USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1952 > Part 7
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On August 9, 1952, Mr. Willis of the Army Engineer- ing Department notified us that nothing was to be tied to the Quincy Avenue bridge or its abutments. This notification was passed along to all boat owners.
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At the Jimmy Day bonfire held at Watson Park the Braintree Sea Scout boat, under the direction of the As- sistant Harbor Master, stood by with men and equipment from the Braintree Fire Department to protect the boats in the river against sparks.
Respectfully submitted,
SEWARD W. TABER, Harbor Master EARL F. CONNORS, Assistant Harbor Master
Building Inspector
JOHN C. PAFFORD, Building Inspector DANIEL A. MALONEY, Deputy
Budget
Expenditures
1951
$ 1,450.00
$ 1,450.00
1952
1,435.00
1,435.00
Permits Issued
Estimated Values
Dwellings
196
$1,382,500.00
All other new construction
55
1,071,880.00
Additions, Alterations and Repairs Razing
194
411,473.00
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Estimated value of construction. $2,865,853.00
Fees received for permits 2,762.00
Total permits issued
454
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Engineering Department
JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Town Engineer
No. of Employees
Budget
Expenditures
1951 4 $12,666.02
$12,666.02
1952 4
13,394.75
13,394.68
Lines and grades were furnished to the Highway Department for the following: Road Construction-Vine- dale Road from Arborway Drive to Edgehill Road 575 feet; Sunset Road from Pond Street 350 feet; Porter Avenue from Glendale Road 250 feet; Lakeside Drive 650 feet; Randall Avenue from Pearl Street 335 feet; Blanchard Boulevard from Conrad Street 300 feet. Gutter Grades-Reservoir Circle 235 feet; Cypress Street 60 feet; Weston Avenue from Tremont Street to Hollings- worth Avenue 260 feet; Tremont Street 120 feet. Drains -Acorn Street 140 feet; Union Street from Strathmore Road 1,360 feet west; Union Street from No. 538 to brook 860 feet; Middle Street from Union Street 650 feet south; Weston Avenue from Hollingsworth Avenue 145 feet east; Hobart Street to Oakland Street 250 feet; Arbutus Avenue from Standish Avenue 380 feet; Edgehill Road to Gordon Road 270 feet; Gordon Road to Fore River 355 feet; Vinedale Road from Beechwood Road 110 feet; Liberty Street from Brook to Plain Street 295 feet; Plain Street from Liberty Street 385 feet west; Liberty Street from No. 948 easterly 300 feet; Lakeside Drive 500 feet; Blanchard Boulevard from Conrad Street 200 feet south; Conrad Street from Blanchard Boluevard 75 feet west; West Street opposite Blue Hill Cemetery 270 feet; Birch- croft Road to Stonewood Lane 225 feet; Stonewood Lane 100 feet; Allen Street from railroad to river 215 feet. Sidewalks-Parkside Circle from Parkside Avenue to Parkside Avenue both sides.
Plans were prepared for : Layout of Ivory Street from Union Street to Pearl Street; Drain Easements-Hobart Street, Oakland Street, Conrad Street, Tenney Road, Liberty Street.
Miscellaneous Projects : School Department-Line of Foster Road staked from Washington Street to Josephine M. Foster School Site. Police Department-Accident sur- vey and plan of Washington Street and West Street;
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Accident survey and plan of Quincy Avenue and Dewey Road; Location of parking meters; Location plans Storrs Avenue and Walnut Street, Walnut Street and Parkside Avenue. Fire Department-Lines and grades for drain 70 feet; Plan of proposed Fire Station at Braintree High- lands. Electric Light Department-Pole locations staked on Middle Street. Park Department-Layout of basebail diamond and softball diamond at French's Common; Lay- out of softball diamond at Adams Street Playground.
All deeds and subdivisions were checked and plotted accordingly on Assessors Plans, together with one hun- dred and ninety six new houses, fifty five other buildings and one hundred ninety four additions and alterations.
Zoning Board of Appeal
FRANK A. EWART, Chairman-Resigned HERBERT J. REDMAN, Chairman
EARL R. GRANT, Clerk RALPH B. WOODSUM C. FREDERICK TARBOX, Alternate
No. of Employees
Budget
Expendituers
1951 1
$300.00
$ 296.92
1952 1
300.00
299.95
A total of twenty-three petitions were received and after public hearings thereon ,eighteen were granted and five denied.
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Planning Board
A. WINTON CAIRD, Chairman
EDWARD J. ROSE JOSEPH M. MAGALDI, Clerk
RALPH M. SOULE MITCHELL W. GAWLOWICZ
JOHN J. DRINKWATER, Ex-Officio
A report stating that the Planning Board has held more than 20 meetings, conducted 10 public hearings in- volving more than 30 public ways seems to say little to acquaint the citizens with the work of this Board.
Actually the Board has conducted regular, special or informal meetings almost weekly, it has considered more than fifty plans concerning sub division control. The meetings and consideration of plans and layouts are a small part of the work. Each plan or layout requires that the land involved be viewed by the members of the Board in order that the problem may be approached most intelligently. It is also necessary to confer frequently with the various Department Heads regarding utility installa- tions. Once the work of a sub division is in progress, a close check on the performance of the conditions of the sub division agreement is made.
In some cases developers have failed to fulfill the terms of their sub division agreements and these failures are reported to the Board of Selectmen who in turn refer the matter to the Town Counsel for legal action for enforcement of the terms of the agreements and secure the protection afforded by performance bonds which developers are required to file with the Town. This is a slow process, involving legal and technical matters which do not always provide for prompt relief for the home owners, however, everything possible is done to expedite relief for the unfortunate home owner in improper or unfinished developments.
From the foregoing brief summary it can be readily seen that much of this Board's time is required in sub division control work. Some time has been given to in- vestigations regarding the development of the Southeast Expressway and the relocation of route 128 as to the effect they may have on conditions in Braintree and in particular in East Braintree.
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Some time is required in the compilation of rules and regulations and in keeping of Planning Board and Zon- ing maps up to date.
We have been assisted in our many and varied problems by the Town Counsel and many of the Town Department Heads but still more effective work can be performed with the proper coordination of all Town De- partments.
Our regular meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month. We are indebted to Mr. John Drinkwater, Town Engineer and his able staff for their splendid co- operation. The Board is always ready and most willing to receive the advice and suggestions of the citizens of the Town and the many Town Officials. With the pro- posed extraordinary development being considered in Braintree Highlands, this advice is all the more important and necessary in order that this Board may act as it is always endeavoring to do, for the best interests of the Town of Braintree.
As this report is prepared it is regretted that Chair- man A. Winton Caird, has presented his resignation be- cause of the tremendous amount of work he has been called upon to perform for this Board and the pressure of his own business. We are pleased to report the appoint- ment to the Board of Mr. William G. Dyer, an Engineer by profession, qualified to perform the duties that will be required of him.
99.
Police Department EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief
Personnel: 40 Police Officers 1 Clerk 1 Custodian
During 1952 we added three new patrolmen and one patrolman was advanced to the rank of Sergeant. The department acquired one new Chevrolet car and one new Chevrolet Sedan Delivery Wagon for use in the Meter Service. A new Motorola radio system was installed. We now have the following motor vehicle equipment :- Five radio equipped cruisers; one radio equipped ambulance ; one patrol wagon; one sedan delivery truck and two motorcycles. I am recommending that four cars be traded in this year, three 1951 Fords and one 1950 Chevrolet.
The town is rapidly expanding-new business and home construction, new school construction and more registrations of motor vehicles, all of which adds to the work load of this department.
Most phases of our work-Arrests, Ambulance Serv- ice, Car Trips, Wagon Trips, Vacant Properties to check and miscellaneous complaints have increased considerably necessitating budget requests for increased appropriations in order to provide the necessary and essential service that the citizens desire. Likewise we have had an increase in our automobile accident experience-which adds to our cost of operation in providing the necessary ambulance service and investigations.
Our Auxiliary Police are operating in a most helpful manner and we have plans to expand this unit so that they will be prepared to render efficient service, if and when the occasion arises.
During the year we have made many Safety Sugges- tions and have received splendid cooperation from the Selectmen and the Highway Department in carrying them out.
In closing I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, and all who have shown a spirit of cooperation toward my department.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief of Police.
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Braintree, Massachusetts, January 1, 1953 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
ARRESTS
Whole number
496
Male
458
Female
38
Male
Female
No. 1-Crimes Against Person
Assault and Battery
7
1
Manslaughter
1
0
Threats
3
0
-
11
1
No. 2-Crimes Against Property
B & E & Larceny
6
0
Larceny
5
0
Larceny of Motor Vehicle
1
0
Malicious Mischief
1
0
13
0
No. 3-Crimes Against Public Order
Delinquency
11
0
Default
5
0
Disturbing the Peace
2
0
Drunkenness
152
5
Fugitive
1
0
Lewdness
5
1
Neglect-Non-Support
7
2
Operating MV Under Influence.
24
0
Operating MV so as to Endanger
8
1
Tramp
1
0
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
116
14
Violation of Traffic Rules
87
11
Violation of Liquor Laws
1
0
101
SAFETY DISPLAY IN TRAFFIC BUREAU
2015
******
BRAINTREE POLICE
102
Violation of Game Laws
2
0
Violation of Town By-Laws
6
0
Violation of Probation
1
1
Vagrant
1
0
Weapon Carrying
2
0
Arrsets for out of Town Police
2
2
434
37
COMPLAINTS, Etc.
Ambulance Trips
447
Buildings Found Open
431
Cat Complaints
135
Car Trips
119
Dog Complaints
596
Dog Bites Reported
72
Drunk Releases
94
Fire Alarms Answered
134
Hole in Street Reported
83
Insane Persons
MR
6
FR
5
MNR
6
FNR
0
Lanterns Put Out
12
Lodging
16
2,838
MR
56
FR
40
MNR
16
FNR
2
Messages Delivered
167
Night Lights Found Out
25
Permits to Labor
20
Permits to Purchase Firearms
18
Stolen Cars, Braintree
13
Recovered
12
Street Lights Reported Out
MR
11
FR
4
MNR
3
FNR
0
Vacant Houses Checked
293
Wagon Trips
121
Sudden Deaths
170
Miscellaneous Complaints
Missing Persons
103
Code: On Missing Persons, Sudden Death & Insane Cases MR-Male Resident FR-Female Resident MNR-Male Non-Resident FNR-Female Non-Resident
Braintree, Massachusetts, January 1, 1953 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department with regards to Traffic for the year ending Dec. 31, 1952.
Accidents :
Minor 153
Serious
162
Fatal
3
Cases Prosecuted in Court
Male
Female
Operating MV so as to Endanger
8
1
Operating MV Under Influence .
24
0
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
116
14
Violation of Traffic Laws
87
11
Volation of Parking and Meter Laws
265
74
500
100
Cases Reported to Registrar for Action on Licenses
Unlawful Speed
16
0
Operating MV After Drinking . 15
0
Other Causes
9
1
40
1
Volations of Traffic and Meter Regulations
1-Vehicle on Crossing 23
2-Too Close to Hydrant 5
3-Parking Without Lights
4-Parking Wrong Side of Street 6
63
5-Motor Running 3
6-Restricted Place 334
104
7-Defience of Corner Law 44
8-Right Wheels Not at Curb 17
9-Double Parking 17
10-Meter Violations : Meter Expired 330
Failure to Deposit Coin 69
11-All Night Parking 25
12-Other Violations 52
988
Violations Committed By :
Residents 555
Non-Residents 433
Fire Department
HARRY T. SEARS Chief of Fire Department Superintendent of Fire Alarm
In 1952 out of a total of 912 calls of all descriptions, an increase of 291 over last year, sixty-two fires resulted with a loss totaling $22,750.15, with a property valuation envolved by fire of $1,486,300.00 leaving a $.98 per capita loss, resulting in one of the lowest fire losses in years.
Fire prevention is considered one of the most im - portant duties of the Fire Department. A special effort has been made to increase the number of inspections of all classes of buildings. Fire prevention should be car- ried out the entire year. With your help we can still lower our fire losses.
The appartus is in very good condition except for a 27-year-old pumping engine that I have recommended to replace this year.
The Central and East Braintree Stations are in very good condition. The fire alarm system is in very good condition with 10 new fire alarm boxes added this year making a total of 131.
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Due to the increase in population and buildings in the Town it is necessary to recommend an increase in per- sonne: in the East Braintree district this will add a fourth man to cover two pieces of apparatus, and the construc-
EAST BRAINTREE FIRE STATION
tion of a new Fire Station in the Braintree Highlands dis- trict to replace the one room third class building now in use. A site for a New Station opposite Park Avenue on Washington Street has been selected by a committee of five as the most suitable location for a Fire Station.
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LIFE SAVING UNIT
107
COMMUNICATIONS
Mutual Aid plays a very important part in the pro- tection of life and property. We are grateful to have auto- matic Mutual Aid with our neighboring city and towns.
Our new two-way radio purchased last year, consists of a main station and six mobile units. Two-way radios provide instantaneous and reliable communication be- tween fire headquarters and fire apparatus, also from one piece of apparatus to another, a quick means of dispatch- ing and expiditing movement of apparatus and men con- tributing to the efficiency of the Fire Service.
By making funds available our new Schools are pro- tected by sprinkler systems and automatic fire alarm, in the event of a fire the sprinklers should check or extin- guish the fire and automatically call the fire department.
I have requested that the sprinkler program should continue until all second and third class School Buildings are protected by automatic sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems.
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 1952 there were 353 inspections of fuel oil burner installations. These in- stallations are increasing each year. A person, firm or
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corporation shall not make nor alter a fuel oil burner in- stallation until a certificate of competency has been ob- tained from the State Fire Marshal.
We recommend the installation of an approved metal guard for protection against breakage on glass fuel oil containers. The law calls for this protection on installa- tions made after January 1, 1948.
A permit is required from the head of the Fire De- partment for the installation and storage of liuqefied Petroleum Gas systems. Twenty-six permits were issued in 1952 for such installations, also nineteen permits for Blasting and three hundred permits for fires in the open air.
Supervised drills and schooling in the Department are carried out the entire year.
Water Department
THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman
JOSEPH LANDERS WILLARD P. SHEPPARD
GEORGE N. WATSON, Superintendent
To the Citizens of Braintree :
The Braintree Water Department operates under Chapter 217 Acts of 1885 and Chapter 269 Acts of 1886 and such general laws as have been passed from time to time. The Board of Water Commissioners has exclusive charge and control of the Water Department and water system subject to all lawful by-laws and regulations as the Town may from time to time impose by its vote. The Commissioners may establish hydrants, may relocate or discontinue same, may regulate the use of the water and fix equitable rates for the use thereof.
The income of the Water Works (includes hydrant rental) shall be appropriated to defray all operating expenses, interest charges and payment on principal as they accrue upon any bonds or notes issued for the purpose of the water supply system. The Water Department shall reimburse the Town for any sums as it has spent on its
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account, and any surplus remaining may be appropriated for such new construction as the Water Commissioners may determine, and in case a net surplus should remain after payment of such new construction, the water rates shall be reduced proportionately. Many towns do not operate within their income. 1
The Department of Corporations and Taxation at the State House advocates :
1. The retention of water revenues for water pur- poses only.
2. Water revenues should include a reasonable sum for hydrant and fire protection service.
3. Water rates should be raised or lowered as the case may be so that the taker would be called upon to contribute only what is necessary to main- tain a reasonably safe and sane water supply system.
4. There are many objections to using water revenue to reduce general taxation ; such practice may lead to the ruination of the system.
5. Water revenues should be reserved for water supply service. In case of surplus in any given year, it should be held for further supply. If sur- plus is accumulating to an unreasonable amount, rates should be proportionately reduced.
Few people in the Town realize the expense to which the Department is exposed in maintaining fire protection and the inequity in passing this cost for fire protection on to the water users in proportion to the amount of water which they utilize. People owning the less valuable houses pay for the fire protection of the well-to-do-people own- ing houses of larger value in proportion that their water bears to the total water used in the Town. Thus a man with a $7500 house and having a large family may and probably does use more than $20, the average annual water rate while a married couple living in a house having more than average value often pays less than the average water rate. You can see, therefore, a man with an expen- sive house receives his fire protection at the expense of those having houses of less value. The burden which rests heavier on the poorer people of the Town can be noted from the saving which is made in insurance premiums
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If there were no hydrants available for fire protection and even though the houses were located within 3 miles of a fire station the insurance rates would be more than double the amount that they are now paying. For example, a person with a $7,500 house pays for insurance today at approximately $11.25 annually. He, therefore, saves approximately $12.00 through the fire protection that the Town affords. However, a $30,000 house saves four times this sum-$48.00 a year, generally more than the cost of the water he uses. Because of the heavy burden which falls on the poorer people of the Town for the maintenance of the fire protective system, hydrant rental was established although hydrant rental has never paid the load of maintaining the fire protective system.
In 1946 the Commissioners with the approval of the Finance Committee and vote of the Town made several much-needed improvements-the Stand Pipe and pump- ing station for Braintree Highlands, new pump for the main pumping station and expanded the distribution system. For this purpose, we borrowed $242,000 of which $180,000 was for new and larger mains. Prices increased so rapidly we were short 9,800 ft. to complete this pro- gram. To complete our program would require $87,200 additional funds. These arteries are urgently needed. In addition, we have projects aggregating $93,000. We have 46,000 ft. of 4 in. pipe that owing to age and incrustation and size should be replaced with larger pipe at an early date at an estimated cost of $270,000 as well as 15,000 ft. of 2 in. pipe to be replaced with 6 in. pipe at a cost of $90,000. These projects are primarily for the benefit of fire protection. We have repeatedly pointed out that larger mains, larger pumps and larger Stand Pipes are needed for fire protection over these needed for domestic supply.
These would have been installed had we received the moderate annual contribution toward fire protection that we received during earlier years and which was restored in 1947. We have pointed out the unsound and inequitable practice of charging all fire protection costs to the water users placing an unfair tax on the less fortu- nate. Milton Water Department receives $35 per hydrant and Hingham $75.
Our Stand Pipe on West Street built in 1887 is in- adequate and in weakened condition. It must be replaced. A new Stand Pipe should have a capacity of 1,000,000
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gallons replacing the old 500,000 gallon Stand Pipe. The cost will be about $75,000 of which we recommend borrowing $45,000 to $50,000, the interest and principal to be paid over fifteen years similar to our present loans.
The cost for fire protection represents approximately one-third of the cost of our system. We originally received $25 per hydrant but this was reduced in 1917 and was not restored until 1946. Had we received $25 per hydrant during the interim, we would have received over $260,000 at a time when we could have purchased at least twice the value available today. In 1946 the Finance Commit- tee approved and the Town voted $25 per hydrant rental to help meet the principal and interest for these most needed improvements in our fire protective system. The interest and principal due in 1952 were $16,875. The hydrant rental at $25 per hydrant would have been $14,000 in 1952 but for some inexplicable reason the Town voted but $10,546.70 in spite of the recommenda- tion of $14,000 of the Finance Committee. If we are to meet the growing needs of the Town as well as to make those improvements that should have been made during earlier years, we must have the continued support of the Town in maintaining and expanding this fire protection.
It will be unfortunate if we have to increase water rates, but unless the Town contributes a fair amount for fire protection, we shall be obliged to do so if we are to keep pace with the growth of the Town. We believe we are one of the few Towns that has maintained and developed its domestic supply and fire protection out of the revenue of the Department. We have made many major improvements such as the Stand Pipe for East Braintree, a new dam at Great Pond increasing the capacity of the pond, a new reservoir at the south end of Great Pond, a filtration plant, a commercial system, a new system for Braintree Highlands, new pumping and electrical equipment for the main pumping station and many new arteries, such as the new 12 in. main from the pumping station to the Stand Pipe, the 12 in. main from South Braintree to East Braintree and the expansion of the arteries and mains for which we borrowed $180,000 in 1946.
The Betterment Act was designed to relieve the Town of a portion of the street improvements. It frequently happens that improvement of the street itself is less
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expensive than installation of a water main in the street, even though there may be relatively few water users. As soon as the street is completed and accepted, the heat is turned on the Water Board to install at its own expense a main in the street.
The Superintendent's Report giving detailed data on the activities of the Department is attached herewith.
Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF WATER COMMISIONERS, THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman, JOSEPH LANDERS, WILLARD P. SHEPPARD.
Superintendents Report
To the Braintree Water Commissioners:
As Superintendent of the Water Supply System, I am pleased to submit to you this 62nd Annual Report covering the activities of the Department in the year end- ing December 31, 1952.
The total precipitation for the year was 39.6 inches which was about 2.5 inches less than normal for this area. Since July there was a marked deficiency in precipitation each month except August and December. Our Water Supply has proven adequate despite a deficiency amount- ing to 6 inches during the last half of the year.
While the average daily pumpage for the year was only 1,565,760 gallons, the daily average during July amounted to 2,471,300 gallons and ran as high as 3,018,000 gallons on July 24th.
A total of 6,000 feet of new water mains were in- stalled this year; 1,700 feet of this pipe was to replace old small pipes which had outworn their usefulness. Ten new fire hydrants have been added to the system and three hydrants have been replaced. We also installed 200 new services, renewed 33 old services and made re- pairs on 67 services.
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