USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1954 > Part 10
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The flying area is registered as a Private Landing Field under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Aero- nautics Commission at Latitude 40° 12' 20" and Longitude 72° 02' 25".
This past year five planes were regularly tied down in the safety area and used the facilities of the field dur- ing the summer months. For the seventh consecutive year Airport officials report that the field has operated without a casualty or serious mishap.
123
In normal years eighteen to twenty planes are regu- larly tied down on the field. Many former members of the Association are now serving in important aircraft activities in this country and abroad. Several members are in the Armed Services and should soon return to active participation at the Braintree flying field.
Residents of Braintree interested in flying at the Braintree Airport are required to register with the Air- port Commission before using the facilities of the Town. You are invited to join the Braintree Airport Association.
Braintree School Committee
The School Committee is pleased to report that dur- ing the year 1954 continued progress has been main- tained in the program instituted for the educational and physical improvement of our schools. Again we are deeply grateful for the splendid cooperation given us by the administration officers of the School Department, the faculty, the custodians and the townspeople.
For the purpose of avoiding repetition, we direct your attention to the report of the Superintendent of Schools which follows and in it you will find in detail the activities of the School Department for the past year.
Braintree is still faced with a continued housing problem. We believed that with the adoption of the Junior High School plan our needs would amply be cared for up through the year 1960. This was based on a continued normal growth of the Town. We find, how- ever, because of abnormal real estate developments now underway in the Highlands section, the Highlands and Foster Schools will be filled to capacity and that if a new seven-room school was made available in the Liberty Street area of the South District next September, this school would be filled to capacity. This would also re- lieve our transportation problem in so far as it affects those pupils from the Liberty Street area now being transported to the Highlands and Foster Schools.
124
Contrary to popular belief, we find that in the East Braintree area, one of our older sections, due to an in- crease in the number of pupils who will enter school, seri-
ous consideration must be given to the necessity of adding to and altering the Watson School so as to provide more classrooms and an adequate auditrium.
The School Committee is cognizant of the fact that these requirements will impose an additional tax burden on real estate. This causes us a great deal of concern.
We believe that the time has come when serious con- sideration should be given in finding some other method of taxation, particularly when applied towards education. Persons who have conducted studies in this problem agree that our present method is antiquated.
One has to admit that one of the things that has made the United States the greatest nation on earth is its educational system. Everyone derives untold benefits from it. The cost of maintaining our schools should be more equitably distributed so that theoretically all would share in its upkeep. It might be that here in Braintree with careful study by some interested in this problem of. taxation, more relief could be had through our Electric Light Department.
In closing, we thank the Superintendent of Schools, the school personnel, the Parent-Teachers' Associations, the Town officials and the citizens for their loyalty and cooperation during the year.
OVIDIO D. CHIESA, Chairman Braintree School Committee.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
1. Enrollment
On October 1, 1954, the total school population was 5774, an increase of 421 pupils over the previous year. The table shows the relative enrollments by schools for the past few years.
125
Comparative Enrollment-Braintree Public Schools
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
High
912
897
937
965
1027
Hollis
444
466
489
363
806
No. Grammar
232
236
247
134
X
Highlands
345
419
533
405
485
Foster
218
*196
Torrey
490
500
492
473
*472
Colbert
37
46
48
53
52
Pond
49
57
29
X
Monatiquot
280
322
343
413
426
Lakeside
452
521
Penniman
443
388
409
438
470
Ross
441
462
492
451
Perkins Annex
Perkins
342
281
317
320
*274
Watson
296
296
331
321
*323
Lincoln
432
263
313
277
*271
TOTAL
4253
4604
4983
5353
5774
Increase
243
351
379
370
421
An increase of 421 pupils this year exceeded the average increase of 367 for the past three years. The most crowded situation is at the Highlands School which was reduced from the double-session total of 533 pupils in 1952 to 405 in 1953 by opening of Foster School. Highlands is now back to 485 and expected to hit 560 by next year. The lunchroom has been divided into two additional class- rooms, but no other space is available for classes. This school must have some relief by next year, preferably by providing school housing on Liberty for the pupils now being transported to the Highlands.
It is interesting to note that the school enrollment has increased during the term of the present Superinten- dent from 3346 in 1946, by 2428 pupils. The original estimate that the school population would double in a ten year period will be more than realized.
During this period the Town has provided facilities as follows:
Braintree High School Addition-used primarily to relieve double session rather than to provide additional facilities, but also provided addition to capacity of 200.
126
SHOWING DENTAL FILM AT PENNIMAN SCHOOL
Ross School
15
rooms
capacity
450 pupils
Highlands Addition
2 rooms
60
Monatiquot Annex
5 rooms
"
150
Penniman Annex
5 rooms
"
150
Lakeside School
20 rooms
600
Foster School
7
rooms
210
Perkins Annex
5
rooms
150
Hollis Addition
,
12 rooms
400
Total Additional Capacity
2370
Growth during period
2428
"
The net cost of this school building program in debt service, less State Aid for school buildings in amount of 42%, cost the taxpayer $3.08 on the tax rate in 1954; and will cost $3.69 in 1955 due to payments on Perkins and Hollis bonds coming due for the first time.
The Town has certainly done well in attempting to meet the current needs for school facilities. However, the situation, due to factors beyond our control, remains criti- cal in respect to immediate and future needs as the at- tached reports of the School Study Committee indicate. The indicated immediate needs are :
1. The South Junior High School. Approximate cost $1,250,000-Capacity 800.
127
P.T.A. MOTHERS HELP ADMINISTER LIBRARY AT TORREY SCHOOL
2. An elementary school on Liberty Street. Approxi- mate cost $300,000-Capacity 210.
Both the Hollis Junior High and Highlands Elemen- tary School will be forced into double sessions by Septem- ber 1955 until such time as these additional facilities may become available.
The Braintree High School enrollment as of October 1, 1954 was 1022, which is the first time it has been over the thousand mark since early in the war years. Shift of the eighth grade to the Hollis School has made the fa- cilities very ample this year. The anticipated increase of 100 pupils next year can be handled without too much trouble, but the school will become very crowded in the year 1956-7. By September 1957, the ninth grade pupils must be transferred to the Junior High Schools in order to provide room for Grades 10-12 in the Senior High Building.
2. Maintenance and Improvement of Present Facilities
With the funds and personnel available, the Depart- ment has maintained the appearance of the present build-
128
ings in excellent condition. Many compliments are re- ceived upon the cleanliness and good upkeep of our build- ings. Yet, there are many accumulating difficulties that are not so readily observed by the casual glance. We never seem to be able to secure funds in the substantial amounts that are needed to :
a. Improve heating systems in the older school build- ings. The Perkins, Monatiquot and Torrey Gram- mar systems are gravity air circulation and func- tion poorly in cold weather.
In the old section of the High School, the Lin- coln, Torrey Primary and Watson Schools, the univents are nearly worn out and lack tempera- ture controls. The Highland Univents have no controls. Maintenance of healthy temperatures in these rooms, balancing heat in various sections of buildings in cold weather, is almost impossible.
b. Grounds at the Lincoln, Perkins, Colbert and Highlands should be improved, not only for ap- pearance, but for safety of pupils, access and cleanliness.
These items constitute a backlog which should some- time be covered by a special appropriation. The amount will be substantial; over $150,000 would be required to remedy the conditions listed above.
3. Personnel
Fifteen additional teachers were added to our fac- ulty this year, twenty-eight teachers left and were re- placed by teachers new to the system. The absorption of these members, supervision of their work, inculcation of our ideals and practices requires considerable time and special effort. Our teachers, High School Principal, Dis- trict Principals and Elementary Supervisor all are doing their best to keep standards high and help the schools function smoothly. Secretaries, custodians and lunchroom workers all have worked hard and have the interests of the schools at heart. Credit should be given to the spe- cial teachers, who come into our schools to render special services, for the excellent work they are doing-guid- ance counselors, nurses, physical education instructors, remedial reading teachers and other specialists contribute a great deal to the overall effectiveness of the school and offer much help in meeting special problems.
129
.
FOSTER SCHOOL GRADE III CLOTHING UNIT
During 1954 the faculty members have participated in several unusual activities including :
a. The Reading Exhibit - demonstrating materials and methods used.
b. The September Institute-re-evaluation of the Social Studies program.
c. An in-service course in the Communication Arts.
d. A study to experiment in meeting needs of su- perior children.
e. Study and experimentation in cooperation with the Civic Education Project.
4. Cooperation Between Home and School
Relations between parents and teachers seem to be excellent and morale high. Parent-teacher interviews were planned in grades 1-6 this year by closing school at noon during Education Week in November. Ninety- seven per cent of the parents came for interviews with the teachers and benefits derived from these meetings are regarded as much worthwhile. Teachers speak with appreciation of the opportunity to meet so many parents.
Revisions in the Primary and Intermediate Report Cards have been made in line with opinions of parents
130
and teachers determined during the past two years in many discussions and questionnaires.
The P. T. A.'s contributed much financially to the schools in the nature of: playground equipment, audio- visual aids, recorders, record players, blackout shades, funds for parties, library books, periodicals, etc.
5. Summary
The year 1954 found many problems arising. Many have been solved and several yet remain to be met, but in general it has been a year of progress. We have grown in strength and understanding and look forward to continued growth and progress in the coming year.
RALPH W. PROCTOR, Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL STUDY COMMITTEE
(A) With Reference to the South School District
It is the function of the School Study Committee to study the future school building needs of the Town in relation to the long range school building plan, and to recommend such modifications of that plan as may be- come necessary because of the new residential develop- ments that are continually being planned.
Mr. Ovidio D. Chiesa is chairman of the School Study Committee and the members include Mrs. Almeda W. Cain, Mr. John F. Harkin, Mr. Ronald W. Scott, Mr. Charles W. Baldwin, and Mr. Edward J. Rose.
For the past several months the Committee has been studying the situation in the South School District with particular references to the Braintree Highlands and Foster Schools. Mr. Charles Lord, the South District Principal, has prepared various estimates and maps and has submitted a thorough study of the needs for the im- mediate future.
At the Braintree Highlands School there are pres- ently in use fifteen classrooms. This includes the thirteen regular classrooms in that building plus two temporary classrooms which were created by partitioning off the school lunchroom. In September, 1955, two additional
131
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT WJDA WEEKLY BROADCAST
rooms will be needed and at least one additional room each for thereafter.
At the Foster School seven classrooms are now in use and it was necessary to transfer the sixth grade from this school to the Torrey School and provide bus transporta- tion. In September, 1955, the Foster School will need an additional second grade and the Torrey School will be unable to continue handling the sixth grade from the Foster so that there will be two rooms short at the Foster School.
Mr. Lord's study shows that if an additional seven- "room school were to be available in the Liberty Street area of the South District next September, this school could be filled to capacity and would relieve the High- lands School and the Foster School of the pupils being transported to those schools from the Liberty Street area.
There are several real estate sub-divisions presently in progress in the Peach Street, Brewster Avenue and Foster School areas which it is estimated will bring suffi- cient pupils in the next two years to fill fourteen class- rooms in addition to the seven mentioned in the possible
132
new school. The School Study Committee, therefore, rec- ommends that immediate steps be taken to secure a site for an elementary school in the Liberty Street area, and that an addition to the Foster School be considered for action in the near future.
(B) Concerning Secondary School Needs
Upon the opening of the Hollis School Addition in January, 1955, there will be 806 seventh and eighth grade pupils occupying this building. The capacity of the building is 800 pupils. In September, 1955, there will be 950 pupils and in September, 1956, there will be 1050. It will therefore be obvious that this school cannot ac- commodate these pupils beyond the end of the present school year in June 1955.
The long range school building program includes the construction of a second junior high school in the South District which, even if voted at the March, 1955, Town Meeting, could not be ready for occupancy, at the earliest, before January, 1957. It will doubtless be necessary to have the Hollis School run on a two session basis from September, 1955, until the time the second junior high school is available.
Further study shows that by September, 1957, the ninth grade should be removed from the Braintree High School. At that time the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will number 970, and the seventh, eighth and nineth grades 1500 to be divided by the Hollis and the South Junior High. The peak of the junior high school growth should come in the year 1960-61 with an expecta- tion of 1800 pupils in those grades. The peak of the senior high school enrollment will progress from 1270 in 1959, at which time an addition will be necessary, to 1700 in 1964.
The South District Development Committee is pres- ently working upon plans for the 800 pupil South Junior High School for which the site was secured recently. Preliminary plans are now in the hands of the School Building Assistance Commission and will progress to the working drawings stage as soon as approval of that Com- mission is secured. It is hoped that bids can be obtained to be submitted to the 1955 Town Meeting for action.
133
1954 COMPARATIVE SCHOOL COSTS (M.T.F.) (Cities and Towns 20,000-30,000 Population)
1953-1954
City of Town
1950
1954 Tax Rate
Salary $3965
26.8
$236
Beverly
28,884
60.60
3866
27.2
263
Framingham
28,086
46.00
4193
28.8
256
Be'mont
27,381
40.00
4708
26.7
307
Melrose
26,988
54.40
4312
26.9
254
Gloucester
25,167
54.80
3794
26.7
239
Methuen
24,477
52.00
3552
28.4
208
Leominster
24,075
50.00
3992
27.4
262
Attleboro
23,809
43.10
27.7
190(1952)
Braintree
23,161
50.00
3921
26.6
235
Peabody
22,645
60.40
3907
26.9
260
Milton
22,395
47.00
4178
28.7
266
North Adams
21,567
51.00
4031
23.7
262
Westfield
20,962
41.00
4004
28.5
246
Wellesley
20,549
41.50
4388
23.4
290
W. Springfield 20,438
42.00
4080
25.2
272
Woburn
20,492
45.50
4142
30.6
234
Braintree Rank
of 17
1.0
7
12 (Av. (4068) 14
14
OTHER SOUTH SHORE NEIGHBORS
Weymouth
32,690
39.60
4150
30.5
237
Dedham
18,487
48.60
3725
26.4
247
Norwood
16,636
46.80
4007
29.5
270
Hingham
10,665
50.00
3702(1953)
26.6(1953) 255(1953)
Quincy
83,835
52.00
4234
28.2
241
Brockton
62,860
58.60
4039
32.6
211
1953-1954 Av. Staff
Pupil- Teacher Ratio
1953-1954 Per Pupil
Cost
Northampton
Pop.
29,063
$49.00
134
Braintree Light Department
Your Commissioners submit the annual report of the Braintree Electric Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
NORTON P. POTTER SHELLEY A. NEAL ERNEST T. FULTON, Commissioners.
To the Municipal Light Board
Gentlemen :
Submitted herewith is the Braintree Electric Light Department annual report for the year ending December 31, 1954.
No. 1 Generator was inspected and some repairs made this year. A major overhaul of this unit will be necessary in 1957.
Repairs and alterations on smaller equipment and controls necessary to keep the plant in first class operat- ing condition were made.
No. 3 A Circulating pump was removed for repairs but has not yet been restored to service.
The extension of underground 13.8 K V lines between sub-stations was completed early in 1954 and has been in service since June. We now have direct lines from our Allen Street generating plant to each distribution sub- station with inter-connecting tie lines between sub-sta- tions. The total capacity of this main line system is now 17,500 KVA.
Cables for our 2400 volt feeder circuits and street lighting from the Allen Street station have been installed underground and will be placed in service early in 1955. This will eliminate the major portion of overhead lines on Allen Street.
All street lighting transformers at Allen Street sta- tion were re-located to connect to the new cable installa- tion. These units are now automatically controlled and protector relays installed.
135
Residential area developments have added 474 serv- ices during the year, an increase of slightly over 6% in total number of customers.
Capacity added in distribution transformers was 2025 KVA.
Our total kwh. output up to the end of October shows the effect of a lower industrial usage and loss of output due to the two hurricanes. At this time our total output was 856,000 kwh. below that of 1953. During the last two months this difference was wiped out and the end of December shows an increase of 224,000 kwh. over 1953.
Hurricanes "Carol" and "Edna" were highly destruc- tive to our distribution system, completely disrupting all services. "Carol" arrived on August 31, causing complete outage of all feeders. All line crews worked sixteen hours a day until September 7, when all services were restored. Hurricane "Edna" arrived Saturday, September 11, dis- rupting all but two feeders. All services were restored by Monday night, September 13.
Valuable assistance was rendered to the Light De- partment by the Civilian Defense officers, radio opera- tors, auxiliary police, Police Department, Fire Depart- ment, Highway Department and the Tree Warden. It gives me great pleasure to express my appreciation for their valuable services.
The hurricane also served to demonstate to this De -- partment the value of a two-way radio and we are at present installing such a system on our trucks. We expect to have this equipment in service early in January, 1955.
Peak demand for this year was 13,800 KW repre- senting an increase of 1400 KW over 1953.
Highest output day was 210,000 kwh, an increase of 19,000 over 1953.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Commission- ers, Town Officials, Cusotmers and Employees for their co-operation during the past year.
Following is presented the details showing the physi- cal and operating conditions as prepared in accordance
136
with the annual report to the Department of Public Utilities.
Respectfully submitted, ALBAN G. SPURRELL, Manager.
ANALYSIS OF SALES
Domestic and Commercia'
25,843,649
$581,560.03
Industrial
18,558.491
290,750.06
Municipal
1,680,146
29,095.42
Street Lights
930,984
13,060.00
47,013,270*
$914,465.51*
OPERATING EXPENSES
Production
Superintendence and Labor
$ 67,439.54
Electrical Labor
1,176.68
Boiler Fuel
278,816.28
Water for Steam
2,175.75
Lubricants
334.76
Station Supplies and Expenses
604.26
Maintenance of Station Structures
6,995.23
Maintenance of Boiler Equipment 17,844.14
Maintenance of Turbo Generator Units
18,325.82
Maintenance of Electric Equipment
2,635.88
Maintenance of Accessory Electric Equip. 314.72
Electric Energy Purchased
10,396.48
-$
407,059.54*
Transmission and Distribution
Station and Sub-station Superintendence
and Labor
$ 2,798.93
Operation of Transmission and Distribution of Lines
25,424.16
Transmission and Distribution Supplies
4,678.93
Inspecting and Testing Meters
1,416.18
Removing and Resetting Meters
4,590.22
Maintenance of Transformer Station and
Sub-station Equipment
50.82
Maintenance of Transmission and Distribu- tion of Lines
42,398.36
Maintenance of Underground Conduits
321.80
Maintenance of Meters
4,930.24
Maintenance of Transformers
4,309.01
Hurricane Carol
41,129.00
Hurricane Edna
8,560.61
$ 140,608.26*
Utilization
Operation of Street Lamps $ 5,604.09
Replacement of Street Lamps
2,118.22
Supplies and Maintenance
2,676.70 - $ 10,399.01*
137
General Expenses
Maintenance of Consumers Installations .. $
5,937.13
Office Expense
36,701.59
Advertising
263.17
Manager and Municipal Light Board Salaries
5,966.80
Office Salaries
3,643.04
General Office Expense
7,217.21
Insurance
10,996.60
Accidents and Damages
35.90
Maintenance of General Structures
4,837.31
Miscellaneous General Expense
468.74
DEPRECIATION
$
$ 76,067.49* 140,601.72*
GRAND OTAL OF OPERATING EXPENSES
BOOK VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY
$ 774,736.02* $3,637,051.93*
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT
January 1, 1954, Balance
$2,555,695.62
Net Loss for Year, 1954.
875.44
Balance, December 31, 1954 ...
$2,554,820.18*
INCOME STATEMENT
OPERATING REVENUE
$ 914,465.51
OPERATING EXPENSES
774,736.02
Manufacturing Surplus
ș 139,729.49
Miscellaneous Additions
236.26
$ 139,965.75
Paid on Bonds and Interest
90,841.19
Paid to Town in Lieu of Taxes.
50,000.00
Net Loss Deducted from Profit and Loss .. $
875.44'
BALANCE SHEET
Assets
Plant Investment
$3,637,051.93
Petty Cash
200.00
Special Cash for Construction
2,484.13
Special Bond Fund for Plant Expansion. .
26,172.07
Cash Reserved for Payment of Bonds
and Interest
73,354.17
Special Deposits
12,693.80
Accounts Receivable
97,238.15
Materials and Supplies
34,549.42
Depreciation Fund
256,574.76
Prepaid Insurance
15,551.79
TOTAL ASSETS
$4,155,870.22*
138
Liabilities
Accounts Payable $ .00
Consumers Deposits
12,693.80
Bonds and Notes Payable 1,260,000.00
Interest Accrued 9,187.50
Loans Repayments
273,000.00
Appropriations for Construction Repayments 46,168.74
Profit and Loss
2,554,820.18
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$4,155,870.22*
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
BRAINTREE $ 17,138.08
EAST BRAINTREE
10,503.60
SOUTH BRAINTREE
37,796.51
CONTRACTS & SPECIAL RATES
28,643.19
MUNICIPAL
3,161.77
TOTAL
97,238.15* $
DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT
Balance, January 1, 1954
$ 229,693.95
Transferred from Income
140,601.72
Interest
573.75
Transferred from Operating Account
724.41
(cash re-imbursements by customers on hurricane repairs)
$ 371,593.83
Expended on New Construction
74,177.38
Expended on Hurricane Damages 40,841.69
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1954.
$ 256,574.76*
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT
Balance, January 1, 1954 $ 71,420.10
Faid to Town in Lieu of Taxes.
50,000.00
Expended for Construction
21,186.42
Balance, December 31, 1954 $ 233.68
Transferred from Operating Balance,
December 31, 1954 $ 2,250.45
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1955 .. $ 2,484.13*
$ 901,060.29 CASH RECEIVED AS PER CASHBOOK
PAID TO TOWN TREASURER $ 901,060.29
ACCAUNTS PAYABLE $
.00
OPERATING BALANCE, DEC. 31, 1954. $ 75,604.62
Transferred to Construction Account 2,250.45
Transferred to Reserve for Payment of
Bonds and Interest 73,354.17
OPERATING BALANCE, JAN. 1, 1955 .. $ .00*
139
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD Debits
Balance, January 1, 1954. $ .00
Alban G. Spurell, Manager
901,060.29
$ 901,060.29*
Credit
Faid by Order of Commissioners
$ 825,455.67
Cash Balance, December 31, 1954
75,604.62
$ 901,060.29*
140
--
Tax Collector Year Ending December 31, 1954
1953 Uncollected Balances Charges and Commitments of 1953 and Previous Years Made in 1954.
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