The program of cleaning and lining some of the- older cast iron water mains was continued and this year the pipes in Cochato Road and Hollis Avenue were cleaned and lined.
Two hundred seventy-one (271) new service connec- tions have been installed and forty-two (42) old services have been renewed, all requiring the laying of 16,100 feet of pipe.
We have had a total of 11 main pipe breaks this year, 3 of which were caused by Contractors installing sanitary sewers and one caused by a Contractor installing a storm drain.
Serious consideration should be given toward replacing the West Street Standpipe within the next five years. This Standpipe, which provides storage for the major part of the Town holds only 500,000 gallons and was built in 1887. A Standpipe, or Elevated Tank, of one million gallon capacity should be provided.
The Elevated Storage Tank in Braintree Highlands should be painted next year as the old paint has worn off and large areas of bare metal are now exposed to the elements.
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Financial Statement
Outstanding January 1 Current Bills Liens to Assessors
$ 22,088.86 691.34
$ 22,780.20
Charges Made Abatements
$195,879.91
785.44
195,094.47
$217,874.67
Collections
On Current Bills
190,682.28
On Liens Via Assessors
3,147.13
193,829.41
Outstanding December 31
On Current Bills
23,763.04
On Liens to Assessors
282.22
TOTAL
$ 24,045.26
$ 24,045.26
Cash on hand January 1 Collections Refunds (Gas Tax, etc.)
$ 11,108.00
193,829.41
78.03
$205,015.44
Expenditures
.. 184,286.68
$ 20,728.76
Balance December 31
Engineering Department JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Town Engineer
Lines and grades were furnished to the Highway De- partment for the following: Road Construction-Vinedale Road from Pleasant View Avenue to Glenrose Avenue; Vinedale Road from Arborway Drive to Edgehill Road ; Hill View Road 200 feet; Glendale Road 350 feet. Gutter
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Grades-Cypress Street 60 feet; Union Street 300 feet; Washington Street 180 feet. Drains -- King Hill Road 700 feet; Union Street 40 feet; Peach Street at No. 108, 250 feet; Liberty Street from Kenmore Road 290 feet; Middle Street 230 feet from Harrison Avenue; Wildwood Avenue 500 feet. Curbing-Weston Avenue from Washington Street to Tremont Street north side; Trefton Drive 50 feet. Sidewalks-Parkside Avenue from Abbott Street to Park- side Circle, both sides. Grades were furnished for resur- facing portion of Penniman School yard. The north line of gravel pit off Boscabel Street was established.
Plans were prepared for: Layout of Sunset Road 300 feet; Porter Avenue 300 feet; Audubon Avenue from Spencer Street to Vinedale Road 1640 feet: Widening por- tion of Shaw Avenue; widening corners Faulkner Place and Washington Street; widening corner Mill Lane and Com- mercial Street.
Miscellaneous Projects: School Department-Location of borings school site Lakeside Drive; survey and plan of school site Washington Street, Braintree Highlands. Police Department-Accident survey and plans of Franklin and Summer Street, Washington Street, Braintree Highlands," Shaw and Hayward Streets; Location plans of Shaw and Hayward Streets, Union and Commercial Streets, Adams and Elm Streets. Board of Health-Location of well, Divi- sion Street (west) ; location septic tank corner Union Street and Hillside Road; location septic tank Tremont Street and Weston Avenue. Electric Light Department-Pole locations staked on Vinedale Road, Plain Street, Liberty Street, Syca- more Road. Park Department-Layout of baseball diamond and softball diamond at French's Common; layout of hockey field and football field at Hollis Field; layout of softball diamond at Watson Park; layout of softball dia- mond at Adams Street Playground.
All deeds and subdivisions were checked and plotted accordingly on Assessors Plans, together with three hundred and seventy new houses and one hundred seventy-four additions and garages.
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Braintree Housing Authority FRANK L. HEANEY, Chairman
ERNEST J. JANSSEN Vice Chairman
JOHN E. MALONEY Assistant Treasurer
GEORGE A. HITCHCOCK Treasurer
WILLIAM H. GUSTAFSON
FRED E. HANSON, Executive Director
CHAPTER 200 PROJECT
The State Housing Board has appointed Mr. John E. Maloney as its representative on the Authority to succeed Mr. William Gustin whose term expired and who was not available for reappointment.
Though much difficulty in the nature of unexpected ground water and large boulders has been encountered, all of the State-Aided houses have been completed and will become fully occupied on or before February 1, 1952. Four- teen of the houses, those on Pearl Street, were first occupied in February 1951. Those on Common Street, Hillside Road, King Hill Road and the Wildwood Avenue area followed and as of the end of the year seventy-two houses were in full occupancy. The remaining eighteen houses, off Commercial Street, will be occupied next. Some exterior work in the nature of grading, seeding, sidewalks and miscellaneous work remains to be completed in the spring.
Through amendment to the Financial Assistance Con- tract, funds have been made available for acquiring land on Railroad Street and construction thereon of a one-story and basement administration building of which Mr. C. C. Crowell is the architect and P. Livoli, Inc., low bidder for construction. The Authority office will be on the street floor and there will be a heating plant, storage room, main- tenance shop and garage in the basement. Construction will start as soon as weather and other conditions permit. It is to be completed by early summer 1952.
UNION VILLAGE PROJECT
Four of the twelve buildings of this project have been sold to the Interstate Building Wrecking Co., Inc., of Framingham, the highest bidder, for removal from the
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premises. One building is already razed to ground level and another is in the process of razing. It is expected that the other two will be down and the premises cleaned up by the middle of February.
The vacancies which made this action possible resulted from tenants vacating to occupy their own homes or to occupy Chapter 200 houses to which they were assigned. At the present time there is an abnormally large percentage of vacancies in the remaining eight houses. There is no present back log of qualified applicants for the vacant units but, after assignment of the remaining 18 Chapter 200 houses, it is thought that there will be an increase in demand for this type of housing. If not, serious considera- tion will be given to sale of such of the remaining buildings as are not required.
A playground program was again carried out during ten weeks in the summer. This not only served to keep the children from hazardous streets and areas but, through interest of Miss Robinson, the Supervisor, enabled them to acquire some knowledge of worthwhile handicraft.
Because of the character of buildings and facilities in- this project, the length of time they have existed, and the increase in housing available to veterans, it is to be expected that the ratio of expense to income will steadily increase during their remaining life.
Airport Commission
WILLIAM G. BROOKS, Chairman
JOHN W. MURPHY GEORGE T. WOODSUM
WILLIAM K. STEWART THOMAS C. CURRIER
The Braintree Airport Commission reports the comple- tion of their fifth year of activity, and the fourth year of operation of the Braintree Airport.
The Airport, located near Great Pond, off Route 128, on Town-owned property of the Braintree Water Department, has served as the training ground for many men now in War service.
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The 500 feet of airstrip added under the direction of the Airport Commission in 1950, bringing the total length to 2,500 feet, has made the runway much safer for the many planes landing at the local field. This last year the first gravel surface coat was added and the final surface topping will be installed in the spring of 1952.
The Braintree Airport Association, which was organ- ized four years ago at the suggestion of the Airport Com- mission, has held regular meetings through the past season with many new members enjoying the activities of the group. Many who have worked actively with the Associa- tion during the past years have returned to active war duty. Members of the Airport Association are registered with the Braintree Civil Defense organization for active duty if their services are needed in case of a war emergency in this area.
This past season eighteen privately owned planes have been tied down at the Braintree Airport. Many of these planes are operated by individual flying clubs, giving large groups an opportunity to fly at small cost. Local men interested in the flying or ground activities of the Associa- tion are cordially invited to communicate with the active officers of the Braintree Airport Association. This coming season the Association may institute a Cadet Program to prepare young men interested in aviation, in the fundamen- tals of flying and ground work.
Club officials report that several thousand take-offs and landings have been made this last season at the Brain- tree Airport without a single casualty. The many young men who have taken advantage of this important activity appreciate the $1,000 appropriated by the Town in 1950 to make the Braintree Airport one of the safe landing fields of this district.
The members of the Braintree Airport Association for the past season are: John Forde, President; Merrill Reed, Vice-President; John Atkinson, Secretary; Warren H. Elliott, Treasurer; Charles E. Timmons, Airport Manager.
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Harbor Master
SEWARD W. TABER, Harbor Master EARL F. CONNORS, Asst. Harbor Master
During the yachting season of 1951 there were 32 boats moored in the Braintree area. All moorings were used this year.
Boats were checked and letters were sent to all owners who had unsatisfactory mooring lines.
Three boats sunk during the summer because of neglect by owners who did not pump them out after heavy rains. The boats were floated again and made fast to their moorings.
On March 28, 1951 the Public Works Department called the Harbor Master and reported that they were going to repair the Quincy Avenue Bridge and build new approaches. The Bridge was closed to all pedestrians and traffic the week of April 23rd through the 27th and April 30th through May 4th.
A letter was sent to owners of boats moored in the vicinity of the bridge and they were all assigned new moor- ings to tie up to during this period.
Park Department
EARL C. HOLLIS, Chairman
CHARLES F. ABELL, Clerk HAROLD F. ROBINSON HARRY F. VINTON, JR. MITCHELL W. GAWLOWICZ ELMER E. RAYMOND EDGAR L. COPP
With the adoption at the annual Town Meeting, the newly created Braintree Park and Playground Commission organized with Earl C. Hollis being elected Chairman and Charles F. Abell as Clerk.
Frederick Herget, popular Director of Physical Educa- tion in the Braintree Grammar Schools, was elected by the Commission to head the Organized Play feature of the Summer Program.
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A full play program, featuring all types of games, crafts, etc., were enjoyed by the youth of the Town.
Six Playgrounds, Adams Playground, Watson Park in East Braintree; Penniman School Grounds and Hollis Field in Braintree; French's Common and Hollingsworth Park in South Braintree were operated with two instructors in an organized play program.
Consideration should be given in increasing our play areas. The Commission controls a plot on Faxon Street, East Braintree which should be developed as well as the Dyer Hill area together with the Highlands section should be cared for.
Mowing and maintenance of the Parks were carried out during the year. Additional equipment included the installation of merry-go-rounds on French's Common and at Hollingsworth Park.
Construction of a basketball court on the Tennis loca- tion at Adams Playground was completed. Installation of new swings at Watson Park and the completion of a fencing program on French's Common completed the building program.
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THE DONALD ROSS SCHOOL
Opened in September, 1951. Capacity, 450. Present Enrollment, 445. A modern 15-room school building; first- class construction; functionally designed.
School Committee
GORDON W. BRYANT, Chairman SOPHIE G. BLUNT
ARCHIE T. MORRISON Rec. Secretary
OVIDIO D. CHIESA
HELEN M. HARMON ROGER W. ARNOLD
The year 1951 in the School Department was one of both challenge and achievement: a year of challenge be- cause of the great problem of housing that is pressing us relentlessly; a year of achievement because, with the exception of the Penniman Annex, we have successfully accomplished our goals.
Braintree's school building program has, of necessity, just begun. Children already born indicate a school enroll- ment only six years hence of 50% more children than are even now in our schools. What effect continued growth and the resultant influx of new families will have on this picture can only be a guess at best.
In 1951 we completed the new Donald E. Ross School. This is a modern efficient building of which the town can well be proud and were it to be built today it is safe to assume its cost would be much higher. We think it unfor- tunate that the buildings that are contemplated in the near future, must, because of the scarcity of certain materials as well as because of the initial cost element, be planned with considerable wood construction.
In addition to the Ross School, we have completed as far as possible the remodeling of the Abraham Lincoln School and the Pond School. We have let the contract on the addition to the Highlands School and that is well under way. We have also kept up with our maintenance program in our older buildings. All this has been accomplished within our appropriations and budgets despite rapidly rising costs, except for the Lincoln remodeling, completion of which must await sewage disposal facilities.
The School Committee and the Town of Braintree owe a debt of gratitude to the committees that have worked diligently to provide sites and to plan and construct these buildings: The School Site Committee, the School Survey Committee and the Low-Cost School Housing Committee.
The School Committee earnestly hopes that the town will find a way to continue to provide good housing for the great boom of school population that lies ahead of us. We
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know of no function of government that is more important than the support of the public schools and we consider adequate housing to be a prime requisite for adequate education.
1951's major achievement was, perhaps, the Braintree School Exhibit This was the product of a great amount of time, study and work on the part of the entire school staff and the children. As the name implies, it was a full scale exhibit of the work that is being accomplished in every grade and in every department of the school. Those who produced this unique exhibit were greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic response of the citizens of Braintree as well as of neighboring towns. This Exhibit is proposed for every fifth year as a measure of progress in our schools.
Much has been accomplished this year in the field of reading. The summer school for Remedial Reading com- pleted its second year in a highly satisfactory manner and with an attendance of 65 children. The over-all record of reading ability in our schools was found to be exceptionally fine. Boston University tests given each year show Brain-
The Penniman School on Cleveland Avenue. Original building, now central portion built in 1900, additions 1927, 1931. Enrollment approximately 400 pupils. Needs 4-room addition in 1952
130
tree pupils to be continually improving in reading compre- hension with scores consistently above normal for New England.
Continued efforts directed at health improvement are being fostered: More frequent examinations, better dental care, more reports to parents, better record keeping, em- phasis on sports for all rather than the few are some of the points of special importance.
The weekly radio programs over WJDA (Thursday at 10:45) have been of great value in bringing the school pro- gram in closer touch with the homes and mothers, and also in giving the children an important opportunity for origi- nality in self expression.
Progressive changes in the report cards used in elemen- tary schools proved in this, their second year, to be highly satisfactory. Parents voted 3 to 1 in favor of the new "report card and they were particularly well pleased with
Time to ea": When it's meal time, youngsters in the new Ross School have an edge on their counterparts in other elementary schools in Braintree. The new school is the only place except the high school where facilities are available for serving hot lunches. Above, young- sters proceed through the cafeteria line to select their noon-day meal.
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132
Braintree High School Industrial Arts Shop not only teaches the theory of electricity, but gives practical ex- perience in the use and service of electrical equipment
the opportunity for teacher-parent conferences-voting 80 to 1 in favor of this innovation.
Thanks and appreciation for the achievements in our schools during 1951 belong to our teachers and administra- tors who have given of themselves unselfishly and devotedly -and to the citizens of Braintree who have just as unsel- fishly supported the program and paid the bills that have made our progress possible.
Superintendent's Report RALPH W. PROCTOR
A. A five-year progress report (1946-1951)
An outline study of progress made by your schools in this five year period.
I Organization
1. Three Grammar Schools, Grades 7 and 8, organ- ized (Lincoln, Torrey, and North).
2. Special classes reorganized and extended to include Vocation Training Class.
3. Braintree Adult Evening School instituted.
4. Remedial Reading Summer School in cooperation with Parents' Council.
5. Pupils increased from 3528 to 4604.
6. Teachers increased from 148 to 193.
7. Continuous Progress Plan introduced in Primary School.
8. New type report card issued.
II Instruction
9. Braintree High School Program of Studies revised.
10. Industrial Arts Department added to Braintree High School.
11. Visual Education program greatly expanded.
12. Remedial Reading program introduced.
13. Rinehart Penmanship system introduced.
14. Revision of all elementary school Courses of study.
15. New texts adopted in all elementary subjects ....
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It was the first day of school for these 20 children, at the opening of the new Donald E. Ross School, in East Braintree. The children are all pupils of Miss Florence Ladrigan, seated at the piano, kindergarten teacher. The picture was taken in the kindergarten room which boasts among its many attractions, a leather top piano, sand boxes and all kinds of games and toys. This group attends the morning session of kindergarten. There is another session in the afternoon.
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