USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1954 > Part 7
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STATE LAW-Upon the approach of any fire ap- paratus which is going to a fire or responding to an alarm, every person driving a vehicle on a way shall immediately drive said vehicle as far as possible toward the right hand curb or side of said way and shall keep the same at a standstill until such fire apparatus has passed. No person
shall drive a vehicle over a hose of a fire department without the consent of a member of such department. No person shall drive a vehicle within eight hundred feet of any fire apparatus going to a fire or responding to an
75
BRAINTREE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN ACTION
alarm, nor drive said vehicle or park or leave the same unattended, within six hundred feet of a fire or within the fire lines established thereat by the fire department. Vio- lations of any provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
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 1954 there were 538 in- spections of fuel oil burner installations. These installa- tions are increasing every year. A person, firm or cor- poration shall not make nor alter a fuel oil burner installa- tion until a certificate of competency has been obtained from the State Fire Marshall.
A permit is required from the head of the Fire De- partment for the installation and storage of Liquified Petroleum Gas systems. Twenty-eight permits were is- sued in 1954 for such installations, also 37 permits for blasting and 450 permits for fires in open air.
Supervised drills and schooling in the department are carried on the entire year to keep abreast of the most advanced fire fighting techniques and equipment.
: 76
Braintree Housing Authority, Inc.
ERNEST J. JANSSEN, Chairman
WILLIAM J. GUSTAFSON
JOHN E. MALONEY Vice Chairman Treasurer
PAUL P. FOLEY CARL R. JOHNSON, JR.
Asst. Treasurer Member
HAROLD C. PEARL, Executive Director
The exteriors of all dwellings and interiors of many were painted during the current year.
As a result of periodic inspections by Authority mem- bers and services of a regularly employed maintenance man the properties have been maintained in very good condition.
In this connection, it may be well to state that repairs due to ordinary wear are made without expense to the tenant; however, repairs to damage caused by tenant ne- gligence, are chargeable to the tenant.
Because of improved financial status some veterans have found themselves above the income limits. Many have purchased their own homes and in so doing have made it possible for a low income veteran and family to secure accommodations in the project. By Court Order the few remaining over-income veterans have been given until March 1, 1955 to secure other accommodations.
The 90 single houses, comprising 50 four-room and 40 five-room dwellings, have been in continuous occu- pancy, although there have been a number of changes in tenants. It is imperative for the economic management of the project that the non-occupancy periods are held to a minimum, so as to meet fixed charges and operating ex- penses.
UNION VILLAGE PROJECT
Eight of the twelve original buildings of this project have been torn down. At this writing there are seven families remaining in one BUILDING, none of whom are eligible for Chapter 200 homes. In compliance with the resolution passed at the annual Town Meeting of 1954 where it was recommended that the remaining buildings
77
be torn down by December 31, 1954, the Authority has instituted action whereby, if necessary, the remaining tenants must vacate the premises prior to a deadline to be determined. Three of the remaining buildings are un- occupied and the Authority has advertised for bids for their removal.
Board of Appeal Under The Zoning By-Law
During the year 1954 the board heard 33 petitions; allowed 20; and denied 10. No action was required on 3 of the petitions for various reasons, such as withdrawal by the petitioner or failure of the petitioner to appear at the hearing.
HERBERT J. REDMAN
EARL R. GRANT
ROBERT A. WOODSUM MERVIN B. HILL
Wiring Inspector ARTHUR F. LUCAS, Inspector GEORGE W. CHARLESWORTH,Deputy Permits Issued 1954:
New Houses 347
New Schools 2
Miscellaneous 976
Total permits issued 1,325
Fees collected from January 1, 1954 to December 31, 1954-$2,651.75.
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Tree Warden
I hereby submit the annual report for the year 1954.
The recent hurricanes, Carol and Edna, caused con- siderable damage to the trees of our town. Many large trees were uprooted and others damaged beyond saving. Many trees will have to be removed and replaced with new trees. It was unfortunate that the hurricanes came so early in the season, as at that period of the year the trees were heavily leaved which provided the resistance which was the primary cause of the serious tree damage. Fortunately, we now have a tree bank sufficient to sup- ply many trees for future planting.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, the High- way, Sewer, Water, Police, Fire and Electric Light De- partments; the Braintree National Guard, the Auxiliary Police, the Short Wave Radio Division of the Civil De- fense and all others who helped in any way during the hurricane emergencies.
Appropriated and expended for
General Care of Trees ..
$1,750
Appropriated and expended for
the Removal of Trees
$2,615
Summary Appropriated
Expended
Unexpended
Salary Transfer (Hurricanes)
$1,040.00
$1,040.00
Salary
1,800.00
1,725.00
.$ 75.00
General Care
1,750.00
1,750.00
Appendix
2,615.00
2,500.00
115.00
New Trees
500.00
497.69
2.31
Tree Bank
500.00
500.00
Totals
$8,205.00
$8,012.69
$192.31
JOHN F. LEETCH,
Tree Warden.
79
Harbor Master
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Braintree
The following activities came under the direction of the Harbor Master during the year 1954:
All available mooring space in the river was in use this year (32).
On May 29th a 14-foot dory belonging to Mr. John Keenan of 74 Edgemont Road was reported missing. This boat was later recovered.
On June 23rd, Port of Boston, Chief Engineer George L. Wey reported the loss of a 16-foot boat. This boat was recovered June 25th by the Weymouth Harbor Mas- ter.
On September 9th the outboard motor belonging to Mr. Arthur E. Buigny of 61 Charles Street, East Wey- mouth, was taken from a boat at the Braintree Yacht Club. It was never recovered.
Dredging of the Weymouth Fore River
On January 17, 1954, the dyke holding back the silt which had been dredged from the Metropolitan Yacht Club Basin, broke, filling the channel. The Selectmen were notified immediately and on Monday, January 18, the Port of Boston Authority inspected the area and took pictures of it. The Authority stated they would have the damage repaired "as soon as the weather improved." This was not done.
All interested parties were notified of a hearing which was held in the Auditorium of the Department of Public Works on July 20th which concerned several South Shore waterways problems, including the dredging of the Weymouth Fore River from the Shaw Street Bridge to the Metropolitan Yacht Club in East Braintree. Seven persons attended this hearing with Representative Her- bert B. Hollis acting as spokesman.
Subsequent to this hearing, on August 18, a survey party was organized for the purpose of inspecting the channel. Your Harbor Master provided the necessary transportation. The Department of Public Works was
80
represented by Mr. Rudolphe Bessette, Director of the Waterways Division, and Mr. Robert Mackinnon, Chief Engineer. Several interested citizens completed the party.
A second survey, requested by Mr. Mackinnon, was made on September 2. Commissioner of Public Works John A. Volpe, with Messrs. Bessette and Mackinnon were in this group.
Since then Representative Hollis has conducted two meetings at the office of your Harbor Master. A com- mittee of nine, representing Braintree and Weymouth, has been appointed to meet with Commissioner Volpe and Director Bessette for the purpose of presenting our reasons for requesting the River be dredged promptly. The committee is continuing its work on this project.
Respectfully submitted,
SEWARD W. TABER, Harbor Master
EARL F. CONNORS, Asst. Harbor Master.
Building Inspector
JOHN C. PAFFORD, Building Inspector DANIEL A. MALONEY, Deputy
Permits Issued
Dwellings
347
Estimated Values $2,543,950.00
Garages (Private)
22
11,350.00
School
1
161,710.00
Factory
1
8,500.00
Restaurant
1
35,000.00
Warehouses
5
49,200.00
Offices
2
6,500.00
All other new construction
7
4,730.00
Additions, Alterations & Repairs.
216 17
191,958.00
Razing
Estimated value of construction .. $3,012,898.00 Fees received for permits 3,175.00
619
Total permits issued
81
Engineering Department
J. WARREN CUFF, Town Engineer
Lines and grades were furnished to the Highway De- partment for the following :
Road Construction-Azel Road, 310 feet; Marsh- field Road, 270 feet; Home Park Road, 335 feet; Walnut Street, 520 feet; Boscobel Street, 115 feet.
Sidewalks-Hunt Avenue, 620 feet.
Drains-Wayne Avenue, 750 feet; Nickerson Road, 180 feet; Commercial Street, 460 feet; Brookside Road, 250 feet; Oakland Street, 250 feet.
Gutter Grades-River Street, Amherst Road, Peach Street.
Plans were prepared for: Layouts of Marshfield Road, Forest Street and Home Park Road; Drain Ease- ments-Farm Road.
Miscellaneous Projects :
Park Department-Lines and grades were furnished for playground at Faxon Park; Survey and plan of Park off Washington Street, Dyer Hill; Layouts of baseball fields at Watson Park, French's Common, Hollingsworth Park, Lakeside School; Staking girls' hockey field at Hollis Playground; Staked out basketball court at Wat- son Park; Staked out two tennis courts at Hollis Field.
Water Department-Location of survey stakes on Oak Street, Randolph; Location of hydrant at corner of Berwick Street and Shaw Street.
Electric Light Department-Pole locations staked on Elm Knoll Road, No. Bowditch Street, Cypress Street, Pearl Street, Walnut Street, Peach Street, Liberty Street, Vinedale Road, Home Park Road, Center Street, Lincoln Street.
Police Department-Accident surveys and plans at corner of Washington Street and Hillside Road, corner of Elm Street and Shaw Street, corner of Elm Street, Hay- ward Street and Commercial Street.
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All deeds and subdivisions were checked and plot- ted accordingly on Assessors Plans, together with three hundred twenty-five new houses, also additions and other buildings. Eight new Assessors Plans were drawn.
Department of Veterans' Services GEORGE A. SHORTLE, Director
The facilities of this Department are available to Veterans and their dependants, at all times, for assis- tance, consultation and advice on matters pertaining to all phases of problems of the veteran and their families.
A more liberalized program was effected in July by the Commonwealth which, in turn, had a monetary ef- fect upon our budget.
Our case load for the past year has been increased due to heavy medical expenses and unemployment.
Unemployment has showed a sharp upward trend in November and December and indications point that this situation is not improving.
Highway Department
JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent
Maintenance
Streets and sidewalks were cleaned throughout the Town. The business centers were cleaned daily.
All catch basins and drains were cleaned.
Drains were repaired where needed.
Patching-Repairs
Town Streets, Sidewalks, Fences and Guard Rails were repaired where needed.
Street Resurfacing
Surface treated about 72,475 lin. ft.
Sewer Trenches and Streets treated and honed about 18,116 lin. ft.
Used 94,503 gallons of Asphalt MC 3.
83
Signs-New
Not a Thru Way 4 Bridge Clearance 6
Street Signs
18
School Zone
6
Curve
2
No Parking
12
Street Painting
Cross walks at all Schools, Streets, Intersections that were recommended by the Selectmen and the Police.
Snow Removal
All streets were plowed and sanded as soon as possible.
Salting begins in Business Centers, Main Streets, Hills and Intersections as soon as snow covered the ground.
Salt used 58 Tons.
Sand used 1174 Tons.
New Construction
Middle Street 200 Lin. ft.
Pond Street-Sullivan's Wall 142 Lin. ft.
Brookside Road-Fence 600 Lin. ft.
New Construction Sidewalks Resurfaced (Asphalt Concrete 1")
Hollis Ave. 1900 Lin. Ft.
Liberty St.
1500 Lin. Ft.
Franklin St.
6500 Lin. Ft.
Bellevue Rd.
1500 Lin. Ft.
Fairview Ave.
600 Lin. Ft.
Cedar St.
1000 Lin. Ft.
New Construction Streets Resurfaced (Asphalt Concrete ) Commercial St. 1400 Lin. Ft.
New Construction Drains
Wayne Ave.
800 Lin. Ft .- 12" Concrete Pipe
Middle St.
500 Lin. Ft .- 12" Concrete Pipe
Commercial St. 500 Lin. Ft .- 12" Concrete Pipe
Chapter 90 Maintenance Washington St. 3000 Lin. Ft.
Chapter 90 Construction Hayward St. 1900 Lin. Ft.
84
Streets Completed By Private Developers
Lavoli Ave .; Water St .; Cain Ave .; Deigan Ave .; Lawson Lane; Paul St .; Bestick Rd .; Joseph Rd .; Nich- olas Rd .; Alfred Rd .; Francine Rd .; Cindy Lane; Farm Rd .; Herbert Rd .; Baker Ave .; Conrad St .; Armstrong Circle.
Streets Under Construction By Private Developers
Moreland Ave .; Celia Rd .; Phyllis Ave .; Virginia Ave .; Milton Rd .; Worthington Cir .; Marcia Rd .; Bur- dock Rd .; Blossom Rd .; Partridge Hill Rd .; Brierwood Rd
Improvement of Streets Under the Betterment Act
Berwick St. 343 Lin. St.
Thayer Rd. 200 Lin. Ft.
Boscobel St. Ext. 100 Lin. Ft.
Storrs Ave. 800 Lin. Ft.
Rubbish Collection
Collections are made monthly, beginning the FIRST MONDAY in Precincts 1 and 2.
The SECOND MONDAY in Precincts 3 and 4. The THIRD MONDAY in Precincts 5 and 6.
Holidays falling on a Monday: Rubbish will begin the following day.
Moth Department JOHN Q. WENTWORTH, Superintendent PRIVATE PROPERTY SPRAYING
85 applications were received and work performed.
The procedure for spraying on private property : For other than Elm trees, 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 re- ceipt of payment. The copy of the receipt is our authority to spray.
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DUTCHI ELM DISEASE
138 samples of sureched trees were sent to the Uni- versity of Massac. uccits Shade Tree Laboratories, at Amherst, Mass.
The report of the'r diagnosis is as follows :
Discased 112 Sterile 26
Contracts were let for removal of diseased trees ; and all have been remove ..
Parks and Playground Commissioners
During the past year the Braintree Board of Parks. and Playground Commis ioners has operated seven play- grounds and three swimming areas. Use of the park fa- cilities and the recreation areas were at an all time high. An average of 500 children attended the playgrounds daily during the summer and over 400 children took part in the swimming instruction program. Additional hun- dreds of townspeople enjoy the swimming at the Town's beaches.
New construction on existing playgrounds and de- velopment of new recreational facilities has been under the direction of the Park Supervisor, Charles F. Abell. A new playground has been constructed at Faxon Street; new baseball diamonds have been built and additional facilities for basketball, tennis and volley ball have been added to many playgrounds.
The two hurricanes did a good deal of damage, de- stroying over 30 shade trees and some pieces of perma- nent equipment on the parks. Plans have been completed to replace all equipment and to plant new trees to take the place of those destroyed during the storms.
The Board of Parks and Playgrounds Commission- ers is making every effort to improve and to expand the Town's park system in order to keep abreast with the in- crease in the Town's population. This increase is re-
86
After
Before
NEW COMBINATION TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURT AT HOLLIS FIELD
flected in the additional number of children using the playgrounds, particularly the number of younger chil- dren. The Commissioners realize that there is an in- creased demand for the use of the playgrounds by Little League, Cub Scouts, industrial organizations and others. During the coming year we will make every reasonable effort to meet these demands and at the same time to continue our own Organized Play and Swimming Pro- grams.
GEORGE F. LEBEN, Chairman DR. EDGAR L. COPP EARL C. HOLLIS ELMER E. RAYMOND, JR. HARRY F. VINTON, JR. GEORGE H. SNYDER, JR. WILLIAM G. DYER
Board of Parks and Playgrounds Commissioners
Sealer of Weights and Measures CALVIN E. YOUNG
I herewith submit the annual report as required by the General Laws, Chapter 98, Section 34.
The measuring and weighing devices in the Town were tested and found in excellent condition. A number of retests were made after sealing. Regular inspections
87
of pre-packaged meats were made. $583.05 received in sealing and adjusting was turned in to the Town Treas- urer. One complaint was received concerning an over- charge on a package of meat made by a store in Quincy. As the buyer did not desire to testify in court, the store operator was visited by the Quincy sealer and myself and a satisfactory adjustment was made to the buyer.
I wish to thank the Town Officials and the business men of Braintree for their cooperation.
Following is a summary of the work done during the year:
Not
Adjusted Sealed
Con- Sealed demned
Scales over 10,000 lbs.
6 32
1
1
Scales under 100 lbs.
7
144
2
2
Weights :
Avoirdupois
3
104
Metric
64
Apothecary
89
Vehicle Tanks :
First 100 gallons
15
Each additional 100 gallons
170
Liquid measures under 1 gal.
12
Meters :
Inlet under 1 inch
9
99
4
Inlet over 1 inch
10
62
Pumps, Kerosene, Oil
or Grease
45
13
Yardsticks
8
-
Totals
29
850
20
3
Reweighing Inspection
Tested Correct
Over
Under
Bread
8
4 .
4
Butter
5
3
2
Cheese
3
1
2
Dry Commodities
4
4
Fruits and Vegetables
20
18
2
Meats and Provisions
12
6
2
4
Totals
52
11
33
8
-
88
Scales 100 to 5000 lbs.
Inspections
Paper cartons 3
Pedlar's Licenses 8
Food Packages 850
Thermometers
2
Scales tested after sealing . 21
CALVIN E. YOUNG.
Civil Defence Agency
Despite several handicaps, the Civil Defense Agency continued to show progress during the year 1954.
The Auxiliary Police and the Communications Di- vision were active during both hurricanes and during Hurricane Edna, these two arms of Civil Defense were able to aid the Electric Light Department to such a de- gree that the town was destored to normal electric serv- ice in a much shorter time than would have been possible.
Early in 1955, the Civil Defense Agency will move to new and enlarged quarters in the basement of the old Thayer Library. This move was made possible through the cooperation of Mr. George Watson, Superintendent of Braintree Water Department. The Civil Defense Agen- cy is grateful for his cooperation and the cooperation of all other department heads who worked with them.
JAMES G. CARROLL, Director, Civil Defense Agency
Planning Board
JOSEPH M. MAGALDI, Chairman RALPH M. SOULE, Clerk EDWARD J. ROSE MITCHELL W. GAWLOWICZ WILLIAM G. DYER J. WARREN CUFF, Ex-Officio
The continued activity in building during the year 1954 has given the Planning Board little time for muni- cipal planning other than subdivision control. All mem- bers of the Board feel that a long-range study of the
89
A TYPICAL STREET CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT COST TO TOWN UNDER PLANNING BOARD SUBDIVISION CONTROL
town's need for playgrounds, parkways, schools, and parking facilities is a function of the Planning Board, but as long as the current building activity continues, the time of the Board must be spent in protecting the inter- ests of the town with regard to streets and utilities in new housing developments. During the year, 29 official meetings of the Board were held and 11 public hearings conducted involving 28 public ways. Several other in- formal meetings were held to discuss problems with de- velopers and other town departments.
Since January 1, 1954, 3.38 miles of new streets have been constructed in Braintree in accordance with the regulations of this board and are in suitable condition to be accepted by the town as public ways at no expense to the taxpayers.
We are concerned regarding the locations of the State's proposed Southeast Expressway and the new Route 128 as they affect Braintree; present plans call for completing the first section of the Southeast Express- way only as far as Capen's Bridge. This, we feel, would present grave traffic problems which could be avoided by constructing that portion of the highway through the town to a point where traffic could be more adequately handled. We have attended hearings held by the State relative to the location of the highway, have conferred with State officials, and are doing everything possible to see that it will be so located and its portions so ter- minated as to serve the town with the minimum of in- convenience.
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Due to the difficulty in disposing of sewage on house lots in the unsewered areas of the town, an article was placed in the warrant for the annual town meeting, call- ing for an increase in lot area from 7,500 square feet to 12,500 square feet in Residence B Zone and from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet in Residence A Zone. This was un- animously voted by the town in March 1954. Certain other articles were drawn and acted upon favorably, calling for revisions of the Zoning By-Law and Zoning map to provide additional industrial areas in an effort to attract industry to the town. The Board feels that these new industrial areas offer excellent potentialities and will attract industry which will be a credit to the town.
The revisions of the General Laws relating to muni- cipal planning which were passed by the 1953 Legisla- ture have necessitated revising our rules and regulations controlling subdivisions. The suggested rules and regula- tions prepared by the Division of Planning of the Massa- chusetts Department of Commerce have been of consid- erable assistance to the Board in preparing the regula- tions for Braintree because of the complications in the planning laws. Considerable thought, time, and effort have gone into the preparation of these regulations, and the Board believes that the result will be better control over new subdivisions which will become assets to the town. One of the major changes provides more stringent specifications for roadway construction in new subdivi- sions. This should represent a real saving in highway maintenance in the town in future years.
The work of the Planning Board dovetails with the work of many town departments, as well as the Board of Parks and Playgrounds and the School Site Survey Committee. Grateful appreciation of the cooperation of those boards, departments, and committees is hereby acknowledged. We particularly express our sincere ap- preciation to the personnel of the Town Engineer's office, especially to Mr. J. Warren Cuff, Acting Town Engineer, who has been of invaluable service to us during the entire year.
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Water Commissioners
To the Citizens of Braintree :
The Town continues to grow and with its growth the problems of the Water Department increase. During the past years we have carried an item averaging $30,000.00 in our budget for main pipe extensions and each year the increasing costs of operation have made it impossible for us to install much more than one-half of our main pipe budget, the balance going for emergency needs. This year we are confronted with a new housing development in Braintree Highlands (something over 150 houses) necessitating our installing a new 10" artery in Peach Street in order to maintain necessary fire protection in this area. The cost of this will be between $40,000 and $45,000. It will be well over 100 years before this housing development pays for this improvement.
The pressure for additional arteries and main pipe extensions continues in other sections of the Town and increases each year as the population increases. In order to bring our piping system up to proper standard it would call for an outlay today of over $400,000.00 and at least one-third of this cost would be chargeable to fire protection, yet we receive in hydrant rental $25.00 per hydrant with an aggregate of approximately $16,000.00. The State Department of Corporations and Taxation, Di- vision of Accounts, has advised us that we should have $40.00 per hydrant as fair and reasonable when you consider the amount of money that we have spent for fire protection.
In 1946 we made extensive improvements to our water system which cost $242,000.00 of which $180,- 000.00 was for new water mains. In 1954 we borrowed $45,000.00 for the construction of the new standpipe on West Street. This money is being amortized over a 15- year period.
On January 1, 1955 we had paid off on the $242,- 000.00 loan $137,000.00 leaving a balance of $105,000.00 still unpaid. In the not too distant future we will be under necessity of making further improvements to the system principally in the form of additional water mains. We are anxious, however, to get behind us as much of this original investment of $242,000.00 as possible before
92
we enter into any further substantial borrowing. It will be 1961 before this is entirely paid and during this time we will be obliged to pay an average of approximately $16,000.00 each year for principal and interest.
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